The Most Stunning Chess Novelty Ever! - Best Of The 1980s - van de Loo vs. Hesseling, 1983

According to GM Andy Soltis, the following game features the most stunning chess novelty ever played—19.Qa4!! On the other hand, some have alleged that this game never even happened and was a fabrication by the white player. The truth of this game is hard to pin down, an obscure but brilliant game from a weekender or the solitary creation of an opening enthusiast?

Wherever the truth lies, the game is an incredible display of both human brilliance and error. Both Black and White make outstanding moves AND shocking errors. From the beginning to the the end of the game, the play is a treat.

Top 10 Games of the 1980s

• #1: ???
• #2: ???
• #3: ???
  
• #4: ???
• #5: ???
• #6: van de Loo vs. Hesseling, 1983
  
• #7: Korchnoi vs. Karpov, 1981 (blog)
  
• #8: Smirin vs. Beliavsky, 1989 (blog)
  
• #9: Kasparov vs. Petrosian, 1981 (blog)
  
• #10: Beliavsky vs. Nunn, 1985 (blog)
  
• See also: Top 10 of the 1990s, Top 10 of the 2000s, and Top 10 of the 2010s

The game opens with the Traxler Counterattack, AKA Wilkes-Barre Variation, one of Black's sharpest and most aggressive opening choices. White displays great courage with his king in every step of this game, first accepting the bishop sacrifice on f2, then marching the king on to e3 and eventually on to a8!

Along the way, there are some incredible tricks and turns, amazing moves, missed wins, and stunning ideas. The game concludes with what must be a completely unique situation in chess history. White doubles rooks on the seventh, attacking Black's king on the 8th rank while protecting his own on the same rank!

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