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GM Dragolub Velimirovic (2480) - GM Ivstan Csom (2465)
[B89]
IBM Open Amsterdam, (Round # 3); 1974.
[A.J. Goldsby I]
This game is also one of the most
amazing
and shocking (& pretty)
combinations - involving a both a back-rank and a passed pawn - that I have
studied in a long time. (I did a survey amongst a bunch of friends, students,
etc. I sent them a small collection of about 35 games
that were lightly annotated. Additionally, I later sent out a collection of
quite a few more games, (75-100); but these were all annotated. The individuals concerned were asked to
pick their favorite surprise or most shocking move. This game was an overwhelming favorite
- for the best combination/most surprising move - by a near 3-to-1 margin.).
White
gets a nice attack and completely overwhelms a fairly strong opponent. (Both players are GM's, at least today. Both players were rated nearly 2500 ELO when
this game was played. This translates to a near FIDE 2600 rating today, when
factoring in the overall inflation since the inception of Arpad Elo's rating
system.).
GM
Dragoljub Velimirovic is one of the more creative chess thinkers of
the 20th century. He is (was) always an original thinker and an dangerous tactician
and opponent. (His best playing days are probably behind him.)
Velimirovic has won the Yugoslav Championship at least twice,
and also has won quite a few International Chess Tournaments. In 1986, he was
rated 2575. (ELO) This was his peak and also probably put him in the top 10-15
players in the world.
Istvan Csom is a Hungarian
GM.
We start off with a
normal (Open) Sicilian.
1.e4 c5; 2.Nf3 d6; 3.d4 Nf6; 4.Nc3
cxd4; 5.Nxd4 a6; {Diagram.}
We have reached a Najdorf Sicilian.
This is one of the sharpest lines in all
of Sicilian practice.
6.Bc4!?,
(Maybe - '!')
This reaches the so-called "Sozin - Najdorf," or the Sozin-like lines of this variation
of the Sicilian.
[ The main line is
usually reached after the move: 6.Bg5, {Diagram?}
with some of the sharpest lines
in all of Sicilian praxis.
White can also play: 6.Be2, {Diagram?}
reaching the older -
but still
very playable lines - (old main
line); of the Najdorf Sicilian. ].
6...e6;
The correct response, immediately blunting the effect of the White KB
on the c4-square.
7.Bb3,
(correct)
In these lines of the
Sozin-Najdorf, one almost always retreats this piece to this square
here on this
move.
(If White does not play this move, he could run into a lot of trouble.)
[ A very wild line is: 7.Be3!? b5; 8.Bb3 b4;
9.Na4 Nxe4; "~" {Diagram?}
which is VERY dangerous ... for BOTH players!! ].
7...Be7;
Of
course, there is absolutely nothing wrong with simple development here.
This
Bishop move also prepares a quick K-side castling.
More normal today - at
least according to many books here, and searches of
the databases - is the line
7...b5!?
[ The main line, according to book, is the continuation: 7...b5!?;
{Diagram?}
A much sharper response than simply developing with moves such as
...Be7;
or even ...Nc6. Now 8.0-0 Be7;
9.Qf3!? Qc7; 10.Qg3 0-0; 11.Bh6!? Ne8;
12.Rad1 Bd7;
13.Nf3 Nc6; 14.Bf4 Qb7; {Diagram?} The end of the column.
15.Rfe1 b4;
16.Ne2!? e5!?; 17.Bg5 Be6; 18.Nh4!? Bxg5; 19.Qxg5 Na5;
20.Bd5!?,
(Or maybe 20.Ng3!?).
20...Bxd5; 21.Rxd5 Nc4; "~" ("=")
{Diagram?}
According to MCO, this position is completely equal.
(Maybe even a tad better for Black.).
Hracek - C.
Lutz; Germany, 1996.
[ See MCO-14; pg.'s # 259 - 261, column # 25, and note # (f.). ] ].
8.Be3!?,
White develops his Queen's-Bishop ... to a very nice central square.
White
obviously intends to try to get back to the main lines of the Velimirovic
Attack.
There is nothing wrong with this approach, yet it requires some
co-operation from Black.
Another question that needs to be answered here is:
"Can I study the Velimirovic Attack
and play it against the Najdorf?" The honest answer is, "NO!"
While you can try to play
the lines you
are familiar with, Black does not have to transpose back to a pure Sozin ...
and
most of the better teachers (and books!) try to discourage Black from adopting
this
particular approach. (See the discussion after Black's next move.)
[ 8.0-0!? ].
8...Nc6;
A good development of this piece.
( Hits
the center squares e5 and d4, develops a piece to a good - maybe it's very
best
- square, and helps in the over-all mobilization of Black's army. {Black rarely
castles on the Q-side, in this line!} ).
But there are drawbacks to this move
that the average player would not be aware of.
This move transposes back to
the Sozin Attack. Modern GM's who are great adherents
to the "pure"
lines of the Najdorf Sicilian would say this is the incorrect approach.
While
I cannot agree with this argument (above), it would seem that if a player of the
Black pieces had studied the Najdorf, he should make every effort to try and
keep
the play as close to the opening he has prepared as possible. There is no
'right' or
'wrong' here ... it is just that if you are a professional chess
player who does nothing
but study chess, you may play any line you like. But if
you are a student or an amateur,
you need to use a more common-sense approach,
and always try to make every
reasonable effort to bring the game back to the
lines you have studied.
Does this sound like a fairly reasonable argument to
you?
9.Qe2!?,
(Maybe - '!') {Diagram?}
The Queen is developed to a strong, but
flexible, central square. From this position
the Q can quickly reach either side
of the chess board, serving both the needs of
attack or defense.
With this move,
White heads for the ultra, razor-sharp lines of ...
"The Velimirovic Attack."
[ With
the move: 9.0-0, White heads for the main lines of the Sozin attack.
].
9...Qc7;
The Black Queen is also developed to a good square, on the
already half-open c-file.
Now both sides castle.
10.0-0-0 0-0;
After a few transpositions, we have now reached the main lines
...
of the
Velimirovic Attack.
11.Kb1!?,
A move designed to get the
White King to just a slightly safer square.
(See L. Kavalek - F. Gheorghiu; Amsterdam, 1974; - in any database of games.).
This
move is NOT the main line here. (More usual is g4, or Rhg1 here.)
While this move is certainly very playable, this line
is not - to the best of my knowledge -
thoroughly explored by modern opening
theory.
This move could also be considered a high-class
waiting move ... Black
is forced to
reveal more of his middle-game plan before White commits completely
to any
particular attacking scheme.
[ The main line here is almost certainly the
move, 11.g4!?, {Diagram?}
[ See MCO-14; pg.'s # 330-332, mainly column # 27,
notes # (i.) through note # (k.). ].
My favorite move is: 11.Rhg1!?, (See any good book on the
Sicilian Sozin.)
See also the game, D.
Ostapenko - P. Yartsev; U.S.S.R; 1969. Click
here. ].
11...b5!?;
A thematic
"space-grabber" in most variations of the Sicilian.
This move is
also a prelude to Black's own Q-side attack.
[ Maybe the move 11...Bd7;
"=" is a
mite safer here? ].
(It
is not clear whether White should exchange here, or just play a3.)
12.Nxc6, (Maybe - '!?')
Instead of being bothered with a3, or the thought of a possible ...Na5; White
decides to simply exchange the Knights.
12...Qxc6;
{Box}
This is forced, of course.
13.Bd4!?,
(Maybe even
- '!')
I am not sure what White hopes to accomplish with this move. In the long
run it could
be a just a complete waste of time. (At least it looks that way, at
a first glance.).
But
... the move does place the QB on a slightly more active
square, and also clears
the e-file, and protects the e4-pawn. (Was White hoping
to provoke Black into an
early - and possibly reckless - pawn advance? {...d5})
**********
[ I thought White would have been very happy with the move:
13.f3!?, {Diagram?}
with a fairly level game.
The move g4!? may even be playable here.
(Trying
to transpose back to more normal lines from here.)
13.g4!? b4!?; {Diagram?} Seemingly winning a pawn.
(Most strong players - and
computers - would be at least tempted to play this
move in the current position.)
( About the same is: 13...Nxe4!?; 14.Nd5!; "~" The position is
a little unclear.
Or
maybe better is: 13...Bb7!; 14.Rd4!? e5!?; 15.Nd5! Nxd5; 16.Bxd5 Qc7;
17.Rd2 Bxd5;
18.Rxd5, "~" {Diagram?} It is an approximately level position.
)
14.Nd5!! exd5; {Diagram?} This looks forced.
(
Play is very similar to the game, L. Brunner - Weindl;
Switzerland, 1991.
--- Except that White's Rook is on h1 instead of g1, and the White King is on
b1.
[ See MCO-14;
pages # 330-332, Columns # 25 - 27, and mostly note # (f.). ] ).
15.g5 Bb7; ('!') {Diagram?}
This looks like the best move here.
***
The alternatives to 15...Bb7 (!); are:
a.).
15...Bg4?!; 16.f3 Bxf3[]; This looks like it might be forced.
(The moves, ...d4; or ...dxe4; also lead to a large advantage for the first player.)
( 16...Be6?; 17.gxf6 Bxf6; 18.exd5; "+/-" or 16...Bd7?!; 17.gxf6 Bxf6;
18.Bxd5, "+/" (Maybe even "+/-") ) 17.Qxf3 dxe4; 18.Qg2 Nh5;
19.Bd5 Qe8; 20.Qxe4 Rc8; 21.Qxb4, "+/" {Diagram?} (Maybe
"+/-")
White has a very large - in fact, a nearly winning - advantage.
b.). 15...Qb5!?; (Maybe dubious? {'?!'}) This turns out badly, yet is a fairly logical try
for Black. 16.Qxb5 axb5; 17.gxf6 Bxf6; 18.Bxd5 Ra6; 19.Bd4,
"+/=" {Diagram?}
White has a very good game. (A small, but secure, advantage.)
c.). Bad is:
15...dxe4?; 16.gxf6 Bxf6; 17.Bd5 Qb5; 18.Qxb5 axb5; 19.Bxa8 Bg4;
20.Bxe4 Bxd1; 21.Rxd1, "+/-" {Diagram?} White is just a piece up.
d). Probably inferior is: 15...Nxe4?!; 16.Bxd5 Qa4!;
{Diagram?}
A passive retreat will simply just lose here.
(Now the position is almost an exact replica of the game:
L. Brunner - A. Weindl; - - - except White's Rook is on h1 instead of g1.)
(16...Qc7?!; 17.Bxa8, "+/"). 17.Bxa8, ('!')
"+/" {Diagram?} (Maybe "+/-")
White is much better. (If not winning outright.)
( If 17.Bxe4!?, then 17...b3!; 18.Bxa8 Qxa2+; 19.Kc1 Bf5; "Comp." {Unclear.} ).
***
(Returning to the main analysis line here.):
16.gxf6 Bxf6;
17.Bxd5 Qc8; 18.Rhg1, "+/=" {Diagram?}
White has a small,
- but solid - edge in this position.
(Analysis Line. {A.J.G.} ].
**********
13...Bb7;
A nice development of the Queen-Bishop on the long diagonal.
(fianchetto.)
This is probably the best development of this piece, yet an
alternative was to
develop the QB to d7. (To leave the a and b-files open for
the Rooks.)
[ 13...b4!?; 14.Nd5!,
"+/=" White is just a little better. ].
14.Rhe1, ('!')
White
puts a Rook on a good square, forming a battery in the center of the board.
White has developed all of his pieces ... to squares that are - at least
visually, at first
glance - very impressive.
[ Playable was: 14.f3!?,
"=" The position is equal. ].
14...Qc7;
Black puts his Queen on maybe a slightly safer square.
[ I
might have been tempted to call White's bluff and play b4. 14...b4!?;
"~"
15.Nd5!,
{Diagram?} A common idea in the Sicilian, but still a
surprise.
--->
A nice tactic, and probably the whole point of White's 13th
move!
(Less convincing is: >/= 15.Bxf6 Bxf6; 16.Na4 Rad8; "=/+").
15...Bd8; {Diagram?}
According to several strong programs, this is forced.
( Just plain bad is: 15...exd5?;
16.exd5 Nxd5[]; (16...Qd7;
17.Qxe7, "+/-").
17.Bxg7 Nf4; 18.Qxe7, "+/" ).
16.Bxf6 gxf6;
17.Nxb4, "+/="
{Diagram?} White has a very clear advantage
from this position. (Maybe -
"+/").
The computer likes: 14...Bd8!?; "~"
{Diagram?} but it is hard to have much
confidence in this move. ].
15.a3!,
(nice)
White stops b4 for
a while.
I like this move very much. If White can hold up Black for just a few
moves on the
Queen-side, he can get his own attack going on the other side of
the board.
[ Also playable was: 15.f3, or
even 15.Qd2!? ].
15...Rac8;
Black completes
the mobilization of his entire army.
[ An alternative here was: 15...e5!?;
16.Be3! Rfc8; 17.f3, "+/=" {Diagram?}
I clearly like White here, although most
programs see this as a nearly equal position.
(The d5-square is open, and the
d6-pawn is a near permanent liability.
The Black QB could also become a bad
piece in many endings.) ].
16.f4!,
(very aggressive)
The most aggressive
approach in this position. White now threatens several
different pawn advances,
(e5, f5, and P@g2-g5-g5); totally throwing Black
off balance.
I
like this move as well. Not only is it one of the sharpest moves for White, it
gains
space, controls the e5-square, (keeping Black pieces from going there); and
also
has the possibility of discouraging Black from making advances in the
center.
[ 16.g4!? ].
16...e5!?;
Black chooses the simplest and most direct
route to prevent White from playing e5.
Yet this move has it's drawbacks - the
d5 square has been significantly weakened. (!)
[ Black could have tried: 16...Qb8;
"~" {Diagram?} with a seemingly playable game.
Or maybe 16...Rfd8!?; {Diagram?}
when maybe White is just a little better. ].
17.fxe5!?,
(Maybe - '!')
The most straight-forward method of dealing with the advance of
Black's e-pawn.
[ White could also have played: 17.Bg1!?,
"~" {Diagram?} with a
very
unbalanced position. ].
17...dxe5;
18.Nd5!,
"+/="
The
only good approach for White now is straight ahead.
The next few moves are now
forced.
[ 18.Bf2 Bxa3; "=/+" Black
is just a fuzz better here. ].
18...Bxd5;
19.exd5 exd4;
Now Black's
d-pawn looks weak, and it appears - that eventually .........
White will be able to win it.
[ 19...Nd7!? ].
20.Qxe7 Qxh2?!;
(doubtful)
Black grabs a pawn, but this
is just too risky.
[ Black could play: 20...Qb6!?; {Diagram.}
but White is still better.
Maybe the best line is: >=
20...Qb8!; 21.Qe5!, "+/=" {Diagram.} and
Black
might be able to hold a
defensive position. ].
21.d6!,
"+/" (the lunge of the passed-pawn)
White shoves his d-pawn.
This brutal and direct shove of the d-pawn
gives White a very big advantage.
[ Only mildly interesting is: 21.Qe5 Qxe5;
22.Rxe5 Ne8; and now ...
23.Rxd4, "=" (Maybe - "+/=") {Diagram.} with a long endgame ahead.
Or White could play: 21.Rxd4 Qxg2;
22.Qb4,
"~" (Unclear.) {Diagram.}
when it is not clear who
is better. ].
21...Rce8?!;
(Maybe - '?/??')
Black tries to
drive away the White Queen, but this move is a mistake.
I would like to think
Black was short of time, otherwise how do you explain a very
strong player missing
what follows?
[ MUCH better than the game was: >=
21...Qh5[]; {Diagram?} with
extra
protection for the f7-square.
Now White would win with: 22.g4! Qg6;
23.g5! Qxg5; 24.d7 Rb8; {Diagram?}
This looks to be forced.
( Bad is: 24...Rcd8?;
25.Bxf7+! Kh8; 26.Be8, "+/-"
Definitely bad is: 24...Nxd7??; 25.Qxg5, "+/-" ).
25.Rg1 Qh4; 26.Bxf7+! Rxf7; 27.d8Q+ Rxd8; 28.Qxd8+ Rf8;
29.Rxg7+!! Kxg7;
30.Qe7+! Kg6;
31.Rg1+! Kf5; 32.Qc5+! Ke6; 33.Qxf8, "+/-"
{Diagram?} with
a won
game for White. (Did Black see this threat?).
Definitely bad would be: 21...Rfe8??; 22.Bxf7+,
("+/-") {Diagram?} winning for White. ].
Now we are treated to a cute combination, based on the
power of a pawn on the
6th or 7th rank.
|
The actual game position after 21...Rce8.
|
White to move. - - - What move would
you play in this position?
22.Bxf7+!!,
(Maybe even - '!!!')
{Diagram?}
A real surprise ... an
absolute 'nuke' of a move.
--->
(Most of my students rate this as a complete
"10" in shock value.
A one being the lowest, and a ten being the
highest on the scale.)
[ At this point, I would have probably been tempted to
play something like:
22.Qc7!? Rc8;
23.Qb6 Rb8; 24.Qxd4, {Diagram?} playing on
the fact
that White has a very strong, passed-QP.
A friend and TD (on Chess.Net); suggested that White could
probably win
with Qxf7+, ......... but this fails completely:
22.Qxf7+,
Rxf7; 23.Rxe8, {Diagram?} The only real
try. 23....Nxe8; So far, so
forced.
24.d7, Qb8;
(This is forced.) 25.dxe8+ = (Q), {Diagram?} The only
real try here.
(25.Rf1?, Nf6; "-/+") 25...Qxe8;
26.Rf1, h5!; 27.g3, g6; 28.Ka2!?,
Kg7;
29.Rxf7+,
Qxf7; 30.Bxf7, Kxf7; 31.Kb3!?, g5!;
("-/+") {Diagram?}
Black has an easy win in the K+P
endgame. ].
22...Rxf7;
23.Qxe8+!, (Maybe even - '!!')
The correct follow-up to the Bishop sacrifice.
(But still a
surprising Queen sacrifice according to many of my students.)
[ 23.Qxf6!? Rxe1!; "-/+" ].
23...Nxe8;
24.Rxe8+ Rf8; 25.d7 Qd6[];
Virtually the only move here for Black.
(Black must stop White's QP from promoting, or resign.)
[ 25...Qf4;
26.d8Q, "+/-" Or 25...Rxe8?;
26.dxe8Q# ].
26.Rf1!,
Black Resigns. 1 - 0
Taking
the pawn on d7 allows mate.
[ After the continuation: 26.Rf1! Qf6; {Box?}
{Diagram?}
This is probably forced.
The alternatives are:
a.).
26...h6?!; 27.Rfxf8+ Kh7; {Diagram?} This is forced.
(27...Qxf8; {'?!'} 28.Rxf8+ Kxf8; 29.d8Q+, "+/-" ).
28.d8Q, "+/-" {Diagram?}
Do you think TWO extra Rooks are enough to win?
b.).
26...Qxd7?; 27.Rexf8#, {Diagram?} (Either rook capture was a mate.).
27.Rxf8+ Qxf8; 28.Rxf8+ Kxf8; 29.d8Q+, {Diagram?}
("+/-")
White has an elementary win. ].
----->
A
very brilliant game by the originator of the
Velimirovic Attack!!!
Copyright (c) A.J. Goldsby I.
Copyright © A.J. Goldsby 2002.
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