Svetozar Gligoric. Benoni Killer!

Those who joined me last time round will recall that i had my head in the Benoni games in this book.

Well, those pages are dominated by Gligoric - eight games in all, so I will give them here with some light notes based on his own analysis in the book. with so much material, this is a pretty big post - one to dip in and out of when you have time to spare, like many of my posts. No apologies for that - I give you your money's worth, without charging you!! 

Many years ago I was able to get my hands on this lovely little book

and got to understand Gligoric's play very well. The best way to explain it is that if Fischer had played 1.d4 all his life rather than 1.e4, you would hardly have been able to tell them apart style wise! No wonder that the games between the two would make a fascinating article in themselves.

Back in time, I used to start these small game collections of a player with a 'fun game', so let's relive those days and start with this one.

O.K. Having mentioned Fischer, here is Gligoric taking on a theoretical debate that Fischer started.

First in line was  Kavalek. Pictured here with Kotov, - great picture!

Soon afterwards Walter Browne joined in the debate, no doubt having spent time with the previous game, and a fascinating battle resulted.

Right, where shall we go next? Lets try this next one, to add another Fischer note! Gligoric's opponent in a nice picture.

Another game in that line - Portisch was a well know theoretician - not to mention a wonderful player, but he doesn't manage to resurrect the system.

A game against the player - and constant rival - who's passing got me stated on this little journey into the past. Bora Ivkov.

O.K. A nice picture to go with this last game.

With apologies for the small formatting issue, take care until next time my friends.