Questions tagged [master-games]
Games played by demonstrably skilled players such as FIDE IMs and GMs, or those of similar strength pre-FIDE.
88
questions
11
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Why does black have a higher win rate on Lichess in Exchange French?
In the following position, databases of master games show black has a higher win rate (Lichess says 20% for white vs 25% for black). Why does black have a higher win rate here?
[FEN ""]
[...
- 796
2
votes
0
answers
94
views
A game I might have read about, Kasparov had to analyse an opening line from scratch and ended up winning anyway?
If my memory isn't tricking me, didn't Kasparov once get a game where early in the opening he didn't know the line, so he sat down for 45 minutes and worked out that the best move is Qc7, and went on ...
- 897
4
votes
0
answers
151
views
Have any full rank-and-file piece specifications ever been required in a masters level game of chess?
According to the rules of algebraic notation, in order for a move to be recorded with rank and file for both starting and ending square (eg, Be5f4), there would need to be, at a minimum:
three pieces ...
- 3,340
3
votes
0
answers
86
views
Mutual Zugzwang positions from practical play
The following fascinating position recently arose in Round 5 of the ongoing Tata Steel tournament.
[Title "Ju Wenjun - Alireza Firouzja, Tata Steel, 2024"]
[FEN "8/2pk4/6p1/2P4p/3PR2P/...
- 1,017
2
votes
1
answer
93
views
Searching games by chess positions
I have a somewhat weird question that is only indirectly related to chess. I am trying to solve a chess-related puzzle in which I have to find games played by Soviet chess players based on positions. ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
258
views
Blunders that they didn't realise for some time
Any high-level GM games where somebody makes a big blunder but was in blissful ignorance about how bad the move was until several moves after the blunder?
EDIT thanks to comment: classical time format,...
- 897
1
vote
0
answers
87
views
Do the majority GM losses came from "Not seeing the [opponent] move" or being outplayed in calculation/positional play
The best way to understand this question is probably imagine a situation where the player can peek at his opponent next move after each potential move of the player. In other words, The player knows ...
- 11
4
votes
0
answers
106
views
Grimshaw in practical (OTB) game
Does anybody know of an example of the Grimshaw-Theme being used in a practical game?
For the Nowotny there are several examples (e.g. Navara-Dergatschova, Ordix, 2007) and for the Plachutta there is ...
- 487
2
votes
1
answer
149
views
King + 2 Knights vs King + Pawn - win rate at master level at standard time controls?
After 80 moves of his game against MVL, Carlsen reached this theoretically winning endgame position, which ended in a draw:
[Title "Carlsen - MVL, Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland, 2023"]
[...
- 99.3k
2
votes
0
answers
76
views
8 pieces on one file in a master game at standard time control?
In today's (21st May 2023) game in the Superbet Rapid and Blitz between Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Levon Aronian they reached a position where the c-file was fully occupied with pieces and pawns.
[...
- 99.3k
12
votes
2
answers
3k
views
What is the fastest loss by a GM in a FIDE classical game?
What is the shortest FIDE classical game a grandmaster lost? It can be either resigning or checkmate. The opponent doesn't necessarily need to be GM. Forfeits don't count. Only serious games count, ...
- 2,770
2
votes
2
answers
826
views
How many games would Magnus Carlsen need to win to get an ELO of 3000?
For the purposes of this question, assume that he wins every game. Go according to his current schedule. Assume the opponents keep their current rating. If you run out of schedule, assume the rating ...
- 975
-1
votes
1
answer
127
views
Has simultaneous partial queen pinning, besides mutual queen pins, happened in a master game?
In a 3+0 blitz game, this humorous position arose. Have such mutual partial pins, wherein both players pin the others queen to their king, occurred in master games?
[FEN "r3k2r/1ppb1ppp/p2bqn2/...
- 17.7k
15
votes
3
answers
5k
views
Positions where pawn promotion to queen is worse than to other piece
I'm looking for games from famous grandmasters, in which pawn promotion to a rook, a bishop, or a knight is a better move than queen promotion. I tried to Google some, but I couldn't find anything.
- 543
0
votes
1
answer
189
views
How rare are double forks in high-level games?
I was playing a blitz game, when I saw my chance to produce an amusing position, to which my opponent unknowingly obliged; I was able to fork their rooks with my queen and rook simultaneously.
[Title &...
- 17.7k