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Vasily Smyslov vs Vladimir Makogonov
USSR Championship (1944), Moscow URS, rd 2, May-22
Caro-Kann Defense: Maroczy Variation (B12)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

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Kibitzer's Corner
Jan-29-07  Grega: 3rd move was also seen in famous Moro-Bologan game
Jan-29-07  Shams: Yes, it is now called the "fantasy variation" (not sure why) but it used to be, I believe, the Maroczy line.

4.Be3 basically commits white to sacking the b-pawn. If this is not to your taste, 4. Nc3 is more flexible, when you can meet 4...Qb6 with 5. Na4!?

Of course, when you play this line you are hoping black will take on e4 immediately. And he often does; it's sound too but black must be careful.

Jan-29-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  keypusher: <Shams>

<Yes, it is now called the "fantasy variation" (not sure why)>

Because of games like this one.

Tartakower vs NN, 1932

Jan-29-07  Shams: <keypusher> right. NN is not known for being "careful". :)

if you have a minute, see if you can answer my question on that game page?

Jun-09-09  outplayer: 5...Qxb2 is a computer move that proved very dangerous when i played this variation against Chessmaster.
Aug-08-10  xombie: It does not seem to me that white was winning at all, for a long time. Quite an interesting exchange sac.
Nov-14-12  Naniwazu: Possibly a better defensive move than 26...Be7 is 26...Rxd4! when White cannot play 27. cxd4 because of 27...Qxd2 and there's no way to defend the other bishop. The only option for White is 27. Be3 but after 27...Qxc3 28. Qf6 (not 28. Bxd4 Qxd4+ 29. Kh1 Qxf4 30. Qxf4 Bxf4 ) ...Bc5 29. Qe5+ Ka8 30. Rac1 Nd7 31. Qe6 Rg7 the position is unclear.
Jul-01-14  zydeco: This is an amazing game - lots of diversions and attempts to goad an opponent into overextending himself. Makogonov was obviously an insanely tough player. This game is a bit reminiscent of Fischer vs Tal, 1962 in terms of how a white piece drives away the defenders of a g6-pawn.

Smyslov thinks that the game is completely equal until move 38 - "a complex and tense position" - and Makogonov should have played 38....Rc6 but "overestimated his position" with 38.....Nc6. The key point is that white can stop the a-pawn with 44.Rb2-a2 and free his queen for the attack.

Oct-14-23  rmdalodado: This is Game # 37 in Chernev's book The Golden Dozen. After White's third move, the Fantasy Variation, he noted this as a favorite line with Tartakower who played it with success and cited Tartakower vs D Przepiorka, 1929 as an example.
May-03-25  nikrj: Wonderful game by Smyslov. The queen maneuver started with 25.Qg3, disarranging the enemy pieces, impresses me a lot.
May-04-25
Premium Chessgames Member
  DaltriDiluvi: <The queen maneuver started with 25.Qg3, disarranging the enemy pieces, impresses me a lot.>

The queen makes a whole tour of the board:

Move 24 is <Qd1-f3>. Then we have <Qf3-g3-g5-h6-h7-h8-f8-b4-a4-a2-b2-e2>, and we're back about where we started at move 43.

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