MORE WORLD CHAMPIONS, MORE IMMORTALS

Ever since writing the original list of famous chess games every player should know, I have been receveing emails and comments about why I haven’t included this or that game.

Therefore, I have decided that the time has come to write part two. The games I am going to mention are perhaps not mentioned in literature that often (compared to Anderssen’s Immortal and Evergreen games, for instance).

The reason is partly that Anderssen’s games are trully unique, but there is also some truth in the fact that some of the games that will be featured on this list have been played in the recent years, so broader chess public hasn’t had the time to evaluate them properly and give them the credit they deserve.

Still, I have realized that the previous post hasn’t mentioned many games from the World Champions. Therefore, I will try to correct that oversight this time.

Although, to be honest, I imagine that people who follow chess more or less regularly will be quite familiar with the Carlsen – Ernst or Krasenkow – Nakamura brilliancies.

For those of you who aren’t, read on and feel lucky because you will experience immense chess satisfaction in the next couple of minutes 🙂

Okay, maybe not THIS level of satisfaction… but you know… small butterflies?

1. POLUGAYEVSKY – NEZHMETDINOV 1958., “NEZHMETDINOV’S IMMORTAL”

I have written about the genius of Rashid Gibiatovich Nezhmetdinov… and about his hard-to-spell-correctly name previously, but it is worth mentioning and analyzing his most famous creation one more time.

[Event "Sochi 28th RSFSR ch"] [Site "Sochi 28th RSFSR ch"] [Date "1958.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Lev Polugaevsky"] [Black "R. Gibiatovich Nezhmetdinov"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A53"] [PlyCount "66"] [EventDate "1958.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 d6 3. Nc3 e5 4. e4 exd4 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qd2 g6 7. b3 Bg7 8. Bb2 {After losing time with the queen in the opening, White can't count on advantage} O-O 9. Bd3 Ng4 10. Nge2 (10. Nf3 {Leads to a normal position}) 10... Qh4 11. Ng3 Nge5 12. O-O f5 13. f3 (13. exf5 {And White has nothing to fear}) 13... Bh6 14. Qd1 f4 {Now Black has clear initiative} 15. Nge2 g5 16. Nd5 g4 17. g3 fxg3 18. hxg3 Qh3 19. f4 {[pgndiagram]This is where the magic begins} Be6 $1 {Not the hardest move to see, but a pleasant one} 20. Bc2 $2 {The losing moment} (20. fxe5 Bxd5 {Is the point, Be3 is a deadly threat}) (20. Bxe5 {White could have maybe survived with giving up the bishop} Nxe5 21. Kf2 Qh2+ 22. Ke3 Bxd5 23. Rh1 Rxf4 {[pgndiagram] The same theme as in the game} 24. gxf4 Bxf4+ 25. Nxf4 Qg3+ 26. Kd4 Bxe4 27. Kxe4 Re8 {[pgndiagram] And apparently Black doesn't have anything decisive here. But in practical game it is impossible to defend this}) 20... Rf7 $2 {Preventing Qd5 reply to come with a check, but not the most precise} (20... Bxd5 21. Qxd5+ (21. cxd5 Rxf4 $1 {Was winning} 22. Rxf4 Bxf4 23. gxf4 g3) 21... Rf7 {And Black is winning nevertheless, although more conservatively}) 21. Kf2 $2 {It is hard to blame the players for missing the nuances of this extremely complicated position} ( 21. Bxe5 {Was a better option but still..}) 21... Qh2+ 22. Ke3 Bxd5 23. cxd5 { [pgndiagram]} (23. Rh1 Rxf4 {Is losing here} 24. gxf4 Bxf4+ 25. Nxf4 Qg3+ {And because of the knight on c6, the d4 square is unavailable to White king. That is the reason why taking with the bishop on e5 is given as better by the engine }) 23... Nb4 24. Rh1 {[pgndiagram] Now comes a thunderous counterpunch} Rxf4 $3 {Amazing move by Nezhmetdinov, and one for the books} 25. Rxh2 (25. gxf4 Bxf4+ 26. Nxf4 Nxc2+ {Is even worses in this scenario} 27. Qxc2 Qxc2 {And Black wins} ) 25... Rf3+ 26. Kd4 Bg7 {[pgndiagram] White is helpless} 27. a4 {After this Black announces mate in 8} (27. Nc3 {Trying to give up the queen for a rook, was slightly better} Ned3+ 28. e5 Bxe5+ 29. Kc4 Nxb2+ 30. Kxb4 Bxc3+ 31. Ka3 Nxd1 32. Rxd1 Rxg3 {[pgndiagram] And Black is "only" in a winning engame}) 27... c5+ 28. dxc6 bxc6 29. Bd3 Nexd3+ 30. Kc4 d5+ 31. exd5 cxd5+ 32. Kb5 Rb8+ 33. Ka5 Nc6+ {[pgndiagram] White really could have played the remaining 34 Ka6 Ndb4 and allow the mate. What a game!} 0-1 your web browser and/or your host do not support iframes as required to display the chessboard; alternatively your wordpress theme might suppress the html iframe tag from articles or excerpts

2. BOTVINNIK – CAPABLANCA, AVRO, 1938.

Probably the most famous game on this list. The famous encounter between Botvinnik and Capablanca from the AVRO 1938. tournament (the mother of all tournaments) features a devastating move Ba3!!, a “kamikaze” bishop sacrifice that results in a winning attack.

[Event "AVRO"] [Site "The Netherlands"] [Date "1938.11.22"] [Round "11"] [White "Mikhail Botvinnik"] [Black "Jose Raul Capablanca"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "E49"] [PlyCount "81"] [EventDate "1938.11.06"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e3 d5 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. bxc3 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. Bd3 {The samisch variation of the Nimzo Indian which is more popular in the 4 f3 version today} O-O 9. Ne2 b6 10. O-O Ba6 11. Bxa6 Nxa6 12. Bb2 Qd7 13. a4 Rfe8 14. Qd3 c4 15. Qc2 Nb8 16. Rae1 Nc6 17. Ng3 Na5 {Capablanca decides to go for the a4 pawn, but he underestimates White's central advance} 18. f3 Nb3 19. e4 Qxa4 20. e5 Nd7 21. Qf2 {Not allowing Nc5} g6 22. f4 {White has very strong initiative} f5 23. exf6 Nxf6 24. f5 Rxe1 25. Rxe1 Re8 {[pgndiagram] This is the key position. White is winning, but he has to play energetic and only moves to prove it} 26. Re6 $1 {Forcing Black to take, and creating a strong e6 passed pawn} Rxe6 (26... Kf7 27. Rxf6+ Kxf6 28. fxg6+ {Is deadly for Black}) 27. fxe6 Kg7 28. Qf4 {Threatening Qc7} Qe8 29. Qe5 (29. Qc7+ Kg8 30. Qe5 Qe7 31. Ba3 {Was winning as well}) 29... Qe7 {[pgndiagram]It seems that Black has managed to consolidate, but now comes a fantastic combination} 30. Ba3 $3 {The move of all moves} Qxa3 31. Nh5+ $1 {A great tactical combo to win the f6 knight and promote the pawn. The knight on b3 is mere spectator to the events happening on the other side of the board} gxh5 32. Qg5+ Kf8 33. Qxf6+ Kg8 34. e7 {Black has only some "spite" checks left} Qc1+ 35. Kf2 Qc2+ 36. Kg3 Qd3+ 37. Kh4 Qe4+ 38. Kxh5 Qe2+ 39. Kh4 Qe4+ 40. g4 Qe1+ 41. Kh5 {Not a bad way to present yourself on an international stage} 1-0 your web browser and/or your host do not support iframes as required to display the chessboard; alternatively your wordpress theme might suppress the html iframe tag from articles or excerpts

3. BELIAVSKY – NUNN, WIJK AAN ZEE 1985, “NUNN’S IMMORTAL”

John Nunn is a famous chess composer and problemist, but he was also a very strong “ordinary grandmaster” in the past.

In this game against Beliavsky, he managed to create a problem like masterpiece. Playing a rook down for the majority of the game, he paralyzed White completely and performed the textbook example of the domination of the opposing forces.

[Event "02, Wijk aan Zee"] [Site "Wijk aan Zee NED"] [Date "1985.01.19"] [Round "2"] [White "Alexander Beliavsky"] [Black "John Nunn"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E81"] [PlyCount "54"] [EventDate "1985.??.??"] 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3 {Once again we have an immortal game from the Saemisch variation of the King's Indian defence} O-O 6. Be3 Nbd7 7. Qd2 c5 8. d5 Ne5 9. h3 Nh5 10. Bf2 f5 11. exf5 {[pgndiagram] Black has played a very creative opening, and this is where the fun begins} Rxf5 $1 { Directly into double attack} 12. g4 Rxf3 13. gxh5 Qf8 {Black doesn't have anything concrete as a compensation for the piece, but White is dominated. Black only needs to develop the remaining pieces and he will be winning} 14. Ne4 (14. Bg2 Rxf2) 14... Bh6 $5 (14... Qf5 {Was actually quite strong here} 15. Ng5 Rf4 {And Black is completely winning}) 15. Qc2 Qf4 $2 {[pgndiagram] Not the best} (15... Be3 {Computer enjoys this position, and indicated this bishop sortie as the strongest move.} 16. Nxf3 Nxf3+ 17. Kd1 Nd4 {IS the point, when Black remains material up}) 16. Ne2 (16. Nxf3 {Is actually quite possible now} Nxf3+ 17. Kd1 Bf5 18. Bg3 $1 Qxe4 19. Qxe4 Bxe4 20. Bg2 {And White is an exchange up}) 16... Rxf2 $3 17. Nxf2 Nf3+ 18. Kd1 Qh4 {[pgndiagram] The knight is threatened, but also the mate on e1 is looming. Bf5 is coming as well. White's paralyzed pieces are a sorry sight compared to Black's dominating minor pieces and bishops cutting throught the board} 19. Nd3 {There is nothing better} Bf5 20. Nec1 Nd2 $3 {Going for the Nxc4-Ne3 route} 21. hxg6 hxg6 (21... Nxc4 {Was perfectly possible} 22. Qf2 Qe4) 22. Bg2 Nxc4 23. Qf2 Ne3+ 24. Ke2 Qc4 25. Bf3 Rf8 26. Rg1 Nc2 27. Kd1 Bxd3 {[pgndiagram] And here, White decided he has had enough} 0-1 your web browser and/or your host do not support iframes as required to display the chessboard; alternatively your wordpress theme might suppress the html iframe tag from articles or excerpts

4. SHIROV – POLGAR, BUENOS AIRES, 1994, “POLGAR’S IMMORTAL”

Alexey Shirov is widely regarded as a brilliant tactical player (just remember his Bh3!! brilliancy). However, in this particular game he went from frying pan to fire as the strongest female player ever, Judit Polgar, essentially killed him in 18 moves with Black!! with the help of some top class opening preparation.

[Event "Buenos Aires ARG"] [Site "Buenos Aires ARG"] [Date "1994.10.??"] [Round "8"] [White "Alexey Shirov"] [Black "Judit Polgar"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "B54"] [PlyCount "58"] [EventDate "1994.??.??"] 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 {I believe that the strongest female ever has played the Paulsen/Taimanov for the most of her life} 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nc6 5. Nc3 d6 6. g4 a6 7. Be3 Nge7 8. Nb3 b5 9. f4 Bb7 10. Qf3 g5 $1 {This was all home preparation, of course} 11. fxg5 Ne5 {After this Black already grabs the initiative} 12. Qg2 b4 13. Ne2 {[pgndiagram] Take a deep look at the position and try to imagine Black's next move.} h5 $3 {Of course, I can't imagine anyone playing this without preparation. What a move} 14. gxh5 (14. gxh6 f5 15. gxf5 Nxf5 {Is excellent for Black}) 14... Nf5 $1 {[pgndiagram] Everything comes with a tempo} 15. Bf2 Qxg5 $1 {An elementary knight fork is threatened} 16. Na5 Ne3 $1 17. Qg3 (17. Bxe3 Qxe3 18. Nxb7 Nf3+ {And White has to give up his queen}) 17... Qxg3 18. Nxg3 Nxc2+ 19. Kd1 Nxa1 {[pgndiagram] After all the fireworks, Black has reached a winning endgame. In modern chess, there is rarely a checkmate on the board} 20. Nxb7 b3 $1 {Black manages to get her knight out of trouble with the help of this move} 21. axb3 Nxb3 22. Kc2 Nc5 23. Nxc5 dxc5 {The rest is matter of technique} 24. Be1 Nf3 25. Bc3 Nd4+ 26. Kd3 Bd6 27. Bg2 Be5 28. Kc4 Ke7 29. Ra1 Nc6 0-1 your web browser and/or your host do not support iframes as required to display the chessboard; alternatively your wordpress theme might suppress the html iframe tag from articles or excerpts

5. IVANCHUK – YUSUPOV, BRUSSELS, 1991., “YUSUPOV’S IMMORTAL”

Probably the least correct game on this list. But this daring kingside attack by Yusupov deserves it’s accolades very much. Being able to sacrifice your rook with check, and win the game afterwards is always rewarding.

[Event "Brussel"] [Site "Brussels BEL"] [Date "1991.08.??"] [Round "9"] [White "Vassily Ivanchuk"] [Black "Artur Yusupov"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E67"] [PlyCount "78"] [EventDate "1991.??.??"] 1. c4 e5 2. g3 d6 3. Bg2 g6 4. d4 Nd7 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Nf3 Ngf6 7. O-O O-O 8. Qc2 Re8 9. Rd1 c6 10. b3 Qe7 11. Ba3 e4 12. Ng5 e3 13. f4 Nf8 14. b4 Bf5 15. Qb3 h6 16. Nf3 Ng4 17. b5 g5 {[pgndiagram] This is probably not fully correct, but in practical game it is much easier to find attacking instead of defensive resources} (17... Qc7 {Is more timid}) 18. bxc6 bxc6 19. Ne5 $1 gxf4 20. Nxc6 Qg5 {White has to be careful though} 21. Bxd6 Ng6 {Bringing the last piece into play} 22. Nd5 $6 {[pgndiagram]} (22. Qb5 Qh5 23. h4 {Pinning the bishop, was probably the best defence.} Nxh4 24. gxh4 Qxh4 25. Qxf5 Qf2+ 26. Kh1 Qh4+ { And Black probably doesn+t have anything better but to force a draw}) 22... Qh5 23. h4 Nxh4 $5 {[pgndiagram] And this sacrifice is definitely not correct.. but it works wonderfully} (23... fxg3 24. Bxg3 Nxh4 25. Qb5 {Was correct, with dynamical balance}) (23... Nf2 {Is also a better move than the one that happened in the game}) 24. gxh4 $6 (24. Nce7+ $3 {Would have casted serious doubts on black's concept} Kh8 25. Nxf4 Nf3+ 26. exf3 Qh2+ 27. Kf1 {And Black doesn't have any attack}) 24... Qxh4 $2 {[pgndiagram] Actually, a losing move} (24... Be4 {Was probably a better option} 25. Nce7+ Kh8 26. Bxf4 Qxh4 27. Rf1 Rxe7 28. Nxe7 Qxe7 {When Black is "only" an exchange down}) 25. Nde7+ $2 {It was better to give the check with the other knight} (25. Nce7+ Kh8 26. Nxf5 Qh2+ 27. Kf1 {Leaves Black without attacking ideas} Re6 28. Bxf4) 25... Kh8 26. Nxf5 Qh2+ 27. Kf1 Re6 28. Qb7 $2 {[pgndiagram] This is where White finally goes wrong} (28. Nce7 {Preventing Rg6, was still winning for White}) 28... Rg6 $3 {A brilliant rook sacrifice} 29. Qxa8+ Kh7 {[pgndiagram] It turns out that White is without defence against Qh1 followed by Nh2 threat} 30. Qg8+ (30. Nce7 Qh1+ 31. Bxh1 Nh2+ 32. Ke1 Rg1#) 30... Kxg8 31. Nce7+ Kh7 32. Nxg6 fxg6 33. Nxg7 Nf2 $3 {[pgndiagram]A final touch. Nh3 is deadly threat} (33... Kxg7 34. Rab1) 34. Bxf4 (34. Ne6 Nh3) 34... Qxf4 35. Ne6 Qh2 36. Rdb1 Nh3 37. Rb7+ Kh8 38. Rb8+ Qxb8 39. Bxh3 Qg3 {Not fully correct, but extremely interesting and exciting attack by Black} 0-1 your web browser and/or your host do not support iframes as required to display the chessboard; alternatively your wordpress theme might suppress the html iframe tag from articles or excerpts

6. BAGIROV – GUFELD, KIROVABAD, 1973., “GUFELD’S IMMORTAL”

I have found out about this game just a couple of days ago. But that is a big blunder on my part, since the game features one of the most attractive double piece sacrifices I have ever seen.

Actually, starting from the early opening, the game is a tactical clash at it’s finest, where Black in the end manages to navigate his way through complications more successfully.

[Event "Kirovabad sf ch-URS"] [Site "Kirovabad sf ch-URS"] [Date "1973.??.??"] [Round "?"] [White "Vladimir Bagirov"] [Black "Eduard Gufeld"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "E84"] [PlyCount "64"] [EventDate "1973.??.??"] 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 Nf6 5. f3 {Here we go. Another Saemisch transposition from the Modern defence} O-O 6. Be3 Nc6 7. Nge2 Rb8 8. Qd2 a6 9. Bh6 b5 {a6-b5 plan has become popular against many variations of the King's Indian} 10. h4 e5 {[pgndiagram ] Probably somewhat too early} (10... Bxh6 { Would lead to interesting complications, for instance} 11. Qxh6 bxc4 12. h5 e5 13. Nd5 Be6 14. Nxf6+ Qxf6 15. d5 Nb4) 11. Bxg7 Kxg7 12. h5 Kh8 {An ugly looking move. Black is clearly worse at this point} 13. Nd5 bxc4 14. hxg6 fxg6 15. Qh6 Nh5 16. g4 $2 {[pgndiagram] A turning point, and a premature agression} (16. O-O-O {Stoping all counterplay first, was better} Rf7 17. g4 Nf6 18. Qxg6 Qg8 19. Qxg8+ Nxg8 {And Black has the worse endgame}) 16... Rxb2 $1 {A brilliant counterpunch and a correct piece sacrifice} 17. gxh5 g5 {With the h-file closed and the queen stranded on h6, it is now White who has to play precisely} 18. Rg1 g4 $1 {Closing the g file as well} 19. O-O-O (19. fxg4 Qh4+) 19... Rxa2 20. Nef4 $2 {[pgndiagram] Desperation, probably resulting from an inadequate psychological state} (20. dxe5 {White could have mantained the balance with this move} Nxe5 21. Nef4 Kg8 22. Ng6 hxg6 23. Bxc4 Nxc4 24. Qxg6+ {And a draw is the result}) 20... exf4 21. Nxf4 Rxf4 $1 {[pgndiagram] The most radical way of preventing Ng6} 22. Qxf4 c3 23. Bc4 Ra3 24. fxg4 Nb4 25. Kb1 { [pgndiagram] The culmination of this exciting game} Be6 $3 {A brilliant sacrifice} 26. Bxe6 Nd3 $3 {The point. Clearance sacrifice that opens the b file} 27. Qf7 (27. Rxd3 Qb8+) 27... Qb8+ 28. Bb3 Rxb3+ 29. Kc2 Nb4+ $1 {A finishing touch} 30. Kxb3 Nd5+ 31. Kc2 Qb2+ 32. Kd3 Qb5+ {And due to mate in four moves, White resigned. One of the best combinations I have seen and another brilliant tactical game from the player with the Black pieces} 0-1 your web browser and/or your host do not support iframes as required to display the chessboard; alternatively your wordpress theme might suppress the html iframe tag from articles or excerpts

7. KRASENKOW – NAKAMURA, BARCELONA, 2007., “NAKAMURA’S IMMORTAL”

The game that has become famous even though it is only 10 year old. The Qf2 queen sacrifice can safely be regarded as Nakamura’s visiting card.

[Event "Casino de Barcelona"] [Site "Barcelona ESP"] [Date "2007.10.19"] [Round "2"] [White "Michal Krasenkow"] [Black "Hikaru Nakamura"] [Result "0-1"] [ECO "A14"] [WhiteElo "2668"] [BlackElo "2648"] [PlyCount "56"] [EventDate "2007.10.18"] 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. b3 a5 7. Nc3 c6 8. d4 Nbd7 9. Qc2 b6 10. e4 Ba6 11. Nd2 (11. e5 Ne8 12. h4 {Is probably slightly better}) 11... c5 12. exd5 cxd4 13. Nb5 exd5 14. Nxd4 Rc8 15. Re1 b5 { [pgndiagram] It is amazing how the position resulting from a seemingly modest opening turned out to be so complicated} 16. Bb2 Re8 17. Qd1 bxc4 18. bxc4 Qb6 19. Rb1 dxc4 {[pgndiagram]} 20. Nc6 {White embarks on an attractive combination that should win material, but he misses Black's devilish response} Rxc6 21. Bxf6 {It seems that Black is bound to lose material} Qxf2+ $3 { [pgndiagram] Were it not for this resource, Black would be busted. But amazingly, this move leads to a forced win. I wonder how far in advance did Nakamura envision this and how did he feel when he played this over the board.} 22. Kxf2 Bc5+ 23. Kf3 {The king is caught in a mating net and there is no way out} Rxf6+ 24. Kg4 Ne5+ 25. Kg5 (25. Rxe5 {Doesn't help} Bc8+ 26. Rf5 Bxf5+ 27. Kh4 Rh6+ 28. Kg5 Bc8 {[pgndiagram] And Black wins, e.g.} 29. Kf4 Bd6+ 30. Kf3 Rf6#) 25... Rg6+ 26. Kh5 (26. Kf4 {Running to the other side of the board doesn't help} Nd3+ 27. Kf3 Rf6+ 28. Kg4 Bc8+ 29. Kh4 {[pgndiagram] And now comes the attractive:} Rxe1 30. Qxe1 Rh6+ 31. Kg5 f6# {And the modest f pawn delivers the fatal blow in this variation}) 26... f6 {[pgndiagram] Taking the g square away and threatening Rh6 mate} (26... Bc8 {Was probably faster, but the text move also wins}) 27. Rxe5 Rxe5+ 28. Kh4 Bc8 {Rh6 is a deadly threat. The game that will appear in every anthology featuring Nakamura's games} 0-1 your web browser and/or your host do not support iframes as required to display the chessboard; alternatively your wordpress theme might suppress the html iframe tag from articles or excerpts

8. KARPOV – TOPALOV, LINARES, 1994., “KARPOV’S IMMORTAL”

Karpov’s 11/13 result in the 1994. Linares tournament is easily one of the greatest results in the history of chess competitions.

And he surely obtained this many points in his typical, strangling, positional, manner, right?

WRONG.

In this game, he threw the kitchen sink at the master of tactics Topalov himself and blew him off the board. Just watch and enjoy.

[Event "Linares"] [Site "Linares ESP"] [Date "1994.02.??"] [Round "4"] [White "Anatoly Karpov"] [Black "Veselin Topalov"] [Result "1-0"] [ECO "A33"] [PlyCount "77"] [EventDate "1994.??.??"] 1. d4 {After the first two matches with Kasparov, Karpov, once an exclusive e4 player, switched completely to d4.} Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. Nf3 cxd4 4. Nxd4 e6 5. g3 Nc6 6. Bg2 Bc5 7. Nb3 Be7 8. Nc3 O-O 9. O-O d6 10. Bf4 Nh5 11. e3 Nxf4 12. exf4 Bd7 13. Qd2 Qb8 14. Rfe1 {White has slight advantage due to his spacial domination} g6 {Preventing f5 in radical fashion, but weakening the king.} ( 14... a5 {Was good} 15. f5 e5 16. Be4 a4 17. Nc1) (14... a6 {Is not optimal, because there is no a4, distrubing White's knight} 15. Rad1 Rd8 16. f5 e5) 15. h4 $1 {And Karpov immediately exploits that factor} a6 16. h5 b5 17. hxg6 hxg6 18. Nc5 dxc5 $2 {[pgndiagram] In an unpleasant position this is already a decisive mistake. It is probably based on misscalculation; I imagine Topalov missed White's 20th move.} 19. Qxd7 Rc8 {[pgndiagram] It seems that Black has defended tactically, but White has a fantastic tactical response.} 20. Rxe6 $3 {A bolt from the blue} (20. Bxc6 Ra7 {Wins the piece back and Black is more or less OK there}) 20... Ra7 (20... fxe6 {Taking the rook immediately is even worse} 21. Qxe6+ Kg7 22. Bxc6 Ra7 23. Be4 {And Black is busted}) 21. Rxg6+ $3 { [pgndiagram] A second rook sacrifice} (21. Qd5 {Leads to the same}) 21... fxg6 22. Qe6+ Kg7 23. Bxc6 {With two pawns for the exchange and weak Black king, White is winning. But some precision is still required} Rd8 24. cxb5 Bf6 25. Ne4 Bd4 26. bxa6 Qb6 27. Rd1 Qxa6 $2 {[pgndiagram] Allowing a decisive blow} 28. Rxd4 $3 {Another rook sacrifice in this game, this time for a piece instead of a pawn} Rxd4 29. Qf6+ {White's pieces are superbly coordinated} Kg8 (29... Kh7 30. Ng5+ Kg8 31. Qxg6+) 30. Qxg6+ Kf8 31. Qe8+ {[pgndiagram]} (31. Qh6+ {Was slightly stronger} Kg8 32. Nf6+ Kf7 33. Nh5 {But human is not keen to allow checks on the first rank} Rd1+ 34. Kh2 {And White wins}) 31... Kg7 32. Qe5+ Kg8 33. Nf6+ Kf7 34. Be8+ Kf8 35. Qxc5+ Qd6 36. Qxa7 Qxf6 37. Bh5 Rd2 38. b3 Rb2 39. Kg2 {5 pawns are more than enough for exchange. Topalov resigned here. A great game from a great champion in great form} 1-0 your web browser and/or your host do not support iframes as required to display the chessboard; alternatively your wordpress theme might suppress the html iframe tag from articles or excerpts

9. CARLSEN – ERNST, CORUS C GROUP, 2004., “CARLSEN’S IMMORTAL”

It would be quite a shame not to include any of the games by the current World Champion.

Long time ago, before becoming the grinding endgame machine he is today, Carlsen had the tendency of going “all in” against his opponents and displaying Tal-like play.

In this encounter with Sipke Ernst he did precisely that, sacrificing a rook and a piece and obtaining a winning attack in return.

It is probably unfair to expect similar things from him today when he is playing much tougher opponents.. But there is a certain “why don’t you play like this today” feeling when going over this brilliant game.