Some tactics from GM Tseitlin’s games
Grandmaster Mark Tseitlin RIP
The news of grandmaster Mark Tseitlin passing away the other day in Beer Sheva spread quickly in the international chess community. One of the world’s top trainers, Tseitlin was also a noted opening theoretician (Grunfeld, Spanish and Najdorf). He was 78 years old at the time of his passing.
Tseitlin was also a feared over the board competitor: he defeated Korchnoi not less than 4 times (!). Tseitlin also won the Leningrad Championship 4 times as well as the World Senior Championship 4 times, as well as many other tournaments.
When a young master growing up in the Soviet Union, his passion for the game and his brilliant tactical talent was obvious. Why he did not enter into the ranks of the very elite of the USSR is a surprise for many. Perhaps it was Tseitlin’s reliance on sharp tactics to compensate for his positional failings that might be a good point to start the investigation.
Regardless, Tseitlin leaves us with many beautiful and creative games to enjoy and admire. Over the next weeks I will publish a good selection of these games. Today I will limit myself to give just 4 examples. Enjoy!
Example 1
Tseitlin,M – Krutyanski,A
Leningrad 1971
1-0
A brilliant game, filled with surprising twists and turns, very typical of the young master from Leningrad!
Example 2
Tseitlin,M – Lerner,K
Kiev 1967
1-0
Example 3
Tseitlin,M – Shmit,A
USSR 1970
1-0
Example 4
Vitolins,A – Tseitlin,M
Chernowitz 1967
1-0
What is this? Tseitlin loses in a tactical fight? Yes! Here he tries his magic against the talented Latvian master but finds himself the prey instead of the predator. The brilliant finale is worth the price of admission!
