"One of the most pleasing forms of attacking play is seen in speculative sacrifices which are made intuitively. To be able to sense the potentialities in a position is one of the hallmarks of a master." -- Fred Reinfeld.
NAIDORF vs. SAPIRO
Lodz, 1929
French Defense
1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nc3, dxe4
4. Nxe4, Nd7
5. Nf3, Ngf6
6. Bd3, Be7
7. 0-0, b6?
8. Ne5! ....
White threatens to win the Black Queen by Nc6. Now if 8....Nxe5, then 9. Nxf6+ Bxf6, 10. dxe5 Bxe5, 11. Be4 Qxd1, 12. Rxd1 Rb8, 13. Bc6+ Ke7, 14. b2 (threatening Ba3+) Bd6, 15. Bb2 and White has a good game.
8. .... Bb7
9. Nxf6, gxf6?
The move exposes the Black King to an attack. 9....Bxf6 is a lot safer.
10. Nxf7!!, Kxf7
11. Qh5+, Kg8
Other king moves would be susceptible to 12. Bh6+ with the Queen eventually capturing the Rook without loss of time.
12. Re1, Nf8
The alternative move 12....Bd5 would be answered by 13. c4 driving off the Bishop.
14. Bc4, Qd6
15. Bh6, Bf8
16. Re1, Bc8
If 16....Bxh6, White wins with 17. Bxe6+ Kg7, 18. Qf7 mate.
17. Qe8! ....
Threatening 18. Rxe6! ...
17. .... Bd7
18. Rxe6!!, Rxe8
19. Rxe8+, Be6
20. Bxe6+, Qxe6
21. Rxf8 mate
A picture-perfect mate!
