Mikhail Botvinnik v. Tigran Petrosian (Sicilian Defense, Mcdonnell Attack, Gagra, 1952)
Event "Gagra"]
[Site "Gagra"]
[Date "1952"]
[White "Mikhail Botvinnik"]
[Black "Petrosian"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. e4 c5 2. f4 {The (2.f4) “Mcdonnell
Attack” or also known as the “Grand Prix Attack” takes control of the central
e5 square but weakens the kingside.
Black's best reply is said to be the
"Tal Gambit" (2.__d5 3. exd5 Nf6). }
2... Nf6 3. d3 d5 {Black intended solidity.
The Tal Gambit seemed not so
appealing to Tigran at this time.} 4. e5
Ng8 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. c3 {It can be said
here that white is slightly ahead in
development.} 6... Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8.
.png) |
| Botvinnik v. Petrosian (after 46. Rf1) |
Qxf3 e6 {The game seems to remind us of the
solid french defense.} 9. Qf2 h5 10. Be3 Qb6 11. Qc2 h4 {With this move black takes
control of the g3 square.} 12. Nd2 Nh6 13. Bf2 Nf5 14. Nf3 Be7 {The battle for
the h4 pawn resulted in a deadlock. If white manages to take this pawn, it
would definitely be a relief.} 15. Be2 Rg8 16. Qd2 O-O-O 17. O-O {The castling
of the parties on opposite sides of the board is a prelude to an attacking
game.} 17... d4 {It is black who initially declared his intention by opening up
the center.} 18. Rfc1 Kb8 {Safety first! It is best to put
his majesty out of the soon to be opened c file.} 19. Rab1 g5 {It can be said
that black has the initiative at
this stage of the game. Black's rook has
its eye on the g file attacking
white's king. White's pieces are all tied
up in defensive positions.} 20. fxg5 Qc7 21. Qf4 Rd5 22. b4 Nxe5 23. cxd4
Nxf3+ 24. Qxf3 c4 25. dxc4 Nxd4 26. Bxd4 Rxd4 {After the smoke has cleared, it
can be seen that black has absolute control of the d file and white's g5 pawn
is under threat.} 27. Qxf7 Rxg5 28. Qf2 Rd2 {Black has definitely achieved a
clear advantage.} 29. Rd1 Rxa2 30. Ra1 Rxa1 31. Rxa1 a5 {This move breaks the
coordination between white's b4 and c4 pawns and at the same time maintaining
the initiative.} 32. Kh1 {Of course white cannot take the h5 pawn without
avoiding the bishop's pin at c5.} 32...Bxb4 33. Rd1 Qg3 34. Qxg3+ Rxg3 {At this
point, all black has to do is be careful and winning is just a matter of technique.}
35. Bf3 Kc7 36. Kg1 a4 37. Rb1 Bc5+ 38. Kf1 b6 39. Ke2 a3 40. Kd3 Rg5 41. Re1
Kd6 42. Be4 Re5 43. Re2 Ke7 44. Ra2 Kf6 45. Ra1 Kg5 46. Rf1 Bd6 0-1
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