French Defense, Tarrasch Variation, Open System Euwe-Keres Line

MIKHAIL TAL vs. WOLFGANG UHLMANN
Moscow, 1971

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nd2, c5

The Tarrasch Variation of the Sicilian Defense.

4. N1f3 ....

The Open System Euwe-Keres Line.  In this variation, both sides play critically at the middle of the board.

4. .... Nc6
5. Bb5, dxe4
6. Nxe4, Bd7
7. Bg5, Qa5+
8. Nc3, cxd4
9. Nxd4, Bb4

If 9....Nxd4, then 10. Bxd7+ Kxd7, 11. Qxd4+ and White has the advantage.

10. 0-0, Bxc3
11. bxc3, Qxc3
12. Nf5!! ...

White decides to sacrifice the Knight in order to open up the e file.

12. .... exf5
13. Re1, Be6
14. Qd6, a6
15. Bd2, Qxc2
16. Bb4 ....

16. .... axb5

Forced. If 16....N8e7, White's Queen simply takes the Knight (and mate).

If 16....Rd8, 17.  Rxe6+ fxe6, 18. Qxe6+ N8e7, 19. Qxe7 mate.

17. Qf8+, Kd7
18. Red1+, Kc7
19. Qxa8, Resigns

White's formidable position cannot be undermined.  If 19....Nxb4, then 20. Rac1 and Black's Queen is lost.

Moreover, Black's Knight at g8 is pinned.

French Defense, Tarrasch Variation

PER OFSTAD vs. WOLFGANG UHLMAN
Halle, 1053

1. e4, e6
2. d4, d5
3. Nd2, c5

The Tarrasch variation of the French Defense.  Black threatens to break White's central pawn structure by the c5 move, in the process isolating the d-pawn, an important feature which determines the rest of the game.

4. exd5, Qxd5
5. Ngf3, cxd4
6. Bc4, Qd6
7. 0-0, Nc6
8. Re1, a6
9. a4, Qc7
10. Ne4 ....

The move exposes the pawn at d4. Now, if Black tries 10....e5, then 11. Neg5 with a good attack.

10. .... Bd7
11. Nxd4 ....

Finally, White regains the pawn.

11. .... Be7
12. Nf5!! ....

This move threatens to post a Knight at d6 at the same time attacks the pawn at g7.

12. .... exf5
13. Nd6+, Kf8
14. Nxf7!, Be8
15. Qd5, Qa5!

Black tries to neutralize White's mating attack by engaging White's Queen and attacking the e1 Rook.

16. Qe6 ....

White continues the attack and protects the Rook.

16. ... Nd4
17. Ng5, Bxg5

The game is drawn after 17...Nxe6 18.Nxe6+ Kf7, 19.Nf4+ Kf8 etc., since 19...Kf6?? loses to 20.Re6+ Kg5, 21. Nh3+ Kh5 or Kg4, 22. Be2+ Kh4, 23. Bf4 and mate next move.

18. Qd6+!!, Be7
19. Rxe7, Resigns

If 19....Nxe7, then 20.Qf6+ gxf6, Bh6 mate.   A peculiar yet beautiful ending.