FIDE TRG Syllabus Book

FIDE Trainers Commission Syllabus

FIDE TRG Syllabus

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First published in Greece by FIDE 2010 - Reprint 2014 First Edition 2.000 copies - Second Edition 500 copies - Third Edition 500 copies - Fourth Edition 500 copies - Fifth Edition 500 copies * Copyright © FIDE 2010 ([email protected] - www.fide.com)

The rights of Efstratios Grivas, Mikhail Gurevich, Miguel Illescas, Michael Khodarkovsky, Andrew Martin, Adrian Mikhalchishin, and Jovan Petronic to be identified as the authors of this work have been asserted in accordance with the International Copyright, Designs and Patents Act. All rights reserved. This book is sold subject to the condition that it shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than that in which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser. ISBN-13: 978-960-99379-0-0 Dedications To all past and present top-trainers. Contributors - Helpers Significant help in the preparation of this book was provided by Roberto Baglione ([email protected]), Nigel Davies (www.tigerchess.com - http://tigerchess.wordpress.com), Susan Polgar (http://susanpolgar.blogspot.com - www.ChessDailyNews.com) and Nicolas Sphicas. We would like to thank all of them for their valuable help and kind contributions. Cover by Nicolas Sphicas Endgame with Pawns and Bishops, 2004, mixed technique on Indian paper, 65x50 cm. ([email protected] - www.chess.gr/sphicas - www.logicalchess.com/info/graphics/sphicas) 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 FIDE Trainer’s Commission Chairman FIDE Trainer’s Commission Secretary FIDE Trainer’s Commission Councilor FIDE Trainer’s Commission Councilor FIDE Trainer’s Commission Councilor

2009-2018: 2009-2018: 2009-2018: 2009-2018: 2009-2018:

Adrian Mikhalchishin Efstratios Grivas Uwe Boensch Michael Khodarkovsky Jovan Petronic

Edited by Efstratios Grivas (www.GrivasChess.com) Typeset by Efstratios Grivas & Vasilios Vrettos Cover Image by Nicolas Sphicas Proof-Reading by Andrew Martin (www.andrewmartinchessacademy.com/main.php www.certificateofmerit.org.uk/main.php - www.englishchess.org.uk/ - www.ecfcoaching.org.uk/) Printed in Greece by ‘Apollon’ Ektipotiki O.E. (Georgios Mihailidis - [email protected]) FIDE TRG Syllabus

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Contents Title-Description ………………………………………………………............... Colophon ………………………………………………………………………….. Contents ………………………………………………………………….............. Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………… Symbols …………………………………………………………………............... Foreword - Kirsan Ilyumzhinov .………………………………………………. FIDE Trainers Commission (TRG) - Efstratios Grivas ...…………………... Nominated FIDE Lecturers / Seminar Leaders.……………………………… TRG - A Look at the Past - Jovan Petronic …………………………………... Trainers’ Ranking / FIDE TRG Regulations - Efstratios Grivas …..……… Physical and Psychological Factors - Efstratios Grivas …………………… Nutritional Practices of Chess Grandmasters - Roberto Baglione ……….. Differences Between Boys and Girls in Chess - Susan Polgar …………….. Nature or Nurture - Nigel Davies ……………………………………………… Chess Literature - Efstratios Grivas …………………………………………... Trainers’ Common Mistakes - Adrian Mikhalchishin ………………………. Participant’s Personal ID / Registration ……...……………………………… Getting to Know Ourselves - Efstratios Grivas ……………………………… Building a Repertoire - Efstratios Grivas …………………………………….. Middlegame & Endgame Theory - Efstratios Grivas ……………………….. The Role of Classics - Adrian Mikhalchishin ………………………………… Working with Classical Games - Adrian Mikhalchishin ……………………. Technique of Analysis - Michael Khodarkovsky …………………………….. Chess Intuition - Adrian Mikhalchishin ………………………………………. Basic / Typical Plans - Mikhail Gurevich …………………………………….. The Role of Prophylactic Thinking - Adrian Mikhalchishin ……………….. Principles of Opening Play - Jovan Petronic ………………………………… Attacking the King - Andrew Martin ………………………………………….. Open File / Semi-Open File - Miguel Illescas ………………………………. Outpost - Michael Khodarkovsky ……………………………………………… Rook vs Minor Piece - Miguel Illescas ……………………………….……….. The Bishop-pair - Mikhail Gurevich …………………………………………... Bishop vs Knight / Knight vs Bishop - Mikhail Gurevich …………………... The Isolated Pawn - Miguel Illescas ………………………………………….. The Doubled Pawns - Miguel Illescas ………………………………………… The Backward Pawn - Michael Khodarkovsky ………………………………. The Hanging Pawns - Michael Khodarkovsky ……………………………….. The Passed Pawn - Michael Khodarkovsky ………………………………….. The Pawn Majority / Pawn Minority - Jovan Petronic ……………………... The Exchange Sacrifice - Jovan Petronic …………………………………….. FIDE TRG Syllabus

1 2 3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9 14 16 20 21 22 23 26 27 29 31 32 39 44 49 56 62 69 74 84 89 93 98 104 113 119 124 129 134 139 144 3

The Positional Sacrifice - Jovan Petronic ……………………………………. Won Positions / Lost Positions - Jovan Petronic ……………………………. The Golden Rules of the Endgame - Efstratios Grivas ……………………… How to Think in Endgames - Mikhail Gurevich ……………………………... Pawn Endings - Andrew Martin ……………………………………………….. Queen Endings - Andrew Martin ………………………………………………. Rook Endings - Andrew Martin ………………………………………………... Bishop Endings - Miguel Illescas ……………………………………………… Knight Endings - Mikhail Gurevich …………………………………………… Mixed Endings - Andrew Martin ………………………………………………. Index of Games …………………………………………………………………… FIDE Trainers’ Commission (TRG) ………………………….………………..

149 154 159 160 167 173 179 185 190 197 205 208

Bibliography A New Era - How Garry Kasparov Changed the World of Chess; Michael Khodarkovsky & Leonid Shamkovich; Ballantine Books 1997 Chess College 1: Strategy; Efstratios Grivas; Gambit 2006 Chess College 2: Pawn Play; Efstratios Grivas; Gambit 2006 Chess College 3: Technique; Efstratios Grivas; Gambit 2006 Chess Strategy for the Tournament Player; Lev Alburt & Sam Palatnik; C.I.R.C. 2010 Chess Today (Internet Newspaper); Alexander Baburin; 2006-2010 ChessBase Mega Database; Various Contributors; ChessBase 2010 Informator; Various Contributors; Informator 1966-2010 My System; Aaron Nimzowitsch; Hays Publishing 1991 New In Chess (Magazine & Yearbook); Various Contributors; Interchess BV 1984-2010 Practical Endgame Play - Mastering the Basics; Efstratios Grivas; Everyman 2008

Symbols + ++ # !! ! !? ?! ? ?? +– ± ²

check double check checkmate brilliant move good move interesting move dubious move bad move blunder White is winning White has a large advantage White is slightly better

FIDE TRG Syllabus

=

÷ ° ³ μ –+ 1-0 ½-½ 0-1 (D) ○ ●

equal position unclear position with compensation Black is slightly better Black has a large advantage Black is winning the game ends in a win for White the game ends in a draw the game ends in a win for Black see next diagram White to play Black to play 4

Foreword FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov Chess has existed as a sport played at a competitive level for centuries. The common code governing the Laws of Chess is relatively recent and the foundation of Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) in Paris in 1924 even more modern. FIDE currently has 181 member federations in all continents. Titles for players were introduced by FIDE in 1950 and titles for Arbiters and Organisers followed. Now we are moving to a new phase with titles for Trainers. Chess is on the increase in schools across the world. It is part of the mainstream curriculum in many countries. It is a goal of FIDE to make chess an educational tool and generate worldwide popularity for the game. Examples of the many educational advantages of chess are: shows the need to make people realise the importance of advance planning; develops analytic and accurate thinking; shows the necessity for a combative spirit; teaches fair play and emphasises the need for preparation and hard work for success. However, with the increasing population of chess players comes the need for trainers to assist with their development. This book is a comprehensive manual for trainers. It fulfils a considerable need in modern chess literature, concentrating on the technical side of the game but also covering such topics as physical and psychological factors. The best trainers have contributed to the book, which is an essential tool in the preparation of trainers at all levels for the future. It will ensure that the next generation of players will be at a great advantage over those that have gone before.

What do teachers know anyway? Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player in the history of the game was told by his high school coach that basketball was not a good fit for him. He cut Jordan from the High School basketball team and told him to take up baseball… The good trainer is not dogmatic; he is trying to become better day by day… FIDE TRG Syllabus

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FIDE Trainers Commission (TRG) Efstratios Grivas Concept We’re all born with a natural sense of curiosity. It’s what drives us to create new things and develop new ideas. At TRG, we’re committed to nurturing our members’ pursuit of advanced scientific and ‘technological’ knowledge through many research initiatives. TRG is ‘partnering’ with global leader trainers in a variety of fields including seminars, training methods, publishing and research. The results of this cooperation can be applied in ways that benefit TRG intellectually and culturally by transforming the region into cutting-edge leader in the creation of human chessknowledge. But most of all, TRG’s research aspirations aim to inspire the trainers, and the chess world, to discover new ways of unlocking their potential. The FIDE Trainers Committee, predecessor of the Trainers Commission (which was formed in the start of 2009) was formed in 2000 during the Istanbul Olympiad and was chaired by GM Yuri Razuvaev, now Honorary Chairman. The Committee ‘created’ a real and decent training environment and established the guidance for its functioning for about eight years; its role is impossible to undervalue. Now, on our ‘second period’, we have to re-examine our position at the moment and to create new tasks for the future. The most important task of TRG was the introduction of a system of titles and licenses as it was demanded by IOC. The main idea was that the titles will boost the importance of trainers’ positions in the chess world. Licenses are necessary for keeping the level of the trainers, but up to Sofia 2010 FIDE Presidential Board, these licenses were not approved to be used worldwide. Now we have instruments to improve the level of trainers but we need cooperation of the Continental and National FIDE affiliated federations to implement the system correctly and effectively. Our important role is to protect Trainers and to help them to conduct their duties effectively and with dignity. For further info see http://trainers.fide.com/trg-council.html and http://trainers.fide.com/trg-members.html.

Aims The FIDE Trainers Commission (TRG) is the official body of the World Chess Federation that deals with trainers worldwide. TRG is responsible for and operates the following subjects: 1) Deals with any subject concerning trainers (http://trainers.fide.com). 2) Keeps the record of the list of trainers (http://trainers.fide.com/fide-trainers-system.html). 3) Keeps the record of the financial status of the trainers (as above). 4) Awards the highest training title worldwide; the FIDE Senior Trainer (FST). 5) Endorses and record FIDE Academies (http://trainers.fide.com/fide-academies.html). 6) Prepares and follows its annual Budget (http://trainers.fide.com/minutes.html). 7) Runs the annual FIDE Trainers Awards (http://trainers.fide.com/awards-hall-of-fame.html). 8) Draws the necessary Guidelines and Rules and proposes to FIDE PB and GA. 9) Organises the worldwide Educational Seminars for FIDE titles. 10) Organises and supports various Youth Camps (http://trainers.fide.com/seminars.html). 11) Organises Informative Meetings in various events (http://trainers.fide.com/minutes.html). 12) Listed its Recommended Books (http://trainers.fide.com/recommended-books.html). 13) Supports trainers with monthly, free of charge Surveys (http://trainers.fide.com/surveys.html). 14) Cooperates with CACDEC, ECU (European Chess Union) and IOC/ARISF (International Olympic Committee / Association of Recognised International Sports Federations), assuring sponsored FIDE Trainers Seminars (for CACDEC federations) annually (2009-2016). 15) Supports trainers with general valuable info (http://trainers.fide.com). 6 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Chess Training How important is chess training? Lately the following question was given to ex-World Champion, GM and FST Garry Kasparov: ‘In your opinion, can a less talented individual still succeed in chess, if he or she has the utmost passion in the game and a detailed plan to get there?’ Garry Kasparov answered: ‘Sometimes, I find it hard to understand what it means when someone said, ‘Oh he or she is talented, but lazy’. To me, this simply showed that there is a big gap in the person’s character. Working hard is a form of talent - it is in fact, an important element of the person’s talent. By not working hard, how can your natural gift become real diamonds? So, that is why I think working hard is sometimes just as important to having a talent. Of course, I must admit that it will be difficult for someone without a huge talent to be a world champion. But, you can still go very high up and achieve a lot, even with limited talent. Of course, when I said limited talent, please do not get confused with the term. People can get really confused as talent can mean anything, you know. Being number one in your school also requires some talent. Being number one in the world also requires talent, but these are very different forms of talent. That said, I am a great proponent of the concept that the ability to work hard is a unique talent and if you can work hard and if you can spend the long hours and if you can concentrate on the goal and if you can make detailed plans, you could still be ahead of your competitor even if you are less talented or less gifted in chess or anything else simply because he or she is not as good in organizing their work www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=6069. N

FIDE ID

NOMINATED FIDE LECTURERS/SEMINAR LEADERS SURNAME NAME COUNTRY LANGUAGES

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

14602377 4611268 2904292 5600014 1001280 5500010 14100053 3600270 4100484 14107074 4200039 200930 2200015 10607846 14100576 5000084 4611420 400300 14602385 14600013 2500515 2300010 902004 13300288 700088 14100487 5200016 3500055 8600040 4400011

Beliavsky Boensch Bojkov Borg Bosch Bouaziz Eingorn Fierro Glek Grabinsky Grivas Gurevich Illescas Khaled Khodarkovsky Lanka Luther Martin Mikhalchishin Mohr O’Connell Olafsson Petronic Petrosian Polgar Sulypa Torre Vera Gonzalez Ye Zapata

FIDE TRG Syllabus

Alexander Uwe Dejan Geoffrey Jeroen Slim Viacheslav Martha Igor Vladimir Efstratios Mikhail Miguel Hassan Michael Ravi Thomas Andrew Adrian Georg Kevin Helgi Jovan Arshak Susan Oleksandr Eugene Reinaldo Jiangchuan Alonso

Slovenia Germany Bulgaria Malta Netherlands Tunisia Ukraine Ecuador Germany Ukraine Greece Turkey Spain Egypt US America India Germany England Slovenia Slovenia Ireland Iceland Serbia Armenia US America Ukraine Philippines Cuba China Colombia

English-Russian-Slovenian-Ukrainian English-German Bulgarian-English English-Italian Dutch-English Arabic-English-French English-Russian- Spanish-Ukrainian English-Italian-Spanish English- German-Russian English-Russian-Urkainian English-Greek English- French-Russian English-Spanish Arabic-English English-Russian English English-German English English-Russian-Slovenian-Ukrainian English-Slovenian English-French English-Icelandic English-Serbian Armenian-English-Russian English-Hungarian English-French-Ukrainian English-Philippinese English-Spanish Chinese English-Spanish

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TRG - A Look in the Past Jovan Petronic In 1998 FIDE formed a powerful Committee comprising leading chess trainers from around the globe. Named the FIDE Trainers Committee, the main tasks during the period 1998-2002 were FIDE licensing of chess trainers and their recognition by the International Olympic Committee, benefiting in the long run all chess federations, trainers and their students. The initial members of the FIDE Trainer’s Committee varied from 20-35 in totals, which often led to difficulties in finalizing decisions made. The proven benefits of playing and studying chess have led to countries, such as Slovenia, introducing chess into their compulsory school curriculum! The ASEAN Chess Academy, headed by FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong, organized from November 7th to 14th 2003 a Training Course under the auspices of FIDE and the International Olympic Committee. IM Nikola Karaklajic from Serbia & Montenegro provided the training. The syllabus was targeted for middle and lower levels. Another Trainers’ Course was conducted by FIDE and the ASEAN Chess Academy from 12th to 17th December 2004, where extensive work was done. The main lecturer was FIDE Senior Trainer Israel Gelfer. Then at a national trainers’ meeting in Thessaloniki, another FIDE Trainers Course was proposed to take place by the Deputy President of FIDE - George Makropoulos! The trainer’s titles, numbering five in total, originated from the 75th FIDE Congress in Calvia (Spain) 2004, by FIDE Congress decisions, with all schematics previously prepared already in Bled 2002. The FIDE Trainers System is structured as follows: Developmental Instructor, National Instructor, FIDE Instructor, FIDE Trainer and FIDE Senior Trainer. The FIDE Training Committee has set itself another gigantic task of preparing a modern chess training program, with professional manuals accessing all levels of chess. An official FIDE Training Center for young players in Slovenia has been established, supported by the Slovenian Government and National Chess Federation! The world’s best trainers (mainly FIDE Senior trainers, using all FIDE languages!) lectured at these training seminars. There were eight regular seminars in 2005, with lecturer IGM & FST Adrian Mikhalchishin among others. An appeal was set for conducting new seminars for trainers during the World and Continental Youth Championships. The 75th FIDE Congress awarded 31 FIDE Senior trainer titles, making it possible to start the system of trainers’ education. The FIDE Trainers Committee did not forget that there are still many excellent chess trainer resources out there! Through FIDE it requested all national Federations to propose their own list of candidates for FIDE trainer titles. The Committee would then review the qualifications of proposed candidates. This unique proposal was valid until May 2005 only although later extended on an appeal by the FIDE General Secretary Ignatius Leong! Afterwards, FIDE Trainer candidates would have to apply via their regional Chess Academies. In coordination with the FIDE Trainers’ Committee, the first training course, carried out by outstanding lecturers, took place at the International Trainer Academy in Berlin (Germany) from 5th to 11th November 2004. After successful completion of this course, new titles of FIDE Instructor and FIDE Trainer were acquired. The success of the first course in Berlin led to the organization of a second and so on! Certified chess training is obviously, finally, on its way to world-wide recognition. There is no better way to promote excellence in chess! FIDE Trainer’s Committee Chairman FIDE Trainer’s Committee Vice-Chairman FIDE Trainer’s Committee Secretary FIDE Trainer’s Committee Secretary FIDE Trainer’s Committee Secretary FIDE TRG Syllabus

2002-2009: 2002-2009: 2002-2004: 2005-2007: 2007-2009:

Yuri Razuvaev Adrian Mikhalchishin Georg Mohr Jovan Petronic Sanja Vuksanovic 8

Trainers’ Ranking / FIDE Guide Efstratios Grivas Chess books and databases can be of valuable help to the progress of an ambitious chess-player. However, besides these indispensable tools, the role of the trainer is both significant and essential. This consideration immediately provokes the question: who should be the trainer? Every trainer is useful in specific stages in the progress of a chess-player. All the trainers of a chess-player form a strong chain which should in no way break down. Each part of the chain is valuable and useful and should be not underestimated; ‘basic’, good education can be proven more important than anything else. We could try to categorize chess trainers as follows: First-Level Trainer: The trainer who will teach the student the basics and bring him into contact with the world of chess. One of his main aims is to infuse the student with love and respect for chess (see Developmental Instructor). Second-Level Trainer: The trainer who will teach the student his first openings, simple tactical motifs and, generally, will introduce the student to the aspects of working and learning (see National Instructor). Third-Level Trainer: The trainer who will teach the student, first and foremost, the theory of the middlegame and the endgame. He will work closely with the student towards the creation of the student's personalized openings repertoire, which he will also help enrich with new ideas (see FIDE Instructor). Fourth-Level Trainer: The trainer who will continue in the footsteps of the previous one, but will also introduce the student to other important aspects of chess, such as the concept of and preparation for competitive success. Trainers of such calibre and skill are very scarce, and are only necessary to those chess-players who wish to reach a high level of play or seek competitive success in any form (see FIDE Trainer). Fifth-Level Trainer: The trainer who trains the trainers! Of course he also can do great things with trainees, but his main mission is to properly develop the future of chess training, to inspire, to inspire, to encourage and to innovate (see FIDE Senior Trainer). The FIDE Trainers’ Commission (TRG) operates under the following rules/guide. This Guide has been approved by FIDE’s PB & Congresses and it is valid from 01.01.2015:

FIDE TRG Regulations The TRG (Appendix 1), by taking into account previous decisions of FIDE Presidential & Executive Boards, General Assemblies and various proposals of recent years revised and finalised the present Regulations. These Regulations will apply to the FIDE Trainers’ System, dealing with FIDE Titles and TRG Seminars. All previous decisions on these matters will have no further validity and are replaced by the present document. 1. Trainers’ Titles 1.1. FIDE & TRG recognise the following titles (in descending order of expertise): 1.1.1. FIDE Senior Trainer (FST) 1.1.2. FIDE Trainer (FT) 1.1.3. FIDE Instructor (FI)

FIDE TRG Syllabus

1.1.4. National Instructor (NI) 1.1.5. Developmental Instructor (DI) 1.2. Title Descriptions - Requirements - Awards: 1.2.1. FIDE Senior Trainer (FST) 1.2.1.1. Scope - Mission: a. Lecturing in Seminars as Lecturer/Seminar Leader (if approved). b. Τraining the trainers, developing the future of chess training, inspiring, encouraging and innovating. c. Training players particularly with rating above 2450. 1.2.1.2. Qualification - Professional Skills Requirements: a. Proposal/endorsement from his/her national federation.

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b. FIDE Trainer or minimum 10 years experience as a trainer in general. c. Holder of the title GM, IM or FM. d. Achieved a career high FIDE ELO rating of 2450 (strength). e. Knowledge, besides his/her native language, of at least one of the FIDE approved languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Spanish. f. Has published material, such as manuals, books or series of articles. g. Proof of World/International successes, as below: g1. Trainer of Olympic medal winning team. g2. Trainer of a World Champion. g3. Trainer of a Challenger for the World Championship (final match). g4. Trainer of the Continental team gold medal winner. g5. Trainer of the Continental individual champion. g6. Trainer of more than 3 World Champions in Youth and Junior categories. g7. Trainer - Founder of chess schools, which have developed a minimum of 3 IGM or 6 titled players (GM, IM or WGM). g8. Trainer, who originated and developed educational systems and/or programmes. 1.2.1.3. Title Award: a. The application (Appendix 2-a) must be sent through his/her national federation (mandatory). b. It is strongly noted that the most important criteria of a FST title (obligatory/mandatory requirements) are: f. (Published material) and g. (World/International successes) and TRG will mainly focus on these areas. All other requirements can be treated as non-mandatory. c. For the FST Title Award a ballot among the five TRG Board members will take place and a 70% positive number (Yes = 20% * Abstain = 10% * No = 0%) will be needed. If the application fails, the FIDE Trainer title may be awarded. The applicant is obliged to accept this procedure and fulfil the necessary payments. d. TRG reserves the right to investigate and accept or reject any statement of the applicant, without any further explanation. 1.2.2. FIDE Trainer (FT) 1.2.2.1. Scope - Mission: a. Introducing the trainee to important aspects of chess, such as the concept of and preparation for competitive success. This is necessary for trainees who wish to reach a high level of play or seek competitive success in any form.

FIDE TRG Syllabus

1.2.2.2. Qualification - Professional Skills Requirements: a. According to the relative evaluation tables. 1.2.2.3. Title Award: a. By successful participation in a TRG Seminar. b. Rejected applicants for the FST title but who achieve the necessary qualification for this title. 1.2.3. FIDE Instructor (FI) 1.2.3.1. Scope - Mission: a. Teach the trainee the theory of the middlegame and the endgame. He will work closely with the trainee towards the creation of the trainee's personalized opening repertoire, which he will also help enrich with new ideas. b. Raise the competitive standard of national youth players to an international level. 1.2.3.2. Qualification - Professional Skills Requirements: a. According to the relative evaluation tables. 1.2.3.3. Title Award: a. By successful participation in a TRG Seminar. 1.2.4. National Instructor (NI) 1.2.4.1. Scope - Mission: a. Raising the level of competitive chess players to a national level standard. b. Training trainees with rating up to 1700. c. School teacher. 1.2.4.2. Qualification - Professional Skills Requirements: a. According to the relative evaluation tables. 1.2.4.3. Title Award: a. By successful participation in a TRG Seminar. 1.2.5. Developmental Instructor (DI) 1.2.5.1. Scope - Mission: a. Spread the love for chess among children and methodically bring them to a competitive level. b. Instructor for beginners, elementary, intermediate and recreational level players. c. School teacher. 1.2.5.2. Qualification - Professional Skills Requirements: a. According to the relative evaluation tables. 1.2.5.3. Title Award: a. By successful participation in a TRG Seminar. 1.2.6. Evaluation Tables 1.2.6.1. Highest FIDE or National Rating (strength). Counts 20% on final title: Rating

Points Awarded

10

0-1100 1101-1250 1251-1400 1401-1550 1551-1700 1701-1850 1851-2000 2001-2150 2151-2300 2301-2450 2451-2900

0 x 20 = 0 1 x 20 = 20 2 x 20 = 40 3 x 20 = 60 4 x 20 = 80 5 x 20 = 100 6 x 20 = 120 7 x 20 = 140 8 x 20 = 160 9 x 20 = 180 10 x 20 = 200

1.2.6.2. FIDE titles. Evaluation according to the Lecturer. Counts 10% on final title: Scale 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Points Awarded 0 x 10 = 0 1 x 10 = 10 2 x 10 = 20 3 x 10 = 30 4 x 10 = 40 5 x 10 = 50 6 x 10 = 60 7 x 10 = 70 8 x 10 = 80 9 x 10 = 90 10 x 10 = 100

1.2.6.3. Attendance. Evaluation according to the Lecturer. Counts 10% on final title: Scale 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10


1.2.6.4. Bibliography - Published Material. Evaluation according to the Lecturer. Counts 10% on final title: Scale 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

FIDE TRG Syllabus

Points Awarded 0 x 10 = 0 1 x 10 = 10 2 x 10 = 20 3 x 10 = 30 4 x 10 = 40 5 x 10 = 50 6 x 10 = 60 7 x 10 = 70 8 x 10 = 80

9 10

9 x 10 = 90 10 x 10 = 100

1.2.6.5. Experience as noted in the CV. Counts 20% on final title: Years 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 +10


1.2.6.6. Written Exams. Counts 30% on final title. For a 30-question exam the final result is divided by three and multiplied by 30. For a 15question exam the final result is divided by oneand-a-half and multiplied by 30. The numbers are rounded. 1.2.6.7. According to the total result of the previous evaluation tables, the titles are awarded as following: Points Awarded 1000-800 799-600 599-400 399-200 199-0

Title FT FI NI DI No title

1.3. Procedures - Financial a. After successful graduation from the seminar course, each participant will receive a participation certificate signed by the Lecturers/Seminar Leaders. b. After the detailed report submission by the Lecturers/Seminar Leaders to TRG, the latter will submit the title applications /proposals to FIDE for approval by an official body (PB, EB or GA). c. Following approval, the trainer will receive the official diploma and badge (the badge shall include the photograph of the trainer and the licence validity) from FIDE, if the following conditions are fulfilled: c1. Requirements (Qualification) for each title as described above. c2. Diploma of the successful participation in the FIDE Trainer Seminar (except for FST). c3. Written examinations (except for FST). c4. Payments of FIDE fees (participation and titles), according to the following table:

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Title Awarded

Title Award (one-time)

Licence Fee (valid for 4 years)

FIDE Senior Trainer

300 Euros

180 Euros

FIDE Trainer

200 Euros

120 Euros

FIDE Instructor

100 Euros

60 Euros

50 Euros

30 Euros

National Instructor

Developmental Instructor 50 Euros d. The FIDE fee for a participant to a TRG seminar is 100 euros and it must be paid to the affiliated federation/body, co-organizer of the Seminar. The affiliated federation/body, coorganizer will be invoiced by FIDE for the total amount of the participants’ fees. It must be noted that the seminar fee, under certain circumstances, could be varied from 0 to 100 euros. e. It is allowed for a participant to pay his Title Fee in advance to the affiliated federation/body co-organizer or to FIDE directly. In this case he/she must inform FIDE in writing of this action. In the case that his/her title fails to be approved by FIDE, the Title Fee is not refundable. f. A titled Trainer will be charged a ‘Licence Fee’ after two calendar years have passed since the title was awarded. Each licence will be valid for four (4) years. (ex) World Champions and the FST of the 2004 Direct Approval (founders) are exempt from these licence regulations. Failing to fulfil the licence’s obligations will lead to a suspension from the trainers’ title lists. g. English is the official language between TRG, federations and Trainers. h. GMs and IMs do not have to attend a seminar, but would be given the lowest title together with all the TRG literature (optional - Appendix 2-b). i. For the School Instructor title see Appendix 9. 2. TRG Seminars 2.1. Order of Procedures 2.1.1. Application of the co-organizing body(s) to TRG (Appendix 3). 2.1.2. Approval by federation and Continental Presidency. 2.1.3. Approval of Lecturers/Seminar Leaders (Appendix 4), program and lectures. 2.1.4. Announcement on FIDE and TRG websites by completing the obligatory draft forms. 2.1.5. Results submission by the Lecturer to TRG for approval (Appendix 5 & 6). 2.1.6. TRG’s submission of the proposed results to PB/GA and payments to FIDE. 2.2. Lecturers - Seminar Leaders

FIDE TRG Syllabus

30 Euros 2.2.1. All TRG seminars are conducted by Lecturers/Seminar Leaders (FST title holders). Lecturers/Seminar Leaders are highly skilled professionals, each with many years of experience in the chess training field. They combine the expertise of a professional trainer, expert practitioner and TRG seminar experience, offering proven teaching and facilitation skills that will ensure an active and participatory learning experience. 2.2.2. All Lecturers/Seminar Leaders (Appendix 2) are appointed by the TRG once per year and an application (and approval) is needed in order to add a new FST to the list. 2.2.3. In each 30-hour seminar two Lecturers /Seminar Leaders will be in charge. Exceptions are allowed if approved beforehand by TRG. For a 15-hour seminar one Lecturer is allowed. 2.2.4. Assistants (other titled psychologists, etc) are allowed.

trainers,

2.2.5. The Syllabus guideline will be used in TRG seminars. A copy must be given (free or by debit) to all participants before the written examinations. 2.2.6. When organizing seminars for National Instructor and Developmental Instructor titles, it is possible that they can be conducted by FIDE Trainer or FIDE Instructor title holders. But this has to be approved in advance by TRG. 2.2.7. A recommended estimated cost for Lecturers’ fees for TRG seminars is 3.500 euros for a 30-hour seminar and 1.750 euros for a 15hour seminar. That amount includes neither travel expenses nor board & lodging. Various other expenses (auditorium, bulletin, coffee-breaks costs) will be the responsibility of the coorganizer. 2.2.8. A co-organizer is granted the right to charge each participant a ‘participation fee’ up to 450 euros. Any such ‘participation fee’ is deemed to include the FIDE fee of 100 euros (1.3.d). 2.2.9. In each seminar programme (prospectus) the following must be analysed: 2.2.9.1. Dates.

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2.2.9.2. Location. 2.2.9.3. Titles’ analysis. 2.2.9.4. Order of events and course plan. 2.2.9.5. Various costs and payments. 2.2.9.6. Lecturers. 2.2.9.7. Various other information. 2.2.10. All participants must complete their personal ID-Card (Appendix 7) and return it in electronical form to the Lecture. 2.2.11. Any seminar participant is obliged to fully accept the present Regulations with his/her written participation. Appeals against the Lecturer’s decision are allowed within 30 days and only via the national federation. The decision of TRG will be final.

Official Books. 3.2.5. Shall pay the Registration Fee (200 euros) and annual fee (300 euros per year) to FIDE. These fees do not apply to the three founding FIDE Academies: ASEAN Chess Academy (Singapore), FIDE Trainer Academy (Berlin), and American Chess University (New Jersey). 3.2.6. Shall cooperate with TRG’s approved FIDE Lecturers/Seminar Leaders. 3.2.7. Shall cooperate with FIDE licenced trainers. 3.2.8. Shall provide and regularly update requested necessary information for TRG’s archives and microsite.

2.2.12. The conduct of seminars via the Internet may be permitted, but only after TRG’s approval of each specific case.

3.2.9. Shall cooperate in harmony, with all.

3. Guideline for FIDE Academies

3.3.1. Can submit via the National Federation its internal tournaments for FIDE Rating calculations. No additional costs other than the official FIDE can be added by the National Federation.

3.1. Procedures. 3.1.1. A FIDE Academy application must be endorsed and sent by the National Chess Federation (which must be a member of FIDE), where the Academy is registered and affiliated. 3.1.2. The applicant must address an official application to its National Chess Federation, with a copy to TRG. 3.1.3. The National Federation is responsible to officially inform TRG within 90 days on its decision. In case of rejection, a valid reason, according to the FIDE/TRG Regulations, should be noted. 3.1.4. The applicant has the right to appeal against a rejection. TRG’s decision would be final upon approval by Presidential Board or General Assembly. 3.2. Obligations. 3.2.1. An approved and endorsed FIDE Academy shall conduct its activities in accordance with the requirements, obligations, and rights assigned by FIDE, TRG, and any official terms of agreements reached between the FIDE Academy and the National Federation.

3.3. Rights.

3.3.2. Can organize FIDE Training Camps. 3.3.3. Can issue FIDE Attendance Certificates. 3.3.4. Can apply to TRG to organize FIDE Trainers’ Seminars for FIDE Trainers’ titles, without the required FIDE fee (100 euros). 3.3.5. Can send its trainees (maximum one player per category - wild cards) to World & Continental Youth Chess Championships and the World and Continental Chess School Championships. In this case the registration must be made via the National Federation. A fee for each FIDE Academy player up to 300 euros can be issued by the National Federation (administrative fees). In case of disagreement on the amount, the FIDE Academy can appeal to TRG, which will make the final decision. 4. Licenced Trainers

3.2.3. Shall follow FIDE & TRG Regulations and Guidelines.

4.1. No trainer will be offered free board & lodging at official FIDE events such as Olympiads, World, European, Continental, PanAmerican, and Asian Team Championship, and World and Continental Youth Individual Championships, if he/she does not hold any official FIDE/TRG title (official implementation: 01.07.2014).

3.2.4. Shall follow the FIDE Trainers’ Commission ‘Syllabus’ and the FIDE and TRG

4.2. No trainer will be offered access to the official playing hall at official FIDE events such

3.2.2. Shall carry on all its official documents the FIDE title and the FIDE logo.

FIDE TRG Syllabus

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as Olympiads, World, Continental, European, Pan-American, and Asian Team Championship, and World and Continental Youth Individual Championships, if he/she does not hold any

official FIDE/TRG title (official implementation: 01.07.2014). 4.3. Each national federation shall nominate an ‘Official Contact Person’ with the TRG.

Physical and Psychological Factors Efstratios Grivas Which physical and psychological assets are necessary for a successful chess career? Well, in the next pages we will be well informed on various subjects concerning a healthy sportsman’s life. Chess Assets On the basis of relevant research conducted since the beginning of the previous century, these assets are split in two main categories, innate and attainable. Innate Chess Assets 1) Self-control. 2) Ability to think on subjects. 3) Intense mental activity. 4) Obedience of will. 5) Proper distribution of attention. 6) Perception of position dynamics. 7) Combinative creative skill.

Attainable Chess Assets 1) Good health condition. 2) Strong nerves. 3) Perception of data conveyed by our senses. 4) Objective thought-process. 5) Powerful memory. 6) High mental level. 7) Self-confidence. 8) Control of emotional urges. 9) Feeling for the position (combination of thought and emotions).

The innate assets can be further enhanced and developed, but the attainable ones are purely a matter of education. Endless work and systematic training in order to improve our personal traits and the 'required assets' is essential for our overall chess improvement and the climb up to the highest title; that of grandmaster. Naturally, without the help of a specialized trainer or advisor, the trainee finds it difficult to understand or try to improve the above-mentioned assets. After all, these assets are exclusively related to chess and have no direct bearing on our other interests. For example, 'powerful special memory' may refer exclusively to chess-related matters (data), as opposed to other matters; naturally, the opposite is also possible. Each of us is unique. Health & Sports Chess-players tend to grossly ignore the proper state of their health, consequently being in serious danger of suffering heart problems due to the combination of lack of physical training and daily stress stemming from preparation for and participation in competitions. Therefore, workout or sport activities in general is essential, not only to protect our precious health but also to ensure better results over a longer period of time. Man's first kinetic activity, walking, does not require any specialized equipment, can take place everywhere and brings several dividends. It is one of the simplest methods of aerobic training, improving cardiac and respiratory functionality, and our physical condition in general. A routine of FIDE TRG Syllabus

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half an hour of walking and two hours at the gym can turn our biological clock 6-8 years back. At the same time, it contributes to proper maintenance of weight and forestalls obesity. Finally, it helps reduce the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL) in our body. Research conducted by American universities has proven that this activity improves memory and mental focus, while the production of endorphins (substances that reduce physical and emotional pain, as well as creating euphoria) reaches extremely high levels. Training Time-Frame Another topic that must be addressed is the 'time-frame' of training in relation to the scale of our mental activities, and how we are able to attain maximum performance in it. Science almost unanimously accepts the following categorization of people: 1) Larks: their mental processes are most efficient during the first half of the day, falling off during the second half. Approximately 25% of the world's population belongs in this category. 2) Owls: their mental processes are most efficient during the second half of the day and especially during the evening hours. They usually go to sleep late and wake up accordingly late. Approximately 30% of the world's population belongs in this category. 3) Arrhythmics: for these people mental processes do not display any special ups and downs during the day or night. Approximately 45% of the world's population, the largest part, belongs to this category. In practice, all top chess-players belong to the 'Owls' category! The explanation is simple and is directly related to the standard time-frame of chess competitions, which mostly take place during the second half of the day. Therefore, the chess-player 'must' place himself in this category (as far as possible) and adapt his training schedule accordingly. But of course, if it is not easy to be adjusted in this ‘new’ time-frame, solutions exist. One of the most ‘used’ one for chess-players who are fundamentally larks is to take a nap in-between lunch and play, usually for 1 to 1½ hour. Then the mind is fresh again and ready to fight! Nutrition Another important topic is the chess-player's nutritional habits. In general he should not deviate from his customary diet as regards the type and quantity of food he consumes (no exertions!), as each organism has different needs and habits. What can chessplayers do in order to improve and/or maintain healthy habits? Some very simple rules to be followed by young people are: proper lifestyle, proper sleeping patterns, consumption (in logical portions) of a variety of vegetables, fruits and natural fibres, along with one's favourite dishes involving fish, beef, chicken, ham and turkey. In other words, a healthy diet based on a variety of food, based on a weekly schedule. Soy milk, filtered water, tea (especially black or green), coffee, dairy products (such as butter, milk, eggs and cheese) shouldn’t be rarely consumed within each week. In our times, one dish rarely contains sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals. Normally, a specialized food shop can provide a nutritional supplement to meet one's specific needs. Although these supplements are costly, just consider how much harm an illness or sickness can do to your game. So, a question is been borne by all the above: what is the best diet for a chess-player, a sportsman? According to Rebecca Scritchfield (among others), following a healthy diet can be a key method of preventing heart disease. We can highlight five heart-healthy foods that can literally save our health. We recognize that these are not the only five foods that protect our heart, but they stand out as star performers and great additions to any diet. 1) Garlic: This herb is ideal for heart health. Numerous studies have shown the potential benefits of regular garlic consumption on blood pressure, platelet aggregation, serum triglyceride level, and cholesterol levels - all of which keep our heart performing. Garlic also makes a great seasoning for food so we can greatly reduce salt. 15 FIDE TRG Syllabus

2) Salmon: Make the swap from a saturated fat burger to a salmon fillet. While some saturated fat is fine, a little goes a long way. The average cheeseburger has more than half a day worth of the artery clogging fat, which will increase our risk for a heart attack. Conversely, salmon lowers that risk thanks to heart healthy fats. Omega-3s can prevent erratic heart rhythms, reduce likelihood of blood clots inside arteries, improve the ratio of good cholesterol to bad cholesterol, and prevent cholesterol from becoming damaged, at which point it clogs arteries. Also, a combination of Omega-3 (fish oils), Omega-6 (borage oil) and Omega-9 (olive oil) looks excellent! 3) Berries and Cherries: Do not ignore nature’s candy. These sweet treats are high in polyphenols, which prevent cell damage that creates unhealthy blood vessels and heart. During the winter we can opt for frozen berries. Try thawing a bag of frozen strawberries in the refrigerator. Then, add unsweetened, steel-cut oatmeal with the berries their juice and your heart will say thanks with each beat. 4) Quinoa: Often mistaken as a grain, this tiny sprouted seed is an excellent source of magnesium, the mineral that relaxes blood vessels. Low dietary levels of magnesium lead to some scary health issues like increased rates of hypertension, ischemic heart disease and heart arrhythmias. Quinoa cooks quickly and makes great leftovers. Toss with grilled veggies and roasted chicken for a delicious one-pot dinner, or try the Red Curry Quinoa recipe. 5) Hot Cocoa: Hot cocoa is brimming with antioxidants - two-times more than red wine and three times more than green tea. The cool temperatures are no match for a mug of hot cocoa. A tip: since hot chocolate mixes are full of sugar, use 100% cocoa and combine with a teaspoon of sugar. Plus you'll sweeten with the natural sugars in the milk. Special attention must be paid to the fact that many chess-players mistakenly support the concept of the 'empty stomach' during competitions. Consumption of food should take place 60-90 minutes before the start of play, as this time ensures the possibility of adequate absorption of the food, consequently providing the brain with 'fuel'. During the game one may consume small amounts of caffeine (1-2 cups of coffee or tea) as well as chocolate, which is quickly absorbed by our metabolism (in 2-3 minutes); this does not mean that any other light food is less useful. It is selfevident that alcohol is strictly forbidden. Conclusion You may be wondering how all this is related to your chess. But think about it. When you feel healthy, full of life and in spiritual upheaval, the four main emotional attributes of self-confidence, experience, concentration and adaptability strongly come to the fore. When your body and mind are in perfect shape, so will your chess.

Nutritional Practices of Chess Grandmasters Roberto Baglione Analysis High-level competitive chess is considered a demanding sport, not only mentally speaking but also, physically. A tournament chess game can take more than seven hours under stressful conditions for players. Investigations carried out by the German International Chess Grandmaster Helmut Pfleger, MD, et al. have demonstrated that the elite chess players have comparable physiological parameters in competition as those who practice sports such as shooting, car racing and golf; consequently, chess could be classified as the same category of sport as those according to these criteria. As a result, it will be necessary not to limit preparation to hours of study on the board, but to extend it to a more complete program involving physical training and an adequate nutritional plan for the demands, among others. 16 FIDE TRG Syllabus

In order to analyze the sporting habits of active International Grandmasters, a worldwide survey was conducted in 2006, with particular emphasis on dietary habits. We haven’t found previous studies referred to nutritional practices of elite chess players, and we expect that the results of this research can be interesting and useful for chess players, including Grandmasters, as well as medical doctors, nutritionists, and physical trainers. The present study involved seventy-two active International Grandmasters (17 women and 55 men, 18-55 years old) from thirty-five countries who answered an e-mail questionnaire including fifteen topics. The average ELO rating of the surveyed players (according to the FIDE list, October 2006) was 2402 for women and 2551 for men. Nutritional Habits 66.7 % of the surveyed Grandmasters ate at least three meals a day and 36.1 % often skipped breakfast. Breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day because of its direct impact on the mental (and physical) performance in the morning. It has a direct effect on the glucose concentration in the brain and liver, and supplies a number of nutrients which are essentials to produce neurotransmitters, chemical messengers which act over neuronal cells communications. Many investigations have shown that mental concentration can be affected when doing intellectual activities in the morning without having had breakfast previously, and that a proper breakfast helps to keep the mental performance in that moment of the day, according to tests on memory and attention. Even if specific investigations are still necessary for chess on this matter, it can be inferred that the performance of chess players who train or compete during the morning hours could be affected in the same way. Among the reasons why breakfast is skipped, the most common one is that some players study chess until late in the evening and then get up after breakfast time. Regarding the specific nutrition scheme for tournaments, the main results were the following. The majority of Grandmasters (66.7 %) avoided overeating or having food of difficult digestion before the games, while the rest preferred a regular or habitual intake. It is known that after eating, the bloodstream of the organs involved in the digestion process rises and, consequently, the blood and oxygen supply to other organs, as the brain, decreases. If the quantity of food is voluminous or of difficult digestion, consequences will be even more severe or last longer, and people may feel sleepy and tired, less alert and focused, and prone to make more mistakes in relation to attention and search tasks. During games, a great number of chess players (95.8 %) ate some sort of solid food or fluid, while the rest did not. The most preferred solid food by Grandmasters included chocolate (80.5 %), fruits (14.6 %) and cereal bars (9.8 %). Regarding types of fluid, main preferences were water (72.1 %), coffee (42.6 %), tea (29.5 %) and fruit juice (23.6 %). From a qualitative point of view, these liquid and solid foods choices can be considered as satisfactory, for their supply of glucose, water and other nutrients, and their adequate digestion times. Half of the surveyed players (thirty-six) took some sort of fluid even without feeling thirsty. Feeling thirsty is a sign of needing a drink but it is a late symptom and, as a result, it is not the right indicator to determine the state of hydration. A percentage of the quantity of water in the body may be lost before feeling thirsty, enough to affect and decrease the mental performance in attention, efficient arithmetic and short-term memory, in comparison with a proper hydration condition, as shown by a research. Also, thirst is an uncomfortable sensation for a player. During competitive chess games, it is common to lose water by sweating and, many times, the environment is hot and/or humid. Furthermore, sweat losses can vary a lot among athletes because of a multitude of factors like skin surface area, gender and maturation, work intensity, cloth, fitness, heat acclimatization, diet, etc., and therefore individual recommendations to effective fluid replacement are difficult to make. 17 FIDE TRG Syllabus

A very important finding of the present study was that a minority of Grandmasters (two players) reported to follow a diet supervised by nutritional specialists, designed to reach their mental and physical demands of energy and nutrients. Approximately one third of the chess players (twenty-three) reported dietary supplements use. The most frequent ones were vitamins, minerals, amino-acids and proteins. Even if all the dietary supplements taken by the surveyed Grandmasters are permitted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for their use out and in-competition, we must take into account that a wrong use of this kind of products can damage the health condition and that there is scientific proof that an important number of these supplements may contain prohibited substances, not specified on their labels. Despite the controversy about the implementation of anti-dope controls over chess, these are being carried out in some of the top-level competitions (World Championships, Olympiad) and, therefore, a player can be penalized due to the consumption of a prohibited substance, voluntarily or involuntarily. Other Related Habits Regarding to physical training, 87.5 % said to do some kind of physical activity besides chess training. 51.4 % reported to do it on a regular basis (three or more times a week) as part of their general training, while 36.1 % claimed to do it less times a week or on even a more sporadic basis. The rest 12.5 % referred not to do any kind of physical activity at all. Grandmasters within the group of those who did some kind of physical activity on a regular basis chose among swimming (nineteen players), jogging (fifteen players) and gym (fourteen players), followed by football, tennis, long-distance walks and cycling. The physical activity done on a regular basis, specially aerobic, may help the chess player in many ways: it makes body posture better, improves resistance and endorphins production (substances produced by the body that have a positive effect on the emotional state, causing a sense of comfort) and can reduce anxiety, depression, tension and stress, and can slightly improve the cognitive performance (memory, intelligence, creativity), vigor, and keep mental clearness. It also contributes to manage and keep an ideal weight and reduce body fat, it reduces the concentration of lipids in the blood, raises the HDL cholesterol level (‘good cholesterol’), it is one of the basis for the treatment of mellitus diabetes, and strengthens bone mass, among others. It is a fact that, from decades until now, many ex-world champions and other top-level chess players have been undertaking programs that included physical training. One question about tobacco consumption was included in the survey, for the well-known negative effect of this habit on health condition. Smoking is an important cardiovascular risk illness factor, it predisposes to cancer of the lung, larynx, pharynx and mouth cavity; may cause emphysema; etc. And also this habit affects nutrients negatively. Tobacco nicotine reduces the possibility for the body to make use of calcium leading to osteoporosis, and smokers suffer from vitamins (and precursors) deficiency, like B1, B12, C and β-carotene, among others. In this research, we found that 15.3 % of the surveyed chess players claimed to be smokers. Conclusions and Recommendations The results of this research provide information about sport and nutritional habits of the active International Grandmasters, but it is necessary to take into account that more investigations on these topics are needed. Regarding these results, the author carries out some practical recommendations about healthy habits to athletes, which could help to improve a sport performance too. o

Chess players should try to have breakfast daily.

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18

o

o

Avoiding ‘heavy foods’ or foods of difficult digestion before games must be adopted as a regular habit for chess players. The last ‘main’ meal before a game has to be had at least three hours in advance. If a player wishes to have something to eat nearer the time of the beginning of a competition (one or two hours before, e.g.) he/she should choose among fruits (whole ones, fruit salad or juices, raisins), cereal bars, pretzels, cookies, low fat yogurt with fruit or cereals, sports drinks. During the games, it is recommended fluid ingestion, and, if the chess player wants it (or when the game becomes long), solid foods. Mineral water, fruit juices, tea, coffee, sports drinks, cereal bars, fruits, raisins, dry fruits (almonds, e.g.), chocolate, cereal cookies, can be chosen. In all cases, moderate quantities should be taken.

o

The best strategy to hydration is to drink small quantities at regular intervals, instead of greater quantities at a few intervals, and avoid being thirsty. The same indication should be followed during board training and physical activity. It is also important to begin the activity properly hydrated.

o

It would be good for chess players ‘to train’ the quantity of fluid to be drunk while playing training games in situations similar to the tournament’s; in order to determine if the options and quantities are well tolerated (and to become familiarized with them) and then, avoid drinking quantities during an important game which may result in concentration loss. The same routine should be taken into account for solid foods.

o

Some characteristics of the urine can show the state of hydration, which gives players a very good reference. If at any moment of the day the colour of the urine is dark yellow, it is small in volume and has a strong smell, then all these signs could be showing that the chess player might not be properly hydrated and, consequently, should drink plenty of water or fluids containing water in considerable proportion.

o

It would be advisable for the elite chess players to count on scientific nutritional consultancy in order to cope with all the requirements that top-level chess entails, because nutrition plays a significant role in the sport performance.

o

The improper use of dietary supplements, mainly under self-supervision or nonprofessional supervision, can cause health problems and may result in a positive antidoping control. It is advisable that chess players take dietary supplements only if these are prescribed by a medical doctor after a complete general check, and, in the case of top players, only those ones which are not on the list of the banned substances and methods for chess. The players must be informed about the current World Anti-Doping Code.

o

Physical activities should be considered as an important component of the chess player training. It is necessary to attend clinical-cardiologic tests before starting doing this type of activity and this program must be designed by a doctor or a physical trainer.

(The author would like to express his sincerest thanks to all the International Grandmasters who kindly took part in this research, and to those who conveyed their apologies for not being able to do it.) Copyright © 2007 Department of Nutrition, National Sport High Performance Center (CeNARD) FIDE TRG Syllabus

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Differences Between Boys and Girls in Chess Susan Polgar Can female players be as good in chess as male players? The answer to the above question is, ‘yes’. But then how come very few female players can compete on the same level as their male counterpart? It seems that very few people are concerned about finding the answer, so I will discuss the reasons for this and then I will offer my solutions for change: Reasons Social Acceptance: In general, society does not encourage or really accept the concept of girls playing chess. That makes it difficult to get girls involved in chess and even more difficult to maintain their interest. Family Acceptance: There is also little family acceptance for girls playing chess. Many parents do not really understand or play chess well themselves. Some do not understand the benefits of their daughters playing chess. Therefore, if the girls are not encouraged to play chess, it is more natural for them not to play at all or to abandon it quickly. This is similar to the stereotype of boys playing with cars and trucks, while girls play with Barbie dolls. Boys don’t play with Barbie dolls because it is generally considered a girl thing. Many parents consider chess as a boy thing. Opportunities: This point directly links to the social and family acceptance issues. Because of the lack of family and social acceptance, fewer parents actually invest the time and money to encourage their daughters to play chess. And the lack of encouragement or assistance directly leads to fewer girls taking chess seriously. Intimidation: Because the ratio between girls and boys at tournaments are so skewed (9 to 1 boys vs. girls), girls often get very intimidated. And because girls have fewer opportunities to learn and play it leads to poor results, which leads to discouragement and eventually they quit. In addition, boys are usually much more rough and competitive; many girls are teased and rather than fighting back, they just don’t come back. Different approach to the game: Boys and girls approach the game of chess very differently. Most boys are results-oriented and focus on winning and losing. Girls are very different; they have a greater appreciation for the artistic and social aspect of chess. The problem we face is that most people expect girls to learn the game and enjoy it the same way as boys do. They don’t, and we as educators, parents or coaches need to understand this. If we do not recognize this differences in how boys and girls approach the game, how can we find a solution to fix it? Different interest: If we want to keep girls in chess, we must keep the girls interested in the game. We must find out what makes chess fun for the girls and what motivates them to maintain their interest. Physiological and Physical differences: As they get older, girls tend to develop faster in many ways. They develop different interests and are often treated differently; they also have different social problems. It is not easy being the “only” female player at a tournament. Many older girls have to fend off unwanted advances and are often subjected to inappropriate remarks. Being chess pioneers, my sisters and I faced many of these issues while competing in a male-dominated chess environment. No female player is immune to this. But I was able to focus on my chess because I was encouraged and supported by my parents, and I was given the opportunities to learn and compete in chess. Different standard and expectation: A chess rating is just number that measures the competitive success of a player. Yet, as I mentioned above, girls are much less competitive than boys. So if everything revolves around ratings, can we expect the same success in girls? Career Longevity: Female players often must interrupt their careers in order to raise a family. 20 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Chess Development and Improvement: We do not have specialized chess development and improvement courses geared towards girls, something that addresses the differences between boys and girls approach to the game. The same goes with chess camps or chess classes. The activities and methods of teaching chess are more orientated for boys than girls. Solutions Now I will offer some of my solutions to the above problems. Through my numerous experiences with thousands of young female players and their parents across the country, I discovered that girls do need and want a separate chess environment in which they are comfortable. Only in such an environment can you encourage more girls to stay, play and learn chess at a much higher ratio and level. This would give them a chance to advance and catch up with the boys. My solutions have been to: o Create more fun and exciting events for girls to motivate them to stay in chess longer. o Create a better atmosphere so young girls will be less intimidated. o Create activities that girls would enjoy and appreciate more. o Create more college scholarships as an incentive for girls to achieve better results. o Create a free training program to help the more serious and more talented girls excel to be top-level players. All of the above initiatives have been funded by the Susan Polgar Foundation. My idea has always been that the more girls who successfully play chess, the more motivated they will be to remain in chess, which will increase the amount of good players. It’s all about the numbers. In conclusion, girls can compete equally against boys and they can excel in chess if they are given the same opportunities. Only then we can expect a growth in both numbers and strength.

Nature or Nurture Nigel Davies What makes a great chess player, is it nature or nurture? Judging from some of the enquiries I receive about coaching this is not a question people consider very seriously. There often seems to be an assumption that someone can raise the level of their game by several hundred points (or become an international master/international grandmaster/world champion) just by wanting it and taking a few lessons. It’s very difficult to know where to begin in explaining that the achievement of mastery requires talent and very serious dedication. Whilst I tend towards brutal honesty this is not a great marketing ploy. Usually people receive more positive messages from the salesmen they approach, which is probably why they get the wrong idea about what can be realistically achieved. There are a whole range of chess products that are advertised in a way which implies it’s easy for someone to achieve their chessboard dreams. What are the qualities needed for success in chess. Undoubtedly some talent is required, and the more the better. Grandmaster Jon Levitt proposed the formula that a player’s potential rating might be described as 1000 + 10 x IQ, though knowing Levitt he probably had his tongue in his cheek when formulating this. There are certain aspects of intelligence that appear to be critical, such as abstract reasoning. But perhaps what is most important is personality. I haven’t seen much written about this, but it seems fairly clear that certain personality types are attracted to chess. Anyone who hopes to get to a very high level will have to start early and devote themselves to the game over a number of years. Far from being academic types, most of the grandmasters I’ve known tend towards being rather rebellious, having a dislike of authority and 21 FIDE TRG Syllabus

insistence on checking everything for themselves. This last factor is critical for someone who wishes to develop an understanding that will be robust under competitive pressures. It also casts serious doubt on the idea that chess can be learned from books in an academic fashion. Dr. Piotr Wozniak’s website contains one of the most interesting essays I’ve seen on the matter: Of numerous interlinking factors, the personality of a chess player may be one of the most important factors for his or her ultimate success. The baseline IQ may determine the realistic ceiling of achievement. However, it is hard work and training that makes a great chess player. For this, you need a truly neurotic personality with an extreme obsession for the game. Scrupulous analysis of the game and highly competitive spirit are crucial ingredients. It is the personality that turns a budding player into a computer-like achieving machine where chess permeates all aspects of an individual’s life. Training, tournaments, game analysis and the highest accomplishment are central points of a chess champion’s mind throughout his day. With training, further qualities develop: the art of concentration, and chess expertise. Ondemand concentration plays a greater role in chess than in other areas of creative activity. A chess player must reach top concentration at the right moment and sustain a high-level of game processing power until the next move is chosen. On the other hand, success in sciences, engineering, business, etc. will rely on the quality of the creative output independent of the speed at which it is reached. More like in correspondence chess. If you can produce a better result in 3 hours of thinking than another genius in 3 minutes of thinking, you can still arrive to a better business plan, better scientific theory, better algorithm, better design, better marketing idea, etc. Your creation over many years will accumulate those incremental points. In creativity, quality counts more than speed. So what’s the conclusion? The implication is that mastery of chess and indeed many other fields depends very largely on a love of the game, and that this love of chess will drive someone towards serious dedication. This contains an important message for those who would attempt to create a future champion by forced feeding; whilst there may be isolated examples of strong players having been driven to their success, I’ve seen many more that have fallen by the wayside and been seriously embittered towards those who pushed them.

Chess Literature Efstratios Grivas The question concerning every young and ambitious chess-player, apart from the selection of the proper trainer, revolves around the selection of the proper literature, through which he will be taught the secrets of chess. The number of books available is truly immense and it is often hard to determine which ones are most worthy of study. I am convinced that every good chess-player can suggest certain books, but opinions often differ, thus making the process of selection more difficult. TRG’s ‘subjective opinion’, based on those that we have found most useful, can be found in its website http://trainers.fide.com/recommended-books.html and it is in accordance with the 80th FIDE Congress (Halkidiki 2009) decisions and with the official endorsement by FIDE. The lists were created in four languages (English, German, Russian and Spanish) by respected and well-known trainers: Jeroen Bosch, Uwe Boensch, Anatoly Bykhovsky and Miguel Illescas, respectively. The lists are offered in forms of zip, pdf, xls and doc and are updating every 2 years. Just like an athlete collects his gear, a chess-player must collect those books that will help him train better, more efficiently and productively. In cooperation with his trainer he will be able to comprehend and absorb the knowledge enclosed in them. And then he is 'doomed' to improve! 22 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Trainers’ Common Mistakes Adrian Mikhalchishin Concept Mistakes are part of every game. Everybody makes mistakes; players and trainers. We talk about technical and psychological mistakes and sometimes about wrong choices of the opening variations against a specific opponent or about the problem of a player’s knowledge. This refers to chess players of all levels, but usually nobody mentions trainers’ mistakes during the training process during tournaments in the analysis of the games of the students. While I was performing as a ViceChairman of FIDE Trainers Committee I had the opportunity to observe the work of a number of trainers and I have to admit that their devoted work deserves praise. It is not a secret that trainers do not earn much. There are some general problems: 1) Every player at the level of candidate master starts to believe that he is a trainer and can conduct training without proper pedagogical, psychological and in many cases without special chess knowledge. Neither parents nor do chess organizations control this process. Let’s involve a player of 2600 - he can be an amazing trainer! It is the way of their thinking. This way of thinking is completely wrong. 2) The education of chess trainers was seriously conducted only in the former Soviet Union and partially in Poland, Bulgaria, Netherlands and Germany. Nowadays, around one hundred former Soviet trainers are working all over the world. The FIDE Trainers Commission is seeking to address this situation by holding seminars for prospective trainers in the FIDE Trainers Academies or in coordination with some national federations. Just a few countries held seminars for their own trainers; these were Spain, Poland, Netherlands and Germany. Since this kind of education is rather expensive and the FIDE TRG Syllabus

majority of trainers believe that they themselves are educated enough, at the moment the introducing of online training courses is the most urgent task of the commission. 3) The absence of training programs for all levels is a huge problem for all federations and FIDE as well. Many other sports have training programs and conduct a proper program of education for their coaches, but smart chessplayers do not! In the USSR there were programs of training by the famous trainer Golenishev, which were unsuccessfully updated few years ago, but this level is not sufficient nowadays. Computer programs are not of a high level at all, as their authors are completely unknown trainers. Trainers all over the world are preparing their own programs, but they can’t conduct them on an equal level as they lack financial backing. So there are good lessons and at the same time, rather poor too. Here I want to mention some typical difficulties and to try to help trainers to notice their problems. To realize the existence of such problems is an extremely important step towards improving one’s own education. Typical Mistakes Let’s deal with the most typical mistakes: 1) A training process without a longstanding plan. We must admit that most of the trainers have problems with conducting individual training. Of course, we have a lack of proper education and the absence of training plans and manuals to blame for it. There are no educational year plans. It seems to me that the training is conducted without any proper schedule. The schedule might comprise: opening tests (warm up), homework check, a main subject, tests to study a properly chosen subject and finally, homework set. Homework is one of 23

the pillars of studying subjects properly and deeply and the cornerstone of the improvement of gained knowledge. 2) Opening study is often conducted wrongly. I have been amazed to see trainers simply opening ECO, dictating lines and asking the students to remember the moves and variations without any further explanation! It seems that trainers are forgetting that the main idea of opening strategy is fast development, castling to secure the position of the king and the fight for the centre. Usually, quasi-trainers know themselves one and a half openings and teach every single student in the same way. Another typical mistake is to teach trappy schemes in the openings. Sometimes wellknown trainers also make different mistakes; for instance in one certain country all the juniors play the ‘French Defence’! They couldn’t have made a more serious mistake as everyone is aware of the fact that the open positions should be studied first and even more important, that the trainer should suggest opening choices according to the style of the students play and his/her understanding of chess. The famous Grandmaster Yuri Averbakh wrote that one of his first books was about the ‘Caro-Kann Defence’, which was a most inappropriate book for his future development! To the list of unsuitable openings for beginners we can add the ‘French’, ‘CaroKann’, ‘English’, ‘Accelerated Dragon’ and ‘Fianchetto’ systems for White. Recently I’ve been preparing a girl for the Junior World Championship, who plays that notorious ‘Accelerated Dragon’. Remembering my own junior experience (I also misused that opening), I wondered what would she play against the Maroczy Bind. As an answer I heard such nonsense that really shocked me. She had no preparation at all (actually I fought the desire to prohibit her to play that variation forever) so I had to show her the easiest and most comprehensive scheme of counter-play, which deals with the destabilization of centre after ...f5. FIDE TRG Syllabus

The best plan for the Black here is to play on the dark squares, but even the pedagogical skill of Pestalozzi wouldn’t be able to explain that to a ten-year old girl. It should be prohibited to play opening schemes without a foothold in the centre or lines which feature prolonged forced variations. How can we otherwise teach the role of the centre in chess? 3) Trainers usually do not pay attention to the analysis of the students’ games. It can be compared to the work of tennis coaches they teach how to hold your hand, the same is in chess - only with the help of analysis can you correct mistakes. 4) As time passes and a chess player improves his level, he might be given a task to analyze his own games. The great Soviet trainer of juniors Anatoly Bykhovsky who worked with Karpov, Kramnik and Kasparov, taught 12-year old Sasha Grishchuk how to perform such a task. At first Sasha brought one page of an analysis, then six months later - 2-3 pages. After that he began to like the idea and some of his analysis amounted to 15 pages!! 5) Thus when a pupil analyzes his own games, he not only tries to understand the position properly, he tries to see new possibilities which he did not consider during the game and eradicates typical mistakes. In order to keep a registry of mistakes a pupil should use diagrams. These diagrams of mistakes should be put down in a notebook or recorded on the computer, where the type of the mistake and the right solution are included. After some 50-60 diagrams are gathered in the notebook, this system begins to pay dividends as the pupil sees his mistakes and is able to correct them, which of course leads to much better results in the tournaments. The pupil can ‘vaccinate’ himself from mistakes before the tournament by a single look at some 2-3 diagrams. 6) A most important aspect of analyzing games is to take into account the moves of the opponent and pay special attention to them. Young players often forget to do this. This develops objective thinking. 24

The young player will begin to notice practical moments, improving planning and technical skills. Both the Botvinnik and the Kart school were based on the analysis of the pupils’ games, with concrete conclusions. The main thing here is to describe your mistakes verbally. The great Soviet trainer Alexander Kotov used to say that the pupil must at any moment be able to explain what he is doing and what is the idea of his move. Otherwise he does not control the situation on the board. 7) The studying of classics is organized so poorly. Even the programs of Golenishchev and Dutch Cor van Wijgerdens don’t pay attention to this. The games of Rubinstein, Capablanca, Alekhine and Botvinnik games provide amazing educational content which children can get a lot from. 8) The endgame is often studied without a proper system. A clear examination of the basics is indispensable. Here the reasons are a bit different as a lot of rather good books on endgame are available in all languages. But trainers don’t teach properly basic theoretical positions or methods of play; how to transform practical positions into theoretical ones. I gain the impression that some trainers regard teaching and studying the endgame is a bit boring, so they simply skip it! 9) Psychological mistakes and mistakes in communication with students. There are a number of such ‘sins’ and the main reason for it is a lack of pedagogical education. What should be done? Refresher courses should be organized and continual self-education will result. The right psychological approach is very important with the coaching of young players during tournaments. Here the knowledge of individual psychology of the pupils and experience of trainers is the key to success. Physical preparation is also vital. The stress of a 4/5 hours game daily plus all the preparation demands mental stability, which requires physical stability, developed by regular sport exercises. 10) An individual approach to the student must be cultivated. 90% of trainers don’t FIDE TRG Syllabus

want to figure out the words of the outstanding trainer Victor Kart, who said that every student deserves an individual approach. This reveals itself in the choice of opening repertoire, studying of classics and analysis of the pupils’ games. But trainers are too lazy to devote so much time to every student as this requires lots of effort. The exception can be only in the case when a student comes from an extremely wealthy family, but such fortune usually comes to the poor trainers, not the best. 11) Studying of the middlegame. The system of learning tactics is more or less ok, but calculation of variations is taught without any system; without proper theoretical basis and tests. Not every trainer is able to teach how to play positionally or strategically. 12) The use of computer facilities in the training process and by single students is important. In my opinion there are no good computer programs to help trainers and all existing programs are elaborated by nonprofessionals. Children shouldn’t be allowed to rush through the games on the screen or encouraged to thoughtlessly play blitz or bullet on different playing sites. When a person achieves the level of candidate master, he or she can be allowed to use Chessbase to prepare for competitors, but analysis with Fritz and friends must be carefully regulated. Too much reliance on engines can lead to weakening of ‘short calculation’ - which is extremely important for conducting and checking plans. For example, the first thing on the agenda for Arshak Petrosian, after he started working with Peter Leko, was to make Peter switch off Fritz! ‘Work using your head, trying to bring yourself closer to the terms of the game to the limit’; this is the main motto of all leading trainers. A trainers’ job may be poorly-paid, involve difficult voyages and the students will not always be thankful, but there is no greater pleasure than to witness the victories of your students and their creative and sporting growth. Recently some materials appeared, 25

with top trainers giving lessons on DVD, so in this sense the use of the computers is really welcome. 13) Narrow-minded trainers and chess players usually underestimate the value of learning chess history. It is extremely important not only for the understanding of the way chess developed, but also for the understanding of the role of chess champions.

Many young top players can’t even name the list of World Champions and their sequence. I gave the task to young chess players to write the list of all world champions, and one of them wrote ‘Catablanca!’. Youngsters who are not interested in chess history and who do not analyze the classics will experience difficulties improving his or her chess level.

Participant’s Personal ID / Registration Surname - Name Date of Birth (dd.mm.yyyy) Country - Nationality E-mail Mobile Phone National Federation FIDE ID - FIDE Title(s) Best ELO Rating FIDE - National Experience Published Works Camps / Seminars Attended

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26

Getting to Know Ourselves Efstratios Grivas It is essential to become acquainted with ourselves chesswise so as to be able to identify and codify the assets and weaknesses of our chess personality. Many trainers and trainees have asked me how this can be done properly. Well, as when you ‘feel the pain’ you make the necessary examinations to identify the problem, the same you should do with your chess! But how can this be done? Our basic source shall be the recent games we have played so far. We must re-examine this valuable and important material (yes, you should write down all your games!) and produce an 'X-ray' image of our chess-self. This examination must include all three parts of the game, opening, middlegame and endgame, for each of our games. Starting with the opening, we shall fill up two charts, one for the white and one for the black pieces. These charts will provide very clear-cut information about ourselves (provided of course that we do this work with strong self-criticism) and will show how well we understand the openings we have chosen or, in the bottom line, whether these openings really suit our style (difference between opening outcome and game result). The bigger the sample, the more accurate the conclusions (it is advisable to twice photocopy the following - one for white / one for black).

Opening Examination Opponent

Games with White Rating

Opening

Opening outcome + = –

Result of the game 1 ½ 0

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Totals

In the ‘Opening outcome’ file, ‘+’ means that we got a better position in the opening, ‘=’ means that we had an about equal position in the opening and ‘–‘ means that we did not really knew the opening or just that we got a bad position out of it. It is advisable that you should fill the charts alone and then ask the help of a trainer in case you feel uncertain or simply you need a second opinion. Here is an example of how to fill up these charts: 27 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Opening Examination 1 2

Opponent Shirov,Alexei Gelfand,Boris

Games with White Rating Opening 2732 Sicilian Defence 2690 King’s Indian

Opening outcome + = – Χ Χ

Result of the game 1 ½ 0 Χ Χ

Next, we shall move on to a similar chart in order to examine our performance in the middlegame. This chart will contain our games with both white and black, and requires (as usual) a sample of at least 40 games (20 with white and 20 with black pieces) to produce reliable results.

Middlegame Examination Games with White & Black

General Type 1 2 3 4 5 6

Middlegame type Open position Semi-Open position Closed position Attack against the king Defence of the king Combinative play

Strategy Tactics

Handling of the middlegame + = –


Totals

An example of how to fill up the middlegame chart:

Middlegame Examination Games with White & Black

General Type 1 2 3 4 5 6

Strategy Tactics

Middlegame type Open position Semi-Open position Closed position Attack against the king Defence of the king Combinative play

Totals

Handling of the middlegame + = – 4 2 0 2 3 3 0 3 3 5 0 0 1 0 4 6 2 2 18 10 12

Result of the game 1 ½ 0 5 0 1 3 2 3 0 0 6 5 0 0 1 1 3 5 4 1 19 7 14

We will then work similarly to create our endgame chart:

Endgame Examination 1 2 3 4 5 6

Games with White & Black Endgame Type Pawn endgame Queen endgame Rook endgame Bishop endgame Knight endgame Combinations of the above Totals

Handling of the endgame + = –


After completing this work we will have a much clearer picture of both our weaknesses and our strengths. It is recommended to repeat this process at frequent intervals, provided of course that we have gathered enough material from recent games. In this way we can evaluate our improvement or discover other hidden aspects of ourselves. FIDE TRG Syllabus

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Building a Repertoire Efstratios Grivas The theory of the middlegame and the endgame (see next chapter) is essential in the struggle for victory. However, just as important is our theoretical preparation in the opening, so as to lay solid and sound foundations on which to build with our knowledge of the stages that follow. In contrast to the middlegame and the endgame, where theory is objective and accepted by everyone, in the opening each chess player makes his choices in accordance with his emotions and his personal experience. No opening loses, no opening wins. All other viewpoints on the openings are pointless and harmless to the progress of a chess player. Opening knowledge is important and essential, but it cannot constitute the panacea of chess education, nor can we possibly demand to win solely thanks to this knowledge. Selection of a chess player’s openings is a purely personal matter. It is his duty to study in depth and comprehend topics such as the correct move orders, the ideas behind these moves and the plans to be employed in the middlegame. One great paradox is common among young chess players (and not only them). This phenomenon is called ‘fear of the opponent’s preparation’ and is expressed by a disproportionate appreciation of his own abilities with regard to the openings he has chosen. In simple words, the concept of ‘falling into the opponent’s preparation’, a concept that is so commonly encountered on a young chess player’s lips, is nothing other than a deeply hidden insecurity regarding the mediocre or even weak understanding of the chosen openings. A chess player that has studied and understood the openings he has chosen cannot possibly be afraid of his opponents in this particular field. How is it possible, after having gained so much experience and played a specific opening so many times, to FIDE TRG Syllabus

be afraid that his opponent will prove more ‘informed’ or more competent than him? It would practically amount to ‘suicide’ for our opponent to enter an opening that we have mastered when he doesn’t possess analogous experience. Naturally, there are occasions when the opponent’s preparation can prove deadly. It is possible even to lose games due to a specific opening discovery by the opponent; this has happened before and will surely happen again. We can however learn from our defeat and delve even deeper in our chosen openings. Choosing which openings ‘suit us’ is a tricky process. Every chess player will, during his competitive career, change several of his openings or variations within them. Personal experience, difficult situations, alterations in his personality will to a great extent determine these changes, that are considered natural and desirable in his quest for his general progress. The charts that follow offer a general overview of the desirable ‘repertoire tree’ that a chess player must have: If the chess player opens the game with 1.e4, he must prepare (make a selection) in the following openings: WHITE 1.e4 Preparation (selection) in: Alekhine Defence Caro-Kann Defence French Defence Italian Game King’s Gambit Modern Defence Petroff Defence Pirc Defence Ruy Lopez Scandinavian Defence Scotch Game Sicilian Defence Vienna Game Various other replies 29

If the chess player opens the game with 1.d4, 1.c4 or 1.Nf3, then he must prepare in the following openings: WHITE 1.d4/1.c4/1.Nf3 Preparation (selection) in: Benoni Defence Catalan Opening Dutch Defence English Opening Grunfeld Defence King’s Indian Defence Nimzo-Indian Defence Old Indian Defence Queen’s Gambit Accepted Queen’s Gambit Declined Queen’s Indian Defence Queen’s Pawn Game Slav Defence Tarrasch Defence Various other replies Naturally, preparation must continue with the black pieces as well. Against 1.e4 the chess player must select one or more openings among: BLACK 1.e4 Preparation (selection) in: Alekhine Defence Caro-Kann Defence French Defence Italian Game King’s Gambit Modern Defence Petroff Defence Pirc Defence Ruy Lopez Scandinavian Defence Scotch Game Sicilian Defence Vienna Game Various other replies

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Likewise, against 1.d4, 1.c4 or 1.Nf3 he must select his opening(s) among: BLACK 1.d4/1.c4/1.Nf3 Preparation (selection) in: Benoni Defence Catalan Opening Dutch Defence English Opening Grunfeld Defence King’s Indian Defence Nimzo-Indian Defence Old Indian Defence Queen’s Gambit Accepted Queen’s Gambit Declined Queen’s Indian Defence Queen’s Pawn Game Slav Defence Tarrasch Defence Various other replies Openings, unlike the middlegame and the endgame, demand perpetual study, refreshment and proper information. Of course, the role of the experienced trainer is always in need. His/her knowledge would allow us to build a more or less acceptable repertoire and avoid losing precious time asking ourselves what is good and what is bad for us. A potentially very strong chess-player clearly understands why it is important to save time… It must be noted that the chapters on Physical and Psychological Factors, Getting to Know Ourselves, Building a Repertoire and Middlegame & Endgame Theory, were first published in my series ‘Chess College’ (Gambit 2006). In this book they are republished with some additional notes which came ‘naturally’ from questions raised by trainers at various seminars I conducted over the world behalf of FIDE & TRG.

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Middlegame & Endgame Theory Efstratios Grivas Every chess-player who wishes to improve his level in the difficult subject of chess is obliged to study methodically and understand the existing principles that govern the theory of the opening, middlegame and endgame. Most chess-players focus more on the study of opening theory than other aspects of the game. The reasons are probably clear: opening theory is easier to learn and can provide immediate results, although this is based more on the opponent's ignorance than our own abilities. Even for a chess trainer, it is easier to teach some variations from this or that opening or a set of simple tactical motifs than to engross himself in the exposition of middlegame and endgame theory. Yes, middlegame and endgame theory does exist. The great difficulty in approaching it lies in the fact that it does not follow absolute and clear-cut paths, but rather involves deep research in the ideas and logic by which specific types of positions are treated. Moreover, unlike opening theory, the theory of the middlegame and the endgame does not change rapidly based on modern developments and remains almost intact through the years. In view of the above, any chess-player who wishes to follow a chess career or simply become a better player must refrain from the commonplace and assume a different approach. He must develop a good understanding of middlegame and endgame theory, so as to be able in his games to proceed in a proper way after his chosen opening has reached its conclusion. The chess-player can differentiate himself only in the opening; there, each one of us brings forth his own beliefs and convictions, and in general his own experiences and references. Objectively, no opening loses - but also no opening wins. The opening is just the beginning of the journey and serves to offer us a comfortable start. But to reach the end of this journey successfully we have to count on our knowledge and experience, as regards middlegame and endgame theory. Endgame theory teaches us two fundamental issues. First, how to extract the maximum from a basic theoretical position with little material, where the experts, from practice comprising thousands of games, have reached definite conclusions. Second, the way in which we can handle an endgame, depending on the material remaining on the board, and the ideas and plans we should employ. This second issue is significantly more difficult to master because, apart from making full use of the first one (we must be aware of the possible outcomes of the endgame in question) it is greatly influenced by our experience and understanding, which are basically derived from the images and impressions we have from related positions. A primary role is played here by the effort we have invested in studying. In middlegame theory, things are even tougher. We are obliged to study various types of positions with specific strategic and tactical attributes, so as to understand the underlying ideas and be able to employ them ourselves in similar situations. While many chess-players have studied these topics and acquired knowledge, it is the application of this knowledge in practice that helps differentiate between them. Chess is not a simple activity, but it becomes so much more attractive when we acquire this knowledge. The purpose of this book is to introduce the reader to advanced training concepts, using the same methods of presentation and instruction that were taught to great trainers by famous trainers that they have worked with. All of us owes to these trainers (http://trainers.fide.com/awards-hall-offame.html) gratitude for their valuable contribution to our progress as a chess-player. Besides, the fact that we succeeded in attaining the grandmaster title is owed first and foremost to the education we received and then to our personal work and effort. TRG supports trainers and trainees worldwide by publishing various surveys on the middlegame and endgame in its website: http://trainers.fide.com/surveys.html. 31 FIDE TRG Syllabus

The Role of Classics Adrian Mikhalchishin Concept Chess education is based on examples of great players of the past. Most of the typical methods of attack, analogical plans, and correct ways of conducting different ends happened first time in their games. On the basis of these games numerous books were written about endgame subjects and endgame technique. Even about openings the great Alexander Alekhine said that it is simply the practice of the masters! Naturally every developing player has to study these examples, as he will face similar positions and problems in his practice. The more a player knows of these positions, the more frequently he will be able to apply the necessary ideas in the correct way. Of course, there are many basic positions in endgames and exact variations in the openings, which have to be remembered by heart. But the greatest part of the endgame and middlegame play consists of knowledge of typical plans and typical tactical motifs, which can be used for different purposes. To help to attack the opponent’s king or simply to help conducting plans faster and more effectively. Every young player has to study them and it is possible just from the games of the great players. Vladimir Kramnik once told, that at the moment when he decided to fight for the World Championship, he spent one year just analysing all the matches of the WC. In general, we have to study classics in two ways: 1) As we explained, in the books on endgame and middlegame. Different important subjects are studied from the selected games of the greats. 2) Every top player had his or her own speciality. Like Rubinstein was the greatest master of the ‘exchange technique’, Botvinnik was master of ‘centralization’ and Alekhine was the greatest player in developing opening initiative. Each had extraordinarily instructive examples about their own favourite methods. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Another problem exists - in the chess world we don’t have many good books on the middlegame and for this reason young players have problems about how to study classics. Different tactical methods exist and for these subjects we have plenty of good literature. We will present a few examples on how the same tactical methods were developed by the top players and how more complicated it became by the years. □ Kotov Alexander ■ Smyslov Vassily E86 Moscow 1940 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Lg7 4.e4 0–0 5.Nge2 d6 6.f3 e5 7.Le3 exd4 8.Nxd4 c6 9.Qd2 d5 10.cxd5 cxd5 11.e5 Ne8 12.f4 f6 13.exf6 Nxf6 14.Le2 Nc6 15.0–0 Re8 16.Kh1 Lg4 17.Lxg4? White had to avoid a knight on g4: 17.Lg1 Ne4 18.Nxe4 Lxe2 19.Nxe2 dxe4 20.Rad1 Qxd2 21.Rxd2 Rad8 22.Rfd1 Rd3 ³. 17...Nxg4 18.Lg1 (D) It was possible to save a pawn after 18.Nxc6 bxc6 19.Lg1 d4 20.Na4 Qd5 21.Rfe1 Ne3 μ but the text move allowed Black to get very strong firm on the centre.

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18...Nxh2! A beautiful and instructive blow - White is losing at least a pawn. 19.Lxh2 Capturing with the king leads to a beautiful mating picture: 19.Kxh2 Qh4 #. Also, if 19.Nxc6 then 19...Nxf1 20.Nxd8 Nxd2 –+. 19...Nxd4 20.Rae1 Qd7 21.Qd3 Rad8 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.Lg1 Qf5! The best decision - with an extra pawn generally is good to exchange all pieces. A few tactical elements are also available! 24.Qd1 Or 24.Qxf5 Nxf5 25.Rd1 d4 26.Nb5 a6 27.Na3 Re4 –+. Game is over. 24...Ne2! 25.Nxe2 Qh5+ 26.Lh2 Rxe2 27.Re1 Re4 28.Qc1 Rxe1+ 29.Qxe1 h6 30.Qd2 Qf5 31.Lg1 Qh5+ 32.Lh2 Kh7 33.b3 d4 34.Qd3 Qf5 35.Qd2 Qe4 36.Lg1 b5 37.b4 a6 38.Kh2 g5 39.g3 gxf4 40.gxf4 Kg6 41.Lf2 Lf6 42.a4 bxa4 43.Qa2 d3 44.Qxa4 Qe2 45.Kg3 h5 46.Qxa6 h4+ 47.Kg2 Qe4+ 48.Kf1 Qh1+ 49.Lg1 Qf3+ 50.Lf2 d2 51.f5+ Kh5! 0–1 □ Sigurjonsson Gudmundur ■ Stein Leonid B82 Reykjavik 1972 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.f4 Nbd7 7.Nf3 e6 8.Ld3 Le7 9.0–0 Nc5 10.Kh1 0–0 11.a4 b6 12.b4 Nxd3 13.cxd3 Lb7 14.Le3 Rc8 15.Qb3 d5 16.e5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+rwq-trk+( 7+l+-vlpzpp' 6pzp-+psn-+& 5+-+pzP-+-% 4PzP-+-zP-+$ 3+QsNPvLN+-# 2-+-+-+PzP" 1tR-+-+R+K! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

16...d4! With this typical pawn sacrifice Black will activate all his pieces. Especially important is the opening of the h1-a8 diagonal. 17.Nxd4? Clearly better but not sufficiently enough was 17.Lxd4 Lxf3 18.exf6 Lxf6 19.Lxf6 Qxf6 20.Ne4 Lxe4 21.dxe4 Rfd8 with serious advantage for Black, as he has mobilized all pieces and also white pawns will become an easy target for attack. 17...Ng4 18.Lg1 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+rwq-trk+( 7+l+-vlpzpp' 6pzp-+p+-+& 5+-+-zP-+-% 4PzP-sN-zPn+$ 3+QsNP+-+-# 2-+-+-+PzP" 1tR-+-+RvLK! xabcdefghy 18...Nxh2! Very similar tactics the preparation of which demanded knowledge of classical examples. Now the case is much more complicated compared to the previous game. 19.Rfc1 A few tactical blows follow in the case of the king capture: 19.Kxh2 Rxc3 20.Qxc3 Lxb4 21.Qxb4 Qh4 #. 19...Ng4 20.Ne4 Lxb4! The final blow - Black wins a pawn and his position remains much better. Realization of the advantage for a Grandmaster like Leonid Stein is an only minor problem. 21.Ng5 Qd5 22.Ne4 Qxb3 23.Nxb3 Lxe4 24.dxe4 b5 25.axb5 axb5 26.g3 h5 27.Kg2 Lc3 28.Rab1 Rfd8 29.Rc2 Rc4 30.Kf3 Lxe5 31.Rxc4 bxc4 32.Na5 Rd3+ 33.Kg2 Rd2+ 34.Kf3 Ld4 35.Lxd4 35.Nxc4 Nh2+ 36.Lxh2 Rf2 #. 35...Rd3+ 36.Kg2 Rxd4 37.e5 Rd2+ 0–1 33

In the following examples we will see how an entire method of attack developed after its first application. The first game is a quite famous one; it has been published in numerous books and magazines, but it is still ‘attractive’, as an evergreen and immortal game! □ Lasker Emanuel ■ Bauer Johann A03 Amsterdam 1889 1.f4 d5 2.e3 Nf6 3.b3 e6 4.Lb2 Le7 5.Ld3 b6 6.Nf3 Lb7 7.Nc3 Nbd7 8.0–0 0–0 9.Ne2 c5 10.Ng3 Qc7 In such positions the correct strategy is to close down one bishop (d3) and to try to reduce the power of the other with ...Lf6. 10...Rc8 was another way of fighting against White's powerful bishops - the threat would be ...c4. 11.Ne5 Nxe5 12.Lxe5 Qc6 13.Qe2 a6 14.Nh5 Nxh5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7+l+-vlpzpp' 6pzpq+p+-+& 5+-zppvL-+n% 4-+-+-zP-+$ 3+P+LzP-+-# 2P+PzPQ+PzP" 1tR-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy This is an historical diagram - the great Lasker showed how to destroy the king's pawn shield with the sacrifice of the two bishops. 15.Lxh7+! Of course not 15.Qxh5 f5!. 15...Kxh7 16.Qxh5+ Kg8 17.Lxg7!! The natural continuation of the previous sacrifice. The black king will be so exposed that huge material loses will be in need in order prevent mate. 17...Kxg7 18.Qg4+ Kh7 19.Rf3 e5 20.Rh3+ Qh6 21.Rxh6+ Kxh6 (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-tr-+( 7+l+-vlp+-' 6pzp-+-+-mk& 5+-zppzp-+-% 4-+-+-zPQ+$ 3+P+-zP-+-# 2P+PzP-+PzP" 1tR-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 22.Qd7! Chess is the game of double attack, as the great David Bronstein used to say. Now Black will have no dreams about any compensation for his queen. Although the game lasted some more moves the result was never in doubt. 22...Lf6 23.Qxb7 Kg7 24.Rf1 Rab8 25.Qd7 Rfd8 26.Qg4+ Kf8 27.fxe5 Lg7 28.e6 Rb7 29.Qg6 f6 30.Rxf6+ Lxf6 31.Qxf6+ Ke8 32.Qh8+ Ke7 33.Qg7+ Kxe6 34.Qxb7 Rd6 35.Qxa6 d4 36.exd4 cxd4 37.h4 d3 38.Qxd3 1–0 □ Nimzowitsch Aaron ■ Tarrasch Siegbert D30 St. Petersburg 1914 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 c5 3.c4 e6 4.e3 Nf6 5.Ld3 Nc6 6.0–0 Ld6 7.b3 0–0 8.Lb2 b6 9.Nbd2 Lb7 10.Rc1 Qe7 11.cxd5 exd5 12.Nh4? A strange loss of time. The weakness of the dark squares is not so important. In such kind of pawn structure as hanging pawns one characteristic is clear - Black has an obvious space advantage and for this reason White has to look for a few exchanges. 12...g6 13.Nhf3 Rad8 14.dxc5 bxc5 15.Lb5? 15.Re1 would be much better, preparing e4, destroying the power of Black's centre. 15...Ne4 16.Lxc6 16.Qe2 was much more logical, preparing Rfd1 and Nf1, defending the position of his king. 16...Lxc6 17.Qc2 Nxd2 18.Nxd2 (D) 34

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-trk+( 7zp-+-wqp+p' 6-+lvl-+p+& 5+-zpp+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+P+-zP-+-# 2PvLQsN-zPPzP" 1+-tR-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 18...d4! Sooner or later it was necessary to expect something like this. 19.exd4 19.Rfe1 was still playable, but obviously Black holds the initiative. 19...Lxh2+ 19...Lxg2! was possible too. 20.Kxh2 Qh4+ 21.Kg1 Lxg2 22.f3 The only move. The capture of the bishop leads to mate: 22.Kxg2 Qg4+ 23.Kh2 Rd5. 22...Rfe8! This is the key move of Tarrasch's calculation - White can't take on g2 because of mate. 23.Ne4 Qh1+ 24.Kf2 Lxf1 25.d5 What else to do if it is not possible to take on f1? (25.Rxf1 Qh2+). 25...f5! No fear of the long diagonal! 26.Qc3 Qg2+ 27.Ke3 Rxe4+ 28.fxe4 f4+ 28...Qg3+ 29.Kd2 Qf2+ 30.Kd1 Qe2 # was mating faster, but probably Tarrasch wanted automatically to include his rook into the attack. Anyway, the result was not in doubt! 29.Kxf4 Rf8+ 30.Ke5 Qh2+ 31.Ke6 Re8+ 32.Kd7 Lb5 # 0–1 These methods of attack became wellknown and are considered to be classical. There are more complicated methods that have been developed by modern classic players and adopted by younger players. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Tactical, complicated development start usually from the openings, so it is possible to use the practice of greats, even their classical mistakes to play opening plans correctly. □ Geller Efim ■ Petrosian Tigran C16 Moscow 1963 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.e5 b6 5.Nf3 Qd7 6.Ld2 Lf8 7.a4 Nc6 8.Le2 Nge7 9.0–0 The great Tigran chooses a very tough system, which demands slow development and real suffering in the opening. He starts to attack his opponents centre prematurely, for once not displaying his legendary patience. It was necessary to complete his development. 9...f6 10.Re1 fxe5? (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+kvl-tr( 7zp-zpqsn-zpp' 6-zpn+p+-+& 5+-+pzp-+-% 4P+-zP-+-+$ 3+-sN-+N+-# 2-zPPvLLzPPzP" 1tR-+QtR-mK-! xabcdefghy Continuing the wrong plan, which is refuted by tactics. Petrosian expected simply the recapture on e5. Such expectations are extremely frequent and even top players are the victims of such erroneous way of thinking. 11.Lb5! Ng6 Alternatives were not sufficient either: 11...e4 12.Ne5 Qd6 13.Lf4 ± or 11...exd4 12.Nxd4 Qd6 13.Nxc6 Nxc6 14.Lf4 Qd7 15.Qxd5 ±. 12.Nxe5 Ngxe5 13.Rxe5 a6 Black tries to eliminate this unpleasant pin, but 'slightly' better was to try to complete his development with 13...Le7 although White will win after 14.Qf3 Ld6 15.Nxd5 Lxe5 16.Nf6+. 35

14.Lxc6 Qxc6 15.Nxd5 Ld7 16.Lg5 Ld6 17.Qh5+ Kf8 Even worse was 17...g6 18.Qe2 Lxe5 19.Qxe5 +–. 18.Qf3+ Kg8 19.Rxe6! Another cheap tactical trick - now White wins a second pawn and Black can easily resign. 19...Rf8 20.Ne7+ Lxe7 21.Qxc6 Lxc6 22.Rxe7 Rf7 23.Rae1 Lxa4 24.b3 Lc6 25.R1e6 Ld5 26.Re8+ Rf8 27.R6e7 h6 28.Rxf8+ Kxf8 29.Rxc7 Kg8 30.Lf4 g5 31.Le5 Rh7 32.Rc8+ Kf7 33.c4 Lb7 34.Rd8 Ke6 35.Rd6+ Kf5 36.f3 g4 37.Rf6+ Kg5 38.f4+ Kh5 39.Rxb6 Le4 40.Kf2 Rb7 41.Rxb7 Lxb7 42.d5 1–0 □ Mikhalchishin Adrian ■ Bronstein David C16 Tbilisi 1980 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.e5 b6 5.Ld2 Nc6 6.Nf3 Lb7 7.Ld3 Qd7 8.Ne2 Lf8? Of course, no trainer can explain such a move to his pupils - antidevelopment, but after an exchange on e2, huge problems with the dark squares would appear. 9.0–0 f6? (D) Natural was 9...Nb4 10.Lxb4 Lxb4 11.c3 Le7 12.b4 Nh6 13.a4 with a space advantage. But Black didn’t pay the ‘proper attention’…

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+kvlntr( 7zplzpq+-zpp' 6-zpn+pzp-+& 5+-+pzP-+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-+L+N+-# 2PzPPvLNzPPzP" 1tR-+Q+RmK-! xabcdefghy 10.a3! Here I suddenly understood that I had seen similar positions beforehand and Black's strateFIDE TRG Syllabus

gy with premature play in the centre with ...f6 is wrong as ...fxe5 is never a threat. It was necessary to prepare something against capture on e5 - Geller's move 10.Re1 is useless here. 10...fxe5? Better was 10...0–0–0 11.b4 with a clear advantage for White. But the great Bronstein saw just the automatic recapture here! 11.Lb5!! Ld6 Other options here were promise nothing rosy for Black: 11...e4 12.Ne5 Qd6 13.Lb4! (and now we can see the second value of 10.a3!) or 11...exd4 12.Nexd4 Ld6 13.Nxe6 Qxe6 14.Re1 was losing immediately. 12.dxe5 Le7 Or 12...Lc5 13.b4 Le7 14.Nfd4, with similar consequences. 13.Nfd4 a6 14.Lxc6 Lxc6 15.Nf4 And e6-pawn is now lost. 15...g6 16.Ndxe6 Lb7 17.Lc3 c6 The threat was Nxd5! winning immediately. 18.Qd2 h5 19.Ng7+ Kd8 20.e6 Qc7 21.Nxg6 Rh6 22.Nxe7 Qxe7 23.Nf5 I could never imagine that I could do something like the great Geller, but I had studied his ‘classical weapons’ accidently, just six months before this game! 1–0 Typical strategic plans in the middlegame are the most difficult part of the game to study and master. The great old masters knew how to do it! In the following two examples we will show how the strategy of attacking weaknesses became much more complicated in modern times. We will start our examples with a great game by the ultra famous great ex-World Champion, the Patriarch of Soviet Chess, Mikhail Botvinnik: □ Botvinnik Mikhail ■ Zagoriansky Evgeny A13 Sverdlovsk 1943 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.b3 Nf6 4.Lb2 Le7 5.e3 0–0 6.Nc3 c5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Nxd5 exd5 9.d4 cxd4 10.Qxd4 Lf6 11.Qd2 Nc6 12.Le2 Le6 13.0–0 Lxb2 14.Qxb2 Qa5 15.Rfd1 Rad8 (D) 36

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-trk+( 7zpp+-+pzpp' 6-+n+l+-+& 5wq-+p+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+P+-zPN+-# 2PwQ-+LzPPzP" 1tR-+R+-mK-! xabcdefghy 16.Rd2 White chooses the most direct way of pressure on isolated pawn. Modern players would probably apply space gaining strategy on the queenside: 16.a3 with b4 and eventually Rac1-c5 coming. 16...Rd7 17.Rad1 Rfd8 18.h3 h6 19.Ne5 Nxe5 20.Qxe5 Qc5 21.Lf3 b6 22.Qb2 Generally speaking during the process of attack it is useful to exchange defensive pieces, despite the simple fact that attacking pieces are more actively placed. The reason is based on an old Tarrasch rule: don't look at what you exchange but look just on what is left on the board! Theoretically, if we take out both bishops, then White wins with a typical addition to the attack; the e4 advance, after which the rook will be placed on d4. But Black will wait, when White will exchange bishops on e6, improving the defence of the isolani. 22.Lg4 Qc6 23.Lxe6 fxe6 is only helping Black. 22...Rc8 23.Qe5 Rcd8 24.Rd4 a5 Another way of continuing the attack is creation of the second weakness - this is the general rule. After creation of second weakness the opponent will be forced to place his pieces to protect it. But as a rule attacking pieces are more active than the defending ones. So, combining attack on both weaknesses it will be possible to destroy the ability of defender to protect both his weaknesses. It is the general rule of attack. 25.g4! Qc6 26.g5 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Generally speaking it was possible not to sacrifice a pawn with 26.h4, but in that case Black would slow White's attack with ...f6. So, Botvinnik tries to avoid this defensive move. 26...hxg5? Black had to follow the sharp development and to take the dangerously looking pawn: 26...Lxh3 27.Rh4 (27.Rxd5 Qe6 28.Rxd7 Qxe5 29.Rxd8+ Kh7 ÷) 27...Qe6 28.Qh2 Lf5 29.gxh6 ±. 27.Qxg5 f6 28.Qg6 Lf7 29.Qg3 f5 30.Qg5 Now it is easy to observe the weakened kingside. 30...Qe6 31.Kh1 Qe5 32.Rg1 Rf8 33.Qh6 Rb8 34.Rh4 Kf8 35.Qh8+ Lg8 36.Rf4! Black defended his second weakness on g7 and now Botvinnik spots one more weakness - f5! 36...Rbb7 37.Rg5 Rf7 38.Qh5 Now we can see the power of concentration of attacking pieces as pawn f5 is attacked by three white pieces and is protected just by two opponent pieces. 38...Qa1+ 39.Kg2 g6 40.Qxg6 Lh7 41.Qd6+ Rfe7 42.Qd8+ 1–0 □ Karpov Anatoly ■ Spassky Boris D37 Montreal 1979 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Le7 5.Lf4 0–0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Nc6 8.Qc2 Qa5 9.a3 Lxc5 10.Rd1 Le7 11.Nd2 Ld7 12.Le2 Rfc8 13.0–0 Qd8 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Nf3! White not only starts the classical blockading procedure, but also prepares piece exchanges, which are very important when playing against the isolani. 15...h6 16.Ne5 Le6 17.Nxc6 Rxc6 18.Lf3 Qb6 19.Le5! Ne4 20.Qe2 Nxc3 21.Lxc3 Rd8 Note that 21...Lxa3 22.Lxg7! or 21...Rxc3 22.bxc3 Rd8 23.e4 were not satisfactory for Black. 22.Rd3! Rcd6 23.Rfd1 R6d7 24.R1d2 Or 24.Ld4 Lc5 25.b4 Lxd4 26.Rxd4 and White stands clearly better. 24...Qb5 25.Qd1 b6 (D) 37

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+k+( 7zp-+rvlpzp-' 6-zp-+l+-zp& 5+q+p+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3zP-vLRzPL+-# 2-zP-tR-zPPzP" 1+-+Q+-mK-! xabcdefghy This typical set up of White's major pieces was first applied by the great Alexander Aliekhin. The position reminds the previous game with the addition of darksquared bishops, which make White's much more complicated. 26.g3! White is prepared to conduct a similar plan to Botvinnik's, but here it is necessary to make a few pre-operational moves to allow his queen to come to the kingside. 26...Lf8 27.Lg2 Le7 28.Qh5! a6 29.h3 Qc6 30.Kh2 These are typical prophylactic moves applied by Karpov - Black has no real counterplay and Karpov does not need to hurry. 30...Qb5 31.f4 f6 Insufficient was the other try with 31...f5?, as after 32.Qg6 Lf8 33.Qxe6+ White wins in no time. 32.Qd1! The mission of the queen is over - holes in Black's pawn structure are created and it is time for pawns to do the job. 32...Qc6 33.g4 g5 34.Kh1 a5 35.f5 Lf7 36.e4! Typical classical addition of attack of weakness. 36...Kg7 37.exd5 Qc7 38.Re2 b5 39.Rxe7 Rxe7 40.d6 Qc4 41.b3! A small but nice final tactic, destroying the opponent's tactical defence. 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

In endgames the situation is a bit different; here basic knowledge from the classical games must be conducted in extremely precise way. But we must study the basic positions plus we have to understand why certain manoeuvres are wrong. It means that even mistakes of the greats are the base of our practical knowledge.

□ Taimanov Mark ■ Fischer Robert Buenos Aires 1960 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-vl-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-zPK+-+k+$ 3+-vL-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 81...Kf4! Fischer defended a worse position for a long time, but when the players reached this position he started to play automatically. After the game he told Taimanov that he studied the method of defence from Averbakh's article in a Soviet chess magazine! He fully demonstrated the power of knowledge of the classics. 82.b5 Ke4 83.Ld4 Lc7! It is the correct method: by sacrificing his bishop Black is able to stop his opponent's pawn coming to b7 and reaching the wellknown winning position of Centurini dated from the 19th century! 84.Kc5 Kd3 85.Kc6 Kc4 86.Lb6 Lf4 87.La7 Lc7 ½–½ 38

Working with Classical Games Adrian Mikhalchishin Concept Here we will show how to study the classics and find the analyzing power and the key abilities of chess players. The essence of chess training is the development in the student of the ability to analyze and calculate. We therefore examine of typical plans and methods of in-game play, plus knowledge of exact, basic endgame theoretical positions. In order to understand better, we quote the great Garry Kasparov: ‘Self-improvement in chess is impossible without the improvement of analytical ability’. The analysis and study of the classics by trainers and by pupils is one of the keystones of the Soviet Chess School. Alexander Grischuk, after instructions by his trainer Anatoly Bykhovsky, started a program of analysis of his own games at the age of 14. At the beginning he produced one page of analysis of a single game; later it was more and more. At the age of 18 some of his analyzed games had 20 pages! My own experience is that after bad tournaments nothing helps more than a deep analysis of your own games. One must check and closely analyse the critical moments of the encounter. There might be possible problems during the analysis and a useful ‘guide’ of these problems might go like following (although more could be added): 1) The analysis is not good or thorough enough leading to a wrong evaluation of the critical moments. 2) Laziness! 3) Analysis of just our own moves, but not those of the opponent, which may be important and instructive. 4) Absence of conclusions after the analysis. 5) Absence of selection of typical mistakes. FIDE TRG Syllabus

It is very useful for young players to create a special diary, where information can be stored about his repertoire, technique and mistakes discovered during the analysis of his games. Of course this may be written or made on the computer. We will now examine the analysis procedure of the classical games: 1) Understanding of typical plans applied by the great players. The importance of centralization. 2) Spotting weaknesses in a position as the base of future plans. 3) Their reactions in critical moments and even their instructive mistakes. 4) Calculation of variations. 5) Technique in endgame and the very important realization of a material advantage. Here is a quote by Veselin Topalov: ‘Normally, when you lose the game, you learn a much better lesson than when you win. I remember a position I lost 10 years ago against Kasparov in Amsterdam. I had White and my knights on b3 and g3 were placed terribly badly. Since then I have known that some squares are not very good for knights!’ Everybody knows about the famous ‘Botvinnik School’. How did this school operate? Twenty very talented juniors from all over the Soviet Union were selected. Botvinnik demanded that before every session trainees would annotate two of their most complicated games and during the session every pupil had to defend his work and to answer questions from the other young and curious trainees as well as Botvinnik himself! Such analysis teaches a lot and at the end Botvinnik gave his recommendations as to what pupils had to do in order to improve. Usually, he said that to understand a position you must find a similar, classical example. Botvinnik remembered every classical example! It just shows how deeply he studied the games of his contemporaries. 39

For this kind of study it is necessary for trainers to have a special selection of very well-annotated games of top players to hand. So let us make an instructive analysis of a classical game with necessary conclusions: □ Vidmar Milan Sr ■ Nimzowitsch Aaron E11 New York 1927 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 Lb4+ (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8rsnlwqk+-tr( 7zppzpp+pzpp' 6-+-+psn-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-vlPzP-+-+$ 3+-+-+N+-# 2PzP-+PzPPzP" 1tRNvLQmKL+R! xabcdefghy 4.Ld2 4.Nbd2 is a very serious option, with the idea to play a3, forcing Black to give up his bishop. Then starts a very interesting and typical strategical fight - White will try to use the power of the bishop-pair, while the other side will fight for the control of the most important strategical square e4 and he will also try to create a pawn wall, which will limit the power of the bishop-pair. 4...Qe7 A move that Nimzowitsch claimed to be his invention. The originator of the opening Grandmaster E.Bogoljubow exchanged here on d2. It is possible to play the position differently, according to the taste of every chess player. The queen on e7 is well placed ready to prepare counterplay in the centre by ...e5. 5.Nc3 5.g3 is a more modern move, but generally classical players with the possible exception of Rubinstein and Alekhine played the opening simply. FIDE TRG Syllabus

5.e3 is a wrong idea, as White does not start to fight control over the critical central square e4, which is the topical idea of the BogoIndian. 5...0–0 6.e3?! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8rsnl+-trk+( 7zppzppwqpzpp' 6-+-+psn-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-vlPzP-+-+$ 3+-sN-zPN+-# 2PzP-vL-zPPzP" 1tR-+QmKL+R! xabcdefghy Not the most exact way. Correct was 6.g3 recommended by Tartakower or even 6.Qc2 which was recommended in the tournament book by Alekhine, with the idea to conduct e4 later. 6...d6 Here is one of the most important moments of the game, as there are a few completely different possibilities at Black’s disposal. It is possible to choose a classical ‘Queens Gambit’ pawn structure, which was preferred by such players as T.Petrosian, R.Kholmov and U.Andersson: 6...d5 7.a3 Lxc3 8.Lxc3 Rd8. Another option was to choose a pawn structure typical of the ‘Queen’s Indian’, characterized by the fight over the central square e4: 6...b6 7.Ld3 Lb7 8.0–0 c5 9.a3 Lxc3 10.Lxc3 Ne4 11.Le1 d6. 7.Le2 After 7.Qc2 Black can create sufficient counterplay: 7...e5 8.Le2 exd4 9.Nxd4 c5 10.Nf3 Nc6 11.0–0 Rd8 12.Ld3 h6 13.a3 Lxc3 14.Lxc3 Le6 15.Rad1 d5. 7...b6

7...Lxc3 8.Lxc3 Ne4 was even a more logical way as any exchange eases Black’s disadvantage in space. Also possible was the straightforward plan: 7...e5 8.0–0 Lxc3 9.Lxc3 Nc6 10.Qc2 Lg4. 40

8.0–0 Lb7 9.Qc2 Nbd7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7zplzpnwqpzpp' 6-zp-zppsn-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-vlPzP-+-+$ 3+-sN-zPN+-# 2PzPQvLLzPPzP" 1tR-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy Before this point almost all the choices were about how Black will fashion the pawn structure and fit his pieces around it, but now we have a critical moment for White. 10.Rad1 White decides on a strategy which prepares the opening of a central file. One of the simplest plans was not to allow the exchange of the c3knight, which would help White to control the important central square e4: 10.Nb5 Lxd2 11.Nxd2 a6 12.Nc3 or 10.Ne1 with the idea f4. Alekhine recommended here a very aggressive approach on the kingside: 10.Ng5 h6 11.Lf3 d5 12.Nh3! (12.cxd5 Lxc3 13.Lxc3 Lxd5 14.Lxd5 exd5 15.Nh3 transferring the knight to f4) 12...g5 13.cxd5 exd5 (13...g4 14.d6) 14.Qf5 (Alekhine’s recommends 14.Le2! as much stronger, preparing f4. It can be established during the analysis with the trainees) 14...Qe6! with very comfortable play. It was possible to conduct the central strategy with a different rook: 10.Rfd1 Lxc3 11.Lxc3 Ne4 12.Le1 and the bishop is not dividing the coordination of White’s rooks. Finally, 10.Ld3 e5 11.e4 exd4 12.Nxd4 Lxc3 13.Lxc3 Lxe4 14.Rae1 Lxd3 15.Qxd3 Ne5 16.Qg3 Qd7 17.b3 gives White some initiative for the pawn the threat f4 is quite unpleasant. 10...Lxc3 This exchange is a possible solution, but not the only one. The alternative 10...c5 should be taken into consideration: 11.a3 Lxc3 FIDE TRG Syllabus

12.Lxc3 Ne4 13.b4 Nxc3 14.Qxc3 Rfd8 15.Nd2 Rac8 preparing ...d5. 11.Lxc3 Ne4 12.Le1 12.Nd2 would lead to very peaceful developments: 12...Nxc3 13.Qxc3 with equal position, but the great masters were always trying to fight for the initiative. 12...f5 (D) White lost the fight over the e4-square; but this is temporary. His most urgent task is to eliminate Black’s e4-knight, but this is not possible immediately.

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7zplzpnwq-zpp' 6-zp-zpp+-+& 5+-+-+p+-% 4-+PzPn+-+$ 3+-+-zPN+-# 2PzPQ+LzPPzP" 1+-+RvLRmK-! xabcdefghy 13.Qb3! A move that looks completely illogical, but Vidmar is looking deeply into the position. The main idea is to protect the e3-pawn. The natural move 13.Nd2 was countered by 13...Qg5! when 14.f3? does not work. Another option with 14.f4 Qh6 15.Lf3 Ndf6 allows Black to strengthen his control over e4-square. A very serious option would be to try to close the b7bishop and to obtain a stronghold in the centre: 13.d5 exd5 (13...e5 14.b4 Rae8 15.Nd2 Nxd2 16.Lxd2 e4 17.a4 allows White to start an attack on the queenside and at the same time Black’s development of a kingside initiative is limited) 14.cxd5 Ndf6 15.Lc4 Qf7 16.Qd3 b5 17.Lxb5 Lxd5 18.b3 c6, when Black obtains serious counterplay. 13...c5 14.Nd2 Nxd2 14...Ndf6 15.f3 Nxd2 16.Rxd2 just allows the opponent to continue his plan. 15.Rxd2 41

15.Lxd2 is not bad, but not a logical continuation of the plan. 15...e5

Generally speaking, Black has no darksquared bishop, so according to Capablanca’s rule it is necessary to place the pawns on these squares. Illogical is 15...cxd4 16.exd4 Qg5 17.f3 Rf6 18.Qc3 as it gives up the centre. 16.dxe5 dxe5 17.f3 (D) We are coming to the most important moment of the game.

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7zpl+nwq-zpp' 6-zp-+-+-+& 5+-zp-zpp+-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3+Q+-zPP+-# 2PzP-tRL+PzP" 1+-+-vLRmK-! xabcdefghy 17...g5!!

This is one of the most amazing strategical decisions of the first part of the 20th century. Illogical was the blocking of his own powerful bishop with 17...e4 18.f4 and after the standard central development with 17...Rad8 White had a nice idea to create an object of attack: 18.Qa4 a6 19.Qb3. Finally, 17...Nf6 just helps White as it would allow an unpleasant pin with 18.Lh4. 18.Lf2 Nf6 19.Rfd1 Rae8 There was no way to limit White’s activity on the d-file, as after 19...Rad8 20.Qa3 a5 21.Qc3 Rxd2 22.Qxd2 Rc8 23.Qd6 White’s control is still strong. 20.Qa4 White tries to exploit his control over the dfile in a tactical way as he threatens Rd7 winning material. 20...La8 21.Rd6 (D) There are no tactics: 21.Rd7? Nxd7 22.Rxd7 Qf6 23.Qxa7 e4 24.Rxh7 f4 25.Le1 Qxb2 and Black is on the top. FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8l+-+rtrk+( 7zp-+-wq-+p' 6-zp-tR-sn-+& 5+-zp-zppzp-% 4Q+P+-+-+$ 3+-+-zPP+-# 2PzP-+LvLPzP" 1+-+R+-mK-! xabcdefghy 21...Qg7! Now it is clear that Black prepares a powerful attack on the white king after ...g4. Premature would be 21...e4 22.f4 gxf4 23.Lh4 f3 24.Rxf6 fxe2 25.Re1. 22.Lf1? A tactical mistake which allows the break. Tartakower recommended 22.Qc2 whereas Alekhine’s suggestion was completely different: 22.Le1 activating the bishop to c3. Two very different views of the position! 22...e4! 23.Le1 White planned to block the position, but now he loses a pawn. 23.f4 gxf4 24.exf4 e3 or 23.Le2 exf3 24.Lxf3 Lxf3 25.gxf3 g4 26.f4 Ne4 or, finally, 23.fxe4 Nxe4 24.Rd7 Qxb2 were not helpful alternatives. 23...exf3 24.Lc3 Qe7! Avoiding the unpleasant pin and switching to e3 as the direct object of attack. 25.R6d3 fxg2 26.Lxg2 26.Le2 f4 was not helpful either. 26...Lxg2 27.Lxf6 Qe4! Exploiting the weakness of the light squares for a mating attack. 28.R1d2 Lh3 29.Lc3 Qg4+ And White had nothing better to do than to resign! 0–1 Now let us return to the main critical position as we feel that something went terribly wrong and was not properly explained by all annotators (17...g5!!) (D): 42

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7zpl+nwq-+p' 6-zp-+-+-+& 5+-zp-zppzp-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3+Q+-zPP+-# 2PzP-tRL+PzP" 1+-+-vLRmK-! xabcdefghy The correct way of exploiting the d-file was a completely different one. It was necessary to penetrate in Black’s position with the queen not the rooks! 18.Qd3! It is extremely strange that none among the greats (Alekhine, Tartakower, Nimzowitsch and Flohr) have seen this resource during the annotations of this game for different magazines! Everybody praised Nimzowitsch’s flank attack, but during the analysis of the classical or top players’ games it is necessary to establish the key moments and to find the mechanisms; how the ideas work. 18...Rad8 Tactical solutions do not prevent White’s idea: 18...Nf6 19.Qxf5 Ne4 20.Qd7. 19.Qd6 Qxd6 20.Rxd6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-trk+( 7zpl+n+-+p' 6-zp-tR-+-+& 5+-zp-zppzp-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3+-+-zPP+-# 2PzP-+L+PzP" 1+-+-vLRmK-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

21...Nb8 It is best to try to transfer the knight in order to control d4 and to protect the e5-pawn at the same time. 21.Rxd8 Rxd8 22.Lc3 Nc6 23.Rd1 Rxd1+ 24.Lxd1 Kf7 25.g4 Kf6 26.Lc2 Lc8 27.h3 Nb4 And Black should keep the balance, but it is necessary to play very carefully. Overall it is only White that could have some chances due to his bishop-pair. What To Do: After such analysis of a classical game, we must make conclusions with our trainees: 1) Opening: This variation can be interpreted by Black in many different ways. White’s approach was unsophisticated, as at that time, the theory of the Bogo- Indian was in its infancy. 2) Plans: Strategically, the fight for the key e4-square is crucial. 3) Black’s flank strategy was remarkable, as it was completely new for those times. White’s technical reaction after 17…g5 was wrong, as it was necessary to exploit the open d-file with the queen but not the rooks. Vidmar was not able to find this counterintuitive idea at the board. 4) Defence: White’s defence was very weak, as at those times the technique of defence was not developed well enough. Real resistance in a difficult position is a key skill to cultivate.

Conclusion So, we made a really deep analysis of this classical game, found instructive mistakes of both players (instructive are not just the brilliant plans, but mistakes also) and established the critical moments, which must be noted, as their value is permanent. 43

Technique of Analysis Michael Khodarkovsky Concept Every professional chess player has their own training secrets, however all of them are using the same routine - analyzing classical games or those played by their contemporary colleagues and, of course, their own games. They analyze these games thoroughly and often until complete exhaustion. How do they do this and how do they find an ultimate solution as to what is good and what is bad, what is playable, and what should have been rejected? Grandmaster Lev Alburt revealed the secret: ‘To broaden your overall chess skills, choose one concrete position and analyze it exhaustively. Only after you have painstakingly unearthed every latent strategic idea and tactical nuance should you proceed to a different position’. In the past chess players had limited access to information. They could find only a few articles in the chess bulletins and then they all couldn’t wait until a new publication of Chess Informant came into their hands. The real breakthrough in information came with the appearance of ChessBase and various computer programs. Today, it is hard to imagine how chess players lived before without all these tools and gadgets that were given to them at the end of the twentieth century. Nevertheless the didactic method of chess analysis is the key to one’s success. This method or system, if you will, of specialized learning may be monotonous or even boring, but believe me you will be rewarded in the results of your tournament games. You will achieve if you increase your knowledge in a particular opening line or the entire opening system, if you will broaden your opening repertoire and elevate your level of comprehension in modern theory. In order to do this analyze as many games and positions as possible of the openings you employ in practice. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Analyze middlegame and endgame positions that arise from those opening lines. Train yourself to think objectively, regardless of stereotyped opinions and be creative. Keep improving your research techniques and analyze deeper and more accurately. As an example to help the reader to understand this analytical approach I selected a game from the 1995 World Championship match between Garry Kasparov and Vishy Anand. Being a part of Garry’s team, I will try to bring you insights of his preparation to this game. □ Kasparov Garry ■ Anand Viswanathan C80 New York 1995 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Lb5 a6 4.La4 Nf6 5.0–0 Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Lb3 d5 8.dxe5 Le6 9.Nbd2 Nc5 10.c3 d4 11.Ng5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqkvl-tr( 7+-zp-+pzpp' 6p+n+l+-+& 5+psn-zP-sN-% 4-+-zp-+-+$ 3+LzP-+-+-# 2PzP-sN-zPPzP" 1tR-vLQ+RmK-! xabcdefghy This move was introduced for the first time by Karpov versus Korchnoi during the World Championship Match in Baguio, Philippines, 1978. If 11...Qxg5 then 12.Qf3 with a strong initiative, although nothing is clear-cut yet. 11...dxc3 12.Nxe6 fxe6 13.bxc3 Qd3 14.Lc2!! (D) 44

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+kvl-tr( 7+-zp-+-zpp' 6p+n+p+-+& 5+psn-zP-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-zPq+-+-# 2P+LsN-zPPzP" 1tR-vLQ+RmK-! xabcdefghy This was the move once suggested by Mihail Tal, however he didn't elaborate further. Kasparov, to his credit, recalled Tal's thought and analyzed this position thoroughly. His analytical work was rewarded greatly in the critical game of the PCA World Championship match. In the game 6 of the same match Kasparov played 14.Nf3 but Anand came out with a strong improvement 14...0–0–0! (14...Qxd1 15.Lxd1 ² Karpov,A-Korchnoi,V (10) Baguio 1978) 15.Qe1 Nxb3 16.axb3 Kb7 17.Le3?! Le7 18.Lg5 h6 (18...Rhe8!? 19.Lxe7 Rxe7 20.Ng5 Qd2 °) 19.Lxe7 Nxe7 20.Nd4 Rxd4 21.cxd4 Qxb3 °. 14...Qxc3 15.Nb3! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+kvl-tr( 7+-zp-+-zpp' 6p+n+p+-+& 5+psn-zP-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+Nwq-+-+-# 2P+L+-zPPzP" 1tR-vLQ+RmK-! xabcdefghy This novelty, which was introduced in our featured game, is the fruit of Kasparov's FIDE TRG Syllabus

analysis. Before we go further I would like to point out that Grandmasters analyzed this position in the past. For example, Aleksei Suetin in his book 'Spanish Game' (the Russian edition, Moscow, 1982) wrote: 14.Lc2 Qxc3 15.Qh5+ couldn't give White sufficient compensation for the sacrificed piece. Bent Larsen in his book 'Karpov vs. Korchnoi' is more categorical: '14.Lc2 Qxc3 15.Qh5+ g6 is bad for White'. Mihail Tal had recommended 15.Ne4 but it could be refuted with 15...Qxa1! (15...Qxe5 16.Nxc5 Lxc5 17.Qf3 gives White a strong attack) 16.Nxc5 (16.Qh5+ g6 17.Qf3 Kd7 μ) 16...Lxc5 17.Qf3 Kd7. 15...Nxb3 Kasparov also considered 15...Rd8!? (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-trkvl-tr( 7+-zp-+-zpp' 6p+n+p+-+& 5+psn-zP-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+Nwq-+-+-# 2P+L+-zPPzP" 1tR-vLQ+RmK-! xabcdefghy for instance: 16.Ld2! (16.Qh5+? Kd7 μ) 16...Rxd2! (16...Qxe5 17.Qg4 with attack) 17.Nxd2 ². 16.Lxb3 Nd4 Here is another critical point that requires a precise analysis not to overlook all possible continuations for Black: a) 16...Rd8? 17.Qh5+ g6 (17...Kd7 18.Lg5 +–) 18.Qg4 Qxe5 19.Lb2 Nd4 (19...Qxb2 20.Qxe6+ Ne7 [20...Le7 21.Qxc6+ Kf8 22.Qxa6 b4 23.Rae1 Ld6 24.Qc4 ±] 21.Qf7+ Kd7 22.Rad1+ +–) 20.Rae1 Qf5 21.Qxd4 Rxd4 22.Lxd4 Rg8 23.Lxe6 +–. b) 16...Qxa1 17.Qh5+ (D) Two continuations for Black should be analyzed: First, 17...Kd7 and Second, 17...g6: 45

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+kvl-tr( 7+-zp-+-zpp' 6p+n+p+-+& 5+p+-zP-+Q% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+L+-+-+-# 2P+-+-zPPzP" 1wq-vL-+RmK-! xabcdefghy

b1) 17...Kd7 18.Lxe6+ Kxe6 19.Qg4+ Kf7 20.Qf3+ Ke6 21.Qxc6+ Ld6 22.exd6 Qe5 23.Lb2 Qxd6 24.Re1+ Kf7 25.Qf3+ Kg6 26.Qg4+ Kf7 27.Lc3! +–. b2) 17...g6 18.Qf3 Nd8 19.Qf6 Rg8 (19...Qd4 20.Lxe6) 20.Lxe6 Rg7 (20...Lg7 21.Lf7+! Kd7 22.e6+ Kc8 23.Qxa1 Lxa1 24.Lxg8 Lf6 25.Re1 Nc6 26.Lxh7 Ne7 27.La3 +–) 21.La3 Qxf1+ 22.Kxf1 c5 23. Lxc5 Lxc5 24.Qxg7 Nxe6 25.Qxh7 Rd8 26.Qxg6+ Ke7 27.Qf6+ Kd7 28.Qf3! +–. 17.Qg4! 17.Lg5? Nxb3 18.axb3 Qxe5 19.Qh5+ g6 20.Qf3 Ld6 21.Rfe1 Qxh2+ 22.Kf1 Qh1+ 23.Ke2 Qh5 24.g4 Qxg5 25.Qxa8+ Qd8 ÷. 17...Qxa1 17...Nxb3 18.Qxe6+ Le7 19.Lg5 +–. 18.Lxe6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+kvl-tr( 7+-zp-+-zpp' 6p+-+L+-+& 5+p+-zP-+-% 4-+-sn-+Q+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2P+-+-zPPzP" 1wq-vL-+RmK-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

18...Rd8 Black can try other alternatives, but they cannot satisfy him: 18...Nxe6 19.Qxe6+ Le7 20.Lg5+– or 18...Qc3 19.Ld7+ Kf7 (19...Kd8 20.Lg5+ Le7 21.Lxe7+ Kxe7 22.Qxg7+ +–) 20.Le3 Lc5 (20...c5 21. Lxd4 Qc4 22.e6+ Kg8 23.e7 +–) 21.Rd1 Ne2+ 22.Kh1! (22.Qxe2 Lxe3 [22...Qxe5 23.Qf3+ Ke7 24.Lxc5+ Qxc5 25.Lh3 +–] 23.e6+ Ke7 24.fxe3 with attack) 22...Lxe3 23.Qe6+ Kf8 24.Qf5+ Ke7 25.Le6 +–. 19.Lh6! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-trkvl-tr( 7+-zp-+-zpp' 6p+-+L+-vL& 5+p+-zP-+-% 4-+-sn-+Q+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2P+-+-zPPzP" 1wq-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy This move was the most difficult one to find during the preparation for the game. Bear in mind that it was 1995 and computers were not as strong and sophisticated as now, therefore most of the analysis was done 'by hand' at the chess board. The initial instinct was to play 19.Lg5, how not to make a double attack? However, it doesn’t work well for White. For instance, 19...Qc3 20.Lxd8 h5!? 21.Qg6+ Kxd8 22.Rd1 c5 –+. 19...Qc3 According to Garry, Vishy found the only temporary way to survive. Here 19...Qxf1+ 20.Kxf1 gxh6 21.Qh5+ +– mates. 20.Lxg7 Qd3 After 20...Lxg7 the usual move 21.Qh5+! +–wins. 21.Lxh8 Qg6 Not of a help was 21...Ne2+ 22.Kh1 Ng3+ 23.hxg3 Qxf1+ 24.Kh2 Qd3 due to 25.Lf5! Qc4 (25...Qd1 26.f3 +–) 26.f4 Qxa2 27.Lxh7 +–. 46

22.Lf6 Le7 23.Lxe7 Qxg4 Necessary as 23...Kxe7 would 24.Qh4+ Ke8 25.Lg4 +–. 24.Lxg4 Kxe7 (D)

allow

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+-+( 7+-zp-mk-+p' 6p+-+-+-+& 5+p+-zP-+-% 4-+-sn-+L+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2P+-+-zPPzP" 1+-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 25.Rc1! A preventive measure, which prohibits Black to advance his c-pawn and obtain a chance for a counterplay. 25...c6 26.f4 a5 27.Kf2 a4 28.Ke3 b4 29.Ld1 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+-+( 7+-+-mk-+p' 6-+p+-+-+& 5+-+-zP-+-% 4pzp-sn-zP-+$ 3+-+-mK-+-# 2P+-+-+PzP" 1+-tRL+-+-! xabcdefghy Kasparov noted that the latter move completely emphasized White’s superiority. He pointed out that the temptation to play 29.Rc4 would allow Black to continue with 29...a3, which could bring unnecessary complications in the game. 29...a3 29...b3 30.axb3 a3 31.g4 +–. FIDE TRG Syllabus

30.g4 Now everything is clear. Black's advance on the queenside has been shot down and white pawns are marching! 30...Rd5 31.Rc4 c5 31...Nf5+ 32.gxf5 Rxd1 33.f6+ Kd7 34.Rxb4 +– or 31...Ne6 32.Lb3 Nc5 33.Lc2! b3 34.Lxb3 Rd3+ 35.Ke2 Rxb3 36.Rxc5! +–. 32.Ke4 Rd8 33.Rxc5 Ne6 33...b3 34.Lxb3 Nxb3 35.axb3 Ra8 36.Rc7+ Kf8 37.Rc1 +–. 34.Rd5 Rc8 35.f5 Rc4+ 36.Ke3 Nc5 37.g5 Rc1 38.Rd6 Black resigned in view of 38...b3 39.f6+ Kf8 40.Lh5 Re1+ 41.Kf3 Nb7 42.Ra6. This game is a perfect example of a brilliant innovative idea, precision in analysis and elegant execution at every stage. 1–0 The second game is a famous one coming from the Olympiad in Malta, back in 1980. The young Kasparov fell victim of the home preparation of the talented Bulgarian Grandmaster Krum Georgiev, in a topical and dangerous line of the ‘Sicilian Defence’. □ Georgiev Krum ■ Kasparov Garry B96 Valetta 1980 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Lg5 e6 7.f4 Qc7 8.Qf3 b5 9.0– 0–0 b4 10.e5 Lb7 11.Ncb5 axb5 12.Lxb5+ Nfd7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8rsn-+kvl-tr( 7+lwqn+pzpp' 6-+-zpp+-+& 5+L+-zP-vL-% 4-zp-sN-zP-+$ 3+-+-+Q+-# 2PzPP+-+PzP" 1+-mKR+-+R! xabcdefghy 47

A difficult position to assess has arisen. The player who has done his homework best should win! 13.Nxe6! Best. Bad would be the immediate 13.Qh3? b3! 14.axb3 (14.Qxb3 Ld5 μ) 14...dxe5 15.Nxe6 Ra1+ 16.Kd2 Rxd1+ 17.Rxd1 Qd6+ –+. 13...fxe6 14.Qh3 Kf7 What else? If 14...Ld5 then 15.Rxd5! Kf7 16.exd6 Lxd6 17.Re1! +–. 15.f5! Le4 There is no decent alternative for Black: 15...Nxe5 16.fxe6+ Kg8 (16...Kg6 17.Qg3 +–) 17.e7 Lxe7 18.Qe6+ Nf7 19.Lxe7 +– or 15...b3 16.fxe6+ Kg8 17.Qxb3 Nc5 18.Qc4 d5 19.Rxd5 +– or, finally, 15...Ld5 16.fxe6+ Lxe6 17.Rhf1+ Nf6 18.Le8+! Kxe8 19.Qxe6+ Qe7 20.Qc8+ Qd8 21.Qb7 +–. 16.fxe6+ Kg8 Or 16...Kg6 17.Ld3 Nxe5 18.Lxe4+ Kxg5 19.Rhf1 +–. 17.Qb3! This was actually the novelty of the game. 17.Ld3 Lxd3 18.Rxd3 Nxe5 19.e7 Lxe7 20.Qe6+ Kf8 21.Lxe7+ Qxe7 22.Rf1+ Ke8 23.Qc8+ ½–½ was seen in Yeo,MBanks,T London 1979. 17...Lxc2 Or 17...Nc5 18.Qc4 d5 19.Rxd5 +–. 18.Qxc2 18.Qc4 +– was also fine. 18...Qxc2+ 19.Kxc2 Nxe5 20.e7 Lxe7 21.Lxe7 Nbc6 22.Lxd6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-+ktr( 7+-+-+-zpp' 6-+nvL-+-+& 5+L+-sn-+-% 4-zp-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzPK+-+PzP" 1+-+R+-+R! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

The complications are over and White has emerged with an extra pawn and the bishoppair vs the knight-pair; in other words, he has obtained a won position. 22...Ra5 23.Rd5 Rxb5 24.Rxb5 Nd4+ 25.Kb1 Nxb5 26.Lxe5 Further piece exchanges are helpful to the side with extra material. 26...Kf7 27.Rc1 Ke6 28.Rc5 Nd6 29.Kc2 Rf8 30.Ld4 Rf1 31.Re5+ Kd7 32.Lc5 Kc6 33.Lxb4 A second pawn to the good! The rest was hardly difficult: 33...Rf2+ 34.Kc1 Nb7 34...Rxg2 35.Re6 +–. 35.Rg5 g6 36.a3 Re2 37.Kb1 Rf2 38.Ka2 Nd8 39.Rc5+ Kb7 39...Kd7 40.Rd5+ Kc8 41.Rd2 +–. 40.Rd5 Nc6 41.Lc3 Rxg2 42.Rd7+ Kb6 43.Rxh7 Kb5 44.Kb3 Rg4 45.Rd7 Rh4 46.Rd2 Rh3 47.Rg2 Nd4+ 48.Ka2 Nf5 49.Le5 Re3 50.Lb8 Re6 50...Re8 51.Rg4! Rxb8? 52.Rb4+. 51.Rg4 Ne7 52.Lg3 Nc6 53.a4+ Kc5 54.Ka3 Rf6 55.b3 Kd5 56.Rg5+ Ke4 57.Rc5 Re6 58.a5 Kd3 59.b4 Nd4 60.Le5! Nf3 61.Lb2 Nd2 61...Nxh2 62.b5 +–. 62.Rc3+ Ke2 63.Ka4 My special thanks to GM Efstratios Grivas who helped me present this game. 1–0

Conclusion White’s home analysis paid off handsomely on both occasions and he collected an important and valuable scalp each time! The importance of home preparation should become part of your routine and will dramatically change your approach to the game. The improvement of your analytical work will become a solid foundation for your tournament successes. 48

Chess Intuition Adrian Mikhalchishin Intuitive Decisions Speaking of intuition in chess brings to my mind the Mihail Tal of the ‘60s and his ‘semi-correct’ sacrifices. One also recalls Capablanca, whose decisions at the board were often made without calculating any variations. The Russian scientist Ivan Pavlov defined intuition as being able to see the final point of a given path in complete obscurity, chosen essentially through the foundation of the experience of the individual. It appears that three types of intuitive decision exist in chess: 1) Combinative. 2) Positional. 3) Prophylactic. In the history of chess there have been several players who often took decisions simply through intuition, or who used their intuition very extensively in their decisionmaking process; for instance Capablanca, Bronstein, Tal, Smyslov, Petrosian, Spassky, Stein and Anand. Those who could support their intuitive choices with precise calculation were simply the greatest. They had the ability to ‘sense’ the best continuation without spending a lot of time on the clock. Naturally, this approach can lead to the occasional two-move blunder, but for the names in the list above, the frequency of these mistakes remains very low. Definition What is intuition? The technical definition of intuition is as follows: ‘Intuition; in philosophy, the power of obtaining knowledge that cannot be acquired either by interference or observation, by reason of experience. As such, intuition is thought of as an original, independent source of knowledge that other sources do not provide. Knowledge FIDE TRG Syllabus

of necessary truths and of moral principles is sometimes explained in this way’ (Encyclopaedia Britannica). But what do grandmasters themselves think of this? Anand simply says that ‘Intuition is the first move I see in a position’. It is immediately finding and understanding the essence of the position and automatically seeing the move in your mind’s eye. This very simple formula was also characteristic of the great Jose Raul Capablanca. Grandmaster Kostic told of how he and a group of players at the Manhattan Chess Club had been involved in a lengthy analysis of a particular position. They couldn’t evaluate the position, yet when Capablanca came he looked for 30 seconds and said: ‘Here it is necessary to exchange a few pieces and the endgame will be favourable for White’. They checked, and it was true! The well-known psychologist and grandmaster Helmut Pfleger regards intuition to be something that cannot be substantiated rationally, and is in effect, a feeling: ‘Intuition in chess (but not only in chess) is either a conclusion, which a player is unable to immediately explain. So in certain positions, Capablanca and Petrosian simply did not need to think. They either knew or sensed what to do. In art, this is known as a moment of inspiration and shows what cannot be created through calculation alone. Without intuition, analysis alone cannot produce results. The difference between a computer and human lies in the fact that having worked through the assorted branches of variations, the former generates a numerical/material evaluation, whereas the latter forms a feeling for the position’. Here is the opinion of Genna Sosonko: ‘Behind the word intuition lays our subconscious experience or knowledge of 49

games and ideas, either our own, or those of others. Therefore, intuition is the knowledge we have formed in our minds on a purely subconscious level. Among the greatest chess-players this assembling of information occurs very rapidly, and I cannot conceive that a person who has just learnt chess could have already developed this skill. I rarely calculate deeply myself, but regularly sense the moment when it is necessary to stop playing on auto-pilot and work out a few critical lines. To my mind, developing one’s intuition is a straightforward task. It is a matter of studying the most diverse games and especially the classics. Among the most gifted players, we see this chess intuition in abundance. Vladimir Kramnik’s opinion is interesting: ‘Intuition is the immediate awareness of the position, but this is difficult to explain logically. Intuition is a sense which depends on knowledge; the more you accumulate, the better your intuition becomes. But on the whole, natural talent plays the biggest part. Good intuition is the first sign of chess talent. Simply speaking, you may like some positions, and dislike others, some positions you have faith in, whereas others you do not trust at all - this is what constitutes intuitive judgment. In a favourable position, intuition plays a less significant role, whereas in blitz, it is the most important thing. I myself am an intuitive player; my whole game is based on intuition. I simply reject certain variations or do not calculate them to the end, because I sense that they are incorrect. Capablanca and Anand are examples of great intuitive players, whereas Kasparov is the greatest calculator; for him intuition does not feature highly in the decision-making processes. Experience shows that in unclear positions, grandmasters examine no more than three or four moves; all other continuations are FIDE TRG Syllabus

discarded instinctively, for they lie outside the zone that intuition permits us to consider. Lasker noted this: ‘The greater the mastery, the greater the restrictions. Undoubtedly, it is this that distinguishes the strong player. Thus when there are multiple possibilities he rejects concrete calculation and uses his intuition to find the right move. Once found, he will check this move with concrete analysis as a safety measure. Polish grandmaster Wlodzimierz Schmidt described intuition as ‘sub-conscious knowledge’. Again, one could spend hours deliberating how to interpret this, but the fact of the matter is that understanding in some people develops much more quickly than in others. Botvinnik considered Capablanca to be the greatest player of all the time because of his intuitive play. Here are the thoughts of Boris Gelfand: ‘Intuition is what reveals itself in crucial positions, where neither a clear-cut plan nor a forcing continuation exists.’ However, intuition becomes apparent first of all in one’s initial evaluation of the position and in the choice of move. For Kasparov, the first assessment of the position and consequently chosen moves are often mistaken; he instead reaches the correct decisions by means of enormous analytical effort. On the other hand, the first positional evaluation of the great intuitive player Boris Spassky almost always proved correct. Both for chess-players, and for those in academic study, the root of success is founded on the ability to think intuitively. The ability to open one’s mind to this way of thinking, and to break it down into its constituent elements, remains one of the great unsolved problems’. We end with Vassily Smyslov’s take on the subject: ‘In my games I depend not only on my experience, knowledge and analytical ability, but most of all on my intuition, for it is this ‘feeling’ for the position that enables us to evaluate accurately and profoundly’. In our coming examples, we will see a development of these ideas. 50

□ Mikhalchishin Adrian ■ Chernin Alexander C10 Cienfuegos 1981 1.d4 e6 2.e4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Lg5 dxe4 5.Nxe4 Nbd7 6.Nxf6+ Nxf6 7.Nf3 c5 8.Lb5+ Ld7 9.Lxd7+ Qxd7 10.Qe2 cxd4 11.0–0–0 Le7 12.Rxd4 Qc7 13.Qb5+ Qc6 14.Qxc6+ bxc6 15.Rc4 c5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+k+-tr( 7zp-+-vlpzpp' 6-+-+psn-+& 5+-zp-+-vL-% 4-+R+-+-+$ 3+-+-+N+-# 2PzPP+-zPPzP" 1+-mK-+-+R! xabcdefghy It is difficult to understand that this is the 'critical position' of the game. It means the position in which a correct decision has to be taken. At the moment there are a few possible choices. Let us explain what a Grandmaster typically thinks to begin with in such positions. They keep it simple: if there are no direct tactics in the position one should find one’s worst piece and improve or exchange it. In the given position this is the h1-rook, but after 16.Rd1 Nd7! and the bishop exchange, Black plays ...Rhc8 and ...Nb6 protecting everything on the queenside. Another try would be 16.Ne5 Nd7! 17.Le7 Nxe5 18.Rxc5 Nd7! and White is in trouble - two pieces are hanging. So, after this preliminary process the Grandmaster starts to dislike the f6-knight as he realizes that this is the key piece of Black's defence. So he comes to the idea of exchanging on f6. We described the logical way of making the decision to take on f6, which in some way is an unusual move. I gave this position as an exercise to different top players and just 5% after thinking for one FIDE TRG Syllabus

minute chose the correct 16.Lxf6!. 16.Lxf6! gxf6 17.Rd1 White's plan is to attack weaknesses, but as the main weakness is on a7, he must transfer his rook there. 17...Rb8 Simply losing was 17...Rd8 18.Rxd8+ Kxd8 19.Ra4 +–. 18.Rd3! Rb4 19.Nd2 Rg8 20.g3 Rxc4 21.Nxc4 Rg4 22.f4 h5 (D) Black's plan is also based on the weaknesses of the opponent and here his only chance is to attack g3. But unfortunately for him, 22...e5 doesn’t help as 23.h3 Rg6 24.fxe5 follows and White wins.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+k+-+( 7zp-+-vlp+-' 6-+-+pzp-+& 5+-zp-+-+p% 4-+N+-zPr+$ 3+-+R+-zP-# 2PzPP+-+-zP" 1+-mK-+-+-! xabcdefghy 23.Kd2! The king has to protect the g3-pawn; a most important function. 23.Ra3 h4 24.Rxa7 hxg3 25.hxg3 Rxg3 26.a4 was probably winning, but the text move is simply the correct way of playing. 23...h4 24.Ke2 hxg3 25.hxg3 Rg6 26.Ra3 Rh6 27.Kf3 Rh2 28.c3! And Black has nothing to attack. Please take a look at the e7-bishop - there was no real role for it in the game! 1–0 □ Grischuk Alexander ■ Riazantsev Alexander B04 Moscow 2009 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 dxe5 5.Nxe5 g6 6.Lc4 Le6 7.0–0 Lg7 8.Re1 0–0 9.Nd2 Nd7 10.Nef3 N7f6 (D) 51

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-trk+( 7zppzp-zppvlp' 6-+-+lsnp+& 5+-+n+-+-% 4-+LzP-+-+$ 3+-+-+N+-# 2PzPPsN-zPPzP" 1tR-vLQtR-mK-! xabcdefghy 11.Rxe6!! Played without much hesitation; Grischuk's intuition is remarkable. White has no real material compensation for the exchange, but he will attack the e6-pawn which is very important for the defence of Black's position and a lot of space that helps to get very active squares for his pieces. In previous games White had no courage to try this exchange sacrifice - usually players would go for 11.Lf1 c6 12.c4 Nb6 13.b3 ². 11...fxe6 12.Ng5 Qd6 13.Qe1 b5? 13...c6 doesn't help much: 14.Ndf3 b5 15.Lb3 Nc7 16.Lxe6+ Nxe6 17.Nxe6 Rfc8 18.Lf4 ± but 13...Nf4! was the only chance to create counterplay. 14.Lb3 a5 15.a4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7+-zp-zp-vlp' 6-+-wqpsnp+& 5zpp+n+-sN-% 4P+-zP-+-+$ 3+L+-+-+-# 2-zPPsN-zPPzP" 1tR-vL-wQ-mK-! xabcdefghy 15...bxa4? FIDE TRG Syllabus

Another mistake - much more stubborn was 15...c6 16.Ndf3 Rfc8 17.Nxe6 ±. 16.Nc4! Qc6 17.Rxa4 Ra6 18.Rxa5 Also good was 18.Ne5 Qb6 19.Lc4 Ra7 20.Nd3 Qc6 21.b3 ±. 18...Rfa8 18...Rxa5 doesn’t help: 19.Nxa5 Qb6 20.Nxe6 Ra8 21.Ld2 ±. 19.Ld2 Lh6 20.h4 Lxg5 21.hxg5 Nd7 (D) 21...Nh5 22.Rc5 Qd7 23.Ne5 Qd6 24.Qe4 ±.

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-+k+( 7+-zpnzp-+p' 6r+q+p+p+& 5tR-+n+-zP-% 4-+NzP-+-+$ 3+L+-+-+-# 2-zPPvL-zPP+" 1+-+-wQ-mK-! xabcdefghy 22.Rxa6 Not bad but simpler was 22.La4! Qxc4 23.Lxd7 Kf7 24.Lb5 Rxa5 25.Lxc4 Ra1 26.Lc1 winning. 22...Qxa6 23.Na5 c5 23...Rb8 24.La4 Nf8 25.b3 ± or 23...Nf8 24.c4 Nb6 25.Qe5 ±. 24.La4

24.Lxd5 exd5 25.Qxe7 +–. 24...Ra7 25.Lxd7 25.Nc6 was tempting but Black had the good defensive move 25...Nf8 and it is not so easy anymore. 25...Rxd7 26.dxc5 Nc7 27.c4 Qa8 28.c6 Rd3 29.Lc3 Qf8 30.Qe5 Rd1+ 31.Kh2 1–0 □ Svidler Peter ■ Ponomariov Ruslan C43 Moscow 2001 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Ld3 d5 5.Nxe5 Nd7 6.Nxd7 Lxd7 7.0–0 Ld6 8.c4 c6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.Nc3 Nxc3 11.bxc3 52

0–0 12.Qh5 f5 13.Re1 Qc7 14.Ld2 Rae8 15.Lc2 g6 16.Qf3 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+rtrk+( 7zppwql+-+p' 6-+-vl-+p+& 5+-+p+p+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-zP-+Q+-# 2P+LvL-zPPzP" 1tR-+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 16...Re4! A splendid exchange sacrifice, blocking the file and activating the bishops. Suddenly, Svidler is confronted with unpleasant problems. For trainers a classical example of this sacrifice is the famous game V.Liublinsky-M.Botvivnnik Moscow 1943. Quite possible was another plan starting with 16...Lxh2+: 17.Kh1 Ld6 18.Qxd5+ Kh8 19.Qf3 Lc6 ÷. 17.g3 It was very dangerous to accept the sacrifice immediately: 17.Lxe4 fxe4 18.Qe2 Lxh2+ 19.Kh1 (not 19.Kf1 Qg3 20.Le3 Lh3! –+) 19...Rf5 20.Rac1 Rh5 –+. 17...Lb5 18.Lf4 Now it was possible to try to take on e4: 18.Lxe4 fxe4 (18...dxe4 19.Qe3 Ld3 20.Qg5 ±) 19.Qg4 Rf5 with compensation, but it is not so clear that it is fully sufficient. 18...Lxf4 19.gxf4 Qd6 Sufficient compensation was possible in the endgame after 19...Qxf4 20.Lxe4 fxe4 21.Qxf4 Rxf4 22.Rab1 = but not 19...Rxf4 20.Qxd5+ Rf7 21.Qxb5 Rxf2 22.Re8+ Kg7 23.Kxf2 Qxh2+ 24.Kf3 +–. 20.Lxe4 fxe4 21.Qg3 Rxf4 22.Rab1 Ld7 23.f3 This is better than other options like 23.h3 b5 24.Re2 Qf6 ³ or 23.Rxb7? Rg4 –+. 23...b6 24.Re3 Qf6?! A serious inaccuracy that could have even FIDE TRG Syllabus

caused problems for Black. Correct was 24...exf3 25.Kf2 (25.h3 Rg4 –+) 25...Lf5 26.Re8+ Kf7 27.Rbe1 Le4 28.Ra8 ÷. 25.Rf1? (D) White could keep some advantage after the correct 25.h3! Rxf3 26.Rxf3 Qxf3 27.Qxf3 exf3 28.h4 Lf5 29.Rb5 Le4 30.a4 ².

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+k+( 7zp-+l+-+p' 6-zp-+-wqp+& 5+-+p+-+-% 4-+-zPptr-+$ 3+-zP-tRPwQ-# 2P+-+-+-zP" 1+-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 25...Lg4! 26.Qxg4 Other moves don't help either: 26.Rf2 Lxf3 27.h3 h5 28.Kf1 g5 μ or 26.fxg4 Rxf1+ 27.Kg2 Ra1 28.Qb8+ Qf8 29.Qxf8+ Kxf8 30.Re2 Rc1 31.Kg3 g5 –+. 26...Rxg4+ 27.fxg4 Qg5 28.Rg3 b5 29.Rf2 Not better was 29.Rb1 Qd2 30.Rxb5? Qe1+ 31.Kg2 Qe2+ –+. 29...Kg7 30.Kg2 a5 31.Rb2 b4 32.cxb4 axb4 Even stronger was 32...Qc1 33.Rf2 axb4 34.Rb3 Qd1 μ. 33.h3 Qc1 The rooks are too passive and clumsy as defenders; the black queen dominates the game. 34.Rgb3 Kh6 35.Rxb4 Qd1 36.Kf2 Kg5 37.Re2 Or 37.a4 Kf4 38.R4b3 Qxd4+ –+. 37...Kf4 38.Rb3 After 38.a4 winning was a deflection to a double attack: 38...e3+ 39.Rxe3 Qd2+ 40.Re2 Qxb4 –+. 38...Qxd4+ 39.Kg2 Qc4 40.Rf2+ Kg5 41.Rf7 d4 42.h4+ Kxh4 43.Rxh7+ Kxg4 44.Rg3+ Kf5 0–1 53

□ Christiansen Larry ■ Foygel Igor B15 Seattle 2002 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Lg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 d5 5.h3 Nf6 6.Ld3 dxe4 7.Nxe4 Nxe4 8.Lxe4 Lf5 9.Lxf5 Qa5+ 10.c3 Qxf5 11.0–0 Nd7 12.Re1 e6 13.Qb3 Qb5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+k+-tr( 7zpp+n+pvlp' 6-+p+p+p+& 5+q+-+-+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+QzP-+N+P# 2PzP-+-zPP+" 1tR-vL-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 14.Rxe6+?! Very tempting, but not entirely correct. However, it is impossible to calculate the developments after such sacrifice. White understands that defending this position is not going to be a piece of cake! Still the sacrifice is not entirely correct, so we see such intuitive sacrifices as a kind of bluff. 14.Qxb5 going for a slightly better endgame was objectively better: 14...cxb5 15.d5 Nc5 16. dxe6 Nxe6 (16...fxe6 17.Nd4 ±) 17.Ng5 ². 14...fxe6 15.Qxe6+ Kd8! Correct! The careless 15...Kf8?? loses to 16.Lf4 +–. 16.Lg5+ 16.Ng5 is also not a satisfactory option: 16...Kc8 17.Nf7 Qd5! 18.Qxd5 cxd5 19.Nxh8 Lxh8 and White is simply a piece down. 16...Kc8 Or 16...Kc7 17.Lf4+ and then 17...Kc8. 17.Re1 Rf8 Black could think of another serious defending option with 17...Qd5 18.Qxd5 cxd5 19.Re7 Rg8. 18.Qe7 (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+k+-tr-+( 7zpp+nwQ-vlp' 6-+p+-+p+& 5+q+-+-vL-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-zP-+N+P# 2PzP-+-zPP+" 1+-+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 18...Kc7?? 18...Rg8! 19.Qf7 Qd5 20.Re8+ Kc7! –+ was the correct way and it is difficult to see how White will save the game. 19.Qxg7 Rxf3 20.Re5! This strong intermediate move changes the result of the game! 20...Qxb2 21.gxf3 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-+-+( 7zppmkn+-wQp' 6-+p+-+p+& 5+-+-tR-vL-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-zP-+P+P# 2Pwq-+-zP-+" 1+-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy And Black resigned as the end is near… 1–0 □ Romanishin Oleg ■ Geller Efim C91 Yerevan 1975 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Lb5 a6 4.La4 Nf6 5.0–0 Le7 6.Re1 b5 7.Lb3 0–0 8.d4 d6 9.c3 Lg4 10.d5 Na5 11.Lc2 c6 12.h3 Lxf3 13.Qxf3 cxd5 14.exd5 Nc4 15.Nd2 Nb6 (D) 54

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-trk+( 7+-+-vlpzpp' 6psn-zp-sn-+& 5+p+Pzp-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-zP-+Q+P# 2PzPLsN-zPP+" 1tR-vL-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 16.Nf1! Sacrificing a pawn for no obvious reason White has no direct threats; just better placement of his pieces and possibilities of attack on both sides. 16...Nbxd5 Wrong would be 16...Nfxd5? 17.Le4. 17.Ng3 Nc7 17...Re8 18.Nf5 Lf8 19.Lb3 Nb6 20.Lg5! ±. 18.a4! A very important move - Romanishin creates an object to attack on the queenside, as a direct attack on the kingside has no immediate power: 18.Nf5 Ne6. 18...bxa4 19.Lxa4 Rb8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-tr-wq-trk+( 7+-sn-vlpzpp' 6p+-zp-sn-+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4L+-+-+-+$ 3+-zP-+QsNP# 2-zP-+-zPP+" 1tR-vL-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 20.b4! Nfe8 21.Le3 Nb5 22.Lc2 Rc8 Possible was 22...Nxc3 23.Nf5 Lf6 FIDE TRG Syllabus

24.Rxa6 Rxb4 25.Ld2 e4 26.Lxe4 Rxe4 27.Rxe4 Nxe4 28.Qxe4 and White's pieces are much more active placed, but there is no clear win at sight. 23.Rxa6 Rxc3 24.Ra8 Qc7 25.Qd5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8R+-+ntrk+( 7+-wq-vlpzpp' 6-+-zp-+-+& 5+n+Qzp-+-% 4-zP-+-+-+$ 3+-tr-vL-sNP# 2-+L+-zPP+" 1+-+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 25...Nf6? Also not good was 25...Rxc2? 26.Qxb5 Nf6 27.Rea1 ±. The only way to get sufficient counterplay was 25...Nd4! =. 26.Rxf8+ Lxf8 If 26...Kxf8 then 27.Qxb5 Rxc2 28.Ra1 Qc8 and White continues to press, but Black's defensive possibilities are far from over. 27.Lxh7+ Kxh7 28.Qxb5 Kg8 28...d5 29.Lg5 Qc4 was more precise and of course, better. 29.Ra1 d5 30.Ra7! Qc4 31.Qb8 d4 31...Qxb4 32.Qxe5 ². 32.Lg5 Nh7? 32...Qxb4 33.Qxe5 d3 was unclear. 33.Le7 d3 33...Qc8 34.Qxe5 d3 35.Lxf8 Nxf8 36.Nf5 ±. 34.Lxf8 Nxf8 35.Ra8 d2 36.Qxf8+ Kh7 37.Qh8+ Kg6 38.Qh5+ Kf6 39.Qf5+ 1–0 Conclusion To conclude, intuition is refined by a combination of study and practical play. Natural ability may determine how finely this intuition may be tuned, but this is a skill which can be developed by players of all levels through sheer hard work. 55

Basic / Typical Plans Mikhail Gurevich Concept Planning is an essential part of chess strategy. After developing our pieces we choose where to castle (or not to castle, in rare cases) depending on our plan. The choice of plan usually depends on the pawn structure and (or) on the level of our and opponent’s pieces' development. There are all kind of plans and strategies, but we will try to describe the most typical, or socalled basic plans: Attack on the kingside, queenside and attack in the centre is the most primitive way of classification. As the ultimate aim of the chess game is mating the opponent's king, we will go a bit deeper in classification, using the placement of the kings on the board, as an extremely important, practically decisive factor to consider before choosing the plan. 1) Attacking the king: The most popular, favourite plan of most chessplayers. There very few people who love to defend, but real professionals know how to provoke an attack in order to counter-attack later. The most typical plans of attack of the opponent's king are: 1.1) Attacking the uncastled king. 1.2) Attacking the king - Castling on the same side. 1.3) Attacking the king - Castling on opposite sides. 2) Queenside attack. 3) Central play. Obviously, there are all kind of combination of plans possible. The central manoeuvring might lead to kingside or queenside attack. There are certain positions, with the centre blocked by pawns, where we may combine kingside and queenside attacks together, and so on... Let us look at the most typical plans: 1) Attacking the King 1.1) Attacking the Uncastled King FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Reuss Andreas D35 Germany 2004 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Lf4 c6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Nf3 Qa5 7.Ld3 Ne4? Too aggressive. Black is mixing the position with the main variation of Meran, where White's bishop is placed on g5... 7...dxc4 8.Lxc4 Nd5 9.0–0 Nxf4 10.exf4 Lb4 11.Rc1 Alonso,R-Perez Candelario,M Campillos 2004 is the right continuation. 8.Lxe4 dxe4 9.Ng5! e5 9...Nf6 10.0–0 Qf5 11.f3! with the initiative. 10.dxe5 Nxe5 11.0–0!? Best, completing development; a classical approach before decisive action. 11.Lxe5?! Qxe5 12.Qd8+ looks nice, but much weaker than castling. After 12...Kxd8 13.Nxf7+ Kc7! (13...Ke8 14.Nxe5 Ld6 15.f4 exf3 16.Nxf3 Le6 °) 14.Nxe5 Lb4 with the idea 15...Re8, Black stands even better. Another continuation was 11.Ngxe4?! Nxc4 12.0–0 Le6 with counterplay. 11...f5 (D) 11...Nxc4 was a better choice, although after 12.Qc2 White holds the initiative. Also 11...Lf5 was also hardly satisfactory, as after 12.Qb3 b6 13.Rad1, White holds a rather pleasant advantage.

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+kvl-tr( 7zpp+-+-zpp' 6-+p+-+-+& 5wq-+-snpsN-% 4-+P+pvL-+$ 3+-sN-zP-+-# 2PzP-+-zPPzP" 1tR-+Q+RmK-! xabcdefghy 56

Now White is about three tempi up in development, as the black bishops are not developed and the king is not castled. The later fact is decisive, and the opponent must be punished. 12.Nb5!! Attacking the e5-knight, which can not move as the fork on c7 looms, breaks the coordination of Black's pieces and creates undefendable threats. 12.Nd5! was as good as the text. 12...h6 Main White's idea could be seen after the more 'obvious' 12...cxb5 13.Lxe5 bxc4 (13...Qb6 14.Qd5 Qg6 15.Qxb5+ Qc6 16.Qd5 ±) 14.Lxg7!! Lxg7 15.Qh5+ Kd8 16.Qf7 +– and mate follows. 13.Qd4! An elegant solution, mobilizing queen and rooks. Black loses a lot of material in all variations: 13...hxg5 14.Qxe5+ Kf7 (14...Le7 15.Nd6+) 15.Nd6+ Lxd6 16.Qxa5 gxf4 17.exf4 +–. 1–0 1.2) Attacking the King - Castling on the Same Side □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Hector Jonny B10 Taastrup 1992 1.c4 c6 2.e4 e5 3.Nf3 Qa5 4.Le2 f5?! 5.exf5 e4 6.Ng5! 6.Nd4 Qe5 7.Nc2 (7.Lh5+ g6! 8.fxg6 hxg6 9.Lxg6+ Kd8 μ with the idea ...Ne7) 7...Nf6 8.Nc3 (8.Lh5+?! g6 ³) 8...d5 leads to an unclear position. 6...Qxf5 6...Nf6 7.Lh5+ ±. 7.d3 Lb4+ 8.Nc3 exd3 9.Lxd3 Qe5+ 10.Le3! 10.Qe2 Qxe2+ 11.Kxe2 Nf6 12.Re1 0–0 13.Kf1 d6 is unclear. 10...Nf6 After 10...Lxc3+ 11.bxc3 Qxc3+ 12.Kf1 ± White threats 13.Nxh7 or 13.Ld4, with a strong initiative. 11.0–0 White finished the mobilization of his pieces and he is well ahead of his opponent. 11...0–0 (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8rsnl+-trk+( 7zpp+p+-zpp' 6-+p+-sn-+& 5+-+-wq-sN-% 4-vlP+-+-+$ 3+-sNLvL-+-# 2PzP-+-zPPzP" 1tR-+Q+RmK-! xabcdefghy Using a big development advantage White starts to plan an attack on the kingside. 12.Nce4! Nxe4 13.Lxe4 h6 14.Lh7+! Kh8 15.Lc2 With the threats Qd3 or Qh5. 15...d5 16.Qh5 Threats 17.Qg6 or 17.Nf7+. White does not give time to his opponent to mobilize his queenside pieces. 16...Ld6 16...Lf5?! does not solve Black's problems: 17.g4! (17.Nf3 Qf6 [17...Qe6 18.Nd4 +–] 18.Ld4 Qe6 [18...Qf7 19.Qxh6+ Kg8 20.Qc1 +–] 19.Lxg7+! Kxg7 20.Nd4 +–) 17...Lxc2 18.Nf7+ Rxf7 19.Qxe5 Nd7 20.Qc7 +–. 17.g3 Qf6 Alternatives are not helpful either: 17...Lf5 18.Nf3 Qf6 19.Ld4 +– or 17...Kg8 18.Lf4 (18.Rae1 ±) 18...Rxf4 (18...Qf6 19.Nh7 +–) 19.gxf4 Qxf4 20.Qe8+ Lf8 21.Qxc8 Qxg5+ 22.Kh1 +–. 18.Nh7! Qf3 18...Qf7 cannot save Black either after 19.Lg6 +–. 19.Qh4 The main threat is Lxh6; the second Nxf8. 19...Nd7 (D) No different is 19...Re8 due to 20.Lxh6! gxh6 21.Qxh6 Kg8 22.Nf6+ Kf7 23.Qg6+ or 19...Lf5 20.Ld1! Qe4 21.Qxe4 Lxe4 22.Nxf8 +–. It is obvious that Black has no defence anymore and it’s up to White to deliver the final blow. 57

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+-tr-mk( 7zpp+n+-zpN' 6-+pvl-+-zp& 5+-+p+-+-% 4-+P+-+-wQ$ 3+-+-vLqzP-# 2PzPL+-zP-zP" 1tR-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 20.Lxh6! Blows the last defensive line of the black king. 20.Nxf8 was winning as well: 20...Nxf8 21.Lxh6 gxh6 22.Qxh6+ Kg8 23.Rae1, but not 23.Qxd6? Lh3 –+. 20...Kg8 20...gxh6 21.Qxh6 Kg8 22.Ng5 would win at least the queen. 21.Ng5 Le7 Or 21...Qf6 22.Lxg7 Qxg7 23.Lh7+ Kh8 24.Lf5+ Kg8 25.Le6+ +–. 22.Lxg7 Black's king is defenceless, so Hector stopped the clock. 1–0 1.3) Attacking the King - Castling on Opposite Sides □ Sebag Marie ■ Gurevich Mikhail C11 Plovdiv 2008 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Le3 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Lc5 9.Qd2 0–0 10.0–0–0 Qe7 11.Kb1 f6!? Breaks down White's strong pawn's centre with the intention to complete mobilization of the d7-knight and the c8-bishop, and finally creates central counterplay. 12.exf6 Nxf6 13.Nxc6?! This exchange enforces Black's pawn centre and opens the b-file, making White's king less safe. Better was the simple central development with 13.Le2 Lb4 (13...Ld7? 14.Nf5 exf5 15.Nxd5 ±) 14.Qd3 e5 FIDE TRG Syllabus

15.Nxc6 bxc6 16.fxe5 Ng4 (16...Qxe5!?) 17.Ld4 Nxe5 18.Qe3 Ng4 19.Qxe7 Lxe7 20.Lf3 Rd8 21.h3 Nh6 22.g4 Nf7 23.Rhe1 Lh4 24.Re3 Ng5 25.Lg2 Ne6 = Efimenko,Z-Luther,T Bremen 2008. 13...bxc6 14.Lxc5 Qxc5 15.g3 The key-move in Sebag's plan, with the idea 16.Lh3 and 17.Rh1 pressuring e6-pawn. A nice, transparent plan of a central attack, just a couple of more tempos are necessary. The French GM underestimated the dynamic characteristics of the position. 15...Rb8 16.Lh3 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-trl+-trk+( 7zp-+-+-zpp' 6-+p+psn-+& 5+-wqp+-+-% 4-+-+-zP-+$ 3+-sN-+-zPL# 2PzPPwQ-+-zP" 1+K+R+-+R! xabcdefghy 16...Qa3! Using the semi-open b-file, Black starts an attack on the queenside against the opponent's king... 17.b3 c5 18.Rhe1 d4 This natural move, most dynamic continuation with the idea to free d5-square for the knight, might not be the best, as it weakens a number of squares in the centre. 18...Rb6!? was an interesting alternative... 19.Ne4 Nd5 20.Rc1 With the idea 21.c3, continuing the central strategy. The immediate 20.c3? would be refuted by the energetic 20...dxc3 21.Nxc3 Rxb3+! 22.axb3 Qxb3+ μ but 20.Qc1 Qa5 21.Qd2 trying to make a repetition or force the opponent's queen away of his king, was probably the best defence. 20...Rf7! With the idea 21...Rfb7, bringing an important reserve into the attack. 58

21.c3? 21.c4! dxc3 22.Nxc3 Rfb7 23.Nd1! is an incredible computer defence, missed by Sebag, that would probably save the game: 23...Rxb3+ 24.axb3 Rxb3+ 25.Nb2 Nb4 26.Qd8+ Kf7 27.Qc7+ Kg6 28.f5+ exf5 29.Qd6+ Kh5 30.Qd1+ Kh6 31.Qd6². 21...Rfb7 22.cxd4 White executed her plan and blew up his opponent's centre... 22...Rxb3+! But Black executed his plan and blew out the position of her opponent's king... Which plan was more dangerous? - this needs no comments... 23.axb3 Rxb3+ Precision till the end. 23...Qxb3+? would allow White to escape to a draw: 24.Ka1 Qa4+ 25.Qa2 Qxd4+ 26.Nc3 Nxc3 27.Lxe6+! Lxe6 (27...Kf8 28.Qc4 ²) 28.Qxe6+ Kf8 29.Qe7+ Kg8 30.Qe6². 24.Kc2 Rb2+ 25.Kd1 Qf3+ 25...Rxd2+ 26.Nxd2 Qa4+ –+. 26.Re2 Rxd2+ 27.Kxd2 27.Nxd2 Nc3+ 28.Rxc3 Qxc3 –+. 27...La6! 28.Lxe6+ Kf8 29.Rce1 Qd3+ 30.Kc1 Qxd4 31.Rb2 31.Lxd5 Lxe2 32.Rxe2 Qxd5 –+. 31...Nb4 32.Rb3 Nd3+ Facing further material losses White stopped the resistance. 0–1 2) Queenside Attack □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Gelashvili Tamaz E32 Izmir 2003 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.Qc2 0–0 5.a3 Lxc3+ 6.Qxc3 b6 7.Lg5 Lb7 8.e3 d6 9.Ne2 Nbd7 10.Qd3 h6 11.Lh4 Qe7 12.Nc3 c5 13.Rd1 Rfd8 14.d5 Ne5 15.Qc2 Ng6 16.Lg3 exd5!? The main alternative is the immediate 16...Nh5, when White should go for 17.Le2 Nxg3 18.hxg3 exd5 19.Nxd5 Lxd5 20.Rxd5 Qe6 21.0–0 Ne7 22.Rd2 Rd7 23.Rfd1 Rad8 24.Qb3 ² Gurevich,MMchedlishvili,M Istanbul 2003. 17.cxd5 Nh5 18.Le2 Nxg3 19.hxg3 a6 20.a4 Lc8 (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+ltr-+k+( 7+-+-wqpzp-' 6pzp-zp-+nzp& 5+-zpP+-+-% 4P+-+-+-+$ 3+-sN-zP-zP-# 2-zPQ+LzPP+" 1+-+RmK-+R! xabcdefghy Thanks to the strong d5-pawn White can go for all kind of plans here: kingside, queenside and centre... I opted for the classical recipe. 21.0–0 f5?!

This is a serious weakening of Black’s structure. 21...Re8!? 22.Rb1 Qe5 with the idea 23...Lf5, was preferable. 22.Qd2!? Prepares a queenside attack with 23.Rb1 and 24.b4. 22...Ld7 Too slow. Black should try to attack on the kingside with 22...Qg5!? 23.Rb1 h5 24.b4 (24.f4!? Qh6 [24...Qxg3 25.Rf3 Qh4 26.Rh3 Qf6 27.Rxh5 ±] 25.Kf2 and 26.Rh1 with attack) 24...h4 25.gxh4 Nxh4 26.g3 ². 23.Rb1 Rdc8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+r+-+k+( 7+-+lwq-zp-' 6pzp-zp-+nzp& 5+-zpP+p+-% 4P+-+-+-+$ 3+-sN-zP-zP-# 2-zP-wQLzPP+" 1+R+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 59

24.b4 Typical queenside minority attack. 24...cxb4?! 24...c4 was the best defence, but blocking the queenside would free all White's pieces for attack on the centre or on the kingside: 25.Rbe1!? (25.Qd4 Qe5 26.Rfd1 ²) 25...b5 26.a5 Rf8 27.Ld1 Rae8 28.f4 with the idea 29.Lc2 and 30.g4 or 30.e4. 25.Rxb4 Qf6 26.Rc1 Rc5 26...Qd8 27.Rcb1 Qf6 28.R1b3 ±. 27.Rxb6! Rac8 28.Lxa6! Tactical support of White's strategy. 28... R8c7 28...Rxc3 doesn't help: 29.Lxc8 Rxc8 30.Rxc8+ Lxc8 31.Rb8 Qd8 (31...Ne7 32.Qc1 Qf8 33.a5 +–) 32.Qc3 Ne7 33.a5 Qd7 34.a6 Kh7 35.Qa3 Qa7 36.Qxd6 +–. 29.Rb7 Rxb7 30.Lxb7 Ne5 31.La6 h5 32.Lb5 h4 33.Lxd7 Nxd7 34.Ne2 hxg3 35.Nxg3 g6 36.Ne2 Qe5 37.Nf4 g5 38.Ne6 Rxd5 39.Rc8+ Kf7 40.Nxg5+ Kf6 41.Qc1 Rc5 41...Kxg5 42.f4+. 42.Rxc5 Nxc5 43.Nf3 Qe4 44.Qa1+ Kg6 45.a5 Qd3 46.Qd4 Qb1+ 47.Kh2 Ne4 48.Nh4+ Kf7 48...Kg5 49.Qg7+ Kxh4 50.Qh6+ Kg4 51.f3 #. 49.Qd5+ Ke8 50.Nxf5 Nxf2 51.Qe6+ Kd8 52.Qe7+ Kc8 53.Nxd6+ Kb8 54.Qe8+ 1–0 3) Central Play □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Malakhov Vladimir D30 Aosta 2002 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c6 4.Qc2 Nf6 5.Lg5 Nbd7 6.Nbd2 Le7 7.e3 0–0 8.Le2!? 8.Ld3 h6 9.Lf4 c5 10.0–0 cxd4 11.exd4 dxc4 12.Lxc4 Nb6 13.Lb3 Nbd5 14.Lg3 b6 15.a3 Lb7 ÷ Parker,J-Gormally,D Birmingham 2000. 8...h6?! Inaccuracy - a reason of further Black's problems... 8...c5 9.0–0 b6 10.Rfd1 ² was better. 9.Lh4 c5 10.cxd5 Nxd5 Lxc5 10...exd5 11.dxc5 (11...Nxc5 12.Lxf6 gxf6 13.0–0 ±) 12.0–0 ². FIDE TRG Syllabus

11.Lg3! Underlines Black's mistake on the 8th move. With the open centre looming, Black will have problems to mobilize his queen and rooks... 11.Lxe7 Qxe7 12.0–0 b6, with the idea 13...Lb7, was nothing special for White. 11...b6

11...Nb4 12.Qb1 b6 13.a3 Nd5 (13...Nc6 14.dxc5 Nxc5 15.b4 Nd7 16.0–0 ²) 14.0–0 Lb7 15.Rd1 ². 12.Rc1!? With the idea 13.0–0 and 14.Rfd1. 12...Lb7 12...Nb4 13.Qb1 Lb7 (13...La6 14.Lxa6 Nxa6 15.0–0 ²) 14.a3 ². 13.0–0 a6!? 14.Nc4 Nb4 14...b5? 15.Nd6 +–. 15.Qb1 Nf6 16.dxc5 Le4 16...Lxc5 17.Rfd1 Qe7 18.a3 Le4 19.Qa1 a5 (19...Nc2 20.Qa2 a5 21. Ncd2 Lh7 22.Nf1! +–) 20.Nfd2 ±. 17.Qa1 Lxc5

17...Nc2 18.Rxc2 Lxc2 19.Nxb6 Ra7 20.b4 ±. 18.a3 a5!? 19.Rfd1 White pieces are dominating the centre. 19...Nbd5 20.Nfd2!? Lh7?! Better was 20...a4!? 21.Lh4!? (21.Nxe4 Nxe4 22.Lf3 Nxg3 23.hxg3 Qg5 ÷) 21...Lh7 22.Lf3 ² with the idea 23.e4 or 23.Lxd5. 21.Lf3

Now White threats 22.e4 or 22.Nb3 and holds a clear advantage. 21...Nd7

21...Qe7 22.Nb3 Rfd8 (22...Ne4 23.Lxe4 Lxe4 24.Nxc5 bxc5 25.f3 +– followed by 26.Ld6) 23.Nxc5 bxc5 24.Lh4 ±. 22.Ne4 Ra7 23.Nc3 Nxc3 24.Rxc3 Planning 25.Qc1. 24...Qe7 25.Qc1

With ideas as 26.Qd2 and 27.Ld6 and central attack continues... 25...Nf6? (D)

Preferable was 25...e5 26.Lc6 f6 27.Qd2 Kh8!? 28.Qd5 ±, when Black can still fight, but not 25...Nf6? due to the nice 26.Nxb6! Lxb6 27.Ld6 +–, as Black’s back rank is rather weak. 60

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-trk+( 7tr-+-wqpzpl' 6-zp-+psn-zp& 5zp-vl-+-+-% 4-+N+-+-+$ 3zP-tR-zPLvL-# 2-zP-+-zPPzP" 1+-wQR+-mK-! xabcdefghy 26.Nxb6! A decisive blow and the peak of White's strategy. 26...Lxb6 27.Ld6 Nd5 27...Qe8 28.Lxf8 Qxf8 29.Rc8 Ne8 30.Lc6 Rc7 31.Rdd8 +–. 28.Lxe7 Nxc3 29.Lxf8 1–0 The next game is a classical example of transformation from central play to kingside attack. Although rather short, it is quite instructive and one of the few ‘bad games’ that the late G.Agzamov played: □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Agzamov Georgy E49 Riga 1985 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.e3 0–0 5.Ld3 c5 6.a3 Lxc3+ 7.bxc3 Nc6 8.Ne2 d5 9.cxd5 exd5 10.0–0 b6 11.f3 Re8 12.Ra2 Na5 13.Ng3 Lb7 14.Re2 Rc8 15.Kh1! A key-move in White’s central plan. The moment that the e3-pawn moves forward, d4pawn will not be captured with check. 15...cxd4 16.cxd4 Nc4 17.e4! Nd7 17...dxe4 18.fxe4 Qxd4? 19.e5! Red8 (19...Nxe5 20.Lxh7+) 20.exf6 Qxd3 21.Re8+ +–. 18.e5 Here the central plan gives place to the kingside attack... 18...g6 19.f4 Qh4 20.Ref2 Rf8!? (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

With the intention 21...f5, blocking the kingside.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+-trk+( 7zpl+n+p+p' 6-zp-+-+p+& 5+-+pzP-+-% 4-+nzP-zP-wq$ 3zP-+L+-sN-# 2-+-+-tRPzP" 1+-vLQ+R+K! xabcdefghy 21.Nf5!! A ‘prophylactic’ move against 21...f5 and at the same time a signal for a decisive kingside attack... 21...gxf5 21...Qd8 22.Nh6+ Kg7 23.f5 +–. 22.Lxf5 Rfd8 23.Rf3 Nf8 23...Qe7 24.Rh3 Nf8 25.Lxc8 Lxc8 26.f5 +–. 24.Lxc8 Lxc8 25.f5 Ng6 26.fxg6 fxg6 27.Rf4 Qe7 28.Rf6 Qg7 29.Qe1! Lf5 30.Qh4 Rc8 31.Lh6 Qd7 32.e6 Qe8 33.R1xf5 1–0

Conclusion Importantly, when in play we have to think in terms of a plan practically always and of course to take the opponent’s plan into account. Choosing the wrong plan doesn't necessary lose. What loses is play with no plan. 61

The Role of Prophylactic Thinking Adrian Mikhalchishin Concept The role of prophylactic thinking in everyday life is evident: it is much easier to prevent negative developments in every area than to fight the result of our own negligence. The first person who introduced prophylactic measures into chess literature was the great Aaron Nimzowitsch, who told that the essence of positional play is not attack or defence, but prophylactical measures. We can’t say that prophylactics are a purely defensive way of thinking as they consist of both the prevention of the opponent’s threats and the preparation and support of our own plan. Only beginners ignore the opponent’s threats and plans. For every junior one of the first lessons is to ‘look what the opponent wants’. The first step is to see the opponent’s intentions and the second to take proper measures against them or simply to continue our own plan if there are no opponent’s threats or they are not important. In modern chess the meaning of prophylaxis is very wide and contains different forms and measures. Generally we can name three forms of prophylaxis: 1) Elementary prophylactics. 2) Elementary prophylactic elimination of tactical threats. 3) Elimination of strategical threats. Elementary prophylactics deals with direct threats, weakness of the back rank, unpleasant pins and other immediate problems in the position. This involves prophylactic moves like h3 or a3, making luft for our own king; moving the king into the corner to avoid attack on the diagonal g1-a7 for example. Generally, problems with this kind of prophylactics can be seen in young and inexperienced players. The reactions to such opponent’s elementary threats are in many cases automatic. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Tactical threats are more complicated than elementary threats and involve more sophisticated tactical elements. The reaction to them can be different, from exchanges of the important pieces to creation of our own more dynamic threats. Strategical threats of the opponent are much more complicated; it means reacting to the opponent’s plan. It involves exchanges of the pieces and pawns, limiting the mobility of opponent’s structure and activity of the pieces. At the same time part of prophylactics is the creation of safe strongholds for our own pieces - the opponent will (and should) take measures to destroy them. One more form of prophylactics is maybe the most important one. Every player had the experience that after proper calculation a decision was made and you start to play the move, but in the middle of the process you realize that you are losing as the opponent has very unpleasant tactics. What has happened at this moment? Did you simply overlook the opponent’s tactics? The answer is very simple - when you make a move, new tactical elements appear. Fortunately, the medicine is simple - after you made the decision which move to play, take one minute and check all the new tactics, which can appear after your move. Let us now study practical examples and we start from the simple prophylactics.

□ Duhayon Yves ■ Karaklajic Nikola Bela Crkva 1983 ● 62

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-zp-' 6pzp-+kzp-+& 5+-zp-+-+p% 4-+PzpP+-+$ 3zPP+K+-zPP# 2-+-+-zP-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 1...h4! A very nice and important example… Black has a protected passed pawn, but it is necessary to obtain the e5-square for his king. Then it will be easy to attack the opponent’s pawn structure. This pawn sacrifice eliminates White defensive idea with f4. Wrong would be 1...g5? 2.f3 Ke5 3.h4 gxh4 4.f4². 2.gxh4 Losing was 2.b4 hxg3 3.fxg3 Ke5 4.h4 f5 – +. 2...Ke5 3.b4 a5 4.bxa5 bxa5 5.h5 a4 6.f3 Kf4 7.Ke2 Kg3 0–1 □ Schulz Klaus ■ Schebler Gerhard Muelheim 2009 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-mkP' 6-+-+-+P+& 5+-+P+n+-% 4-+-mK-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

72.Ke5? The correct idea was to find a square from which the opponent couldn’t perform a double attack: 72.Ke4! Nh4 73.d6 Nxg6 74.d7 was winning. 72...Ne7! Suddenly Black achieves a draw! 73.d6 Nxg6+ 74.Ke6 Nf8+ 75.Ke7 Ng6+ 76.Ke8 Ne5 ½–½ The next example beautifully shows the role and technique of tactical prophylactics. We always must keep in mind that we are ‘obliged’ to take measures against the opponent’s tactics with our own tactical operations. □ Beliavsky Alexander ■ Xie Jun Belgrade 2000 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+lwq-+-mk( 7+-zp-+-vlp' 6-zP-zp-snp+& 5+N+Pzp-+-% 4-+P+P+-+$ 3+-+-vL-+-# 2-+-+-+PzP" 1wQ-+-+LmK-! xabcdefghy 23...cxb6? Black had to start a counterattack, but during her calculation she had not seen the prevention move: 23...Ng4! 24.Qa8 Lf8! (this is the key move - Black avoids check after the queen captures the c8-bishop) 25.b7 Qh4! 26.h3 Qg3! 27.hxg4 Qxe3+ 28.Kh2 Qh6². 24.Qa8 Ng4? Still the only chance to get some counterplay was to block the back rank: 24...Lf8 and ...Ng4. 25.Nxd6! Qxd6 26.Qxc8+ Lf8 27.Qxg4 1–0 63

□ Fischer Robert ■ Smyslov Vassily C77 Havana 1965 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Lb5 a6 4.La4 Nf6 5.d3 d6 6.c3 Le7 7.Nbd2 0–0 8.Nf1 b5 9.Lb3 d5 10.Qe2 dxe4 11.dxe4 Le6 12.Lxe6 fxe6 13.Ng3 Qd7 14.0–0 Rad8 15.a4 Qd3 16.Qxd3 Rxd3 17.axb5 axb5 18.Ra6 Rd6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-trk+( 7+-zp-vl-zpp' 6R+ntrpsn-+& 5+p+-zp-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-zP-+NsN-# 2-zP-+-zPPzP" 1+-vL-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 19.Kh1! A simple prophylactic move - Fischer avoids Black’s eventual threat ...Nd4, with favourable exchanges. 19...Nd7 It was necessary from prophylactic point of view to avoid limiting the mobility of his queenside with the active 19...b4 20.cxb4 Nxb4 21.Ra7 Rc6 22.Nxe5 Rc2 °. Prophylaxis is activity! In the sense that it is necessary to stop opponent’s improvement with active measures. 20.Le3 Now Fischer could play prophylactically, avoiding Black’s counterplay: 20.b4!. 20...Rd8 It was necessary to find the idea 20...b4. 21.h3 Prophylactics in the wrong place! You can see - sometimes even the greats have no feeling for prevention! 21.b4 was ‘logical’. 21...h6 22.Rfa1 Ndb8 23.Ra8 Rd1+ 24.Kh2 24.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 25.Kh2 Ld6 26.La7? Ra1! 24...Rxa1 25.Rxa1 (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-sn-tr-+k+( 7+-zp-vl-zp-' 6-+n+p+-zp& 5+p+-zp-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-zP-vLNsNP# 2-zP-+-zPPmK" 1tR-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 25...Nd7? This was the last chance to avoid getting squeezed by playing 25...b4! 26.cxb4 Lxb4. 26.b4! Finally! 26...Kf7 27.Nf1 Ld6 28.g3 Nf6 29.N1d2 Ke7 30.Ra6! Nb8 Slightly better was 30...Kd7 31.Ne1 Nb8 32.Ra5 Kc6 ±. 31.Ra5! c6 32.Kg2 Nbd7 33.Kf1 With the clear intention the preparation of the position’s improvement: Ke2 and Ne1-d3. 33...Rc8? The only chance for defence was 33...Ne8! (planning ...Nc7 and ...Ra8) 34.Nb3! Nc7 35.Ra7 Ra8 36.Na5 Nb8 37.Rxa8 (not 37.Rb7 Kd7) 37...Nxa8 38.La7 Kd7 39.Nb7 ±. 34.Ne1! An important improvement of position and the transfer of the passive knight to a better future. 34...Ne8 35.Nd3 Nc7 36.c4! bxc4 37.Nxc4 Nb5 After the exchange of the rooks with 37...Ra8 38.Rxa8 Nxa8, there is no defence of the e5-pawn: 39.Na5 Nb8 40.La7 Kd7 41.Nc4. 38.Ra6 Kf6 Or 38...Nb8 39.Ra8 Nc7 40.Nxd6 Kxd6 41.Lc5+ +–. 39.Lc1! Lb8 40.Lb2 With the idea f4. 64

40...c5 41.Nb6! Also 41.Ra5! would do the job as well: 41...cxb4 42.Ncxe5! +–. 41...Nxb6 42.Rxb6 c4 42...Nd4 43.Nxc5 La7 44.Nd7+ Kg5 45.Rb7 Rc2 46.Nxe5 Rxb2 47.h4+ Kf6 48.f4 with mating threats. 43.Nc5 c3 44.Lc1 1–0 Now follows an example which demonstrates the technique of limiting activity of the pieces and the exploitation of better coordination. □ Geller Efim ■ Mikhalchishin Adrian B84 Tbilisi 1978 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Le2 e6 7.0–0 Le7 8.f4 0–0 9.Kh1 Qc7 10.a4 b6 11.Lf3 Lb7 12.e5 Ne8 13.Le3 Nc6 14.Qe2 g6 15.Rad1 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+ntrk+( 7+lwq-vlp+p' 6pzpnzpp+p+& 5+-+-zP-+-% 4P+-sN-zP-+$ 3+-sN-vLL+-# 2-zPP+Q+PzP" 1+-+R+R+K! xabcdefghy 15...dxe5?! From a prevention point of view it was necessary to temporarily block the position with 15...d5, preparing a typical ‘French Defence’ usual counterplay with ...f6. 16.fxe5 Ng7 17.Nxc6! Lxc6 18.Qc4 Rfc8 Black would love to block the c-file with 18...Lc5, but this move was losing to 19.Lxc6 Lxe3 20.Rd7 Qc8 21.Ne4 +– total domination! 19.Qxc6 Qxc6 20.Lxc6 Rxc6 21.Rd7 Re8 (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+r+k+( 7+-+Rvlpsnp' 6pzpr+p+p+& 5+-+-zP-+-% 4P+-+-+-+$ 3+-sN-vL-+-# 2-zPP+-+PzP" 1+-+-+R+K! xabcdefghy The transposition into the endgame did not look especially dangerous, as the knight’s activation to f5 was the key of Black’s counterplay. 22.g4! Now it became clear that the knight is locked in its cage. 22...h5 23.h3 hxg4 24.hxg4 b5 25.axb5 axb5 26.Ne4! Black tried all possibilities of counterplay, but Geller finds the subtitle technical win. 26...Rxc2 27.Nf6+ Lxf6 28.exf6 The knight is arrested! 28...Rxb2 29.fxg7 f5 30.Rf3 fxg4 31.Rf4 Rc8 32.Lc5 There is no defence against Rf8. Powerful play from the great Efim Geller. 1–0 In what follows it is shown the way to create a central pawn structure which strongly limits the ability of opponent’s pieces to play a significant role on some other part of the board. The example is not only valuable but also instructive: □ Mikhalchishin Adrian ■ Beliavsky Alexander D37 Moscow 1981 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Le7 5.Lf4 0–0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Nc6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.Le2 Lxc5 10.0–0 Le6 11.Ne5 Ld6 12.Nxc6 bxc6 13.Qa4 Lxf4 14.Qxf4 c5 15.b3 Qa5 16.Rac1 Rac8 17.Qa4 (D) 65

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+-trk+( 7zp-+-+pzpp' 6-+-+lsn-+& 5wq-zpp+-+-% 4Q+-+-+-+$ 3+PsN-zP-+-# 2P+-+LzPPzP" 1+-tR-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 17...Qxa4?! Transposition into the endgame is not the dream of the owner of hanging-pawns! For this reason 17...Qb6! 18.Rfd1 Rfd8 was needed, when White could try to exchange queens once more with 19.Qb5, but here it would be not so clear as Black would recapture ...axb6, improving his pawn structure. 18.Nxa4 c4 19.bxc4 dxc4 20.Rfd1 Rfd8? A bad mistake. At any price it was once more necessary to try to include the knight into the action, and for that reason there was only one move: 20...Nd5!. 21.Rxd8+ Rxd8 22.Nc5! Ld5 (D) Not good was the active 22...Rd2 23.Lf1 Ld5 24.a4, when the coming f3 plus e4 will destroy the defence of pawn c4.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+k+( 7zp-+-+pzpp' 6-+-+-sn-+& 5+-sNl+-+-% 4-+p+-+-+$ 3+-+-zP-+-# 2P+-+LzPPzP" 1+-tR-+-mK-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

23.f3 With his next moves White starts to build a central structure which will limit the activity of the opponent’s pieces in the centre. 23...Rc8 24.Na4 Le6 25.e4 This is a very typical pawn mechanism in the centre which completely paralyzes Black’s minor pieces. 25...Nd7 26.Kf2 Nb6 27.Nc3 f5 28.Ke3 fxe4 29.fxe4 Kf8 30.Rb1! Ld7 Black has to prevent Rb5: 30...Rc5 31.Kd4 Ra5 32.Rb5 ±. 31.Kd4 Ke7 32.Rb4 Rd8 After 32...Kd6 33.e5+ Ke6 34.a4 White is ready to kick the knight away from b6 with an eventual a5 +–. 33.Lxc4 Lh3+ 34.Nd5+ Nxd5 35.exd5 Lxg2 36.Ke5! Rd7 37.Rb8! Lf3 38.Rg8 g6 39.d6+ Rxd6 40.Rg7+ Kf8 41.Rf7+ 1–0 The next example shows the technique of stopping the improvement of the opponent’s pawn structure. □ Polgar Zsuzsa ■ Cramling Pia D30 Tilburg 1994 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c6 4.Qc2 dxc4 5.Qxc4 b5 6.Qc2 Lb7 7.e4 Nd7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqkvlntr( 7zpl+n+pzpp' 6-+p+p+-+& 5+p+-+-+-% 4-+-zPP+-+$ 3+-+-+N+-# 2PzPQ+-zPPzP" 1tRNvL-mKL+R! xabcdefghy 8.Nbd2! With this move White starts the strategy of limiting the mobility of opponent’s pawn structure. White’s idea is to try to block the 66

topical move ...c5, which will free Black’s hands. 8...Ngf6 A better try would be 8...a6!? 9.Nb3 Ngf6 10.e5 (10.Le3 would allow Black to fulfil his dream by 10...c5 ÷) 10...Nd5 11.Ld2. 9.a3 Qb6 It would be better to combine two freeing manoeuvres: 9...a6!? 10.b4 a5 11.Rb1 axb4 12.axb4 Ra4 13.Qc3 Ld6 14.Ld3 Qe7 15.La3 e5 ÷. 10.b4 White starts to block Black’s queenside pawn structure - Black is trying desperately to destroy the blockade! 10...a5 11.Rb1 axb4 12.axb4 Ra4 13.Qc3 Ld6 An immediate counterplay in the centre does not work: 13...e5? 14.Nxe5 Nxe5 15.dxe5 Ng4 16.Qg3 ±. 14.Ld3 e5 It is necessary to stop an eventual ...e5 with the attack on h7: 14...0–0? 15.Lc2 Raa8 16.e5 Nd5 17.Qd3 +–. 15.dxe5 Ng4 16.0–0 Ngxe5 Wrong would be the other capture: 16...Ndxe5? 17.h3 +–. 17.Lc2 Ra8 18.Nd4! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+k+-tr( 7+l+n+pzpp' 6-wqpvl-+-+& 5+p+-sn-+-% 4-zP-sNP+-+$ 3+-wQ-+-+-# 2-+LsN-zPPzP" 1+RvL-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 18...Ng6? Stronger would be the direct opening of the position even on the expense of the very important bishop: 18...0–0! 19.Nf5 c5 ². 19.N2f3 It is necessary to cut the coordination of FIDE TRG Syllabus

Black’s pieces on the big diagonal. Now White stands clearly better. 19...Nde5 If 19...0–0 then 20.Nf5 Le5 21.Nxe5 Ngxe5 22.Le3 Qc7 23.f4 +–. 20.Nf5 Nxf3+ 21.Qxf3 Le5 22.Le3 White stops the activation of the black lightsquared bishop, but the alternative was not bad either: 22.Lb2!? Lxb2 23.Rxb2 0– 0 24.Qc3 f6 25.Lb3+ Kh8 26.Rd2 ±. 22...Qc7 23.Lc5 Lc8 Black tries to include the bishop into the game from the other side. Winning a pawn was just a loss of time: 23...Lxh2+ 24.Kh1 Le5 25.Rbd1 Rd8 26.Rxd8+ Qxd8 27.Rd1 ±. 24.Rbd1 Lxf5 25.exf5 Ne7 26.Rfe1 Rd8 It was possible finally to castle, but White would have a powerful attack: 26...0–0 27.f6 gxf6 (27...Lxf6 28.Lxe7 Lxe7 29.Qe4 +–) 28.Lxe7 Qxe7 29.Qg4+ Kh8 30.Qf5 +–, as mate follows. 27.Lxe7 Rxd1 28.Lxd1 Kxe7 29.Qg3 Kf6 30.Qh4+ g5 The king came out to a dangerous environment and sooner or later he will be mated. If 30...Kxf5 then 31.Lg4+ Kg6 32.Qh5+ Kf6 33.Qf5+. 31.Qh6+ Kxf5 32.Lc2+ Kf4 33.Re4+ Kf5 34.g4 # 1–0 □ Seirawan Yasser ■ Karpov Anatoly Rotterdam 1989 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+k+( 7zp-+-+pzp-' 6-zp-+-wq-+& 5+-+l+-+p% 4-+-sN-+-+$ 3zP-+-zPPzP-# 2-zP-+QmK-+" 1+-tR-+-+-! xabcdefghy 67

Now we give some very important consideration to new tactical threats, which have appeared after our played move. Sometimes we say - we overlooked the very first move of the opponent… At the moment in this position there are no tactical threats from Black, but after White’s next move the tactical element appears. 30.Qa6? Correct was 30.Rh1 g6 31.Rh4 Rc8 32.Qd2 with a solid position. 30...Lxf3! 31.Qxa7 After the capture 31.Nxf3 Qxb2+ a double attack appears with the check. 31...Lg4+! 32.Ke1 Rxd4! Opening the position of the white king and starting the coordinated attack on White’s king with queen and bishop. 33.exd4 Qe6+ 34.Kd2 Qe2+ 35.Kc3 Qe3+ 36.Kc2 Lf5+ 37.Kd1 Qxd4+ 38.Ke1 Qe3+ 39.Kd1 Qd3+ 40.Ke1 Qxg3+ 41.Kd1 Qg1+ 42.Kd2 Qf2+ 0–1 □ Duchene Rene ■ Van Nies Pauline B39 Haarlem 2005 1.Nf3 g6 2.c4 Lg7 3.e4 c5 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nc6 6.Le3 Nf6 7.Nc3 Ng4 8.Qxg4 Nxd4 9.Qd1 e5 10.Ld3 0–0 11.0–0 d6 12.Qd2 Le6 13.Rad1 a6 14.b3 Qa5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7+p+-+pvlp' 6p+-zpl+p+& 5wq-+-zp-+-% 4-+PsnP+-+$ 3+PsNLvL-+-# 2P+-wQ-zPPzP" 1+-+R+RmK-! xabcdefghy In this position there are no threats, but with the next White’s move the control over the e2-square is reduced. With a simple queen FIDE TRG Syllabus

sacrifice Black deflects the opponent’s pieces from the e2-square and then conducts the decisive double attack. 15.Lb1?? The simple 15.Nd5 was possible. 15...Qxc3! White resigned due to 16.Qxc3 Ne2+. 0–1 □ Kavalek Lubomir ■ Bohm Hans B17 Amsterdam 1975 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Nf3 Ngf6 6.Ned2 e6 7.g3 b6 8.Lg2 La6 9.c4 Lb7 10.Qe2 Le7 11.0–0 0–0 12.Re1 Re8 13.Ne5 Nxe5 14.dxe5 Nd7 15.Nf3 c5 16.h4 Nf8 17.h5 h6 18.Lf4 Qc7 19.Nd2 Lxg2 20.Kxg2 Rad8 21.Nf3 Qc6 22.Rad1 Nh7 23.Kh3 Rxd1 24.Rxd1 Rd8 25.Rxd8+ Lxd8 26.Qd3 Le7 27.b3 Nf8 28.g4 Nd7 29.Kg3 Nf8 30.Qe3 Nh7 31.Qd2 Qb7 32.Qd3 Qc6 33.Qd1 Qb7 34.Qd3 Qc6 35.Nd2 Qh1 36.Nf3 Nf8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-snk+( 7zp-+-vlpzp-' 6-zp-+p+-zp& 5+-zp-zP-+P% 4-+P+-vLP+$ 3+P+Q+NmK-# 2P+-+-zP-+" 1+-+-+-+q! xabcdefghy 37.Qe4?? A logical move, which prepares to penetrate Blacks position, but after it was played a threat which never existed before appeared! 37...Lh4+ 38.Nxh4 Qxe4 0–1

68

Principles of Opening Play Jovan Petronic Introduction The principles of opening play have been extensively researched and documented throughout centuries, aided by chess masters of the past and present and deep analysis of games played on all levels. Enforcing them from the earliest stage for the tournament player is paramount. Opening play is basically guided by opening objectives, which may vary in degree, as the tournament player progresses. These objectives need to be clearly set and defined in the initial stage of the player’s development, with a reasonable number of instructive examples and exercises following up on each principle. A novice chess player may best relate to these as being an ‘opening code of conduct’. ‘Principles are only guides; they are not rules. Do not cling to principles as the sole answer to a given position. They are there to stimulate you to think up the right move or plan’ - Yasser Seirawan. Following opening principles and advices ‘blindly’, may lead to loss of material or even - checkmate! The Principles The following principles must be in force: 1) Always try to maintain at least one pawn controlling or occupying the centre, or best both. 2) Develop all your minor and major pieces and without loss of time. 3) Take control of the centre. 4) Castle your king (into safety) as soon as possible. 5) Don’t move a developed piece twice in the earliest phase of the game, unless really necessary. 6) Don’t be greedy by grabbing offered free material instantly. 7) Watch over your f2/f7-square. 8) Don’t make unforced exchanges such as those which develop an opponent’s piece. FIDE TRG Syllabus

The Principles Explained 1) The ideal central pawn structure in the opening is e4+d4 (e5+d5), with the pawns both occupying and controlling/pressurizing the central squares. Novice chess players should prefer starting their game with 1.e4!, to which a preferred reply should be 1...e5! or 1...c5! (immediately creating a dynamic imbalance) (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8rsnlwqkvlntr( 7zpp+pzppzpp' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-zp-+-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzPPzP-zPPzP" 1tRNvLQmKLsNR! xabcdefghy Progressive chess players may further best consider playing viable White’s alternatives 1.d4 or 1.c4 or 1.Nf3. 2) With regard to pawn placement in the centre and near it, the knights are usually best developed with Ng1-f3, Nb1-c3, ...Ng8-f6 and ...Nb8-c6. The bishops with Lc1-f4 (or g5 or e3 or b2), Lf1-c4 (or b5, or d3, or e2, or g2), ...Lf8-b4 (or c5 or d6 or e7 or g7), ...Lc8-g4 (or f5 or e6 or b7). The rooks are best developed on usually d1(d8), e1(e8), c1(c8) or f1(f8) and best on open or semiopen files. The queen usually develops only after all minor pieces have been deployed and castling (usually kingside) has been made. Develop the minor pieces before the major pieces. It serves as a better chess strategy to develop knights before their respective bishops. The mobilization of every piece to 69

its natural square should be completed as rapidly as possible, thus ensuring a middlegame abundant with various tactics and strategical motifs to enjoy. The number of developing moves will further provide us with a possibility to easily evaluate a position as being either balanced or favourable, with chances of an attack or material gain via a combination. 3) ‘The four squares, e4, e5, d4, and d5 are the central squares, and control of these squares is called control of the centre. The control of the centre is of great importance. No violent attack can succeed without controlling at least two of these squares, and possibly three. Many a manoeuvre in the opening has for its sole object the control of the centre, which invariably ensures the initiative’ - Jose Raul Capablanca. 4) Castling is considered as an important developing move, as it also improves the position of the respective rook involved. A simple (yet time-consuming), statistical query on a 5.000.000 games database reveals approximately 700.000 games with queenside castling and 3.900.000 games with kingside castling (with possibly both first appearing as far back as year 1515 - in Lucena’s Paris/Place manuscript), with the remaining number of games and their annotations ‘violating’ our 4th principle, by leaving their king in the centre, where opening of the position clearly reveals many dangers to both kings, ones with which only adventurous and experienced players may hope to cope with. 5) It is most logical to have as many pieces developed before taking action. Moving a developed piece twice may be justified only in a few cases, such as capturing a traded pawn, or needing to move away from an attack, or exploiting a serious mistake made by the opponent. Not convinced? Neither was I, when young and inexperienced. There follows a related game from an IM tournament where Black played and survived by playing (to win) using only two pawn moves and two pieces in the first 14 moves, FIDE TRG Syllabus

violating many of our recommended principles. Please treat it only as a rare exception. □ Petrov Marian ■ Petronic Jovan B00 Pravets 1989 1.e4! b6 Violating opening principles one & three. 2.d4! Lb7 3.Ld3! e6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.e5 Nd5 6.c4 Nb4 7.Le2 Le4 8.0–0! Lc2 Interesting is 8...Nc2!? although after 9.Nc3 Lg6 10.Rb1 Nb4 11.Ra1 Nc2 an equal position arises. 9.Qd2 Lg6 9...Lxb1 10.a3! ±. 10.Nc3 Nc2 11.Rb1 Nb4 12.a3!? Lxb1 13.Nxb1 13.axb4? Lxb4! μ. 13...Na2! 14.d5 Nxc1 15.Rxc1 ° (D) With both of Black's adventurous pieces traded off, 'normal play' resumes, with a development count of 5–0 for White, compensating for their positional exchange sacrifice.

XABCDEFGHY 8rsn-wqkvl-tr( 7zp-zpp+pzpp' 6-zp-+p+-+& 5+-+PzP-+-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3zP-+-+N+-# 2-zP-wQLzPPzP" 1+NtR-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 15...Le7 16.b4 exd5 17.cxd5 a6 18.Nc3 0– 0 19.Nd4?! c5 20.bxc5?! Lxc5 21.a4 Re8 22.Qf4 White offered and Black accepted the draw in serious time trouble, only to regret it after subsequent post-game analysis. It is of no surprise that such opening play did not help towards an IM norm. ½–½ 70

6) Playing instantly is in itself a mistake, with the highest regard to games played with standard time controls. Beware when it seems as if the opponent has left huge material ‘en prise’. As the ‘free piece’ is not going anywhere, it is always good to double-check whether a trap has been set, whether purposely or accidentally. The following game, with White giving a1-rook odds, has served as both instructive and inspiring to many generations. It was reportedly documented in 1835, in George Walker’s ‘A Selection of Games at Chess’. □ De Legalle ■ Saint Brie Paris 1750 1.e4! e5! 2.Nf3! d6 3.Lc4! Nc6! 4.Nc3! Lg4? 5.Nxe5? Lxd1? (D) Possibly violating our principle #6.

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqkvlntr( 7zppzp-+pzpp' 6-+nzp-+-+& 5+-+-sN-+-% 4-+L+P+l+$ 3+-sN-+-+-# 2PzPPzP-zPPzP" 1+-vLQmK-+R! xabcdefghy 6.Lxf7+! Ke7 7.Nd5 # 1–0 George Walker writes: ‘It is evident that this attempt could only have succeeded against a mere tyro, but it is worthy of preservation as a slight memento of M. De Legalle, who was the instructor of Philidor; and who at the venerable age of eighty-five, was still the first player in France, excepting his illustrious pupil’. Recreational and rated up to 1600 players should note the following popular trap, which may result in a quick loss for White. FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Muhlock ■ Kostic Boris C50 Cologne 1912 1.e4! e5! 2.Nf3! Nc6! 3.Lc4! Nd4? (D) Black is offering a 'free pawn', while violating our principle #5, a pawn which White should not grab.

XABCDEFGHY 8r+lwqkvlntr( 7zppzpp+pzpp' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+LsnP+-+$ 3+-+-+N+-# 2PzPPzP-zPPzP" 1tRNvLQmK-+R! xabcdefghy 4.Nxe5? 4.0–0!. 4...Qg5! 5.Nxf7? 5.Lxf7+! Kd8 6.0–0! Qxe5 7.c3 μ. 5...Qxg2 6.Rf1 Qxe4+ 7.Le2? 7.Qe2 Nxe2 –+. 7...Nf3 # 0–1 7) Two most vulnerable squares in the early opening phase of the game are undoubtedly the f2- and f7-squares, protected only by the respective king. Many strategies have been developed to unleash an early attack on these squares, disregarding the principles of opening play, with the only aim of winning the game quickly by checkmate, ignoring the fact that the attacker is objectively playing poor chess. It is important, especially when playing with Black pieces, to recognize these premature attacks, and learn how to ‘refute’ them, and best before they happen. It is important for the qualified trainer not to emphasize such strategy to their students, but instead to teach excellence in chess. 71

An ‘imaginary’ game could go as: 1.e4! e5! 2.Qh5?! 2.Lc4 Nc6 3.Qh5? (3.Qf3?! Nd4? [3...Nf6!] 4.Qxf7 #) 3...Nf6? (3...g6! 4.Qf3 Nf6! 5.Qb3? Nd4! 6.Lxf7+ Ke7 7.Qc4 b5! –+) 4.Qxf7 # ; 2.Qf3?! Nf6!. 2...Nc6! 3.Lc4 Nf6? 3...g6!. 4.Qxf7 # (D)

□ Petronic Sanja ■ Petrovic Marija B06 Kragujevac 2000 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Lg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4 e6 5.Nf3 b6 6.Lc4 Nd7 7.0–0 Lb7 8.f5! gxf5 8...d5 9.fxg6! dxc4 10.gxf7+ Kxf7 11.Ng5+ Ke7 12.Rf7+ Ke8 (12...Kd6 13.Lf4+ Kc6 14.d5+ Kc5 15.Nxe6+ Kb4 16.Nxd8 +–) 13.Rxg7 +– ; 8...exf5 9.exf5 ±.

XABCDEFGHY 8r+lwqkvl-tr( 7zppzpp+Qzpp' 6-+n+-sn-+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+L+P+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzPPzP-zPPzP" 1tRNvL-mK-sNR! xabcdefghy

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqk+ntr( 7zplzpn+pvlp' 6-zp-zpp+-+& 5+-+-+P+-% 4-+LzP-+-+$ 3+-sN-+N+-# 2PzPP+-+PzP" 1tR-vLQ+RmK-! xabcdefghy

1–0 8) Another highly logical principle. Young players tend to release the tension from the positions by making unforced exchanges, while not following up on the opening principle. This should be rectified as soon as possible, immediately when noticed, through exercises given or when analyzing games played. The following game, played by my 'student' (although true, she hates it when I say that, by the way) and life-long partner, demonstrated in an 'evergreen' style and with a perfect game, how one might end up when violating the principles of opening play, and against one who follows them. Note that after move 11, White plays on to win, while having only two pawns as compensation for the sacrificed queen and knight! I will let the moves and variations speak for themselves. As a simple exercise, you may later wish to 'map' all moves Black played in this game, that violated recommended opening principles. FIDE TRG Syllabus

9.exf5 (D)

9...Lxf3 10.fxe6!! Lxd1 Better was 10...fxe6 11.Qxf3 ±. 11.exf7+ Ke7 11...Kf8? 12.fxg8Q+ (12.fxg8R+ Ke7 13.Rf7 #) 12...Ke7 13.Nd5 #. 12.Nd5+! Ke6 12...Kf8? 13.fxg8Q+ Kxg8 14.Ne7 #. 13.Nxc7+ Ke7 14.fxg8N+! Ke6 Qxg8 14.Nd5+!? 15.fxg8L+ R N K R (15... xg8? 16. c7+ e7 17. f7 #) 16.Nf6+ Ke7 17.Nxg8+ Raxg8 18.Lg5+ Lf6 19.Lxf6+ Nxf6 20.Lxg8 Lxc2 21.Rae1+ +– ; 14.fxg8Q Lxd4+! 15.Kh1 Qxg8 16.Lxg8 Raxg8 17.Rxd1 ±. 14...Qxg8 14...Rxg8? 15.Rf7 #! 15.Lg5+! 15.Lxg8? Lxd4+ 16.Kh1 Raxg8 ±. 15...Lf6 15...Nf6 16.Lxg8 Raxg8 17.Raxd1 +–. 16.Lxf6+ Nxf6 16...Kf8 17.Lxh8+ +–. 17.Lxg8 Raxg8 18.Raxd1 Rg6 19.Rd2 Kd7 20.Rdf2 Ng4 21.Rf7+ Kc6 22.R1f3! Nh6 23.Re7! d5 24.Ne8! Kb5 72

24...Rhg8 25.Rc3+ Kb5 26.Nc7+ Ka4 27.Ra3+ Kb4 28.Nxd5+ Kc4 29.Ne3+ Kxd4 30.Rd3+ Kc5 31.Rc7+ Kb5 32.c4+ Ka5 33.Ra3+ Kb4 34.Nd5 #. 25.Rb3+ Kc4 25...Ka4? 26.Rxa7 # ; 25...Ka5? 26.Rxa7 # ; 25...Ka6 26.Nc7+ Kb7 27.Nxd5+ +–. 26.Rc3+! Kxd4 27.Nc7 a6 27...Nf5? 28.Nb5 #. 28.Ne6+ Ke5 29.Nf8+ Kd6 30.Rd7+! Ke5 31.Nxg6+ hxg6 32.Rh3! b5 33.Ra7 Kf5 34.Rxa6 Kg5 35.Rd6 Ra8 36.Rg3+ Here White could also have won with the alternative 36.Rxd5+ Nf5 37.Rxb5 Rxa2 38.Ra3 Rxa3 39.bxa3 +–. She had many options at her disposal… 36...Kf4 37.Rdxg6 Nf5 38.Rf3+ Ke5 39.Rg5 Rxa2 40.Rfxf5+ Ke4 41.Re5+ Kf4 42.Kf2! 1–0 Once the principles of opening play have been mastered, one can proceed to developing and maintaining a sound opening repertoire. ‘The discovery and study of various chess principles led inevitably to the thought of embracing them in a general theory, with a view to answering that hallowed question: how to find the best move in any position by following well-defined rules’ - Viacheslav Eingorn ‘Creative Opening Preparation’. When entering higher-level competitions, the objectives of the opening play of a chess player changes. Playing as White for an advantage and playing as Black for equality were the main objectives for many years, until former World Champion Robert Fischer successfully practiced a more ambitious approach of playing for the advantage, regardless of piece colour, and in each game! Thus, a popular strategy became creating dynamic imbalances from the earliest phase. The ‘Sicilian Defence’ became and stayed the most popular and effective method to counter White’s 1.e4. Other opening schemes developed their own imbalanced variations, such as is, for example, the ‘Winawer’ variation of the FIDE TRG Syllabus

‘French Defence’. Players with a universal style adopted strategies including playing types of opening positions which do not suit their opponents and thus cause discomfort. Various transpositions of moves, starting with one opening and ending up in another, were discovered to that purpose. With chess becoming increasingly popular worldwide, and now with computer-aided preparations, we also began to notice some negative side-effects, which we need to deal with on too many occasions. Many players have developed an illogical fear of opponent’s preparation, which in their view may ultimately result in refutations of their best researched opening theories. Another fear emerges from playing against players (of any rating) from countries that are well known for their chess masters. Players, knowing ‘tons’ of opening theory and with own analysis, start at one point to develop fears of their opponents knowing the same?! Norms for IM and GM titles being repeatedly missed by half a point in crucial games? Repeated poor time management? Such largely unfounded fears and situations are sometimes best dealt with by engaging a professional psychologist (not psychiatrist!); in the event our logical explanations fail to produce results. Literature For a comprehensive list of literature, inclusive of related openings topics please refer to the TRG website at http://trainers.fide.com. On the Importance of Teaching Principles ‘Without following the basic principles, training can be poison. By understanding them the student will know the difference between right and wrong, good and bad, true and false, beauty and ugliness. Only through years of constant practice, will this understanding lead to enlightenment’ - Kim Soo, Grandmaster, 10th Dan & Founder, Chayon-Ryu Martial Arts. 73

Attacking the King Andrew Martin I was pleased and honoured to be asked to write several sections of this book. In my experience all the chess trainers or teachers that I have met are very conscientious and positive people and it is to them that I dedicate my work. Teaching in any capacity is an honourable and even noble profession. Through the correct use of encouragement, praise and guidance, the teacher opens the mind of the student and releases hidden talent. The student learns to think for themselves in the most effective way. This is as true of chess as it is in any other subject. Teaching is thus devoted to the good of others. I am not sure what could be more important than that! I am well aware that all of you reading this book will surely have developed your own effective teaching methods. Nevertheless, it is always beneficial to be able to see how other experienced chess trainers work and I am looking forward myself to learning a lot. Helping other people to improve at chess is not always straightforward and there will be often be problems along the way. At these moments we must all remember our value. To see our students grow in understanding and confidence is a remarkable reward for our labours. That thought always inspires me to carry on. We now move to a most enjoyable pastime, that of attacking the enemy king. There are many good books on this topic and literally thousands of excellent examples for the skilled trainer to use. As I only have a few pages to work with, I will strip it out to the bare essentials. Main Principles of an Attack on the King 1) Tactical skill is most important. 2) Go in with all you have got. 3) Conditions have to be right. 4) Superior development usually sets up the attack. 5) Attacking prematurely cannot succeed. FIDE TRG Syllabus

6) Keeping a cheerful and optimistic frame of mind is essential when conducting an attack. I will deal with each of these points in turn. Tactical Skill Without a superior command of tactical ideas, it is unlikely that any player at any level will become skilled at attacking. The best way to teach tactics is through drills, isolating various topics and then solving examples one after the other until skill is acquired. This sounds laborious, but it is not. Solving tactical puzzles and positions is usually very pleasurable and proficiency soon develops. A student should certainly reinforce these exercises by playing chess as much as possible to hone these new skills. Variety is the spice of life as far as playing chess is concerned. One should try to play a whole range of opponents at different levels and at different time controls. All master chess players are extremely good at tactics and when we refer to worldclass players, we witness superb, aggressive chess. □ Ivanchuk Vassily ■ Gelfand Boris C42 Nice 2010 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.Nc3 This is the favoured way to try to put paid to the Petroff at the moment. It has a temporary feel to it. White inherits doubled pawns, but at the same time obtains fast development and the straightforward plan of pawnstorming the black king. It's working at all levels and games like the one we are about to witness don't do any harm. 5...Nxc3 6.dxc3 Le7 7.Le3 It’s this or 7.Lf4 apparently. Then comes Qd2 and 0–0–0. Then White charges his hpawn forward. You'd think Black would have sufficient defensive resources. 7.Qd4 is a 74

new move which I've only seen played once at a recent open tournament played in India. When the queen is attacked she moves across to f4 and then the pawns begin their advance. Maybe this is the way the line will go in future; who knows? 7...0–0 8.Qd2 Nd7 9.0–0–0 Re8 10.h4 Here comes Vassily and he's not joking. 10...c6 11.Kb1 After 11.h5 h6 12.Kb1 Nf6 Gelfand was defending in a similar manner to our game, relying on his defensive fortress. His control of g4 should have been enough to secure equality. 13.Ld3 Lf8 14.Rdg1 Ng4! 15.Lf4 Qf6 16.Nh2 Nxh2?! (a little casual. 16...Ne5! was perhaps better, when White has a hard time breaking through: 17.g4 [17.Le2 a5 ÷] 17...Nxd3 18.cxd3 Qe7 19.Re1 Le6 =) 17.Rxh2 Lf5 (17...c5) 18.Lxf5 Qxf5 19.g4 with attack, as in Topalov,V-Gelfand,B Linares 2010, a game White went on to win. 11.Ld3 has also been played and neutralized by this recent game from Kramnik: 11...Qa5 12.Kb1 Ne5 13.Nxe5 dxe5 14.Qe2 Le6 15.Lc4 Lxc4 16.Qxc4 Rad8 17.h5 Rxd1+ 18.Rxd1 Rd8 19.Rd3 a6 20.Qg4 Qc7 21.Qe4 g6 22.g4 Rxd3 23.cxd3 Qd7 24.Qxe5 Qxd3+ 25.Kc1 Qd6 26.Qe4 Qe6 27.Qxe6 fxe6 28.Kc2 gxh5 29.gxh5 e5 30.Kd3 Kf7 31.Ke4 ½–½ Caruana,FKramnik,V Wijk aan Zee 2010. 11...Qa5 12.h5 h6 13.Ld3 Lf8 14.g4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+rvlk+( 7zpp+n+pzp-' 6-+pzp-+-zp& 5wq-+-+-+P% 4-+-+-+P+$ 3+-zPLvLN+-# 2PzPPwQ-zP-+" 1+K+R+-+R! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

You can see why they play this line. Before Black ever fires a shot in anger on the queenside, the white pawns are right on top of him. But still, my instincts tell me Black has to be ok here. 14...Nf6 15.g5 Le6! 16.a3 A necessary timeout. 16...Ng4? 16...Qd5! was the correct move order, after which White must pause: 17.c4 (17.Qe2 Qa2+ 18.Kc1 hxg5 19.Nxg5) 17...Qxf3 18.gxf6 Qxf6 19.Ld4 Qf3 20.Rdg1 Lg4. Obviously White still has a strong attack, but nothing like the game. 17.gxh6 Qd5 18.Qe2! Recovering from the shock of underestimating or not even seeing a move can be very difficult at the board. Gelfand seems dazed by what happens from now on as Ivanchuk conjures up some tactical wizardry. 18...Qa2+ 19.Kc1 Qa1+ 20.Kd2 Qxb2 21.Rdg1 21.Nd4! was just as strong, but then we would miss the fireworks. 21...Ld7 Or 21...c5 22.Ng5 Nxh6 23.Nxe6 Rxe6 24.Rb1 (a slightly surprising change of tack) 24...Qxa3 25.Ra1 Qb2 26.Rhb1 +–. 22.Rxg4!! Lxg4 23.Ng5! No expense is spared to get at the black king. It is, of course, crucially important that the black queen is stranded out of play and cannot return to defend. 23...Le6 With the nice point 23...Lxe2 24.h7+ Kh8 25.Nxf7 #. 24.Ld4 Qa2 24...c5 25.Qxe6! kills Black with the same combination of h7 and Nxf7 mate. 25.Rg1 c5 26.Lh7+ Kh8 27.hxg7+ Lxg7 28.Nxf7+! (D) (see next diagram) A superb finish to an attacking masterpiece where not even a single move was wasted. 28...Lxf7 29.Lxg7+ Kxh7 30.Qd3+ Kg8 31.Lf6+ Kf8 32.Qxd6+ The window of opportunity for the defender is always smaller than that of the attacker. 1–0 75

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+r+-mk( 7zpp+-+NvlL' 6-+-zpl+-+& 5+-zp-+-+P% 4-+-vL-+-+$ 3zP-zP-+-+-# 2q+PmKQzP-+" 1+-+-+-tR-! xabcdefghy After seeing such a brilliant game there is a tendency among ordinary players to think that they could never play in this entertaining manner. Not so! Ivanchuk won this game for the following logical reasons: 1) The opening system he chose is designed to put pressure on the enemy king. He wasted no time carrying out this plan… 2) Gelfand's response was defensive, concentrating on consolidation rather than counterattack. This gave White a free hand. 3) Defence is more difficult than attack. The pressure to find accurate moves proved too tough at the board, even for Gelfand. 4) White crashed through, using tactical control to help him. The good trainer must make clear to his or her students that this vital element of tactical control can be learned by all. It is a question of hard work behind the scenes and plenty of over the board chess. This is simple enough to understand. Go in with All you Have Got Once an attack starts, momentum must be maintained. The general rule is to attack rapidly, bringing every last resource into play. This is where it is essential to remain positive, optimistic and resolute. Hesitation is usually fatal and will lead to a breakdown of the assault. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Yasser Seirawan described the mechanism of a building a successful attack as ‘inviting everyone to the party’. Along with a collection of attacking examples where consistency and power is maintained, a trainer might also show the other side of the coin to his students, to highlight how an attack might break down when all available units are not being used. □ Anand Viswanathan ■ Kempinski Robert B85 Germany 2010 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Le2 e6 7.0–0 Le7 8.a4 Nc6 9.Le3 0–0 10.f4 Qc7 11.Kh1 Re8 Kasparov's prophylactic idea, vacating f8 for defence if need be and theoretically restraining White's central ambitions. However, this gives Anand the run of the game for quite a few moves to come; something that is very dangerous against such a strong and experienced campaigner. 12.Lf3 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+r+k+( 7+pwq-vlpzpp' 6p+nzppsn-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4P+-sNPzP-+$ 3+-sN-vLL+-# 2-zPP+-+PzP" 1tR-+Q+R+K! xabcdefghy Anand at work. The first point of 12.Lf3 is to prevent 12...b5 thanks to 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 and 14.e5!. 12...Nd7 13.Qe1 Lf8 14.Qf2 Rb8 15.Rad1 Nxd4 16.Lxd4 b6 Kempinski's choice of variation is a rather unfortunate one, as Black lacks active counterplay in this line. Against stronger opponents, the last thing one wants is a passive position. 76

16...b5 only looks more active, as after 17.axb5 axb5 18.b4 Black is left with a very weak pawn on b5. 17.e5! Very good. The attack begins. Why is White's timing so good? 1) Black isn't yet fully developed. His bishop on c8 interrupts the flow of his game. 2) Such pieces as Black has developed cannot create any meaningful threats. 3) Black lacks counterplay. Thus with 17.e5 White jams up the centre, creating the preconditions for an all-out assault against the black king. 17...dxe5 17...d5 blocks, but in all other respects is a pretty horrible move. White can hit hard with 18.Lh5! (18.f5 would also be strong: 18...Nxe5 19.fxe6 Lxe6 [19...Nxf3 20.exf7+ Qxf7 21.Qg3! Le6 22.Rxf3 Qg6 23.Qxg6 hxg6 24.Rff1 ²] 20.Nxd5 ±) 18...g6 (18...Nc5 19.f5 exf5 20.Nxd5 Qb7 21.e6! Lxe6 22.Nf6+ gxf6 23.Qg3+ Lg7 24.Lxf6) 19.f5!. Such effects are possible if half of the opponent’s pieces are not participating in the defence. Black has problems: 19...exf5 (19...Nc5 20.Lg4 gxf5 21.Lxf5 Lg7 22.Lg4 ± or 19...gxh5 20.fxe6 fxe6 21.Qf7+ Kh8 22.Qxe8) 20.Nxd5 Qc4 21.Lf3 Lb7 22.b3 Qc8 23.Rfe1 ±. 18.fxe5 Lc5 18...Nxe5 19.Lh5 Ng6 20.Lxg6 hxg6 21.Le5 Qxe5 22.Qxf7+ Kh8 23.Rd3 +–. 19.Lh5 All the pieces are swiftly brought into action and the attacking balance tilts heavily in Anand's favour. Compare the number of eventual attackers to defenders and we easily understand why Black can't survive. 19...Rf8 20.Lxf7+ Kh8 21.Ne4 Nxe5 If 21...Lxd4 22.Rxd4 Qxe5 23.Nd6 Lb7 24.Re1 Qg5 25.Rxe6 Ne5 26.h4 Qxg2+ 27.Qxg2 Lxg2+ 28.Kxg2 Nxf7 29.Nxf7+ Rxf7 30.Rxb6 ±. 22.Nxc5 bxc5 23.Lxe5 Qxe5 24.Lg6! (D) (see next diagram) Ouch! The black queenside pieces look on helplessly as White delivers the killer blow. It's four attackers against two defenders; not exactly a level playing field. FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-trl+-tr-mk( 7+-+-+-zpp' 6p+-+p+L+& 5+-zp-wq-+-% 4P+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-zPP+-wQPzP" 1+-+R+R+K! xabcdefghy 24...Rg8 25.Lxh7 Kxh7 26.Qh4+ Kg6 27.Rd3 Qh5 28.Rg3+ Attractive and instructive play by Anand. Speed, power and precision all-in-one and thoroughly decisive chess. 1–0 Conditions Have to be Right In order for a successful attack to even get going, the nature of the position must always be taken into account. Players cannot attack willy-nilly just because they feel like it! This is where tight control over one's emotions certainly plays a key role. When does a projected attack on the king have the maximum chance of success? 1) When a significant lead in development has been established. 2) When the opponent has little or no counterplay. 3) When the number of pieces that can be brought to bear exceeds the number of potential defenders. Time is of the essence and an eye for spotting weaknesses around the enemy king is very useful indeed. All trainers will have their own favourite examples of play of this type. As I write this piece, the sad news has reached me that the 7th World Champion, Vassily Vasliyevich Smyslov has passed away at the age of 89. Smyslov played four times for the World 77

title and his most famous rivalry was of course against Mikhail Botvinnik. Modern players could do a lot worse than to revisit those wonderful games and matches. There you will see a titanic, intense battle played out without any of the political overtones or acrimony that has dogged chess in recent times, for instance in matches between Kasparov and Karpov, Korchnoi and everyone, Topalov and Kramnik. Smyslov was a harmonious player, who seemed to know how to coordinate his pieces with ease in any given position. A player with a style like this will always be a fantastic attacker, as their sense of timing is well-nigh perfect. □ Smyslov Vassily ■ Botvinnik Mikhail C18 Moscow 1954 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 La5 6.b4 cxd4 7.Qg4 The first attack of the game and logical. White tries to exploit the absence of the darksquared bishop from the kingside. 7...Ne7 Winawer players do not worry about such trifles as the g-pawn. The kingside is offered as bait to force White on to the defensive. 8.bxa5 dxc3 9.Qxg7 Rg8 10.Qxh7 Nd7?! One has to remember that in those days, independent research was the order of the day. No computers, no databases, just sheer hard graft. With the benefit of 50 years it has become established that 10...Nbc6 11.Nf3 Qc7 is a better way to proceed for Black. One gains the impression in our featured game that Botvinnik is fiercely determined to defend a home-sprung idea, however dubious that idea might be! 11.Nf3 Nf8 12.Qd3 Qxa5 13.h4! (D) (see next diagram) White has two main trumps in the Winawer main line. The ‘bishop-pair’ is one and the ‘h-pawn’ another. Left alone, White is getting ready to roll this pawn all the way up the board. Black has to find counterplay from somewhere. 13...Ld7 14.Lg5! Preventing ...0–0–0. FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+ksnr+( 7zpp+-snp+-' 6-+-+p+-+& 5wq-+pzP-+-% 4-+-+-+-zP$ 3zP-zpQ+N+-# 2-+P+-zPP+" 1tR-vL-mKL+R! xabcdefghy 14...Rc8 Perhaps 14...Nc6 15.Qe3! Rc8 (15...Nh7 16.Qf4 Qc7 17.Ld3 f5 18.exf6 Qxf4 19.Lxf4 Nxf6 20.Kf1 ±) 16.h5 d4 17.Qf4 ÷ is a better way to proceed for Black, but Botvinnik sees a chance to get his rook into play and takes it. 15.Nd4 Nf5 15...Qb6 16.Le3 Qb2 17.Nb3 La4 18.Lc1 +–. 16.Rb1 Rc4 17.Nxf5 exf5 18.Rxb7 Re4+ (D) 18...Qxa3 19.Qxd5 Re4+ 20.Kd1 Rxg5 21.Rb8+ Ke7 22.Qd6+ Qxd6+ 23.exd6+ Kxd6 24.hxg5 ±.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+ksnr+( 7zpR+l+p+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5wq-+pzPpvL-% 4-+-+r+-zP$ 3zP-zpQ+-+-# 2-+P+-zPP+" 1+-+-mKL+R! xabcdefghy The moment of truth. Intuition and experience guide one to the correct course of action at these times. Smyslov senses that his 78

pieces are better coordinated and spots the lack of effective defence around Black's king. He strikes! 19.Qxe4! dxe4 20.Rb8+ Lc8 21.Lb5+ The lonely king is caught in the crossfire of white bishops. 21...Qxb5 22.Rxb5 Ne6 23.Lf6 Rxg2 24.h5 La6 25.h6 RIP Vassily Smyslov (1921–2010). 1–0 Superior Development The benefits of rapid development have been known since the days of Paul Morphy. Steinitz taught us that a superior position demands that we attack or the advantage will evaporate. Essentially, better development gives us more options. Outstripping the opponent in the efficient and speedy mobilization of our forces allows us to control the game and often leads to a direct attack on the king. The attack or initiative may not necessarily occur from the opening directly but will surely come at some stage in the game. Here we see Michael Adams sustaining pressure throughout our featured game, eventually turning this advantage into a direct, winning attack on Black's king. □ Adams Michael ■ Zhigalko Andrey B30 Rijeka 2010 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Lb5 Nf6 4.Nc3 Qc7 5.d3 d6 6.0–0 e6 7.Lxc6+ Qxc6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+kvl-tr( 7zpp+-+pzpp' 6-+qzppsn-+& 5+-zp-+-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-sNP+N+-# 2PzPP+-zPPzP" 1tR-vLQ+RmK-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

8.e5! Adams improves on an earlier game against Hamdouchi. He sees no need for 8.Lf4 as yet and begins his quest for the initiative without delay. Instead 8.Lf4 Le7 9.e5 Nd7 10.d4 dxe5 11.Nxe5 Nxe5 12.dxe5 b6 13.Qh5 0–0 (13...Lb7! is a clear improvement for Black and very acceptable after 14.f3 c4 15.Rad1 0–0 =) 14.f3 f5 15.Lg5 Lxg5 16.Qxg5 Qc7 17.Qf4 La6 18.Rfd1 Rad8 19.Rd6 Rxd6 20.exd6 Qf7 21.Rd1 Lc8 22.Nb1 Ld7 ÷ Adams,MHamdouchi,H Paris 2006. There is still some work to do after 23.Nd2 Lb5 24.Nc4 Lxc4 25.Qxc4 Rd8 26.f4 Kf8. 8...Nd7 9.d4 Trying to open the position hoping to catch the black king in the centre. 9...d5 Therefore logically closing the position down. 10.a4 Both probing and prophylactic. White dissuades Black from even thinking about castling long. The pawn on e5 gives White more space and the kingside would be his natural theatre of action. But firstly Adams shows restraint. 10...b6 11.Re1 h6 12.Ne2 a6 Black should perhaps try to catch up with development after 12...La6. However, White's position is very pleasant if he transfers his queen to f4 or g4: 13.Qd2 Le7 (13...Lxe2 14.Rxe2 Le7 15.Qf4 0–0 16.Qg4) 14.Qf4 0–0 15.Qg4 with attack. 13.h4! Cramping Black for room and intending to transfer as many pieces as possible over the kingside for an eventual direct attack. Even though the position remains semi-closed, White can bring significant pressure to bear with this plan. 13...Lb7 14.c3 c4 15.a5 bxa5 Zhigalko obviously sees what is coming and so opens the queenside in the hope of gaining counterplay there. With counterplay, the defender can sometimes defuse the bomb. The problem is that White has not yet really committed himself to any course of action 79

and can switch his plan at will. 15...b5 16.Nf4 Le7 17.Nh5 0–0 18.Nh2 just gives White a free hand against the black king. 16.Rxa5 Qb6 17.Ra1 a5 18.Nf4 Lc6 19.Nh2 Nb8 20.Qh5! Ld7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8rsn-+kvl-tr( 7+-+l+pzp-' 6-wq-+p+-zp& 5zp-+pzP-+Q% 4-+pzP-sN-zP$ 3+-zP-+-+-# 2-zP-+-zPPsN" 1tR-vL-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 21.Re3 Excellent build-up play from Adams is leading to real problems for Black on the kingside. Zhigalko has to sit and watch as White increases the pressure. Note that Adams rejects the tempting 21.Nxd5 exd5 22.e6 Lxe6 23.Qxd5 Nc6 24.Rxe6+ fxe6 25.Qxe6+ Le7 26.d5. This may well be good for White, but why take any risks at all in such a good position? White does not need to sacrifice yet. 21...Ra7 22.Rg3 Qb3 23.Qe2 La4 24.Nh5 So, the first real threat. Threats can lead to concessions by the defender and so the preconditions for a decisive attack are built in this way. 24...Qc2 25.Qe1! Restraint is the order of the day again, as Adams sidesteps 25.Qxc2 Lxc2 26.Nxg7+ Lxg7 27.Rxg7 Lg6 28.Lxh6 Nd7. White's rook may well be trapped! 25...Rh7 26.Ng4 Nd7 26...Qd1 27.Nhf6+. 27.Ne3 Qb3 28.Ld2 g6 29.Nf4 Le7 30.Qb1! A third opportunity to sacrifice unnecessarily is rejected: 30.Nfxd5 exd5 31.Nxd5 Lxh4 32.Rh3 Ld8 33.e6 Nf6 ÷. It is amazing how Adams just ignores any of these alternatives… FIDE TRG Syllabus

30...Lxh4 31.Rh3 Le7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+k+-+( 7tr-+nvlp+r' 6-+-+p+pzp& 5zp-+pzP-+-% 4l+pzP-sN-+$ 3+qzP-sN-+R# 2-zP-vL-zPP+" 1tRQ+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 32.Nxg6! Down to business. White has his pieces in the right places and begins the final attack. Very good timing by Adams and completely decisive. He could also play 32.Nxe6! which looks very strong too: 32...Lc6 (32...fxe6 33.Qxg6+ Rf7 34.Rf3 +–) 33.Nf4 Qb5 34.Nxg6 ±. 32...fxg6 33.Qxg6+ Rf7 34.Rf3 Lf6 35.Rxf6 Nxf6 36.exf6 Kd8 37.Ra3 Qb5 White's tactical control is seen in the short variation: 37...Qxb2 38.Rxa4 Qxd2 39.Qg8+ +–. 38.Ng4 Threatening Ne5. 38...Rad7 39.Ne5 Qxb2 40.Nxf7+ After 40...Rxf7 41.Rxa4 wins. 1–0 A skilled trainer may present this aspect of attacking the king in many enjoyable ways. One very effective method I have used with groups is to play through a game slowly, analysing critical moments, until the point at which a direct attack is about to begin. Pair off the students and let them play the position out using clocks (10 mins per player for instance). After they have seen how the position works for themselves, discuss the actual game continuation. In Adams-Zhigalko I would have asked them to play on after 21...Ra7. Everyone will learn a lot. 80

Attacking Prematurely There is no worse feeling than botching an attack, yet the fact is that more attacks fail than succeed. The obvious reason for this must be that a player has attacked at the wrong moment. Timing is of the essence. I list the main reasons an attack falls down: 1) A player tries to attack a sound position. 2) A player miscalculates or is lazy in execution. 3) A player underestimates enemy counterplay. 4) A player loses control of his or her emotions and becomes irrational. 5) A player blunders. Aggressive players naturally want to get after the enemy king, but at all stages remember the fundamental principle of Steinitz: 'One has to make a plan which conforms to the position'. Now to a game where White tries to attack too soon against what is basically a fireproof position. All Trent's violent intentions are carefully repulsed.

28.Rb2 Rb8 29.Rd2 Ld7 30.f4 a4 31.fxe5 Nxe5 32.Rxd4 Rb2 33.Lb1 Qb6 34.Rdd1 Nxc4 35.e5 Nxe5 36.Rde1 Rb3 37.Qf4 Rb4 38.Le4 f5 39.g4 Nxg4 40.Qg5 Nf2+ 41.Rxf2 Qxf2 42.Rg1 Rxe4 43.Nxg6 Qf3+ 0–1 Short,NFilippov,A Kolkata 2009. 8...Lb6 (D)

□ Trent Lawrence ■ Howell David C52 Southend 2008 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Lc4 Lc5 4.b4! I certainly advocate this approach to all players wishing to learn the art of attack. It's just that no guarantees can be made as to the result of the game. 4...Lxb4 5.c3 La5 6.d4 d6 Lasker's Defence is still one of the best ways to play against the Evans Gambit. 7.Qb3 Qd7 8.Nbd2 Nigel Short, one of the main proponents of the Evans among modern Grandmasters, prefers to castle: 8.0–0 Lb6 9.Nbd2 Na5 10.Qc2 f6 11.a4 Nh6 12.La3 Nf7 13.Ld5 Qe7 14.Lb4 c6 15.La2 0–0. It looks like Chigorin and Steinitz playing this game. Black is passive, but of course his position is pretty solid and he is a pawn up. White has to be careful that his initiative doesn't grind to a halt: 16.Nh4 g6 17.Kh1 Le6 18.d5 Ld7 19.c4 Rac8 μ 20.Rae1 Qd8 21.Qd3 Ld4 22.Ndf3 c5 23.Ld2 b6 24.Lxa5 bxa5 25.Rb1 Lxa4 26.Nxd4 cxd4 27.Qg3 Kg7

This move is an integral part of Lasker's concept. Black sets up the threat of ...Na5. 8...Nh6?! is another Steinitz concoction, which is hard to believe if we compare it with 8...Lb6: 9.dxe5! Nxe5 (I think Black has to castle now 9...0–0 if he is going to revive this line) 10.Nxe5 dxe5 11.La3 (it is rather risky to leave your king in the centre against Jonny Hector!) 11...c6 12.0–0–0 b5 13.Nf3 Qb7 (13...bxc4 14.Rxd7 cxb3 15.Re7+ Kf8 [15...Kd8 16.Rd1+ Ld7 17.axb3! +–] 16.Rxe5+ +–) 14.Rd5 f6 15.Rxb5 Lb6 16.Nxe5 Qc7 17.Nxc6 Ld7 18.Ne7 Qf4+ 19.Kb1 Ld8 20.Nf5 Qxe4+ 21.Ka1 Lxf5 22.Ld5 Qe2 23.Lxa8 Le6 24.Ld5 1–0 Hector,J-Antonsen,M Denmark 2010. 9.a4 Nf6 10.a5 He wants to take him apart with his bare hands! But what possible justification does White have for his upcoming exchange sacrifice? None at all. 10...Nxa5 11.Rxa5 Lxa5 12.dxe5 Ng4! Nice defence. White is relying on La3 trying to keep the black king in the centre. 13.h3 81

FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+k+ntr( 7zppzpq+pzpp' 6-vlnzp-+-+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+LzPP+-+$ 3+QzP-+N+-# 2P+-sN-zPPzP" 1tR-vL-mK-+R! xabcdefghy

13.La3 Lb6! refutes the White attack: 14.0– 0 0–0 15.exd6 cxd6 μ. 13...Nxe5 14.Nxe5 dxe5 15.La3 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+k+-tr( 7zppzpq+pzpp' 6-+-+-+-+& 5vl-+-zp-+-% 4-+L+P+-+$ 3vLQzP-+-+P# 2-+-sN-zPP+" 1+-+-mK-+R! xabcdefghy It's impossible to believe that White's initiative is worth the exchange and two pawns. Howell plans to neutralize the darksquared bishop and after that task is completed, White will be lost. 15...c6 16.0–0 b5 17.Rd1 Qb7 17...bxc4? 18.Nxc4 Rb8 19.Qa4! turns the tables, but there is no way David Howell is going to fall for that! 18.Qc2 Ld8! 19.Qa2 bxc4 20.Nxc4 Le7 The end of the affair. 21.Lxe7 Qxe7 22.Nd6+ Kf8 23.c4 a5 24.c5 a4 25.f4 exf4 26.Qa3 Le6 27.Rf1 Qg5 0–1 I suppose the message that trainers must get across is that it all too easy to get carried away. Trent's approach in this game was made to look naive by the cold-blooded Howell. Knowing when and where to commence an attack is a question of experience, cultivated by constant practice. Many chessplayers are their own worst enemy. They talk themselves into playing bad moves or executing bad plans. They do not have confidence in their play. Possibly this is one of the trainer's most difficult tasks; how to motivate and instil confidence into his students. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Keep Cheerful and Optimistic With regard to attack, if you do not believe, you will not succeed. It really is very simple indeed. To execute a successful attack one must be cheerful and optimistic at all times, even or especially when the attack is unsound! In the following interesting match-up, veteran chess legend Lajos Portisch struggles with black against prodigy Richard Rapport. Rapport is the 5th youngest player at 13yrs and 11 months to qualify as a GM. The opening looks good for White, but by using his experience and staying optimistic, Portisch turns the tables and in the end obliterates the white king. □ Rapport Richard ■ Portisch Lajos D36 Szentgotthard 2010 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Lg5 c6 6.Qc2 Le7 7.e3 Nbd7 8.Ld3 Nf8 9.Nge2 Ne6 10.Lh4 g6 11.0–0 0–0 12.f3 Re8 13.Rad1 b6 13...Nh5 seems like an effective alternative: 14.Lf2 (14.Lxe7 Qxe7 15.e4 Nef4 ÷) 14...Lf8 15.Kh1 a6 16.Qd2 Lh6 17.g4 Nf6 18.h4 Lf8 19.g5 Nh5 20.Ng3 Neg7 21.Kg2 f6 22.Nxh5 Nxh5 23.f4 Lg4 24.Rde1 Qd7 25.Rh1 Lb4 26.Qc2 Re7 27.Reg1 Rf8 μ Hasanova,E-Guseva,M Nojabrsk 2005. Of course both sides can improve more or less, at various moves. 14.Kh1 Lb7 15.Lf2 Qc8 16.e4 (D)

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Standard play in the Exchange Variation has seen White making all manner of preparatory moves, trying to find the right moment for e4. Portisch understands that the central pawns are a severe danger to him and has stationed his pieces as best he can to talk White out of the advance. The first critical moment has been reached. 16...dxe4 17.fxe4 c5 18.e5 Ng4 18...c4 19.Lf5! is interesting only for White. 19.d5

The pawns look terrifying, but Portisch keeps cool. 19...Nxf2+ 20.Rxf2 Nd4 21.Qd2?!

White misses his chance. With 21.Nxd4 cxd4 22.e6! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+q+r+k+( 7zpl+-vlp+p' 6-zp-+P+p+& 5+-+P+-+-% 4-+-zp-+-+$ 3+-sNL+-+-# 2PzPQ+-tRPzP" 1+-+R+-+K! xabcdefghy he has every opportunity to wipe Black out: 22...fxe6 (22...Rf8 23.exf7+ Rxf7 24.Rxf7 Kxf7 25.Qf2+ Kg7 26.Ne4! ± or 22...dxc3 23.exf7+ Kg7 24.fxe8Q Qxe8 25.Qxc3+ Kh6 26.Rf3 +–) 23.Lxg6 Rf8 24.Rxd4! Rxf2 25.Lxh7+ Kh8 26.Qxf2 Kxh7 27.Qf7+ Kh8 28.Rg4 Qg8 29.Qh5+ Qh7 30.Qe5+. It's a bit surprising that the young man overlooks this shot. Too much respect for his opponent perhaps?

28.Lf5 b5 29.Le6+ Kg7 30.Rdf1 Black’s game has been hanging on a thread for the past ten moves or so, but there will be a surprising twist in the tail. 30...Qb6! 31.Qg4 Qe3 32.Qb4 32.Nd1 Qd3. 32...Rxe6! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-vl-+-+( 7zpl+-+-mkp' 6-+-+rzp-+& 5+p+P+-zp-% 4-wQ-+-+-+$ 3+-sN-wq-zP-# 2PzP-+-tR-zP" 1+-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy Black seizes his chance! Until now Black's ambitions have been purely defensive, but when the counterattack comes, it comes with tremendous force. 33.dxe6 Qxe6 34.Nxb5 34.Qxb5 Lb6 –+. 34...Qd5 35.Rf3 Lb6+ 36.Kg2 Re8 37.Nd6 Re2+ 38.Kh3 h5 39.Nf5+ Qxf5+ It's mate after 40.Rxf5 Lg2 #. 0–1 Conclusion I suppose the lesson to be learned here is perseverance and one develops this quality best by believing in one's own ability. When a player is positive, the sky is the limit!

21...Lh4

In the end, provoking g3 will make all the difference, so this is an important moment to note. 22.g3 Ld8 23.Qf4 Qc7 24.Kg1 g5 Not 24...Rxe5 when 25.d6 overloads the black queen: 25...Qxd6 26.Qxf7+ Kh8 27.Qxb7. 25.Qg4 Rxe5 26.Nxd4 cxd4 27.Qxd4 f6 FIDE TRG Syllabus

83

Open File / Semi-Open File Miguel Illescas Concept Open files are those which are free of any pawns and semi-open files are those where one of the players doesn’t have any pawns but his opponent does. Both are the main highways for all major pieces, playing a significant role in the overall strategy of the game. The Open File In the next game we can distinguish three stages: 1) Clearance of the open file. 2) Control of the file with the rooks. 3) Seventh rank penetration. □ Illescas Cordoba Miguel ■ Short Nigel C02 Linares 1995 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 Nc6 5.Nf3 Ld7 6.Le2 f5?! This is an unusual and dubious move. The blockade of the centre will leave Black with a solid but very passive position. More natural are 6...Nge7 or 6...f6. 7.0–0 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nge7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqkvl-tr( 7zpp+lsn-zpp' 6-+n+p+-+& 5+-+pzPp+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-+-+N+-# 2PzP-+LzPPzP" 1tRNvLQ+RmK-! xabcdefghy With the centre blocked the value of the open file will be even greater, but for the moment both sides still need to complete their FIDE TRG Syllabus

development. With his next move, White prepares the exchange of the darksquared bishops, a favourable exchange for him due to the pawn structure. 9.b3!? Nc8 The route ...c8-b6 is not especially attractive after White’s last move but the knight’s prospects wouldn’t be brilliant either after 9...Ng6 10.g3. 10.La3 Lxa3 11.Nxa3 0–0 12.Qd2 Qe7 13.Nc2 Le8?! A mechanical move which allows White to take the initiative. Better was 13...a5!, keeping the queenside under control. 14.b4! White gains space on the queenside and the knight’s position on c6 becomes unstable. Black will have trouble controlling the invasion square c7. 14...a5?! This move helps White. Much better would have been finding a quick way to connect the rooks. An example variation would be 14...Lh5 15.b5 Nd8 16.Rfc1 Lxf3! 17.Lxf3 Nf7 18.Qb4! Qd7 19.a4 Ng5 20.Le2 Ne7 21.Ne1 and White is only slightly better. 15.b5 Nd8 16.Rfc1 White controls the c-file first. 16...Lh5 17.Nce1! g5? (D)

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White’s 17th move was a good one (the knight moves away from the file in order to double rooks) but Black’s following was incredibly optimistic. Before advancing the pawns in front of the king Black should have thought twice. A good idea would have been to get the knights off the back rank. After 17...Nf7 18.Rc5 Nb6 19.Rac1 Rfc8 White is better but Black can keep defending. With his next moves White takes control of the kingside and dominates the c-file completely. 18.h3! Qg7 19.Rc3! The capture on g5 becomes a threat. 19...Lxf3 20.Nxf3 h6 21.Rac1 Nb6 White has successfully implemented the plan initiated with 14.b4. Now White needs to find a way to make use of the open file. 22.Nh2! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-sn-trk+( 7+p+-+-wq-' 6-sn-+p+-zp& 5zpP+pzPpzp-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-tR-+-+P# 2P+-wQLzPPsN" 1+-tR-+-mK-! xabcdefghy The knight is heading to f6 via f1-g3-h5. Black is able to meet the immediate 22.Rc7 with 22...Rf7, so White postpones the penetration for a later stage. 22...Kh8 23.Nf1 a4 23...f4 doesn’t help, because after 24.Nh2 the knight finds its way to f6 via g4. 24.a3 Rf7 For the moment Black is holding, but in few moves his defensive position will collapse. 25.Ng3 Qf8 26.Nh5 Re7 27.Nf6 Nd7 28.Nh5 Nb6 (D) The moment has arrived for White to penetrate on the seventh rank. But Black has a tactical resource which has to be taken into account. FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-sn-wq-mk( 7+p+-tr-+-' 6-sn-+p+-zp& 5+P+pzPpzpN% 4p+-zP-+-+$ 3zP-tR-+-+P# 2-+-wQLzPP+" 1+-tR-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 29.Rc7! Nc4 Or 29...Rxc7 30.Rxc7 Rc8 31.Rxc8 Nxc8 32.Qc2 Nb6 33.Qc7 and White wins. 30.Rxe7! A queen sacrifice that proves decisive. 30...Qxe7 It’s easy to understand that after 30...Nxd2 31.Rcc7 Ne4 32.f3 Black has no defence. 31.Lxc4 dxc4 32.Rxc4 Qxa3 Black needs to restore the material balance but there is no salvation anymore. 33.Rc7 Once again the control of the open file proves decisive. The second rook creates unstoppable threats and in the next moves White organizes a rook & knight mating finale. 33...Qf8 34.Qa2 a3 35.Nf6 Nf7 36.Qxe6 a2 37.Qxf7 a1Q+ 38.Kh2 Qxf7 39.Rxf7 b6 40.Rh7 # 1–0 Sometimes the control of the open file, particularly central files, serves to restrict the opponent’s mobility. In the next game Black was not able to complete the development of his queenside. □ Kasparov Garry ■ Petrosian Tigran E11 Bugojno 1982 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 Lb4+ 4.Ld2 Qe7 5.g3 Lxd2+ 6.Qxd2 0–0 7.Lg2 d5 8.0–0 dxc4 9.Na3 c5 10.dxc5 Qxc5 11.Rac1 Nc6 12.Nxc4 (D) 85

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+-trk+( 7zpp+-+pzpp' 6-+n+psn-+& 5+-wq-+-+-% 4-+N+-+-+$ 3+-+-+NzP-# 2PzP-wQPzPLzP" 1+-tR-+RmK-! xabcdefghy

XABCDEFGHY 8-tr-tr-vl-+( 7+-+-+pzpk' 6p+q+p+-zp& 5+-zp-+-+P% 4-+P+-+Q+$ 3+P+-+-+-# 2PvL-+-zPP+" 1tR-+R+-mK-! xabcdefghy

12…Qe7? After this move, Black will have a lot of problems with his queenside development. Better was 12...Rd8 13.Qc2 Ld7 when White is only slightly better. 13.Nfe5 Nxe5 14.Nxe5 Nd5 If 14...Rd8 15.Qa5 Nd5 16.Rfd1 and it’s not easy to find a plan for Black. 15.Rfd1 White’s rooks are enjoying nice activity on the open lines while the black rooks are very passive. 15...Nb6 16.Qa5?! And now a typical procedure would be 16.Qd6! in order to exchange queens and enter on the critical square c7. After 16...Qxd6 17.Rxd6 f6 18.Nd3 e5 19.Rc7 Rb8 20.Nc5 White would be much better. Kasparov played 16.Qa5 and won anyway after his opponent blundered in a difficult position: 16...g6 17.Rd3 Nd5 18.e4 Nb6 19.Lf1 Re8 20.Rdd1 Rf8 21.a3 Kg7 22.b3 Kg8 23.a4 Rd8 24.Qc5 1–0

26.Lc3 Trying to bring the bishop to a5 in order to control the critical square d8. 26...Rbc8? A mistake. Necessary was 26...Qc7. Maybe Black feared 27.Qe4+ Kg8 28.Le5 and White is certainly better but at least Black gets some active play after 28...Ld6 29.Rxd6 Rxd6 30.Qg4 Rd1+! 31.Rxd1 Qxe5. 27.La5! Rxd1+ 28.Rxd1 Le7 Black has lost control of the open file and now tries to blockade by bringing his bishop to d4. 29.Qf3!? A typical resource, trying to exchange the defenders of the seventh rank. Also very strong was 29.Lc3!. 29...Kg8 Even worse was 29...Qxf3 30.gxf3 Kg8 31.Rd7 with extra tempi. Black should not refuse to exchange since after 29...Qe8 30.Qb7 White’s initiative is overwhelming. 30.Qxc6 Rxc6 31.Rd7 Black is forced to conduct a very passive defence and eventually loses the game: 31...Kf8 32.Rb7 Ke8 33.Lc3 f6 34.Ra7 Rd6 35.Kf1 e5 36.Ke2 Re6 37.g4 Rb6 38.Kd3 Kf7 39.Ke4 Ke6 40.f3 Rc6 41.Rb7 Lf8 42.La5 Le7 43.Rb6 1–0

When both sides try to control the open line a bishop manoeuvre can be very useful, as the coming battle is quite interesting - see the following game for proof! □ Pachman Ludek ■ Jakobsen Ole Barcelona 1975 ○

The most typical way to take control of the open file is to place both rooks on it. Sometimes even the queen can be used to

FIDE TRG Syllabus

86

‘triple’ on the open file. In the following game Karpov shows a brilliant way to double rooks without allowing the opponent to exchange them:

The Semi-Open File When a pawn in a semi-open file loses the support of its own pawns it becomes an ideal target for the enemy rooks.

□ Karpov Anatoly ■ Unzicker Wolfgang Nice 1974 ○

□ Morozevich Alexander ■ Petrushin Alexander Krasnodar 1997 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+rwq-vlk+( 7+n+l+p+p' 6-+-zp-snp+& 5+p+Pzp-+-% 4-zPp+P+-+$ 3+-zP-vLNsNP# 2R+-wQ-zPP+" 1+L+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy

XABCDEFGHY 8-+l+-tr-+( 7zp-+-+-mkp' 6-zpr+pwqp+& 5+-+ptR-+-% 4-+-zP-zP-+$ 3+-+-wQ-zP-# 2PzP-+-+P+" 1+L+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy

Black hopes to simplify the position exchanging rooks on the open file, but… 24.La7! An original idea. Hiding behind the bishop White will double his rooks on the file. 24...Ne8 25.Lc2 Nc7 26.Rea1 Qe7 27.Lb1 Le8 28.Ne2 Nd8 29.Nh2 Lg7 30.f4 With the situation on the queenside under full control White launches an attack on the other flank. All the time Black needs to worry about a move of the a7-bishop which makes the coordination of the defence much more difficult. 30...f6 31.f5 g5 32.Lc2 Lf7 33.Ng3 Nb7 34.Ld1 h6 35.Lh5 Black should have been more careful with the weakness on the light squares. Now White’s cavalry will enter decisively. 35...Qe8 36.Qd1 Nd8 37.Ra3 Kf8 38.R1a2 In the end there will be no need but just in case Karpov clears the a1-square for the queen, getting ready to triple on the open file. 38...Kg8 39.Ng4 Kf8 40.Ne3 Kg8 41.Lxf7+ Nxf7 42.Qh5 Nd8 43.Qg6 Kf8 44.Nh5 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

In this example, the control of the open c-file is not very useful for Black. Action develops around the weak e6 pawn. 31.Ld3 Rc7 32.Le2! Morozevich transfers his bishop to g4 to increase the pressure. 32...Rc6 Please note the poor activity of the black rooks. The semi-open f-file is well guarded by the protected f4 pawn while the c-file is quite useless to Black. After 32...Rc2 33.Qb3, Black’s rook must retreat. 33.b4! Qd8 34.b5 Black’s rook is kicked off the open file and the a7 pawn is fixed as a new target. Black’s position becomes more difficult… 34...Rd6 Active defence with 34...Rc2 35.Lg4 Rf6 36.Lxe6 Lxe6 37.Rxe6 Rxe6 38.Qxe6 Rxa2 39.Re5 was not promising either. 35.Lg4 Rf6 36.Qa3! Rf7 Black’s choice is to leave e6. If 36...Qc7 37.Rc1 Qd7 38.Rxc8!. 37.Lxe6 Lxe6 38.Rxe6 Rxe6 39.Rxe6 Qd7 40.Qe3 Qxb5 41.Qe5+ Kh6 42.g4 1–0 87

Very often a player can use the last forward square on the semi-open file to place a knight. If the opponent decides to drive it out or exchange the knight he may create new weaknesses in his own camp. In the following classical game, White exchanges the knight on d4 but after Black captures with the e pawn a new semi-open line is opened and the e2 pawn becomes weak. □ Lisitsin Georgy ■ Botvinnik Mikhail Leningrad 1932 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+rtr-+-mk( 7zp-+qvl-zpp' 6-zpn+lzp-+& 5+-zpnzp-+-% 4P+N+-+-+$ 3+-vLP+-zP-# 2-zPQ+PzPLzP" 1tR-tR-+NmK-! xabcdefghy 20...Nd4! This knight is a very annoying piece. Nimzowitsch called it the ‘sentinel of the semi-open line’. 21.Qd1 Lg4 Forcing the exchange of the knight on d4. 22.Lxd4 exd4 23.Qd2 Lf8 24.Re1 Re8 25.h4?! To bring the knight to h2. But the pawn chain becomes weaker. 25...Lh3 26.Lf3 White tries to keep the bishop, which is a very useful king protector and also defends the e2 pawn. But Black will find the way to exchange it. 26...Re7 27.Nh2 Rce8 28.Kh1 Le6 29.b3 Nb4 Now Black will manage to force the exchange ...Ld5. Of course, 29...Nc3 would be a mistake on account of 30.e4! and White gets rid of the weak pawn on e2. FIDE TRG Syllabus

30.Lg2 Ld5 31.Nf3 Rf7 32.Kh2 Ld6 33.Lh3 Qd8 34.Rab1 Rfe7 35.Ng1 Lc7 36.Na3 Lb7! Now the threat ...Qd5 forces White to allow the bishop exchange. 37.Lg2 Lxg2 38.Kxg2 Nd5 39.Nc2 Qd6 Now we can see that g3 is also weak. Black is planning ...Ne3, which cannot be easily confronted. 40.Na3 Ne3+ 41.Kh1 Ng4 42.Qf4 There was no defence. If 42.Rf1 Qd5+ or 42.Kg2 Nxf2 43.Kxf2 Qxg3+ 44.Kf1 Re3 45.Nf3 Qh3+ 46.Kg1 Lh2+ winning. 42...Qxf4 43.gxf4 Nxf2+ 44.Kg2 Nxd3 0–1 In our last example the semi-open file is used to transfer a rook to the attack: □ Keene Raymond ■ Miles Anthony Hastings 1976 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-trk+( 7zpl+-vlpzpp' 6-zp-+psn-+& 5+-+-sN-vL-% 4-sn-zP-+-+$ 3+-sN-+-+-# 2PzP-+-zPPzP" 1tRL+QtR-mK-! xabcdefghy 14.Re3! g6 15.Rg3 Rc8? 16.Lh6 Re8 17.a3 Nc6 18.Nxg6! hxg6 19.Lxg6! fxg6 20.Qb1 Ne5 21.dxe5 Ne4 22.Nxe4 Kh7 23.Nf6+ Lxf6 24.Qxg6+ Kh8 25.Lg7+ Lxg7 26.Qxg7 # 1–0 Summary A knowledge of playing techniques associated with open and semi-open files is essential for all improving players. 88

Outpost Michael Khodarkovsky Concept When a piece is placed on a square on which it is protected (most often by a pawn) and cannot be attacked by enemy pawns, it is considered to be located on an outpost. Outposts are extremely valuable as they control enemy territory and can often be a deciding factor in the result of the game. A player may go to great lengths in order to secure an outpost and place there his or her piece because that piece will be far stronger than its counterpart. A knight, for example, placed on an outpost in the enemy position, can feel like a ‘knife in the throat’ and we will see this principle demonstrated by Kasparov in the first example: □ Kasparov Garry ■ Comp Deep Junior D45 New York 2003 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Nf3 Nbd7 6.Qc2 Ld6 7.g4 dxc4 8.Lxc4 b6 9.e4 e5 10.g5 Nh5 11.Le3 0–0 12.0–0–0 Qc7 13.d5 b5 13...Lb7 14.dxc6 Lxc6 15.Nb5! Lxb5 16.Lxb5 Nc5 17.b4 Ne6 18.Qxc7 Nxc7 19.Lc6 Rad8 20.a3 ±. 14.dxc6! bxc4 15.Nb5 Qxc6 16.Nxd6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+-trk+( 7zp-+n+pzpp' 6-+qsN-+-+& 5+-+-zp-zPn% 4-+p+P+-+$ 3+-+-vLN+-# 2PzPQ+-zP-zP" 1+-mKR+-+R! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

White's knight cannot be attacked by any of Black's pieces. Is it even necessary to ask in this position which is better: White's powerful knight on d6 or Black's cramped knight on d7? 16...Lb7 17.Qc3 Rae8? The computer sacrifices the exchange to lessen the pressure, although it didn't help much to change the course of the game. More playable for Black was: 17...Rab8!? 18.Nxe5 (18.Rd2 Qa4 19.Kb1 f5!?) 18...Nxe5 19.Qxe5 Qa4!? 20.Qc3 Qxa2. Now the outcome of the game becomes obvious. 18.Nxe8 Rxe8 19.Rhe1 Qb5 20.Nd2 Rc8 21.Kb1 Nf8 22.Ka1 Ng6 23.Rc1 La6 24.b3 cxb3 25.Qxb3 Ra8 26.Qxb5 Lxb5 27.Rc7 After the game, Kasparov exclaimed: ‘All my life I've believed that a knight on d6 was worth a rook, and this game proved it!’. 1–0 □ Lukacs Peter ■ Psakhis Lev Sarajevo 1981 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7+-+nwq-+p' 6p+-zp-zpp+& 5+psnP+-+-% 4P+ptRPzP-+$ 3+-+-+QzPP# 2NzPL+-+K+" 1+-+-tR-+-! xabcdefghy In this position, Black found a clever way to penetrate White's wall of pawns and station his knight at an outpost. 23...Ne5! 24.Qa3 89

24.fxe5? fxe5 and the rook is lost. 24...Ned3 25.Re3 g5 26.Lxd3 Nxd3 27.Nb4 gxf4 28.Nc6 Qg7 29.Rexd3 cxd3 30.Qxd3 Rae8 31.g4 f5 0–1 □ Botvinnik Mikhail ■ Donner Jan Hein Amsterdam 1963 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+r+-+k+( 7zpq+nvlpzpp' 6-zp-+psn-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-zP-sNP+-+$ 3zP-+-+QzP-# 2-vL-sN-zPKzP" 1tR-tR-+-+-! xabcdefghy With his next move, White gains space and creates for his knight the perfect outpost. Black's position becomes hopelessly miserable. 20.b5! a6 21.Nc6 Lf8 22.a4 axb5 23.axb5 Rxa1 24.Rxa1 Ra8 25.Rd1 Ne8 26.Nc4 Nc5 27.e5 Rc8 28.Ra1 Rc7 29.Ra7 Qxa7 30.Nxa7 Rxa7 31.Nxb6 1–0 □ Chernin Alexander ■ Ragozin Evgeni London 1994 ○ (see next diagram) Before making a move in this position say to yourself: 'The position of my knight on c3 could be improved. Where is the best square for this knight?'. Using his imagination, White was able to find the ideal outpost. 22.Na2! Nf4 23.Nb4 N6h5 24.Nc6 Mission accomplished! 24...Qg5 25.Ld3 Nxd3 26.Qxd3 fxe4 A very elegant, effective and final blow is coming now. 27.Nxd6! Lf5 28.Nxe4 Qxg2+ FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-trlwq-+-mk( 7+-+-+rvlp' 6-zp-zp-snp+& 5+P+Pzpp+n% 4-+N+P+-+$ 3+-sN-+P+-# 2-vLQ+L+PzP" 1tR-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy Black is trying to equalize with the cascade of tactics, however White's knights and passed pawn decided the game. 29.Kxg2 Nf4+ 30.Kg3 Nxd3 31.Nxb8 Nxb2 32.d6 Le6 33.Nc6 Lh6 34.Ra7 Lf4+ 35.Kg2 Nc4 36.Re1 Ne3+ 37.Rxe3 1–0 The following example demonstrates the power of the bishop when it is strategically placed on an outpost. □ Karpov Anatoly ■ Westerinen Heikki Nice 1974 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqrvlk+( 7+n+l+pzpn' 6-+-zp-+-zp& 5+-zpPzpN+-% 4LzP-+P+-+$ 3+-+-+N+P# 2-+-vL-zPP+" 1tR-+QtR-mK-! xabcdefghy 22.Lc6! White allows Black to exchange bishops, but at the cost of creating a passed pawn. When 90

Black does not exchange, White's next move will be to reinforce the bishop. 22...Qc7 23.b5 Nf6 24.Qc2 Reb8 How does White break through? He needs more pieces on the queenside! 25.Ne3 Lc8 26.Nc4 Le7 27.b6 Qd8 28.Ra7 Nd7 29.Qa4 Rxa7 30.bxa7 Ra8 31.Qa6 Qc7 32.Lxd7 Qxd7 33.Nb6 Nd8 34.Qa1 1–0 Often, it is possible to exchange pieces on an outpost. However, the common result is a defended passed pawn that is just as annoying. □ Tal Mihail ■ Dvoretsky Mark Leningrad 1974 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+r+k+( 7zpq+n+p+p' 6-+pvLl+pvl& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4NzP-+P+-+$ 3+-+-+-+P# 2P+Q+LzPP+" 1+-+RtR-mK-! xabcdefghy 20.Nc5! Nxc5 21.bxc5 Lf8 22.Rb1 Qd7 23.Red1 Lxd6 24.cxd6! Creating a passed pawn which makes the weak pawn on c6 vulnerable. If White were to take with the rook, the position would be roughly equal. 24...Rab8 25.a4 Rxb1 26.Qxb1 Qd8 27.Qc2 Qd7 28.Qc5 f6 29.a5 Kg7 30.Rb1 Rd8 31.a6 Kh6 32.Qe3+ g5 33.Qf3 Qf7 34.Rb7 Rd7 35.Lc4 f5 36.exf5 Qxf5 37.Lxe6 1–0 Although the most well-known examples of outposts involve the knight or the bishop, other pieces also enjoy the honour; even rooks! FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Anand Viswanathan ■ Kasparov Garry New York 1995 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+rvlk+( 7+p+-+pzpp' 6-vL-+qsn-+& 5zPQ+-zp-+-% 4-+P+P+-+$ 3+-+-+L+P# 2-+-+-+P+" 1+R+R+-+K! xabcdefghy In this very unique case, the then World Championship contender Vishy Anand placed his rook on a square already defended by the opponent's knight! However, capturing the rook leaves White with the advantage as his two bishops and advancing pawns overwhelm Black's disorganized pieces. This example features analysis by Anand. 27.Rd5! Nxd5?! Maybe Black had to ‘deny’ the offer and try 27...h5!?. 28.exd5 Qg6 29.c5 e4 30.Le2 Re5 White stands clearly better even after the ‘natural’ 30...Le7 31.d6 (31.Qb3 e3) 31...Lf6 32.d7 Rf8 33.Lc7. Kasparov tried to create some counterplay with his extra rook, attacking his opponent’s king. 31.Qd7 Rg5 31...Qg3 32.Qxb7 Rg5 33.Rg1 and White wins. 32.Rg1 e3 33.d6 33.Qxb7 Re8 34.d6 was clearly winning as well. 33...Rg3 34.Qxb7 Qe6 35.Kh2 35.Rf1? would ruin everything: 35...Rb8 36.Qxb8 Rxh3+ 37.Kg1 Qe5 but 35.Rd1 was good as well: 35...Rb8 36.Qd5. Now Black had to resign, as there is no chance to survive left: 35...Re8 36.d7 and the passed pawn decides. 1–0

91

□ Petrosian Tigran ■ Smyslov Vassily Moscow 1949 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+k+( 7+-+-+pzp-' 6p+-+-vl-zp& 5+p+P+P+-% 4-+-+-+P+$ 3zPP+-zp-+-# 2-+r+L+RzP" 1+-+R+-+K! xabcdefghy 28...Rd2! And Black is simply winning. White is forced to capture the beautifully placed rook, giving Black a won ending. 29.Rxd2 exd2 30.Ld1 With his renowned technique, Smyslov soon extinguished any hopes of a draw due to opposite coloured bishops. 30...Rxd5 31.Kg1 Kf8 32.Kf1 Lg5 33.a4 h5 34.h3 h4 35.axb5 axb5 36.Rf2 Ke7 37.Rf3 Re5 38.Le2 Rd5 38...Le3 39.f6+ gxf6 40.Rf5. 39.Ld1 Kf6 40.Rc3 Lf4 41.Ke2 Kg5 42.Rf3 b4 43.Kf1 43.Rd3 Re5+ 44.Kf2 Re1 45.Lf3 f6 46.Le2 Rh1. 43...Re5 44.Le2 Le3 45.Ld1 Kf6 46.Le2 Re4 0–1 Our final example illustrates the power of a well-placed queen. At an outpost where it cannot be attacked the queen can be a formidable figure. As we discussed earlier, the opponent can exchange at the cost of creating a passed pawn. □ Epishin Vladimir ■ Nunn John Vienna 1991 ○ FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+nvlk+( 7+-+q+-+p' 6-+nzpl+p+& 5+N+-zp-+-% 4-zpP+P+-+$ 3+N+QvL-+P# 2-zP-+L+P+" 1+-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 22.Lg4! Lxg4 23.hxg4 Qe6 24.Nd2 Rc8 25.Qd5 This is the key position, where the white queen dominates over her black counterpart due to an outstanding outpost on d5. 25...Nd8 25...Qxd5 26.exd5 Nd8 27.b3 (27.g5 Ra8) 27...Ra8 28.Ne4 Nb7 29.Kf2 Ra2+ 30.Kf3 Rb2 31.Ra1 Nc5 32.Nbxd6 Nxb3 33.Ra8 Nxd6 34.Nxd6 Nd2+ 35.Lxd2 Rxd2 36.Ne4. 26.b3 Le7 27.Lb6 Nf6 Does White retreat? No! 28.Rxf6! Lxf6 29.Nxd6 Rb8 30.Lc7 Qxd5 31.exd5 Ra8 32.N6e4 Le7 33.c5 Black trembles in fear at the sight of White's connected passed pawns. 33...Nf7 34.c6 Rc8 35.Lb6 Nd6 36.Nxd6 Lxd6 37.Ne4 Lf8 38.Kf2 Kf7 39.Ke2 Ke8 40.Kd3 Le7 41.Kc4 Rb8 42.c7 1–0 Conclusion A piece placed on a square on which it is protected (most often by a pawn) and cannot be attacked by enemy pawns is considered to be located on an outpost. Any piece can be placed at an outpost, be it knight, bishop, rook, or even queen. Although it is possible for the opponent to exchange the piece on the outpost, this often results in the creation of a passed pawn. Owning an outpost can often decide the game in one's favour. Keep in mind this simple but valuable advice. 92

Rook vs Minor Piece Miguel Illescas Concept Although the rook is a more powerful piece than a bishop or a knight there are some positions where they can't develop all their strength and the value difference is reduced. Generally this happens in positions without any open files and in which the minor piece occupies a good square. Consider for example the following position: □ Larsen Bent ■ Torre Eugenio Brussels 1987 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+n+-mk( 7zpp+-+rzp-' 6-+-zp-+-zp& 5+PzpPzpNzP-% 4-+P+P+-zP$ 3zP-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy White is clearly better, but now he played 37.g6?! Giving his opponent the chances to save the game with 37...Rxf5! 38.exf5 Nf6 arriving at a curious position, in which although he is an exchange up the draw is clear as the rook has no open files to penetrate into the opponents position. Black only needs to transfer his king to e7 and wait. Instead of 37.g6 an interesting move was 37.b6!? and Black can keep the files closed with 37...a6! and if 38.Rf1 (38.Kg2 h5! ; 38.gxh6 g6 39.Ne3 Nf6 ; 38.Re3 h5 39.Rf3 Kg8 [39...g6?? 40.Nd4!] 40.g6 [or 40.Kg2 Kf8] 40...Rxf5! 41.Rxf5 Nf6 and the position doesn't change much. Returning FIDE TRG Syllabus

the exchange on f6 doesn't work because the white king can't penetrate) 38...hxg5! (now 38...h5? loses to 39.Ng3! Rxf1+ 40.Nxf1 and the knight goes to d2-b3-a5, attacking the b7 pawn which can't be defended. Also 38...Kg8? 39.g6 Rf6 [39...Rxf5 40.Rxf5 Nf6 loses to 41.Rxf6! gxf6 42.h5 and the white king can penetrate through g4 and f5] 40.h5 Kf8 41.Kg2 Kg8 42.Rf3 Kf8 43.Kg3 Kg8 44.Ne7+ Kf8 45.Nc8 and White must win. Finally, 38...Kh7 39.Kg2 ±) 39.hxg5 g6 40.Nh4 Kg7 41.Rf3 Rxf3 42.Nxf3 Kf7 (and Black arrives just in time to defend b7) 43.Nd2 Ke7 44.Nb3 Kd8 45.Na5 Kc8 and the ending is a draw. In any case Black missed this opportunity and played a weaker move: 37...Rd7? 38.Rf1 Kg8 If 38...Nf6 the clearest move is 39.h5 Nxh5 40.Nxd6 and Black has to resign as he loses the house. 39.a4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+n+k+( 7zpp+r+-zp-' 6-+-zp-+Pzp& 5+PzpPzpN+-% 4P+P+P+-zP$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 39...h5 Now this pawn can be attacked. But if 39...Nf6 40.Nxh6+. In case of 39...Nc7 40.a5 Ne8 41.b6 a6 42.h5 Black is in zugzwang, as if 42...Nf6 (42...Rd8?? 43.Ne7+ ; 42...Kh8 43.Nxd6) 43.Nxh6+ Kh8 44.Ng4. 93

40.Kf2 Nf6 41.Ke3 Kf8 41...b6 makes things easier, as 42.a5 opens a file. 42.a5 Rd8 43.Kd3 Rd7 44.a6 White doesn't have to worry any more about the queenside as he is about to win the h5pawn on the kingside (Rg1-g5 and Ng3 to come). 44...b6 45.Rg1 Ng4 (D) Practically forced. If 45...Rd8 46.Rg5 Rd7 47.Ng3 leaves Black without any hope.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-mk-+( 7zp-+r+-zp-' 6Pzp-zp-+P+& 5+PzpPzpN+p% 4-+P+P+nzP$ 3+-+K+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-tR-! xabcdefghy 46.Rxg4! A positional exchange sacrifice. Black's rook is clearly worth less than White's knight. The following moves are quite clear as Black can't do anything. 46...hxg4 47.Ke3 Rd8 48.Kf2 Kg8 49.Kg3 Rd7 50.Kxg4 Kf8 51.Kg5 Kg8 52.h5 Kh8 53.h6 gxh6+ 54.Nxh6 Also good is 54.Kxh6 because the resource 54...Rh7+ is insufficient because of 55.Kg5! Rh1 56.Kf6 +–. In any case, White doesn't even want to allow Black's rook to become active. 54...Kg7 55.Nf5+ Kf8 56.Kf6 56...Rf7+ is answered by 57.Ke6, when everything is falling apart, so Black was ‘obliged’ to resign! 1–0 A knight on a central square and protected from attacks can fight perfectly well against a rook if the position doesn't offer any weaknesses that this piece can attack. FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Karjakin Sergey ■ Radjabov Teimour Warsaw 2005 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-mk-tr( 7+-+-+pzpp' 6p+-zp-+-vl& 5+-+Nzp-+-% 4Q+-+P+-zP$ 3+-zP-+-+-# 2-zP-+-zPP+" 1+-+-mKL+R! xabcdefghy 19.b4! Fixing a6 as an attacking objective. If directly 19.Lxa6 then 19...Qc8 20.Nb4 Qg4 offers too much counterplay to Black. 19...a5 Radjabov is trying to exchange his weak pawn, but now the passed pawn on b5 combined with the knight on d5 will be very powerful. 20.b5 Rb8 21.g3 g6 22.Lh3 Kg7 23.0–0 Rf8 Preparing the advance ...f5, which is the only possible reaction for Black. 24.Ra1! Kh8 25.Qxa5 Qe8 If 25...Qxa5 26.Rxa5 Ra8 27.Rxa8 Rxa8 28.b6 Kg7 29.b7 Rb8 30.Lc8! +–. 26.c4 f5 27.Qc7! Threatening 28.Ra7. 27...Qf7 28.exf5! Keeping the f-file closed. After 28.Qxd6?! fxe4 29.Ra2 Ra8! Black has counterplay. 28...Qxc7 28...gxf5 29.Qxd6 ±. 29.Nxc7 gxf5 30.Ra6! Rf7 31.Nd5 Lf8 32.Rc6! f4?! This move accelerates defeat by allowing White's bishop to enter, but in any case Black's position was very difficult and White could always provoke this advance with Ne3 if needed. 33.Le6 Rg7 34.g4! Re8 35.Lf5 35.Lc8! was also winning, with the idea b6-b7. 94

35...Le7 36.h5 Lg5 37.b6 e4 38.Rc8! Rxc8 In the case of 38...Rd8 39.Ne7! decides the game. 39.Lxc8 e3 40.fxe3 fxe3 41.b7 1–0

much better. 23...c6 24.Rd2 d5 Now Black transfers his bishop to f6 and the position can be considered equal, but White carries on playing under the impression that he is still better. 25.Qf3 Le7 26.Rde2 Lf6 (D)

In order to take advantage of the exchange the strong side should generally try to simplify. This is easier to achieve in the endgame, whereas in the middlegame other factors, such as the initiative, can be more important.

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-+k+( 7zpp+q+pzpp' 6-+p+-vl-+& 5+-+p+P+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-zP-+Q+-# 2PzP-+R+PzP" 1+-mK-tR-+-! xabcdefghy

□ Mieses Jacques ■ Capablanca Jose Raul Berlin 1913 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-+k+( 7zppzp-+pzpp' 6-+-zp-+-+& 5+q+-+-+-% 4-vl-+QzP-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzPP+-+PzP" 1+-mKR+-+R! xabcdefghy Black has a pawn for the exchange, but his pieces are not very well placed to offer enough compensation. 20.c3 Lc5 21.Rhe1 The possibility of entering the seventh file makes the open file an important issue. If Black's bishop was on f6, controlling the e7 square, Black's position would be playable. 21...Qc6 22.Rd5? White mistakenly avoids the exchange of queens as he hopes to win the game by attack. With 22.Qxc6 bxc6 23.Re7 White should win. 22...Qd7 23.f5?! Another mistake, leaving the f6-square for the black bishop. Leaving the pawn on f4 and moving the other one to g5 would have been FIDE TRG Syllabus

27.Qh5?! Very optimistic. White wants to play g4 and g5, but this plan doesn't work because of a small detail. He will just end up with his queen isolated from the rest of his pieces and incapable of getting to the other side. Better was 27.g4. 27...h6! 28.g4? Kh7! The key. White can't play 29.h4 because of 29...g6 winning the queen, and therefore he is beginning to get a bad position. 29.Kb1 Rd8 30.Rd1 30.Qh3 was better, without losing any more tempi. 30...c5 31.Qh3 Qa4 32.Red2 Qe4+ 33.Ka1 b5 34.Qg2 Qa4 35.Kb1 35.Rxd5?? Qxd1+. 35...b4 36.cxb4 Qxb4 37.a3 If 37.Rxd5 Rxd5 38.Rxd5 Lxb2 39.Qxb2 Qe4+ with a winning ending for Black. 37...Qa4! 38.Rxd5 Rb8 39.R1d2 c4 40.Qg3 Rb3 41.Qd6 c3 41...Lxb2 42.Rxb2 c3 was better. 42.Rc2 cxb2 43.Rd3 Qe4! 44.Rd1 Rc3 White resigned as there is no defence left anymore: 45.Qd2 Rxa3. 0–1 95

□ Kramer Haije ■ Thomas George Utrecht 1949 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+ltrk+( 7zpp+-+-zpp' 6-+pwq-+-+& 5+-+p+-+-% 4-+-+pzP-+$ 3+-wQ-zP-+-# 2PzP-+-+PzP" 1+-tR-+RmK-! xabcdefghy Black has a pawn for the exchange, but he is worse. To exploit his advantage, White must open some files, at the same time not allowing Black to improve his position by activating his pawns or bishop. 22.Qc3! Preparing a manoeuvre that fixes the opponent's pawns on the same colour squares as his bishop, and at the same time threatening a possible f5-f6, opening files. Simplifying with 22.Qc5 would be a mistake because of 22...Qxc5 23.Rxc5 b6 24.Rc3 c5 and Black has been able to improve his position considerably. His bishop can move to b5 and d3, after which the advance ...d4 can't be prevented. In this case, Black would have enough positional compensation for his material disadvantage. 22...Ld7 23.b4 a6?! Better was 23...b6 and if 24.f5 Black isn't forced to capture on f5. White is better but there is still quite a fight ahead. 24.Qd4 h6 25.Rfd1 Threatening 26.Qxe4. 25...Qe7 26.a4 Kh7 27.b5! The player with the extra exchange must strive to open more files. 27...axb5 28.axb5 Ra8 29.bxc6 Lxc6 29...bxc6 30.Ra1. 30.Ra1 Ra3 31.Rxa3 Qxa3 32.Ra1 Qb3 33.h3 Qd3 34.Qc5 FIDE TRG Syllabus

The attack with the rook on the eight rank will create unstoppable threats. But 34.Qxd3 exd3 35.Kf2 Lb5 36.Ke1 should also win. 34...Kg6 35.Ra8 Kh5 If 35...Kh7 36.f5 Qe2 37.Kh2 the threat Qf8 is decisive. 36.Kh2 Qe2 37.Rg8 Also winning is 37.Qd6 and if 37...Qxe3 38.g4+ Kh4 39.Qe7+ g5 40.Qxg5+! hxg5 41.Rh8 #. 37...Kg6 37...g5 38.Qe7 mates quickly. 38.Qd4 1–0 In open positions, with pawns on both sides, the advantage of the rook is nearly always decisive, especially against a knight (which is a slower piece), but on many occasions the bishop isn't able to offer much resistance either. □ Shirov Alexei ■ Onischuk Alexander Poikovsky 2008 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+k+-+( 7+-+-zP-+p' 6p+R+-zpp+& 5+p+-+-+-% 4-vlp+K+P+$ 3+-+-+-+P# 2P+-+-+P+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 44...Lxe7 Worse is 44...Kxe7 45.Rxa6 Ld6 46.Kd5 Le5 47.Kc5 +– and Black loses the b-pawn. 45.Rxa6 c3 46.Kd5 Kf7 If 46...b4 47.Ke6 is decisive, although after 47...Kd8 the correct move is 48.Rc6 leaving Black in zugzwang. By contrast, bad is 48.Ra8+?? Kc7 –+ and Black wins, as his cpawn is unstoppable. 96

47.Rc6 b4 48.Rc7 h5 Black hasn't got anything better. If 48...f5 49.gxf5 gxf5 50.Ke5 +– while 48...h6 49.g3! and soon he will be out of moves, for example: 49...g5 50.Rb7 Ke8 51.Ke6 Kd8 52.Rd7+ Kc8 53.Rd4 Lf8 54.Kf7. 49.gxh5 gxh5 50.g4! This is not the only way to win, but it is the fastest. 50...hxg4 51.hxg4 f5 A desperate resource because if 51...Ke8 52.Ke6 Kd8 53.Rd7+! as before. 52.gxf5 Kf6 53.Ke4 Lf8 54.Rc6+ Kg5 54...Kf7 55.f6 Ke8 56.Kf5 Kd7 57.Rc4 Ld6 58.f7 Lf8 59.Kf6. 55.f6 55...Kg6 56.Ke5 Lh6 57.f7+ winning. 1–0 □ Karpov Anatoly ■ Kasparov Garry Seville 1987 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-zp-+-' 6pzp-mk-vl-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4P+-+-tR-zp$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+K+P+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Even though Black has two pawns for the exchange, as they are not grouped together he must play carefully to hold the draw. 51...Kd6 52.Kd3 Kc5 53.Rc4+ Kd5 54.Rc7 a5 55.Rc4 e5 56.Rg4 Le7 57.Rg7 e4+ 58.Ke3 Lc5+ 59.Ke2 Ld4 60.Rg5+ Kc4 61.Rf5 If 61.Rg4 b5 62.axb5 a4 63.Rxe4 a3 with a draw. 61...Kc3! But not 61...Kb3? 62.Rf4 Lc3 63.Rxe4 Lb4? (63...Lf6 is slightly better, although FIDE TRG Syllabus

Black is still worse) 64.Rxh4 Kxa4 65.g4 winning. 62.Rh5 Now 62.Rf4 is answered by 62...b5 63.axb5 a4 64.Rxh4 (64.Rf8 Kb4!) 64...Kc4! 65.Rxe4 a3 as in the game. 62...Kc4 63.Rf5 Kc3 64.Rg5 Kc4 65.Rh5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-zp-+-+-+& 5zp-+-+-+R% 4P+kvlp+-zp$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+K+P+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 65...Lf6! The only move. If 65...Kc3? 66.Rxh4 b5 67.axb5 a4 68.Rxe4 a3 69.Re6 a2 (69...Kc4 70.Ra6) 70.Ra6 winning. 66.Rh6 Also if 66.Ke3 Kb3 67.Rb5+ Kxa4 68.Rxb6 Lc3 69.Kxe4 Lb4 followed by Kb3 and Black saves the day. 66...Ld4 67.Rh5 If 67.Rxh4 b5 68.axb5 a4. 67...Lf6 68.Rh6 Ld4 69.Rxh4 Finally White captures the pawn as he doesn't have a better move. 69...b5 70.axb5 a4 71.Rxe4 a3 72.b6 a2 73.Rxd4+ Kxd4 74.b7 a1Q 75.b8Q Qa6+ 76.Kf2 Qf6+ 77.Kg1 Ke4 78.Qb4+ 78.Qb7+ Kf4 79.Qf3+ Kg5 80.Qxf6+ Kxf6 81.Kh2 Kg6! =. 78...Kf5 79.Qe1 Qd4+ ½–½

97

The Bishop-pair Mikhail Gurevich Concept The bishop-pair is a powerful weapon. We refer usually to the bishop-pair advantage over a bishop and knight, or over two knights. An important point to consider in most positions with the bishop-pair is the pawn structure and the existence of pawns on both sides of the board. We will explain how to evaluate the importance of the bishop-pair and different techniques of playing with them... First of all let us discuss the importance of the pawn structure. There are many possible pawn structures. We will classify them as following: open centre, semi-open and closed positions. Our general knowledge proves to us that the more the centre is open the bigger advantage of the bishop-pair becomes. This is simple. But each of these structures has its own characteristics and techniques of playing with the bishop-pair differentiate considerably. We will explain... Open Centre The position with two open vertical files on the centre and more, we may call open positions. This provides the best conditions for the bishop-pair and we may use the dominating, long-range power of bishops in developing all kind of attacks and initiatives. However, the most technical, most 'pure' technique of exploiting the bishop-pair advantage in positions with an open centre is the Technique of Exchanges. Let's see an example. □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Sandipan Chanda A17 Gibraltar 2006 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 Lb4 4.Qc2 0–0 5.a3 Lxc3 6.Qxc3 b6 7.e3 Lb7 8.Le2 c5 9.b4 d6 10.Lb2 FIDE TRG Syllabus

This is more precise than 10.0–0, and after 10...Ne4 11.Qb3 Ng5 12.Nxg5 Qxg5 13.f3 Nc6 14.Lb2 e5 15.Rf2 Rae8 16.bxc5 dxc5 17.a4 Re6 18.Lc3 Qe7 a draw (½–½) was agreed in the game Nielsen,PRozentalis,E Malmo/Copenhagen 2004. 10...Nc6 11.0–0 Re8!? With the idea 12...e5 13.bxc5 dxc5 and Black looks fine. 12.d4 cxd4 13.Nxd4 13.exd4!? was interesting, planning 13...d5 14.b5 Ne7 15.c5 ². 13...Nxd4?! This exchange pours water on White's mill. 13...Ne4!? with a complicating position was interesting: 14.Qd3! (14.Qc2 Nxd4 15.Lxd4 e5 16.Lb2 Qg5 with counterplay) 14...Ne5 15.Qd1 Qg5! 16.f4 Qg6 17.Lh5 (17.fxe5? Nc3 –+) 17...Qh6 18.Rc1 Rac8 with counterplay, and White should repeat moves: 19.Le2 Qg6 20.Lh5 =. 14.Qxd4 d5 15.cxd5 Qxd5 16.Qxd5 Changing queens and rooks is a part of my plan. 16...Nxd5 17.Rac1 Rac8 18.Rfd1 With a typical idea: Kf1-e1. 18...Rxc1 18...f6 19.Kf1 Kf7 was more resistant. 19.Rxc1 Rc8 20.Rxc8+ Lxc8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+l+-+k+( 7zp-+-+pzpp' 6-zp-+p+-+& 5+-+n+-+-% 4-zP-+-+-+$ 3zP-+-zP-+-# 2-vL-+LzPPzP" 1+-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 98

White achieved the exact material balance he was aiming for: two bishops versus bishop and knight in the endgame. A typical, pleasant advantage, where the game usually goes for two results... Although there are no weaknesses in Black's position so far, the fact that White possesses the bishop-pair with the centre open and the pawns on both sides of the board, makes this endgame extremely difficult for Black. How to proceed? 21.e4!? Gaining space in the centre is the first stage in White's plan. He should activate his bishops as much as possible, create pawns' weaknesses in his opponent's position, on both sides, hopefully, centralize his king and create passed pawn(s)... Black is facing a long and difficult defence... 21...Ne7 21...Nf4 22.Lc4 (with the threat Le5-b8) 22...Ng6 23.b5 ². 22.b5! Creates the weakness no1; the a7-pawn. 22...f6 With the idea 23...Kf7, 24...e5 and 25...Le6, trying to block the position in the centre as much as possible. 23.Lc3 Planning Lb4-d6-b8. 23...Kf7 Or 23...e5 24.Lc4+ Kf8 25.Lb4 ². 24.Lc4 Ng6 25.Lb4 Ne5 26.Le2 Lb7 27.f3 Nd7 28.Ld6 g6 29.Kf2 f5 30.exf5 gxf5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7zpl+n+k+p' 6-zp-vLp+-+& 5+P+-+p+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3zP-+-+P+-# 2-+-+LmKPzP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

30...exf5 was probably a better decision, although after 31.Lc4+ Kf6 32.Ke3 White is clearly better. 31.g4! This creates a passed pawn on the kingside and by using the classical principle of the two weaknesses, makes Black's position practically indefensible. 31...fxg4 32.fxg4 Ld5 33.Ke3 Kg6 34.h4 h6 35.h5+ Kg7 36.Lg3 Nf6 37.Le5 Kf7 38.Lf4 Kg7 39.Kd4 With the idea Ke5-d6-c7-b8. 39.Lb8 was also good: 39...Nd7 40.Lxa7 e5 41.Lf3 ±. 39...Ne4 40.Le5+ Kf7 41.Lf4 Kg7 42.Ke5 Nc3 43.Ld3 Lf3 44.Kd6 White continues his plan, and creates the threat of 45.Le5+, which is better than 44.Kxe6 Lxg4+ 45.Kd6 ±. 44...Na4 45.Le5+ Kg8 46.g5 Nc5 The only move as after 46...hxg5 47.h6 the hpawn is unstoppable. 47.Lg6 Ne4+ 48.Kxe6 Nxg5+ 49.Ke7 With the threat 50.Lb8. White wins. 49...Le2 50.Lb8 a6 51.bxa6 Lxa6 52.La7 Nf3 53.Lxb6 Ne5 54.Le8 Lc4 55.Ld4 Nd3 56.Le3 Kg7 57.a4 Nb4 58.Ld4+ Kg8 59.a5 Nd5+ 60.Kd6 Nf4 61.Le3 Kf8 62.Lc6 Nxh5 63.Lxh6+ Kf7 64.Ld5+! By this White converts the advantage of the bishop-pair into material, with an extra queen in a couple of moves, as Black's pieces are unable to stop the a-pawn. After 64...Lxd5 65.Kxd5 Black resigned. 1–0 Semi-Open Centre With an only one open vertical file in the centre; the so-called semi-open centre, the strategy of playing with the bishop-pair should be different. As total exchanges, like in the previous case, might lead to drawish, or let say defendable endgames, the recommended strategy should be Partial Exchanges in combination with developing an initiative, or attack, on a certain side of the board. Let me explain it using the following two examples, where great players like Timman and Adams demonstrate the correct way. 99

□ Timman Jan ■ Karpov Anatoly E21 Hoogeveen 1999 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.Nf3 b6 5.Qb3 Qe7 6.a3 Lxc3+ 7.Qxc3 Lb7 8.e3 0–0 9.Le2 d6 10.0–0 Nbd7 11.b4 c5 12.Lb2 a5 13.Rfd1 axb4 14.axb4 Rfb8 14...Rxa1 15.Lxa1 Ne4 16.Qb3 ². 15.Nd2!? Prevents 15...Ne4 with an idea 16.f3 limiting the b7-bishop and taking the centre under control. 15...Qd8!? A typical Karpov plan. Keeping the centre closed he prepares for multiple exchanges over an open a-file... 15...Ne4? 16.Nxe4 Lxe4 17.dxc5 Qg5 18.f3 +–. 16.f3 Rxa1 17.Lxa1!? (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-tr-wq-+k+( 7+l+n+pzpp' 6-zp-zppsn-+& 5+-zp-+-+-% 4-zPPzP-+-+$ 3+-wQ-zPP+-# 2-+-sNL+PzP" 1vL-+R+-mK-! xabcdefghy An interesting strategical decision. White restrain from further exchanges. Keeping queens and pair of rooks on the board Timman believes that control over the a-file is irrelevant and hopes to develop an initiative in the centre... Although White is slightly better in case of 17.Rxa1 Ra8 18.Rxa8 Qxa8 19.Qa3 Qxa3 20.Lxa3 Lc6, Timman feels that the limited material simplifies Black's defence somehow. 17...Ra8 18.Ld3 Qc7 18...cxd4 19.exd4 (19.Qxd4 Qc7 =) 19...b5!? was an interesting idea, undermining the strength of White's pawncentre: 20.cxb5 Nd5 21.Qb3 Qg5 22.Ne4 Qe3+ 23.Kh1 Nxb4 24.Lc4 (24.Nf6+ FIDE TRG Syllabus

Kh8 25.Ng4 Qf4 26.Qxb4 Lxf3 27.Rf1 Lxg2+ 28.Kxg2 Qxg4+ 29.Kh1 Ne5! –+) 24...Qxb3 25.Lxb3 ², but not 18...Ra4? 19.dxc5 dxc5 20.Lxh7+! +–. 19.Lc2 Rc8?! Puts pressure on the c-file and forces White to clarify the pawn structure in the centre. But 19...e5 20.Lb2 ² or 19...cxd4 20.Qxd4 (20.exd4 b5 21.c5 ÷) 20...b5 21.Lb3 ² were probably better continuations (destabilizing the centre) but Karpov tries to keep the centre as closed as possible... 20.dxc5 dxc5 21.b5! The pawn structure is blocked on the queenside; that was Karpov's main idea. However Black has no active pieces, including the c8-rook, neither active plan left... The bishop-pair gives White a prolonged initiative... 21...Ne8 With the idea 22...f6, blocking the a1-h8 diagonal. 21...e5 22.Lf5 ² was possible. 22.Ne4 f6 23.Qd3! Timman activates all his pieces, developing an initiative in the centre. 23...Lxe4 Practically forced: 23...Nf8 24.Nd6! Nxd6 (24...Rd8 25.Nxe8 Rxe8 26.Qd6 ± and Black is in trouble) 25.Qxd6 Qxd6 26.Rxd6 Ra8 27.Lc3 Ra2 (27...Ra3 28.Le1 Ra2 29.Ld3 Ra3 30.Lf1 +–) 28.Ld3 Lc8 29.Lf1 Ra3 30.Le1 ±. 24.Qxe4 Nf8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+nsnk+( 7+-wq-+-zpp' 6-zp-+pzp-+& 5+Pzp-+-+-% 4-+P+Q+-+$ 3+-+-zPP+-# 2-+L+-+PzP" 1vL-+R+-mK-! xabcdefghy 25.Qd3! 100

With the semi-open centre Timman takes the only open central d-file under full control, and avoids rook exchanges... 25...Kf7!? 25...Ra8 26.Lb2 Ra2 27.La3 Qa7 28.Lc1 ±. 26.Lc3 Ke7 With the idea 27...Rd8. An exchange of rooks and (or) queens would allow Black to hold the position. 26...Ra8 27.Le1! ±. 27.Ra1! Avoids any exchanges. Black has no points of entrance on d-file anyway... 27...Rd8 28.Qe2 Nd6 28...e5 29.f4! ±. 29.f4

Planning e4-e5, developing an initiative in the centre and the kingside. Of course 29.e4?! e5 would be out of the question. 29...Kf7 30.e4 Nc8 30...Ng6 31.e5 ±. 31.e5!

Timman needs to open up the position in order to prove the dominant character of the bishop-pair over the knight-pair. 31...f5

Keeping the centre closed is forced, but White gained more space, and starts an attack on the kingside. The alternative was 31...Ne7 32.Qh5+ Neg6 33.exf6 gxf6 34.Rf1 ±. 32.Qf3 Ne7 33.h3 Kg8 34.Kh2

34.g4?! Nfg6 35.Qg3 Rf8 ² would decrease White's advantage. 34...Nfg6 35.g3 Kf7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+-+( 7+-wq-snkzpp' 6-zp-+p+n+& 5+Pzp-zPp+-% 4-+P+-zP-+$ 3+-vL-+QzPP# 2-+L+-+-mK" 1tR-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

36.h4! Time for decisive action. With his last move White plans 37.h5 and 38.g4 attacking Black's king. 36...Kg8 37.h5 Nh8 Hoping to bring the knight on h6 and then on g4, blocking the kingside. Timman has no time to lose. Note that if 37...Nf8 then 38.g4 ±. 38.g4 Rf8? A decisive mistake in a difficult position. Black should have also avoided 38...fxg4 39.Qxg4 Qc8 40.Ra7 Re8 41.h6 Nhg6 42.Ra8! Qxa8 (42...Qd7 43.Qd1 Nd5 44.Rxe8+ Qxe8 45.cxd5 +–) 43.Qxe6+ Kh8 44.hxg7+ Kxg7 45.Qf6+ Kg8 46.e6 +– but should have opted for 38...Nf7!? 39.gxf5 Nxf5 (39...exf5 40.e6 Nh6 41.Rg1 Ng4+ 42.Rxg4 fxg4 43.Qxg4 +–) 40.Lxf5 exf5 41.Kg2! (41.e6? Ng5 42.Qe3 Ne4 43.Rg1 Nxc3 44.h6 g6 45.e7 Ne4 =) 41...Qe7 42.Le1!? ±. 39.gxf5 Nxf5 Or 39...exf5 40.e6 ±. 40.Lxf5 Rxf5 40...exf5 41.e6 Qe7 42.Qg2! +–. 41.Ra8+ Finally Black is losing the knight and the game. 41...Rf8 41...Kf7 42.Rxh8 +–. 42.Rxf8+ Kxf8 43.Qa8+ Kf7 44.Qxh8 Qb7 45.h6! Black resigned due to 45...Qf3 46.Qxg7+ Ke8 47.Qg8+ Ke7 48.Qxh7+ Kd8 49.Qg8+ Kd7 50.Qf7+. Another great example of the bishoppair technique with the semi-open centre... 1–0 □ Adams Michael ■ Martinovic Sasa C07 Rijeka 2010 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 Qxd5 5.dxc5 Lxc5 6.Ngf3 Nf6 7.Lc4 Qc6 8.Qe2 0–0 9.0–0 Nbd7 10.Nb3 b6 11.Nxc5 Qxc5 12.b3 Lb7 13.Lb2 Qh5 14.Ne5! Qxe2 15.Lxe2 Nxe5 16.Lxe5 Rac8 17.c4 Rfd8 18.Rfd1 Kf8 19.f3 Ke7 20.Kf2 Ne8 21.a4 Rxd1 22.Rxd1 Rd8 (D) 101

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-trn+-+( 7zpl+-mkpzpp' 6-zp-+p+-+& 5+-+-vL-+-% 4P+P+-+-+$ 3+P+-+P+-# 2-+-+LmKPzP" 1+-+R+-+-! xabcdefghy 23.Ld4!! Although White would be better after the exchange of rooks, Black king would come to defend of the queenside. Having a pawn majority on the queenside and the bishop-pair to support an attack there, Adams prevents his opponent from any defensive chances... 23...Lc6 23...f6 24.c5 e5 25.Le3 Rxd1 26.Lxd1 bxc5 27.Lxc5+ +–. 24.a5 Rb8? A mistake in a very difficult position. Better was 24...bxa5 25.Lc5+!? (25.Lxa7 Rxd1 26.Lxd1 Nd6 27.Ld4 [27.Lb6 a4 28.bxa4 {28.c5 Nb5 29.bxa4 Nc3 30.Lc2 Nxa4 ²} 28...Nxc4 29.Ld4 g6 30.Ke2 ²] 27...f6 28.Lc2 ±) 25...Nd6 26.Lxa7 (26.Ra1 a4 27.b4 a6 28.b5 axb5 29.cxb5 Ld5 30.Rxa4 ±) 26...Nb7 27.Ld3 ±. 25.b4 f6 26.b5 Ld7 27.c5 Black resigned as he cannot ‘hold’ his queenside anymore. 1–0 Closed Centre In positions with completely closed centre the strength of the bishop-pair goes down significantly. We have to make sure, that the opponents pieces (read knights) have no good outpost squares, and the only way to use the bishops is to place them on the most active squares where they will support the strategy of Gaining Space. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Organizing a passed pawn might be a difficult task. In the majority of closed positions knights are good match to the longrange bishop-pair power. □ Kramnik Vladimir ■ Illescas Cordoba Miguel A17 Dos Hermanas 1997 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.Qc2 0–0 5.a3 Lxc3 6.Qxc3 b6 7.g3 Lb7 8.Lg2 c5 9.b4 d6 10.0–0 Nbd7 11.Lb2 Qe7 12.d3 Rfc8 13.b5 13.e4 a6 with idea ...b5 with counterplay. 13...a6 14.a4 axb5 15.axb5 Qf8 16.e4 Rxa1 16...d5!? 17.cxd5!? exd5 18.Nd2 ². 17.Rxa1 Ra8 18.Qc1! 18.Re1 Ra2 19.Nd2 Qa8 with counterplay. 18...Rxa1 19.Qxa1 Qa8 20.Qxa8+ Lxa8 21.Nd2 Ne8 (D) Black's alternatives were 21...d5? 22.exd5 exd5 23.Nf1 ±, with idea Ne3 or 21...Ne5 22.Lf1 ².

XABCDEFGHY 8l+-+n+k+( 7+-+n+pzpp' 6-zp-zpp+-+& 5+Pzp-+-+-% 4-+P+P+-+$ 3+-+P+-zP-# 2-vL-sN-zPLzP" 1+-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 22.Nb1! With the idea Nc3-a4, and d4 trying to put pressure on the weak b6-pawn. Actually, White is better here only because his bishop-pair is 'supported' by his knight. Just imagine this position without a pair of knights. Because of the blocked, closed centre, the bishop-pair advantage would be practically irrelevant, and a draw would be a predictable result... The alternative was 22.f4 Nc7 23.Kf2 d5 ². 22...Lb7 102

22...Ne5 23.Lxe5!? (23.Lf1) 23...dxe5 24.Nc3 Nd6 25.Na4 Nc8 26.Lh3 Kf8 (26...g5!?) 27.f4 exf4 28.gxf4 ± and White is better as the a8-bishop and the c8-knight are paralyzed by the defence of the b6-pawn. 23.f4 f6 24.Nc3 Kf7 25.Na4 Ke7 26.d4! Kd8 26...Nc7 27.e5!? Lxg2 28.exd6+ Kxd6 29.Kxg2 ± cxd4?! 30.La3+ Nc5 31.Nxb6 e5 32.Na4 N7e6 33.f5 +–. 27.d5!

Gaining maximum space in the centre and makes black pieces utmost passive. 27...exd5

27...e5? 28.Lh3 +–. 28.exd5

28.cxd5!? Nc7 29.Nc3 ± was better for White, with the idea in case of 29...f5? of 30.e5 dxe5 31.d6 +–. 28...Nc7 28...Kc7 29.Lh3 Nf8 30.Kf2 +–. 29.Lh3 Na8 30.Le6 Nf8 31.f5 Lc8 32.Kf2 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8n+lmk-sn-+( 7+-+-+-zpp' 6-zp-zpLzp-+& 5+PzpP+P+-% 4N+P+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-zP-# 2-vL-+-mK-zP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy White's pieces are dominating; time to improve the king and to attack on the kingside, creating the second weakness. Also possible was 32.Nc3 Nc7 33.Ne4 Ne8 34.g4 Ld7 35.Lc1 Ke7 36.Lf4 g5!? 37.Ld2 ±. 32...Ld7 33.g4 Ke7 34.g5 34.h4!? was more technical. After 34...Nxe6 35.fxe6 Le8 36.h5 h6 (36...g6 37.hxg6 hxg6 38.g5 +–) 37.Lc1 Kf8 38.Lf4 Ke7 39.Kg3 +– with the idea knight goes to f5, White is winning. FIDE TRG Syllabus

34...Nxe6! 34...Le8 35.gxf6+ gxf6 36.Nc3 Nd7 (36...Nxe6 37.dxe6 +–) 37.Ne4 Ne5 38.Lxe5 dxe5 (38...fxe5 39.f6+ +–) 39.d6+ Kd8 40.Ld5 +–. 35.fxe6 Or 35.dxe6!? Lc8 36.Kf3 ±. The bishoppair advantage transformed into a powerful e6-passed pawn. We will stop the annotation here, as the rest of the game has nothing to do with the bishop-pair theme. 35...Le8 36.gxf6+ gxf6 37.Ke3 Lg6 38.Kd2 Le4 39.Lc1 Lg2 40.Kc3 Lf1 41.Lh6 Lg2 42.Lf4 Lf1 43.Nb2 Nc7 44.Nd1 Lg2 45.Ne3 Le4 46.Lh6 Ne8 47.Kd2 Nc7 48.Ke2 Ne8 49.Kf2 Nc7 50.Kg3 Ld3 51.Kg4 Ne8 52.Kf4 Lb1 53.Nf5+ Kd8 54.Lf8 Ld3 55.Le7+ Kc7 56.Ne3 Kc8 57.Kg4 Kc7 58.Kh5 Ng7+ 59.Kh6 Ne8 60.h4 Kc8 61.h5 Kc7 62.Ng2 Kc8 63.Nf4 Lc2 64.Lxf6 Nxf6 65.Kg7 Ne8+ 66.Kf7 Nc7 67.e7 h6 68.Ne6 Ld1 69.Kg6 Ne8 70.Nf8 Le2 71.Kxh6 Lxc4 72.Kg6 Lxd5 73.h6 c4 74.h7 Le4+ 75.Kf7 Lxh7 76.Kxe8 Lg8 77.Nd7 1–0

Conclusion We did not talk here about all these tactical or dynamic positions where the knight-pair or bishop & knight might be stronger than the bishop-pair for different reasons. One of them most known- knight-pair or knight and bishop might attack the same pawn, unlike the bishop-pair... We may conclude that the bishop-pair gives an advantage in all kind of strategical positions. The level of this advantage is usually in proportion to the openness of the position. So, the more open space in the centre, the stronger the bishop-pair is. It is like a rule, but we do not wish to sound dogmatic. Chess is too rich; there are many various circumstances that should be considered. 103

Bishop vs Knight / Knight vs Bishop Mikhail Gurevich Concept There is an eternal question: which piece is stronger: Bishop or Knight? There are supporters of the bishop, those we refer to as ‘classical’ players, and ‘tacticians’ - admirers of the knight's great tactical virtues. The historical discussion goes for a lot more than one hundred years. The World Championship match between Steinitz and Chigorin played in 1889 may be regarded as an important landmark. Although Mikhail Chigorin won a number of brilliant tactical games using the power of the knights, the overall winner was the first ‘classical’ World Champion William Steinitz... One hundred years later Garry Kasparov expressed his opinion on the subject: ‘Even a very bad bishop always is better than the very best knight’. It may be a joke, but there is a lot of truth in every joke. It is a ‘classical’ approach, proved by most World Champions. The ability to play well with a bishop is a major part of chess ‘technique’. The knight however is easier to play with as it is a tactical piece. Tactics are more concrete in general and easier to comprehend than strategy. We evaluate each of the pieces worth about three pawns, so they are very similar on the material scale. But both pieces are extremely different. We will explain. The long-range bishop extends its power on both sides of the board and if the centre is open can participate in an attack on any flank. The bishop plays well against passed pawns of the opponent and supports its own passed pawns in the endgame. The bishop can lose or win a tempo, unlike the knight, especially in a strategical endgame. Let’s start our examination with a typical endgame: FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Hamdouchi Hichem ■ Gurevich Mikhail C07 France 1995 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 a6 4.Ngf3 c5 5.dxc5 Lxc5 6.Ld3 Nf6 7.Qe2 Nc6 8.exd5 Nxd5 9.Ne4 Le7 10.0–0 Qc7 11.Ng3 Ld7 12.c4 Nf4 13.Lxf4 Qxf4 14.Le4 Qc7 15.Rad1 Rd8 16.Lxc6 Lxc6 17.Qe5 Qxe5 18.Nxe5 0–0 19.Nxc6 bxc6 20.Ne4 f5! 21.Nc3 Kf7 22.Rxd8 Rxd8 23.Rd1 Rxd1+ 24.Nxd1 Kf6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-vl-zpp' 6p+p+pmk-+& 5+-+-+p+-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzP-+-zPPzP" 1+-+N+-mK-! xabcdefghy 25.Kf1 25.f4 to try to stop Black's monarch from centralizing would not succeed. After 25...Ld6 26.g3 e5 27.fxe5+ Kxe5 28.Kf2 Kd4 μ Black is much better thanks to both his dominating king in the centre and his bishop which is much stronger than the knight. The g3- and h2-pawns are targets. 25...Ke5 26.Ke2 Kd4 27.b3 Time to evaluate the position. The black king dominates the centre. The position is open enough to prove the bishop's advantage over the knight. The existence of pawns on both sides of the board, despite the fact that White has no weaknesses, makes White's position 'technically' lost. The only hope for defence is the chance to build a fortress. But here comes a major strategical advantage of the bishop 104

over the knight; the bishop may lose a tempo unlike its counterpart, which will lead eventually to position(s) of zugzwang... 27...La3 28.Kd2 Lb4+ 29.Ke2 La3 30.Kd2 g6!? Underlines the importance of having the pawns on the colour opposite to the bishop. In many positions this fact adds to the bishop's activity. 31.f3 31.Ke2 Lb4 would be just a transposition. 31...Ld6 32.h3 Lf4+ 33.Ke2 Ld6 34.Kd2 a5 35.Ke2 Lb4

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+p' 6-+p+p+p+& 5zp-+-+p+-% 4-vlPmk-+-+$ 3+P+-+P+P# 2P+-+K+P+" 1+-+N+-+-! xabcdefghy And here it comes. The white pieces have no good moves any longer. 36.g4 Le7 37.gxf5 gxf5 38.Kd2 Ld6 39.Ke2 Lb4 By correct manoeuvring the bishop has lost a tempo. Zugzwang. 40.Nb2 Kc3 41.Nd3 Or 41.Na4+ Kc2 42.Ke3 e5 43.c5 Kb1 44.Kd3 Kxa2 45.Kc4 e4 –+. 41...Ld6 Cutting the knight off, with the intention to attack the pawns on the queenside by ...Kc2b1xa2. Black has to be aware of White's pawn majority on the queenside and to keep an eye on the tactical counter-chances of his opponent. 42.c5!? The best defence, but now even the c5-pawn will be a target. There was no better alternative, as 42.Ke3 e5 43.f4 (43.Ke2 Kc2 44.c5 Lc7 45.Ke3 [45.b4 a4 46.b5 FIDE TRG Syllabus

cxb5 47.c6 Ld6 48.Nb4+ Kb2 49.Nd5 {49.Kd3 Ka3 50.Nd5 Kxa2 51.Kc2 {51.c7 Lxc7 52.Nxc7 b4 –+} 51...Ka3 52.c7 Lxc7 53.Nxc7 b4 –+} 49...Kxa2 50.Nc3+ Kb2 51.Nxb5 Lb8 –+] 45...Kc3 46.Ke2 Kd4 –+) 43...exf4+ 44.Nxf4 Lxf4+ 45.Kxf4 Kb2 –+ is plain lost. 42...Lc7 43.f4!? By putting his pawns on the squares of the opponent's bishop's colour Hamdouchi diminishes the bishop's activity and creates conditions for tactics. Even considering that the c5- and f4-pawns become a target, it is the best 'practical' chance. Black has to be very careful. 43...Kd4! Returning to the centre and changing the direction of attack. Now my targets are the c5- and f4-weak pawns. The opponent's idea could be realized in case of further decentralization: 43...Kc2 44.b4 (with counterplay) 44...a4 45.Ne5 ². 44.a3 (D) With idea b4.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-vl-+-+p' 6-+p+p+-+& 5zp-zP-+p+-% 4-+-mk-zP-+$ 3zPP+N+-+P# 2-+-+K+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 44...Ld8! A powerful move with the intention of ...Lf6-d4 after ...Kd5 or ...Kc4, activating the bishop into the centre. Worse is the alternative 44...Ke4 45.b4 axb4 46.axb4 ³ Lxf4?? 47.Nxf4 Kxf4 48.b5 +– but 44...Kc3 was as good as the text, but I didn't want to decentralize my king anymore: 45.b4 a4 46.Ke3 Kb3 47.Kd4 μ. 105

45.a4!? Tactical prophylaxis against ...Lf6. 45.b4 axb4 46.axb4 Lf6 47.Kd2 (47.b5 cxb5 48.c6 Ld8 49.Ne5 Lc7 –+ planning ...Kd5 and ...Lxe5) 47...Kc4 48.Kc2 Ld4 –+. 45...Le7! Entering well calculated tactical complications. 45...Lf6?! 46.b4 axb4? 47.a5 +–. 46.b4 axb4 47.a5 47.Nxb4 was more stubborn: 47...Kxc5 48.Nd3+ Kb6 49.Ne5 Ld6! μ. 47...Lxc5 48.a6 b3! 49.Kd2 49.Nxc5 Kxc5 50.a7 b2 51.a8Q b1Q 52.Qa7+ Kc4 –+ with a winning queen endgame. 49...Lb6 50.Ne5 Ke4! 51.Nxc6 Kxf4 52.Kc3 Kg3 The f-pawn is unstoppable: 53.a7 Lxa7 54.Nxa7 f4 55.Nc6 f3. 0–1 □ Nisipeanu Liviu Dieter ■ Gurevich Mikhail St. Vincent 2004 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+k+( 7+pvl-+-+p' 6-+-+-+p+& 5zp-+p+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+P+N+-+P# 2P+-+-zPK+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy This game is an exception to the rules: 35.b3! Kf7 36.f3 White builds a fortress. With Black's king active on d5 instead of the extra pawn, the position would be winning similar to the previous game. The existence of the extra d5-pawn makes the centre closed and the black king has no point of entrance into White's position. 36...Ke6 37.Kf1 Ld6 38.Ke2 Kf5 39.Kf2 Lb8 40.Kf1 Lg3 41.Kg2 Lh4 42.Kf1 h6 FIDE TRG Syllabus

43.Kg2 Ld8 44.Kf1 Lc7 45.Kg2 Ld6 46.Kf1 Kf6 47.Kf2 Kg5 48.Kf1 Kf5 49.Kg2 g5 50.Kf1 b6 51.Kg2 Lc5 52.Kf1 Ld4 53.Kg2 Le3 54.Kf1 Ke6 55.Ke2 Lg1 56.Kf1 Le3 57.Ke2 d4 58.Kf1 h5 59.Kg2 h4 60.Kh1 60.Kf1 Kd5 61.Ke2 g4 62.fxg4 Ke4 63.a4 =. 60...Kd5 61.Kg2 Lf4 61...a4 62.Kh2 =. 62.Kf2 Ld6 63.Ke2 Lg3 64.Kf1 g4!? Playing with fire but this is the only chance to destroy the fortress. 65.fxg4 65.hxg4? would lose the game: 65...h3 66.Kg1 Ke6 (with the idea king goes to g3) 67.Kh1 Kf6 68.f4 Ke6 –+ and king comes to e4. 65...Ke4 66.Ke2 Ld6 67.g5 Le7?! 67...Kf5 68.Kf3 Kxg5 69.Ke4 =. 68.g6 Lf6 69.Ne1 Kf4 70.Kf2 Lg7 71.Nd3+ Ke4 72.Ke2 Lh6 73.Ne1 Kf4 74.Kf2 After 74.Nf3!? d3+ 75.Kf2 Black would have to fight for the draw. 74...Kf5 75.Nf3 (75.Kf3 Kxg6 76.Ke4 Lg5 77.Nc2 Lf6 78.a4 Kf7 =) 75...Le3+ 76.Ke2 Kxg6 77.Nxh4+ Kg5 78.Ng2 ². ½–½ Partnership Practice has proved that rook & bishop cooperate very well, and are usually stronger than rook & knight. Obviously, the pawn structure always has to be considered. On the contrary, the queen is the best partner of the knight and this partnership may often prevail against queen & bishop... We will try to illustrate these thoughts on the ‘partnership’ further starting with Rook & Bishop vs Rook & Knight: □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Atalik Suat A28 Istanbul 2006 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.a3 g6 5.g3 Lg7 6.Lg2 0–0 7.d3 Re8 8.0–0 d5 9.cxd5 Nxd5 10.Lg5 f6 11.Nxd5 Qxd5 12.Le3 Qf7 13.Rc1 Le6 14.Nd2 Ld5 15.Lxd5 Qxd5 16.Qb3 Qxb3 17.Nxb3 Lf8 18.Nc5 106

Lxc5 19.Rxc5 a5 20.Rfc1 Re7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-+k+( 7+pzp-tr-+p' 6-+n+-zpp+& 5zp-tR-zp-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3zP-+PvL-zP-# 2-zP-+PzP-zP" 1+-tR-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 21.Kf1!? An important brick in the construction of White's attack. The king defends e2, as permanent prophylaxis from ...Nd4, with idea of Ld2, Rb5, and/or b4. 21...Kf7 22.Ld2 Re6 22...Ke6? 23.Rb5 Ra7 24.Le3 Nd4 25.Lxd4 exd4 26.Rcc5! ± wins a pawn. 23.b4!? 23.Rb5?! is too slow: 23...b6 24.Rb3 Ke7 25.Rbc3 Kd7 =. 23...axb4 24.axb4 Re7 24...Ra2 25.Le3 Rb2 26.b5 Ne7 27.Rxc7 Rxb5 28.Lc5 ±. 25.b5 Nd4 26.Rxc7 Nxb5 27.Rxe7+ Kxe7 28.Rb1 Nd6 29.Lb4 Rb8 30.Lc5! Threatening Rb6. 30...b5 30...Kd7 31.Rb6 Ne8 32.e4 ±. 31.Ra1 Kd7 32.Ra7+ Rb7 33.Ra6 Ne8 34.Lb4 White achieved a perfect position for his R&L. The main threat is to go with the king to b4 and win the b5-pawn. Not only Black’s R&L are passive, but the weaknesses on b5 and f6 make his position very difficult. 34...Rc7

The activation of the rook will cost Black a pawn, but there was no better choice to continue the fight: 34...f5 35.Ke1 Nc7 36.Rd6+ Ke8 37.e4 ±. 35.Rb6 Rc1+ 36.Kg2 Rb1 37.Rxb5 Nd6 37...Kc6 38.Rc5+ ± and 37...Nc7 38.Rb6 FIDE TRG Syllabus

±. 38.Rb6 Nf5 38...Nc8 39.Rb8 with the idea Ld6. 39.Lc5 Rxb6 39...Rc1 40.Lf8 Rc2 41.g4 Nd4 42.e3 ±. 40.Lxb6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+k+-+p' 6-vL-+-zpp+& 5+-+-zpn+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+P+-zP-# 2-+-+PzPKzP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy A very instructive endgame. Despite the fact that all pawns are on the same side which improves the knight’s defensive chances, Black's position is critical because there are just too many pawns. There isn't any particular theory on this subject, but my guess would be as follows: 3 pawns against 2 and less on the same side should be defendable in most cases with this material, 4 against 3 might be a close call between win and draw and 5 against 4 like in the game gives enough manoeuvre for the stronger side to win... 40...h5 41.Kf3 Ke6 42.e4 Ne7 43.Lc5 Nc6 44.Ke3 g5 44...Nd8!? 45.f4 Nc6 ±. 45.f4 g4

45...gxf4+ 46.gxf4 exf4+ (46...f5 47.Kf3) 47.Kxf4 Ne5 48.d4 Ng6+ 49.Ke3 f5 50.d5+ Ke5 51.Ld4+ Kd6 52.exf5 Ne7 53.Ke4 Nxd5 54.Le5+ +–. 46.f5+

Prevents any further exchanges, and fixes the f6 weakness. 46...Kd7 47.Kd2

Time-trouble forced me to play more quickly and accumulate time. 47.Kf2! with the idea Kg2 and h4, covering the g5-square, followed by Kf2-e3 and d4 was winning. 47.d4! was the 107

quickest win, but I had no time for any calculation: 47...exd4+ 48.Lxd4 Ke7 49.Lc3 Nd8 50.Kf4 Nc6 51.e5 fxe5+ 52.Lxe5 Nd8 53.Lc3 Nf7 54.f6+ Ke6 55.Lb2 +–. 47...Nd8 48.Kc3 Nf7! The point that I missed earlier is ...Ng5-f3 with counterplay. 49.Le3 Nd6 50.Kb4 Ne8 51.Kc5 Nd6 52.Ld2 Nb7+ 53.Kd5 Nd8 54.La5 Nf7 55.Ld2 Ke7 56.Kc6 Nd8+ 57.Kc7 Nf7 58.Lc1 Ke8 Here I realized that my plan doesn't win, but I discovered the winning idea with Kg2 and h4. So the king returns to the kingside and prepares d4 in better circumstances. 59.Kc6 Ke7 60.Kd5 Kd7 61.Kc4 Planning king to g2 and h4. 61...Nd6+ 62.Kc5 Nf7 63.Kd5 Nd8 64.Kc4 Nf7 65.Kc3 Nd6 66.Le3 Kc6 67.Kd2 Nb5 68.Ke1 Kd6 69.Lb6 Kd7 70.Kf1 Nc3 71.Lc5! If 71.Kg2 then 71...Na4! followed by ...Nb2 and White achieves nothing… 71...Ke8 72.Kg2 Kf7 73.Lb4 I was scared of 73.h4 gxh3+ 74.Kxh3 Nd1 but White is still much better after 75.Kg2 Nb2 76.Kf1 Nxd3 77.La3 h4 78.gxh4. 73...Nb5 74.Lc5 Ke8?! 74...Nc3! was the best practical choice and had to be preferred. 75.h4 First step achieved; g5-square is finally covered! 75...Kf7 76.Kf2 Nc3 77.Ke1 Ke8 78.Kd2 Nb5 79.Kc2 Kd7 80.Kb3 Nc7 81.Kc4 Na6?! A mistake in a hopeless position which shortens the end. 82.d4 exd4 83.Lxd4 Ke7 84.e5 As in the case of 84...fxe5 85.Lxe5 Kf7 86.Kb5 the knight is trapped, Black decided to call it a day. 1–0 Rook & Bishop against Rook & Knight is a very common material balance in a practical game. So, let's look at another valuable and instructive example. FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Kasparov Garry ■ Gurevich Mikhail A86 Amsterdam 1991 1.c4 f5 2.d4 Nf6 3.g3 d6 4.Lg2 g6 5.Nc3 Lg7 6.d5 0–0 7.Nh3 c6 8.Nf4 e5 9.dxe6 Qe7 10.0–0 Lxe6 11.Nxe6 Qxe6 12.Lf4 Qxc4 13.Qxd6 Na6 14.Rfd1 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7zpp+-+-vlp' 6n+pwQ-snp+& 5+-+-+p+-% 4-+q+-vL-+$ 3+-sN-+-zP-# 2PzP-+PzPLzP" 1tR-+R+-mK-! xabcdefghy White is a bit better thanks to the bishop-pair! 14...Nh5 15.Lg5 15.Le5 Lxe5 16.Qxe5 Rae8 17.Qd4 ². 15...Lf6 16.Lxf6 Nxf6 17.Rac1 Qb4!? 18.Qxb4 Nxb4 19.a3 Na6 20.e4 Opens the centre and improves the bishop, but White had a better continuation: 20.Nb5!? Rae8 21.Nd6 ². 20...fxe4 21.Nxe4 Nxe4 22.Lxe4 The position simplifies. White is slightly better thanks to his bishop over Black's knight with the open centre. However I was hopeful, as material is limited and there are no clear weaknesses in my pawn structure... 22...Rad8 23.h4 Nc7 24.Lb1 Kg7 25.La2 Kf6 26.Kg2 Nb5 Black mobilized all his pieces on the best available squares. 27.g4! h5!? A strong reaction which fixes White's pawns on the kingside. The main idea is to create an outpost (f5) for the knight. 27...h6! provoking 28.f4 and now 28...h5 was probably even a better choice. 28.g5+ Played after long thought. Although the text 108

move gains space on the kingside and fixes the opponent's pawns on the squares of the bishop's colour, the black knight got his f5 outpost and White's pawns are also fixed. Black would have sufficient counterplay in case of 28.f3 Rfe8 29.Kf2 Nd4. 28...Kg7 29.Rxd8 Rxd8 30.Re1 Rd7 31.Re8 Kasparov is excellent as always in activating pieces. Black has to defend with great accuracy. If 31.Re6 then 31...Nc7 32.Rf6 Nd5 33.Rf3 c5 =. 31...Nd6 32.Rg8+ Kh7 33.Rb8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-tR-+-+-+( 7zpp+r+-+k' 6-+psn-+p+& 5+-+-+-zPp% 4-+-+-+-zP$ 3zP-+-+-+-# 2LzP-+-zPK+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 33...Kg7! A correct evaluation of the position. Black has to hold his fortress. As often in strategical endgames the best action is no action! White has difficulties in improving his position - on the contrary, any initiative would be punished... 33...Nf5? would be too primitive: 34.Le6 Re7 (34...Nxh4+ 35.Kh3! Rd4 36.Rxb7+ Kh8 37.Kg3! +–) 35.Lxf5 gxf5 36.Kg3 as it would lead to a difficult endgame. Also not 'nice' was 33...Re7?! 34.Rd8! Nf5 35.Lb1! Nxh4+ 36.Kg3 Nf5+ 37.Lxf5 gxf5 38.Kf4 h4 39.Kxf5 and Black will suffer in the rook ending. 34.Rg8+ Kh7 35.Rb8 Kg7 36.Lb1?! A time-trouble slip which simplifies my task. 36.b4!? with idea a4 followed by Lb1, would require a long defence from Black. 36...Nc4! Now is the time to act. 37.Re8 Nxb2 38.Re6 (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7zpp+r+-mk-' 6-+p+R+p+& 5+-+-+-zPp% 4-+-+-+-zP$ 3zP-+-+-+-# 2-sn-+-zPK+" 1+L+-+-+-! xabcdefghy And Kasparov offered a draw in view of the following obvious variation: 38...Nd3 39.Lxd3 Rxd3 40.Re7+ Kf8 41.Rxb7 Rxa3 42.Rc7 =. I had no reason to refuse. ½–½ Knight vs Bishop The knight is a tactical piece, operating better than the bishop in many closed positions. The bishop in general does not like closed pawn structures, especially when its own pawns are placed on the same squares as its own colour. The knight might be strong in positions with fixed pawn structures, especially when it has good outpost square(s). In the endgame the knight's power increases if the pawns are left only on one side of the board or pawns are fixed on the same colour of the opponent's bishop with no passedpawns of both sides. So, there many ifs to consider, but it always comes to the same thing: for evaluating relative strength of the piece(s), evaluate the pawn structure first... Enough theory - back to practice: □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Anand Viswanathan D12 Reggio Emilia 1991 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 d5 4.e3 Lf5 5.cxd5 cxd5 6.Qb3 Qc7 7.Nc3 e6 8.Ld2 Nc6 9.Lb5 Ld6 10.Rc1 Rb8 11.Nh4 Le4 12.f3 Lg6 13.Nxg6 hxg6 14.f4 a6 15.Ld3 109

Nd7 16.Qd1 Qd8 17.Qg4 Rh6 18.h3 f5 19.Qf3 Nf6 20.0–0 Kf7 21.Qe2 Qd7 22.a3 Rhh8 23.Rfd1 Ne7 24.Le1 Rbc8 25.Na2 Rxc1 26.Rxc1 Rc8 27.Rxc8 Qxc8 28.g4 Ne4 29.Kg2 Qc6 30.Qd1 Ng8 31.Nc1 Ngf6 32.Le2 Nd7 33.La5 Nb6 34.Lxb6 Qxb6 35.Nd3 Qa5 36.g5 Ke7 37.Qc2 Qd2 38.Qxd2 Nxd2 39.Kf2 b5 40.Ld1 Nc4 41.Ke2 Nb6 42.Lb3 a5 43.Kd2 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-mk-zp-' 6-sn-vlp+p+& 5zpp+p+pzP-% 4-+-zP-zP-+$ 3zPL+NzP-+P# 2-zP-mK-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 43...Nc4+? An unbelievable discovery!!! Nearly 20 years passed, and look what I found while checking my old analysis with the best modern computer engines. Anand plays the first choice of Rybka and Fritz 11.1 but this is a terrible mistake! It is a grave error to exchange knight for bishop in this position. I knew it the moment Anand played the move, but it took me about 40 (!) minutes to understand why exactly... Thanks to the time controls back then, when we had time to think in endgames after the first time control, we have today this great example of chess 'technique'. Instead, 43...Kd8 44.Kc3 Kc7 with idea ...Nc8-e7, covering g6-pawn would lead to a fortress. 44.Lxc4! Although I knew that my remaining knight should be stronger than my opponent's bishop, considering the much closed pawn structure on the board, this exchange may lead to sharp dynamic play... 44.Ke2 with a draw was the only alternative to consider. FIDE TRG Syllabus

44...bxc4 Played instantly, as after my first 15-20 minutes of thinking Anand returned to the board and was tensely thinking and calculating for about 20–25 minutes sitting in front of me. So, why not the natural and dynamic 44...dxc4? Because 45.Ne1! with a transparent winning plan: Nf3 threatening always Nh4 limits Black's king to a passive defence. Then White will play Kc2, Nd2 and a4, winning. So, passive defence loses, but what about active play: 45...b4!? and now: a) 46.a4! (this move had a dubious mark in my analysis for many years. Rybka changed the evaluation, as this is the most natural positional move fixing a new weakness - a5pawn with the same winning plan, as explained before. Black has only one move:) 46...b3!? 47.Nf3 Lb4+ 48.Kc1 (with the Ne5 idea) 48...Kd6!? 49.Ne5 Kd5 50.Nxg6 Ke4 51.h4. Here Anand stopped calculating as he cannot stop the h-pawn from promoting to a queen. This is why he did not play 44...dxc4. But Rybka continues calculation with 51...Kxe3 52.h5 c3 53.bxc3 (53.h6 c2 – +) 53...Lxc3 54.Ne5!! thinking White is winning. But Anand’s intuition was impeccable (modern computer programs are not so bad after all, they have pointed out my miscalculation: 54.h6? gxh6 55.gxh6 Lxd4 56.h7 [56.Ne5 Kxf4 ³] 56...Lf6 ÷ and White have to think about drawing. I had to find an early alternative to this line...) 54...Lxd4 55.g6 (55.h6 gxh6 56.g6 +–) 55...Kxf4 56.h6 +– and White queens indeed. b) 46.axb4? was out of the question. White would lose the pawn ending: 46...Lxb4+ 47.Kd1 Lxe1 48.Kxe1 Kd6 49.Kd2 Kd5 50.Kc3 Ke4 51.Kxc4 Kxe3 52.Kb5 Kxf4 53.Kxa5 Ke3 54.b4 f4 55.b5 f3 56.b6 f2 57.b7 f1Q 58.b8Q Qa1+ 59.Kb6 Qb2+ 60.Kc7 Qxb8+ 61.Kxb8 Kxd4 –+. c) 46.Nf3! is a winning alternative that I found during prolonged calculation: 46...c3+ (46...bxa3 47.bxa3 Lxa3 48.Ne5! [48.Kc3? Lc1 ÷] 48...Lb4+ 49.Kc2 c3 50.Nxg6+ Kf7 51.Ne5+ Kg8 52.h4 a4 53.h5 a3 54.Kb3 c2 55.Kxc2 Ld2 56.Nc4 a2 57.Kb2 +–) 47.bxc3 bxc3+ (47...bxa3!? 48.Kc2 a2 49.Kb2 La3+ 50.Kxa2 Lc1 110

51.Ne5 Lxe3 52.Nxg6+ Kf7 53.Ne5+ Kg8 54.Nd3 Ld2 55.Kb2 a4 56.c4 Le3 57.d5 [57.Ka3 Lxd4 58.Kxa4 ±] 57...exd5 58.cxd5 Kf7 59.Ka3 Ke7 60.Kxa4 Kd6 61.h4 g6 [61...Kxd5 62.h5 Ke4 63.g6 Ld4 64.h6 gxh6 65.Ne5 +–] 62.h5 gxh5 63.g6 Ke7 64.d6+ Kf6 65.Kb5 +–) 48.Kxc3 Lxa3 49.Ne5 ± and if 49...Lc1? 50.Nc4 a4 51.Kc2 +–. 45.Ne1 Now the winning plan starts with Nf3, Kc2 and b3. 45...Ke8 46.Kc3 Kd7 47.Nf3 Threatening Nh4. 47...Ke8 48.Kc2! Practically zugzwang. 48.b3? would give counter chances to my opponent: 48...Lxa3 49.bxc4 Lc1 50.Ne5 Lxe3 51.Nxg6 dxc4 ÷. 48...Kf7? An inaccuracy in a difficult position which simplifies my task. 48...a4? 49.Nd2 Lc7 (49...Kd7 50.Nb1 Kc6 51.Nc3 +–) 50.Nb1 La5 51.Nc3 +– and 48...Lc7? 49.b3 cxb3+ 50.Kxb3 Ld6 51.Ka4 Ke7 52.Ne1 Kd7 53.Nc2 +– were also plain lost but Black had to try 48...Ke7! 49.b3! (49.a4? Ke8 50.b3 cxb3+ 51.Kxb3 Ke7 =) 49...Lxa3 (49...cxb3+ 50.Kxb3 Ke8 51.Ka4 wins by Ne1-c2 ; 49...c3 50.a4! [50.Kxc3 Lxa3 51.Ne5 Lc1 52.Kd3 +–] with the winning threat Ne5) 50.bxc4 dxc4 51.Ne5 ±. 49.Ne5+! This leads to a winning pawn ending. 49...Lxe5 50.fxe5 Ke7 51.b3 Kd7 52.bxc4 dxc4 53.Kc3 Kc6 54.Kxc4 a4 55.h4 Anand resigned. 55.Kb4? Kd5 56.Kxa4 Ke4 57.Kb4 Kxe3 58.d5 f4 59.dxe6 f3 60.e7 f2 61.e8Q f1Q ² was not the best, but 55.d5+ was also winning: 55...exd5+ 56.Kd4 +–. 1–0 Queen & Knight vs Queen & Bishop This is very important practical material to master. It happens very often. Queen and knight are very best friends when fighting against queen and bishop. They do cooperate extremely well in both tactical and strategical matters. Just make sure that the opponent has no passed pawns. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Now one of my numerous achievements on Q&N coordination: □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Beliavsky Alexander D37 Moscow 1990 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 Le7 5.Lf4 0–0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Lxc5 8.Le2 dxc4 9.Lxc4 a6 10.Qe2 b5 11.Ld3 Lb7 12.0–0 Nbd7 13.Rfd1 Qe7 14.Lg5 Rac8 15.a4 b4 16.Nb1 a5 17.Nbd2 h6 18.Lh4 Lb6 19.Le4 Nc5 20.Lxb7 Qxb7 21.Lxf6 gxf6 22.Nd4 Rfd8 23.Nc4 f5 24.Nb5 Rxd1+ 25.Rxd1 Rd8 26.Nbd6 Qc7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+k+( 7+-wq-+p+-' 6-vl-sNp+-zp& 5zp-sn-+p+-% 4PzpN+-+-+$ 3+-+-zP-+-# 2-zP-+QzPPzP" 1+-+R+-mK-! xabcdefghy 27.g4! With all his pieces in the right places White starts an attack on the opponent's monarch. 27...Ne4?! Black had to go for 27...fxg4 28.Qxg4+ Kh7 (28...Kf8 29.Qf4) 29.Qh5 Nb7! (a computer variation which would save the game! 29...Rd7 30.Rd4 +–) 30.Nxf7 Rxd1+ 31.Qxd1 Qxc4 32.Qb1+ Kg8! (32...Kg7? 33.Ne5 ±) 33.Qg6+ Kf8 34.Ne5 Qc1+ 35.Kg2 Nd8 36.Qxh6+ Ke7 37.Qh4². 28.Nxe4 Rxd1+ 29.Qxd1 Qxc4 29...fxe4 30.b3 ±. 30.Nf6+! This dynamic move allows to win an important tempo and create the right pawn structure for Q&N. 30...Kg7 31.b3! Fixing Black's pawns on the dark squares. 31...Qc6 32.Nh5+ Kf8 111

32...Kh7 33.gxf5 exf5 34.Qd5! ±. 33.gxf5 exf5 34.Ng3 f4!? The best practical defence that opens the bishop and destroys White's pawn structure... The weaknesses of Black’s pawns (a5, f5, f7 and h6) explain who is better without variations... If 34...Qe6 then 35.Qc2! ± (35.Qd3? f4 36.exf4 Qe1²). 35.exf4 But for a price of an extra pawn. 35...Qe6 36.Qf3 Lc7 37.Kg2 Ke7 38.Qe3 Kd7 39.Qd3+ 39.Qxe6+? transforming into the knight vs bishop ending would be a big mistake, as it would activate the opponent's king: 39...Kxe6 followed by ...Kd5-d4-c3. 39...Kc8 40.Kf3! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+k+-+-+( 7+-vl-+p+-' 6-+-+q+-zp& 5zp-+-+-+-% 4Pzp-+-zP-+$ 3+P+Q+KsN-# 2-+-+-zP-zP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy I treated the position as an endgame and activated the king. I was confident that Q&N will protect him enough. 40...Qc6+ 41.Kg4 Qe6+ 42.f5 About an equal alternative was 42.Qf5 Kd7 43.Kf3 (43.Qxe6+ Kxe6 44.h4 Lb6 45.h5 Lc5 46.Nf5 Lf8 ±) 43...Lb6 ±. 42...Qf6 43.Qd5! Wins control over the centre.

43...Qg5+ 44.Kf3 Qf6 45.Ne4!? Qh4 46.Nc5 Qf4+ 47.Ke2 Qe5+ Transposing into a lost bishop vs knight ending, but there was no good choice left: 47...Qxh2? 48.Qa8+ Lb8 49.Qb7+ Kd8 50.Qd7 # or 47...Qg4+? 48.Kf1 Qh3+ 49.Ke1 Qc3+ 50.Ke2 Qc2+ 51.Kf3 Qc3+ 52.Kg2 Qg7+ 53.Kh3 Qc3+ 54.f3 with inevitable mate. 48.Qxe5 Lxe5 49.h3 Kc7 50.Ke3 Kc6 51.Ke4! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+p+-' 6-+k+-+-zp& 5zp-sN-vlP+-% 4Pzp-+K+-+$ 3+P+-+-+P# 2-+-+-zP-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Wins the centre and the game is over (51.Nd3? Kd5 ²). 51...Lf6?! 51...Ld6 would just prolong suffering: 52.Nd3 f6 53.Nb2 +–. 52.Nd3 Kd6 53.f4! With the inevitable Ne5 winning more pawns. This forced Beliavsky to stop the clock. 1–0

So, keep in mind that ‘any bishop is always better then any knight’ (Garry Kasparov) but do ‘always examine pawn structure’ (Efstratios Grivas). FIDE TRG Syllabus

112

The Isolated Pawn Miguel Illescas Concept An isolated pawn, or isolani, has no other pawns of the same colour on adjacent files. Unable to be defended by other pawns it can easily become a weakness as the player must use his own pieces to defend it, taking away their mobility. This can be seen especially in the ending when other factors such as the attack on the castled king, are not so relevant. The fundamental weaknesses of the isolated pawn can be described as follows: 1) The pawn itself can be weak, as it cannot be protected by other pawns but only by pieces. Therefore, should it be attacked by more pieces than it is defended by, its loss is unavoidable. 2) The square in front of the isolated pawn constitutes an outpost for the opponent. 3) Passive handling of the position by its possessor, as it causes disharmony in the placement of the pieces, can have dire conesquences, and not just for the pawn itself. 4) In an ending, the pawn weakness becomes more pronounced. 5) It can exert a negative psychological influence on many chess-players who, affected by the unpleasant prospect of an endgame, seek unjustifiably violent solutions in the middlegame. The positive sides of the isolated pawn can be determined as follows: 1) It offers greater control of central squares. 2) It offers the possibility of a central strike by its advance. 3) It offers a space advantage. 4) It offers better and quicker development, especially in the opening. 5) It offers opportunities of exploiting the open and semi-open files it creates with its presence. 6) It offers the initiative in the opening and middlegame. But the weakness of an isolani can also be felt during the middle game as we can see in our first example: FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Petrosian Tigran ■ Fischer Robert A37 Belgrade 1970 1.c4 g6 2.Nc3 c5 3.g3 Lg7 4.Lg2 Nc6 5.Nf3 e6 6.0–0 Nge7 7.d3 0–0 8.Ld2 d5 9.a3 b6 10.Rb1 Lb7 11.b4 cxb4 12.axb4 dxc4 13.dxc4 Rc8 14.c5 bxc5 15.bxc5 Na5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+rwq-trk+( 7zpl+-snpvlp' 6-+-+p+p+& 5sn-zP-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-sN-+NzP-# 2-+-vLPzPLzP" 1+R+Q+RmK-! xabcdefghy From now on Black besieges the isolani which White won’t be able to hang on to for very long. 16.Na4 Lc6! 17.Qc2 Nb7 Increasing the pressure. In these cases one shouldn’t hurry to capture the weakness if that means giving some counterplay to the opponent. The best play is to continue attacking the pawn until the precise moment for its capture arrives. Here 17...Lxa4 18.Qxa4 Rxc5 fails to 19.Lb4 and Black loses material. 18.Rfc1 Qd7 19.Ne1 Nd5 19...Lxa4 20.Rxb7 is clearly not of great help. 20.Nb2 Lb5 21.Ned3?!

Better was 21.Nbd3 a6 22.Qb3 and White keeps the pawn, although Black has a clear advantage after 22...Nd8 with the idea ...Nc6 in mind. Now Black won without trouble. 113

21...Ld4 22.Qb3 Nxc5 23.Nxc5 Rxc5 24.Rxc5 Lxc5 25.Nd3 Lxd3 26.Qxd3 Rd8 27.Lf3 Qc7 28.Lg5 Le7 29.Lxe7 Qxe7 30.Qd4 e5 31.Qc4 Nb6 32.Qc2 Rc8 33.Qd3 Rc4 34.Lg2 Qc7 35.Qa3 Rc3 36.Qa5 Rc5 37.Qa3 a5 38.h4 Nc4 39.Qd3 Nd6 40.Kh2 Kg7 41.Rd1 Ne8 42.Qd7 Qxd7 43.Rxd7 Nf6 44.Ra7 Ng4+ 45.Kg1 Rc1+ 46.Lf1 Ra1 47.e4 a4 48.Kg2 Ra2 49.Rxf7+ Kxf7 50.Lc4+ Ke7 51.Lxa2 a3 52.Kf3 Nf6 53.Ke3 Kd6 54.f4 Nd7 55.Lb1 Nc5 56.f5 Na6 57.g4 Nb4 58.fxg6 hxg6 59.h5 gxh5 60.gxh5 Ke6 61.Kd2 Kf6 62.Kc3 a2 63.Lxa2 Nxa2+ 64.Kb2 Nb4 65.Kc3 Nc6 66.Kc4 Nd4 0–1 □ Fischer Robert ■ Petrosian Tigran B42 Buenos Aires 1971 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Ld3 Nc6 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.0–0 d5 8.c4 Nf6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.exd5 exd5 11.Nc3 Le7 12.Qa4+ Qd7 12...Ld7 13.Qd4 Le6 14.Lg5 and White has the advantage. 13.Re1! White doesn’t go off course. Not so good is 13.Lb5 axb5 14.Qxa8 0–0 and the threats ...b4 or ...Lb7 offer Black counterplay. 13...Qxa4 14.Nxa4 Le6 15.Le3 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+k+-tr( 7+-+-vlpzpp' 6p+-+lsn-+& 5+-+p+-+-% 4N+-+-+-+$ 3+-+LvL-+-# 2PzP-+-zPPzP" 1tR-+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy Not only is the d5-pawn is weak but also the a6-pawn can become a problem, as we shall see in this game. FIDE TRG Syllabus

15...0–0 15...Nd7 16.f4 g6 17.Ld4 with an advantage for White. 16.Lc5! The exchange of the darksquared bishops will allow White to occupy important squares. The square in front of the isolani (d4) is one of the most important and the domination of the square is one of the main objectives. 16...Rfe8 17.Lxe7 Rxe7 18.b4! By fixing the pawn on a6 White guarantees the c5 square for his knight and places his pawns squares of different colour than his own bishop. 18...Kf8 18...a5 19.b5 would leave White with a dangerous passed pawn. 19.Nc5 Lc8 20.f3 Controlling e4 and preparing Kf2. 20...Rea7

Although avoiding exchanges is convenient, the white rook can now make a strong manoeuvre. Better was 20...Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 Ne8! 22.Kf2 Nc7 23.Ke3 Ke7 24.Kd4+ Kd6 and Black is holding. 21.Re5! Ld7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-mk-+( 7tr-+l+pzpp' 6p+-+-sn-+& 5+-sNptR-+-% 4-zP-+-+-+$ 3+-+L+P+-# 2P+-+-+PzP" 1tR-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 22.Nxd7+!

A surprising (and impressive) exchange, but the balance of the rest of the pieces clearly favours White. 22...Rxd7 23.Rc1 Rd6 24.Rc7 Nd7 25.Re2 g6 26.Kf2 h5 Black should have found counterplay with 26...Rb8 27.a3 a5 28.b5 a4. 114

27.f4 h4 A mistake. More resistant was 27...Nb6 28.Ree7 Rf6. 28.Kf3 f5 29.Ke3 d4+ If 29...Nf6 30.Kd4 Ne4 31.Rec2 +–. 30.Kd2 Nb6 31.Ree7 Nd5 32.Rf7+ Ke8 33.Rb7 Nxb4 34.Lc4 If 34...Rc6 35.Rh7 +–, or 34….Nd5 35.Lxd5 Rxd5 36.Rh7 +–. 1-0 With many pieces still left, the central isolani can become very strong, thanks to the control over the e5- and c5-squares. In addition to this, the advance d4-d5, opening up the game, is a frequent resource. Let’s consider another example, again with World Champion Petrosian: □ Petrosian Tigran ■ Balashov Yuri E57 Soviet Union 1974 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.d4 Lb4 4.e3 c5 5.Ld3 d5 6.Nf3 0–0 7.0–0 dxc4 8.Lxc4 Nc6 9.Ld3 cxd4 10.exd4 Le7 11.Re1 b6 12.a3 Lb7 13.Lc2 Rc8 14.Qd3 Re8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+rwqr+k+( 7zpl+-vlpzpp' 6-zpn+psn-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3zP-sNQ+N+-# 2-zPL+-zPPzP" 1tR-vL-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 15.d5! Instead of the prosaic 15.Lg5, this pawn sacrifice is very strong, breaking down the system chosen by Black. 15...exd5 If 15...Na5 16.Lg5 g6 17.d6 wins material. 16.Lg5 Ne4 If 16...g6 17.Rxe7 Qxe7 18.Nxd5. FIDE TRG Syllabus

17.Nxe4 dxe4 18.Qxe4 g6 19.Qh4 Qc7 19...h5 doesn’t solve Black’s problems because of 20.Lb3! Lxg5 (20...Qc7 21.Qe4 transposes to the game) 21.Nxg5 Rc7 22.Qf4 with a decisive advantage. 20.Lb3! With the threat of sacrificing on f7. 20...h5 If 20...Lf8 21.Lf4 followed by Ng5. 21.Qe4 Threatening Qxg6+. 21...Kg7 22.Lxf7! Kxf7 23.Lh6! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+r+-+( 7zplwq-vlk+-' 6-zpn+-+pvL& 5+-+-+-+p% 4-+-+Q+-+$ 3zP-+-+N+-# 2-zP-+-zPPzP" 1tR-+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 23…Qd6 Other defences lead to a quick mate, for example: 23...Nd8 24.Ng5+ Kf6 25.Qd4+ or 23...Ld6 24.Ng5+ Kf6 25.Nh7+ Kf7 (25...Qxh7 26.Qf3+) 26.Qd5+. 24.Qc4+ Kf6 25.Rad1 Nd4 26.Qxd4+ Qxd4 27.Rxd4 The threat Rf4 mate, doesn’t allow to organize the defence efficiently. 27...Rc5 27...Kf7 28.Ne5+ Kg8 29.Rd7 Lf6 30.f4. 28.h4! After 28...Lxf3 29.gxf3 Kf7 30.Rd7 Rc6 31.Lg5 Re6 32.Re4 when Black has no more pawn moves he must exchange on e4 ending up in a lost pawn ending. 1-0 In the previous game the pawn advance to d5 was connected to a tactical sequence. But even without tactics Black must watch such an advance. 115

□ Smyslov Vassily ■ Karpov Anatoly D42 Leningrad 1971 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e3 e6 6.d4 cxd4 7.exd4 Le7 8.Ld3 0–0 9.0–0 Nc6 10.Re1 Nf6 11.a3 b6 12.Lc2 Lb7 13.Qd3

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-trk+( 7zpl+-vlpzpp' 6-zpn+psn-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3zP-sNQ+N+-# 2-zPL+-zPPzP" 1tR-vL-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 13...Rc8? A mistake, as Petrosian showed us three years later with his move 14.d5!. The correct move was 13...g6. 14.Lg5? 14.d5! as in the previous game. 14...g6 15.Rad1 Nd5 16.Lh6 Re8 17.La4! Stronger than 17.Nxd5 Qxd5 18.Qe3 which would allow Black to avoid the threat Lb3 with 18...Na5!. 17...a6?! This move seems a loss of tempi. Better was 17...Nxc3 18.bxc3 Lxa3 19.c4 and thanks to the threat d5, White has compensation for the pawn, but Black’s position is perfectly defendable. 18.Nxd5! Qxd5 18...exd5!? ² could have been considered. 19.Qe3! Lf6? Euwe’s suggestion 19...Qh5 isn’t good due to 20.d5 Lc5 (20...exd5 21.Qxb6 ±) 21.Qf4 exd5 22.Rxe8+ Rxe8 23.g4 Qh3 24.Ng5 Qxh6 (24...Lxf2+ 25.Kxf2 Qh4+ 26.Kf1 +–) 25.Qxf7+ Kh8 26.Qxe8+ Kg7 27.Ne6+ Kf6 28.g5+ Qxg5+ 29.Nxg5 +–. The best move seems to be 19...Red8!?. FIDE TRG Syllabus

20.Lb3 Qh5 (D) After 20...Qd8 21.Ne5 White is better, but even this was the best option for Black.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+r+k+( 7+l+-+p+p' 6pzpn+pvlpvL& 5+-+-+-+q% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3zPL+-wQN+-# 2-zP-+-zPPzP" 1+-+RtR-mK-! xabcdefghy 21.d5! Nd8 22.d6 Rc5?! 22...Lxf3 23.d7 +– ; 22...Ra8!? ±. 23.d7 Re7? 23...Rf8 24.Lxf8 Kxf8 +– offers more resistance, but still not much hope. 24.Qf4! Lg7 24...Rf5 25.Qb8 +–. 25.Qb8 Qxh6 26.Qxd8+ Lf8 27.Re3 27.Qxf8+ was quicker. 27...Lc6 28.Qxf8+ Qxf8 29.d8Q 1–0 When fighting against the isolani, this rupture must always be taken into account. Therefore, controlling the d4 square is vital. In the following game, Black plays poorly, giving away the control of this square without a fight and quickly loses his isolated pawn. □ Illescas Cordoba Miguel ■ Bellon Lopez Juan Manuel A35 Almeria 1989 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 e6 5.Lg2 d5 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.0–0 Le7 8.Nxd5 exd5 9.d4 cxd4?! This move helps White set up a blockade on d4. Better was 9...0–0 10.dxc5 Lxc5. 10.Nxd4 0–0 11.Le3 Lf6 12.Rc1 Now Black is forced to simplify, which isn’t in his interest in this type of positions. 12...Nxd4 13.Lxd4 Le6 14.a3 Re8 15.e3 b6 16.Rc2 h6 17.Rd2 Rc8 18.Qa4 (D) 116

XABCDEFGHY 8-+rwqr+k+( 7zp-+-+pzp-' 6-zp-+lvl-zp& 5+-+p+-+-% 4Q+-vL-+-+$ 3zP-+-zP-zP-# 2-zP-tR-zPLzP" 1+-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 18...a5? This move loses a pawn without any compensation. The isolated pawn could have been defended with 18...Lxd4 19.Rxd4 Re7 20.Rfd1 Rd7 and if 21.e4 Rc4! 22.Rxc4 dxc4 23.Rxd7 Qxd7 24.Qxd7 Lxd7 25.f4 b5, when Black does have some chances of a draw, for example: 26.Kf2 (26.e5!?) 26...a5 27.Ke3 b4 28.axb4 axb4 29.Kd4 c3 30.bxc3 bxc3 31.Kxc3 f6. 19.Lxf6 Qxf6 20.Qb5 Qd8 21.b4! Preventing ...Rc5 and winning a pawn. 21...axb4 22.axb4 Qc7 23.Lxd5 Lxd5 24.Rxd5 Red8 25.Rfd1 Rxd5 26.Qxd5 Qc2 27.Rd4 Now a typically won position arised, where White has just to show some technique (small tactics and knowledge) in order to cash the point home. Although it took some time, the result was never in doubt. 27...Qc6 28.h4 Qxd5 29.Rxd5 Rc4 30.Rd4 Rc1+ 31.Kg2 Rb1 32.h5 Kf8 33.Re4 Rb2 34.g4 Rc2 35.Kg3 Rb2 36.f3 Rb1 37.Kf4 Rb3 38.Kf5 Rd3 39.f4 Rb3 40.Rd4 Ke7 41.e4 Rb1 42.e5 Rb2 43.Rc4 Kd7 44.Rd4+ Ke7 45.Rc4 Kd7 46.Re4 Ke7 47.e6 Rd2 48.exf7+ Kxf7 49.Rc4 Rd5+ 50.Ke4 Rd7 51.Rc6 Rb7 52.b5 Ke7 53.Ke5 Kd8 54.Rg6 1–0 In the next game Black defended better in a similar type of position, although this was not enough to avoid defeat. FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Karpov Anatoly ■ Spassky Boris D37 Montreal 1979 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Le7 5.Lf4 0–0 6.e3 c5 7.dxc5 Nc6 8.Qc2 Qa5 9.a3 Lxc5 10.Rd1 Le7 11.Nd2 Ld7 12.Le2 Rfc8 13.0–0 Qd8 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Nf3 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+rwq-+k+( 7zpp+lvlpzpp' 6-+n+-sn-+& 5+-+p+-+-% 4-+-+-vL-+$ 3zP-sN-zPN+-# 2-zPQ+LzPPzP" 1+-+R+RmK-! xabcdefghy White must prevent Black exchanging his isolani by means of ...d4. 15...h6 16.Ne5 Le6 17.Nxc6 Rxc6 In this type of position Black should capture with a pawn in order to join the centre pawns together, but it can’t be done here because of 17...bxc6 18.La6 winning material. 18.Lf3 Qb6 Slightly better was 18...Qa5 19.Le5 Ne4 20.Qe2 Rac8. 19.Le5! Ne4 20.Qe2 White shouldn’t think of winning material with 20.Ld4 Lc5 21.Lxc5 Rxc5 22.Lxe4 dxe4 23.Qxe4 Qxb2 24.Na4 Re5 25.Qf4 Qb5 and Black saves the game. 20.Lxe4 dxe4 21.Qxe4 Qxb2 22.Nd5 Lxd5 is not better for White. 20...Nxc3 21.Lxc3 Rd8 21...Lxa3 is bad due to 22.Lxg7!. 21...Rxc3!? is Karpov’s suggestion, but is seems that after 22.bxc3 Qa5 23.Rd3 Rc8 24.Qd2 Rc5 25.Rd1 Lf6 26.Lxd5 Lxc3 27.Qa2 Black has enough compensation for the exchange. 22.Rd3! Rcd6 23.Rfd1 R6d7 24.R1d2 Qb5 25.Qd1 (D) 117

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+k+( 7zpp+rvlpzp-' 6-+-+l+-zp& 5+q+p+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3zP-vLRzPL+-# 2-zP-tR-zPPzP" 1+-+Q+-mK-! xabcdefghy This position is very good for White. His opponent must defend his weak pawn passively. One of Black’s problems is the lack of a knight, as this piece would be excellently placed on e4. 25...b6 26.g3 Lf8 27.Lg2 Le7 28.Qh5! White starts an attack on the kingside and at the same time threatens e4. 28...a6 29.h3 Qc6 30.Kh2 Qb5 31.f4 The threat f5 forces Black to weaken his position even more. 31...f6 31...f5? would be worse because of 32.Qg6 Lf8 33.Qxe6+. 32.Qd1 Qc6 33.g4 Now White threatens to continue with 34.f5 forcing the retreat 34...Lf7, leaving the d7 rook unprotected. Then he can advance e4. 33...g5 34.Kh1! 34.f5?! would be premature due to 34…Lf7 35.e4 d4!, when Black obtains compensation in the form of the weak dark squares. 34...a5 35.f5 Lf7 36.e4 Kg7 Now 36...d4 can be answered with 37.Rxd4 and Black can’t prevent the advance e5, for example: 37...Rxd4 38.Rxd4 Rxd4 39.Qxd4 Qc7 40.e5. In this variation we can see why the white king is badly placed on h2. 37.exd5 Qc7 38.Re2 b5? Losing immediately, although 38...Lc5 39.Re6! Lxe6 40.fxe6 Re7 41.Qf1 Rf8 42.Rf3 wasn’t much better. 39.Rxe7 Rxe7 40.d6 Qc4 41.b3! 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

In the last game we shall see how Black compensates the weakness of his central pawn with active counterplay on the kingside. □ Beliavsky Alexander ■ Illescas Cordoba Miguel D34 Linares 1990 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Nf3 Nc6 6.g3 Nf6 7.Lg2 Le7 8.0–0 0–0 9.Lg5 cxd4 10.Nxd4 h6 11.Le3 Re8 12.Qc2 Lg4 13.h3 Ld7 14.Rad1 Qc8 15.Kh2 Lf8 16.Rfe1 Re5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+q+-vlk+( 7zpp+l+pzp-' 6-+n+-sn-zp& 5+-+ptr-+-% 4-+-sN-+-+$ 3+-sN-vL-zPP# 2PzPQ+PzPLmK" 1+-+RtR-+-! xabcdefghy

With the threats ...Rh5 or ...Lxh3. Bad is 16...Rxe3? 17.fxe3 Qb8 because of 18.Nxd5. 17.Rh1?! Also bad were 17.Nxc6? bxc6 18.Ld4 Rh5 19.Lxf6 Lxh3 20.Lh4 Rxh4! 21.gxh4 Ld6+ winning and 17.g4? Lxg4 18.hxg4 Nxg4+ 19.Kg1 Rxe3 20.fxe3 Nxe3 21.Qd3 Nxd1 22.Rxd1 Nxd4. The best move is 17.Nf3! and if 17...Rh5 (but then 17...Rxe3!? 18.fxe3 Qb8 is interesting [19.Nxd5? Nxd5 20.Rxd5 Nb4]) 18.Nh4 g5? 19.Nxd5 Nxd5 20.Rxd5. 17...Rh5 18.Kg1 Lxh3 19.Lf3 Re5 20.Nxc6 bxc6 21.Ld4 Lf5 22.e4 Rxe4 23.Nxe4 Nxe4 24.Qe2 c5 25.Le3 Qe6 26.Kg2 d4 27.Lc1 Re8 28.Qb5 a6 29.Qb7 Qxa2 30.Rde1 Nd6 31.Qb6 Rc8 32.Lf4 Nc4 33.Qb7 Qxb2 34.Qd5 Qc2 35.Re2 Nb6 36.Qb7 Qb3 37.Rhe1 Qb5 38.Lc1 Nc4 39.Qd5 Ld7 40.Re7 Lxe7 41.Rxe7 Le8 42.Le4 Kf8 0–1 118

The Doubled Pawns Miguel Illescas Concept Doubled pawns are those pawns of the same colour that stay on the same file. They can be especially weak if they are isolated from the rest of the pawn chain. If they aren't, two situations can be distinguished: 1) Doubled pawns towards the centre: are generally strong during the middle game, when the control of central squares is most important. They open semi-open files on the wings that can occasionally be used to organise an attack or take over the initiative in that sector. However they can be easily attacked in the ending. A typical example would be the bishop capture on c3 in the ‘Nimzo-Indian Defence’. 2) Doubled pawns away from the centre: offer a semi-open file that sometimes can be useful in the middle game but they are generally inflexible and a great handicap in the endgame. A typical example would be the exchange variation in the ‘Ruy Lopez’. □ Taimanov Mark ■ Suetin Alexey A34 Kiev 1954 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.g3 c5 5.Lg2 Nc7 6.d3 Nc6 7.Lxc6+ The pawns are now doubled and isolated, meaning that the c5-pawn will be hard to defend. But White has had to exchange his fianchetto bishop and his kingside light squares have been weakened. 7...bxc6 8.Qa4 Qd7 9.Nf3 f6 10.Le3 e5 11.Ne4 Ne6 12.Rc1 Rb8 13.Qc2 Le7 (D) (see next diagram) 14.Nxc5 Naturally White mustn't exchange his c5pawn for the b2-pawn, but he has seen a tactical detail on move 17. Alternatively, he could have played 14.b3 and then carry on attacking c5. FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-trl+k+-tr( 7zp-+qvl-zpp' 6-+p+nzp-+& 5+-zp-zp-+-% 4-+-+N+-+$ 3+-+PvLNzP-# 2PzPQ+PzP-zP" 1+-tR-mK-+R! xabcdefghy 14...Lxc5 15.Lxc5 Nxc5 16.Qxc5 Rxb2 17.Nxe5! Qe6 18.Qxc6+ Qxc6 19.Nxc6 Lh3 20.f3 Going for Kf2 and also keeping open the option of shutting-in the bishop with g4. 20...0–0 20...Rxa2 21.Kf2 as in the game. 21.Kf2 Re8 22.Nd4 Rxa2 23.Ra1 Rb2 23...Rxa1 24.Rxa1 Ra8 is bad due to 25.g4 with the threat Kg3. 24.Rxa7 Rb4 25.Nc2 Rb2 26.Rc7 Now White just needs to activate the other rook, doubling on the seventh rank. As his material is of a great importance, the rest of the game was rather simple: 26...Lf5 27.Ra1 h5 28.Raa7 Kh8 29.e4 Rc8 30.Rxc8+ Lxc8 31.Rc7 La6 32.Ke3 Kg8 33.h4 Rb3 34.Rd7 Lb5 35.Rd4 Kf7 36.f4 g6 37.Ne1 Rb2 38.Rd6 La4 39.e5 fxe5 40.fxe5 Ld1 41.Nf3 Re2+ 42.Kd4 Rg2 43.Ng5+ Ke7 44.Ne4 Kf7 45.Rf6+ Kg7 46.e6 g5 47.e7 La4 48.hxg5 Rb2 49.Rf8 Rb4+ 50.Ke3 1–0 If the doubled pawns form part of a bigger group, they can be vulnerable to tactical strikes leading to the isolation of the pawn as we can observe in the following game: 119

□ Simagin Vladimir ■ Keres Paul C73 Moscow 1963 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Lb5 a6 4.La4 Nf6 5.0–0 d6 6.Lxc6+ bxc6 7.d4 exd4 8.Qxd4 Le7 9.e5 c5 10.Qd3 dxe5 11.Qxd8+ Lxd8 12.Nxe5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+lvlk+-tr( 7+-zp-+pzpp' 6p+-+-sn-+& 5+-zp-sN-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzPP+-zPPzP" 1tRNvL-+RmK-! xabcdefghy Black's queenside pawn structure is very weak, but the bishop-pair in an open position offers enough compensation. 12...Le7 13.Re1 Le6 14.Nc3 0–0 15.Lg5 h6? A mistake that allows White to eliminate Black's bishop pair, leaving him with no compensation in exchange for his bad pawn structure. Preferable was 15...Rfe8. 16.Ng6! fxg6 17.Rxe6 Kf7 18.Rae1 Rfe8 19.Lxf6 Lxf6 Black must remain with another pair of doubled pawns as if 19...gxf6 20.Nd5 wins a pawn. But in this case the doubled pawns on g7 and g6 are hardly important. 20.Rxe8 Rxe8 21.Rxe8 Kxe8 22.Nd1 (D) (see next diagram) White's advantage is clear. The c7- and c5pawns are not only weak; also the c4-square is a stronghold for White's pieces, especially for the king. 22...Kd7 23.Kf1 Kc6 24.Ke2 Le5 25.h3 Kd5 26.Ne3+ Ke4 27.c3 h5 28.Nc4 Lf4 29.g3 Lg5 30.f3+ Kd5 31.Kd3 Le7 32.Ne3+ Ke6 33.Ke4 g5 34.Nc4 g6 35.g4 hxg4 36.fxg4 Lf6 37.a3 Le7 38.a4 Lf6 39.Nd2 Le7 40.Nf3 Lf6 41.Nd2 Kd6 FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+k+-+( 7+-zp-+-zp-' 6p+-+-vlpzp& 5+-zp-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2PzPP+-zPPzP" 1+-+N+-mK-! xabcdefghy 42.Nc4+ Ke6 43.Na5 Kd6 44.Kd3 Kd5 45.Nc4 c6 46.Nb6+ Kd6 47.a5 Ld8 48.Kc4 Lc7 49.Na4 Lxa5 50.Nxc5 Lb6 51.Nxa6 Le3 52.Nb4 Lc1 53.b3 Lf4 54.Nc2 Le5 55.Nd4 Lf6 56.b4 Le7 57.Nf3 Lf6 58.Kd3 c5 59.b5 Kd5 60.c4+ Ke6 61.Ke4 Kd6 62.b6 Kc6 63.Ne5+ Kb7 64.Nd7 Ld4 65.Kd5 1–0 One of the most serious defects of doubled pawns appears when they form part of a pawn majority on the side of the board, as it becomes more difficult to make a passed pawn. Lasker demonstrated this concept successfully in the ‘Spanish Game Exchange Variation’. □ Lasker Emanuel ■ Tarrasch Siegbert C68 Dusseldorf 1908 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Lb5 a6 4.Lxc6 dxc6 5.d4 exd4 6.Qxd4 Qxd4 7.Nxd4 c5 8.Ne2 Ld7 9.b3 Lc6 10.f3 Le7 A serious strategic mistake. The pawn structure favours White, as his kingside pawn majority will produce a passed pawn, whereas Black will be incapable of doing the same on the queenside because of his doubled pawns. In exchange, Black did have the bishop pair as compensation but with his last move Black appears to have decided to exchange one of them, leaving him without one of his most important assets. 120

11.Lb2 Lf6 12.Lxf6 Nxf6 13.Nd2 0–0–0 14.0–0–0 Rd7 15.Nf4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+k+-+-tr( 7+pzpr+pzpp' 6p+l+-sn-+& 5+-zp-+-+-% 4-+-+PsN-+$ 3+P+-+P+-# 2P+PsN-+PzP" 1+-mKR+-+R! xabcdefghy Now White is practically a pawn ahead. His plan is simple: exchange pieces and advance his kingside pawns to create a passer. 15...Re8 16.Nc4 b6 17.a4 a5 18.Rxd7 Nxd7 19.Rd1 Ne5 20.Nxe5 Rxe5 21.c4 A necessary move as Black was threatening to play ...c4 and exchange his doubled pawn. 21...Re8 22.Nh5 Rg8 23.Rd3 f6 24.Kd2 Le8 25.Ng3 Ld7 26.Ke3 Re8 27.Nh5 Re7 28.g4 c6 29.h4 Kc7 Here we can clearly see the difference between the two pawn majorities. If Black plays ...b5, White doesn't do anything on this side of the board and Black can't achieve a passed pawn. On the other side White can easily make his own passer. 30.g5 Possibly this move is premature and 30.Kf4 should have been played. 30...f5 31.Ng3 fxe4 32.Nxe4 Lf5 33.h5 Rd7 34.Rc3 White prefers to avoid giving Black an easy chance to bring his king nearer to the side of the board where he has his passed pawn. 34...Rd1 35.Kf4 Ld7 36.Re3 Rh1 37.Ng3 Rh4+ 38.Ke5 Rh3 39.f4 Kd8 39...Lg4 40.f5 Lxh5 41.Ke6 Kd8 42.Rd3+ Kc7 (42...Ke8 43.Kd6) 43.f6. 40.f5 Rh4 41.f6 gxf6+ 42.Kxf6 Le8 43.Nf5 Rf4 43...Rxh5 44.Rxe8+ Kxe8 45.Ng7+. 44.g6 hxg6 45.hxg6 Rg4 46.Rxe8+ Kxe8 FIDE TRG Syllabus

47.g7 Kd7 48.Nh4 Rxg7 49.Kxg7 Ke6 50.Nf3 Kf5 51.Kf7 Ke4 52.Ke6 Kd3 53.Kd6 Kc3 54.Kxc6 Kxb3 55.Kb5 1–0 In the ‘Nimzo-Indian Defence’, White frequently ends up with doubled pawns on c4 and c3 that can be fixed and attacked. Here follows a model game: □ Botvinnik Mikhail ■ Reshevsky Samuel E29 Moscow 1948 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.e3 c5 5.a3 Lxc3+ 6.bxc3 Nc6 7.Ld3 0–0 8.Ne2 b6 Black's idea is to attack the c4-pawn with ...La6 and possibly ...Na5. 9.e4 Ne8! 10.Le3 d6 11.0–0 Na5 12.Ng3 La6 13.Qe2 Qd7! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+ntrk+( 7zp-+q+pzpp' 6lzp-zpp+-+& 5sn-zp-+-+-% 4-+PzPP+-+$ 3zP-zPLvL-sN-# 2-+-+QzPPzP" 1tR-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy The queen is heading for the a4-square to continue the attack on the c4-pawn. 14.f4 f5! 15.Rae1?! Better was 15.Rfe1 leaving the other rook for the d-file and preparing the advance d5 or e5. With regard to 15.d5 the correct reply is 15...g6! 16.dxe6 Qxe6 17.exf5 gxf5 and Black ends up winning the c4. 15...g6 16.Rd1 Recognizing the mistake although losing a tempo. 16...Qf7 Dangerous is 16...Qa4 because of 17.d5 Lxc4 18.dxe6 Lxe6 19.exf5. 17.e5 Rc8 18.Rfe1 dxe5 121

If 18...cxd4 19.Lxd4! and 19...Lxc4 doesn't work because of 20.exd6 with the threat Qe5. 19.dxe5 Ng7 20.Nf1 Rfd8 21.Lf2 Nh5 22.Lg3 Qe8 23.Ne3 Qa4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+rtr-+k+( 7zp-+-+-+p' 6lzp-+p+p+& 5sn-zp-zPp+n% 4q+P+-zP-+$ 3zP-zPLsN-vL-# 2-+-+Q+PzP" 1+-+RtR-mK-! xabcdefghy Once the attack on the kingside has been stopped Black concentrates again on the c4pawn. 24.Qa2 Nxg3 25.hxg3 h5?! Allowing an interesting possibility. Better was 25...Qb3 as after the exchange of queens any chances of an attack for White vanish in the air and the weakness of the c4 is decisive. 26.Le2? White lets the moment go by. He should have played 26.Lc2 Lxc4 (if 26...Qc6 White can play 27.a4 defending everything) 27.Nxc4 Qxc4 28.Qxc4 Nxc4 29.Lb3 =. 26...Kf7 27.Kf2 Qb3 The exchange of queens has left Black with a strategically won position. 28.Qxb3 Nxb3 29.Ld3 Ke7 And now the strongest move was 29...Rc7 30.Lc2 Rxd1 31.Rxd1 Na5 32.Ld3 Rd7 and Black's advantage is clear. In the game he played a weaker move, although he ended up winning anyway: 30.Ke2 Na5 31.Rd2 Rc7 32.g4 Rcd7 33.gxf5 gxf5 34.Red1 h4 35.Ke1 Nb3 36.Nd5+ exd5 37.Lxf5 Nxd2 38.Rxd2 dxc4 39.Lxd7 Rxd7 40.Rf2 Ke6 41.Rf3 Rd3 42.Ke2 0–1 FIDE TRG Syllabus

However, Black’s set-up also has some drawbacks. Sometimes White takes advantage of the distant position of Black’s pieces on the queenside to launch a dangerous attack on the other side of the board. The next game illustrates this danger and at the same time gives an insight to another concept: doubled pawns in the castled king: □ Bronstein David ■ Najdorf Miguel E29 Budapest 1950 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.a3 Lxc3+ 5.bxc3 c5 6.e3 Nc6 7.Ld3 0–0 8.Ne2 d6 9.e4 Ne8 10.0–0 b6 11.f4 La6? The same manoeuvre, but at a bad moment. White's attack had to be stopped by 11...f5. 12.f5! e5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqntrk+( 7zp-+-+pzpp' 6lzpnzp-+-+& 5+-zp-zpP+-% 4-+PzPP+-+$ 3zP-zPL+-+-# 2-+-+N+PzP" 1tR-vLQ+RmK-! xabcdefghy 13.f6! Kh8 After 13...Nxf6 14.Lg5 Black is in trouble as well. 14.d5 Na5 Black has to take another piece away from the kingside. He will have trouble bringing them back again. 15.Ng3 15.fxg7+ Nxg7 16.Ng3 was another good line, but White doesn't mind sacrificing a pawn. 15...gxf6 15...g6 was better, keeping the files closed. 16.Nf5 Lc8 17.Qh5 Lxf5 18.exf5 Rg8 19.Rf3 Rg7 19...Ng7 would have allowed a nice finish: 122

20.Qxh7+! Kxh7 21.Rh3+ Nh5 22.Rxh5+ Kg7 23.Lh6+ Kh7 24.Lf8 #. 20.Lh6 Rg8 21.Rh3 There is no defence against 22.Lf8. If 21...Ng7 22.Qh4 followed by Lg5. 1–0 □ Fischer Robert ■ Benko Pal Bled/Zagreb/Belgrade 1959 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+l+-trk+( 7zp-+-vlp+p' 6-+-+pzp-+& 5sn-wq-zp-+-% 4-zp-+-zP-+$ 3+LsN-+-sN-# 2PzPP+-+PzP" 1tR-+Q+R+K! xabcdefghy The weaknesses in Black’s castled king allow White to launch a winning attack. 16.Nce4 Qd4 After 16...Qc7 comes 17.Nh5! f5 18.Nhf6+! Kg7 19.Qh5! Lxf6 (19...h6 20.Rf3) 20.Nxf6 h6 21.Rf3! with decisive threats. 17.Qh5! Nxb3 There was nothing better: 17...Kh8 18.Qh6! Rg8 19.Nxf6 +– or 17...exf4 18.Nf5! exf5 19.Rxf4 Qxe4 (19...fxe4 20.Rh4 +–) 20. Rxe4 fxe4 21.Qxa5 +– or, finally, 17...Kg7 18.Rad1 Qxb2 19.Qh4 Lb7 20.Nxf6! +–. 18.Qh6! exf4 If 18...f5 then 19.c3! bxc3 20.bxc3 Qb6 21.Nh5 and White wins. 19.Nh5 f5 20.Rad1 Qe5 21.Nef6+ Lxf6 22.Nxf6+ Qxf6 23.Qxf6 Nc5 24.Qg5+ Kh8 25.Qe7! La6 26.Qxc5 Lxf1 27.Rxf1 1–0 Finally, here comes a good example of how to use the semi-open file adjacent to the doubled pawns. FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ De la Villa Garcia Jesus ■ Illescas Cordoba Miguel C45 Pamplona 1999 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Lc5 5.Nxc6 Qf6 6.Qd2 dxc6 7.Nc3 Ne7 8.Qf4 Qe6 9.Ld3 0–0 10.0–0 Ng6 11.Qg3 Qe5! Black has easily equalised. 12.Qxe5 Nxe5 The knight becomes very active. 13.Le2 a5! 14.Lf4 f6 15.a4 Le6 16.Rad1 Rae8! Making use of the semi-open file. 17.Nb1 Lf7 18.Nd2 Re7 19.Lxe5?! It was difficult to play with White but this exchange cannot be good. 19...Rxe5 20.Ld3 Lh5 21.Rde1 Re7 22.Nc4 b6 23.Nd2 Rd8 24.Nb3 Ld6 25.Lc4+ Kh8 26.f3 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+-mk( 7+-zp-tr-zpp' 6-zppvl-zp-+& 5zp-+-+-+l% 4P+L+P+-+$ 3+N+-+P+-# 2-zPP+-+PzP" 1+-+-tRRmK-! xabcdefghy 26...Le8! Targeting on a4. 27.Rd1 Red7 28.Le2 Lf4 29.g3? 29.Rxd7 Le3+ 30.Kh1 Rxd7 31.g3 ³. 29...Le3+ 30.Kg2 Rxd1! 31.Rxd1 Rxd1 32.Lxd1 c5! 33.f4 c4! 33...Lxa4 34.Kf3 Lg1 35.Kg2 Ld4 36.c3 Le3 37.Kf3 Lc1! 38.Nxc1 Lxd1+ is also good for Black. 34.Kf3 Lg1! 35.Kg2? Necessary was 35.Nd2 c3! 36.bxc3 Lxa4 and Black is much better. 35...cxb3 36.Kxg1 Lh5! A nice touch - Black’s ex-doubled c-pawn queens after 37.Lxh5 bxc2. 0–1 123

The Backward Pawn Michael Khodarkovsky Concept The backward pawn is one of the easiest types of weaknesses to identify. The tell-tale structure of a left-behind foot soldier is a prime example of weakness in chess. While it is busy defending other pawns, no pawns ever come to the aid of the poor backward pawn! The backward pawn is a heavy burden to bear. As with any other weakness, a backward pawn often requires the defence of stronger pieces, moreover in most cases the square in front of a backward pawn is under control of the opponent’s pieces. Thus, one backward pawn can tangle up an entire army of defending forces. Fortunately, not all positions with backward pawns are permanently weakened. Some openings, such as the ‘Sveshnikov Sicilian Defence’, and certain variations of the ‘Najdorf Sicilian Defence’ lead directly to backward pawn positions for Black. In these scenarios, the weak pawn is not considered to be a grave problem because it is difficult to attack and easy to defend. Moreover, the backward pawn is shoring up a centre pawn which has a big influence on the position. There are some methods that can be used to relieve the burden of this common weakness. This chapter will demonstrate how positions with backward pawns may produce varied play, which we will demonstrate with a few instructive examples. The first two are tributes to Grandmaster Andor Lilienthal (1911-2010) and 7th World Champion in chess history Vassily Smyslov (1921-2010): □ Lilienthal Andor ■ Makogonov Vladimir D19 Moscow 1936 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.a4 Lf5 6.e3 e6 7.Lxc4 Lb4 8.0–0 0–0 9.Qe2 Ne4 10.Nxe4 Lxe4 11.Nd2 Lg6 12.Nb3 Qh4 13.Ld2 Ld6 14.f4 Le4 15.Le1 Qe7 FIDE TRG Syllabus

16.Nd2 Ld5 17.e4 Lxc4 18.Nxc4 Na6 19.Nxd6 Qxd6 20.Lc3 f5 21.Rae1 Nc7 22.Qc4 Rf7 23.La5 b6 24.Lb4 Qd7 25.e5 Rd8 26.Lc3 Qd5 27.Qxd5 Rxd5 28.Rc1 Rfd7 29.b4 Na6 30.Rb1 Kf7 31.Rfc1 b5 32.a5 Nb8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-sn-+-+-+( 7zp-+r+kzpp' 6-+p+p+-+& 5zPp+rzPp+-% 4-zP-zP-zP-+$ 3+-vL-+-+-# 2-+-+-+PzP" 1+RtR-+-mK-! xabcdefghy Although White does have a backward pawn on d4 it is not a fatal weakness. In this situation, the d4-pawn is compensated for by White's enormous space advantage; Black's pieces are unable to exploit the backward pawn because of his own backward c-pawn on the semi-open file and cramped pieces. However, the d4-pawn does complicate matters for White because it blocks the king’s entry and the bishop. White wants to open the diagonal for his bishop on a1. 33.La1 The bishop clears a path for the rooks to line up on the c-file whilst continuing to support the backward pawn d4. 33...a6 34.Rc2 Rc7 35.Rbc1 Rd8 36.Kf2 Rd5 37.Ke3 Ke8 38.h3 Rdd7 39.g4 Rf7 (D) White advanced all his resources as much as possible and is now ready to strike. His next move is a typical and well-calculated small positional tactic; one that changes the route of the game! 124

XABCDEFGHY 8-sn-+k+-+( 7+-tr-+rzpp' 6p+p+p+-+& 5zPp+-zPp+-% 4-zP-zP-zPP+$ 3+-+-mK-+P# 2-+R+-+-+" 1vL-tR-+-+-! xabcdefghy

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+-+( 7zp-tr-+-vlk' 6-zp-zpq+pzp& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3+PsNRwQ-zP-# 2P+-+-zP-zP" 1+-tR-+-mK-! xabcdefghy

40.d5! The strongest and the only way to achieve a winning position. White sacrifices a pawn in order to open a passage for his king, bishop and e-pawn through the barricades of the Black's weak fortress. 40...exd5 41.e6 Rf8 42.Le5 Kd8 43.Kd4! A complete domination over dark squares which disables any possible resistance - the end should be near… 43...Kc8 44.Lxc7 Kxc7 45.Ke5 g6 46.e7 Re8 47.Ke6 1–0

An ideal composition of forces for White to emphasize the inevitability of the fall of the backward pawn on d6. 30...Qg4 31.R1d3 Le7 31...Qe6 32.Qd2 Rfd7 33.c5 bxc5 34.Nxc5 +–. 32.Nxd6 Lxd6 33.Rxd6 After the fall of the d6 pawn, it is the turn of the pawn e5 to be eliminated. Despite the fact that White will give up his pawn on f2, the vulnerability of Black's king plays a more important role than that pawn. 33...Rdf8 34.Qxe5 Rxf2 35.Rd7+ R8f7 36.Rxf7+ Rxf7 37.Rd8! After which Smyslov concludes the game with his impeccable technique: 37...Rg7 38.Qe8 g5 39.Qh8+ Kg6 40.Rd6+ Kf7 41.Qxh6 Qf5 42.Rd1 Qc5+ 43.Kg2 Qe7 44.Rf1+ Kg8 45.Qf6 Qe8 46.Qf5 g4 47.Rf2 Qe7 48.Qd3 Rg5 49.Re2 Qf8 50.Qe4 Rg7 51.Qd5+ Qf7 52.Re6 Qc7 1–0

□ Smyslov Vassily ■ Denker Arnold B24 Radio match USSR-USA 1946 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Lg2 Lg7 5.d3 e6 6.Le3 Nd4 7.Nce2 d6 8.c3 Nc6 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Nxd4 11.Lxd4 e5 12.Le3 Ne7 13.Ne2 0–0 14.0–0 Le6 15.Qd2 Qc7 16.Rfc1 f5 17.c4 fxe4 18.Nc3 Nf5 19.Nxe4 Nxe3 20.Qxe3 h6 21.Rd1 Rfd8 22.Rac1 Rac8 23.b3 b6 24.Nc3 Qe7 25.Ld5 Kh7 26.Lxe6 Qxe6 27.Rd3 Rc7 (D) (see next diagram) This position is an example of a backward pawn which proves to be a critical and significant weakness on a semi-open file. This position is strategically won for White as his plan to exert pressure on d6 and eventually to win the pawn cannot be adequately countered. 28.Rcd1 Rf7 29.Ne4 Lf8 30.Rd5! FIDE TRG Syllabus

A very instructive game that is clearly highlighting the drawbacks of the backward pawn. Black was hampered by his poor bishop, trapped on the same coloured squares as the backward pawn on d6 and White's space advantage and strong rooks gave Black little to hope for. In the next game we will see an excellent example of Karpov’s technique - the ex World Champion clearly knew what to do! 125

□ Karpov Anatoly ■ Mecking Henrique B92 Hastings 1971 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Le2 e5 7.Nb3 Le6 8.f4 Qc7 9.a4 Nc6 Here is better to employ 9...Le7 or 9...Nbd7 rather than develop the knight on c6. Now White comfortably occupies the outpost on d5 with emphasis on the weakness d6. 10.f5 Lxb3 11.cxb3 Qb6 12.Lg5 Le7 13.Lxf6 Lxf6 14.Nd5 Black basically forced to go for a queen trade and suffer in the endgame. 14...Qa5+ 15.Qd2 Qxd2+ 16.Kxd2 Lg5+ 17.Kd3 0–0 18.h4 Ld8 19.Rac1 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-vl-trk+( 7+p+-+pzpp' 6p+nzp-+-+& 5+-+NzpP+-% 4P+-+P+-zP$ 3+P+K+-+-# 2-zP-+L+P+" 1+-tR-+-+R! xabcdefghy This is an example of indirect prophylaxis. The white rook provides surveillance over the c-file and is ready to invade if Black would dare to trade a knight on d5: 19...Ne7 20.Nxe7+ Lxe7 21.Rc7!. 19...a5 20.Kd2 Rb8 21.g4 Nb4 22.Lc4 White is squeezing on the kingside and is getting ready to substitute his knight with the bishop on d5. 22...Nxd5 23.Lxd5 The position has stabilized. White has a significant positional advantage without any definite counterplay to worry about. Nevertheless, Mecking finds probably the only active continuation to stop advance of White pawns. 23...g5 24.fxg6 hxg6 25.Kd3 Kg7 26.h5 Lb6 27.Rh3 Lc5 28.Rf1 f6 29.hxg6 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Kxg6 30.Rfh1 Rbe8 31.Rh7 Kg5 32.Ke2 Kf4 33.R1h3 Ld4 As Karpov pointed out, White wins in the event of 33...Kxg4 34.Rh1 Rg8 35.Lxg8 Rxg8 36.Rf1 +–. 34.Rg7 1–0 In the next example White refuted all attempts at counterattack with an instructive positional game. This against the creator of the popular opening system named after him! □ Tal Mihail ■ Najdorf Miguel B92 Bled 1961 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Le2 e5 7.Nb3 Le7 8.Lg5 Le6 9.0–0 0–0 10.Lxf6 Lxf6 11.Qd3 Nc6 12.Nd5 Lg5 13.Rfd1 Kh8 14.c3 f5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-tr-mk( 7+p+-+-zpp' 6p+nzpl+-+& 5+-+Nzppvl-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+NzPQ+-+-# 2PzP-+LzPPzP" 1tR-+R+-mK-! xabcdefghy Thematic or weakening? 15.Lf3! Taking total control of the light squares in the centre. 15...Lxd5 16.Qxd5 fxe4 17.Qxe4 Qe7 18.Qd5 Rf6 19.Nd2! Black is forced to trade pieces and settle for a difficult defence in the ending. 19...Lxd2 20.Rxd2 Qc7 21.Re1 Raf8 22. Re3 g6 23.Le4 Kg7 24.Rf3 Rxf3 25.Lxf3 Rf6 26.Le4 Qf7 27.Qb3 Qxb3 28.axb3 Nd8 29.b4 Kf7 30.Rd5 Ke8 31.b5 axb5 32.Rxb5 Rf7 33.Rb6 Kd7 34.Ld5 (D) 126

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-sn-+-+( 7+p+k+r+p' 6-tR-zp-+p+& 5+-+Lzp-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-zP-+-+-# 2-zP-+-zPPzP" 1+-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 34...Rf4 Seems like 34...Rf6 would be better. 35.g3 Ra4 36.Lxb7 Ra1+ 37.Kg2 Kc7 38.Ra6 Rb1 39.Ld5 Rxb2 40.Ra7+ Nb7 41.Kf3 Now the white king takes over and the end should be near. 41...Kb8 42.Ra6 Kc7 43.Ra8 Nc5 44.Ra7+ Nb7 45.h4 Kb8 46.Ra6 Kc7 47.Ra8 Rb5 48.c4 Rb3+ 49.Kg4 1–0 □ Unzicker Wolfgang ■ Taimanov Mark B58 Stockholm 1952 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Le2 e5 7.Nf3 h6 8.0–0 Le7 9.Re1 0–0 10.h3 a6 11.Lf1 b5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+lwq-trk+( 7+-+-vlpzp-' 6p+nzp-sn-zp& 5+p+-zp-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-sN-+N+P# 2PzPP+-zPP+" 1tR-vLQtRLmK-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

This is a typical position from the 'Sicilian Defence' in the 'Najdorf Variation'. Black's backward pawn on d6 is sufficiently defended, but how should he continue? He must first finish his development. Notice how, as the game progresses, Black slowly completes his plan of pushing his backward pawn forward. 12.a3 Lb7 13.b3 Rc8 14.Lb2 Rc7 15.Nb1?! Qa8 16.Nbd2 Nd8! A clever manoeuvre, creating a harmonic arrangement of pieces. White's pieces, meanwhile, remain disorganized. 17.Ld3 Ne6 18.Rc1 Rfc8 19.Nh2 Nd7 20.Nhf1 Ndc5 21.Ng3 g6 22.Ne2 Lg5! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8q+r+-+k+( 7+ltr-+p+-' 6p+-zpn+pzp& 5+psn-zp-vl-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3zPP+L+-+P# 2-vLPsNNzPP+" 1+-tRQtR-mK-! xabcdefghy Black is planning to push his backward pawn and permanently eliminate the weakness. Simplification into a worse endgame will not be a threat and, more importantly, lines become open for attack. 23.Nc3 Nd4 24.Ncb1 d5! The backward pawn is pushed forward at the right moment, killing White’s hope for a positive result. 25.exd5 Nxd3 26.cxd3 Rxc1 27.Lxc1 Lxd5 28.f3 Rc2! 29.a4 b4 30.Kh1 Qc6 0–1 But as is common with every pawn weakness, the endgame is the phase where the ‘pain’ can intensify. Exchanging minor pieces and falling into passivity are the greatest enemies of the backward and semi-backward pawns. 127

□ Grivas Efstratios ■ Ionescu Constantin E19 Elista 1998 (Notes based on those of Efstratios Grivas) 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.g3 Lb7 5.Lg2 Le7 6.0–0 0–0 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qc2 Nxc3 9.Qxc3 c5 10.b3 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Lxg2 12.Kxg2 Nc6 13.Lb2 Nxd4 14.Qxd4 Lf6 15.Qd2 Lxb2 16.Qxb2 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-trk+( 7zp-+p+pzpp' 6-zp-+p+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3+P+-+-zP-# 2PwQ-+PzPKzP" 1tR-+-+R+-! xabcdefghy After a long theoretical variation Black is stuck with a weak backward pawn on d7. Naturally, as often happens in this type of position, White's advantage is not really great, but it is static and consequently longterm, while the danger of defeat is significantly reduced. White's plans are simple and include the doubling of the major pieces on the d-file and the development of an initiative on both flanks. 16...Qc7 17.Rfd1 Rfd8 18.Rd4 d6 19.Rad1 Rd7 20.R1d3 Rad8 21.Qd2 Kf8 22.e4 h6 23.f4 Rather premature. The move 23.h4! intending h5 and g4-g5 would cause Black a serious headache, while the f-pawn could be a valuable protection to the white king. 23...Qc6! 24.a4 a6 25.h4 f5?! Black finds it impossible to remain passive for such a long time. With this move he also weakens the e6-pawn, but hopes for counterplay based on the exposed white king. 26.Qe2 fxe4 27.Rxe4 Re8 28.Qf3 Rf7 29.Kh2 Qc5 30.Rde3 Rf6 31.Qe2 Kf7 32.Qd2! a5

FIDE TRG Syllabus

Forced, as White was threatening 33.b4!. But now Black has given up the possibility of counterplay with ...b5, the only decent plan he had at his disposal. 33.Rd3 Rd8 34.Red4 Ke7 35.Qe2 Kf7 36.Qe4! Qc7 37.Kg2? White has made good use of his position so far and should now have played 37.h5. Next comes the advance of his g-pawn, supported by the white rooks. It is not necessary to offer specific variations as means of proof, as these plans would take up a lot of time and preparation. The only certain thing is that Black cannot effectively stop White's plan and, as a result, is condemned to defeat. 37...h5! The only move and a very good one, securing the draw. The absence of any satisfactory breakthrough favours the defending side. Both flanks have been blocked and as a result, White does not have at his disposal the most useful tool in such positions, i.e. the creation of a second front. This is an instructive and very significant strategic motif - keep it in mind as it will be very useful in your chess future! 38.Qf3 g6 39.Qe4 Rd7 40.Rd2 Rd8 41.Kh2 Rf5 42.Qd3 Ke7 43.Re2 Kf7 44.Qf3 Re8 45.Qe4 Re7 46.Red2 Rd7 47.Qf3 Rd8 48.Qd3 Ke7 49.Qe4 Kf7 50.Re2 Rf6 51.Rd3 Rc8 52.Red2 Rd8 53.Rd4 Rf5 White cannot make any progress, so the draw was the most 'logical' result. ½–½ Conclusion Positions with backward pawns vary in nature. In many cases the pawn is a significant weakness, which often results in the negative outcome of the game. But in modern theory you may find many games played by elite players who are willing to play these complex backward pawn structures trying to demonstrate that such positions can often be very double-edged. Only if the pawn is static and permanently fixed can we say that the backward pawn is a handicap. 128

The Hanging Pawns Michael Khodarkovsky Concept A pair of pawns on adjacent files separated from all other pawns is known as a set of ‘hanging pawns’. This formation could appear in various modern openings such as the ‘Queen’s Gambit Declined’, the Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky System, various ‘Queen’s Indian Defence’ variations, for instance: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.e3 Lb7 5.Ld3 c5 6.Nc3 Le7 7.0-0 cxd4 8. exd4 d5 9.b3 0-0 10.Lb2 dxc4 11.bxc4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8rsn-wq-trk+( 7zpl+-vlpzpp' 6-zp-+psn-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+PzP-+-+$ 3+-sNL+N+-# 2PvL-+-zPPzP" 1tR-+Q+RmK-! xabcdefghy Another opening is the ‘Nimzo-Indian Defence’, for example (D):

XABCDEFGHY 8rsnlwq-trk+( 7zp-+-+pzpp' 6-+-+-sn-+& 5+-zpp+-+-% 4-vl-+-+-+$ 3+-sNLzPN+-# 2PzP-+-zPPzP" 1tR-vLQ+RmK-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

This position comes out by the move order 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.e3 0-0 5.Ld3 d5 6.Nf3 c5 7.0-0 b6 8.cxd5 exd5 9.dxc5 bxc5. It is also possible that the formation of hanging pawns will be transformed from a position with the pawns’ pair (ex: c3, d4 for White; c6, d5 for Black). Hanging pawns can control important central squares and guarantee a space advantage. If the formation of hanging pawns is supported by actively developed pieces, then there are good prospects for an attack on the enemy king. If the formation is not supported by harmoniously developed pieces, this pair of pawns can be attacked and destroyed. In our first example, White’s pieces are uncoordinated in their effort to defend the weak hanging pawns. □ Euwe Max ■ Reshevsky Samuel Zurich 1953 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+-+k+( 7zp-tr-+pzp-' 6lzp-+psnp+& 5wq-+-+-+-% 4-+PzP-+-+$ 3zP-tR-+PzP-# 2-+R+-wQ-zP" 1+-vL-+LmK-! xabcdefghy How can Black take advantage of the lack of harmony among the White pieces? 32...Nd5! 33.cxd5 33.Rb3 Lxc4 34.Lxc4 Rxc4 35.Rxc4 Rxc4 –+. 129

33...Rxc3 34.Rxc3 Qxc3 35.Lb2 Qb3 36.Lxa6 Rc2 37.d6 Rxf2 38.d7 Qd5 39.Kxf2 0–1 One very important strategy to be used against hanging pawns is to force the advance of one of the pawns. The second pawn becomes backward and weak. Instead of controlling the squares in front of them, a hole appears that the opponent can occupy. In our next example, White has already been able to force the d-pawn to move, leaving the c-pawn a terrible weakness. □ Flohr Salo ■ Kasparian Genrikh Leningrad 1947 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+-+k+( 7zp-+-+qzp-' 6-+-+l+-zp& 5+-zp-zPp+-% 4-trLzp-zP-+$ 3wQP+-+-+-# 2P+-+-+PzP" 1+-tR-+RmK-! xabcdefghy How does White apply further pressure and win the weakened c-pawn? 24.Qa6! Although it is tempting to win a pawn, after 24.Lxe6 Qxe6 25.Rxc5 Rxc5 26.Qxb4 Qd5! White is equal at best. 24...Re8 25.Lxe6 Rxe6 26.Qc8+ Kh7 27.Qxc5 +– And White has a won position, although the game was drawn in 55 moves. ½–½ □ Polugaevsky Lev ■ Hort Vlastimil Belgrade 1970 ○ FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-+-tr( 7zpl+-snpzp-' 6-+-mk-+-zp& 5+-zpp+-+P% 4-+-+-sN-+$ 3+-+-zP-+-# 2PzP-mKLzPP+" 1+-tR-+-+R! xabcdefghy Black's hanging pawns on the c- and d- files appear to be solid. What is White's plan to apply pressure and crack the opponent's centre? 19.Lf3! White focuses first on the d5-pawn; then the rooks will join. 19...Rab8 20.Rhd1 Rhd8 21.Ke1 Lc6?! The rook is needed on the c-file. 22.b3 a5 23.Nd3 Shifting focus to the other pawn. Black's position worsens. 23...Rb5 24.Nb2! Kc7 25.Na4 c4 26.bxc4 dxc4 27.Rxc4 Rxd1+ 28.Lxd1 Kd6 29.g3?! White missed 29.Rd4+ Rd5 30.Rf4!, maintaining chances to win. 29...Nd5 30.Nc3 Nxc3 31.Rxc3 Ld5 32.a3 Rb2 33.Rd3 Kc5 34.Rc3+ Kd6 35.Rd3 Kc5 36.Rc3+ As Black is very well centralised and quite active, White is now ‘obliged’ to accept the draw. ½–½ By forcing the advance of the d-pawn, White is able to weaken Black’s position. Black lost control of the centre and the c5pawn became an enormous weakness. In the next example, White forced the advance of one of the pawns and then isolated the backward pawn by exchanging the pawn that had been advanced. White maintained chances to win and only with impeccable accuracy Black was able to escape with a draw. 130

□ Petrosian Tigran ■ Botvinnik Mikhail Moscow 1963 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-trk+( 7zp-+nvlpzpp' 6-zp-+p+-+& 5+-zpp+-+-% 4-+PzP-+-+$ 3+-+-vL-zP-# 2PzP-+PzPNzP" 1tR-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 14.cxd5 exd5 15.Nf4 Nf6 16.dxc5 bxc5 17.Rac1 d4 18.Ld2 a5 19.Nd3 Nd7 20.e3! dxe3 21.Lxe3 Black is left with a weak, isolated c-pawn. 21...Rab8 22.Rfd1 a4! A clever resource, putting pressure on the b2 pawn. With this idea, Black is able to save the game. Botvinnik's accuracy in defence is undisputable. A draw was agreed later, in 86 moves. ½–½ □ Furman Semen ■ Geller Efim Moscow 1970 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-snr+-+k+( 7tr-+-wqpzp-' 6-+-+l+-zp& 5zp-zpp+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3wQ-+-zPN+-# 2PzP-+LzPPzP" 1+-tR-+RmK-! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

17...a5 It is difficult to handle the weakness of hanging pawns. After 17...Nd7, Fischer found the clever resource 18.Nd4! (with the idea 19.Nb3 or 19.Nxe6) 18...Qf8? (18...Nf6 19.Nb3 Nd7 20.Lb5 Nf6) 19.Nxe6! fxe6 20.e4! ² Fischer,R-Spassky,B Reykjavik 1972. White's next move is natural. 18.Rc3! Nd7 19.Rfc1 Re8 20.Lb5 Lg4 21.Nd2 d4 And now, with exchange, the hanging pawns become an isolated pawn. 22.exd4 cxd4 23.Qxe7 Rxe7 24.Rc8+ Kh7 25.Nb3 Ne5 26.Rd8 Rac7 27.Rxc7 Rxc7 28.f4! Ld7 29.fxe5 Lxb5 30.Nxd4 Rc1+ 31.Kf2 Rd1 32.Rd6 1–0 In the next example, White applied pressure to force a weakening in his opponent’s pawn structure. He maintained winning chances and dictated play for the rest of the game. After mistakes from both sides, however, the game concluded in a draw. □ Capablanca Jose Raul ■ Alekhine Alexander Buenos Aires 1927 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-trr+k+( 7+l+nvlpzpp' 6p+-+-sn-+& 5+qzpp+-vL-% 4N+-+-+-+$ 3zP-+-zPN+-# 2-zPL+QzPPzP" 1+-tRR+-mK-! xabcdefghy 17.Qxb5 axb5 What plan is White supposed to choose when fighting against these hanging pawns? 18.Nc3 Lc6 19.Ld3 c4? Although Black's centre is under pressure, it is not necessary to create the hole on d4 for White. 131

20.Lf5 b4! With his next move, Black gets rid of a weakness. However, he still has to face the problem of the weak c-and d- pawns, especially with the issue of the bad lightsquared bishop. 21.axb4 Lxb4 22.Nd4 Lb7 Because the position is closed, White correctly chooses to trade his bishops for Black's knights. White is left with powerful knights, free to roam the board as Black's bishops struggle to find useful diagonals. 23.Lxd7 Rxd7 24.Lxf6 gxf6 25.Nde2? And here White falters. Better was 25.Nf5! Re5 26.g4 h5 27.f4 +–. 25...Ld6! 26.Rc2 Le5 27.Rcd2 Planning e4. 27...Rc7! 28.Ra1 Kg7 29.g3 Rc5! 30.Ra7 Rb8 31.Nd4 Kg6 32.f4 Lc7 33.Kf2 33.Ncb5? Lb6 34.Ra1 Rxb5!. 33...Ra5 34.Rxa5 Lxa5 35.g4 h5! 36.gxh5+ Kxh5 37.Kf3 Rg8 38.Rg2 Rxg2 39.Kxg2 Kg4 40.h3+ Kh4 41.Nf5+ Kh5 42.Kg3 Or 42.Nd6 Lxc3 43.bxc3 d4+ but now not 44.Nxb7? (44.Kf2 dxc3 45.Ke1 =) 44...dxc3 –+. 42...Lb4! 43.Nd4 Kg6 44.Kg4 f5+! 45.Kg3 Kf6 46.Nf3 Lc5 47.Kf2 Lb4 48.Ne5 Ld6 49.Nf3 Lb4 50.h4 Kg6 51.Ne2 Lc8! 52.Ng3 Le6 53.h5+ Kh6 54.Ke2 Le7 55.Kd2 Ld8! 56.Nd4 Not much of an improvement was 56.Kc3 La5+ 57.Kd4 Lb6+ 58.Ke5 Lxe3 59.Nd4 with equality. 56...Lc8 57.Kc2 La5 58.Kd1 White is also going nowhere with the other option of 58.Ndxf5+ Lxf5+ 59.Nxf5+ Kxh5 60.Nd6 Kg4 61.Nxf7 Kf3 =. 58...Lb4 59.Ke2 Ld7 ½–½ Hanging pawns are not always a weakness. In certain positions, they can be very powerful, controlling central squares. It is possible to build an attack behind them and a well-timed push can gain space. A good example of how to utilize the strength of the hanging pawns can be seen in the following game: FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Keres Paul ■ Taimanov Mark Moscow 1951 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-trk+( 7zpl+-vlpzpp' 6-zpn+psn-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+PzP-+-+$ 3+-sNL+N+-# 2PvL-+-zPPzP" 1tR-+Q+RmK-! xabcdefghy 12.Qe2 Re8 12...Nxd4? 13.Nxd4 Qxd4 14.Nd5 Qc5 15.Lxf6 gxf6 16.Nxe7+ Qxe7 17.Qg4+ Kh8 18.Qh4 +–. 13.Rfd1 Rc8 14.Rac1 Qd6 15.Lb1 Qf4 15...Na5 16.Ne5 Red8 17.Nb5 Qb8 ². 16.d5! This breakthrough gains space and opens the position for White's bishops. Suddenly, Black's king begins to look very vulnerable... 16...exd5 17.cxd5 Nb8 18.Rd4 Qd6 19.Rcd1 Lf8 20.Ne4 Nxe4 21.Rxe4 Rxe4 22.Qxe4 Qh6 23.Ng5 The position has changed dramatically in the last ten moves. Every single one of White's pieces is better placed and Black is gasping for air. 23...Ld6 24.h4 Nd7 25.Qf5 Nf6 26.Lxf6 26.Nxf7! is simply more accurate: 26...Kxf7 27.Qe6+ Kf8 28.Qxd6+ +–. 26...gxf6 27.Nxf7 Qc1 28.Qxh7+ Kf8 29.Nxd6 Qxd1+ 30.Kh2 Qxd5 31.Nxb7 Qe5+ 32.g3 Rc7 33.Qh8+ Kf7 34.h5 Rxb7 35.Qh7+ Ke6 36.Qxb7 Qxh5+ 37.Kg2 1–0 In some positions, it is even possible to push one of the pawns and leave a backward one. The idea lies in pinpointing a weakness in the opponent’s pawn structure, as shown in the following example: 132

□ Bertok Mario ■ Fischer Robert Stockholm 1962 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8rsn-+-trk+( 7zp-+ wqpzp-' 6-+-+l+-zp& 5+-zpp+-+-% 4Q+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-zPN+-# 2PzP-+LzPPzP" 1tR-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 14...Qb7! 15.Qa3 Nd7 16.Ne1 a5 17.Nd3 c4! In this position, advancing the c4 pawn makes the b2 pawn weak, while the d5 pawn is defended well. White's position begins to fall apart. 18.Nf4 Rfb8 19.Rab1? 19.Nxe6 fxe6 20.Lg4 Ra6! 21.b3! cxb3 22.axb3 Qxb3 23.Qe7 Nf8 24.Ra3 Qb4 25.Qxb4 Rxb4 μ. 19...Lf5! 20.Rbd1 Nf6 21.Rd2 21.Lf3 Qxb2 22.Qxb2 Rxb2 23.Nxd5 Nxd5 24.Lxd5 (24.Rxd5 Le6 25.Rc5 Rc8! 26.Rxa5 c3 27.Rc1 c2 28.Le4 Rb1! 29. Rxb1 cxb1Q+ 30.Lxb1 Rc1 #) 24...Rc8 25. e4 Le6! 26.Lxe6 fxe6 27.a4 c3 28.Rc1 c2 –+. 21...g5! 22.Nxd5 22.Nh5 Ne4 23.Rc2 Qb4 –+. 22...Nxd5 23.Lxc4 23.Lf3? Ld3. 23...Le6 24.Rfd1 24.Lxd5 Lxd5 25.f3 –+. 24...Nxe3! 25.Qxe3 25.Lxe6 Qxg2 #. 25...Lxc4 26.h4 Re8 27.Qg3 Qe7 28.b3 Le6 29.f4 g4 30.h5 Qc5+ 31.Rf2 Lf5 0–1 □ Larsen Bent ■ Portisch Lajos Porec 1968 ○ FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+r+-+k+( 7wq-+-+pzp-' 6-+-snl+-zp& 5+-zppsN-+-% 4p+-+-+-+$ 3wQP+-zPL+-# 2P+-+-zPPzP" 1+-tR-+RmK-! xabcdefghy This position demonstrates how hanging pawns can give a space advantage. In addition, it is possible to push and create one passed pawn. 24.Lf3 Nb5 Better was 24...axb3 25.Qxa7 Rxa7 26.axb3 f6 27.Nd3 c4 28.bxc4 dxc4 29.Nf4 Lf7 ³. 25.Qb2 axb3 26.Qxb3 Rab8 27.Lxd5 Nd4 28.exd4 Rxb3 29.Lxe6 fxe6 30.axb3 Rc7 31.Rxc5 Rxc5 μ ½–½ Conclusion Hanging pawns possess both advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to know how to play both with and against them. As a general rule the owner of hanging pawns should keep pieces on and stay in the middlegame, whereas the opponent of the pawns should aim for exchanges. As the endgame approaches, hanging pawns become a liability. Advantages 1) Control important central squares. 2) Space advantage. 3) Can be used to build an attack. Disadvantages 1) Weak without pawns on adjacent files to defend. 2) Can lead to badly coordinated pieces. 3) Can become an isolated pawn or set of a backward pawn and advanced pawn. 133

The Passed Pawn Michael Khodarkovsky Concept A pawn is considered passed if there are no pawns on the same or neighbouring files that would make the path to the last rank difficult. Passed pawns are dangerous and enemy forces must frequently be used to neutralize the threat. In this chapter, we will explore Nimzowitsch's principles for passed pawns by using several examples. The primary rule of passed pawns states as follows: ‘Every healthy, uncompromised pawn majority must be able to yield a passed pawn’. For example: □ Alekhine Alexander ■ Bogoljubow Efim Dresden 1936 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8R+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+pmk-' 6pvl-+-trp+& 5+-+p+-+p% 4PzP-sN-+-+$ 3+-zPK+-zP-# 2-+-+-+-zP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy In this position, White is about to achieve the enormously desirable formation of two adjacent passed pawns. The existence of these 'friends' allows White to do a little sacrificing... 40.Rxa6! Lxd4 41.Rxf6 Lxf6 42.a5 Ld8 43.Kd4 f5 44.Kc5 h4 45.a6 Lg5 46.b5 Le3+ 47.Kc6 g5 48.b6 hxg3 49.hxg3 f4 50.a7 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

The blockade of a passed pawn is to physically stop it from advancing by placing a piece directly in front of the specified pawn. It is necessary to blockade a pawn to ensure that it will under no circumstances be pushed. The pawn could be deliberately sacrificed to activate pieces behind it and allow them to enter the game. Thus, it is crucial to obstruct the path of a passed pawn. Note the importance of the blockading square: a piece stationed on that square is protected from ‘frontal attacks’ by the very same pawn that was such a threat (Nimzowitsch)! The blockading square is a ‘weak point’ for the enemy. The blockading piece maintains a strong post and retains the ability to move in certain situations, highlighting the principle of elasticity. As Nimzowitsch shows in ‘My System’, blockading pieces are not confined to their one square, but, like the white rook in this coming position, can leave and return. □ Romanovsky Peter ■ Platz R Soviet Union 1935 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5zP-+-+-+-% 4-zp-+-+-+$ 3+P+-+ltR-# 2-mk-+p+p+" 1+-+-mK-+-! xabcdefghy 1...Kxb3! 2.Rxf3+ Ka4 3.Rg3 b3 4.Rg4+ Kxa5 5.Rg5+ 134

Not of course 5.Kxe2? b2 and it is now Black who wins! There is always danger hidden at any position! 5...Kb4 6.Rg4+ Ka3 Also equal is 6...Kc5 7.Rg5+ Kd4 8.Rg4² if of course now Black avoids the naive 8...Ke3? which loses to 9.Rxg2 b2 10.Rxe2+ +–. 7.Rg3 Ka2 8.Rxg2 b2 9.Rxe2 ½–½ □ Chekhover Vitaly ■ Makogonov Vladimir Leningrad 1934 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-wQ-+( 7zp-tr-+-+-' 6-+ mkP+-+& 5+-+p+-+p% 4-wq-zP-zP-zP$ 3+-zp-+-+-# 2-+-+-zP-mK" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy The queen is not an ideal piece with which to blockade a passed pawn. Although it is very elastic as a blockading piece, it is a dreadful burden for the most powerful piece to be stuck in front of a passed pawn when it could be doing so much more elsewhere on the board! This ending is a good illustration how Black takes advantage of this fact (do not try to find this position in any database; it is just a variation of the original game): 1...Kxe6! 2.Qxb4 c2 3.Qe1+ Kf7 4.Qc1 a5 5.f5 a4 With inevitable promotion of the a-pawn and win of the queen. 0–1 The following example shows how White capitalized on his extra outside passed pawn, using the superiority of the queen and bishop vs queen and knight and motifs of zugzwang. FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Khodarkovsky Michael ■ Heine Rolf Muenster 1989 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-tr-+( 7+-wq-zppmk-' 6-+-zp-+p+& 5sn-zpP+-+p% 4-+-+Q+-zP$ 3+-zP-+-zP-# 2P+-+PzPL+" 1+-+-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 23.Qe4 Rb8 24.Rb1 Rxb1+ 25.Qxb1 Nc4 26.Qb5 Ne5 27.a4 Kf8 28.a5 Nd7 29.Lh3 Nb8 30.e4 Qa7 31.Lc8 Qc7 32.Lb7 1–0 The following game is a great illustration of the dynamic active play when White is rolling his passed pawn like a soccer ball towards the opponent's goal and Black's defence and his 'goalkeeper', the blockading rook, are hopeless to stop the 'ball' - white d-pawn. □ Spassky Boris ■ Petrosian Tigran D41 Moscow 1969 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 c5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Lb4+ 9.Ld2 Lxd2+ 10.Qxd2 0–0 11.Lc4 Nc6 12.0–0 b6 13.Rad1 Lb7 14.Rfe1 Rc8 15.d5 exd5? 15...Na5! 16.dxe6 Qxd2 (16...Nxc4 17.exf7+ Kh8 18.Qxd8 Rcxd8 19.Rxd8 Rxd8 20.e5 +–) 17.exf7+ Kh8 18.Nxd2 Nxc4 19.Nxc4 Rxc4 20.e5 Lc8 21.e6 Lxe6 22.Rxe6 g6 =. 16.Lxd5 Na5 17.Qf4 Qc7 18.Qf5 Lxd5 19.exd5 Qc2 (D) (see next diagram) White holds a definite advantage due to the perfect set up of all his pieces and the well supported passed pawn. 135

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+-trk+( 7zp-wq-+pzpp' 6-zp-+-+-+& 5sn-+P+Q+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+N+-# 2P+-+-zPPzP" 1+-+RtR-mK-! xabcdefghy Black doesn’t have much of a choice here, as can be seen in the variations: 19...Nc4 20.Ng5 g6 21.Qh3 h5 22.Ne4 ± and 19...Qd6 20.Ng5 Qg6 21.Qxg6 hxg6 22.d6! Nb7 23.d7 Rcd8 24.Re7 Nc5 25.Rd5! ±. 20.Qf4!

White prefers to avoid the queen trade, although it looks favourable as well: 20.Qxc2 Rxc2 21.Re7! ± with invasion on the seventh rank. Instead he decides to sacrifice a pawn, keeping the queens on the board to maintain an attack in the centre as well as on the kingside. 20...Qxa2 21.d6! Rcd8 22.d7 Qc4 23.Qf5 h6 If 23...Qc6, then 24.Ne5 Qe6 25.Qc2 h6 26.Qc7 a6 27.Ng6! Qxg6 28.Qxd8 is winning for White. 24.Rc1 Qa6 25.Rc7 b5 26.Nd4 Qb6? It could be more stubborn to continue with 26...Qd6 27.Nxb5 Qd2 28.Rf1 Nb3!. 27.Rc8! Nb7

Other continuations are losing as well, for example: 27...b4 28.Re8 Qxd4 29.Rxf8+ Rxf8 30.Rxf8+ Kxf8 31.Qc5+!! Qxc5 32.d8Q # or 27...g6 28.Rxd8 Qxd8 (28...gxf5 29.Rxf8+ Kxf8 30.Re8+ Kg7 31.d8Q +–) 29.Qxb5 +– ; 27...Qxd4 28.Rxd8 Rxd8 29.Re8+ +–. 28.Nc6 Nd6 29.Nxd8!

A nice final touch - a small combination that clarifies the result. 29...Nxf5 30.Nc6

1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Miles Anthony ■ Rodriguez Ruben D85 Riga 1979 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Lg7 4.Nf3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3 7.bxc3 c5 8.Le3 Nc6 9.Rc1 cxd4 10.cxd4 0–0 11.d5 Na5 12.Le2 e6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+lwq-trk+( 7zpp+-+pvlp' 6-+-+p+p+& 5sn-+P+-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-+-vLN+-# 2P+-+LzPPzP" 1+-tRQmK-+R! xabcdefghy 13.d6! Also possible is 13.0–0, however the text move looks more aggressive and intends to advance the d-pawn to make it more difficult for Black to coordinate his forces. 13...e5 Seems more promising to start with 13...Nc6 14.0–0 and then 14...e5 with the idea to relocate the bad knight from the edge of the board to the d4 outpost. 14.Rc7! Le6 14...Lg4 15.Qd5 Lxf3 16.Lxf3. 15.Ng5! Rc8 15...Lxa2 16.Qa4.

16.Nxe6 fxe6 17.Rxc8 Qxc8 18.0–0 Now White obtains a strategically winning position with no weaknesses. The advantage of the bishop-pair combined with an advanced passed pawn, gives him all the chances. 18...Nc6 19.d7 Qc7 20.Lg4 Nd4 21.Lxd4 exd4 22.Qb3! Kh8 23.Qxe6 Le5 24.g3 Lf6 25.Kg2 Kg7 26.Qd5 b6 27.Re1 Solid and keeps all the pieces connected. It was possible also to march the kingside pawns too by 27.f4 Qc5 28.Qxc5 bxc5 29.e5 Le7 30.Le6 Rb8 and 31.g4. 27...Qc5 28.Qb7 Ld8 136

Now the bishop plays the role of a 'goalkeeper' - a blockade piece, although it doesn't last long either. 29.e5 d3 30.Re3 d2 Black was allowed to advance his passed pawn too, but it doesn't bring much danger as White's duo. 31.e6 Kh6 32.Qe4 Le7 33.h4 Kg7 33...Qc1 34.Rd3 Qe1 35.Qe3+ +–. 34.Qe5+ Qxe5 35.Rxe5 h5 36.Ld1 Kf6 37.Re4 Lc5? 38.Rf4+ 1–0 We will now look at two games recently played in a disputed theoretical line, where White convincingly proves his dominance, due to a dynamic, aggressive approach based on the creation of a strong passed pawn supported by coordinated pieces. □ Kramnik Vladimir ■ Ni Hua D15 London 2009 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.b3 Lg4 7.h3 Lxf3 8.Qxf3 e5 This is an old approach which came into fashion lately. 9.dxe5 Lb4 10.Ld2 Lxc3 11.Lxc3 Ne4 12.Lb4 bxc4 13.Qg4 c5 14.f3 cxb4 15.fxe4 0–0 16.exd5 cxb3 Some months later Black deviated here with 16...Nd7 but still he was unable to hold on: 17.Qd4 cxb3 18.axb3 Qg5 19.Qf4 Qg6 20.Rd1 Qc2 21.Lc4 Qc3+ 22.Ke2 Nxe5 23.d6 Rad8 24.Rd5 Rfe8 25.Rhd1 h6 26.Qd4 Qc2+ 27.Rd2 Qf5 28.Rc5 Qg5 29.Kd1 Qf6 30.Lxa6 Re6 31.Rc8 Rxc8 32. Lxc8 Qf1+ 33.Kc2 Re8 34.d7 Nxd7 35. Lxd7 Ra8 36.Qxb4 Ra2+ 37.Kc3 Qe1 38. Kd3 Ra1 39.Qb8+ Kh7 40.Qf4 Qb1+ 41. Kc3 Qc1+ 42.Rc2 Qe1+ 43.Kc4 Kg8 44. Qe4 Qa5 45.b4 Qa6+ 46.Lb5 Qf6 47.Qd4 Qe6+ 48.Kc3 Re1 49.Le2 Qc6+ 50.Lc4 Qa4 51.Qd8+ Kh7 52.Qd3+ Kg8 53.Ra2 Qc6 54.b5 Qf6+ 55.Kb3 and as no more checks are available for a defence, Black decided to resign in the game Le Quang,LBacrot,E Moscow 2010. 17.Qd4 Nd7 18.axb3 Qg5 19.Qf4 Qxe5 20.Qxe5 Nxe5 21.Lxa6 Rfc8 (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8r+r+-+k+( 7+-+-+pzpp' 6L+-+-+-+& 5+-+Psn-+-% 4-zp-+-+-+$ 3+P+-zP-+P# 2-+-+-+P+" 1tR-+-mK-+R! xabcdefghy The exchange of queens just emphasizes White's advantage. 22.Kd2 Rc3 23.Rhb1 f5 24.Ra4 Rc5 25.e4 fxe4 26.Ke3 Rc2 27.Ld3! Rxa4 If 27...Ra2, then 28.Rxa8+ Rxa8 29.Lxe4 Nd7 30.d6 Re8 31.Kd4 also winning. 28.Lxc2 Ra2 29.Lxe4 Kf7 30.Rc1 Kf6 31.Rc2 Ra1 32.Kd4 Rd1+ 33.Kc5 h5 34.Rf2+ Ke7 35.Re2 Nd7+ 36.Kc6 Rc1+ 37.Lc2+ Kd8 38.Kd6 Nf6 39.Ke6 h4 40.d6 Rf1 41.Re5 Rf2 42.Lf5 g6 43.Lxg6 Nd7 44.Rg5 Rf6+ 45.Kd5 Nb6+ 46.Kc6 Nc8 47.Kc5 Nxd6 48.Ld3 1–0 The last two games are examples where passed pawns are neutralized, because Black employed the strategy of active counterplay, focusing on the enemy king. □ Kramnik Vladimir ■ Kasparov Garry D88 Linares 1999 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Lg7 7.Lc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Le3 0–0 10.0–0 Lg4 11.f3 Na5 12.Lxf7+ Rxf7 13.fxg4 Rxf1+ 14.Kxf1 cxd4 15.cxd4 e5 16.d5 (D) This is a theoretical tabiya, first seriously employed by Anatoly Karpov, where White is trying to capitalize on his passed pawn, while Black is looking for a counterplay against the opponent's king. The latter approach succeeded in this game. 137

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-+k+( 7zpp+-+-vlp' 6-+-+-+p+& 5sn-+Pzp-+-% 4-+-+P+P+$ 3+-+-vL-+-# 2P+-+N+PzP" 1tR-+Q+K+-! xabcdefghy

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-tr-mk( 7zpq+-vlPzpp' 6-+lzp-+-+& 5+-+-+R+-% 4-+-vLnwQ-+$ 3zPLzp-+-+-# 2-zPP+-+PzP" 1+K+R+-+-! xabcdefghy

16...Nc4 17.Qd3 Nxe3+ 18.Qxe3 Qh4 19.h3 Lh6 20.Qd3 Rf8+ 21.Kg1 Qf2+ 22.Kh1 Qe3 23.Qc4 b5 24.Qxb5 Rf2 25.Qe8+ Lf8 Up to this point everything was known in modern theory and tried in practice. Kasparov then introduced this new move with twin aims of blockading the pawn and assisting in a coming attack on White’s king. 26.Qe6+ Kh8 27.d6 Qxe2 28.Qxe5+ Lg7 29.Qe8+ Rf8 30.d7 Qd3 31.e5 h6 32.e6 Kh7 33.Rg1 Rf3 34.Qb8 Rxh3+ Draw by perpetual check is unavoidable. 35.gxh3 Qe4+ The game Kundrak,G-Toth,D Miskolc 1999 lasted two more moves… ½–½

21...La4! 22.Qg4 According to Geller's comments, other continuations are also winning for Black: 22.Qh6 Lf6 23.Rxf6 Lxb3 24.Rxd6 (24.cxb3 Qxb3 25.Rf2 Qxd1+) 24...La2+. 22...Lf6! 23.Rxf6 Unfortunately for White 23.Rh5 doesn’t save the day, as 23...Rxf7 24.Qg6 Ng5 is winning as well. The truth is that White is doomed and his resignation is just a matter of time. 23...Lxb3 In view of 24.Rf4 (24.cxb3 Nxf6!) 24...La2+ White resigned. 0–1

□ Fischer Robert ■ Geller Efim B88 Skopje 1967 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Lc4 e6 7.Le3 Le7 8.Lb3 0–0 9.Qe2 Qa5 10.0–0–0 Nxd4 11.Lxd4 Ld7 12.Kb1 Lc6 13.f4 Rad8 14.Rhf1 b5 15.f5 b4 16.fxe6 bxc3 17.exf7+ Kh8 18.Rf5 Qb4 19.Qf1 Nxe4 20.a3 Qb7 21.Qf4 (D) (see next diagram) In this double-edged position both sides are poised to strike against the king. At the first glance White's chances looks much brighter taking into consideration the passed pawn on f7. However, Black finds an incredible counterattacking resource. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Conclusion A passed pawn is an extremely important element of positional chess and poses a very frightening threat to the opponent. Passed pawns often give the position tactical potential. If they can be correctly blockaded, however, passed pawns lose much of their value. The principle of elasticity states that the blockader is not confined to one square, but can travel and return to blockade again. The mobilization of all possible forces to counterattack is one of the methods to fight versus structures with the advanced passed pawns. Finally, it is absolutely necessary in all positions with passed pawns to calculate accurately and tempi are of the utmost importance. 138

The Pawn Majority / Pawn Minority Jovan Petronic Pawn Majority - Introduction The Pawn Majority concept may best be divided into three major categories: 1) Queenside Pawn Majority (2 pawns vs 1, 3 pawns vs 2, or 4 pawns vs 3). 2) Centre Pawn Majority (2 pawns vs 1). 3) Kingside Pawn Majority (2 pawns vs 1, 3 pawns vs 2, or 4 pawns vs 3). We may begin to assess these properly only in the middlegame, after the opening phase of the game has concluded, by carefully examining the pawn structure. When referring to the ‘pawn majority’, we assume a healthy pawn chain, rather than a deformed pawn structure. Doubled pawns, for example, would not fit well into advantages of having a mobile pawn majority. For example, in most cases they would not be able to create a passed pawn. Such is a pawn structure resulting after 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 (or 3.Nc3) dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6?! 5.Nxf6! exf6, or after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Lb5 a6 4.Lxc6 dxc6 5.d4 exd4 6.Qxd4. A pawn majority assumes such a pawn chain is mobile, and ready to advance. It also assumes the opposing side’s pawns, taking on the pawn majority, are not a threatening mobile force (in which case they would be termed as a pawn minority). Practice shows that, for example, with both kings castled kingside, the side with the (mobile) pawn majority on the queenside may generally consider it as an advantageous element in the overall evaluation of the position. The advantages of having a mobile pawn majority mainly lie in having an opportunity to create a passed pawn. Such mobile pawns can further severely limit the mobility of the opponent’s pieces, thus ensuring a lasting initiative for the side activating its superior pawn phalanx. ‘The pawns are the soul of chess’ - 1749 / François-André Danican Philidor. Grandmaster Svetozar Gligoric would often comment on his games with Vassily Smyslov that the advantage lay with Black! FIDE TRG Syllabus

Here, he demonstrates two valuable insights into the secrets of the pawn majority: how to play against a majority and how to activate one’s own! □ Smyslov Vassily ■ Gligoric Svetozar D43 Soviet Union 1979 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.d4 d5 3.c4 e6 4.Lg5 h6 5.Lxf6 Qxf6 6.Nc3 c6 7.e4 dxe4 8.Nxe4 Lb4+ 9.Ned2 c5 10.a3 Lxd2+ 11.Qxd2 0–0 12.dxc5 Rd8 13.Qc2 Na6 14.Le2 Nxc5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+ltr-+k+( 7zpp+-+pzp-' 6-+-+pwq-zp& 5+-sn-+-+-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3zP-+-+N+-# 2-zPQ+LzPPzP" 1tR-+-mK-+R! xabcdefghy We may now start to analyze the pawn structure. White has a pawn majority on the queenside (3 pawns vs 2), and Black a pawn majority on the kingside (4 pawns vs 3). White's pawn majority is presently not mobile and presents only a potential threat. Black's pawn majority is mobile, but would weaken the castled king in the event of an advance. 15.0–0 Ld7! 16.Rac1? White's misses a chance for activating the pawn majority. Better was 16.b4 La4 17.Qb1 (17.Qa2!?) 17...Nb3 18.Ra2 (18.Ld1!?) 18...Nd4 19.Nxd4 Rxd4 20.b5 Rad8 21.Qb4 Ld1 ³. 139

16...La4! 17.Qc3 Qxc3 18.Rxc3 Lb3! Black has successfully immobilized White's pawn majority on the queenside, demonstrating one method of acting against such a threat. Aided by the powerful c5-knight, and with the queens being off the board, Black can now safely plan his own pawn majority attack. 19.Rfc1

19.Rcc1 a5 20.Ld1 a4 μ, is only helping Black. 19...a5

A standard reinforcement of the existing blockade. 20.Kf1 Ra6

20...Rd6, followed by 21...Rad8 would have reached the same position. The text move offers Black more flexibility. 21.Ke1 Rad6 22.Rb1 White is pretty tied up and in a waiting mode. Black dominates throughout the board - on the queenside, centre, and the kingside. 22...a4 23.h3 f6

The pawn majority (4 pawns vs 3) attack starts with this modest move. Black is in no hurry, as White's forces lack harmony. 24.Nh2 b6 25.Nf1 Kf7 26.f3 f5 As a rule, when advancing one's pawn majority, the first pawn to move should be the one with no opposing pawn on its file. In this position, however, Black reserves the possibility of activating his king via the e5square, as White has no useful means of slowing down the pawn advance. 27.Ne3

27.f4 Rd4 28.g3 Ne4 29.Rcc1 g5 μ. 27...g5 28.Nc2 Kf6 29.Na1 h5 Better was 29...La2 30.Rbc1 (30.Rd1? Rxd1+ 31.Lxd1 Nd3+ –+) 30...h5 with the idea 31.Nc2 Rd2. 30.Nxb3 axb3 30...Nxb3 would have also retained all the advantages of Black's position. 31.Rd1 Rxd1+ 32.Lxd1 Nd3+ 33.Kf1 33.Ke2? Nf4+ –+.

33...Nxb2 34.Le2 34.Lxb3 Rd3! 35.Rxd3 Nxd3 –+.

34...Na4 35.Rxb3 Rd6 36.g4?! White attempts to simplify the position, but manages to trade off only one pawn, FIDE TRG Syllabus

while creating permanent pawn and square weaknesses on their kingside. 36...Nc5 37.Rb5 hxg4 38.hxg4 f4! 39.Ke1 Ke5 40.a4 Kd4 41.a5 bxa5 42.Rxa5 Ra6! 43.Rb5 43.Rxa6 Nxa6 –+. 43...e5 44.Kf2 e4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6r+-+-+-+& 5+Rsn-+-zp-% 4-+PmkpzpP+$ 3+-+-+P+-# 2-+-+LmK-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Black's pawn majority attack is triumphant. 45.Rb1 45.fxe4 Nxe4+ 46.Kg2 (46.Ke1 Ra1+ 47.Ld1 f3 48.Rf5 f2+ 49.Ke2 Ra2+ –+ ; 46.Kf3 Ra3+ 47.Kg2 Nc3 48.Rxg5 Nxe2 –+) 46...Ra2 –+ (47.Kf3 Rxe2 48.Kxe2 Nc3+ 49.Kf3 Nxb5 50.cxb5 Kc5 –+). 45...Ra2 White resigned due to 46.Kf1 (46.fxe4 Nxe4+ 47.Ke1 Rxe2+ –+) 46...exf3 47.Lxf3 Ke3 48.Ld5 f3 –+. 0–1 Advice General advice relating to the pawn majority attack revolves around: 1) Creation of a passed pawn, followed by 2) Pawn promotion and 3) Execution of material advantage. Pawn Minority - Introduction The Pawn Minority concept may as well be best divided into three major categories: 1) Queenside Pawn Minority (1 pawn vs 2, 2 pawns vs 3, and 3 pawns vs 4). 2) Centre Pawn Minority (1 pawn vs 2). 3) Kingside Pawn Minority (1 pawn vs 2, 2 pawns vs 3, and 3 pawns vs 4). 140

A mobile pawn minority may prove itself a valuable offensive weapon in the middlegame phase of the game, as soon as pieces have been developed. A well known motif originates from the ‘Exchange Variation’ of the ‘Queen’s Gambit Declined’, and is termed as a ‘minority attack’ (D):

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7zpp+-+pzpp' 6-+p+-+-+& 5+-+p+-+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-+-zP-+-# 2PzP-+-zPPzP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy We can identify White's pawn minority, consisting of the two pawns at a2 and b2, facing themselves against three black pawns at a7, b7 and c6. Advancing their mobile pawn minority by executing, for example, b4, a4 and b5, White may plan to achieve any of the following positional advantages: creation of a weak backward black c6-pawn, a weak isolated black d5-pawn, or an outpost on c5 for his pieces. Such an assault needs careful preparation and execution with the correct pawn move order and accompanied by the proper placement of the minor (bishop, knight) and heavy (rook, queen) pieces supporting the attack. A premature minority pawn advance may backfire resulting in any of the following positional advantages for the opposing side: a backward white b-pawn, a protected passed black c-pawn, or a weak c4-square, which may be controlled or occupied by an opponent's piece. Similarly, in positions arising largely from the ‘Caro-Kann Defence’; Black may (and FIDE TRG Syllabus

should) launch a minority attack (...b5, ...a5 and ...b5-b4) of his own (D):

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7zpp+-+pzpp' 6-+-+p+-+& 5+-+p+-+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-zP-+-+-# 2PzP-+-zPPzP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy A popular minority attack frequently happens in the ‘Sicilian Defence’ pawn structures’ with opposite side castling (D):

XABC 8-+7zpp+ 6-+5+-+ 4-+3+-+ 2PzPP 1+-+ xabc

In these situations, Black often launches his pawn minority attack in pursuit of the ultimate goal - checkmate, by marching both his a- and b-pawns towards the three pawns protecting the white king, with the intention of opening files and diagonals, and often with sacrifices, followed (in general) by piece invasion.

The minority attack is a dangerous tool in the hands of chess masters, and if not met correctly may result in quick acquisition of either the positional advantages or execution of tactical methods mentioned. It is a well-known weapon which has ‘served’ every decent player in the long history of chess, worldwide. We shall follow up with an instructive game, in which the 9th World Champion clearly demonstrated many of the benefits one can derive from a pawn minority attack a true masterpiece: 141

□ Petrosian Tigran ■ Krogius Nikolai D91 Tbilisi 1959 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Lg7 4.Nc3 d5 5.Lg5 Ne4 6.cxd5 Nxg5 6...Nxc3 7.bxc3 Qxd5 8.e3 ² would result in a different pawn skeleton for White. Now, having a mobile pawn minority in the form of the a2-pawn, which may be sent in the future course of the game towards the Black a7 and b7 pawns, with the purpose of either creating multiple pawn weaknesses (after a4-a5-a6 and ...bxa6), or a weak c6-square (after a4a5-a6 and ...b6), all in cases where the black pawns remain static. 7.Nxg5 e6 7...c6 8.dxc6! Nxc6 lost its popularity many years back and is now rarely seen in master play. 8.Nf3 exd5 9.e3 The pawn structure has stabilized and we can already recognize White's mobile pawn minority (a2 and b2 vs a7, b7 and c7) on the queenside. Black, in turn, has his less mobile pawn minority (f7, g6 and h7 vs e3, f2, g2 and h2) on the kingside. 9...0–0 9...a5 and 9...Qd6 are playable alternatives, with the idea of discouraging White from a pawn minority attack on the queenside. 10.Ld3 Nc6 11.0–0 Ne7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+lwq-trk+( 7zppzp-snpvlp' 6-+-+-+p+& 5+-+p+-+-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-sNLzPN+-# 2PzP-+-zPPzP" 1tR-+Q+RmK-! xabcdefghy 12.b4! Lf5? 12...Lg4! followed by a timely ...Lxf3, would have suited the needs of the position better. Unlike pawn structures where Black FIDE TRG Syllabus

has already committed to ...c6, White's lightsquared bishop is less dangerous here. 13.Lxf5 Nxf5 14.b5! The minority attack continues, with White gaining more space on the queenside. 14...Qd6 15.Qb3! By attacking the d5-pawn, White forces Black to misplace one of his pieces. 15...Ne7 16.Rfc1 Kh8? A 'mysterious king move', simply deserving a 'question mark'. 17.Rc2 White prepares development of the a1-rook and to double on the semi-open c-file, targeting the potential c7-pawn weakness. 17...h6 After 17...f5 18.Rac1 f4? Black is not ready for a pawn minority strike of his own: 19.exf4 Rxf4 20.Ne2 winning material. Finally, if 17...a6 then 18.bxa6! Rxa6 (18...bxa6 19.Rb1 ±) 19.Nb5 ± (19.Qxb7? Rb6 20.Qa7 Ra6 =). 18.Rac1 c6 19.Na4! 19.bxc6 bxc6 20.Na4 Rab8 would give Black some counterplay along the b-file. 19...Rab8 19...cxb5 20.Qxb5 b6 21.Qa6 ±. 20.g3 Grandmaster prophylaxis. White removes all hopes of Black tactically exploiting his weak back rank, while at the same time discouraging the ...f5-f4 pawn minority advance. 20.Nc5 was just fine as well. 20...Kh7 21.Nc5 Rfd8 22.bxc6! bxc6 23.Qa4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-tr-tr-+-+( 7zp-+-snpvlk' 6-+pwq-+pzp& 5+-sNp+-+-% 4Q+-zP-+-+$ 3+-+-zPNzP-# 2P+R+-zP-zP" 1+-tR-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 142

White has already accomplished a great deal. The b-pawn minority attack resulted after space gain, in pawn (a7 and c6) and square (a6, b7 and c5) weaknesses in Black's camp. His only compensation, the control of the bfile, he surrenders by the next two moves. It must be mentioned that Black, impressed by the pawn minority attack, failed in producing counterplay in the form of his own pawn minority attack on the kingside. 23...Qf6 24.Kg2 24.Ne5 looks (and is) quite good, too. Tigran Petrosian demonstrates one his well known qualities of emphasizing own king safety, while continuing with superior positional play and technique. 24...Ra8 25.Nb7 Re8 26.Na5 White is about to win material as a direct result of his positional gains. The backward c6-pawn is doomed, with the d5-pawn being converted into a new weakness and target for White's actions. 26...g5 A late reaction, and of no practical value. It is already impossible to recommend a good line of counterattack for Black. 27.h3 A final prophylaxis. The immediate 27.Nxc6 g4 28.Nfe5 Qf5 would offer Black more compared to the game. 27...Qf5 28.Nxc6 Qe4 29.Rc5 f5 Black has finally managed to create a threat of …g5-g4; one which White had prepared for in advance. 30.Qc2 Nxc6 31.Rxc6 f4 32.exf4 gxf4 33.g4! With his four pawn islands and material and positional disadvantages, Black can only hope for a miracle. Premature resignations were not as popular in the past as they are today, thus the game continues. 33...Lxd4

Black has managed to temporarily equalize the material count, yet the position remains as technically lost as ever. 34.Qd2 Lg7 35.Re1 Qa4 36.Qxd5 Rxe1 37.Nxe1 Rf8 38.Nf3 Kh8 39.Rc7 a6 40.Qb7! White could have won with many different moves, but Petrosian chose the most accurate FIDE TRG Syllabus

and most effective continuation to bring the bacon home! 40...Rg8 40...La1 (or 40...Lf6) 41.Rh7+ Kg8 42.Rxh6 +–. 41.Nh4! A final touch! Piece invasion via the light squares along the b1-h7 diagonal decides the game quickly. Black resigned as there is no salvation anymore: 41...a5 42.Ng6+ Kh7 43.Qb1 +– or 41...Qxa2 42.Ng6+ Kh7 43.Qe4 +–. 1–0

Conclusion The pawn minority attack requires not only knowledge and understanding of the basic elements involved, but also the understanding of various types of pawn structures such as isolated and backward pawns, as transformation into these structures will happen in most probability. It is equally important to monitor and be able to predict opponent’s counterplay, which often consists of similar pawn marches, usually motivated by an attack on the castled king. Advice When conducting a pawn minority attack (as in the featured game with the ‘Carlsbad pawn structure’), make sure you have at least one of your knights at hand, and best two. One will serve to control and occupy an outpost created, while the other may serve as backup and a defence to own’s king. At least two major pieces will be necessary to acquire the desired material advantage. 143

The Exchange Sacrifice Jovan Petronic Motivational Quotes ‘He who would accomplish little sacrifices little; he who would accomplish much, must sacrifice much’ - James Allen. ‘You have to have the fighting spirit. You have to force moves and take chances’ Robert James Fischer. ‘There are two types of sacrifices. Correct ones and mine’ - Mihail Tal. Introduction The exchange sacrifice is one of many which connect chess with art. It is an inspirational moment in a game, whether during preparation or over-the-board play, even with the execution lasting one move only. The ‘hero’ of the exchange sacrifice is the rook, offering itself for an opponent’s minor piece (knight or bishop), either by capturing without ‘fear of its life’, or staying put when attacked by the same. Thanks to tournament bulletins, chess literature, electronic chess recording devices and the invasion of chess via the Internet, we are witnessing amazing exchange sacrifices being played worldwide and by all levels of players. Thanks to published analysis made by chess masters of the past and present, we are able to come closer to understanding the secrets of positions arising from this unique change in the material balance. Unless forcing the game result, the true value of an exchange sacrifice often becomes known only after long hours of high-level analysis. Sometimes, many games with such sacrifices need to be played, which may reveal hidden possibilities for both sides. Even then, many of these still remain unsolved and are popular playing strategies used by both the player sacrificing and the player willingly accepting the relative material advantage. FIDE TRG Syllabus

The exchange sacrifice is also one of the tools used by qualified trainers to identify chess talents in their early ages. This sacrifice, immediately resulting in a relative ‘-2’ point count, is practically often accompanied with various ‘bonuses’, such as (among others): 1) Damaging the opponent’s pawn structure. 2) Winning a pawn on the next move, limiting the material loss to a mere ‘-1’ only. With psychological factors involved in all types of sacrifices, this motif remains an improvement roadblock for many young players, an obstacle the chess trainer needs to recognize, address and resolve. The exchange sacrifice may be positional or tactical in nature. Positional exchange sacrifices, and especially ones in the ‘Sicilian Defence’, which have withstood the test of time in the opening phase of the game are referred to as simply - theory. Positional exchange sacrifices in the middlegame are mostly motivated by the creation of a protected passed pawn and the creation of an outpost for a minor piece. In the endgame, this sacrifice is used successfully to transpose into defendable ‘theoretical positions’. Tactical exchange sacrifices are most often targeted against the opponent’s king, by removing a defender, or weakening the pawn structure in pursuit of checkmate. This type of sacrifice also exists as a starting point of an exciting combination, at which end material is gained. How to recognize an exchange sacrifice worth playing? In the next 4 diagrams note the major ‘hot-spots’ where sound exchange sacrifices happen. You will need to visualize each of the minor pieces and imagine it being protected, usually by a pawn. The rook may strike at such a piece, unbalancing the position, while benefiting the player either positionally or tactically. 144

Exchange sacrifice visualization board 1

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+nsn-+( 7+-+-+-+n' 6-+n+-sn-+& 5sn +nsn-+n% 4-+-+n+-+$ 3+-+n+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1tRRtRRtRRtRR! xabcdefghy Intuitive exchange sacrifices, when a white rook (and not necessarily from the 1st rank) sacrifices itself for a black knight, happen often: RxN(e4)! in Topalov,V-Aronian,L Wijk aan Zee 2006. RxN(f6)! was unleashed in Botvinnik,M-Tartakower,S Nottingham 1936. RxN(g4)! Ivanchuk,V-Gelfand,B Monaco 2010. RxN(h7)! Kramnik,V-Nunn,J RxN(e6)! Manilla 1992. Flohr,SUhlmann,W Marianske Lazne/Prague 1956. RxN(h5)! Fischer,R-Larsen,B Portoroz 1958. RxN(d3)! Reshevsky,S-Petrosian,T Zurich 1953. RxN(c6)! Morozevich,ASakaev,K Moscow 2007. RxN(h5)! Kamsky,G-Almasi,Z Reggio Emilia 2010. Exchange sacrifice visualization board 2

XABCDEFGHY 8-+l+-vl-+( 7+l+-vl-vl-' 6l+l+lvl-+& 5+-+l+-+-% 4-+-+-+l+$ 3+-+l+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1tRRtRRtRRtRR! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

RxB(e6)! was an inspiring positional exchange sacrifice in Anand,V-Gelfand,B Wijk aan Zee 2006. Rd5! Karpov,A-Sax,G Linares 1983. Exchange sacrifice visualization board 3

XABCDEFGHY 8rtrrtrrtrrtr( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+N+-+-+& 5+-+NsN-+-% 4-+-sNNsN-sN$ 3+-sN-+N+-# 2-+-+-+N+" 1+-+-sNN+-! xabcdefghy

RxN(e5)! was seen in Larsen,B-Petrosian,T Havana 1966. RxN(c6)! was played in Radjabov,T-Topalov,V Wijk aan Zee 2003. RxN(f4)! Larsen,B-Gligoric,S Portoroz 1958. RxN(c3)! Movsesian,S-Kasparov,G Rd4! Sarajevo 2000. Liublinsky,VBotvinik,M Moscow 1943. Exchange sacrifice visualization board 4

XABCDEFGHY 8rtrrtrrtrrtr( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+L+-+& 5+-vL-+-+-% 4-+LvL-vL-+$ 3+-vL-vLL+-# 2-vL-+L+L+" 1+-vL-+L+-! xabcdefghy

RxB(e3)!

Polugaevsky,L-Petrosian,T Moscow 1983 and Lilienthal,A-Ragozin,V Moscow 1935. 145

Let's take a brief look at one of the beforementioned sacrificial games. □ Fischer Robert ■ Larsen Bent B77 Portoroz 1958 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Le3 Lg7 6...Ng4? is a well known opening mistake. It is less known that in the main line of this variation it is in fact an exchange sacrifice blunder; one that Black did not plan to play! Nevertheless, it is still a ‘popular choice' among recreational and even rated players: 7.Lb5+! Nc6 (7...Ld7? 8.Qxg4! +–) 8.Nxc6 bxc6 9.Lxc6+ Ld7 10.Lxa8 Nxe3 11.fxe3 Qxa8 +– as Black is an exchange and a pawn down. 7.f3 After 7.Qd2? comes 7…Ng4! 8.Lg5 h6 9.Lh4 Nc6 and Black has an early initiative. 7...0–0 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Lc4 9.0–0–0 is another popular plan for White - a pure case of personal taste… 9...Nxd4 Far less played than the main line 9...Ld7, and in style with Larsen's original play. 10.Lxd4 Le6 11.Lb3!? Prior to this game, 11.Lb3 was seen only once in master practice: Suetin,ABarshauskas,V Minsk 1957. 11.Lxe6 is another option for White. 11...Qa5 12.0–0–0 b5 12...Rfc8 and 12...Lxb3 13.cxb3! (with attack) are moves White should be aware of. 13.Kb1 Prophylaxis with a threat: 14.Nd5!. 13...b4

13...Rfc8 14.Rhe1! Lxb3 15.cxb3! b4 16.Lxf6 (16.Nd5 Nxd5 17.Lxg7 Ne3! and Black is OK) 16...bxc3 17.Lxc3 Lxc3 18.bxc3 Rxc3 19.Re3! Rac8 20.Rxc3 Qxc3 (20...Rxc3 21.Kb2 Rc5 22.Qxa5 Rxa5 23.Rc1 ±) 21.Qxc3 Rxc3 22.Rc1 ±. 14.Nd5 Lxd5 14...Nxd5 15.Lxg7 Kxg7 16.exd5! ±. 15.Lxd5

15.exd5 was the choice of White in games following Tal,M-Larsen,B Zurich 1959. 15...Rac8?! FIDE TRG Syllabus

15...Nxd5 16.Lxg7 Nc3+! leads to an equal rook endgame. 16.Lb3! Rc7 17.h4 Qb5 17...h5 18.g4 +– with the idea 18...hxg4 19.h5 gxh5 20.fxg4 hxg4 21.Rdg1! +– with the idea 22.Lxf6. 18.h5! Rfc8 18...gxh5? 19.g4 +– or 18...Nxh5? 19.Lxg7 Kxg7 (19...Nxg7 20.Qh6 Nh5 21.g4 +–) 20.g4 Nf6 21.Qh6+ Kg8 22.g5 Nh5 23.Rxh5! (an exchange sacrifice forcing checkmate) 23...gxh5 24.g6 +–. 19.hxg6 hxg6 20.g4 20.Lxf6 Lxf6 21.Qh6 e6 with the idea 22.Lxe6? Qe5 –+. 20...a5 21.g5 Nh5 (D) 21...a4 fails to 22.gxf6 axb3 23.fxg7 bxc2+ 24.Qxc2 +–.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+-+k+( 7+-tr-zppvl-' 6-+-zp-+p+& 5zpq+-+-zPn% 4-zp-vLP+-+$ 3+L+-+P+-# 2PzPPwQ-+-+" 1+K+R+-+R! xabcdefghy 22.Rxh5! The (intuitive) exchange sacrifice! 22...gxh5? Inserting 22...Lxd4! 23.Qxd4 (23.Rh6!? Lg7 24.Qf4 [24.Rxg6 Qe5 25.Rxg7+ {the exchange sacrifice!} 25...Kxg7 ÷] 24...Rc4 [the exchange sacrifice!] 25.Lxc4 Qxc4 26.Rh2 a4 and Black is 'alive and kicking', being an exchange down) 23...gxh5 offered Black an escape route. For example: 24.g6 Rc4! (the exchange sacrifice!) 25.gxf7+ Kxf7 with the idea 26.e5 a4 (26...dxe5? 27.Qh4) 27.Qf4+ Ke6 28.Qh6+ Kd7 with the idea 29.exd6 (29.Lxc4 Qxc4 30.Qh7 Rc6 ÷) 29...axb3 30.dxe7+ Kc7! 31.axb3 ÷. 23.g6 e5 146

23...e6 24.gxf7+ Kxf7 25.Lxg7 Kxg7 26.Rg1+ Kh7 27.Lxe6 +– with the idea 27...Rf8 28.Ld5 Rg7 29.Rxg7+ Kxg7 30.Qg5+ Kh7 31.Qxh5+ (31.Lg8+? Rxg8 32.Qxb5? Rg1+ –+) 31...Kg7 32.Qg5+ Kh7 33.c4! bxc3 34.Lg8+ +–. 24.gxf7+ Kf8 The exchange sacrifice (!) 24...Rxf7!? may have offered better practical chances. 25.Le3 What has White gained for the exchange sacrifice? 1. A bishop and a pawn. 2. A demolished king position. 3. An ongoing attack which promises an early end to the game. Advice: when making a similar sacrifice, do not forget about your clock! 25...d5!? 25...a4? 26.Qxd6+ Re7 (the only move) Rxd8 Re8 27.Qd8+! 28.Rxd8+ Q Q L 29.fxe8 + xe8 30. c5 #. 26.exd5! Rxf7 26...a4 27.d6 axb3 28.dxc7 Kxf7 was another possibility for Black to delay the inevitable. 27.d6 Rf6 28.Lg5 Qb7 29.Lxf6 Lxf6 30.d7 Rd8 31.Qd6+ 31.Qh6+ was a mate in 3: 31...Ke7 (31...Lg7 32.Qd6 #) 32.Qh7+ Kf8 (32...Lg7 33.Qxg7 #) 33.Qf7 #. 1–0 Learning from one's own mistakes and especially in games lost is something we must never forget to do. One of the best ways to get over the loss is to immediately analyze the game in as great detail as possible, while keeping the variations and evaluations of analysis made as unbiased as they can be. The following game was played at a Yugoslavian closed championship, with a large audience present and with standard demonstration boards for each game. These were always inspiring playing conditions. I had studied and prepared the opening part pretty well, only to encounter an ‘irrefutable’ over-the-board novelty already on move 7. FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Petronic Jovan ■ Djuric Stefan B07 Belgrade 1998 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6 4.f4 Qa5 5.e5 Ne4 6.Qf3 d5 7.Ld3 c5!? 8.Nge2 Post-game analysis revealed there was a better way to play: 8.Lxe4 dxe4 (8...cxd4 9.Lxd5 dxc3 10.Qxc3 Qxc3+ 11.bxc3 e6 12.Le4 ±) 9.Qxe4 cxd4 (9...Nc6 10.dxc5 ±) 10.Qxd4 (only move) 10...Lf5 (10...Nc6 11.Qe4 Qb4 12.Qd3 (12.Nf3 Qxe4+ 13.Nxe4 Lf5 14.Nc5 Nb4 15.Nd4 0–0–0 16.a3 Nxc2+ 17.Nxc2 Lxc2 18.Le3 Lf5 19.Rc1 Kb8 20.Kf2 e6 =) 12...Le6 13.a3 ±) 11.Qf2 Nc6 12.Nf3 Nb4 13.Nd4 Lxc2! 14.0–0 Ld3 15.Rd1 Lc4 16.Le3 ². 8...Nxc3 9.Nxc3

9.bxc3? c4. 9...e6 10.Ld2!?

10.dxc5 Lxc5 (10...d4? 11.Lb5+! Ke7 [11...Ld7 12.Qxb7 +– or 11...Kd8 12.Qd3 Lxc5 13.Le3 +– or, finally, 11...Nd7 12.Lxd7+ Lxd7 13.Qxb7 Rc8 14.b4 Qd8 15.Ne2 Lc6 16.Qa6 {16.Qxa7? Ra8 17.Qb6 Qc8! 18.Nxd4 Ra6} 16...Lxg2 17.Rg1 Qh4+ 18.Kd2 +–] 12.Qd3 Ld7 [12...dxc3? 13.Qd6 #] 13.Lxd7 dxc3 14.b4! Qxb4 15.Lb5 +– with the idea 15...Qxc5 16.La3! Qxa3 17.Rd1 f5 [17...f6 18.Qd8+ Kf7 19.Qe8+ Kg8 20.Qxe6 #] 18.Qd8+ Kf7 19.Qe8+ Kg8 20.Qxe6 #) 11.Ld2 ². 10...cxd4 10...c4! 11.Nd1 (11.Le2? Nc6 12.Nd1 [12.Le3? La3! –+ or 12.Qf2? Qb6 ³] 12...Lb4! 13.Lxb4 [13.c3? Nxd4! 14.Qg4 Nc2+ 15.Kf1 Lf8!? 16.Rc1 Nd4! –+] 13...Nxb4 14.Kd2 Nc6+ 15.Ke3 Nxd4! 16.Kxd4 Qd2+ 17.Ld3 [17.Kc5 b6+ 18.Kc6 La6 19.Qc3 Rc8+ 20.Kd6 Lb7 21.Qxd2 Rc6 #] 17...cxd3 μ) 11...Qa4 (11...Qb6 12.Le2 Nc6 [12...Qxd4? 13.Le3 Qe4 14.Qxe4 dxe4 15.Lxc4 ±] 13.c3 ²) 12.Nc3 (12.b3? cxb3 13.cxb3 Qxd4 μ) 12...Qc6!? (12...Qa5 =) 13.Le2 b5 ÷. 11.Nb5 Qb6 12.Qg3! g6! 12...a6 13.Nd6+ Lxd6 14.Qxg7! Rf8 (14...Lxe5 15.fxe5 Rf8 16.0–0–0 Nd7 17.Lh6 +–) 15.exd6 Qxb2 (15...Qxd6 16.Qxd4 ±) 16.0–0 ±. 13.0–0 147

13.f5!? gxf5 (13...exf5 14.0–0–0 °) 14.0–0–0 °. 13...a6 14.Nd6+ Lxd6 15.exd6 Qxd6 16.c3!? dxc3 17.Lxc3 0–0 17...d4?! 18.Rad1 Nc6 19.Le4 Ld7 20.Lxc6 Lxc6 21.Rxd4 °. 18.Ld4!

Keeping the bishop alive on the a1-h8 diagonal. 18...Qd8

18...Nc6 19.Lf6 °. 19.Rac1!

White is carefully preparing the exchange sacrifice! 19...Nc6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+lwq-trk+( 7+p+-+p+p' 6p+n+p+p+& 5+-+p+-+-% 4-+-vL-zP-+$ 3+-+L+-wQ-# 2PzP-+-+PzP" 1+-tR-+RmK-! xabcdefghy 20.Rxc6!

The positional exchange sacrifice! Being already two pawns down, the relative point count will amount to -4 after Black's move. However, things are not that simple. 20...bxc6 21.h4! °

Weak dark squares around the black king with several pieces being out of play, promise an exciting game ahead. 21...Qe7 22.Rc1 Ld7 23.h5 Le8 23...f6!? 24.hxg6 hxg6 25.Lxg6 Qg7 26.Rc3! Le8 27.Lxe8 Raxe8 28.Qh2! ±. 24.f5! exf5 25.Lxf5 Qb4? 26.Qe5 Offering excuse #2 for not ending the game as I could have (thanks to the opponent's mistake later on) - time trouble at move 26. Less than 5 minutes left for remaining 14 moves, before the first time control. Excuse #1? I had played the game with a light fever and a runny nose. FIDE TRG Syllabus

26...f6 27.Le6+ Kg7 27...Kh8? would have blundered into checkmate: 28.Qxf6+ Rxf6 29.Lxf6 #. 28.Qc7+ Lf7? 28...Kh6? 29.Le3+! g5 30.Lc5 Qd2 31.Lxf8+ Kxh5 32.Qxh7 # or 28...Kh8? 29.Lc5 Qxb2 30.Rf1 Rg8 31.Lxg8 Kxg8 32.Qe7 Lf7 33.Rxf6 Qc1+ 34.Rf1 +– would be bad, but Black had to go for 28...Rf7 29.Qf4 (29.Lxf6+ Kxf6 [29...Kf8? 30.Lxf7 Lxf7 31.Le5 Kg8 32.Qxc6 +–] 30.Lxf7 Qd4+ [30...Lxf7 31.Qxc6+ Kg7 32.Qxa8 Qd4²] 31.Kh1 Qh4+ 32.Kg1 Qd4²) 29...Qe7 30.Lxf7 Qxf7 31.hxg6 hxg6 32.Rf1 Kg8 33.Lxf6 Ld7 °. 29.h6+? 29.Qf4! was what a part of the audience were rooting for. It would have ended the game almost instantly: 29...Qe7 (29...Lxe6 30.Lxf6+ Rxf6 31.Qxb4 +–) 30.Lxf6+! Qxf6 31.h6+ Kg8 32.Qxf6 +–. 29...Kg8 Now White is lost. 30.Lxf6 Rae8 31.Lh3 Qd2 32.Qxc6 Qe3+! 33.Kh1 Qxh6 34.Rf1 Le6 35.Rf3 Lxh3 36.gxh3 Qd2 37.Rf1 Qd3 38.Kg2 Re2+ 39.Rf2 Rxf2+ 40.Kxf2 Qf5+ 0–1 Lessons Learned 1) Hard work needs to be put in to increase the understanding of such an exchange sacrifice. Many examples from master play and much accompanying analysis. 2) More experience in playing the same is required through training games practice with strong opposition. This will reduce time pressure situations, simultaneously increasing own confidence. 3) Take care of one’s own health at all times. Afterthoughts Exchange sacrifices continue to amaze the world of chess and serve as a constant inspiration for both old and new generations of chess players and qualified trainers. The exchange sacrifice (but not the exchange blunder) is pretty awesome. Try it, you’ll love it! 148

The Positional Sacrifice Jovan Petronic Introduction The positional sacrifice (PS) in chess is one of the important strategical elements a qualified chess trainer needs to explore and the ambitious chess player needs to master. It is the duty of the chess trainer to provide their students with a reasonable number of carefully selected instructive examples of games and game fragments from the past, present and future, constantly exploring new developments involving the positional sacrifice. It is the duty of the chess player to thoroughly analyze all examples and implement lessons learned into their own games. A positional sacrifice involves trading a piece of higher value for a piece of lower value, or for no material in return, benefiting in the long run with various types of positional gain. Positional sacrifices should not be confused with tactical sacrifices, where the side sacrificing benefits shortly afterwards. ‘The beauty of a chess game is usually appraised, and with good reason, according to the sacrifices it contains. On principle we incline to rate a sacrificial game more highly than a positional game. Instinctively we place the moral value above the scientific’ - Rudolf Spielmann. Any chess piece except the king can be positionally sacrificed. We shall divide the positional sacrifice into the following five categories, depending on which piece has been sacrificed: 1) PS1: Positional Pawn Sacrifice (PPS). 2) PS2: Positional Knight Sacrifice (PNS). 3) PS3: Positional Bishop Sacrifice (PBS). 4) PS4: Positional Rook Sacrifice (PRS). 5) PS5: Positional Queen Sacrifice (PQS). All above may be further classified as forcing (leaving the opponent with ‘no choice’ but to accept) and non-forcing (with the opponent having the choice not to accept). FIDE TRG Syllabus

PPS (a) The positional pawn sacrifice may occur as early as the 1st move (for Black) and the 2nd move (for White) in the opening. These are commonly referred to as gambits. Below are, in random encyclopedic format, a few of the most common positional pawn sacrifices played by White and Black, which occur in the early opening phase of the game: 1.f4 e5 2.fxe5 d6 - 1.d4 Nf6 (1...d5 2.c4 e5 [2...c6 3.Nf3 {3.Nc3 e5} 3...Nf6 4.Nc3 dxc4 ; 2...e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4 ; 2...dxc4] 3.dxe5 ; 1...f5 2.e4 fxe4) 2.c4 c5 (2...e5 3.dxe5) 3.d5 b5 (3...e6 4.Nf3 b5) 4.cxb5 - 1.e4 e5 (1...c5 2.d4 [2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.Nb5 d6 6.c4 Nf6 7.N1c3 a6 8.Na3 d5] 2...cxd4 3.c3 dxc3 ; 1...d5 2.exd5 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.dxe6 ; 1...Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.e5 Nfd7 4.e6 fxe6) 2.f4 (2.Nf3 Nc6 [2...f5] 3.Lc4 [3.d4 exd4 4.c3 ; 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.Nd5 ; 3.Lb5 f5 {3...a6 4.La4 Nf6 {4...f5} 5.0–0 Le7 6.Re1 b5 7.Lb3 0–0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5}] 3...Nf6 [3...Lc5 4.b4 Lxb4] 4.Ng5 d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Lb5+ c6 ; 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Lc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Lb3) 2...exf4. The motivations behind a positional pawn sacrifice (in the opening phase) include, but are not limited to: 1) Fast piece development. 2) Opening of files, ranks or diagonals. 3) A creation of temporary or permanent weaknesses around the opponent’s king. 4) Taking the initiative. 5) Creation of disharmony among opponent’s pieces (inclusive of pawns). 6) Space advantage. 7) Superior control of the centre. 8) Artistic value. ‘It has been known for a hundred years that a positional advantage is a prerequisite for a successful attack’ - Samuel Reshevsky in ‘The Art of Positional Play’. 149

PPS (b) Positional pawn sacrifices, being the minimum material one can offer, are equally often seen in the middlegame phase. □ Spassky Boris ■ Tal Mihail B82 Moscow 1971 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.f4 Le7 7.Ld3 Nc6 8.Nf3 0–0 9.0–0 Nb4 10.Kh1 b6 11.Le3 Lb7 12.a3 Nxd3 13.cxd3 d5 14.e5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wq-trk+( 7zpl+-vlpzpp' 6-zp-+psn-+& 5+-+pzP-+-% 4-+-+-zP-+$ 3zP-sNPvLN+-# 2-zP-+-+PzP" 1tR-+Q+R+K! xabcdefghy With the material being equal, Black opts for a positional pawn sacrifice: 14...d4! 15.Nxd4 The only good move for White. 15.Lxd4? Lxf3 16.Qxf3 Qxd4 17.exf6 Lxf6 and Black has the upper hand. 15.exf6? Lxf6 is advantageous for Black in all variations. 15...Nd5 What has Black gained for the pawn? 1. An outpost on d5. 2. Favorable opening of the h1-a8 diagonal. 3. Favorable opening of the d-file. 4. A weakness in White's pawn structure - the backward d3-pawn. 5. With the opening of the position in the centre, Black's bishop-pair has increased its value. These newly acquired positional benefits guarantee Black a good game, but not more than that! With correct play by both sides, the game should remain as complicated as it was from the start. 16.Lg1 FIDE TRG Syllabus

16.Nxd5? Qxd5 would only improve Black's position. 16...Nxc3!? Black does not wish to allow White to play 17.Ne4, with chances for a kingside attack, but instead transforms some of their positional advantages. White will now have a weak isolated pawn on a3, and with White pawns c3 and d3 vulnerable to attack. 17.bxc3 Rc8 18.c4 Rc7!? An invitation to fireworks. 18...g6, preventing an easy 19.f5, was a good defensive move, but obviously not Tal's preference. 19.f5! Rd7! The point! 20.Qg4 20.fxe6! Rxd4 21.exf7+ Kh8 (21...Rxf7? 22.Rxf7 Kxf7 23.Qh5+! with a strong attack) 22.Lxd4 Qxd4 23.Qe2! Rxf7 24.Rxf7 Qxa1+ 25.Qf1 Qxf1+ 26.Rxf1 Kg8 gives a complicated endgame, with White having the upper hand. 20...h5! 21.Qxh5 21.Qg3 h4! 22.Qg4 h3! 23.Qxh3 Rxd4 24.Lxd4 Qxd4 25.fxe6 f5! and Black is OK. 21...Rxd4 22.f6! 22.Lxd4 Qxd4 23.fxe6 fxe6 24.Rxf8+ Lxf8 25.Rf1 Qd7 with a complicated game ahead. 22...gxf6 22...Rxd3? 23.Qg5! g6 24.fxe7 (24.Qh6? Lxg2+! 25.Kxg2 Qa8+ and Black is winning) 24...Lxg2+! 25.Qxg2 (25.Kxg2? Qa8+ 26.Kf2 Qf3+ 27.Ke1 Qe4+ 28.Le3 Rxe3+ 29.Kf2 Re2+ 30.Kg1 Re8 31. Rad1 Rxe7! and Black has the upper hand) 25...Qxe7 26.Rf3 and White is going for a win. 23.Ra2! fxe5 24.Lxd4 Qxd4! 24...exd4? 25.Raf2! f5 26.Qg6+ Kh8 27.Rf3! Lxf3 28.Rxf3 Lh4 29.Rh3 Qe7 30.Qg3 Rf7 31.Rxh4+ Rh7 32.Qe5+ Kg8 (32...Qg7? 33.Qb8+! Qg8 34.Rxh7+ Kxh7 35.Qxa7+ and White is on the way to win) 33.Rxd4 and White has the upper hand. 25.Rf3! Lxf3 25...Le4 26.Rg3+ (26.Rh3!?) 26...Lg6 27.Rxg6+ fxg6 28.Qxg6+ and the position is equal. 150

26.gxf3 Lf6 27.Rg2+ Lg7 28.Rxg7+ 28.Qg5? e4 and Black is winning. 28...Kxg7 29.Qg5+ The fireworks have ended. Draw agreed. ½–½ Conclusion Black's positional pawn sacrifice resulted in a lively complicated game, with chances for both sides. In similar positions with similar pawn structures, such a minimal sacrifice can be recommended. PPS (c) Positional pawn sacrifices are often enough seen in endgames, too. While barely fitting the description, the following example provides a subtle positional element: Example 1 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-mk-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+pzPp+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+K+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy White to play. Only one path leads to salvation, and it involves a relatively simple, yet effective, positional pawn sacrifice. 1.Ke5 Kf7 2.d7! Ke7 3.d8Q+! Kxd8 4.Kd6! White is in no hurry to regain the sacrificed material. Instead, the positional move 4.Kd6! limiting the mobility of the opponent's king, leads to an equal game. 4.Kxe6? Kc7 5.Ke5 Kb6 6.Kd4 Kb5 7.Kc3 Kc5 and Black is winning. 4...Kc8 4...Ke8 5.Kxe6! Kd8 6.Kd6 =. FIDE TRG Syllabus

5.Kxc6! Kd8 6.Kd6 ½–½ More complicated positions with the same motif are often seen mostly in rook endgames, in attempts to achieve a win or to salvage a draw. PNS Positional knight sacrifices differ to positional pawn sacrifices. They are much more complicated in nature and require advanced skills and experience to be administered properly. Once mastered, they may become a powerful weapon in a chess player’s arsenal. Main motivations behind a positional knight sacrifice include: 1) The demolition of opponent’s pawns near their king, whether castled or uncastled. 2) The creation of two mobile connected passed pawns. 3) Artistic value. □ Anand Viswanathan ■ Topalov Veselin E04 Sofia 2010 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 dxc4 5.Lg2 Lb4+ 6.Ld2 a5 7.Qc2 Lxd2+ 8.Qxd2 c6 9.a4 b5 10.Na3 Ld7 11.Ne5 Nd5 12.e4 Nb4 13.0–0 0–0 14.Rfd1 Le8 15.d5 Qd6 16.Ng4 Qc5 17.Ne3 N8a6 18.dxc6 bxa4 19.Naxc4 Lxc6 20.Rac1 h6 21.Nd6 Qa7 22.Ng4 Rad8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-trk+( 7wq-+-+pzp-' 6n+lsNp+-zp& 5zp-+-+-+-% 4psn-+P+N+$ 3+-+-+-zP-# 2-zP-wQ-zPLzP" 1+-tRR+-mK-! xabcdefghy 151

23.Nxh6+! The pks in its pure form! 23...gxh6!? Accepting the non-forced positional sacrifice may not have been the best practical chance for Black, who had one other option: 23...Kh7 24.Ng4 ±. 24.Qxh6 f6 What has White gained for the sacrifice? 1. Two pawns for the knight. 2. A demolished king position. 3. A psychological inspiration. The position remains practically highly complicated, with White having the upper hand, and the obligation to play almost perfectly to accomplish the ultimate goal - checkmate. 25.e5! Played after a further ‘useful’ ten minutes of thought. 25...Lxg2 25...Qg7 26.Qxg7+ Kxg7 27.Lxc6 +– or 25...fxe5 26.Qxe6+ Kh7 27.Rxc6! Qxf2+ 28.Kh1 +– with the idea 28...Nxc6 29.Le4+ +– or 25...Le8 26.Nxe8 Rdxe8 27.exf6 +–. 26.exf6! Rxd6 26...Qh7 27.Qg5+ Kh8 28.Rc4 Rg8 29.Nf7+! +– with the idea 29...Qxf7 30.Rh4+ Qh7 31.Rxh7+! (31.Rxd8 Rxd8 32.Qg7 #) 31...Kxh7 32.Qh5 #. 27.Rxd6 Le4 27...Ld5 28.Qg6+ Kh8 29.Rc4! +– with the idea 29...Lxc4 30.Rd4! Qh7 31.Rh4 Rf7 32.Rxh7+ Rxh7 33.Qe8 #. 28.Rxe6 Nd3!? 28...Qh7 29.Qg5+ Kh8 30.Rxe4! +–. 29.Rc2! 29.Rxe4? Qxf2² . 29...Qh7 30.f7+ 30.Qg5+! Kh8 (30...Lg6 31.f7+! Kxf7 32.Rcc6! +– or 30...Qg6 31.f7+! +–) 31.Rxe4! +–. 30...Qxf7

30...Kxf7 31.Rf6+ +– . 31.Rxe4 Qf5 31...Nxf2 32.Rf4 +–. 32.Re7!

32...Rf7 33.Rc8+ Qxc8 34.Qg6+ Kh8 35.Qh5+! +–. 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

PBS Positional bishop sacrifices are similar to positional knight sacrifices and may occur at any time in the game. Here is an endgame case: □ Kramnik Vladimir ■ Bareev Evgeny B19 Wijk aan Zee 2003 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Lf5 5.Ng3 Lg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Lh7 9.Ld3 Lxd3 10.Qxd3 Ngf6 11.Lf4 e6 12.0–0–0 Le7 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4 Nf6 15.Qd3 Qd5 16.c4 Qe4 17.Qxe4 Nxe4 18.Le3 Nd6 19.b3 Lf6 20.g4 b5 21.Nd2 Kd7 22.Kc2 Ld8 23.Nf3 Lf6 24.Ne5+ Kc7 25.c5 Lxe5 26.dxe5 Nc8 27.Rh3 Ne7 28.Rf3 Rhf8 29.Rd6 a5 30.g5 hxg5 31. Lxg5 Nf5 32.Rd1 a4 33.b4 Kc8 34.Rfd3 Ra7 35.Rd8+ Rxd8 36.Rxd8+ Kb7 37. Kc3 Ka6 38.Kd3 Rc7 39.Ke4 Kb7 40. Rd1 Kc8 41.Rd8+ Kb7 42.Kf4 Rc8 43. Rd7+ Rc7 44.Rd3 Kc8 45.Rd8+ Kb7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tR-+-+( 7+ktr-+pzp-' 6-+p+p+-+& 5+pzP-zPnvLP% 4pzP-+-mK-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2P+-+-zP-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 46.Lf6!! An amazing non-forced positional bishop sacrifice in the endgame... for most chess ‘mortals’, unless you are able to calculate at least nine moves ahead, while evaluating the position properly at all times. 46...g6 The main alternative was 46...gxf6 47.exf6 Rc8 (47...Nh4 48.Kg4! Nf5 49.Kg5 +– and h6) 48.Rxc8! Kxc8 49.Kg5 Kd7 (49...Nd4 50.h6 Nf3+ 51.Kh5! Ne5 52.h7 Ng6 53.Kh6 Kd7 54.Kg7 e5 55.h8Q 152

Nxh8 56.Kxh8 Ke6 57.Kg7 a3 58.f3 +–) 50.h6 Nxh6 51.Kxh6 e5 52.Kh7! (52.Kg7? Ke6 53.a3 e4 –+) 52...Ke6 53.Kg7 a3 (53...e4 54.a3 +–) 54.f3 (zugzwang) +–. 47.hxg6 fxg6 48.Kg5 1–0 It is worth noting that many simple exchanges bishop captures knight, in the opening and middlegame, should often be referred to as positional bishop sacrifices. PRS Positional rook sacrifices are usually played as exchange sacrifices, where a rook is sacrificed, usually, for a knight. As with other positional sacrifices, PRS generally remain ‘with compensation for the sacrificed material’, requiring deep positional understanding and fighting spirit. □ Kasparov Garry ■ Shirov Alexei B33 Horgen 1994 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Lf4 e5 8.Lg5 a6 9.Na3 b5 10.Nd5 Le7 11.Lxf6 Lxf6 12.c3 Lb7 13.Nc2 Nb8 14.a4 bxa4 15.Rxa4 Nd7 16.Rb4 Nc5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqk+-tr( 7+l+-+pzpp' 6p+-zp-vl-+& 5+-snNzp-+-% 4-tR-+P+-+$ 3+-zP-+-+-# 2-zPN+-zPPzP" 1+-+QmKL+R! xabcdefghy 17.Rxb7!! Nxb7 18.b4 What did White gain from this positional sacrifice? 1. Black's light squares became increasingly weak. FIDE TRG Syllabus

2. Black lost his potential advantage of the bishop's-pair. Black returned the exchange by move 28, with White continuing to enjoy a strong initiative. 18...Lg5 19.Na3 0–0 20.Nc4 a5 21.Ld3 axb4 22.cxb4 Qb8 23.h4 Lh6 24.Ncb6 Ra2 25.0–0 Rd2 26.Qf3 Qa7 27.Nd7 Nd8 28.Nxf8 Kxf8 29.b5 Qa3 30.Qf5 Ke8 31.Lc4 Rc2 32.Qxh7 Rxc4 33.Qg8+ Kd7 34.Nb6+ Ke7 35.Nxc4 Qc5 36.Ra1 Qd4 37.Ra3 Lc1 38.Ne3 1–0 PQS Positional queen sacrifices are relatively common by comparison to other sacrifices in the games of the chess master. Here is one example where my 15-year-old student benefited from our PQS training (combined with essential endgame knowledge) in the last round of the Sydney Open 2010, gaining his 2nd IM norm along the way. Daniel’s PQS resulted in an impregnable fortress. □ Kunte Abhijit ■ Fernandez Daniel Parramatta 2010 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+k+( 7+-wQ-tRlvl-' 6-+-+q+pzp& 5+-+-zpp+-% 4-+-+-+N+$ 3+-+-+-+P# 2-+-+-zPP+" 1+-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy 43...fxg4!! 44.Rxe6 Lxe6 45.hxg4 Kh7 46.f3 La2 47.Qe7 Lb1 48.Kf2 g5 (=) 49.Ke3 Lg6 50.Kd2 Kg8 51.Qe6+ Kh7 52.g3 Lh8 (=) 53.Ke3 Lg7 54.f4 exf4+ 55.gxf4 gxf4+ 56.Kxf4 Lh8 57.g5 h5! 57...hxg5+? 58.Kxg5 +–. ½–½ 153

Won Positions / Lost Positions Jovan Petronic Introduction Understanding of the concepts of won and lost positions should begin with examining our own games, which we have won and lost. An survey conducted in Singapore on April 17th 2010, among 28 National Junior Squad players (FIDE-rated 1600-2000), who regularly train with qualified trainers and equally regularly play in local and international tournaments, offered the following various reasons, presented below in random order, as to why one loses and wins a game of chess. Q1: ‘My ten reasons as to why I lose games at chess’. Q2: ‘My ten reasons as to why I win games at chess’ Survey Question 1: Why we lose games at chess? Answers: 1) Lack or loss of concentration. 2) Making mistakes or blunders. 3) Opponent’s see winning combinations. 4) Defence against opponent’s attack fails. 5) Over-confidence or lack of confidence. 6) Lack of endgame knowledge. 7) Lack of opening knowledge, resulting in a weak position. 8) Making moves without careful and thorough consideration. 9) Playing too quickly or slowly. 10) Our opponent outplays us. 11) Physically too weak. 12) Tiredness. 13) Boredom. 14) Playing very passively. 15) Scared/afraid of opponent. 16) Did not prepare for the game. 17) Time trouble. 18) A failed combination. 19) Bad opening. 20) Nervousness. FIDE TRG Syllabus

21) Not well-prepared. 22) Bad position. 23) Falling into a trap. 24) King not well protected. 25) Positional mistakes. 26) Intimidated by opponent. 27) Panic. 28) Distracted. 29) Incorrect planning. 30) Careless oversights. 31) Confusion. 32) Making strategic mistakes i.e. weak pawns / conceding squares with no compensation. 33) Pre-game pressure to win = unnecessary risk taking. 34) Wrong choice of opening which doesn’t suit style/personality. 35) Emotional consequences. 36) Endgame impatience. 37) Bad at chess. 38) Not thinking hard. 39) Lack of practice. 40) The opponent is a better player. 41) Not in the mood to play. 42) Caught in zugzwang. 43) Bad defence. 44) Did not analyze moves accurately. 45) Opponent attacks aggressively. 46) Opponent makes forced moves. 47) Poor middlegame play. 48) Playing moves without any plans. 49) Not focused on the game. 50) Did not attack fast enough. 51) Bad opening preparation. 52) Thinking too long. 53) Sacrificing for no reason. 54) Flag drop. 55) We just don’t care. 56) We can’t make up our mind. 57) Thinking everything is good for you. 58) We develop wrongly. 59) We allow our opponent to promote. 60) We play lousy openings. 61) We have a bad coach. 154

Question 2: Why we win games at chess? Answers: 1) Seeing winning combinations. 2) Having accurate plans in the endgame. 3) Creating weaknesses in the opponent’s position and exploiting them. 4) Attacking the king and preventing him from having any good defence. 5) Preparing ourselves mentally before the game, to have confidence to beat the opponent. 6) Better concentration than opponent. 7) Good knowledge of opening play, resulting in a good position. 8) Good knowledge of endgame play to outplay opponents. 9) Opponent is psychologically affected before the game. 10) The opponent is making mistakes. 11) Opponent is too weak or weaker or lousy. 12) Opponent overestimates me. 13) Opponent underestimates me. 14) A tired opponent. 15) I play very actively. 16) Opponent plays very passively. 17) Opponent has lower concentration. 18) We analyze the opponent more than he does us. 19) Opponent doesn’t know the opening. 20) Opponent in (serious) time trouble. 21) Have enough time to think. 22) Play carefully. 23) Play steady. 24) Having a lot of practice. 25) Wanting badly to win. 26) Fighting and trying hard. 27) Study, study, study. 28) The position is good. 29) Proper strategic planning. 30) Well prepared and confident. 31) Knowledge of tactics. 32) Read chess books. 33) Calculated the moves correctly. 34) Capitalize on opponents blunders. 35) Opening mistake. 36) Strategic squeezing until material is won. 37) More experience in the position type. FIDE TRG Syllabus

38) Premature resignation. 39) Psychology: won opponent before. 40) Middlegame ideas were good. 41) Good at chess. 42) Talented. 43) Lucky. 44) Know how to counterattack. 45) Know how to scam your opponent with easy tactics. 46) Can recognize common patterns and the best moves. 47) Think about all possible moves. 48) Really want to win. 49) Overwhelming attack. 50) Take risks to win. 51) Not walking around. 52) In the mood to play chess. 53) Not tired. 54) Good analysis of moves. 55) Playing forced moves. 56) Playing good openings. 57) Playing good middlegame tactics. 58) Playing moves with a plan. 59) Focused on the game. 60) Confident of winning, but not overconfident. 61) I play better. 62) I attacked first. 63) Opponent did not attack. 64) Opponent is not concentrating. 65) Opponent lost on time. 66) Opponent got zero-started. 67) Opponent is over-confident. 68) Opponent never comes. 69) We make brilliant moves. 70) We play uncommon openings. 71) We use our time wisely. 72) Opponent does not care. 73) Opponent plays too fast. 74) We develop correctly. 75) We do not give away material. The main purpose of the anonymous survey was to unveil personal thoughts, some of which otherwise may not have been revealed directly in the initial player-trainer relationship. Such research provides a goldmine for the trainers who wish to deal with all problems relating winning and losing games of chess. 155

With the advance of computer chess programming, we can at present identify all positions with 6 pieces (inclusive of kings) or less - as being either won, lost or drawn. These now replace old collections of ‘theoretical positions’, previously known to chess players, thanks to extensive research made by endgame specialists. Many positions remain beyond human reproduction at the board, but nevertheless offer useful general knowledge that was unknown before. It is important to define the won and the lost positions from the earliest trainee’s age when entering the competitive environment, and follow up by slightly adapting the definition as the player progresses. As the tournament player matures, more time should be devoted to studying won positions, and less to lost positions. Won Positions - Definition A won position is one where one side is able, with correct play, to eventually force resignation or checkmate against any defence. Depending on the number of pieces remaining on the board, the won position may present itself with various levels of ‘technical difficulties’, which one needs to acknowledge and overcome. It is common, for example, just when reaching a won position, the opposition puts up serious resistance, something which may lure us into taking the wrong path. Young chess players often fail to convert a winning material advantage into a full point. The general solution to this technical problem is always to go for minor or major piece exchanges, while keeping pawns on the board. Simplifying the materially won position in such a way will almost always result in a much easier path to victory, with increased prospects of pawn promotion in the middlegame or endgame. It is also important to stress the difference between a position in which one side has the upper hand, and not to confuse it with a won position. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Chess masters offer their resignations usually when being at least a minor piece down, and without any compensation for it. One such situation happened in a well known GM encounter: □ Christiansen Larry ■ Karpov Anatoly E12 Wijk aan Zee 1993 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 La6 5.Qc2 Lb7 6.Nc3 c5 7.e4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Nc6 9.Nxc6 Lxc6 10.Lf4 Nh5 11.Le3 Ld6? (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqk+-tr( 7zp-+p+pzpp' 6-zplvlp+-+& 5+-+-+-+n% 4-+P+P+-+$ 3zP-sN-vL-+-# 2-zPQ+-zPPzP" 1tR-+-mKL+R! xabcdefghy An ambitious developing move, and - a decisive mistake, leaving two minor pieces unprotected and being vulnerable to a double attack. 12.Qd1! 1–0 A won position need not be related directly to a material imbalance. A won position may also be positional in nature, from which comes a winning strategy. Mastering strategically won positions is directly related to the ‘principle of multiple weaknesses’, which is one of the very important techniques in exploiting a decisive advantage. Three weaknesses, for example, are often enough to convert a won position, weaknesses that emerge from pressurizing positions previously having only one (not enough to win) or two (defendable) of the same. 156

□ Kasparov Garry ■ Bacrot Etienne C45 Sarajevo 2000 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nxc6 bxc6 Black accepts having two weaknesses in the early phase of the game, doubled c-pawns and isolated a-pawn. 6.e5 Qe7 7.Qe2 Nd5 8.c4 La6 9.b3 g6 10.f4 Qb4+ 11.Ld2 Qb6 12.Qe4 f5 13.Qf3 13.exf6+? Kf7 μ. 13...Qd4?! 13...Nb4 14.Kd1 ÷. 14.Nc3 Nxc3 15.Lxc3! Lb4 15...Qe4+? would lead to the creation of a third (pawn) weakness: 16.Qxe4 fxe4 17.e6 Rg8 18.exd7+ Kxd7 19.g3 with a strategically 'won position' for White. 16.Rc1 Lxc3+ 17.Rxc3 0–0–0 18.c5! Lb7 18...Lxf1 19.Rxf1 ±. 19.Qe3! Qxe3+? 19...Qb4 20.Le2 ±. 20.Rxe3 d6 21.Lc4 Kd7 The alternative 21...dxc5? loses after 22.e6! Rde8 (22...Rhe8 23.e7 +–) 23.e7 Kd7 24.Kf2 Rxe7 25.Rd1+ Ke8 26.Red3 Kf8 27.Rd8+ Re8 (27...Kg7 28.Rxh8 Kxh8 29.Rd8+ Kg7 30.Rb8 +–) 28.R1d7 Rxd8 29.Rxd8+ Kg7 30.Rd7+ +–. 22.h4 d5 23.Ld3 h5? The g6-pawn becomes a third weakness. Better (although not pleasant) was 23...a5 24.h5 ±. 24.Rg3 Rh6!? (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-tr-+-+( 7zplzpk+-+-' 6-+p+-+ptr& 5+-zPpzPp+p% 4-+-+-zP-zP$ 3+P+L+-tR-# 2P+-+-+P+" 1+-+-mK-+R! xabcdefghy FIDE TRG Syllabus

24...Rhg8 25.Rg5! a5 26.g4! fxg4 (26...hxg4 27.h5 Rh8 28.Rxg6 Rdf8 29.Kf2 and the king's march to g5 will decide) 27.Lxg6 +–. 25.b4! The fixation of weak pawns in the opponent’s positions makes them an easier target. 25...Ke6 26.Kd2 Ra8 27.Rb1! a6 27...a5 28.b5. 28.Rb3 Kf7 29.Ra3 Rhh8 30.Rg5! Rh6 31.Kc3 Rb8 32.Ra5! 32.Lxa6? Ra8 simply loses an exchange. 32...Ra8 33.Kd4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-+-+( 7+lzp-+k+-' 6p+p+-+ptr& 5tR-zPpzPptRp% 4-zP-mK-zP-zP$ 3+-+L+-+-# 2P+-+-+P+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 33...Rhh8 34.Lc2 Rab8 35.Ld3 Time is a factor in each tournament game. White is not in any hurry and is wisely delaying the execution until move 41 and beyond. 35...Ra8 36.Le2! Rhb8! 37.Ra3! 37.Rg3? Lc8 would tie up one of White's rooks to defending his b4-pawn. 37...Rh8 37...Lc8 would now fail to a decisive attack on the kingside: 38.Rag3! Rxb4+ 39.Kc3 Rxf4 40.Rxg6 Rb8 41.Rg7+ Ke8 42.Rg8+ Kf7 43.R3g7+ Ke6 44.Re8 #. 38.Rag3 Rag8 There is no salvation anymore: 38...Rh6 39.Rxg6 Rxg6 40.Lxh5 Rag8 41.e6+ Kf6 42.Rxg6+ Rxg6 43.e7 Kxe7 44.Lxg6 +–. 39.Lxh5! A small combination decides the game: 39...Rxh5 40.Rxh5 gxh5 41.e6+ Kf8 42.e7+. 1–0 157

Lost Positions - Definition A lost position is one where one side is unable to avoid resignation or checkmate, with best play by both sides. The purpose of studying lost positions is, of course, to increase one’s prospects of not losing in the same way. Is it possible to make a mistake when in a lost position? Yes, of course! This fact alone hints that one should not surrender until all is lost. It is worth noting that it is considered unethical to offer a draw in a lost position. Typical advice, when playing a materially lost position, is to play for pawn exchanges, rather than piece exchanges. ‘Invincibility lays in the defence, the possibility of victory in the attack’ - Sun Tzu. □ Nikolic Predrag ■ Gelfand Boris Belgrade 1991 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+k+( 7+-+-+p+p' 6-+-+-+p+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+-zP-+$ 3+-+-+KzPP# 2r+-+-sN-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy With the last move being 40...Rc2xLa2, White to play resigned, with the two thousand or more spectators deprived of seeing Gelfand’s winning technique against Nikolic’s best defence. Was it a premature resignation, or simply superior knowledge of lost positions, added to respecting the opponent’s winning technique? General winning strategy in this type of ending includes: a) using the king and rook to restrict the knight’s mobility, followed by b) pawn storm with fixation of a pawn weakness and c) advancing the king in pursue of material FIDE TRG Syllabus

gain. In the many 2500+ played endgames, not only has resistance been offered in each encounter, but extensive analysis was made in a number of them, proving the positions being won (for the side having the rook, of course), but also proving that the losing side should resist until all is lost. Lessons to be learned? No one ever drew a game by resigning! 1–0 □ Kochyev Alexander ■ Petronic Jovan Budapest 1988 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-mk-' 6P+-zp-+p+& 5+p+Lwq-+-% 4-zP-+Pzp-+$ 3+-+-+-+Q# 2-+-+-zP-mK" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Black to play in a lost position. Any ideas? 45… Kf8!! 46.a7? f3+ 47.Qg3 47.Kh1 Qa1+! 48.Kh2 Qe5². 47...Qh8+! 48.Qh3 48.Kg1 Qa1². 48...Qe5+ 49.Kg1 Qa1+? 49...Qg5+! 50.Qg3 (50.Kh1 Qc1+ 51.Kh2 Qf4² ; 50.Kh2 Qe5² [50...Qf4²]) 50...Qc1+ 51.Kh2 Qh6². 50.Qf1 Qxa7 51.Qd1 1–0 Advice By defending a lost position, you will not lose dignity, but gain respect. Stay calm and controlled. Fighting spirit combined with a knowledge of what is possible will help you in search of solutions that may draw or even win a lost position. ‘To err is human, to forgive divine’ - Alexander Pope. 158

The Golden Rules of the Endgame Efstratios Grivas The endgame is the moment of truth. It is the phase of the game where we will try to reap the seeds of our effort, regardless of whether that is the full point of victory or the half point of the draw. In the endgame the significance of errors increases, as the opportunities for correcting them are few. The following rules are considered to be the Golden Rules of the Endgame. They were recorded by GMs Reuben Fine and Pal Benko, two of the world's greatest experts in this field: 1. Start thinking about the endgame in the middlegame. 2. Somebody usually gets the better deal in every exchange. 3. The king is a strong piece: Use it! 4. If you are one or two pawns ahead, exchange pieces but not pawns. 5. If you are one or two pawns behind, exchange pawns but not pieces. 6. If you have an advantage, do not leave all the pawns on one side. 7. A distant passed pawn is half the victory. 8. Passed pawns should be advanced as rapidly as possible. 9. Doubled, isolated and blockaded pawns are weak: Avoid them! 10. The easiest endings to win are pure pawn endings. 11. Passed pawns should be blockaded by the king, the only piece that is not harmed by watching a pawn is the knight. 12. Two bishops vs bishop and knight constitute a tangible advantage. 13. Bishops are better than knights in all except blocked pawn positions. 14. Do not place your pawns on the colour of your bishop. 15. The easiest endings to draw are those with bishops of opposite colours. 16. Rooks belong behind passed pawns. 17. A rook on the seventh rank is sufficient compensation for a pawn. 18. Not all rook endings are drawn! 19. Perpetual check looms in all queen endings. 20. Every move in the endgame is of the utmost importance because you are closer to the moment of truth. 159 FIDE TRG Syllabus

How to Think in Endgames Mikhail Gurevich ‘To learn and to play endgames well the chessplayer must love endgames’ - Lev Psakhis. Different kinds of endgames have specific characteristics and rules. Every serious player must know many typical positions and main principles of all kind of endings. That knowledge should help us during the game, but it is not enough to be a good player, not yet. There just too many different endings, some of them with two or more pieces, some very complex. To be comfortable and play well those complex endings requires specific knowledge and specific ways of thinking. We will call it ‘endgame thinking’. We will explain... First of all we will separate endgames into two categories: tactical and strategical. Tactical complex endgames must be treated as a middlegame. As in the middlegame our thoughts are busy with calculation based on the specific characteristics of the position. But more often in our games, as practice proves, we have so-called strategical endgames; the endgames where even computers have difficulties to find the best move. These are the endgames that do not rely on calculation. It is known from the time of Capablanca that in strategical, positional endgames we have to think by plans, schemes. Variations and calculation plays a secondary role. First we have to understand where to put our pieces; to find an idea for improving position. After, we start to form a plan. This is what we call ‘endgame thinking’. Thinking correctly, in the right order, will significantly simplify the process of calculation... So, how to approach ‘endgame thinking’, how to switch the right button in our brain. The Russian master Sergei Belavenets, great chess thinker, gives the following advice: ‘After tactical complications, when our brains have been busy with calculation of beautiful variations, the exchange of pieces FIDE TRG Syllabus

might follow, and some kind of prosaic endgame arises... Every player has to spend a few minutes, if the clock allows, just to relax, and to calm down your emotions in order to look differently at the position. This investment of time will pay back later in the game. I am well aware that this advice was given before World War II, when they had very different time controls. So do not waste your time, just switch on the button in your brains, just remember that positional endgames require ‘endgame thinking’ by schemes, by plans. And do not forget to respect your opponent's ideas. The art of endgame play is how to achieve your plan and subdue the opponent at the same time. □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Andersson Ulf Leningrad 1987 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-mk( 7+-+-+-zp-' 6-+-+-sn-zp& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+q+-+-# 2-+-+NzPPzP" 1+-+-wQ-mK-! xabcdefghy A tense tactical battle led to a prosaic endgame with White having an extra pawn. It was time to switch'-on the 'endgame thinking' button: 1) First of all, as usual, we evaluate the pawn structure. Here it is simple; just 3 against 2 on the same side, no weaknesses. 160

2) Activity of pieces: the white pieces are not active for the moment. 3) What pieces I would like to exchange here, what exchange(s) suits my opponent? White is ready to change both pieces, as the pawn ending must be winning for him. Black would love to change any pair of pieces, as both queen and knight endings should be holdable and much easier for him to defend... 4) How to proceed, what is my plan? I have to improve my pieces, develop them to better, more active positions and probably to the centre. 5) What is the plan of my opponent? Not any big threats or ideas for the moment; Black has just to try to control the centre and to defend here. This is about enough for the moment. I do not want to spend my time and try to look too far, time to play. 56.Ng3 Qd5 57.Qe2 A small improvement. 57...Qd4 58.h3 Qd5 59.Qe7 Qd1+ 60.Kh2 Qd5 61.Qe1 We had no additional seconds for our move at those times, neither had Capablanca, Flohr, Fischer, Karpov. Repetition of moves is an important part of chess technique. Not only does it allow a player to understand the position better, but it also puts psychological pressure on the defender. That pressure often pushes the opponent to weaken his position further. Nowadays, when we get additional time for every move, it allows us to accumulate time. 61...Qd6 62.Kg1 Qd5 63.Qb1 Qe5 64.Nf1 Nd5 Prevents Ne3. 65.Qb5 Qe6 66.Qb8+ Kh7 67.Qf8 Nf6 68.Ne3 Qe5 68...Nd5 was more stubborn. 69.Qa3 Kh8 70.Qa8+ Kh7 71.Qa3 Kh8 72.Qc1 Qe6 73.Qc3 Kh7 74.Qc5 Qe8 75.f3!? (D)

By taking the e4-square under control. I completely control the centre. This fact does not force my opponent to resign, but makes me happier somehow... My next idea is to activate my pieces further, to take them to a more attacking position on the 5th rank. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Bringing the queen to f5 and the knight to e5 was an appealing idea. The control of e4square limits the activity of the black knight and simplifies my task of building the next part of the winning plan.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+q+-+( 7+-+-+-zpk' 6-+-+-sn-zp& 5+-wQ-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-sNP+P# 2-+-+-+P+" 1+-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy I knew that I could not win the game by just moving and improving the pieces. I would need the help of my pawns, and considering the fact that the f-pawn is the only one which has no rival in front of it, it is the 'candidate' pawn; this is the one to go first. And go slowly...This move in connection with all those manoeuvring, with all these moves repetitions, is a part of the strategy in 'prosaic' endgames. The strategy presented by Belavenets as a paradoxical rule: Do not hurry! The rule goes as an important addition to the 'schematic, endgame thinking'. It allows us to understand things better, disciplines our thinking, our play and prevents us from making silly mistakes. But one has to be aware, and understand very clearly that the 'do not hurry' rule cannot be applied in tactical or dynamical endgames where the waste of time or a loss of important tempo in concrete positions might be disastrous. 75...Qb8 My opponent recognizes the weakness of the dark squares in my pawn structure. 76.Qf5+ Kh8 77.Nc4 Qa7+ 78.Kh1 Qc7 79.Ne5 Qc1+ 80.Kh2 Qc7 Ulf demonstrates correct active defence by pinning the knight. 161

81.Kh1 Qc1+ 82.Kh2 Qc7 83.Qe6 Kh7 (D) 83...Nd7 84.f4 Nxe5 85.fxe5 transforms the position into a queen ending which was no relief for Black, as the e-pawn is very dangerous.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-wq-+-zpk' 6-+-+Qsn-zp& 5+-+-sN-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+P+P# 2-+-+-+PmK" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 84.f4 Forced, as the pin was paralyzing the white pieces and I saw no other improvement. 84...Qb7 Perfect defence so far, taking the light squares d5 and e4 under control. 85.Qf5+ Kg8 86.Qe6+ Kh7 87.Nc6!? Qc7 88.Qf5+ Kh8 89.Nd4 Kg8 90.Qe6+ Kh7 91.Qe3 Kg8 92.Nf5 Kf7 Perfect defence. Black recognized my idea, and tried to prevent it by activating his king and controlling the e5-square. 93.Qd4 Ke6 94.Ne3 Kf7 95.Nc4 Ke6 96.Kg1 Kf7 97.Nd6+ Kg8 Ulf did not want to calculate, or got scared to go with this king to the centre again. But 97...Ke6! was the best defence. White would then have problems in achieving his objective: 98.Qe5+ Kd7 99.Nf5 Qxe5 100.fxe5 Nh5! (a computer move. 100...Ne8 is the human reply which leads to a difficult endgame after 101.Nd4 Nc7 102.Kf2 Ne6 103.Ke3 ±) 101.Nd4 Nf4 as Black should hold. 98.Qe5 Qc1+ 99.Kh2 Qc7 100.Nf5 Objective No. 3 is achieved, although it happened at the moment when my opponent was short of time... The knight ending with a passed pawn on e5 looks dangerous... FIDE TRG Syllabus

100...Qf7 (D) Black should go for 100...Qxe5! 101.fxe5 which would lead to a holdable position after the great reply 101...Ne4! 102.e6 g6! 103.Nxh6+ Kf8 =.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+k+( 7+-+-+qzp-' 6-+-+-sn-zp& 5+-+-wQN+-% 4-+-+-zP-+$ 3+-+-+-+P# 2-+-+-+PmK" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 101.g4! There was no any other way to improve my pieces as they have already achieved the optimal active positions and their counterparts are passive. So, I started an all-out attack. 101...Qa7 101...Qa2+ 102.Kg3 Qb3+ 103.Kh4 would just improve the position of White's king, and in case of 103...Qf3 104.Nxh6+ wins. 102.Kg2 Qb7+ 103.Kg3 Qf7 104.Ne7+ Kf8 105.Nf5 Kg8 106.g5 hxg5 107.fxg5 Nd7 The best defence according to Rybka, but I was always considering this move as a passive defence... Active defence with 107...Qb3+!? 108.Kh4 Qc4+ should be preferred, forcing my pieces backward to less active positions: 109.Nd4 (109.Qd4 Qxd4+ 110.Nxd4 Nd5 111.Kg4 g6 should draw) and only now 109...Nd7 where there are better chances for a successful defence. 108.Qe4! Takes the light squares under control. The plan is to put the king on g4, followed by h4h5, but tactical ideas connected with Ne7-g6 should be always considered... 108...Qb3+ 109.Kh4 Nf8 Or 109...Qf7 110.Ne7+ Kh8 (110... Kf8 111.Ng6+ +–) 111.Ng6+ Kg8 112.Qa8+ 162

Kh7 Qxf8 (112...Nf8 113.Qxf8+ 114.Nxf8 Kxf8 115.Kh5 +–) 113.Qh8+ Kxg6 114.Qh5+ +–. 110.Ne7+! Forces the black monarch into the corner; and signals the decisive phase of the attack. 110...Kh8 110...Kf7 111.g6+ Kf6 (111...Nxg6+ 112.Nxg6 ; 111...Ke8 112.Nf5+) N 112. d5+ +–. 111.Qf4! (D)

Qa4+ Qa6 114.Kh5 (114...Qe8+ 115.Ng6+ Kg8 116.Qd5+ Qf7 117.Qd8+ Nf8 118.Qxf8+ Qxf8 119.Nxf8 Kxf8 120.Kg6 +– transposes to a winning pawn ending ; 114...Qa2 115.h4 +–) 115.Ng6+ Kg8 116.Qd5+ +–. 1–0

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-sn-mk( 7+-+-sN-zp-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-+-zP-% 4-+-+-wQ-mK$ 3+q+-+-+P# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+p+-+k+p' 6p+-zPp+-+& 5zPl+-vL-mK-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+P+-# 2-zP-+-+P+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy

111...Nh7? A mistake in a difficult position which simplifies my task. 111...Ne6 112.Qg4 with unavoidable mate also wins, but 111...Nd7 was the move that would allow Black to fight still: 112.Ng6+ (112.Qg4 Qd3) 112...Kg8 (112...Kh7 113.Qe4 Nc5 114.Qf5 Qd3 ±) 113.Qe4 Kf7 and the game continues... 112.Qg4!! A nice queen manoeuvre probably missed by Ulf, with multiple threats (Qc8 the main) which leads my opponent to zugzwang... He needs to cover c8- and g6-squares not to be mated at once... 112...Qc2 If now 112...Nf8 then 113.Qh5+ Nh7 114.Qe8+ +–. 113.Qf3! The threat is Qa8+. Any response allows me to achieve the winning idea: Kh5 and h4. So, Andersson stopped the clock due to 113...Qc4+ 114.Kh5 Qa2 115.h4! (the final zugzwang - no escape left...) or 113.Qf3 FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Topalov Veselin ■ Anand Viswanathan Sofia 2010 ●

There are spots even on the sun... The entire chess world witnessed recently the 'terrible' example of 'wrong thinking' of the great World Champion. After good defence in a difficult game Anand achieved a 'dead drawn' position, as many commentators tried to claim. Just continue correct 'endgameschematic' thinking. Just understand that with ...Kd7, and ...Ld3 White would have no chance to win the game... In fact it is all not so easy, not so obvious... 54...Lc6? Certainly the losing move, which might be explained by tiredness, caused by the extreme tension of the match... 54...Ke8!? was the best move, although achieving the draw was not easy at all: 55.Kf6 (55.Kh6 Ld3) 55...Kd7 56.Kg7 Ld3 57.g4 Lc2 58.f4 Le4 59.Kf6 Ld3 60.Kg5 Le4 (White can create a second passed pawn-f; only chance for a win) 61.f5 (61.Kh6 Ld3 62.f5 exf5 63.g5 f4 =) 61...exf5 62.gxf5 (the critical position of variation arised. White has a threat of a 'winning' plan: Kg7 and 163

f6. Vishy would have to find the only move:) 62...h6+! 63.Kf6!? (going forward has no sense. It seems at first, as the f-pawn can not move, but king can go to the centre; to e5square: 63.Kf4 Lc2 64.f6 Lg6 and Black build a fortress... Not easy... The other try with 63.Kg4 Ld3 64.f6 Lg6 65.Lf4 Ke6 also leads to nowhere) 63...Ld3 64.Lg3 Le4 65.Ke5! Lc2 66.f6 Lg6 67.Lf4! (nothing is obtained by 67.Kd5 h5 68.Kc5 Lf7 69.Kb6 Ld5 70.f7 Lxf7 71.Kxb7 Lc4 =) 67...h5 (the task to defend this position without h-pawn by changing the black pieces Kf7 & Ld7 into Kd7 & Lf7, depending where the white king goes, I will leave to chess composers...) 68.Lg3 Le8!? (68...Lf7 69.Kf5 and king goes to g7: 69...h4 70.Le5 h3 71.Kg4 Le6+ 72.Kg5 Ke8 73.Kg6 Lf7+ 74.Kg7 Le6 75.Lf4 Ld5 appears to be just a transposition to 66...Le8) 69.Kf5 Lf7 70.Kg5 Ke6 71.Le5 Le8 72.Kh6 h4 73.Kg7 h3 74.f7 Lxf7 75.d7 Kxd7 76.Kxf7 Kc6 (D) and we have the following diagram:

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+p+-+K+-' 6p+k+-+-+& 5zP-+-vL-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+p# 2-zP-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy A new critical position which seems to be holdable: 77.Ke6 and now (77.Ke7 b6 [77...Kb5 78.Lc7 h2 {78...Kc6 79.Kd8 +–} 79.Lxh2 Kxa5 =] 78.axb6 Kxb6 leads to drawish position as black king goes to b3) 77...Kb5 (also a good ‘technical’ way to draw is 77...b6 78.axb6 a5!! [78...Kxb6? loses: 79.Kd5 Kb5 80.Ld6! a5 {after 80...Ka4 working with Rybka I created a nice study: 81.Kc4! Ka5 {81...a5 82.b3 #} 82.Lc7+ FIDE TRG Syllabus

Ka4 83.Lh2!! Ka5 {83...a5 84.Ld6 h2 85.b3 #} 84.Lg1! Ka4 85.Lc5! Ka5 {85...h2 86.Lb4 h1Q 87.b3 #} 86.b4+ Ka4 87.Ld6 h2 {87...Ka3 88.b5+} 88.Lxh2 and White wins} 81.Ke4 Kc4 82.Kf3 Kb3 83.La3 achieving a winning position. But now Black can achieve a theoretically drawish position] 79.Lc7 [79.Kf5 a4 80.Kg4 a3 81.bxa3 {81.b3 Kxb6 82.Kxh3 Kb5 83.Lc3 a2 84.Kg3 a1Q 85.Lxa1 Kb4 = or 79.b7 Kxb7 80.Kd5 a4 81.Kc4 a3 =} 81...Kxb6 =] 79...a4 80.Kf5 a3 81.bxa3 h2 82.Lxh2 Kxb6 =) 78.Lc7 Kc6 79.Ld6 Kb5 80.Kd5 (80.b4 b6 =) 80...Kxa5 81.Kc5 Ka4 82.Kc4 seems to be a draw with accurate play: 82...Ka5! 83.Lc7+ Ka4 84.Lh2 Ka5 85.Lg1 Ka4 86.Lc5 Ka5 87.Ld6 Kb6 and so on... 55.Kh6 Kg8 56.g4 Anand resigned, as he regained correct 'endgame-schematic' thinking, and realized that he has no defence against the following winning plan of Topalov: Kh6, Lg7 and g5g6, with the black bishop not on e8. Here how it works: 56...Ld7 57.g5 Lc6 58.Lg7! (58.g6? hxg6 59.Kxg6 Kf8 60.Kf6 Ld7 =) 58...Le8 (58...e5 59.g6! hxg6 60.Kxg6 and white king to e7 is inevitable, winning the black bishop and the game) 59.f4! (zugzwang!!!) 59...Lc6 60.g6 hxg6 61.Kxg6 Ld7 62.Kf6 Lc6 63.Lh6 Ld7 64.Ke7 +–. 1–0 A painful loss, especially when I myself introduced him to 'endgame thinking' 18 years ago in 1992… It could have easily cost Anand the crown of the World Champion, but in the end he won by prevailing in the very last game (Anand-Topalov 6½:5½ - Sofia 2010) and retained the title that he had won by beatin earlier V.Kramnik. As I did mention, the work we did together at that time was very useful for his career and was paid-out in many-many games. In one of our regular meetings we were mastering his 'schematic' vision and already in 1992 he solved the following problem easily: 164

□ Kupreichik Viktor ■ Gurevich Mikhail Riga 1985 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+p+-+-+-' 6p+k+p+p+& 5+l+-zP-+p% 4-zP-mK-+-zP$ 3+-+-+-zP-# 2-+-+p+-+" 1+-+-vL-+-! xabcdefghy Black has two extra pawns so the position should be certainly winning despite the opposite colour bishops. However White can try to create some kind of a fortress. While Le1 and b4-pawn are well in control of Black's a6, b7 and e2 pawns and the white monarch stands ‘shouldering’ his colleague, trying to prevent him from penetrating. The logical question needs to be answered: how to improve the black king; how to enter into White's position and to come to f1- or d1squares, as a dream, or at least to b5 and to create a new passed a-pawn, without losing his important e2-pawn? Simple calculation shows that the task is not as easy as it seems, as with Black's bishop on d5 or a2 White plays Kd3 and attacks the e2-pawn; otherwise White’s king stays always on c4 and his bishop moves d2-e1... If Black’s king goes to the kingside, White’s king simply follows... This is one of those positions, where ‘human’ calculation is just not good enough to win a game. Here, ‘schematic’ thinking is the only the way to answer the questions, to solve the problem. It took a couple of minutes for the young Anand to find the solution in 1992... The answer to all problems is ...Lf1! If you understand it, the calculation is primitive... 53...La4 54.Kc4 Lc2 55.Ld2 Lf5 56.Le1 Lh3 57.Lc3 Lf1! 58.Le1 (D) FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+p+-+-+-' 6p+k+p+p+& 5+-+-zP-+p% 4-zPK+-+-zP$ 3+-+-+-zP-# 2-+-+p+-+" 1+-+-vLl+-! xabcdefghy The winning scheme is achieved. White pieces are both paralyzed. Now a simple task; to lose a tempo, and let White to play... 58...b6! Zugzwang. No good move left. 59.b5+!? 59.Kd4 Kb5 60.Ld2 a5 61.bxa5 bxa5 62.Le1 a4 63.Kc3 Lg2 64.Ld2 Ld5 65.Kb2 (65.Le1 a3) 65...Kc4 –+. 59...axb5+ 60.Kd4 b4! 61.Lxb4 Kb5 62.Le1 Ka4 And black king came through... 63.Kc3 b5 64.Kb2 b4 65.Ld2 Lg2 66.Le1 Ld5 With the inevitable idea of...Kc4, ...b3 and then the king goes to f1. White resigned. 0–1 Following my work with Kasparov, Anand, Topalov, many other GMs, I still believe that correct ‘endgame thinking’ comes only through long and hard training (with a lot of valuable exercises) and it simply needs to be mastered... Where and how the famous ex-World Champion Jose Raul Capablanca got it is the greatest wonder for me; and there is no way to find out... So, master it, learn it, train it, and during the play ‘do not hurry’. This last example shows how ‘schematic’ thinking improves our practical chances, sometimes allowing to win unwinnable positions... 165

□ Magalashvili Davit ■ Gurevich Mikhail Warsaw 2005 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+r+-+k+( 7+-+-+p+p' 6-+-+p+p+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+qzP-+-+$ 3+-zp-zP-zPP# 2-+Q+-zP-+" 1+-tR-+-mK-! xabcdefghy The position is 'drawish', although the dangerous passed c3-pawn demands by White a very good defence. 34...Kg7!? 35.Kg2 Kf8!? Creating a seemingly senseless triangle, and introducing a trap... Not good was 35...e5 36.Qe4 exd4 37.Qxd4+ Qxd4 38.exd4 Kf6 39.Kf3 Ke6 40.Ke3 =. 36.Kg1 Kg8 37.Kg2 White fell for it easily. 37.Kh2!? was accurate. 37...e5!? 38.dxe5 Qd5+ 39.e4 39.Kg1 was more 'careful'. 39...Qxe5 The first step is achieved; the centre is a bit more open, Black's pieces a bit more mobile... 40.Qd3 Rc5 Intending to slowly swap places of queen and rook... 41.Rc2 Kg7 42.Re2 Rc8 43.Rc2 Qc5 44.Kf1 Qb4!? 45.Kg2 Rc4 46.Qf3 Qc5 47.Qd3 Qc6 48.Qf3 Qc7 49.Qd3 Qc5 The tempo is lost, the same position with White to play - new trap. 50.Qf3? And the opponent falls for it again; a good sign... 50...Qd4! Black controls the centre; a big achievement. 51.Qe2 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Black's queen and rook are perfectly placed compared to the opponent's pieces which are passive, but how to develop an advantage? Computer programs are helpless here, but a well-trained brain used to 'schematic' thinking will help... 51...Kf6!! Despite the fact that queens and rooks are on the board and the material is limited, Black is well in control on the centre, so, I see no real danger to my adventurous monarch... 52.Qf3+ Ke6 53.Kh2 f6! 54.Qe2 Kd6 55.Qf3 Kc5 56.Qf4!? My opponent realizes that passive defence loses and starts active resistance. 56...Ra4! 57.Qc7+ Kb4 58.Qb7+ Kc4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+Q+-+-+p' 6-+-+-zpp+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4r+kwqP+-+$ 3+-zp-+-zPP# 2-+R+-zP-mK" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 59.Qc6+?! A mistake in a very difficult position. The computer move is 59.Re2 activating the rook, was the most stubborn defence, but I do not want to get into computer variations here. Let's keep it 'human'. 59...Kb3 60.Re2 Qc4 61.Qb6+ Rb4 62.Qe3 Qd4 63.Qf3 Rb6 64.e5?! fxe5 65.Qf7+ Qc4 66.Qf3 e4! The winning manoeuvre. 67.Rxe4 Rf6! 68.Qd1+ c2 69.Re3+ Kb2 70.Qd2 Qc5! 71.Re2 Rf3 72.Kg2 Rf6 73.Kg1 Rd6 74.Qf4 Rd4 75.Qb8+ Rb4 76.Qd8 Qd4 77.Qa5 Kb1 78.Kg2 Rb2! The last finesse, covering the a2-square and now the c2-pawn is unstoppable. My opponent threw out a white towel... 0–1 166

Pawn Endings Andrew Martin 'Pawn endings are to chess what putting is to golf' - CJS Purdy. You may have the most powerful drive in the game and your approach play might be sublime, but if you can't put the ball in the hole you will not go anywhere as a golfer. So it is with chess. If your endgame play is not up to scratch you will soon be found out as you rise through the levels. The main challenge for the coach is in the presentation of endgames. This is obviously not a problem when one is dealing with talented, motivated players, but at lower levels it can be a struggle. Somehow, students have to develop within themselves a strong appreciation of the endgame which will drive them to deepen their understanding. This is the job of the coach. John Nunn has spoken of a 'feel' for the endgame. We see in the games of great players an almost faultless intuition when to come to this phase of the game. They seem to know exactly when and where to place their places and they always win won positions. The coach has to get across the message that this 'feel' can be learned and developed within oneself. We are fortunate to have a terrific collection of books and electronic data on the endgame. Any coach is safe to recommend information by Karsten Muller (books and DVD's), John Nunn (brilliant, sometimes dry), Yuri Averbakh, Mark Dvoretsky and Jon Speelman. In addition: 1) Cheron's - four volume set - Lehr und Handbuch des Endspiele. 2) Basic Chess Endings - Reuben Fine. 3) Practical Chess Endgames - Paul Keres. 4) Practical Endgame Play-Mastering the Basics - Efstratios Grivas. 5) Endgame Strategy - M.Shereshvsky. 6) With specific reference to pawn endgames - The Final Countdown - Hajenius and Van Reimsdijk. FIDE TRG Syllabus

I am sure that you will have your own favourites. It is only important to steer the students in the right direction. It is extremely important that the books do not sit in the bookcases gathering dust. Summarizing, the coach must inspire students to develop a strong appreciation of the endgame. This appreciation will generate the enthusiasm to study endgames, which in turn develops intuition and understanding. Most constructive study of the endgame will be done alone and the student has to be properly motivated in order to do this. So to pawn endings. I have only five pages to work with, so I'm going to concentrate on examples which would inspire me to study this subject further. What is important? 1) Even the simplest pawn endings require care. 2) Second-best does not exist. 3) Pawn structure means more in pure pawn endings than in any other phase of the game. 4) The king is boss! I could compile a list printed many times before, about the opposition, zugzwang, bodycheck, triangulation, the square and the theory of coordinate squares. But you will already have your favourite ways of presenting these ideas. Care Ever-faster time controls have taken away a lot of the precision from tournament chess. Chess has become a lot more sport-like; a pressure game, with mistakes regularly cropping up in all games at all levels. However, any player of any class has to realise that care is needed in pawn endings beyond any other quality. Our sense of danger must be on high alert when only pawns are left, lest the position spit in our face. 167

□ Abdulla Al Rakib ■ Emms John Scarborough 1999 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+p' 6Pmk-+p+p+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+K+-+P# 2-+-+-zP-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy I have no doubt that White thought he was winning this position. The outside passed pawn on a6 surely drags the black king away from the action. First, let's see the game. 1.Ke4 Kxa6 2.Ke5 Straightforward. If 2.h4 Kb5 3.Ke5 Kc4 4.Kxe6 Kd3 draws: 5.Kf6 Ke2 6.f4 Kf3 =. 2...Kb5 3.Kf6 Kc4 4.Kg7 Kd3 5.Kxh7 Ke2 6.Kxg6 Kxf2 7.h4 e5 8.Kf5 Kf3! Nice. The black king does two jobs at once. If 8...Kg3? then 9.h5 +–. 9.Kxe5 Kg4 10.h5 Kxh5 Abdulla is left scratching his head. ½–½ Now let us have a re-run of this endgame, because something doesn't feel quite right. Instead: 1.Kd4! Kxa6 2.Kc5! (D) (see next diagram) Preparing to cramp Black with h4 and keeping the black king confined. Ideas and plans abound in pawn endings and this is what can often make them so fascinating. 2...Ka5 If 2...e5 3.f3!! (3.h4 e4! 4.Kd4 Kb5 5.Kxe4 Kc4 6.f3 Kc3 7.h5 Kc4 8.f4 Kc3! =) 3...Ka5 4.Kc4! Ka4 5.h4 h5 6.Kd3!! +– (6.Kd5 g5!). A superb move, covering the possibility of ...g5!. 3.h4 Ka4 4.Kd6 Kb4 5.Kxe6 Kc4 6.Kf6 FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+p' 6k+-+p+p+& 5+-mK-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+P# 2-+-+-zP-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Kd4 7.Kg7 Ke5 8.Kxh7 Kf6 9.Kg8! Kf5 10.Kg7 Kg4 11.Kxg6 Kxh4 12.f4 +–. So he could win, but what precision was necessary! Example 1 ○ Let’s see the following study by Grigoriev:

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-mk-zp-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4P+P+-+-+$ 3zp-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+K+-+-! xabcdefghy I have set this position to my students many times. I don’t even tell them whose move it is and ask them what's going on. They shortly work out it must be White to play and draw, although few get it right without trial and error. No doubt the strong and motivated will solve this position instantly, but how often do we get to work with such players? Not everyone can get by with a pat on the back and a gentle nudge in the right direction. 168

1.Kc2 Ka5 2.Kb3 a2 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-zp-+-+& 5mk-+-+-+-% 4P+P+-+-+$ 3+K+-+-+-# 2p+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Easy to here, but what next? 3.Kb2! In a game we might have to find this move quickly. 3...Kb4! 3...Kxa4 4.c5! (another fine point) 4...dxc5 5.Kxa2 =. 4.Ka1!! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-zp-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4PmkP+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2p+-+-+-+" 1mK-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy A lovely move and the saving grace. 4...Kxa4 4...Kxc4 5.Kxa2 Kb4 6.Kb2 Kxa4 7.Kc3 Kb5 8.Kd4 =. 5.c5! dxc5 6.Kxa2 An examination of similar examples during a training session can be fun and full of surprises for the students. They will surely develop the understanding that care above all FIDE TRG Syllabus

is important in king and pawn endings. The game is on a knife-edge throughout. ½–½ Second-best does not Exist Following on from the last topic, precision is the keynote in pawn endings. Room for error is marginalized. We often see inexperienced and younger players speeding up as the endgame approaches, thus the likelihood of a serious mistake increases. □ Tal Mihail ■ Djurasevic Bozidar Varna 1958 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-mk-+-+( 7+-+-+pzp-' 6p+-+p+-zp& 5+p+-+-+-% 4-+-+-zP-+$ 3zP-+-+-+-# 2-zPP+-+PzP" 1+-mK-+-+-! xabcdefghy Give this position to your students, pair them off without any further information and ask them to play it out, maybe with 15 mins or so on the clock. They must write out the moves. Once they have finished the position should be analysed properly. In fact White to move has a considerable advantage which is not immediately apparent at first sight: 1) It is easier for him to create a passed pawn. 2) He can activate his king more easily. 1.Kd2! Tal wastes no time activating his king. 1...Kd7 1...g5 2.fxg5 hxg5 3.h3!, intends g3 and h4. White would then be able to set up two outside passed pawns. 2.Kd3 Kd6 3.c4! (D) 169

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+pzp-' 6p+-mkp+-zp& 5+p+-+-+-% 4-+P+-zP-+$ 3zP-+K+-+-# 2-zP-+-+PzP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy White speedily creates a passed pawn. The threat is simply cxb5 followed by b3 and a4! 3...bxc4+ 3...e5 4.fxe5+ Kxe5 5.cxb5 axb5 6.b3 Kd5 7.a4 bxa4 8.bxa4 Kc5 9.Ke4 Kb4 10.Ke5 Kxa4 11.Kd6 shows the mechanism in action. The white king will invade and destroy Black's kingside. 4.Kxc4 e5? A fatal mistake according to Grandmaster Grivas. Correct was 4...g5! 5.g3 (5.fxg5 hxg5 6.h3 f5 7.g3 e5 8.Kd3 f4 with a draw) 5...gxf4! 6.gxf4 and only now 6...e5! with a draw. Black failed to understand the difference. 5.fxe5+ Kxe5 6.b4 f5 7.b5 The smaller the pawn majority, the easier it is to make a passed pawn. Black has not been able to fire a shot in anger in this endgame. 7...axb5+ 8.Kxb5 f4 9.a4 g5 10.a5 g4 10...Kd6 is far too slow: 11.Kc4 g4 (11...Kc6 12.Kd4 Kb5 13.Ke4 Kxa5 14.Kf5 Kb5 15.h3! +– - the fine point, preparing Kg6) 12.Kd4 Kc6 13.Ke4 f3 14.gxf3 gxf3 15.Kxf3 +–. 11.Kc4! Black resigns due to 11...Ke4 (11...f3 12.gxf3 gxf3 13.Kd3) 12.a6 f3 13.gxf3+ gxf3 14.a7 f2 15.a8Q+. Perfect play by Tal. 1–0 The following ending is rather instructive and important and should be always kept in mind: FIDE TRG Syllabus

□ Lasker Edward ■ Molle Dominique Berlin 1904 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+pzpp' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-+P+P% 4-+k+-+P+$ 3+-zp-+-+-# 2-+-+-zP-+" 1+-mK-+-+-! xabcdefghy I would be keen to see how a group assesses this position. Black to move got it all wrong in the game, but he did not have to suffer for his mistake. 1...h6?? 2.f4?? It just goes to show that even masters do not necessarily play pawn endings well. White could actually win this position with 2.f6! gxf6 3.f4 Kd4 4.g5 fxg5 5.fxg5 Ke5 6.gxh6 Kf6 7.Kc2. 2...f6 Normal service has been resumed. 3.g5 Kd4 0–1 If we re-run the ending, Black could have made life simple with 1...f6! White cannot now break through: 2.h6 2.f4 h6! (2...Kd5 is ok too: 3.g5 h6 –+). 2...gxh6 3.f4 Kd5 –+ By constantly emphasizing that second-best will not do when it comes to the pawn ending, the skilled trainer will be preparing his students for constructive endgame work on their own. The students will chuckle at the mistakes made in examples such as the one above and will be able to see themselves more clearly. 170

Pawn Structure Any type of pawn weakness is going to be magnified in a pure pawn ending. Isolated, doubled, tripled, hanging pawns are to be avoided like the plague. The more pawn islands (groups of pawns) the worse the ending. This realization gets the students used to the ending as part of a complete game. One would certainly think twice about playing an opening variation or entering into a middlegame where all potential pawn endings lose. Of course, you cannot play chess like that, but just to have this sense of danger in the back of your head is a good thing. □ Capablanca Jose Raul ■ Conde Adrian Garcia Hastings 1919 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+p+-' 6-+kzp-zp-zp& 5zp-zp-+P+-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+P# 2PzP-+-zPP+" 1+-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy White has two pawn islands to Black's four. In addition, he is much the better player! This hints at the idea that Black's game plan has not been very well thought through. Capablanca was a legend in the endgame. All students at every level will benefit from a study of his games. I can recommend 'Capablanca's Best Chess Endings' by Irving Chernev as an excellent reference point. I don't know whether Conde thought he could keep the white king at bay, but one glance at his pawn structure should have told him the game was up. 31.a4! FIDE TRG Syllabus

Preparing for a later breakthrough. 31...d5 32.b3 d4 A protected passed pawn, no less! Black thought this was insurance against defeat. 33.f4 Shutting out the black king and preparing to transfer his own king to e4. 33...Kd6 34.g4 Ke7 35.Kf2 Kd6 36.Kf3 Ke7 37.Ke4 Kd6 38.h4 Kd7 39.b4!! (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+k+p+-' 6-+-+-zp-zp& 5zp-zp-+P+-% 4PzPPzpKzPPzP$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Foreseen well in advance. White's superior pawn structure gives him all the options, whereas Black has to sit and watch. 39...axb4 39...cxb4 40.Kxd4 also loses, as White has a kingside breakthrough with g5 ready: 40...Kd6 (40...Kc6 41.g5 fxg5 42.fxg5 +–) 41.g5 hxg5 42.c5+ Kc6 43.fxg5 fxg5 44.hxg5 b3 45.Kc3 Kxc5 46.g6 +–. 40.a5 Kc7 41.g5 fxg5 42.fxg5 hxg5 43.hxg5 b3 44.Kd3 Kd7 45.g6 fxg6 46.fxg6 The black king needs to cut himself in half in order to cope with the two passed pawns. A keen appreciation of and respect for pawn structure dramatically improves decisionmaking at other stages of the game. All coaches will have examples of the above type to draw on. 1–0 The King is the Boss In the land of pawns, the king is the boss. Without an active, aggressive and positive use of the king, pawn endings cannot be played successfully. 171

This does not mean a lecture on the theory of coordinate squares is the right way to proceed. I think I would rather watch the traffic lights change than attend one of those. If you had uniformed men with machine guns and snarling dogs, lining the auditorium you might just pull it off. No, it means sensible and inspiring examples which encourage the student to go away stimulated to study the endgame themselves. □ Randviir Juri ■ Keres Paul Parnu 1947 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+p' 6p+-+-zp-+& 5mk-zpP+Pzp-% 4-+-+-+P+$ 3zP-+K+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy This is a complex position where Black finds himself a pawn up, but with his king offside. Can he win? 45...Kb5! Keres mentions that 45...Kb6 46.Kc4 a5 47.a4 h6 48.Kc3 Kc7 49.Kd3 draws. 46.a4+ Kb6 47.Kc4 a5 48.d6 48.Kc3 Kc7 49.Kd3 Kd6 50.Kc4 h6! shows the value of an extra tempo. Black wins: 51.Kb5 Kxd5 52.Kxa5 Kc6! 53.Ka6 c4. 48...Kc6 49.d7 Kxd7 50.Kxc5 Ke7! Restricting White's king thanks to the breakthrough involving ...h5!. 51.Kd5 51.Kb5 h5 52.gxh5 g4 53.h6 Kf7 –+. 51...Kf7 52.Ke4 Black threatened ...h5 followed by ...Kg7-h6. Zugzwang approaches, one of the most FIDE TRG Syllabus

common motifs in king and pawn endgames. 52...Kf8! A paradoxical but excellent move, placing White in zugzwang. The white king cannot leave the e-file due to ...h5! and if he retreats he allows the black king to come to d6. 53.Ke3 Ke7 54.Ke4 Kd6 55.Kd4 h6! One tempo makes all the difference. White must give way. 56.Ke4 Kc5 57.Ke3 Kd5 57...Kb4 58.Kd4 Kxa4 59.Kd5 Kb3 60.Ke6 a4 61.Kxf6 is winning for Black, but unnecessarily complicated. Why take any risks at all? 58.Kd3 Ke5 59.Ke3 h5 60.gxh5 Kxf5 61.Kf3 Ke6 62.Kg4 Kf7 63.Kf5 Kg7 Superbly played by Keres. 0–1

Conclusion My main conclusion is that most serious endgame work is done at home, alone. Most endgame experience is picked up from the joys and sorrows of practical play. It is the job of the coach to get the student in the right frame of mind and motivated to systematically study the endgame. A 'feel' for the endgame can be learned by competitors of limited natural ability. Talented players will have this intuitive grasp already; it just needs to be prodded and stimulated in the right way. These students are a joy to work with, but they are few and far between. As far as king and pawn endgames go, appreciation is the key. Instil that in your students and half the battle is won. The other half they will have to win for themselves. 172

Queen Endings Andrew Martin The defining characteristic of Queen Endings is that they are gruelling. Queen endings can be protracted and exhausting. They don’t crop up very often either, which makes it doubly difficult for the coach to interest his students in this subject. In my experience the attention span of the audience is in direct relation to the practical use of the information being supplied. So, the coach is running uphill on this one and must work hard for his honest crust. Of course, the job can be done! I split the subject into two areas: 1) Queen and pawn endgames. 2) Other queen endgames. Queen Pawn Endings The way diverges again. A coach does best to emphasize the general characteristics of such endings and then point the students towards the right information. I have many times covered various queen endings in group sessions, but only in small doses. Anything else would drive the crowd mad. What is important? 1) A few basic positions. 2) The quality of the passed pawn is key. 3) King safety often decides. 4) Get ready for the long haul. The Absolute Basics As I said, it is important for every student to know some basic positions: Example 1 ○ (see next diagram) A rook's pawn often gives rise to stalemating ideas. It is worth showing some exceptions. 1.Qf2+! 1.Qb4+ Kc2 2.Qa3 Kb1 3.Qb3+ Ka1 4.Qd1+ Kb2 5.Kb4 a1Q 6.Qd2+ Kb1 7.Kb3 wins in the same way. 1...Kb1 2.Kb4 a1Q 3.Kb3 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-wQ-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+K+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2pmk-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Example 2 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-wQ-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+K+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+pmk-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Queen versus bishop's pawn is often drawn due to stalemating ideas at the end. The coming example is an exception - keep it well in your mind… 1.Qf4+ Kd1 1...Kc3 2.Qc1. 2.Qd4+ Ke2 3.Qc3 Kd1 4.Qd3+ Kc1 5.Kc4 The white king is just close enough to force a win. 5...Kb2 6.Qd2 Kb1 7.Kb3 c1Q 8.Qa2 # 1–0 173

Example 3 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8K+-+-+-+( 7+Q+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-zp$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+p+" 1+-+-+-+k! xabcdefghy The queen usually overpowers king and pawns easily, but there are a few rare cases where things become more complicated. 1.Qf3 Kh2 2.Qf4+ Kh3 3.Qf2 g1Q! 4.Qxg1 ½–½ Our last example proves the king’s value: Example 4 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+Q+-+-+-' 6-+-+-mK-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-zp$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+p+" 1+-+-+-+k! xabcdefghy To win such a position, the queen needs cooperation from the king. 1.Qf3 Kh2 2.Qf2! h3 3.Kg5 Kh1 4.Qf3 Kh2 5.Kh4! g1Q 6.Qxh3 # Examples such as these should set the brains of the students ticking over. 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Quality not Quantity As in all major piece positions, activity is paramount and the quality rather than the quantity of passed pawns often proves the decisive factor. □ Marshall Frank James ■ Tarrasch Siegbert Ostend 1907 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-+Q+-% 4-+-+-+P+$ 3+-+-zp-+-# 2P+-+-wq-+" 1+-+k+-+K! xabcdefghy I have no doubt at all that this was an exhausting game and after hours of hard work Black had sacrificed material to reach this winning position. His pawn on e3 is a giant. In such positions you must collect yourself for one final push to the summit! 1...Qf2? No! Now by a series of accurate diagonal checks White forces a draw: Instead 1...e2! wins: 2.Qb1+ Qc1 3.Qd3+ Ke1 (maybe a tired Tarrasch failed to evaluate this position correctly) 4.Kg2 Qc6+ 5.Kg1 Qc5+ 6.Kg2 Qf2+ 7.Kh3 Kf1! 8.g5 Kg1 –+. 2.Qb1+ Ke2 3.Qb5+ Kf3 4.Qd5+ Kg3 5.Qe5+ Kxg4 The black king cannot avoid perpetual. Many queen endings can be saved or even won if you own a quality passed pawn. All the student has to do is to keep this in mind. ½–½ King Safety Counterattack, perpetual check and stalemate are the currency of the defender in queen and pawn endings. Never giving up hope and looking for every 174

last resource are absolute prerequisites. Of particular importance is king safety. An open king or a king which can be opened up means chances for both sides! □ Miles Anthony ■ Korchnoi Viktor Horgen 1994 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-wQ-+pzpk' 6-+-zP-+p+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+P# 2-+-wq-zPPmK" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy This position looks extremely dangerous for Black. But by concentrating on opening up the enemy king he saves the game. 1...Qf4+! 1...Qxf2? will not do: 2.d7 Qf4+ 3.Kg1 Qe3+ 4.Kh1 +–. 2.Kg1 2.Kh1 is not helping either: 2...e4 3.Qc6 Qxf2 4.Qxe4 Qd2 5.Qh4+ Kg8 6.Qe7 Qc1+ 7.Kh2 Qf4+ 8.Kg1 Qc1+ 9.Kf2 Qd2+ 10.Kg3 and now 10...g5! would do the job: 11.Qe8+ Kh7 12.Qxf7 Qxd6+ 13.Kg4 Qd4+ 14.Kxg5 Qd2². 2...e4! 3.Qc6 3.Qc5 doesn’t help, as after 3...Qd2 4.Qe5 f6! Black is OK. 3...e3 Just in time. Now Black is ample to save the half-point. 4.fxe3 Qxe3+ 5.Kf1 Qd2 6.d7 f5 7.Qc7 Qd1+ 8.Kf2 Qd2+ 9.Kg1 f4! 10.d8Q Qe1+ 11.Kh2 Qg3+ Counterplay is the essence of successful defence and this is no less true in queen endings. ½–½ FIDE TRG Syllabus

The Long Haul Are you ready for the long haul? Are you ready to invest every last drop of sweat into fighting for the win? Imagine playing the following game at the current FIDE time limits, with increments at the end. This is why you need to be fit to play chess, both in body and in mind. □ Guliyev Namig ■ Abbasov Farid B06 Baku 2008 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Lg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.Nf3 d6 5.a4 Nd7 6.Le2 Qc7 7.Le3 Ngf6 8.Nd2 0–0 9.f4 b6 10.0–0 Lb7 11.e5 Nd5 12.Nxd5 cxd5 13.Ld3 e6 14.Qg4 Rae8 15.Qh4 f6 16.Nf3 Qd8 17.Qg3 dxe5 18.fxe5 fxe5 19.dxe5 d4 20.Nxd4 Rxf1+ 21.Rxf1 Lxe5 22.Qg4 Nf6 23.Qh4 Qd5 24.Rf3 Rf8 25.b3 Qd6 26.Rh3 Qd7 27.Nf3 Lxf3 28.Rxf3 Nd5 29.Rxf8+ Kxf8 30.Ld2 Kg8 31.Qc4 Kg7 32.g3 Nf6 33.Le3 h5 34.Le2 Nd5 35.Lf2 Ne7 36.Qe4 Qc7 37.Lc4 Qd6 38.Qb7 Ld4 39.Qxa7 Kf6 40.Ld3 h4 41.Qa8 Lxf2+ 42.Kxf2 hxg3+ 43.hxg3 Nf5 44.Qf3 Qd4+ 45.Kg2 Kg5 46.Qe2 Qd6 47.Qd2+ Kf6 48.Qf4 e5 49.Qe4 Qc7 50.b4 Qc3 51.g4 Nd6 52.Qxg6+ Ke7 53.Qg7+ Ke6 54.Qh6+ Kd5 55.b5 Qd4 56.Qg6 Qxa4 57.c4+ Kc5 58.Qe6 Qa8+ 59.Kg3 Qd8 60.Qxe5+ Kb4 61.Qb2+ Kc5 62.Qf2+ Kb4 63.Qe1+ Kc5 64.Qe5+ Kb4 65.g5 Nxc4 66.Lxc4 Kxc4 67.Kg4 Qd7+ 68.Kf4 Kb4 69.g6 Ka5 70.g7 Qd2+ 71.Kf5 Qd3+ 72.Kf6 Qd8+ 73.Kg6 Qd3+ 74.Qf5 Qg3+ 75.Qg5 Qd3+ 76.Kh6 Qd6+ 77.Kh7 Qd3+ 78.Qg6 Qh3+ 79.Qh6 Qf5+ 80.Kh8 Qe5 81.Qh3 Qd4 82.Qg3 Qf6 83.Kh7 Qf5+ 84.Kh6 Qf6+ 85.Qg6 Qf4+ 86.Qg5 Qd6+ 87.Kh5 Qh2+ 88.Kg6 Qd6+ 89.Kf7 Qc7+ 90.Qe7 Qc4+ 91.Qe6 Qc7+ 92.Kf8 Qd8+ 93.Kf7 Qc7+ 94.Kf6 Qf4+ 95.Qf5 Qd6+ 96.Kg5 Qg3+ 97.Kh6 Qh4+ 98.Qh5 Qf4+ 99.Kh7 Qe4+ 100.Kh8 Qd4 101.Qh2 Qf6 102.Qd2+ Ka4 103.Qc2+ Ka5 104.Qc7 Qh4+ 105.Kg8 Qf6 106.Qc6 Qf5 107.Qa8+ Kxb5 108.Qe8+ Ka6 109.Qa4+ Kb7 110.Qc4 Qg5 111.Qe4+ Ka6 112.Kf7 Qh5+ 113.Qg6 Qd5+ 114.Qe6 Qb7+ 115.Kf6 Qf3+ 116.Ke7 Qb7+ 117.Qd7 175

Qe4+ 118.Kd8 Qh4+ 119.Kc8 Qc4+ 120.Kb8 Ka5 121.Qc7 Qe6 122.Qc3+ Kb5 123.Qb2+ Ka6 124.Qa3+ Kb5 125.Qd3+ Kc6 126.Qf3+ Kb5 127.Qf1+ Ka5 128.Qg2 Qg8+ 129.Ka7 b5 130.Qg5 Qf7+ 131.Kb8 Qg8+ 132.Kc7 Qc4+ 133.Kd6 Qd4+ 134.Ke6 Qb6+ 135.Kd5 Qb7+ 136.Kd4 Qd7+ 137.Ke4 Qc6+ 138.Kd3 Qc4+ 139.Kd2 Qd4+ 140.Kc2 Qe4+ 141.Kd1 Qf3+ 142.Ke1 Qe4+ 143.Kf2 Qd4+ 144.Kg3 Qd3+ 145.Kf4 Qd4+ 146.Kf5 Qd5+ 147.Kg6 Qe6+ 148.Kh7 Qh3+ 149.Qh6 Qf5+ 150.Kh8 Qe5 151.Qh4 Qc3 152.Qd8+ Ka4 153.Qa8+ Kb4 154.Qe4+ Ka5 155.Qf5 Qd4 156.Kh7 Qh4+ 157.Kg6 Qg3+ 158.Kf6 Qd6+ 159.Qe6 Qf4+ 160.Ke7 Qc7+ 161.Qd7 Qe5+ 162.Kf7 Qf4+ 163.Ke8 Qe4+ 164.Qe7 Qc6+ 165.Kd8 Qd5+ 166.Kc8 Ka4 167.Qd7 Qc4+ 168.Kb7 Qe4+ 169.Ka7 Qe3+ 170.Ka6 Qh6+ 171.Kb7 Qg6 172.Qd1+ Kb4 173.Qd4+ Ka3 174.Qe3+ Ka2 175.Qa7+ Kb3 176.Qe3+ Kb4 177.Qd4+ Kb3 178.Qe5 Ka4 179.Qf4+ Ka3 180.Qd4 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+K+-+-zP-' 6-+-+-+q+& 5+p+-+-+-% 4-+-wQ-+-+$ 3mk-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy There is plenty of play left, but the caretaker switched off the lights. ½–½ Other Queen Endings Asymmetric queen endings, where the queen fights against other combinations of pieces can be very interesting indeed. Perhaps the struggle of queen versus two rooks is most common. FIDE TRG Syllabus

There are no hard and fast rules for such endgames, but the usual guidelines associated with queen endings come into play: 1) The queen is best used as an attacking piece. Centralize the queen! 2) The queen is a very poor defender. 3) Queen and connected pawns are more effective than queen and split pawns. 4) The queen and knight work very well together. As space is pressing, I can only give a couple of examples. □ Capablanca Jose Raul ■ Alekhine Alexander Buenos Aires 1927 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-vlk+( 7+-wq-+p+-' 6-+-+p+p+& 5+-+-sN-+p% 4-+-zPQ+-+$ 3+-+-zP-zP-# 2-+-+-zPKzP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Here is a typical queen endgame played at the highest level. It is impossible to demonstrate a 100% win for White, but over the board Black's defensive task is so uncomfortable he would lose this many times more than he would make a draw. We note White is beautifully centralized and that he can create a passed d-pawn. He may also attack the black king directly, using the optimal attacking combination of queen and knight. All Black can do is wait and hope. 39.Ne5 Lg7 40.Qa8+ 40.Nf3 Lf6 41.Qd3 Kg7 42.e4 initiates a clear plan suggested by GM Edmar Mednis. White creates a passed pawn without delay: 42...Qc8 43.h3 Qc7 44.Nd2 Qc8 45.Nc4 Qd7 46.d5 exd5 47.exd5 ±. Who would want be Black in this situation? I estimate White's 176

winning chances at 95%. Why didn't Capablanca play this way then? He could see such a plan in his dreams. The answer is that he thought he could always execute this plan and probably wanted to torture Alekhine. Such tactics in a long match are commonplace. Any advantage in any position must be maximized. 40...Kh7 41.Nf3 Lf6 42.Qa6! 42.Qf8 Qe7. 42...Kg7 43.Qd3! Qb7 44.e4 Qc6 45.h3 Qc7 46.d5! 46.Nd2?! h4!. 46...exd5 47.exd5 Qc3! The exchange of queens enables the black king to take part in the action. 47...Qd6 48.Qc4 Qf8 49.Nd4 ±. 48.Qxc3 Better was 48.Qd1 and if 48.Qe4 then 48...Qc5! ². 48...Lxc3 49.Kf1 Kf6 50.Ke2 Lb4! 51.Nd4 Lc5 51...Ke5?? 52.Nc6+. 52.Nc6 Kf5 53.Kf3 53.f3 h4!. 53...Kf6 54.g4 hxg4+ 55.hxg4 Kg5? 55...Ld6! looks like it holds the game: 56.Nd8 (56.Ke4 Kg5! and ...f5 =) 56...Le7. 56.Ne5!! Ld4?! 56...f5 57.d6! fxg4+ 58.Kg2! Lb6 (58...Kf5 59.d7 Le7 60.Nc6 +–) 59.d7 Kf5 60.Nc6 +– or 56...f6 57.Nf7+ Kh4 58.d6 +– or 56...Kf6 57.Nd7+ +– or, finally, 56...La3 57.d6 Kf6 58.d7 Ke7 59.Nxf7 Kxd7 60.Ne5+ +–. 57.Nxf7+ Kf6 58.Nd8 Lb6 58...Ke5?! 59.Nc6+ +–. 59.Nc6 Lc5 60.Kf4! 60.Kg3 Ld6+ 61.f4 g5 = or 60.Ke2 Kg5 61.f3 Kf4 =. 60...Lxf2 60...g5+ 61.Kf3 planning Ke2, f3 and Kd3c4. 61.g5+ Kf7 61...Kg7 62.d6. 62.Ne5+ Ke7 62...Kg7 63.d6. 63.Nxg6+ Kd6 64.Ke4 Lg3 65.Nf4 Ke7 66.Ke5 Le1 67.d6+ Kd7 68.g6 Lb4 69.Kd5 FIDE TRG Syllabus

69.g7?? Lc3². 69...Ke8 70.d7+ Queen endings of all types give rise to complexity and this is why even the greatest players struggle with them. This was by no means a perfect ending, but it was very typical and instructive. The coach might go through such an ending with his students at considerable length. 1–0 □ Georgiev Kiril ■ Anand Viswanathan Las Palmas 1993 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8k+-+-+-+( 7+p+-+-+-' 6p+r+-+-+& 5+-+Q+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+K+-+-+-# 2-zP-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy The idea of constructing a fortress to keep out the queen is an important idea which could be introduced with the following example: 1...Rb6+ 2.Ka3 Rb5 3.Qd4 Kb8 4.b3 Ka8 5.Kb2 Kb8 6.Kc3 Ka8 7.Kc4 Kb8 8.b4 Kc7 9.Qf4+ Kb6! Anand defends very well, as one might expect. Instead 9...Kc8 10.Qd6 forces zugzwang. Black has nothing to do: 10...Rg5 (10...b6 11.Qc6+ Kb8 12.Qd7! Ka8 13.Qc7!) 11.Qf8+ Kd7 12.Qf7+ Kc8 13.Qe8+ Kc7 14.Qe7+. 10.Qb8 Rh5 If the black king stays on darksquares, White cannot get at the rook. 10...Kc6? 11.Qd8! b6 (11...Re5 12.Qf6+ or 11...Rf5 12.Qc8+ or, finally, 11...Rh5 12.Qe8+) 12.Qc8+ Kd6 13.Qxa6 +–. 11.Kb3 Rb5 12.Ka4 Rd5 ½–½ 177

□ Petrosian Tigran ■ Geller Efim Kiev 1954 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+p+rtr-mk-' 6-+p+-+pzp& 5+-wQ-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-zP$ 3zPP+-zP-zP-# 2-+-+-zPK+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy This final example deals with the struggle of queen vs two rooks, although in this case White has two extra pawns. What does the owner of the queen require in such endings? a) An aggressive queen. b) A safe king. c) Not too many pawn islands. Isolated pawns are particularly vulnerable. Meanwhile the rook’s possessor would like: a) A safe king. b) To train his rooks together on weak pawns. c) To attack the enemy king. In full knowledge of the facts Petrosian does not hurry and settles down for a nice, leisurely session (or two) where Geller is squirming in his seat. Ultimately, he will use his queen and connected pawns to wipe out the black king. 42...Re6 43.h5 g5 44.Qc3+ Kh7 45.Qc2+ Kg7 46.Qf5 Rde7 47.f4 gxf4 48.exf4 Rd6 49.Kf3 Re1 50.Qg4+ Kf7 51.Qc8 Re7 52.Qf5+ Kg7 53.a4 Re1 54.Qg4+ Kf7 55.Qc8 Re7 56.b4 Rd3+ 57.Kg4 Kg7 58.Qf5 Rd6 59.Qc5 Rdd7 60.Kh4 Re6 61.Qc3+ Kh7 62.Qc2+ Kg7 63.Qb2+ Kh7 64.Qb1+ Kg7 65.Qf5 Rdd6 66.Kh3 Re7 67.Kg4 Ree6 68.Kf3 Re7 69.Qc2 Ree6 70.Qf5 Re8 Not much has happened recently except for Geller getting ground down psychologically. The great players sense the right moment to FIDE TRG Syllabus

commence action. 71.b5 cxb5 72.Qxb5 Re7 73.g4 Rf6 74.a5 Rfe6 75.Qb2+ Kg8 76.Qb3 Kh7 77.Qd3+ Kg8 78.g5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+k+( 7+p+-tr-+-' 6-+-+r+-zp& 5zP-+-+-zPP% 4-+-+-zP-+$ 3+-+Q+K+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy This is the break that ultimately, Black could not stop. Now the white pawn-phalanx will march and there will be nothing that could stop it! 78...hxg5 79.fxg5 Re5 80.Kf4 R5e6 81.g6 b6 82.a6 1–0

Summary On occasion, the experienced coach will certainly deal with queen and pawn endgames. May I respectfully suggest that he confine his examinations only to those endings which have some relevance to practical over the board chess. Queen endings are deep, complex and gruelling. There is no getting away from it. 178

Rook Endings Andrew Martin The subject of Rook Endings is an extremely important one and the coach must go to great lengths to emphasize this. Rook endings crop up frequently in over the board chess and even an understanding which is minimally superior to that of the opponent can pay rich dividends. The student will have to understand early that there are certain positions which have to be learned. Theory is as important in rook endings as it is in the opening! Rules Once again let us break the subject down to make it easier to manage: 1) The basics must be learned. Specific knowledge is of vital importance. 2) Activity is the key to understanding rook endings. The rook needs room to breathe. 3) Planning ahead is necessary. Basics It is said that Capablanca carefully analysed more than a thousand endgames in order to attain his mastery in the endgame. I have no idea whether this is true or not, but it is safe to say that everyone who wants to improve at chess has to put the hard yards into rook endings. I would start by giving the students a basic set of positions as homework, without solutions. Ask them to go away and find the solutions, somehow. Then get them to discuss the solutions individually in front of the group at the next session. Nobody will know which position they have to comment on. This will ensure they complete the homework properly. All good coaches will have a whole stack of thematic rook endings to analyze. I give my basic top ten. I also give brief solutions - this doesn’t mean that you will give them to your trainees, at least not before they try to solve them… FIDE TRG Syllabus

Example 1 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+k+-+( 7tR-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+KzP-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+r! xabcdefghy Black to play. Solution: 1...Kd8 or 1...Kf8 or even 1...Rh6, draws comfortably. ½–½ Example 2 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+K+-+( 7+-mk-zP-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-tr-+" 1+-+R+-+-! xabcdefghy White to play and win (two ways). Solution: 1.Rc1+ Kb6 2.Rc4 and 1.Rd4 Re2 2.Rc4+ This is the basic winning method, called the ‘bridge’. 1–0 179

Example 3 ●

Example 5 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-mK-+-+( 7+-+P+k+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2r+-+-+-+" 1+-+-tR-+-! xabcdefghy

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-mKP+-+-+& 5+-+r+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1mk-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy

Black to move. White to win. Solution: 1...Rc2 2.Rf1+ Kg6 3.Rf4 Rc1 4.Ke7 Re1+ 5.Kd6 Rd1+ 6.Ke6 Re1+ 6...Rd2 7.Rc4 Rd1 8.Rc5 +–. 7.Kd5 Rd1+ 8.Rd4 1–0

White to play. What result? Solution: White wins with 1.c7 Rd6+ 2.Kb5 2.Kc5? Rd1 =. 2...Rd5+ 3.Kb4 Rd4+ 4.Kb3 Rd3+ 5.Kc2 Rd4 6.c8R! 6.c8Q? Rc4². 6...Ra4 7.Kb3! With the double threat Kxa4 and Rc1 #. 1–0

Example 4 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+RmK( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-mk-+-+& 5+-zp-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy White to play. What result? Solution: White wins with 1.Rg5! Cutting off the king in the 5th rank - a wellknown winning method. 1...Kc6 1...c4 2.Kg7 c3 3.Rg3 c2 4.Rc3 +–. 2.Kg7 Kb5 3.Kf6 Kb4 4.Ke5 c4 5.Kd4 c3 6.Rc5 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Example 6 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-mk-+-+-+$ 3+pzp-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+KtR-+-+-! xabcdefghy White to play and win. Solution: 1.Rh1 Kc4 2.Kc1 Kd3 2...Kb4 3.Rh8 Kc4 4.Rb8. 3.Rh4 b2+ 4.Kb1 Kd2 5.Rc4 Kd3 6.Rc8 Kd2 7.Rd8+ 1–0 180

Example 7 ○

Example 9 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-tR-+-+-+( 7+-+-+pmkp' 6-+-+-+p+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3tr-+-+-zP-# 2-+-+-zPKzP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-mk-+-+( 7+-+-+-+R' 6-+-mK-+-+& 5+-+P+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+r+-+-! xabcdefghy

White to play. What result? Find examples. Solution: In general this position with 4:3 pawns on the same side is drawn, especially if the weaker side is able to push his h-pawn twice, without creating any weakness: 1.h4! ½–½

Black to play and draw. Solution: 1...Kc8 2.Rh8+ Kb7 3.Rd8 3.Ke6 Kc7!. 3...Rh1 4.Re8 Rd1 5.Re5 Kc8 ½–½

Example 8 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8R+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-mk-' 6P+-+-+-+& 5+-+-+p+p% 4-+-+-+p+$ 3+-+-+-zP-# 2r+-+-zPKzP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy White to play. What result? Solution: White wins as he can attack (via g5) and capture Black's kingside pawns: 1.Kf1 Kf7 2.Ke1 Kg7 3.a7 Kh7 4.Kd1 Kg7 5.Kc1 Kh7 6.Kb1 Ra5 7.Kc2 Ra1 8.Kd3 Ra3+ 9.Kd4 Ra4+ 10.Ke5 Ra5+ 11.Kf4 Kg7 12.Kg5 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Example 10 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-mk-' 6R+-+-+-+& 5+r+-+-+P% 4-+-+-zPK+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy White to play. Can he win with best play? Solution: Here we have a theoretical draw: 1.h6+ Kh7! 1...Kf7? 2.Ra7+ Kg8 3.f5 Rb1 4.f6 Rf1 5.Kg5 Rg1+ (5...Rf2 6.Ra8+ Kh7 7.Ra4 +–) 6.Kf5 Rf1+ 7.Ke5 Re1+ 8.Kd6 Rd1+ 9.Ke7 Re1+ 10.Kd8 Rd1+ 11.Ke8 Re1+ 12.Re7 +–. 2.f5 Rb1 3.Kg5 Rg1+! 4.Kf6 Rf1 5.Ke6 Kxh6 ½–½ 181

Conclusion to Basics This assignment will certainly challenge the student and force them to take a close look at various items of endgame literature. The coach will then reinforce the practical aspect of this work; that at any time the student can expect any of these positions in his or her games! I am convinced this initial study will prepare the ground for future enjoyable and productive work on rook endgames. Crash Crouse After the basics, comes the crash course. A good coach could easily conduct a whole lesson or session on any or all of the following concepts: 1) 'The spirit of attack' rules in the rook ending - Rudolf Spielmann. 2) Rooks belong behind passed pawns. 3) The rook or rooks and the king must be kept active. Passivity means defeat! 4) Rook endings NOT always drawn! 5) A rook on the seventh is worth a pawn. 6) Lack of specific knowledge in rook endings will lose you many points. 7) Activity, both in attack and defence is the most important idea to understand. Grandmaster Grivas in his ‘Practical Endgame Play’ quotes five basic principles that must be followed faithfully, in order to be sure that we have obeyed our ‘duty’, so to speak: 1) Rook behind the pawn. 2) Active rook. 3) Active king. 4) Planning. 5) Combination of all the above. Activity is the Key With the idea of activity kept firmly at the forefront of our mind, we proceed to a few examples. □ Ivanka Budinsky Maria ■ Gaprindashvili Nona Thessaloniki 1984 ● (see next diagram) Throughout the coming ending White is plagued by her open king and the more active FIDE TRG Syllabus

black rooks. White dies through lack of activity in the end.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+r+-+( 7+-+-+-zpk' 6-+-+-+-zp& 5+-tR-+-+-% 4-+-+-mK-+$ 3+R+-+-+P# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-tr-! xabcdefghy 1...Re8 2.h4 A summary of the alternatives will show that White is already under very serious pressure: 2.Rg3 Rf1+ 3.Kg4 Re4+ 4.Kh5 Rf3!! 5.Rxf3 g6 # or 2.Rf3 g5+ 3.Kf5 Rf8+ 4.Ke4 Re1+ 5.Re3 Re8+ –+ or, finally, 2.Re3 Rf8+ 3.Ke4 Rg6 4.Rf3 Re6+ 5.Kd5 Rxf3 6.Kxe6 Rxh3 –+. 2...Rf8+ 3.Ke5 Rg4 4.Rh3 Exactly the type of uncomfortable move one has to avoid in a rook ending, but what was White to do? If 4.h5 Rg5+ 5.Kd4 Rxc5 6.Kxc5 Rf5+. 4...Re8+ 5.Kd5 h5 Nailing the weakness on h4. 6.Kd6 Kh6 7.Rc1 Rd8+ 8.Ke5 Rdd4 9.Rch1 A horrific move to have to play. 9...Kg6 9...g6! wins immediately, threatening ...Kg7 and ...Rge4 mate! White would have to surrender the h-pawn to survive. 10.Rg3 Rde4+ 11.Kd5 Kf5 12.Rgh3 12.Rxg4 hxg4 –+ or 12.Rf3+ Ref4 13.Rxf4+ Kxf4 –+. 12...Ra4 13.Rf3+ Kg6 14.Rfh3 Kh6 15.Ke5 She had to try 15.Kc5 Ra5+ 16.Kb6 Rf5 17.Kc7 but White was probably out of energy by now. 15...Rad4 16.Ke6 Kg6 Due to 17.Ke7 Rge4+ 18.Kf8 Rd8 #. 0–1 182

□ Capablanca Jose Raul ■ Kupchik Abraham Havana 1913 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-+-+( 7zpkzp-+-+p' 6-+p+p+-+& 5+-zPp+p+-% 4-+-zP-zP-+$ 3tR-+-+-+-# 2PzP-mK-zP-zP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Mounting and sustaining pressure is the way to force mistakes. This applies to any game or sport and chess is no different. In the following instructive example we see Capablanca turning the screw, Kupchik getting chances, spurning chances and in the end succumbing to the pressure. You'll note that Black did not defend actively enough and that is why he lost. Let us review the opening position. White is much better with his active rook and more mobile king. This should add up to a win. For the time being, Capablanca plays superbly. 1.Ra3 Rg8 2.Rh3 Rg7 3.Ke2 Ka6 4.Rh6 Re7 5.Kd3 Kb7 6.h4 Kc8 7.Rh5 Kd7 8.Rg5 Rf7 9.Kc3 Kc8 10.Kb4 Rf6 11.Ka5 Kb7 12.a4 a6 13.h5 Rh6 14.b4 Rf6 15.b5? So far, so good for White, but this obvious move is premature. He should simply play 15.Rg7! and only then break with b5: 15...Rh6 16.b5 axb5 17.axb5 cxb5 (17...Rxh5 18.b6) 18.Kxb5 Rxh5 19.c6+ +–. 15...axb5 16.axb5 Rf8 17.Rg7 Ra8+ 18.Kb4 cxb5 19.Kxb5 Ra2! Kupchik responds correctly and with his active rook should now save the game. 20.c6+ Kb8 21.Rxh7 Rb2+ 22.Ka5 Ra2+ 23.Kb4 Rxf2? 23...Rb2+! was the drawing finesse: 24.Kc3 Rxf2 25.Re7 Rxf4 26.h6 Rh4 27.h7 Ka7! (Black’s king comes to life) 28.Rxc7+ Kb6 FIDE TRG Syllabus

=. This small variation teaches us that every detail counts. 24.Re7 Rxf4? Again 24...Rb2+ 25.Kc3 Rh2 26.Rxe6 Ka7! 27.h6 Kb6 ÷ gave much better chances to draw. 25.h6 Rxd4+ 26.Kb5 Rd1 27.h7 Rb1+ 28.Kc5 Rc1+ 29.Kd4 Rd1+ 30.Ke5 Re1+ 31.Kf6 Rh1 32.Re8+ Ka7 33.h8Q Rxh8 34.Rxh8 Kb6 35.Kxe6 Kxc6 36.Kxf5 Kc5 37.Ke5 Kupchik played fatalistically. He did not believe he could save the game against perhaps the greatest ever endgame expert. If that is your attitude, you are almost certain to lose. 1–0 □ Alekhine Alexander ■ Yates Frederick Hamburg 1910 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+k+-+-' 6-+-+R+-+& 5+p+r+p+-% 4p+-+-zP-+$ 3zP-mK-zP-+-# 2-zP-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Whilst White's rook is very active in this particular example, he does not hesitate to change the nature of his advantage if that is what the position demands. 1.Re5! Rxe5 2.fxe5 Ke7 3.Kd3 3.Kb4 Ke6 4.Kxb5 Kxe5 5.Kxa4 Ke4 6.b4 Kxe3 7.b5 f4 8.b6 f3 9.b7 f2 10.b8Q f1Q ÷. 3...Kd7 4.e4 f4 5.Ke2! Ke6 6.Kf2! Flexibility of thought in the endgame is of inestimable use. If instead White played the ‘natural’ 6.Kf3?? he could resign after 6...Kxe5 –+. 1–0 183

Planning The ability to see ahead and devise an appropriate plan is the key to winning in the endgame. To have the knowledge which positions are won and which not and what to aim for is vital when referring to rooks and pawns. Without this basic stock of thematic positions memorized, we will be all at sea. Rook endings can be very complex! I close with a notorious recent rook endgame. Ponomariov will have nightmares about what happened, but you have to admire Carlsen's will to win. □ Ponomariov Ruslan ■ Carlsen Magnus D87 Nice 2010 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Lg7 7.Lc4 c5 8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Le3 0–0 10.0–0 Qc7 11.Rb1 Rd8 12.Lf4 Le5 13.Lxe5 Nxe5 14.Lb3 Ng4 15.Ng3 Qf4 16.h3 Nf6 17.e5 Nd5 18.Ne2 Qe4 19.Ng3 Qf4 20.dxc5 Le6 21.Qd4 b6 22.Ne2 Qf5 23.cxb6 Nxb6 24.Qf4 Rac8 25.Qxf5 Lxf5 26.Rbd1 Ld3 27.Rfe1 a5 28.Nf4 Lc4 29.Rxd8+ Rxd8 30.Re4 Lxb3 31.axb3 Rd1+ 32.Kh2 Rb1 33.c4 Rxb3 34.c5 Nd7 35.c6 Nb6 36.Rd4 Rc3 37.Nd5 Nxd5 38.Rxd5 Rxc6 39.Rxa5 Rc4 40.Kg3 e6 41.f4 h6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+k+( 7+-+-+p+-' 6-+-+p+pzp& 5tR-+-zP-+-% 4-+r+-zP-+$ 3+-+-+-mKP# 2-+-+-+P+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Who could believe Ponomariov would lose this position, a top Grandmaster! White's pawn structure is a little more exposed, but that is it. All players can learn from Carlsen's attitude. FIDE TRG Syllabus

He constructs the following plan: 1) Apply psychological pressure by not offering a draw. Play to the death. Fischer used similar methods. 2) Isolate and try to win the e5-pawn. 3) Advance the e- and f-pawns thereafter. The problem for White is that he has no corresponding plan with which to get counterplay. Still, he can and should draw. 42.Kf3 Surely 42.h4 g5 43.hxg5 hxg5 44.fxg5 Kg7 45.Kf3 should hold the position. 42...Rc3+ 43.Kf2?! He must take positive action: 43.Kg4 Kg7 44.g3 (44.h4?? h5+ 45.Kg5 Rg3 #) 44...g5 45.h4 =. 43...g5 44.fxg5 hxg5 45.Ra4 Kg7 46.Rg4 Kh6 47.g3 Kh5 48.Ra4 Kg6 49.Ra5 Rd3 50.h4 White can draw with 50.Rb5 Rd5 (50...Kf5 51.Rb7) 51.Rxd5 exd5 52.Ke3 Kf5 53.Kd4 Ke6 54.h4 gxh4 55.gxh4 f6 =. It is amazing he misses this chance, although it was a rapid game. 50...gxh4 51.gxh4 Rd7 52.Ke3 Rb7 53.Kf4 Rb4+ 54.Kg3 Kf5 55.Ra7 Rg4+ 56.Kf3 Rg7 57.Ra5 Rg1 58.Rb5 58.Ra7 Kxe5 59.Rxf7 Rf1+. 58...Ra1 59.Rc5 Ra3+ 60.Kf2 Ke4 61.h5 Ra8 62.Kg3 Kf5 63.Kh4 Ra4+ 64.Kg3 Rg4+ 65.Kf3 Rf4+ 66.Kg3 Kg5 67.h6 Rg4+ 68.Kf3 Rh4 69.Rc7 Kg6 70.Rc8 Rxh6 71.Kg4 Rh1 72.Rg8+ Kh7 73.Ra8 Rf1 At this stage, I am sure that White was completely hacked off. 74.Ra2 Kg6 75.Rg2 Rf5 76.Re2 Kg7 77.Kg3 Kf8 78.Re4 Ke7 79.Kg4 Kd7 80.Rd4+ Kc6 81.Rd6+ Kc7 82.Rd1 Rxe5 83.Rf1 f5+ 84.Kg5 Kd6 85.Kf6 Re4 86.Rd1+ Kc5 87.Rd8 f4 88.Kg5 e5 89.Kg4 Re3 90.Rd1 Kc4 91.Rd2 f3 92.Kg3 e4 93.Kf2 Rd3 94.Ra2 Kd4 95.Ra4+ Ke5 96.Kg3 Rd2 97.Ra5+ Kd4 98.Ra4+ Ke3 99.Ra3+ Ke2 100.Kf4 f2 Let us all be inspired by this fighting example. The entire essence of chess is contained in endgames involving the rook. 0–1 184

Bishop Endings Miguel Illescas Bishop endings can be divided into two groups: when the bishops move on squares of the same colour or when they move on squares of the opposite colour. Bishops of the Same Colour In these endings, the Capablanca rule is especially important. It says that our pawns must be situated on squares of the opposite colour than our own bishop. In this case our bishop becomes a ‘good bishop’. The bad bishop, on the contrary, has its own pawns blocking its movement. This advantage is frequently enough to win the game. The problem of a bad bishop is double. On the one hand its pawns can be attacked by the enemy bishop and on the other hand, the squares of the other colour are not protected and the opposing king can take advantage of this fact to penetrate in our position. The next position is a good example of these problems: □ Baslavsky Ilia ■ Kondratiev Tallin 1947

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+p+l+k+-' 6p+p+p+p+& 5+-zP-zP-+p% 4-zP-+-zP-zP$ 3zP-+LmK-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Black has a serious weakness on g6 and White's winning plan begins by the king invasion on the dark squares on the queenside. FIDE TRG Syllabus

1.Kd4 Le8 2.Kc3 Ke7 3.Kb3 Kd8 4.Ka4 Kc7 5.Ka5 Lf7 6.Lc4 Lg8 7.a4 Lf7 8.b5 axb5 9.axb5 Lg8 9...cxb5 10.Lxb5 would allow the bishop to go to e8 with decisive effects: 10...Lg8 11.Le8 Lh7 12.Lf7 Kd7 13.Kb6 winning. 10.b6+! A typical manoeuvre. This advanced pawn offers the tactical possibility La6 if the black king moves away. 10...Kd8 11.Kb4 Lf7 12.Kc3 Kd7 13.Kd4 Kd8 13...Ke7? 14.La6!. 14.Ke3 Kd7 15.f5! gxf5 16.Kf4 Lg6 17.Kg5 Le8 17...Lf7 18.Kf6 Lg8 19.Kg7 is even worse. 18.Kf6 f4 19.Le2 Black was not able to defend the threats on both sides of the board (g6 and La6). 1–0 Let us see another example of the 'problem of the two weaknesses'. □ Van Wely Loek ■ Kramnik Vladimir Arnhem 1990

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7zp-+-+-zp-' 6-+-+-vl-+& 5+-+p+k+p% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+P+-mK-zPP# 2-+-+-+-+" 1vL-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 185

Black should anticipate Kf3 and g4 allowing White to make a draw. Generally, only one weakness (the d4 pawn) is not enough to win. A second weakness has to be created in a short time! 1...g5! 2.Kf3 2.Lc3 g4 3.h4 Ld8 4.Le1 Lc7 –+. 2...g4+ 3.hxg4+ hxg4+ 4.Ke3 Le7 5.Lc3 Ld6 6.Le1 Ke6! 7.Kd3 7.Kf2 Kd7 8.Ld2 Kc6 9.Lf4 Le7 10.Le5 Kb5 11.Ke3 Kb4 12.Kf4 Kxb3 13.Kxg4 a5 winning. If 7.b4?! a6! 8.Kd3 Kd7 9.Kc3 Kc6 10.Kc2 Kb5 11.Kb3 and Black exploits the two weaknesses (b4 and g3) with 11...Lc7 12.Lf2 Lb8 13.Le1 Ld6 zugzwang. 7...Kd7 8.Ke2 Kc6 9.Kd3 Kb5 10.Kc2 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7zp-+-+-+-' 6-+-vl-+-+& 5+k+p+-+-% 4-+-zP-+p+$ 3+P+-+-zP-# 2-+K+-+-+" 1+-+-vL-+-! xabcdefghy 10...a5 To continue with ...a4 and obtain the c4square. 11.Kd3 a4 12.bxa4+ 12.Kc2 a3 13.Kb1 Lb4 14.Lf2 Ld2 15.Ka1 Kb4 16.Ka2 Kc3 17.Kxa3 Kd3 18.b4 Ke2 19.Lg1 Kf1 winning. 12...Kxa4 13.Lf2 Or 13.Kc2 Ka3! 14.Lf2 Kb4 15.Kd3 Kb3 transposing to the game. 13...Kb3 14.Le1 Kb2 15.Lf2 15.Kd2 Lb4+ –+. 15...Kc1 16.Le3+ If 16.Ke2 Kc2 17.Le1 Lc7 18.Lf2 La5! 19.Le3 Lc3 20.Lf2 Ld2 21.Lg1 Kc3. 16...Kd1 17.Lf2 FIDE TRG Syllabus

After 17.Lf4 Lb4 White has the ingenious 18.Ld2! but it's insufficient in view of 18...Le7 19.Lf4 (19.La5 Ld6 –+) 19...Ke1 20.Ke3 Lb4! 21.Le5 Ld2+ 22.Kd3 Lg5 –+ and Black's king gets to f3. 17...La3! Stronger than 17...Lb4 18.Ke3 Ld2+ 19.Kd3 Lc1 20.Le3. 18.Ke3 18.Le3 Ke1 –+. 18...Lc1+ 19.Kd3 Ld2! 20.Le3 Le1 21.Lf4 Lf2! 22.Le5 Ke1 23.Kc3 Ke2 24.Kb4 Kf3 25.Kc5 Ke4! 0–1 □ Smyslov Vassily ■ Keres Paul Moscow 1951

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7zp-+-+-zpk' 6-zp-+-zplzp& 5+-zp-+-+-% 4-+P+-+-+$ 3+P+-zPLzPP# 2P+-+-+-mK" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy White has a bad bishop, as his pawns on the queenside are situated on light-coloured squares. Keres takes advantage of this factor to slowly increase his advantage. 36...Lb1 37.a3 a5! Fixing the weakness on b3. 38.Ld1 Kg6 39.Kg2 Kf5 40.Kf3 Ke5 Black's plan is to prepare the advance ...g5 followed by ...f5 and ...f4 to eliminate the e3 pawn and guarantee an entry through the d4square. However, Black doesn't carry out this plan in a precise way. Better was 40...g5 to continue afterwards with ...Ke5 and the mentioned plan. Now White has the opportunity to play h4. 41.a4? (D) 186

After 41.h4! g5 42.hxg5 hxg5 43.g4! it isn't easy to progress with the blockaded pawns. In any case, Keres indicated a winning plan for Black, even if White plays 41.h4: 41...Ld3 42.a4 (forced, because of the threat ...a4) 42...g6! with the idea ...Lf5 and then ...h5, to expel the king from f3 and then play...Ke4. However, as White still has the defence Lc2+, Black must get to this position with White to play: 43.Kf2 (43.g4 g5 44.hxg5 hxg5 followed by ...f5, would leave Black with a distant passed pawn) 43...Ke4 44.Lf3+ Kf5! 45.Ld1 Ke5 46.Kf3 (46.Ke1 Lf5 47.Kf2 h5) 46...Lf5! (46...h5 47.Kg2!) 47.Kf2 h5 and the objective have been achieved. White is in zugzwang: 48.Ke1 Ke4 49.Kd2 Lg4 50.Lc2+ Kf3 51.Lxg6 Kxg3 and Black wins.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-zp-' 6-zp-+-zp-zp& 5zp-zp-mk-+-% 4P+P+-+-+$ 3+P+-zPKzPP# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+l+L+-+-! xabcdefghy 41...g5! 42.Ke2 42.h4 gxh4 43.gxh4 f5 44.Kf2 Ke4 45.Ke2 f4. 42...Lf5! 43.g4 43.h4 Lg4+ 44.Ke1 Lxd1 45.Kxd1 Ke4 46.Ke2 g4. 43...Lb1 44.Kf3 f5 45.gxf5 45.Ke2 f4 46.Kf3 fxe3 47.Kxe3 Le4 and White has no move. 45...Kxf5 45...Lxf5 46.Kg3 Ke4 fails to 47.Lc2+. 46.Kf2 Le4 47.Kg3 Kg6 48.Kf2 48.h4 h5 49.Kh3 Ld3 50.Kg3 Lf5! and White must capture on g5, allowing the advance of the h-pawn. 48...h5 49.Kg3 h4+ 50.Kf2 Lf5 51.Kg2 Kf6 52.Kh2 Ke6! FIDE TRG Syllabus

The last subtlety. If 52...Ke5 53.Kg2 this position should be achieved with White to play as if now 53...Lb1 54.Kf2 Ke4 55.Ke2 White prevents the black king from crossing. On the other hand 52...Ke6! 53.Kg2 Ke5 54.Kh2 Lb1 55.Kg2 Ke4 White can't get there in time and after 56.Kf2 Kd3 57.Kf3 Kd2 58.Le2 Lf5 Black wins. 0–1 Opposite-coloured Bishops When bishops travel on squares of the opposite colour the characteristics of the ending change. The most important concept is that the blockade of the weaker side can be done on squares of the same colour, as the opponent will not be able to use his bishop to break it down. This means that these endings tend to be drawn a lot and even an advantage of a pawn is usually not enough to win, sometimes even two. □ Walther Edgar ■ Fischer Robert Zurich 1959 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+k+-+-' 6-+-vl-+-+& 5+K+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-zp$ 3+-+-+L+P# 2PzP-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Even though White has two extra pawns, his path to victory is not easy. The fact that his hpawn promotes on a square of different colour than his bishop, means that he can't win the darksquared bishop in exchange for his queenside pawns. 54.a4? 187

Allowing Black to blockade on the darksquares. White was winning with 54.b4! Kc7 55.Ka5 Kb8 (55...Le7 56.b5 Lc5 57.Ka6 Ld4 58.a4) 56.b5 La3 (preventing the advance of the a-pawn as he has no time to construct a blockade with ...Ra7 and ...Lc5) 57.b6 Kc8 58.Ka6 Kb8 59.Lg2 (zugzwang) 59...Kc8 (59...Lc5 60.a4) 60.Ka7 Lc5 61.a4 +–. 54...Kc7 55.b4 55.Ka6 Lc5 56.a5 Kb8 57.Kb5 Lf2 as in the game. 55...Kb8! 56.a5 56.Ka5 Ka7 57.b5 Lc5 58.Le4 Lf2. 56...Ka7 57.Kc4 Lg3 58.b5 Lf2 59.Le2 If 59.b6+ Lxb6 60.axb6+ Kxb6 is a draw. 59...Le3 60.Kb3 Ld2 Or 60...Lf2 as the only dangerous plan is if the white king can get to c6 supporting the advance b6. But after 61.Kc4 Le3 62.Kd5 Black can play 62...Ld2 63.b6+ Kb7. 61.b6+ Kb7 62.Ka4 Kc6 63.Kb5 must be prevented. 63.Lb5+ Kc5 64.b7 Lf4 65.a6 Kb6 =. ½–½ □ Lopez Martinez Josep Manuel ■ Illescas Cordoba Miguel Ayamonte 2007 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+L+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-mk-+-vl-% 4-zp-+p+-+$ 3+-+-zp-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+K+-+-! xabcdefghy In order to win with two passed pawns, they must be separated at least three files. However, White couldn't find the correct defence. 66.Lf7? FIDE TRG Syllabus

This move gives the black king too much freedom. He had to attack the e4-pawn from the c2-square with 66.La4! Kc4 67.Lc2 Kd4 (67...b3 68.Lxe4 Kc3 69.Lf5 Kb2 70.Le6 Ka3 71.Lf5 isn't enough) 68.Ke2 Kc3 (68...Lh6 69.Kd1) 69.Lxe4 b3 70.Kd1 Kb2 71.Ld5. 66...Kd4 67.Ke2 It's too late for 67.Le8 b3 68.La4 Kc3! 69.Lc6 Kb2! (69...Kd3 70.Lb5+) 70.Ld5 Lf4 (zugzwang) 71.Le6 Kc3 72.Ld5 Kd3. And if 67.La2 Lh6! (67...Kc3? 68.Lb1 b3 69.Lxe4 Kb2 70.Ld5 =) 68.Lb1 b3 69.Ke2 Kc3 70.Lxe4 Kb2 71.Ld5 Kc2. 67...Kc3 68.Ld5 b3 69.Lxe4 Kb2 70.Ld5 Kc2 0–1 A good example of the subtleties of this type of ending is the following position, which went around the world: □ Topalov Veselin ■ Shirov Alexei Linares 1998 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+kzpp+& 5+-+p+l+-% 4p+-+-+-zP$ 3+-vL-+-+-# 2-+-+-+P+" 1+-+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy Although Black has two extra pawns the win is not simple. Shirov finds a spectacular and unique winning move: 47...Lh3!! The king now has a path through f5 and e4, and at the same time g2 is attacked, not allowing the white king to defend. Natural moves only lead to a draw: 47...Kd6? 48.Kf2! Kc5 49.Ke3 =. Or 47...Le4 188

48.Kf2 Kf5 49.g3 (...Lxg2 was threatened, followed by ...Ke4) 49...a3 50.Ke3 Kg4 51.Lxf6 Kxg3 52.Kd2 Kf4 (52...d4 53.Lxd4 Kxh4 54.Kc1 g5 55.Lc5 a2 56.Kb2) 53.Le7 a2 54.Lf6 Lf5 55.Lg7 Ke4 56.La1 d4 57.Lb2 d3 58.Lc3 Kf4 59.Lb2 Kg4 60.Lf6 a1Q 61.Lxa1 Kxh4 62.Ke3 g5 63.Lf6 Kh5 64.Le7 g4 and the two pawns separated by two files are not enough to win. 48.gxh3 Black's idea appears clearly in the variation 48.Kf2 Kf5 49.Kf3 in which Black deviates the white king with 49...Lxg2+! 50.Kxg2 Ke4 51.Lxf6 d4 52.Le7 Kd3 53.Lc5 Kc4 as in the game. 48...Kf5 49.Kf2 Ke4! 50.Lxf6 If 50.Ke2 d4 followed by f5. 50...d4 Threatening ...a3. 51.Le7 Kd3! With the idea ...Kc2 followed by ...d3. 52.Lc5 Kc4! 53.Le7 Kb3 And Black wins with ...Kc2 and then ...d3 and ...a3 promoting one of his pawns. 0–1 □ Vidmar Milan ■ Spielmann Rudolf St. Petersburg 1909 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+p+-+k+p' 6-+-+-+p+& 5+-vL-mK-+-% 4p+l+-+-+$ 3+-zP-+-+-# 2-+-+-+PzP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 34...Lf1 35.g3 Lh3! Fixing the pawn on h2, where it can't be defended easily. This way White will have to worry about both sides of the board. FIDE TRG Syllabus

36.La3?! More precise was 36.Kd4 Kf6 (36...b5 37.c4) 37.Kc4 Kg5 38.Kb4 Kg4 (if 38...Ld7 39.h4+! Kg4 40.Ld6 with an impenetrable fortress) 39.Ld6! Kf3 40.Kxa4 Kg2 41.Kb5 Kxh2 42.g4+ Kg2 43.g5 Lf5 44.Kb6 Le4 45.Lf4 and a draw as ...h5 is answered by gxh6 followed by h7. 36...g5 37.Lb4 Kg6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+p+-+-+p' 6-+-+-+k+& 5+-+-mK-zp-% 4pvL-+-+-+$ 3+-zP-+-zPl# 2-+-+-+-zP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 38.c4? The correct move was 38.La3 Kh5 39.Ke4! Kg4 40.Ke3 Lf1 (40...Kf5 41.Kd4 and Black can't get through) and now 41.Kf2! (note that 41.Le7 [instead of 41.Kf2!] Black wins instructively: 41...Kh3 42.Kf2 Kxh2 43.Lxg5 [43.Kxf1 Kxg3 44.Lxg5 a3 45.c4 a2 46.Lf6 Kf3 47.Ke1 h5 48.Kf1 Ke3 49.Kg2 Kd3 50.c5 Kc2] 43...a3 44.c4 Lxc4 45.Le7 a2 46.Lf6 Ld5 47.Lh8 Kh3 48.La1 Kg4 49.Lg7 h5 50.Lh8 b5 51.Lg7 b4 52.Lh8 Lf3! 53.Lg7 h4! 54.gxh4 Kf4) 41...Ld3 42.Le7 Kh3 43.Kg1 b5 44.Lf8 (not 44.Lxg5 Kg4 followed by ...Kf3) 44...Lg6 45.Lb4 Kg4 46.Kf2 Kf5 47.Ke3 with a draw. 38...Kh5 39.Kf6? A mistake which allows the black king to penetrate. 39.Ke4 was necessary although after 39...Lf1 40.c5 Kg4 41.Ke3 Kh3 42.Kf2 Kxh2 Black must win. 39...Kg4 40.La3 Lg2 41.Ld6 Lf1 42.Kg7 Kf5 43.c5 a3 44.c6 a2 45.g4+ Ke4 46.Le5 bxc6 47.La1 c5 48.Kxh7 c4 49.Kg6 Kd3 50.Kxg5 c3 0–1 189

Knight Endings Mikhail Gurevich The majority of Knight Endings are very similar to pawn endings. The way we evaluate pawn endings is useful for knight endings as well. Activity of the king is an important, often decisive factor. Therefore the pawn structure needs to be evaluated. The existence of extra pawn(s), passed pawns of all kinds, especially outside, connected and protected passed pawns; all these factors should be considered. The existence of knights on the board makes the game more complicated, more tactical and requires sometimes a lot of calculation. Unlike the long-range bishop, the knight is a short-range piece that makes it often very weak, especially when fighting against passed pawns. But from another side it is a mighty piece which may visit any square of the board, may influence an activity, or rather inactivity of the opponent's monarch. And last, but not least for admirers of tactics, the knight is a very tricky piece... The size of this article does not allow us to demonstrate all those typical primitive positions when the knight can win without pawns by mating the opponent's king trapped in the corner by his own pawn(s). We will not waste your time by positions when a b2knight cannot stop an a3-pawn. We will just mention that most positions with knight against one pawn are drawn and most positions with knight against two (and even three) connected or closely placed pawns are drawn as well, on condition the knight and the king are correctly placed near the pawns and cooperating. For those who wish to study theoretical positions with knight against pawns we may recommend that the 'simple' solution is to look into Nalimov's Databases (www.k4it.de). If this is not ‘enough’ then TRG recommendations on-line would be! FIDE TRG Syllabus

When the knight moves it automatically leaves unprotected all the squares that were controlled before the move. This strategical weakness of the knights leads us to very important knowledge: the knight cannot win or lose a move. We will explain by following a classical example: Example 1 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-mk-mK( 7+-+-+-+P' 6-+-+-+-sN& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Draw with White to play, Black to move loses. In this 'extreme' example, White cannot win despite his huge material advantage. An excellent illustration of the importance of king activity and the knight's major weakness, which is the inability to lose a tempo. ½–½ Here, we wish to use a 'human' approach to the process of understanding knight endings by explaining the main principles and characteristics of most typical practical endgames... Two knights win if opponent has a pawn, on condition that the pawn does not cross the imaginary ‘Troitsky line’ (after the famous Russian chess composer), which can be seen in the next diagram: 190

Example 2 ○●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-zp-+-+p+& 5+Nzp-+psN-% 4p+NzppsN-zp$ 3sN-+NsN-+N# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy An important position to remember. The problem however is that many of those endgames are won in more then 50, up to 115 moves... Details in above mentioned Nalimov's Databases (www.k4it.de). ‘Samples’ are in need; here is one of mine: □ Rogers Ian ■ Gurevich Mikhail Biel 1993 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-sn-+& 5+-+nmK-mk-% 4-+-zP-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 60...Kg4 61.Ke6 Kf4 62.Kd6 Kf5 63.Kc5 Ke6 64.Kc4 Ne4 65.Kd3 Nd6 The perfect position for the knights achieved. Next step - king attacks king, pushing by ‘shoulder’... 66.Ke2 Kf5 67.Kf3 Ne4 68.Ke2 Kf4 69.Kd3 Nd6 70.Ke2 Kg3 71.Kd3 Kf2 FIDE TRG Syllabus

72.Kd2 Kf1 73.Kd3 73.Kd1 Nc4 –+. 73...Ke1 74.Kc2 Ke2 75.Kc1 Nc4! 75...Ne3!? 76.d5 Kd3 77.Kb2 Kc4 78.Ka3 (78.Ka2! Kc3 79.Ka3 Nec4+ 80.Ka4 Nb6+ 81.Ka3 [81.Ka5! Nd7 82.Ka4 Kc4] 81...Nd7 82.Ka2 Nc5 83.Ka3 Nc4+ 84.Ka2 Kc2 85.d6 Nd3 86.d7 Nb4+ 87.Ka1 Nd2 88.d8Q Nb3 #) 78...Nd1 79.Ka4 (79.Ka2 Kb4! 80.Kb1 Kc3 81.Kc1 [81.Ka1 Nb2 82.Ka2 Nbc4 83.Kb1 Kd2 84.Ka2 Kc2 85.Ka1 Na3 86.Ka2 Nb1 87.Ka1 Nc4 88.d6 Nc3 89.d7 Nd2 90.d8Q Nb3 # or 81.Ka2 Nb2 82.Ka3 Nb5+ 83.Ka2 Kc2 84.d6 Nc4 85.d7 Nc3+ 86.Ka1 Nd2 87.d8Q Nb3 #] 81...Nb2 82.Kb1 Nd3 83.Ka2 Kb4 84.Kb1 Kb3 85.Ka1 Nb4 86.Kb1 Na2 87.Ka1 Nc4 88.d6 [88.Kb1 Na3+ 89.Ka1 Nc3 90.d6 Nc2 #] 88...Nc3 89.d7 Na3 90.d8Q Nc2 #) 79...Nb2+ 80.Ka5 (80.Ka3 Kc3 81.Ka2 Nbc4 82.Kb1 Kd2 83.Ka2 Kc2 84.Ka1 Nb5 85.d6 Nc3 86.d7 Nd2 87.d8Q Nb3 #) 80...Kc5 81.Ka6 Nbc4 82.Ka7 Kb5 83.Kb8 Kb6 84.Ka8 Na3 85.Kb8 Nab5 86.Ka8 Ka5! 87.Kb8 Ka6 88.Ka8 Na7 89.Kb8 Kb6 90.Ka8 Ne8 91.Kb8 (91.d6 Nc6 92.d7 Nc7 #) 91...Nc7 92.d6 Na6+ 93.Ka8 Nc6 94.d7 Nc7 #. 76.Kc2 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+-+n+-+-% 4-+nzP-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+K+k+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 76...Nce3+ 76...Ke3! was best: 77.Kc1 (77.Kb3 Kd3 or 77.Kd1 Kf2 78.Kc1 Ke1 79.Kc2 Ke2) 77...Kf3!! (a nice triangle, which I did not 191

see, would allow to push opponent's king further in the corner without moving d5knight) 78.Kb1 Kf2! 79.Kc1 Ke1! 80.Kc2 Ke2 81.Kb3 (81.Kc1 Nce3 82.Kb2 Kd3 83.Ka3 [83.Kc1 Kc3 84.Kb1 Nc4 85.Kc1 Nb2 86.Kb1 Nd3 87.Ka2 Kb4 –+ or 83.Kb1 Kd2 84.Kb2 Nc4+ 85.Kb3 Kd3] 83...Kc4 84.Ka4 [84.Kb2 Kb4 85.Ka2 Nc4 86.Kb1 Kc3 87.Kc1 Nb2 88.Kb1 Nd3 89.Ka2 Kb4 90.Kb1 Kb3 91.Ka1 Nc3 92.d5 Nb4 93.d6 Nc2 #] 84...Nf5 85.Ka3 Kc3 86.Ka2 Kc2 87.Ka3 Nd6 88.Ka4 Kb2 –+) 81...Kd3 82.Ka4 Nd6 83.Kb3 Kd2 84.Kb2 Kd1 85.Kb1 (85.Kb3 Kc1 86.Ka3 Kc2 87.Ka4 Kb2 88.Ka5 Kb3 89.Ka6 Kb4 90.Ka7 Kb5 91.Ka8 Ka6! 92.Kb8 Kb6 93.Ka8 Nc7+ 94.Kb8 Na6+ 95.Ka8 Ne8 96.d5 Nec7 #) 85...Nc4 86.Ka2 Kc2 87.Ka1 Nc3 88.d5 Nd2 89.d6 Nb3 #. 77.Kc1 Kd3 78.Kb2 Kc4 79.Ka3 Kc3 80.Ka4 Kc4 81.Ka3 Nd1 82.Ka4 N1c3+ 83.Ka3 Kd3 84.Kb2 Nb5 85.Kc1 Ke2 86.Kc2 Nd6 87.Kc1 Nb4 87...Nc4! 88.Kc2 Ke3!. 88.d5 Ke1 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-sn-+-+& 5+-+P+-+-% 4-sn-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-mK-mk-+-! xabcdefghy 89.Kb1? Kd2 90.Kb2 Nc2 91.Kb3 Kd3 92.Kb2 Nd4 93.Kb1 Kd2 94.Kb2 Nc4+ Last step. The knights ignore the pawn and go for a decisive mating manoeuvre. 95.Kb1 Ne2 The end could be 96.Ka1 Kc2 97.d6 Nc3 98.d7 Nd2 99.d8Q Nb3 # or 96.d6 Nc3+ 97.Ka1 Kc2 98.d7 Nd2 99.d8Q Nb3 #. FIDE TRG Syllabus

Study this ending; you never know… 0–1 Knight & Pawn versus Knight Very common. The main principle difference between pawn and knight endgames can be seen in the following position: □ Yrjola Jouni ■ Gurevich Mikhail Tallin 1987 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+k+n' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+N+-+-+-% 4-zP-+-+-+$ 3+-+K+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Draw agreed, as the black king and knight come on time and stop the pawn easily. Just imagine this position without knights. Black would resign on the spot. Considering the limited material, White is unable to promote the pawn, or, to be more specific, cannot prevent an inevitable exchange of the pawn for the opponent's knight. ½–½

A completely different case occurred in the following game: 192

□ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Firat Burak Chalkida 2009 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-mk-' 6NzP-+-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-sn-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-mK-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy Here the passed pawn is too far advanced and the bad position of the opponent's king makes the position winning for White. He only has to show some basic technique… 48.b7?! An case of 'chess blindness’ which might be excused only by the fatigue of a long and tense game. White could win immediately with the simple 48.Nb4 when the pawn is unstoppable. 48...Nc6 49.Nb4 Nb8 50.Ke3 White is still winning despite the previous blow, as the position of the kings (an important factor in all endings) is decisive. 50...Kf6 51.Kd4 Ke6 52.Kc5 Kd7 53.Nd5 Nc6 54.Kb6 Kd6 55.Nf6 55.Ne7! Nb8 56.Ka7 Nd7 57.Nc8+ Kc7 58.Nb6 Nb8 59.Nd5+ +–. 55...Nb8 56.Ka7 Nc6+ 57.Ka8 A winning 'schema' achieved. Now the knight has to attack its counterpart and black king is unable to cover all possible roots... 57...Ke6 There is no salvation anymore, as after 57...Kc7 White wins by 58.Nd5+ Kd6 59.Nb4 +–. 58.Ne4 Kd5 59.Nd2 And Black resigned as with Nb3 coming next, followed by Na5 or Nd4, he cannot survive. 1–0 FIDE TRG Syllabus

Knight & Pawns versus Knight & Pawns □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Andersson Ulf Leningrad 1987 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+k+( 7+-+-+-zp-' 6-+-+-sn-zp& 5+-+-zPN+-% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+-+-+-+P# 2-+-+-+PmK" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy This is a variation of the game. Limited material strongly differentiates the knight ending from the corresponding pawn ending. 101...Ne4! Prevents the white king from entering play, with the idea of improving the black king with ...Kf7-e6. This will lead eventually to a defendable endgame with white g-and hpawns against black g- or h-pawn... 102.e6 The best tactical chance, with the idea of e7 winning both black pawns for the e-pawn. If instead 102.g4 Kf7 103.Nd4 (103.Kg2 Ke6 104.Nxg7+ Kxe5 105.Nf5 h5 =) 103...Nf2 104.Kg3 Nd3 105.e6+ Kf6 106.Nf5 g6 (106...Kxe6 107.Nxg7+ Kf6 =) 107.e7 Kf7 108.Nxh6+ Kxe7 = and Black will achieve his aim. 102...g6! 103.Nxh6+ Or 103.Ne7+ Kg7 104.Nd5 Nc5 105.e7 Kf7 106.Kg3 Nd3 107.Kf3 Ne5+ 108.Ke4 Nc6 =, with a draw. 103...Kf8 The e-pawn falls and a draw is the predictable result. ½–½ The next game is a very nice example of positional advantage exploitation; material equality can easily misguide you… 193

□ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Johansen Darryl Gent 1997 ○

□ Gurevich Dmitry ■ Gurevich Mikhail New York 1989 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+k+p+-' 6-+-+n+p+& 5+p+NmK-zP-% 4-+-+-zP-+$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-zP-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+psn-mk-+-' 6-+p+-sNp+& 5+-zP-zP-+-% 4-zP-zp-+-+$ 3+-+K+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy

Despite the equal and limited material, White is clearly better thanks to the dominating position of his king in the centre. 51.Nb4!? With the idea Nd3 and b4. 51.Kf6 Ke8 52.f5 gxf5 53.g6 Kf8 54.Nb6 (54.gxf7 Nd8 =) 54...Nc5 =. 51...Nc5 52.Kd5 Ne6 53.Nd3 Kc7? A mistake in a difficult position. 53...Ke7 54.Ke5 ± (54.b4? f6 =). 54.b4 White found the winning plan. Black is in a kind of zugzwang. 54...Kb6 54...Kd7 55.Nc5+ Ke7 (55...Nxc5 56.Kxc5 +–) 56.Nxe6 fxe6+ 57.Ke5 +– but 54...Kd8 was more resistant. 55.Kd6 Nd4 56.Ke7 The opponent stopped the clock. 1–0

67...Ke6! Activating the king is more important than the extra pawn. Having an outside passed g6pawn Black should win. Instead, 67...Ne6?! 68.Ne4 g5 69.Nd6 g4 70.Ke4 Kf8 71.Nf5! ³ would complicate Black's task significantly, as the black king cannot be activated without losing the g-pawn. 68.Kxd4 Kf5 69.Nd7 69.Ne4 Ne6+ 70.Ke3 Kxe5 71.Nd2 (71.Nd6 b5) 71...Kd5 –+. 69...g5 70.Nb6 Kf4 70...g4! 71.Nc8 Kf4 –+. 71.Kd3 71.Nc4 keeping the e5-pawn was more resistant: 71...g4 72.Kd3 Ne6 73.Ke2 g3 74.Kf1 Kf3 75.Nd2+ Kg4 μ. 71...Kxe5 The outside and extra passed g-pawn makes the position easily winning. 72.Nc4+ Kf4 73.Ke2 g4 74.Kf2 Nd5 75.Na5 g3+ 76.Kg2 Kg4! 77.Nc4 77.Nxb7 Nf4+ 78.Kg1 Kf3 –+. 77...Nf4+ 78.Kg1 Kh3 79.Ne3 Nd3 80.Nc2 g2 81.Ne3 Nf4 82.Kf2 Kh2 83.Nxg2 Nxg2 84.Ke2 Kg3 85.Kd3 Nf4+ 0–1

FIDE TRG Syllabus

Limited and equal material fools no one in the following position. Positional assets are more than valuable in knight endings… 194

□ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Radjabov Teimour Dos Hermanas 2001 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+k+-' 6p+-+-+-zp& 5+-+-+p+-% 4-+K+-sN-+$ 3+-+-+-zP-# 2P+-sn-+-zP" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy White has a clear advantage due to both the better king and superior pawn structure. 56.Kc5 Ke7?! Black tries to improve his king, which is a human response. 56...Nf1! was a more aggressive defence. It is difficult to know which of the following sharp variations did not suit my opponent: 57.Kb6 Nxh2 58.Kxa6 Nf3! (maybe this move was not evaluated properly by Radjabov. Leaves hope for defence, as there is no time for a second pawn with 58...Nf1? 59.a4 Nxg3 60.Kb6 Ne4 61.Kc6! Ke7 62.Nd5+ Ke6 [62...Kd8 63.a5 Kc8 64.a6 Kb8 65.Kb6 +–] 63.a5 Nd6 64.a6 Nc8 65.Kc7 Nd6 [65...Na7 66.Kb7 +–] 66.Nc3 +–) 59.Kb6 Nd2 60.a4 Nc4+ and the game continues, as White has to avoid an exchange of the a-pawn for the knight... 57.Kb6 Kd6 58.Kxa6 Kc6 Black lost the important a-pawn, but the position of the kings changed considerably. 59.Ng6! This strong move with a threat Ne7-fork forces Black to liberate my king. 59...Kc5 59...Nf1 60.Ne7+ Kc5 61.a4! +–. 60.Nh4 Nf1 61.Nf3!? A good 'technical' move which prevents unnecessary exchanges... 61...Kb4 62.Kb6 Ka3 63.Kc5 Ne3 FIDE TRG Syllabus

64.Kd6 64.Kd4 Ng4. 64...Kxa2 65.Ke5 Kb3 66.Kf4 Nf1 67.h3!? Kc4 68.Nh4 Kd5 69.Nxf5 h5 70.h4 1–0 Knight - A Tactical Piece A spectacular tactical dance of the knight decided the next game: □ Shushpanov Vladimir ■ Gurevich Mikhail Pardubice 2000 ●

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+p+-+k+-' 6-+-+-+-+& 5+P+-+-zp-% 4-+-+psN-zp$ 3+-+-zPn+P# 2-+-+-+P+" 1+-+K+-+-! xabcdefghy 63...Nd4!! 63...gxf4 64.gxf3 Kf6 65.exf4 exf3 66.Kd2 Kf5 67.Ke3 f2 68.Kxf2 Kxf4 69.b6 Ke4 70.Ke2 Kd4 71.Kf3 Kc5 72.Kg4 Kxb6 73.Kxh4 =. 64.Nd3! Best defence. 64.exd4 gxf4 65.Kd2 Ke6 66.Kc2 (66.Kc3 Kd5 67.b6 Kc6 –+) 66...Kd5 67.Kc3 b6. 64...Nxb5 65.Nc5 65.Nf2! was a difficult move with the idea Ng4, creating some kind of fortress: 65...Nd6 66.Kd2 Ke6 67.Kc3 Kd5 68.Ng4 ³ (68.Kb4 Nc4 69.Nd1 Nxe3 70.Nxe3+ Kd4 –+). 65...Nd6 The extra outside passed pawn should bring the full point to Black, although good technique is still required. 66.Kc2 Kf6 66...b6! followed by Nc4 would win at once, Rybka is smart. It took me another 25 moves 195

instead, although I did not give a chance to my opponent. 67.Kc3 Ke5 68.Nd7+ Ke6 69.Nb6 Nf5 70.Kd2 Ne7 71.Na4 Kd6 72.Nb6 Nf5 73.Nc4+ Kd5 74.Nb6+ Kd6 75.Nc4+ Ke6 76.Nb6 Ne7 77.Na4 Kd6 78.Nc3 Ke5 79.Nb5 b6 80.Na3 Nc8 81.Kc3 Kd5 82.Kb4 Nd6 83.Nc2 Nf5! 84.Kc3 84.Kb5 Nxe3 is a typical knight sacrifice which forces the opponent to retreat his king: 85.Nxe3+ Kd4 –+. 84...Kc5 85.Kb3 b5 86.Kc3 b4+ 87.Nxb4 What to do to avoid defeat? If 87.Kb3 then simply 87...Kb5 –+. 87...Nxe3 88.Na6+ Kd5 89.Nb4+ Ke5 90.Nc6+ Kf4 The knight is a tactical piece; a sacrifice for an important pawn should be always considered... 0–1 □ Gurevich Mikhail ■ Bareev Evgeny Germany 1991 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+p+-+& 5+nsNkzP-+-% 4-zP-zp-zP-+$ 3+K+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy 74.Kc2! Centralizing the king - the winning manoeuvre. 74.Ka4 Nc3+ (74...Kc4) 75.Ka5 Kc4 =. 74...Nc3 74...Kc4 75.Nxe6 d3+ 76.Kd2 Nc3 77.Nc5 Nb1+ 78.Kc1 +–. 75.Kd3 Nd1!? (D) The most stubborn defence. 75...Nb5 76.Ne4 with idea 77.Nf6 wins. FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-+-' 6-+-+p+-+& 5+-sNkzP-+-% 4-zP-zp-zP-+$ 3+-+K+-+-# 2-+-+-+-+" 1+-+n+-+-! xabcdefghy 76.Nxe6! A typical, but nice sacrifice nevertheless. 76.Na6? Nf2+ 77.Ke2 Ne4 = and White must avoid 78.Nc7+? Kc4 79.Nxe6 d3+ 80.Kd1 Kc3 when Black wins. 76...Nf2+ 76...Kxe6 77.Kxd4 Nb2 78.Ke4! Nc4 79.f5+ Ke7 80.Kd4 +–. 77.Ke2 Nh3 78.f5! 78.b5? Kxe6 79.b6 Nxf4+ 80.Kf3 (80.Kd2 Kd7 –+) 80...Ng6 81.b7 Nxe5². 78...Kxe5 79.b5 Ng1+ 79...Kxf5 80.b6. 80.Kd1! Avoids all checks. White's pawns are unstoppable. 1–0

Conclusion - Reminder Knight endings are very similar to pawn endings. The influence of the knight on the opponent's king activity may change the evaluation. With limited material a difference from pawn endings is considerable, as the knight can be sacrificed for the remaining pawn(s). 196

Mixed Endings Andrew Martin I am sitting at a desk beside which are piles of books. Most of these books are very good indeed and deal with the endgame. I am sure that all of you reading these lines will have your own particular favourite endgame literature and ways of teaching this aspect of the game. Many endgame books contain general advice about the endgame, some in the form of useful tips; golden rules etc. What are the ‘golden rules’ for coaching endgames? I can reduce it to a short list: 1) The coach must make endgame study enjoyable and approachable. 2) The coach must inspire the students to research the endgame themselves, alone. 3) The coach should concentrate on the practical and aesthetic qualities of the endgame. 4) The coach acts as a catalyst, drawing the best out of the student at all times. We now turn to Mixed Endgames. What does that mean? To me it is the opportunity to showcase some of the classics and the chance to show the beauty of chess during this final stage of the game. Pointers Before we see some chess, here are some points about the endgame which are worth consideration. 1) The endgame should be kept in mind throughout the opening and middlegame. This will help to make correct decisions. 2) Planning in the endgame often means making use of your advantages in any given position and eliminating your disadvantages 3) Be quite clear in your mind where these advantages and disadvantages lie, whether you are attacking or defending. 4) You must bring all your pieces into play wherever possible. 5) One weakness in the enemy camp might not be enough to win. Stretch the defence by creating a second weakness. FIDE TRG Syllabus

6) There are no hard and fast rules in the endgames, just guidelines. Watch out for the exceptions to these guidelines. The usual early indicator of a potentially poor endgame is of course, the pawn structure. We will assume players who have a sharp opening repertoire know what they are doing. □ Spirin Oleg ■ Vymazal Bronislav E29 Brno 2009 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Lb4 4.e3 c5 5.a3 Risk versus reward. Do you prefer the bishops and potentially mobile centre or a rock-solid defensive position with clear chances to win the pawn on c4? This game turns into a nightmare for White. His initiative runs out of steam and he has to sit and watch Black pick off the static pawn weaknesses. 5...Lxc3+ 6.bxc3 Nc6 7.Ld3 0–0 8.Ne2 b6 9.e4 Ne8 10.0–0 La6 11.f4 f5 12.exf5 exf5 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.Le3 d6 14...Qa5 15.Ng3 g6 16.Le2 Nf6 17.Qd6 Rae8 18.Lxc5 Rf7 19.Ld4 Re6 20.Qc5 Qxc5 21.Lxc5 d6 22.Lb4 Rfe7 23.Rfd1 Nxb4 24.axb4 d5 25.b5 Lc8 26.Lf3 Rb6 27.cxd5 Rxb5 28.d6 Rf7 29.Nf1 +– Ezat,M-Ameir,M Cairo 2009. 15.Rb1 Qc7 16.Qa4 Lb7 17.Ng3 Ne7 18.Rfe1 g6 19.Lf2 Nf6 20.h3 Nc8 (D) (see next diagram) I am not sure where White goes from here that is the problem. White is still reasonably active, but all the long term chances favour Black. Still, if you play an opening variation where there is no plan B, what do you expect? 21.Re6 Nb6 22.Qb5 Lc6 23.Qb3 Rae8 24.Rbe1 Kf7! Why not exchange all the rooks? It makes perfect sense. 25.Rxe8 Rxe8 26.Rxe8 Kxe8 27.Nf1 Qb7 28.Ne3 Na4 29.Qc2 Nh5? 197

XABCDEFGHY 8r+n+-trk+( 7zplwq-+-+p' 6-+-zp-snp+& 5+-zp-+p+-% 4Q+P+-zP-+$ 3zP-zPL+-sNP# 2-+-+-vLP+" 1+R+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy 29...Kf8! ³. 30.Nd5? A reciprocal mistake, possibly encouraged by the onset of time trouble. With 30.Nxf5 gxf5 31.Qe2+ White turns the tables and probably wins the game. 30...Nb6 31.Qe2+ Kf8 32.Qe6 Qd7 33.Qxd7 Nxd7 The endgame commences. We notice the complete absence of counterplay for White, which is the nightmare scenario. Having survived the hiccup on move 30, Vymazal does not rush and first puts his pieces on their best squares. 34.g3 Nhf6 35.Ne3 Lf3 36.Le1 Nb6 37.Kf2 Le4 38.Lf1 The two knights are fantastic ganging up on isolated or doubled pawns, in fact any kind of pawn weakness. Spirin avoids further exchanges. 38...h5 39.Ke2 Ke7 40.Kf2 Lb7 41.Ld3 Ne4+ 42.Ke2 Na4 43.Nd1 Ke6 44.Lc2 Nb6 45.Ld3 Nf6 46.Kf2 Le4 47.Lf1 Lc2 48.Ne3 Ne4+ 49.Ke2 Lb3 50.Kf3 Na4 51.Nd5 Nb2 52.Ne3 Kd7 53.Le2 Ke6 This endgame is your worst nightmare with White and has stemmed directly from the opening variation. 54.Lf1 The defender usually tries to exchange pawns, so maybe 54.g4 hxg4+ 55.hxg4 was a better try. 54...Ld1+ 55.Le2 La4 (D) He needs his bishop to keep an eye on d5. FIDE TRG Syllabus

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7zp-+-+-+-' 6-+-zpk+p+& 5+-zp-+p+p% 4l+P+nzP-+$ 3zP-zP-sNKzPP# 2-sn-+L+-+" 1+-+-vL-+-! xabcdefghy 56.Nd5? White runs out of steam and makes the decisive mistake. With 56.Kg2 the torture would continue at length, although White might be able to hold. 56...Lc6 57.Ke3 Lxd5 58.cxd5+ Kxd5 59.Lb5 Nf6 59...c4! 60.Le8 (60.Ke2 Nd3 61.Le8 Ke6 62.Lxg6 h4 –+) 60...Nd3. 60.a4 Nc4+ 61.Kd3 Nb6 62.c4+ Ke6 63.a5 Nc8 64.Lc6 Ne7 65.Lb5 Nd7 66.Lc3 Nb8 67.Ld2 a6 68.La4 Nbc6 69.Lc3 Nd8 70.Ld2 Nec6 71.Lc3 Kd7 72.Ld1 Nb7 73.La4 Nbd8 74.Ld1 Nb4+ 75.Kd2 Nb7 76.La4+ Ke7 77.Lxb4 cxb4 78.Lb5 Nc5 79.Lc6 Nb3+ 80.Kd3 Nxa5 81.La4 Nb7 82.Kd4 Nc5 83.Lc2 a5 84.Lb1 a4 The sort of experience as White that makes you rethink why you play chess. But Spirin would certainly have recognised he got himself into trouble by employing a very double-edged opening variation. 0–1

Weak squares or weak-square complexes inherited in the opening can certainly form the basis for endgame defeat. Here is a good example: 198

□ Petursson Margeir ■ Ehlvest Jaan A42 Yerevan 1996 1.c4 g6 2.d4 Lg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 e5 5.dxe5 dxe5 6.Qxd8+ Kxd8 7.f4 Nc6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+lmk-+ntr( 7zppzp-+pvlp' 6-+n+-+p+& 5+-+-zp-+-% 4-+P+PzP-+$ 3+-sN-+-+-# 2PzP-+-+PzP" 1tR-vL-mKLsNR! xabcdefghy Black has d4, White does not have d5. Of course, Black has to survive the White initiative. I am sure that most masters would prefer to play White in this position, but if Black is patient and understands the positive aspects of his game, he may weather the opening storm. 8.Nf3 Nd4 9.Kf2 exf4 10.Lxf4 Ne6 11.Ld2 11.Rd1+ achieves very little after 11...Ld7. 11...Nf6 12.h3 Nd7 The danger signs are there for White to see, as he has whole complex of central dark squares to monitor. If White plays this line, he has to ensure he keeps active at all times to prevent Black from exploiting the weak squares. 13.Ld3 Ne5 14.Le2 c6 15.Na4 Nxf3 16.Lxf3 Kc7 17.Lc3 Lxc3 18.Nxc3 Nc5 19.Rhd1 a5 20.Rac1 Re8 21.Rd4 Re5 22.Rcd1 Le6 23.g4 Re8 Solid control. By now Black has a slight edge. 24.Kg3 Lc8 25.Lg2 h5 26.Rf1 R8e7 27.Lf3 Ne6 28.Rd2 Ng5 29.Lg2 hxg4 30.hxg4 Rc5 31.Kh4 Re8 32.Rd4 Rh8+ 33.Kg3 Le6 34.b3 b5 35.Rc1 bxc4 36.bxc4 Rd8 37.Rxd8 Kxd8 38.Lf1 Nh7 (D) (see next diagram) The endgame is not going to be much fun for FIDE TRG Syllabus

Petursson. He has fractured pawns to look after, by far the worse bishop and he has not solved his dark-squared problem inherited in the opening.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-mk-+-+( 7+-+-+p+n' 6-+p+l+p+& 5zp-tr-+-+-% 4-+P+P+P+$ 3+-sN-+-mK-# 2P+-+-+-+" 1+-tR-+L+-! xabcdefghy 39.Le2 Nf6 40.Kf4 g5+ 41.Ke3 Re5 42.Kd4 Nd7 43.Rb1 Kc7 44.Rb2 f6 45.Rb1 Lg8 46.Rh1 Re8 47.Rh6 Rd8 48.c5 Ne5+ 49.Ke3 Rd3+! Nicely done. 50.Lxd3 Nxg4+ 51.Kd4 Nxh6 52.a3 Ng4 53.Le2 Ne5 54.Nd1 Le6 55.Nf2 Kd7 56.Nh1 Ke7 57.Ng3 Kf8 58.La6 Kg7 59.Ke3 Kh6 60.Lb7 Ld7 61.La6 Le6 62.Lb7 g4 63.Ne2 63.Kf4 Nd3+ 64.Ke3 Nxc5 –+. 63...Kg5 64.Kf2 Nd3+ 65.Ke3 Ne5 66.Kf2 Kh4 67.Kg2 Lc4 68.Ng3 Kg5 69.Nf5 Ld3 70.Ng3 Lb5 71.Nf5 Kf4 72.Ng3 Nd3 73.Lc8 Nxc5 74.Lf5 Ld3 75.Nh5+ Kg5 76.Ng3 Lc4 77.Kf2 Le6 78.Ke3 Lxf5 79.Nxf5 Nd7 80.a4 c5 81.Nd6 Nb6 82.Nb7 Nxa4 83.Nxa5 Nb2 84.Nb3 c4 85.Nd4 Nd3 86.Ne2 Kh4 0–1 White endured the type of tiresome, thankless task that can ruin a tournament. You invest a lot of energy and end up with nothing. The good coach will emphasize the necessity to consider all aspects of any opening the student might employ. The type of middle game that arises from the opening variation and even the potential endgames have to be studied carefully. 199

The Second Weakness I first remember seeing the principle of the second weakness described by Shereshevsky in his excellent ‘Endgame Strategy’. Learning about this idea has won me many points over the years in tournament games. You will undoubtedly introduce your students to this technique using favourite examples of your own. □ Kasparov Garry ■ Andersson Ulf Belgrade 1985 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-sn-+-+( 7+ptrr+-mkp' 6-+-+-+p+& 5+R+-+p+-% 4-+-zP-+-zP$ 3+-+-zPL+-# 2-+-+-zP-+" 1+R+-+-mK-! xabcdefghy The following ending is a classic example of creating a second weakness, thereby fatally pressurizing the defence. In the diagrammed position Black is doggedly hanging on, protecting b7 with all his pieces. In order to win, Kasparov creates fresh targets on the kingside. 1.h4! Kf7 2.h5 Kg7 3.Kg2 Re7 4.Rb6 Rf7 5.Ld5 Rfd7 6.R1b5 Re7 7.Kg3 Red7 8.hxg6 hxg6 9.Kf4! The king heads for g5 to attack and win the g6 pawn. Since Andersson can't defend b7 and g6 effectively, he makes a stab at activity. 9...Rc2 10.Kg5 Rxf2 Or 10...Nf7+ 11.Lxf7 Kxf7 12.Rf6+ Ke8 13.Re5+ Re7 14.Rxg6 Rxe5 15.dxe5 Rxf2 16.Kf6 +–. 11.Rxg6+ Kf8 12.Lb3 Nf7+ 13.Kf6 f4 13...Rb2 14.Re5! Rd6+ 15.Le6 +–. 14.e4 Rb2 15.e5 f3 16.e6 The endgame has been carefully calculated FIDE TRG Syllabus

and superbly played. 16...f2 17.Lc4 Here Black resigned due to 17...f1Q+ 18.Lxf1 Rf2+ 19.Rf5 Rxf5+ 20.Kxf5 Rxd4 21.Rf6. 1–0 Classics The educational value of classic endgames can never be underplayed. Once the student is properly motivated it will be a positive joy to revisit and analyse some of the great games of the past. The good coach will pepper his training regimes with many examples of this type. The endgame must never be seen as a dry, theoretical exercise, but the natural presentation skills of the coach will take this into account. Endgames must entertain first, instruct second. I never tire of the following beautiful example of Luigi Centurini (1847): Example 1 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+K+-+-+( 7+P+-+-+-' 6-+k+-+-+& 5+-+-+-+-% 4-+-+-+-vL$ 3+-+-+-+-# 2-+-+-+-vl" 1+-+-+-+-! xabcdefghy White must find the way to drive Black's bishop off the h2-b8 diagonal. 1.Lh4 Kb6 2.Lf2+ Ka6 3.Lc5! Forcing Black's bishop out of the corner in order to gain a tempo. 3.Le3 Ld6 4.Lg5 Kb5 5.Ld8 Kc6 6.Le7 Lh2 has not achieved the aim. 3...Lg3 3...Le5 4.Le7 or 3...Lf4 4.Le7. 4.Le7 Kb5 5.Ld8 Kc6 200

The original position is revisited except that Black's bishop is on a more exposed square. 6.Lh4! Gaining the vital winning tempo. 6...Lh2 7.Lf2 Lf4 8.La7 Lh2 9.Lb8! Lg1 10.Lg3 La7 11.Lf2! Superb! 1–0 The following example made a strong impression on me: □ Steinitz William ■ Schlechter Carl Hastings 1895 ○

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+r+k+( 7wq-+-+-zpp' 6-+-+-zp-+& 5+-zp-+-+P% 4-+-+-+-+$ 3+P+-sN-+-# 2-+-+-zPP+" 1+-+Q+-mK-! xabcdefghy Looking at the diagram it is hard to believe that Black isn't winning easily, as he is the exchange up for nothing. Watch what happens! 1.h5 h6 2.Nf5 Qc7 3.g3 Qc6 3...Qe5 4.Qd7. 4.Kh2 Kh8 5.Qg4 Qd7 6.Qf3 Re5 7.Nh4 Kg8 8.Ng6 Re8 9.Nf4 Rb8 10.Qe4 Qf7 10...Rxb3 11.Qa8+ Kf7 12.Ng6 Rb4 (12...Rc3 13.Nh8+ Ke6 14.Qe4+ Kd6 15.Qf4+ Kc6 16.Qa4+ Kc7 17.Qa5²) 13.Qf8+ Ke6 14.Qxc5. 11.Qf5 Qxb3 12.Qxc5 Qb5 13.Qc7 Re8 14.Kg2 Rb8 15.Kh2 Re8 16.Kg2 Black cannot make inroads. Steinitz drew because he did not give up hope and resolved to make the best use he could of any advantages in his position: 1) He reduced the pawns to one side of the FIDE TRG Syllabus

board. 2) He found a strong square for his knight. 3) He provoked a weakness on g6 and attacked g7. 4) He kept the queens on the board. If the great Schlechter did not find a way to win, you can guarantee that this endgame was not as easy as it looked. Enhance advantages, eliminate disadvantages. ½–½ Chess can exert a boa-constrictor like grip on the intelligent mind. We all know chess players and personalities who are obsessed with this beautiful and dangerous game. One of the most serious responsibilities the coach has is to make sure that his students do not develop an unhealthy obsession with chess. Working with highly intelligent and sometimes vulnerable students is a real art. I am not sure that in education or in chess coaching that we have got it right so far. All too often coaches, parents, mentors are living out their own fantasies through their students, rather than concentrating on what is best for the child. What is best: a top grandmaster, lonely, unhealthy, embittered and obsessed, who only has chess for company, or a healthy human being who is a fully integrated member of society and who, because of their natural intelligence, is able to make a real difference? I only ask all coaches to ponder this problem when they are working with their charges. I have been to European and World Junior Championships and have observed in some cases nothing less than the creation of young chess robots. I wonder what these kids will look like in 20 years time, or indeed, whether their coaches actually care about that! Perhaps this is the toughest assignment; to get the chess/life balance right. I'm not really qualified to comment further, but it feels right to bring the situation to your attention. What has this got to do with Mixed Endings? Not a lot, but as the next example is by Bobby Fischer, who was about as messed up as it gets, and about as brilliant as it gets, the idea came to mind. 201

How Fischer could have profited from some decent advice about how to enjoy life. Instead, after an unhappy childhood, chess took him over and he became a move-making machine. One could see occasional flashes of his sensitive nature, but at those moments and all too quickly, his hatred of normal life took over and he became submerged in chess, more or less until the end. The following game is a masterpiece, as Fischer squeezes Spassky from beginning to end, rather as a boa-constrictor would! Notes are culled from various sources (V.Anand, M.Botvinnik, R.Byrne, R.Keene, I.Nei, F.Olafsson, L.Polugaevsky, C.Purdy, V.Smysslov and J.Timman) and credited. □ Fischer Robert ■ Spassky Boris C95 Reykjavik 1972 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Lb5 a6 4.La4 Nf6 5.0–0 Le7 6.Re1 b5 7.Lb3 d6 8.c3 0–0 9.h3 Nb8 10.d4 Nbd7 11.Nbd2 Lb7 12.Lc2 Re8 13.b4 Lf8 14.a4 Nb6 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-wqrvlk+( 7+lzp-+pzpp' 6psn-zp-sn-+& 5+p+-zp-+-% 4PzP-zPP+-+$ 3+-zP-+N+P# 2-+LsN-zPP+" 1tR-vLQtR-mK-! xabcdefghy 14...a5 15.bxa5 (15.axb5 axb4 16.Lb2 bxc3 17.Lxc3 c6 = Kavalek,L-Portisch,L Wijk aan Zee 1969) 15...Rxa5 16.Rb1 La6 (16...Qa8 17.axb5 exd4 18.cxd4 Nxe4 19.Nxe4 Lxe4 20.Rxe4! Rxe4 21.Ng5 Rh4 22.g3! ± [22.Nxf7?! Kxf7 23.Lg5 Re4 24.Qf3+ Nf6 25.Lxf6 Re1² Geller,E-Portisch,L Portoroz 1973]) 17.d5 Qa8 18.La3 c5 19.dxc6 Qxc6 20.Lb4 Beliavsky,A-Petrosian,T Soviet Union FIDE TRG Syllabus

1973 or 14...c5 15.bxc5 exd4 16.cxd4 dxc5 ² Balashov,Y-Podgaets,M Moscow 1956 or 14...d5 15.Nxe5 (15.dxe5 Nxe4 16.Nxe4 dxe4 17.Lg5! f6 18.Lxe4 Lxe4 19.Rxe4 Nxe5 20.Rd4 Nxf3+ 21.Qxf3 Qc8 = Vasiukov,E-Zuidema,C Wijk aan Zee 1973) 15...dxe4 16.f4 exf3 17.Ndxf3 Nxe5 18.Nxe5 Ld6 19.Lf4 ² Vasiukov,E-Kholmov,R Dubna 1973. 15.a5 Nbd7 16.Lb2 16.Rb1 d5! = Savon,V-Vogt,L Skopje 1972. 16...Qb8 16...Rb8 17.Rb1 La8 18.La1 g6 19.c4 bxc4 (19...exd4 20.cxb5 axb5 21.Nxd4 d5 22.N4f3 dxe4 23.Ng5 e3! 24.Lb3 exf2+ 25.Kxf2 Ld5 =) 20.dxe5 Nxe5 21.Nxe5 dxe5 22.Lc3 Lc6 23.Qe2 Lb5 24.Nxc4 c5 Rc8! 25.bxc5 Browne,W-Karpov,A Amsterdam 1976. 17.Rb1 17.c4! bxc4 18.La4 c6 (18...Rd8) 19.Nxc4 Qc7 (19...exd4 20.Qxd4 d5 21.exd5 Rxe1+ 22.Nxe1 Nxd5 23.Nd3 ± Kavalek,LReshevsky,S Chicago 1973) 20.dxe5 dxe5 21.Qb3 ± Savon,V-Muschin Soviet Union 1973. 17...c5 18.bxc5 18.d5 g6 19.La3 c4 20.Nf1 Nh5 =. 18...dxc5 19.dxe5 Nxe5 20.Nxe5 Qxe5 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+rvlk+( 7+l+-+pzpp' 6p+-+-sn-+& 5zPpzp-wq-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-zP-+-+P# 2-vLLsN-zPP+" 1+R+QtR-mK-! xabcdefghy 21.c4 Qf4 22.Lxf6 22.e5 Rad8 (22...Red8 23.Re3! Ne8 24.Qe2 ± or 22...Nd7 23.Le4 [23.Nf3 Rad8 24.Lc1 Qxc4 25.Lb3 ±] 23...Lxe4 24.Rxe4 Qf5 202

25.Qe2 ±) 23.exf6! (23.Re3 bxc4 ³) 23...Rxd2 (23...Rxe1+ 24.Qxe1 Qxd2 [24...Rxd2 25.Lc1 Qg5 26.Qf1 ±] 25.fxg7 [25.Le4 Qxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Lxe4 27.Rxe4 Rd2 28.Le5 b4 = 29.fxg7 Rd1+ 30.Kh2 Ld6] 25...Qxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Lxg7 27.Lxg7 Kxg7 28.Re7 Rd2! =) 24.Qxd2! Qxd2 25.Rxe8 gxf6 (25...Qxc2 26.fxg7 Qxb1+ 27.Kh2 +– or 25...Lc6 26.fxg7 Lxe8 27.Lxh7+ Kxh7 28.gxf8Q +–) 26.Lc1 (26.Rbe1 Qxc2 27.R1e3 Kg7 28.Rg3+ Kh6 29.Lxf6 Qb1+ 30.Kh2 Ld6 31.Lg7+ Kh5 32.Le5 Qe4! 33.f4 f6 and 34...Lxe5 μ) 26...Qd7 (26...Qxc2 27.Lh6 Qxb1+ 28.Kh2 +–) 27.Rxf8+ Kxf8 28.Lh6+ Kg8 (28...Ke8 29.Re1+ Kd8 30.Rd1) 29.Rb3 bxc4 (29...Lc6 30.Rg3+ Kh8 31.Lg7+ Kg8 32.Lxf6+ Kf8 33.Lg7+! [33.Lxh7 Qd1+ 34.Kh2 Qd6] 33...Ke7 [33...Kg8 34.Ld4+ Kf8 35.Lxc5+ +–] 34.Re3+ Kd8 35.Rd3 +–) 30.Rg3+ Kh8 31.Lg7+ Kg8 32.Lxf6+ Kf8 33.Lg7+ Ke7 34.Re3+ Kd8 (34...Kd6 35.Lf8+ +–) 35.Lf6+ Kc8 36.Re7 Qd5 (36...Qc6 37.Lf5+ Kb8 38.Le5+ Ka7 39.f3 +–) 37.f3 +–. 22...Qxf6 23.cxb5 Red8 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-tr-vlk+( 7+l+-+pzpp' 6p+-+-wq-+& 5zPPzp-+-+-% 4-+-+P+-+$ 3+-+-+-+P# 2-+LsN-zPP+" 1+R+QtR-mK-! xabcdefghy

23...Rad8 24.Qc1 (24.bxa6 Lxa6 25.La4 [25.Rb6 Qc3 –+] 25...Re6 ³ and 26...Red6) 24...Qc3 25.bxa6 Lxa6 26.La4! ± ; 23...axb5 24.Rxb5 La6 25.Rb3! (25.Rb6 Qc3 μ 26.Nb3 [26.Rb3 Qxa5 27.Ld3 Red8 28.Qe2 c4 {28...Rxd3 Rd8 29.Rxd3 30.Rxd8}] 26...c4 R Q R Q [26... ed8 27. c1 c4 28. e3 e5]) 25...c4 FIDE TRG Syllabus

26.Rf3 Qd8 (26...Qd4) 27.Nf1 =. 24.Qc1 Qc3 24...Qf4 25.Nc4! (25.Nf3 Qxc1 26.Rexc1 axb5 27.Rxb5 La6 28.Rb6 Le2 =) 25... Qxc1 26.Rexc1 axb5 27.Rxb5 La6 28.La4 Lxb5 29.Lxb5 and Lc6-d5 ² or 24...axb5 25.Rxb5 La6 26.Rb6 Qc3 (26...Qf4 27.Nf3 Qxc1 28.Rxc1 c4 29.e5 ²) 27.Nb3 g6! 28.e5 (28.Re3 Qe5) 28...Lh6 29.Qb1 c4 Vasiukov,E-Smejkal,J Polanica Zdroj 1972. 25.Nf3 Qxa5? 25...c4! 26.bxa6 (26.b6 La3 27.Re3 Rd3! μ or 26.e5 g6) 26...Lxa6 27.e5 g6 28.e6 ÷ or 25...axb5 26.e5! (26.Rxb5 La6 27.e5 Qxe1+ 28.Qxe1 Lxb5 29.Qb1 Lc4! [29...Rxa5 30.Lxh7+ Kh8 31.Ng5 Lc4 32.Lg8 +–] 30.Lxh7+ Kh8 31.Ng5?! Le7 32.Lg8 Ld3 33.Nxf7+ Kxg8 –+) 26...g6 (26...b4?? 27.Re3 +–) 27.Rxb5 Lxf3 (27...La6 28.Rb6 Qxa5 29.Qb2 ±) 28.Rb3 Qxa5 29.Rxf3 ±. 26.Lb3! axb5 27.Qf4 Rd7 (D)

XABCDEFGHY 8r+-+-vlk+( 7+l+r+pzpp' 6-+-+-+-+& 5wqpzp-+-+-% 4-+-+PwQ-+$ 3+L+-+N+P# 2-+-+-zPP+" 1+R+-tR-mK-! xabcdefghy

27...c4 28.Lxc4 bxc4 29.Rxb7 f6 (29...Qh5 30.g4) 30.e5 Qd5! 31.Rc7 fxe5 32.Nxe5 (32.Rxe5 Ra1+ 33.Kh2 Ld6 34.Rxg7+ Kxg7 35.Qg5+ Kf7 36.Qf5²) 32...Ld6 33.Qxc4 (33.Rxg7+ Kxg7 34.Qg5+ Kh8 35.Qf6² [35.Ng6+?? hxg6 36.Qxd5 Lh2+ –+]) 33...Qxc4 34.Rxc4 Lxe5 35.Rxe5 Ra1+ 36.Kh2 Ra2 ². 28.Ne5 Qc7 29.Rbd1! Re7 29...Rad8 (29...Rxd1? 30.Lxf7+ Kh8 31.Ng6+ hxg6 32.Qh4 #) 30.Lxf7+ Rxf7 (30...Kh8?? 31.Ng6+ hxg6 32.Qh4 #) 203

31.Qxf7+ Qxf7 32.Nxf7 Rxd1 33.Rxd1 Lxe4! (33...Kxf7? 34.Rd7+ +– or 33...b4 34.Nd6 Lxd6 35.Rxd6 Lxe4 36.Rb6 Ld3 37.Rb7 Kf8 38.f3 Ke8 39.Kf2 Kd8 40.Ke3 Kc8 41.Rxg7 +– or, finally, 33...c4 34.Nd6 Lc6 (34...La6? 35.Ra1 b4 36.Rxa6 c3 37.Nc4! +–) 35.e5 c3 36.Rb1 Lxd6 37.exd6 Kf7 38.f3! Ke6 39.Rb3 b4 40.Rxb4 Kd5 41.Rb1 Kc4 42.Kf2 c2 43.Rc1 Kd3 44.Ke1 Ld7 =) 34.Ng5 Lf5 (34...Lc2 35.Rd8 Lb3 [35...b4! 36.Ne6 Kf7 37.Nxf8 b3 38.Rb8 c4 39.Nd7 c3 40.Ne5+ Ke6 41.Nc4 Ld1 42.Na3 c2 43.Nxc2 bxc2 44.Rc8 Kd5 45.Kf1 Kd4 46.Ke1 Kd3 47.Rd8+ Kc3 48.Rxd1 cxd1Q+ 49.Kxd1 Kd3 50.Ke1 g5 51.Kd1 Kd4 52.Kd2 h5 53.g4! {53.g3 g4! = ; 53.f3 h4 54.Ke2 Ke5 55.Ke3 Kf5 56.f4 g4! 57.hxg4+ Kxg4 58.Ke4 Kg3 =} 53...hxg4 {53...h4 54.f3 Kd5 55.Kd3 Ke5 56.Ke3 Kd5 57.f4 +–} 54.hxg4 Ke4 55.Ke2 Kf4 56.f3 Ke5 57.Ke3 +–] 36.Nxh7 Kxh7 37.Rxf8+–) 35.Rd5 h6!! (35...g6 36.g4 Lc8 37.Rd8 +– ; 35... Lg6 36.Rd8 Lf7 37.Nxh7 Kxh7 38. Rxf8 +–) 36.Rxf5 hxg5 37.Kf1 (37.Rxg5?? b4 –+) 37...Le7! (37...b4 38.Ke2 c4? 39. Rxg5 b3 40.Rb5 Le7 41.Kd1 Kf7 42.Rb6 +–) 38.Ke2 g6 39.Rd5 Kf7 40.Rd7 c4 =. 30.Lxf7+ Rxf7 31.Qxf7+ Qxf7 32.Nxf7 Lxe4 33.Rxe4 Kxf7 34.Rd7+ Kf6 35.Rb7 Ra1+ 35...b4! 36.Rb6+ (36.Kf1 Rc8 37.Rc4 Rd8 38.Ke2 Ke6 39.Rb5) 36...Kf7 (36...Kf5 37.f3! +– [37.Rbe6 Ra1+ 38.Kh2 Ld6+ 39.g3 b3 ÷]) 37.f4. 36.Kh2 Ld6+ 37.g3 b4 38.Kg2 h5

38...Le5 39.f4 Ld4 40.g4 Ra2+ 41.Kf1 Ra3 42.h4 b3 43.f5 +– or 38...Kf5 39.Rh4 Le5 40.Rh5+! (40.Rxh7 Ld4) 40...Ke6 41.Rb6+ Ld6 (41...Kd5 42.f4) 42.Rxc5 +–. 39.Rb6 Rd1 (D) (see next diagram) K 40. f3! 40.f4? Kf5 41.Rc4 (41.Kf3 Rf1+ 42.Ke2 Kxe4 43.Kxf1 Kd5 =) 41...Rd2+ 42.Kf3 Rd3². 40...Kf7?! 40...g5!? 41.Ke2 Rd5 42.g4! hxg4 (42...h4 43.f4 +–) 43.hxg4 Kf7 44.Rb7+ Kf8 (44...Kf6 45.Rd7 +–) 45.Re6 Re5+ 46.Rxe5 Lxe5 47.Kd3 Ld4 48.f3 Ke8 49.Kc4 Kf8 FIDE TRG Syllabus

50.Rd7 Lf2 51.Rd5 Le3 52.Re5 +–.

XABCDEFGHY 8-+-+-+-+( 7+-+-+-zp-' 6-tR-vl-mk-+& 5+-zp-+-+p% 4-zp-+R+-+$ 3+-+-+-zPP# 2-+-+-zPK+" 1+-+r+-+-! xabcdefghy 41.Ke2 Rd5 42.f4! 42.Rb5 g6 43.Rexb4?? Re5+ –+. 42...g6 43.g4! hxg4 44.hxg4 g5 44...Kf6 45.Rb5 Kf7 (45...g5 46.f5) 46.g5! (46.Rexb4? cxb4 47.Rxd5 Lxf4 =) 46...Rf5 47.Ke3 Kg7 (47...Rd5 48.Rexb4 +–) 48.Rb6 Rd5 49.Re6 +–. 45.f5 Le5 46.Rb5 Kf6 46...Ld4 47.Rb7+ Kf8 48.Re6 +–. 47.Rexb4 Ld4 48.Rb6+ Ke5 49.Kf3! Rd8 50.Rb8 Rd7 51.R4b7 Rd6 52.Rb6 Rd7 53.Rg6 Kd5 54.Rxg5 Le5 55.f6 Kd4 56.Rb1! 56...Lxf6 57.Rd1+ Kc4 58.Rxc5+ Kxc5 59.Rxd7 +–. 1–0 Conclusion I have always found chess coaching challenging and interesting and I am sure that you do too. You will all have your own effective methods. Chess is becoming a much tougher game, with standards rising across the competitive spectrum and this will make our job even harder as the years go by. We must raise our standards too! But I'll leave you by stating that I always look at my students as human beings first and chess players second. That sums up my approach.

204

Index of Games When a player’s name appears in bold, that player had White. Otherwise the first-named Player had White. A total of 185 games and examples are analysed in this book. Abbasov Farid Abdulla Al Rakib Adams Michael Adams Michael Agzamov Georgy Alekhine Alexander Alekhine Alexander Alekhine Alexander Alekhine Alexander Anand Viswanathan Anand Viswanathan Anand Viswanathan Anand Viswanathan Anand Viswanathan Anand Viswanathan Anand Viswanathan Andersson Ulf Andersson Ulf Atalik Suat Bacrot Etienne Balashov Yuri Bareev Evgeny Bareev Evgeny Baslavsky Ilia Bauer Johann Beliavsky Alexander Beliavsky Alexander Beliavsky Alexander Beliavsky Alexander Bellon Lopez Juan Benko Pal Bertok Mario Bogoljubow Efim Bohm Hans Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Bronstein David Bronstein David Capablanca Jose Raul Capablanca Jose Raul Capablanca Jose Raul Capablanca Jose Raul Capablanca Jose Raul Carlsen Magnus Chekhover Vitaly

FIDE TRG Syllabus

- Guliyev 175 - Emms 168 - Martinovic 101 - Zhigalko 79 - Gurevich 61 - Bogoljubow 134 - Capablanca 131 - Capablanca 176 - Yates 183 - Georgiev 177 - Gurevich 109 - Kasparov 44 - Kasparov 91 - Kempinski 76 - Topalov 151 - Topalov 163 - Gurevich 160-193 - Kasparov 200 - Gurevich 106 - Kasparov 157 - Petrosian 115 - Gurevich 196 - Kramnik 152 - Kondratiev 185 - Lasker 34 - Gurevich 111 - Illescas 118 - Mikhalchishin 65 - Xie Jun 63 - Illescas 116 - Fischer 123 - Fischer 133 - Alekhine 134 - Kavalek 68 - Donner 90 - Lisitsin 88 - Petrosian 131 - Reshevsky 121 - Smyslov 78 - Zagoriansky 36 - Mikhalchishin 36 - Najdorf 122 - Alekhine 131 - Alekhine 176 - Conde 171 - Kupchik 183 - Mieses 95 - Ponomariov 184 - Makogonov 135

Chernin Alexander Chernin Alexander Christiansen Larry Christiansen Larry Conde Adrian Garcia Cramling Pia De la Villa Garcia Jesus De Legalle Deep Junior Denker Arnold Djurasevic Bozidar Djuric Stefan Donner Jan Duchene Rene Duhayon Yves Dvoretsky Mark Ehlvest Jan Emms John Epishin Vladimir Euwe Max Fernandez Daniel Firat Burak Fischer Robert Fischer Robert Fischer Robert Fischer Robert Fischer Robert Fischer Robert Fischer Robert Fischer Robert Fischer Robert Fischer Robert Flohr Salo Foygel Igor Furman Semen Gaprindashvili Nona Gelashvili Tamaz Gelfand Boris Gelfand Boris Geller Efim Geller Efim Geller Efim Geller Efim Geller Efim Geller Efim Georgiev Kiril Georgiev Krum Gligoric Svetozar Grischuk Alexander

- Mikhalchishin 51 - Ragozin 90 - Foygel 54 - Karpov 156 - Capablanca 171 - Polgar 66 - Illescas 123 - Saint Brie 71 - Kasparov 89 - Smyslov 125 - Tal 169 - Petronic 147 - Botvinnik 90 - Van Nies 68 - Karaklajic 62 - Tal 91 - Petursson 199 - Abdulla 168 - Nunn 92 - Reshevsky 129 - Kunte 153 - Gurevich 193 - Benko 123 - Bertok 133 - Geller 138 - Larsen 146 - Petrosian 113 - Petrosian 114 - Smyslov 64 - Spassky 202 - Taimanov 38 - Walther 187 - Kasparian 130 - Christiansen 54 - Geller 131 - Ivanka 182 - Gurevich 59 - Ivanchuk 74 - Nikolic 158 - Fischer 138 - Furman 131 - Mikhalchishin 65 - Petrosian 178 - Petrosian 35 - Romanishin 54 - Anand 177 - Kasparov 47 - Smyslov 139 - Riazantsev 51

205

Grivas Efstratios Guliyev Namig Gurevich Dmitry Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Gurevich Mikhail Hamdouchi Hichem Hector Jonny Heine Rolf Hort Vlastimil Howell David Illescas Cordoba Miguel Illescas Cordoba Miguel Illescas Cordoba Miguel Illescas Cordoba Miguel Illescas Cordoba Miguel Illescas Cordoba Miguel Ionescu Constantin Ivanchuk Vassily Ivanka Budinsky Maria Jakobsen Ole Johansen Darryl Karaklajic Nikola Karjakin Sergey Karpov Anatoly Karpov Anatoly Karpov Anatoly Karpov Anatoly Karpov Anatoly Karpov Anatoly Karpov Anatoly Karpov Anatoly Karpov Anatoly Kasparian Genrikh

FIDE TRG Syllabus

- Ionescu 128 - Abbasov 175 - Gurevich 194 - Agzamov 61 - Anand 109 - Andersson 160-193 - Atalik 106 - Bareev 196 - Beliavsky 111 - Firat 193 - Gelashvili 59 - Gurevich 194 - Hamdouchi 104 - Hector 57 - Johansen 194 - Kasparov 108 - Kupreichik 165 - Magalashvili 166 - Malakhov 60 - Nisipeanu 106 - Radjabov 195 - Reuss 56 - Rogers 191 - Sandipan 98 - Sebag 58 - Shushpanov 195 - Yrjola 192 - Gurevich 104 - Gurevich 57 - Khodarkovsky 135 - Polugaevsky 130 - Trent 81 - Beliavsky 118 - Bellon 116 - De la Villa 123 - Kramnik 102 - Lopez 188 - Short 84 - Grivas 128 - Gelfand 74 - Gaprindashvili 182 - Pachman 86 - Gurevich 194 - Duhayon 62 - Radjabov 94 - Christiansen 156 - Kasparov 97 - Mecking 126 - Seirawan 67 - Smyslov 116 - Spassky 37-117 - Timman 100 - Unzicker 87 - Westerinen 90 - Flohr 130

Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov Garry Kavalek Lubomir Keene Raymond Kempinski Robert Keres Paul Keres Paul Keres Paul Keres Paul Khodarkovsky Michael Knight Endings Knight Endings Kochyev Alexander Kondratiev Korchnoi Viktor Kostic Boris Kotov Alexander Kramer Haije Kramnik Vladimir Kramnik Vladimir Kramnik Vladimir Kramnik Vladimir Kramnik Vladimir Krogius Nikolai Kunte Abhijit Kupchik Abraham Kupreichik Viktor Larsen Bent Larsen Bent Larsen Bent Lasker Edward Lasker Emanuel Lasker Emanuel Lilienthal Andre Lisitsin Georgy Lopez Martinez Josep Lukacs Peter Magalashvili Davit Makogonov Vladimir Makogonov Vladimir Malakhov Vladimir Marshall Frank Martinovic Sasa Mecking Henrique Mieses Jacques Mikhalchishin Adrian

- Anand 44 - Anand 91 - Andersson 200 - Bacrot 157 - Deep Junior 89 - Georgiev 47 - Gurevich 108 - Karpov 97 - Kramnik 137 - Petrosian 85 - Shirov 153 - Bohm 68 - Miles 88 - Anand 76 - Randviir 172 - Simagin 120 - Smyslov 186 - Taimanov 132 - Heine 135 - Example 1 190 - Example 2 191 - Petronic 158 - Baslavsky 185 - Miles 175 - Muhlock 71 - Smyslov 32 - Thomas 96 - Bareev 152 - Illescas 102 - Kasparov 137 - Ni Hua 137 - Van Wely 185 - Petrosian 142 - Fernandez 153 - Capablanca 183 - Gurevich 165 - Fischer 146 - Portisch 133 - Torre 93 - Molle 163 - Bauer 34 - Tarrasch 120 - Makogonov 124 - Botvinnik 88 - Illescas 188 - Psakhis 89 - Gurevich 166 - Chekhover 135 - Lilienthal 124 - Gurevich 60 - Tarrasch 174 - Adams 101 - Karpov 126 - Capablanca 95 - Beliavsky 65

206

Mikhalchishin Adrian Mikhalchishin Adrian Mikhalchishin Adrian Miles Anthony Miles Anthony Miles Anthony Mixed Endings Molle Dominique Morozevich Alexander Muhlock Najdorf Miguel Najdorf Miguel Ni Hua Nikolic Predrag Nimzowitsch Aaron Nimzowitsch Aaron Nisipeanu Liviu Dieter Nunn John Onischuk Alexander Pachman Ludek Pawn Endings Petronic Jovan Petronic Jovan Petronic Jovan Petronic Sanja Petrosian Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrov Marian Petrovic Marija Petrushin Alexander Petursson Margeir Platz R Polgar Zsusza Polugaevsky Lev Ponomariov Ruslan Ponomariov Ruslan Portisch Lajos Portisch Lajos Positional Sacrifice Psakhis Lev Queen Endings Queen Endings Queen Endings Queen Endings Radjabov Teimour Radjabov Teimur Ragozin Evgeni

FIDE TRG Syllabus

- Bronstein 36 - Chernin 51 - Geller 65 - Keene 88 - Korchnoi 175 - Rodriguez 136 - Example 1 200 - Lasker 163 - Petrushin 87 - Kostic 71 - Bronstein 122 - Tal 126 - Kramnik 137 - Gelfand 158 - Tarrasch 34 - Vidmar 40 - Gurevich 106 - Epishin 92 - Shirov 96 - Jakobsen 86 - Example 1 168 - Djuric 147 - Kochyev 158 - Petrov 70 - Petrovic 72 - Balashov 115 - Botvinnik 131 - Fischer 113 - Fischer 114 - Geller 178 - Geller 35 - Kasparov 85 - Krogius 142 - Smyslov 92 - Spassky 135 - Petronic 70 - Petronic 72 - Morozevich 87 - Ehlvest 199 - Romanovsky 134 - Cramling 66 - Hort 130 - Carlsen 184 - Svidler 52 - Larsen 133 - Rapport 82 - Example 1 151 - Lukacs 89 - Example 1 173 - Example 2 173 - Example 3 174 - Example 4 174 - Karjakin 94 - Gurevich 195 - Chernin 90

Randviir Juri Rapport Richard Reshevsky Samuel Reshevsky Samuel Reuss Andreas Riazantsev Alexander Rodriguez Ruben Rogers Ian Romanishin Oleg Romanovsky Peter Rook Endings Rook Endings Rook Endings Rook Endings Rook Endings Rook Endings Rook Endings Rook Endings Rook Endings Rook Endings Saint Brie Sandipan Chanda Schebler Gerhard Schlechter Carl Schulz Klaus Sebag Marie Seirawan Yasser Shirov Alexei Shirov Alexei Shirov Alexei Short Nigel Shushpanov Vladimir Sigurjonsson Gudmund Simagin Vladimir Smyslov Vassily Smyslov Vassily Smyslov Vassily Smyslov Vassily Smyslov Vassily Smyslov Vassily Smyslov Vassily Smyslov Vassily Spassky Boris Spassky Boris Spassky Boris Spassky Boris Spielmann Rudolf Spirin Oleg Stein Leonid Steinitz William Suetin Alexey Svidler Peter Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark Taimanov Mark

- Keres 172 - Portisch 82 - Botvinnik 121 - Euwe 129 - Gurevich 56 - Grischuk 51 - Miles 136 - Gurevich 191 - Geller 54 - Platz 134 - Example 1 179 - Example 2 179 - Example 3 180 - Example 4 180 - Example 5 180 - Example 6 180 - Example 7 181 - Example 8 181 - Example 9 181 - Example 10 181 - De Legalle 71 - Gurevich 98 - Schulz 63 - Steinitz 201 - Schebler 63 - Gurevich 58 - Karpov 67 - Kasparov 153 - Onischuk 96 - Topalov 188 - Illescas 84 - Gurevich 195 - Stein 33 - Keres 120 - Botvinnik 78 - Denker 125 - Fischer 64 - Gligoric 139 - Karpov 116 - Keres 186 - Kotov 32 - Petrosian 92 - Fischer 202 - Karpov 37-117 - Petrosian 135 - Tal 150 - Vidmar 189 - Vymazal 197 - Sigurjonsson 33 - Schlechter 201 - Taimanov 119 - Ponomariov 52 - Fischer 38 - Keres 132 - Suetin 119

207

Taimanov mark Tal Mihail Tal Mihail Tal Mihail Tal Mihail Tarrasch Siegbert Tarrasch Siegbert Tarrasch Siegbert Thomas George Timman Jan Topalov Veselin Topalov Veselin Topalov Veselin Torre Eugenio Trent Lawrence

- Unzicker 127 - Djurasevic 169 - Dvoretsky 91 - Najdorf 126 - Spassky 150 - Lasker 120 - Marshall 174 - Nimzowitsch 34 - Kramer 96 - Karpov 100 - Anand 151 - Anand 163 - Shirov 188 - Larsen 93 - Howell 81

Unzicker Wolfgang Unzicker Wolfgang Van Nies Pauline Van Welly Loek Vidmar Milan Sr Vidmar Milan Sr Vymazal Bronislav Walther Edgar Westerinen Heikki Xie Jun Yates Frederick Yrjola Jouni Zagoriansky Evgeny Zhigalko Andrey

- Karpov 87 - Taimanov 127 - Duchene 68 - Kramnik 185 - Nimzowitsch 40 - Spielmann 189 - Spirin 197 - Fischer 187 - Karpov 90 - Beliavsky 63 - Alekhine 183 - Gurevich 192 - Botvinnik 36 - Adams 79

FIDE Trainers’ Commission (TRG) N 1 2 3 4 5 N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 N 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Title Chairman Secretary Councillor Councillor Councillor

FIDE Trainers’ Commission - Council 2015-2018 Surname-Name Country Mikhalchishin Adrian Slovenia-Ukraine (Europe) Grivas Efstratios Greece (Europe) Boensch Uwe Germany (Europe) Khodarkovsky Michael US America (Americas) Petronic Jovan Serbia (Europe)

Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member Member

FIDE Trainers’ Commission - Members/Advisors 2015-2018 Title Surname-Name Country/Region Janovsky Sergey Russia (Europe) Khader Shami Jordan (Asia) Khaled Hassan Egypt (Africa) Kobese Watu South Africa (Africa) O’Connell Kevin Ireland (Europe) Olafsson Helgi Iceland (Europe) Petrosian Arshak Armenia (Europe) Sahu Sekhar Chandra India (Asia) Slipak Mariano Argentina (Americas) Tserendorj Sainbayar Mongolia (Asia) Ye Jiangchuan China (Asia) Zapata Alonso Colombia (Americas)

Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor Editor

FIDE Trainers’ Commission - Technical/Editorial 2015-2018 Title Surname-Name Country Bojkov Dejan Bulgaria (Europe) Bosch Jeroen Netherlands (Europe) Fierro Martha Ecuador-Italy (Europe) Glek Igor Germany-Russia (Europe) Gurevich Mikhail Turkey (Europe) Illescas Miguel Spain (Europe) Mohr Georg Slovenia (Europe) Polgar Susan US America (Americas)

FIDE TRG Syllabus

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FIDE TRG Syllabus Book

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