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A Personal Look At Mikhail Tal's Games

GM Peter Svidler

Tal, nicknamed the “Magician from Riga,” was a gregarious and unworldly genius who overwhelmed his opponents with dazzling attacking chess. He made a strong impression on a young future Russian Champion: Peter Svidler.

In this series Svidler takes you through seven of Tal's classic games, sharing his personal insights into one of the greatest attacking players of all time.

Tal's Early Games

Two games from early in Mikhail Tal's career: Bukhuti Gurgenidze vs. Tal (Moscow, 1957) Benoni Defense: Classical Variation, Czerniak Defense (A78) Tal vs. Alexander Tolush (Leningrad, 1956) Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation. Poisoned Pawn Accepted (B97)

25 Min

5 Aufgaben

Tal vs. Hecht (Varna, 1962)

Mikhail Tal's win in the 1962 Olympiad in Varna, Bulgaria over the German Hans-Joachim Hecht. A Nimzo-Indian Defense. "It begins looking as if what is happening on the board absolutely has to happen. There is no way the game can develop any other way."

25 Min

5 Aufgaben

Tal vs. Portisch (Bled, 1965)

Game 2 of their candidates match. Game 1 had been a draw, but Tal had the better of it. In this game, Tal was surprised by the Caro-Kann Defense (Two Knights Attack [B10]). Portisch tried to play quietly and simplify the position, but the "magician from Riga" managed to conjure up an attack on Portisch's king, stuck in the center of the board.

30 Min

5 Aufgaben

Tal vs. Larsen (Bled, 1965)

A famous game from the Bled Candidates semi-final match. The tenth and decisive game from their match which was tied at 4.5 a piece. A classic game in which Tal attacks on the white side of a Keres Attack, also known as the Scheveningen, Tal Variation! (B82)

26 Min

5 Aufgaben

Botvinnik vs. Tal (Moscow, 1960)

One of the most exciting games from the 1960 World Championship match. Tal was leading after one win and four draws. This was Game 5. King's Indian Defense: Fianchetto Variation. Classical Main Line (E69)

30 Min

5 Aufgaben

Tal vs. Akopian (Barcelona, 1992)

This is the final tournament game of Tal's career, played in an open tournament just three weeks before his death. His opponent, Vladimir Akopian, was already higher rated than Tal, and a winner of the World Junior Championship. Sicilian Defense: Nezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack (B30)

24 Min

5 Aufgaben