<NM Steve Wygle presents a copy of his column in the Dispatch from April 1, 1976 featuring local player Jeff Coakley's win over Vassily Smyslov in his simul here on March 25, 1976. Ex-world champion Vassily Smyslov's simultaneous exhibition last Thursday night was an unqualified success. Forty-five local enthusiasts challenged the Soviet grandmaster in a grueling 4½-hour session.
Five players, Joe Chiarelli, Jeff Coakley, John Hamilton, John Hampton and Fred Kohn, forced the Russian star to turn his King over in defeat.
Ten players, Ralph Anthony, Sam Bornholdt, Don D'Angelo, John Hoffamn, Viti Karnitis, Harold Kohn, Ed Lipinsky, Paul May John Tannehill and Steve Wygle, earned hard-faught draws.
In six previous exhibitions on the West coast, Smyslov had drawn 23 and lost none out of more than 230 games played. Despite showing some signs of fatigue from this heavy schedule, the Soviet grandmaster moved rapidly, averaging 10 seconds' thought for each move.
The best win from Smyslov was the following effort by Coakley.
Pirc Defense: Main Line, Austrian Attack
GM Vassily Smyslov
Jeff Coakley
Columbus, OH 1976
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O
A common alternative is 5. ... c5 6. dxc5 Qa5 7. Bd3 Qxc5 8. Qe2 O-O with equal chances.
6. Bd3 Nc6 7. Be3
While this solid developing move can't be bad, it allows Black to begin active counterplay. Here 7. e5 dxe5 8. fxe5 Ng4 is the more critical line.
7. ... Ng4 8. Bg1 e5 9. d5 Nd4 10. h3 Nh6 11. Nxd4
This leads to difficulties for White. Smyslov is trying to win the Black QP, but Black keeps it alive with tactical threats. 11. fxe5 dxe5 12. Qd2 with an unclear and complicated position.
11. ... exd4 12. Ne2 f5 13. Qd2
Not 13. Bxd4, Bxd4 14. Nxd4, Qh4+ with clear advantage to Black.
13. ... fxe4 14. Bxe4 Re8 15. Bf3 Nf5 16. O-O-O Ne3 17. Bxe3
An unpleasant decision, but 17. Re1 Qf6 leaves all White's men awkwardly placed.
17. ... dxe3 18. Qb4
Here 18. Qe1 was preferable. Smyslov's attempt to keep his Queen in active play merely allows Black to advance his Queenside Pawns with gain of time.
18. ... a5 19. Qc4 b5 20. Qb3
If 20. Qxb5 Bxh3 21. c3 (21. Rxh3 Rb8 22. Qa4 Bxb2+ 23. Kb1 Ba3+ gives Black at least a draw), Bd7 22. Qc4 Qb8 23. Nc3 Qb6 leads to a very sharp position. Still, this was a better practical chance for White.
20. ... b4 21. Rhe1 Ba6 22. Nd4
This move, threatening Ne6, Nc6 and Rxe3, looks good, but Black has prepared a simple and effective reply.
22. ... Bxd4 23. Rxd4 Qf6 24. c3
Forced to prevent the loss of the KBP, but Black can now open the b file.
24. ... Rab8 25. Qa4
An instinctive move that loses quickly. After 25. g3 Black has a difficult task: best seems 25... Rb6 26. Re4 Rxe4 27. Bxe4 bxc3 28. Qxc3 Qxc3+ 29. bxc3 Bc4.
25. ... bxc3 26. bxc3 Qh4 27. Qd1 Qf2 28. Be2 Rb6
Decisive. While none of White's pieces can move, Black doubles his Rooks on the b file.
29. c4 Reb8 30. Kc2 Rb2+ 31. Kd3
Loses the Queen, but 31. Kc3 Rb1 32. Qxb1 Rxb1 33. Rxb1 Qxe2 gives Black an easy win.
31. ... Rd2+ 32. Resigns>