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Alexey Shirov vs Joel Benjamin
Credit Suisse Masters (1994), Horgen SUI, rd 8, Sep-11
Sicilian Defense: Paulsen. Bastrikov Variation (B49)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Mar-30-04  jacktheripper: the board is burning...shirov kills the brain behind deep blue in this tactical game...enjoyed it
Aug-20-04  Whitehat1963: I dare you to keep your queen en prise for just a couple more moves!
May-06-05  ericjohn: this game can be called the "untouchable queen".
Nov-19-05  Jim Bartle: Right, and Shirov writes he wanted to offer his queen again if Benjamin had played 31..Bxg2+.

He also admits the queen sacrifice on move 25 was unnecessary, that offering the bishop would have worked as well, but "why not try something spectacular?"

Sep-23-06  avidfan: Position before 24.Nf2-g4!


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White's queen is then taboo on threat of Nh6#, a basic mating position.

In the final position, if 33...Rxf6 34.Qe7+ mates at f6 soon after, whether or not the rook interposes at f7.

Jul-28-07  Sir Geoffrey: Why did GM Joel Benjamin didn't opt for his pet 1...g6? It might have been a better struggle against Shirov.
Jan-09-09  Jim Bartle: I wonder if Benjamin wasn't scared away from taking the bishop on move 22 because of Shirov's reputation as a great attacker. Shirov says he didn't have a clear win after 22...exd4.
May-31-13  whiteshark: Black should enter the complications of <22...exd4 23.Nh6+ Kg7 24.Nxf7>.


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John Emms, in "Starting Out: The Sicilian"

Nov-28-15
Premium Chessgames Member
  tpstar: 22. Ng4! is great, then 25. Qxe5!! is even greater.
Nov-28-15  john barleycorn: <whiteshark: Black should enter the complications of <22...exd4 23.Nh6+ Kg7 24.Nxf7>. >

Shirov commented on this game in Schachmagazin 64, 20/94 p. 554. In my free translation:

<22....f6?!
loses quickly. During the game I [Shirov]was not sure about the continuation after 22....ed4 but now I think that blacks position is hopeless after 23.Nh6+ Kg7 24.Nxf7 Bg5 25.Qxg5 Rxf7 26.e5!>

Shirov did not give any exclamation mark to 25.Qxe5 and just notes <25.Bxe5 was also strong but why not continue in a spectacular way?>

Jun-26-20  Isolani: This game actually transposes into B85, at least as soon as move 10.

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