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Isidor Gunsberg vs Mikhail Chigorin
Chigorin - Gunsberg (1890), Havana CUB, rd 2, Jan-03
Spanish Game: Morphy Defense. Anderssen Variation (C77)  ·  0-1

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White to move.
ANALYSIS [x]
Notes by Stockfish 9 v010218 (minimum 6s/ply)better is 10.Ng3 dxe4 11.Nxe4 Nxe4 12.dxe4 Qxd1+ 13.Bxd1 Be6 = 0.00 (29 ply)better is 10...Nh5 11.Bg5 f6 12.Be3 Re8 13.N1d2 d4 14.Bxc6 dxe3 ⩱ -0.73 (24 ply)= -0.11 (24 ply) after 11.Bb3 Na5 12.Bg5 dxe4 13.dxe4 Nxb3 14.axb3 Bb7 15.N1d2 12.Ng3 a5 13.O-O a4 14.Bg5 Be6 15.Rfb1 h6 16.Bd2 Re8 = +0.01 (25 ply) 12...h5 13.g5 Nd7 14.cxd4 Nxd4 15.Nxd4 exd4 16.a4 c5 ⩱ -1.36 (23 ply) 13.cxd4 exd4 14.Ng3 Nd7 15.a3 a5 16.O-O a4 17.Bd2 Bb7 ⩱ -0.54 (22 ply) 13...h5 14.g5 Nd7 15.a4 Rb8 16.Nb3 dxc3 17.bxc3 b4 18.c4 ∓ -1.64 (26 ply)= -0.08 (26 ply)better is 16.Bb3 Qd6 17.Bxe6 Qxe6 18.Nb3 Nd7 19.Be3 Rfc8 20.O-O c5 = 0.00 (24 ply) ⩱ -0.57 (24 ply) after 16...Qd6 17.Kf1 c5 18.Kg2 h6 19.Be3 Rac8 20.a4 Rfd8 better is 17...h6 18.Kg2 Nd7 19.Qd1 Qe7 20.a4 c5 21.Be3 Rfc8 22.Rg1 ⩱ -0.53 (21 ply) 18.Ng5 Bc8 19.Kg2 c5 20.Nf3 Be6 21.Ng5 Bc8 = 0.00 (23 ply) ⩱ -0.99 (21 ply) 19.Be3 Bd7 20.Kg2 h5 21.Nh2 Rfd8 22.Rac1 Rac8 23.Bg5 Qe6 = -0.41 (22 ply) ⩱ -1.28 (23 ply)better is 22.a4 Nc6 23.axb5 axb5 24.Kg2 Rxa1 25.Bxa1 Nd4 26.Bxd4 = -0.45 (24 ply)better is 22...Nc6 23.h4 h6 24.a4 b4 25.h5 g5 26.Bd1 Nd4 27.Qe3 Rf4 ⩱ -1.07 (26 ply)better is 23.a4 Raf7 24.axb5 axb5 25.Ra8 Qe7 26.Rha1 Nc6 27.Rxf8+ = -0.50 (26 ply) ⩱ -1.17 (27 ply) after 23...Nc6 24.a4 Raf7 25.axb5 axb5 26.Ra6 Qc7 27.f3 Bf6 better is 25.Qe1 Nb4 26.Bb1 Qd8 27.h4 h6 28.a4 Nxd3 29.Bxd3 Qxd3 ⩱ -0.93 (25 ply) 25...Bf6 26.a4 b4 27.Bd1 Qe7 28.Bc1 Bh4 29.Qe3 Nd4 30.Ra2 ∓ -1.52 (30 ply) 26.Bd1 R4f7 27.a4 Bf6 28.axb5 axb5 29.Ra6 Qc7 30.g5 Bg7 ⩱ -0.51 (23 ply) ∓ -1.65 (25 ply) after 26...Nd4 27.Bxd4 exd4 28.Qf2 Bf6 29.a4 b4 30.h4 Be5 better is 27.Ra1 Bh6 28.Qf2 Bg5 29.a4 Bh4 30.Qe2 b4 31.Bd1 Bg5 ⩱ -1.37 (26 ply)better is 27...Nd4 28.Bxd4 exd4 29.Rc1 h5 30.Bd1 Be5 31.Rc2 Kg7 ∓ -2.10 (25 ply) ⩱ -1.45 (25 ply) after 28.Rc1 Bh4 29.Qe2 R4f7 30.Kh1 Bg3 31.Qg2 Bf4 32.Rce1 Nd4 better is 28...Nd4 29.Bxd4 exd4 30.Rc1 Bg5 31.Ra1 a5 32.Kh1 e5 ∓ -1.76 (24 ply) 29.b4 cxb4 30.Qe3 a5 31.d4 exd4 32.Bxd4 Nxd4 33.Qxd4 ⩱ -1.12 (27 ply)-+ -2.83 (26 ply) 30.d4 Nxd4 31.Bxd4 exd4 32.e5 Qg5 33.Kh1 Kg7 34.Bd3 hxg4 ∓ -2.50 (23 ply)-+ -3.77 (26 ply) 32...Nd4 33.Bxd4 cxd4 34.Kh2 R4f7 35.Qd2 Qf6 36.Kg2 Rh7 -+ -5.90 (25 ply) 33.b4 Nd4 34.Bxd4 exd4 35.Ba2 Qe5 36.Kg2 Rh7 37.Bxe6+ -+ -3.55 (24 ply)-+ -9.26 (25 ply) after 33...Rh7 34.Kg2 Rff7 35.Rh1 Qf4 36.Rh3 Be1 37.Rxe1 Rxh3 -+ mate-in-11 after 42...Qc2+ 43.Ke3 c4 44.bxc4 bxc4 45.Qe2 cxd3; 43.Kd2 Qc1+ 44.Ke2 Qc2+ 45.Ke3 c4 46.bxc4 bxc4 47.Qe2 -+ mate-in-120-1

rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1
FEN COPIED

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Given 39 times; par: 72 [what's this?]

Annotations by Stockfish (Computer).      [35437 more games annotated by Stockfish]

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Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing>
Aug-30-08  TiTi: White can't play 38. Qxf2?
Aug-30-08  Once: 38. Qxf2? Rxh1+ 39. Kxh1 Qxf2 or 39. Kg2 Rh2+ 40. Kxh2 Qxf2+
Aug-30-08  zb2cr: Rats. Saw the first move, but missed the all-important follow-up 36. ... Qd2+. I thought Black had time for 36. ... Nd4 first. That turns out not to work.
Aug-30-08  perhaps: TiTi: White can't play 38. Qxf2?

yes, but looses the queen or worst: 38...Nh1+ 39Kg2 Nh2+ 40Kxh2 Qxf2+ or 40Kg3 or g1 Qxf2++

Aug-30-08  johnlspouge: Saturday (Very Difficult): Black to play and win.

Material: N for B. The White Kg2 has 4 legal moves, but 2 of them are on the h-file where Black has a battery Rh7 and Qh6 behind Bh5, which can discover attack on Rh1. The Black Rf4 exerts pressure on the backward Pf3, and discovers the entry point d2 for Qh6. Given the control of dark squares around Kg2 exerted by Bh5, 35…Rxf3 and 36…Qd2 are promising candidates already. The Black Nc6 is the only passive Black piece.

Candidates (35…): Rxf3, Qd2

35…Rxf3

White must recapture or passively accept a major breach in his defenses without compensation.

(1) 36.Kxf3 Qf4+ 37.Kg2 Qg3+ 38.Kf1 Rf7+ 39.Qf2 Qxf2#

(2) 36.Qxf3 Qd2+

White cannot feasibly interpose, so Kg2 has 3 flight squares.

(2.1) 37.Kh3 Be1#

(2.2) 37.Kg1 Qxb2 (threatening 38.Qxc1+ and 38.Nd4)

Activation of passive pieces is the hallmark of a good candidate. Without further calculation, the threat of activating Nc6 strongly confirms the candidate 35…Rxf3. The Nc6 now threatens the light squares around Kg2, to complement dark square control from Bh4. Counterattack is infeasible, and so White can defend Rc1 (with Qf3 only) or move Rc1 to safety (only along the 1-st rank, to maintain protection of Bb1). Sacrifice of an exchange is now an infeasible defense, because it leaves White a P down defending a huge attack.

38.Qf1 Nd4 (threatening 39…Nd2+, etc.)

White has to sacrifice at least an exchange to survive. The other variations from 37.Kg1 resemble variations from 38.Kf1, next.

(2.3) 37.Kf1 Qxb2 (threatening 38.Qxc1+ and 38.Nd4)

(2.3.1) 38.Qd1 Qf2#

(2.3.2) 38.Rd1 Nd4 39.Qe3 [Qg2 is fatal] Bf2 (threatening 40.Bxe3 and 40.Rxh1+)

40.Qxf2 Rxh1+ 41.Kg2 Rh2+ 42.Kxh2 Qxf2

Black has Q+N+P for R+B.

I preferred 37...Qxb2 to 37...Bf2, to reclaim material and let Nc6 enter the attack, so the computer analysis will be interesting (mainly to see how much more efficient Chigorin's 37...Bf2 was :)

Aug-30-08  johnlspouge: Here is the usual Mom-and-Pop evaluation by Toga II 1.3.1 with <the last move entered> emphasized. and my summary at the end. (Humans can improve near the end of the full computer variation.)

There is a big surprise for everyone :)

(1) 35...Rxf3 36.Qxf3 Qd2+ 37.Kg1 <Bf2>


click for larger view

[ply 15/55 time 00:25 value (to White) -9.33]

38.Kf1 Nd4 39.Bxd4 Qxc1+ 40.Ke2 Rxh1 41.Bxf2 Qd1+ 42.Ke3 Qxb1 43.Qxh1 Qxh1 44.Kd2 Qb1 45.Bxc5 Qb2+ 46.Kd1 Qxb3+ 47.Kd2 Qb2+ 48.Kd1 Qc3 49.Bb4 Qxd3+ 50.Kc1 Qxe4 51.Bc3

(2) 35...Rxf3 36.Qxf3 Qd2+ 37.Kg1 <Nd4>


click for larger view

[ply 15/69 time 00:56 value (to White) -9.04]

38.Bxd4 Bf2+ 39.Kf1 Qxc1+ 40.Ke2 Rxh1 41.Bxf2 Qd1+ 42.Ke3 Qxb1 43.Qxh1 Qxh1 44.Ke2 Qc1 45.b4 Qb2+ 46.Kf3 Qxa3 47.Bxc5 Qxd3+ 48.Be3 Qf1+ 49.Kg3 Qe1+ 50.Kf3 Qxb4 51.Bf2 a5 52.Be3

(3) 35...Rxf3 36.Qxf3 Qd2+ 37.Kg1 <Qxb2>


click for larger view

[ply 18/57 time 01:34 value (to White) +0.54]

38.Rf1 Qd4+ 39.Kg2 Qd8 40.Qe3 Nd4 41.b4 Bg5 42.Qf2 Bh4 43.Qd2 Bg5 44.Qc3 Rxh1 45.Rxh1 cxb4 46.axb4 Qf8 47.Rf1 Bf4 48.Ba2

Chigorin's 37...<Bf2> appears best and slightly better than 37...<Nd4>. Everyone went for 37...<Qxb2> to justify the initial sacrifice 35...Rxf3, but it draws at best and even permits White some pull after 38.Rf1.

<dzechiel>, you were right to be cautious about 37...<Qxb2> ;>)

Aug-30-08  johnlspouge: An additional note: after 37.Kf1, best play follows <lost in space>'s variation closely.
Aug-30-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  chrisowen: That game is quite daring, h3 and black achieves d5. Rxf3 is is the real stunner, I bet this took time for Isidor to comprehend it.
Aug-30-08  kevin86: The opening puzzle position looks like a paradox:black is attacking,but the rook pin seems to be stalling the thrust.

Chigorin pulls a flanking manoever the leave white in a box. White seems afterward to have one less defender than he needs-and his position collapses in a chain reaction.

Aug-30-08  Jack Kerouac: Combinations cumputers do not allow anymore.
Or do they....?
Aug-30-08  Marmot PFL: Found the right idea but could not make it work. Missed 37...Bf2+!, unfortunately after 37...Qxb2 38.Rf1 its black that's in trouble.
Aug-30-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Jimfromprovidence: After 3…Rf3, I tried 36 Rxh4 Qxh4 37 Kxf3 as a potential holding defense for white.


click for larger view

Instead, I found a puzzle within the puzzle. The challenge is to find black’s best move to play and win.

Aug-30-08  johnlspouge: <<Jimfromprovidence> wrote: After 3…Rf3, I tried 36 Rxh4 Qxh4 37 Kxf3 as a potential holding defense for white. Instead, I found a puzzle within the puzzle. The challenge is to find black’s best move to play and win.>

Yes, it is definitely not what you would expect. Thanks.

Aug-30-08  Once: <JimfromProvidence>

I am not sure about black's best move in your position, but there seem to be several ways to win.

37. ... Qh3+ 38. Kf2 Rf7+ 39 Ke1 Qg3+ 40 Kd1 Rf2

or ...

37. ... Qh6 38. Qg2 Qf4+

37. ... Qg5 and 37. ... Rf7+ also look strong.

Aug-30-08  johnlspouge: Hi, <Once>. Most atypically, you speak in variations here ;>)

Most of us would go for 37...Qh3+, but the computer declares 37...Qh6 much more powerful. (Both win easily.) I find it interesting that in chess (as in life), delay of gratification is powerful, but judgment about when to delay so hard to acquire. More than before, I am attuned to a mate-in-one threat as sometimes preferable to check, but <JfP>'s problem is more subtle yet: here, restriction of the K's flight is preferable to check.

Aug-30-08  456: Friday puzzle Aug-29-08 <16. ?> Alekhine vs Van Mindeno, 1933
Aug-30-08  Once: <johnlspouge> I can speak bureaucrat and geek too, when the occasion calls for it! I normally leave the variations to those much better qualified than me.

37. ... Qh6 is indeed a fascinating counter-intuitive move. It doesn't threaten anything and it seems to be moving backwards. But it sets up double threats along the h file and the f4 square. White can't defend both.

Talking of delayed gratification, the black knight has sat on c6 since move 24, but Chigorin quite rightly doesn't play the "obvious" Nd4. The idea of a knight outpost sits as an unrealised threat for the rest of the game.

Aug-30-08  brainof7: 35... Rxf3 36. Qxf3 Qd2+
and i have a really hard time beating a computer from that position but it is definately winning.

Aug-30-08  BlackWaive: Saturday.

After a few minutes, I found 35...♖xg4+ 36. fxg4 ♕f4. I believe that White loses quickly in this line if not for the saving move, 37. ♖h3, which I missed.

According to Toga II 1.4β5c, after 35...♖xg4+ 36. fxg4 ♕f4 37. ♖h3 the position is drawn (with an evaluation of +0.14) with best play from both sides.

Aug-30-08
Premium Chessgames Member
  Jimfromprovidence: <<After 34…Rf3, I tried 35 Rxh4 Qxh4 36 Kxf3 as a potential defense for white.


click for larger view

Now, here’s a puzzle within the puzzle. The challenge is to find black’s best move to play and win.>>

As <johnlspouge> and <once> have stated, 37…Qh6 wins more material than the simpler 37…Qh3 +. Some variations include the following :

To try to guard the h file. If 38 Qg2, then 38… Nd4+! 39 Bxd4 Qxc1 40 Bxe5 (unforced but representative) Qd1+ 41 Kg3 Qe1+ 42 Qf2 Rh3+ 43 Kxh3 Qxf2, etc.

To try to guard the h file version 2. If 38 Kg2, then again, 38…Nd4!. 39 Bxd4 Qh2+ 40 Kf1 Qf4+ 41 Kg1 Qxc1+ 42 Qf1 Rh1+ 43 Kxh1 Qxf1+, etc.

To try to trade queens. If 38 Qe3 , then 38…Qh2! 39 Qf2 Rf7+ 40 Ke2 Rxf2+ 41 Ke1 Qg1# (41 Ke3 Qg3#).

Aug-30-08  Rama: The f4 square beckoned me, too. 35. ... Rxg4+, 36. fxg4 Qf4, with unstoppable threats, many similar to the game's.

I felt the check was more forcing than Rxf3. What am I missing?

Aug-30-08  johnlspouge: <<Rama> wrote: The f4 square beckoned me, too. 35. ... Rxg4+, 36. fxg4 Qf4, with unstoppable threats, many similar to the game's. I felt the check was more forcing than Rxf3. What am I missing?>

The sequence 35...Rxg4+ 36.fxg4 does not displace Qe2 and permit the critical penetration 36...Qd2+.

Aug-31-08  Once: <Rama> I went for the same line, but several posts here (and Fritz analysis) show that it does not work.

Fritz offers one possible line: 35... Rxg4+ 36. fxg4 Qf4 37. Rh3 (annoyng move!) Nd4 38. Bxd4 Qxc1 39. Bb2 Qxb1 40. Bxe5


click for larger view

The monster says that this is = 0.00. Material is level and the black attack has been contained.

As <Johnlspouge> points out, in the starting position d2 is a sexier square for the queen than f4.

Sep-02-08  patzer2: The demolition sacrifice 35...Rxf3!! opens up the White position to a decisive attack.
Jul-11-23
Premium Chessgames Member
  NM JRousselle: I would have loved to have been there to see Gunsberg's facial expression after 35... Rf3!!
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