This was a game between Nezhmetdinov and Kotkov in 1957. It is White to move. It seems that White is ahead in development and space advantage. But Nezhmetdinov uncorked an incredible attack. Can you find the best attacking plan for White?
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Nc7, followed by Qd5
Nezhmetdinov’s attack in this game was certainly ooh and ahh and flash and glitter. But was it sound? Kotkov’s 24…Qd8?? allowed a mate in two. Wouldn’t 24…Bg5 have allowed Black to consolidate and win with his extra piece?
Nope, 24…Bg5 still loses in the long run.
25.g3! Rc8!
26.h4 Bc6
27.Re8+! Rxe8
28.Qxc7 Re1+
29.Bf1 Bxd2 30.Qxd6 and white is winning
And incidentally, the whole attack, barring some unplayable side variations is:
1. Nxc7 Qxc7
2. Qd5+ Kh8
3. Re8 Nf6
4. Rxf8+ Bxf8
5. Bb2 Bg7 (Kg7 probably loses to Bc4)
6. Bc4 Bd7
7. Bxf6 Bxf6
8. Qf7 should win.
If black plays something awful like 8…Qd8, then 9. Re8+ is the right deflection to force mate.
DoubleUp,
Your line certainly does win for White, but Black’s play hardly looks forced.
Maybe my esthetic meter is out of tune, but I don’t find White’s play here all that convincing.
I can’t find this game in Megadatabase by name or position. What’s its source?
Russian database.
Best wishes,
Susan Polgar
Thanks for this Susan I did not check last days your blog and now seeing this game was very nice I first saw this one. The line given by “len” in his post is what the game actually played as 🙂 And Kotkov played Qd8. At this point Fritz 10 suggests 24. …Bg5 but still white is winning after Bg5, too. A complete brilliancy of Nezh.