Mikhail Tal

Mikhail Tal (1936 – 1992) was one of the most brilliant tactical geniuses of chess. He became world champion by defeating Botvinnik in 1960. He had an aggressive, sacrificial playing style and was also a noted chess journalist and author.

I give below one of the most brilliant games played by Tal. Don’t worry if you can’t understand the tactics behind the moves – just enjoy them !

White: Mikhail Tal
Black: Johann Hjartarson
Played at Reykjavik in the year 1987
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d6 9.h3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 Bd7 13.Nf1 cxd4 14.cxd4 Rac8 15.Ne3 Nc6 16.d5 Nb4 17.Bb1 a5 18.a3 Na6 19.b4 g6 20.Bd2 axb4 21.axb4 Qb7 22.Bd3 Nc7 23.Nc2 Nh5 24.Be3 Ra8 25.Qd2 Rxa1 26.Nxa1 f5 27.Bh6 Ng7 28.Nb3 f4 29.Na5 Qb6 30.Rc1 Ra8 31.Qc2 Nce8 32.Qb3 Bf6 33.Nc6 Nh5 34.Qb2 Bg7 35.Bxg7 Kxg7 36.Rc5 Qa6 37.Rxb5 Nc7 38.Rb8 Qxd3 39.Ncxe5 Qd1+ 40.Kh2 Ra1 41.Ng4+ Kf7 42.Nh6+ Ke7 43.Ng8+ 1- 0

Tal on Wiki & ChessGames
A brief biography is here & here
Download 1526 games of Tal in PGN
Nice Video of Tal

Tal's famous win over Smyslov