The Luzhin Defence - Cinematic Error

Cinematic Error

Luzhin vs. Unknown
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8 8
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1 1
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Black to move

In Luzhin's previous game, on his way to the final, the film shows an inaccurate checkmating move. The scene shows White (Luzhin) play an apparently brilliant combination culminating in a queen sacrifice followed by Rd1-d8#.

However, White's rook on the d1 square is pinned against its king in the corner at h1 by Black's rook on c1, making the checkmate unplayable.

Nevertheless Luzhin (White) is shown playing the illegal winning move to wild applause from the audience.

The sequence is as follows, Luzhin has just played his rook to e8 (check) although it is not clear if this was a capture or not. Play then continues:

  • 1. ... Bf8
  • 2. Rxf8+ Kxf8
  • 3. Nf5+ Kg8
  • 4. Qf8+ Kxf8
  • 5. Rd8#

White's last move is illegal (see rules of chess).

Read more about this topic:  The Luzhin Defence

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