Editing Mikhail Tal (section)

==Notable games==
*Tal vs. [[Alexander Tolush]], USSR Championship, Moscow 1957, [[King's Indian Defence]], [[King's Indian Defence, Sämisch Variation|Sämisch Variation]] (E81), {{chessAN|1–0}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1139349 |title=Mikhail Tal vs. Alexander Tolush, USSR Championship, Moscow 1957 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref> In a critical last-round game, Tal spares no fireworks as he scores the win that clinches his first Soviet title.
*Boris Spassky vs. Tal, USSR Championship, Riga 1958, [[Nimzo-Indian Defence]], Sämisch Variation (E26), {{chessAN|0–1}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1128406 |title=Boris Spassky vs. Mikhail Tal, USSR Championship, Riga 1958 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref> Spassky plays for a win to avoid a playoff for an Interzonal berth, but Tal hangs on by his fingernails before turning the tables in a complex {{chessgloss|endgame}}; with the win, he captures his second straight Soviet title.
*Tal vs. Vasily Smyslov, Yugoslavia Candidates' Tournament 1959, Caro–Kann Defence (B10), 1–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1139475 |title=Mikhail Tal vs. Vasily Smyslov, Yugoslavia Candidates' Tournament 1959 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref> A daring piece sacrifice to win a {{chessgloss|brilliancy prize}}.
*Robert James Fischer vs. Tal, Belgrade, Candidates' Tournament 1959, Sicilian Defence, [[Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation#Fischer–Sozin Attack|Fischer–Sozin Attack]] (B87), 0–1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044107 |title=Robert James Fischer vs. Mikhail Tal, Belgrade, Candidates' Tournament 1959 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref> Their games from this period are full of interesting tactics.
*Mikhail Botvinnik vs. Tal, World Championship Match, Moscow 1960, 6th game, [[King's Indian Defence]], [[King's Indian Defence#Fianchetto Variation|Fianchetto Variation]], Classical Main line (E69), 0–1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1032537 |title=Mikhail Botvinnik vs. Mikhail Tal, World Championship Match, Moscow 1960 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref> An excellent sample of Tal's style from the first Botvinnik–Tal match. Tal sacrifices a knight for the attack and Botvinnik is unable to find a good defence in the given time; his 25th move is a mistake that spoils his game.
*[[István Bilek]] vs. Tal, Moscow 1967, [[King's Indian Attack]], Spassky Variation (A05), 0–1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1027628 |title=István Bilek vs. Mikhail Tal, Moscow 1967 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref> A risky {{chessgloss|counterattack}} is crowned with success, winning a brilliancy prize.
*Boris Spassky vs. Tal, Tallinn tt 1973, Nimzo-Indian Defence, [[Nimzo-Indian Defence#Other variations|Leningrad Variation]] (E30), 0–1.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1128896 |title=Boris Spassky vs. Mikhail Tal, Tallinn 1973 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref> A game fuelled with tactics from its first moves. Black attacks in the {{chessgloss|centre}} and then starts a {{chessgloss|king hunt|king chase}}.
*Tal vs. Tigran Petrosian, 8th Soviet Team Cup, Moscow 1974, rd 5, [[Pirc Defence]], [[Pirc Defense#Classical System|Classical System]], (B08), 1–0.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1107032 |title=Mikhail Tal vs. Tigran Petrosian, 8th Soviet Team Cup, Moscow 1974 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref> Tal destroys perhaps the greatest defensive player of all time in a {{chessgloss|miniature}}.
*Tal vs. [[Joel Lautier]], Barcelona 1992. In his final tournament before his death at age 55, the Magician from Riga produces one last masterpiece against a Grandmaster from the next generation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1089819 |title=Mikhail Tal vs. Joel Lautier (1992) |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }}</ref>