Paul Keres v. Tigran Petrosian (Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon [Maroczy Bind, Breyer Variation], Bled, 1959)

Event "Bled ct"]

[Site "Bled"]

[Date "1959.11"]

[Round "4"]

[White "Paul Keres"]

[Black "Petrosian"]

[Result "0-1"]

After 47.__Rg3

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Ng4 {In the "Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon(Maroczy Bind Breyer Variation)", black attacks white's bishop with his undefended knight. It is but a sham sacrifice but seems to favor black in the early stages of the game.} 8. Qxg4 Nxd4 9. Qd1 Ne6 {The retreat of the knight on e6 appears to bolster black’s solid formation but it blocks the e7 pawn and the bishop on c8.} 10. Qd2 d6 11. Be2 Bd7 12. O-O O-O {Paul Keres is known as one of the best attacking players. It is really interesting to know how Petrosian defends against Keres. At this point, the position is equal.} 13. Rac1 Bc6 14. Rfd1 Nc5 15. f3 a5 16. b3 {Black's g7 bishop now controls the a1 - h8 diagonal.} 16... Qb6 17. Nb5 Rfc8 18. Bf1 Qd8 19. Qf2 Qe8 20. Nc3 b6 {Black solidifies the defense of the knight on c5. Taking the knight would be good for black.} 21. Rc2 Qf8 22. Qd2 Bd7 23. Nd5 Rab8 24. Bg5 Re8 {The pawn push (f6) would block the bishop's control of the a1 - h8 diagonal. At this point of the game, it seems that black's position is a little cramped and white has gained a space.} 25. Re1 Rb7 26. Qf2 Bc6 27. Qh4 f6 {Black is now forced to play f6 to protect the e7 pawn.} 28. Be3 e6 29. Nc3 {With this move, black gains control of the important d5 square.} 29... Rd7 30. Bd4 f5 31. exf5 gxf5 32. Rd2 Bxd4+ 33. Rxd4 {This exchange is beneficial to black. Petrosian now has an open g file exploit.} 33... Rg7 34. Kh1 {It is always a good move to put the king away from the open file.} 34... Rg6 35. Rd2 Rd8 36. Red1 {White attempts to attack using the d file.} 36... Rd7 37. Qf2 Qd8 38. Qe3 e5 39. f4 e4 {It can be said that at this juncture, black has gained the advantage. The passed e4 pawn restricts the movement of white's pieces. } 40. Ne2 Rdg7 {Black can now concentrate in taking control of the g file.} 41. Nd4 Bd7 42. a3 Qa8 43. Kg1 {There is a potential danger when the the king is within the queen's diagonal. At any rate, it is white that is under attack.} 43... h5 44. Rb1 h4 {Black intends to ram his way into white's kingside.} 45. Rbb2 Rg4 46. Rf2 Qd8 47. b4 Rg3 {This move may have shocked Keres.} 48. hxg3 hxg3 49. Rfd2 Qh4 50. Be2 Rh7 51. Kf1 Qxf4+ {This game is a good demonstration of Petrosian's attacking instinct and style.} 0-1