Boleslavsky, Nezhmetdinov and Tal- The Magic of a Queen Sacrifice and the e2 Square!

This is an intuitive post about patterns that intersect and overlap...ideas that criss-cross in terms of themes arising from an opening, tempo in the attack and decisive action involving a Queen sacrifice and the e2-square. Wow! A lot to cover, but just noticing how players inspire each other; in this case, Boleslavsky inspiring Nezhmetdinov and Tal.

So, let us get to the thick of it. 

The first game we shall consider is Alatortsev-Boleslavsky, 18th USSR Championship, Moscow, 1950. Boleslavsky was 31 years old at this time.

Eight years later the great Rashid Nezhmetdinov was inspired by Boleslavsky's game, and produced the best game of his life against Lev Polugaevsky. This game features the same inferior setup by White. Notice the same position after Black's 9th move!

Now, in that first game, at the crucial moment Boleslavsky sacrifices his Queen, which is threatened by a pawn. So where is the similarity in the following two games? Well, in both games Black penetrates through the white squares and the e-file in such a way, that he is able to sacrifice his queen, supported by his domination of the e2-square. Take a look!

In the following game against Smyslov, Tal sacrifices his Queen in similar fashion, featuring his invasion on white squares and the domination of the e-file and the e2-square. I remember Tal commenting on the uniqueness of this Queen sacrifice, the fruits of which was to get an ending with a superior minor piece!

So the pattern or characteristic that triggered my association is the weak white squares on White's Kingside, the strong Black bishop, and the penetration along the e-file, and specifically on the e2-square.

Peace, joy and health to all.