Sicilian Love: Polgar-Kaidanov Match
I remember being a rising junior in Chicago and a Sicilian fanatic. In my arsenal were the Najdorf, Dragon and Sveshnikov. I walked around with a large amount of theory… in some cases reaching into the endgame. I also cherished a book called “Sacrifices in the Sicilian” and was influenced a great deal by sacrificial attacks with white and spectacular counterattacks with black.
I recall with joy the Lev Polugaevsky theme tournament in Bueno Aires in 1994 where all games began with 1.e4 c5! The tournament was won by GM Valery Salov, who would retire unexpectantly in 2000 leaving the world wondering how far he could have gone.
The tournament also included luminaries such as Viswanathan Anand (2nd place), Vassily Ivanchuk, Judit Polgar, Anatoly Karpov, Gata Kamsky, Alexei Shirov and Ljubomir Ljubojevic. All players lost at least one game and the games with exciting and cutting-edge. A beautiful book came out chronicling the event. It included a history of the Sicilian Defense as well as historic games featuring the dynamic defense.
One of my favorite games in that tournament was between Judit Polgar and Alexei Shirov. (see game). My chess life was forever changed when I saw Polgar’s 10…g5! This display and dynamism is why the Sicilian is such a dangerous weapon. I would later employ this same idea years later against Jamaican Master Geoffrey Byfield. (see game)
Polgar has been a Sicilian expert for decades and has had thrilling victories from both sides of the board. Rekindling this affection for the most vigorous black defense, a match was set up between Polgar and Gregory Kaidanov in Hilton Head, South Carolina by Jeff Smith. Smith is a board member on the Susan Polgar Foundation and agreed to host the event in an attractive tourist haven.
The game were as exciting as billed although many expected Polgar to run away in the four-game series. The match was drawn at 2-2 with white winning all the games. Of course the Sicilian did not fare well in this tournament, but it remains a fierce weapon in the hands of capable handlers.
By the way if Emory Tate wrote a book on the Sicilian, I would buy more than 1 copy!
Kimani A. Stancil
Daaim and Kimani,
Maybe we’re talking about a different Tate. If you are referring to IM Tate, I don’t think his Sicilian is a good example. Just from personal experience from his Sicilian games. They are full of holes. Tate will play moves in Sicilian that are second, or third best to get his opponent out of the book. He gets in trouble by doing this. The games that I played IM Tate in the Sicilian he stood very badly after about 15 moves. One game he escaped (with a draw), the other he lost. Just look up his Sicilian games on a database and you will see my point. We know IM Tate as a great tactician. His tactics come from original positions, out of book, this is difficult to do against strong players in the Sicilian Defense, from the White or Black side. Dr. Kimani are you playing in the Philly Open, 31 March – 4 April? Dr. Daaim, I know you are not playing.
Didn’t know you played Tate when he was so young, very interesting to know you and Tate had such battles, Daaim. I know that you teach during the school terms, so its impossible for you to play more often. I also know that Tate knows theory but he don’t like to play it. I think he would be a GM, if he didn’t take so many risks, but it would not be Tate.
Funny lol. The games you posted are great Sicilians victories by Tate. Thanks Daaim.