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Pal Benko vs Mark Taimanov
Buenos Aires (1960), Buenos Aires ARG, rd 6, Jun-30
English Opening: Agincourt Defense (A13)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

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sac: 36.Nxg5 PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

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Kibitzer's Corner
Mar-13-03  refutor: a text book example of how to play the minority attack
Mar-14-03  kostich in time: Its also a nice example of two knights outpplaying two bishops...Benko really should come out with a collection of his best games
Mar-15-03  actual: I wonder if white knew a queen side attack would work when he played 12 b4?
Mar-28-04  PizzatheHut: <kostich in time> Benko actually just came out with a game collection. It's called "Pal Benko: My Life, Games, and Compositions" and it's written by him, Jeremy Silman, and John Watson. I put up a review on another page, but here it is for your viewing pleasure :) <I actually got a copy of it about a week ago as a gift. To be honest, it's my new favorite chess book. The games are high quality, there's interviews with Benko, Larry Evans, and NM Gross. There's also something like 100 pictures, which comes out to a picture every few pages. There's even some pictures of Fischer visiting Tal in the hospital at Curacao, 1962. The book is also filled with anecdotes from Benko. After reading them, he knew practically everyone and has a story for each person. Scattered throughout the book are blurbs about certain players, and Benko says what he thought about them, or tells a story about them. At the end, there's an opening survey from John Watson, where he analyzes Benko's games in depth and breaks them down into each opening. I think what sets the book apart though is the actual writing. Most chess "biographies" are just some games with a paragraph of background, but here, every chapter starts with numerous pages about Benko's life. He tells about how he escaped the army in the middle of the night, about how bad his life became at some points. He actually seems like a real person, compared to most GM's who make their life seem like nothing more than chess. There's even some pictures of Benko with his wife and children. Last but not least, the quality of the actual book is great. The pages are thick, the layout is nice, and the dust jacket is very cool. I've heard that all copies are hardback, so they're bound to hold up. I know that was really longwinded, but in conclusion this book is my new favorite, and I can't put it down.>
Sep-21-04
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: ...But wouldn't it be better if the same book was about, say, Korchnoi?

I mean - why Benko?

Sep-23-04  vonKrolock: Benkö outplays his powerfull opponent whith amazing ease - after 24...Be8, the Pawn 'a6' falls inexorably; therefore perhaps 24...a5!? would be somewhat more resilient, but even so White prospects were always good - further, a nicer finish escaped after 32...Qd8: The striking 33.Se6!! would force resignation, as a mate in few followed (a) 33...fxe6 34.Sxg5!; and if (b) 33...Qd6, simply 34.Sc7 whith a7 etc to follow. <Pizzathehut> Excellent taste; <offramp> Benkö deserves the best book possible, why not? Korchnoi launched also some autobiographical works ,whithout prejudice of any other similar work. On the contrary - the more of such bios, better for Chess literature...
May-04-05  woodenbishop: <PizzatheHut> Great review. I too, have a copy of this well written, in-depth, and fascinating book. The quality of the construction and of the subject matter of this book are well worth the $45. I especially like the numerous pics throughout the book, as well as Benko's ability to reveal himself as first, a human (not a chess player), and secondly a man of incredible experiences, both on and away from the chess board.
Mar-08-11  vonKrolock: According to the winner, after <14.b4-b5>, black should trade axb5 15.axb5 etc, and <16...h5 ?!> was way too optimistic, better was a6-a5 followed by ♗a6 etc.

<<25.a5!> "Now the game almost plays itself."> (Benko)

Oct-11-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  sackman: Very nice finish! 36 N x g5 could be a nice midweek puzzle
Jul-03-14  zydeco: Benko drove people crazy with his quiet little openings.
Apr-20-18
Premium Chessgames Member
  plang: 4..Nc6 is an odd move; after 6 d4 the position resembles some sort of offbeat Chigorins though the comparisons to that opening don't seem to favor Black. Benko thought. Taimanov must have overlooked 19 g4! as the knight cannot retreat without losing material. Nice game by Benko though Black's opening and early middle game were weak.

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