Zirik's Teacher

by Aron Zlobinskiy
January 26, 2004

The great Zinoviy Zirik had a great teacher.
His name was Galaktionov. How great he was?
Judge for yourself by this game.

I. Galaktionov - Z. Cherkashek
1929
The "Cross"

1.11-15 23-18
2.08-11 26-23
3.10-14 24-20
4.06-10 27-24
5.03-08 24-19
6.15:24 20:27
7.12-16 22-17
8.16-20 17-13
9.01-06 28-24?

Equality is maintained by 9....27-24 10.20:27 31:24
11.10-15 25-22!! 12.06-10 A 13:06 13.10:01 18:09
14.05:14 23-19 15.07-10=

A.12.07-10? 30-25 13.15-19 23:07 14.10:03 22-17!
15.14:23 25-22+

10.11-15 18:11
11.08:15 30-26 A
12.04-08 23-19? B
13.08-12 26-22
14.14-18 22-17
15.09-14 31-26
16.07-11 25-22
17.18:25 29:22 (position)
Seems that the worst is over - but:
18.02-07!! 26-23
19.14-18!! 23:14
20.11-16! - Zugzwang!

A. A stronger defense was after 11....31-26
12.14-18 23:14 13.09:18 and so on

B. White did not figure out the effective plan of the opponent.
They should have looked for the chances in the endgame after:
12....32-28 13.07-11 25-22 14.08-12 22-18
15.15:22 26:17 16.11-16 24-19 C 17.14-18 23:17
18.16:32 07:03 19.32-23 with a great advantage for black.

C. 16....29-25 17.02-07 25-22 18.14-18+