Benko, Pal C - Tal, Mihail [A20]

WchT U26 04th Reykjavik (10.1), 1957

1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 e5 3.Bg2 c6

Black decides to immediately fight for the center.

4.Nf3
The alternative 4.d4 exd4 5.Qxd4 d5 was discussed in the first game
With this alternative, white prefers to attack the central pawns with pieces (making them
advance further), so that later on he can undermine them with the pawns.

4...e4 5.Nd4
Of course not 5.Ng5 d5 6.cxd5 cxd5 and black has the advantage since white’s knight is
poorly placed.

5...d5 6.cxd5 Qxd5

Taking with the pawn 6...cxd5 allows white to put his plan into motion since after 7.0–0
Nc6 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.d3 (this is the point of white’s previous play: he can undermine
black’s center) 9…exd3 10.Qxd3 white has an edge due to his superior pawn structure.
(Black has isolated pawns and white can press them quite easily. Trading the knight
would be in white’s favor since it would reduce black’s attacking chances).

7.Nc2
Less accurate would be 7.Nb3 Qh5 8.h3 Qg6 9.Nc3 Nbd7 since the knight is worse
placed on “b3” than on “c2” since it cannot move to the kingside easily). The position is
roughly equal (yet complicated).

7...Qh5 8.h3
White doesn’t intend to allow the trade of the light squares bishops. This is a good
positional decision.
After 8.Nc3 Bh3 9.Ne3 Bxg2 10.Nxg2 Na6 the game is roughly equal, but black has
better prospects to fight for the advantage. (He has a space advantage while white has
problems securing his king and cannot easily develop his pieces.

8...Bc5
True to his style, Tal places his pieces on their most aggressive squares.
Another option is 8...Qg6 9.Nc3 Bd6 10.Ne3 0–0 with a complicated position.

9.Nc3 Qf5
This is mainly a provocative move as white’s next move is quite obvious. There is no
point in placing the queen on this square since it will be exposed there and closes the
light squares bishop.
More appropriate would have been to play 9...Qg6 10.Ne3 0–0 11.Qc2 Re8 12.b3 with a
complicated game. (Black holds on to the pair of bishops as well.)

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 10.Ne3
This is the normal move. White wins the pair of bishops and trades a couple of pieces
which is to his advantage since black has the space advantage. Spoiling the pawn
structure isn’t that important since he can pressure the “e” pawn and gain space on the
kingside with a “f4” advance. (If black trades the pawn, then the present structure works
to white’s advantage since he will un-double the pawns.)

10…Bxe3 11.dxe3
Bad would be 11.fxe3 Qe5 since it leaves white’s kingside too weak and leaves his pieces
blocked (especially the dark squares bishop).

11...0–0 12.Qc2
White is fighting for the advantage. He intends to gain space on the kingside (based on a
“f4” advance) and press on “e4” too. This leads to a highly complicated struggle with
chances for both sides. White could avoid complications by trading queens.
After 12.Qd6 Na6 13.0–0 Be6 14.Qf4 (this is the point of white’s 12th move) 14…Qxf4
15.exf4 Nb4 the endgame remains sharp, yet roughly equal. Black’s active pieces, better
pawn structure, and development advantage compensate for the weak “e4” pawn and pair
of bishops.

12...Re8 13.f4
Now the point of white’s 12th move becomes clear. Taking advantage of the pin along the
“b1-h7” diagonal he manages to gain space on the kingside.

13…Na6
Entering into an endgame is quite possible, but it rather favors white.
After 13...exf3 14.Qxf5 Bxf5 15.exf3 Na6 16.0–0 Nb4 17.e4 Be6 18.Bg5 the game is
roughly equal. Still, if white manages to bring stability to his position and to drive black’s
active pieces back (something he is quite likely to achieve), he gains a long-term
advantage due to the pair of bishops and his better control over the center. (The most
important factor is that black doesn’t have stable squares for the knights.)

14.g4
White goes ahead with his plan and gains space on the kingside. Still, this is dangerous
since it weakens the dark squares.

14…Nb4
Before moving the queen, black makes sure that his passive “a6” knight will join the
struggle. Always pay attention to such intermediary moves which can slightly improve
your position.

15.Qa4 Qc5 16.a3

Driving the knight back is important since after other moves (for example, 16.0-0) black
can gain the advantage after 16…h5 17.g5 Nfd5 since he firmly controls light squares
leaving white’s bishops passive.

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16…Nbd5

17.Nd1
White defends the “e3” pawn, but this is too passive. White is underdeveloped. Therefore
he is in danger of falling under a dangerous attack. Still, if black isn’t able to generate
dangerous threats (this is quite unlikely), in the long run white can hope to gain the
advantage since he will press on the “e4” pawn, has a space advantage on the kingside,
and has the pair of bishops. Therefore a solid approach was better.
After 17.Qd4 Qxd4
Black can avoid trading queens with 17...Qe7 since after 18.g5 Nh5 19.Qxe4 Nxc3
20.Qxe7 Rxe7 21.bxc3 Ng3 22.Rg1 Ne4 23.Bb2 Bf5 he has good compensation for
the pawn. Still, there is no point to giving up the pawn since on the main sideline
he can achieve equal game without giving up anything.
18.exd4 Nxc3 19.bxc3 Be6 the game is equal since white’s pair of bishops is fully offset
by black’s control over the light squares. Since the game is closed the bishops don’t have
such an important role.

17...Nd7
Black goes for active operations and is sacrificing a pawn in order to open files. (This
increases his chances for an attack. This is quite normal since white has all his pieces
passive and is far behind in development.
Another alternative would have been to finish development since after 17...b6 18.Bd2
Bb7 black has a small advantage, but is far from creating dangerous threats. (However
such a line was not in black’s style).

18.Bxe4
This is a bold decision, that increases the strength of black’s attack, but from a practical
point of view it is the right decision. (Otherwise black manages to get comfortable play
by simple means). Since black has the initiative, at least white gains some material in
return. This suggests the additional idea of giving that material back (at the right
moment) in order to release the pressure.
After 18.0–0 N7b6 19.Qd4 Qxd4 20.exd4 f5 21.gxf5 Bxf5 black has the advantage.
White’s bishops are out of play, black’s knights are well placed on stable squares, and

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black has a space advantage. White is left with a passive position with little chance to get
any active play), and therefore a boring defense.

18...Qe7
Black makes room for the knight and brings the queen closer to the kingside. (It can go to
“h4” in order to gain some attacking chances). This is quite important since control over
the “e4” square is essential. (This doesn’t allow white to finish his development so easily
after “e4”, followed by “e5”.)

19.Bf3
White correctly assesses that the light squares bishop is an important piece. It can be used
in defense and to guard the light squares.
Trading it with 19.Bxd5 (in order to release the pressure on “e3”) is in black’s favor since
after 19…cxd5 20.Nf2 Nc5 21.Qc2 Bd7 although is a pawn down, he has a large
advantage. He has control over the light squares and strong pressure over the center. This
gives him the initiative and good attacking chances. (As covered in previous instruction:
when attacking with opposite colors bishops it can be considered as though you have a
piece more).

19…Nc5 20.Qc2 a5
This is a good positional decision. Since creating dangerous threats is not possible at this
moment, black intends to gain some positional advantages on the queenside (taking
advantage of the fact that white has to lose time in order to finish his development. By
advancing the “a” pawn he gains space on the queenside and control over the “b3” square
which is a good outpost for the knight.

21.Kf2
White’s king takes cover.
The alternative 21.0–0 a4 22.Bd2 Nb3 23.Rb1 Qd6 24.Be1 b6 also leads to a position
where black maintains compensation for the missing pawn.

21...a4

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22.Rb1
White removes the rook from “a1” so that black’s “Nb3” move won’t win a tempo. Still,
black will bring his only passive piece (the bishop) into play in two moves; he will then
be ready for active operations. In the meantime white won’t have done anything to
improve his position. Therefore (on general principles) it seems black should be able to
create dangerous threats (sooner or later). Although in the game white’s decision to hang
on to his pawn proved better (later on black missed a chance to gain the advantage), it
would have been better to give it back in order to level the game. (This should be done at
once without allowing black to bring additional forces into play.) By giving the pawn
back, white manages to trade pieces. This releases the pressure so that he can bring his
passive pieces into play and finish his development.
After 22.e4 Nxe4+ (this is forced, otherwise black has no compensation for the pawn)
23.Bxe4 Qxe4 24.Qxe4 Rxe4 25.Kf3 Re8
Trying to maintain control over the light squares after 25...f5 does not work since
after 26.Nf2 Rc4 27.gxf5 Bxf5 28.e4 Be6 29.Rd1 white manages to advance “e4”
and has everything under control. (On the next move he will finish his
development fully equalizing the game.)
26.e4 Nb6 27.Bd2 Nc4 28.Bc3 c5 the game is balanced. The most likely outcome is a
draw due to the presence of the opposite color bishops).

22...b6
Of course black is not waiting for a second invitation and prepares to finish his
development. The bishop from “a6” increases the pressure along the “e” file.

23.Bd2 Ba6 24.Kg2 Nb3 25.Re1

White overprotects the “e2” pawn in order to prepare for an “e4” advance. Still, this
move is pointless since black has an easy way to gain a substantial advantage. Therefore
it would have been better to give the pawn back (although not in such favorable
circumstances as the last move), by trading pieces in order to release the pressure.
After 25.Nc3 Nxe3+ 26.Bxe3 Qxe3 27.Rhd1 Rac8 black is slightly better. He has better-
placed pieces and a safer king. Still, white’s position is solid enough to hope to equalize
the game. Note that the tempting 27...Qxf4 is not that great since after 28.Bxc6 Nd4
29.Rxd4 Qxd4 30.Rd1 Qe3 31.Bxa8 Rxa8 32.Rd7 white manages to activate his pieces,
getting more than enough compensation for his weaker pawn structure.

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25...Rad8
This move looks quite natural since it brings the rook to a better square, but in fact it is a
mistake that allows white to level the game since he is well prepared for the “e4” advance
which will allow him to finally bring his pieces into play. We can see that an “e4”
advance is the only possible way for white to activate his pieces. If black manages to
prevent the advance, then he will have the advantage. Therefore he should focus on this
and only afterwards bring his pieces into play. Black can achieve this task quite simply
by targeting the “f4” pawn (directly or indirectly).
Better would have been 25...Qh4 (preparing “Rad8”) since after 26.e4
After 26.Rf1 Qh6 white cannot advance “e4”.
26…Nxd2 27.Qxd2 Nxf4+ (the knight is immune since the rook is hanging) black has a
large advantage.

26.e4
Of course, white seizes the opportunity and advances the pawn.

26…Nd4 27.Qc1 Nb3 28.Qc2 Nf6

Black is overly optimistic and pushes forward. Still, the tactical strokes that follow are in
white’s favor, therefore black should settle for a draw since he can repeat moves and
white cannot avoid it. (Although at the end of the day black won after white blundered in
a won position.) However this style of play was quite typical of Tal. He relished danger,
so it is easy to understand the decision.

29.Be3 Nxe4 30.Bxe4 Qxe4+ 31.Qxe4 Rxe4 32.Bxb6 Rde8 33.Nc3

After 33.e3 Bd3 white loses the exchange.

33…Rxf4
After a forced line, black manages to recover the pawn, but white’s heavy pieces are
better placed for the endgame and black has a weakness on “e4”.

34.Rbd1 c5
Black intends to leave the bishop out of play but it gives white’s knight access to the “d5”
square which is more important. It would have been better to start active operations on
the kingside.
After 34…h5 35.Kg3 Rf6 36.gxh5 Re5 white is still better, but at least black manages to
activate his heavy pieces and get counter play.

35.Kg3
White takes advantage of black’s misplaced rook. This is the right decision and leads to a
large advantage by force.
Less strong would have been 35.e4 Rf6 36.Nd5 Rh6 37.g5 Rh5 38.Nc7 Rxg5+ 39.Kh1
Rc8 40.Nxa6 Rg6 41.Nxc5 Rxb6 42.Nxa4 and although white is a pawn up, his weak
pawns and black’s pressure on the queenside gives him good prospects of holding.

35...Rf6 36.Nd5
White takes advantage of black’s 34th move inaccuracy.

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36…Rfe6 37.Nc7 Re3+ 38.Kf2 Rxe2+ 39.Rxe2 Rxe2+ 40.Kg3
Just before reaching time control, white blunders (probably he was in time trouble). This
not only loses the advantage, but allows black to take it.
White would have had a large advantage after 40.Kg1 Nd4 41.Nxa6 Rxb2 42.Bc7
Bad would have been 42.Bxc5 since after 42…Nf3+ 43.Kf1 Nh2+ white cannot
escape perpetual check. (Remember this draw mechanism between rook and
knight; it may save you. )
42...h6 43.Nxc5 and with a piece up white should win.

40...Re3+
This is why the king shouldn’t have been brought to the 3rd rank. Now, black is able to
save the bishop and defend against the mate on the 8th rank.

41.Kf2 Rd3 42.Re1

After such a dramatic reversal of events, white loses his concentration and starts playing
quite badly. (Now he practically helps black to increase the advantage until it becomes
decisive.) Trading the rooks was better.
After 42.Rxd3 Bxd3 43.Nd5 Be4 44.Nc3 Bc6 black remains a pawn up, but the presence
of opposite colors bishops gives white hope for a draw. White’s chances for a draw are
greater than black’s for a win. (If white can trade the knights, the game is a dead draw.)

42...Rd2+ 43.Kg3 Be2 44.Na6

This is another mistake and it proves decisive. White hopes to trade the knights and get a
draw due to the opposite colors bishops, but in the process black wins the “b” pawn.
Better was 44.Nd5 Rxd5
Less accurate would have been 44...Bb5 45.Nc3 Bc6 46.Rd1 Rxd1 47.Nxd1 since
white reaches the same type of endgame mentioned previously.
45.Rxe2 f6 and although black has the advantage, white is still kicking.

44...c4 45.Nc5 Nxc5 46.Bxc5 Rxb2

After this, white is lost. Black has a strong passed pawn, a two-pawn advantage, and
better-placed pieces, while white has a weakness on “a3”. Together these factors give
white more than enough advantage for a win.

47.Bd4 Rd2 48.Be3 Ra2 49.Kf4

Nothing is gained after 49.g5 f5 50.gxf6 gxf6 51.Kf4 Kf7 since white cannot defend the
“a” pawn and prevent the “c” pawn’s advance at the same time.

49...f6 50.h4 c3 51.g5 fxg5+ 52.hxg5 Kf7 53.Ke4 c2 54.Bc1 Ra1 55.Ke3 Rxc1
This is the final touch. Since 56.Rxc1 Bd1 traps the rook is trapped, black simply wins by
advancing the “h” pawn while bringing the king to the queenside. White resigned.

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