Squeezing Mikhail Tal: The Paradox of the Century. Korchnoi vs Tal

Mikhail Tal is the first player who comes to mind when we speak about brilliant attacks, combinations and sacrifices in chess. However, Tal's magic didn't work against Viktor Korchnoi. Tal had a terrible score against Korchnoi (+4, -13, =27). In this video you will see one of the most interesting games played between these players. Korchnoi gradually squeezes Tal, then he sacrifices a pawn to initiate a strong attack and eventually checkmates Tal by bringing his king into the attack.
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nc3 exd5 5. cxd5 d6 6. Nf3 g6 7. g3 Bg7 8. Bg2 O-O 9. O-O Na6 10. h3 Nc7 11. e4 Nd7 12. Re1 Ne8 13. Bg5 Bf6 14. Be3 Rb8 15. a4 a6 16. Bf1 Qe7 17. Nd2 Nc7 18. f4 b5 19. e5 dxe5 20. Nde4 Qd8 21. Nxf6+ Nxf6 22. d6 Ne6 23. fxe5 b4 24. Nd5 Nxd5 25. Qxd5 Bb7 26. Qd2 Qd7 27. Kh2 b3 28. Rac1 Qxa4 29. Bc4 Bc8 30. Rf1 Rb4 31. Bxe6 Bxe6 32. Bh6 Re8 33. Qg5 Re4 34. Rf2 f5 35. Qf6 Qd7 36. Rxc5 Rc4 37. Rxc4 Bxc4 38. Rd2 Be6 39. Rd1 Qa7 40. Rd2 Qd7 41. Rd1 Qa7 42. Rd4 Qd7 43. g4 a5 44. Kg3 Rb8 45. Kh4 Qf7 46. Kg5 fxg4 47. hxg4 Bd7 48. Rc4 a4 49. Rc7 a3 50. Rxd7 Qxd7 51. e6 Qa7 52. Qe5 axb2 53. e7 Kf7 54. d7 1-0

[@fredericpelloud7536]

Excellent analysis of a wonderful game from Kortchnoi ! I didn't know Viktor The Terrible has such good stats against Tal... That's really impressive !... I assume that's because Viktor didn't fear anyone, he really was a beast over the board

[@uthoshantm]

Your commentary and explanations are amazing!

[@louiscypher6919]

Thank You for Korchnoi game! ❤

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure!

[@giovannicorno1247]

I love Tal, I also played a simu against Him in 1975 (mate in 18 moves ☹️) but one cannot deny that Viktor the Terrible was his nightmare, a very strong Top level GM who only found a young Karpov on his path to be Champion but he deserves the title of champion without crown along with Keres and Rubinstein.

[@chesswisdom]

Would you mind sharing that game? I would love to see that mate.

[@giovannicorno1247]

@@chesswisdom I lost it unfortunately, I think my brother threw it long time ago. It was signed by Tal, who also put a question mark on my 16th move. He played that time 33 games at the chess club in Milan, won 31 and drew 2. What surprised me is, when I gave him the sheet to sign it, he put immediately the question mark: after playing 33 games he had perfectly in mind our game!

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you for sharing your valuable memories!

[@FirebirdAD]

Then Include Bronstein as well.

[@giovannicorno1247]

@@FirebirdAD Bronstein was a super GM with an extraordinary style,, there are others who could be quoted.

[@groussac]

I agree with the positive comments about the commentary on this video. Your analysis of the game is unhurried and simple. I found it easy to follow. Count me in as a subscriber.

[@PatrickPray]

I learn so much from your analysis. And I love your game selection! This channel should have 100k subs, easy. Only a matter of time...

[@gheffz]

Wow, Korchnoi was Tal's Tal! I think Nez also played well against Tal! This 1962 game really reminded me of an advanced engine game! Korchnoi played perfectly! What a brilliant game and what great coverage! I got the D7 move at the end. _Liked and Subscribed!_

[@Baleooto]

Excellent choice of players, game and commentary right on the spot over history, rhythm and didactical purpose. Thanks a lot for this great material: a thriller!

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure!

[@JoeTheXC]

Thank you for this amazing commentary of an amazing game! The king march beating the queenside pawn race especially made it elegant! Viktor’s my favorite player of all time and made it look so easy crushing an all-out attacker like Tal.

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure!

[@ianattong6989]

What a brilliant & instructive game by Korchnoi !! Excellent commentary & analysis !!! I look forward to watching more of your videos !!

[@banzaiburger9589]

New subscriber. Thank you for this.exciting game review. Korchnoi seems to be one of the strongest that never became world champion

[@davidmurvai40]

Amazing educational game. Thanks for the great analysis and commentary! 🙏

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure!

[@SurfinScientist]

What a beautiful game! I liked your extensive explanation.

[@bbestish]

Intense game. And, as always, great commentary. Really enjoying your channel, keep it up!

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you!

[@sonphan739]

Great game. Korchnoi did outplay Tal completely.

[@michaelmassaro4375]

Korchnoi does not get as much attention as our man Tal why is that

[@michaelmassaro4375]

Well uh dude really hyped Korchnoi up during his commentary almost to sounds bias kind of a turn off to me

[@user-ri2oj6yz6c]

Tal beat most players with ingenius sacrifices and attacks. When they didn't work, he lost the game.

[@malwalsabino519]

For the young generation who doesn't know Viktor the terrible...GM Viktor Korchnoi was a solid player with strong defences as well as attacking and outstanding positional play.

[@BREAKocean]

Never became wc just like keres who also had tal locked down

[@brendanward2991]

Excellent analysis.

[@Thriall]

Interesting anaysis. Enjoyable and instructive. Increasing my ELO so THANK YOU!

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure!

[@Mefisto5000]

Great game and also great explanation !

[@IMAHMS]

Excellent commentary, and intense game.

[@ashoksafaya5397]

Thanks for the detailed analysis of the high quality game.

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure.

[@ashoksafaya5397]

@@chesswisdom Such an analysis will help even a beginner, thanks.

[@SeshuC]

So fat the best channel to learn real chess stuff... Thanks for the brilliant explanation

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@kathryncollings9421]

What a feast! Ty

[@zavalajoseraul]

Beautiful game, one of the best I've seen

[@ianattong6989]

I totally agree !!!

[@dirkhebgeennaamachter9056]

Thank you for showing this great game among giants

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure.

[@viniciusrech1521]

Brutal game!! 😮😮

[@johncalvin5754]

I love your videos! Your game selection is on point. May I ask how do you find these games?

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you. I find them in books. For example, I found this game in "The Mammoth Book of The World's Greatest Chess Games" by Burgess, Nunn and Emms and "Viktor Korchnoi's Best Games" (Annotated by Korchnoi).

[@prof.rotasperti6177]

Mind-blowing

[@sameermansour1659]

What agame !! it's look like Tal was play that game with Alphazero ! Thans alot for your very instructive explanation sir , the future of your Channel is lighting .

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you for your kind words, sir.

[@keyurshah5030]

Amazing 😮game and equally amazing 🤩 game review too.

[@RU-D88-wq5qd]

One of my favorite channels. One note for you... When you say, ' white returns the pawn' it has the opposite meaning in English. I suggest regains or recoups. Keep em coming!

[@chesswisdom]

Thanks a lot for your kind words and feedback!

[@StephenWhite55]

I wish to echo these sentiments - your explanations are the clearest of any youtube channel that I've found (and I've looked at Many, Many channels!) Bravo - please, keep it up! If you set up a donation 'button' (or a Patreon channel), I'd be happy to make a donation - you have certainly earned it...

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you very much!

[@jefftaylor1186]

Seirawan also has an amazing record against Tal. Dude loved crushing him.

[@wasifahmed123]

WOW.. Very intense Game.. ❤

[@raylopez99]

According to the Chessmetrics site by Jeff Sonas, Korchnoi was slightly higher rated than Tal, which explains the win-loss ratio, well within the margin of error.

[@michaelmassaro4375]

I kind of feel there’s an arrogance in Korchnoi notes 🗒️ I don’t like it but I did read where Karpov defeated Korchnoi several games I think players should have a bit of humility

[@pardhukolli2869]

Mikhail tal he never lose a game he just sacrifice his own king❤❤❤😂😅

[@fightingforcatalonia]

You are the GOAT of chess. Hope to have a pint with you some day.

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you:). That would be great.

[@amosdraak3536]

A masterful game and perhaps my favorite by Viktor the Terrible. A strategic beauty with the tactical acquisition of the center, the prevention of all enemy counter play, and the final combination to capture the enemy king. As for Tal, his cunning attempts were quite respectable and very practical. If Korchnoi had ever found himself in time trouble, the numerous traps and attempt’s could’ve given Tal equality at least. It was through these attempts that he fought his way out of bad positions against Smyslov in the 1959 Candidates Tournament, as well as managed to defeat Botvinnik the first time. Thanks.

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you. I knew you liked this game, as Viktor Lvovich is your favorite player:).

[@amosdraak3536]

@@chesswisdom Haha, you remember. Indeed, the great Korchnoi with such fine play never fails to impress. Often Tal seemed to have good success with some of these relatively cramped hyper modern openings since they were double edged, like some of his wins you’ve already covered. Because in practice a fianchettoed bishop influencing plus a pawn majority can allow for a break-in on the queen side and a position to collapse. But when playing an engine like Korchnoi, the space advantage can be successfully exploited. I will perhaps go and rewatch a Tal game or two now like that, as I enjoy when practical plans befuddle masters and the positional pressure proves too much. Good day. Looking forward to some Bronstein-Korchnoi games from you one day. :)

[@chesswisdom]

I'm actually thinking about Bronstein-Korchnoi game, but I'm afraid it's gonna be a 1962 game in which Bronstein sacrificed a rook. :) Enjoy the Tal games. Good day.

[@amosdraak3536]

@@chesswisdom Of course. I expected a game where Bronstein would win. Looking forward to it.

[@theplayzpaidoff3666]

I love wery simple plans.

[@IbnMakir]

Your commentary makes sense without the usual magical meta-principles aka it is just so.

[@manuelgarrido5602]

Brillant game played with constant energy and logic. How would end the game if not for the Re8? wich looks the only bad move of Tal great defense ?

[@chesswisdom]

Actually Re8 wasn't the only mistake. But if I showed all inaccuracies (Korchnoi also made a couple of inaccurate moves by the way) the video would be too long. You can find a more detailed analysis of this game in the following books: Viktor Korchnoi's Best Games (Annotated by Korchnoi) and The Mammoth Book of The World's Greatest Chess Games by Burgess, Nunn and Emms.

[@raby760]

This is the best chess channel on KZbin, even though I like Jerry from ChessNetwork.

[@zithromaxzomax4610]

Two monsters on the chessboard !

[@vicentevazquez3917]

What a game! Korchnoi was full of bad intentions.

[@ayubikhan5174]

If kurchonoi watch this analysis he will be shocked that these calculations I have never been done even in sleep😅

[@user-ri2oj6yz6c]

Well, korchnoi did not beat ME! I had a draw!

[@HegelsOwl]

VK was the sneakiest player after Capablanca. But where VK really had no equal was in defense.

[@pedrobarrantes1177]

Excellent comments ! thank you

[@chesswisdom]

Thank you too!

[@peterberger5579]

The Thumbnai Picture are in case of Tal total wrong.

[@ashoksafaya5397]

Rd4 to dislocate queen but only after adjournment, well I need to repeat for better understanding, thanks for the rare game.

[@chesswisdom]

My pleasure.

[@rubenlarotin3141]

better to have plan than no plan at all

[@michaelmassaro4375]

I wonder how much Romantic era of chess influenced Tal and Korchnoi’s games

[@michaelmassaro4375]

Korchnoi seemed to be a bit flamboyant but even if he won vs Tal he knows Tal is a superbly awesome player

[@jaylenlenear3944]

if you dont mind me asking what is your rating.

[@chesswisdom]

I don't have an official rating. My blitz rating on chess.com is around 2250.

[@victorfinberg8595]

27:25 funny how the powerful chess engines of today completely change this. back then, what might have been found in hours by a team of experts WILL be found in seconds today.

[@kurzackd]

lol, Korchnoi who was NEVER World Champion talking. Ahahahaha !! xD

[@diosdadoapias]

but when korchnoi played against those whom Tal beat, korchnoi suffers defeat like he did with Tal.

[@michaelmassaro4375]

I guess Korchnoi had Tal’s number like Karpov had his 😅

[@williamblake7386]

This dude is the best non-champion ever, right?

[@federicoguerrero7365]

Yes!

[@IMAHMS]

@33:33 isn't pawn e5 to e6 better?

[@chesswisdom]

In this case Black plays Rb5+ and White loses the queen.

[@ernestogarcillan1977]

Feature our very own 1st Asia's GM Eugene Torre.. It's real Tal never won against Torre?

[@michaelmassaro4375]

After the exchange of Queens the game was pretty much over nice game by Korchnoi good effort by Tal but he seemed to be playing from behind even though he did create chances whites pawns too strong

[@michaelmassaro4375]

I’ll watch it’s Tal and I know Korchnoi is a great player as well

[@iicompany6376]

Honestly, we hate it when Tal is Loosing right??No matter what, only super nezz is the one who can win against the magic

[@paulsontag9233]

Karchnoi.

[@raylopez99]

KARCHnoi, now I know how to pronounce KOR-CH-NOI. I don't speak Russian.

[@davidwhite2949]

Who is the analyst? Grandmaster?

[@chesswisdom]

No, just a chess enthusiast.

[@diosdadoapias]

Tal became world chess champion. Korchnoi never did. May be Korchnoi is the natural counter of Tal but it does not mean that Korchnoi is better than Tal; and who is afraind of one who can be beaten by those whom you defeated, even, easily.

[@nicolasberbari4275]

Actually seems like the commentary is quite bias..

[@jairsouzamarques271]

Victor, the terrible!! 😮

[@michaeledwards2251]

How did Korchnoi never become World Champion ?

[@federicoguerrero7365]

There was a guy by the name Karpov...who was nearly unbeatable for more than 10 years...precisely the years when Korchnoi reached his peak...

[@michaeledwards2251]

@@federicoguerrero7365 Korchnoi was quite elderly at that point, the way he was humbling Tal in 1962, just after being World Champion, shows his strength.

[@ashoksafaya5397]

Watching first game (for me) of Vector Korchnoi longest active chess player though never being the world champion.

[@Gutillow]

Statistics doesn't mean Korchnoi was better, he's not any near to the level of Tal

[@AndjeiKuna]

why did Korchnoi win 13 and lose 4 against Tal then?

[@Gutillow]

Why Korch didn't win a single world championship? Statistics doesn't mean anything, for example Efim Geller had more wins against Fischer and Botvinnik, why isn't he the best player in the world then?

[@commonsense8710]

@@AndjeiKuna I think I've heard Josh Waitzkin mention something similar about GM's falling to IM's (someone stronger falling to weaker players is my point). He said GM's tend to see and do what is natural in a position and can fall to peculiarities in play from weaker players at times. Tal had the unorthodox play but Korchnoi just had the superior defense but his style of play proved inferior to other players that Tal could beat.

[@raylopez99]

@@Gutillow Do you know anything about statistics? Sample size maybe?

[@Gutillow]

@@raylopez99 Maybe I don't, but I'm sure I'm better at chess than you

[@jimmyfuckthechainofcommand4332]

Overall well played game by Korchnoi. What an incredible idea the rook to the 4th, advance of the g pawn and the king was. Even though I understand why, it's part of why in some ways I miss the days of adjournments. We miss out on a lot of great endgames and deep ideas like this because of that. But of course with the engines, it probably plays out differently with both sides fully aware of the evaluation that Tal was in deep trouble after that move. Which is why it's understandable not to have adjournments.

[@alexblik122]

Just show the gam,we know, no need for you comments

[@LogioTek]

It takes much less time to hit a mute button than to type your comment. 🤡 Check-Mate