Evans & Silman & Smith - Modern Middlegame Lessons

GM Lany Evans IM Jeremy Silman FM Ken Smith

.------.,

Copyright© 1994 Chess Digest, Inc. All rights reserved under Pan American and Interna tional Copyright conventions.

ISBN: 0-87568-213-8 No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means: electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tapes, mechanical photocopy ing, recording, or otherwise without prior and current permis sion from the publisher. Authors: Larry Evans, Jeremy Silman, Ken Smith Editor: John Hall Computer Typesetting: Elaine Smith Cover: Elaine Smith Final Proof: Sid Pickard Final Preparation& Diagrams: Elaine Smith

Publisher: Chess Digest, Inc.® 1601 Tantor (P.O. Box 59029) Dallas, Texas 75229 Send the publisher $2.00 for the New Chess Guide that catalogs every chess book for general sale in the United States. You are given publishers, page counts, notation and critical reviews. Also included is a free Chess Improvement course for beginners up through Master level players.

Table of Contents

3

ABOUT THIS BOOK With three authors, who wrote what? GM Larry Evans wrote the short Introduction before each lesson and the "Opening to Middlegame". IM Jeremy Silman wrote "White's Middlegame Plan" and "Black's Middle game Plan ". He finished up with "What Happened To White 's and Black's Middlegame Plan? " FM Ken Smith wrote the book 's Introduction, the lesson's title and anno

tated the games with notes explaining every White and Black move.

Table of Contents

4

TABLE OF CONTENTS ABOUT THIS BOOK

Page 3

INTRODUCTION

7

LESSON ONE The Long Diagonal In The Middlegame Norwood-March, Walsall 1 992

9

LESSON TWO Middlegame: Attacking On Opposite Wings Korcbnoi-Tirnman, Brussels 1 99 1 2nd Match Game

18

LESSON THREE Sacrificial Shock To Enter The Middlegame Seirawan-Timman, Hilversum 1990

29

LESSON FOUR The Middlegame Starts, Whose King Is Safer? Karpov-Yususov, USSR Championship 1988

36

LESSON FIVE The Middlegame Is Up For Grabs Malanvik-Ivanchuk, USSR Championship 1 988

45

53 LESSON SIX Deadening Scope Of The Black King's Bishop In The Middlegame Karpov-Kasparov, Belford 1988 LESSON SEVEN A Fighting Defense Starts In The Middlegame Beliavsky-Kasparov, Belford 1 988

62

LESSON EIGHT An Uncastled King Gets Middlegame Punishment Vladimirov-Episin, USSR' 1 987

70

Table of Contents

5

LESSON NINE A Middlegame Stock Sacrifice Nunn-Marin, Szirak Interzonal l 987

78

LESSON TEN The Long Diagonal In The Middlegame Gligoric-Short, Belgrade 1987

86

LESSON ELEVEN The Middlegame Leaves The Back Rank Weak Hjartarson-Ljubojevic, Belgrade 1987

94

LESSON TWELVE Middlegame Perseverance And Grit Seirawan-Kasparov, Dubai Olympiad 1 986

104

LESSON THIRTEEN Middlegame Steamroller Kasparov-Tirnman, Hit versum 1 985

117

LESSON FOURTEEN A Careless Move Means Middlegame Room Ribli-Kouatly, Lucerne 1985

126

LESSON FIFTEEN Stealing The Initiative In The Early Middlegame Pougaevsky-Ljubojevic, Linares 1985

135

LESSON SIXTEEN Building A Brilliant Defense In The Early Middlegame Panczuk-Yusupov, Warsaw 1985

144

LESSON SEVENTEEN A Shocking Middlegame Interpolation Hubner-Kasparov, Hamburg 1985, 1 st Match Game

152

LESSON EIGHTEEN Jockeying For Position In The Middlegame Portisch-Tim man, Montpellier (Candidates) 1985

160

6

Table of Contents

LESSON NINETEEN The Good Bishop In The Late Middlegame, Early Endgame Gavrikov-Kupreichik, USSR Championship 1985

171

LESSON TWENTY The Good Knight In The Late Middlegame, Early Endgame Kasparov-Karpov, Leningrad 1986-22nd Match Game

181

LESSON TWENTY ONE Middlegame: Attack On Opposite Wings Karpov-Korchnoi, London 1984

192

LESSON TWENTY TWO Blending The Opening, Middlegame and Endgame Karpov-Hubner, Tilburg 1 982

201

LESSON TWENTY THREE Middlegame Pin Cushion Psakhis-Geller, Erevan 1 982

210

LESSON TWENTY FOUR Middlegame: Drastic Penalty For A Careless Move Taimanov-Psakhis, USSR 1 98 1

218

LESSON TWENTY FIVE A Stupendous Middlegame Struggle Tal-Flesch, Lvov 1981

228

LESSON TWENTY SIX Maybe The Middlegame Will Unslay The Dragon Ljubojevic-Miles, Malta Olympiade 1980

237

Introduction: Modern Mlddlegame Lessons

7

INTRODUCTION Upon seeing a well conducted game between two Master strength players, many "club strength" players are provoked to ask "How do they play the middlegame so well, so consistently? " Do these Masters possess a divine rare gift of intuitive insight which gives them a magic key to the requirements of any position? Well, it is true that many Masters have a good aptitude for chess, but we believe that a very important aspect of the Master's ability is a method of well-ordered disciplined thought; in short a logical approach to the requirements of any position. Some might respond to this hypotheses: "Of course they play with iron logic- that's what makes them so much better than me ". However, we believe that is a pessimistic and essentially incorrect view. We believe in the opinion expressed by the incomparable Emanuel Lasker - that "logic" in chess is not really super sophisticated, too rarefied for ordinary mortals; in fact he stated that common sense (in other words common sense logic) is all that is necessary to play good chess. Of course it should be understood that a good player must have a thorough acquaintance with all of the basic factors of the middlegame (Not to mention a good grasp of tactical motifs). What are the main factors of middlegame strategy? A basic list of these factors would include: center control (by use of pieces and/or pawns), creation and exploitation of open files, use of the Bishop pair, King safety, changes in the pawn structure (with special regard for weak pawns - isolanis or doubled pawns), utilization of outposts, development. and so on. If you are deficient in these basics, you must get the best book in print. A Contempora ry Approach To The Middle Game by GM Aleksic Suetin. For those that have the basics, we ask you to go over the games in this book moye by moye. The student will then be able to see how the Master is thinking in a logical, consistent manner throughout the game and how it relates to the middlegame. The Master is well aware of all of the positional tenets and looks for "signpost" in the position which can be evaluated toward the goal of finding the right move. It should be kept in mind that in a given position there can be more than one good move; this implies the quality of style in a player. When the late Mi141ail Tal was given a position in which there are two good moves - one quiet or positional and one that is an attacking move you can be sure he would choose the Iauer, whereas a Petrosian would almost invariably choose the former.

8

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Introduction

We now give a hypothetical, stream of consciousness version of how the Master might think while pondering his next move: Well, I have developed my minor pieces and maybe the King is safely castled. The opening is over and the middlegame starts. Can I get an open file for my Rooks by a timely pawn exchange? My opponent has a backward, isolated pawn which I can maneuver against. tying his pieces down to its defense. Then my pieces should then have an opportunity to (if necessary) switch suddenly to a new sector taking advantage of the passively posted defender's inability to follow this quick turn of events. I see nothing tactical at the moment, but I know to always remain aleri. for lurking combinations or threats. All in all my position is excellent - possibly winning - though it may take many moves to achieve this. We implore the reader to understand that this evaluation is just plain old fashioned common sense reasoning coupled with the necessary knowledge of middlegame factors. You too can find Master moves by practicing this sort of thought as you read the explanations given to every move and keeping in mind the middlegame plans we give you. At first you may notice only slight improvement; but take heart, by going over these games you are both consciously and unconsciously programming your mind to play more and more Master moves in your games. Remember, chess is a move-by-move decision making game. The more good moves you find, the better you will play. The purpose of this book is to provide you with instruction, middlegame plans and great enjoyment through carefully chosen Master games. We close this Introduction with a quote from one of America's most distinguished chess authors, the late Irving Chemev: "Each game you play through will be an exciting adventure in chess in which courage, wit, imagination, and ingenuity reap their just reward. It is by appreciating and absorbing what they teach so pleasurably that we can best learn to play Logical Chess Move bv Moye" By learning about middlegame plans and searching for a combination at every move, you are on your way to mastership. Ken Smith Dallas, Texas

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson One

9

LESSON ONE The Long Diagonal In The Middlegame Much has been written about the long diagonal

(al-h8 or hl-a8)

but seldom do we see such a dramatic illustration of its efficacy. In this King's Indian Reversed, both sides,

Norwood-March, Walsall

1992, cas

tle on opposite wings, which often gives rise to sharp play. The question then becomes whose attack will come first. Here Black simply never gets started.

l g3 A true Hypennodem move!

1 ...

d5

Black clearly adheres to the Classical School by placing a pawn in the center immediately.

2 Nf3 Developing and preventing

eS.

2...

Nf6 g6

or

Again a Classical move to develop the KB and support the

dS

Natural development. Also feasible were 2

c5,

...

even 2

.

2

...

c6,

2

..•

.. Nc6.

3 Bg2 Continuing development.

3 ...

e6

pawn.

40-0 White's first four moves have been designated the Barcza System after the strong veteran GM of that name. It's main virtue is flexibility with regard to the center pawns. It will become the King's Indian Attack.

4...

Be7

Another good system is 4

...

b6 and

S . .Bb7. .

5 d3 Finally White commits a center pawn. The text enters the King's Indian Attack - a thoroughly modem, positional system which can often lead to an attack on the opponent's King.

5...

c5

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons

10

5 0-0 first is more circumspect. However, as it transpires, Black ..•

is planning a sharp setup involving castling Queenside.

6 Nbd2 Continuing with the standard King's Indian pattern. An interesting alternative is

6 Nc3.

Nc6

6... The best square for this Knight.

7 e4 The e-pawn plays a vital role in the K.I.A. Often, as in this game, it rushes to establish itself on

eS

from which it exerts an unpleasant

cramping influence on Black's position.

WHITE'S MIDDLEGAME PLAN White's basic plan consists of playing his e-pawn to will cramp Black's position and force the

f6

eS

where it

Knight to retreat. Once this

pawn advances, White will make a point of overprotecting it via

Qe2,

and a later

Bf4. Why protect this pawn again and

Ret,

again, even if it is

adequately defended? The reason is that White likes this pawn and the job it is doing; because of this, he doesn't want to allow Black the chance of trading it for a less valuable foot soldier. By placing his Rooks and Queen on the e-file and his Bishop on

f7.f6 (trading the pawn)

...

f4,

Black will no longer be tempted by

because that would allow (after

exf6)

the previ

ously blocked White Queen, Rooks, and Bishop to gain enormous activity due to the newly opened e-file and the newly opened other words, Black doesn't like White's pawn on

eS,

h2-b8

diagonal. In

but it's removal would

lead to even more unpleasant possibilities. Thus the Nimzovichian concept


11

of overprotection actually goes hand in hand wilh Nimzovich's olher con cept of prophylaxis - you prevent lhe opponent from doing somelhing that he might olherwise be tempted to do. If all lhat seems like a lot, it is actually just lhe first part of White's schemes! By advancing his pawn to

eS,

White forces a Kingside

defender (lhe f6 Knight) away from its post, gains space, and closes the center. By closing lhe center White shows his interest in starting an attack on lhe wing - following lhe rule lhat a wing attack is only desirable if the center is under your control or locked. All lhis means lhat White (if Black castles short) intends to attack lhe Kingside wilh

Nlh2, Ng4, hS,

eS, Ret, Nn, Bf4, h4

etc.

-

a t -

BLACK'S MIDDLEGAME PLAN As an experienced player, Black immediately sees what his oppo nent is up to. He must now decide whelher to allow White his Kingside aspirations and try a counter demonstration on lhe opposite wing by .

. bS, ...aS, ... b4, ... Ba6, .

.. 0-0, .

etc., or to seek a safer haven for his King on the

Queenside. Of course, White could still go after Black's King there also (that closed center allows for wing play on either side), but now Black would have the option of launching his own king-hunt wilh

.. h6 and .

gS.

...

The choice of lhese two plans is largely a matter of taste, though most strong players prefer to calmly castle Kingside and map out their own territory on the opposite wing.

7

•••

b6


12

This system has been tried many times, but results have tended to favor White. Theoretically crucial is

7

•••

0-0 followed by 8

..•

b5 with com

plex play and only slightly better chances for White.

8 e5 Establishing the aforementioned beachhead.

Nd7

8...

A necessary retreat, but at least there is some pressure exerted on

eS.

9 Re1 Protecting th e important outpost.

Qc7

9

••.

More pressure on

eS.

10 Qe2 More defense; this is not a passive defense because the object is to maintain the aggressive

e5

pawn, which effectively cuts Black's posi-

tion in two.

10

•••

Bb7

Completing his minor piece development.

1 1 h4! An important move which restrains

g7-g5

-

an integral part of

Black's plan of attack against White's Kingside.

11...

0-0-0

Now it is clear that Black is "going for broke". Whoever can seize the initiative against the opponent's King will gain excellent chances for victory.

12 a3 Preparing to open lines against Black's King by b2-b4.

12...

h6

Black indicates a desire to open lines by playing for

g7-g5. Note g7-g5

that this whole attack is based on Queenside castling since playing after castling Kingside would be suicidal.

13 hS! Cramping Black's style.

13

•••

Rdg8

Massing his heavy pieces on the Kingside with the idea of open ing the g-file by

g7-g6.

14 c4!

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson One

Attacking the center to induce

dS-d4

which gives White's

13

Bg2

increased scope on the long diagonal. This factor will play a key role in the White attack.

14

d4

•••

Note that this move also concedes

e4 to White's

pieces.

15 b4! A standard pawn offer in such positions. Remember its the player who gets there "frrstest with the mostest"

15...

who generally wins. g6

Taking the pawn would be playing into White's hands, so he cor rectly pursues his own goals.

16 bxcS! The b-file is a powerful avenue of attack. A serious error would be

16 bS?

since then it would be far more difficult to open lines against

Black's fortifications on the Queenside.

bxc5?

16...

Allowing the complete opening of the b file will have dire conse quences. The only decent reply was better anyway.

16 BxcS though White would still be •••


14

Opening To Middlegame In the middlegame Black makes the mistake of allowing White to utilize the open b-file

after 1 6 bxc5 ..•

instead of the prudent

16 Bxc5. ..•

Retribution is swift. White shores up his Kingside and snares a pawn on the 21st move, which is decisive in itself. But White is not content to grind out a long endgame and proceeds to knock out the lone defender of the light squares, then aligns his Queen and Bishop along the long diagonal. The final King hunt is elegantly timed, concluding with a Queen sacrifice followed by nine checks.

17 hxg6 Otherwise Black could play gxhS and

17... The only consistent move;

h4.

Rxg6 17 .fxg6? .•

would stifle the activity

of

the heavy pieces on the g-file.

18 Rb1 White's Rook bears down ominously against the b7 square.

18... Clearly aiming for

hS

h4.

19 Ne4! Dynamically played. White centralizes (remember access to

e4)

14 . d4 .

.

gave

for both offensive and defensive reasons. The offer of the e

19 ... Ncxe5 then 20 NxeS, NxeS (20... Qxe5 21 Bf4 is devastating) 21 Rxb7!, Kxb7 (2l... Qxb7 22 Nd6ch, B:ul6 23 Bxb7ch, Kxb7 24 Bf4!,.f6 25 Bxe5, Bxe5 26 Qe4cll and 27 pawn is also characteristic. For example, if now

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson One

Qxg6) 22 Nd6 dls.dbl.ch. Kb8 (22.. .Ka6 23 Bb7ch.' QxeS wins.

19...

wins quickly)

15

23

h4

Black, realizing the danger, strives desperately to open up lines against White's King.

20 Bg5! A nice obstructing move which also clears the back rank (the value of this will be shown later).

20... Not

Bf8

20 . Bxg5 because of 21 Nd6ch! .

.

21 Nxh4 Now Black's line opener (the h-pawn) has been curtly removed from action.

HOW THE PLAYERS' MIDDLEGAME PLANS WORKED OUT Black elected to cross up White's normal plan of a Kingside at tack by castling Queenside. However, this led to a race in which each side rushed to get to the enemies' King first. In such races, a small material in vestment is usually safe and good - speed and initiative is what's impor tant, not a tiny pawn. In the present example White played with more en ergy and, aided by a couple of inaccurate moves by his opponent, was able to overrun the enemy position.

Rule to be learned: When attacking each other's King, every move must be full of energy and venom. The first person to "fall asleep" for a move or two will usually lose the game.

21... A sorry retreat.

Rgg8

16


22 Nf3 Having snapped off the h-pawn, the steed returns to play.

Rh7

22... Harboring hopes on the h-file.

23 Nd6ch! This is a pawn offer Black can't refuse!

Bxd6

23... Forced.

24 exd6 The point of the pawn sac is to open diagonals for both White Bishops.

Qxd6

24

•••

A bitter meal.

25 Bf4 Immediately seizing the

f4-b8

diagonal.

25...

Qe7

25 ... e5 is hardly good: 26 NxeS, N7xe5 27 Rxb7!, Kxb7 28 BxeS and Black is crushed.

26 Rxb7! A direct result of the complete opening of the b file.

26...

Kxb7

No choice here.

27 Qe4 Lining up on the long diagonal.

27...

fS

Obviously Black has overlooked White's next shot.

28 Qxc6ch! A spectacular King hunt sacrifice.

28

•••

Kxc6

His majesty becomes a reluctant traveler.

29 Nd4 dis.dbl.ch. The rest is brisk and brutal.

29...

Kb6

Forced.

30 Rblch That b file again (see also note to White's 20th).

30...

Ka6


17

On 30 . Ka5 31 Bd2ch mates as in the main line. ..

31 Bb7ch Again the b7 square is used to effect.

31...

KaS

Forced.

32 Bd2ch Drawing the King forward into a fatal rendezvous.

32...

Ka4

Forced

33 Bc6ch Please take my a-pawn!

33...

Kxa3

Forced.

34 Bclch Black's forces must watch in idle horror as their leader is swept into the corner.

34...

Ka2

Forced.

35 Rb2ch Now the Rook takes over for the Bishops.

35...

Kat a6

Completing a remarkable j ourney from

to

at.

36 Nc2 mate 1-0 The Knight insists on delivering the final blow.

Modem Mlddlegame Lessom

18

LESSON TWO Middlegame: Attacking On Opposite Wings The prospect for a sharp struggle is always enhanced when both sides castle on opposite wings. Here after only a dozen moves, the battle lines are clearly drawn: White will attack on the K-side and Black will attack on the Q-side. Whose attack comes first? That is the question. That is always the question. Here is one answer in

Korchnol-Tlmman, Brus

sels 1991, 2nd Match Game.

1 c4 The English Opening has for many years been a staple opening for leading international players.

1

.••

Nf6

Developing while not yet committing the central pawns.

2 Nc3 Other choices are

2 g3, 2 Nf3

or even

2 d4

(transposing into a

Queen's Pawn Opening)

2

•••

e6

Contesting the central White squares. Alternative possibilities are

2 g6, 2...cS, 2 eS, among others. •••

.••

3 e4 A sharp choice. A more solid approach would be

3...

3 Nf3 or 3 d4.

d5

The idea is to contest White's control of the light squares and gain some central space.

4 e5 Now White sticks a dark-squared "thorn" in Black's position.

4...

Ne4

Fearlessly striding into the critical central zone.

5 Nf3 Resuming natural developing moves.

5...

Be7?!

A questionable decision despite its natural appearance. To be considered is

S...Nc6.

6 Qc2!

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Two

Challenging Black's the case of

e4

outpost and intending to capture

19

7 dxc3 in

6 ... N xc3.

NgS

6... Artificial. Better seems

6 Nc6 •..

and after

7 d4, fS 8 exf6 e.p.,

Bxf6 9 Be3 White has only a slight plus.

7 Nxg5 The most efficient reply, gaining time.

BxgS

7...

Black had no doubt hoped the trade of a pair of minor pieces would ease his game.

8 cxd5 This trade creates a

4

to 3 Kingside pawn majority, a potentially

useful instrument for attack against Black's Kingside.

exdS

8...

From Black's point of view, the pawn trade has allowed his QB more scope.

9 d4 Consolidating his center and allowing the QB to deploy.

Be7

9... 9.

Bxcl

..

10

Rxcl

would only advance White's development,

though the text loses time.

10 Be3 White eschews Kingside development since he wants to castle Queenside - the sharpest and best course if followed up properly.

10...

0-0

Seeking safety for the King and reserving other options.

1 1 0-0-0 Now White's strategy will

be

to stonn Black's Kingside utilizing

his Kingside pawn majority (j4-f5) combined with active pieces.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons

20

WHITE'S MIDDLEGAME PLAN Once

this move was played, the middlegame no longer held any

secrets for either player. As is so common in situations where each side castles on the opposite wing, starting an attack against the enemy King becomes the paramount consideration. At the same time, taking the initia tive is also critical since the defending side will not be able to pursue his own dreams against the opposite monarch - he will be too busy stopping the opponent's threats. Korchnoi castled long and willingly went into the race for each others' King because he felt his attack was more real. His Bishop will

g7-g6, White will be h4-h5. If the pawn is defended by h7-h6, White will advance his pawns by f4-f5-f6. If this is somehow prevented, then ideas like g4-g5 (against ... h7-h6) also come into consideration. The come to

d3

and if Black defends his h-pawn by

able to blast open a file by

•.•

...

point is this: White knows that whoever opens files to the enemy King first will be the victor; after assessing the position, Korchnoi decides that he will be the first to do so.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Two

21

BLACK'S MIDDLEGAME PLAN Black got an inferior position out of the opening and was not able to dictate the type of plan that would arise in the subsequent middlegame that was something that Korchnoi did. However, Black can't be too upset since the kind of play that follows will definitely allow him a good degree of counterplay - instead of being forced into passivity, he will be able to land some blows also. Of course, Black also realizes that White's possibilities are pref erable, but who plays mistake free chess? Since one error can tum the tide in sharp attacking situations, Black will not hesitate to open lines to the

c7-c5 (opening the c-flle) is one b5-b4 also suggests itself, especially if White can be playing a2-a3, since then b5-b4 would force the opening of

White King in any way he can. A later possibility, and goaded into

...

...

...

the b-file One last thought: neither side should be too concerned about losing a pawn or two if they get open lines in retum. This means that if one side starts grabbing pawns and ignoring his own attack, the opponent will get several free moves to develop dangerous threats against the enemy King. This should give him a strong initiative to compensate for any loss of material.

1 1 ...

Nc6

Bd3 e.g., 12 Bd3, Nb4! 13 Bxh7ch, Kh8 14 Qb1, g6 15 Bxg6, fxg6 16 Qxg6, BgS and Black has good counterchances. To hinder

12 a3 Preventing

Nb4.

12...

Na5


22

Heading for a forward post at c4 in some cases and preparing counterplay based on an ultra-sharp pawn sacrifice.

13 Bd3 Developing with a gain of tempo (14 Bxh7ch threatens).

13...

h6

13 g6 would only invite h4-h5. ...

14 Qe2?! Inconsistent. Correct was 14 f4! (with the idea ofj5) and if 14... f5 then 15 h3 followed by g4 opens up lines for attack. White would have excellent chances here.

Opening To Middlegame White seems to be gaining the initiative until move 14, when he suddenly re-deploys his Queen to e2 instead of rolling ahead with 14 f4. This slip enables Black to develop counterplay along the b-file with an audacious pawn sacrifice (14... b5) that is rejected. White misses several chances to prosecute his attack more effectively before settling for mate rial gain on move 23. But by then Black's King is secure and his counterat tack is in full swing. Korchnoi manages to survive by entering the end game a piece down, but finally succumbs on move 52.

14...

bS!?

A n audacious pawn offer. Now if 15 BxbS then 1S... Rb8 and the open b-flle gives Black good counter chances.

15 Bc2 Korchnoi rarely refuses such pawn offers, but evidently he feels taking it would be unfavorable.

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Two

15

.••

23

Rb8

Preparing to blast open lines with b5-b4.

16 Qd3 To force Black to make another weakening pawn move.

16...

g6

Forced.

17 Bxh6 Everything looks very good for White at first glance: an extra pawn and the threat to the Rf8.

17...

b4!

But Timman forsees that the initiative is all important in such situations, and so he doesn't hesitate to sacrifice more material.

18 axb4 Forced (otherwise bxa3).

18...

Rxb4

But now Black has the use of the b-file against White's King (Note White cannot match this accomplishment).

19 Qg3 Threatening to demolish Black by 20 Bxg6!.

19...

Bh4

The only way to defend.

20 Qf4 Still hovering near Black's King, waiting for opportunity.

20...

c6!

A fine move enabling Qb6 to further pressure down the b-file.

21 Rde1 ?! Korchnoi falters. Necessary was 21 e6!, Bxe6 22 Rhel (to answer 22... Be7 with 23 Rxe6!, fxe6 24 Qg4 and an ongoing attack) 22 ...Qf6 (Best. After 22 ... Nb3ch 23 Kbl , Qa5 24 Na2, RfbB [Threat: 25 ... Qxa2ch!]

25 Bxg6!, Nd2ch 26 Rxd2, Rxb2ch 27 Rxb2, Qxelch 28 Ncl, Rxb2ch 29 Kxb2 and White is on top).

21...

Be6

Now e6 is firmly blockaded.

22 Re3 With the idea of 23 Rg3 (Since 23... Bxg3 would be more than risky after 24 hxg3 - the open h-file and dark-squared domination would be tenific).

22...

cS

24


Countering in the center (The time-honored method of meeting a flank attack) and opening more lines.

23 Bxf8 Finally he decides to snatch the Exchange.

BgS

23...

An effective interpolation. Now if 24 Bxc5?! then 24...Bxr4 25

Bxb4, Nc4 26 Ndl, Nxe5! is very much in Black's favor.

24 Qg3 Nonetheless he should have tried 24 Bxc5 since now matters be come even worse.

24

Kxf8

..•

Black's King will now be safe while White's King is subject to Black's marauding pieces.

25 h4 Hoping for the materialistic 25 Bxe3? 26 fxe3. •..

Bh6!

25...

But Timman cleverly drops back to retain control of the impor tant dark squares. 26h5 Trying to pry open the h-file.

26...

gS

Blocking. Another sharper course was 26 ... cxd4 27 hxg6, Qg5 28

Qh2, dxe3 29 Qxh6ch, Qxh6 30 Rxh6, exf2 31 Rhl (31 Bd3, Nb3ch 32 Kdl, Bg4!) 3t ... Rg4 32 Rn, Rxg2 and Black is winning.

27 Na2 Better was 27 Ndl but Korchnoi was in serious time pressure.

Rb8

27... Planning on Qb6.

28 dxc5 If 28 Rdl then 28 Qb6 would be strong. .••

g4?!

28... Not best. Very strong was 28 d4. •..

29 Kbl Getting off the cl-h6 diagonal.

29... Hammering White's fortifications.

30 Rb3 There's nothing better.

Nc4


30

25

Nd2ch

•••

Regaining the Exchange with a clearly won game.

31 Kal Of course not 32 Kcl?, Ne4 dls.ch.

31...

Nxb3ch

Now Black is two pawns down, but in full control of the game.

32 Bxb3 White can only persevere.

32...

QaS

Moving up the "heavy artillery" and threatening to regain a pawn by Qxc5.

33 Rdl ?! Better was 33 c6 though even so 33 Qb6 would be powerful.

33...

Qb5

Now the Bb3 cannot move due to Qxb2 mate.

34 Rd3 Forced, since 34 Net allows 34 Bxcl. ..•

34...

Bf5!

Not falling into 34 d4 35 c6!, Bxb3 36 c7! and White would seize the advantage. .•.

35 Rxd5 On 35 Rc3, d4 wins.

35...

Qxb3

Good enough, but 35 ... Be6 looks even stronger.


26

HOW THE PLAYERS' RESPECTIVE PLANS WORKED OUT Instead of attacking with his pawns via f4-f5 (the correct method in positions with locked centers), White got hypnotized by the possibility of winning the Black h-pawn. He succeeded in this, but lost the initiative as a direct result of his greed. White still had chances to wrest the initia tive back, but he began to play with a lack of energy in a position that cried out for dynamic, imaginative choices. Once Black's King found per manent safety, White's advantage in material proved to be less important than Black's attack on the other wing. As is so common in these situations, White had to throw all his ill-gotten gains away to stave off immediate disaster. Eventually he suffering through a hopeless piece down endgame.

Rule to be learned: In mutual attacking situations the initiative is often more important than minor material considerations.

36 Qxb3 Forced.

36...

Rxb3

White has three pawns for the piece, but Black's active Bishops and White's passive Knight make the issue clear.

37 c6 The only chance.

37

•••

Forcing simplification since

Rd3 38 Rc4 fails to 38 ... Rd lch.

38 Nb4 To activate the Knight.

38

•••

RxdS


Simplifying.

39 NxdS White could resign, but he decides to play it out.

Ke8

39...

Moving over to neutralize the c-pawn.

40 Nf6ch Doing the best he can.

Kd8

40

•••

Going after the c-pawn.

41 f3 Still trying.

41.

gxf3

••

4l ... g3 is also good.

42gxf3 Now White plans on trying to push the h-pawn.

Be6

42...

Not 42 ... Kc7 43 NdSch since 43 ... Kxc6 allows 44 Ne7ch.

43 Ng8 To bump the blockader.

43...

Bf4

Now the e-pawn falls.

44 h6 Hoping.

BxeS

44

•••

Happily munching.

4S h7 If only he could get to h8.

45...

Kc7

Preparing to annex the c-pawn.

46 f4 Rather obvious - if 46.. Bxf4?? then 47 h8=Q. .

46...

Bg7

No thanks!

47 Nh6 Another joke"- 47 ...Bxh6?? 48 h8=Q.

47... Munch.

48 fS

Kxc6

27


Never say die.

48

•••

Bb3

Among others.

49 Kb1 One last gasp effort.

49...

Kd6

To clear up the Kingside situation.

S0 Ng4 Momentum.

so

•••

BdS

With the idea of St .. .Be4ch.

51 Nh6 Back again.

51

•••

KeS

Now the f-pawn comes under attack.

52 Kc2 One more move.

52

•••

And White gave it up.

Kf4

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Three

29

LESSON THREE Sacrificial Shock To Enter The Middlegame They say that the hardest thing is to win a won game. Getting a won game ain't easy either, and Seirawan does both in grand style. In this game, Selrawan-Timman, Hllversum 1990, a climax is early.

1 d4 GM Seirawan, one of the best positional players in the world, prefers the closed openings in which strategy is paramount.

Nf6

1 ...

A non-committed developing move.

2 c4 This aggressive use of the c-pawn is characteristic of d-pawn systerns.

2...

e6

Now if 3 Nc3 Black might essay the Nimzo (3.. Bb4) or the solid 3 d5; even the super sharp Benoni with 3 c5 could be tried. .

...

•..

3 Nf3 Avoiding the Nimzo.

3...

b6

Entering the Queen's Indian - a popular choice of many leading GMs. Of course also feasible is 3 d5. ••.

4 Nc3 Developing and battling for control of e4.

4...

Bb4

White intended to play e4, but this excellent developing - pinning move forestalls.

5 Qb3 Attacking the Bishop and preparing to recapture on c3 with the Queen if Black tried Bxc3.

s...

cS

Protecting the Bb4 while pressuring d4.

6a3 "Putting the question to the Bishop " - Nimzovitch.

6...

BaS

Pulling back and retaining the option of Bxc3 for later.


30

7 BgS Rapid development while indirectly fighting for control of e4 and

dS.

7...

Nc6

To be considered is 7 h6. ••.

80-0-0 The most aggressive. White seeks to overrun Black by develop ment focused on central control.

8...

Bxc3

So that if 9 Qxc3, Ne4!. But Seirawan has another idea.

9d5! Instead of the routine 9 Qxc3, he strives for sharp complications.

Opening To Middlegame White plays 9 dS! This shot clearly took Black by surprise, and he suffers from a form of what Dr. Tarrasch called "sacrificial shock." Black missed the best defense either by 9 Be5 (as pointed out in the notes below) or by 9 Bxb2+ 10 Qxb2, NaS forcing White to justify the pawn sac. If you're going to suffer, at least have a pawn to show for it! The defense Timman chooses allows White to sustain the initia tive by setting up a deadly pin. Black finally manages to castle, but it's too late to untangle on the d-file. White exploits the pin with deadly accuracy, forcing one of the world's best players to resign as soon as move 26. .•.

••.

exdS?

9...

A poor choice. Best was 9 Be5! and after 10 dxc6, Bc7! 11 cxd7ch, Bxd7 12 g3, Qe7 1 3 Bg2, Rd8 Timman claims equality. ...


31

10 cxdS White's c-pawn gladly "converts" into "another" d pawn.

10...

BeS

Now this retreat will be found lacking.

1 1 dxc6 Regaining his piece, but the main point is the surging initiative White now has.

WHITE'S MIDDLEGAME PLAN White has a lead in development and the enemy King is still in the center. When a master obtains these plusses he will always switch to overdrive and try to blow his opponent off the board. The reason for White's haste is that these advantages are temporary - Black will eventu ally catch up in development and the Black King will soon castle to safety. Thus, if White wishes to capitalize on what has been given him, he must play actively and try to take immediate advantage of his opponent's short comings.


32

BLACK'S MIDDLEGAME PLAN Strangely enough, Black has no real strategic plan in mind at all! First and foremost is the possibility of getting routed and he is thinking more in terms of damage control than anything else. Of course, he is aware that he has a Queenside majority that might one day prove useful in an endgame; but what good is such a consideration if he doesn't make it that far? He is also dreaming of the chance for an eventual counterattack against White's king; but how can you attack if your pieces aren't devel oped? So how could one of the world's finest players allow such a state of affairs to come about after only eleven moves? Simple: White played an opening that Black was not completely familiar with and Black fell under White's control when he missed his opponent's surprising ninth move

(9 d5!).

11

•..

Qe7

Defending e5 and getting off the dangerous d-file.

12 cxd7ch White opens lines to take advantage of Black's laggard King.

12...

Bxd7

Clearly forced.

13 e3 1 4 Rxd7!, Kxd7 15 NxeS, QxeS 16 Kc6 (16... Qe7 1 7 Bb5ch, Kd6 18 Rdlch wins) 17 Bf4 and Now threatening

crushed.

13 Alternatives are not good:

•••

Rd8

Qxfich, Black is


33

1) 13... Bc6 14 Bb5!, Rc8 15 Bxc6ch, Rxc6 16 Qa4 with an over whelming position. 2) 13... 0-0-0? 14 Ba6ch, Kb8 15 Nxe5, Qxe5 16 Bf4 "pinning and winning". 3) 13. .0-0? 14 Nxe5, Qxe5 15 Bxf6, Qxf6 16 Rxd7. 4) 13... h6 14 Rxd7!, Kxd7 15 Nxe5ch, Qxe5 16 Qxf7ch, Kc6 (16... Qe7 1 7 Bb5ch and 18 Rdlch wins) 17 Bf4- an "echo" of the note to White's main line 13th move. .

14 Rxd7! Despite Black's reinforcement of d7 by Rd8, the blow still falls there.

14

•••

Rxd7

Not 14 ... Kxd7 because of 15 Qa4ch, Ke6 (15... Kc7 16 NXE5, QXE5 1 7 BF4 or 15... Kc8 16 Ba6ch, Kf5 1 7 Qc2ch, Kg4 18 h3ch, Kh5 19 g4ch and Black must resign.

15 Bb5 Bringing out his last minor piece and preventing 15 ...0-0 since then 16 Bxd7 wins (16... Qxd7 1 7 Nxe5).

15...

Bd6

Getting the Bishop out of the range of the Nf3 and trying to block the d file.

16 Rd1 Now every White piece is bearing down on Black's position.

16...

0-0

Trying to escape the storm.

17 Bxd7 Now some crisp forcing tactics follow.

17...

Qxd7

Forced.

18 Bf4! But not 18 Bxf6, gxf6 19 Qd5, Rd8 20 Nh4, Qe8 21 Nf5, Bc7 and White is repulsed.

18...

c4

The only try; after 18 ...Ne8 19 Qd5 wins, while 18 ...Ne4 is met by 19 Qd5, Qa4 (19... Nxj2 20 Bxd6, Nxdl 21 Ne5, QdB 22 JUdi with a won game) 20 Bxd6, Rd8 21 Ne5, Nxd6 22 Nc4 and the pin on the d file triumphs- 22. .Nb7 23 Qxd8ch!. .

19 Qc2 Of course not 19 Qxc4, ReS.


34

19

•••

Ne8

The only move.

20 NgS! Threatening mate and Ne4.

20... Forced.

fS

21 Qxc4ch

Now its clear Black is busted.

HOW THE PLAYER'S RESPECTIVE PLANS WORKED OUT By going after Black with every bit of energy he could muster, White never gave his opponent a chance to recover. By the time Black was able to castle, a powerful pin materialized and White forced a deci sive gain in material and retained the initiative. As for Black, his worst nightmares were realized. He was abused throughout the game, never got a chance to make even one threat, and finally was forced to face the sad reality of material inferiority. Rule to be learned: A lead in development and an enemy King in the center should have the same effect on you as a waving red flag does to a bull. When you see this situation, go crazy and rip open the center in an effon to immediately take the fight to the opponent.

21... Forced.

Kh8

22 Bxd6

Note how the d file is used.

22...

Nxd6


35

No choice.

23 Qd5 Piling up on the pinned piece.

Rd8 23 Or 23 ... Rf6 24 Qa8cb, Qe8 25 Qxe8ch, Nxe8 26 Rd8, Rf8 27 .••

Ra8 with a winning game or 23 Rc8ch 24 Kbl, Rc6 25 Nt7ch!, Qxt7 26 Qxc6. Finally is 23... Qc7ch then 24 Kbl and Black cannot stop both 25 Qxd6 and 25 Ne6. .•.

24 Ne6! A last chance to go wrong was the flashy 24 Qxd6 expecting 24 ... Qxd6 25 Rxd6, Rxd6 26 Nt7ch and 27 Nxd6, but Black plays 24 Qc8! instead and after 25 Kbl, Rxd6 26 Rxd6 (Threatening 27 Rd8ch and 28 Nflch) 26 Kg8! Black would tum the tables. .•.

••••

Qc8ch

24...

On 24 ... Rc8ch 25 Kbl, Rc6 the piquant 26 Nd8! does the trick.

25 Kbl Waiting for Black next.

Rd7

25... There is no other defense, but..... 26 Qxd6!

And Black resigned since 26 Rxd6 27 Rxd6 followed by 28 Rd8ch leaves White a piece ahead. ••.

36


LESSON FOUR The Middlegame Starts, Whose King Is Safer? A year after this encounter Karpov defeated the same solid oppo nent narrowly by 4.5 to 3.5 in a semi-final candidates match leading to the world championship. Here in Karpov-Yusupov, USSR Championship 1988 Black chooses an unusual opening variation which requires him to move his King as early as move 7. In the ensuing complications White also forfeits the privilege of castling. The question then becomes, "Whose King is safer? " The answer is, "The side with the initiative. " Karpov declines a Queen swap in order to exploit his attacking prospects.

1 c4

The English is one of White's best positional debuts. 1... e6 A solid reply, challenging White's control of d5.

2 Nc3 White has several playable alternatives such as 2 Nf3, 2 g3, 3 d4 or even 3 b3.

2...

dS

Establishing a solid pawn base in the center.

3 d4 Transposing into a Queen's Gambit.

3...

Be7

A waiting move originally investigated by Charousek. The main idea is to try to disallow White the possibility of developing his KN on e2 in the Exchange Variation. For example, after the more usual 3 ... Nf6 4 Bg5, Be7 5 cxd5, exd5 6 e3, 0-0 White could play 7 Nge2!? (originally a recommendation of Alekhine).

4 Nf3 Also feasible is 4 g3 transposing into the Catalan Opening.

4...

Nf6

An unusual possibility is 4 . f5 transposing into a Dutch Stone wall, though this is not for everyone's style. .

.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Four

37

S cxdS The Exchange Variation, long a favorite of such greats as Reshevsky, Botvinnik Smyslov and Petrosian. The main idea here is to fix the pawn structure with the long term possibility of a minority attack.

exdS

5...

Possible is S NxdS though White obtains a fine pawn center after 6 e4, Nxc3 7 bxc3. •.•

6 Bg5 The most aggressive post for the Bishop though 6 Bf4 is also quite playable.

6

c6

•..

Reliably protecting the important d-pawn in preparation for the development of the Queen's Bishop. The immediate 6 ... Bf5 fails to 7 Bxf6, Bxf6 8 Qb3! and the simultaneous attack on b7 and dS wins a pawn.

7 Qc2 Temporarily restraining BfS.

7 BfS.

g6

•••

But Black is insistent, intending to use the g-pawn as a prop for

8 e4 White begins sharp play in the center. After the sedate 8 e3, BfS 9 Bd3, Bxd3 10 Qxd3 Black has no special problems.

8...

Nxe4

A new attempt. Previously 8 dxe4 has been played. .••

9 Bxe7 Forcing Black's King to retake since 9 Qxe7 would allow the shot 10 NxdS! with a winning position for White. •.•

9...

Kxe7

Now Black must proceed with alertness since his King might be subject to tactical blows.

10 Nxe4

White's task is

to

open up play against Black's exposed monarch.

10...

dxe4

But not lO BfS? since the reply 1 1 QcSch leaves White a piece ...

up.

1 1 Qxe4ch With a forcing check.

11.

••

Be6

38


Trying to develop while keeping an eye on e5 a potential strong point for Black's pieces since no White pawn can attack it. -

12 Bc4

Developing while threatening to leave Black with a vulnerable isolated pawn on e6 after 13 Bxe6.

12...

QaSch

Hoping to finesse White's Knight to a less active position on d2.

13 Kfl! A "counter finesse". White retains his Knight on its active post.

13...

Qf5

Offering to trade Queens which would prevent White from building an attack against Black's King.

14 Qe3 Naturally, White declines.

14...

Nd7

More development. Inferior is 14 Kf8 15 Bxe6, Qxe6 16 Qh6ch, Kg8 17 gJ (To castle by hand) 17...Nd7 18 Kg2 with excellent attacking chances for White. Also if 14 ...Kf6 White proceeds dynamically with 15 d5! since 15...Bxd5 16 BdJ, Qe6 (16... Qc8? allows /7 Qe 5 mate) 17 Qd4ch, Ke6 18 Qxh8 (or 18 Re1) wins for White. .••

15 Re1 Piling the pressure on e6.

15...

Rae8

Hoping to bolster e6. After 15... Kf6 1 6 Bxe6, fxe6 (of course not 16... Qxe6 1 7 Qg5ch and 18 Rxe6) 17 h4! with the idea of Qh6 followed by RhJ and Ng5, White retains excellent attacking prospects.

16 d5! A key move, opening up lines for a strong initiative. A mistaken plan would be 16 Bxe6, fxe6 17 QaJch, Kf6 18 Qxa7?, Qb5ch 19 Kg1, Ra8 trapping White's Queen. Also, after 16 QaJch, Kf6 17 BdJ, Qd5 18 Qxa7, Bg4 Black's initiative is unpleasant.


39

Opening To Middlegame White's stunning 16 dS! is akin to a clearance maneuver in a composed problem. Karpov gives up a pawn without apparent compensa tion to pursue the relentless King hunt. Black always seems to be within one move of reaching a safe haven, but Karpov always finds one more way to notch up the pressure. One of Black's main problems is that he cannot bring his Queen to an effective post - not how it is driven to h6 where it remains a helpless bystander to the action on the other wing. By move 35 Yusupov could have resigned with dignity.


40

White's Middlegame Plan At the moment the Black King is more vulnerable than White's. Because of this White decides to sacrifice a pawn; the sacrifice does two things: 1) It frees the d4 square for the Knight. 2) It opens the c3-h8 di agonal and allows checking possibilities if the Black King ever runs to f6. White's plan is keep Black permanently off balance by creating constant threats against his King and Queen. By doing this White knows that his opponent will be in no position to create threatening gestures of his own. In other words; White has a firm hold on the initiative and he will only give it up for a long lasting material or positional gain.

Black's Middlegame Plan Before the pawn sacrifice, Black had hoped to consolidate his position by Kf8 and Kg7 when he might have been able to eventually put pressure on White's isolated d-pawn. Now - after the pawn sacrifice Black still dreams of consolidation. If he can place his King on the secure g7 square (or find any safe haven) he will finally be in a position to think about making use of his extra pawn. ..•

•.•

16...

cxdS

Obviously forced.

17 BbS! The aggressive 17 Nd4 is well met by 17 Qe5!, e.g., 18 Qa3ch, Qd6 with equal play. 17 a6 .••

•••


4t

This seems dubious. A better defense was t7...d4!? though White would still retain an edge.

18 Qa3ch

Taking advantage of Black's exposed King position.

18...

Kd8

Forced. On t8... Kf6 White has t9 Bxd7, Bxd7 20 Qc3ch win ning material.

19 QaSch Pursuing the main target.

19...

Ke7

After t9 Kc8 20 Retch, Kb8 2t Qc7ch, Ka8 22 Nd4, Qf6 (Or 22. . Qe5 23 Qxe5, Nxe5 24 BxeB) 23 Bxa6!, Rb8 (23... bxa6 24 Nc6 and 25 Qa7 mate is too much to handle) 24 Qa5, Qxd4 25 Bxb7 dbl.ch., Kxb7 26 Rc7 mate. .•.

.

20 Qb4ch The Queen marauds on the weakened dark squares.

20...

Kf6

After 20...Kd8 White gains a powerful attack with 2t Nd4, Qf6 22 Bxa6!, bxa6 23 Ret ! , RegS 24 Rc6! (Threatening Rxa6 followed by Ra8) 24...Qe5 25 Rxe6! (25.. .fxe6 26 Nc6ch and 27 Nxe5).

21 Qd4ch If 2t Bxd7 (Hoping for 21...B:xd7 22 Qd4ch) then Black has the interpolation 21. ..Qd3ch! preventing Qd4ch. -

21... Forced.

Ke7

22 Bd3

Regrouping with a gain of tempo.

22...

QhS

A large part of White's initiative is being based on the continued harassment of Black's King and Queen.

23 h4! Preparing a base on g5 for White's Knight.

23...

Kd8

Black struggles to coordinate his forces. 24 Ng5 A very aggressive post. Rhf8 24 •••


42

Bringing the Rook to the defense of rT (For example, White was threatening 25 Be2, Qh6 26 Bf3! threatening both 27 Bxd5 and 27 Rxe6!, fte6 28 Nxj7ch).

25 Be2 The Queen is again a target for White's maneuvers.

25...

Qh6

Forced. 26 Bf3

Now White bears down on Black's fragile central barricades. 26...

Re7

If Black's King tries to run to the Queenside with 26... Kc8 then White has 27 Retch, Kd8 (Or 27... Kb8 28 Qf4ch, Ka8 29 Nxe6 wins a piece) 28 Bxd5, Bxd5 29 Qxd5 with a clearly winning position.

27 Qb4 Much better than the immediate 27 BxdS - White pins the Be6 while observing various weak points.

27...

Nf6

Trying to defend both b7 and dS.

28 Qd6ch Still using the dark squares.

28

••.

Rd7

Of course 28 Kc8 is met decisively by 29 Retch. ..•

29 Qf4 Now the "loose" Nf6 is targeted and 30 Nxe6ch followed by 31 Qxh6 threatens.

29...

Ng8

The only defense to both threats. 29 . Qg7 fails after 30 Rxe6, fxe6 31 N xe6ch and 32 Nxg7. .

.

30 Bg4! Taking advantage of the fact that 30...Bxg4 is impossible because of 31 QbS mate.

30

•••

Trying to run.

Kc8

31 Bxe6

Now the weak e6 point will allow White to win material.

31...

fxe6

Black must sit and watch his position crumble.

32 Rclch


43

Chasing the King back to d8.

32...

Kd8

There's no choice.

33 Nxe6ch

"Cashing in" on e6.

Ke7 33 33 Ke8 is met by the crushing blow 34 ReSch. 34 Qxf8ch .••

...

Winning the Exchange.

HOW THE PLAYER'S RESPECTIVE PLANS WORKED OUT As hard as Black tried, he was never able to find a resting place for his King. This meant that he was occupied with thoughts of defense for the whole game and was never able to create threats of his own. The lux ury of not having to worry about any kind of Black counterattack enabled White to pursue his own attack with single-minded devotion. Finally Black's resistance snapped and White won material and traded off into a winning endgame. In the end White's initiative proved too strong to stop, while Black's long term advantage of an extra pawn never played a role in the game. Rule to be learned: An opponent without pressure or threats is a helpless opponent. Getting such a situation for the tiny price of a pawn is like money in the bank.

34

•..

Black plays on under momentum.

Qxf8


44

35 Nxf8 The rest is easy for a super technician like Karpov.

Kxf8

35... Hoping for a miracle?

36 Rh3 The dormant King Rook now rushes into play.

36...

Ne7

Bringing the Knight back into play.

37 h5 Softening up Black's Kingside pawns.

37...

Kg7

Trying to reinforce.

38 h6ch

Blocking the h7 pawn as a target for White's roaming Rooks.

38...

Kf6

Black must await.

39 Rf3ch Now White finishes matters quickly.

39...

Ke6

If 39 Kg5, then 40 Rl7! followed by 41 Ret wins the Knight. ...

40 Retch White's Rooks run amok.

40

•••

Kd6

The only move.

41 Rf6ch Driving the King.

41.

•.

Kc7

On 41.-KcS 42 Rl7 wins the h7 pawns.

42 g4 Limiting the Knight's scope.

42...

Nc6

Not 42 Ng8 43 Retch, Kd8 44 Rf8cb winning the Knight. ••.

43 Re8 And Black resigned in view of the hopeless nature of his position.

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesso n Five

45

LESSON FIVE The Middlegame Is Up For Grabs Teenager Vassily Ivanchuk burst into the limelight by winning the New York Open in 1988, the ftrst time a large Soviet wave of grand masters ever landed en mass on these shores. This game, Malanluk-lv anchuk, USSR Championship 1988, offers a glimpse of his enterprising style as he lurches forward with a Knight on move 8, violating the injunc tion against moving the same piece twice in the opening.

1 d4 A favorite opening for solid positional players, but as we shall see, it can lead to great complications.

1

•••

Nf6

A noncommittal replay which prevents 2 e4.

2 c4 Gaining a foothold on d5.

2

•••

e6

Allowing Black to anchor a pawn in the center with d5.

3 Nc3 Allowing the Nirnzo-Indian. Often 3 Nf3 is played to avoid this possibility.

3

•••

Bb4

The Nirnzo is perhaps the most highly regarded of Black's de fenses against the Queen Pawn Opening.

4 f3 A sharp continuation which intends to monopolize the center with e4.

4

•••

dS

Preventing White's intended 5 e4. S a3

Challenging Black to transpose into the Samisch Variation of the Nimzo with 5...Bxc3ch 6 bxc3. s... Be7 But Black declines, preferring to retain the Bishop pair.

46


6 e4 White continues most sharply.

6

•••

dx e4

Black's task is to counter punch the ambitious center pawns.

7 fxe4 Of course not 7 Nxe4 since White wants to form a massive pawn center.

7

•••

eS!

Hoping for 8 dxeS, Qxd1cb 9 Kxd1, Ng4 followed by 10 .. Nxe5 with a clearly better ending for Black. .

8 d5 Continuing to acquire more space, but Black intends to brand White's center as overextended.

8...

Ng4!?

Beginning a sharp tactical struggle. This move is superior to 8 Bc5 9 NO, Bg4 10 b3, BbS 1 1 g4, Bg6 12 b4, Be7 with a plus for White. ..•

9 Nf3?! But this is dubious. White should have tried 9 b4 and if 9 Bg5 (To be considered is 9.. a5) 10 NO, Bxcl 1 1 Qxct, 0-0 12 Bd3, aS 13 Rb1, axb4 14 axb4, Qe7 15 0-0 White's Queenside spatial plus and potential break with c4-c5 gives him a small plus. ••.

..

9...

BcS

Black begins threats on the a7-g1 diagonal.

10 b4 White intends to show Black's tactics are unsound.

10...

Bf2ch

Unseating the White King.

1 1 Ke2 Now White threatens 12 b3 and if 1 1 . Bb6 then 12 cS wins. ..

1 1...

cS!!

A terrific move which gives Black a driving attack.

12 Nb5

The move 12 b3 is smartly answered by 12...Bd4!

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Five

47

Opening To Middlegame White quickly goes astray in the early middlegame complica tions. Better is 12 dxc6 aiming to get the Queens off the board as soon as possible, but he tries to mix it up by moving his Knight for the second time on move 12. Who can blame him since he is a full Rook ahead by move 16? A few moves later Black also goes astray and once again the game is up for grabs. At move 25 Ivanchuk spurns a drawing line and the battle flares anew. But apparently exhausted by his prolonged defensive task, White makes a decisive error on move 28. Suddenly the game is no longer up for grabs.

12

.••

a6!

Preparing another surprise.

13 Qa4 Pinning the a-pawn.

13 ...

axbS!!

Another tremendous move.

14 Qxa8 Obviously he must accept.

14...

Bd4!

Black is the Exchange down, but he has powerful play based on White's flatfooted King and uncoordinated forces.

15 Nxd4

48


More resistant was 15 Ral though after 1S Nd7 Black is in con...

trol.

15

•••

cxd4

Black is offering a full Rook for the attack.

16 Qxb8 He might as well have a Rook for his troubles.

16...

0-0

Now we have a classic illustration of the value of superior devel opment overwhelming superior material. White's exposed King is a key factor here.

White's Middlegame Plan As in the Karpov-Yusupov game, we have an example of initia tive versus material gain, but this is clearly a more extreme case ! White is up a whole Rook and has the move, but his defense is not at all easy. This is due to his centrally placed King and lack of development. Noting these problems, White knows that, due to his large advantage in material, if he can get his army out he should be able to win the game. One bonus that such a large material edge brings is the ability to sacrifice something back to break the enemy initiative, and still be up a pawn or more, or, at the very least, end up with some other type of advantage.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Fh·e

49

Black's Middlegame Plan Black has burned his bridges behind him and is now committed to a do or die attack. He intends to penetrate into the hostile position with his Queen (this is possible because the White Queen is out of play on bB) and either mate the White King or win huge amounts of material back. Both sides are aware that the one of the two following scenarios will most likely come to pass: 1) White won't be able to deal with his op ponent's threats and he will ultimately be blown off the board. 2) White will consolidate and win the game.

17 Ke1 Trying to escape the attack. After 17 h3 Black plays 17 ... Qh4!.

17...

Qh4ch

Anyway.

18 g3 Forced. After 18 Kd2, Nf2 19 Rg1 , Qxh2 Black recovers his material remaining with an overwhelming attack.

18...

Qf6

Threatening 19...Qf2ch 20 Kd1, Qf3ch (among others).

19 Bf4!? The best try. After 19 Ra2, Qf3 20 Bg2, Qc3ch 21 Bd2, Qb3 Black is winning.

19...

gS?

A crucial error which gives White a chance. Correct was 19...d3! ! and if 20 Bxd3 then 20 ... exf4 is powerful since White's QR is attacked while 20 Rc1, exf4 21 Qxf4, Qd4! with the powerful follow up 22 ... d2ch followed by 23 Qxdl, Qxe4ch is also winning for Black.


50

20 c5! An excellent retort: the main idea is to support the Queen at d6.

20...

exf4

Now Black is "only" the Exchange down.

21 Qd6 Bringing the Queen back into play greatly enhances White's prospects.

21.

••

Qg7

Of course Black retains the Queens to maintain his chances.

22 Bd3 Getting this "sleeping " pieces into play.

22...

Ne5!?

Using the strong outpost. After 22 rs White bypasses with 23 eS! and on 23 Nxe5 24 Kd2 with unclear play and mutual chances. •••

•.•

23 Kd2 Protecting the Bishop while clearing the back rank for his Rooks.

23...

f3

Also possible was 23 f5 24 gxf4, Nxd3 25 Kxd3, Bxe4ch 26 Kxe4, Rf4ch 27 Qxf4!, gxf4 28 Ragl, Bg4 29 h3 with murky play. ••.

24 BxbS Grabbing a pawn and hoping to assist the d-pawn advance to d7 in the future.

24

•••

g4

Opening a line for the Queen on the cl-h6 diagonal.

25 Qe7 Now after 25 Qh6 26 Kc2, Qe3 27 QxeS, Qc3ch 28 Kb3, Qb3ch, its a draw by perpetual. •.•

25...

Ng6

But Black wants to try for more.

26 Qg5 Better was 26 Qd6! and now if 26 ... Qh6ch 27 Kc2, Qe3 then 28 Bd3! stops Black's Queen from further checking, while 26... Ne5 can be answered by 27 QeS repeating the position.

26...

h6

Forcing the Queen to hS.

27 Qh5 There is no choice.

27

•••

d3!

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Five

51

Opening up more lines and setting a trap for White.

28 Bxd3? The losing move. Necessary was 28 eS! keeping the "e" line un der control.

28

•••

Re8!

Now White's Queen is unable void being trapped by ReS.

29 h3 Trying to break free.

29...

ReS

But it is too late.

HOW THE PLAYER'S RESPECTIVE PLANS WORKED OUT It appears that Black's initiative should have won out, but an error allowed White to claw his way back into the game. White was defending successfully, but this type of "hanging on by one's fingertips" effort is tir ing. Black spumed chances of a draw by perpetual and kept introducing complications. Eventually White cracked from the pressure and missed a hidden threat to his Queen. As in our last two games, the initiative proved to be more impor tant than a material advantage.

Rule to be learned: A strong initiative often transcends material considerations. In this game the White Queen was out of play on b8. In effect, in this game Black had a temporary material advantage!

30 hxg4 Trying to get as much material as possible for the Queen.

30...

RxhS

52


But it is not enough.

31 gxhS Or 31 RxhS, Qxal. 31...

NeS

Returning to its fine central post.

32 Rael Trying to defend, but its a hopeless cause.

32...

QgSch

Moving in for the win.

33 Kc2 Of course not 33 Re3, Ng4.

33...

f2

Now the pawn plays its part.

34 Rdl Nothing works here.

34

•••

Qe3

Threatening 3S... Nxd3 36 Rxd3, Qe2ch 37 Rd2, n=Q. Seeing this, White resigns.

Modem Mlddlegame Lesso ns: Lesson Six

53

LESSON SIX Deadening The Scope Of The Black King's Bishop In The Middlegame This is the only game Karpov ever won against Kasparov outside of their title matches. Coming after their fourth bout in Seville 1987, which ended in a 1 2- 1 2 tie, this Karpov-Kasparov, Belfort 1988 match must have been especially gratifying to the fallen title holder. In a sense it is a continuation of their "debate" over the merits of the Exchange Vari ation of the Gruenfeld Defense, which was tested repeatedly in K-K Match #4 without arriving at a final conclusion.

1 d4 Although Karpov's preference is normally 1 e4, he has been suc cessful with 1 d4 in recent years.

1...

Nf6

The most flexible.

2 c4 Gaining influence on the central dS.

2...

g6

Heading for the Gruenfeld, a sharp variation contested several times between Karpov and Kasparov in their World Championship match games.

3 Nc3 Other playable choices are 3 Nf3 and 3 g3.

3...

d5

Entering the Gruenfeld instead of the King's Indian (3... d6) or Benoni (3 . c5) .

.

4 cxd5 Karpov proceeds with maximum vigor. Quieter choices are 4 BgS and 4 Nf3.

4

•••

Nxd5

Black hopes to use the newly opened d-file in conjunction with the al -h8 diagonal to exert pressure on White's center.

S e4


54

Consistent. Possible was the solid 5 Nf3 or 5 g3.

Nxc3

5...

To not lost time, though S Nb6 is playable. •.•

6 bxc3 Now White's d-pawn has some needed protection.

Bg7

6...

From here the KB focuses pressure on White's center pawns.

7 Bc4 The most active post for the KB. Another line is 7 Nf3 followed by Be2.

7 c5 The c-pawn plays a vital role in pressing on White's d4 while al lowing the option of cxd4, opening the c-file and giving Black a useful two to one Queenside pawn maj ority. •..

8 Ne2 To avoid a pin by Bg4.

Nc6

8... Reinforcing pressure on d4.

9 Be3 Countering the pressure and, in some instances, allowing a later maneuver of Qd2 and Bh6, removing Black's dynamic KB.

9...

0-0

Completing Kingside development.

10 0-0 Ditto

10...

Bg4

Provoking a storm of intricate tactical and positional motifs.

l l f3 Necessary to defend d4. 11 eS is premature since dS is seriously weakened without compensation.

1 1...

NaS!?

Challenging the B ishop's control of the a2-g3 diagonal - but at the cost of a pawn.

12 Bxf7ch The critical line, already contested several times between these super GMs in their World Championship match games.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Six

55

White's Middlegame Plan By capturing on f7 White defines the future play for both sides. While winning a pawn, 12 Bxf7+ also gives up the c4 square (which will be a great square for the Black Knight) and allows Black a large choice of attacking options. Ultimately White hopes to beat off any Black initiative, use his massive center to restrict Black's pieces, and trade down to a supe rior endgame.

Black's Middlegame Plan Black is not overly worried about the loss of a pawn since it is doubled and very hard to use. The real fight will revolve around the White center: will it prove to be a liability that is riddled with holes, or will it be

56


shown as a concrete wall that is impossible to tear down? Black must play actively if he wants the answers to be favorable for him. Rxfi 12... Black hopes the f-file and pressure on the light squares (especially c4 and d5) will give him good counter chances.

13 fxg4 On the other hand, Karpov believes in his extra pawn and central pawn majority to carry the day.

13...

Rxflch

Inducing White to recapture with either Queen or King - in each case Black will have the option of bringing his QR into action on the f-file with a tempo gain.

14 Kxfl White captures with the King since he is already planning his 1 7th move.

14

...

Qd6

Clearing the back rank while attacking the h-pawn.

15 eS Canceling the h-pawn attack with a tempo gainer.

Opening To Middlegame White's plan is not so much to gain a pawn as to deaden the scope of Black's Bishop on g7. This subtle strategy is getting harder to meet, and Kasparov's inability to find adequate counterplay here casts doubt on the whole variation for Black. Simplicity is the hallmark of the artist, and Karpov makes it all look so easy as he tastes some sweet revenge here.

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Six

15

57

QdS

•••

Gladly relocating on the weakened dS.

16 Bf2 Getting out of the way of a coming Nc4.

Rd8

16...

Augmenting the pressure on the d-pawn.

17 Qa4! An important innovation. Previously Karpov had tried 17 Qe1 and 17 Qc2.

17

b6

•••

On 17 ... Nc6 White responds powerfully with 18 Qb3!.

18 Qc2! After finessing the weakening 17 b6 the Queen returns. ...

18... Rf8 Since d4 is now well protected, the Rook shifts to the f-file. 18 ... Qc4 would be well answered by the centralizing 19 Qe4. 19 Kg1 Getting off the dangerous line.

19...

Qc4

Invading on c4 and planning to play cxd4 when the preferred recapture cxd4 is impossible due to the pin.

20 Qd2 Unpinning while restraining Bh6.

20...

Qe6

After 20 ... Bh6!? 21 Qxh6, Qxe2 22 Qe2 White retains the edge, while 20 ... Qf7 is answered by 21 Ng3 with the idea of centralizing the Knight via e4.

21 h3 Protecting g4 and giving the King an escape square on h2, just in case.

21 ...

Nc4

The Knight is brought back from the "far side".

22 QgS! A fine maneuver, envisioning 23 Bh4 or 23 Nf4 with pressure.

22...

h6

The Queen's strong position must be challenged, but now the Black KB is still more obstructed.

23 Qcl


58

Having induced the weakening 22 ... h6, the Queen retires to safety.

23

.••

Qf7

After 2J...Qd5 24 Qc2! (attacking g6) is good. Probably best. however, is 2J ... h5!?.

24 Bg3 Planning to play Nf4.

gS?!

24...

A positional error leading to a lost position . Black had to try his luck in the variations after 24.. Qd5!? 25 Nf4, Qe4 26 Ne6 and now: a) 26...Rc8 27 Qb l ! and if 27 ...Qe3ch then 28 Bt2, Qxc3 29 Qxg6, Qxa l ch 30 Kh2 and Black cannot prevent mate on g7, or b) 26 ... Ne3 27 Qd2 (the only move 27 Nf? allows simply 27... Rxf4) 27 ... Nc4 (Or if 27... exd4 2B exd4, ReB 29 Rei, Re2 30 Rxe3, Qe6 3i d5 and wins) 28 Qe l , Ne3 29 Qe2, cxd4 30 Nxf8 ! (This time 30 exd4 loses to 30... ReB since after 3i Rei, Re2 White cannot capture on e3 due to mate on g2) 30 ... Bxf8 (Or 30... d3 3i Qf2) 3 1 cxd4, Qxd4 32 Re i and Black is losing, or, finally c) 26...cxd4 !? 27 Nxf8 (27cxd4 is strongly answered by 27... Ne3, e.g., 2B Qd2, Ne4 29 Qei, Ne3 30 Qe2, ReB 3i Rdi, Re2 32 Rd2, Rclcl! and White is in trouble) 27 ... Ne3 28 Qd2, dxc3 29 Qe2 and now on 29 ... Bxf8 30 Qf3 is strong for White. .

-

25 Qc2 Threatening to centralize effectively with 26 Qe4.

25...

QdS

Preventing Qe4 and threatening NeJ.


59

26 Bfl Preventing 26...Ne3 and preparing the strong regrouping Ng3, targeting fS and hS and e4.

26

•••

b5

Black desperately tries for counterplay on the Queenside.

27 Ng3 A powerful range is opened for the Knight from here.

27...

Rf7

After 27 ... b4 there follows 28 NfS, Rl7 29 e6!, Qxe6 30 Ret, Qd7 3t cxb4 and White wins easily.

28 Rel Also good is 28 Ret , but the text threatens e6 in some contin· gencies.

28

•••

b4

Trying to undennine White's central pawn chain.

29 Qg6 Invading the White squares in Black's Kingside with strong at tacking possibilities. 29 Kf8 After 29... bxc3 30 NfS, Kf8 3t e6, Rxrs 32 gxfS, Nd6 33 dxcS White wins. •.•

30 Ne4 Also strong is 30 N fS.

30

.••

Rxf2

A desperate sacrifice.

31 Kxf2 The Knight belongs on the aggressive central e4.


60

HOW THE PLAYER'S RESPECTIVE PLANS WORKED OUT Quite simply, B lack's strategy of pressuring the White center and using the holes there to make his pieces more active than their White counterparts failed badly. Why? The answer is that White was able to get all his pieces to good squares and safeguard his center. White played calmly and logically and Black was not able to find a way to use his in itiative to prevent White from improving his position. When Black real ized this was happening, he panicked and created weaknesses in his Kingside that White was able to use. This passing of the initiative signaled the beginning of the end. Rule to be learned: The initiative is a temporary, dynamic ad

vantage, while things like material, space, and a strong center are long term, static advantages. Either has the capacity to rule the day, though the side with the initiative usually has more pressure on him to prove that his concept was justified.

31.

••

bxc3

Black's idea with 30 Rxf2 was to assail d4, but it is too late. ...

32 QfSch Commencing a mop up operation.

32...

Kg8

Of course 32 Qt7 is hopeless too. •••

33 Qc8ch Winning the c-pawn.

33

.••

Momentwn.

34 QxcS

Kh7


Now 34...Qxc5 35 d xc5 wins easily.

34...

Qt7ch

Keeping !he Queens on was forced but hopeless.

35 Kgl "Weak" would be 35 Kg3??, Qf4 mate.

35...

c2

Hoping to Queen somehow.

36 Ng3 Heading for f5.

36

.••

Bf8

Protecting !he e-pawn.

37 Nf5 Threatening 38 e6 and 39 Qxc4.

37...

Kg8

Nolhing works.

38 Rcl Winning !he c-pawn. Black Resigns

61

62


LESSON SEVEN A Fighting Defense Starts

In The Middlegame Kasparov's name is often linked with Aleklline - both whipped up attacks seemingly out of the blue, and both hated to defend passive posi tions. But this does not mean that either one of them lacked the ability to defend. This is BeUavsky-Kasparov, Belford 1988.

1 d4 Beliavsky is a virtuoso of the d-pawn openings.

Nf6

1... Less committal than t ...d5.

2 c4 Controlling d5.

2

g6

.••

Going for the Gruenfeld Defense, one of Black's most mercurial choices and well suited to Kasparov's dynamic style.

3 Nc3 The most usual. Also playable are 3 Nf3 or 3 g3.

3...

dS

Other Kasparov choices are 3...Bg7 and . .d6 (King's Indian) or 3.. c5 (Benoni). .

.

4 Nf3 A favorite move of Botvinnik's. The sharpest, however, was the Exchange Variation - 4 cxd5, Nxd5 5 e4.

4...

Bg7

Another possibility was 4 ..c6 leading to the solid Schleeter variation; but Kasparov prefers the dynamic choices to the solid ones. .

S Qb3 Pressuring d5 to make Black commit himself.

5...

dxc4

The most active solution opening the d-file in order to put pres sure on White's d-pawn.

Modem Mlddlegame Lesso ns: Lesson Seven

63

6 Qxc4 Now White has a central pawn majority though his Queen might become exposed to harassment by Black's pieces.

6...

0-0

Completing his Kingside development. Note that White is lagging in this respect.

7 e4 Forming a classical pawn center. The whole theory of the Gruen feld revolves around White's efforts to use his pawn center effectively while Black, in the finest Hypermodern spirit, hopes to prove it to be a target for his swarming pieces.

7

•••

Na6

Most Knights on the rim are poorly placed, but the one is well motivated since it prepares to strike at White's center with cS.

8 Be2 Better than 8 Bd3 which only blocks the d-file and hence would hamper White from protecting his d-pawn with a Rook on dl.

8... cS The fight for the center begins in earnest. 9 d5 Gaining more space and threatening e4-e5.

9...

e6

In order to trade off half of White's proud pawn center and open ing the e-file as well.

lO BgS Completing his minor piece development and threatening to win material with 11 eS.

10

.•.

exdS

Per plan.

1 1 NxdS Usual is 1 1 exdS but Beliavsky wants to keep the d-file open.

1 1...

Be6

Completing development and contesting dS.

12 0-0-0 Beliavsky pours on the steam; obviously neither player is looking for a draw.

12

•..

BxdS

64


Getting rid of the "visiting" Knight.

13 Rxd5 Consistently trying to utilize the d-file for his heavy pieces.

13...

Qb6

Threatening to take on dS.

14 Bxf6 White would rather retain the Bishop pair, but the alternative was to retreat to d2 - in sharp positions like this retreating moves usually lose the initiative.

14...

Qxf6

With an obvious threat to b2.

15 e5 Blocking the dangerous long diagonal with a gain of time.

15...

QfS!

A new move in this position. The idea is to play 16 Bh6ch { 1 7 Kdl, Qblch wins, or i f 1 7 Nd2, Qxj2). •..

16 Bd3 Giving the King an escape square on bl.

Qc8

16...

Another reasonable move was 16 Qe6 and on 17 Rd6, Qe7 with unclear play in a complex position. ..•

Modern Mlddlegame Lesso ns: Lesson Seven

65

White's Middlegame Plan White is hoping to occupy the center with his pieces. He will double Rooks on the d-file and perhaps place his Bishop on e4. Then threats will appear like Rd7, when Black could easily find himself losing material.

Black 's Middlegame Plan To get his present central situation White had to make two impor tant concessions. The first was to castle Queenside; his King is far from secure on this side of the board and Black will constantly be looking for ways to blast open lines and get to it. The second concession was parting


66

with his dark-squared Bishop. Aside from possibilities of Bh6ch, White must constantly watch his e-pawn, for if it was taken or was forced to ad vance, the dark-squared Bishop could easily hurt White on the h8-a1 di agonal. So what we have here is a fight between White's positional pres sure in the center versus Black's tactical chances against White's King ...

17 Rd1 ? A serious inaccuracy. White should have gone for 17 Rd6! and if 17 Nb4 then 18 Be4, Rb8 (Not 18... b5 19 Qe2, Rb8 20 a3 winning ma terial) 19 aJ, Nc6 20 Bxc6, bxc6 with murky complications (If 21 Qxc5 then 21 ... Qg4 gives Black strong counterplay). Another line after 17 Rd6! is the immediate thrust 17 b5 and now: a) 1 8 Qxb5 (?), Nb4 1 9 Qc4 (But not 19 Bc4, QJ5!) 1 9 ... Nxd3ch 20 Rxd3, Rb8 21 a3, Rb6 and Black's pres •.•

•. •

sure down the b-file gives him good compensation for the sacrificed pawn; or b) 1 8 Qh4 ! , c4 19 Be4, Nc5 ! (sacrificing the Exchange in return for a mighty post for the Knight on d3) 20 Bxa8, Nd3ch 21 Kb 1 , Qxa8 22 Rhd 1 , Qc8 (After 22... Nxe5 2 3 Nxe5, Bxe5 White should play 24 R/6-d5! with a slight plus - not 24 Rd8? because of 24... Qxg2) 23 RJ6xd3 (Weak is 23 Qd4, Qj5!) 23 . . . cxd3 24 Rxd3, Qf5 with Black having good counter chances.

17

bS!

.••

Now this thrust gives Black a strong attack.

18 Qh4 On 18 QxbS simply 18 Nc7! wins material. •. •

Nb4

18...

Gaining an important tempo - another reason why 17 Rd6! was required.

19 Bxg6?! A tempting shot, but Black has foreseen a brilliant refutation. Better was 19 Rd6 though after 19 c4 20 Be4 (On 20 Bb1 strong is 20... Nd3ch!) 20 c3! 21 a3 (Forced), c2 22 axb4, cxd1=Qch 23 Kxd1, Rb8 Black has a clear advantage. . ••

. ••

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Seven

67

Opening To Middlegame Kasparov, ever alert for tactical shots, is often at his best when pinned to the ropes - as he appears to be here after 19 Bxg6 aimed directly at his King. He is called upon to refute a very dangerous piece sacrifice which might very well have kayoed lesser mortals. Furiously and desper ately throwing punches, Kasparov staves off mate while keeping his eye on the weak spot in Beliavsky's camp - an undefended back rank. White heaves all his forces into a Kingside attack, but he suddenly discovers nothing is left to guard his own monarch. Black launches a powerful counterattack beginning with 20 ... Qe8! When the smoke clears, White's overextended forces are no match for the deadly advance of Black's extra pawn to b3.

19...

fxg6

Forced. After 19 ... hxg6 White wins with 20 Ng5, Re8 21 Rd7.

20 Rd7 Threatening 21 Qe7 with a mating attack.

20...

Qe8!

Stopping 21 Qe7 and envisioning a deep counterattack.

21 Re7 After 21 a3, Nc6 22 e6!? Black has 22... Rxf3! and if 23 gxf3 then 23... Qxe6 24 Qxe4, Qr6! is decisive, while after 23 Rxg7ch, Kxg7 24 Rd7ch, Qxd7! 25 exd7, Rr6 Black material superiority must win.

21...

Bh6ch!

Now if 22 Qxh6 then simply 22 ... Qxe7.

22 Kb1

68


Now Kasparov reveals another surprise move.

22...

Rd8!

Taking advantage of White's weakened back rank (23 Rxe8? ?, Rxdl mate).

23 Rd6 On 23 Ret, g5! wins.

23...

Qc6!

Now 24 Rxc6 again allows mate on the back rank.

HOW THE PLAYER'S RESPECTIVE PLANS WORKED OUT An error by White allowed Black to immediately start his Queenside counterattack, thereby putting all of White's plans on the back burner. Seeing that Black was taking charge, White sacrificed a piece in an effort to regain the initiative. However, Black was able to put White away by mixing defense with his own mating aspirations. Rule to be learned: In general central play is preferable to play

on the wings. However, an insecure King always gives the opponent chances for counterplay and great care must be used to prevent what transpired in this example. 24 a3 After 24 Qxh6 Black mates with 24 Qe4ch 25 Kat, Nc2ch 26 •..

Kbt, Na3 dls.ch. 27 Kat, Qbtch. 24 •••

The rest is relatively simple.

Rxd6

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Seven

25 exd6 Forced.

25

••.

Qx

Again threatening mate on d l .

26 axb4

69

�

On 26 Ret, Qd3ch wins.

26

•••

cxb4

Now a pawn up with a strong attacking position, Kasparov wins quickly .

27 Qe4 White continues to hope.

27...

b3

Threatening mate. Now 28 Qe6ch, Qxe6 29 Rxe6, ReS (Threat 30 . . Rcl mate) 30 Ret, Rc2 wins easily. Also after 28 Nd4, Rf4 29 Qa8ch, Bf8 White is mashed. .

White Resigns


70

LESSON EIGHT An Uncastled King Gets Middlegame Punishment Evgeny Vladimirov was a member of Kasparov's team in the K-K matches until he was abruptly f1red during the third tilt in 1 986. Charges were made that he passed on information to the enemy camp. Whether true or not, Vladimirov, hitherto an unknown Soviet, gained some un wanted notoriety. Since then the world has learned that Vladimirov is a very strong player in his own right, as his opponent found out in this fine game, Vladlmlrov-Eplsln, USSR 1989.

l e4 Considered to be White's most aggressive choice.

1...

c5

Black's most aggressive response.

2 Nf3 More sedate (but not without bite) is the Closed Sicilian 2 Nc3 followed by g3 and Bg2. More aggressive is 2 d4 (the Smith-Morra Gambit) and if 2 cxd4 then 3 c3. .•.

d6

2...

Preparing to play Nf6 without having to worry about e4-e5.

3 d4 Seizing more control of the d4 square.

cxd4

3...

In return Black obtains a two to one central pawn majority.

4 Nxd4 Possible is 4 Qxd4, answering 4 Nc6 with 5 Bb5; but the text is by far the most common. ...

4...

Nf6

Striking at the e-pawn to make White commit early. After 4 . Nc6 White would have the option of 5 c4, creating the Maroczy bind. .

5 Nc3 Rare but playable are both 5 Bd3 and 5 f3. s... e6

.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Eight

71

Entering the Scheveningen Variation, a favorite of World Champion Garri Kasparov.

L

6 g4

The Kere's attack, White's most gressive choice here and a fa vorite of Ex World Champion Anatoly Karpov.

6...

h6

To secure the Nf6 from being chased by g4-g5. 7 h4 Gaining more Kingside space.

7

Be7

•••

Also playable are 7 .Nc6 and 7 .a6. ..

••

8 g5 Continuing his space acquiring policy.

hxg5

8...

Now Black has some use of the h-file.

9 Bxg5 Now White will soon castle Queenside, hoping to build some pressure on Black's slightly restricted deployment.

9...

Nc6

Or 9 a6 first and then Nc6. ..•

10 Qd2 Now after Queenside castling, White will have good pressure down the d-file.

a6

10...

An interesting alternative is 10 Qb6 though after 1 1 Nb3 (Avoiding exchanges) 1 1 . ..a6 12 0-0-0, Qc7 13 Bg2, Bd7 14 f4, 0-0-0 15 Bf3 White's greater space control gives a slight plus. •••

1 1 0-0-0 With White's development almost complete, Black must hurry to complete his.

11

Bd7

•••

Also reasonable is 1 1

•••

Qc7.

12 f4 More space gaining, controlling eS and looking to the possible advance f4-f5 pressuring Black's e6 (If Black responds to f4-f5 with e6-e5, then dS is seriously weakened).

12...

Nxd4?!

72


This is slightly dubious since it brings White's Queen to a more active, centralized position. More solid was 12 Qc7 and 13 0-0-0. ...

...

Opening To Middlegame Black's problems will stem from an uncastled King, allowing Vladimirov a chance to sacrifice a piece to keep the King stranded in the center. Episin, however, refuses to collapse and offers a forceful defense. Black seems to extricate himself. Sacrificing the White Queen is one of those surprising, deadly twists that makes this game worthy of the an thologies.

13 Qxd4 From here the Queen radiates power in all directions.

13... Hoping to pressure White's e4.

Bc6


73

White's Middlegame Plan At the moment both sides are engaged in a fight for the initiative and no clear plan of action can be pointed to. However, the possibilities for both sides are obvious and a general outline is also easy to provide: White enjoys more space on the Kingside and in the center; this means that he must try to create a breakthrough in one of those areas. But which one and how? Fortunately for White, he has a lot of choices. He can try h4-h5-h6; he can play on the g-file with Rgl ; he can blast the center open with e4-e5; and finally he can mix central action with his K.ingside hopes by f4-f5. The question is: which of these plans is the most attractive against the set-up that Black has chosen? The answer must be the plan based on f4-f5 since it simultaneously frees the Bishop on gS and threatens to weaken Black on the Kingside and in the center with fxe6. If Black were to answer f4-f5 with e6-e5, then White could make use of the newly created hole on dS by an eventual Bc4, Bxf6, and NdS. Note that Black's last move, 13 Bc6, takes a defender away from e6 and makes the eventual f4-f5 advance all the stronger. •••

.•.


74

Black's Middlegame Plan Black's possibilities encompass the whole board. He is placing pressure on the White e-pawn; he might attack in the center with d6-d5; at some point he can eye the isolated White h-pawn by g7-g6 followed by Rh7 and (after an earlier . . 0-0-0) Rdh8; and, or course, he can make use of the tried and true Sicilian ideal of a counterattack on the Queenside via b7-b5-b4, QaS, ReS, etc. •.•

•••

.••

.

.•.

..•

•••

.••

14 Rg1 Not bad, but more straight forward was 14 Bh3 and 15 fS, attacking e6.

14...

Qa5

Possible was 14 Qc7, but Black feels this is more aggressive. ••.

15 Bh3 To support f4-f5.

15...

QcS

Hoping to trade Queen's and thus reduce White's attacking potential.

16 Qd3 But White rightly declines.

16...

bS

Threatening to win the e-pawn after b5-b4.

17 fS! But White sees a means of maintaining the initiative by tactical play. After 17 a3, Rb8 followed by b5-b4 Black would gain counterplay on the b-file.

17...

b4

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Eight

75

Continuing to force the issue.

18 Be3 Preparing some intricate tactics.

18...

Q a5

At first sight things look bad for White since if the QN moves both a2 and e4 are under attack.

19 Qc4! A fine maneuver.

19

•••

Bb7

After 19 BbS 20 NxbS, axbS (Or 20... Qxb5 21 Qb3, Rxh4 22 Bg5, Rxe4 23 fxe6 White is much better) 21 Qc6ch, Kf8 22 fxe6 White has a clear advantage. . •.

20 fxe6! Now White begins a combinational attack.

20...

bxc3

He might as well have a piece for his troubles.

21 Rxg7!! From here the Rook exerts great pressure.

HOW THE PLAYER'S RESPECTIVE PLANS WORKED OUT White has already broken through in the center, now he rips the Black Kingside as well. With 21 Rxg7 he announces that he has the initia tive firmly in his hands and that his threats are much more dangerous than the opponent's. Why did White's plans prove to be more real than Black's? The reason can most likely be found in Black's 1 2th move error, t2 Nxd4?. This gave White's Queen a strong central home and this fact ...


76

provided just enough extra artillery to make White's threats more danger ous than Black's. Rule to be learned: Black's mistaken 12 .. Nxd4? did nothing for .

his own position and brought the White Queen to a strong attacking square. Never play a move unless it has some positive impact on the plan that needs to be implemented. Before you do anything ask, "What wonder ful thing does this move do for my position ?" If you can 't answer this question, then don't play the move!

d5

21...

After 21 ...Bxe4 22 exfich, Kf8 23 Rg8ch, Rxg8 24 fxg8=Qch,

Nxg8 25 Rflch, Bf6 26 Rxf6ch!, Nxf6 27 Bh6ch, Ke7 28 Qe6ch, Kd8 29 Qxd6ch, Ke8 30 Qf8 is mate. Note the role of 21 Rxg7!! in this attack.

22 Qb3 But not 22 exdS as after 22 BxdS White's attack is repulsed. •••

22...

cxb2ch

Correctly striving for counterplay.

23 Kbl Not 23 Qxb2, Ba3 or 23 Kxb2, Qb4.

23...

Qb5

Trying to break the force of White's attack by trading Queens. If Black had tried 23 .Nxe4 then White proceeds with 24 Bd4, Nd2ch 25 Rxd2, Qxd2 26 Qa4ch!, Kf8 27 Rxfich, Kg8 28 Rfi ! (Threatening 29 Qd7 or 29 Rglch) 28 Rh7 29 Rglch, Kl8 30 BfS and White's attack is decisive (30 . Rh5 31 Bg7ch, Kg8 32 Bc3 dis.ch. wins handily). •.

••.

..

24 exf7ch Hemming in the King.

Kf8 24 Of course not 24 Kd8 because of 25 Bb6ch and mate next. •••

.••

25 Rdgl ! Drawing a bead on the Black King.

25...

Qxb3

On 2S NhS White has 26 Qc3! and if 26...Bf6, then 27 BeSch ••.

wins.

26 Bh6!! A beautiful final twist.

26...

Ng4

The only try. It is mate after 26 ... Rxh6 27 Rg8ch, Kxfi 30 R/1-

g7.

27 Rh7 dis.ch.


77

Now White forces play into a won ending.

27...

Nxh6

Forced.

28 Rxh8ch Gathering up material.

28

• ••

Kxfi

No choice.

29 Rh7ch Now after 29 Kf8 30 axb3 Black's position is hopeless, e.g., if 30 Ng8 then 31 Be6, Nf6 32 Rh8ch and mate next. •..

...

Black Resigns

78


LESSON NINE A Middlegame Stock Sacrifice For many years one of White's standard weapons against the Si cilian has been a well-timed incursion of his QN to d5. This sacrifice has become almost automatic in a variety of positions, yet it is always surpris ing to see how effective it is with each new twist in a slightly different setting. Nunn-Marln, Szlrak Interzonal 1987.

l e4 Considered White's most incisive ftrst move.

1... cS The Sicilian is still Black's most popular retort to 1 e4, since it has potential for aggressive counterplay. 2 Nf3 Preparing to seize control of the central d4 square via d2-d4.

d6

2...

Restraining the possibility of a later space-gaining e4-e5.

3 d4 Now after the capture 3 cxd4 4 Nxd4, White's Knight occupies the ftne central square d4. ••.

3

cxd4

•...

Otherwise White's classical two pawn center would dominate too much central territory.

4 Nxd4 From this ftne post the Knight radiates influence on several squares in Black's position.

4

Nf6

•.•

Forcing White to immediately decide how to defend his e-pawn .

5 Nc3 The usual and best means of defending the e-pawn . Playable is 5 Bd3 or even 5 f3, these being rarely seen.

a6 s... This odd looking move creates the Najdorf Variation of l.he Sicil ian Defense. The main purpose of 5 a6 is to allow a later . . b7-b5, ...

.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons:Lesson Nine

79

gaining space for Queenside counter action and allowing the QB access to b7.

6 Be3 White has many playable moves here. Sharpest is 6 BgS or 6 Bc4 (An old favorite of Bobby Fischer) or even 6 f4. Solid is 6 Be2 (Karpov's favorite). 6 e6 Preparing to develop the KB to e7, while providing control of the important dS square. •.•

7 Qd2 Clearing the back rank for Queenside castling. This is a very ag gressive course of action, typical for White in many Sicilian positions.

7...

bS

Expanding on the Queenside with a threat to the e-pawn, since a subsequent b5-b4 would chase away the guardian Nc3.

8 f3 Giving the e-pawn reliable protection while providing a prop for a later Kingside demonstration via g2-g4.

8...

Nbd7

The most flexible deployment for the QN allowing access to eS, cS, b6 or even f6 in later contingencies.

9 g4 Serving notice that Black's Kingside will be facing a rapid on slaught should Black castle Kingside.

9...

h6

Preventing, at least for a while, the annoying g4-g5 which would unseat the important Nf6.

10 0-0-0 White continues a policy of rapid development.

10...

Bb7

A fine location for the QB from which it surveys the important central dS and e4 squares.

1 1 Bd3 Completing minor piece development while lending extra support to e4 (This could be important if White plays/4 later).

1 1...

NeS

With ideas of ReS followed by Nc4 counterattacking down the c file, or, in some cases allowing simplifying exchanges with Nxd3.


80

12 Rhe1 Since Black has allowed his King to remain in the center, White masses all forces in the center. White will now strive to open lines to al low his imposing force to get at the laggard Black King.

12...

Nfd7!?

Black hopes to entrench his defenders to ward off White's im pending attack, but this move is not the right way. The better choice was 12 Rc8. A game between Ye jlangchuan-Xu Jon, Chinese Champion ship 1937, continued 13 Kb1, Be7 14 h4, b4 15 Na4, QaS 16 b3, Nfd7 17 gS and now, instead of the actually played 17 Nc5, Black should have tried 17 g6 with better chances to hold his own in an complex struggle. ..•

. •.

...

13 f4! White puts the finger on the weak spot in Black's defense with this very sharp pawn sacrifice.

White's Middlegame Plan White was preparing for a Kingside attack, but noted Lhat Black had left his King in the center. Since masters are well aware that you must blast the position open if the enemy King is still in the middle, Nunn wastes no time in doing this. White will now do everything in his power to destroy the pawn cover surrounding the Black King.


81

Black's Middlegame Plan Black had originally hoped to either generate play on the Queen side or initiate central counterplay with an eventual d6-dS (after castling Kingside). Unfortunately, White was the first to attack and now Black must make an unsavory choice: Should he take the offered material and hope to survive the assault or should he counterattack and try to throw his opponent off his stride? In the present situation either decision will ulti mately fail since White's lead in development is too great; any hand to hand fighting must favor the side who has his ann y out. ...

13...

b4

Black attempts to counterattack. This is understandable in view of the alternative 13 Nxg4 14 eS!? and now: (a) 14 . . . Nxe3 15 Nxe6 ! , Qb6 (Of course not 15 .. .fxe6 allowing mate after 16 Bg6ch, Ke7 1 7 Qxd6 mate) 16 Rxe3, fxe6 1 7 Bg6ch, Kd8 1 8 exd6, Bxd6 (Trying to get rid o f the terrible pawn on d6, but 18... Nc5 is no better after 19 f5.' with a formidable attack) 1 9 Rxe6, Bxf4 20 Rxb6, Bxd2 21 Rxd2 with a winning game for White. (b) 14 . . b4 15 Nxe6 (Typically White proceeds with sacrifices) 1 5 . . . bxc3 16 Qxc3, Qc8 1 7 Qb3, Nxe3 (Or 1 7.. .fxe6 18 Qxe6ch, KdB 19 Qxg4 and White's position is crushing) 1 8 Rxe3, fxe6 1 9 Qxe6ch, Kd8 20 exd6, Nf6 2 1 Qe5 , a5 (To stop Qa5 - e.g. if 21 ... Qc6 then White wins with 22 Qa5ch, KcB 23 d7ch.' since on 23... Qxd7 24 Bf5 or 23...Nxd7 24 Bf5) 22 Bb5 (Threatening mate in two with 23 QeBch) 22 ... Bc6 23 Rc3, Nd7 24 Qe2 and Black's position is hopeless. Despite these losing lines for Black, there is a better line in "c". ...

.

82


(c) 14 ... Nc5! 1 5 Nxe6, Nxe6 1 6 f5, Nxe3 1 7 Rxe3, Be7 with murky complications. However, White can "get the last word in" with 1 4 B g 1 (Instead o f 14 e5) 1 4... Be7 1 5 h3, Ngf6 1 6 e5, dxe5 1 7 fxe5, Nd5 1 8 Nxe6! (That sacrifice again ! ) an d Black has n o good defense.

14 NdS!

Opening to Middlegame An experienced defender must keep an eye out for Nd5 and guard against it whenever possible, especially before castling with his King still on e8. Here is another example of what happens when Black carelessly permits the sacrifice and then fails to offer any tough resistance. Slaughter. A typical and strong sacrifice in this type of position.

14...

Nxd3ch

After the obvious 14 exd5 there follows 15 fxe5, dxe4 16 exd6, Bxd6 17 Nf5 Black is in dire straits, or if 14 Nxg4 then 15 Qxb4, Rb8 16 Qa4 and again BLack's stranded King cannot be protected from the concerted assault of White's centralized forces. .•.

•. .

15 Qxd3 Not 15 cxd3 which would block White's strong pressure down the d-file.

15...

exd5


83

The Knight on dS is too strongly posted so Black must reluctantly accept the sacrifice.

16 exd5 Now the e-file is fully open, directly targeting the hapless Black King.

16

Be7

•••

To block the e-ftle and get castled. After 16 ... Nc5 17 Qc4 Black would have to try the bizarre march 17 Kd7 since 17 Be7 is flattened by the simple 18 NfS. After 17 Kd7 White draws a bead on the fleeing royalty with 18 Qxb4, Qc7 19 Nc6 with a winning position. •..

•..

••.

17 Nc6! Forcing Black to capture.

Bxc6

17...

Otherwise the tactical pressure on the Be7 is too great.

18 dxc6 White is a piece down for a pawn, but with both central files open, Black's position becomes ever more serious.

Nf6

18...

A better defense was 18 Nf8 though after 19 fS! (With the idea 20 Bb6!, Qxb6 21 Rxelch!, Kxe7 22 Qxd6 mate) 19 ... Rb8 20 Bd4, f6 (Or if 20 . . Rg8 then White breaks through with 21 Bxg7!, Rxg7 22 j6) 21 Qxa6 and Black is hopelessly tied up. ••.

.

19 Bb6! A nice "decoy" tactic.

Qxb6

19...

If Black defers with 19 Qb8 then White plays 20 Qd4 with the terrible threat 21 c7 followed by 22 Rxe7ch and 23 Qxd6ch. .•.

20 Rxe7ch Crashing through.

20

.• .

Kf8

It is mate after 20 Kxe7 21 Qxd6ch, Ke8 22 Retch. •..

21 Qxd6 Threatening 22 ReS dls.dbl.ch., Kxe8 23 Re1ch and mate soon.


84

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out After 13 f4! Black was well aware that he was in trouble, but he did his best to fight his way out of it. Sadly enough (from Black's point of view), White refused to be distracted by Black's counter-demonstration; instead he forged straight ahead and burst the center open. After that Black was facing an attack with the fury of a hurricane; he eventually got blown away. Rule to be learned: Don't leave your King in the center and don't fall way behind in development!

21...

Kg8

The only move.

22 gS The g-pawn now happily joins the crush toward the fleeing King.

22...

hxgS

Hoping the h-file will be of some use.

23 fxgS Now the f-file is another plus for White.

23...

Rc8

After 23 Ng4 White utilizes the f-file QdS, Rf8 25 g6, Nh6 26 Rn and wins. •..

to

blast through on 17 24 -

24 c7! White allows simplification a piece down since the advanced c pawn will be poised to Queen soon.

24...

Qxd6

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons:Lesson Nine

85

There is no real choice.

25 Rxd6 White will operate with threats of Rd8.

25...

Ng4

After 25 ... Kf8 26 gxf6, gxf6 27 Rdd7 White wins - 27 ... Rh7 28 Re3, Kg7 29 Rg3ch, Kh6 30 Rd4, Kh5 31 Rd8, Rxc7 32 Rh3ch, Kg6 33 Rg8ch and Black loses a Rook.

26 Rd8ch Avoiding the tempting 26 ReSch?, Rxe8 27 Rd8, Kh7 and Black is still kicking.

26...

Kh7

Forced.

27 Red7! Now the threat 28 Rxh8ch, K or Rxh8 29 Rd8 with a win so... Black Resigns.

86


LESSON TEN The Long Diagonal In The Middlegame The French Defense requires patient maneuvering behind closed lines and a willingness to endure a prolonged cramp until White's initiative subsides. When a youthful player like Short adopts it against an experi enced veteran like Gligoric, it is interesting to watch what happens. Who will run out of patience first? GUgorlc-Short, Belgrade 1987.

1 d4 A favorite of most of the top tournament players today.

1...

e6

Offering a transposition to the French after 2 e4.

2 e4 Offer accepted. If White wished to stay in the d-pawn openings he could play 2 c4 or 2 NfJ.

2

•••

d5

Challenging White's e4 center pawn.

3 Nc3 Also good is the immediate space gaining 3 e5, a favorite of F.I.D.E. Master Ken Smith.

3

•..

Bb4

Introducing the well known Winawer Variation.

4 e5 The e-pawn was under attack so White advances it with a gain of space.

c5 4 To undermine the support of the e5 spearhead. •••

5 a3 Making Black decide what to do with his Bb4.

5...

Bxc3ch

Weakening White's pawn structure, but conceding the Bishop pair.

6 bxc3 Though White's c-pawns are doubled, the c3 pawn gives extra support to the important d-pawn.

Modern Mlddlegame Lesso ns: Lesson Ten

6

..•

87

Ne7

The only good square for the KN since Nh6 would allow Bxh6 ruining Black's Kingside pawn structure.

7 a4 Intending to post the QB on a3.

7

..•

Nbc6

Pressuring d4 and reserving the later option of maneuvering Na5c4, taking advantage of the weakened c4 square.

8 Nf3 Developing and reinforcing d4 and eS.

8...

Q a5

Threatening 9... cxd4 with effect.

9 Qd2 Breaking the pin on the c3 pawn.

9...

Bd7

Now 9 cxd4 has no effect since 10 cxd4 leaves White's center in fine shape. ...

10 Bd3 The most active place for the KB.

10...

c4

Chasing the KB off the fine d3-h7 diagonal, but relieving the pressure on the d4 pawn and exposing the a3-f8 diagonal to more pressure by the White QB when it arrives on a3.

11 Be2 Worth a thought is 1 1 Bfl with the idea of g3 and Bh3.

1 1...

0-0

More usual is 1 1. ..f6 to challenge White's center.

12 0-0 White's greater space control plus the Bishop pair give him a slight positional plus.

12...

f6

To open the f-file for counterplay.

13 Ba3 The QB has excellent scope from here.

13...

Rae8

After 13 Rti (To get out of the pin) 14 Rfbl!, Qc7 15 Bd6, Qc8 16 exf6 White would retain pressure. .•.

88


14 Bd6! Leaping into an even better post.

White's Middlegame Plan White enjoys more space in the cenLer and Lwo Bishops. How ever, while the Bishop on d6 is doing a goo<.l job, the guy n e2 is jusl in the way. White would like Lo overprotect eS (thereby keeping Black cramped) and find an active diagonal for his lighL-squared Bishop. One dream for White would be if Black answered exf6 with Rxf6. Then Black would have a weak backward pawn on e6 and While could use the hole on eS. However, Black will always answer exf6 with gxf6, keeping control of eS. .••

...

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Ten

89

Black's Middlegame Plan Black will post his Knight on the fine fS square and eventually play fxeS; but he will only do this if White has to recapture on eS with a pawn. Once White's d-pawn has been coaxed to eS, Black will always threaten to play d5-d4, gaining counterplay in the center and blasting open the a8-h1 diagonal for a Bishop that has previously been bad, but would then burst into activity. Black can also eye the weak pawn on a4, though play in the middle is always preferable to pawn grubbing on the wings. . ..

...

14...

Rf7

Getting out of the annoying pin.

15 g3? The right course was 15 exf6, gxf6 16 Nh4, Ng6 17 Nxg6, hxg6 18 f4 followed by a general advance of the Kingside pawns - g4, h4.

Modem Mlddlegame Lessom

90

Opening To Middlegame Gligoric begins to go wrong with 15 g3 by weakening his Kingside unnecessarily. This small slip seems hann less, yet in due course it allo ws Black to focus his latent counterplay on the h1-a8 diagonal. Black's thematic sacrifice on move 26 to blast open this diagonal for his QB gives this game its special character. Another surprising development is 27 g5! blasting open more lines to White's King, which looked so snug just a few moves ago. Finally the sacrifice of yet a third pawn (28 h5) adds a piquant touch to Black's conduct of the attack. An impressive per formance. .••

...

15

• .•

NfS

Encouraging the Bd6 to retreat while improving the KN position.

16 Bb4 Also possible was 16 Ba3 with roughly equal chances.

16...

Qc7

Renewing pressure on eS.

17 Rfe1 Giving indirect tactical protection to eS.

17...

fxeS

Nibbling away at the White center.

18 dxeS The exchanges after 18 NxeS, NxeS 19 dxeS allow Black to snap off the a-pawn with 19 ... a5 20 Ba3, Bxa4

18...

Nxb4

Another plan was 18 ...h6 followed by ...gS.


91

19 cxb4 True, White's pawns are undoubted; but now that the QB is re moved, f8 is available for Black's Rooks.

RefS

19...

With this doubling up on the f-file, Black begins to work on the weakened f3.

20 Ng5 Trying to disrupt Black's plans.

20...

Re7

Forced.

21 Bg4 Protecting e5 and activating the KB.

21...

Be8

With some tactical points.

22 c3 To increase control of d4 otherwise d5-d4 would be strong sooner or later. The tactical point of Be8 is revealed on 22 Nf3, Nh6 winning a piece. -

22

•••

aS!

Probing White's exposed Queenside pawns for tactical and strategical purposes.

23 bxaS? Now the a4 pawns will be very vulnerable. Relatively better was 23 b5 though after 23...Qb6 24 Kg2, Nh6 25 Bdl, Bg6 Black is still better.

23...

QxaS

With the idea of pressuring a4 and threatening d5-d4.

24 Qb2 Getting out of the pin on the el-a5 diagonal.

24...

Bc6!

Portending action on the c6-hl diagonal.

2S f4 Attempting to barricade Black's pressure on the f-file.

25...

h6

Planning a dynamic breakthrough with g7-g5.

26 Nf3 Nh3 only misplaces the Knight.


92

26

d4!

•••

A fine pawn sacrifice to exploit the airy condition of White's Kingside.

27 cxd4 After 27 Nxd4, Nxd4 28 cxd4, g5! (with the idea of Qd5 soon) is very strong.

27

gS!

.••

Blasting open more lines for the attack.

28 fxg5 White has little choice.

28

hS

•••

Another tactical finesse.

29 BxhS! The best try. After 29 Bxf5, Rxf5 30 Nh4, Qd5! 31 Nxf5 (After 31 Ng2, c3! is strong) 31. Rf7! (Not the hasty 3l ... Qhlch 32 Kj2, Qxh2ch 33 Ke3, Qxb2 34 Nxe7ch, Kg7 35 Nxc6 with unclear play) 32 Nb6ch, Kg7 33 Nxf7, c3 34 Qe2 (34 Qa2 fails to 34... Qhlch 35 Kj2, Qg2ch 36 Ke3, Qj3 mate) 34 Qhlch 35 Kf2, Qxh2ch 36 Kn, Qhlch 37 Kf2, Qxg2ch 33 Ke3, Qxg3ch and Black wins. •.

...

Nxg3!

29... Another shot!

30 hxg3 There is nothing else.

30...

Bxf3

Though Black is still two pawns down, his powerful initiative is unstoppable.

31 Qa3 After 31 Bxf3, Rxf3 32 Qg2, Qc3! White is helpless.

31...

QdS

Maneuvering toward the Kingside via the center.

32 Radl? Better was 32 Re3!, Bhl 33 Ra2, Rh7 34 Bg6 (Not 34 Rh2, Rxh5! or 34 Bg4, Rhfl winning in either case) 34 Rh3! (Better than 34... Rg7 35 Rh2!, Rxg6 36 Rh8ch with a drawn position) 35 Qd6, c3! (Not 35... Bf3 36 Rh2!) 36 Rc2, Bf3 37 Rh2, Rxh2 38 Kxh2, Qxa2 and Black wins. ...

32...

Rh7


93

Switching to the h-file with great effect.

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out White never got anything going, but Black was able to break through in the center. As a direct consequence of the horrible 15 g3?, Black was also able to rip the White Kingside apart. White lost this game because he never followed a clear plan; he ended up reacting to his oppo nent's ideas and threats. Rule to be learned: Always find a plan that strives to improve your position. You must realize that chess is a battle of ideas - one plan against the other. The first person who strays from the path that his plan has mapped out (be it from ignorance or laziness) will usually be badly punished for his transgression.

33 g4 Desperation since 33 Bxf3, Rxf3 is crushing.

33...

Bxdl

Winning material in addition to the winning attack.

34 Rxdl There is nothing else to do.

34...

Rf3

Now after 35 Qa2, Rg3ch 36 Kh2, Rxg4 White is soon mated. White Resigns


94

LESSON ELEVEN The Middlegame Leaves The Back Rank Weak It is interesting to watch how players react once they let the in itiative slip from their grasp. In this opening White gains a spatial advan tage, but cannot make much headway against Black's fastidious defense. As so often happens, however, the attacker is unwilling to concede that his attack has failed and continues to pursue the dream of mate. This error of judgment can have disastrous consequences, as seen here in Hjartarson

Ljubojevlc, Belgrade 1987. 1 d4 Although the d-pawn opening is regarded as a slower buildup than the time honored 1 e4, it nonetheless is fuUy as vital.

1...

Nf6

Preventing 2 e4 and leaving open most options.

2 c4 To contest dS.

2

.••

e6

Allowing the KB to develop and preparing to establish a pawn on

dS. 3 NfJ The best square for the KN in most openings.

3...

dS

Establishing pawn control of the center.

4 Nc3 The most active square, contesting dS and e4.

4...

c6

Reinforcing the "anchor" on dS and creating the characteristic Slav Defense pawn formation.

S e3 Also quite feasible is S BgS, though White must then reckon with S ..dxc4 with great complications after 6 e4, bS 7 eS, h6 8 Bh4, gS 9 .

NxgS, hxgS 10 BxgS.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Eleven

95

Nbd7 s... Clearly the best place. 6 Bd3 White intends to play a later e4 to gain more central territory. 6... Be7 Also good is 6 Bd6. 7 0-0 Now with the King safely tucked away, White is ready for action. 0-0 7... Black wisely follows suit. 8 e4 The action intensifies with the awaited central push. 8... dxe4 Other 9 eS would follow with too much cramping effect. 9 Nxe4 Inferior would be 9 Bxe4 allowing 9 ... N xe4, removing White's long-ranging KB. b6 9... To bring the QB into play on b7. 1 0 b3 White also wishes to fianchetto his QB. A reasonable alternation is 1 0 Bf4. 10... cS Challenging the d-pawn, which controls cS and eS. 1 1 Bb2 Wisely avoiding 1 1 dxcS after which there would follow 1 1 ... Bb7! and if 12 Nd6 then 12 ... BxD 13 Qxf3, NxcS and Black wins a piece. Bb7 1 1 ... Completing minor piece development while threatening the well posted Ne4. 12 Qe2 Reinforcing e4 while clearing the back rank for later jockeying of the Rooks. 12 ... cxd4 By removing the d-pawn Black obtains access to cS and eS. 13 Nxd4 Also possible was 13 Bxd4. 13... NcS .••


96

Forcing some desirable simplification to reduce White's attacking potential. 14 NxcS The obstreperous Knight must be liquidated. 14... BxcS Also reasonable was 14 bxc5 though this would split up Black's Queenside pawns. 15 Nf3 After 15 Rad1 (Indirectly protecting the Nd4 since 15... Bxd4 16 Bxd4, Qxd4? allows 17 Bxh7ch) Black simply continues 15...Qc7 and if 1 6 NbS then 1 6 Qc6 is fine for B lack. Qc7 15... The best place for the Queen, clearing the d-file for a Rook. 1 6 Ne5 Occupying a fine forward post. The exchange 16 Bxf6, gxf6 is quite satisfactory for Black as his Kingside is easy to defend. 16... Rad8 Logically going for control of the d-file. 17 Rad1 White must contest the d-file. •..

..•


97

White's Middlegame Plan White enjoys a Queenside majority of pawns, active pieces, and more Queenside and central territory. To make use of these advantages though, will prove to be no easy matter. White would not mind trading pieces and eventually creating a passed Queenside pawn, but though an endgame would give White a pleasant position (all other factors being equal. Of course, an endgame could favor B lack if he gains some other advantage - like control of the open d-file), a correct defense should en able Black to hold on. The other area where White can consider trying to make headway is on the Kingside, since most of White's pieces aim in that direction. However, great care must be used when initiating any side action with an open center since wing attacks pull pieces from the middle and leave that sector available for enemy counterattacks.

98


Black's Middlegame Plan Black's pieces stand on active posts and he has a position that is free from any structural weakness. Unfortunately, he has less space than the opponent so exchanges and a possible draw are all that Black can hope for if White doesn't get too impulsive. Black will first double Rooks on the d-ftle. This should force an exchange of Rooks and make Black's defen sive task easier since fewer pieces on the board make less territory easier to live with.

17...

Rd6

Preparing to double up Rooks.

1 8 Ng4 White proceeds aggressively, though the simple 18 Bc2 is wiser.


99

Opening To Middlegame Instead of adjusting to a new situation, White's mistakes are mo tivated by his desire to win at all costs instead of settling for simplifica tions. The complications will revolve around back rank weaknesses - for both sides. Black stumbles in prosecuting his counterattack and must worry about the safety of his own King in the midst of the ensuing storm. White in tum goes astray and, although a Rook ahead, finds himself on the wrong end of the mating attack that he had hoped to deliver to his opponent. 18... Nxg4 Black simplifies again to reduce White's attacking units. 19 Qxg4 With a definite threat. 19... f6 Note this is possible because the Rd6 defends the e-pawn. 20 Bc2 To challenge the Stalwart Rd6. 20... Qe7 Defending f6 to free the Rf8 from that duty (the g-pawn is pinned). 21 Rxd6 Otherwise 2l... Rfd8 is good. 21... Bxd6 The Bishop recaptures to allow the Queen to retain guard of f6.

100


22 Ret Hoping to prove the e-pawn a weakness. 22... eS Stopping the threat to e6 and building a pawn barrier against the Bb2. 23 h4 Intending to use the h-pawn as a battering ram to loosen up Black's pawn structure (e.g. h5-h6 or h5 followed by Qf5 forcing h7-h6). 23... Rd8 Activating the KR. 24 h5 Per plan. 24... Bb4 Opening up play down the d-file to counter White's evident Kingside pressure. 25 Re2?! This is questionable. White should have tried 25 Rd l, Rxdlch 26 Qxdl with even chances. Qd7 25... Offering a Queen trade, since this would definitely end White's Kingside attacking intentions. 26 BfS? Understandably trying to avoid the Queen trade, but now Black can strike with effect. A lesser evil was 26 Qxd7 with a slightly better ending for Black. 26... Qdlch Play begins to assume a complex tactical character. 27 Kh2 Obviously forced. 27... Bd2 Preventing h5-h6 and allowing an aggressive repositioning of the Bishop via f4. 28 Be6ch This is not so much an attacking move as a defensive one. Clearly it is Black who is in control of the initiative. 28... Kh8 Of course not 28... Kf8? because of 29 Ba3ch. 29 Bd5 To block the formidable Bb7.


101

29... Bf4ch! The most incisive. However also quite good would have been 29 ... Bxd5 30 cxdS, Bh6 with a clear advantage for Black. 30 g3 Naturally not 30 Kh3 because of 30 Qh1 mate. rs 30... Black proceeds with great vigor, typical of the Yugoslav Grand master's style. •.•

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out White chose to attack the Kingside, but became a bit overzealous in his pursuit of the win. When Black began his counterplay in the middle, White should have accepted a mass trade of Rooks which would also have ended any attacking aspirations. Instead White lost touch with reality and gave up the d-file for an attack that was not really there. Since control of the center is almost always more important than control of a wing, Black soon gained a grip on the position. White's King was the one that eventually fell. Rule to be learned: Never give up control of the center unless the reward is clearly obtainable. One must also be careful to avoid the lack of objectivity that often comes with an overpowering desire to win at any cost. 31 Qh4 Of course not 31 QxfS, Qxe2. Also, on 31 Qf3 Black has 31. .. Rxd5! 32 cxdS (The attempt 32 Qxf4 loses brilliantly to 32... Qhlch!! 33 Kxhl, Rdl dis.dbl.ch 34 Kh2, Rhl mate) 32 Bxd5 with a quick win. ..•

102


31... Bxg3ch?! An unfortunate slip. Correct was 31 Rd7 32 gxf4, Bxd5 33 cxd5, Qxe2 34 BxeS, Rxd5 35 h6, Kg8! 36 Bxg7, Qe4 and Black is clearly winning. 32 Kxg3 Forced since both 32 Qxg3, Qxe2 and 32 fxg3, Qxe2ch are unac ceptable. 32 Rxd5 Black sacrifices a whole Rook to maintain an attacking posture. However, with accurate play White will be able to defend. 33 cxd5 White must accept. 33 Qxd5 Threatening 34 Qg2 mate. 34 Qb4 Giving the King a flight square at h4 and threatening 35 Qf8ch, Qg8 36 Qxg8ch with an easy win. However, as will be seen, Black has a win (again) after this move. Correct was 34 Re4!, f4ch 35 Kh3! (Not 35 Kh2 since Black replies 35... h6 36 j3, Qd2ch followed by Bxe4 and Qxb2) 35 h6 36 f3, Qd1. Qf3ch 34... Again missing a win: 34 f4! !ch 35 Kh4, Qh1ch 36 Kg5, h6ch 37 Kf5 (37 Kg6 ?, Qc6ch wins) 37 Qxh5ch 38 Ke6, BeSch 39 Kd5 (Or 39 Kd6, Qxe2 wins) 39 Qf7ch 40 Ke4, Qf5ch 41 Kd5, Bb7ch 42 Kc4, Ba6ch 43 Kd5, Bxe2 44 BxeS, Bf3ch! wins. 35 Kh4 Forced. 35... h6 White threatened 36 Qf8 mate. 36 Re3? White also errs and this time it is fatal. Necessary was 36 Bxe5, Qblch 37 Kg3, Qg2ch 38 Kh4, Qg5ch 39 Kh3, Qxh5ch 40 Qh4!, Qf3ch 41 Qg3, Qh1ch 42 Qh2ch, Qf3ch with a draw. 36... Qxflch Now Black's forces coordinate smoothly. 37 Rg3 Forced. 37 Qh2ch Gaining time on the clock. •••

.••

•••

.••

•••

.•.

•.•

.••

•.•


1 03

38 Rh3 Forced. 38 Qf2ch Returning to the same position. 39 Rg3 Forced. Kh7 39... White threatened 40 Qf8ch and 41 Qxg7 mate. 40 Kh3 Or 40 BxeS, Qh2ch 41 Rh3, QxeS. Qnch 40... Maneuvering in for the final attack. 41 Kh4 On 41 Kh2, Qh1 is mate. 41 ... Qh1ch The noose tightens. 42 Rh3 Forced. Qg1 ! 42... Threatening 43...Qg5 mate. 43 Rg3 On 43 Qd2 there follows 43 ... Qg4 mate. Qh2ch 43... Winning the Bb2. 44 Rh3 Forced. 44... Qxb2 Now, with Bishop plus three pawns for the Rook, Black wins in a .••

walk. 45 Qc3 Hoping. Ql'lch 45... Now on 46 Rg3, Qh2 47 Rh3, Qf4 is mate, or 46 Qg3, Qd4ch and mate next. White Resigns.

104


LESSON TWELVE Middlegame Perseverance And Grit Yasser Seirawan is the only American who ever defeated two world champions during their actual reigns: Karpov and Kasparov. This is a "great" game only in the sense that White keeps hanging on despite all attempts by the mighty Kasparov to cash in on a slight advantage. Foiled and blocked from achieving anything in the opening, Seirawan remains on the defensive throughout most of the battle, which resolves itself into a duel of Rooks after the Queens disappear from the Board. Selrawan Kasparov, Dubal Olympiad 1986.

1 d4 The QP openings lead to solid positional games more often than not.

1 ...

Nf6

Preventing 2 e4 and retaining options with his center pawns.

2 c4 Helping to control dS. Also if B lack plays a later dS, then White might open the c-file with cxdS.

2...

g6

Showing aggressive tendencies. More solid is 2 e6 followed by ...

3...dS

3 Nc3 Controlling e4 and dS. Also possible was 3 Nf3.

3...

d5

Initiating the Gruenfeld Defense, one of Black's most active defenses.

4 Nf3 Solid. The most crucial line is the Exchange Variation 4 cxd5, NxdS S e4, Nxc3 6 bxc3 after which White has an impressive classical pawn center; but Black has good counterplay by exerting pressure on the center with his pieces and pawns. -

-

4...

Bg7

This powerfully posted Bishop is a mainstay of Black's counteractions.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twelve

105

S BgS Threatening 6 Bxf6, Bxf6 7 N xdS.

5...

Ne4

A well known counter to 5 Bg5.

6 cxdS Not 6 Nxd5? because of 6 ... Nxg5 7 NxgS, e6! winning a piece.

6...

NxgS

Obtaining the two Bishops and preparing to regain the pawn.

7 NxgS White relies on his solid development and Queenside prospects thanks largely to the c-file. 7 e6 Interesting but unsound is the sharp 7 c6?!, e.g., 8 eJ!, cxd5 9 QfJ, f6 10 NhJ, BxhJ (On 10... e6 11 Nf4, Nc6 12 h4! White retains strong pressure) 1 1 QxhJ, fS 12 g4, 0-0 13 gxf5, gxf5 14 Rg1 and White has a strong initiative, Malanluk-Jandemlrov, Kostroma 1985. ••.

•.•

8 Nf3 The most sound; possible is 8 NhJ, ed 9 Nf4.

8...

exdS

Now because of the pawn structure, White's strategy will be to begin a minority attack. Basically this entails b2-b4-b5 after which Black cannot avoid a weakening of his pawn structure (Black will have played c7-c6) as cxbS isolates Black's d-pawn, while if Black defers, then White plays bxc6 leaving B lack with a backward c-pawn on the open file.

9 b4 White loses no time starting the Minority attack.

9...

Qd6

To force White to commit himself.

10 a3 On 10 b5, a6! is very convenient for Black. The text is solid while 10 QbJ hoping for 10 ... c6 is met instead with 10 ... Nc6! attacking both b4 and d4. Hence there was argument in favor of 9 eJ (to reinforce d4) and only then b2-b4.

10

..•

0-0

Completing Kingside development before Queenside pieces.

11 e3

committing the


106

White hurries to get his King into safety.

1 1...

c6

Giving solid support to his d-pawn.

12 Be2 The best post for the KB . On 12 Bd3 Black might pin effectively with 12 . Bg4. .

.

12...

BfS!?

A more active deployment than the usual 12 Be6 (Similar to the play in the note to White's l Oth move.) ..•

13 0-0 Now White has all of his minor pieces out and a safe King.

13...

Nd7

Black has in mind Nb6-c4 after b7-b5. This would block the c file, thus shielding the backward c-pawn.

14 Na4 Heading for an outpost on cS.

14...

aS!

Black's plan is to block or neutralize White's Queenside play and then resume a buildup on the Kingside and center.


107

Opening To Middlegame Seirawan is reduced to marking time, holding on for a draw, as Kasparov keeps pressing for the win. Yet Kasparov continues to scorn an easy draw and takes more risks in quest of that elusive victory. In an excit ing finale, both sides race their pawns for a new Queen. Seirawan gets there first - a tribute to his perseverance and grit.

15 Qb3 No better is 15 NcS, b6 16 Nxd7, Bxd7 with a slight plus for Black

15

•••

bS

In order to create a strong point on c4, as mentioned earlier.

16 Nc5 Going for the outpost.

16

.•.

a4!

Preventing White from ever opening more Queenside lines with a3-a4.

108


White's Middlegame Plan White did not want to see the Queenside closed as he had hoped to open lines there by advancing his b-pawn. He had also hoped to create an attackable weakness on c6 with b4-b5 and bxc6. This plan is now un available to White but he still intends to place a Knight on the fine cS outpost and, if possible, to break in the center by e3-e4, thereby activating the Rooks.


109

Black's Middlegame Plan Black stopped all of White's Queenside play by closing up that area with pawns. Black sees that he has given up the cS square, but he realizes that the c4 post is even more valuable since a Knight there would attack the pawn on a3 (compared to a Knight on c5 which attacks noth ing). That's why Black played 16 .a4!--it fixed a weakness on a3. With the Queenside dead, Black now looks to White's final active possibility - the central break with e3-e4. Black will spend the nexl few moves preventing this once and for all. Once that is done, White will be unable to generate counterplay and Black will be able to entertain designs against White's King. ..

17 Qc3 White now has no Queenside play and must pay attention to Black's attempts to gain the initiative in the center and Kingside.

17...

Nb6

Heading for c4.

18 Nd2 White wants to regroup the Bishop to f3 while the Knight guards c4

.

18

•••

Rae8

Now, with the Queenside blocked, Black piles up on the e-file.

19 Rfe1 In some cases White might play for e3-e4 later.

19...

Re7


1 10

Methodically increasing the pressure on the e-file.

20 Bf3 White probably was hoping for a chance to play f'2-f4 followed by NO-eS, but Black's pressure on the e-file dissuades him.

20...

Rfe8

Now it is clear Black has the preferable position - all of his pieces are active.

21 g3 White has thus "backed into" a fianchetto.

21...

Bh3

Immediately occupying the newly weakened h3.

22 Bg2 White wants to trade off the unwelcome intruder.

22...

Bxg2

Removing a potential defender.

23 Kxg2 White relies on his dark squared pawn structure to limit the ac tions of Black's KB.

23

•••

f5

This natural looking move is actually a subtle positional error, giving up control of eS. Black should have played 23...g5! followed by Qg6 with good attacking chances.

24 h4 Preventing gS.

24

•••

Nc4

Getting the Knight into more active play.

25 Nf3 White wants to retain this piece for defense of the Kingside.

25...

Bf6

Black continues to play aggressively, envisaging the advance of the g-pawn.

26 Re2 A better defense was 26 Nd3 and 27 Racl.

26... To effect . .g6-g5 (after ... h7-h6). .

27 Rh1

Rg7

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twelve

Ill

White indicates that after B lack breaks with gS, he will control the h-file after hxgS; a useful method of restraining Black's intentions.

27...

Qe7

Taking about and allowing the possibility of Nd6-e4 in some eventualities.

28 Reel Protecting the Rook - just in case.

28

•••

h6

Now White must constantly be watching for g6-g5.

29 Qd3 Pressuring the f-pawn to help restrain g6-g5.

29...

Rf8

Indirectly countering White's pressure.

30 Nd2 To get rid of the well posted Knight.

30...

Qe8

Black maneuvers his heavy pieces, he retains only a microscopic advantage.

31 Nxc4 Getting rid of Black's strong Knight.

31...

dxc4

But not 3l. bxc4? leaving the a-pawn too weak. •.

32 Qdl To relocate on the more active square D.

32...

Re7

Black forestalls the possibility of e3-e4 and prevents 33 Qr.3 be cause of 33... Bxd4.

33 Refi Getting out of the e-file pin so as to be able to play QD.

33... Qfi In order to centralize the Queen on dS. 34 Qf3 Threatening the c-pawn.

34... Just in time.

35 QxdS This leads to an even ending.

QdS


1 12

35...

cxdS

If White could maneuver his N to c3 where it would pressure bS and dS, he would have the advantage; but there is no way to get to c3 be cause of Black's pawn control of key maneuvering squares.

36 Kf3 Activating the King and clearing the g-file (g3-g4 is a possibility)

36...

Bg7

Black hopes to get in f5-f4 by tactical means.

37 Rd1 Overprotecting d4 to lesson the undermining effect of f5-f4.

37...

Rfti

Clearing f8 to regroup the KB .

38 Rd2 White continues to play safe, solid moves.

38...

Re8

Clearing the f8-c5 diagonal for the KB.

39 Rdd1 White shows he is just marking time awaiting a draw.

39...

Bf8

It is soon apparent that the KB has no future here done as the position is still even.

-

but

no harm

is

40 Rdg1 Feinting at g3-g4.

40...

Bg7

Back again!

41 Rd1 Reinforcing d4 again.

41 ...

Kf8

To bring the King into active play.

42 Rd2 More harmless maneuvering.

42...

Ke7

Black's King will reinforce his Queenside pawns.

42 Rdd1 White is clearly satisfied with a draw, but Black

43...

Kd6

is more stubborn.

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twelve

1 13

Black prepares to play Bf8 and BxcS by first supporting his dpawn.

44 Rh2 More marking time.

44

Kc6

•••

Clearing the f8-c5 diagonal for Bf8.

45 Rhhl White waits.

45

Bf8

•••

Having achieved nothing in the minor piece endings, Black pre pares lo enter a Rook and pawn ending.

46 Rd2 More "stonewalling".

46

Bd6

•••

Hesitating for the moment.

47 Rddl Show me.

47

Bxc5

.••

Finally settling for a Rook ending though il is even more drawish then before. 48 dxc5

Not 48 bxcS? because of 48 b4 49 axb4, Rb8 and Black regains his pawn with excellent chances due to his two passed pawns and open lines. ...

48

•••

Re4

Controlling d4 and hoping to break with d5-d4 at an opportune moment.

1 14


How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out Black successfully stopped White's central dreams of e3-e4 and this left the flrst player with nothing to do but defend. However, an inac curate move by Black also stopped his own aspirations against White's King. Soon a position was reached where Black enjoyed the more com fortable setup, but there was no way to break through. The fact that Black refuses to accept reality, pushes too hard for the win and eventually flnds a way to lose has nothing to do with the middlegame plans. Instead it shows what happens when a player forgets he is playing chess and instead imagines he is having a go at a game of chance. Quite simply: if you want to gamble - go to a casino! Rule to be learned: Don't let frustration lead to emotional deci sions. If your opponent defends well and earns the draw, then so be it. Illogical and unjustified attempts at victory usually lead to the opposite result.

49 Rhel White continues to wait.

49...

Rd7

Threatening 50 d4. But some observers think 49 d4 was a promising pawn sacrifice instead of allowing White to establish a block ade on d4. •..

•..

50 Rd4 The only way to stop it. SO...

gS


1 15

Gaining more space with the possibility of g5-g4 or gxh5 at the right moment.

hxg5

51 hxg5

Black has a mild initiative, but the position is still drawn.

52 Redl Maintaining the blockade of d4.

Rxd4

52...

Black exchanges in order to free his Rd7 for the h-file.

53 Rxd4 Maintaining a post on d4.

Rh7

53...

Hoping to invade White back rank in order to attack the a3 pawn.

54 Ke2 To meet 54... Rh1 (Intending 55 .. Ra1 ) with 55 Rdl. .

54...

Rh3

Black now gets in difficulties due to his over anxious attempts to make something out of nothing. Good for an easy draw was simply 54... Rhl 55 Rd1, Rxdl , etc.

55 g4 To isolate Black's Kingside pawns.

55...

f4

This loses. Necessary was 55...fxg4 56 Rxg4, Rhl.

56 exf4 White proves his Kingside passed pawns are stronger than Black's Queenside pawns.

56

••.

Rxa3?

A further error. Necessary was 56...gxf4 57 Rxf4, Rxa3.

57 fxg5 White's g-pawn proves to be a winner.

57...

Ra2ch

Clearing the path for his a-pawn.

58 Kf3 Now White wins by simply pushing his g-pawn.

58...

c3??

This loses quickly. Black had to play 58...Ra3ch!, e.g., 59 Kg2, Ra2 (Not 59... Ra1 60 g6, Re 1 61 /4, c3 62 Rd1!!, ReB 63 f5, d4 64 .ffi, c2

1 16


65 Rfl, d3 66 j7 and White wins.) 60 g6, Re2 61 Rf4, ReS and Black should be able to draw.

59 Rdl Forced to stop the c-pawn.

59...

d4

Black throws in his last resource. 60 g6 Black can't catch this one. d3 60 Threatening 61. ..c2 62 Ret, d2 and B lack wins. 61 Ke3 Now on 61 ...c2 62 Ret B lack can't play 62...d2. 61... Rxf2 A desperate move, but on 61 ...d2 62 g7, c2 63 Kxd2!, cxdl Qch 64 Kxd l and the g-pawn Queens. 62 g7 Winning, as 62...c2 63 Rhl is decisive. Black Resigns. .• •

=

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Thirteen

1 17

LESSON THIRTEEN Middlegame Steamroller A very pleasing game, Kasparov-Tlnunan, Hllversum 1985, leaves one with the impression that Black must find an improvement in the opening to make this variation work.

1 d4 Occupying a center square with a pawn.

1...

Nf6

Black develops his King's Knight controlling the White squares in the center; in particular, Black prevents the creation of a "classical" pawn center via 2 e4.

2 c4 White controls the central dS square while gaining more space on the Queenside. 2... e6 Providing an outlet for the KB while influencing the dS square.

3 Nf3 White foregoes 3 Nc3, probably to avoid the Nimzo-Indian (3 Bb4), considered by many GMs to be Black's best defense to the QP opening. ...

3...

b6

Black opts for the Queen's Indian, which is a close relative of the Nimzo-Indian strategically. Both systems aim to control the important e4 square, thus preventing White from forming a big pawn center with e4.

4 Nc3 A solid developing move, helping to control the e4 square. 4 g3 is a common alternative in order to counter Black's fianchettoed QB.

4...

Bb4

Black plays a "Nimzo" move, pinning White's QN in order to re duce its control of e4.

5 BgS White returns the favor by pinning Black's KN - again influencing control of e4.

5...

Bb7

Continuing the struggle for the center squares.

6 e3


1 18

Preparing to bring out the KB. Note that 5 e3 first would have blocked in White's QB.

6

.••

h6

The great theoretician Aaron Nimzovitch (for whom the Nimzo Indian is named), called this type of move "putting the question" to the Bishop. Black intends to make White decide whether to exchange or retreat his Bishop. 7 Bh4 Maintaining the pin.

7...

gS

A sharp move, breaking the pin though at the cost of loosening the Kingside pawn structure.

8 Bg3 White's QB still has good scope from here.

8...

Ne4

Black takes advantage of the broken pin by advancing his Knight onto the critical e4 square.

9 Qc2 White protects cJ while contesting e4.

9...

Bxc3ch

Black takes the opportunity to double White's pawns, hoping to later exploit this weakened pawn structure.

10 bxc3 In compensation for the weakened pawns, White gains reinforce ment of his d4 central pawn as well as an open file and the two Bishops.

10... Preparing White's QB.

to

d6

develop the QN on d7 and blunting the diagonal of

l l Bd3 Developing and attacking e4.

1 1...

f5

Reinforcing his outpost Knight. 12 d5 White begins to strive for the initiative in the center.


119

White's Middlegame Plan White played a sharp opening where he was willing to take on some structural weaknesses on the Queenside for two Bishops and play against weaknesses in Black's Kingside formation. With 12 dS! White opens the position for his Bishops and gives his Knight a great square on d4 where it eyes the weakened fS and e6 points. White is starting an im mediate attack because he is ahead in development. If Black was allowed to consolidate with Qf6, Nd7, and 0-0-0, then White's development would disappear and Black's advanced pawns on the Kingside would be looked upon as space gainers rather than potential weaknesses. ...

...

. •.


120

Black's Middlegame Plan Black must be very careful that e6 and f5 don't fall. If he can somehow defend against White's immediate threats and find a safe haven for his King, then the long range weakness of White's Queenside pawns and the nice c5 outpost (perfect for one of the Black Knight's) will even tually swing the battle in Black's favor.

12...

NcS

Black reposts his N on c5 made possible by White's last move.

13 h4! Forcing Black to further weaken his Kingside pawns.

13...

g4

Black must not allow White to open the h-file.

14 Nd4 White happily runs into the center.

14...

Qf6

Protecting e6.

15 0-0 White tucks his King away and helps protect the g-pawn in view of Black's QB control of the long diagonal.

15...

Nxd3

Black decides to remove White's strong KB.

16 Qxd3 Note White is somewhat ahead in development and, in particular, control of central squares.

16...

e5


121

Preventing 17 Nxe6 and hoping for 17 NbS after which 17 ... Qii protects c7, leaving White's QN out on a limb.

17 NxfS This seems obvious, but White has a profound idea in mind.

17...

Bc8

Black is counting on 18 e4 after which 18...Bxf5 19 exfS, Nd7 gives Black an edge because of White's very weak pawns and hemmed in B ishop.

18 Nd4! A brilliant conception. White sacrifices a piece to obtain a tre mendous mass of pawns in the center.

Opening To Middlegame A "steamroller" is a mass of central pawns inexorably flowing like molten lava and flattening everything in its path. Kasparov sacrifices a piece for two pawns in order to achieve this liquid pawn formation. Tim man does not panic like those who flee from an erupting volcano, and he bravely offers staunch resistance. But he is as helpless as any of us in the face of natural disaster.

18..

.

exd4

Black must accept the challenge.

19 cxd4 Not 19 exd4 as White wants to be able to advance e4 and eS at the proper moment.

19...

Qf5


122

Black cleverly offers to trade Queens, hoping to greatly reduce White's attacking chances.

20 e4 Naturally White declines.

20...

Qg6

Pinning the e-pawn to restrain its further advance.

21 Qc3 Also possible is 21 Qa3.

21...

0-0

Getting out of the center before it's too late.

22 Rfel Black was threatening 22 ... Qxe4 now that his King is out of the center. Inaccurate is the immediate 22 eS which allows Black QB to deploy with 22...Bf5!.

22...

Nd7

Black must hurry to catch up in development.

23 e5 Preventing

Nf6.

...

23. . .

Bb7

The Bishop redevelops and allows the QR into play.

24 Re3 Building up more pressure.

24...

b5

Black worsens his position with this attempt to undermine White's central pawn mess. There is just no way to stop White from getting a third pawn for the piece since on 24 ... Rae8 25 exd6, cxd6 26 Qa3 creates a double threat against d6 and a7.

25 QaS! A sharp riposte that Black most likely overlooked.

25...

Nb6

Black realizes that after 25...dxe5 26 QxbS, Nb6 27 RxeS, c6 28 Qxb4, cxdS 29 cS, Nc4 30 Qxb7, NxeS 31 BxeS, Qf7 32 Qb2 White's Bishop and two pawns for the Rook plus excellent chances against Black's drafty Kingside, give White a won position.

26 Qxb5 Now White has a third pawn for the piece.

26...

Qc2

Black desperately tries to stay in the game by counterattacking.

27 exd6


123

White proceeds in a straight forward manner.

27...

cxd6

On the more obvious 27... Qxc4 White has 28 Qb1, Rf7 29 Re7!, Qd5 30 Qg6, Kf8 31 Qh6, Kg8 32 Qg6, Kf8 33 Rxli, Qxli 34 Qxg4, Qd5 35 Be5 with a winning position.

28 Re7! But not the tempting 28 c5? because of 28 .. Qxc4! 29 Qb1, Qd5 30 Qg6ch, Kh8 31 Qh6ch, Kg8 32 Qg6ch, Kh8 and Black can hold on. .

28...

Rf7

Trying to bold everything together.

29 Rxf7 Also worth consideration is 29 Rael!? and if 29 ... Qxc4 then 30 Qbl.

29...

Kxf7

Note how Black's King is very open to attack.

30 c5 Pursuing the attack.

30...

Qc4

Naturally Black would love to exchange Queens.

31 Qbl Shifting back toward the exposed King.

31...

QxdS

Defending the QB against the threat of Qh7ch and threatening mate.

32 Qh7ch Moving in.

32...

Kf6

No better is 32 ... Ke8 as after 33 Retch, Kd8 34 Qe7ch, Kc8 35 Qf8ch, Kd7 36 Re7ch, Kc6 37 Qg7 and White wins easily.

33 Qxh6ch Winning a pawn and continuing the attack.

33...

Kf7

Black can only run for his life !

34 Qf4ch Picking up more material. Kg8 34 ... On 34 K to the e-file White's best is Retch. . ..

35 Qxg4ch White is now mopping up.


124

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out White played very actively and kept the initiative right till the end of the game. By sacrificing a piece for a strong, mobile pawn center, White was able to keep Black's forces off balance. Eventually Black lost because he was never able to find the safe King hiding place that was mentioned earlier. Rule to be learned: If you have a lead in development, you must use it before the opponent catches up and nullifies your advantage.

35

Kh7

•••

Black continues on.

36 Bf4 Defending against the mate threat and activating the Bishop.

Bc8

36... On 36 dxc5 37 Rel is too strong. ...

37 Qg3 On 37 Qe2, Bb7 ties White down due to the mate threat.

37...

dxcS

On 37 Nc4 38 hS!, BfS (On 38 Qxh5 39 Rel ! is strong since Black doesn't have the Queen and Bishop on the long diagonal) 39 Qg5, ReS 40 cxd6 White wins quickly. •.•

...

38 Rel Bringing another heavy piece into the attack. 38... Qf7 To stop Re7ch.


39 Qg5 Renewing the threat.

39...

Nd5

Stopping it.

40 Qh6ch The end is near.

Kg8

40... On 40 Kh8 41 BeSch decides. ...

41 ReS

,

/ I�

The threat of 42 RgSch is too much to meet. Black Resigns.

125


126

LESSON FOURTEEN A Careless Move Means Middlegame Doom We all know the feeling. After a careless move, there is simply no hope of redemption. We j ust have to sit back and await our doom. This game, Rlbii-Kouatly, Lucerne 1985, is a particularly instructive case of faulty judgment because the punishment for an opening transgression is by no means so swift or obvious.

1 Nf3 This has been termed the perfect "hypermodern" first move as it prevents Blacks l. eS while being totally uncommitted regarding White's central pawns. ..

1 ...

Nf6

If it's good for White, it's good for Black.

2 c4 Pressuring the important dS center square.

2...

c5

Again Black feels the same.

3 g3 This places the KB on a fine long diagonal which crosses two vital central squares, e4 and dS.

3...

b6

A good idea. Black no longer is copying White's every move, which can be dangerous if carried too far. Black intends to neutralize the effect of White's fianchettoed KB.

4 Bg2 White doesn't want to commit any other pieces or pawns until necessary.

4...

Bb7

Black must counter the already strong presence of White's KB.

5 0-0 Getting his King into safety and protecting the KB. s...

g6

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Fourteen

127

Black decides his KB also deserves "its" long diagonal

6 Nc3 Reinforcing the c-pawn's pressure on dS.

6...

Bg7

Black continues his development.

7 d4 White decides to try to seize more space in the vital central zone. Also quite playable was 7 d3 with a quieter deployment.

7...

cxd4

Otherwise White plays d4-d5 with a strong central pawn wedge which would muffle Black's fianchettoed QB.

8 Qxd4 White loses some time this way because of Black's obvious tempo gaining developing move, but in return White avoids the simplification that would result after 8 Nxd4, Bxg2 9 Kxg2.

8...

Nc6

The QN naturally welcomes the chance to develop with a gain of time.

9 Qf4 A peculiar looking move, but it has its points. It prevents the de velopment of the Black Q to c7 and keeps the d-file unobstructed (On 9 Qd3 or 9 Qd2 the d-file is blocked by the Queen - White wants one of his Rooks to exert veiled tactical pressure against Black's Queen in some cases.

9

•••

ReS

Preparing to put pressure on the White c-pawn.

10 Rd1 Preventing Black from freeing himself with ...dS and reinforcing the control of dS.

10

•••

d6

Freeing the d7 square for piece maneuver (such as placing a bulwark against a possible White thrust e4-e5.

...

1 1 b3! A tricky move which at first sight looks tactically weak.

Ndl) and

128


White's Middlegame Plan By defending his one vulnerable point. White leaves Black with a solid but somewhat passive position because Black has nothing to attack. White intends to place his Bishop on b2 or h6 (after Qh4) followed by either a central advance with an eventual e2-e4-e5, or a plan based on the thematic NdS. When the Knight comes to this square, Black will be tempted to chop it off with a Knight or a Bishop. However, a subsequent recapture with his c-pawn gives White more territory and allows him to work on the weakened c6 square via Racl and Nd4-c6. White could also play e2-e4 and then NdS. The idea here is to recapture on dS with his e pawn. This would still allow White to work on the c6 square but also gives White the open e-file. He would place his Rooks on this file and put pres sure on Black's backward e-pawn.


129

Black's Middlegame Plan Black must get castled and chop away at the bind that White has placed on him. Trading pieces always makes a position with little space easier to tolerate, and a pawn advance based on a7-a6 followed by . .b6b5 (after some preparation) would break open the c-file and give Black plenty of active play. ...

11...

.

Ne4

Better 1 t...0-0 but then White can begin operations against Black's Kingside with 12 Qh4 followed by 13 Bh6, exchanging off Black's strong KB.


130

Opening To Middlegame In this game Black falls into a trap of his own making with the hasty l l Ne4, allowing White to sacrifice the Exchange for a tremendous attack. With a seemingly endless array of tactical threats, Ribli finds one brilliant move after another to prosecute his attack. Although Kouatly fights on against hopeless odds with two pieces for a Queen, he is lost before move 20. What caused B lack to violate principle by moving the same piece twice in the opening instead of castling on move 1 1 ? Quite clearly, he was in a rush to ease his cramp - looking for an easy way out of a position that required prolonged and patient defense. ...

12 Nxe4! Black was expecting 12 Qxe4, Bxc3 13 Rb1, Bg7 though after 14 Be3 White still retains a slight pull. The text is a deep, dynamic Exchange sacrifice which gives White a tremendous attack.

12...

Bxa1

The only move.

13 Ba3 Poor is 13 NfgS because after 13...f5! Black would have much better defensive chances. Bg7 13.. On 13 Be5 14 NxeS, NxeS 15 Nxd6ch, exd6 16 Bxb7 White has a tremendous position. ..•

14 NfgS This seemingly crude threat is the "second wave" of the attack.


131

0-0

14

•••

Black hurries to get his King out of the center, but he soon finds that there is no safety here, too. B lack can't defend with the obvious 14 ... Ne5 since after 15 Nxd6ch, exd6 16 Bxb7, Rc7 17 Rxd6, Rd7 18 Ne6! the house falls in.

15 Nxh7! Another shot.

15

Kxh7

•••

Again B lack has little choice.

16 Ng5ch Moving in with his "reserve" Knight.

Kg8

16... Forced.

17 Qh4 Threatening mate in one.

Re8

17...

The only defense - for the moment.

18 Bh3!! The brilliant final point. The rest i s (almost) routine. Kf8

18...

The King runs for higher ground. Other moves are insufficient: on 18 ... e5 White crashes through with 19 Rxd6, Qe7 20 Qh7ch, Kf8 21 Rf6!, Nd8 22 Rxf7!, Nxf7 23 Ne6 mate !, or 1 8 e6 19 Rxd6, Qe7 20 Qh7, Kf8 21 Nxe6ch!, fxe6 22 Bxe6 wins, or even 21 Rxd7! (2J ... Qxa3 22 Rxj7 mate. •.•

19 Ne6ch! White seems to have an endless fund of tactical twists - giving B lack not a moment's respite.


132

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out Black tried to tactically exchange pieces and give himself a bit more room with the tempting 1 1. Ne4. However, White did not comply with Black's plans and instead sacrificed material in order to start an at tack. All the positional considerations went out the window when this happened and Black became concerned with consolidating and winning with his extra wood. White, on the other hand, played actively to take advantage of Black's uncastled King-the undefended Bishops on a t and b7 gave White tactical possibilities that led to a further gain of time. Soon White's forces overran the enemy position before poor Black could even start to play the game ! Rule to be learned: It is rarely good to initiate a tactical line of play (even if the goal - a trade of piece to relieve cramp - is positionally justified) if your King is still in the center. Kg8 19... Forced. On 19 fxe6 20 Bxe6 (Threatening 21 Qh7 and Qg8 mate.) 20 Ne5 21 Qh7, Nf7 22 Bb2! and mate is forced. 20 Ng5 White is gaining time on the clock as he can force the previous position. 20... Kf8 As we noted, there is no alternative. 21 Ne6ch Back to the original position after 19 Ne6ch! Kg8 2 1 ... ••

...

••.

Mod�rn Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Fourteen

133

Again Black must follow suit.

22 Nxd8 Now White's material advantage wins easily.

22...

Rcxd8

Black has to retake this way to prevent 23 Bxc8.

23 Bg2 With no further use on the h3-c8 diagonal, the Bishop returns to its original diagonal.

23

•••

Bf6

Black is lost, but must do something.

24 Qh6 White's Queen burrows further into the Black King's fortress. 24... e6 Hoping to tempt White to take the d-pawn after which Black would get tactical counterplay e.g., 25 Rxd6, Rxd6 26 Bxd6, Rd8 27 Ba3, Rdl ch 28 Bn, Nd4! with dangerous threats.

2S h4! But White doesn't fall for it, instead continuing with his attack.

25...

dS

Black struggles desperately to create counterplay with this central thrust.

26 hS But White is intent on breaking down the pawn wall in front of Black's Kingside.

26

•••

Bg7

Otherwise the g-pawn will fall.

27 Qg5 Maintaining pressure on the g-pawn.

27...

dxc4

Opening the d-file to obtain "counterplay".

28 Rxd8 White doesn't mind simplifying.

28

.••

Rxd8

Black is lost but still struggling.

29 bxc4 White plays simply.

29

•••

gxhS


134

On 29 Kh7, 30 hxg6+, fxg6 31 Be4 decides quickly. ••.

30 Bb2 With the obvious threat of mate in one.

eS

30... Forced.

31 BdS Since 30 e5 weakened dS, the Bishop gladly takes up a new post to join in the attack. ••.

31

Rd6

••.

Trying to defend everything.

32 QxhS Threatening f7.

32

Rd7

•••

On 32 Rf6 33 BxeS. •.•

33 QfS Threatening the Rook and if 33 Rc7 then 34 f4 and if 34 ...exf4 then 35 QgS is too much to handle. ..•

�iodem �lidd\egame Lessons: Lesson Fifteen

135

LESSON FIFTEEN Stealing The Initiative In The Early Middlegame Larry Evans' law states that White must make two slips to lose a game, whereas one slip for Black is usually fatal. Therein lies the advan tage of the first move which, like the serve in tennis, confers the initiative. White's first minor mistake generally loses only the initiative, but not the game. Polugaevsky-Ljubojevlc, Linares, 1985.

1 d4 Soviet super GM Polugaevsky has a preference for the closed openings of which the d-pawn is the most promising.

1...

Nf6

Preventing 2 e4 while not yet committing his center pawns.

2 c4 Influencing dS and if Black later plays d7-d5 to occupy the cen ter, then White has the option of cxdS opening up the c-file. e6 2... Allowing the KB an egress.

3 Nf3 After 3 Nc3, Bb4 (the Nimzo-Indian) was probably Black's intention.

3 ...

b6

Entering the Queen's Indian - one of Black's most popular and re spected defense after 3 Nf3. Also quite feasible was 3 d5 transposing into a Queen's Gambit, or 3 c5 inviting White into a Benoni. .•.

.•.

4 Nc3 White prefers classical development. A peculiar line is 4 a3 pre venting 4 Bb4 in response to Nc3. ..•

4...

Bb4

Developing while indirectly controlling the e4 square.

5 Qb3 Preventing Black from doubling the c-pawns and forcing Black to do something to protect his Bishop.

5 ...

a5


136

Defending the Bishop this way has the strategic benefit of re straining White from a later space gaining pawn assault on the Queenside with b2-b4. After S Qe7 play could proceed with 6 g3, Bb7 7 Bg2, Nc6 8 0-0, NaS 9 Qc2, Nxc4 10 NbS, dS 1 1 Nxc7!, Qxc7 12 Qa4ch with a clear advantage for White. ••.

6 g3

Opening To Middlegame While one might hesitate to label 6 g3 an error, it does set the stage for problems that occur later when Black advanced his pawn to a4. Undoubtedly Nimzovich would have "put the question to the Bishop" im mediately by 6 a3 forcing Black to declare his intentions either by swap ping with 6 8xc3 or by retreating the Bishop to e7. What was White's second slip? Probably his failure to grab mate rial by 9 NeS, Nxd4 10 Qd3, NfS 1 1 Bxa8, Qxa8 12 0-0. This may be unclear, but at least White gets to castle - which never happened in the game. As in many of our other illustrations where the King got stuck in the center, this ultimately caused White's downfall here. In the game, Black already stole the initiative at move 1 0 by hammering away at the pawn on c4. In the complications that follow, White seems to get an attack. But this is only an illusion, and his own King turns out to be the target. The final phase is an impressive demon stration of the power of the Queen against the Rook and Bishop. .••

6...

Nc6

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Fifteen

137

More usual is 6 ... Bb7 followed by later developing the QN to a6 or d7 (after d7-d6).

7 Bg2 Expediting his Kingside development.

7...

a4

Note this is made possible by Black's QN protecting the Bb4. 8 Qc2 Again enabling White to avoid doubled c-pawns - on Bxc3 White plays Qxc3. Ba6! 8 ... A novel way to exploit the vulnerable c4 pawn.

B t

White's Middlegame Plan White is hoping to acquire the two Bishops (after Black plays . Bxc3), after which he will attempt to activate his Bishops while keeping the enemy Knights bottled up. He will also fight for control of e4 and, if possible, advance his pawn to that square with a large advantage in space. White also anticipates central counter thrusts by Black: A c7-c5 break would open up the central lines and makes the White Bishops strong. A .d7-d5 advance will open up the c-file and allow White to gen erate pressure against Black's c7 pawn. ..

...

..


138

Black's Middlegame Plan As promising as White's ideas are, Black has started to gain im mediate pressure on the White c-pawn. Black will add to this pressure with NaS, and, if necessary, d7-d5. His a-pawn's journey to a4 helps make this pawn hard to defend since b2-b3 is no longer possible. ••.

••.

9 a3 On 9 b3, Ne4 is good as 1 0 Qxe4? allows 10. .Bxc3ch . An inter esting possibility is 9 NeS and after 9 Nxd4!? 10 Qd3, NfS 1 1 Bxa8, Qxa8 12 0-0 Black has good compensation for the Exchange in an unclear position. (Evans). .

.•.

9

•••

Bxc3ch

Now Black concentrates on White's Queenside pawns. Note that with Black's pawn on a4, White can't reply on b3 to support his c4 pawn.

10 Qxc3 Forced.

10

•••

NaS

Immediately going after the c-pawn.

1 1 NeS?! This leads to trouble for White, but after the better 11 Nd2, dS 12 cxdS, NxdS 13 Qc2, Black still has a fine game.

1 1 ...

dS

Consistently pressuring c4.

12 cxd.S?! Probably better was 12 cS!?.

12...

NxdS

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Fifteen

139

Gaining time by attacking the Queen while centralizing the Knight.

13 Qc2 The only good retreat - not 13 Qd2, Nb3.

13...

Nb3

Black forces play by this double attack on White's a1 and d4.

14 Qc6ch To prevent Black from castling.

14

•••

Kf8

Better than 14 ... Ke7 15 Bxd5, exd5 16 Qxa4 threatening 17 Qxb3 and 17 Nc6ch.

15 Bg5 Finessefully developing the QB as 15 ... Qxg5 allows 16 Qxa8ch, etc.

15... Qe8 Not 15 ... f6 because of 16 Qxe6 threatening 17 Qf7 mate. 16 Nd7ch An alternative is 16 Rd1 protecting the d-pawn.

16...

Kg8

Now it might seem that Black is in difficulty because of his shut in KR.

17 e4 After 17 Rd 1, Na5! 1 8 Qxa4, Bc4 threatening 19 ... Bb3 is very strong.

17...

Nxd4!!

Black seizes the initiative with a deep tactical conception.

18 Qxa4 Counter attacking Black's d4 Knight.

18...

c5!

Now White's d7 Knight is left in hock.

19 exd5 The only way to not lose a piece.

19...

Bb5

Forcing back the Queen.

20 Qd1 The only safe square.

20...

Qxd7


140

Now Black has a winning position due to White's exposed King and Black's extremely active minor pieces.

21 Be3 Hoping to chase off the terrible Knight.

21...

Be2!

An excellent follow up.

22 dxe6 On 22 Qd2, Bf3! is strong.

22...

Qxe6

Now White's exposed King and dishannonious pieces allow Black a winning initiative.

23 Qxe2 The only chance, on 23 Qbl , BO! 24 0-0, Qh3!! Black wins as 25 Bxh3 allows 25 .Ne2 mate. ••

23... Naturally.

Nxe2

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Fifteen

141

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out All of White's lofty goals were never realized since he was too busy reacting to Black threats against the c-pawn. The game turned to Black's favor when White refused to win the Exchange on the ninth move. Instead White lashed out aggressively and, since the side with the initia tive usually gains from a locking of horns, he found his King trapped in the middle surrounded by enemy pieces. Rule to be learned: If you have problems to solve, take most sacrifices. You might as well have some wood for your trouble, and the ability to give material back and not be down anything is an excellent defensive resource. One other thing: when you have a material advantage you place pressure on the enemy to justify his play. If material is even then the attackers life is an easy one since trades are not necessarily damaging to him.

24 Bxa8 White has only a Bishop and Rook for the Queen - not nearly enough considering his poorly placed King.

24...

Qc4

Invading the Queenside.

25 Rdl White can't legally castle as the Knight controls gl.

25...

Nd4

Still preventing White from castling and threatening mate in one.

26 Bxd4

142


Getting rid of the Knight, but the simplification is also good rr. Black.

26

.••

cxd4

Now the passed d-pawn is another asset for Black.

27 Be4 Returning to block the d-pawn with Bd3 and then castle.

27...

g6

Getting ready to bring the Rook into play.

28 Bd3 Now White can finally castle.

28...

Qa2

To pick off White's weak Queenside pawns.

29 Rb1 On 27 Rd2, Qalcb forces the win of the b-pawn.

29...

Qb3

Preventing White from castling.

30 Kd2 There is nothing better.

30...

Kg7

Bringing the Rook into play.

31 Rhcl White does the best he can with what he's got.

31...

Re8

Gaining control of the e-file.

32 Rc7 Hoping to attack f7 with Bc4.

32...

Re6!

Provoking White into Be4.

33 Rd7 White avoids 33 Bc4 as after 33 Qf3! 34 Bxe6, Qxf2ch Black wins on 35 Kd3, Qe3cb or 35 Kcl, Qelcb 36 Kc2, d3ch .•.

33...

Qa4

Holding the d-pawn.

34 Rd5 Preventing Qa5cb.

34... Making further inroads.

Rf6

35 f� ·':"::i:. -.:_ ... �� .:.__;, ::. .e .. -r .i. Olll l he 35-. .,.-:::J! ; � :::; ;_:

m

-�� :'-r-� - ·.:nf'-mtcl:

Re6

Returning to the e-ftle in order to penetrate

on

the new weak:ne�

at e3.

36 Rcl White must keep his defenders as active as possible.

36...

Re3

With sacrificial possibilities.

37 Rc4 Walking into it, but there is no

good defense anyway.

37...

Rxd3ch!

Exploiting White's under protected Rooks.

38 Kxd3 Forced.

38... Entering

upon a

Qdlch

forced sequence to win material.

39 Ke4 Forced.

39...

fSch

The point soon becomes apparent.

40 Ke5 Again forced.

40... Black

will

soon

Qe2ch

"surround" one of White's Rooks.

41 Kxd4 Otherwise the Rc4 goes.

41...

Qe4ch

Now the end is clear.

42 Kc3 Forced.

42...

tt

QxdS

Now the win is elementary. White Resigns.

144


LESSON SIXTEEN Building A Brilliant Defense In The Early Middlegame Unfortunately, the word "brilliancy" is generally used in chess to describe only successful attacking efforts. This superlative is rarely ap plied to the efforts of those unsung heroes of the defense like Korchnoi and Petrosian - to which must now be added the name of Yusupov after this brilliant holding action in Panczyk-Yusupov, Warsaw 1985.

1 d4 2 c4

Nf6

In order to meet 2...d5 with 3 cxdS giving White a two to one central pawn majority.

2...

e6

Preparing to enter the Nimzo Indian.

3 Nc3 White accepts the invitation. For those who do not want to play against the Nimzo, 3 Nf3 can be played - leaving Black with no Knight to pin on c3.

3...

Bb4

By pinning the QN Black gains influence over the important e4 and dS center squares.

4 e3 A solid approach favored by most of the top GMs.

4...

c5

Black puts pressure on d4 to hinder White's usual policy of cen tral expansion.

5 Bd3

Nc6

More pressure on d4.

6 Nge2 From e2 the KN helps reinforce c3 while having the option of Nf4 or Ng3 as needed.

6...

cxd4

Black exchanges pawns to create somewhat exposed pawns which might exploited.

\iodern \llddlegame Lessons: Lesson Sbteen

1-45

7 exd4 7 Nxd4? would be poor strategy as White needs a pa\\11 on d4 to control cS and eS as well as free the QB's diagonal.

d5

7...

Now Black can trade dxc4 and thereby isolate White's d-pa\\11 .

8 0-0 9 Bxc4

dxc4

Now White has an isolated d-pawn, but his QB now has more scope for development.

9...

0-0

Black decides to whisk his King into safety before making any other development decisions.

10 a3 To make the Black KB decide what it wants to do.

Bxc3

10...

Black trades so as to not lose time retreating. Also on 11 bxc3 (as played) the c pawn might be pressured by the open c-file.

11 bxc3 Forced. 1 1 Nxc3 drops the d-pawn.

h6

11...

An important move. Since Black has traded off his KB in order to loosen White's pawns, the move .. Be7 is not available to neutralize a po tential pin on his important Nf6 by BgS. For this reason Black plays l l ...h6 to prevent the annoying BgS. .

12 Nf4?! This blocks the QB somewhat; better would have been 12 Bf4.

12...

Bd7

Clearing the c-file for operations on the White c-pawn. Poor is the central break 1 2 .e5 as White replies 13 Ng6! with considerable ad vantage. ..

13 Ba2 White sees the Black Rook about to occupy the c-file, so he gets his unprotected Bishop to safer territory.

13...

ReS

Now Black is ready to clamp down on White's pawn weaknesses.

146


White's Middlegame Plan White has the two Bishops and chances for a Kingside attack based on moves like Rel-e3-g3 and Bbl followed by Qd3. Other possi bilities include simplification with d4 d5 though that would leave White with a weak pawn on c3-or the creation of a passed pawn by c3-c4 and only then d4-d5. Most players tend to play for the Kingside attack in these situations. -

-

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Sixteen

147

Black's Middlegame Plan Black must mix caution on the Kingside with pressure against White's weaknesses on a3, c3 and d4 (if the c3 ever moves). Ideal would be Nc6-a5-c4 or even .. Nc6-a5 followed by . Bd7-b5-c4. Over all, Black would like to trade off some minor pieces (since exchanges would dissolve White's chances on the Kingside), establish a firm grip on the c4 and d5 squares (fixing the c-pawn on its vulnerable square and giving Black use of c4 and dS for his own pieces), and create pressure against the weaknesses on c3 and a3. One other idea for Black is the central break . e6-e5. This would free his light-squared Bishop and create immediate countcrplay in the center which would hopefully distract White from his dreams of mate. The only problem with this idea is that it opens the a2-g8 diagonal for the en emy Bishop, so care must be used when implementing this plan. •••

.

..

..

14 Re1 This otherwise logical looking move does not meet the needs of the position. In view of Black's growing play, White should go in for 14 d5, exd5 15 Nxd5 with about even chances as the White Bishops in the open position counterbalance his weakened Queenside pawns.

14...

ReS

Centralizing the Rook with an eye on the e6-e5 break.

15 Re3?! White is too optimistic about his Kingside attacking chances. Better was 15 Qf3 and on 15 ... Qa5 16 Bb2.

148


Opening To Middlegame White's premature 15 Re3 might work against a lesser player, but Yusupov keeps his cool and refutes it brilliantly. His startling 17 ... Bg4!! initiates a deep sacrifice to repulse what looks like a very dangerous at tack. Black only gets two pawns for the piece, but his advanced soldier on c3 combined with deadly back rank threats keeps White pinned down. Another unexpected blast 21 ...Rxe3!! simplifies into a winning ending. All in all, a game filled with lovely surprises.

15...

eS!

Black meets White's ill conceived Kingside gesture with the best strategical response - counterattack in the center.

16 Nh5 The best chance for White to create a Kingside diversion is remove Black's strong defender on f6.

16...

to

exd4

But not 1 6 Ng4? as after 17 Rg3, Qh4 18 h3! White gets a pow erful attack. .•.

17 Rg3 Now White's threats seem very real indeed.

17...

Bg4! !

An excellent tactical solution to the problem. On the other hand, very poor would have been 17 ... Nxh5 because of 18 Bxf7ch!, Kh8 (On 18... Kxfl 1 9 Qxh5ch, Kg8 20 Rxg7ch! crashes through 20 Kxg7 21 -

...

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Sixteen

149

Bxh6ch. Or if 1 9... Kj8 20 Bxh6! is too much to handle.) 19 Bxh5 with a big advantage for White.

18 Nxf6ch Not 18 Rxg4, Nxg4 and White can't play 19 Qxg4 in view of 19...Re1 mate.

18...

Qxf6

It looks like Black is simply going to lose a piece, but the depth of Black's insight is soon apparent.

19 Rxg4 All seems good for White for the moment.

dxc3

19...

The first threat appears 20 c2 winning material because of the unprotected White QR. •••

20 Be3 On 20 Rf4, c2! 21 Rxf6, cxdl

20...

=

Q mate.

c2

This little pawn ties up most of White's forces.

21 Qfl This is not the best defense though White is in difficulties in any event. For example: 21 Qel, RedS! (Threatening 22... Qxal! 23 Qxal, Rdlch and mate next) 22 Bb3 (22 Rcl is answered strongly by 22.. Qb2) 22 Qb2 23 Ba4, b5 traps the Bishop. .

•..

21... Another dynamic tactical shot.

Rxe3!!

150


How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out White prematurely went all out for a mating attack, but ran into central counterplay that culminated in tactical ideas based on the weakness of White's back rank. As is so typical, once the central counterattack be gan, the wing attack instantly ended. Rule to be learned: Only begin a Kingside attack wizen your pieces are developed, your back rank is defended, and possibilities for an enemy central counterattack are held at bay. 22 fxe3 Otherwise he is simply two pawns down.

22...

Qxflch

Removing the protection of the cl square in order to facilitate the victorious advance of the c-pawn.

23 Rxfl 23 Kxn is no better. NeS 23 The point of the combination - now White can't prevent both 24 Nxg4 and 24 cl = Q. ..•

.•.

..•

24 Rgf4 White also loses on 24 Bxf7ch, Kh8 (Better than 24 . Nxj7 25 Rcl) 25 Rgf4, cl=Q 26 Rxcl, Rxclch 27 Kf'2, Nd3ch, etc. ..

24...

cl=Q

Now Black recovers his "investment" with interest.

25 Rxcl

Modem Mlddlegame Lesso m: Lesson Sixteen

151

No choice.

25 ...

Rxclch

Now Black has a winning ending.

26 Rfl Not 26 Kf2, Nd3ch.

26...

Rxflch

Preparing the next.

27 Kxfl

Ng4

Now Black will annex another pawn with a two pawn net plus. White Resigns.

152


LESSON SEVENTEEN A Shocking Middlegame Interpolation One thing that Kasparov shares in common with Fischer is a high percentage of wins with Black. Both of them always fought for decisive results, even when supposedly on the defensive, not just tame draws. This active policy usually paid off, as is apparent in this game, Hubner Kasparov, Hamburg 1985, 1st Match Game.

1 c4 This move starts what is known as a Hypermodern treatment of the opening (to attempt to control the important center squares from the flanks). The English Opening thus begun has been a favorite of such super GMs as Botvinnik, Korchnoi, Smyslov, Larsen, Petrosian to name a few.

1...

eS

Black, on the other hand, happily takes up the challenge from the Classical point of view, which espouses early occupation of the center with one or more pawns. The possible drawback to this strategy is that the committed pawns may become a target for counterattack.

2 Nc3 Developing the Knight and reinforcing the pressure on d5 begun with 1 c4.

2...

d6

Black chooses to give his e-pawn solid protection in anticipation of later strikes at it, by such moves as d4 and/or f4.

3 d4 White decides to blend the Classical approach (occupying the center with pawns early on) with his initial Hypermodern gestures.

3...

exd4

Black could have maintained his pawn on e5 by avoiding this trade, but he feels that Black's tempo gains against the White Queen (after the forced recapture 4 Qxd4) will more than compensate for the lost pawn control of the center. Thus Black is switching back to a Hypermodern stratagem !

4 Qxd4

Modern Middlegame Lesso ns: Lesson Sennteen

White's idea is that the loss of

time

with

153

the Queen is more than with the possibility of

compensated by the opening of the central d-file, establishing an outpost on

dS.

4...

Nf6

KN to its most active square while clearing the way for Kingside castling. The tempo gaining developing move Nc6 "won't run away". Black develops his

5 g3 To fianchetto Lhe KB on g2 from which it exerts great influence all the way across the center (e4, d5) to the Queenside.

5...

Nc6

Finally Black gains "his" tempo, forcing White's Queen

to

back

pedal.

6 Qd2 White avoids 6 Qdl which would only interfere with the later maneuvering possibilities for his Rooks. Also, 6 Qe3ch only encourages Black to do what he wants to do anyway - develop his KB and castle as soon as possible. 6 Qh4 also leaves the Queen on an awkward post after 6 Be7, with veiled tactical threats against White's Queen. ...

6...

Be6

Another good developing move which, as a bonus, at tack s pawn, causing White to have to stop what he is doing to defend it.

the c

7 Nd5 Seemingly more solid is 7 b3 which also gives an outlet for the White Q B . But 7 b3 can be effectively answered by the sharp riposte 7 d5! since 8 NxdS? loses material after 8 8 (or N)xdS 9 cxdS, Bb4!, while 8 cxdS allows the excellent reply 8 Nxd5 with very good play for Black. . ..

...

...

7

•••

NeS

Black moves a piece twice in the opening - usually a poor policy. in this case the Knight assumes an excellent centralized post while But attacking the c-pawn.

8 b3 Forced. On 8 Qc2, Nxc4! wins a pawn as 9 Qxc4, BxdS picks up the White KR, while 9 Nxf6ch, Qxf6 leaves the Knight on c4 protected.

8...

Ne4

154


Black begins to seize the initiative move by move; making threats which White can only meet - leaving White with no time to advance his own future plans.

9 Qe3 On 9 Qd4, f5!, securing the Knight on its advanced post is quite good (Also interesting is 9...Nc5). The game J, Kristiansen-Reinert, Denmark 1985, continued 10 Bg2, g6 1 1 Bb2 (Better was ll Bxe4, fxe4 12 Qxe4, Bg7 13 Bb2, 0-0 with the idea of Bf5 and Nd3) l l c5! 12 Qd1, Bxd5 13 Qxd5, Qa5 14 Kd1 , Nd3! 15 Qd3, Nf2ch and Black won. ...

9...

NcS

Also possible was 9 ... c6 and if 10 Qxe4, cxd5 1 1 cxd5, Qa5ch 12 Bd2, Qxd5 13 Qxd5, Bxd5 with equal play.

White's Middlegame Plan White is willing to get kicked around by the Black horses for awhile since he eventually expects the following: 1) An advantage in cen tral territory; 2) Moves like Bg2 and Rd1 will give him a firm grip on the important d5 square; 3) If Black chases the White Knight away with c6 then the d6 pawn will be vulnerable on the half open d-file; 4) At some future time White expects to chase the enemy Knights away from their strong posts with moves like b3-b4 and f'2-f4. ...

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Seventeen

155

Black's Middlegame Plan Black is playing to make his pieces as active as possible since he hopes to take advantage of White's lack of development. What we have here is a static vs dynamic battle: White's long range static advantages vs Black's immediate tactical potential. Black will increase his active possi bilities by chasing back the White Knight with c7-c6; he is not worried about the potential weakness of the d6 pawn - his active pieces should more than compensate for it. It should be noted that Black is not just putting all his eggs in one basket and hoping for a quick kill. If White manages to sidestep all the land mines being set for him, then Black will keep his position active by nailing down the position of his Knights with moves like a7-a5. Black is not worried about f2-f4 since that would leave White with terrible weak nesses along the half open e-file (unless White manages to follow it up with e2-e4). •.•

...

10 Bb2?! This leads to problems. Correct was 10 Bg2!, c6 11 Nc3 (On 1 1 Nf4 ?!, Qf6! i s slightly better for Black) l l a 5 with mutual chances in a complicated positional struggle. ...

10...

c6

To force away the Nd5 while allowing the Queen access to aS and b6.

1 1 Nf4 Better was 1 1 Nc3, Ng4 12 Qd4, though after 12... Be7 Black is still a little better.


156

Ng4! I I ... Beginning a unusual Knight maneuver which sets off Black's ad vantage.

12 Qd4 After 12 Nxe6, Nxe3 13 Nxd8, Nc2ch 14 Kd1, Nxa1 15 Nxli (Not 15 Nxb7, Nab3!) 15 Kxli 16 Bxa1, Be7 B lack should win. . ••

12...

Ne4!!

Opening to Middlegame Kasparov's 12th move - a shocking interpolation - looks like a misprint at first glance. After seizing the initiative, he never lets up and relentlessly pursues his quarry . Although neither King can castle, White's monarch is much more exposed. In no time flat Kasparov concludes with an Exchange sacrifice in a finale that is as logical as it is elegant.

13 Bh3 On 13 Qxe4, Qa5ch! wins the White Queen after 14 Kd l , Nxf2ch. On 1 3 Nd3, fS! (Threatening 1 4. . .c5 winning the Queen ! ) 1 4 Bel, cS 1S. Qb2, Be7 and Black has a won game.

13...

QaSch!

Much better than 13...Ngxf2 which allows 14 Bxe6, fxe6 15 Nxe6, QaS (On 15.. Qe7 16 Nh3!) 16 Bc3! with murky complications. .

14 Kfl On 14 Kd1, Nxf2ch.

14...

Ngxf2


157

Black's Knights have deftly broken into White's Kingside fortress - now White will have difficulty sheltering his King.

15 Bxe6 Or if 15 Nxe6 then 15 ...rxe6 16 Bxe6, Be7! 17 Qg7, Rf8 18 Kg2,

Nxh1 19 Kxhl, Qd2 and B lack wins.

15...

fxe6

Black foresaw this position and decided it favors B lack mainly because of White's uncoordinated forces and poorly sheltered King.

16 Nxe6 This looks annoying but B lack has an original answer.

16...

Kd7!

As it turns out, Black's King is safe here.

17 Nh3 After 17 Nxi'Sch, Raxf8 18 Qxg7ch, Kc8 Black is a pawn down, but his attack is overwhelming.

17...

Nxh3

Black will clear up the situation in his favor.

18 Qxe4 Necessary, but now the Queen is subject to an effective pin.

18...

Re8

Now Black's QR is coming into active play.

19 Nc5ch To divert Black's Queen.

19...

Qxc5

19 ... dxc5 20 Rdlch is annoying.

20 Qg4ch Recovering his piece.

20...

Kc7

Now Black's King is quite safe on the Queenside.

21 Qxh3 Now White must hurry to get his other pieces into play - unfortu nately he simply doesn't have the time for this. Be7! 21... Black doesn't worry about his g-pawn.

22 Bxg7 22 Rgl, Rhf8ch 23 Kg2, Br6 24 Bd6, Rxe2ch 25 Khl, Rd6 26 Qxh7, Rfll and B lack wins.


158

22

.•.

Rhf8ch!

Black gladly sacs the Exchange to pursue his Kingside initiative.

:1 • • � 1t �

� jf. � �

'

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out White missed a tactical possibility and got drawn into a purely tactical battle. This had to favor Black since his whole game was devoted to this type of struggle - in other words, Black's vision of where the battle was going to go won out. In the meantime, all White's lofty positional goals got thrown by the wayside. In the end, Black's more active pieces blew White off the board. Rule to be learned: Long range ideals only count for something ifyou live long enough to make them a reality. If your opponent is playing a tactically based game, you must use extreme caution at every turn and fight to get your King out ofthe center as quickly as possible.

23 Bxf8 He might as well get something for his trouble.

23... 24 K el

Rxf8ch

Of course not 24 Kg2??, Qf2 mate.

24...

Qf2ch

Pursuing the objective. 25 K d2 25 Kd2 amounts to the same.

25... Maneuvering.

Qd4ch


159

26 Kc2 Other moves drop a Rook with check.

26... Qe4ch 27 Kd2 Or 27 Kc3, Qe3ch 28 Kb4 (28 Kc2, Qe2) 28 d5 dls.ch. winning .••

easily.

27...

BgSch

The Bishop gives decisive weight.

28 Kc3 The King makes a last bid for freedom.

28...

QeSch

Now on 29 Kb4, Bd2ch 30 Ka3, Bc3 31 Qxh7ch, Kb8 32 b4, Bxa1 is devastating. White Resigns.

160


LESSON EIGHTEEN Jockeying For Position In The Middlegame White sacrifices a pawn to open lines, followed by beautiful shots. With one blow after another, White hammers home his initiative, culminating in material gain with a ferocious attack that seems to come out of the blue in Portlsch-Tlmman, Montpelller (Candidates Tourna ment 1985.

1 d4 White begins soundly by occupying the center with a pawn.

1...

Nf6

Black uses his KN to control the important e4 and dS center squares while preventing White from creating a full Classical center with 2 e4.

2 c4 Making 2 d5 inadvisable as 3 cxdS, QxdS(?) 4 Nc3 gains too much development for White, while 3...Nxd5 4 e4 is also good for White. •. •

2...

e6

Preparing to develop the KB and holding the option of 3 ... d5, es tablishing a reinforced center pawn.

3 Nf3 White avoids the immediate 3 Nc3, probably to avoid the solid Nimzo-Indian (after 3 . Bb4). ..

3...

b6

Black fianchettoes his QB to control the excellent long diagonal from aS to h 1 .

4 e3 Very solid, preparing for Kingside castling by allowing his KB develop quickly.

4

•••

to

Bb7

Black consistently fianchettoes.

5 Bd3 Contesting the vital e4 square, which is often crucial in the Queen's Indian Defense.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Eighteen

5 ...

161

Bb4ch

A forcing check which aims to simplify or pin White's QN if it moves to c3 or d2. Black could also try S...dS establishing a central pawn. For example, S ...dS 6 0-0, Bd6 7 b3, 0-0 8 Bb2, Nbd7 9 Nc3, a6 10 Ret, Qe7 11 Na4 (To pressure c5) l l ...Ne4! (Taking advantage of the fact that the control of e4 has been weakened by 1 1 Na4) 12 Qc2 (Interesting complications arise after 12 Ne5, dxc4 13 Nxc4, Bxh2ch [Also interesting is 1 3 . . .Rfc8? ! to bolster the Queenside] 14 Kxh2, Qh4ch 15 Kg1, Ng5! and now if 16 Be2(?) then 16... Nh3ch 1 7 gxh3 leads to a winning attack for Black, e.g., 1 7... Qxh3 18 f3 Qg3ch 19 Kh1 . f5! 20 Qe1, Qh3ch 21 Kg1, Rf6 and the game is over. Also, on 16 f3 then 16... Nh3ch is still good - 1 7 gxh3, Qg3ch and Black wins similarly to th e above line.) 12...f5 (Now the position is really a Dutch Defense !) 13 NeS?! (Slightly better is 13 cxd5, Bxd5! [ 1 3 ...exd5 14 Ne5 ! is good for White; the text allows the QB more activity) 14 Ne5, Bxe5 15 dxe5, Qg5 16 f4, Qg6 with unclear complications.) 13...dxc4 14 bxc4 (Forced; on 14 Nxc4, Bxh2ch! leads to a winning attack as in the above lines.) 14 ... Bxe5 15 dxeS, NecS 16 NxcS, NxcS with a very strong initiative for Black - Black's QB is much stronger than White's QB , from the game Utasl-Salov, Nlkea 1985. ,

6 Nbd2 Also of interest is 6 Bd2, Be7!? (Black feels White's QB is pas sively placed on d2 - for example, it cannot be quickly developed onto the excellent long diagonal by b3 and Bb2.) 7 0-0, cS 8 a4, 0-0 9 Bel !?, dS 10 cxdS, exdS 11 aS, c4 12 Bc2, Nc6 13 a6, Bc8 14 NeS, NeS?! (Better is

162


14...Nb8 with unclear play after 15 f4) 15 dxeS, Ne8 16 Nc3, Nc7 17 Ne2, Bc5 18 Nd4, Qe8 (Utasl-Kengls, Jurmala 1985) 19 Bc3 with a big ad vantage for White - his Kingside majority is very strong (If f4-f5) in con junction with the centralized pieces.

6

0-0

..•

Completing the Kingside development.

7 a3 Forcing Black to decide what to do with the Bishop.

Bxd2ch

7...

Black avoids losing time with the retreat 7 Be7. .•.

8 Qxd2 The unusual looking recapture is played because White intends Lo fianchetto the QB after b4 and Bb2.

cS

8...

Perhaps Black should have taken the opportunity to centralize with 8...Ne4!?.

9 b4 Gaining ground on the Queenside.

9...

d6

To reinforce the c5 pawn.

10 Bb2 Now the QB has fine prospects on the long diagonal.

10...

Nbd7

Black prefers this to 10 ...Nc6 which would block the QB and hence lessen Black's control of d5 and e4.

1 1 0-0 White brings his King into a safe position and brings his KR into play.

11

.••

Rc8

Perhaps better was l l . Qe7 leaving the Rooks uncommitted. ..

12 dxcS This important exchange gives White a Queenside pawn majority.

12...

bxcS

�\odem �\iddlegame Lessons : Lesson Eighteen

163

Opening To Middlegame Since it is impossible to knock out a skillful opponent at the out set, most master games feature endless jockeying for position in the mid dlegame. A little more space here, an outpost there, a weak square, for ex ample. It has been said that position play is the art of accumulating small advantages until these all explode in one big combination. What is so appealing about this game is the way Portisch firmly establishes a pawn majority on the Queenside, without so much as glanc ing at the other wing, and then switches his forces to the Kingside. Perhaps Black should recapture with 12 dxc5 to eliminate the weak pawn on d6, but he prefers to use his pawn wedge in the center to limit the scope of White's two Bishops. ...

13 bS Now White's Queenside pawns are a long term threat as a dan gerous passed pawn (after a4-a5 and b6) is likely.

164


White's Middlegame Plan White played directly for the two Bishops and, as things turned out, he was also able to obtain a Queenside majority of pawns plus a po tentially attackable weak point on d6. Naturally, any and all of White's middlegarne plans will revolve around these three factors. At first White will play to strengthen these different advantages so that any endgame will be favorable for him. This means that we will see an advance of the a-pawn to aS where it takes away b6 from the en emy Knight and prepares for the creation of a passed pawn; a Rook to the d-file where the battery of Queen and Rook look greedily at the weakness on d6; and a constant striving to loosen up the al -h8 diagonal for White's dark-squared Bishop. Of course, the weakness on d6 and the strong diago nal for the dark-squared Bishop could easily lead to something concrete in a middlegarne also - if Black is not careful, the al-h8 diagonal could tum into a direct path to his King.


165

Black's Middlegame Plan Black has no intention of ever playing ...Bxf3 since that would give White two Bishops vs two Knights and finn control over the impor tant e4 square (which means that Black's Knights would be inactive) after

gxf3 .

Instead of such a self destructive course, Black will fight for con trol of e4 by playing ..Ne4 and .f7-f5. This will activate his Knights, give him some chances on the Kingside due to his advantage in space there (the advance of the f-pawn would give B lack an immediate edge in Kingside territory), and block White's light-squared Bishop. Black will also have to make an important decision concerning his center pawns: Does he eventually play ... d6-d5, ridding himself of the weakness on d6 but opening up the position for the enemy Bishops; or will he advance his e-pawn to e5, blocking the al-h8 diagonal (which weakens d5 and d6 and also allows White possibilities of an f2-f4 push, fighting to rip open the long diagonal)? .

..

13

e5

.••

More circumspect was 13 . Qe7. The text leaves the d-pawn backward and weakens d5. ..

14 BfS! Neatly stepping out of Black's threatened pawn fork (14... e4) and creating an annoying pin on the Black QN.

14... Black jostles the intruder.

15 Bc2

g6

166


White stays on the bl-h7 diagonal to keep e4 under observation.

15...

Nb6

Black wants to pressure the c-pawn.

16 Qe2 Protecting the c-pawn and placing the Queen on a safer square (...Ne4 is no longer a tempo gainer.).

16...

Ne4

Black prepares to mobilize a Kingside pawn front with 16 . f5. .

.

17 a4 The majority sets into motion.

17...

Qe7

Clearing the back rank for later Rook maneuvers.

18 aS Thematically pursuing the advance of the pawn majority.

18...

Nd7

18 ...Na8 puts the Knight out of play.

19 Rad1 Putting pressure on the vulnerable d-pawn.

19...

RedS

B lack gives extra protection to the d-pawn.

20 Nd2 White begins to oust B lacks Knight.

20...

fS

Consistently advancing his Kingside mobile pawn mass while reinforcing protection of e4.

21 Rfe1 The great theorist Nimzovitch termed it a "mysterious Rook move". White intends to build up on the e-file to add force to any subse quent lines of play in which the e-file may be opened.

21...

Nd.f6

Bringing this Knight into more active play.

22 f3 White intends a timely f4, but first he finesses by bumping the B lack Knight out of e4 for the time being.

22...

NgS

Black doesn't exchange, as after 22 Nxd2 23 Rxd2 he has only helped White build up more pressure on the d-file. ..•


167

23 Qf2 White maneuvers his Queen to g3, having in mind pressure on e5 in conjunction with r4.

23

Ne6

.•.

Black should have tried 23 Nf7 or 23 ... h6, as the text allows White to continue effectively. ...

24 f4! The signal for a positional attack - White begins pressure on e5.

24...

Ne4

24...e4 gives White's QB too much scope.

25 Nxe4 Now White's plans gain momentum.

25...

fxe4

Hoping to use the f-file for counterplay.

26 Qg3 Thematically pressuring eS.

26

..•

exf4

Forced, to protect eS.

27 exf4 At first glance it seems White is losing a pawn ....

27...

Rxf4

If Black grabs the f-pawn with 27 Nxf4, then 28 Qc3 (Threatening 29 QhBch) is too much to handle. ••.

28 Bcl The point. White forces the Rook to an awkward square; since the game is opened up in the process, White's two Bishops and centralized Rooks become a formidable force.

28...

Rh4

On 28...Rf7 29 Bxe4, Bxe4 30 Rxe4, Qf6 31 Rde1, Rdl'8 32 h3 White has a terrific position.

29 RdS! A beautiful shot which sets off White advantage.

29...

e3

Black is reduced to desperate tactics as 29... Bxd5 30 cxdS, Nd4 31 Bg5! is too strong.

30 Bxe3

Rxc4

At least Black has a pawn for the moment, but.. ..

168


31 BgS! A powerful tactical blow.

31...

Qd7

On 31 ... Qg7 32 Rd2, NxgS 33 QxgS White threatens both 34 Bb3 and 34 Qxd8ch.

32 Rd2 Now threatening 33 Bb3.

32...

NxgS

Black has no good alternative.

33 Bb3 Winning material.

33...

Ne4

Of course not 33 d5 34 Bxc4. ..•

34 Bxc4ch With a Rook vs. minor piece and pawn and with a terrific central ized position, White wins easily.

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out Black got killed simply because White was able to push the Knights back (making them inactive) and rip the position open for his two Bishops. In other words, the conflicting plans of Bishops vs. Knights was clearly won by White and that alone was enough to win the game. All the tactics that appeared simply served to highlight the strength of the Bish ops.


169

Rule to be learned: Two Bishops can be extremely powerful if the board opens up. lfyou have the Knights, you need to create permanent support points for them or they will be pushed back and turn into fodder for the enemy forces.

34...

Kh8

On 34...d5 35 Rxe4.

35 Qh4 Now on 3S...Nxd2 36 Qf6ch is crushing.

35...

Re8

The only try.

36 Rf2! Taking advantage of f6 again - if 36... Nxf2 37 Qf6ch is curtains.

36...

Qg7

If 36 ...dS lhen 37 Rxe4, dxe4 38 Qf6ch, Qg7 39 Qxg7ch, Kxg7 40 Rlich picks up lhe QB.

37 Rf7 Invading lhe 7lh with decisive consequences.

37...

Qd4ch

Black continues to gasp.

38 Khl Now 38...Nxf2 loses to 39 Qxf2!, Qxf2 40 Rxe8 mate.

38...

h5

Forced.

39 Qf4 Threatening 40 Qh6 mate.

39...

gS

Why stop now !

40 Rf8ch The end approaches rapidly.

40...

Rxf8

What else.

41 Qxf8ch Now it a forced mate.

41 ... Sheer momentum.

42 Bg8ch

Kh7

170


And Black resigns as it is mate after 42 ... Kg6 43 Qfich, Kh6 44 Qh7ch, or 42 ... Kh8 43 Bfi dls.ch., Kh7 44 Qg8ch, Kh6 45 Qg6.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Nineteen

171

LESSON NINETEEN The Good Bishop In The Late Middlegame, Early Endgame After both sides castle on opposite wings, it looks as if the battle will be decided in a furious middlegame. Whose attack will come flfSt? Gavrlkov-Kuprelchlk, USSR Championship 1985. Instead the Queens are swapped and suddenly a late middlegame and early endgame blos soms. White makes the mistake of trading his remaining Bishop for a Knight, thereby conceding the initiative.

1 d4 Staking out d4 while exerting pressure on c5 and e5.

1...

d5

Black responds accordingly.

2 c4 Hoping Black will take 2 .. dxc4 allowing White to form a full pawn center with 3 e4 (though this line is theoretically playable for both sides). .

2

•..

e6

To respond to 3 cxd5 with 3...exd5 maintaining a pawn on d5.

3 Nf3 Developing and controlling d4 and e5.

3...

Nf6

Black correspondingly controls d5 and e4.

4 Nc3 Now both White Knights together touch all of the center squares.

4...

c6

In some lines Black intends to play ..dxc4 and keep the extra pawn with b7-b5. This leads to extremely sharp play with chances for both players. .

5 Bg5 White enters the sharp main line of the aforementioned pawn sacrifice. More conservative was 5 e3 protecting the c-pawn.

5... Black goes for the pawn.

dxc4

172


6 e4 To take advantage of the pin by threatening e4-e5. Since Black's d-pawn went foraging, White happily occupies the center.

6...

bS

Serving notice - the extra pawn will be held.

7 e5 Intensifying.

7

h6

•••

Otherwise Black would lose a piece.

8 Bh4 White avoids giving up the two Bishops and simplifying by 8 Bxf6. It is in White's interests to complicate and attack.

8...

gS

Necessary to save the piece.

9 Nxg5 White sacs temporarily seeing that he will regain his piece.

9...

hxgS

Now White will equalize in pawns, but Black still has good piece play.

10 BxgS Threatening 1 1 Bxf6 spearing a Rook.

10...

Be7

The simplest though also played is 10 Nbd7. •..

1 1 exf6 Soon play resolves through these exchanges. White has an iso lated d-pawn and Black has a Queenside pawn majority. On the other hand, White has a passed h-pawn and his Bishop has more mobility at the moment.

11

••.

Bxf6

Both sides face complex problems.

12 Bxf6 Practically forced.

12

.• •

Qxf6

In this variation Black often castles Queenside protected by the "forest" of pawns there.

13 g3

Modern Middlegame Lessons: Lesson Nineteen

173

White's Bishop clearly must go to the long diagonal to obtain good scope. Also, a later advance of the h-pawn is provided for.

13...

Na6

A good square for the Knight as after Black's Queenside castling, the Black QR will be pressing on White's weak d-pawn.

14 Bg2 Developing with a threat - often the sign of a good move.

White's Middlegame Plan White knows that the only safe place for Black's King is the Queenside, so he should play to rip that side open with moves like a2-a4 and b2-b3. He will also play Ne4 when his Knight eyes the cS and d6 squares.

174


Black's Middlegame Plan Black will castle Queenside and apply immediate pressure to White's isolated pawn on d4. This central counterattack should prove rather annoying for White. Black can also run his Knight to some nice squares on d3 or d5 (via b4). With a Knight on d3, the White Rooks will be unable to defend d4 and the b2 pawn will also become vulnerable. All in all, White has the more vulnerable targets on d4 and b2, so the first player must hope that his attack on the Queenside succeeds or face the long range consequences that these pawn weaknesses bring.

14...

Bb7

Black hurries to castle while meeting the threat.

15 Ne4 The tempting 15 Nxb5 only gives Black the initiative after 15 . 00-0! with a big lead in development for Black. .

15...

.

Qe7

The only good retreat. But now Black is ready to castle and attack in the center with c5.

16 0-0 White will try to prove Black's King is more vulnerable to attack on the Queenside than White's is on the Kingside.

16... "The die is cast! "

1 7 a4 To loosen up Black's pawns.

0-0-0

17

•.•

Kb8

To guard the a-pawn and move to a less exposed square.

18 Qd2 Clearing the back rank to be able to rush his Rooks into active positions on the Queenside.

18...

Nb4

An interesting Knight foray whose primary aim is the weak d3 square.

19 Qf4ch

Opening To Middlegame In this late middlegame and early ending where Black has a B ishop vs. Knight with both Rooks still on the board, the strength of the Bishop can be seen clearly. He controls both sides of the board at the same time while the Knight, because of its more limited scope, can only hobble a few steps at a time. Even though White is momentarily a pawn ahead, he is so busy trying to find a good square for his Knight thal cannot find the time to advance his passed Kingside pawns effectively. Finally the proud steed is forced to retreat all the way back to a pitiful square at d 1 . A t the right moment, B lack trades his Bishop for the Knight. But by the time White manages to get into a pure Rook and pawn ending, it is too late. Black's two passed pawns are too far advanced to be stopped. A very instructive game, Gavrlkov-Kuprelchlk, USSR Championship 1985, in which one phase merges logically into the next, proving once again that a game of chess is an organic whole.

176


19

Qc7

•••

Black could have tried 19 Ka8!?, though admittedly it would take a lot of nerve to sit at the focal point of the a-file and the long h1 -a8 diagonal ..•

20 Qxc7ch White enters the ending banking on his outside passed h-pawn and pressure down the a-file. However, as will be seen, the Black forces coordinate well in the ensuing play.

20...

Kxc7

The only drawback to this move is now the a-pawn is tactically weak.

21 Ng5 On the tempting 21 NcS Black replies 2t...Nc2! attacking the QR and the d-pawn, and if White sacrifices the Exchange with 22 axbS then 22 ... Nxa1 23 Rxa1, Rxd4 favors Black.

21...

Rhf8

The best way to guard the f-pawn.

22 axb5 Now White probably feels optimistic.

22...

cxb5

Black bas confidence in his active pieces.

23 Rxa7 Superficially things appear bad for B lack.

23...

Nc6!

But this strong reply sets off Black's superior position.

24 Bxc6 White would rather not trade off his good Bishop, but alternatives simply give Black a strong initiative anyway, e.g., 24 Rfa1 ?, Nxa7 25 Rxa7, Rb8 is very strong for Black.

24...

Kxc6

Notice how far afield White's Knight is.

25 Nf3 White logically tries to bring the Knight to a more active post.

25...

Kb6

Unblocking the QB and "bumping" the invading Rook. 26 Rfa1 ?

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Nineteen

177

A cute tactical point arises - on 26 Bxf3?? 27 Rla6 is mate. Also, on 26 Ra3, then Black can continue 26...b4 27 Re3, Bxf3 28 Rxf3, Rxd4 with a clearly better Rook and pawn ending. . •.

26...

eS!?

A finessing tactical idea. Now if 27 dxeS? then 27 ...Bxf3 snares a piece as there is no mate. Another more conservative idea was 26...f6!? with the idea of 27... eS.

27 Nxe5 Forced. Otherwise 27 ... exd4 is too strong.

27...

Rxd4

Black intends to use the open d-file in conjunction with the ma rauding Black Bishop to create unpleasant back rank mating threats.

28 h4 Hoping to use the h-pawn to good effect.

28...

Rfd8!

A well-timed seizure of the d-file.

29 Nxfi White decides to grab the pawn as there is nothing better.

29...

Rd1ch

Now though White is two pawns up, Black's invading Rooks give Black the better position. 30 K h2 Obviously not 30 Rxdl, Rxdlch 31 Kh2, Rhl mate.

30...

Rxa1

This is better than 30... R8d2 which allows White to play 31 Rxb7ch!, Kxb7 32 Rxdl, Rxdl 33 hS with counterplay.

31 Rxa1 White only needs a breather to consolidate, but Black's potential passed c-pawn in conjunction with his extremely active Rook and Bishop give him great pressure.

31 . ..

Rf8

Now Black gets back at least one pawn while retaining the initiative.

32 Nd6 After 32 NgS!?, Rxf2ch 33 Kh3, Black wins with 33 . Rxb2 and on 34 hS, Rf2! 35 h6, Rf6, etc. ..

32...

Rxf2ch

178


Now with the furious activity of the Rook on the 7th rank, White's position becomes critical

33 Kh3 33 Kg1 allows 33 Rg2ch, picking up the g-pawn. .•.

33...

Bg2ch

Moving the Bishop to a safe square while forcing the White King to block the g-pawn.

34 Kg4 White hopes to use his King to support the advance of his passed pawns.

34

.••

KcS!

B lack shows his King can have a say in the proceedings.

35 Nf5 Keeping the Knight close in to help support the h-pawn's advance.

35...

Be4

Centralizing the Bishop with a gain of time - note it covers the important h7 square over which the h-pawn must pass to Queen.

36 Ne3 Holding on.

36...

Kd4!

The King invades further, driving the Knight to a poor position.

37 Ndl At least holding the b-pawn for a while.

37...

Bf3ch

To attack the defender of the b-pawn.

38 KgS Of course not 38 KfS or 38 Kf4 because of 38...Bxdldls.ch. winning a piece.

38...

Rd2

But not 38 ... Rn because of the witty resource 39 Ne3! as 39 Rxal is answered by 40 Nc2ch and 41 Nxa1. ...

39 Nc3 The only square to save the Knight.

39...

Rxb2

Removing the b-pawn leads to victory quickly.

Modern Mlddlegame Lesson'>: Lesson Nineteen

179

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out White became tempted by certain tactical possibilities and went into an endgame, thus destroying his own chances to acquire play against the Black King - you rarely want to trade Queens if you hope to build up an attack. This proved unwise since Black was able to force a trade of Knight for Bishop, giving him a superior minor piece and more active Rooks. When the White Knight lost more and more time as it got kicked around, the Black forces penetrated deep into the enemy position. The fall of the weak pawn on b2 effectively ended the game in Black's favor. Black won this game because he was able to continually make use of the positive features from the opening (weak White pawns on b2 and d4) right into the endgame. White should have avoided the endgame like the plague, but he misread the position and got punished accordingly. Rule to be learned: By noting the advantages that the position bestows upon you, you must decide which phase of the game best suppons these factors. If you own long range endgame plusses, then exchanges will always be welcomed. If your only positive feature is a weakened enemy King, then you will retain the Queens and try for a middlegame knockout.

40 Kf4 Nothing helps.

40

•••

Kxc3

Black takes the simplest route to win.

41 Kxf3 Now even though material is even, B lack wins easily because his well supported passed pawns are much quicker than White's.

180

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons 41...

Rh2

Preventing either White pawn from moving.

42 Kg4 And seeing the hopelessness of further play, White Resigns.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty

181

LESSON TWENTY The Good Knight In The Late Middlegame, Early Endgame Emanuel Lasker once observed that games between top players of equal strength usually end in draws and are apt to be dull. Indeed, in 120 games in four title matches between these two titans from 1 984 to 1988, one of the greatest rivalries in the history of chess, Kasparov led by a simple point. More than two-thirds of these games were drawn. Obviously struggles between the two greatest players of an epoch are unlikely to hinge on gross errors. More likely, one of them will be outplayed on a high level. Kasparov-Karpov, Leningrad 1986, 22nd Match Game.

1 d4 Occupying d4 and hoping to get in e4 with a fine pawn center.

1...

Nf6

Preventing 2 e4. A solid alternative was l. . d5. .

2 c4 Pressing d5 and the Queenside in general.

2...

e6

Now if 3 Nc3, Black can play the Nimzo-Indian Defense with 3 Bb4. ...

3 Nf3 Sidestepping the Nirnzo.

3...

d5

Other choices are 3 c5 (Benoni Defense), 3 ..b6 (Queen's Indian Defense), and 3.. Bb4ch (Bogo-Indian Defense). ...

.

.

4 Nc3 The most aggressive square for the Knight. 4... Be7 Simple sound development.

5 Bg5 The immediate 5 e3 (although perfectly playable) locks in White's QB, so he moves it out first.

5...

h6


182

Forcing the Bishop to declare its intentions.

6 Bxf6 Avoiding any loss of time.

6...

Bxf6

Black now has the Bishop to help counterbalance White's "first move" initiative.

7 e3 The more aggressive looking 7 e4, dxe4 8 Nxe4 allows Black pressure against White's d-pawn.

7

.••

0-0

Getting the King into a secure place while bringing the KR into play.

8 Rcl Hoping to use the c-file for positional pressure.

8...

c6

Fortifying dS while blunting somewhat White's potential c-file pressure.

9 Bd3 Usually the best square for the KB in the Queen's Gambit.

9...

Nd7

Black has in mind the following freeing maneuver (e6-e5). 9 dxc4 10 Bxc4, Nd7 would transpose into the game. •••

10 0-0 White has more space (pawn as d4) and a lead in development, but the solid character of Black's position plus the two Bishop hold White's edge to a minimum.

10...

dxc4

The immediate 10 e5 runs into trouble after 1 1 cxd5. ••.

11 Bxc4 Now after e6-e5 White's Bishop will have excellent scope on the a2-t7 diagonal. 11 eS To allow the QB to come into play on the c8-h3 diagonal. ••.

12 h3! A fine strategic move which prevents Black from playing Bg4 (After Nb6). 12 exd4 ..•

�lodem �liddlegame Les:som: Lesson Twen�·

183

Black must move the Knight to bring out the QB , but 12.-Nbl5 leaves eS under protected, so he exchanges in the process giving White an isolated d-pawn.

13 exd4 The isolated d-pawn is not weak since White's pieces are very active.

13 ....

Nb6

Gaining a tempo and allowing the QB into play.

14 Bb3 Best. 14 Bd3 allows 14 Be6 with a satisfactory game for Black. ...

14...

Bf5

Black is almost caught up in development.

15 Ret Now every White piece is deployed.

15...

a5

To obtain some space on the Queenside, in some cases the Black QR may come into play via aS.

16 a3 To allow the KB to remain on the a2-f7 diagonal after a later a4.

16...

ReS

Trying to reduce White's pressure by timely simplification.

17 Rxe8ch Hoping the Queen will have to lose a tempo later, since on e8, Ret will sooner or later gain a tempo.

17...

Qxe8

Black must now try to bring his QR into play.

18 Qd2 Heading for f4.

184


White's Middlegame Plan Several pieces have been traded and White seems to be the only one with a weak pawn (isolated d-pawn) but the first players' initiative is still bothersome for Black. White is going to use his d-pawn to control the important eS square, and after moves like Rel and Qf4, a subsequent NeS (working with the Bishop on b3) will create pressure on f7. Note thaL if Black ever captures a Knight on eS then dxeS will move the once isolated pawn to eS where it gains Kingside space and eyes the nice d6 square (which might become accessible to the other White Knight via Nc3-e4d6). One final point: since White will be doing everything he can to create King side threats, he will avoid a Queen trade like the plague.


185

Black's Middlegame Plan The only potentially weak point that B lack can ever hope to at tack in the White position is d4, but - aside from the fact that this pawn is well protected - Black will never be able to go after it since White's initia tive is keeping the second player off balance. Black's dream, of course, is to gain control of the important d5 square by trading light-squared Bishops and the b6 Knight for its counterpart on c3. Then Black could take the initiative by placing his Rook on d8 or d5 and going after the d-pawn. However, I have already said that White will never allow this to happen so Black's defense is by no means easy. He can consider ideas like Qd7 followed by Nd5 to close off the Bishop's a2-g8 diagonal (not too at tractive here since a subsequent capture on d5 would leave Black's d-pawn weaker than White's and, while Black is following this plan, the e5 square would fall completely into White's hands); another plan is Nd7, a move that hopes to keep White out of e5. Then Black could try to get his Rook to the e-file and trade off the final pair of Rooks. • ..

•. .

18... Perhaps better was 18 .. .a4 19 Ba2, Qd7.

Nd7

186


Opening To Middlegame Kasparov's sole advantage will be a more active White Knight after the middlegame is over against a somewhat passive Bishop. But the Knight, because it controls squares of both colors, is able to create mating threats in the endgame. Patiently and persistently Black is ground down in a game that is a test of wills as much as chess knowledge.

19 Qf4! Accurate. On 19 Ret, B lack has 19 Qb8 preventing 20 Qf4. •. •

19...

Bg6

Keeping the Kingside reinforced.

20 h4! White steps up the pressure with this fine move which aims at g4 and hS.

20... To gain counterplay with

Qd8 ..•

Qb6.

21 Na4 Preventing Qb6 while allowing NcS in some variations.

21...

hS!

Black defends well. The text prevents g4 and hS, e.g. 2l. .. Bh5? 22 g4, Bg6 23 hS, Bh7 24 NeS with a big advantage. Also, on 21. ..Qb8 White can continue 22 Qg4 (Threatening 23 Qxg6 and 23 Qxdl) 22 ...Nf8 23 hS, Bh7 24 NcS with a very strong game for White.

22 Re1 Controlling the important central e-file.

22...

bS


187

Trying to stir up some counterplay.

23 Nc3 Back to the central zone.

23...

Qb8

Due to White's Kingside attacking prospects, Black naturally would like to trade off the Queens.

24 Qe3 No thanks.

24

b4

•••

After the alternative 24 a4 25 Ba2, b4 26 Ne4, ba 27 ba, with an edge for White. •..

25 Ne4 A timely centralization.

25...

bxa3

After 2S...Bxe4 26 Qxe4, bxa3 White has the strong move 27 Qxc6! and if 27 axb2 28 QdS!. 26 Nxf6ch Removing Black's strong KB and consequently gaining more in fluence on the dark squares (e5, g5 for example). 26... Nxf6 White's pieces are still more active. Black must defend with great accuracy. .••

27 bxa3 The tempting move 27 NeS allows Black dangerous counterplay after 27... a4!.

27

•••

NdS!

Forcing the following trade of White's active KB.

28 BxdS Otherwise the Bishop is lost.

28...

cxdS

Since Black's d-pawn is fixed on dS, his Bishop is somewhat "bad". On the other hand, White's Knight has several good squares (e5, c5, g5, f4, d).

29 Ne5

Occupying the fine eS outpost and threatening 30 Nxg6 and 31 Qe6ch winning the d-pawn.

29...

Qd8

188


On 29 Qd6 30 Rcl is strong. .••

30 Qf3 Also good is 30 Qf4.

30...

Ra6

Finally bringing the QR into the action.

31 Rcl Shifting to the c-file with excellent opportunities to maraud the Black pawns not to mention possible back rank tactical ploys.

31...

Kh7?!

A crucial moment. To be considered was 31. .. Qxb4!? though after 32 QxdS, Kh7 33 Nf3, Qg4 34 NgSeb, Kh6 3S Nxlieh, Bxli 36 Qxli, Rf6 37 Qe4 (Not 37 Qd5, Rxf2! 38 Kxf2. Qf4ch and Black can draw) 37 Rg6 38 g3! White has the better of it. •••

32 Qh3! To penetrate with the Rook to e8 while holding the h-pawn.

32...

Rb6

Black rightly strives for active counterplay . After the passive 32 Re6 White retains strong pressure with 33 ReS!. •••

33 Rc8 Now in some cases White might threaten to move both heavy pieces to the 8th rank with mating threats through Q or R to h8.

33...

Qd6

Hoping to counterattack against White's a-pawn by 34...a4 and •••

Rb3.

34 Qg3 Now on 34 ... Qe6 White plays 3S ReS maintaining all his advantages.

34...

a4?

Consistent, but bad at this point. True, after 34 Rbleh 3S Kh2, Qa6 36 ReS!, QbS (Or 36... Qfl 37 Qf3, a4 38 Nxfl, Bxfl 39 Qxfl, Qglch 40 Kg3, Rb3ch 41 f3 and White is winning) 37 Ra8! White is in control, but this was the better chance. .•.

35 Ra8! Pressuring Black's a-pawn.

35...

Qe6!

Modem Mlddlegame Lesso ns: Lesson Twenty

189

The best move. On 3S Ra6 White has 36 Nxf7! since 36 Qxg3 37 Rh8 is mate and 36 Bxf7 allows 37 Qd3ch picking up the Ra6. Also if 35...Rb3 then 36 Rh8ch! takes advantage of Black's unprotected Qd6. •.•

. ..

.•.

36 Rxa4 Winning a pawn, but the position is still quite complex.

36...

QfS

Trying to bring the Queen into a more active role.

27 Ra7 Seizing the 7th rank and allowing the outside passed a-pawn to advance.

37

Rblch

•.•

Black must continue to counterattack, passive play is hopeless.

38 Kh2 White's King is now secure enough.

38...

Rcl

In order to play Qbl with the idea of Rhlch.

39 Rb7 Preventing Qbl .

39

Rc2

•••

Threatening fl.

40 f3 On 40 Nf3 Black has 40 f6! restricting White's Knight. ...

40...

Rd2

Hoping to tie White to protecting his d-pawn.

41 Nd7!! This brilliant move includes some deep tactical ideas.


190

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out Black attempted to keep White out of eS and exchange pieces, but White was able to steer Black into a position where the remaining White Knight was clearly superior to the defending enemy Bishop. This advantage of the superior minor piece combined with White's more active Rook and Black's hunted King eventually led to a winning attack against the Black monarch. In the end, Black was unable to neutralize White's more active pieces. Rule to be learned: Passive positions with no visible source of counterploy should be avoided at all costs. make sure that you always have some sort of active, positive idea to follow or you might discover that constructive moves will be very difficult to find. In this game even a superb player like Karpov was unable to cope with the defensive problems that the opening created.

41.

••

Rxd4

He might as well grab the pawn and hope he can hold out somehow.

42 Nf8ch Continuing to penetrate Black's Kingside.

42...

Kh6

On 42 Kh8 or g8 43 Rb8 decides. 43 Rb4!! ...

White sees he can maintain the attack even if the Rooks are traded due to Black's vulnerable King position.

43...

Rc4


191

On 43...Rxb4 44 axb4, d4 45 b5 White's attack will come through first 45 ... d3 46 b6, d2 47 b7, dl=Q 48 b8=Q, Qcl 49 Nxg6, Qxg6 (49...fxg6 50 QhB mate) 50 Qh8ch, Qh7 51 Qgxg7 mate. Also, if 43 ... Rdl 44 Rb8, Bh7 45 Qg5ch! wins a piece. -

44 Rxc4 White sees a winning tactic and so doesn't mind this trade.

44...

dxc4

At first glance Black doesn't seem too bad off.

45 Qd6! But this shot clarifies things 46 Qd2 and mate next is threatened.

45...

c3

At least stopping Qd2ch.

46 Qd4 Now 47 Qe3ch is the threat. In view of the possible line 47...Bh7 48 Qxc3 with a sound outside passed pawn, B lack decides to give it up. Black Resigns.


192

LESSON TWENTY ONE Middlegame: Attack On Opposite Wings Encounters between Karpov and Korchnoi are always fascinating because they both detest each other. Korchnoi lost three matches - in 1974, 1978 and 198 1 . A few years after their last title match, when defector Korchnoi's family was finally released from the USSR, the two Ks actually sat down to play bridge with each other. Korchnoi explained to astonished onlookers: "We needed a fourth!" Later Korchnoi said that he doesn't know how to forgive himself for having played bridge with Karpov. Kar pov-Korchnol, London 1984.

1 Nf3 White prevents Black from playing t. ..eS while not committing either of his center pawns.

Nf6

1 ...

Black follows the same policy. Also quite playable is the classical 1 ...d5.

2 c4 Striking at dS and staking out some Queenside territory.

2...

g6

Black chooses hypermodern development for his KB . Solid and sound is 2 e6 followed by J dS or 2 c5 copying White. ...

...

...

3 Nc3 The most active square for this Knight from which it reinforces pressure on dS and e4.

3...

d5

Introducing a sort of Gruenfeld Defense (Technically it is still an English Opening since White has not yet played d4 but he transposes the next move) -

4 d4 Now it's officially a Gruenfeld. Not so good would be 4 g3 be cause of the space gaining reply 4 d4 with good play for Black. ...

4...

Bg7

The Black KB exerts strong pressure along the long al-h8 diago nal from here.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty One

193

5 BgS White intends to play an early e3, so he brings out his QB fust so as to not block it in by e3. Ne4 5 A sharp countermove with the positional threat of NxgS getting the two Bishops. 6 cxd5 Not 6 NxdS? because of 6 N xg5 7 NxgS, e6! attacking both Knights. NxgS 6... Now Black retains the two Bishops, however White is not too concerned about this as his intended e3 will fonn a finn barrier against the action of the fianchettoed KB. 7 Nxg5 White's pawn gain is only temporary. 7... e6 The point, the double attack on dS and dS recovers the pawn. 8 Nf3 Returning to home. exdS 8... Due to the pawn structure, White will have the option of playing the so called Minority attack against Black's Queenside pawns. This is characterized by b2-b4-b5 which, in conjunction with the half-open e-file, will give positional pressure against Black's c-pawn. 9 e3 "Rounding out" his intended central pawn structure. ••.

...

9...

0-0

Completing his Kingside development before committing any of his Queenside pieces or pawns.

10 b4 Beginning the Minority attack.

10...

Be6

Reinforcing dS and avoiding c7-c6 for the time being to avoid making a target for White's intended b4-b5. 1 1 Be2 The best square for the Bishop, on d3 it would be of little effect against Black's strong fianchetto pawn formation.

194


1 1 ...

Nd7

Completing his minor piece development.

12 0-0 Scooting his King to safer quarters and bringing the KR into action.

12...

fS

Black uses his Kingside pawns aggressively intending f5-f4 and f4xe3 leaving White with a weak backward e-pawn. Also if White answers f5-f4 with exf4 then his d-pawn is isolated.

13 Re1 A good centralizing counter. Now the flank thrust 13 f5-f4 is well met by 1 4 e4! and the opening of the center would give White the initiative. ...

13 ...

gS

Opening To Middlegame This game is j ust as uncompromising as their (Karpov-Korchnoi) off-the-board behavior. They both attack furiously on opposite wings, but Black's offense on the Kingside soon comes to a grinding halt and the ad vanced pawns suddenly look like big weaknesses. Operating skillfully with threats on both wings, Karpov infiltrates in the center with his heavy pieces. Despite the reduced material, he manages to construct an ingenious mating attack. Curiously, Karpov's victory is accomplished on the Kingside - the wing on which Korchnoi started his own attack.

14 Rcl


195

Calmly seizing control of the strategic c-f1le for further Queen side pressure.

14...

Kh8

Geuing to a less exposed square and allowing the possibility of using the g-file for a Rook in some eventualities.

15 Bd3 White uses tactics to restrain Black's f5-f4 - e.g., now 1S...g4 is answered by 1 6 Nd2 and on 16 ...f4 17 exf4 unveils an attack on the Black QB.

White's Middlegame Plan At the moment the center is closed, so the play is going to occur on the wings. It's clear that B lack is trying to mate White on the Kingside, though these pawn advances also compromise his own King's safety. White has two ideas that he is going to follow: 1 ) A Black f5-f4 thrust will allow White to open the center with either e3-e4! or simply exf4. This follows the rule that the best reaction to an attack on the wing is a coun terattack in the center. 2) White will play to put pressure on the Black c7 pawn. If Black ever plays it to c6, then White will advance his b-pawn to bS and rip open lines on the Queenside. An important point to understand is that Black is giving White endgame odds. This means that Black is placing his faith in this Kingside attack, but any trade of Queen's will end that attack but do nothing to stop White's play on the opposite wing. This is why so many top players are willing to allow their King's to be attacked while they seek Queenside ...

196


play; they know that they are getting the long-range chances - most end games will favor the side with the Queenside attack.

Black's Middlegame Plan With no play in the center and an inferior position on the Queen side, Black has decided to do everything he can to stomp White out of existence on the Kingside. This plan is somewhat one-dimensional, but Black is now committed to it. Ideas like g5-g4 followed by Rf8-f6-h6 and Qh4 are in the air and Black is always looking for ways to activate his dark-squared Bishop. It is also possible to play his Knight from d7 to f6 to e4, but that may give White an opportunity to place his own Knight on eS. .•.

.••

••.

15

•••

c6?!

This creates a target for White's Queenside demonstration. On 15 ... g4 16 Nd2, Nf6 White plays Ne2 heading for the newly weakened f4 square. Perhaps best was 15 a6 so that in the case of b4-b5 Black can at least use the a-file after axbS. . ••

16 bS Now if Black trades c6xb5 then he is left with an isolated d-pawn while if he doesn't take then White can take b5xc6 and after b7xc6 Black has a vulnerable backward c-pawn.

16...

g4

Black hurries with his Kingside activity. Otherwise he would be tied down to purely passive defense - not usually a good policy. 16...c5 leaves White with a positional plus after 17 dxcS, NxcS 18 Nd4.


197

17 Nd2 Also possible was 17 bxc6 and after 17 gxf3 (Or 1 7 .. bxc6 18 Nd2, c5 19 Bb5 with advantage to White) 1 8 cxd7, fxg2 19 f4, Qd7 20 Re2 followed by Rxg2 is good for White. . ••

17...

.

c5

Black struggles for active counterplay.

18 dxc5 Not 18 Ne2 as after 18 ... c4 Black's pawns cramp White's play on the c-file.

18

••.

Nxc5

Black has achieved some freedom, but at the cost of an isolated d-pawn.

19 Nb3 Poor would be 19 Bb1? allowing 19 ...d4! opening up the position for Black's two Bishops and getting rid of Black's isolated d-pawn.

19...

Nxb3

Winning the two Bishops against the two Knights here favors White after 19 ...Nxd3 20 Qxd3 as Black's d-pawn is too weak and White's Knights have excellent strong posts on d4, f4.

20 axb3! Also good was 20 Qxb3 with an edge, but the text is even stronger.

20

.•.

ReS

Now Black has a complete development. but his weaker pawn structure and somewhat drafty Kingside pawn structure give White a definite position superiority.

21 Ne2

Maneuvering against Black's weak d4 and f4 squares.

21...

Rxcl

Hoping to slightly misplace the recapturing White piece.

22 Qxc1 Not 22 Nxcl as the Knight is heading for f4.

22...

Qb6

Hoping to gain a tempo with ReS and eyeing d5-d4 to get rid of the isolated pawn.

23 Nf4


198

Now on 23 ... Rc8 White has 24 Qb1 and the f-pawn is under too much pressure.

Bg8

23...

Black now hopes to be able to play 24 d4. ••.

24 g3! White allows it foreseeing a good response. Not so effective is 24 Qc2 as after 24 d4 Black has counterchances. .•.

24...

d4

Trying to get rid of the weakling.

25 Bc4! Trading off Black's two Bishops.

Rc8

25...

After 25 dxe3 26 Rxe3, Bd4 27 Re2 followed by Qel, White has a clear advantage. •..

26 Qbl ! Focusing on Black's f-pawn.

dxe3 26... On the indirect trade of pawns 26 Bxc4 27 bxc4, Rxc4 28 Qxf5 .••

White is much better.

27 Rxe3 With distinct pressure on the e-file

27...

Qc5

Holding the f-pawn.

28 Qel !

Now if 28 Bxc4 29 bxc4, Qxc4 then White exploits the e-file with 30 ReSch, Rxe8 31 Qxe8ch, Qg8 32 Qd7, DeS 33 Nd5 and Black's pawns will soon be picked off. •..

28...

Bd4

Trying to use one of his positional advantages - the strong dark squared Bishop. But this doesn't outweigh the other positional factors (weak pawns and exposed Kingside).

29 Re2 Not 29 Re7 because of 29 ... Bxf2ch!

29...

Bxc4

Other moves offer no more, e.g., 29 ... Bg7 30 ReS or 29 Rf8 30 Bxg8, Rxg8 31 Ne6. ...

30 bxc4


199

White's positional grip soon proves too much for Black's "loose" position.

Rg8

30...

On 30. . Qxc4 31 ReSch, Rxe8 32 Qxe8ch, Kg7 33 Ne6ch, Kf6 34 Nxd4 and on 34 Qxd4 35 Qh8ch wins. .

.••

31 Qcl ! Again 3 1 Re7? i s answered b y 3l. Bxf2ch. . .

31...

ReS

Black tries Lo counterattack.

32 Qc2 Resuming play against the f-pawn.

32...

Bg7

WhiLe refutes 32 Qxc4 with 33 ReSch! as 33 Rxe8 drops the .•.

.• .

Queen.

33 Qd3 Threatening to invade the 7th rank with Qd7.

33...

Qd4

On 33... Rc7 34 ReSch wins.

34 QxfS The end nears.

34... Black tries

LO

Qxc4

keep up in the pawn grabbing contest

35 Re7 Now WhiLe operates with direct action against Black's King.

35...

Rd8

Threatening male in three (36... Rd1 ch, 37 Re 1, Rxe 1 ch and 38. . . Qf1 mate.).

36 Kg2 Staying out of the Rooks range.

36... Aiming for f3.

37 Qxg4 Simple and crushing.

Qb3


200

How The Player's Respective Plans Work Out The Black Kingside attack never really got going, so the second player tried to activate his dark-squared Bishop instead. However, this failed because White was able to open up the center when Black's weak pawns on dS and fS, plus the open Black King became critical factors that ultimately led to Black's demise. Rule to be learned: The side with a loose King always wants the center to remain closed because an open center would allow the enemy pieces to flow through that area arui pour themselves on the poorly de fended monarch.

37...

Rg8

Overlooking White's next, but it is over in any event.

38 Ng6ch! Now 38 hxg6 39 Qh4ch and mate next. Black Resigns. ..•

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty Two

201

LESSON TWENTY TWO Blending The Opening, Middlegame and Endgame Anatoly Karpov has been compared to a boa constrictor who squeezes the life out of its victims. But this Karpov-Hubner, Tilburg 1982 game demonstrates that there is venom in his squeeze.

1 e4 Considered by many leading players to be White's all around best first move.

1 ...

c6

The Caro-Kann, probably Black's most solid defense against 1 e4.

2 d4 White rorms a Classical two pawn center.

2...

dS

Black challenges White's two pawn center with his d-pawn. Now if 3 exdS, then 3...cxd5 maintains Black's center pawn.

3 Nd2 More usual is 3 Nc3, but the text amounts to the same thing. On 3 eS, BfS B lack's QB achieves a good post - one of the plus points of the Caro-Kann Defense.

3 ...

dxe4

Black trade in order to remove White's central e-pawn which in tum gives Black the fS square for his QB .

4 Nxe4 White still has more center pawn control with his remaining d pawn . But Black's position has no weaknesses and it's hard to crack.

4...

BfS

Getting out the QB while jostling the White Knight.

5 Ng3 5 Bd3 drops the d-pawn after S...Qxd4.

5...

Bg6

From here the Bishop cuts across the best diagonal (bl-lzl) for White's KB.

202


6 h4 A useful finesse gaining more space on the Kingside for future exploitation. Also possible, but less aggressive is the simple 6 Nf3.

h6

6...

In order to maintain the Bishop on its excellent diagonal. 7 Nf3 A good developing move which threatens to leap onto eS with the tempo gaining threat of Nxg6 winning the two Bishops while wrecking Black's pawn structure. Nd7 7 Stopping 8 NeS and preparing to castle Queenside in some cases. -

.•.

8 h5 Cramping Black's Kingside more and allowing the possibility of Rh4, bringing the Rook into play against Black's cramped Kingside. Bh7 8... Maintaining his watch on bl·h7 S. .BfS is possible as 9 NxfS, QaSch retains material equality, but at too much cost - the two Bishops and time. 9 Bd3 Admitting Black's QB is so well placed that it must be traded for White's KB - a small strategic victory for Black. Bxd3 9... Otherwise White trades on h7 leaving Black's King Rook on a poor square. Also Black would lose the option of Kingside castling. 10 Qxd3 Helping to clear the way for Queenside castling. Ngf6 10... The best square for the KN. Another move is 10 Qc7 which also restrains White from bringing his QB to f4. 11 Bf4 Taking the opportunity to develop to its most active square. -

.

...

1 1 ...

e6

Preparing to bring out the KB.

12 0-0-0 Now White is close to full mobilization. Be7 12... The only good square, but sound enough.


203

13 Ne5 Establishing a centralized "beachhead" on eS, one of White's strategic tnunps against the Caro-K.ann.

13...

0-0

Getting his King out of the center.

14 c4 Helping control d5 with later possible pawn thrusts c5 or d5. A popular alternative is 14 Qe2 with more pressure on the d-file. In the game Tlmman-Hubner, Tllburg 1982, White tried 1 4 Nxd7 and after 14 Qxd7 15 Be5, Rad8 16 Qe2, Qd5 17 Kb1 Black should have tried 17 b5 consolidating his hold on d5 against White's c2-c4. .••

•..

White's Middlegame Plan White enjoys more space and if he can move the g3 Knight and advance his pawn to g4, then he will be able to start a strong Kingside attack. White is also not adverse to trying his hand in an endgame how ever, since lines like 14 Nxe5 15 dxeS, Qxd3 16 Rxd3, NeB (16 ... Ng4 1 7 Ne4 threatens to pick u p the enemy horse b y 18f3) 1 7 Rd7 are horrible for Black. •..


204

Black's Middlegame Plan Since White's pieces are a bit more active than their Black coun terparts, and since White has more territory all over the board, Black must be very diligent in his fight for counterplay. He has three possible plans: 1) At some point try to trade pieces with NxeS. This follows the rule that the side with less space should seek exchanges. 2) Hit the center with c6-c5, though this allows White to either open the d-filc with dxc5 or to create a passed pawn with d4-d5. Neither response (dxc5 or d4-d5) is nec essarily dangerous to Black (and then again, either move might kill him !), but he must be very careful in assessing the resultant positions. 3) Black can play for b7-b5. This is not possible immediately since c6 would hang, however if Black defends this pawn first, then b7-b5 (even if it loses the b-pawn) is worth serious consideration since it opens files to the White King and gives the Black Knights access to the fine dS post. ...

••.

••.

...

14...

c5

Black's strategy is to remove White's strong d-pawn, which indi rectly struggles for control of eS.

15 d5

Modern Mlddlegame Lessom: Lesson Twenty Two

205

Opening To Middlegame With 15 d5 Karpov launches a combination which involves a speculative piece sacrifice. Arguably, Hubner does not find the best anti dote to 17 Bxg7 but does one exist? Karpov conducts the attack with vigor, but the poison is not im mediately lethaL Stunned, Black staves off the auack by swapping Queens, hoping to recover his strength in the endgame where he. is a Rook ahead. But there is no rest for the weary. Black's apparent material advan tage proves to be no match for the inexorable advance of White's two passed center pawns that stifle further resistance upon reaching the seventh rank. Karpov's harmonious blending of opening, middle and end is worthy of study. He is never in a rush for his poison to take effect. -

15...

NxeS

Black tries to ease the pressure with judicious exchanges.

16 BxeS The Bishop now replaces the Knight on a fine central post.

16...

Ng4

Plunging into complications, but a follow up to Black's tactics begun with 14 c5. ...

17 Bxg7! Leading to great complications which have been nicely judged by Karpov. Also possible was 17 f4 and on 1 7 Nf2 ( 1 7... Bd6 18 Bxd6, Qxd6 19 QJ3 favors White as does 1 7... exd5 18 Qxd5, Qxd5 19 Rxd5) 18 Qe2 . •.

Modern Middlegame Lessons

206

(Better than 18 Qc3 ?!, Nxd1 1 9 Rxd1, f6!) with compensation for the Ex change.

Kxg7

17...

A critical alternative is 17 Bg5ch with unclear complications. •••

18 Qe2 With the double threat 19 Qxg4 and 19 dxe6 - this is why White proceeded with 17 Bxg7!.

18...

BgSch

After 18 Nf6 White plays 19 dxe6, Qc7 20 NfSch followed by 21 g3 (Stopping Qf4ch) with a very strong position. •..

19 Kbl Now with only a pawn for the piece, it looks good for Black su perficially.

19...

Nf6

Not 19...f5 20 dxe6 with a big plus for White.

20 dxe6 White consistently operates with threat after threat.

20...

Qc8

Hoping to control rs where the White Knight would like to go.

21 e7 This pawn severely ties up most of Black's forces allowing White to strike with superior force.

21...

Re8

Hoping to surround the pawn with 22 ... Ng8.

22 Rd6!! A terrific resource which maintains White's attack.

22...

Qg4

In order to ease the pressure with a Queen trade. If 22. .Bf4, White has 23 Rxf6!, Bxg3 (23... Kxf6 24 Qf3!) 24 QfJ! attacking f7 and g3. .

23 Qe5 Tying up Black still more.

23...

Kg8

Trying to unravel.

24 Re1

Now White has a bind on the center, leaving Black with no counterplay.


207

Nd7

24

••.

After 24 Nxh5 25 NfS (Also good is 25 Re4, but this is even stronger) 25 ... Bf4 26 QdS White has a winning position - 26...Bxd6? 27 Nxh6ch. ..•

25 Rxd7! Also good - but not as effective is 25 QfS and after 25 ... Qxf5 26 NxfS, Nb6 27 Re4, Bxe7 28 Rxe7, Nxc4 29 Rxh6.

25...

Qxd7

Forced - but now White Knight moves in.

26 Nf5 Protecting the e-pawn and threatening to surround the Bishop on gS with g3 and f4 in some circumstances.

26...

f6

Mate threatened and after 26 ...Qd3ch 27 Kat, Qd4 (Forced) 28 Nxd4, Rxe7 29 Qxe7, Bxe7 30 NfS White wins the ending.

27 Qd5ch! Now White gains two far advanced connected passed pawns these ensure victory.

27..

.

Qxd5

Unpleasant but forced.

28 cxd5 Threatening 29 d6-d7, etc.

28

..•

Bf4

Trying to use the Bishop to try to stop White's passed pawns.

29 g3 Forcing the Bishop to abandon the h-pawn.

29... game.

Bc7

Hoping for 30 Nxh6ch, Kh7 31 NfS, Rad8 ! spoiling White's

30 Kc2 White is alert however.

30...

b5

Black tries to advance his Queenside pawn majority for some counterplay.

31 Nxh6ch Now this pawn grab is quite good as the variation mentioned after Black's 29th is no longer possible.


208

31

•••

Kh7

Black is lost even though he is a Rook ahead!

32 Nf5

Returning to its best post.

32...

Rg8

There is no good defense.

33 d6

The pawns roll on.

33...

BaS

Black tries every trick to stay afloat.

34 Re6 Now 35 Rxf6 threatening 36 Rxh6 mate is a possibility.

34...

Rg:i

A desperate counterattack.

35 Rxf6 Naturally.

35...

Rxh5

Black tries to reach the seventh rank.

36 d7 Now White will Queen by force.


209

How The Player's Respective Plans worked Out Black opted for the complications that resulted from a c6-c5 advance. However, by sacrificing a piece, White was able to get a bind on the position and threats against the Black King. It turns out that Black's bid for immediate counterplay led to his own demise! Why? Because he was not fully developed, had inactive pieces, and had less space. this meant that he should not have started a war until he fixed some of these defects. Rule to be learned: It is rarely good to initiate complications or a full bodied fight if you are starting from a position of positional inferi ority. As they say in other sports: "His intentions were good, but his body just wasn 't willing". 36... Rh2 With the nuisance threat 37 Rxf2ch. 37 Ne3 Which White prevents. Black Resigns. .••

.. .

210


LESSON TWENTY THREE Middlegame Pin Cushion Victories by Black are interesting to study. Whereas the second player needs to make only one slip to lose the game, White usually must make two - one to lose the advantage of the first move. It has been said th� better player will win either color - but it takes longer with Black. Psak hls-Geller, Erevan 1982.

1 d4 2 c4 3 Nc3

dS e6 Be7

A known finesse. Since White wants to play BgS as soon as Black plays Nf6, Black waits with Nf6. Usually a transposition to main lines occurs. 4 Nf3 This illustrates the main finesse in Black's 3 Be7 - White has to forego the important possibility of Nge2 which, after "fixing" the central pawn structure with cxdS, exdS, can go to good squares such as g3 or f4. ..•

4...

Nf6

Now Black has transposed back into main lines.

S BgS The famous Queen's Gambit deployment for the White QB which gives pressure in the center and Kingside.

5...

h6

Black forces White to decide what to do with his QB . Also, now his h-pawn is not vulnerable to attacks like Bd3 and Qc2 with the threat Bxf6 and Bxh7ch.

6 Bh4 White decides to keep the Bishop for the time being.

6...

0-0

Completing his Kingside development.

7 e3

Also possible are 7 Ret or 7 Qc2 but the text is solid.

7...

b6

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty Three

211

Preparing to solve the problem of th e Q B b y fianchetto. Also in some cases, Black wants to advance his backward c-pawn to gain space while reducing its vulnerability.

8 Bxf6 White takes the Knights so that after 8 cxdS, B lack can't play 8 Nxd5 with even more simplification. Also by taking pawns on dS the diagonal of the Black QB will be left blocked by an immobilized d-pawn. ...

8...

Bxf6

Now Black has good dark-square control which might show to advantage if the position opens up.

9 cxd5 In order to "fix" the d-pawn as mentioned above.

9...

exdS

Now each side has acquired a half open file.

10 Qd2 The main purpose of this move is to discourage Black from playing c7-c5 due to the pressure on dS after dxcS.

10...

Be6

A paradoxical move as it seemed Black was going to fianchetto his QB . However after cS, if White plays dxcS as he often does, then Black usually replies bxcS with a useful b-file; so Black feels that a Bishop on b7 would only be blocking the file-and thus e6 is a good alternative square.

11 Rdl Indirectly putting more pressure on dS (1 l .. c5 12 dxc5 wins a .

pawn).

1 1 ...

Qe7!?

Clearing the back rank and preparing to play a novel gambit.

12 g3 White intends to exert strong pressure in the center with his fi anchettoed KB bearing down on dS. However Black has a dynamic new move prepared.

212


White's Middlegame Plan White is eyeing two targets in this position: the c7 and dS pawns. Prophylactic moves like Qd2 and Rdl are designed to prevent Black's freeing move ... c7-c5 since that would open up the d-file for White's heavy pieces. If White can succeed in stopping this advance (... c7-c5) then he will play Bg2 and 0-0 followed by an increase in pressure on dS via Nf3el-d3-r4. White will also eventually work on the c-pawn by a later b2-b4 (again stopping a ... c5 advance). If all of this can be done, White will fi nally get around to placing his Rooks on the c-file - this will doom Black to passive defense.


213

Black's Middlegame Plan Black is well aware of what White is trying to do to him and he has no intention of sitting back and letting his opponent have his way! Black would prefer to look at the pawns on c7 and d5 as dynamic assets, not static weaknesses. However, the only way he is going to demonstrate the correctness of his view is to advance the c-pawn to c5. In this position such an advance will probably lose a pawn, but Black has reason to be lieve that such a pawn sacrifice might be worthwhile here. Firstly, he owns the two Bishops and desperately needs to open up the position for them. The advance of the c-pawn would succeed in doing that. Secondly, White has left his King in the center in order to restrict Black's options on the other wing. We know that the only way to punish a centralized King is to rip that part of the board open. Once again, ...c7-c5 would also do this.

12...

cS!

Black is prepared to give up material in order to exploit White's laggard development. In an earlier game, Georgadze-Geller, Erevan Zonal 1982, Black continued with 12 ...Nd7 and after 13 Bg2, Rfd8 14 00, Rac8 15 Ret, c5 a draw was agreed even though there is a lot of play left in the position. A possible improvement for White in this line is 15 b4 (15... Qxb4 16 Nxd5!) in order to leave Black with an isolated d-pawn after 15 . cS 16 bxcS, bxcS 17 dxcS. ..

214


Opening To Middlegame Rather than sit back and defend passively, Geller offers a pawn sacrifice by 12 ... c5! Instead of prudently returning the material and striv ing to castle, White tries to hang on to his ill-gotten gains. Despite all his contortions, however, his King is subjected to an array of annoying pins. The first pin is created by 19 Qb7! White manages to stave off immedi ate disaster. The next pin starting with 23 Bd4 is fatal. . •.

..•

13 dxcS White accepts the challenge, but more sensible was simply 13 Bg2, getting his King into safety after 13...Nc6 1 4 0-0.

13...

Rd8

Black takes time out to defend his central d-pawn.

14 cxb6? But this is definitely too bold with his King still stuck in the cen ter. Better was 14 Bg2 though it is true that after 14 ...bxc5 15 0-0, Nc6, Black has the preferable game.

14...

d4!

A shock for White - now his exposed King is being exploited.

15 Bg2 A fascinating tactical skinnish occurs after 15 Ne4, BdS!, e.g., 1 6 Nxf6ch, Qxf6 1 7 Qxd4, Q f3 18 b7, Rd7! ! (To answer 1 9 bxa8=Q with 19 Bxa8) 19 Qa4, Qxd1ch! 20 Qxd1, Bxh1 21 f3!?, Rxdlch 22 Ke2, Rd2ch! and no matter what. White is material down. ...

15...

Nc6


215

Black continues with development with threats.

16 Nxd4 On 16 Ne4, Bd5 is strong.

16...

Nxd4

Note how Black has consistently opened up play while White is still uncastled.

17 exd4 No better is 17 Bxa8. After 17 ... Rxa8 18 exd4, Bd5 dls.ch. 19 Qe2, Bxh1 20 Qxe7, Bxe7 2 1 bxa7 Black has a big plus.

17...

Bh3 dis.ch.

Forcing White's hand.

18 Kfi There is no alternative, but now White's King can no longer castie.

18...

Rxd4

Even though Black is at the moment two pawns down, his power ful Bishops and White Kingside congestion give him a won game.

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out Normally in this opening White allows Black to advance his c pawns to c5 and after dxc5 ...bxc5 a battle ensues where the first players tries to show that the hanging pawns are weak while the second player attempts to demonstrate their dynamic potential (control of central squares, gain space, open e-file and b-file, ability to advance, etc.). In this game though, White held off castling and instead played to prevent Black


216

from getting his . c7-c5 move in. By sacrificing a pawn (with ... c7-c5) Black highlighted all the good points of his position (two Bishops and development) while pointing to the flaw in White's plan (lack of develop ment). White did get a pawn for his trouble, but the dynamic compensa tion that Black got in return proved to be way too much and the game turned into a slaughter. Rule to be learned: In the 1965 Spassky-Geller Candidates Match, Geller lost game after game with Black in the Closed Sicilian. When he asked why his beautiful Queenside initiative kept falling to White's slower Kingside play, he was told: "Simple, the King is more im portant! " It seems that Geller learned his less well. In this game he showed that all the deep strategic planning in the world means nothing if one's King is in danger. Put more simply: King safety first, more subtle considerations second. ..

19 Qe3?! Naturally White would like to trade Queens to help break the force of Black's initiative. Also insufficient was 19 Qxd4, Bxd4 20 Rxd4 because of 20 Qf6! and if now 21 Rf4, then 2t... Qc6! 22 Rg1, Bxg2ch 23 Rxg2, Qxb6 consolidated nicely for Black while 21 Rd3 is met by 21. Qf5! 22 Re3, axb6 23 Bxh3, Qxh3ch 24 Ke2, bS 25 a3, h4 and again Black has a winning position. •.•

•.

19...

Qb7!

A nice "cross pin".

20 f3

After 20 Rg1, Rxd1ch 21 Nxd1, Rd8 22 Nc3, Bxg2ch 23 Rxg2, Bxc3 24 bxc3, Qa6ch 25 Kel, Qxa2, Black wins.

20...

Rxd1ch

Drawing the Knight back to an inferior square.

21 Nxd1 White's game still seems to be viable with two extra pawns, but...

21...

Qa6ch!

A key tactic which shows that Black is still in control.

22 Kg1 Of course not 22 Qe2, Bxg2ch!.

22...

Rd8

Now Black's remaining Rook hurries into the attack.


217

23 Nf2 On 23 Nc3, Bd4 decides.

23...

Bd4

The Bishops exert terrible pressure on White's exposed, disorgan ized position.

24 Qel

Nothing works here.

24

•••

Bxf2ch

The finishing touch. Now on 25 Kxf2 (25 Qxj2 allows 25. Rdlch) Black plays 2S ... Qxb6ch 26 Kn, Bc8! and White has no good defense against 27 ...Ba6ch. White Resigns. . .


218

LESSON TWENTY FOUR Middlegame: Drastic Penalty For A Careless Move This pleasing encounter, Talmanov-Pashas, USSR 1981, illus trates the drastic penalty to be paid for a careless move in the early mid dlegame.

1 Nf3 Not committing any center pawns yet.

1...

cS

Inviting White to transpose into a Sicilian Defense with 2 e4. 2 b3 White has hopes for good activity on the long diagonal for his QB. b6 2 Black feels the same. 3 Bb2 Now White's Bishop surveys the center and Black's Kingside. Bb7 3... With the same considerations. •.•

4 e3 4 g3 to

White decides to play to place a pawn on d4, the alternative was fianchetto the KB.

4

.••

Nf6

Black intends to fianchetto his KB , so first he must block the White QB's diagonal

5 d4 Also possible is simply 5 Bel. g6 5 ... Black could have tried the sound "classical" deployment of the KB on e7 after 5 e6. 6 Be2 ••.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty Four

219

White passes an opportunity to create positional complications with 6 dxc5, bxc5 7 Bxf6!? (To leave Black's d6 and d5 squares permanently weakened) 7 exf6 8 c4, Bg7 9 Nc3, f5 1 0 Ret . •..

6...

Bg7

Now that f6 is covered by the KB, the line just mentioned no longer works.

7 0-0 Solid development. leaving open various options with the devel opment of his QN and c-pawn.

7

•••

0-0

Black, too, remains solidly noncommittal.

8 c4 With the strategic threat of d4-d5 gaining space and shutting in Black's QB.

8...

e6

Another playable line is 8 ... cxd4 9 exd4, dS with roughly even chances.

9 d x c5 White hopes to obtain some pressure down the d-file, especially against the theoretically weakened d6 square. However it soon transpires that this policy is not very effective. Sounder was simply 9 Nc3. 9...

bxcS

Note that Black has acquired a two to one central pawn majority.

10 Nc3 Completing his minor piece development.

10...

Qe7

Getting off the d-file and clearing the back rank for Rook maneuvers.

11 Qd2?! This is a bit artificial. The more natural 1 1 Qc2 controlling e4 was more accurate.

220


Opening The Middlegame Sometimes it is hard to pinpoint the decisive error. Here White goes wrong as early as move 1 1 when he loses time misplacing his Queen on a wrong central file. On move 16 the Queen goes where it should have gone in the first place, but by now Black has assumed the initiative. By move 19 Black rams his pawn all the way to the seventh rank where it re mains a permanent thorn in the side. Utilizing threats with this advanced unit. Black subsequently invades on the open d-file after Queens are off the board.

11...

Rd8!

Now Black's Rook will have possibilities of tactical threats against White's Queen.


221

White's Middlegame Plan White is eyeing the weak square on d6 and the backward enemy d-pawn. By pressuring these points he knows that Black will be forced to advance his pawn to dS, after which the captures cxdS will leave Black with hanging pawns. When this structure comes about. White hopes to prove that these pawns are targets that can be attacked by moves like Rfdl, Racl, and Ba3.

222


Black's Middlegame Plan Black is quite willing to acquire these hanging pawns because he wants to prove that they are dynamic powerhouses instead of static weak nesses. Once this pawn structure is created, Black will have the choice to two plans: 1 ) He can take his time and simply defend his pawns by ... Nb8d7-b6, followed by ... Rac8. 2) He can attempt to create tactical threats based on the Rook sitting on the same file as the White Queen. A ... d5-d4 advance will blast the position open, but Black must be careful that the subsequent hole on c4 can't be used against him. Due to the potential de fects in advancing either pawn (... c5-c4 weakens d4 while . . . d5-d4 weak ens c4) Black must prepare for either push so that when it does come it will have a strong effect. 12 Rfd1 Pressing on the d-file.

12

•.•

d5!

Black strikes first, already the White Queen feels uncomfortable.

13 cxdS

dS.

White hopes to create pressure against Black's pawns on c5 and

13

•••

exdS

Of course Black must capture with the e-pawn - otherwise the Black c-pawn would be isolated on the open c-file.

14 Racl


223

Continuing with the strategy of putting pressure on Black's pawns. More cautious was 14 Qc2 repositioning the Queen.

Bh6!

14...

An excellent, sharp rejoinder which threatens 15 d4!. .• .

15 Na4 Hoping to counter against Black's c-pawn.

Ne4

15...

Taking advantage of the decentralization of White's QN to oc cupy a fine post on e4.

16 Qc2 Where it should have gone in the first place!

Nd7

16...

Now Black has completed his minor piece development with better efficiency.

17 b4! A nice positional-tactical shot.

d4!

17...

Black finds the best counter. If 17 ..cxb4, then 18 Qc7! is unclear but promising for White. Or if 17 ... c4, then White gets a plus by occupy ing the blockading d4 square with 18 Bd4 (18... Qxb4 ? ? 19 Rbl). .

18 bxc5 Consistently striving for the initiative.

dxe3

18...

Creating serious threats against White's Kingside.

19 c6 White tries to make the best of it.

19...

exf2ch

Now this pawn will create serious tactical problems for White.

20 Kfl Bravely taking up the task of blockading the invading pawn.

Bxc6!

20...

Black is alert. After 20 Rac8 21 cxb7!, Rxc2 22 Rxc2 White's terrible passed pawn on b7 gives him the advantage. .••

21 Qxc6

With a totally open position, it is imperative to hold the initiative.

21...

Regaining some sacrificed material

Bxcl

224


22 Qxcl On 22 Rxcl, Ndf6! assures Black of the better game. Ndf6! 22... The other Knight swings into active play.

23 Nc3 Bringing the errant Knight back into play. On 23 Bxf6, Nxf6 24 Kxf2, Ng4ch Black is winning.

23...

Rxdlch

This gains time to bring the Black QR into play.

24 Nxdl On 24 Qxdl Black gains time with 24...Rd8. 24... Ng4 Black's Knights hover menacingly over White's precarious King position. There is an incredible threat involved, namely 2S... Qh4!! fol lowed by 26...Qxh2 as 27 Nxh2 allows 27...Nxh2 mate ! - of course 26 Nxh4 loses the same way.

25 Qf4 Protecting h2 in anticipation of the threats.

25...

ReS!

Protecting the Knight prettily.

26 Ne5 White fights back with admirable resourcefulness - but Black's position is simply too good. For example, on 26 Qxg4, Ng3ch! 27 Kxfl, Nhlch! 28 Kgl, Qxe2 29 Qd4 (On 29 Kxhl, Qxdlch 30 Ngl, Qxg4 wins)

Modern Mlddlegame Lesso ns: Lesson Twenty Four

225

29...Qelch! 30 Nxel, Rxel is mate. Also if 26 Bd3 Black has 26...Ng3ch! 27 Qxg3 is answered by 27... Qelch 28 Nxel, Rxel mate. The attempt 26 Nd4 is well answered by 26 ... Qh4 27 Bxg4, Nd2ch! and again the threat of ... Ret is a winner. Finally, if 26 BeS then 26 ... f5! 27 Bc4ch, Kf8 maintains a tremendous grip for Black.

as

26...

Qf6!

Black plays a tactical trump, now 27 Qxe4 allows 27 ... Nxh2 mate.

27 g3 Forced. 27 Qxg4 allows another smothered Knight mate 27 ... Nd2 mate.

27

•••

Qxf4

Black gladly transposes into a clearly winning endgame.

28 gxf4 Now Black's Knights resume.

28

•••

Nxh2ch

At first sight this seems a bit premature.

29 Kg2 Hoping to force Black to jettison the dangerous f-pawn with 29 ... n =Qch in order to extricate his Knight.

29...

Rd8!

But Black has more in mind.

30 Nxf2 There is nothing better. On 30 Nd3, fl=Qch! wins material.

30...

Rd2!

The activity of this Rook proves to be devastating.

31 Nxe4 White tries to grab as fast as he can.

31... Winning more material.

Rxe2ch

226


How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out White was able to put real pressure on the c5 pawn, but the dy namic potential of Black's position was shown with the thematic d5-d4 thrust. This gave Black a strong attack which kept White on the defensive for the whole game. Seeing a chance at a winning endgame, Black happily forgot about any thoughts of mate, traded pieces and ended the game in a simple way. Rule to be learned: Control of the central squares always counts for something, and though hanging pawns do need defense, they also form a strong pawn center and offer many dynamic possibilities. Every player would benefit from giving this type offormation a try from either side. ...

32 Nf2 32 Kg3, Rxb2 is equally hopeless.

32...

Rxb2

A virtual mopup ensues.

33 Nd3 To protect the 1'2 Knight in order to allow White's King to take the h2 Knight.

33...

Rxa2

But now the new passed a-pawn will prove far too much to handie.

34 Kxh2 He might as well.

34...

The "sprinter" begins his run.

aS


35 Kg3 Unpinning the Knight.

35...

a4

Now, seeing that he can't hold Black's passed pawn(s) White Resigns.

227


228

LESSON TWENTY FIVE A Stupendous Middlegame Struggle The Caro-Kann Defense is tough to crack. Tal shows how it's done in a stupendous middlegame struggle that does great credit to both sides. Tal-Fiesch, Lvov 1981.

l e4 White's most active first move.

1

•••

c6

The Caro-Kann Defense, considered one of the most solid of all the Black defenses to 1 e4.

2 d4 Since 1 ..c6 doesn't prevent 2 d4, White happily seizes more center control. .

2

•••

dS

Black strikes back by challenging White's e-pawn.

3 Nc3 Also possible are 3 e5 or 3 BxdS, but the text is the most usual.

3...

dxe4

Getting rid of White's e-pawn, though it is true White still retains more space in the center due to his other center pawn on d4.

4 Nxe4 White can also try 4 fJ?! if he is in a very daring mood.

4...

Nd7

Black plans to play Ngf6 and on Nxf6ch, to recapture with Ndxf6 which keeps his pawn structure intact. Another sound approach is to de velop the QB on fS - 4...Bf5.

5 Nf3 The best square for this Knight. An amusing possibility is 5 Qe2 to meet S...Ngf6? with 6 Nd6 mate (!). Of course Black can simply play S ...Qc7 ftrst followed by S...Ngf6.

5...

Ngf6

Developing and challenging White's well placed Knight on e4.

6 Ng3

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty Five

229

Also possible is 6 Nxf6ch, Nxf6 7 Ne5, but Tal likes to attack and hence wishes to avoid exchanges.

e6

6

•••

Black's position is somewhat cramped, but very solid.

7 Bd3 Developing to the classic attacking diagonal for the KB.

7...

c5

To try to get rid of the cramping d-pawn.

8 c3!? Mainly to allow the KB a safe retreat on c2.

8...

cxd4

Well timed. Now 9 cxd4 retaining the pawn on d4 allows the convenient response 9 B b4ch with favorable simplification for Black. ..•

9 Nxd4 White's freer development gives him a slight plus.

9...

BcS

Black intends to trade off White's strong Knight on d4. On 9...Nc5 the value of 8 c3 is seen - simply 10 Bc2 with good prospects for White.

10 0-0 White completes his Kingside development.

10...

Bxd4!?

Continuing to simplify, but to be considered was the less commit

ta1 10...0-0.

1 1 cxd4 White now has an isolated pawn, but in compensation he retains his two Bishops.

11

•••

0-0

Getting his King into safety, a good idea against one of the great est attacking players in history.

12 BgS

Pinning the Nf6 primarily to induce a weakening of Black's Kingside pawns.

12

•..

h6

This is just what White wants. More cautious would have been 12 ... Qa5, and if 13 Bd2, Qd5 gives Black equal chances.

13 Bf4

230


The QB stays on this diagonal in order to eye a possible sacrifice against the h6 pawn.

13

••.

Nb6

Heading for the strong dS outpost.

White's Middlegame Plan White has willingly accepted an isolated d-pawn since he feels its potential weakness is compensated by the space he gains from it plus his control of the important cS and eS squares. With this pawn blocking the center, White hopes to initiate a Kingside attack with moves like Bc2 and Qd3. By forcing the enemy to take time to defend his King, he hopes to keep Black off balance, thus preventing him from undertaking any active operations elsewhere.

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty Five

231

Black 's Middlegame Plan The first thing on Black's agenda is to completely control the d5 square. He will accomplish this by placing a Knight there. Next he would like to play b7-b6 and Bb7, putting the Bishop on a fine diagonal. If he achieves these goals, Black would then like to trade off all the minor pieces (the beginning of Silman's anti-isolated pawn formula). This would effectively kill White's hopes for a Kingside attack. Once the minor pieces are gone, Black will place a Rook on d5, double or triple behind it and put White completely on the defensive. 14 Bc2 Planning on playing Qd3 with threats of penetrating on h7 in some variations. Too optimistic is 14 Qd2 (in order to sac on h6 immedi ately) 14 Nfd5! 15 Bxh6, gxh6 16 Qxh6, f5 and White has no way to successfully continue to attack. ...

•.•

...

14...

NbdS

On 14 Nfd5 15 Qd3 is annoying. .•.

15 Be5 With pressure in the center and Kingside.

15...

Qb6!?

Perhaps he thinks Tal will be worried about the b-pawn.

232


Opening To Middlegame Whether in chess or boxing, mismatches are invariably boring. One-sided struggles can certainly be instructive, but it's more exciting when someone fights back fiercely while pinned against the ropes. In this game Flesch gets into trouble as early as move 16, but he does not go down for the count Indeed, the outcome is still very much in doubt after he gets his second wind. However, his legs are rubbery and he staggers again on move 22. Still, it takes some sledgehammer blows to send him reeling to the canvas. Tal just keeps slugging away until something gives.

16 Qd3! Now if 16 Qxb2? 17 NbS! threatening 18 Nxf6cb, Nxf6 19 Bxf6 winning is very strong. .••

16

•••

Nb4?!

Tempting but weak. Better was 1 6...Rd8 (Giving the King a needed flight square on JB) 17 Ne4 with only a slight advantage for White. Also to be considered was 16 Bd7 and on 17 Bxf6 (Not 17 Nh5, Bb5!) 17 Nxf6 18 NbS, Rfd8! 19 Nxf6ch, gxf6 20 Qxb7ch, Kf8 Black might be able to get sufficient counterplay by occupying the g and h-files. ..•

•.•

17 Qd2! Not 17 Qf3, Nxc2 18 Bxf6 hoping for 18 Nxd4? 19 Qg4! Black defends effectively with 18 ... eS! instead. ..•

17...

Nxc2

-

as

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty Five

233

Alternatives are no better: 17 Ng4 18 Bxg7!, Kxg7 19 NhSch, Kg8 20 h3! drives away the defender of h6 with a winning attack. Or if 17...NfdS?, then 18...Bxg7!, Kxg7 19 NhSch, Kg8 20 Qxh6 wins at once. ..•

18 Bxf6! To seriously weaken Black defensive pawn wall.

18...

Nxa1

He might as well grab the Exchange, as 18 ...gxf6 19 Qxh6 with the threat of 20 NbS is overwhelming.

19 NhS Hoping for 19 ...gxf6 20 Qxh6.

19...

eS!

The only reasonable defense. On 19 ... QbS White plays 20 Nxg7 (Threatening 21 Qh6) 20 ... Kh7 21 Rxal, Kg6 22 Qf4 and White has an winning game.

20 dxeS Not 20 BxeS because of 20 ... Qg6!.

20...

gS!

Black defends his weakened position with considerable ingenuity.

21 e6! A nice tactic. Now if 2t ...Bxe6, then 22 BxgS! is very strong since 22 ... hxgS allows mate in two.

21...

Qxe6

On 21 ... fxe6 White plays 22 Qd3! and the threat of penetrating to g6 is a winner.

22 h3! In order to prevent 22...Qg4. For example, on 22 Rxal, Qg4! 23 Ng3, Qf4! 24 Qc3, Be6 gives Black counterchances.

22...

QfS?

Black falters after finding good moves so far. Necessary was 22 ... b6!? and on 23 Ret (Not 23 Rxal because of 23... Bb7 threatening 24... Qd5) 23... QfS! 24 g4, Qc2 25 Qd6 (Threatening 26 Qxj8ch!, Kxj8 27 Bg7ch, Kg8 28 Re8ch, Kh7 30 Rh8ch, Kg6 31 Rxh6 mate) 2S...Bb7 26 Bc3, Qg6 27 Nf6, Kh8 and White has no way to further his attack.

23 Rxa1 Now White's position is too strong.

23...

Be6

Black must hurry to bring his Queenside pieces into play.

234


24 Rel Now ReS with further threats against gS are possible.

24...

Qg6

Staying in front in the King to meet White's dangerous invaders.

2S g4 Reinforcing the Knight while controlling fS.

25...

Rac8

Intending 26 R (Or Q) to c2. .•.

26 Bc3 Preparing Nf6 or Qd4 threatening Qh8 mate.

26...

Rfd8

Preventing Qd4.

27 Qe3 Threatening 28 QeS.

27

•••

Rd3

Black must play actively.

28 QeS Threatening 29 Qh8 mate and if 28 Qh7 29 Nf6ch. ...

28...

Rcxc3

White's QB is too strong, so the counter sacrifice is forced.

29 bxc3 Now material is even, but White's strong threats on the dark squares ([6, g7, etc.) as well as possible back rank mates give him a won game.

235

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Les!ion Twenty Fln

How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out White started an immediate tac· :cal Kingside assault which never gave Black the chance to carry out all of his owns plans. However, a lot of risk was involved in what White did and correct defense may have made the first players plans appear dubious. Typically though, the side under pressure makes mistakes due to time pressure, fear, and exhaustion. This case was no different and Black finally succumbed to White's energetic play. Rule to be learned: An isolated d-pawn is not necessarily bad. Its dynamic potential makes up in the short term for its positional short comings, but in the long run, it can easily tum out to be a fatal weakness. That means that the owner of such a pawn must play the game with gusto and attempt to make use of its attributes.

29...

Kh7

Not 29 Bxa2, after 30 Qb8ch (the weak back rank) 30...Kh7 31 ReS and White wins due to the threat of Rh8 mate. Also, if 29 Rxh3 30 Rdt is similarly strong. ..•

...

30 Nf6ch Moving in on the weakness on f6.

30...

Kg7

On 30 Kh8 31 Qb8ch is good. ...

31 NdS dis.ch. With some tricks involved.

31...

Kh7?

236


Black fails to put up the best resistance, though he would lose even after the better 31. .. Kf8 32 Qb8ch (But not 32 QhBch, QgB 33 Qxh6ch, Qg7 and Black gets equal chances) 32...Kg7 33 Ne7, Qh7 34 Qe5ch, Kf8 35 Nf5, Bxf5 36 gxf5, Kg8 37 f6, Qg6 38 Qe8ch, Kh7 39 Re7.

32 Ne7 Now Black must lose material as after 32 ... Qg7 33 Qe4ch wins 33...f5 34 gxf5! threatening 35 f6 and 35 Qxd3. Black Resigns.

·

Modern Middlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty Six

237

LESSON TWENTY SIX Maybe The Middlegame Will Unslay The Dragon The Dragon Variation of the Sicilian has survived all attempts to slay it. After a famous Fischer victory over Larsen in 1 958 (game #2 in May 60 Memorable Games) Bobby wrote: "Larsen was one of the diehards who refused to abandon the Dragon until recently. White's attack almost plays itself. .... l'd won dozens of skittles games in analogous positions and had it down to a science: pry open the KR-file, sac, sac... mate! Will Black succeed in reinforcing the variation? Time will tell. " This game, Ljubo jevlc-Mlles, Malta Olympiad 1980 shows Black improvements. But we agree with Fischer, only time will tell.

l e4

Considered the best opening move White has since it allows rapid development, creating maximum pressure on Black.

1...

c5

The Sicilian is one of Black's most popular replies to 1 e4 as it leads to complex positions with chances of a counterattack.

2 Nf3

Quickly bringing out the Kingside pieces and preparing to press in the center with 3 d4.

2

•••

d6

A necessary move in almost all the Sicilian variations as White's e4 chasing away Black's Nf6 and creating preconditions for a Kingside attack.

3 d4

Gaining more central territory.

3 ...

cxd4

White threatened either 4 dxcS and if 4...dxc5 5 Qxd8ch, Kxd8 with a good ending due to Black's exposed King, or 4 dS with a considerable space advantage in the center.

4 Nxd4

Possible is 4 Qxd4, but after 4...a6 followed by the tempo gaining developing move S .. Nc6, Black has equal chances. .

238


4

Nf6

..•

To encourage White to play Nc3 immediately. On 4...Nc6 (Which is playable) White gains a slight plus with 5 c4 which gives a grip on d5 and helps neutralize Black's play on his half-open c-file.

5 Nc3 After 5 Bd3 Black gets a good game with 5 ... Nc6 as 6 Nxc6, bxc6 gives Black more control of d5 while giving the b-file for later ex ploitation.

5

g6

.• •

This, the Dragon Variation, is one of the sharpest variations in the Sicilian. The fianchettoed Black KB gives good counter chances through its effective pressure down the al-h8 diagonal.

6 Be3 From here the QB reinforces the Nd4 and allows the important possibility of Qd2 followed by a properly timed Bh6 to exchange off Black's powerful KB .

Bg7

6...

The most important minor piece for Black in the Dragon. Since White usually castles Queenside in these lines, it will survey b2 and c3 from its post on g7; often this is a critical factor in a Black counterattack there. 7 f3 An important link in White's desired attacking formation . 7 f3 prevents the QB from being harassed by .. Ng4 and it forms a prop for us ing the White Kingside pawns as an attacking instrument (g2-g4 and h2h4-h5 opening the h-file). 7 0-0 Completing his Kingside development. .

.• •

8 Qd2 Preparing Queenside castling and possibly Bh6.

8...

Nc6

Exerting more pressure on d4. For example, if now 9 Bh6 then 9. Bxh6 10 Qxh6, Nxd4 wins a piece. ..

9 Bc4 An excellent attacking diagonal for the White KB . Also it often helps defend the White Queenside after a later Bb3. Bd7 9...

Modern Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty Six

239

Clearing the c-file for rapid occupation. Note this file bears down directly on White's King position after White castles Queenside.

Opening To Middlegame In the game Fisher-Larsen, 1958, Black lost after 9...Nxd4 10 Bxd4, Be6 12 Bb3, QaS 12 0-0-0, bS 13 Kbl . Donald Byrne tried 9...a5 in several games, but since then 9 Bd7! has become all the rage, simply developing a piece and waiting for White to start the attack by h4, where upon Black blocks it by .. hS. Here all hell breaks loose and White will give up a piece for what looks like a tremendous attack. But this time the attack doesn't play itself, or at least Fischer is not conducting it, and Miles as Black wins a pleasing game which restores our faith in dragons. •. .

.

10 h4 Intending to open the h-file with hS and hxg6. ReS 10... Already threatening 1 t . .. Nxd4 and after 12 Qxd4, then 12 ... Ng4! winning a piece. 1 1 Bb3 Preventing the threat while fortifying the coming home of the White King.

11

•• •

hS

A very determined defense, blocking h4-h5 and restraining g2-g4 as well.

12 0-0-0

240


Now with both sides castled and well developed, the middlegarne begins.

12 NeS Heading for an excellent outpost on c4 - an important strategical point in all variations of the Sicilian. 13 BgS Moving the Bishop to a more aggressive position now that the Black QN is no longer pressing on d4. ReS 13... Preparing to double on the c-file and giving support for the at tacking pawn advance b7-b5. .••

14 f4 White wants to play in the center with the possibility of e4-e5.

White's Middlegame Plan White's original intention was to go for a mating attack with h2h4-h5, etc. However, Black's h7-h5 stopped White dead in his tracks and, if White is not willing to go whole hog with g2-g4 at some point, he has to find some play elsewhere. With 14 f4, White announces his intention to direct his play to the center with a later e4-e5. This makes a lot of sense since White's Queen and Rook are sitting on the d-file and would love to be given more scope with the removal of the Black pawn on d6. ...


241

Black 's Middlegame Plan Normally Black counters White's Kingside play with his own at tack on the Queenside. In this situation Black will still attack the White monarch on the Queenside. However Black knows that a central attack is usually more potent so be will prepare to counter White in that area also. One thing that helps Black is his control of the g4 square - given up when White played f3-f4. Another factor in Black's favor is the fact that White's dark-squared Bishop has no moves on gS and is vulnerable to trapping ideas like ... Ng4 and ... f7.f6. Will White's upcoming blast in the middle via e4-e5 throw Black's army into a panic, or will Black's Queenside pressure, control of g4, and active pieces enable him to stand up to his opponent's threats and tum the tide in his favor? That's what the fight over the next few moves is all about. Nc4 14 Consistently occupying the key outpost. 15 Qd3 White prefers to retain his strong KB. bS 15... Supporting the outpost and considering a5-a4 with strong counterplay. 16 e5 In the game Ivanovlc-Mlles, Vrbas 1980, White proceeded with 16 fS, but this weakens eS which Black immediately occupied with 16 ...Ne5. There followed 17 Qe3, aS 18 fxg6, Nxg6 19 a3, b4 20 Bxf6, ••.

242


Bxf6 21 Na4, Bxa4 22 Bxc4, Qb6 with a tremendous attack for Black (who won). Ng4 16... Whites f4 and h4 have left the good square g4 open for occupation. 17 Ne4 Preventing Nf2 and centralizing. ReS 17... Now White will try to overwhelm Black's defenses, but as we shall see, Black has strong resources. 18 exd6 Threatening 19 de. 18... f6 Taking advantage of the B ishop's lack of a retreat square. 19 Rhe1 White foresaw 18 f6, but believes he has good chances in the ensuing tactical melee. The strong looking 19 NxbS leads to Black's ad vantage after 19 ... Bxb5 20 QdSch, Kh8 21 QxbS, fxgS (Threatening 22... Bxb2 23 Kbl, Na3ch winning the Queen) 22...Bxc4, Rb8 23 QxgS, Bxb2ch 24 Kd2, Qb6 with a winning attack for Black. exd6 19... Now 19...fxg5 is poor as While can play 20 NxgS and on 20...exd6 21 Qxg6 is a winner. Also, 19 .e6 allows the shoL 20 Nxf6ch! with a big advantage for White. 20 Nxd6 Clearly a position not for the faint of heart. Kh7! 20... Getting off the dangerous a2-g8 diagonal and protecting the gpawn. 21 f5 The obvious caplure 21 Nxc8 and well answered by 21 ...Nf2. Nxd6 21... Note this is made possible by 20... Kh7! 22 fxg6ch Trying to punch through Black's defense. Kh8 22... Obviously the only move. .•.

••.

..

Modem Mlddlegame Lessons: Lesson Twenty Six

243

23 Bf4 White's attack looks and is. dangerous, but a piece is a piece. Had White tried 23 Ne6, then after 23... Bxe6 24 Rxe6, fxg5 25 Rxd6, Qe7 Black is winning. NeS 23... A good move practically forcing Bxe5. 24 BxeS White can't afford to retreat in such a sharp position. fxeS 24... Now Black has a "new" center pawn and the f-file to work with. 25 Nf3 On 25 Qe2 threatening 26 Qxh5 Black defends easily with 26 ... Bg4. Also, if 25 Ne6, Bxe6 26 Bxe6 Black shows the striking power of the Dragon Bishop on b7 by 26... Qf6!, e.g., 27 Qxd6, e4! with terrific threats against b2 and c3. 25... e4 Clearing the long diagonal and forcing play. 26 Qxd6 The only good Lry. exf3 26... Staying a piece ahead. 27 Re7 After 27 Qxd7 Black has the thematic 27...Qf6! with winning threats against b2 and c3 e.g., 28 c3, Rxc3ch! 29 bxc3, Qxc3ch 30 Bc2, Qa3ch! 31 Kd2, Bh6ch and mate next. Bg4! 27... Using his extra piece to advantage. 28 Qe5 This looks tough to meet as 28...Bxe5 allows 29 Rh7 mate. Qxdlch!! 28... The brilliant solution. •

244


How The Player's Respective Plans Worked Out A tremendous tactical battle ensued in the center and both Kings ended up being buffeted about somewhat. In the final analysis however, Black triumphed because he managed to trap and win the enemy Bishop on gS. White was never able to get back the material he lost in that transaction. Rule to be learned: Central play tends to be more important than an attack on the wing, so in this case White's demise must be attributed to a simple thing: an opponent who was more familiar with the sharp vari ation played in the game. Don't enter into a do or die opening unless you are thoroughly acquainted with all its tactical nuances and all the latest theory. If this type of thing does not appeal to you avoid lines on the cutting edge of theory and play in a more restrained manner. In other words, play a game of chess rather than a game of memorization and preparation. 29 Kxdl The only other possibility. fxg2 dis.ch. 29... Suddenly the g-pawn is about to Queen. 30 Kd2 The only try. 30 Rfd8ch Surrounding the hapless King. 31 BdS ..•


245

On 31 Ke3 then, of course, 31 ... gl =Qch is an easy winner. Rxd5ch! 31... The final touch. Now on 32 QxdS simply 32...gl=Q leaves Black two pieces up. White Resigns.

Evans & Silman & Smith - Modern Middlegame Lessons

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