An Attacker vs An Attacker: Nedzhmetdinov vs Tal - Baku 1961

Rashid Nezhmetdinov vs Mikhail Tal [B84]
Baku 15, 1961
[Mato]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 6.Be2 Nbd7 7.0--0 a6 8.f4 Qc7 9.g4 b5 10.a3 Bb7 11.Bf3 Nc5 12.Qe2 e5 13.Nf5 g6 14.fxe5 dxe5 15.Nh6 Ne6 16.Bg2 Bg7 17.Rxf6 Bxf6 18.Nd5 Qd8 19.Qf2 Nf4 20.Bxf4 exf4 21.e5 Bxe5 22.Re1 f6 23.Nxf6+ Qxf6 24.Qd4 Kf8 25.Rxe5 Qd8 26.Rf5+ gxf5 27.Qxh8+ Ke7 28.Qg7+ Ke6 29.gxf5+ 1--0
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[@chrisiver8506]

Tal got a taste of his own medicine! haha

[@AlCologne9]

You shutup and not dare laugh at Mr Tal Just....kidding

[@sam9239]

People talking about how could Tal lose, but not many knew that World class players such as Botvinnik, Bronstein, Polugaevsky, etc have often quoted that Nezhmetdinov was the king of combinational chess. Even Tal himself called him the best, hence why he requested him to be on his team to train him for the World Championship in 1960, which Tal won. The reason he isn't as popular as Tal was 1) he didn't receive a GM title and 2) he was an inconsistent player. The first reason is because of a lot of factors such as serving in WWII and having less exposure than others to international chess (hence being 5 times Russian champion but never coming close to being World Champ or a GM title). But the second reason might seem controversial after watching some of his best games, because I don't think there is anyone better than him when you have an attacking position. But he did have a very hard time playing defensive players such as Petrosian, Korchnoi and Averbakh, he had terrible scores against them. Averbakh in an interview said he could kill anyone with an attacking position, even Tal, but if the position was closed he struggled because he would try to create unnecessary complications out of positions that offered nothing. Hence why Tal was a better player. Because even Tal knew how to respect a closed position but Nezhmetdinov didn't.

[@jandom9008]

Sammy A just agree he was great player.. don't be like a married bachelor. He was the best and again the worst in the defence that doesnt make sense, the only time you can attack is when your Frontline is safe, the art of war..

[@saudullahesedullayewi8042]

He was oppressed Tatar nationality that he was not so popular

[@SaeedAcronia]

I listen to this guy before I sleep. He has such a soothing accent

[@springnuance7048]

i think like u too

[@pashapasovski5860]

what accent? haha

[@royalblue0505]

"And white is bettah." :)

[@javanautski]

Ruke tecks ponn ... is very musical I hear ya

[@shankysingam]

Tal getting a taste of his own medicine.. Very rare indeed.. Brilliant game

[@appabend]

"Tal was a gentleman. He just clenched his fist and punched Rashid straight in the nose. Just kidding. Tal was a good sport. He kick things instead... kidding again." Damn it! Your humor never loses me, Mato.

[@Adityarm.08]

appabend kicked *him instead

[@markanthonypar-wise1499]

Nooo tal lost, I have never seen tal loose a game until now.

[@MatoJelic]

You are not subscribed

[@markanthonypar-wise1499]

Really how, I have you on subscription list.

[@nsakic]

Tal had 1-3 record against Nezhmetdinov. I guess that's why Tal asked Nezhmetdinov to train him for the USSR championships which Tal won. Also, the kind words Tal had when Nezhmetdinov died in 1974.

[@wakefieldyorkshire]

Just kidding:-)

[@nsakic]

Koray Ç. Nezhmetdinov answers your question. There is documentary on him on youtube. Tal and Nezh played 4 times, and tal lost 3 out of 4 games against Nezh.

[@rosse.weiler8420]

Giants of chess! They played chess as artists with great love for the game. They were also buddies. Tal invited Rashid to his place in Talin and asked him to train him for the world championship. They had great respect for each other and skills. Thank you Mato!

[@markbutler6788]

Nedzmetdinov defeated Tal with his own crazy sacrificial style, which is insane. Conventional wisdom is to shut down tactical players with a logical, positioning approach. The truly great players can do both, obviously. GG Mato!

[@-Muhammad_Ali-]

in fact it is Nezh style which Tal got into lol

[@nicovillacruz7168]

+nazirdjon tal's opponent is his trainer

[@servicemale]

..and Tal resigned. Those words :'( Mato tried to alleviate that by some comic moments ;-)

[@filter80808]

Sad to see Tal lose, but it was interesting that Ned made not one but two sacrifices--taking a page straight from Tal's book! Thanks Mato for another "killa" video.

[@nsakic]

It is never sad, it is astonishing, even to Tal, himself. You should watch the game b/w Nezhmetdinov and Polugaevsky where Nezh sacrificed the queen - I would say that is the game for the ages. Polugaevsky, till his dying day, said that he would trade all his wins for how Nezh beat him in that one game.

[@altair91100]

"Nothing like that. Tal was a gentleman. He just clenched his fist, and punched Rashid straight in the nose. Just kidding. Tal was a good sport. He kicked him instead." Man some day I will laugh the shit out of myself cuz of your commentary :D

[@nofanfelani6924]

+altair91100 he got me too,, lol

[@anjobee5798]

+altair91100 HAHAHAHA!

[@mikelucarelli9782]

+altair91100 Totally agree, I luv all of Mato's commentary (thank you kindly, sir), but this type of little finish always leaves me smiling.

[@Ophiuchus123456789]

these comments are especially funny because mato doesnt over do his punchline. perfect comedic timing

[@thomasbrooklyn1820]

Physical violence is often perceived as funny. Almost half the comments here are about the jokes.

[@Jamesbond007rockstaralways]

Two Ultra legends and sweetest commentary and genius analysis by our lovely Mato Gelic... Great Game 💐🎉👍🏻

[@tigerboy1966]

Chess can make you happy. I was smiling, laughing and applauding all the way through this one.

[@ROBERTOLOAYZA]

me too Sir.

[@jathondelsy]

I love your videos Mato. Perfectly timed progression and commentary, informative analysis, dry humour, a clear and pleasant speaking voice, always a treat for us chess connoisseurs.

[@julioromero8274]

What a beautiful game, that happens when human intelligence manifest on the Chess board. Thank you so much Mato for your channel and explanations, wish you success and all the best.

[@aeshalaby]

Excellent excellent excellent game by Nedzhmetdinov. This player is not widely known outside the soviet union, yet he was one of the fiercest fighters on the board. Thank you Mato for annotating this game for us!

[@Dragonstar_aoe]

True Gentle Man - Kicked him instead XD

[@nikunjakishoresundaray7984]

This brilliancy ends up reinforcing the legend of Mikhail Tal, and the beauty of Rashid's play is breathtaking, laced with the spicy Mato humour!!

[@kusumitahazra3985]

First game I saw that Tal lost.Never seen him lose before. Great game, enjoyed a lot. And mato jelic your commentary was great

[@stephens64]

I once saw Tal give a lecture at the Manhattan Chess Club. It was the mid 80s I think. It was the first time I noticed he only had two fingers on one of his hands.

[@delboy7239]

I've seen some games from this guy, Nezhmetdinov. He is not as famous as some players, but perhaps he should be. He produced many games in this swashbuckling style !

[@manciano2009]

Grazie Mato. E' un piacere guardare i tuoi video commentati. Bravo. Bravissimo.

[@GlutesEnjoyer]

What a beautiful moment of comic relief at the end. Good job mato, you make my favorite videos on Tals best games. It's so much fun to try and find the moves

[@BejoyJohnNewDelhi]

Great work, Mato. You are a very good presenter. Of course, not to mention the sheer brilliance of the gentlemen who are actually playing the game..

[@JohnSmith-ch2qd]

He did a Tal on Tal XD

[@tejasbawa]

Lol right!

[@ahappypickachu]

He did a Tal on Tal XD

[@orikk86]

Good game from Nedzhmetdinov. in Baku we have a lot of players like him. we have 3 grandmasters in one family. YES it is our POWER.

[@giriiyer3968]

I enjoyed this wonderful game by nezhmetdinov very much.. terrific positional play.

[@michael2305]

with mato u learn every day i just learned the capital of azerbaijan thanks mato and greetings from vienna.

[@iehudim]

Nedzhmetdinov has no reverse gear.... i guess this was one of the most wonderful comment ina chess game, thank you master, from the southern radioactive Brasil !

[@parthmer]

Mato, ur every video is very special, we all who follow u everyday loves ur video... Thanx for doing this for us... May God bless you...

[@TheAstek321]

'Tal punched his nose with fist. Just kidding. He was gentleman. He kicked him.' xDD

[@radjmanalang6044]

Why he makes this joke: Because why not

[@19stalkern]

Mato, you're freaking HILARIOUS!! Love your videos! And to the 35 haters.... what exactly is not to like about this game? Or the commentary? I'm guessing you're all checker players......

[@yuhannael4476]

@matojelic Thank you for posting all of these great videos and tutorials. They have helped tremendously with my game.

[@arkrazor354]

Hey Mato, I bought your book 3 yrs ago. I haven't looked at it yet, but that is no reflection on you. I enjoy your videos a lot. I started playing in 1972 when Bobby Fischer won the World Title. I was 17. By June 1973, I had won 3 adult tournaments and drew the Junior Champion of my large state (I had a win, but didn't see it). Then I got beat by an 11 yo in a tournament, and it was like veil came over my eyes. I've never seen the chess board the same since then. I'm an awful player and really don't play competitively anymore- it was like became blind in chess. Maybe some day, I will try to build on what I was becoming. I'm no good now, but if I do ever get better, it will b/c of your videos and book.

[@waxmolf2674]

good luck!

[@kickoutdude]

He has a book? Ill go search

[@manojshrestha3229]

Just when I thought Tal is the greatest, I found his father. lol

[@atlaslife3800]

+Nagato Pain NOOOOOO!!!!

[@manojshrestha3229]

Yesssss!!! At least in this game..

[@Cyrpto_Engineer]

Hhhhhhhhhhh this i think 2

[@Cyrpto_Engineer]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@taylor4yachts]

I really enjoy your narration breaking down these chess games. I'm a 1300 or so player. But you capture the games excitement so good with your descriptions.

[@aayushshrestha1144]

sir you make these videos so effortlessly interesting, the flow is neither too fast nor too slow

[@hamanb9278]

Hi Mato, you are KING!!! Very beautiful game...Excellent...Thx..

[@nazihbenkhelfa5058]

thanks To your videos and efforts...im discovering a lot of grand masters that are not so famous....best Channel of chers......thank you sir.

[@p.g.9370]

Yer the best Mato, great video from a great teacher, Shalom brother

[@MatoJelic]

Thank you

[@dhiresh5980]

Came here to learn geography. Wasn't disappointed

[@animeharem]

your videos are awesome... the part that you say "pause the video if you wish" makes me think really hard, and everytime i learn a lot... thanks a lot for the videos... it's making me improve as a player :D

[@shibshankarroy5572]

Lovely commentary ,excellent and unbelievable game !!!

[@bubbyisgod]

Another great game. I will have to look up this amazing Rashid! Maybe when I am retired and have a moment to myself. Until then I will enjoy your teachings.

[@Benderrr111]

Kasparov would have thrown a tantrum..

[@guardrover]

Bobby Fischer would have cried and gone in to a depression.

[@centralprocessingunit2564]

cant blame the true greatest of all times.

[@007janakiram6]

one off best game between two great players

[@thomasbrooklyn1820]

Mato: Well presented and explained, especially with the alternate lines breakdowns. Thanks. Liked.

[@MatoJelic]

Answers to FAQ can be found on My Channel under: About Mato

[@ramprasadnigudkar2072]

I like your style of explanation and particularly matches of Boby J Fischer. Thank you very much.

[@Moronvideos1940]

Your chess videos are excellent. You have a natural talent for explaining positions and your voice is wonderful. Thank you. American John.

[@suthan2003]

Mato. Your voice makes the match even more thrilling :-) especially when you say..."Now..white to play the killer move. If you want to pause this video, find the killer move....READY" White.....played......rook takes pawn...." amazing Mato. Greetings from India

[@KillaIzNargilla]

"Who is beta.." Mato Jelic.2012

[@deepisdeepak]

"And we have reached the critical position of the game" ... "Can you find the killah move?" ..

[@derenkov]

+Deepak Gupta and WHITE IS BETAHHHH

[@pop9095]

Nearly every time I begin a game as black with C5 I hear you Mr. Mato "Sicilian". So good.

[@jeremyjameson4672]

This game was epic... Your videos are great Mato, thank you..

[@BongelaMnguni]

This guy was a Tal's trainer so no big deal

[@SamerShennar]

Yet another sweet chess piece of Mato for our taste! I think many of us would like to see more and more Matojelic pieces of this Hyper-attacker Nidzhmetdinov!

[@jonaswenner2369]

AWESOME, RASHID AND KAREL TRAXLER ARE THE BESTS PLAYERS OF THE HISTORY IN THE PLANET !!! :O

[@tobylerone007]

Possibly one of the greatest games I've seen!

[@BoschPianoMusic]

I must agree, this was one beautiful game.

[@swewunna]

Nice commentray Mato. Thanks for uploading classic games.

[@timmarshall4881]

Lovely comments about Tal. Love and peace. Tim

[@abdellahfadli5241]

GOOD JOB MATO... CHEERS FROM MOROCCO!

[@patriciadoyle8160]

Thanks Mato! I love the way you let us try to find the killer moves! Great training!

[@stickmanymickmany]

Your vids are really cool. I cannot agree more, the way you express yourself makes it thrilling indeed.

[@bitoybicol4087]

Hahahaha incredible hosting talent as well. Thank you!

[@maynardjoseph]

please keep making these videos. I find them highly entertaining

[@vallishabm9434]

Thank you for making chess so entertaining..... Your Passion for the game is very much evident in the videos you make.... 👍👍🙏

[@RRRaszkolnyikov]

I'm really enjoying your videos and your comments about the plays you're showing! One thing is for sure, you're a very knowledge chess player as well. :-)

[@MatoJelic]

Thank you

[@alisenkaya8120]

"Kili mov"s like cats n dogs. Exciting... Also commentary is the best :) ever thanks Mr Mato

[@danisafo]

Thank you, mato, for excelent games!

[@azmiloazmil7248]

Now is 2021 but I still enjoy this video..thx Mr Mato make nice video👍I like it👍

[@thomaseads1236]

I did not know where Baku was, so the geography lesson helped this time. I chuckle when he informs us where London, New York city, Berlin, etc are!!!

[@MatoJelic]

18...Bxd5 19exd5 Nd8 instead Qc5 check first and then Nd8. If after Qc5 check Be3 then black plays Nf4. This bit of explanation was accidentally cut while editing the video.

[@juancarlosdavila6591]

It's rare to see a Tal defeat in this manner. Thanks for the honesty. I just have to say that Tal didn't play his best in this game. Not because he lost, but because his combinations were weak, he didn't see some of his opponents future moves, and he didn't sacrifice with brilliance as he usually did. He even hoped for a queen exchange in the late stage. I rarely see Tal hope for a queen exchange to relieve pressure. Tal usually attacks and forces a beautiful combination with a meaningful sacrifice. Tal was human after all, just like Fischer, Morphy and the other immortal greats.

[@leandroearth]

Great game... Nedzh, was a great, very great tactitian... It's not by chance that he was always beside Tal..

[@tubewatcher38]

That's a bloody battle between two mad attackers. The board at the end reminds me of a civil war battlefield.

[@thomasbrooklyn1820]

Have you ever seen photos of a Civil War battlefield or it's aftermath?

[@xyon9090]

*I just love your humor.*

[@TheMethadoneParty]

Thanks Mato, awesome game, Tal is one of my favorites

[@szn333]

thanks for your video... i have learned a lot of your clips . tnx man

[@koenpalstermans9180]

beautiful game and ecellent lecture. thanks

[@vagelislemmon2988]

just AMAZING!!!! The fact that even Tal didnt survive from such attack makes it Super amazing....I was expected Tal to make some "unseen" move but he had no time...... What a game mato.....tnx !!!!

[@royendemesa6144]

Thanks mato, keep up the good work, lot of chess fans improve their play because of your analyses and lessons! :D

[@KiehlHyre]

You were quite the jokester this time around. Love your videos Mato!!

[@DelphianSociety]

Very thrilling game. Beforehand, I was really pondering who'd win this. Both are so similair! But Nedzhmetdinov completely destroyed Tal at his own game. Tal didn't even have a chance to show his brilliance because of Nedzhmetdinov's moves. With this amazing match he has certainly entered my list of greatest players!

[@sharigam1]

Thank you Mato for all your videos!! Tal is my favourite (with Fisher and Capablanca !). I loved the anecdot about Tal's reaction at the end of the video. Keep on, Mato!!!

[@Varun23121985]

Hey Mato, I've see a number of your chess commentary videos and I've liked each one of them. I just subscribed to your videos now. Thanks!

[@tapan91]

Haha.. The commentary towards the end was epic...

[@moldovankm]

you are amazing Mato .. I really like all what you publish

[@MatoJelic]

18...Bxd5 19exd5 Nd8 instead Qc5 check first and then Nd8. If after Qc5 check Be3 then black plays Nf4. This bit of explanation was accidentally cut while editing the video. Cutting out had to be done because Helicopter that flew over my recording studio created noise.

[@TheOneNickel]

One of my favorites.

[@locutusdborg126]

The Cult of Tal - for those few who think Tal was the most brilliant player ever. Maybe not the best, but the most brilliant. The Einstein of chess.

[@MyrTariniel]

Einstein himself played chess, lol

[@locutusdborg126]

Baby Blue And Einstein was good. He plays very similarly to my own style. I was impressed with his game against Oppenheimer (available on KZbin).

[@channel1800dumb]

You're a crackup Mato LOL! Funny good dude! Love the vids.

[@ramin688]

After years this was this first GAme I saw the Great Tal losing.

[@pashapasovski5860]

I love Tal and you love him to, you speak of his play with extra passion!

[@locutusdborg126]

And Tal was a class act. Brilliant, and a gentleman. Good combination.

[@BrujoHN]

Yes, that is the reaction one could expect from Tal. Maybe he was a little too confident? Great game. Thanks for sharing, Mato. Best wishes. Elmer.

[@oldgrampaw]

I love the analysis and humor!

[@alokchowdhury3671]

What an extraordinary game!

[@bohottie]

Wow...Mato posting a game of Tal getting straight-up outplayed. Amazing game.

[@halpyman]

its interesting thing to ponder...such a small group of people have left such a big mark on humanity...But we are all humans and i think we can learn from each to become greater...