Smyslov Endgame Virtuoso
In my Chess training session for the day, I undertook the time honoured technique of guessing the next move and cross checking against the game.
I worked through Smyslov-Stahlberg from the Alekhine Moscow 1956 tournament taken from page 63 of the Endgame Virtuoso book by Smyslov. I have shown where my guesses differed from Smyslov.
I learnt greatly from the game where
- I matched Smyslov's idea of 49. d4 to control the c5 square and thus stop Rc5
- I poorly suggested Re5 which would have incarcerated my Rook
- Smyslov's 61. Bd3 was far more flexible
- I missed 64. Bd7+! which allows a better Rook ending with control of the c-file and removing the defenders of the pawns
- I missed the transfer of the King via 68. Ke2 to head to the Kingside. This is an example where you don't want two pieces doing the same defensive role
- I was very happy to also find 78. Kg3 heading to g5
