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Robert Byrne vs Viktor Korchnoi
Moscow (1971), Moscow URS, rd 9, Dec-05
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation. English Attack (B90)  ·  0-1

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

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Kibitzer's Corner
Aug-01-07  Wowie: as expected from Korchnoi, a fine endgame.
Aug-01-07  zev22407: The "English Attack" against the Najdorf was played first By the American R.Byrne.
Jan-29-10  jerseybob: zev22407: The English attack as I know it includes the move f3 to solidify the center.
Jul-20-15  Zugzwangovich: The pawn Byrne sacked on move 8 turned out to be his undoing in the game.
Jul-20-15  andrewjsacks: VERY typical game by "Grandmaster Fearless." Eats a pawn that might cause indigestion, but defends and counters admirably, out-tactics opponent in general, and smoothly finishes in the endgame.
Jan-06-18  Mikhail1962: The Great game.
Feb-10-25  nikrj: Awesome! Another smooth endgame by Korchnoi!
Feb-11-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  HeMateMe: I wonder why Byrne would exchange queens if the gambit pawn was offered to produce complications in the middle game?
Feb-11-25  FM David H. Levin: <<HeMateMe>: I wonder why Byrne would exchange queens if the gambit pawn was offered to produce complications in the middle game?>

Any move other than 16. Qxc6 would have lost material.

Feb-12-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  HeMateMe: You're right. I guess what I was implying was why did Byrne go into a sequence where the exchange of Queens is forced? Such players easily see ten moves ahead, in the most complicated middle games.

I think Byrne's pre game prep collapsed, and he had to think of a new line, on the spot. Exchanging the Big Girls was tantamount to resigning, IMO.

Feb-12-25  FM David H. Levin: <<HeMateMe>: You're right. I guess what I was implying was why did Byrne go into a sequence where the exchange of Queens is forced?>

Thanks for clarifying. According to <find similar games>, this game was the earliest instance of 7...d5 in the CG database. That is one wicked novelty: it shatters White's usual expectation of a stable center in the English Attack.

Consequently, I don't fault Byrne very much for not finding a satisfactory continuation over the board.

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