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The Application of Chess Theory
Compiled by xajik
--*--

Published by Pergamon Press

ISBN 0-08-026914-1 (Hardcover)

ISBN 0-08-029738-2 (Flexicover)

Efim Geller was one of the World's leading Grandmasters for over three decades. This collection of one hundred of his best games appeared in 1984.

However, before the games first a few words 'From the Author'.

"The games in this book were played during the 35 years of my career in big-time chess. Do I number them among my best? In the main, yes, because victory in them brought me that which attracts me more than anything in chess. Defeats are also instructive, of course, but that is a quite different topic... The games are grouped in a rather unusual way - according to opening. This is not by accident. All my life I have been working on the problems of chess theory, and to a certain extent such a grouping enables the book to be regarded as a "report on the work carried out". But the main thing is that, by playing through a whole group of games played, for example, with the Sicilian Defence, I think that simultaneously the reader will be able to master a whole series of stratagems, typical of the given opening. In a separate section are games played by the author against grandmasters with the highest title - that of World Champion. Not every game here is a contender for the epithet of "best", but all, without exception are memorable. But then, there is no way that battles with the chess kings could be otherwise...."

The hobbling knight
Geller vs Mecking, 1970 
(C98) Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin, 48 moves, 1-0

A rook in the enemy rear
Geller vs Antoshin, 1970 
(C96) Ruy Lopez, Closed, 41 moves, 1-0

Profiting from a loss
Stein vs Geller, 1966 
(C91) Ruy Lopez, Closed, 32 moves, 0-1

Weakness of a strong point
S Zhukhovitsky vs Geller, 1970 
(C84) Ruy Lopez, Closed, 35 moves, 0-1

Tactics against strategy
Parma vs Geller, 1965 
(C93) Ruy Lopez, Closed, Smyslov Defense, 30 moves, 0-1

A life lasting one evening
Geller vs Portisch, 1967 
(C93) Ruy Lopez, Closed, Smyslov Defense, 23 moves, 1-0

A continuing duel
Geller vs Gligoric, 1970 
(C93) Ruy Lopez, Closed, Smyslov Defense, 40 moves, 1-0

One plan is better than two
Kupreichik vs Geller, 1969 
(C77) Ruy Lopez, 29 moves, 0-1

Adjourning for revenge
Huebner vs Geller, 1970 
(C86) Ruy Lopez, Worrall Attack, 57 moves, 0-1

A quarter of a century of torture
Geller vs Keres, 1973 
(C87) Ruy Lopez, 29 moves, 1-0

In search of adventure
Geller vs E Kogan, 1946 
(B53) Sicilian, 34 moves, 1-0

A miniature-cum-monograph
Geller vs I Vatnikov, 1950 
(B89) Sicilian, 17 moves, 1-0

On the altar of attack
E Gereben vs Geller, 1952 
(B90) Sicilian, Najdorf, 40 moves, 0-1

Strength in movement
Geller vs Najdorf, 1953 
(B92) Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation, 57 moves, 1-0

The all-powerful pawn
Geller vs Ivkov, 1973 
(B92) Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation, 34 moves, 1-0

Clarity is not always necessary
Pilnik vs Geller, 1955 
(B59) Sicilian, Boleslavsky Variation, 7.Nb3, 38 moves, 0-1

The king's Achilles' heel
Geller vs Polugaevsky, 1961 
(B92) Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation, 31 moves, 1-0

Three in one
Geller vs Panno, 1955 
(B98) Sicilian, Najdorf, 23 moves, 1-0

It is easier to be a pawn down
Geller vs Y Nikolaevsky, 1961
(B60) Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer, 44 moves, 1-0

Pursuit of the king
Geller vs B Larsen, 1966 
(B69) Sicilian, Richter-Rauzer Attack, 7...a6 Defense, 11.Bxf6, 43 moves, 1-0

Repeating the past
Geller vs Kholmov, 1957 
(B28) Sicilian, O'Kelly Variation, 45 moves, 1-0

The queen in ambush
Geller vs Reshevsky, 1970 
(B83) Sicilian, 41 moves, 1-0

The bishop was cramped at c6...
Geller vs Polugaevsky, 1973
(B83) Sicilian, 33 moves, 1-0

An instinctive reaction
Geller vs Filip, 1962 
(B84) Sicilian, Scheveningen, 22 moves, 1-0

Another trapped knight
Geller vs A Mikhalchishin, 1978 
(B84) Sicilian, Scheveningen, 32 moves, 1-0

I want to attack!
Geller vs Y Anikaev, 1979 
(B83) Sicilian, 27 moves, 1-0

In search of the truth
Geller vs Andersson, 1982
(B83) Sicilian, 31 moves, 1-0

At the origin of a new system
Geller vs Taimanov, 1960 
(B44) Sicilian, 41 moves, 1-0

Don't betray yourself
Geller vs Vasiukov, 1975 
(B47) Sicilian, Taimanov (Bastrikov) Variation, 45 moves, 1-0

The dragon must be attacked!
Geller vs G Kuzmin, 1978 
(B77) Sicilian, Dragon, Yugoslav Attack, 31 moves, 1-0

The shortest game
Geller vs Suetin, 1981 
(B42) Sicilian, Kan, 20 moves, 1-0

Whose plan is superior?
Geller vs Huebner, 1976 
(B42) Sicilian, Kan, 41 moves, 1-0

Five swift steps
Geller vs A Sokolsky, 1950 
(C18) French, Winawer, 25 moves, 1-0

Gratuitous suffering
Geller vs Stahlberg, 1952 
(C05) French, Tarrasch, 31 moves, 1-0

Against the spirit of the variation
Geller vs Vaganian, 1975 
(C04) French, Tarrasch, Guimard Main line, 26 moves, 1-0

Yet another idea...
Geller vs Vaganian, 1976 
(C07) French, Tarrasch, 28 moves, 1-0

Quickly into the endgame
Geller vs Hort, 1968 
(B18) Caro-Kann, Classical, 41 moves, 1-0

Those brief decisive minutes
Geller vs V Ciocaltea, 1980 
(B08) Pirc, Classical, 41 moves, 1-0

A reserve variation
Geller vs Bronstein, 1973 
(B05) Alekhine's Defense, Modern, 56 moves, 1-0

Check equals mate
Geller vs A Fuderer, 1955 
(D45) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 30 moves, 1-0

A step towards the truth
Geller vs Unzicker, 1952 
(D15) Queen's Gambit Declined Slav, 30 moves, 1-0

Victory through simplification
Geller vs Keres, 1973
(D43) Queen's Gambit Declined Semi-Slav, 42 moves, 1-0

The dominant queen
Geller vs Ivkov, 1965
(D31) Queen's Gambit Declined, 41 moves, 1-0

A rule is a rule!
Romanishin vs Geller, 1978
(D37) Queen's Gambit Declined, 59 moves, 0-1

Mines always explode
Timman vs Geller, 1973 
(D59) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower, 36 moves, 0-1

Victory brings the gold medal
A Beliavsky vs Geller, 1979 
(D58) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower (Makagonov-Bondarevsky) Syst, 38 moves, 0-1

Psakhis vs Geller, 1982 
(D58) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tartakower (Makagonov-Bondarevsky) Syst, 24 moves, 0-1

A new line in opening theory
Geller vs Westerinen, 1967 
(E62) King's Indian, Fianchetto, 38 moves, 1-0

Nevertheless f2-f4!
Geller vs Ljubojevic, 1973 
(A56) Benoni Defense, 40 moves, 1-0

When a pin is more valuable than a rook
Geller vs Velimirovic, 1971 
(E66) King's Indian, Fianchetto, Yugoslav Panno, 50 moves, 1-0

Is it always worth sacrificing the queen?
S Kotlerman vs Geller, 1949 
(E70) King's Indian, 31 moves, 0-1

Energy encouraged
Kotov vs Geller, 1949 
(E67) King's Indian, Fianchetto, 40 moves, 0-1

Whoever seizes the e4 square...
Korchnoi vs Geller, 1963 
(E88) King's Indian, Samisch, Orthodox, 7.d5 c6, 56 moves, 0-1

Refutation of a refutation
Stein vs Geller, 1966 
(E70) King's Indian, 23 moves, 0-1

Zugzwang as a result of carelessness
Uhlmann vs Geller, 1970 
(E75) King's Indian, Averbakh, Main line, 44 moves, 0-1

Just like Baron Munchausen
J Adamski vs Geller, 1968 
(E73) King's Indian, 28 moves, 0-1

The idea came in transit
Korchnoi vs Geller, 1962 
(D80) Grunfeld, 57 moves, 0-1

Dynamics versus statics
Geller vs Bobotsov, 1968 
(E41) Nimzo-Indian, 34 moves, 1-0

An opportunity grasped
Geller vs Keres, 1952 
(E52) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Main line with ...b6, 40 moves, 1-0

Premature activity
Geller vs Keres, 1959 
(E45) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Bronstein (Byrne) Variation, 38 moves, 1-0

At the junction of two openings
Lengyel vs Geller, 1965
(A39) English, Symmetrical, Main line with d4, 26 moves, 0-1

Queens offered as presents
Y Nikolaevsky vs Geller, 1967
(A36) English, 90 moves, 0-1

Take the pawn, please!
Geller vs Z Mikadze, 1968 
(A34) English, Symmetrical, 24 moves, 1-0

Under fire from the bishops
A Beliavsky vs Geller, 1975 
(A33) English, Symmetrical, 28 moves, 0-1

The second and last...
Euwe vs Geller, 1953 
(E60) King's Indian Defense, 63 moves, 0-1

Disturbing the equilibrium
Botvinnik vs Geller, 1951 
(A45) Queen's Pawn Game, 62 moves, 0-1

The blockade of a flank
Botvinnik vs Geller, 1952 
(E68) King's Indian, Fianchetto, Classical Variation, 8.e4, 47 moves, 0-1

Whose weakness is weaker
Botvinnik vs Geller, 1955 
(D35) Queen's Gambit Declined, 40 moves, 0-1

With respect and gratitude
Botvinnik vs Geller, 1969 
(E69) King's Indian, Fianchetto, Classical Main line, 24 moves, 0-1

All decided by tactics
Smyslov vs Geller, 1955 
(E89) King's Indian, Samisch, Orthodox Main line, 34 moves, 0-1

One move further
Geller vs Smyslov, 1961 
(E54) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Gligoric System, 36 moves, 1-0

An extra tempo - is it harmful?
Smyslov vs Geller, 1961 
(D02) Queen's Pawn Game, 41 moves, 0-1

Even in the endgame combinations occur!
Geller vs Smyslov, 1964 
(B17) Caro-Kann, Steinitz Variation, 43 moves, 1-0

With a favourable wind
Geller vs Smyslov, 1965 
(E41) Nimzo-Indian, 58 moves, 1-0

Stop-go tactics
Geller vs Smyslov, 1965 
(E50) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3 O-O 5.Nf3, without ...d5, 60 moves, 1-0

The untouchable queen
Geller vs Smyslov, 1965 
(D87) Grunfeld, Exchange, 31 moves, 1-0

Both opening and endgame...
Geller vs Smyslov, 1970 
(C98) Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin, 79 moves, 1-0

Fashion is always individual!
Smyslov vs Geller, 1973 
(C69) Ruy Lopez, Exchange, Gligoric Variation, 38 moves, 0-1

Brute force of the dragon
Smyslov vs Geller, 1974 
(B73) Sicilian, Dragon, Classical, 34 moves, 0-1

The second cycle
Tal vs Geller, 1962 
(A45) Queen's Pawn Game, 42 moves, 0-1

The loser is the one who makes the last mistake
Tal vs Geller, 1966 
(C84) Ruy Lopez, Closed, 42 moves, 0-1

March of the white king
Geller vs Tal, 1975 
(B08) Pirc, Classical, 41 moves, 1-0

Exceptions to the rule
Geller vs Tal, 1976 
(B84) Sicilian, Scheveningen, 23 moves, 1/2-1/2

Tal vs Geller, 1978 
(D55) Queen's Gambit Declined, 30 moves, 1/2-1/2

Conversion of a bishop
Petrosian vs Geller, 1949 
(E94) King's Indian, Orthodox, 27 moves, 0-1

Blockade or breakthrough?
Geller vs Petrosian, 1956 
(E58) Nimzo-Indian, 4.e3, Main line with 8...Bxc3, 46 moves, 1-0

A suprise...to whom?
Petrosian vs Geller, 1961 
(E73) King's Indian, 50 moves, 0-1

War of nerves
Geller vs Petrosian, 1963 
(C16) French, Winawer, 42 moves, 1-0

The proverb loses its effect
Spassky vs Geller, 1956 
(D32) Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarrasch, 42 moves, 0-1

The price of one move
Geller vs Spassky, 1958 
(C95) Ruy Lopez, Closed, Breyer, 39 moves, 1-0

A harmless suprise
Spassky vs Geller, 1964 
(C85) Ruy Lopez, Exchange Variation Doubly Deferred (DERLD), 74 moves, 0-1

Rook in a trap
Geller vs Spassky, 1967 
(D31) Queen's Gambit Declined, 41 moves, 1-0

The idea remains "behind the scenes"
Geller vs Spassky, 1974 
(B83) Sicilian, 30 moves, 1-0

Improvization on a familiar theme
Geller vs Spassky, 1975 
(A07) King's Indian Attack, 39 moves, 1-0

Breaking the blockade
Geller vs Fischer, 1962 
(B92) Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation, 40 moves, 1-0

Passion is not always an ally...
Fischer vs Geller, 1962 
(B88) Sicilian, Fischer-Sozin Attack, 68 moves, 0-1

Pleasing to...ICCF
Geller vs Fischer, 1965 
(E80) King's Indian, Samisch Variation, 57 moves, 1-0

On the edge of the abyss
Fischer vs Geller, 1967 
(B97) Sicilian, Najdorf, 25 moves, 0-1

Under the microscope of analysis
Fischer vs Geller, 1967 
(B89) Sicilian, 23 moves, 0-1

Knights on the attack
Geller vs Karpov, 1976 
(C16) French, Winawer, 42 moves, 1-0

100 games

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