Pearl among Pearls • Cifuentes Parada vs Zvjaginsev • Hoogovens Open • Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands (1995) • Semi-Slav Defense: Stoltz Variation (D45)

This spectacular game took place during the Hoogovens Open in 1995, an integral part of the prestigious chess festival in Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands.

Roberto Cifuentes Parada, a Chilean-born Grandmaster who represented Spain and the Netherlands. Known for his solid positional play and theoretical depth.

Vadim Zvjaginsev, a highly creative Russian Grandmaster. Zvjaginsev is famous in the chess world for his original ideas and his willingness to enter extremely sharp, unconventional lines.

The Hoogovens is often called the “Wimbledon of Chess.” While the elite “A” group attracts world champions, the Open section is a brutal arena where rising stars and established GMs battle for supremacy. On January 16, 1995, Zvjaginsev chose a solid Semi-Slav Defense setup. However, the game quickly transformed from a quiet positional struggle into a tactical masterpiece that would eventually be voted one of the best games in the history of the Informant.

This game is celebrated for one of the most aesthetic “King hunts” ever recorded in modern grandmaster play. The opening followed a standard Meran path until move 10, when the game opened up. After 13.d5, White established a central space advantage. Cifuentes aimed for a stable position, but Zvjaginsev began preparing a volcanic explosion on the kingside.

The turning point came at move 24. White played 24.Bg2?, a natural-looking defensive move that proved to be a fatal error. Zvjaginsev responded with a stunning sequence: 24…Nxf2!, a devastating sacrifice that draws the King out, and 25…Rxe3!, a second sacrifice in two moves, completely shattering White’s center.

After 26.Bxe3 Ng4+, the White King was forced into the open. Instead of retreating to safety (which was already losing), Cifuentes played 27.Kf3, leading to a forced sequence where the King was dragged all the way to h6.

The final moves are pure poetry. After 31.Qc4 Qe3+! 32.Bxe3 Rxe3+, the White King is trapped in a mating net in the middle of the board. The game concluded with: 33.Kxg4 Bc8+ 34.Kg5 h6+ 35.Kxh6 Re5!.

With the move 35…Re5, Black cuts off the last escape square. White resigned because 36…Bf8# (Checkmate) is unavoidable. This game remains a textbook example of how dynamic piece activity can completely outweigh material considerations.