Tal's Final Tournament Game: A SHOCKING Result!

[@andro99991]

There is a nice story about this game. Tal came to the tournament in Barcelona in fine form and won two out of three first games, but then he fell very ill (he had a kidney disease that would take his life a month later). However, he didn't want to withdraw from the tournament and insisted on playing on. However, he didn't have the strength to play long games (back then, classical tempo was 40 moves for 2.5 hours with adjournments if necessary). So he devised the following system - he drew his white games in 10-15 moves by playing extremely timid, drawish openings and tried to hang in with black as best as he could. However, the illness had been getting worse and he'd lost three games with black before this game, the last round. So there he went, played the quietest possible variation against the Sicilian, offered a draw on move 12 or so, and got up from the table before Akopian responded, fully expecting Akopian to accept. However, when he came back to the playing hall, Tal was informed by the arbiter that Akopian had, in fact, refused the draw offer. "Fuck it, he is gonna lose then" was pissed-off Tal's reply to the arbiter. He proceeded to sit down, concentrate and started playing with great energy. Akopian, who was a top 20 player then and some 35 years younger than Tal, soon obtained a better position, but he overextended and Tal punished him in the complications, finishing his last classical tournament with a respectable 50% even though he fully intended to draw the last game and go home with a -1 score. After this tournament, Tal went back to Moscow and checked into a hospital, only to check himself out against medical advice when he heard there was an elite blitz tournament being played. He played excellently and finished third - Kasparov was first, but Tal beat him in their game. Couple of days after that blitz tournament, Tal had to go back to hospital where he passed away.

[@richardrichards8401]

I’m a nobody in chess but love the game since my early teens and I understand how this game captivates people. The way Tal and other greats see moves that I can’t see is truly amazing. The world is a better place because of their brilliance and passion for the game 😎

[@kurzackd]

Rest in Peace, Mikhail Nehemyevich !!

[@kurzackd]

*"(back then, classical tempo was 40 moves for 2.5 hours with adjournments if necessary)."* wait, the way I understand is is.. SAME AS NOW ?? Or am I missing something ?? More details pls ?? I honestly didn't get what you meant exactly and how it differs from today... :O .

[@andro99991]

Back then, after 40 moves had been played the 41st move was sealed and then the game was adjourned to be continued the next day. Obviously, because of the engines, they don't do that anymore. Also, even in classical tournaments, 2.5 hours for 40 moves is rare nowadays. It is usually 2 hours for 40 moves or 1.5 hours for 40 moves with increment.

[@maxkho00]

This didn't appear to be a quiet variation of the Sicilian. Tal gave his opponent an open g-file and created a very imbalanced position, with 2 bishops vs 2 knights. It makes sense that Akopian declined the draw offer ─ there was no reason to accept a draw in such a dynamic position, especially given that he was objectively better. "A quiet variation of the Sicilian" would be most of the closed Sicilian systems.

[@Theodicy101]

So special to be able to see the brilliant Tal's last tournament game. After such a remarkable career and his devotion to the game over decades, I'm happy that he won this final one. Thank you for sharing this with us, and thanks for your very nice channel. Rest in peace, Tal.

[@MrGyges]

Tal ,a revelation to the end. Thank you for expertly taking us through this wonderful game.

[@ashwarren5053]

Actually that was very moving. To see such brilliance in a man of his years, and for it to be his final game is quite special. Thanks for sharing this and for your clear commentary.

[@banzaiburger]

What a great finale tournament game. I’m sure he’s in heaven trolling Fischer with the Sicilian defense

[@AlwaysAudacity]

Great game and the perfect amount of analysis. Keep up the great work!

[@stevewimmer9758]

This is becoming my favorite channel for watching great chess games. I've been a fan of agadmator for years and he's awesome, but he often goes off the rails too far and I sometimes get lost and aggravated. thank you, ChessDawg!

[@kurzackd]

Rest in Peace, Mikhail Nehemyevich !!

[@refl3ktor]

What a beautiful finish to such a storied career! Going out with guns blazing! Thank you for the concise and cheerful analysis, as always!

[@BenedictPosadas]

Tal❤

[@ritawilliams8533]

Thanks ❤ from Malaga Spain

[@sky-right]

Thanks for another brilliant Tal's game. I like him very much. Brave man who knows how to savour life

[@bernaldelcastillo1768]

Sir, your analysis on all the games you've uploaded are very inspiring, its a pleasure watching your videos.

[@dogandonmez5274]

Great final to a remarkable career❤. Favorite champion of many players. Very nice analysis. Thank you.

[@dineshpkm]

Ke1🎉 what a last move.... King returns to his position

[@dareyfairy]

Love your channel. It's always a treat when you upload

[@KennyHenrick]

I love your analyses, I'm going to watch all of them

[@movalodh]

As usual, good analysis of a great game.

[@dusanpogacar1399]

He played in hes stile till the end. Agressive, spectakullary and powerfully.The king of chess.

[@thechuckberryfan98]

A good game, and thank you for this content 😊

[@Narrowcros]

Him doing this in 1992, while sick and out of chess for a while is amazing. They dont make them like they used to

[@furiousangel8960]

more tal games mr chessdawg pls..

[@Bobby-fj8mk]

Excellent and exciting game. Thanks for showing us. I wonder if you could use a more attractive board like Agadmator uses?

[@robertvaughn3554]

Great game

[@smegheadGOAT]

Thanks chess dawg

[@myashins0]

“Because there is no check on A1” 😂

[@exoplanet11]

At 10:20 I thought Tal was going to solve his problem by sacrificing the queen by capturing the Bishop on c6 and somehow winning with the queening pawn.

[@adebadeb3605]

Please we need games in black

[@bradforddrake8633]

Tal was a meteor-asteroid burning through the skies of the universe! His imagination for sacrifices is approached only by a few GMs..Alekhine,Kasparov.

[@Grandpa_Moses]

Agreed but need to add Ivanchuk to that list

[@FlorianDuy]

Add Nezhmetdinov

[@DanBurgaud]

TAL was in deep trouble . . . then BOOOOM!

[@manojherath333]

How come when Tal plays D4 at 1.27, pawn in c4 x d4 and goes to d3? 🤔

[@1377sv]

TAL ❤

[@Kommaer]

7:10 in this position I prefer white at any time of a day!

[@carloalbertoromano4114]

wonderful game....so aggressive

[@theoneandonlyhooda]

you should really make a discord server

[@r.i.a.n.63]

I like your content but you butcher these names. I was a Peace Corp volunteer in that part of the world so I’m probably being critical but let me help. Mikhail Tal: Meek-hall Tall. Akopian: Ah-Cope-yawn. Agadmator does a great job with names, in case anyone is ever curious. Admittedly, it’s not always easy.

[@דורוןאבני]

10;57 R G7=??? IF K G8 R D8 R D8 Q C3 R G2+ K E3 R D3+ BLEACK WIN

[@Creativechessyoda]

Dawg day…..sun does shine on a dog’s behind every now and then. Done with online chess. The realtactitioner gets the account back or there will be no games at all. Kidney disease, ugh.