chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Boris Spassky vs Lev Aronson
USSR Championship (1957), Moscow URS, rd 8, Jan-31
Benoni Defense: Pawn Storm Variation (A66)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 2,490 more games of Spassky
sac: 32.Qc1 PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: You can make these tips go away by registering a free account then visiting your preferences page. Simply check the option "Don't show random tips on game pages." and click the Update Profile button at the bottom.

PGN Viewer:  What is this?
For help with this chess viewer, please see the Olga Chess Viewer Quickstart Guide.
PREMIUM MEMBERS CAN REQUEST COMPUTER ANALYSIS [more info]

Kibitzer's Corner
Jan-14-11  goldenbear: Spassky plays all my favorite pawn moves - c4, d4, d5, cxd5, e4, f4, a4, h3, axb5, and b4 - in the first 18 moves!
Feb-23-16  zydeco: Pretty combination starting with 31,Bxg7+.
Jan-31-21  Gaito: An instructive game, showing the power of White's central pawn storm against the Benoni. All the time White kept improving his position with precise positional play, and Black became gradually strangled. The computer (Stockfish12) tells us that White could have won even faster from the following diagram:


click for larger view

In this position Spassky played 31.Bxg7, which is a logical move, getting rid of the best defender of the black king with the consequent weakness of the dark squares. White could then easily exploit the weakened dark squares after Qc1 and Qh6. Nevertheless, Black has a good defensive resource by removing the dangerous white knight on f3. Hence, the engine believes that White ought to keep that knight for attacking purposes. That knight could now jump to g5 with tempo and could eventually be sacrificed on h7 with devastating effect. Therefore, the computer quickly suggests 31.Ng5!, with a very high evaluation, namely +6.74. From the diagram, there followed 31. Bxg7?! and now Black could have replied Bxf3!, removing the dangerous knight. Of course, White is still winning, but the computer evaluation is lower. But Black played 31...Kxg7?, and then White got a new opportunity to bring his knight from f3 into the attack with tempo with 32.Ng5! (Now the computer evaluation has gone up to +7.40). But Spassky probably did not consider that Black could capture on f3, as the black bishop on b7 is a very strong piece. Hence Spassky played the logical 32.Qc1?!, and after 32...Bxf3! the computer evaluation has decreased to only +3.72. But White still had a won game, and Spassky finished it off handsomely.

NOTE: Create an account today to post replies and access other powerful features which are available only to registered users. Becoming a member is free, anonymous, and takes less than 1 minute! If you already have a username, then simply login login under your username now to join the discussion.

Please observe our posting guidelines:

  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, duplicate, or gibberish posts.
  3. No vitriolic or systematic personal attacks against other members.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
  5. No cyberstalking or malicious posting of negative or private information (doxing/doxxing) of members.
  6. No trolling.
  7. The use of "sock puppet" accounts to circumvent disciplinary action taken by moderators, create a false impression of consensus or support, or stage conversations, is prohibited.
  8. Do not degrade Chessgames or any of it's staff/volunteers.

Please try to maintain a semblance of civility at all times.

Blow the Whistle

See something that violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform a moderator.


NOTE: Please keep all discussion on-topic. This forum is for this specific game only. To discuss chess or this site in general, visit the Kibitzer's Café.

Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.
All moderator actions taken are ultimately at the sole discretion of the administration.

This game is type: CLASSICAL. Please report incorrect or missing information by submitting a correction slip to help us improve the quality of our content.

Home | About | Login | Logout | F.A.Q. | Profile | Preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | Biographer's Bistro | New Kibitzing | Chessforums | Tournament Index | Player Directory | Notable Games | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Store | Privacy Notice | Contact Us

Copyright 2001-2025, Chessgames Services LLC