[Event "Candidates Semi-final"] [Site "London ENG"] [Date "1983.11.30"] [Round "5"] [White "Vasily Smyslov"] [Black "Zoltan Ribli"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "mistr"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "D42"] [Opening "Queen's Gambit Declined: Semi-Tarrasch Defense, Main Line"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/nsspObqZ/N9xS0sFI"] [Orientation "white"] { As mentioned earlier, despite being an ex-world champion already in 1958, Smyslov continued to compete at the high level for decades. Arguably the greatest achievement from his later years happened in the 1982-1985 cycle. First, Smyslov qualified for the Candidates' matches by winning the 2nd place at the strong Interzonal in Las Palmas (at the time, 3 Interzonals were held and two players from each Interzonal were seeded in the Candidates' matches, together with the finalists from the previous cycle). Then, in the quarterfinal Candidates match, luck shined on him as he managed to eliminate Robert Hübner (the regular match ended up 5-5, four tiebreak games also didn't produce a winner which was, in the end, decided by a spin of the roulette wheel!!). Then, in the semi-final Candidate match, Smyslov faced the strong Hungarian grandmaster Zoltan Ribli. After the wins were exchanged in the first two games and two subsequent games, the score in the match was tied. Then, the fifth game happened where Smyslov produced the following masterpiece. } 1. d4 { No more 1.e4 stuff that were prominent in Smyslov's youth. Note that he was 62 years old at the time when this match was played! } 1... Nf6 2. Nf3 e6 3. c4 d5 4. Nc3 c5 { The Tarrasch defence was all the rage in those days (remember that Kasparov used it in the very same cycle with great effect). Nowadays, this move-order is seen quite frequently as well, but mainly because Black immediately opts to go for the very provocative variation involving the immediate recapture on d4. } 5. cxd5 Nxd5 { With this move order, Black opts to go for the very-solid Semi-Tarrasch variation! } (5... exd5 { This would lead to the pure Tarrasch variation where Black accepts the isolated pawn but claims that the dynamic chances compensate for this strategic weakness. Nowadays this variation is not seen that often at the very top level, although it is a frequent guest at the club level. }) (5... cxd4 { At the very top level, this forcing line is nowadays all the rage. After } 6. Qxd4 exd5 7. e4 { It was discovered that the endgame arising after } 7... dxe4 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. Ng5 Be6 10. Nxe6+ fxe6 { Is not at all so advantageous for White as it looks at the first glance (better structure, pair of bishops). }) 6. e3 { Not the most ambitious test of Black's opening scheme. } (6. e4 Nxc3 7. bxc3 cxd4 8. cxd4 { Is another big theoretical line these days. }) 6... Nc6 7. Bd3 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. a3 cxd4 10. exd4 { So, by transposition we have reached a standard position where White is the one with the isolated pawn on d4. Still, White has numerous attacking ideas here so the weakness of the isolated pawn shouldn't be overemphasized. } 10... Bf6 { Placing the bishop on a square where it is exerting pressure on the d4 pawn and controlling the e5 square is quite logical - although not the only way of handling the position. } { [%cal Rf6d4] } 11. Qc2 { With this move, White tries to provoke a concession on the kingside as now the knight is unable to go to f6 to defend the h7 pawn. Once again, there are other natural moves in the position, but this idea seems quite reasonable. } { [%cal Rc2h7] } 11... h6 { Trying to go without the weakening of the dark-squares, but this move allows White to try to go for the more standard battery with the queen in front of the bishop (as we will see happen in the game). } (11... g6 { Would weaken the dark-squares and after } 12. Bh6 Bg7 13. Bxg7 Kxg7 { White can make an argument that the weakened dark-squares make the Black king a little bit less secure! }) 12. Rd1 { Also bringing the rook into play and indirectly defending the d4 pawn. } 12... Qb6 { But this move is a bit too optimistic. The queen tries to pressure the d4 pawn, but it is not particularly well-placed on b6 and it is blocking the standard b6-Bb7 development. } { [%csl Gc8][%cal Rb6d4,Rc6d4,Rf6d4] } (12... Re8 { Or something similar, was more natural in this position. }) (12... Bd7 { Developing the bishop at once and intending to maybe place it on c6, was also quite natural. }) 13. Bc4?! { But this is not the most precise move. Smyslov tries to pressure the d5 point and potentially exchange there and eliminate the weakness, but it transpires Black has ways of dealing with that idea. } (13. Bh7+ Kh8 14. Be4 { Was stronger. The idea is to keep the bishop on a more active diagonal and also to displace the king. Now if } 14... Nce7 15. h4 { And suddenly g4-g5 is coming with a very great effect. Typical computer stuff. } { [%cal Gg2g4,Gg4g5] } 15... Bd7 16. g4 { Here there is no good way to defend against the unpleasant g5 somehow and White is doing very well. } { [%cal Gg4g5] }) 13... Rd8 { Reinforcing the d5 point and intending to take on c3 next. } { [%csl Gd5][%cal Gd8d5] } (13... Nce7 { Trying to reinforce the d5 point is also possible as now } 14. h4 Bd7 15. g4 { Isn't dangerous at all with the bishop exposed on c4 e.g. } 15... Nxc3 16. bxc3 Qc7 17. Bd3 Bc6 { And the few tempi that Black has gained make all the difference in the world. }) (13... Nxc3 { Is a bit premature as after } 14. bxc3 Ne7 15. Bf4 Bd7 16. Ne5 { The bishop on d7 is not defended by the rook which gives White one tempo. Not the most important tempo in the world, but it makes a difference to a certain extent. }) 14. Ne2 { Trying to avoid the exchange of the knight on c3, but it is clear this retreat is not the most desirable move in this type of position. } (14. h3 Nxc3 { Now this thematic exchange, going for the position with hanging pawns, makes a lot of sense, as after } 15. bxc3 Ne7 16. Bf4 Bd7 17. Ne5 { The bishop on d7 is defended and Black can continue harmoniously with } 17... Rac8 { This might not look like such a big deal, but now the bishop on c7 is under threat and Black has a very harmonious position. In both cases, the chances are approximately balanced, but these small nuances are important for human players. }) 14... Bd7 15. Qe4 { Smyslov intends to put the bishop on d3 and create some threats to the king, although objectively speaking this shouldn't work - especially since White lost some time moving the queen and the bishop back and forth. } 15... Nce7 16. Bd3 { Threatening to infiltrate with the queen on h7. } { [%cal Gd3h7] } 16... Ba4? { So far, Ribli has been playing an excellent game, but here he misjudges the potential danger to his king and allows Smyslov to grab the initiative. } (16... Nf5 { It was far better to move the knight to f5 and prevent the queen from going to h7 so easily. If White wants to insist on it, he has to go for } { [%csl Gf5][%cal Rf5d4,Rd3h7] } 17. g4 Nd6 { When now the knight is on d6 and not on e7 - which means that the king has the e7 square available after, say } 18. Qh7+ Kf8 19. Ng3 Ke7 { This, in combination with the fact that the pawn is now on g4, makes a whole lot of difference in the position. White doesn't have an attack here and Black should be objectively winning (although the position does remain to be difficult to play for both sides). }) 17. Qh7+ Kf8 18. Re1 Bb5 { Trying to exchange the light-squared bishop is quite sensible as it gets rid of an important attacking piece. } { [%cal Rb5e2] } (18... Rac8 { Ignoring the danger and continuing the play is now too risky as after } 19. Ng3 { Nh5 is now a very serious threat, e.g. } 19... Bxd4 20. Nh5 Ng8 { And here White has the amazing } 21. Re5 { When g7 will fall and when Black's monarch is in real danger. This is, of course, a cooperative variation, but one that illustrates the potential dangers to the Black king. }) 19. Bxb5 (19. Be4 { Trying to keep the bishop is sensible, but it allows } 19... Bxe2 { This knight is also an important attacker and with it gone, White's attack is gone as well. Thus Smyslov correctly keeps this knight and allows the exchange of the bishop. }) 19... Qxb5 20. Ng3 { One knight is heading to h5 and the other to e5. Black should still have defensive resources here, but it is not too easy to handle this in a practical game. } { [%cal Gg3h5,Gf3e5] } (20. a4 { With the idea of including the rook into the attack, was also quite interesting. } { [%cal Ga1a3,Ga3h3] }) 20... Ng6 { Black takes a moment to open up the e7 square for the king and to cover the annoying check on h8, although it is debatable whether this was yet necessary. Still, sooner or later this knight will go to g6, so there is not that much harm in doing it at this point. } { [%cal Gg6h8] } 21. Ne5 { Bringing the knight into the attack is very sensible. } { [%cal Re5g6] } (21. b3 { IS also a very interesting move here. The idea is to play a4-Ba3 next. Say after } { Is also a very interesting move here. The idea is to play a4-Ba3 next. Say after } 21... Rac8 22. a4 Qxb3 23. Nh5 { White also has some options of Ba3 at the right moment and the position looks quite dangerous for Black. The engine suggests the best way is to give up the exchange with } 23... Rxc1 { Eliminating the strong dark-squared bishop. } 24. Rexc1 Qd3 { And White has an extra exchange, but Black is very solid and White's queen is somewhat stuck on h7, so the position is relatively unclear (although if anyone should have the upper hand it is White). } { [%cal Gd3f5] }) 21... Nde7?? { At the critical moment, Ribli goes full passive mode and underestimated the dynamic possibilities available at White in this position. } (21... Bxe5 22. dxe5 { Nh5 comes and Black can't defend g7. } { [%cal Gg3h5] }) (21... Nxe5 { Is no better as after } 22. dxe5 { The bishop doesn't have a good square. } 22... Bg5 (22... Bh4 23. Bxh6) (22... Be7 23. Qh8#) 23. Bxg5 hxg5 24. Ne4 { And White has a winning position here as Black's kingside is collapsing. }) (21... Qa5 { It transpires that attacking the rook, bringing the queen to c7 and completely ignoring the knight on e5 (and the threat on g6) was the best (and virtually the only) defence. After } { [%csl Re1][%cal Ra5e1] } 22. b4 Qc7 23. Nxg6+ (23. Be3 { Might be better, but once again, it is unclear how much of advantage White has in this position. }) 23... fxg6 24. Qxg6 Bxd4 { Black's point is that provoking b4 has allowed them to gain a tempo and that their position is perfectly fine in this instance. This would have definitely been better than the text move, although such a defensive move is extremely difficult to find (unless you are an engine). }) 22. Bxh6!! { Boom. Now Black's position collapses at once! } 22... Nxe5 (22... gxh6 23. Qxf7#) (22... Bxe5 23. Rxe5 Nxe5 24. Qxg7+ { is not an improvement for Black. }) 23. Nh5 { The pressure against the g7 point is at its peak! } { [%cal Rh5g7,Rh6g7] } (23. dxe5 { Is also good enough, as after } 23... Bxe5 24. Nh5 Nf5 25. Bg5 { Black has to give up some material or get mated! } 25... f6 26. g4 $18) 23... Nf3+ { A possible defence, trying to eliminate the option of advancing the g-pawn, but it doesn't change much. } (23... Nf5 24. dxe5 Bxe5 25. Bg5 { Transposes to the line analyzed earlier. }) 24. gxf3 Nf5 25. Nxf6 Nxh6 26. d5 { A wonderful move, creating pressure against the e6 pawn and also creating various tactical ideas associated with the capture on e6 and with the d6 discoveries. } { [%cal Re1e8] } (26. Qh8+?? { Would be horrible as after } 26... Ke7 27. Qxg7 { And suddenly White is the one losing after } 27... Rg8 28. Nxg8+ Rxg8 { it is never too late to lose a game of chess, I guess! } { [%cal Rg8g1] }) 26... Qxb2 { This loses by force - but what else should Black play? Black at least tries to disturb the knight on f6, but now Smyslov finds a very nice combination. } { [%cal Rb2f6] } (26... Rac8 27. Qh8+ Ke7 28. Qxg7 { is now winning for White as after } 28... Rg8 29. Rxe6+ { Wins on the spot. This was the point behind including the d5 move in the mix! }) (26... Ke7 { loses in a very similar fashion: } 27. Qxg7 Rg8 28. Rxe6+) 27. Qh8+ Ke7 28. Rxe6+!! { A tremendous blow, opening up the 7th rank with a decisive effect. } { [%cal Re6e7,Rh8g7] } 28... fxe6 29. Qxg7+ { Now you can see some discoveries are lining up against the queen on b2. } { [%csl Rb2][%cal Rg7b2] } 29... Nf7 { What else? } (29... Kd6 30. Ne4+ { Loses the queen on the spot. }) 30. d6+ { The crux of the combination. White frees the d5 square for the knight in order to deliver the fatal discovered attack on the queen on b2! } { [%cal Gf6d5,Rd6e7] } (30. Ng8+?? Rxg8 { when the queen on g7 is pinned and when White is lost! } { [%cal Rg8g1] }) 30... Rxd6 31. Nd5+ { Finally winning the queen on b2. } { [%cal Rg7b2] } 31... Rxd5 32. Qxb2 { Black has a rook and the knight for the queen and a pawn, which is insufficient material compensation. Furthermore, the king is weak and the queenside pawns are very exposed, so White doesn't have any particular trouble in converting this position into a full point! } 32... b6 33. Qb4+ Kf6 34. Re1 Rh8 35. h4 Rhd8 36. Re4 Nd6 37. Qc3+ e5 38. Rxe5 { A nice finishing "petite combinaison", simplifying matters even further. } 38... Rxe5 39. f4 { [%cal Rc3f6] } 39... Nf7 40. fxe5+ Ke6 41. Qc4+ { And here Ribli decided to throw in the towel. A wonderful creative achievement, sort of a swansong of Smyslov's career - even if the opening was very suspect by the modern-day standards. After this game, Smyslov took a 1-point lead and then went on to win game 7, as well as the match, qualifying for the final Candidates match against Garry Kasparov. A virtually unparalleled achievement at a such stage in the history of chess - perhaps only Viktor Korchnoi achieved the same success in the World Championship Cycle at an advanced age (although not even Korchnoi played the Candidates Final match above the age of 60). } { [%cal Rc4f7] } 1-0