"Ah, poor Latvia. It will take more than those silly tricks to beat me!" "Do you really think that I'm going to fall for that?" "What's your idea here? Hmm..." Russia's typical taunts before crushing little Latvia on the chessboard.
1955. Another one of the casual inter-republic chess tournaments. "Hmm... so difficult to pick a move... I wish I could choose them all!" he taunted, once again, smacking his Black Knight into the center of the board, taking an outpost from which it could not be easily shaken... and forking Latvia's White Queen on g3 and vulnerable Pawn on c3, right in front of his Queenside castled King. Latvia's position crumbled after that and he resigned two moves later as Russia's Rooks and Queen closed in. Instead of taking Latvia's hand, Russia leaned over and pat his shoulder, chuckling. "You still have a long way to go, little Latvia. Maybe read up a little more, you know? You never lose when you learn," he stated, standing up and walking off, humming to himself. Latvia sat at the board, looking over his position. Just where did I go wrong... he asked, thinking that his attack should have given him at least an equal position. It seemed to him that Russia had an answer to all of his moves... and just saw farther ahead. Not that he ever shows fear, but... Latvia clenched his fist and teeth. Damn! Damn...
1956. The rising star, Mikhail Tal, already a Latvian champion, shows off his personality in the USSR Championship, tying for fifth place. "Colorful" and a "great talent", but perhaps too daring, loving sharp positions for sure. Then, in 1957, Tal mesmerized the Soviet chess scene by taking 1st in the national championship, only aged 20! FIDE even awarded him the Grandmaster title—making him the first from the Latvian SSR—because of his extraordinary achievement.
Russia certainly admired this young wonder and wondered how the inter-republic tournament would go this time around, his mind jumping to Latvia immediately. He'd defeated him in both of their games last year, of course, and while Ukraine and Estonia put up great fights, his tenth-straight first place finish took little effort as usual. They met in the fourth round of the twenty-four round tournament, a double round-robin. Feeling in good spirits after a decent win against the normally solid Armenian, he arrived early, hoping to get in a few words with Latvia before the clocks were started.
Latvia entered in typical fashion, a bit slouched and certainly timid. Thinking about facing Russia had him shuddering all night; he'd spent late hours past midnight combing over Russia's games, wondering what he could do to surprise him and fight for equality with the Black pieces. The sight of Russia brought back these same tremors, but after a deep breath or two and a closing of his eyes, visualizing some of his best games—his brilliancy against Belarus, his long-fought squeezing of Lithuania, crushing the Tajik with the King's Indian—he was able to stride with a straight back and shoulders over to his table.
Russia smiled as he spotted Latvia approaching. Once he'd sat down he immediately offered him his hand, which Latvia accepted; of course, Russia did most of the shaking, grasping all of Latvia's hand in his own. "That Mikhail Tal sure is something, isn't he?" he mused.
"Mm-hmm." Latvia smiled a little in return.
"You see? That's just how it ought to be in the Soviet Union. Everyone from each of the republics has something to contribute to our Motherland. You should be proud! Tal managed to defeat most of the best Russian-born players, and that's something you should be proud of?"
"Mm. I am proud," Latvia just about squeaked.
"All right, round four begins now, please start your clocks and good luck," announced the chief arbiter. Russia once more shook Latvia's hand, lifting his arm up and down in the process, and Latvia started the clock.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5+ Bd7
Russia played an opening called the Moscow Variation! Fancy that.
4. Bxd7+ Qxd7 5. O-O Nf6 6. Re1 Nc6 7. c3 g6!?
7. ... e6 is Black's typical reply in this position. Placing the dark-squared Bishop in fianchetto is the signature Dragon Variation move for Black, but he also tends to play it whenever White does not opt into the Open Sicilian and ventures into sidelines; the idea, of course, is to increase his control over the d4-square. Here, though, White can play 8. d4 cxd4 9. cxd4 and establish the classical two-Pawn center without fearing 9. ... e5.
8. d3
White decides on a humbler move, seeking a positional, maneuvering game.
8. ... Bg7 9. h3 O-O 10. Be3 a6 11. Nbd2 Rfb8
Black wants to play on the Queenside, grabbing space and expanding there; at the moment he doesn't need to fear a Kingside attack as a response from White.
That's odd... this isn't Latvia's typical style... thought Russia.
12. a4 b5 13. d4?
A waste of a tempo, no? Opening up the center here actually gives Black more Queenside activity.
13. ... cxd4 14. cxd4 bxa4 15. Qxa4 Nb4
Latvia prefers to get his Knight into a good square over taking the free b-Pawn.
16. Qb3 Nbd5 17. Qc2 Rc8 18. Qb1 Nb4
After forcing White's Queen to a passive square Black replaces his Knight on the b4 outpost.
That's a rather annoying Knight, Russia mused.
19. Rc1 Rxc1+ 20. Qxc1 Rc8 21. Qd1 Nc2 22. Rc1 Nxe3 23. fxe3
Black's dark-squared Bishop can target the weak e3-Pawn in the future.
23. ... Rb8 24. Qc2 Qb5 25. b3 h5 26. Qc7 Kf8 27. Qc3 Bh6 28. Kf2 g5 29. d5 g4 30. Nd4 Qb7 31. Nf5 Bg7 32. Qc7 gxh3 33. Qxb7 Rxb7
Russia moved his e-Pawn to e5, 34. e5? and asked, "Draw?" before pressing his clock.
Huh? Didn't he have Rook c8 check?
34. Rc8+ Ne8 is obviously better for White.
Latvia thought for a while and then nodded, then extended his hand. Russia shook it and immediately stood, signing his scoresheet. After he and Latvia informed the chief arbiter of the result, Latvia watched him quickly withdraw from the room, sweat all but flying from the top of his head.
Back in his hotel room, Russia lay on his bed, covering his eyes with his hand. His brain pounded. He changed up his style. ... Did Tal show him a thing or two? ... his moves weren't the best, but... ... ... he didn't just give me an easy win. He tried to get up and sit at his chessboard for a while, replaying the moves and calculating a bunch of different variations, with the game's moves and some alternatives, but his headache forced him back onto his bed. What's going on... ...
Russia was leading the tournament and undefeated by the sixteenth round, where he would face Latvia with the Black pieces this time. Once again he arrived early and looked still and chipper. The sight of Lithuania frightened and shivering at Belarus's glare widened his smile. He watched as Latvia approached the table, holding his head up high, fists clenched on his way to the chessboard. When Latvia greeted him "Russia, good afternoon," Russia blinked and let slip a "Huh?"
"Good afternoon, I hope you are well." Latvia held out his hand, and as soon as Russia grabbed it, it was Latvia who shook their hands up and down, only briefly before letting go.
"Nice confident act you have going on, little Latvia!" Russia regained his smile. "Let's have another good game today."
"Yes, we shall."
Russia kept an "Eh?" in his head, opening his previously squinting eyes.
"Okay, this is round sixteen, good luck, you may start your clocks," said the chief arbiter. Russia made sure that he was the one doing the shaking of the hands, and he started Latvia's clock.
1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3
Oh, ho-ho. ... what is he up to? He wants a Catalan, huh? A good old King's Indian Attack? Surely... surely not.
2. ... e6 3. g3 b5!?
A very rare and aggressive continuation, preparing a counter-fianchetto on the h1-a8 diagonal while taking control of the c4-square in White's half of the board.
4. Bg2 Bb7 5. O-O c5 6. Bg5 Qb6
A common idea in Queen's Pawn openings where Black plays his Pawn to c5 early and White develops his dark-squared Bishop. The idea is to target the b2-Pawn, which is now undefended, but as you can see, Black's own b-Pawn is in the way. Hence it is safer to say that this move simply breaks the rule of not moving the Queen so early in the opening. The Queen does at least help pressure White's d-Pawn, but White finds a good way to respond: opening up the Queenside and preparing to gain tempos on Black's Queen.
7. a4! a6 8. Nc3 Ne4?
Black breaks another opening principle: don't move the same piece twice in the opening. And he's offering to trade this Knight, too, so he will be wasting three tempi, effectively, on a piece that will leave the board.
9. Nxe4 Bxe4 10. axb5 Qxb5 11. Qd2
The b2-Pawn is poisoned; 11. ... Qxd2? 12. Rfb1 Qxc2 13. Qf4! Nc6 14. Ne5! f6 15. Bxe4 Nxd4 16. Bxc2 Nxe2+ 17. Kg2 Nxf4+ 18. Bxe4 Nxe5 19. Bxe5 gives White a winning position.
11. ... f6 12. Bf4 Qb7?!
Wasting yet another move that could be used to develop, or at least play 12. ... c4 to grab some Queenside space in White's camp.
13. c4 cxd4 14. Qxd4!
Russia blinked and studied the center of the board. ... He looked up at Latvia and was about to put on a nice grin, but was surprised to see Latvia staring intently at the same spot on the board. Once he darted his eyes up at Russia; Russia's gut reaction was to put his eyes back on the board. ... what can he do after that? If he takes twice on e5... well, he gets nothing from taking my g7-Pawn... and Rook a3 is too slow.
14. ... e5?
Latvia took a deep breath and swiftly replied, chopping off the offending Pawn forking his Queen and Bishop.
15. Bxe5! fxe5 16. Qxe5+ Be7 17. Nd4!
Okay, that's... not scary at all... ... Russia could see Latvia's reply to his next move but figured that he had many ways to defend.
17. ... Bxg2 18. Nf5! Qb4 19. Kxg2
19. Nxg7+ Kf7 20. Nh5 Rg8 21. Qf5+ Ke8 22. Kxg2 evidently didn't appeal much to Latvia, who believed that Black could hold on in this position. But now Black can develop his Knight, attacking White's Queen and defending the dark-squared Bishop again. Moves that attack and defend simultaneously are usually best.
19. ... Nc6 20. Qxg7
Russia adjusted himself in his chair a little. ... hold on a minute. ... I can't even... For the first time since playing a sharp game early against Ukraine in that tournament, he rested his elbows on the table and cupped his hands over his temples, looking very closely at the board. Latvia was gently tapping his foot on the floor, fidgeting or squirming very little, catching quick glances at his opponent, and never showing any quivering on his expression. ... okay. I need to complicate things went Russia's thought inspiring his next move:
20. ... O-O-O?!
Ooh, free Pawn, I would say.
21. Rxa6 Qb7
21. ... Bc5 was better.
Latvia looked at his a6-Rook for a while, and the Black Queen and Knight lined up on the h1-a8 diagonal where his King currently stood (on g2).
22. Rfa1!
Russia's nose became stuffed up, and his mouth opened slightly. He blinked a few more times. What the... ... He very discreetly raised his head, eyeing Latvia, and found him staring right at him. Something flickered in Latvia's eyes. Latvia did not flinch and returned his attention to the board, twisting ever so slightly from side to side in his seat. Russia felt a drop of sweat roll down his forehead; he quickly wiped it away and, shrugging, made his next move.
22. ... Nb4+
Latvia's response was instant.
23. Kg1
What are you doing, Latvia... I'm basically up a whole Rook, if you don't count the Pawns. (He was referring to the position two moves later:)
23. ... Nxa6 24. Qxe7 Qb6 25. Qa3
Okay... I expected that.
25. ... Rhf8
X-raying the vulnerable f2-Pawn. Latvia once again made his reply swiftly:
26. Nd6+!
Russia sat back, taking a deep breath, looking at Latvia with wide eyes. He leaned forward once again to take stock of the position, shaking his head and pursing his lips, daring no longer to try looking in Latvia's direction. Why? Why is it going like this?
26. ... Kc7 27. Qxa6!
Offering the f2-Pawn on a silver platter for Black!
... oh, my. ... He's giving it to me because... I have nothing after that. No immediate win. Eh... ... tak...
27. ... Ra8?
Black decides to enter a losing endgame instead.
28. Qxb6+ Kxb6 29. Rd1!
Russia realized that when Latvia made his moves, he did so with his thumb, index and middle fingers, but it was as if Latvia was mindfully keeping his index and middle fingers close together, while his ring finger and pinky were also connected and hanging out to the side.
White has four Pawns and a Knight for a Rook, giving him a two-point material advantage; but naturally Russia has many tricks up his sleeve, so converting this endgame will be a tough technical task for Latvia.
29. ... Ra2 30. Rd2 Kc6 31. f3 Rfa8 32. Nb5 R8a4 33. Rd6+ Kc5 34. b3 Ra8 35. Kf2 Re8 36. Rd5+ Kb4 37. Nd4! Re7 38. f4 Ra6
It's difficult for Black to make any decent moves. White has defended every weak point in his position.
39. h4 Rg7 40. Kf3 Kc3
Reaching time control. An extra hour was added to both players' clocks.
41. e4 h5!
White steams the Pawns up the board, and Black tries to contain them.
42. Nb5+?! Kxb3 43. Rxh5 Kxc4
Russia took a deep breath. He's losing the thread a little, good, he thought.
44. Nc7 Kd4 45. Rd5+ Kc4 46. f5 Rc6 47. Nb5 Rg7 48. g4 Rh6 49. Nd6+ Kc3 50. h5 Rg8
Black can only mark time now. Anyone else would have resigned in this position... not Russia, not against Latvia. Russia kept shaking his head as he made moves, cupping his hands on his cheeks, sighing out his nose, taking short looks up at Latvia every once in a while.
51. Kf4 Rhh8 52. f6 Rh6 53. Kf5 Rh7 54. f7 Rgh8 55. Kg6 Rhh8 56. Re5 Kf4 57. Re8 Kc5 58. Rxf8 Rxf8 59. Nf5
Black's King can't touch the d-file now.
59. ... d5 60. exd5 Kxd5 61. Kg8
Russia shook his head some more, and then some more, clasping his hands over his hair and hanging his head. His stomach churned. ... dammit! Dammit! ... Damn, damn, damn! ... He rested his forehead on the table for a while and closed his eyes. Latvia just stared at him, folding his hands together on his lap. Finally Russia raised his head again and extended his hand, announcing, "I resign."
"Good game." Latvia took his hand and shook it firmly. Russia could feel the perspiration on his hand and from Latvia's mixing together. Latvia quickly arose and headed for the chief arbiter's desk, while Russia stayed in his seat and stared at the final position. White's Pawns were closing in on the Queening squares and his Rook would soon be lost, and there was nothing he could do about it. ... He remained there in silence for a while.
A/N: The second game is based on Mikhail Tal's game against Joël Lautier in 1992. Barcelona 1992 was Tal's final tournament before his death that same year.