A Tale of Two Tigers – M. Kellie

Game reviewed at the Dayton Chess Club on October 16th, 2013.
White: Nezhmetdinov
Black: Mikhail Tal (Game played in 1951; a tale of ‘two tigers’)
Game commentary and analysis by: M. Kellie

1. e4 c5

2. Nf3 d6

3. d4 cxd4

4. Nxd4 Nf6

5. Nc3 e6

6. Be2 Nbd7

Position look: An interesting branch chosen by Tal, one of the fiercest attacking players in the history of recorded chess; so, what is Tal up to with this Nbd7 move?

7. O-O a6

8. f4 Qc7

9. g4! b5

Position look: So, we have two great attacking players positioning for the battle to come. Students, please provide your thoughts and ideas for both sides here.

10. a3 Bb7

11. Bf3 Nc5

12. Qe2 e5

13. Nf5 g6

Position look: White and Black have one minor to develop before we’re into a middle game. White has provoked Black with the Nf5 move to REACT. When many tactical possibilities exist on the board and development is not yet completed, usually the advantage resides with the PROACTIVE or attacking player; which happens to be the case in this very beautiful game, I’d opine even, that Black is already lost in this position!

14. fxe5! dxe5

15. Nh6 Ne6

16. Bg2 Bg7

Position look: Black although better developed, is still in a reactionary ‘mode’. Students, how should White continue (hint: the REACT vs PROACTIVE argument previously discussed)

17. Rxf6! Bxf6

18. Nd5 Qd8

19. Qf2 Nf4

20. Bxf4 exf4

Position look: White attacking initiative has thus far paid off; Black is pushed back, i.e. Queen pulled back. Students, how should White proceed?

21. e5! Bxe5

22. Re1 f6

Position look: White is now ready for the final steps of this game…students, how should White proceed?

23. Nxf6+! Qxf6

24. Qd4 Kf8

25. Rxe5 Qd8

26. Rf5+!! gxf5