Robert Burnt, New Yonkers Times–Game Of The Week: In Memory of Bronstein
1 Comment Published by Robert Burnt February 9th, 2007 in Chess, Robert Burnt, Whole Chess Games“I was 22 then and the youngest in the team. When, on the eve of the match (USSR vs. USA, Moscow, 1946–Ed.), the strategical battle plan was being decided upon, the first to speak was the elder, M. M. Botvinnik.
“Looking steadily at me, he pronnounced in a clear and imposing tone: ‘I hope that everyone understands the crucial nature of this match and that no one will play the reckless King’s Gambit.’
“…at the time, in 1946, I loved the King’s Gambit with all my heart…. But the word of an older man is law. And I chose the solid Ruy Lopez.” (200 Open Games, Bronstein, Dover, 1973). In the game in question Bronstein faced Olaf Ulvestad, 12 years his elder, and went on to lose “rather wretchedly.”
“No, it is no mere coincidence that people say you should choose your opening according to your nature.”
Bronstein’s praise of the King’s Gambit was high. “If one was to pick out only one variation from the multifarious King’s Gambit:
- e4 e5
- f4 ef
- Nf3 g5
- Bc4 g4
- 0-0 gf
- Qxf3 Qf6
- e5 Qxe5
- Bxf7+ Kxf7
- d4!
that in itself would be sufficient to earn for the opening the eternal gratitude of chess-players.” He remained devoted to the opening throughout his career. Here he is, 22 years after the aforementioned loss to Ulvestad, laying the lumber to the legendary Tal.
Bronstein passed away in December 2006. Farewell to this great attacker.
[Click HERE for floating game board.]
Bronstein/Tal, Riga, 1968,
1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3. exd5 e4 4. d3 Nf6 5. dxe4 Nxe4 6. Nf3 Bc5 7. Qe2
Bf5 8. Nc3 Qe7 9. Be3 Nxc3 10. Bxc5 Nxe2 11. Bxe7 Nxf4 12. Ba3 Nd7
13. O-O-O Be4 14. Ng5 Bxd5 15. g3 Bxh1 16. gxf4 c5 17. Bc4 Bc6 18. Nxf7
b5 19. Nd6+ Ke7 20. Nxb5 Rhf8 21. Nd4 Bg2 22. Ne6 Rf5 23. Rg1 Be4
24. Nc7 Rd8 25. Rxg7+ Kf6 26. Rf7+ Kg6 27. Re7 Nf6 28. Ne6 Rc8 29. b3
Rh5 30. Ng5 Bd5 31. Bd3+ Kh6 32. Bb2 c4 33. Bf5 c3 34. Bxc8 cxb2+
35. Kxb2 Rxh2 36. Rxa7 Rf2 37. Ra4 Kg6 38. Rd4 h5 39. a4 h4 40. a5 Bg2
41. a6 Nh5 42. Bb7 Nxf4 43. Rxf4 1-0
This Bronstein/Tal game is one of the great heavyweight slugfests of all time. Boris Spassky related the following anecdote regarding this game:
he (Spassky) was demonstrating after the game what he considered to be a more clearcut, albeit more prosaic, continuation for White at the 15th move (Bronstein’s 15. g3!) Spassky stated: “Bronstein stared at me for a moment as if I understood absolutely nothing of chess. He then replied ‘Yes, but when in your lifetime do you ever get to play such a beautiful move against Mikhail Tal?!’”