Mikail Tal’s First Immortal Sacrifice · Age 13

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We are continuing the story on one of the most remarkable chess world champions, Mikhail Tal. This game was played in his first ever serious tournament, in Riga in 1949. He was 13 at the time, and yet he was already a superb tactician, which is proved by the Alpha Zero-like sacrifice he played in this game to absolutely humiliate his opponent.

The game was a great example of a precise way to play and beat the Caro-Kann with the Exchange variation. Tal’s play was almost spotless, and he employed the strategic and positional ideas used today in such positions.

I have to say I am astounded with the quality of his play at this very young age. It seemed he was just born with a great understanding of chess.

#chess

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