[Event "USSR Championship"] [Site "Moscow URS"] [Date "1945.06.??"] [Round "2"] [White "Vasily Smyslov"] [Black "Iosif Rudakovsky"] [Result "1-0"] [Annotator "mistr"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "B83"] [Opening "Sicilian Defense: Scheveningen Variation, Modern Variation"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/nsspObqZ/godGkDMq"] [Orientation "white"] { In the previous two encounters, we have seen how Smyslov had the ability to play very violent, tactical, Tal-like chess - especially in his youth (but not only in his youth). However, as a player, he is much more famous for his positional, logical and "simple" style with the help of which he sometimes outplayed his opponents imperceptibly and quietly. A perfect example of "vintage" Smyslov style is the following game, played against the Ukrainian Master Iosif Rudakovsky in the 1945 USSR Championship. It is a very famous game that I use to this day to illustrate the power of occupying the d5 square in the Najdorf structure and it is a classic example of the "Good Knight vs The Bad Bishop" scenario. } 1. e4 { Once again, we see Smyslov opening with the king's pawn. } 1... c5 2. Nf3 { But this is a bit surprising. Already back at that time, Smyslov started playing the Closed Sicilian variation - an opening that would bring him a lot of success throughout his career. But, that day he decided to go for the more principled battle in the Open Sicilian. } 2... e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 { The pure Scheveningen variation is considered to be a bit risky nowadays due to the possibility of advancing the g-pawn on the next move, but of course, back in 1945 the theory of this variation (and of many other openings) was only starting to develop. } 6. Be2 { This natural developing move is a natural option - but not the most critical one according to the 21st century standards. } (6. g4!? { This move, leading to the so-called Keres attack, is nowadays considered to be by far the most critical test of the Scheveningen variation. }) 6... Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Be3 { Both sides develop their forces in a logical and natural manner. } 8... Nc6 { The main move in this position, developing the knight, creating some pressure on the d4 knight, and anticipating the advance of the f-pawn that would allow Black to execute the timely e5 counter push in the center. Black is trying to make an argument in this variation that moving the a-pawn is not necessary and that they can start fighting for the center at once. } (8... a6 { Is another big move that transposes to a version of the Scheveningen structure that can be reached via the Najdorf move order (when Black plays a6 earlier on move 5). It was played by a number of strong players, such as Carlsen, Anand and Ivanchuk. }) 9. f4 { White, in turn, embarks on the standard plan for this structure, involving the advance of the kingside pawns. } 9... Qc7 { This move is somewhat surprising, but actually not at all that bad. Black defends the knight on c6 and adds some more influence over the critical e5 square. } { [%cal Gc7c6,Gc7e5] } (9... e5 { Black could have also considered striking in the center immediately with e5, but I think this is a bit premature when the knight on c6 is not protected as after } 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. fxe5 dxe5 { Black does have inferior structure. This is why the main moves here involve defending the c6 knight first. } { [%csl Rc6] }) (9... Bd7 { Defending the knight with the bishop on d7 is by far the most common and natural move in this position. }) 10. Qe1 { This move, intending to transfer the queen to the kingside, is very standard for the Scheveningen structure, but it is not so well-timed here as it allows Black to execute the main idea of the e5 counter advance. } { [%cal Ge1g3,Gg3h4] } (10. a4 { Keeping the option of recapturing on d4 with the queen and making a useful semi-waiting move for now is a better option. } { [%cal Gd1d4] }) (10. Kh1 { Is also a move that comes into consideration. }) 10... Nxd4 { A typical liberating maneuver in the Sicilian, exchanging the knight and intending to strike in the center with e5. } { [%cal Ge6e5] } 11. Bxd4 e5 12. Be3 { Now Black has equallized comfortably as they have gained their fair share in the center. } 12... Be6 { But almost immediately, Rudakovsky makes the wrong decision, allowing the pawn to come to f5 with a gain of tempo. } { [%cal Gf4f5,Ge6c4] } (12... Bd7 { Moving the bishop to d7 and intending to place it on c6 was a better option as it wouldn't have allowed f5 to come with tempo. Now if } 13. f5 Bc6 { Is very strong, as after } 14. Bf3 b5 { And White is in trouble as Black has perfect control over the d5 square and should be able to execute the thematic advance of the d5 pawn very soon. }) (12... a6 { Preparing the move b5 potentially. }) (12... b6 { or b6 intending to fianchetto the bishops, were both also sensible. }) (12... exf4 { Last but not least - Black could have also executed this thematic pawn exchange, removing the possibility of ever playing f5 from White's array of options. } 13. Bxf4 Be6 { In this type of structure, the weakness of the d6 pawn is counterbalanced by the weakness of the e4 pawn and the e5 square and usually in these structures, Black should be fine if they manage to reach a position like this one without any major concessions. } { [%csl Rd6,Re4][%cal Gf6d7,Gd7e5] }) 13. f5 { A very strong continuation that is very typical for this Najdorf structure (with the Black pawns on d6 and e5). White grabs space on the kingside and removes the pawn from f4 where it can potentially be exchanged for the pawn on e5. When doing this maneuver, White does need to be careful not to allow the immediate counterstrike with d5, which is not the case here because this advance comes with the tempo on the bishop on e6. } { [%csl Re6][%cal Rf5e6] } 13... Bc4?! { Continuing with the idea of exchanging the bishops, but it is actually wrong as it weakens Black's grip over the d5 square. It is much easier for Black's bishop to control the d5 square than for the bishop on e2, so this exchange is very much in White's favour. } (13... Bd7 { Retreating the bishop to d7 was objectively better, but now the e4 pawn is not under the attack and White can once again play } 14. Bg5 Bc6 15. Bxf6 Bxf6 { And here White has a very good grip over the d5 square that can be increased even further by bringing the pieces to the d-file and Black is much worse than in lines with the immediate Bd7. }) 14. Bxc4 Qxc4 15. Bg5 { A very strong move! White now exchanges the final defender of the d5 square and intends to plant their own knight there - and there is nothing Black can do against this plan, as Rudakovsky has just exchanged the last defender - the bishop on e6. } { [%cal Rg5e7] } 15... Rfe8 { It is probably better to put the rook on another file as on e8 it merely ends up in some tactical problems, but as it is, Black's position is strategically suspect. } 16. Bxf6 Bxf6 { Now we can see Black has no pieces that can prevent the knight from finding a happy home on d5 - and that factor alone is already sufficient for the game to be strategically lost. } 17. Nd5 { Furthermore - due to the positioning of the rooks (a consequence of the move Re8) - White can jump to d5 immediately. } { [%csl Ra8,Gd5,Re8][%cal Gd5c7] } 17... Bd8 { A very passive defensive move, typical of that era, that gives White everything they ever wanted in this position. } { [%csl Gd8] } (17... Qxc2 { For better or for worse, Black should have probably captured the pawn on c2. At first glance, it seems as if it loses an exchange - but at least it disrupts the natural flow of the game - and forces White to give up the wonderful knight on d5 (that is easily worth at least a rook). Play might continue } 18. Rf2 { Attacking the queen and defending the b2 pawn. } { [%cal Rf2a2] } 18... Qc6 { The queen has to stay on the c-file otherwise Nc7 happens all the same. } 19. Rc1 { Winning the exchange nevertheless as Nc7 is unavoidable now. } 19... Qa6 20. Nc7 { [%cal Rc7e8,Rc7a8,Rc7a6] } 20... Qxa2 21. Nxa8 Rxa8 22. Rfc2 { And even though White has won an exchange, Black has two pawns for it and the conversion task is not at all trivial. I think this would have been a much better saving chance and I feel any modern player would go for something less clear and complicated instead of a position where play is extremely one-sided. }) 18. c3 { Now White secures the c-pawn and Black is left without any counterplay. The knight on d5 is a true octopus, influencing a large part of the board - most notably the f6 square, that creates some attacking chances. } { [%csl Gc3,Gd5][%cal Gd5f6] } 18... b5 { Trying to create some play, but this doesn't lead anywhere. } (18... f6 { Black should probably prevent White from playing f6 once and for all and then wait to see how White will try to break the position. }) 19. b3 (19. f6 { Was very strong already, but Smyslov was never one to rush matters. }) 19... Qc5+ 20. Kh1 Rc8 { Once again this is kinda futile as Black can't open any files on the queenside - but what else to play? } 21. Rf3 { Starting to prepare for the kingside attack. Due to the central control and lack of counterplay on the queenside, the kingside is the side of the board where White should, indeed, play. } (21. f6 { Was once again very strong here. }) 21... Kh8 (21... f6 { Was the last chance not to lose immediately. }) 22. f6 { Now finally Smyslov decides on this pawn advance, opening up the kingside and creating a winning attack. No matter how Black reacts, they are objectively completely lost. } 22... gxf6 (22... Bxf6 { Taking with the bishop is no better, as after } 23. Nxf6 gxf6 24. Qh4 { The attack on the kingside decides the game. } { [%csl Rf6,Rh7][%cal Gh4f6,Gh4h7] }) (22... g6 { Is even worse as after } 23. Qh4 { There is no good way of dealing with the mating threat. } 23... Rg8 { Doesn't help as White has this typical mating pattern available } (23... h5 24. Qg5 Kh7 25. Rh3 { And the sac on h5 will decide. } { [%cal Rh3h5] }) 24. Qxh7+ Kxh7 25. Rh3#) 23. Qh4 { Creating threats on the kingside and attacking the weak points on f6 and h7. } { [%csl Rf6,Rh7][%cal Gh4f6,Gh4h7] } 23... Rg8 24. Nxf6 { Threatening mate on h7. At this point, White is no longer concerned about maintaining the strong knight on d5 and is perfectly willing to allow its exchange for the bishop - matters will be decided in a direct attack. } { [%cal Rh4h7] } 24... Rg7 { Trying desperately to defend h7. } (24... Bxf6 { Getting rid of the knight at this point doesn't change much as after } 25. Qxf6+ Rg7 26. Rg3 { We get something very similar to the game: } { [%cal Rg3g7,Rf6h8] } 26... Rg8 27. Rd1) 25. Rg3 { Hoping to divert the defender and also threatening Qxh7 on the spot right now. } 25... Bxf6 26. Qxf6 Rg8 27. Rd1 { Now the action along the d-file decides. Note that c3 is protected so Black can't ever hope to create some play against the back rank (not that even that would help in this position). } { [%cal Gg3c3,Rd1d6] } 27... d5 28. Rxg7 Rxg7 29. Rxd5 { And here Rudakovsky finally decided to throw in the towel. A convincing, superb and crystal clear game by Smyslov that is a model example on winning the fight for the d5 square in these structures. I really like these old games as their simplicity is sometimes extremely instructive. Mind you, Rudakovsky wasn't some random slouch, but a very respectable master and the game was played at the strongest competition of that time - the USSR Championship - which just shows how much chess has evolved in the last 70 years on all fronts - especially in regard to the opening knowledge and in terms of defensive play. } { [%cal Gd5d8] } 1-0