Ahead in the match by 2-points, Reshevsky is in good position to win the match which forces Kashdan to play aggressively and take chances which can prove dangerous. Thus, in match play, when ahead, it is wise to play openings that try to limit such complex positions. In this, Reshevsky was always a master of the art.
White: Samuel Reshevsky vs. Black: Isaac Kashdan Opening: Grunfeld Defence
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 d5 4. Qb3 c6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. Bf4 O-O 7. e3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Nbd7 9. O-O Nb6 10. Be2 Be6 11. Qc2 Nbd5 12. Be5 Bf5 13. Qd2 Nxc3 14. Qxc3 Ne4 15. Qb4 f6! Playing to secure his beloved bishop-pair, Kashdan tries to achieve some decent play in an otherwise equal position. For the student, it is worth noting how Reshevsky and Kashdan both work the battlefield to good account. Neither side appears to find any noticeable weakness on the front.
16. Bg3 Qd7 17. Rfd1 Kh8 18. Nd2 Nxg3 19. hxg3 Rfd8 20. Rac1 Bf8 21. Qc3 Bg4 22. Qc4 I think this simply plays it safe. More adventureous but perhaps having some more interesting and active play for both sides would be 22. f3 > 23. Kf2 with the thought that square count considerations in move plans might prevail here. Still, Reshevsky remains content to play for the draw and only go for more should Kashdan try to force play where White may benefit.
22….Bxe2 23. Qxe2 e6 24. Ne4 Qf7 25. Nc5 Here for example, Reshevsky is so in tune with drawing that he misses a slightly better turn with 25. Qf3 first. Not that the Knight move is inferior but Kashdan takes the opportunity to gain absolute equality and assures the draw which, by now, he must have resigned himself to splitting the point.
25. … e5 26. dxe5 fxe5 27. b3 Rd5 28. Rxd5 cxd5 29. Nd3 Bg7 30. e4! Rd8 31. exd5 Qxd5 32. Nb2 e4 33. Nc4 Bd4 34. Ne3 Qe5 35. Ng4 Qe7 36. Re1 Re8 37. Qc4 Qg7 38. Qd5 h5! 39. Ne3 40. Nc4 Qc3!! Almost forcing White to accept a draw outcome.
41. Rxe4 Rxe4 42. Qxe4 Qa1+ 43. Kh2 Bxf2 44. Qe8+ Kg7 45. Qd7+ Kg8 46. Qc8+ Kh7 47. Qd7+ Trying one more trick should Black play 47. … Kh6? 48. Qd2+.
47. …Qg7 48. Qe6 Bd4 49.Nd6 Kh7 52.Ne4 Kh6 Draw agreed.
Please note: For some reason from 47…Qg7 on was not recorded in my original script of the game due to the line being dropped on my PC for some reason. And I did not catch the deletion.
A good game to study the psychological factors in playing a match.
November 14, 2011 at 12:47 am |
Amazing Post!…
Thanks a lot for this amazing post. Really amazing!…
January 1, 2012 at 3:34 pm |
Bxd5 exd5 leaving the White king free to mop up the pawns at leisure while the Black king is tied to b7 for ever.
January 2, 2012 at 6:33 am |
Tks for writing but what was the move # as I am not sure what position u refer to. Please let me know.