England, a country with a powerful chess tradition, had its "stellar moments" in the mid-80s.
The team from Glorious Albion then won four medals at the most prestigious international team competition, the Chess Olympiad, between 1984 and 1990. England came second in 1984, 1986 and 1988, behind the undisputed USSR, and "only third" in 1990. This silver team was led by Anthony Miles, the first grandmaster from the British Isles. He was successfully followed by Nunn, Spielman, Sort, Chandler, Mestel...
John Nunn was particularly notable for his playing and results. The youngest student in the five-year tradition of Oxford University, he enrolled at the university at the age of 15, where he also earned a doctorate in mathematics. He achieved the best result on the high second board at the 1984 Olympiad. He played in his recognizable style - sharp, aggressive, delighting chess fans with far-sighted and attractive combinations.
...From the 1985 tournament in Wijk aan Zee, we report on Nana's impressive victory over Ukrainian grandmaster Beljavski. This game of his is considered the "beauty" of the famous tournaments that have been traditionally held in this Dutch town for decades.
Ben - They
Beljavski - Nan
Vajk an Ze 1995.
Comments: VM B. Ivanović
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3. A typical sequence for King's Indian. Beljavaski remains faithful to the Semis variation, in which he has experience from numerous matches with Kasparov. However, his opponent has different intentions.
5….. 0-0 6. Le3 Sbd7 7. Dd2 c5 !?
Black is better at navigating the Ben-Oni rapids and therefore moves the fight to his favorite terrain.
8. d5 Ne5 9. h3 With the threat of 10 f4. Black must prevent this.
9… Sh5! Things are already getting complicated. Did Belyavsky expect this kind of reaction?
10. Lf2 Judging by this move, it's hard to tell, but he's consistent and renewing the threat.
However, it seems that at this moment, White still does not suspect the scale of the upcoming fight.
10…. f5! 11. ef5
11…. Tf5!!
Certainly, beyond expectations. Black shows that he is ready to attack at any cost. White must agree to such conditions, or admit that he has missed the strategic plan.
12. g4 Rf3!
The cannon fire continues. This pawn was the pillar of the white king's defense.
13. gh5 Df8 14. Se4 Lh6
An important diagonal has also been captured. This narrows White's possibilities for movement and hinders further development of the pieces.
15. Dc2 Df4!
There is no stopping. Black is relentlessly controlling with all his might.
16. See2
16 Nf3 Qf3 is not good! and White would face huge losses...
16…. Tf2!
Nan demonstrates her extensive skill in problem chess.
17. Sf2 Sf3+ 18. Kd1 Dh4
The Black Lady is an unsolvable enigma. She sharply commands the operations of the Black Army.
19. Sd3 Lf5 20. Sec1 Sd2 21. hg6 hg6 22. Lg2 Sc4
With a terrible threat on 23 Ne3+, but even without that, White is in great trouble.
23. Df2 Se3+ 24. Ke2 Dc4! 25. Lf3 Tf8
The goal was achieved. Black's inventive and decisive play was adequately rewarded.
26. Tg1 Sc2 27. Kd1 Ld3
And it's pointless to offer further resistance. 0 to 1.
Bonus video:
