Sunday, December 21, 2008

Famous Chess Game with a Queen Sacrifice

Here is my commentary on a famous chess game between Richard Reti and Savielly Tartakower.

1. e4 c6

Tartakower chooses to play the Caro-Kann Defence.

2. d4 d5

3. Nc3 dxe

4. Nxe4 Nf6

5. Qd3 e5

6. dxe Qa5+

Rather than capture white’s queen, black aims to capture white’s e-pawn.

7. Bd2 Qxe5

8. 0-0-0 Nxd4

9.Qd8+ Kxd8

Reti sacrifices his queen. Black’s reply is forced because he has no other move.

10. Bg5++ Kc7

White’s double check may be the most famous in chess history.

11. Bd8#

White’s bishop mates black’s king.

Black thought he was winning because he was ahead in material. His downfall was his premature attack. His king was too exposed. If he had played Be7 on his eighth move, his king would have been safer. To his surprise, Nxd4 was a mistake. This game illustrates the importance of keeping the king safe prior to launching an attack.

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