Tigran Petrosian, who as we all know went on to become world champion, made a rather nervous start at the Soviet Championships in his debut game. At the 18th Championships in Moscow, 10th November to 12th December 1950, the meekest of all tigers came up against Kotov in the first round.
Here is the game: Kotov – Petrosian
1. d4 d5
2. c4 e6
3. Nc3 Nf6
4. cxd5 exd5
5. Bg5 Be7
6. e3 c6
7. Qc2 Ne4?
9. Bxe7 Qxe7? The king had to capture.
10. Nxd5
Courtesy of his previous move, black is already lost but he plays on.
10. …cxd5
11. Qxc8+
The whole point. The unguarded bishop is now lost.
11. …Qd8
12. Bb5+ Nc6
13. Bxc6
13. …bxc6
14. Qxc6 Resigns.
Two pawns down and with an uncastled king, black resigns. Not quite what you would expect from a future world champion.
A picture of a distraught Petrosian taken just after the game.
McCreadyandChess 