^B^CStrategic Themes in Action ^B^Cby National Master Eric Schiller The art of strategic planning is not easily acquired from most teaching materials, yet it is one of the most important aspects of practical play. I think that the reason for this is primarily because the pedagogical technique applied in most cases mimics that used in the teaching of tactics. Tactical skill can be obtained by studying individual elements of a position using a small set of stock maneuvers. Positional factors have also been approached in this way, with examples showing how a certain positional weakness can be exploited by specific means. This is a fine introduction to strategic play, and suitable for beginners. The major difficulty, however, lies in combining the appropriate methods with a solid positional evaluation and, importantly, recognizing that one's opponent is likely to counter any plan that arises. In a real game, therefore, a player has to be prepared to switch plans frequently, to constantly reexamine the strategy to see if it is still appropriate under new circumstances. Often a change of plan is required every few moves. Sometimes a plan which was countered at one point in the game is made possible again later in the game. This database file contains complete games where the strategic and positional factors that you have already acquired are seen in the complex interplay of the middlegame and endgame. There are few quick knockouts - most of the games feature a fascinating ebb and flow of strategic plans. In some cases a single motif runs throughout the game, in others many ideas are required in order to achieve victory.A few words of general advice are in order regarding both studying the games and putting the knowledge gained into action in tournament play. If tactics are the down-to-earth business of chess, then strategy is its fine art. As such creativity is needed. It is well-known that computers do not do well at long-term planning in chess. They can crunch numbers, but they cannot dream. And indeed it is dreaming that is necessary in order to amalgamate the positional characteristics one sees on the board and create a concrete plan.At the board, and especially when the opponent is on the move, it is useful to fantasize about the position. Imagine tactical operations which could be carried out if it were not for the presence of a certain piece. Forget about the laws of chess for a moment and think about where you would like to put your pieces if you could simply pick them up and move them to any square you wish without any intervention on the part of your opponent. These mental exercises help to focus your mind on the strategic goals of the position. Once you know what you want to do, it is simply a matter of figuring out some way of getting your opponent to cooperate. The desired result can often be achieved by such tactical operations as deflections and sacrifices. As you study the games in this database, constantly ask yourself what each player is trying to accomplish and what means are available to counter these plans. In some games a player achieves his goal quickly because his opponent is caught napping, in other the immediate threats are parried and others take their place. In your own games, do not get frustrated when your opponent sees what you are up to and takes measures to prevent it - that is the normal course of a chess game. Indeed, if you think about the constant references to chess by sportscasters covering football, baseball or basketball games it is
this aspect of the Royal Game that they usually have in mind. Instead, simply ask what price your opponent has paid for his defense, and try to come up with a plan which will exploit any new weakness that may have been created. You will see this concept at work in many of the games in this collection. The annotated games in this database are included in Strategy for Advanced Players published by Chess Digest, Inc. All material is copyright 1991 by Eric Schiller.
1 Karpov Hort Moskva [Schiller]
1971
1.e4 c5 2.¤f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.¤xd4 ¤f6 5.¤c3 e6 6.g4 ¤c6 7.g5 ¤d7 8.¥e3 a6 9.f4 ¥e7 10.¦g1 ¤xd4 Hort played this reluctantly, since it concedes the center to White, who now has better control of e5. Therefore Black will have to occupy that square while he can. 11.£xd4 e5! 12.£d2 exf4 13.¥xf4 ¤e5 Black has executed his plan to take over the e5-square, but has had to accept a weak Pd6 in return.
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqk+-tr0 9+p+-vlpzpp0 1 9p+-zp-+-+0 9+-+-sn-zP-0 9-+-+PvL-+0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzPPwQ-+-zP0 9tR-+-mKLtR-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 14.¥e2 ¥e6 15.¤d5! White correctly establishes a blockade at d5. If he had castled first, then Black would have been able to thwart this plan with 15...Qa5! ¥xd5 16.exd5 A difficult choice. Generally, one uses a piece to blockade a pawn, but here the weakness at d6 wiould have a counterpart at e4. Karpov's choice also gives more scope to his light-squared bishop. ¤g6 Hort, recognizing the passivity of his position, strives to create counterplay by tactical means. The threat is the capture at f4 followed by Qa5+. 17.¥e3 h6?! This is an error of judgement. Black reasoned that White would not capture, because that wouldresult in a displacement of his king. But with the d-file sealed, the White king will rest comfortably at d1. 18.gxh6 ¥h4+ 19.¢d1 gxh6 20.¥xh6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqk+-tr0{ 9+p+-+p+-0 2 9p+-zp-+nvL0 9+-+P+-+-0 9-+-+-+-vl0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzPPwQL+-zP0 9tR-+K+-tR-0 xiiiiiiiiy Black now had to reconsider the situation. White's extra pawn at c2 is not the most important factor. The question is, where should the Bh4 be posted? ¥f6 21.c3 ¥e5 This is clearly a good square for the bishop, and there is a serious threat here of kingside infiltration with 22...Qh4, e.g., 23.Bg5 Qb6 24.Be3 Qc7. But Karpov, recognizing the danger, puts a stop to Black's plans. 22.¦g4! £f6?! Despite White's advantages (bishop pair, open lines in the center) Hort should 1
have taken the opportunity to restore the material balacne with 22...Bxh2. Instead, he chose to play for complications. 23.h4! A strong positional move, saving and advancing the h-pawn. It is based on the tactical point that 23...Nxh4? would be countered by 24.Bg7. £f5 24.¦b4 This rook performs the double duty of protecting the fourth rank and attacking on the quenside. ¥f6 25.h5 ¤e7 Not 25...Ne5?, which drops a piece to 27.Rf4! 26.¦f4 [ 26.¦xb7?? ¦xh6! 27.£xh6 £xd5+ picks up the Rb7. ] 26...£e5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0 9+p+-snp+-0 3 9p+-zp-vl-vL0 9+-+Pwq-+P0 9-+-+-tR-+0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9PzP-wQL+-+0 9tR-+K+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black is almost out of the woods. All he has to do is castle. But the central files can still cause him problems. 27.¦f3! ¤xd5 28.¦d3 ¦xh6 No better was 28...Ne7 19.Bf4! 29.¦xd5! Whtie had to avoid the tactical trick 29.Qxh6 Bg5 when 30...Ne3+ would have been very powerful. £e4
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-+0 9+p+-+p+-0 4 9p+-zp-vl-tr0 9+-+R+-+P0 9-+-+q+-+0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9PzP-wQL+-+0 9tR-+K+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Material equilibrium has been resored, but Black's pieces are not well placed. White's roaming rook now redeploys to a most menacing position. 30.¦d3! £h1+ The threat of Re3, combined with pressure at h6, force Black to take this desperate measure. He was in time pressure as well. 31.¢c2 £xa1 32.£xh6 ¥e5 33.£g5 Here Hort's flag fell, but it didn't really matter. 1-0
2
2 Borik Hort Bundesliga [Schiller]
1982
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.¤c3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.f4 ¥g7 8.¥b5+ ¤fd7 9.¥e2 £h4+ Black spends a tempo in order to weaken the White kingside. 10.g3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsnl+k+-tr0{ 9zpp+n+pvlp0 5 9-+-zp-+p+0 9+-zpP+-+-0 9-+-+PzP-wq0 9+-sN-+-zP-0 9PzP-+L+-zP0 9tR-vLQmK-sNR0 xiiiiiiiiy £d8!? Hort's original idea. The positional basis is that the usual plan with Qe7 leaves the queen on the e-file, which will eventually be pried open with e4-e5 so her majesty returns home instead. 11.¤f3 0-0 12.0-0 ¦e8 13.¦e1 ¤a6 14.¥f1 A logical move, since White will be attempting to advance his e-pawn and free the e4-square for occupation by a knight. In addition, it protects h3, which will be important if White wants to launch a pawnstorm on the kingside. ¤b6 15.h3 White might have productively inserted a2-a4 here, as suggested by Borik. c4! This advance is an important component of Black's strategy in the Benoni. It frees the c5-square for occupation by the knight, and opens the a7-g1 diagonal which can be useful for attacks on the White king. 16.e5?! The timing of this advance is critical, and here White acted prematurely. The big center will soon be liquidated, and Black's activity onthe queenside will proceed unchallenged. [ 16.¥e3!? ¤b4 17.a3 ¤d3! takes advantage of the overworked Bf1, which has the responsibility of holding both d3 and h3. 18.¥xd3 cxd3 19.£xd3 ¥xh3 is fine for Black. ] 16...¤b4 The ideas are the same as in the previous note, but here the simplification will bring into focus the lack of support of the advanced White pawns. 17.g4 [ 17.a3 ¤d3 18.¥xd3 cxd3 19.£xd3 ¥xh3 is pleasant for Black, who has the bishop pair and better coordinated pieces. ] 17...dxe5 18.fxe5 ¤6xd5 19.¤xd5 £xd5! The endgames are clearly better for Black, with or without the extra pawn. 20.£xd5 ¤xd5 21.¥xc4 (Diagram 6)
3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+r+k+0{ 9zpp+-+pvlp0 6 9-+-+-+p+0 9+-+nzP-+-0 9-+L+-+P+0 9+-+-+N+P0 9PzP-+-+-+0 9tR-vL-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Material balance is restored, but White has a very weak pawn at e5, the result of his premature advance at move 16. ¤b6 22.¥b3 ¥e6 23.¥e3 ¤d7 [ 23...¥xb3 24.axb3 only works to White's advantage, since the open a-file ties down the Ra8 and the doubled pawns are not weak. In fact, the Pb3 limits the activity of the enemy knight. ] 24.¥xe6 ¦xe6 25.¥d4 ¦ae8 26.¦ad1 [ 26.¥xa7 ¤xe5 27.¤xe5 ¥xe5! creates the embarassing threat of Bh2+ as well as Bxb2. ] 26...¤xe5 27.¥xe5 ¥xe5 28.¤xe5 ¦xe5 29.¦xe5 ¦xe5 30.¦d7 ¦b5
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0 9zpp+R+p+p0 7 9-+-+-+p+0 9+r+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+P+0 9+-+-+-+P0 9PzP-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy One extra pawn is often insufficient for a win in single rook endgames, but despite good play by White, Hort manages to win with good technique. 31.b3 ¢g7 32.¢f2 ¢f6 33.¢f3 a5 34.¦c7 h6 35.¢g3 ¢e6 36.¢f3 h5! Black must try to create a passed pawn. 37.¢g3 hxg4 38.hxg4 g5! It is too soon to play f7-f5. The pawn at f7 limits the mobility of the White rook, while the pawn at g5 hinders the movement of the White king. 39.¢f3 f6 40.¦h7 ¦b4 Because the Black pawns are located near the edge of the board, White does not have sufficient maneuvering room for his rook. Now the Black rook will be able to infiltrate. 41.¢g3 b6! An essential move, as otherwise the Rb4 is tied down to the defense of the pawn. 42.¦h2 ¦f4 43.¦d2 (Diagram 8)
4
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+-+-+-0 8 9-zp-+kzp-+0 9zp-+-+-zp-0 9-+-+-trP+0 9+P+-+-mK-0 9P+-tR-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy This is an instructive endgame. Even though there are no obvious targets in the White position, the occupation of the back rank is critical. ¦f1! 44.¢g2 ¦c1 Only in this way can Black insure that he will be able to defend both of this pawn chains with his rook, freeing the king. Endgames like this need the support of the monarch if one hopes to achieve victory. 45.¦e2+ ¢d5 46.¦f2 ¦c6 47.¢g3 ¢d4 48.¢f3 ¢d3 and White resigned, since Rc2 will be fatal. 0-1 3 Hort Karpov Amsterdam [Schiller]
1981
1.d4 ¤f6 2.¤f3 e6 3.c4 d5 4.¤c3 ¥e7 5.¥g5 h6 6.¥h4 0-0 7.e3 b6 8.¦c1 ¥b7 9.cxd5 exd5 10.¥e2 ¤bd7 11.0-0 c5 12.£c2 a6 13.¦fd1
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-trk+0{ 9+l+nvlpzp-0 9 9pzp-+-sn-zp0 9+-zpp+-+-0 9-+-zP-+-vL0 9+-sN-zPN+-0 9PzPQ+LzPPzP0 9+-tRR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy The Tartakower Variation requires good positional sense and an understanding of the dynamics of this particular pawn structure. c4!? Although White did not capture at c5 on move 12, he is now ready to do so, and that is why Karpov advanced the pawn. His strategy will prove correct if he can also play b6-b5, but Hort puts an end to that idea. 14.a4! ¥c6? A full question mark for this positional blunder. The advance b6-b5 has become an idee fixe for Karpov, notwithstanding Hort's anticipation. While Black has eyes only for the queenside, Hort has not forgotten about the center! 15.¤e5! White can occupy this outpost since the base of Black's pawn chain at d5 is without sufficient support. If Black captures at e5, he loses a pawn. But as things stand, White threatens to remove an important defender. £c7 5
[ 15...¥b7 temporarily keeps the defense intact, but after 16.¥f3 the threat of Ne5xc4 is quite real, and even after 16...Rac8, an eventual break with e3-e4 is inevitable. ] 16.¤xc6 £xc6 17.¥f3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0{ 9+-+nvlpzp-0 10 9pzpq+-sn-zp0 9+-+p+-+-0 9P+pzP-+-vL0 9+-sN-zPL+-0 9-zPQ+-zPPzP0 9+-tRR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy There is an immediate threat of 18.Nxd5 Nxd5 19.Bxe7!, exploiting the pin on the long diagonal. ¥b4 This move not only removes the threat at e7, but also creates the possibilty of eliminating the Nc3 which is putting pressure on d5. But Hort realizes that the pin can be effective immediately. 18.¤xd5!! ¤xd5 19.£f5! White regains his material, since 19...N7f6 is met by 20. Bxf6 and the Nd5 falls. £xa4 20.¥xd5 ¦ac8 Karpov should have defended along his second rank with 20...Ra7, but he must have overlooked White's next move. 21.b3!
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-trk+0{ 9+-+n+pzp-0 11 9pzp-+-+-zp0 9+-+L+Q+-0 9qvlpzP-+-vL0 9+P+-zP-+-0 9-+-+-zPPzP0 9+-tRR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Hort found this move because he was examining positions with the Rf8 moved off the f-file. This move opens the c-file, and forces the Rf8 to move. cxb3 [ 21...£b5 22.bxc4 £a4 23.¦a1 and the Nd7 is dead horsemeat. ] 22.¦xc8 ¦xc8 23.£xf7+ ¢h8 24.¥xb3 £b5 25.¥e6 and the pin wins! ¦f8 26.¥xd7! and Karpov resigned, since after 26...Rxf7 27.Bxb5 axb5 28.Rb1 his endgame is lost, while 26... Qe2 is met by 27.Qb3. 1-0
6
4 Hort Kurajica Vinkovci [Schiller]
1976
1.e4 c5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 e6 4.0-0 a6 5.¥xc6 dxc6 6.d3 £c7 7.e5 Already the outline of White's strategy is clear - the d6 square is mine and I will occupy it with a piece! Of course nothing can come of this immediately, but this is the central notion out of which plans are built. f5 Inviting White to capture at f6, after which Black's forecourt will be a bit weak. But this would mean giving up the valuable d6 point, and Hort has no desire to part with his gem. 8.a4 a5 9.¤a3 ¤e7 This must be played right away, or else White will station his knight at c4 and thereby make it very difficult for the knight to enter the game. 10.¤c4 ¤d5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+kvl-tr0 9+pwq-+-zpp0 12 9-+p+p+-+0 9zp-zpnzPp+-0 9P+N+-+-+0 9+-+P+N+-0 9-zPP+-zPPzP0 9tR-vLQ+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 11.¦e1 Typical overprotection. This is clearly the appropriate position for the rook, since nothing is going to happen on the f-file. Now one can dream of positions where, after Nc4-d6+, Bxd6 and exd6, the opposition Re1/Ke8 can be exploited. ¤b6?! Kurajica is playing without much of a plan, and should have left the knight alone, as it was well placed. [ 11...b5 12.axb5 cxb5 13.¤d6+ ¥xd6 14.exd6 £xd6 15.c4 ¤b4 16.¤e5! gives White the strong threat of Qh5+. ] 12.¤xb6 £xb6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+kvl-tr0 9+p+-+-zpp0 13 9-wqp+p+-+0 9zp-zp-zPp+-0 9P+-+-+-+0 9+-+P+N+-0 9-zPP+-zPPzP0 9tR-vLQtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black is clearly worse, with a very bad Bc8. But how can White take advantage of d6? Somehow, the Bc1 has to get into the act. 13.b3! Although the path from a3 to d6 is currently blocked, that can be changed by a timely d3-d4. In addition, the Bc1 is now free to develop at e3, since the bpawn will no longer be hanging. £c7 14.d4! [ 14.¥a3 b5! 15.d4 b4! demonstrates the point behind the retreat of the Black queen. ] 7
14...cxd4 15.£xd4 b6 Black has succeeded in taking control of c5, so that Bc1-a3 will no longer be effective. Still, the queenside pawns are now loose, so serious consideration should have been given to 15...Be7, as suggested by Unzicker. 16.£c4! A clever move, recognizing that Black was getting ready for Bc8-a6, which now would lose the e-pawn. £d7 17.¥e3 ¥a6 18.£h4 c5 Black's queenside position is now solid, but his pieces have limited scope. White has not forgotten about d6, however. 19.¦ad1 £f7 [ 19...£b7 20.£h5+ g6 ( 20...£f7 21.£xf7+ ¢xf7 22.¤g5+ ¢e7 23.¦d6 is a deadly infiltration.) 21.£h4 and the dark squares are very weak, e.g., ¥e7 22.¥g5 ¦d8 23.¥xe7 £xe7 24.¦xd8+ £xd8 25.£xd8+ ¢xd8 26.¦d1+ ¢e7 27.¦d6 ¦b8 28.¤g5 and White wins material. ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+kvl-tr0 9+-+-+qzpp0 14 9lzp-+p+-+0 9zp-zp-zPp+-0 9P+-+-+-wQ0 9+P+-vLN+-0 9-+P+-zPPzP0 9+-+RtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 20.¦d6! Finally Hort realizes his dream - the occupation of d6. Black has nothing better than accepting the material. ¥xd6 21.exd6 0-0 22.¤e5! The combination of the powerful knight outpost and the advanced pawn provides more than enough compensatino for the exchange. Here the bishops of opposite color help White too, since the Bg5 has no counterpart on the dark squares. £b7 [ 22...£f6 23.¥g5 ] 23.¥g5 £d5 24.¥e7 ¥b7 25.f3 Here Black is completely busted, with no way of contesting the d7-square. £d2 26.d7 ¦fb8 27.c4 £c3 28.¢f1 £d2 29.£g5 and Black resigned, because of 29...Qxg5 30.Bxg5 Kf8 31.Rd1 Rd8 32.Rd6 and 29...Qc3 30.Bf6 g6 31.Qh6. 1-0 5 Hort Miles Porz [Schiller]
1982
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤c3 ¥b4 4.¥g5 c5 5.d5 d6 6.e3 £e7 7.¤ge2 exd5 8.a3 ¥xc3+ 9.¤xc3 dxc4 10.¥xc4 [ 10.¤d5 £d8 11.¥xc4 ¥e6 is unclear. ] 10...¥e6 The theme of this game will also be the weakness at d6. (Diagram 15)
8
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-+k+-tr0 9zpp+-wqpzpp0 15 9-+-zplsn-+0 9+-zp-+-vL-0 9-+L+-+-+0 9zP-sN-zP-+-0 9-zP-+-zPPzP0 9tR-+QmK-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy 11.¤b5! ¥xc4 [ 11...0-0 would have been wiser, in retrospect. After 12.¥xe6 fxe6 13.£xd6 £xd6 14.¤xd6 b6 Black would have had a structural weakness, and knight versus bishop in the endgame, but there would have been more chances than in the game. ] 12.¤xd6+ ¢f8 13.¤xc4 ¤c6 14.0-0 £e6 Miles, an excellent endgame player, no doubt saw that the ensuing endgame has little joy for Black, but the alternatives were even worse. [ 14...b5? 15.£d6! bxc4 16.£xc6 and Black has no compensation for his shattered pawn structure. ] 15.£d6+ £xd6 16.¤xd6 b6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-mk-tr0 9zp-+-+pzpp0 16 9-zpnsN-sn-+0 9+-zp-+-vL-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9zP-+-zP-+-0 9-zP-+-zPPzP0 9tR-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White has achieved his primary plan - the occupation of d6. His bishop is more pwerful than the enemy knight. Now he needs a new plan. 17.¦ac1! How did Hort arrive at this move? He may have come up with a fantasy about a rook at c7, which would be devastating. That may have seemed far-fetched in the diagrammed position, but now the threat of b4 makes it a real possibility. ¤d7 [ 17...¤d8 18.b4 ¤e6 would be a possible alternative, but White emerges on top by smashing the kingside pawn structure. 19.¥xf6 gxf6 20.f4! and the knight will soon be driven from the coverage of c7: cxb4 21.f5 ¤d8 22.axb4 ¢e7 23.¦fd1 with Rc7+ to follow. ] 18.¦fd1 (with the obvious threat of Nxf7) f6 19.¥f4 ¤ce5 [ 19...g5?! 20.¤f5! gxf4 21.¦xd7 ¤e5 22.¦b7 fxe3 23.fxe3 and Black is paralyzed. ] 20.b4! This returns to the theme of Rc7 that has been bouncing around in White's head for the past few moves. cxb4 21.axb4 a5 22.bxa5 bxa5 23.¦c7 (Diagram 17)
9
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-mk-tr0{ 9+-tRn+-zpp0 17 9-+-sN-zp-+0 9zp-+-sn-+-0 9-+-+-vL-+0 9+-+-zP-+-0 9-+-+-zPPzP0 9+-+R+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Even though the interlocking knights provide a defensive barrier for the king, Black still suffers from lack of space. h5 24.h3 g5 Black had to do this before White played Bh2 and f4. 25.¥xe5 ¤xe5 26.f4 gxf4 27.exf4 ¤g6 28.¤f5 White's contol of the seventh rank is the most important feature of the position, but his freedom of movement and control of space help to guarantee the win. ¤xf4 29.¦d6 ¦g8 30.¦xf6+ ¢e8 31.¤d6+ ¢d8 32.¦ff7 ¦xg2+ 33.¢f1 1-0 6 Alekhine Book Margate [Schiller]
1938
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.¤f3 ¤f6 4.e3 e6 5.¥xc4 c5 6.0-0 ¤c6 7.£e2 a6 8.¤c3 8.a4 would lead to more common lines. b5 9.¥b3 Alekhine correctly keeps the bishop on the queenside, as the lack of a rook at d1 means that 9.Bd3 leaved d4 without sufficient protection. b4 This came as a surprise to Alekhine, who expected Black to play 9...Be7, as in an encounter with Euwe. [ 9...¥e7 10.dxc5 0-0 11.e4 and White stands better. ] [ 9...¥b7?! 10.¦d1 £c7 11.d5! exd5 12.¤xd5 ¤xd5 13.¥xd5 followed by e3-e4 and the eventual placement of the Ra1 at c1 would provide lasting pressure. ]
(Diagram 18)
10
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqkvl-tr0 9+-+-+pzpp0 18 9p+n+psn-+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-zp-zP-+-+0 9+LsN-zPN+-0 9PzP-+QzPPzP0 9tR-vL-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 10.d5! Alekhine's judgement is probably correct, though Taimanov's preferred 10.Na4 is a worthy alternative. White's goal is to advance the e-pawn, and to do this he must somehow release the pressure at d4. ¤a5 [ 10...exd5 11.¤xd5 ¤xd5 12.¦d1 followed by e3-e4 gives a clear advantage to White. ] 11.¥a4+ ¥d7 White has achieved quite a lot, but wouldn't it be great if he also had a rook on an open d-file? With this idea in mind, we can easily see how Alekhine creates one of his impressive combinations. 12.dxe6 fxe6 [ 12...¥xa4 13.exf7+ ¢xf7 14.¤xa4 ] 13.¦d1 And here we are! The advance d4-d5 has borne delicious fruit! [ 13.¥xd7+ £xd7 14.¦d1 £c6! 15.¤b1 ¥e7= ] 13...bxc3 [ 13...¥e7 14.¥xd7+ ¤xd7 15.¤e5 ¦a7 16.£h5+ g6 17.¤xg6 is a line given by Brinckmann. ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqkvl-tr0 9+-+l+-zpp0 19 9p+-+psn-+0 9sn-zp-+-+-0 9L+-+-+-+0 9+-zp-zPN+-0 9PzP-+QzPPzP0 9tR-vLR+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 14.¦xd7!! Alekhine describes this as the highpoint of the combination. The main reason why the White attack is consequential is the position of the Na5 which cannot participate in the play. ¤xd7 15.¤e5 ¦a7 16.bxc3 (Diagram 20)
11
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-wqkvl-tr0{ 9tr-+n+-zpp0 20 9p+-+p+-+0 9sn-zp-sN-+-0 9L+-+-+-+0 9+-zP-zP-+-0 9P+-+QzPPzP0 9tR-vL-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Taking stock of the position, it is clear that if the Bc1 can get into play then Black will be in serious difficulty. ¢e7 A strange looking move, but the alternatives are not pleasant. [ 16...¥e7 17.£h5+ g6 18.¤xg6 hxg6 19.£xh8+ ¥f8 20.¥c2 ( 20.e4 ¤c4 21.¥h6 £e7 22.¦b1!? ) 20...£f6 21.£xf6 ¤xf6 22.¥xg6+ ¢d8 23.¥d2 ¤c4 24.¥e1 and it is not clear that the three pawns and bishop pair will be enough to win though White is not likely to lose this position, which follows analysis by Brinckmann. ] [ 16...¥d6 17.£h5+! g6 18.¤xg6 hxg6 19.£xh8+ ¥f8 20.e4 £e7 21.¥h6 ¤c4 22.¦b1 with two pawns and enormous pressure for the piece. Note that 22...Kf7 loses to 23.Qh7+ Ke8 24.Rb8+! ] 17.e4! This sets up tricks with Bg5+. ¤f6 18.¥g5 And now Qh5+ is in the air. £c7 19.¥f4 £b6 [ 19...¢d8 20.¤c6+ £xc6 ( 20...¤xc6 21.¥xc7+ ¢xc7 22.e5 ¤d7 23.f4 ) 21.¥xc6 ¤xc6 22.¦d1+ ¤d7 23.e5 and the queen will pillage on the light squares. ] [ 19...£b7 20.£e3! ¢d8 ( 20...¤xe4 21.¥g5+ ¢d6 22.¦d1+ £d5 23.¦xd5+ exd5 24.£f4+- ) 21.£d3+ ¢c8 22.¦b1 £xe4 23.¤f7 ¦xf7 24.¦b8# ] 20.¦d1 g6 [ 20...¤b7 21.¤c4 ] [ 20...¦a8 21.¥g5 ¦d8 22.¤d7 £c7 23.e5+- ] [ 20...¦g8 21.¥g5 h6 22.£h5 g6 23.¤xg6+ ¦xg6 24.£xg6 hxg5 25.e5! ¤d5 26.£e8# was pointed out by Brinckmann. ] 21.¥g5 ¥g7
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-tr0 9tr-+-mk-vlp0 21 9pwq-+psnp+0 9sn-zp-sN-vL-0 9L+-+P+-+0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9P+-+QzPPzP0 9+-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 22.¤d7! The decisive, thematic thrust that brings the game to a swift conclusion. ¦xd7 23.¦xd7+ ¢f8 24.¥xf6 ¥xf6 25.e5 and Black resigned, rather than walk into the obvious line: £b1+ 26.¦d1 £f5 27.exf6 £xf6 28.£xa6 £xc3 29.£xe6 to which there is simply no defence. 1-0 12
7 Botvinnik Euwe World Championship (2) [Schiller]
2560 2560 1948
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.¤f3 ¤f6 4.¤c3 c6 5.e3 ¤bd7 6.¥d3 ¥b4 7.a3 ¥a5 8.£c2 £e7 9.¥d2 dxc4 10.¥xc4 e5 11.0-0 0-0 12.¦ae1 ¥c7 13.¤e4 ¤xe4 14.£xe4 a5 15.¥a2 ¤f6 16.£h4 e4 17.¤e5 ¥xe5 18.dxe5 £xe5 19.¥c3 £e7 20.f3 ¤d5 21.£xe7 ¤xe7 22.fxe4 b6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-trk+0 9+-+-snpzpp0 22 9-zpp+-+-+0 9zp-+-+-+-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9zP-vL-zP-+-0 9LzP-+-+PzP0 9+-+-tRRmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Despite the doubled White pawns, Black is in a difficult position because of the activity of White's pieces. To exploit this, White first grabs the d-file. 23.¦d1 Now we examine the position, but mentally remove the Rf8 from the board. That gives us a simple mate in one with Rd8. Given this, it is easy to understand White's main threat: Rxf7!, using the power of the Ba2. ¤g6 Ok, the first plan must be abandoned. But now White can infiltrate the enemy position with tempo. 24.¦d6 ¥a6! A good reply. Black will reposition the bishop at b5, where it more actively defends the Pc6. 25.¦f2 ¥b5 The pressure on the f-file is more important than doubling rooks on the d-file . 26.e5 White's plan is to advance the e-pawns, using one to eliminate the opposing pawn at f7, and allowing its brother to become a passed pawn. ¤e7 Now that White has temporarily conceded control of d5, the Black knight hopes to find a new home there. [ 26...¦ae8 permits White to carry out his plan: 27.e6 fxe6 28.¦d7 ¦e7 29.¥xe6+ ¢h8 30.¦xf8+ ¤xf8 31.¦xe7 ] 27.e4! This regains control of d5. c5 28.e6 f6 [ 28...fxe6? 29.¦xe6! ] 29.¦xb6 ¥c6 (Diagram 23)
13
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 9+-+-sn-zpp0 23 9-tRl+Pzp-+0 9zp-zp-+-+-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9zP-vL-+-+-0 9LzP-+-tRPzP0 9+-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Here is another simple example of our technique. We imagine the position with the knight gone from e7, and see that the discovered check with e6-e7 is good. 30.¦xc6! ¤xc6 31.e7+ ¦f7 32.¥d5 The most effective move. The pin on the Nc6 is even stronger than the one at f7, and if 32...Rc8, then on 33.Bxc6 the bishop cannot be recaptured because teh pawn would queen. So Black resigned. 1-0 8 Alekhine,A Capablanca,J AVRO [Schiller]
1938
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.¤d2 ¤f6 4.e5 ¤fd7 5.¥d3 c5 6.c3 ¤c6 7.¤e2 £b6 8.¤f3 cxd4 9.cxd4 ¥b4+ 10.¢f1 ¥e7?! In this sharp line of the French, opening lines with 10...f6 is a wiser move. 11.a3 ¤f8 12.b4 ¥d7 13.¥e3 ¤d8?! Black does have a plan - to play Bb5 and exchange the light-squared bishops. But this is easily parried, and turns out to be just a waste of time. 14.¤c3! a5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-snksn-tr0 9+p+lvlpzpp0 24 9-wq-+p+-+0 9zp-+pzP-+-0 9-zP-zP-+-+0 9zP-sNLvLN+-0 9-+-+-zPPzP0 9tR-+Q+K+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black challenges White's queenside formation and forces White to determine his short-term plans. Alekhine decides to plant a pawn at b5. 15.¤a4 £a7 16.b5 Now the scope of the Bd7 is severely limited, and Black's plan, beginning with 13...Nd8?!, is exposed as faulty. b6
14
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-snksn-tr0 9wq-+lvlpzpp0 25 9-zp-+p+-+0 9zpP+pzP-+-0 9N+-zP-+-+0 9zP-+LvLN+-0 9-+-+-zPPzP0 9tR-+Q+K+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy The picture is quite different from that of the previous diagram. With the queenside secured, White now turns his attention to the kingside. 17.g3! In order to achieve results on the kingside, White may need to use both rooks, so he takes time out to prepare a nice safe hole for his king. Alekhine always prepared his attacks well. That's why he was able to play so many combinations f5 18.¢g2 ¤f7 19.£d2! Alekhine is not so captivated by his own plan that he forgets to keep an eye on his opponent! Capablanca was preparing g7-g5 and Nf8-g6. This must be stopped! h6 20.h4 ¤h7 21.h5!
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0{ 9wq-+lvlnzpn0 26 9-zp-+p+-zp0 9zpP+pzPp+P0 9N+-zP-+-+0 9zP-+LvLNzP-0 9-+-wQ-zPK+0 9tR-+-+-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy Excellent judgement! Alekhine sees that the enemy knight will get to e4, but reasons that the hole at g6 will be more important. ¤fg5 22.¤h4 ¤e4 23.£b2 ¢f7 [ 23...¥xh4 24.gxh4! keeps control of critical squares on the kingside, and now 25.f3 will prove fatal to the Ne4. ] 24.f3 ¤eg5 Looking at the position, we can see that if the Pf5 were out of the way White could launch a powerful attack. Alekhine wastes no time in achieving this goal . 25.g4! fxg4 26.¥g6+! A useful interpolation, which cuts off the communication of the enemy rooks. ¢g8 27.f4 ¤f3?! More resistant was 27...Nf7, but after 28.Bd3 Black would still have been in deep trouble. (Diagram 27)
15
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+ktr0 9wq-+lvl-zpn0 27 9-zp-+p+Lzp0 9zpP+pzP-+P0 9N+-zP-zPpsN0 9zP-+-vLn+-0 9-wQ-+-+K+0 9tR-+-+-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy 28.¥xh7+! ¦xh7 29.¤g6 ¥d8 30.¦ac1! Such a quiet move is easy to miss. But if White had left the c-file unguarded, Black might have been able to establish some counterplay by swinging his heavy artillery there. ¥e8 31.¢g3! His majesty attends to the invasive knight personally! The threat is simply Kxg4 and Kxf3. £f7 32.¢xg4 ¤h4 [ 32...¤g5 33.fxg5 £f5+ 34.¢g3 and the king is perfectly safe, while the White rooks eye the f-file lustily. ] 33.¤xh4 £xh5+ 34.¢g3 £f7 35.¤f3 h5 Capablanca exceeded the time limit here, but his position was hopeless in any event. 1-0 9 Fischer Petrosian Buenos Aires (m/7) [Schiller]
1971
1.e4 c5 2.¤f3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.¤xd4 a6 5.¥d3 ¤c6 6.¤xc6 bxc6 7.0-0 d5 8.c4 ¤f6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.exd5 exd5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqkvl-tr0 9+-+-+pzpp0 28 9p+-+-sn-+0 9+-+p+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+L+-+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9tRNvLQ+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Clearly the isolated queen pawn is going to play a significant role in the game. Part of White's strategy will be to dominate the adjacent files. 11.¤c3 ¥e7 12.£a4+ £d7 13.¦e1! Fischer doesn't engage in cheap theatrics: [ 13.¥b5?! axb5! 14.£xa8 0-0 and the follow up with Bb7 and an eventual advance of the dpawn will give Black an excellent game. ] 13...£xa4 14.¤xa4 The isolated pawn is even weaker in the endgame, and White is halfway 16
toward achieving his goal of dominating the c- and e-files. The pawn at a6, defended doubly for the moment, is also a potential weakness. ¥e6 15.¥e3 0-0 16.¥c5! This is the key move. With the dark-squared bishops off the board, the rooks can attack the isolated pawn from the side. In addition, the c5-square will be more easily secured for occupation by the knight. ¦fe8 17.¥xe7 ¦xe7 18.b4! Now we can observe the weakness of the pawn at a6, which will come under the watchful eye of the knight from its new outpost at c5. This, combined with the power of the Be2, will tie down Black's forces. ¢f8 19.¤c5 ¥c8 Mission accomplished. Now White must find a way to increase the pressure on d5 but how can he do this? 20.f3! Fischer's plan is almost brutal in its simplicity - he threatens to exchange rooks, march his king up the diagonal to d4, chase the knight from f6 and grab the weak pawn at d5. ¦ea7 21.¦e5 Just as planned back at move 13! ¥d7 22.¤xd7+! There comes a time in every plan when the immediate goal is achieved, and it is time to capitalize. The knight, though well placed, has done its job and now the domination of the remaining open file is the primary objective. ¦xd7 23.¦c1
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-mk-+0{ 9+-+r+pzpp0 29 9p+-+-sn-+0 9+-+ptR-+-0 9-zP-+-+-+0 9+-+L+P+-0 9P+-+-+PzP0 9+-tR-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy The weakness of the pawns continues to plague Black, who must now worry about the threat of Rc1-c6. ¦d6 24.¦c7 The sixth is protected - but the seventh rank is now available. Black quickly runs out of moves. ¤d7 25.¦e2 g6 26.¢f2 h5 27.f4! A precise move which further limits Black's options. h4 28.¢f3 f5 29.¢e3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-mk-+0{ 9+-tRn+-+-0 30 9p+-tr-+p+0 9+-+p+p+-0 9-zP-+-zP-zp0 9+-+LmK-+-0 9P+-+R+PzP0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Black is virutally in zugzwang, so he advances his prized pawn, and opens up more lines for White. d4+ 30.¢d2 ¤b6 31.¦ee7 ¤d5 32.¦f7+ ¢e8 33.¦b7 This appears to drop a a pawn, but in fact it gurantees victory. ¤xb4 34.¥c4! and Petrosian resigned, because after 34...Nc6 35.Rh7 Rf6 36.Rh8+ Rf8 37.Bf7+. 1-0
17
10 Botvinnik Vidmar Nottingham [Schiller]
2560 2560 1936
1.c4 e6 2.¤f3 d5 3.d4 ¤f6 4.¥g5 ¥e7 5.¤c3 0-0 6.e3 ¤bd7 7.¥d3 c5 8.0-0 cxd4 9.exd4 dxc4 10.¥xc4 ¤b6 11.¥b3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwq-trk+0{ 9zpp+-vlpzpp0 31 9-sn-+psn-+0 9+-+-+-vL-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+LsN-+N+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy White already enjoys a comfortable position, and Black should have taken some measures to reduce the pressure. 11...Nd5 is called for. ¥d7 12.£d3 ¤bd5 Black blockades the pawn, which is the correct positional reaction, but some commentators suggested that the other knight would have been the correct one. After 12...Nfd5 13.Bc2 g6 White would still have enjoyed a small advantage. 13.¤e5 ¥c6 14.¦ad1
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-trk+0{ 9zpp+-vlpzpp0 32 9-+l+psn-+0 9+-+nsN-vL-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+LsNQ+-+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9+-+R+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy The interdependence of Black's forces is both an asset and a liability. White is going to attack on the kingside, so Black must strive for activity. ¤b4?! Continued development was called for, with either 14...Qa5 or 14...Rc8. The knight will not accomplish anything more than encouraging White's queen to move to a more effective post on the kingside. 15.£h3 ¥d5 Black spends more time jousting with the Bb3, but this problem is easily solved. On the other hand, 15...Nfd5 16.Bc1! would also have been very strong for White. 16.¤xd5 ¤bxd5 Now it is time for White to create a concrete plan based on his positional advantages. The target is f7. One would like to have a semi-open f-file, and also eliminate the pawn at e6. Two concepts equal one plan! 17.f4! ¦c8 [ 17...g6 is not playable because of 18.¥h6 ¦e8 19.¥a4 and the bishops combine from a great distance to win the exchange. ] 18.f5 exf5 Forced, since 18.Qd6 19.fxe6 fxe6 leaves the pawn at e6 much too weak. 19.¦xf5 18
£d6?! This allows White to achieve his strategic goal by tactical means, but 19... Rc7 20.Rdf1 and 21.Qh4 would have left Black in despair.
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-trk+0 9zpp+-vlpzpp0 33 9-+-wq-sn-+0 9+-+nsNRvL-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+L+-+-+Q0 9PzP-+-+PzP0 9+-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 20.¤xf7!! The combination of pins on the file and on the diagonals reap rewards. ¦xf7 [ 20...¢xf7 21.¥xd5+ ] 21.¥xf6 ¥xf6 [ 21...¤xf6 22.¦xf6! £xf6 23.£xc8+ ¥f8 24.¥xf7+ £xf7 25.¦f1 £e7 26.¦xf8+ £xf8 27.£xf8+ ¢xf8 28.¢f2 is an easy win. ] 22.¦xd5 £c6 [ 22...¥xd4+ 23.¢h1! ] 23.¦d6 Avoiding the final trap of 23.Rc5?? Bxd4+! £e8 24.¦d7 1-0 11 Spassky Aftonov Leningrad [Schiller]
1949
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.¤f3 ¤f6 4.e3 c5 5.¥xc4 e6 6.0-0 a6 7.£e2 b5 8.¥b3 ¤c6 9.¤c3 cxd4?! This is a positional mistake, because the isolated pawn which it creates will be able to quickly satisfy its lust to expand. Better was 9...c4. 10.¦d1 ¥b7 11.exd4 ¤b4 Black is obeying a classical principle of establishing a blockade in front of the isolated pawn. But thanks to the pin on the e-file, White has a resource. (Diagram 34)
19
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqkvl-tr0 9+l+-+pzpp0 34 9p+-+psn-+0 9+p+-+-+-0 9-sn-zP-+-+0 9+LsN-+N+-0 9PzP-+QzPPzP0 9tR-vLR+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 12.d5! ¤bxd5 13.¥g5! Black's position is a virtual pin-cushion (Bg5 on Nf6, Qe2 on Pe6, and Rd1 on Nd5). The simple threat is 14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.Bxd5, since 15...Qxd5 loses to 16. Rxd5. ¥e7 14.¥xf6 gxf6 [ 14...¥xf6 15.¤xd5 ¥xd5 16.¥xd5 £xd5 17.¦xd5 ] 15.¤xd5 ¥xd5 [ 15...exd5 16.¤d4 would have also led to a crushing position for White. ] 16.¥xd5 exd5 17.¤d4 This position can already be considered winning, because of the weakness of Black's pawn structure and the strong position of the Nd4. The simple threat is Rd1-e1 and Nd4-c6. ¢f8 18.¤f5 h5 Otherwise White would have delivered a nasty check at h6.
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-mk-tr0 9+-+-vlp+-0 35 9p+-+-zp-+0 9+p+p+N+p0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+QzPPzP0 9tR-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 19.¦xd5! The overworked Black queen is deftly exploited to bring a rapid conclusion to the game. £xd5 20.£xe7+ ¢g8 21.£xf6 1-0 12 Spassky Smyslov Bucharest [Schiller]
1953
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤c3 ¥b4 4.¥g5 h6 5.¥h4 c5 6.d5
20
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsnlwqk+-tr0{ 9zpp+p+pzp-0 36 9-+-+psn-zp0 9+-zpP+-+-0 9-vlP+-+-vL0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzP-+PzPPzP0 9tR-+QmKLsNR0 xiiiiiiiiy This reduces the flexibility of White's center and should not lead to any advantage for White. d6 7.e3 exd5 8.cxd5 ¤bd7 9.¥b5 0-0 [ 9...¥xc3+ 10.bxc3 a6 11.¥xd7+ ¥xd7= ] 10.¤ge2 ¤e5 11.0-0 ¤g6 12.¥g3 ¤h5 13.¥d3 ¤xg3 14.¤xg3 ¤e5 15.¥e2 ¥xc3 16.bxc3 £h4 17.f4 ¤g4! 18.¥xg4 ¥xg4 19.£a4! ¥c8 20.e4 £g4 21.£c2 h5 22.¦f3 b5 23.e5 h4 24.¤f1 ¥f5 25.£d2 dxe5? 26.fxe5 ¥g6 27.¦e1 h3 28.d6 ¥e4 29.¤e3 £e6? 30.¦f4 ¥xg2 31.¤f5 ¦fe8
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0 9zp-+-+pzp-0 37 9-+-zPq+-+0 9+pzp-zPN+-0 9-+-+-tR-+0 9+-zP-+-+p0 9P+-wQ-+lzP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 32.¦e3! ¦ad8 33.¤xg7 ¦xd6 34.¤xe6 1-0 13 Spassky Petrosian Moscow World Ch (m/5)
2700 2700 1969
1.c4 ¤f6 2.¤c3 e6 3.¤f3 d5 4.d4 c5 5.cxd5 ¤xd5 6.e4 ¤xc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 ¥b4+ 9.¥d2 ¥xd2+ 10.£xd2 0-0 11.¥c4 ¤c6 12.0-0 b6 13.¦ad1 ¥b7 This is a very typical Semi-Tarrasch position. 14.¦fe1 ¦c8 (Diagram 38)
21
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+rwq-trk+0 9zpl+-+pzpp0 38 9-zpn+p+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+LzPP+-+0 9+-+-+N+-0 9P+-wQ-zPPzP0 9+-+RtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy A simple glance at the a2-g8 diagonal is sufficient to encourage White to build a plan based on undermining the pawn chain f7-e6. 15.d5 But this may be premature. If Black plays 15...Na5!, then the bishop will have to retreat, since the sacrificial attempt 16.dxe6 does not work. But Petrosian missed this chance. exd5?! 16.¥xd5! This is the correct capture. 16.exd5 would have created a passed pawn, but it would be easily blockaded. And, more important, the light squared bishop now has room to maneuver without having to worry about Nc6-a5. ¤a5 17.£f4 £c7 18.£f5 ¥xd5 The pressure was building at f7, so Black trades a piece which is not involved in the defense for an attacking piece - almost always a good idea. 19.exd5
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-trk+0{ 9zp-wq-+pzpp0 39 9-zp-+-+-+0 9sn-+P+Q+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+N+-0 9P+-+-zPPzP0 9+-+RtR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy With the bishops gone, the passed pawn is somewhat harder to blockade, and Black's knight is definitely offside. 19...Nb7 might have been best here. £c2?! Black simply has no right to play so ambitiously when his position is inferior and White can afford to ignore the threat at a2. On the other hand, White has no desire to see the queens off the board, as the lady plays escort to the Pd5 20.£f4! £xa2 21.d6 ¦cd8 22.d7 Spassky has achieved the goal of advancing his pawn to the seventh rank, where it severely restricts the mobility of the Black forces. He now needs a new plan to exploit his advantage, and it will involve infiltration via the c-file £c4 23.£f5 h6 24.¦c1! £a6 25.¦c7 The next phase has been accomplished. Now the knight has to get into the act. Again, it is important to consider a seemingly impossible goal. The knight belongs at c6. Although that seems difficult to achieve, it is not. b5 26.¤d4 £b6 [ 26...b4 27.£e5! (with the threat of Nf5) ¤c4 28.£c5 ] 27.¦c8! ¤b7 Black had to do this, as the alternatives fail: [ 27...£xd4 28.¦xd8 ¦xd8 29.¦e8+ ] [ 27...b4 28.¦e8! £xd4 29.¦xf8+ ¦xf8 30.¦xf8+ ¢xf8 31.£c5+!! £xc5 32.d8£# ] 28.¤c6 And the knight reaches the desired square, after which Spassky finishes the game beautifully. ¤d6
22
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+Rtr-trk+0 9zp-+P+pzp-0 40 9-wqNsn-+-zp0 9+p+-+Q+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-zPPzP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 29.¤xd8!! ¤xf5 30.¤c6 1-0 14 Reshevsky Larsen Lugano ol [Schiller]
1968
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤c3 ¥b4 4.e3 0-0 5.¥d3 c5 6.¤f3 d5 7.0-0 dxc4 8.¥xc4 ¤c6 9.a3 ¥a5 10.£d3 a6 11.¦d1 b5 12.¥a2 c4 13.£e2 £e8! 14.h3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+qtrk+0{ 9+-+-+pzpp0 41 9p+n+psn-+0 9vlp+-+-+-0 9-+pzP-+-+0 9zP-sN-zPN+P0 9LzP-+QzPP+0 9tR-vLR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Black has succesfully navigated the opening and now must try to open a line in the center so that his pieces can maneuver to White's queenside. e5! Up to this point Larsen had been in familiar waters, but now he was playing in unknown territory. Reshevsky, with a fine feel for such positions, keeps the center closed. 15.d5 ¤d8 Although this may seem artificial, it is quite logical, since the knight will find a home at d6, blockading the advanced pawn. 16.e4 ¤b7 17.¥b1 ¤d7 18.¥c2 ¤d6 Black's position is very solid, and Reshevsky comes up with a pretty feeble plan - the exchange of dark-squared bishops. While he is engaged in this, Larsen improves the position of his pieces. 19.¤a2 ¤c5 20.¥d2 ¥xd2 21.¤xd2 ¥d7 (Diagram 42)
23
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+qtrk+0 9+-+l+pzpp0 42 9p+-sn-+-+0 9+psnPzp-+-0 9-+p+P+-+0 9zP-+-+-+P0 9NzPLsNQzPP+0 9tR-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy A critical positin. Black is preparing to advance his queenside pawns, and so far White has shown little counterplay. Thus Reshevsky acts definitively. 22.b4!? cxb3 23.¤xb3 ¤xb3 24.¥xb3 £e7!? An interesting choice. Most players would opt for 24...f5, but Larsen decides to invest in the future. The basic motivation for the move is the ability to transfer the queen to g5. This gives rise to a standard motif involving Bxh3. 25.¦ac1?! Proasaic, and probably a result of time pressure. [ 25.¤b4! ¦fc8 is given by Brondum, though his follow-up with 26.Nc6 strikes me as dubious. ] 25...¦fc8 26.¤b4
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+r+-+k+0{ 9+-+lwqpzpp0 43 9p+-sn-+-+0 9+p+Pzp-+-0 9-sN-+P+-+0 9zPL+-+-+P0 9-+-+QzPP+0 9+-tRR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy A simple oversight. Perhaps Reshevsky simply never appreciated the point of 24...Qe7. In any event, the c1 square is underprotected. ¥xh3! 27.£e3 [ 27.gxh3? ¦xc1 28.¦xc1 £g5+ ] [ 27.¦xc8+ ¥xc8! ] 27...¥d7 28.¤c6 £f6 Black has emerged with an extra pawn, but more importantly, the kingside has been deprived of an important defender, so Black can go on the attack. Notice that White's pieces are not well placed for defense. [ 28...¥xc6 29.dxc6 would have given White some counterplay. ] 29.f3 h5! The kingside attack is the only correct plan. White's forces are well posted to handle any aspirations on the queenside, and the center is locked. 30.¦c3 h4 31.¦dc1 g5 32.¤a7 ¦xc3 33.¦xc3 (Diagram 44)
24
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+k+0{ 9sN-+l+p+-0 44 9p+-sn-wq-+0 9+p+Pzp-zp-0 9-+-+P+-zp0 9zPLtR-wQP+-0 9-+-+-+P+0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy The Na7 is defended by the Qe3, and White threatens to infiltrate on the seventh rank. ¤e8! 34.¤c6 ¦c8 35.¦c2 ¢g7 Black wants to play his rook to c7, to guard the seventh rank. But he wants to make sure that there will be no problems along the back rank, and also wishes to avoid any future tricks with Ne7+. 36.£c3 ¦c7! 37.¢h1 Avoiding 37.Qxe5?? Rxc6! The h-file seems safe enough, for the moment, but in fact this move seals White's fate. ¢h7! 38.£e3 With the pawn removed from f3, Black can simply play Qf1+ followed by Nf6-g4. g4! 39.fxg4 £f1+ 40.¢h2 [ 40.£g1 £d3 ] 40...¤f6 and Black realizes his plan! 41.¤xe5 ¦xc2 42.¥xc2
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0{ 9+-+l+p+k0 45 9p+-+-sn-+0 9+p+PsN-+-0 9-+-+P+Pzp0 9zP-+-wQ-+-0 9-+L+-+PmK0 9+-+-+q+-0 xiiiiiiiiy A final application of the procedure. If there were no Nf5, then Nxg4+ wins. And if the Ne5 were the White queen, then Nxg4+ still wins. So... £a1!! and Black resigned, since Qxe5+ followed by Nxg4+ was threatened. 0-1 15 Evans Larsen Dallas [Schiller]
1957
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.¤c3 c5 4.e3 ¤f6 5.¤f3 ¤c6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.¥b5 a6 8.¥xc6+ bxc6 9.0-0 ¥d6 10.dxc5 ¥xc5 11.e4! Creating the famous isolated d-pawn. 0-0 [ 11...¤xe4? 12.¤xe4 dxe4 13.£xd8+ ¢xd8 14.¤g5 is a trick only a beginner would fall for. ] 25
12.¥g5 ¥e7 13.¤d4 £d6 14.e5? This is a much too clever method of isolating the pawn. The straightforward 14.exd5 cxd5 15.Re1 would have brought White a significant advantage.
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-trk+0{ 9+-+-vlpzpp0 46 9p+pwq-sn-+0 9+-+pzP-vL-0 9-+-sN-+-+0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy £xe5 15.¤xc6 £xg5 16.¤xe7+ ¢h8
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-tr-mk0 9+-+-sNpzpp0 47 9p+-+-sn-+0 9+-+p+-wq-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Perhaps Evans was counting on capturing at d5, but then 17...Rd8 would cause trouble, so instead he eliminates Black's bishop. 17.¤xc8 ¦axc8 18.£d3 This position is not easy to evaluate objectively. If Black plays passively then White will dominate the e-file and go to work on the weak isolated pawn. But Larsen realizes that by giving up some material, he can get the e&c files. ¦fd8!? So Black's plan is clear - give up the a-pawn and allow White to enjoy two connected passed pawns, but in return Black is going to take all of the files in the center and advance his own pawn. 19.£xa6 d4 20.¤e2 ¦c2! (Diagram 48)
26
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+-mk0 9+-+-+pzpp0 48 9Q+-+-sn-+0 9+-+-+-wq-0 9-+-zp-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzPr+NzPPzP0 9tR-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy A powerful centralizing move, which brings Black full compensation for his pawn. 21.¦ad1 White is of course prepared to give up his b-pawn for the powerful Pd4, but Larsen does not oblige. £e5!
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+-mk0 9+-+-+pzpp0 49 9Q+-+-sn-+0 9+-+-wq-+-0 9-+-zp-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzPr+NzPPzP0 9+-+R+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy A powerful centralizing move which brings Black full compensation for his pawn since he now has kingside attacking chances in addition to the files. 22.¤g3 [ 22.¤c1 ¤g4! 23.g3 £h5 24.h4 ¤xf2!! 25.¦xd4 ¤h3+ 26.¢h1 ¦dc8 was demonstrated by Brondum, in response to a published note that 22.Nc1 would have improved White's chances! ] 22...h5! Black has achieved complete control of the center of the board, and the laws of chess say that when you have the center, and the enemy forces (in this case the queen) are offside, a flank attack is in orde. 23.¦fe1 £d5 24.¦e2 d3! 25.¦e3 And now we must look at the potential fork of f2 and e3 via Ng4. When we see this tactical idea, then Black's next move is obvious! [ 25.¦xc2 dxc2 26.¦xd5 c1£+ 27.¤f1 ¦xd5 ] 25...¦xf2! 26.¤e4 Of course not 26.Kxf2 because then 26...Ng4+ picks up the stray rook with multiple threats. ¤xe4 27.¦exd3 [ 27.¦dxd3 might have maintained equality - for example: £g5 ( 27...¦xb2 28.¦xd5 ¦b1+ 29.£f1 ¦xf1+ 30.¢xf1 ¦xd5 31.¦xe4 ¦a5= ) 28.¦xd8+ ¢h7 29.¦h8+!! ¢xh8 30.£a8+ ¢h7 31.£xe4+ f5 32.h4! ¦xg2+ 33.£xg2 £xe3+= ] (Diagram 50)
27
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-+-mk0{ 9+-+-+pzp-0 50 9Q+-+-+-+0 9+-+q+-+p0 9-+-+n+-+0 9+-+R+-+-0 9PzP-+-trPzP0 9+-+R+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now if the rook weren't in the way Qc5 check would be effective. And if the Rf2 were a knight we would have a fork. Put it all together... 27...¦f1+!! 28.¦xf1 [ 28.¢xf1 £f5+ 29.¢g1 ( 29.¦f3 ¦xd1+ 30.¢e2 ¤c3+! ) 29...£c5+ This is what Larsen had in his mind... 30.¢h1 ¤f2+ 31.¢g1 ¤h3+ 32.¢h1 £g1+ 33.¦xg1 ¤f2# and the knowledge of the familiar motif pays off. ] 28...£c5+ and Evans resigned, because 29.Kh1 is met by Nf2+ and either the smothered mate of a backrank mate follows. 0-1 16 Karpov Spassky USSR Teams [Schiller]
1973
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ¤f6 5.0-0 ¥e7 6.¦e1 b5 7.¥b3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 ¤b8 10.d3 For a long time Karpov preferred this quiet move to the standard 10.d4. ¥b7 11.¤bd2 ¤bd7 12.¤f1 ¦e8 13.¤g3 ¤c5 14.¥c2 ¥f8
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqrvlk+0 9+lzp-+pzpp0 51 9p+-zp-sn-+0 9+psn-zp-+-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+-zPP+NsNP0 9PzPL+-zPP+0 9tR-vLQtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy This is the main starting position for the 10.d3 variation. White will now spend some time attending to the queenside before attacking the enemy king. 15.b4 ¤cd7 16.d4 h6 17.¥d2 ¤b6 18.¥d3 g6?! Too passive. Black should stake a claim on the queenside before it is too late and the best way of doing so would be to aim for c7-c7 with a preparatory Rc8. That plan is not without risk, but it is better than treading water. 19.£c2 ¤fd7 20.¦ad1 Karpov carefully completes his mobilization before launching his attack. More importantly, he recognized the 28
potential usefulness of this rook on the d-file, despite the fact that the file is almost filled with pieces! ¥g7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqr+k+0 9+lzpn+pvl-0 52 9psn-zp-+pzp0 9+p+-zp-+-0 9-zP-zPP+-+0 9+-zPL+NsNP0 9P+QvL-zPP+0 9+-+RtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Now Karpov must create his plan. The center is still filled with tension. The Rd1 has distant "manon'man" coverage against the Black queen. 21.dxe5! A well-timed exchange. Black should now recapture with the knight, even though after 22.Nxe5 Bxe5 23.f4 White will have a strong central positon. dxe5?! 22.c4! This forces the weakening of Black's queenside pawn structure. bxc4 23.¥xc4 £e7?! Spassky wants to play c7-c5 as soon as possible, eliminating his weak pawn. But he should have taken the opportunity to exchange his knight for White's powerful lightsquared bishop. 24.¥b3! c5 25.a4! Karpov already has the idea of a plan in which he will sacrifice the exchange by allowing Black to play Bb7-c6-a4 after the Bb3 is chased back to a2. This plan is based on an evaluation of the Re1 as relatively useless. c4 [ 25...cxb4 26.a5 ¦ac8 27.£a2 ¤a8 28.¥xb4! is a decisive blow. ] 26.¥a2 ¥c6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0 9+-+nwqpvl-0 53 9psnl+-+pzp0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9PzPp+P+-+0 9+-+-+NsNP0 9L+QvL-zPP+0 9+-+RtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 27.a5! ¥a4 28.£c1 ¤c8 29.¥xh6! The superior activity of White's forces which results from the sacrifice of the exchange will enable him to attack on the kingside. ¥xd1 30.¦xd1 ¤d6?! Understandably, Black wants to get this knight into a position to help with the defense of the king. Best was 30...Ra7, though that would have parted with the c-pawn after 31.Bxg7 Kxg7 32.Qxc4. 31.¥xg7 ¢xg7 (Diagram 54)
29
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+-+0 9+-+nwqpmk-0 54 9p+-sn-+p+0 9zP-+-zp-+-0 9-zPp+P+-+0 9+-+-+NsNP0 9L+-+-zPP+0 9+-wQR+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White now observes that the horses are guarded only by the queen, which can be deflected. 32.£g5! with the amusing point that 32...Qxg5 33.Nxg5 leaves Black with no way to stop the loss of one of the knights, while 32...Nf6?? drops the queen to 33.Nf5+. f6 33.£g4 maintaining the threat of Nf5+. ¢h7 34.¤h4 and Black resigned rather than invite 34...Rg8 35.Bxc4! or 34...Nf8 35.Nxg6! Nxg6 36.Qh5+ Kg7 37.Rxd6! and the thematic Nf5+ follows. The enitre plan was based on play along the d-file which Karpov anticipated with 20.Rad1! 1-0 17 Karpov Uhlmann Madrid [Schiller]
1973
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.¤d2 c5 4.exd5 exd5 5.¤gf3 ¤c6 6.¥b5 ¥d6 7.dxc5 ¥xc5 8.0-0 ¤ge7 9.¤b3 ¥d6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqk+-tr0 9zpp+-snpzpp0 55 9-+nvl-+-+0 9+L+p+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+N+-+N+-0 9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9tR-vLQ+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy In IQP positions like these White has two main objectives - the blockade of the isolated pawn and the elimination of Black's dark-squared bishop. 10.¥g5! This move directly implements White's plan by transfering the bishop to a post from which it can reach the h2-g8 diagonal (via h4 to g3). 0-0 11.¥h4 ¥g4 12.¥e2 The immediate 12.Bg3 is also playable, although Black can equalize with 12... Bxg3 13.hxg3 Qb6! 12.Re1 is a reasonable alternative to the text. ¥h5?! The superior 12...Re8! had already been introduced by Uhlmann, but he was probably afraid of a prepared innovation. 13.¦e1 £b6 14.¤fd4! Not only does White achieve half of his goal, but he also places Black in a position where he faces a difficult decision concerning the fate of the Bh5. ¥g6 30
If Black had exchanged bishops the isolated pawn would have less protection. Uhlmann decides that the bishop may be of use at e4, since any eventual f2-f3 will weaken the a7-g1 diagonal. 15.c3 ¦fe8 16.¥f1! Karpov realizes that this is the best square for the bishop, since on f3 it could be attacked by Nc6-e5. As we will see, the control of the e-file plays an important role in the remainder of the game. ¥e4 17.¥g3! Now that all of White's pieces have been properly positioned, the exchange of bishops is appropriate. ¥xg3 18.hxg3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0{ 9zpp+-snpzpp0 56 9-wqn+-+-+0 9+-+p+-+-0 9-+-sNl+-+0 9+NzP-+-zP-0 9PzP-+-zPP+0 9tR-+QtRLmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy White need not worry about the doubled g-pawns - they are actually strong from both offensive and defensive perspectives. a5!? The weakening of b5 is probably more significant than Black's mild initiative, but perhaps the move was played without taking into consideration White's potential sacrifice of the b-pawn. 19.a4 ¤xd4 20.¤xd4! Karpov correctly maintains the blockade with the piece, since if 20...Qxb2 then 21.Nb5! threatens both 22.Nc7 and 22.Re2. ¤c6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0 9+p+-+pzpp0 57 9-wqn+-+-+0 9zp-+p+-+-0 9P+-sNl+-+0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 9-zP-+-zPP+0 9tR-+QtRLmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The position remains rather closed, and the e-file is the only line which can be exploited. To do this, White must drive the Re8 away. 21.¥b5! The pin encourages Black's rook to leave the efile. Probably 21...Bg6 would have been best here. ¦ed8?! 22.g4! A very clever move, the point of which is to create threats of trapping the enemy bishop should it retreat to g6 (with f2-f4-f5). ¤xd4 This is a major positional concession, since it leads to an endgame where black has a bad bishop and White controls the e-file. 23.£xd4 £xd4 24.cxd4 ¦ac8 [ 24...¢f8 Would not have prevented infiltration by the White rooks: 25.¦e2 ¦ac8 26.f3 ¥g6 27.¦ae1 ¦c7?? 28.¦e8+ ¦xe8 29.¦xe8# ] 25.f3 ¥g6 26.¦e7 The immediate objective has now been achieved, and after the doubling of rooks on the e-file Karpov illustrates his famous endgame technique to secure the point. b6 27.¦ae1 h6 28.¦b7 ¦d6 29.¦ee7 h5 30.gxh5 ¥xh5 31.g4 ¥g6 32.f4 ¦c1+ 33.¢f2 ¦c2+ 34.¢e3 ¥e4 35.¦xf7 ¦g6 36.g5 ¢h7 37.¦fe7 ¦xb2 38.¥e8! ¦b3+ 39.¢e2 ¦b2+ 40.¢e1 ¦d6 41.¦xg7+ ¢h8 42.¦ge7 1-0 31
18 Timman Kasparov Hilversum (m/1) [Schiller]
1630 2785 1985
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ¤f6 5.0-0 ¥e7 6.¦e1 b5 7.¥b3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 ¥b7 10.d4 ¦e8 11.¤bd2 ¥f8 12.a3 h6 13.¥c2 ¤b8 14.b4 ¤bd7 15.¥b2 g6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqrvlk+0 9+lzpn+p+-0 58 9p+-zp-snpzp0 9+p+-zp-+-0 9-zP-zPP+-+0 9zP-zP-+N+P0 9-vLLsN-zPP+0 9tR-+QtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy A typical position in the Zaitsev/Smyslov hybrid of the Spanish Inquisition. White has two options quiet play with 16.Qb1 or aggressive queenside action. 16.c4!? Timman has played this bold line against both Karpov and Kasparov. exd4 17.cxb5 axb5 18.¤xd4 c6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqrvlk+0 9+l+n+p+-0 59 9-+pzp-snpzp0 9+p+-+-+-0 9-zP-sNP+-+0 9zP-+-+-+P0 9-vLLsN-zPP+0 9tR-+QtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy In this position, White aims at the targets on the queenside, and therefore the best move is probably 19.Bd3, but that hadn't been discovered yet. 19.a4 bxa4 20.¥xa4 £b6 Kasparov's innovation, prepared for this game. Black's plan is illustrated nicely by the present game. He will aim for the liberating advance d6-d5 when his pieces will be better placed than their White counterparts. 21.b5?! With this move White hopes to highlight the weakness at d6, but the plan fails and in the third game of the match Timman improved with 21.Nc2 which became the standard move in 1986. cxb5 22.¥xb5 d5! This move eliminates Black's only weakness and puts strong pressure on the center. White already suffers from a pin on the b-file and his pieces do not seem to be doing anything. 23.¦xa8 ¥xa8 24.£a4 ¤c5! More pressure on the center. And in addition, Black has taken the initiative. 25.£c2 ¦b8 Because of the pin, this move allows the rook to escape without losing time, because sooner or later White will have to waste a move t o b r e a k i t . 26.exd5 ¤xd5 A strange sight - most of the pieces remain on the board but the queenside pawns have been swept clear. One would assume that the position is equal, but in fact Black still holds a slight initiative. 27.¤c4?! Timman fails to appreciate the danger and tries 32
to regain the initiative. The best move here would have been the double retreat 27.Ba1 Nf4 28. Bf1! with a solid defensive formation. Now Black expands his domination of critical lines. £c7 28.¤e5?! The final chance for equality lie in 28.Re8, exchanging off the dangerous Black rook. But now Kasparov was able to develop a plan to exploit his spatial advantage, based on control of the b-file and the h8-a1 diagonal. ¥g7! 29.¤ec6 [ 29.¥c6? would have met with an impressive refutation: ¥xe5! 30.£xc5 ¦xb2 31.£xd5 ¥xd4 32.¦e8+ ¢h7 33.£xd4 ¦b1+ ] 29...¥xc6 30.¥xc6 ¤f4
XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+-+k+0 9+-wq-+pvl-0 60 9-+L+-+pzp0 9+-sn-+-+-0 9-+-sN-sn-+0 9+-+-+-+P0 9-vLQ+-zPP+0 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black's control of the b- and c-files, combined with the pin on the diagonal and more active knights gives him a decisive advantage! 31.¥b5 Timman tries to cut off the b-file, establish his own pin on the c-file, and free his game with Rc1. Black would just love to get his queen onto the a8-h1 diagonal with deadly threats at g2. This is easily done! [ 31.¦e8+ ¦xe8 32.¥xe8 ¤ce6 exploits the pin at d4, with a little help from the threatened fork at e2. 33.£xc7 ¤xc7 34.¥d7 ¥xd4 35.¥xd4 ¤e2+ ] [ 31.£xc5 ¦xb2 32.¤b5 £a5 33.£e3 meets with quiet refutation: ¢h7! ] 31...¦xb5! 32.¤xb5 £c6 33.f3 £xb5 and Black has a decisive material advantage. But with the symmetrical pawn structure the win still requires the creation of an effective plan. It is easy to see that a knight planted at g3 would be nice, but it needs support. 34.¥xg7 ¢xg7 35.£c3+ ¢g8 36.£e5 ¤fe6 37.¦a1 £b7 First Black organizes his defense. The next step is to advance the h-pawn so that the eventual infiltration of the knight to g3 can be accomplished. 38.£d6 h5 39.¢h1 ¢h7 40.¦c1 £a7 41.¦b1 ¤g7 42.¦b8 ¤ce6 43.£e5 ¤d4 44.¦b1 h4 Watching this game I remember being impressed by the ease with which the World Champion achieved his objectives. The maneuvering of the knights makes sense only in hindsight. 45.£b8 £e7 46.£b4 £f6 47.£f8 ¤e2 48.¦d1 ¤f5 49.£b8 ¤e3 50.£d8 £f4 Black has properly declined all offers to exchange queens - it is mate he is after! 51.¦e1 (Diagram 61)
33
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-wQ-+-+0{ 9+-+-+p+k0 61 9-+-+-+p+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+-wq-zp0 9+-+-snP+P0 9-+-+n+P+0 9+-+-tR-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy ¤f1! And Timman, seeing that inevitable Nf1-g3-e2-f2, gave up. 0-1 19 Janowski Capablanca New York (Rice) [Schiller]
1916
1.d4 ¤f6 2.¤f3 d5 3.c4 c6 4.¤c3 ¥f5 Not a particularly effective move in this line. The control of e4 comes at a high price, if White responds correctly by capturing at d5 before d e v e l o p i n g h i s q u e e n a t b 3 . 5.£b3?! This is not as effective, since Black can respond symmetrically. £b6!
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-+kvl-tr0 9zpp+-zppzpp0 62 9-wqp+-sn-+0 9+-+p+l+-0 9-+PzP-+-+0 9+QsN-+N+-0 9PzP-+PzPPzP0 9tR-vL-mKL+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy A classic question confronts White early in the game - will the doubled pawns resulting from the exchange of queens be weak, or is the open a-file useful? 6.£xb6?! axb6 7.cxd5 ¤xd5 8.¤xd5 cxd5 (Diagram 63)
34
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-+kvl-tr0 9+p+-zppzpp0 63 9-zp-+-+-+0 9+-+p+l+-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+-+-+N+-0 9PzP-+PzPPzP0 9tR-vL-mKL+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy Already we have an interesting endgame. Black has control of e4 and the a-file while White has targets at d5, b6, and b7. But the pawns are hard to get at. 9.e3 ¤c6 10.¥d2 ¥d7! A tremendously insightful move! Capablanca sees that he must turn his weak pawns into fighting pieces - and the idea is to play Na5 then b5-b4 which will constrict the White queenside. White should prevent this with 11.Bb5! 11.¥e2?! e6 12.0-0 If White had played 11.Bb5, he would have been able to play 12.Ke2, keeping the king centralized in in the endgame. As it turns out, the king becomes a target! ¥d6 13.¦fc1 ¢e7 14.¥c3 ¦hc8 15.a3?! Better was 15.Nd2. Now there is an additional hole on the queenside, and the b4-square belongs to Black in any event. ¤a5 16.¤d2
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+r+-+-+0{ 9+p+lmkpzpp0 64 9-zp-vlp+-+0 9sn-+p+-+-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9zP-vL-zP-+-0 9-zP-sNLzPPzP0 9tR-tR-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy As Black increases his pressure on the Queenside, Janowski correctly decides to react in the center. But Capablanca is aware of his opponent's plans. f5! This slows down the advance e3e4 for some time, and makes White waste a few moves in preparation. 17.g3 b5 18.f3 ¤c4 19.¥xc4 bxc4 20.e4 ¢f7! With e4-e5 coming, Black makes room for his bishop to retreat along the a3-f8 diagonal. 21.e5 ¥e7 22.f4 b5 The plan all along has been to advance this pawn, but now it takes on a new significance. White must keep an eye on the queenside, and his less mobile pieces are therefore ill-equipped to defend the king against a direct assault. 23.¢f2 ¦a4 24.¢e3 ¦ca8 The threat of b5-b4 is renewed. Keep this position in mind as we continue. It is in stark contrast to the position we will see in seven more moves. But what is most important is that the White pieces can't defend the kingside! 25.¦ab1 h6! 26.¤f3 g5 27.¤e1 ¦g8! 28.¢f3 gxf4 29.gxf4 ¦aa8 30.¤g2 ¦g4 31.¦g1 ¦ag8 Black's play requires no comment Capablanca saw that White's pieces were out of play and simply switched sides of the board. His greater mobility enabled him to achieve a winning position with great ease. 32.¥e1
35
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+r+0{ 9+-+lvlk+-0 65 9-+-+p+-zp0 9+p+pzPp+-0 9-+pzP-zPr+0 9zP-+-+K+-0 9-zP-+-+NzP0 9+R+-vL-tR-0 xiiiiiiiiy White tries to get his bishop involved in the defense. But we recall that this piece was dedicated to the protection of the queenside, guarding against b5-b4 b4! 33.axb4 Now Black's fantasies involve Bd7-e4+. Not allowed by the rules, but Black finds away to work around the rules. [ 33.¥xb4 ¥xb4 34.axb4 h5 35.h4 ¦g3+ 36.¢f2 ¦d3 37.¦gd1 ¦gg3 was an unacceptable alternative. ] 33...¥a4! 34.¦a1 Completely missing the point. 34.Rc1 was needed, but then after 34...Bb3 Black would have been able to invade on the a-file. ¥c2 35.¥g3 ¥e4+ 36.¢f2 h5 37.¦a7 ¥xg2! 38.¦xg2 h4 and the rest is simple: 39.¥xh4 ¦xg2+ 40.¢f3 ¦xh2 41.¥xe7 [ 41.¦xe7+ ¢f8 42.¥f6 ¦gh8! 43.¥xh8 ¢xe7 ] 41...¦h3+ 42.¢f2 ¦b3 43.¥g5+ ¢g6 44.¦e7 ¦xb2+ 45.¢f3 ¦a8 46.¦xe6+ ¢h7 0-1 20 Michell Leonhardt Brighton [Schiller]
1904
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ¤f6 5.0-0 ¥e7 6.d4 exd4 7.e5 ¤e4 8.¤xd4 0-0 9.¦e1 ¤c5 10.¥xc6 dxc6 11.¤c3 ¤e6 This move not only locks in the Bc8, but also concedes control of e4. With 11...Re8, Black could have laid claim to equality.
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwq-trk+0 9+pzp-vlpzpp0 66 9p+p+n+-+0 9+-+-zP-+-0 9-+-sN-+-+0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9tR-vLQtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 12.¤f5 ¥g5 Black hopes to limit White's attack by exchanging pieces. But this is an error since that strategy only works when one is eliminating an attacking piece, preferably for a non-defender. Here the opposite is the case! 36
[ 12...£xd1?? 13.¤xe7+ ¢h8 14.¦xd1 ] 13.£e2! The defence of the Bg5 falls partly to the Black queen, which lacks room to maneuver. Appreciating this fact, White switches the files of his own queen and rook. ¦e8 14.¦d1 ¥d7 15.£g4 A very clever move, indirectly increasing pressure on the d-file, while making threatening gestures toward the enemy king. ¥xc1 16.¦axc1 g6 17.¤e4 Now there is no defence. ¤f8 18.¤f6+ ¢h8 White now wants to play his queen to the h-file and give mate at h7. But he can't do that, because the knight defends h7. Fine, but the knight is also needed to defend d7. This gives rise to a forced win. 19.£h4 gxf5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqrsn-mk0 9+pzpl+p+p0 67 9p+p+-sN-+0 9+-+-zPp+-0 9-+-+-+-wQ0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9+-tRR+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy And now the Nf8 is overworked, so White has a quick kill. 20.¦xd7! 1-0 21 Kasparov Yusupov USSR Ch [Schiller]
1981
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤f3 ¥b4+ 4.¥d2 a5 5.g3 0-0 6.¥g2 b6 7.0-0 ¥a6 8.¥g5 ¥e7 9.£c2 ¤c6 10.a3 h6 11.¥xf6 ¥xf6 12.¦d1 £e7 13.e3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0{ 9+-zppwqpzp-0 68 9lzpn+pvl-zp0 9zp-+-+-+-0 9-+PzP-+-+0 9zP-+-zPNzP-0 9-zPQ+-zPLzP0 9tRN+R+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy This leads to overcrowding on the queenside. Better was 13...g6. ¦ae8?! In this slow opening, Black has actually outstripped White's development. But White controls the center, and d7-d5 will not be appropriate because of the position of the White queen, putting pressure on the c-file. 14.¤fd2 A strong move which threatens to post the knight effectively at e4, while opening up lines for the Bg2 and threatening to disrupt Black's pawn structure . In addition, the Pc4 is 37
guarded so that the other knight can enter the game. g5?! Black overreacts to the positional strength of White's game. 14...g6 would have been more solid. 15.¤c3 ¥g7 White should probably bring Black's extended fianchetto into question by playing 16.f4, but he is concentrating on the queenside, and in particular, on the c-file. 16.¤b5 £d8 17.f4 ¤e7! Black has taken advantage of White's faulty plan by reorganizing his pieces so that the Ne7 can take part in the defence. Unfortunately, Yusupov soon forgets why he wanted the knight at e7. 18.¤f3 ¤f5 19.£f2?! Kasparov notes that this was not the correct square for the queen - it would have been better placed at e2, where it could protect the pawn at c4. c6 20.¤c3 gxf4 21.gxf4 ¥xc4 Although White is a pawn down, he is at the same time almost a piece ahead, because Black's light-squared bishop is incapable of reaching the kingside to hekp in the defence. In addition, White now takes charge of the center. 22.e4
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-wqrtrk+0{ 9+-+p+pvl-0 69 9-zpp+p+-zp0 9zp-+-+n+-0 9-+lzPPzP-+0 9zP-sN-+N+-0 9-zP-+-wQLzP0 9tR-+R+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now Yusupov makes a major strategic error. He must return the knight to its defensive post at e7. ¤d6? [ 22...¤e7 23.¢h1! f5 24.e5 brings White sufficient compensation for his pawn, because Black's kingside is very weak. The difference between this position and the game is that here the knight participates in the defense. In the game, it watches from c8. ] 23.¤e5 f5 24.¤xc4 ¤xc4 Black does not mind parting with his bishop, but the problem is that the Nc4 is far away from the kingside. Kasparov now chases it to an utterly useless position on the back rank. 25.b3! ¤d6 26.e5 ¤c8 [ 26...¤e4 27.¥xe4 fxe4 28.¤xe4 is clearly better for White, with a SuperKnight at e4 and threats along the g-file. ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+nwqrtrk+0 9+-+p+-vl-0 70 9-zpp+p+-zp0 9zp-+-zPp+-0 9-+-zP-zP-+0 9zPPsN-+-+-0 9-+-+-wQLzP0 9tR-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy At this point White must determine his strategy for the remainder of the game. His goal is to infiltrate the kingside, and exploit the weak light squares. 27.¥f3! Clearly the bishop must get involved in this task. ¢h7 Black escapes the g-file, and hopes to use it to exchange rooks, 38
lessening White's attacking force. 28.¥h5 ¦e7 29.¢h1 ¦g8?! Although this is consistent with Black's plan, he chooses the wrong rook. The correct strategy was 29...Bh8! followed by Re7-g7. [ 29...¥h8 30.¦g1 ¦g7 31.¦xg7+ ¥xg7 32.¦g1 £e7! The point. This square is now available for the queen, which can hold the position together until the other rook reaches g8. 33.£g3 ¦g8 34.¤b1! is given by Kasparov, with the comment that White stands better, since he will be able to swing his knight to h4, while the Nc8 is still out of play. ] 30.¦g1 ¥h8 [ 30...¥f8? 31.£h4 sets up a very nasty pin! ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+nwq-+rvl0 9+-+ptr-+k0 71 9-zpp+p+-zp0 9zp-+-zPp+L0 9-+-zP-zP-+0 9zPPsN-+-+-0 9-+-+-wQ-zP0 9tR-+-+-tRK0[ xiiiiiiiiy If White's queen stood on f5, and were not attacked, then mate in two. But how do we realize this fantasy? The solution is stunning! 31.¤e4!! Because of the threat of Nf6+, the knight must be captured. But this gives White access to the f5-square. The sacrifice of material is not so important because Black's knight is so out of play. fxe4 32.f5 ¦g5? An error in time pressure. According to Kasparov, Black should have brought the queen over to help with the defense: 32... Qf8 33.Rxg8 Kxg8 34.f6! Rg7! 33.¦xg5 hxg5 34.f6
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+nwq-+-vl0{ 9+-+ptr-+k0 72 9-zpp+pzP-+0 9zp-+-zP-zpL0 9-+-zPp+-+0 9zPP+-+-+-0 9-+-+-wQ-zP0 9tR-+-+-+K0 xiiiiiiiiy ¢h6 [ 34...£f8 35.fxe7 £xf2 36.e8£ wins because Black has no checks. ] 35.fxe7 £xe7 [ 35...¤xe7 36.£f7 ¥g7 37.¦f1 ¥h8 38.¦f6+ ¥xf6 39.exf6 ] 36.¥f7! d6 [ 36...g4 37.h4! gxh3 38.¦g1 ¥g7 39.£f4+ ¢h7 40.£xe4+ ¢h8 41.£g6 ] 37.¦f1 g4 [ 37...dxe5 38.£e2 ]
39
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+n+-+-vl0 9+-+-wqL+-0 73 9-zppzpp+-mk0 9zp-+-zP-+-0 9-+-zPp+p+0 9zPP+-+-+-0 9-+-+-wQ-zP0 9+-+-+R+K0[ xiiiiiiiiy White needs to get his queen and rook into the game in order to mate. The best route is via h4, but that is covered by the Black queen. 38.¥xe6!! £xe6 39.£h4+ ¢g7 and here Black resigned before Kasparov could play 40.Rf6. 1-0 22 Capablanca Bogoljubow London (m/6) [Schiller]
1922
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 ¤f6 5.0-0 ¥e7 6.¦e1 b5 7.¥b3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.d4 exd4?! The release of tension in the center is premature. 9...Bg4 is the contemporary reply. 10.cxd4 ¥g4 11.¥e3 ¤a5 12.¥c2 ¤c4 13.¥c1 Is this a loss of time? Not really, since the knight will eventually be forced back with b2-b3 and then the bishop can be profitably employed at b2. c5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-trk+0 9+-+-vlpzpp0 74 9p+-zp-sn-+0 9+pzp-+-+-0 9-+nzPP+l+0 9+-+-+N+-0 9PzPL+-zPPzP0 9tRNvLQtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Classical Spanish play - Black will expand on the queenside and White will attempt to keep control of the center and attack on the kingside. 14.b3 ¤a5 15.¥b2 As promised. It would have been wrong to push the d-pawn, because then Black would simply swing his knight from f6 to d7 and stick the bishop on the long diagonal. ¤c6 16.d5 ¤b4 (Diagram 75)
40
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-trk+0 9+-+-vlpzpp0 75 9p+-zp-sn-+0 9+pzpP+-+-0 9-sn-+P+l+0 9+P+-+N+-0 9PvLL+-zPPzP0 9tRN+QtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black has lured White into playing d4-d5, but it has const him some time. He now attempts to eliminate the Spanish bishop, which can be dangerous after e5. 17.¤bd2 ¤xc2 18.£xc2 Black now has the bishop pair, but White controls the center and has a strong bishop at b2. Should he play on the kinside, as usual, or perhaps undermine the Black pawn structure with a2a4. Or both? And how to time all of this? ¦e8 19.£d3 A very nice move which increases the pressure on the queenside while making it easier for the queen to get to the kingside via the third rank. Before making a concrete plan, White strives to improve the positin of his pieces. h6 If Black was worried about e4-e5, he could have played Nf6-d7, but White isn't ready for such action yet. [ 19...¤d7 20.e5 ¥xf3 21.¤xf3 dxe5 22.¤xe5 ¤xe5 23.¥xe5 ¥d6 24.¥xd6 £xd6 25.¦ad1 is not likely to be enough to win, given the blockade of the pawn. ] 20.¤f1 ¤d7 21.h3 ¥h5?! Black is a little too attached to his bishop pair. He should have captured and then played Bf6, to take control of the e5 square which has been the center of attention for some time. 22.¤3d2! ¥f6 23.¥xf6 £xf6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0 9+-+n+pzp-0 76 9p+-zp-wq-zp0 9+pzpP+-+l0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+P+Q+-+P0 9P+-sN-zPP+0 9tR-+-tRNmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black seems to have secured the central squares, but now White defelects the Black knight to the queenside, and then launches his attack. 24.a4! c4 25.bxc4 ¤c5 26.£e3 bxa4 (Diagram 77)
41
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0 9+-+-+pzp-0 77 9p+-zp-wq-zp0 9+-snP+-+l0 9p+P+P+-+0 9+-+-wQ-+P0 9-+-sN-zPP+0 9tR-+-tRNmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The position has changed considerably. Black has some valuable assets on the queenside and a seemingly well-placed knight - but it is actually offside. 27.f4! White is prepared to bring a pawnstorm against the enemy king. The Nc5 cannot come to the aid of its monarch. The attack can be repelled, but only by going into a complicated endgame. £e7 28.g4 ¥g6 29.f5 ¥h7 30.¤g3 £e5 31.¢g2 ¦ab8 32.¦ab1 f6?! This is a passive move which creates further holes in Black's position. Since all of his chances lay on the queenside, he should have continued with his infiltration of the White position. [ 32...¦b2 33.¦xb2 £xb2 34.¦b1 £c2 35.¢f3 ¤b3 36.¤gf1 f6 would have been appropriate, since in this position the White pieces cannot occupy any of the holes on the kingside. Indeed, Black's advanced pawn can be dangerous, and the Bh7 might eventually enter the game via a4. ] 33.¤f3! ¦b2+ 34.¦xb2 £xb2+ 35.¦e2 This is a much more comfortable position for White. The hole at e6 will be a nice landing site for the Nf3, and the passed pawn is not important. £b3 36.¤d4! £xe3 [ 36...£xc4 37.¤e6! is good for White. Black cannot take the knight, because then the bishop at h7 is permanently out of the game. The best continuation would be to seize the open file. ¦b8 38.¤xc5! dxc5 39.¦d2 ¦b3 40.£f2! and White has a powerful passed pawn, which cannot be stopped by the Black king since 40...Kf8 would be met by 41.Qf4! ] 37.¦xe3 ¦b8
XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+-+k+0 9+-+-+-zpl0 78 9p+-zp-zp-zp0 9+-snP+P+-0 9p+PsNP+P+0 9+-+-tR-sNP0 9-+-+-+K+0 9+-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy At first sight it seems that Black has all the chances with his open file and passed pawn. But White sees the potential of a passed d-pawn! 38.¦c3 ¢f7 39.¢f3 ¦b2 40.¤ge2 ¥g8 Now White, keeping in mind the theme of the previous variations, sees that he can achieve his goal of a passed d-pawn. He notices that the pawn at e4 is not a material consideration in this position. 41.¤e6! ¤b3 Of course Black cannot even think about exchanging at e6 and entombing the bishop. 42
[ 41...¤xe4 42.¢xe4 ¦xe2+ 43.¢d4 is a winning endgame for White, since the bishop is absolutely useless and the king is close enough to pick off the a-pawns even if the rooks leave the board . ] 42.c5!! dxc5 43.¤xc5 ¤d2+ 44.¢f2 ¢e7?! Again Black finds himself unthinkingly following conventional wisdom by moving his king to the center. But he needed to invest more thought in his queenside advantage. [ 44...¤b1! 45.¦c4! a3 46.¤e6! ¢e7! ( 46...a2 47.¦c7+ ¢e8 48.d6 with a mating net.) 47.¦c7+ ¢d6 48.¦c6+ ¢e7 49.¦xa6 ( 49.¦c7+ ¢d6 draws. ) 49...¥xe6 50.¦xe6+ ¢d7 51.¦a6 a2 52.¢e1 and the king gets over in time. ] 45.¢e1 ¤b1 46.¦d3 a3?! and here Black should have stuck to his plan, instead of belatedly switching to the queenside advance. [ 46...¢d6! 47.¤xa4 ¦b4 48.¤ac3 ¤xc3 49.¤xc3 ¥f7 50.¢d2 g6 51.¢e3 gxf5 52.gxf5 ¥e8 with drawing chances, although the kingside pawns remain very weak. ] 47.d6+ ¢d8
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-mk-+l+0 9+-+-+-zp-0 79 9p+-zP-zp-zp0 9+-sN-+P+-0 9-+-+P+P+0 9zp-+R+-+P0 9-tr-+N+-+0 9+n+-mK-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy At this point White is concentating on mate rather than a longwinded endgame. The idea is that a knight at c6 would force the king off the queening square. 48.¤d4! ¦b6 49.¤de6+ ¥xe6 50.fxe6 ¦b8 51.e7+ ¢e8 52.¤xa6 1-0 23 Keres Euwe Nederland (m/6) [Schiller]
2560 2560 1939
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤c3 ¥b4 4.£c2 ¤c6 5.¤f3 0-0 6.¥g5! h6 7.¥h4 d6 The pin may be annoying, but it cannot easily be broken, as Botvinnik pointed out: [ 7...g5? 8.¥g3 g4 9.¤h4 ¤xd4 10.£d2! ¤f5 11.¤xf5 exf5 12.£xh6 ] 8.e3 £e7 9.¥e2 e5 (Diagram 80)
43
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-trk+0 9zppzp-wqpzp-0 80 9-+nzp-sn-zp0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9-vlPzP-+-vL0 9+-sN-zPN+-0 9PzPQ+LzPPzP0 9tR-+-mK-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black has treated the center with classical respect, and White must decide whether he should capture, advance, or maintain the status quo. 10.d5! ¤b8 The correct move. Now that White has conceded control of c5, that square will be the natural home for the knight. From b8 it only takes two moves to reach c5. 11.¤d2! This move serves many purposes. It breaks the pin on the Nc3, and overprotects e4. Now if an eventual g7-g4, Black cannot gain more time with g5-g4. White will also be able to attack with a pawnstorm on the kingside. ¤bd7 12.0-0 a5 13.¦ae1! The Rf1 should remain in place because it supports the advance of the f-pawn. There is no need to worry about action on the queenside, because White's pieces enjoy such freedom of movement that they can switch sides quickly. ¦e8 This is aimed at preventing White from going after the weak square c7 with Nc3-b5. [ 13...¤c5 would have been consistent with Black's plans and might have been better than the text. ] 14.f4 [ 14.¤b5 ¥xd2 15.£xd2 ¤e4 16.£c2 £xh4 17.¤xc7 £d8 18.¤xa8 ¤dc5 and the knight is trapped. ] 14...¥xc3 15.£xc3 ¤e4 16.¤xe4 £xh4 17.g3 £e7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+r+k+0 9+pzpnwqpzp-0 81 9-+-zp-+-zp0 9zp-+Pzp-+-0 9-+P+NzP-+0 9+-wQ-zP-zP-0 9PzP-+L+-zP0 9+-+-tRRmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Now White must think of a long term plan. Clearly his bishop is not a long- term asset, and if Black plays f5-f5, it will be difficult to exchange. 18.¥g4! This assures that the bishops will come off the board, and then the pawn structure will favor White. The threat of 19.Bxd7 Bxd7 20.f5! is quite strong and therefore Black must exchange both sets of minor pieces. ¤f6 [ 18...¤f8? 19.¥xc8 ¦axc8 20.f5 secures a significant spatial advantage. ] 19.¤xf6+ £xf6 20.¥xc8 ¦axc8
44
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+r+k+0 9+pzp-+pzp-0 82 9-+-zp-wq-zp0 9zp-+Pzp-+-0 9-+P+-zP-+0 9+-wQ-zP-zP-0 9PzP-+-+-zP0 9+-+-tRRmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy After avoiding 21.Qxa5? exf4! (∆ Qxb2), White must reconfigure his position so that his rooks will be effective on an open line. Which file? 21.¦f2! This exploits the pin on e5, since the doublerook endgames favor White. Now Keres will gain more space on the kingside by playing f4-f5, after which he can concentrate on the queenside. b6 22.¦ef1 £g6 23.f5! £f6 24.e4! Given the fact that White's pieces enjoy superior mobility, it is possible for him to preserve chances on both sides of the board by locking the center. The threat of a kingside pawn storm will trouble Black for some time. c6?! This approach to the problem is too radical, or at least premature, since White has not yet weakened his queenside by advancing the pawns there. 25.dxc6 ¦xc6
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0 9+-+-+pzp-0 83 9-zprzp-wq-zp0 9zp-+-zpP+-0 9-+P+P+-+0 9+-wQ-+-zP-0 9PzP-+-tR-zP0 9+-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Now White has opened some lines and useful light squares, and Black now has to defend the weaknesses at b6 and d6. But Black threatens 26...b5! 26.a4! ¢f8 27.¦d1 ¦ec8 28.b3 ¢e7 Black has now secured his queenside, but the kingside is defended only by the queen. Before undertaking action there, White will have to bring his own queen into play and ensure that his rooks can move freely on the f- and g-files. 29.£f3 ¢d7 30.h4 ¢c7 31.¢f1! The king crawls out of the way, so that the rooks can do their job. ¢b7 32.¢e2 ¦8c7 33.¦h2 £d8 34.g4 f6 35.¦g2 ¦c8 (Diagram 84)
45
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+rwq-+-+0 9+k+-+-zp-0 84 9-zprzp-zp-zp0 9zp-+-zpP+-0 9P+P+P+PzP0 9+P+-+Q+-0 9-+-+K+R+0 9+-+R+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy It is easy to see that the only way White can win is by a properly timed g4-g5 but at the same time he must make sure that Black is tied to the defense of d6 36.¦g3 £d7 37.£d3! £f7 38.¦h1 ¦h8 39.¦hh3 ¦cc8! Black now offers the d6-pawn as a sacrifice, since he will receive more than enough compensation if control of the d-file is granted to him. But White correctly keeps the position closed in the center, and breaks on the kingside. 40.g5! hxg5 41.hxg5 £c7 [ 41...¦xh3 42.¦xh3 fxg5 would allow White to capture at d6, since the d-file could not be contested. ] 42.£d5+ ¢a7 43.¦d3 ¦xh3 The sealed move. The alternative was to go into a rook endgame. [ 43...fxg5 44.¦xh8 ¦xh8 45.£xd6 £xd6 46.¦xd6 ¦h4 47.¢f3 ¦h3+ 48.¢g4 ¦xb3 49.¦d7+ ¢a6 50.¦xg7 and the f-pawn decides. ] 44.¦xh3 fxg5 45.¦h7! The threat of f5-f6 forces Black to adopt a passive defense, and that allows the White king to take an active part in the game. £e7 46.¢f3 ¦f8 47.¢g4 ¦f7
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9mk-+-wqrzpR0 85 9-zp-zp-+-+0 9zp-+QzpPzp-0 9P+P+P+K+0 9+P+-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White has achieved a lot, but he must now find a way to exploit his spatial advantage. He needs open lines against the Black king! 48.b4! axb4 [ 48...£c7 49.bxa5 bxa5 50.¦h8 ] [ 48...£b7 49.£xb7+ ¢xb7 50.b5 ¦c7 51.¢xg5 ¦xc4 52.¦xg7+ ¢c8 53.f6 ¦xe4 54.f7 ¦f4 55.¦g8+ ¢d7 56.f8£ ¦xf8 57.¦xf8 is hopeless for Black. ] 49.a5! White relentlessly forces open lines, knowing that the rook on h7 only appears to be out of play. In fact, it can get to the queenside in two moves, via h8 or h1. £b7 50.axb6+ ¢xb6 51.£xd6+ ¢a7 52.£xe5 b3 53.¦h3! A fine move, which prevents the advance of the b-pawn because of Ra3+. Now Black cannot afford to exchange queens, as when the b-pawn falls the endgame is a trivial win for White. ¦f6 54.£d4+ ¦b6 55.¦xb3! 1-0
46
24 Winter Colle Scarborough [Schiller]
1930
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤c3 ¥b4 4.£b3 c5 5.dxc5 ¤c6 6.¤f3 ¤e4 7.¥d2 ¤xc5 8.£c2 f5 9.e3 0-0 10.a3 ¥xc3 11.¥xc3 b6 12.¥e2 ¥b7 13.0-0
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-trk+0{ 9zpl+p+-zpp0 86 9-zpn+p+-+0 9+-sn-+p+-0 9-+P+-+-+0 9zP-vL-zPN+-0 9-zPQ+LzPPzP0 9tR-+-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Clearly in this position Black is going to want to attack onthe kingside. But first he takes time out to put some pressure on the c-file. ¦c8! This rook could not be expected to take part in the attack. Therefore it lines up on the c-file, in order to keep some of White's potential defenders tied down. This makes the attack easier to achieve. 14.¦fd1 £e7 15.b4 ¤e4 16.¥e1 White preserves the bishop because his plan is to advance his b-pawn and then play Bb4, creating tremendous pressure on the dark squares. His king seems safe enough, since there are no attacking pieces in sight. ¦f6! Simultaneously lessening the effect of Bb4 and starting the offensive. 17.¤d4? White is oblivious to the danger - though in reality he has but a few moments left to live. 17.Bf1 would have defended the g2-square, and the defense of f3 could have been entrusted to a queen at e2. ¦g6!
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-+k+0 9zpl+pwq-zpp0 87 9-zpn+p+r+0 9+-+-+p+-0 9-zPPsNn+-+0 9zP-+-zP-+-0 9-+Q+LzPPzP0 9tR-+RvL-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy This position is winning for Black because his minor pieces can strike quickly and White is not able to defend in time. 18.¥f1 Given that the Black queen can get to the kingside via h4, the presence of a Black knight at f3 should be decisive. Although the Pg2 is pinned, White can use his Nd4 to defend the square. But the Nd4 can be eliminated. [ 18.f3 £g5! ] [ 18.¥f3 ¤e5! ] [ 18.g3 ¤e5 19.£b3 £h4! ] 47
18...¤g5! 19.¢h1 In order to avoid the check at f3. But Black doesn't need a check! ¤xd4 20.exd4 ¤f3!! This is the position envisioned back at move 18. The threat is simply Qh4: 21.d5 Qh4 22 h3 (22.gxf3 Qg5) 22...Qxh3+! 23.hxg3 Rg1#. 0-1 25 Schiller Shannon USAT [Schiller]
1990
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.d4 exd4 4.¤xd4 £h4 5.¤b5 £xe4+ 6.¥e2 ¥b4+ 7.¥d2 ¢d8 8.0-0 ¥xd2 9.£xd2 a6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lmk-+ntr0 9+pzpp+pzpp0 88 9p+n+-+-+0 9+N+-+-+-0 9-+-+q+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzPPwQLzPPzP0 9tRN+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White has emerged from the opening with a clear advantage, since he is better developed and Black has forfeited his castling privilege. 10.¥f3! Not only does this gain time, but it creates the pressure at c6 which will eventually prove to be decisive. £e5 11.¤5c3 ¤ge7 White must now find a way to proceed against the well-defended Black king. Although the e-file beckons, it is useful to restrain Black's queenside so that he cannot free his game with b7-b5 and Bc8-b7. 12.a4! Not only does this achieve that goal, but it also provides a convenient way to develop the Nb1. d6 13.¤a3 ¥e6 14.¦ad1 ¢d7 Black hopes to slide his Ra8 to a more userful square and then manually castle queenside, after which his position will be no worse. 15.¦fe1 £a5 White now moves to prevent that plan by improving his control of the e-file and making possible Na3-c4. 16.£e2! ¦ae8 17.¤c4 ¥xc4 18.£xc4 Now there is a clear target at f7, and if the pawn advances then the light squares will be very weak. The interdependece of Black's pieces is not a plus. Rather, the knights are overworked. ¦hf8 (Diagram 89)
48
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+rtr-+0 9+pzpksnpzpp0 89 9p+nzp-+-+0 9wq-+-+-+-0 9P+Q+-+-+0 9+-sN-+L+-0 9-zPP+-zPPzP0 9+-+RtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White has a simple plan in mind: Pb2-b4-b5. This does not seem implementable, at present, but it does in fact work. 19.b4! £xb4 Now the overworked knights can be exploited in a most brutal manner. [ 19...¤xb4 20.¥xb7 ¦b8 21.¤e4 creates nasty threats of Nc5+ in a variety of settings. ] [ 19...£g5 20.h4 followd by b4-b5. ] 20.¦xe7+!! and Black resigned, since capturing with knight or rook drops the queen, and ¢xe7 21.¤d5+ is equally effective. 1-0 26 Forgacs Tartakower St.Petersburg [Schiller]
1909
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.¤c3 ¤f6 4.¥g5 ¥e7 5.e5 ¤e4 6.¤xe4 ¥xg5 7.¤xg5 £xg5 This line is no longer seen, since Black has no compensation for his bad bishop and spatial disadvantage. 8.g3 c5 9.c3 ¤c6 10.f4 £e7 11.¤f3 ¥d7 12.£d2 0-0 13.¥d3 c4 14.¥c2 b5 15.0-0 a5 16.¦ae1 b4
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 9+-+lwqpzpp0 90 9-+n+p+-+0 9zp-+pzP-+-0 9-zppzP-zP-+0 9+-zP-+NzP-0 9PzPLwQ-+-zP0 9+-+-tRRmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black's attack is proceeding quickly, so White must open lines quickly. 17.Ng5 is met by 17...g6, while 17.g4 runs into 17...f5. Time for a sacrifice! 17.f5! exf5 Black was in no position to allow 18.f6. And there was no other defense. After Black captured, White needed to open the f-file and the b1-h7 diagonal. Once again, a sacrificial path is available. [ 17...f6 18.fxe6 ¥xe6 19.exf6 ¦xf6 20.¥xh7+!! ¢xh7 21.¤g5+ ¢g8 22.¦xf6 £xf6 49
23.¦xe6 ] 18.g4! fxg4 If Black had not captured, but played 18...f4, White could have ignored the pawn and played 19.g5!, further constricting the Black position and setting up sacrifices at f6. 19.¤g5 g6 [ 19...h6 20.¤h7! is a pretty way of swinging the knight to f6! ] 20.¦f6 White envisions a mating attack with Qd2-f4-h4, but first this square must be occupied so that Black will not be able to obtain any breathing room with f7- f5. ¢g7 Now Black will be able to defend against that plan by playing Rf8-h8. So White must find a continuation that will remove that option. He achieves his goal by increasing the pressure at f7. 21.¦ef1 ¥e8 An important concession, since now the Ra8 cannot assist in the defense. 22.£f4 ¤d8
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-snltr-+0 9+-+-wqpmkp0 91 9-+-+-tRp+0 9zp-+pzP-sN-0 9-zppzP-wQp+0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9PzPL+-+-zP0 9+-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black has carefully overprotected f7. But the solution here is simple when one realizes that if the pawn were absent from f7, then Rf6xf8 is playable. 23.e6! ¦a6 A counter pin, which White meets by setting up a deadly discovered check. [ 23...¤xe6 24.¤xe6+ ] 24.£e5! ¢h6 Here it is important to recognize the power of the pin of the Pg6 by the rook. If the White knight is removed from g5, and a White rook is placed at h5, then mate follows quickly. 25.¦1f5! fxe6 26.¤f7+ £xf7 27.¦h5+ And the desired position is reached. ¢g7 28.¦xg6# 1-0 27 Wolff Rubinstein Teplice Schonau [Schiller]
1922
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¤c3 ¤f6 4.¥b5 ¥b4 5.0-0 0-0 6.d3 d6 7.¥g5 ¥xc3 8.bxc3 £e7 9.¦e1 ¤d8 10.d4 ¥g4 11.h3 ¥h5 12.g4 ¥g6 13.¤h4 At the time, 13.d5 was considered the best move, but all of this was still within well-known theory at the time. h6 14.¤xg6 An innovation, and a poor one. Black's light-squared bishop had no effect on the game and it was silly to give up a useful knight for it. Rubinstein failed to achieve equality against Drewitt at Hastings 1922 after 14.Bc4! fxg6 15.¥c4+ ¢h7 16.¥h4 g5 17.¥g3 (Diagram 92)
50
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-sn-tr-+0{ 9zppzp-wq-zpk0 92 9-+-zp-sn-zp0 9+-+-zp-zp-0 9-+LzPP+P+0 9+-zP-+-vLP0 9P+P+-zP-+0 9tR-+QtR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Black, his dark-squared bishop gone from the board, can be delighted with his position, since the knights operate effectively in the garden of pawns. ¤f7 18.£f3 ¦ae8 19.£e3 b6 Does Black's strategy involve giving up the light square? Hardly. Rubinstein understands that the bishop can do no harm if it has no targets, and now White can gain to time by moving a rook to the b-file. The kingside is what counts. 20.¥b5 ¦d8 21.a4 Time to start planning! The obvious post for a Black knight is f4, since if White captures the safety of the Black king is guaranteed. And let's face it, the knights are the only Black pieces which can do anything in the position. ¤h8! 22.a5 ¤g6 Is Black ignoring the queenside? No, Rubinstein appreciates that an open line on the queenside is a double-edged sword, and later he may be able to turn it to his own advantage. 23.f3 ¤f4 24.¥f1 ¢h8 Just to free up h7 for the knight, should it prove useful. Black is in no rush . 25.¥xf4 gxf4 26.£f2 g5
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-tr-tr-mk0 9zp-zp-wq-+-0 93 9-zp-zp-sn-zp0 9zP-+-zp-zp-0 9-+-zPPzpP+0 9+-zP-+P+P0 9-+P+-wQ-+0 9tR-+-tRLmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black is preparing some tactical shots if White gets ambitious and tries to open up the kingside. 27.d5 [ 27.h4 £e6! 28.£g2 ( 28.¥e2 d5! 29.exd5 £xd5 30.dxe5 £xe5 and Black can starting munching on his opponent's pawns.) 28...gxh4 29.£h3 ¦g8 30.£xh4 ¤xg4! 31.fxg4 ¦xg4+ ] 27...h5 Thanks to his tactical diversions, Black has taken over the initiative on the kingside. White's bishop moves to an even more pathetic post. 28.¥g2 ¢g7 29.£e2 ¦h8 30.¢f2 Here Rubinstein demonstrates his strategic mastery of the game. Just as all of the attention is focused on the Kingside, he prepares to act on the queenside as well, posting his "extra piece" at c5. ¦a8! 31.¦eb1 ¤d7 32.£b5 hxg4! With White's heavy artillery forced to defend the queenside, thanks to the impotence of the bishop, Black switches to the kingside again to open an important line for infiltration. 33.hxg4 ¤c5 34.¦h1
51
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+-tr0{ 9zp-zp-wq-mk-0 94 9-zp-zp-+-+0 9zPQsnPzp-zp-0 9-+-+PzpP+0 9+-zP-+P+-0 9-+P+-mKL+0 9tR-+-+-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy White seems to be coping with the threats, but here Rubinstein looks deep into the endgame and recognizes the value of a passed h-pawn. ¦h4! 35.¦xh4 White would have liked to resolve matters on the queenside with axb6 but this was not possible because the opening of the c-file would expose the weakness of the doubled pawns. gxh4 36.¥h3 bxa5! 37.£xa5 £d8 Now Black has established clear superiority with passed pawns on both sides of the board. But he still must find a way to convert this advantage into victory . 38.¦b1 ¦b8 39.¦b4 [ 39.¦xb8 £xb8 followed by Qb6 would have been much easier for Black. ] 39...a6 40.¢e2 ¦b6 41.£a1 ¢g6! The king will pull his own weight by defending the pawn at h4. 42.¢d2 ¢g5 43.¦b1 £b8 The b-file is secured. White regroups his forces, using the rook on the h-file which both frees his bishop for action on the queenside and also creates the threat of Qe1. 44.¦h1
XIIIIIIIIY 9-wq-+-+-+0{ 9+-zp-+-+-0 95 9ptr-zp-+-+0 9+-snPzp-mk-0 9-+-+PzpPzp0 9+-zP-+P+L0 9-+PmK-+-+0 9wQ-+-+-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy Black must now find a way to keep White occupied on the queenside. He sees the potential of a fork at b3, but that won't work until there is a pin at c2. a5! The more prosaic Rb2 was playable, but Rubinstein appreciated the superior possibilities offered by this pseudo-sacrifice. 45.¥g2 Sticking with the original plan. Taking the pawn would have proved fatal. [ 45.£xa5 ¦b2 46.£a3 ¤b3+ 47.¢e2 ( 47.¢d3 £b5+ 48.c4 £b6 and the queen mates on the dark squares. ) 47...£b5+ 48.¢f2 ¦xc2+ 49.¢g1 £e2 ] 45...a4 46.£e1 £h8 47.£c1 ¦a6 48.¥f1 ¦a8 49.¥c4 Finally the bishop is back in the game, doing something useful. Blockading the pawn with the queen would have been disastrous. [ 49.£a3 £b8 50.¥c4 ( 50.¥e2 £b6 51.c4 ¦b8 52.¦a1 ¤b3+! 53.cxb3 £e3+ 54.¢d1 axb3 55.£b2 h3 ) 50...£b6! 51.£c1 ¤xe4+!! 52.fxe4 £e3+ 53.¢d1 £xe4 ] 49...a3 50.¥a2 £h7! 51.¦h3 ¤d7 [ 51...¤xe4+ 52.fxe4 £xe4 53.£g1! stops the attack. ] 52.£f1 £h8 53.¦h1 ¤c5 54.£c1
52
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+-wq0{ 9+-zp-+-+-0 96 9-+-zp-+-+0 9+-snPzp-mk-0 9-+-+PzpPzp0 9zp-zP-+P+-0 9L+PmK-+-+0 9+-wQ-+-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy This is the critical position. Black must find a way to get at the White king, since the pawns are blockaded. The solution is to sacrifice both of them! ¦b8! 55.£xa3 ¦a8 56.£b2 h3! With the White queen tied to the defense of the bishop, Black carves a path to the enemy king via the h4-e1 diagonal. 57.¥c4 £h4 58.¥e2 £f2! 59.¦xh3 £e3+ 60.¢e1 ¤a4 and White resigned. A brilliant strategic game from the famous tactician. 0-1 28 Blechschmidt Flohr Zwickau [Schiller]
1930
1.c4 ¤f6 2.g3 c5 3.¥g2 g6 4.¤c3 ¥g7 5.¤f3 ¤c6 6.0-0 d6 7.h3 ¥d7 8.e3 The immediate 8.d4 was called for, opening up the game. The quiet 8.d3 would also have been reasonable, but the text simply crates weaknesses on the light squares. £c8 9.¢h2
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+q+k+-tr0{ 9zpp+lzppvlp0 97 9-+nzp-snp+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-+P+-+-+0 9+-sN-zPNzPP0 9PzP-zP-zPLmK0 9tR-vLQ+R+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Many players would automatically castle here, but if so, then how would a kingside attack be carried out? Instead, Flohr counts on safety in the center. h5! 10.d4 h4! 11.gxh4 White must try to keep the h-file blocked in order to protect the king. [ 11.¤xh4? g5 12.¤f3 ¥xh3 13.¢g1 ¥xg2 14.¢xg2 £h3+ 15.¢g1 £h1# ] 11...g5! And Black must strive to open up the h-file! The pawn cannot be captured. 12.¦h1 [ 12.¤xg5 ¦xh4 threatens the d-pawn as well as Bh6. ] [ 12.hxg5 ¥xh3 13.gxf6 ( 13.¥xh3 £xh3+ 14.¢g1 £h1# ) 13...¥xg2+ 14.¢xg2 £h3+ 15.¢g1 £h1# ] 53
12...g4 13.hxg4 ¥xg4 14.¢g1 £f5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0 9zpp+-zppvl-0 98 9-+nzp-sn-+0 9+-zp-+q+-0 9-+PzP-+lzP0 9+-sN-zPN+-0 9PzP-+-zPL+0 9tR-vLQ+-mKR0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black seems to have an unstoppable attack, but because his own king is stuck in the center his pieces do not coordinate well. White must stop 15...0-0-0. 15.d5! ¤e5 16.£a4+ ¤fd7 17.¤xe5 ¥xe5 18.e4 £g6 19.¢f1
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0{ 9zpp+nzpp+-0 99 9-+-zp-+q+0 9+-zpPvl-+-0 9Q+P+P+lzP0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzP-+-zPL+0 9tR-vL-+K+R0 xiiiiiiiiy White has lost the initiative, as the threat of Bf3 had to be met. Now Black needs a plan. He can force the win of the e-pawn, a good first step. ¥xc3! 20.bxc3 ¥e2+ 21.¢xe2 [ 21.¢g1 ¥f3 ] 21...£xg2 22.¥e3 £xe4 23.¦ab1
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+k+-tr0{ 9zpp+nzpp+-0 100 9-+-zp-+-+0 9+-zpP+-+-0 9Q+P+q+-zP0 9+-zP-vL-+-0 9P+-+KzP-+0 9+R+-+-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy A deceptive position. White seems to be making real progress on the queenside. But if Black can open a line on the queenside then the king is vulnerable. b5! Exploiting the pin at c4 and the pressure at h1. There is no need to go after the h-pawn when the enemy monarch is a much 54
more attractive target. 24.£xb5 ¦b8 25.£c6 [ 25.£xb8+ ¤xb8 26.¦xb8+ ¢d7 27.¦xh8 £xh1 28.h5 £e4 29.h6 £xc4+ 30.¢e1 £xd5 31.h7 £h1+ 32.¢e2 f5 and the Black king emerges at e6, after which his pawns decide. ] 25...£xc4+ 26.¢f3 [ 26.¢d2 0-0! 27.£xd7 £xa2+ 28.¢d3 £xd5+ 29.¢c2 £e4+ ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-+k+-tr0{ 9zp-+nzpp+-0 101 9-+Qzp-+-+0 9+-zpP+-+-0 9-+q+-+-zP0 9+-zP-vLK+-0 9P+-+-zP-+0 9+R+-+-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy Black needs to find a way to continue attack without the participation of his rooks. He will require the services of the pinned knight. 26...f5! The point of this move is not merely the threatened mate at g4, but more significantly, a flight square for the king, so that the pin can be broken. 27.¦xb8+ [ 27.¦bg1 £e4+ 28.¢e2 ¦b2+ ] 27...¢f7 Now White must attend to the threatened mate at g4. 28.¥d4 ¤e5+! The knight finally joins the attack - with decisive results. 29.¥xe5 £e4+ and White resigned because of 30.Kg3 Qg4+ 31.Kh2 Rxh4 mate. 0-1 29 Yermolinsky Fedorowicz USA ch [Schiller]
2660 2630 1991
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 g6 3.¤c3 ¥g7 4.e4 d6 5.¥e2 0-0 6.¤f3 e5 7.¥e3 ¤g4 8.¥g5 f6 9.¥h4 g5 10.¥g3 ¤h6 11.h3 White has an alternative strategy with 11.dxe5 dxe5 12.Qd5+ which is also quite popular. ¤c6 12.dxe5 dxe5 Given that Black's strategy involves an attack along the f-file, one might prefer 12...fxe5, and that is a popular alternative. But by keeping the f-pawn Black can use it to cause some damage on the kingside. 13.0-0 (Diagram 102)
55
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwq-trk+0{ 9zppzp-+-vlp0 102 9-+n+-zp-sn0 9+-+-zp-zp-0 9-+P+P+-+0 9+-sN-+NvLP0 9PzP-+LzPP+0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Typical King's Indian - White will attack on the queenside, Black will go king -hunting on the other flank. The key move for Black is a well-timed g5-g4. ¥e6! As Seirawan astutely notes, the immediate advance of the g-pawn is tempting but ill-advised. [ 13...g4 14.hxg4 ¥xg4 15.¤h4 £xd1 16.¦axd1 and the control of the d-file plus safe king gives White the advantage. ] 14.£c1 £e8 [ 14...g4 is still slightly premature: 15.hxg4 ¥xg4 16.¤d5! and the strong outpost makes Seirawan's evaluation of "chances for both sides" a bit optimistic, perhaps, from Black's point of view. ] 15.¤d5 ¦c8 16.b4
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+qtrk+0{ 9zppzp-+-vlp0 103 9-+n+lzp-sn0 9+-+Nzp-zp-0 9-zPP+P+-+0 9+-+-+NvLP0 9P+-+LzPP+0 9tR-wQ-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now that White has thrown the b-pawn forward Black can carry out his plan. g4! 17.hxg4 ¥xg4 18.b5 ¥xf3! The point. With the Nf3 gone the d4-square is available for the knight. 19.¥xf3 ¤d4 20.£a3 White plays as if there were no danger whatsoever on the kingside. Though the two clerics bravely stand guard, they are easily diverted, and the f-pawn will play a decisive role in the attack. [ 20.¥d1 c6 21.bxc6 bxc6 22.¤e3 £g6 was suggested by Seirawan. Even here Black seems to have a much more active game. ] 20...¢h8 One musn't allow Ne7+! 21.¦ad1 [ 21.£xa7 would have been a most foolhardy move: f5! 22.exf5 ¤xf3+ 23.gxf3 ¤xf5 24.¢g2 e4! with a very short life-expectancy for White. ] 21...f5! All along we have been waiting for this advance, which is perfectly timed. 22.¦xd4 [ 22.exf5 ¤hxf5 23.¥h2 c6 24.bxc6 bxc6 25.¤e3 ¤xf3+ 26.gxf3 £g6+ 27.¢h1 ¤h4 28.¦g1 £f7 was hardly desirable. ] 22...exd4 23.exf5 [ 23.¤xc7 £d7! 24.¤d5 fxe4 25.¥xe4 ¦xc4 would have given Black a very impressive 56
passed pawn. ] 23...¤xf5 24.¥xc7 Though White does not want to use one of his palace guard to go pawnhunting, he doesn't have much of a choice. [ 24.¤xc7 £d7 25.¤d5 ¤xg3 26.fxg3 ¦xc4 gains the pawn and still removes the bishop. (Analysis by Seirawan) ] 24...£f7 25.¥g4 [ 25.¥h2 ¦xc4 26.£xa7 ¤h4 27.¥e4 d3! 28.¥xd3 £xd5 and the threatened mate at g2 is decisive. ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-tr-mk0{ 9zppvL-+qvlp0 104 9-+-+-+-+0 9+P+N+n+-0 9-+Pzp-+L+0 9wQ-+-+-+-0 9P+-+-zPP+0 9+-+-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now we just mentally remove the pawn at f2 and the knight at f5, and voila! Of course, to make this fantasy a reality we must find the right move. 25...¤e3! 26.¥xc8 [ 26.¤xe3 dxe3 27.¥xc8 e2! ] 26...¤xf1 27.£f3 [ 27.¥f4 ¦xc8 28.¢xf1 ¦xc4-+ ] 27...£xf3 28.gxf3 ¤d2! The knight, which has already infiltrated the White position, is more valuable than the Bc8, which remains under attack. 29.¥xb7 ¤xc4 30.¢f1 d3 31.¥f4 [ 31.¢e1 ¦e8+ 32.¢d1 ¦e2 ] 31...d2 32.¢e2 ¤a5!
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-tr-mk0 9zpL+-+-vlp0 105 9-+-+-+-+0 9snP+N+-+-0 9-+-+-vL-+0 9+-+-+P+-0 9P+-zpKzP-+0 9+-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The point of this is to remove the defender of the Nd5, after which Black lures the enemy king to the d-file by queening, and then pins the knight. 33.¥c6 ¤xc6 34.bxc6 d1£+ 35.¢xd1 ¦d8 36.¢c2 ¦xd5 37.c7 ¦c5+ 38.¢d3 ¥c3 39.¥d6 ¦c6 40.¢e4 ¥a5 0-1
57
30 Keres Fine Ostend [Schiller]
2560 2560 1937
1.¤f3 d5 2.d4 ¤f6 3.c4 e6 4.¤c3 c5 5.cxd5 ¤xd5 6.e4 ¤xc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 ¥b4+ 9.¥d2 ¥xd2+ 10.£xd2
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsnlwqk+-tr0{ 9zpp+-+pzpp0 106 9-+-+p+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-zPP+-+0 9+-+-+N+-0 9P+-wQ-zPPzP0 9tR-+-mKL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy A common position in the Semi-Tarrasch. Black aims for an endgame, where he can take advantage of the queenside majority. White controls the center. 0-0 11.¥c4 Part of White's strategy lies in advancing his d-pawn at the appropriate time. The other component is a kingside attack. The two plans can be joined if the a2-g8 diagonal is part of the attack. ¤d7 This is the more flexible move, which allows the knight to participate in the defense. 11...Nc6 places pressure on the center, but eventually the knight will be attacked by an advance of the d-pawn. Both moves are played these days 12.0-0 b6 13.¦ad1 ¥b7 14.¦fe1 ¦c8 15.¥b3 ¤f6 This is the active continuation, which targets the e4-square and keeps an eye on d5, thus directly aimed at countering White's strategy. This knight could also have been posted at f8 (after Rf8-e8), adopting a purely defensive plan. 16.£f4 £c7 Black would be delighted to see the queens leave the board, but White is still interested in a kingside attack. 17.£h4 ¦fd8
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+rtr-+k+0 9zplwq-+pzpp0 107 9-zp-+psn-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-zPP+-wQ0 9+L+-+N+-0 9P+-+-zPPzP0 9+-+RtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The developmental phase of the game is concluded, and it is time for decisions with regard to long-term strategy. 18.¦e3?! White has a difficult time planning here. The immediate advance of the pawn fails, but White sees that it can be made to work once the Ra1 is removed from the dfile. Yet the correct plan is a kingside attack, so he should kick the N [ 18.d5? exd5 19.e5 would be a reasonable plan, coupled with an exchange sacrifice. But it doesn't work. ¤e4 20.¦xe4 dxe4 leaves the Rd1 loose. 21.¤g5 ¦xd1+ 22.¥xd1 h6 58
and White has no compensation for the exchange. ] [ 18.¤e5 £c3! 19.¦e3? £xd4! 20.¦xd4 ¦c1+ ] [ 18.e5! is correct, depriving the kingside of its only defender. Keres demonstrated the effectiveness of this plan with the following concrete variations: ¤d7 ( 18...¤d5 19.¤g5 h6 20.¤e4 ¤c3 21.¤f6+! ; 18...¥xf3 19.exf6! ¥xd1 20.£g5 ¢f8 21.£xg7+ ¢e8 22.¦xe6+! ) 19.¤g5 ¤f8 20.¤e4 ¥xe4 21.£xe4 and White has a positional advantage thanks to his bishop and the ready availability of d4-d5. ] 18...b5! Black correctly anticipates White's strategy and prepares b6 for the queen, so that immediate pressure can be placed at d4 if White advances e4-e5. 19.¦de1 a5?! But this is overambitious. All Black has to do is eliminate the kingside attack and he can enjoy his queenside superiority at his leisure. 20.a4! b4? A critical strategic error. Here or at the last turn Black should have played h7-h6, so that White would not be able to use the g5-square. Of course at this point 20...bxa4 would have to be interpolated, but after 20.Bxa4 h6 it is =+. 21.d5!
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+rtr-+k+0{ 9+lwq-+pzpp0 108 9-+-+psn-+0 9zp-+P+-+-0 9Pzp-+P+-wQ0 9+L+-tRN+-0 9-+-+-zPPzP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy The same theme returns. After Black captures, White will push the e-pawn and then play Ng5 with a strong attack. exd5 [ 21...e5 22.¤g5 ¦d6 23.f4 with a strong attack. ] 22.e5 ¤d7 [ 22...¤e4 is helpful to White in that it allows him, via an exchange sacrifice, to open the diagonal for the Bb3. This has no immediate effect, but with a preliminary pawn sacrifice White adds considerable force to the attack. 23.e6! fxe6 24.¦xe4! dxe4 Now Bxe6+ fails to recover the material, but the kingside, deprived of its principal defender, is now vulnerable to a powerful zwischenzug. 25.¤g5! £c3! This move almost turns the tables, by attacking both the Bb3 and Re1 while simultaneously defending g7. But the bishop escapes with check. 26.¥xe6+ ¢f8 27.¦f1! and here White will at least recover his exchange, or can aim for f7 via f4. ] 23.¤g5 ¤f8? This was Black's last chance to defend with h7-h6, though this is already too late to achieve equality: [ 23...h6 24.e6! hxg5 25.exf7+ ¢xf7 26.¦e7+ ¢g8 27.£xg5 £c3 28.h3! £f6 29.¥xd5+ ¥xd5 30.£xd5+ ¢h8 31.¦xd7 ¦xd7 32.£xd7 ¦f8 with an advantage to White, although it will not be easy to win the position. ]
(Diagram 109)
59
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+rtr-snk+0 9+lwq-+pzpp0 109 9-+-+-+-+0 9zp-+pzP-sN-0 9Pzp-+-+-wQ0 9+L+-tR-+-0 9-+-+-zPPzP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 24.¤xh7! White single-mindedly carries out his attack. The material is not important because neither the Bb7 nor the rc8 can participate in the defense, but the Bb3 can play a role. In any event, the material is recouped quickly. ¤xh7 25.¦h3 £c1 Obviously the knight cannot move because of mate at h8. 26.£xh7+ ¢f8 27.¦he3 d4 28.£h8+ ¢e7 29.£xg7 ¦f8 [ 29...¥d5 30.£f6+ ¢e8 ( 30...¢d7 31.¥xd5 ) 31.e6! ¥xe6 32.¦xe6+ fxe6 33.£xe6+ ¢f8 34.£e7# ] 30.£f6+ ¢e8 31.e6!
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+ktr-+0{ 9+l+-+p+-0 110 9-+-+PwQ-+0 9zp-+-+-+-0 9Pzp-zp-+-+0 9+L+-tR-+-0 9-+-+-zPPzP0 9+-wq-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy and Black resigned because of 31...dxe3 32.exf7+ Rxf7 33.Bxf7+ Kd7 34.Qe6+. The combination of d4-d5 and a kingside attack was played to perfection. 1-0 31 Kasparov Hjorth World Jr ch [Schiller]
1980
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.¤f3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.g3 ¤c6 6.¥g2 ¤f6 7.¤c3 ¥e7 8.0-0 0-0 9.¥g5 c4 10.¤e5 ¥e6 11.f4 ¤xe5 (Diagram 111)
60
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-trk+0 9zpp+-vlpzpp0 111 9-+-+lsn-+0 9+-+psn-vL-0 9-+pzP-zP-+0 9+-sN-+-zP-0 9PzP-+P+LzP0 9tR-+Q+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 12.fxe5 Kasparov introduced this move in the present game. The idea is that the f-file will be a useful asset in the attack and that a pawn at d4 may be helpful too. ¤e4 13.¥xe7 ¤xc3 14.bxc3 £xe7 The only strategy available to White is to try to eliminate Black's pawn at d5 so that the central pawns can advance. Black will try to thrust the queenside pawns forward as quickly as possible. 15.e4! £d7 16.a4! A very important move, restraining Black's queenside play. That accomplished, White can turn his attention to the kingside. ¦fd8 17.£h5 ¦ac8
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+rtr-+k+0 9zpp+q+pzpp0 112 9-+-+l+-+0 9+-+pzP-+Q0 9P+pzPP+-+0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 9-+-+-+LzP0 9tR-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The battle lines are drawn. Now White doubles rooks on the f- file. This will leave the a-pawn hanging, but if the attack is fast enough it won't matter. 18.¦f4 ¦c7 19.¦af1 £xa4? Black should be worrying about the defense of his kingside, so 19...Qe8 was best, although White would retain a strong initiative. 20.exd5! ¦xd5 Forced, since otherwise f7 loses its most valuable defender. The f7-square is the cornerstone of Black's position, and obviously White would like to play Rxf7 as soon as feasible. 21.¥xd5 ¥xd5 (Diagram 113)
61
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0 9zpptr-+pzpp0 113 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+lzP-+Q0 9q+pzP-tR-+0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 9-+-+-+-zP0 9+-+-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The material is not important. If White does not break through quickly Black will make a new queen on the other flank. The goal is achieved effectively. 22.e6! What is surprising about this move is that it seems to contribute nothing to the task of deflecting the bishop from f7. In fact, however, it opens up the d5-square so that the White pawn can chase the bishop from the key square. ¥xe6 23.d5 £b5 [ 23...¦c5 24.¦xf7! ] [ 23...g6 24.£h4 with the threat of Qd8+. ] 24.¦h4! The simultaneous threats at e6 and h7 force victory. £c5+ 25.¦f2 ¥xd5 26.¦d4! This breaks the pin at f2 while exploiting the pin along the 5th rank. ¦d7 27.¦f5 1-0 32 Gligoric Portisch Pula [Schiller]
1971
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.¤f3 ¤f6 4.e3 e6 5.¥xc4 c5 6.0-0 a6 The Queen's Gambit Accepted is an opening rich in strategic themes, but the most important one is queenside expansion by Black against central occupation by White, who can take time out to delay b7-b4 if he chooses. 7.a4 This move slows down Black's plans, but it costs time and weakens b4. Now Black switches strategy to take aim at the center, since his queenside ambitions have been stopped for the moment. ¤c6 8.£e2 cxd4 9.¦d1 A typical theme in the opening. White transfers the rook to a file where it will have "man-on-man" coverage of the enemy queen. But eventually White will recapture with the pawn, reducing the rook to a supporting role. ¥e7 10.exd4 0-0 11.¤c3 (Diagram 114)
62
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwq-trk+0{ 9+p+-vlpzpp0 114 9p+n+psn-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9P+LzP-+-+0 9+-sN-+N+-0 9-zP-+QzPPzP0 9tR-vLR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy White will use his control of the center to attack the kingside, and the move d4-d5 may be useful, so Black acts quickly to blockade the pawn. ¤d5 12.¥d3! This bishop will find a haven at b1, where it can pressure the kingside from a safe distance. ¤cb4 13.¥b1 b6! When one has an isolated pawn it is useful to station rooks on the files immediately adjacent to the pawn. Then minor pieces can be stationed on the squares diagonally in front of the pawn. Black's move takes control of c5. 14.a5! With the preceding positional considerations in mind, White decides to try to place his knights at e5 and c5. To do this he must divert the b-pawn from b6. Once the outposts are established, White will have the basis for an attack. ¥d7 Robbing White of an access point to c5 (with Na4). 15.¤e5 White restores the threat by attacking the Bd7, guardian of a4. bxa5 [ 15...b5 16.¤e4 takes the other road to c5. ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-trk+0 9+-+lvlpzpp0 115 9p+-+p+-+0 9zp-+nsN-+-0 9-sn-zP-+-+0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9-zP-+QzPPzP0 9tRLvLR+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 16.¦a3! White's short term plan involves the knights, but in the long run it is the enemy king which is the target. Since there is no good discovered attack from the Be7, Black decides to cut off the powerful Bb1. f5 17.¤xd5 ¤xd5 [ 17...exd5 18.¤xd7 £xd7 19.¥f4 gets the bishop to a wonderful outpost at d5, and the weak Black pawns are also juicy targets for White's bishop. ] 18.¤xd7 £xd7 19.¦xa5 The knight was well placed at e5 but that was a temporary condition and Black could have eventually attacked it with a minor piece. But after the exchange at d7 White can now attack pawns that have no clerical support. ¤c7 20.¥a2! One of the themes we see in this game collection is that of shifting plans. It is to be expected that the opponent will counter a strategy most of the time, so one must be prepared to develop new plans in new s i t u a t i o n s . ¥d6 Or else Re5. White has given up on the idea of a kingside attack and now concentrates his efforts on the weak pawns. Black has jsut defended the Pe6, so now the pawn at a6 becomes the target. 21.¥c4! ¢h8 A defensive move with a tactical point. 22.£f3! [ 22.¥xa6? ¥xh2+! 23.¢xh2 £d6+ 24.¢g1 ¤xa6 ] 63
22...¥b4 23.¦a1 a5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-tr-mk0 9+-snq+-zpp0 116 9-+-+p+-+0 9zp-+-+p+-0 9-vlLzP-+-+0 9+-+-+Q+-0 9-zP-+-zPPzP0 9tR-vLR+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black has taken care of the problem on the a-file, but the bishop has given up control of teh b8h2 diagonal, allowing White to realize an earler goal. 24.¥f4! ¤d5 25.¥e5 We saw this idea in the note to move 17. This bishop will dominate the dark squares for the rest of the game. The pressure at g7 cannot be exploited immediately, but it will play a role later. ¦fc8 26.£e2 £b7 27.h3! White has no immediate breakthrough and may need to worry about back-rank mate in the future, so he takes time out to create a flight-square. Thinking about potential threats from the opponent is an important part of planning! ¦c6 28.¦ac1 ¦ac8 Decision time. How important is the Nd5 relative to the Bc4? Clearly the Be5 is stronger than the Bb4. Gligoric plots his strategy well - aim for positions with each side holding Q,R and B, and attack the kingside. 29.¥xd5! exd5 30.¦xc6 £xc6 31.¦d3!
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-+-mk0{ 9+-+-+-zpp0 117 9-+q+-+-+0 9zp-+pvLp+-0 9-vl-zP-+-+0 9+-+R+-+P0 9-zP-+QzPP+0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy £d7 If this were a book about sacrificial attacks we would allow ourselves to be diverted by the fireworks which would have been seen had Black offered to exchange queens instead. [ 31...£c2 32.¥xg7+!! ¢xg7 33.£e5+ ¢f7 34.£xd5+ with complications which favor White an analytical task which the reader can undertake alone. We return to the fulfillment of White's strategy in the game. ] 32.¦g3 ¥f8 33.b3! This not only prevents a5-a4, but it also places the pawn in a position where it is defended by the rook, which is more likely to remain in place than the queen. ¦a8 Black's plan is obvious - eliminate the queenside pawns and concentrate on defense. 34.£c2 Threatens Rf3. ¦c8 35.£d2 ¦a8 36.£g5 ¢g8 37.¦f3! White exploits the same theme. It will not win a pawn this time, but it does force Black to critically weaken his defensive formation. g6 38.¦c3
64
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-vlk+0{ 9+-+q+-+p0 118 9-+-+-+p+0 9zp-+pvLpwQ-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+PtR-+-+P0 9-+-+-zPP+0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Here Black must try to exchange pieces. White must retain as much attacking force as possible. £d8 [ 38...¦c8? 39.¦xc8 £xc8 40.£f6 ] 39.£c1! This takes control of the c-file. Black succeeds in removing the bishops from the board but White retains both a spatial advantage and attacking chances. ¥d6 40.£f4 ¥xe5 41.£xe5 ¦a7 42.¦c5 ¦e7 Black could not avoid losing a pawn. [ 42...¦d7 43.¦b5 £e7 44.¦b8+ ¢f7 45.£h8 ] 43.¦xd5! £c7 44.£xc7 ¦xc7 45.¦xa5 ¦b7
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0 9+r+-+-+p0 119 9-+-+-+p+0 9tR-+-+p+-0 9-+-zP-+-+0 9+P+-+-+P0 9-+-+-zPP+0 9+-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black is going to recover one of the pawns. White retains the b-pawn, a better long-term asset, even though it means his rook is temporarily passive. 46.¦a3 ¦b4 47.d5 ¢g7 48.¢f1 ¢f6 49.¢e2 ¢e5 50.¢d3 ¢xd5 51.¢c3 ¦e4 This is a classical rook endgame. White will maneuver his rook to d2, in order to defend the pawns along the second rank. Then he will use his king to gain additional space. 52.¦a4! ¦e2 53.¦d4+ ¢c5 54.b4+ ¢b5 55.¦d5+ ¢c6 56.¦d2 ¦e1 57.f3 ¦g1 58.¢d4! White realizes that he cannot make progress on the queenside without giving up his kingside pawns, but with the Black king tied down keeping an eye on the b-pawn, White sends his own monarch after the Black pawns. ¦e1 59.¦c2+ ¢b6 [ 59...¢b5 60.¦c7 ] 60.¢d5! ¦e3 61.¦c6+ ¢b5 62.¦c7 h5 [ 62...¦e2 63.g4 would also ahve won for White. ] 63.¦b7+ ¢a4?! [ 63...¢a6 64.¦g7 would have lasted longer. ] 64.¢c4! and now the b-pawn will be able to advance. ¢a3 65.¦a7+ and Black resigned, since his king can no longer keep pace with the pawn. 1-0
65
33 Najdorf Huebner Wijk aan Zee [Schiller]
1971
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤c3 ¥b4 The Nimzoindian is one of the most deeply strategic of all chess openings, in keeping with the spirit of Aron Nimzowitsch, who was one of the best planners in chess history. 4.e3 c5 Robert Huebner's patent - and it is only fitting that the strategy of this opening is exhibited in one of his finest games. 5.¥d3 ¤c6 6.¤f3 ¥xc3+ 7.bxc3 d6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqk+-tr0 9zpp+-+pzpp0 120 9-+nzppsn-+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-+PzP-+-+0 9+-zPLzPN+-0 9P+-+-zPPzP0 9tR-vLQmK-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black gives up the bishop pair without provocation, in order to double the pawns. Then, instead of d7-d5 which allows lines to open, d7-d6 is played. 8.e4 This is the logical reply, since Black has refrained from d7-d5. This gives Black the opportunity to create a totally blocked center, and that will favor the knights. That is why 8.0-0 is a more common move. e5 9.d5 ¤e7! In the near term, this knight has work to do on the kingside. Eventually, it may return to the queenside (a5) to pressure the pawn at c4, but the kingside balance is of greater significance in the early stages of the middlegame. 10.g3?! An experiment. 10.Nh4 is the normal move, leading to a complicated game which favors the better player! Huebner reacts calmly, as if 10.Nh4 had been played, and the game transposes to more typical play. h6 11.¤h4 g5 Black is not going to castle to the kingside, and this move takes over the initiative. 12.¤g2 [ 12.£f3 ¤fg8! 13.¤f5 ¤xf5 14.exf5 ¤f6 would be very comfortable for Black. ] 12...£a5 Black could also have achieved equality with 12...Bh3 13.Ne3 Qd7, as Huebner played as White a decade later against Timman. (Diagram 121)
66
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+k+-tr0 9zpp+-snp+-0 121 9-+-zp-sn-zp0 9wq-zpPzp-zp-0 9-+P+P+-+0 9+-zPL+-zP-0 9P+-+-zPNzP0 9tR-vLQmK-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy 13.£b3 This seems like a sensible reply, but the more prosaic 13.Bd2 would have been better, as the White queen has somewhat more of a future at f3. Now Black can complete his development quickly and secure his king on the queenside. ¥h3 14.0-0 0-0-0 15.¦b1 £c7 Black has nothing to fear on the b-file, as the best White can do is to play Rf2 and Rf2-b2. But with Kb8 and Bc8 Black will have an impenetrable fortress. 16.f3 ¢b8 17.¦f2 [ 17.g4 h5 is bad for White. ] 17...¦hg8 18.¤e3 ¥c8
XIIIIIIIIY 9-mkltr-+r+0 9zppwq-snp+-0 122 9-+-zp-sn-zp0 9+-zpPzp-zp-0 9-+P+P+-+0 9+QzPLsNPzP-0 9P+-+-tR-zP0 9+RvL-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White's position is strategically bankrupt and he can do little but return his king to a safer position in the center. 19.¢f1 Black needs to carve a path into the White position. The best candidate for this is the f-file, which can be opened with f7-f5. White can prevent this, but that will only create opportunities on the e-file and h-file. ¦df8! 20.¢e1 ¤e8 21.¤f5 Forced, unless White is willing to allow f7-f5. ¤xf5 22.exf5 (Diagram 123)
67
XIIIIIIIIY 9-mkl+ntrr+0{ 9zppwq-+p+-0 123 9-+-zp-+-zp0 9+-zpPzpPzp-0 9-+P+-+-+0 9+QzPL+PzP-0 9P+-+-tR-zP0 9+RvL-mK-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now Black must shift plans. His pawn structure is superior on in all areas, but his best chances lie on the kingside - for the moment. f6 23.g4 ¦h8! 24.¥e3 h5 25.¥f1 ¦f7! In order to be able to double rooks at the appropriate time, and also to be able to use the rooks anywhere on the 7th rank. 26.h3 £d7 27.¢d2 ¤c7 28.a4?! White was tired of waiting around doing nothing, but this move simply creates a weakness which will prove embarassing later. ¦e7 29.¦e1
XIIIIIIIIY 9-mkl+-+-tr0{ 9zppsnqtr-+-0 124 9-+-zp-zp-+0 9+-zpPzpPzpp0 9P+P+-+P+0 9+QzP-vLP+P0 9-+-mK-tR-+0 9+-+-tRL+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now Black, recognizing the weakness at a4, comes up with a wonderful winning strategy. He will attack the pawn, lure it forward and exchange it for the Pb7 ¤a8! The threat is Nb6. So the pawn marches forward. 30.a5 £d8! 31.£a3 ¦hh7 To be able to bring both rooks to the queenside, if needed. There is no rush, because White has no counterplay. 32.¦b1 b6! 33.¥d3 ¦b7 34.axb6 [ 34.a6 ¦bd7 and Na8-c7 will pick up the pawn. ] 34...¤xb6 Now Black has a passed pawn and the rest is simple. 35.¦a1 £h8! and the h-file will be used to set up a winning endgame by exchanging major pieces. 36.¢c2 hxg4 37.hxg4 ¥d7 38.£a2 ¦h2 39.¢d2 ¦xf2+ 40.¥xf2 £h2 41.¢e2 White's monarch has been in agitated motion throughout the game! ¤a4 42.£d2 ¥e8 43.¦b1 ¦xb1 44.¥xb1 £f4! 45.¥d3 [ 45.£d3 ¤b2 ] 45...£xd2+ 46.¢xd2 ¤b6 47.¢c1 ¥a4 48.¥c2 ¥d7! A small trick - the tempting exchange of bishops would not turn out well. [ 48...¥xc2 49.¢xc2 ¤xc4 50.¢d3 ¤b6 51.c4 a5 52.¥e1 a4 53.¥a5 a3 54.¥c3 ¢a7 55.¥a1 ¢a6 56.¢c3 ¢a5 57.¢b3 ¢a6 58.¥c3 draws! ] 49.¥d3 ¢c7 50.¢b2 ¥c8 51.¢b3 ¥a6 52.¥e3 [ 52.¢b2 ¤xc4+ 53.¢b3 ¤d2+ 54.¢c2 ¥xd3+ 55.¢xd2 ¥c4 56.¢e3 ¥xd5 57.¥e1 ¢b6 and Black wins easily. ] 52...¤xd5! 0-1 68
34 Ribli Portisch Hungary [Schiller]
1978
1.c4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.¤f3 ¤f6 4.¤c3 dxc4 5.e3 5.a4 and 5.e4 are more common here, since the text allows Black to expand on the queenside without White obtaining central territory in return. b5 6.a4 b4 7.¤b1
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsnlwqkvl-tr0{ 9zp-+-zppzpp0 125 9-+p+-sn-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzppzP-+-+0 9+-+-zPN+-0 9-zP-+-zPPzP0 9tRNvLQmKL+R0 xiiiiiiiiy White's general strategy is clear - go after the overextended pawns. ¥a6 8.£c2 b3?! A surprisingly poor innovation from Portisch. The normal continuation is 8...e6 9.Bxc4 Bxc4 10. Qxc4 Qd5 where the pawn at b4 hinders the development of White's forces. 9.£d1 e6 10.¤bd2 ¥b4 11.¥e2 ¤e4 Black's pressure is only temporary and once White castles Black is forced to choose between capturing at d2 and retreating. Perhaps 11...Qd5, keeping the e4 square under control and defending c4, would have been wiser. 12.0-0 ¥xd2 13.¥xd2 0-0 14.¥b4! Now if the rook moves, then 15.Ne5 and 16.Bf3 would have placed tremendous pressure on Black's underdeveloped position. So Portisch sacrifices a pawn to loosen things up. c5 15.¥xc5 ¤xc5 16.dxc5 £xd1 17.¦fxd1 c3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-+-trk+0 9zp-+-+pzpp0 126 9l+-+p+-+0 9+-zP-+-+-0 9P+-+-+-+0 9+pzp-zPN+-0 9-zP-+LzPPzP0 9tR-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black probably reasoned that White would capture at a6 here, but the advanced pawns remain as weak as they were in the opening, and Ribli understands this. 18.¥b5! ¥b7 [ 18...¥xb5 19.axb5 would have created a humorous pawn structure, but White would be the one laughing, as 19...cxb2 20.Rb1 wins both of the advanced pawns, and Black cannot use his Rf8 to go after the Pc5 because of the back rank mate. ] [ 18...cxb2 19.¦ab1 ¥b7 20.¦xb2 ¥d5 21.¤d2 and the Pb3 falls. ] [ 18...c2 19.¦d3 ¦c8 20.¦xb3 ¦xc5 21.¦c3! ¦xc3 22.bxc3 ¥b7 23.¤d4 a6 24.¥d3 ¤d7 69
25.¥xc2 ¦c8 26.¦b1 ¥d5 27.e4 with a comfortable extra pawn. ] 19.bxc3 ¥e4 20.¦d2 ¤c6 There is no point in posting the bishop at c2 since White can always move his Ra1 away (avoiding b3-b2) and then play Nd4.
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 9zp-+-+pzpp0 127 9-+n+p+-+0 9+LzP-+-+-0 9P+-+l+-+0 9+pzP-zPN+-0 9-+-tR-zPPzP0 9tR-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 21.¤d4! ¤a5 Black could not afford to exchange knights because White can always return his bishop to the b1-h7 diagonal. 22.f3 ¥d5 23.e4 ¥c4 24.¦b2! Now White will exchange his pawn at c5 for the pawn at b2, and Black will have no real compensation. Yet there is still a lot of work to do before the game can be declared as a win. ¦fc8 25.¥xc4 ¤xc4 26.¦xb3 ¦xc5 27.¦b5 ¦cc8 28.¢f2 g6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+r+-+k+0 9zp-+-+p+p0 128 9-+-+p+p+0 9+R+-+-+-0 9P+nsNP+-+0 9+-zP-+P+-0 9-+-+-mKPzP0 9tR-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy In this position it is important to note that White has positional as well as material advantages, and it is important to exploit them! 29.¦d1! Taking the only other open file. ¤b6 30.a5 ¤a4 31.¤e2! The pseudo-sacrifice of the c-pawn would be decisive for White if Black were to accept. a6 [ 31...¤xc3 32.¤xc3 ¦xc3 33.¦d7 a6 34.¦bb7 ¦f8 35.¦a7 ¦a3 36.¦xa6 ¦c8 37.¦aa7 ¦a2+ 38.¢g3 was given by Ugrinovic as a win for White, and this seems to be the case since his king is perfectly safe. ¦cc2 39.¦xf7 ¦xg2+ 40.¢f4 ¦xh2 41.¦fd7 and mate follows. ] 32.¦b3 ¦c7 33.¦db1 ¦aa7 34.¢e3! By using his king to defend the pawn, White frees the rooks for more important tasks, the first of which is to drive out the enemy knight. ¤c5 35.¦a3 ¤d7 36.¦a4 ¤e5 37.¦bb4 ¦c8 38.h3! White is now ready to gain more space by advancing the f-pawn, and then the e-pawn, but first he covers the g4-square. ¦ac7 39.f4 ¤c4+ 40.¢d3 ¦d7+ 41.¤d4 Now it is clear why it was important to take control of e5! ¤d6 42.¦b6 ¤b7 43.¦c4 (Diagram 129)
70
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-+k+0{ 9+n+r+p+p0 129 9ptR-+p+p+0 9zP-+-+-+-0 9-+RsNPzP-+0 9+-zPK+-+P0 9-+-+-+P+0 9+-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now if Black exchanges rooks his position is hopeless, so he tries another plan, but it meets with refutation. ¤c5+ [ 43...¦xc4 44.¢xc4 ¤xa5+ 45.¢b4 ] 44.¢c2 ¦dc7 45.e5! h5 46.¤b3 ¤xb3 47.¦xc7 ¤a1+ 48.¢b2 ¦xc7
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0 9+-tr-+p+-0 130 9ptR-+p+p+0 9zP-+-zP-+p0 9-+-+-zP-+0 9+-zP-+-+P0 9-mK-+-+P+0 9sn-+-+-+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Now White should win any rook ending by simply advancing his pawns. Since the Na1 has no effect on the game, Ribli ignores it! 49.¦xa6! h4 50.¦a8+ ¢g7 51.a6 ¦c4 52.a7 ¦a4 53.c4! 1-0 35 Gligoric Kavalek Skopje ol [Schiller]
1972
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.¤c3 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.e4 g6 7.¤f3 ¥g7 8.¥e2 0-0 9.0-0 ¦e8 10.¤d2 ¤bd7 (Diagram 131)
71
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqr+k+0 9zpp+n+pvlp0 131 9-+-zp-snp+0 9+-zpP+-+-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+-sN-+-+-0 9PzP-sNLzPPzP0 9tR-vLQ+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy This position had already appeared in the widely discussed 3rd game of the Fischer - Spassky match and Gligoric was ready to improve on 10.Qc2. 11.a4! ¤e5 Better is 11...a6. Kavalek is trying to emulate Fischer and will post his knight at h5. 12.£c2 ¤h5?! Nunn later demonstrated that 12...g5!? ∆ g4 was a proper preliminary to this maneuver. Tatai - Povah, London 1978 continued 13.Ra3 g4 14.b3 and here 14...Nfd7 would have been interesting. 13.¥xh5 gxh5 Although Black has weakened his kingside his king is not easily attacked, and he counts on the combination of Ne5, a powerful bishop at g7, and a strong Pc4 to provide sufficient counterplay. 14.¤d1! This is the key idea behind 11.a4. White will simply challenge the Ne5 with Nd2-c4. If White didn't place the pawn at a4, this could have been stopped by 14...b5. £h4 Later attempts were made to improve here for Black by playing an immediate 14...b6, since this move will have to be played eventually. But even so White retains the better game. [ 14...b6 15.¦a3 f5 16.exf5 ¥a6 17.¤e4! sacrifices the exchange for a strong attack against the Black king. The Ba6 is probably stronger than the Rf1 here, since at least it deprives the White queen of some transfer squares to the kingside. ¥xf1 18.¢xf1 ¤f7 19.¦g3 ¢h8 was played in Gligoric - Taimanov, Leningrad Interzonal 1973. Here, according to Jon Speelman, White can return the material with interest! 20.¦xg7! ¢xg7 21.£c3+ ¢g8 ( 21...¢f8 22.¥h6+ ¤xh6 23.£h8+ ¤g8 24.f6 £d7 25.¤g5 ) 22.¤f6+ ¢f8 23.¤xh7+ ¢g8 24.£g3+! ¢xh7 25.£g6+ ¢h8 26.f6 ¦e1+ 27.¢xe1 £g8 28.£xh5+ £h7 29.£xh7+ ¢xh7 30.g4 and White has too many pawns. ] 15.¤e3 ¤g4 16.¤xg4 hxg4 17.¤c4
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+r+k+0{ 9zpp+-+pvlp0 132 9-+-zp-+-+0 9+-zpP+-+-0 9P+N+P+pwq0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-zPQ+-zPPzP0 9tR-vL-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Black has no real attack on the kingside and the Bc8 has no scope at all. White's basic plan is Re1 and Bf4, increasing the pressure at d6. £f6?! Relatively best was 17...g3 18.fxg3 Qxe4 19. Qxe4 Rxe4 20.Nxd6 Re5. Now White can force the dark-squared bishops off the board, after which his knight is better than the enemy bishop. 18.¥d2 £g6 19.¥c3 ¥xc3 20.bxc3 b6 [ 20...£xe4 21.£xe4 ¦xe4 22.¤xd6 gives White a powerful passed pawn. ] 72
21.¦fe1 We have entered a new stage of the game. White will aim for the advance e4-e5 and Black will do everything in his power to stop it. ¥a6 22.¤d2 ¦e5 23.f4! gxf3 24.¤xf3
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+k+0{ 9zp-+-+p+p0 133 9lzp-zp-+q+0 9+-zpPtr-+-0 9P+-+P+-+0 9+-zP-+N+-0 9-+Q+-+PzP0 9tR-+-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now White will bring his strategy to a successful conclusion, since Black cannot afford to weaken e6 by playing f7-f6. ¦h5 25.£f2 £f6 26.¦e3 ¦e8 27.¦ae1 £f4 28.e5! dxe5
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+k+0 9zp-+-+p+p0 134 9lzp-+-+-+0 9+-zpPzp-+r0 9P+-+-wq-+0 9+-zP-tRN+-0 9-+-+-wQPzP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Now White wants to capture with the knight, but does not want to allow Black to exchange queens, so first the enemy queen is driven back. 29.¦e4! £f6 30.£g3+ ¢h8 31.¤xe5 ¦g8 32.¦g4 ¦xg4 33.¤xg4 £g6 34.c4! The tactical trick 34...Bxc4?? 35.Qc3+ gives this move exceptional results, since now the bishop is completely out of play. This, combined with the weakness of the back rank, brings the game to a swift conclusion. ¦f5 35.¤h6! (Diagram 135)
73
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-mk0{ 9zp-+-+p+p0 135 9lzp-+-+qsN0 9+-zpP+r+-0 9P+P+-+-+0 9+-+-+-wQ-0 9-+-+-+PzP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy ¦f6 [ 35...£xg3 36.¦e8+ ¢g7 37.¤xf5+ ¢f6 38.¤xg3 ] 36.¦e8+ ¢g7 37.¦g8+ ¢xh6 38.£h4+ 1-0 36 Nyezhmetdinov Sakharov Leningrad [Schiller]
1957
1.e4 c5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.¤xd4 e5 5.¤b5 a6 6.¤d6+ ¥xd6 7.£xd6 £f6 8.£c7 The retreat to d1 is the current recipe here, but in the 1950's the entire variation was in vogue and many replies were being tested. ¤ge7 9.¤c3 The location of the queen at c7 is useful in that it provides support for an infiltration at b6 and also can sometimes threaten the pawn at e5, though that remains well-defended for the moment. ¤b4 Generally considered best, since it attacks c2 and supports the advance d7-d5 which is typical of the Sicilian. 10.¥d3 d5 11.0-0 d4 12.¤e2 Theory prefers 13.Na4 with a small initiative for White.
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+k+-tr0{ 9+pwQ-snpzpp0 136 9p+-+-wq-+0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9-sn-zpP+-+0 9+-+L+-+-0 9PzPP+NzPPzP0 9tR-vL-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy ¤xd3?! Black fails to appreciate the danger of an open c-file. Two dozen years later the plan of exchanging queens with 12...Qc6! was established as best, as after 13...Nexc6 14.Nb6 Rb8 15. Nxc8 Rxc8 there is no way for White to make progress. 13.cxd3 g5!? Nezhmetdinov awards an exclamation point for sharpness, but notes that 13... Nc6 was better, because the kingside weakness is too great. Yet a decade later White found an easy path to the advantage: [ 13...¤c6 14.f4! £e7 15.£xe7+ ¢xe7 16.fxe5 ¤xe5 17.b3! and in Lukin - Ghizdavu, 74
Bucharest 1968, White delayed the capture of the pawn to great effect,since 17...Nxd3 would have been met by 18.Ra3+ Ke8 19.Rad1 and White would trap the knight! ] 14.¥d2 ¤c6 15.¦ac1 0-0 16.¤g3 Now we see the effect of the weakening move g7-g5. White will sink the knight into f5, and when it is captured, will establish strong pawns at g4 and f5, which will eliminate any counterplay. h6 17.b4! White must delay Ng3-f5 until the Black queen has been displaced. Meanwhile, he expands on the queenside and kicks the Nc6 back, after which the Rc1 can become active on the c-file. ¦e8 If Black tries to exchange queens with 17...Qd8, then 18.Rxc6! is a promising exchange sacrifice. After 18...bxc6 19.Qxe5! White has plenty of compensation. 18.a4 ¤d8?! This deprives the Pe5 of a defender, and a queen retreat to d8 was called for since the exchange sacrifice would have less effect with the Pe5 guarded by the Re8.
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lsnr+k+0 9+pwQ-+p+-0 137 9p+-+-wq-zp0 9+-+-zp-zp-0 9PzP-zpP+-+0 9+-+P+-sN-0 9-+-vL-zPPzP0 9+-tR-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 19.¦c5! The point of this move is not merely to double rooks. It is also designed to transfer the rook to d5, a plan based on the interdependence of the Black rook knight and queen. £g7 20.¦d5 ¥g4 21.¦c1 ¢h7 This strange looking move was inspired by the failure of the obvious transfer of the Ra8 to the c-file, which meets with a strong sacrifice. [ 21...¦c8 22.£xc8 ¥xc8 23.¦xc8 £f8 ( 23...£f6 24.¤h5 £e7 25.¦d7!! ) 24.¤h5 f6 25.¦d7 and as Nyezhmetdinov notes, Black is almost in zugzwang. ] 22.¤f5! With the queen displaced from f6 White's original strategy can be carried out. ¥xf5 23.exf5 £f6 24.g4 ¦e7 25.¦d7 ¦xd7 26.£xd7 ¢g7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-sn-+-+0 9+p+Q+pmk-0 138 9p+-+-wq-zp0 9+-+-zpPzp-0 9PzP-zp-+P+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9-+-vL-zP-zP0 9+-tR-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy With Black tied down, White prepares to attack the Pe5 which was left without sufficient protection when the knight retreated to d8. 27.¦c5! b6 Otherwise 28.Qc7 would have been strong. But now a path has been cleared to the a-file. Again, this is the sort of factor which cannot be exploited soon but the Black position is so cramped that a zugzwang will clear the a7-square. 28.¦c7 b5 29.a5! By keeping lines closed, Black will soon run out of moves. ¢g8 30.£d5!
75
¦b8 31.¥e1 £g7 32.£c5 £f8 33.£a7 1-0 37 Pavlenko Furman Moskva [Schiller]
1972
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 e6 3.¤f3 b6 4.g3 ¥b7 5.¥g2 ¥e7 6.¤c3 ¤e4 7.¥d2 d5 7...f5 is the main line, but 7...Bf6, putting pressure on d4, is probably the best move here. 8.cxd5 exd5 9.¥f4 0-0 10.£c2 ¤xc3 11.£xc3
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-wq-trk+0{ 9zplzp-vlpzpp0 139 9-zp-+-+-+0 9+-+p+-+-0 9-+-zP-vL-+0 9+-wQ-+NzP-0 9PzP-+PzPLzP0 9tR-+-mK-+R0 xiiiiiiiiy White hopes to use the open file to put pressure on the queenside, but Black has a simple plan of advancing the c-pawn to c4. c5! 12.0-0 [ 12.dxc5 d4! gains space for Black, thanks to the pin at f3. ] 12...¤d7 13.¦fd1 Given that the Nd7 supports the c5-square, and that the power of the Bg2 is limited by the Nf3, White should have plated 13.Ne5!, which would have led to an equal position after 13...Nxe5 14.Bxe5 c4. c4 Now the Rd1 looks rather silly. 14.¤e5 b5! 15.£c2 ¤b6!
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-trk+0 9zpl+-vlpzpp0 140 9-sn-+-+-+0 9+p+psN-+-0 9-+pzP-vL-+0 9+-+-+-zP-0 9PzPQ+PzPLzP0 9tR-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black has now organized his pieces optimally. His plan now is to chase the Ne5 and then try to exchange dark-squared bishops. 16.h4?! White must aim for e2-e4 here. Was he really concerned about the possibility of 16...g5?! f6 17.¤g4 ¥d6 18.¥xd6 £xd6 19.¤e3 ¦ae8! Between White's misguided play and Black's solid response the option of e2-e4 is now but a distant memory. The e- and f-files are the locus of future action and the f4 and e2 squares will play especially important roles. 20.¢h2 76
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+rtrk+0{ 9zpl+-+-zpp0 141 9-sn-wq-zp-+0 9+p+p+-+-0 9-+pzP-+-zP0 9+-+-sN-zP-0 9PzPQ+PzPLmK0 9tR-+R+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy White has no more defense at f2. This means that Black has the opportunity to advance his fpawn. f5! 21.¥f3 Covering up the critical square. [ 21.¤xf5? £f6 22.¥h3 ( 22.g4 g6 23.¤h6+ ¢h8 24.g5 £xf2 and h4 falls anyway.) 22...¥c8 23.g4 ¥xf5 24.£xf5 £xh4 ] 21...f4! 22.¤g4 ¤d7! White has a plan here - to plant the knight at e5 and interrupt the attack. Black must continue to concentrate on the key squares, which are now f2 and e2 , even though White can "remove" his d-pawn and attack the weakness at d5. 23.b3 h5 24.¤e5 ¤xe5 25.dxe5
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+rtrk+0{ 9zpl+-+-zp-0 142 9-+-wq-+-+0 9+p+pzP-+p0 9-+p+-zp-zP0 9+P+-+LzP-0 9P+Q+PzP-mK0 9tR-+R+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now if Black captures the pawn it will be hard for him to make progress, but Furman has not forgotten about his principal targets at e2 and f2. £b6! 26.¢g2 fxg3 27.fxg3 ¦xe5 Although the pawn is gone, the vacant square at f2 remains an inviting target. White now transfers a rook to guard the weak squares on the f-file and also at e2, while Black opens lines and increases the pressure. 28.¦f1 d4 29.bxc4 £e6! 30.¦f2 (Diagram 143)
77
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-trk+0{ 9zpl+-+-zp-0 143 9-+-+q+-+0 9+p+-tr-+p0 9-+Pzp-+-zP0 9+-+-+LzP-0 9P+Q+PtRK+0 9tR-+-+-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Does the bishop defend the e-pawn? No, it is pinned. Does the rook? No, since if it slides to the left then Bxf3+ is strong. Combine ingredients and win! ¦xe2!! 31.£xe2 £xe2 32.¦xe2 ¥xf3+ 33.¢f2 ¥g4+ 34.¢e1 ¥xe2 35.¢xe2 bxc4 0-1 38 Reshevsky Vaganian Skopje [Schiller]
1976
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.¤d2 ¤f6 4.e5 ¤fd7 5.f4 In this system White gains a lot of space, but his formation can be undermined by counterattacks involving c7-c5 and f7-f6. c5 6.c3 ¤c6 7.¤df3 £a5?! This system is no longer considered playable, as it can be met by the strong reply 8.dxc5! Qxc5 9.Bd3 and then White will occupy d4 with a knight, and there will be no source of counteplay for Black. 8.¢f2?! This radical method of breaking the pin is not needed. ¥e7 Black can also play expansively with b7-b5, but the text is safe and good. 9.¥d3 Speelman suggest that 9.g3 is more logical, making room for the king.
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+k+-tr0{ 9zpp+nvlpzpp0 144 9-+n+p+-+0 9wq-zppzP-+-0 9-+-zP-zP-+0 9+-zPL+N+-0 9PzP-+-mKPzP0 9tR-vLQ+-sNR0 xiiiiiiiiy £b6! Black returns to the main theme of the opening - pressure at d4 combined with f7-f6, which he will play on the next move. 10.¤e2 f6! 11.exf6 When Black sees a move like that, he can sit back and plan his victory speech. Now the pressure at d4 will become unbearable, and Vaganian gives a textbook lesson on how to completely fulfill the strategic goal. [ 11.¦f1 cxd4 12.cxd4 fxe5 13.fxe5 ¤dxe5 14.¤xe5? ¤xe5 ] [ 11.¢g3 is a wild alternative, and it may be the best White can do in the position. Vaganian 78
defeated Adorjan when the latter tried the plan against him in 1974, but the game was very complicated. Still, it hardly seems safe for White! ] 11...¥xf6! When one understands the strategic goal, the choice of recapture is simple. 12.¢g3 Perhaps Reshevsky had prepared this as an improvement on the aforementioned Adorjan game, which saw Black pry open the kingside with g7-g5. But with the f-pawn gone, this is no longer a reasonable plan. So all eyes on d4! cxd4 13.cxd4 0-0 14.¦e1? [ 14.h4 ¤xd4? 15.¤exd4 ¥xd4 16.¤xd4 £xd4?? 17.¥xh7+ ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-trk+0{ 9zpp+n+-zpp0 145 9-wqn+pvl-+0 9+-+p+-+-0 9-+-zP-zP-+0 9+-+L+NmK-0 9PzP-+N+PzP0 9tR-vLQtR-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy White should have attended to his king safety by advancing the h-pawn. Now Black sees that with the d-pawn gone, the king cannot retreat. 14...e5!! 15.fxe5 ¤dxe5 16.dxe5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-trk+0{ 9zpp+-+-zpp0 146 9-wqn+-vl-+0 9+-+pzP-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+L+NmK-0 9PzP-+N+PzP0 9tR-vLQtR-+-0 xiiiiiiiiy Imagine, if you will, both the Nf3 and Bf6 removed from the board. Then Qf2 is mate. Consider, as well, that the Nf3 is the only defender the king has. ¥h4+!! 17.¢xh4 [ 17.¤xh4 £f2# ] 17...¦xf3!! 18.¦f1 [ 18.gxf3? £f2+ 19.¢g5 h6+ 20.¢g6 ¤xe5+ 21.¢h5 £xh2# is a pretty mate. Notice how the Bc8 plays an important role without ever leaving home! ] 18...£b4+ 19.¥f4 £e7+ 20.¥g5 £e6! (Diagram 147)
79
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-+k+0 9zpp+-+-zpp0 147 9-+n+q+-+0 9+-+pzP-vL-0 9-+-+-+-mK0 9+-+L+r+-0 9PzP-+N+PzP0 9tR-+Q+R+-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The attack has not led to mate, but since 21.h3? is met by 21...Qxh3+! 22.gxh3 Rxh3 mate, White must return the piece, and then it is just mopping up time. 21.¥f5 ¦xf5 22.¤f4 [ 22.¦xf5 £xf5 23.£xd5+ ¥e6 24.£f3 £xe5 25.¥f4 g5+! 26.¥xg5 £xh2+ - Speelman. ] 22...£xe5 23.£g4 ¦f7 24.£h5 ¤e7! The addition of the knight to the attack is more than White can bear. 25.g4 ¤g6+ 26.¢g3 ¥d7 27.¦ae1 £d6 28.¥h6 ¦af8 And with the entry of the last of Black's forces, White resigned. 0-1 39 Hort Alburt Decin [Schiller]
1977
1.d4 ¤f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5 4.cxb5 a6 5.bxa6 g6 6.¤c3 ¥xa6 7.¤f3 d6 8.g3 ¥g7 9.¥g2 ¤bd7 10.0-0 The Benko Gambit is a deeply strategical opening, with Black simply putting as much pressure as possible on the queenside, using the two open files and the power of his fianchettoed bishop. He can also target the pawn at d5. ¤b6 11.¦e1
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqk+-tr0{ 9+-+-zppvlp0 148 9lsn-zp-snp+0 9+-zpP+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-sN-+NzP-0 9PzP-+PzPLzP0 9tR-vLQtR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy 0-0 12.¤d2 White needs to reorganize his pieces in order to protect the weak Pd5. But it is likely the straightforward 12 e4, suggested by Jon Speelman, is the most logical move. Schwarz's 12.Bf4 Nh5 leads to untested complications. £c7 13.¦b1 £b7! This leads to a profound queen sacrifice based entirely on positional factors which allow him to carry out his strategy effectively. 14.b3 ¤fxd5! 15.¤xd5 ¤xd5 16.¤f1 [ 16.¤e4 ¦ad8 17.¥b2 ¥xb2 18.¦xb2 £b4! is relatively best, and leads to unclear 80
complications, according to Kasparov. ]
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0{ 9+q+-zppvlp0 149 9l+-zp-+p+0 9+-zpn+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+P+-+-zP-0 9P+-+PzPLzP0 9+RvLQtRNmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Black has eliminated the e-pawn and can go after the queenside bits. Naturally Black would like to play Nc3, and even though the queen hangs, he does! 16...¤c3!! 17.¥xb7 ¥xb7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 9+l+-zppvlp0 150 9-+-zp-+p+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+Psn-+-zP-0 9P+-+PzP-zP0 9+RvLQtRNmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black does not have full material compensation, but he has enough pieces to eliminate the queenside pawns, while White's forces sit idly on the back rank. 18.£d3?! 18.Qd2 might have been better, because it would have forced Black to capture at b1 because otherwise 19.Bb2 would threaten the supremacy of the Bg7. Now Black keeps the knight in its strong position at c3, using the Bb7 instead. ¥e4! 19.£e3 ¥d4! 20.£h6 ¥xb1 (Diagram 151)
81
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0 9+-+-zpp+p0 151 9-+-zp-+pwQ0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9-+-vl-+-+0 9+Psn-+-zP-0 9P+-+PzP-zP0 9+lvL-tRNmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Almost all of Black's pieces are aimed at the White pawns, and the other rook will soon get into the act. White tries to preserve his pawns, but fails. 21.a3 ¥a2 22.¤d2 [ 22.b4 cxb4 23.axb4 ¥c4 24.£d2 e5 and the Pe2 is gone: 25.e3 ¦a2 26.exd4 ( 26.¥b2 ¦xb2 27.£xb2 ¤e2+ 28.£xe2 ¥xe2 29.¦xe2 ¥c3 30.b5 ¦b8 ; 26.£xa2 ¤xa2 27.exd4 exd4 28.¥b2 ¤xb4 29.¥xd4 ¤c2 30.¦d1 ¤xd4 31.¦xd4 ¥xf1 32.¢xf1 ¦d8 ) 26...¦xd2 27.¤xd2 ( 27.¥xd2 exd4 28.¥xc3 dxc3 29.¦c1 ¥xf1 30.¢xf1 ¦b8 31.¦xc3 ¦xb4 ) 27...¥d3 28.dxe5 dxe5 29.¥b2 ¤e2+ 30.¢g2 e4 ] 22...¦fb8 23.b4 cxb4 24.axb4 ¦xb4 25.¤f3 ¥g7 26.£h3 ¥e6 27.£f1 ¥c4!
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+k+0 9+-+-zppvlp0 152 9-+-zp-+p+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-trl+-+-+0 9+-sn-+NzP-0 9-+-+PzP-zP0 9+-vL-tRQmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy After demolishing the queenside and kicking the White forces back to the home rank, Black pins the e-pawn, completely paralyzing his opponent. 28.¢g2 ¦a1! An additional pin to cause White trouble. 29.¤g1 ¦bb1 30.¢h3 White is almost in zugzwang, so Black reduces his options. h5 31.f4 Now the pin at c1 means that the Black knight can head for e3. ¥e6+! 32.¢g2 ¤d5 33.¢f3 ¥c3! If 33...Bb2 immediately, then White could escape with 34.Bd2. 34.¦d1 ¥b2 0-1 40 Speelman Larsen Lone Pine [Schiller]
1978
1.e4 c6 2.c4 This variation has grown in popularity in the past decade. Pure Caro-Kann players usually continue with 2...d5, but Larsen, who likes the Old Indian, prefers to advance the e-pawn. e5 3.¤f3 d6 4.d4 ¥g4 Black places indirect pressure at d4. White should now develop calmly, 82
as rash action in the center will not be effective. 5.¥e2 [ 5.dxe5? ¥xf3! 6.gxf3 dxe5 7.£xd8+ ¢xd8 8.f4 f6! is fine for Black, since White's bishop pair is limited in effectiveness by his bad pawn structure, Seirawan - Nikolic, Tilburg 1990. ] 5...¤d7 6.¤c3 ¥e7 7.0-0 ¤gf6 The game has now transposed to a true Old Indian position, but with the twist that Black has already developed his light-squared bishop. Speelman noted that it was difficult to come up with a good strategy here, so he fakes it. 8.¦b1 "I decided to wait whilst kidding Black that b4 is good - I don't think that it is very special." wrote Speelman, who noted that 8...a5 was by no means necessary. 0-0 9.¦e1 ¦e8
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqr+k+0 9zpp+nvlpzpp0 153 9-+pzp-sn-+0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9-+PzPP+l+0 9+-sN-+N+-0 9PzP-+LzPPzP0 9+RvLQtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Now Speelman decides that an exchange of light-squared bishops would work to his advantage, so after developing the Bc1 he extends the standard invitation. 10.¥e3 ¥h5 Larsen wants to keep his options open. 11.¤d2 ¥g6! The pin on the pawn at e4 gives rise to possible scenarios for a d6-d5 break, so Speelman wisely closes the center. 12.d5! a6 13.b4 h5 Larsen, who hates passive play, realizes that his has no chances to achieve anything on the queenside, and so he makes a threatening gesture on the other wing. 14.a4 h4?! It turns out that by ceding g4 to White, Black gets into serious difficulties later in the game. 15.h3 £c7 16.¦b3 a5?! A quiet waiting move like shifting a rook to b8 would have been preferable. 17.b5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0{ 9+pwqnvlpzp-0 154 9-+pzp-snl+0 9zpP+Pzp-+-0 9P+P+P+-zp0 9+RsN-vL-+P0 9-+-sNLzPP+0 9+-+QtR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy A critical position. One might think that it makes no difference whether the capture is made at c5 or d5, but it does. cxd5?! 18.¤xd5! ¤xd5 19.cxd5 The elimination of a pair of knights would seem to help Black, who now has a little more room to maneuver. But in addition in giving White easier access to the c-file, it allows White to use the g4-square. ¦ec8 20.¥g4! And now the advance of the h-pawn comes back to haunt Black. The Nd7 can no longer leap to c5 without wasting more time, but Black has no better plan. ¦f8 21.£c1
83
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-trk+0{ 9+pwqnvlpzp-0 155 9-+-zp-+l+0 9zpP+Pzp-+-0 9P+-+P+Lzp0 9+R+-vL-+P0 9-+-sN-zPP+0 9+-wQ-tR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now moving a rook to c8 loses material after the exchange of queens and b5-b6, so Black must allow White a passed pawn. ¤c5 22.¥xc5 dxc5 The plan now is to nail down the queenside and then continue to exploit the light squares on the h3-c8 diagonal, the theme that runs throughout the game. White's next move prevents the consolidating b7-b6. 23.b6! £d8 24.¤c4 Black's position is hopeless, so he introduces some tactical complications. ¥xe4 25.¦xe4 f5 26.¥xf5 In keeping with the general strategy. [ 26.d6 ¥g5 27.£d1 fxe4 28.£d5+ ¢h8 29.¤xe5 would have been more effective, as suggested by Seirawan. ] 26...¦xf5 27.d6 ¥f6 28.£d1 £d7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+-+k+0 9+p+q+-zp-0 156 9-zP-zP-vl-+0 9zp-zp-zpr+-0 9P+N+R+-zp0 9+R+-+-+P0 9-+-+-zPP+0 9+-+Q+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 29.£g4! ¦d8 [ 29...£xa4 30.¦a3 £d7 31.¤e3 ] 30.¦b5 The result of White's correct decision at move 23. £c8 31.¦xa5 ¦f4 The threat was Ra8! 32.£xc8 ¦xc8 33.¦xf4 exf4 34.¦a7 The b-pawn falls and the game ends quickly. ¦e8 [ 34...¦b8 35.a5 ¢f7 36.¦xb7+!! ¦xb7 37.a6 and there is no stopping the pawns. ] 35.¦xb7 ¢h7 And now White exploits the theme of the previous note to bring the game to a brilliant conclusion. (Diagram 157)
84
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+r+-+0 9+R+-+-zpk0 157 9-zP-zP-vl-+0 9+-zp-+-+-0 9P+N+-zp-zp0 9+-+-+-+P0 9-+-+-zPP+0 9+-+-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 36.¦e7! and Black resigned becaus of 36...Bxe7 37.dxe7 Rxe7 38 a5 etc. 1-0 41 Smyslov Reshevsky World Championship [Schiller]
1948
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.¥b5 a6 4.¥a4 d6 5.c3 ¤ge7 6.d4 ¥d7 7.¥b3 h6 8.¤bd2 ¤g6 9.¤c4 ¥e7 10.0-0 0-0 11.¤e3 ¥f6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wq-trk+0 9+pzpl+pzp-0 158 9p+nzp-vlnzp0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9-+-zPP+-+0 9+LzP-sNN+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9tR-vLQ+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Both sides have developed comfortably and Black is putting pressure on the center. White deals with that matter quickly and decisively. 12.¤d5! ¦e8 13.dxe5! ¥xe5 [ 13...dxe5 14.¤xf6+ wins material. ] [ 13...¤gxe5 14.¤xe5 ¤xe5 15.f4 ¤c6 16.e5! gives Black a lot to worry about. For example: dxe5 17.¤xf6+ gxf6 18.fxe5 fxe5 19.¥xh6 ] 14.¤xe5 dxe5 Not only has White secured the bishop pair, but he has reduced the Black knights to passive functions while his own steed occupies a magnificent post at d5. The d-file is where the action is, so White transfers a rook there. 15.£f3! ¥e6 16.¦d1 ¥xd5 Black's play has been pretty much forced, but now White has both the central file and kingside pressure. 17.¦xd5 £e7
85
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0 9+pzp-wqpzp-0 159 9p+n+-+nzp0 9+-+Rzp-+-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+LzP-+Q+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9tR-vL-+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The d7-square would be a nice home for the rook, and White uses the threat of infiltration to secure a more active position for his queen. 18.£f5! ¤f8 [ 18...¦ad8 looks logical, but White can obtain an advantage by exploiting the indirect pin at f7. 19.¥xh6! gxh6 ( 19...¦xd5 20.¥xd5 gxh6 21.£xg6+ ) 20.¦xd8 ¦xd8 21.£xg6+ ¢f8 22.£xh6+ ¢e8 23.¥d5 ] 19.¥e3 ¤e6 20.¦ad1 ¦ed8
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-tr-+k+0 9+pzp-wqpzp-0 160 9p+n+n+-zp0 9+-+RzpQ+-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+LzP-vL-+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9+-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White's position is very strong, and now he makes a quiet move which deprives Black of the use of f4, and puts him in near zugzwang. 21.g3 ¦d6 A commital move which leaves Black with a backward pawn, but there was little else available. If the backward pawn were the only drawback, it wouldn't be too bad, but the resulting weakness at b6 will turn out to be important. 22.¦xd6 cxd6 23.£g4! The cheap trick at h6 is not the real point of the move, which has the far more subtle goal of enabling the queen to get to the h4-d8 diagonal. Already Smyslov sees the potential power of a bishop at b6! ¢h8 24.¥b6! ¤b8 Black also appreciates White's last move and hastens to drive the offending cleric from its new post. Reshevsky would no doubt have preferred to play Rc8 first, but that was not possible. [ 24...¦c8 25.¦d2 ¤b8 26.£d1! ¦c6 27.¥a7 ¤d7 28.¥d5! ¦c7 29.¥xe6 fxe6 30.¦xd6 ] 25.¥xe6 fxe6 (Diagram 161)
86
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsn-+-+-mk0 9+p+-wq-zp-0 161 9pvL-zpp+-zp0 9+-+-zp-+-0 9-+-+P+Q+0 9+-zP-+-zP-0 9PzP-+-zP-zP0 9+-+R+-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy 26.£h4! Taking advantage of the fact that Black cannot exchange at d4 without dropping the dpawn. But as it turns out White forces the exchange at d8, and still gets his prize. £d7 27.£d8+ £xd8 28.¥xd8 ¤d7 [ 28...¤c6 29.¥b6 and Black cannot defend d6. ] 29.¥c7 ¤c5 30.¦xd6 ¦c8 [ 30...¤xe4 31.¦xe6 and the e-pawn falls. ] 31.¥b6 ¤a4 32.¦xe6 ¤xb2 33.¦xe5 ¤c4 34.¦e6 ¤xb6 35.¦xb6 ¦xc3 36.¦xb7 and the endgame is realtively straightforwad. ¦c2 37.h4 ¦xa2 38.¢g2 a5 39.h5 a4 40.¦a7 The rook is properly behind the pawn and also controls the 7th rank, so the kingside pawns can advance easily. ¢g8 41.g4 a3 42.¢g3 ¦e2 43.¢f3 ¦a2 44.¢e3 ¢f8 45.f3 ¦a1 46.¢f4 a2 47.e5! An important move, becuase it secures the f6-square, so that when Black trades the apawn for the f-pawn, White will be able to place his king at g6. ¢g8 48.¢f5 ¦f1 49.¦xa2 ¦xf3+ 50.¢g6 ¢f8 51.¦a8+ ¢e7 52.¦a7+ 1-0 42 Reshevsky Schiller Simul [Schiller]
1770 2450 1972
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.¤f3 ¤f6 4.e3 g6 5.¥xc4 ¥g7 6.0-0 0-0 7.¤c3 ¤fd7 Smyslov's system. 8.£e2 [ 8.e4 ¤b6 9.¥e2 ¥g4 10.¥e3 ¤c6 was played in Evans - Smyslov, Helsinki Olympiad 1952, which was a game I had studied in preparation for this contest. Black has a lot of pressure on the center. Play continued 11.d5 ¥xf3 12.¥xf3 ¤e5 13.¥e2 ¤ec4 with pressure on the long diagonal. After 14.Bc1 c6! Black had a strong game. ] 8...¤b6 9.¥b3 ¤c6!? An attempt to improve on Golombek - Smyslov, Budapest 1952, which saw 9...a5. 10.¦d1 ¥g4 11.h3 ¥xf3 12.£xf3 £e8 This move has the goal of blasting open the center. After the king moves to the h-file Black can advance both e- and f-pawns. 13.¤b5?! Gligoric improved against me a week or two later with 13.Ne4!, with the threat of Nc5. Serves me right for getting the game published in the New York Times! ¦c8 14.¥d2 a6 15.¤a3 ¢h8 16.¦ac1 e5! 17.d5 e4 18.£f4 (Diagram 162)
87
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+qtr-mk0{ 9+pzp-+pvlp0 162 9psnn+-+p+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9-+-+pwQ-+0 9sNL+-zP-+P0 9PzP-vL-zPP+0 9+-tRR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now it is clear that the Nc6 is headed for e5, with the possibility of jumping into f3. If only the gfile were open and a rook stood on g8... g5! 19.£xg5 ¤e5 20.¥c3
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+qtr-mk0{ 9+pzp-+pvlp0 163 9psn-+-+-+0 9+-+Psn-wQ-0 9-+-+p+-+0 9sNLvL-zP-+P0 9PzP-+-zPP+0 9+-tRR+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy The pin looks strong - but checks have been known to break pins! ¤f3+!! 21.gxf3 ¥xc3 22.¢h1 [ 22.bxc3 ¦g8 ] 22...¦g8 23.£f4 £d7 24.£h4 £f5! Black continues to make threats while improving the position of his queen, before capturing the pawn at b2. 25.f4 ¥xb2 26.¦g1 ¥xc1 27.¦xc1 £g6 28.£g4 £xg4 29.hxg4 ¦xg4 White could have resigned here. 30.¦g1 ¦xg1+ 31.¢xg1 ¦d8 32.d6 ¦xd6 33.¥xf7 ¦d3 34.¤c2 c5 35.¥e6 ¦c3 36.¤e1 ¦c1 37.¢f1 ¤c4 38.¢e2 b5 39.¥d5 ¦a1 40.¥xe4 ¦xa2+ 41.¢d1 ¦xf2 42.¤d3 ¦d2+ 0-1 43 Smyslov Botvinnik Moscow (Wch m/9) [Schiller]
1685 1665 1954
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.¤c3 ¥b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 ¥a5 Normally Black captures at c3, but this retreat leads to complications with a very unbalanced pawn structure. 6.b4 cxd4 7.£g4 ¤e7 8.bxa5 dxc3
88
XIIIIIIIIY 9rsnlwqk+-tr0 9zpp+-snpzpp0 164 9-+-+p+-+0 9zP-+pzP-+-0 9-+-+-+Q+0 9zP-zp-+-+-0 9-+P+-zPPzP0 9tR-vL-mKLsNR0[ xiiiiiiiiy White's queenside pawns are very weak, and the pawn at c3 is an annoyance, but White will pick up g7 and h7 and have an outside passed pawn. 9.£xg7 ¦g8 10.£xh7 ¤d7?! This knight belongs on c6. Now White will execute a very simple plan - advance the h-pawn until it becomes a queen! Of course he will have to be careful in the execution of the strategy. 11.¤f3 ¤f8 Botvinnik proposed 11...Qc7 as an improvement, but Smyslov correctly points out that White has a strong reply: [ 11...£c7 12.¥b5! ¦xg2?! 13.¢f1 ¦g8 14.¦g1 ¦xg1+ 15.¢xg1 and the pin makes it very hard for Black to develop. ] 12.£d3 £xa5 13.h4 Here we go! It turns out that Black's pawn at c3 just gets in the way. ¥d7 14.¥g5! Black is prevented from castling, and the control of the h4-d8 diagonal keeps Black pinned down. Smyslov uses this fact and his h-pawn to win the game in fine style. ¦c8 15.¤d4! Black was going to try and wiggle out with a combination of Rc8-c4-e4+ and the placement of a knight at f5. This stops both plans. ¤f5
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+ksnr+0 9zpp+l+p+-0 165 9-+-+p+-+0 9wq-+pzPnvL-0 9-+-sN-+-zP0 9zP-zpQ+-+-0 9-+P+-zPP+0 9tR-+-mKL+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy Now White does not want to capture immediately, because the Nf8 would occupy the new hole at e6. But how to answer the threat of Nf5xd4 and Bb5? 16.¦b1! ¦c4?! Smyslov considers 16...b6 best, but it is hard to blame Botvinnik, for what follows is truly inspired. 17.¤xf5 exf5 18.¦xb7 ¦e4+ (Diagram 166)
89
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+ksnr+0 9zpR+l+p+-0 166 9-+-+-+-+0 9wq-+pzPpvL-0 9-+-+r+-zP0 9zP-zpQ+-+-0 9-+P+-zPP+0 9+-+-mKL+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy If White is to move in this position then Rc8+ is fatal. That's really all one needs to know in order to finish the game brilliantly. 19.£xe4!! dxe4 20.¦b8+ ¥c8 21.¥b5+ £xb5 [ 21...¤d7 22.¦xc8+ ] 22.¦xb5 Now the game is over, not because of the exchange, but rather because of the flying hpawn which was the cornerstone of White's strategy. ¤e6 23.¥f6 ¦xg2 24.h5 ¥a6 25.h6! It is only fitting that the pawn has the final say. After the bishop captures the rook there is no way to stop the pawn from queening. 1-0 44 Smyslov Spassky Moscow vs. Leningrad [Schiller]
1959
1.e4 c5 2.¤f3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.¤xd4 a6 5.c4 ¤c6 Spassky leaves the well-known paths of 5...Nf6. 6.¤c3 ¥c5 7.¤b3 ¥b4 8.¥d3 ¤ge7 9.0-0 0-0 Both sides have been developing, but now Black adopts a typical plan for this type of formation. He captures on c3, and then advances his d-pawn. But his artificial position (Ne7) helps White. 10.£c2 ¥xc3 11.£xc3 d5 12.¥e3 dxc4 13.¥xc4 £c7 14.¦ac1 ¦d8 15.f4 ¥d7
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-tr-+k+0 9+pwqlsnpzpp0 167 9p+n+p+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+L+PzP-+0 9+NwQ-vL-+-0 9PzP-+-+PzP0 9+-tR-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Black seems ready to claim equality, after Ra8-c8. But the weakness of the dark squares on the queenside give White an inviting target for the Be3. 16.£e1! White transfers his queen to f2, where it will not only support the g1-a7 diagonal, but also gives more impetus to an advance of the f-pawn, since f7 is no longer guarded by the Black rook. b6 90
[ 16...b5 17.¥e2 ¥e8 18.£f2 ¦ab8 19.¤c5 exploits the dark squares in a different way. ] 17.£f2 ¦ab8 18.f5! £c8
XIIIIIIIIY 9-trqtr-+k+0 9+-+lsnpzpp0 168 9pzpn+p+-+0 9+-+-+P+-0 9-+L+P+-+0 9+N+-vL-+-0 9PzP-+-wQPzP0 9+-tR-+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Examining this diagram we see that the pressure point is e6, and the next few moves are aimed directly at the target. They prove to be the last moves! 19.¤d4! ¤xd4 [ 19...e5 opens a line, but more importantly allows White to advance the f-pawn further. 20.¤xc6 ¤xc6 21.¥d5 ] [ 19...exf5 20.exf5 b5 21.f6! ] 20.¥xd4 ¤c6 21.fxe6 ¥xe6 22.¥xe6
XIIIIIIIIY 9-trqtr-+k+0{ 9+-+-+pzpp0 169 9pzpn+L+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-vLP+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzP-+-wQPzP0 9+-tR-+RmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy And Black resigned, because mate in inevitable after 22...Qxe6 23.Rxc6 Qxc6 24.Qxf7+. 1-0 45 Smyslov Simagin USSR [Schiller]
1967
1.¤f3 g6 2.d4 ¥g7 3.e4 a6 An unusual plan, playing on both wings. The normal move is 3... d6, while the move 3...c5!? is also popular. 4.¥d3 4.Nc3 b5!? gives Black an early initiative, Savage - Schiller, USAT 1990. d6 5.0-0 Now Black could transpose to a Pirc with 5...Nf6m but Simagin prefers a more original plan of development. ¥g4 6.c3 ¤d7 7.¤bd2 e6 8.£b3 ¥xf3 9.¤xf3 ¦b8 Simagin seems inspired by Chigorin, who often moved his rook to b8 in support of the pawn. 10.¥g5 ¤e7 11.¦ad1 0-0 12.¦fe1
91
XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-wq-trk+0{ 9+pzpnsnpvlp0 170 9p+-zpp+p+0 9+-+-+-vL-0 9-+-zPP+-+0 9+QzPL+N+-0 9PzP-+-zPPzP0 9+-+RtR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Both sides have completed their development, and White's pieces are better placed. But now Black weakens his kingside, allowing a central counterattack. h6 13.¥f4 g5 14.¥g3 ¤g6 15.e5! I have played these sorts of formations for Black and always find the advance of the epawn an effective method of undermining my position. In the present game Black suffers even more because he has not gained space on the queenside. d5 16.£c2 ¤f4 [ 16...£e8 17.h4 g4 18.¤h2 h5 19.f3 gxf3 20.¤xf3 would allow White to build a strong attack on the f-file, using g5 for the knight. ] 17.¥xf4 gxf4
XIIIIIIIIY 9-tr-wq-trk+0 9+pzpn+pvl-0 171 9p+-+p+-zp0 9+-+pzP-+-0 9-+-zP-zp-+0 9+-zPL+N+-0 9PzPQ+-zPPzP0 9+-+RtR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White must now develop a plan. Smyslov anticipates that Black will have to advance his f-pawn in order defend the pawn at f4. That will weaken the pawn at e6, so doubling rooks on the e-file is called for. 18.¦e2! c5 19.£d2 f6 The only way to avoid dropping the pawn at f4. 20.exf6 £xf6 21.¦de1 ¦be8 Now there is a weak diagonal to be exploited. 22.¥b1! cxd4 23.cxd4 ¦f7 24.£c2 ¦fe7 25.£h7+ ¢f8 26.¥g6 ¦c8 (Diagram 172)
92
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+r+-mk-+0 9+p+ntr-vlQ0 172 9p+-+pwqLzp0 9+-+p+-+-0 9-+-zP-zp-+0 9+-+-+N+-0 9PzP-+RzPPzP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White's attack cannot achive much - since it involves only two pieces. But the Black pieces are so tied down that White has time to extricate the queen. 27.h4! ¦c6 28.h5 The point of the last two moves becomes clear if one mentally removes the pawn at e6. If White had not done this, Black could have complicated matters with e6-e5! ¦c4 29.¥d3 White tries to get the rook to leave the c-file, so that it can be used as an expressway to the 8th rank. ¦c6 30.¥g6 ¦c4 Obviously Smyslov has to come up with a better plan. He does so with a very clever and unexpected move. Since the bishop is not effective in attacking the rook from d3, Smyslov creates another possibility - at a2! 31.a3! ¦c6 32.¥b1 ¥h8 [ 32...¦c4?! 33.¥a2 ¦c6 34.¥xd5! exd5 35.¦xe7 £xe7 36.¦xe7 ¢xe7 37.£xg7+ ] 33.£d3 Finally! Now Black has to keep an eye on h4, otherwise White will play Nh4-g6. ¦g7
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-mk-vl0 9+p+n+-tr-0 173 9p+r+pwq-zp0 9+-+p+-+P0 9-+-zP-zp-+0 9zP-+Q+N+-0 9-zP-+RzPP+0 9+L+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The rooks has finally abandoned the c-file, and White uses it to bring the queen in to deliver the final blow. 34.£b3! ¦b6 (Diagram 174)
93
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-mk-vl0 9+p+n+-tr-0 174 9ptr-+pwq-zp0 9+-+p+-+P0 9-+-zP-zp-+0 9zPQ+-+N+-0 9-zP-+RzPP+0 9+L+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy White has finally succeeded in driving the rook from the c-file, and now the queen rushes in to end the game. 35.£c3 ¦g8 [ 35...¦c6 36.£b4+ ¢g8 37.£xb7 ] 36.£c8+ 1-0 46 Charousek Exner Budapest,Match [Schiller]
1896
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.d4 exd4 4.¥c4 d6?! This move is so obscure that it isn't even in the books, although it might be seen in amateur games. Black gets a bad version of the Philidor Defense.
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqkvlntr0 9zppzp-+pzpp0 175 9-+nzp-+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+LzpP+-+0 9+-+-+N+-0 9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9tRNvLQmK-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy 5.¤xd4 ¤f6 [ 5...¤xd4 6.£xd4 ¥e6 is relatively best, though after castling White retains his developmental and spatial advantage. ] 6.¤c3 ¥e7 7.0-0 0-0 8.f3 Since Black cannot get his bishop to the a7-g1 diagonal, there is no weakness associated with this move. ¦e8 9.¥e3 ¥f8?! Black is attempting to play pure defense, but after White pins the Nf6 the bishop will have to return to e7, so the immediate 9... Ne5 would have been better, though after 10.Bb3 White would still have a clear advantage. 10.£d2 ¤e7 11.¦ad1 ¥d7 12.¥g5! By threatening to criple the Black pawns, White forces his opponent to waste two moves to break the pin. ¤g6 13.¤d5 ¥e7 94
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqr+k+0 9zppzplvlpzpp0 176 9-+-zp-snn+0 9+-+N+-vL-0 9-+LsNP+-+0 9+-+-+P+-0 9PzPPwQ-+PzP0 9+-+R+RmK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy Now White can eliminate the important defender and maintain the pin. 14.¤xe7+ £xe7 15.¦fe1! Both sides are fully developed but Black's pieces are ineffective while White has placed every piece on an optimal square. £d8 16.¥b5! Charousek understands the value of a knight outpost at f5. To obtain this, he will have to eliminate the enemy bishop. The text cannot be met by 16...c6, because that would critically weaken the pawn at d6. ¥xb5 17.¤xb5
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-wqr+k+0{ 9zppzp-+pzpp0 177 9-+-zp-snn+0 9+N+-+-vL-0 9-+-+P+-+0 9+-+-+P+-0 9PzPPwQ-+PzP0 9+-+RtR-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy Now Black must finally accept doubled pawns on the kingside, because after 18.Bxf6 the queen must remain at d8 to guard c7. ¦e5 18.¥xf6 gxf6 19.¤d4! Headed for the key square f5. £f8 20.¤f5 ¦ae8 21.£c3! The point of this move is not only to attack c7, but more importantly, to create a pin on the Re5. Perhaps Black should have accepted the inevitable here and played 21... Rc5. d5 22.¦xd5 ¦xd5 23.exd5 ¦xe1+ 24.£xe1 The endgame is winning for White, not so much because of the extra pawn at d5 but rather because the kingside is so weak. £c5+ 25.£e3 £xe3+ [ 25...£xd5?? 26.£e8+ ¤f8 27.¤e7+ ] [ 25...£xc2 26.£e8+ ¤f8 27.¤h6+ ¢g7 28.£xf7+ ¢xh6 29.£xf8+ ¢g6 30.£e8+ ¢g7 31.£e7+ ¢g8 ( 31...¢g6 32.£e4+ f5 33.£d4 protects the d-pawn. £b1+ 34.¢f2 £xa2 35.£e5 and with the help of the king White will win the f-pawn.) 32.£xf6 £d1+ 33.¢f2 £xd5 34.a3 and White can win by advancing the h-pawn. ] 26.¤xe3 (Diagram 178)
95
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+k+0{ 9zppzp-+p+p0 178 9-+-+-zpn+0 9+-+P+-+-0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-sNP+-0 9PzPP+-+PzP0 9+-+-+-mK-0 xiiiiiiiiy This endgame is a technical win - and Charousek demonstrates that he has the necessary skills. ¢f8 27.¢f2 ¢e7 28.¤f5+ ¢d7 29.¢e3 Black's king is rendered harmless by the combination of knight and Pd5. ¤e5 30.b3 c6 31.¢e4 cxd5+ 32.¢xd5 ¤g6 33.g3 The king has taken over for the pawn at d5, and the Black knight is limited in scope. ¤e5 34.¢e4 ¤c6 35.¤d4 Now the monarch heads for the kingside. Obviously Black cannot exchange knights. ¤e7 36.c4 b6 37.b4 a6 38.a3 ¤c8 A clever move, inviting 39.Kf5? when 39...Nd6+ eats up the queenside pawns. 39.¤f5 ¢e6 40.h4 ¤a7 41.¤d4+ ¢d6 42.¢f5 Now it is safe. ¢e7 43.a4 ¤c8 44.c5 bxc5 45.bxc5 ¤a7 46.h5 a5 47.h6 1-0 47 Breyer Fahrni Baden [Schiller]
1914
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.d4 exd4 4.¥c4 d6 5.¤xd4 g6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqkvlntr0 9zppzp-+p+p0 179 9-+nzp-+p+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+LsNP+-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9tRNvLQmK-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy This plan makes a little more sense than Exner's 5...Nf6, but it is not enough for equality. 6.0-0 A logical move, but to reach the modern lines of the Philidor, White might have delayed this move and played 6.Nc3, keeping open the option of castling queenside. [ 6.¤c3 ¥g7 7.¥e3 ¤f6 8.£d2 0-0 9.¤xc6! bxc6 10.¥h6 ¥xh6 11.£xh6 ¤xe4 12.¤xe4 ¦e8 ( 12...d5 13.¤g5 and White wins.) 13.¥xf7+ ¢xf7 14.£xh7+ ¢f8 15.£xg6 £e7 16.f3 d5 17.0-0 dxe4 18.fxe4+ ] 6...¥g7 7.¥e3 ¤f6 8.¤c3 0-0 9.£d2 ¦e8 10.¦ae1 ¤e5 11.¥b3 96
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+lwqr+k+0{ 9zppzp-+pvlp0 180 9-+-zp-snp+0 9+-+-sn-+-0 9-+-sNP+-+0 9+LsN-vL-+-0 9PzPPwQ-zPPzP0 9+-+-tRRmK-0 xiiiiiiiiy White has organized his pieces well, and Black is behind in development and must be concerned about the advance of the f-pawn. c5?! A sign of desperation early in the game. 11...Neg4!? might have been wiser. 12.¤db5 c4 13.f4! ¤eg4 14.¥xc4 ¤xe3 15.¦xe3 ¤g4 16.¦d3 Not only has White won one pawn, but he has another one coming. £b6+ 17.¢h1 ¥xc3 18.¤xc3 ¥e6 19.¥xe6 fxe6 20.h3 ¤f6 21.¦xd6
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+-+r+k+0{ 9zpp+-+-+p0 181 9-wq-tRpsnp+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+-+PzP-+0 9+-sN-+-+P0 9PzPPwQ-+P+0 9+-+-+R+K0 xiiiiiiiiy This has been pretty much forced, and now the two extra pawns are easily converted into an endgame victory. ¦ad8 [ 21...£xb2 22.e5 ¤h5 23.g4 ¤g7 24.¤e4 ¦e7 25.¤f6+ ¢h8 26.¦d8+ ¦xd8 27.£xd8+ ¦e8 28.¤xe8 ] 22.¦xb6 ¦xd2 23.¦xb7 ¤h5 24.¦d1 ¦ed8 25.¦xd2 ¦xd2 26.¦xa7 ¤xf4 27.¦b7 and the a-pawn flies. ¤xg2 28.a4 ¤h4 29.¦b3 ¦xc2 30.¤b5 ¦c1+ 31.¢h2 ¦c2+ 32.¢g1 ¦c1+ 33.¢f2 ¦c2+ 34.¢e3 e5 35.¢d3 ¦c8 36.a5 ¦a8 37.¦a3 ¤g2 38.a6 ¤f4+ 39.¢e3 ¤e6 40.a7 ¢f7 41.b4 ¢e7 42.¦a6 ¢d7 43.¦d6+ ¢e7 44.¦xe6+! ¢xe6 45.¤c7+ ¢d7 46.¤xa8 1-0 48 Maroczy Porges Nurnberg [Schiller]
1896
1.e4 e5 2.¤f3 ¤c6 3.d4 exd4 4.¥c4 £f6?! [ 4...£e7 5.0-0 £c5 6.£d3 g6 is another attempt to hang on to the pawn, but it doesn't work. 97
7.c3! ¥g7 8.cxd4 ¤xd4 9.¤xd4 £xd4 10.£b3! ¤h6 was effective in Bonch Osmolovsky - Alatortsev, USSR 1962. ]
11.¥xh6
¥xh6
12.¥xf7+
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+kvlntr0 9zppzpp+pzpp0 182 9-+n+-wq-+0 9+-+-+-+-0 9-+LzpP+-+0 9+-+-+N+-0 9PzPP+-zPPzP0 9tRNvLQmK-+R0[ xiiiiiiiiy These early queen deployments never succeed in the Scotch Gambit, because White is too welldeveloped. 5.c3!? Maroczy's notes indicate that simple castling would have been better, so that the e-pawn could have advanced, using the potential pin on the e-file. ¥c5 6.0-0 Maroczy gives 6.e5!, but that seems a bit speculative. d6 7.¤xd4 ¤xd4 8.cxd4 ¥xd4 9.£b3 ¥b6 10.a4 White has compensation for his pawn, but only if he keeps the initiative. An alternative plan would be to continue development, and make use of d5. [ 10.¤c3! ¤e7 11.¥e3 0-0 ( 11...¥xe3? 12.fxe3 drops the pawn at f7.) 12.¥xb6 axb6 13.¤b5! with win of material. c6 14.¤c7 ¦a5 15.£xb6 ¦c5 16.¥d3 and although the knight is trapped, there is no way to get at it, and the Black attack is nothing to worry about. ¤g6 (to stop f2-f4) 17.¦fc1 ¦xc1+ 18.¦xc1 ¤f4 19.¥f1 ¤e6 20.¤xe6 fxe6 21.a4 with a slight edge for White. ] 10...¤e7 11.¢h1 ¤c6 12.¥d2 0-0 [ 12...a5!? might have been a useful interpolation. ] 13.a5 ¥d4
XIIIIIIIIY 9r+l+-trk+0 9zppzp-+pzpp0 183 9-+nzp-wq-+0 9zP-+-+-+-0 9-+LvlP+-+0 9+Q+-+-+-0 9-zP-vL-zPPzP0 9tRN+-+R+K0[ xiiiiiiiiy 14.¤c3 ¥xc3 Practically forced, because of the weakness at d5. 15.¥xc3 £e7 16.¥d5 ¤d8 [ 16...¥d7 17.a6 bxa6 18.¦xa6 ¦ab8 19.£a3! ] 17.e5 c6 [ 17...dxe5?! 18.¦fe1 ¤c6 19.a6! ] 18.exd6 £xd6 19.¥e4 ¥e6 20.£a4 Although White is still a pawn down his bishop pair and active pieces give him sufficient compensation. f5 21.¥f3 £c7 22.¦fe1 ¦e8 23.¥h5! ¦e7 24.£h4 ¢f8 Black can't bring his defensive forces closer to the king, so he tries to bring the king closer to his pieces! 25.¥e5 £d7 26.£g3 g6 At least there is no pin on the g-pawn, part of the 98
point of Kf8. 27.¦ad1! £e8 28.¥e2 ¤f7 29.¥d4?! The bishop should have retreated to c3. ¢g8 30.¥h5 f4 To avoid the destructive sacrifice at g6. 31.£h4 [ 31.£xf4? ¥b3! ] 31...¦d8 32.£f6 ¦xd4! That's why the bishop should have been posted at c3 instead of d4. 33.¦xd4 gxh5 34.¦xf4 ¤d8 35.¦f3 ¦f7 36.¦g3+ ¢f8
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-snqmk-+0 9zpp+-+r+p0 184 9-+p+lwQ-+0 9zP-+-+-+p0 9-+-+-+-+0 9+-+-+-tR-0 9-zP-+-zPPzP0 9+-+-tR-+K0[ xiiiiiiiiy 37.£h8+ ¢e7 38.¦g8 ¦f8 [ 38...£d7 39.¦xd8! £xd8 40.£xd8+ ¢xd8 41.¦xe6 ] 39.£xh7+ ¢d6 40.¦g7 ¦f7 41.£xh5 £e7 42.¦g6 ¢d7 43.f3 Black's king is surrounded by pieces and White cannot win by direct attack. £f8 44.¦g5 £d6 45.¦ge5 Threatening Rxe6! ¥d5 46.¦e8 £f6 47.¦8e5 ¢c7 48.£g4 a6 49.£g3 ¢c8 50.£g4+ ¢c7 51.£g3 ¢c8 52.£g5 The repetition was probably due to time pressure, as White has every reason to play for a win. £xg5 53.¦xg5 ¢d7 54.¦g4 ¤e6 55.¢g1 ¤f4
XIIIIIIIIY 9-+-+-+-+0 9+p+k+r+-0 185 9p+p+-+-+0 9zP-+l+-+-0 9-+-+-snR+0 9+-+-+P+-0 9-zP-+-+PzP0 9+-+-tR-mK-0[ xiiiiiiiiy The endgame favors White because he already has passed pawns. 56.¦e3 ¢d6 57.b4 c5 58.bxc5+ ¢xc5 59.g3 ¤e6 60.¦g6 ¤f8 61.¦g5 ¢d4 62.¦ee5 ¦d7 [ 62...¥xf3? 63.¦ef5! ] 63.¦e1 ¤e6 64.¦g4+ ¢c3 65.¦e3+ ¢d2 66.¢f2 ¦c7 67.¦b4 ¦c5 68.h4 ¦xa5 69.f4 ¦c5 70.f5 a5 71.¦a4 b5 72.¦aa3! The threat of Re2+ is worth more than the pawn at a5. ¤f4 What else? 73.gxf4 ¥c4 74.¦e5 ¦c7 75.¦xa5 b4 76.¦ac5 ¦xc5 77.¦xc5 ¢c3 78.f6 b3 79.f7 b2 80.f8£ b1£ 81.£f6+ ¢d2 82.£d4+ 1-0
99
