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David Bronstein vs Alexander Kotov
USSR Championship (1951), Moscow URS, rd 1, Nov-11
King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation. Double Fianchetto Attack (E64)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Kibitzer's Corner
Apr-06-11  Everett: Hmmm... From move 20-32, we see some interesting and strong play from Bronstein. He pitches two pawns to get some remaining pawn play and control of the dark squares on the Q-side. In the resulting position, he has the opportunity to win the exchange but passes.

The resulting position seems to be lost despite the ingenious 34.Nc5. Perhaps Bronstein was again focused on beauty instead of result, for after 33.Nxc7 Qxc7 34.Nxa6 Bxa6 35.Rxa6 he is clearly up.

Apr-06-11  gaatab: Everett.

33.Nxc7 Qxc7 34.Nxa6 qb6+
wining the knight on a6...
still white has a game going.
interesting!

Apr-06-11  Everett: <gaatab> Thanks for that! Nice to see I can miss a simple double attack.
Apr-06-11  Everett: So after 33.Nxc7 Qxc7 white must play carefully but should be doing well after 34.Kh2 or 34.Rf1
Apr-07-11  sevenseaman: < gaatab: Everett.

33.Nxc7 Qxc7 34.Nxa6 qb6+
wining the knight on a6...
still white has a game going.
interesting!>

Not quite. Its a questionable gain at best. White has a rollicking position and some momentum.

35.Kh2 Bxa6 36. Rec1 Rc8 37. Qa3 puts pressure on both a6 and d6.


click for larger view

Black Q is likely to get overworked as White threatens c7 with dire consequences.

Apr-07-11  Everett: There is a decoy tactic in this position that I originally overlooked, and it can crop up in various places. One example happens after <33.Nxc7 Qxc7 34.Kh2?! Nxg3!? 35.Kxg3 Bf4+ 36.Kf2 Qb6+> and with ..a5 and b4 coming, Black's LSB will gain the a6-f1 diagonal. This may be what Bronstein saw. Black has some good activity, complete dominance of the dark-squares, and potentially great scope for his four pieces, while White's extra rook will have a tough time finding any play. But, <33.Nxc7 Qxc7 34.Rfe1> solidifies white's advantage by exchanging off black's well-placed rook, covering against the tactics stated above.

<sevenseamen> Nice line there. I wonder, however if <33.Nxc7 Qxc7 34.Nxa6 Qb6+ 35.Kh2> is really best, as black has <35..Nxg3!>. White is mated after <36.Kxg3 Bf4+ 37.Kf3 <37.Kh4 Qd8#> ..Bh2+ 38.Ke2 Rf2 39.Kd1 Qd4+ 40.Kc1 Qd2+ 41.Kb1 Qxe1 42.Qd1 Qxd1#>. Any other sensible move allows <36..Bf4> and black is in control.

BTW, how do you create diagrams?

Apr-07-11  sevenseaman: <Everett> <<sevenseamen> Nice line there. I wonder, however if <33.Nxc7 Qxc7 34.Nxa6 Qb6+ 35.Kh2> is really best, as black has <35..Nxg3!>. White is mated after <36.Kxg3 Bf4+ 37.Kf3 <37.Kh4 Qd8#> ..Bh2+ 38.Ke2 Rf2 39.Kd1 Qd4+ 40.Kc1 Qd2+ 41.Kb1 Qxe1 42.Qd1 Qxd1#>. Any other sensible move allows <36..Bf4> and black is in control.>

You have a point there. I overlooked the good attacking position of Black DSB.

35. Kh2 is not the best response above. Kh1 will perhaps survive as the White Q on the 3rd rank prevents a N check at g3. A complicated position, needs more thought.

Regarding creating diagrams; go to <CG> 'help' and then to 'FEN'. There is instruction both for creating a new position and copying one from any stage of a game.

If you still find a problem I'll solve it in a jiffy for you. No big deal.

Feb-08-12  screwdriver: Definately not a one sided battle. It looked like Kotov was in trouble with those passed pawns against him, but he figured a way how to defend against them. Kotov wrote books like Think like a Grandmaster and Play like a Grandmaster.
Jul-09-22  cehertan: Definitely another beautiful Bronstein attack in which his creativity got the better of him as it sometimes did. Mostly dumb luck for Kotov.
Jul-09-22
Premium Chessgames Member
  Honza Cervenka: 34...Qf6 could have won the game much faster.

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