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In the world of chess, there's a rule that carries a significant life lesson. It's quite simple: once a chess piece has been placed on a certain square and you've let it go, you can't change your mind and move it somewhere else or play some different piece. It's as if the move is etched in stone, and there's no turning back. It's a bit like how things work in our everyday lives, isn't it? Once we've taken an action or made a decision, we have to live with the consequences. Chess has a way of teaching us valuable lessons about life itself.
Now, this rule might seem a bit dry, but it's a big deal in the chess world. In fact, among chess players, taking back a move is often seen as a no-no, almost like committing a chess "crime."
But what happens when your opponent allows you to take back a move or even suggests it? Well, that's where things get interesting. Let me tell you about a game between two grandmasters, yes you read it right "between two grandmasters". And no, it wasn't a friendly game, it wasn't played in some park or a chess club, rather it was played in a European Championship! A PROPER CLASSICAL GAME.
The game was played in The European Championship, a13 round Swiss Championship held in Silivri, Turkey in 2003. It was played between GM Vladimir Malakhov (ELO- 2672) and GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili (2678). It was a 13 round Swiss championship.
Here is the game played between the two GM's
1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 Nc6 5. Ne2 e5 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Qxd8+ Nxd8 8. Be3 h5 9. Nd2 h4 10. O-O-O Bh6 11. f4 Nf6 12. Rhf1 Bg4 13. Bf3 Ne6 14. fxe5 Bxe3 15. exf6 Bh3 16. Rfe1 Bf2 17. Rh1 Ng5 18. Nf4 Nxf3 19. Nxf3 Bg4 20. Nd5 Rc8 21. Rhf1 hxg3 22. hxg3 Bxf3 23. Rd2 Bxg3 24. Rxf3 Rh1+ 25. Rd1 Rxd1+
We have reached a position where the incident took place. Azmaiparashvili had a plan in mind. He wanted to exchange rooks with a move like 25. Rhd1+ and then centralize his bishop on the e5 square.
However, he got a bit mixed up and made the bishop move first, 25. Be5??, blundering an entire rook on the h1 square! After which I don't have to explain its a walk in the park for any rated player.
It was a clear oversight, and his opponent, Vladimir Malakhov, did something unexpected. He offered Azmaiparashvili the chance to take back his move, (believe me it's not a lichess game where you let your opponent have a take back for a mouse slip). For Azmaiparashvili, this offer was a lifeline. Instead of facing certain defeat, he accepted the offer and played the move he had intended, Rhd1+. The game continued from there, and Azmaiparashvili managed to win.
Final position of the game. Here Black can simply continue with Bc1, intending to block the white rook and promoting the "B" pawn to a queen.
At the end of the game, Azmaiparashvili, feeling a bit sheepish about the whole situation, offered to share the point with Malakhov, (Offering a draw) But Malakhov declined the offer. This decision had a significant impact because Azmaiparashvili ended up winning the European Championship by half a point 9.5/13, with Malakhov in second place with 9/13, closely followed by 205 other participants.
This turn of events sparked quite a controversy. Malakhov stated that he didn't regret his decision to let Azmaiparashvili take back the move. In fact, he had encouraged it. This game has turned out to be a memorable chapter in the history of chess.
Some questions for the readers!
1. Have you ever faced a situation in life where you wished you could "take back" a decision or action? What did you learn from that experience?
2. Chess, like life, has its rules and ethics. Do you think Vladimir Malakhov made the right choice by allowing his opponent to retract a move? What values or principles do you uphold when faced with a similar dilemma?
3. In your own pursuits, do you prioritize personal gain or consider the broader implications?
4. Reflecting on this chess incident, what life lessons can you draw from it?
You're free to answer these in the comments section below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vedant is a chess player and coach with a FIDE rating of 2287 and having earned 1 IM norm. Vedant holds the esteemed title of FIDE Instructor. Vedant has been a professional player for more than 15 years and have been coaching for the last 6 years.
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