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Leonid Stein vs Borislav Ivkov
Amsterdam Interzonal (1964), Amsterdam NED, rd 19, Jun-15
Spanish Game: Closed Variations. Chigorin Defense (C98)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Aug-29-06  Albertan: The move 9...Na5 defines the variation being played in this game. It is known as the Chigorin Defense. Ivkov wins a tempo with this move and also allows himself a chance to play the move ...c5 next move, gaining queenside counterplay.White aggressively obtains a pawn duo on the d4 and e4 squares. Black, however, is waiting there for him with his c5 lever pawn. The tension increases in the center on the d4 square already. Stein's c3 pawn has been used to support the (d) pawn's advance. If Black takes the d pawn with his c5 pawn, White will simply take back with the c3 pawn maintaining the duo. Black must carefully guard his e5 pawn. So, he brings out his queen out to c7 for its defense.

Aug-29-06  Albertan: On move 12 Ivkov plays the less well known 12...Nc6. Today the move 12...cxd4 is played the most frequently.

Stein played the move 13.d5 to block the attack potential of the Black knight on f6 (and the Black bishop on c8 if it moved to b7). The move 14.a4 creates the threat of 15.axb5 which practially forces Ivkov to play ...Rb8.

On move 15 Stein played the rarely played 15.c4 creating more pressure against the Black b-pawn. According to my database the main continuation for White on move 15 is 15.axb5 and after Black plays 15...axb5 play usually continues 16.b4 c4.

Aug-29-06  Albertan: According to my database Ivkov's move 15...Bd7 has never been repeated. Instead Black now plays 15...b4 and after 16.Nf1 Ne8 17.g4 g6 18.Ng3 Ng7 19.Kh2 Kf6 the position is equal.
Aug-29-06  Albertan: Ivkov's 28th move of 28...Nb6 appears dubious because it permits 29.Qe8+. Instead of 28...Nb6 he could have played 28...g6 and play might have continued: 29.b4 cxb4 30.Bxb4 Qxb4 31.Qd7 Rb7 32.Qe8+ Kg7 33.Nef1 Qb5 34.Qxb5 Rxb5 with an equal position.
Aug-29-06  Albertan: On move 30 Ivkov could have played the interesting move 30...Ne6!? and play might have continued:

30... Ne6 !? 31. Nxd6 Rxe8 32. Nxb7 Nd4 33. Kf1 Rb8 34. Na5 f5 !? 35. Nc6 Rb7 36. Nxe5 fxe4 37. Ra5 Nf5 38.Rb5 Nd6 39.Rxc5 e3!? 40.fxe3 Nf5 41.Rb5 Nxe3+ 42.Kg1 Nexd5

Aug-29-06  Albertan: Ivkov's move 40..Rb2? was a mistake which allowed Stein to play 41.Ra8!. Ivokov resigned because if he plays: (a)41...Kf7 then after 42.Ra7 Ke8 43.Nxg7 Stein would win another pawn.

(b)41...Kh7?? leads to a forced checkmate:

42.Nf8+ Kg8 43.Ng6+ Kf7 44.f5 Rxg2+ 45.Kxg2 Ne3+ 46.Kf3 Nxf5 47.exf5 h5 48.Rf8#

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