Petrosian on the attack

Tigran Petrosian vs Boris Spassky

World championship · 1966 · 1-0

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A masterpiece, move by move

Game 10 of the 1966 championship shows Petrosian’s attacking side: he gives up both rooks during a coordinated assault.

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21. Ne3

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Activity over a rook. Petrosian develops the knight while leaving the rook on f1 to the bishop. After ...Bxf1, the other rook recaptures and White keeps the initiative.

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24. Rxf4

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A second rook investment. The remaining rook captures the knight on f4 and is taken by Black’s rook. White follows with Be6+, bringing the bishop into the attack with tempo.

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30. Qh8+

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A queen offer with a fork behind it. White checks along the eighth rank. After ...Kxh8, Nxf7+ captures the rook with check and attacks the queen on g5. White’s knight supplies the tactical point of the queen offer.