Botvinnik's 30.Ba3 — AVRO 1938

White to play

Mikhail Botvinnik(white)vsJosé Raúl Capablanca(black)

AVRO Tournament · 1938

SPEED1.2s

Solution

A double sacrifice that catches Capablanca's king in the open.

Review

Botvinnik plays 30.Ba3!! Qxa3 31.Nh5+!! gxh5 32.Qg5+ — sacrificing two pieces to expose the king. The e-pawn promotion threat combines with the queen attack for one of the most celebrated combinations in chess history.

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Opening: Nimzo-Indian Defense

More tactics

Anand's 16...Nde5
Tal's 13.Nf5 — Sacrifice Begins
Lasker's Second Bishop: 17.Bxg7
Botvinnik's Knight Sacrifice: 31.Nh5+

Themes

SacrificeKing HuntBrilliancy