Today’s winning tactic
SPRAGGETT ON CHESS
GM MILES
The legendary English grandmaster Tony Miles (1955-2001) was known for his ferocious fighting spirit. For Tony it made no difference what colour he had, he always played for the win. No doubt his Viking ancestry (in spirit, if not in fact) contributed to this great competitor to become one of the very best tournament players of the 1970’s and 1980’s. Amongst his many notable international victories include back to back wins in Tilburg (1984 and 1985).
The following position arose on board number-one in the match between England and Yugoslavia at the 1980 Malta Olympiad. A complex line of the super-sharp Dragon has reached its climax: White’s last move (28.Qe5) is a Queen sacrifice that can not be accepted because of mate in one move : 29.Rh7!. What is Black to do? Tony’s team mates looked on helplessly….
POSITION AFTER WHITE’S 28th MOVE (28.Qe5)
GM MILES
GM LJUBOJEVIC
But Miles had forseen Ljubojevic’s clever trick and had prepared a counter-Queen sacrifice that completely turns the tables on the Yugoslav superstar.
28…QxR-ch!! 29.KxQ fxg2-ch! 30.Kd2 Rfd8-ch 31. Bd5 (there is no better) 31…Rxd5-ch!
Everything works like a wheel for Black! If now White captures the Rook then Black promotes and soon mates the White King stranded in the centre. WHITE RESIGNS!
Everything works like a wheel for Black! If now White captures the Rook then Black promotes and soon mates the White King stranded in the centre. WHITE RESIGNS!
0-1
This was England’s only victory against the Yugoslav juggernaut: England lost 1.5 to 2.5
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This was England’s only victory against the Yugoslav juggernaut: England lost 1.5 to 2.5
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 The opening ceremony in Malta. I can recognize John Nunn (2nd to left,front row) Anderton to the left, Robert Bellin 2 seats to his right; directly above Bellin is Jana Miles, Tony Miles and Ray Keene. |
The playing hall.
The Soviet delegation won the Olympiad. In 1978 they had finished 2nd! I recognize Geller (far right) Karpov, Kasparov (speaking to Karpov), Polugaevski etc.