BK
CADGAN CHE ERE ChiefAisor: ChiefAisor: Gay Kaspaov Editor: uay Chandle Russian Series Editor Ken eat Other chess titles om Cadogan Cadog an nclude
The Appication of Chess Theory Yem Gelle
Paul Keres Best Games Vol.2 Egon anus
The At of Chess Anaysis Jan imman
Smysov's 125 Selected Games asily Smyslov
Bobby Fiscer: His Aroac to Chess Elie gu
Sokolovs Best Game Ivan Sokoov
Chess in the Fast Lane ill & ichae dams
Stdies and Games an imman
Fire on Board: Sirov's Best Games lexei Shiov
Te Sorcerer's Aprentice avid onstein & om Fstenbeg
The Genis of aul Morphy Cis Wad
Taimanov's Best Games Mak amanov
Haf a Century of Cess ikhail otvinnik
is Selected Game a imman
The Life a Games of Mikail Tal Mikai a
Uncomromising Cess and eyay
Paul Keres Best G Vl Egon anus
il slv: Ega Virtuoso asiy Syslov
a co caau C C c cd ao C ad a Maca C a Ca c 7-9 c V 3 7 7 6
Fx 7 734 733
Averbakh's Slctd Games
Yu Avkh
Translated d edited by Ke Net
CADOGAN ODO, ODO, EW EW YORK
Eglish Taslation Copyight © 1998 Ken ea
Fist published 1998 by Cadogan ooks pc, 27-29 erwick St, oo W V 3.
Distibuted in ort America by he obe equo ess, 6 usiess ak R B 8, Old Saybook Connecticu 06475-0833, A
ll ights eseved. o pat of this pubication may be e poduced, stoe i a retrieval sste o tasmitted in any fom or by any means, electroic, electstati, manetic tape, mechanical, phoocopying, recording r otewise, without pio peissi i witig fom he publiser.
h Lbay Cataloguing in Publication Data A C C catalogue ecod fo this book is available fom the itish ibray
SB 85744 85744 54 548 8
5
Tpeset by e eat, Duham
ited i Geat itain by C Weatons td, Exeter
Co Foreord
hess areer
9
ioaphical Details
12
eeced Games 1431 Averbakh-Simagin, Msw C S 19
2 3 4 5 6 9 2 3 4 5 6 9 2 2 22 23 24 2 26 2 2 30 3 2
Averbakh-Botvi Averbakh-Botvinn nnik ik,, Msw C C 1 9/ ikenas-Averbak, Msw Cms 1 9/ Averbakh-Zak, 2nd Matc Gm, Msw 19 Taimanov-Averbak Taimano v-Averbak, , ades ades U i C C, , ngd ngd 1 9 Averba Averbakh-Ver kh-Veresv, esv, Semi-inal Sem i-inal 1 t US SR C Csi, si, Msw Msw 1 97 Averba Averbakh-Li kh-Lill ienthal, Msw Cis Cis 1 9 Kotov-A Kotov-Aver verbak bak, , 1 t t U SS R Camnsi, Camnsi, Msw Msw 1 9 Averbakh-ondare Averbakh-ondarevsky, vsky, 1 t t U S S R Ci, Msw 1 9 Averba Averbakh-Sab, kh-Sab, Mscw Mscw v Bds Bds 1 99 Aver Averba bakh-G kh-Gldbe ldberg, rg, Semi-in Sem i-in 1 US SR C C , , 1 90 9 0 Averbakh-avin Averbakh-avinsky, sky, Mscw C C 1 9 0 Averba Averbakh-oiseev, kh-oiseev, Mscw Mscw Camsi Camsi 1 90 9 0 olovko-Averb ol ovko-Averbak, ak, Msw Cm 90 9 0 ver verba bakh-Se kh-Setin, tin, t US SR Caminsi, Caminsi, Msw Msw 1 90 9 0 etr etrosi osian-A an-Averb verbak ak,, 1 t t US S R C Cn n ,, Mw Mw 19 1 900 ivitsk ivitsk-Av Aver erbak bak, , Semi-inal 1 9t 9t US SR C C ns ns , , Svdvs Svdvs 1 9 1 Novotelnov-A Novotelnov-Aver verbak bak, , 1 9t US SR C C ,, M Mw w 1 9 1 ver verba bakh- kh-onda ondarrevsky, evsky, 1 9t 9t US SR C C insi, insi, Ms Msw w 1 9 1 Aver Averba bakh-Smslv, kh-Smslv, 1 9t 9t US SR C C nsi, nsi, Ms Msw w 1 9 1 Aver Averba bakh-Khlm kh-Khlmv, v, Sem Semi iina ina 20 20 US SR C C isi, isi, Mis 1 92 nicker-Averbak nicker-Averbak,, ntezn ntezna a , , Ssden/St Ssden/St m m 1 9 2 Averbakh-Stah Averbakh-Stahlberg, lberg, ntezna nteznall r rnament, nament, Stsden Stsden/Stc /Stclm lm 1 952 95 2 ioric-Averbak i oric-Averbakh, h, nterzn nterznal al rnamen rnament,t, Satsaden/ Satsaden/St Stlm lm 1 952 95 2 ik ik-Averbakh, -Averbakh, nterznal nterznal rnamen rnament,t, Satsade Satsaden/Stc n/Stclm lm 1 952 95 2 verbakh-Tolu verbakh-Tolus, s, raining rainin g rnamen rnament,t, Gg Gg 1 9 Keres-Averbak Keres-Averbak, , andidates Trn Trnen ent,t, e esn/Z sn/Zri ri 1 9 verbakh-S verbakh-Sabo, abo, andidates rnamnt, rnamnt, ese esen/Z n/Zic ic 19 1 9 e-Averb e-Averbakh, akh, andidates rnamen rnamen,, ese esen/Zr n/Zric ic 1 9 vera verakh-Tai kh-Taimanov, manov, andidates namen nament,t, eause eausen/Zri n/Zric c 1 953 95 3 Najorf-Aver jorf-Averbakh, bakh, andidates namen nament,t, ase asen/Zr n/Zric ic 1 95 95 verbakh-e, andidates andi dates Trnament, easen/Zic easen/Zic 1 95
1 1 20 22 2 1 0 9 1 2 0 9 2 79 90 9 9 99 0 105 1 0 109
7 9 0 1 2 3 7 9 0 1 2 7 9 0
R Rz z 2 1 U S SR C C 1 9 9 S S 2 1 US SR C C 1 9 9 B B 2 1 US SR C C 1 9 9 2 1 U S S R C C 1 9 9 P P U S S R B 1 9 9 U S S R R R 1 9 9 B B M M G G 1 9 B B M M G G 19 1 9 7 Py Pyy y 2d US SR C C d d 1 9 Sy Sy 2d U S S R C C PyO ennra ennradd 1 95 Gz Dd 19 Dd Dd 1 9 9 U U Dd Dd 1 9 Vy Vy Mw Mw C 1 9 P P y yy y 2 U SS R C C R R 19 1 9 z Pz Pz 1 9 z z P Pz z 1 9 2 U S S R C C 1 9 9 B B 2 U S S R C C 1 99 9 9 Rz Rz S 2 U S S R C Od Od 1 90 P Mw Mw C 1 9 1 Mw Mw d M M 1 92 Mw C C 1 9 9 Mw C C 1 9 Mw Mw C 9 P P U S S R C C 1 9970 P P d M M 1 972 97 2 P P P Zdj 197
1 1 1 1 1 19 22 12 127 131 13 13 12 1 1 1 9 11 1 1 1 12 1 1 1 171 1 7 17 17 11 1
d R
1
nd O
191
d O O
192
Fowo This book sould ave been published at least qarter of a centry ago, wen my geration was still higly placed n te cess world and was creating cess istoy. Howver, jouralism, work for te USSR Chess Federation, as well as research on the eame ad the origins of chess diveted me from this: there sim ply was not suciet tie. Therefore, just before my 75t bitday, I gratefuy acce pted te offer of Cadoga Chess to publs a collection of my games. owever, every cloud as a sver nng! Wen wrkng on gaes a were ayed m years ago, I no only ex perenced as toug anew te events at occurred n tem, but at the same time I gained te o pportunty to look at myself from the side, effectively from a future vew pot t look critically, and tat means on e wole t evaluate more objj ectvely my cess playng. ob t is considered tat present-day cess dffers greatly from te cess of te 1950s, when the peak of my successes occurred Of course, today cess as ecome more competitive, more severe, more professional. anks to Informator, te Inteet ad computer programs, grandmasters and masters now obtan a ncom parably greater amout of information tan in my tme. As a consequence f is, oenng teory develops more rapdly and ntensvely, and te roe of o penng nwedge s growng. However, the loger playng sessons, srcter time contros and, nally, te abolishment of adjournments ave le ther mark and affected te quay of play. Tis is specialy noticeable in te concldng pase of te game, the endgame. Oe other impotant factor must be mentioned. e nformaton language of symbols, wic stems from Informator and s now empoyed n many pcans, as led te fat that commentares wrtten wt te el p of tese symbols com pletey ack te most impotat thig that is always preset n a cess encounter encounter te conc of personalites, th lash of plans, te battle of ideas. As s sad nowadays, te uman factor s lost. he soulless symbols do not, and are unable to reect anytng of ts. Ad for me te batte of deas, e clas of plans, and aso te varous psycologcal aces assocated wit te pay, ave aways been a signicant element n te creative oss at the ess bord, sometmes simply deterining te result of the game, irie of who ha the better or worse positon. t s for this reason that in my notes h ore to ot the rtest atetion to tem. sltig hese gams have imed to give not only tose that I consider m best, he ost memorable, but n the main tose tat reect my personality as a grandmaster, rct my uderstding of chess. Moreover n some games I wanted to covey my is t the boar. Th owleble reae m be su pise that, althouh I am onsidred a ex pet p, hr h iv rtively few exam pls of my play i this ed. This b plid as olow. istl, i my books dvoted to the engame a suiet br of such xam ples a b foud, and did not want to re peat them. Secodly, ad
8
Averbakh's Seleced Gaes
peraps mre imprtant wanted t sw ntrar t te t tniian tag asribed t me b ess aists r m mparatie gd teniq tt ws n te we a paer wit a ste tat atg psitina ws nisa nd tt was qite strng bt in attak and deene in psitina mnring nd in sarp mbinatina mpliatins w we ae seeded in demnstrating tis t reder an udge On in m ater ears wen ad stpped being a ss pressina and ad eased wrking n tring t impre wen n nger d mbitin nd aked bt strengt and nes energ smtimes sed t p n tniq nd inidenta as nt witt sess sincere pe tat tis etin wi nt ny enabe te reader t make te aqaintane m games bt wi p im t ndstnd tt tt gat game SS A game in wi in t wds t anient sages itr is gained b inteet bt wd add tat in wi s in ie te at an nd k as plas a nside ns iderab rabe e re Yi Aerbak Aerbak
My C Crr o ply hss at t ag of sv, bu b si by i oy h , h s aly thi Th st hss book that aidtally a io y hs s Ssem y o Nizoish t as har to tik of a os hoi , i hss o s s o , oly th to f, you us gi sy o is, oy h sy Sse is a goo book, oy o fo bis is oo o siio py, s you ust lar to ak obiios s i b s, ih i hpp h ohr way rod, ad it is ot surp sur prisig that lr, to sigi , h o a L i 35 visit t Mosow Chss Club for h rs i, h s o ough o list to a ltur by h gra g p Nioi Gioi iibl iprssio o m Wh Gigoiv p pi his p sis, ovig h pis o t mostratio boar with his thi, isi s, ss, hr ha ursoo, th grat d pt a bauy of hss, obsvig ih y o ys ho hua thought s pirituass ts litl woo pis, hy, ik os, bi poig iraulous s ptals, apab of ouhi h os ssii ps o h h soul as this prptio of hss s t th y i ih i o sa hss ad stuy it, whih is h rsy b oig My s jor hss sss was vitory i h SSR C Ch pioship (for jios p o 1 yars ol) Altough aog h piips h poy ls o ha , su as Mark Solbg ho uiy h uig h So Wo War, y broadr urstaig o hss bor is i 3 ish shool ad at th sa i, pssig houh h si of iiio vts quaral a sil, qui for h o h Moso Chpioship, wr mt so of th kog srs o hss ii ysl i suh i prssiv o pay, iiiy os y h Th sp spsiiiy so pss, h i lost vry ga u p i i oub, i h i o h o sufr sv sussiv as, a ish i s bu o is h h wr also objtiv rasos for his slu p h h Ch Ch pioship ioship oii ih h aiatio sssio, so tat for prparig for th gas or io h s o i s urly vry upst by my failur, , o oii his, h hi i o h , Nioli Ryui, av so oo vi yo o bo a astr', h si, you s s, yo s o ihs bo, so hat i th ga ga olloi olloi y y s i hi hi h h his is avi all y lif o o i, hh o h, i o ays a to j o i h foig of y hss ouook s p y oh oh Po osy Bjai Blul, boh l o ss Rosy h
10
Aveakh' Selected Game
tat n ce, a n any othe fom of ceative actvity tee a battle of dea a bale of deret tedece Evey geuie aste should develo p hi che philosophy ad follow t These wods of his foed me to thik about my play detemie y eaive atttude, and to pick out toe idea that iteded to cary out n my game umenfed drew my aeton to te pychological a pect of ce e emphasied tat ce wa payed by people eah with thei own chaate ad at of mid with dffeent vue and defect In the tuggle at te ce boad oe must lea to ex ploit al t, one mut be able to ceate those ituatio whih you skill ad talet dis play temelve to a geate degee tan the kl ad talet of te opp o pponet onet er anng te mate ttle and nng at te Inttute, fo ve yea tied to cbne enneerng work wt patcipaton n tournaent of vaou tandad wever, at te end of te 940 ad to conider my futue wa at te cossoads ad nteetg wok a a eeach engiee and my canddate detatio was progeig che I had become Mocow Cham pon and ad reaced the al of the R Camponip althoug did ot ave ay geat uce tere I could ot hel p feen tat n te creatve ene wa tandg t n ce: tme for m povemet, ad even fr prepang fo com petton, wa pactcaly not avalabe t wa becomg ncreangly obvou tat the attem pt to t imultaeouly o two cai dd not pomie well: work nterfered with ches ad chess itefeed wth wok had to make a choie nd I coe in favour of che deided fo a time to give u p wok n ode to ty to bece a randmate, and to aie my che playg to a ger tandard t tat tme t wa muc more dcult to gan te gadmater ttle tan t nw o do t st had n n te rst four n te R Cam pon p emFnal I dd The ext tae wa te 9t R Cham posip whc wa multaneouly a oal qualiatio tournament for te Wold Cham ponshi p maaged to nih n te t ve who aned te rgt to play te teoal Tounament e culmaton wa thi nerna urnaent, were I becae a Canddate for te Wrld Cam pohp ad wa awarded te grandmater ttle My ex peence aocated wt t tounamet ae decrbed n deta in my otes to te game e Canddate Touament was the mot gcant event n my ce caee prepaed qute thoougly fo it but my patial ex peience before it wa light, ad this old on te a outcomeOn te ote had a cou ple of mont late with a exceptonally g coe ( tee event oly otvnnk ad done bette) won the R Campop On beomig a gadmaste bega patiipatg egulaly touamets but nhed wth my sieti wok oweve my investigative chaater foed me to make a eou study of the edgame that phase of ce whee idividual piees bale agant eac ote nitially publied eveal atice ad then I tought about a book devoted to vaou ty pes of edigs Sie was ot ca pable of cayig out this wok o y ow gatheed a small gou p of mastes ad we ethusastially got dow to wok e a study had bee made of edigs i whih eithe side has moe th oe piee iitially ha the iea o ovig o o eigs ith a geae umbe o piees but hk od, topped in time t beame lea to me that suh a wok would kill hess as he game would be tasfomed ito a om petitioi i wih te oe wo wo would ot be te one wo plays bee, but the oe who kows moe
erah's erah's Selected Games
should meto that ths protracted work o the edgame had a adverse affec on my fuher chess successes. Aer all, a ma's creatve eergey s ot ulmted. h stopped studyg he edgame, my passo for research forced me to tur to aother terestg topc the hstory hstory of chess, chess, whch, whch, aer all, all, full of uex uexplored tertoy. The resolvg of may mysteres of ts hstory s a task o less etcg tha the solvg of varous problems a the chess board. hope also to wre a book about th. have spet a log lfe n chess, ad have been not oly a player, but also a raer, abter, jouralst ad publsher; I have bee an admsrator of my ow coutry fdeato ad teratoally. Ad am eterally grateful to the royal game, for the fact that t has brought me so much oy, he joy of creatvty. should lke to repeat the wrd of Segbert Tarrasch that ches lke love ad mc, can make man ha ppy
Biogrphicl Dil (dded by the Trnsltor)
Yu L bk, bo 82922 in Klg Itol Gdmste (92) I I udg udg Cess Cess Compositons ( 9) Iton bt (99) Pd Pd ot USS Chess Fede Feder rtio tionn 972-77 d d os os FIDE ince 978 Edo o e e ussn uss n mgznes, mgznes, ncudn nc udngg Sm Sm ue ue nd Sm SSS e 92 uo o umeou books, o which which Engl ish trnsl trnsltions tions he been publi shed of Chess s: sse ee (rst pblished by Pergmon, 9), the -olme series meese ess s (Pergmon, 983-87), nd Cess emes Essetal ee (Cdog 99)
Selected Games h hapionship as no hl in ih 92 o 93. This rol as nial lll b h osco ha i o 93. This oa as pc b alii v a si a i o o hich ook plac, aa o aoin an Zbarv, ho r ala ass, an iain ho as oo o bco on. a Averbaimagin Mosco osco Cmpo Cmpos sp SemFl Sem Fl 1943
noni c c plas o aion, on o h os sikin an nsal as obl aiir iain. A ahr pal, ckl fac ih hih ckbos, lasss ih a hin al lh, sa-colo hai, po i in nl fashion o his cron ha ha i ho rb hi hi ro hn a hi back in 93. i h a n h as xp o sic o halh o laii k a in an aica aco. H labo o lv hors a a, ih lil a a a i ihh l i l l slp, sl p, b all al l h sa h cov o n i or chss. H a i a il jack, cr boos i oo ol, an a habb ca ih aa. o happn ha or a lon i c ca an ha o laiir ook a aa c o paicipa in oa o as. s. ival iva l b a o h sa a; pla o o aboa abo a an on sha a ho oo.
1943-1975
pla no lss ha e d phaps vn as many s hi gme w iain. H as a player of orign r o oin s, an aisresercher ho oh n, unrodn ahs I ws alas ising ising o pla gains gains him h im 1 4 4 3 4 g3 5 Rg R 6 e4 e 3 10 Re3
hi has played he oeng u prniousl 0 �h should ve bee consir, o ansr 0 0g g w w 2 2. 10 Th usal plan i oeg Og g oo by .g d e bishop ov is h sa of ysm whc a h i as succssfully lyed by iain. iain. H pov povok okss f4, n order e err 3g g d . x4 2 xf4 f o lay 3 b sacricin sacricin a pan, pan, gin corol coro l o e
Aerbs Seee mes
11 12
'd2 'x3
�xe3
Strictly speking, the echnge o bishops fvours Blck. Firstly, he is crmped, nd every echnge cilittes the mnoeuvring o his pieces. Secondly, he rids himsel himse l o bi shop which, with its restricted mobility, oen proves bd. owever, these re generl rguments, nd everything, o course, depends on the her development o events. events. 12 g6 13 4
g h 5 Blc Bl ckk ws ws hoping or 8 e7 9 g e! 20 g2 g2 d7 nd 2 ...e8 with complicted gme. But White is by no mens obliged to ollow this pth. e hs strong move tht essentilly retes the oppone opponent nt s pln. pln. 17
'h6! ' Becuse o the thret o 9 g4, this reply is oced. x 19 'x ow it is pprent tht, for the successul completion of his originl pl, Blck is sho of just one tempo. Were his bishop t d7, he would be ble to tke on with is other rook. g7 20 g4 21 g3 White is not in hurry to lnch oensive. I ws rid tht er er 2 g g8 22 e e8 with the thret of 23 ... ... Blck would gin counterply. 21 �d7 22 ge4 In my notes t tht time I suggested tht 22 ce ge8 23 f 24 g e8 2 4 ws songer, lthogh then 2 ..f 2 e4 e4 g g 27g 27g f f 28 e e is possible. Inst In ste edd of 2 2 4 4 2 e4 e4 is s ince if 2 ...b White te coe coe b4 cb4 27 c, when Blcks posiin is on the point point o collpse. collpse. 8
g7 The nturl continution ws 3... 3... with roughly equl gme, but Simgin ws not one for ollowing milir pths. ere he chooses n originl, but risky pln he invites inv ites the oppone opponent nt to ply f4-f f4-f, , so s then to nd estblish his pieces on the drk squres. White ccepts the chllenge. gx 14 Blck consistently cies ot his ide. ...g ...g f f h g g d df f 7 h4 g8 8 h3 would hve led to n opening of l ines, ines , fvourble to White. 5 e 16 h3 :8
5
A verbh verbh 's Selected Gmes 29
22 e8 :g8 23 a 24 :gl a6 on't want to attach a question mark to this move, althoh here it was qite essntal to play 24 24 h6 However, However, as have aray mentione, laimir imain ve mch islike makin natural moves xe4 25 5 f 2 h5 26 e2, e2, threateni threatenin n 2 7 4 26 xe :b8
27 :a3! tnin 28 f6 with a very son ack lak's sir to otai at least s lay is trfor it unr sa 27 b5 28 axb5 axb5
1 6
n the reslti sha enin White has every chance of winnin, hanks e more active lacing of his iece e i aimin to ecie the ame y an atck n the kins ie an consi con sist stently ently ursues this th is corse However, with 29 :a7 he coul have achieve his aim more imy r example (a) 29 :8 30 :3 xc 3 xh3 xh3 32 :xh3 : 33 6! �8 34 g7 xg7 35 etc; () () 29 c8 3 0 :x :x xc4 xc4 (3 0 :g7 3 :x7 �x7 32 f6+ �g6 33 xc8 :c8 3 :f :f � 3 5 6+! 6+! hx6 hx6 36 g5 � 37 ec) ec) 3 6! 6! hx hx66 32 6 :g7 :g7 33 3 3 : :8 34 :xe8! x3 35 7+ �h7 36 f6+, an wins 29 �xh3 g6 30 :xh3 Now White's task is reaty simied Aer th more critical, ut aso sharper 30 x4, wol have ha a choice of two continuations (a) (a) 3 :4 :4 :6 :6 (3 (3 :xb2 :xb2 32 g! g 33 :xh7+! �xh7 34 :h4 mate) 32 :gh h6 33 h6+ :x6 34 :x6+ �g8 35 g6 6 6 (3 :x2 :x2 36 :h8+! �xh8 37 gx, or 3 3 :7 36 x6! x6! x6 37 g7) 36 x6+ �! (36 (36�h7 �h7 37 ) 37 :h6 (37 2 c3! 38 xc3 :+ 39 :g :xg+ 0
6
Averb IS Selece mes
�x c4! an lack can resist) 37... 37...�8 �8 38 xf6 39 :6+ �h8 40 xf6 x2, an ite sti has to win this eni i the ae this i not appea appea o e, an was intenin inteni n to play () () 3 6! 6! :x6 :x6 32 3 2 :x6 :x6 6 6 33 c7 (33 (3 3 .. ..77 34 f6 f6 h h 3 3! 3! 36 x6 x 37 :6 ate) 34 h (34. (34. 3 xh7+ f6 36 e4+ � [36 [36 e7 e7 3 +!] 37 x6+ �f6 38 + x 39 xc7 etc) 3 �7 36 h4! (not ieiately 36 e6+ xe6 37 xe6 � 38 f6 39 6 �e7, when if 40 x lack lack has 40 . c3! 4 xc3 �xe6 �xe6,, ae ae wich wich . hite loses) 6 6e4 e4 37 f4 e3 38 , a lack has no sel oves. Ths 38.. 38.. x is et y 3 9 e6+ �h7 40 x 4 x c3 42 xc3 xc3 4 + h8 44 e, an ite st aaly e ale to realise his ateia avatae
31 :b3 i ie way hite eliinates a ile onepa he opponet opponet 31 b4 32 :al The ivasion of the rk on the open e ea o a foe win ack no loner a aifato aifato efence 32 h6 33 h4 :8 34 :a7
3 ...�7, ...�7, ying break ee with the kin, wou ave een een met y the crshi crshin n 3 3 hx 36x+. 35 g3
Nw f 35... 35 ...�h7 �h7 White has the ecisive 3 6 6+. 6+. hxg5 35 hxg5 36 :c8 37 :h3+ �g8 38 �g2 c7 39 al Aimin to cncle the ae with ate. 6 39 40 dx6 x6 41 g6 a signs The Mscow hampionship of 9434 attracte a trly rilliant entry The Mscovites myslov, Alatosev, Kotov, anov an uovich were joine y the Leninra players otvinnik, aoin, Tolsh, Lisitsyn an avinsky, as wel as Mikenas fro the altic eplics They were oppose y the yoth of oscow imain, Lyinsky, Khachatov an e Althoh lst in the rst ron to y colleae an constant ival iain, is is no way aecte y htin spiit efeatin the aster players Aatosev, ovich, Lisitsyn an ikenas, an
Aebs Selece mes
holding my own i th gms with grnd msters Botinnik Smyslo d Koto I took sith pc nd chid th mster no n mportnt comptiti brrir which I hd pprochd closly befor th wr hd bn orcom Th tomt winnr ws Botk plyng s ccs d th Moscow Chmpio becm th scond-plcd Smyslo Gm ahonn sc Cms 944
Frnch Dfnc I do not rc o wht rso bt my gm with Botk ook plc his room in th o o wh h ws thn stying I shod rmid th rdr tht i th dys of my yoth Botink ws th idol o or yong gnrto W pssiontly sppod him tty olowd his sccsss nd rd rom hs gms Botinniks otstding chss sccsss hd broght hm noos thority d trordry poplrty ws know throgho th contry Botinnik ws dmird d h ws oowd d imittd nd hr I ws pyig ginst Botinnik on o th strogst grnd mstrs th word who hd bt khin d Cbc d Lsk d Ew When I st dow t th bord d wrot on my scorsh scorsht t Whit Whit rb rbkh kh Blck Boti Botini ni k I wondr wondrd d if I ws ws dreming I scty pichd myslf on th hnd o t ws ot drm Befor Beforee me st Boti Boti ik ik hmsel h msel I remembr tht whn in 937 Boinnik plyed mtch for the ttle of USS Chmpio with Grigory Leensh, the sympthy of th Moscow ds ws o
17
th sid o th ttr Phs th ws bcs Botinnik ws osdd th fort thogh mh ndd i drw Icidty ws h I dd or th rst tm o hppd ik his gou ug plyrs ws wkig ong Gok S (now it is cd s t w s Trsky) Sddy Bos Vkbg (I dty rmmb h sggstd Lds! Ls g th to Wht w d w him or yss S I shod p th m rto tht sbst bm kow s h oow V bg s 1 c5 d d d d 5 5 b5 b5 It ws o soo sid h don! mking or wy o wu m dicty s h hmud doorm o hot w w h d Vkbg ctiosy kockd o h doo h rrd oom I h d w opd by Yko Rkh W d Gg Yk ch! sd Vksbg bd d w hsitt hs itty y o oowd owd hm h m o oom Tht whch w sw thrw s to utr coso O so g bod st Ls d B W sd ho d h ps h st o d gu s g Vksbrg Grgoy Ykoh! he sd to Lsh w wud k o it you o is h Sdum Yug Pios! d you o k ch! h ddd d w w prody trood ou Bt t s rt to my gm with Bot inik I pyd s yo wi s tm ctosy d to m s gd
8
A verb 's Selected mes
raw without paicuar icuty Inci entally, in that hampionship Botvinnik rop roppe pe only two two points points he lost to myslov an rew two ames 4 1 6 2 d4 d5 3 d2 5 xd5 xd5 4 6 5 5+ 6 g xd4
A new move, that has not een consie y theory', wrote Baturinsky, te co-athor of the three-volume work on ov ov inik that that was pulishe pul ishe in the 960s 960s Now, many years ater, it can e sai a a it oes oe s not in fact eserve eserv e paicu pai cular lar coieration The est that Black can hope for here is a raw 7 xd4 7+ 8 2 x2+ 9 �x2 d7 10 a6 d3 11 d6 Te aempt to ain the avantae of e o iho i hop p y 4 4 coul coul have ee awere y 2 e 12 x x 13 g7 14 d3 e hol have consiere 4 h3, i e iea of playin the ishop to 2, aii at he pawn
14 4 Botvinnik i o ike o eave his opponent wit te te two bisops b isops
15 3 A raw i ts game was imt of my reams, a s I consstety aim to simpi the postio However, : woul have een muc stroner, in orer to recapture recapture with the rook There There s nothi noth i n for the kin to o at 3 1 3 16 d7 �xd3 17 f6 g5 1 3 A timey cane of m Initay I was evienty intenin o pay 8 4, 4, ut then then I rejecte jecte this thi s ecause o 8 f f 9 3 c, when t is Wite who may ave icuties 18 a8 19 ad h8 2 4 g3 1 d4 5 22 2 8 At last Black shows is teeth He threaten threatenss 23 c3 23 �2 a5 Back prevents the kniht om oin to 4 d3 24 24 :2! was much more sute Then if 2 4 there cou have folowe 25 a3!
A verbakh verbakh 's elected elected Games
a4 26 x5 xa2 (26.. (26..8 8 27 3!) 27 f4! 8 (27 . .8 28 3) 28 c4 with coplications favourale to White
9
30 cx4 x4 x4 x4 31 32 al 7 a5 d6 33 34 c4 g5 35 dl 36 2 ho of time efore the control, oth sies anoeuvre harmlessly, amn ainly not to spoil their positions. 36 6 xc5 c5 37 38 xc5 c6 4! d4 39
24 5 25 Now 25 a3 a4 26 x5 xa2 woul have le to an avantae for Black. 25 d6 26 d4 4c6 8 hdl 27 28 3d2 4
spite the fact that have playe xly tiily, copletely concein the initiative to Black, Botvinnik has not anae to achieve anythin real. n his ot to this ae Baturinsky reke lak's initiative enales him to eqalis copltly' copltly' ax4 ax4 29
Why i Botvinnik not try to exploit the weakness of the 4 pawn y 39... 39...5? 5? Then aer 40 2 4 4 3 3 5 5 White has to efen aainst the unpleasant 42 42 e5+, e5+, an if 42 f4 8, when the threat of 43 .. ..e8 looks anerous. The whole point is that aer the rook's retreat White was plannin an unexpecte an an spe specctacular tacular comina comination tion 43 5! 5! �xc5 44 xc6! x2 45 c7 when the pawn cannot e stoppe. o not know if my opponent sense the aner, ut he ecie not to tempt fate an immeiately force a completely awn enin. x4 40 xd4 Draw agrd
20
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's electe elected d Games
ame 3 ina)ah sc Chamsh 9
atalan Openin 1 d4 2 c4 6 3 g3 At the time when this ame was playe, the aalan was a comparatively new opein t was introuce into touament play y aviely Tarakower at the inter naioal touament in the atalonian capital of arcelona in 929. 3 d5 4 g2 dxc4 5 "a4+ d7 6 d2 f 6 xc4 lack usually use to continue contin ue 6 .. a6 followe fol lowe y 7 ... The ia of takin on c4 with the kniht was sccesslly employe in the late 930s y he Latvian Latvi an mter mte r la l aii m i r etrov etrov f, for example, 6... 6...a6 a6 7 xc4 , then 8 c2 8 9 4+ 4+ 0 2 with with the eter eter cancs for White.
5 7 "xc4 n this way lack tries immeiaely to solve the prolem of the centre 8 g Nowaays theory consiers 8 xe xe 9 c3 to e more accurate, aimi to exploit the kniht's insecure position. Now, however, it is White who h to concee aout the insecure poiion of his hi s kniht kniht b6 8 9 "d3 xd4 7 10 I i not want to efen the pawn y 0...c, ...c, as this woul have op iaonal for the white ishop an lay the evelopment evelopment of my pieces 11 xd4 x d4 12 23 :8
White's plans inclue settin up a pa centre y e2-e4, which lack inn o counter with piece play A conic sia tion is thus thus crea create te who will wi ll prov rih? 13 "c2 The queen has to move ecause of hreat of c6c. 6 c6 of my rst hortical ias, which 13 bd5 lack continues his active play in iitially employe in a ame with anov (oco pionip emiFinal 940) cne was intnin to answr 4 4 ca ca of o f h hrat hrat of ..., ..., Whi is wih 4 4 4 2 2 c 6 4 4 oli o take the pawn with his queen queen e6
Averbak Ave rbakh h 's elected elected Games
14 Wit consistntly caies out his plan. navours to rstrict th opponnt's pis, ot aoin thm to tak up activ itis ut this prophylaxis taks up vaa tim, hich lack xploits to rp rp is fos. fo s. 14 e4 c7 15 16 If its an r alray at h3, it c nitly sai that his position is r t th asnc of this rstrictin mv, comin ith th inscur position kit ki t at 4, iv i vss lack l ack xcll xc llnt nt psiiitis for countrplay countrplay 16 g4 17 d2 a 18 h3 a4
sitation as com xtrmy Just a in an arial attl th oppos in tr plans rush halon toars ac tr, so hr th avrsaris, without viatin, o in for a sharpnin of th s iknas as a playr of activ, com inatinal styl With th folloin lo, r in avanc, h was hopin to rt t opponnt's plan 19 .S ak aars to in a critical itin f, for xampl, 9 9 ax3 20
2
x6 xc2 2 xc7, xc7, an an Whit Wh it rmains a pawn up. 19 aS This ssntially orc xchan sacri c leas to an amusin position, in ic th hite knihts are extremely inscury place However, or the moment no immeiate cominations are apparent. CeS 20 CxaS 21 f 2 xa4 a7!, a7!, an the the pin on o n t t kniht immeiatly bears uit. 21 c
22 ? Th kniht kniht has h as to move, as 22 a a x4 23 x4 5 is compltly a. But it shoul have move so as to covr the approaches to th hit position Thrfor 22 e2! as th only coct continua continuation, an an if 22 . .5 5 23 c2! c2! t is tru that in this thi s case y 23 ..x x 24 x xa5 lack woul have achiev a oo ame, ut that is all. No, hovr, his hi s attack attack ecomes thratni thratnin n 22 CbS 23 c2 x 24 ex Cd 4 Th ack pieces rush foar, an t hit qun still has to or aut t fnc of its kniht, hil in t ma tim th main vnts ar vlopi on t opposit win
22
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's elected elected Gaes
25 xa4 There is nothing better. 25 2+ �h2 26 x 27 "c2
f 27 27e3 e3 White was intening 28 i ncuing h i s queen queen i n the ef efen ence ce of e4, incuing the kingsie Anaysis shows that in this case too, by repying 28... 28... "xg3+ 29 �h h5 ! with the threat of 30 ...4!, lack retains winning chances, athough with 30 xe2 x e2 g4 g4 3 x xe8+ e8+ �h7 32 "b8! White White gains a chance to prolong the resistance 32 ..."xb8 33 hxg4 g3 34 :x x x 35 b4 "b2 36 xa3 37 xb7 "x 38 8. However, lack has a stroner reply. g4+! 27 28 hxg4 f 28 �h xg3 mate.
28 The cumination of ack's attack! His queen approaches the enemy foress with ecisive eect. Mate in three moves is threatene, an White can efen against it ony at the cost cost of heavy oss of materia. materia. 29 x xg3+ 30 �hl h4+! 31 h3 x The threat threat of 3 ..g3 mate can e paie ony by giving up the queen. Therefore hit signd erhaps the most interesting eature of this game is that the back knight, which create the eay threat of mate at g3, mae a truy heroic jouey b8-7-b6-5c7-b5-4-e2, whereas its opposite number, on reaching a, was stuck there to the en of the game
ame 4 ahZa d atch Gae sc 94
uy Lopez n 946 the A-nion hess an Draughts Section grante the right to a number of caniate masters, who ha gaine goo resuts, to play quaication matches for the master tite. t was mainly young masters who were chosen as examiners etros etros ian, Taimanov, Taima nov, an myself. mys elf. Not Not one of the hopefus manage to become a master, which in genera was not sr prising we were al progressing, rapiy eveoping in the chess sense, an within a few years were to become granmasers. It fe to me to play a match wih laimir Zak, an experience player well-known trainer, who was ater to coach Spassky an Korchnoi. There was an interestin prelue to this match. match. Towa Towar rss the en of 946 took p in the Semi-Fina o the 5th S
Averbakh Aver bakhs s Selected Games
23
hampionship which was hel in Lenin therefore the innovation employe was gra gra n the rst rs t roun ha White Wh ite aainst for him a strong psycholoical low Semyon Fuan an in repy to e4 he which to some extent inuence the nal chose the Open Variation of the uy outcome Lope Lope itting at the oar an cons iering 4 1 my next move notice that the same 2 c6 position ha een reache in the Kopaev 3 a6 Levensh game ha hear that Leven 4 a4 6 sh ha prepare for this touament 5 x4 together with Fuan an the iea d4 6 occue to me of elaying my move a 3 d 7 ittle in orer to see what pan the two dx 6 8 Leningra layers ha prepare An so 9 3 7 3 egan waiting An my cock ticke 10 Kopaev meanwhile was sunk in thought This ol move which ha een Ten minutes passe then twenty an still employe y Alekhine use to to occur com Kopaev i not make a move He nally paratively rarey an i not ring White i so only onl y aer aer 40 m inutes () () an more goo results ver he eviate from the main theoretica 10 continuation an won the game But 11 d2 xd2 followe the theoretical path fell into a 12 xd2 a prepare variation an as a result lost 13 2 c4 overstepping the time limit on the 38th 14 d3 g6 move An in susequent games when in h6 x2 the uy Loe 4 f6 f6 was laye against A theoretical position given in many me I reied 5 3 not aowing the cature ooks has een reache n e4 Zak was present at the touament an it was there that he challene me to a match He unoutely mae a carefu stuy of my games an of course woul have notice how ha lost helplessly to Fuan an how ha susequently avoie the Open Variation Before the encounter with Zak ecie to look at my recent games in orer to imagine to myself what so of impression my play woul make on my ture opponent Of course it immeiately ecame clear that in the rst instance 16 3!? The openin ooks consiere only 6 neee to improve my openin preparation in the Open Variation of the uy Lope e2 which threatens to reain the pa t ives the queen om paicipatin in An this thi s was one kin s ie The plan pl an w Zak clearly i not expect me to te ack on the kins specially ly prepar prepare e y me fo prepare seriously for this match an 6 e3 was special
2
Averbakhs elected Gaes
te ocoming mtc. I do not think tht it leds to n dvntge or White, bt ceinly it seriously srpens te ply, wic in combinion wit te srprise ctor lys considerble role. 8 I 1... 1...c c 1 7 " " e8 I ws pro pro osing to ly 1 8 g5. 7 d Wite s cree wo trets. One is obvios to ec ecn nge ge te oppo opponen nent's t's drks drksqr qree biso b iso by 8 c, c, wile te oter oter is ltent one one to begin pwn pwn ttck ttck on te te kingsid king sidee wit wit 1 8 . . I Blck disregrds te rst tret nd plys 7... 7...c5 c5,, ter teree ol ollows lows 8 c "d "d e7 e7 e7 e7 20 g5 2 f f ollowed by 22 . Dring te ge con sidered te stronge strongest st reply reply to to be 7..., ..., wen wen I ws ws intending intending 8 x , nd i 1 d7 20 5 (if 20.. 20....c 5 21 5!, tretening 22 ) 21 g e8 22 g5 23 5 g5 2 �h with n tck on te gle. owever, Blck cold reply 1... 1...c5!, c5!, wen er 20 x hx 2 1 e e e 22 g g <8 it is dobt dobt fl i ite s m ore tn tn perpetl perpetl check. t lck's geninely stronest repl, wic I noticed only wen preprin this book, ws 17... 17...d7, d7, wen Wite still s to demonstrte tt is inititive is wo te scriced pwn. 17 d7 ided by the spectclr nish, te commenttors considered tis nrl move to be villy the decisive mistke. In ct even r i Blck s qite deqte resorces for prrying te tck. c? 8 Only now, wen Blck helps the qeen to switc wit gin o tempo to n ttck ing position, does Wite's ttck become thret threteni enin. n. t ws essentil to play play 8...c5, ...c5, nd if 9 5 cxd 20 cxd4 cxd4 x x 2 x x 7, gining time or the defence. erhps
old hve hd to reply e e 20 f5, gin wit srp ply. g3 c5 19
hite's ttck cn no longer he hale. No comes orcing combintion. 20 cxd4 hxg 1 xg! Or 2 ...g 22 g g g 23 . h8 22 xg6 lck ws oping or 23 x 8 24 x8 xg8, bt Wite d prepred in vanc vancee the conclding concld ing blow!
23 g7+! �xg7 x+ �h8 24 r 24... 24...4 4 25 e. 25 "g6 f 25 ... ...5 White s te in for oves ih 2 h5+ � 2 2 x5+. 26 g8 mat
25
A verbakh verbakh 's elected elected Games
Tis mtc, wic conclded wit score of +51 =5 in my fvor, sticks in my memory becse of crios incident involvin te rbiter Te blme for it ly it te scoreseets sed for one of te last es of te mtc Tey hd been printed on typewriter Aer we d mde te control moves, nd Zk ws consider in is net move, te mtc rbiter yotr omnovsky, wo ws recordin te moves seprtely, sked if e cold ceck or scoreseets o, my opponent ws con siderin is net move, nd I ws lookin rond ddenly cme erendin cry from te rbiter ke noter move ec Zk clmly mde te move tt e d been considerin Tin to te bord, ot of te coer of my eye I sw tt te lst few seconds on my clock were tickin wy, nd I feverisly mde te rst move tt cme to nd It ted ot tt the typist d missed ot one move on the scoreseets Te move I mde ws bd one, nd s reslt I lost pwn, lto I ws ble to sve te drw
It seems to e tt te most posefl wy of opposin lcks pln is the one eloed s hite in me wit sin oscow mpionsip 1950) 8 9 c2 c2 1 0 b, nd it is fr om esy for lck to el elise ise 8 a6 9 dl 7 d dxc4 10 xc4 11 5 12 d3 7 13
me me Taimanov-Avakh Trades U Team Chash Lead 94
NimzoIndin Defence 1
d4 6 c4 6 3 c3 4 4 3 5 d5 6 d3 c5 7 d7 Tis moe ws rst employed in te e e vi vinsky- nsky-ozin ozin,, oscow oscow 1 942 The ide of it is to retin bot te drk sre bisop, nd te tension in te cene 8
13 cxd4 Hrdl ood move now lck s ino icltis He shold v rre is bishop to nd if 4 c4 ih rohl al chcs h sonas th th honship miinal
2
Averb 's elected elected Ges
(Leningrd 148) went 3 3 4 ac b b b b 1 c8 c8 1 e e cxd4 exd4 exd4 xd4 18xdxd xh+ �xh 20 d3+ �g8 21 xd4 c with vanage to lck 14 xd4 d6 g A very nplesn nplesntt pin 1 e4 is tre tret tened, ened, s well s 1 e e , nd nd in ddition Wite cn crry ot the stndrd pln pln with with 1 c2 c2 nd nd 1 "d3 "d3 lac lackk mst now ply ve precise precisely ly h6 16 h4 '8 b8 17
y intensiing the pressre on e, lck provokes provokes 8 f4, aer which the pay pay becomes mrkedly shrper, for exampe 1 8 e8 e8 1 c2 e7!, nd if 20 d3 wold be ble b le to reply 20 However, by contining 20 f hite wo rein a dngeros dngeros inititive in ititive imnov prefers less committing pln 18 :a7 1 9 acl Aer c2 lack was intenin to ply e8, e8, nd nd if 20 xe xe 2 dxe xe 22 xf xf 2 "h+ � 19 a8 b l :e8 20 4 21
Having convinced himsef tht the dire di rect ct ttc ttckk on te king by 2 1 "c2 xe xe 22 x x g 23 e xe5 24 dxe xe 25 "+ � does not promise nying, Wite tries to cler the sittion sittion However However,, te move plyed is mi stke stke 2 cd , mintining mintini ng te tnsi tnsion, on, ws corre correct ct
21 x4 is secres lck positionl dvn tage Aer 21 21xe 22 dxe xe4 23 xe4 "xe 24 7+ 7 + �8 � 8 (24 �xh 25 "d3+) "d3 +) 25 xe xe xe 2 e �xh7 he wod ve won pwn, bt te opposite color bishops wold ve seriosly hamred hamred is realistion reali stion 22 x x4 23 dx x4 24 "x4 c7 25 4 xcl xcl 26 c8 27 dl lck's chnces re lso better er 2 xc8+ xc8, s qeen nd knight re nolly stronger thn qeen nd bishop Here te bisop is restricted by its own pawns, wheres the knight s a nber of stron-ints (d, ). n ition he invasion of the qeen on the c-e is treatened "c7 27 h3 28 29 d6
A verba 's elected elected Games
This ctivity merely orsens hite's position 29 g6 30 g3 'c1+ 31 �h2
31 '! The mrderos mrderos 32 c c is thretened, so tht the opponent is orced to exchne qeens shold mention tht the next p o the me, riht p to move 40, took plce in severe time scrmble 'xd3 32 'd3 33 xd3 c2 This llos the opponent ood conter chnces chnces oect oect s 33 h5 !, imi i min n to restrict the bishop still her, or exmple 34 h4 e!, nd er 35 d c2 3 b4 5 3 x e3, in vie o the thet o 38 38 +, lck l ck hs cler c ler dvnte 34 d8+ �h7 35 d7 �g8 36 d8+ �h7 x2 d7 37 Throin Throin ction to the inds inds 38 x 3 39 h4! �g8? r s obl ied to ply pl y 39 h5 40 ex 4 x x 42 xh5+ �8, hn lck's chnces re t ny rte no orse o, hoever, the dvnte psses to hit
2
a7 xa3 40 h5 ther old hve ol olloed loed 4 x � 42 ! ex5 43 e+ �8 (43 � 44 e+ �xe 45 x) 44 d e3 45 b4, hen the hite e-pn is very dneros 41 h5 40
In this position the me s d joed Anlysis shoed tht, despite lck's ex pn, hite's chnces re better, snce the knit is restricted nd hite is thretenin to win it oever, I s ble to nd clever trp, nd mch depended on hether my opponent hd seen it The reder ill no dobt hve noticed ho retly the chrcter o the position hs chned drin the lst ten moves heres erlier the kniht s stroner than the bishop, no, on the contrry, the bishop hs become stroner 42 The seled move 42 a4! itchin the rook to mor vorb vorble le position po sition ith in o tempo 43 �g3 43 3, thn thn 43 2 44 � b4 43 4 c5 44 This move slihtly rised y hopes Ar 44 b! b3 45 xb3 c4 4 b 5
2
Averb Ave rb 's elected elected Gae
47 :a7 a4 Black wold have faed a dclt strggle for a draw 44 b3 45 :a8 Here Taimanov, assming that the game was decided, looked at me smpa thetcall, bt an npleasant srprse awaited him 45 :b7 wa essential, when was was intending to pla pla 45 :a5! 46 x (46 (46 d6 d6 :b5) 46 x 47 :xb3 :b5 4 :d3 :b! 49 :d6 :a8! 50 :xe6 a5 5 :d6 a4 52 :d2 5 3 e7 54 e6 wth a probable draw
45 :b4!! A srprise for the opponent and a contr-blow, prepard lon n advance, on the prel problemlke theme of nter ference Both black peces are e prse, bt the b3 pawn has been transfoed nto a powerl force, and aer 46 :x+ h7 47 x b2 t cannot be prevented from qeenng The staton has aan changed sharpl, and t is now Whte who has to seek a wa to save the game! 46 : �7 47 .d4 :xd4 :d3 48 :b8 49 � a5 50 n this wa Whte cceeds n elmnatn el mnatn hs man enemy the b3 pawn pawn 50 :d5
51 52
x6 :x3
:x5 :x6
The s h s sep ove the board has removed numbe of pieces and pawns, and as a result Blck is a pawn p wth good winnig nces 53 :a3 :5 n this tpe of purel echnical endng the rook should normall be placed behnd the passed pawn Theref Therefore here 53 :a6 was more accrate Blac tries to carr ot a rathe ratherr dieren dieren pln e iends to send hs king o the supp of the passed pawn, and to place his oo t g5, defending the a5 and g7 pawns 54 g4 �g8 55 g3 56 :3 Whie ries inder the kngs progress, progress, bu no ble o impove the position of m oo 56 a4 57 :a3 :a5 58 �4 � 6 59 �4 This greatl simples Blacks task More tenacos was 59 g5 60 �3 :a7 6 g6 62 hxg6 xg6 63 5 64 � (64 h3 f4 65 h4 :a5) 64 h4 h4 65 f4 :g7! 66 :a :xg4+ 6 f5 (67 a3 ! ) 67 :g5+ 6 f4 (68 f6 f6 :a5) 6 h5 when Blac B lackk wns wn s
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's elected elected Games
:a6 Bt h h not 59 g5 60 h4 6 f4 :g5! hen White can resign? Hoever, as obsesd ith the idea of taking m king across to the apan 60 �4 :a7 61 Here too 6g5 62 g :a5 as possible 62 he last last chance! 62 his is possible bu simper as 62 f5 6 gxh6 gxh6 he Black ins a second pan pan 63 As if i f beitched, follo ol lo m xed idea Mean Meanhile hile aer 6 f6 64 :+ e7! 65 xg5 :a5+ 66 g6 a3 67 xg7 a2 6 :e+ d6 69 :d+ c6 70 :c+ b6 7 :c :xh5 Black old have o easil 64 :a6 Dring Dring the game 64 c4 65 g6 b4 66 :g3 a3 seemed inscient to me becas becasee of 67 :g2, and if 67 a2 6 :xa2 Hoever, hen man ears later began alsing this ending, established that Black has no reason to hrr ith the advance of his pan bt shold move his king king back back Aer Aer 67 c4! 6 :a2 d5! the opponent can no longer pa 69 :x xg7 becas becasee of 70 :g+! 7 x 70 xg7
29
f6 :h 72 g6 e6! 73 h6 :g+ etc here is nothing else for White to do bt to check check 69 :d2+ :d2+ e5 70 :e2+ f4 f4 (if 70 d6 d6 7 :a2!) 7 :£+ g 72 :a2 h ! 73 7 3 h7 (aer (aer 7 :xa+ :xa+ :xa :xa 74 xg7 g4 75 h6 g5 76 h7 :a7+ 77 g g6 a ellknon theoretical position is reached, here even the promotion of his pan pan to a knight knight does does not help hel p White 7 h+ f6) f6) 7 g4 74 g6 :a6 7 xg7 xh5 76 g5 77 e7 f5 7 d7 e5 79 c7 d5 0 b7 :a4 and Black ins 7 f5 (instead of 7 h7) also also does not help help in v ie ie of 7 g 74 g6 75 :a6 76 g5 (76 e5 g4) g4) 76 e and, b taking his ing across to the apan, apan, Black Bl ack ins ins
6 5 66 : Beig in time troble, had overlooked this natral move and no became ner vos vos aer aer 66 a3 67 :xg7 a2 6 :g the game ends in a dra Hoever, b calml plai plaing ng 66 :a7 and if 67 g6 d5! 6 :a3 :a3 e4 e4 69 g5 g 5 (69 (6 9 h7 ) ) 69 :a6 70 g4 :a5 7 g f5 72 h4 f4 Black old have on ver easil 66 :6+ 67 67 g5 :a6 6 f5 :a7 cold have transposed into the variation given in the note to the previos move
30
A vrbh 's lctd lctd Gams
67 :h6 A mistake which throws awa the win The coect coect contination was 67 ! 68 g4+ g4+ b5 69 :g3 a7 70 , , and he the the simples simplestt was 70 71 g6 72 g c4! 73 :f (73 h7 g5+! 74 g6 a 75 xa xa 76 xg5 d5 etc) 73 b7 74 f4+ b3 75 f c7! 76 h7 b2 b2 77 :+ b b 78 f f + c c , and and Black wins 68 :4 �b3 69 :3 �c2 70 :2 �d3 71 :3 �c4 72 :4 �b5
eor-ridden game shold have ended in a draw Bt m opponent misses hs chance and immediatel commits the nal and decisive mistake 73 x xg7? g7? ! 74 a7 No better is 74 b7+ a5 75 a7+ a6 76 c7 77 c h6 78 a (78 d4 d4 b4 b4 ! ) 78 xh5+ xh5+ 79 d4 h2 h2 80 c3 a4, hen White lacks jst one tempo to save save the game 74 :a6 75 b7 �a4 76 7 :a5 77 �f6 �f6 a 78 4 �b3 Onl not not 78 b5 79 g with a draw 79 :3 �c4 80 :4 �d3 81 :3 �e4 82 :g4
82
Te te ouble st, whh th two players ave bee wander about, as nally led Te blac as bee forced to and aer 73 �d4! t s
�e
82 was simpler simpler 83 :l :xh5 84 :3 :3 �d4 85 :a3 :h2 86 : 87 �4 �c4 :c2 88 �3 89 :8 �b4 :e2 90 �4 hte n
3
A verbas elected elected Games
Despite the nmeros mistakes, or per haps ase of them, this tense ge, interesting in all its phaes, ased great anxiet both to the paiipants themselves, and to the members of their teams. he rook ending that arose ted ot to be fll l l of varios sbtleties, whih the plaers, pailarl in time tble, were nable to fathom.
ative piees and ransposing into an endgame.
Game 6 Averbakh-Versov em-Fal 1th U Champshp sc 1947
iilian Defene 1 e4 c5 2 6 3 d4 cxd4 4 xd4 g6 5 c4 At that time the opening books asseed that allowing 2-4 gave Blak a bad ge, as he had no wa of opposing White's strong ene. n the present game m opnent caies ot an nsal plan, devi devised sed b the wedis wedishh plaer Gsta toltz toltz (ho was later to beome a grandmaster), involving ataking the enem ent with . . . 5 6 c For me Blak's idea w a new one, and so deided to move the knight ot of ha ha ' s wa. 6 d6 h6 e2 8 c3 9 ex x n enntrn an innovatin, I have plaed atiosl, and m opponent has obined an ative position. However, his pawn str has been weakened, and so devised a plan amed at exhanging his
11 5 e6 h4 12 de3 Dreaming of an attak, Blak swithes his qeen to the kingside. Of corse, it old have been driven awa immediatel b 3 g3, g3, wh when 3 . . . h3 is bad because because o 4 g4, bt considered that a h4 he qeen did not presen an danger. 13
bl
reparing 4 b3 and 5 b2 with exhanges to follo. 13 cd4 Falling Fallin g in with White s inenions. inenions. xd4 14 xd4 b3 h5 15
Against Against the immediate immediate 5 ...e5 ... e5 White pl 6 g4. Contining Contining to think the pl
32
A verbh 's elected elected Gae
abot an atack Black fher weakens his pawn sctr 6 b2 e5 Finall Black has created his rs seros theat bt it is eail ped and White l seizes the initiaive e4 7 g3 f 7 7x xe2 e2+ + xe xe22 gS gS 9 xeS xeS xeS x eS 20 d3 g7 g7 2 bd with with stro strong ng pressr 8 xd4! xd4 ! xd4 xd4 f x xd4 d4 9 d3 d3 9 "c2 �g7 :bdl 2 Dring the game made his natral move almost witho thinking Bt now analsing the position years later managed to dscover the stronger move 20 g2! B threatening h4 Whte cold have set hs opponent dclt problems 2 e4 b8 22 d7 Agains Againstt 22 bS attempting to com plcate the game was intendng to repl 23 b4 23 d4 24 f4
Whte has acheved hs am fher exchange are nevta nev tabl ble e 24 c6 25 "e3 xd4
x+ 2 2 x4 eS x + fx 28 2 dxeS 29 6 x6 0 d6+ was wose fo Blc h he gme conn aio 2 � 30 Whies i p i he edig is the possibili ceig side passed pw pw o he ueeside uees ide 30 + 3 �
3 A impo oe The hite rook is restricing he eemy ing and so Black cosiders h he exchge of rooks wll ease his hi s defence defence f 32 33 � 4? n orde o cive his ing Black advaces his p b i so doing he creaes e eess bseqe events sho h o he is o loge ble o save he game game Aer he ccrae ccrae 33 b6 34 e d7 S followed b the transference of he blac king to the qeeside Whies posiional advantage mght no have bee scient for a win 34 �e3 �e5 6 35 3 h d7
A verbh 's elected elected Games
a 37 . 38 . g2 .6 f 3 3f f55 39 h , and Black B lack is in zuw
39
.h3!
39 bS Analsis showed that Black wold also have failed failed to save the game aer 39 a 40 d7 b7 4 b4 axb4 42 axb4 a 43 c5 bxc5 44 bxc5 bxc5,, and now (a) (a) 44 d5 45 e 46 c6! (the bishop bishop sacri sacrice ce 46 xc6 47 xc6 also does does not save Black, Black, eg 47 g5 4 xe4 x e4+ + g4 49 hxg5 xg5 xg5 50 5 0 h4 5 g4, g4, or 47 g4 4 e3+ 49 g2, and 49 g5 is not possible becase of 50 d7 mate mate)) 46 g4 47 c7 e6 4 4 xg6 xg3 xg3 49 5 xh4 xh4 50 !! c 5 xe4 g5 52 e5 a6 53 e6 b7 54 h3 a6 55 d6 f6 56 c6 e7 57 b6 d6 5 g4 and and wins (b) (b) 44 d5 45 e g5 (if 45 xc5 46 xg6 d6 47 xh5 e5 4 g6 c6 49 g4 and wins) 46 hxg5 xc5 47 g6! (47 g6? d6 with a draw) draw) 47 4 7 d5 4 xe4 g 49 f4 d6 50 e7 5 g6 and White wins .xbS 4 xbS 4 .8 .6 axb4 42 b4 axb4 .bS 43 44 gS! .b7!
3
he best chance f 44 d there follows ol lows 45 45 c6 c6 f5 f5 (or 45 g5 46 hxg5 f5 47 g6! xg6 4 xe4+) 46 b5 g4 47 b6 a6 a6 4 e+ 49 2 5 d7 mate mate was was threaten threatened) ed) 50 b7 xb7 5 xb7 g5 52 hxg5 xg5 5 h4 54 g4 and and wins 4S .4 h4 4 h4
At rst sight i is no cear h Whie can win her Aer all, son as he advances his passed pawn, Back ill give p his bishop f i, hich eas a theoretica drawn ending This wld be so, if he black pawn ee a h6 ever, thanks to the fact ha it is on a sqare of the coor of his bishop, Whie can in he diagram posiin viua cnsies a sd! a4 46 f 46 e 47 f5 4 e2 e5 49 d3 d5 50 f4, f4, and ae ae 5 d4 White can even pa 5 e2 c 52 xh5 xh5 5 b5 e 54 b6 c6 5 h5 and wins 47 48 bS �dS 49 �f4 �f4 �S � S SO �gS 2 f 50 x xb5 b5 Wh White ite ins b 5 xh c2 52 e e+ + c5 c5 5 h5 d6 d 6 54 f f6 S .e8!
34
A verbh ' elected elected Game
It wa not yet oo late o go wong Ae 5 x5? xb5 52 g4 e8 53 �d6 54 g6 �e7 Black would ave saved saved the game. 5 � egetble toug it is, te black king has to move even fuer away om te hawn. xh5 x5 52 8 53 4 54 �c 55 d8 6
continuation is 7 e t a tie did not ye ave reible anidoe o te King Kin g ' s ndia ndi a Defence Defence nd ied te most vaied plans
7
56 �f! he nal nesse 56 5 o 56 xe8 wod have led only o nly to a daw Bck sns
8 2 8 d3, aking coro active 8 9 0 xd5 3 2 l 3 d4
�b 8
of e4, is moe xd5 8 bd c5 f4
Game 7 Avrakh-Liintha sc Chamh 1948
King ' s Indian Ind ian Defence Defence
d4 2 c4 d 3 � 4 5 e4 6 h3 c6 7 d5 hi cntinatin is tied if Back i e5, a ae 8 xe5 dxe5 ite' sitin is efeable. e usal
Wite as played te opening mot unetentiously, and, aa from a sligt seioiy in sace, e as no gained any advantage. x4 4 x4
Averbak Aver bakh h 's elected elected Games
5 b3 e was robably more accurate, but I thought that te exchange of bisho for knight was favourable for me. 5 g3 6 el xe2+ 1 6 ...f5 ...f5 17 xf5 Jxf5 came into considertion, wit simlication an a ossible ossibl e early draw. 7 xe2 Jd7 8 Wd2 6 9 cel Wh4 Wh5 2 2 xe2 Jd4 22 xe2
By laying his queen to 5, Black h crea create tedd the the threa threatt of . . . Jx3. However, the queen is not altogether well laced the, and White could have trie to exloit this by 22 xe2! xe2! an an if 22 . . . Jx3 23 Jxg7. Jx g7. For examle, examle, if 23 . . .Jxg2 24 �xg2 g4+, then 25 �h2 x 26 Jc3 h5+ 27 �g3 28 and wins, or 23 g4 24 e �xg7 25 e3 an ins inally, if 23 .. .�xg7, then 24 c3+ an 25 gx3 gx3.. But now the game goes by force into an ending. Jxd4 Of course, course, not 22 . . .e8 23 xe8+ xe8 24 xe8+ xe8+ J 25 Jf6 Jf6 ! 26 Je7 2 7 x+ x+ �g7 28 g5 and wins. d7 27 23 xd4 xd 4 Wxe2
35
It would have been easier for Black to draw draw aer aer interosing interos ing 23 . . . e8! 24 d2 xe + 25 25 xe xe e5 . 24 xe2 � 25 c5 Here te centralise knight is stronger than te bisho, te mobility of wich is severely restricte. Terefore Black tries to oen lines, but in so oing e orsens is awn structure. 26 dxc6 bxc6 � e7 27 d2 28 e2 Je6 � 29
29 d5? Only now oes oe s White White gain gai n real real winning cances wit te weakness at c6 the sueriority of te knig over te biso increases. c5 3 �d7 f6 d4 3 32 e2 J Wies lan is o restrict te biso muc as ossible an ten launc an oe oensive nsiv e on te queens ie. ie . 33 f4 g8 34 g3 I was intending to rely to 34 ...g5 ...g5 with 35 f5, an if 35 . . . g4 36 h4, not allowing the oonent to oen lines li nes . h5 34 e8 35 e3
36
A verbh 's elected elected Games
36 was theatened, and if 36 36 :b8 :b8 37 :e7+! heefoe Black decided to exchange ooks 8 36 8 37 g4 hg4 38 hg4
Teefoe Back sgnd without esuing te gae gae Gae 8 Kotov-Avbak 38 c7 Hee Black sould have layed 38 38 g5!, g5!, when ae 39 g5 g5 40 e6! 41 xg5+ e5 he has good dawing chances I was lanning to ely 39 £ but in this case too Black could have ut u a tena cious cio us defence defence ow, howeve howeve,, e is lost 39 g3 d7 If 39 g5 the follows 40 g5 g5 41 e+, winning winni ng a awn fxgS 4 S White also wins easily aer 40 f5 41 a 42 e3 b7 43 d3 a6 44 a4 b7 45 c7 46 d4 d8 47 e5 e7 48 d4 e8 49 c2 followed by b3 c8 41 fS 42 f4 Hee the game was adoued A ihtfoad analysis showed that Black i unabe to event the enemy king om beaing into his osition Fo Fo exa examle 42 a5 43 e5 g4 (o 43 a6 44 f6 d3 45 e7 followed by 4 e6+ and 47 d6) 44 f6 h5 45 e6 e6 d7 46 f4 f4
1th U Chamihi sc 1 948
ueen' ueen'ss Gambit Gambit 1 c4 6 2 3 cS 4 dS S cdS xdS d4 6 The game has tansosed into a ositi fom the ueen's Gambit, which i nomally eached ae 1 d4 f6 2 c4 e 3 c3 d5 4 c5 5 cxd5 xd5 6 e3 i move ode has enabled my onent avoid the imzoIndian Defence, wc I oen emloyed at that time 6 7 c4 n this way White foces the oent to declae his intentions in the ce owaday owadayss 7 d3 is moe usual 7 xc 8 bxc3 d7 9 c7 1 4 d3 11
Averbakh elected Games
I the ate game BonsteinAvebak the ame toament, cay Devik' e e a be bee e an an 1 1 e2 e2 b6 12 e3 7 13 2, and Back still as to gain eaity b6
2 5 igia, but hady sccess iea. I c itios te bisho excange no a faos Back, it eases is defence. 2 5 h6 5 4 h It i aiy aaent tat ae 14 e5 it ca hay cot o an oeig ate Kotov eteated is knight to 3, i e to aswe 14. 14. . e5 e5 wit 15 f4, sacici sacicigg a aw. 5 4
3 7
15 Ae oonged tougt Wite eects is intended lan, but now te advantage asses asses to Black. Bl ack. 1 5 f4 f4 cxd4 cxd4 1 6 cxd4 cxd4 exd4 exd4 wod ave et to a consideabe sa eig of te game, fo fo exam examle le 1 7 c 1 c5 c5 1 8 " b7 b7 1 9 g3 c6, c6, and and it is not easy fo Wite to sow tat is iitiative is wo te awn. Howeve, Back i tu could give u a awn with 1 6 . . .c3, fo ex example 1 7 dxe5 c5 1 8 e2 x3 wit te initiative. 15 d6! By focing Wite to declae is intentions i te cente cente,, Black B lack ly ly seizes sei zes te inita init ative 6 16 d5 1 7 4 1 7 ...g5 ... g5 was possibly moe esolute, bt te move layed also secues Black enuing ositional advat advatage age h3 8 "3 19 "h3 c4!
ow te knigt eaces te exceent sa c5, and Wite is le wit a ba' bisho, esticted by its own pawns. 4 20 c4 c5 21 " 4 22 2 Back is teatening an attack o the kigsie by te advance of is faw,
38
A verbakh verbakh 's elected elected Ge
so 23 g3 came into consideation, aiming to ease te defence defence by excanging qeens. 23 :a8 Tying to pevent te opponent fom dobling ooks on te e-le, bt in eply Black is able to st te bisop ot of te game. 24 4 2 26 d2 ocing te oonent to ely eite 27 c4, o 27 c6. 27 c4 Black does not fall into te tap 27 .. . a6 28 c6 xc6? 29 dxc6 xd2 30 c7 and te pawn cannot be stopped. 2 8 "c3 : Te ook ets, in ode to eac e7 via . 29 a4 : as 7 30 31
:0
31 axb6 loses to 31.. xb6 32 � d3 d3 ! 3 3 c :xe :xe + 34 34 :xe :xe xc .
f In aiming to stngten is atck, Back oens te osition of is own king king.. 3 1 ...7e ... 7e w moe estained, and if 32 3 3 e e3 . 5 2 :cdl :d4
34 Hee bot playes wee aleady in time toble. toble. If 34 de 1 Black was intending intending 34 .. .xe .xe xe xe+ 36 � d3+ 37 xd3 x3 8 xe 4 wit a won ending. 34 4 3 :d1 Te ecisive mistake. Wite sold s ve excange excange on b6 .
3 d2! 36 "h3 f 36 ten 36 . . . e4 37 xe4 (37 xd2 xe 38 d6 c+) 37... 37 ...xe4, xe4, and tee is no efen efence ce against 3 8 . . . d4. d4. Had Wite st excanged on b6, e wod ave been able to play 39 xb6. 36 4 :4 37 O 37 d xf 38 d6 e 39 xe xee 1 40 c8+ x c8+ �7 4 1 + + g6. 37 x4 38 :d 3 8 d6 d4+ d4+ 39 � xd6 xd6 40 d d was was moe tenacios, altog ae 40 e! Black's attack wold ave contined nabated. "2 38 Missing an oponity to decide te game immediately i mmediately by 38 . . .c2!, .c2!, e.g. 39 :a (3 9 g4 ) 39 ... ... b ! 40 c8 c8+ + �7 41 3
A verbh 's elected elected Gaes
39 40 41 42
39
: : :
(a) 46 3 :e + 47 :x :xe xe + 48 e3+ 49 � 1 + 2 g3+ 1 �g x3+ 2 + 3 g g4 4 e + e3+ 6 g3 Ae Black's 41st move te game was ad te is o defece agaist te mate (b) 46 x xff4 :e + 47 :xe :xe x xee + 48 adoued, ad tis last move was sealed Te isecue positio of is kig does ot f e! 49 g3 (if 49 d4+, wile allow im to play 42 :e ee i view of a ae e 49 d3 f4 f4 ! c c te only move move 43 c8+ 44 f+ f+ e7 4 4 d6+! xd6 cc + 1 f x xc+ 2 2 + + 46 + If Black is ot ageeable to a 3 g d3+ 4 � xb ad wis) daw daw by pepetual pepetual ceck (ae (ae 46 c7 47 49 d4+ d4+ e3! 1 b f6 2 +) ad e plays plays 46 :e7, tee g wit ievitable mate follows 47 c+ ! bxc bxc 48 :d ! , ad o o ly e A stii feature of tese vaiatios is ca lose te woderful coodiatio of Black's 42 4! quee ad kigt, weeas te wite Evidently te best best eply If 42 c bisop is meely a silet obsee te could ave followed 43 d6! e4 (if However, it later taspied tat te 43 xd6 xd6 44 c8+ �7 4 a4 wit moe moe pos posai aicc 44 g3+ 4 �g e2+ 46 sa play) 44 x xd6 d6 (ot (ot 44 + � 1 :e3 is also possible (poited out by 4 x! x 46 dxe7) 4 3, ad Ke eat) deite Black's exta pawn, it is not easy e most teacious cotiuation ee fo him to wi was 43 d6 xd6 44 ae wic ay would would educ educee to to a ook edig 44 x 43 "c8+ i makes tigs easie fo Black 4 gx xb 46 cxb :e 47 axb6 axb6 Ae 43 4! 4! (43 d4 d4 44 d6 48 :b 1 , i wic wi c Black B lack would ave evey cace of wii wi ig g tanoses ito a vaiatio examied i te evey 43 note to the pevious move) 44 :a (if 44 44 cS 3 + 4 2 :e3) ee I was A despeate attempt to cage te conideing conideing te cotiuatio cotiuatio 44 + 4 couse of evets o bette was 44 + �g g4 Now Wite as two ways of defending g6 4 :g7, we thee is no atisfac atisfacto toy y defece defece agaist 46 e3 is is
4
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's elected elected Gae
Practical cances were oered by 44 d7 d6 45 + + g6 46 xg6+ �xg6 47 g8+ g8+ �5 48 4 8 3 , but but aer aer 48 48 g3 49 d8 e4 O f ! Bla Bl ack forc forces es mate mate 44 "! 4
Here I could not restrain myself and I declared It is mate in ve moves!' 4 + 46 2 � 47 e1+ te esns Aer 48 f h3+ 49 xh3 there fol follows lows mate mate by 49 xf or 49 xf xf Aer signing te scoresheet, my oonent oonent commented sarcastically sarcastically You and your mate mate ! here here w a much simler sim ler one, without any tricks trick s and in thee move oves! ' Ind Indeed 45 + + 46 �g2 + 47 �f e mate Aer this eisode I never again announced announced mate aloud! aloud ! Game 9 AverbakBondaevs 1th U Champioship osco 1948
uy uy Lez Lez
4 5 6 7 8 9
e4 b5
e5 c6 a6
e7 b d6 a
A rarely layed move, examined in ovreey ebyut* (194) wit the indication indication that that a aer er 1 d4 exd4 1 1 cxd4 a4 a4 1 2 c2 b4 Black gains te te adva advanta ntage ge of of the two bishos, and that White shod theefore theefore lay lay either 1 a4 or 1 d3 d4 10 d4 d4 11 In tis way te above variation is avided, but Black's game develos ei and eely d4 11 12 cd4 b7 13 Aer 13 c3 b4 14 d5 xd5 15 xd5 xd5 16 exd5 the ositin wd have become too dull, but now Black lanches an immediate atck on the nent' nent' s awn awn cente 1 c5 cd4 4 d2 he st volume of a lanned the vlume work on oening teory, edid by Levensh he other two volumes we never ublished ubli shed (ransla (ranslator' tor'ss note) *
1 2
a4 :e b3 c3 3
A verbakh verbakh 's elected elected Games
41
1 5 If 1 5 b3 Black Black ad e e ely ly 1 5 . . .d7! . d7! 1 6 b2 b2 f6 f6 wi wi e e ea a of . . . d4-d3. 15 d5 16 5 4 17 d4
17 6!? Disegading oss of aera, Bonda evsky uies o oen lines for an ack on he ingside. If 18 e6 e was inendig 1 8 b6 1 9 x x x+ + 20 � g3+ g3+ 2 1 �h2 :x, and if 22 e3 f + 23 :xf xe3. I is doubful wee e calculated ecisely al e consequences of this sacice, bu inuiion suggesed o him ha Black soud gai sucien cmnsation fo i. 18 3 :a6 ! his is we weee e e se seng ng of . . . a6-a5 is unexe unexece cedl dlyy evealed e ook gains e ouniy o coe ino lay. 19 "4? his lays ino e oonens ands, allwing im to swic swic is queen s ok to a sng aacking aacking osiion. of couse saw that ae 19 xb5 e5 20 xe4 dxe4 21 xd8 :xd8 22 2 2 :ec :e c 1 I would eec eeciv ively ely be a awn u, bu i seemed o me ta lac's bisos would be sucient cmnsaion. 19 ! 20 x :66 :
ince the mudeous ...d5-d4 ...d5-d4 is tea ened, White nds imself unde a vey song song ack. F exa examle, mle, if 2 1 5 5 ee ee foll ollws 2 1 . . . d4 22 xd4 :xg2+. I is bad to ake ake the k cause of 23 . . . f6+ winning the qeen but n bee is 23 �h 1 x+ 24 x :g5+ o 23 �f xd4 24 xe7+ �8. Ae some ug I neve theless found a cmaaively safe way ou of y diculies. di culies. 21 xe7+ "xe7 22 "e2! d Hw, ou f o seemingly god con tinuaions, do you chose the bee? is oblem, wic could no be eslved by Buidan' Buidan ' s ass·, ass· , is ne that that is en faced faced at at he bad. Hee Bndevsky cld have immediately saciced a ok with 22 .. .:xg2+, and if 23 �xg2 d4, wen 24 would ave led t cmlicated via tins wit unclea cnsequences. hef hefe e he fed the text mve, bt now I have an uni t eel the aack. aack. A sism, incectly atibuted to he 14t centuy Fenc ilsohe Buid If a hung ass wee laced exactl beeen tw ascs in eve esct eal, it wuld ste t death because thee wuld be no asn wy it shuld g t one athe than to te the (anslato (anslato'' s nte) •
42
A verbh 's elected elected Games
29 �h2 xg2 30 :gl Wy didn' Wie ake e d4 pawn wi is queen? e ee cold ave followed ollowed 30 . . . x3! 31 �x3 :6+ 32 4 + 33 �2 f4+ 34 xf4 :xf4 and Black as evey evey cance of winning. winnin g.
23 xe xe 2 g5! is is e poin! Ae Ae 24 . . .xg5 .xg5 25 xe4 Wie as noting o fea. ow, oweve, Black cold ave saciced his qeen qeen wi wi 24 . . .xg2, when the game cold ave conclded in pepeal check 25 xe7 + 26 �2! :g2+ 27 � :g6+ 28 �2 (28 x :x 29 �h2 :x+ :x+ 30 30 � :gg2 :gg2)) 28 . . . :g2+. 2 Bondaevsky ies o maintain is fad ing iniiaive and anks o Wie's nex move move e scceeds scceeds in is. i s. 25 e6? An obvios ovesigh I fogot hat the pawn cold be taken by the ook. Mean wile by contining 25 xe4! x+ 26 � xg5 27 :e2 (also good is 27 :f xf xf + 28 :xf :xf :xf + 29 �2, �2 , and in this thi s ending Wite has ha s eve chance chance of sccess) 27 . . .f4 28 d5+ ! �h8 29 xb5 xb5 he wold ave won a awn. 25 :xe6 26 d5 h 27 d2 If 27 xb5 :g6 28 g3 Black as as the e ely 28 28 . . . :xg3! 27 :6 28 g3 b7 B lack' s ata atack ck bes it e g2 awn awn cannot be def d efended ended..
xh3! 30 31 :h6+ �xh3 In sevee ime oble Bondavsky foces maes maes.. 32 xh6 If 32 4 d7+ 33 �g3 (33 :g4 :+) 33 . . .f5 34 g5 :g6 and wins, o 34 xd4 + 35 �2 f4+ and Black emains a pawn pawn p. 32 "c8+ 33 �h2 gxh6 3 d6+ � x "x 35 36 :g3 In is ending Wite can oe a esis nce only if he scceeds in coodinating his hi s foes. foes. is is no an easy easy ask. ask. 36 �e6 37 :el+ �d5 38 �gl w Wite loses anothe pawn, bt een ae 38 :e2 f4 39 �g2 h5 the defence wold ave been exemely diclt. b 38
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's elected Games
39 :e2 'c4 e7 'xa 40 Enoug is as good as a feast! However, 40 . . .c + and and 4 1 . x xb2 b2 was was stro strong nger er,, aer wic would ave ad o saving cances. 41 b3
Here te gae was adoued, and Black sealed is next ove. retued ome in a bad bad ood ood te adoued adoued position looked opeless. t apeared tat aer 41...b1+ 42 �g2 te d-pawn ould ould quickly quic kly proote to a queen queen.. Te gae was due to be resued te following day, so late tat evening sat down to analyse. Even in a bad position did not want to give up te point witout a gt. Te rst ting tat ad to be claried as weter it was possible to defend against te above variation wit te tat of 43 . . . d3. Aer soe tougt, found te cleve cleve eply eply 43 eg7! , wen wen 43 . . . d3? 44 e4 45 :d7+ leads to te loss of tis pawn. But Black can can rst play play 43 . . . �c5, treatening to advance te pawn. Again as able to nd a anoeuvre 44 : e4 45 : :! , and and if 45 . . . d3 46 4 6 :7+. If now, for exle, 46 . . . �d4, ten 47 :5f4 d2 48 :xe4+ �xe4 49 :e3+ �d4 50 :e8 c3 c3 5 1 :d8. s Wite is not losing iediately. But ow can e defend if Black creates a
43
second passed pawn? To cobat tem Wite would ave to double rooks on te tird rank, but ten te opponent would win a rook for tese pawns and reac an ending wit queen and -pawn against rook and f-pawn. t seeed iprobable tat in tis ending it would be possible to gain a draw. However, as usually appes only i fairy-tales, cance cae to y aid recalled tat ad once see suc a position. A few onts before te touament ad been one of te udges in te studies section of te UR Ca piosip for cess coposition Aong te entries tat received a entio was te following study by Henric Kasparian
Whte t l and dra
His solution was as follows 1 :b3 4 2 e5 �+ �+ 3 g3 c6+ c6+ (3 . . . xg3 4 :xg3=) 4 �2 3! 5 �x3 1+ 6 2 f1 f1 + 7 �g3 c4 c4 8 :+ �g5 9 g ! g4+ 1 0 �2 x x staleate staleate!! Elegant, wouldn't wouldn 't you agree? agree? Te udges were unanious i rating te study ily, but it was not awarded a prize, prize, te blame for for wic lay wit wit . . . te coposer imself. He sent te board of dges a lee in wic e ointed out tat te study was incorrect. nstead of 2 e5 tere tere is te ossibil ity ity of 2 e3 (or 2 :3),
44
A verba 's elected elected Games
and te osition aising ae 2 • xg7 tus out to be dawn t tat time it was tougt tat a queen and assed awn would always win against a ook and awn, but Kasaian ad found a osition ositio n tat was an excetion excetion
I oe tat you ave ealised te oint of tis? tis ? In I n te adoued adoued osition I ad the cance of saving te game, if I could manage to to obtain Kasa Kasaian' ian' s osition! t this I concluded my analysis Now it all deended on Bondaevsky e oint was tat Kasaian's discove ad been ublised Mikail Botvinnik ad ad talked talked about it in te cess section of gonyok My cances of saving the game dended lagely on wete Bondaevsky ad ad tis oula magazine! nd so te game was sumed My oonent's initial lay a exemla 41 bl 4 g c5 43 :eg7 e4 44 : 45 :g b4 e5 46 :7f4 47 : g7 48 :g3 7 49 : 5 50 :d3 e4 51 :g 5 4
53 54
h3 bxa4
a4 bxa4
is catue spred me ceain oes By taking it te king, ten tansf tansfeing eing it to c4 and and laying d4-d3, Black would ave etained te b-awn and would o ave e Wite wit any cances 55 h c4 56 c 57 �g d3 58 fxd3 xd3 59 xa4+ �d5 In Kasaian Kasaian s osition te daw daw can can be acieved only if te black king is in the e alf of te boad eefoe, by continuing continuing 59 �b3 and aoacing with te kig from te ank, Bondaevsky could ave won Howeve, te win as not yet been town away away 60 x4 Liteally olding by beat, I awaited my oonent's ely I was only one ste away fom a daw, but I was woied at Black migt be able to event te ook om going to 3 s Lev bamov late showed, tis could ave been done by the btle queen manoeuve 60 • g6+! 61 �h2 f5 62 �g3 e5+ 63 � g5 64 h3 (now ti tiss is i s too late late it is i s not osibe to acieve acieve Kas Kasa aia ian' n' s osition osition)) 64 �d4 65 g3 d5+ 66 �e2 and wins
45
Averb s eected eected Games
Aas, oweve, Bondaevsky did not ssect any dange, and e seenely made is i s next next move
60 �e6 61 :h3! ow, nally, I cold beate easiy. Back's sbseqent aemts to efte te evaation of tis osition as beng daw oved nsccessful. 61 e4+ 62 �h2 � 63 :e3 d5 64 :g3 h5 65 :e3 �g5 66 :g3+ �4 67 : h4 68 :h3 b7 69 :e3 �g4 70 :h3 bl
71 �g2 Of cose, te qeen must not be aowed to go to f . 71 h7 72 �h2 c7+ 73 �g2 c4 74 :e3 Dw agreed e eade may wonde ow was it tat sc a sime osition was not known to teo? e eason w tat suc endings occ extemely aely. Late it tansied tat te onou of discovering tis osition did not belong to Kasaian. Wen in 1952 wee ublised te anali cal woks of ikolai Gigoiev, wose ntimey deat ad occued in 1938, in tem was discoveed a detailed analysis of tis osition, dated aoximately 917. And te eson wo edited tis book was none ote tan tan Bondaevsky! Bondaevs ky!
Game 10 Averbakhzabo osco v Budapes J 949
Ry Loez 1 e4 e5 2 c6 3 .b5 a6 4 .a4 6 5 .e7 6 :el b5 .b3 7 d6 8 9 h3 a5 10 .c2 c5 c7 11 d4 12 bd2 .b7 Against 13 f Black was intending to ay ay te sa sa an anov ov Att Attac ackk 1 3 . . . cxd4 1 4 cxd4 cxd4 :ac8 :ac8 1 5 d3 d5 d 5 . At tat tat tim timee it was exteme ola, and teoeticians wee woking intensively on its develo ment I neve iked enteing into sc
6
A verb Selece me me
eorecal dspues, were oen e gae s decded no by wo plays beer, bu by wo knows ore. Terefore I prefeed no o al al low Black s cenra cenrall eeng advance. advance. 13
I ad already played s agans Zagoryansky n e 198 Moscow Caponsp, wc ook place no long before e Moscow-Budapes Mac. I ued ou a abo was well acquaned w s gae, snce e made s nex few oves alos wou nkng. Aer blockng e cenre, We prepares an ack on e kngsde. Black us a o aack on e queensde, bu because of s poorly-placed bsop a b7 and kng kn g a a a5 s s no a all easy easy o do. 13 :8 Here Zagoryansky connued 13... 13 ...c8 c8 1 f :e8 15 g 8 16 g3 b7 17 1 1 8 :g 1 c, bu e w w uable o o gan ful fulll equaly. 14 c4 15 g4 a 16 g3 a4 � 17 Aer 17 d3 ere could ave fllowed 17. 17. . . a3 ! , and and f 1 8 b3 b2 b2 17 .c8 e w sdes conenly ca u er plans, bu wn a few move
ranspres a s dcul for Black o develop s queensde play, wereas e s rea reass o s de becoe becoe very real. e ove played I preven 1 8 ...b, ... b, wc wold be aswered no by 19 xc a6, bu by 19 d3 b6 c, we aer blockg e poson on e quees de We W e ca coduc c oduc s aa aack ck o e knsd knsd wou wou ds d sra raco co.. 1 ...b6 ...b6 cae o consderaon, co nsderaon, wen We was nendng o play 9 a3 bu no 1 9 d d c c 2 c c a) a) 1 9 ...a ... a66 d3 . 19 gl 4!
abo s an experenced player. He sees a e o longer as e o prepare s advace, and by sacrcng a pawn e na n aes es play o e qees qee s de. Indeed, aer 9... 9...d7 d7 ee could ave followed 2 g5 e8 f5 We also as a srong srong aack aer 2 1 . . . xf5 xf5 22 exf5) exf5) 22 6+! gx6 23 gx6+ 8 2 g5 c8 25 5 :a7 26 x7 e7 neresng coplcaons coplcaons arse arse aer aer 26 . . .x7 27 e3 c 28 :g7+! 8 29 :ag, wen f 29 . . . xe3 We as an eleg forced mae 3 :g8 :g8+ + 7 7 3 1 g7+ g7+ xg xg77 32 xg7 xg7+ + xg8 xg8 33 8 ae) ae) 27 g 5 f6 f6 28 xf xf6 f f 28 ... .. . xf6 We wns by 29 g6) 29 reaenng 3 xe8 and 3 1 f6+) 29 .. . e7 3 xe8 xg5 3 3 ...x ... xe8 e8 3 1 f6+ f6+)) 3 1 x xg5 g5 and and Black
A verb s eected eected Games
as no defence. I for example, 1 . . .x+ . x+ 2 :g2 f4+ xf4 exf4, bo bo 4 f6 and an d 4 :ag :ag possble. Of course, all ese varaons do no exaus exaus e e possb poss bll es n n e e poson, poson , b ey vvdly demonsrae jus ow song We We ' s aac aackk could cou ld ave ave been. 20 .xa4 bxc3 21 bxc3 .d7 bo reckons a aer 22 xd7 xd7 23 e b6 e wll seze e inave on e queensde. And ye s ove s no e bes. By connung 1...d7 22 f5 2 c2 a6 24 d b6 e could ave aceved a poson n wc We's exra pawn s of no grea sgncance. 22 .c 2 b3
My opponen conssenly ams o excange my lg-square bsop, bu subseqen evens sow a n s case e oes no gan sucen compensaon for e sacrced pawn. e sould probably avve played a played 22 2 2 . . . b5 2 d d7, and f 4 25 g5, en en 25 . . . b6 26 4 e8. .xb3 :xb3 3 24 axb3! :l 2 a3 6 bl Bla a made one dene aee en We as a s o forge forge abou abou s ac ac
47
and swc compleely o e realisaion of s exa pawn, wc n is coplicaed poson, were Black as e wo bisops, s no an easy maer. maer.
26 g6 27 d2 :a Ts eases We's ask. nce b-b4 is no ye reaened e c pawn is angng), Black sould ave playe 27 .. . e8, e8 , and f 28 c4 7, 7, wen by e re rea a of 29 . . .b6 e again prevens e advance of e b-pawn. b- pawn. Wc8 28 b4 9 c4 :a4
30 b3! Now Black s forced o ake on b4, aer wch I able o seze conrol of e c le. cxb4 30
4
Averbakh Ave rbakh s eeced eeced Ga
31 xb4 b5 3 b Wy dd We no play 32 e2 w e a of 33 c3? I ejeced s emp empn ngg move becaus becausee of 32 3 2 . . . xe2! 33 xa4 xg4+! 34 xg4 34 g2 xe3+ 35 e3 c3 !) 34 .. .xg4 35 ae 35 e+ g7 36 "xe7 5+ Black gves pepeual ceck) 35... 35 ...x x 36 x x w w complca compl caons ons.. 3 a6 33 :l d8 34 d7
Black defends agans e ea of 35 c. Ae 34... 34 ...g7 g7 and f f 3 5 c b6?, b6?, en 36 6+! x6 37 + w a mang ack. Howeve, e could ave epled 35... 35 ...xc xc 36 :xc e7, aer c e lses s bpawn. Insead of 3 5 c We would edenly edenly ave ave ad ad o ely 3 5 c4, as n n e e game. game. 35 4 e8 36 b3 g7 If 36... 36...:a2 :a2 tee follows 37 a5 :a 3 c6. 37 e! e enance enance of s s ng n g no e play snens We's poson sll fuer. e blac peces p eces ae own back. back. 37 b7 b5 38 :bl 3
een ro e opponens ap aer 39 a5 ere old ave followed 39 . . . xa5 bxa xa 1 d "a7!, escapn fro e pn, snce 2 xa5 x+ x + 3 x xe e even even loses. loses. And f 4 1 c3 ere s only one defence, bu s suce sucen n 1 . . . c b b "a6. a8 3 0 Ia d7 1
Here e ae as adjoed, and s ove as sae. y sarcn a pawn We cleas c leas e ay ay for for s s passed passed pawn. pawn . 1 I7 Aer 1 . . . x6 dxc6 dxc6 "xc6 "xc6 43 b5 "b d5 e n for for We s eely a queson queson of e, sne f . . . f6 ee follos 5 xf6 xf6 6 b6. Te ove played s a cunnng ap! I appears a We can wn easly by 42 xd "xd 3 b6, b en abo ad ppa ppare redd a clever clever ck ck 3 . . . b! b ! 44 x xcc7 "xc7 5 xb5 b6 6 a3 "x+ 47 1 5 5 e drang drang canc cances. es. xb5 4 x b7 43 d3 :xd8 4 xd8 5 :al :8 6 :a5 Id4 Black defends desperaey. Agans e moe enacous enacous bu oe passve 46 . . . :b We wold ave aceved s goal s
9
Averb Averb s eected Games
wi elegan anoeuvre by is queen 7 c! g8 7 ...d ...d 8 xd exd 9 xd4+ g8 50 b5) 48 c6 g7 8 8 .. .d4 9 xd6 xb 50 xb4 :xb4 5 d6), d6), and and en en by is rook rook 9 :a6! :a6! 50 :b6 :b6 xc6 xc6 5 1 dxc6 :xb6 :xb6 52 52 xb6, xb6, and is i s ending us us won.
51 ! A anoeuvre ypcal of suc eavy piece endings. Wie cobines e advance of is passed pawn w an aack on e e kng. kng . 51 e8 52 g5 Back resigns, 53 f6+ g8 5 b7 and e unavoidable 55 :a8 s eaened, and and if 52 . . . :c8 Wie as e decisive 53 f6+ f6+ g8 g 8 5 x xd6. d6.
Gae 1 Averbakhoderg emiFial h USSR hmpiship Tua 950
Duc Defence Defence
7 b5! ess gd is i s 47 xd xd xb xb 8 x xe5+ e5+ xe5 wen, in view of e insecur posiion of e we kng, Black reains cances cances of a successf succ essful ul defenc defence. e. 7 On 47 4 7 . . .b6 Wie wins a second pawn pawn by 8 a! , as if 8 . . . xb5 xb5 9 xd4 xd4 . Bu Bu now e gae concludes conclude s very quickly. quick ly. 8 :a7 b8 9 b6 xe3 50 xe3 :c2
1 d e6 f6 3 g3 c5 In cobn cobna aon on w w . . . -f5 s advance can ardly be recoended, i erly leads o a weakenng of e pawn srucure. 5 c cxd4 6 xd4 e7 a 7 c3
Black's idea becoes clear. He ries o bein an aack on e c pawn, bu in so doing e fall fallss beind in developen.
Averbh 's Selected Games
c7 9 4! Te naural reacon o e opponens slow plan. We as o open up e poson. poson. If 9 . . . e e as a coce bew bewee eenn e e sold 1 e2, and and e e sap 1 xe, sacrcng a pawn for e nave. 9 g6? Te decsve sake. Black res o peven e openng of lnes, bu e aceves drecly e oppose resul. 10 x gx 1 ...e5 ... e5 1 1 c2 gx gxf5 1 2 e3 e3 s also also unfavourable.
12 d6 13 g 13 ...d7 ... d7 s e by 1 xe7+, wle f 13 ... ... or 13 . . . en 1 d5 s decsve.
14 15 16 17 18
11 x! x x 1 l Ts que ove s e pon pon of W Wee s play. How s Black o defend agans e neus ne us reas? reas? 1 2 ...�d8 ... �d8 can be e by 13 xe7! xe7 14 g5 wen e s unable o avod gea lss of aeal. aeal. If nsead nsead 1 2 . . . 6, 6, aveng aveng e rea rea of g5 g 5 , en 1 3 f f d8 1 3 ...xc ...xc 1 c) 1 d5 xd5 5+ � 16 xd5. Also no beer s 12 ...c6 ... c6 13 f a5 13... 13 ...d6 d6 1 xd6 d7 xc6 xc6 16 xe7) 1 d5 d5 cxd5 d8 16 5+ 17 d6 ec. My pnen nds a way o gve up s een f ee peces, bu s mely delays e end smewa. smewa.
x7! x7! x7+ xd6+ d!
x7 x7 x x7 7
An ausng poson as arsen. Te s no defence agans 19 xb7, snce 1 8 ...a ... a77 s e e by 1 9 b6+. b6+. 18 g8 g6 19 x7 c6 0 d4 �8 1 6+ xc6 Back signs
Averbakh Ave rbakh s elected elected Games
Gae 12 Averba-avins Moscow Championship 1950
Qeen' Qeen' s Gab Gab 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
d4 c4 gS cxdS d c2 abl
dS f6 e6 e7 bd7 exdS e8 c6
All s has been layed any es. ite lans a noy awn aac on he qeenide. qeenide. Mode Mode heoy heoy consdes 1 1 eecve ve.. f6 6 1 2 b o be ore eec 11 g4 hS 12 eS b4 a6 g4 14 a4 xe7 15 xe7 16 xg4 xg4 axbS bS 17 axbS g hl ad8 20 bxc6 bxc6 e o layes have consently caie caiedd ot the oenng la l ans. By oenng
51
l ines on e qeensde, We as creaed creaed a wea awn a c6 n e oonen's oson. Blac has swched hs qeen o he ngsde and s now eaenng also o send a oo ee va d6 and 6. We s be vey cael ee, oese e c easly eas ly coe under a csng aa aack ck..
21 e2 d6 h6 22 :b 6 A he cos of a pawn y opponen as o gan e for e aac. To 22 ...d7 ... d7 I was nendng o rely 23 g3, and f23 . . . :h6 2 f5 f5 ! 25 3 . g6 2 xc6 If 23 .. .:ee6, en 2 :xe6 e6 25 c7! s good enoug, coverng 2. Bu now Blac as as two two ea eas s 2 . . . and 2 .... ... . gl! 24
52
verb ' electe elected d Games Games
e mos dcul move n s ge, d one ta ad o be foreseen. If 24.. .4 Wte can reply 25 3. 4 h4 Black ad prep prepare aredd a devls dev ls ap on e naural 25 :x6 ere would ave followe ollowedd 25 . . . 3!! 26 x7+ � 2 7 c5+ :e7, :e 7, and ere s s no defence defence agans te mate at oever, a can s no songer tan ts weakest lnk! We nds a smple reply tat tat retes retes e opponen' opponen' s clever c lever dea. :xc6 f4! 5 Aer 25 • 5, wc s compaatvely et, I as ntendng o play 26 3. B no, by nerposng te capu on 7, We ns a second pawn. 6 xh7 � 7 :xc h 8 xc Because of 29 :f4 :f4 wnnng a pece, te captur capturee on e3 was no possbl e.
34 35 h :c 6 e :c 36 .. . e6 could ave en met y 3 c6+ �d7 38 6! : 39 e5+ �e 40 7.
7
8 3 40 41
x! :x 6 :e �d8 h6 x6 xh6 Bck n
Game 3 Averbkh-v Mocow Champion Championhi hip p 1 950
c cll an Defen Defene e
b . g. To g3 Bl ad te ply 2 9 . . .g. :xe 0 xd . g 6 :f4 4 e7 3... 3...d3 d3 33 e d 34 5! x5 34 .. .xe2 35 xg 3 g4) 35 e2 3 3 x Wte also n. h d6
1 3 4 5 6 7 8 0 4
e4 e d4 xd4 c e f4 �hl �h l el e :dl
c e6 cxd d6 e 6 c6 b :c8
53
vr ' cd Gam Gam
ws te ore cv 1 7 e e 1 e5 f5 f5,, we s 1 9 5 18
!
dxe5
Msfoues ever coe sly! I suc stutos you ve to be to coose te es of e ros v er c sou v ye 1 1 s e stuto te cere of e or By low te to ctve s peces, y oppoet cretes te cotos for uepecte uepecte spectc spectcr r tccl o o e oppoets ve pye te ope aoce wt wt wt ws te te ltest ltest word teory But ere Blc usuy plays 4. 4. 44 5 4 4 c6 14
19 20 21
xe5 e6
22
d7!!
.e8 fxe6 .x
8
Hdly o e, s ow te ns s t for ture c cra cras s te tet of e4-e5 e4-e 5 b Blac s to urry wt s couterpy If 5 ...:f ...:f tere coul ve foowe 1 6 e. 16
xb e5
xb 8
s c o foree No e s to ve up ue for roo bsop, eectvey sett te outcoe If 5 tere co v foowe 3 ! c6 4 !, trete te by ot 5 22 23
f e possbe t oves Blc css by o mes te best. f course, 7 5 w daerous becuse of bt ... ... ws qute ccepble, wen I was te to reply d, s
xd f
xd7 .xd7
drect efe te c pw (4 (4 c c 5 3 te 5 6 2 5
e c6
If 5 .. . e5 tere coul ve followe 6 6. 6. 26
g6
S
Averbak Ave rbakh h 's electe elected d Games Games
Gae 1 GooAeba sc Cham Champinshi pins hip p 950 95 0
Caalan Caalan Openng
27 a7 By nvadng e opponens poson, We explos e lack of coordnaon of s peces. 27 c8 28 b8 �g 8 Aer Aer 28 . . .xf 29 xf g8 30 e rook as no good reea square. 29 c4 Jf 30 d6 xc2 Ts acceleraes Blacks nevable defea. Te pawn, wc for any oves as been en prise, s als une nw. x x 31 32 b3 e3
33 3 35
dl! l 3 Bck gn
f6 d4 1 2 c4 e6 b4+ 3 g3 4 d2 e7 Te dea of s anoeuvre, anoeuvre, wc used o be eployed by e Moscow aser Nkola Ryun n e Duc Defence, s o force e we bsop o occupy he poor square d2. 5 g2 d5 6 bd7 7
8 c2 Here 8 c3 would ave los a pawn. c6 8 a4 9 Yevgeny Zagoryansky, an expe n s openng, recoended 9 :d hee, fllowed llowed by by 0 e 1 and and bd2. bd2. 9 a5 b6 10 c3 cxd5 xd5 11 No fearng 2 e because of 2. 2 . . . and 3... 3 ...a6. a6. 1 e defend agans e ea f e knigh ove o b and prepares e2e4,
A verbakh verbakh s elected elected Games
now Black succeeds n playng c6-c5 c6-c5 and ly sees e nave
1 13 14 15 16 1 18 19
a6 c5 b4 axb4 exd5 b5 xb5
:fel :fel e4 xb4 d5 exd5 :add l :a axb5
Bas pieces ae vey acie e immedia immed iae e e ea a s 2 2 : 2 1 a a4 4 0 3 By aackng e kng and reaenng in e c5 pawn, my opponen re o a' s oenve oenve s B a' 0 a begin a ompliaed minaion, wc agan aate
55
defence woud probably ave only led o a draw 21 b3 xb3 xb3 :3 :x 3 c4 24 g4
I was was on on s s a a y oppone opponen n would be eped by e wn of a pece a I w counng Aer 24 xb4 cxb4 25 g4 e5 26 :xe5 xe5 27 x or even 24 xd7 xd7 25 xc5 s dobful weer Blacks nsgncan advanage would ave suced for a wn 4 :d3 25 xd :xd5! Ts s e wole pon! Te ll-sarred bsop b sop a a d2 coes under a oal p n, and even e rea of ae a e8 does no save We :fxd8 6 xd8 2 g2 If 27 f I was nendng o connue no 27 c3 c3 28 xc3 :xd 1 29 :xd 1 :xd1+ 3 e2 : 31 e5, wen We can can sill sil l pu of a oug oug ressance ressance,, bu 27 b3! 28 e2 b2 If now 29 g2, en 29 :x :xd2+! d2+! 3 :xd :xd22 :e8+ :e8+ 3 1 f :xe1+, wle on 29 : ere follows 29 4! 3 g2 :e8+ :e8+ 3 1 e3 :xd :xd 32 :xd 3, wen We as no defence I hod b e menoned a a if i f e ad payed payed 27 g4, ang o escape fro e pn,
56
Averb Ave rb s elected elected Games
2 . . . 5! would ave edaely won a pee.
27 d3! No No 2 . . .d 28 , wen We dsenangles self. d4 wn e bsop, only reans fr Blak t n an esae suare f s ng. n g. eref erefore ore We res o make use f s last l ast ane ane e sares te exan exane e to smpl e poson u pssble, leavng ree pawns aganst te n te e e ank. xb4 xdl 29 30 xdl xdl xc5 31
d4 31 la suld nt ae ued t m ts exan exane. e. Frs Frs 3 5 ! m m
aura aurae, e, and only en en 32 . . . d. 32 b4 bl 33 d2 b2 34 el c5 Here Here oo 3 .. .g5 was ore aurate. Durng te gae I oug oblgaory o exange e bsops. 35 g2 b4 xb4 36 xb4 37 � 3 wuld ave ade u mre dul for Blak o realse s maral advanage, aloug even now e as o dsplay good enque. 37 g5! A las! las! For Blak o wn, s s kng k ng mus break no e eney poson, and by advanng s pawns e raps e pponen's kng and reaes pawn weak nesses n s pson. 38 3
s naural ove akes ngs ease fr Blak. Aer 38 �e3 e wuld tll e ad u wrk to do. He s a ssble ssble a aaatn tn 3 8 . . b3+ 3 d3 � 40 �e2 6 4 �e3 �f6 2 �e2 (pn adnes eely lead e ean f nesses, s Wte ds bes t st tn tn tat tats s)) 2 . . . �e5 3 �e3 f 44 �2 45 4 (f 45 �e3 f4+ 46 4+ f4+ 4 �e2 + 48 �e3 4 � �f4 50 a, and aer apturn
Averb Averb 's elected elected Gaes
f he he awns, awns, Black wns) 45 . . .: 46 b5 f4 47 c6 g4! 48 d7 5 49 e8 + 50 �d2 �d2 : :+ 5 1 �e :a + 52 �d2 �d2 53 �e3 :e+ 54 �d3 � 55 x5 �5 56 :e2 and Black wns. 38 5 39 d3 g7 0 ! � :x 1 gx � � 3 :f+ g3 e5 d 5 g
e in s amng fr e 1 , n rder ac ac he awn. awn. d3 6 .b7 d 7 .6+ 8 .b7 e el 9 .6+ 50 d A ecnc ecncal al sl. sl . By 50 . . . :4! 51 b7 �d2 Black wuld ave mmedaely reahed e3 w s kng. Nw akes hat lner aceve s. ! :b f 3 .6 :b . � e 6 el d 7 :d te rgn
5 7
s game was awarded a secial pre, as e bes n e uen. Game 1 5 Averbuetn 18th Chapionsh Moscow 1950
iclan Defence 1 3 5 6 7 8 9 10
e d xd .g5 d
f .g3
5 6 xd d6 e6 6 6 d7
he enin sysem csen by Black wa a ta ime exremely ul. In e summer f 1950 ne f s fal ader en, he maser layer ev Arnin, layed a alin mac aains a canddae fr ha ile, Bnhsml, and ice led 10... 10...b5 b5 here, bainng a renable e. mha laer, wen I w in f f the the inhi inhi em Final Fi nal ehe ehe i Gi avin avinsy, sy, e did tht e 0. 0. b5 1 1 xd x x 13 "xd6 "xd 4 xd xe4 15 xe4 xe4 16 6!
S8
A verbakh 's elected elected Games
W Wee wns wns a pawn pawn.. 1 1 . . . b4 12 xc6 xc6 3 x "xd2+ 14 xd2 bxc3 also does does no elp Black n vew of S d6! However, o our grea regre, we ended up n deren ouens. Arnn played n Gorky, Ravnsky n enngrad, and I n Moscow In Gorky, ncdenally, Aronn once ore played 1. 1. . . bS, and agan successlly. A e drawng of los for e Cam ponsp I waed paenly o see wa nuber Aronn would daw, bu al, ued ou a I would ave Black agans . Before e sa of e ouaen, aer akng up resdence n e Moscow Hoel, Aronn and I wen ou for a alk and called n a e nearby edoral oce of e khma v R magne. Tere we e Mark Taanov, wo ad no qual ed for for e F nal. nal . I a submng an acle for te agne abou e clan Defence', Taanov nfoed nfoed us. us . I ope you ave enoned Aronn's aceveens n e developmen of e clan?', Aronn ased, alfjongly, alf-serously. Of cours coursee ! ' , Taanov Taanov smiled. Ou of sple curosty I pcked up Taanov' Taanov'ss acle, acl e, began began tun over te te pages, and suddenly noced e ene can of moves a ad occd n Aonn's games, a le qetion mark aaced aaced o e move 1 . . .bS. . bS. Do you know abo s?', I ed n surprse. Natu Natua ally lly!! ' , e e ply. Aonin, o a enoed in i o oug, dd no pay any aentin to or words, bu o monts lae, a te Cgorn Memorial Touent, t a Taimanov o succeeded in catcn Aonin in ti iation d ein impon impontt point po int!!
In my gae w uen I was of course course opng a e would play la Aronn', bu ngs ngs ued ou soewa d erenly. 10 e7 e2 11 bS I dd no en know a s ove ad occue occuedd n Dubnn-I lvs lv sky ky RFR Cup 1 9S), 9S ), wc wen wen 12 xd6 b4 13 b 1 xe4 xe4 1 4 xe7 xe7 "xe7 "xe7 S e3 w adva advan n age o We, bu laer an proveen for Black was found 14... 14...xd2! xd2! S xd8 xd4 xd4 1 6 x xa6 a6 b3! b3 ! 1 7 ax axb3 b3 2xb 2xb3+ 3+ 1 8 cxb3 xb3+ 19 c2 xa6 wen s cances are no worse. ue possbly was s a uen was counng on. b4 xd6
13 x6! An an proveen copared w e Dubnn-Ilvsky gae, wc I fond dectly a e board. 13 x6 xe7 14 Reemberng a aer 1. 1. . . b S 1 1 xd6 12 xc6 xc6 e coect move 3 x, We deviaes om the c pa. I was coning only on 4 ...xd2+ ... xd2+ S xd2 bxc3 16 d6, bt I ove ovelo look oked ed S ...xe7! ...xe7! Te coec connuaton s 14 eS!, fo exple 14. 14. . . bxc3 bxc3 S "x "xc3 c3 x xg2 g2 1 6 e4 17 xe7 "xe7 18 exf6 ith e tte tte cances for for Wie. Wi e.
59
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's elected elected Games
14 Black reus e complmen. e opes o nens e pressure on e e pawn w 15. 15 . . . b7, b7, bu underesmae underesmaess e kng sacrce a occurs n e game. b7 15 d6! If 15. 15 . . .xd6 xd6 1 6 xd6 xe ere ere would ave followed 17 xe xe 18 d f5 19
19 e8 20 g3! Aer 20 xe8+ xe8 21 " Black can can gan coun couner erpl play ay by 2 1 . . . c8, and f 22 d6 ! 23 2 3 xb7 xc2+ 2 b b d2+ w perpeual ceck. 20
16 d5! pecacular! Te kng, wc as been sandng e prse for ree moves, agan oer oerss o sacrce sacr ce self sel f. 16 exd5 e kng can be aken n any of ree ways, bu none of em brngs Black relef. us f 16... 16...xd5 xd5 17 exd5 xd5 I was prop propong ong o play play 1 8 , , wle f 16 .. . xd5 17 exd5 xd5 18 e, and now 8. 8. . .x . xg2 g2 1 9 5! or 8 ...d8 ... d8 19 xa6. 17 exd5 d7 In reply o 17... 17...xd5 xd5 We as e decie 18 x 19 gx, wle if 1 7 ...xd5 ... xd5 e wins by 18 e, when 1 8 . . .e7 . e7 s me by e e crusng 1 9 xa6 xa6 ! d7 20 xe7+ "xe7 21 "xc6+. 18 el d8 ee we can ake sock. Fo e aid ece Whe a wo pan and a oel aack. aack.
g5
Now We wns very smply. Tngs would ave been ore dcu for m aer a er 20 . . .xe 21 xe c8 22 "xg7 "b6.
g8 1 d6! ee ee s noing noing bee beer.r. If 2 1 . . .xe .xe 1 22 "xf+ e7 23 d6. xe8 xe8+ 22 3 d8 e1+ c7 4 + b6 5 d6 xa8 6 xa8
6
Averbakh Ave rbakh s Selected Games
27 28 29 30
31 32
33
a8 b7 e+ .dS e7
�cS a �b6 f6 g4 �c6
.e6 Back esigns
Game 16 Petosian-Avebak 18th SS Championship Moscow 1950
lav Defene 1 2 3 4
d4 c4
I rs played aans Perosan Perosan n 197, n a e-Fnal of e UR Cam ponsp. Despe s you e was 18 years years old), e ave e e presson presson of beng a player wo would apply ake oer players' pawns, bu dd no lke vng p s s own. own . Tere I ad beaen Peros an by sarcn a pawn pawn n n e openn, bu ere, ere, by conras, I decded o ake a pawn and ry o old on o . e4 S Te eorecal connuaon s 5 a b 6 e3 b5 7 d a5 8 axb5 xc3 9 x3 cxb5 1 b3 b bxc b 1 b f6 w sarp play. Aer e ove played We sll as o deonsae a s sron pawn cenre s sucen com pensaon pensao n for for e sacrced pawn. S b 6 .e2 . b7 7 a4 8 a6 9 .gS bd7 9 .. . e7 dd no appea o e because of 1 e5 d5 e. 10 eS h6 11 .h4 gS
dS e6 c6 dxc4
Ts poson s slar o ose ha arse n e Bovnnk Varaon, w he d d erene a a We as asled and la l a has made a ouple of sel moe . . . bd7 and ...b7). ...b7). Ts dene s
A erbakh erbakh 's elected Games
seen n e vaaon 12 xg? xg 13 xg c7, and f 1 f b, wle f 12 exf6 gx gx 1 3 e er er foll follow owss 1 3 . . . "xf6 wt a good gae for Black. dS g3 12 "b6 e4 13 Te edae 13... 13 ...c c was also possble, for exaple 1 d6+ xd6 15 exd6 exd6 b6 b6 1 6 dxc dxc "x "xc c 1 7 d d xd6 14 d6+ 15 exd6 s ove weakens Black's postn and ceates e grounds for vaous accal blows. Teref Terefore ...c ... c was ore accurae. 16 b4!?
Pets an oers oers a second secon d pawn sacrce, addng fuel o e re. Wen I anned s gae any years ago, I assmed ta s capure would lead o unclea coplcaons and exreely sap play. play. Fr exple exple 1 6 ... ... xb 1 7 b d also aer 17... 17...d d33 1 8 x xd3 d3 cxd3 cxd3 1 9 xd3 2 1 s s no no easy for Blac dsentangle s group of peces) 1 8 6+ 6+
61
Te danges awatng Blac are also llsated by e followng vaon 2 1 . . .c3 22 xg xe2+ xe2+ 23 :xe2 :xe2 xg xg 2 ae 1 and and ee s no defence. defence. Tus f 2 . . . xd te follows 25 xe6! xe6 26 g8+ g8+,, wle f 2 . . .e 25 dxe e 26 xe! :xe 27 g8+. However, wen I began exanng s gae for e prsen book, I cae o e concluson a e kng sould go no o d8, bu o . In ts case Black s able o pa all te eas by e queen an oeuve ...d8-e8. ...d8-e8. For exaple 18... 18... nsead of 18. 18. . .
62
Averbakh 's elected Games
peccular, bu a s all. Tusng my opponen, I dd no even boer ceckng e consequences of accepng e sacrce, wc, ncdenally, were ndeed dangeous 19 ...e5 ... e5 20 5+ g7 (20 (20 ... ... s s probably probably be beer er)) 2 1 d3 d3 and and I mmedaely capured w e kng. 19 xeS! 20 dxeS g 21 S+ 22 a a e8 .xe8 23 24 4 Te only way of ganng counerplay. Aer 24 3 f4 25 2 c5 We's poon would ave ave been been oless. oless .
24 cS I ad been nendng nendng 24 . . . f4, bu h no eemed dangeo becae of 5
xg5, xg5, for example 25 . . . g3 26 gx6+ 8 27 xg3 g8 8 4 or 25 ...xg5 xg5 26 g3 7 xg3. I ranspred a earler 22 d8 would ave been ore accurae nsead of 22 a7), ncludng e queen n e defence of e kngsde. Ten, aer 23 xe8 xe8, We would ave ave ad o play 2 wen Black as e e good good repl replyy 2 . . . c5 25 c4 and, aloug e we bsop as coe no play, e passed pawns suppoed by e kng ave becoe very dangerous. Now oo Black allows e bsop o go o , bu a e sae e e -le s opened, wc laer coplcaes s ask. hxgS 25 hxgS 8 26 dl 27 c4+ 28 . b8 29 d4 e8 30 a c6 c3 31 cS
Typcal e-rouble play, n wc e man ng s no o blunder anyng away. d 32 ecl 33 ab 1 Of course, no 33 33 xc3 c8. c8 . 33 c8 34 a c4 c8 35 b8 36 a c4
Averb Averb s elected elected Games
7 "b8 8 7 Mng e queen d7 wuld ae ae led a ree-fl ree-fldd repen f e psn ps n.. 9 "b8 "d7 Nw e psn as been rpeaed ree ree mes n e e 35, 3 5, 3 7 7 and and 39 39 mes, bu ere s We's u me, and s Pesan's clam f a draw was ued dwn by e arbers. 40 "a7 �g6
ere e game was adued, and e sealed s nex me. Analyss swed a, n rder ralse s adanage, Black wuld ae ercme cnsderable dcules. 41 .el b4 4 b Wen e sealed s me, We was edenly png able ake n c3, bu s des n succeed. Fr example 42 x3 xc3 xc3 , and nw (a) 43 xb4 xb4 44 xc3 b+ 45 (45 �2 "7+ 46 �g3 "4 mae) 45 . . .b5 ! , and and 46 "b8 "b8 s me me by 46 . . . f+ f + 47 �e3 �e3 "e1 "e 1 + 48 �d4 b4 b4+ + 49 4 "d2+ 50 �c5 b5 mae; (b) 43 xc3 bxc3! 44 xb7 "xb7 45 xb7 2 46 "e7 c"+ 47 � (47 �2 h4+ 48 �g3 "e "e mae) mae) 47 2+ 48 3 "f4+ 49 �3 "4 mae. 4 .
63
4 " 8 8 "6 44 "6 I ug a We ad mre cances f cunerplay w e queens n, al ug e e psn sll remans ense. ense. :6 44 45 g .d7 46 . g4 47 f4 :8 � 48 .b6 49 bbl .a4 50 �
Te blak kng s nw reaened w an aack by e rks n e -le, bu I ad already seen a cmbnaon a would wn fr e. 50 51 l b 5
64
verbakh verbakh 's elected elected Games
Whte's theats apa t have me eal. eal. hs hs f f 52 52 . . .b2 thee flls 53 :h7+ �8 54 %a and he s assed f a da. eve, t s he that Blas dea s eveale evealed, d, althh, by playn 52 . . .�7 53 d4 3 he ld have n tht any bllany. 5 5 %xc1 %x 54 %x b 55 %1 If 55 %b thee ld have flled 5 5 . . . 3 3 56 %xb2 %xb2 d +. 55 56 5 b1 At st st sht sht 56 ... .. . d+ ls n favable ase f 57 %xd xd 58 d7, bt Bla ld have played ths ae 5 8 . . b 5 5 d8• •2+ 6 �f 4+! he ps p the bshp th he and ns. n s. 57 %xb1 xb1 58 b4 By shtn n the nht, Whte has set p a lt lne f defene, bt t s easly veme. 58 �e8 59 � �d7 60 �d4 �6 61 �4
1 d4 4 e6 b4 4 e 5 d3 d5 6 a3 Invtng the exange on 3, bt Bla has the the ntentns e takes takes play nt the Ragn Def De fene. ene . 6 dx4 7 x4 d6 8
n, all Bla need t d s ve hs et et the mve 61 d1
mnyk-Averbak em-Fnal 14th R Champnshp, 1945) ent 8 f4 5 th d play fr Blak.
6 �d3 b 6 �d4 64 �4 4 The gal s aceved. The est des nt eque any ommen omm enay ay. 65 �d4 b5 66 el 67 d 68 4 hite esigns
Game 1 ivits-Aveb emi-Final 19th UR Championship verdlovsk 1951
Ragon Defence
Ar A r s ctd ctd Gams
6 8 e4 9 b an all e same be me by . . . e! 0 x6 exd4 xd4 bx6 2 x6 d7 3 d4 b7, w aang anes f f e saed sa ed pawn. e5 9 1 d5 e7 g6 11 1 :el Wie as evdenly nendng play g2g3, fllwed by ansfeng s bsp g2 and and s ng va d2 4. 1 d7
1 b4 A dbs mve. My ppnen ppnen des n wan wan allw all w e bla bs b spp n e a7 a7 g diagnal, m wee wll eaen e ae, b is allws Bla begin aive aive play n e e qeens de. de . 1 5 xb4 :bl 14 15 xb4 e7 6 16 b :8 17 b5 18 d e8 19 xd6 d3 as pbably aa. Ae thi exange e send bla a mes n play. 1 d6 d
6S
A bale bale f nol nol of bS begns begn s 0 : 1 :b
1 4! Bla Bla plan planss 22 . . . ac8 and en 2 3 . . . b. A s sg s loks sy bease f 22 b, ng o e bsps ea, b s easy o see a ae 2 2 . . . 7 23 e3 23 b b6!) 23 ... ... Blak Bl ak as a ne gae. "bl In defendng agans e ea of 22 .. . b, n w ee wuld fllow 23 d3, We conedes e bS squae wu a g. Howeve, also ae 22 e3 b 23 2 3 b3 b3 xc 2 xc xb3 2S 2S xb3 8 Blaks pson would ave been pefeable. 8 x x 24 25 If 2 yng by exanges simpli e defene, vey sng s 2 . . . x + 26 x x xd3 27 xd3 xd3 "a4, "a4, wen We us lose one of s s pawns pawns.. 5 8 6 b A ses sae. In defendng agans he ppnens eas n e qeenside, e as plaed s peces so badly a is allws Bla nsanly o reae
66
A verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
aack on e kngsde. Aer 26 d or even 26 d3 Black would ave sll ave ad o deonsrae a s posonal advanage, conssng of s ore acve peces, could brng anyng sgcan.
6 5 e black cavalry, wc up o ere as meely been obseng e evens akng place on e oppose wng, ow coes no play p lay w grea grea eec. eec. 7 g Wie res o se up a pawn barrer, bu e knigh easly overcoe . Could e ave anaged wou s weakenng ove? If, for exaple, 27 d hf4 2 xf4 or 2 :e3 xg2 29 xg2 f4+ and 29 h3) 2 xf4 29 h3, en 2 :c :c 30 b3 d3 d3 3 1 : b2 32 :e (32 x xb2 xf xf ) 32 xd 33 :xc c4 27 :e3 : e3 f f 2 e 1 was e bes defence, bu even n s case e nvason f e e knigh knigh by 2 e2+ e2+ 29 29 h gf gf4 k ve dangeru 7 f4 8 .dl d 9 e dden aack as caug y nen naware, and e fail er a y eiance He cld ave u a tg tg defence defence wi wi 29 :e3 gf4 gf4 3 0 e e (3 0 f f4 "g4+ 3 1 �f xf4 xf4+ + 32
e g2 a ae) 3 3... ... 3 3 g2 dx 32 e2. Now, owever, Blacks aack wns by force.
29 "h3! 30 .a4 Desperaon! Tere was no defence agans e e rea rea of 3 . . . df. 30 df4 31 gxf4 "g4 3 �l � l "x+ gl 33 h4 hit signs
Gae Novotnov-Avba 19th USSR Champshp sc 1951
Caalan Caalan Openng 1 d4 f6 f6 c4 6 3 d5 4 g3 7 g 5 6 bd7 7 c6 "c .f4 b6 8 Hee Whie does no aceve anyting w 9 cxdS cxdS 1 c7 "e8 :c ee follow ollows . . . a6 12 e3 :c, and 1 3 c c s already rea reaened ened..
A verbah verbah 's Selected Games
9 fd My nent aim to advance e2-e4 wit mving hi knight to c3. A the rent game how, hi can hardly cnidered a good good idea. 9 b7 e4 8 10 Having cmleted hi develment, lack i i ready to atac atackk the white centre cen tre by . . . c6-c, aer which he qeen at c2 will feel ncmfable ncmfable.. 11 If 1 1 e e 1 2 c3 c3 , a a in the the game game the wold have followed 12. 12. . . 11 5!
Wite' iece m ot to be nt well led, and already he ha to ght t maintain the balance. 1 exd5
6
If 12 e lack cn even conider 1 2 ...g4 ...g4 with a har game, alhogh 1 2 . . . cxd4 13 exf6 xf6 14 b e 15 d6 :c7 16 xb7 :xb 1 xd is alo ible. 1 xd5 1 xd5 Againt the temting 13 b w int intendin endingg t t lay lay 1 3 . . . a6 1 4 d6 d6 x xd6 d6 1 5 xd6 :e. Aer 16 dxc xc 1 :xc 1 b4 :c 19 S he es re roghly eqal. 1 xd5 14 xd4 xd5 15 "4
15 5! In hi hi way, way, by temorarily temorarily acri acriing ing a awn, awn, lack l ack eize eize the initiative. initiative . e6 16 xd4 17 e4 Aer er 1 d3 d3 xf4 xf4 1 gxf4 gxf4 it wod imlet t regain the awn by 1. 1. . . xd 19 xd xd ( 1 9 xd xd xd xd 20 xd :fd 2 1 :fe b4) b4) 19 .. .:c 20 x+ :x 21 xd+ xd+ xd, with advant advantage age to to Black. B lack. 17 :5 hi i beter tha 1... 1...xf xf44 1 "xf4 "xf4 ( 1 gxf4 gxf4 xd trane trane into the variatin given in the note to White' revi revi mve) 1 .. . xd 19 e4, when lack' avanage i inignicant. h, fr examle, if 19. 19. . . :c4 here can follow
68
A verbh 's elected elected Games
20 b3 d4 21 :ad wi cmee eaity Jxd5 1 8 Je
19 bl y acing i een a b Wie wa ing t neaie ack' re n te e If a4 ack cd ave ctie 1 1 a5 a5 20 d Jxg2 2 g2 xa2! 22 xa2 d5+ 23 xa2 Ag Wie can regain i awn wit wit 24 a , by 24 b3 25 xa7 Jc5 ack retain an acive itin 19 Jx d5 1 dl J evening 22 wen ere wd ave ave w wed ed 22 b5 l e8 4
2 5 Exiing e remene f te wite een frm e kingide, ack begin ack n e enemy king Nw if 24 er er cd ave fwed 24 2 4 c5 25 Jxc5 (2 5 c4 c4 b3) b3) 25 xd2 26 Je3 xb2 xb2 27 xd8 xb xb + 28 xb xb xd8 xd8 wit wit winning cance cance,, b b 24 d4 wa era even beer, n imiing te iin iin and mainaini mainaining ng e enin enin 4 4 c4 2 5 c2
6 e? 26 wa rbaby e ny defece wen wen I wa ine inending nding ay 26 d 27 Jxd4 Jx d4 (27 £ b3) 27 Jxd4+ 28 (28 f1 f6 f6 2 d3 e3 ! ) 28 2 f1 d7 wi a ng aack Nw wever, ack' knig cme in ay wi grea eec eec 4 6 27 Pera in i reimina cacati Wie ad been inending t ay 2 ere b en aw a tee w ave fw wed ed 27 e4! 28 xe4 2+ 2 f1 xd xd 1 + 30 xe2 xe2 xa xa 7 c8? f ime n te cck ack i ge wrng wrng 27 + 28 2 xd a8! wd ave w immediaey I f cre aw i
69
Averbak Averb akh h 's elected elected Games
biy, b I verked ha aer 30 3 e+ I wd wn he whie knigh N, weve, weve, Whe mmediaey eimin eim in at te dnge knigh d4 d4 28 9 g4 d dl? 0
tng a aen in ime rbe My nen decided ha hi rk hd defnd ac er, b hi mve aw ack t cncde e game wih a c cmbinain 30 e wd v v t awn awn 30 xe 31 xe + + nd 32 • xc4, xc4, b b 30 c c , ecey defendng he knigh, wd have rnged e reiance 0 x 1 d d 1 Whit rigns. Aer 32 xd xd1+ 3 3 ee 1 i ine fr him h im ntn ame 19 Averbakh-Bndars th Championship Moscow 95
ng' ng ' Indian I ndian efence efence
1 4
d4 c4 � d5
� d6 e5 g6
5 e4 . g 6 he -caed Averbakh Averbakh Vaan w hen in he ce f devemen I r emyed i a year aer in a game wih Maanvic (Inerzna amen, 192) he mde advance f he rk' awn ignie ha Whie i annng a ar g2-g4 6 bd d 5 5 8
9 g5 hi bih ie i ne f e cmnen f my variain ack face a diemma di emma whehe wheherr weaken weaken hi n wih h7h6, h7h6, r recncie hime hi meff an neaan neaan in i n 9
h6
ack refer he fer tin Of cre, bh have heir e and mine 1 0 e 11 g4 � efending e h6 awn in g m e e emt emt t t ay - mmedty nfav nfav ra rabe be 1 1 e e 12 h4 13 ex gx 14 g and Whie ha an exceen iin �g8 1 �f 1 gl Nw Nw if 1 3 f f ere fw 14 ex gxf gxf 1 g g wih wi h a ng aak aak
0
A verbakh verbakh 's Selecte Selected d Games
4
d2
c6
Wie Wie a a reve revene nedd . . -, b nw Blak begin lay n e qeenide. If 15 00 er eree uld ave ave fllwe fllwedd 1 5 . d5 16 d5 6, and e aem win a awn awn by 1 3 lead lead mli m liain ain favrable fr fr Blak Bl ak aer 1 . . e6 e6 1 d6 ed4. erefr I decided rw ain e wind and leave my king in e ene 15 4 cxd5 cxd5 b5 16 Blak aim fr a neraak, fr wi e i reared arie maerial. If 1 b5 b5 e e wa ine inendin ndingg 1 . . :b (b n 1... 1...xg xg4? 4? 1 :xg4 :xg4 d beca becae e f 19 e2!) 1 a4 a6 19 5 d5 20 d3 d3 b6. b6. 17 5 b4 x4 18 4 19 .x4 gx5 A mmiing mve. My nen en e defene f i wn king Hwever, Hwever, i i brave i f fced ced 20 g5 wa wa e ea aened, ened, and and 1 9 ...g5 ... g5 wd ave ed a iinal advanage fr Wie. 20 gx5 Here I cnidered c nidered e e awn acrice 20 g5 . If, If, fr exame, exame, 20 . . .xg5, en 21 xg5+ �g 22 e2, wie 20. 20. . .g .g 21 gx6 x6 (2...6 22 xg+) 22 x6 x6 23 g5+ � 24 e6! i
g f fr Wie Wie B I di like l ike 20 . . .g4 and if 21 g6 f6 22 g5+ g5 23 g5 g5 f6 f6 24 e3 :g wi a ar ar game game.. g8 20 If 20 :g 21 2, and i i danger l lay 2 f5 22 ef5 ef5 f5 f5 (22 (2 2 . . 23 f5+ 24 d3) 23 :g6, reaening are wi e i n 6, wile 2 1 . f6 f6 an an be me y 2 2 e2 g4 23 6 :g3 Wie oul ave reaie a gd game by 21 2, for e mmen o allwing 2 1 f5 aun f 22 e 23 + : 24 d3 f6 25 :g6 26 4. Nw, wever, e iniiaive i eize by Blak
21 Of re Bndarevky, Bndarevky, a endid aacker, make e f e i ered begi aive lay. Wie m lay very auraely avid immediaey ending in a iin .x ex 22 2 �e2 e e deiin. In e r inane e rk m be nneced. I i re a a aer aer 23 . . e4 24 d4 4 25 ag 1 5+ Back an a n win a awn, t by nining nining 26 �e 1 and and if 2 . . . e5 2 x : 2 :g4 Wie gain cien cner-ane.
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Games
8 Prevening he echange of ligh-square bishops, bi shops, which wh ich would favour Whie 4 gl e4 5 �el In his double-edged posiion both players are as hough walking a igh-rope, aaid aaid a any oen of fall falling ing o Thus if 25 f6 f6 here could have followed 26 xg7+! xg7+! g7 27 g7+ �g7 28 2 8 h h6+, 6+, with a ve strong aack in view of he re rea ass of 29 g5 and and 29 g5 e 6 dl
7
hg5 hg5 30 f5+ f5+ and and 1 c8+) 29 f6 f6 xf6 xf6 30 d3 d3 + e4 3 1 d5 d5 e+ e + 32 �f with a sharp gae, in he coplicaions of which lack' lack' s aerial aerial advanage advanage does not play any pa However, lack's last ove oo provokes serios doubs 27 b b was probably sronger 8 g6 �8 9 6g
If 29 f6 here would have followed 30 h4 To defend agains his hrea y opponen oves his bishop ou of he line of re, but he leaves his rook at c8 ndaevsky sees through his ppon undefended, which Whie eploits It ent's cnning plan Agains the naural should be enioned ha he two players were already sho of ie i e 26 f6 I had prepared a specacular co were 0 6 d8 bination 27 6!! 6 28 h6+!! �6 29 g6+ xg6 30 xg6+ �5 n he ie scrable Bondarevsky loes (30 � 3 g5+ �8 32 x+ �h7 he hread I was probably beer to 33 xd8) xd8) 3 1 xe5+ xe5+ g4 (he only move; move; abandon the queenside pawns o their fate if 3 �4 here here follows follows 3 2 h6+ �g5 33 and and reply reply 30 c c 3 1 a5 a5 f6 f6,, aiing + �f5 34 d8 d8 xd8 35 c2+ �e5 �e5 for aciviy on he kingside or exaple e4 33 g6+ g6+ g6 g6 34 xg6 xg6 (34 36 f4+, winning he knigh) 32 xg4+ 32 h4 e4 �4 33 h6+ �g5 34 x+ �xg4 35 xg6 xg6 ) 3 4 g3 35 g 36 d8, en Wite W ite is i s a pawn pawn up wit gd xb4 xe3 37 e3 , and te inning cances Alas, however, all tis opposie-colour bishops give lack good gae billiance reained stage, and now I chances of saving he gae 4 8 1 again ad t think how o defend against lack lack could not not reply reply 3 e7 cau caue e 27 6 f 3 2 g4 with the theat theat f 33 e6 4 Wite intending intendin g t t swer 27 f6 g6 xg6 wit wit 28 g5 ! xd5 (28 (2 8 x 29
72
A verbh s electe elected d Games
Blacks isfoune is ha he is forced o ak akee on g6. g6. . g8 would have been e by he specacular 4 e5! de5 35 d6! d6 ! , when Whie has a decisive ata atack ck (a) (a) 5 ...e8 ... e8 6 b! d7 7 J6 (7 .. . h8 8 9 Jh6 40 g8) 8 g7 g7 9 : f5 f5 40 g8! g8 4 1 :g8 ae; ae; (b) 5 .. . � 6 d7 ! d7 d7 (6 . . . d7 3 7 g7 g7 g7 g7 38 Jh6) 37 c5 �e8 �e8 3 8 g7 g7 g7 9 g7 g7 g7 4 0 e6+ e6+ �d8 41 Jb6+. I is ineresing ha all Whies pieces ake pa in he aack, apa, of course, o his king. 34 g6 :c8 If 4 .. . �h �h77 3 5 c2. 35 d3 e4 The only way o oer any resistance was by 5.. 5 .. .. 36 d g8
37 g4! Te entrance of this bishop into te lay l ay crowns he aack. aack. 37 c4 38 Je6 e7 39 xg8 xg8 xh6+ 40 Te rsaic 40 J6 would als ave won but te last few seconds wee ticn away away on y clock. 40 Jxh6
41 4
� xg8 :xg8+ xh6 Back rsigns
Gae 20 Averbakhmysov 19h UR Championship Moscow 1951
uy uy Lopez Lopez 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
e4 Jb5 a4 d4 :e1 bd cxd4
e5 c6 a6 d6 Jd7 6 e7 exd4 b4
This was rs played by oanovsy aains Yaes (irs Inteaional Toa ment ment Mosco Moscow w 925). 925 ). Ae Ae Jd Jd d7 2 c5 3 b3 b3 d5 ! 4 c c6 5 5 d8! lack aieved an eceet tn ince then te vaiation oe ced in ouen play. 11 Jxd7 Jxd7 xd7 xd7 1 2 .d5 . d5 3 5! d6 4 c6 5 c6 c6 c6 c6 6 e5 e4 is less ood beca becaus usee of 7 e3. e3 .
A verbakh 's eeced eeced Gams
73
13 c6 14 d5 4 g3 is ore eible, as ye no xing te osition in he cenre 14 e5 15 xe5 dxe5
A blematic posiion has arisen ite a a otected assed pawn and te iility f an atack on he kingside wit f4 lack has hree pawns agains o on te queenside g3 16 ntein uggesed 16 e3 hee and if 6 6 e4 7 c4 bu Keres showed tat ae 7 7 8 d6 9 xe xe g6! 20 xe7 c4 2 b7 fd8 lack ha a eonable eonable gae 16 e8! f4 17 d6! ing to force he oponen oponen o declare declare hi inte intenntion tion 1 7 f6 f6 would have creaed a new new weak weakne ne in lack' s posiion the e pawn 18 f ce ce nt 8 exf4 exf4 9 xd6 xd6 20 e 6 2 g4 with he initiative in itiative f f Wite 19 g3 i idea of ainaining te awn tenin tenin le le t a los los of ie i e 1 9 w m m acc acca ate te wen wen if 9 exf4 20 xf4 4 4 2 xf4 xf4 White W hite ha a good ge
19 g6 he commenors commenors consideed tis ti s t a oo mve t in y inion it i no at all al l bad bad mylv' mylv ' ai ai of initia ini tiaing ing lay l ay on on he he king ide i itinally itinal ly wellf well fnded nded Wite a delayed the develoment of i ieces Aer e cmmended 9 . te culd ae fllwed 20 b3 and if 2 0 2 e e e 22 b2 �8 0 6+
A cmmiin adance wc din te ame I tut t e oliato tei teie e lk wuld wuld lay lay f6 ow ow ee ee ae ae te te m mee 2 ld ld a en mat ecae f 22 e! xe 3 3 ef d4) d4) ef 23 6! and and if 23 3 tn 24 �8 25 e8! e8 ! e8 26 x7 i ile ile i
7 4
A verbh 's elected elected Games
a son songg ata atack, ck, while whi le if 2 1 . . .g7 then 22 22 fS gS g S 2 2 "hS "h S is good. It has to be admitte admittedd that 21 would have been moe in the spiit of the the position than than 2 1 fS . 1 c4 h4 White has no option othe than to continue in the same vein. he idea of te plan with 21 2 1 fS and 22 h4 is to gain cntl cntl of ae 2 g6 hg6 24 h. Howeve against accurate defence White is not able to ca this out, and thefe 22 :f cae cae into consideration consideration,, and if i f 22 . . c+ 2 g2 d6 d6 24 "e2 "e2 c5+ 3 �g
3 gx myslov is let down by his sense of posit position. ion. y 2 . . .d6! e culd have set White seious pblems. If 24 6 2S hS h S then then ae ae 2S 2S . . . g e wuld have t reply eite 26 g4 "7 27 28 gfS, gfS, o o 26 g4 "7 2 7 "e2 but but in i n bt bt cases lack h fai spects. 6 4 x x6 x6 6 : Ae consistently pusuing his sttegy of ening lines n te kingside lack fails t take accunt te act t te ecge ni e siti canged ly l y and tat te eizu e izu te
f-le, on which he is counting, does not pove possible
h6 : 7 ex :x 8 9 "c! Apparently this siple reply was not anticipated by myslov Unepectedly his sitin becomes critical 9 :x 30 :x :g8
31 "! Having taken te initiative ite cnistentl cnistentlyy elits elits it. Ae Ae 1 "c4 :4 32 "d3 ( 2 "e2) 2 . . .e4 lack wld ave gained strong countelay 31 "x 3 :x :6 Hadly Hadly bee bee was 32 . . . e4 33 4 34 f4 :d8 3 : when Wite sd
A verba 's elect elected ed Games
75
win i ending, a i i no eay for e oonen' king o ake a in he bale again again he he d-awn. d-awn. or exa examle, 3 5 . . d6 36 � b6 37 �e3 xb2 38 d6 b3+ 39 e e xg3 (39 (3 9 . ..d3 .. d3 0 d ) 0 d7 g8 e. rob robab ably ly 3 .. . e3 36 � e8 37 �e2 �g7 wa he be defence, bu aer 38 d6 d8 39 d �f6 40 �xe3 �e6 1 d4 b 42 eS+! Whie wins. 33 g5 �g8 34 h5 g7 35 � b5 36 h6 e4+ xg3 37 �xe4 38
4 g5 e7 5 6 "c h6 h4 7 b6 8 cx5 xd5 9 xe7 "xe7 10 xd5 exd5 11 A andard oiion of he Takower Magogonov-ondarevky variaion h been reaced. Whie' lan is o force . . .c7-c6, . c7-c6, rericing he oonen's opions, bu lack is able o avoid hi his.s. a6 11 1 e3
38 c5 hi loe loe immediaely. immediaely. 38 . . . e7 39 xa6 � would have rlonged he reince. 39 6 �h8 40 �5 Back signs
1 c5! Excellenly layed! I ranspires ha he acceance of e awn acrice by 13 xa6 xa6 xa xa66 dxc dxc bxc bxc 5 "xc "xc lead lead o diculie di culie fo for ie ie aer aer . . .b7! . b7! 3 "a4 On encounering for he r ime he variaion layed by lack, I choe incoec order of move. 13 dxc bxc and only hen a wa more accurae, aloug even in hi cae lack ha a good game game.. 13 c4! In my reliminary calculaion I had been inending o anwer hi wih b3, but only now did I noice a aer . . b ! 5 "xb "xb "a3 "a3 Whie face ace eriou eriou
Game 2 Game Averakh-homov emi-Final 20th Championship Minsk 1952
Queen' Queen' Gambi 3
c4 4
e6 5
76
A verba 's elected elected Games
diculties It has to be conceded that the queen ove to a4 was an ety teat leading to the colete loss of the initiative 14 .e &c7 b 15 "c " 16
ositional istake, allowing White again to tae the initiative and to develo his oensive oensive on he h e kingside king side Aer the th e coect coect 1 8 d6 d6 19 g he bishop could have reeated reeated to h7, and if i f 20 f4 l l ac could cou ld have ha ve replie epliedd 20 f6 driving bac the night hile 19 "a could have been answere answeredd by 1 9 f6 20 2 0 "b6 "b6 19 g4! This is he poin The bishop has to eteat to c8, and his eans that laying it to was erely ere ly a wase wase of tie ti e 19 .c8 0 f4 "d6 1 Whie consisenly caies ou his pawn oensive on the kingside, the goal of which is His Majes the eney king lack us o defend his ingside ings ide wile continuing his atack on the queenside 1 d8 &g6 With he ineni inenion on of playing playing his bisho to , Kholov leaves he e8 squa ee for it 3 . .d7 4 &f4 &f4 .e8
Now the osition can be sessed lac as gd ossibilities on the queen side we he has exta awn Wite ut see chances on the inide and in the cene With his last move olmov aims to develo develo his h is bisho at in oe to eliminat eli minatee White' s ossible lay wit wit e3-e4 e3-e4 . 17 &s as 18 "d
mov made ti natal mve divi te hite qeen of te amt itout thii t in fact it i a
:! 5 White laces his rooks on the secod an so that they defend defend the queenside queens ide d el the oensive oensive on the ingside ingsi de
A verbakh verbakh 's elected Games
6 h4 e8 g 7 e7 ack inends o aack he weak e3 pan wi is rooks Perhaps he should ae e one rook r ook on he queens ide and pay payed ed 27 , hr hrea eae ening ning 28 a4 8 el ae8 9 ee b4 Wie is all ready o advance g4-g5, d tefore lack should have made te imt imt defensie defensie move 29 2 9 �
30 g5! Wit e sa of he pawn so the pitin becomes considerably sharper 30 fxg5 31 hxg5 hxg5 d8 3 xg5 lmov lmov saw ha on 32 f6 ere ld fllow fllow 33 eg2! eg2! , and and if 33 xe3 34 x7+ "xg7 35 f6 wih a ve rn ack If lack does no ake he rok, bu replie replie 34 �, hen very srong i 35 +! +! �x �x (35 (3 5 x 36 6+ 6+)) 3 6 5+ � 37 g6+ and wins inally, if 34 �8 �8 White plays 35 7g3! (treat eni 36 2+ or 36 h3+), and if 35 e+ e+ 36 �2, when there i n defece aain 37 h3+ Therefore lack a t rerup, in order o defend defend g7 g7 33 eg e8 "h6 3 4 "
77
Wite i aiming include his queen in te ata atack, ck, bu lack lack does no allow i o go 4 h5 35 c3
lack can no longer delay he advance of is pawn bxc3 bxc3 36 37 "h4 d6 If 37 � I was inending o play 38 6! "7 39 xg7 xg7 x xg7 g7 (39 (3 9 xf5 40 6+!) 40 f6 f5 41 e7+ xe7 42 "f6 c8 43 6 xg6 44 xg6+ "xg6 45 x6 x6 c2 46 "8+ and and wins wi ns 38 xg7+! �! lack' entire defence ress on is me e 38 xg7 xg7 39 "xe7 is i s bad for for him hi m
39 7g5? Wit te lat few econd ticking away n e clk, d me avin avingg be me
78
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's electd Games
instantly, it was not easy to nd the coect continuation of the atack, as the position was still very sharp. Not seeing anyting forcing, I sipy decided to protect once ore ore y bishop at h5 . ubsequent analysis showed that White would have retined a song attack aer 9 7g6! g6 40 g6+ g6 4 g6, for eaple (a) 4 .. .e .e+ + 42 + + �g8 (42... (42 ...�g7 �g7 4 d ! ) 4 ! c7 44 "f6 with with the threa threatt of 45 d5+; d5+ ; (b) 4 . . .e .e 42 g7! g7 g7 4 :+ �g8 44 + �h7 45 g6+! and and wins. The ove played by e is a istake, aer which the roles are reversed, and it is now White who has to nd a way to save the gae, as the initiative again passes to y opponent. 39 xe3 : xe3 Black retus the coplient. Although he had quite sucient tie for thought, he in tu does not ake the stro strong nges estt ove. 9 . . .f6 was coect, tying up even ore tightly the clup of white pieces on the kingside, aer which the c pawn could have played the decisive role. Now, however, I gain the oppounity to disentangle disentangle y pieces. 40 " :e4
ee Wite' time trouble ended, ended, and at at lt it ible i ble to evalate te te itin
cally. It is clear that the situation has becoe etreely sharp, both kings lack pawn protection, and a piece attack is possible o both sides. 41 �e7! e6+ Mate would have followed aer 4 ...e6 ... e6 42 e6+ f6 4 "f6! "f6 44 g8+ and 45 e8. 42 x 2! oov defends resourcelly. If 42 ...� ... � there woud have followed 4 h2 c2! 44 h6! c"+ 45 �h2, when Black has no defence, while aer 42 ...h4 ...h4 4 h5 5 5 44 h5 h5 "h5 "h5 45 "e White retains retains every every chance of winning winn ing.. 43 "x2 "h4 44 :5g3 :5g3 :e1+ 45 � "hl
46 :g4 During the gae I considered this to be te st ove, as I assued that aer 46 "d3 :b6 47 e8 b2+ 48 � f+ 49 �g4 :g2 Black would have denite counter-chances. But in subsequent analy sis it was discovered that with 50 "a3+ Wit Witee gives at atee in si si oves 5 0 . . . �xe8 5 "+ �d7 52 "d8+ �c6 5 "c7+ "c7+ �b5 54 "b7+ �c4 55 "b. And if Black tries to bring his knight into play 46.. .f6, f6, then then 47 g7! and and if 47 . . . e4+ 48 "e4!, when taking the queen allows 49 g6+ with ate next ove.
79
A verba ' elected elected Game
46 + 46.. . f6 be e by 47 g7! e4+ 48 x xe4! e4! , while if 47 . . .h4+ Whie Whie relies 48 g3 h2+ 49 �xe 1 , and and aer 49 . . . xc2 he gives ae by 50 g6. 47 �g3 �x 48 �e7 g5+ 49 Nw ha he knigh has ce o he aid f he whie king, lack's aack quickly eers u. 49 : 50 : d3 Aer he exchange f queens the realisatin f he advanage beces sraight sraightffd. d. f 50 . . . g 1 + Whie wuld have n by by 5 �f4 �f4 ! , and he he se ve wuld wuld ave ave fllwe ll wedd aer aer 50 . . .h 1 5 4 g+. Carively best w 50 . . .e .e 5 �g2 c3, exchanging queens wih he he whie king less acively laced. 51 xd3 :xd3 5 :e+ � g7 53 �f4 If 53 53 . . .f6 54 :h4! c6 55 :g2 with a decisive ack. wever, a siilar ack als devels in he gae.
e8 5 4 :h! Ae Ae 54 . . .xf5, which lack initially lned, lned, White White wins a iece by 5 5 e5. e5 . 55 :h8+ �e7 :8 56 :gg8
f 56 56 . . .f6, hen 57 g7 ae. 57 :h7+ Back esigns in view of ineviable ae. A ind-boggling, exreely ense gae, in which bh layers displayed cnsiderable resurcef resurcefuln ulness ess Gae 22 Unzicker-Averakh Interzonal Touament alt altj jbe be tocol tocolm m 1 952
uy uy Lpe Lpezz
1 e4 e5 c6 3 .b5 a6 4 .a4 f6 5 d6 This ve, oen eployed by ubinsein, is n as well sudied as he usua 5 ... e7 6 e b5 7 b3 d6. 6 :el Fearing a reard variaion, for which vie layers were renowned, Unzicker avids he hereical coninuaion 6 xc6+ bxc6 7 d4. 6 .g4 ubinsein ubinsein usually play played ed 6 . . . b5 7 b3 a5, bu carry u a plan involving he exchange f he dark-square bishops 7 d7
80
A verbh 's eleced eleced Game
h3! 8 e cect eply. Ae 8 d3 f6 lack wld nt ave ave ad any any pblems. pblems . 8 x 9 x 10 d4 11 A well knwn stategic idea. ince 12 2 lses a pawn t 2. 2 . . .exd4 . exd4 13 cxd4 xd4 lk pvkes d4-d in de ae te excange f dk-sae bisps demnsate tat in sc sitins a it is n weake tan a bisp. weve tis plan is slw and des nt lead t t cmplete eality. eal ity. cb8 d5 12 13 d x 1 4 x
14 b A seis sitinal mistake ae ic te pnents advange becmes bi. ince Wite is intending ensive n te eenside lack sld aim cnteplay n te kingside and i mt mt be dne dne enee eneetically. tically. 1 4 ...6 ... 6 and . wa wa baly e even . . l's dei t develp is ecnd nit i ite ndetandable bt in din e pts it n a bad sae ee it beentl cmes nde ack. 87 15 c2 1 b4
Only here did I realise js w dangerus y posiion had becme. e npleasan npleasan c-c4-c c-c4- c is hreaened. hreaened. h4 16 1 4 f4 18 3 Of course, no 1 f4 f4 ef4, ef4, and wit is conrol of e Black gains gain s counerplay. 18 a8
19 3 f 19 c here ould have fllwed 1 9 . . . dxc 20 c c 21 xc xd2 and teefre Wites desie t emve is knig o he atack by e queen is ite ndestandable. Hoeve, due o tis lss f an ipoan ipo an epo lack l ack nw as cunterplay sucien for euality. Unzicker ejeced 19 a4 ecause f e flling variaion 9. 9. . . c 20 dxc6 xc6 and if 21 a xc4 22 xc4 b 23 axb6 xb6 24 c4 25 xc4 fc8 wen lack egains is piece. Hoeve in a jin j in analysis aer he he gae e establ establised ised tat by 26 xa6! a6 27 + �x 28 xc8 Wie could neveeless ave gained a decisive advantage. efe lack wuld proaly ave had o answe 2 a it 21... c, ging ttally nt te defensive. 19 ! lac l ack k s cunerp cunerplay lay is i s based n tactics. tactics. If 20 ex xc4 ile ae 20 c I w
81
Averb 's Selected Selected Games
ling ling 20 . . . e4 e4 2 cxb6 cxb6 x x+ + 2 2 h c6 c6 d e ishop is los. fxe4 0 1 .xe4 b8 a 3 c
xb7 cx! 26 27 dxc7 Whie has conssely caed ou hs plan, and appea appears rs o have acheved acheved his hi s a Wih a swi advace his cpaw has reached he penuliae rak, and i canno be sopped sopped by oral oral eans ih 27 2 7 c8 because of28 d6 a7 29 c6, when Whie us wi The aep o lauch a counera couneraa ack ck by 27 g 2 hg + 29 h2 b6 also fa fals ls aer e However, he dagerous pa ca be eliinaed, and hs leads by force o a draw
Wite has nally anaged o lay c4c5 y y now lack lack has scien s cien acical acical esoces fo a successful defence 3 xe4 fxe4 4 24 xe4 cold have been e by 24 . . . xd5 25 c4 4 d7 27 28
xc7! x g4 ra agr Aer 29 hxg + + h 1 h4 lack gives g ives perpeual perpeual check
ae 2 Averakhherg Itera uame SaltsjbadeStm 92
rech efece efece xb7 N a ece acical bale bale coences. 25 ... ... 77 old e e by by 26 c6 bb8 27 cd7. f6
1 3 4 S 6
e4 d4 d2 ex g .c4
S S xS xd4 d8
2
Averbak Aver bakh h 's Selected Games
6 d6, d6, as o o occr oadays, oadays, s pefeable 6 7 8 b3 e7
9 "e! his is sronger sronger han 9 bd4 bd4 d4 d4 1 0 xd4 a6, in myslov-ahlberg, played a lile elier a he Olympiad in Helsinki Whie does no hu o regain his pan, bu rs develops his pces 9 f6 10 :dl a6? A mise ha allos Whe o develop a song niiaive, alhogh ve aer 1 0 g ge7 e7 1 1 c ould o o have have bee beenn easy for for lack l ack o o equalise equal ise
Jxd4 11 bxd4! Ae Ae 1 d4 d4 1 2 d4 d4 "a5 "a5 he he ep eply 3 b5! ? is no no so clea clear 1 ab5
1 4 J J Jd2 6 6 1 6 Jb4 Jb4 Je7 17 e e b b d e e and lack l ack dfends, dfends, b poss possbl blee s 1 Jd2 Jd 2 e5 e5 14 b "2 14 147 7 Jc) 1 c7 c7 d7 d7 5 d d 1 6 Ja) Ja) 1 6 Jf4 Jf4 "d 17 d c6 a h a srong aack ge7 1 e3 x4 13 1 d4 ould hav y 1 c7 14 c6 c6, c6, ad ad f Jf4, Jf4, h o 1 1 1 6 Jd Jd6 1 7 J J77 e7 d e becaus of 9 Jd5!, bu 1 6 Jb Jb Jb7 Jb7 17 ih ih a saisfacory game for Black 13 x4 14 x4 1 5 :ad lack has nally casld, n he meanime Whe has compleely mobilsed his hi s fores fores and and gand conrol conrol of h d-e d-e
16 "eS! 16 e5 as possible, for he momen keeping he queens on, bu going o he endgame is also good 16 xeS g6 17 xeS y also echangng he knighs, lack ties o simpli he defence Howeve, 1 7 b5 b5 Jb g6 was was proba probably bly moe accur accurae ae bu no Jb7 Jb7 1 9 d7 d7 c6 c6 20 , innng a pan) pan)
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
hxg6 18 xg6 a4! e5 19 The only way of bringing he black biop ino play, bu now he scope of Whie' Whie' bihop is eende eended d 0 :d6 j 1 b3 :ac8 :a c8 �h7
n he resuling ending Whie' poitional advanage i ore signican an igh appear a rs sigh He can eaily trenghen he placing of hi piece, wee for he opponen o do hi i no a all iple Thu, for eaple, Whie' king can easily ove o he cenre, which canno canno be aid abou he he opponen' opponen' king k ing 3 :c7 lack defend again 24 g4 by vaca vacating tin g c8 for for hi hi bihop bi hop 4 � g5 5 g4 c8 6 :d8 :xd8 7 :xd8 �g6 lac' king i aiing for e7, bu na naall allyy White Wh ite preven preven hi hi 8 :d6+ �h7 Wo Woee i 28 . f6, when i i hard for he ing to cme into play d8 9 �g6 :d6+ �h7 30 Wite epea ove o gain ie on e clock There wa lile juicaion for
8
agreeing o he draw acily offered by he opponen 31 a g6 3 d5 g7 33 c4 By advancing his queenside pawns, Whie fuher srenghens his posiion f now now , hen hen 4 e e7 5 b6 :d7 6 e4, and Black loses aerial Therefore Therefore his hi s ne ove is he only on ly of creaing creaing counerplay counerpl ay
33 34
e4! fxe4 xg4 3 5 b4 c8 The iediae 5 5 f5 f5 ould have os o 6 :b6 36 c5 37 �e3 f4+ 38 � �h6 39 :d8 d7 Whie wa hreaening 4 c ad b7, ranposing ino a purely echical ending wih an eay win 40 :h8+ The la ove before he ie conrol and, a oen happens, an inaccuracy By coninuing coninuing 4 e5 ! f5 f5 (4 c6 4 e4 : 42 42 c6 c6 4 e6! ) 4 e6 e7 42 d6 Whie could ave won wihou any grea diculty, di culty, for for eapl eaple e (a) 42 �g7 4 :d7! :d7 44 ed7 d7 45 b7 b5 b5 46 c6
84
A verbakh verbakh s Selected Selected Games
(b) 42 h 4 �e4! g2+ 44 �e5 d5 45 d5 e8 46 d7 Now, however, he play becoes slighly sharper
40 �g7 41 :g8+ The gae wa adjoued in his posiion and lack sealed his ne ove e had o choose beween playing his king o 7 or g6, as 41�f6 would have los o 42 +! �e5 4 , when e is cople copleely helpless helpless,, eg e g 4 g4+ 44 � g5 45 g7 �f6 46 h7 �e5 47 :! �d4 48 e6 ec Analysis showed ha Whie's advanage was enough for a win, bu ha e way o i lay via a sharp rook ending ta ta deanded deand ed accurae accurae play pl ay � h6 41 �g7 4 :h8+ 43 :b8 .6 .x6 44 I eained his ove in y nigh-ie analysis owever, during e adjouen ein e following oing I noiced e possibiliy of e pawn breakhroug 44 b5 and feverishly began calculaing via viatins tins 44 d5 45 exd5 :xc5 46 d6 :d5 47 :b7+ �f6 48 d7 �e7 49 bxa6 :a5 :a5 50 a7 and wins, wi ns, or 44 ab5 5 c6 c6 bc6 bc6 (45 :c6 46 :b7+ �6 47 :b5 :b5)) 46 a6 �f6 �f6 47 4 7 :a8 and an d i seeed o
e ha lack had no defence agains 48 a7 followed by oving away he rook wit check Wha was o do? Choose he new pah, discovered di scovered a a he board, or ha wic wic had bee considered in he analysis? Aer uch hesiaion, neveheless chose e second pah This decision was coc, if only because in he las viaion by play playin ingg 47 �e5 48 a7 e7! , la l ack would would have parried he hrea of he a-pawn's advance owever, he consideraion of e variaions associaed wih 44 b5, and especially y doubs, cos a grea deal of ie, and ended up in ie rouble 44 bx6 4S :b6 :d7! :d7 !
46 :xa6? This is wha ie rouble rouble eans! Wite capures he wrong pawn 46 :c6 would have won, for eaple (a) 46 d2 47 e5 ! 2 48 :c7+ �6 (48 �g8 �g8 49 b5!) 49 !, and lac a no defence agains he advance of te a and c-pawns; (b) (b) 46 d3+ is no beer 47 �g! (47 �h6 48 :a6) 48 �g5 9 :x and and 50 f6 f6 A jusicaion for for y y isake isake w w ta in y nigh-ie analysis I did nt esablish which pawn i was beer e
Averbakh Ave rbakh s elected elected Games
at n e s general grunds I sd ave aen e c-pawn, as en e wld ave aken pa in e play on n 46 :d3+! A n ve, wic I underesiaed underesiaed In my reliinary calculains I oug tat I cd ey ey 47 �4 48 �3 g4 49 :c6 :c6 9 :d2 50 e5 :2+ 5 �4 52 :6, en I suddenly niced a aer 52 �6! tere was n defece agains 53 = d 54 5 ae ae In sc duble-eded psiions i is exmely i rain cal and cmed, b I bean t panic and ls e abii t evaae e psiin bjecively ever, e win was n longer ere , r exaple, if in e l variaion intea 49 :xc6 W ie plays 49 3 gx3 50 3, ter teree lws lws 50 5! 5 :xc6 52 �3 and nw n 52 :d2 : d2 53 e5! :2+ 5 �4 55 :f6 g3 56 a6 :g 57 �3! + 5 8 :x :x :xf :xf 59 c6 wen wen te te ins, ins, b b 52 :d ! wi wi cun cune er r a cien fr a draw If 53 e5 lack eie ie 53 :+ 54 � (54 �4? 3 55 :6 2, and i is ack w wins) 5 :2+ :2+ 55 � g3 56 :f6 :+ 57 �g wit a daw
� te e e i ead 4 7 � was e met a t drw
85
47 h3 4 b5 If 48 :xc6 :xc6 he he siples sip les is 48 :x2+ 49 � :3+ 50 �g2 :g3+ :g3+ 5 � g4 4 xh+ h3+ 49 �d3 50 �d4? Tere was sill a draw by 50 �e2, and i f 5 0 :e3+ :e3+ 5 �d2 �d2 50 g4 : lack l ack would would also have reained reained winning winnin g cances aer aer he coparaively coparaively beer beer 5 1 bxc6 bxc6 g3 g3 52 c7 :8 (52 g2 53 c8 g+ 54 �d5 is less clear) 53 :b6 :c8 54 e5 :xc7 :xc7 55 5 5 �e4 g5 �6 � bx6 g3 53 54 :h e7 :b7 56 :bl �g4
Wie's ie rouble is over, bu is siin is peless a6 a7 5 Weras nly fraens reain of Wie's pwerful pawn rio, lack's cn nected pair f pawns advances iesisiby te queenin rnk :xa a :xb 60 :b
86
Averbakh 's Selected Games
61
cxb hie esigs
Aer signing he scoreshee, I shook y opponen's han an se o for he hoel I was jus coing up o lunch ie owever, on enering he resauran, I fel ha wa incapale no only of eaing, u even of siing siing own a he ale We were playing an living in als jaen, a suur of ockhol. Going ou no he fresh ar, alhough here was a srong win an a ligh Auun rain was falling, I wandered around a fores, no following any pahs, unil I foun yself on he anks of a sall lake, edged wih oulers I sa own on a ench ha oppounely appeare, an egan gazing a he waer I sa here for a leas half an h o ur rangely enough, his caled y nees ha ha een so angered y he veing efea ncienally, realising ha waer ha a paciing eec on e, on ore han one susequen occasion I go yself back ino a noal sae aer especially ney encouner, by oseing he surface surface of o f waer Wha are you geting so hyserical aou?', I persuaded yself Aer all, he ouaen is no over, and your chances have no ye been los. There are sill nine rounds rounds o go.' go. ' On reuing o he hoel, I se up a plan for he coing ales In order o nish in he rs ve, which woul give he righ o paicipae in he Candidates Touaent and also he grander itle, I needed o score a leas 7 poins ou of 9. And I succeeded in fullling his dicul ask. I will no descrie wha eo and neous ener this cs e. As he unforgeable Gig Levensh once said Majr sccesses d nt happen withut a ajor expendire expendire of neus ener! ' .
Gae 24 GigoicAebah teral Tuamet Saltsj6badeStcm 1952
izon i zonian ian efence efence d4 1 2 c4 e6 3 c3 .b4 4 Unouely he os criical coninuaion coninuaion Whie shows ha he does no consier he echange on c o e a hea On he conrary, in orer o gain he wo bishops he is ready o wase a epo. 4 .xc3+ bxc3
6 This esire o advance e2-e4 n one ove is perfecly undersandale 6 d In oher gaes played a ha ie lack ried o anage wihou his ove. Thus zabo agains ronsein (udapest 950) play played ed 6 . . .h5 7 h3 f5 hee, d slighly laer Taianov wih lack against zabo zabo (zcwn (zcwnoo Zdro Zdroj 950) 95 0) chose 6 . . b6 7 e4 e8 followed by ..c6-a5 ..c6-a5 d ...a6, ... a6, aa acking he he c4 pawn 7 cxd5 If 7 e c5 8 cxd5 lack te satisf satisfaco acory ry reply 8 . . d5 as played in
Averbak Averb akh h 's Selected Games
87
he ge Liliehl-Bovii (Moscow 95). 7 exd5 h5 8 e3
This ove rs he s of ew pln, which I prepared specilly for he Inerzonl Toue 9 'c e8 10 g4 Aer prologe hough Gligoric decides on he iedie i edie dvnce dvnce of his g pwn. The whole poi is h he usul plan of developen in such posiions, involving kingside csling nd he preparion of e-e4, is dicul o carry ou here. here . Thus Thu s if 1 0 d here c fo fo l low 0 . . . h4+ h4+ f4! f4! 2 f f f6, f6, d d lck successlly regroups his forces. Therefore Whie kes he risk of beginning beginnin g n iedie i edie pw pw oes oesive ive o he kingside. 10 4 11 h4 This posiion clearly desees dia. In he course of he rs eleven oves Whie hs succeeded in oving ll hi pwns! pwns! And ye, ye, becuse becuse he posiion is cloed one his has no cused him any eri diculies. Aer ll he whie pan consiue kind of barricade hrough which for he oen he black pieces re uble o bre.
11 c5 Blc should o hve been in hurry o e his ove. The coec conin ui uio o ws ws 1 1 d7, d7, d if 2 � e6 d d d wih wih good good posi posiio io.. g6 1 � 13 h5 A iccrcy i reply. Aer d c6 14 e2 e 5 g5! i is bd o ply 5 ...c ... c88 bec becus usee of h5 1 7 g6! wih wih n c for Whie (Gheorghiu-ischer, Hv Olypid 966), lhough 5 . . . is quie possible, wih equl chnces
13 c6 14 e 15 f4 lc also hs good gae er 5 g e6 e6 6 d d c8 c 8 .
88
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
1 1 1 18
3
h c8
The siuaion has caried Whereas for he oen Wie's iniiaive on he kingside kings ide is no aking any progress, progress, on he queenside Black is able o begin acive play 19 ' a5 0 :agl f 1 :el ealising ealisi ng ha ha here here is i s nohing he can do on he kings ki ngs ide, G igoric reves reves o his hi s iniial plan of advancing e-e Indeed, he aemp o coninue he pawn oensive by 21 f4 :c7 22 g5 would erely have weakened Whie's posiion, since his king is insecurely placed 1 " :e 3 c4 :e 4 c1 Aer 2 c dc Whie's posiion would be inferior, despie he opposie colour bishops, since o 25 "b2, wih he rea of 26 e, Back woud have he srong srong repy repy 25 . c7! c7 ! "b6 4 In view of he vulnerable vulnerable posiion of e e wie ing, perhaps Black should no ave excanged queens, bu he move played
has a psychoogica psychoogica basis basis Unable o o oun an aac aackk on he kings ide, Gligo Gl igoric ric ried r ied o begin acive pay in he cene, bu e insecure posiion of his king prevened his Aer he echange of queens my opponen decided ha he no onger had o worry worry abou abou his hi s king ki ng " 6 e6 4
The irony of fae! Back on he 6 ove Whie payed -, preparing e2-e4, bu hen for a ceain ie was foed rejec rejec his h is move. On he 2 1 s move e again began preparing i And now, wen he ove is nally ade, i us ou o be a isake, as i copleey hands e iniiaive o he opponen 7 x 8 gx 28 e woud probaby have simplied he defence, bu a his poin Gligoric was hinking of ore ore 8 a4! Beginning a deep cavalry raid ino e opponen' opponen' s reargua rearguard. rd. :ce8 9 d Whie's preaure aciviy as led his pieces being ied up. 30 :e, wic he was planning earlier, would ave en me, as in he gae, by 30 . . b2. 30 :h4
A verbh verbh 's Selected Games
89
x 35 Jxh6 36 J xd4 37 :exe4 x 38 :xe7 :xe7 39 � e5 he knigh, which has copleed a lenghy anoeuvre b8-c6-a5-c4-b6-a4-b2c4-d6--d4--e 5, ha ha no done badly! badly! he win for lack, who is o pawns up, is n fa o. 40 :d4 :d7 41 �e3 30 b! 31 � 3 Je Je c4 32 dc5 was was har hardly dly any any bee bee.. Aer Aer 32 . . . de4 he4 e4 34 e4 (34 e4 e4 5 e4 a3) 34 .. . c8 lack would have gained he e e ending. 31 c4 3 J
he decisive decisiv e isa i sake. ke. Here Here oo oo 2 2 dc5 d4 33 Jc (33 e4 e4 34 hxe4 4 3 5 c h4) h4) 33 . ..c8 .. c8 34 he4 4 35 e4 xc5 would have led an adange fr lack, bu even so his w b han he gae coninuaion, which mateial mateial.. 3 cxd4 33 cxd4 d6! 34 g4 dxe4
Here he gae was adoued, and lack l ack sealed sealed his hi s ne ne ve. 41 c7 4 :dl :d l � 43 :gl 44 �e4 :h Nw Whie e a hird pawn, bu Gligic, evidenly hping fr soe ske f luck, cninues o drag ou his quie hpeless ending. h6 gxh6 45 h5 46 �d5 b5 47 �d h4 48 g3 49 �d5 6 h5 50 Jd g5 51 Jc3 h5 5 h3 : 53 Jd �e6 54 �e4
90
A verbakh verbakh 's elected elected Games
55 56 57 58
f4 e3 <
g6 e5 d5
e5! 58 59 Or S9 S c4 4 59 60 a4 e5 61 b4
In accordance with the le of the Inteonl oament the player cpying the rt ve place gained the right to paicipate in the Candidate oent and atomatically became gandmater And before the lat rond I had at lat moved p to clear h ple My main rival rival lig li gic ic zab zaboo and and tahlberg wer wer half h alf a point behind beh ind o the cherihed goal the grandm grandmat ater er title ter remained jt one moe tep Even a daw wold antee me a hare of place In ti ce efence wold be given to te playe wit te higher tiebreak coe which wa calclated a follow the total nmber of point gained by opponent aaint wom the player had won wa added t alf te tol f point ained by player with
whom he had drawn Preference wa given to the player with the higher hig her overall overall m or ch arithmetic calclation even my engineering education wa not necea I quickly etablihed that in the event of a tie neither zabo nor ligoric wa a danger to me my tie-break score wa much higher Bu with tlberg the itation wa wore trangely enough the diernce in or scores would depend on the reult of the game between the two Englih player who were occpying place at he very boto of the toua ment table If Golobek were to win I would be ahead of tahlberg by qaer of a point But if Wade were to win, then by the ame quaer of a point tahlberg wold be ahead of me! Thi was if in the lat round I were to draw, and my rival were to win And An d o the last round began Game 2S Pinik-Averbakh Interzonal Touament altsjbadetocolm 1952
y y Lope Lopezz 1 e4 e5 6 3 b5 a6 4 a4 5 d6 6 hi move move force forcedd me to think thin k erioly erio ly According to the theory of the time if I were to play 6 e4 the game wold embark on a core of great great impl i mplication ication leadin to a oghly eqal ending wher a daw daw te qi qite te logical otco otcome me wold aan aantee tee me at leat a hare of h place place he old proverb rn A bird in the hand i woh two in the bh' and I decided to act in accordance with popl widom
A verbh verbh 's Selected Games Games
91
when casling leads o he loss of a pawn aer 13 d7 d7 14 c7, does 1 2 ..a4 ..a4 13 a4+ a4+ d7 d7 because of 1 4 d7+ d7+ �d7 S c7. In his laer vari varia aio ionn 3 . . bS 14 f4 f4 (14 (14dS dS S g3 g3 ! ) S c7 d7 is copara coparaively ively bes wih wi h soe so e play for he pawn
xe4 6 7 d4 d 6 8 e 9 dxe5 The gae Geller-Lipnisky (Kiev 19S0) conin coninued ued 9 eS eS 10 eS eS deS deS 1 1 eS+ eS+ e7 e7 1 2 gS ( 1 2 d7+ d7+ d7 13 e2 e 2 ! ! ) 1 2 a4 a4 3 a4+ a4+ d7 d7 1 4 d7+ d7+ �d7 �d7 S d2 h 6 1 6 h4 h4 ae8 ae8 1 7 d8 ! wih roughly roughly equal equal chances chances In an earlier gae yuin-agozin (Moscow 1938) Whie rs played 9 c6 c6 c6 and and only only hen hen 1 0 deS deS deS deS 1 1 d8+ d8+ d8 12 eS e4 13 d2 e7 1 4 e4 e4 e4 e4 S f4 f4 i wih a quick draw. efore y gae wih Pilnik I asked Geller wha he hough abou his variaion and he replied very evasively. I was only ve years laer ha I discovered why In he game Geller-Welander (Goky (Goky 1 9S4) 9S 4) here here followe ol lowedd S h6 ! wih advantage o Whie. I of course reebered he eller Lipniky gae and wihou hinking I layed xe5 9 4! 10 hi move look uch onge an 10 e. Wile developing Wie inenie te pe pe ee in i n e e cene. cene. If I f 1 0 ...e7 ... e7 tee now now follows 1 1 eS deS deS 1 2 eS eS
Aer eaining hese variaions I cae o he sad conclusion ha I did no even have y one bird in he hand, nd griing y eeh, I prepared o defend desperaely On y way o he grandaser ile I had encounered so any baiers and now when he goal was wihin reach, everyhing had collapsed like a house of cards! 10 xa4 11 xa4+ d 1 d4! d4!
92
Averb Averb 's Selee Selee es es
Avoiding a suble rap Agains he naural 12 "b3 I had prepared he reply 1 2 00, and if 13 eS deS 14 eS ", when aer S c Black has a srong aack ere I was again obliged o hink A rs I was inending o play 12 12 00, bu I rejeced his because of 13 eS deS 14 "a7, aer eai eaining ning hese variaions variaions
1 4 c6 c6 (evidenly he bes reply; 1 4 dS dS is bad because of S "a8+ �d7 1 6 eS+ eS+ " "eS eS 1 7 "d8 "d8+ + and and 1 8 eS) eS) S bd2 bd2 (his is uch uch sron sronge gerr han han S eS "dS, when boh 16 16 eS and and 1 6 c c are hreatned) Now if S S c7 ther theree follow ollows 6 c4 c4 "b8 1 7 "b8 "b8+ + �b8 �b8 1 8 eS eS and he pawn pawn isis los, los, while if S �c7 �c7 16 c4 "dS "dS 1 7 "b6+ "b6+ �c8 �c8 ( 1 7 �b �b88 1 8 aS aS d7 d7 19 eS c7 20 ec6+ �c8 21 "a7 bxc6 22 "a8+ �d7 23 ad) 18 "b3 �c7 (18 (18cS cS 19 :xe) 19 ad "bS 20 xd8 xd8 �xd8 �xd8 2 1 cx cxeS ince 16 c4 is a hrea, Black can play S SdS dS This did no appeal o e because of 16 eS "d3 17 b3, hrea hreaening ening 1 8 aS Foy-ve Foy-ve years years lae laerr I subjeced his posiion o a horough analysis, bu was sill unable o nd any olerable defence For eaple 17 17 c2 1 8 aS "x "xb2 b2 1 9 ee and and her heree is no defence defence agains agains 20 eb 1 , or 1 7 d6 d6 18
aS aS d7 1 9 a a+ + b b 20 ae ae , when when if 20 c2 c2 2 c bc6 22 "c6+ c7 23 "a d 2 d4 wih a powerl aac, ac, or 2 c7 c7 2 d4 d8 d8 (2 1 cS 22 cS i rong) nd Whie has he convincig convincig 22 Se3 "g6 (22 d2 23 c4 c4 ) 23 dc dc shod ioned ha including h biso i dc of h queenside aso do o o p p S d d 1 c4 b8 b8 is e y 7 cS 7 b6+ �c7 18 d7 a7 is no dangerous) 17 17c7 c7 18 eS S 9 7 wih nuerous hrea I us aso b ddd ha Back canno answer 2 "d4 ih 2 2cS cS 1 eS cd4 because of 14 f6+ However, in reply o 12 120 0 13 eS i wold possible o inerpose 1 3 cS, fo for a a 4 "c4 "c4 bS ( 1 4 deS deS S e eSS e e a) a) S "b3, "b3, and and he hen no S S c4 1 ", bu siply S SdeS deS eS "fS wih counerplay counerplay The os difcul hing in chess is choosig, ou of wo evis, he one which causes les daag rejeced queenside casling, ad ayed insad 1 .e7 13 .xe dxe 14 "xe
Back has a dicul posiion Casling is ipossible, and he iniiative i
9
A verbh 's Selected Selected Gmes
cmletely wih Whie, who can quicky milie all hi forces had o go oay nt nt te defeni defenive ve � 1 5 6 e c5 quare has o e defended Aer 6 d8 d8 White has he unpeasan reply 7 c5+ e7 (7 e7? f) a7
18 hi echange favours Black, as i ee i defensive defensive proles prol es Aer 8 f4 f4 xe4 9 e4 he would no have replied 9 f6 f6 20 e8+ �e 2 e5 e5 (2 •e6 22 g4 d 2 d4) 22 •xe5+ � 2 d4 wih a decisve advange but 9 9 d, d, ahough aer 20 e8+ xe8 he would have ha ve o reckon reckon wih e ech echge ge acrice acrice 2 d d 18 19 0 e e ituatin ituatin has has claried wher wherea ea te ite frce fuly oiised Black till require time o ring his rook into lay 0 h5! er 20 20 h6 h6 Whi W hiee had he ve trong trong 2 4 and if 2 �g8 22 g4, n order o an aner er 22 �h7 wih 2 g5
A rs sight 21 e4 h4 22 c4 looks dangerous here but hi is no o Black replies 22 d8! 2 h c 24 4 h!, reining sibi s ibiliti lities es of a defence defence � b5 Apparently Black ha o play this Aer the gae gae hough hough ha 22 2 2 h7 would have been or accurae a if 2 e Black has the good reply 2 e8! (wea (weake kerr i 2 2 e5 24 e5 g 25 f4! 2 e e c 27 f f) 24 d d �g, and and 25 h5 h5 is bad ecause ecause of 25 25 g!, wnning a piece However, 2 c4 (insead of 2 e) is sro srong nger er,, and only a aer er 2 24 e5
h6
94
A verbh 's Selected Selected Games
4 5 6 7
h3 e4 Wd5! e4
g6 � h4 h6
lack had been in time trble since mve 20, and s I made the last few mves very qickly. 8 g5 In this way White wins a pawn, bt play ges int a qeen ending in which he has nly minimal mi nimal winning winnin g chanc chances es 8 xg5 9 Wxg5 �g8! 30 xh4 xh4 31 'xh4 e6
3 d8 his her simlicatin favs lack, bt even aer 32 e 33 �h2 e2 White has l ile chance f winning winn ing
3 33 34 35 36 37 38
�h7 Wxc7 Wel+ Wel + �h Wx 3 'xa 'x Wc 'h5 �g8 Wd5+ �h7 c4 39 bxc4 It w proaly sipler o take on b, bt the last few secons ere icking away n my clck 40 xc4
40 a5! Now he echange of the the aa- and ccpawns is navoidable Wh5+ 41 �g8 4 d5+ �h7 xa5 43 N beter is 4 cS a4 44 c6 when lack's passed pawn is n less dangers than White's he game was aded in this sitin, and aer sealing my next mve I gt p fro the bard and went ver t the abiter's desk, where precisely at tat time the FIDE FID E President Flke F lke gard, gard, tgether ith the arbiters, was wrking t the tie break scres all three f my rivals had wn their games My qestin Excse me, hw did the Glmbek-Wade game nish? ni sh?'' , cased cased them cnsideable cnsi deable srprise
95
A verba s elec elected ted Games
Glmbek-Wade?', repeated gard in atnihent, and they all lked at me a if I ere ere mad ut I kne hat I aking! Aer ending up in a dicult pitin, I had nt gt up m the bard fr a secnd, and had nt een hat as happening n the remaining bard It tranpired that Glmbek had n, and a dra in my game uld guarantee me h place he flling ming, ver the cure f everal hur, ilnik teted me, but he as unable t achieve achieve anything anything signi si gnicant cant
43
44 45
46 47 48 49 50 51 5 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61
e5 h4 �h3 g4 a8+ a7+ b8+ c7+ c3 �g3 d �h3 �g3 �g
xc4 d3 c4 �g8 "b3+ b3+ "e6+
g6 � h7
� g8 �h7 � g8
"e4 �h 7
e5+ e4 �7 e5+ e4+
61 e5 trict trictly ly peak peaking, ing, 61 6 1 x+ x+ wuld wuld have led t a dran pan ending, bu thught that in the queen ending i was eaier eaie r t defend defend 6 b7+ �g8 63 c8+ �g7 64 d7+ �g8 65 d8+ �g7 66 � c3+ 67 � c+ 68 �e3 c3+ Dw agreed On the results f the uamen, I, alng with esian esian and Taianv, was aarded aarded the title ti tle f grandmaster grandmaster
Game 26 Averbakh-Toush Training Tonament Gaa 1953
Mde enni A training tuament f ten andmasters a aanged by the U ps Cmmiee t prepare fr a match against the UA, hich was due be held tha year All the nget player in the cuntry, ith the exceptin f tvinnik and rntein, tk pa in it The atch, ever, did nt take place, but the tuament remained
96
A verbakh verbakh s Selected Selected Gme
3 4 S 6 7 8 9 1
d4 4 dS xdS e4 e
S e6 exdS d6 g6 .g7
e8
At that time the thery f this pening, ten called te Indian Defence, was nly st beginning t develp. Nwadays 10 strngest. st. 0 i s cnsidered the strnge 6 At ne time O ...a6 ...a6 was very ppular. s th game Averbah-al Averbah-al (25th U Chami Chamin nhi hi iga 1 958) 95 8) wen wentt 1 1 f4 f4 b4 b4 1 2 b b 1 x xe4 e4 1 3 xe4 xe4 1 4 f fd2 xd5 1 5 xd6? f6, f6, and lack lack eerged eerged a pawn pawn up. Hwever by cntinuing 1 5 g3! White wld have retained he adva advanta ntage ge.. 1 5 . . . 6 16 b5! is gd fr im ile if 15... 15 ...e e77 1 6 ad8 ad8 1 7 e 1 as ggeste ggestedd by Khlmv. 11 4 bd7 bd7 1 .f4 7 e e altea alteative tive i 1 2 ...e7. ... e7. 3 d 4 h3 Wite intends t reeat his bishp t e3 d ten pla pl ay -f - f4 .
4 fd7 This ove as laer condened by he heoriss, he ore acive 14... 14...h6 h6 15 g g5 6 f, as occrred in he gae Malich-Brone serda 1972), als leads o an advanage for Whie It wld see ha he plan chosen by lac altgeher altgeher fail failss o eqalise eqali se f S f4 tr ?
My opponen opponen ries rie s o seize sei ze he initiative initiative by forcible eans, for hich, i h o be said, he had prely psychlgical grnds. When I as sill a aser, I played Alex ander lush four ies, with a dismal tce fr e one draw and te defeas. The poin as ha I simply cld nt adap o his ecepionally aggressive
Averb Averb 's Seleced Seleced Games
fcel style, and even reckless, risky play bgt im sccess. Bu n tis ccasin e met is mac! 18 ex x is is te pint pint f Black's Black's idea idea e wins a piece. pi ece. hxg6 19 fxg6 0 bxc3 f crse, nt 20 xg6+ g7 21 d , wen Black Bl ack as everyt everyti ing ng in i n rder 0 e2 21 Wxg6+ �
This allows a spectacular nis w ever, even aer e mre tenaci 2 d8 24 e4 h8 25 5 �g8 2 h4 27 e Black as n defen agains he combined atack f te enemy pieces. �xe8 24 e8+! 2 g8+ Back ign Aer 25 . . . e7 26 h4+ e is i s mated mated in o oves. Gae 27 KeeAverbak Caddaes Tuame Neuhaech 1953
izo-nd i zo-ndian ian efence efence
ael! e ent f te secnd rk int te bale reftes e ppnen's cmbinain If 22 xd2 tere fllws 2 h4 b6 24 :e8+ wit te same mate as in te game. xe1 b6 3 e1
1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9
d4 c4 c3 e3 d3 bxc3
e6 b4 d c c6 x
n he 1950s is was ne f te mt cmmn tabiyas' f te NimzIni Defence, in wich he tereticis tet te ms varied plans fr bt it Black, and every uament indc
98
A verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
somehing new. The Caniaes Toua ment was no excepion. 9 b6 10 eS A coninuaion ha Keres ha prepare specially for his uan. f now ... xeSS 1 1 xeS xeS xc xc 1 2 xc xc an an O ...xe Whie's posiion is prefrable. However B lack has a beter beter ply. 7 10 11 f4 This is h poin f Whie's play. Ar suppoing his knigh wih h pawn he inends o begin acive play on he kingside. kingsi de. heref herefor oree boh boh 1 1 ...e ...e an 1 1 ...xeS ... xeS woul be playing in his hans. 11 aS
1 xdS ees decides o relieve he siuaion in te cene, bu in so oing he lses one of hs tmps tmps he ava avan nag agee of he he two two bsos 1 "xdS 3 e xd4 14 exd4 b3 1 5 bl x 16 %bx a8 7 b t ' s bso wee wee at at b2, hs cenal I f t s wd be ve song But e, n e e c3c4, c3 c4, they e e l ikely o become s, s, which whi ch need to be efened efened
17 d6 ex 18 19 7 4 d8 0 1 f4? To efen his pawn Krs s no wan o move his rook o he f-e an so he makes his ve whih ecively proves o b h cisiv isake. The rawback o i is n ha a pawn is os bu ha i leas by frc o h xchange of queens so ha h wakning of Black's kingsie, cause by his nex move is no dangerous.
1 gS "xd4 :a 3 xd4 here is no choice f 23 "e2 %e7 24 %e %e :e8, :e8, an Black wins.
99
Averb Averb s elected elected Games
3 4
:
xd4 d6
Wen Wen e e play playe e 2 1 . . . g5 Black a a o evaae is posiion precisely an con vince vi nce im imself self a ere was no way for e oponen oponen o exploi e insecu in secure re posiion posii on of is kig. 5 4 gx4 6 :f4 :f4 c5 7 g4 If 27 Jx7+ Jx7+ hen hen 27 . . .g7 7 xg4 8 :xg4 � 9 Jx7 a6 30 :4 6 31 Jd3
e resuling rook ening whereas now e wins wiho any any icu i culy ly 31 h3! 3 gx3 If 32 g3 er eree follow followss 2 . . . h2+ 33 h1 Jb7+ 34 Je4 :xc4 :xc4 3 Jx Jxb7 b7 :c :c 1 +. 3 x3 33 d4 J 34 d8 e7 35 :gd4 Je6 36 �g g5 37 � a xa3 :b8 38 39 Je 40 �el a1+ 41 dl
41
xe ite rigns
Game Game 28 Averbakzabo andidates Touament Neuhaeich 1953
y y Lope Lopezz
bably moe enacios was 31 J 4 32 :xc4 :xc4 33 :xc4 :x 34 :4 wen Black wol sill have o win
1 3 4 5 6 7
e4 Jb5 Ja4
d4 Jb3
e5 c6 a6 xe4 b5 d5
100
A verba 's elected elected Games
8 9
dxe
e6 c
zabo shows ha he is ready o engage wih me in a heore heoreical ical argumen argumen in his h is a variaion of he Ruy Lope ha was hen very popular. 1 0 bd 11 c 1 b3 a7 13 fd4 xd4 14 xd4 xd4 1 xd4
At tat ime im e he heoreical heoreical coninuaion coninuaion 1 5 cxd4 had been been so horoughly analysed analysed by the theoreicians ha in a game wih okolky (ades Union eam Chamion 1951) I ried deviaing om ili ath in favour of h qun car Ar 15 15c5 c5 16 d a7 17
g5 1 b Whi gained he advanage Alhough half a cenury ago here was not such an exensive exchange of infoation as here is now he Hungarian grandmast had leaed of y game and had red an iprovemen 1 c 1 6 d l f4 Of course I was prepared for his move 17
17 g On 17 17g g Whie was intnding 18 hxg g 19 and if 19 19 4 4 20 xh7+ xh7 21 xh7+ �xh7 22 g5 wih advanage while aer 19 19 20 x xf5 21 x h4 22 in conas conas o he 1 5 cxd4 variation Black Bl ack canno capure capure on d4 a4 18 he knigh knigh on g5 is no oo well wel l laced bu for he momen he atemp o s i o e6 does no succeed succeed If 1 8 th ollows 19 xf5 x 20 axb5 b5 21 xa8 xa8 22 d3 and Wit wns maerial I had esablished all tis li n my analysis analysis of 1 5 x xd4 d4 b4 18 h4 19 When analysing his osiion li I was roposing roposing o o ely her her 1 9 cxb4 cxb4 d 1 9 cxb4 cxb4 20 d4 but duing th g I
101
A verba verba 's elected elected Games
notce th angrous pawn sacric 1 9 c4!, an ar 20 4 hre coul oo oow 20 ! 21 x :xf5 22 : e, e, d 23 xd5 b+ b+ 24 � : Unee by th discovey, ci to k a hap continuaton n which ack has nothng br than o forc a daw
Having convinc himslf tha h ack is thratening o pr ou wi a ook sacric my opponn forces peretual chck 4 xeS xeS g3+ 6 �h x+ 7 �g Daw ageed Gam 29 EuwAveakh Cadidaes Tumet Neuheurich 1953
Nimzon Ni mzonian ian Dfnc Dfnc
19 0 1 3
gxh3 :a h xd5+ .d
h3+ xh4 xh3 :ae8 �h8
t ae tha White has manage to t oton oto n f 24 e he had d d 2 4, 4, whl wh lee ae 24 5 5 2 he ha 2 3! 27 d, wnnng
1 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11
d4 c4 c3 d3 xc3 cxdS d
f6 e6 4 dS cS c6 xc3 6 exdS
he former Worl Champion demon tte hs preparaon for th touament e ntend to lay his ook to e e h kngh va o g3 an, ar spong h pawn by movng his bishop to b2,
102
Averbakh Ave rbakh s Seleted Seleted Games
play - an . Howvr all his rquirs i an ci o oppos y opponn's plan wih a rapi pawn onsiv onsiv on h qunsi. qunsi . e6 1 2 4 13 2 a el Ar h iia 15 woul harly hav gon in for h unclar coplicaions arising ar 15... 15...x x 16 g as rcon by svral conaors bu woul hav rpli 1 5 . . . b pursuing y own sragy.
One has o admir Euwe's composur. Her Her he could have have played 1 7 c 1 , so ha ha aer . . . . b his rook would no shu in. However However h i i no wan wan o was was i i on h rook rook ov h hough hough ha ha wihin wihin a few oves al h sa i woul come ino play. b3 a4 l hus Blak has achievd his aim by creain a son proeced passed pawn on e qeens ide, b now he h e has ha s o wind oponn' oeniv in th cent, and later later is ack ack on he kinside. kinsid e.
e4 3 20 Back souns h rra oo arly allowing Whi o aciva his pics. My plan ar h opig opi g of h cnr was was o ranspos ino a favourabl ning. Howvr cou hav ri o o his ir irnl nly. y. or xapl xapl 2 1 . . .a was goo an if 22 5 fg 2 h5 only hn 2 . . . f5. 22
An his mov which ha planned f in avanc is i fac a srious misake aer which which Whi shoul sho ul hav eveloped a stron strongg iniiaiv. iniiaiv. 22 . . . was coect and i i 23 g5 g6. 3 24 x ex
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Games Games
2
x
x
ael 26 The queen q ueen ' s rook has ha s been osi osiee for so long ha Whie's esire o bring i ino play immeiaely is quie unersanable However 26 :e5! ying own Black's forces wou have been much sronger n his cae woul have ha o reply 26 fe7 fe7 27 :ae (27 :x5 x5 28 x5 x5 g6! 29 x xa8 a8 :e7! ) 27 8 going ono he efensive alhough if 28 f woul have ha he simpliing excha xchang ngee 28 :xf 29 xf g6 26 d8! Consisenly aiming for simpicaion 27 xd8 No beer was 27 2 h or 27 f ge7 ge7 wih wih he hrea hrea of 28 g6 27 xd8
103
e8 28 Euwe conemne his move since i only leas o he exchange of rooks an an inferior ening for Whie an hough ha aer 28 :e6! he woul sill have reine he beer chances However his is no alogeher so As ahlberg showe Black can can reply reply 28 : an if 29 :a6 :fe7! 30 :xe 1 3 1 xe 1 :e7+ fol followe lowe by 32 e3 e3 wih srong counerplay Of course 29 :a6 is no he bes move bu aer 29 g6 30 g3 6 Black can again mainain he balance n aiion ha an inere ha ineres sing ing possibil possibiliiyy 28 :c8! wih he iea of sacricing my knigh for he paw pawnn an an hen hen playing c-c3 n reply o 29 :b6 :b 6 here here woul have fol followe lowe 29 :e wih a comp compicae icae game game 28 xe8 xe8 e7! 29 30 xe7 Alas Whie is force o exchange rooks oheise he loses his bishop 30 gxe7 31 Black Black was hrea hreae ening ning 1 e3 wih an immeiae win This same move woul have foowe o owe on 1 1 31 �g8
3 g4 Coul he foer World Campion have save his ening? n orer o win
104
A vebh vebh 's Seected Games Games
ck nees o break hrough on he kne o o creae a secon weakness owever for he momen he on is bocke an o open lines or cee weknesses weknesses ime is equire Co no Whie have regroupe n nee ee his knigh o b an ee ee his bo om he uy of guaring he a n c3 wns? Bronsein hough ha he cod, n o emonsrae his he gave he own vaiaion 2 f (dendn agains e6) g 6 2 bS 3S e c 6 f c6 d2 wit goo chances of a successful deence owe oweve ver r by pla p laying ying gS g2 ! k oes no allow he knigh o o to e3 If S g he has he ecisive mn m nv vr r 3 g 6 e (6 e 4) 4) 3 e6 followe by gf gf an ece of knighs by S e also no no e e er 3 S xe 6 xe3 he y kin o fS an hen by avancing wns wns opens lines li nes on he kngsie eefore i is harly correc o ndemn te te vance of he he g-pawn g -pawn 3 d6 � 33 34 f4? Aer moving his knig o an acive ckn posiion Black was consiering combnton wih a piece sacrice ha n occr in he ame herefore e o ave rgenly brouh his to he ai of he bishop Aer 4 I wo still have ha o emonsrae k's vne ws sucien for a n Now, howeve evens evelop by e c8 34 35 cd6 36 f4 y onent ame ha wih this w ocn e knih kni h o re to , , ck bee bee optio option n
36 37 Black also wins eleganly aer 3 xS xS c2+ c2+ 2 e+ e+ 9 c c for exa example mple 0 b6 + 1 b 1 a3 42 xc mae or 0 b xb 1 cx + + 2 b xb xb follow followe e by by 3 S an an c 37 38 39 e2 f 9 2 hen Black wins by 9 b+ 0 c 1 xS c2+ 42 e2 b b a2 a2
39 Bu Bu no 9 xe2? 0 �xe2 c3 1 � b2 42 xb2 cxb2 3 �c2 44 S! w raw hite reign
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's Selected Selected Games
Game 0 Averbakh-Taimanov Candidates Tuament Neuhaeurich euhaeurich 953
S
1 h3 If S Black can sacrice a piece S . . . 0 1 6 g xb xb 1 ax axb b x xeS 1 gxhS S wih an aack.
iciian Defence 1 3 4 6 7 8 9 10 11
e4 d4 xd4 xd 4 c4 e3 b3 f4
c c6 cxd4 f6 f6 d6 e6 a6 c7 e7 a 1 xe? I was his capure ha was uning n In he laer gae BannikTaianv (2r U Champinship 19S) Taimanv showe wha Black shul play ... ... xb 1 6 xb xeS 1 aS 1 c c 19 xhS g6 20 e2 bxc wih he beer chances. fxe6 xe6! 16 If Black eclines he sacric by 1 6 . Whie has has he he ecisive eci sive 1 f f 1 %xe %xeSS + + 1 9 xh xh 17 xe6
mnov quicky mae hese openng mov e aready aready playe hi hiss on more on occion. Moreover in his noes o m wih Lipnisky (19h U Conp, 191) he criicise Whie's n move, eclaring ha he enire von wa unfavourabe for him. I was on a prompe me o play i. on w a in my preparaions I dovere an ineresing rap, an I ong a my opponen woul fal . 1 e5 b7 dxeS g3 13 fxe5 hS 14
An aming posiion has arisen. is Back o pay, bu in one move he is unabe
106
Averbakh s Selected Games
o efen efen agains he wo wo hreas hreas of 1 8 an an 1 8 x xhS hS as as 1 7 ...f6 ...f6 is me by 1 8 f f an an nally nally on he esperae esperae 1 7 ...7 ... 7 here follows 18 a+ 6 ( 1 8... 8 ...c c66 1 9 +) +) 1 9 cS+ cS+ (or (or 1 9 +) +) 19 ...c7 ... c7 20 + when Whie has a crushing aa aack. ck. 17 8 This is essenially an amission of efea. 18 xh xh 1 9 xg7 �d7 20 xh 4 21 d4 :g8 22 d g 3 h x 24 x �6 2 xh7 g6
woul have been simpler o rsign bu hroh ineia Blk coninues his hopeless hopele ss resistan resi stance ce plays on to mate. 6 :ael b4 7 b5 8 :e5 9 :g7 30 31 :f6 :f6 �7 :g4 3 h6 33 :e7 �d8 34 :h7 :b8 35 xe6 36 : ae
Gae 1 Nadorf-Averba adidates Tuamet Neuhaeich 193
ueen' s nian n ian Defence Defence 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9
4 g3 g2 d4 'd bx
f6 e6 6 b7 e7 e4 x
This ove which has cuenly gone ou of fashion is much beer han is repuaion alhough i is no able o se Black any serious problems. 9 6 e 10 The sa of an unfounae saeic plan hat ans he iniiaive o te oppone opponen. n. Aer Aer 1 0 2 aS aS 1 1 xb7 xb7 xb7 12 e c6 1 b he play wol ave ken on a positional encwf characer. a 10 xb7 xb7 11 1 a4 Coninuin in he same spirit. I woul have preee 12 e aS 13 3 6 14
A verbakh 's Selected Selected Games Games
g, when, aer placing his knigh a e, Whie has a soli enough posion.
107
consiers consiers here here he varia variaon on S ... c6 16 b "b7, alhough aer 17 e c 18 c6 he siuaion woul have become more complicae. ec8 1 6 bl 17 4 n his way Whie prepares 18 f, as on he mmeiae bishop mov he was afrai afrai of 17 1 7 . . . gS. 17 d 18 f4 f6 With he obvious hrea of exchanging on cS an an playi playing ng . . . e6-eS.
1 d6 13 d3 Harly beer was 1 c6 "7 1 xe7+ (1 S f6) 1. 1. . .xe7, when when he pa pae e remains remains he he same same he he game game reuces to to a bale bale of knigh kni gh agains agains bishop bi shop.. 13 a "e8 14 c fxe8 1 "xe8
e eslt of Whie's pseuoacive play is ta there are weaknesses in his position, position, an an he iniiaive iniiaive is compleely in the ands of his opponen. Of couse, Nado coud have eined he queens by ayn c2, c2, bu i is doubl whethe s would have imrove imrove his h is chances chances of a successl efence. Euwe, for example,
19 b4 A clever aemp o complicae maers. Now aer 19... 19...bxcS bxcS here woul have follow oll owe e 20 a6, a6, an an if 20 . . . cx 21 xc7, e.g. 21...ab8 22 xb8 xb8 2 xS xS or 21 .. .eS 22 xS wih unclear complicaions. However, Black has no reason o go in for such play. 19 a6! cxb6 0 f 20 , hen goo goo is 20 . . . bxcS 21 xc eS 22 e xcS 2 xcS ab8 2 f 1 xb 1 2 S xb 1 wih a favourabe ening. 0 cxb6 1 d All he commenao a the ime condemned his move, suggesting instea 21 , bu aer 21...bS 22 fc a 2
A verbakh verbakh 's Selecte Selected d Games
:c2 c Whie's posiion woul have remaine icul.
c4 el 22 c was no beer. Black woul no have ha ve replie replie 22 . . .xb 23 :xb bS 2 : , when when Whie Whie hols on, on, bu bu 22 . . . 6 wih wih he unpleasan unpleasan hrea hrea of 23 . . .e. xb4 3 cxb4 Aer 23 :xb he secon rook woul be unable unab le o ake pa in he he efen efence ce of he he c3 pawn. 3 4 5 a4 6 d6 a 7
8
c8
xc8 9 xc8+ 30 e7 30 .. . was perhaps simpler, bu consiere i impoan o forestal any possibiiies associae wih e3-e (30 e woul woul now be be me by by 3 0 . . . c6, winning a leas a pawn). 3 3 1 :c 32 e2 e2 33 � ce ino consiraion. � Of course, course, no no 3 1 . . .:b2 32 c c xb xb 33 :c7 � 3 a7 when Whie acqis serious serio us couner couner-chances. -chances. 33 � d6 : b3 34 c4 35 �g
The logical conclusion o such ening. Whie simply has no usel usel moves. 36 f4 i me by by 36 . . . 2 2 an 37 . . . e, wie if36 e, e, hen 36 . . . e 37 e d 3 ...xe. ... xe. inally if 36 hS h6, or 36 d3 b2, winning he bishop. There is i s notng fo Whie Wh ie o o o, bu o give giv e up hi h i epa. 36 bl x 37 �gll �g f4 Of course, here were also other way, bu his is probably probably he he simpe. sim pe. 38 gxf4 � g6 �e7 40
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Games
41 l ite resigns comletely comletely hopl hoplss. ss.
�d7 his posiion
is
Gam 2 Avera-Euwe Canddaes Tuamen NeuhaeZurch 1953
109
xe 14 xe 1 el d7 f 16 e Black was inning h acical blow 16. 16. . . a a 1 7 xa xa x xc whn he bs Whie can hoe for is a raw ar 1 8 gS x 1 9 xf6 xf6 gxf6 gxf6 20 a 1 c c 2 1 e eS 22 S S a1 + 2 . 16 2
Nimzo-nian Dfnc 1 3 4 6 7 8 9
d4 c4 c3 e3 d3 xc3
e6 4 c d c6 xc3
Ecty his posiion was reach in h e between he sam opponns from te s cycle of he ouamn only wih ve ve colours. colours. play play 9 . . . b6. Euw ees te mor popular plan involving ee 9 dxc4 10 xc4 c7 11 d3 e 1 c e7 12 12e8 e8 is usually playe an if 3 c4 dxe xe xe
16 c4! A pawn sacric specially prpar for his ouamen by h for Worl Champion. cras consirabl prob lems for Whi an hy hav o solv irecly a h boar. xc4 17 Dclining he sacric by 17 2 woul hav given Black a comfoabl gam ar 17. 17. . . c6. Bu now Whi mus play vry accura accuraly ly o avoi losing los ing.. g4 17 f4 18 1 8 g hS 1 9 f f (bu (bu no no 1 9 h S 20 e2 g) 19... 19... cS woul hav com o roughly he sa hing. 18 c 19 d3 Whie is oblige o calculae exacly a every sep. hus if 19 hr coul have followe followe 19 . . . xe 20 fe8 when when 21 2 1 c is ba ba becau because se of 2 1 . .xc .xc wile wil e 2 1 e2 b6 b6 22 ae 1 is goo for Black.
110
A verb s Selected Selected Games
e7 25 :ed2 aso prses 25 :c8. 6 xd8 7 xe6 8 xb7
19 ad8 adl! 0 Aer 20 d Black has he unpleasan 20 •h5 21 h c6, whle f 20 d5 e6, mmedaely mmed aely reganng regann g he pawn pawn 0 b6 e xe3 1 xb Wxe3
lle because of e6 xd8 fxe6
3 e! Ths modes rook move, whch antc antcpa paed ed bak bak on move 1 7 when I ook ook te awn, the woe pon because o 2 : Back nable to ake on a, and he forced o exchange queens 3 b6 4 xb6 axb6 A a ret o e ntereng atcal cmcaton, Whte h a favorabe endng, b here hs s no enough to wn
c8 8 xb6 x 9 30 a6 The only chance of anng a leas some praccal wnnng chances. 30 � a 31 : a4 3 33 4 � g6 34 a 3 �e
3
A verb 's Selected Selected Games
Incdble ha ha such an an exe exeen enced ced laye M Euwe shold m such an obvos mke Evdenly a w lay hee by he ae he exncd dn he second hl o he oun, n he od can. A A 3 + 3 � � wod ave been m o e a daw, nce n ce n he kn os e a-wn wod nvolve a e s an nesn oon k onc o m Ew, wh hs ea ea hegh he gh (moe han han 1 9 mees), lked makn long moves. Pehas s hs ha exlans hs long, alhough exemely unoun unounae ae ook move mo ve.. 36 g! : a 37 �f Now, wh he knsde awns deended, deended, Whe' Wh e' s kng k ng goes o he suo suo o hs sed pawn. 38 �d
38 39 0 1 43 4 45
�c �b g3
�e7 �d6 a �c6 a1 b1 a1
�b3 �b4 �c4 �b3 Back reign
Game Game 33 Averba-agozin 21st USSR Champsh Kev 1954
Duch Deenc 1 c4 g3 3 g 4 7 6 d4 d6 In he end, end , a well wel l known known poson om he Ilyn-Genevsky Varaon has been eached eached by ansson of moves. moves . 7 e1 A sandad dea Whe pepaes e2-e and hs s no evened by 8 . . g 9 e e 1 0 xe xe xe xe 1 1 x xe xe on accoun o 12 h, when he queen has no eea squae.
e4 9 c g6 10 e3 1 0 xe4 xe4?? e4 e4 1 1 d2 d2 would hav havee los o 1 e3 Now, howeve, We s heaenn heaenn o ake on e 10 7 11 he ame Avebakhokolsky, layed l n he sme ouamen, wen
112
Averbakh s Selected Games
1 1 . . .f .f 1 2 :a 1 c 1 b b a5 1 c5 c5 wih a sligh avanage fo Whie, bu 12 b, employe lae by Fuan, is even be.
1 c his move is jusie Whie has complee his evelopmen an can embak on acive play. A he same ime he is oblige o huy, oheise ae 1 2 ...f ...f an 1... 1...e5 e5 Black will have a goo game. 1 f6 13 cxd6 cxd6 14 b3 d 1 d
may seem ha Black Bl ack has successlly solve his opening poblems His Hi s knigh a a d i well place, and i only emains to develop his queen's bihop o o hi he
shoul s s have have playe 1 5 ...b8, ...b8, and ae 1 ec 1 7 7 1 7 e 1 c6 he wold have have ha a soli game alhough wa inendn 18 an consiee he esultng posiio o be favouable fo White. Howev agozin was aleay in an opimisic moo, which explains h following move, ae which Bac's posiion collapses like a house of o f cads. cads. 1 b6? 16 g! xg 1 ...b7 ...b7 loses a piece o 17 xe7 xe7 xe7 1 8 h. h. b7 17 xg Ae 17 xg5 xg5 1 8 x x5 5 exd exd55 1 9 x5+ h 20 xa8 Blac has no compensaion fo he los maeial. f now h knigh wee oblige o eea, Black woul gain a easonable game bu Whie Whie has a new possibi possi biliy. liy.
e4! 18 fxe4 19 xe4 Duing he las fou moves he posiion has change aically. My opponen ha managed managed o o evelop his bishop, bisho p, but at wat wat a pice His cenal pawns ae we, d he knigh at 5 is insecu. ve efence efence was wa s no no o agozi agozinn ' s . e iniiaes a acical skiish, bu appaenty miscalculaes. e7 19 xg 0 xd6
13
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Games Games
Ge 4 Averbakuetin st USSR Chams Cham sh h Kev 954
v eenc eenc
1 xe6! eas eas Back ad been been counting counting on :xe6 d, wen Wite oses a iece 1 xe6 3 xe6 xe7 ad8 3 xd4 4 e4 el 6 5 In time toube, Back gves u a send awn in ode to etain is biso ativ ativat at is second second ook If a I tenin to ay ay 6 g g 27 e6 w tenin xe6 x e6 28 7xe6 7xe6 :d :d 9 e2 c8 6 xa7 7 c ack sti oveooks the imending ane
8
f6 Back reign reign
1 3 4 7 8 9
d4 c4 c3 a4 e3 xc4 e2
dS c6 f6 dxc4 e6 b4 bd7
e4 g4 10 e7 dl 11 1 3 x eS x 13 dS b6 14 3 cxdS 1 a d4 16 dx 17 axb6 bx cS 18 19 bxa7 At th im this vaiaion of te av efence had been exensivey ayse ad, ad Back ayed 19 19:xa7, :xa7, ae 2 :a7 xa7 a position coud ave ee eaced om he game Liienta-Aon (16t UR Championsi, 1948), wee ae g :d d Wite gained a
114
A verbh 's Selected Selected Games
sigt advantage Aexei etin was aways we we eae eaedd teoeticay, teoeticay, and e makes a new move, eventing te biso om going to to g
19 h6 0 e3 b6 If 2 b tee woud ave foowed 2 a, winning a awn .d5 1 a7 By st st aying aying 2 xd xd Ba B ack woud woud ave maintained mateia equaity, but by eying 22 exd Wite woud ave ceated a dangeus assed awn xa7 xa7
.xh6! i mination efutes nen nent't' iovatin iovatin x 3!
te
This inteediae ve is he whoe oint 4 : x 2 exd exd wod wod ave ave ed t ncear pay pay fxe4
e3 6 made tis ve deendin he awn, witot aicar hoht Bu now studying this osiin many years ate, noticed te stron repy 6 g4! wit te uneasant treat o 7 d7 If Back eies eies 26 x 7 , ten 2 d8 �7 29 Jxg7 is decisive, wie i e ays ays 26 2 6 then then 7 6 e3 wit te better chances or Wite 6 "al+ 7 h xe3 27 xc3 xc3 2 Jxc x xg3 g3 29 xg xg bxc 3 xe wod ave ed to a ost rook rook end endin ing, g, eg 30 c4 3 xe4 :c 3 e2 c3 3 3 c2, and te te king kin g goes across across to to te c3 awn 8 "xe3 d 9 d7 30 Back seeks savation in a queen endin, but in so doing e gives u a awn awn Muc bee bee was 3 e6! e6! 3 b7, and and ee ee not not 3 f6 32 "xe4 "x 33 "xe, but 3 ! 32 "g3 "f6, "f6, wen Wit Wit ' s advantage is insucient fo a win
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's elected elected Games
1
41 'e In suc ositions, wee tee ae no assed awns, Wite's an is to enetate wit is king into te oponent's position and weave weave a mating net ne t 4 g4 Oening Oen ing te way way o o te king kin g 4 ' 4 �g 'c+ 44 �h4 'd4 45 . x x xe4 'xc 'b7 �g8 'c 4 xb6 5 8 6 '7 g8 7 e6 h7 8 e4 9 g 39 g4 was ossibe, but did not u, ig to begin te eaisation of my ge oy ae adouing te game aaysin aaysingg it at at ome 9 �h6 40 �g1 �h7 41 �h
tis osition te game was e, and ack ad to sea is next me
45 g6 is makes tings sigty easie o Wite Had te back king retreated to te back rank, aer - and � ite woud ave ayed g-g6 and again set u a mating net, but in tis case ack woud ave acquied staemating cances, and te win woud ave been not not t t simp sim pe e Now, owever, Wite's king quicky invades te te enemy osition 46 �h6 47 h7 48 g5 49 f4 exf4 Going into te awn ending is no bette 49 xf xf4+ 4+ 5 xf4 xf4 exf4 exf4 1 �x4 �x4 �6 52 �e5 �g5 53 �e6 �4 4 �f6 ad Wite Wite wins �h8 50 5 h6 Back eign
116
Averbakh 's Selected Games
Game Averbakh-Bannik 21st USSR Championsh Kiev 1954
ngish Oening Oening 1 3 4
4 g3 Rg2 e3
eS 6 g6 Rg7
In te 190s this was Botvinnik's favoite continuation However, in his ast book of coected games, ubished in te 18s, e himse oints out that d or even e4 sets Back more dicut oems ge7 5 6 ge2 6 7 8 4 ex4 9 ex4 Rg4 Te we-own game Botvinnik-Res evsy (AVRO Touament 1938) went 9 1 d e e 1 1 b3 a a 1 2 b2 b2 d7 3 c 14 b4 wit a ositiona advan e otvinnik thout tat by te biso ove to 4 Back coud fuy equaise 10 f 1 3 ot otvinnik vinnik ive ivess 1 0 xe2 1 1 xe2 x e2 f 1 2 d e 1 3 c2 c 2 :e8 wit wit an an acetabe ame fo Back
10 8 n his notes to the game with Res evsky, Botvinnik attaches an excamation mark to this move whereas Konstantin oosky, in his notes to the resent ge in the touament book, thinks that the reeat to d7 is mor natura However, ten Wite is not obiged to ay d4d 11 S eS eS b3 1 In the same notes Botvinnik asses tat te continuation chosen by me aso acieves nothing, athough he does not give ay variations to demonstrat demonstratee tis ti s The question arises i this variation is so unromising, why did I choose it? Firsty, did not consider it to be unromising econdy, and tis is e main thing, the variation emoyed ives White a airy soid osition, and at tis moment, two rounds beore the end of te touament, was eading my neaest iva by a whoe oint, so that I did not need to aim or the maximum My main task w not to aow the oonent active ay 1 a6 This move was recommended by Botvinnik, reckonin on 1 b2 b! wi ood counteray for Back, but my s incuded inc uded a dieen dieentt way of deveoin bisho Back coud have consideaby sarened the ay by 12 12c6, c6, but i,
A verbakh verbakh s elected elected Games
a aye of sticty ositiona stye, did not ae sc moves
1 g5 h6 14 e 15 e8 16 b8 17 4 x4 x4 7 18 ite as a satia advntge, and aso a sit ead in deveoment, so tat ack as ay vey cautiosy Te moe tie B aso as its dawacks ite ees 19 cx 0 f4 g4 1 7 x7 f fe 1 it a good game game
19 h in aainst te teat of winnin t t 0 f4 1 fel :xe1
117
eing camed, Back is gad of evey excange, bt tis does not imove is osition xe a Anticiting the trnsition into mino iece ending, White iroves te osition of is king kin g e8 24 :xe8 xe8 5 e2 d8
Taasc in is time said tat if one iee stands ady, then te enti osition ecomes bad In o case te back knigt is ooy aced, nd this te ays te ecisive oe Wheeas Wite aday stngtens is osition, ack is nae to nd any ossibi ossi bi ities for for conteay conteay q 6 e 7 b4 eginning to cr te oonent on te queens ide 7 7 8 x4 9 x4 White ws tretening c4-c, so ak decides to excange te dak-sqae isos, bt now the wite knigt as taen a song osition 9 c8 7 0 e 1 g7 l
11
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's elected elected Games
By emoving his conto of c, Back aows the oonent to make an imoant awn advance 32 " cS b3 33 g7 cxd6 cxd6 34
With the queens on the boad it is easie fo Back to defend, so Wite decides to exchange them, ae which he acquies new ossibiities fo sengthening his osition the centaisation centaisation of his king ki ng and te advance advance of is i s queenside queens ide awns 3S "c gS This move was condemned by te commentatos, as it weakens the awn, but on the othe hand it cou have aowed ack to makedy imove the osition of his knigt knigt "xc 6 e 37 xc gxf gxf Back soud not have been in a uy to make this exchange Ae 37 37 foowed by 38 38 and and 39 g6 e o ave oed to save te e oweve, te move ayed is not a a mise 8 gxf � 9 c 0 a e7 e at oouni o a suess esisne esisne was 4 8, wen a succeeds in imoving te osition of is
knight Howeve, this was the ast move befoe the time conto, and he ha ony seconds e on on his hi s cock Now his osition becomes hoeess hoeess
41 h4 The ony move that eads to a win Wite no onge aows the knigt manoeuve 41 h8 This move was seaed by my m y oonent, oonent, but it is i s aeady too ate 42 hS 4 a 8 43 woud have oeed some actica chances, but ae 44 e dxe 4 b c 46 4! axb 47 xb d7 48 xd7 �xd7 49 c+ �d6 b7+ �xd 1 a6 �c6 2 + �b6 �b6 3 4+ �xa6 4 xe White wins
119
Averb Averb elected elected Game
44 b5 Wite's pan is cysta-cea He needs to open ines ine s on te queens ide and ten ty to eneate wit is king into te enemy position 44 c8 45 �e3 �e8 46 �d4 �e7 47 d3 48 a4 axb5 ecause of te teat of 49 6, tis excange is i s foced foced 49 xb5 d7 Tis move too as to made, ae wic te win fo Wite ecomes a mate of simpe tecnique tecnique �xd7 50 xd7
59 60 61 62
d4 8 b5 �d7 �b6 �e7 �c7 Back rign y my victoy in tis game I won te tite of UR Campion wit a ound to spa
Game 6 Game Korchnoi-verbak 21t UR Championhip Kiev 1954
iciian Defence
51 �c4 �c7 52 �b5 d8 53 c3 Now te knigt eads towads te pawn 53 54 e2 d8 55 4 56 x In concusion ack nds imsef in zang and e is foed to aw te adne adne of te enemy enemy king kin g 56 d7 8 57 b6 58 �a7 c7
Tis game was payed in te ast ound of te Campionship was aeady out of eac of my ivas, as I was eading my cosest pusues, Kocnoi and Taimanov, y one and a af points Fo me te ae was ove, and I was in a vey enign mood, navey navey assuming assumi ng tat tat my m y oonent woud e simiay incined A te se e coud not catch me, and a sae of seond pace was moe moe o ess assd c5 1 e4 c6 2 d4 cxd4 3 4 xd4 d6 5 c3 e6 6 5 a6 7 d2
2
A verb 's Selected Selected Games
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
f4 h4 e l Ixd6+ xd6
d7 h6 Ixe4 I aS xd6
is variation had been anaysed in ei and was considered by theory to be t for Back, but had emoyed it aanst Gigoric in the 93 Candidates ent, and aer d e7 6 3 6 7 xd+ xd+ xd d d h 9 3 I acieved a good good game game gxf6 15 x 16 h4 Ie7
I new the game LyskovBon sky (9t UR Camionsi na, Lvov 9), which contine
7 x x6 d d d4 d4 xc3 xc3 9 xc xc3+ 3+ xc3 bxc3 with a quick draw Late anaysis by the oviet master Greckin was ubished, showing that, instea of 6 e7, stronger is 6 6b4, b4, and if 7 a3 xc! xc! 1 7 d2 Aer this imrovement, seciay reared by Korchnoi, shoud have reaised that my onent was by no means means eacef eacefu uyy inc ined, but was sti sti in a benign mood and simy cod not deveo any ghting sirit 17 This as in with White's ans ven here, by reying 7 7 c6 c6 and if i f xf6 xf6 d!, Back coud have achieved a reasonabe reasonabe game Ig6 18 d3 'xf4 19 ' 'x 20 xg6 21 fxg6 x x gS 22 23 Ie4
Bak's sition is makey nfe He has a weak aw awnn at e6, his da da sqs ae weakened, and ere e nt is stne than the bisho Now I s robaby have aed with a awn, t at atva vate tedd my ieces by 23 2 3 c6, if 24 xe6 h 2 e 4, t I d not yet sense that that was on the vege of sin g
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's Selected Selected Games
d x h 4 b6 x 5 Defendin Defendingg against te treat of 6 c 6 d c7 7 c6 8 e .c8 9 c4
noi gaday stengtened tn, and I now reaised tat I was n o wat?', I togt to mysef at ds it matter? A te same e can't at at e e ' wee, qite nexectedy te sec t e to y aid e toament was en ed in te egion of Kiev caed odo e setators atending te event, eeiay te yongest ones, oeny s te yonget cometitor Korcnoi, , t t t midy, did not distingi tee y tei good manners, and we t ed to ody exress teir atie And ee, wen I ended in a ctca oition, a grou of yots, in te aery, egan canting in a Aea, eign Aerak, n' i anting acted on me ike a ca to , ed y dire to gt, and e to ate my trengt ' yo eign!', I wiered to , and, giing my teet, I egan
11
seeking te sigtest saving cances, seing mysef te modest goa of not osing efore te 40t move, in order to ado te game and not give ease to Kocnoi Kocnoi ' s most ardent ardent soers soers 9 b5 0 c5 b4 1 d4 g4 c4
g In orer to gain at east some counter ay, Back must activate is rook, nd for tis e sacrices a awn awn xg a 4 e4 d8 d6 5 f 7 I was roosing to re e, e , treat treatenin eningg a ceck at e6 5 .a6 6 d4 :g8 7 g :g4 8 e4 8 :f4 :f4 is wors orse beca becas see of 8 g, treatening bot to cature on c, as we a s e6-e 8 .c4 .d5 9 b g8 40 f4 ticty seaking, I ad fed my tak, y ating ot to moe 40 oweer, te oition main ceeess for Back, deite te sigt activation of is ieces
1
A verbh s Selected Selected Games
ut ut ee ee to my my aid aid came Kocnoi imse Instead of adouing te game, and ten at ome, in a cam atmosee, caiing the way to win, e decided to nish ni sh me o witout ad adouing, ou ing, seeing as we sti ad time on our cocks And so te bae continued wit its foe intensi
f6 :d8 41 �e5 42 �xc5 4 :d4 a4 44 bxa :a8 5 e Of couse, sime was 45 xd5 exd5 46 :xd5+ :xd5 + �c4 47 :d :xa4 48 �f6 �f6 etc 45 xe 46 :xe :xa 47 :e2 :a6 �b5 48 :c 9 g4
And ee 49 6 was moe accuate, and and ony ony if 49 a4 50 g4 49 :a 5 �xe6 Tha's The n is no onger there! Aer 0 h4! g f4 h 5 5 h 53 e! a 54 g5 Wite woud sti ave etained winning chances 5 h ut now oen occurs in rook endings, he active pacing of te back ieces events Wite om eaising is extra awn 51 � �a4 52 g5 hxg5 53 �xg5 c 54 :e2 c5 55 �g4 c4
Hee the game was nay adoued and decared a dw witout being esumed Aer 56 �g3 c+ 57 �g :c4 5 8 3 �a3 �a3 59 �g �g ac ackk ays ays 59 c 60 4 :a 61 5 :xa wit an easy daw Game 7 Game verba-Panno USS v. Argentina Buenos Aires 1954
King' King ' s Indian In dian Defece Defece 1 2
d4 c4
g6
Averb Averb 's elected elected Games
4 6
e4
d6
is game with anno was one of the st in which emoyed the variation with e and 6 g which soon bece known as the Averbakh Variation Wite's ast move aears to contradict one of te basic rinci rinc ies es of oening ay with witho ott yet cometing cometing his h is deveoment deveoment Wite crosses the demarcation ine esides, did not the great Lasker say that at the st of the game the knights shoud rst be brought out and ony then the bsos? Neveheess, this bisho deveoment is ositionay we-founded White en deavours to foresta his oonent's activity, by restricting his actions Incieny, the move 6 g invoves a qi qi conc concte te tra tra the routine routine 6 e is met by 7 xe xe 8 "xd8 xd8 9 d, winning materia, materia, whi e if 6 h6 the bisho eeats to f4 or e3 and then by 8 "d Wite gains a temo for for his deveoment 6 a6 d5 a4 8 is move aso comes into Wite's sta stategic tegic an i t for forest esta as s ack' s ay ay on te qeenside qeenside
13
" 8 9 d2 9 "d is not in the sirit of the varia variatition on in view of 9 b!, with the initiative for the sacriced awn ncidentay, it shoud be mentioned tat the retreat of the bisho by no means oses a temo temo the ba b ack queen wi aso have to abandon the a square 9 e5 trangey enogh this awn advance is a serios mistake y cosing the centre ack ees the oonent's hands for an attack on the kingside The correct continuation is considerd to be 9 e6 1 0 exd exd exd exd g4 g4 with a sight advantage for White herefore mode theory thinks tat inst instea eadd of 8 "a "a Back shoud ay 8 e6 immediatey
10 g4 he centr is cosed, and Wite immediatey aunches a awn sto on the kingside e8 10 11 h4 As is cstomary in the King's ndi Defence, ack tries in this way to create conteray However, here this an as an obvio obvious us dra draw wbac back it ser serio iosy sy weakens the back king's osition f4 12
14
A verbh 's Selected Selected Ges
eeing eein g h he opening o he kings ide wi ony vour he opponen (Whie ws eening 13 hxg6 hxg6 14 gx gx 1 6 16 g6 wih n ck), nno ries immediey imme diey o o cose he posiion posiion 3 g5 Treaening by h-h6 o shu he g7 bisop compeey ou o he gme, nd e sme ime prepring e excange o igh-squre bishops er which number o ig squres in he opponen's posiion wi wi be weakene weakened d 3 14 4 d8 Bck sounds he rerea over e enire ron nd goes compeey ono he deen sive However, he emp o couner ck on he queenside coud ony ve ed ou bady, or exame 14 14xg4 xg4 1 xg4 xg4 b4 b4 1 6 hxg6 hxg6 hxg hxg66 1 7 c8 c8!! :e7 :e7 1 8 b3 b3 !, n nd i 18 xb3 xb3 her heree oows oows 1 9 :b nd nd 0 :xb7 :xb7 .x8 5 x8
17 e oid biers ve been se up in he idde of e boad, and so ee Wie's kin kin fees fees coeey safe safe To coninue e oensie i ony emains fo im o swic is eay iees o e -e and en o oen i 7 17
18 19 2
h4 hxg6 h
d7 hxg6
Whe hs regrouped hs hevy pieces nd depoyed hem cve poss A is redy or he nvson o e eney posion 2 .e7 21 8+ 22 h6 Aer evcuing hs king om g8 d deending he g6 pwn wih his kni Bck hough h he hd sbiised is posiion However he securiy o is kin is mginry, since he pieces crowdin round i do no deend i we Wie ony needs o bow up he enemy foess, and wih his nex move he prepes is exposon
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
23 h! Now it is dicut for Bck to defend aainst the destrucive bishop scrice at f4 or exp expe e d 4 xf4 exf4 2 4 e7 6 xf4 it decisive ack 23 it the despert despertee b Bck coud ae tied to reduce the tempo of the ak, for exmpe 4 xb xb cxb c7 26 xf4! xb, bu er 7 xe dxe 28 xe e 9 xb 6 0 x7 x 7 xb xb White White hs n es es win 24 xf4! c7 As 24 exf4 exf4 oses to h4, Bck hs to defend defend ginst the thre of xe ! f, fo expe, expe, 4 d7, then h b6 26 x xe e ! , winning winning mt mteri
29 4! White's mating ttck deveops ver smooth 29 d8 30 xg6+ g7 0 xg6 xg6 woud hve owed mte in to to mov moves es h h g7 g g 31 xe5 Back resigns
Gme Gme Averbakh-Aronin USSR Team Champnshp Ra 1954
King's ndin efence
25 h2! Ain thretening o cpture on e 25 d7 26 3 e iumph of Whie's pn The qn succeeds in invding the ek sqas in the enem position 26 :x+! 27 ony defender of the e6 squre has imi nated ted t imina 27 x 28 e6 :8
1 d4 f6 f6 2 c4 6 3 7 4 e4 d6 5 e2 6 5 c5 d5 7 6 At tht time the theor of this vriion, hich ter becme knon the Aerb Vrition, ws on ust being deveoped, nd nd m opponents opponents tried vious pans against me 8 f4 f4 bd7 bd 7 g4 9 Back immediate ties to begin active pa in the centre
16
Averbakh Ave rbakh s Selected Selected Games
d2 10 aving aving ov ovok oked ed 7 h6, White gains an imoant imoant temo fo fo his h is deveoment 10 �7 1 0 g g is dangeous ince White h not yet casted, casted, ae 1 1 g3 g3 he h e wi be the theat atening ening 1 h4 h4 11 3 eS 12 xeS xeS 13 f4 d4 14 bS 15 S
The natur reacon to Back's evious move Now his commande wi fee uncomfoabe 16 dxeS 1 6 gf gf44 1 7 ef ef6 g woud wou d have ost immedae immedae o o d3 d3 xS 17 fxS ust one mistake b Back as ed to this dicut osition, where it is aready had had to to oe oe an an good advce advce 1 7 hg hg was no no bette bette becase becase of d d g7 1 9 c3 wth the hreat hreat of 0 e4 7 18 d3+ 8 19 "e2 n defending aganst the teat of 0 e4, Back weaens hs cono of , which whi ch White immediaey immediaey eoits eoits e6 20 d6 b8 c7 21
Back sins Ae 3 h g7 4 "g6+ "g6+ � xe6 xe6 he is mated mated 22
In tis way Back ies to west conto of te e sque fo his ieces, bt in so e weaens the ositon of his Ae te oe oica a6 6 3 4 4 7 � � e I was intenn to ot otn nue ue 8 dxe dxe66 e6 e6 1 9 . 16 eS! ••
In the summe of 19, befoe the UR UA match, Mikhai Botvinnik suggested to me that we ay a coue of aining games eadiy ageed wo woud not be nteested in doing batte wt te chamion of the wod? Befoe Befoe ts t s we ad met ony n ocia cometitions (wit a scoe of 1 =, not n my fa favou) vou )
7
A verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
As a sarring-aner evident suited Botvinnik, and over the net two ears we aed about training games The time contro was the standard one of two and a haf ours for 40 moves f a game remained unnished it was not noa resumed An ecetion to this occued in two matces One was aed in August 96, wen te Word Chamion was rearing for te Omiad in Moscow and for the Aekhine Memoria Touament, and the second was in anuar 97, at the con cuding stage of Botvinnik's rearations for his second word chamionshi match with Vi msov n these matches, games were adjoued aer 40 moves and then resumed n te rst match we aed ve games wit an overa overa score of = in Botvinnik's favour Three of these games were adjoued and aed on right to the nish n a o them had an advantage, and was rckoning to ick u at east two oints Aas, on managed to score one oint Wat haened? First of a one has to acknowedge the Word Chamion's anatica ski, and is resourcefuness and tenacit M anasis, on the oter and, e much to desired Not in sef-justication, but for the sake of te tt, shoud sa that there were aso objective reaons for this a coue of das before th ifated adjoument session, received the roofs of m book H t Slve Chess Sties, and instead of oising' te adjoued ositions, was obiged to work on the roofs, which had t be retued to the tesetter as quick as ossibe ossibe Wen te adoument session came to an end, oinnik did not concea is o, d smiig smi ig remked remked You know, know, Yua, Yua, t f tee equa adjoued ositions noa awas win one!'
Game Game 9 Averbakh-Botvinnik Training atch Niklina Gra 95
French efence 1 2 3 4 5 6
e4 d4 d2 eS d3
e6 dS f6 fd7 cS 6
A favourite continuation of Botvinnik, te aim of which is to echange the c bisho bi sho for for the th e active active one at d d 7 e2 n a game Abrmian-Botvinnik (Leningrad 9) White tried to revent te echange of bishos b 7 e, on which which there there foowe foowedd 7 cd4 cd4 c6 with with two threa threats ts 9 d4 d4 and 9 b4 7 a6 xa6 8 xa6 9 The desire to quick remove te king from the centre is understandabe, but 9 h4 came serious into consideration, aiming to seize sace for active a on te kingsi kingside de To To 9 Wite coud re 0 g3 g6 , wen wen he he obta obtains ins a simi sition to the game, but wi ess exenditure of time tim e
1
Averb Ave rb 's Selected Selected Games
9 Tis is more accurate accurate tan tan 9 e7 10 f4 f exf6, wen te awn as to be take takenn wit wit te te biso (if 1 1 xf6 xf6 1 a4 winning a iece), as occued in te game Botvinnik-etrov (1t UR Camionshi, Moscow 1940) h5 10
A simiar osition ad aready occued in Botvinnik's game wit Tous (0th UR Camionsi, Moscow 19), in wic e caied out te same an as he does ere Keeing is king in te centre for te moment, te Word Camion Cami on aims a ims to restrict Wite's ossibiities on te kingside and to mount a awn oensive on te queens ide id e However, Wite Wite too has is i s tms 11 12 Te knigt is transfeed to a more active osition, om were it wi be abe to suo te te advance advance of ack' ack' s awns awns 14 Inviting ack to bock te centre If I ad tried to excange te dk-square bisos immediatey by 14 c6 "d, ter teree coud ave ave foow o owed ed 1 5 c, d if 16 g5 xg5 17 xg5 cxd4 1 cxd4 cxd4 xd4 xd4 1 9 x x + 0 gx x x 14 c4
16 18
Wd2
a5
White as as na acieved is aim te excange of bisos, but te initiative aread been ost te back awns ave advanced eras ere e sod st ave ave ay ayed ed 1 18 19 b4 h4 20 Te Te une uneaasant 1 a4 is treatened, so tat Wite Wite ' s next move is i s forced forced 21 a4
22 Te oonent was intending 8 and robaby soud ave revented i from connecting is rooks by 2 "f4, d
12
Averbakh 's Selected Games
ony en rnseed my rook o For exa exame 22 2 :e b 24 :e x 25 bx :b 26 : 22 hb 23 :e3 bxc3 24 bx3 b3 2 d 26 "f4 �e �d7 27 h 7 �c6 2
Bk s er osiion dvnge and so e avoids reeing e osiion Now i 2 x ere oud ve oowed 2 x 0 x x x 1 :x :x :xc :xc wi sr sr nd uner ending endi ng () 2 e2 e2 n be me me by :b 4 :b 4 xg6 xg6 :b 5 :xb :xb :xb 36 �2 �2 7 : :b :b ! 4 c c 9 e :x 40 gx e wi dvnge o Bk; (b) 2 :g7 (prob (probb byy bes bes)) :d e2 e2 : 4 :xg6 :xg6 (4 4 4 :d2 :d2 ! ) 4 4 :b 35 �, n nd i 5 6 :g 2 7 :xd : + 3 xa xa : nd nd 40 :x2 :x2 Of ouse a tese sa vriions re not oigatory, bu ey do sow us ow omex omex is is ending ending is In so I voided te ure on nd ayed instead 29 ab l 30 c B ak ties to rnser rnser is i s knig kni g to to
31 32
e3 : f6
7
eing cever rp into wi my oonen s w Bck soud ave moved moved is king king c7 I was inending x5 gx5 4 :6 nd ae 5 :x he 4 wn becomes ve dngerus e? 32 33 d! Wen he kin cks pwn cover, one ws hs wtc ou or unexeted bows suc s is Bovinnik's usa vigince ws eviden dued by e recedin quie mneuvring y 33 �d Bck d decined e knig scrice b ping b7 e ge coud ve gne s oows 4 "f4! xf6 5 x6 :b 6 xb xb 7 � d e xc 9 d �b7 40 x x 4 x � 4 xe6 nd ite s quite sucien comension for te exnge 34 f4 �c6 �b7 3 d+ �a x4 36 c7 f4 37 Wie s w pwns nd n k fo e iee, so i is quie undersandae tat e deender soud im to exange queens n c b ping 7 : (insead
1
Averbakh Ave rbakh s Selected Selected Games
of 7 ), and and i 7 c7 c7 d, Whie coud have reained a e advanages of is i s osiion, wihou echangin echangingg queens queens
38 d6 Of course, waned o kee he queens on, bu aer a6 a7 9 d &c7 te back ieces woud have occuied acive siions 38 xc4 39 xc4 b1+ 40 xbl xb1+ 41 �2 �b8 e game wa adoued in is osition, and Whie seaed his ne move e no onge as an aack, bu his stong oteced assed awn and he acive acing of his ieces give him he adan adange ge e quesion is can can i be be coneed ino a win?
cS 42 4 d7 &c7 4 &e4 suggess isef, bu aer 4 d 44 &d6 d i is doub wheher wheher Whie can can win wi n 42 b7! Back B ackss No ene isis he assed assed d d awn, and so he prepares o undeine is defences b -f6 -f6 43 e4 B coninuing 4 f4 f6 44 & ie woud si si have ever ever chance chance of winning winni ng 43 6 44 ex6? A isake Here oo 44 f4 was songer, mainaining he owe awn a & 44 45 xaS d7! overooked hs ove, assuming a aer a er 4 &d6 46 &d6 &d6 47 e Whie woud win he e6 awn wie eaining his f6 awn Now, oweve, e mus ose boh boh d and f-awns, and wit hem his winning chances, ahough e advanag advanagee remains remains on is side s ide 46 bS+ �c8 xd6 47 cS a 48
c7! 48 Back defends ve accuaey A 48 f6 49 a6 is osiion cod again ave become become ciica ciica xb6 49 b6
131
Averba I eected eected Games Game s
50 51 52 53 54
axb6 xe6 c4 c5
e8 x e5 c6 �d7
55 + is eads to e simication and a qic dw, bt tee is noting noti ng bete 55 �e8 56 x6 d7 57 f4 xc5 58 xh5 d7 59 b7 � 60 4 c5 Draw areed
e concding stage of Botvinnik's eaations fo is second matc fo te od Camionsi wit mysov was to be o matc of tweve games, in wic te od Camion intended to n in' te oning vaiations eaed fo mysov e wee intending to begin aying immediatey ae te 197 New ea, bt I cagt an nexected cod and was i fo a wee is somewat inte feed wit o ans Botvinnik denitey wted to nis ni s te matc in anua As a est we esicted oseves to ten games, te doed nint game was not in ft esmed. e matc scoe was +3-24 in favo of Botvinni, bt in te
nnised game w te exchange u, and ence ad ad winning winnin g cances cances.. is was an exemey tense matc I emembe tat we batted wit a eeness tat was nsua fo training games In sevea games tee was a sevee time scambe scambe,, wic oen ed to to bunders b unders Now, aying toug tese games, and exeiencing as if anew a the canges of fone in tose encountes, suddeny eaised tat suc taining games use u too mc stengt stengt and neous enegy enegy t is is qite ossibe tat, wen a mont and a af ate Botvinnik sat down at te boad wit mysov, e ad not managed to ecove fuy ae ou battes, and to some extent tis may ave aected the outcome of te match match Game 40 Averbakh-Boinnik Training atch Nikina Gr 95
tc efence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
d4 g 3 ig 2 c4 b3
e6 e7 d5 c6
13
A verbh s elected elected Games
e utc ws wys one of Botvini Botvinikk ' s f fvourite defences defences s Back B ack In tis game e e tries new ide te raid raid deveoment deveoment of is queens queens ide minor mi nor ieces 8 b2 d7 9 3 e4 10 xc3 xd5 11 xc3 exd5 e d wn is unrotected, nd Wite coud ve exoited tis fctor to deveo is queenside inititive by b4! Instead e cooses sow knigt mnoeuvre, aer wic e eectivey oses his oening advantage
12 e e6 13 d3 a5! Now Bck revents b3-b4 1 4 :c1 ayed witout ny retensions ere 4 a3 came into considertion, cons idertion, for for exame exame 1 4 d6 d6 e3 (defendin (defendingg ginst a ossi e -f4) e7 e7 1 6 b4! b4 ! , temo temora rari riy y acicing a awn in order to gt fo te initiative 14 d6 15 e3 b4 Finay extinguising ny ossibiities fo te oonent on te queenside que enside axb4 16 xb4 6 17 d2 :2 18
Noting good coes coes of xb4 a a 9 3 "x3 0 d3 "xb3 1 :b :!, wen Bck B ck remins remins wn wn u 18 "b6 19 f4 6 20 21 7 22 :2
Wite demonstrtes is intention to tck on the kingside eiter wi immedite g3-g4, or wit -3 foow by g3-g4 With te im of foresting i oonent, Bck immediatey coun atcks atcks in te centre, but tis eads by foe foe to better ending for Wite 22 5? dx5 x5 23 :x5 24 x5
25
d4!
A verbh verbh 's electe elected d Games Games
33
otinnik ceay undeestimated tis oe, wic eads to excanges faou ae fo Wit : 8 2S 8 xS 6 S If 26 :xc5, ten 27 :c2 :c6 28 xb6 x6 29 :c5 :c6 30 :b5 eads to te e ending tat tat occus occus in te game game xd4 2 :d2 27 • + 28 :d :d c2 c2 ack coud ae et et te te queens on, ut wit wit 9 x xd5 d5 Wite iediatey ied iatey wins a awn :xd4 28 If 34 � � 35 :xb7+ �f6 tee foows not 36 :x7 because of 36 d4! 37 e xb3 38 exd4 wen it is doubt wete Wite can eaise is mateia adantage but 36 e :x 37 b4 gS 3S b4 36 e2 gxf4 gxf4 37 gxf4
2 :+ � 29 :2+ :x � :xb4 : e defence in infeio ositions suc ti one i eeciay dicut, in tat t f eea ei one as to coose te et e e ate ateati atiee was was 3 :x2 :x2 32 x7 2 33 4 6 34 b5 g5 wit a sa i d2 :2+ d If33 :2 :2 34 :xb7 :3, ten 35 �e2 2+ 36 �e tansoes into te vaiatin ie in te note to ack's 3st moe, f 35 35:x3 :x3 Wite a te un t 6 � 3 37 �g2, wen te o i i ot of ay 4 :b6
d4 37 A deseate attemt to ing te biso into into ay If 37 :x 38 :xb7 : ten 39 5 5 :b :b 40 b6, b6, eg 40 5 4 �c2 :4 42 �c3 :e4 :e4 (42 :b 43 d3) 43 :x! �x 44 5+ �f6 45 b7 and te awn annot be stoed dxe 8 :xb7 It is no bee going into a ook endin 38 d5 d5 39 :b8+ �g7 40 �xd4 :xe2 4
4
Averb 's elected elected Games
xd xe 4 b e4 4 b6, nd Wite must win � 39 : 40 bS
Gme 4 Pouayevs-Averba 3rd UR Champnshp Lennad 195
Nimzo-ndin Nim zo-ndin efence efence 1 2 3 4
esite te equ mteri, it is rd for Bck to combt te oonent's otside assed assed wn wn For exm exme e 40 3+ 41 �d4 �d4 2 (41 :b 4 2 x) x) 42 e7 43 e 6 44 c e8 4 nd wins 41 :c7 :h6 42 �d4 e4 43 c4+ � 44 �eS
e i i of Wite's Wite's an an 44 6 et y 45 e6 e6!! :x5 :x5+ + 46 �f6 �f6 wie if 44 2 45 e6 �e8 46 6 �d8 47 8 �e7 48 7 x7 4 7 eoe c signe
d4 c4 c3
e6 b4 + c
Te most ntur nd ou wy of contering te misc Vaiation atog I oen yed aiming aim ing fo ess we studied continutions Howeve, in te given cse my coice ws bed on te fct tt te triner of te yon ougayevsky ws Inteationa Maste Lev Aronin, wo I d ayed sevea ties and wo ws we famiia wit y oening reeoire 6 7 d3 8 6 9 e2 10 5 11 e8 e4 12 3 uding by te seed wit wi y oonent made tese oves, I eae tt I woud ave to face oei innovtion, s we were foowin te we
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Games
kown Geeruwe game rom the 193 Candidates Touament However, there was aeady aeady no n o way o deviating deviating
12 xd4 13 xd4 8 14 f4 x4 15 a4! 16 And ere is the imoant iovement e afoe-mentioned game went 16 4 counteay b! 1 7 h4 "b6 with strong counteay b6b, White seriousy By not aowing b6b, i i ack' ack' s ossibiities ossibi ities
16 eS In te rst instance decided not to te ook to go via 4 to h4 17 .x4+ e commentos criticised ou yeky for this move, reckoning that he
13
shoud shoud have cosed e e centr centree by 1 7 d , so as then to begin an attack on the kingside with 1 h and g-g4g Howeve, it seems to me that a concretey-thinking ayer ike the young Lev coud hardy have made such a move, uness it was reared beorehand Probaby more to his taste were the tactica comications that arose arose in i n the game game 17 x4 xeS 1 8 dxeS 19 "b3
19 dS As the ostmoem' showed, 1 9 c7! c7 ! was aso good good Pougayevs Pougayevsky ky was ntendin ntendingg to to rep 0 6 6 x6 x6 1 , threatening e3 or d6 Then i 1 d ther theree coud have have o oow owed ed a3 d ( a 3 d6) 3 e7 d7 4 h6 h6 h (or 4 gxh6 "g3 "g3 h 6 x6 g7 7 xe) x6 (with White can orce orce a draw) draw) gx6 gx6 6 6 x6 x 6 g7 7 "a3 "a3 "c "c "xc "xc xc 9 with a materia advantage in the ending ut Back B ack has a bette betterr deence deence instead o 1 d he shoud shoud ay ay 1 xe4! a3 x 3 x x 4 x " h c 6 xa 7 xa wit tee awns o the excange, aoug te insecue osition o the oonent's king eaves White with some saving chances
36
Averb Ave rb 's Selected Selected Games
20 ad 21 Tying Tying to to expoi the resuting pin p in 21 fc7 22 exd5 xd5 23 b2 7c5 An unnecess unnecess ove Aer :d4! 24 :xd4 :xd4 (24 e :c) :c) 4 exd4 the white qeen as no good sque Thus :2 o 2 :c4 :c4 is good or Back, whie ae 2 d c4 6 :4 d he has the avantage 24 f6! ougayevsky expoits the vey rst onity to obtain serious counter anes 24 xf6
xe5 25 Te eisive mistake Now the game es, weeas 2 ! woud ave e t ompications, Back's best epy yy ing 2 c7 c7 2 5 c2! 26 x :x2+ �h d2+ : d2+ 7 28 e4 :xd :xd 29 e8! xe4+ 30 3 h+ 31 � hite resins 32 � te teee oows oows 32 :2+ 33 2 2 34 xg2 :xd2+
n the rd Chpionship o the couny, which took pace eay in 96 in Lenin grd, the bate o st pace was mainy between passky and me Ony at te nish wee we caught by Taimov, wo won his ast thee games uch a concusion hd not been povided o in the reguations, and t the Cosing Cee on the chie abiter Igo Bondevsky announced the decision o the pos Comiee we were were to be be given one one da's res, and then we woud again oin bate, contesting a three-way pay-o, the winne o which woud become the champion Aer a tiring, aost onth- onth-ong ong event, event, we were aced wih paing uhe ou exception ipoant gaes I one daws an anaog with hetics, it coud be said that t the nish o maathon the athetes wee being asked to un an exa one hundred etre ace The games om the pay-o sowed that the three o us payed in a state tat can in no way be caed noma In amost a the gaes thee wee wid aventues and numeous mistakes Fo exampe, duing the esumption o my st game with Taimanov (White), the oowing position was eached
espite White's exta pawn, te position is dawn To maintain te aane
A verbakh verbakh 's elected elected Games
ak needs to manoeuvre acuratey wit s kin and biso, biso , in aordane aordane wit wit te e f oesondin squares Tus wit te wte kin at 7 o , ak's kin sod be at e7, and wen wen e wite king is at b6 it soud be at Tamanov tried is ast cance, and ayed 71 �b8 Nw 7 1 � woud be a mistake bease f 72 �8 �e7 7 �7, wen Wte wins Te oet rey was any bso b so move aon te e4- dagona, and ny f 72 �a7 � � If now te wite wite kin ki n mes between a6 and a, te biso kees on te same diagona, but as soon as te wte kin oes to b6 or b4, te biso s to d And Wite annot win by exann is f-awn for te -awn, as ten ak ies u is biso for te d awn I was in sit time troube I sti ad to make o moves befre te time ontro And sddeny te dea ame t me tat I d mmedatey ive u my biso, and spose int a itte-known stdy by ze w I ad examined wen I was wtn a book on biso endins And, wtt a moment's doubt, I took te awn 71 .x?? 72 .x �d6 e setators ased No one oud ndestand wat was oing on, as aer te eat f te biso to 4, b o a2, 7 an be met by 74 d, wen Wite wins. an sank nt tout and found ay te ony move tat eads to a daw 73 3?? Nw ae 73 5 7 �x5 dx5 � 7 �b5 75
17
a teoretia osition was reaced, n wi Wite cannot simutaneousy aiev aievee two two tings tings win Bac B ack' k' s awn awn and revent is king from reacing e h oer However, te worst was sti to come! Rea miraes oued in my second game wit assky Game 4 Aerbaps 23rd UR Champonshp PlO Lennad 195
King' King ' s Indian I ndian efence efence 4 f6 6 e d6 3 .g 7 d 5 .e 6 .5 5 d5 a5 7 a6 .d 8 e5? 9 Te rst mirae! assky eiter forgot about, r did not know of, my game wit Panno (f No8), aer wi tis move ame to be reded as a serious strategic mistake, derivin ak of any ane of ative ay in te ente Te corret ontinuation, of course, is 9 . e6 1
3
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's Selected Selected Games
10 g4 e8 11 h4 12 hS f4 13 gS Up o here dd no hve o hnk bou my moves hs hd rdy occued in e fore-menioned gme wih nno 13 d8 iny, te phs divege divege nno pyed pyed 3 defending defending gins he hre hre of 4 h6 14 g4 c7 x8 15 xc8 16
here snk no hough or woe o! On wh dd wse his ime? t s ou h my thoughs we occued by te foowing o owing probem probem wht wht ws ws bee bee to ry nd coninue he ck o to conce myse wh resing e matea dvntge? And, er much hestion, chose he rs opon cy sng, his ws no he bes decision, nd was at he es doube-edged one te osto n the cenre nd on he queensde wod be opened up, nd my kng coud ten aso be in dnger Bu om he ractica vew poin here ws nohing to tk bou shoud hve ken the kgt, ony hen decided wht to do next However, sd erer, my sate was f from no, nd my ired bin fond it hrd o o wthsnd wthsnd he resuting resutin g oad 17 dxc6 bxc6
16 c6 easng tat e ost te opening bae, assky dees on a deseate ste e saes saes a pee, in ode to an an at east some chance of counteray And
18 h4 Thus, Whie Wh ie hs decided to contne cont ne e ack Meanwie, ae 1 a! 6 hxg6 hxg6 0 4 e nee not ave fe 0 d4 1 b6 g4 x x 23 c xe4+ 4 e3, e3 , wie wi e ae 8 b6 7 c3 d4 3 x ex 4 d3 foowed by 5 te exa piece woud be bound to ave ts sa 18 e x6 19 x6 20 g4 b
Averb s elected elected Games
21 e6 22 d4 a3 23 a3 e back ieces have become mch moe active, whee fo the moment White' White ' s atc atckk does no ook dangeos fe8 24 25 32
25 xc4? he second miace! assky goes in fo a saening saenin g of the ay, ay, which whi ch eads eads to Wte eveoing a vey stong aack o 25 :b7!, efending te sevent ank, I w intening to ey 26 , when tee d ha have ve foowed 26 d with a cicated game, in which fo the ent Wite's exta iece does not ay y ica oe 26 x6 e6
139
he thid miace! assky does no see the theatened theatened combinaion comb inaion 27 xd4 he fo miace! Hee hite cod have won with the foowing sectaca combination invoving invov ing the sacice sacice of o f both ooks ooks 27 :h8+! :h8+ ! x x8 8 (if 7 , then 28 xd4! is decisive) 28 :xh8+ �g7 9 :h7+! �x �x7 7 (29 �g8 30 xd4 :xg6 31 h5) 30 h5+ �g7 31 h6+ �g8 3 h8+ � 33 h7+ �e8 34 g8+ d7 35 + + �c8 (3 (3 �d8 36 a+ with mate in two mves) 36 e7+, and to efend against the mae, Back has o give his qee qeenn by 36 :xe7 If he ays 36 �b7, �b7, thee foows 37 d5+! �a8 38 c7+ c7+ �b7 39 b+ Howev Howeve, e, in i n view view of the exteme sitaion, neithe nor assky was caabe of cacating a tese fo foci cing ng vaiations x6 27 was was counting counting on 27 exd4 " with the theat of mate in for moves by 9 :h8+ :h8+ xh8 xh8 3 0 :x8+ :x8+ �g7 3 1 :7+! and and 32 28 xe6 29 xe6+ 30
It w ee tat, ae exn een Wte d qiky eae i et etaa iece iec e Hweve, Hweve, B ack' s ton ton awn awn cene enabes him to ceate conteay,
140
A verbakh verbakh s Selected Selected Gme
and, in addiion, by now was in severe ime toube 30 d5 31 :b3! 32 :3 Too passive c came ino cons consid ide eaaion ion,, eg d4 a x 4 xc xc g g d, d , or c4 32 c4 33 �d2 :g6 34 :gl d4 35 36 g4 : g4 Wy no 6 c7, focing e bisop o e to g7, as 6 64+ 4+ 7 c is no dangeous fo Wie? 36 :d6
a exoits e fac tat Wie's oo h e te st ank, and sets a a If 37 c7 tee cod ave foowed 7 c3+ bxc dxc+ 9 c :d2+! 40 �xb3 c2 o 9 c :d2 40 x3 :bb wit a angeous aac 3 7 � :d7 38 g6 :db7 39 e1 Wit my as few seonds icking away, I made tis essentiay poiness biso m owv, vn a te moe ative 9 8 8 7 7 (fni (fnin n aainst 40 f6) 40 a :7b5 i is dotf wee Wite an win
39 40 41
gh4
c5 g7 !
had no naged o cach my bat aer he e scrbe, when in is poson s ced wh avng o sea a move sooy considered he adoued posiion The opponen's avaane of pawns nd cve roos oo eaening Tere was no quesion of winning, b perhaps, God wing, i mig be possibe o daw houg for 4 minues ove my seaed move passy's raner, Aexande Toush, hough ha by 4 xc dxc 4 bxc Whie coud have gained a daw However, did no see his, and seaed a dien move, aer wi, as anaysis sowed, soud have os bxc3 42 On he resumpon here oowed 42 : cxd4 exd4 43 44 :xf4 : a+ 45 �d3 f 4 c , e en 4 d wi e at of 46 46 c mae is decisive 45 :b1 :xa4 46 :1 47 �c2 47 c was a ouge defene ahough oo woud no ave saved e
Aerbak Aerb akh h 's Selected Games
141
e fo ite ite a aer er 47 c4 4 c c 49 xa4 :a 0 b6 d3 1 d :a2 e c3 3 d :a 4 d4+ 5 :xa 6 e7 7 7 : �6 �6 5 f4 f4 7 7 9 9 :x :x wen wen ack wi 47 b5 8 e5 e at cance If the biso moves te te foow foow 4 c4 wit an iesistibe ack 55 56
8 d3+ e miace! asky wins a woe ook, emeging te excange and a aw aead, but in so doing e aows ite to activate activate his hi s ieces i eces and, in te end, to ave te ame A ou sowed, sowed, 4 xe ! woud ave won If 49 d o 49 :e4 thee ow ow 49 c4, and it i not aaent ow ite can defend against the numeous at 49 �xd3 :xf4 :x+ 5 �e4 :3 52 �f4 :x6 53 :b8 ack decie to witc to defence e ti tiee 53 :3 coud ave been met by 4 54 :e6 f 6 c7 d it' initiative i sucient fo a daw
:5 e8 �e4 l :3 5 7 e imiin 7 x7 xg7 e6 6 9 :xc :xe6 :x e6 woud ave favoued Back 5 7 58 �d5 :d1+ 59 �e4 :c 60 �d5 :d1+ 6 �e4 :d7
62 6+ x6 ut ee e excane favou Wite, ince i iece emain active oweve, it wa daneou fo ack to avoid it ecaue of 63 4 :7 6 :x6 � 64 :6+
142
verbh ve rbh s elected Games Games
�e7 65 + �d7 66 c6 If 66.. . %4+ 67 �d5 c4, ten 68 %xa6 %d8+ %d8+ 69 %d6! c8 c8 (o 69 . . . b8 7 %c6) 7 %f6 wit te uneasant teat of 71 b4+. xcS 67 6 68 �dS b6 69 aS bS 70 xbS axbS
71 e6+ is move was by no means me ans obigato ob igatoy. y. Aso ossibe was 71 �c5 %b8 72 �e6 73 �c6!, again wit a daw. 71 x e 72 �cS 73 �b6 Dw areed Ae 74 b4 and 75 c5 Wite e iiates te te eney awn.
e na esut of te ay-o was aimanov aimanov 3 oints out of 4, Aveba Avebak k 2, 2 , assky . Game 43 verba Inteational oament oame nt Dresden 195
NiIdian fece
d
3 4 5 6 7
c4 c3 d3
e6 b4 dS cS bd7
e oening vaiation wit te deveomen of the knigt at d7 was ve oua in te 1950s, unti is dawbacks wee wee discosed. 8 dxc4 Mode heo considers h is i s move is insucient insuc ient fo fo fu fu equaity equa ity because of 9 axb4! ax b4! cxd4 cxd4 (9 . . . cxd cxd3 1 bx bxc5) 1 x x7+! 7+! x7 x7 1 1 x xd4 d4,, bu bu i n my ime ime tis was was not yet known known . xc4 9 cxd4 10 exd4 xc3 11 bxc3 c7 12 e is is bette tan 12 d3 e5!, we ack as an exceen game (Kuge Fuan, Bucares 1954) 12 b6 It is dangerous o win a awn by 1 2 ...b6 ... b6 13 d3 xc3, as ae 14 d2 a ack is beind beind in i n deveoment. deveoment. 13 b ee te biso is bady acd; it woud ave been bette to deveo it d2. 13 b7 14
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's Selected Selected Games
At ast ite's oigina an as taken e if 14 14d5 d5 e was intending c4 f4 16 e3 oweve, Back as a moe teti ossibiity, invoving an attack te igsie Initiay I was intending to y 14 144 4 g3 c6 16 d5 exd5 17 4 6 1 8 :fe 5 19 gf6, but ts seed too sma an acievement, and I efeed to saice a awn myse, in oe to gin time fo te atack 4 bS!? :ab8 5 xbS 6 e2 dS
1 6 x x 17 gx d5 did not aea bse bse of 1 8 xd5 , aoug in fact act t e Bak woud ave ad a good t ow, ow, by aying 1 7 d f4 f4 , y oonen oonentt woud woud ave ave 8 e ssbities of a deence I woud
4
obaby ave ad o ey 7 7 a6 a6 :fe c4, occuying te c4 squae Instead o te move ayed, 6 6g4 g4 aso ooks quite good 17 c4? Wite eads owads his own doom Now evens deveo by oce 17 19 eS dxeS 20 Back B ack was teat teatenin eningg bot bot 0 and 0 b7, so White is oced o ke tis awn awn 20 21 �2 xeS
Te sengt o Back's attack is iustated by e foowing vaiaions (a) �3 x 3 c3 x 4 �g4 g 5 �4 g5 6 �e3 (6 � 3 7 �e4 :fe �d3 mate) 6 :fe+ 7 �d3 :bd �c :e 9 �b3 d4 30 xd4 xd4 b7 b7 3 1 �a �a44 a6+ 3 �b4 :b 33 �c a 4 �d3 �d 3 d mate; mate; (b) d4 :xb 3 xb (3 �x3 x! 4 xb + 5 �g4 g 6 �4 :e! 7 : g5 :ae ! 9 �xg5 6 6 30 �4 g5 g 5 mate) mate) 3 f4 4 � (4 �g3 ed3 5 b5 c! o 5 d d6) 4 4c6 c6 5 b3 ed3 6 d g6 g6 7 :g x x ma mae e
144
Averb Ave rb 's Selected Selected Games
ay 8 g5, g5 , and aer aer 8 :xg5 Of course, I did not cacuate a tese ave to ay x ack wins easiy sectacu viations at te boad, but 9 xg5 x intuition suggested to me tat, wit Wite's king so oen and is ieces bady aced, a tactica tactica soution so ution woud wou d aways be found xe5 22 xe5 23 �x3 Wite does not beieve in te coectness of Wite's combination 3 fe was reativey best, wen I was intnd intnding ing to rey rey 3 5 wit te treat of 4 4 b! 23 :b6 24 � Terefore ite resined Tere is noting better Aer 4 g tere tere woud ave ave fo foowe owedd 4 5 5 �g :g6 6 �f 3 7 �e :e8, Game 44 wen maor oss of mateia fo Wite is Averbak-Fucs inevibe, wie if 4 :fe :6 5 Iteatial Tuamet x6 x6 (5 �g x x 6 �g 5 5 wit a Dresde 195 quick mate) 5 + 6 �g gx6 gx6 King' King ' s Indian I ndian Defence Defence 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
:6 24 25 4 If 5 f4 5 wit decis ive tea teats ts 25 :6+ 26 "f 27 e na nesse It w not yet too ate to go wong ae 27 5 Wite woud save imsef by 8 f4 ut now, to de fend aainst te mate, my oonent woud
c4 d4 e4 e2 5 d5 a4 d2
6 7 f6 d6 c5 a6 e6 a5
145
A verba 's Selected Games Games
1 0 :a3! One of e new ideas a I ied o u ino acic acicee in is i s vaiaion vaiaion sy, sy, now i is exemey dicu fo Back o ay b7-b, b7-b, and secondy, e ook may be swiced, as in e game, o 3 for an aack on e kingside 10 exd5 11 exd5 bd7 12 b6 �f Te Te op opon onen en''ss n n is cea cea e inends o aack e c4 awn wi is knig and queen 13
13 4 a ay woud ave esued om 1 3 4 1 4 "c "c ! ( 1 4 a xc xc44 1 xc4 xc4 16 :a4 "b3), fo exame 14 14e4 e4 ( 4 4 xc4 xc4 1 xb 16 xc4) 1 xe4 xb 16 f6 h (6 (6g7 g7 17 6! ) 1 7 "f4 "f4 xa xa33 1 "xd6 "xd6 wi wi comicaions com icaions a avourabe o Wie Howeve, Howeve, e move ayed is no n o bee bee woud aear a Back's enie saegy is dubious 14 "f4! x 15 fd7 " x obaby Back soud ave admied e fauiness of is an and ayed 1 bd7, bd7, bu insead e esiss, aowing Wie o deveo a sudden aack on e king
e4! 16 Unexpeced he ck queen nds isef in dangeous posiion, and in addiion e d6 pwn is anging If 16 e e ee woud ave foowed 7 "3! bxc4 1 f6 xf6 19 "d! (e on deence; if 9 9d7 d7 Wie gives ma maee in hre hreee oves 0 x7+ x7+ x7 1 h3 g mae) 0 e3! d7 c3 xe3 xd 3 xf wi considebe advanage fo Wie Having decided noing good wi come of acive oonen begins rereaing over e enire fon, bu now Wie makedy sngens e pacing of is ieces
17
"h3!
7
146
A verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
Te aem o drive e knig from e4 by 17 17 woud ave been unsuccessfu because of d c7 9 g5 and 0 e6 e8 e8 18 h4 Tere is noing beer If, for exame, f f6, ten 9 5 0 x5 x5 g5 xg5 gx5 e6 b6 xg7 xg7 4 x5 wi a decis ive aa aack ck 1 9 h3 h5 9 does no e 0 f6 xf6 xf6 e7 ( x5) g4! 5 x5 f5 4 g5 7 5 xg6! and and wins
20 3! Wite as no reason o ur, and so e camy ees e sacrice on 5 Aer te immediate 0 x5 tere coud ave foow oowed 0 xe4! xe4 ! xe4 gx5 x5 x 5 and and ack ack ods on on 20 Aaist te attemt to neutraise te ooe ooet't' s attac attackk by 0 xe x e 1 xe b I was intending to ey d! 3 e3 e 3 21 xh5! xb2 e accence of e sacrice 1 5 coud ave ed to te fo foowin owin is 22 5 6 3 f6+! xf6 4 f6 4 25 x4 x4 wen mate caot be avoided 22
A voun vo una a for forkk ! gxf gxf5 is met m et by f6 f6 xf6 xf6 4 xf6, xf6, and and if 4 e7 5 x!! x 6 x mae 22 xh5 Tis oses oses quicky 7 was te most tenacious, wen g4 xg5 4 xg5 w ossibe, wit a cotini attack 23 f6 6 24 5 ce7 25 h6+ � 26 xb2 Back resins Game 4 UhmannAverbakh Inteational Touament Dresden 195
Nimzo-Indian Ni mzo-Indian efence efence d4 f6 1 2 c4 e6 3 b4 4 5 e2 d5 6 e7 cxd5 exd5 7 c5! 8 3 In my es wit Resevsk d otov om te 195 Candidates oa ment I tied to manage witout tis move but bo imes I ad an infeio e
Averb Averb s elected elected Games
Meanwie, tis continuation, wic ocd cd ak ak in te te 937 uwe uwe-Aeki -Aekine ne Ma, is te sim est way way to eqa eqaise ise JxS 9 dxS
Jd3 10 ee we ayed 0 b4, but ae d4! d4! e an into dicuties Fo exam exame, e, if a4 a4 tee tee coud coud ave ave foo oowed dxe dxe3 ! xd ( x xc? ex ex 3 �e �e Jg4) Jg4) ex ex 3 �e g4 and and Back B ack wins 6 10 11 Je6 12 e2 Jd6
1 d4 i aets to exoit te e of a's ioated awn it wit a sigty infeio gae 3 xd4
47
14 exd4 :e8 4 g4 g4 3 x was was ma matue tue ease of 6 Jx7! (ut not 6 �x 4 7 f f ! wit an atta attack ck)) 6 �x7 �x7 7 :x :x Jxg3 Jxg3 d3 d3 an and 9 x xg3 x S 16 Jx b6
Back as a ead in deveoment and now egins active ay g6 17 b3 1 8 Jh3 Umann intends to ay is biso to g2, to aak te d awn e4 18 1 9 d3 Je7 2 0 g3 J 21 Je3 :e7 2 2 :ac1 :ae8 23 :fd d6
14
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's Selected Selected Games
Te initiative is copetey in Back's ossession Wite as to defend weak nesses on bot bot wings 24 2! Te incautious 4 woud be et by 4 xg ! xg xe 6 e xg xg 7 g g wit a powefu attack 24 hS! Continuing to intensi intensi te pssu pssuee on te kingside king side Ae Ae 4 xa xa33 I did not cae cae fo xe4 ! dxe4 dxe4 ( xe4 6 c d 7 :Xd :xd x xe4 e4 xb 9 b 1 c4 0 e e g7 g7 1 xb7) 6 c4 d6 7 d wen Wite seizes te initiative a6 2S bS h4 26 a 27 4 If 7 f4, f4, ten ten 7 e6 e e 27 S! xS 28 xS 29 3 9 xd xd woud ave ave ost to 9 0 � (0 x x 1 g xd an and xd ) 0 0 e! e! 29 e2 30 8e3!
31 e3 Un isks acceting te sacice, in tat ac' s ack ack wi ead ony to a aw e cod ave defended sc cey ony by decinin te sacice wit 3 1 c Ten 1 b6! xa6 xc
xe x 4 x x e was possibe, wit dawing cances 31 :x2! Of couse couse,, not not 1 g g xd x 4 x g 4 4 c 7 x x o g 32 x2 3 33 �hl x3 34 �l
xe3! An ipoant nesse It sees incedibe, but now Back anages to wi bot eney ooks! 3S �hl If , te ten 6 xcc 1 + 7 g g1 ad x ad wins 3S 3 36 �l 3 37 �h 34
49
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's elected elected Games
38 "d8+ 3 c+ does not save te ook 3 �g7 39 x "x+ 40 � "g3+ � "3+ 4 �g "x "xg4+ g4+ and 3 xc xc 38 �7 39 "x+ 40 "f4+ 41 "x4+
to be in Wite's favou ince ten tis tye of sacice as to a ceain extent become a standad idea Ae tis bief intoduction intoduction te fo foow ow ing game wi e moe undesta undestandae ndae Game Game 6 VasyukoAebakh sc Chamsh 1957
iciian efence
1
e te game was adoued, and Whit rined witout esuming Ae 2 � "f4+ 43 �e "xc 44 "xd5 "c+ 45 �e3 "c6 46 "e5+ "f6 ack ises i ses is avant avantage age witout witout dicuty dicu ty ic is stonge, a minor iece o tee wns? Exeience sows tat in te iee te iece is usuay stonger te te wns wns ut in i n te endgame, on te n, te awns, if tey ae connected, cn eiy e suio to eite a knigt o is, atoug, of couse, te outcome eens on te concete situation Tus, exe, in te 954 UR-Agentina t, nstein wn n exceent gme inst N, e saicing a iece te awns ee is ow it egan e4 2 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 xd4 f6 5 c3 a6 6 e6 7 " d7 "c7 9 3 3 x5 x5 5 5 dx dx5 " " xd6+ x6 3 "xd6 "xd6 4 xd6 6 2 7 6 nd nd tis tis ending ve vedd
e4 c5 c6 3 d4 cxd4 f6 4 xd4 d6 5 c3 6 g5 a6 equenty used to emoy tis defence against te Rauze Atack 6 g5, ting to manage, nitiay, witout te move e7-e6, e7-e6, and aiming fo te aid deveoment of ay on te queenside queensi de 7 "d d7 8 b5
9
.x Faing in wit te oonent's an, wic is in fact to foce Wite to catue on f6 Howeve, ae 9 f4 e woud ave d d to to ecko eckonn wit wit 9 b4 0 x xff6 bxc3 xc3 "xc3 gxf6 xc6 "c7 3 4 "xc3 4 xc3 a 5 d5 b! 6 d3 g7, te tet tening ening 7 e6
150
A verbakh verbakh s Selected Selected Games
9 x6 10 �b e6 Yevgeny Vasyukov is a ayer of com binationa sye, and so quite deibeatey ovoked im ino sacicing a iece Besides, waned o est in actice te resuting ending
xbS axbS 11 12 dxbS Wb8 xd6+ xd6 13 14 Wxd6 Wxd6 :xd6 15 �e7 e absence of te onent's dak sqae biso aows Back to dey is king cmfby cmfby at e7 e7 1 6 :hd
te e as ne by fe it a iated enin, we ite tee as f a bis is state i ie
to excang excangee rooks, ten aciva acivate te is i s king, and begin advancing is awns Wat can Back B ack do do to oose oose tis an? 16 :a7! Of course, no 6 6d d and 17 17e, e, wic woud ave been aying into White's ands Back mus scceed in ceating ay on e queenside and in te centre At e same time e sets is oonen oonen a os osiiona iiona ra ra e invasio inv asionn of of te knigt at d6 ooks very temting 17 bS :b7 :hb8 :6d2 18 19 b3 19 c4 was ore accurae, but Wite did no yet reaise ta, aer reacing d6, te knigt mig end u in a dangerous osiion 19 aS 20 d6 :c7 Wite Wite as acieved acieved is aim is knigt as been esabised a d6 Bu wat of it? e cature on , whic whic e ad ned ne d in advance, woud ave ed to dicties ae 21 c4 22 d4 e 23 :43 b 21 �a c6
22 A seious mistake, wic eaves ite in a citica sition 22 4 was sti t,t, and and if 22 d7 23 c en i ey to 23 bd Wite as te it
151
Averbakh Ave rbakh s elected elected Games
ce 24 c ! , e.g. 24 . . . xe4? 25 xe4 xd2 26 xd2 :xd2 27 c6 and if 2 7 . . . �d8 r 27 ...d8 ...d8 28 b4, b4, winning winning e e t, t, wile 24 . . . b7 is ve stongly me me 25 dc2, wen te knigt is immne. t I wld have ad t anwe 22 c4 wit wit 22 . . .b7, with an nclea nclea game. game. 22 d7! 23 4 late, altogh it does se a clever . . If 23 . . .xb3 hee wuld have fed 24 c8+! �d8 25 xd7+ xd7 26 axb3. However, Black as somehing bee. 23 :bd8 It tire tat tat aer 24 c5 c 5 b7 White e a awn, altoug tis wa bably te mt tenacios defence. defence. 24 e5 Vaykv ais a all coss o mainain te te d dee f is positi positin n his re reee nnectd aed pawns, but this weakens enal enal pawns. pawns. 24 fxe5 2 5 e4 xe4 26 :xd7+ :xd7 27 :xd7+ �xd7 fxe4 28
30 a4 xe4 31 b4 32 a5 �6 33 �b3 h5 34 b5+ �5 Black's active king and kngt n cm binatin wih his passed pawn in te cene enable hi o coba successfully te op pnen's outwadly dangerous awn o. hus, for example, if 35 a6 tee wold have ha ve followe followedd 35 . . . b6 36 �b4 4 37 3 (no beter is 37 c5+ xc5 38 a7 a6+ 39 bxa6 bxa6 �xa7 �xa7 ec. ec.)) 37 . . . f4 3 c5 c5 xc5 39 3 9 a7 xa7 xa7 40 xc5 e 4 1 d e3 ec.
35 36 3 7
38
� d6 b7 b6 a6 �xb6 axb7 �xb7 hite resins
Game 47 Averbaouayevs 25th UR Championship Riga 1958
Mde Defence
28 b7! t t manoeve lead t te t a a and t t t ame. d6 29 �b2
6 1 4 2 d4 7 3 e4 d6 y csing ti mve ode ack ain the tin f deeli ' nt at at f6 f6 e7, e7 , o o even even at 6. 6 .
52
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
6 4 e3 5 eS dS 6 6 ge2 ge2 ca b b b b 6 . . . ed4 ed4 7 d4 d4 ge7 8 e2 9 5, alhough h mmed mmedaate 6 . . . s also probabl quite gd. 6 ce7 Ae Ae 6 . . .d4 7 ge e 8 e2 7 Whe has sa ov 9 g4 as te ge
7 g4 i aggessve advace has he a o tcting the oppos acv. 7 e culd have have ollowe ollowedd 7 . . . , o ale natve natvel l 7 . . .h6, chagg he dak a a bihops. bihops . 7 7 . . h5 was edg o repl 8 g5 9 Not wihg o eco ecoc cle le hsel h sel o e cng cng of hs h s peces p eces o he kigside, ayevk eveheless akes he tematc advace o hs -paw, eve tg it involves involve s losing los ing the rgh o casle. casle. 8 x ee 8 g5 is no loge eecve ae 8 f4 9 d2 h6 Black ees hsel. 8 gx � 9 9 6, in o avod he lo of , d t a favuable ending f t t ae ae 0 exf exf55 h4 1 1 4 4 4
1 2 b5 b5 d8 d8 1 3 a7 4 b b e e 1 5 6 7 g h gae vkov-oaos (ovi ad 976).
10 A poa poa ove, ove, h a o whch s o echag echag he lighsua li ghsuaee bshops b shops.. 10 a6 11 Black pobabl has beer chaces o equa equalisg lisg a aee 1 .. .4 .4 2 d d h, as the gae Posch-Ree (srda 967), bu oppone oppone persss rng o avod the echage o bshops. Wh h ov plaed he plas o swch hs quee o h kigsde, b eeg o havg o deed he c7 paw. 12 ex e8 13 hS ge2 x S 14 xhS
S3
A verbah 's Selected Selected Games
Polugayvsky a ai for is osiion osiion wn wn lay lay 1 1 . . .a6, . a6, inking a woul qualis. Howvr, Wi as an gan way o rain a osiional avanag. irs fors Blak o ak on fS wi wi i s knig. x 15 g5! f S... S ...f6 f6 was inning 16 xf6 x6 17 f xf 1 f, raining y xra pawn.
16 g3! Tis knig ov wi a o b forsn arlir is wol oin. ow Blak fas a iul oi. f 1 6 ...g3 ... g3 n 17 xg3 x3 1 x3 f6 1 9 2 or 1 9 xf6 xf6 xf6 xf6 20 e4, wil ar 6... 6...xg3 xg3 r would ave follow 17 g3 1 + 19 x x 20 , in a as wi avanag avanag o Wi. W i. 16 d4 xc8 :xc8 17 Blak aso as a iul osiion ar 1 7 ... ... xg3 1 g g3 1 9 2 2 xg 20 af+ 7 21 22 6 d 23 f, bu is woul evinly ave been e lesser vil. 18 xh5 19 �e2 x5 20 :ag h6 21 h4 22 e4
22 c6 Wn in a rapd osiion, on sould no cra unncssa waknsss. is a ap o opn lilins ns in orr o gain conrplay, rly ns Baks defe. was probably br o sik o waiing ais ais wi 22 . . . g 23 f6 :, keeping keeping a a of . . . 7- 10 rese. 23 �d3 cxd5 23 .. . bS would ave rly l o acivaion of e wi king 2 g3 bxc4+ 2 xc4 cxd+ 26 xS 2 27 , an an if27 . . . :xb2 2 b . 24 cxd5 4 e las cance of a fnc was 24.. .:g8, and if 2S g3 g. ow owever, ere is no defn agains ransferenc ransferenc of e kni k nig g o fS fS . 7 25 :a8 ere ere s notn notn er er I : 26 f 7 : : (eenn nst te tret o :! � 29 e7 � 30 c, nnn nnn te d6 pn) 28 6 6 6 6 6 30 : �e7
3 1 : : � � 3 3 7 7 n n te te ns :8 6
:g4!
e concun nesse y te tt o :4 :4 te prevents 7 6, n te tret o oubn roos on e gle decides te come in a few oves.
1
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's Selee Selee Games
youh, almos sill a chil, showed imlf o be a fully eelod chess ge, emonsraing amazing composue, ecise calculaion, an ruly eilish ngeniy. was escially sagger no so mch by his ey exensie opening owledge, as by his sriing eewhee o seek new pahs pahs ischer s play isplaye isplaye no only his enoous alen, bu also hined a he enoous amoun of work he had done on he suy of chess. Howeer, udge for yourself 2 :g8 28 g8 �xg8 29 :gl �h8 30 :g ack resigns if 30 h6 here follows ol lows 3 1 f6 wih ineiable mae mae
Game 48 verbakh-Fischer Ierzal Tuame Prrz 1958
King King s nian n ian Defence Defence
d4 c4 g6 3 .g7 4 e4 d6 5 .e2 6 .g5 Wihou paicular hough decided o employ my ariaion agains te yong Ameican now seems o me at t decision decisi on was no no aloge alogeer er coect. By tat ime im e when he Inerzonal oamnt tk tk place, he ariaion had ecom ly esablishe in ouamen play. Fc unoubely knew i, and had specially speciall y for for i h6 6 7 .e3 c5 d5 8 Only in he mid170s wa t lishe ha ae 8 e5! Wht can ct an oening adanage. F xl 8 . . . fd7 exd6 exd6 10 , 8 . x5 xe5 xe5 "xd 1 + 1 0 :xd :xd g 4 xc5 xe5 12 5. he moe made y me in t g oes no pomise Wht mch. 1
playe agains Robe ames ischer on only one, single occasion. his occurre a he ery sa of he brillian career of he ure eleenh eleenh Champion Cha mpion of he Worl Worl ischer as jus 1 years ol when he won he UA aul Championship, a whole poin ahea of he secon-place amuel Reshesky, an gaine he righ o ake pa in he World Championship Inezonal ouamen his ouamen ook place in he Auumn of he following year in one ofhe Yugosla seasie resos I was here ha saw Fscher for he rs ime im e He ue ou o be a skinny sk inny eenager eenager in jeans an sweae, aher shy an een unsociable in his dealings wih ohers Bobby, as he paicipans an joualiss quickly began calling him, gaze wihou he slghes ineres a he coloul conyide conyide of he sunny Adiaic Adiaic He was no aace eiher by he golden sand, or e deep blue sea All his houghs were concenae on ches Chess comprise nne life, and he was complely abobed n i And a he ces oad hs
Averb Averb 's elected elected Games
155
x d7 15 f4 b6 16 d3 fd7! gave Black gd play. bd7 13 14 d2
e6 8 h3 9 Bef develping is knig a , Wie as defend agais e rea f 9 ...g4. ... g4. 9 exdS :e8 10 exdS 11
12 g4 I reckned a aer 12 e4 13 xe4 xe4 Wie as n even a in f adnge, and I devised an exrmely dleeded dleed ed plan invlvng a pawn ack ack ng ng de, sin sin p a cnsiderale me in e prce. 12 e4 3 :gl c laer n a game wi Geller I ad 13 ere, 13. 13. . . x 14
14 a6! My ppnen acceps e callenge, alug e less sarp 14... 14...g5 g5,, preparing a reea fr te bsp, was also pssile. h4 15 rwing cain cain e e winds w inds.. Peraps Peraps 1 5 a4 wld wld ave been been less cmmiing, and if 15. 15. . .b5 . b5 16 axb5 axb5 17 :xa8 "xa8 18 xb5, also wi great cmplicains. 15 bS Nw cmmences fring play, a resl f wic Wie scceeds in winning a piece, bu Black acqires dangers reas. b4 1 6 gS bxc3 17 gx xe4 18 xe4 "xh4 fxg7 19 cxb2 � 20 21 :bl In is wld psitin, were we eac ad a ten minte le fr r rmaning mes, sddenly ard alm in a wiper Draw?'. I wld n lke layn c a pin in ime rle eer w Wie, r w Black; de, my amen pin was qie d,
156
Averbakh IS Selected Games
and here was no poin in aking a risk herefore herefore I acceped he h e oer oer As is well known, laer Fischer himself very rarly used o oer draws And when on one occasion he was asked abou his game, game, he replied replied Aerbakh was aaid of losing o a child, and I was aaid of losing o a grandmaser And so we agreed a draw!'
o be fair, I sold menion ha aer 2 1 •3+ 22 : h+ 23 g h3+ e ame could hae ended in a draw by eeual eeual check Game 49 Averba-Laen Interzonal Touament Portoroz 1958
subleies My opponen, who was ei enly aware of his, deviaes m te heo heore reiica call 9 d5 in favour of a le ll sudie coninuaion coninuaion
9 .e6 "a5 10 �l Bu ere Larsn shows himself o be no very well versed in he chosen variao The move played is a satic misake, condemning Black o a dicl defence Geller's recommendatin of 1 0 e5 e5 was beer e6 fxe6 11 1 d8 .c4 13 d5! xd 14 x .x 1 5 xd
icilian Defence 1 e4 c5 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 xd4 f6 5 c3 g6 6 .e3 .g d 8 c6 � 9 In 1950s I mylf haily layd t b i f Dan Viatin, an I tin tat I ad a fai ndani ndanin n f i
s game as gn b c ino an nding in whic, becas f i
157
A verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
at e6, it is dicut fo Back to ate is foces 5 je5 ak intends by 16 16f4 f4 to cange , in ode to ase is defnc ee, Wite easiy pevents tis, and it t t tat Back as meey wasted time 15 15�g �g77 folloe folloedd by e65 oaby songe, aiming to bing e t t into into pay pay as quicky quicky as possib possib 16 d3! c8 7 jb3 b6 18 jd Wte's pan is to advace is kings ide , aso epoiting te unfounat t t f f te back b ack bisop �g 18 9 g3 j f6 6 4 1 e mmediate came into eation, but Wit is not in a uy 1 c h 5 f4
3 d! teing teing 4 4 e5 o defend defend against it, p l ay on te queens de, but Bl am f pl is ead t Wte's initiative on te kingsde eelp into a owel atack 3 c6 4 e5 a5 5
6 7
jd5 jc1
c4 b5
8 g4! By opening ines, Wit desoys te back king' king ' s fo foess ess 8 hxg4 Ae e 8 j 9 g5 te bisop is tappd 9 g3 h8 h 8 3 xg4 xh4 3 xg6 �7 3 jg8 �8 33 je6 b6 Ae Ae 33 �7 �7 t simpest way to win was 34 gg gg foow o owd d by 35
x6 34 6! lc4 35 jxh6 ee is no ote defence against 36
158
A verbakh verbakh 's elect elected ed Games
36 3
38 39 40 41 42 43
xc4 xc4 a5 b3 e3 c6 a5 gl �h �c2 a4 b4 d8 dl ack signs
Hwever, 7 came ino conideratin, and if 7 b4 8 d3 f6 9 with aid developmen d6
Game Game 50 Korchnoi-verbakh 2th UR Championship Tbilisi 1959
icilian Defence 1 2 3 4
e4 d4 xd4
c5 c6 cxd4 c
decded o sw o noal line of the ceveningen ariaion, althoug ee Black ad a wide coice of contination, c 7 b5 b5 or 7 xd4 8 "xd4 b5 etc Hwever, ere my oppnen de m the ine, and adop wa eem t me t be a fairly rational piece et-, aiming f atta attack ck again again Black' kingide ki ngide f6 8 b3 e 9 d3 10 "
An d cntinatin, that i ccain ay myed in mde tent in chni t b a ay h aim f th maximm, I invite him t ty and t ti mve, bt h fe nt t dvit m th famiia th 5 e6 6 f a6 6 te d hav d 7 db5 nd 8 7 t in th bih t t .
d 10 If 10 I wa af afaid f 1 1 4, and f f th mment I decided nt t be in a h t cte
Averb Averb s Selec Selected ted Games
19
11 f6 1 d4 d 13 xd4 xd4 � 14 c5 A mve which is essenially a l f time. I shld have casled, and ly e e 3 3 played played . . . cS.
1 5 :ac! is simle mve ees Blacks idea, ce wit him being behind in develop met e excange n d3 favs Whie. 15 ... d7 dd aeal t me becase I ...d7 f te e mve 16 b4 f eample 1 6 . . .a4 . a4 17 e2 b2 18 :b, and i is t ible t cat n a3, as hee flw 1 3 b2 20 c3. weve, 8 ... f6 w le and if 1 c4 2. t ay eve is was he lesse evil, as a te mve in he game Black has no clay clay a a all . b4 16 xd3 17 cxd3 d8 18 e e I che 14. 14 . . .c . c I was p i i thi thi siin sii n ete etea a my bishp bi shp t f6, t t wa ly nw ha I niced e 1 3 d7 (1... (1 ...g6 g6 20 f) 20 c6 21 3! ack has seis em. wee e mve layed in he game bee.
18 b6 19 Whie iediaely lanes an aa n he kingside. f 19... 19 ...f6 f6 here o hav fllwed 20 f4 eS 21 g6, when he sengh f his aack is demonsaed by he fl fllwing lwing vaiains vaiains
(a) 2 1 . . .hg6 .hg6 22 22 g6 g6 :e8 23 hS e6 24 h7+ 2 h6 e7 26 h8+ g8 27 g7+ g7 28 2 8 :f6+; :f6+; (b) 21...:e8 22 h e6 23 24 h7+ h7 h7 2 2 :h :h + g g 26 h8 h8 mae; (c) (c) 21 .. .: .: 22 22 h h :7 :7 23 :+ 24 xc e8 (24 c 7 2 2 h7+ 26 h6) 25 :h3 hg6 26 h8+ 27 g6+ �e7 28 2 8 g7+ e6 e 6 29 :h8 e. 19 0 f6
160
Averbakh Ave rbakh s Selected Selected Games
21 22
h4
Altoug e as come under a very strong atck, Black calmly completes is development development If I f 23 3 I was intending intending to run wit my king om te danger zone 2 3 24 x7 8 25 g6+ g8 23 23 3 Korcnoi was afraid f 3 5 24 g3 , and it is against tis tat is last move was directed However, it must be considered a loss of time, time , as tis ti s continuation did not come into my plans because of 25 xg3 26 xg3 followed by 27 g6 8 23 24 h3 �!
trangely enoug, tis simple reply came as a surprise to my opponent
25 25 5+ 6 s accu accura rae e Ten Ten i 6 c e ave fooe x d d (2 (2 9 i tree moves) 29 x x g 3 1 g e e xb xb wins, wie wi e if 26 27 c g3 g8 29 g6 i e br cs for Wite o, v s play, an e es f e a k l a severe severe ime scab 25 h8 2 g+ g8 h8+ h8 2 28 g4 g4 Aer 2 2 x xe e 9 c 1 30 xc b5 Blacs canes are n all worse in vie b2 28 2 29 g8 " h4 30 e8 31 h5
g3 32 If 32 6 tere oud ave folle 32 5+ 33 x5 x5 x5 34 g3 g4 35 2 36 d4 it te ea of37 of37 e2 e2 32 gh 33
A verbakh verbakh s elected elected Games
34
xh6
e
35 2 n de nt appecate te dan e f i pitin an continues to pay f a wn Wt 3 :c e cou pobaby e e aeed aeed a daw daw eg e g 3 xc xc + 36 + 3 3 x3+ x3+ 3 8 gx3 gx3 b 3 2 xd3 40 etc 35 h 36 h4 36 + x 37 xg7 e3! wou ae e te wte bop ut out f te ae, t 36 3 wa me accuate 36 h8!
37 h3 eae eae Wte W te n te ee f defeat. Ar 3 5 4+ 38 x4 e d d t t ae ped f f a daw daw 3
Teateng 3 3xg3 xg3 39 xg3 8+ 40 g4 :xg+ an an wns wn s 38 g5 g
39 h Tis oses a pece Howeve een ae te compaatvey bette 39 c x3 40 x3 7+ 4 4 x4+ 4 :x Back wou ave a good wnnn cance 39 xg3 40 xg xh4 41 �xh4 :xg
An amusing poiton t tu t tat te wite biop as nowee t Tu ineia Wte ae tw me me me : :xg 43 :c � hie resigns
162
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's Selecte Selected d Games
Ga 5 1 Ga ronsein-verba 2th USSR Champshp Tbls 199
roughy qual chancs (inP, Havana Olypia 1966 is aain d6-d5, on which hr would fllw e4 5, ha h rook rook ov is aid ai d
icilian Dfnc 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9
e4 d4 xd4 c3 Wd2 b3
c c6 cxd4 f6 d6 e
Mde hry cnsidrs 9 f b h ne, bu Brnsein always s his way wever, h v played was al n new, and had ccurrd svral ime ime in evens evens in h 1 950s 95 0s 9 b6 1 d8 11 el e ual cni cninu nuai ain n hre was 1 1 e3 c7 12 , eprarily prevnin 1 2 a6 and swiching h qun h inide u, fr exapl, Ficher n A ampinhip 1959/60 cn tn 2 2 d7 d7 13 b5 b8 4 a6 I 54 with a lih advanae Whie we we, , Blac B lac can can reply 12 d5 3 exd5 x5 x 5 4 xd5 xd5 xd xd55 1 5 xd5 xd5 exd5 exd5 wih wih
11 c7 w, whn h d6 pawn is seculy defended, Black ss abu iplementin his ain ain sra sragic gic plan pl an a pawn aa aac c n h qunsid 12 g4 a6 13 h4 Wha Wh a is his ipro iprovis visa ai inn a hruhly variaion? A I uh ha Whi siply blundeed away a pawn 1 3 1 x x4, bu f cours hn saw ha aer 14 x! x! x xh h 1 5 g 5 h h black black bishp wuld wuld be rapped Hwvr, h whit bip i n t well well placed placed a h4
A verbakh verbakh s eected eected Games
13 14 15 16
g5 f4
b5 d7 b6
ntein aim fr f4-fS-f6, bt lack t i mp. 16 b4 17 e a 1 8 bd4 g6 1 9 xc6 "xc6 0 d4 "c5 e5 1
te defend i gS pawn, bt e d y e iced it y 22 e e 22 •x •x 23 x xg+ 24 8 2 c7 d7 (2S (2S . . . :b7 :b7 26 2 x x x6 x6 27 2 7 i t eem eem t m e tt tt ll l l cmpenatn cmpenat n fr fr the pawn.
163
c7 Of ce, ce, nt 22 . . .x .x 23 x :b8 24 f6, nd ite a nting nt ing t fear. fear. 3 d3 4 g3
ie' pitin i dicl. Black i tetening tetening a pwn t wic appantly cannt be tpped. 24 d2 can met by 24 . . . a4 2S xb4 dS 26 c3 xc3 27 bxc3 dxe4 28 xe4 :b8 wih an atack. 4 a4 5 d lack wa threatening ...a4-a3, ...a4-a3, b nw te b-pawn advances advances.. 5 b3 c4 6 �b
7 c4 27 c3 a3+ 28 �c xc3 29 bxc3 xc2 wld ae le a beter ending f
164
A verba 's elected elected Games
Black wle 7 e tere would ave follow ollowed ed 7 . . . bxa+ a a6 wt favoable complcatons. Howeve fo te t was not an easy matter wen so so o tme to coose te least ev ev l . 2 x4 f6 28 I wold ave preeed g6 hxg6 9 e. 28 b d8 29 e2 axb3 xb3 30 31 It w hardly any beter to go nto an ending by by 3 1 x xc4 c4 xc4 xc4 3 3 a aer er 3 . . d4 33 xb3 xe4+ Wte has to pa with te excange snce e s mated aer 34 a xa+! or 34 c c+. Even so tis ti s would have eld out longer.
31 a4! Now t s ard o Wte to defend against the mating attack. attack. 32 d2 2 33 d3 xb! Ae 33 c 1 Black Bl ack cold also have wn die dieently 33 . . . xd2 34 xd2 xe4+ 35 a d5 when thee is no efence efence again against st the dealy dealy .. x. x 34 �xb 35 �c3 8 36 4 d5 b4 ate 37 exd5
Gae 5 oizmanverba emFnal 28th UR Champonshp Odess 190
moIndan moIndan eence eence 1 2 3 4 5 6 8 9 10 11
d4 4 d3 bxc3 b2 x4
e6 b4 d5 5 6 xc3 dx4 e5
A wellstdied theoetcal position has been eaced, were Wite sually pe vents the pn on s kngt by 1 h3. Howeve, my opponent decdes to go his own way. 12 d5 tangely ts move s not mentoned in any of te openng openn g books known to me. me . 12 aS e4 a2 13 14 d2 4 It is evident evident that White's White' s 1 2th mve ted ot badly, and he is i s already already in some diculties as s bisops are sht ot of the game. Boleslavsky ecommended he
165
A verbh 's elected elected Games
1 5 d6 c6 c6 1 6 a4 a4 followe followedd by by 1 7 a3 a3 , bt bt ack can ey 15 15 xd6 xd6 1 6 xc4 xc4 7 xc4 c7 c7,, etaini etaining ng some some advantage advantage
"e? Now Wite Wite ' s osition becomes citical citical g4! ex .h3 gx
8 fel 8 fd fd 1 wd ave ave manined aa eqaity, e 8 8 x xd5 d5 1 xc4 xc4 20 :xd5, o 18 18:ac8 :ac8 1 4, a in bot cases lack as an ndsted ositional advantage 8 xd 4 x4 .x4 f 20 xc4 "b6! wit nms a
1
d3 a
x : ae8 ae8
d8! Beginning a acca seqence tat leads by fce to a win Te biso at d3 is teatened, and 23 :xe3 is not ossible beca becas see of 23 g5+ inally, if 23 e4 g5+ 24 g3 xg3+ xg3 :xe4 6 e4 c2 and Black sold win tis ending, altog altog tis ti s was a moe tenacios tenacios defence defence tan tat in te game 3 My oonent oes for te simlicatin aer 23 xd3 xd3 4 xe3 xc3 25 xa7 x a7,, we wen 2 5 :xe + 26 :xe :xe x is nt ossible becas becasee of 27 c5, c5 , bt B lack lack nds a combinational contination of te atck
166
Averb Averb 's elected elected Games
23 g4! 24 xh �xh :xel 25 fxg4 26 "xel :e8 2 :e4 e3 28 "bl 29 xg4 g6 30 g3 hie resigns, as he oses a piece.
6 e3 c6 "d2 a6 7 . . . :e cae ino consideation to answ answer er h6 h6 wi wih . . . h. 8 h6 b5 9
Gae 53 verbakh-Perosian sc Team Champshp 9
King ' s Indian Indi an Defence Defence 1 2 3 4 5
d4 c4 e4
g6 g d6
f
As te Avebak Vaiation gained in lity I yself began laying it comaatively ely Fitly I did t like eeatg one and te se ti and ecdly a cein feeling f satiatin ad et in eefoe I began elyn te i Vaiation ecially wen I wa ai ai f f a win. win . 5 If lack de t catle ealy Wite cie ie t te e e lan lan aimi ai ming ng f f te excange excange f te te dksqae dksqae bi b i
A couple of onhs before tis gae I e Peosian in he 2 th UR U R Cha pionship bu insea o casing I payed he ess accu accura rae e 9 h4. Aer Aer 9 . . . e5 1 0 d5 cxd5 1 1 cxd5 bd7 bd7 1 2 g4 g4 6 6 1 3 "x "x6 � � 1 4 h5 g g 1 5 "e3 "e3 g5 ! Wite did did t t acieve anything in aicula and te gae quickly ended in a daw. eefo etos ian was no averse o epeating tis t is vaiaion bu I had pepaed an iove men men fo he he oen preven prevening ing 9 . . . e5. 9 e6 Hee Hee 9 . . . a5 10 �b :e is sally layed. 10 h4! In such posiions where White's main tk is to ge is atack in st aws d nt con. Fo tis ason lack's vi mve was dbios. 10 xc4 bxc4 11 xc4 h5 h8 1 Having a awn awn in ee e e i eady to give te excange bt Wte de not fall fo the bait and ontie ensive.
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's Selected Selected Games
167
23 g+ e7 e7 (23 (23 g6 24 df) 24 e+ d8 25 xc6 xe 26 xa8+, d f 26
fxg6 3 xg6 4 3 e8 1 4 bd7 bd7 1 g is unpleasan unpleasan for ack, so e decides o ove is rook in e e ten ten o play play e7-e6 S e2 e6 6 g4! Ack, s and foreos! a is te's te's oo oo 16 bd7 7 f4 a
8 eadn posble loss of ateial, te am o open p e poson of te 18exf5 exf5 1 x xe4 enemy Ae 18 w te t l 20 ! xc3 21 a f 2 1 7 22 c2+ c2+ 7+ , a e e I to ta ae 21< I cd acc accee a piece 22 xc4+ xc4+ d d
appears a Wie anaed o ge a a e eney king king Aer Aer 20 dxe e eee follo follow ws 2 1 c2, c2, eg 2 1 22 5+
18
A verbh s Selected Selected Games
22 c2 d5 g5 23 xc4 If 23 xc ere would ve followed mate n two by 2 xe6+ x e6+ d d 25 g5 g5 Bu Bu nw 2 e is reeed reeed
b4 24 d3 d5 25 dl 26 b3 c5 kng e rook 6 xd xd would ve been me me by 27 c, c, eg e g 27 7xe5 28 dxe5 xe5 29 xd3 xc3 x c3 0 g+ g+ g7 xg7 32 xg5+ xg5+ wt wt (30 8 3 1 g7+ xg7 a ck mate) mate) 3 1 xe6+ xe6+ 8 32 xg7+ x7 33 e7+ g 3 xg5+ x g5+ 3 5 + and Wie wis 2 b c4 28 c ack resigns resigns
1 c4 g 2 d4 3 g7 4 e4 5 e3 d c Tere re vrious wys of oosng oosng te misc Vrio Te ece set-u em loyed by Blck ws en te latet wd i fsio fsio d2 a 8 Despie e ooes obvous nen o f tckg o e qeensde, Wte cces cces e cllege cl lege nd csles long long 8 d7 Blck lso ply pl yss b8 ere, or even 8 b5, i y cse w comlcated gme
It w neresig e followig yer I wn n mlr fio, wi swi awn c aant Mrk Tmanov Gme 5 AverbakhTaimanov Mosco v Lead Match 192
Kng s Indn Ind n Defece Defece
A w day befre is game Mak an and I d me e U am Camons Tere e d won Nw I ad a cance o even e scre scr e
h! 9 A imon lk n Wies lan e g7 bs can ake bt n ak and n defence, and eefe t mnt excange On e revous move aman ld bab bably ly ve lyed 8 e8, een te bso from excange 9 b5 h4 10 e eence f e lay w wll b e o reac e enemy kng? 10 e5
69
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's Selected Selected Games
11 12
g ge2
�g
12 aS A poor mov. cu--rus ply of tis , pws o o cou. cou. Blck Bl ck wis awn, bu llows is oppo srog initiaive. Ar S S 3 S bc4 4 xf6 f6 S S 7 6 c3 Wi wol v oly slig br cances. 13 g3! c4 14 c4 bc4 S hS e
e a bo im for is posiio, t valaed i irly oug a c ca angrous res on e i My oppoe gre opimi, ncnlly, cosir cos ir Wi' Wi ' s ac ackk w n dangerous
f4! 16 Now opeig of lis, pig Whie' acking possibiliis, bcoms ieviable. ab8 16
Wi has wi coic. O possibil iy, for ample, is 17 S S g6 g6 9 S S 0 6 � 7+ 7+ 7 22 2 2 7 � ( g7 3 3 f f + f6 f6 24 f6 f6 �f6 �f6 S S S � 6 6 �f6 27 g4+) 3 g6 � However, ee i o s ow coul coiue e aack, r grly prolog oug op for deS deS 1 18 h8 T r of 9 g6 g6 0 6 looks oo agerous o b igor.
19
fxg6
170
Averbakh Ave rbakh s Selected Selected Games
19 6 0 f ws epig, ispig e crii f e blck pieces Hwever, his wul ve elieve he esi he kigsie prefee srper ve, er whic e ppe wul cquire cuer-res Hwever, ck, wihu llwig e ppe y cuer-ply, is sehig h ppes e! 19 hxg6 "b4 20 gS Te espere ep cplice ers ers wi wi 0 b is s siply cu cue ere re by 1 7 7 1 21 :d2 :b6 :hb8 22 : Tiv, resurcel cici, s e biliy se clever rps, we plyig i yu us lwys be yur gur
23 xeS A siple sluin he proble Wihu reucing he ep f he ack, Whie gains meril dvaage A he se se ie he avois avois rp rp 3 f f6 c3+ if 4 bxc3 here fllows e i w w ves ves This Th is ll sees very very eleen , bu Whie has he unepece reply 4 �d 1 ! , wen i is no clear who has cagh cagh who who s if 24 :xb2 25 :xg6+ wih a qick mae mae 24 a4+ 25 �e2 :xb2 is no beer because of 6 + � (r
6 g 7 g6) 7 , gi wi e y ppe ws evienly relying e splei resur resurce ce 4 g4+ 5 g4 g4 (5 (5 �e lose losess 25 c + 26 � 7 7 b) 5 :xb2 B eve s e l wr rei reins ns wi ie Wih Wih 6 +! +! (26 �8 is no beer 7 h7+! �h7 8 hg6+ ec) 27 hg6+! (7 xg6+ leads oly o a daw) he es es he he blck kig ki g Tus 3 xf6! ws he quickes way t wi, lbei cplice e, since if 3 f6 Whie hs 4 h6 23 : 24 xc :b 2S "4 c6 f 5 eb6 6 e5 e6 7 d4, hre hre ei eigg b 6 d5 g6 26 hxg6 h 2 gS �h8 28 hS+ "e 29 h6 30 4 "
Black's posii is opeless ie bh er paw, d owel a y ppe' s ly ly chance was a a I w in sever ie rouble When here only secs le o your clok, i is no ey to calculed even he mos eleme combinaio combinaio he variai variaion on 3 :8+ (e imeiae imeiae 3 1 xg6+ xg6+ is alo alo oible) 3 1 e 3 xg6+! xg6+! ashed o o my
verb s elected elected Games
md, bt my ad ad aleady made a me 31 fdl Fllwg a nd actcal le tme tble te ma tng tat eeg ld be defended. 31 :f6 32 :d8 e8 33 cd5 A tycal tme ble moe, wc lagely a yclgcal atta attack ck.. 34 x cxb2 35 �bl Back resigns
171
lack ce an gnal, bt dble edged lan. Wtt ng t catle, e tend t deel ece te eende, n der to ceate reue tee te et' et' tn. xh6 9 .h6 1 xh6 b5 wld be an emty emty tea teatt 1 1 O . . .•b6 wld e5 12 b3, and 12. 12. . . • da ge ge n ew ew f 13 1 3 df b6 (1 ( 1 3 . . .•xg2 xg2 1 4 g ) 1 4 xf xf6 xf xf66 g7. 11 b
e abte aed tat I ad me twety ecd le my clck, bt lack a me eablg m een t lg e etace. Game 55 AverbaArnin Moscow Team Championsh 195
c cll a a Defece Defece 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
e4 d4 xd4 xd 4 M .e2 .e3 d2
c5 d6 cxd4 f6 f6 a6 g6 .7 bd
1 :el! Wte de t wate tme te dfce f cetal aw. I cate wld lead t te g f te ele, wc wld b t wt dage f c, a g eld te mddle f t bd.
172
Averb Ave rb 's Selected Selected Games
12 My nen inends case n he qee qeens nsid ide, e, b b . 13 dS In de t en he e, White again e ess a awn sacice saci ce 13 xdS 14 exdS xdS Of cse i wd have been re den case, when hee wd have fw wed ed 1 5 g4. g4. eying n his defensive defensive esces, Anin decided acce he sacice 15 g If 15. 15. I was anning 6 xbS, egaining he awn.
Therefre y nen qie natay decines he sacice b his ey aws ye anher cbinain Hweve, e i is n easy nd a saisfacy defence f ack Ths if 16.. 16..xg2 xg2 hee wd have have f fw wed ed 1 7 f f6 eS 1 8 xe xe+! +! dxeS dxeS 19 e6 wih qick win Evideny 6 .eS . eS was opaivey he bes defence, defence, we was was inending 1 7 f4 f4
x6 6! 7 eads eads er er xdS exdS exd S a bad siin wih any cne chances, s ack hws cain he winds and acce acces s he saci sacice ce 1 8 xe6! fxe6 �d8 19 xe6 dxd6! 20 1
16 xbS! This is he in! ack was hing fr 1 6 x x axb axb 1 7 xd xd xa2, xa2, inending inending if 1 8 x x ey ey 1 8 . . .a . a+ + 1 9 �d2 �d2 xe 20 �xe �xe x xc2, c2, as 2 1 xd7+ xd7+ �xd7 �xd7 22 x is nt danges becase f 2 2 . . . e4+ e4+ and and 23 . . . xd. 6 e6 I 1... 1...axb axb White was anning a cmicted cminati n he teme f te te d de e a ack 1 7 x x a a ( 1 7 ..c6 ..c6 1 8 xd b6 eads a seca secac ca a ish 1 9 xd xd6+ 6+ �d7 �d7 20 4+!) 4+!) 1 8 xd xd6+! �d8 9 +! x 20 b7+ �c7 21 xa xa 22 b4 b 23 a4, emaining te excage .
The The cia c iaxx f Whie' Whie'ss cmbinti. cmbinti. 2 x ae ae is heaen heaened, ed, and 2 0 . . . e8
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
173
le qickly 21 :xe+ xe 22 :e6+ �d8 2 3 g+ g+ 24 x+ x+ d7 d 7 25 25 e7+ �d6 26 f6+ y giving hi queen, Back B ack nds he he nly ible way of prlngng he eiance 0 'xd6 xd6 � 1
Wie' aack ha ed o an rigina itin wih an nual balance bala nce f frces qeen and hree awn agan rk, bi and knig One mgh argue abu wic ide ha a maeral advanage, bu te act that e blak king ha n awn tectin and ha be defended by iece frce he in be evaluaed in av f Whe Hwever, n rder eaie hi advanage he mu ac enegetically, heie he black ece, ae niting, may be able aal he nent' king with grea frce d ae8 3 e1 b3 fe8! 4 �b Ae dbling on he ele, ac inend t exchange Whie's nly rk 5 d 4 b6 e hea f 25 a7+ a7+ ha be aed 6 a4 a 7 leS 8 f4
8 :e A clever defence If 29 xaS xaS here fllw llw 29 :xd2 30 xd2 xd2 xa4 9 xe :xe 30 'xaS e4 hs seemngly acve mve imlies Whe' rblem Hwever, even aer 3 0 xg2 xg2 3 1 a7+ b7 b7 32 a c 33 c5+, c5+, fllowed by he advance of hs queende awn, he wuld have won won b 31 e5
3 �a3! Due he he in, in , he c2 awn awn i immne immn e dS 3 33 a a6! 34 he cnclding nee e awn cann cann be aken if 34 34 xa6 35 xc7, xc7, r 34 xa6 xa6 35 3 5 b5+ b 5+
174
Averb Averb s Selected Selected Games
34 �b6 34 .. . �c8 oses oses to 3 5 a7, e.g. 3 5 . �7 36 a8+! a8+! xa8 37 5+, o 35 . . . h5 36 a8+! xa8 37 5 e 38 and agan ack ack oses a ece. 35 d4 �a5 36 b4 �xa6 37 c4 b 38 �b4 Back rsns rsns
Game Averbaksrn Moscow Championship 194
Qeen' Qeen' s Gamt Gamt
1
d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 4 .b4 5 .5 dxc4 A tanoston of moves h ed to a oston om the sha Venna Vaaton of te Qeen's Gamt one of my oonent's favoite onngs wth ack. h m of my chosn move od od w to c m ntenton f yng t v vtn, in whch I had ad a e. 6 e4 c5 7 .xc4 cxd4 8 xd4 c7
Yakov Estin was an Inteationa Maste and smtaneosy an ICCF Gandmaste who ate (19725) became Wod Coesondence Chamon. A theoetcan, he eaed a nme of onts thanks to his seio knowedge of oenng theo. Howeve, t was ecsey this qaity that I wanted to exot in the esent game. he pont was that Back's ast move was st emoyed in 146 y agozin in a game om the Leningad Chamonsh and since then had been consdeed cometey sond In paica Esin had sccess emoyed it sevea tmes n cosondence toaments Meanwhie, ack in the same ye 146, when examined this postion I had dots abot the stength of 8 • c7 It s atenty ovios that Whte has a eat ead n deveoment, and wth the stong move 3 ! he can can hoe to exot t. t . I found this move then, bt was nae to nd any oonity to se it And now, now, 1 8 yeas ate, sch an oponty nay aved. Now it was ve moant not to ghten my oonent, not to evea at I had something aed And so, ef makng my ey, I thoght, o o athe made on that I was thnkn th nkng, g, fo aot ho! 9 b3
Averbakh Ave rbakh 's elected elected Games
e tis te main cntinatin was csie t be a4+ c6 0 xc6 xc3+ bxc3 7 wit an acceptable e lack. lack. 9 .xc3 10 xc3 xe4 e lile sw I pt n ad acieved its aim my ppnen ppnentt id nt nt even even sspect sspect tt e a allen victim t a pepared vt. Nw lack cmes nder a ve t aack.
11 b5! •c5 I tink it was at tis mve tat strin tete is calclatins. y aacking e wn e was ping t ain time e eece. weve, te ceck at is t yet mte, tee a nly tw pieces ct in lack's attack erefe, t cncein imsel ver defence, te ctie is ensi ensive. ve. % 1 x7! .h6 1 tining t igne te ppnets teat. 1 x ly te tet eence was 7 4 0 xc4 a4 a6 6 %c v p te qeen Nw lack le y ce. ce. 4 dl d7 1 5 el! t I te k eels ne, an Wite
17
bings es resees int te tack Less clear clear is S c7+ c7+ d8 1 6 xa8 xa8 cS cS wit wit te tw treats of 17 17xc xc nd 1 7 + +
15 e If S S ecS, ecS, defendig te e6 pw ten ten 1 6 e3 e3 4 4 1 7 d6 d6+ + an an 1 8 gS leads leads t te win f te qeen 16 .xe6! .xe6! xb2 e bisp cld nt be taken becase f mate i tw mves 1 %
A tragicmic psitin 17 • xb lses t t 8 c4+, and and mean meanwile wile ite ite is te teat atening ening 1 8 xd7+ xd7+ xd7 xd7 1 %c7+ d8 20 x+, a line wic also wins aer 7 • 8 xd xd7+ 7+ x xd7 d7 1 %c7 %c7 d8 20 x6+ and mates erefre Back reined
176
A verb s Selected Selected Gme
Game 57 Game Khasin-Averbkh sc Tem Chmpinship 194
iciian Defence 1 4 cS c6 2 3 d4 cxd4 4 xd4 g6 nviing Wie o play 5 c4, o wic sally sed sed o o reply reply 5 . . . g7 6 e3 f6 7 c3 g4 xg4 xd4 9 d e6 wit a complicaed game, b my opponen prefers prefers a more proven aleative . S g7 7 c4 8 b3
Tis variaion, in wich Black delays . . . d7-d6, oen occrs in mode toam toamen ens.s. is well kown ha ha . . . a5 is a mitake e becae of 9 e5 e 10 x x+! +! , bt . . .g4 9 xg4 xd4 is possible. However, I prefeed o tnspose ino a familiar poiion from he Dragon Varation. 8 6 d7 9 10 g4 A comparatvely eh idea. According o mode theo, t i the h-pawn that is ppoed' to advance.
1 11 12 13 14
xd4 S hS g7
g g d4+ Aer cangig e dark-sqa bisops y ppoe og a wth his cec e w gain e advantage. However Bc s n excellent resorce.
14 S! Te we ng is s in e cenre, and og a e pec scrice, wc Black's las move involves, wa lly tied. However neaiona Master Ab asin is no coward. He beieves in m self, and in e defensive possibilites of a poiion and rea readi dily ly acceps acceps sacrice.
Averb IS Selected Selected Gmes
177
'xg5 15 xd6 16 'xd7 6 d2 was moe cauious, of couse, my oonen evidenly sill ha easant memoies of ou meeing in he 2 U Camionshi (Baku 1961) ee, n a ge om he las oun ha w exetionay imoan fo fo me, me, he ha ody acceed my sacices and won oweve, hiso does no always epea itse
16 ad8! ee I had o choose eween he ovios 16 16e3 e3 (aaenly my oo net w ckoning on his move), and he tination in he game And his, as is kown, is one of he mos dicul tngs o choose he e ee e,, ou of wo wo moves ha seem oughly eqvalen n siuaions Eduad Gufel, for examle, used o ake a coin ou of hs ket and esolve such a queson more my my ead eadss o o ails! ' Ae 16 16 e3 1 7 e2 f f here are are o iiiies ii iies
(b) (b) 1 9 000 (if 1 9 g g e e wh he hre hrea a f 0 :d8 no ee s 1 9 f f h h 0 0 a a 2 h+ �h8! 22 f6 :g an he aack is aie, aie, or e se 20 h h 2 1 g2 wit wit an aac for Blac) 9 9e2 e2 20 � d S an, espe he loss of a pawn, he can ress 17 xa7 There s nohng eer 1 xb loses mmeaely o 1 1 g2 when when he ook ook is los los,, as 1 8 :f :f or f f allo allows 1 8 d2 d2 mae 7 g e f :2 19 g is also naeqae ease of 19 • x+ 20 �e �e :g2 cS cS :f :f :e2 17 d4!
(see dim ext clum)
x �g8 (if 1 8 g g2+ 2+ 1 9 �f �f (a) 8 x x 20 �g e3, hen 21 xe �g8 22 g3 xe2 23 e) 19 c4 g2 20 d 0 �f? x+ 2 �g e3) 20 d8+ d8+ 2 d d and and Whie Whie holds on
1 8 I is a py ha he avoids te mot secacuar araon he combinaion
178
Averbakh 's Selected Games
In reply o 18 Blck would hve hd to nd 18. 18. . .f4 . f4 (if 18... 18...d2+ d2+ 19 e g2, g2, the thenn 20 g ) 1 9 d d h3+ 20 f f e3 2 1 g2 + +!! 22 xh3 x+ x+ 23 h4 6 24 hg 1 g+ 2 xg+ hxg+ 26 xg f4+ 27 h h8 me. A reader of one of our chess mgines once sggesed h commenor should indice which variios he sw he bord, nd which he did d id o see. O course, his is an ineresing opinion, bu for he desciption of gme i is no essenil. Aer all, man is no compuer. As rule, an exrienced mser never clcules ll te variaions of combina combi natio tion. n. Relying on his inuiion, he works ou only he necessy minimum. Of course, I did no examne his las variation, bu, being cnvinced of he coecness of he sacice, I wuld undoubedly hve found it the board. Inciden Inc idenl lly, ly, he quliy of combinaion is no impired by wh payer saw or did no see he bord. ater te oppsie. 18
' e3
19 e7 he suggle would hve been prolnged only lile by 19 a f4 20 xb5 �6 21 c4 (21 g b8! 22 a6 b6) 2.g2+ 22 f x+ 23 g e3, and White cn resign. 19 d2
h6 20 xe+ 21 xb b8 impler h hnn 2 1 . . .4 .4 22 c4 g2+ g2+,, and so on s in he previous vriion. 22 a6 b6
te rgns if 23 c4 here follows 2 3 . . . f4 wih inevible me.
Gme 8 AverbaPatonov 3th USSR Champiship AlmaAta 19970
Queen Queen s Gmbi 1 c4 his rs move of he bishops pawn en ccrs in mode ouments Hw ever, when the wo plyers nlly discose heir inenios, i oen hppens tat, insead of he English Opening, positn m some oher opening opening is reched. reched. c c6 2 3 e3 Insed of he romnic Rti Opening, Whie shows his desire o ply prosaic Qeens Gmbi. here is nohing for lack oher than o ccep he invitin, ince ince if 3 . . . g6 4 d4 g7 Whie has e rater srong 5 d. 3 e6 4
Averb Averb 's elected elected Games
5 6
d4
d5
6 e4 In eply o Whies unpeenious oening, Black has seveal good conin atio ations ns 6 . . . e7, e7, 6 .. . a6 and nally 6 .. .cxd4. As fo fo he move chosen by Black, I do no paiculaly like i, alhough i is smetimes played. d3 xc3 7 8 e7 bx 9 b6 10 his leads o diculies. The naual ... dxc4 xc4 b6 would have led o a I O ...dxc4 cmlicaed suggle, in which Whie has ly slighly s lighly he bee bee chances. chances. exd5 cxd5 11 dxc5 xc5
179
13 c ! Ae he immediae 1 c4 Black could have exchanged queens, when hies chances of an aack ae educed pac ically o nil. h6 13 ...g6 ... g6 is also unarciv. dxc4 1 4 c4 1 4 ...d4 ... d4 loses a pawn ae e4, while 14... 14...e6 e6 is unpleasan fo Black. I would appea ha h has o ak on c4. 1 5 xc4
15 �h8 ow else can Black defen agains he hea hea of 1 6 g6? e loses a pawn ae ...e6 ... e6 1 6 c c f6 7 xf6 gxf6 18 a6, while if hen 6 c7 c7 1 7 c c . . e7, he 8 e4. 16 e4 The aac develops of is own accod. Fist of all Whie swiches his mighy queen o he kingside, and he does i wih gain of empo. Aleady his is probably he decisive misake misake.. By playing playing 16 . . . d7 Black could have hoped fo a successl defence, whee now he comes unde a powel aack. aack. Evens develo by foce. foce. c8 1 7 fdl
180
Averbak Ave rbakh h 's Selected Selected Games
If 7 7 7 7 r fo folows lows 1 8 g f6 f6 ( 1 8 8 19 g6) 19 wt a decsv advantag
d3! 18 orcng opponn o opn up sll er er te poson poson of s kng kng 18 e6 19 "h4 Mat folows ar 9 97 7 20 g5 g6 g6 21 2 1 2 2 "g6 20 c4 21 d7 e7 er s no otr way of dfendng te g7 paw pawn Ar Ar 2 d 22 d 23 g3 or vn vn 23 g7 W wns a pc pc
xb7? eclar, bt b n mean bla try Wte culd ave ganed a materal advange n a s complcaed, prac,
way way by by 22 g3 g3 ! g g 22 g3 g3 23 g3 g3 ab8 2 5! 5 25 5 f6! 26 b8 c6! By gan grop walkng Black manags o sav pc bu wt 27 a7 a7 W wns a as a pawn 22 h4 23 h4
23 "gS T a vaaon of combnaton was was uc or or ntrs ntrsng ng 23 7 2 d5 ac8 25 6! c8 26 x! x 27 g7 b5 28 g6 g6 29 xg6 b2 b2 30 6 6 g7 3 c6 and and Wte wns 24 4 "g4 "g 4 If 23 g g d da ay y n 2 g5 25 f wns
25
e2! Back sigs
Averb 's Selected Games
f 25 . . . xe2 x e2 ee follows mae in wo moves wile a aer er 25 . . .x4 x4 26 xg7+ �g8 27 c4+ % 28 %x Blak as no defence agains e numerous reas e.g. 2 8 . . . a5 29 e6 e 6 %e8 30 3 0 %e7+ %e7+ �7 3 1 f6+ %xe7 32 xf5+ �g8 33 x4) 26 g6+ ec.
181
does so only a he cos of allowing Wie decisive scope elsewhere. e various caasropes wic could ave befallen Black Bl ack ad e no p a very carl wac wac on ese pawns are made clear in e noes.
Game Game 59 Avera-Hug Inteatinal Tuament Palma de allrc allrca a 1 9 7
Duc Defence
e cmments t this game appear ith the nd permissin fPeter Grt Gr t h riginal riginal y te them them fr his Practical Practical Chess End Endin ings gs ' series series i the Briis Cess Magine Apr 1973 A fe minr crrectins by me are give in sque bracts rslatr rslatr 's te te .
1 d4 e6 2 4 3 f6 4 g3 e7 5 g2 6 6 7 c3 d5 8 2 a5 9 e5 e5 bd7 10 x xd5 ex exd5 d5 l 1 d3 d3 e4 e4 12 xc 13 xc3 d6 14 d2 15 f4 xf4 6 gxf4 e7 17 d2 d7 18 � %e8 19 e5 xe5 20 e5 e6 21 %g � 8 22 f4 h4 h 4 23 e7 24 2 4 g5 6 25 %agl g8 26 eg7 27 2 b5 28 d a4 29 2 d7 30 d3 e6 1 % 2 % h6 33 l 4 b4 %f7 5 % e7 6 gl c8 7 xe7 %xe7 8 %3 %eg7 39 �g2 0 � h6 41 �e2 �h7 42 b7 43 �d2 44 %bl %a8 45 g e6 46 %b %8 47 �2 %a7 48 e2 49 h4 5 50 %5 %e8 %e8 51 5 1 �d2 %e6 i endgame is an obec lesson in mid ove maer in cess and a e same tme a ne illusraion of e possibiliies oen o wo acive rooks wen ey eete o e seven ano eig . Aloug in is ending lack mnage o keep em under conrol e
Ae a gd deal of mavrig in e earlier sages Wie embak on a peanen piece sacrice wic is based on he fol following lowing posiional pos iional considera con sideraions ions Te wo connced pased pawns will ave o be permanenly wached. (2) or is reason Blcks rooks will ave o remain passive r a very long ime. (3) (3 ) His bisop wil be a seless piece in view o he fac ha Wie will be operaing operaing excl exclusive usively ly on e dark dark squares. (4) e wie king can penerae undisurbed rough e dark sques on e e queens ide. ide . (5) e back king is in anger as we will se. 52 xh5! gxh5 g6 53 x Black's bes cance alhoug i allows e whie rook rough o he eig rank since he will now a leas be able t blockade e pawns for a wile. Anytng else suc suc as 53 . . . %ae7 would pemit 54 fg5 wit a subsequen f4- e.g. 5 4 . . . e8 e 8 55 f5 %6 56 f6 % (56 (5 6 ..... . %e6
182
Averbak Ave rbakh h 's Selected Selected Games
57 g7+ and maes) 57 e6 winning easily A cle waing o Black ha he awns will sh foard a he slighes excuse �g7 54 : 55 :c8 � 56 or he momen Whie's hreas on he kingside are conained, so he king sas is long joey o c5, aer which he combined ressure on boh wings is almos ceain o o beak beak Black' B lack' s resisance � 56 57 g5!
Whie is in no hur, so he akes he ime o se a ra wihou endangeing aythig he followig vaiaios illus rae mos oinedly he eils o which Black is i s exosed exosed (a) 57 57 58 h8+ �g7 59 hxh5 d White wis immdiatly, a Black canot defen defendd himse hi mself lf aais the the hra hra of f4-, whher he moves is rook away or exchanges (b) 57 f5 58 8 h7 (o 58 h7 h7 59 4 0 ad i) 59 e7 60 6 6 mat! 57 ! Back is alive o h d, so Whit mt v to i mai la, the ivi by t ki � 5 59 gl
Naurall Whie does no oblige by exchanging he assive black rook, unless he can gain some s ome subsania subsaniall comensatig advana advanage ge such as he eeing of o f his awns besides, he has plans for manoeuvrig behind behind Blac B lack' k' s lines wih wih boh rooks rooks 59 : g5
�g8 f 6 1 �h6 Whie Whie calmly procee proceeds ds with with his his king's walk walk 62 a a3 ! , since since Black Black canno canno ca caur uree on g5 g5 f 6 1 62 x+ x 63 e8 64 e6 g8 65 �a3 d Black mus remain oally assive wi he king srolls in he canno even chall enge rooks a g7 because because of he mae mae at h5 h5 And o sacrice he bisho back at any sage would lead o a hoeess rok ending [he rook ending aer 64 e6 xe6 65 xh5+ g7 66 g5+ �h7 67 6 x 68 g3 h6 does no look alogeher cl seems more consisen fo it to mainain he bind and coninu ilati wih his kin 64 �, ad if 8 8 5 x8 �x8 66 �b4 e8 67 �c5 � 8 �d6 a3 69 f6 wih a zuang iti imi im i lar o ha ha in the dia di aam am blo] blo ] he citical vaiaions occ if Bck lay h h 63 7 64 � 8 5 � 7, wheeuon Wie's king t a
A verbakh verbakh 's elected elected Games
niy make is resence felt 66 :xg7 :xg7+ + �xg7 67 �c5 �c5 d7 (r 67 . . . � 68 �d6 and Black is in zuw since he ms allw �e7 followed by -f6 and e5e6 i f 6 8 . . . � 69 e6 ec.) ec. ) 68 f6+ � (if 68 ...�g6 ... �g6 69 �d6 and 70 �e7) 69 �d6, ad nw (a) (a) 69 . . . c8 (his leads sme amsing play) 70 a3! (no immediately 70 �xc6 �xc6 beca becas see of 70 . . . �e6 71 �xb5 d7+, whereas nw a king mve wld eit 71 e6 r 71 �e7, s Black ms blck e6 with with his bish) 70 . . . e6 71 �xc6 �e8 72 �xb5 d7+ 73 �c5! e6 74 �b4 d7 75 c4 dxc4 76 �xc4 and he awns ms ms win win (b) (b) 69 .. . e8 70 a3 a3 !
and Black is in zuw 6 g 62 .. .: 63 :x �x 64 :g5 wld lse lse at athher aw awnn 64 . . . e8 65 h7 66 :xh5 fllwed by �a3-b4-c5 etc., and Black's chances f sival are vey slim. 6 3 � It i markable hw Black has been te able t achieve aythig with hs exta iece. Whie ha simly ged t evehing n the dak sqaes and is g the bish' bi sh' s dmain entiely entiely!! 6 b e8 65 c5 8 66 :a7!
183
Whie has achieved a siin which he can win n a nmber of ways, yet how many players wold have refied m caring he c-awn nw? Aer 66 :xc6 :xc6+ 67 �xc6 �e7 68 �xb5 e8+ 69 �c5 �e6, or possibly 68 . . .�e6 immed iately wih similar variaions, Whie shld sill wn by a mely e3-e4 follwed by d4d5+ and so on, b Averbakh Averbakh sees tha he can d even bee by being aient for a while and leaving Black o nd reasnable mves, which is consanly becming mre dic for for him. hi m. 66 g6 An aem o sop e invasin f the secnd rk, whch is nfately dmed o failure since e is so sh f maneuvrng room, bu he has thing be beer er;; 66 . . .:g6?, for examle, wold fail o 67 6 7 :x. :x. 67 a3 hurry! 67 �c8 Or 67 .. . :? 68 :xg6, a cis ech f he las variatin. 68 g7 e8 69 h7 If 69 .. . :g6 70 :xg6 xg6 71 :g7 e8 72 �d6, and the blckade f the as will wil l be swe swet t away away,, e.g. e. g. 72 . . . �8 73 �e6 [ 73 :a7], r 72 . . .: 73 x 74 , and the avalanche is unstable.
184
Averbakh 's Selected Games
If 69 g6 g6 7 7 e6 e6 72 �d6 73 g7, w w e5 -e6 o o fol follow low
e move playe releases e pse a, wc s cean o have equally rous consequences before before long 70 gg7 �b8 71 :b7+ �a8 �b8 72 :a7+ 73 :hb7+ �c8
ns n s o a ne game lke l ke s one wt t greaes possble pcson, o t lo for an nds an aleave mang n n 7 4 :b6! Treaenng 75 a8+ �d7 76 7 mae mae,, or 75 �c7 76 ab8 w nv mae, s Black mus ove e rook on e6 o mae room 7 4 :g6 75 ! The pawn as e las word ar a; covers e6, hereby reaenng e am mae as gven above, whle capurng allows al lows a dere deren n ns n s 75 e6, forcng he rook o r t 6 an allowng al lowng e abov abovee mae, mae, alo wn.] wn .] 75 :x �c7 76 :a8+ Or 76 d7 77 b7+ �e6 78 :Xe8 mae ab8 77
s forcd forcd Back sins, as mae s as se up e oodo sang tn for manoeuvrng w doubld n e evenh rank, and would a ave n mnd e posbly of tctn rook a b7, ereby creang t bl rea of a8 mae H, 74 �b6 for hs purpoe wll no d cau cause se of 74 c5+ 75 �xc5 and t kng s drvn back I tc of a grandmaer o w to
Game 60 Averakacetka International oan Polanica oj 1975
Englsh Openn 1 1
3
c4 xd5
d5 xd5
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
4
g3
g6
a mixte' of the Englis i i ad te Gnfel Gnfeldd Defence Defence is faily mmo in mode hess 5 g2 b6 e atea ateative tive is 5 xc3 6 bxc3 g7 7 d7 d7 6 d3 g7 e3 ite's stategy is not to huy with ti, t to ty in the st instance to aise te opponent's dak-squae iop and ot allow im to develop his it at 6 (eause (eause of xc6) xc6) 7 d7 is moe subtle, also delaying atig atig ad as as yet not not disclosing disclosi ng his hi s plans c e 9 6
5
10 4! Despite the fact that Black peseed his bishop fom exchange, h begins an attac attackk on the the opponent s kin ki n 10 c6 11 Hee the captue on c6 would logical White has aleady rvale plans ow he foestalls the black kih maoeu maoeuve ve c6-e5-g4 c6-e5-g4 11 e5
A dubious mov, which, a atr tanspies, weakens the f6 quae Black should should pob pobab ably ly ha have ve playe playedd d7 h5 f6, binging his knight to th defc of the the kingsid kingside e f5 f5 also look reasonable alteativ d4 12 5 fxg6 13 xg6 My opponent does not isk taking with te h-pawn, feing ae 13 13hx hxg6 g6 4 4 4 f6 1 5 xd4 xd4 exd4 exd4 the spectacu spectacular lar 6 Fo example 16 16 x x 7 + 1 8 "6+ "6+ �g8 �g8 1 9 "xg "xg6+ 6+ �h �h 20 0. lak would have had to reply 16 16g5, g5, ae which was planning to eteat my ishop to etaining a positional advantage 14 e4 Havi aqied te e4 sqae, ite immediatel es it to stengen his position 15 g5 g5 is thea theatened tened
186
A verbakh verbakh 's Selected Selected Games
xc8 1 xc8 21:xc8 22 a 23 J3 unpleasa unpl easan n fo fo Black Bl ack a dS 3 a6 bS d 7 24 c ae8 2 S :c 1 26 e4
14 e7 15 .gS 16 .e 3 :e7 e8 17 fgS exd4 .xd4 18 19 a4! We's We' s queen needs ne eds o eac eac e a2-g8 dagonal, bu e dec 19 c2 s paed by 19 19 b b eefoe e begns ack on e queensde 20 c2 s now a ea 19 c6
d6 Wte no afad of ost! In ly t 20 xe2+ 21 �f e7 te wod ae ae fwed 22 x7 7 (22 xd6 23 x8+!) 23 de4, wnnng te xan d8
26 :b8 A ap If We plays 27 xc6 xc6 28 :xc6, ten by 28 29 d6 Je Black Bl ack egans egans s s pawn e8 27 Jh3 28 Black's poon s full of weaknesse, and t only mans fo Wte to bng s second ook no play n e cente, fo adan adanag agee o o become dece dec e 28 c7 .
lct lcted ed Games
7
Aer Aer . . .b6 �6 d 0 Blac loe te ecae. 29
d6
T quee vo decde te otcome. 29 0 1 2 4 6
e6+ e+ g+ e+ g+ xd xd!
d8
Aer repeat move becaue of te ouble, Wte cae out te cocud combato. Te ret mple. 6 7 8
x7+ 6
xd
39 f Of course i is possible possi ble his hi s w w 9
Tournament a Math Results
1 93 8 1938 1939 1939 940 1 940 1943 1 943/ 943/ 1944 1944 1945 1 945 1 945 1945 1946 1946 1 94 9466 1 97 1947 198 198 1948 1948 1 949 1949 195 1950 1950 1950 1951 1951 1951 1 95 1 1951 1952 15 15 195 1953
Leningrad. Leningrad. USSR Cadet Cadet Champosp Kaluga. Kaluga. Championhip (or concor) Mcw. Champinhip (Semi-Fnal) Mcw. Championhip (Final) Mcw. Champinhip (Sem-Fn) Mcw. Mcw. A ll ni n Candida Candidat t Toua Touant nt Mocow. Champinhip (Sem-Fal) Mcw. Mcw. Champinship (Fnal) Mcw. SSR Championship S-Final Ivanv Leningrad. Leningrad. USSR Championship S -F Mcw Mcw.. Championhip Championhip of the Znt Zn t Sports Soty So ty Mc Mcw. w. Champinhip Champinhip (Sem-F a) Mcw. rae nin eam Championsip Mcw. Chaminhip (Final) Leningrad. Leningrad. USS R Champinp Sm -F Viln iu. Baltic Champinhip Champinhip (or conco) Mcw. Mcw. USSR Champinhip Sm -F nal Leningrad. rade Union Team Chapionship Mcw. Ryumin Memrial Touant Auhta. Champinhip of the Zn t Spot Spots Soety Soety Mcw. Mcw. 1 6th SR Championip Leningrad. Leningrad. USSR eam eam Champonsp Mcw. Mcw. Champinhip (i nal) McwBdaet. McwBudapst at zcw j (Pland). nteational Tournament Mcw. Chminhip (inal) ula. SS R Champinhip Champinhip Se-F Mcw. Mcw. 1 8h R Chaminship Legd. de nin eam Championship Mcw. Chaminhi (inal) verdlvk. R Chaminhip SemiFnal Mcw. Mcw. 1 9th R Champinhip (Zonal (Zonal Touam Touament ent)) biii . SR em em Chaminhip Chaminhip Mcw. Chaminhi (inal) Mk. Mk. R Chinhi Semi-F nal jbnc. eznal Touament Mik. ade nin em Championhip Gaga. Grandme aining ouament
6 3 5 3 3 9 6 2
0 7 3 3 0 3 2
5
3
6 8 6
5 2
5 4 4 9 4 5 5 4 4 9 6 7 7 8 4 5 4 8 5 2 2 8 6 6 2
3 1 4 5 7 5 2 7 11 3 4 8
5 5 3 1 1 4 1 5 0 5 3 0 2 6 8 1 0 0 6 2 8 3 9 0 8 0 7 7 6 0 1 2 2 9 3 9 0 3 5 8 5 4 13 0 4 2 5
P
13 8 4-6 1 6 57 67 1-2 3 81 2 7-9
1 1
12 12 1314 1 1 5 8 1-2 4 1 5 3-4 68 2 13 5-6
5 4- 7
A bk 's Slc Slcd d Gms
1953 1953 195 195 195 195 195 1 95 1 95 1955 955 1955 955 1956 1956 956 1 956 956 1 956 95 6 1957 1957 1957 958 1958 1958 1958 1959 1959 959 1959/0 196 196 1960 196 196 1961 1961 961 1961 1961 1961 1961 1962
NeuhauseZurich NeuhauseZurich Cadidates Cadidates Touament Touament Vienna SSR-Austria SSR-Austria atch atch ( O lr) Kiev 21st SSR Championship Benos Aires SSR-Argentia atch ( anno) aris SSR-Frace atc ( uffag) New York SSR-SA atc atchh ( D Bye) Lndn SSR-Eg S SR-Egland land atch atch ( erose) erose) Stcklm Stcklm SSR-Swede S SR-Swede atch atch ( Hrberg Hrberg Riga SS R Team Team Champioship Baku Azerbaija Championshp (hors concours) Voroshilograd SSR Team Championship Mcw Mcw 22nd SSR Champioship Msc Mscw w S SR Champioship Champioship Semi-Fial Leningrad Leningrad 23 rd SSR Champioship Leningrad Len ingrad 23 rd SSR SS R Champioshi Champio shipp lay- resden Inteational Touamet Belgrade Belgrade SSR-Yugoslaia SSR-Yugoslaia atc atchh jakaa Match utagaug jakarta jakarta Inteatioal Touamt Mscw Champioship (Fial) Vienna Vien na Europea Europea Team Team Champioshi Champio shipp Sverdlosk Sverdlosk S SR Championsip Semi-F a Riga 25th SSR Champioship (Zoa Touament Kiev SSR-Yugoslaia atch ( Duraeic) roz Interzonal Tuamet Vilnius SSR Team Champioship Tbilis i 26th 26th SSR Champiosip Champiosip Mscw SSR Sparakad Yerev SSR Champioship Semi-Fial Hastings Inteatioal Touamet Leningrad 27th SSR Championship Kil Ki l vdk Champioshi Champio shi p of the Trud Sprt Sciety Adelaide Australian Champioship (hos concurs) jakaa Inteatioal Touamet desa SSR Champioship Semi-Fina Mcw 28th SSR Champioship (Znal Touent Mscw Team Team Champinsh ip Belgrade SSR-Yugoslaia atch Vienna Vien na Schl echter echter Memorial Touament Touament Bu 29th SSR Championshp Mcw Mcw SS R Team Team Champioship Mcw pen Championship Champion ship Leningrad SSR eam Champioship
5 10 2 1 2 1 2 1 3 9 7 1 9 2 3 6 4 7 6 6 3 5 6 7 7 13 6 7 3 2 5 7 0 5
P
6 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 2 0 0 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 2 0 3 0 3 0
7 1 9 2 1 0 0 1 6 6 15 6 9 3 6 6
10-1
7 2 9 10 3 11
3
0 1 3 0
3 7 6 13 5 2
5 2 15-6 2 1 3 2 1-2 3
-5 4 71 1 7-8 1 2 2-3 6 3-
O· 9 2 13 0 2 2 0 4 9 2 3 0 10
78
67 -2
Abk 's lc lcd d Gms
Year
Event
+
6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 66 66 6 6 6 6 4 6 7 9 0 93
rk. ntatonal Touament oso. USSR Spaakad Lnngrad. USSR Championshp (Zona T oso. Champonshp (inal sloodsk. ntatonal Touament oso. U SSR Tam Tam Championhi ar l lata. ntrnatonal Touament Ro d Janro. ntatonal Touament Hamurg. Europan Europan team team Chamion hi Yran. Yran. ntatonal Touament Touament oso. US SR Tam Tam Championhi TtooU. ntatonal Touament Christhurh. Intational Touament oso. Champonshp (nal lmata. 6th USSR Champinhi rony. rony. USS R Tam Tam Champonhip oso. Camponship (inal Rga. th USSR Champonshp udapst. ntrnatonal ntrnatonal Tournamnt Tournamnt uarst. ntatonal Touament dssa. USSR Champonshp Sem inal ala d allora. ntational Touent o. USS R Champonship Champonship S iina oso. USSR Cup oso. Camponsp of th Zenit So i olania olani a Zdro Zdro . Inteational Touame Touame lgar. ntatonal Touament olana Zdro. Intational Touamnt Rggo Emila. ntational Touament oso. Championhip (inal Djakaa Intationa Touament anla nteational Touament Costa Brava ooCatalnia atch v ez oso. pn Champonhp Warsa. ooSoaWaraw atch r. Inteational Tuamen (n alma de Mal lorca Inteatina Inteatina N York Internatinal amnt N York arhall Club Inteatina n Natanya Inteational Toament
8 0
-
=
0 0 0 0 I
9
9
0
I 0 0 0 0
Pce
- - 5 -6
- 2-3
0 7 0 8 8 8 I 8 0 8 0 I 0 0 0
8- 8- - -0 - - -0 - 8- 0 1 -3
- 8 0 -
Index Index of Oppo Op poent entss 5, 7 Aonin 2 5,
Bannik Bondaevsky 40, 9 Bovinnik 7, 27, 3 Bonsein 2 Esin 74 uwe 0 , 0 9 Fischer 54 uhs 44
Gligoi 8 odberg 49 olovko 54 olz 42 Hug 8 ivisky 4 Kees 97 Kasin 7 olmov 7 5 9, 5 8 Kohnoi 9, Kotov 3 Lasen 5 Lilienhal 3 4
j dor 0 ovotelnov Pnno 22 Petros Petros in 0 Pilnik 0 Pltonov 78 Plcetk 84 Polugyevsky 13, 151 go z i 1 1 1 vinsky vinsky 5 1 oizmn Simgi 13 Smyslo 7 Spssky 1 3 7 Stlberg 8 Sueti Suetinn 57, 3 Szb Szboo 5, 99 imo , 105 13, 18 olus 5 Ulmnn Unziker 7 Vsyuko 1 Vere Vereso sovv 3 1 Zk
Mikenas 2 0 Moiseev 52
Inde In dex x of Openings Benon Deence 3 Cn Oenng 20, , Duch Duch De Deence ence , 8 , 3 , 8 Engsh Engsh O Oenn enngg , 8 French French Dee Deenc ncee 7, 2 7 ngs Indn Indn Deence 3, ,, 22, 2, 37, , , 1 , 8 Moe Benon Mode Mode Deen Deence ce 1 mzo mzoIn Ind dnn Deence 2, 8, 7, 0 , 0 0,, 1 3, 1 2 2,, 1 ,, Q ueens mb mb 3, , 7, 7, 78 Queen s Indn Ind n Dee Deenc ncee 0 gozn Deence 22, 0 0,, , 7 2, 7 , 0 , uy Loez 22, S c n Deence 3 , 2 , 7 , 0 0 , , , , , , 1 8, 8 , 1 2 2 , 1 7 1 , 1 7 7 S v Dee Deenc ncee 0, 3
