chessgames.com
Members · Prefs · Laboratory · Collections · Openings · Endgames · Sacrifices · History · Search Kibitzing · Kibitzer's Café · Chessforums · Tournament Index · Players · Kibitzing
Lev Aptekar vs Craig Laird
Labour Weekend Tt (1977), Auckland NZL, rd 5
Nimzowitsch Defense: Scandinavian. Exchange Variation (B00)  ·  1-0

ANALYSIS [x]

FEN COPIED

explore this opening
find similar games 212 more games of C Laird
PGN: download | view | print Help: general | java-troubleshooting

TIP: If we are missing an important game, you can submit it (in PGN format) at our PGN Upload Utility.

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]

A COMPUTER ANNOTATED SCORE OF THIS GAME IS AVAILABLE.  [CLICK HERE]

Kibitzer's Corner
Feb-01-14
Premium Chessgames Member
  Jonathan Sarfati: 18. ♕xg6! — if 19... hxg6 then 20. ♖d3 with unstoppable ♖h3#.
Feb-02-14  Benzol: A powerful performance from Lev. Not long after this Craig became NZ Champion IIRC.
Feb-02-14
Premium Chessgames Member
  Richard Taylor: Hi Paul. i.e. <Benzol> and <Jonathan Sarfati> Yes I am looking at the opening which has transposed into a Centre-Counter. Laird went wrong really with 5. ... e5. The most usual move is 5. ... 0-0-0 (and it seems best here.)

But then 6. Nc3 is better than 6. c4 (but there is a game played by Laird where that happened - in that game it went 6. Nc3 Bb4 7. 0-0 Bxc3 8. bxc3 exd4 9. cxd4? etc but White is almost winning after 9. Nxd4! )

But the Q sac on g6 was great to see!

Jan-17-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: Acceptance of the Q sacrifice offer 19...hxQg6 leads to Greco's Mate on the h-file by the rook, as <JS> notes above.

There are various types of Greco's Mates, but the bishop prevents the cornered king from escaping, and the h-file must be opened for mate by a heavy piece. See these examples: https://chessfox.com/grecos-mate/

So, the Q offer was rightfully declined.

21.Qg5! is another key move. It pins the Rf6, indirectly protecting the loose Rd3 from 21...RxBe6 as the White d-pawn is pinned. The White Q is no longer en prise.

22.Rh3 is yet another protective pin that also safeguard's the rook. There was no time to grab the pawn 22...Qxc4??

23.Rxh6+ takes advantage of the overloaded g7-pawn and the pinned Rf6. Black is in check and must re-capture, but either re-capture drops both Black rooks and leads to checkmate. Thus, resignation was best.

White's dual-purpose attack and defense moves were impressive.

All of this was made possible by 11.Nge7? and the structural leak 12.f6?!

Jan-17-21
Premium Chessgames Member
  fredthebear: Let's insert the dots for Black... All of this was made possible by 11...Nge7? and the structural leak 12...f6?!

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.

<This page contains Editor Notes. Click here to read them.>

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