The Montevideo tournament in 1954, played in November and December in honor of the UNESCO Congress, brought together mostly Spanish-speaking chess players - the Argentine Najdorf, the Chilean Letelha, the Spaniard Torano..., but also the Brazilian Trompovsky and the former subject of Imperial Russia, and then naturalized Frenchman Osip Bernstein.
The undisputed favorite of the tournament was Miguel Najdorf, the strongest player in the Western Hemisphere, as Najdorf himself liked to say - not without reason. He was a multiple champion of his "second homeland Argentina", its leader at several Olympics, winner of numerous tournaments - Prague, 1946, Barcelona 1946, Venice 1948, Bled 1950, Amsterdam 1950..., and the crowning glory of his successes in those years was a high ranking (fifth place) at the Candidates Tournament, Budapest 1950.
However, unexpectedly, the Chilean Letelje won this Tournament. He collected 14,5 points from 17 games, defeating Najdorf in a direct duel, who, with 14 points won, had to be content with sharing second-third place with Dr. Bernstein. And it was the latter who was the real hero of the tournament. At an advanced age - 72 - in a Tournament with 18 participants, he shared second-third place, and at the same time achieved the "beauty of the tournament" by defeating Najdorf in the typical style of his famous generation. There was also a reward from the objective Uruguayan audience - the ovation for the old grandmaster lasted for 15 minutes.
KING'S INDIAN DEFENSE
BERNSTEIN - NAJDORF
MONTEVIDEO, 1954.
Comments: VM. B. Ivkov
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 d6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4.e4 e5 5.Nf3 g6 6.de5
Najdorf presented the old master with a modern opening that was almost unknown to the old masters. White immediately exchanges pawns in the center, which is now considered weak. The exchange variation, however, is usually used by weaker players against stronger ones, wanting to draw, and therefore black won far more games than white. Therefore, practical results, as indicators of the value of a variation, can only have relative value.
6…de5 7.Le2 c6 8 0-0 Dc7 9.h3
A good move that proves that the old masters understand modern openings. Namely, Black threatened with the maneuver: Nc5, Bg4, Bxf3 with Ne6 and finally Nd4, which White prevents in the first place, and at the same time prepares the moves Be3.
9..Sc5 10.Dc2 Sh5 11.Te1 Se6 Le3 Le7 ?!
It was more logical to play 12…Bg7.
13. Tad1 0-0 14.Lf1
White has excellently placed his pieces and has a field advantage. Interestingly, this plan is rarely used in practice today.
14….Shg7
The knight must return in order to execute the program move f5. Namely, 14…f5 would lead to 15. Bh6 with ef5. Now we can see why Black should have developed his bishop on g7.
15.A3 f5
The attack on the kingside begins, but it is rather a weakening move, as it starts with undeveloped pieces. White should not have been allowed to occupy so much space on the queenside, and therefore 15…a5 was necessary.
16. b4 f4 17.Bc1 Bf6 18. c5!
He conquers further space, controls the d6 square and prepares the move Bc4.
18…g5 19.Lc4 Kh8 20.Lb2
Finally, White has brought Black into his own ranks in positions from classical games. White has a clear advantage in the center and Black's wing attack becomes a mere demonstration that is thwarted by a breakthrough in the center.
20:5?
Black consistently implements his flawed plan. It was necessary to end with 20…Bd7 and place that bishop on e8 and g6 or f7.
21. Nd5!!
The first piece sacrifice by which White separates lines and diagonals for his better developed pieces. Central lines are opened on which White bishops and rooks will triumph, all in accordance with classical principles.
21…cd5 22. ed5 Sd4
Forced, otherwise the e5 pawn would fall and Black would lose quickly.
23. Sxd4 ed4 24.d6 Dd7 25.Txd4!!
In the spirit of the classical era! White does not want to exchange his bishop b2 which will decide the game on the long diagonal. Black must not accept this sacrifice, because after 25…Bxd4 26.Bxd4 he has no defense against the threat of Re7.
25…f3 26.Tde4 Df5 27.g4!
It eliminates all threats to Black on the kingside.
27…hg4 28.hg4 Qg6 29.Te8 !!
In Morphy style! Queen sacrifice that allows weakness of Black's basic rank. In case of 29…Qxc2 30.Rxf8+ Kh7 31. Bg8+ Kh8 32.Bb3+ and White wins immediately. 29…Qxe8 30.Rxe8 Nxe8 31.Qg6 etc. do not help either.
29...Lf5
Only in this way can Black prolong his resistance.
30. Go!
A new victim of the lady that Black cannot accept.
30…Rxa8 31.gf5 Qh5 32.Re4 Qh3 33.Bf1 Qxf5 34.Rxh4 +!!
The final sacrifice of the rook with which White forces the transition to the winning endgame.
34…Gh4 35.Dxf5 Sxf5 36.Lxf6+ Kg8 37.d7
Black surrenders.
Bonus video:
