Sacking the Citadel: The History, Theory and Practice of the Classic Bishop Sacrifice

Sacking the Citadel The History, Theory and Practice of the Classic Bishop Sacrifice by

Jon Edwards

Foreword by Karsten Muller

2011 Russell Enterprises, Inc. Milford, CT USA

Sacking the Citadel The History, Theory and Practice of the Classic Bishop Sacrifice by Jon Edwards ISBN: 978-1-888690-74-3

© Copyright 20 11 Jon Edwards All Rights Reserved No part of this book may be used, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any manner or form whatsoever or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. Published by: Russell Enterprises, Inc. P.O. Box 3131 Milford, CT 06460 USA http://www.russell-enterprises.com [email protected] Cover design by Janel Lowrance

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Signs & Symbols

5

Foreword

7

Introduction

8

The Classic Bishop Sacrifice Part I: History Chapter 1 The Life & Times of Giaocchino Greco

13

The Classic Bishop Sacrifice Part II: Theory Chapter 2 "On Attacking the Castled King"

26

Chapter 3 The Art ofChess Combination

30

Chapter 4 The Art ofAttack

36

Chapter 5 Contemporary Theory The 'itJg8 line The 'itJg6 line The 'itJh6 line The ~xg5 line The 'itJh8 line The '/¥txg5 line

49

50 56 72 78 84 88

The Classic Bishop Sacrifice Part III: Practice

Chapter 6 Games Greco's Greco's Greco's Greco's Greco's

94 Sacrifice, the Early Years Sacrifice, through 1910 Sacrifice, 1911-1935 Sacrifice, 1936-1959 Sacrifice, 1960-2010

94 95 126 161 200

Chapter 7 Greco's Quiz

361

Chapter 8 Related Literature

381

Bibliography

387

Index of Openings

390

Index of Asset Combinations

392

Index of Players

394

Signs & Symbols

1-0

White wins

0-1

Black wins

'i1-'i1

Draw agreed

+

check

""

mate a strong move

!!

a brilliant or unobvious move

?

a weak move, an error

!?

a grave error

!?

a move worth consideration an equal position

~

White stands slightly better

±

White has a clear advantage

+-

White has a winning position

'f

Black stands slightly better

'" -+

Black has a clear advantage

00

an unclear position

00

with compensation

ol

Olympiad

m

match

ch

championship

wch

world championship

corr

correspondence game

(D)

see the next diagram

Black has a winning position

5

Sacking the Citadel

6

Foreword

Greco's Greek Gift

A whole book on the single motif Axh7+? Is this really worth it and is enough relevant material available, I hear you ask. I can assure you that there is. The theme is so deep and rich that Jon Edwards has even decided to deal only with Greco's version of the classical Greek Gift sacrifice, Axh 7 +. After .tlg5+, Black's king can go to g8, h8, g6 and h6, when White again has different ways to continue the attack. Edwards deals with all of them in detail and even constructs a complete taxonomy of all motifs. Usually this is not done, as there is simply not enough space in a book to cover all themes and to analyze when it is likely that the combination of assets makes the sacrifice successful. Edwards does it, and does it well. Consequently, important motifs lie entirely open before your eyes and you can see how all the details and aspects of the "Greco" tactics work. This attention to detail is very important to the understanding of the royal game both in a general way and in great depth. Tactical motifs like Axh7+ followed by .tlg5+ are the ABC of chess, and understanding their essence will enable you to use them almost on intuition alone. But accurate calculation is of course also an extremely important skill. So you might want to try to figure out on your own if the sacrifice works, ifit is speculative or just unsound, then find Black's best defense and calculate to the end. As a result, you will have fun enjoying the fireworks, while learning one of the most important skills ofthe royal game.

Karsten Muller Hamburg November 20 10

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Sacking the Citadel

Introduction In or around 1620, Giaocchino Greco, an aspiring chess master from the Italian province of Calabria, made a remarkable discovery, a complex bishop sacrifice on h7 that often results in mate or material gain. More remarkable perhaps, he recorded the idea. This book attempts to fill two voids in the literature. The first is an accessible biography of Greco, whose unearthing of and willingness to share the sacrifice surely warrants some historical reward. His usual biographical treatments fill a few paragraphs. With a bit of sleuthing, I've been able to offer a somewhat lengthier narrative and to place his life within the broader context of his times and his contribution to modem chess. The second, and of more immediate interest to chess players, is my attempt to construct a comprehensive taxonomy of Greco's bishop sacrifice, to classify the conditions required for the sacrifice to succeed, to delineate its possibilities, and to chart its progress through the years. 8 7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Greco's Sacrifice on h7 (or h2 by Black) has figured in thousands of games and is well known by all serious chess players. The sacrifice is almost always accepted to prevent the loss of a pawn (there are a few, interesting exceptions), and the attacker soon follows with 4:\g5+ and then often with a queen move to attack h7 seeking a quick checkmate, a king hunt, or material (or positional) gain. The defender has four and sometimes five options, retreating the king to g8 (common) or h8 (uncommon and almost always awful), advancing the king to g6 (a dangerous but often stubborn defense), 'it'h6 (an interesting defense when White's dark square bishop has been exchanged or cannot easily reach the c I-h6 diagonal), or capturing the 4:\g5 (dangerous, especially if White has a pawn on h4 and a rook on hI). Some call the bishop sacrifice the "Greek Gift," likely an obscure reference to the Trojan Horse and Virgil's famous intonation in Aeneid 11.49 "timeo danaos et dona ferentes." ("I fear the Greeks even when they are bringing gifts.") It is possible that another master, the Italian Giulio Cesare Polerio, discovered it first. Simply

8

Introduction put, we will never know for sure. And some have named it after Edgard Colle, who used it to secure a brilliancy prize in 1930 at Nice (see game 62). In my view, the sacrifice, at least in the classic line involving 4:Jg5+, should be named after the Italian master who effectively shared it with the world. In The Art ofAttack in Chess, (London, 1965) Vukovic proposed that the name ought to be the Classic Bishop Sacrifice in deference to its early origin and simplicity. To make the question more confusing, there are other interesting sacrifices on h7 that do not involve a subsequent 4:Jg5+ or queen attack upon h7. Although it truly does not matter, I suggest simply that the notion ofthe Classic Bishop Sacrifice or Greek Gift ought to apply generically to the sacrifice of the bishop on h7. When the maneuver is followed classically within two or three moves by 4:Jg5+ and a queen attack upon h7, it is then a Greco Sacrifice, the focus of this book. As Vladimir Vukovic reminds us, Greco's Sacrifice "is the oldest and most explored of all the sacrifices involved in the attack of the castled king." Modern chess players are fully acquainted with the sacrifice and work hard to prevent it. And yet, thousands of modern games involve the sacrifice, often in complex, sophisticated, and pleasing circumstances. Greco's Sacrifice has been a regular topic in the popular chess literature. It appears, notably, as a 14-page chapter in Eugene Znosko-Borovsky's The Art of the Chess Combination (1936); chapter five of George Renaud and Victor Kahn's The Art of the Checkmate (1953); chapter six (and part of chapter 7) of Vladimir VukoviC's The Art of the Attack in Chess (1965); section 27 of Euwe and Kramer's The Middle Game, Book 2 (1965); sections 32-35 of Murray Chandler's popular How to Beat Your Dad at Chess (1998); in a delightful article by Pete Tamburro "A 400 Year-Old Attack," Chess Lifefor Kids (June, 2007); as a four-page section in Karsten Milller's challenging Chess Cafe Puzzle Book; and just last year (2009) in approximately half of J!xh7+ by David Rudel. The individual game with Greco's first bishop sacrifice appears notably as game #25 in Hoffmann's The Games of Greco, as game #199 in Irving Chernev's 1000 Best Short Games of Chess, and as game 31 in ChessBase's MegaBase 2010. Most publishers place strict limits on how much material authors can include in their work. Authors of books about chess tactics agonize over what they can include and what they must leave out. The point? The depth and length required for a complex taxonomy of the Greco Sacrifice are incompatible with publishers' usual requirements for more generalized texts. With regard to the Greco Sacrifice, Renaud and Kahn acknowledge: "A complete description of Greco's Mate would need at least one hundred pages and cannot, therefore, be included in this book, especially as this sacrifice does not necessarily lead to a forced mate."

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Sacking the Citadel Although Euwe and Kramer emphasize the importance of noting even "little accidental circumstances which may prove vital in assessing the correctness of the offer," they add: "It would not be possible to make a systematic explanation of every possible variation of the Bishop sacrifice on KR7 (h7) within the compass of this book. We shall have to limit ourselves to some of its most typical forms." And, despite coverage in four sections of his book, Murray Chandler agrees: "There are so many different positions where the classic Greek gift sacrifice can be played that an entire book could be written on the subject." And so, apart from Greco's biography in Chapter 1, that's what this book attempts to do. The book contains three sections. The first section provides the brief history of Greco and his discovery. The second section winds through the efforts made by Edwin Voellmy, Eugene Znosko-Borovsky, Vladimir Vukovic and others to explain the inner workings of the sacrifice. It ends with chapter 5, a contemporary classification that contains useful explanations for beginners and surprises even for the strongest chess players. The third and, by far, longest section contains more than 300 annotated games. I have made an effort to locate every published game that involved the sacrifice through to 1959 when Vukovic wrote about the sacrifice. More than a few ofthose 127 games have appeared in the literature, but often with significant errors. I have made an effort to correct the record. Among these games, for those who simply want to sample the remarkable history of the sacrifice, I recommend several of these contests. Game number 1, Greco's discovery, is of more than historic importance. Play through it, and marvel at the care required to achieve victory. It is not a coincidence that many sources include games 12 (Fritz- Mason 1883), 41 (Capablanca-Molina 1911), 65 (AlekhineAsgeirsson 1931), and 95 (Kottnauer-Kotov 1946). The most complex game by far in these early years was game 62 (Colle-O'Hanlon 1930) which will continue to challenge chess players for decades to come. I have made every effort to offer a verdict on the game, but the strongest players will want to examine that game and its many variations carefully. In the period from 1960 to the present, I was able to include less than ten percent of all the sacrifices I found. I spent months playing through every game and hand selecting the games that appear here. They form a remarkable lot, with varied and often quite challenging themes.

10

Introduction Those looking for a more instructive experience might start with chapter 5, the modern classification, and then run through this interesting set of games: 137 (Kranzl-Matrisch), 151 (Vieweg-Kadner), 170 (Short-Agdestein), 183 (ChandlerAnagnostopoulos), 195 (Harris-Trimpi), 237 (Hellsten-Jakobsen), 251 (AvrukhRamesh), and 284 (Fridman-Tan). For more advanced players, one group of the games are notable because they have significant theoretical interest within their respective openings. Such games include 147 (polugaevsky-Tal), 168 (Borg-Veer), 181 (Sax-Timman), and 261 (Blanco Gramajo-Salcedo Mederos). Although you can surely treat every game in the book as a test, I have also added a separate quiz in chapter 7. Some of you may be tempted to start there, but you will undoubtedly fare better by first reviewing the modern classification and at least an assortment of games. I must express my profound appreciation to the publisher, Hanon Russell. He was throughout willing to support this lengthy undertaking, and he was memorably compassionate when I underwent surgery earlier this year. I acknowledge a special debt of gratitude to Peter Tamburro, a well-known chess author and regular contributor to Chess Life, for his persistence in locating published examples and his many words of personal and chess encouragement. And, of course, I would never have completed the book without the love and support of my wife Cheryl, who has never once complained about my passion for the royal game. I express my gratitude to Alessandro Sanuito for permission to use the photograph of the Lisbon codice. Just before press time, German grandmaster Karsten MUller forwarded two remarkable games that were included as games 307 and 308. I thank Lorene Lavora for her friendship and for transforming many of the book's images. I hope to complement this effort in the years ahead by looking at other great players, notably Damiano, Philidor, Boden, Blackburne, Morphy, and their mates. Who were the people who passed down such wonderful mating patterns and sacrifices? How did their lives and times affect the contemporary game and our modern chess culture? And look at what their ideas have wrought! Jon Edwards Pennington, NJ December 20 10

11

Sacking the Citadel

The Classic Bishop Sacrifice Part I: History

12

Chapter 1 The Life & Times of Giaocchino Greco

Despite many disadvantages, a shortened lifespan, underprivileged roots, and no formal education, Giaocchino Greco (1600-1634) brought chess almost singlehandedly from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment and, in important respects, established the discipline for modem chess play. I would agree with Euwe, himself a former world champion, that Greco "was the first great genius in the history of modem chess."

A short but prolific life Very little is known of Greco's first two decades. He grew up in Southern Italy, in Celici (East ofCosenza) in Calabria, and hence his affectionate nickname, il Calabrese. As a common man, his life just two centuries earlier would have been significantly restricted. In an inventory of households, Wickrnann records that most households of the late Renaissance had a chess set. Even a man of average means, now with some spare time and growing self confidence, could have chess as part of his life. Greco's creative talent could find a memorable outlet. The Kingdom of Naples, of which Calabria was a province, was, with Madrid, one of the world's great chess centers. Under secure Spanish rule since 1501, the city of Naples had become a cosmopolitan city of approximately 400,000 people, in Europe second or third in population only to Paris and London. Home to artists such as Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, and Salvator Rosa, philosophers such as Giordano Bruno, Tomrnaso Campanella, and Bernardino Telesio, and writers such as Giovan Battista Marino, Naples represented an important cultural center that undoubtedly encouraged the freedom for personal exploration and philosophical inquiry that cultural breakthroughs usually demand. During the culmination of the Renaissance, the century before Greco was born, Italy had produced other chess masters, notably Paolo Bol, "il Siracusano" (15281598), Giovanni Leonardo, "The Wandering Knight" (1542-1587), Giulio Cesare Polerio (c. 1550-1610), Dr. Alessandro Salvio (c. 1570-1640), and Michaele di Mauro. It is a tribute to the Renaissance and its ideals that these were not nobles but common men who could marshal their talent and aspire to greatness in the art of chess. The last of Italy's Renaissance chess masters, Greco acquired knowledge ofthe game in local Italian clubs and improved quickly by reading the work ofRuy Lopez Libro de la invencion liberal y arte del juego del Axedrez ("Book of the Liberal Invention and Art of Playing Chess" 1561) and Salvio's first book, Trattato

13

Sacking the Citadel Dell' Inventione Et Arte Lieberale Del Gioco Di Scacchi (1604). On showing promise, Greco began studying with Don Mariano Marano, a celebrated local player who invited Greco into his home. Johanes Gutenberg's invention of moveable type printing in 1439 enabled the mass production of books. Years ago, I had the good luck to tour the rare book vault at Princeton University. Here were the fruits of Gutenberg's efforts. What struck me the most was that the bibles and other religious texts from that early period were magnificent and quite pristine. By remarkable contrast, the early chess books were haggard and worn to the bone, a clear sign of their esteem and use through the years. Among Greco's Italian contemporaries, only Salvio published books during his lifetime. Salvio's writings drew upon his own knowledge and experiences as well as others, and so it was natural perhaps that Greco's writings would borrow heavily from those he had read, especially Salvio's. His three chess works were all published in Naples, and so the two masters were very likely personally acquainted. By 1600, when Greco was born, Salvio was considered a leading player and perhaps even the unofficial world champion. Given to criticisms of other players and perhaps irritated that Greco appropriated his writings, Salvio intimated that Greco had not surpassed the ability of his instructor, Marano, but there seems little doubt that Greco, not unlike many modem prodigies, quickly surpassed the ability of his teacher and moved on. In 1513, Niccolo Machievelli (1469-1527), perhaps the Italian Renaissance's most famous political thinker, wrote The Prince, a summary of his political thinking. One of the book's key themes dealt with those qualities that a prince would need to prosper, to retain honor, glory, and fame. More than just a sound army and good fortune, a prince required certain qualities of leadership or "virtus." The Prince contains no definition of the word, but it appears to be a set of qualities that permit leaders to withstand blows to fortune. While a prince might not have all of the needed qualities for leadership, it was vitally important that he appear to have those qualities. Chess was a very small part of the equation, but its characteristics were well suited to a leisurely life, and it seems clear that an aristocrat incapable of playing well had at least to appear capable of doing so. Moreover, a merchant aspiring to a higher social level would be inclined to adopt the social trappings of the aristocracy. Skill at chess would help. In order to maintain their power and legitimacy, Renaissance rulers and noblemen understood the need for conspicuous sponsorship of the arts. Indeed, they competed amongst themselves to attract the finest practitioners. Jakob Burckhardt's "the state as a work of art," expresses in a single phrase the central role of the arts in personal and institutional settings. The role of chess and its masters appears remarkably similar to other forms of Renaissance creativity. Like Renaissance art,

14

The Life & Times of Giaocchino Greco music, mathematics, and architecture, chess could provide its experts with recognition and remuneration. Mathematicians and musicians, for example, traveled from town to town, impressing the local gentry with their skill in return for their financial support. In these areas of culture and inquiry, Italy exerted an almost hypnotic influence over the western world. Kings, princes, and affluent merchants competed for the services ofItaly's great painters and sculptors in an effort to bring culture and distinction to their courts and so, it was natural that they would also seek to attract Italy's great chess players. During the 16th century, it was common for artists to travel to Italy to work with the masters, and that may have been true with chess as well, but by 1620 when Greco set out to travel, the Renaissance was ebbing in Italy in the wake offoreign invasions and the Church's conservative reaction to the Reformation. And so, following the course of many accomplished chess players in the 15th and 16th centuries, Greco sought fame and fortune through matches and patronage. Around 1619, he obtained support from a number of Rome's wealthy prelates by providing them with a personally written collection of openings "Trattato del nobilissimo e militaire esercitio dei Scacchi, nel quale se contengano molti bellissimi tratti." In Rome, Monsignor Corsino della casa Minutoli Tegrini, Cardinal Savelli, and Monsignor Francisco Buoncompagni all received manuscripts. Copies of these manuscripts, dated 1620, are in the Corsiniana library in Rome. This member of the Buoncompagni family, who inherited his interest in chess from his father, the Duke of Sora, later became Archbishop of Naples. Later, as was also the custom for chess masters of the time, Greco traveled through France, England, and Spain, searching for the adventure of worthy opponents and the financial support oflocal nobility. Leaving Italy at the young age of 21, he impressed the court of Duke Enrico of Lorraine at Nancy and then took on Paris, where he earned the considerable sum of 5,000 crowns for defeating the leading players of France, Amault

15

Sacking the Citadel Ie Carabon. Chaumont de la Salle, and the Duke de Nemours. That may make Greco, suggests Andy Soltis, the world's first great money player. Unfortunately, we are told that Greco soon thereafter lost that sum to thieves while en route to London, although he regained at least a portion of his monies by defeating the best English players, notably Sir Francis Godolphin and Nicholas Mountstephen. Greco so impressed the English public that he very likely inspired the playwright Thomas Middleton to write A Game o/Chess. The satirical play, an allegory for the strained relationship between England and Spain, enjoyed considerable success until the Spanish Ambassador officially protested the play's insults. A contemporary French poem commemorated Greco's skill and provides some estimation ofthe French reverence for Greco's aggressive style of play: A peine dans la carriere Contre moi tu fais un pas, Que par ton demarche fiere Tous mes projets sont abas Je vois, des que tu t'avances Ceder tous mes defenses, Tomber tous mes champions Dans ma resistance vaine, Roi, Chevalier, Roc, and Reine Sont moindre que tes pions.

(Barely having begun the game) (Against me you make a move,) (Which, by your proud step) (Bring all my projects down) (I see, as soon as you advance) (Crushing all my defenses) (The defeat of all my champions) (In my vain resistance) (My King, Knight, Rook, and Queen) (Are less than your pawns.)

Having achieved entrepreneurial success and recognition as one of the world's best players, Greco spent three years towards the end of his short life at the Madrid court of Philip IV who, like his more famous predecessor, Philip II, took delight in the game. Spain had become the foremost western European power while Philip II (15271598) was king (from 1556 until his death). He massively increased the importation of silver, established the first Pacific trade routes, began settlements in the Philippines (which was named after him), and launched the famed Armada against England (which helps to explain the glaring antipathy of English historians). A Spanish priest, Rodrigo (Ruy) Lopez de Segura (c. 1540-1580) became the first modem chess writer and analyst and a favorite at the court of Philip II. An article in Harper's, "The Game of Chess: A scene in the Court of Philip II," describes the extent to which the King adored and embraced the game. History records that, at age 31, Greco died in the West Indies. He was in the company of a Spanish nobleman, undoubtedly another supporter. Apart from his obviously premature departure, there is no hint of impropriety in the history,

16

The Life & Times of Giaocchino Greco although other Italian chess masters of the time met untimely deaths, poisonings, at the hands of jealous adversaries. Leonardo, "the Wandering Knight," had traveled to the court of Philip II to challenge the great Ruy Lopez and Alfonso Ceron. In a match played before Philip II, Leonardo lost. Later, in Portugal, he defeated EI Morro, the strongest player there. He died years later in Naples, apparently poisoned by rivals. Having defeated the competition in Italy, Paolo Boi also traveled to the court of Philip II. Later, he became a favorite of Pope Pius V. On his return to Naples, Boi played Salvio. A five move combination won Salvio's queen, but Salvio had seen two moves deeper and won back his queen. Boi is said to have commented: "Youth can do more than age. You are in the prime of life, and I am seventy years old." Three days later, Boi also died from poison, though perhaps of his own doing.

Greco's manuscripts It was common at the time for masters to maintain notebooks offrequently played variations, the rough equivalent of today's databases. In an era when openings were not deeply analyzed, ideas were more easily discovered or improved, and masters seeking an edge would gather up and try to improve upon the ideas of the day. It is natural that Greco would have done so as well.

In return for the support of patrons, Greco shared with his benefactors handwritten manuscripts or codices that set forth his theories and thoughts about chess. His documents were all written in Italian and most have decorated title pages dedicated to a patron. Most included a dedication, a history of the game, a detailing of the game's remaining regional variations, summaries drawn from the works ofRuy Lopez and Salvio, and collections of Greco's own opening ideas, page after page ofthem. It is likely that others prepared the elaborate introductions, and that the sloppier Italian script of the games was in Greco's own hand. There are also variations within Greco's manuscripts. Not all contain introductions and, over time, they appear to be longer and somewhat better written. His handwriting, like his grammar, "improves by degrees," suggests White in Greco and His Manuscripts. And, suggests White, "there is so great a difference in the various signatures that it may be doubtful whether they are all by him." It may be, as White believes, that Greco had the early parts of the manuscripts calligraphed by artists and then wrote himself the body of the text, a hypothesis confirmed in part by the simplistic chess errors in the calligraphed portions of the manuscripts.

17

Sacking the Citadel

Their handwritten nature imposed practical limits on their length and number. Approximately 22 of his manuscripts have survived including several from the early Italian period. Alessandro Sanvito provides a detailed bibliography with wonderful images of the existing Greco manuscripts. Murray and White list and describe the existing manuscripts from Italy, France, and Great Britain. Murray, observes that by the time of Greco's second visit to France, the manuscripts "are no longer collections of openings only but are collections of games in which the play is continued until the mate is reached or in sight." He adds that these manuscripts "were treasured by their owners and their friends." By sharing complete games rather than simple opening variations, Greco departed from the practices of the other masters of his age. We know that Greco presented a beautiful copy of the manuscript to the Duke of Lorraine dated July 5,1621. In London, Greco presented copies of his manuscript to Sir Francis Godolphin and Nicholas Mountstephen. These, the first two manuscripts that contain complete games, are preserved today in the Bodleian Library and the British Museum. His recording ofthe games and their variations relied on a wordy notation that seems primitive by today's standards but which nonetheless permits any reader to replay Greco's exact moves and thoughts. Although the games contain many simplistic mistakes, they are particularly noteworthy for their consistent commitment to rapid development, the use ofthe initiative, and for the compelling punishment of weak play. When Greco returned to Paris in 1624, he replaced the longer and less attractive games and variations with many spectacular brilliancies. Throughout, Greco's notes were written in a style that exposed his limited education, but they also reveal a wondrous time of the exploration of new opening lines, not just the Giuoco Piano and Two Knights' Defense but also the Queen's Gambit, the Sicilian Defense,

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The Life & Times of Giaocchino Greco many lines of the King's Gambit, and even some fianchetto defenses. Greco appears to deserve the credit for discovering the Sicilian Wing Gambit (1.e4 c5 2.b4), From's Gambit (1.f4 e5) and an aggressive variation of the Falkbeer Counter Gambit (l.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.c x d5 c6). Chess in the Renaissance While the literature ofthe late Middle Ages occasionally portrayed lower classes as chess players, the reality was that chess was the predominant preserve of the nobility. The still preserved jewel-encrusted sets are clearly regal. Only slowly did the game map European social structure into the rules and the pieces. When chess arrived in Europe, the rules of the contemporary Arabic game were preserved. Indeed, until about 1200, Europeans played with Muslim rules and sets. But the Muslim pieces were abstract in deference to the Koran's prohibition of casting naturalistic figures in art. With time, medieval Europe, with its tradition of animistic worship, preferred more realistic images. At first, members of the aristocracy vied to commission the most unusual sets depicting real or legendary conflicts. In the process, the male counselor, the vizier, having no place in the European political order, became the queen, the tusks ofthe elephant, rising as two points, began to resemble the animal itself and then became the headdress of the bishop (in France, the jester), the horse became the knight (with eyes), and the chariot became the tower, today's rook. Only the king and pawn, at opposite ends of the social hierarchy, retained their original identities, even though their form also became far more realistic. The emergence of more schematic pieces, less pretentious and less expensive, appealed to the emerging group of serious players who could travel from region to region and still recognize the pieces. Indeed, Greco's pieces would be recognized instantly today. It is remarkable, to me at least, that the histories of the Italian Renaissance almost never mention chess, especially given the game's long-standing association with intellectual achievement. One of the rare exceptions is Fernand Braudel's Capitalism and Material Life, 1400-1800 in which, within the context of humanism and the urgent desire for order and human control, he discusses an emerging cadre of European town planners during the Renaissance to put forth plans in chessboard patterns. The transformation may help to account for such configurations in European colonies and even for the town square in Marostica, a small town in the province ofVicenza where, every two years, the townspeople play out a game of human chess in the town's square, itself a giant chessboard. The "Renaissance" or rebirth, sought to emulate the glories and high civilization of the Greeks and Romans. Renaissance humanism emphasized the notion that

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Sacking the Citadel while God created the universe, humans developed and industrialized it. And so, the Italian Renaissance, the rebirth, is best remembered for its human achievements, its music, its art, its literature, its architecture, and its science. Inevitably, perhaps, these efforts also laid the foundation for our modern world, the emergence of secular states, and the remarkable growth of the natural sciences. As it transpired, the great cultural change and achievements ofthe period also involved remarkable changes in the game of chess. Within 20 miraculous years at the end of the 15th century, near the penultimate years of the Renaissance, the game of chess emerged with a set of invigorating, new rules. During the same era in which Michelangelo carved the Pieta, Copernicus gazed into the stars, da Vinci conceptualized a helicopter, and Columbus began his journeys across the Atlantic, the chess queen and bishop gained the ability to move more than a single square, the king and rooks could now castle, the pieces representing the king and queen now towered over all the others, and pawns that had not yet moved could thrust forward two squares. This latter adjustment in the rules required one additional change, the en passant pawn capture, which was undoubtedly introduced to prevent a pawn from queening without the opponent's pawn on an adjacent rank having a chance to stop it. Marilyn Yalom offers a wonderful discussion in Birth of the Chess Queen about how the queen, initially the weakest piece resting at the side of the king, came to assume such great powers despite her secondary status in society. When the game reached Europe, all ofthe pieces were of approximately the same size. By the 16th century, the king and queen tower above the other pieces. To what extent did the emergence ofthis powerful piece reflect the growing power of real-life queens and women of privilege? Did her presence on the chessboard symbolize an enduring, monogamous partnership, and perhaps also the reality that in some European countries, most notably Isabella of Castile, women ruled alone and determined the inheritance ofland? Undoubtedly inspired by Europe's desire to see itself in the game and to speed it up, the new moves harmonized astonishingly well. The books and travels of masters like Greco helped to standardize the rules and spread enthusiasm for the superior, new version. Under the old rules, even slight material advantages were easy to sustain. Players tended to build up their positions patiently, laying siege to their opponent's positions over dozens of moves. I suspect that the former rules suited Europe's aristocracy because anyone could quickly learn and feel that they were playing competitively. In this regard, chess differed dramatically from the other arts. Not every prince could paint or play an instrument well, but all could claim some ability at chess. Now, in the new, more dynamic game, material could be sacrificed even early in the game to obtain significant counterplay or to achieve attractive checkmates. Wonderfully complex combinations could net significant material gain or significant

20

The Life & Times of Giaocchino Greco strategic advantages. In many ways, chess now brought to Europe the kind of harmony and beauty that we normally attribute to the art, music, and architecture of the period. To the detriment of the aristocracy, the new rules appealed to the growing intellectual elite in Europe and, over time, helped to change chess from a noble pursuit to one in which even a common man like Greco could hope to achieve greatness. I have already noted the widespread availability of inexpensive sets during the Renaissance which obviously reduced the exclusivity of the game. During the Renaissance and through Greco's life, as we have seen, the nobility sought to sustain its command over the game by contracting for lessons and information from the most talented players. Over a century or more, however, the nobility grew discouraged with chess as a leisure activity, abandoning the game to players recognized for their skill. Perhaps it is more remarkable, as suggested by Colleen Schafroth, that chess survived at all during this period of re-examination and inquiry. As a consequence of the apparent powers of concentration required to play the new game, youngsters were advised by Baldassare Castiglione Libro del Cortegiano (Book of the Courtier), 1528 to seek out more profitable endeavors. Around the time of Greco's youth, England's King James I, who was evidently frustrated with the royal game, revealed: "I thinke it over fond because it is overwide and Phiosophicke a folly. For where all such light playes, are ordained to free mens heads for a time, from the fashious thoughts on their affaires; it by the contrarie filleth and troubleth mens heads, with as many fashious toyes of the play, as it was filled with thoughts on his affaires" (Yachnin, p.316). Ironically, Greco's travels throughout Europe did not include a return to Italy where the new castling conventions were not yet agreed upon in every community, notably that a king, once placed in check, could not subsequently castle. The centers of chess would soon pass to the other locales in Europe that adopted all of the modern rules. Starting a chess game in Italy would for years require that competitors first agree on the rules, while elsewhere in Europe, players could benefit from a consistent approach. Italy, perhaps the most important chess region in the world, would quickly become its backwater.

Into the Enlightenment By the late 18th century, with a growing leisure class, interest in chess was exploding throughout Europe. A game that had been dominated by kings and princes was now the rage, especially in French and English coffee houses. And, in the restless age of the enlightenment, ambitious common men could aspire to excel at chess, and they had Greco largely to thank.

21

Sacking the Citadel Like many artists whose work becomes celebrated only after their death, Greco's legacy became apparent only decades and centuries after his life had ended. The first English edition of Greco's work appeared in London in 1656 when Francis Beale published The Royale Game of Chesse-play, Sometimes the recreation of the late King, with many of the Nobility, Illustrated with almost an hundred Gambetts, Being the Study of Biochimo the famous Italian, a selection of games from one of Greco's English manuscripts. This edition by Beale was the most important chess book written in English to that time, and inspired the poet Richard Lovelace to pen an epigraph: Sir, now unraveled is the Golden Fleece: Men that could only fool at Fox and Geese Are new made politicians by thy book, And both can judge and conquer with a look. The hidden fate of princes you unfold; Court, clergy, commons, by your law controlled; Strange, serious wantoning, all that they Blustered, and cluttered for, you play. A more usefully compiled and combined edition, "Chess Made Easy, or the Games ofGioachino Greco, the Calbrain, with additional games and openings, illustrated with remarks and general rules" appeared in 1750 and thereafter generated 41 editions in French, English, German, Dutch, Danish, and Italian. A facsimile of the German edition, which was compiled in 1784 by Moses Hirschel, appeared as recently as 1979. These editions of Greco's treatise on chess play made Greco the first chess master to supply the masses with complete games that illustrated carefully honed opening and middlegame strategies.

Greco's games Most ofthe Greco games that fill these editions contain brilliant combinations and sacrifices that anticipate remarkably the 19th century's Romantic Age ofAnderssen, Morphy, and Blackburne. Here, the first recorded smothered mate:

(a)NN-Greco Giuoco Piano [C50] Europe 1620

1.e4 e5 2.4)0 4)c6 3.Ac4 Ac5 4.0--0 4)f6 5.13e1 0--0 6.c3 fIe7 7.d4 exd4 8.e5 4)g4 9.cxd4 4) xd4 10.4) xd4 fIh4 1l.4)f3

22

The Life & Times of Giaocchino Greco

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

11 ... ~xf2+ 12.\fIhl ~gl+ 13.{)xgl {)f2# 0-1 (b) Greco - NN Europe 1620 Sicilian Defense [B20]

l.e4 c5 2.b4 cxb4 3.d4 e6 4.a3 bxa3 5.c4 11,b4+ 6.11,d2 11,xd2+ 7. ~xd2 d5 8.e5 dxc4 9.11,xc4 {)c610.{)e2 {)ge711.laxa3 0-012.0-0 {)f513.lad3 a6 14.f4 b515.J1.b3 a5 16.g4 {)h617.h3 a418..1lc2 b419.f5 exf5 20.g5 b3 21.Jl.dl ~a5 22. ~f4 ~b5 23.lag3 11,d7 24.gxh6 g6 25. ~g5 f6 26.exf6laf7 27.{)f4 {) xd4 28.{) xg6 {)e6 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

29.{)e7+ \fIh8 30.~g7+ {)xg7 31.fxg7+ laxg7 32.hxg7# 1-0

23

Sacking the Citadel (c) Greco Composition 1623 Black to move and draw 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

1...~a1+ 2.~f1 ~xf1+ 3.~xf1 Ah3 4.~f2 Axg2 when White, unable to control the h8-queening square, cannot force the h-pawn home. VI-VI

More than simply learning the rules, seventeenth century readers might discern from these complete games appropriate lines of opening play and even middlegame strategies. Here were also magnificent finishes, with breathtaking queen sacrifices, king walks, and checkmates. Perhaps, Greco found that placing such ideas and games in his manuscript would boost his immediate standing and his financial support, but there is no doubt that the games had a powerful impact on the 17thand 18th-century public. There is considerable debate among the chess historians regarding whether these were real games or composed variations. None of his opponents' names are recorded, for example, and many seem simply to be interesting variations chosen for their appeal rather than complete games. For most players, the discussion is unimportant because there is no debate about the lasting effect of these editions, revelation of the enchanting possibilities of chess to a public hungry for such knowledge. And so, the 1750 English edition promised, as a subtitle, "The whole, so contrived, that any person may learn to play in a few Days without any farther Assistance. " Losing no opportunity to appeal to the common man, the edition also contains a clever frontispiece, an image by C. D. Moor that represents an older man and young boy sitting and playing chess, with a man overlooking them holding a glass of wine. Note also the guitar hanging upon the wall, and the cloth and furniture representative of common usage in the 16th century. Having risen from humble and uneducated roots, Greco had emerged long after death as an educator of the masses, a true Renaissance man in the age of the Enlightenment.

24

The Classic Bishop Sacrifice Part II: Theory

C H E S S Made Eafy: OR, THE

GAM E S OF

GIOAClllNO GRECO, The CALAIlRJAN; With Additional GAMES and OPEN1NGS, llluJ\.nteJ with

RemarkJ and Gmeral Rilles. The Whole fo contrived. thr.t 11")' Per {on may leam to play in. kIV Days,

witho.t any fartb"

:\ai~nre

LONDO Printed {(It J 3114 P«K)'APT.' Jlmt, and W £.\111)' \" 1111 MtlC, t.

25

Sacking the Citadel

Chapter 2 "On Attacking the Castled King"

In his 1000 Best Short Games o/Chess, Irving Chernev's coverage of Greco's 1620 sacrifice was especially notable for its mention of Erwin Voellmy's taxonomy. Without that mention, subsequent writers might well have failed to credit Voellmy with his fine achievement.

Erwin Voellmy In 1911, Dr. Erwin Voellmy (1886-1951) was the first chess player to attempt to construct a functional taxonomy or classification of Greco's sacrifice.

(On Attacking the Castled King), was the first to examine the conditions that must exist for the Greco sacrifice to succeed. Voellmy's first attempt leaves useful principles, the basis for every future taxonomy. Voellmy's efforts fall well short of a comprehensive classification, but given the material and tools available to him in 1911, he certainly provides a remarkably firm foundation.

Voellmy taught mathematics, authored several chess books, notably Die An/angsgriinde des Schachspiels, (Basel: H Majer) 1927 and Schachtaktic (in three volumes) (Basel: H.Majer) 1928, and for 40 years contributed a chess column in Basler Nachrichten, a German-language daily newspaper published in Basel, Switzerland. He won the Swiss chess championship in 1911, 1920, and 1922 and represented Switzerland in the first three chess Olympiads. Undoubtedly his most notable chess achievement was a shared first with Alexander Alekhine at Bern 1932. Unfortunately, I have found no record of a Voellmy game using the Greco sacrifice.

Voellmy adds annotated games at the end of each part of his two-part article. Finding the games in 1911 without the help of a database was itself an impressive achievement. The 13 games he provides are especially useful because seven of them do not appear in the ChessBase's large Mega database. Three of the 13 games that Voellmy includes are entertaining but strangely are not Greco Sacrifices. All three involve bishop sacrifices onh7, but are not followed at any point by a subsequent knight check on g5 or any

His 1911 article in Schweizerischen Schachzeitung, the Swiss Chess Review, "Vom Rochadeangriff: Ein Beitrag zur Theorie des Mittelspiels"

26

"On Attacking the Castled King" of the themes that Voellmy discusses. One of the games is simply an instructive but concocted variation of the French Defense, provided below. The remaining nine Greco sacrifices are discussed in chapter 6 as games 7, 8, 12,17,21,22,23,36,and38. I review his efforts at classification in detail because his article is very difficult to locate, because many readers may not be able to read or translate effectively Voellmy's original German text, and because the following findings are useful for what follows. Voellmy begins his essay by emphasizing that the Greco Sacrifice is marked first and foremost by the bishop capture on h 7. A successful subsequent attack, he continues, requires a combination of factors such as better development, superior control of space, and the displacement of key defending pieces. When these factors are present, the defending side can be exposed to a ferocious assault. These observations are generalized fore bearers of the observations put forth in 1959 by Vladimir Vukovic (see chapter 4). In his second paragraph, Voellmy presents basic and sound strategy for the ~g8 line. In the following diagram, when the queen arrives on h5, it threatens checkmate on h 7 but also brings influence over the f7-square. It often proves to be impossible to defend against both attacks. In this fragment, we can presume that the black queen cannot defend safely with ~d8-d3. Therefore, to create a safety square for the king, the 1:!f8 must often leave f8, in this case to e8, giving the white queen the choice of capturing either the f-pawn or the h-pawn. Voellmy uses the

27

following diagram fragment to illustrate that it is often best to capture first on f7 rather than on h7. In this fragment, it's mate in five if Black defends with 1...1:!e8, but only if White continues correctly with 2.i!ltxf7, setting up the checkmate by removing the black fpawn. For implementations of the checkmate that Voellmy might well have seen, see games 6,14,22,32,36 and 39.

VoeUmy's fragment Mate in five moves after 1...1:!e8

1 ... §e8 2. ~xf7+ 2.~h7+ <M8 3.~h8+ ~e7 4.~xg7 2 •.• ~h8 3.~hS+ ~g8 4.~h7+ ~f8 S.~h8+ ~e7 6.~xg7.

Voellmy draws useful principles from the above example. (1) For the sacrifice to succeed, Black's h7-square must be protected only by the king. The normal 4Jf6 defender has left or been driven off, customarily by e4-e5 advance. And the defender will not have control over the bl-h7 diagonal or be able to play ~c8-f5 owing to the closed nature of the pawn structure with a black pawn on e6, a structure common in several openings, notably the Queen's Gambit and the French Defense. In such openings, White often advances the e-pawn to e5, driving off the 4Jf6 to d7.

Note that Voellmy does not mention the possibility of maneuvering the black

Sacking the Citadel queen onto the b1-h7 diagonal, a theme that will occur regularly in later chapters. It is also odd that the fragment does not include a black pawn on e6, a customary feature whose absence will often result in a successful defense with J1cS-f5.

often rests on d8 or c7) or other significant material, and ii1txg7 +. In order for White's attack in this line to succeed, Voellmy emphasizes that Black must not be able to force the white queen off the g-file. Voellmy draws no distinction whatever between the two variations (1.~d3 and 1. ii1tg4) and offers no other possibilities for White or Black in the ~g6 line. There's no hint, for example, ofh4-h5 as a main line, of the effect of Black's .. .£7-f5, or the complexities of White's en passant capture on f6.

(2) For checkmate to occur after the ~h7-gS retreat, the d6 and dS escape squares must be occupied or controlled, and the attacking queen must be able to capture safely on f7 once the ~fS moves away. Therefore, there must be no .£\g6 or ~d7. The defender must not be able to distract the attack with a successful counter-attack on the attacking king or queen. If Black retains a knight on e7, White should play ii1txh 7 + rather than ~xf7.

Voellmy expressed surprise that it was hard to find an example to illustrate adequately his points about the ~g6 line. "Examples with a straight forward character are far more rare than one would think." He therefore offered the following example, an interesting line in the Steinitz variation of the French Defensem[Cll].

As we will see later in some detail, Voellmy is substantially correct in these observations but lacking in the detail that generations of future chess now allow. It is remarkable, given the lack of any supporting games or examples, that Voellmy recognized that Black might have a successful counter-attack. Although he acknowledges its importance, Voellmy gave no example of why a black knight on e7 significantly changes the analysis.

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£le3 .£lf6 4.e5 .£lfd7 5.f4 e5 6.dxe5 .£le6 7 ..£lf3 Axe5 8.Ad3 O-O? (S .. .f6 Probably best, challenging the center)

Ifthese criteria are set for the ~gSline, continues Voellmy, the only hope for the defender will lie in the advance of the king to g6. (3) In the line with ... ~g6, White should seek to play 1.ii1td3+ f5 2.~g3 or 1.ii1tg4 f5 2.ii1tg3 when the discovered check by the knight will have at least two threats: .£\e6+ winning the queen (which

abc

d

e

f

g

h

9.Axh7+!? 9.a3!? 9 •.. xh/lO..£lg5+ g6! 10 ... ~h6? 11.~d3! with the idea of ~h7# (11.~g4+) 11...~hS

28

"On Attacking the Castled King" 12.<£lxf7++- (12.f5+-). The 'it'gBline involves the usual mate in two, 10 ...'it'gB? 1 I.~h5 §eBl2.~xf7+ ~hB

makes only three brief observations in a single paragraph.

13.~h5+ ~gB14.~h7+ 'it'fB15:~hB+

First, the h4-pawn is often required to support the knight's movement to g5. Second, capturing the knight on g5 will usually activate the White rook on hI. And third, forward movement of the king to g6 leads frequently to challenging positions in which the mating attack can be quite complex.

~e7 16.~xg7#;

1O ... ~hB??

1I.~h5+

~gB 12.~h7#. 1l.~d3+

Voellmy misses an opportunity to discuss 1I.h4!? and to point out one of the interesting differences between ~d3 and ~g4. After 1I.~d3 f5, White gains the option to play 12.<£lxe6. The most challenging try is 1 I.h4!? f5 12.<£lxe6 ~a5 when White, with promising moves such as ltd2, g4, ~xd5, and even h5 has a tangible advantage. 1l •.. f5 12. ~g3 Not 12.exf6+? ~xf613.<£lh7+ ~f7 14.<£lxfB <£lxfB'I=; or 12.<£lxe6 ~a5 13.<£lxfB+ <£lxf814.ltd2 <£lb415.~g3+ ~h7=. 12 •.• ~e8 The only move given byVoellmy, but 12 ... ~a5! 13.ltd2 ~b4 14.<£lxe6+ 'it'f7 15.<£lxfB <£lxf8=. 13.~xe6+ ~f7 14.~c7 ~d8+-

15.e6+ "with material advantage," according to Voellmy, but Black can gain equality. Far better is 15.<£lxaB! +-. 15... ~g816.exd7 ~xc717.dxc8~ ~xc8=

The second part of the article, published in December 1911, looked at Greco Sacrifice lines in which White has already played h4. Accompanied by games 8, 12, 17, and 23 (and a non-Greco game, Pillsbury-Hanham, 1893), Voellmy

29

The few readers with copies of Voellmy's original articles will observe that I have written more about Voellmy than he did about Greco's Sacrifice. I have done so out of respect and admiration. His was the first effort to classify the sacrifice. His efforts are certainly limited and flawed. He spends most of his print time on the ~gB line but never even mentions lines involving ~h6. There is very little coverage of lines involving a capture on g5. And his classification provides little help in the complex lines and the many variants that modern chess reveals. But given the surprising paucity of the evidence available to him, Voellmy did remarkably well. He certainly advanced the conversation constructively, and he deserves his place in the history and practice of the Greco Sacrifice.

Sacking the Citadel

Chapter 3 The Art of Chess Combination

Eugene Znosko-Borovsky (1884-1954) was a Russian chess master, writer, teacher and literary critic. Born in St. Petersburg, he debuted in international chess at Ostend 1906, winning the Brilliancy Prize for his game against Amos Burn. His chess career was interrupted repeatedly by military service. He served in the RussoJapanese battles of 1904 and 1905 and then during World War I. Thereafter, he settled in Paris. Znosko-Borovsky most notable chess result was a first in Paris, 1930 ahead of Tartakower, Lilienthal, and Mieses. During his career, he defeated Capablanca, Rubinstein, Euwe, and Bogoljubov and beat Colle in a short match in 1922.

Eugene Znosko-Borovsky Voellmy's important essay." Although the quote suggests that many authors were guilty of the omission, the existing literature shows that Renaud and Kahn were referring only to ZnoskoBorovsky's The Art of Chess Combination. In my opinion, the failure to mention Voellmy's obscure articles does not meaningfully bear upon Znosko- Borovsky's treatment. It suggests simply that there may have been bad blood between the Frenchmen.

He is well remembered for his widely selling short book, How Not to Play Chess, and his contributions to middlegame theory. It was in his 1936 book, The Art of Chess Combination, that he devoted fourteen pages to the Greco Sacrifice. His treatment is more detailed and far more wide-ranging than Voellmy's. He sets a somewhat higher standard for a classification of the sacrifice by looking in more depth at two of the main variations.

Given the obscurity of Voellmy's taxonomy, Znosko- Borovsky's treatment was for most chess players their first overview of the Greco Sacrifice. Znosko-Borovsky places the sacrifice within the context of attacks upon a castled king. While castling is often played to provide safety to the

Writing in 1953, Renaud and Kahn state that "most people who have studied this sacrifice have omitted to mention

30

The Art of Chess Combination king, he notes that the reality can be that the king is left alone in these positions to protect the pawn cover, leaving the pawns weaker than they were prior to castling and the target of potentially dangerous and appealing attacks. Znosko-Borovsky states that White's assault upon the black king often involves three pieces, a knight that can reach g5, a light-square bishop on the bl-h7 diagonal, and the queen which can exert additional pressure on h 7 from the h-file, usually h5 or h4, or from along the bl-h7 diagonal. The sacrifice is often needed because playing 4Jg5 first would permit Black in many instances to repel the attack against the h7-square by playing ... g6 or ... h6. Znosko-Borovsky later adds that, for the sacrifice to succeed, it is necessary to drive off the defending 4Jf6 usually and most effectively with the e5-pawn advance but, depending upon circumstances, with a ~g5xf6 capture or with 4Jg4 or 4Je4, though White must preserve at least one knight to follow the sacrifice with 4Jg5+. The proceeding observations and conclusions are unobjectionable. Znosko-Borovsky then suggests: "this triple force (the bishop, knight, and queen) is normally sufficient to assure the success of the attack." This simplesounding principle may have seemed useful to early chess readers but it is inaccurate and unhelpful. We can collectively compliment ZnoskoBorovsky for attempting to provide the first generalized advice, but it is seriously flawed. As we have already seen in general terms, additional support beyond the three pieces is

31

almost always required for the sacrifice to succeed in all variations. In the \t>g8 line, Znosko-Borovsky correctly observes that the 4Jg5 and ~h5 are usually sufficient with their combined attack on h7 and f7. Like Voellmy, he adds that the attack is called into question ifthe defender can defend the f7 pawn with a piece other than the Elf8. In the \t>g6 line, Znosko-Borovsky becomes the first commentator to distinguish between the ~d3+ and ittg4, but here too his conclusions are simplistic and misleading. We shall later observe that there are conditions under which each move can be superior. Znosko-Borovsky concludes his introductory remarks instead that the check along the diagonal seldom leads to gain because the 4Jg5 is often en prise and because Black can parry the attack in several ways, notably with f7f5. He therefore recommends ~g4, when White, even after .. .f5 ~g3 .. .f4 ittg4, gains the immediate threat of a powerful discovered check that often will net a queen, a rook or a powerful double attack upon the g7 pawn. In the main, these observations are inaccurate and unhelpful. Znosko-Borovsky suggests that even the capture of the ElfS in the \tlg6 line provides adequate compensation, a finding that is very often inaccurate. He concludes that "When none of these threats is realizable, the combination is doomed to failure; but it is rarely that discovered checks are innocuous." Again, his conclusions are simplistic, even in the first main example that he reviews. As we shall see, the \tlg6 is

Sacking the Citadel There were certainly far more instructive games at Znosko-Borovsky's disposal.

often the most complex of the lines, but there are other possibilities for White in this line beyond the choice of ~d3 and ~g4. It is often useful to use the continuing threat of the discovered check to bring in reinforcements, but there are also many positions in which the discovered checks are indeed, remarkably innocuous.

Colle-O'Hanlon, 1930 Znosko-Brorovsky switches abruptly from a simplistic, unhelpful example to one that is unarguably the most complex Greco Sacrifice at his disposal, ColleD'Hanlon, from 1930 (see game #62).

Yates - Marin, 1930

Here too, he notes that the three pieces are appropriately posted for the sacrifice and the white ~c1 assists the attack by guarding the .£lgS.

Rather than use Greco's discovery from 1620, Znosko-Borovsky starts his discussion of specific examples with Yates-Marin, 1930 (see game #64), a strange choice because the position in that game at the time of the sacrifice involves a white queen on g4 rather than on dl. After the acceptance of the sacrifice, White's best continuation is not the usual 2 ..£lgS but rather the more powerful and unthematic 2.~hS+! forcing the black king back to g8 and obviating even the possibility of the other variations.

He emphasizes from the start that the black kingside is insufficiently defended and yet we know from even a casual glance at Black's position that the previous movement of the black rook to e8 (creating the flight square to f8) and the absence of a white pawn on e5 controlling the key f6-square should cause at least some pause in drawing optimistic conclusions. Without the need to create a flight square for the king in the 'it>g8 line by moving the rook from fB-e8, Black can use that move to bring a piece to f6 or to defend the f7 square laterally, with a queen on f6, or with a knight on eS.

Znosko-Borovsky suggests that this first example "Shows the matter very simply," because all three pieces, the bishop, knight, and queen are present, because the black king defends the h7pawn by itself, and because there is no black knight on f6 to prevent the combination from succeeding. But in tenns of pedagogy, the use of the Yates -Marin game is a poor choice. Its sacrifice involves only the single variation, it involves an inversion of the usual attacking move order, and does nothing to show off even the possibility of~g6, ~h6, ~h8, or a capture ofthe .£lgS. Given the queen's placement and its quick access to h5, the game barely meets my definition of a Greco Sacrifice.

Although he provides no analysis whatsoever, he concludes that careful analysis demonstrates that White wins in all lines. "We see the valuable lesson for White that in such a case the sacrifice may be made without hesitation and for Black that he must foresee the sacrifice and parry the menace. In the present position, Black's previous move was cxd4, a grave blunder, for a defending

32

The Art of Chess Combination move such as 4Jf6 would have removed all danger." There are numerous errors and distortions in this quotation. There are world-class players who are willing to rely primarily upon intuition, at least in simultaneous exhibitions, but the sacrifice in the Colle game was so remarkably complex that at least some preparatory analysis was advisable. In the actual game, Black crumbled under the defensive chore, a common occurrence as we will see throughout the games, but few players would want to bank regularly on their opponents' future errors. 4Jf6 would have prevented the sacrifice, but its absence cannot be reasonably faulted given the ultimate unsoundness of Colle's move. Finally, Znosko-Borovsky's failure to offer any analysis of this amazing game, and his overarching desire simply to draw intuitive conclusions, seem to me to brand his treatment as intellectually lazy and pedagogically unhelpful. These are, for me, strong conclusions, but as we shall see, not as strong as the conclusions that Vukovic reached. To further the embarrassment, ZnoskoBorovsky asserts that success is easy against the ~g8 retreat owing to the double threat against the undefended h7- and f7-squares when the knight reaches g5 and the queen reaches h5. As we will see in the analysis of the game, Black's best hope rests precisely in this challenging line. There are perpetual checks to be had and Black may obtain drawing if not winning chances when able to run the king to the queenside. Throughout his entire chapter on the Greco Sacrifice, Znosko-Borovsky has only two mentions of the ~h6Iine, that

33

Black is lost whenever the king goes there, without emphasizing the key role of White's dark-square bishop and whether Black can successfully play ... §'h8. As we will see, there are many positions in which ~h6 comes into consideration because the dark-square bishop has been traded or is off the c1h6 diagonal. His most useful observations in the Colle game come in the ~g6Iine, in no small part because that line represents a convincing win for White. Although he began the chapter by emphasizing the importance of following ~g6 with ~g4, this queen sortie does not succeed in the Colle game because Black can play 4Jf6 or f5 and the white queen cannot successfully retreat to g3. "We see then that this attack is only possible when the g3-square is neither blocked nor attacked." Znosko-Borovsky's final generalization that "generally the king's flight to g6 is not advisable, for there he is too exposed to attacks" is simply unhelpful. There are, as we will see, many times when '
He uses this game, our Game #65, to note an additional role for white h-pawn, not simply as support for the 4Jg5 and

Sacking the Citadel to threaten h5+ as in Colle-O'Hanlon, but to respond to the capture of the knight by a ~e7 with the h-pawn and using the opening of the h-file to fuel the attack and "to justify the original sacrifice." These are useful observations, but they are again spoiled by Znosko-Borovsky's lethargic lack of analysis:

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

"It is impossible to analyze all the variations here, or even the principal one, comprising as it does no less than 19 moves. It is plain, too, that White could not imagine all of the tactical combinations which sprang out of the main combination. The essential point is to have so favorable a position that without a clear vision of the result a bold sacrifice is justified ... In our example, the bishop sacrifice is justified because the essential conditions which we have laid down are fulfilled. There is nothing to fear."

(Game #12):

h

Mason-Fritz is one of the few games in which Znosko-Borovsky offers an opinion based on calculation. He suggests that, after 'it'g6, White cannot play 12.~g4 owing to ~xg5, 13.hxg5 ~xg5 when "the attack is repulsed," but he overlooks a much stronger, winning plan, 13 ..£Je2! with the idea of .£Jf4 and

8 Il!lli!~§~"..!~I.i.• 7

6 5 4

3 2

~h5.

e

g

Znosko-Borovsky correctly observes that the rook on f8 hurts the defense because 'it'g8 is no longer a viable option. The black king must therefore migrate forward to g6, "which as we know," suggests Znosko-Borovsky, "leads to disaster." The verdict, of course, is correct, but the reliance on generalizations rather than some analysis leaves much to be desired.

Znosko-Borovsky redeems himself somewhat by comparing two nearly identical positions from AlekhineAsgiersson, 1931 and Mason-Fritz

d

f

There is enormous pedagogical power in comparing variations from very similar positions. In these two games, White's position is identical. In Alekhine-Asgiersson in the first diagram, Black has played t!e8 and c5, while in Mason Fritz, Black chose a queenside fianchetto that leaves the rook on f8.

Mason - Fritz, 1883

abc

d e

f

g

h

34

The Art of Chess Combination Capablanca-Molina, 1911 After looking at three games, MarshallBum (Paris, 1900), Capablanca-Becker (Carlsbad, 1929), and lanowski-Chajes (New York, 1916) in which Black prevents a possible Greco Sacrifice by compromising each kingside with f-, g-, and h-pawn advances, ZnoskoBorovsky concludes with a discussion ofCapablanca-Molina (Game # 42). He correctly notes that the 'ittgB line loses quickly owing to blocking of the king's escape by the ~fB. In the 'ittg6 line, Black's only hope, White's i£1g4, is not decisive, he adds, because the queen cannot safely remain on the g-file after 14.i£1g4 f5 15.i£1g3 f4! 16.exf4 4Jf5 17.i£1g4 4Jh6 with a perpetual. Not content with the verdict of a forced draw, having already suggests that the 'it>g6 line is inherently too dangerous to consider, Znosko-Borovsky attempts

35

to demonstrate that White does indeed have significant winning chances with 16.i£1g4 e5 17.4Je6+ (a powerful discovered check, but the knight is selfpinned!) 17 ... 'it>fB IB.~adl (lB.4JxdB Axg4) IB ... i£1eB19.i£1d6 "with manifold threats," but Black wins trivially there with 19 ... 4Jxe6. Along the way, ZnoskoBorovsky also misses an easier win for Black with IB ... Axe6! 19.i£1h4+ g5 20.i£1h6 4Jg6 21.~xdB ~axdB-+. I have no meaningful knowledge about the machinations among the French chessplayers of the 1930s, but I cannot help but wonder whether Renaud and Kahn, in expressing consternation over Znosko-Borovsky's failure to cite Voellmy's work, may rather have been using that complaint as a substitute for the kind of criticism that The Art of Chess Combination, or at least his coverage of the Greco Sacrifice, appears to deserve.

Sacking the Citadel

Chapter 4 The Art of Attack

Vladimir Vukovic (1898-1975), a Croatian chess player and writer, obtained his international master title in 1922, represented Yugoslavia on second board at the first Chess Olympiad in London in 1927, and for decades edited 8ahovski Glasnik, the official chess magazine of the Yugoslavian chess federation.

Vladimir Vukovi6

The sixth and seventh chapters of his book were able to draw upon more material and helped him to reach remarkably useful insights. Most notably, Vukovic postulates that at least two active supporting pieces (other than the light-square bishop, the knight that reaches g5, and the white queen) are required for the Greco Sacrifice to succeed.

Vukovic is best remembered for The Art ofAttack in Chess. Published originally in Croatian in 1959 and soon thereafter translated into English, the volume became an instant classic, appearing in most masters' lists of the top ten chess books. Having read the general considerations contained in VukoviC's third chapter, "On castling and attacking the castled position in general," one amateur on the web lamented, "I will never castle again."

Although new technologies, more games, and the test of time have permitted me to draw more detailed conclusions in my fifth chapter, there is no doubt that Vukovic deserves enormous praise for this observation which appears to be substantially correct. He uses this observation to estimate intuitively that Colle's 1930 effort must be unsound, but he mysteriously fails to apply that same intuitive grasp to Kottnauer-Kotov, 1946. In that game, the attacking side does not have at least two additional assets, and indeed the sacrifice is flawed, but Vukovic incorrectly concludes that the sacrifice is sound.

Aware of both Voellmy's and ZnoskoBorovsky's work, Vukovic significantly expanded our understanding of the conditions required for Greco's Sacrifice to succeed. Vukovic correctly logged the most common attributes of the sacrifice and helped to guide generations of chess players to pursue the sacrifice intuitively and correctly. In evaluating VukoviC's work, I have relied upon the modem 1993 edition because it contains a preface and editorial notes and corrections by grandmaster John Nunn that make the book that much more valuable. 36

The Art of Attack Like the other annotators of the period, Vukovic did not have a computer to test his findings. The result is that errors do infiltrate the analysis in the book, in no small part because Vukovic admirably attempts to analyze the positions in substantial depth. Readers of his work will gain a significant intuitive feel for when the sacrifice works, and I must acknowledge that his analytical errors do not significantly detract from the worth of his effort.

The sacrifice is indeed sound here, as White has enormous advantages in this position, including the secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop as additional assets. The e5-pawn has driven off the 4:Jf6, the dark square bishop itself discourages the ~h6 line, and the e6-pawn and Black's poor development prevents Black from gaining control over the bl-h7 diagonal. Here, the ~g8 line results in the instructional mate in five. The ~h6line permits devastating discovered checks on e6 or f7, but Vukovic, committed to pedagogy, remarks that the discovered check succeeds because Black's queen is within easy reach on d8. Were the black queen on a5, for example, White would win with the ~g4-h4 maneuver.

To his credit, Vukovic begins with a summary of Greco's 1620 game that involves the sacrifice (game #1). With an obvious interest in sound pedagogy, he then presents a series of composed situations to illustrate the main concepts.

The most interesting line is the ~g6 line. Vukovic correctly notes that h4 with the idea ofh5 is often the strongest idea, at that time a new addition to the writing about the line.

His first diagram is unlikely to occur in real life because, as in the game score I have created, Black has to lose a tempo with ... c6 and ... c5 to reach it. (a) Vukovic, page 122

12.Axh7+ 'it'xh7 13.{)g5+ 'it'g6 13 ... ~h614.4:Jxe6+; 13 ... ~g814.~h5 Ele8 15.~xf7+ ~h8 16:i*h5+ ~g8

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.{)c3 {)f6 4.e5 {)fd7 5.{)f3 Ab4 6.a3 j'txc3+ 7.bxc3 c6 8.j'td3 c5 9.0-0 cxd4 10.cxd4 {)c61l.c3 0-()

17.~h7+~f818.~h8+~e719.~xg7#

14.h4 .§h815.h5+ .§xh516..~d3+ f516 ... ~h617.~h7# 17.exf6+ 'it'xf6 17 ... ~h6 18.~h7# 18.'~f3+ 'it'e7 18... ~g619.~f7+ ~h6 20.4:Jxe6+ Elg5 (20 ... ~h7 21.~xg7#) 21.~xg7+ ~h5

8

7

6

22.~h7+ ~g4 23.~h3# 19"~xh5+-

5 4

Vukovic uses this example to introduce important pedagogical ideas and to pose the question: how to judge the correctness of the sacrifice. What are the necessary conditions in the white and black positions required for the classic bishop sacrifice?

3 2

abcdefgh

37

Sacking the Citadel Ovemll:

•

•

The sacrifice involves three main lines ...'ittg8, ... 'itth6, and

•

All three variations must be sound for the sacrifice to be sound. If any contain a loophole, the combination "falls to the ground."

black knight should be able to reach f6 and that neither the bishop nor queen should be able to reach the bl-h7 diagonal.

... 'ittg6;

For the attack to succeed: •

For White: • •

•

•

•

•

White must have a queen, a knight, and a bishop; The White bishop must attack h 7 "to force the tempo of the attack"; It is not essential that the attack be check (worth mentioning, though the database contains only 18 games in which the sacrifice commences without check by the bishop); It is not essential that Ah7 capture a pawn. (here, I found no such examples); A knight must be able to be within easy, safe reach of the g5-square; The queen must have access to h5 ... though in some cases enough to be able to get to the h-file.

•

•

For Black: • •

•

It is more important that no

The defender should not be able to decline the sacrifice (here, I have found only a single example); The arrangement of the Black pieces should not deviate greatly from the normal (a disappointing conclusion, as the games in chapter 6 make abundantly clear); White, in addition to the bishop, queen, and knight, must have at least two other supporting pieces for the attack to succeed. The two most common members ofthis supporting cast are the e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop (as we will see, this asset combination is actually the second most common pair), but many other combinations are also possible involving the queen's knight and an active rook on the e-file or occasionally, on an open f-file.

The final point just above is, without question, Vukovic's most important contribution to the taxonomy. He arranges the additional assets into fine categories, distinguishing for example, the specific location of the dark-square bishop on cl or f4. There- are a few missing possibilities as I point out in chapter 5, but his main point is clear,

Black will customarily have pawns on fl, g7, and h7; There will be a bishop rather than a pawn on g7 on rare occasions; The presence of the ~d8 and ~f8 points to but does not assure the correctness of the sacrifice;

38

The Art of Attack and correct. It is, as he suggests, a simple, practical criterion for the sacrifice and away for both attacker and defender to get their approximate bearings. To explore these findings, and to illustrate the importance of each of the three main variations, Vukovic turns next to eight additional composed positions. (b) Vukovic, page 124 8

7

6 5 4

6.4Je4+

~e7

7.AgS+ +-; 4 ... 4Jb8 6:ffxg7 ~e8 7.4Jh7 4Jd7 8.§xe6++-] S.~h4+- )3 ... §h84.~d3+ (4.hS+ §xhS S.~d3+ fS; and not4.~g4 when Black can force the queen off the g-file with ... 4Jf6-hS and ... fS) 4 .. .fS S.~g3 ~g8 (S ... ~f6 6.§xe6#) 6.4Jxe6+ ~f7 (6 ... ~h7 7.hS +-) 7.4JgS+ ~g6 (7 ... ~f8 8.Ad6#; 7 ... ~f6 8.§e6++-) 8.hS+ §xhS 9.§e8 ~xe8 lO.4Je6+ ~f7 1l.~xg7+ ~xe6 12.§el ++-. 3.'lth5 ~f64.'lth4~e8 4 ... g6 S.~h6 with AeS and §e3-h3; 4... eS! (Vukovic fails to mention Black's best defense, which succeeds in getting the Ac8-fS) S.dxeS AfS 6.exf6 ~xf6 preventing the mate and halting White's attack, but Black remains a clear pawn down. 5.-'le5 'lte7 S... Ac7 6.§e3 +S:~h7 ~e7

6.~e3+-

3 2

(c) Vukovic, page 125 abcdefgh

8

7

In this composed position, White has two additional assets, the dark-square bishop on f4 and the active §el. Vukovic created this position to illustrate the ~g8 line, in which White must compensate for the lack of control over f6 by seizing control over eS with the bishop and then swinging the §el to h3. The '
39

6

5 4 3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White has additional assets in the darksquare bishop, the strongly defended eS-pawn, and the active §el. Vukovic uses this creation to illustrate the importance in the ~g8 line of keeping the black bishop offfS. White therefore continues with 3.~e4+ continuing to the h-file only after 3 .. .fS. 1.-'lxh7+ l.AgS ~d7 2.~e4 g6 3.Axa6 1. •• \fIxh7 2.~g5+ \figS

Sacking the Citadel (7.g4 <£\f6 8.<£\xe6+ ~h7 [8 ... g5 9.itxg5#] 9.~xg7#) 7 ... <£\f6 8.§h3+ <£\h5 9.§xh5#. 3.t\'hS when Black cannot successfully defend the f7pawn. 3 ..• t\'e7 3 ... §e7 4.iJ'h7+ 'it'f8 5.~h8#; 3 .. .f6 4.iJ'h7+ 'it'f8 5.~h8+ ~e7 6.iJ'xg7#; 3 ... <£\xe5 4.dxe5 'it1c7 5.§e3 <£\c6 6.§h3 'it'f8 7.<£\h7+ 'it'e7 8.~g5+ ~d7 9.~xf7+ <£\e71O.<£\f8++-. 4.t\'h7+
2 ... 'it'g6 3.iJ'e4+ f5 (3 ....M5 4.iJ'h4+-) 4.iJ'h4+- 3.'~e413.~h5ili5-+ 3 ...fS 3... g6 4.~h4 +- 4.'~h4 4.exf6 <£\xf6-+ 4 •.• Etf7 S.t\'h7+ 5.~h8+ ~xh8 6.<£\xf7+ +-; 5.e6 §f6 (5 ... ~xg5 is the only way to avoid mate) 6.~h7+ ~f8 7.e7+ ~xe7 8.~h8#. S...
One might quibble about the use of compositions rather than existing games, but Vukovic appears to use these not simply to illustrate some of the interest variations in the 'it'g8 line, but also to suggest how such positions can be sensitive to even small changes. Advance the white h-pawn to h4 in any of the previous three examples and the sacrifice, he suggests, no longer succeeds. Having a pawn on h4 assists White in the ~g6 line, but it represents a liability in the ~g8 lines. In examples (b) and (c), for example, the white queen will no longer have access to h4. In example (d), Vukovic adds, the h4-pawn blocks the white rook's ability to reach an open h-file in the ~g6 line. True enough, though in example (d), it's still a win, a remarkable one in fact.

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

This is another interesting creation by Vukovic. It is unclear just how White managed to exchange the <£\bl for Black's dark-square bishop. That said, the exchange is clearly advantageous for White, who emerges here with the e5-pawn, the unopposed dark-square bishop, and the §el. Black has an extra tempo for the defense with the rook on e8, but White's position is so strong in other respects that the attack still breaks through. In the ~g8 line, Black cannot effectively defend the f7-square. And in the ~g6Iine, ~d3+ overwhelms instructively.

Vukovic example (d) with an h4-pawn 8 7

6 5

1.Axh7+
4

3 2

abcdefgh

With the pawn on h4, White has to rely upon the third asset, the §el, to swing

40

The Art of Attack to g3 in the 'ittg8 line. The pawn on h4 can assist White in the 'ittg6 line with h5+, although it's mate in seven with 3.~d3+.

1..11,xh7+ ~xh7 2.4)g5+ ~g8 2...'ittg6 3. ~d3+ (3.h5+ 'itth6 [3 ... 'ittf5 4:~f3 #] 4.4:lxf7++-) 3.. .f5 (3 ... 'it'h5 4.g4+ 'it'xh4 (a) 4 ... 'ittxg4 5.~f3+ 'ittxh4 6.~h3#; (b) 4 ... 'itth6 5.~h7# [5.4:lxf7#]; 5.~h3#) 4.exf6+ 'it'xf6 (4 ... 'it'h5 5.~h7+ 'ittg4 6.4:lf3 gxf6 7.~g6# [7.4:lh2 #]) 5.ti'f3+ 'ittg6 (5 ... 'itte7 6 ..§.xe6#) 6.~f7+ 'itth6 7.4:lxe6+ +- 3:li\'h5 4)f8 4.4) xf7 ~d7 5.~h8+ ~xf7 6 . .§e3 ~e7 7 ..§g3 ~d88..§xg7+Vukovic turns to the 'ittg6Iine, showing four compositions in which the 'ittg6line is critical. Again there are mistakes in the analysis (which John Nunn surely should have corrected), but Vukovic deserves substantial praise for being the first commentator to attempt an explanation of when to play h4 and when to try ~g4. Careful readers will observe that placing the queen on the b I-h 7 diagonal, usually with ti'd3+, deserved to be in this mix of candidate moves. (e) Vukovic, page 126 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

41

Another creation that is unlikely to occur, in this case because Black has an additional tempo. The extra time is unhelpful, given that it involves pawn moves such as a6 and b6. Black has clearly castled into danger. White has two assets, the e5-pawn and the darksquare bishop. The 'it'g8 line is interesting only because Black has a knight on e7. White should therefore capture on h 7 and proceed with ti'h8+, 4:lh7+, and Ag5+. In the key 'it'g6Iine, i*d3+ is met adequately by 4:lf5, and h4 gives Black a chance to defend with .§.h8 and ~g8. 1..11,xh7+ ~xh7 2.4)g5+ ~g6 2 ...'it'gB 3.ti'h5 .§.e8 4.ti'h7+ (4.ti'xf7+ Vukovic questions this move, suggesting that Black has an adequate defense, but White also wins here easily after 4 ... 'itth8 5 ..§.ael- idea .§.e3-h3 - [5.~h5+ 'ittg8 6 ..§.ael 4:lf5 7.i*f7+ 'itth8 8.i*g6 'ittg8 9 ..§.e3 +- ] 5 ... cxd4 6.ti'h5+ 'ittg87.Acl! - with the horrific threat of Aa3 and i*h7 mating - 7 ... 4:lxe5 8.Aa3+-) 4 ... 'ittf8 5.ti'h8+ 4:lg8 6.4:lh7+ 'it'e7 7.Ag5+ f6 (7 ... 4:lf6 8.ti'xg7 +-; 7 ... 'ittd7 8.Axd8 +- ) 8. ti'xg7 #. 3. ~g4 Vukovic suggests that 3.~g4 is stronger because after 3.h4 .§.h8 4.~g4 f5 5.~g3 (5.e xf6 but this capture is stronger here because 5 ... 'ittxf6 6.Ae5+ 4:lxe5 7.dxe5+ 'ittg6 [7 ... 'it'xe5 8.4:lf7+] 8.4:lxe6+ 'ittf7 9.4:lxd8+ .§.xd8 1O.e6+ Axe6 11. ti'f4+ 'ittg8 12. ~e5 'ittf7 13 ..§.fel +-) 5 ... ti'g8 6.dxc5 bxc5 7.4:lxe6+ 'ittf7 8.4:lxc5±; 3.~d3+?! 4:lf5 4.g4 f6 5.gxf5+ exf5 6.exf6 gxf6 7.4:lf3 c4 8.ti'd2 .§.g8 9.'itthl 'it'f7 10 ..§.gl ~. 3 ••. f5 4.~g31 4.exf6 'ittxf6 5 ..§.fel (5.Ae5+ 4:lxe5 6.dxe5+ 'ittxe5 when the .§.f8 prevents 4:lf7+) 5 ... g6 6.4:lxe6 Axe6 7.i*xe6+ 'ittg7 8.Ae5+ 'itth7 9.~h3+ 'it'g8 10.~h8+ 'ittf7 11.ti'h7+

Sacking the Citadel 6 ..\.tg5+ ~e8 7 ..\.txd8 <£lxd8 8.~ xe4 +- ; 4 ... ~h8 the only move offered by Vukovic (4 ... ~g6 - Nunn suggests that White must now repeat the position, but White is winning easily after 5.'l!lIg3 ~f6 6.<£lxe6 fxe6 [6 ... .\.txe6 7.'l!lIg5 #] 7 ..\.tg5++-) 5.'l!l'f4+ ~g6 (5 ... <;t>e7 6.'l!l'xt7+ ~d6 7.~xe6+ .\.txe68.'l!l'xe6#) 6.'l!lIxf7+ ~h6 7.g4 g6 8.<£lxe6+ g5 9.'l!lIh5#. 4.~g3 f4 4 ... ~f6 5.<£lxe6 .\.txe66 ..\.tg5++- 5 ..1lxf4 5.'l!lIg4 'l!lIxg5 5 .•. ~f5 5 ... \t>f6 6.<£lxe6 .>lxe6 7 ..\.tg5+ 6.h3 VukoviC's suggestion, which wins, but better is 6.<£lh7 e5 7 ..\.txe5 +-. 6 •.• ~eS 6 ... <;t>f6 7.<£lxe6 7.{)h7 ~h5 S. ~d3+ ~xf4 9.g3 #

~e812 ..\.tg3+-.

4 •• .'~eS 5.h4 5.~fe1 cxd4 6.<£lxe6+ ~t7 7.<£lc7 +- 5 ••. ElhS Black does not have to permit the following mate in four (5 ... ~g8! 6.h5+ ~h6 7.<£lxe6+ ~h7 8.<£lc7 'l!lIxh5 9.<£lxa8 g5 10.'l!l'h2 'l!l'xh2+ 11..\.txh2 cxd4 12.cxd4 <£lxd4 13.<£lxb6+-). 6.{)xe6+ ~f7 7.~xg7+ ~xe6 S.~f6+~d79.~d6#

(0 Vukovic, page 127

(g) Vukovic, pages 127-8 8

7

abc

d

e

f

g

h

6 5

In this creation, White has two additional assets, the ~e1 and the darksquare bishop. Without direct control over e5, the ~g8 line involves a lengthier but straight-forward treatment when the black king reaches d6. Without the pawn on e5, White must select 'l!lIg4 here, since h4 gives Black time to defend with f5 and 'l!l'd3+ simply permits the black king to escape to f6 and e7.

4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Vukovic created this position to explore a critical ~g6 line, but the <;t>g8 line is far more challenging here because Black's queen is already defending the t7 -pawn. White's additional assets here are the e5-pawn and the <£ld2, whose development requires creative planning. In the ~h6 line, White wins quickly without the dark-square bishop simply by playing 'l!lIg4-h4. In the ~g6 line, White wins with the same maneuver because 'l!lIh7+ leads to a quick mate. In the 'it'g8 line, White succeeds slowly by developing the king's rook and then the queen's knight.

1 ..1lxh7+ ~xh7 2.{)g5+ ~g6 2...<;t>g8 3.'l!lIh5 ~e8 4.'l!l'xt7+ ~h8 5.'l!l'h5+ ~g8 6.'l!lIh7+ ~f8 7.'l!lIh8+ ~e7 8.~xg7+ ~d6 9 ..\.tf4+ <£le5 10.<£lt7++- 3.~g4 3.h4? f5; 3.'l!l'd3+?! ~f6:j: 3 •••f5 3... ~f6 4.'l!l'h4 (a) perhaps the simplest win is 4.<£lxe6 fxe6 (4 ... .\.txe6 5. 'l!l'g5 #) 5 ..\.tg5+; (b) 4.<£le4+ Nunn's recommendation, and probably the most accurate move. 4 ... ~e7 5.'l!l'xg7 dxe4

42

The Art of Attack 1.1txh7+ ~xh7 2.4)g5+ ~g6 2...'it'h6 3.i£yg4+- Ad7 (3 ... g6 7.g4+- ~f4 S.g6 5.i£yh7+ 'it>xg5 6.f4+ 'it>g4 7.~h3#; 2 ... 'it'gS! 3.~h5 EleS 4.Elfel (Vukovic instead recommends 4.fS 6.f8 5.Ele3 xg5 with mate in two to follow. 4 ... 4)xe5 5.dxe5 ~xe5 6.4)df3 ~c7 7.Etael +(h) Vukovic, page 128 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

This final composition for the 'it'g6line is very similar to Capablanca-Molina (Game 42). In that position, White's epawn was on e3. Here, with the gS line, White is able to use the
43

from making meaningful use of the blh7 diagonal. The 'it>h6line is interesting because, with the queens facing off on the d-file, White gains the marvelous g6 line, the threat of a queen trade requires ~g4, which wins quickly after f5 because White can safely retreat the queen to g3 or proceed more actively with the en passant capture, when the h6 variation can also be critical. One of the curiosities in his book is that, in composing these examples, Vukovic had the opportunity to create fully sound pedagogy. In the following example, he certainly makes the point at a glance that the 'it'h6 line is especially challenging when White, in this case, does not have a darksquare bishop and has a pawn on h4 blocking the ~g4-h4 maneuver. As will soon be clear, he created the right impression, but the example itself is ironically flawed. He acknowledges that there is no forced win in the 'it'h6 line, but he assures readers that there is a promising attack. The line he suggests is unsound, and the best alternative offers nothing more than a draw.

Sacking the Citadel ... 4Je7. (3.~d2 ~e7 4.4Jxe6+ 'itth7 5.4JxfB+ .§xfB= and Black is better placed, says Vukovic, but the dynamic equality here is the best that White can hope to achieve.) 3 ... ~d7 4. ~d2 4.h5 f5-+ 4 ...g6-+

(i)Vukovic, page 129

(j) Vukovic, page 130 Declining the Sacrifice

abc

d e

f

g

It is clear that Vukovic aimed to be comprehensive in his coverage. He was the first to mention the notion that ltxh7 could come without check and the first to mention that there might not even be a pawn on h7. He then became the first commentator to mention the possibility of declining the sacrifice with ... 'itthB. Normally, if the defender declines the sacrifice, the attacking side will simply win a pawn. Says Vukovic: "The attacker must therefore consider what will happen ifhis opponent plays ... 'itthB and does not take the bishop."

h

In this composition, White has only one additional asset, the e5-pawn. In the ~gB line, White has the familiar mate in five. In the ~g6line, ~g4 and ~d3 both provide White with promising, nearly winning positions. The ~h6 line is the best choice for Black. VukoviC's suggestion, 3.f4, fails quite rapidly. White's best chance in the line is to place the queen on the dark squares. 1.~xh7+

CjfjIxh7 2.~g5+ CjfjIh6

In the ChessBase database, I have found a single example in which the defender declines the sacrifice successfully. I could quibble about whether the attacker must consider this possibility, but my real concern is that the composed example does not actually make the point. Although the bishop on h7 appears to be trapped, White still wins quite easily.

2 ... ~gB 3.~h5 .§eB 4.~xf7+ ~hB 5.~h5+ ~gB 6.~h7+ ~f8 7.~hB+ ~e7 2 ... ~g6 and White wins

B.~xg7#;

easily, suggests Vukovic, though it is not so easy to work out, even with the pawn already on h4. 3. ~g4 (a) 3. ~d3+ f5 (3 .. .'itth5 4.~h7+ ~g4 5.f3+ ~g3 6.4Je4+ dxe4 7.~xg7+ ~f4 [7 ... ~xh4 8.~g4#] B..§ael+-) 4.exf6+ (4.~g3 ~d7 5.4Jxe6+ ~h7 6.4JxfB+ '§xfB=) 4 ... ~xf6 5 . .§ael ltcB 6 . .§e3 ~e7 7.~g6 ~eB 8.~xg7+ ~d6 9 ..§fel ~e7 lO ..§xe6+ Axe6 11..§xe6+ ~xe6 12.4Jxe6 ~xe6 13.~xc7±; (b) 3.h5+? ~xg5-+; 3 ... ~h6 (3 .. .f5 4.h5+ ~h6 5.4Jf7+ ~h7 6.~g6+ ~gB 7.4JxdB+-) 4.4Jxf7+ .§xf7 5.~xe6+ .§f6 6.exf6 ~xf6 7.~xd5 ±). 3.f4 Recommended by Vukovic as White's best chance to win but Black has ... ~d7 -+ rather than hi~

abc

44

d e

f

g

h

The Art of Attack 1..1lxh7+ ~h8 2.~g5 ~xdl 3 ..§fxdl g6 And now, according to Vukovic, with the better prospects, owing to the threat of '3ilg7 and E1h8, but White is clearly winning after 4 ..1le3 ~g7 4... E1c8 5.b4 ~g7 6.Axb6 axb6 7.E1d7 ~d5 8.a4 E1c7 9.E1xc7 tzJxc7 10.a5 bxa5 11.E1xa5 f6 l2.exf6+ ~xf6 l3.h4 ~c6l4.E1a7 tzJd5 l5.tzJe4+ '3ile5 l6.tzJc5 5.bxc4 ~xc4 5 ... bxc4 6.E1d4 Ad5 7.E1f4 tzJd7 8.Ad4 '3ilh6 9.Ae3 \ttg7 10.~d4= 6 . .1lc5 .§h8 7 . .§d7 .1ld5 8 •.§xf7+ ~h6 9.f4+Vukovic concludes his chapter on the Greco Sacrifice with an analysis of several critical games. His ambition is evident in his selection, unarguable the most challenging sacrifices at his disposal. And in selecting these games, he invites comparison with ZnoskoBorovsky's earlier, shabby treatment. There are small and large mistakes in the analysis, but the fact is that Vukovic provides a powerful sense of the effort required to master the sacrifice. Kottnauer-Kotov 1946 (Game 95) 8

7

6

5

part to the presence of the Ag7 rather than a pawn. VukoviC's analysis of that line is complex and correct. He was the first to discover the importance of 20.Af4! rather than 20.f4. In the critical '3ilg6 line, however, he mysteriously abandons the principle that two additional assets are required for the sacrifice to succeed. He argues that White is able to overcome the normal deficiency because a bishop rather a pawn rests on g7. As a result, White gains the important idea of tzJxe6 discovered check and the threat of a capture on g 7 of a bishop rather than a pawn. That threat, suggests Vukovic, gives White the opportunity to bring up the reserves with E1f1-el. As it turns out, Vukovic is both right, and wrong. With only the single additional asset, the sacrifice does not work owing to l7 ...'3ilg6 l8.~g4 f5 19.~g3 E1g8!, a move that appears to have eluded generations of commentators. His analysis, painstaking as it was, contained flaws. But his general insight, that at least two additional assets are generally required for the sacrifice to succeed, was right on target. Capablanca-MoJina, 1911 (Game 41)

4

3

8

2

7

6

abcdefgh

5

Vukovic uses this game as an example of a successful sacrifice despite the fact that the attacking side has only one additional asset, the dark-square Acl. The \ttg8line is not trivial owing in large

45

4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Sacking the Citadel Another ambitious game to annotate, and here, VukoviC's analysis, with only one minor flaw, reaches the correct conclusion, that there is a loophole in the 'it'g6 variation that Capablanca's opponent failed to exploit. Vukovic emphasizes that White has only one supporting piece, and a weak one at that, the <£Jc3. Vukovic found Black's draw with 15 .. .f4, and had only one unjustified observation in the line with 15 ... 'it'f6 that N unn corrects in the algebraic edition. A significant improvement over the coverage by Znosko-Borowski and an impressive job byVukovic!

impressed by the depth and sophistication ofthe game's variations. It is therefore difficult to understand VukoviC's point of view. Despite the game's complexities, Vukovic insists that two of the variations are unsound, and he uses the game as an illustration of a sacrifice that is not correct. Although there are two supporting assets, the ~el and the dark-square bishop, Vukovic suggests that the verdict of an unsound sacrifice ought to have been immediately apparent, with the <£Jd7 ready to defend at f6, the lack ofa pawn on e5, with the rook on e8 saving a key tempo in the ~g8 line, and with Black unable to prevent White from occupying the gfile in the ~g6Iine.

CoUe-O'Hanlon, Nice 1930 (Game 62)

abc

d

e

f

g

Once again, there are again serious flaws in VukoviC's analysis, but as I discuss in chapter 6, I agree that with him that Colle's sacrifice was ultimately unsound. And in chapter 5, I build on what was apparent in Vukovic's thinking about this game, that additional assets are required to overcome key positional deficiencies.

h

Vukovic begins his harsh discussion of Colle's effort by stating that, while some have come to name the sacrifice after Colle in honor of this game, there is no such justification "as Colle never played a good game which contained the sacrifice ... " "A great lover of the classic sacrifice, Colle here too is unable to control his temperamental passion for sacrifice ... "

The Greco Sacrifice with a pawn on h4 and a rook on the h-file Vukovic concludes his discussion about the Greco Sacrifice towards the end of his next chapter on ranks, files, and diagonals in the attack on the castled king. In these variations, he adds, the pawn on h4 acts as a support for the <£Jg5. He provides two games in which the h-file opens up as part of the attack.

One may quibble about whether the game truly deserved the Brilliancy Prize at Nice, but all readers will be duly

46

The Art of Attack I include here the first of the two, Steinitz-Galmayo, Havana, 1888 because the classic Greco Sacrifice did not actually occur and the actual game, which involves a knight sacrifice on g5 prior to a .llxh7+ sacrifice, does not appear in the games section. (k) Steinitz-Golmayo Zupide French Defense [C 11] Havana 1888

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 4)f6 4.e5 4)fd7 5.f4 c5 6.dxc5 Jl.xc5 7.4)f3 008.Ad34)c6

abc

d

e

f

g

h

In this game, Steinitz, apparently believing that the Greco Sacrifice was flawed, prepared it with h4 rather than executing it immediately. Intent on giving an example with h4, Vukovic does not dwell on the immediate sacrifice itself, save to correct Steinitz's beliefs and to note that the sacrifice works. And well it should. White has additional assets in the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the knight on c3. In the 'ot>gS line, the the presence of the rook on the fS escape square enables the customary mate in five. Even though the dark-square bishop does not have immediate sway over g5

47

and h6, the 'it'g6 line fails quickly to 11.~d3 .§.hS (to prevent mate on f7) 12A~xf7+ winning the queen. The challenge is the 'ot>g6 line, the reason that Steinitz rejected the sacrifice. After 11.~d3+ f5, Steinitz saw that there was no win after the discovery with 12.4Jxe6+, but White wins quickly with the usual 12.~g3 when a somewhat patient buildup pounds Black into submission. With but one analytical mistake which Nunn addresses, Vukovic's analysis is correct. But this game remains a strange example to show offthe importance of h4 in protecting the 4Jg5 and in opening the h-file, when indeed, h4 is not required at all and the 4Jg5 and its capture precede the sacrifice on h7. 2 . .llxh7+ 'ot>xh7 10.4Jg5+ 'ot>g6! (a) 10 ... 'ot>gS 11.'l1Yh5+- .§.eS 12.'l1Yxf7+ 'it'hS 13.'l1Yh5+ 'ot>gS 14.'l1Yh7+ 'ot>fS 15.~hS+ 'ot>e716.'l1Yxg7#; (b) 1O ... 'ot>h6 11.~d3 (11.~g4+-) 11.. . .§.hS (11...~xg5 12.fxg5+ 'it'h5 13.~h7+ 'it'g4 14.'l1Yh3 #) 12.4Jxf7+) 1 1. 'l1Yd3 + f5 12.~g3 (According to Vukovic, Steinitz rejected the Greco Sacrifice because he saw only 12.4Jxe6? and concluded that itdoesnotwork.12 ... ~h4+ [12 ... ~a5! the move that Steinitz apparently feared leads to a win for White. 13 ..lld2 is an improvement over the immediate 13.4JxfS. 13 ... 4Jb4 14.~g3+ 'it'f7 15.4Jg5+ 'ot>eS 16.4Jxd5 +-]13.g3 'l1Yh3 14.'l1Yxd5 .§.eS15.4Jxc5 4Jcxe516.4Jxd7 4Jxd7+ 17.'ot>f2 4Jf6 lS.'l1Ydl 4Jg4+ 19.'ot>f3 b6+) 12 ... 'l1Ya5 (12 ... ~eS 13.4Jxe6++- 'it'f7 14.4Jxg7! - Nunn[14.4Jc7 ~dS 15.4JxaS+- Vukovic] 14 ... .§.gS 15.4JxeS .§.xg3 16.e6+ 'ot>xeS 17.exd7++-) 13.h4 4Je7 14 ..lld2! (a) 14.4Jxe6+ 'it'f7 15 . .lld2 .llb4

Sacking the Citadel (15 ... ~xe616.4Je4 fxe417.~xa5 4Jxe5 18.fxe5 ~f2+ 19.'l?xf2 .§.xf2 20.'it'xf2 b6 2Ulc3±) 16.4JxfB=; (b) 14.h5++-

This more helpful example of the sacrifice with h4 "is correct," says Vukovi6, "even though it demands extreme precise and high quality play from the attacker." White can rely upon three assets, the e5-pawn, the 4Jc3, and h4-pawn since the .§.hl joins the attack after captures on g5. And by castling queenside, the .§.dl can also enter the fray usefully. But the sacrifice requires great care in the 'it'gBline because Black has already created the fB escape square. Vukovi6 somewhat unfairly critiques Alekhine's play, offering an impressive improvement, but the real story in his notes is the depth of his annotations. Many of these sacrifices are indeed complex, but players of every level will benefit from the intuitive nature of his approach and the certainty that great care is often required.

~h615.4Jxe6'§'f716.'l?g5+ ~h717.h6

g6 IB.'l?h4 ~hB 19.4Jg5 .§.fB 20.e6 d4 21.~d2+- 14 ... 'l?a6 15.4Jxe6+ ~f7 16.4Jc7+-

9.h4f610..£lg5fxg5

abc

d e

f

g

h

1l.j',txh7+ ~xh7 12.hxg5+ ~g8 13.~h5 .£ldxe514.fxe5 !U515.g4 §,xe5+ 16.~dlj',te317.j',txe3 §,xe3 18..£lh5 §,f3 19.96 ~f8 20.~h8+ ~e7 21.~xg7+ 1-0

Overall, Vukovi6 produced a pathbreaking taxonomy with helpful coverage of most lines. He was dedicated to useful pedagogy and indepth analysis. Nunn corrects many, though by no means all of the mistakes. Despite the analytical errors, the whole book will remain a classic for generations to come.

Alekhine-Asgeirsson, Reykjavik, 1931 (Game 65)

abc

d e

f

g

h

48

Chapter 5 Contemporary Theory

Chapters two, three, and four summarized historic efforts by Edwin Voellmy, Eugene Znosko-Borovsky, and Vladimir Vukovic, to explain the Greco Sacrifice. Their efforts and tournament experiences over the past century make it possible now to attempt a more comprehensive taxonomy. This chapter examines all ofthe main lines with both simple and more complex examples as well as additional illustrative games and relevant references to the games in this book. For purposes of discussion, I refer to the sacrifice on h7 only. Of course, the sacrifice is often carried out by Black on h2. The Greco Sacrifice relies primarily upon three pieces:

Axh7 •

•

•

White's light-square bishop captures the black h7-pawn, almost always with check, usually from d3 but occasionally from other squares along the b I-h7 diagonal; There is no requirement that there actually be a black pawn on h7, but it is almost always there; The h7-square is defended only by the black king. In very

49

•

rare cases, an over-loaded 4Jf6 will also defend the h7-pawn; The sacrifice is almost always accepted. Declining it costs a pawn and the attack can often proceed with 4Jg5.

.£\g5+ •

The white knight will almost always move from f3, but other squares are possible.

t\'h5 •

•

The queen will usually have access to a square that can reach h7, preferably h5, but also including h3, h4, bI, c2, d3,ore4. When possible, playing ~h5 before 4Jg5 forces the black king back to g8, eliminating other options usually available to the defender.

A brief note on pawn structure: Most of the games, a clear majority, involve a pristine defensive pawn structure with pawns on f7, g7, and h7. But the sacrifice occurs successfully against a variety of structures, notably black pawns on f6 rather than f7, a bishop rather than a pawn on g7, as well as the absence of f- and g-pawns. In response to the 4Jg5 check, Black has five possible responses, all of which are discussed within this chapter:

Sacking the Citadel 1.Jlxh7+~xh72.4)g5+~g83.~h5

'it'gS; '.t'g6; '.t'h6; 'it'hS; Capturing the knight - with a dark-square bishop, the queen, or with an f- pawn.

8 7

To succeed, as we learned from Vukovic, the attacking side will usually need at least two additional assets beyond the light-square bishop that captures on h7, the knight that reaches g5, and the queen. Generally, the more challenging the defense, the more additional assets will be required to succeed. The final section of this chapter provides a survey of additional assets and more specific conclusions regarding the situations that require them.

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

With the obvious threat of ~h7#. 3 ... §eS creating an escape square on f8 for the king. Should the white queen now capture on f7 or deliver check on h7? 4. ~xf7+1 Launching a checkmate in five. (4.~h7+ 'it'fS 5.~hS+ 'it'e7 6.Yffxg7 when Black can defend f7 with §f8 or continue to run the king towards the queenside with ... 'it'd7). 4 ••• ~h8

The~g8line

After 1.~xh7 '.t'xh7 2.<£\g5, the defender may find some immediate comfort in the '.t'gS retreat because the king regains some degree of safety behind the remaining kings ide pawns. In the 'it'gS line, White will almost always move the queen to attack the h7-square. Ifavailable, White's best move is almost always 3.'l1i'h5 where the queen will attack both the h7- and f7-squares. The double attack is often the key to the success ofthe attack in this line because the defender can often defend one but not both of the squares.

5.~h5+ ~g8 6.~h7+ ~f8 7.~h8+ ~e78.~xg7# 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

The basic checkmate abc

d e

f

g

h

8

The obvious point, first noted by Voellmy, is that the checkmate is enabled by White's asset on e5, which controls the d6 escape square, and the presence of the white queen on d8.

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

Two additional assets were required for success. The e5-pawn controlled the escape square on d6 and White's dark-

h

50

Contemporary Theory square bishop defended the 4Jg5, discouraging Black from playing ~xg5.

A defender blocks the escape route 8

This basic mate appears in many games within this volume. It appears, often as a rejected line, in games 141, 148 (with a black piece blocking the d6-escape square), 168, 192,234,240,258 (with White's dark-square bishop controlling d6), 259, and 264. Even when this "mating" combination does not lead to an immediate mate because one of the d6 or d8 escape squares is vacant, it still can expose the king to a scintillating attack. For such examples,seegames 149, 154, 159, 167, 211,220,250,251, 256, 257,260,267,270, and 273.

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Here, the Ae8 covers f7 but more importantly blocks the retreat by the rook. 1.Jlxh7+ 'i!}xh7 2 ..£jg5+ 'i!}g8 3.~h5 when Black must sacrifice the queen to prevent the mate in one. 8

7

8

7

6

6

5

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

abc abc

d e

f

g

d e

f

g

h

h

Here, the queen is off d8, protecting the f7-pawn, but White still prevails by activating the dark-square bishop on a3 where it covers the f8 escape square. 1.Jlxh7+ 'i!}xh7 2..£jg5+ 'i!}g8 3.~h5 Eld8 4.Jla3! when Black can only delay the mate by sacrificing the major pieces.

51

Here, the rook can run, but the ~e7 blocks the escape path. 1.Jlxh7+ 'i!}xh7 2 . .£jg5+ 'i!}g8 3.~h5 Eld8 4.~h7+ 'i!}f8 5.~h8* For other examples of blocked escapes leading to quick checkmates in the ~g8 line, see games 182, 185, 198,216,223, 243,248,253, and 306.

Sacking the Citadel The defender can shut down the attack if ... 4::If6 is playable. White has only one additional asset here, the dark-square bishop. The absence of the e5-pawn is sorely felt. 1 ..1lxh7+ ~xh7 2.~g5+ ~g8 3. tl/h5 Once again, the white queen enters with attacks upon h7 and t7. Here's however, the ~f8 need not leave its defense of t7. 3 ... ~f6. The attack is over. To overcome this defense, White would need a rook on an open f-file or to be able to capture on f6 with a knight or with the darksquare bishop.

Defending with tl/c7 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

The defense can succeed when a queen or rook defends the t7-pawn laterally. Here, the black queen is already defending f7 when the white queen arrives on h5. As a result, the ~f8 can create a escape square without allowing ~xt7. 1..1lxh7+ ~xh7 2.~g5+ ~g8 3.tl/h5 Elb8. White's only entry into the position is now on h7. 4.tl/h7+

For examples of defending with ... 4::If6, see games 187, 199, 213, and 233. Defending with ... ~f8 8

7

~85.tl/h8+~e76.tl/xg7whenBlack

6

can choose between running the king to the queens ide and further defending the f-pawn. 6 ••• Elf8 Even here, White may have an edge in the endgame ifhe is able to push aggressively the kingside pawns.

5 4

3 2

abc

For examples of the ~c7 defense, see games 152, 155, 173,206,212,269,290,

Defending with ••• ~f6 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

d e

f

g

e

f

g

h

Here, the rook is already off f8. White has an e5-pawn preventing the black knight from returning to f6, but the knight can also defend well from f8. 1..1lxh7+ ~xh7 2.~g5+ ~g8 3.tl/h5 ~f8 Of course, White can still enter the position here on t7. If the black rook were off f8 and the queen or rook defended f7, White would need substantial additional forces to prevail. 4.~xt7+ ~h8 White can draw trivially here with a perpetual checK. With an additional rook swing to h3, White would quickly prevail. Black, in turn,

and 295.

abc

d

h

52

Contemporary Theory hopes to end the attack with ... '«rd7 or ".'«re7.

8 7

For examples of...4::\f8, see games 158, 228,252,268, and 292.

6 5 4

Defending with JUS

3 2

8

7

abcdefgh

6 5

4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Here, a small change makes a huge difference. Black's light-square bishop is not blocked by the e6-pawn and has easy access to the key b I-h7 diagonal. Black has excellent chances to hold in the <;!;>g8 line when a bishop or queen can reach f5 or another square along the key diagonal. 1.Jlxh7+ Cifi'xh7 2 . .£JgS+ Cifi'g8 3. ~hS 3. '«rd3 The attacking side can prevent ".Af5 at a price, because the '«rd3 attacks h7 but not also 3".g6 Black can therefore simply prevent the mate threat on h7. 4.'«rh3 and another advantage of the ~c8 is that it prevents movement to the h3-square. 4".Axh3 3 •.• JlfS stymieing the attack.

n.

For examples of defending by placing the bishop on the bl-h7 diagonal, see games 151, 194,231,246, and 266. Defending with ~d3 In this case, Black defends with 5". ~d3 again reaching the key bl-

53

d6 diagonal. With additional assets, for example a 4::\c3 and ~el to block the queen's on e4, the attacking side can often overcome such resistance. 1.Jlxh7+ Cifi'xh7 2..£JgS+ Cifi'gS 3.~hS ~d3 when now, to win quickly, White would need to block the queen's reach toh7. For examples in which Black defends by placing the queen on the bl-h7 diagonal, see games 135, 161, 165,214, 224,229,239,277,297, and 304. Attacking with an active rook and darksquare bishop 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g h

The pattern is different when White has an active rook rather than an e5-pawn. 1.Jlxh7+ Cifi'xh7 2..£JgS+ Cifi'gS 3.~hS Once again, the queen reaches h5 with attacks upon f7 and h7. 3 ••• E!e8

Sacking the Citadel 4"~xf7+ ~h8 White does not have the usual mate in five because the e5pawn is not there to cover the d6 escape square. 5.E!e3 So the rook enters the fray, threatening Elh3 "".

For games in the 'it'g8 involving a €Je7, see games 160, 162, 164, 178, 200, 204, 205,249,255,262,278,296,302, and 305. Black has knights on e7 and d7

For examples of rook swings in the 'it'g8 line, see games 138,210,218,280,294, 298, and 304.

8

7

6

5 ~e7 with protection on e6

4

3 8

2

7

6

abc

d

e

f

g

h

5 4

With knights on both e7 and d7, White can take advantage of the fact that the Jlc8 no longer defends e6 to capture that pawn with €Jxe6, threatening both the queen and checkmate on g7. 1..1l,xh7+ ~xh7 2.~g5+ ~g8 3.~h5 E!e8 4. ~xf7+ ~h8 5.~ xe6 when Black can stave off an immediate mate by sacrificing the queen with ... €Jf5.

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

As Voellmy pointed out first in 1911, the attack changes when Black has a knight on e7. 1 ..1l,xh7+ ~xh7 2.~g5+ ~g8 3. ~h5 again entering the attack with additional pressure on both fl and h7. 3 ... E!e8 4.~h7+ Often with the €Je7, White should enter on h7 rather than fl. The following variation should be part of every attacker's arsenal. 'i:i'fxfl is thought to be a mistake because White, without any additional assets in the position, may have to settle for a perpetual check. In reality, 'i:i'ffl often works too, so long as there are additional assets. A rook swing might deliver mate on the h-file, or even here, bringing the Jlc1-a3 with its pin of the €Je7 will often be enough. 4.'i:i'fxf7+ 'it'h8 5.'i:i'fh5+ 'it'g8 6.'i:i'fh7+ 'it'f8 7.'i:i'fh8+ €Jg8 8.€Jh7+ 'it'f7. 4 ••• ~f8 5.~h8+ ~g8 6.~h7+ ~e7 7.Ag5+ f67 ... €Jf6 8.'i:i'fxg7 'it'd7 9.€Jxf6+; 7 ... 'it'd7 8..llxd8

For relevant examples, see games 190, 226, and 271. When the queen cannot reach h5 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Here, the white queen does not have immediate access to the key h5-square. 1.Axh7+ ~xh7 2.~g5+ ~g8 3.~h3

8.~xg7#

54

Contemporary Theory The queen can still reach the h-file, but at h3, where it attacks h7 but not also f7. 3 ... E!eS-Black can therefore create an escape square on f8 without having to wony about ~xf7. 4. ~h7+ ~f8 and although there is no quick mate, White may still sustain an attack with ideas like ~h8-g7 or ~h5 and 4Jh7-f6 or with the assistance of additional assets. There are many examples in the book of attacking queens that cannot reach h5 directly. For examples of the queen entering on h3, see games 145, 150,203, 215,245,265, and 275. For examples ofthe queen reaching h4, see games 146, 147, 163,177,188,197,201,279,303. The white queen may also need to attack from d3, occasionally just to prevent the defender from reaching the bl-h7 diagonal. Examples are games 157, 170, 181, 183, 191, 202,235,254,263,299, and 300. Gleizerov - Ganguly Calcutta 1999 Queen's Gambit Accepted [026]

White has four additional assets, the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, the 4Jd2, and the §eI. Nonethless, Black's bishops are very active and Black has a significant counter attack on the white center. 15.Axh7+ ~xh7 16..£)g5+ ~g8 Selecting the wrong line. Black survives in the ~g6 line owing to his development and especially the connected rooks, which support §h8. 16 ... ~g6! 17.h4 §h8 18.~g4 f5 19.exf6 .llxf2+. Sacrificing back the material in order to re-post the queen on f5. 20.~xf2 ~c5+ 2I.~f1 ~f5+ 22.~xf5+ 4Jxf5 23.fxg7 §xh4 24.4Jxe6 4Jxg7 25.4Jxg7 §hl + 26.~f2 §xel 27.~xel ~xg7 28.4Jf3;1;. 17.~h5 Axf2+ A common theme, sacrificing a piece in order to reach the key bl-a7 diagonal. 18.~hl ~c2 Reaching the diagonal, but White's additional assets are able to block the queen's reach to h7. 19•.£)de4 Axe4 20.E!xe4 and the ~h5 covers the dl square. 20 ••• E!fc8 21.~xf7+ ~h8 22.~h5+ ~g8

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 .£)f6 4.Axc4 e6 5..£)f3 c5 6. ~e2 a6 7.dxc5 Axc5 8.0-0 0-0 9.e4 b5 10.Ab3 Ab7 1l..£)bd2 ~c712.e5 .£)fd713.E!el .£)c614.Ac2 .£)e7

23.Ae3 A beautiful move, protecting c1 and inviting the capture on e3 when §h4 decides. 23 ••• .£)f5 23 ... .llxe3 24.~f7+ ~h8 25.§h4+ ~h7 26.§xh7# 24.~h7+ ~f8 25.~g6 .£)xe5 26.~xe61-0

Radu - Bondoc Bucharest 2007 Sicilian Defense [B22]

8

7

6

1.e4 c5 2.c3 .£)f6 3.e5 .£)d5 4.d4 cxd4 5.cxd4 e6 6 ..£)c3 d6 7.exd6 Axd6 8 •.£)f3 0-0 9.Ad3 .£)c6 (D)

5 4

3

2 Il~f~.~~~J,~'Y~~~~~'~1

White has two additional assets, the 4Jc3 and the dark-square bishop, but the real story is that Black can trivially

abcdefgh

55

Sacking the Citadel 15.~h4e516..£Jd2 Black is better, but both parties agreed to a draw. ~-~

8

7

In several games within this collection, the defender forces a knight back to the f6-square, sacrificing one so that the second can defend. See games 171, 227, 228, and 244.

6

5 4

3 2

The 'ifjlg6line abcdefgh

In the 'itJg6 line, Black, often in recognition that other alternatives are hopeless, boldly brings his king in front of the kingside pawns. It is not surprising that Voellmy and ZnoskoBorovsky both concluded that the entire 'itJg6 line was simply too dangerous to play. When they wrote, they focused upon two alternatives for White, ~g4 and ~d3+. Vukovic added analysis of a third alternative, h4 with the idea ofh5+. The reality is that White has six variations for the attacking arsenal.

bring the 4Jd5-f6. 10.Axh7+ 'ifjlxh7 l1.l~)g5+ 'ifjlg812. ~h5 .£Jf6 With one move, White's attack has ended. 0-1 Valickova - Stodolova Alekhine's Defense [B03] Czechia 2001

1.e4 .£Jf6 2.e5 .£Jd5 3.d4 d6 4.Ac4 e6 5.~e2 dxe5 6.dxe5 Jl.c5 7 ..£Jf3 c6 8.0-0 0-0 9.c3 .£Jd710.Ad3 ~c7 White has two additional assets, the e5pawn and the dark-square bishop, but Black has a counter-attack on the center and both knights are poised to retake the f6-square.

•

8

7

6

•

5 4

3 2

• abc

d

e

f

g

h

11.Axh7+ 'ifjlxh712 ..£Jg5+ 'ifjlg8 By far the best line for Black. 12 ... ~g6 13.'~e4+ f514.exf6+ ~xf615.~xe6#. 13.~h5 .£J5f6 Giving back a piece to prevent the mate. 14.exf6 .£Jxf6

56

~g4,

the traditional option, provides protection for the 4Jg5 and threatens a discovered check that can decimate the defender. ~d3+ offers no immediate protection for the knight, but the check is annoying and substantially limits the defender's options. h4 provides useful support for the 4Jg5 and, when played with a dark-square bishop, often threatens h5+ forcing the ~g6-h6 where it will encounter a devastating discovered check- from the 4Jg5.

Contemporary Theory •

•

•

Rook swings to g3 threaten discovered checks, and an immediate fih3, when available, threatens i£fh5+. f5+ pries open the f-file and the diagonal for the darksquare bishop, but more importantly opens the f4square for .t\e2-f4. .t\g3, or .t\fl-g3, which supports i£fh5+.

The sections on each move will help you to determine the situations in which each of the moves is optimal. White often prevails in this variation and indeed, there are many situations in which more than one move will win. But the 'i11g6 line is by no means a walk in the park. A substantial amount of experience is needed.

... ~g6, White plays ~g4 i£fg4 has always seemed the most natural response to ... 'i11g6. Down a piece, the i£fg4 has many positive features: • •

•

•

It adds protection to the .t\g5; It immediately limits the

defenders options; It threatens a discovered check that will win at least a rook and sometimes a queen; When the black rook is not on h8, the i£fg4 can move to h4 with the idea of i£fh7 # .

Here's the basic position after i£fg4.

57

At first glance, it appears that White must have a forced win here. The queen covers f5, g5, and h5. The e5-pawn covers the f6-square. The .t\g5 covers f7 and h7. And White will often have a dark-square bishop to discourage 'i11h6. And even without the dark-square bishop, 'i11h6 will now meet an immediate i£fh4-h7 when Black will often walk into a mating net after 'i11xg5. For the moment, and often for quite a while, the black king simply cannot safely move and White has an aggressive plan, .t\g5xe6 with a discovered check that hits the fifS, the g7-square (which usually contains a pawn but on rare occasions a bishop), and from time to time the i£fdS. Other discovered checks are also possible, and so the defender must carefully keep loose pieces and the queen from squares such as c5 and c7. How can Black defend successfully once the queen reaches g4? One key is whether the e5-pawn is defended. An immediate .t\xe5 can fully disrupt White's attack. Black may be able to force a knight back to the f6-square. Black may have control over g3 making it impossible for White to sustain the queen on the g-file after .. .f5. And Black may be able to defend with .. .f6, forcing the .t\g5 to commit to a discovered check before White has an opportunity

Sacking the Citadel to bring other assets to bear. Note that 4Jxe6, when it nets only the ~fS, is often insufficient for White to achieve a sustainable initiative.

A simple example. White has a secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop as additional assets. Note that Black's .>lb7 no longer defends the e6-pawn, a significant target if Black defends by advancing the f-pawn. 1 . .1lxh7+ lb7 were instead on e8. 4.exf6 Had the e6-pawn been far better defended, White would have considered the retreat with ~g3 to sustain the threat of a discovered check. 4 ...
The advance of the f-pawn to f5 is the most frequent response to ~g4. With the ~g4 en prise, White, unless there is an immediate check or checkmate on e6 (~xe6), must either capture the pawn on f6, giving the black king some air, or move the queen. When possible, a retreat to g3 preserves a discovered check by the knight. When the black ~f8 cannot be anchored on h8, ~g4h4 is another powerful idea, aiming for ~h7 and a thematic mate if the 4Jg5 is defended and an interesting mating net if the black king captures an undefended 4Jg5. Black's other option, an immediate .. .f6, is a useful resource when the black queen is not reachable by a discovered check from the 4Jg5. The advance to f6 has the merit of forcing the action and eliminating the discovered check, which after .. .f5 might otherwise remain as a resource awaiting the arrival of additional forces.

For other examples of the mate, or pressure from a rook on e6, see games 161,232,246, and 302.

The importance off6

The basics of~g4 8

7

6

5 4

1...f5 The typical reaction to ~g4. 2. ~g3 White is able to maintain the queen on the file and the threat of 4Jxe6+. 2 ... §h8 A horr!ble move, removing the rook from its needed defense of the f6-square. 3.4)xe6+

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

58

Contemporary Theory ~f7 Avoiding the mates after 'ttYxg7. 4. 't\'xg7+ A key to the 'ttYg4 variation. The <£Ie6 supports this capture, which is more powerful still in rare positions when Black has a bishop rather than a pawn ong7. 4 ••• ~xe6 5.'t\'f6*

piece, the<£lgS.17 ••• ~xg518.h4+The mating net varies with the assets at White's disposal. In many of these positions, White can profitably play i*xg7(+). 18 ••• ~g4 19.£3+ ~g3 2O.'t\'h5+-

Thedangerof~x~e6

For relevant examples, see games 167, 169, 173,200,206,227,248,256,266,and 271.

8

7

't\'g4 without an e5-pawn

6 5

8

4

7

3

6

2

5

abc

d e

f

4

g h

3

Even when the rook remains on fB, if can still be very dangerous for Black to capture the <£Ie6. 1.~ xe6+ ~f7 2.'t\'xg7+ ~xe6 2 ... 'eB 3.'ttYxfB# 3.~d4*

Sacrificing the ~g5 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Here, after .. .fS, White should play 'ttYh4h7 because the black rook cannot reach the hB-square. It is generally wise to consider this maneuver when the §.hB cannot be anchored. 16. 't\'h4 f4 17. 't\'h7+ Sacrificing an additional

59

2

abc

d e

f

g h

Even without an eS-pawn, 'ttYg4 can prevail. White relies here on the darksquare bishop and §.fel as the additional assets in the position. I.Jlxh7+ ~xh7 2.~g5+ ~g6 3.'t\'g4 f5 4.'t\'g3 Maintaining the queen on the g-file. 4 ••• f4 4 ... i*cB S.<£Ixe6+ 'f7 6.i*xg7+ 'xe6 7.§.el + 'd6 B.i*h6+ 'c7 9 ..1lf4+ 5.'t\'g4 Jlc8 S ... i*cB 6.<£Ixe6+ 'f7 (6 ... 'f6 7.§.el g6 B.i*h4+ 'f7 9.'ttYh7+ 'eBIO.<£IxfB+-) 7.i*xg7+ 'it'xe6 (7 ... 'it'eB B.i*xfB++-) B.§.el+ 'd6 (B ... 'fS 9.§.eS #) 9.i*xe7++-; S...'f6 6.§.el.1lcB 7 ..1lxf4 <£IfS B.<£Ixe6 .1lxe6 9 ..1lgS++- 6.§el ~f6 Even though the eS-pawn is not present to prevent this retreat, the king move does encourage the.1lc1 to reach gS. 7.Jlxf4 ~f5 7 ... eS 8..1lxeS+ 'it'g6 9.<£Ie6+ 'f7 lO.i*xg7+ ~xe6 1l.J1c7++- 8.~xe6 and the threat of

Sacking the Citadel ~gS is more important than the knight. 8 ... Axe69.Ag5+

obvious problem is that ii:l'g4 is not check, giving Black an opportunity to capture on d4. 3 ..• ~xd4 Hitting the ~g4 as well as the eS-pawn. 4. ~g3 f51 4 ... ii:l'xeS S.~f4 ii:l'fS 6.<£\xe6+ \!tf6 7.ii:l'xg7+ ~xe6 8..§.ael + .£leeS 9.~xeS .£lxeS 1O.f4+- 5.4)xe6+ Check, and attacking the ii:l'd4. 5 ••• ~g4= White's attack is over. .£lxf8 will not sustain the initiative.

For other examples, see games 138, 190, 211,258,278, and281. ~g4 can fail

to ••• 4) xe5

8

7

6

~g4

5

can fail if Black controls g3

4 8

3

7

2

6

abc

d e

f

g

5

h

4

3

The undefended eS-pawn by itself need not discourage the sacrifice, but here, Black can control both g4 and g3. 1.-'txh7+ ~xh7 2.4)g5+ ~g6 3. ~g4

2

abcdefgh

4)xe54.~g34)f5-+

More common, without the eS-pawn, Black's dark-square bishop controls g3. 1.-'txh7+ ~xh7 2.4)g5+ ~g6 3.~g4 f5 -+ and White cannot capture the fpawn en passant.

For examples, see games 141, 168,223, 259, and 289. ~g4 can fail to ~xd4

For examples, see games 149, 153, 188, 240,244,262,268,282, and 292 .•

8

7

6

Black forces a knight to f6

5

4 8

3

7

2

6

abc

d e

f

g

5

h

4

3

Black has two obvious attacks upon the d4-pawn, which will become vulnerable once the <£\f3 moves to gS. 1.Axh7+ ~xh7 2.4)g5+ ~g6 3.~g4 The

2

abc

60

d e

f

g

h

Contemporary Theory White initiates the sacrifice with only the e5-pawn as an additional asset, and Black can -force a knight back to f6. 1.Axh7+ 'iflxh7 2.4)g5+ 'iflg6 3.~g4 4)5f6 The move obviously returns a piece, but it foils White's hope to retain the queen on the g-file. 4.exf6 4) xf6 5.~g3 4)h5 6. ~g4 4)f6=

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

For an example, see game 171. abc

Phanthomas2004 - Mertens Playchess.com 2004 Owen's Defense [A40]

d e

f

g

h

12...f513.~g3 ~e814.4)e2 A knight that can reach f4 is a very useful asset in this line. 1-0

l.d4 e6 2.4)f3 b6 3.Ag5 Ae7 4.Axe7 4) xe7 5.e3 0-0 6.Ad3 Ab7 7.0-0 d6 8.Axh7+ 'iflxh7 9.4)g5+

Chow-Yeten Queenstown 2009 Queen's Gambit [D06]

'iflg610.~g4

1.d4 d5 2.c4 4)f6 3.cxd5 ~xd5 4.4)c3 ~a5 5.4)0 e6 6.Ad2 AM 7.e4 0-0 8.Ad3 c6 9.e5 4)d5 10.Axh7+ 'iflxh7 1l.4)g5+ 'iflg6

8

7 Ir"':~.,.r":~" . ...:r. 6 5

12.~g4

4

3

8

2

7

6

abc

d e

f

g

h

5

10••• 'iflf6 Trying to take advantage of the absence of a pawn on e5. 1l.4)h7 # Don't letthis happen to you. 1-0

4

3 2

abc

Freyberg - Koeppe Germany 200 1 Caro-Kann Defense [BI2] 1.e4 d5 2.d4 c6 3.e5 e6 4.4)f3 c5 5.c3 4)c6 6.Ad3 cxd4 7.cxd4 Ab4+ 8.4)c3 4)ge7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Axh7+ 'iflxh711.4)g5+ 'iflg612. ~g4

61

d e

f

g

h

12 •.•f5 13. ~h4 The .§.f8 cannot safely move to h8. 13•.• f414.~h7+ 'iflxg5 15.4)e4+ 15.h4+ ~g4 16.~g6#; 15 ..£\e4+ ~g4 16.h3# 1-0 16.f3#; 16.~h3#

Sacking the Citadel else return to g6, when ~h7 is checkmate if the knight defended or will force the capture of the 4::lg5. It is also e.vident that the e5-pawn, as in the ~g4 Ime, plays a key role in controlling f6.

Lednicky - Seben Slovakia 2001 French Defense [C 19] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.1~c3 .1lb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 .1lxc3+ 6.bxc3 J£\c6 7.J£\f3 J£\ge7 8 . .1ld3 .1ld7 9.0-0 0-0 10..1lxh7+ ~xh7 1l.J£\g5+ ~g6 12.~g4

~g3

abc

d

e

f

g

~d3+

The practical result is that Black's options are also quite limited after ~d3+. If the king is unable to capture the 4::lg5, usually because White has a dark-square bishop on the c1-h6 diagonal or because ~xg5 leads to mate, Black will have three choices. ~g6-h6 will meet ~h7 checkmate. 'it'h5 will meet a mate in two, with ~h3-h7 or

h

12...f513.~g3 ~a5 13 .. .f4 14.~g4 15 ..Ilxf4+- 14.h4 E!h8? Fatally weakening the f6-square. 15.J£\xe6+ ~f7 15 ... ~h7 16.~xg7#; 15 ... ~h5 16.4::lxg7# 16.~xg7+ ~xe6 16... 'it'e8 17.~xh8++- 17.~f6# 1-0 ~c7

~h7-h3.

In almost all ofthe games, Black has no choice therefore but to play .. .f5. Note that unlike ~g4, Black loses the option here of playing .. .f6 because the king is in check. After .. .f5, White has several pleasant options:

••. ~g6, White plays ~d3 ~d3

is often given as an alternative to without a great deal of comment. Unlike ~g4, in the left fragment below, ~d3 places the 'it'g6 in check. As a result, the defender must remove the king from check and does not have time to capture a central pawn, remove the queen from danger, or maneuver a knight back to f6. Of course, the ~d3, unlike the ~g4, does not provide direct support for the 4::lg5. One of the key variations, therefore, is the immediate ~xg5. Note also that the black king has access to h5, but after ~d3-h3, it is clear that Black will either capture the 4::lg5 or ~g4

• • •

62

4::l( x)e6 will be playable when the e6-square is undefended; White can transpose to the ~g4 f5 line with ~d3-g3 while having eliminated options other than .. .f5 after ~g4; ~d3-h3, which is similar to ~g4-h4 except that the ~h3 does not help to defend the 4::lg5; -

Contemporary Theory • •

The remarkable en passant discovered check with e5xf6; And occasionally when White does not have an e5pawn, even .§.xe6+.

~d3mates

For examples of games with .£\xe6 as an alternative to the en passant capture, see 250, 251,295, and 299. ~d3xg5

8 7

8

6

7

5

6

4

5

3

4

2

3 2

abc abcdefgh

Black must play .. .f5. All king moves lead to simple checkmates. 3 ••. f5 when White has four candidates from which to select the best move. 3 ... \tlh6 4.~h7#; 3... \tlh5 4.~h7+ (4.~h3+ ~g6 5.~h7#) 4 ... ~g4 5.~h3#, (5.h3#, or 5.f3 #) 4.exf6+ A remarkable check, when once again, king retreats to the hfile are harshly punished. 4 ..£\xe6 is certainly an option worth considering; 4. ~g3. A position identical to the variation 3.~g4 f5 4.~g3; 4.~h3 is similar to ~h4 when White first plays ~g4. This is a very nice option when the black rook, as here, cannot be anchored on h8 4 .•. xf6 4 ... \tlh6 5.~h7 #; 4 ... ~h5 5.~h7+ (5.g4+ ~xg4 [5 ... ~h4 6.~h3#] 6.~h3# [6:~'f3+ ~h4 7.~h3#]) 5... \tlg4 6.h3# ,6.f3#, or6.~h3#) 5.'§xe6# The immediate checkmate with .§.e6 is rare, but White often follows up after the en passant capture with .§.fel. See games 143, 171,202,223,240,268,279, 282,284, and 30 I.

63

d

e

f

g

h

Normally, White could count on two additional assets, the .£\c3 and the secure e5-pawn. After Black captures the .£\g5, White can also count on the advance of the kings ide pawns, notably the f-pawn. 1.A.xh7+ xh7 Vdg5+ g6 3.~d3+ xg5 4. ~h7 A critical maneuver, cutting off all of the king's retreats. The idea often works even when Black can respond with an anchored .§.h8 because White can advance the kingside pawns with check and because the g-pawn is en prise. 4 ••• Jdxe5 5.dxe5 g6 6.f4+ f5 7.~h3# The final mate makes good use of the .£\c3 controlling the e4 escape square. For other games after ~d3+ involving a successful attack after \tlxg5, see games 171,250,251,252,255,273, and 279. The attack does not always prevail. For examples when White does not have adequate additional assets here, see games 173,260, and 292.

Sacking the Citadel ~d3 with no blackf-pawn

3.~d3+

f5 3 ... ~h64.~h7#; 3... ~h5 <;!;>g4 5.f3# [5.h3#; 5.~h3#]) 4 ... <;!;>g6 5.~h7# 4.~h3 Often the best move when the defender cannot safely respond with §h8.

4.~h3+ (4.~h7+

8

7

6

5

For examples of~d3-h3 when the rook cannot reach h8, see games 157, 206, 221,255, and 283.

4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h 8

The absence of the f-pawn, which gave Black useful options in the ~g8Iine, is a significant liability here. 1.,1lxh7+ Cjf}xh7 2.4)g5+ Cjf}g6 3. ~d3+ Etf5 Black cannot block the check with .. .f5. 3 ... <;!;>h6 4.~h7#; 3 ... <;!;>h5 4.~h3+ (4.~h7+<;!;>g45.h3# [5.~h3#]4 ... <;!;>g6 5.~h7#). 4.4)xe6 Of course, g4 also wins, but 4Jxe6 penn its White to win even more. 4 ••. ~h4 5.4)f4++-

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

White has three additional assets, the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the 4Jc3, but Black has significant pressure upon e5. 1.,1lxh7+ Cjf}xh7 2.4)g5+ Cjf}g6 3.~d3+ Using the check to avoid the capture of the e5-pawn. 3.~g4 fails because Black can capture the e5-pawn with tempo, and escape the discovered check on f5. 3 ... 4Jcxe5 4.~g3 <;!;>f5!= 5.~f4+ ~g6 6.~g3 'ittf5. 3 .••f5 4. ~g3 Reaching the traditional position without having had to deal with ~g4 4Jxe5. 4 •.• ~a5 5.4) xe6+ Cjf}f7 6. ~xg7+ Far superior to the capture of the §f8. 6 •.• Cjf}xe6 7.~g6+ 4)f6 7 ••• Cjf}e7 S.Jlg5+ +-

For examples, see games 186,270,272, and 274. ~d3-h3 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

White relies here on two additional assets, the e5-pawn and dark-square bishop. The key in this example is that the §f8 cannot be anchored on h8. 1.,1lxh7+ Cjf}xh7 2.4)g5+ Cjf}g6

For additional examples of~d3-g3, see games 159 and 168.

64

Contemporary Theory ~d3 with

The attack with ~d3+ fails here because Black can block the b 1-h7 diagonal with 4Jf5, exposing the ~d8's attack upon the undefended 4Jg5. 1..1l,xh7+ ~xh7 2.~g5+ ~g6 3.~d3+? 3.'iii'g4 f5 4.~g3 +- 3 ... ~f513 ... ~xg5 4:l*h7 +4Jg6 5.f4+ 4Jxf4 6Jhf4 +-; 3 ... f5 4.4Jxe6+- 4.g4 4.4Jh3 'iii'h4-+ 4 ••. ~xg5-+

a loose piece on c5

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Note the black queen on c5 and White's 4Jc3 ready to fork the black king if it reaches f6. 3.Jlxh7+ ~xh7 4.~g5+ ~g6 5.~d3+ White's attack can also be potent after ~b1 and especially ~c2. There are positions in which the white queen can reach b1 or c2 but not d3 directly, and there are times when ~c2 has the added benefit of attacking a loose piece on the c-file. 5 ...f5 Once again, the king moves get mated. 5 ... ~h6 6.~h7#; 5 ...
For similar examples, including knight moves to e4 to block the check from the ~d3, see games 153, 181, 190,205, 226,249,285, and 296. A much more compelling defense would be Jli5 to block the check, but no games in the book match that criterion. Baudifier - Saatdjian Lyon 2000 French Defense [C02] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.~f3 ~h6 5.Jld3 ~c6 6.0--0 cxd4 7.Jlf4 Jlc5 8.lael ~ge7 9.h3 0--0 lO•.1l,xh7+ ~xh711.~g5+ ~g612. ~d3+ 8

For other examples of such captures on c5,seegames 181, 191,235,239,263, and 264.

7

6 5 4

~d3 against ~f5 and ~xg5

3 2

8 7

abc

6 5

d

e

f

g

h

12... ~f5 13. ~h3 Taking advantage ofthe 1=:([8's inability to defend from h8. 13 ... ~h6 13 ... 4J xe5 14.Axe5 d3

4

3 2

15.~h7+
Axel

(17 ... 4Je3 18.4Jf3+ ~g4 18.4Jf3+
19.~h3#)

abcdefgh

65

Sacking the Citadel ••. ~g6, White plays h4

14.g41 Threatening~h5#.14 ••. .£)xg4 15:~h7# 1-0

Many chess players are familiar with the idea ofpreparing the Greco Sacrifice with h4. The pawn helps to defend 4Jg5, especially when Black has a bishop on e7. A later section of this chapter focuses exclusively upon positions in which Black defends with .Ilxg5.

Sziraki - Olah Eger 1991 Semi-Slav Defense [047] 1.e4 e6 2 •.£)e3 d5 3.d4 .£)f6 4 •.£)f3 e6 5.e3 A,e7 6.A,d3 dxe4 7.A,xe4 008.0-0 .£)bd7 9.e4 ~e710.e5 .£)d5 11.~e2 .£)7b612.A,d3 e513..£)b5 ~e6 14.dxe5 A,xe5 15.A,xh7+ ~xh716..£)g5+ ~g6

The h2-h4 pawn advance is useful in other situations as well, especially when White has a dark-square bishop and a rook on hl. Indeed, the advance can manufacture an effective, additional asset out of White's pristine kingside structure.

8

7

6 5

In the section that focuses upon the 'it'h6 line, we will see that h4 can be a distinct liability there when White does not have a dark-square bishop. But here, many players have selected the ~g6 line in part because the ~h6 was not a viable choice owing to the presence of a dark-square bishop on the cl-h6 diagonal.

4

3 2

abcdef

White wins in several variations. ~c2 places winning pressure upon the ~c5, ~e4-h4 penetrates to h7 effectively, and 17.~g4 wins too, because after l7 ... f6, White has 18.~e4 f5 19.~h4. 17.~d3+ 17.~c2+ f5 18.exf6+ ~xf6 19.4Je4++-; 17:~e4+ f5 18.~h4+-; 17.~g4 f6! 18.~e4+! f5 19.~h4 17 •.. f5 18. ~h3 f4 Aiming for complications by disrupting the ~c1 's communication along the key diagonal. 19.~h7+ ~xg5 20.h4+ The quickest path. 20 .•• ~g4 21.~g6+ ~xh4 22.g3+ fxg3 23.~g5+ 1-0 23.'l:;i'xg3+ 'it'h5 24. 'l:;i'g5 #; 23. 'l:;i'g5+ ~h3

We have already seen that there are situations in which White cannot play 'l:;i'g4 or ~d3+ after 'it'g6. But White retains a viable alternative, especially when the attacking side has a darksquare bishop. Rather than play ~g4, for example, when the most frequent response, ... f5, attacks the queen, requiring the capture of the pawn or the retreat of the queen, White can consider playing h4 first, threatening rather than executing ~g4. With the pawn already on h4, White gains the threat ofh4-h5+, often forcing the black king to h6, when the dark-square bishop gains enormous influence, or to f5, where the king is often mated simply with g2-g4 or 'l:;i'f3.

24.~h5#

66

Contemporary Theory Once the pawn is on h4, White can play ~g4 knowing that ... f5 will now meet h5+, driving the king to h6.

8 7

6 8

5

7

4

6

3

5

2

4

3

abc

d

e

f

g

h

2

abcdefgh

The h4-advance works best when White has a dark-square bishop, a secure e5-pawn, and a rook on hI. Remarkably enough, the advance of the h-pawn often still succeeds even when White has castled kings ide and a black rook can reach h8 in no small part because .§h8 once again weakens f7.

16.h5+ ~h6 16 .. .'~f6 even without the e5-pawn, the king is too exposed without a retreat to e7. 17.~f3#. 17.4)xti++-,or17.4)xe6++-. For examples ofh4-h5 against g6, see games 131, 178, 199, 217, and 291. h4 when the black rook cannot reach h8 1.j'txh7+ ~xh7 2.4)g5+ ~g6

Without a dark-square bishop, the king can often hide effectively on h6, although White does have the idea of following up with ~d3 threatening ~h7#. If Black is forced to play ... g6to prevent the infiltration of the queen on h7, h4-h5 promises to open the h-file for the .§hl. Black defends best when the king's rook can reach h8 with an anchor, but there are many examples in which the black rook's ability to reach h8 by itself is insufficient to blunt the white attack. The pawn is already on h4

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

3.h4 ~d7 4.h5+ ~h6 4 ... f5 5.~f3#; 4 ... f6 5.~f3+ ~f5 6.4Jh7# 5.4)xti+ ~d3 will often work here. 5 ••. ~h7 6.Ele6 4)f5 7.4)g5+ ~g8 8.~c2+-

With the pawn already on h4, White wins quickly and effectively with h5+, forcing the king to h6 where the darksquare bishop ends the discussion.

67

For similar examples, see games 134, 139, and 237.

Sacking the Citadel hS forces EthS, weakening f7 8

1.-'lxh7+
7

Il_'."'-'''''"

6 8

5

7

4

6

3

5

2

4

3

abcdefgh

2

abc

d e

f

Once again, h4 is playable even without a rook on hI. 3.h4 3.~g4?! .£\xe5 4.~g3
g h

h4 and ~g4 both prevail, and most players might avoid h4 without having the rook on hI. Here, the threat of h5 forces the §.f8 to give up its defense of the f7-square. 3.h4 3.~g4!? la,xf2+ 4.~xf2 f5 5.~h4 §h8 6.~g3 +3 .•• EthS 4.hS+ A nice surprise. The push still works despite the fact that the §h8 can capture it. 4.~d3+ f5 (4 ... ~h5 5.g4+
7.~g6+
For similar examples, see games 141, 160,213, and 234. Sanchez Almeyra - Rodriguez Maringa 1991 French Defense [C 16] 1.e4e6 2.d4dS 3.~c3 .11,b44.eS ~e7 S . .11,d2 b6 6.~f3 0-0 7 ..11,d3 cS S ..11,xh7+
Il!!l!~.~'-·II"""""-lI:::r!

7

6

For similar examples, see games 137, 192,207,231, and 287.

5 4

3

h4 with a castled king

2

1 •.11,xh7+
68

d e

f

g h

Contemporary Theory 10.h4! More accurate than 'l£rg4 1O.~g4 f5 11.~g3 f4 12.~g4 'l£re8±. 10 ... ~eS 11. ~g4 Only now, when l1...f5 meets 12.h5+.11 ..• ~f511...f5 12.h5+ ~h6 13.4::Ixe6+ ~h7 14.~xg7# 12.h5+ h613.~ge4+! 13.4::Ixf7+? ~h7 14.~g6+ ~g8-+ 13 ... h7 13 ... g5 14.hxg6+ ~g7 15.Elh7+ ~g8 16.4::If6# 14.h6 1-0 14 ... h6 g615.4::If6+ ~h816.4::Ixe8+-

method will depend here upon Black's full set-up. Obviously, White could also play 7.4::If7 and 8.Ag5. For additional examples of the Elh3 swing, see games 130, 189, 194,210,218, 280, and 304. Rook swings to g3 8

••• g6, White swings a rook to the kingside Rooks play an important part as additional assets in most lines, but they are especially effective when they can reach g3 and h3 quickly.

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

Rook swings to h3 8

7

6 5

4

3 2

abcdefgh

I.Jlxh7+ xh7 2.~g5+ g6 Many moves win here for White, but the fastest and most compelling method is with Elh3 threatening 'l£rh5. 3.Eth3 3.Elg3 f5 (3 ... ~f5 4. i1i'd3 #) 4.4::Ixe6+ 3 .•• EthS To defend the h5 entry square, the rook must cede its defense of f7. 4. ~d3+ f5 5.exf6+ Here, Black has only one move because king retreats to the h-file are covered by the rook. 5 .•. xf6 6.Etf3+ And now, the rook enters powerfully on the unopposed ffile. 6 ••• e7 7.Etf7+ The winning

69

d

e

f

g

h

I.Jlxh7+ xh7 2.~g5+ g6 Once again, the fastest method is with a rook swing, here to g3. 3.Etg3 Retaining the 4::Ig5 and threatening 4::Ixe6+. 3.El h3 'l£rxg5 4.Elg3+-. 3 •.. f6 3 ... f5 4.4::Ixe6++- 4.~d3+ f5 5.~xe6+ When the knight will often threaten at least the Elf8, if not more, and aim for Elxg7. 5 .•. f7 5 ... ~h6 6.Elxg7+-; 5... ~h7 6.Elxg7++- 6.~xf5+ One of many advantages to the rook swing, when it is available, is that it frees the queen up for other duties, notably this powerful capture. 6 ••• e7 6 ... ~g8 7.Elxg7++- 7.Etxg7++For additional examples of the Elg3 swing, see games 96, 216, 229, 248, and 294. Gharamian - Waquet La Fere 2003 French Defense [C06]

Sacking the Citadel l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~d2 ~f6 4.e5 5.Ad3 c5 6.c3 ~c6 7.~e2 'll\'a5 8.0-0cxd4 9.cxd4 Ae710.~f3 f611.exf6 ~ xf612.~f4 0-0 13.Etel .Q.b4 14.Ete3 ~e4 15.Axe4 Etxf4 White undertakes the sacrifice relying upon two additional assets, the darksquare bishop and the E!.e3 ready to swing to g3 or h3. 16..Q.xh7+
•••
~fd7

Having or moving a knight to g3 is so powerful that it trumps other considerations. Here are the basic examples. The 4Jg3 permits the white queen to infiltrate powerfully upon h5. Black's best hope, when White does not have a pawn on e5, is to run the king to f6 and e7. ~g3

8

mates on h5

7

6

8

5

7

4

6

3

5 4

2

3 abc

d

e

f

g

2

h

When the rook swings to g3 and h3 both win convincingly. 18.Eth318.E!.g3 E!.f5 (lB ... e5 19.4Je6+ 'it'f7 20.Axf4 'it'xe6 21.dxe5 +-) 19.4Jxe6+ 'it'f7 (19 ... 'it'h7 20.E!.xg7+ 'it'hB 21.~g4+-; 19 ... 'it'f6 20.4Jxg7 Ad6 21.4Jxf5 Axf5 22.Ag5+ 'it'e6 23.E!.e3+ 'it'd 7 24.~h5 +-) 20.4Jxg7 +- 18 ••• Etxd4 1B ... 'it'xg5 19.Axf4+ 'it'f6 (19 ... 'it'xf4 20.'l*h5 +-) 20.~h5 'it'e7 21.E!.g3 'it'd7 22.E!.xg7+ 4Je7 23.E!.c1 +-; 1B ...'it'f6 19.Axf4 +- 19. 'll\'h5+
abcdefgh

White has three additional assets, the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the 4Jg3, which plays a key role in its support of both h5 and f5 and discourages Black from bringing the king to g6 or h6. Note that the e5-pawn also has an important role to playas well in guarding f6. 1..Q.xh7+
70

Contemporary Theory 4)f1-g3

Here, .§.fel and a nice 4Jg3-f5 maneuver overcomes the absence of an e5-pawn. 1 . .1lxh7+ \t'xh7 2.4)g5+ \t'g6 3. ~h5+ Without a pawn on e5, the king can run to f6. If Black had a piece on e7, 4Jh7 would mate. 3 ••. \t'f6 4.4)f5! exf5 4 .. .';!ilxf5 5.4Jh7+ 'it>e4 6 ..§.dl with itrf3# to follow; 4 ... e5 5..§.el +-. Likely with a winning advantage, depending of course on the rest of the Black setup. 5.lael g6 6.~h6 lahS 7.4)h7+ laxh7S..1lg5#

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

The 4Jg3 is so powerful that moving a knight there from f1 or e2 is often the most efficient path for the attack. 1•.1lxh7+ \t'xh7 2.4)g5+ \t'g63.4)g3 Black has only one move to prevent ~h5. 3 ..• lahS But the rook move weakens the f7-square. 4.~d3+ f5 4 ... ~h6 The .§.hB prevents ~h7, but the obvious knight fork is also checkmate, 5.4Jxf7 #. 5.4) xe6 With two powerful threats, 4JxdB and ~xf5. 5.exf6+ If Black has a bishop defending e6, White can try the en passant capture. 5 ... \t'xf6 Avoiding the mate after 'it>h6, but now giving the queen a path to f7 with ~f3+. 5 ... 'it>h6 6.4Jf7#. 6.~f3+ \t'e7 7. ~f7+ with a powerful attack.

Trangoni - Rigo Venice 2005 Queen's Pawn Game [DOS] l.d4 e6 2.4)f3 4)f6 3.4) bd2 c5 4.e3 4)c6 5.c3 d5 6 ..1ld3 .1le7 7.0--0 0--0 S.~e2 b6 9.dxc5 bxc5 10.e4 ~c7 1l.h3 .1lb7 12.lael 4)d7 13.4)f1 laaeS 14.4)g3 .1ld6 15.e5 4)cxe5 16. .1lxh7+ \t'xh7 17.4)g5+ \t'gS 17 ... ~g6

For examples involving 4Jf1-g3, see games 115, 135, 161,240, and 295. 4)g3 without e5 abc

d

e

f

g

h

8

IB.4Jxe6! Here, the immediate itrh5+ permits the Black king to reach e7. IB.itrh5+ 'it>f6. IB .. .fxe6 allows a pretty mate in two. IB ... 'ltfbB 19.4Jxf8+ AxfB 20.'ltfh5+ 'it>f6 21.Ag5+ 'it>e6 22.f4 +19.~h5+ 'f6 20.Ag5#.

7

6 5 4

3 2

IS.4)h5 f619.4) xg7 \t'xg7 20. ~h5 lahS 21.4)xe6+ laxe6 0--1

abcdefgh

71

Sacking the Citadel .•• g6, White plays f5 8 8

7

7

6

6

5

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

abcdefgh abc

d

e

f

g

h

convincing continuation. 16.h4 .I1b6+ 17.~h2 .I1f5 18.h5+ ~f6 (18 ... ~h6 19.4Jxf7+) 19.94 ~c8 20.gxf5 ~xf5 21.Jld2 'It'e7 22.E!.el + 'It'f8 23.E!.xe8+ ~xe8 24.~e2+ ~f8 25.E!.e1 4Jd7 26.~e7+ 'It'g8 27.E!.eU. 16... Axf5 17.Elxf5! Ab6+ 17 ... 'lt'xf5 18.~f3+ ~g6 (18 ... 'lt'e5 19.~e4+ ~f6 20.4Jh7#) 19.~xf7+ ~h6 20.4Je6++-; 17 ... ~d7 18.E!.xf7+- 18.hl ~e7 19 . .£)e6 h7 19 ... fxe6 20.~h5# 20.Elxf7 ~xf7 21..£)g5+ g8 22 . .£) xf7 xf7 23. ~h5+ f8 24.Jtg5 .£)a6 25.~h71-0

Another interesting resource for White, f5+, opens the diagonal for the darksquare bishop and the f4-square for the knight. 1.ltxh7+ xh7 2 ..£)g5+ g6 3.f5+ It should be evident that the combination has sting even without the E!.f1 in support. 3 ...exf5 4 ..£)f4+ with the obvious threat of~h5 #. 4 ... xg5 4 .. .'it'h6 5.~h5# 5.~h5# For examples off5 in action against the 'It'g6Iine, see games 151, 170,205,219, and 253. Yanayt- Grabowski Las Vegas 2009 Schmid Benoni [A60]

The h6line The 'It'h6 line is a much less common defensive choice for an obvious reason. When White has a dark-square bishop on the c1-h6 diagonal, the ~h6 is often subject to a brutal discovered check from the 4Jg5, which has a versatile reach notably including the d8-square where the black queen often resides.

1.d4 .£)f6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4 •.£)c3 exd5 5.cxd5 Ad6 6.e4ltc7 7.f4d6 8.Ad3 0-0 9 •.£)f3 Ele810.0-0 c411.ltxc4 .£)xe412..£)xe4 Elxe413.Ad3 Ele8 14.Axh7+ xh715..£)g5+ g6 (D) White cannot successfully play either or ~g4 owing to the influence of Black's Jlc8. Even 16.h4 meets Jlb6 check and .I1f5. 16.f5+ The only

~d3

The number of squares that the knight can reach in one or two moves is impressive. Practically speaking, the list includes d8, the queen's starting square, as well as many of the squares to which the queen often develops, c7,

72

Contemporary Theory d6, c5, d4, and f6. Add the h8-square to the list, an important square because Black may move a rook or the queen there to prevent the i;l'd3-h7 and ~d3h3-h7 maneuvers.

games 217,255, and 270). When the 4Jg5 is anchored, as is almost always the case when White has a dark-square bishop on the key diagonal, ~d3 threatens ~h7 as well as ~d3-h3-h7 (which works well after ... g6).

8

With the bishop on the diagonal but blocked by a mobile f-pawn, f4-f5, activating the discovered check is often the answer. See games 133,200, and 242. One of the disadvantages off4-f5 is that the e6xf5 capture can open the e-file to the defender's advantage (see game 162).

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

White plays ~d3

When unable to prevent the discovered check, the defender will often move the queen to a safer square. Movements off the eighth rank, however, run the risk that 4Je6+ or 4Jf7 + will snag a now undefended rook. For the defender, there are three useful, central squares that are immune in one or two moves from the 4Jg5 's discovered checks, e8, d7, and especially e7. For examples of games involving a black queen on those three squares, see games 131, 141, 160, 165, 216,219,237, and 306, all still won by White because the attacking side often has possibilities even more powerful than the discovered check. Even when the black queen can be caught by a discovered check, White's best move with the discovered check in the air is often not actually to move the 4Jg5, but rather to threaten mate with i;l'g4-h4-h7 (see games 159, 162, 167, 242, 243, and 255) or with ~d3 (see

73

Even when the dark-square bishop has been traded or cannot easily reach the key c1-h6 diagonal, White has other resources, notably ~g4-h4 and ~d3, again with the idea of~h7 # as well as i;l'd3-h3-h7. 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Both ideas work well here .... §f8-h8 defending on h7 simply encourages 4Jxf7 forking the king and queen. 1.~d3 1.i;l'g4 §h8 (1...~c7 2.i;l'h4+ 'it'g6 3.~h7#) 2.4Jxf7++- 1 ... Eth8 1...g6 2.~h3+ <:t;g7 3.i;l'h7# 2 •.£!xf7+

Sacking the Citadel When White does not have a darksquare bishop

8

7

The ~h6 line is clearly more complex when White no longer has a dark-square bishop, or at least when that bishop is not on the cl-h6 diagonal. Even under such circumstances, White has considerable chances, depending of course upon the number of additional assets that can join in the attack.

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

1.~d31.~g4'§'h82.~h4+~g63.~xh8

In the ~h6 line, when White no longer has a dark-square bishop, or it is off the key diagonal, White still has multiple options and possibilities:

1 ••• ~h8 2~h3+ ~g63.~xh8 Rook swings to h3

•

Another recurring theme is a rook swing to the h3-square. Note in the following example that the 4Jg5 is again immune from capture thanks to the collaboration between the queen and rook, with a nice assist from the e5-pawn eliminating the f6-e7 escape route.

•

8

•

7

6 5 4

3 2

• abc

d e

f

g

h

1..§.e3 g6 (1...~xg5 2 ..§.g3+ 2 ... ~f4 3.~g4# [3.i1¥f3#]; (b) 2... ~h4 3.i1¥g4#; (c) 2... ~f5 3.~g4# [3.~f3#]; 3 . .§.h3+ ~g5 [3 ... ~g6 4.~h5# (4.i1¥g4#)] 4.'§'h5+ [4.~h5+ ~f4 5..§.h4# ]4 ... ~g6 5.~g4#) 2..§.h3+ ~g7 3.i1¥g4 .§.h8 4.'§'xh8 ~xh8 5.~h4+ ~g8 6.i1¥h7+ ~f8 7.4Jxe6+ 1. .. ~h8

Return the bishop to the c1h6 diagonal (see game 296); Place the queen on the diagonal, usually with ~d2 or i1¥e3 (which may have the additional merit of ~e3-h3) and the usual discovered check with the 4Jg5 (see games 9,24,86,245 and 285); Use the queen to launch an attack along the bl-h7 diagonal with ~e4, ~d2, ~bl, or most often with i1¥d3. See games 29,74, 127, 131, 164,181, 183, 198,250,268,270, 272,274,283,291,299, and 306; Storm the defender's kings ide with a patient pawn storm (see game 18).

1.~g4

~h6 (a)

Voellmy was the first to emphasize that the defender is often well advised to select the 'it'h6 line when White does not have a dark-square bishop and when White has already played h4, blocking the h-file and ruting out the ~g4-h4 and the i1¥d3-h3-h7 maneuvers.

2.~h4+ ~g6 3.~xh8

74

Contemporary Theory It turns out that it's not at all that simple. 8

It is true that 'ffi'd3 still threatens 'ffi'h7,

7

and so Black will often counter with ... g6 (especially when ... §h8 is not an option) blocking the queen's access to h7. After ... g6, White can try h4-h5, using the pawn as an asset rather than a liability. (see games 10,74,127,198, and 274). Here's the basic idea.

6 5 4

3 2

abc 8

d e

f

g h

18.Eldhl.Q.f(719.gxf/+ Elxf/ 2O.~g6 CjfjIfS 21.Elxg7 Elxg7 22.ElhS+

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

1:~d3 The h4-pawn blocks the usual 'ffi'g4-h4 maneuver, and the e3-pawn blocks 'ffi'd2, but White has another interesting idea. The threat, of course, is 'ffi'h7 #. Defending with ... §h8 invites the knight fork on f7, and so 1 .••g6 2.h5 .Q.xg5 2 ... r,t>xg5 3.hxg6; 2 ... r,t>g7 3A:'lxe6+ +-. The knight is immune since fxe6 allows 'ffi'xg6 3 ... fxe6 4.'ffi'xg6+ r,t>h8 5.'ffi'h6+ \t>g8 6.§cgl + +-; 2 .. .f5 3.exf6 §xf6 4.hxg6+ 'it'g7 5.§h7+ r,t>f8 (5 ... r,t>g8 6.§chl +- ) 6.4Jxe6+ +-. 3.hxg6+ ~g7 3... Ah4 4.§cgl r,t>g7 5.§g4+- 4.Elh7+ ~gS 5.gxf/+ Elxf/ 6:~g6+ +-

In addition to whether or not there's a dark-square bishop, the other key consideration is whether Black can play ... §h8 defending the h7-square with support from the other rook or queen. Obviously, without such support, the white queen in the 'ffi'd3-h3 line will simply capture the §h8. For games with rook support when White has a darksquare bishop, see games 159, 162,242, 243, and 255. For games with a dark square bishop without support for the §h8, see game 167 . For games without rook support when White has a dark-square bishop, see games 129, 173,201,227,246,247,248, and 256. For games without a darksquare bishop and without support for the §h8, see games 161, 166,226,251, and 270. Rendle - Guido Bratt02005 Sicilian Defense [B40]

In game 127, Teschner-Spassky, the verdict hung by a tempo. Here is the position in that game after move 17 in which White has an extra tempo, 0-0-0.

1.e4c5 2.~f3 e6 3.b3 ~f6 4.e5 ~d5 5 •.Q.b2 .Q.e7 6.~c3 ~ xc3 7 ..Q.xc3 0o S..Q.d3 ~c6 9.h4 f510.exf6 .Q.xf6 11:~e2d5

75

Sacking the Citadel 1l.exf4 Af6 12.-'\.xh7+
8

7

6

8

5

7

4

6

3

5

2

4

3 abc

d

e

f

g

2

h

12.Axh7+
abcdefgh

By no means is h5 a reliable continuation. To be sure, after h5, White again threatens <£\xf7 and ~xg6#, but Black's ~f6 eliminates the threat. 15.h5 .Q.xg515 ... 'it'g716.hxg6 §hB17.§xhB~xhB-+ 16.fxg5+~xg5

17.hxg6+
1.d4 d5 2.{)c3 {)f6 3.-'\.g5 e6 4.Axf6 ~xf6 5.e4 dxe4 6.{)xe4 ~d8 7.{)f3 Ae7 8.,1ld3 {)d7 9.~e2 0-0 10.h4 {)f6 1l.{)xf6+ ,1lxf6 12.~c613.
17.~f3+ 'it'g518.~g3+ 'it'f519.~xg6+

'it'f4 20.0-0#; 15 ... 'it'g7 16.~xg6+ 'it'hB 17.~h7# 16.{)f7+ 16.hxg6+! 'it'g7 (16 ... 'it'xg517.~g3+ 'it'f51B.§h5+ 'it'e4 19.d3#) 17.§h7+ 'it'gB 18.~h3 ~xc3 19.~h6 §xf2 20.§f7 ~xd2+ 21.'it'xf2 ~e3+ 22.'it'fl ~xg5 23.~h7 # 16... Etxf7 17.hxg6+ 1-0 17.hxg6+ 'it'g7 1B.§h7+ 'it'gB 19.9xf7+ 'it'fB 20.J1xf6+-

8 7

6

5 4

Mocquard - Herdier Guingamp 1999 Slav Defense [D 13]

3 2

.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4.{)f3 {)f6 5.{)c3 e6 6 ..Q.f4 .Q.e7 7.e3 0--0 8.Ad3 {)c6 9.Etc1 {)h510.h4 {) xf4

abc

d

e

f

g

h

16.~e4 g6 17.h5 Axg5 18.hxg6+
76

Contemporary Theory !':Ixf7 21.~g6++- 20 ..~e5+ ~xg6 20 ... 'it'e7 21.~xg5+ 'it'd6 22.'~f4+ ~d7 23.g7 !':1gB- 24.~xf7+ ~d6 25.~f4+ 'it'd726.~f8+- 21.E!g7+ 1-0 21.~g7+ 'it'f5 22.g4+ 'it'xg4 (22 ... 'it'e4 23.~e5+ 'it'f3 24.!':Ih3+ 'it'xg4 (a) 24 ... ~xf2 25.~h2#; (b) 24 ... 'it'g2 25.~g3# [25.~h2#]; 25.!':Igl + 'it'xh3 26.~g3#) 21...'it'h6 22.!':Ihl + .llh4 23.!':Ig4+-

Pinilla Santibanez - Fernandez Aranguiz

Euskadi 1992 French Defense [C05]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5

3.~d2 ~f6

4.e5

~fd7 5.f4c5 6.c3 ~c6 7.~df3 ~b6

8.a3 Ae7 9.~h3 0-0 10.Ad3 f6 11.b4 cxd4 12.cxd4 fxe5 13.dxe5 ~xb414.axb4 j'txb4+ 15.~f1 ~c5

Dawkins - Stupak IECG e-mail 2004

Queen's Indian Defense [EI4]

8 7

6

1.d4 ~f6 2.~f3 b6 3.e3 Ab74.Ae2 e6 5.c4 Ab4+ 6.Ad2 Axd2+ 7.~bxd2 d5 8.cxd5 j'txd5 9.0--0 0--0 10.j'td3 ~bd7 11.e4 j'tb7 12.e5 ~d5 13.h4 c5 14.j'txh7+ ~xh7

5 4

3 2

15.~g5+~h6

abc

d e

f

g

h

8

16.j'txh7+ ~xh7 17.~fg5+ ~h6 18. ~g4 The usual idea of ~g4-h4; 18.f5? !':Ixf5+-+. 18••• ~b5+ 19.~gl ~e8 Preventing h4, but now, of course, White can safely advance the f-pawn. 20.f51-0

7

6 5 4

3 2

Schmitz - Heisterhagen abc

d e

f

g

Bad Zwesten 2005 Sicilian Defense [B22]

h

White's sacrifice should not succeed here. The h4-pawn blocks the idea of ~g4-h4. ~c2, with the idea of~h7, is stuffed by ... g6 because there is no !':Ihl behind the h-pawn to support h5. 16. ~g4 16.4::lc4 is White's best chance here, providing protection for the e5pawn and preparing ~d2. 16 ... ~e7 17.~de4cxd418.f4 ~e319.~xti+

E!xti0-1

77

1.e4c5 2.c3 ~f6 3.e5 ~d5 4.d4cxd4 5.cxd4 e6 6.~f3 d6 7.Ac4 ~c6 8.0o Ae7 9.Ad2 0-0 10.~c3 ~xc3 11.Axc3 dxe5 12.dxe5 b613. ~e2 Ab7 14.E!ad1 ~c7 15.Ad3 ~b4 16.Axb4 j'txb417.Axh7+ ~xh7 18.~g5+~h6

Sacking the Citadel White has a dark-square bishop but it is off the key diagonal. White can win here with two lines, itl'd3 and 'lfig4, but notwithAc1 or'lfic2.16.~d3116.'lfic2 g6 and the itl'c2 does not have access to h3; 16.~g4 'lfib4 17.~g3 f5 IB.h3 f4 I9.'lfih4+ 'it1g6 20.'it1h2 f3 21.'lfih7+ 'itlxg5 22.~xg7+ 'it'f5 23.~h7+ 'itlg5 24.Ac1 + +-; I6.Ac1 'it'g6I7.'lfid3+ f5 IB.'lfig3 4Jxe5 +. 16 ... f5 I6 ... g6 I7.itl'h3+ 'it1xg5 (17 ... 'itlg7 IB.'lfih7#) I8.Ac1 + Ae3I9.Axe3+ +-; I6 ... 'itlxg5 I7.~g3+ ~h6IB.itl'h4+ 'itlg6I9.g4+17.~h3+ xg5 I7 ... ~g6 IB.'lfih7+ 'it1xg5 I9.h4+ 'itlf4 (19 ... 'itlg4 20.'lfig6+ 'it1xh4 [20 ... ~f4 21.~g3+ 'itle4 22.~f3#] 21.g3+ ~h3 22.'lfih5#)

8 711"...·~,l~l

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

The E!d4 rook swing gains a useful tempo against the Ab4. Note that, should Black capture the 4Jg5, the rook and queen, with a small assist from the e5-pawn, easily overwhelm the lone king. 19.Eid4119.E!d3 g6 20.E!h3+ ~g7 21.E!h7+ 'it1gB 22:~e3 'lfic6= 19•.•f5 19.. .'i!j1xg5 20.itl'g4+ 'it1h6 21.itl'h4+ 'itlg6 22.E!g4+ 'it1f5 23.E!g5 #; 19 ... g6 20.E!xb4 (20.itl'e3 +-) 20.Eih4+ 1-0

20.~h5withamatingnet.18.~h71-0 I8.~h7 4Jxe5 ~h5 21.~hI

The .1lxg5line

Janecek - Petricek ICCF e-mail 2004 French Defense [C06]

In addition to the normal king moves, 'it1g6, and ~h6, Black will often have the option of capturing the knight on g5 with his dark-square bishop.

~gB,

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~d2 ~f6 4.e5 ~fd7 5 •.1ld3 c5 6.c3 ~c6 7.~gf3

As in Greco's original example from 1620 (game #1), ... Axg5 is an important variation of the sacrifice. In the line, in addition to the light-square bishop's attack upon h7, a knight reaching g5, and the queen reaching the h-file, White's h-pawn will be at h4, defending the 4Jg5 when it joins the attack. Black will usually have a dark-square bishop on e7 or f6, and it is also common for the black queen to add support to the attack from dB. Obviously, in the following fragment, Black retains other options. As we will see, the 'itlgB line usually transposes after ~h5 forcing the bishop capture on g5. The 'itlg6line is especially interesting when White

~b6

8.0-0 cxd4 9.cxd4 ~ xd4 10.~ xd4 ~xd411.~f3 ~b612.b3 .1lc513..1lb20--0 14..1lxh7+ xh7 15.~g5+ h6 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

I9 ..ilxe5 itl'b4 20.'lfixg7+ +-

f

g

h

78

Contemporary Theory does not have a dark-square bishop because, as we have seen, the h4-pawn blocks the usual 'l11g4-h4 maneuver. But the 'it'g6 line is fraught with danger because White has, in addition to 'l11d3+ and 'l11g4, the powerful idea ofh5+. Here, after the ...1.l.xg5 capture, White will recapture with the h4-pawn, h4xg5, opening the h-file for a White rook which usually rests on hI but may require posting there. As a result of the capture, the black king will often be in check from the .§.hl. 8

7

The attack tends to be more challenging and the defense substantially eased when the f8-square is vacant at the time of the sacrifice because Black can escape the immediate mate with ~g8f8. White has two primary options in that line, continuing with ~h8xg7, or playing the immediate g5-g6. When Black's rook rests at f8 and the ffile is open, Black gains the opportunity to play ... .§.f5, pinning White's g5-pawn to the queen, preventing or at least delaying g5-g6. The obvious problem for Black in that line is that the .§.f5 is vulnerable to attack from White's kingside pawns.

6 5

abcdefgh

After 4Jg5+, Black's move order does matter because the immediate ... ~g8 ~h5 eliminates even the possibility of 'it'g6. By playing ...1.l.xg5 first, Black usually gains the choice between ... ~g8 and ... ~g6.

On the retreat to g8, White will usually continue naturally on the next move with 'l11h 5 threatening mate on h 7 or h8. If Black's rook is on f8 and the f-pawn on f7, White's attack will usually succeed quickly.

On 'it'h7-g6, ~h5 will force the king to f5 where the black king is extremely exposed and almost always subject to a mate, the form of which will however depend upon the position and the additional assets at White's disposal.

The horrific threat of'l11h8 '"' eliminates defenses such as .§.f8-e8, ... 4Jf6, or even occupying the bl-h7 diagonal.

Perez Alvarez - Rios Rebollo Madrid 2009 French Defense [CII]

To create an escape square, Black will need to advance the f-pawn to f6 or f5, when g5-g6 will end the discussion. Indeed, many dozens of quick mates follow that monotonous pattern. Black's defensive hope is to have a knight capable of capturing the g-pawn or else a very convincing counter attack on the queenside or in the center.

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£\c3 .£\f6 4.e5 .£\fd7 5..£\f3 Jl.e7 6.Jl.d3 0--07.h4 c5

4

3 2

79

Here is the sacrifice with ... 1.l.xg5 in its simplest form. Once again, only the black king defends the h7-pawn, the 1.l.d3 is set to sacrifice on the h 7 -square, the 4Jf3 can reach g5, the ~dl eyes h5,

Sacking the Citadel 10.hxg5+ Cit'g81O ... 'itfg611.~h5+ 'itff5 12.g4# mate in one, of course, butthere are also three instructive mates in two. (a) 12.~h7+ 'iti'g4 (12 ... g6 13.~h3#) 13.~h3#; (b) 12.~h3+'iti'g613.~h7#; (c) 12.g6+ ~g5 13.~xg5# or 13.g4#. 1 t:~h5 f6 11...f5 12.g6 12.g6 1-0

and White even has a dark-square bishop to discourage ... 'iti'h6. 8 7

6

5 4

Muller - Brueckner Hanau2008 Owen's Defense [BOO]

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

l.d4 b6 2.~c3 e6 3.a3 .Q.b7 4.e4 d6 5 . .Q.d3 ~d7 6.~f3 .Q.e7 7 . .Q.f4 ~gf6 8. ~d2 0--0 9.0--0--0 a610. ~e2 a51l.g3 ~h512.h4 ~xf413.gxf4 b5 14.§dgl c5 15.e5 cxd4

h

White initiates the sacrifice with four additional assets, the secure e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, the h4-pawn, and the .£\c3, which controls the e4square should Black attempt to run his king forward to g6 and f5. The sacrifice works easily here for many reasons. Black's rook occupies the f8-square, Black cannot play ... §f5 to inhibit the later advance of White's g5-pawn, Black's knights will not be able to capture the g-pawn when it reaches g6, and Black has no counter-attack on the queenside or center. 8 •.Q.xh7+ Cit'xh7 9.~g5+ In addition to ... i.txg5, Black has the customary array of choices. The 'iti'h8 line results in the usual mate in two. The 'iti'g8 line transposes quickly because, after 10.~h5, Black must capture on g5 to prevent mate. The 'iti'h6 line is quite hopeless given the presence of the dark-square bishop. 9 ••• .Q.xg5 9 ... 'itfg8 10.~h5 ~xg5 (10 ... §e8 11.~h7+ 'itff8 12.~h8#) Il.hxg5 transposing; 11...f5 (11...f6 12.g6) 12.g6; 9 .. .'~h6 10 ..£\xf7++- Fritz 12 suggests instead 10 ..£\ge4 with mate in 12; 9 ... 'iti'h8 10.~h5+ 'iti'g8 11.~h7#; 9 ... 'iti'g6 10.~d3+ f5 (a) 10 .. .'~h6 11.~h7#; or (b) 10 ... 'itfh5 Il.g4+ 'iti'xg4 (11...'iti'h6 12.~h7#) 12.~f3#.

abc

d e

f

g

h

The sacrifice is especially notable here because the Black i.tb7 reaches straight through to hI. White attempts the sacrifice counting on the .£\c3, the e5pawn, and the h4-pawn!§hl as additional assets. 16..Q.xh7+ Cit'xh7 17.~g5+ .Q.xg5 17 ... 'itfg8 18.~h5 i.txg5 transposing to the game; 17 ... 'itfh618.~d3 g6 (18 .. .f519.exf6 g6 20 ..£\f7+ §xf7 21.~xg6#) 19 ..£\xf7+ §xf7 20.~xg6#; 17 ... 'itfg618.~d3+ f5 (18 ... 'iti'h6 19.~h7#; 18 ... 'iti'h5 19.~h7#) 19.exf6+ 'iti'xf6 20.'£\h7+ 'itff7 21.~g6+ 'iti'g8 22.~xg7#. 18.hxg5+ .Q.xhI18... 'itfg619.~h5+ 'itff5 20.~g4+ ~g6 2l.f5+ exf5 22.~h5# 19.~h5+ Cit'gS 2O.§xhl f5 21.g61-0

80

Contemporary Theory Sharafiev - Gazizov Oktjabrsky 2004 French Defense [COO]

1l •.£)f3 f612.e4 .£)b613.e5 fxe5 14.fxe5 Jte715.h4 b4 8

1.e4 e6 2.b3 .£)f6 3.e5 .£)d5 4.c4 .£)b6 5.d4 Jte7 6.,£)0 0-0 7 •.Q,d3 d5 S.h4 f5 9.exf6 Jtxf6

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

abc

d e

g

f

h

With the open f-file, Black gains two options, ... ~eS with the idea ofgS-f8, and ... ~f5, pinning the advancing g5pawn. 10.Jtxh7+ !ifjlxh7 1l. .£)g5+ !ifjlgS 11...h6 12.~d3+-; 11...g6 12.~d3+ 'iti'h6 (12 ... h5 13.g4+ h6 [13 ... xg4 14.~f3#] 14.~h7#) 13.~h7#; 11...Jlxg5 12.hxg5+ g6 (12 ... gS transposing to the game) 13.~h5+ 'iti'f5 14.g6+ (14.~h7+ g4 [14 ... g615.~h3+ 'iti'e416.{'\c3+ xd4 17.~e3#]

15.~h4#

[15.~h3#])

14... 'iti'e415.~e5+'iti'd316.~e2+'iti'xd4 17.~e3#. 12.t\'h5 Jtxg5 13.hxg5 EteS13 ... ~f5 fails immediately because the ~dS is unanchored. 14.t\'hS++14.g6'iti'fS15.Jla3+ 1-0 15 ..llg5+-or 15 ..lla3+ ~e716.~hS#. Chomistek - Csefalvay Trencin 1995 Queen's Pawn Game [DOO]

d e

f

g

h

White has the secure e5-pawn, the darksquare bishop, and the ~h1 as additional assets. Black's only hope in this dangerous line is bringing the {'\c6e7 where it can capture the g6-pawn and prevent the usual mate on h7. 16..Q,xh7+ !ifjlxh7 17. .£)g5+ Jtxg5 17 ... gS IS. ~h 5 .llx g5 The only move to prevent ~h7-hS#. 19.hxg5 transposing to the game; 17 ... h6 lS.{'\g4+ 'iti'h5 (lS ... g6 19.h5+ f5 20.0-0#) 19.{'\f6+ g6 20.~c2+ h6 21.~h7# or 21.{'\f7#); 17 ... g6 lS.h5+ 'iti'h6 (lS ... f5 19.94#) 19.{'\g4#. 1S.hxg5+ Black's move order preserves the option of playing lS ... 'iti'g6. 1S•••!ifjlgS1S... g619.~h5+ 'iti'f5 20.g4 # 19. t\'h5 .£)e7 20.g6 20.{'\g4+- 20 ••• .£)xg6 21.t\'xg6And White, with three assets aiming at the kingside, wins easily. 21. •• t\'eS 22. t\'h7+ ctIfi 23.Jtg5 f!g8 23••• EthS 24.t\'xhS+- 24..£)g4 1-0 With the idea of 0-0+. Kulhanek - Fuchs Bm02001 French Defense [COO]

1.d4 .£)f6 2.e3 e6 3.Jtd3 d5 4 •.£)d2 c5 5.c3 .£)c6 6.f4 .Q,d6 7. t\'e2 0-0 S..£)h3 .£)d7 9 . .£)f2 c410.Jtc2 b5

1.e4 e6 2 ..£)f3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4 cxb4 5.d4 .£)e7 6.a3 .£)ec6 7.axb4 Jtxb4+

81

Sacking the Citadel 16.~h5

8.c3 .1le7 9 . .1ld3 0-0 10.h4 f6 1l.exf6.1lxf6 8

8

7

7

6

6

5

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

abc

d e

f

g

E!.f5

17.~h7+

'
~d6-+ ) l3 ... b4

h

"-'",_,,,c',-'=

abc

White misses the e5-pawn, and has to rely upon the dark-square bishop and the E!.hl. 12..1lxh7+
d e

f

g

h

For additional assets, White has the 4Jc3 and E!.h1, unlikely enough given Black's counter-attack on the queenside. To survive, Black employs ... E!.f5 pinning the g-pawn. 14..1lxh7+
22.~h8+1-0

MaIinin - Ivanova

Soukhumi2007 Staunton Gambit [A82] l.d4 fS 2.e4 fxe4 3./f)c3/f)f6 4.f3 exf3 S./f) xf3 e6 6 ..1ld3 .1le7 7 ..1lgS /f)c6 8.a3 a6 9. ~e2 0--0 10.0--0--0 bS 1l..1lxf6 .1lxf6 12.h4 dS l3.
82

Contemporary Theory Antony - Eide New Zealand 1996

8

Queen's Pawn Game [D02]

7

6

l.d4 4)f6 2.4)f3 d5 3.Af4 e6 4.e3 Ae7 5.Ad3 0-0 6.4)bd2 c5 7.c3 c4 8.Ac2 h5 9. ~e2 Ab7 10.e4 4)c6 1l.e5 4)d712.h4 ~e8

5 4

3 2

8

abc

7

6

5 4 3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Black has conspicuously played Ele8, vacated the fB-square for the king's escape. White counts nonetheless on the secure e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and, after the capture on g5, the Elh1.13.Axh7+ ~xh714.4)g5+ ~g8 14 ... ~g6 15.~g4+-; 14 ... ~h6 15.<£Jxf7+ +- 15. ~h5 Axg5 15 ... <£Jf8! 16:tii'xf7+ ~h8 17:tii'h5+= 16.hxg5 ~f8 16 ... f5? 17.~h8+ ~f7 18.g6+ ~xg6 19.~h5#; 16 ... f6 17.g6 ~f8 18.~h8+ ~e719.~xg7# 17.g61+- 1o 17 ... ~e7 17 ... fxg6 18.~xg6 <£Je7 19.Elh8+ <£Jg8 20.<£Jf3 with the idea of <£Jg5 and Elxg8; 18.gxf7 ElfBI9.~g5+.

d

e

f

g

h

Here, White initiates the sacrifice with insufficient additional assets, only the dark-square bishop, and Black can successfully use the vacated f8-square to escape the pressure. 10.Axh7+ ~xh7 11.4)g5+ ~g8 12.~h5 Axg5 13.hxg5 ~f8 14.g6 14.~h8+ ~e7 15.~xg7 Ae616.g6 Elg817.~h7 Elxg6 18.~xg6 fxg6 19.~g5+ ~f8 20.~xd8 Elxd8+ 14... ~f6-+ 15.gxf7 ~xf7 16.~g5 ~f6 17.~h8+ ~e7 18.~xe8+ ~xe8 19.~h5+ g6

20. ~h7 4)e7 21.0-0-0 Ae6 22.~el 23.Ad4 ~f7 24.~h4 4)f5 25. ~e4 d5 26. ~e2 4) xd4 27.cxd4 a6 28.f3 ~e8 29. ~f2 ~h8 30. ~e3 ~h2 31.~gl ~f4+ 32.~bl Af5 ~d7

33.~f1 ~xd4 34.~e2 ~6 35.~e8+ ~d6 36.~e3 ~xg2 37.~a3+ ~d7 38.~a4+ ~c6 39.~d4 ~xc2+ 4O.~al ~d241.~g7+ ~c642.~6+ ~b5 43.a3 ~dl + 0-1

Schwarz - Barth Berlin 1999 French Defense [CI4]

Papp-Nagy Pecs1998 Petroff Defense [C42]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 4)f6 4.Ag5 Ae7 5.Axf6 Axf6 6.4)f3 0-07.e5 j},e7 8.Ad3 c5 9.h4 cxd410.Axh7+ ~xh7 1l.4)g5+ Axg5 11 ... ~h6-+ 12.hxg5+ ~g6 12 ... ~g8 13.~h5 f5 14.g6+- 13.~h5+ ~f5

l.e4 e5 2.4)f3 4)f6 3.4) xe5 d6 4.4)f3 4) xe4 5.4)c3 4) xc3 6.dxc3 Ae7 7.j},d3 0-0 8.h4 ~e8 9.Ae3 4)c6

83

Sacking the Citadel It's mate in three. 15.g6+! f616.~g5# 16.~e5+ 1-0 16 ... 'iftg417.f3#

8

7

6

The
5 4

The retreat of the king to hB is an extremely rare occurrence because the move typically results in a quick mate in two moves. Obviously, ~h5+ now occurs with an attack upon the black king, leaving no opportunity whatever for a meaningful defense.

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

It's mate in 10. Can any human find it? 14.g6+ 14.g4+! 'iftf4 (14 ... 'iftxe5 15. ~h2 #) 15.4Je2+ 'it'e4 (15 ... 'it'f3 16.~h3+ 'ifte4 17.~d3+ 'it'xe5 18.~g3+ 'it'e4 19.~f4#; 15 ... 'it>xe5

8

7

16.~h2+ 'it'e417.~f4#) 16.~h2 ~xg5

6

(16 ... ~a5+ 17.'it'fl ~d2 18.f3+ 'it>xf3 [IB ... 'it>e3 19.~f4#] 19.~g2+ 'it>e3 20.E!.h3#)17.~g3+- 14••• ~g515.g4+
5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Jayaram - AIlahverdiyev Baku 2008 French Defense [ClO]

1.j},xh7+
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£Jd2 dxe4 4 ..£J xe4 j},e7 5 . .£Jf3 .£Jf6 6 . .£Jxf6+ j},xf6 7.j},d3 b6 8.Ae4 c6 9.Af4 0-0 10.h4 Ab7 1l.Axh7+ gB 14.~h5 f5 15.g6+-

This mate is so easy to see that it never occurs outside scholastic events. I have mentioned the 'ifthB line only twice in this book, in games 230 and 288, and no commentator has to date provided a reason why the 'it'hB line might have any independent significance.

14.~h5+~5 8

As it happens, there are at least three reasons why the 'it'hB line might be the continuation of choice.

7

6 5 4

l. When the defender's f7-pawn has moved, retreat of the king to g8 might expose it to attack along- the a2-bB diagonal. The 'it'hB line is worth considering when the mate on h 7 is off

3 2

abc

d e

f

g h

84

Contemporary Theory the table (in other words, the attacking queen does not have ready access to the h-fiIe) and when ~h7-g8 would result in a useful, tempo-winning movement of a bishop or queen to the key a2-b8 diagonal.

8

7

6 5 4

3

2. When the attacking queen and ~g5 are both already attacking an undefended pawn on f7, the defending king may not want to retreat to g8 and permit ~xf7+. The ~h8 line may be preferable in the above scenario, especially when the queen does not have easy access to the h-file and when ~xf7+ does not involve a game winning fork.

2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

20.Jlxe5 Jlxe5 21.§c4+-; 18 ... ~h6 19.~e6++-; 18... ~g6!? also avoids the capture on d5 with check. 19.ii¥xd5 when Black can hope to survive with ... §f5 or ...§ad8. 19..£Jd4.1leS19 ... g6 20.~b5 ~b8 21.§el ~f3+ 22.ii¥xf3 ,ilxf4 23.gxf4 ii¥xf4= 20.E!e120.We6;!; 20 •.• .1lg6 21 •.£Jb5 ~d7 22 . .£Jxd6 .£Jd3 23.E!e6 E!f6 24..£Jdf7+ \t'gS 25 ..£Jh6+ \t'hS 26..£Jhf7+ Yz-Yz

3. When Black has a major piece, most often a rook, on f6 (f3 for White), ~h8 (~hl) may be the safest choice given the possibility of §f6-h6, not only preventing the checkmate but potentially augmenting the defender's pressure down the h-file.

Zelkind - Kharroubi Philadelphia 1998 French Defense [C02]

Here are five examples of games that correctly defended in the ~h8 line. Kupsys - Zikharev ICCF correspondence 1998 French Defense [C06] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 •.£Jd2 .£Jf6 4.e5 .£Jfd7 5 ..1ld3 c5 6.c3 .£Jc6 7 ..£Je2 cxd4 S.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 .£J xf610..£Jf3 Ad61l.0-0 ~c712.g3 0-0 13..1lf4 Ad714.E!c1.£Jg415.h3 e516.dxe5 .£Jgxe517.Axh7+ \t'xh71S..£Jg5+

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 .£Jc6 5 ..£Jf3 ~b6 6.a3 .£Jh6 7.b4 cxd4 S.cxd4 .£Jf5 9.Ae3 Ad7 10.Ae2 E!c811.0-0 Ae712.~d3 a613..£Jc3 .£Ja7 14.E!ac1 0-0 15.E!fe1 ~dS 16..1ld1 .£J xe3 17. ~xe3 a5 lS.E!b1 ax b4 19.ax b4 .£Jc6 20. .£Ja2 E!aS 21.E!e2 .£Ja7 22..£Jc3 .£J b5 23 ..£J xb5 .1lxb5 24.E!eb2 ~b6 25.Ac2 E!fcS 26.h4 ~c6 27. .£Je1 ~c3 2S. ~f4 E!c4 29 ..£J0 E!xb4 30.E!xb4 Axb4 31.Axh7+ \t'xh7 32..£Jg5+ (D)

(D)

The normal ~g8 line has no merit here because 19.~xd5 arrives with check. lS ••• \t'hS 18 ... ~g8 19.~xd5+ ~h8

85

Note here that the White queen cannot quickly reach the h-fiIe, and Black will clearly want to avoid ~xf7 +. Given the weakness on f7, the ~h8line is Black's

Sacking the Citadel

8 7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

abcdefgh

only hope of survival. 32 ••• ~hS 32 ... ~gS 33."ili'xf7+ ~hS 34."ili'h5+ ~gS 35."ili'h7+ ~fS 36."ili'hS+ ~e7 37."ili'xg7+ ~dS (37 ... ~eS 3S."ili'f7+ ~d8 39 ..£Jxe6+ ~cS 40 ..§xb4+-) 3S ..£Jxe6+ ~eS (3S ... ~cS 39."ili'gS+ ~d7 40."ili'f7+ Ae7 41..£Jc5+ +-) 39 ..£Jc7+ ~dS 40 ..£Jxb5+-; 32 ... ~h6 33 ..£Jxe6+ ~h7 (33 ... ~g6 34."ili'g5+ ~h7 35."ili'xg7#; 33 ... ~h5 34."ili'g5#) 34."ili'xf7 .§gS 35."ili'h5#; 32 ... ~g6 33."ili'xf7+ ~h6 34 ..£Jxe6+- 33.~xf7 33 ..£Jxf7+? ~gS 34 ..£Jg5 '§fS~ 33 •.. JlfS? 33 ... AeS! 34."ili'xb7 '§al 35 ..£Jxe6 .§xb1 + 36.~h2 .lli837."ili'xb1 Jl.b4= 34.~xb7 34."ili'h5+ ~gS 35."ili'h7# 34 ••• ~al 35.~xal ~xal + 36.~h2 ~xd4 Yz-Yz

White has two additional assets, the .£Jg3, which eliminates the ~g6 and 'ifth6 lines, and the .§c1. For his part, Black has an interesting decision here between ~gS and ~hS. The .§f6 plays an interesting role in defending the key g6-square and also eyes h6 in the event that White tries "ili'h5. 17 .•. ~hS 17 ... 'iftg6 lS."ili'h5 #; 17 ... ~h6 lS."ili'h5#; 17 ... ~gS lS."ili'h5 .§f4 (1S ... .§h6 19."ili'f7+ ~hS 20."ili'xd7 +-; 18. .. .£JdS 19."ili'h7+ ~f8 20 ..£Jh5 ~e7 21."ili'xg7++-) 19."ili'h7+ ~fS 20 ..£Jh5 "ili'xd4 21."ili'hS+ ~e7 22."ili'xaS .§fS 23."ili'xb7 .£JdS 24."ili'a6 "ili'h4 IS.~d3 18."ili'h5+ .§h6 19 ..£Jf7+ 'ifth7 20 ..£Jg5+ Yz-Yz Daurelle-Zebre, corr 2006; 20 ..£Jxh6!? Jl.eS! 21..£Jf7+ ~gS 22 ..£Jh6+ gxh6 23."ili'xh6 .£Jxd4 24."ili'g5+=. IS ••• g6! lS ... .§h6 19 ..£Jf7+ ~gS 20 . .£Jxh6+ gxh6 21. "ili'g6+ ~fS 22 ..£Jf5+- 19.4)3e4 ~g7! 19 ... dxe4 20."ili'h3+ ~g7 21."ili'h7+ ~fS 22."ili'hS+ ~e7 23."ili'g7+ ~dS 24."ili'xf6+ +20.4)xd6 4)xd4 21.~fel e5 22.~xe5

Maksimenko - Nosenko Alushta 1999 French Defense [C06]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)d2 4)f6 4.e5 4)fd7 5.Jld3 c5 6.c3 4)c6 7.4)e2 cxd4 S.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 4) xf610.4)f3 Jld6 11.0-0 ~c7 12.Jlg5 0-0 13.4)g3 Jld714.~c1 ~b615..1l.xf6

~xd6 23.~e7+ ~gS 24.~cel ~fS

24 ... .§c8 25.4)e6 4)f5 26.~xd7 ~xd7 27.4) xfS ~xfS 2S.g4 4)e7 0-1

~xf616.Jlxh7+ ~xh717.4)g5+

Kubacsny - Auer Nord Baden 2004 Sicilian Defense [B95]

86

Contemporary Theory ~xg5

S.4)f3 ~c5 9.4)c3 4)f6 0-0 11.0-0-0 ~xf2 12.§.hfl ~xg2 13.~xd6 ~g4 14.§.gl 4)eS 15.~d2 ~e6 16.e5 4)d7 17.~f4 4)c5 IS.b4 4)d7 19.Ad3 ~e7 20.§.del f5 21.exf6 ~xf6 22.Axh7+ The sacrifice counts on three additional assets, the two active rooks and the 4Jc3. 22 .•• ~xh7 23.4)g5+

l.e4 c5 2.4)£3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.4) xd4 4)f6 5.4)c3 a6 6.Ag5 e6 7.~d2 Ae7 S.£3 0--0 9.0-0-0 b5 10.h4 b4 1l.4)ce2 ~b612.Ae3 ~a513.~bl d514.e5 4)fd715.f4 4)c516.4)b3 4)xb3 17.cxb3 Ad7 IS.4)d4 §.cS 19.Ad3 Ab5 20.f5 4)d7 21.fxe6 fxe6 22.4)xe6 4)xe5 23.Axh7+ ~xh7 24.4)g5+

10.~d3

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3 2

abcdefgh abc

The r,!th8line is Black's only chance for survival here. In the 'it'g8 line, ~xdS+ picks up the 4JeS. 24 ... ~xgS activates the E'!hl. And in the 'it'g6 line, 2S.hS forces the king to h6 where White has a killing discovered check. 24 ••• ~hS 24 ...'i11g8 2S:i!1fxdS+ 'i11h8 26.~xeS+-; 24 ... 'i11g6 2S.hS+ r,!th6 (2S ... 'i11f6 26.~f2++-; 2S ... 'i11fS 26.~f2+ 'i11g4 27.E'!d4#) 26.4Jf3++-; 24 ... ~xgS 2S.hxgS+ 'it'g6 26.~xdS+- 25.~xd5 Af6 2S ... ~c7 26.~d4 ~c2+ 27.'i11al ~f6 28.~xeS E'!d8 29.4Jf7+ 'i11h7 30.4Jxd8 E'!xd8 31.~xd8~xd8 32.E'!xd8 ~xg2 33.E'!ddl +- 26.~e4+- g6 27.h5 ~gS 2S. ~d5+ ~fS 29.4)h7+ ~e7 30.4) xf6 ~xf6 31.§.dfl + 1-0 Sherwood - Just IECG e-mail 2006 Philidor's Defense [C41] l.e4 e5 2.4)f3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.4) xd4 c6 5.Ae2 Ae7 6.Ae3 Ag5 7.Axg5

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Black probably selected the 'i11h8 line using the process of elimination. 'i11h6 meets a mate in two. 'i11g6 loses the queen to E'!e6. And the 'i11g8 line exposes the king to a powerful check from ~c4. 23••• ~hS 23 ...r,!tg8 24.~c4+ 'it'h8 2S.E'!g4 ~h6 26.E'!h4 +- ; 23 ... 'i11h6 24.~h4+

'i11g6

2S.~h7#;

23 ... 'i11g6

24.E'!e6+- 24.~e4 When Black can defend the mate with either ~h6 or ~f4+. 24••. ~h6 24 ... ~f4+ 2S.~xf4 E'!xf4 26.E'!xe8+ E'!f8 27.E'!e7 4Jf6 28.4Jf7+ 'i11g8 (28 ... 'i11h7 29.4Je5 4Je8 30.4Je4 ~f5 31.4JgS+ 'i11g8 32.E'!xb7 +-) 29.4Je5 4Je8 30.4Jg6+25. ~xeS! ~f6 25 ... aS!? 26.h4 'i11g8 27.~e4 axb4 28.~xb4 4Jf6 29.E'!e7 4Jd5 30.4Jxd5 cxd5 31.~d4 E'!a6 32.~xd5+ 'i11h8± 26.~e4 ~h6 26 ... ~f4+ 27.~xf4 E'!xf4 28.E'!e8+ E'!f8 29.E'!e7 4Jf6 30.4Jf7+ 'i11h7 (30 ...'i11g8 31.4Je5+-) 27.~bl 4)f6 2S.~c4

Sacking the Citadel ~h5 29.lae7 a5 30 . .£)f7+ laxf7 31.laxf7axb432.lafxg7 Jl,e61-0

examples of this defensive maneuver. Attackers and defenders should certainly include the resource in their middlegame arsenals.

The ~xg5!? line

Durao - Heidenfeld N etanya 1961 French Defense [C 14]

Under the right circumstances, Black can successfully sacrifice his queen for the 4:Jg5! The move is a remarkable defensive possibility that only one chess author, grandmaster Karsten Miiller, briefly mentioned in his ChessCafe Puzzle Book 1, (p.50), albeit without an example.

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£)e3 .£)f6 4.Ag5 Ae7 5.e5 .£)fd7 6.Jl,xe7 ~xe7 7.f4 0--0 S..£)f3 e5 9.Jl,d3 exd4 8

The simple principle: the defender may be able to sacrifice the queen successfully for the attacking knight if the defender already has or will soon obtain sufficient material compensation.

7

6 5 4

3

This finding appears to be independent of whether the attacking side can count on the two additional assets that Vukovic suggested were needed for the sacrifice to succeed. In other words, the ... ~xg5line appears to be an exception to Vukovic's hypothesis.

2

abc

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White has the basic requirements for the sacrifice here. The .ild3 reaches h7, the 4:Jf3 can follow immediately to g5, and the ~dl stands ready to reach h5. However, the 4:Jc3 is en prise. 10.-'ixh7+ ~xh7 11..£)g5+ The king's retreat to g8 invites 12.~h5. 11.r.t>h6 would meet 12.~d3+ or 12.~g4 with the idea of ~h4-h7. 11. •• ~xg5! An impressive move. For the queen, Black nets three pieces and the e5-pawn. 12.fxg5 dxe3 13.0-0 .£)xe5 14.~h5+ ~gS 15.laf4 .£)g6 16.laf3 e5 And Black has emerged with all the play. White has no meaningful action on the h-file, and just look at the center and those minor pieces! 17.bxe3 .£)e6 lS.laafl Jl,e6 19.94 .£)ee7 20.lah3 lafeS 21.~h7+ ~fS 22.lahf3 lae4 23.h3 laaeS 24.lae3

Keep in mind that the attacking player has already sacrificed a bishop on h7 (or h2 by Black). The queen's capture ofthe knight on g5 nets a second piece. The sacrifice therefore merits consideration in positions in which the attacking side had previously sacrificed an additional piece or exchange, or when the Greco-type sacrifice against h 7 (or h2) occurs while the attacker has another piece en prise. There are 11 examples, several in sublines, of the queen sacrifice, games 76, 82,120,129,144,172,216,219,237,246, and 306. To better make the point, I present below four additional modem

88

Contemporary Theory Elxc3 25.Elxc3 Elxc3 26.h4 Elg3+ 27.
nal. Can White force the black queen off the diagonal? 22.Elf14)b6 23.Elf2 ~b1 24.Elb2 ~f5+ 25.g4 4)d3 26 ..Q.g3 and now, where is the black queen to go? (26.gxf5 4.Jxf4+ -+ forking the king and queen.) 26 ... ~xg51 27.~xg5 4)xb2 with a very easy win now that mate is no longer threatened. 28.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)d2 4)f6 4.e5 4)fd75.f4c56.c34)c67.4)df3cxd4 S.cxd4 ~b6 9.4)e2 .Q.b4+ 10.4)c3 f6 1l.g3 fxe512.fxe5 0--0 13..Q.f4 ~a5 14. .Q.d3 .Q.xc3+ 15.bxc3 ~xc3+ 16.
1.e4 e5 2.4)f3 4)c6 3 ..Q.b5 f5 4.d4 f xe4 5.4) xe5 4) xe5 6.dxe5 c6 7 ..Q.c4 ~a5+ S..Q.d2 ~xe5 9.0--0 d510..Q.b3 4)f6 l1..Q.c3 ~g5 12.f4 ~g6 13. .Q.d4 .Q.d6 14.c4 0-0 15.cxd5 cxd516.4)c3.Q.e617.f5

8 7

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abc

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17. .Q.xh7+ The sacrifice counts on two additional assets, the secure e5pawn and the dark-square bishop on f4, but Black has an impressive counter-attack on the queens ide that will only improve once White plays ~h5. 17 ••.
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An ambitious move aiming to undermine the d5-pawn. 17... .Q.xh2+ Better is 17 ... .llxf5 lS.4.Jxd5 4.Jxd5 19 ..llxd5+ ~hS 20.~b3 §adS. For the sacrifice, Black counts on the light-square bishop, the secure e4-pawn, and the §fS as additional assets. lS.
Sacking the Citadel e3 23 . .1lxe3 ~hS 24.~c7 ~e4 25 . .§ael .§acS 26.~ xeS .§xeS 27..1lxa7 ~b4 28.M2 h6 29..§cl h5 30..§fdl ~f4 31 ..§c3 ~g4 32..§g3 ~e2 33..§d71-0

A final comment on assets

In 1959, Vladimir Vukovic postulated that at least two active supporting pieces (other than the light square bishop, the knight that reaches g5, and the White queen) are usually required for the Greco Sacrifice to succeed. Specifically, he suggested that two additional supporting assets include some combination of two of the following features:

Kallio - Marin Gothenburg 2001 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E20]

1.d4 ~f6 2.c4 e6 3.~c3 .1lb4 4.f3 0-0 5.e4 d5 6.e5 ~fd7 7.cxd5 exd5 S.f4 c5 9.~f3 ~c6 lO.a3 .1la5 1l..1ld3 cxd4

•

8 7

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3 2

• abc

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• Once again, White initiates the sacrifice with a piece en prise. 12..1lxh7+ ~xh7 13.~g5+ ~xg51 The queen sacrifice should be obvious at this point. The rest ofthe game is a remarkable display of the unleashed power of the minor pieces. 14.fxg5 dxc315.0-0 ~dxe5 16.h4 .1lg417. ~xd5 .§adS And now the black rooks also join the fray. lS.~e4+ ~gS19.bxc3 .§fe8 20.~c2 .1lh5 21 ..1lf4 ~d3 22 ..1lg3 .1lb6+ 23.~hl.§e3 Or just .. .1::!e2. 24.~h2 .§e2 25. ~a4 ~c5 26. ~b5 .§dd2 27 . .§ael .§xg2+ 2S.~h3 .1lc7 29..§eS+ 29..1lxc7 .1lg4* 29 ... ~h7 30.g6+fxg60-1

The dark square bishop (usually along the cl-h6 diagonal, discouraging the black king from h6). A second knight (from c3, d2, or e2 reaching e4 or f4). A rook (often on the open efile, the semi-open h-file, or sometimes the f-file). A secure pawn on e5 (to prevent Black from defending with4Jf6). A pawn on h4 (with a rook on hI).

With access to a wide variety of complex games, I have added some additional assets to the original list: •

•

•

90

With regard to the rooks, adding other files that permit swings to the kingside, from the a- through the f-file; Additional squares for the second knight, including fl, f2, g3, g4, b5, and d6. In game 257, even a knight on a4 proved to be a needed asset; Kingside expansion, with at least two connected pawns fg or g-h on the fourth rank or better;

Contemporary Theory •

It is clearly apparent in his book that Vukovi6 was prepared to bend his general principle about assets with circumstances. In this regard, he implicitly incorporates the main finding ofVoellmy's, that a successful attack requires a combination of factors such as better development, superior control of space, and the displacement of key defending pieces.

Consideration for pawns on e5 that are not secured but are mobile or viable nonetheless.

To test his proposition, I have indexed all of the asset combinations. Many readers will find it fascinating to view how certain asset combinations appear to grow and wane in popularity. The index is also extremely useful for those interested in comparing and contrasting games with similar characteristics, a powerful technique that I use often in my correspondence chess games.

I offer the following summary from the games in this volume. Fewer additional assets may be required when:

More remarkable is the apparent evolution and refinement on the collective thinking about the sacrifice. I reviewed statistically the distribution of asset combinations over time. The asset combinations in the early games played through 1935 reflect, I believe, a distinct lack of overall clarity with regard to the assets required for the sacrifice to succeed.

•

• • •

In the sacrifices played until 1911, slightly more games involved three assets than two, and three games involved no additional assets whatever. A third of the games played between 1911 and 1935 contained only a single additional asset. The games played between 1936 and 1959 reflect, I believe, a more comprehensive appreciation for the sacrifice, with most of the games involving two or three additional assets. The games played after 1960, illustrate not just that refined understanding, but also the fact that the games have become more complex, somewhat more frequently requiring three or four additional assets to overcome strong defenses or significant counter-play.

91

•

The white queen has access to h5 prior to {jg5, eliminating the 'it'g6 and 'it'h6 lines; The white rook is already on the third rank ready to swing; The black §.f8 cannot move; The black queen on e7 blocks the escape route; White has a knight already poised on g3 or f4.

More than two additional assets are often required in complex positions when, for example: • • • • • •

Black has a pawn on f6; The black bishop or queen can reach the bl-h7 diagonal; Black's rook has vacated the f8 escape square; Black has a knight, bishop, or queen protecting the f7 -quare; Knights can force one knight back to f6; Black has an uncontested rook on an open f-file, especially on f6 where it can safely reach h6;

Sacking the Citadel • •

• •

Finally, I should add that Vukovic also suggested that most common combination of additional assets was the darksquare bishop and e5-pawn. It is surprising, perhaps, but that combination runs a close second to another asset pair, the dark-square bishop and an active rook.

Black has a counter-attack on the e5-pawn; In the 'it'h6 line, when White does not have a dark-square pawn but does have a pawn on h4; White enters the position with a significant material deficit; In the 'it'g8 line, when the white queen cannot reach h5 in one move.

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The Classic Bishop Sacrifice Part III: Practice

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Sacking the Citadel

Chapter 6 Games

Greco's Sacrifice, the Early Years

But it is undeniably interesting that only 39 of the 3,500 Greco Sacrifices I have found were played prior to 1911.

In their second volume on middlegame strategy, Dr. Max Euwe and H. Kramer relate the story of a wealthy man who, as he lies dying, stipulates that his sons will receive their inheritance only after they carry out a sound bishop sacrifice on the h7-square. I personally hope that the story is apocryphal, but it speaks directly to Greco's profound legacy.

David Rudel, the author of the recent book jlxh7!, somehow found the following game. I offer it with my notes as part of this introduction as evidence that even a world champion could miss a historic opportunity. Steinitz - NN The Hague, simul. exhibition 1873 Queen's Gambit Accepted [020]

A century ago, Euwe and Kramer's story would likely have specially touched the chess community. A sacrifice that we think oftoday as quite common and often "in the air" was then actually a rarity in tournament practice. In this first section, I present all of the Greco Sacrifices that I have been able to unearth before 1911, the year in which a Swiss mathematician, Erwin Voellmy, produced the sacrifice's first taxonomy, the topic of the second chapter. Obviously without a database to assist his search, Voellmy located only eight of the games in this section. Of course, to be completely fair to Voellmy, four of the games here come from Voellmy's study but do not appear in ChessBase's MegaBase.

1.d4 dS 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 4)f6 4.Axc4 e6 S.4)f3 .1lb4+ 6.4)c3 c6 7.0-0 .1lxc3 8.bxc3 4)bd7 9.Jla3 4)b6 10..1ld3 4)fdSll.c4 4)e712.e40-0 13.eS4)d7 8

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Steinitz played 14Ajg5 h615.'l;,Yh5 and so the following variation, obviously a missed opportunity, does npt show up in a database search.

The results suggest that it is quite likely that many other early Greco Sacrifices are out there, either unpublished and lost to the ether or tucked away in obscure journals and newspaper columns.

94

Games 14.Axh7+ ~xh7 15.4Jg5+ ~g6 Black is mated quickly after 15 ... ~g8

should be proof enough that Greco's name belongs alongside such company, and that he helped to bring chess not only to the enlightenment but to the modern age as well.

16.'lifh5 ~e817.'l£th7+ ~f8 18.'l£th8#;

And little better is 15 ... ~h616.'l£tg4.f:lf5 17.f4 ~h8 18 ..f:lxf7++-. 16.~g4 f5 17.~g3 f418.~g4 Staying on the gfile to sustain the threat of the discovered check. 18.•. ~e8 19.4J xe6+ ~f7 20.4Jc7 +-

The Greco Sacrifice through 1911

Despite the rarity of the games, and despite Steinitz's oversight, I think it likely that all serious tournament players of the day were aware of the sacrifice, in no small part thanks to Greco. If anything, players a century ago were far better acquainted with Greco's games. For chess at least, it was a simpler time, certainly in terms of the amount of infonnation at their disposal. They had far fewer distractions in and out of the game. I have organized the 39 games in this section chronologically. That means, of course, that Greco's contribution comes first. There, I have incorporated the annotations and thoughts of Greco, Renaud and Kahn, and Chernev who previously annotated the game. The annotations in the other games, unless otherwise noted, are entirely mine. Throughout, I have sought to lay the foundation for the taxonomy in Chapter 5 by presenting the most important variations in each game.

In ChessBase's chronologically organized Mega Database 2009 of nearly 4,000,000 games, Greco's recorded "games" occupy places 15 through 102. None of the names of his adversaries was ever listed, adding evidence that the games were never played. But there is little debate that game number 31 leaves Greco with lasting immortality, with a profound impact on modern chess. As you can see here, it involves the first ever "Greco Sacrifice." Annotators seem to delight in noting that the early moves are undistinguished. Given the beauty and soundness of the sacrifice, their observation seems moot. The finale is spoiled somewhat by Greco's failure to find the faster checkmate. Greco may have been unaware of the better 11 th move. He makes no note of it in any of his manuscripts. (1) Greco, Gioacchino - NN Europe 1620 French Defense [COl] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 4Jf6 3.Ad3 4Jc6 4./clf3 Ae7 5.h4 0-0 6.e5 4Jd5

Note, of course, the remarkable list of talent in these early games. Alekhine, Bernstein, Bird, Blackburne, Burn, Capablanca, Labourdonnais, Lasker, Marshall, Maroczy, Morphy, Paulsen, Pillsbury, Schleeter, Steinitz, and Zukertort. Here are the great names of the Romantic period in the 19th century, as well as four world champions. That abc

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Sacking the Citadel and (3) The further advance of the king to g6 or h6." 8 ••• J:txg5 After the retreat to g8, S... ~gS, White wins quickly with 9.i*h5 Axg5 (9 ... .§eS lO.i*h7+ 'ittf8 11.'i';j
The general criteria for the sacrifice are set and easily discemable. Only the black king defends the h7 -pawn. White's 4Jf3 can easily reach g5 and the white queen can follow to h5. And so, after 8.4Jg5, retreats of the black king to g8 or h8 will meet 'i';j
(2) De LaBourdonnais - Lecrivain Paris 1837 French Defense [COO] The French master Louis-Charles Mahe de LaBourdonnais (1795-1840) was considered the unofficial world chess champion during the early 19th century. After squandering his family fortune on ill-advised land deals, LaBourdonnais began to play chess professionally when he defeated his chess teacher Alexandre Deschapelles in 1821. He fought an unofficial world championship match against Alexander McDonnell in 1834. He earns further recognition here for the second Greco Sacrifice to be recorded for posterity.

96

Games l.e4 e6 2.f4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.4)f3 4)c6 5.c3 ~b6 6.Jld3 a6 7.Jlc2 Jld7 8.d4 cxd4-9.cxd4 Jlb4+ 10.4)c3 4)ge711.0-0 0-0 8

7

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The white pawn on f4 introduces an interesting twist. The pawn move secures the e5-pawn but hems in White's other additional asset, the dark-square bishop on c I. The advance of the white f-pawn also opens the a7-g1 diagonal for Black and enables an effective counterattack. 12.Jlxh7+ ~xh713.4)g5+ ~g8 As here, there is rarely hope in 13 ... <;t>h8 14.~hS+ <;t>g8 lS.'~h7 #. After 13 ... 'it'h6 many players would be tempted to play fS to open the diagonal for the bishop, but far faster is the idea of~g4-h4. 14.'ili'g4 ~xd4+ (14 ... §h8 prevents 'ili'h4, but gives up the defense of the f7-pawn. lS.<£\xf7+ 'it'h7 16.~hS+ <;t>gS 17.~xhS+ 'it'xf7 18.~xaS+-) lS.'it'h1 §hS 16.<£\xf7+ 'it'h7 17.~h3+ 'it'gS lS.~xhS+ 'it'xf7 19.'ili'xaS+-. Black missed the best defense with 13 ... <;t>g614.~d3+ (White's center crumbles after 14.~g4 ~xd4+ lS.§f2 <£\xeS 16.~g3 <£\fS 17.<£\xe6+ <£\xg3 lS.<£\xd4 ~cS -+; 14. ~c2+ fS lS.exf6+ 'it'xf6 16.<£\h7+ <;t>f7 17.<£\xfS <£\xd4 18.~h7 <£\dfS+ 19.'it'h1 §xfS-+) 14 ... <£\fS! when the threat on the d4pawn prevents White from playing 15.g4. lS.~e3 f6 16.g4 (16.exf6 gxf6

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17.g4 fxgS 18.gxfS+ §xfS -+) 16.. .fxgS 17.gxfS+ §xfS lS.fxgS <£\e7-+. 14.~h5 §fc8? The weakness ofthe white d4-pawn after 13.<£\gS should have encouraged Black to play 14 ... ~xd4+!= lS.§f2 §fdS (lS ... ~d3 16.fS §fcS 17.~xf7+ 'it'hS lS.~hS+ <;t>gS 19.~h7+ <;t>fS 20.fxe6++- 'it'e8 21.~hS+ <£\g8 22.~xgS+ <;t>e7 23.§f7#) 16.~xf7+ <;t>hS 17.~hS+ <;t>g8=. 15.~xf7+ ~h8 16.~h5+ Faster is 16.§f3! ~xd4+ 17.<;t>h1 +-. 16...~g817:~h7+ 17.§f3 is still more accurate.17 ... ~f8 18.~h8+ 4)g8 19.4)h7+ White should aim to activate the §fl with19.fS exfS 20.e6 ~xd4+ 21.<;t>h1 <£\ce7 (21...'it'e7 22.<£\xdS+ ~xdS 23. ~xg7 + <;t>d8 24.~e3 +- ) 22.exd7 §c6 23.<£\h7+ 'it'f7 24.<£\e2 when the threat of <£\gS gives White a strong and likely winning advantage. 19 ..• ~f7 20.4)g5+ Missing 20.fS! ~xd4+ 21.<;t>h1 ~xeS 22.fxe6+ +-. 20 ..• ~f8 21.f5 ~e7 Other Black tries do not fare better. 21...~xd4+ 22.<;t>h1 exfS 23.e6 'it'e7 24.<£\xdS+ (or 24.~e3!) 24 ... ~xdS 2S.~xg7+ 'it'dS 26.M4+-; 21...exfS 22.e6 ~xd4+ 23.<;t>h1+-22.~xg7+ ~d8 23.fxe6 4)ge7 24.§f8+ ~c7 25.4)xd5+ 4)xd5 26.~xd7+ ~b8 27.~xc8+ ~a7

28.~xa8* 1-0

(3) Cochrane - Staunton London 1842 Bishop's Opening [C24] A Scottish chess master and barrister, John Cochrane (1798-1878) became a very strong chessplayer while studying law. His book, A Treatise on the Game of Chess, introduced the Cochrane variation of the King's Gambit: l.e4 eS 2.f4 exf4 3.<£\f3 gS 4.~c4 g4 S.<£\eS ~h4+ 6.'it'fl f3. He played

Sacking the Citadel upon the active rooks and the 4Jc3. It is a very unusual position in which the sacrifice occurs without check, and in which White's active rooks and their pressure on the black bishops on d6 and e6 more than compensate for the lack of an e5-pawn. After the capture, without which Black is simply a pawn down, White could have improved with 16. ~e4+, eliminating the 'it'g6Iine. With help from several white inaccuracies, Black defends well enough to draw, missing his way only on move 20. 15.Axh7! White had another opportunity to win quickly with 15.~e4 g6 16.Axb5 cxb517.4Jxb5 +-. 15... 'it'xh7 The effort to trap the bishop loses quickly:15 ... g616.Axg6fxg617.~xe6. 16..£Jg5+ The most efficient path here is 16.~e4+ ~g8 (16 ... 'it'h6 17.~h4+ 'it'g6 18J~xd6 ~xd6 19.4Je5+ 'it'f5 20.g4+ ~f4 21.l':'!.e4#. Note that the obvious 16 ... g6 17.4Jg5+ 'it'g7 18.~d4+ is winning because the queen now swings to h4+-.) 17.4Jg5 g6 18.~h4 f6 19.4Jxe6+-. 16 ... 'it'gB White does not have a dark-square bishop, but 16 ... ~h6 invites 17.4Jxe6 Axh2+ (17 ... fxe6 18.~xe6+ l':'!.f6 19.~h3+ ~g6 20.g4 'it'f7 21.g5 l':'!.f4 22.~e6+ ~f8 23.~e8#) 18.'it'h1 fxe6 19.1':'!.d3+- when the rook reaches h3 with powerful effect. The black king is far too exposed after 16... 'it'g617.4Jxe6 Axh2+ 18.~h1 fxe6 19.~e4+ 'it'h6 (19 ... l':'!.f5 20.g4+-) 20.l':'!.d3 with a common theme, a powerful rook swing to the kingside+-. 17..£Jxe6 17.~e4! is an efficient alternative, avoiding ... Af5 -+. The immediate threat is obvious, but the queen can also reach the h-file safely after 18 ... g6 18.~h4 f6 19.4Jxe6+-, avoiding 17.iMl5 Af5-+. 17 ... Axh2+ IB.'it'fl White's best chance lies with 18.~h1 fxe6

matches against the two strongest French players, Deschapelles and Labourdonnais. After a tour of military duty in India, he helped Howard Staunton prepare for a match against the Frenchman Saint-Amant. On return to India, he was a leading member of the Calcutta Chess Club. After defeating Saint-Amant in 1843, Howard Staunton (1810-1874) was generally regarded as the strongest player in the world. His standardized chess sets became the norm. He organized the first international chess tournament of 1851 that resulted in the Adolf Anderssen's emergence as the unofficial world champion. A prolific chess writer and commentary, his ChessPlayer's Handbook (1847) helped to popularize chess in England during the 19th century. l.e4 e5 2.Ac4 .£Jf6 3.d4 c6 4 ..£J0 .£Jxe45.dxe5d56.exd6.£Jxd67.Ad3 Ae7 B.O-O 0-0 9.Af4 Ag4 10..£Jc3 h5 1l.E!el 'it'hB A fine positional player, Staunton may well have hoped with this move to steer clear of the Greco Sacrifice. 12. ~e2 Ae6 13.Axd6 Axd614.E!adl ~c7 8

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For additional assets, beyond the Ad3, the 4Jf3, and the queen, White relies

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Games 19.~xe6+ ~h7

(l9 ... §.f7 20.g3+-) 18 ... fxe6 19.~xe6+ ~f7 Missing an opportunity to reach an even game with 19 ... ~f7 20.~xf7+ §.xf7 21.§.eB+ ~h7 22.4:\e4 M4 23.g3 .\lc7=. 20.Jile4 j},f4 Or simply 20 ... 4:\d7=. 21.g3 j},h6 22.~e5 a5 23.~e8+ <;t>h7 24.~d8 ~a6 25.~e4+ g6 26.~xa8 ~xe5 27.~d4 j},g7 28.~h4+ jlh6 29.~h8+ <;t>xh8 30.~xh6+ 1-0 20.g3 .\lxg3

21.~h3+ +-.

(4) Vexin - Thompson

Philadelphia 1845 French Defense [COO]

l.e4 e5 2.f4 e6 3.~f3 d5 4.e5 ~e6 5.e3 j},e7 6.j},d3 f6 7.j},e2 ~h6 8.d4 0-0 9.0-0 ~b6 10.<;t>hl fxe5 1l.fxe5 ~f712.b3 ~h8 8 7

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White has three additional assets, the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the active §.fl. The open f-file is the story here. Black selects the ~gB line, stepping into a nightmarish attack after the exchange of rooks. 13.j},xh7+ <;t>xh7 14.~g5+ <;t>g8 The ~g6-line produces two thematic mates after ~d3+. On 14 ... ~g6 15.§.xfB .\lxfB (15 ... Axg5 16.~d3+ 'it'h5 [16 ... ~h6 17.§'xhB#] 17.~h3+ 'it'g6 [17 ... Ah4 1B.g4+ ~g6 19.~d3#] 1B.g4+-) 16.~d3+ ~h5 (16 ... ~h6 17.'l£th7#)

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when White has three mates from which to choose: 17.'l£th3+ 'it'g6 1B.'l£th7#; 17.'l£th7+ ~g4 1B.'l£th3 #; 17.g4+ ~xg4 (17 ... ~h4 1B.'l£th3#; 17 ... 'it'h6 18.~h7# or 1B.4:\f7#) 18.'l£tf3+ 'it'h4 19.'l£th3#. 14 ... 'it'h6 is much too dangerous with the dark-square bishop on the board. 15.4:\f7+ 'it'g6 (15 ... 'it'h7 16.'l£th5+ ~gB 17.~xhB#) 16.'l£td3+

'it'h5 17.'l£th7+ ~g4 1B.§.f4# or lB. 'l£th3 #. Black cannot consider ... Axg5 because the Ae7 is required to anchor the §.fB. 14 ... Axg5 15.'l£th5+ Ah616.§.xfB+- .15.~xf8+ <;t>xf8Capturing with the bishop robs the black king of its needed escape square. 15 ... AxfB 16.~h5 Ae7 (16 ... Ad6 17.exd6+-) 17.'l£th7+ 'it'f818.~xhB#. 16. ~h5 j},xg5 Black obtains no relief even by ditching the knight with 16 ... 4:\g617.'l£txg6 Axg518.Axg5 ~c7 19.'l£th7+-. 17.~xh8+ <;t>f717 ... 'it'e7 1B.'l£txg7+ and the black bishop falls +-. 18.j},xg5+- ~b519.~d2 <;t>g6 20.h4 20.g4 wins by capturing key squares. Or White can win in style with 20.Ah6! gxh6 21.'l£tgB+ with a fun mating net, a common theme when the black king captures the 4:\g5 in an open board. The variations are long but well worth reviewing to become familiar with the recurring themes. 21... 'it'f5 (not 21... ~h5 22.4:\f3+-) 22.'l£tf7+ ~g5 (22 ... 'it'g4 23.h3+ 'it'h4 [23 ... 'it'g5 24.4:\f3#; 23 ... 'it'g3 24.~f3+ ~h4 25.~g4#]) 23.'l£tf6+ 'it'h5 (23 ... 'it'g4 24.h3+ 'it'g3 25.'l£tf3+ 'it'M 26.'l£tg4#) 24.g4+ 'it'xg4 25.§.gl + +- . 20 ... ~e2 21.~f1 exd4 22.-'1,f6 Fritz 12 found a mate in eight with the pretty 22.§.f6+ gxf6 23.'l£txf6+ ~h5 24.'l£tf7+ 'it'g4 25.'l£tf4+ 'it'h5 26.g4+ 'it'g6 27.'l£tf6+ 'it'h7 2B.'l£tf7+ ~hB 29 .Af6 #. 22 ... ~ xd2 22 ... 'l£txfl + only delays the inevitable. 23.~xg7+ <;t>h5 24.g4# 1-0

Sacking the Citadel (5) Schulten - Morphy New York (blindfold) 1857 King's Gambit Accepted [C29] Defined by aggressive, tactical games and energetic combinations and sacrifices, The Romantic Era of chess in the 19th century immortalized the chess of Paul Morphy, Adolf Anderssen, and Joseph Blackburne. This remarkable blindfold encounter integrates Greco's Sacrifice into the era and further authenticates his legacy. l.e4 e5 2.f4 exf4 3.Jtc4 d5 4.exd5 .£)f6 5 ..£)c3 Jtd6 6 ..£)f3 0--0 7.0--0 Ag4 8.d4 .£)bd7 9 . .£)e2 .£)b6 10.Jtb3 .£) bxd511.c4 .£)e312.Jtxe3 fxe3 13.~d3 Ete8 14.Jtc2 Jth5 15..£)h4 Jtg616..£) xg6 hxg617.c5

17 ... Jtxh2+! 18.cifj>xh2 .£)g4+ 19.cifj>g3 Once again, the attacking side mates quickly after 19.'i!thl ~h4+ 20.'i!tgl ~h2#. In the 'i!tgl line, the black queen quickly reaches h2. 19.'i!tgl ~h4 and, with the pawn on e3, Black can meet any lateral rook move such as flfel with 4Jf2 and ~hl mate. 20.flf4 ~h2+ 21.'i!tfl ~hl + 22.4Jgl e2+ -+. It's the e-pawn, mobile once the knight retreats to b 1, that decides the game in this line. Black missed a tougher defense with 'i!th3, but few players would have happily consented to play like that against Morphy. 19.'i!th3 is White's best defense, but 19 ... ~g5 is winning because 20.4Jg3 (20.g3 4Jf2 -+) 20 ... e2-+ (21.flf3 4Je3 with the idea of ~h6). 19 ... ~g5 20.Etf5 gxf5 21.~xf5 ~xf5 22.Jtxf5 .£)f6-+ With a clearly winning material advantage. 23.cifj>f3 g6 24.Jtc2 Etad8 25.Etdl cifj>g7 26 . .£)f4 .£)d5 27 . .£) xd5 e2 28.Etel Etxd5 0-1 (6) Bird - Steinitz London 1866 Ruy Lopez [C84]

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This blindfolded effort by the great Morphy is the first recorded game to carry out a successful Greco Sacrifice with the black pieces. The conditions are fully set. For additional assets, Black has a mobile e3-pawn and the fle8. White must accept the sacrifice, and here, after ... 4Jg4+, the black pawn on e3 plays an important role in preventing the white king from escaping to f2.

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The Englishman Henry Edward Bird (1830-1908) played in the first international tournament in London, 1851. A practicing accountant, not a professional chess player, he played in tournaments for more than 50 years. Among many highlights, he lost a match to Paul Morphy in 1858. In 1876 in New York, he received the first brilliancy prize ever awarded for his game against James Mason. He is well remembered for Bird 's Opening (1. f4), as well as Bird's Defense to the Ruy Lopez (l.e4 e5 2.4Jf3 4Jc6 3.~b5 4Jd4). -

Games The Austrian Wilhelm Steinitz (18361900) was the first undisputed world chess champion from 1886 to 1894 when he lost his title to Emanuel Lasker. A commitment to all-out attacks defined his early career, but Steinitz developed and became renowned for a positional approach that often still resulted in memorable, and likely sounder, attacks. In match play, Steinitz defeated all comers between 1862 and 1892 including his match against Henry Bird in 1866. This game represents one of his five losses to Bird, unnecessary had he found the correct defense on move 17.

1.e4 e5 2..£lf3 .£lc6 3.1tb5 .£lf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 .£le4 6.0-0 a6 7.1ta41te7 S.c3 dxc3 9.bxc3 0--0 10..~d5 .£lc5 1l.1tc2 b6 12.Jte3 Jtb7 13.Jtxc5 Jtxc514.e6dxe6

harder by the absence of an eS-pawn covering d6. It is interesting to add that White has no additional assets in the position, a clear clue of its inaccuracy. 15.Jtxh7+ Cit'xh7 16..~h5+ Cit'gS 17..£lg5 EteS The great Steinitz fails to see that Black can defend effectively along the b1-h7 diagonal with 17 ....~d3!-+. IS.~xf7+ Cit'hS 19.~h5+ Cit'gS 20.~h7+ Cit'fS 21.~hS+ Cit'e7 22.~xg7+ 1-0 With

the obvious finale: 22 ...'i!td6 23.
l.e4 e5 2. .£lf3 .£lc6 3.1tb5 f5 4.d3 .£lf6 5.exf5 Jtc5 6.0--0 0--0 7.1txc6 dxc6 S . .£lxe5 Jtxf5 9.Jte3 ~e7 10.d4 EtadS 1l.c31td6 12..£lc4 (enabling the sacrifice. 12.f4 maintains a grip on the position.)

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A remarkable position so early in the life of the Greco Sacrifice.
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Black initiates the sacrifice with several additional assets, the light-square bishop and both active rooks. Once again the defender misses the toughest defense. So early still in the history of the sacrifice, and yet one immutable fact is becoming clear. The sacrifice generates significant and often overwhelming challenges for the defending side.

Sacking the Citadel White correctly sees that control over the h2-bS diagonal is key to the defense, but White misses 16. 'l*d2 or even 16. 'l*c1 defending rather than retreating the Af4. Black's nice 16th move is well worth a look. 12 .•• Axh2+ 13.lit>xh2 ~g4+ 14.lit>g114.'i!tg3 b5 (forcing the knight off d6) 15.4Jcd2 (15.4Jbd2 bxc4 16A:Jxc4 ~e6+) 15 ... ~d6+ (the queen cannot move to g5, but Black is able to play ~d6-g6 still seizing control over the key g-file) 16.ltf4 'l*g6 17.~f3 §deS-+. 14... ~h4? 14 ...lte6! Opening the f-file first, preparing rather than playing 14 ... ~h4 15.4Je5 (15.4Jcd2 'l*h4 16.§e1 ~h2+ 17.'i!tfl ~h1 + lS.'i!te2 'l*xg2-+) 15 ... 4Jxe5 16.'~c1 4Jg4+. 15.JU4+- -'l,e416.Ag3? Still winning is 16.'l*d2+- . 16... ftxf2! 17.-'l,xh4Alternatives fare no better: 17.§xf2 'l*xg3 -+; 17 .ltxf2 ~h2 # 17... ft xg2+ 18.lit>h1 fth2+ 19.1it>gl fth1# 0--1

abc

(8) Paulsen - Schwarz Leipzig, 1879 French Defense [C02] Louis Paulsen (1833-1891) was among the top five players in the world through the 1860s and 1870s. In 1862, he narrowly lost the world championship by tying Adolf Anderssen, though Paulsen later defeated Anderssen in matches in 1876 and again in 1877. Considered one of the top defensive players of all time, Paulsen nonetheless uncorks a brilliant attack in the following game. 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 e5 4.e3 ~e6 5.~f3 ~b6 6.a3 Ad7 7.b4 exd4 8.exd4 ~ge7 9.~e3 ~f5 10.~a4 ~e7 1l.-'l,b2 Ae7 12.fte1 a6 13.~e5 Axe5 14.ftxe5 0-0 15.Ad3 ~fe7

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An instructive example. The sacrifice works because White can bring up key reserves, the ltb2-c1 in the ~h6 line and the §c5-c3 in the ~g6 and ~gS lines. In the game, note especially White's patience on move 20, avoiding a tempting discovered check. 16.Axh7+! Iit>xh717.~g5+ Iit>g6 In the ~gS line, with the black knight on e7, White would normally play 'l*xh7hS, 4Jh7, and ltg5. Of course, the white ltb2 cannot reach g5 in one move, and so White captures on f7, driving the king to hS, and uses the §c3-h3 rook swing to finish up. 17 ... ~gS lS.'l*h5 §feS19.'l*xf7+ 'i!thS 20.§c3+-. In the 'i!th6 line, the rook swing is again required should Black attempt to defend with an anchored ... §hS. 17 ... ~h6 18.'l*g4 (with the ideaof'l*h4-h7. White also has lS.Ac1 with the idea of 4Jxe6+) lS ... 'l*cS (attempting to safeguard the queen from the discovered checks. [If instead lS ... 'i!tg6 19.'l*g4 'l*cS 20.4Jxe6+ 'i!th7 21.'l*xg7#] 19.'l*g4 ~g6 [19 ... 4Jf5 20.'l*h3+ ~g6 21.~h7#] 20.4Jxe6+ ~h7 21.'l*xg7#) lS ... §hS (attempting to prevent the main idea of'l*h4-h7)19.§c3 (but now the rook swing to the kings ide decides) 19 ... g6 20.'l*f4 ~g7 21.'l*f6+ ~h6 (21...~gS 22.'l*xf7#) 22.§h3#. 18. ~g4!? In the ~g6 line, White can

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Games improve with ~d3-g3 or 'ltYf3 and h4 because ~g4 first penn its Black to play .. .f6, an additional and often effective option when Black is over-protecting the e6-pawn, here with the Ad7. 18.~d3+! ( .. .f6 is not possible, and the queen is not required to move after 18 .. .fS) 18. ..fS 19.h4! (with the idea ofh5+) 19 ... b6 20.hS+ 'it'h6 (20 ... 'it'xgS 21.h6! 'it'g6 22.'ltYg3+ 'it'f7 23.'ltYxg7+ 'it'e8 24.h7 +-) 21.Ac1 +- 'ltYb7 22 ..£lxe6+ 'it'h7 23 ..£lxf8+ ElxfB 24.Elc3+- .IS•••f5 18. ..f6! 19..£lxe6+ (Black is saved by the self-pin on the .£le6) 19 ... 'it'f7 20 ..£lxc7 (20.'ltYxg7+? 'it'xe6 when White does not have assets ready to exploit the 'it'd6) 20 ... Axg4 21..£lxa8 El xa8;J; . 19. ~g3 ~cS 19 .. .f4 (a common defensive try, but here, White gains the pleasant option of either ~g4 or ~h4) 20.~h4 Elh8 (ceding control over the f-pawn) 21.~xf4 .£lfS 22.h4 Elaf8 23.hS+ ElxhS 24.ElxhS 'it'xhS 2S.g4+ 'it'g6 26. ~h2 +-. 20.Elc3! The rook swing is powerful, and as is often the case, there's simply no reason to rush the discovered check. 20 ..£lxe6+!? 'it'f7 21. 'ltYxg7 + (or simply 21..£lxf8!) 21...'it'xe6 (21...'it'e8?? 22.~xf8#) 22.~h6+ 'it'f7 23.'ltYf6+ 'it'e8-+. 20•.•f4 21. ~g4 ~f5 After 21...ElfS White has the attractive 22 ..£le4+ (aiming for d6) 22 ... 'it'h7 (22 ... 'it'f7 23 ..£ld6+ forks the king and queen) 23 ..£ld6 ~d8 (now the rook adds its voice to the attack) 24.Elh3+ 'it'g8 2S.~h4 'it'f8 26.g4 Elf7 (26 .. .fxg3 27.~h8+ .£lg8 28.Elxg3+-) 27.~gS .£lg8 28 ..£lxf7 'it'xf7 29.'ltYxf4+ +-. 22.Elh3 ElhS 23.~ xe6+ ~f7 24.~xf5+ ~e7 There's also no hope in 24 ... 'it'e8 2S.~g6+ 'it'e7 26.'ltYxg7+ 'it'xe6 27.'ltYf6# or in 24 ...'it'g8 2S.Elxh8+ 'it'xh8 26. 'ltYhS + 'it'g8 27 ..£lgS +- . 25. ~g5+ ~xe6 Black might as well capture the knight. 2S ... 'it'f7 26.~xg7+

'it'xe6 (26 ... 'it'e8 27.Elxh8#) 27.'ltYf6# with a thematic checkmate when the rook is offf8; and not 2S ... 'it'e8 26.Elxh8+ +-. 26.~g6+ ~e7 27.~xg7+ 1~ Black must cede the rook or succumb to an immediate checkmate. 27.'ltYxg7+ 'it'd8 (27 ... 'it'e6 28.'ltYf6#) 28.Elxh8+. (9) De Soyres - Skipworth Boston 1880 French Defense [C 14] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4.ltg5 lte75.ltxf6ltxf6 6.~f3 0--0 7.ltd3 c5 S.e5lte7 9.h4 c4 8

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White initiates the sacrifice counting upon the .£lc3-e2-f4, the secure eSpawn, and the h-pawn as additional assets. White can patiently build up with c3 and ~c2. In the game, this was the first serious defense with ... 'it'h6, made plausible by the absence of White's dark-square bishop and the presence of the white h4-pawn, which prevents the powerful 'ltYg4-h4 idea. 10•.Q.xh7+ ~xh711.~g5+ ~h6 The 'it'g8 line ends quickly with mate in the corner. 11...'it'g8 12.'ltYhS Axg5 (12 ... Ele8 13.i*h7+ 'it'f8 14.i*h8#) 13.hxgS fS 14.g6+- when Black can delay the mate only with ... i*h4. In the 'it'g6Iine, .£lc3-e2-f4 provides sufficient

103

Sacking the Citadel assistance. 11...'it'g6 12.4:Je2 (the immediate 12.~g4 meets 12 ... Axg5 [or 12 ... 'it'h6 13.~f4 'it'g6 14.h5+ 'it'h6 15.4:Jxe6+ Ag5 16.4:Jxg5 ~xg5 17. ~xg5+ 'it'xg5 IS.4:Jxd5=] 13.4:Je2 (aiming forf4) 13 .. .f5 [13 ...§hSI4.4:Jf4+ 'it'h7 15.hxg5+ 'it'gS 16.0-0-0+-] 14.4:Jf4+ 'it'f7 15.~h5+ 'it'e7 and the king finds a measure of safety. 16.~xg5+ 'it'eS 17.~xg7~) 12 ... 'it'h6 13.~d2 (taking the role of the darksquare bishop) 13 ... ~b614.c3 making room for~c2-h7. l4 ... 4:Jc615.~c2 g6 The rook is needed on f8 to defend the f-pawn. 16.h5 +- when White wins nicely in all three lines: 16 ... 'it'g717.hxg6 f51S.exf6+ Axf619.§h7+ 'it'gS 20.g7 +-; 16... 'it'xg517.~d2+ 'it'f5 (17 ... 'it'g4 IS.~f4#) IS.~f4#; and 16 ... Axg5 17.hxg6+ 'it'g7 IS.§h7+ 'it'gS 19.9xf7+ §xf7 20.~g6+ +-. 12.~d2 j},xg5 13.hxg5+ Iiflg6 14.~e2 ~xg5 Advancing the f-pawn doesn't relieve the pressure here. 14 .. .f6 15.gxf6 §hS 16.0-0-0 gxf6 17.~f4 fxe5 (17 ... f5 IS.g4±; 17 ... 'it'f7 IS.g4 4:Jd719.g5 f5 20.g6++- 'it'g721.§dgl; 17 ... 4:Jc6 IS.exf6 Ad7 19.~d6±) 18.~xe5 §h4 19.4:Jf4+ (the knight joins the attack) 19 ... 'it'f7 20.§del 4:Jc6 21.4:Jxe6 Axe6 22.~xe6+ 'it'g7 23.g3 §xhl 24.§xhl +-. Still down material, White's two majors provide a winning advantage against the exposed king. On 14 ... f5, 15.gxf6 transposing. 15.~f4+ Iiflf5 16.E!h5 ~xh5 17.~xh5 g5 18.c3Iiflg619.~c2+ Iiflxh5 20. ~h7+ 1--0 With a fun mate in three to end the game. 20.~h7+ 'it'g4 21.~h3+ 'it'f4 22.~f3#.

(10) Crespi - Cavallotti Milan 1881 French Defense [CI4]

104

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4.j},g5 j},e7 5.j},xf6 j},xf6 6.~f3 0-0 7.j},d3 b6 8.h4 j},b7 9.e5 j},e7 8 7 Ir....~,?....;

6

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

A similar position to the last game, with the same additional assets, although here, White has easy access to the d3square. In the game, White proceeds too patiently but Black fails to find the most challenging defense. 10.j},xh7+ Iiflxh711.~g5+ Iiflg6 In lines involving ... Axg5, White mates quickly with the usual idea of ~h5 and g5-g6. 11...'it'gS 12.~h5 Axg5 (the capture seeks to avoid the easier mate with 12 ... §eS 13.'iii'h7+ 'it'fS 14.~hS#) 13.hxg5 f5 14.g6+-. In the ... 'it'h6line, White can play ~d2, forcing ~d7, and then ~d3 forcing ... g6 when the h4-h5 pawn thrust is devastating. 11. .. 'it'h6 12.~d2! (it is premature to play 12.~d3!? because Black survives after 12 ... g6 13.h5 Axg5 14.hxg6+ Ah4! 15.~g3 fxg6 16.§xh4+ 'it'g7 17.4:Je2 §hS IS.§xhS ~xhS 19.4:Jf4 'iii'h6 20.4:Jxe6+ 'it'hS 21.4:Jxc7 4:Jc6 22.4:JxaS ~hl + 23.'it'd2 ~xal = with a likely perpetual) 12 ... ~d7 (interesting is 12 ... ~cS placing the queen out of the knight's reach, but 13.§h3 successfully activates the rook. 13 ... 4:Jc6 14.§g3 §gS 15.4:Jxf7+ 'it'h7 16.~d3+ g617.h5 Aa6 IS.hxg6+ 'it'g7 19.~d2 +-) 13.~d3! (only now, when the back

Games queen cannot reach g5) 13 ... g6 (13 ... 1.txg5 14.hxg5+ 'it'xg5 15.'l£rg3+ 'it'f5 16.Eth5+ g5 17 . .§xg5 #) 14.h5 +- wins in all lines: 14 ... 'itJg7 15.hxg6'§hS16.'§xhS'it'xhS17.~h3+

'it'g7 1S.'l£rh7+ 'itJfS 19.~hS#; 14 ... 'it'xg5 15.'l£re3+ 'itJg4 16.f3+ 'it'g3 17.'l£rd2+-; 14 ... Axg5 15.hxg6+ 'it'g7 16.'§h7+ 'it'gS 17.~h3 +-. 12.~e2 12.'l£rd3+! f5 (Black cannot move the king: 12 ... 'it'h513.g4+ 'it'xg4 [13 ... 'it'h6 14.'l£rh7#] 14.'l£rf3#; or 12 ... 'itJh6 13.'l£rh7#) 13.exf6+ with a lovely en passant discovered check. 13 ... 'itJxf6 (13 ... 'itJh5 14.g4+ 'it'xg4 15.'l£rf3#) 14.'l£rf3+ 'itJg6 15.h5+ 'itJxg5 when White has a mate in three starting with 16. ~g3+. 12 ••• Cit>h6 13.~f4 g6 14.h5 Axg5? Black's only chance lies in 14 ... Ab4+! 15.c3 'l£rxg5 but White retains a large edge after 16.'l£rf3 'itJg7 17.hxg6+-. 15.hxg6+ Cit>g716.Eth7+ Cit>g8 17.~h5 Jtf6 18.Eth8+ 1-0 White mates in two after 18.gxf7, .§hS+, or .§g7+.

(11) Salvioli-Crosara Venice 1883 Bogo-Indian Defense [A40]

An easy, instructive example. White's additional assets include the active dark-square bishop, the secure e5pawn, and the .§f1. The game continuation with ... 'it'g6 is the most challenging, but the threat of a discovered check after ~g4 paralyzes the defense. 13.Axh7+! Cit>xh714.~g5+ Cit>g6After the 14 ... 'itJgS retreat, White mates quickly thanks to the Aa3's pin on the black 4Je7. 14 ... 'itJgS 15.~h5 .§eS 16.~h7+ 'it'fS17.~hS#. In the ... 'itJh6 line, White has no trouble because the 'l£rg4-h4 maneuver is available. 14 ... 'it'h6 15.~g4 .§hS 16.4Jxf7++-. 15. ~g4! White can also win easily here with a rook swing 15 ..§f3+- or with 15.'l£rd3+ 4Jf5 (15 ... f5 16.4Jxe6+-) 16.g4+-.15••. f516.~g3~e8Theef­ fort to eliminate the pin with 16... 'it'h6 walks into 17.~h4+ 'itJg618.~h7# and, of course 16 ... .§hS 17.4Jxe6+ 'itJf7 1S.4JxdS+ +- . But Black cannot avoid danger with 16 ... ~cs 17.4Jxe6+ (initiatingaquickmate) 17 ... 'it'f71S.~xg7+ 'itJxe6 19.~xe7#. 17.~xe6+ Cit>f7 17 ... 'itJh6 walks into a mate in two, 1S.'l£rg5+'itJh719.~xg7#.18.~xg7+??

Easily winning is 1S.4Jxg7! +- .§gS 19.4JxeS .§xg3 20.4Jd6+ 'it'e6 2l.hxg3. 18... Cit>xe6 -+ and suddenly, Black is fine. The final result suggests that White actually played 18.4Jxg7! 1-{)

l.d4 e6 2.c4 Ab4+ 3.~c3 Axc3+ 4.bxc3 b6 5.e4 d6 6.f4 Jtb7 7.Ad3 ~d7 8.~f3 c6 9.e5 d510.cxd5 cxd5 II.Jta3 ~e712.0--0 0--0

(12) Fritz - Mason Nuremberg 1883 French Defense [C14]

8

7

6

Alexander Fritz (1857-1932) competed regularly in German chess events. He is best known for a variation in the Two Knights Defense, known affectionately today as the Fritz (l.e4 e5 2.4Jf3 4Jc6 3.Ac4 4Jf6 4.4Jg5 d5 5.exd5 4Jd4), and for lending his last name to one of

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

105

Sacking the Citadel today's most popular chess engines. 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Jilc3 Jilf6 4.j},g5 -'le7 5.-'lxf6 j},xf6 6.Jilf3 0-0 7.-'ld3 b6 S.h4 -'lb7 9.e5 j},e7

Once again, the capture simply opens the h-file to White's advantage: 11...Axg5 12.hxg5+ ~g6 (12 ... ~g8 13.~h5+-) 13.~h5+ ~f5 14.~h3+

(with another nice king hunt) 14 ...'iti'g6 15.~h7+'iti'xg516.~h5+'it'f417.g3#.

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

A position remarkably similar to Greco's game of 1620 and to games 9 and 10. White has a secure pawn on e5 and the possibility of bringing in the queen's knight with .£)c3-e2-f4. In the game, White missed an opportunity after 12.'~'d3 f5 to carry out a powerful discovered check with 13.exf6+. The score of Fritz-Mason appears (with the moves 8 and 9 reversed and without mention of the players' names) as the second game in Emanuel Lasker's famous Common Sense in Chess. In his annotations, Lasker also misses the more accurate 12.~d3+. 10.-'lxh7+ <;!;>xh711.Jilg5+ <;!;>g6 The absence of the dark-square bishop should have encouraged Black to find the best defense with ... 'iti'h6 when White should again play ~d2(to force 'iti'g6) ~d3 to setup ... g6 h5. 11...'iti'h6 12.~d2 ~d7 13.~d3 when Black can try 13 .. .f5 14.exf6 g615.h5 .§xf6 16.hxg6+ 'iti'g7 (16 ... ~xg5 17.~g3+'iti'f518.'§h5#) 17.~h3+- or 13 ... .§h8 14 ..£)xf7+ ~h5 15 ..§h3 with g4+ and ~f3#; or 13 ... g614.h5 itxg5 (not surprisingly, bringing the king out into the open is fraught with danger: 14 ... 'iti'xg5 15.~e3+ ~g4 [15 ... 'iti'f5 16.g3+-] 16.f3+ 'iti'g3 17.~d2+-).

11 ... ~g8 12.~h5 with the familiar mates 12 ... .§e8 (12 ... Axg513.hxg5 f514.g6) 13.~h7+ 'iti'f8 14.~h8#. 12.Jile2 White's best is 12:~d3+! f5 when king retreats lose quickly (a) 12 ... 'it'h5 13.g4+ 'iti'xg4 (13 ... 'iti'h6 14:~h7#) 14.~f3#; (b) 12 ... 'tTth6 13.~h7; 13.exf6+ ~xf6 14.~f3+ 'iti'g6 15.h5+ (the h-pawn, which provided support for g5, now becomes an offensive weapon) 15 ... 'it'h6(15 ... ~xg516.~g3+ 'iti'f5 17.~g6+ 'iti'f4 18..£)e2 #) 16.~d3 .§f5 (16 ... 'iti'xg5 17.~g6+ ~f4 18 ..£)e2 #; 16 ... Axg5 17.~g6#) 17 ..£)xe6+-. The familiar alternative 12.~g4 fares less well: 12 ... Axg5 13 ..£)e2 f514.'£)f4+ 'tTtf715.~h5+ 'it'e7 16.~xg5+ 'iti'd7 17.~xg7+ ~e7 18.~xe7+ 'iti'xe719 ..£)g6+ 'iti'f7 20.'£)xf8 'iti'xf8±. 12 .•• j},xg5 12 ... 'iti'h613.~d2 ~c8 a frequent retreat to remove the queen from the .£)g5 's reach, though the disadvantage, an inactive queen, is obvious. The main alternative 13 ... ~d7 invites 14.'~d3 g615.h5 when White's attack prevails in all lines: (a) 15 ...'tTtg7 16.hxg6+-; (b) 15 ... ~xg5 16.hxg6+ 'tTtg717 ..§h7+ 'iti'g818.~h3+-; and (c) 15 ... 'tTtxg5 16.~e3+ 'iti'f5 (16 ... 'it'g4 17.~f4#) 17.~f4#. After 13 ... ~c8, White wins easily by bringing up the .§hl, another advantage to having the h-pawn on h4. 14 ..§h3 Aa6 15 ..§g3 .§g8 16.~f4+-. 13.hxg5 f5 Alternatives are worse. 13 ... .§h8 14.'£)f4++'iti'xg5 15.'§h5+ '§xh5 16.~xh5+ ~xf4 17.g3+ 'iti'e4 18.~g4#; i3 ... ~xg5 14.'£)f4+ ~f5 15.~d3+; and 13 ... 'iti'xg5 14 ..§h5+ starts a mate in four. 14.gxf6

106

Games Elh815.4)f4+ ~f716.~g4Elxhl+ 17.~d2 gxf6 Greed makes it easy for White: 17.:.1'hal 18.'ltrxe6+ 'itlf8 19..£)g6#.18.~g6+ 18.Elxhl +- brings on a faster mate, says Fritz. 18... ~e7 19.~g7+

~e8

many of the successful sacs, the e-file is closed and a white pawn on e5 has forced the black knight off its useful f6square. Here, the white e-pawn has been exchanged on d5, with the result that Black's light-square bishop can easily reach the key bl-h7 diagonal. As important, White does not have reserves ready to bring up. Indeed, even the white king is unprepared. 9.j';txh7+

20.~g8+ ~e7

21.~xe6+ ~f8

22.Elxhl j';te8 1--0 It's mate in four with 22 ... Ac8 23.Elh8+ 'itlg7 24.Elh7+ 'itlxh7 25.'ltrf7+ 'itlh8 26 ..£)g6#.

~xh710.4)g5+ ~g811.~d311.'ltrh5

(13) Guest - Burn London 1887 French Defense [C 11] The Englishman Amos Bum (18481925) was a contending player at the end of the 19th century. A student of Wilhelm Steinitz, he reached an equal first at London, 1887 and first at Cologne, 1898. He also played in the famous Hastings tournament of 1895, finishing in twelfth place. Remarkably, he is involved in three games within this section; this is his only victory. l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)e3 4)f6 4.j';td3 e5 5.dxe5 j';txe5 6.exd5 4)xd5 7.4)xd5 exd5 8.4)0 0--0 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

With only one additional asset, the darksquare bishop, the white position does not satisfy key preconditions here, and indeed the sacrifice fails quickly. In

Af5 when Black gains control over the key bl-h7 diagonal. 11 ...g6 The white queen does not have access to h3. 12.0--0 4)e613.~g3 ~g714.j';tf4 f6 15.4)f3 4)d4 16.4)xd4 .1lxd4 17.Elfdl.1le518.b4 .1lxb419.~b3 ~b6 20.~xd5 .1le6 21.~0 ~e6 22. ~e3 Elfe8 23.a3 .1lg4 24. ~g3 j';txdI25.Elxdl Elad8 26.Elfl.1ld6 27..1lxd6 ~xd6 (}-1 (14) Blackburne - Zukertort Frankfurt 1887 Queen's Gambit Declined [D55] Joseph Henry Blackburne (1841-1924) was one of the best players in the late 19th century and an integral part of the Romantic Age of chess. Nicknamed the "Black Death," he popularized chess by giving simultaneous and blindfold displays. The son of a temperance preacher, Blackbume was known ironically for his heavy drinking of whiskey while playing. His best results included an equal first with Steinitz at Vienna 1873, first in London, 1876, and first in Berlin 1881, three points ahead of Zukertort, his adversary in this game. l.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.4)e3 4)f6 4.Ag5 j';te7 5.e3 b6 6.4)f3 Ab7 7.Elel 0--0 8.j';txf6 j';txf6 9.exd5 exd5 10.Ad3 e5 11.0--0 e4 12.j';tbl 4)d713.4)d2

107

Sacking the Citadel EleS 14.t~\'f3 {)fS 15.{)xc4 {)g6 16.{)d2 '/Nd717.g3 {)e71S.Elfel a6 19.{)e2 EladS 20.{)f4 Jlg5 21.h4 Jlxf4 22.'/Nxf4 {)c6 23.{)f3 '/Nd6

(15) Hodges - Blackmar Brooklyn 1892 French Defense [CI4] A notable American player during the late 19th century, Albert Hodges won the U.S. Championship in 1894 but is best remembered for playing inside Ajeeb, the chess-playing automaton that resembled a finely dressed sultan.

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

White's extra pawn going into the sacrifice greatly simplifies the calculations. So does the absence of the black rook from f8. Although the white queen does not have easy access to the h5-square, the double attack on f7 after <£\g5+ prevents the black king from retreating to g8, and the knight fork discourages ~h6 or ~h8. Finally, White's destruction of ~g6 is fun to watch. 24..1l,xh7+! ~xh7 25.{)g5+ 1-0 With the rook offf8, the king retreats to h8 and h6 meet a brutal knight fork. 25 ... ~h8 26.<£\xf7+; 25 ... ~h6 26.<£\xf7+. 25 ... ~g8 meets a variant of the habitual mate in five. Note that the d6-square is occupied by the black queen rather than controlled by an e5-pawn. 26.i*xf7+ ~h8 27.i*h5+ ~g8 (27 ... i*h6 walks into 28.<£\f7+) 28.i*h7+ ~f8 29.~h8+ ~e7 30.~xg7"". 25 ... ~g6 a frequent theme is that h5 can be very powerful in the ~g6 line. 26.h5+ ~xh5 (26 ... ~h6 27.<£\xf7+) 27.g4+ ~h4 (27 ... ~g6 28.i*f5+ ~h6 29.<£\xf7 "") 28.<£\f3+ ~h3 29.<£\e5+- .

108

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.{)c3 {)f6 4 ..1l,g5 .1l,e7 5.e5 {)fd7 6.Jlxe7 '/Nxe7 7.'/Nd2 a6 S.f4 c5 9.{)f3 {)c6 10.{)dl0-0 1l.c3 b5 12.Jld3 cxd4 13.cxd4 .1l,b7 14.a3 ElacS 15.0-0 {)b616.'/Ne2 {)a5 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Hodges takes advantage of three additional assets, the strong e5-pawn, the !!f1, and even the <£\d1-e3. The game provides a nice opportunity to compare two responses, 19.~g4 and 19.~d3+ in the ~g6Iine. i*g4 is more accurate in this instance because the queen exerts influence over both e6 and g7. 17..1l,xh7+ ~xh71S.{)g5+ ~g6 ~g8 fails very quickly to ~h5 because the ~e7 blocks the king's escape route. 18 ... ~g8 19.~h5 !!fd8 20.~h7+ ~f8 21.~h8"" and although White does not have a dark-square bishop, ~h6 fails quickly in view of !!f3. 18 ... ~h6 19.!!f3+- . 19.'/Nd3+ 19.~g4! f5 (19 .. .f6

Games 20.f5+ exf5 [20 ... 'ifth6 21.~xf5+

~h6

21.~h4.]

22.~h7+

'it>xg5 23 ..!:!f5+ ~g4 24 ..£Jf2.) 20.exf6 'it>xf6 21 f5 +- . Other tries for Black on move 20 also fare poorly: (a) 20 ... gxf6 21..£Jxe6+ 'iftf7 (21..5.t'h7 22.m3 +- ) 22 ..!:!e1 .!:!g8 23:i!'Yh5+ .!:!g6 24.f5; (b) 20 ... ~xf6 21..£Je4+; and (c) 20 .. :i!'Yd7 21.fxg7 +- . The real surprise in this position is that White has another winning maneuver in .£Je3-f5: 19 ..£Je3! f5 20.exf6 gxf6 21..£Jf5! (a remarkable move) 21..:i!'Ye8 (the knight is immune! 21... ~xf5 22:i!'Yd3+ 'it>g4 23:i!'Yh3.; 21...exf5 22.~xe7 +- ) 22 ..£Jxe6 and the knights are swarming: 22 ... .!:!g8 23 ..!:!ae1 ~h7 24.~f3+-. 19 ••• f5 20.exf6+ ~xf6 20 ... ~h5 when White can take h7 with check. 21."i!'Yh7+ 'iftg4 22 ..£Je3 •. 21.§.el §.c6 22.~e3 g6 23.~g4+ ~g7 24.~e5 §.f6 25. ~h3 ~g8 26.§.e3 26 ..£Jg4 is the more natural continuation. 26••• ~bc4 27.~gf7? §.xf7 28.~ xg6 ~f6 29.§.g3 §.c8 Black is also certainly better after 29 ... "i!'Yxd4+. 30.§.el §.g7 31.f5 §.f8? Black is still surviving after 31.. ..!:!f7. 32.~h8+ ~f7 33.~xf8# 1-0 (16) Lasker,Em. - Golmayo Havana 1893 Queen's Gambit Declined [D46] Emanuel Lasker (1868-1941) reigned as world champion for 27 years. He is still regarded as one of the strongest players ever,joining a list that includes only Fischer, Kasparov, Capablanca, Alekhine, and Botvinnik. In world championship match play, he defeate~ Steinitz, Marshall, Tarrasch, Janowski, and Schlechter, losing the title finally in 1921 to the Cuban, Jose Raul Capablanca.

1.~f3 d5 2.d4 ~f6 3.c4 e6 4.~c3 c65.e3.Q.d66•.Q.d3~bd77.~e2008.0-0 §.e8 9.§.dl e510.dxe5 ~xe5 11.~xe5 .Q.xe5 12.cxd5 cxd5 13.~c2 .Q.e614..Q.d2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

A Greco Sacrifice attempted against the great Lasker, with the black pieces no less, fails to the future world champion's surgically accurate defense. After 18.f4, driving the black queen to h6, there's simply no way for Black to bring additional pieces to bear against the exposed white king in part because the Ae6 blocks any possible rook swing. 14•••.Q.xh2+ 15.~xh2 ~g4+ 16.~! 16.'iftg1 ~h4 17.Ae1= using the ~c2 and the bishop to protect f2. With fl open, 'it>h1 does not get mated instantly, but there's still a mating net after 16.'ifth1 "i!'Yh4+ 17.~g1 ~xf2+ 18.~h1 "i!'Yh4+ 19.~g1 ~h2+ 20.'it>f1 ~h1 + 21.'ifte2 ~xg2+ 22.'it>e1 ~f2 •. 16••• h5 There's no alternative for the attack, because 16 ... "i!'Yd6+ 17.f4 and White seizes the initiative, and 16 ... ~g5 17.f4 when the queen cannot remain on the g-file. 17.§.hl ttg5 18.f4+- tth6 19.e4 d4 20.~e2 §.ac8 21.ita4 ~e5 22.fxe5 White also wins with 22.Ah5 or 22.~a3 Ac4 23.fxe5 ~xd2 24.ltxc4 '!:!xc4 25 ..£\[4+-. 22••• ttxd2 23.§.adl itg5+ 24.Cit'h2 ~xe5+ 25.g3.Q.g4 26.§.del

109

Sacking the Citadel h4 27"~xd4 hxg3+ 2S.Cjfjlg2 ~xd4 29.4:) xd4 ~cd8 3O.Jl.b5 ~eS 31.Jl.e2 .Q.xe2 32.4:)xe2 ~xe4 33.Cjfjlxg3 ~d3+ 34.
the third rank makes the sacrifice an easier calculation. Altogether, an impressive effort. 20 •.Q.xh7+ CjfjIxh7 21.4:)gS+
7

6 5 4

3

8

2

7

6

abc

5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

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h

The well defended e5-pawn and the presence of the white rook already on

110

d e

f

g

h

Without a pawn on e5, White must rely upon the <£)c3-e2-f4 and the h4-pawn as additional assets. Still, Black still faces an enormous defensive task. In the game, Black played 12 ... ~h6 when it is White who fails to find the best path with 13:~d3! since 13 ... g6 meets 14.h5 +- . II.Axh7+ CjfjIxh712.4:)gS+

Games ~h6 Black successfully rejects 'it'g6 (it's a pretty mate in three) 12 ... <;tJg6 13.~d3+ <;tJh5 14.g4+ <;tJxg4 (14 ... 'it'h6 15.~h7#) 15.'l:ii'f3#. In the 'it'gB line, White can select a quick perpetual or try for more with 14.0-0-0. 12 ... <;tJgB 13.~h5 fieB (13 ... ~xg5 14.hxg5 fieB 15.g6 <;tJfB16.dxc5+-) 14.0-0-0! see game 272 (14.'l:ii'f7+ <;tJhB15.'l:ii'h5+ =). White gains a clear advantage after 12 ... ~xg5 13.hxg5+ <;tJgB (13 ... 'it'g6 is much too dangerous, 14.'l:ii'h5+ 'it'f5 15.~h7++- g6 16.~h3+ 'it'xg5 [16 ... <;tJf4 17.~g3+ 'it'f5 1B.fih4+-] 17.~h4+ and the king hunt is on <;tJf5 1B.g4+ 'it'f4 19 ..£\e2+ 'it'e4 [19 ... 'it'f3 20.~g3+ <;tJe4 21.~d3#] 20.g5+ <;tJf3 [20 ... <;tJf5 21.~f4#; 20 ... fif4 21.~xf4#] 21.fih3+ 'it'g2 22.~g4#) 14.~h5 fieB 15.g6 <;tJf8 the king escapes, but White has a clear initiative after 16.dxc5 and 17.0-0-0. 13.f4 Missing the more accurate continuation with 13.~d3! threatening ~h7#. 13 ... ~xgS (and not 13 ... g6 14.hS with the idea of ~xg6# 14 ... figB [14 ... ~eB IS ..£\f7+ ~xf7 16.hxg6+ <;tJg7 17.fih7++-] IS.'£\f7++-) 14.hxgS+ <;tJxgS IS.fih7 when the white queen and rook combine against the exposed king in all lines: (a) IS ... figB 16.0-0-0 (bringing up the third major) 16 ... cxd4 17.~g3+ <;tJf6 IB.fixd4 'it'e7 19.fig4+-; (b) IS ... ~f6 16.~g3+ 'it'fS 17.'l:ii'f3+ 'it'gS (17 ... <;tJg6 IB.~hS#) 1B.'l:ii'hS+ 'it'f4 19.93#; and (c) IS ... 'l:ii'c716 ..£\bS ~d7 17.~g3+ <;tJf6 (17 ... 'it'fS IB.fixg7 +-) IB ..£\d6+- and White will likely continue with f4.13 •.• ~eSI4..£!e2 .£!c6 15.c3 Ad7 16.g4 cxd4 17.cxd4 .1lxg5 Or simply 17... ~e71B.'l:ii'd2 ~b4 19..£lc3~d6-+ .18.~d3g619.hxg5+ ~g7 20.C}-O-() EthS 21 . .£!g3 ~f7 22.Ethfl Etac8 23.~bl ~e7 24.~e3 Eth2 25. ~gl Eth4 26. .£!e2 EtchS

III

27•.£!c1.£!d8 2S.Etfel ~fS 29 ..£!d3 .1lb5 30•.£!c5 ~xf4 31.Etxe6 Ethl 32.~xhl Etxhl 33.Etxhl ~xd4 34.Ete7+ ~fS 35.Etc7 b6 36.Etfl + .1lxfl 37•.£!d7+ ~e7 0-1 (19) Maroczy - Billecard Hastings 1895 French Defense [C14] Geza Maroczy (1870-1951) won a side event at Hastings 1895 and, during the next decade, won or placed well in two dozen tournaments. He was, according to Capablanca, one of the best players of the time. A match against Lasker was canceled and, in 1908, Maroczy retired from chess. The Maroczy bind, a formation with white pawns on c4 and e4, bears his name. l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . .£!c3 .£!f6 4 ..1lg5 .1le7 5 . .1lxf6 .1lxf6 6 . .£!f3 0-0 7 •.1ld3 c5 S.e5 .1le7 9.h4 f510.exf6 Etxf6

abc

d

e

f

g

h

The .£\c3 and h4-pawn serve as additional assets, but the rook on f6 should have discouraged White from the sacrifice. Black was unlikely to fall for 12 ... <;tJgB 13.'l:ii'd3 fifS 14.g4. After the 'it'gB retreat, the rook is ready to swing to h6 to foil ~hS. Despite the unsound nature of the sacrifice, White still tri-

Sacking the Citadel umphs. 1l.Axh7+ ~xh7 12.~g5+ ~gS In the ~h6Iine, a plausible choice without a dark-square bishop for the attack, White plays ~d2, threatening a discovered check. 12 ... ~h6 13.~d2 ~eS 14 ..£\xe6+ ~h7 15 ..£\e7±. In the ~g6 line, White can play ~d3 threatening mate and again using the h-pawn in the event of ... g6. 12 ... ~g613.~d3+ when White prevails in all lines: (a) 13 ... m5 unable to block the check with ... f5, Black can block it with the rook, but 14.g4+-; (b) 13 ... ~h5 (it's mate in six) 14.g4+ ~xg4 (14 ... ~h615.~h7#) 15 ..§.gl+ ~h5 (15 ... ~xh4 16.~h3#; 15 ... ~f416 ..£\e2#) 16 ..£\f7+-; and (c) 13 ... ~h6 14.~h7#. 13.~h5 Eth6 14.~f7+ ~hSI5.0-0-0 ~fS More accurate is 15 ... exd4 16 ..£\b5 ~d7 17.~b1 .£\e6-+. 16.f4 Ad7 17.~xfS+ AxfS IS.~f7+ ~h7 19.~xh6 ~xh6+ White's attacking prospects are gone, and Black has two bishops for the rook. 20.dxe5 ~e6 21.f5 Axe5 22.fxe6 Jtxe6 23.~xd5 EtdS 24.~e3 Etxdl + 25.Etxdl ~h5 26.Etel Af5 27.~e4 Axe4 2S.Etxe4 Af2 29.b4 Axh4 30.b5 ~dS 31.e4 Af6 32.~e2 ~g6 33.e5 ~f7 34.~d3 ~e6 35.~e4 Ae7 36.b6 Axe5 Better is 36 ... axb6 37.exb6 .£\dS=. 37.~d5 Axb6 3S.Etxe6 Ae5 39.Ete4 b6 4O.Eta4 a5 41.Etxa5 bxa5

Ae7 9.Jtd3 EteSl0.0--0 e5 1l.dxe5 ~xe512.~xe5Axe513.~e2 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Black must rely upon the light-square bishop and the .§.eS as additional assets, but White's active bishops limit the possible scope of the attack. 13...Jtxh2+ 14.~xh2 ~g4+ 15.~g3 The ~gl retreat is the best line for White because the queen on e2 is already covering the f2-pawn, permitting the .§.fl to create an escape-square for the king.15.~gl ~h4 16 ..§.fe1 iii'h2+ 17.~f1 .£\e5 lS ..llf5 (1S ..£\a4 .llg4 19.f4 '£\f3 20.~f2 [20.gxf3 .llh3+-+] 20 ... '£\h4 21..§.gl .llh3 22 ..llxh7+ ~fS 23.~d1 .llxg2 24 ..llxg7+ ~xg7 25.~g4+ ~hS-+) lS ... ~h1 + 19.~e2 ~xg2 20 ..llxeS ~f3+ 21.~d2 (21.~fl .§.axeS +) 21... ~xf2+ 22 ..§.e2 '£\f3+ 23.~d3 .£\e5+=. The ~h3 line walks into a devastating discovery: 15.~h3 .£\xe3+ -+ and there's obviously no point in 15.~h1 iii'h4+ 16.~gl ~h2#. 15... ~g5 16.Axh7+ White needed to play 16.f4 to survive. 16.f4 iii'h5 17.e4 .£\e3 lS.~e2 ~g6+ 19.~h2 '£\xf1+ 20 ..§.xfl dxe4=. 16... ~fS Also viable is 16... ~hS 17.f4 .§.xe3+ lS ..§.f3 ~h5 19 ..§.xe3 .£\xe3 20.~e2 ~xe2 21..£\xe2 ~xh7~. 17.f4 ~h5 IS.~dl g6 18. ..f5! traps the bishop. 19.jtxg6 fxg6 20.~e3 Ete7 Better is 20 ... ~h2+ 21.~f3 .§.e7~. 21.~el? Eth7 22.Etgl

42.~xe5 ~e6 43.~b5 ~d5 44.~xa5 ~e5 45.a4 g6 46.g3 g5

47.g4 ~e6 48.~b4 ~b6 49.a5+ ~a6 50.~a4 ~a7 51.~b5 ~b7 52.~e5

1--0

(20) Skipworth - Jones Craigside 1897 Slav Defense [A 13] l.e4e6 2.~e3 d5 3.e3 e6 4.~f3 Jtd6 5.d4 ~d7 6.b3 ~gf6 7.Ab2 0--0 S.e5

112

Games ~f5

17 ... xt'h6 1S.i11td3+- or 1S.~g4+-. IS. ~d3+ Here in the '
22 ... 4Je5! -+ when the knight is immune in view of...~xg4and ... .§f7#. 23..£)c3.£)e5 24.fxe5 ~h4+ 25.'if}f3 ~g4+ 0-1 It's mate after 26.'
(22) Futterer - Zinski Berlin 1897 Two Knights Defense [C58]

7

6

5 4

1.e4 e5 2 . .£)f3 .£)c6 3.~c4 .£)f6 4 ..£)g5 d5 5.exd5 .£)a5 6.d3 h6 7 ..£)f3 ~d6 S.c3 0-0 9.h4.£) xc410.dxc4 c5 1l.a3 e412..£)fd2 '§e813.0-0

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h 8

At first glance, Black's position at the time of the sac has the appearance of one fully lacking in development. For additional assets, White has the 4Jc3, the active .§e1, and the dark-square bishop, but Black has the ~e7 poised to prevent 4Jf3-g5. This is the first game in which the Greco Sacrifice, to succeed, requires an additional exchange sacrifice, in this case 15 ..§ xe7, eliminating the dark-square bishop to continue safely with 4Jg5. 14.~xh7+ 'if}xh7 15..§xe7 ~xe716..£)d5 Gaining a free tempo. 16.4Jg5+ would likely transpose, although Black has the option ofi11txg5. 16•.• ~dS 17•.£)g5+ 'if}g6 The '
113

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Another successful sacrifice by Black owing in large part to White having ignored the center. Black has three additional assets, the mobile e4-pawn, the .§eS, and the light-square bishop. 13...~xh2+ 14.'if}xh2 .£)g4+ 15.'if}g3 The checkmate after 15.'
Sacking the Citadel pawn. IS.'it>gl ~h4 16 ..§el ii;Yxf2+ 17.'it>hl ii;Yh4+ 18.'f1 ii;Yhl+ 20.'it>e2 ii;Yxg2#; IS.'it>h3 walks right into 15 .. .'ijxf2+-+ although IS ... ii;YgS with the idea of ii;YhS is also devastating. 15 .• :~d6+ ... ii;Yd6 brings on a quick mate thanks to the rook's ability to reach e3. 16.f4 Both king retreats walk into mates in one: 16.'it>h4 ii;Yh2*; 16.'xf3 Eie3* 0--1 (23) Fahndrich - Mandelbaum Vienna 1897 Queen's Gambit Declined [055] l.d4 d5 2.c4 ~f6 3.~c3 e6 4.J1g5 ,Ae7 5.e3 0-06.,Ad3 b6 7.,Axf6 ,Axf6 8.cxd5 ,Ab7 9.~f3exd510.h4c5 8 7

In the 'it>g6 line, White mates in four with 12 ... 'it>g6 13.~c2+ 'xg41S.f3+ 'it>hS (IS ... 'it>g316 ..§h3*) 16.~h7*. 13.~e2 The main alternatives fare no better: 13.~d3 g6-+ and 13.~g4 ii;Ye7 14.~f4 cxd4 IS.lLle6+ 'it>h7 16AJxf8+ ~xf8-+. 13 ... ,Axg5 Simpler is 13 ... g6-+. 14.hxg5+ 'It>xg5 Clearly dangerous but the only chance for a win. 14 ...'e7 17.lLlxg7 §.h8=+=. 16:~f3+- Once again, the attacking side prevails despite an unsound sacrifice. 16... f517.~f4+ 'It>f618.~e5+ 'It>g5 19.Eih5+! gxh5 20. ~g7+ 'It>h4 21.~xf5+ Eixf5 22.~g3410 1--0

6

(24) Pillsbury - Judd St Louis 1898 Queen's Indian Defense [EI2]

5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.~c3 b6 4.~f3 ,Ab7 5.,Af4 ,Ad6 6.,Axd6 ~xd6 7.cxd5 ,Axd5 8.e4 ,Ab7 9.Eic1 a6 10.Ad3 ~e711.0--0 0--0 12.e5 ~d8

h

White relies here on the lLlc3 and the h4-pawn as additional assets. The absence of the dark-square bishop and the closed nature of the c1-h6 diagonal make 12 ... 'it>h6 a winning move. Yet again, however, poor defense permits White's attack to prevail. White finishes the game with a lovely rook sacrifice and a pretty mate. 1l.,Axh7+ 'It>xh7 12.~g5+ 'It>h6 White overwhelms 12 ... 'it>g8 with 13.ii;YhS-f7 and the capture of the unanchored ilb7. 12 ... 'it>g8 13.ii;YhS .§e8 (13 ... ilxgS 14.hxgS fS IS.g6+- ) 14.ii;Yxf7+ 'it>h8 IS.ii;Yxb7 +-.

8

7

6 5

4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Another lovely win for the American champion. White has two additional

114

Games assets, the secure e5-pawn and the 4Jc3-e2-f4. Given the absence of White's dark-square bishop, the ~h6 line is the real test. After 14 ... \t>h6 15:i£rd2 ~g6, White no longer has 16.~g4, but 16.4Je2 with the idea of 4Jf4, is fully sufficient for the win. 13•.1lxh7+! gS line, White can take advantage of Black's lack of support on e6 by playing 4Jxe6, hitting the queen and threatening mate on g7. 14 ... ~gS 15.~h5 E!eS 16.~xf7+ ~hS 17.4Jxe6+-; 14 ... ~g6 15:i£rg4! (not 15.~d3+ 4Jf5-+ [15 ... ~xg5? 16:i£rh7 4Jg6 17.f4+] ) 15 ... f5 16.exf6 ~xf6 17.E!fe1 once again, a useful companion in the ~g4line to pressure the weakened e6-pawn. 17 ... ~d7 (17 ... ~cS 18.4Jce4++-) 18.E!xe6++-. 15.~d2
~gS

24.~xf7+

~h7

25.E!h5#. (25) Te Koiste - Swiderski Amsterdam 1899 French Defense [CI4] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4 ..1lg5 .1le7 5.e5 ~fd7 6 •.1lxe7 ~xe7 7.~d2 a6 8.~d1 c5 9.c3 ~c610.f4 ~ 11.~f3 f612 ..1ld3cxd413.cxd4 ~b414.Etc1 fxe515.fxe5 ~b6

115

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White relies here on the secure e5-pawn and the idea of E!c1-c3, but with the white queen on d2, the variation with ~gS was bound to be trouble. The queen cannot safely reach the h-file, and from d3, White exerts pressure on h7 but not also f7. Note also that the ffile is open, giving Black the opportunity to defend with E!f5 and g6. 16 ..1lxh7+ gS 25.~h1 E!eS=. There's no point walking into a pin with 17 ... ~h6 1S.4Jxe6+ +-. The ~hSline is interesting because the white queen has no immediate access to the h-file, but White still prevails with 17 ... ~hS 18.~d3 E!f5 19.~h3+ ~gS 20.~h7+ ~fS 21.'ff1hS+ \t>e7 22.'ff1xg7+ +-. lS.~d3 Not 1S.4Jxe6 E!f7-+. lS••• Etf5 19.~ xe6 ~ xd4 Far better is 19 ... g6 20.g4 4Jcxe5 21.dxe5 E!xe5+ 22.~f1 'ff1xe6-+. 20.~xd4? White can hope to survive after 20.4Jxd4. 20 ••• ~xe6-+ 21.Etc3 ~xe5+ 22.~xe5 Etxe5+ 23.
Sacking the Citadel 0-1 Winning the exchange since 29.~a5 b6 is mate. (26) DyckhotT - Trimborn Munich 1900 Queen's Gambit Declined [DS3] l.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3 . .£le3 .£lf6 4.jlg5 jle7 5.e3 0-0 6.jld3 dxe4 7.jlxe4 b6 S:~f3 e6 9.jlxf6 jlxf6 10.h4 'ifJe711.jld3 .£la612..£lh3.£lb4 8

7

6 5

4

at Paris, 1867 tied with Steinitz. His first place finishes include Warsaw 1868, Paris 1878, Nuremberg, 1883, and the German Chess Championship in 1883. He is, perhaps, best remembered for several opening variations, notably the popular Winawer variation of the French Defense. One of the strongest players in Russia in the late 19th century, Alapin (18561923) is best known today for having introduced a range of offbeat opening variations, one of which, the c3-Sicilian (l.e4 c5 2.c3) remains a popular choice in modern tournaments. l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . .£le3 .£lf6 4.Ag5 Ae7 5.jlxf6 jlxf6 6.Ad3 e5 7 ..£lf3 0-0 S.e5 jle7 9.dxe5 f610.h4 .£le6

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

8

7

Without an e5-pawn or dark-square bishop, White relies instead on the
(27) Winawer- Alapin Monte Carlo 1901 French Defense [CI4] Szymon Wmawer(1838-1920) was a leading player during the 19th century. In his first tournament, he finished second

116

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

As we shall see later in the book, the sacrifice can work with a black pawn on f6, but here, White simply does not have sufficient reinforcements. White's eS-pawn is under assault and there's no dark-square bishop. White must therefore rely upon the
Games sibility is the immediate capture on g5, but careful defense results in a perpetual. 12 ... fxg5 13.hxg5+ ~gS 14J''!hS+ ~f7 (not 14 ... ~xhS15.i£rh5+ ~gS 16.g6 .§.f5 17.i£rh7+ ~fS 18.i£rhS#) 15.i£rh5+ g616 ..§.h7+ 'it>eS 17.i£rxg6+ ~d7 18.4:Jxd5 exd5 (avoiding lS ... i£ra5+ 19.b4 4:Jxb4 20.4:Jxe7 4:Jd5+ 21.~f1 4:Jxe7 22 ..§.d1+ 'it>c6 23 ..§.d6+ ~xc5 24 ..§.xe7±) 19.i£rd6+ ~eS 20.i£rg6+=. White fails in the 'it>h6 line, because 13. i£rd3 meets f5, and 13.i£rd2 meets fxg5. 12 ... 'it>h6 13.'~d3 (13.'ii¥d2 fxg5 14.hxg5+ ~g6) 13 .. .f5. In the ~g6Iine, 13.i£rd3 f5 when there's no en passant capture to keep the attack alive. 13.~h5 fxg5 14.hxg5 ~ xe515.g6 ~ xg6 Black eliminates the mating threats by giving back only one ofthe two extra pieces. 16.~xg6 -'tf6

Revolution, a second in the Great Depression, and a third to the Nazis. In a chess career that spanned six decades, Bernstein had many successes, notablya first in Berlin 1902/3, a shared first in Stockholm, 1906, and first in the Moscow City championship of1911. Following the end of the second world war, Bernstein represented France at the 11th Chess Olympiad in Amsterdam. 1.e4 e5 2.~f3 ~f6 3.~c3 ~c6 4 ..1lb5 .1lc5 5.~xe5 0--0 6.0--0 fIeS 7.~f3 ~ xe4 S.d4 .1lfS 9.~ xe4 fIxe4 10..1ld3 fIe8 8

7

6

5

17.~h7+ ~f718.~h5+ g619.~e2 fIhS-+ 20.0-0-0 -'td7 21.~f3

4

3

fIxhl 22.fIxhl ~g7 23.~e3 .1lg5 24.f4 .1lf6 25.~e2 ~e7 26.g4 fIhS 27.fIel ~f7 2S.c3 fIcS 29.c6 bxc6 30.g5 .1lg7 31.~g3 ~d6 32.~xa7

2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

~xf4+ 33.~bl ~eS 34.~e2 ~h4 35.~gl

c5

Another game in which even inaccurate play by White garners the full point. For additional assets, White relies on the dark-square bishop and the .§.el. For Black, only 'it>g6 makes sense here given the presence of White's darksquare bishop and the queen's access to h5. Following the sacrifice, 13.h4 gives White a strong pull by forcing the black king into the center. 1l..1lxh7+ ~xh712.~g5+ ~g6 With the bishop on fB, there's no point in considering 12 ...'it>gS13.i£rh5+-.13.~d3+ One of the advantages of the ~g6-line is that the white queen cannot immediately move to h5. On 13.d5!? Ae7! (superior to 13 ... 4:Je5 14.f4 and 13 ... f5 14.h4 4:Je5 15.h5+ 'it>f6 16.'ii¥d4+-)

36.~c1

fIbS 37.fIe2 j},xc3 38.~xc5 ~b4 39.~f2 -'td4 40.~h2 ~xb2+ 41.fIxb2 fIxb2+ 42.~xb2 -'txb2 43.~xb2 ~e7 44.~d3 ~d6 45.~c3 e5 46.~el d4+ 47.~b4 -'tf5 4S.a4 -'te4 49.a5 ~c6 50.~c4 ~b7 51.~b3 j},d5+ 52. ~b4 .1le4 53. ~c4 ~c6 54.~b4 ~d5 55.~b5 d3 56.a6 ~d4 57.a7 ~c30--1

(28) Bernstein - Kulomzin Kiev, 1903 Four Knights Game [C48] A grandmaster and businessman, Ossip Bernstein (1882-1962) gained and lost three fortunes, one to the Bolshevik

117

Sacking the Citadel 14:~d3+

f5 15 ..£Jf31.lJ6 16.dxc6 dxc6 White's best isI3.h4! f5 14.h5+ 'it'f6 15.d5 .£Je5 16.~d4 transposing to a favorable variation of the 13.d51ine.13...f514.~g3 Jld615.f4 lit'f6 16.Ad2 White can take a perpetual with 16 ..£Jh7+ 'it'f7 17 ..£Jg5+ 'it'f6=. 16••• Ab4? White's gamble pays off. 16... Ae7=; 16 ... .£Jxd4=. 17.Jlxb4 17.~b3;!;.

4)xb418.~h3+- d519.~xb4~e7

20.~c3 ~e3+ 21.~xe3 Elxe3 22.Elael Elxe123.Elxel Ad724.Ele5 c6 25.lit'f2 Ele8 26.lit'e3 c5 27.Elxe8 cxd4+ 28.lit'xd4 Axe8 29.lit'xd5 Jlc6+ 30.lit'd6 Axg2 31.c4 lit'g6 32.lit'e5 Ac6 33.b41~

(29) Kemeny - Schrader St Louis 1904 French Defense [C 14] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 4)f6 4.Ag5 Jle7 5.Jlxf6 Axf6 6.4)f3 0-0 7.e5 Ae7 8.Ad3 c5 9.h4 cxd4 8 IL__,_:;.I~~_~ 7

6

lit'xh711.4)g5+ lit'h6! The 'it'g8line and the .Q.xg5 line fail in the usual way, with the opening of the h-file and the advance of the g-pawn to g6. 11...'lt'g8 12.~h5 Axg5 13.hxg5 f6 14.g6+-; 11...Axg5 12.hxg5+ 'it'g613.~h5+ 'It'f5 14.g4+ 'it'f4 (14 ... 'it'xe5 15.~h2#) 15 ..£Je2+ 'It'e4 16.~h2+-. Black can survive in the 'It'g6line because the king can escape to the center after 11 ... 'it'g6 12.~d3+ f5 (12 ... 'it'h5 13.g4+ 'it'xg4 [13 ... 'it'h6 14.~h7#] 14.~f3#) 13.exf6+ 'it'xf614.~xd4+ e5=. 12. ~d3 With the idea of~h7 #. 12•••g613.4)e2 No better is 13.h5 'it'g7 14.hxg6 fih8-+ .13... lit'g714.f4 Elh815.0--4o 4)c6 16.4)xd4 4)xd4 17.~xd4 ~b618.~d3 Jld719.h5 AxgS Black is close to winning after 19 ... Ab5 20.~g3 ite2 21.h6+ fixh6 22.fixh6 Axdl 23.'lt'xdl Axg5 24.fxg5 ~d4+ 25.'it'c1 fih8=+'. 20.fxg5 gxh5 21.Eldfl Jlh5 22.~3 Jlxfl23.Elxfl Elaf8 24. ~f6+ lit'h7 25. ~e7 ~e3+ 26.lit'dl ~xe5 Or simply 26 ... ~d4+ 27.'it'c1 ~xe5 -+. 27.Elxf7+ Elxf7? Sti11 winning is 27 ... 'it'g6-+. 28.~xf7+ ~g7 29.~xh5 = lit'g8 30.~e8+ ~f8

Yz-Yz

5 4

(30) Schlechter- Wolf Ostend 1905 Queen's Gambit Declined [040]

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

For additional assets, White relies upon the .£Jc3-e2, the e5-pawn, and the h4pawn. For Black, the e5-pawn is insecure and Black hopes to dominate the dark squares on the kingside. Black gains a large edge with 11 ... 'it'h6, as in the game. After 24 moves, Black is winning easily, but Black's horrible 27th move tosses away the win. 10.Jlxh7+

118

Carl Schlechter (1874-1918) is best remembered for seriously challenging Emanuel Lasker in the 1910 world chess championship match, needing only a draw in the last game but falling short. Beginning in 1883, he played in more than 50 international chess tournaments. He carne in first place at Munich 1900, Coburg 1904, Ostend 1906, Stockholm 1906, Vienna 1908, Prague 1908, Hamburg 1910, and in the

Games Trebitsch Memorial Tournaments in Vienna (1911 , 1912, 1913). l.d4 d5 2.4)f3 4)f6 3.e3 c5 4.c4 e6 5.Ad3 4)c6 6.0-0 a6 7.4)c3 dxc4 S.Axc4 b5 9.Ad3 Ab7 10.a4 c4 1l.axb5 axb5 12.E!xaS AxaS n.Abl ~b814.e4 Ae715.Ag5 0o16.e5 4)d517.4) xd5 exd51S.Axe7 4)xe7 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

The conditions are once again set for a successful Greco Sacrifice. The white e-pawn has driven Black's knight off f6, the white queen has quick access to h5 for use in the 'iftgB variation and to g4 if Black chooses to play 'ifth6 or 'iftg6. And Black's poor development gives White the time to bring up the .§f1-el-e3. White's 22nd move is especially instructive, keeping the attack alive with 22.exf6 rather than 22.~g3, which gives Black a chance to gain the development needed for a successful defense. 19.Axh7+ ~xh7 20.4)g5+ ~g6! In the 'iftgBline, White's makes good use of the undefended e6-square. 20 ... 'iftgB 21.~h5 .§cB (21.. ..§eB 22.~xf7+ 'it'hB 23.f4 with the idea of.§f3-h3) 22.~xf7+ 'ifthB 23.4Je6 4Jf5 24.~xf5+-. In the 'ifth6Iine, White has ~g4-h4, as well as f4-f5 if Black plays ... 4Jg6 and ~cB. 20 ... 'ifth6 21.~g4 4Jg6 22.f4 ~cB 23.f5 +-. 21. ~g4! The usual alterna-

tives fare less well. 21.h4 ~cB+ keeps the queen off g4 and prepares ... ~f5. And White wins only an exchange after 21.~c2+ f5 22.exf6+ 'iftxf6 23.4Jh7+ 'it'f7 24.4JxfB 'it'xfB~. 21 .•. f5 21...f6 without the attack upon the white queen, White can afford to play 22.4Je6+ 'iftf7 23.exf6 gxf6 24.~g7+ offering the 4Je6 24 ... 'it'xe6 (24 ... 'ifteB 25.~xfB++-) 25 ..§el++-. 22.exf6 Much less convincing is the familiar 22.~g3!? 4Jc6 23.4Je6+ 'iftf7 24.4Jg5+ 'it'eB 25.4Je6=. 22 ••. gxf6 White's attacks are instructive: 22 ... 4Jf5 23.4Je4+ the most powerful discovery 'it'f7 24.4Jg3 g6 25.4Jxf5+-; 22 ... 'it'xf6 23 ..§eltaking aim on e6. 23.4)e6+ ~f7 24.~g7+ ~xe6 25.E!el+ ~f5 26.~h7+ White has a slightly faster mate with 26.g4+ 'it'f4 27.~h6+ 'iftf3 (27 ... 'it'xg4 2B.h3+ 'it'f5 [2B ... 'iftf3 29 ..§e3#] 29.~h5+ 'it'f4 30.~g4#) 2B ..§e3+ 'iftxg4 29.h3+ 'it'f5 30.~h5+ 'iftf4 31.~g4#. 26 .•. ~g5 27.E!xe7+It's mate in six with 27.h4+ 'it'g4 (27 ... 'iftf4 2B. ~h5 +-) 2B.f3+ 'iftf4 (2B ... 'it'g3 29.~g7+ 4Jg6 30.~xg6+

'it'xh4 31.~g4#) 29.~h6+ 'it'g3 (29 ... 'it'f5 30.g4#) 30.~g7+ 4Jg6 31.~xg6+ 'it'xh4 (31...'it'f4 32.~g4#) 32.~g4#. 27 ..• E!gS 2S.E!e3 b4 29.E!g3+ ~xg3 30.~xgS+ 1-0 (31) Burn - Marshall Ostend 1906 Queen's Pawn Game [D02]

119

Frank Marshall (1877-1944) was the U.S. chess champion from 1909-1936 and competed unsuccessfully for the world championship against Lasker in 1907. He finished fifth at the 1914 St. Petersburg tournament behind Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, and Tarrasch. Tsar Nicholas II is said to have con-

Sacking the Citadel ferred the title of Grandmaster on Marshall and the four other finalists. Known for his great tactical skill, he introduced the famous Marshall Gambit in the Ruy Lopez.

l.d4 d5 2.~f3 c5 3.c3 e6 4.M4 ~c6 5.e3 ~f6 6.~bd2 .1ld6 7.Ag3 0-0 S..1ld3 EteS 9.~e5 .1lxe5 10.dxe5 ~d711.f4 c412.Ac2 ~b613.~f2 ~xb2 14.Etcl ~xa2 15.~e2 f5 16.exf6 ~xf617.Ah4 EtfS1S.Axf6 Etxf619.~f3 ~a3

ing for trouble. 23.g4+ ~xg4 (23 ... ~h4 24.~f3+ ~xg4 [24 ... ~h3 25.~cgl +-] 25.~cgl + ~h5 26.~h7+ ~h6 27 .~g5 # ) 24.~hgl + +- . 22. ~h5 ~e5 Simpler is 22 ... ~f5 -+ when Black can sacrifice the exchange to relieve the pressure. 23.~h7+ ~fS 24.~hS+ ~e7 25.~xg7+ ~d6 More accurate is 25 ... ~e8! 26.~g3 ~d7-+. 26.~g3 Not 26.~xf6 ~g4+. 26 ... ~d7 27.e4 ~c6 2S.e5 ~fS? 28. .. ~f8 is playable, but Black's best chance lay with 28 ... ~xf4! 29.~xf4 ~c5 30.~c2 .ild7 31.~bU. 29.exf6 ~xf6 30.~gS Missing the transition to a winning endgame with 30.'li11xf6 ~xf6 31.h4+when the h-pawn is a flier. 30 ... ~c5 31. ~eS+ Ad7 32. ~xaS e5 33.~h3 better is 33 .Rhfl ~g6+ 34. ~f2 ~d3+ 35.~f1 ~xcl 36.~f2 ~c2 37.g3 ~d3 -+ 38.~xa7d439.~xd3Ah3+ 40.~e1cxd30-1

abc

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(32) Bernstein - Maroczy Ostend 1906 Queen's Gambit Declined [D37]

h

Down material against the future American champion, Bum prepares and plays the sacrifice. Black can easily parry the attack with ~h6 or, even better as in the game, use the ~f6 to aid the ~g8 retreat. Marshall's errors on moves 25 and 28 ought to have cost him the full point, but Bum returned the favor on moves 30 and 33 to decide the course of the game. 20.Axh7+ ~xh7 21.~g5+ ~gS Bum lacks a dark-square bishop to aid the ~h6 line and has no meaningful way to bring up reinforcements. 21...~h6! 22.~g4 ~b2+ 23.~g3 ~f8 24.'li11h4+ ~g6-+. Less convincing is 21...~g6? 22.'li11c2+ when Black has 22 ... m5 23.g4 e5 24.~hgl 'li11e7 25.~g3=. Of course, Black should avoid king retreats since 22 ... ~h6 meets 23.'li11h7# and 22 ... ~h5 is clearly ask-

l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.~c3 ~f6 4.~f3 Ae7 5.Af4 0-0 6.e3 b6 7.cxd5 exd5 S.Ad3 a6 9.0-0 Ab7 10.~e5 c5 11. ~f3 Eta712.Etadl c413.Abl b5 14.e4dxe415.~xe4~bd716.~c6 Axc617.~xf6+ ~xf618.~xc6 ~d5 19.~b6 Etd7 20.Etfel Ab4 21.Ad2

Ad6 22. ~a5 ~xd4 23.Ac3

ahcdefgh

120

Games Black does not appear to have the requisite additional assets here, but the ~d4's starting position already exerts pressure upon f2. The movement of the white rook to the e-file relinquished control over that key f2-square, permitting Black, upon sacrificing on h2, to infiltrate powerfully on f2 as well. In the game, Bernstein settled upon 25.~h1, a relative rarity in these positions, and Black missed crushing shots on his next two moves. 23 .•• Axh2+ 24.~xh2 .£Jg4+! Black has to settle for a draw after 24 ... ~h4+ 25.~gl 4Jg4 26.'§'xd7

8

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5 4

3 2

abc

faces ~xf2+ and it's mate in five because the dl- and d3-squares are occupied or covered. 25.~gl? ~xf2+ 26.~h1 ~h4+ 27.~gl ~h2+ 28.~f1

Black's king is 4Jxf2+

too exposed after

25.~h3

26.~g3 (26.~h2

~h4+

e

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h

A rematch of the two competitors in game 31 played at the same tournament just one year later. Playing White this time, it is Marshall's turn to try the Greco Sacrifice which he prepares spectacularly with an exchange sacrifice on h5 that nicks Black's pawn structure. White's additional assets include the dark-square bishop, the 4Jd2-f3, and the possibility, albeit slow, of bringing the '§'a1 into the game on hI. Note, of course, that a bishop rather than a pawn rests on g7, often a key in the ~g6line because White will capture a bishop rather than a pawn on g7. Black's only hope was to decline the Greco Sacrifice with ~f8 because, after 11.4Jg5, all of the defenses crumble quickly despite the ability of the black knight to reach f6. 10.Axh7+ ~xh711 ..£Jg5+ ~g6 In the ~gB line, White infiltrates on f7, driving the king to h8 where 0-0-0 decides. 11...~gB 12.~xh5+- 4Jf6 (12 ... 4JfB 13.~xf7+ ~hB 14.0-0-0+provides a similar end) 13.~xf7+ ~hB 14.0-0-0+- with .§.h1 to come. 12..£Jdf3 e5 The queen and knights work harmoniously to deliver a mate in four after 12 ... 4Jf8 13.4Jh4+ ~f6 14.~xh5 4Jg615.4Je4+ ~e616.'~f5#. 13•.£Jh4+ ~f614..£Jh7+ ~e7There's a remarkable mate in two after 14 ... ~e6 15.d5+ ~e716.4Jf5#. 15•.£Jf5+ ~e6

~xf2+ 27.~h1 ~h4+=. 25.~hl ~gl

~h1 + 29.~e2 ~xg2 #.

d

27.~gl

4Jxd1-+ ) 26 ... ~g4+willingly ditching the knight 27.~xf2 (27.~h2 .§.xd1-+) 27 ... .§.xd1-+. Black wins quickly after 25.~g3 ~xf2+ 26.~xg4 (26.~h3

g5-+) 26 ... ~xg2+ with a fun mating exercise for the reader: 27.~f4 ~f2+ 28.~g4 h5+ 29.~h3 g5 -+. 25 .. :~xdl Simpler is 25 ... ~f4-+. 26.f3 It's hopeless even after White's best move 26.Af5 4Jxf2+-+. 26 ... ~d5 Missing a game ending shot with 26 .. ..§.eB! -+ . 27.fxg4 .§d6 2S.~c7 b4 29.Ae4 .§h6+ 30.~gl ~b5 31.Ad2 .§e6 32.Af3 .§feS 33.'§xe61--O (33) Marshall - Burn Ostend 1907 Queen's Pawn Game [A48] 1.d4 .£Jf6 2 ..£Jf3 d6 3.Af4 .£Jbd7 4.e3 g6 5.Ad3 Ag7 6 ..£Jbd2 0--0 7.h4 .§eS S.h5 .£J xh5 9 ..§xh5 gxh5

121

Sacking the Citadel 16.4) xg7+ There's a mate in six involving a pretty knight sac with 16.d5+ 'it'xf5 17.~xh5+ 'it'e4 18.'lii'f3+ c;t>f5 19.94+ 'it'g6 20.~e4+ f5 21.~xf5*. 16... e4 1B.f3 *) 1B.'lii'a4+ 'it'b6 (lB ... b5 19.~xb5*) 19.~b5*.17.4)fS+
There's simply no way for the attack to progress meaningfully. 12... hS 13..11.f4

4)g4+ 14.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.4)c3 4)f6 4.AgS Ae7 S..11.xf6 Axf6 6.eS .11.e77..11.d3 cS S.dxcS .11.xcS 9. ~g4 0--0 10.4)f3 4)c6

(34) Lasker,Em. - Marshall World Championship 1907 French Defense [CII]

8

1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.4)c3 4)f6 4.Ad3 cS S.4)f3 c4 6.Ae2 dxe4 7.4)eS .11.d6 S.O--O a6 9.4) xc4 h610.f3 exf3 1l.AxO

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White has additional assets in the e5pawn and the .£\c3, but the real story is the ~g4 which, with early access to h5, eliminates lines other than c;t>gB. The game provides a nice illustration of the classic checkmate in five, showing also how the black king will escape if White plays 'lii'h7 before ~t7. 1l.Axh7+!

h

This is, I believe, the only Greco Sacrifice to appear in a world championship game. Trailing badly in the match, Marshall makes a poor decision. White's position was already preferably, but Black can play on with 1l ... .l1c7. The Greco Sacrifice fails quickly because Black has no tangible additional assets, even .£\g4 requires preparation, and because Lasker can quickly gain control over the key h2-bB diagonal. 1l ... Axh2+ 12.

fB 15.'lii'hB+ c;t>e7 16.~xg7 'it'd7 when the king escapes. 14...
122

Games defend the
l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.4:}c3 4:}f6 4 ..11.g5 4:}bd7 5.e3 .11.e7 6.4:}f3 0-0 7 ..11.d3 c5 8.0-0 bb 9.cxd5 4:}xd510•.11.xe7 4:} xe711.dxc5 4:} xc5 Voellmy wrongly attaches a question mark here, contending that the knight is needed on f6. He would have been correct were the sacrifice sound. 8

7

6 5

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abc

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The absence of additional assets beyond the
(37) Salwe - Vidmar St Petersburg 1909 Queen's Gambit Declined [D40] l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.4:}c3 c5 4.e3 4:}f6 5.4:}f3 4:}c6 6.a3 .11.d6 7.dxc5 .11.xc5 8.b4 .11.d6 9 ..11.b2 0-0 10..11.d3 a5 1l.b5 4:}e512.4:}xe5 .11.xe513.~e2 ~e7 14.0-0 b6 15.4:}a4 .11.c7 16.!!ac1 !!d817.c5 bxc518.4:}xc5 .11.d619. ~c2 e5 20.a4.11.g4 21.4:}b3 !!ac8 22. ~bl e4 23 . .11.c2 .11.e2 24.!!fel 8

7

6

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3 2

abc

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The sacrifice winds up winning quickly here because the remarkable black

123

Sacking the Citadel bishop on e2 controls key squares, and of course because White's pieces are hopelessly bottled up on the queenside. In the game after ~h3, Black mates quickly because the queen reaches h2 forcing the white king out into the open board. 24 .•• Axh2+ 25.!;flxh2 4)g4+ Missing a quick rout with 25 ...'l:Yd6+! 26.f4 (26.'it'gl .£Jg4 27.g3 ~h6-+; 26.g3 .£Jg4+ 27.'it'g2 Af3+ 28.'it'fl ~h6-+) 26 ... exf3+ -+. 26.!;flh3 In the 'it'gl line, Black can accurately box out White's dark-square bishop by playing ~d6 and then the queen to the h-file only after White commits with g3. 26.'it'gl ~d6 27.g3 (27.f4 ~h6-+; 27.l=!xe2 ~h2+ 28.'it'fl ~hl '*) 27 ... ~h6 28.l=!xe2 ~h2+ 29.'it'fl ~h 1 '*. White has surprising drawing chances after 'it'g3 because the Ae2 is en prise and because White, after f2-f4 exf3, has Axh7+ and ~f5 lurking in the position, preventing Black from piling on with ~g5. The key for Black is the exchange sacrifice on c2, drawing the white queen to c2 where it is vulnerable to attack from a discovered check from the .£Jg4. 26.'it'g3! l=!xc2! (26 ... ~g5 27.f4 ~g6 [27 ... exf3 28.Axh7+ 'it'f8 29:~f5] 28.l=! xe2 +- when, without the exchange sacrifice on c2, the discovered check cannot reach the queen) 27.~xc2 (27.l=!xc2 ~d6+! 28.f4 [28.'it'h4 ~h6+ 29.~g3

~h2,*;

28.~h3

maneuvering the queen to h2 and then swinging the rooks to the kingside. 26 ... ~d6 27.l=!xe2 ~h2+ 28.'it'xg4 ~xg2+ 29.'it'h4 (29.~f4 ~f3+ 30.'it'g5 [30.'it1e5 ~f6,*] 30 ... h6+ 31.'~h4 g5 '*) 29 ... l=!d6-+. 27.Axe4 Eth6+ 28.!;flg3 ~h4+ 29.!;flf4 ~h2+ 0-1 There's a forced mate after 30.g3 ~xf2+ 3UU3 ~xf3+ 32.~g5 f6+. (38)NN-NN

Basel 1910 Queen's Gambit Declined [D40] l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.e3 c5 4.4)f3 4)f6 5.Ad3 4)c6 6.4)c3 a6 7.a3 dxc4 8.Axc4 h5 9.Aa2 Ah710.0--0 Ad6 1l.dxc5 Axc512.~c2 ~e713.h4 Ad6 14.Ahl Etc8 15.Ah2 4)e5 16.4)xe5 Axe517.~d2 0-0 18.4)e2 Etfd819.4)d4 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

a

h

c

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A game found by Voellmy. For additional asserts, Black can rely upon the active light-square bishop and the active rooks. In the 'it'g3 line, the black queen reaches the g-file long enough to support a compelling discovery. Once again, the defender finds the best moves hard to find. 19... Axh2+ 20.!;flxh2 4)g4+ 21.!;flg3 The 'it'h3line again meets ~g5h5. 21.~h3 ~g5-+ 22.l=!hl ~h5+ 23.'it'g3 ~xh1. The 'it'gl line loses quickly to the usual idea of ~h4 since

~h2,*]

28 ... exf3+ 29.'it'h4 [29.'it'h3 .£Jf2+ 30.~h4 ~h6+ 31.~g3 ~g5+ -+; 29.~xg4 f5+ 30.'it'xf5 ~g6+ 31.'it'f4 l=!f8+-+] 29 ... .£Jxe3-+) 27 ... ~g5 28.f4 exf3 (28 ... ~g6 29.~xe2+-) 29.l=!xe2 (29.gxf3 .£Jxe3+ -+) 29 ... .£Jxe3+ 30.~xf3 .£Jxc2 31.l=!cxc2 (31.l=!exc2 ~f5+ 32.'it'g3 ~d3+-+) 31...~f5+ 32.'it'e3 (32.'it'g3 ~d3+ -+ ) 32 ... l=!e8+ 33.'it'd4 ~g4+ 34.'it'd3=. 26 ... Etd6 Black can win a bit more quickly by

124

Games 13.4Jxf7+ +-; 12 ... .§.xh5 13.~xh5+ 'it'f5 14.g4#] 13.g4#) 12.~g4 4Jd5+ 13.)fj>f1 +-. Avoiding the tempting 10 ... ~xg51Utxg5 4Jxc312.~d3++-. 11. ~h5 E!eS When White has the customary mate in five.12.~xf7+ ~hS

the light-square bishop has both g2 and f3 covered. 21.)fj>gl ~h4 22.4Jf3 ~xf3-+ . . 21. .. ~g5 Avoiding 21...~d6+ 22.f4+-. 22.Axh7+ Black triumphs with a queen sacrifice after 22.f4 4Jxe3+ 23.fxg5 4Jxfl + -+. The best try for White is 22.f3 4Jxe3+ 23.)fj>f2 4Jg4+! 24.'it'el (24.fxg4 ~xd2+) 24 ... ~h4+ 25.)fj>e2 4Je5 -+. 22 .•• ~xh7 23.f4 ~g6 24.E!hl + ~gS 25.E!agl 4)f6+0-1

13.~h5+ ~gS 14.~h7+ ~fS 15.~hS+~e716.~xg7# 1-0

(40) Capablanca - Davis Chicago 1910 French Defense [CI4]

(39) Lasker,Em. - Schenzen Buenos Aires simul. exhibition 1910 Queen's Gambit [D06]

Jose Raul Capablanca (1888-1942) reigned as world chess champion from 1921 to 1927 and most rank him among the best players of all time. Among many outstanding achievements was first place at San Sebastian 1911, one of the strongest tournaments ever held, and second place at the famous St. Petersburg tournament of 1914.

l.d4 d5 2.c4 4)f6 3.cxd5 ~xd5 4.4)c3 ~dS 5.e4 e6 6.4)f3 Ab4 7.Ad3 ()....() S.e5 4)d5

l.d4 d5 2.4)c3 4)f6 3.Ag5 e6 4.e4 Ae7 5.Axf6 Axf6 6.4)f3 0-0 7.Ad3 c6 S.e5 Ae7 9.h4 f510.exf6 Axf6 8

abc

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7

White has two additional assets, the secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop, and Black has only a modest counter-attack upon the queens ide. The reality is that Black's development is poor, and it's a quick win for the world champion. The selected defense with 'it'g8 leads to an excellent example of the checkmate with ~f7+ followed by ~h5+ and ~h7+. 9.Axh7+ ~xh7 10.4)g5+ ~gS In the )fj>g6line, the .§.hl supports the powerful advance of the h-pawn. 10 ... )fj>g6 11.h4 4Jxc3 (11..J':l.h8 12.h5+ 'it'f5 [12 ... )fj>h6

125

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abc

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White's additional assets in the position are the 4Jc3-e2-f4, and the h4-pawn that provides an entry for the rook after a capture on g5. The black position, though poorly developed on the queenside, features notably the .§.f8 on

Sacking the Citadel an open file. In the game, Black selects the 'lttg8 line, which should lead to a quick draw with 13 ... E!.e8. Black blunders by capturing the knight, permitting Capablanca to demonstrate his accurate technique. 1l.Jlxh7+
The Greco Sacrifice: 1911-1935 History records as many Greco Sacrifices in the 24 years after Voellmy's article as it had in the 300 years following Greco's discovery. The credit for the exponential increase is surely not Voellmy's but rather the growth in both tournament play and in publications able to record interesting contests. As you will see, the games are beginning to take on a more interesting and sophisticated character. In the games within the first section of this chapter, the defense was generally sloppy, and even inaccurate combinations often won. Here, the improved defenses are beginning to hold. Once again, the games feature a remarkable cast of players: Alekhine, Capablanca, Cheron, Dus Chotimirsky, Fine, Kashdan, Koltanowski, Lasker, Marshall, Purdy, Rubinstein, Spielmann, Winter, Yates, and ZnoskoBorovsky. This section also makes clear that these were very active years for Lasker on the exhibition circuit.

14.m7+~h815.~h5+'lttg8=.14.hxg5

~e8

15.g6
Without question, the most important of the games in this section is Colle's victory over O'Hanlon (game 62), a game that brought Colle the Brilliancy Prize at Nice in 1930. The game has been subjected to intense scrutiny within tactical game collections, in opening manuals on the Colle System, and of course in most of the published coverage on the Greco Sacrifice. In The Art of Attack in Chess, Vukovic is the first to contend that Colle's combination was deeply flawed, for both positional and tactical reasons. In the mosfrecent edition, Nunn adds to the analysis and seeks to restore the brilliancy to Colle.

126

Games My analysis suggests that Colle's sacrifice is indeed unsound if by that we mean that the defender had a path to at least a draw. That path exists, although it is fair to say that the defensive burden was steep indeed, and that most annotators of the game, with considerable time at their disposal, fared little better than O'Hanlon. (41) Rotlewi - Alekhine Cologne 1911 Dutch Defense [A84] Alexander Alekhine (1892-1946) defeated Capablanca in 1927 to become the fourth world chess champion. He dominated tournaments play during the 1920s and 1930s. He also played first board for France in four Olympiads, winning individual prizes in each. He successfully defended his world title against Bogoljubow in 1929 and 1934. After losing the title to Holland's Max Euwe in 1935, Alekhine regained the crown in 1937. He had a fierce and imaginative attacking style, and actively gave simultaneous exhibitions, as will be obvious from his several contributions to this chapter. l.d4 e6 2.c4 f5 3.4:)c3 4:)f6 4.e3 d5 5 ..Q.d3 c6 6.4:)ge2 Ad6 7.0 0-0 8.0-o 4:)bd7 9.~c2 g6 10 . .Q.d2 e5 1l.cxd5 e4 12.Ac4 4:)b6 13..Q.b3 cxd514.fxe4

abcdefgh

127

Black can count on the light-square bishop as an additional asset, but the activity of the f1.f8 is well balanced by the white f1.fl. The sacrifice is unsound here, but there are surely few defenders who would have willingly played 16.~g3! againstAlekhine. The remarkable point is that the discovered check with ... 4::\xe3+ in that line leaves the 4::\e3 self-pinned to the black queen. Alekhine's opponent selected instead to retreat with ~g1 and, when Alekhine missed the more aggressive 18 ... g5, White reciprocated by losing outright, overlooking a winning advantage with 20.~f2. 14... .Q.xh2+? 15.
Sacking the Citadel beautiful variation: 22.4Jf3 4Jxf3 23.§.xf3 fxe4 24:~xe4 Jle6 25.~xg4 ~xg4-+.

(42) Capablanca - Molina Carranza Buenos Aires 1911 Queen's Gambit Declined [D53] 1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.~e3 ~f6 4.Ag5 ~bd7 5.e3 e6 6.~f3 Ae7 7.exd5 ~ xd5 8.Axe7 ~ xe7 9.Ad3 e510.000-0 1l.dxe5 ~ xe5

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With only one additional asset, the 4Jc3, White ought not expect success here. Black plays the toughest defense, the
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128

In the
Games Ac4+) 18 .. .'~e8 (Black is even better after 18 ... Axe6 19.'~h4+ g5 20.'l()'h6+ 4Jg6 2U!xd8 ~axd8-+) 19.~d6 "with manifold threats," according to ZnoskoBorovsky, but Black wins trivially with 19 ... 4Jxe6-+. Another try for Black is unimpressive, and the 4Jd3 comes under fire: 15 ... 'it'f616.b4 4Jd3 17.4Jh7+ 'it'f7 18.~ad1 ~h8 19.4Jg5+ ~f6 20.00 4Jg6 21.4Je1 +- .16.~h4+ ~g6 17.~h7+ Capablanca is trying hard to win, turning down a repetition with 17.'l()'g3=. 17... ~f6 Taking the knight with 17 ... 'it'xg5 loses quickly because White can trap the king with 18.~xg7+ 'it'h5 (18 ... 4Jg6 19.f4+ 'it'g4 [19 ... ~h5 20.'l()'h7+ 'it'g4 21.'l()'h3#] 20.~xg6+ 'it'h4 21.'l()'h6+ ~g4 22.'l()'h3#) and then bring the ~f1 into the game. 19.f4 4Jg8 20.~f3 +-. 18.e4 White was clearly in a fighting mood and would not have steered the game towards a forced perpetual with 18.'l()'h5 g6 19.'l()'h4 'it'g7 20.~h7+ ~f6 21.~h4=. 18..• ~g6 Black would reach a similar position after 18 ... 4Jd3 while retaining the 4Je7 to watch the f5-square one move longer. On 19. ~d1, Black would gain the additional option of19 ... 4Jec6.

19.exf51? A position that has attracted considerable interest. Vukovic suggests 19.~adl4Jd3 20.f4 4Jgxf4! 21.e5+! ~e7 (suicidal is 21...'it'xe5 22.'l()'xg7+ ~d6 [22 ... 'l()'f6 23.~c7+ ~d4 24.~xf4+ ~e3 25J!f3+ 'it'd4 26.~fxd3 #; 22 ... ~f6 23.4Jf7+ +-]23.~xf4). After the game, Capablanca thought that the best try was 19.f4! fxe4 20.~ad1 ~b6 21.~d6+- but Nunn found 19 ... 'l()'d4+! 20.'it'h1 (20.~f2 4Jxe4-+) 20 ... 4Jxe4 21.4Jcxe4+ fxe4 22.~ad1 ~xd1 (the logical 22 ... 'l()'c410ses spectacularly to 23.f5! +- ) 23.~xd1 ~h8 24.4Jxe4+ ~f7 25.4Jd6+ 'it'f6 26.4Je8+ (26.4Je4+=)

26 ... ~xe8 27.~h5 with even chances. 19 ...exf5 20.l!adl ~d3 Golombek notes that after 20 ... ~e8, 21.4Jd5+ starts a mate in five after 2l...~xg5 22.f4+ 4Jxf4 23.h4+. 21. ~h3 ~df4 Nunn correctly gives 2l...4Jgf4= since 22.4:ili7+ (22.~g3 ~h8) 22 ...W 23.~g3 Ae6=. 22.~g3 ~c7 23.l!fel ~e2+ 24.l!xe2 ~xg3 25.~h7+ ~ 26.hxg3l!h827.~g5+ ~628.f41-O

(43) Tyroler - Balla

Temesvar 1912 Queen's Gambit Declined [055]

l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.~c3

~f6

4 ..Q.g5

~bd7 5.e3 .Q.e7 6.~f3 0-0 7.l!c1 a6

8.cxd5 exd5 9 ..Q.d3 b610.0-0 .Q.b7 11.~e5 c5 12.~c2 h6 13 . .Q.xf6 ~xf614.dxc5 .Q.xc515.l!fdl ~e7 16.~f3 .Q.d617. ~b3 d418.~xd4

8

7

6

5

4 3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Black launches the sacrifice counting only on the powerful Ab7 as an additional asset. White may have been tempted to play ~g3 because the queen cannot safely play to g5 owing to f4. Black strikes correctly with ~e5+ but strangely misses the win by turning down White's bishop offer on h7. 18....Q.xh2+ 19.~xh2 ~g4+ 20.~g3 Once again, there's no point in considering 20.~h1? ~h4+ 21.~gl ~xf2+

129

Sacking the Citadel 22.~h1 ~xg2#. White can safely defend with 'it'gl because, with the rook off fl, White can take the opportunity to defend the f2-pawn along the rank and use the fl escape square to begin the king's migration towards the queenside. 20.~gl! ~h4 2Uk2 ~h2+ 22.~fl Axg2+ 23.~e1 ~ae8 24.~d5 (24.~e2 Afl 25.~c2 ~gl 26.~f3 ~h1 27.~d2 ~g2=) 24 ... ~gl+ 25.'it'd2 ~xf2+ 26.~c1 Axd5 27.~xd5 ~xe3+

(44) Sundstrom - Holm Stockholm 1912 Petroff Defense [C42] 1.e4 e5 2•.£Jf3 .£Jf6 3 ..£J xe5 d64..£Jf3 .£J xe4 5 . .£Jc3 .£J xc3 6.dxc3 Jle7 7.Jld3 0--0 S.h4 EleS 9.Jle3 .£Jc6

28.~cd2 ~f2 29.~f5 ~xd3+ 30.~xd3

with three connected pawns for the piece in an even endgame. 0.~h3 walks into a fork that also undermines the white e-pawn, 20 ... ~xf2+ 21.~g3 ~xe3+ -+. 20 ••• ~e5+ The mistakes here are instructive. After 20 ... ~d6+ White can safely capture the knight because the queen and light-square bishop are not able to work together harmoniously. 21.~xg4 +- and 20 ... ~g5 fails quickly to 2l.f4! . 21.f4 Now, by clear contrast to the variation in the last note, the queen and Ab7 combine for an efficient mate in four: 21.'it'xg4 ~g5+ 22.~h3 ~xg2+ 23.'it'h4 g5+ 24.~h5 ~h3#. 21 ••• ~xe3+ 22.Cifjlxg4 White now has no real choice but to capture the ~g4. On 22.~f3 ~f2+ 23.~h3 (23.~xg4 ~xg2+-+) 23 ... 1.txf3-+; or 22.~h4 ~xf4 -+. 22 ... Jlxg2 23.Jlh7+ Black does not even need to capture the ~h1 after 23.~h1 ~xd3 24.~c2 f5+ 25.~h4 g5+ 26.fxg5 ~xd4+-+. 23 ••. CifjlhS? A mystifying error after so much hard work. Black has a fully winning position after 23 ... ~xh7! -+. 24..£Jce2 f5+ 25.Jlxf5 Jlh3+ 26.Cifjlh4g5+ 27.Cifjlh5 ~e8+ 2B.Jlg6 Jlg4+ 29.Cifjlxg4 ~xg6 30.Elc6 h5+ 31.Cifjlh3 ~h7 32.~e6 Elae8 33.~h6gxf4 34.~xh7+ Cifjlxh7 35..£Je61--O

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White can count here on two additional assets, the dark-square bishop and the h4-pawn, but Black has already posted the king's rook actively and the lightsquare bishop has ready access to f5. In the game, 'it'g6 walks into a pretty mating net thanks to the white h-pawn. 10.Jlxh7+? Cifjlxh7 1l..£Jg5+ Cifjlg6? The ~g8 retreat (and the capture on g5 which transposes) provide superior defense because, with the rook already on e8, Black gains a tempo for the escape with ~f8. 11...'it'g8! 12.~h51.txg5 (12 ... Af6 13.~xf7+ 'it'h8 14.~h5+ 'it'g8=) 13.hxg5 ~f8 14.~h8+ 'it'e7 15.~xg7 1.te6 (solidifying the position, and the king has a clear path to the queenside) 16.0-0-0 (16.g6 ~g8+) 16 ... ~d7+; 11...Axg5 12.hxg5+ ~g8 13.~h5 ~f8 transposing. 12.h5+! Cifjlf6 The black king certainly does not want to enable the dark-square bishop by walking into a discovered check on h6, but the alternatives lose quickly. 12 ... 'it'f5 falls to a nice mate in three: 13.~f3+ ~e514.~e4+ 'it'f615.~h7#.

130

Games 13. ~f3+ And here, White misses a mate in four: 13.iiJ'd5! e5 16.~f4+ Cit>d5 17.0--0--0+ Cit>c418.4)xd6# 1--0

17.iiJ'h7#) when there are two pretty mates from which to choose: 17.iiJ'h7+ 'itlg4 1B.f3+ ~g3 19 . .§.h3+ ~xg2 20 ..§.gl# and 17.g4+ 'itlxg4 1B ..§.dg1 + 'itlh519.~h7#. The line with 15 ... Axg5 16.hxg5+ activates the .§.h1 and gives Black a horrible choice between 16 ...'gB 17.~h5+- f5 1B.g6+- and 16 ... 'itlg617.~h5+ ~f5 18.~h3+ 'itle4 (18. .. ~g619.~h7#) 19.~f3#.16.~h5 Ete8 The exchange this late is hopeless. 16 ... Axg5 17.hxg5 f5 1B.g6+- and Black cannot capture the g-pawn. 17.~xf7+ Cit>h818.h511--O White finishes in style, sacrificing the Ag5 to bring all of the other white pieces into the attack. 1B ... Axg5 (lB ... .§.e719.~g6 Axg5 20.Axg5+-) 19.h6 gxh6 20.'§'xh6+ Axh6 21..§.h1 +-.

(45) Rastrelli - Falchetto Correspondence 1914 French Defense [C I 0]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 dxe4 4.4) xe4 4)f6 5.4)xf6+ ~xf6 6.4)f3 ~d8 7.j},e3 4)c6 8.c3 j},e7 9.j},d3 j},f6 10.~e2 b6 1l.Ae4 Ab7 12.~ 0--0 13.h4 4)a5 8 7 If-~,r-~

(46) Pearsall- Marshall USA 1915 Scotch Game [C45]

6 5 4

3

l.e4 e5 2.4)f3 4)f6 3.d4 exd4 4.4) xd4 4)c6 5.4)xc6 bxc6 6.j},d3 d5 7.exd5 cxd5 8.0--0 j},e7 9.4)c3 0--0 10.j},g5 c6 1l.~f3 Etb8 12.b3 h6 13.j},xh6 gxh6 14.~g3+ Cit>h8 15. ~xb8 j},d616. ~xa7

2

abc

d e

f

g

h

In what appears to be the first successful Greco Sacrifice to occur in a preserved correspondence chess game, White relies upon the dark-square bishop and the h4-pawn as additional assets. Black responds with the 'itlgB line, the only choice that does not lead to immediate mate or significant material loss. As is typical for correspondence chess, Black's resignation requires some explanation, notably the unstoppable threat of iiJ'g6 and h6. 14.j},xh7+ Cit>xh715.4)g5+ Cit>g8 In the 'itlg6 line, the presence of the ~J6 hurts the defense by blocking ... f5. 15 ... 'itlg6? 16.iiJ'c2+ 'itlh5 (16 ... 'itlh6

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Trailing badly at the time of the sacrifice and with only the light-square bishop as an additional asset, Marshall

131

Sacking the Citadel may have launched it knowing how difficult a time defenders have often had. But the white queen on a7, seemingly out of play, solidly covers the critical f2-square making the '.t'gl line a very simple win. 16 .•• .1lxh2+ 17.'it>xh2 4)g4+ IS.'it>gl Up a rook and pawn, White can afford to return some material. The open g-file may have encouraged Marshall, but even after IS .. J::!gS, the discovery nets nothing more than an exchange on f1. IS.~g3 .!::!gS (IS ... ~gSI9.f4 V;f;Jg7 20.f1 ~f4 On 20 ...V;f;Jhl + White not only migrates the king to the queens ide, but also manages to activate his pieces for an attack down the h-file. 21.'.t'e2 V;f;Jxg2 22.V;f;Jd4+ f6 23.V;f;Jf4 .!::!eS+ 24.'.t'd2 g7 27.laxc8 ~f4 28.a4 h5 29.'it>e2 ~d6 30.lae8 f6 31.4) xd4 ~h2 32.lael f5 33.'it>f3 f4 34.lale61--O (47) Boucher-Robbins Correspondence 1916 Vienna Game [C33] l.e4 e5 2.4)c3 4)c6 3.f4 exf4 4.4){3 .1lb4 5.4)d5 4)f6 6 ..1lc4 0--0 7.0--0 4) xe4 S.c3 .1la5 9.d4 4)f6 10..1lxf4 4)xd511..1lxd54)e712•.1le4d5

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Another nice sacrifice from a correspondence player. White relies on the dark-square bishop and the .!::!f1 as additional assets. The '.t'g61ine represents the toughest defense, since Black may survive after IS.~d3+ xh714.4)g5+ 'it>g6 The ~gS line holds no hope here for the defender because White can sacrifice the Jlf4 in order for the .!::!f1 to take full advantage of the open f-file: 14 .. .'~gS IS.Jlxc7! Jlxc716.~hS .!::!eSI7.~h7+ '.t'fS IS ..!::!xf7#. 15.h4 With the threat of 16.hS+. IS.~d3+!? gains back the piece after
132

Games 20 ..§ael +- . 16.fU3 The rook swing is effective, but White can simply advance the h-pawn:-16.h5+! <;t>f6 17.~el .£Je6 18.~g3 (aiming at both e5 and g6,Dor simply 18.~h4+-) 18 ... .§h819.Ae5+ rtle7 20 ..llxg7+-. 16... .£lg8 17.f!g3 'it>f6 18. ~e2 ~e8 19.f!e3 ~c6 20.~h51-O

(48) Capablanca - Borochow New York 1918 Queen's Gambit Declined [D63] 1.d4 d5 2..£lf3 .£lf6 3.c4 e6 4.Ag5 .£lbd75..£lc3Ae76.e30-07.f!c1 b6 8.cxd5 .£lxd5 9.j'txe7 .£lxe710.j'td3 Ab711.0-0c512.dxc5.£lxc5 8 7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Relying upon only one additional asset, the .£Je3, the sacrifice is unsound here, but the world champion exhibits stronger will power. In the actual game, Capablanca's opponent misses the best defense in the <;t>g6 line with 18 ... .£Jd4 or 18 ... .£Jd3. 13.Axh7+? 'it>xh7 14. .£lg5+ 'it>g6 In the <;t>g81ine, Black defends the threats on h7 and f7 either by retreating the .§f8 to create an escape-square, or by playing ~d3 in an effort to control the b I-h7 diagonal. 14 ... rtlg815.~h5 ~d3 The queen move looks promising, but White can simply block the diagonal, reinitializing the threats. 16.e4 .§fe8 17.~xf7+ rtlh8

133

18.~h5+ <;t>g8 19.~h7+ <;t>f8 20.b4 when 20 ... .£Jxe4 21..£Jexe4 .Q.xe4 22.~h8+ .£Jb8 23 ..§e7 ends the discussion. Instead, the rook retreat withI5 ... .§e8 loses more quickly, 16.~xf7+ rtlh817 ..§fdl with 18.b4 to follow. The simplest defense is the <;t>h6 line. There, given the absence of a darksquare bishop, White can only try 14 ... <;t>h615.~g4 when 15 ... .£Jf5 threatens ~xg5. 14 ... <;t>h6! 15.~g4 .£Jf5 16.f4. It would have been interesting to see what Capablanca had in mind in that line, since the logical 16.f4 gives Black the opportunity to counter with 16 ... ~d3 17 ..§fel g6 18.~h3+ <;t>g7 19.~h7+ rtlf6 20 ..§edl ~e4 21.g4 .£Jd3 22.gxf5 exf5 23 ..§e2 .§ad8=. To make matters worse for White, Black could also try 15 ... .£Jd5 a likely improvement because 16.~h4+ rtlg6 17.~h7+ rtlf6 gives the king an escape to e7: 18 ..§fdl ~b8 19 ..£Jee4+ .£Jxe4 20 ..£Jxe4+ rtle7 21.~xg7 .§g8 22.~d4 .§e8 23.~g7 .§xc1 24.~g5+ <;t>f8 25 ..§xc1 ~d8+. 15.~g4 15.~e2+? fails to both 15 ... <;t>xg5 when there's no support for the mate or simply to 15 ... ~d3. 15...f5 16. ~g3 'it>f6 There's no relief to be found in 16... ~b8 17.f4 .§h8 because 18.b4 .£Ja6 pries open White's access to g7. 19 ..§fdl <;t>f6 20 ..§d7+-. 17.b4 .£ld7 After 17 ... .£Je4 White can recover an exchange with 18 . .£Jh7+ rtlf7 19 ..£Jxe4 .llxe4 20 ..£Jxf8 rtlxf8 21.f3 .Q.e6 22 ..§fdl ~e8 but the final position offers relatively even chances for both sides. 18.f!cd1 More accurate is 18 ..§fdl with the idea of .£Jb5-d6. 18 ... .£lg6? Black's best defense is 18... .£Je8 to discourage incursions on d6. 19.f!d6 f!e8 20.f!fd1 +- .£lgf821.e4 The simplest win is 21..£Jh7+ <;t>f7 22 ..£Jxf8+- removing the defender of the .£Je7. 21 ...g6 22. ~h4 'it>g7 23.f!xd7+ .£lxd7 24.~h7+ 'it>f625.f41-0

Sacking the Citadel the queen sacrifice on g5 was a significant improvement over the actual course of the game, the usual mate in five. 18 ... 'l1i'xg5 19 ..llxg5 4Jxh2 20.Af4 ±. 19. ~xf7+ ~h8 20. ~h5+ ~g8 21. ~h7+ ~f8 22. ~h8+ ~e7 23.~xg7# 1--0

(49) Leise - Wellington Correspondence 1919 Ruy Lopex [C80] 1.e4 e5 2.4)0 4)c6 3.Ab5 a6 4.Aa4 4)f6 5.0-0 4) xe4 6.d4 b5 7.Ab3 d5 8.a4 §.b8 9.ax b5 ax b5 10.dxe5 Ae6 1l.c3 Ac5 12.4)bd2 0-0 13:~e2 Af514.Ac2 4)xd215.Axf5 4)xfl

(50) Pahl- Delbner Berlin 1921 Vienna Game [C29]

8

7

1.e4 e5 2.4)c3 4)f6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 4)xe4 5.4)f3 4)xc3 6.bxc3 c5 7.d4 4)c6 8.Ae2 Ae7 9.0-0 0-0 10. ~e1 Ae611. ~g3 ~h812.Ad3 c4

6 5 4

3 2

8

7 abc

d

e

f

g

h

6

Although White relies upon a familiar pair of additional assets, the dark-square bishop and the e5-pawn, this is an unusual example because the sacrifice follows an exchange sac on fl. The black knight on fl controls the g3-square, preventing the usual 'l1i'g4-g3 maneuver in the 'it'g61ine. 16.Axh7+ ~xh7 17.4)g5+ ~g8 Black can claim an advantage after 17 ... 'it'g6! 18.'l1i'd3+ (not 18.~g4 4Jxe5) 18 .. .f5 because White is able to recover an exchange but Black emerges with a small but persistent material edge, 19.exf6+ (19.4Je6 4Jxe5 20.4Jxf8+ 'l1i'xf8 21. ii:t'xfl 4Jg4 -+ ) 19 ... 'it'xf6 20.4Jh7+ (20.ii:t'f3+ 'it'e7 21. 'l1i'e2+ 4Je3 22.A xe3 A xe3 23.~xe3+ 'it'f6 24.4Jh7+ 'it'f7 25.ii:t'f4+ 'it'g8 26.4Jxf8 'l1i'xf8 27. 'l1i'xc7 ii:t'f6 =+') 20 ... 'it'f7 21.4Jg5+ 'it'e7 22.~e2+ 4Je3 23.Axe3 Axe3 24.ii:t'xe3+ 'it'f6 25.4Jh7+ 'it'f7 26.ii:t'f3+ 'it'g8 27.4Jxf8 ii:t'd6! 28.4Jg6 ii:t'xg6 29.ii:t'xd5+ 'it'h7=+'. 18. ~h5 §.e8 Already up an exchange,

134

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

This is the second game in this book in which the sacrifice occurs without giving check. The black bishop on e6 gives Black far more mobility than a pawn on that square, but the open f-file prevents Black from playing Af5. Black incorrectly decides to play Jlxg5 when the 'it'g8 retreat appears to equalize. 13.Axh7 ~xh7 Black may have assumed that by playing 'it'h8, ... g6 was a useful response, but the reality is that ... g6 fatally weakens the dark squares around the black king. 13 ... g6 14.4Jg5 with the idea of 'l1i'h4 14 ... Axg5 15.Axg5 ~c716.Af6+ 'it'xh717.'l1i'h4+ 'it'g8 18.~h8#. 14.4)g5+ Axg5 Despite White's obvious assets, the e5-

Games pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the open f-file, Black has a saving, iftoughto-find sequence in the 'gSline. Black can count here on the bishops to prevent the white rooks from reaching the h-file, and Black can manufacture significant counterplay on the the a7-g1 diagonal. 14 ... 'gS! 15.,,*h4 ~xg5 16.~xg5 (with the threat of ~f6) 16 ... ,,*a5 (not immediately 16 ... ,,*b6 17 ..E!abl) 17 ..E!f3 (correctly avoiding 17.~f6

[IS.~xg7

'l11xc3 IS.'l11g5

,,*xd4+-+] IS ... 'l11xd4+ 19.'hl "i£rg4) and only now when the .E!al cannot move to bl 17 ... ,,*b6 18.~f6 4Jxe5!, a remarkable resource. 19.~xe5 f6 20.Af4 §aeS 21.§afl ~d7 22."i£rh5=. 15..1lxg5 ~d7 White emerges with the initiative and a material edge after 15 .. .f6 16.'l11h4+ ~gS 17.exf6 gxf6 IS.Axf6 .E!xf6 19.§xf6+-. 16..1lf6! gxf6 The mate is trivial after 16 ... g6 17.'l11h4+ 'gS IS.,,*hS#.17.ru4.1lg418.~h4+~g7

19.Elxg4+ ~xg4 20.~xg4+ ~h6 On 20 ... ~hS, 21.exf6 forces 21.. ..E!gS when 22.'l11h5 is checkmate. 21.Elfl Elg8 22.~h4+1-O

(51) Brach - Jares Bmo 1921 Queen's Gambit Declined [D63] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.{)c3 {)f6 4 ..1lg5 {)bd7 5.e3 .1le7 6.{)f3 0--0 7.Elel c6 8.cxd5 exd5 9 •.1ld3 {)e4 10..1lxe4 .1lxg511 ..1lbl Ele812.h4 .1le7

Here, Black has already played §eS and is able to defend with 4Jf6 or 4JfS. The absence of a black pawn on e6 also gives Black the opportunity to develop the ~cS, especially with ~f5. It is very useful to compare this position to Game 62, Colle-O'Hanlon, where Black has most though not all of these defensive possibilities. In this game, White relies upon a tame pair of additional assets, the 4Jc3 and the h4-pawn. Black defends well by selecting the ~gSline and winds his way successfully through the complications. 13•.1lxh7+? ~xh7 14.{)g5+ ~g8 White does not have dark-square bishop, but 14... 'h6walks straight into 15.4Jxf7+. With the rook off f8, Black can consider 14 ... ~xg5 15.hxg5+ 'gS (not 15 ... 'g616.'l11h5+ ~f5 17. "i£rxf7 + +-) because after 16. 'l11h5 the king can escape toward the queenside. 16 ... 'fS 17. "i£rhS+ 'e7 IS."i£rxg7 .E!gSI9.,,*h6 'eS 20.f4 4Jf8+. Correct play in the 'g6line leads here to an uneasy equality. 14... ~g6 15."i£rc2+ (on "*g4, Black can capture on g5) 15 .. .f5 16.4Je6 (not 16.g4 4Jf8-+) 16 ..."i£rb6 17.4Jf4+ (better than 17.h5+ 'h6 IS."i£rxfS 4Jf819."i£rf4+ 'h7 20.4Jc7 "i£rxb2 21.0--0 ~d7 22.4JxaS .E!xaS=i=) 17... 't7 (17 ... 'f6? walks into a fork IS.4Jfxd5+ cxd519.4Jxd5++-) IS."i£rxf5+.

8

7

6 5 4

3

abc

2

d

Position after 18. itff5 (analysis) abc

d

e

f

g

h

135

Sacking the Citadel (52) Alekhine - Lovewell New York simul. 1923 Englund Gambit [A40]

Now Black can try: (a) 18 ....iU6 19. ~h5+ 'it'f8 (avoiding the knight fork after 19 ... 'it'e7 20 . .£Jfxd5+ exd5 21 ..£Jxd5+ and a white pull after 19 ... g6 20.~xg6+ 'it'f8 21.~h7 ~g7 22.h5 .£Jf6 23 ..£Jg6+ 'it'f7 24 ..£Je5+ 'it'f8 25.~g6 ~e7 26.h6 ilh8 27.f4 ~e6 28.g4 ~g8 29.~e2 ~h7 30.~h2 Ele6 31.~h4±) 20.~h8+ 'it'f7 (trying for more with 20 ... 'it'e7 walks into another knight fork 21..£Jfxd5+ exd5 22 ..£Jxd5+ 'it'd8 23 ..£Jxb6 Elxh8 24 ..£Jxa8±) 21.~h5+ is a perpetual; (b) 18 ... 'it'g819.~e6+ 'it'h8 (avoiding 19 ... 'it'f8 20 ..£Jg6# and 19 ... 'it'h7 20.~g6+ 'it'g8 21.~xe8+ +- ) 20.~f7+-; and (c) 18 ... .£Jf6 when White barges through with 19.~g6+ 'it'fS (19 ... 'it'g8 20 . .£Jh5 .£Jxh5 21.~xe8++-) 20.h5 ~d8 21.h6 gxh6 22.Elxh6+-. 15.~h5 .1lxg5! Black's other plausible defensive tries lead to equality: (a) 15 ... .£Jf6 (bringing the knight to f6 where it defends h7 but White enters on f7) 16.~xf7+ 'it'h8 17.h5 (no better is 17.~g6 Elf818 ..£Jf7+ Elxf7 19.~xf7 ~f5 20.h5 ~e8 21.~xe8+ Elxe8 22.f3=) 17 ... Elf818.h6 Elxf7 19 ..£Jxf7+ 'it'h7 20 ..£Jxd8 ~xd8 21.hxg7+ 'it'xg7=; (b) 15 ... .£Jf8 (forcing a quick perpetual) 16.~xf7+ 'it'h8 17.~h5+ 'it'g8 18.~f7+=; and (c) 15 ... M6 (also drawing with a perpetual)

l.d4 e5 2.dxe5 .£)c6 3 ..£)f3 .1lc5 4.-'lf4 .£)ge7 5.e3 0--0 6 ..£)c3 .£)g6 7.-'ld3 .£)xf4 8.exf4 Ete8

abc

16.~xf7+ 'it'h817.~h5+= (17.~g6.£Jf8 18.~h5+

'it'g8

19.~f7+=).

16.hxg5 Etg8 19. ~h6 .£)f8 20.f4 .£)g6 21.0-0 ~f8 21 ... ilf5 -+ is more accurate. 22. ~h5 Eth8 23.~e2 ~d8 24.e4 dxe4 25.~xe4 f5 26.~e3 ~e7 27.~d2 .1le6 28.Etfel ~f7 29.g3 .1ld5 30.Ete2 ~d7 31..£)xd5 ~xd5 32.Etg2 b6 33.h3 Eth3 34.Etc2 Etah8 35. ~c3 '£)xf40--1 ~f817.~h8+ ~e718.~xg7

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Alekhine provides us with a Greco miniature. White can count on the .£Je3 and a secure e5-pawn, but Black has developed the king's rook on e8. 9.-'lxh7+ ~xh710 ..£)g5+ ~g8 The game ends abruptly after only 11 moves, but it would have been very interesting to see what Alekhine would have played after 10 ... 'it'g6. White has many options there, 11.h4, 11.Qg4, and 11.~d3, but the former is the most forcing continuation. (a) 1l.h4! (taking advantage of the uncastled king, aiming with h5+ to drive the king to h6 with .£Jxf7 to follow) 11.. ..£Jxe5 (a standard defensive try, returning material but undermining the white center) 12.fxe5 Elxe5+ 13.'it'fl d6 (not 13 ... ~f6 when 14.~d3+ ~f5 15 ..£Jee4 and White can continue with .£Jee4, h5+, and after ... 'it'h6, ~d2; and there's no relief in giving back the exchange with 13 ... Elxg5 14.hxg5 ~xg5 15 ..£Je4 ~f5 16.~d3+-) 14 ..£Jd5 aiming for .£Jf4 14 ... ~d7 15 ..£Jf4+ 'it'f6 (avoiding 15 ... 'it'f5 16.~f3+- or 15 ... 'it'h6 16.~h5#) 16.~d3 Ele8

136

Games 17 .§h3 +- and the rook enters the game with effect; (b) 11. ~g4 here is complex and interesting. 11 .. .f5 the standard response. 12.~h4 aiming to play ~g3 only when the rook vacates its support oft7 (12.~g3 4Jxe5 13.0-0 4Jg414.h3 d5 15.hxg4 fxg4 16.§ad1 c6 17.4Jce4;!;) 12 ... §hS13.~g3 4Jxe5 (the knight, of course, is immune thanks to the threat of ~xg5) 14.4Je6+ when Black has a remarkable response to the discovered check, 14 ... 4Jg4! 15.4JxdS Jlxf2+ 16.~xf2 4Jxf2 17.'it'xf2 ±. Black will recover the knight, but the immediate capture encourages IS. 4Jb5; and (c) Less compelling is 11. ~d3+ f5 12.~h3 because Black has a nice central shot with §xe5+ 13.'it'd2 ~gS;!;. There's no point in dwelling on 1O...'it'h6 l1.4Jxt7+ or 10 ... 'it'hS 11.~h5+ 'it'gS 12.~h7+ 'it'fS13.~hS+ 'it'e714.4Jd5#. 11.~h5 f6 1--0 and Black resigned rather than face an easy mate in three: 12.~h7+ 'it'fS 13.~hS+ 'it'e7 with two mates in one 14.4Jd5# or 14.~xg7#. (53) Przepiorka - Makarczyk Warsaw 1926 Slav Defense [D45] V~~f3 .£Jf6 2.c4 c6 3.d4 d5 4 •.£Jc3 e6 5.e3 .£Jbd7 6.a3 ~d6 7.cxd5 exd5 8.~d3 0-0 9.0-0 §e810.~c2 ~e7 11.M .£Je4 12.§el .£Jdf613.~xe4 dxe414..£Jd2

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With a clearly superior position, Black ought to continue here with ... 4Jd5 or ... Af5. Instead, Black embarks on the sacrifice which, with the white rook on e1, is speculative, despite two strong assets, the light-square bishop and the secure e4-pawn. Selecting the 'it'glline, White has 17.4Jf1 simultaneously defending the key f2- and h2-squares. Unlike many of the games decades earlier, White organizes and maintains a successful defense. 14 ••• ~xh2+ 15.~xh2 .£Jg4+ 16.~gl 16.'it'g3 ~d6+! (16 ... ~g5 is less convincing because White can gain time against the queen with 17.4Jdxe4 ~g618.~d2 [lS.4Jf6+ ~xf6 19.§h1 h6-+] lS ... 4Jf6+ 19.'it'h2 4Jxe4 20.4Jxe4 §xe4=t=) l7.f4(17.'it'h4~h6+ 18.'it'g3 ~h2#) 17 ... exf3+ lS.'it'xf3 ~f6+ 19.'it'g3 (the alternative 19.'it'e2 walks into mate 19 ... §xe3+ 20.'it'd1 4Jf2#) 19 ... ~f2+ 20.'it'h3 4Jxe3+ -+ with mate quickly to follow. 16•.. ~h4 With the rook already off f1, White can easily cover both f2 and h2. 17. .£Jf1 ~f5 Black likely assumed that he needed to defend the central pawn, but more powerful is the idea of a rook swing. 17 ... §e6! lS.Ab2 (capturing the pawn with lS.4Jxe4 walks into lS ... §xe4 followed by a queen capture on f2 and ... Af5) IS ... §h619.4Jg3 4Jxe3 20.§xe3 Ag4 21.f4 exf3 22.gxf3 ~xg3+ 23.~g2 ~f4 24.§e4 ~xf3 25.~xf3 Axf3 26.§e7;!;. 18. .£Jg3 ~g6 19 . .£Jce2 More consistent is 19.'it'fl 4Jh2+ 20.'it'e2 ~g4+ 21.'it'd2 +- and the king will find safety on the queenside. 19 .••h5 20 ..£Jf4 ~h2+ 21.~f1 h4 22..£Jge2 h3 To push the h-pawn, Black can sacrifice another piece: 22 ... Ah5 23.4Jxh5 h3 24.4Jef4 hxg2+ 25.4Jxg2 ~xh5:j: when the idea of... ~h1 + forces 4Jf4, which will remain exposed to a g5-

137

Sacking the Citadel push. 23.4)xh3 ~hl + 24.4)egl Ah5 25.~e2 4)e5+ 26.~d2 4)d3 27.§fl a5 Black's best chance for advantage. 27 ... ~xg2 28 ..llb2 .llg4 (forcing a weakening of the pawn structure) 29.~f4 ~xf4 30.exf4 (and now the e-pawn is mobile) 30 ... e3+ 31.~c3 e2 32.§fe1 ~xf2 33.'it'b3 ~xf4+. Black has three pawns for the piece, the advanced epawn, and superior development. 28 . .11,b2 ~xg2 29.~c3 axb4+ 30.axb4 §xaI31.§xal.11.g4 32.4)f4 4)xf4 33.exf4 e3 34.f3 e2 35.§el Axf3 36.~d3 .11,g4 37.~d2 ~f2 38.4)xe2 Ah5 39.d5 Axe2 4O.§xe2 ~xf4+ 41.~c2 §xe2+ 42.~xe2 ~f5+ The simplest path to the draw is 42 ... ~xb4=. 43.~d3 ~xd5 44.~xd5 cxd5 45.~d3 f6 46.~d4 ~f7

Relying upon two additional assets, the active dark-square bishop and the h4pawn, Alekhine tries the sacrifice in a position that contains a black pawn on f6. White's bigger problem is that, without a pawn on e5, Black can play ~f6 (after fxg5), providing time to defend fully with ~e8-g6. 15..11,xh7+ ~xh7 16.4)g5+ fxg5 White can win back an exchange in the 'it'g8 line, but nothing more. 16 ... 'it'g8 17.~e6 ~c8 18.h5 (18.~xf8 ~xf8 19.h5 ~f5+:j:) 18 ... §t7:j:; while the 'it'g6 line walks into h5+ and a discovered knight fork, 16 ... 'it'g6? 17.h5+ 'it'h6 (17 ... 'it'f5 18.g4 #) 18.~e6+ +-. 17.hxg5+ ~g8 Remarkably, Black can also hold in 'it'g6 line with 17 ... 'it'g6 18.~h5+ 'it'f5 19.~h7+ (Alternatives offer nothing more than even chances: 19.~h3+ 'it'g6 20.~h5+ is a perpetual; Black is simply winning after 19.96+ .llg5 -+; and 19.e4+ dxe4 20.g4+ 'it'xf4 21.~h2+ ~xg5 22.~h5+ is another remarkable perpetual.) 19 ... 'it'e6 (19 ... 'it'g4 walks into a mate with 20.~h3# as does 19... g6 20.~h3+ ~e4 2l.f3#) 20.~xg7 (With the king ready to run towards the queenside, White ought to settle here for a perpetua120.~h3+ 'it't7 21.~h5+ ~e6=) 20 ... §xf4 21.exf4 'it'd6:j:. 18.~h5 Axg5 19.Axg5 4)f6 20.~h4 ~e8 21.f3 ~g6+ 22.~al ~f7 23. ~f4 §ae8 24.g4 Ac6 Black is fully safe and winning after 24 ... 'it'g8-+. 25.Ah4 ~g8 26.~d6 Aa4 27.§d2 ~f7 28.g5 4)e4! 29.fxe4 ~fl+ 30.§dl Axdl 31.~xd5+ ~h832.e5.11,f3+ 33.§xfl Axd5 34.§el Ag2 35 ..11,g3 §fl 36.§xfl Axfl 37.d5 Ag2 38.d6 .11,d50--1

47.~xd5 ~e7 48.~c5 ~e649.b5 g5 50.~b6 f5 51.~xb7 f4 52.~c61~

(54) Alekhine-- Perez Gomar Buenos Aires simul. exhibition 1926 Queen's Indian Defense [E12]

l.d4 4)f6 2.4)f3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.4)c3 .11,b7 5..11.g5 .11,e7 6.e3 ~ 7 ..11,d3 d6 8.~e24)bd79.~c510.~bld5

1l.cxd5 4) xd512.4) xd5 exd513.h4 f614.Af4c4 8

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138

Games (55) Makarczyk - Kohn Lodz 1927 Caro-Kann Defense [D05] 1.d4 e6 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.j},d3 .£le6 5.e3 e6 6 ..£lf3 'itJe7 7.0--0 j},d6 8.Ele1.£lf6 9 ..£lbd2 0--0 10.'itJe2 b6 1l..£le5 j},xe512.dxe5 .£ld713..£lf3 Ele8

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Although White can rely upon the e5pawn and the dark-square bishop, the sacrifice fails because Black, having already played .§.eB and 'lfic7, has 4JfB defending both ofthe key entry squares with one move. White should instead have tried 14.Af4 with an undisputed advantage. 14.j},xh7+ ~xh7 15. .£lg5+ ~g8! In the 15 ... 'it'g6 line, White has two familiar options: (a) 16.~g4 invites the capture of the e5pawn. 16 ... 4Jdxe5 17.~g3 and now the black king can run towards e7 17 ... 'it'f6 IB.4Jh7+ rtie7 19.Af4 'it'd7 20 ..§.e3 .§.gB 21..§.ael f6 22.4Jxf6+ gxf6 23.~xgB ~dB 24.'lfih7+ ~e7=; or (b) 16.~d3+! avoids the capture on e5 and the queen can now force its way to f7. 16 .. .f5 (not 16 ... 'it'h5 17.'lfih3+ 'it'g6 IB.~h7# or 16 ... rtih6 17.~h7#) 17.exf6+ rtixf6 18. ~f3+ and the king is in a mating net. 18 ... rtig6 (IB ... rtie7 19..§.xe6+ rtidB 20.4Jf7#) 19.~f7+ 'it'h6 20.4Jxe6+ rtih7 (20 ... g5 21.Axg5#).

21. 'lfixg7 # 16.'itJh5 And again, the rook on e8 aids the defense 16 ... .£lf8! 17.j},f4 .£lg6 Black's best continuation is probably 17 ... Ab7! preparing the advance of the d-pawn, countering White's flank attack with a counter in the center. IB ..§.e3 '§'adB 19 ..§.ael d4 20 ..§.h3 4Jg6 21.4Je4 4Jcxe5 22.~h7+ 'it'fB 23.Ag5 f5 (23 .. .f6 24.4Jxf6 gxf6 25.Ah6+ +-) 24.4Jf6 ~f7 25.4JxeB .§.xeB 26.cxd4 4Jd7=. 18.Ag3 .£lee7 19.h4 .£lf5 20.'itJh7+ ~f8 21.h5 .£lge7 22.h6 .£l xh6 23. 'itJh8+ .£leg8 Not 23 ... 4JhgB when White has a remarkable smothered mate with 24.4Jh7 #. 24.Ah4 Tempting is 24.4Jh7+ rtie7 25.4Jf6 gxf6 26.exf6+ 4Jxf6 27.'lfixh6 'lfid7 when White recovers the piece. 2B ..ilh4 'it'd6 29 ..ilxf6 but the final position has no meaningful winning chances for either side. 24 ••. ~e7 25 •.£le4+ ~d7 26 •.£ld6 Aa6 27.'itJxg7 ~e6 28.e4 dxe4 29. 'itJg3 'itJd 7 30. 'itJa3 +- Ae8 31. 'itJf3+ ~e5 32. 'itJe3+ ~e6 33. 'itJe4+ ~e7 34. 'itJxa8 .£lf5 35.'itJxa7+ ~e6 36.'itJa4+ ~e7 37..£lxe8+ 1-0

(56) Mansfield - Znosko Borovsky Cheltenham 1928 Ruy Lopex [C78] In this game, defeat ofthe Greco Sacrifice means victory for Znosko-Borovsky and a possible source of inspiration, seven years prior to the publication of his treatment on the Greco Sacrifice. 1.e4 e5 2..£lf3 .£le6 3.Ab5 a6 4.Aa4 .£lf6 5.0--0 j},e5 6.e3 Aa7 7.d4.£l xe4 8.d5 .£le7 9 ..£lxe5 0--0 10.Ae2 d6 1l . .£lxf7? (11.4Jf3 was necessary) 1l •.• .£lxf2!-+

139

Sacking the Citadel and 1929), but is best remembered as a chess endgame theorist and composer of endgame studies. In 1959, the first year of the award, he became FIDE International Master of Chess Composition. His life's work is the monumental four-volume Handbook of Endgames including detailed proofs and hundreds of endgame studies. abc

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White embarks on the sacrifice, an act of desperation, relying upon a single additional asset, the dark-square bishop. The.§.fl has been neutralized, and take note of the powerful Aa7. Any movement of the <£\f2 will be check and White cannot seriously consider 14 ..§.xf2 .§.xt7. With the sac, White is able to play <£\g5 with check, but after itfh5, Black has a violent counter attack with <£\h3+ and other discoveries. 12.j'txh7+ If the queens are captured, White's is taken with check, 12.<£\xdB <£\xd 1+. 12•.. ~xh713.Jilg5+ ~g8 In the 'itlg6 line, Black blocks the check on the diagonal with a check of his own. 13 ... 'itlg614.ifi'c2+ <£\d3+-+; no better is simply moving the queen out of the reach of the discoveries: 14.ifi'e2 <£\h3+ 15.'itlh1 .§.xfl + 16.ifi'xfl <£\f2+ 17.'itlg1 ifi'hB-+. 14.~e2 There's nothing to be gained from 14.'~h5 <£\h3+ 15.'itlh1 .§.xfl #. 14••• j'tg4-+ 15.Jilf3 j'txf3 16.gxf3 Jild3+ 17.~h1 Jilxc1 18. ~e6+ ~f719.~xc1 Jilf5 20.~e1 ~h4 21.Jild2 Jilg3+ 22.~g2 Jilh5 23.~h1 Jilf40-1

1.d4 Jilf6 2c4e6 3.Jilf3d54.Ag5 j'te7 5.Axf6 Axf6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Jilc3 0--0 8.e3c69.Ad3~e810h4c5 8

IL!!"!!',~·-'''''

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Another example in which the defender has already freed up the f8-square prior to the sacrifice. Moreover, the e-file is open and the light-square bishop has access to f5. White relies upon the h4pawn and the <£\c3 as additional assets but White clearly misses a dark-squar~ bishop or especially an e5-pawn. 1l.Axh7+? ~xh712.Jilg5+ ~g8 The 'itlg6line is more ofa struggle: 12 ...'ittg6 13.ifi'f3 (what else? ... Af5 will block checks along the bl-h7 diagonal, and the light-square bishop also controls g4) 13 ... Ae6 14.<£\e2 Axg5 15.hxg5 .§.hB 16.<£\f4+ 'itlxg5 17.ifi'g3+ 'ittf6 1B.<£\xd5+ Axd5 19.ifi'e5+ 'ittg6 20 ..§.xhB ifi'xhB 21.ifi'g3+ and White must settle for a perpetual check. The attempt to improve with 16.0-0-0 <£\c6 17.<£\f4+ 'ittxg5 1B.'§'xhB ifi'xhB

(57) Cheron - Nilsson The Hague 1928 Queen's Gambit Declined [D30] Andre Cheron (1895-1980) was threetime champion of France (1926, 1927,

140

Games 19.~xe6+

20.~fl 'l£fh7 21.'l£fxb7 requires that Black defend accurately with 22 ... 'it'g4 23.f3+ 'it'g3 24.~d6+ 'it'f2 25J::(d2+ 'it'fl 26.§dl +=. 13.~h5 The .§.fB has already moved, giving Black a crucial move to defend the fl-pawn. Black has the option of defending f7 with either 13 ... ~d7, 13 ... ~c7, or 13 ... Ae6!. 13 ... Ae6 14.0-0-0 cxd4 15.exd4 .£!c616.Elde1 ~d717 •.£!xd5 JU5 Black should simply capture the knight, 17 ...'l£fxd5 when, with the bishop on f6, there's no way for the queen to make progress on the kingside. IS.'£! xf6+ gxf619.'£!xf7 '£!xd4 20..£!h6+ Ii!}fS 21.ElxeS+ ElxeS 22 . .£!xf5 ~c6+ 23.li!}b1 ~e4+0-1

fxe6

activity, is easily defeated. After 16.g6, White unarguably has a winning advantage. 11 ••• Axh2+? It was more prudent and thematic to play 11 ... ~e4. 12.li!}xh2 .£!g4+ 13.li!}gl Black can use the discovered check in the 'it'g3 line to regain an exchange, but White emerges with equal chances. 13.'iti>g3 'l£fxg5 14.~f3 'l£fg7 15.'l£fe2, placing the queen on a square that the knight will not be able to reach (or 15. 'l£fd2 4Jb4 ~) 15 ... 4Jxe3+ 16.'iti>f2 4Jxf117.'it'xf14Jxd4 IB.4Jxd4 'l£fxd4=.13 ••• .£!xe313 ...'l£fxg5 gives White an opportunity to consolidate with 14.4Jf3+-. 14.~h5 ~xf1 15.'£!xf1.£!xd416.g6 ~d717.Ah6 Ele81S.gxh7+ Ii!}hS Black cannot capture the pawn, IB ... 'l£fxh7 19.i!i'xeB#. 19. ~g6 ~c6 20.j'tg51-O

~b4 22.~e7+

(58) Havasi - Brinckmann Budapest 1929 Slav Defense [010]

(59) Gundersen - Fau) Melbourne 1929

French Defense [C02] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.cxd5 cxd5 4 . .£!c3 e6 5 . .£!f3 Ad6 6.e3 .£!c6 7 ..£!d2 f5 S.f4 .£!f6 9.Ad3 0-0 10.0-0 g5 ll.fxg5

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 cxd4 5.cxd4 Ab4+ 6 •.£!c3 ~c6 7 . .£!f3 .£!ge7 S.Ad3 0-0

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A typical Stonewall in which Black would normally prepare ... g5 with 'it'hB, §gB, ~e4, and even Ad7-eB-h4. The sacrifice, which here cannot count on any additional assets because the Stonewall complex blocks their possible

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With two additional assets, the secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop, this is a useful example in the 'iti>gB line of why the attacking side would capture on h7 (h2) rather than fl (f2) when the defending side has a knight on e7

141

Sacking the Citadel (e2). In the game, Black selects the ~g6 line and falls quickly, although White misses the most accurate attacking line with 12.h5+!, often a powerful theme when the h-pawn is backed by a rook. 9.Axh7+1 ~xh710..£)g5+ ~g6 With the black knight on e7, White should capture on h7 in the ~gBline. 10 ... ~gB 11.~h5 §eB 12.'~'h7+! (not 12.~xf7+

(60) Helling - Kashdan Berlin 1930 Queen's Pawn Game [D05]

~hB 13.~h5+ ~gB 14.~h7+ ~f8

15.'~hB+ <£1gB 16.~h5 ~c7 17.,ild2 ±) 12 ... ~fB13.~hB+ <£1gB 14.<£Ih7+ ~e7.

With the king now on e7, the dark-square bishop joins in the attack. 15.,ilg5+ Blocking the check with the pawn allows ~xg7#, while ... <£If6 is hopeless after ~xg7. 1l.h4! (a) 11.~g4!? also appears to win quite convincingly: 11 .. .f5 12.~g3 maintaining the queen on the g-file. 12 .. .f4 13.~g4 ~eB removing the queen from the <£Ig5 's reach. 14.ilxf4 §xf4 15.~xf4 <£Ixd4 16.h4 ilxc3+ 17.bxc3
1-0

142

Isaac Kashdan (1905-1985) won the U.S. Open Championship twice (1938, 1947) and represented the United States five times in chess Olympiads. His Olympiad record remains the all-time best among American players. His peak chess years coincided with the Great Depression, which prevented him financially from competing for the world title. His impressive tournament achievements included second at Frankfurt, 1930 behind Aron Nimzowitsch, first at Gyor, 1930, second in New York, 1931 behind Capablanca, and a shared first with Alekhine in Mexico City, 1932. 1.d4 .£)f6 2.e3 e6 3 ..£)d2 c5 4.Ad3 .£)c6 5.c3 t'ic7 6 ..£)gf3 d5 7.0-0 Ad6 8.e4 cxd4 9.cxd4 .£)b410.Ab1 dxe4 1l . .£)xe4 .£)xe4 12.Axe4 Ad7 13.E!e10-0 8

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In the face of excellent activity and Black's entry square on c2, White relies on two additional assets, the §e1 and the dark-square bishop. Black successfully finds the only defense with ~g6, which works because the
Games cause after f5, ~g4 cannot retreat safely to g3. 14.~xh7+ Cit>xh7 15.i£\g5+ Cit>g61 In the hl ~f418:~g4 Black is winning, but the lines remain fun: lS ..§e5 ~xe5 19.dxe5 ~xe5 20. ~g4 4Jd3!. Preparing a fork to counter the discovered check. 21.4Jf3+ 'it'h7 22.4Jxe5 4Jxf2+ -+, and here, the idea of lS.h5+ is foiled by Black's activity on the c I-h6 diagonal. 18 ... 'it'h6 (lS ... 'it'xg5 19 ..§e5+ h7 20.~f4 ~d8 21. ~h5+ Cit>g8 22.~d6 i£\c2123•.§e5 f6 24.~xf8 ~xf8 25•.§c1 fxe5 0-1

Black has the ~b7 and the 4Jd7 as additional assets, but the black king is exposed in the center, the 4Je6 hits key squares such as d8, c7, g7, and even g5, and the white ~c1 can easily reach f4. 13 ••. ~xh2+? 14.Cit>xh2 i£\g4+ 15. Cit>g3 Borne of desperation, the sacrifice fails trivially in the
(61) Hasek,- Tereba Prague 1930 Queen's Gambit Accepted [D21] l.d4 d5 2.i£\f3 i£\d7 3.c4 dxc4 4.e4 b5 5.a4 ~b7 6.axb5 ~xe4 7.i£\c3 ~b7 8.~xc4 i£\gf6 9.~xf7+ Cit>xf7 10.i£\g5+ Cit>e8 11. ~b3 e6 12.0-0 ~d613.i£\ xe6

l.d4 d5 2.i£\f3 i£\f6 3.e3 c5 4.c3 e6 5.~d3 ~d6 6.i£\bd2 i£\bd7 7.0-0 0o 8 . .§el .§e8 9.e4 dxe4 10.i£\xe4 i£\xe411.~xe4cxd4(D)

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On first examination, it is surprising that the Greco Sacrifice comes even close to winning in this position. There is no pawn on e5 to prevent ... 4Jf6, the black .§eS encourages the
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143

Sacking the Citadel

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not be able to remain on the g-file. To be sure, there are useful assets in the white position, notably the f1.e1 and the dark-squared bishop on cl. I have incorporated the key and new ideas in the notes below. The verdict? Black can wind the game to a perpetual or dynamic equality with excruciatingly careful play, although few players could hope to achieve that result in over-the-board play.

121). In the critical 'iftg8 line, both offer up only the line 14. ti'h5 .:£Jf6 15. ti'xf7 'ifth816.f1.e4+-. The tournament pamphlet, a special insert in the 1930 British Chess Magazine, gives no hint that the brilliancy might be flawed: "the original character of the ... play, according to Dr. Alekhine, plainly justifies the award of First Brilliancy Prize to master Colle for this game." The pamphlet goes a bit deeper, however, repeating the line just above but also providing a real look at the real complexity ofthe game while suggesting only that "14 ... ~f6 15.~h7+ ~f816 ..:£Je4 ~e5 17.f4 ~d5 18.c4 ~a519.~d2 ~c7 20.~h8+ '!;e7 21.~xg7 wins easily." ("EZE," The Nice

International Chess Congress, 1930 Leeds: Whitehead and Miller, 1930 inserted in the British Chess Magazine annual for 1930, pp.28-29). (b) 14 ... .:£Je5. Colle died two years after the game was played, and Fred Reinfeld immediately began to write Colle Chess Masterpieces (1936). With "the depth and grandeur of his finest combination," Reinfeld nonetheless provides the first hint that the sacrifice might not be fully sound. "If Black had seen as deeply as Colle did into the position, he would have chosen the prudent 14 ... .:£Je5 with a view to consolidating his position by .:£Jg6. White would then be forced to take a draw by 15.f1.xe5 ~xe516.~xf7+."(pp. 80-82). Inhis51 Brilliant Chess Masterpieces, Reinfeld reproduces the notes without a change. Reinfeld was the first to mention the perpetual check line, but the conclusion was later joined by Vladimir Vukovic in 1965 (see Chapter 5) and by Ken Smith and John Hall in 1990 (p.2 r3) and later still by Alexander Baburin. (D)

s

12.A.xh7+ ~xh713..£lg5+ ~g6? The game as played in the ~g6 line is worthy of attention, but the ultimate soundness will be determined in the ~g81ine. In what follows, I have underlined the main line to ease the readers' path through this torturous analysis. 13 ... ~g8! 14.~h5 ~f6! Black's best move! The alternatives have a fascinating history. (a) 14 ... .:£Jf6. For this game, Colle received the First Brilliancy Prize offered by the Eclaireur de Nice and the contemporary literature extolled the game. Deutche Schachzeitung described 12.~xh7 as a beautiful and deeply calculated conception (v.85, no.4 April, 1930 p. 110-111). Deutsche Schachbliitter called it a beautiful and original combination (v.19, no.8 1930 p.

144

Games this impressive game appears to lie in 13 ... 'it'g8 14.'lt1h5+ ~f6, a line mentioned first by Reinfeld who concluded optimistically after 15.~h7+ 'it'f8 16.4:le4 (16.cxd4 'lt1g6-+) 16 ... ~e5 (16 ... ~f5 17.'iifh8+ r:tJe7 18.'lt1xe8+ 'it'xe8 19.4:lxd6+ +-) 17.f4 (recommended by Nunn, who was unwilling to accept a drawish position after 17.cxd4). Lane focused only on 17.cxd4!? which leads to a relatively quick equality with 17 ... 'lt1xh2+ (17 ... 'lt1xd4 18.'lt1h8+ r:tJe7 19.Ag5+ f6 [19 ... 4:lf6 20.~xg7 Ae5 21.Eiad1 ~xb2 22.Eid2 +- ] 20.'lt1xg7+ r:tJd8 21.4:lxf6+- ) 18.'lt1xh2 Axh2+ 19.r:tJxh2 4:lf6=. After 17.f4, Reinfeld suggested that after 17 ... ~d5 18.c4! 'lt1a5 19.Ad2 White has a winning attack. Reinfeld's conclusion is correct, and indeed, White retains excellent chances after 19 ...'lt1b6 (19 ... ~c7 20.'lt1h8+ r:tJe7 21.'lt1xg7winning easily, says the original tournament bulletin).

Position after 16... 'tlh8 Gary Lane was first to observe that White is winning trivially after 16.. .'~h8 17.'iifh5+ 'it'g8 18.b3 with the unstoppable threat of 19.'iifh7+ 'it'f8 20.Aa3 "when the arrival of the bishop on a3 completes the mating net." Here are the main lines after 18.b3: (a) 18 ... Ad6 (blocks the check from a3, but enables the usual mate by occupying the d6square) 19.'~h7+ 'it'f8 20.'lt1h8+ r:tJe7 21.~xg7#; (b) 18 ... d3 19.'lt1h7+ r:tJf8 20.Aa3+ when ... Eie7 meets mate in one and ... Ad6 meets a mate in two; and (c) 18 ... Af619.~h7+ r:tJf8 20.Aa3+ when once again, there's no good way to respond. In point offact, White wins,just as convincingly, by playing 17.b3 a move earlier than recommended by Lane. Gary Lane summarized it best in 2001 (p.68): "I like to think that Colle had the last laugh since his sacrifice does work magnificently against such an obvious defense because everyone had missed b3!" Finally, in 1998, Grandmaster John Nunn, in his notes to modern edition of VukoviC's book, corrected the error (pp.139-l41).

But Reinfeld overlooked important improvements after 18 ...'lt1c6! (see diagram below) 19.~h8+ (analyzed in depth by Ottow and Bucker and then Bronznik) and 19.f5, introduced by Nunn in his notes to the 1998 edition ofVukovic's classic (Kaissiber No.3, July-September, 1977, pp55-6; Valeri Bronznik, Das Colle-Koltanowski-System pp.46-51.).

(c) The third alternative also makes good use of the b3 idea: 14 ... Axh2+ 15.'it'h14:1e516.Eixe5 Axe517.'lt1xf7+ 'it'h8 18.'lt1g6 r:tJg8 19.b3 +-. The question of the soundness ofthe sacrifice in

Position after 18... ~c6 (analyisis)

145

Sacking the Citadel Nunn's point is that after 19.fS .£lf6 (19 ... eS 20.'~hS+ ~e7 21..IlgS+ f6 22.'~xg7+ 'it'dS 23 . .£lxf6 .£lxf6 24 ..Ilxf6+ .Ile7 2S . .Ilxe7+! E!xe7 26.'li¥gS+- or 19 ... f6 20 ..Ilh6 gxh6 21..£lxd6 'li¥xd6 22.'li¥xh6+=) 20 ..£lxf6 gxf6 21..IlgS, when "White has an extremely dangerous attack." But it is precisely here, with perfect defense, that Black can achieve a draw with 21 ... 'it'e7! 22 ..Ilxf6+ ~xf6 23.'li¥h4 ~g7 (23 ... ~xfS? 24.E!f1 + ~g6 2S.'li¥g4+ ~h7 26.E!xf7++-) 24.E!e4 (24.f6+ 'it'g6 2S.E!e4 (2S.E!f1 'li¥cS 26.'li¥e4+ ~gS 27.'li¥h7 when Black must find the amazing defense 27 ... .Ilxh2+ 28.~xh2 'li¥fS=) 2S ... .Ilxh2+ 26.~xh2 eS 27.'li¥g3+ (27.E!f1 E!hS 2S.'li¥xhS 'li¥xe4 29.'li¥g7+ ~hS 30.'li¥xf7+ 'li¥g6 31.'li¥xg6+ ~xg6 32.f7 .IlfS 33.g4 ~xf7 34.E!xfS+ ~e6) 27 ... ~xf6 2S.E!f1 + ~e7 29.'li¥xeS+ .Ile6) 24 ... .IleS! 2S.E!xeS (2S.'li¥g4+ ~fS 26.E! xeS exfS +; 2S.E!g4+ ~fS 26.f6 .Ilxf6 27. 'li¥xf6 eS 2S. 'li¥g7 + 'it'e7+) 2S ... exfS 26.'li¥g3+ ~fS 27.'li¥a3+ 'it'gS 2S.'li¥g3+ 'it'h7 29.'li¥h3+ ~g7 (29 ... ~g6 is too ambitious 30.'li¥g3+ ~f6 31.E!dS E!e3 32.'li¥h4+ ~g6 33.E!dS f6 34.'li¥hS f4 3S.'li¥gS+ ~fS 36.E!dS++-) 30.'li¥g3+=.

they overlook the importance of declining the exchange with 23 ... E!fS! 24.'li¥xe6 ~b6! 24:iitxe6 'it'b6 25 ..Ilh6 E!dS 26 ..Ilg5 when Black has finally reached a dynamic equality with either 26 ... E!fS or 26 ... E!hS. We finally return to the conclusion of the actual game and the ~g6Iine!

To win, White must instead try 19.'li¥hS+ ~e7 20.'li¥xg7. Black is probably fine here with ... ~dS, but a new improvement lurks for Black with 20 ... .Ilb4 2l.f5 ~dS 22 ..Ilg5+ ~c7 23.'li¥xf7 E!fS!! 24.'li¥xe6 ~b6!, completing the king's migration to the relative safety of the queenside. Ottow and Bucker investigate the consequences of 23 ... .Ilxe1 extensively in Kaissiber No.3. Their main line is 23 ... .Ilxe1 24.E!xe1 E!fS 2S.'li¥xe6 'li¥xe6 26.fxe6 .£lb6 27.e7 E!hS 2S ..Ilf4+ ~c6 29.b4 .£lxc4 30 ..£lf6 .Ild7 (though better is 30 ... d3) 31.bS+ ±. But

146

14.h4 14.'li¥g4? fails because White cannot sustain the queen on the g-file. 14 ... fS (14 ... .£lf6 1S.'li¥xd4 eS-+) 1S.'li¥h4 E!hS (or 1S ... .£lf6). 14•.. EthS? Removing the rook from the e-file, where it is indeed needed. Far better is 14 .. .fS 1S.hS+ (The rook capture 1S.E!xe6+ no longer works, E!xe616 ..£lxe6'li¥xh4-+) 1S ... ~f6 (1S ... 'it'h6 enables 16..£lxe6+) 16.'li¥xd4+ .IleS (All of the alternatives are horrible: 16 ... ~e7 17.'li¥xg7#; 16 ... .£leS 17.f4+-; 16 ... eS 17.'li¥xd6+ E!e6 1S.'li¥xe6#). After 16 ... .IleS, Vukovi6 recommended 17.E!xeS but Nunn improved with 17.'li¥h4! 'li¥aS (or 17 ... 'li¥c71S.f4) 1S.b4! 'li¥a4 19.E!xeS +since 19 ... ~xeS meets 'li¥d4#. 8 7

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15.Etxe6+ This nice additional rook sacrifice locked in the brilliancy prize.15 ... 4)f6 If Black accepts the sacrifice with 1S .. .fxe6 White has a forced mate with 16.'li¥d3+ when (a) 16 ... 'it'hS 17.g4+ 'it'xg4 (17 ... 'it'xh4 1S.'li¥h3#) 1S.'li¥f3+ 'it'xh419.'li¥h3#; (b) 16 ... 'it'f6

Games 17.iH3+ ~g6 18.i,1[7+ ~h6 19AJxe6+ +-; and (c) 16 ... ~h6 17.<£Jxe6++-=. 16.h5+
(63) Ahues - Winter Scarborough 1930 Slav Defense [048] 1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.e3 4)f6 4.4)e3 e6 5.Ad3 4)bd7 6.4)f3 dxe4 7.Axe4 b5 8.Ad3 a6 9.a4 Ab7 10.~e2 b4 1l.4)e4 e5 12.4) xe5 4) xe513.dxe5 Axe514.e4 0--015.0--0 a516.e5 4)d7

abcdefgh

White relies on the dark-square bishop and the e5-pawn as additional assets, and the rooks are also ready to occupy the central files. This is an instructive example in which ~g6 is far superior to ~g8. Winter defending correctly with ~g6 but misses a powerful shot on move 21. After ~g6, White could have improved with 19.h4 with a small advantage. The line with 19.Eldl is also interesting but provides a less compelling advantage. 17.Axh7+
20.<£Jxe4+- with ideas like Elfdl, Jlg5, and <£Jf6; (b )19 ... <£Jf6 (sacrificing the knight in order to place the queen on d3) 20.exf6 ~d3 but the advanced pawn is ferocious: 21.fxg7 ~xg7 22.<£Jxe6+ fxe6 23.Jlh6+ +- ; and (c) 19... Ele8 with the usual mate in five: 20.~xf7+ r,t>h8 21.~h5+ r,t>g8 22.~h7+ ~f8 23.~h8+ r,t>e7 24.~xg7#. 19.~d3+ 19.h4! is often a good alternative when White has a rook on hI, but it can also work well even when the king is castled and the opponent's Elf8 can reach h8 with an anchor. The advance helps to anchor the <£Jg5, it threatens h5+, and can enable ~g4 when .. .f5 or <£Jxe5 will meet h5+. Black has two primary responses: (a) 19 ... <£Jxe5! 20.~xe5 ~d4 (20 ... ~d5 21.~g3+-) 21.h5+ r,t>xh5 (21...r,t>h6 22.<£Jxe6+ +- ) 22.~h2+ r,t>g6 (22 ... ~g4 23. ~h3 #) 23.Jle3 ~g4 24.Jlxc5 ~xg5 25.Jlxf8 Elxf8 26.Elac1 ±; and (b) 19 ... Elh8 20.~c2+ f5 21.exf6 r,t>xf6 22.Elel e5 23.<£Je4+ Jlxe4 24.Jlg5+ ~e6 25.~xe4 with a winning attack. 19.~g4? fails because 19 ... <£Jxe5 wins a tempo and covers g4, 20. ~g3 ~d3, and also supports the queen on d3, 21. ~xe5 Jld622.~b5~d5-+.19.Eldl is a rare but attractive possibility here. 19 ... ~e7 20.~d3+. The queen now arrives with check and a second attack upon d7. 20 .. .f5 21.exf6+ r,t>xf6 22.~xd7 Elad8 23.~xe7+ ~xe7 24.Jle3 and chances are only even, but the maneuver creates a favorable impression. 19 •••f5 Forced, since both king retreats are quickly mated: 19 ... r,t>h6 20.~h7#; 19 ... r,t>h5 20.~h7+ r,t>g4 21.h3#. 20. ~g3 The two main alternatives both result in the win of an exchange, but it is rare that an exchange will improve the attacker's chances. After 20.<£Jxe6 ~e7 21.<£Jxf8+ Elxf8, chances are roughly equal. After 20.exf6+ ~xf6 21.Elel

147

Sacking the Citadel .1ld5 White can win the exchange with 22.~h7+ ~f7 23.~xfB AxfB-+ or enter a perpetual with 23.~g5+. 20•••"/te7 21.~dl White dare not accept the exchange after 21.~xe6+ ~f7 as 22.~g5+ gives Black a chance to run with 22 ... ~e8. 2l ••• ~ad8? Winter misses an opportunity to seize the initiative with a sacrifice on f2: 21...Axf2+!. Regardless of how White recaptures, Black will be able to capture the e5-pawn and to delay or prevent the discovered check. (a) 22:i!i'xf2 ~xe5 23.'~g3 f4 24.11.xf4 §xf4 (remarkably, the threat of §g4 prevents most discovered checks and Black also has the threat of~xg5) 25.~f3+ ~f5 26.~d4+ §xd4 27.§xd4 ~g5 28.§f1 + ~g6~ when Black's position is active and with a small material advantage; or (b) 22.'~xf2 ~c5+ (the exposure of the king makes possible the capture of the e5-pawn with check) 23.~e1 (if White tries for more with 23.~f1 Black's pieces come alive: 23 ... ~a6+ 24.~e1 f4 25.~xf4 ~gl+ 26.~d2 ~d4+-+) 23 ... ~xe5+ 24.~xe5 ~xe5 25.~xe6 §fc8 26.Ae3 ~g4 27.~f4+ ~h7+ when the exposure of the white king ironically gives Black all the attacking chances. 22.~ xe6+ +~h7 23.~xd8 ~xd8 24.j'tg5 j'txf2+ 25.~xf2"/tc5+ 26."/te31--O (64) Yates - Marin y L1ovet, Hamburg 1930 French Defense [CI4] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4.j'tg5 J1e7 5.e5 ~e4 6.J1xe7"/txe7 7.j'td3 ~ xc3 8.bxc3 c5 9."/tg4 0--0 10.~f3 c4

8 7

6

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3 2

abc

d e

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g h

Another Greco miniature, which succeeds with only one additional asset, the secure e5-pawn, although the kings ide pawns contribute to two mating nets. Had the game continued, White had a very simple win by playing ~h5 before ~g5. I have included the line with 12.~g5 first because the mating nets after ~g6 and especially ~h6 are enlightening. 1l.j'txh7+ 1-0 The most accurate course is to play 'i!:i'h5 first, limiting Black's options. After 11...~xh7 12.~h5+ ~g8 13.~g5+­

Black would have to play 13 ... ~xg5 to preventmate.12.~g5+~g813.~h5+­

transposes. After 12 ... ~h6 13.~h4+ ~g614.~h7+ (White gets a mating attack by sacrificing the ~g5) 14 ... ~xg5 15.f4+ ~xf4 16.~h5 +- with §f1 + to follow. With the queen already on g4, 12 ... ~g6 steps into an immediate discovery, 13.~xe6+. It's mate in four: 13 ... ~h6 14.~xg7+ ~h5 15.'~h7+ ~g4 16.f3*. (65) Alekhine - Asgeirsson Reyigavik simul. exhibition 1931 French Defense [CI4] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4.j'tg5 .1l,e7 5.j'txf6 j'txf6 6.~f3 0-0 7 •.1l,d3 ~e8 8.e5 j'te7 9.h4 c5

148

Games

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An exciting game against the champion of Iceland that relies on three assets, the .£lc3, the secure e5-pawn, and the h4-pawn. Relying perhaps on the f8 escape square, Alekhine's opponent instead selects ~g8 and must then exchange on g5, opening the h-file. The world champion provides a demonstration of how to convert a large advantage in development into a murderous attack. The complex lines involve wonderful sacrifices on the d5-square that are well worth a long look. 10.j}.xh7+1
12.~h5 j}.xg5 On 12 ... Jlf6, 13.~xf7+ 'it'h8 14.exf6 ~xf6 15.~xe8++-. 13.hxg5
149

Sacking the Citadel 22.4Jb5+ ~d7 23.4Jd6+-. In the line above with 16 ... cxd4, Vukovic recommended only 19.fig4 vtJe7 (19 ... vtJb6 20.f4 vtJe3+ 21.~bl 4Jd4~) 20.fixg7 b6 when, according to Vukovic, Black is fine here owing to counterplay with 4Jd4, fiacB, and vtJc5, but White is easily winning with 21.fidl 4JdB 22.vtJg4 ~c6 23.vtJd4 fibB 24.vtJa4+ ~b7 25.4Jb5 ~aB 26.4Jd6 4Jxf7 27.fid3 a5 28.fif3 +-. 17.dxc5 Alekhine: "threatening 4Je4." 17•• .Jdd7 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

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18.Elxd5! +- ~a5 The rook is poison. IB ... exd5 19.4Jxd5+ ~e6 20.4Jf4+ ~e7 21.vtJf5! placing a queen rather than a pawn on e6 (Alekhine recommended 21.e6 4Jf6 22.vtJe5 +-) 21...fixf7 22. vtJe6+ ~f8 23.fihB #. 19. ~g5+ ~xf7 20.Elh7 Elg8 21.Eld4 Avoiding a tragic mistake, 21.fi xd7 + ~xd7 22.4Je4 i;¥el #. 21 ••. ~xc5 22.Elxd7+ -'lxd7 23.~e4 ~b4 24.~d6+ ~f8 25.~f6+ gxf6 26.Elf7# 1--0

8

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Down two pawns and with a collapsing center, White lashes out desperately with the Greco Sacrifice that can count only on the unanchored 4Jd6 as an additional asset. ~gB is safest because the white queen cannot reach h5. With a trapped knight on d6, White has no choice but to play 4JxcB, exchanging a key piece for Black's customarily bad bishop and leaving White with insufficient forces for a meaningful attack. 15..Q.xh7+? ~xh716.~g5+ ~g8! In firm control, Black is winning after 16 ... ~g6 and even after 16 ... ~hB. 17.Elxf8+ ~xf8 18.~xc8 Elxc8 19.Elf1 ~e7 -+ 20.h4 Elf8 21.Elxf8+ ~xf8 22. ~f4+ ~e8 0-1

(67) Gonzalez Rojo - Brunner Mexico City 1932 Queen's Pawn Game [DOS] l.d4 ~f6 2.~f3 e6 3.~bd2 d5 4.e3 c5 5.c3 ~c6 6 ..Q.d3 ~b6 7. ~e2 .Q.d6 8.0--0 0--0 9.e4 .Q.f4 10.dxc5 ~xc511.e5 .Q.xd212.-'lxd2 ~d7 (D)

(66) Asztalos - Spielmann Bled 1931 French Defense [C 14]

White initiates the sacrifice relying upon two additional assets, the darksquare bishop and the e5-pawn. Black defends instead with r.t>g6, when vtJd3+is more accurate than i;¥g4. After15 ... i;¥g4, Black can capture the

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4 •.Q.g5 .Q.e7 5.e5 ~fd7 6 . .Q.xe7 ~xe7 7. ~d2 0--0 8.f4c5 9.~b5 a610.~d6 cxd411.~f3 ~c612 •.Q.d3 f613.0Ofxe514.fxe5 ~dxe5

150

Games

abcdefgh

e5-pawn with tempo, and after 15.'~d3 f5 White need not play 16.'~g3 but has the option of 16.exf6+ and capturing on e6 with the lLlg5. 13.Axh7+! 'it'xh7 14.~g5+ 'it'g6 The <;!tgS line does not lead to mate because the black queen has vacated the dS-square. Nonetheless, it leads quickly to the loss of the .§eS. 14 ... <;!tgS15.'~'h5 .§eS16.~xt7+ <;!thS 17.1.te3 or .§ael-e3, or simply ~xeS. The <;!th6 line walks into a discovered check, but it's often best to look for more. 14 ... <;!th615.~g4 aiming at a quick mate after 14 ... lLlxe6+ 15 ... .§hS 16.lLlxe6++- .15.'~d3+ Here, 15:~'d3+ is more accurate because after 15.~g4 and 15.h4, Black gains the option of playing lLlxe5. (a) 15.h4lLldxe5 when the king can escape to e7; and (b) 15.~g4 f5 (15 ... lLldxe5 16.~g3 ~e7 17.lLlxe6+ <;!tf61S.lLld4+- with the idea of 1.tg5) 16.~g3 (16.exf6lLlxf617.~g3 ~e7 lS.lLlxe6+ <;!tt7 19.1LlxfS ~xfS±) when White may have to settle for the win of the exchange. 15...f5After ... f5, in the ~g4 line, White would have to retreat the queen to g3. White now gains the interesting option of playing 16.lLlxe6. On 15 ... 'it'h5 16.~h7+ <;!tg4 17.~h3# and 15 ... <;!th6 meets

~e7 17 ..§ael .§hS lS.lLlxe6+ <;!th719.lLlc7'§b8±.16... ~e717.4)f4+ Better is consolidation with 17.lLlxf8+ lLlxfS lS.f4±. 17... 'it'h7 Not 17 ... 'it't7 lS.e6+. lS.e6 White overlooks lS.~h3+! <;!tgS 19.1Llg6 ~e6 20.~hS+ <;!tt7 21.lLlxfSlLlxfS 22.f4 ±. lS ... 4)de5 19.~h3+ 'it'gS 20.~xd5 ~xe6?! Missing 20 ... ~d6! -+. 21.4)e7 ~d6 22.~ xaS ~xd2 23.f4 ~g4 24. ~f3 .§eS 25..§adl ~e3+ 26.~xe3 .§xe3 The tempting 26 ... lLlxe3 does not win an exchange because of the pin on the .§eS 27.'§del .§e4. 27 . .§fel 'it'f7 2S.~e7 .§xel+ 29 . .§xel Ad7 30.~b5 b6 31.~d6+ ~S 32.h3 ~f6 33.'it'f2 4)e7 34.e4 4)eS 35.~xeS AxeS 36..§e3 ~e4+ 37.'it'e2 'it'e7 3S..§a3 a6 39..§b3 b5 4O.exb5 axb5 41.'it'e3 Ad7 42.'it'd4 'it'd6 43..§a3 ~e5 44 . .§a7 Ae6 45 . .§f7 j},xg2 46..§xf5 ~e6+ 47.'it'e3 'it'e6 4s.h4 Ah3 49 . .§f7 'it'e5 50.'it'e4 'it'd6 51.f51-O

(68) Dus Chotimirsky - Sergeev Moscow 1932 Torre Attack [A47] 1.d4 ~f6 2.~f3 e6 3.Ag5 e5 4.e3 b6 5.j},d3 j},b7 6.~bd2 Ae7 7.e3 ~e7 S. ~e2 d5 9.0--0 0--0 10.e4 dxe4 11.~xe4 ~xe4 12.j},xe4 j},d6 13.dxe5 j},xe514..§fdl.§e815.Af4 ~c8 8

7

6

5 4

16.~h7#.16.~xe6Morethematicand

3

much stronger is the en passant capture followed by a rook to the e-file: 16.exf6+ 'it'xf6 17 . .§ael lLlde5 lS.~g3+- Less impressive is 16.~g3

2

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Sacking the Citadel White has a much easier advantage with 16.4Je5 or even 16.4Jg5 but sacrifices instead, relying upon the darksquare bishop on f4 and the §dl as additional assets. The best defense, ~g6, leads to even position with best play and offers insight into one difference between ~d3+ and ~g4, when the king retreats to f6. In the game, Black fails to defend correctly with lS .. .f5 and loses quickly. 16.-'lxh7+ ~xh7 17.Jilg5+ ~g61 Remarkably, in the ~gS line, Black, with an extra tempo thanks to the §eS, has no useful way to defend the f7 -pawn. 17 ... ~gS 18. ~h5 4Jd7 19.~xf7+ ~hS 20.~h5+ 'it'gS. There's no mate in five because the black queen is off d8, but there is a mate in eight, 21.~h7+ 'it'fS 22.~hS+ ~e7 23.~xg7+. Relying on the §dS to cover the d6 escape square and to the pin the 4Jd7. 23 ... ~dS 24.4Jf7+ 'it'e7 25.Ag5+ 4Jf6 26.4Je5 #. 17 ... ~h6 permitting a double discovered check. lS.4Jxf7+ 'it'g6 19.4Je5+ ~h7 (19 ... ~f6 20.Ag5+ ~xg5 21.~g4+ ~f6 22.~f4+ 'it'e7 23.~f7# or 23.4Jg6#) 20.~h5+ ~gS 21.~f7+ ~h7. (the rook swing delivers the final blow) 22.§d3+-. 18.~g4 lS.~d3+ transposes to a possible game continuation after lS ... f5 19.~g3 although Black can err with lS ... ~f6 19.4Jh7+ ~e7 20.Ad6+ ~dS 21.AxbS+ +-. White's best play here is lS.h4! with the possibility of a quick h4-h5 and, if possible, to respond to 19.~g4 f5 with 20.h5. After 18.h4 e5, White can continue with 19 .h5+, flushing the king into significant pressure: (a) 19 ... ~f6 20.4Jh7+ ~f5 (the alternatives are bombed: 20 ... 'it'e7 21.~xe5+ ~e6 22.~c7++- and 20 ... ~e6 21.~xe5#) 21.~d3+ ~e6 (21...~xf4 22.~g3+ ~f5 23.~h3+ ~f4

(23 ... ~e4

24.~f3#)

152

24.g3+ 'it'f3 (24 ... 'it'e4 25.4Jg5#) 25.4Jg5+ ~e2 26.~fl#) 22.§el+-; (b) 19 ... ~f5 20.g4+ 'it'f6 (20 ... ~xf4 21.4Jh3#) 21.4Jh7+ 'it'e7 (21...~e6 22.~xe5#) 22.~xe5+ ~e6 23.~c7+

4Jd7 24.§xd7+ ~xd7 25.§el + +-; and (c) 19 ... ~h6 20.~d3 g6 21.4Jxf7+ ~xh5 (21...'it'g7 22.~xg6+ 'it'fS 23.Ah6+ 'it'e7 24.Ag5+ 'it'fS 25.~h6+ ~gS [25 ... 'it'xf7 26.~h7+ 'it'fS 27.Ah6#] 26.~hS+ 'it'xf7 27.~h7+ ~fS [27 ... 'it'e6 28. ~g6 #] 2S.Ah6 #) 22.4Jxe5 §xe5 23.Axe5 ±. If Black defends instead with IS ... §hS 19.~d3+ f5 20.§el §eS 21.h5+ 'it'f6 (21...~xh5 22.4Jxe6+-) 22.~g3+-. ~g4 gives Black an additional option with ... 18... -'lxf2+ Black returns the material but gets in return only a single check. No better is the effort to safeguard the king with 18. .. ~f619.4Jh7+ 'it'e7 which leads straight into a mate in two: 20.~g5+ f6 21.'i;1xg7#. To survive, Black needed patiently to develop with lS .. .f5! 19.~g3 4Jd7 when, after 20.b4 there are three interesting options: (a) 20 ... AfS! When White can only win back an exchange, 21.4Jxe6+ 'it'f7 22.4Jc7 4Jf6 23.4JxeS 'i;1xeS=; (b) 20 ... Axf2+ is better here rather than in the game position, but White can wind his way to an advantage with 21.'it'xf2 (not 21.~xf2 e5+=) 21...4Jf6 22.~e5 4Jg4+ 23.'it'gl 4Jxe5 24.~xe5 ~c6 25.4Jf3 §acS 26.'i;1g3+ 'it'h7 27.§ac1 e5 28.'i;1h3+ 'it'gS 29.~xf5 §fS~; and (c) 20 ... Ae7 by contrast encourages a series of sacrifices that net the black queen, 21.4Jxe6+ 'it'f7 22.§xd7! ~xd7 23.~xg7+ ~xe6 24.§e1 + ~e4 25.§xe4+! fxe4 26.'i;1g4+ +-. 19.~xf2 ~c5+ 20 ..§d4 ~f5 21. ~h4 Jilc6 22.g4 ~c2+ 23 ..§d2 .§li8 24.Jilh7 (With mate soon on g5) 1-0

Games (69) Koshnitsky - Purdy Sydney 1932 Queen's Pawn Game [D05]

(24.
~h4

[24 ... g5

25.~h7#]

25.~h7#)24 ... ~xg5 25.~f5#.

Black's only chance to survive, if barely, was 22 ... .llxg2+! 23.~xg2 ~g3+ 24.~xg3 Axg3 25.~xg3 ~xg5 26.~xf7±when White will soon win another pawn but the black rooks are active.

l.d4 Jilf6 2.Jilf3 d5 3.e3 c5 4.c3 Jil bd7 5.Jil bd2 t:/c7 6.Ad3 e5 7.e4 c4 8.Ac2 Ad6 9.exd5 0-0 10.dxe5 Jilxe5 1l.h3 b5 12.Jilxe5 Axe5 13.Jilf3 Ab714.0-0 Etad815.t:/e2 Etfe816.Ae3 Jilxd517.EtaelJilxe3 18.fxe3j},g3

(70) Wilke - Priwonitz Hamburg 1933 French Defense [COO] l.c4 e6 2.e4 d5 3.cxd5 exd5 4.exd5 Jilf6 5.Ab5+ Ad7 6.Ac4 Ae7 7.Jilc3 0-0 8.Jilge2 Ad6 9.0-0

8

7 1f-~~lIiIIi

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

In an open board, White can count only upon the ~f1 as an additional asset. Black permits White to use the open board, notably the open f-file with ~g4 and later ~f5+. 19.Axh7+? ~xh7 20.Jilg5+ ~g6? Black succeeds in the ~g8 line because Ad5 overprotects the f7-square and secures the king's escape via f8 and e7. 20 ... ~g8! 21.~h5 .lld5-+ 22.~h7+ ~f8 23.~h8+ ~e7 24.~xg7 .llxel-+. In the ~g6 line, Black would have to give up his queen to stal\ the mate in the corner. After 20 ... ~h6, 21.
abc

d e

f

g

h

Black initiates the sacrifice relying upon the light-square bishop and possible activity from ~f8-e8. Black succeeds in the ~glline quickly, although with the
153

Sacking the Citadel 12.§.e1 ~xf2+! The king's ability to escape to d3 makes 12 ... ~h2+ much less accurate, 13.'~f1 ~h1 + 14 ..:£lgl .:£lh2+ 15.~e2 ~xg2 16.~d3+. 13.Cit>h1 §.eS! With the idea of .§.e5h5. 14.d4 §.e3! 15.-'l.d2 Capturing on e3 with 15.Axe3 simply brings the knight to e3 where it hits the queen and threatens mate on g2.15 ... .:£lxe3 16..:£lf4 (16 ..§.gl ~h4#) 16 ....:£lxd1-+. Defending with 15 ..:£lgl ~h4+ 16..:£lh3 simply encourages an easy rook sacrifice with 16 ... .§.xh3+ 17.gxh3 ~xh3+-+. 15••• §.h3+ 16.gxh3 ~h2# 0-1

dark-square bishop, White aims to play ~g4-h4. Here, White is a full tempo ahead in that line: 13 ... ~h6 14.~h4+ (or 14.f4 .:£lxe515.~h3+ ~g616.~h7+ ~f617.fxe5+ transposing to the following line) 14 ... ~g615.f4 .:£lxe516.~h7+ ~f6 17.fxe5+ when Black has (a) 17 ... ~e7 18.~xg7 +- with the idea of .:£lh7; (b) 17 ... ~xe5 18.~xg7+ ~d6 19 ..:£lxt7 + +- with a significant material advantage; and (c) 17 ... ~xg5 once again, taking the knight is fraught with danger as White can bring a rook into the fight. 18.~xg7+ when all continuations win quickly for White: (1) 18...~h4 19.~h6+ ~g4 20.h3+ ~g3 (20 ... ~f5 21..§.f1 + ~xe5 22.~f4#) 21.~f1 +-; (2) 18 ... ~f4 19.~g3+ ~f5 20 ..§.f1 + Af2+ 21..§.xf2#; (3) 18. .. ~f519.'§'f1+ Af2+ 20 ..§.xf2#; and (4) 18... ~h519.h4 f5 20.g4+ fxg4 21.~h7#. With the queen already on g4, 13 ... ~g6? invites 14 ..:£lxe6+ +-. 14.~h5 §.eS Only Axf2+ and ~xg5 delay the end. 15.~xf7+ Cit>hS 16.~h5+ Cit>gS 17.~h7+ Cit>fS1S.~hS+ 1--0 It's mate after 18 ... ~e719.~xg7#.

(71) Razinger - Harum Ebensee 1933 French Defense [Cll] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . .£lc3 .£lf6 4.e5 .£lfd7 5.-'l.e3 c5 6. ~g4 cxd4 7.-'l.xd4 .£lc6 S . .£lf3 .£lxd4 9.~xd4 -'l.c5 10.~g4 0-0 1l.-'l.d3 a6 8

7

6

(72) Alekhine - Schuman Washington DC simul. exhibition 1933 French Defense [C 10]

5 4

3 2

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . .£lc3 .£lf6 4.-'l.g5 -'l.e7 5.-'l.xf6 -'l.xf6 6 ..£lf3 .£lc6 7.e5 -'l.e7 S.-'l.d3 0-0 9.h4 f6

abcdefgh

White can rely upon two additional assets, the .:£lc3 and the e5-pawn, but the real story here is that with the queen on g4, White ought to have followed the sacrifice with 13.~h5 eliminating even the possibility of the ~h6 and ~g6 lines. 12.-'l.xh7+! Cit>xh7 13. .£lg5+ 13.~h5+! eliminates responses other than ... ~g8.13 ••. Cit>gS Normally, in the ~h6 line, when White does not have a

154

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Games For the second time in this chapter (see game 54), Alekhine sacrifices with a black pawn -on f6. In an exhibition of this kind, without the time for intense calculation, the sacrifice was almost certainly based on intuition and confidence in his ability in such complex, tactical positions. To be sure, he outplays his opponent, but despite the presence of three additional assets, the e5-pawn, the 4Jc3, and the h4-pawn, the analysis shows that every main variation contained a path for Black to gain the advantage. Black himself has a counter-attack on the e5-pawn and the open f-file on which to rely. Note, in particular, that Black could simply have taken the 4Jg5 and then used the open f-file after '
155

13.g6 with the threat of l".lhB (playing 13.'l;l'h5 first doesn't help: 13 ... l".lf5 14.'l;l'hB+ ~f7 15.'l;l'h5+ g6 16.'l;l'h7+ ~eB 17.'l;l'xg6+ ~d7 IB.4Jxd5 l".lxg5-+ ) and once again, Black can use the open f-file to defend with 13 ... l".lf5 14.g4 l".lf4-+. 12.exf6 The obvious 12.'l;l'h5? fails to fxg5 13.hxg5 l".lf5-+ when the g-pawn will fall and White's attack peters out. 12... §.xf6 13.~h5 §.h614.~+ IiIlh815.0-0-0 .11,xg5+ White will not be able to break through or recover his material after 15 .. .M6! -+ . 16.hxg5 ~xg5+ 17.f4 ~e7 Black is better after the more aggressive is 17 ... 'l;l'f5+.18.~g6 §.xhI19.§.xhl+ IiIlg8 20.~b5 §.b8 21.~xc7 .11,d7 Avoiding 21...'l;l'xc7 22.'l;l'eB#. 22.f5 There's nothing more than a perpetual check for White after 22.'l;l'h7+ 'it'fB 23.~hB+ 'it'f7 24.'l;l'h5+ 'it'fB 25.~hB+=. 22 ... §.c8? A careless mistake. Black is better and probably winning after 22 ... ~f6 23.'l;l'h7+ '
(73) Norcia - Fine Folkestone 1933 French Defense [CI4]

Reuben Fine (1914-1993) was one of the strongest grandmasters during the 1930s and 1940s. He won the U.S. Open

Sacking the Citadel Championship all seven times he played, won five medals representing the United States in the Olympiads, and wrote several books on chess, notably the classic Basic Chess Endings. In 1938, Fine tied for first place with Paul Keres in one of the strongest toumamentseverheld, theAVROtoumamentin the Netherlands. Invited to compete for the world chess championship after the death ofAlekhine, Fine declined his invitation to pursue a career in psychology. l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . .£)c3 .£)f6 4.-'lg5 -'l.e7 5.e5 .£)fd7 6.-'l.xe7 ~xe7 7.~d2 0-0 S.f4 c5 9.dxc5 .£)c6 10.,£)0 a611 ..£)a4 .£)xc512..£)xc5 ~xc513.-'ld3 -'ld714.~f2 ~b4+ 15.~d2 ~xb216.0--0 ~a317.~e3 ~e7 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White can rely upon two additional assets, the e5-pawn and the fif1, but Fine defends precisely, selecting the ~g8 line because the white queen can attack h7 only from d3 or h3 where it exerts no influence over f7. As a result, Black can essentially make two moves, a rook move to vacate f8 for his king and 4Jd8 to defend f7. And Black can gain time with 'li{c5+ in order to vacate the e7 escape square. IS.-'lxh7+ Ii!Ixh719..£)g5+ Ii!IgSI With the queen

already on the third rank, the 'i!th6 line walks into a mate in two: 19 ... 'i!th6 20.'li{h3+ ~g6 21.'li{h7#. 19 ... 'i!tg6 20.'li{g3 when Black gives up only an exchange after 20 ... f6 21.4Jxe6+ 'i!th7 (21...~f7? 22.'li{xg7+ 'i!txe6 23.f5+ ~xe5 24.fiael++-) 22.4Jxf8+ fixf8~. 20.~d3+ (eliminating even the possibility of .. .f6) 20 .. .f5 21.'li{g3 but even here, Black's counter-attack on the e5pawn is effective. 21...4Jxe5 22.4Jxe6+ 4Jg4 23.4Jxf8+ (White wins back an exchange, but nothing more) 23 ... fixf8 24.h3 (hoping to win the knight, but...) 24 ... 'li{e3+ 25.~xe3 4Jxe3-+. 20.~h3 Arriving on the h-file on h3 where the queen does not exert pressure upon f7. 20 ..• ~c5+ A key check that vacates the e7 escape-square. 21.li!Ihl E!fcS 22. ~h5 White cannot break through with 22.~h7+ 'i!tf8 23.'li{h8+ 'i!te7 24.~xg7 fif8 25.'li{f6 'i!te8+. 22 ••• .£)dS White's loss of time permits Black to cover the f7-square. 23.~h7+ Ii!IfS 24.~hS+ li!Ie725.~xg7 -'lb5 26.c4 -'l.xc4 27.E!ac1li!1d7 Black is also winning after 27 ... .llxfl 28.fixc5 fixc5-+ or simply 27 ... 'li{e3 -+. 2S.f5 ~e7 29.f6 ~e8 30.E!fel-'ld3 31.h4-'lg6 32.g4 E!xc1 33.E!xcl E!cS 34.E!el E!c4 35.E!gl .£)c6 36.h5 -'l.e4+ 37.li!Ih2 .£)xe5 3S.li!Ih3 -'l.f3 39•.£)xO .£)xO 40.E!g3 .£)e5 41.g5 Ii!Ic7 42.g6 ~a4 43.gxf7 E!h4+ 44.li!Ig2 ~xa2+ 45.li!Igl ~h2+ 46.li!Ifl E!f4+ 0-1 (74) Spielmann - Rubinstein,S Vienna 1933 Queen's Gambit Declined [D55] l.d4.£)f62c4e63..£)c3d54..£)f3-'l.e7 5.-'l.g5 0-0 6.e3 b6 7.-'l.d3 -'l.b78.-'l.xf6 -'l.xf69.cxd5exd510.h4c5

156

Games .llg716.§h7 when to prevail, White will need to 0-0-0 and then play either §dh1h4 or e4 blowing up the center. Best appears to be 14 ... 'it'g7 when 1S.4Je6 fxe6 16.'iil'xg6+ 'it'h8 17.'iil'h6+ 'it'g8 18.'iil'g7 .llg7 19.h6 'iil'f6 and 1S.hxg6 §h8 16.§h7+ §xh7 17.4Jxh7 fxg6 18.4Jxf6 'iil'xf6 -+ do not provide White with an advantage. 15.hxg6+ Iit'g7 16.gh7+ Iit'f6 Avoiding 16 ... 'it'g8? 17.gxf7+ §xf718.'iil'g6+ 'it'f819.'iil'xf7#. 17.0--0--0 Even after an awkward move order with 17.f4 'it'e6 18.gxf7 .llf6 + White has chances by pushing the kingside pawns. 17...c4 With the aim of sealing the queenside as a new home for the king. 18. ~e2 White must counter with e4 in the center. 18.•• lit'e7 19.f4 Af6 20.e4 dxe4 21.4) xe4lit'd7 22.d5 4)a6 Playing 22 ... bS opens c5 for the knight. 23.g7 gg8 24.gh6 Axg7 25.gd6+ Iit'c7 26. ~xc4+ Iit'bS 27.gxdS+ gxdS 28.lit'bl4)c7 29.d6 With superior development and central control, and with the §a8 out of play, White is winning. 29 ... 4)e6 30.f5 j'txe4+ 31.~xe4 4)c5 32.~c6 gc8 33.~d5 gdS 34.~xf7 gd7 35.~g8+ Iit'b7 36. ~d5+ Iit'b8 37. ~c6 a5 38.~xb6+ 4)b7 39.~c6 gd8 4O.~c7+ lit'a71--O

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

White initiates the sacrifice here relying upon the 4Jc3 and the h-pawn as additional assets. The sacrifice is complex because Black has 'it'h6, which saves a key tempo over the 'it'g6 'iil'd3+ line. Without a dark-square bishop, and with the pawn on h4, White cannot play 'iil'g4-h4 and must therefore settle for 'iil'd3 with the idea of'iil'h7. The defense is extremely difficult, and Rubenstein nearly rises to the task. 1l.j'txh7+!? Iit'xh712J~)g5+ Iit'h6! The 'it'g8lines loses because the black .llb7 is unanchored. 12 ... 'it'g8 13.'iil'hS §e8 (13 ... .llxgS14.hxgS fS1S.g6) 14.'iil'xf7+ 'it'h8 1S.'iil'xb7+-. 'it'g6loses because the .llf6 prevents Black from defending with fS. 12 ... 'it'g6 13.'iil'd3+ 'it'hS (13 ... 'it'h6 14.'iil'h7#) 14.g4+ 'it'xg4 (14 ... 'it'h6 1S.'iil'h7#) 1S.§g1+ 'it'hS (1S ... 'it'xh416.'iil'h7#) 16.'iil'h7# . .llxgS also leads to quick mating nets. 12 ... .llxgS 13.hxgS+ 'it'g8 (13 ... 'it'g6 14.'iil'hS+ 'it'fS 1S.'iil'h3+ 'it'xgS [1S ... 'it'g6 16.'iil'h7+ 'it'xgS 17.§hS+ 'it'f6 18.§eS+-] 16.'iil'hS+ 'it'f6 17.'iil'eS+ 'it'g6 18.4Je2+-) 14.'iil'hS fS 1S.g6+-. 13.~d3 g6 14.h5 j'txg5 The key position. Capturing with king, despite the computer's optimism, is almost certainly unsound but is an excellent practical move.14 ... 'it'xgS!? 1S.hxg6

(75) Ninic - Mihajlovic Belgrade 1933 Slav Defense [D30] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 e6 4.4)f3 4)f6 5.a3 Ad6 6.4)c3 0-0 7.c5 Ac7 8.Ad3 4)bd7 9.0-0 e510.dxe5 4)xe5 1l.4)xe5 Axe512.Ad2 (D) Black relies here upon the light-square bishop and the possibility of §e8 as additional assets. The defender correctly plays 'it'g3 which should have

157

Sacking the Citadel (76) Skalicka - Koska Prague 1935 Bird's Opening [A03]

8

7

6

1.f4 d5 2.e3 g6 3..£lf3 .1lg7 4 ..£lc3 c5 5.Ae2 .£lc6 6.0-0 .£lh6 7.-'\.b5 0-0 8.d3 d4 9 . .£le4 dxe3 10.c3 ~b6 1l.Aa4 c412.d4 e5 13.fxe5 .£lxe5 14..£lxe5 Axe515.-'\.xe3

5 4

3 2

W"""'~ ... ... "-c....J."..~"'-...~

abc

d

e

f

g

h

defended successfully in large part because after ~g5 f4, the queen cannot safely sustain the attack from g6. 12.••Axh2+ 13.~xh2 .£lg4+ 14.~g3 The <;!tgl line fails to the usual mate in five. 14.c;t>gl ~h4 15.§el ~xf2+ 16.<;!thl ~h4+ 17.c;t>gl ~h2+ 18.<;!tfl ~h1 + 19.<;!te2 ~xg2 "" 14 ... h5 14 ... ~g5 15.f4+- because the queen cannot retreat to g6. 15.Ethl! +- d4 16.exd4 ~xd4 17.Ae3 ~e5+ 18.Af4 ~xc519.~c2? Black's attacking chances end after either 19A:Je4+-or 19.~d2+-. 19 ... g5 20.Ae3 ~d6+ 21.~f3 Ete8 22.g3? Much better is 22.4Je4±. 22 ... ~f6+ Missing a sweet finale with 22 ... §xe3+! 23.fxe3 ~f6+ 24.<;!te2 ~f2+ 25.<;!td1 4Jxe3+ -+. 23. ~g2 Et xe3 24.Ae4 ~e5 25.Etxh5 Best is 25.M3 when, to maintain an edge, Black would have to try 25 ... h4. 25 ... Etxg3+! 26.~f1 Not 26.fxg3 4Je3+ -+. 26 ... .£lf6 Better is 26 ... ~f4 with the threat of ... 4Je3+. 27.Eth1 Ah3+ 28.~e2 Ag4+ The quickest end is 28 ... §xc3 29.bxc3 .llf5 30.f4 ~e6-+. 29.~d2 ~f4+ 30.~e1 Etxc3! 31.Ah7+ ~g7 32. ~xc3 Ete8+ 33.~1 Ae2+ 34.~g1 ~g4+ 35.~g3 .£lxh7 36.~xg4 Axg4 37.~h2 Ete2 38.~g3 Ae6 39.h4 .£lf6 4O.f3 ~g6 41.f4 .£lh5+ 42.~f3 .£lxf443.Ethg1 -'\.d5+ 44. ~g4 Ete3 0-1

abcdefgh

The sacrifice relies here upon one additional asset, the light-square bishop, although the black knight arrives on g4 ready to capture the unanchored .lle3. This is the first recorded game in which the defending side sacrifices the queen to capture the 4Jg4 (or 4Jg5). The idea works because, for the queen, White obtains three minor pieces and a threat that permits him to consolidate his position fully. 15 ... Axh2+ 16.~xh2 .£lg4+ 17.~xg4 King moves lose quickly to the 4Jxe3 fork. 17... Axg4 18..£lf6+ ~g719..£lxg4 Following the queen sacrifice, White emerges with three minor pieces and excellent activity for the queen. 19 ... Etfd8 A bit ambitious is 19 ... ~xb2 20 ..llh6+ c;t>h8 21.Af4 (better here to hold on to the active bishop) 2l...h5 22 ..lle5+ c;t>h7 23.4Jf6+ c;t>h6 24.d5 §ad8 25.d6= . 20.Ah6+ ~g8 21 . .£le5 f6 21...§d5 demonstrates that rooks are poor blockaders 22.§ae1 f6 23.4Jxc4 ~c7+

158

Games 24 ..£JeS fxeS 2S ..llb3 with a winning skewer 25 ... e4+ 26.~gl +-. 22. .£\xc4 'It:Jc7+ 23.Af4 'It:Jg7 Obviously not 23 ... ~xc4 24 ..llb3. 24.-'\.b3 ~hS 25..£\d6 +- §d7 26.§ael g5 27.-'\.g3 §fS 28. ~gl 'It:Jg6 29.-'\.e6 §e7 30.d5 h5 31..£\f5 §ee8 32.Ad6 h433.Ac5 g4 34.AxfS §xfS 35. .£\xh4 'It:Jg5 36..£\f5 'It:Jd2 37.§e4 §eS 3S.§xg4 ~h7 39.§f3 'It:Jel+ 40.~h2 'It:Je5+ 41.§fg31-O (77) Lasker, Em. - Troxler Luzem simul. exhibition 1935 French Defense [C II]

'it'g6line invites a mate in two: 10 ... ~g6 11.hS+ ~fS (11... 'it'h6 12 ..£Jxe6+ +- ) 12.g4#. 11.hxg5+ ~gS 'it'g6 again walks into a mate in two: 11...~g6 12.~hS+ ~fS 13.g4#. 12.'lt:Jh5 It's mate in six with 12.§h8+! 'it'xh8 (12 ... 'it't7 13.~hS+ g6 14.~h7+ 'it'e8 lS.~xg6#) 13:~hS+ ~g8 14.g6+-. 12 ... §f5 13.f4 .£\fS 14.g4 g6 14 ... §xf4! lS.Axf4 g6 16.~h8+ 'it't7 17.0-0-0 .lla6 when an easy win is nowhere to be found. 15. 'It:JhS+ ~f7 16.gxf5 exf5 17.0-0-0 a5 IS.§h6 ~e619.'lt:JgS+ ~d7 20.'lt:Jxd5+ 1-0 (78) Koltanowski - Reilly Barcelona 1935

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . .£\c3 .£\f6 4.e5 .£\fd7 5..£\f3 Ae7 6.-'\.e3 0-07.Ad3 b6S.h4f6

Queen's Pawn Game [A47] l.d4 .£\f6 2..£\f3 b6 3.e3 Ab7 4.Ad3 c5 5 ..£\bd2 .£\c6 6.c3 e6 7.a3 'It:Jc7 S.e4 cxd4 9.cxd4 -'\.e7 10.0-0 0-0 11.b4 §ac812.Ab2 d613.§c1 'It:Jb8 14.'lt:Je2 §feS 15..£\b3 AfS 16.e5 .£\d5

8

7

6 5

4

3

8

2

7

6 abcdefgh

5 4

This time, it's Lasker's tum to try the sacrifice with a black pawn on f6, and here, the sac is fully sound thanks in no small part to the fact that White can rely on four additional assets, the .£Jc3, the secure eS-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the h-pawn. Black's advance of the f-pawn leaves e6 weak, and so, Black has no choice but to capture the knight. The lines are beautiful, marred only by Lasker's unfortunate miss of a mate in six. 9.Axh7+! ~xh7 10..£\g5+ fxg5 The retreat to 10 ... 'it'g8 invites 11..£Jxe6 ~e8 12 ..£Jxc7 +- ; the

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White can rely here upon three additional assets, the eS-pawn, the darksquare bishop, and the §c1, although the .llb2 is offthe key diagonal and the §c1 does not have a quick entry into the position. Black correctly selects the ~g6 line, where the correct attack beginning with ~e4 is complex and in-

159

Sacking the Citadel structive. ~e4+ eliminates the possibility of .. .f6 and still provides direct access to ~h4. White selects ~g4, when f6 is playable because the discovered check nets insufficient compensation. 17.Axh7+! <jfjlxh7 18.4)g5+ <jfjlg6 The
33.~h2 #) 28.~h7+ 'it'g5 29.~d4
(79) Capablanca - Ribera Arnal Barcelona simul. exhibition 1935 Caro-Kann Defense [B 17] l.e4 c6 2.4)c3 d5 3.4)f3 dxe4 4.4) xe4 4)d7 5.d4 4)gf6 6.4)g3 e6 7 ..1l,d3 Ae7 8.0-0 0-0 9.~e2 c5 10.Eldl ~c711.Ag5 b612.d5 4) xd5 13..1l,xe74)xe7 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

White has two additional assets in the position, the l'!d1 and the ~g3. In the
160

Games to deliver a spectacular checkmate. 14.j}"xh7+ Ciftxh715..£'jg5+ Ciftg8 The 4::lg3 simplifies the ~h6 and ~g6Iines, which lead to quick mates even without a dark-square bishop: 15 ... ~h6 16.~h5; 15 ... ~g6 16.~h5+ ~f6 17.4::l5e4# or 17.4::lh7#. 16.Elxd7The exchange sacrifice is required to prevent 16.~h5 4::lf6-+. 16....~xd717 ..~h5 Eld8 Correctly avoiding 17 ... E!e8 18.~xf7+ ~h8 19.4::lh5 4::ld5 20.~g6 'it'g8 21.c4+-. 18"~xf7+ The f7-pawn is the right one to take. On 18.~h7+ ~f8 19.~h8+ 4::lg8 20.4::lh7+ ~e7 White does not have a dark-square bishop for ~g5+and therefore would need to lash out with 21.4::lf5+ exf5 22.E!el+ ~e6-+. 18 .•• Cifth8 19.h4 Creating tuft powerfully, with the idea of both h4-h5 and 4::lh5. Among the alternatives: (a) The tuft is required prior to 19.4::lh5 ~dl +; (b) Barging in with 19.~h5+ leads only to a perpetual: 19 ... 'it'g8 20.~h7+ ~f8 21.~h8+ 4::lg8 22.4::lh7+ ~f7 23.4::lg5+=; and (c) The best may be 19.E!el! ~e8 20.4::lh5 ~xf7 21.4::lxf7+ ~g8 22.4::lxd8+- . 19.•. .£'jf5? (better is 19 ... ~e8! 20.4::l3e4 with the ideaof4::ld6 or4::lf6) 20 ... ~xf7 21.4::lxf7+ 'it'g8 22.4::lxd8±. 20. .£'jh5 White wins unambiguously with 20.~g6! ~g8 21.4::lxf5 exf5 22.E!el 'it'f8 when the hpawn demolishes the remains of the kingside: 23.h5 .llb7 24.h6 gxh6 (24 ... .lle4 25.h7) 25.'i~1xh6+ ~g8 26.E!e6+-. 20 ....~e8? Underestimating the simplification with 20 ... ~xf7! 21.4::lxf7+ ~g8 22.4::lxd8 .lld7 -+ when White must struggle to save the knight: 23.4::lb7 ~c6 24.g4 4::lxh4 25.4::ld6 4::lf3+ and 26 ... E!d8 with the advantage. 21 ..£'jf611--O Setting up a lovely smothered mate by the two knights. 21.4::lf6 ~xf7 22.4::lxf7#.

The Greco Sacrifice: 1936-1959 As we approach the modem era, the Greco Sacrifices become qualitatively stronger. Once again, many of the period's best players, notably Euwe, Furman, Geller, Kotov, Kottnauer, Olafsson, Pachman, Panov, Pirc, Rossetto, Spassky, and Uhlmann contribute to the collection. Overall, there appears to be a better understanding of when to sacrifice, how best to prepare it, and how to conduct the attack and the defense. In my view, five of the games in this section stand above the rest. Vukovic uses Kottnauer-Kotov (game 93) as an example ofa successful Greco Sacrifice. The game is tactically rich and an example of chess in the modem era. Just a year after the game, Kottnauer is again tested in the line, this time by Pachman (game 95) who has had an opportunity to study the first game and attempt an improvement. It is interesting that all of the players, and Vukovic himself, draw the wrong conclusion about the line, but the games remain extremely interesting. Black can indeed defend, as Vukovic ought to have predicted given the white position's lack of adequate resources. Furman-Geller (game 120) is an exciting encounter in which White prepares the Greco Sacrifice with an additional exchange sacrifice and Black, also a strong tactician, defends accurately by returning a piece to place the queen on the key bl-h7 diagonal. In a sign of modem times, the sacrifice leads to a slightly favorable endgame for White.

161

Sacking the Citadel I highly recommend Schuste-Niephaus (game 121) which involves a remarkable pawn sacrifice to open the b1-h7 diagonal for the white bishop. Finally, there is a young Boris Spassky (game 125) defending with such precision that observers might well have predicted his glorious future. (80) Verbruggen - Simon Correspondence 1936 Queen's Pawn Game [D05] l.d4 /ilf6 2./ilf3 e6 3.e3 c5 4.c3 /ilc6 5.Ad3 d5 6./ilbd2 c4 7.Ac2 b5 S.Oo Ab7 9.Etel Ad6 10.e4 dxe4 1l./ilxe4/ilxe412.Axe40-0 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Although White does not have a pawn on e5, the attack prevails owing to help from the ~c1 and the .§el. In a correspondence game where precise play is expected, White misses a more accurate continuation with 15.h4, anchoring the 4Jg5 but also, in conjunction with ~g4, threatening the powerful h5+ when the 'it'f6 retreat meets ~h4. Defending with .. .f5 weakens the e6-pawn with the 4Jg5 supporting .§e1-e6( +). 13.Axh7+?! ~xh7 14./ilg5+ ~g6 14 ...
162

ing ~g4. Black's two main tries both appear to fail: (a) 15 ... ~d7 16.~g4 f5 when White can interpolate 17.h5+ 'it'f6 18.4Jh7+ 'it'f7 19.~g6+ 'it'g8 20.4Jg5+-; and (b) 15 ... e5 16.~g4 f5 (once again, White benefits from having prepared rather than played ~g4) 17.h5+
Games (81) Baikovicius - Ernst Munich Olympiad 1936 Queen's Pawn Game [A80]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£)e3 .£)f6 4.Ag5 Ae7 5.e5 .£)fd7 6.Axe7 ~xe7 7. ~g4 0--0 8 ..£)f3 e5 9.Ad3 exd4

1.d4 d5 2)~)f3 e6 3.e3 f5 4.Ad3 .£)f6 5.~e2 Ad6 6 ..£)bd2 .£)bd7 7.0--0 .£)e4 8.e4 e6 9 ..£)e1 0--0 10.Axe4 dxe411.f3 exf3 12..£)dxf3 e513.d5 exd5 14.exd5 .£)f6 15.~e4 e4 16•.£)d4

abc

abc

d e

f

g

d

e

f

g

h

With the 4:lc3 en prise, Black gains a plausible defense with iii'xg5. White therefore avoids 11.iii'h5 in order to preserve the black king on h7. White has an edge through the middlegame, but misses repeated opportunities such as 24.iii'cl-a3 and 35.a4 to play more actively. 10.Axh7+ Cit'xh711 ..£)g5+ Normally, White would play 11. ~h5+!? to limit Black's options. But with the 4:lc3 en prise, White might rightly ask whether his position would be better with the black king on g8 or h7. 11 ••• ~xg5 In the end, it's Black's choice. The queen can capture immediately or wait until after the king has retreated: 11...'it'g8 12.iii'h5 iii'xg5 13.iii'xg5 dxc314.bxc3 4:lc615.f4 4:lc5. 12.~xg5 dxe313.hxe3 .£)e614.f4 f!h8 Making good use of the 'it'h7 top activate the rook on the h-file. 15.0--0 .£)e5 16.f!f3 Cit'g8 17.f!d1 .£)e4 18. ~g4 h5 19.f!dd3 .£)e7 20.f!h3 f!xh3 21.~xh3 .£)g6 22.~e3 Ad7 23.g3 .£)e7 24. ~e2 f!c8 25. ~e3 f!e7 26.g4 .£)g6 27.h4 .£)xh4 28.~h3 .£)g6 29.~h2 f!xe3 30.f!xe3 .£)xe3 31.~f2 d4 32.Cit'h2 .£)d5 33.~xd4

h

White selects the wrong defense, believing perhaps that Black would not be able to pry open the c8-h3 diagonal. That task proves to be relatively simple. 16.•.Axh2+ 17.Cit'xh2 .£)g4+ 18.Cit'h3 The best defense, with 18.~gl, works because both of White's knights are able to reach the key f3-square. 18.'it'gl! ~h4 when White can reach approximate equality by returning the piece with 19.4:lef3 or by fighting for the key diagonal with 19.~c7 f4 20.4:lef3. In the ~g6 line, the absence of an f-pawn requires that White meet 18.~g3 ~d6+ with 19.1:'!f4 g5-+ .18•.. ~d619..£)df3 exf3 20..£) xf3 f4 21. ~e2 ~h6+ ~1 22.4:lh4 4:lf2+ 23.~h2 iii'xh4+ (82) Michel- Rellstab Bad Elster 1937 French Defense [CI4]

.£)gxf434.~xa7 Ae835.~b8Miss-

163

Sacking the Citadel ing the win: 35.a4 bxa4 36.c4 +- . 35 •.• \tIfS 36.~d6+ \tIgS 37.~bS \tIfS 3S. ~d6+ \tIgS %-Yz (83) Konstantinopolsky - Panov Kiev 1938 Nimzo-Larsen Opening [A4 7]

Vasily Panov (1906-1973) was a chessplayer, author, and journalist. He won the Moscow City Championship in 1929, and he played in five USSR Championships. His best result was a clear first at Kiev, 1938. Panov is best remembered for his theoretical contributions in the Caro-Kann Defense and the Ruy Lopez. 1.4)£3 4)f6 2.b3 b6 3 ..11.b2 .11.b74.e3 e6 5.d4 .11.e7 6 ..11.d3 0-0 7.4)bd2 d5 S.O-O 4)e4 9.c4 4)d7 10.~c2 a6 11 ..§ad1.11.d612.4)e5 ~e713.4)b1 f5 14.4)xd7 ~xd7 15.f3 4)f6 16.4)c3 ~e7 17. .§fe1 .§f7 1S.e4 dxe419.fxe4 8

7

24.~xg4 h5+ 25.~g5 (Black has the resources for the mating net) 25 ... ~g3+ 26.~xh5 g6+ 27.fxg6 Elf4 28.Elhl ~g7 -+. The ~g3 line does not work because Black can play ~g5 and ~h5. The mating net in that line, which involves a further sacrifice of the <£\g4, is instructive. The ~g3 line ends quickly because White cannot dislodge the ~g5. 21.~g3 ~g5 22.~d2 f4+ 23.~f3 <£\h2+ 24.~f2 ~g3+ 25.~gl <£\g4 -+. 21 ... ~h4 22.g3 Forced to defend h2. 22 ... ~xg3+ 23.~g2 On 23.~f1 or 23.~hl fxe4+-+. 23 .•• ~h4 24..§e2 Not 24.d5 f4 25.dxe5 Elf5 -+. 24 •.. f4 25. ~f3 4)e3 26..§h2 ~g5+ 27. \tIh1 ~g3 2S..11.e2 4) xd1 29.4) xd1 ~e1 + 30.\tIg2 .§f6 31.4)f2 .§g6+ 32.4)g4 .§xg4+ 33.~xg4 .11.xe4+ 34. .11.B ~e2+ 35.\tIh3 ~xf3+ 36.~xB .11.xf3 37..§f2 .11.e4 3S•.§xf4 .11.b1 39.a3 .§fS 40..§xfS+ \tIxfS 41.b4 \tIf7 42.\tIg3 g5 43.a4 .11.c2 44.a5 bxa5 45.bxa5 .11.b3 46.c5 .11.d5 47 ..11.c1 \tIg6 4S..11.e3 c6 49.\tIh3 \tIf5 50 . .11.f2 h5 51 . .11.g3 .11.c4 52 ..11.d6.11.fl + 53.\tIg3 h4+ 54.\tIf2 .11.c4 55.\tIe3 .11.d5 56..11.c7 \tIg4 57.\tIf2 \tIh5 0-1

6

(84) Koltanowski - Yanofsky Winapeg exhibition 1938 Nirnzo-Indian Defense [D45]

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

A rare example in which, in the ~glline, ~d6 is preferable to ~h4 because the ~d6 gains the additional option of ~xd4+. 19•••.11.xh2+120.\tIxh2 4)g4+ 21.\tIg1 In the ~h3 line, Black has ~g5-h5-h2, forcing the king out into the open with 24.~xg5. 21.~h3 ~g5-+ 22.exf5 ~h5+ 23.~g3 ~h2+

164

1.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)c3 .11.b4 4.e3 d5 5.4)f3 c6 6 ..11.d3 0-0 7.0-0 dxc4 S•.11.xc4 b5 9 ..11.d3 a6 10.e4 Ab7 11. ~e2 c5 12.e5 4)fd713.a3 cxd4 14.axb4 dxc3 15.bxc3 ~c7 16..11.xh7+ (D) For additional assets, White counts upon the e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop. 16... \tIhS Rather than declining the sacrifice, Black's best hope was to accept the sacrifice and to select the

Games 1.e4 c6 2.c4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4 4)f6 5.4)c3 e6 6.4)f3 ~a5 7.Ad2 .1l,b4 S.a3 .1lxc3 9 ..1l,xc3 ~dS 10.c5 0-0 1l..1l,d3 4)c6 12.0-0 ~c7 13.E!el 4)d714.b4 b615.h5 4)xd416..1l,xd4 hxc517.E!cl ~b6

8

7

6 5 4 3

8

2

7

abc

d e

f

g

6

h

5 4

~g8Iine,

when the return of the material with ite4 prevents the checkmate on h7 and forces White to work hard to earn the point. 16... '.t>xh717.h8 20.~h5+ ~g8 21.~h7+ ~f8 22.~h8+ '.t>e7 23.~xg7+ '.t>d8 24.~g8+ g6 line, with Black's pressure upon the e5pawn, White must select 18.~d3+ rather than 18.~g4 g6 18.~d3+! (not 18.~g4 g637.Ad4 ~d5 38.~g3+ ~ 39.~f4 4)d7 4O.g41-O

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Having already won a piece in a sloppy opening, White's sacrifice is overwhelming. The presence of the §e1 and the dark-square bishop on the unobstructed long diagonal represent very strong additional assets. In the '.t>g6line as played in the game, the white queen quickly reaches g7. IS..1lxh7+ ~xh7 19.4)g5+ White misses a quick win because 19.~d3+ first eliminates the ~h6 line owing to the possibility of ~d3-e3: 19 .. .f5 (19 ... g6 20.g8 21.~h3 §f6 22.~h7+ '.t>f8 23.~h8+ '.t>e7 24.~xg7++-. 19 .•• ~g6 In the ~g8 line, the itd4 turns the usual mate in five into a mate in two. 19 ... '.t>g8 20.~h5 §eB (20 ... h6line, White overruns the position quickly with ~g4-h4-h7. 19 ... ~h6 20.§xc5 xg5 21.~d2+ '.t>g6 22.~d3+ f5 23.~g3+ '.t>f7 24.~xg7+ '.t>e8 25.§c6+-) 21.~g4 e5 22.~h4+ '.t>g6 23.~h7+ ~f6 (23 ... '.t>xg5 24.§xe5++-) 24.§xe5 xg5 26.~xg7++-. 20.~d3+1 Much

(85) Ekenberg - Salazar Buenos Aires Olympiad 1939 Caro-Kann Defense [B 14]

165

Sacking the Citadel less exciting but effective nonetheless is the conventional 20. ~g4 4Jf6 2Ulxf6 (21.~g3 4Jh5 when, to win, White would need finally to play 22.~d3++-) 21...'ifixf6 22.4Jh7+ 'ifie7 23.~xg7 ~b7 24.Ek3+-. 20 ••• lit'xg5 Declining the capture with 20 .. .f5 gives up the queen, 21.E!xe6+, but king retreats fare no better: 20 ... 'ifih5 when it's mate in five: 21.~h7+ 'ifixg5 22.f4+ 'ifig4 (22 ... ~xf4 23.~h5 cxd4 24.g3#) 23.h3+ ~g3 (23 ... 'ifixf4 24.~h4+ 'ifif5 25.~g4#) 24.~xg7+ 'it'xf4 25.~g4#. 21:~g3+ Not surprisingly, there are mates in the air. Here, it's mate in six with: 21.f4+ 'ifih6 22.~h3+ 'ifig6 23.~g4+ 'it'h7 (23 ... 'ifih6 24.~xg7+ 'ifih5 25.~g5#) 24.~xg7# (a) 21...'ifih5 22.g4+ 'ifixg4 (22 ... 'ifih6 23.~h3+ 'ifig6 24.~h5 #) 23.~g3+ 'ifif5 24.~g5#; and (b) 21...'ifixf4 22.~g3+ 'ifif5 23.E!fl + ~e4 24.E!f4 # .21 •.. lit'h5 22. ~h3+ Missing a mate in four with 22.~f6 gxf6 (22 ... 4Jxf6 23.E!e5+ ~h6 24.~h4+ 'ifig6 25.E!g5 #) 23.E!c4 dxc4 24.E!e4+-. 22 ••• lit'g5 After 22 ...'ifig6 it's mate in five: 23.~g4+ 'ifih6 (23 ... 'ifih7 24.~xg7#) 24.~xg7+ 'ifih5 25.~f6 4Jxf6 26.E!e5+ 'it'h4 27.~g3#. 23.f4+ lit'xf4 23 ... ~g6 permits mate in three with 24.~g4+ ~h6 25.~xg7+ 'it'h5 26. ~g5 #. 24. ~g3+ 1-0 Missing a mate in two with 24.~h5 and 25.g3#, but a mate in three is good enough to force resignation: 24 ... 'ifif5 25.E!fl + 'ifie4 26.~e3# or 26.E!f4#.

Ab714.a40-0 15.a5 ~c716.Axf6 .£!xf617.e5? .£!xd5 (D) To initiate the sacrifice, White first had to trade his dark-square bishop and with

(86) Maderna - Piazzini Buenos Aires 1940 Slav Defense [D48] I ..£!0 d5 2.c4 c6 3.d4 .£!f6 4.e3 e6 5 ..£!c3 .£!bd7 6.Ad3 dxc4 7.Axc4 b5 8.Ad3 a6 9.e4 c5 10.d5 c4 1l.Ac2 Ac5 12.Ag5 ~b6 13.0-0

166

abcdefgh

17.e5, lost the d-pawn. Black is winning in all three main lines. In the game, Black selects the 'it'h6 line, illustrating the difficulty that the attacking side can have once the dark-square bishop is gone. 18.Axh7+? lit'xh7 19..£!g5+ lit'h6 In the 'ifigS line, the black ~c7 guards f7 permitting the safe retreat of the E!fS. 19 ... 'it'gS 20.~h5 E!fdS 21.~h7+ 'it'fS 22.~hS+ 'ifie7 23.~xg7 E!f8-+. The defense in the 'it'g6line is more complex, but White cannot sustain the queen on the g-file after 20.~g4 4Je3 or 20 ... f5 21.~g3 f4 22.~g4 ~xf2+! 19 ... 'it'g6 20.~g4 4Je3 (20 .. .f5 21.~g3 f4 22.~g4 ~xf2+) 21.fxe3 (21.~g3 4Jf5! [21...4Jxfl? 22.E!xfl +- ] 22.~g4 'ifih6! 23.~f4 ~e7 24.h4 4Jxh4 25.~xh4+ ~g6-+) 21...~xe3+-+.

20. ~d2 Black can respond to both 20.4Jce4 and 20. ~g4 with ~xe5 -+ . 20 ... lit'g6 Black can also win by shutting down the diagonal with 20 ... 4Je3-+. 21.~c2+ lit'xg5 Not all captures of the 4Jg510se. 22.~h7 The standard try and the best move, but the queen alone cannot mate the king. 27... ~xe5 After 22 ... E!hS! 23.~xg7+

Games 'it'h5-+ there's no way for White to force a mate. 23..£Je4+ ~xe4 24.~xe4 'it>f6 25. ~h4+ g5 26. ~h6+ 'it>e7 27..§adl Somewhat better is 27.~xg5+ 'it'd7 28.):'(fd1 ):'(g8 29.~h5 ):'(g6 30.):,(d2 ):'( ag8 31.g3 'it'c8 -+ but the black king is able to find a safe haven on the queens ide. 27 .•. .§g8 28. .§fel .£Jf4 29..§e5 .£Jd3 30..§e2 .§ad8 31.'it>f1 .Q.xg2+ 32.'it>xg2 .£Jf4+ 33.'it>f3 .§xdl 34.~h7 .§d3+ 35..§e3 .Q.xe3 36.~xg8 .Q.d4+ 37.'it>g4 f5+ 38.'it>xg5 .£Jd5 39.h4 .Q.f6+ 4O.'it>h5 .§h3 41.~h7+ 'it>d6 42. 'it>g6 .§ xh4 0-1 (87) Hahn - Normann Bad Elster 1940 Caro-Kann Defense [B 12]

l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Af5 4.g4 Ad7 5.Ad3 e6 6..£le2 c5 7.c3 .£lc6 8..£ld2 cxd4 9.cxd4 f6 10..£lf3 fxe5 1l.dxe5 ~c7 12.Af4 Ab4+ 13.~f1 .£lge7 14.§c1 a615..£led4 ~b816..£lb3 Aa5 17.~g2 0-0 18.Ag3 Ab6 19.h4 a5 20.h5 a4 21 ..£lc5 Axc5 22.§xc5 b6 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

pressure down the c-fiIe. 23 ..Q.xh7+ 'it>xh7 24..£Jg5+ 'it>g81 In the 'it'h6Iine, it's useful to see the power of placing the queen on the b1-h7 diagonal because once again the defender cannot safely capture the ~g5. 24 ... ~h6 25.~b1 ~xg5 and it's already mate in three with 26.~c1 + ~xg4 27.):,(h4+ ~f5 28. ~f4 # . Alternatives to capturing the knight don't fare much better: (a) 25 ... ~f5 26.gxf5 ):,(xf5 27.~xe6 (overloading the Ad7) 27 ...Axe6 28.):'(xc6; (b) 25 ... ~xe5 26.'~h7+ (forcing the king to capture on g5) 26 ... ~xg5 27.~xg7+ +~7g6 28.hxg6 ):,(h8 29.Ah4+ ):,(xh4 30.f4+ 'it'xg4 (30 ... ~xf4 allows a mate in four, 31.~f6+ ~e4 32.):'(el+ ~d3 [32 ... ~d4 33.~f2+ ~d3 34.):'(c3#] 33.):'(c3+ ~d2 [33 ... ~d4 34.'~f2#] 34.~f2#) 31.):,(xh4+ starts a mate in eight; and (c) 25 ... ):,(h8 26.~f7#. 25. ~c21 .£Jf5 Both alternatives are instructively crushed by rook sacrifices: 25 ... g6 26.hxg6 ~d4 27.):,(h8+! ~xh8 (or 27 ... ~g7 28.):,(h7+ ~g8 29.~f7 +-) 28.g7+ ~xg7 29.~h7# and 25 ... ):,(f5 26.gxf5 ~d4 27.~b1 bxc5 28.h6 gxh6 29.):,(xh6 ~dxf5 30.):,(h8+! ~xh8 (30 ... ~g7 31.):,(h7+ 'it'f8 32.~h1 +-) 31.~h1 + +-. 26..§xc6 .Q.xc6 27. ~xc6 .£Jd4 28.~c3 .£Je2 29.~c2 .£Jf4+ 30 . .Q.xf4 .§xf4 31.~h7+ 'it>f8 32..£Jxe6+ 'it>e7 33..£Jxf4 ~xe51--O Black obviously resigned before waiting for White's obvious response, 33 ... ~xe5 34.~g6+.

h

(88) Cruz Filho - De Souza Mendes Rio de Janeiro 1940 Queen's Gambit Declined [D46]

Here, an unusual example with advanced kingside pawns and a rook on c5 that remains en prise for a long time in most lines and yet eventually contributes as a key asset. In the ~g8 line, as played in the game, ~c2 threatens mate and helps the ):'(c5 to increase the

l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3..£Jc3 c6 4 ..£Jf3 .£Jd7 5.e3 .£Jgf6 6 ..Q.d3 .Q.d6 7.0--0 0--0 8.~e2 dxc4 9.Axc4 e5 10.dxe5 .£Jxe511 ..£Jxe5 .Q.xe512..§dl (12.f4) 12... ~e713.~c2 (D) Black's position

167

Sacking the Citadel is preferable after 13 ... .lle6 or 13 ... .llg4. After the sacrifice, White can wind through to equality or a small advantage in both main

with 29 ... ~b6+ 30.'a3~b4#. 29.~xc4~xf2!

30.~xe4

l3.c8 31.~a3 ~xc2 33.b3 Af3 34.Ab2 h5 35.Ad4a6 36.~b4 f6 37.Ac3 h4 38.l3.g1 h3 0-1 32.~xc2l3.xc2

(89) Graf - Eliskases Mar del Plata 1941 Polish Defense [A46]

abc

d

e

f

g

h

lines. In the \t>glline, the king's rook is on d1 and the white queen already defends f2, giving White time to mount an effective defense. 13 •.• Axh2+ 14.~xh2 .£)g4+ 15.~gl After\t>g3, the black queen cannot stay on the gfile, but White's lack of queenside development and inability to organize the rooks for coordinated defense with El.h1 gives White no meaningful chances for a win. 15.\t>g3 ~g5 (15 ... ~e5+ 16.f4 ~h5 17.El.d4+-) 16.f4 ~h5 17 ..lld3 (17.El.d4 ~h2+ lS.\t>f3 ~h4=) 17 ... g5 lS.f5 (lS.Axh7+ \t>g7=) lS ... ~h4+ 19.\t>f3 <£le5+ 20.\t>e2 ~h2=. 15 ... ~h416..£)e416.El.d4 provides a safe path to equality with 16 ... ~h2+ 17.\t>f1 ~h1 + lS.\t>e2 ~xg2 19.<£le4=. 16 ... Af5 17.Ad3 ~h2+ 18.~fl ~hl + 19.~e2 ~xg2 20.~d2 White can put up a greater fuss with 20 ..lld2 1.txe4 21..llxe4 ~xf2+ 22.\t>d3 but Black still breaks through with 22 ... f5 23 ..llh1 El.adS+ 24.'
l.d4 .£)f6 2..£)f3 b5 3.e3 a6 4.c4 bxc4 5.Axc4 e6 6 ..£)c3 d5 7.Ab3 Ad6 8.Ad2 0-0 9.l3.cl .£)bd7 10. .£)a4 ~e711. ~c2 .£)e412.0--0 c513.dxc5 .£)dxc514..£) xc5 Axc515.Aa5 Ab7 16.l3.fdl l3.ac8 17. ~e2 f5 18. .£)d2 .£)f6 19.13.el ~h8 20.a3 Ad6 21.l3.xc8l3.xc8 22.Ac3 e5 23.~d3 e424.~f1 8

7

6 5 4

3 If~~~:, .. ) 2

abcdefgh

White's retreat with 24. ~f1 loses quickly. The game involves the \t>g3Iine, when 26 ... ~d6+ leads to two consecutive discovered checks and a pleasing mating net. 24 .•• Axh2+! 25.~xh2 .£)g4+ 26.~g3 In the \t>glline, Black must first sacrifice another exchange to prevent the .llc3 from reaching e5. After the exchange sac, the white queen cannot simultaneously defend the f2pawn and create an effective escape for the white king. 26.'
168

Games ~h4

-+) 27 ... §c2 -+. 26 ... ~d6+ 26 ... ~g5 27.f4 ~g6 28.~gl= and there is no way to make meaningful progress. 27.f4 The two king moves are quickly mated: 27.~h4 i£th6+ 28.~g3 i£th2#; 27.~h3 ~h2#. 27 ... exf3+ 28.~xf3 Obviously not 28.~h3 i£th2 # but the win is tougher after 28.~h4 when it's mate in seven with 28 ... i£th2+ 29.~g5 ~h6+ (29 ... §d6, ... h6, and even ... <£Jxe3 also start mates in six) 30.~xf5 <£Jxe3+ 31.§xe3 §fB+ 32.~g4 (32.~e5 i£tf6#) 32 ... §f4+ 33.~g3 ~h4#. 2S ... d4+ 29.~e2 dxc3 30.bxc3 ladS 31.lad1 ~d3+ 32.~e1 ~xe3+ 33.~e2 ~g3+

0-1 White resigned rather than face 34.~f1 .llxg2+ 35.~xg2 <£Je3+. (90) Loose - Niephaus Bad Oeynhausen 1942 Slav Defense [D4S] 1.~f3 d5 2.d4 e6 3.c4 c6 4.e3 ~f6 5.~c3 j},e7 6.j},d3 dxc4 7.j},xc4 c5

S.O-O 0-0 9.dxc5 j},xc510.~e2 a6 1l.e4 b5 12..1ld3 .1lb713.e5 ~fd7 8

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With the white pawn on e5, the darksquare bishop, and the black rook on fB, the sacrifice has sufficient assets to succeed. In the ~g6 line, White wins fastest with 16.h4 or 16.i£tc2, placing the queen on the c-file where, in conjunction with a later <£Je4+, White will

net the black .llc5. 14.Axh7+ ~xh7 15.~g5+ ~g6 In the ~g8 line, White again achieves the standard mate in five. 15 ... ~g816.i£th5 §e8 (the effort to sacrifice the knight on f6 in order to place the queen on d3 again fails to the active fxg7: 16 ... <£Jf6 17.exf6 ~d3 18.fxg7 ~xg7 19.<£Jxe6+ fxe6 20 ..llh6++-) 17.~xf7+ ~h818.~h5+ ~g8 19.i£th7+ ~f8 20.~h8+ ~e7 21.~xg7#. 16.~d3+ (a) 16.h4 §h8 (entering a position similar to the game except that the 16.h4 §h8 move pair has been inserted) 17.i£tc2+ f5 18.exf6+ ~xf6 19.<£Jce4+ .llxe4 (19 ... ~e7 20.<£Jxc5+-) 20.i£txe4+- hitting both the §a8 and the e6-pawn; (b) The most direct win here is with 16.~c2+ f5 17.exf6+ ~xf6 18.<£Jce4+ (not 18.b4 because the bishop has access here to d4, 18 ... .lld4) 18 ... ~e7 19.<£Jxc5+-; and (c) More complex but also winning is 16.~g4 <£Jxe5 17.i£tg3 i£td3 18 ..lle3 ~f5 (or 18 ... .lld6 19.<£Jxe6+ ~f6 20.<£Jf4 +-) 19.<£Jxe6+ ~g4 20.i£txg4+ <£Jxg4 21.<£Jxc5+-. 16 ...f5 17.exf6+ ~xf6 1S.lae1 A familiar theme, developing the §fel to place pressure upon a weakened e6-pawn. But better is 18.b4! drawing the bishop to b4 where it will not be anchored, 18 ... .llxb4 19.<£Jce4+ .llxe4 (19 ... ~e7 20.i£td4 +- ) 20.i£txe4 +- with attacks upon the unanchored bishop and rook. 1S.••e5 19.~d5+ White is also winning gfter 19.<£Jce4+ .llxe4 20.<£Jxe4+ ~e6 21.~b3+ ~f5 22.~d5 (picking up a loose piece) 22 ... §a7 23.<£Jxc5 +-. 19••• j},xd5 20.~xd5 ~b6 21.~e4+ ~g6 22.~xc5 ~xc5 23.~e4+ laf5 24.j},e3 ~c6 25. ~g4+ ~f6 26.laac1 ~e6 27.~e4 ~c5 2S.laxc5 laa7 29.g4 laf4 30.j},xf4 ~xg4+ 31.Ag3 ~xe4 32.laxe4 ~d7 33..1lxe5+ ~f5 34.lae2 ~xc5 35•.1ld4 lac7 36.lae5+

169

Sacking the Citadel ~f4 37.Etxc5 Etd7 38.-'le3+ 39.Etf5+ ~e2 1-0

~g814.g61-O Black can only delay the mate on h7-hS with 14 ...
~f3

(91) Bueno - Subiza Larache 1943 French Defense [CII]

(92) Villegas - Rossetto La Plata 1944 French Defense [CIS]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . .£)c3 .£)f6 4.e5 .£)fd7 5 ..£)£3 a6 6.Jtd3 Jte7 7.-'le3 0-0 8.h4 f6 8 ... f5 9.4Jg5 +-
Hector Rossetto (1922-2009) was a fivetime Argentine Champion (1942, 1944, 1947,1962, and 1972). He won Mar del Plata in 1949 and 1952 and became a grandmaster in 1960.

8

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£)c3 -'lb4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 cxd4 6.ax b4 dxc3 7.bxc3 ti\'c7 8.f4 ti\'xc3+ 9.-'ld2 ti\'c7 10. .£)f3 .£)e711.-'ld3 Jtd7 12. ti\'e2 0-0

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This short game appeared in Euwe and Kramer's two-volume set on the middlegame. Black anticipated the Greco Sacrifice by defending with f6, but the sacrifice, which relies on three assets, the
170

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White has a substantial advantage in the diagram and could profitably continue with 13.b5, 13.0-0, or perhaps 13 ..§.a3. In the game, Black defends correctly with 14 ...
Games 15.~d3, 15 ...
(93) Taylor - Hall Canada 1945 French Defense [CI5] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.l£Ic3 Ab4 4.Ad3 l£Ie7 5.l£I£3 0-0 6.0-0 Axc3 7.bxc3 dxe4 S.Axe4 c6 8 7

Il~.f~~i"~

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

White relies upon two additional assets, the dark-square bishop and f!fel. The sacrifice is readily sound primarily because Black, with very poor development, cannot assemble any meaningful resistance. The ~g8 line is interesting because, with the g6 would have provided a somewhat stiffer defense, but Black has no

171

meaningful way here to prevent White's queen from staying on the g-file after ~g4 or from continuing with h4-h5. After 10 ... 'it>g6: (a) 11.~g4 f5 12.~g3 f4 13. ~g4 maintaining the queen on the g-file ~h6 to avoid the discovered check (13 ... e5 14.g6 17.~h7+ (a common theme, offering the f5 (18 ... ~h5 19.f4+-) 19.94+ ~f4 20.~e5+ 'it>xg4 (20 ... ~f3 21.~g3+ 'it>e4 22.f3+ 'it>e3 23.f4+ ~e4 24. ~f3 "") 21.'it>h1 and the rook joins in on gl +-) 18.f!ae1 ~f8 (18 ... ~xg5 19.~xg7+ 'it>h4 20.~h6+ ~g4 21.f3+ 'it>f5 22.f!e5 "") 19.f4 (both rooks have become active) 19... ~e7 20.f5+-; and (b) 11.h4 f5 (11...f!h812.~g4 f5 13.~g3 f4 14.~g4 ~f6 15.~xf4+ g616.~f7+ ~h617.
Sacking the Citadel

abc

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the anchored rook to stop ~h3-h7, but now the f7-pawn is unguarded: 20.4Jxt7+
h

White relies here upon two additional assets, the secure e5-pawn and the l"lc1. Black selects the toughest defense, the
(95) Kottnauer - Kotov Moscow 1946 Semi-Slav Defense [D49] Cenek Kottnauer (1910-1996) was an active player in Czechoslovakia before and during World War II. After the war, he competed in important tournaments, notably Groningen 1946, Moscow 1947, and the Schlechter Memorial in 1947. He represented Czechoslovakia at three chess Olympiads, Helsinki 1952, Tel Aviv 1964, and Lugano 1968. In 1953, he emigrated to the United Kingdom. Alexander Kotov (1913-1981) was Soviet chess champion, a two-time world title candidate, and a prolific chess author, notably The Soviet School of Chess (1958), his popular Think Like a Grandmaster (1971) and Play Like a

172

Games Grandmaster (1978). As a player, he finished second in the 1939 USSR Championship becoming just the third grandmaster in the Soviet Union after Botvinnik and Levenfish. He won the Soviet title in 1948. His best result was an overwhelming first in the strong 1952 Saltsjobaden Interzonal.

black queen has vacated d8. Black selects the challenging 'it>g6Iine. The key, for White, is that the Ag7 puts a piece rather than a pawn on a square that is subject to capture after the usual 4Je6 discovered check. Given the extra time required to bring the §f1 to the attack, the success of White's effort should be doubtful. Vukovic found a torturous win after 17 ... ~g6 18.~g4 f5 19.~g3 §f7 but all of the commentators have heretofore failed to find the best move, 19 ... §g8! or even 20 ... §g8! which achieve a dynamic equality by defending the !J.g7 directly. 16.Axh7+ ~xh7 17. .£)g5+ ~g6 The ~g8line offers a challenge because the !J.g7 controls h8 and the attack on f7 does not lead to the usual mates. White prevails in that line because 20.!J.f4 (not 20.f4) brings the bishop powerfully into play on e5. 17 ... 'it>g8 18.~h5 §d8 (not 18 ... §e8 with no anchor, the rook will fall 19.~xf7+ 'it>h8 20.i£1xe8+) 19.~xf7+ 'it>h8 20.Af4!.

l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3 ..£)f3 .£)f6 4 ..£)c3 e6 5.e3 .£)bd7 6.Ad3 dxc4 7.Axc4 b5 8.Ad3 a6 9.e4 c5 10.e5 cxd4 l l..£) xb5 ax b512.exf6 ~b613.fxg7 Axg714.~e2 0--0 15.0--0 .£)c5 8 7

6 5 4

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abcdefgh 8

This position had been reached twice before, in Tolush-Verisov, Leningrad, 1938, and in Alonso-Keres, Madrid, 1943. In both of those games, White chose to retreat the bishop to bl and Black continued with .. .f5, shutting down the bl-h7 diagonal. Keres, playing Black, had been the first to notice that the sacrifice was playable. Vukovic uses this game as an example of a successful Greco Sacrifice (see Chapter 4). Like Colle-O'Hanlon (see game 62), the game is rich tactically and has challenged commentators for many decades. In the diagram above, White relies upon two assets, the dark-square bishop and the as yet undeveloped rooks. For Black, note that a bishop rather than a pawn rests on g7, and the

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Position after 20.J1.[4! (analysis)

(connecting the rooks and fighting for e5 and d6 [20.f4 i£1b7 (20 ... !J.b7 21oi£1g6+-] 210m3? [21o!J.d2! ~xf7 22.4Jxf7+ 'it>g8 23.4Jxd8 Ad7 24.Ab4 4Jd3 25.Ae7+-] 21...i£1xf7 22.4Jxf7+ ~g8 23.4Jxd8 !J.d7 24.b4 4Ja4 25.4Jb7 !J.c6,;:)

173

Sacking the Citadel Black must counter the threat of Jlc7: 20 ... §.a7 21.~g6 'it'g8 22.Jle5 showing the advantage of playing 20.Jlf4 rather than 20.f4. 21...~f8 (22 ... ~b7 23.§.ac1 +-) 23A)h7+ 'it'g8 (not 23 ... ~e7 24.~xg7+ 'it'e8 25.4)f6#) 24.Jlxd4 §.e7 (The rook cannot leave the eighth rank: 24 ...§'xd4 25.'£)f6+ 'it'f8 26.~e8#) 25.4Jf6+ 'it'f8 26.§.fd1 +-. After 20.M4!: (a) 20 .. :ii'l'b7 21.Jlc7 ~d5 22.f4 §.a7 23.§.f3+-. The threats are §.h3 mate and ~h5 followed by Jlxd8; (b) 20 ... 4Jd7 blocks the bishop's defense ofe6. 21.4Jxe6+-; (c) 20 ... 4Jd3 doesn't prevent the threat 21.Jlc7 ~c5 22.~h5+ 'it'g8 23.~h7+ 'it'f8 24.Jlxd8+-; and (d) 20 ... e5 21.Jlxe5. The Jlg7 is pinned to the mate on h 7. 21...'l1rh6 22.~e7 Jle6 23.Jlxg7+ ~xg7 24.~xc5 +- . 18. ~g4 f519. ~g3 8

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19...
29.M4 Jlc6 30.~xf5 +-. 19 ... §.f7 20.b4 which appears to win in these spectacular lines: (a) 20 ... 4Ja4 21.h4 e5 22.h5+ 'it'f6 (22 ... ~xh5 23.4Jxf7 +-) 23.§.e1 §.e7 24.M4! exf4 25.4Jh7+ ~f7 26.§.xe7+ ~xe7 27.~xg7+. The smoke has cleared and the black king is horribly exposed in the center. 27 ... 'it'd6 (27 ... ~d8 28.4Jf6 ~a7 29.~fS+ 'lilc7 30.4Je8+ 'it'b7 31.~e7+ ~a6 32.4Jc7++-) 28.h6 §.a7 29.4Jg5+§.xg7 30.hxg7 ~d8 31.4Jf7+ winning the queen; (b) 20 ... 4Jd7 21.4Jxe6+ ~h7 (21...'it'f6 22.4Jf4+-) 22.§.e1 ~f6 (Vukovic gives 22 ... 4Jf6 23.4Jg5+ 'it'g8 24.4Jxf7 'lilxf7 25.§.e7+ 'lilxe7 26. ~xg7 + 'it'e6 27.Jlg5 +- ) 23.Jlg5 d3 24.Jlxf6 4Jxf6 25.4Jg5+ 'it'g8 26.4Jxf7+ ~xf7 27.~xd3+- when White's active majors and material advantage assure the win; and (c) There is no point in losing the piece with 20 ... Af6 21.bxc5 ~c6 22.Jlf4 .ilb7 23.§.fel +-. By defending the Jlg7, Black achieves equality immediately with 19 ... §.g8! 20.4Jxe6+ 'it'f7 21.4Jg5+=. 20.Af4 Without doubt, White's best move. On 20.~h4? ~c6 White gains an exchange: 21.4Jh7+ 'it'f7 22.~h5+ 'it'g8 23.4JxfS Jlb7 24.~h7+ ~xf8 25.f3 d3=+= when Black has all the play. 20 ...
174

(96) Euwe - Christoffel Groningen 1946 Slav Defense [013]

Games Max Euwe (1901-1981) won every Dutch chess championship in which he participated from 1921 through 1952. He narrowly lost matches against Capablanca and Spielmann, and finished second to Alekhine at Zurich 1934. In 1935, he defeated Alekhine to become the fifth world chess champion, but Alekhine regained the title in the 1937 rematch. Euwe performed well at Nottingham 1936 and the 1938 AVRO tournament. Later in his career, he was a well-regarded chess writer and served as President of FIDE from 1970 to 1978.

l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4)0 4)f6 4.cxd5 cxd5 5.4)c3 4)c6 6.Af4 e6 7.e3 a6 8.Ad3 Ad6 9.Axd6 ~xd6 10.0-0 0-0 II.lacl b5 12.e4 dxe413.4) xe4 4)xe414.Axe4 Ab7 8

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Another example of an attacker overcoming the absence of reserve assets. White cannot count on the heavily attacked d-pawn, and has only the idea of l"!c1-c3-g3 or l"!c3-h3 to aid the attack. In the game, Black defends with the 'it'g6Iine, where White cannot maintain the queen on the g-file. Black plays well, losing his way only on move 21, missing an advantage after 21...
quickly in the
26.f4 lah8 27.4)e5+ 28.lad3 lad8 29.~hl ~b6 30.4)f3 4)c6 31.lad7 laxd7 32.~xd7 4)d8 33.~e8+ ~h7 34.4)g5+ 1~ ~g8

175

Sacking the Citadel ~g7.

(97) Kottnauer - Pachman Moscow 1947 Semi-Slav Defense [D49]

20.Af4 For 20.b4! see the notes in game 95. 20 .•• e5 21.4)xf7+ 'ifjlxf7 22.Axe5 ~g6 23.~xg6+ Given the sacrificial attacks we have witnessed, it may be hard to believe that drawish endgames are possible, but after 23.~xg7 ~xg3 24.fxg3 \t>xg7 25 ..§ac1 f2 f7 26 ..§e5 xd5 is just fine. 51 ...'ifjlh5 52.Etd6 1-0

Ludek Pachman (1924-2003) won 15 international tournaments and represented Czechoslovakia in eight chess Olympiads. An activist during the Cold War, Pachman was imprisoned and tortured. He emigrated to Germany in 1972 where he resumed his chess career. He wrote more than 80 books in five languages, including notably his Checkmate in Prague, an account of his political difficulties in Czechoslovakia. l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.4)c3 c6 4.4)f3 4)f6 5.e3 4) bd7 6.Ad3 dxc4 7.Axc4 b5 8.Ad3 a6 9.e4 c5 10.e5 cxd4 1l.4)xb5 axb512.exf6 ~b613.fxg7 Axg714. ~e2 0--0 15.0--0 4)c5 8

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In a sign that we have arrived in the modem age of chess, Pachman has prepared an improvement to game 95, trying 19 ... .§£7 rather than 19 ... .§gB!. Kottnauer fails to find the best response with 20.b4 but still goes on to win, thanks to a slight inaccuracy by Pachman with 25 .. /.t>f6. 16.Axh7+ 'ifjlxh7 17.4)g5+ 'ifjlg6 18.~g4 f5 19. ~g3 Etf7 N See the notes to game 95. 19 ... .§gB! prevails by defending the

(98) Herrmann - Harms Lueneburg 1947 Queen's Pawn Game [D06] l.d4 4)f6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 ~xd5 4.4)c3 ~d8 5.4)f3 e6 6.e4 Jlb4 7.Ad3 c5 8.0-0 0-0 9.dxc5 Jlxc3 10.bxc3 ~a511.e5 4)fd7

176

Games

8 II_>;-"~ 7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

With two additional assets, the pawn on eS and the dark-square bishop, the sacrifice succeeds quickly. The defender plays the tougher 'it'g6 line, but White is fully up to the task, selecting 14.'i1:rd3+ rather than 14.'i1:rg4. Both lines win, but the 'l£rd3 is easier here because White is able to use the eS-pawn as an asset. Note the weakness here of the e6-pawn after .. .fS, and the ease with which White is able to exploit the weaknesses on e6 and g7 with 16.'l£rd4+. 12.j},xh7+llifjIxh713.4)g5+ IifjIg6 In the 'it'g8 line, White can mate more quickly than normal because 16.4Jxe6 brings on a quick mate on the next move.13 .. .'~g814.'l£rhSwhenBlackhas three moves to delay the mate: (a) 14 ... fle8 but the rook is unanchored, IS.'i1:rxf7+ ~h816.'i1:rxe8+; (b) 14 ... fld8 IS.'i1:rxf7+ 'it'h8 16.4Jxe6 (possible because the black 4Jd7 block's the bishop's defense of the e6-pawn) 16 ... flg8 17.'i1:rhS#; and (c) 14 ... 4Jf6. Obviously, 4Jf6 fails owing to the presence of the e5-pawn. IS .exf6 and the pawn goes on to aid the attack. IS ... fld8 16.'i1:rxf7+ 'it'h8 17.fxg7#. 14.~d3+1 Also winning easily is 14.'l£rg4 4JxeS IS.'i1:rg3 f6 16.4Jxe6+ ~f7 17.'i1:rxg7+ 'it'xe618.'i1:rxf8+-. 14...f5 Again, both king moves after 'l£rd3 lose rapidly: 14 ... 'it'hS IS.'l£rh7+ 'it'g4 16.'l£rh3# or

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16.h3# or 16.f3#; 14 ... ~h61S.'l£rh7#. 15.exf6+llS.4Jxe6+- and IS.'l£rg3+also win. 15 ... lifjIxf6 Not IS ... 'it'hS 16.'l£rh7+ ~g4 17.'l£rh3#. 16.~d4+ IifjIg6 Black could safely resign. The alternatives are easily demolished:16 ... ~e7 17.'l£rxg7+ ~e818.4Jxe6+-; and 16... eS 17.'i1:rd6+'iMS 18.'l£re6#.17.~e4+ f!f5 17 ... 'it'f6 18.'l£rxe6#; 17 ... ~hS 18.'l£rh7+ ~g4 19.'l£rh3 #; 17 ... ~h6 18.'l£rh7#. 18.~xe6+ 4)f6 18 ... flf6 19.'l£re8+ ~h6 20.'l£rh8+ ~g6 21.'l£rh7# 19.~f7+ IifjIh6 20.4)e6+ g5 20 ... ~h7 21.'l£rxg7# 21.j},xg5+ Faster is 21.4Jf8 with 'l£rg6 # to follow. 2t. .. f! xg5 22.~xf6+ 1-0 (99) Pachman - Foltys Trencianske Teplice 1949 French Defense [C 10] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 dxe4 4.4) xe4 j},e7 5.4)f3 4)f6 6.Jl.d3 4)bd7 7.4) xf6+ Jl.xf6 8. ~e2 0-0 9.h4 e5 8

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3 2

IL='.<=J.~.

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Caught on the wrong side of the sacrifice in Game 96, Pachman tries it himself, relying upon two additional assets, the dark-square bishop and the h4pawn, passing up a clear advantage with 10.dxeS. Fohys selects the best defense, retreating the king to g8 when White must accept a perpetual check. Without control over d6, a white effort

Sacking the Citadel to deliver the customary checkmate in five permits the black king to escape. 10.Jlxh7+ White passes up a small advantage with 10.dxe5 .£lxe5 11..£lxe5 Axe5 12.f6 ;!;;. 10... ~xh7 1l.4)g5+ ~g8 The sacrifice works handily in the 'it'g6 line because the Af6 blocks the usual defense with 'life4+ f5. 11...'it'g6 12.'life4+ ~h5 (12 ... 'it'h6 13.'lifh7#) 13.g4+ (13 ..£le6 fxe614.g4#; 13 ..£le6 fxe614.g4#) 13 ... ~h614.'lifh7#. The line with Axg5 leads to a lengthy but not challenging mating net on the queenside. 11...Axg5 12.hxg5+ 'it'g6 (12 ... 'it'g8 13.'lifh5 f5 14.g6+-) 13.'lii'h5+ ~f514.'lifh3+ 'it'e4 (14 ... 'it'g6 15.'lifh7# Camilleri -Wijesurija, Yerevan 1996) 15.'liff3+ 'it'xd4 16.Ae3+ ~c4 17.f!h4+ ~b5 18.a4+ 'it'a6 (18 ... 'it'a5 19.'life2 c6 20.b4 #) 19.'life2+ b5

abc

15 ..£lxe6+ and

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16.~xg7.

g

h

12.Jlxh7+ In the ~g8line, there's no quick mate in five given the presence ofthe .£le7. But White simply captures on h7 and proceeds through to h8, playing Ag5+ once the black king reaches e7. 13 ... ~g8 14.~h5 f!fc8 15.~h7+ (As is often the case, capturing on f7 is also sound when additional assets are readily available: 15.~xf7+ 'it'h8 16.'lifh5+ ~g8 17.~h7+ ~f8 18.~h8+ .£lg8 19.'lifh5 Ae8 20 ..£lxe6+ 'it'e7 21.'liff5+-) 15 ... ~f8 16.'lifh8+ .£lg8 17 ..£lh7+ 'it'e7 18.Ag5+ f6 19.'lifxg7+ ~d8 (19 ... ~e8 20.~f8#) 20.exf6 ~c7 21.Af4+ +-. 14. ~g4 14.h4 (an effort to improve upon the ~g4 line by threatening rather than playing the queen move) 14 ... f!h8 15.~g4 f5 (15 ... .£lf5 16.h5+ 'it'h6 [16 ... f!xh5 17 ..£lxe6+ ~h7 18.~xh5++-] 17.~f3 .£lce7 18.g4 f6 19 ..£lxe6+ 'it'h7 20.gxf5 Axe6 2l.fxe6 'lifxe6 22.f!e1 +- ) 16.exf6 ~xf617.f!e1 .£lf5 18.h5 .£la5 19 ..£lh7+ (to gain access to g6) 19 ... f!xh7 20.'lifg6+ ~e7 21.Ag5+ 'it'd6 22.f!ab1 and White is active on both sides of the board: 22 ... 'lifa6 23.Af4+ ~e7 (23 ... ~c6 24.f!xe6+ Axe6 25.'lifxe6+ .£ld6 26.'lifxd6#) 24.~xf5 +-. Less convincing is14.~d3+ .£lf5 (14 ... f5 15.~g3 transposes to the note after 14 ... f6) ~xh713.4)g5+ ~g6

20.~xb5#.12.~h5.§.e8= 13.~xfi+ ~h8 14..1l,e3 No fight was found in two other games that reached this position: 14.~h5+ 'it'g8 15.'liff7+ (not 15.'lifh7+? 'it'f8 16.~h8+ 'it'e7-+) 15 ... ~h8 16.'lifh5+ ~-~ Fischl-Barta, Prague 1955; 14.d5 .£lf8 ~-~ PaoliPachman, Venice 1950. 14 ••. 4)f8

15.~h5+ ~g816.~fi+ ~-~

(100) Leitner-Antos Chocen 1950 French Defense [C02] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 4)c6 5.4)f3 ~b6 6 . .1l,d3 cxd4 7.cxd4 .1l,b4+ 8.4)c3 Jld7 9.a3 .1l,xc3+ 10.bxc3 4)ge711.0--0 0--0 (D) White can expect victory here with two additional assets, the secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop. Black correctly defends with the ~g6 line, when White, after 14.'lifg4, wins despite missing a more convincing continuation with

178

Games 15.g4 f6 16.gxf5+ exf5 17.exf6 gxf6 1B.4Jh3 and Black is surviving, 18. .. 'iM7 19.Elb1 ~a6 20.~xa6 bxa6 21.Elb7 ElfdB 22.4Jf4 ElabB 23.Elc7 ElbcB 24.4Jxd5 4Je7 25.ElxcB ElxcB 26.4Jxe7~xe7 27.Ele1 + 'ifld6;!; . 14.••f6 14 ... 4Jf5 15.4Jxe6+ ~h7 16.4Jg5+ (16~xf5 steps into a self-pin after 16 ... 'iflgB) 16 ... 'iflgB17.~h3 ElfcBl8.a4 when (a) 1B ... 4Jb4 19.~h7+ 'iflfB 20.cxb4 ~h6 21.~xh6 gxh6 22.4Jf3 +; and (b) 1B ... 4Jce7, and White initiates an exciting king-hunt: 19.~h7+ ~fB 20.~hB+ 4JgB 2 1. 4Jh7 + ~e7 22 ..lla3+ 'ifldB (22 ...'ifle6 23.4Jg5 #) 23.Elfb1 ~h6 (23 ... ~e6 24.~xgB+ ~c7 25.4JfB+-) 24.~xgB+ ~c7 25.~xf7+- . 14 ... f5 15.~g3 f4 16.~g4 Elf5 Black actively offers the exchange but after 17 ..llxf4 Elxg5 18..llxg5 ~t7 (White still has the time and resources with a rook swing and kings ide pawn advance to break through) 19.Elae1 4Jf5 20.Ele3 ElhB (20 ... 4Jxe3 2l.fxe3+ 'iflgB 22 ..llh6+-) 21.Elf3 ~b2 22.~f4 'iflg6 23.g4+-.

would put up a tougher defense with 19 ... ElfB 20.~g5+ ~f7 21.~h5+ ~gB (21...4Jg6 22.~h7+ ~f6 23.h4+-) and there is no breakthrough for White, 22.~g4+ ~t7 23 ..llh6 ElgB 24.~h5+ Elg6 25.Elfe1 ±. 20.Ah6 ~f5 21.~g6+ h8 22.Ag5 ~g8 23.Af6+ ~g7 24. ~h6+ ~h7 25.Axg7+ 1--0

(101) Grosser- Ruppe Soemmerda 1950 French Defense [C05] l.d4 d5 2.e4 e6

3.~d2 ~f6

4.e5

~fd7 5.f4c5 6.c3 ~b6 7.~gf3 ~c6 8.~b3

Ae7 9.Ae2 0--0 10.0-0 f6

11.Ae3c412.~bd2 ~xb213.~xc4

dxc4 14.Axc4

~b6

15.Ad3

d

f

~d5

16.Ad2~b6 8

7

6 5 4

15.exf6 Sacrificing the knight on e6 after the discovery is a common theme. It works here because the black king is fatally exposed on the e-file after 15.4Jxe6+! 'iflt7 16.~xg7+ ~xe6 (not 16 ... 'ifleB 17.~xfB#) 17.exf6 4Jf5 1B.Ele1 + 'ifld619 ..llf4+ when Black must begin to return material to save his king. 19 ... 4Je5 20 ..llxe5+ ~c6 21.~g6 ElgB 22.~h5 ElhB 23.~d1 +-. 15 ... gxf6? There's no obvious way for White to make progress after 15 ... ~xf6! 16.~h5 4Jg6=. 16.~e4+ Not quite returning the error, but once again passing up a spectacular, winning sacrifice: 16.4Jxe6+ 'iflf7 17.~g7+ 'iflxe6 (17 ... ~eB 18.~xfB#) 18.Ele1 + 4Je5 19.dxe5 4Jf5 20.~g6+-. 16... h717:~h4+ g8 18.~xf6+ f!xf619:~xf6 ~d8 Black

179

3 2

abc

e

g

h

Down a piece prior to the sacrifice, .llxh7 only compounds White's troubles. White can point to three additional assets in the position, the dark-square bishop, the secure e5-pawn, and the Elfl, but Black has a pawn on f6 and a rook on f8 that can quickly become active. In the game, Black captures the 4Jg5 and organizes his defense around ~b1 and control over the b1-h7 diagonal. 17.Axh7+? xh7 18.~g5+ fxg5! With a very active position, Black is winning in every line except the 'iflhB retreat. 1B ... ~gB 19.~h5 fxg5-+;

Sacking the Citadel IB ... ~g619.~c2+ f5-+; IB .. .'~h6 19.~g4

fxg5 20.fxg5+ ~g6-+. 19.'~h5+
hopeless liquidation with 20.'l£rxd2 l.txc2 21.'l£rxc2 ~xc3-+. 20 ...

8

7

(103) Markoff - Willey Correspondence 1951 Slav Defense [D31]

6 5 4

l.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3 . .£Jf3 dxe4 4 ..£Je3 e6 5.e4 b5 6.a4 b4 7 ..£Ja2 e3 S.bxe3 bxe3 9 . .£Jxe3 -'t,b4 10.-'t,d2 .£Jf6 1l.Ad30-0 12.h4 e513.e5 .£Jd5

,."...".,.W//h... _

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

To survive, White had to try 19.1.txb3 4Jxb3 20.f5. With 19.Ac2 White is fully lost prior to the sacrifice, which only speeds up the end. In the ~gB line, the defender prevails easily with 22 ... l.tc2, stealing the key diagonal, or in the game with 22 ... §feB, which provides a safe escape for the king. 20.Axh7+ The sacrifice is more promising than the

180

abc

d e

f

g

h

Games With additional assets in the Ad2, the secure e5-pawn, and the h4-pawn, White has more than enough to prevail handily in all lines. In the ~g6 line, as played in the game, all three of the main variations, 16.'~c2, 16."i!'Yg4, and 16.h5 win quickly. 14.j',ixh7+ Ci.t'xh7 15..£Jg5+ Ci.t'g6 The 'it'gBline leads the usual mate in five: 15 ... 'it'gB 16."i!'Yh5 ~eB 17."i!'Yxf7+ 'it'hB 1B."i!'Yh5+ ~gB 19."i!'Yh7+ ~fB 20.~hB+ 'it'e7 21."i!'Yxg7#. 16.h5+ 1-0 (a) 16.~g4+­ f5 (or 16 ... f6) with a mate in three: 17.h5+ 'it'h6 1B.4Jxe6+ 'it'h7 19."i!'Yxg7#; (b) 16.~c2+ f5 17.h5++forces the king to h6 for a queen-winning discovery; and (c) 16.h5+ ~f5 (16 ... 'it'h617.4Jxf7++-) 17.g4#.

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Black enjoys the light-square bishop on cB as well as the open f-file. White de-

fended with 'it'g3, but misses a remarkable defense starting with 20.~c1. Karsten MUller has noted that White also has 20.Axh7+, as after 20 ... 'it'xh7 21.~d4 "i!'Yxd4 22.4Jxd4 ~xfl 23.~xfl White has excellent drawing chances because of his activity. Black appears to have excellent chances in that variation, but the win would have far more elusive than in the game. 17... .1lxh2+ 18.Ci.t'xh2 .£Jg4+ 19.Ci.t'g3 In the 'it'gl line, even though the black queen arrives on the h-file at h6, the possibility of~xf2 eliminates the possibility of running the king to fl. 19.~gl? ~h6 20.Ae5 (20.~e1 ~h2+ 21.~f1 ~xf2 #) 20 ... 4Jxe5-+. 19 ... 1axf2 19 ... 4Jxf2 20.~d2 ~d6+ 21.4Jf4 4Jxd3 22.~xd3 ~xf4 23.~xf4 g5 24.~af1 gxf4+ 25.~xf4 ~g6+ 26.~xg6+ hxg6= and White has excellent chances to draw the ending despite the slight material deficiency owing to the superior activity of all three pieces and the bishops of opposite color. 20.j',id2? Necessary was 20.~c1! fighting for control over f4: 20 ... ~c7+ 21.4Jf4 ~xf1 22.Axfl g5 23.Ab2 ~d6 (23 ... ~xf4+ 24.~xf4 gxf4+ 25.'it'xf4=) 24.Ae2 ~h6 (24 ... h5!?) 25.4Jh3 ~h4+ 26.~f3 4Jh2+ 27.~e3 Axh3 28.~c7

(104) Bialas- Uhlmann Leipzig 1951 French Defense [C06]

Wolfgang Uhlmann (b. 1935) received his grandmaster title in 1959. He won the East German Championship 11 times between 1954 and 1986. He represented East Germany in the chess Olympiads from 1956 through 1990. At the Palma de Mallorca Interzonal of 1970, he earned a place in the Candidates cycle but lost his match against Bent Larsen. He is well-known for his mastery ofthe French Defense, his main weapon with Black throughout his tournament career. 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 •.£Jd2 .£Jf6 4.e5 .£Jfd7 5.j',id3 c5 6.c3 .£Jc6 7 •.£Je2 tPlb6 8 ..£Jf3 cxd4 9.cxd4 f6 10.exf6 j',ib4+ 1l.j',id2 .£Jxf6 12.0-0 0-0 13.a3j',id6 14.h4 e5 15.dxe5 .£J xe5 16..£Jxe5j',ixe517.j',ic3

~eB+ 29.~d2 ~xe2+ 30.~xe2 ~e4+

31.'it'd1 Ag4+

181

32.~c1 ~e3+ 33.~b1

Sacking the Citadel when the white king has safety on the queenside and White has the opportunity to gain a perpetual against the exposed black king, 33 ... d4 (33 ... Af5+ 34.'itta2+-) 34:~bS+ 'ittg7 35.~c7+ 'ittgS=. 20 .•. ~e3 21.laxf2 There's a forced mate after 21.Axe3 ~xe3+ 22.'~h4 (22.'itth2 ~h3+ 23.'ittg1 ~xg2#) 22 ... g5+ 23.'it'h5 ~eS+ 24.'ittxg5 ~e5+ 25.'it'h4 ~h2+ 26.'ittg5 'ittg7-+. 21 ... ~d6+ 22.
(105) Tanguay - Zalys Montreal 1952 London System [D02] l.d4 ~f6 2.~f3 g6 3.M4 jlg74.e3 0--0 5.Jld3 d5 6.~bd2 ~bd7 7.h4

c5 S.c3 b6 9.h5 ~ xh510.laxh5 gxh5 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

Thanks to a disastrous 13th move by Black, White wins easily, but the variation with 13 ... e6 is quite challenging. 1l . .1lxh7+
h

White sacrificed the exchange to open the b1-h7 diagonal, but in the diagram, without a pawn on e5, White cannot prevent Black from defending with ... '£\f6. Instead, Black selected the 'ittg6 line, which encourages White to use the Af4 and the .£\d2-f3-h4 maneuver.

182

(106) Fuderer - Stoltz Belgrade 1952 Queen's GambitAccepted [D28] l.d4 d5 2.c4dxc4 3.~f3 ~f64.e3 a6 5..1lxc4 e6 6.0--0 c5 7. ~e2 b5 S.Jld3 cxd4 9.~ xd4 e510.~b3 e411.Jlc2 .1ld612.ladl ~e713.~c3

Games 23.<£\f2 and White is holding the position. 15•.. ~h416. ~el f517•.£ld5 0o 18. .£ld4 a5 19.b4 Eta6 20•.£lf4 ~h2+ 21.xbS 'g4 S4.l"lhxf3l"lxf3 SS.l"lxf3 \tlxf3 S6.'xa4+-.

abcdefgh

Black can rely here on the light-square bishop and the e4-pawn as additional assets. With White's rook already on d1 and the queen already defending f2, White wins easily in the 'gl line. 13••..1l,xh2+ 14.g3!? Black has the three obvious tries: (a) Not lS ... ~gS when the e-pawn falls with tempo: 16.<£\xe4 ~g617.<£\d6+; (b) lS ... ~eS+ 16.f4 when king moves get mated: 16... exf3+ 17.\tlxf3 (not 17.'h3 ~h2#; 17.'h4 ~h2+ 1B.'gS h6#; 17.\tlh3~h2#; 17.'h4~h2+ 18.'gS ~h6#) 17 ... ~f6+ 1B.'g3 ~eS+= and Black can draw trivially with a perpetual or play on with 1B ... hS!? 19.1"ldS ~e6 20.e4 h4+ 21.'h3 <£\eS+ 22.\tlh2 <£\bc6 23.\tlg1 h3 24.l"lxeS <£\xeS 2S.<£\dS ltxdS 26.exdS hxg2 27.~d2 0-0-0 28.l"lc1l"lh1 + 29.'xg2l"lxc1 30.~xc1 l"l xdS=; and (c) In the 'g3 line, Black's interesting chances appear to lie with lS ... hS using the l"lhB for support. 16.f4 h4+ 17.\tlh3 when Black will get a discovery, although with the queen already on e2, there's nowhere important for the knight to go: 17 ... <£\f6!? 18.'h2 Ag4 19.~e1 h3 20.<£\d4 watching the f3square once the g-pawn is traded, 20 ... hxg2 21.'g2 ~xd1 22.<£\xd1 ~d7

(107) Pirc - Porreca Bled 1953 Queen's Gambit Declined [040] Vasja Pirc (1907-1980) was the originator of the Pirc Defense. He was five time champion of Yugoslavia in 1935, 1936, 1937, 1951,and 1953. He became a grandmaster in 1953 and an International Arbiter in 1973. 1 ..£lf3 .£lf6 2.d4 d5 3.e4 e6 4 ..£le3 e5 5.e3 .£le6 6.a3 a6 7.exd5 .£lxd5 8.e4 .£lxe3 9.bxe3 exd4 10.exd4 Ae7 1l.Ad3 0-0 12.Ae3 ~a5+ 13.-'ld2 ~b6 14.-'le3 Af6 15.E!.bl ~a7 16.e5 Ae717.0-0 Axa3 (D) Black's greed with 17 ... ~a3 enables the sacrifice, which can count on three additional assets, the dark-square bishop, the secure eS-pawn, and the potential rook swing with l"lb3. Black selects the \tlg6 line, in which White wins

183

Sacking the Citadel ~xh4 27.g3+ fxg3 (27 ... ~h3 2S.ii¥h5 #) 2S.ii¥xg3+ ~h5 29.~g5#.

(108) Olafsson - Mellberg Copenhagen 1953 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E41]

abc

d e

f

g

h

quickly with ~g4 or ~d3+ despite the lack of an anchor on the 4Jg5. 18.j},xh7+! ~xh719 •.£lg5+ ~g6 In the ~gS line, the rook retreat is to dS, requiring an additional move in the customary mate. 19 ... ~gS 20.~h5 .§.dS (20 ... .§.eS 21.ii¥xf7+ ~hS 22.~xeS+) 21.ii¥xf7+ ~hS 22.ii¥h5+ ~gS 23.ii¥h7+ ~fS 24.ii¥hS+ ~e7 25.ii¥xg7+ ~eS 26.ii¥f7 #. Even without the dark-square bishop on the c1-h6 diagonal, the ~h6 line fails quickly to ii¥g4-h4 in no small part because Black cannot quickly anchor a rook on hS. 19 ... ~h6 20.ii¥g4 (also winning is 20.~d3 ~xg5 [20 .. .f5 21.Ad2+-] 21.Ad2+ ~h5 [21...~g4 22.ii¥h3# or 21...~h4 22.ii¥h3#] 22.ii¥h7+ ~g4 23.~h3#) 20 ... .§.hS 21.~h4+ ~g6 22.ii¥xhS+-. 20.~g4 Much quicker is 20.~d3+ f5 (not 20 ... ~xg5 21.Ad2+ ~h5 [21...~g4 22.ii¥h3 #; 21...~h4 22.~h3 #] 22.ii¥h7+ ~g4 23.~h3# or 23.h3# or 23.f3#) 21.ii¥h3 ~xg5 22.ii¥h7+-. White has plenty of ideas like ~xg7, Ad2, and f4 to complete the mating net. Fritz 12 says that it's mate in seven. 20 ••. f5 21. ~h4 .£l xe5 22.dxe5 b5 23. ~h7+ ~xg5 The familiar sacrifice of the 4Jg5. Here, White has a significant assist from the dark-square bishop and the kingside pawns. 24.Ad2+ 1-0 24 ... f4 (not 24 ... ~g4 25.~h3#) and it's mate in five with: 25.h4+ ~g4 26.ii¥g6+

Fridrik Olafsson (b. 1935) won the Icelandic championship in 1952 and the Scandinavian championship a year later. In 1955-56, he obtained a shared first with Korchnoi. By tying for fifth at Portoroz in 1958, he obtained his grandmaster norm and qualified for the candidates' tournament. He succeeded Max Euwe as President FIDE. 1.d4 .£lf6 2.c4 e6 3 ..£lc3 j},b4 4.e3 c5 5.Ad3 0-0 6 ..£lf3 d6 7.0--0 j},xc3 8.bxc3 .£lc6 9.e4 .£le8 10.e5 dxe5 11.dxe5b6

184

8 7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

White has the e5-pawn and dark-square bishop as additional assets, but the pawn structure provides the black queen with access to d3 and the bl-h7 diagonal. In the game, Black tried the ~g6 line when 14.~f3 against the unanchored 4Jc6 and 15.h4 provide the quickest path to a winning advantage. 12.Axh7+ There's a simpler advantage to be had by holding the e5-pawn with 12.ii¥e2!? or 12.Af4. Observing that the sacrifice is unsound, Polugaevsky

Games discovered check, 16.~el (16 ..£\xe6+ c,t>f7 17.'£\xf8 c,t>xf8 18.~el 'tt1e6=) 16... ~h8 17 ..£\xe6+ c,t>h7 18.'£\f4 c,t>g8 (White can recover an exchange but the attack has ended, 19 ..£\g6 ~e6 20.'£\xh8 c,t>xh8=). 16.Axf4 Elxf4 17.4Jxe6+ !it'f518.4Jxd8 4Jxd819.~d3+ 1-0

played more positionally with 12.Ae4!? 'tt1e7 13.Af4 h6 14 ..£\d2 Ab7 15.'tt1g4 'tt1e7 16.l.txe6 Axe6 17.Axh6 f5 18.'tt1g3 'tt1f7 19.Af4 ~d8 20.~adl Aa4 21..£\b3 ~d7 22.'tt1f3 ~xdl 23.~xdl 'tt1e7 24.'tt1g3 'tt1f7 25.~h4 ~b7 26.f3 .£\e7 27.~d6 'tt1e8 28 ..£\c1 Ad729 ..£\e2 ~f7 30 ..llg5 .lle8 31.'£\f4 ~d7 32.Ae7 .£\a6 33.~g5 ~xd6 34.e xd6 'tt1d7 35.Af6 c,t>h8 36..lle5.£\b8 37 ..£\xe6 .£\e6 38.i.txg7+ c,t>g8 39.Ae5+ 1-0 Polugaevsky-Kuzmin, Tallinn 1965. 12...!it'xh713.4Jg5+ !it'g6 In the c,t>g8 line, Black can defend because Olafsson must play 14.~f3, gaining time against the undefended .£\e6, rather than ~h5. 13 ... ~g8! 14.~f3 (not 14.~h5? 'tt1d3-+) 14 .. .f615.exf6 gxf616.~xe6 .lld7 17.~e4 fxg5 18.Axg5 'tt1xg5 19.'tt1xa8 .£\d6 20.'tt1xa7 .lle6+. Essentially, Black has returned an exchange but emerges with a small initiative. 14:~g4 The most effective idea for White is ~f3-h3, exploiting both the unanchored .£\e6 and the rook's inability to defend safely on h8. 14.~f3! ~d7 15.h4! (not 15.~h3?! .£\xe5 16.~h7+ ~f6 and the king can escape, 17.'tt1h4 ~g6 18.~e4+ f5 19.'tt1xa8 .£\e6-+) 15 ... ~h8 16.~e4+ f5 (king moves get mated, 16 ... ~h6 17 ..£\xe6+ +-; 16 ... c,t>h5 17.g4+ c,t>xh4 18.~hl + c,t>xg4 19.~f3+ ~h4 20.'tt1h3#) 17.exf6+ ~xf6 (17 ... c,t>h6 18 ..£\xe6+ +-) and White has the usual pressure upon e6 once the f-pawn is gone, 18.~el c,t>e7 19 ..£\xe6 'tt1xe6 20.Ag5+ ~f8 (20 ... ~f7 21.'tt1f3++-) 21.'tt1f3+ ~f7 22.~xe8+ ~xe8 23.'tt1xe6+ +-. Also interesting is 14.'tt1e2+ f5 15.exf6+ c,t>xf6 16.'tt1e4;!;. 14.•. f5 Not 14 ... .£\xe5 because White can exploit the unanchored ~a8 15.~e4+ f5 16.~xa8+-. 15.~g3 f4 Far better to defend with 15 ... ~e7 taking the queen out of the reach of the

(109) Herrmann - Unzicker Leipzig 1953 Nirnzo-Indian Defense [E53]

Wolfgang Unzicker (1925-2006) chose law ahead of chess, but still retained enormous strength, the "world champion of amateurs," according to Karpov. He won the German championship six times from 1948 to 1963. From 1950 to 1978, he played in twelve Olympiads and represented the German national team more than 400 times. His best results were a shared first at the Chigorin Memorial in 1965 and shared first at Amsterdam, 1980. l.d4 4Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.4Jc3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.Ad3 0--0 6.4Jf3 d5 7.0--0 4J1xl7 8.cxd5 exd5 9.4Je2 c410.Ac2 Ad6 1l.b3 b512.bxc4 bxc413.4Jg3 Ele8 14.Aa4 ~c7 15.4Jf5 Af8 16.4Jg3 Eld8 17.Elbl 4Jb6 18.Ac2 Ad6 19.e4 dxe4 20.4J xe4 4J xe4 21.-'lxe4 Ab7 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

185

d

e

f

g

h

Sacking the Citadel White can count only the Jlc1 as an additional asset in the position. As a result, the sacrifice fails in both main lines. In the ~gS line, Black's rook is already off f8 and the black queen already defends the t7-square. The ~g6 line, by contrast, provides a much larger and easier advantage. White cannot there maintain the queen on the g-file, and without a white pawn on e5, Black can effectively counter a check from 'li'!c2 with .. .f5. 22.Jtxh7+ White's best chance was 22.Jlxb7 'li'!xb7 23.Jld2 when Black has only a small advantage. 22 ...Ci!lxh7 23.~g5+ Ci!lg6! In the more challenging ~gS line, Black can snake through to an advantage by maneuvering the light-square bishop to gS and walking the king to the queenside. 23 ... ~gS 24.'li'!h5 §eS 25.'li'!h7+ ~fS 26.Jla3. 8

7

6 5 4

position is under fire, but there is a successful defense: (a) 26 ... Ad5! 27.§fel f6 2S.~hS+ JlgS 29.§e6 Axa3 30.4Jh7+ ~t7 31.§xf6+ ~e7 (31 ... gxf6 32.~xf6#) 32.§el + ~d7 33.vtJxg7+ Jle7 34.4JfS+ ~cS 35.vtJxgS ~b7 36.§t7 §xfS 37.§exe7 §xgS 3S.§xc7+ ~a6 +; (b) Not 26 ... Jlxa3 27.§fel +cutting off the king's escape; and (c) 26 ... ~c6 27.d5! (not 27.f3 Axa3 28.§fel vtJh6-+) 27 ... 'li'!xd5 28.Jlxd6+ ~xd6 29.'li'!hS+ ~e7 30.~xg7 Jld5 31.4Jxt7 §gS 32.4Jxd6+ §xg7 33.4Jf5+ ~f6 34.4Jxg7 ~xg7=. Black's active cpawn compensates for slight material deficiency. 24.h4 The alternatives offer no hope: 24.'li'!g4 f5 when the queen is forced off the g-file and Black can play §hS with an anchor; or 24.vtJc2+ f5 when 25.g4 meets 25 ... Jlxh2 checkmate. 24••• ElhS 25.Elel Ad5 26. ~c2+ f5 27.g4 ~d7 2S.Elb5 There's no hope in 2S.h5+ 'M6 29.§e5 Jlxe5 30.dxe5+ ~e7 -+. 2S.•• Elxh4 29.f3 29.gxf5+ is convincingly foiled by 29 ... vtJxf5. 29 .•• ElahS 30.gxf5+ ~xf5 31.~g2 Elhl+ 32.Ci!lf2 Ellh20-1

3

(11 0) Tokarev - Gorenstein Ukraine 1954 Queen's Gambit Declined [D41]

2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

1.d4 ~f6 2.c4 e6 3.~f3 d5 4.~c3 c5 5.cxd5 ~xd5 6.e4 ~xc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 S.cxd4 Jth4+ 9.Ad2 Jtxd2+ 10.~xd2 0-0 1l.Ac4 ~d712.0-0 ~f6 13.Elfel b6 14.Eladl Ab7 15.~f4 Elc816.Ad3 Elc317.d5 ~e8 lS.e5 Axd5 (D)

Position after 26.J1a3 (analysis)

If White instead plays 26.'~hS+ Black can wind the king safely to the queens ide 26 ... ~e7 27.'li'!xg7 Jlxh2+ 2S.~hl Jld5 29.4Jxf7 §gS 30.Jlg5+ ~d7 31.4Je5+ ~cS-+ or against 26.Jld2 Jld5 27.§fel f6 28.'li'!hS+ JlgS 29.4Je6+ limit the damage to an exchange sacrifice, 29 ... §xe6 30.§xe6 c3 31.Jlh6 Jlxh2+ 32.~hl 4Jd5 33.§c6 'li'!e7 34.~xh2 gxh6 35.'li'!xh6+ vtJg7 36.'li'!h3 vtJh7 -+. After 26.Jla3, Black's

White's active rooks and e5-pawn provide important additional assets, but the black §c3 limits the ability of the white rooks and the queen to operate freely on the third rank. Black correctly defends

186

Games 25 ... ~h6 26.~g3 threatens a killing pin. 25...gxf6 26. ~h5+ ~g7 27.g5 Elxe4? And now Black can achieve equality with 27 ... fxg5 2S.4Jxg5 ~c7 29.~h7+ ~f6 escaping to e7: 30.~h6+ (30.~xd5 exd5 31.~h6+ ~f5 32.~h7+=) 30 ... ~e7 31.~xd5 ~g4+ 32.~hl ~c6 33.~xe6+ fxe6 34.~h7+ ~eS 35.~g6+

8

7

6 5

4

3 2

~e7 36.~h7+=. 28.~h6+ ~g8

29.Elxe4 fxg5 30.Elg4 f5 31.Elxg5+ ~f7 32.Elg7+ 1--0

abcdefgh

with ~g6, when White, with two equalizing lines at his disposal, plays inaccurately and is lucky to win. 19.Axh7+ ~xh7 20.Jilg5+ ~g6 In the ~gSline, white wins quickly because the 4Jf8 prevents Black from creating an escape square on fS, 20 ... ~gS 21.~h4+-. 21.Jile4? Once again, the defender is fine after giving back an exchange: 21.4Jxe6 fxe6 22.~xfS ~d7=, while here, after 21.h4 Black gives back a piece for a pawn to dull White's initiative: 21 ... 4Jf6 22.exf6 ~xf6 23.h5+ ~h6 24.4Jxf7+. A double-discovered check with no teeth. 24 ... ~h7 25.4Jg5+ 'it1gS 26.~xf6 ~xf6=. 21 ... Elc4 The best defense is 21...~a3 maintaining control over the third rank. 22.~g4+ 'it1h6 23.4Jg3 threatening ~h5+ 23 ... ~h7 24.~b4 ~xg3 gladly returning the exchange, 25.hxg3 ~hS-+. Black's king is safe, the rook will take control over the h-file, and all of Black's pieces will find strong havens. 22. ~g4+ ~h6 Correctly avoiding 22 ... 'it1h7 23.~h5+ ~gS 24.4Jg5 +- . 23. ~h3+ ~g6 24.g4 Jilf6 25.exf6 Missing 25.f4 ~xe4 26.~ xe4 ~cS. The pin on the bishop and White's mating threats make the rook immune: 27.~ed4 4Jxg4 28.~xg4+ ~h7 29.f5 ~c3 30.f6 ~e3+ 31.'it1f1 g6 32.~el +-. Trading queens with ... ~f3 gives White a winning endgame, while

187

(111) Kazic - Reseli Correspondence 1954 French Defense [C14] 1.d4 e6 2.e4 d5 3.Jilc3 Jilf6 4.Ag5 Ae7 5.e5 Jilfd7 6.h4 c5 7.Axe7 ~xe7 8.f4 a6 9.Jilf3 Jilc6 10.dxc5 ~xc5 11.~d2 b5 12.Jild1 Jilb6 13.b30--0 14.Jilf2 Ab715.Ad3 Jild7 8

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White has three additional assets, the secure e5-pawn, the h-pawn, and the 4Jf2-g4, but White's queen has no easy access to the h-file. As a result, the ~gS line is problematic, though Black once again crumbles under pressure. Were the white queen on dl, the game continuation would have netted the black queen after lS.~h5 ~xc2 19.4Jfe4 ~xe4+ 20.4Jxe4 dxe4, a position that remarkably still offers chances to both sides. 16.Axh7+ ~xh7 17.Jilg5+

Sacking the Citadel ~gS A bit of a curiosity, perhaps, but Black can hold here in the \t'hB line in part because the white queen cannot directly reach the h-file with check, 17 ... \t'hB!? 18.~d3 f5 19.~f3 (the en passant capture would bring the knight to f6) 19 ...\t'gB 20.~h5 ~c3+, when it's Black's tum to attack. 21.\t'fl ~xa1 + 22.\t'e2 4:ld4+ 23.\t'd3 4:lc5+ 24.\t'd2 (24. '
188

(112) Giusti - Cipriani Correspondence 1954 French Defense [CI7] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 .1l.b4 4.e5 c5 5 ..1l.d2 4)e7 6.4)b5 .1l.xd2+ 7.~xd2 0--0 S.c3 4)bc6 9.4)d6 ~b610.4)f3 .1l.d711 ..1l.d34)c8

abcdefgh

White sports a secure pawn on e5 and the 4:ld6, an important asset in many lines. To his detriment, the queen stands on d2, where it aids the '
Games easily in all lines: 17 .. .';tJgS (or 17 ... 'tJe7 18.4Jxe6 Axe619.'~xeS# or 17 ... 4Jxe5 lS.dxe5 4Jxd619.exd6
(113) Balanel- Sliwa Prague 1954 Nirnzo-Indian Defense [E51] 1.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)c3.1lb4 4 ..1ld2 0-0 5.e3 d5 6.4)f3 §e8 7 . .1ld3 4)bd7 8.0--0 .1ld6 9.§cl c6 10.e4 dxe4 1l.4)xe4 4)xe4 12..1lxe4 e5 13.§e1exd4

16.~h4+
'tJfS 19.exd6+-) 16.~g5+
abc

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For additional assets, White has active rooks and a dark-square bishop, but there is no e5-pawn, and Black also has a rook on the open e-file, freeing up fS, and the 4Jd7 has unfettered access to the key f6-square. Black correctly enters the 'tJg6 line because White cannot make progress with either ~g4 or ~c2+. Mysteriously, black agrees to a draw in a fully winning position. 14..1lxh7+? Iit'xh715.4)g5+ Iit'g6! In the
189

Sacking the Citadel ... ~f6 21.g3 ~f6+ 22.'£\f4 (22 ..ilf4 ~h3 23 ..£\g1 ~xf4+ 24.'lt>e2 ~g2+ 25.'lt>e1 ~xf1 +) 22 ... ~h3-+; (b) Also interesting and thematic is 19 ... h5 threatening ... h4. (1) 20.'lt>f3 ~f6+ 21.'£\f4 (2U1f4 '£\xf4 22.'£\xf4 g5-+) 21...~xd4-+; (2) 20.~e1 ~h4+ 21.~f3 ~f6+, a nice maneuver that takes advantage of both the queen and the h-pawn. 22.~g3 h4+ forcing the king into a useful discovery, 23.~h3 ~d6 first, threatening mate, 24 ..ilf4 '£\xf4+ 25.~xf4 .£\e5+ 26.'lt>h2 .£\xd3-+; and (3) 20..£lf4 h4+ 21.~3 (exposing the king to checks along the diagonal) 21...~xd4 22.'lt>e2 .£\4e5 23 ..£\xg6 .ilg4+ 24.~f3 fxg6 -+. With the knight on g6, 19.~h3 loses instantly to ~h4#. 19 .•• ~h4 20.Elf3 ~h2+ 21.'it>{1 ~hl + 22.!z)gl !z)h2+ 23.'it>{2 Carefully avoiding both 23.~e2? ~xg2+ 24.~f2 .ilg4+ -+ and 23. 'It>e 1 '£\xf3+ -+ . 23 ... !z)g4+ 24.'it>f1 !z)h2+ 2S.'it>f2 !z)g4+ 26.'it>{1 !z)h2+ Yl-Yl

Drawn by agreement, but Black is fully winning after 19 ..£\e6 ~h8 20.h3 .£\f6 21 ..£\xd4 .ild7 -+. (114) Harrow - Siegel New York 1955 Nirnzo-Indian Defense [E46] l.d4 !z)f6 2.c4 e6 3.!z)c3 Ab4 4.e3 0--0 S.!z)ge2 dS 6.a3 Ae7 7.cxdS exdS S.!z)f4 c6 9.Ad3 !z) bd710.0--0 Ele8 11.b4 !z)fS 12.f3 !z)g613.!z)fe2 as 14.Elbl axb41S.axb4 Ad616.e4 dxe417.fxe4 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

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f

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h

An ambitious sacrifice that nets a half point. White has full control over the center, the ~f1 is actively posted on a semi-open file, and White threatens e4e5. Black has two additional assets, the .£\g6 which supports the queen on h4 and prevents White from defending with .ilf4, and the ~e8, whose scope is obviously limited by the white center. In the 'It>g1 line, as played in the game, Black does not appear to have better than a quick perpetual. 17••• Axh2+ IS.'it>xh2 !z)g4+ 19.'it>gl In the ~g3 line, ... h5 carries the powerful threat of ... h4, driving the king to f3. After 19.~g3, Black has two main tries, 19 ... ~h4+ and 19 ... h5. (a) With the knight on g6, Black's best move is likely 19 ... ~h4+ 20.~f3 ~e6 with the idea of

190

(115) Helwing - Baumann Correspondence 1956 Ruy Lopez [C99] l.e4 eS 2.!Z)f3 !z)c6 3.AbS a6 4.Aa4 !z)f6 S.O--O Ae7 6.Elel bS 7.Ab3 0--0 S.c3 d6 9.h3 !z)aS 10.Ac2 cS II.d4 ~c7 12.!z)bd2 Ab7 13.!z)f1 cxd4 14.cxd4 ElacS IS.Abl dS 16.exdS exd417.-'tgS !z)xdS IS.Axe7 !z)xe7

abc

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h

Games White has two additional assets, the §el and the 4Jf1 en route to g3 or h2. In the game; Black tried ~h6, an effort to exploit the absence of a dark-square bishop. White reacts correctly with 4Jg3 and an overwhelming attack, but White blunders horribly on move 24. 19.J}.xh7+ ~xh7 20.~g5+ ~h6 In the ~g8Iine, Black sacrifices the 4Je7 to defend effectively with 'ittc2. 20 ... ~g8! 21.~h5 (21.~d3? [trying to prevent 21...~c2] 21...4Jg6!) 21...~c2 (placing the queen on the key diagonal) 22.§xe7 Ad5 23.§c1 ~g6 and Black is fine, 24.'ittxg6 fxg6 25.§xc8 §xc8=. In the ~g6 line, White wins quickly with 4Jg3. 20 ... ~g6 21.4Jg3 (with the idea of ~h5) 21...~xg5 (21...§h8 to prevent 'itth5, but 22.~g4 f5 23.§e6#) 22.~g4+ (the queen has immediate help from the knight) 22 ...~6 (22 ... ~h6 23.~h5 #) 23.4Jh5 #. 21.~g3! g6 2l...~xg5 walks into a mate in two with 22.'ittg4+ ~f6 (22 ... ~h6 23.~h5#) 23.4Jh5#. 22.~g4 EIcd8 (a) 22 ... 4Jf5 with a mating net that involves a pretty rook sacrifice on move 31, 23.4Jxf5+ gxf5 24. ~h4+ ~g6 25.~h7+ ~xg5 (25 ... ~f6 26.~h6#) 26.~g7+ ~h5 (26 ... ~h4 27.~h6#) 27.g4+ fxg4 (27 ... ~h4 28.~h6#) 28.~h7+ ~g5 29.h4+ ~f4 (29 ... ~f6

(116) Dolezal- Ancin, Chomutov 1956 French Defense [C06] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~d2 ~f6 4.e5 5.J}.d3 c5 6.c3 ~c6 7.~e2 ,1l.e7 8.~f3 0--0 9.~f4cxd410.cxd4 ,1l.b4+ 11.~f1 EIe812.h4f6 ~fd7

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

e

f

g

h

White has a secure pawn on e5, a darksquare bishop, a well developed knight on f4, and the h4-pawn. Little wonder, therefore, that the sacrifice readily succeeds even against a black pawn structure that prominently features the pawn on f6. The capture on g5 loses quickly because White gains an active h-file and a pawn on g6. The 4Jf4 eliminates even the possibility of~g6. Black selects the ~g8 retreat, which lasts longest only because Black can actively return a piece on e5. 13.,1l.xh7+! Although the sacrifice is sound, White can continue risklessly with 13.~c2 4Jf8 14.h5 fxe5 15.dxe5 h6 16.§h3±. 13 ... ~xh7 14.~g5+ ~g8 14 .. .fxg5 15.hxg5+ ~g816.~h5 4Jdxe5 (Black must eliminate the e5 pawn in order for the king to hope to reach d6) 17.dxe5 4Jxe5 18.g6 4Jxg6 (Black might as well capture the g-pawn because the 4Je5 is loose, 18 ... ~f8 19.~xe5+-) 19.~h7+ ~f7 (19 ... ~f8 20.4Jxg6+ ~f7 21.4Je5++-) 20.'ittxg6+ +- ~e7 (20 ...<MB 21.4Jd3 +- )

30.~h6+ ~f5 31.~g5#)30.~h6+~f3

(30 ... ~f5

d

31.~g5#)

31.§e3+ d xe3 or (b) 22 ... 4Jc4 23.~h4+ ~g7 24.~h7+ ~f6 25.'itth6!. A nice waiting move that sets up a mate in two: 25 ... §h8 26.4Jh5+ ~f5 27.g4#. 23.~h4+ ~g7 24.EIxe7?? A horrible miscalculation that throws away the game. White is winning after 24.~h7+ ~f6 25.~h6+- threatening 4Jh7# and 4Jh5+. 24 •.• ~xe7 25.~f5+ gxf5 32.~xe3#;

26.~h7+ ~f6 27.~h6+ ~e5

28.EIel + ,1l.e4 29.~f3+ ~d5 0-1

191

Sacking the Citadel 21.~xg7+ ~d6 22.~d3+-. Remarkably enough, material is even, but White's pieces are well poised for victory. Af4 and )"lc1 are likely to be next. 15.t\'h5.£idxe515 .. .fxg516.hxg5+opens the h-file, while 15 ... ~e7 cuts off the escape, 16.~h7+ ~f817.~h8#. 16.dxe5 .£ixe5 17.t\'h7+ Or 17.~d3+-. 17.•. fS IS. .£ih5 Also winning is 18.~d3 ~xd319.~h8+ ~e7 20.~xg7+ ~d6 21.~f7+. IS ••• t\'c7 19. t\'hS+ Much stronger is 19 .Af4 +- . 19••• e7 20.t\'xg7+ d6 21.t\'xf6 t\'c4+ 22.gl.£id3 23.Ae3 23.~g7 hits interesting squares, the )"le8 and f5. 23 ••• Ad7 24.a3 Ac5 25.Axc5+ t\'xc5 26.Elh3 t\'c2 27. .£if7+ c7 2S ..£ig7 ElfS 29.Elf1 ElacS 30. t\'e7 hS 31.Elf3 The surgical finish is 31.)"lxd3 ~xd3 32.~e5+-. 31 •.. Ah5 32..£id61~

(117) Hartmann - Geissert Zittau 1956 Ruy Lopez [CS9] l.e4 e5 2 •.£if3 .£ic6 3.Ah5 a6 4.Aa4 .£if6 5.~ h5 6.Ah3 Ae7 7.Elel 0o S.c3 d5 9.exd5 .£ixd5 10. .£ixe5 .£ixe5 1l.Elxe5 .£if6 12.d4 Ad6 13.Ele2

Despite White's relative lack of queenside development, Black initiates the sacrifice with only one additional asset, the light-square bishop. As a result, Black wins only in the ~h3 and ~h1Iines. In the game, White defends with ~g3, a more difficult chore but Hartmann rises to the challenge. 13•..Axh2+ 14.xh2 .£ig4+ 15.g3 In the ~gl line, Black would have to try the awkward ~d6 to avoid Af4. 15.~gl ~d6 (15 ... ~h4 16.Af4+-) 16.g3+- Ab7 17.Af4 ~c6 18.d5+-. 15•••h516. t\'hl! t\'d6+ 17.Af4 t\'g6 IS.Ac2 Or simply 18.f3 +-. IS ... f5 19.f3 h4+ 20. t\' xh4 EleS 21.El xeS+ Also winning are 21.~g5, 21.Ab3+, and even 21.~xg4+-. 21. .. t\'xeS 22. .£id21~

(118) Wiktorczyk - Bozek Correspondence 1957 French Defense [CIS] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3..£ic3 Ab4 4.e5 .£ie7 5.a3 Axc3+ 6.hxc3 c5 7. t\'g4 ~ S..£if3 t\'a5 9.Ad3 t\'xc3+ 10.j}.d2 t\'xal + 1l.e2 t\'xhl

8 7

6 5 4

3

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2

abc

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White carries out the Greco Sacrifice immediately after a double-rook sac. Theoretically, the result in tlie ~g8line ought to be a draw because, with the black knight on e7, White would nor-

h

192

Games mally have nothing more than a perpetual. Faced with the draw, Black tries for more and loses quickly. 12. .Q.xh7+ Iit>xh7 13 . .£lg5+ When possible, 13.~h5+ should be played first in order to eliminate Black's options. 13••• lit>gS In this instance, Black's options lead to quick mates owing of course to the activity of the ~g4: 13 ... ~g6 14 ..£\xe6+ h7 15.~xg7#; 13 ... ~h6 14.~h4+ g6 15.~h7#. 14..~h5 EtdS! Thanks to the gain of the rooks, Black now has the luxury of sacrificing back his queen to gain time to safeguard his king. 14 ... ~xh2 15.~xh2 .!"!.e816.~h7+ f817.~h8+

.£\g8 18.'£\h7+ ~e7 19.Ag5+ (the standard maneuver when Black's knight starts on e7) 19 ... d7 20.~xg7 c6 and the white attack continues to crash through. 21.~xf7 Ad7 22.'£\f8 cxd4 23.f4 a5 24.f5 exf5 25.e6+-. 15"~·xf7+ 15.~h7+ f816.~h8+ .£\g8 17 ..£\h7+ ~e718.~g5+ ~d719.~xg7 ~xg2-+ 15 ..• lit>hS 16..~h5+ Iit>gS 17..~h7+ Iit>fS1S..~h5 g6? Having defended well, Black loses his nerve. There's no win to be found after 18 ... ~g8=.19.~hS+ .£lgS 20.~h7 1-0 There are no rooks for a rook swing, but the queen and knight work together harmoniously, 20 ... .£\h6 (20 ... .!"!.e7 21.£\xe6+) 21.~xh6+ ~e7 22.~g7+ ~e8 23.~f7#.

(119) Sobel- Tseveloidoff Reykjavik 1957 French Defense [C06] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£ld2 .£lf6 4.e5 .£lfd7 5 . .Q.d3 c5 6.c3 .£lc6 7 ..£le2 cxd4 S.cxd4 ~b6 9 . .£lf3 .Q.b4+ 10.1it>f1 0--0

193

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White has three usable assets, the darksquare bishop, the .£\e2, and the protected e5-pawn, but Black's counterplay requires that White play ~d3 rather than try for~h5 with 12 ... g813 ..£\g3 ~xd4 with the ideaof ... ~d3. To equalize, Black needed to take advantage of the ~d3+ by playing .!"!.e8, providing the king with a usable escape. 1l..Q.xh7+ Iit>xh712. .£lg5+ Iit>gS! In the 12 ... g6Iine, White has two main alternatives, 13.~d3 and 13.'£\f4 with the idea of~h5+. (a) 13.~d3+ f5 (once again, the retreats lead to forced mates) 14.'£\f4+ ~xg5 (take it now or take it later: 14 ... h6 15.~h3+ xg5 16.~h5#) either way is a quick mate, 15.~g3+ ~h616.~g6# or 16.~h4#; and (b) 13.'£\f4+ f5 (the .£\g5 capture makes no sense against the queenknight combination, 13 ... xg5 14.~h5#) 14.~d3+ xg5 (14 ... ~g4 15.~h3+ xg5 16.~h5#) 15 ..£\xe6+ ~h5 16.~h7+ (White wants the mate, not the rook) 16 ... g4 17.h3#. After 12 ... h6 13.~d3 once again, the discoveries are less interesting than the mates, 13 ... g614.~h3+g715.~h7#. 13. ~d3 Against .£\e2-g3, the queen can again force its way onto the key bl-h7 diagonal: 13 ..£\g3 ~xd414.~h5 ~d3+.13 •••f5? Missing a path to equality with the obvious 13 ... .!"!.e8!, taking

Sacking the Citadel full advantage of the queen's inability to attack f7 and h7 at the same time. 14.'~h7+ ~f81S.'~·h8+ ~e7 16.'~xg7

~d8 17.1.te3 15.~h5 +-

1.te7=. 14.~h3 ~eS 4:}fS 16.~f7+ ~hS 17.~xeS ~c7 IS..1le3 b6 19.~c1 .1lb7 20.4:}xe6 ~xeS 21.4:}xc7 ~dS 22.a3 .1le7 23.4:}f4 .1lg5 24.4:}fe6 4:}xe6 25.4:}xe6 .1lxe3 26.fxe3 ~eS 27.4:}g5 ~fS 28.g3 4:}a5 29.~c7 ~b8 30.~f2 4:}c4 31.~c14:}xb2 32.~xb7 4:}d3+ 33.~g2 1--0

ture the 4JgS: 18.~h4 ~g6 19.flh7+ ~xgS 20.h4 ~g4 -+) 18 ... ~xf8 19.bxc3 1.tcS+ 20.~hl .ilf2-+. 15.~h4 ~xg51 16.~xg5 cxb2 17.~adl.1le6 The minors are ready to swann. IS.h4 .1lc319.h5 ~h7 20.g4 .1lxe5 21. ~h4 .1ld4+ 22.~hl.1le3 23.g5 ~aeS 24.g6+ ~gS 25.~gl d4 0-1 White's attack has evaporated. If anything, it is the white king that is exposed after ...1.tdS. (121) Prokhorovich - K1avins Pamu 1958 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E55]

(120) Milotai - Fichtl Bmo 1957 Vienna Game [C29] l.e4 e5 2.4:}c3 4:}f6 3.f4 d5 4.fxe5 4:} xe4 5.4:}f3 .1lc5 6.d4.1lb4 7 ..1ld2 c5 S..1lb5+ 4:}c6 9.0--0 0--0 10..1ld3 4:}xd211.~xd2cxd412.~f4dxc3

8

l.d4 4:}f6 2.c4 e6 3.4:}c3 .1lb4 4.e3 0--0 5 •.1ld3 c5 6.4:}f3 d5 7.0--0 dxc4 S..1lxc4 4:}bd7 9.dxc5 4:} xc510..1ld2 .1la5 1l.a3 .1lc7 12. ~c2 b6 13.b4 4:}cd714.4:}b5 AbSI5.~fdl.1lb7 16.~acl a617.4:}bd4e51S.4:}e2e4 19.4:}fd4

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Counting on two additional assets, the e5-pawn and the §fl, White initiates the sacrifice already down a piece. The material edge penn its Black to gain an overwhelming advantage with ... ~xgS, obtaining three minor pieces and a pawn for the queen. 13 . .1lxh7+ ~xh7 14.4:}g5+ ~gS More difficult to calculate but also winning is 14 ... ~g6 lS.4Jxf7 fle7 16.flg3+ ~h7 17.4JgS+ ~h6 18.§xf8 (the usual idea of flh4h7 fails because Black can safely cap-

194

abc

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h

Black's additional assets include the light-square bishop off the main c8-h3 diagonal, the e4-pawn, and the 4Jd7 which does have access to eS and then f3. In tum, the white rook is already posted offfl, and White has excellent control over the c-file and is effectively challenging the black e-pawn. The Greco Sacrifice appears to provide a significant advantage with correct play. In

Games the 'it'glline, Black avoids his best possibilities with ~h4 and the 4:Je5-f3 maneuver. 19.~.Jixh2+ Black was clearly in an aggressive mood, but 19 ... 4:Je5 with the idea of 4:Jxc4 is a perfectly reasonable continuation. 20.lit'xh2 .£)g4+ 21.lit'gl In the 'it'g3line, Black can sustain the queen on the g-file. 21.'it'g3 ~g5 (there's no point in trying 22 ... ~c7+ 23.4:Jf4 when Black does not have time for ... g4 because the 4:Jg4 is hanging) 22.f4 ~g6 23.f5 (23.~b2 4:Jxe3+ 24.'it'f2 4:Jxdl+ 25.Elxdl ElacS-+) 23 ... ~g5 (the queen will remain on the g-file) 24.4:Je6 fxe6 25.Jlxe6+ 'it'hS 26 ..ilxd7 and now, according for Fritz 12, it's mate in 1O! 26 ... 4:Jxe3+ 27.r.t>f2 EI xf5+ 2S.Jlxf5 ~xg2+ 29.'it'xe3 ~f3+ 30.r.t>d4 EldS+ -+. After 22.f3 rather than 22.f4, Black walks into a self-pin with 22 ... 4:Jxe3+ but is fine in all lines: (a) 23.'it'f2 4:Jxdl +:;:, breaking the pin by capturing the rook with check; (b) 23.'it'h3 ~xg2+ 24.r.t>h4 ~h2+ 25.r.t>g5 h6"" or 25 ... ~h6""; and (c) 23.r.t>h2 ~xg2"". 21 .•. b5 Black's best shot is 21...~h4! with fantastic complications: 22.4:Jg3 (Black is winning after 22.4:Jf4 ~xf2+ 23.'it'hl ~h4+ 24.'it'gl and now 24 ... 4:Jde5 25.4:Jh3 ~g3 with the idea of ... 4:Jf3+ 26.'it'fl 4:Jf3 27.4:Jf5 4:Jgh2+ 2S.'it'e2 ~xg2+ 29.4:Jf2 4:Jg4 30.Elfl .§.fdS-+) 22 ... 4:Jde5 23.4:Jdf5 ~h2+ 24.'it'fl 4:Jf3. Obviously, White cannot capture the knight because Black would have 24 ... ~xf2 "" 25. r.t>e2 (25.4:Jxe4 ~gl + 26.r.t>e2 ~xg2 27.Elfl [27.4:Jed6 4:Jxf2 2S.4:Jxb7 4:Je4+ 29.r.t>d3 ElfdS+ 30.4:JxdS ElxdS+ 31..1ld5 (31.4:Jd4 4:Je5 ""] 31...EI xd5+ 32. r.t>c4 4:Jexd2+ 33.'it'c3 Eld7 -+) 27 ... 4:Jge5 and Black is winning) 25 ... ~xg2 26.Jlel EladS 27.Eld6 r.t>hS:;:. Less compelling for Black is 21...4:Jde5 22.4:Jf4= (22.4:Jg3

ElcS 23.~a2 ~h4 24 . .ilc3 Elxc4 25.4:Jdf5 ~h2+ 26.r.t>fl Elxc3 27.Elxc3 h5 2S.Elc7 h4 29.Elxb7 hxg3 30.4:Jxg3 4:Jxe3+ 3l.fxe3 4:Jg4-+). 22.Jixb5 The bishop sacrifice is unnecessary. White is winning after 22 ..ilb3 ~h4 23.4:Jg3 ~h2+ 24.'it'fl 4:Jde5 25 ..ilc3+-. 22 .•. axb5 23.~e7 ~h4 24.~g3 ~xg3 25..£)xg3 .£)de5 26.Ete7 j}.d5 27..£)xb5 EtfdS 28.j}.e3 .£)d3 29.Etd2 Etde8 30.£3 exf3 31.gxf3 .£)gf2 32.Etxf2 .£)xf2 33.lit'xf2 Jib3 34.Etxe8+ Etxe8 35 . .£)f5 Ete4 36.j}.xg7 Ete2+ 37.lit'g3 Jie6 38..£)bd6 Eta2 39.j}.h6 f6 40..£)e7+ Iit'h841 ..£)e81--O

(122) Furman - Geller Riga 1958 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E54] Semyon Furman (1920-1978) is best known as the trainer of Botvinnik, Bronstein, and Karpov. He played often in Soviet events, achieving fourth place in the 1965 Soviet Championship and becoming a grandmaster in 1966. Efim Geller (1925-1998) became a grandmaster in 1952, won the Soviet Championship twice in 1955 and 1979, and qualified for the candidates' cycle six times (1953,1956,1962,1965, 1968,and 1971). He won four Ukrainian championship titles, shared first in the 1991 World Seniors' Championship, and won that title outright in 1992. Geller is wellknown as coach to both Spas sky and Karpov during their world championship matches. 1.d4 .£)f6 2.e4 e6 3 . .£)e3 Jih4 4.e3 e5 5.Jid3 0--0 6 ..£)f3 d5 7.0--0 dxe4 8.Jixe4 b6 9. ~e2 j}.b7 10.dxe5 j}.xe311.bxe3 bxe512.j}.d3 .£)bd7 13.e4e414.j}.e2 ~a515.Etbl.£)e5 16.Etxb7 .£)xb717.e5 .£)d5

195

Sacking the Citadel

abc

d

e

f

g

h

In a battle between titans, White sacrificed the exchange in order to play e5, driving off Black 's g8Iine, Black cannot successfully create the f8escape square because the white queen nets the loose g6line, White exploits the queen's access to e4, which adds remarkably to the power of the line after .. .f5 because White gains a double attack on the unprotected e6pawn. 19 ... <;!;>g6 20.'l1i'e4+! initiates a mate in four (20.'l1i'g4 again fails because there's no way to sustain the queen on the g-file. 20 .. .f5 21.'l1i'g3 'l1i'xc3 22.Ae3 f4 23.'l1i'g4 hl 'l1i'd3-+ )20 .. .f5 (The king retreats are quickly mated: 20 ... <;!;>h5 21.'l1i'h7+ <;!;>g4 22.'l1i'h3# or 22.h3# or 22.f3 #) 21.exf6+ <;!;>h5 (21... ~xf6 22.'l1i'xe6# and 21...<;!;>h6 22.'l1i'h7#) 22.'l1i'h7+ <;!;>g4 23.h3#. The ~h6 line takes on a dark-square bishop and a white queen easily able to swing to M. 19 ... <;!;>h6 20.'l1i'e4 f5 invites a quick mate in two (handing back the piece brings on some complications but only delays the mate 20 ... h5 and it's mate in three with

196

22.g7 [22 ... <;!;>h5 23.xg5 24.h4+ ~h6 25.'l1i'h7#] 23.Axf6+ ~h6 [23 ... ~g8 24.'l1i'g4+ ~xh7 25.'l1i'g7#] 24.'l1i'h4+ <;!;>g6 25.'l1i'g5+ ~xh7 26.'l1i'g7#) 21. 'l1i'h4+ ~g6 22. 'l1i'h7 #. 20:~h5 ~f6 After 20 ... t'!fe8 There's no mate in five because the black queen is off d8: 21.'l1i'xf7+ <;!;>h8 22.'l1i'h5+ ~g8 23.'l1i'h7+ <;!;>f8 24.'l1i'h8+ <;!;>e7 25.'l1i'xg7+ ~d8 but the Ab7 is unanchored, 26.'l1i'xb7+-. 21.exf6 ~f5 22.g4 ~g6 23.~xg6 fxg6 24.f7+ Etxf7 White is easily winning after 24 ... ~h8 25 ..Ila3+-. 25.~xf7 'it'xf7± 26.Ae3 e5 27.f4 'it'e6 2S.fxe5 ~dS 29.EtfS EtbS 30.Axa7 Etb1 + 31.Etf1 Etb232.Etf2 Etb1+ 33.Etf1 33.~g2± 33 ... Etb2 34.Etf2 Etb1 + 35.'it'g2 ~c6 36..1l,e3 ~xe5 37.h3 Ete1 3S.Ad2 Eta1 39.j},g5 ~d3 4O.Ete2+ 'it'd5 41.'it'g3 Etgl+ 42.'it'h2 Eta1 43.'it'g2 .£let 44.Etd2+ .£ld3 45.Ete2 .£lc146.Etd2+ .£ld3 47.'it'g3 Ete1 4S.'it'h2 'it'e4 49.'it'g2 'it'd5 50.AdS Etc151.Ag5 'it'e5 52.'it'f3 ~-~ Lulled to sleep and content with the draw, White misses both 52.t'! xd3! +- and 52.t'!e2+ +- .

(123) Schuster - Niepbaus Nuremberg 1959 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E29] 1.d4 .£lf6 2.c4 e6 3 ..£lc3 Ab4 4.e3 0--0 5..£lf3 c5 6.a3 Axc3+ 7.bxc3 d6 S ..1l,d3 .£lc6 9.0-0 e5 10.d5 .£le7 11.e4.£lg612..£le1 ~a513.~c2Ad7 14.f4 Aa4 15.~b2 exf4 16.Axf4 .£lxf4 17.Etxf4 .£ld7 1S..£l0 EtabS 19.Etf1 f6 20. ~c1 a6 (D) To initiate the sacrifice, White first ditches the e-pawn to open the bl-h7 diagonal. After the sacrifice, the

Games 25.~h7+ '.ftf8 26.~h8+ (26.<£Je6+ '.fte7 27.~xg7+ 'tie8 28.~g6+ '.fte7

8

29.~g5+) 26 ... 'tie7 27.~xg7+ '.ftd8 (27 ... 'tie8 28.Elxf4 e4 29.~h8+ '.fte7 30.Elf7 #) 28.<£Je6+ '.fte8 (28 ... '.fte8

7

6 5

29.~g8+

4

Elf8 [29 ... <£Jf8 30.Elxf4 exf4 '.ftd7 32.~g7+ '.fte8 33.h4+-] 30.Elxf8+ <£Jxf8 31.~xf8+ '.ftd7 32.~xb8+-) 29.~g6+ '.fte7 30.~g5+ Elf6 31.~g7+ '.fte8 32.Elxf6 <£Jxf6 33. ~xf6. The mating threats keep the black queen close, when White can simply start pushing the h-pawn. 33 ... ~b6 34.~g6+ '.ftd7 35.~f7+ '.fte8 36.h4 +- . Don't miss the '.fth6 line, in which White's most efficient path to the win involves consecutive sacrifices of the knight and rook: 23 ...'.fth6 24.E!.h4+ '.ftg6 25.~bl + 'tixg5 26.E!.g4+ +- (taking the rook meets a mate in three) The queen cannot reach the h-file directly after 23 ... 'tih8 but 24.~bl +- is overwhelming. 24.~b1+ Cit'xg5 25.1ag4+ 1-0 The rook sacrifice starts a mate in four: 25 ... '.ftxg4 (25 ...'.fth6 26.~g6#) 26.~g6+ '.fth4 27.g3+ '.fth3 28.~h5#. 31.~xf8+

3 2

abcdefgh

doubled rooks provide the needed additional assets to achieve victory in every line. The \filg6 line in the game involves a nice rook sacrifice on g4 with a quick mating net. 21.e5 fxe5 There were two alternative captures on e5: (a) 21...dxe5 22.Elg4 f5 23.~h6 (a nice rook sacrifice that forces the king to f7 where White will have a powerful discovery with the knight) 23 ... fxg4 24.~xh7+ \filf7 25.<£Jxe5+ (25.<£Jg5+ 'tie7 [2'5 ... 'tie8 26.~xg7 Elxfl + 27.'tixfl ~b6 28 ..llg6+ \fild8 29.<£Je6+ \file8 30. ~h8+ <£Jf8 31. ~xf8+ \fild7 32.<£Jxe5+ +-] 26. ~xg7+ '.ftd6 27.~h6+ 'tie7 28.<£Je6+ 'tib6 29.<£Jxf8+ +- ) 25 ...'tie7 26.~xg7+ '.ftd8 (26 ... 'tid6 27.Elxf8 <£Jxf8 28.<£Jf7+ 'tie7 [28 ... 'tid7 29.<£Jg5++-] 29.~e5+ 'tib6 30.~xb8) 27.Elxf8+ <£Jxf8 28.d6 when it's mate in five; and (b) 21...<£Jxe5 22.<£Jxe5 dxe5 (Black cannot capture with 22 .. .fxe5 because of 23 ..I1xh7+ 'tixh7 24.Elxf8+-) and now the three majors romp on the kingside: 23.Elh4 h6 24.m3 \filf7 25.~el \file7 26.Elg3 g5 (26 ... Elf7 27 ..I1g6+-) 27.Elxh6+-. 22.J}.xh7+! Cit'xh7 23.1~g5+ Cit'g6 In the 'tig8 line, the white queen enters the diagonal on bl when the queen, the <£Jg5-e6, and the Elfl tie down Black's forces so tightly that the passed h-pawn queens easily. 23 ... \filg8 24.~bl Elxf4

(124) Kozlova - Liapunova Moscow 1959 Nirnzo-Indian Defense [E20] 1.d4 ~f6 2.c4 e6 3.~c3 j}"b4 4.j}"d2 d5 5.e3 0--0 6.cxd5 exd5 7.j}"d3 1ae8 8.~ge2 c6 9.a3 j}"d6 10. ~c2 a5 11.0-0 8

7

6

5 4

3

1""""'~N/_. uF~~~~'7"'~N/

2

abc

197

d

e

f

g

h

Sacking the Citadel Black's sacrifice relies upon two additional assets, the light-square bishop and the El.eS, but White, with superior development, defends easily in the ~g3 line. There, the black queen cannot remain on the g-file and after 13.g3 ~d6+, Black does not have an adequate response to 14.f4. 11. .. Jlxh2+ 12.Cit'xh2 .£Jg4+ 13.Cit'gl White is easily winning after 13.~g3! ~d6+ (not 13 ... ~g5 14.f4+- and the queen is no longer able to stay on the g-file or on the h-file after El.h1) 14.f4 El.xe3+ 15.El.f3+- or 15.~h4 ~h6#; 15.ltxe3 4Jxe3 16.Axh 7 + 'it'fS 17. ~c1 +- . 13 ... ~h4 14.!!fcl After 14.El.fe1 ~xf2+ 15.'it'h1 Black can choose to sac the rook now with 15 ... El.xe3! (or later with 15 ... ~h4+ 16.~gl ~h2+ 17.'it'f1 El.xe3! lS.Axe3 4Jxe3+ 19.~f2 4Jxc2 -+) 16.Axe3 ~h4+ 17. 'it'gl ~h2+ 18.'it'f14Jxe3+ 19.'it'f24Jxc2-+. 14.•• ~xf2+ 15.Cit'hl !!xe316..£Jgl White dare not capture the rook because 16.Axe3 4Jxe3-+ hits the queen and supports the mate on g2. 16••• ~h4+ 0-1 White resigns rather than allow the rook sac on h3: 17.4Jh3 El.xh3+-+ lS.gxh3 ~xh3+ 19.'it'gl ~h2+ 20.'it'f1 ~f2#.

(125) Fucak - Petek Correspondence 1959 RuyLopez [C81] l.e4 e5 2..£Jf3 .£Jc6 3.Jlb5 a64.Aa4 .£Jf6 5.0-0 .£Jxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Ab3 d5 8.dxe5 Ae6 9.~e2 Ae710.!!dl 0-0 1l.c4 bxc4 12.Axc4 .£Ja5 13.Jld3 .£Jc5 14.Ac2 .£Jc4 15.b3 .£Jb6 16..£Jd4 Ad7 17.f4 !!e8 18. .£Jc3 Af8 19..£J£3 c6

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

White has secured the e5-pawn with f4, which temporarily blocks the Jlc1 but carries the potential of a pawn storm with g4 and f5. The 'it'g6 line is challenging, requiring a carefully orchestrated pawn storm. 20.Jlxh7+ Cit'xh7 21 ..£Jg5+ Cit'g6 In the 'it'gSline, White rolls in quickly because Black's only hope, ... Af5, loses quickly to ~xf7 and ~xf5. 21...~gS 22.~h5+- ltf5 (desperately seeking an escape square with 22 ... Ad6 simply invites 23.~h7+ 'it'fS 24.exd6+-) 23.~xf7+ ~hS 24.~xf5 +-. 22.g4! f5 The kingside pawn expansion is overwhelming the ~g6Iine. There's no relief in 22 ... ~cS 23.f5+ Jlxf5 24.gxf5+ ~xf5 25.El.f1 +- because 25 ... ~xe5 meets 26.'liJrg2. And 22 .. .f6 fails to 23.f5+ Axf5 24.gxf5+ ~xf5 when White can tee off with 25.El.f1 + ~g6 26. ~c2+ 4Je4 27 .4Jcxe4 +-. 23.gxf5+ There's no need to rush the pawns forward. More compelling is 23.Ae3! lte7 24.e6! El.fS (or 24 ... Jlxg5 25.gxf5) 25.exd7 4Jbxd7 26.b4 Jlxg5 27.gxf5+ El.xf5 2S.fxg5 4Jb7 29.El.f14Jd6 30.~c2 +-. 23 .•. Axf5 The bishop move is forced. King moves get mated: (a) 23 ... 'it'h6 24.~g4 Axf5 25.~h4+ ~g6 26.~h7#; and (b) 23 ... ~xf5 24.~c2+ 'it'g4 when 25.h3 starts a mate in three. Instead, Black could try 24 ... 4Je4 25.4Jcxe4 dxe4 26.~xe4+

198

Games 'it'g4 when, once again, it's mate in three with 27.h3+ 'it'h4 (27 ... \t>hS 28.~h7# or 27 ... 'it'g3 28.~e1 #) 28.~h7+ 'it'g3 29.fld3. 24.
abcdefgh

Black can count on the light-square bishop and the open f-file as assets, but the black queen cannot safely reach the g-file. In the 'it'glline, the rook's pressure on f2 eliminates flfl-e1 as a defense, and White cannot safely bring the dark-square bishop to eS. 16 ••. A,xh2+ 17.
23.flbf1 gxf4+ 24.flxf4 t£tg6+ 2S.t£txg6+ hxg6= when Black, though up a pawn, has no meaningful winning chances; (b) The most complicated variation is 18 ... flxf2 19.~c1 t£td6+ 20.<£lf4 flxfl 21.~xfl and White survives the attack after 21...hS (White is even better after 21...gS 22.Axh7!) 22.~f3 h4+ 23.'it'xh4 t£th6+ (23 ... gS+ 24.\t>g3 [24.\t>xgS t£th6#] 24 ... gxf4+ 2S.t£txf4 t£txf4+ 26.\t>xf4 Ad7;!;) 24.<£lhS (24. 'it'g3 ~h2 #) 24 ... gS+ 2S.'it'g3 t£td6+ 26.<£lf4 gxf4+ 27.t£txf4 ~xf4+ 28. \t>xf4 Ad7;!; ; and (c) The attempt to win an exchange with 18 ... t£td6+ 19.f4 <£le3 fails to 20 ..ileS ~b6 (20 ... t£tb4 21.~c1 <£lxf1+ 22.t£txfl+-) 21.Ad4+-. 18 .•• ~h6 19.AeS Preventing the mate but throwing away all hope. White cannot create an escape square on fl because 19.fle1 t£th2+ 20.'it'fl when Black's active rook enables flxf2# or 20 ... <£le3#. 19 ... 4)xeS-+ 20.~c1 4)xd3 21.~xh6 gxh6 22.§.bd1 AfS 23.4)d4 Ag6 0-1 (127) Teschner - Spassky Riga 1959 Queen's Gambit [D55] Boris Spassky (b. 1937) was the tenth world chess Champion (1969-1972). He won the Soviet Championship outright in 1961 and 1973, and gained entry into the candidates' cycle seven times. In 1955, he became, to that date, the youngest ever grandmaster. He is best remembered for his loss to Bobby Fischer in their famous 1972 match in Iceland. 1.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)f3 dS 4.cxdS exdS S.4)c3 Ae7 6.AgS 0-0 7.e3 b6 8.Ad3 Ab7 9.Axf6 Axf610.h4 cS

199

Sacking the Citadel

abc

d

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f

g

h

On the receiving end of the sacrifice, the future world champion demonstrates his defensive skills. For additional assets, White can count here only on the h-pawn and the relatively slow .£Jc3-e2-f4 maneuver. Spas sky smartly selects the ~h6 line and defends remarkablywith 14 ... '
200

14•.. !it'xgS! IS.f4+ Or 15.hxg6 ~g7 16.0-0--0 f5 -+. IS •••!it'h6! It was not hard to avoid 15 ... ~g4? 16.hxg6 'l£re7 17.0-0-0 'l£rxe3+ 18.~b1 'l£re6 19.§d3+- . 16.hxg6+ !it'g717.13h7+ !it'g8 18.0-0--0 .1lg7 19.13dhl ~f6 20.gxf7+ 13xf7-+ 21.g4cxd4 22.gS ~fS 23.13xg7+ !it'xg7 24.~h2 13f8 2S.g6 ~xg6 26.13gl ~d7 27.13xg6+ !it'xg6 28.~bS 13ac8+ 29.!it'dl 13f6 30.~d6 13xd6 31.fS+ !it'xfS 32. ~xd6 ~f6 33.exd4 .1lc6 34.~a3 13a8 3S.~h3+ !it'g6 36.~g3+ !it'fS 37.~h3+ !it'g6 38.~g3+ !it'f7 39.~c7+ .1ld7 40.~b7 13h8 41.~xa7 bS 42.!it'c2 13c8+ 43.!it'b3 13c4 44.a3 !it'e7 4S.!it'a2 ~e8 46.~b8 ~c7 47.~b7 !it'd648.~b6+

!it'd7 SO.~h8 .1la8 !it'c6 S2.~h6+ !it'b7 S3. ~g7 !it'a7 S4. ~d7 .1lb7 SS. ~e7 Ac8 S6.~g7 !it'b7 S7.~eS Ad7 S8.~d6 .1le8 S9.~f6 b4 60.axb4 13xb4 61.b3 13b6 62.~h8 13e6 63.!it'a3 13e4 64.!it'b2!it'b6 6S.~f6+ ~e6 66.~e7 Ac6 67.~d6 13xd4 68.!it'c3 ~c7 69. ~d8 !it'b7 70. ~e7 13e4 71. ~g7 .1lbS 72. ~h7 d4+ 73.!it'b4 13eS 74.~h2 13dS 7S.~d2 d3 76.!it'c3 13cS+ 77.!it'b4 13c2 78. ~dl ~dS+ 0-1 .1lc6

49.~b8

SI.~h3+

The Greco Sacrifice: 1960-2010 The previous sections of this chapter presented a comprehensive collection of all of the Greco Sacrifices I could locate for each time period through 1959. Their number was relatively modest, and I felt that it was important to present all of the games upon which the theorists of the day might have drawn. Such is not the case for the rest of the games in this chapter. For this period,

Games there are many thousands of modem Greco Sacrifices and frankly, most were not worthy- of inclusion here. I spent more than three months sifting through available games, handpicking what now emerges as a simply remarkable collection of games, many appearing in print with analysis for the first time.

W

~??

B

~g8

h7 x .ft check h7 x .ll W tLJ?? g5 x 0 check

The search method permits searches for mirrored Greco-type bishop sacrifices by Black upon h2. Searches of ChessBase's MegaBase and its correspondence chess database quickly generated more than 3,500 games. I supplemented this assemblage with literature reviews, and I acknowledge a special debt of gratitude to Peter Tamburro, a well known chess author and regular contributor to Chess Life, for his assistance in locating published examples.

In many ways, these selected games deserve the attention they hopefully will now get. Feel free to enjoy them for what they are, or use them simply as quizzes, starting at the diagram when the sacrifice occurs. Identify the assets in the position and work out all of the variations on your own. You will quickly observe that most of the sacrifices in these games succeed. Know, however, that not all are sound. Even in this modem era, embarking on the sacrifice still brings the burden to the defense. Once again, this section features amazing talent, including games by Donner, Portisch, Polugaevsky, Tal, van der Wiel, Spraggett, Short, Queinteros, Seirawan, Sax, Timman, Kortschnoi and Kasparov. Finding the games To locate Greco Sacrifices and examples of games that contain specific criteria, I first used the maneuver search within ChessBase. The main example: A search for sacrifices involving Ulxh7, ~xh7, 2.4:Jg5+ involved the placement of the following information within the maneuver tab within the ChessBase search feature:

201

To cull this final collection of games, I played through all of them, first reducing the huge collection to just under 1,000 and then, using Fritz 12 as an assistant, settling on the final group of just under 200 games. Simply put, these are the games I liked and enjoyed the most. They are interesting, attractive, and appealing. They tend to be sound and complex with more than the occasional king hunt. But there are also instructive errors and missed opportunities. In short, these tend to be well played games that often involve complex and instructive attacking and defensive themes. As a group, the 36 correspondence games that made the final cut are an exceptionallot that deserve special attention. The games are particularly complex, remarkably well-played, and often at the cutting edge of soundness. For each game in the chapter, I provide an overview of what is to come. To assist the test of VukoviC's proposition that at least two additional assets (be-

Sacking the Citadel yond the bishop that captures on h7, the knight that reaches g5, and the queen) are generally required for the sacrifice to succeed, I again list the additional assets and summarize the results of each of the main lines, usually the 'iti'g8 and 'iti'g6 lines, but also the other lines when there is something interesting to report. Enjoy the games! (128) Mason - Clapperton Correspondence 1960 French Defense [C 18] l.e4e6 2d4d5 3..£Jc3 Ab44.e5c5 5.33 .1la5 6.b4 cxd4 7 ..£Jb5 .1lc78.f4.£Jc6 9 ..£Jf3 .1lbS 10•.£Jbxd4 .£Jge7 1l.c3 .£Jxd412cxd4 .£Jc613•.1ld3 f614.0-0 fxe515.fxe5 ~b616.
meets an even quicker fate than normal. 18 .. .'it'h8 19.~xf8#. The 'iti'h6line results in a quick mate in the corner: 18 ... 'iti'h6 19.4)f7+ 'ifth7 (19 ... 'iftg6 20.'~g4+ 'ifth7 21.ili'h5 + +- ) 20.ili'h5+ 'iti'g8 2 1.ili'h8 # . The open f-file makes even the 'iti'g6line a quick rout. 18 ... 'it'g6 19.~xf8 ili'xd4 20.ili'c2+ +-. 19.EtxfS+
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 . .£Jc3 .£Jf6 4.Ag5 .1le7 5.e5 .£Jfd7 6.Axe7 ~xe7 7.f4 0....{) S ..£JO c5 9 ..1ld3 cxd4

8

7

6

5

8

4

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3

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2

5 4

abc

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3

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2

The open f-file and Black's poor queens ide development make the sacrifice an easy rout. White has two additional assets in the dark square bishop and the strong e5-pawn, as well as the queen's rook which can enter the position powerfully on the c- or f-files. In the 'iti'g8 line, the exchange of rooks on the f-file permits the white queen to enter the black kings ide powerfully on I7 with Ag5+ to follow. 17..1lxh7+!
202

abcdefgh

White has a reinforced pawn of e5 and the ability by castling to bring the king's rook quickly into the game, but White initiates the sacrifice with the 4Jc3 en prise. As a result, the ili'xg5 line provides Black with relatively even chances because Black nels the additional piece. The play is sloppy but instructive. Black prevails owing to

Games White's missed opportunities and the weakness of the white kings ide after 19.94. 10..1lxh7+ ~xh7 1l.4)g5+ ~xg51 In the ~g8line, Black is forced to capture the knight, but White gains the option of capturing here with the queen, preserving the pawn structure. 11...~g8 12.~hS ~xgS 13.~xgS±.

11...~g612.~d3+

(with the 4Jc3 hanging, White needs to check) 12 ... fS (not 12 ... ~h6 13.~h7# or 12 ... ~hS 13.~h3+ ~g6 14.~h7#) 13.exf6+ ~xf6 (avoiding 13 ... ~hSI4.~h7+ ~g4 15.0-0+-) 14.~xd4+ ~g6 (not 14 ... 'itfS 15.0-0-0+-) IS.~d3+ ~f6 (IS ... dfS 16.g4+-) with a pleasing finale: 16.0-0-0 4Jc6 17.~h7 4Jb6 18.4Jce4+ dxe4 19.4Jxe4+ ~f7 20.4Jd6+ ~f6 21.g4+-. 12.fxg5 dxc3 13.0-0 4) xe5 Preferring to capture the central e-pawn than 13 ... cxb214.~hS+ '
203

39.gf3 4)f4+ 4O.~gl gg4+ 41.~h2 gg2+ 42.~hl gd2 0-1 (130) Zaitsev - Platonov Minsk 1962 Nirnzo-Indian Defense [E48]

l.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)c3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.Ad3 0-0 6.4)ge2 d5 7.cxd5 cxd4 S.4)xd4 exd5 9.0-0 4)c6 10.~a4 .1ld6 11.4)xc6 bxc6 12.~xc6 gb813.4)b5 gb614.~c3 8 7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

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Black's sacrifice can count as additional assets the light-square bishop and the well-developed '§b6. In the ~g3 line, played in the game, Black quickly recovers an exchange but retains the initiative thanks to the penetration of the major pieces. 14.•• .1lxh2+ 15.~xh2 4)g4+ 16.~g3 In the ~glline, White cannot defend with ~c7 because '§b6h6 wins quickly. 16.~gl ~h417.~c7 .§h6-+. 16.~h3 .§h6+ 17.~g3 4JeS preparing ... ~h4 18.~xeS (or White can run into a neat mating net 18.~f4 .§h4+ 19.94 .§xg4+ 20.~xeS f6#) 18 ... ~h4+ 19.~f3 ~g4#. 16•.• gh6 Black selects the strongest move, swinging the rook to the h-file when White cannot safely play .§hl. Ambiguous is the traditional 16 ... ~gS?! 17.f4 ~hS 18.Ad2 (18.4Jd4 .§h6 19.4Jf3 4Jf6 20.~d2 4Je4+ 21.~xe4 dxe4 22 ..§hl

Sacking the Citadel ~g4+

23.'.£i'f2 exf3 24.gxf3 §xh1 25.§xh1 ~e6 26.~d3±) lS ... §h6 19.§h1 <£Jh2 inviting a draw, but White is better: 20.'~)f2 <£Jg4+ 21.'it'e2 <£Jh2+ 22.'it'e1 ~h4+ 23.'it'd1 Ag4+ 24.'it'c2 §cS 25.<£Jc7 ~e7 26.~d4 ~xc7+ 27.Ac3 f6 2S.§ac1 ± .17.~f3 Forced. Losing alternatives include 17.<£Jd4 <£Je5 lS.<£Jf3 <£Jxd3 19.~xd3 Aa6-+with an attractive skewer, and 17.~c7 ~f6 lS.~f4 ~h4+ 19.'it'f3 §f6 -+ winning the queen. 17••• ~h2+ 18.~e2 Other king moves lose quickly: lS.'it'g3~g5# and lS.'it'f4§h4+ 19.94 (19.'it'g3 ~g5#) 19 ... §xg4+ 20.'it'e5 <£Jf3#.18•.. ~xf119.~xf1 ~g5Miss­ ing 19 ... §h1 +! 20.'it'e2 ~h4 21.~d4 Ag4+ 22.'it'd2 (22.f3 ~e1 #) 22 ... §cS-+ cutting off the king's escape. 20.~c7 Elh1+ 21.~e2 ~g4+ 22. ~d2 Not 22.f3 ~xg2 #. 22 ..• ~d1 + Better is 22 ... §d1+ 23.'it'c3 §xd3+ 24.'it'xd3 Af5+ 25.'it'd2 §cS-+. 23.~c3 jla6 24.~xa7 Elc8+ 25.~b4 Avoiding 2S.<£Jc7 ~xd3+ -+ or 2S ... ~xd3 26.~xa6 ~c4+ 27.'it'aS -+. 27 ... Elxc1 28.Elxc1 ~xc129.b4 h5 30.a4 Elb8 31.~d6 Ela8+ 32.~b6 ~c8 33.~c7 Elxa4 34.b5 ~b8+ 35.~c6 Elg4 It's quickly over after 3S ... §c4+-+. 36.~xd5 h4 37.~d7 Elb4 38.~e5 Elb1 39.~d4 ~b7 40.~d6 ~xg2 41.~xh4 ~g6+!?

Throwing away the win. Black's last chance to secure the point was 41...§dl+! 42.'it'e7 ~g6. 42.~d7 Eld1 + 43. ~c8 ~d6 44. ~c4 Eld2 45.f4 ~b6 46.~e4 ~f6 47.~b7 Eld6 48.~b4 Eld8 49.~e4 g5 50. ~g2 Eld3 51.b6 ~f8 52.~c2 Elc3 53.~e4 gxf4 54.~e8++- ~g7 55.~d5 Elxe3 56.~xf6 Elxe8 57.~xe8+ 1-0

204

(131) Minic-Ferry VamaOlympiad 1962 King's Indian Attack [A07]

1.e4 e6 2.d3 d5 3.~d2 ~d7 4.g3 ~gf6 5.jlg2 jle7 6.~gf3 0-0 7.0-0 b6 8.e5 ~e8 9.Ele1 jlb7 10.d4 c5 1l.c3 ~b812.h4 ~c613.jlf1 cxd4 14.~ xd4 ~ xd4 15.cxd4 ~c7 16.jld3 jla617.jlb1 Elc818.~f3 .Q.b419.Ele3 ~d7

abc

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White's additional assets include the eS-pawn and the dark-square bishop. The §f3 blocks the queen's access to hS and has no easy access to the h-file, but it still has a useful role to play. Here, the 'it'h6 line saves a useful tempo over the 'it'g6line (h5 'it'h6) and forces White to choose a square for the §f3. The decision between §b3 and §f3 is challenging. White selects §b3 in part, no doubt, because it gains a tempo against Black's unanchored bishop. 20..Q.xh7+ ~xh7 21.~g5+ ~h6 21...'it'g6 22.hS+ 'it'h6 (22 ... 'it'fS 23.~f3+ 'it'xgS 24.§c3#; 22 ... 'it'xgS 23.§c3+ 'it'fS 24.~f3#) 23.~c2 g6 24.<£Jxf7+ The threat is ~xg6 # 24 ... ~xf7 2S.§f3+ +and the queen cannot move because Black is in check. 22.Elb3! Gaining time against the undefended-Jlb4. Also strong is 22.§f3 ± . 22 •.. .Q.e7 23. ~c2

Games g6 24..£J xf7+!
(132) Arje - Weimo Correspondence 1962 Slav Defense [D49] 1.d4 d5 2 ..£Jf3 c6 3.c4 .£Jf6 4 . .£Jc3 e6 5.e3 .£Jbd7 6.Ad3 dxc4 7.Axc4 b5 S.Ad3 a6 9.e4 c5 10.e5 cxd4 11..£Jxb5axb512.exf6~b613.fxg7 Axg714. ~e2 0-0 15.0-0 .£Jc5 8 7

6 5 4

the dark-square bishop as an additional asset, but both rooks are able to take part in the assault with E!ac1 and with f4. With time in a correspondence game, Black correctly selects the 'i!tg6 line because White, without a pawn on e5 or a rook on el, has no control over the f6-square. 16.Axh7+
3 2

abc

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Another Greco Sacrifice in which Black has a bishop rather than a pawn on g7. Here, White can count easily only upon

205

1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5 3.exd5 c6 4. ~e2 e4 5.~xe4+ Ae7 6.d6 ~xd6 7 •.£Jf3 .£Jf6 S. ~e5 ~dS 9.Ac4 0-010.0-0 b5 11.Ab3 c5 12.d3 .£Jc6 13. ~e1 Ab7 14 . .£Jc3 b4 15 . .£Je4 .£J xe4

Sacking the Citadel (34 ... 'it'e7 35.Ag5+ 'it'ffi 36.l:"l.f1 + +- ) and it's mate in seven, 35.Af4+ 'it'xf4 36.l:"l.d5 +- . 29...
16.dxe4 .£la5 17.J:ta4 c4 18.
Ar8

abc

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Already up a pawn, White can also count upon enough additional assets, the dark-square bishop, the active e5pawn, the l:"l.f1, and the active queen making the win quite easy. Black correctly picks 'it'gS because the white queen enters the h-file on h4 and because the black queen covers f7, but White can win quickly by advancing the central pawns. 24.Axh7+
(134) Suberville - Marchetti Correspondence 1963 Ruy Lopez [C90] 1.e4 e5 2..£lf3 .£lc6 3.J:tb5 a6 4.Aa4 .£lf6 5.d3 b5 6.J:tb3 Ae7 7.c3 d6 S.O-O .£la5 9.J:tc2 c5 10.§e1 .£lc6 11 ..£l bd2 0-0 12. .£lfl §eS 13. .£le3 AfS 14. .£ld5 .£lxd5 15.exd5 .£le7 16.d4exd417.cxd4c4

206

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

With two additional assets, the darksquare bishop and the l:"l.el, White triumphs in all lines. In the 'it'g6 line, played in the game, Black's control over f5 prevents 'liYg4 and ~c2+. But White has h4, with the threat of l15 exposing the black king. 1S.Axh7+
Games 19 ... 'it'g8 20.'~h5 Af5 21.~xf7+ ~h8 22.1:=\e3 when the Af5 cannot prevent both 1:=\h3 -and ~h5 22 ... 4:)g8 23.~xf5+-. 20.h4! The threat is h5+, and the Af8 prevents Black from defending with 1:=\h8, avoiding 20.~c2+ Af5 -+ . 20 •.•f5 The alternatives are no better: (a) 20 ... ~a5 21.Ad2 only makes matters worse for Black. 20 ... ~b6 takes the queen out of the reach of the discovery, but 21.h5+ 'it'h6 (not 21...'it'f6 22.4:)h7+ 'it'f5 23.~f3# or 23.g4# ) 22.~f3 f6 23.4:)e6+ 'it'h7 (23 ... g5 24.~xf6++-) 24.4:)xf8+ removing the 4:)d7's defender, 24 ... 1:=\xf8 25.1:=\xe7 +-; and (b) 20 ... ~d7 21.~f3 ~f5 22.h5+ 'it'h6 (not 22 ... 'it'f6 23.4:)h7#) 23.1:=\xe7 removing one of the queen's defenders 23 ... ~xf3 (23 ... 1:=\xe7 24.4:)e6+ 'it'h7 25.~xf5+ +- ) 24.4:)xf3+ +- and the discovery removes the queen's other defender. 21:l!lte2 The h-pawn is worth considering at every stage here, 21.h5+ 'it'f6 22.~f3 +- (setting up 4:)e4-d6) 22 ... Ad7 23.4:)e4+ 'it'f7 24.4:)xd6+. However, the fastest path is 21.~f3! Ad7 22.~g3 4:)xd5 23.1:=\e6! + +-. 21 ••. f4 Not 21...~d7 22.h5+ ~h6 23.~f3+-. 22 ..1lxf4 .1lf5 23.g4 The advance of the h-pawn again forces the king to h6, 23.h5+ ~h6 (23 ... 'it'f6 24.~e5+! dxe5 25.d xe5#) 24.4:)e6+ +-. 23 ••• 'l!\'d7 24.gxf5+ 'l!\'xf5 25.h5+ ~h6 25 ... ~f6 26.4:)e4+ wins the queen, 26 ... 'it'f7 27.4:)xd6+ +-. 26 . .£\e6+ ~h7 27 . .1lxd6 .£\xd5 2S..£\ xfS+ Correctly avoiding 28.AxfB 4:)f4 (not 28 ... 1:=\xf8 29.4:)xf8+ 1:=\xf8 30.~e4+-) 29.~f3 1:=\xe6 30.1:=\ xe6 4:)h3+ 31.'it'g2 ~xf3+ 32.'it'xf3 4:)g5+ 33.'it'e3 4:)xe6 34.Ad6±. 2S .•. ~gS Black's last chance for tough defense lay with 28 ... 1:=\xf8 29.Axf8 ~g5+ 30.'it'fl 1:=\xfB 31.~e4+ 1:=\f5 32.h6 gxh6 33.a4 b4 34.1:=\ac1 c3 35.bxc3 bxc3

36.1:=\bl +-. 29 . .£\e6 ~f7 30.'l!\'f3 'l!\'xf3 31 •.£\g5+ ~f6 32•.£\xf3 ElhS 33.Ele5 .£\f4 34..11.e7+ ~f7 35.Elf5+ ~xe7 36.Elxf4 Elxh5 37.Elel + ~d6 3S.Elfe4 ElahS 39.Ele6+ 1~ (135) Teichmann - Sandin Correspondence 1965 Ruy Lopez [C99] 1.e4 e5 2..£\f3 4)c6 3 ..11.h5 a6 4 ..11.a4 .£\f6 5.~ .11.e7 6.Elel h5 7 ..11.h3 d6 S.c3 ~ 9.h3 4)a510..11.c2 c511.d4 'l!\'c712 ..£\bd2 cxd413.cxd4 .11.h7 14..£\fl ElacS 15..1lhl d5 16.exd5 exd417..ilg5 .£\ xd51S..11.xe7 .£\ xe7

207

abc

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h

Another carefully played correspondence game. This Greco Sacrifice involves an unusual asset combination, the 1:=\el and the 4:)fl-g3 where it offers control over the key h5-square. In the game, Black plays 'it'h6, the toughest defense, although the ~g4, g6 move pair provides the overwhelming threat of~h4+. 19..1lxh7+ ~xh7 20..£\g5+ ~h6 In the ~g8Iine, Black can defend h7 with ~c2 at the cost of1:=\xe7. Rook retreats there result in a quick mate thanks to the 1:=\el 's control over the efile. 20 ...
Sacking the Citadel shows off the significant influence of the 4Jg3. 20 .. .'~g6 21.4Jg3 +- (with the idea of 22.'lWhS ~f6 23.4Jh7#) 21...'~xgS 22.'lWg4+ ~f6 (22 ... ~h6 23.'lWhS#) 23.4JhS# or if instead 21...§hS, 22.'lWg4 ~f6 23.4J3e4+ .llxe4 24.4Jxe4+ ~eS 2S.'lWxg7++-. 21.4)g3 21.'lWg4 g6 22.4Jg3 transposing to the game (there's no advantage to be found in 22.'lWh4+ ~g7 23.'lWxd4+ ~gS 24.'lWh4 ~g7 25.'lWd4+=). 21. .. g6 22.~g4 ~dS!? 22 ... 4JfS 23.4JxfS+ gxf5 24:~h4+ with a mate in nine 24 ... ~g6 2S.'lWh7+ ~xgS (2S ... ~f6 26.'lWh6#) 26.'lWg7+ ~hS (26 ... ~f4 27.'lWg3# [27.'lWh6#] ) 27.g4+ fxg4 (27 ... ~h4 2S.'lWh6#) 2S.'lWh7+ ~gS 29.h4+ ~f4 (29 ... ~f6 30.'lWh6+ ~fS 31. 'lWgS # ) 30. 'lWh6+! threatening 4JhS # 30 ... ~f3 (30 ... ~fS 31.'lWgS#) 31.§e3+ dxe3 32.'lWxe3# and not 22 ... 4Jc4 23.'lWh4+ ~g7 24.'lWh7+ ~f6 2S.'lii'h6 4Je3 26.4Jh7+ ~e6 27.4Jxf8+ §xfS 28.'lWxfS+-. 23.~h4+ ~g7 24.~h7+ ~f6 2S.4)hS+ 2S.'lWh6+- is also mate in five. 2S ••. ~xgS On 2S ... gxhS 26.'lWh6+ ~fS (26 ... 4Jg6 27.4Jh7+ ~fS 28.'lWxhS+ ~f4 [2S ... 'lWgS 29.'lii'xgS#] 29.'lWg4#) 27.4Jh7 with 2S.'lWxhS+ +-. 26.f4+ 1-{) (136) Myant - Nash Bognor Regis 1965 French Defense [C 18] l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.4)c311.b4 4.eS cS S.a311.aS 6.b4cxd4 7.4)bS Ac7 S.f4 4)e7 9.4)f3 4)bc610.11.d3 0-{) (D) This Greco Sacrifice right out of the opening succeeds easily owing to the strong eS-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the developed 4JbS which wins the black .llc7 in key variations.

208

8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

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h

After ~g6, only one player found the correct idea, 13.'lii'g4 when once again 15.4Jxc7 overloads the queen. 1l.Axh7+ ~xh712.4)gS+ ~g6 In the ~gS line, 15. 4Jxc7 overloads the black queen. 12 ... ~gS 13.'lWh5 §e8 14.'lWxf7+ (the correct capture. With the knight on e7, taking on h7 would be correct if the .llc1 had access to g5) 14 ... ~hS IS.4Jxc7+-. H.~g4! 13.'lWd3+ also wins, but much less easily: 13 ... 4JfS 14.g4 f61S.4Jxe6 (avoiding a tempting captureI5.gxf5+ exf5 16.exf6 gxf6 and the knight no longer has access to e6 17.4Jf3 §eS+=) IS ....llxe616.gxfS+ ~h7 (the f-pawn is immune 16 ... .llxfS 17.§gl++-) 17.fxe6+ ~gS IS.§gl fxe5 19.'lii'g6 'lWe7 20.fS (missing 20.4Jxc7 and 21.§gS) 20 ... §f6 21.'lWh5 e4 22.4Jxc7 'lWxc7 23.§g3 e3 24 ..llb2 §h6?? (Black may be winning after 24 ... §afS) 25.'lWg5 ~h7 26.0-0-0 4Jxb4 27.axb4 e2 2S.§dgl §xh2 29.'lWxg7+ 'lii'xg7 30.§xg7+ ~h6 31.§lg6+ 1-0 DaniMiko, Debrecen 2000. H •.• fS Not 13 ... 4JfS 14.4Jxe6+ +-. 14. ~g3 ~d7 Taking the queen out of the knight's reach. 15.4) xc7 13gS White cannot capture the knight, IS ... 'lii'xc7 16.4Jxe6++- .16.~h44)xeS 17.fxeS 1-0 17... §hS (the only move to prevent 'lWh7#) IS.'lWxhS f4 19.94 fxg3 20.'lWh7#.

Games 17.'lild3+ f5 lS.exf6+ <;t>xf6 19.i;t'f3+ (eyeing the f7 entry square) 19 ... <;t>e7 20 ..!'!e1 4:\7f6 21.4:\xe6 ~d7 22.4:\xg7++- . 17•.• .§h8Blackprevents h5+ but loses his defense over e6. If instead 17 ... i;t'e7, lS.'lile4+ (or 18.h5+ ~h619.i;t'g4 f6 20.4:\f7+ <;t>h7 21.'lilg6+ <;t>gS 22.h6 i;t'xf7 23.h7 + +- winning the queen) lS .. .f5 19.exf6+ <;t>xf6 20.h5 (threatening ~g6#) 20 ... cxd4 21.cxd4 ~fS 22.4:\h7++-. 18.~e4+ f5 19.exf6+ lit'h5 Walking into a mate in four, but that's "better" than 19 ... <;t>xf6 20.~xe6#. 20.g4+ lit'xh4 Sidestepping 20 ... <;t>h6 21.4:\f7#. 21.~hl+ lit'xg4 22.~f3+ lit'h4 23.~h3# 1--0

(137) Kranzl- Matrisch Correspondence 1965 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E54] l.d4 e6 2.c4 ~f6 3.~c3 Ab4 4.e3 0--0 5.Ad3 d5 6.~f3 c5 7.0--0 b6 8.a3 dxc4 9.Axc4 Axc3 10.bxc3 Ab7 11.'~e2 ~bd7 12.Ad3 .§c8 13.e4 .§e814.e5 ~d5 8

7

6 5 4 3

(138) Champion - Pratten Bognor Regis 1965 Queen's Gambit Declined [D32]

2

abcdefgh

White has the reinforced e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop as additional assets. Black can point to the rook offfS and the two knights poised to retake the key f6-square. But Black also has the unanchored ~b7. In the 'it'g6 line, White's play with h4 and i;t'e4+ in this correspondence game is instructively accurate. 15.Axh7+ lit'xh716.~g5+ lit'g6 In the 'it'gS line, White can play i;t'f7+ and capture the unanchored ~b7. 16 ... 'it'gS 17.'lilh5 4:\f8 (17 .. .4)7f6 18.'lilxf7+ <;t>hS19.exf6 'lilxf6 20.'lilxb7) lS.'lilxf7+ 'it'hS 19.'lilxb7+-. 17.h4! The threat, h5, would force the king to h6 and a discovered check because <;t>f5 leads to g4 #. The alternatives, especially 'lilg4, are less compelling: (a) Unimpressive is 17.i;t'g4 f5 lS.i;t'g3 'lile7+; (b) 17.~e4+ f5 lS.exf6+ <;t>xf6 (the other king moves are quickly mated) 19 ..!'!e1 (taking aim at e6) 19 ... 'lilc7 20.~f3++-. Black can only delay the end with 20 .. A)f4 21.'lilg4; and (c)

l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.~c3 c5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.~f3 ~c6 6.e3 ~f6 7.Ab5 a6 8.Axc6+ bxc6 9.dxc5 Axc5 10.~d4 Ad711.a3 0--012.0--0 .§e8

209

13.b4Ad614.~b3 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

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Black's successful sacrifice can rely here upon the light-square bishop and the active .!'!eS. In the <;t>g3 line, i;t'g5 is the winning continuation. White cannot force the queen off the g-file, and the effort to exploit the absence of the e4-pawn with <;t>f3 meets a queen-winning skewer. 14.•• Axh2+!15.lit'xh2

Sacking the Citadel 4)g4+ 16.<;t>g3 In the ~glline, the .§.eS actively swings safely via .§.e5-h5. 16.~gl ~h4 17 ..§.e1 ~xf2+ lS.~h1 .§.e5-+. 16•.• ~g5116 ... h517.f4 ~f6 is less thematic but effective nonetheless. lS.4Jd4 g5 Using the kingside pawns to blast through White's defenses. 19 ..§.b1 ~g7 20.~f3 4J xe3 21.l.txe3 l.tg4+ -+. Not 16 ... ~c7+? when 17.f4;!; effectively shuts down the diagonal and the queen has no other way to continue the attack. 17.f4 Trying to run the king meets up with a queen-winning skewer, 17.~f3 ~h5 lS.~g3 ~g6 19.~f3 4Jxe3 20.fxe3 l.tg4+ -+. 17 .•• ~g6 18. <;t>f3 After lS.f5, Black can avoid moving the queen with lS ... l.txf5 19.~f3 4Jxe3 20.l.txe3 l.tg4+ -+ . 18 ••• 4) xe3 19.-'l,xe3 J}.g4+ 20.<;t>f2 J}.xd1 21.f!axd1 ~c2+ 0--1 (139) Kuhnrich - Wilson New York casual game 1966 Sicilian Defense [B32] 1.e4 c5 2.4)£3 4)c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.4) xd4 e5 5.4) xc6 bxc6 6.-'l,d3 f5 7.exf5 4)f6 8.0--0 d5 9.f!e1 -'l,d6 10.c40--0 1l.4)c3 e4 12.-'l,fl J}.xf5 13.cxd5 cxd5 14.4) xd5 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

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Greco Sacrifice. Black can count on the open f-file, the light-square bishop, and the e4-pawn as additional assets, but White also has an active .§.e1 and a darksquare bishop that can reach f4. In the ~g3 line, both sides miss an opportunity to improve but the attack as played with h5-h4 and ~d6+ is well worth a look. 14... -'l,xh2+ 15.<;t>xh2 4)g4+ 16.<;t>g3 In the ~g11ine, White had the opportunity to drum up considerable counterplay with a knight sacrifice on f6. 16.~gl ~h4 17.l.tf4 (White has a promising counter with 17 .4Jf6+ ~xf6 [not 17 ... .§.xf6 18.~b3+ with ~g3 to follow] lS.l.tf4 when, to sustain a small edge, Black must find: IS ... 4Jxf2! 19.~xf2 g5 20.l.tc4+ ~g7 21..~xg5 ~xg5 22.~d4+~) 17 ... ~xf2+ 18.~hl l.te6 (Black can conquer the l.tf4 with attacks upon the bishop and its defender) 19.~d2 ~c5 20 ..Ile2 4Jf2+ 21.~h2 (21.~gl 4Jd3+ 22.~e3 ~xe3+ 23.l.txe3 4Jxe1-+) 21...~xd5 22.~xd5 l.txd5 23.l.te3 .§.acS=+=. 16... h5 Black can also win with a more tactical approach: 16 ... 4Jxf2 17.~d4 4Jh1 + lS.~h2 ~h4+ 19.~gl ~xe1 20.Af4 ~xa1 21.4Je7+ ~hS 22 ..Ilh6 when it is Black, having accepted both of White's rooks, who must now defend: 22 ... .§.f6 23.4Jxf5 ~xf1 + 24.~xf1 4Jg3+ =+=. 17.-'l,c4? A tempting move that walks into an unexpected checkmate. More prudent was 17.~d4 h4+ 18.~h3 l.te6~. 17 ..• h4+ 18.<;t>f4 lS.~h3 4Jxf2+ -+ 18••. ~d6+ Missing a toughto-find mate in one, lS ... g5#.19.<;t>g5 ~h6# 0--1 (140) Jackson - Formanek Seattle 1966 French Defense [CI4]

h

The famous New York City chess bookstore owner embarks on an ambitious

210

Games l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4.Ag5 Ae7 5.e5 ~fd7 6.Axe7 'ifJxe7 7.f4 0--0 S.~f3 c5- 9.Ad3 f5 10.0--0 ~c6 11.~b5 a6 12.~d6 cxd4 13.
7

6 5 4 3 2

abcdefgh

Edward Formanek had become Chicago's most successful tournament player, but he lost here to a St. Louis high school student with obvious potential. Following the g4-pawn sacrifice to open the diagonal for the ~d3, White initiates the sacrifice, counting on the 4Jd6, the e5-pawn, and the open g-file as additional assets. Formanek correctly defended with 'it'g8, but the idea ofElf3h3 more than compensates for the material deficit. 15.Axh7+
211

cannot ignore the threat of 'ii:rxg6) 21. 'i£txg6 'i£txg6 22.El xg6+ ~f8 (or

22 ... ~h7 23.Elgl +- when Elh3 is hard to stop) 23.Elh3 with mate to follow. 23 ... 4Jd8 24.4Jf6+-. 19.~xf5 Best is 19.Elh3! with ideas such as Elgl and 'ii:rh4, 19 ... ~d7 20.4Jxf5 exf5 21.'ii:rg3 (not 21.'ii:rh4 'ii:rg7) 21...Ele8 22.Elh7 'i£txh7 23.4Jxh7 ~xh7 24.Elgl 4Je7 25.h4 4Je4 26.'ii:rb3 b5 27.'i£ta3 (in search of entry squares) 27 ... ~c8 28.'ii:ra5 +-. 19 .••exf5 20. 'ifJg2 ~e6 21..§g1 ~ xg5 22•.§g3 'ifJe6 Overlooking 22 ... 'ii:rh7 23.Elxg5 4Je7=. 23..§xg5 ~e7 24. 'ifJh3 Ad7 25 . .§h5 .§fS 26•.§h71-O (141) Nuenchert - Benecke Halle 1967 Sicilian Defense [B21] l.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 e6 4.~f3 dxc3 5.~ xc3 Ab4 6.Ad2 ~f6 7.Ad3 0--0 S. 'ifJe2 d5 9.e5 ~fd7 8

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5 4

3 2

abc

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h

For additional assets, White can count here on the e5-pawn and the darksquare bishop. By selecting the ~g6 line, Black gives white more opportunity to err. 12.h4 creates the possibility ofh5+, while 12.'ii:rg4 permits Black to capture the undefended e5-pawn. 10.Axh7+
Sacking the Citadel in five because the black king cannot retreat to d6 or d8. 11...~gS 12.~h5 E!.eS 13.~xf7+ ~hS 14.~h5+ ~gS 15.~h7+

~fS

16.~hS+

(142) Neu - Hirsch Correspondence 1967 French Defense [C 18]

~e7

17.~xg7#.

12.h4! 12.~g4? throws away the advantage because Black can capture on e5 with tempo and then exploit the absence of the e5-pawn by escaping via f6. 12 ... 4Jxe513.~g3 ~f6 14.~f4+ '!ie715.~xe5 Axc3 16.Axc3 f6+. More interesting is 12.~d3+!? f5 13.exf6+ ~xf6 (not 13 ... '!ih5 14.~h7+ '!ig415.h3#) 14.~d4+ 4Je5! (throwing back the piece to obtain relative equality) 15.4Jh7+ ~f7 16.~xe5 .§.hS 17.4Jg5+ ~gS 18.4Jxe6 ~e7 19.4Jxd5 Axd2+ 20.~xd2 ~xe6 21.~xe6+ Axe6 22.4Jc7 ~f7 23.4JxaS 4Ja6=. 12 ..• ~e7 Moving the queen out of the knight's reach. Alternatives are no better: (a) 12 ... 4Jxe5 (sacrificing back the material doesn't lessen the attack) 13.~xe5 f6 (expecting to win back the piece, but...) 14.h5+ '!ih6 15.4Jxe6+ (breaking the fork) 15 ... '!ih716.4JxfS+ AxfS17.~xd5+-; (b) 12 ... Axc313.h5+ '!ih6 (not playable is 13 ... ~f5 14.g4#) 14.bxc3 preserving the bishop on the key diagonal (or 14.4Jxf7+with a game winning double check+-) 14 .. .f5 (or 14 ... ~b6 15.~g4 ~b2 16.4Jxe6+ ~xd2+ 17.~xd2 E!.gS lS.~g5+ '!ih7 19.~f5+ ~hS 20.4Jg5 g6 21.hxg6+ '!ig7 22.~xf7#) 15.4Jxe6+: and (c) 12 ... f5? 13.h5+ ~h614.4Jxe6++-. 13.~g4 Better is 13.h5+ ~h6 (not 13 ... ~f5 14.g4#) when 14.~d3 is superior to any of the discoveries 14 ... f5 (14 ... g6 15.4Jxf7+ '!ig7 16.~xg6#) 15.exf6 +- . 13•.•f5 It's now too late to give back material with 13 ... 4Jxe5 14.h5+ '!ih6 (14 ... ~f6 15.~f4#) 15.4Jxe6+ '!ih7 16.~xg7#. 14.h5+ ~h615 ..£lf7+ ~h7 16. ~g6+ ~g8 17..£lg51-O

212

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£lc3 J}.b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Aa5 6.b4 cxd4 7 ..£l b5 J}.c78.f4 .£le7 9 ..£l£3 J}.d710..£lbxd4 .£lbc6 1l.c30-0 12.J}.d3 f613.0-0 fxe5 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Another complex game played by correspondence. The position is unusual in that the sacrifice occurs just following a black capture on e5. White can therefore look to use the recapture to gain a key tempo. In the '!igS line, the tempo gain occurs after 14.~h5 E!.f6 because Black cannot safely recapture on e5. 14.J}.xh7+ ~xh7 15 ..£lg5+ ~g815 ... '!ih616.4Jdxe6+- when retreats by the black queen meet 17. ~d3+. In the ~g6 line, the win is simple because the 4Jg5+ brings support to 4Jxe6. 15 ... '!ig616.4Jdxe6 ~cS (16 ... Axe617.4Jxe6 ~d618.~g4+ '!if7 19.fxe5++-) 17.4JxfS+ ~xfS lS.f5+ 4Jxf519.g4+-. 16.~h5 Black is happy to give up an exchange to relieve the pressure. Black is actually winning after 16.4Jdxe6? Axe6 17.4Jxe6 ~d6 lS.4JxfS E!.xfS -+. 16 ... .§f6 16 ... E!.f5 17.~h7+ '!ifS lS.4Jdxe6+ +- forks the queen. And after 16... E!.eS, White has a nice variant of the usual mate involving a queen sac on move 20. 16 ... E!.eS

Games 17.'liYh7+ ~f8 18.fxe5+ 4Jf5 19.'liYh8+ 20.'ltfxg7+ 4Jxg7 21.§f7#. 17.fxe5 Finally recapturing the e5pawn, and winning time because Black cannot capture it. White has only a draw with 17.'ltfh7+ ~f8 18.'ltfh8+ 4Jg8 19.4Jh7+ ~f7 20.4Jg5+=. 17... Elxf1+ Black can use §f6-h6 to interfere with the attack 17 ... §h6 18.'ltff7+ ~h8 19.4Jgxe6 Axe6 20.4Jxe6 §xe6 gladly giving upjust an exchange, 21.'ltfxe6±. The capture by the knight or bishop runs into a knight fork: 17 ... 4Jxe5? 18.'ltfh7+ 'ot'f819.§xf6+ gxf6 20.'ltfh8+ 4Jg8 21.4Jgxe6+ Axe6 22.4Jxe6+ +-. 18.~xf14)xd419.~h7+ There's no way to make progress with 19.'ltff7+ ~h8 20.'ltfh5+ ~g8=. 19 ... ~f8 20. ~h8+ 4)g8 21.cxd41t's just a draw after 21.4Jh7+ ~f7 22.4Jg5+ ~f8= (not 22 ... ~e7 23.'ltfxg7+ 'ot'e8 24.'ltff7#). 21 ••• j'txe5 22.dxe5 ~b6 23.a4 Elc8? Black must force White to accept a perpetual with 23 ... Axa4 24.§xa4 'ltfb5+ 25.~f2 'ltfxa4 26.4Jh7+ ~f7 27.4Jg5+= (not playable is 27 ... ~g6? 28.~h7#). 24.j'ta3 Also winning is 24.~h5 Ae8 25.4Jh7+ ~e7 26.'ltfg5+ 'ot'f7 27.~f4+ ~e7 28.'ltff8+ 'ot'd7 (28 ... 'ot'd8 29.Ag5++-) 29.Ae3+-. 24 ••. Elc3 25.~h5 j'te8 And on 25 ... 4Jh6, 26.b5+ §xa3 27.§xa3 'ltfc5 28.§f3+ ~e7 29.'ltfh4 +-. 26.b5+ Elxa3 27.4)h7+ ~e7 28.~g5+ ~f7 29.~f4+ 4)f6 30.Elxa3 j'txb5+ 31.axb5 ~xb5+ 32.~gl ~bl+ 33.~f1 ~xfl+ 34.~xfl 4)xh7 35.Elxa7 4)g5 36.Elxb7+ ~f8 37.h4 4)f7 38.Elb8+ ~e7 39.Elg8 4) xe5 40.Elxg7+ ~f6 41.Elg3 4)c4 42.h5 4)d2+ 43.~e2 4)e4 44.Elg41~ ~e7

213

(143) Kozma - Sliwa Zinnowitz 1967 Bogo-Indian Defense [A40] l.d4e6 2.c4 j'tb4+ 3.4)d2 d5 4.4)gf3 dxc4 5.a3 j'txd2+ 6.j'txd2 c6 7.e4 b5 8.b3cxb39.~xb34)f610.j'td3j'tb7

11.0-00-0 12.e5 4)d5 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White can count on the dark-square bishop and the reinforced e5-pawn, but the 'ltfb3 does not have immediate access to the h5-square. That delay gives Black an opportunity to vacate the f8square and to defend f7 laterally. But Black cannot overcome his bad lightsquare bishop and poor queens ide development. In the ~g8 line, White misses the opportunity with 16.'ltfh 7 to cut off the king's retreat. In the game, Black's king races to the queens ide but still faces incessant pressure. 13.j'txh7+ ~xh7 14.4)g5+ ~g8 White wins trivially in the 14 ... 'ot'g6line with either ~g3!, 'ltfd3, or 'ltfh3: (a) 15.~g3 The queen reaches the g-file where it cannot be dislodged, 15 .. .f5 (after 15 ... ~b6 16.4Jxe6+ Black must avoid 'ltfxg7# 16 ... ~f5 with a nice mating net: 17.~h3+ 'ot'e4 18.~f3#) 16.4Jxe6++- winning the queen; (b) 15.~h3 §h8 16.~d3+ (even with the rook on the h-file, the king cannot safely retreat there) 16 ... f5 17.exf6+ ~xf6

Sacking the Citadel IS.'~f3+ 'ittg6 (IS ... 'itte7 19.'~f7+ 'ittd6 20.
4)d7

48.~b4+ ~a6 49.~e2

c5 c4 52.~d4 4)c5 53.g4 a5 54.g5 a4 55.d7 Jtxd7 56.~c3 Ae6 57.~d8 a3 58.~b8+ ~c6 59.~d6+ ~b5 60.~d4 4)a4 61.~xe6 a2 62.~xc4+ ~a5 63. ~d5+ ~a6 64. ~d6+ ~b5 50.~c3 ~b5 51.~d2

65.~a31-O

(144) Donner - Portisch Wijk aan Zee 1968 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E50] 1.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)c3 Jth4 4.e3 c5 5.Ad3 0-0 6.4)£3 b6 7.d5 Ab7 8.e4 b5 9.e5 bxc410.Ab14)xd5 (D)

214

A remarkable game. White can count on two additional assets, the darksquare bishop and the e5-pawn, but White's development is lacking. Notably, White's king has not yet castled and Black has significant pressure on 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

the
Games 13 ... f5 14.h4 (14.exf6+? <;t>xf6-+) 14 ... .£lf6+. An inspired idea, preventing the h-pawn from advancing and more than happy to part with the knight in exchange for an escape for the king. (14 ... .§hS 15.g4 ~eS [15 ... .£lf6 16 ..§gl +-; 15 ... Axe3+ 16.bxe3 ~eS 17.h5+ <;t>h6 lS.gxf5+-] 16.h5+ <;t>h6 17.gxf5 .£lxe3 lS.bxe3 Axh1 19.fxe6 .ilxe3+ 20.<;t>f1 ~xh5 21.~f5 +-). 13.t'1/h5 Knowing that the rook retreat with ... .§eS leads to the usual mate in five, Black relies upon the pressure on the .£le3 to try ... 13... t'1/xg514..1l.xg5 Not 14.~xg5 .£lxe3-+ 15.a3 .£le4+. 14... 4)xc315.a3! But White is able to foil the idea by disrupting the coordination between Black's knight and bishop. 15••. 4)e4+ 15 ... Aa5 16.Ad2 The point! White does not lose a piece. 16 ... .£la4 17 ..ilxa5 .£lxb2 lS.0-0 ±. 16.axb4 4)c617..1l.e3 4)xb418.()...() 4)c2 19.Etac1 4)xe3 20.fxe3 The smoke has cleared and Black has two pieces and two pawns for the queen, not quite enough. 20 ... .1l.d5 21.Etf4 f5 22.exf6 Etxf6 On 22 ... .£lxf6, 23.~e5 +-. 23.Etcfl Etaf8 24.Etxf6 4)xf6 25.t'1/e5 4)e4 26.Etxf8+ xf8 27. t'1/b8+ +- f7 28. t'1/xa7 .1l.c6 29.h4 g6 30.g4 h6 31.t'1/bS h7 32. t'1/f8 4)f6 33.g5 4)e4 34. t'1/f71-O (145) Araiza Munoz - Galeb Lugano Olympiad 1968 Sicilian Defense [B22] l.e4 c5 2.c3 4)c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.cxd4 e6 5.4)£3 4)f6 6.e5 4)d5 7 . .1l.c4 .1l.b4+ 8.f1 4)ce7 9.a3 .1l.a5 10.4)bd2 t'1/c7U.t'1/b3 a612.4)e40o 13..1l.g5 b514..1l.d3 .1l.b615.Etcl t'1/a716.4)d6 .1l.b717•.1l.xe7 4)xe7

abc

d

e

f

g

h

A relatively easy win thanks to obvious additional assets, the reinforced e5pawn, the well planted .£ld6, and the .§el. 18..1l.xh7+ xh719.4)g5+ h6 In the ~gSline, White infiltrates easily with ~h7, ~hS, .£lgS, and ~g7 when the .£ld6 exerts powerful control over key squares. 19 ... <;t>gS 20.~h3 .§feS (20 ... .§fdS 21.~h7+ ~fS 22.~hS+ .£lgS 23 ..£lh7+ ~e7 24.~xg7 .§fS and it's mate in four with 25.~g5+ f6 26.~g7+ .§f7 27.~xf7+ ~dS 2S.~eS"") 21.~h7+ ~fS 22.~hS+ .£lgS 23 ..£lh7+ ~e7 and now, after two exchanges on c8, the .£lgS falls: 24 ..£lxeS+ .§xeS 25 ..§xeS AxeS 26.~xgS+-. In the line with 19 ... ~g6, there are multiple paths to the win, but ~d3+ is most accurate because Black's response ... .£lf5 does not gain time against the queen. White can quickly swing the queen to g3, Black can only delay the attack with 21.. ..£lf5. 20.~g3 .£lf5 21..£lxf5 <;t>xf5 (not 21...exf5 22 ..£le6++-) 22.h4+-- when the win requires considerable care: 22 ... Axd4 23 ..£lxf7 .§xf7 24 ..§e1 +-. The queen can also swing to h3 20.~h3 Axd4 (opposing the queen with 20 ... .§hS only invites 21.~g3 when, in addition to the discovery, Black has to worry about the fl-pawn.) 21.f4 .§hS 22.~g4 f5 23.exf6 ~xf6 24 ..£lge4+ Axe4 25.~g5 "". White's

215

Sacking the Citadel best is likely 20.'l£1d3+ f5 21.'l£1g3 (not 21.exf6 4Jf5) and now (a) 20 ... 4Jf5 21.g4+-; (b) 20 ... 'it'xg5 2l.f4+ 'it'h6 22:l£1h3+ 'it'g6 23.g4 (the queen, 4Jd6 and the kingside pawns provide the net) 23 ... §.hS 24.f5+ 'it'g5 (24 ... exf5 25.gxf5+ 'it'g5 26.§.gl + +-) 25.'l£1e3+ 'it'xg4 (25 ... 'it'h4 26.'l£1g3+ 'it'g5 27.4Jxf7#) 26.§.gl++-; and (c) As in the line just above, although White must force the capture of the knight. 20 ... 'it'h6 21.'l£1h7+ 'it'xg5 22.f4+ ~xf4 (22 ... 'it'g4 23.'l£1h3+ 'it'xf4 24.'l£1g3 #) 23.'l£1h4+ 'it'e3 24.§.c3+ ~d2 25.'l£1el #. 20.t.\'h3+
1.d4 Jilf6 2.c4 e6 3.Jilf3 d5 4.Jilc3 c5 5.cxd5 Jilxd5 6.e4 Jilxc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 .11,b4+ 9 ..11,d2 .11,xd2+ 10.t.\'xd2 ~ 1l.j},c4 Jilc6 12.~ Jila5 13 . .11,d3 b6 14.EIad1 j},b7 15.EIfe1 EIc816.d5exd517.e5Jilc4 18.t.\'f4 EIc7

216

8

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6 5 4

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White has unusual additional assets here, a mobile e5-pawn and the two rooks. In the game, Black selects the more challenging 'it'g6line, where White misses the most powerful continuation with a quick h4-h5. 19..11,xh7+ Cifj>xh7 20.Jilg5+ Cifj>g6 In the 'it'gS line, White does not have immediate access to h5 but still infiltrates quickly thanks to the mobility of the e5-pawn and the support of the §.el. 20 ... ~gS 21.'l£1h4 §.eS 22.'l£1h7+ (or 22.e6 §.xe6 23.§.xe6 fxe6 24.'l£1h7+ ~f8 25.4Jxe6+ +- ) 22 ... ~f8 23.e6 §.xe6 (23 .. .fxe6 24.§.xe6 §.xe6 25.4Jxe6+ 'it'e7 26.4JxdS ~xdS 27.'l£1hS+ ~d7 2S.'l£1xg7+ +-) 24.§.xe6 fxe6 25.4Jxe6+ 'it'e7 26.'l£1h4+ +-. In the ~h6Iine, White has a mate in four that makes good use of'l£1f4-h4-f7 and of the §.dl. 20 ... ~h6 21.'l£1h4+ (the queen is already poised to start the attack) 21...~g6 22.'l£1h7+ ~xg5 23.h4+ 'it'f4 24.§.d4 #. 21.h4 Securing the 4Jg5. Less compelling is 21.§.d3 'l£1xg5 22.§.g3 'l£1xg3 23.'l£1xg3+. (Black has a rook and two minors for the queen) 23 ... ~h7 24.e6 §.ccS 25.e7 §.feS+. 21 ... t.\'c8 Black needs to play more actively than 21...'l£1e7 22.§.d3 +- with §.g3 next. Black's best here is 21...§.hS to prevent h4-h5, but 22.§.d3 §.h5 and White is still winning after 23.e6 'l£1e7 (23 ... f6 24.4Jf7 §.xf7 25.'l£1g4++-)

Games 24.l:':!g3 f5 25.4J£7+ ~h7 (25 ... ~f6 26.'~d4+ .£Ie5 27. ~xe5 #). The attack makes progress with 26.l:':!g5 l:':!xg5 27.hxg5 ~g8 and White finally gains control over the h-file. 28.~h2+-. 22 ..§d3 Consistent and best is 22.h5+ ~h6 (22 ... ~xh5 23.l:':!d4+-) 23 ..£Ixf7+ ~h7 24.e6+-. 22 ... f6 23.h5+ 'it'h6 Not 23 ... ~xh5 24.exf6+-. 24.4)e6+ 'it'h7 24 ... g5 brings on mate in six: 25.hxg6+ ~xg6 26.l:':!g3+ ~f7 27.~xf6++-. 25.4)xfS+ ~xfS 26.exf6 .§f7 27. ~f5+ 'it'gS Avoiding 27 ... ~h8 28.fxg7+ ~xg7 29.l:':!e8+ §f8 30.l:':!xf8++-. 28.~e6 Missing another win with 28.fxg7 l:':!xf5 29.gxf8~+ ~xf8 30.h6+-. 2S ...gxf6 29 ..§g3+ 'it'hS 30.h6 4)e5 31.f4 .§e7? The losing move. Black can hold with 31...~c8 32.~xd5 .£Ig4=. 32 . .§gS+ ~xgS 33.~xf6+ 'it'h7 34.~xe7+ 4)f7 35.~xb7 ~fS 36 . .§e7 'it'xh6 37..§xf71-O (147) Polugaevsky - Tal Moscow 1969 Queen's Gambit Declined [D41] l.c4 4)f6 2.4)c3 e6 3.4)f3 d5 4.d4 c5 5.cxd5 4) xd5 6.e4 4) xc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 S.cxd4 Ab4+ 9.Ad2 Axd2+ 10.~xd2 0--0 II.Ac4 4)c612.0--0 b6 13..§adl Ab714..§fel4)a515.-'\,d3 .§cS 16.d5 exd5 17.e5 4)c41S. ~f4 4)b2

abc

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217

Now in the modern era, grandmasters quickly become aware of others' games and theoretical battles can ensue. Remarkably, this exact Greco Sacrifice occurs in ten different games, which are all here. The sacrifice can count on a mobile e5-pawn and the two active rooks. Of note, the black .£Ib2 and the ~b7 are not anchored, and Black cannot easily prevent e5-e6. In the key ~g6 line, the l:':!c4's attack upon the white queen lessens the value of the discovered check when h4-h5 drives the king to h6. The game enters a complex middlegame in which White, though down a piece, can rely upon the rooks, an active knight, and the passed epawn. 19.Axh7+ 'it'xh7 20.4)g5+ 'it'g6 It is notable that none of the defenders selected the ~g8 line, which loses quickly to ~h4-h7 and e5-e6. 20 ... ~g8 21.~h4 l:':!e8 (after the queen sacrifice 21...~xg5 22.~xg5 .£Ixdl 23.l:':!xdl +- White has f4-f5 and the possibility of l:':!d4-h4) 22.~h7+. The queen must enter on h7 when after 22 ... ~f8 23.e6 fxe6 (not 23 ... l:':!xe6 24.l:':!xe6 fxe6 [24 ... .£Ixdl 25.~h8#] 25.~h8+

~e7

26.~xg7+

~d6

27 ..£1£7+ +-) there's no mate, because the d6-square is free, but White has a knight fork when the king arrives at d6: 24.~h8+

~e7

25.~xg7+

~d6

26 ..£1£7+ +-. The queen sacrifice with 20 ... ~xg5 21.~xg5 relies upon winning back the exchange, 21.. ..£Ixdl 22.l:':!xdl l:':!c7 23.f4+-, but White emerges with a slight material advantage and, more importantly, the ability to play actively here with f5 and either a rook swing or e5-e6. 21.h4! .§c4! Among six alternatives, Tal picks the strongest move, aiming to prevent l:':!d4 and h5+.

Sacking the Citadel (a) 21...f5 22.~d4! with the idea ofh5+ 22 ... v.f1e7 23.h5+ (or a rook swing with 23.~e3 ~hS 24.~g3 ~h5 25.<£'Ie6+ 'It'h7 26.~xg7++-) 23 ... 'it'h6 24.<£'It7+ (White needs simply to secure the knight and then pry open the kings ide with h6) 24 ... 'it'h7 25.i!¥xf5+ 'it'gS 26.e6 ~c7 27.~f4 Ac6 2S.h6 1-0 GriienGohring, Germany 1983 ; (b) 21... i!¥d7 does nothing to prevent White's main threat: 22.h5+! 'it'xh5 (22 ... 'lt'h6 23.<£'Ixt7+ 'it'h7 [23 ... 'it'xh5 24.v.f1g5#] 24.e6+-) 23.~d4 +-. Four players forgotthat greed rarely pays; (c) 21...<£'Ixdl Giving Black a large material edge and eliminates the possibility of ~d4. 22.h5+ 'it'h6 (22 ... 'it'xh5 when it's mate in four starting with 23.g4+ 1-0 lasnikowski-Votava, Warsaw 1989. One game kept going with 23 ... ~h6 [23 ... 'it'h4 24.<£'If3+ 'it'h3 25.'l;1g3#; 23 ... 'it'g6 24.i!¥f5+ ~h6 25.<£'Ixt7+ ~xt7 26.i!¥h5#] 24.v.f1h2+ 1-0 Becker-Homs, Ruhrgebiet 2004) 23.<£'Ie6+ when the discovery nets the queen 1-0 Olafsson-Lombard, Athens 1969. After 23.<£'Ie6+, one player still kept trying: (1) White had no trouble mopping up with 23 ... 'it'h7 24.<£'IxdS ~cxdS 25.~xdl ~deS 26.v.f1f5+ ~gS 27.i!¥d7 AaS 2S.f4 ~dS 29.v.f1xa7 d4 30.i!¥xb6 d3 31.v.f1e3 1-0 Gurevich-Massana, New York 1985; (2) 23 ... g5 when it's more important to mate than to capture the black queen, 24.hxg6+ 'it'xg6 25.v.f1g4+ ~h6 26.v.f1g7+ 'it'h5 27.v.f1h7+ ~g4 2S.v.f1h3#; (3) 23 ... ~xh5 and it's mate in three with 24.g4+ 'it'g6 (24 ... ~h4 25.v.f1g3#) 25.i!¥f5+ 'it'h6 26.v.f1h5 #; (d) 21... v.f1e7 A logical move that places the queen out of the reach of a discovery. Two players with White won here but failed to find the optimal path. (1) 22.~e3! ~c4 (22 ... <£'Ixd 1 23.~g3 ~gS 24.h5+ 'It'h6 [24 ... 'It'xh5 25.i!¥f5 +- ]

25.<£'Ixt7+ 'It'h7 [25 ... ~xh5 26.'l;1g4#] 26.v.f1f5+ g6 27.~xg6+-) 23.h5+ 'It'h6 (23 ... 'it'xh5 24.g4+ 'it'g6 [24 ... 'lt'h6 25.~h3+ 'It'g6 26.v.f1f5 #] 25.v.f1f5+ 'it'h6 26.~h3#) 24.<£'Ie4+ 'it'h7 (24 ... g5 25.hxg6+ 'it'g7 26.~h3 fxg6 27.'l;1h6+ 'it'f7 [27 ... 'It'gS 2S. 'l;1xg6+ 'l;1g7 29.'l;1e6+ ~t7 30.<£'If6++-]) 25.'l;1f5+ 'it'h6 (25 ... 'lt'gS 26.<£'If6+ gxf6 27.exf6+-) 26.~g3 ~xe4 27.~g6+ 'It'h 7 (27 ... fxg6 2S. i!¥xg6 #) 28.~e6+ +-; (2) 22.g4 Aiming for a kingside pawn storm when Black's best defense is 22 ... f5 22 ... ~h6 23.<£'Ie4+ g5 24.hxg5+ 'It'g6 25.v.f1f5+ 'It'g7 26.<£'Ig3 ~hS 27.'l;1bl v.f1a3 2S.'l;1f5 <£'Ixdl 29.'l;1f6+ 'it'gS 30.e6 ~h7 31.e7 <£'Ie3 32.g6 fxg6 33.'l;1xg6+ ~g7 34.eSv.f1+ ~xeS 35.v.f1xeS+ 'l;1fS 36.'l;1xe3 ~g6 37.'l;1e5 ~g7 3S.g5 i!¥cS 39.f4 'l;1c5+ 40.~e3 v.f1c1 + 41.'lt'f2 v.f1c2+ 42.<£'Ie21oAiken-Bacon, correspondence 1997; (3) Less impressive is 22.~d2 when Black can defend with 22 .. .f5 23.~xb2 ~c4 22 ... ~c4 23.v.f1g3 ~h6 24.~xb2 f6 25.<£'If3 ~e4 26.~be2 ~h7 27.exf6 gxf6 2S.~xe4 dxe4 29.'l;1f4 ~gS 30.<£'Id4 v.f1e5 31.v.f1e3 f5 32.<£'Ie2 ~cS 33.~dl Ac6 34.i!¥g5 ~gS 35.v.f1h5+ 'It'g7 36.<£'Ig3 'it'f6 37.i!¥h6+ ~g6 3S.<£'Ih5+ 1oDreev-Yusupov, Mainz 2003; and (e) Finally 21...f6 also fails to prevent the threat: 22.h5+ +- 'It'h6 (22 ... 'It'xh5 23.g4+ ~g6 [23 ... 'lt'h6 24.i!¥h2+ 'It'xg5 25. i!¥h5+ 'it'f4 26. 'l;1f5 # ] 24. 'l;1f5+ 'It'h6 25.<£'It7+ ~xt7 26.'l;1h5#) 23.<£'Ie6+ +netting the queen.

218

22.h5+ With his queen under attack, Polugaevsky correctly continues to attack. Less aggressive is 22 ..§.d4 '§'xd4 (22 ... i!¥e7 23.~e3 '§'xd4 24.i!¥xd4 ~cS 25.~g3 ~cl+ 26.'lt'h2 ~c4-27.'l;1xb2 '§'xh4+ 2S.'it'gl 'it'h6 29.'l;1c1 +- when White emerges with the threat of the

Games discovery still intact) 23.'I:'hd4 ~d7 (Black's best line appears to be 23 ... §h8 24.g3 ~c8 25.~xb2 Af5 26.~d2; not 23 ... ~c8 24.~xb2±) 24.e6 fxe6 25.4Jxe6 (25.~g4 +-) 25 ... §f5 26.~g4+ ~f6 (26 ... ~h6 27.~xf5+-; 26 ... ~f7 27.~xg7+ ~e8 28.4Jf8++-) 27.4Jf8 ~f7 28.§e6+ (28.4Jh7#) 28 ... ~xe6 29.~g6+ 1-0 KunathRuppe, correspondence 1983. 22 ... \!jIh6 22 ... ~xh5 leads to mate in four: 23.g4+ ~g6 (23 ... ~h4 24.4Jf3+ ~h3 25.~g3#; 23 ... ~h6 24.~h2+ 1o Avrukh-Donk, Antwerp 1998) 24.~f5+~h625.4Jxf7+ §xf7 26.~h5#. 23•.£Jxf7+ \!jIh7 Avoiding the mate in two after 23 ... ~xh5 24.g4+ ~h4 (24 ... ~g6 25.~f5#) 25.~g3#. 24. ~f5+ \!jIg8 Obviously not 24 ... g6 25.~xg6#. 25.e6 Securing the knight, threatening e7, and aiming for h6. 25 ... ~f6 Forced, stopping both threats. 25 ... ~e7 does not prevent 26.h6! +- and 25 ... 4Jxdl allows 26.e7 +-. 26. ~xf6 gxf6 27 . .§d2! Polugaevsky finds the best move, staying clear of the very tempting 27.4Jd6 4Jxdl 28.e7 §c1 29.h6 §b8 30.4Jxb7 §e8 31.4Jd6 §xe7 32.§xe7 4Je3+ 33.~h2 4Jg4+ 34.~g3 4Jxh6 35.§xa7 §c5 36.§d7 §c6 37.~4 §c2 38.f3 §xg2 39.4Je8 §xa2 40.4Jxf6+ ~f8 41.~g5 00+ 42.~5 d4 43.f4 ~g7 44.4Je4 ~g8 45.§xd4 §a7 46.~f6 b5 47.4Jc5 §a8 48.4Je6 §b8 49.§d7 4Jh6 50.~g6 4Jg4 51.~g5 4Jf2 52.f5 b4 53.~f4 §b6 54.§e7 4Jd3+ 55.~g5 b3 56.f6 4Je5 57.§e8+ ~f7 58.§e7+ ~g8 Yl-Yl Naurnkin-Nevanlinna, Jyvaskyla 1993. 27....§c6 27 ... 4Ja4 and only now 28.4Jd6 ~c6 (28 ... §c7 29.e7+-) 29.e7 §e8 30.4Jxe8 ~xe8 31.§xd5±. 28. .§xb2 .§e8 29..£Jh6+ \!jIh7 30..£Jf5 .§exe6 31 ..§xe6 .§xe6 32..§c2 .§c6 33..§e2 Ac8 Perhaps best is 33 ... §c1 + 34.~h2

§c7 35.§e6±, but not 33 ...§c7 34.§e6 Aa6 35.§xf6 Ad3 36.g4+-. 34..§e7+ \!jIh8? 34 ...~g8 was the last chance to keep the fight alive 35.4Jh4 ±. 35..£Jh4 f5 36..£Jg6+ \!jigS 37..§xa71-O (148) Cappello - Squarcialupi Correspondence 1970 Sicilian Defense [B22] 1.e4 c5 2.d4 cxd4 3.c3 .£Jf64.e5 .£Jd5 5 . .£Jf3 .£Jc6 6.Ac4 e6 7.0-0 d6 8.exd6 Axd6 9.cxd4 0-0 10•.£Jc3 a6 11.~e2 b512 ..1l,d3 .1l,b713 ..£Jxd5 exd5

219

8 7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Even in a correspondence game, mistakes are made. The sacrifice is problematic here in part because White can count on only one additional asset, the dark-square bishop and because Black's development is fully adequate. The best defense is the ~g6 line, but Black misses the chance to play 16... ~d7, hiding the queen from the discoveries and staying in contact with the Ad6. 14.Axh7+ \!jIxh715 ..£Jg5+ \!jIg6 In the ~g8 line, Black's development actually helps White because, in the normal mate in five line, the black bishop occupies the d6 escape square. 15 ... ~g816.~h5 §e8 17.~xf7+ ~h8 18.~h5+ ~g819.~h7+ ~f8 20:~h8+

~e7 21.~xg7#.

16.h4

16.~d3+

f5

Sacking the Citadel shuts down the diagonal and 17.h4 (17.i!Yh3 §hS shuts down the file). 17 ... i!Yd7-+ 16 .•• E!.h8 16 ... ~d7! 17.h5+ ~h6+. White has a discovered check with no threat, and Black can simply continue with ... §aeS and .. .f5.(not 17 ... ~f6 lSA:Jh7+ ~f5 19.94# or 17 ... ~f5 lS.iH3+ ~f4 19.~xf4#). 17.g4 j'ih2+? Panic. Necessary was 17 ... ~d71S.h5+ ~h6 when White can use the discovery only to win an exchange. 19A:Jxf7+ ~h7 20.
25. ~xg7 f6 26.Af4 ~c6 27.Axe5 fxe5 28.E!.ac1 Ad7 29.~g6+ 1-0 (149) Leu - Muck Correspondence 1973 French Defense [C07] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~d2 c5 4.exd5 ~xd5 5.~gf3 cxd4 6.Ac4 ~d8 7.~ o Ac5 8.~b3 Ab6 9.~bxd4 ~e7 10.Ae3 0-0 11. ~e2 a6 12.E!.adl ~c713.Ad3 ~1x:6 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

In this correspondence game, White demonstrates how complex these lines

can be. White has an unusual combination of additional assets, the §d1 and the dark-square bishop. For his part, Black cannot easily play
220

Games avoiding 19:i£td3 becomes clear if Black tries 19 ... '\ii'xb2 20.Eid6+. It's important here that Eid6 arrive with check: 20 ... ~e6 21.4Jxe6+ ~h7 22.'\ii'h3+ ~gS 23.4Jg5 EifdS 24.'\ii'h7+ 'it'fS 25.Eixc6 bxc6 26.Eiel +-. 20.Etd6+ f620 ... lte6 21.'\ii'g4+- (taking full advantage ofthe pin on the bishop to find a post on the g-file. And on 20 ...~h5 21.'\ii'd3 with the usual offer of the 4Jg5) 21.. .g6 (21...'it'xg5 It's mate in 11 says Fritz 12 22.h4+ 'it'xh4 [22 ... ~g4 23.Eig6+ fxg6 24.'\ii'xg6+ 'it'xh4 25.~h2+-] 23.'\ii'h7+ 'it'g5 24.'\ii'xg7+ ~f5 25.Eif6+ ~e4 26.'\ii'g5 +-) 22.4Jxf7 Eixf7 23.'\ii'xg6+ 'it'h4 24.g3+ +-. 21. ~h4 Af5 21...'\ii'c5 22.'\ii'h7+ 'it'xg5 and again, White has the assets for a mating net: 23.h4+ 'it'g4 24.'\ii'xg7+ 'it'f5 (24 ... ~xh4 25.'\ii'xfS+-) 25.Eiel +-. 22.~h7+!
queenside, and by the many additional assets, the e5-pawn, the g- and f-pawns,

abc

d e

f

g

h

the 4Jd4, and the Eidl. In the ~gSline, White can reach the h-file only at h3, but the additional assets permit the normal infiltration on h7, hS, and g7 to succeed. 16.Axh7+
7

6

5 4

3 2

A highly unusual example distinguished by Black's active counter attack on the

abc

d e

f

g

h

Position after 20.f5+ (analysis)

221

Sacking the Citadel (a) 20 ... exf5 21.gxf5+. There are quick mates after both 21...4Jxf5 22.~hgl +and 21...Axf5 22.~hgl + +-. Toughest is 21...'it'g5 22J':lhgl + 'it'f4 23.~g3+ 'it'e4 24.~gel + +-; (b) 20 ... 4Jxf5 21.gxf5+ 'it'g5 (21...exf5 22.§hgl #) 22.~hgl+ 'it'f4 23.~g3+ 'it'e4 24.§gel + +- when Black can only delay the mate with ... 4Jg3; and (c) Black doesn't even get a knight with 20 ... 'it>g5. It's mate in four after 21.~e3+ 'it'xg4 (21...'it'h4 22.~g3+ 'it'g5 23.4Jf3+ 'it'h6 24.~h4#) 22.~hgl + 'it'h4 (22 ... 'it'h5 23.~g5 #) 23.~g5+ 'it'h3 24.~g3 #. The 'it'h6line invites mate in two: 17 ... 'it'h618.~h3+ 'it'g619.~h7#.IS.'l:i1/h3 ~xdl Black cannot successfully slow down the attack with 18 ... 4Jg619.~h7+ 'it'f8 20.f5. Black dare not move: 20 ... exf5 21.e6 Aa4 (21...4Jxdl 22.~xdl ~a4 23.exf7 +- ) 22.exf7 - threatening both ~g8 and 4Je6+ - 22 ... 4Je2+ 23.4Jxe2 ~xc2+ (Black gains nothing with 23 ... ~xb2 24.'it>xb2 ~b6+ 25.'it'al) 24.'it'bl §xe2 25.~xg6+-. 19.'l:i1/h7+ ~fS 20. 'l:i1/hS+ ~gS 21.~h7+ ~e7 22.'l:i1/xg7 ~f2? 22 ... Aa4! 23.4Jg5 §fB (not 24.~xdl ~ac8 25.'it'bl Axc2+ 26.4Jxc2 ~a4 27.4Je3 d4-+) and Black survives after 24.4Jgxe6 4Je3 25.f5 §fe8. 23.'l:i1/gS+ f6 There's no point playing 23 ... 'it'e8 24. ~xg8+ -+ . 24. 'l:i1/g7+ ~d8 2S. 'l:i1/fS+ 1--0 It's mate in four with 25 ... 'it'c7 (25 ... Ae8 26.4Jxe6+ 'it'd7 27.~d6#) 26.~d6+ 'it'd8 27. 4Jxe6+ 'it'e8 28. ~f8 # . (151) Vieweg-Kadner

Correspondence 1975 Czech Benoni [A60] l.e4 e6 2.d4 cS 3.dS d6 4.c4 ~f6 S.~c3 -'l,e7 6.-'l,e2 0--0 7.f4 exdS S.cxdS a6 9.a4 EteS 10.~f3 -'l,fS

222

11.0-0 ~xe4 13.-'l,d3 Ete8

12.~xe4

Etxe4

8 7

6

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

White initiates the sacrifice a pawn down, but the additional assets, the dark-square bishop, and the active §f1 as well as the awkwardness of Black's Af8 and Black's poor development assure success. In the 'it'g6 line, White's win comes from f4-f5, opening up the diagonal for the Ac 1 and fatally exposing the king after 16 ... Af5 l7.§ xf5 'it'xf5 18.g4+ . 14.-'l,xh7+ ~xh71S.~gS+ ~g6 In the 'it'g8line, Af5 fails to ~f7+ and ~xf5. 15 ... 'it'g8 16.~h5 Af5 (There's no way to provide an escape for the king, 16 ... Ae7 17.~h7+ 'it'fB 18.~h8#) 17.~xf7+ 'it'h818.~xf5+-;

the 'it'h6 line loses instantly, 15 ... 'it'h6 16.4Jxf7++-. 16.fS+! Black is fine after 16.h4 Af5:;:. Even worse for White is 16.~d3+ Af5 -+. 16 ... ~f616 ... Axf5 17.~xf5 4Jd7 18.~c2 +-. If instead, Black captures the rook with 17 ... 'it'xf5, White wins quickly in all lines after 18.g4+: (a) 18. .. 'it'e5 19.4Jxf7+ +- winning the queen but also starting a mate in three; (b) 18 ... 'it'g6 19.~d3+ 'it'f6 20.~f5+ 'it'e7 21.~xf7#; and (c) 18 ... 'it'f6 19.~f3+ 'it'e5 (19 ... 'it'g6 20.~f5+ 'it'h6 21.~h7#; 19 ... 'it'e7 20.~xf7#) 20.~e4+ 'it'f6 21.4Jh7#. 17.~e617.~h5! (aiming for both ~xf7 and 4Jh7) 17 ... ~d7 18.4Jxf7 ~xf7

Games 19.~g5+ 'it'e5 20.EHe1 + and the mating net is in full swing. It's mate in three after 20 ... 'it'd4 (20 ... ~xd5 21.~f3+ ~c4 [21...'it'd4 22.E1ad1 + ~c4 23.~c3#] 22.b3+ 'it'b4 [22 ... 'it'd 4 23.E1adl#] 23.~d2 #) 21.~d1 + ~c4 22.E1c1 + 'it'b4 23.Ad2#. 17••• ~b6 After 17 ... ~e7 White can simply capture the queen or play 1B.f6+ gxf619.4JxdB+-. 18..Q.g5+ ~e519.Ete1 + ~xf5 20. ~d3+ 1--0 It's mate in two with 20 ... ~g4 21.~h3#.

(152) Pulieri - Boch Correspondence 1977 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E59] 1.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)c3 Ab4 4.e3 c5 5.j},d3 d5 6.4)0 dxc4 7.Axc4 ~ o8.~ 4)c6 9.a3 Axc310.bxc3 ~c7 11.j},d3 b612.e4cxd413.cxd4 Ab7 14.e54)d5

abcdefgh

White can rely here upon a common pair of additional assets, the dark-square bishop and secure e5-pawn. With knights on c6 and d5, Black cannot force a knight back to f6, but the ~c7 does laterally defend on f7. After ~gB, White plays a4 to activate the ~c1 or E1a1 on a3. 15.Axh7+ ~xh716.4)g5+ ~g8 After 16 ... 'it'g6, the lines are complex and instructive; White's most convincing line involves the immediate h4 threatening h5. 17.~g4!? f5 1B.~g3

223

~e7. Black can limit his losses, happy just to cede the exchange. 19.4Jxe6+ 'it'f7 20.4JxfB 4Jxd4:;:. A bit more promising is 17.~d3+!? f5 1B.exf6+ 'it'xf6 19.E1el. Taking aim at the e6-pawn. 19 ... 4JdB 20.i£1h3 ±. But White's best move in the ~g6 line is 17.h4 with the idea ofh5+ and gaining a tempo for the ~d3+ line: (a) 17 ... 4Jxe5 18.dxe5 i£1xe5 19.h5+ 'it'f6 20.E1el i£1xallooks promising for Black, but any check by the Ac1 will pick off the black queen (20 ... 4Jc3 21.~d2 E1fdB 22.4Jh7+ ~e7 [22 ... ~f5 23.i£1g5#] 23.E1xe5+- winning a piece and maintaining the initiative) 21.4Jh7+ 'it'e7 (21...~f5 22.g4#) 22.Ag5++- f6 (22 ... 'it'd6 23.i£1xa1) 23.i£1xal; (b) 17 ... f5 IB.h5+ 'it'h6 19.4Jxe6++- demonstrates the threat; (c) The effort to safeguard the king 17 ... i£1e7 IB.i£1d3+ f5 (lB ... 'it'h5 19.i£1h7+ 'it'g4 20.f3+ ~g3 21.4Je4#) 19.exf6+ ~xf6 (19 ... 'it'h5 20.~h7+ ~g4 2l.f3+ ~g3 22.4Je4#) 20.i£1f3+ ~g6 21.h5+ 'it'h6 22.~d3 is much better than the discovered check 22 ... E1f5 23.4Jxe6+ +- winning the rook outright; and (d) Taking away the h-file with 17 ... E1hB IB.i£1d3+ f5 19.exf6+ 'it'xf6 (19 ... ~h5 20.g4+ ~xg4 [20 ... ~xh4 21.i£1h3#] 21.i£1f3+ ~xh4 22.~h3#) 20.i£1f3+ 'it'e7 (20 ... 'it'g6 21.~e4+ 'it'h5 [21...~f6 22.i£1xe6#] 22.g4+ 'it'xh4 [22 ... ~h6 23.4Jf7410] 23.i£1g2+-) gives White an entry square on f7.21.i£1f7+ 'it'dB (21...'it'd6 22.i£1xe6#) which then opens e6 for the knight 22.4Jxe6+ +- . 17.~h5 Etfe818.a4 With two ideas, a E1a3 rook swing and Aa3 to block the black king's escape route. 18 ..• a5 19.Eta319.i£1h7+!? ~fB 20.Aa3+ 4Jcb4 using the knight and a5 pawn to block the diagonal. 19••. 4)d8 On 19 ... E1acB 20.E1h3 ~fB 21.E1f3 4JdB 22.4Jh7+ 'it'e7 23.Ag5+ 'it'd7 24.E1xf7+ 4Jxf7 25.i£1xf7+

Sacking the Citadel §e7 26AJf8+ §xfB 27.~xfB §eB 2B.'liH7+ §e7 29.~xe7 .£\xe7 30."'~hg7 +- reaching a familiar endgame in which the h-pawn will be expensive to stop. 20.4)h7 The direct path to the win is 20:~h7+! '<1tfB 21..£\e4 '<1te7 22.~g5+ 'it'd7 23.§c1 ~c6 24:~xg7 §e7 25.~xe7 .£\xe7 26 ..£\d6 ~bB 27 ..~f6 .£\b7 2B.'£\xf7 +-. 20 •.. 4)c6 20 ... g6 (weakening the dark squares and inviting ~h6 and §h3) 21.~h6 'ff1e7 22.§h3+-. 21.lah3 laed8 22.4)gS ~f8 23.laf3 ~e8 24.laxf7 1-0 It's mate in three with 24 ... .£\ce7 25.§xe7+ '<1txe7 26.~f7#. (153) Ivanov - Kogan Tashkent 1977 Semi-Slav Defense [D 15]

1.4)f3 dS 2.d4 c6 3.c4 e6 4.e3 4)f6 S.4)c3 a6 6.a4 cS 7.Ad3 4)c6 8.0--0 Ae7 9.b3 0--0 10.Ab2 b6 1l.cxdS exdS 12.4)eS 4)b4 13.Abl Ad6 14.4)e2lae81S.4)f4laa716.4)fd3 lac717.aS 4)xd318.4)xd3 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

For additional assets, Black has the light-square bishop, the §eB, and the §c7. In the '<1tg3 line, only 20 ... h5 (threatening h4 and 'ff1g5) provides the advantage. 18 ... Axh2+ 19.~xh2 4)g4+ 20. ~g3 In the '<1tglline, the.£\d3 defends f2 but Black can barge through

224

with §xe3. In those lines, the §c7 enters the fray powerfully with 27 ... cxd4 double check. 20.'<1tgl 'ff1h4 21.§el (taking advantage of the .£\d3's defense of f2 to run the king towards the queenside) 21...'ff1h2+ (21...§xe3 22.fxe3 (or 22.§xe3 ~h2+ 23.'<1tfl .£\xe3+ 24.fxe3 ~hl 25.'it'e2 ~g4+ with a skewer) 22 ... ~h2+ 23.'<1tfl ~hl+ 24.'<1te2 'ff1xg2+ 25.'£\f2 ~xf2+ 26.'it'd3 ~f5+ 27.'<1tc3 driving the king all the way to c3 so that 27 ... cxd4+ is a discovered double check 2B. 'it'b4 [2B.'<1txd4 ~xb2+ 29.'it'xd5 ~e5#] 2B ... ~xb2 -+) 22. '<1tfl § xe3! Transposing to the line just above. 20 ... hS Less convincing is 20 .. :ii1g5?! 2l.f4 ~h6 (not 21 ...~g6 22 ..£\e5 +- ; or 21 ... §xe3+ 22.§f3 ~h6 23.§xe3 .£\xe3 24.'ff1f3=) 22 ..£\e5 ~h2+ (Black has only a small edge after 22 ... .£\xe3 23.~f3 '£\xfl + 24.~xfl cxd4 25.~xd4 f6 26.'£\f3 bxa5 ~) 23. 'it'f3 .£\xe5+ 24.fxe5 'ff1h4 25.'it'e2 ~g4+ 26.§f3 ~xf3+ 27.'<1txf3 ~h5+ 28.g4 ~h3 -+. The queen will again pick off the unanchored ~b2. Not 20 ... ~d6+? when 21..£\e5 +- actively blocks the diagonal and readies ~d3. 21.4)eS Not 21.axb6 ~g5, threatening both ... h4 and ... .£\xe3; and not 21.§hl 'ff1g5 22.f4 §xe3+-+. 21 ... ~g5 22.f4 h4+ 23.~f3 On 23.'<1th3 '£\f2+ overwhelms, 24.'it'h2 'ff1g3+ 25.'it'gl .£\xdl-+. 23 ... 4)xeS+ 24.dxeS ~g3+ 2S. ~e2 -'lg4+ 0-1 (154) Andreev - Estrin Correspondence 1977 English Opening [A 18]

l.c4 4)f6 2.4)c3 e6 3.e4 dS 4.eS d4 S.exf6 dxc3 6.bxc3 ~xf6 7.d4 c5 8.4)f3 cxd4 9.Ag5 ~fS -10.cxd4 Ab4+ 1l..1l,d2 ~aS 12.Ad3 4)c6

Games 13.§blO--O 14.§xb4 .£)xb415.0--0 ~a3 8

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Here, a correspondence game against the seventh correspondence world champion and famous analyst Yakov Estrin. Already down the exchange, White has only the dark-square bishop as an additional asset, although it becomes clear in the 'iftg8 line that the advanced c- and d-pawns assist a mating net. In the 'iftg6 line, the win is problematic. After 18.~bl + 4:ld3, White can gain his second asset with E'lc1-c3, but Black has time to maneuver his lightsquare bishop to fS. After 18.~g4 fS, the white queen cannot retreat to g3. White emerges with three pawns for the piece and a winning edge thanks to the exposure of the black king and his buried E'la8. 16.j},xh7+ ~xh717..£)g5+ White can play 17.~bl + first with the idea of putting pressure on the pinned piece, 17 ... 4:ld3 18.4:leS 'iftg8=, but Black is quite happy to give up the piece to end the attack. 17 ..• ~g6 The customary mate in five is unavailable because the black king can escape via d6, but in that line, the dark-square bishop develops powerfully to f4 and mates quickly. 17 ... 'iftg8 18.~hS ~d3 (18. .. E'ld819.~xf7+ 'ifth8 20.~hS+ 'iftg8 21.~h7+ 'iftf8 22.~h8+ 'ifte7 23.~xg7+

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'iftd6 [23 ... 'ifte8 24.~f7#] It's not mate, just a mate in two with 24.Af4+ 'iftc6 2S. ~c7 #). Black can effectively shut down the attack by placing the queen on the bl-h7 diagonal, but only at the cost of a piece and an exchange. 19.Axb4+-. 18.~g4 White is able to bring the rook into the game at c3 and win back a piece and then an exchange, but all that does is restore the material balance. 18.~bl+ 4:ld3 19.E'lc1 eS 20.E'lc3 ~b2 21.~xd3+ AfS 22.~g3 f6 23.4:lf3+ (23.4:le6+ 'iftf7 24. ~xg7 + 'ift x e6-+) 23 ... 'iftf7=.18 ... f519.~h4 j},d7 20. ~h7+ ~f6 21 ..11.f4 .£)c6 White retains a distinct advantage with much more active pieces after 21...4:ld3 22.AeS+ 'ifte7 23.Axg7'iftd8 24.Axf8 ~xf8 2S.E'ldl ±. 22 . .11.e5+ ~e7 22 ... 4:lxeS 23.dxeS+ 'ifte7 (23 ... 'iftxgS 24.f4+ 'iftg4 2S.~g6+ 'ifth4 26.~gS#; 23 ... 'iftxeS 24.~xg7+ 'iftd6 2S.E'ldl++-) 24.~xg7+ 'ifte8 2S.E'ldl ~e7 26.~g6+ 'iftd8 27.4:lxe6+ 'iftc8 28.4:lxf8 ~xf8 29.e6 Aa4 30.E'ldS ± with three pawns for the piece and a much more active position. 23..11.xg7 ~d8 24.d5 §e8 Hopeless is 24 ... exdS 2S.cxdS 4:le7 (2S ... E'le8 26.dxc6 bxc6 27.4:lf7+ 'iftc7 28.AeS+ +-) 26.Axf8+-. 25.dxc6 j},xc6 26.§dl+ ~c8 27.j},e5 ~e7 After 27 ... E'le7 28.~h8+ E'le8 29.~g7 E'le7 30.~f8+ +- when the E'le7 is pinned. 28•.£)f7 1-0

(155) Reid - Farrand Brighton 1977 Chigorin Defense [D07] l.d4 d5 2.c4 .£)c6 3 ..£)c3 dxc4 4.d5 .£)e5 5.e4 c6 6.A£4 .£)g6 7 ..11.e3 cxd5 8.exd5 e5 9.j},xc4 a6 10..£)f3 j},d6 11.0--0 f5 12.§el ~f8 13..11.d2 h6 14.b4 .£)f615.b5 e416..£)d4

Sacking the Citadel 1.c4 4)f6 2.4)c3 c6 3.4)f3 d5 4.d4 e6 5.e3 4) bd7 6.Ad3 dxc4 7.-'\.xc4 b5 8.Ab3 b4 9.4)e2 Ad610.()"'o ()...O 11.a3 bxa3 12.bxa3 Ab713.4)d2 c5 14.Ab2

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Black's impressive position includes three additional assets, the light-square bishop, the protected e4-pawn, and the 4Jg6. The ~gl line is most interesting in the line after 19.4Jxe4 and 20.Ab4 because White manufactures the time to play 21. 'ltic2, defending the f-pawn laterally. Note in that line that the §aB develops aggressively on the c-file and the 4Jg6 enters the fight on e5. 16...-'\.xh2+ 17.
(156) Michaelides - Crouch London 1978 Semi-Slav Defense [D47]

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Black relies here on an unusual pair of additional reinforcements, the lightsquare bishop along the long diagonal and the second knight. In the game, White defends with ~h3, attempting to exploit the light-square bishop's absence from the usual diagonal, but White fails to time d5 correctly. 14...-'\.xh2+ 15.
Games 2Utxd5 <£\xd5 -+. 17.•• Jildf618.d5 e5 19.Jile4 ~h6+ 20.'itlg3 exf4+ 21.exf4 Or- 21.'lt'f3 <£\h2+ 22.'lt'e2 ila6+ -+ 23. 'It'd2 <£\xe4. 21 ... Jil xe4+ 22.'itlxg4 22.'lt'f3 .§.aeB-+. The king is trapped and <£\h2 is likely next. 22 ... .§.ae8 23. ~c2 c4 24..Q.a4 ~g6+ 25.'itlh4 Not 25.'lt'h3 ~h5# Of the three king moves, only 25.'lt'f3 is not immediately mated but still meets 25 ... ilxd5-+. 25 ... Ac8 26.~dl ~h6+ ~1 Resigning in the face of mate with 26 ... ~h6+ 27.~h5 ~xf4+ 2B.g4~h2#.

(157) Van derWiel-Spassov Amsterdam 1979 Sicilian Defense [B69] l.e4 c5 2.Jilf3 Jilc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Jil xd4 Jilf6 5.Jilc3 d6 6.Ag5 e6 7. ~d2 a6 8.~ .Q.d7 9.f4 Ae7 10.Jilf3 b511.Axf6 .Q.xf612.~xd6 .§.a7 13.'itlbl b4 14.Jile2 Ae7

part meaningfully in the attack, the .§.hl requires that the .§.dl sacrifice itself on d7. In the ~gB line, the white queen must enter the attack more slowly on d3, giving Black the freedom of not having to defend on f7. Black misses the chance to run his king towards the queens ide with 25 ... 'lt'd7. 20.Axh7+ 'itlxh7 21.Jilg5+ 'itlg8 Players might be tempted to try 21... ~h6 because White does not have a dark-square bishop, but it's mate in four with 22.~d3, threatening ~h7, when (a) 22 ... .§.hB cutting off h7 but relinquishing f7 23.<£\xf7+ ~h5 24.~h3+ ~g6 25.<£\xhB!!#; (b) 22 ... g6 23.~h3+ ~g7 24.~h7#; and (c) 22 .. .f5 23.~h3+ 'It'g6 24.'~h7#. In the ~g6 line, ~d3+ is effective because the black rook, without an anchor from a .§.aB, cannot safely defend on h7. 21...'lt'g6 22.~d3+ (too slow is 22.h4?! <£\e7 23.~d3+ f5 24.exf6+ ~xf6:j:) 22 ... f5 (once again, the king retreats get mated: 22 ... 'lt'h6 23.~h7# and 22 ... ~h5

15.~d2~16.Jilc1 ~b617.e5a5

23.~h3+ ~g6 24.~h7#) 23.~h3

18..Q.d3 a4 19.b3 .Q.c5

(White wins only an exchange after the usual 23.~g3 ileB 24.<£\d3 .\.te7 25.<£\xe6+ 'It'f7 26.<£\xfB ~xfB±) . The threat of ~h7 forces 23 ... <£\xe5 24.~h7+ ~f6 25.fxe5+ when both captures get mated: (a) Black can avoid mate but White has an enormous positional advantage after 25 ... ~e7 26.~xg7+ ~dB (26 ... ~eB 27.~g6+ 'It'e7 2B ..§.d2 ile3 29.~g7+ ~eB 30 ..§.d6+-) 27.<£\h7 .§.eB 2B.<£\f6 .§.e7 29.~f8+ ~c7 30.<£\xd7 '§'xd7 31.'§'xd7+ 'It'xd7 32 ..§.dl ++- and Black's position is falling apart; (b) 25 ... 'lt'xe5 and it's mate in six: 26.~xg7+ .§.f6 (26 ... 'lt'f4 27.<£\d3+ 'It'e3 [27 ... 'lt'g4 2B.<£\f3+ ~h5 29.<£\f4#] 2B.'§'hel #) 27.<£\f3+ +-; and (c) 25 ... ~xg5 and once again, a mate in six: 26.~xg7+ ~f4 (26 ... 'lt'h4 27.'~h6+ ~g4 2B.h3+ 'It'g3 29.~g5+ ~f2

abcdefgh

Black has organized an impressive assault upon the white king, but these forces are not coordinated for the defense. This is an impressive win by grandmaster van der Wei!. He relied upon his two rooks and secure e5-pawn as additional assets. Of course, to take

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Sacking the Citadel 30.§.d2#; 26 ... 'it'h5 27.h4+-) 27.§'he1 +- . 22. 'ltd3 E!faS Black must move the §.f8 because 22 ... g6 runs into 23.~h3 +-. It's interesting to compare the following two lines to the game. Especially with White's strong §.d1, the black king simply cannot find a safe haven in any of these lines: (a) 22 ... §.c8 23.~h7+ 'it'f8 24.~h8+ 'it'e7 25.~xg7 4Jd4 26.4Jxf7 4Jf5 27. ~f6+ 'it'e8 28.~g6+- or 28.4Jg5; and (b) 22 ... §.b8 23.~h7+ 'it'fB 24.~h8+ 'it'e7 25.~xg7 4Jd4 26.4Jxf7 4Jf5 27. 'l*f6+ 'it'e8 28.4Jg5+-. 23.'lth7+
S.c3 ~c6 9.a3 Ae7 10.b4 cxd4 1l.cxd40--0 12.h4 E!e813.b5 ~a5 (D) At first glance, White appears to have sufficient additional assets to succeed here. The dark-square bishop and the secure e5-pawnjoin with the useful h4pawn. But Black has already vacated the key f8-square in preparation for

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4Jf8. In the 'it'g8 line, therefore, Black can trivially draw with 16 ... 4Jf8. 14.Jl.xh7+
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Games the idea of ... Aa3. 18••. tkc7 Black can return a piece on c5, but the attack still barges through: 18... .§.c819.Aa3+ 4:lc5 20.dxc5 bxc5 21.g6 fxg6 22.'l'iYxg6 'l'iYc7 23.'§'h8+ '1;e7 24.f4 '§'xh8 25.~xg7++-. 19.Aa3+ 4)c5 20.tkh8+ ~e7 21. tkxg7 Elg8 22.dxc5! Elxg7 Declining the queen sacrifice doesn't help. 22 ... bxc5 23.~f6+ '1;e8 24 ..§.h7 'lt1e7 25.'lt1xe7+ '1;xe7 26.Axc5+ '1;d8 27.~b4 +- . 23.c6+ 1-0 It's mate in four with 23 ... ~e8 (23 ... ~d8 24 ..§.h8++-) 24 ..§.h8+ .§.g8 25 ..§.xg8#. (159] Grigorian - Dobosz Yerevan 1980 Semi-Slav Defense [D47] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4)0 4)f6 4.4)c3 e6 5.e3 4)bd7 6.Ad3 dxc4 7.Axc4 b5 8.Ad3 Ab7 9.0-0 b4 10.4)e4 Ae7 11.4)xf6+ 4)xf612.e4 0--0 H.eS 4)d7 14.Ae4tkb6

abcdefgh

Here, White can count on the secure e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the ability to bring a rook quickly into the game. The ~g6 line is the key here. 18.'lt1d3 and 18.~g4 both win, but~d3 is slightly more accurate owing to the weakness of the e6 pawn after .. .f5. After ~d3+, White gains the additional option of capturing the f-pawn immediately without having to retreat his

229

queen. 15.Ag5 Axg5 16.Axh7+ ~xh717.4) xg5+ ~g6 In the ~h61ine, White has the idea of~g4-h4 and when Black defends with an anchored .§.h8, White can capture pawns on f7 and e6. 17 ... ~h6 18.~g4 .§.h819.4:lx£1+ '1;h7 20.'lt1xe6 (threatening both ~xd7 and 4:lg5 #) 20 ... .§.he8 21.4:lg5+ ~h8 22.~xd7 +-. In the ~g8 line, the normal mate in five does not work because Black has vacated the d8 escape square. Instead, White has a lovely maneuver with 22. ~g6 exploiting the mate threat on f7 and using that square as an entry square for the attack upon the black epawn. If Black tries to run towards the queens ide, White gains a powerful passed e-pawn. If the king attempts to return to the kingside, White will have time to bring one of the rooks powerfully into the position. 17 ... ~g818.~h5 .§.fe8 19.~x£1+ '1;h8 20.~h5+ ~g8 21.~h7+ ~f8 22.~g6 '1;e7 (22 ... ~g8 23 ..§.ael +- ) 23.~xe6+ '1;d8 24.4:l£1+ ~c7 25.'lt1d6+ ~c8 26.e6 4:lf6 27.'lt1e5 ~c7 28.4:ld6+ '1;b8 29.4:lxe8+-. 18.tkg4 18.~d3+ f5 19.4:lxe6 .§.ae8 20.~g3+ '1;£1 21.4:lg5+ ~e7 22 ..§.fel '1;d8 23.e6+-; if Black captures the loose knight with 18 ... '1;xg5, White plays 19.~h7 and then has time patiently to bring up a rook. To survive, Black must strike back in the center: 19 ... 4:lxe5 (19 ... ~xd4 20 ..§.adl ~f4 21.~xg7+ '1;f5 22 ..§.xd7+-) 20.dxe5 when Black cannot untie the mating net. (a) 20 ... g6 21..§.ael ~d4 22 ..§.e3 +-; (b) 20 ... .§.h8 21.'lt1xg7+ ~h5 22 ..§.ael +-; and (c) 20 ... .§.g8 21.h4+ '1;f4 22 ..§.ael +- . 18•.•f519.tkg3 Elh8 The effort to undermine White's position with 19 ... c5 20.dxc5 ~c6 (20 ... 4:lxc5 21.4:lxe6+ ~£1 22.4:lxc5 ~xc5 23 ..§.ac1 +- ~d5 24 ..§.c7+ '1;e8 25.~xg7) gives White plenty oftime to

Sacking the Citadel blow up the center and bring in the reinforcements. 21.4Jxe6+ ~f7 22.4Jg5+ 'Ile7 23.§ad1 4Jxc5 24.§d6+-. And 19 .. .'«rxd4 exposes the queen to a discovered assault: 20.4Je4+ ~h7 (20 ... 'Ilf7 21.§ad1 +-) 21.~h4+ ~g8 (21...'it'g6 22.~g5+ ~f7 23.§ad1 +- ) 22.4Jf6+ 4Jxf6 (22 ... gxf6 23.~xd4+-) 23.~xd4+-. 20.~xe6+ ~f7 21:~b3

Or simply 21.4Jc7 ~xc7 22.e6+. 21 ••. ~e7 22.~xg7 ElagS 23.~xf5+ ~dS On 23 ... 'Ilf8 White's majors quickly join the attack: 24.4Jd6 §g7 25.~f3+ ~g8 (25 ... ~e7 26.4Jf5++-) 26.§ae1 +-. 24.~d6 ~c7 25.Elacl ~bS 26.~xb7 ~xb7 27.~f3 Elg6 2S.Elfel ~b6 29.e6 ~c7 30.g3 Elc8 31.e7 ~d7 32.Ele5 ~d5 33.~xd51o The queen sacrifices highlights a nice simplifying combination, 33.~xd5 cxd5 34.§xc8+ ~xc8 35.e8~+ +-. (160) Stavrev - Heikkonen Noordwijkerhout blind 1980 French Defense [C 16] 1.e4e6 2d4d5 3.~c3 Ab44.e5 ~e7 5.a3 Aa5 6.Ad3 0-0 7.~f3 ~bc6 8

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The sacrifice occurs here early in the opening. White can count on two additional assets, the dark-square bishop and the secure e5-pawn. In the ~g6 line, 1O.h4, 1O.~g4,and 1O.~d3+all win,

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but White, playing blindfold no less, selects the most accurate course, 10.h4 with the threats of h5+ and ~g4 when .. .f5 can be met with h5+. S.Jl.xh7+ ~xh7 Facing a winning sacrifice, one competitor declined it. 8 ... ~h89.~d3!? White's best is 9.4Jg5 with the usual idea of10.~h5, and if Black tries 9 ... g6 aiming to trap the bishop, White has 10.~f3 aiming for h3. 9 ... 4Jf51O.h4.llb6 11..lle3 4Jxe3 12.fxe3 f6 13.Ag6 4Je7 14.h5 4Jg8 15.~d2 c5 16.h6 gxh6 17.0-0-0 f518.§h3 .lld719.§dh1 ~g7 20.§g3 ~h8 21.4Jh4 Ae8 22 ..llxe8 ~xe8 23.4Jg6+ ~g7 24.4Jxf8+ 'Ilxf8 25.~f2 cxd4 26.exd4 Ad8 27.4Je2 Ag5+ 28.~b1 §c8 29.4Jc3 a6 30.'«re2 ~d8 31.~h5 ~b6 32.~g6 4Je7 33.~h7 f4 34.§xg5 Y2-Yl KadzimDaniel, Da Nang 2008. 9.~g5+ ~g6 In the ~g8 line, with the black knight on e7 and with a white dark-square bishop able to reach g5, the most efficient win follows the theoretical course, with the capture first on h7 rather than f7. 9 ... ~g8 10.~h5 §e8 11.~h7+ ~f8 12.~h8+ 4Jg813.4Jh7+ 'Ile714.Ag5+ 4Jf6 (14 .. .f6 15.~xg7#) 15.~xg7+-. lO.h4! (a) 10.'~i'g4!? f5 11.~g3 f4 12.Axf4 4Jf513.~d3+- with 14.g4 on the next move, but not 13. ~g4 4Jh6 with 14 ... §xf4; or (b) 10.~d3+ 4Jf5 (king moves again walk into a quick mating net: 10 ... ~h5 11.~h3 t [11.~h7+ ~g4 12.h3# or 12.f3# or 12.~h3#] 11...~g6 12.~h7#) 11.h4 is better than 11.g4f6(11.. ..llxc3+ 12.bxc3~e7 13.h5+ 'Ilh6 14.g4+-). lO .•. ~eS 11. ~g4 ~f5 By playing h4 first, 11...f5 after ~g4 has no sting, 12.h5+ ~h6 13.4Jxe6+ f4 14.~xg7#. 11...f6 also fails and indeed, it's mate in three: 12.h5+ ~h6 13.4Jxe6+ g5 (13 ... ~h7 14.~xg7#) 14.hxg6#. Black does not even have time for a direct assault on

Games the center: 11...fJxe5 12.h5+ 'it'f6 (12 ... ~h6 13.fJxe6+ 'it'h7 [13 ... g5

14.hxg6#] 14.~xg7#) 13.fJh7#. 12.h5+ Cifjlh6 13.4)ge4+ Cifjlh7 On 13 ... fJe3 Black can delay the mate on by ditching pieces: 14.~g5+ ~h715.h6 g6 16.~f6 Elg8 17.fJg5#. And after 13 ... g5 it's mate in three: 14.hxg6+ ~g7 15.Elh7+ ~g816.fJf6#. 14.h6 Axc3+ 14... g6 allows a knight fork 15.fJf6+ +- . 15.bxc3 4) xh616.Axh61-0 It's mate in three after 16... gxh6 17.fJf6+ ~h8 18.Elxh6# as well as after 16.fJf6+ 'it'h8 (16 ... gxf6 17.Elxh6#) 17.1hh6 gxh6 18.Elxh6#. (161) Airekoski -Anttila

Correspondence 1981 Ruy Lopez [C99] 1.e4 e5 2.4)f3 4)c6 3.Ab5 a6 4.Aa4 4)f6 5.()....{) Ae7 6 ..§el b5 7.Ab3 ()....{) 8.c3 d6 9.h3 4)a5 10.Ac2 c5 1l.d4 ~c7 12.4)bd2 cxd4 13.cxd4 Ab7 14.4)f1 .§ac815.Abl d5 16.exd5 exd417.jlg5 4)xd518.Axe7 4)xe7 8

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checkmate at the cost of the fJe7. The resulting endgame offers only a slight edge for White. 20 ... 'it'g8 21.~h5 ~e2 22.Elxe7 ~d5 23.Eld7 Eled8 24.Elc1 ~g6 25.~xg6 fxg6 26.Elee7 Elxd7 27.El xd7 ~xa2 28.El xd4;!; . The ~h6line is fraught with danger because the fJf1 reaches g3 with a powerful threat. 20 ... ~h6 21.fJg3! +- g6 (With significant assets at the ready, 21... 'it'xg5 loses quickly: 22.~g4+ ~h6 23.~h5# or 22 ... ~f6 23.fJh5#) 22.~g4 (threatening ~h4) 22 ... Elh8 preventing the threat but weakening f7: 23.fJxf7+ 'it'g7 24.fJxh8 Elxh8 25.Elxe7+ ~xe7 26.fJf5+ +- . 21.4)g3!The only win. (a) 21.~g4 f5 22.~h4 (22.Ele6+ Elf6 23.~h4 Elxe6 24.fJxe6 ~d6-+) 22 ... ~d5 when White must settle only for an exchange, 23.fJh7 fJae6 24.fJg3 ~f7+; and (b) 21.~d3+ 'it'xg5-+ when White no longer has ~g4+, and ~h7 is too slow against Black's superior development. 21 ••. .§h8 The rook is now unavailable to defend on f6. 22. ~g4 Cifjlf6 Not 22 ... f5 23.Ele6#. 23.4)e6 Better is 23.h4 +- with the idea ofEle6+. 23 ••• fxe6 24.~xe6+ Cifjlg5 25 . .§e5++- ~xe5 26.~xe5+ Cifjlg6 27.~xe7 .§hf8 28.~d6+ .§f6 29.~xd4 .§cf8 30.~h4 ~ 31..§dl Cifjlg8 32.f3 4)c4 33.4)h5 .§6f7 34 •.§d8 .§xd8 35.~xd8+ .§f8 36.~d4.§f7 37.b31-0 (162) Knox W - Pytel

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Manchester 1981 French Defense [C 17]

At the time of the sacrifice, White can lay claim to two additional assets, the Elel and the fJf1-g3. In the game, Black mistakenly selects the ~g6 line, which fails to fJg3. 19.Axh7+ Cifjlxh7 20.4)g5+ Cifjlg6 In the 'it'g8line, Black can defend with ... ~e2, preventing

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1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 Ab4 4.e5 c5 5.Ad2 4)e7 6.4)b5 0--0 7.c3 Aa5 8.dxc5 Ac7 9.f4 4)d7 lO.b4 b6 1l.cxb6 4)xb612.4)f3 Ab713.Ad3 4)c4

Sacking the Citadel

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White's additional assets include the dark-square bishop, which can be captured by the 4Jc4, the reinforced e5pawn, and the 4Jb5, which plays an important role. In the game, Black selects the ~g6 line, where White can play ~g4 and retain the queen on g3. The final combination shows nicely the threat of the discovered check and the queen's capture on g7. Black is unable to escape via e6 because, once again, the 4Jb5 has a role to play, in this case delivering mate from d4. 14..1lxh7+ ~xh715)dg5+ ~g6 In the ~gBline, with the black 4Je7, White captures on f7, removing the defender of the e6pawn, and later plays 4Jxc7 when the recapture by the black queen permits a knight fork on e6. 15 ...~gB16:~'h5 B:eB 17.~xf7+ <;tJhBIB:gjrh5+ ~gB19.~h7+ <;tJf8 20.4Jxc7 ~xc7 21.4Jxe6+ +-. In the <;tJh6 line, White proceeds with ~g4h4 and g4, never requiring help from the .lld2. 15 ... <;tJh6 16.~g4 .llxe5 17. ~h4+ <;tJg6 1B.g4 threatening ~h5 # and leaving Black with no reasonable response: (a) 1B ... 4Jf5 19.9xf5+ ~xf5 (19 ... exf5 20.B:g1 +-) 20.fxe5 4Jxd2 21.4Jd6+ ~xe5 22.4Jgxf7++-; (b) 1B ... B:hB 19.4Jh7 B:xh7 20.~g5#; (c) 1B ... 4JgB the toughest variation, leaving White with a mate in seven 19.f5+ exf5 (19 ... <;tJf6 20.4Jh7#) 20.gxf5+ (20 ... ~f6 21.4Jh7 #) 20 ... ~xf5 21.0-0+ 232

.llf4 (21...~g6 22.~h7#) 22.B:xf4+ <;tJe5 (22 ... ~g6 23.~h7+ ~xg5 24.h4#) 23.B:el++-. 16.~g41 Much more accurate than 16.~c2+ 4Jf5 17.g4 Ab6 1B.gxf5+ exf5 19.4Jd4 .llxd4 20.cxd4 +- with B:g1 next. 16 ... f5 17. ~g3 ~d7 Taking the queen out of the line of fire. Otherwise 17 .. .B:hB 1B.4Jxe6+ <;tJf7 19.4JxdB+ +- . 18.~xe6+ ~f71B ... ~h6 also permits a mate in two 19.~xg7+ <;tJh5 20.~g5#. 19.~xg7+ ~xe6 Or 19 ... <;tJeB 20.~xf8# 20.~d4# 1-0 (163) Mueller - Gallien Correspondence 1982 French Defense [C05]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~d2 c5 4.~gf3 ~f6 5.e5 ~fd7 6.c4 dxc4 7.~xc4 cxd4 8 ..1ld3 .1lb4+ 9.Ad2 Axd2+ 10.~xd2 0-0 11.0-0 ~c6 12.~f4 ~c5 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

White has an unusual pair of additional assets, the e5-pawn and the 4Jc4. In the game, 14 ... <;tJg6 threatens ~xg5, requiring h4. White's play is fully correct in this carefully conducted correspondence game. The black king is forced to capture the 4Jg5, after which White constructs an instructive matil'!g net with 18.~h7.13.Axh7+ ~xh714.~g5+ ~g6

In the ~gB line, the white queen can reach h4 not h5, but White can take

Games advantage of the <£lc4 with 17.<£lxf7, an additional sacrifice that mates or nets the black queen. 14 ... 'it'g815.~h4 E!.e8 16.~h7+ 'it'fBI7.<£lxf7! 'it'xf7 (17 ... ~d7 18.<£lcd6+-) 18.<£ld6+ +'it'f8 (18 ... 'it'e7 19.~xg7# or 18 ... ~xd6 19.exd6 <£ld7 20.~h5+ 'it'fB 2l.f4+-) 19.~h8+ 'it'e7 20.~xg7#. 15.h4 f6 15 ... E!.h8 prevents h5+, but White also has 16.~g3 ~e7 (saving the queen) 17.<£lxe6+ 'it'h5 (not 17 ... f5 18.<£lxg7+ 'it'e4 19.~f3#) when White wins a piece, 18.<£lxc5 +-. 16.h5+ xg5 19.f4+ 'it'g4 20.~h3# and mate in eight after 17 ... 'it'g4 18.f3+ 'it'xg5 (18 ... f5 19.~h7+ 'it'f4 [19 ... g6 20.~h3+ xg5 (20 ... 'it'f4 21.~g4#) 2l.f4#] 20.<£lxe6+ <£lxe6 21.~h4+ 'it'f5 22.~g4#) 19.~h7 E!.h8 20.f4+ 'it'g4 21.~g6+ 'it'h4 22.E!.f3 +-. 18. ~h7 fxe5 The toughest alternative, 18 ... <£ld3 challenges White to find 19.~xg7+ with a mate in eight. (a) 19 ... f4 20.f3+-; (b) 19... f5 20.f3+-; (c) 19 ... 'it'h5 20.g4+ 'it'h4 21.~h6+ 'it'xg4 22.f3+ 'it'f5 (22 ... g3 23.~h2#) 23.~h5+ 'it'f4 24.~g4#; and (d) 19 ... 'it'h4 20.~h6+ 'it'g4 2l.f3+ 'it'g3 (21...'it'f5 22.g4#) 22.~h2#. And the amusing effort to run the king past the mating net with 18...f4 falls into a mate in five: 19.93+ 'it'g5 (19 ... g4 20.~g6+ 'it'f3 [20 ... 'it'h3 21.~h5 #] 21.E!.ael +- ) 20.f4+ 'it'g4 21.~g6+ h3 22.~h5+ 'it'xg3 23.E!.f3 #. 19. ~xg7+ h4 when Black can only delay the mate by pitching away his pieces 20.~h6+ 'it'g4 2l.f3+ 'it'f5 (21...'it'g3 22.~h2#) 22.g4#; (c) 19 ... 'it'f5 (the white knight provides a

233

wonderful assist) 20.f3 E!.h8 (20 ... ~g5 21.<£ld6+ f4 22.~xf8+ +-) 21.E!.ael ~h4 22.<£ld6+ f4 23.<£le4! ~hl + 24. f2 <£ld3+ 25. e2 +- . 20.g4+
""...."...,_..,.

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Early in a Winawer French, White initiates the sacrifice with two additional assets, a secure e5-pawn and the darksquare bishop. In the game, Black correctly favors the g6line, when h4-h5 drives the king to h6 for a powerful discovery. 7 . .1lxh7+ g8 11.~h7# 1-0 Guelicher-Krueger, Dortmund 2002. 8.4)g5+ g8line, with the black knight on e7, White captures on h7 and proceeds in the customary manner, winning trivially. 8 ... 'it'g8 9.~h5 E!.e8 10.~h7+ f8 11.~h8+ <£lg8 12.<£lh7+ e7 13.Ag5+ f6 (13 ... <£lf6 14.~xg7+-) 14.~xg7#. 9.h4! (a) 9.~d3+ <£lf510.h4 (easier, perhaps,just

Sacking the Citadel to pressure the knight 1O.g4 f611.<£lxe6 Axc3+ 12.bxc3 Axe6 13.gxf5+ Axf5 14.§.g1++-) 10 ... c4 11.h5+ ~h6 12.<£lxe6+ ~h7 13.i;;irxf5+ (the white queen has walked into a self-pin) 13 ... ~gB 14.<£lxdB Axf5 15.<£lxb7+with two pawns to the good; (b) 9.i;;irg4!? It is less convincing here to play "i;;irg4 before h4. 9 ... f5 1O.i;;irg3 f4 11.i;;irg4 "i;;ireB12.h4 cxd413.Axf4 §.xf414."i;;irxf4 dxc3 15.h5+ ~h6 16.0-0-0 cxb2+ 17.~b1 <£lf5 18.<£lxe6+ ~h719."i;;irxf5+ ~gB 20.<£lxg7 Axf5 21.<£lxeB <£ld7 22.<£lc7 §.cB 23.<£lxd5 Axc2+ 24.~xb2 Axd1 25.§.xd1 ±. With four connected passers, but there's still much work to do. 9 •• :lta5 With both the §.h1 and the queen focused upon h5, 9 ... §.hB does nothing to prevent 10.h5+ ~h6 11.<£lxe6++-. 10.~d3+ 10.i;;irg4+also works well because White, with a powerful discovery on the next move, can sidestep the capture on c3 with ~dl. 10 •.• 4)f5 With the §.fB unanchored, there's no point in playing 10 .. .f5 11.h5+ ~h612.<£lxe6+ ~h7 (12 .. .f413.<£lxfB+-) 13.<£lxfB++- winning the rook outright. 11.h5+ Or simply 11.g4+-. 11 ••• ~h6 12.4)xe6+ ~h713.~xf5+ ~g813 ... ~hB steps into a frontal assault: 14.h6 g6 15:'M6++- . 14.h6 -'lxc3+ 15.~dl +~d816.hxg71 fxe617.~h8+ ~xg7 18.~h7.1-0

(165) Spraggett-Salman Toronto 1983 Semi-Slav Defense [D27] 1.c4 e6 2.4)c3 d5 3.d4 c6 4.e3 4)f6 5.4)f3 4)bd7 6.-'ld3 dxc4 7.-'lxc4 a6 8.a4 c5 9.0-0 .1l.e7 10.~e2 4)b6 1l.dxc5 -'lxc512..1l.d3 4)bd513.e4 4) xc3 14.bxc3 0-0 15.e5 4)d5

234

8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Driving off the <£lf6 with e4-e5, White also has a dark-square bishop. In the ~g6 line, "i;;ird3 (or i;;irc2) and h4 both provide a winning advantage. After 18."i;;ird3 f5, the en passant capture draws the king to f6 where <£le4 picks up the unanchored Ac5. h4 and h5 have the same result, though White presses instead for mate. 16•.1l.xh7+ ~xh7 17.4)g5+ ~g6 In the ~gBline, Black can defend by giving back the knight on f6 in order to place his queen on the key bl-h7 diagonal, but White is able to take advantage of the unanchored Ac5 to regain a significant material advantage. 17 ... ~gB18.i;;irh5 <£lf619.exf6 i;;ird3. (having sacrificed the knight, Black defends with the queen on the key diagonal) 20.Ae3 (a sharp move, putting pressure on the Ac5) and now: (a) 20 ... Aa7 21.Axa7 §.xa7 when the unanchored rook provides a target, 22.fxg7 ~xg7 23."i;;irg4 i;;irg6 24.i;;ird4+ +-; (b) 20 ... Axe3 2l.fxe3 i;;irg6 22."i;;irxg6 fxg6 23.f7+ ~hB when a rook swing to the h-file ends the game, 24.§.f4 +- ; and (c) 20 ... Ad6 21.§.fd1 +winning the bishop. 18.h411B. "i;;irc2+ or 1B.i;;ird3+ f5 (king retreats are mated) 19.exf6+ ~xf6 20.<£le4+ +- picking up the unanchored piece on c5. White can also win with 18.c4 <£le7 and now Black cannot respond to i;;irg4 with ... f5 and

Games 'lf1e7 19.'lf1g4 f5 20.exf6 'it'xf6 and White will pick up the loose piece on c5 after 21.<£\e4++- or 21.'lf1h5 <£\g6 22.<£\h7+ 'it'f7 23.'lf1xc5 +-. White only wins back an exchange with 18.i;;irg4? f5 19.'lf1g3 'lf1e7 20.<£\xe6+ 'it'f7 21.<£\xf8 'it'xf8=. 18••• ~e7 Even with 18 ... .§.h8 White can still barge through with 19.h5+ '§'xh5 20.i;;ird3+ f5 21.exf6+ 'it'xf6 (not 21...~h6 22.<£\f7# or 22.'lf1h7#) 22.'lf1f3+ 'it'e7 (22 ... ~g6 23.'lf1f7+ 'it'h6 24.<£\xe6++-; 22 ... ~e5 23.<£\f7 #) 23. 'lf1xh5 +-. And trying to hide the queen 18. .. i;;ird7 19.h5+ ~h6 (19 ... ~f5 20.g4# or 20.'li,j-e4#) leaves the king high and dry. 20. i;;ire4 f5 (20 ... g6 21.<£\xf7+ 'it'xh5 [21...~g7 22.'lf1xg6#] 22.i;;irf3+ 'it'h4 23.i;;irh3#) 21.exf6+-. 19.h5+ 19.'li,j-d3+ f5 As usual, the king retreats get mated, 20.h5+ 'it'h6 21.<£\xe6+ and now the <£\d5 is unanchored: 21. .. 'it'xh5 (2l...'it'h7 22.<£\xf8+ i;;irxf8 23.'li,j-xd5+-) 22.<£\xf8 'lf1xf8 23.'lf1xd5 +-; 19.'li,j-g4 is very strong since advances of the fpawn meet h5+. 19 .. .f6 (on 19 ... f5 20.h5+ ~h6 21.<£\f7+ ~h7 and the queen enters powerfully on g6, 22.i;;irg6+ ~g8 23.<£\g5+- and Black would need to capture the knight to prevent mate) 20.h5+ 'it'h6 21.<£\xe6+ 'it'h7 22.<£\xf8+ i;;irxf8 23. 'lf1e4+ +-. Again picking up the loose piece. 19 •.• lit>h6 Black cannot bring the king out into the open with 19 ... ~f5 20.g4# or 20.'lf1e4#. 20.4)xe6+ 20.i;;irg4 setting up the discovered check with an added mate threat on g6. 20 .. .f6 21.<£\xe6+ 'it'h7 22.<£\xf8+ i;;irxf8 23.i;;ire4+ +- picking up the loose piece on d5. 20••• lit>h7 21.~d3+ Iit>g8 22.4)g51-0 22.<£\g5 Saving the knight with a threat 22 ... g6 23.i;;irxd5 +- winning a piece.

235

(166) Appel- De Gens Alkmaar 1983 French Defense [C02] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 c5 3.c3 d5 4.e5 ~b6 5.4)f3 Ad7 6.a4 4)c6 7.Ae2 cxd4 8.cxd4 Ab4+ 9.{)c3 4)ge7 10.~ 4)f5 1l.Ae3 f!c8 12.Ad3 4)ce7 13.4)a20-0 14.{)xb4 4)xe315.fxe3 ~xb4

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White can rely here upon two strong additional assets, the secure e5-pawn and the .§.f1 on an open file. In the game, the 'it'h6 line falls convincingly to 'lf1g4-h4 with a familiar sacrifice of the <£\g5 to draw the black king into a mating net made easier by the active white rooks. 16.Axh7+ Iit>xh7 17.{)g5+ Iit>h6 In the ~g8line, the.§.f1 plays a key role in shortening the usual mating line because the king has no escape once the black f-pawn has been captured. 17 ... ~g8 18.'lf1h5 .§.fd8 19.'li,j-xf7+ ~h8 20.'li,j-h5+ 'it'g8 21.'lf1h7#. In the ~g6Iine, White breaks through powerfully with an additional rook sacrifice on f6. 17 ... 'it'g6 18.'li,j-g4 (not 18.i;;ird3+? when Black can capture the <£\g5 18 ... <£\f5 19.94 ~xg5 20.gxf5 exf5 -+ and the white queen cannot reach h7) 18 ... <£\f5 (18 .. .f5 19.exf6 gxf 6 20.<£\xe6+ 'it'f7 and White breaks through with a lovely rook sacrifice on

Sacking the Citadel f6 21.§xf6+ 'i!txf6 [21...'i!te8 22.§xf8#] 22.§f1 + .£IfS 23.~xfS+ '!;e7 24.~gS+ ,!;d6 [the other king moves are quickly mated 24 ... ~xe6 2S.~eS# or 24 ... '!;e8 2S ..£Ig7#] 2S ..£Ixf8+-) 19..£Ixe6+ ,!;h7. Thanks to the black .£IfS, there's no selfpin 20.~h3+ '!;g8 21..£IgS with the obvious mate threat 21.. ..£Ih6 and then picking up the loose piece 22. ~xd7 +- . 18. ~g4 ~d2 19. ~h4+ Ciflg6 20.~h7+ Ciflxg5 21.h4+ Ciflg4 22.Eif4+ Faster is 22.~xg7+ .£Ig6 23.~h6+-. 22 •.• Ciflg3 23.Eif3+ Ciflg4 24.Ciflh2 Or 24.~xg7+ .£Ig6 2S.~f6+-. 24 .•• 4)g6 25.Eiafl Also winning is 2S.§g3+ ,!;fS 26.~hS+ 'i!te4 27.§a3+-. 25 •.. ~xg2+ 26.Ciflxg2 4)xh4+ 27.~xh4+ Ciflxh4 28.Eih3+ Ciflg4 29.Eig3+ 1-0 (167) Tarjan - Hodgson Manchester 1983 Polish Defense [A40] 1.d4 b5 2.e4 Jtb7 3.Jtd3 c5 4.c3 4)f6 5.4)d2 e6 6.4)gf3 ~b6 7.dxc5 Jtxc5 8.0--() 0--() 9.e5 4)d5 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Black's impressive development nonetheless leaves his king unattended. White can point to three additional assets, the dark-square bishop, the eSpawn, and the .£Id2 ready to support the attack from e4. In the game, Black

236

tried ~g6, but met with 'ii11g4, the correct response. 'ii11g4-h4 threatens 'ii11h7, driving the king into 'i!txgS and a powerful discovered check. Maintaining the queen on the g-file with ~g3 is more complicated, but it wins too. 10.Jtxh7+ Ciflxh711.4)g5+ Ciflg6 In the ~g81ine, Black cannot return the knight to f6 or take control over the bl-h7 diagonal. Rather than permit the black king to migrate towards c7, White wins quickly with .£Ie4 threatening .£If6. 11... ~g8 12.~hS §c8 13.'ii11xf7+ 'i!th8 14 ..£Ide4 (not 14.~hS+ ~g8 IS.'ii11h7+ 'i!tf8 16.'ii11h8+ 'i!te717.'ii11xg7+ ~d8 and the king is escaping) 14 ... ~c6 (14 ... .£Ic6 IS ..£If6 .£Ixf6 [IS ... gxf6 16.~h7#] 16.exf6 itf8 and White is mating 17.'ii11hS+ ,!;g818.f7#) IS.§dl +- with the idea of§d3-h3. The ~h6line meets ~g4-h4. 11...~h6 12.~g4 §h8 and this defensive try can't succeed unless the rook has an anchor, 13.'ii11h4+ 'i!tg6 14. ~xh8 +- . 12. ~g41 Very tempting is 12.~c2+ because, once again, the king moves get pummeled: (a) It's mate in four after 12 ... 'i!thS 13.'ii11h7+ 'i!tg4 (13 ... '!;xgS 14 ..£Ie4+ ~g4 IS.h3#) 14.h3+ 'i!tf4 (14 ... ~xgS IS ..£Ie4#) IS ..£Idf3 + +- ; (b) And mate in three if Black captures the knight, 12 ... 'i!txgS 13 ..£If3+ ~g4 (13 ... ~hSI4.'ii11h7+ 'i!tg4 IS.h3#) 14.h3+ ~hSlS.'ii11h7#; but (c) Black can safeguard his king with 12 ... fS! 13.exf6+ 'i!txf6 14.'ii11h7 'i!te7 IS.~xg7+,!;d816 ..£Ide4ite7=.12 .••f5 12 .. .f6 13 ..£Ixe6+ ,!;f7 14 ..£IxcS 'ii11xcS IS ..£Ie4+- bringing the second knight into d6, ~c616 ..£Id6+ 'i!tg8 (Black must guard the g-pawn) 17.ith6 +-. 13.~h4 Or 13.'ii11g3 f4 14.'ii11g4 when Black can force the queen offthe g-file, 14 ... itxf2+ IS.§ xf2 .£Ie3 but not also the h-file, 16.'ii11h4+-. 13 ... 4)f6 14.exf6 4)a6 On l4 ... gxf6 White has a

Games mate in three by sacrificing the knight: 15.'~h7+'it'xg516 ..£\e4+'g417.h3#. And after 14... 'i!txf6 15 ..£\df3 .£\c6 16.b4 .lle7 17.~h5 e5 18..£\h7+ 'e6 19 ..lle3 ~d8 20.~g6+ .llf6 21.'£\fg5+ White's pieces overwhelm: (a) 21...'e7 22 ..llc5+ d6 23.Eifdl +-; (b) 21...'d6 22 ..llc5+ +-; and (c) 21...'d5 22 ..§adl + 'i!tc4 (22 ... .£\d4 23.cxd4 +- ) 23.'~xf5 +- threatening ~d3#. lS.fxg7 ~xg716.~h7+ ~617.4)df3 Axf3 18.4) xf3 1-0 Resigning in the face of 18 ... .§g8 19.~h4+ 'i!tf7 20 ..£\e5+ 'e8 21. ~h 7 +- when White threatens both the rook and mate. (168) Borg - Veer Thessaloniki Olympiad 1984 Fench Defense [Cll] 1.e4 e6 2.4)f3 dS 3.4)e3 4)f6 4.eS 4)fd7 S.d4 eS 6.dxeS 4)e6 7 ..Q.f4 AxeS 8.Ad3 a6 9.0-0 0-0 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Another example that has attracted some theoretical interest. With the darksquare bishop, the e5-pawn, and the possibility of .£\c3-e2-f4, White has good reason to expect success. Two players declined the sacrifice. In the 'it'g6Iine, ~d3-g3 is far superior to ~g4 owing to Black's double attack upon the e5-pawn. 10..Q.xh7+ ~xh7 In two games, Black declined the sacrifice, and

237

both White players failed to find the correct follow-up with 11..£\g5. 1O...'h8 11..lld3 (11..£\g5! .£\cxe5 12.'lii'h5 .£\f6 13.'lii'h3 [giving White plenty of time to bring up the reinforcements and to push the f-pawn] 13 ... .lld6 14 ..§ael 'ltic7 15 ..llxe5 .llxe5 16.f4 .lld6 17 ..lld3+ 'g8 18 ..£\h7 .£\d7 19.f5+-) 11 ... g6 (11...g512 ..llxg5 'ltic713.'lii'e2 'g7 01 Shilin-Ivlev, Kiel2004) 12.'ltid2 .£\b4 13 ..llg5 f6 14.exf6 '£\xf6 15 ..£\e5 'g8 16..llxg6 'lii'c7 17 ..§ael .£\c6 18..£\xc6 bxc6 19.~f4 'ltig7 20 ..llh6 'lii'xg6 2Ulxf8 .llxf8 22 ..£\a4 .£\e4 23 ..£\b6 .lld6 24.'lii'h4 .£\g5 25.~g4 .§b8 26 ..£\xc8 .§b4 27.f4 1-0 Etmans-Tare, Dieren 1999. 1l.4)gS+ ciflg6 The 'g8 line leads to the customary mate in five: 11...'g8 12.'ltih5 .§e8 13.'ltixf7+ 'h8 14.'lii'h5+ 'g815.~h7+ 'f816.'lii'h8+ 'e7 17.'ltixg7#. 12.~d3+ 12.'lii'g4? .£\dxe5 13.'ltig3 'h5= neatly sidesteps the pressure because, without a pawn on e5, the king can escape to f6 and e7. And on 12.h4? Black can simply capture the e-pawn 12 ... .£\dxe5 -+ and then escape via f6. 12 ••• fS Not 12 ... 'h5 in view of 13.~h3+ 'g6 14.'lii'h7#. 13.~g3! Or 13.exf6+ 'xf6 (hopeless is 13 ... 'i!th514.'lii'h7+ 'i!tg415 ..£\xe6+-) 14 ..§ael when White still wins after 14 ... .£\b6 15.'ltig3 'ltie8 16..lle3 .llxe3 17 ..§xe3 +-. 13 •.• ~b6 13 ... 'ltie8 14 ..£\xe6+ 't7 15 ..£\c7+-(winning a piece and an exchange) 15 ... ~d8 16.e6+ 'g8 17.exd7 .llxd7 18..£\xa8 ~xa819 ..£\xd5 .£\d4 20.'lii'd3 'lii'd8 21.c4 .£\e6 22 ..§adl .llc6 23 ..lle5 'lii'h4 24.b3 .lle8 25.~g3 'lii'h6 26.'£\f4 .£\g5 27.'ltid3 .£\e4 28.'£\h3 .llc6 29.'£\f4 .§e8 30 ..llc7 ~h4 31.~c2 'ltig4 32 ..£\d5 .£\f6 33 ..§fel .§c8 34 ..llg3 .llxd5 35.cxd5 .£\e4 36.h3 ~xg3 37.'f1 ~xf2+ 38.'ltixf2 .llxf2 39 ..§xe4 fxe4 40.'xf2 .§c2+ 41.'e3 '§xg2 42.'xe4 .§e2+ 43.'f5 'f7 44.d6

Sacking the Citadel .§e8 45.h4 .§d8 46.d7 b5 47.b4 g6+ 48.~e5 ~e7 49.a3 '§xd7 50 ..§xd7+ ~xd7 51.~f6~d6 52.~xg6~d5 53.h5 ~c4 54.h6 ~b3 55.h7 ~xa3 56.h8~ ~xb4 57.~b2+ ~a4 58.'~a2+ 1-0 Meinke-Meyer, Kei12001. 14.4:)xe6+ ctlf7 Sidestepping both 14 ... ~h5 15.4Jxg7# and 14 ... ~h7 15.~xg7#. 15.4:) xd5 ~a5 Taking the knight costs the queen, 15 ... ~xe6 16.4Jxb6. 16.4:)de7 Elg817.~g5 g618.~h4 Af'819. ~h7+ Ag7 20.4:)g5+ ctle7 Or 20 ... ~f8 21.~xg6+- with mate in the air. 21.~xg81-O (169) Apol- Christen Thessaloniki Olympiad 1984 Semi-Slav Defense [D46] 1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.e3 4:)f6 4.4:)£3 e6 5.4:)e3 4:)bd7 6.Ad3 Ae7 7.0-0 0-0 8.b3 b6 9.Ab2 Ab7 10.Ele1 e5 1l.exd5 exd5 12. ~e2 4:)e413.Elfd1 4:)xe3 14.Axe3 4:)f6 15.Ab1 Ele8 16.Ab2 Ad617.~d3 e418.bxe4 Aa6 19.4:)e5 dxe4 20.4:) xe4 Ele8 21.~b3 Elxe4 22.Elxe4

petual. Trying for more, White inspires the black queen and knight to demonstrate how well they work together. 22 ••. Axh2+ 23.ct1xh2 4:)g4+ 24.ct1g3 In the ~gl line, the .§c4 is pinned to the fl escape square, giving Black time to prevent ~xh 7 and to arrange a crushing rook sacrifice on e3. 24.~gl ~h4 25.~c2 g6 26.Aa3 ~h2+ 27.~f1 .§xe3 cutting off the escape route, and if 28.fxe3 .ilxc4+ 29.'ltfxc4 4Jxe3+ -+ ; and 24. ~h3 gets crushed by 24 ... 4Jxf2+ -+ . 24 ••• ~g5 Black has no hope of an advantage after 24 ....ilxc4 25.~xc4 ~g5 26.~f3 ~h5 27.~g3 ~g5=. 25.f4 25.~f3 h5-+ with the idea of ~f6~xf2 26.~d3 g6 27.~e2 4Jxe3 28.fxe3 ~xg2+ 29.~el .ilxc4-+ and the overloaded queen cannot recapture. 25 •.. ~h5 26.e4? The best is simply to overprotect the e3-pawn with 26 ..ilc1 ~h2+

27.~f3

26 •.• Axe4

~h5

27.~xe4

28.~g3=.

4:)e3

28.~e6

~g4+ 29.ct1f2

Not 29.~h2 ~xg2#. 29 ••. 4:)xd1+ 30.ct1g1 No better is 30.~el .§c8 31.~b5 4Jxb2 32.~xb2 ~g3+ 33. ~f2 .§c1 + -+. 30 ... Ele8 31.~b5 4:)xb2 32.~xb2 ~xf4 33.Ae2 ~d2 0-1 (170) Short - Agdestein Naestved 1985 French Defense [C II ]

abc

d

e

f

g

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4:)e3 4:)f6 4.e5 4:)fd7 5.f4 e5 6.4:)f3 4:)e6 7.Ae3 a6 8.~d2 b5 9.dxe5 ~a5 10.Ad3 b4 1l.4:)e2 Axe5 12.0-00-0 13.ct1h1 Ab7(D)

h

Black initiates the sacrifice with one additional asset, the .§e8, as well as a Aa6 that appears to need to capture the .§c4. In the game, White correctly selects the ~g3 line, which, with accurate play, should result in a quick per-

238

A lovely effort from a well-known grandmaster. Short embarks upon the sacrifice relying upon a secure e)-pawn, and

Games Black must play either ~h6 or capture the 4Jg5. (a) On IS ... ~h6 19.Axe5+because recapturing on c5 leads to mate in two: 19 ... 4Jxc5 (19 ... ~xe5 20.'i1l'h3+ ~xg5 21.~h5 #) 20.'i1l'h3+ ~xg5 21.~h5#; (b) After the capture on g5, it's mate in eight: IS ... ~xg519.4Jxd5+ Axe3 20.~xe3+ f4 (20 ... ~h5 21.4Jf4+

8 7

6 5 4

3 2

~h6

22.~h3+

20 ... ~h4

23.~h4#;

abcdefgh

~g5

23.~h5#;

21.~g3+ ~h5

20 ... ~g6

22.4Jf4+ ~h6 21.4Jxe7+ ~h5

22.~h3+ ~g5 23.~xf5#) 21.~xf4+

two other potential assets, a 4Je2 that can enter the fray via g3, and the possibility of ~f1-f3. Black defended in the ~gSline, where White cannot move the queen directly to h5. Black missed the best chance to hold with 16 ... f5. 14.Jtxh7+ ~xh715.J£\g5+ ~g8 In the ~g6 line, f5 is the most efficient path, opening up the diagonal for the dark-square bishop and f4 for the knight. 15 ... ~g616.f5+! when both king moves get mates (16 ... ~h617.'i1l'el +and 16... ~h5 17.4Jxf7 ~xf7 IS.4Jg3+ ~g4 19.'i1l'e2+ ~h4 20:~'h5 #) and so, Black must try 16 ... exf5. 17.4Jf4+ +- is the right idea and indeed it provides White with an advantage, but the most accurate path is 17.~d3 threatening 'i1l'xf5 17 ... 4Je7 (ignoring the threat invites a mate in five: 17 ... 4Jexe5 18.~xf5+ ~h5 [1S ... ~h6 19.4Jxf7#] 19.4Jf3++-) and only now 18.4Jf4+ 8

7

6

~h5

(21...~g6

22.~g4+

~h7

[22 ... ~h6 23.~h4+ ~g6 24.4Jxe7#] 23. ~h5+ ~gS 24.4Jxe7 #) 22. 'i1l'f3+ ~h6 23.~h3+ ~g5 (23 ... ~g6 24.4Jxe7+ ~g5 25.~f5#) 24.~g3+ ~h5 (24 ... ~h6 25.'i1l'h4+ ~g6 26.4Jxe7#) 25.4Jf4+ ~h6 26.~h4#. In the ~h6 line, White can maneuver the queen to h4 via e 1. The mate is attractive and instructive, with f4-f5 and 4Je2f4. 15 ... ~h6 16.Axe5 4Jxe5 17.~el ~g6 IS.~h4 ~hS 19.f5+ exf5 20.4Jf4#. 16.~d3 Eife8 Black's best hope lay with 16 .. .f5! closing down the queen's diagonal and preventing f5, but White can now take advantage of the undefended e6-pawn. 17.4Jxe6 (or 17.exf6 4Jxf6 IS.Axe5 'i1l'xe5 when White wins back only an exchange 19.4Jxe6 ~a5 20.4JxfS ~xfS 21.4Jg3=) 17 ... Axe3 IS.4JxfS 4JxfSI9.~xe3 4Je6 20.~d3 4Je7 21.4Jd4 4Jxd4 22.~xd4~.White has a rook and two pawns for the pieces, but it is not clear how the rooks can gain activity. 17.~h7+

5

~f8

18.f51 J£\dxe5

IS ... exf5 19.4Jg3 ~e7 (not 19 ... ~xe5 20.4Jxf5 ~xf5 21.~xf5 ~e7 22.~xf7+ ~dS 23.Axc5 'i1l'xe5 [23 ... 4Jxe5 24.~gS #] 24.4Je6+) 20.4Jxf7! 4JfS (20 ... ~xf7 21.4Jxf5 4Jexe5 22.4Jd6+ ~e6 23.4Jxb7+-) 21.~xf5+-. 19.Jtxc5+ ~xc5 Black must recapture

4 3 2

abcdefgh

Position after lB.tDf4 (analysis)

239

Sacking the Citadel on c5. 19 ... <£Je7 20.~hS# 20.fxe6 ct;e7 On 20 ... .£JdS the entire white anny gets involved, 21.4::\f4 '$;e7 22.f!.ael fxe6 23.~xg7+ '$;d6 24.~xe5++- and 20 ... f!. xe6 invites 21.4::\xe6+ +- . 21:~xg7 ct;d6 Insufficient is 21...f!.fS 22.~f6+ '$;d6 23.exf7+ '$;d7 24.~f5+ '$;d6 25.4:)[4 +- . 22.exf7 23. ~h6+ ct;d7 24.~h3+ ct;e7 2S.~e6+ ct;d8 26.~xeS 1-0 A queen sacrifice provides the "simplification": 26 ... 4::\xe5 27.4::\e6+ '$;e7 28.4::\xc5+-.

ms

21.~xb4±.14.~g4Missing 14.~c2+!

(171) Quinteros - Seirawan BielInterzonal1985 Nimzo-Indian Defense [Ell] 1.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)f3 .11.b4+ 4 ..11.d2 cS S..11.xb4cxb4 6.4)bd2 0-0 7.e4 d6 S..11.d3 ~c7 9.0-0 4)bd7 10.cS dxcS n.eS 4)dS 8 7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

to provide a more substantive advantage. 12•.11.xh7+ ct;xh713.4)gS+ ct;g6 In the '$;gS line, Black can defend by giving back a piece on f6. White retains a clear edge in that middlegame, a queens ide pawn majority, but the win would not be trivial. 13 ... '$;gS 14:~'h5 4::\7f6 15.exf6 4::\xf6 16.'~h4 e5 (with the idea of iU5; 16 ... f!.dS 17.4::\de4 4::\xe4 18.~xe4 cxd4 19.f!.ac1 ~d6 20.~h7+ '
h

A battle oftitans. For additional assets, Quinteros can count only on the e5pawn, although his center is under fire, and the 4::\d2 which can quickly reach e4. Black's knights are both aimed at f6, and the ~c7 has the potential of defending f7. American grandmaster Vasser Seirawan defended with the '$;g6 line, inviting 14.~g4 f5 15.~g3 when again Black can defend by returning a knight on f6. Of special interest was the possibility of 14.~c2+, which appears

240

when all of Black's responses are sharply met: (a) 14 .. .f5 15.exf6+ when White mates or gains a significant advantage after all four king moves: (l) The immediate capture with 15 ... '
Games 19 ... 'it'e2 20.~c2#) 16.f4+ 4:)xf4 17.h4+ 'it'g4 (17 ... 'it'f5 1B.~h6+-) 1B.1'hf4+ (an "additional rook sacrifice speeds the finale) 1B ... 'it'xf4 (lB ...'it'g3 19.~h6+-) 19.~h6+ 'it'g4 (19 ... 'it'f5 20.~g5#) 20.~g5#; (c) After 14 ... 'it'h6 White forces the capture on g5 when it's mate in four, 15.'l1i'h7+ 'it'xg5 16.f4+ 4:)xf4 (16 ... 'it'g4 17.~h3#)17.4:)e4+ 'it'g4 1B.h3+ (lB.4:)f2+ 'it'g5 19.h4 #) 1B ... 4:)xh3+ 19.~xh3# or 19.9xh3#; (d) After 14 ... 'it'h5 Black can resist the capture on g5 for a few moves, but the mate soon follows: 15.~h7+ 'it'g4 (15 ... 'it'xg5 16.f4++-) 16.h3+ 'it'xg5 (16 ... 'it'f4 17.g3+ 'it'xg5 18.4:)e4# or 18.4:)f3#) 17.f4+ 4:)xf4 1B.4:)e4# or 1B.4:)f3#. 14...f5 Black is fine with aggressive play, 14 ... 4:)7f6! 15.exf6~f4:j:.15.~g3 15.~h4 4:)7f6 16.exf6 gxf6 using the ~c7 to defend on h7! 15... f416. ~h3 After 16.~g4 4:)7f6 17.exf6 4:)xf6 1B.4:)xe6+ 4:)xg4 19.4:)xc7 f'!bB 20.dxc5 ± White is a pawn up but Black has the bishop and active development. 16... .£J7f6 17..£Jde4 cxd4 IS.exf6 .£Jxf619..£Jxf6 gxf6 20..£Jxe6 .1l.xe6 21.~xe6 ~e5 22.~g4+ ~g5 23.~f3= EiadS 24.Eiadl 24.Elfe1

ElfeB 25JheB f'!xeB 26.~xb7 'l1i'c5=

24•.• ~f5 25.Eid3 Eid5 26.Eifdl Eie8 27.h4 Eie4 2S.Ei3d2 a5 29.Eid3 ~e6 30.~h3 Safer is 30.'it'h2 +=. 30•.• ~xh3 31.gxh3 Eie2-+ 32.h5+ ~xh5 33.Eild2 f3 34.Eixd4 Eig5+ 0-1 The white king has been caught in a net, 35.'it'fl (35.'it'h2 f'!g2+ 36.'it'h1 f'!e1 #) 35 ... f'!e1 + 36.'it'xe1 f'!gl #.

241

(172) Malikov - Yudovich Soviet Union 1985 Sicilian Defense [B80] l.e4 c5 2 ..£Jf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4 ..£J xd4 .£Jf6 5 ..£Jc3 a6 6 ..1l.e3 e6 7.~d2 h5 S.f3 b4 9 ..£Jce2 d510.e5 .£Jfd711.f4 .1l.c5 12•.£Jh3 .1l.xe3 13.~xe3 0-0 14..£Jgl .£Jc6 15..£Jf3 a5 16..1l.d3 a4 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

In this position, White has only one additional asset, the secure e5-pawn, and the white knight on b3 is en prise. Moreover, the white queen has access to the h-file only on h3. In the 'it'gBline, Yudovic exploited the attack on the 4:)b3 by sacrificing his queen for the 4:)g5 and obtaining adequate play. 17..1l.xh7+ ~xh71S. .£Jg5+ ~gS In the 'it'g6Iine, the queen reaches g3 so quickly that the discovered check is potent, providing a mate in four. 1B ... 'it'g6 19.~g3 (White gains only an exchange after 19:~d3+!? f5 20.4:)xe6 ~b6 21.4:)xf8+ 4:)xfB:j:) 19 ... ~b6 (the discovery wins a queen after both 19... 4:)dxe5 20.4:)xe6+ 4:)g4 21.4:)xdB f'!xdB 22.4:)c5+- and 19 ... f6 20.4:)xe6+ +-). Removing the queen from the reach of the knight leaves the king in a mating net, 20.4:)xe6+ 'it'f5 2 1. 4:) xg7 + 'it'e4 22. 'l1i'f3 #. In the 'it'h6 line, the queen's entry on h3 forces mate in two, lB ... 'it'h6 19.~h3+ 'it'g6 20.~h7#. 19.~h3

Sacking the Citadel 19.~d3 !!e8 20.~h7+.

In the game with White gains the option of playing ~h5! . 19 ... E!e8 20:~'h5 20.~h7+ r.t>f8 21.~h8+ r.t>e7 22.~xg7 !!f8-+ and White's attack has stalled. 20 ... ~xg5 It's a perpetual after 20 ... h8 22.~h5+ r.t>g8 23.~f7+=; giving back the piece for the e-pawn is tempting but insufficient: 20 ... h1 !!a7 (24 ... bxa2 25.!!xf7 h8 27.~xe8#) 25.!!xe5 bxa2 26.!!ee1 +-. 21. ~xg5 Eliminating the mate, and relying upon White's f7 39.~c7+ r.t>g6 40.r.t>f4± 37 ... ~f7 38. ~h4 g5 39. ~g3 e5 40.h4 d4+ 41.Cit'e2 ~d5 42.E!xf7 Cit'xf7 43. ~xe5 gxh4 44. ~h5+ Not 44.~xe4
(173) Reeh - Hoffmann Biell986 Owens Defense [COl)

l.d4e6 2.~f3 b6 3.e4d5 4.Ad3 ~f6 5.Ag5 Ae7 6.Axf6 Axf6 7.0--0 0--0

242

8.~c3

c5 9.dxc5 j},xc3 10.bxc3 bxc5 1l.exd5 ~xd5 12.c4 ~c6 13.E!e1 j},b714.j},e4 ~c7 8 7 Ir...~~.'

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White's pawn structure is unhelpful and the sacrifice must therefore rely upon two uncommon additional assets, the two rooks. In the game, Black selects the ~h6 line, when ~g4-h4 combines with a rook swing and the development of the queen's room to the e-file. 15.Axh7+ Cit'xh7 16.~g5+ Cit'h6 In the ~g8 line, the black king cannot safely run to the queenside owing to a well timed !!ad1 and d8 (20 ... !!f8 21.
Games 22.4:Jxf7! (an unexpected queen sacrifice brings a quick mate) 27 ... E:!xh4 (on 22 ... ~xf7 - 23.Elg5# or 22 ... e5 23.4:Jxh8+-) 23.Elg5+ with mate in two. 22....£Ie4 23.~g4+ ~6 24.Elxe4 ~e7 Avoiding 24 ... Axe4 25.~g5#. 25.Elxe6+ fxe6 26.~xg7+ ~d6 27.~e5+ ~c6Or27 .. .'it'd728.Elg7++-. 28. ~xe6+ ~d6 29..£Ie5+ 1~ 29.4:Je5+ 'ttc7 30.Elg7+ +-. The queen falls, and mate will follow. (174) Wegner - WeHn Gausdal1987 Queen's Indian Defense [EI2] l.d4 .£If6 2..£If3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.a3 .1lb7 5..£Ic3 .£Ie4 6 ..£1 xe4 .11.xe4 7.e3 .11.e7 8 ..11.d3 d5 9.0-0 0-0 10.b3 .£Id7 1l ..1lb2 f5 12.Elel .1ld6 13•.1lfl dxc4 14.bxc4 ~e7 15•.£Id2 .1lb7 16. ~b3 c517.a4 .£If618.f3 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Black's sacrifice is sound - despite the white pawn on f3 - thanks to two additional assets, the light-square bishop and the ElfS. In the game, White plays 'ttg3 when an immediate .. .f4+ fatally exposes the white king. 18... .11.xh2+ 19.~xh2 .£Ig4+ 20.~g3 In the 'ttgl line, Black can crash through thanks to the mate threat on h2 and with an additional exchange sacrifice on 0. 20.'it'gl ~h4 21.fxg4 fxg4 22.Ele2 (22.e4

g3-+) 22 ... g3 23.4:Jf3 Elxf3. The obvious continuation 24.gxf31txf3 25.Elg2 Axg2 26.Axg2 (26. 'ttxg2 Elf8 -+ ) 26 ... Elf8-+ cutting off the escape. In the 'it'h6 line, the rook swing to h3 enables ... ~h5. 20.'it'h3 Elf6 21.'it'g3 Elh6 22.4:Je4 (22.'ttf4 ~d6+ 23.'it'g5 Elg6+ 24.'it'h4 ~h2#) 22 ... ~h4+ 23.'it'f4 1txe4 24.fxe4 (24.fxg4 ~xg4+ 25.'it'e5 ~g3#) 24 ... g5+ 25.'it'f3 ~f2#. The immediate capture on g4 transposes to the 'it'gl line. 20.fxg4 ~h4+ 21.'ttgl fxg4 transposes to the 'it'gl line. 20 ... f4+ 21.exf4 After the capture on g4, 21.'it'xg4, Black can swing a rook, 21...Elf6 22.Ad3, and activate the lightsquare bishop, 22 ... e5 -+. If instead 21.'it'h3, Black can quickly relocate the queen, 21. .. ~g5, threatening ... ~h5 22.fxg4 (22.exf4 ~h5+ 23.'ttg3 ~h2+ 24.'ttxg4 Elxf4+ 25.'it'g5 ~h6#) 22 ... ~h6#. 21 ... ~f6 22.~xg4 On 22.fxg4 the black queen can pick up the loose 4:Jd2, 22 ... ~xf4+ 23.'it'h3 ~h6+ 24.'it'g3 ~xd2-+. 22 ... ~xf4+ 23.~h3 ~xd2? Much more powerful first is 23 ... g5! 24.g3 and the capture on d2 will now be with check: 24 ... g4+ 25.fxg4 (25.'it'h2 ~xd2+ -+ or 25.'it'h4 ~h6+ 26.'it'xg4 Elf5-+) 25 ... ~h6#. 24.dxc5 .11.xf3 25.gxf3 Missing 25.Ele3+-. 25 ... ~f2 26.Ele3 White may be able to hold after 26.f4 activating the queen on the third rank: 26 ... Elxf4 27.~g3 Elf3 28.1te5 Elxg3+ 29 .Axg3 ~xc5 =+= • 26 •.. Elf4 0-1

243

(175) Panchenko - Novikov Pavlodar 1987 Sicilian Defense [B85] l.e4 c5 2..£If3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4 ..£1 xd4 .£If6 5 . .£Ic3 a6 6.a4 e6 7 ..1le2 .1le7 8.0-00-0 9.f4 ~c7 10.~hl Eld8 1l..1le3 .£Ic6 12..1ld3 .£Ib4 13.a5

Sacking the Citadel A,d7 14.4)f3 E!dcS 15.A,b6 16.e54)fd5

abc

d

e

f

g

~bS

h

A creative and very modern Greco Sacrifice that deserves to be studied in some depth. White has the e5-pawn, the 4Jc3 aiming to e4, the E!.a1-a3, and the E!.f1 as additional assets, but the dark-square bishop will not clearly assist the attack and Black has the Ae7 to remove the 4Jg5. In the game, Black defends in the 'ittgS line and secures the f7-pawn with AeS, but 4Jc3-e4-f6 decides the contest with considerable help from White's active rooks in the open board that results. 17.,1l.xh7+ Iit'xh71S.4)g5+ Iit'gS In the 'ittg6Iine, 4Jxd5 is tough to meet because both immediate recaptures activate the white attack. lS ... ~g6 19.4Jxd5 when (a) 19 ... Axg5 20.4Jxb4 Ah6 21.exd6 'itth7 22.~d4 'ittgS 23.c4+-; (b) 19 ... 4Jxd5 20.~d3+ f5 (of course, the king retreats are mated, 20 ... 'itth5 21.~h7+ 'ittg4 22.~h3#) 21.exf6+ ~xf6 (not 21...'itth5 22.~h7+ 'ittg4 23.~h3#) 22.Ad4+ e5 (the only move) 23.fxe5+ when the double check forces 23 ... 'ittxg5 24.~h7+- with a mate in six; and (c) 19 ... exd5 20.f5+ Axf5 (the other king moves lose quickly 20 ... 'itth6 21.~g4+­ and 20 ... 'ittxg5 21.Ae3+ 'itth4 22.~f3+-) 21.~f3 Ae6 22.4Jxf7+-. After the capture on g5 lS ... Axg5

244

19.fxg5 'ittgS White makes slow, steady progress: 20.~f3 .ileS (20 ... E!.fS 21.~h5 dxe5 22.E!.xf7 E!.xf7 23.g6 4Jxb6 [23 ... E!.f6 24.~h7+ ~fS 25.Ac5+ +- ] 24.gxf7+ ~fB 25.axb6+-) 21.g6 f5 (21...fxg6 22.4Jxd5 4Jxd5 23.~fB+ ~h7 24.E!.a3+-) 22:~h5 4Je7 23.~h7+ 'ittfS 24.4Je4. Exploiting the pin. 24 ... Axg6 25.~hS+ 4JgS (Black's poor queenside development is telling.) 26.exd6 E!.c4 (26 ... 4Jxc2 27.d7 +-) 27.E!.ae1 E!.xe4 2S.E!.xe4 ~xd6 29.E!.c4 +- . In the ~h6Iine, White gains the unexpected and powerful possibility of a rook swing with 19.E!.a3. 1B ... ~h6 19.E!.a3 4Jxc3 20.bxc3 4Jd5 21.~g4 E!.hS 22.c4+-. 19.~h5 A,xg5 Black simply loses a piece with 19 ... 4Jf6 20.~xf7+ ~hS 21.exf6 .ilxf6 22.4Jce4+- and White has a choice of rook swings. 20.fxg5 A,e8 After 20 ... g6 the fight is over the dark squares. 21.~h4 dxe5 22.E!.f3 with the idea of E!.h3 22 ... 4Jf4 23.4Je4 aiming for f6 23 ... 4Jbd5 24.E!.d1 (threatening an exchange sacrifice) 24 ... E!.c6 25.b3 with c4 next. 21.4)e4 Or 21.g6 fxg6 22.~h3 E!.c7 (22 ... Af7 23.E!.xf7 ~xf7 24.E!.f1 + 'itte7 25.~h4+ ~eB 26.~hS+ ~d7 27.E!.f7+ 'ittc6 2S.~h4+-) 23 ..ilxc7 ~xc7 24.4Jxd5 4Jxd5 25.c4 4Jb4 26. ~xe6+ Af7 27. ~xd6 ~xd6 2S.exd6;!:: when White has a rook and two strong pawns for the piece with an active central passer. 21. •. dxe5 22.4)f6+ 4)xf6 Not 22 ... ~fS 23.4Jd7+ Axd7 24.~xf7# And taking the knight 22 ... gxf6 invites an assault on the kingside dark squares. 23.gxf6 4Jxf6 24.E!.xf64Jd5 25.E!.h6 'ittfB 26.~h4 +-. 23.gxf6 4)d5 24.fxg7lit'xg7 25. ~g4+ 25.~g5+ (trapping the king for a quick rook swing) 25 ... 'ittfB (25 ... ~hB 26.E!.a3 +-) 26.E!.a3 +-. 25 ••. lit'fS 26.~xe6 4)xb6 On 26 ... 4Jf4 White

Games sacrifices the exchange, 27.Elxf4 exf4, and the exposed black king is no match for White's- majors. 2B.~h6+ 'it'gB (28. .. ~e7 29.Ele1 + ~d7 30.~h3+ ~c6 [30 ... 'it'd6 31.~d3+ ~c6 32.~e4+ ~d7 (32 ... 'it'b5 33.b3+-) 33.~e7+ ~c6 34.'li1c5+ 'it'd7 35.Ele7 #] 31.~a3 +- ) 29.Ad4 f6 30.'li1xf6 'lfIc7 31.~hB+ ~f7 32.Ele1 +-. 27.'li\'h6+ '1Je7 Not 27 ... ~gB 2B.Ela3+-. 2S.'li\'h4+ More accurate is 2B.'li1g5+ 'it'fB (2B ... 'it'd7 29.Elad1 + ~c6 30.'lfIf6+ ~b5 31.~xb6++-) 29.Ela3+- with Elh3 next. 2S••• '1JfS 29. 'li\'b4+ '1JgS 30.Ela3 e4 On 30 ... f5 the majors come alive, 31.Elg3+ ~f7 32.~g4+-. 31.axb6 JlbS 32.ElfS Elc6 33.Elg3+ Elg6 34.Elxg6+ Most accurate is 34.'lfIb3. 34... fxg6 3S.'li\'b3+ '1JhS The other king moves fare no better. 35 ... ~h7 36.Elf7+ 'it'h6 37.'li1e3+ ~h5 and it's mate in four, 3B.g4+ 'it'xg4 (3B ... ~h4 39.'li1h6+ 'it'xg4 40.'li1xg6+ +- ) 39.h3+ 'it'h4 40.Elh7#; 35 ... 'it'g7 36.Elf7+ with straight-forward mates against all responses. 36.Elf7 'li\'cS 37.'li\'g3 'li\'fS 38.'li\'c3+1-0 (176) Nijboer - Brenninkmeijer Netherlands 1987 French Defense [C06] l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3./i)d2 /i)f6 4.eS /i)fd7 S.c3 cS 6.Jld3 /i)c6 7./i)e2 cxd4 S.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 /i) xf6 10.0-0 j},d611./i)f3 'li\'c712.g3 0-0 13.Jlf4 /i)g414.Elc1 Jld71S.h3eS 16.dxeS /i)gxeS(D) Some Greco Sacrifices offer promising but not necessarily winning continuations. Here, White can count on the Elc1, the dark-square bishop, and possibly also the 4Jd2-f4 as additional as-

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sets, though Black has considerable activity himself. Black's rooks are connected, the ElfB is on an open-file, Black is active on the dark squares, and Black's 4Je5 is well reinforced. In the game, Black plays the 'it'g6 line which should hold, but Black misses the chance to develop the ElaB-dB and succumbs to White's central pressure. 17.Jlxh7+ '1Jxh71S./i)gS+ '1Jg6 In the 'it'gB line, White is able to capture the d5-pawn with check and then swing a rook to h4. 1B ... ~gB 19.Axe5 Axe5 20.~xd5+ 'it'hB 21.Elc4+-. Black could therefore try the ~hB line, when White can infiltrate to e6 but little more. 1B ... ~hB!? (avoiding 'lfIxd5+) and now: (a) 19. 4Jd4 wins an exchange, but Black is fine after 19 ... AeB 20.4Jde6 'lfId7 21.4JxfB AxfB=; (b) White has no edge at all after 19.Axe5 Axe5 20.4Jf4 AeB 21.'lfId3 g6=i=; and (c) After 19.'lfIxd5 Ae7 20.4Jf7+ Elxf7 21.'lfIxf7 4Jxf7 22.Axc7 Axh3+ Black's activity provides him with a tangible advantage. 19.'li\'xdS Elf6 Black is fine after 19... EladB! 20.4Jd4 Af5 21.4Jxf5 Elxf5=. 20./i)d4 'li\'b6 21.'li\'e4+ ElfS 22.j},e3 22.Axe5 Axe5 23.Elxc6+ exploiting the overloaded bishop, 23 ... bxc6 24.4Jxf5 Axf5 25. 'lfIxe5 +- . 22 ••• /i) xd4 23.Jlxd4 'li\'bS 24.g4 '1JxgS 2S.f4+ '1Jh6 26.fxeS Elxfl + 27.Elxfl ElfS

Sacking the Citadel 2S.!U5 Missing a pretty mate in four with 2S.gS+ ~xgS (28. .. ~hS 29:~'h7+ ~xgS 30.1.l.e3+ §f4 31.1.l.xf4#) 29.1.l.e3+ ~hS 30.'l¥Yh7#. 2S •.• Jl.xf5 29.gxf5 Jl.e7 30.Jl.e3+ ~h7 Not 30 ... AgS 31.'l¥Yh4# but Black has an edge after 30 ... gS! 31.h4 (31.f6 Axf6 32.exf6 §xf6-+) 31...§gS 32.~h2 'l¥YeS+. 31.f6+ ~gS 32.fxe7 'lA'fl+ 33.~h2 'lA'e2+ = 34.~g3 13e8 35.'lA'd5+ ~hS 36.Ag5 'lA'e1 + 37.~g4 Yz-Yz (177) Wedberg - Ionescu Berlin 1988 Sicilian Defense [B82] 1.e4 c5 2.lilf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.4) xd4 a6 5.Jl.d3 4)f6 6.0-0 'lA'c7 7.4)c3 d6 S.f4 4)bd7 9.4)f3 .1l,e7 10.'lA'e1 0-0 H.e5 4)e812.'lA'g3 4)c513.Jl.e3 Jl.d7 8 7

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Wedberg shows off his tactical prowess. His additional assets include the rooks, the 4Jc3-e4, the dark-square bishop, and the eS-pawn. Black, in tum, cannot void the f8 escape square. Nonetheless, the lines are complex and fun. In the game, Black defended with the ~gS line, where White missed the powerful18.g6 shot. 14..1l,xh7+ ~xh715.4)g5+ ~gS In the ~h6 line, White has a quick mate in two with 'l¥Yh4-h7. IS ... ~h6 16.'l¥Yh4+ ~g6 17 .'t1fh7 #. In the ~g6 line, the 246

black king steps into an immediate discovery. White can win the black queen or choose to mate quickly with fS and two swarming knights. IS ... ~g616.fS+ exfS (16 ... ~hS 17.'t1fh3#) 17.4JdS ~d8 IS.4Jf4+ ~h6 19.'l¥Yh4#. Black's best hope may be in the line with IS ... AxgS, but Wedberg surely would have found the rook swing with §f3-h3. IS ... AxgS 16.fxgS dxeSI7.~h4+ (17.§xf7 §xf7 IS.g6+ ~gS 19.9xf7+ ~xf7 20.~f2+ ~gS 21.AxcS±) 17 ... ~gS (17 ... ~g6 IS.g4+-) IS.§f3+-. 16.'lA'h4 Jl.xg5 17.f xg5 .1l,c6 Controlling key squares. 17 ... dxeS gives White the time for a game-ending rook swing: IS.§f3 +- . lS.13f4? White's best chances lie with 18.g6! fxg6 19.§xfS+ ~xf8 20.exd6 ~xd6 (20 ... 4Jxd6 21.'l¥YhS++-) 21.~f2+ ~gS 22.1.l.xcS ~eS 23.§el ± with a large advantage, but Black may be able to hold with ... ~fS.1S .•.dxe5 Blackreturns the favor. Better is lS ... 4Jd7 19.~hS g6 20.'l¥Yh6 4Jg7 21.§h4 4JhS 22.§xhS gxhS 23.g6 fxg6 24.~xg6+ ~hS=. 19.96! fxg6 20.13xfS+ ~xfS 21.'lA'hS+ ~e7 22 . .1l,xc5+ ~d7 23.13fl ~cS 24.4)e4 Better is 24.~f8. 24 •.• .1l,d7 Black's last chance was 24 ... ~dS 2S.4Jd6+ 4Jxd6 26.~xdS+ ~xdS 27.1.l.xd6 e4 2S.§f7 §cS 29.§xg7 AdS 30.c3 §c6 31.Ag3 eS= .25.4)d6+ ~bS 26.b4 'lA'c6 27.4)xeS .1l,xeS 2S.'lA'xg7 b6 29.13fS 13a7 30.'lA'gS 13d7 31.13xeS+ ~a7 32.Jl.e3 'lA'e4 33..1l,xb6+ ~xb6 34.'lA'xe6+ ~c7 35. 'lA'xe5+ 1-0 (178) Ricardi - Schuster Buenos Aires 1988 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E20] 1.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)c3 .1l,e7 4.e4 0-0 5.4)f3 d5 6.e5 4)e4 7 . .1l,d3 4)xc3 S.bxc3 c5 9.h4 f5 10.exf6 .1l,xf6

Games

abcdefgh

The majority ofthe Greco Sacrifices that involve a pawn on h4 involve simple mates on h7 so long as White has a dark-square bishop to inhibit 'it'h6. Such is the case here in the line with .\lxg5, despite White's relative lack of development and the conspicuous absence of an e5-pawn. White's assets are simply the dark-square bishop and the h4-pawn. Black selects the more challenging ~g8 line and declines to capture the 4Jg5, preferring simply to create an escape square on f8 and relying upon the ~J6 to defend the g7pawn. To try for more than a perpetual, White has h5, i;j"g6, and Af4, all of which offer excellent winning chances. 11..11xh7+ ~xh712.4)gS+ ~g8 The usual pattern after 12 ... .!lxg5 13.hxg5+ ~g8 (13 ... 'it'g614.i;j"h5+ 'it'f515.i;j"h7+ g6 [15 ... 'it'g416.i;j"h3#] 16.i;j"h3+ 'it'e4 17.i;j"e3+ ~f5 18.i;j"f3#) 14.i;j"h5 is slightly longer because Black has 14 ... i;j"a515.g6i;j"xc3+ 16.'it'f1+-. The ~g6 line loses quickly to h5 and i;j"d3 threatening mate on h7 and g6. 12 ... ~g6 13.h5+ ~h6 (13 ... ~f5 14.i;j"f3# or 14.g4#) 14.i;j"d3+-. 13.~hS lae8 14.~f7+ ~h81S.~g6 White is winning after 15.h5 Ele7 (15 ... .!lxg5 16.h6 gxh6 [16 ... Axh617 ..!lxh6+- ] 17.Axg5 i;j"xg5 18.i;j"xe8++-) 16.i;j"g6 Axg5 overloading the black queen

17.Axg5+-; White also has 15.Af4 e5 (15 ... i;j"d7 16.i;j"h5+ 'it'g8 with the impressive idea of 17.Ad6+- cutting off f8, and of course, the queen cannot capture because the rook requires support.) 16.i;j"h5+ 'it'g8 17.dxe5 Axe5 18.i;j"t7+ 'it'h8 19.0-0 .!lxf4 20.i;j"h5+ 'it'g8 21.i;j"h7+ 'it'f8 22.i;j"h8+ 'it'e7 23.i;j"xg7+ 'it'd6 24.4Jt7++-. 1S •.• ~g8 16..11a3 16..!lf4! aiming for d6. 16... e5 (16 ... 4Jc6 when it's mate in five: 17.i;j"t7+ 'it'h8 18.Ad6.!le7 19.i;j"h5+ 'it'g8 20.i;j"h7+ 'it'f8 21.i;j"h8#) 17.i;j"t7+ ~h818.dxe5 Af5 (18 ... A xe5 19.0-0 Axf4 20.i;j"h5+ 'it'g8 21.i;j"h7+ 'it'f8 22.i;j"h8+ 'it'e7 23.i;j"xg7+ 'it'd6 24.4Jt7+ +- ) 19.0-0-0 +- . 16••• 4)a6 16... 4Jd7! and White can only find a perpetual 17. i;j"f7 + 'it'h8 18.i;j"h5+ 'it'g8 19.i;j"f7+=. 17.dxeS .11xe3+ 18.~f1 bS On 18 ... i;j"f6 19.i;j"xe8+ and 18 ... Axa1 19.c6+-. 19.exb61-O (179) Pililyan - Akopov Correspondence 1988 Caro-Kann Defense [B 13] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3.exdS exdS 4 ..11d3 4)e6 S.e3 4)f6 6 ..11f4 .11g4 7.~b3 ~d7 8.4)d2 e6 9.4)gf3 .11xf3 10.4)xf3 .11d611..11xd6 ~xd612.0o 0-0 13.laae1 laab8 14. ~e2 lafe8 1S.~e24)d7

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Sacking the Citadel The correspondence games presented in this volume are a remarkably clean group of contests. The sacrifice here leads to a more positional continuation because White's additional assets, the two rooks, require f4 and f5 to mobilize fully. In the game, Black selects the 'it'gB line and defends the f7-pawn so as to avoid ~xf7 and a rook swing. After 23.f5, White's attack is in full swing and Black, under pressure, fails to find the best defensive resources. 16..1lxh7+ ~xh717.4)g5+ ~g8 With the black rook off f8, obviously not 17 ... 'it'h6 18..£\xf7+. In the 'it'g61ine, Black's hope is to migrate the king towards the queenside, but White has time to maneuver the queen to g3 and to push the f-pawn with effect. 17 ...'it'g61B.f4 (not 18.~g4? .£\f6! or 1B.~d3? 'it'xg5 19.~h7 'it'f6) 1B ... .£\f6 19.~f3 'lii'd7 20.~g3 '£\h5 21.~d3+ 'it'f6 22 ..£\h7+ 'it'e7 23.f5 'it'd6 24.fxe6 fxe6 25.~g6 ~hB 26.~f7 +- (avoiding 26.~xh5 g6=). 18.t'1h5 4)d8 1B ... .£\f6 is crushed by 19.~xf7+ 'it'hB and a rook swing, 20.~e3 +-. 19. t'1h7+ ~f8 20.f4 t'1b6 2o ... ~c6 21.~hB+ 'it'e7 22.'lt1xg7 e5 23.fxe5 ~g6 24.~xg6 fxg6 25.~e3 .£\e6 26 ..£\f7 ~fB 27 ..£\d6 ~xf1 + 2B.'it'xf1 .£\g5 29.h4 '£\f7 30 ..£\xb7 ± when White has four pawns for the piece and a prospect of a strong outside passed pawn. 21. t'1h8+ ~e7 22.t'1xg7 ~d6 23.f5 exf5? Black's remaining hope was active play with 23 ... e5 24.~xe5 .£\xe5 25.~xe5+ 'it'c6 26.~eB+ 'it'c7 (26 ... 'it'd6 27.~e1 +-) 27.~e7+ 'it'c6 2B.~e1 ~c7 29.~eB+ ~d7 30.'£\h7 'it'c7 31..£\f8 ~d6 32.~e7+ 'it'cB 33 ..£\e6 fxe6 34.f6 ~xb2 35.f7 ~c1 += with a perpetual. 24.Et xf5 t'1xb2 25.4)xf7+ 4)xf726.Etxf7 EtdS 27.Ete6+ ~c7 After 27 ...'it'xe6 it's mate in two2B.~g6+ .£\f6 29.~xf6#.

248

28.Etxd7+ Etxd7 29.t'1e5+ ~c8Not 29 ... 'it'dB 30.~eB#. 30.Ete8+ 1-0 After 30 ... ~dB 31.~e6+ 'it'c7 32.~e7++­ it's mate in two. (180) Mufic - Pircher Caorle 1988 French Defense [C02] l.e4 c5 2.c3 4)c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.cxd4 e6 5.4)c3.1lb4 6.4)f3 d5 7.e5 4)ge7 8 . .1ld3 0-0 9.a3 .1la5 10.0-0 f6 1l.exf6 Etxf612 ..1lg5 Etf713.4)e2 t'1d6 14.4)g3 .1ld7 15.b4 .1lb6 16..1le3 Etff817.b5 4)d8 8

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White's additional assets here are the dark-square bishop and the .£\g3. Of special interest is its utility in the 'it'gB line when Black defends correctly with ~f5. By pinning the .£\g5 and offering the rook to the .£\g3, Black aims to reduce White's attacking force without having to worry about the f7 -square which is nicely defended by the .£\d8. But with both rooks becoming active, White's attack does prevail. 18..1lxh7+ ~xh7 19.4)g5+ ~g8 The .£\g3 supports an immediate ~h5 # in the 'it'g6 and 'it'h6lines. 19 ... 'it'g6 20.~h5+ 'it'f6 21.'£\h7# and 19 ... 'it'h6 20.~h5 #. 20.t'1h5 Etf6 Black's best defense is 20 ... ~f5! pinning the .£\g5- and gladly giving up the exchange to eliminate one

Games of the active knights 21.f8 23.~h8+ f7 29.'~h5+ g6 30.g7 31.~h7+ \t>f8 32.§xc5 bxc5 (32 ... ~xc5 33.Ab4+-) 33.Aa5+- (b) 30... \t>f6 31.~h8# (c) 30 ... \t>f8 31.~h8 .lld3 32.f7 33.Ac3 +-. On 20 ... §e8 White infiltrates with 21.~h7+ \t>f8 22.~h8+ f7 25.~xg7#. 21. ~h7+ ~f8 22.4)h5 f!f5 23.~xg7+ ~e8 24.~h8+ Or 24.e 7 27 Ad2 +- powerfully activating the bishop. 26 ... .1lx b5 27.4)g7+ ~d7 28.4)xf5+ ~e8 29.4)g7+ ~d7 30.f!fb1 Also winning, obviously, is the discovered check 30.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 4)f6 4.Ag5 .1le7 5.e5 4)fd7 6 ..1lxe7 ~xe7 7.f4 0--0 8.4)f3 c5 9.~d2 4)c610.0--0--0 4)b611.dxc5 ~xc5 12.~b1 Ad7 13.Ad3 f!ac8 8

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Another theoretical duel, perhaps in part because the compensation for the sacrifice is ambiguous. White has a secure e5-pawn, but the queen cannot easily reach the h-file and the other additional asset, the
15.4)g5+ ~g8 In the \t>g6 line, with the black queen on c5, White wins easily thanks to a knight fork. 15 ... 'it'g6 16.~d3+ (16.h4 f5 17.exf6 [17.h5+ \t>h6-+ ] 17... gxf6=) 16.. .f5 (White must play carefully to close these mating nets 16... \t>h517.~h7+ 'it'g418.~h3+ 'it'xf4 19.~g3+ 'it'f5 20.xg4 [18 ... 'it'h4 19.~h3# or 18 ... 'it'h6 19.~h7#] 19.§dgl+ 'it'xf4 20.~g3+ 'it'f5 21.g7 18.~h7# or 16 ... f5 17.~h3+ \t>g6 18.~h7#) 17.h5 and it's mate in three with18.g4+ \t>xg4 (18 ... 'it'h4 19.~g3#) 19.~g3+ 'it'f5 (19 ... 'it'h5 20.~g5#) 20.~g5#. 16. ~d3 f!fe8! Giving the king a clear escape path to the queenside. Instead, on 16 .. .f5 17.exf6 §xf6 and White wins the §f6 with 18.~h7+ \t>f8 19.~h8+ 'it'e7 20.~xg7+ 'it'd8 21.~xf6++-; 16... §fd817.~h7+ 'it'f818.~h8+ 'it'e7 19.~xg7 Ae8 (after 19 ... §f8 White gains time against the exposed queen 20.e8 23.
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Sacking the Citadel 20.4Jxe6 'it'xe6 21.4Je4+- .17:~·h7+ ~8

19 ... 4Jc4! 20.f5 ~f2 21.4Jd6 4J6xe5 (21...4Jxd6 22.exd6+ 'i!txd6 23.4Je4+; 21...4Jb4 22.E!.c1 exf5 23.~f7+ 'ittdS 24.~xg7± and Black should survive with 4Jd2-e4) 22.fxe6 ~xe6 23.E!.he1 4Jxd6 24.~xe5 'it'd7 25.~xd6+ 'i!txd6 26.4Je4+ ± emerging with an extra pawn. 20..£)d61-O (182) Jacobs - Hebden Cappelle 1989 Ruy Lopez [C86]

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18.~h518.~hS+!?'it'e719.~h4 (after 19.~xg7 'it'dS 20.4Jxf7+ 'it'c7 21.4Jd6 E!.gS 22.~h6 E!.hS 23.~g5 E!.cgS~ Black's king is safe and the rooks are very active) 19 ... E!.hS (19 ... 'it'fS 20.E!.d3±) 20.4Jh7+ 'it'eS 21.4Jf6+ gxf6 (21...'itte7 22.4Jfxd5++-) 22.~xhS+ ~fS 23.~xfS+ 'it'xfS 24.exf6 d4 25.4Jb5 4Jd5 26.4Jxd4 4Jxd4 27.E!.xd4 4Jxf63i. In Zolnierowicz-Fraczek, Krakow 2003, White selected 1S.~h4, which aims to prevent the escape to e7. 1S ... 4Je7 19.~hS+ 4JgS 20.4Jh7+ 'it'e7 21.~xg7 'ittdS 22.4Jg5 'it'c7 (having safeguarded the king, Black begins a counter attack) 23.4Jxf7 4Jc4 24.4Jd6 E!.e7 25. ~g3 4Jxd6 26.exd6+ ~xd6 27.4Je4 ~c6 28.E!.d3 'it'bS 29.E!.c3 ~b6 30.f5+ e5 31.E!. xcS+ ~xcS 32.4Jc3 (Better is 32:~xgS 32 ... 4Jf6 33.E!.e1 'it'aS 34.a3 d4 35.4Je2 E!.eS 36.~d3 E!.dS 37.4Jg3 e4 3S.~c4 ~c6 39.~b4 d3 40.cxd3 e xd3 41.E!.c1 d2 42.E!.d1 ~d5 43.'i!ta1 b6 44.4Jf1 4Je4 45.f6 ~e6 O-I. 1S.4Jce4 dxe4 V2-V2 and White can deliver a perpetual check with ~hS-h4, Romanov- Riazantsev, Moscow 2006.) 18•.• ~e719. .£)xf719.~xf7+ permits the king to escape to the queenside: 19 ... 'it'dS 20.~xg7 'it'c7~. 19 ••• .£)a5 Black's last chance to survive was

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1.e4 e5 2..£)f3 .£)c6 3.Jlh5 a6 4.Jla4 .£)f6 5.0-0 Jle7 6. ~e2 h5 7.Jlh3 0o 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 e4 10..£)g5 .£)a5 1l.Ac2 Jld612..£)xe4

abc

d e

f

g

h

We have often seen that the defense can be difficult even when the attacking side does not embark upon a completely sound sacrifice. Here, Black can lay claim to only one additional asset, the light-square bishop, and indeed, White should be able to equalize or even achieve an advantage. In the 'i!tg3 line, Black aims to gain time for the attack with .. .f5. Black correctly returns the piece but turns down solid play with 17.d3 in favor of aggression with 17.d4. 12••. Axh2+ 13.~xh2 .£)g4+ 14.~g3 The 'it'g1 line offers no hope at all because the ~e2 blocks the king's escape route. 14.'i!tg1 ~h4 15.E!.e1 ~h2+

Games 16.'~f1 'l11hH. 14...f515.f4 Better for White to open lines for the dark-square bishop with 15.d3 fxe416.dxe4 'l11d6+ 17.e5 <£:Jxe5 (17 ... 'l11xe5+ 18.'l11xe5 <£:Jxe519 ..llf4+-) 18.f4 <£:Jg419.<£:Jd2 h5 20.<£:Jf3=. 15 ••• fxe4 16•.Q.xe4 i?td6 17.d41t's not too late for solid development with 17.d3 g5 18.'l11e1=. 17 .•. g5! IS.i?td3 h5 Better is 18 ... 'l11h6+. 19•.£la3 .Q.d7 20..Q.d2 E!aeS 21.E!ael h4+ 22.~f3 E!xf4+ Also winning is 22 ... <£:Jc4-+ bringing another piece into the attack since 23.<£:Jxc4 bxc4 24.'l11c2 §xf4 is devastating. 23 . .Q.xf4 i?txf4+ 24.~e2 E!xe4+ 25.~dl .£le3+ 26.E!xe3 i?txe3 27.i?txe3 E!xe3 2S.E!f6 E!g3 29.E!xa6 E!xg2 30.E!xa5 h3 0--1

(183) Chandler - Anagnostopoulos London 1989 French Defense [C 14] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£lc3 .£lf6 4 •.Q.g5 .Q.e7 5.e5 .£lfd7 6 ..Q.xe7 i?txe7 7.f4 0--0 S•.£lf3 c5 9.i?td2 .£lc610.0--0--0 a611.dxc5 i?txc512..Q.d3 b5 8

7

6 5

4

3 2

abcdefgh

Another instructive example. White's additional assets are the secure e5-pawn and the §d1, which can swing to the gor h-files.ln the game, Black selects the more challenging r.t>g8 line, where the white queen's maneuver to h5 is slow,

251

giving Black an opportunity to defend f7 with <£:Jd8. But White is able to use the §d3-h3 swing to achieve the win. 13..Q.xh7+ ~xh714..£lg5+ ~gS In the r.t>g6 line, the en passant capture drives the black king to f6 where the knights are able to fork the king and queen. 14 ... r.t>g615.'l11d3+ f5 (and once again, the retreats are doomed: 15 ... r.t>h5 16.'l11h3+ r.t>g617.'l11h7# and 15 ... 'it'h6 16.'l11h7 #) 16.exf6+ (also winning is 16.'l11g3 'l11e7 when 17.<£:Jxe6+ 'it'f7 removes the defense of the d5pawn.18.<£:Jg5+ 'it'g8 19.<£:Jxd5 +-) 16 ... r.t>xf6 (not 16 ... 'it'h5 when it's mate in six, 17.g4+ 'it'xg4 18.§hg1 + r.t>xf4 19.§df1+ r.t>e5 20.'l11g3+ r.t>d4 21.'l11f4 #) 17.<£:Jce4+ dxe4 exploiting the posting of the queen on c5 18.<£:Jxe4+ +-. In the r.t>h6 line, White achieves a quick result despite the absence of a dark-square bishop thanks to a quick queen swing to h3. 14 ... r.t>h6 15.'l11d3 g6 (trying to protect h7 opens f7 for the knight, which then mates beautifully from h8, 15 ... §h816.<£:Jxf7+r.t>h5 17.'l11h3+ r.t>g6 18.<£:Jxh8# and 15 .. .f5 permits mate in two: 16.'l11h3+ r.t>g6 17.'l11h7#) 16.'l11h3+ 'it'g7 17.'l11h7#. 15.i?td3 E!eS Black's main decision is where to repost the §f8. After §e8, as in the game, the black king gains the option of running to the queens ide via d8. Instead, two players tried 15 ... §d8 16.'l11h7+ r.t>f8 : (a) 17.'l11h8+ r.t>e7 18.'l11xg7 §f8 19.<£:Jxe6 (stripping the d5-pawn of its defense) 19 ... r.t>xe6 20.§ xd5 +- 'l11e3+ 21.'it'b1 <£:Jb4 22.§xd7 r.t>xd7 23.'l11xf8 'l11xf4 24.§d1 + r.t>c7 25.'l11xb4 'l11xb4 26.<£:Jd5+ r.t>c6 27.<£:Jxb4+ r.t>c5 28.<£:Jd3+ 'it'd4 29.r.t>c1.llf5 30.§f1.llxd3 31.cxd3 §a7 32.e6 fxe6 33.r.t>d2 §g7 34.g3 §g6 35.§f4+ r.t>e5 36.d4+ r.t>d5 37.r.t>d3 §g8

Sacking the Citadel 3S.~e3 .§.cS 39 ..§.f2 .§.c4 40.h4 e5 41.dxe5 'i!!txe5 42.~f3 ~f5 43 ..§.d2 .§.c6 44.g4+ ~g6 45.b3 .§.f6+ 46.'i!!te4 .§.e6+ 47.~f4 .§.c6 48.h5+ 'i!!th6 49.g5+ 'i!!tg7 50 ..§.d7+ 'i!!thS 51.g6 .§.c1 52.h6 .§.f1+ 53.~e5 .§.el+ 54.'i!!td6 .§.dl+ 55.'i!!tc6'§'c1 + 56.~b71--O StellwagenMa Yu, Groningen 1999; (b) 17.~h5 g6 18.~h7
252

19.~g5+ f6 20.~xg7+
(184) Mejrup - Radonjanin Schwabisch Gmuend 1990 French Defense [C06] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.{)d2 {)f6 4.e5 {)fd7 5.Ad3 c5 6.c3 {)c6 7.{)e2 cxd4 S.cxd4 ~b6 9.{)f3 f610.exf6 {)xf611.0-0 Ad612.a3 0-0 13.~c2 Ad7 14.~e1 ~acS 15.~b1 Iit'hS 16.j},g5 e5 17.dxe5 {) xe5 lS.{) xe5 Axe519.Ae3

abcdefgh

Imagine White's surprise to attack the and suddenly face the sacrifice. With three additional assets, the lightsquare bishop and the already active rooks, Black is clearly winning here. In all of the lines, Black will capture the Jle3, opening the f-file, capturing on e3 with the queen with check, and then swinging a rook to h3. All too easy, perhaps. What makes this example interesting is White's correct choice of the ~hlline to force Black to find the cor~b6

Games rect sequence with ~h6-e3. 19.•.Axh2+ 20.Cit'xh2 4)g4+ 21.Cit'hl 21.'itfg3 (with a winning attack upon e3) 31...4Jxe3 22.fxe3 ~xe3+ 23.'itfh2 (the alternative walks into a quick mate with 23.'itfh4 f!f4+ -+ ) 23 ... f!c6-+ but even here, there's a simple rook swing thanks to the activity ofthe rooks. Similarly in the 'itfgl1ine line, Black begins with the attack on e3 and concludes with a rook swing. 21.'itfgl 4Jxe3 22.fxe3 ~xe3+ 23.'itfhl f!c6-+. 21 ••• 4)xe3 22.fxe3 ~h6+ A nice check that transposes into the'itfglline. 23.Cit'gl ~xe3+ 24.Cit'h2 E!c6-+ 25.4)gl E!h6+ 26.4)h3 E!xh3+ 27.gxh3 E!f2+ 28.Cit'gl ~g3+ 29.Cit'hl ~h2# 0-1 (185) Huguet Mainar - Guerrero Zaragoza 1990 French Defense l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 4)f6 4.Ag5 Ae7 5.e5 4)fd7 6.Axe7 ~xe7 7.f4 a6 8.4)f3 c5 9. ~d2 4)c6 10.dxc5 4)xc5 11.0-0-0 Ad7 12.Cit'bl b5 13.Ad3 4)b4 14.4)xb5 axb5 15.~xb4 E!a416.~el 0-0 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Careful readers will find the lines in this position almost simplistic by now, but there are several instructive features. White has two additional assets, the secure e5-pawn and the active f!dl

253

ready to swing. In the 'it>g6 line the placement of the white queen provides quick access to g3. Here, the discovery with 4Jxe6 and ~xg7 breaks though because the black ~e7 is unanchored (21...'it>xe6 22.f5+-) and because the 4Jc5 is also loose. 17.Axh7+ Cit'xh7 18.4)g5+ Cit'g6 White's queen cannot reach h5, which creates no complications whatever in the 'it'gS or 'it>h61ines, two quick mates. IS ... 'it>gSI9.~h4 f!cS 20.~h7+ 'itffS. (with the black queen on e7, there's no escape path) 21.~hS#; IS ... 'itfh6 19.~h4+ 'it'g6 20.~h7#. 19. ~g3 Also winning is 19.~h4 f!xf4 20.~h7+ forcing the capture of the knight, 20 ... 'it>xg5 21.~xg7+ and now: (a) 21...'itfh5 22.g4+ f!xg4 and now all three majors have a role: 23.~h7+ 'it>g5 24.f!dfl +- with h4 next; (b) 21...'itff5 22.g4+ (opening lines for the rooks) 22 ... f!xg4 (22 ... 'itfe4 23.f!hel+ 'it>f3 24.~h6+-) and it's mate in six with 23.f!hfl + f!f4 24.f!xf4+ 'it>xf4 25.~g3+ 'it>f5 (25 ... 'it>e4 26.f!el + 'itff5 [26 ... 'itfd4 27.~c3#] 27.f!f1+ 'it>e4 2S.~f4#) 26.f!f1 + 'it>e4 27.~f4#; and (c) There's no point in 21...'it>h4 22.g3+ +-. 19...f6 20.4)xe6+ Cit'f7 On 20 ... 'it>h7 White wins an exchange and maintains the initiative: 21.4JxfS+ ~xf8 22.~h4+ 'it'gS (22 ... 'it>g6 23.exf6 gxf6 24.f! xd5 +- ) 23.exf6 gxf6 24.f!xd5+-. 21.~xg7+ Cit'e8 21...'itfxe6 22.f5+ (forcing the king to the open and winning the black queen) 22 ... 'it>xe5 (22 ... 'it>xf5 23.~xe7) 23.~xe7+. 22.~xe7+ Cit'xe7 23.4)xc5 Or more simply with 23.4JxfS 'it>xfS 24.f! xd5 +-. 23 ... E! xf4 24.exf6+ E!8xf6 25.E!hel + Cit'd6 26.4)e4+ E!xe4 27.E!xe4 E!f2 28.E!ed4 Ae6 29.E!4d2 E!f4 30.b31-0 (186) Ftacnik - Seul Gennany 1990 Schmid Benoni [A43]

Sacking the Citadel there's no escape since 17 ... ~e 7 invites 18.i;j"g5+. 16.g3 j}"xgS Simple development is harshly punished, 16 ... 4::1c6 17.gxf4 Axg5 1B.hxg5 +-. 17.hxgS j}"xhl IS.g6 dS Not 1B ... .§.e4+ 19.~f1 +-. 19.'ll\'h7+ <jf(fS 20.'ll\'hS+ <jf(e7 21.'ll\'xg7+ 1-0 21...i;j"xg7+ ~eB 22.4::1d6+ +- wins the queen.

l.d4 cS 2.dS .£)f6 3..£)f3 bS 4.a4 j}"b7 S.e4 b4 6 ..£)bd2 e6 7.dxe6 f xe6 S.eS .£)dS 9 ..£)c4 Ae710.j}"d3 0--0 11.h4 .£)f4 8

7

6

5

(187) Borge - Laptev Gyor 1990 French Defense [C05]

4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

l.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3 ..£)d2 .£)f6 4.eS .£)fd7 S.f4 cS 6.c3 .£)c6 7 ..£)df3 'll\'b6 S.g3 cxd4 9.cxd4 j}"b4+ 10.<jf(f2 f6 11.<jf(g2 gS 12.h3 gxf413.Axf4 j}"fS 14.13.h2 j}"g7 IS.<jf(hl 0--016.Ad3 fxeS 17.dxeS .£)cS (D)

h

White might claim three additional assets here, the e5-pawn, the 4::1c4, and h4!Elh1, but Black's position is active, given the Ab7 on the unopposed diagonal, the aggressive 4::1f4, and the .§.fB. Black has adequate defense in the ~gB line by returning the piece. Once Black misses his opportunity, Ftacnik demonstrates his great skill with a lovely rook sacrifice on hI. 12.Axh7+ <jf(xh713•.£)gS+ <jf(gS Capturing on g5 only brings the .§.h1 into play. 13 ... Axg5 14.hxg5+ ~gB 15.Axf4 .§.xf4 16.i;j"h5 ~fB17.g6

When well played and defended, the sacrifice can lead to an endgame in which White's passed kingside pawns are advancing against an extra piece.

i;j"eB (17 ... .§.xc41B.i;j"hB+

~e7

19.i;j"xg7+ ~eB 20 ..§.hB#) 1B.4::1d6+-. In the ~g6line, White infiltrates quickly after Axf4. 13 ... ~g6 14.Axf4 .§.xf415.i;j"d3+ (there's no safe way to block the check) 15 ... .§.f5 (15 ... ~h5 16.i;j"h7+ ~g4 17.4::1e3#) 16.h5+ ~h6 (16 ... ~xg5 capturing the knight brings on mate in two 17.i;j"g3+ ~h6 1B.i;j"g6#) 17.4::1f7+ .§.xf7 18.i;j"g6#. 13 ... ~h6 14.i;j"g4+- when the 4::1f4 must move, reinitializing the discovery. 14.Axf4 13.xf4 14 ... i;j"eB! 15.i;j"g4 i;j"g6 when White has, at best, only a small advantage. 15. 'll\'hS j}"e4 15 ... Axg5 16.hxg5 ~fB 17.g6+- and

abc

d e

f

g

h

Here, White has the e5-pawn, the darksquare bishops, and two rooks that can join the fray. For his part, Black's position is active and distinctive for the Ag7 and the .§.f8 on an open file. Black selects the ~gB retreat, and the sequence of the next dozen moves results in an endgame that pits the white queen and

254

Games knight and two passed kings ide pawns against a plethora of black pieces. As you will see, the white position gains in strength with each pawn advance on the kingside. IS.Axh7+ f6 24.1'!fl + [picking off the 1'!f8] 24 ... 'e7. [24 ... 'it'e5 25.1'!xf8+-] 25.4Jg6+ +-) 21.4J5f3+ 'it'f6 22.4Jxe5 4Jxe5 23.Jl xe5+ 'e7 (23 ... 'xe5 24.~g7++-) 24.1'!c1 +- with 1'!2c2 to follow. 20 ..~h5 Elf5 21. ~eS+ ElfS 22. ~g6 Elf5 23.Elfl 4)e4 24. ~h7+ e7 32.~xh6 ~xe5 33.'I~HB+ 'it'd7 34.1'!f7+ 4Je7 35.~xe7+ 'it'c6 36.4Je2 ~d6 37.~xd6+ 'xd6 3B.4Jc3±. 31. .. g4 1'!h4+; White's best line is 44.~xc6+ 'it'xc6 45.gB~ ~f6+ 46.'g4 1'!hB 47.4Jd4+ 'it'd7 48.~f7+ ~e7 with relatively even chances. 44 .•. Ae145.4)f4 Elh4+ 46.g7 1'!g4+ 50.'it'f7 1'!xgB 51.'it'xgB ~c5 with the three minor pieces for the queen.

255

4S ••• Ae7+ 49.
abc

d

e

f

g

h

White's tripled pawns are the most obvious feature of this position, but it is also clear that White has only the darksquare bishop as an additional asset, although 0-0 will add the 1'!fl, in some lines with check. There appear to be drawing resources in both main lines, but it is noteworthy that White prevailed. Even in a carefully fought correspondence game, the defensive burden is high. 12.Axh7+ g614.h4 (not 14.~g3 ~c7 15.~d3+ f5-+) when now: (a) 14 .. .f5 15.h5+ 'f6 16.c4 making good use of the tripled pawns, 16 ... 4Jde7 17.4Je4+ 'f7 1B.4Jd6+ and maneuvering the knight into d6;!;; and (b) White wins the fight to play h5, 14 ... 4Jf6 15.~e2 4JeB16.h5+ 'f617.h6 but Black's king can escape towards the center. 14. ~h4

Sacking the Citadel 4)f6 15.0-0 With the idea of Elxf6. 15••. Ete8 16.Ae3 e5 The most interesting line is 16... 4Je5 when White can sacrifice the exchange: 17.El xf6 ~xf6 18.~h7+ ~f8 19.Elfl ~g6 and then force the black queen to capture on f7. 20.Elxf7+ ~xf7 21.4Jxf7 4Jxf7 22.g4 e5 23.g5 lte6 24.g6 4Jd8 25.ltg5 ltg8 26.~h4= when White's position compensates for the material deficit. 17.EtadI17.Elxf6~xf618.~h7+ ~f8

19.Elfl +- when Black cannot safely move the queen and defend f7. 17....~e718.Etxf6 ~xf619.~h7+ ~f8 20.Etf1 ~xf1+ 21.~xf1 Ae6 22.4)e4 Ac4+ 23.~gl Ae6 24.Ag5 f5 25. ~h8+ Ag8 26.4)f6 ~f7 27.4)h51-0 (189) Winckelmann - Krant COIT 1991 French Defense [C 15] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 Ab4 4.a3 Axc3+ 5.bxc3 dxe4 6.f3 c5 7.Ab5+ Ad7 8.a4 4)f6 9.~e2 0--0 10.fxe4 ~a5 1l.Eta3 cxd4 12.4)f3 dxc3 13.e5 4)d514.Ad3 4)b4

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White can count on the dark-square bishop, but there are additional assets, the insecure e5-pawn, the Ela3, and the possibility of 0-0+. In the ~g8, the

256

weak e5-pawn prevents an immediate ~h5. Instead, White proceeds more positionally, inviting Black to open the kingside and create one of the most complex calculations in the book. Once again, the lines reach endgames in which White, though down materially, can actively advance the kings ide pawns. 15.Axh7+ ~xh7 16.4)g5+ ~g8 In the ~g6Iine, White's plan with Ela3-c3 and ~e4+ overwhelms with careful play. 16... 'it'g617.Elxc3 4J8c6 (Black can try to pile on the pinned rook, 17 ... 4Jd5, but all of White's other pieces come alive: 18.~e4+ f5 19.exf6+ 'it'xf6 20.0-0+ ~e7 21.lta3++-) 18.~e4+ f5 19.exf6+ ~xf6 20.ltd2+-. 17.0--0 First safeguarding the king, and activating the rook on the open f-file. On 17.~e4 holding the pawn with the obvious threat on h7, but 17 ... 4Jxc2+ 18.~xc2 ~xe5+-+and not 17.~h5 ~xe5+-+. 17.••f618.exf6 Etxf619.Etxf6 gxf6 20.4)e4 4)d5 Given the course of the game, Black might have settled for 20 ... ~e5 21.Elxc3 ~d4+ 22.~fl f5 23.Elg3+ ~f8 24.1.th6+ ~e7=; 20 ... Jlc6 21.Elxc3 ~e5 22.Elg3+ 'it'f8 23.lth6+ ~e7 24.Elg7+ 'it'd8 25.~dl+ ~d5 26.~al e5 27.4Jxf6~c5+ 28.~hl 'it'c8 29.~dl ~d4 30.Elg8+ ~c7 31.~xd4 exd4 32.ltf4+ 'it'b6 33.h4 4Jxc2 34.h5 +- . 21.Etb3 b5 Once again, Black can force a draw with 21...f5 22.~h5 fxe4 23.'l1¥g6+ ~h8 24.~h6+=. 22. ~g4+ ~f7 23.Aa3 b4 24.4)d6+ Easier is 24.Elxb4 4Jxb4 25.4Jd6+ 'it'e7 26.ltxb4 +- . 24 ... ~f8 Black survives with 24 ... ~e7 25.Elxb4 ~c5+ 26.~hl 'it'xd6 27.Elb3 ~xa3 28.Elxa3 4Jc6+. 25.Etxb4 4)e7 26.Etf4 ~b6+ 27.Etf2 4)bc6 28.~h5 +- ~g8 29.~f7+ ~h830.~xf6+ 1-0 .

Games (190) Wademark - Lyrberg Stockholm 1991 Trompowski Attack [DOO] l.d4 ~f6 2.j'tg5 d5 3.j'txf6 exf6 4.e3 c6 5.c4 dxc4 6.Axc4 j'td6 7.~c3 0-0 S.~ge2 ~d7 9.13c1 f5 10.0--0 ~f6 11. ~c2

abcdefgh

Black initiates the sacrifice here with a light-square bishop, which is itself blocked by the f5-pawn, and with the rather slow plan off!e8-e6. In the 'iflg3 line, Black's lack of control over f3 aided the defense, but White missed 18.d5 with good drawing chances. 1l•.• j'txh2+ 12.~xh2 ~g4+ 13.~g3 In the 'iftg1Iine, Black infiltrates quickly with 'l11xf2 and obxe3 because White cannot defend with obf3 or reach the b8-h2 diagonal. 13.'iftg1 ~h4 14.f!fd1 'l11xf2+ 15.'ifth1 obxe3-+; 13.'iflh3 f4 -+ opening the diagonal for the lightsquare bishop. And not 13 ... ~g514.g3 when, with no black e4-pawn, there's no mate with 'l11h5-h2.13 •.• ~g514.f4 ~g6 15.~f3 13eS 15 ... obh2+ offers nothing more than a perpetual, 16.'iflf2 obg4+ 17.'iftf3=, since 17.'iftg1Ioses to 17 ... obxe3 -+ and accepting the exchange cedes the advantage to White. 16.~dl b5 17.j'tb3 Black is fine after 17.~d3 ~e6 (not 17 ... ~b7 18.~xf5+- )18.'l11xc6 'l11h5 19.'iftg3 g5 +. 17.•• Ab71S. ~c5? White should

257

instead shut down the long diagonal with 18.d5 cxd519.obd4 f!ac8 20.~d2 'l11h5 21.f!xc8 obxe3+ 22.'iftf2 obg4+ 23.'iftg3 f!xc8=.IS ••• ~h519.4)g3 No better is 19.'iflg3 obxe3 20.obxe3 f!xe3+ 21.'iftf2 f!xe2+-+ .19... ~e5+ 20.~f2 ~d3+-+ 21.~gl ~g6 22.~xf5 ~xcl 23.~xg6 hxg6 24.f5 gxf5 25.j'tc2 g6 26.e4 f4 27.13xf4 13adS 2S.e5 c5 29.13fl 13xd4 30.~c3 13d2 31.j'te4 ~e2+ 32.~cxe2 Axe4 33.~xe4 13xe2 34.~f6+ ~fS 35.~xeS ~xe8 36.13c1 13xe5 37.a4 a6 3S.axb5 axb5 39.~f2 ~d7 40.13al ~c6 41.13a6+ ~d5 42.g4 13e4 43.~f3 13b4 44.13f6 13b3+ 45.~f4 13xb2 46.~g5 13e2 47.13xf7 13e60-1

(191) Van der Wiel- Kortschnoi Amsterdam 1991 French Defense [CI4] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4.j'tg5 j'te7 5.e5 ~fd7 6.j'txe7 ~xe7 7.f4 0-0 S. ~d2 c5 9.~f3 ~c610.0-0-0 ~b611.dxc5 ~xc512.Ad3 Ad7 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Another theoretical discussion out of the opening that involves the sacrifice. This position is very close to SaxTimman (see game 181) wheretheinitial position involved an additional move pair, 'iftb1 and f!ac8. The success

Sacking the Citadel of the sac is somewhat in doubt here because White has only one additional asset, the secure e5-pawn, although there is certainly some hope that the .§.dl or the 4:Jc3 will be able to take part. Once again, all ofthe defenders selected the ~gS line, which appears to offer decent chances at equalizing or better. In Sax-Timman, Black could not consider .§.fcS because the .§.as had already arrived there. 13.Axh7+ ~xh7 14.4)g5+ ~gB In the 'it'g6line, White triumphs easily as in Sax-Timman given the placement of the black queen on c5, subjecting it to a fatal fork. 14 ... 'it'g6 15:~'d3+ f5 (not the king retreats: 15 ... ~h5 16.~h3+ ~g6 17.~h7#; 15 ... ~h6 16.~h7#) 16.exf6+ 'it'xf6 (16 ... ~h5 17.g4+ ~xg4 IS ..§.dgl + 'it'xf4 19.~f3+ ~e5 20.4:Jf7+ .§.xf7 21.~g3+ ~xf6 [21...~f5 22.~g5#; 21...~d4

22.~f4#]

22.~g5#)

17.4:Jce4+ forking the queen. In the ~h6 line, White wins quickly despite the absence of the dark-square bishop thanks to 'i!Yd3 and a quick mate with ~h3-h7. 14 ... ~h6 15.~d3 .§.hS (15 ... g6 16.~h3+ ~g7 17.~h7#; 15 ... f5 16.~h3+ ~g6 17.~h7#) 16.4:Jxf7+ ~h5 17.g4+ ~xg4 (17 ... ~h4 IS.~g3#) IS.~g3+ ~f5 19.~g5#.

15.'~d3

Elfe815 ... .§.fcS!? 16..§.hel (too slow. Black still survives after the faster 16.~h7+ ~fSI7.~h5 AeSlS.f5 'it'e7 [or by eliminating the key e-pawn IS ... 4:Jxe5 19.'§'hel ~f2 20.fxe6 .§.xc3 21.bxc3 4:Jbc4 22.e7+ ~xe7 23.4:Jh3 ~xg2 24.4:Jf4 f6 25.~xe5+ fxe5 26.4:Jxg2= when Black has sufficient activity to hold] 19.~h4 ~d7 20.fxe6+ fxe6 21.~g4 ~e3+ 22.~bl ~xe5 23.'§'hel ~f5 24.~xf5 exf5 25.4:Jxd5 4:Jxd5 26.'§' xd5+ 'it'c7:;:) 16 ... 4:Jb4 17.~h7+ ~fS IS.a3 4:Ja4-+ 19.axb4

258

~xb4

20.4:Jxa4 Axa4 21.'it'bl Axc2+ '§'xc2 23.'it'xc2 .§.cS+ 24.~bl .§.c6 25.g3 a5 26.4:Jf3 a4 27 ..§.d3 §.b6 2S ..§.e2 a3 29.b3 §.c6 30.§.ee3 ~a5 31.§.e2 .§.c3 32.§.ed2 §.xd3 33.§'xd3 ~b5 34.4:Jel ~c5 35.4:Jc2 a2+ 36.'it'b2 ~f2 37.§.dl d4 3S.§.xd4 al ~+ 39.~xal ~xc20-1 Belic-Elschner, Germany 1999.16.'~h7+ ~fB17.Elhe1 ~b4117 ... 4:Jc418.~hS+ 'it'e719.~h4 §.hS (better, perhaps, to repeat with 19 ... ~fS=) 20.4:Jh7+ f6? (20 ... 'it'eS 21.4:Jf6+! gxf6 [21...~e7 22.4:Jfxd5++- ] 22.~xhS+ ~fS 23.~xfS+ 'it'xfS 24.exf6 ~gS 25.§.d3 'it'h7 26.f5 d4? [26 ... §.dS] 27.§.h3+ 'it'gS 2S.§.e4 1-0 Polgar,SSomlai, Budapest 1991) 21.exf6+ 'it'dS 22.fxg7+ +- 'it'c7 23.gxhS~ 1-0 Nielsen-Ulibin, Mamaia 1991. lB. ~hB+ ~e7 19. ~h4 ~dB 20.4) xe6+ ~cB 21.a3 ~e7 22.4)g5 f6 Black is fine after 22 ... lte6=. 23.e6 White has a tangible advantage after 23.exf6 ~xf6 24 ..§.xeS+ AxeS 25.4:Jxd5 4:Jxd5 26.§'xd5ltd7 27.~hS+ ~c7 2S.~xaS ~xf4+ 29.§.d2 ~xg5 30.~fS±. 23 ...fxg5 24.exd7+ ~xd7 25.~xg5 Elxe126.Elxe1 a6 27.f5 ~b8 28.Ele6 ~a7 29.Elg6 EleB Or 29 ... .§.fS-+. 30.Elxg7 Ele1 + 31.4)d1 ~eB 32.f6 ~e4 33. ~d2 4)c4 34. ~f2+ 4)e3 01 34 ... 4:Je3 hitting both the rook and c2 35.~d2 4:Jxdl-+. 22.~xc2

(192) Rea-Savage Philadelphia, 1991 Old Indian Defense [A54]

1.d4 4)f6 2.c4 d6 3.4)£3 4)bd7 4.4)c3 e5 5.e3 Ae7 6.Ae2 0-0 7.b4 c6 B.O-O Ele8 9.c5 a5 10.cxd6 Axd6 1l.b5 e412.bxc6 bxc613.4)d2 4)b6 14.4)c44)xc415.Axc4 -

Games queen moves permit ~xg4 20.Axf7+ (20 ... ~xf7 21.~xg4) 21.§.xf5+ ~xf5 22.~xg4±. 18.EIhl If White attempts to eliminate the e-pawn and run the king to safety with 1B.<£lxe4 §.xe4 19.'it'f3 ~e7 20.~e2 c5-+ Black's superior development and central control give him a winning advantage. The immediate threat is cxd4 and, if 21.Ab2, Black has §.xe3. 18••• ~d6+ There's a faster win with 1B ... h4+ 19.E!.xh4 ~d6+ 20.f4 (not 20.~h3 <£lxf2 #) 20 ... exf3+ 21.'it'xf3 (21.'it'h3 ~h2#) 21...~f6+ (gaining an entry on f2) 22.~e2 (22.~g3 ~f2+ 23.'it'h3 <£lxe3+ -+) 22 ... ~f2+ 23.~d3 and now all of Black's pieces join in. 23 ... Af5+ 24.e4 E!.adB-+. 19.f419.'it'h4 g5+ 20.~xg5 (20.~xh5 ~h6#; 20.~h3 <£lxf2#) 20 ... ~f6+ 21.~xh5 ~h6#. 19•••exf3+ 20.
The exchange of knights on c4 has taken White's light-square bishop off e2 where it would have prevented <£lg4. Now, Black can count on the e4-pawn and the light-square bishop to assist the attack. White's <£lc3 cannot reach f3 and the dark-square bishop is imprisoned by the e3-pawn. White correctly plays into the 'it'g3 line, when Black must avoid the ~d6 line owing to the activity of White's Ac4. 15 ... Jl.xh2+ 16.
22.'it'e2 ~xg2#. 17..•h5 (a) 17 ... ~g5 1B.f4 (lB.Axf7+ 'it'xf7 19.f4 ~h6. By playing ~h6 first and then returning to g6, Black avoids f5 and a possible exchange sacrifice on f5: 20.§.h1 ~g6 21.~b3+ Ae6 22.~b7+ 'it'gB-+) 18. .. exf3 (The queen cannot retreat to g6 because f5 leads to an exchange sacrifice on f5 or the loss ofthe <£lg4) 19.e4 (19.'it'xf3 §.xe3+ 20.Axe3 ~xe3#) 19 ... <£le3+ (walking into a self-pin, but Black is winning quickly in all lines) 20.'it'xf3 Ag4+-+ wins the queen, or 20.'it'f2 <£lxd1 + captures the queen with check, or 20.'it'h2 ~xg2 #; (b) 17 .. .'\£fd6+?! 1B.f4 ~g6 enters the very line above that Black worked to avoid (lB ... exf3+ 19.'it'xf3;!;) 19.f5 Axf5

259

21.~xg5 (21.~xh5 ~g6#) 21...~f6+ 22.~xh5 ~h6#.

And it's mate in four <£lf2+ 21.~h4 g5+ 22.~xg5 (22.'it'xh5 ~g6#) 22 ... ~g6+ 23.~f4 (23.'it'h4 ~g4#) 23 ... ~g4#. 20 ... ~f6+ 21.
after

20.~h3

(193) Poso - Koskela Helsinki 1991 Nirnzo-Indian Defense [E51]

Sacking the Citadel 1.d4 4)f6 2.e4 e6 3.4)c3 Ab4 4.e3 0-0 5.4)f3 d5 6.a3 Ae7 7.e5 c6 8.Ad3 4)fd7 9.0-0 e5 10.4)xe5 4)xe5 1l.dxe5 Axe5 12.b4 Ae7 13.Ab2 4)d7 14.4)e2 f6 15.exf6 4) xf616.4)d4 Ad617..§.el

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Black relies here on two additional assets, the light-square bishop and the l'!f8 on an open file, a key consideration given White's ability to play 4Jd4-f3. In the \t>gl line, the ii1h4 threatens both ii1h2 and ii1xf2. White lashes back with his own sacrifice on h7, which would be successfully parried by declining the offer with ... \t>h8 or with ... ii1xh7. Instead, White errs by capturing with the king, and is lucky to triumph in a sloppy finish. 17... Axh2+ 18.\fIxh2 4)g4+ 19.\fIgl In the 'it'g3Iine, Black achieves a quick mating net with either 19 ... 4Jxf2 or 19 ... 4Jxe3. 19.\t>g3 4Jxf2 (19 ... 4Jxe3 20.fxe3 ii1d6+ [the check cannot be blocked, and the l'!f8 controls the f-file. With even more help from the lightsquare bishop, it's mate in two.] 21. 'it'h4 ii1h2+ 22.\t>g5 ii1h6#) 20.Axh7+ \t>h8 21.ii1h5 i£1d6+ 22.\t>h4 when it's mate in two: 22 ... g5+ 23.\t>xg5 (23.ii1xg5 i£1h2#) 23 ... i£1f6#.19 ... ~h4Threatening entry on h2 with l'! xf2 # to follow, as well as i£1xf2 winning the Ab2. 20.Axh7+ Or 20.4Jf3 i£1xf2+ 21.\t>hl i£1xb2 picking off the undefended piece.

260

20 ... \fIxh7 To win, Black needed to capture the bishop with either 20 ... 'it'h8! 21.4Jf3 ii1xf2+ 22.\t>hl 'it'xh7 23.ii1e2 ii1g3 24.l'!fl l'!f5-+ or 20 ... ii1xh7 21.4Jf3 Ae6-+. 21.~e2+ \fIg8 22.4)f3 ~h6 Black can win forcefully with the exchange sacrifice: 22 ... l'!xf3! 23.gxf3 4Jh2 24.i£1c3 4Jxf3+ 25.'it'fl (25.'it'g2 ii1h3#) 25 ... d4 (closing the diagonal) 26.exd4 Ah3+ 27.'it'e2l'!e8+ (forcing the king into the center) 28. 'it'd3 Afl + (a bishop offer that aims to open the e4 entry square for the queen) 29.l'!xfl (29.\t>c2 ii1xf2) 29 ... i£1e4+ 30.'it'c4 i£1e6+ 31.'it'd3 (31. \t>c5 ii1d5 #) 31... i£1e2 #. 23.e4 Ae6 24.~d2 Better is 24.ii1c5=. 24... ~h7 25.Ad4 And here, White should try 25.ii1d4+. 25 ... dxe4 26.4)g5 ~h2+ 27.\fIfl Ae4+-+ 01 (194) Lehti - Vaatainen Vantaa 1991 Sicilian Defense [B33] 1.e4 e5 2.4)f3 4)c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.4) xd4 e5 5.4)f3 4)f6 6.4)c3 Ab4 7.Ad3d58.exd54)xd59.0-04)xe3 10.bxc3 Axc311 ..§.bl ~e712..§.b3 Ab4 13.a3 Ad6 14.Ae4 4)d8 15. .§.d3 Ac7 16.a4 ~b4 17.4)xe5 Ae6 18..§.d4 ~a5 19.4)f3 0-0 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

Games When, as here, the sacrifice occurs during the middlegame, there is far more likelihood that both sides will have active pieces. White can rely upon the dark-square bishop and the actively placed Eid4, but Black also has active bishops and obviously firm control over the key f5-square. In the 'it'g6 line, the black Ae6 prevents ~g4 but White has Eid4-h4 and ~h5, driving the black king into the center where Ab2-a3 closes the net. 20.Jtxh7+ ~xh7 21.ldg5+ ~g6 In the ~gS line, Black's defense with ... Af5 or ... ~f5 is foiled by the immediate Eid4-h4 when Black can delay but not prevent mate. 21... ~gS 22. ~h5 with three possibilities: (a) 22 ... EieS 23. ~h7 + 'it'f8 when 24.Aa3+ +- eliminates any possibility of escape; (b) 22 ... Af5 23.Eih4+-. The immediate rook swing focuses the attention on h8 rather than h7; and (c) 22 ... ~f5 23.Eih4 Axh2+ 24.'it'hl +-. Once again, with a killing rook swing. 22.Eth4! The idea of a kingside pawn storm fails: 22.h4 EihS 23.g4 Eixh4. 22 .•. Etg8 On 22 ... 4Jc6 23.'iiYh5+ 'it'f6 (not 23 ... ~f5 when White mates in two moves, 24.4Je4+ [24.4Jh7+ g5 25.'iiYxg5#] 24 ... g5 25.~xg5#) The knight check centralizes the knight and forces the king into a powerful attack from the dark-square bishop: 24.4Je4+ 'it'e7 25.Aa3+ 4Jb4 26.4Jc5 (avoiding the exchange of queens and subjecting the 4Jb4 to a second attack) 26 ... 'iiYb6 27.4Jxe6 ~xe6 (27 .. .fxe6 28.Eixb4+-) 2S.Axb4+ with a crushing attack. 23. ~h5+ ~f6 White wins with careful play against 23 ... 'it'f5 24.4Jf3+ g5 (24 ... ~f6 25.Ag5+ ~f5 26.4Jd4+ ~e5 27.Ae7+ +-) 25.Axg5 +- when it's mate in five. 24.Jta3 Most accurate is 24.Eie4 g6 25.~h7 'it'e7 (25 ... EieS 26.Ab2+ +-) 26.Eixe6+ 4Jxe6

261

27.'iiYxf7+ +-. 24 .•• .Q.f5 On 24 ... 'iiYxg5 25 ..ile7++- wins the queen. 25 •.Q.b4 g6 26.4)h7+ ~e6 The other king moves are quickly mated: 26 ... ~g7 27.~h6+ ~hS 2S.4Jf6#; 26 ... ~e5 27.Eiel+ 'it'd5 28.'iiYf3++-. 27.Etel+ .Q.e5 28. ~g5 ~c7 29.Etd4 1-0 It's mate in three: 29 ... Ae4 30.Eidxe4+-. (195) Harris - Trimpi Corr 1991

French Defense [C 19] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 .Q.b4 4.e5 c5 5.a3 Jtxc3+ 6.bxc3 4)e7 7.a4 4)bc6 8.4)f3 ~a5 9.Jtd2 Jtd710.Jte2 f6 11.0-0 f xe5 12.dxe5 0-0 13..Q.d3 c4 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Ironically here, Black encourages the sacrifice with ... c5-c4. For additional assets, White pits the dark-square bishop and e5-pawn against Black's active EifS. In the ~gS line, Black can post the active rook on f5 to delay the attack, but the white pawns can trap the rook and arrange a central breakthrough on f5 and e6. 14 . .Q.xh7+ ~xh7 15.4)g5+ ~g8 In the 'it'g6Iine, White is committed to 'iiYg4 despite Black's ability with ... 4Jxe5 to capture the e5pawn and to gain time on the queen. The line after 19.'iiYxg7 is instructive. Black would be forced to give up his queen for a rook and two minor pieces,

Sacking the Citadel but the white kings ide provides White with highly favorable chances in the endgame. 15 ... <;t>g6 16.~g4 4Jxe5 17.~g3 4J5c6 (17 ... 4J7c6 IS.f4 4Jf7 19.4Jxe6+ <;t>f6 20.f5 ~xe6 2l.fxe6+ 'itlxe6 22. ~g6+ [winning the knight with interest] 22 .. .'~d7 [22 ... <;t>e5 23.El.ael # or 22 ... 'itle7 23.El.ael + 'itld7 24.El.xf7++-] 23.El.xf7++-) 18.4Jxe6+ 'itlf7 19.~xg7+ (offering the knight, which Black must accept) 19 ... <;t>xe6 (19 ... 'itleS 20.~xfS#) and now, the tough decision for White, is which rook to place on el? 20.El.fel + Best, to preserve the possibility of placing the El.al on the open b-file. (20.El.ael + 'itld6 [20 ... <;t>f5 21.~g5#] 21.~g3+ <;t>c5 22.Ae3+ [22.~e3+ <;t>d6 23.~g3+=] 22 ... d4 23.Axd4+ 4Jxd4 24.El.xe7 4Jf3+ 25.gxf3 El.gS 26.El.g7=) 20 ... <;t>d6 21.~g3+ <;t>c5 22.El.abl 4Jf5 23.El.b5+ ~xb5 24.Ae3+ 4Jxe3 25.~xe3+ 'itld6 (25 ... d4 26.cxd4+ 4Jxd4 27.axb5 El.aeS 28.~a3++-) 26.~g3+ <;t>c5 27.axb5 <;t>xb5 28.~d6 El.adS 29.h4± with, yet again, a high favorable endgame. 15 ... <;t>h6. White should delay the discovery by playing 16.~g4+- when 4Jxe6+ will come with the threat of ~xg7. 16.'~h5 Etf516 ... El.fcS17.~f7+ <;t>hS 18.El.ael (with the idea of a rook swing to h3) IS ... ~eS (but once the bishop leaves its defense of e6, the knight can eye it) 19.~fS+ 4JgS 20.4Jxe6+- . 17.tth7+ lit'fS1S.tthS+ .£lgS19.f4 .£lee7 20.g4 Etf7 21.Etae1 tte5+ 21...g6 does not prevent the breakthrough with 22.f5 gxf5 23.4Jxf7 'itlxf7 24.gxf5 4Jxf5 setting up an obvious exchange sacrifice to enable the e5pawn to run. 25.~h7+ <;t>fS (25 ... <;t>eS 26.~xgS+ <;t>e7 27.~g5#) 26.El.xf5+ exf5 27.e6+-. 22.Ae3 tteS 23.f5+Etxf5 24.gxf5 .£lxf5 25.Etxf5+ exf5 26.e6 1-0 26.e6 threatens the bishop

and opens e5 for the bishop. 26 ... Axe6 27.Ad4 <;t>e7 28.~xg7+ <;t>d6 (28. .. 'itldS 29.4Jxe6++-) 29.4Jxe6 and the rest is just another fun mating exercise: 29 ... 4Je7 30.Ac5+ <;t>c6 (30 ... 'itld7 31.~xe7+ <;t>c6 32.4Jd4#) 31.4Jd4+ <;t>xc5 32.~xe7+ <;t>b6 33.~b4+ <;t>c7 34.~c5+ <;t>bS 35.~d6+ ~c7 36.El.eS#.

262

(196) Gazi - Jurcisin Trencin 1991 French Defense [C06] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£ld2 .£lf6 4.e5 .£lfd7 5.Ad3 e5 6.e3 .£le6 7 ..£le2 ttb6 S..£lf3 f6 9.exf6 .£lxf610.0--0 Ad611.Ete1 0--0 12..£lf4 .£le413.g3 exd414.exd4 Ab415.Axe4 Axel 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

With the Ae4 en prise, the decision to initiate the sacrifice was an easy one here, but it comes nonetheless after an apparent exchange sacrifice. White can count here on two additional assets, the dark-square bishop and the 4Jf4 which powerfully assists the queen in reaching h5 in the <;t>h6 line. In the <;t>gS line, the 4Jf4 delivers the mate if the El.f8 retreats to dS. And so, once again, Black must defend with El.f5 when the knight delivers the breakthrough on e6. 16.Axh7+ lit'xh717..£lg5+ lit'gS The knight on f4 plays the same support role here as would a knight on g3. 17 ... 'itlh6 18.~h5#. lS.tth5 Etf5 The best re-

Games sistance comes from IS ... ~xf2+ but White is not obligated to accept the offer: 19.~g2 §f6 20.'l11h7+
7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

This sacrifice occurs with Black's knight on f6, a highly unusual occurrence. The

263

'l11g3 and Ab2 obviously combine for mate on g7 if the
Sacking the Citadel 22.exf6 e.p. is check with the ~f1 holding the f-pawn. 20 ... ~g6 21.~d3+ f5

(198) Weijers, F - Lutgens, WE Correspondence 1992 French Defense [C02]

(21...~h5 22.~h7+ ~g4 23.~f4+ ~g3

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 4)c6 5.4)f3 Ad7 6.Ae2 cxd4 7.cxd4 Ah4+ S.4)c3 4)ge7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Ae3 4)f511.~cl4)xe312.fxe3 ~cS 13.Ad3 ~e7 14.Ahl Axc3 15.~xc3 4)b416.~xcS ~xcS17.a3

4)c61S.h4.1le8

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White's additional assets are the secure e5-pawn the ~f1 on an open file. The notable concern for White is the absence of the dark-square bishop and the h4-pawn which prevents the usual ~g4-h4 maneuver in the ~h6 line. In the ~h6Iine, White's attack is winning but requires more precision than White offered. 19.Axh7+ ~xh7 20.4)g5+ ~h6 The toughest defense because White does not have a dark-square bishop and because the white h-pawn prevents ~g4-h4. In the ~g8Iine, Black must use time with ... ~d7 or .. :~c7 to create luft for his king on e7. The result is that White can infiltrate quickly with ~h7+ and ~xg7+, when black is powerless to prevent the promotion of the h-pawn. 20 ... ~g8 21.~h5 ~d7 (creating luft on e7) 22.~h7+ ~f8 23.h5 ~e7 24.~xg7 ~d8 25.h6+-. The ~g6line is destroyed by 21.~d3+ since 21...f5

264

24.4Je4+ dxe4 25.~xg7+ +-) 22.exf6+ ~h5 23.~h7+ ~g4 24.§.f4+ ~g3 25.~c2+-. 21.~c2 21.~g4 (with the idea of~f4) 21...g6 22.~f4 ~g7 23.h5 ~g8 (not 23 ... gxh5 opening the g-file for 24.~g3+-) 24.~h4 §.c7 25.§.f3 (the threat of a rook swing requires active defense) 25 ... 4Jxe5 (25 ... 4Jd8 26.§.h3+-) 26.dxe5 §.c1 + 27.~h2 §.c4 28.~g3 ~f8 29.4Jxe6 ~h6 30.4Jf4+-. 21. •.g6 21...f5? (now the en passant capture hits the queen) 22.exf6 Ag6, (the white queen turns into a marauder) 23.~xc6+-. 22.~f6 Not 22.~f2 ~g7 23.~f4 4Jd8 24.h5 (but Black has the time to repost the bishop on the key bl-h7 diagonal) 24 ... ~b5 25.§.f3 Ad3 26.h6+ ~h8-+ . 22 .•• ~d7 Or 22 ...~c7 23.~f2 4Jxe5 24.dxe5 ~xe5 25.g4 ~c7 -+. 23. ~f2 4)dS 24.h5 ~c1 + 24 ... ~a4 25.~f4 ~dl + 26.~f2 (26.~h2 ~xh5+) 26 ... ~xh5 when White has a remarkable rook sacrifice that nets the queen. 27.§'xg6+! ~xg6 (27 ... ~xg6 28.~f6#) 28.4Jxe6+ ~h7 29.4Jf8+ +-; 24 ... ~xg5 25.~f4+ ~xh5 26.~h2+-, aiming for '
7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Position after 26.h6+ (analysis)

Games (a) 26 ... ~fS 27.h7 ~g7 when a mate in four starts with a spectacular rook sacrifice: 2SJhg6+! fxg6 29.hS~+ ~xhS 30.~fS#; (b) 26 ... 'xh6 and the same rook sacrifice is in play: 27.§xg6+! ~xg6 (27 ... fxg6 2S.~h4+ 'g7 29.~h7+ 'fS 30.~hS+ ~e7 31.~f6#) 28.~f6+ ~h5 29.4Jh3+-; (c) 26 ... 'hS when the rook sacrifice is now on f7: 27.§xfl 4Jxfl (27 ... Axfl 28.~f6++-) 28.~f6++-; and (d) 26 ... 'it'gS 27.h7+ 'it'g7 (27 ... 'it'hS 28.§xg6 fxg6 29.~fS#) and once again, the sacrifice is on g6: 2S.§ xg6+ ~xg6 29. ~f6+ 'h5 30.hS~+ 'g4 31. ~h3 #. 26 •.. Elc7 27.h6+ White wins easily with 27.~h4+-. 27••• 'it'hS 2S.Elxe6 Missing the right sacrifice: 28.§xg6+- fxg6 29.~fS#. 2S •• :~xe6 29•.£lxe6 .£lxe6 30..~f3 Yz-Yz (199) Stisis - Burmakin Ajka 1992 Caro-Kann Defense [B 14] 1.e4 c6 2.d4 dS 3.exdS cxdS 4.c4 .£lf6 S . .£lc3 e6 6 . .£lf3 .1le7 7.cS 0-0 S ..1ld3 b6 9.b4 as 10. .£la4 .£lfd7 1l.h4 bxcS 12.bxcS Aa6 13•.1lf4 Ele8 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

We have observed that the h4-pawn can be a liability when it blocks 'l1fg4-h4.

265

But here, with the dark-square bishop, Black cannot seriously consider the 'h6 line. In the game, Black tries the 'gS line, which succeeds for White despite the possibility of ... 4Jf6 because the ~h5 attacks both h7 and f7. 14.Axh7+ 'it'xh7 lS . .£lgS+ 'it'gS Black lines involving .ilxg5 simply open the h-file with effect. 15 ... .ilxg5 16.hxg5+ ~g6 (The retreat with 16 ... ~gS leads to an interesting variant of the traditional mate in five: 17.~h5 f5 lS.g6 ~fS 19.~hS+ 'e7 20.~xg7#) 17.~h5+ 'f5 while the advance to f5 allows a mate in five: lS.g6+ 'e4 (lS ... ~xf4 19.4Jc3 with g3#; lS ... ~f619.~g5#) 19.~f3+ 'f5 20.Ae5+ 'xg6 (20 ... 'g5 21.~h5#) 21.~h5 #. In the 'g6Iine, an immediate h5 drives the black king to the f-file when White can easily mount the pressure. 15 ... 'it'g616.h5+ (or 16.~g4+-) 16 ... ~f6 (16 ... 'f5 17.g4+ 'xf4 lS.4Jh3+ ~e4 19.4Jc3#) 17.~f3 g6 lS.Ad2+ 'g7 19.~xfl++-. 16.~hS .£lf6 Black can occupy the key diagonal with 16 ... Ad3 but White forces through with the capture on f7. 17.~xf7+ 'it'hS and then on e6 18.4Jxe6+- with an attack on the queen and support for the mate on g7. The bishop capture leads to the same mate as after 15 ... Axg5: 16 ... Axg5 17.hxg5 f5 18.g6 'fS19.~hS+ ~e7 20.~xg7 #. 17.~xf7+ 'it'hS lS.hS ElfS Or lS ... AfS 19.h6+-. 19.~g6 ~eS There's no meaningful defense in 19 ... Ad3 20.~xd3 ~eS 21.h6 g6 22.4Jb6 +- . 20..£l xe6 ~xg6 21.hxg6+ 'it'gS 22..£lxfS .£lc6 22 ... .ilxfSloses to 23.4Jb6 §a7 24 ..ilxbS+-. 23 . .£le6 .£lb4 24.()....6....() .£ld3+ 2S.'it'c2 .£lxf2 26..£lc7 Ela7 27..£l xa6 Elxa6 28.Elbl .£lxh129.Elb8+ AfS 30..£lb61-0

Sacking the Citadel (200) Kasparov - Fritz 2 Computer Cologne 1992 Caro-Kann Defense [B 15] l.e4 c6 2.~c3 e6 3.d4 d5 4.e5 ~d7 5.f4 Ab4 6.~f3 ~e7 7.a3 Axc3+ 8.bxc3 0--0 9.Ad3 b6

the usual knight sacrifice) 17.~h7+ 'ittxg5 (it's mate in six) IB.h4+ 'ittg4 19.~xg7+ 'it'f5 (19 ... 'itth5 20.~g5#) 20.~g5+ 'it'e4 21.0-0 1.ta6 22.1:':lxf4+ 1:':lxf4 23.~xf4#. 16... 13xf417.~xf4 ~g618.~f7++- \tIh719.~g3~h4 20.~xh4+ ~xh4

21.0-0 ~f5 Aa6 23.13xf5 exf5 24.e6 Ae2 25.13el Ah5 26.e7 Ae8 27.~ xf5 g6 28.~d6 \tIg7 29.h4 \t'f6 30.g4 13b8 31.\tIf2 a5 32.\tIg3 a4 33.g5+ \tIg7 34.h5 gxh5 35.\tIh4 b5 36.~xe8+ 13xe8 37.\tIxh5 \tIf7 38.\tIg4 13xe7 39.13xe7+ \tIxe7 40.\tIf5 \tIf7 41.\tIe5 \tIg6 42.\tId6 \tIxg5 43.\tIxc6 \tIf4 44.\tIxd5 \tIf5 45.\tIc6 \tIf4 46.d5 \tIe31-O 22.~d6

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It is refreshing to see a human, albeit

the world champion, use the sacrifice to defeat a strong computer. For Kasparov, the white position involves two additional assets, the secure e5pawn and the dark-square bishop. In the 'it'g6 line, as played by the computer, Kasparov won convincingly by steering the position into a won endgame, but he misses a prettier and quicker win, a mate in nine according to Fritz 12, with 16.~h4!. 10.Axh7+ \tIxh711.~g5+ \tIg6 In the 'ittgBline, with the black knights on d7 and e7, the capture on f7 and 4::lxe6 ends the game quickly. 11...'ittgB 12.~h5 1:':leB 13.~xf7+ 'it'hB14.4::lxe6+-. In the 'itth6 line, ~g4 and then f5 activates the darksquare bishop. 11...'itth6 12.~g4 1:':lhB 13.f5+-. 12.~g4 Also winning is 12.~d3+ 4::lf5 (12 ... f5 13.~g3 ~eB 14.4::lxe6+ 'it'f715.4::lxg7 1:':lgB16.4::lxeB 1:':lxg3 17.4::ld6++-) 13.g4 f6 14.4::lxe6+-. 12 ..• ~xe5 l3.fxe5 f5 14.~g3 f415.~g4 \tIh616.Axf4 Most accurate is 16.~h4+! 'it'g6 (with

266

(201) Fiorito - Lida Garcia Buenos Aires 1992 Sicilian Defense [B82] l.e4 c5 2.~c3 e6 3.~f3 a6 4.d4 cxd4 5.~xd4 ~c7 6.f4 d6 7.Ad3 ~f6 8.~f3 ~c6 9.0-0 b5 10.\tIhl Ae7 11. ~el 0-0 12.a3 13e8 l3.e5 ~d714.~g3 ~c515.f5 dxe516.f6 Axf617.j},g5 AdS 18.AxdS ~xdS

abcdefgh

White can rely upon two additional assets, the 1:':lf1 and the 4::lc3, btlt White is already down a pawn at the time of the sacrifice, Black's king rook has already

Games vacated f7, while the 4Jd8 and Yffc7 are both defending f7. Black defended correctly with 'it>g8, when White, playing aggressively, triumphs with help from Black. The key line with 23.i£1h8+ once again involves an endgame in which White has a persistent edge thanks to the passed kingside pawns. 19.j},xh7+ ~xh7 20.4)g5+ ~g8 In the 'it'h6Iine, White quickly forces the black king to capture the 4Jg5 when the activity of the Elfl-f3 eases the finish. 20". 'it'h6 21.Yffh4+ 'it'g6 22.i£1h7+ 'it'xg5 23.h4+ 'it'g4 24.Yffxg7+ 'it'xh4 25.Elf3+-. With the white queen already on the g-file, 'it'g6 steps into a nasty discovered check and mate. 20".'it'g6 21.4Jxe6+ 'it'h6 22.Yffxg7+ 'it'h5 23.Yffg5#. 21.'~h4 f5 21...f6 invites a rook sacrifice on f6 22.i£1h7+ 'it'fB 23.Elxf6++-. 22. 'lth7+ ~f8 23.E!xf5+ Opening the d5-square for the knight fork. Somewhat less forcing is 23.i£1h8+ 'it'e7 24.i£1xg7+ 'it'd6 25.Elad1 + 'It'c6 when the black king reaches the queenside: 26.i£1g6 Elf8 27.4Jd5 i£1b7 28.Yffh6 Elg8 29.i£1f6 4Jd7 30.4Je7+ 'it'b6 31.'lii'h6 Elxg5 32.Yffxg5 i£1c7 33.Elxf5 ~b7 (33".exf5 34.4Jd5+) 34.Elf2 but White, with the connected kingside passers, once again has a highly favorable endgame. 23 ...exf5 24.'lth8+ 24.4Jd5 Yfff7! and Black emerges with a rook and two pieces for the queen: 25.4Jxf7 4Jxf7 26.4Jc7 Ele6 27.4Jxe6+ (27.4Jxa8 Elh6) 27 ... ~xe6:j:. 24••• ~e7 25.4)d5+ ~d6 Correctly avoiding 25 ... 'lt'd7 26.'lii'xg7+ +-. 26.'ltxe8 ~xd5 27.E!d1 + ~c4 28.E!xd8 Ad7? Necessary was 28 ... b4! 29.a4 b3+.29.'ltf7+! 4)e6 Or 29 ... 'lt'd4 30.4Je6+ 4Jxe6 31.Elxd7+ +- . 30.E!xd7 1-0

267

(202) Al Modiahki- Handoko Doha 1992 Petroff Defense 1.e4 e5 2.4)f3 4)f6 3.4) xe5 d6 4.4)f3 4)xe4 5.d4 d5 6.Ad3 j},d6 7.0-0 0-0 8.c4 c6 9.cxd5 cxd5 10.4)c3 4) xc3 1l.bxc3 Ag4 12.E!b1 b6 13.E!b5 AC714.h3 a615.hxg4 axb5

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The sacrifice is problematic when the initiator has only one additional asset, in this case the dark-square bishop. In the 'It'g8 line, the g4-pawn prevents the white queen from reaching h5, forcing White to try i£1d3. The result is that the white queen must enter the kings ide on h7, giving the black king an opportunity to run to and hide on b7. 16.Axh7+ ~xh717.4)g5+ ~g8 The 'It'g6 line turns the g4-pawn into the second asset, and White wins quickly with i£1d3+. 17 ... 'lt'g6 18.i£1d3+ f5 19.Ele1 +- with the unstoppable threat of Ele6+. If instead Black tries to run with 18".'ittf6 19.i£1f5+ 'It'e7 20.Ele1 + 'It'd6 White can continue with the impressive 21.Ele6+! 'It'd7 (not 21...fxe6 22.i£1xe6#) 22.Elf6+ 'It'e8 (22".'itte7 23.Elxf7+ Elxf7 24.i£1xf7+ 'it'd6 25.'lii'e6#) 23.Elxf7 +-. 18.'ltd3 E!e8 18".g6 White simply swings the queen: 19.Yffh3 +- when ". i£1xg5 will be needed

Sacking the Citadel to prevent mate. 19. ~h7+
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 Ab4 4.a3 Axc3+ 5.bxc3 dxe4 6.f3 c5 7.labl 4)c68.Ab5 Ad79.~e2 ~a510.fxe4 ~xc3+ 1l.Ad2 ~xd412.4)f3 ~d6 13.0--0 4)ge714.Ac3 0--0 15.e5 ~c7 16.Ad3 4)f517.g4 4)fe7

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Once again, a well played correspondence game. White's e5-pawn is supported by the dark-square bishop on c3, both rooks are active, and even the g-pawn provides an assist against f7f5 or 4Jf5 and by supporting ~h7-h5. In the game, Black entered the 'it'g81ine,

268

where White's accurate play with 23.e6 is instructive. 18.Axh7+
Games to f7, or with 'ii¥h3. 22.~xf5 exf5 23.'ii¥h3+-. 21.gxf5 exf5 22.~h3 ~feS 23.e6 23.'ii¥h7+ ~fS 24.e6 transposing to the game. 23 .•• j},xe6 24.~h7+ CitlfS 25.j},xg7+ Citle7 26.4) xe61-0 The capture of the knight exposes the king to devastating checks: 26 ... ~xe6 (not 26 .. .fxe6 27.~e5++-) 27.~bd1 (with the idea of 'ii¥xf5) 27 ... 4Jd4 2S.~xd4 cxd4 (2S ... ~gS+ 29 ..ilg7) 29.'ii¥xf5+ ~e7 30.'ii¥xf7+ ~dS31.~xd4++-.

(204) Staflin - Ahlander Stockholm 1993 Trompowsky Attack [DOO] 1.d4 d5 2.j},g5 4)f6 3.j},xf6 exf6 4.e3 j},d6 5.c4 dxc4 6.j},xc4 0-0 7.4)c3 c6 S.4)ge2 4)d7 9.0-0 f5 10.~c2 4)f611.~fdl j},e612.~b3 j},xc413.~xc4 8

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Black prepares the sacrifice here by exchanging on c4, bringing the white queen to c5 where it will be vulnerable to discoveries by the 4Jg4. The black rooks reach the semi-open e-file to assist, but when the sac occurs, Black can point to only two single potential additional assets, bringing up a rook and the advance of the f-pawn. The attack succeeds but indeed, the lines are tougher than usual. In the game, White

269

decides correctly on the ~g3Iine, where Black is aided by the fact that the queen cannot be dislodged from the g-file, giving Black the time required to bring up the rooks. Note also the importance of the weakness of the white e3-pawn after White plays f4. 13 •.• Axh2+ 14.Citlxh2 4)g4+ 15.Citlg3 In the ~gl line, the placement of the unanchored white queen permits the attractive 17 ... 'ii¥x4Jg3. 15.~gl 'ii¥h4 16.4Jg3 (16.~f1 'ii¥xf2# or 16.g3 'ii¥h2+ 17.~f1 'ii¥xf2 #) 16 ... 'ii¥h2+ 17.~f1 'ii¥xg3! lS.fxg3 4Jxe3+ -+. 15.~h3 'ii¥d6 (15 ...'ii¥g5 is less accurate because, after 16.f4, Black would need to move the queen rather than bringing a rook to the e-file ) (a) 16.f4 ~ aeS (demonstrating the advantage of playing ... 'ii¥d6 rather than ... 'ii¥g5. Black threatens ... 'ii¥h6, ...'ii¥g6, and ... ~xe3) 17.e4 (17.~d3 'ii¥h6+ lS.~g3 g5 19.fxg5 'ii¥xg5 20.~f3 (20.~h3 ~xe3+ 21.~xe3 4Jxe3-+; 20 ... ~xe3+ 21.~xe3 'ii¥xe3#) 17 ... 'ii¥g6 lS.4Jg1 'ii¥h5+ 19.~g3 'ii¥h2+ 20.~f3 fxe4+ 21.~xg4 (21.4Jxe4 'ii¥h5 -+ ) 21...h5+ (this time, it's a white king forced out into a mating net) 22.~g5 (22.~f5 'ii¥g3-+) 22 ...'ii¥g3+ 23.~xh5 (23.~f5 'ii¥g4#) 23 ... g6+ 24.~h6 'ii¥xf4 # ; (b) 16.g3 'ii¥h6+ (the weakness on f2 is telling) 17.~g2 'ii¥h2+ with lS ... 'ii¥xf2#; and (c) 16.4Jf4 g5-+ or 16 ... 4Jxf2. 15 .•• ~g5 16.f4 ~g6 17.Citlf3 White can seek safety for the queen, 17.'ii¥b3 4Jxe3+ 18.~f2 §feS, but Black will now have time to augment the pressure on the e-file: 19.93 ~e7 20.~h1 ~aeS 21.~ae1 c5 (opening the a8-h 1 diagonal for the queen) 22.~gl (22.dxc5 'ii¥c6-+) 22 ... cxd4 23.4Jb5 ~e4-+. 17..• ~h5 lS.4)g3 On 18.~g3 Black infiltrates patiently with lS ... 4Jxe3 19.'ii¥d3 ~aeS 20.~f2 'ii¥h4+ 21.g3 'ii¥h2+ 22.~e1 ~e6-+.

Sacking the Citadel 1S•• .Iile5+ 19.Cit'f2 ~xd120.~xd1 ~ xc4 -+ 21.~ xf5 §.adS 22.g4 §.fe8 23.Cit'f3 g6 24.~h6+ Cit'g7 25.g5 f5 26.§.c1 ~d2+ 27.Cit'f2 §.d5 2S.§.c2 ~e4+ 29.Cit'f3 §.e7 30.b3 §.a5 31.b4 §.b5 32.a3 a5 33.§.a2 §.eS 34.~b2 §.as 35.bxa5 ~c3 0-1 (205) Simon - Recktenwald Fischbach 1993 Sicilian Defense [B47] 1.e4 c5 2.~f3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.~xd4 a6 5.~c3 ~c7 6.f4 ~c6 7.~f3 Ac5 S.e5 d5 9.~a4 ~a5+ 10.c3 Aa7

11.b4 ~c7

12.~b2 ~ge713.j},d3

Ad714.a3 §.dS15.~e2 0-0 8

7

6

5 4

11. ....

<-,..... .

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This position demonstrates that Vukovi6's hypothesis regarding the need for at least two additional assets does have its limitations. White can point to a secure eS-pawn, the darksquare bishop, the '§'hl-fl, and even the possibility of the <£Ib2-d3-f4. But Black's activity matters. Here, Black can point to two active knights, pressure from the <£Ic6 and 'itic7 on the eS-pawn, and the very active Aa7. And the fact is that the <£Ib2, the Ael, and the king's rook are inactive. In the game, Black may even be better in the ~g6line. White's only hope there is an immediate fS, when <£Id3 guards the eS-pawn again and

270

threatens <£If4. Black overreacts to the threat missing the opportunity to give back the material with ... <£IxeS. 16.j},xh7+ Cit'xh7 17.~g5+ Cit'g6 In the'it>gB line, White can only draw because, with the <£Ie7, it matters that the f4-pawn is blocking the bishop's access to g5. 17... 'it>gB1B.'itihS .§.feB19.'itixf7+ (with the dark-square bishop unavailable to the attack, White cannot make significant progress after 19.'itih7+ 'it'fB 20.'itihB+ <£1gB 21.<£Ih7+ 'it'e7 22.'itixg7 [22.fS? 'itixeS+ -+ ] 22 ... <£IxeS 23.'itixeS [23.fxeS 'itixc3+ 24.Ad2 Af2+ 2S.'it'xf2 'itixd2+ 26.~g3 ~c6:j:] 23 ... .§.cB 24.Ad2 f6+) 19 ... 'it'hB 20.'itihS+ 'it'gB 21.'itif7+=. 17 ... ~h6 (the dark-square

bishop is buried here, but the white queen has effective access to the h-file) 1B.'itid3 .§.hB (the rook is anchored, but the rook move leaves f7 undefended; on 1B ... g6 19.'itih3+ ~g7 20.'itih7# or 1B ... <£IfS/1B .. .fS allow 19.'itih3+ 'it'g6 20.'itih7 #) 19.<£Ixf7+ ~hS 20.'itig3+-. 1S.f5+ 1B.fS is far superior to the alternatives: (a) 1B.'itig4? <£IxeS 19.fxe5 'itixeS+ -+ sealing out White's darksquare bishop; (b) 1B.h4? fS 19.hS+ ~h6-+ when the black king is fully safe; and (c) 1B.'itid3+? <£IfS 19.94 <£Ice7 20.'itih3 .§.hB-+ when the anchored rook prevents progress. 1S..• ~ xf5 Not 1B ... exfS? When White activates the <£Ib2-d3-f4. 19.<£Id3 <£IxeS 20.<£If4+ ~xgS (avoiding 20 ... 'it'f6 21.<£Ih7# and 20 ... 'it'h621.'itihS#)21.<£IxdS++- (the unusual discovered check wins the queen). 19.~d3 j},e3? Unnecessary panic. Black is fine, and perhaps winning, after 19 ... <£IxeS! 20.<£IxeS+ 'it'f6 (aiming for relative safety on e7) 21.c4 Ad4 with more interest in the <£Id4 than the rook (not 21...'itixeS? 22.'iJh7++-) 22.Af4 llc3+ (too greedy is 22 ... ~xa1 23.<£Ig4+ 'it'g6 [23 ... 'it'e7 24.11xc7 +- ]

Games 24.Jlxc7 +-) 23. ~tf1 ~e7 24.4Jgf3 (24.4Jg6+ fxg6 25.Jlxc7 4Jg3+ 26.~gl 4Jxe2 #) but now, Black gains enough for the queen. 24 ... Jlxa1 25 ..£lg6+ fxg6 26.Jlxc7 .§.cB-+. 20 . .Q.xe3 .£Jxe3 21. ~xe3 f6 22•.£Jf4+ ~f5 Once again, the knight is poison: 22 ... ~xg5 23.itYg3+ ~f5 (23 ... ~h6 24.'li¥g6#) and it's mate in five with 24 ..£lg6 .£lxe5 25.~ 0+ .£lf3+ 26 ..§.xf3++-. No better is 22 ... ~h6 23.itYh3+ ~xg5 24.'li¥h5+ ~xf4 25 ..§.f1 + ~e3 26.itYe2#. 23.g4+ The fastest path is 23.'li¥d3+ g4 (23 ... xf4 24.itYg3+ ~f5 25.0--0+ g6 26 ..£lxe6+ +- ) 24 ..£le4 +- with mate in four. 23 ... ~xg4 Obviously not 23 ... ~xg5 24 ..£lxe6++-. 24.~f3+ ~xg5 And not 24 ... ~f5 25 ..£lxd5+ +-. 25. ~h5+ Missing a mate in two: 25 ..§.gl + ~h6 (25 ... h4 26.itYf2# or 25 ... ~f5 26 . .£ld3#) 26.'li¥h5#. 25 ... ~xf4 26.0-0+ ~e3 27.~f3+ ~d2 28.E!.a2 "" 1-0 (206) Podzielny - Freese Correspondence 1993 Queen's Gambit Accepted [D24] l.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3 ..£Jf3 .£Jf6 4 •.£Jc3 e6 5.e3.Q.b4 6 ..Q.xc4 0-0 7.0-0 c6 8.~e2 .£Jbd7 9.e4 .£Jb6 10..Q.d3 ~c711.e5 .£Jfd5 8 7

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271

White has driven the knight off f6 and Black is not well poised to retake f6 or to give back a piece on e5. White has the secure e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and also the 4Jc3-e4, while Black can point only to the itYcTs defense of the f7-square. In the game, Black tries ~g6 when White can choose between three winning options. 12•.Q.xh7+ ~xh713 ..£Jg5+ ~g6 In the ~gB line, with the black queen guarding fl, White's win comes from .£le4-f6 rather than 'li¥h 7 +. 13 ... ~gB 14.itYh5 .§.eB 15 ..£lce4 (15.'li¥h7+ ~fB 16 ..£lge4 ~e7 17.a3 Jlxc3 1B.Jlg5+ ~d7 [lB .. .f6 19 ..£lxf6+-] 19 ..£lc5#) 15 ... .£lc416.'li¥h7+ ~f817.itYhB+ ~e7 1B.'li¥xg7 ~d7 (18. .. .§.f819.a3) 19 ..£lxf7 .§.e7 20 ..£lf6+ 4Jxf6 21.exf6+-. 14. ~e4+ There are other paths to the win. 14.itYg4 f5 15.'li¥h4 transposes to the game, or 15.'li¥g3 'li¥d7 16.itYh4+or even 14.'li¥d3+ f5 15.'li¥h3. 14...f5 And of course, the king retreats meet mate. 14 ... ~h5 15.'li¥h7+ ~g4 16.f3# or 16.h3# or 16.itYh3# and 14 ... ~h6. 15.'li¥h7#.15.~h4 ThreateningitYh7# and taking advantage of the black rook's inability to fight for the h-file. Less convincing is 15.exf6+?! ~xf6 (obviously not 15 ... ~h5 16.itYh7+ ~g4 17.f3 #) 16.itYh4 ~e7 17.4Jh7+ ~eB 1B ..£lxfB ~xf8 19.'li¥hB+ ~f7 20.4Je4 Jle7 2Ulg5=. 15... .£Jf616.exf6 gxf6 The verdict is the same if Black captures first on c3. 16... Jlxc3 17.bxc3 gxf6 1B ..£lxe6 Jlxe6 19. 'li¥h6+ ~f7 20.'li¥h7+ +-. And not 16 ... Jld6 17.g4 fxg4 1B.fxg7 itYxg7 19.'li¥xg4+- (a knight to e4 is next). 17..£J xe6 ~h7 On 17 ... Jlxe6 the black queen falls: 1B.'li¥h6+ ~f7 19.'li¥h7+ +-. 18..£Jxf8+ .Q.xf819.~xh7+ ~xh7 20.E!.el +.Q.d7 21..Q.f4 .£Jc4 22.b3 .£Jb2 23.E!.e3 ~g6 24.E!.bl.Q.a3 25.E!.g3+

Sacking the Citadel r:l/f7 26.Jlc1 EleS 27.Ele3 ElgS 2S.Jlxb2 f4 29.Jlxa3 fxe3 30.fxe3 Jlf5 31.e4 Jlh3 32.g31-0 (207) McMahon - Deery Correspondence 1993 Caro-Kann Defense [D47] 1.c4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4.e3 ~bd7 5.~f3 e6 6.Jld3 dxc4 7.Jlxc4 j'tb4 S.O--O 0--0 9.Ad2 ~b610.Jld3 j'td711.e4 'lP/c7? 12.e5 ~fd5 8

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A position that is nearly identical to the last game, save the addition of a move pair, Ad2 and Ad7, and more importantly the white queen on dl rather than e2. As is clear, the additional moves do not alter the conclusion in the 'ittg61ine, although the black rooks now communicate, permitting Black to defend successfully with E!.hB. Indeed, with just a small change, the white queen no longer has immediate access to d3 or e4. The most efficient win now is 15.h4 although 15.'lfrg4 as played in the game is sufficient. 13.j'txh7+ r:l/xh7 14.~g5+ r:l/g6 In the 'ittgBline, White wins with either a rook swing after f4 or with .£1e4-f6. 14 .. .'it'gB 15. 'lfrh5 E!.feB 16 ..£1ce4+- (16.'t1i'xf7+ ~hBI7.f4+-). 15.'lP/g4 The most efficient path is 15.h4! threatening h5+ 15 ... E!.hB (on 15 ... f6 16.h5+ 'itth6 [not 16 ... 'ittf5

17.g4*] 17.'t1i'c2 f5 IB ..£1xe6++-) 16.'t1i'c2+ (even more accurate than the immediate discovery) 16.. .f5 The king retreats are suicide: 17.exf6+ 'xf6 (17 ... 'itth5 IB.g4+ ~xh4 [IB ... 'xg4 19.'lfrg6+-] 19.'lfre4+-) IBAJce4+ 'itte7 (IB ... ~g6 19.h5+ 'xh5 [19 ... E!.xh5 20 ..£1g3+ +- ] 20 ..£1g3+ ~g4 21.'t1i'dl++-) 19.Axb4+ .£1xb4 20. 't1i'c5+ +- showing offthe versatility of the queen on c2. Also winning is the immediate 15.'lfrc2+ f5 16.exf6+ ~xf6 17 ..£1ce4+ 'g6 IB.h5+ +(Nimzowitsch). 15 .•• f5 15 ... f6 16 ..£1xe6+ walking into a self-pin 16... 'ittf7 which White breaks with a thematic knight sacrifice on e6. 17. 't1i'xg7 +! 'xe6 IB.exf6 (opening the e-file for the rooks) IB ... .£1xc3 19.E!.fel+ 'd6 20.'t1i'g3++- when White can win the black queen or pursue Fritz 12's mate in 10. 16.'lP/g3 'lP/cSI6 .. .f4 17.Axf4 't1i'cB (retreating outside the reach ofthe discoveries) 18..£1xe6+ 'ittf719.'t1i'xg7+ (offering a second piece) 19 ... 'xe6 20.'lfrg6+ .§.f6 (the king dare not retreat to e7 allowing White's dark-square bishop to develop actively) 21.exf6 .£1xf4 22.E!.fel+ ~d6 23.'lfrg3+-. 17.~ xe6+ r:l/f7 IS. 'lP/xg7+! r:l/xe6 19. 'lP/g6+ ~f6 20.exf6 j'txc3 21.Elfe1 + r:l/d5 22.Ele5+ r:l/d6 23.bxc3 Better is 23.'t1i'g3! E!.xf6 24.E!.xf5+ with a crushing attack: 24 ... 'itte7 25.'t1i'g7+ ~e6 26.'t1i'xf6*. 23 ••• ElgS 24.'lP/f7 Or 24.'t1i'h5 .£1c4 25.Af4 .£1xe5 26.~xe5+ ~e6 27.E!.el+-. 24 ••. 'lP/fS 25.'lP/b3 r:l/c7 26.Af4 r:l/cS 27.f7 White also breaks through with 27.E!.ael E!.g4 2B.f7 E!.xf4 29.E!.eB+ 'ittc7 30.E!.xfB E!.xfB 31.d5 +-. 27 ••• Elg7 2S.Jlh6 2B.E!.a5+-, threatening 't1i'xb6. 2S •.. 'lP/xf7 ~9.Axg7 'lP/xg7 30.Elael r:l/c7 31.a4 ElgS 32.g3 ~cS 33.f4 ElhS 34.c4 'lP/g4 35.c5

272

Games !!g8 36.a5 !!g7 37.!!bl ~xf4 38. ~xb7+ ~d8 39. ~b2 ~g4 4O.a6 f441.!!f1 !!g8 42. ~d2? Overlooking 42.1'!e4+-. 42 ••. fxg3 43.h3 ~xh3 44. ~g2 ~h6 45.!!f3 Jth3 46. ~c2 Jtft 47.!!ee3 !!h8-+ 48.~xfl ~hl + 49.~e2 !!h2+ 50.~d3 !!xc2 51.!!f8+ ~d7? 52.!!f7+ ~d8 53.!!f8+ ~7 54.~xc2 ~h2+ 55.~b3 g2 56.!!f7+ ~b8 57.~c4 gl~ 58.!!b7+ ~a8 59.!!d3 ~c2+ 0-1 (208) Kuper - Urbanczyk Gennany 1993 French Defense [C 19] l.e4e6 2.d4d5 3.4)c3 Ab44.e5c5 5.a3 Jtxc3+ 6.bxc3 4)e7 7.a4 ~a5 8.Jtd2 4)bc69.Jtd3 Jtd710.4)f30--0

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White has the most common pair of additional assets, the secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop. Black's position is notable for the liJe7 and the ~a5, which generates pressure on c3 and opens the d8 escape square for the king. In the 'it'g6 line, White takes advantage of the 1'!hl to continue with h4-h5. 1l.Jtxh7+ ~xh7 11...'i!thS 12.liJg5 (much better than retreating the bishop) And now, 12 ... g6 13.~f3 with theideaof~h3.13 ... liJf514.~xg6'i!tg7 15.~xf5 1-0 Haddad-Moosavi, Iran 1997. Or 12 ... liJgS 13.~xgS 'i!txgS 14.~h51'!feS 15.i£th7+ 'it'f8 (it appears

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that the black king may be able to reach safety on e7) 16.liJe4! (opening lines for the dark-square bishop) 16 ... dxe4 (16 ... 'i!te7 17.~g5+ f6 [17 ... 'i!tfS IS.i£thS#] IS.~xf6+ 'it'f7 19.i£txg7 #) 17.i£thS+ 'i!te7 IS.Ag5+ f6 19.Axf6+ gxf6 (19 ... 'i!tf7 20.i*xg7#) 20.i*xf6#. 12.4)g5+ ~g6 In the 'it'gSline, White correctly captures on h7 and inserts a c-pawn push before Ag5 in order to limit Black's counterplay. 12 ... 'i!tgS 13.i£th5 1'!feS 14.i£th7+ ~fS 15.c4 (15.i£thS+ liJgSI6.liJh7+ ~e717.Ag5+? f6 IS.i£txg7+ 'it'dS 19.Axf6+ liJxf6 20.i£txf6+ 'it'c7-+) 15 ... liJb416.i£thS+ liJgSI7.liJh7+ 'it'e71S.~g5+ f619.liJxf6 liJxc2+ 20.'it'f1 liJe3+ 21.'i!tgl liJf5 22.liJxeS+ 'i!tf7 (22 ... 'i!txeS 23.i£txgS #) 23.liJxg7 liJxg7 24.Af6 liJxf6 25.i£txaS+-. 13.h4 13.i*g4? f6 (forcing the knight to move before White can bring up reinforcements) 14.c4 ~b6 (Black is happy to invite the queen to g7 after liJxe6, accepting the self-pin on the knight) 15.liJe4+ ~f7 16.exf6 dxe4 17.i£txg7+ 'i!teS IS.Ah6 i£tb4+ 19.'i!tdl1'!xf6 20.i*hS+ liJgS 21.i*xgS+ 'i!te7 22.~g7+ (it's too dangerous to capture the rook because of 22 ... i*b2) 22 ... 1'!f7 23.Ag5+ ~eS 24.i*gS+ 1'!fS 25.i£tg6+ 1'!f7=. 13 .•• f6 (a) 13 ... f5 14.h5+ 'it'h6 15.c4 (White ought not rush the discovery) 15 ... i£ta6 (not 15 ... i£tb6 16.1'!bl +-) 16.liJxe6+ f4 (16 ... 'i!th7 17.h6 g6 IS.liJxc5 +-) 17.liJxc5 (showing off the knight's reach) 17 ... i*xc41S.liJxd7liJxd419.c3 liJb3 20.liJxfS1'!xfS 21.1'!a21'!f5 22.i*e2 liJxd2 23.1'!xd2 i£txc3 24.1'!h3 i£tc1 + 25.1'!dl i*c7 26.'i!tf11'!xe5 27.i£tb2±. (b) 13 ... 1'!hSI4.i£tg4 (we have seen, the queen move to g4 is often stronger after h4. Efforts to dislodge the queen now meet with h5+) 14 ... liJf5 (14 .. .f5 15.h5+ ~h616.liJxe6+ +- and 14 .. .f6

Sacking the Citadel 15.h5+ 'it'h6 16Ajxe6+ +-) 15.h5+ 'it'h6 (15 ... fixh5 16.~xh5#) 16.4Je4+ (aiming at f6 once the king retreats to g8) 16 ... ~h7 17.h6 ~gS (17 ... g6 lS.4Jf6#) lS.4Jf6+ 'it'f8 19.hxg7+ +-. 14.h5+ White can also play 14.c4 4Jb4 15.h5+ ~h6 (15 ... 'it'f5 16.~f3#) 16.4Je4+ 'it'h7 (16 ... g5 17.hxg6+ 'it'g7 [17 ... 'it'xg618.~g4++-] 18.~h5 fihS 19 ..~.h6+ 'it'gS 20.4Jxf6#) 17.4Jxc5 ~cS lS.h6+-. 14••• ~h615.~xe6+ ~h7 16.c4 ~a617.~xc5 ~xc418.~xd7 E!fd8 More aggressive play with lS".4Jxd4 is easily repulsed by 19.c3 4Jb3 20.~b1 + 'it'hS 21.h6+-. 19.h6 ~xd4 20.hxg7+ ~xg7 Not 20".'it'gS 21.~h5+-. 21.exf6+ White can end the game more quickly with a rook sacrifice: 21.fih7+ 'it'xh7 22.~h5+ ~g7 23.~h6+ +-. 21 ... ~f7 22.c3 Easier is 22.fih7+ ~e6 with a nice knight sac to remove the queen from the defense. 23.4Jc5+ ~xc5 24.fxe7 figS 25.~e2+ 4Je5 26.fih6+ +- . 22 ••• ~e4+ 23. ~f1 ~g6 On 23,. .fihS, 24.~h6 +- . 24.E!h7+ ~e8 25.f7+ ~xd7 25".'it'e7 allows mate in two: 26.fS~+ ~e6 27.~f6#. 26.f8~+ ~c8 27.~f7

~ge7 28. ~e2 ~c2

29. ~ee6+ 1-0

(209) Kopec - Desforges Quebec 1993 Torre Attack [D03] l.d4 ~f6 2.~f3 e6 3.Jl.g5 d5 4.e3 -'1,e7 5.~bd2 0-0 6 ..1ld3 b6 7.~e2 -'1,b7 8 ..1lxf6 -'1,xf6 9.0--0--0 ~c6 10.c3 ~e711.h4e512.dxe5 ~xe5 (D) Black's development seems well equipped to defeat the sacrifice here. Black has control over e5 and the center, but Black cannot reach f6 with a knight or easily control the key b1-h7 diagonal. White's additional assets in-

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elude the 4Jd2, which can enter the position only via f3, and the h-pawn and fih1 which enters the fray only after a capture on g5. In the dangerous ~g6 line, the key to the white attack is the immediate advance of the f-pawn, which requires Black to return the 4Je5 or face ~d3 and a pretty checkmate. Even with the return of the piece, the position morphs into a very attractive key hunt. 13..1lxh7+ ~xh714.~g5+ ~g6 In the ~gSline, Black can survive by sacrificing the 4Je5 for White's g6-pawn. 14".~gS 15.~h5 ~xg5 16.hxg5 f6 17.g6 4Jxg6 lS.~xg6 ~eS 19.~f5 ±. Without a dark-square bishop or a knight that can reach f4, White must try a kingside pawn storm in the ~h6 line. 14".'it'h615.f4 4Jd716.4Jdf3 fihS 17.g4 fiaeS lS.fidg1 4Jc5 19.4Jxt7+ ~xt7 (giving up the knight to enable the rolling of the pawns) 20.g5+ ~h7 21.g6+ ~xg6 (for the queen, Black gains a rook and two pieces) 22.fixg6 'it'xg6 23.4Je5+ ~xe5 24.fig1 + ~t7 25.fxe5 'it'gS 26.b4 4Je6 27.~g4 fih6 +. 15.f4 E!h8 Saving the knight. 15.,,4Jd7 opens the unopposed bl-h7 diagonal for the queen. 16.~d3+ ~h6 (16 ... ~h5 17.g4+ 'it'xg4 lS.fidg1 + 'it'h5 19.~h7#) 17.~h7#; 15".~xg5 16.hxg5 fihS 17 .fxe5 ~xe5 lS.4Jf3 ~e4 19.fidfl +- and the king is fatally

Games exposed. 16.fxe5 Axg5 The toughest defense is 16 ... itxe5 17. 'l>¥d3+ 'it'h6 (17 ... f5 IS:4::ldf3 §afS 19.94 'it'h6 20.gxf5 ~f6 21.§dgl d4 22.e4 itf4+ 23.'it'bl +- with 4::le6 and §g6 to follow) 18.~f5 itf6 (IS ... §afS 19.4::ldf3 Jlf6 20.~f4+-) 19.'l>¥f4 itxg5 20.hxg5+ 'it'g6 21.4::lf3 f6 22.gxf6 gxf6 (22 ... ~xf6 23.4::le5++-) 23.§dfl ~d6 24.~g4+ 'it'f7 25.4::lg5+ 'it'e7 26.§xhS §xhS 27.4::le4+- threatening both the queen and 'l>¥g7+. 17.~d3+1 f5 Even without the 4::lg5, the king retreats are quickly punished. 17 ... 'it'h5 18. ~f5 +and 17 ... 'it'h6 IS.hxg5+ 'it'xg5 19.4::lf3+ 'it'g4 20.§dfl +-. IS.exf6+ Ii!txf6 19.E!.hfl + li!te6 20. ~f5+ Ii!td6 21.~c4+ Ii!tc5 21...'it'c6 walks into 22.'l>¥xd5#. 22.b4+ Ii!tb5 Black must tread carefully into this king hunt: 22 ... 'it'xc4 23.~d3# and 22 ... 'it'c6 23.~xd5#. 23.~a3+ li!ta4 1-0 The hunt is over. It's mate in two: 23 ... 'it'a4 24.~c2+ 'it'xa3 25.~b3# or 23 ... 'it'a6 24.~d3+ b5 25.~xb5# or 23 ... 'it'c6 24.~xd5#.

(210) Kasparov - Short London rapid 1993 Queen's Gambit Accepted [D46] 1.l~)f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.d4 ~f6 4.~c3 dxc4 5. ~a4+ ~ bd7 6.e4 a6 7.Axc4 c6 S. ~dl Ae7 9.0-0 0-0 10.a4 b6 1l.Ad3 Ab712.e5 ~d513.~xd5 cxd5 14.Ad2 a5 15.E!.cl ~bS 16.Ab5 ~a617.~b3 E!.cS1S.E!.c3 ~c719.Ad3 Ab4 (D)

Even in a rapid game, the world champion recognized that the sacrifice would be fully sound. White has the secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop, but the white queen cannot instantly

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reach the h-file. Still, the quick idea of §h3-hS more than compensates for the position of the white queen. Short defended accurately with the 'it'gSline, but the two major pieces enter the position quickly and with great effect. 20.Axh7+ Ii!txh7 21.~g5+ Ii!tgS In the 'it'g6line, §g3 quickly ends the discussion. 21...'it'g6 22.§g3 (all of the king moves are murdered, as is 22 ...itxd2 23.4::lxe6+ +-. Or 21...'l>¥xg5 when White can avoid giving up the exchange with 22.§h3+ 'l>¥h6 23.itxh6+-. 22.E!.h3 Threatening §hS+ 22 .•• E!.eS 23. ~f3 ~d7 Preventing the obvious mate. Not 23 .. jixd2 24.'l>¥xf7#. 24.~h5 Ii!tfS 25.~h7+ li!te7 25 ... 'it'gS welcomes the knight sac on f6, 26.4::lf6+ 'it'fS (26 ... gxf6 27. ~hS # ) 27.Jlg5 +- 'it'e7 walking into a lovely double discovered check: 2S.4::lxd5+ 'it'fS 29.~hS. 26.Ag5+ f6 27.~xf6 1-0 27.4::lxf6 gxf6 and it's mate in three with 2S.itxf6+ 'it'fS 29.'l>¥hS+ 'it'f7 30.'l>¥g7 #. (211) Hoffman - EscandeU Mari Villa Ballester 1993 Queen's Pawn Game [EI4] l.d4 ~f6 2.~f3 e6 3.e3 b6 4.Ad3 Ab7 5.0-0 c5 6.c4 Ae7 7.~c3 cxd4 S.exd4 0-0 9.d5 Ab410.~e4 ~ xe4 1l.Axe4 ~a6

Sacking the Citadel 26 ..£Jxf5 Etf7 27.f4 Ete8 28.fxe5 §.xe5 29 ..£Jg3+ The quickest path is 29 .~h6 'it'xh6 30 ..§ xf6+ +- . 29 ..• ~g6 30.Etxf6+ §.xf631.~xe51-0

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(212) Fournier - Lorin Correspondence 1993 Queen's Pawn Game [005]

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White initiates the sacrifice after a knight exchange on e4 that removes Black's ~f6. White does not have an eS-pawn and indeed, can point only to the dark-square bishop as an additional resource. The 'it'g6 line offers the best chance, though Black fails to find the best defense with IS .. .'lil'e7, when White can pick up an exchange but Black's position would be tough to crack. 12.j}.xh7+ ~xh7 13 ..£Jg5+ ~g6 Without control over d6, the usual mate in five is not available but the 'it'g81ine nonetheless leads to a knight fork that nets the black queen. 13 ... 'it'g814.'lil'hS .§e8 IS. 'lil'xf7+ 'it'h8 16.'lil'hS+ 'it'g8 17.'lil'h7+ 'it'f818.i£1h8+ 'it'e719.'lil'xg7+ 'it'd6 20.~f7++-. 14.~d3+ 14.'lil'g4fS IS.'lil'g3 transposing 14••• f5 15.~g3 ~f6 Black can limit the damage by moving the queen out of the reach of the knight. IS ... 'lil'e7 16.~xe6+ 'it'h7 (16 ... ~f717.'lil'xg7+ 'it'e818.i£1g6+ 'lil'f7 19.~xf8+-) 17.~xf8+ .§xf8 18.~gS i£1e2 19.a3 ~d2 20.~xd2 'lil'xd2 21.b4±. 16.a3 Missing a simple maneuver with 16.~xe6 dxe6 17.~gS++­ with a skewer of the king and queen. 16 .•• .Q.c5 17.b4 Once again missing 17.~xe6.17 ... j}.d418..£Jf3 +- j}.xal 19.j}.g5+ ~f7 20.j}.xd8 j}.f6 21.j}.xf6 gxf6 22.~d6 Etad8 23..£Jd4 ~g6 24.h4e5 25.h5+ ~xh5

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l.e3 d5 2.d4 .£Jf6 3 ..£J£3 e6 4.j}.d3 c5 5.c3 .£Jc6 6 . .£Jbd2 j}.d6 7.0-0 cxd4 8.exd4 0-0 9.Etel ~c710.'~e2 §.e8 1l. .£Je5 j}.xe5 12.dxe5 .£Jd7 13..£Jf3 .£Jc5 8

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One of Black's defenses against the sacrifice is the idea of running his king to the queenside. As you will see here, it does not always provide sanctuary. White can point here to three additional assets, the eS-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the active .§el. But Black has already vacated the f8 escape square and the 'lil'c7 is already defending f7. In the ~g81ine, Black succeeds in running the king to c6, but White, in this wonderfully played correspondence game, blasts open the queenside with c4 and an exchange sac. 14.j}.xh7+ ~xh715 ..£Jg5+ ~g8 In the ~g6 line, White can make progress with 'lil'g4 because the ~c8 is impeding support for '§h8. 15 ... ~g6 16.i£1g4 f5 (16 ... ~xeS 17 ..§xeS i£1xe5 18.~f3+ +- )

Games 17 .'~g3 'itfe 7 IS. 'itfh3 <£Ixe5 19.§. xe5 <£Ie4 20.'itfh7+ 'it'f6 21.<£If3 (with the idea of §.xe4 and .>lg5+) 21...'itfc5 22 ..>le3 'itfa5 23 ..>lf4 +- . 16. ~h5 .£IdS 16 ... b5 (an interesting attempt to create a safe haven for the king on b7)17.'itfh7+ 'it'fS lS.'itfhS+ 'it'e7 19.'itfxg7 'it'd7 20.<£Ixf7 (not 20.'itfxf7+ §.e7) 20 ... <£Ie7 (and not 20 ... §.e7 21..>lg5) 21.<£Id6 §.gS 22.'itff7 Aa6 23 ..>lh6 making room for §.adl. 23 ... 'it'c6 and White can now demonstrate that even on the queenside, the attack can continue: 24.b4 <£Id3 25.§.e3 §.g6 26.§'xd3 §'xh6 27.c4! bxc4 28.§.a3 .>lb5 29.§.a5 <£If5 30.'itfxc7+ 'it'xc7 31.<£Ixf5 exf5 32.§.xb5+-. 17.~h7+ ~f8 18. ~h8+ ~e7 19. ~xg7 ~d7 20. .£Ih7 ~c6 21 . .£If6 13e7 22.c4 .£Id3 Opening the center with 22 ... dxc4 invites 23. 'itfg4 +-. 23.cxd5+ exd5 24.Ad2 .£Ie6 25. ~g3 .£Iee5 26.b4 .£Ixel 27.13xe1 Jle6 Not 27 ... <£Ie6, 2S.§.c1 +. 28.bxc5 +- ~d8 29.13c1 ~c7 30.Aa5+ 1-0 (213) Winckelmann - Von Zitzewitz Correspondence 1994 French Defense [CI5]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£Ic3 Ab4 4.a3 Axc3+ 5.bxc3 dxe4 6.f3 c5 7.Jlb5+ Ad7 8.a4 .£If6 9. ~e2 ~a5 10.13a3 cxd411.fxe40--0 12..£If3 dxc313.e5 .£Id514.Jld3.£1a6

abcdefgh

An interesting, well-balanced position in which White's additional assets, the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the rooks, both of which can enter the game quickly, are somewhat offset by the activity of the <£Id5 and the black queen and the exposure of the white king. Optimistically, Black defends with the 'it'g6Iine, where White's correspondence play is precise and impressive. 15.Axh7+ ~xh716. .£Ig5+ ~g6 In the 'it'gS line, Black can play 17 ... <£If6, using the threat of'itfxe5 and a perpetual check in the center to bring the knight to the key defensive square. 16 ... 'it'gS!? 17.'itfh5 <£If6 (17 ... §.feS1S.'itfxf7+ 'it'hS 19.'itfh5+ 'it'gS 20.0-0+-) lS.exf6 'itfe5+ 19.'it'd1 when: (a) 19 ...'itfd5+ 20.'it'e1 'itfe5+=; (b) It's unwise to try for more with 19 ... 'itff5?! 20.§.xc3 with the idea of§.h3. 20 ...'itfg6 21.'itfxg6 fxg6 22.f7+ when the threat of mate on the h-file requires 22 ... §.xf7 23AJxf7 'it'xf7 24.§.f1+ 'it'gS 25.a5+-; or (c) 19 ... 'itfd4+ 20.'it'e1 'itfe5+=. 17.h4 Threatening rather than playing 'itfg4. Black is happy to give back an exchange after 17.'itfd3+ f5 lS.exf6+ 'it'xf6 19.<£Ih7+ 'it'e7 20.<£IxfS §.xfS-+. And no better for White is 17.'itfe4+ f5 lS.exf6+ 'it'xf6 19.<£Ih7+ 'it'f7 20.0-0+ 'it'gS -+. 17 ••• f5 Aiming to prevent 'itfg4, and the alternatives get crushed: (a) 17 ... <£Ic5 lS.'itfg4+-; (b) 17 ... <£Ie7 lS.h5+ 'it'h6 (lS ... 'it'f5 19.0-0#) and once again, development is superior to a quick, exchange-winning discovery. 19.0-0 <£If5 20.g4 'itfc5+ 21.'it'g2 'itfc6+ 22.'it'h2 with a safe haven from the checks. 22 ... <£Ih4 (22 ... <£Ie7 23.§.xc3+-) 23.'it'g3+-; and (c) 17 .. .f6 lS.h5+ 'it'h619.'itfd3 (aiming at both g6 and h7) 19 ... f5 20.'itfg3 +- when the <£Ixe6 discovery now contains the added threat of'itfxg7 #. 18.h5+ ~h6

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Sacking the Citadel 19..£)xe6+ ~h7 20.h6 Settling for the exchange solves Black's defensive woes. 20.{)xfS+ .E'!xfS 21.h6 g6 22.0-0 f4-+. 20 ..•g6 Black survives the capture on e6: 20 ... .ll.xe6 21.hxg7+ ~xg7 22 ..E'!h7+ (better than 22.~h5 .E'!hS 23 ..ll.h6+ .E'!xh6 24.~xh6+ 'It'f7 25.~h7+ 'It'fS [25 ... 'lt'eS 26.~hS+ 'It'd7 27.~xaS ~c5 -+] 26.~hS+ ~e7 27.~xaS ~b6 with a devastating attack 2S ..E'!al {)ab4-+) 22 ... 'lt'xh7 23.~h5+ 'it'g7 24 ..ll.h6+ ~hS 25 ..ll.e3+= with a perpetual. 21..£)g5+ ~hS 22.e6 ~c7?! Black misses 22 ... .E'!aeS= pinning the pawn and 23.~e5 .E'!f6 24.{)f7 'It'h7 25.{)g5 is a perpetual. 23.exd7 ~xd7 24.§.xc3 ~xa4 Taking the knight with 24 ... {)xc3 invites 25.~e5+ 'It'gS 26.h7++-. Or the obvious attempt to pin the queen with 24 ... .E'!feS 25 ..E'!e3 .E'!xe3 (25 ... {)xe3 opens the long diagonal for the bishop: 26 ..ll.b2+ 'It'gS 27.h7+ ~xh7 2S ..E'!xh7 {)xg2+ 29.'lt'f1 +-) 26 ..ll.b2+ 26 ... 'lt'gS 27.h7+ ~xh7 2S ..E'!xh7 .E'!xe2+ 29.~xe2 .E'!eS+ 30. 'it'f2 +- with overwhelming threats on b7 and g7. 25.~e5+ .£)f6 26•.£)e6 §.aeS 27.0--0 ~e4 2S.~xe4 .£)xe4 28. ..fxe4 29.{)xfS +- with .ll.g5 to follow. 29.'£) xfS.£) xc3 30.Aa3 .£)b8 31.§.f3 .£)e2+ 32. ~f2 .£)d4 33.§.h3 .£) be6 34 . .£)xg6+ ~h7 35 . .£)fS+ §.xfS 36.J1.xfS .£)xc2 37.§.b3 b6 3S.§.b5 ~gS 39.§.xf51-0 (214) Ruiz - Perez Perez Guines 1994 Alekhine's Defense [B03]

1.e4 .£)f6 2.e5 .£)d5 3.d4d6 4.c4.£)b6 5.f4 dxe5 6.fxe5 c5 7.d5 e6 S ..£)c3 exd5 9.cxd5 c4 10 . .£)f3 J1.b4 1l.J1.xc4 0-0 12.J1.b3 a5 13.0-0 Axc314.bxc3 a415.Ac2 ~xd5

278

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More than two additional assets are required if Black can control the b1-h7 diagonal. White can count here on the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the .E'!f1 on an open file. Black's lightsquare bishop can easily reach f5 and the black queen can take d3. Nonetheless, White triumphs in the 'it'gS line with .ll.a3, attacking the .E'!fS, and with an exchange sacrifice on the 1.tf5, activating the .E'!a1 powerfully on the f-file. 16.J1.xh7+ ~xh717..£)g5+ ~gS In the ~g6 line, White can reach the g3square with 18.~el. 17 ... 'lt'g6 18.~e1 (not 18.~c2+ when Black can block the diagonal: IS ... f519.exf6+. The removal of the e5-pawn permits Black to support 10 ... .ll.f5 20.~f2 {)Sd7=) lS .. .f5 19.exf6 gxf6 20.{)e4 {)Sd7 21.~g3+ 'it'f7 22.'liYh4 +-. The bishop will also enter the fray on a3. 1S.~h5 ~d3 19.J1.a3 1--0 Black resigns in view of 19 ... .ll.f5 20 ..E'!xf5 ~xf5 21..E'!f1 +- (the queen can no longer defend f7) 21...~g6 22.~xg6 fxg6 23 ..E'!xfS#. Even better was 19 . .E'!xf7! .E'!dS (19 ... .E'!xf7 20.~xf7+ ~hS 21.~fS#) 20 ..E'!f3+- . (215) Krouzel- Dufek Correspondence 1994 Semi-Slav Defense [D44]

Games l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4)c3 e6 4.4)f3 4)f6 5.Ag5 dxc4 6.a4 Ab4 7.e4 .1lxc3+ S.bxc3 ~a5 9.e5 4)e410.Ad2 4)xd2 11. ~xd2 c512.Axc4 4)c613.0--0 0o 14.~e3 4)e715.Ad3 4)d5

ing both ili'h4 and ili'h7. White, of course, could also play lS.ili'h3 entering line (a) below. Black has three responses: (a) lS ... ~xg5 19.~h7 ~xc3 20.h4+ ~f4 (20 ... ~g4 21.f3+ ~g3 [21...~f4 22.~e4+ ~g3 23.~g4#] ~xh4 [22 ... ~f4 23.'l*g5#] 23.'l*g4#) 21.fiae1 +- bringing both

22.'l*xg7+

abcdefgh

In most of these positions, the additional assets are conventional and easy to identify. White relies here upon the secure e5-pawn, a mobile center with c4 and d5, and the rooks' ability to reach open files. In the ~gSline, White is able to sustain the attack upon the black king when it reaches e7 by pushing the central pawns and, in the line with 21...'l*xc3, blowing up the black center with an additional exchange sac. 16..1lxh7+ 'ifjlxh717.4)g5+ 'ifjlgS In the ~g6 line, the white queen has immediate access to g3, which threatens a discovery that can net the unanchored .§fS. 17 ... ~g6 18.~g3 (lS.'l*d3+ f5 [lS ... ~xg5 19.'l*h7+-] 19.'l*g3 ili'xc3 20.4:lxe6+ [winning the rook outright] 20 ... 'l*xg3 21.4:lxfS+ ~f7 22.hxg3 ~xfS=) lS ... 'l*xc3 19.4:lxe6+ ili'xg3 20.4:lxf8+ (without ... f5, the king cannot retreat to f7 to attack the 4:lfS) 20 ... ~g5 (20 ... ~h6 2l.fxg3+-) 2l.fxg3 Af5 22.g4 ~xg4 (22 ... ~xg4 23.fixfl) 23.fia3 +-. It is dangerous, of course, to step into a discovery or here, a discovered double check, but White has better with 17 ... ~h6 IS. ~e4 threaten-

rooks and the kings ide pawns to bear against the naked king; (b) lS ... fihS (White wins the rook outright and can also continue quickly to mate) 19.4:lxfl+ ~h5 20.4:lxhS+-; and (c) Desperate play that does not meaningfully impede the attack. lS ... 4:lf6 19.ili'h4+ 4:lh5 20.g4 g6 21.gxh5 gxh5 22.~hl+-. lS.~h3 laeS After lS ... fidS White demonstrates the power of a patient buildup: 19.~h5 'l*c7 20.dxc5 b6 21.'l*h7+ ~f8 22.'l*hS+ ~e7 23.ili'xg7 fifS 24.c4. Using even the doubled pawns to drive off the knight, opening the f6-square for the queen. 4:lc3 25.~f6+ ~d7 26.4:lh7 +-. 19. ~h7+ 'ifjlfS 20.~hS+ 'ifjle7 21.~xg7 lafS Rather than defend, Black can go on the attack with 21...ili'xc3 22.4:lxf7 ~xd4 and the queen seems safe from the discoveries: 23.fiad1 ili'f4 24.4:ld6+ ~dS 25.4:lxb7+ Axb7 26.ili'xb7 ficS but in these lines, all exchange sacrifices are interesting. 27.fixd5+ exd5 2S.'l*xd5+ ~e7 (not 2S ... ~c7 when it's mate in four: 29.~xc5+ ~b7 [29 ... ~d7 30.~d6#] 30.fib1+ ~a6 [30 ... ~aS 31.'l*d5+ fic6 32.ili'xc6#] 31.~b5 #) 29.ili'd6+ ~fl 30.e6+ +- picking off the queen! 22.c4 4)c3 23.d5 exd5 24.lafel Ag4 25.M6+ 'ifjle8 26.4)h7 4)dl 27.laf11-0

279

(216) Granados Gomez - Sole Fabregat Spain 1994 Torre Attack [D03]

Sacking the Citadel 1.d4 4)f6 2 ..1lg5 e6 3.4)f3 J1.e7 4.4)bd2 d5 5.e3 c5 6.c3 4)bd7 7 ..1ld3 b6 8.0-0 .1lb7 9.4)e5 4)xe5 10.dxe5 4)d711 ..1lxe7 'it!/xe712.f4 c413..1lc2 b514.4)f3 0-0 8

swing a rook to g3 or h3. 24 ..§.f1 .§.e7 25.~h6+-. 24.'it!/g6+ ~h8 25.E!fl d4 26.e41-O (217) Gonzalez Freixas - Fayne Correspondence 1994 Sicilian Defense [B22]

7

1.e4 c5 2.c3 4)f6 3.e5 4)d5 4.4)f3 e6 5.d4 cxd4 6 ..1lc4 4)c7 7.cxd4 d5 8 ..1ld3 .1le7 9.4)c3 4)c610..1le3 0-() 1l.E!c1.1ld712.h4 f513.exf6 .1lxf6

6 5 4

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6

The sacrifice works quite easily here thanks to the secure e5-pawn and the .§.f1 swing to g3 and h3. In the absence of a white dark-square bishop, Black selected the 'it'h6 line, when the rook swing to h3-h7 forces Black to sac with ~xg5, when White wins most efficiently by declining the queen sac. 15.J1.xh7+ ~xh716.4)g5+ ~h6 In the 'it'g8line, there's simply no response to ~h5 because the black ~e7 blocks the king's escape route. 16 ... 'it'g8 17. ~h5 +-. In the 'iftg6 line, the .§.f1 reaches g3 with effect.16 ... 'it'g6 17 ..§.f3 f6 18.~c2+ f5 19 ..§.g3 <£1c5 (White nets the queen after 19 ... 'it>h6 20.~f2! .§.h8 21.<£1f7!) 20.<£1xe6+ 'it'f7 and White crashes through with 21.~xf5+ 'it'g8 (21...'it'e8 22.<£1xf8+-) 22.<£1xg7 .§.xf5 23.<£1xf5+ +-. 17.E!f3 g6 18.E!h3+ ~g719.E!h7+ ~g8 20.'it!/g4 'it!/xg5 21.'it!/h3! More accurate than 21.~xg5 'it'xh7 22 . .§.f1 .§.ae8 23 . .§.f3 .§.h8 24 ..§.h3+ 'it'g7 25.'§'xh8 '§'xh8 26.~e7 Ac8= when Black is holding the fort. 21. •• 'it!/h5 22.E!xh5 gxh5 23. 'it!/ xh5 +- f6 After the rook retreat 23 ... .§.fe8 White has plenty of time to

280

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Having exchanged the e5 pawn on f6 in order to open the diagonal for the i.td3,White has two additional assets in the position, the dark-square bishop and the h4-pawn. In the 'iftg8 line, the advance of the h-pawn to g6 forces Black to cede the knight, and White has time to activate both rooks on the h-file. 14..1lxh7+ ~xh715.4)g5+ ~g8 In the 'it'g6 line, the pawn advances to h5 immediately, forcing the king to h6 and enabling ~d3 with the threat of both ~g6# and ~h7#: 15 ... 'it'g6 16.h5+ 'it'h6 (not 16... 'iftf5 17.g4 # or 17.~f3 #) 17.~d3 i.txg5 (17 ... ~e8 18.~h7#) 18. ~g6 #. The immediate exchange on g5 gives Black the opportunity to sacrifice a knight for the g6-pawn, but White's attack crashes through thanks to the activity of the .§.cl. 15 ... Axg5 16.hxg5+ 'it'g8 (unwise is 16 ... 'iftg6

Games 17.iifh5+ ~f5 18.g4#) 17.iifh5 4Je7 18.g6 4Jxg6 19.iifxg6 iiff6 20.iifh7+ ~f7 21.4Je4 dxe4 22 ..§.xc7 ~e7 23. iifh5 +-. In the ~h6 line, White plays iifd3 first and then h5, bringing the .§.h1 into the game. 15 ... ~h6 16.iifd3 g6 17.h5 4Je7 18.hxg6+ ~g7 19.'§'h7+ ~g8 20.4Jf7+-. 16.~h5 j},xg5 Capturing on g5 is unpalatable, but the alternative retreat with 16 ... .§.e8 meets 17.4Je2! e5 18.~f7+ ~h8 19.dxe5 when (a) 19 ... 4Jxe5 permits an attractive mate in four: 20.~h5+ ~g8 21.iifh7+ ~f8 22.~h8+ ~e7 23.~c5 #; (b) 19 ... .§.xe5 with a similar mate: 20.iifh5+ ~g8 21.iifh7+ ~f8 22.iifh8+ ~e7 23.~c5#; and (c) 19 ... ~xe5 when the .llc5+ comes first: 20.~h5+ ~g8 21.iifh7+ ~f8 22 ..llc5+ 4Je7 23.~h8#. 17.hxg5 4Je7 Trying to prevent the advance of the pawn with 17 ... .§.f5 meets 18.g4+-. 18.g6 4Jxg619.~xg6 4Je8 20.Elh7 ~f6 21.~h5 g6 22.~h2 Elf7 23.Elh6 Elc8 24.Cit>d2 a6 25.Elhl Cit>f8 26.Elh8+ Cit>e7 27. ~g3 ~f5 28.j},g5+ 4Jf6 29.Elxc8 j'txc8 30.~c7+ j'td7 31.~c5+ Cit>d8 32.Elh8+ j'te8 33.~d6+ Eld7 34.~b8+ Cit>e7 35.~xe8+ Cit>d6 36. ~f8+ Ele7 Both king retreats meet an immediate end: 36 ... ~c7 37.~c5# and 36 ... ~c6 37.~c5 #. 37.Axf61-O 37... ~f4+ 38.~e2 +- and Black quickly runs out of checks. (218) Ginsburg - Lindner Mannheim 1994 French Defense [C06] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4Jd2 4Jf6 4.e5 4Jfd7 5.j'td3 c5 6.c3 4Jc6 7.4Je2 ~b6 8.4Jf3 f6 9.exf6 4J xf6 10.0-0 j},e7 1l.4Jf4 cxd4 12.cxd4 0-0 13.Elel Ab414.Ele3 4Je415.j'txe4 §xf4

281

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White has no practical choice other than the sacrifice because Black otherwise will capture the white d-pawn. White can count on the dark-square bishop and the .§.e3, but the weakness of the white d-pawn and the activity of the .§.f4 cannot be overlooked. In the ~g8 line, Black's best hope, Black misses the opportunity to equalize with 18 ... ~xd4. 16.j'txh7+ Cit>xh7 17.4Jg5+ Cit>g8 In the ~g6 and ~h8 lines, the .§.e3 swings immediately to h3 threatening ~h5 and a mating net. 17 ... ~g6 18 ..§.h3 '§'xd4 (capturing the knight offers no hope: 18 ... ~xg5 19.~xf4+ ~xf4 20.~h5+-) 19.iifh5+ ~f6 (19 ... ~f5 20 ..§.f3+ ~e5 21.4Jf7+ ~e4 22.~g6#) 20.~e3 ~e7 21.~f7+ ~d6 (21...~d8

22 ..§.h8++-) 22.~f8+ (22 ... ~d7 23.~xg7+ ~e7 24.4Jf3+-) 23.iifxg7+ ~b8 (reaching the safety of the queens ide, but Black is completely tied up) 24 ..§.h8 +- ; 17 ... h8 18..§.h3+ g8 19.iifh5 ~f8 20.~xf4 +- picking up the rook without letting up on the attack. 18.Elh3 e5 Black survives with 18 ... ~xd4! 19.1txf4 ~xd1+ 20 ..§.xd1 e5 21..§.h4 exf4 22.'§'xd5=. 19.Elh8+! Cit>xh8 20.~h5+ Cit>g8 21.j},xf4+- ~xd4 Black can defend f7 with 21...4Jd8 but White can then use the conventional attack on h7 to expose the black king in the center, ~c7

Sacking the Citadel 22.~h7+ 'it'fS 23.~h8+ 'it'e7 24.~xg7+ 'it'e8 (not 24 ... 'it'd 6 25 .Axe5+ +- ) 25.~xe5+ +-. 22.tH7+ <\!jIhS

23"~e8+1-O

(219) Millier-Meizer Gennany 1994 French Defense [CI4] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.f3 ~f6 4.~e3 e6 5.Ag5 Ae7 6.e5 ~fd7 7.Axe7 ~xe7 S.~d2 0-0 9.f4 e5 10.~f3 ~e6 1l.dxe5 ~ xe5 12.0-0-0 a6 13.<\!jIbl b5 14.Ad3 b4 15.~e2 a5 16.~e316.Axh7+ 'it'xh717.
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White carefully prepares the sacrifice with 16.~e3, since the immediate sacrifice on move 16 gives Black an extra tempo to defend. The sacrifice relies upon an interesting pair of additional assets, the secure e5-pawn and the
282

the ~e7 blocks the king's escape) 20.fxg5 Axe2 21.g6 fxg6 22.~e3 ,ilxdl 23.~xc5
Games 23.'~h7#) 22.'~h3+ ~h5 23.~xh5#.

21 ..• ~xgS!= 22.~hS+ 22.~g3+~h6 23.~h3+= with a perpetual. 22 .•• ~xf4 23.Ethe1! With the idea of g3 #. Black survives miraculously after 23.Elxd5 ElhS 24.~f3+ ~g5 25.~e3+ f4-+. 23 ..• 4)e4! 24.EtxdS! Avoiding the tempting 24.~f3+? ~xe5 -+. 24•.. Eth8? To survive, Black must find 24 ... EladS 25.g3+ 4Jxg3 26.hxg3+ 'it'xg3 27 .Elgl + 'it'f4 2S.i;;Yh2+ 'it'e4 29.~g2+ 'it'f4 30.i;;Yf2+ ~e4 3l.~g2+=. 2S.g3+ 4)xg3 26.hxg3+ ~xg3 27.~xfS White misses the surgical 27.Ele3+! ~f4 2S.i;;Yf3+ 'it'g5 29.i;;Yg2+ 'it'h5 30.Elh3+ +-. 27 .•• Ae2 On 27 ... ~a7, 2S.Elddl +- or 2S.~g5+. 28.Etgl + ~h4 29. ~f4+ The quickest mate begins with 29.Eld3+- since the Ad2 must remain to prevent ~g4 # . 29 ••• ~hS 30.e6+ gS 31.EtdxgS+ ~h6 32.Etg6+ It's mate in two with either 32.~h4+ or 32.Elh1+ Ah5 33.Elhxh5#. 32 ••. ~h7 33.~h6# 1-0 (220) Timmins - Stenzel New York 1995 Dutch Defense [A41] l.d4 4)c6 2.4)f3 d6 3.c3 fS 4.4)bd2 4)f6 S. ~c2 eS 6.dxeS dxeS 7.e3 e4 8.4)d4 4)eS 9. ~b3 Ad6 10.4)c4 4)xc411.Axc4 ~e712.AbS+ ~f8 13.a4 c6 14.Ac4 g6 Is.Ad2 ~g7 16.aSa617.0--0

Black has familiar additional assets, the secure e4-pawn and the light-square bishop. The 'it'gl line is especially interesting because the white king can escape via dl. Black misses the opportunity for a well-timed 23 ... c4 prying open the center. 17..•Axh2+ 18.~xh2 4)g4+ 19.~gl In the ~g3 line, ... i;;Yd6+ initiates familiar lines and also threatens ... c5 picking off the unanchored Ad2. 19.~g3 ~d6+ 20.f4 (White must block the check because 20.'it'h4 i;;Yh2+ 21.~g5 h6# and 20.'it'h3 i;;Yh2#) 20 ... exf3+ 2l.~xf3 (2l.~h4 walks into mate: 21...i;;Yh2+ 22.~g5 h6#) 21...c5 22.Elfdl EldS 23.Elac1(23.4Je2 b5-+ with the idea of Ab7+) 23 ... b5 24.axb6 Ab7+ 25.'~e2 i;;Yh2 26.Elfl (26.Elgl Axg2 -+ ) 26 ... cxd4 27.exd4 Axg2 -+. In the ~h3 line, Black breaks through with the customary ~g4 threatening i;;Yh4.19.~h3 i;;Yg5 20.Elhl 4Jxf2+ 21.'it'h2 ~h6+ 22.'it'gl i;;Yxhl+-+. 19 ••• ~h4 20.Etfel ~xf2+ 21.~hl ~h4+ 22. ~gl ~h2+ Black can seize control over the d-file with 22 ... c5! 23.4Je2 EldS 24.Ad5 ~h2+ 25.~fl i;;Yhl + 26.4Jgl c4. Winning a piece. 27.i;;Yxc4 4Jf6-+. 23.~f1 ~hl+ Black is more easily winning after 23 ... c5 24.4Je6+ Axe6 25.Axe6 ElhdS with useful control over the d-file: 26.Ad5 i;;Yh4 27.'it'e2 Elxd5 2S.~xb7+ (not 28.~xd5 EldS-+) 2S ... ~hS 29.i;;Yxd5 EldS 30.c4 Elxd5 3l.cxd5 i;;Yf2+ 32.'it'dl i;;Yxg2-+. 24.~e2 ~xg2+ 2S.~dl± EtdS 26. ~c2 Better are 26.i;;Yb4 +- aiming at e7, and 26.i;;Yb6 with the idea of i;;Yc7. 26 .•• cS 27.Ete2? Missing 27.'liYb6+- hitting the rook as well as

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7

6 5 4

the c5-pawn. 27••• ~g3 28. ~b6? White misses a successful infiltration with 28.4Je6+ Axe6 29.Axe6 ElabS 30.c4 4Je5 3l.~b6+- and the white pieces come alive. The bishop will reach c3, the queen has access to useful try

3 2

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283

Sacking the Citadel squares, and ~b1-d1 is playable ifBlack moves the 4JeS. 28 ••• t,?td6!29.t,?txd6 Etxd6 30.~b3 ~e5 0-1 (221) Sutter-Mulcahey Correspondence 1995 French Defense [C06] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~d2 ~f6 4.e5 ~fd7 5.j}.d3 c5 6.c3 ~c6 7.~e2 j}.e7 8.~f3 0-0 9.0-0 t,?tb6 10.b3 f6 11.~f4 f xe5 12.~ xe6 Etf6 8 7

6

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the queen on f7. 15.t,?tg4 There's no defense after IS.~d3+! (a) IS ... mS 16.g4+- exploits the pin on the unanchored rook; (b) IS ... e4 16.~h3 Black cannot prevent the entry on h7. 16... ~xe617.~h7+ ~f6 and it's mate in four: 18.~hS g6 (IS ... 'ot'fS 19.94+ ~f6 20.~f7#) 19.~hS+ 'ot'fS 20.g4+ ~xg4 21.~h3#; and (c) And again the king cannot escape the check from the ~d3. IS ...'ot'hSI6.~h3+~g617.~h7#. Also winning is IS.h4 ~xe6 16.hS+ ~h6 (16 ... 'ot'f617.~f3#; 16 ... ~fSI7.~f3#) 17.4Jxe6+ 'ot'h7 18.~g4 ltf619.~g6+ 'ot'gS 20.~eS+ ~h7 21.g4+-. 15 ... ~f8 16.h4! ~ xe6 Black can avoid mate only by tossing away the rook: 16... ~fS 17.4Jh7+ ~f7 (17 ... ~xh7 18.~xg7#) 18.~xfS++-.17.h5+ 1-0 Forcing the black king into a crushing discovery: 17 ... ~h6 IS.4Jxe6+ ~f4 19.~g6#.

h

White no longer has his eS-pawn in this French, but the king's knight has remarkably reached e6,joining the darksquare bishop as the additional assets. Black can point to the active ~f6, attacking the unanchored knight, and significant pressure upon the center, especially the white d-pawn. In the 'ot'g6 line, the 4Je6 shields the white queen on g4 giving White time to play h4-hS. Once White drives the king to h6, the discovery exposes a mating attack on g7. 13.Axh7+ ~xh714.~fg5+ ~g6 In the 'ot'gS line, the 4Je6 becomes a marauder, capturing on f8 and delivering a fork, without Black being able to capture it. 14 ... 'ot'gS lS.~hS 4JfS (the rook is no help: IS ... ~h616.~f7+ 'ot'hS 17.~xg7#) 16.4JxfS+- ltfS (captures on f8 meet mate) 17.4Jd7 +- Eliminating the ~f6 and providing the entry for

284

(222) Steingrimsson - Johannesson Gausdal1995 French Defense [C06] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~d2 ~f6 4.e5 ~fd7 5.c3 c5 6.Ad3 ~c6 7.~e2 cxd4 8.cxd4 t,?tb6 9.~f3 f6l0.exf6 ~xf6ll.0-0 Ad612.a3 0-0 13.M e5 14.t,?tb3 ~h8 15.dxe5 ~xe5 16.~xe5Axe517.Ab2

abcdefgh

Games Black's French Defense has succeeded. Following the e5-pawn break, Black's light-square bishop has jumped to life. Black's additional assets include that bishop as well as the Elf8 on an open file. In the ~gl line, Black must return the material with Axg7+ because movements ofthe Elfl to create an escape for the white king run into a timely Elxf2+. 17...Jlxh2+ 18.xh2 ~g4+ 19.g1 In the <;t>g3 line, Black can exploit the active placement of the ~b6 and the Elf8 with 18 ... <£\xf2! 19.~g3 <£\xf2! 20.Axg7+ ~xg7 21.~b2+ Elf6 22.~d2 ~d6+ -+ and Black has a winning simplification after 23.<£\f4 Elxf4.19••• ~h6 20.Jlxg7+ 20.Elfc1 walks into a simple mate in five: 20 ... ~h2+ 21.~fl ~hl+ 22.<£\gl Elxf2+ 23.~el ~xgl + 24.Afl ~xfl #. 20 ... xg7 21. ~e3+ Reaching the key diagonal. 21 ... gS Better to stop the checks with 21 ... Elf6 22.~c7+ <;t>h8+ when the Ela8 will more quickly reach g8. 22.~e7 hS 23.~d4 23.~g3~ 23 .•• !U4 24.~f3 JlfS 2S.JlxfS ElxfS 26.Elfe1 White holds after 26.~c3+ <;t>g8 27.~d4=. 26... ElhS! -+ 27.f1 Elh1+ 2S.~g1 ~a6+ 29.Ele2 ~h2+ 29 ... Ele8 when White cannot defend with 30.Elael 4::lh2+. 30.e1 Elxg1+ 31.d2~h6+ 32.f4 Elxa1 33.Ele7 Ela2+ 34.e1 ~e6+0-1

8

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White's e5-pawn sets the sacrifice in motion by driving off the <£\f6. In addition to the e5-pawn, White can count on the dark-square bishop. Black selects the ~g6 line, where White must select between ~c2, avoiding the tempo-winning ... <£\e5, and ~d3, which provides access to g3. 12.Jlxh7+ xh7 13.~gS+ g6 In the ~g8 line, Black loses quickly because it isn't possible to sacrifice with <£\f6 to bring the Ac8f5 because the f6 pawn is attacking the ~e7. 13 ... ~g8 14.~h5 Eld8 (14 ... <£\f6 15.exf6+- M516.fxe7) 15.~h7+ 'itlf8 16.~h8#. 14.~d3+ 14.~c2+ is more accurate, avoiding Black's tempo gaining <£\xe5. 14 ... f5 15.exf6+ ~xf6 16.Ad2 g6 (16 ... <£\e5 17.f4 <£\ec6 18.Elae1+-) 17.Elael <£\e5 (17 ... ~g7 18.Ele6#) 18.f4+-. On 14.~g4? Black gains a critical tempo with 14 ... <£\xe5. 14...fS 1S.exf6+ xf6 Not 15 ... ~h5 16.~h7#.16.Jlf4?!Themostaccurate

(223) Smejkal- Hucula Correspondence 1995 English Opening [A22]

1.e4 ~f6 2.~e3 eS 3.e4 AeS 4.~f3 ~g4 S.d4 exd4 6.~a4 d6 7.h3 ~f6 S.eS ~e7 9.~ xeS dxeS10.Jld3 0-0 11.0-0~fd7

285

path is 16.Ad2 <£\e5 17.~g3 <£\xc4 18.Elfel taking control over the open file, 18 ... ~d719.Ele4, and now preparing Elf4 and Elael. 19 ... ~d5 (not 19 ... <£\xd2 20.Elf4+ <;t>e5 21.<£)f7+ ~d5 22.~g5+ ~c6 23.<£\e5+forking the queen) 20.<£\h7+ ~f7 (20 ... 'itlf5 21.~g4#) 21.~f3+ To win the Elf8 outright. 21...~f5 (21...Af5 22.Ele7+ +- ) 22.Elf4+-. 16•.. ~eS Black needed to

Sacking the Citadel take command over the open file with 16... 1"IeS=.17.~h7+ White wins more easily with 17.itlg3 1"IeS 18.1"Ifel +-. 17 .•• f7 Too easy is 17 ... f2 E{e3 25.~d5+ .a.e6 26.~xb7 E{e8 27.~xc7+ g6 28.~g5 Ag8 29.~c6+ h5 30.~f3 E{e2+ 31.h6 33.~xd4 E{2e4 34.~h8+ Ah7 35.~f6 E{xc4 36.~g51-0

(224) Pisa Ferrer - Jose Abril Spain 1995 Sicilian Defense [B50] 1.e4 c5 2.~f3 d6 3.c3 ~f6 4.Ac4 ~c6 5.d3 e6 6.0--0 .a.e7 7. ~e2 0--0 8.E{d1 a6 9.a4 E{b8 10.Ab3 b5 1l.axb5axb512.d4cxd413.cxd4d5 14.e5 ~e4 15.~bd2 f5 16.exf6 ~xf6 17..a.c2 .a.d6 18.~b3 ~c7 19.E{e1 ~b4 20..a.b1 ~c4 21.~d1 ~e4 22.~bd2 ~xd2 23..a.xd2 .a.d7 24.E{a7~c8

8 7

the 1"Iel, and the dark-square bishop. In the xh7 26.~g5+ g8 In the ~g6 line, White succeeds with the conventional ~g4 with the discovery and double attack on g7. 26 ... ~g6 27.~g4 e5 28.4Je6+ (walking into the usual self-pin) 2S ... ~f7 29.~xg7+ xg7 30.~xe6+ g8 There's a pretty openboard mate in two after 30 ... ~f6 31.Ag5+ f7 32.~g7+ e8 33.~c7+ 1--0 Black resigns rather than face 33 ... ~dS 34.1"IeS#.

6

(225) Pearce - Goosey Correspondence 1995 Ruy Lopez [C8t]

5 4

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Unusual combinations of additional assets naturally tend to occur when the sacrifice is undertaken in the middlegame rather than the late opening. Here, White can count on the 1"Ia7,

286

1.e4 e5 2.~f3 ~c6 3.Ab5 a6 4 ..a.a4 ~f6 5.0--0 ~ xe4 6.d4 b5 7.Ab3 d5 8.dxe5 .a.e6 9. ~e2 .a.e710.E{d1 0--0 1l.c4 bxc4 12.Axc4 .a.c5 13..a.e3 Axe314.~xe3 ~b815 ..a.b3 4Ja5 16.4Jbd2 ~a7 17.4Jd4 4Jxd2 18.~xd2 ~b619.Ac2 <:5 20.4Jf3 4Jc4 21.~e2 ~xb2 22.E{ab1 ~c3 23.E{b3~a5

Games (226) Forgacs, - Frank Hungary 1995 Sicilian Defense [B43] l.e4 e5 2./ilf3 e6 3.d4 exd4 4./il xd4 a6 5./ile3 b5 6 ..Q.d3 .Q.b7 7.0-0 d6 S.Cit'hl/ilf6 9. 'l!'/e2 Ae710.Ag5 0-0 1l.f4 'l!'/b612./ilf3/ile613.e5/ild7 14.Axe7/ilxe7 abcdefgh

8

Coming out of a Ruy Lopez, it's the Ruy bishop that initiates the sacrifice. Black grabs the b-pawn, permitting White to gain time on the queen with E!b1-b3 prior to sacrificing. The result is that White has two obvious additional assets, the e5-pawn and the E!b3. In the ~gS line, the white queen and knight infiltrate effectively, with help in some lines from the E!b3 swinging to the kingside. 24.Axh7+ Cit'xh7 25./ilg5+ Cit'gS In the ~g6 and ~h6 lines, White wins quickly because the queen and E!b3 combine for quick mates. 25 ... ~g6 26.4Jxe6 fxe6 27.~g4+ ~h7 (not 27 ... ~f7 2S.E!b7+) 2S.E!b7 E!gS 29.~h5#; 25 ... ~h6 26.4Jxe6 fxe6 27.E!h3+ ~g6 (or 27 ... ~g5 28.~h5+ ~f4 29.E!h4#) 2S.~h5#. 26.'l!'/h5 Elfb8 27.'l!'/h7+ Cit'fS 28./ilxe6+ Cit'e7 On 2S ... fxe6 the rook swings to the kingside where it works very well with the active queen. 29.E!f3+ ~eS (29 ... ~e7 30.~xg7+ ~dS 31.E!fS#) 30.~xg7 +-. 29.'l!'/xg7 Elxb3 30.'l!'/f6+ Cit'd7 31.'l!'/xf7+ Cit'e632.axb3/ilxe5 33.'l!'If6 'l!'/e3 34./ild4+ Cit'b7 35.'l!'/e7+ Cit'eS On 35 ... ~b6 36.~d6+ is crushing. 36./ile6 'l!'/a5 37./il xe5 'l!'/e7 3S. 'l!'/eS+ 'l!'/dS 39. 'l!'/e6+ Cit'bS 4O.'l!'/xe5+ 1-0

287

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In this Sicilian, White has driven off the 4Jf6 with e5. White therefore has the e5-pawn as an additional asset, but the second asset is unclear given the strength of the ilb7. When the sacrifice occurs, Black has only the E!f8 defending on f7. In the ~g6 line, as played, Black misses the best defense with 17 ... f5. 15.Axh7+ Cit'xh7 16./ilg5+ Cit'g6 In the ~gSline, the ~h5 will be able to capture on f7, with 4Jxe6 and f5 to follow. 16 ... ~gS17.~h5 E!feS 18.~xf7+ ~hS19.~h5+ ~gS 20.~h7+

~fS

21.4Jxe6+ ~f7 22.4Jg5+ ~fS 23.f5 +-. In the ~h6 line, White has ~g4-h4, forcing Black to play E!hS, again relinquishing control of f7. 16... ~h6 17.~g4 E!hS lS.4Jxf7+ ~h7 19.4Jg5+ ~g6 (19 ... ~gS 20.~xe6+ ~fS 21.~f7 #) 20.~xe6+ +- .17.'l!'/g4! 17.~d3+? 4Jf5-+ since the g-pawn is pinned. 17.•• dxe5? Best is the conventionaI17 .. .f5 18.~g3 dxe5 when White cannot find an advantage. 19.4Je2

Sacking the Citadel (19.Ehdl 4:)f6 20.Eid6 exf4 21.Eixf4 4:)h5 ending White's attack. 22.Eixb6 4:)xg3+ 23.hxg3 ~c6:j:) 19 ... ~c6 20.Eiadl ~xg2+ relieving the pressure. 21. ~xg2 ~xg2+ 22.';t>xg2 4:)d5:j:. 18. .£)xe6+ +- ~f619.fxe5+ ~xe5 20.Etael+ ~d6 21.tU4+ ~c6 22..£)d4+ Fastest is 22.Eidl!. 22 ••• ~c5 23.b4+ ~xb4 24 . .£)dxb5+ .11.e4 25.~xe4+ ~c5 26.~d4+ ~c6

27. ~d6+ Missing 27.Eie6+ to open the f-file. 27 ... fxe6 28.~d6+ ~b7 29.~xd7+ ~b8 30.Eixf8+with mate next move. 27 •.. ~b7 28.~xd7+ ~b8 29.~xe71-0

(227) Flaga - Karklins Chicago 1995 Queen's Gambit Accepted [D28] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e3 .£)f6 4 ..11.xc4 a6 5 . .£)f3 c5 6.0-0 e6 7.~e2 b5 8 ..11.d3 .£)bd7 9.a4 b410.Etdl Jtb7 1l. .£)bd2 .11.e712.b3 Eta713 ..11.b2 ~a814.e4 0--0 15.Ete1 Ete816.Etacl M817.e5.£)d5

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White has firm control over e5, but Black's knights are poised to retake f6. In addition to the e5-pawn, White has several additional assets, the active rooks and the dark-square bishop, but Black, in addition to the knights, has well organized control over the long di-

agonal and the potential defense of f7 with the Eia7. In the 'itJg6Iine, 20.~e4+ is somewhat more efficient for removing even the possibility of .. .f6 as a defense. Note the nice mating attack after 20.~e4+ ~xg5. 18..11.xh7+ ~xh7 19..£)g5+ ~g6 In the 'itJg8 line, with the ~e7 clocking any possible escape, Black must return the piece, but White's quick entry with f7 and the subsequent activity to the Eiel-e6 decides easily.19 ... <;!tg8 20.~h5 4:)5f6 21.~xf7+ ~h8 22.exf6 4:)xf6 23.Eixe6 Eixe6 24.4:)xe64:)h7 25.4:)f4 ~e4 26.~h5 Eid7 27.Eiel +-. In the ~h6 line, ~g4-h4 decides quickly because the black rooks cannot reach h8.19 .. :;t>h6 20. ~g4 4:)7f6 21.exf6 4:)xf6 22.~h4+ <;!tg6 23.Eie5 +- . 20.~e4+1 20.~e4 is fastest, but the other tries also win. 20.~g4 f6 (20 .. .f5 21.~h4+- and there's no way to prevent ~h7.) 21.4:)xe6+ ~h7 22.4:)e4+And 20.h4 f5 21.exf6 gxf6 22.4:)xe6+with ~d3+ or ~g4+ next. 20•.•f5 Complex but hopeless is 20 ... <;!txg5 21.~h7+- cutting off the king's retreats. 21...4:)5f6 22.f4+! ~xf4 (22 ...<;!tg4 23.~h3+ ~xf4 24.Eic3 bxc3 25.4:)e4 4:)xe4 26.Ei xe4+ Axe4 [26 ... <;!txe4 27. ~f3+ <;!txd4 28.Axc3 #] 27.Ac1 # ) 23.exf6 4:)xf6 24.~h4+ <;!tf5 (24 ... 4:)g4 25.Eie5 ~xg2 26.~g3 #) 25.Eie5+ <;!tg6 26.Eig5#. 21.~h4 .£)5f6 22.exf6 .£) xf6 23 . .£)df3 More accurate is 23.4:)c4! with the idea of 4:)e5+. 23 •.. Jtxf3 24•.£)xf3 Jtd6 25.dxc5 Jtc7 26.~g5+ ~f7 No better is 26 ... ~h7 27.Axf6 gxf6 28.~xf6+- with 4:)g5 or Eixe6 next. 27 ..£)h4 Slightly faster is 27.c6!. 27 ... Jtd8 28.~g6+ ~f8 29 . .£)£3 ~d5 30.c6 Etc7 31..£)e5 .£)e4 32.Etedl ~xb3 33..£)d7+ Etxd7 34.Etxd71-O Black can only delay the mate after 34.Eixd7 Eie7 35.Eixd8++-.

288

Games (228) Baburin - Peric France 1995 Queen's Gambit Accepted [D26] 1.d4 dS 2.e4 dxe4 3 ..£)f3 eS 4.e3 .£)f6 S.Axe4 e6 6 ..~e2 a6 7.dxeS AxeS 8.0--0 .£)bd7 9.e4 'lfJe7 10.eS .£)g4 1l.Af4 bS 12.Ab3 Ab713 ..£)bd2 0-0 14.h3 .£)gf6 IS . .§ae1 'lfJb8 16.Ae2 .§e817.Ah2 .£)dS 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

The e5-pawn has eliminated a knight on f6, but once again, Black is organized for a return there. In addition to the e5 pawn, White has the {Jd2-e4, the .E!c1, and the odd-looking dark-square bishop on h2 which, given the placement of the black queen, offers significant help when the e5-pawn is able to capture on f6. In the ~g8Iine, the queen arrives on h5 with two threats. With the f8-square already vacant, Black can defend with ... {Jf8, but White's attack succeeds with the additional asset, {Jc3e4-f6. 18.Axh7+ xh7 19. .£)gS+ g8 In the ~g6Iine, the ability of the lth2 to attack the ~b8 eliminates .. .f5 as a reasonable defense.19 ... ~g6 20.~d3+ and now (a) 20 .. .f5 21.exf6+ ~xf6 (21...~xg5 22.Axb8+-) 22.{Jde4+ ~e7 23.Axb8+- winning the queen; (b) 20 ... ~xg5 cannot survive in the presence of so many additional assets. 21.~h7 {J5f6 (21...{Jxe5

22.{Je4#) 22.~xg7+ ~h5 23.g4+ {Jxg4 24.~xf7+ +-; or 22 ... \t>h4 23.~h6+ {Jh5 24.Ag3#; 22 ... \t>f5 23.g4+ {Jxg4 24.~xg4#; (c) king retreats are again quickly mated, 20 ... ~h5 21.~h7+ \t>xg5 22.{Je4#; and (d) 20 ... ~h6 21.~h7+ ~xg5 22.{Je4# or 22.{Jf3 #. In the \t>h6 line, Black must counter the threat ~g4-h4 by retaking the f6-square with a knight, when the capture on f6 exposes the ~b8 to attack. 19 ... \t>h6 20.~g4 {J7f6 21.exf6 {Jxf6 22.{Jxf7+ \t>h7 23.~h4+ \t>g8 24.Axb8+-. 20.'lfJhS .£)f8 Capturing the e-pawn provides no relief: 20 ...{Jxe5 21.Axe5 ~xe5 22.~xf7+ \t>h8 23.{Jde4 (holding the {Jg5 and threatening ~xb7) 23 ... .E!c7 24.~h5+ \t>g8 25.~h7+ ~f8 26 ..E!xc5 +-. 21.'lfJxf7+ h8 22.'lfJhS+ Fastest is 22.{Jde4+with the idea of 23.{Jf6. 22 .•. g8 23. 'lfJf7+ h8 24 . .£)de4 'lfJa7 2S •.§xeS White's continuation is winning, but even more forcing is 25.{Jf6 {Jxf6 26.exf6 when the threat on g7 requires Black to act in desperation with 26 ... Axf2+ 27.~hl Axg2+ 28.\t>xg2 ~xf7 29.{Jxf7+ \t>h7 30.{Jg5+ \t>g6 31.fxg7 +-. 2S ••• .§xeS 26 . .£)xeS 'lfJxeS 27.'lfJxb7+- 'lfJe8 28.'lfJf7 .§b8 29.Jtg3 .§b7 30. 'lfJhS+ g8 31 . .§d1 g6 32.'lfJg4 .£)e7 33. .£)e4 'lfJe2 34. .§d8 g7 3S. 'lfJh4 .£)dS 36 . .§xf8 xf8 37.'lfJh8+ e7 38.Jth4+ gS 39.Axgs+ d7 40.'lfJd8+ 1-0 It's mate in two with 40 ... \t>c6 41.~d6#.

289

(229) Kunz - Langreder Correspondence 1996 French Defense [CI5] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3 . .£)e3 AM 4.a3 Axe3+ S.bxe3 dxe4 6.f3 eS 7.AbS+ .£)e6 8.'lfJe2 .£)ge7 9.fxe4 exd4

Sacking the Citadel 10•.£lf3 0-0 1l.e5 ~a5 12.0-0 ~xc3 13.Ad2 ~xc2 14.Ad3 ~c5 15.Elac1 ~xa3

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In this French, Black has invested considerable time eliminating the white queenside pawns and indeed, at the time of the sacrifice, White is already four pawns down. For compensation, White has important additional assets in the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the rooks, both on useful open files. In the 'ittg6 line, the §f1-f3 swing enters the attack with tempo. 16.Axh7+ xh717..£lg5+ g6 In the 'ittgBline, White plays the lovely 1B.§c3 preventing the black queen from reaching the b1-h7 diagonal. 17 ... 'ittgB1B.§c3 (not 18.ii¥h5? ii¥d3-+ reaching the key diagonal) lB ... ii¥xc3 (not 1B ... dxc3 19.ii¥h5 §dB and now the black queen cannot reach d3. 20.ii¥xf7+ 'itthB 21.ii¥h5+ 'ittgB 22.ii¥h7#) 19 ...I1xc3 f6 20.exf6 §xf6 (20 ... gxf6 21.ii¥h5 fxg5 22.ii¥xg5+ 'itth7 23.§xfB+-) 21.ii¥h5 §xf1+ 22.'ittxfl ..I1d7 23.ii¥f7+ 'itthB 24 ...I1b4 4Jxb4 25.ii¥xe7 ..I1b5+ 26.'ittg1 4Jd5 27.ii¥xb7 +-. lS.Elf3 d3 The attempt to exchange queens with 18. .. ii¥a6 runs into 19.ii¥e4+ 4Jf5 (19 .. .f5 when the black king is hopelessly exposed after 20.exf6+ 4Jf5 21.fxg7 'ittxg7 22. ii¥g4 §f6 23.4Jxe6+ 'ittf7 24.§xf5+-) 20.g4 ii¥b5 21.§g3 4Jxe5

290

(21...ii¥xe5 22.gxf5+ 'ittf6 [22 ... exf5 23.§xc6++- ] 23.ii¥h4 'itte7 24.4Jf3++since 24 ... ii¥f6 runs into 25 ...I1g5) 22.§c7 ..I1d723.§xb7+-.19.~e4+0r 19.§xd3+- eliminating the pawn and threatening a patient attack with §g3. 19 ... ii¥a6 20.4Je4 f5 21.exf6 §xf6 22.§g3+ 'ittf7 23.ii¥h5+ 4Jg6 24.4Jxf6+-. 19 .•• .£lf5 20.Elg3 f6 21 ..£lxe6++- f7 After 21...'itth7 it's mate in three with 22.ii¥xf5+ 'ittgB 23.§xg7+. 22.~xf5 Axe6 23.~g6+ e7 24.~xg7+ Or 24.§xd3 ii¥b2 25 ...I1e3+-. 24 .•• Elf7 24 ... ..11£7 invites 25.exf6+ when the king is too exposed to survive. 25 ... 'ittd7 26.ii¥g4+ 'ittc7 27 ...\lf4+ 'ittb6 28.§b1 + 'itta6 29.ii¥d7 +and there's no safe way to defend b7. 25.exf6+ d7 26.~g6 ~fS 27.Elxd3+ cS Black needs safety on the queenside, not 27 ... 'itteB 28.§e3+-. 2S.~e4 Elxf6 29.Elxc6+! bxc6 30.~xc6+ bS 31.~b5+ cS 31... 'ittc7 involves the dark-square bishop in the attack 32 ...I1a5+ 'ittcB 33.ii¥c6+ 'ittbB 34.~c7#. 32.Elc3+ dS 33.Ag5 +- ElcS 34. ~e5 El xc3 35.Axf6+ d7 36.~xc3 ~d6 37.~d4 ~xd4+ 3S.Axd4 a5 39.h3 d6 4O.f2 a4 41.Ab2 c5 42.g4 d6 43. g3 e7 44.h4 f7 45.h5 gS 46.g5 h7 47.g6+ h6 48. h41-0 (230) Korneev - Piskov Linares 1996 French Defense [C06] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 ..£ld2 .£lf6 4.e5 .£lfd7 5.Ad3 c5 6.c3 .£lc6 7 ..£le2 cxd4 S.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 .£lxf610.0--0 Ad6 1l . .£lf3 ~c7 12.Ag5 0-0 13.Elcl Ad714..£lg3 ~b615.Axf6 Elxf6

Games 19.~h7+ ~fS 20.~hS+ 'it'e7 21.'lii"xaS! §fS (21...~xb2 22.§bl ~d2 23.4:)f3 §xf3 24.gxf3 b6 25.~g2±) 22.~xb7 §bS 23.'lii"a6 §b6 24.~e2 Jlxg3 (24 ... 'lii"f6 25.4:)f3 §xb2 26.§c2 §xc2 27.'lii"xc2 e5 2S.~h7 e4 29.4:)h4+-) 25.hxg3 ~f6 26.~e3 §xb2 27.4:)xe6 §xa2 2S.4:)f4+ 1-0 Ledger-Hawes, St Helier 2002.

abcdefgh

A theoretical duel in which both sides have some claim. White can count here upon the 4:)g3 and §c1 as additional assets, while Black can point to the §f6, significant pressure upon d4, and the absence of an e5-pawn. All but one of the defenders selected the 'it'gS line, when White, with careful and ferocious play, prevailed in every game. 16.Axh7+ ~xh717.{\g5+ ~g8 The 'it'hS line, rarely mentioned because it often results in a quick checkmate on h7, is playable here owing to the §f6h6. 17 ... 'it'hS 18.'lii"d3! (White cannot make progress after IS.'lii"h5+ §h6 19.4:)f7+ 'it'h7 20.4:)g5+=) IS ... g6 (after 18. .. §h619.4:)f7+ ~gS 20.4:)xh6+ gxh6 the white queen gains an effective entry square 21.'lii"g6+ ~fS 22.4:)f5 exf5 23.'lii"xd6++-) 19.4:)3e4(openingh3 for the queen) 19 ... ~g7 20.4:)xd6 4:)xd4 21.§fel (White can reach an even position with 21.'lii"e3 'lii"xd6 22.'lii"xd4 e5 23.'lii"e3 d4=) 21...e5 22.§xe5 §xd6 23.§e7+ 'it'gS 24.§cel §fS 25.4:)e6? (25.§le6 4:)f5+) 25 ... 4:)f5 26.§xd7 §xd7 27.4:)xfS 'it'xfS 2S.g4 4:)e7 0-1 Maksimenko-Nosenko,Alushta 1999. In the 'it'h6 and ~g6Iines, White mates in one thanks to the assist from the 4:)g3. 17 ... ~g6 or 17 ... 'it'h6 IS.~h5 #. 18.~h5 Ae8 IS ... ~xd4 when now White can safely capture the §hS.

291

The best defense may be IS ... §f4!? holding control over the f-file and augmenting the pressure upon d4. 19.~h7+ ~fS 20.'lii"hS+ 'it'e7 21.~xg7+ (spuming the rook since §fS would trap the queen) 21...~dS 22.4:)h5 ~xd4 23.4:)xe6+ Jlxe6 24.'lii"xb7 §bS 25.~xc6 §b6 26.~aS+ §b8 27.~c6=. 19.~h7+ ~f8 20.{\f5! Less compelling was 20.~hS+ ~e7 21.~xg7+ Jlf7 22.4:)xf7 §xf7 23.4:)f5+ exf5 24.§fel + 'it'd7 (missing 24 ... Ae5! returning a piece to block the file and to gain time to activate the §as. 25.~g5+ [25.§xe5+ 4:)xe5 26.~xe5+ ~d7 27.~xd5+ ~eS-+] 25 ... ~f8 26.dxe5 'lii"xb2=) 25.'lii"xf7+ 4:)e7 26.~e6+ ~dS 27.a3 a5 2S.h4 §a6 29.~f7 'lii"b5 30.~f8+ ~d7 31.§cSl-O Frolov-Weiss, Schwabisch GmUnd 1994. 20 .•. E!xf5 21.{\xe6+ ~e7 Another game tried 21...~f7 22.~xf5+ ~gS with patient maneuvering until White could safely bring up the rooks 23.4:)g5 4:)e7 24.~e6+ ~hS (24 ... 'it'fS 25.4:)h7#) 25.'lii"h3+ ~gS 26.~h7+ 'it'fS 27.4:)e6+ (27.~hS+ 4:)gS 2S.4:)e6+ ~f7 29.§fel +-) 27 ... ~f7 2S.§fel with ~xg7 to follow.l-0 Dearing-Mah, Yerevan 1997. 22.~xf5 {\xd4 In Rausis-Namyslo, Meisdorf 1996, Black tried 22 ... Jld7 pinning and soon winning the knight, but after 23.§fel Jle5 24.'lii"g5+ ~xe6 White maintains a strong initiative and can now push the unopposed kings ide

Sacking the Citadel pawns. 2S:i£rg6+ 'lIe7 26:i£rxg7+ 'lidS 27.dxeS+- 4Je7 2S.e6 AeS 29:i£reS ElcS 30.h4 Elc6 31.hS 'ltfc7 32.'ltfgS 'ltfd6 33.h6 Ag6 34.'ltff6 'lIc7 3S.'ltfg7 'lIb6 36.Elxc6+ bxc6 37.h7 Axh7 3S:i£rxh7 'ltfb4 39.Eldl 'lIc7 40.'ltfh2+ ~cS 41. 'ltfhS+ 'lIc7 42. 'ltfd4 'ltfxd4 43.Elxd4 'lId6 44.Ela4 'lIxe6 4S.Elxa7 d4 1-0. Black also wins the 4Je6 after 22 ... g6 23.'ltfxdS Af7 24.Elfel AeS 2S.dxeS (2S.Elxc6 'ltfxc6 26.'ltfxeS +- ) 2S ... Axe6 but once again White's extra pawns provide a long term advantage. 26.'ltfd6+ 'lIf7 27.Elc3 EleS 2S.Elf3+ 'lIg7 29:i£rd2 EldS 30.'ltfgS 'ltfaS 31.'ltff6+ 'lIh7 32.Elfe3 'ltfdS 33.h3 ElgS 34.'ltfh4+ 'lIg7 3S.'ltfgS ElfS 36.Elg3 MS 37.e6 EleS 3S.Elge3 Elxe6 39.El xe6 Axe6 40.'ltfxdS .llxdS 41.b3 'lIf6 42.f3 4Jb4 43.Ele2 Ac6 44.'lIf2 4JdS 4S.Eld2 ~eS 46.g3 4Jc3 47.h4 4JdS 4S.Ele2+ 'lIf6 49.g4 4Jf4 SO.Eld2 AdS S1.'lIe3 'lieS S2.Elh2 Af7 S3.'lIf2 'lId4 S4.Elhl 'lieS SS.Elel+ 'lIf6 S6.'lIg3 4JdS S7.Ele2 'lIg7 SS.a3 'lIf6 S9.gS+ ~g7 60.b4 'lIfS 61.EleS a6 62.f4 4Je7 63.hS gxhS 64.fS 4Jc6 6S.ElcS AeS 66.'lIh4 4Jd4 67.g6 Ad7 6S.f6 .llg4 69.Elc7 4Jf3+ 70.'lIg3 4JgS 71.Ele7 Ae6 72.'lIh4 4Jf3+ 73.'lIxhS 4Jd4 74.g7+ ~gS 7S.EleS+ 1-0 LibiszewskiHousieaux, Val d'!sere 2004. 23.Jilxd4 ~xd4 24.lafe1+ 1-0 After 24 ... ~dS 2S.'ltfe6 hits both bishops at the same time.

(231) Fernandez - De Waard Correspondence 1996 French Defense [CI5] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Jilc3 Ab4 4.a3 Axc3+ 5.bxc3 dxe4 6.f3 ~d5 7.lab1 b6 8.c4 ~b7 9.d5 exf310.Jil xf3 Jile7 11.Ad3 exd5 12.0--00--0

292

8 Il~,f._'~ 7

1~~;NI.I"~.:8

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Black's very poor queenside development and the inactivity ofElfS suggests success for the sacrifice, which can count on the Elfl, the dark-square bishop, and even the active Elbl as additional assets. But Black is not without resources, notably the 4Je7 and the light-square bishop taking aim on the key fS-square. In the 'lIg6 line, Black misses the best chance with IS .. :~c6, an attempt to place the queen eventually on the key b I-h7 diagonal. 13.J'txh7+ lit'xh714.Jilg5+ lit'g6 In the 'lIgSline, Black's only defense with ... .llfS gets ripped by ElxfS.14 ... 'lIgS IS.'\li'hS AfS 16.ElxfS+-; 14 ... ~h6 walks into a crushing discovery: IS.4Jxf7+ ~g616.4JeS+ 'lIh717.'\li'hS+ 'lIgSlS.ElxfS+ 'lIxfS 19.'\li'f7#. 15.h4! White cannot make meaningful progress after IS.'ltfd3+ fS 16.'\li'g3 f4 17.~xf4 4JfS IS.'ltfh3 4Jh6 19.'ltfd3+ ~fS 20.'\li'g3=. 15 ... Jilf5 Black cannot afford to cede control over the f7-square. IS ... ElhS 16.Elxf7 Elxh4 17.Elxe7+-; IS ... 'ltfc6! (activating the queen while keeping it out of the reach of the discovered check) 16.hS+ ~h617.'ltfd3 fS IS.4Je6+ ~h7 19.4JxfS+ 'lIgS 20.4Jg6 4Jxg6 21.hxg6+-. 16.h5+ lit'f6 Black dare not walk into 16 ...'lIh617.'ltfg4 f6 18.ElxfS+- .17.~d4+ Fritz 12 notes that 17.'ltfe2 starts a mate in 15. 17•.. lit'e7

Games 18.'li'/e5+ \tIdS After lS ... .J:te6 the knight simply falls, 19 ..!''!.xf5 +-. 19.{) xf7+ -.§ xf7 20.Jtg5+ .§f6 20 ... .§e7 21..§xf5 +- strips off the rook's defender. 21.Jtxf6+ gxf6 22. 'li'/xf6+ 1-0 Black cannot defend adequately on e7 after 22 ... 4Je7 23.'§bel 4Jbc6 24. ~f8+ ~d7 25 ..§f7 +- . (232) Dimitrov - Yepes Martinez Terrassa 1996 French Defense [C07] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.{)d2 c5 4.exd5 'li'/xd5 5.{)gf3 cxd4 6.Jtc4 'li'/d6 7.0o {)f6 S.{) b3 {)c6 9 ..£'1 bxd4 .£'I xd4 10.{)xd4 a611.b3 'li'/c712.Jtb2 Jtd6 13.{)f3 0-014.'li'/e2 b515.Jtd3 {)d5 16.g3 Jtb717..§fe1 .§adS1S..§ac1

{)b4 8

7

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3

organize the .J:tb2-cl. 20 ... ~h6 21.~g4 e5 (21...f6 22.'l£th4+ ~g6 23.4Jxe6+-) 22 ..§cdl 4Jxc2 23.Ac1 f5 24.4Je6+ ~h7 25.'l£th5++-. 21.'li'/g4 Too slow is 21.h4? 'l£tc6-+. 21 ••• f5 22.'§xe6+! Much less active is 22.'l£th4 e5 23.4Je6 "Ytie7 (Black is able to use the .§fS to defend d8) 24.4Jf4+ ~f7 (24 ... e xf4 25 ..§xe7) 25.'l£th5+ ~gS 26.4Jg6 'l£tf6 27 ..J:txe5 .J:tf3 2S ..J:txf6 .J:txh5 29 ..J:txdS .§xdS 30.4Je7+ .J:txe7 31..§xe7 .§d2':F. 22 ••• .§f6 23.~h4 .§xe6 24.{)xe6 Jte7 24 ... 'l£te7 25.4JxdS+- wins the rook outright. 25.{)f4+ \tIf7 26. 'li'/h5+ \tIgS 27.{)g6 'li'/d6 27 ... .J:td6 2S.c4 (with the idea of c5) 2S ... 4Jxa2 29 ..§dl bxc4 30.bxc4 4Jb4 31.c5 'l£txc5 giving up the defense ofthe .§dS 32.'l£thS+ ~f7 33. "YtixdS +- . 2S. 'li'/hS+ \tIf7 29.'li'/xg7+ \tieS 30 . .§e1 Jte4 31.{)xe7 'li'/xe7 32.~xe7+ \tIxe7 33.f3 33 ..J:ta3 +- picks up the knight. 33 .•. .£'1 xc2 34..§e2 {)d4 35.Jtxd4 .§xd4 36.fxe4 fxe4 37.\tIf2 \tIe6 3S.\tIe3 \tIe5 39..§d2 1-0 (233) Wells - Dumitrache Balatonbereny 1997 Semi-Slav Defense [D46]

2

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Black's ... 4Jb4 impels White to undertake the sacrifice, which counts here on the .§el and the Ab2 as additional assets. In the ~g6 line, White succeeds because .. .f5, Black's only defense after ~g4, permits the immediate entry of the white rook on e6. 19.Jtxh7+ \tIxh7 20.{)g5+ \tIg6 In the ~gSline, White wins very quickly thanks to the assist from the dark-square bishop's support on g7. 20 ... ~gS 21.~h5 .§feS 22.~h7+ 24.~xf7#. of~g4-h4

~fS

23.~xg7+

~e7

In the ~h6 line, the threat gives White the time to re-

293

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.{)c3 c6 4.{)f3 {)f6 5.e3 {)bd7 6.Jtd3 Jtd6 7.0--0 0--0 S.e4 {)xe4 9.{)xe4 dxe410.Jtxe4 .§eS 1l..§e1 c5 8 7

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Sacking the Citadel In this Semi-Slav, Black will be able, in some lines to play ... 4::If6 defending h7, and the f1fB is already off fB. Still, White has additional assets in the f1e1 and the dark-square bishop. In the 'it'g6Iine, White finds the remarkable and original resource, g4 (rather than 14.'lii'g4 f5 when the queen cannot remain on the g-file) which replaces an e5-pawn in preventing a subsequent .. .f5 by Black. 12.Axh7+ Cit'xh713.4)g5+ Cit'g6 In the 'it'gB line, Black cannot simultaneously defend the f7 and h7 entry points, and ... 4::If6 gets overloaded by a pretty f1e4 rook swing. 13 ... 'it'gB 14.'lii'h5 'lii'f6 (White triumphs easily after either 14 ... ~xh2+ 15.'it'h1 or 14 ... 4::If6 15.'lii'xf7+ 'it'hB 16.f1e4+-) 15.'lii'h7+ 'it'fB 16.4::Ie4 'lii'g6 17.'lii'xg6 fxg6 (17 ... ~xh2+ 1B.'it'xh2 fxg6 19.dxc5+-) 1B.4::Ixd6+- with Ag5 on the next move. 14.g4! A wonderful pawn advance anticipating .. .f6 after ~d3+. Also: (a) Less compelling is 14.h4!? f5 (14 ... f1hB 15.f1xe6+ fxe6 16.~d3+ 'it'f617.~f3+ 'it'g6 [17 ... 'it'e7 18.~f7 #] 18.~f7+ 'it'h619.4::Ixe6+ +-) because without an e5-pawn 15.h5+ cannot drive the king to h6. 15 ... 'it'f6 16.~e2 'lii'e717.~d3 ~dB1B.d5±; or (b) But not 14.~g4? f5 15.'lii'h4 because Black can challenge the queen with an anchored 15 ... f1hB -+. 14 •.. 4)f8 14 ... f1fB 15.'lii'f3 4::Ib616.h4 f5 17.h5+ 'it'f61B.gxf5 exf5 19.~g2 +- aiming for the g6-entry square and, after 4::Ih7 or 4::Ie4, Ag5+ winning the queen. 15.~d3+ f515 ... 'it'f6 gives White the chance to mate quickly: 16.'lii'f3+ 'it'e7 (16 ... 'it'g6 17.'lii'xf7+ 'it'h6 1B.~h5#) 17.~xf7#. 16.~h3 Cit'f6 Alternatives fare no better: 16 ... fxg4 17.~xg4 'lii'e7 18.~e4+ 'it'f6 (18. .. 'it'h619.4::If7+ 'it'h5 20.4::Ixd6 ~xd6 21.'lii'g2+-) 19.~f3+ 'it'g6 20.h4 e5 21.dxe5 ~xe5 22J'he5

294

'lii'xe5 23.'lii'f7+ 'it'h6 24.4::If3+ +-. Aiming to dull the impact of White's darksquare bishop with 16 .. .f4 (opening the e4-square for the knight) 17.'lii'h5+ 'it'f6 1B.4::Ie4+ 'it'e7 19.dxc5 ~c7 20.b3 +-. 17.~h5 f418.Ete5! ~d719.Axf4 Axe5 The attempt to run with 19... 'it'e7 meets 20.dxc5 ~c7 21.f1ae1 +-. 20.Axe5+ Cit'e7 21.4)f7 More accurate is 21.dxc5 'it'dB 22.4::If7+ 'it'e7 23.~g5+ 'it'xf7 24.'lii'xg7#. 21 ... ~a4 22.Ad6+ Cit'd7 Avoiding 22 ... 'it'f6 23.g5+ 'it'f5 24.4::Ie5 +- with 'lii'g4 #. 23.~xc5 e5 24.d5 Fastest is 24.'lii'c7+ 'it'e6 25.dxe5 +- with 4::Ig5# to come. 24 ... 4)e6 25.4) xe5+ Cit'd8 26.Ac7+ 1-0 Starting a pretty mate in three. 26 ... 4::Ixc7 27.4::If7+ 'it'd7 28.~d6#. (234) Vavrak - Kopera Zilina 1997 Queen's Gambit Declined [D37] l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.4)f3 4)f6 4.e3 Ae7 5.Ad3 0--0 6.0--0 4)bd7 7.4)c3 dxc4 8.Axc4 b6 9.e4 Ab7 10.Etel Ab4 1l.Ad3 c5 12.e5 4)d5 13.4) xd5 Axd5 8 7

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In this Queen's Gambit Declined, White can count on three additional assets, the secure e5-pawn, the -dark-square bishop, and the f1e1, while Black can point only to the active Ad5. The f1fB

Games has not yet created an escape square, the.ilb4 is attacking the ~e1 which will not long remain there, and the 4Jd7 cannot safely return to f6. In the ~g6 line, h4 followed by the rook swing is most efficient. Note that the ~g4 try is easily repulsed. 14.Axh7+
4)e6 11.0-0-0 4)b6 12.Ad3 Ad7 13.
'it'fB 20.~hB+

~e7 21.~xg7#.

16.h4! White gains back only an exchange after 16.~g4 f5 17.~g3 (17.exf6 4Jxf6= 1B.~g3 4Jh5) 17 ... ~e7 1B.~d1 (lB.~e3 ~xg5 -+) 1B ... c4 19.4Jxe6+ 'it'h7 20.4JxfB+ ~xf8=; 16.~d3+ f5 17.~g3 transposes to the 16.~g4 line (or White can try 17.exf6+ ~xf6 18.~e2 ~c7 19.dxc5 bxc5 20.4Jh7+ 'it'f7 21.4Jg5+ [21.4JxfB ~xf8+] 21...~f6=).16 •.. Eth8There's no help in first securing the queen with 16... ~e7 17.~c2+ f5 1B.exf6+ 'it'xf6 19.4Jxe6 .ilxe6 20 ..ilg5++-. 17:~d3+ Better is 17.~e3! ~xh4 18.~g3 ~cB 19.4Jf3+ +- winning the rook. 17••.
295

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The sacrifice occurs here in a position that is nearly identical to van der WeilKortchnoi save for the addition of an extra move pair, 'it'b1, 4Ja5, which should work in White's favor given the additional security for the white king and the removal of the ~e3+ resource. In the game, another theoretical debate ensues in the 'it'gB line, where White retains a significant and perhaps winning advantage despite Black's success in migrating his king to the queenside. 14.Axh7+
Sacking the Citadel 4Ja3+ 29.'it>b2 f1.fS 30.~g7 f1.hgS 3l.fxe6 4Jc4+ 32.'it>bl 4Ja3+ 33.'it>b2 4Jc4+ 34.'it>al 'it>bS 35.~xd7 4Jxe5 36.4Jxd5 ~c5 37.~h7 4Jxd3 38.~xd3 f1.xg2 39.e7 f1.eS 40.4Je3 f1.f2 41.~dS+ ~cS 42.~d6+ ~c7 43.~xc7+ 'it>xc7 44.4Jd5+ 'it>d6 45.c4 b5 46.4Jc3 f1.xe7 47.cxb5 axb5 4S.4Jxb5+ 'it>c5 49.4Jc3 'it>d4 50.4Jdl f1.d2 51.h4 f1.ee2 52.a4 f1.h2 53.f1.fl f1.xh4 54.4Jb2 'it>c3 55.f1.f3+ 'it>b4 56.4Jd3+ 'it>xb3 57.4Jb2+ 'it>c2 5S.'it>a2 f1.b4 59.'it>a3 f1.xb2 60.a5 f1.b5 61.'it>a4 f1.dd5 62.f1.f2+ 'it>d3 0-1 Hamid-Karthikeyan, Chennai 2004. In Resika-Hanley, Budapest 2002, Black aims to force the exchange ofthe 4Jd6. 21... 4Jac4 22.4Jcb5+ but with this check, White maintains control over the key square. 22 ... 'it>bS 23.4Jxc4 f1.e7 (23 ... ~xc4 24.4Jd6 ~b4 25.a3 ~xf4 26.4JxeS AxeS 27.f1.hfl +-) 24.~fS+ 4JcS 25.4Jcd6 f1.eS 26.~f7 f1.e7 27.~fS f1.eS 28.~f61-0.

18.~hS+ 'it>e719.~xg7 'it>dS! 20.4Jxf7+ 'it>c7 21.4Jd6 4Jac4= 22.4Jxc4 (22.f5 peters out to a perpetual after 'it>bS 23.4Jxc4 4Jxc4 24.~xd7 ~b4 25.4Ja4 4Ja3+ 26.'it>al 4Jxc2+ 27.bS 32.f1.el d4 33.~d2 ~g6 34.f1.e5 d3 35.f5 dxc2+ 36.~xc2 ~f6 37.~e4 f1.gdS 0-1. IS ... exf5 19.~hS+ xe6 White should tum down the check on f6 in favor of the rook sac on f5: 22.f1.hfl f1.f8 23.f1.xf5 4Jac4 24.f1.f6+ 'it>e7 25.e6+-. 21.e6 Axe6 22.ghel dS 23.f1.xe6+-. Capturing the rook leads immediately to a brutal knight fork. 23.Jclxe6 fxe6 24.gxe6+ eS 27.~d7 #) 26.f1.xd5+.

In Grabics-Matveeva, Istanbul 2000, White again played IS.~hS+! 'it>e7 but deviated with 12.~h4 trying to prevent the king from escaping via d8. 12 ... f1.hS (better to create tuft on f8 with 19 ... f1.gS) 20.4Jh7+ 'it>eS 21.4Jf6+ gxf6 22.~xhS+ ~f8 23.~xf6 4Jac4 24.f1.d3 ~b4 25.b3 4Ja3+ 26.'it>b2 Ab5 27.f1.g3 4Jd7 2S.f1.gS+ 4Jf8 29.f1.g7 f1.cS 30.~xf7+ 'it>dS 31.~f6+ 'it>eS 32.~f7+ 'it>dS 33.~f6+ (33.f1.g3±) 33 ... 'it>eS 34.~f7+ Yz-Yz . The aggressive looking 18.4Jce4 dxe4 19.4Jxe4 permits White to park a rook on d6: 19 ... ~c6 20.f1.d6 ~b5 but White could find no way to make further progress 21.~hS+ 'it>e7 22.~h4+ 'it>fS 23.~hS+ 'it>e7 24.~h4+ 'it>f8 YzYz, Glek-Morozevich, st. Petersburg 1998. 17. ~h7+
(236) Kovacevic - Nikolac Medulin 1997 Queen's Indian Defense [EI4] l.d4 Jclf6 2.Jclf3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.e3 Ab7 5.Ad3 Ae7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Jclc3 d5 S.b3 c5 9.Ab2 cxd4 10.exd4 Jclc6 1l.gc1 gcs 12.gel geS 13.cxd5 Jclxd514.Jclxd5 ~xd515.Ae4 ~d6 16.d5 exd517.~xd5 Jcla51S.gxcS gxc8

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Games The center has blown open and Black, with 17 ... <£\a5, appears to be encouraging a trade Of queens. The unusual position has all the features of a customary sacrifice. The knight can reach g5 and the ~d5 has ready access to h5 and immediate access to f7. 20.<£\g5 is playable because the Ae7 is overloaded. To avoid ~xf7+, Black selects the 'it'h6 line, where the threats on e6 and g7 overwhelm Black after ~f7. 19.Jlxh7+ xh7 20..£lg5+ h6 The 'it'gS line leads to a mate in two owing to the quick entry on f7 and the activity of the Ab2. 20 ... 'it'gS 21.i!'fxf7+ 'it'hS 22. ~xg7 #. In the 'it'g6Iine, i;j-xf7 forces the black king out in the open when White's two additional assets, the Ab2 and the fie1, help to decide in White's favor in the myriad lines. 20 ... 'it'g6 21.~xf7+ 'it'xg5 (21...'it'h6 22.~xg7+ 'it'h5 23.<£\e6+-) 22.~xg7+ 'it'h5 (22 ... 'it'h4 23.~h7+ 'it'g5 24.h4+ 'it'g4 25.f3+ 'it'g3 26.~g7+ 'it'xh4 27.~g4#) 23.~h7+ 'it'g5 (23 ... i!'fh6 24.g4+ 'it'g5 25.fie5+ +-) 24.h4+ 'it'g4 (24 ... 'it'f4 25.~h5+-) 25.f3+ 'it'g3 26.~g7+ 'it'xh4 27.~g4#. 20 ... .ilxg5 (dropping the queen) 21.~xd6+-. 21.~xf7 xg5 2l...~g6 (the dark-square bishop and the rook enter the position quickly) 22 ..ilxg7+ ~xg7 23.fie6+ 'it'xg5 24.~xg7++-. 22.~xg7+ 1-0 The expo sure of the black king permits White to prevail easily in every line: (a) 22 ... 'it'h5 23.~h7++- i!'fh6 24.g4+ 'it'g5 25.fie5+ +- winning at least the queen; (b) 22 ... 'it'h4 23.~h7+ 'it'g5 (23 ... 'it'g4 24.f3+ Axf3 25.gxf3+ 'it'xf3 26.i;j-e4 #) 24.h4+ 'it'f4 (24 ... 'it'g4 25.f3+ Axf3 26.gxf3+ 'it'xf3 27.i!'fe4+ 'it'g3 2S.fie3 #) 25.~h5 +- with Ae5+ next; (c) 22 ... 'it'f5 23.h3+-; and (d) 22 ... i;j-g6 23.fie5++- .

297

(237) Hellsten - Jakobsen Gistrup 1997 N imzo-Indian Defense [E 11 ] 1.d4 .£lf6 2.c4 e6 3 . .£lf3 Jlh4+ 4 ..£l1xl2 0--0 5.a3 Ae7 6.e4d5 7.cxd5 exd5 S.e5 .£lfd7 9.Ad3 c5 10.(H) .£lc6 ll.§.el a5 12.Ac2 cxd4 13..£lh3 §.eS14..£lhxd4 .£lc515.h3

ArS 8 7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White undertakes the sacrifice immediately following Black's retreat of the bishop to fS, giving White the opportunity safely to bring the <£\f3-g5. White can count on four additional assets, the e5-pawn secured by the fie1, the darksquare bishop, and the <£\d4, which prevents Black from defending with Af5. In the 'it'g6 line, White wins as in the game with <£\d4-f3 with the idea of <£\h4. 16.Axh7+ xh717..£lg5+ g6 In the 'it'gS line, White must first trade the knights on c6. The immediate i;j-h5 invites Black to sacrifice his queen on g5 and then pick up the loose <£\d4. 17 ... 'it'gS ls.<£\xc6! (1S.i!'fh5 i*xg5! 19.Axg5 <£\xd4) lS ... bxc6 (lS ... i!'fd7 ... i;j-h5 i;j-f5 19.<£\d4+-) 19.~h5+-. lS•.£ldf3! A very instructive maneuver with the idea of <£\f3-h4+. The alternative lS.h4 is also winning. Note that with the bishop on fS, Black cannot play fihS to prevent h5. lS ... <£\xd4 (IS ... ~e7

Sacking the Citadel 19.'liYc2+ lLle4 20.!he4+-) 19.h5+ (setting up the king for a disastrous discovered check) 19 ... 'i!th6 (19 ... 'i!tf5 20.g4#) 20.lLlxt7+ (winning the queen) 20 ... 'i!th7 21.lLlxd8 '£)db3 22.'l!i'c2+ +-. And avoiding 18.'l!i'c2+?! lLle4. 18•.• ttd718 .. .f5 moves the f-pawn but leaves the f7 -square undefended 19.1Llh4+ 'i!th6 20.lLlt7+ +-. 19•.£lh4+ 19.1Llh4 forces the king on to a dangerous dark square, but also effective is 19.~c2+ f5 20.lLlh4+ 'i!th6 21.e6 (since the black f-pawn can longer capture on e6) 21... 'l!i'c7 (now it's mate in three) 22.lLlxf5+ 'i!th5 (22 ... ~g6 23.lLle7+ 'i!th5 [23 ... ~h6 24.~h7#; 23 ... 'i!tf6 24.lLlxd5#] 24.'l!i'h7#) 23.lLlg3+ 'i!th4 (23 ... )f;h6 24.lLlf7#; 23 ... ~xg3 24.'l!i'h7#) 24.lLlf3#. 19 ••• ~h6 20•.£le6+ The immediate discovery is effective, but the fastest path starts with 20.~c2+-. 20... ~h7 21.tth5+ ~g8 22 . .£lg5+- .1ld6 23.tth7+ ~f8 24. tth8+ ~e7 25.exd6+ ~d8 Hopeless for Black is 25 ... 'i!txd6 26.!he8+-. 26.§xe8+ ttxe8 27..£lxfi+ 1--0 Black resigns rather than face the infusion of white forces. 27 ... )f;d7 28.~xg7 lLle6 (forcing the queen to move, but there are plenty of useful entry squares) 29.~f6 lLlcd8 30.lLle5+ 'i!txd6 31.Ae3+-.

(238) Hamilton - Marsden Correspondence 1997 Scotch Game [C43] 1.e4 e5 2 ..£lf3 .£lf6 3.d4 exd4 4.e5 .£le4 5.ttxd4 d5 6.exd6.£l xd6 7..£lc3 .£lc6 8. ttf4 Ae6 9.Ad3 Ae7 10.Ae3 Af6 11.0-0-0 tte7 12.§he1 0--0 13.Ac5 Axc314.bxc3 ttd7

298

8 7

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3 2

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h

To relieve some of the pressure on the position and with the aim of weakening White's kingside, Black played .llxc3 but continued weakly, likely unaware that the sacrifice was in the air. White can rely here upon the active rooks and the dark-square bishop, albeit on c5. White's play in the 'i!tg8 line is quite nice to review, with the well timed captures on d6 and the queen's powerful entry to e4. 15.Axh7+ ~xh7 16..£lg5+ ~g8 In the )f;g6Iine, White has 'l11g3 which cannot immediately be assailed. 16 ... 'i!tg6 17.'liYg3 Ag4 (17 ... lLlf5 18..£)xe6+ lLlxg319.lLlxf8+ +-) 18 ..llxd6 cxd6 19.Eixd6+ 'l!i'xd6 20.~xd6+ 'i!txg5. Black has no choice but to capture the knight but 21.f4+ prevails in every line: (a) 21...)f;h5 22.~d5+ )f;h6 23.'l11g5++-; (b) 21...~h4 22.~d3 f5 (22 ... Eih8 23.h3+-) 23.~g3+ )f;h5 24.h3+-; and (c) 21...'i!tf5 22.~d7++-. 17.Axd6 cxd618.§xd6 ttc719. tte4 §fe8 On 19 ... g6 White infiltrates quickly with 20.'l!i'h4 Eife8 21.'l11h7+ 'i!tf8 22.Eiexe6, taking advantage of the unanchored ~c7: 22 .. .fxe6 (22 ... Eixe6 23.lLlxe6+ fxe6 24.~xc7+-) 23.~xc7+- . 20. tth7+ ~f8 21. tth8+ White should exploit the pinned Ae7 with 21.Eid5 +-. 21 ••. ~e7 22.§dxe6+ fxe6 23. ttxg7+ ~d8 24..£lxe6+ §xe6 25.ttg8+ ~e7 26.ttxe6+ ~f8 27.§e31--O

Games (239) Fuerlinger - Kranewitter Austria 1997 Semi-Slav Defense [D47] 1.4)f3 d5 2.d4 e6 3.e4 4)f6 4.e3 e6 5.1t,d3 4)bd7 6.0-0 1t,e7 7.4)e3 dxe4 S.1t,xe4 b5 9.Ad3 Ab710.e4 b4 11.4)a4 0--0 12.e5 .£\d513.1t,d2 EteS 14.Ete1 e5 15.dxe5 4)xe5 16.4) xe51t, xe5

)!fe7 24.~xg7 #. 20.exf6 ~d3 21.fxg7 'it'xg7 22.4)xe6+ fxe6 Black might as well capture the knight since 22 ... )!fg8 23.lLlxc5 +- picks up the bishop and 22 ... )!ff6 23.§cel fxe6 24.Ag5+ )!fg7 (24 ... ~f5 25.g4#) 25.Ah6++-. 23.1t,h6+ 'it'gS There's no mating net after 23 ... ~f6 but White can pick up the loose piece on b7: 24.~g5+ )!ff7 25.~g7+ )!fe8 26.~xb7+-. 24.~g5+

'it'f7 25.~g7+ 'it'eS 26.Etxe5 Etxe5 27.~xfS++- 'it'd7 2S.~xe5 ~g6 29.Etdl+ 1t,d5 30.~xa7+ 'it'dS 31.~g7 ~e4 32.Ag5+ 'it'c8 33.Etc1 + 'it'bS 34. ~e7+ 'it'aS 35. ~eS+ Overlooking a mate in four with 35.~a5+ )!fb8 36.~b6+ Ab7 37.§c8+ ~xc8 38.~d8#. 35 ... 'it'a7 36.1t,e3+ 1-0

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

(240) Stark - Becker Pinneberg 1997 Ruy Lopez [C89]

abcdefgh

We have often seen the importance of a loose black piece on the c5-square so that discovered checks by the knight in the ~g6 line will net that piece. Here, White has the e5-pawn, the darksquare bishop, and the §c1 as additional assets. In the )!fg8Iine, Black sacrifices the lLlf6 in order to move the queen to the bl-h7 diagonal, but White once again exploits the inadequately defended Ac5. 17.1t,xh7+ 'it'xh7 lS.4)g5+ 'it'gS In the )!fg6 line, White can sacrifice the exchange on c5 and then pick up the unanchored §c5. 18 ... )!fg6 19.§xc5 §xc5 20.~bl + f5 21.exf6+ ~xf6 (21...~h5 22.~h7+ ~g4 23.f3# or 23.h3# or 23.~h3#) 22.lLle4++-; 20 ... )!fh6 21.~h7#; 20 ... ~h5 21.~h7+ )!fg4 22.~h3# or 22.f3 # or 22.h3 #. 19. ~h5 4)f6 Creating tuft with the rook permits the usual mate in five: 19 ... §e8 20.~xf7+ )!fh8 21.~h5+ ~g8 22.~h7+)!ffS 23.~h8+

299

1.e4 e5 2..£\f3 4)e6 3.1t,b5 a6 4.1t,a4 4)f6 5.0--0 b5 6.1t,b3 Ae7 7.Ete1 1t,b7 S.e3 0--0 9.d4 exd4 10.exd4 4)a511.Ae2 d612.4)bd2 d513.e5 4)d714.4)f1 e515.dxe5 Axe5

abc

d

e

f

g

h

White's capture on c5 entices the Ae7 to recapture, setting up the sacrifice. White can count here on multiple additional assets, the e5-pawn, the darksquare bishop, the active §el, and even

Sacking the Citadel the ~f1-g3. In the 'it'g8 line, as played in the game, Black must sacrifice his queen or bishop to delay the usual mate in five. 16.Axh7+ ~xh7 17.4)g5+ ~g8 In the 'it'g6 line, 18.'~d3 (or 18. i;k2+) lead to an instructive mate in four with the l"1e1-e6 providing the finale.17 ... 'it'g618.~d3+ f5 (18 ... 'it'h5 19:~'h7+ ~g4 20.h3# or 20.~h3#) 19.exf6+ ~h5 (19 ... 'it'xf6 20.l"1e6#; 19 ... ~h6 20.~h7#) 20.~h7+ 'it'g4 21.h3# or 21.~h3#. Also winning is 18.~g3 +- with the threat of~h5. But not 18.~g4? f5 19.~g3 (19.e xf6 ~xf6:n 19 ... ~e7=. 18:~h5 Axf2+ Creating luft with the rook once again enables the mate in five. 18 ... l"1e8 19.~xf7+ ~h8 20.~h5+ ~g8 21.~h7+ ~f8

22.~h8+

~e7

23.~xg7#.

19.~hl

E!e8 Black's best remaining chance was sacrificing the queen with 19 ... ~xg5 20.Axg5 and then picking back the exchange: 20 ... Axe1 21.Af6 gxf6 (21. .. ~xf6 22.exf6 gxf6 23.~g4+ ~h7 24.l"1xel+- with the ideaofarook swing to h3 or bringing the knight to f5) 22.~g4+ ~h7 23.~xd7 +- with many threats. 20.'li:\txf7+ ~h8 21.'li:\th5+ ~g8 22.'li:\th7+ ~f8 23.'li:\th8+ 1-0 It's mate after 23 ... 'it'e7 24.~xg7#.

(241) Bastian - Dittmar Gladenbach 1997 French Defense [C02] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 e5 4.e3 4)e7 5.4)f3 4)ee6 6.dxe5 4)d7 7.Af4 Axe5 8.Ad3 f6 9.exf6 'li:\txf6 10.Ag5 'li:\tf711.Ae3 Axe312.fxe3 'li:\th5 13.4) bd2 4)e5 14.Ae2 0-0 15.0-0 'li:\th6 16. 'li:\te2 a5 17.e4 b6 18.'li:\tb5 Jld7 19.'li:\txb6 'li:\te3+ 20.~hl E!ab8 21.'li:\te7 E!xb2 22.exd5 exd5 23.E!ael 'li:\txe3

300

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7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

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h

We have seen that the Greco Sacrifices that occur in the middlegame tend to be especially complex. Here, White can count on the two very active rooks and ~d2-f3. Note, however, the awkward placement of the white queen, and Black's possible counter with ~c2 or ~d3 taking command over the key b 1h 7 diagonal. The 'it'g6 and 'it'h6 lines both cede the l"1f8 with mating attacks that involve White's three major pieces. 24.Jlxh7+ ~xh7 25.4)g5+ ~g6 In the ~g8 line, 28.l"1xf8 gives the queen an opportunity to enter the attack on d6 with tempo. 25 ... 'it'g8 26.l"1xf8+ 'it'xf8 27.~d6+ ~g8 (27 ... ~e7 28.~xe7+ 'it'g8 29.~f7+ 'it'h8 30.~f8#) 28.~xd5+ ~e6 29.l"1xe6+- with a discovery that covers the back rank. In the ~h6 line, 25 ... 'it'h6 26.l"1xf8+- (once again, the rooks and queen combine to provide an easy mating net) 26 ... ~xd2 27.l"1h8+ 'it'xg5 28.~g3+ Ag4 (28 ... 'it'f6 29.l"1f8#) 29.h4+ 'it'f6 (29 ... 'it'f5 30.l"1f8+ ~g6 31.~xg4++-) 30.l"1f8+ ~g6 31.~xg4++-. 26.E!xf8 'li:\txd2 27.'li:\td6+ ~xg5 There are no saving variations with the king surrounded by the three major pieces. After 27 ... ~h5 the rooks and queen are joined by the advancing kingside pawns: 28.l"1h8+ 'it'xg5 (28 ... 'it'g4 29.h3+ 'it'xg5 30.~g3++-) 29.h4+ 'it'f5 (29 ... 'it'g4

Games 30:~g6+ +- )

30.1"Ih5+ ~g4 31.~g6+ Black can return a piece in order to eiiminate one of the white rooks, 27 ...
35.~h21-0

(242) Mrva - Rigo Prievidza 1998 Sicilian Defense [B56] l.e4 c5 2.4)f3 4)c6 3.d4 cxd4 4.4)xd4 4)f6 5.4)c3 d6 6.f4 ~b6 7.4)0 e6 8.j'td3 j'te7 9.a3 a6 10. ~e2 0--0 1l.j'te3 ~c712.0--0 b5 13.~hl Ab714.Ad2 .§fe815..§ael 4)d716.e5 4)c517.exd6 Axd6 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

In this Sicilian, the exchange of pawns on d6 brings Black's bishop on e7, enabling the sacrifice. White relies upon numerous additional assets, the rooks, the
301

on the rook already offfS and the ~c7 defending f7 laterally. The black king is therefore able to escape to the queens ide, but White's queenside pawns and the passed h-pawn help to decide in White's favor. 18.j'txh7+ ~xh7 19.4)g5+ ~g8 In the ~h6Iine, White has ~g4 with two powerful ideas, ~h4 and f5 empowering the Ad2. 19 ... ~h6 20.~g4
Most accurate is 21.f5! e5 (The tempting 21...~c6 meets 22.1"If3 ~b6 when White blows open the kingside with 23.f6 gxf6 24.
Sacking the Citadel cannot now stop the white h-pawn. Black is fine after 39 ... {)c6 40.~g8+ Jld8 41.Jlg5 ~d3=. 4O.h6 .£lc6 41.h7 ~a7 42..£lgSI-0

IS.~g4 ~xb2 Trying to give back a piece with 18 ... {)e5 19.~h4+ ~g6 20.{)e2 (aiming to play {)f4) 20 ... §f5 21.§xf5 exf5 22.{)f4+ ~f6 23.{)xd5+ +- winning the queen.

(243) Malac - Andersen Correspondence 1999 French Defense [C06]

19.~h4+ ~g6 20.~h7+ ~xg5 21.~xg7+ ~h5 Not 21...~h4

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 •.£ld2 .£lf6 4.e5 .£lfd7 5.Ad3 c5 6.c3 .£lc6 7 ..£le2 ~b6 S •.£lf3 cxd4 9.cxd4 f610.exf6 .£lxf6 11.0-0 Ad6 12 . .£lc3 Ad7 13.j},e3 .£lg414.h3 .£lxe3 15.fxe3 0-0

abc

d e

f

g

22.~g4# 22 ..£lxd5 exd5 23.~h7+ ~g5 24.h4+ ~g4 25.~xd7+ ~xh4 On 25 ... ~h5 White has 26.~xg6 ~b6 27.~xd5~xh4 28.g3 +-. 26.~xd6 ~h5 27. ~xd5+1 ~h6 Other king retreats fare no better: 27 ... ~g6 28. ~d6+ ~h7 29.§abl §xfl + 30.§xfl ~c2 31.§f3+- or 27 ... ~h4 28.~d6 +-. 2S.~e6+ ~h5 On 28 ... ~g5 29.§ac1 +- with the idea of §c5+. 29.E!ac1 White can also overwhelm with 29.§f5+ §xf5 30.~xf5+ ~h6 31.~e6+ ~h7 and now the other rook joins the attack, 32.§fl +- . 29 ... E!xfl + 30.E!xfl .£lxd4 31.~f7+ ~g5 32.~f6+ ~h5 After 32 ... ~g4 it's mate in two with 33.~g6+ ~h4 34.§f4#. 33.g4+ ~xg4 34.E!f4+ ~h5 35.E!h4# 1-0

h

Here, a position type common to the French but with a white pawn on e3 rather than e5. White has additional assets in the §fl and the {)c3. In the game, Black tries to exploit the absence of the dark-square bishop by selecting the ~h6Iine, when ~g4-h4-h7 forces the black king to capture the {)g5 and Black, with more careful play, can expect a perpetual. 16.Axh7+ ~xh7 17..£lg5+ ~h6 In the ~g8Iine, White's control over f7 decides quickly. 17 ... ~g8 18.~h5+-. In the ~g6Iine, White prevails efficiently with 18.{)f7, activating the major pieces. 17 ... ~g6 18.{)f7 §xf719.~g4+ (the queen check picks up the §f7 with threats on d7 and g7) 19 ... ~h7 20.§xf7 .\li8 21.§xd7 +-.

302

(244) Kravtsov - Likov Novosibirsk 1999 King's Gambit Declined [C30] l.e4 e5 2.f4 Ac5 3•.£lf3 d6 4.c3 Ab6 5.d4 .£lf6 6.Ad3 .£l bd7 7 ..£la3 exd4 S.cxd4 0-0 9.0-0 E!eS 10.E!el c6 11 ..£lc4 Ac7 12.e5 dxe5 13.fxe5 .£ld5

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Games Out of a King's Gambit declined, White has an unusual array of additional assets, the dark-square bishop, the secure e5-pawn, the fiel, and the interesting .£\c4. In the game, Black selects the ~gB line, counting on getting a knight back to f6, but the queen again arrives attacking two focal points on f7 and h7. White finishes with the nice fie4 rook swing, taking full advantage of the overloaded .£\g6. 14.Axh7+ xh7 15.4)g5+ g8 In the 'ifig6line ~g4 is foiled because Black can force a knight back to f6. After 16.~d3+ f5, the discovered check leads to a wonderful mate on the retreating king. 15 ... 'ifig6 16.~d3+! (not 16.~g4 .£\7f6 17.~g3 '£\h5 -+ ) 16... f5 (Of course, the king retreats are crushed 16 ... 'ifih5 17.~h7+ [or 17.~h3+ ~g61B.~h7#] 17 ... ~g4 18.~h3#) 17.exf6+ and the en passant discovered check wins in all lines: (a) 17 ... 'ifixf6 (the rook leads the attack on the open file) IB.fifl + ~e7 (IB ... .£\f4 19 ..Ilxf4+-) 19.fif7#; (b) 17 .. .'it'h5 IB.~h7+ (1B.g4+ 'ifih6 [IB ... ~h4 19.~h3#;

IB ... 'ifixg4

19.~h3#]

19.~h7#

or 19.'£\f7#) IB ... ~g4 19.~h3#; and (c) 17 ... 'ifih618.~h7#. 16.~h5 +- 4)7f6 Black's best defense is 16 ... .£\fB when, as in the game, the queen enters on f7: 17. ~xf7 + 'ifihB 18.~h5+ 'ifigB 19.fifl (seizing control over the f-file and with the idea of eliminating the .£\f8) 19 ... .Ile6 20 ..Ild2 ~d7 21.fixfB+ ~xf8 (21...fixfB 22.~h7#) 22.fifl + 'ifie7 23 ..£\f7 (aiming for d6) 23 ... EifB (23 ... ~cB 24.'£\fd6 .Ilxd6 25 ..£\xd6 ~bB 26.fif7+ 'ifidB 27 ..£\xeB +-) 24 ..Ilg5+ .£\f6 25.exf6+ gxf6 26 ..Ilxf6+ ~eB 27 .'£\fd6 # . 17.~xf7+ h8 18.f!e4! Af5 19.f!h4+ -'\.h7 20.exf6 The simplest path is 20.~g6 ~gB 21.'£\xh7 +- picking up the piece and the attack will rage.

303

20 ... 4)xf6 21.4)xh7 f!el+ 22.f2 4)e4+ 23.xe1 ~xh4+ 24.e2 -'\.xh2 25.4)f8 4)g3+ 26.d3 ~e4+ 27.c3 4)e2+ 28.b3 4)xd4+ 29.a4 b5+ 30.a5 bxc4 31.Af4 -'\.xf4 32.f!h1+ Ah6 33.f!xh6+ gxh6 34.4)g6+ ~xg6 35. ~xg61-0 (245) De Lagontrie - N egele Correspondence 1999 French Defense [COO]

1.e4 e6 2.4)f3 d5 3.e5 c5 4.b4 cxb4 5.a3 4)c6 6.axb4 Axb4 7.c3 Ae7 8.d4 f6 9.Ad3 fxe5 10.dxe5 ~c7 11.~e2 Ac512.0-0 4)ge713.Aa3 b6 14.Axc5 bxc5 15.4)a3 0-0 16.4)b5 ~d717.~e3c4 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

We have seen many possible perpetual checks throughout the book, but normal draws are possible too. In this case, White's additional assets are the e5pawn and the odd .£\b5-d6. Black correctly selects the ~g6 line, where material reduces quickly to an interesting but even endgame. 18.Axh7+ xh7 19.4)g5+ g6! In the ~gB line, the white queen enters on h3, giving Black plenty of time to organize the defense, but White can still blast through with f4-f5. 19 ... ~gB 20.~h3 fieB 21.~h7+ 'ififB 22.~hB+ .£\gB 23.f4+- 'ifie7

Sacking the Citadel 24.~xg7+ 'it'dS 25 ..£l£7+. The ~h6line fails miserably given the queen's starting position on e3. 19... ~h6 20 ..£lxe6+ (20 ... 'it'g6 21..£lxfS++-) 'it'h7 21..£lxf8+ +- winning the queen in addition to the rook. 20. ~g3 Jilf5 21.Jilxe6+ Not 21.~g4 .£lxe5+ when the queen cannot remain on the g-file. 21. •• Jil xg3 Black can also achieve equality without capturing the queen: 21...'it'£7 22 ..£lxfS ~xf8 23.~f4 .£lxe5 24.~xe5 ~xb5 25JHdl .£le7=. 22.Jil xfS+
(246) Kazhgaleyev - Yandemirov Linares 1999 Siciilian Defense [B50] 1.e4 c5 2.Jilf3 d6 3.Ac4 Jilc6 4.0-0 Jilf6 5.d3 e6 6.Ab3 Ae7 7.c3 0-0 S.E!el d5 9.e5 Jild710.d4 b5 1l.a3 cxd4 12.cxd4 b4 13.Jilbd2 Aa6 14.Jilfl bxa315.bxa3 Jila516.Ac2 E!cS17.g3 ~c71S.Abl E!b8 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

With the black .Ile7, White must prepare the sacrifice with oilg5. Generally, the sacrifice challenges the defense, but here, White's additional assets are the secure e5-pawn the ~el, which does not have an obvious path to the g- or hfiles. In the game, Black correctly selects the ~gS when the needed rook swing can be foiled with the queen sacrifice (~dS-g5) on g5. Black's defense is slow, permitting the .£lfl-e3-g4 and both rooks to prevail. 19.Ag5 Axg5 20.Axh7+
304

Games queen sacrifice. 23. ~g4 f5 Too ambitious. Better simply to return the exchange with 23 ... 'lil'dB 24.<£lxe6 "it1e7 (not 24 .. .fxe6 when White mates quickly with the queen and active rook 25.'lil'xg6+ ~hB 26."it1h5+ ~g7 27.Elg4+ +- ) 25.<£lxfB <£lxfB 26.Elee1 =. 24.exf6 ~xf6? Spuming the far better 24 ... <£lxf6 perhaps because White enters the position powerfully on e6, 25.'lil'xe6+, but after 25 ... Elt7 White can't maneuver a rook into the action: 26.Elf4 (26.Elc1 <£lc4 27.Elf4 AcB 2B.~xf7+ ilYxf7 29.<£lxf7 ~xf7=) 26 ... Elb6 27.~xf7+ 'lil'xf7 2B.<£lxf7 ~xt7=. 25.~xe6 ~bfS 26.~ae1 ~c2

27.~6e2 ~f5 28.~h4 ~6f7 29..£le3 1-0 The white knight reaches g4 and h6 very quickly. 29 ... ~f6 (Black cannot afford to sacrifice the queen 29 ... .ilxe2 30. <£lxf5 gxf5 31. <£lxt7 +- ) 30. <£lg4 +- .

(247) Sermek - Sale Belisce 1999 Sicilian Defense [B22] l.e4 c5 2.c3 .£lf6 3.e5 .£ld5 4 . .£lf3 d6 5.d4 cxd4 6.cxd4 .£lc6 7.Ac4 e6 S.O--O Ae7 9. ~e2 0--0 10.~el Ad7 1l..£lc3 .£l xc3 12.bxc3 dxe513.dxe5 ~c714.Ad3 ~fdSI5.Ag5 Axg5 8

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In this variation of the c3 Sicilian, White's e5-pawn quickly displaces the

305

<£lf6. For the sacrifice, White has as additional assets the e5-pawn and the two rooks. In the game, Black selects the ~gB line, a wise choice because the king's rook has already vacated fB and the ilYc7 stands ready to defend f7. Black should be satisfied there with 1B ... <£lxe5 when White has nothing better than a perpetual check. 16.Axh7+
Sacking the Citadel 19.§e3 4Jg6 20.§f3 4Je5=; and (c) Black is fine if White presses quickly with 19.~h7+ 'it1f8 20.§e3 ~a5 21.~h5 ~e7 22.4Jxf7 4Jc4 23.~xa5 4Jxa5 24.4Jxd8 §xd8+. 19.'li:\'h7+ ~fS 20. 'li:\'hS+ ~e7 21. 'li:\'xg7 Etd5 22.f4 ~dS 23.Etadl 'li:\'e7 24.Etxd5+ exd5 25.h4 f5 26. 'li:\'gS ~c7 27. 'li:\'xd5 b6 2S. ~h2 ~b7 29. 'li:\'f3 EtdS 30.h5 ~c7 31.'li:\'h3 Ad7 32.h6 Ae6 33.Ete3 EthS 34.a4 4)d8 35.Etg3 4)f7 36.4)xe6+ 'li:\'xe6 37.h7 ~d7 Black has excellent drawing chances after 37 ... 4Jxe5 38.fxe5 ~f7 with the obvious threat of §xh7 39.'it1g1 ~xh7 40.~xh7+ §xh7 41.§g5 §h4=. 3S.'li:\'h5 ~e7 39.Etg6 'li:\'c440.'li:\'h4+ ~fS 41.e6 Etxh7 42.e7+ ~eS 43.EtgS+ ~d71-0

as additional assets. Black selects the 'it1g6 line, when ~g4 and even §f3-g3 prevail. White correctly declines the offer of 14 ... 4Jxe5 with ~h4-h7. 12.J;txh7+ ~xh7 In Heymann-Klein, Pinneberg 1996, Black declined the sacrifice: 12 ... ~h8? 13.Ad3 (Once again, the most accurate path is 13.4Jg5 g6 14.§f3 with the idea of§h3 14 ... ~g7 [too weakening is 14 .. .f6 15.§h3 fxg5 16.Axg6+ ~g8 17.§h7 ~xh7 18.Axh7+ ~xh7 19.~h5+ ~g7 20.~xg5+ ~f7 2l.f5 +- undermining what remains of the black center]

(248) El Taher - So rial Cairo 2000 French Defense [C14]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 4)f6 4.~g5 ~e7 5.e5 4)fd7 6.~xe7 'li:\'xe7 7.f4 a6 S.4)f3 c5 9.dxc5 4)c6 10.~d3

4) xc5 11.0-00-0 8

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Theory in this MacCutcheon French recommends either 11...4Jxd3 or 11...b5. By castling, Black clearly invites the sacrifice, which can rely here upon the secure e5-pawn, the §f1, and the 4Jc3

306

15.§h34Jxe516.~e1 [aimingfor~h4-

h6] 16 .. .f6 17.~h4 fxg5 18.~h6+ ~f7 [18 ... ~f619.§f1 +- ] 19.fxe5 [removing the defender of the g6-pawn] 19 ... ~e8 20.Axg6+ 'it1d8 21.§f1 +-) 13 ... 4Jxd3 14.cxd3 (14.4Jg5 4Jxf4 15.~g4 g6 16.~xf4 'it1g717.~h4 §h818.~g3 §f8 19.§f2 +-) 14 ... g6 15.~e1 ~g7 16.~g3 §h8 17.§ac1 Ad7 lS.f5!? ~c5+ 19.~h1 exf5 20.~g5 Ae6 (20 ... ~e7) 21.~f6+ 'it1g8 22.4Je4 ~e7? 23.§xc6 ~xf6 24.4Jxf6+ ~g7 25.§c7 b5 26.4Jg5 ~f8 27.§fc1 §h4 28.§lc6 1-0. 13.4)g5+ ~g6 In the 'it1g8 line, White wins quickly because the ~e7 blocks the escape route.13 ... ~g8 14.~h5+-. In the ~h6 line, there is once again no reasonable defense to the ~g4-h4 idea.13 ... 'it1h614.~g4 §h8 15.~h4+ ~g6 16.~xh8+-. 14.'li:\'g4! Also winning is 14.§f3! (with the idea of §h3) 14 ... §h8 15.§g3 §h5 16.4Jge4+ ~h6 (avoiding 16 ... ~f5 17.~g4#) 17.~g4 g6 18.4Jf6 (threatening 4Jg8+) 18 ... ~d819.4Jxh5+-. 14.•. 4)xe5 Berki-Raman, Dallas 2000 tried to defend with 14 .. .f6 which aims to force the 4Jg5 to move. White can triumph with

Games 15.€Jxd5! fxg5 16.€Jxe7++- winning the queen. The €Jd5 cannot be safely captured: 15 ... exd5 16.f5+ ,ilxf5 (16 ... 'it'h6 17:i£th4#) 17.~xf5+ 'it'h6 (17 ... 'it'h5 IS.l='if3+-) 18.~h7+ 'it'xg5 19.1='if5+ 'it'g4 20.~h5#. In the game, Black actually played 15.exf6 gxf6 (the best defense is 15 ... l='ixf6! 16.~h4 l='ifS 17.~h7+ 'it'f618.l='iael ~d819.~h5±) 16.€Jxe6+ 'it'h6 (16 ... 'it'f7 17.~h5+ 'it'xe6 [17 ... 'it'g8 IS.€JxfS +- ] 18.~xd5 #) 17.~h4+ 'it'g6 IS.f5+ 'it'D 19.~h5+ 'it'gS 20.~g6+ 'it'hS 21.€Jxd5 (and now that the king cannot move, 21.l='if3+-) 21...~f7 22.~h6+ 'it'gS 23.l='if3 €Jxe6 24.fxe6 ~h7 25.l='ig3+ 1Q. 14 .. .f5 15.~h4 Taking advantage of the rook's inability to reach h8. 15 ... €Jxe516.~h7+ 'it'f617.l='iael €Jg6 IS.€Jxd5+ +- with a winning fork. 15.'~·h4 f516.§.ael 4)e417.'~·h7+ ~f6 18.4)exe4+ IS.€Jgxe4+ fxe4 19.€Jxe4+ transposing to the game. 18... dxe4 19.4) xe4+ ~f7 The knight is immune. On 19 .. .fxe4 20.fxe5+ 'it'xe5 (the king enters a mating net after 20 ... 'it'g5 21.h4+ 'it'g4 22.~g6+ 'it'xh4 23.l='ixe4+ l='if4 24.l='iexf4#) 21.~xe4+ 'it'd6 22.l='ixfS ~xfS 23.~b4+ +- spears the queen. Zaks-Einoullaeva, Litohoto 1999 continued 22 .. .':Je7 23.~e4+ 'it'b6 24.l='ixeS l='ixe8 25:~xeS e5 26.~e3 e4 27.~d4+ 'it'e7 28.l='ixe4 ~g5 29.~e5+ ~xe5 30.l='ixe5 1-0. 20.fxe5 ~e8 21.§.dl J;td7 22.4)d6+ ~d8 23.4)xb7+ ~e7 24.4)d6 §.ab8 25.~h3 J;te6 26.~e3 §.xb2 27.~a7+ §.b7 28.4)xb7 J;txb7 29.§.f3 ~b4 30.§.b3 §.a8 31.§.xb4 §.xa7 32.§.e4+ ~b8 Not 32 ... Jle6. 33.l='id6 or 32 ... 'it'b6 33.l='ibl + 33.§.d8+1-O

307

(249) Shchekachev - Oosterom Amsterdam 2000 Slav Defense [D 15] 1.4)f3 d5 2.d4 4)f6 3.e4 e6 4.4)e3 dxe4 5.e3 b5 6.a4 b4 7.4)a2 e68.11.xe4 J;te7 9.0-0 0-0 10.J;td2 a5 1l.4)c1 4)bd7 12.4)b3 J;tb7 13.~e2 ~b8 14.e4 e5 15.e5 4)d516.dxe5 4)xe5 17.4) xe5 J;txe518.J;td3 4)e7

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The exchanges on e5 have brought the Ae7 off its defensive perch, permitting White to undertake the sacrifice. White counts here on the e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop as additional assets. In the game, Black defends with the 'it'gSline, hoping for help from the €Je7, but after ~xD, White has many paths to attack the trapped 'it'hS, most notably l='iael-e3. 19.11.xh7+ ~xh7 20.4)g5+ ~g8 In the 'it'g6 line, ~g4 provides White with time to bring up a rook to e 1, and triumphs with help from another unanchored black piece on c5. 20 ... 'it'g6 21.~g4 (a bit more complicated is 21.h4 l='ihS 22.~g4 l='ixh4 23.~xh4 ~hS but the white queen finds a useful home on the seventh rank, 24.~e4 l='ieS 25.~d3+ €Jf5 26.iii'd7 +-; not 21.iii'd3+ €Jf5 22.g4 when Black gladly gives back the piece with 22 ... ~xe5-+) 21...f5 22.exf6 l='ixf6

Sacking the Citadel (22 ... gxf6 23.4Jxe6+ ~t7 24JHel +- ) 23.t:!.ael 4Jf5 24.4Jxe6+ ~h7 (24 ... ~t7 25.4Jxc5+-) 25.1tg5 t:!.t7 26.4Jxc5+-. 21. tth5 EtcS Black can delay the attack with 21...1te4 22.4Jxe4 t:!.d8 but after 23.1te3 +- Black dare not capture and open the f-file or retreat and face 4Jg5. 22. ttxf7+
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White first sacrifices the dark-square bishop on a3 in order to draw off the

308

Ae7 and to initiate the sacrifice. White can rely upon the secure e5-pawn and the active t:!.al as additional assets, and the fact that Black's defensive resources are lacking. Remarkably enough, three players attempted to defend with the ~g6 line, which fails because 21. ii¥d3 provides a second attack upon the black Aa3 and because Black cannot survive alone on the kingside when White has both ii¥h7, f4+ after 'ittxg5, and a rook to swing. 19.Axh7+
Games 27.'~xf6+

.§g6 2S.'~f7 .§hS 29 ..§fbl +- . 21:~d3+ The active placement ofthe-black queen on a5 enables a successful defense after 21.~g4? f5 22.'li'Yg3 (22.exf6 4Jxf6 23.'li'Yg3 ~xg5) 22 .. .f4 23.'li'Yg4 4Jf6! , since the knight cannot be successfully captured, 24.exf6 'li'Yxg5 -+ . 21 ... fS It will come as no surprise to careful readers that the king retreats, even the capture on g5, all encounter mating nets: (a) 21...~xg5 22.f4+ (activating the rook on f3 or, after f5, on f4) 22 ... 'h6 (22 ... ~h5 23.'li'Yh7+ ~g4 24.~h3#; 22 ... ~h5 23.~h7+ 'g4 24.~h3 #; 22 ... ~g4 23.'ltYh3 #) 23.~h3+ ~g6 24.f5+ exf5 (24 ... 'g5 25.~g3+ 'h5 [25 ... ~h6 26.'li'Yh4#] 26 . .§f4+-) 25 ..§f4+-; (b) 21 ... ~h6 22.'li'Yh7+ ~xg5 23.f4+ ~g4 24:~h3#; and (c) 21...'h5 22.'li'Yh7+ ~g4 (22 ... 'xg5 23.f4+ 'g4 24.'li'Yh3#) 23.h3+ 'f4 (23 ... ~xg5 24.f4#) 24.g3+ 'xg5 25.f4#. 22.'ilxe6 Van der Stricht-Marechal, Geel 2002 continued 22 ..§xa3 'li'Yd5 23.'li'Yg3 f4 24.'ltYh4 4Jf6 25.4Jh3 4Je4 26.4Jxf4+ .§xf4 27.'li'Yxf4 ~xd4 2S.'li'Yg4+ 'f7 29 ..§f3+ 'itJeS 30.~xg7 1-0. But Black had the opportunity to improve with 24 ... 4Jxe5 25 ..§el .§f5 26.'li'Yh7+ 'f6= (26 ... ~xg5 27.'ltYxg7+ mates in all lines) . 22 .••13a8 23.13fbl Ac8 Somewhat more challenging is 23 ....§fbS 24.4Jf4+ when Black can pick how he wants to lose: (a) The toughest defense is 24 ... ~f7 25.~xf5+ ~e7 26.'li'Ye6+ ~dS 27.'ltYgS+ 4JfS 2S.4Je6+ ~cS 29.4JxfS 'ltYdS 30 . .§xa3 1-0 Moiseenko-Novikov, Montreal 2004; (b) The other king retreats are easily bombed: 24 ... '\tlh6 25.'li'Yxf5+-; (c) 24 ... ~g5 25.'li'Yg3+ 'h6 26.'ltYh4#; and (d) 24 ... 'h7 25.'ltYxf5++-. 24.13b31o More than the bishop falls after 24 ... 4Jxe5 25.4JxfS+ ~f7 26 ..§bxa3

4Jxd3 27 ..§xa5 .§xa5 2S ..§xa5 and there's no way to safely pick up the 4Jf8: 2S ... 'xfS 29 ..§aS+- with a winning simplification. (251) Avrukh -Ramesh Ubeda2001 Semi-Slav Defense [D47] 1.d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3.'ilc3 'ilf6 4.e3 e6 S.'ilf3 'ilbd7 6•.1l,d3 dxc4 7..1l,xc4 bS 8 •.1l,d3 .1l,b7 9.a3 b4 10.'ile4 as 11.0--0 .1l,e7 12.'il xf6+ 'il xf6 13.e4 0--0 14.eS 'ild71S..1l,e4 ~b616.Ags AxgS

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In selecting sacrifices for this chapter, I found relative few positions such as this where the themes and variations are instructive and clean. White can count here on the secure e5-pawn and the ability of the rooks to swing, either with .§adl or '§ael or with f4 and '§f3. In the 'g6Iine, 19.~d3+! is more efficient than 19. 'li'Yg4 because, after 19 .. .f5, the ~d3 is not forced to retreat to g3. White can therefore proceed with 4Jxe6 which decimates Black's center. Note that White need not fear 'itJxg5, though the lines are complex and worth a careful review. 17..1l,xh7+ ~xh7 18.'ilxgS+ ~g6 In the 'gS line, the black queen has vacated the d8-square, but White can arrange a winning rook

309

Sacking the Citadel lS ... 'it'gS 19.~h5 )::(feS 'it'hS 21.~h5+ 'it'gS 22.)::(ad1 ~a6 23.)::(fe1 +-. In the 'it'h6Iine, Black has no working defense to ~g4-h4-h7. Defending with )::(hS is the best chance, but the ~g4 and the <£lg5-t7 work together harmoniously. lS ... 'it'h619.~g4 <£lxe5 (19 ... )::(hS 20.<£lxf7+ 'it'h7 21.~xe6+-) 20.dxe5 )::(hS 21.<£lxt7+ 'it'h7 22.<£lg5+ ~gS (22 ... 'it'h6 23.<£lxe6 )::(agS 24.~g5+ 'it'h7 25.~h5 #; 22 ... 'it'g6 23.<£lxe6+ 'it't7 24.)::(fd1 +- ) 23.~xe6+ +- . 19. ~g4 Again, the alternative 19.~d3+! offers the knight but also the quickest path to victory: (a) 19 .. .f5 20.<£lxe6 (aiming for <£lf4 rather than f8) 20 ... ~a6 21.<£lf4+ 'it'h7 (21...'it't7 22.~b3++-) 22.~h3+ 'it'gS 23.)::(fe1 +-; (b) 19 ... 'it'xg5 20.f4+ (20.~h7 <£lxe5 -+ ) 20 ... 'it'h6 (20 ... 'it'h5 swing.

20.~xt7+

21.~h7+ ~g4 22.~h3#) 21.~h3+

~g6 ~h5

22.f5+ exf5 (22 ... 'it'g5 23.~g3+ [23 ... ~h6 24.~h4#] 24.m4+-) 23.)::(f4 (a calm move in the middle of the storm, protecting d4 and readying the entry of the other rook) 23 ... ~dS 24.~xf5+ ~h6 25.~h3+ 'it'g6 26.)::(g4+ 'it'f5 27.)::(fl + 'it'e6 2S.)::(g6+ 'it'e7 (2S ... 'it'd5 29.)::(d6+ ~c4 [29 ... 'it'e4 30.~f3#] 30.a4+-) with a nice mate in three, 29.)::(xt7+ )::(xt7 30.)::(e6+ 'it'fS 31.~hS#; (c) Not surprisingly, the king retreats are quickly mated: 19 ... 'it'h6 20.~h7+ ~xg5 2l.f4+ 'it'g4 22.~h3#; and (d) 19 ... ~h5 20.~h7+ 'it'g4 (20 ... 'it'xg5 21.f4+ ~g4 22.~h3#) 21.h3+ 'it'f4 (21...~xg5 22.f4#) 22.g3+ 'it'xg5 23.f4 #. 19...f5 20. ~g3 ~xd4 There's no relief by activating the bishop with 20 ... ~a6 21.<£lxe6+ 'it'f7 22.<£lg5+ 'it'eS 23.)::(fd1 +-. 21.4)e4+ c:Jf7 21...'it'h7 22.~h4+ (hoping for a discovery that will win the unanchored black queen) 22 ... 'it'g6 23.~g5+ ~t7 (after 23 ... 'it'h7 the queen

310

and knight combine for a simple mate in the comer 24.~h5+ 'it'gS 25.<£lg5+-) and White can offer up the knight to activate the rook on the seventh rank, 24.)::(ad1 ~xe5 25.)::(xd7+ ~gS 26.)::( xb7 +- . 22.E!ad11-0 (252) Baburin - Lakdawala San Francisco 200 I Semi-Slav Defense [D30] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4)f3 4)f6 4.e3 e6 5.4)bd2 4) bd7 6.J1,d3 b6 7.0-0 J1,b7 8.b3 J1,e7 9.J1,b2 0-0 10. ~e2 ~c7 1l.E!ac1 E!ac8 12.4)e5 c5 13.f4 dxc4 14.bxc4 E!cd8 15.f5 J1,d6 16.4)df3 E!fe8 17.fxe6 E!xe6 18.4) xd7 4) xd719.d5 E!e7 8

7

1~~~l!ri.'!I~~~

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Even in modem chess, a speculative attack can overwhelm a defender. White's additional assets include the dark-square bishop taking aim at g7, the )::(fl on an open file, and perhaps the unusual d5-pawn, which blocks the ~b7 but has no role in preventing ... <£lf6. Black is well poised for the defense, with both the )::(e7 and 'l!1c7 defending the t7-pawn, the <£ld7 able to defend on fS, not f6 actually owing to the ~b2 and the )::(fl. Black can also count on a counterattack upon the h2square. In the game, Black correctly defends in the 'it'gS line, when Black

Games can survive with ... .£leS preventing White's rook swing. 20.Axh7+ \t'xh7 21.4)g5+ ~S In the 'it'g6line, 22. 'ltYd3 or 22.'li;i'e2 leads to a straightforward mate in seven thanks to the powerful interplay of the assets. 21...'it'g6 22.~d3+ (22.~e2++-; 22.~g4+­

.£lxh2+ 23.'it'h1 ~g3 24.~f5+ 'it'h6 25.~h7+ 'it'xg5 26.§f5+ 'it'g4 27.~h5 #) 22 ... 'it'xg5 (22 .. .f5 23.'ltYxf5+ 'it'h6 24.~h7+ 'it'xg5 25.§f5+ 'it'g4 26.~h3#; 22 ... 'it'h5 23.~h7+ 'it'xg5 24.§f5+ 'it'g4 25.~h3#) 23.~f5+ 'it'h6 (23 ... 'it'h4 24.~h3+ 'it'g5 25.§f5+ 'it'g6 26.~h5#) 24.~h3+ 'it'g6 25.'ltYg4+ 'it'h7 (25 ... 'it'h6 26.~xg7+ 'it'h5 27.§f5+ 'it'h4 28.~g5#) 26.~xg7#. In the 'it'h6 line, White breaks through against the exposed king with 22.§f5, 22.~f3, or even 22.4Jxf7. 21...'it'h6 22.§f5 .£lxh2+ 23.'it'h1 g6 24.4Jxf7+ §xf7 25.§xf7+-. 22.~h5 Tempting but ineffective is 22 ..£lxg7? .£lxh2+ 23.'it'h1 .£le5 -+. 22 ..• 4)fS Ineffective is 22 ... 4Jf6 23 ..£lxf6 +- . But Black is fine by returning a piece with 22 ... .llxh2+ 23.~xh2 ~xh2+ 24.'it'xh2 4JfS 25.§fe1=. 23.§.f3 Axh2+ Better to prevent §h3 with 23 ... .£leS 24.§efl f6 25.§xf6 gxf6 26 ..llxf6 4Jh7 (preventing ~hS) 27 ..£lxe7 ~xe7 2S.4Jxh7 .£lxh2+ 29.~xh2 'ltYxh7 30.~xh7+ 'it'xh7 31.§f7+ 'it'g6 32.§xa7 .llf5 ~. The material is even, but Black's remaining two pieces are active and White's pawns are uncoordinated. 24.\t'h1 gd6 25.Axg7! \t'xg7 26.gcfl Af4 Black has a better chance of holding by returning a piece with 26 .. .f5! 27.§h3 4Jg6 2S.§xh2 'it'gS;!;. 27.gh3 4)g6 2S.gxf4 4)xf4 29.exf4 Overlooking 29.~hS+! 'it'g6 30.exf4+- and Black cannot safely stop 'ltYh7+ and §h6#. 29 .•. ge1 + 30.\t'h2 \t'fS On 30 ... §eS with the idea of ... 'ltYxf4+, White can

force the action with 31.~h7+ 'it'f6 (31...'it'fS 32.~f5+-) 32.'it'gl .llxd5 33.exd5 'ltYd7 34.§h6+ 'it'e7 35.~e4+ 'it'dS 36.§xd6 +-. 31.~hS+ \t'e7 32. ~h4 Also winning is 32.4Jxf7 stripping the king's remaining defense. 32•.• ge233.4)e6+ +- \t'd7 34.4) xc7 \t'xc7 35.~h5 ge7 36.f5 b5 37.~h4 ged7 38.~f2 \t'b6 39.gb3 1-0 (253) Svidler - Renner Germany 200 I French Defense [CII] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)c3 4)f6 4.e5 4)fd7 5.f4 c5 6.4)f3 4)c6 7.Ae3 a6 S.~d2 b5 9.dxc5 Axc5 10.Axc5 4) xc5 11. ~f2 ~e7 12.Ad3 b4 13.4)e2 a5 14.0-{) Aa615. ~e3 0-{)

311

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It is hard to imagine why Black, playing

against one of the world's strongest players, failed to capture the .lld3 on move 15. The sacrifice counts on the secure e5-pawn, the §fl, and the 4Jd2g3 or f4 as additional assets, while Black's position after 15 ... 0-0 is remarkably unorganized for the defense. In the game, Black tried the 'it'g6 line but resigned instantly after lS.f5+, bringing the 4Jd2-f4 with devastating effect. 16.Axh7+ \t'xh7 17.4)g5+ \t'g6 In the 'it'gS line, the only way to prevent checkmate is to delay the inevitable

Sacking the Citadel with ... .lld3 or with a ~xg5 queen sacrifice. 17 ... 'it'gBl8.'l1Yh3+-. In the \t>h6 line, White mates quickly in two moves with'l1Yh3-h7. 17 ... \t>h61B.'l1Yh3+ \t>g6 19.'l1Yh7#. 18.f5+ 1-0 Activating the queen on the diagonal and initiating a mate in four. 1B ... exf5 19.<£\f4+ \t>xg5 (19 ... \t>h6 20.'l1Yh3+ 'it'xg5 21.'l1Yh5 #) 20.~g3+ \t>h6 21.~h3+ \t>g5 22.~h5 #. White picks up only an exchange after 1B.'l1Yg3? f5 19.<£\xe6+ \t>h7 20.<£\xf8+ .§.xfB=. (254) Reeh - Graf Germany 2001 Ruy Lopez [C90] 1.e4 e5 2.lilf3 4)c6 3.Ab5 a6 4.Aa4 4)f6 5.0--0 Ae7 6.§.e1 b5 7.Ab3 d6 8.a4 b4 9.a5 0--0 10.c3 Ab7 1l.d4 bxc3 12.bxc3 exd413.cxd4 d514.e5 4)e4 15.Aa3 4) b4 16.Ac2 c5 17.Axb4 cxb4 18.4)bd2 4)c3 19. ~c1 §.c8 20. ~b2 ~d7 21.4) b3 §.c7 22.Ad3 §.fc8 23.4)c5 Axc5 24.dxc5 ~g4 25.~d2 §.xc5 26.h3 ~d7 27.e6 (27.Axh7+ 'it'xh7 28.<£\g5+ \t>g6-+) 27•••fxe6 8

ticular his 30th move, is notable. But in the \t>gB line, Black defends well, selecting the right .§.c6 on move 30. The black king is able to escape safely to the queenside, and his queenside pressure and superior development obviates White's hope of advancing the h-pawn. 28.Axh7+ \tlxh7 29.4)g5+ \tlg8 In the \t>g6line, the <£\g5 and '§'e1 support .§. xe6, undoubtedly the resource upon which White based the attack. 29 ... 'it'g6 30 ..§.xe6+ \t>f5 (30 ... 'it'h5 31.<£\e4 dxe4 [31...<£\xe4 32.~e2+ \t>g5 33.'l1Yg4 #] 32.g4+ \t>h4 33 ..§.h6+ gxh6 34.~xh6+) 31.g4 #. 30. ~d3 §.5c6! Picking the right rook. 30 ... .§.Bc6? (the rook remains on c5 where, in key lines, it is vulnerable to capture) 31.'l1Yh7+ 'it'fB 32.~hB+ 'it'e7 33.'l1Yxg7+ \t>dB 34.~fB+ 'it'c7 35 ..§.xe6 .§.xe6 36.<£\xe6+ ~xe6 37.'l1Yxc5+=. 31.~h7+ \tlf832.~h8+ \tle7 33. ~xg7+ \tld8 34.4)f7+ \tlc7 35.~g3+ §.d6 36.4)e5 No better for White is 36.<£\xd6 ~xd6 37..§.xe6 ~xg3 3B.fxg3.llc6-+ and the b-pawn will fly. 36 ••• ~e7 37. ~f4 d4 38.4)c4 Etf8 39.~e5 Ad5 40.4)xd6 ~xd6 41. ~xd4 §.g8 42.g4 \tlb7 43.Etab1 4)xb144.§.xb1 \tla845.~xb4~c7 46. ~b6 ~c4 47. ~e3 §.h8 0-1

7

(255) Grund - Buecken Senden2001 French Defense [C02]

6 5 4

3

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 4)c6 5.4)f3 ~b6 6.Ae2 cxd4 7.cxd4 4)ge7 8.4)a3 4)f5 9.4)c2 -'1,b4+ 10.4)xb4 ~xb4+ 1l.-'1,d2 ~b6 12.-'1,c30--0 13.-'1,d3 4)fe7 (D)

2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

The sacrifice is overly ambitious here. White lacks an e5-pawn, a dark-square bishop, or a queen able to reach h5 and must rely only upon the rooks as additional assets. Black's defense, in par-

312

In the Advanced French, White quite naturally gains a secure e5-pawn in addition to the .lld3. White can also point to the dark-square bishop, albeit

Games 16.~g4 (16.'lifd3 ~xg5 [16 ... <£\f5 17 ..lld2 ~xd418.~h3+ ~h4 (18 ... <£\h4 19.f4+-) 19.<£\f3++-] 17 ..lld2+ ~h5 18.'lifh7+ 'i!tg4 19.h3# or 19.f3# or 19.'lifh3# ) 16 ... <£\f5 17 ..lld2 ~xd4 18.'lifh3+ ~h4 19.<£\f3++-. 16.~h5 lad8 The rook has no anchor on e8. 16 ... fle817.'lifxf7+ 'i!th818.~h5+ ~g8

8

7

6

5 4

3 2

19.~xe8#. 17.~xf7+ ~h818.ladl

abcdefgh

on c3, and the possibility of a rook swing via fld1--d3. Black selected the 'i!tg8line in the game, when ~h5-f7 sets up a killing rook swing with fld1-d3h3. 14.Jl.xh7+ ~xh715..£Jg5+ ~g8 In the 'i!tg6 line, 'lifd3+ brings down the house because Black cannot meet ~h3 with flh8 and because 'i!txg5 meets .lld2+ with mate to follow. 15 ...'i!tg6 16.'lifd3+! when now: (a) 16.. .f5 17.'lifh3 'i!txg5 18.'lifh7 (isolating the king and waiting for reinforcements) 18 ... <£\xd4 (18 ... <£\xe5 19.dxe5+-) 19 ..lld2+ f4 (19 ... ~g4 20.h3# or 20.~h3#) 20.h4+ 'i!tg4 21.'lifxg7+ ~f5 (21...~h5 22.'lifg5#) 22.'lifxf8++-; (b) 16 ... <£\f5 17.g4 f6 (17 ... 'i!txg5 18.gxf5+- and now even the rook will join the attack) 18.'lifh3 (aiming for h5) 18 ... fxe5 (18 ... 'i!txg5 19 ..lld2+ 'i!tg6 20.'lifh5#; and the knight cannot be captured 18. ..fxg5 19.'lifh5 #) 19.dxe5 +-; and (c) 16... 'i!txg517 ..lld2+ ~h5 (17 ...'i!tg4 18.'lifh3#; 17 ... 'i!th4 18.~h3#) 18.'lifh7+ ~g4 19.h3# or 19.f3# or 19.'lifh3#. On l5 ... ~g616.'lifg4 Black may survive after 16 ... <£\f5 (not 16 .. .f5 17.'lifh4 <£\xe5 18.dxe5 +-) 17.<£\xe6+ ~h7 (17 ... ~h6 18.~h3+ ~g6 19.<£\xf8++-) 18.<£\xf8+ (18.'lifxf5+? ~g8-+) 18 ... 'i!tg819.e6 <£\h6 20.exf7+ ~xf8 21.~f4±. In the 'i!th6 line, ~g4 and 'lifd3 are equally efficient: 15 ... ~h6

313

Even better is 18.0--0--0 aiming for a rook swing to h3. 18 ... 'lifa6 19.flhe1 ~xa2 20.fld3 'lifa1 + 21.~d2 +-. 18••• .£Jf5 No better is 18 ...'lifb5 19.~h5+ ~g8 20.h4 (with the idea offlh3-f3) 20 ....lld7 21.~h7+ ~f8 22.flh3 <£\f5 23.g4+-. 19.1ad3 .£Jh6 20. ~g6 Also winning is 20.flh3 ~c7 21.'lifg6 ~g8 22.flxh6+-. 20 ••. ~g8 21.laf31-O It's mate in five with 21...<£\f5 22.~f7+ (or 22.flh3 <£\h6 23.flxh6+-) 22 ... 'i!th8 23.flh3+ <£\h6 24.flxh6+ gxh6 25.~h7#. (256) Yemelin - Goric Rijeka2001 French Defense [C06] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3 •.£Jd2 .£Jf6 4.e5 .£Jfd7 5.c3 c5 6.Ad3 cxd4 7.cxd4 .£Jc68..£Jgf3.£Jb69.0--0Ae710.lael Ad711.a3 a5 12.b3 a413.b4 .£Ja7 14.~e2 0-0 15•.£Jf1 lac8 16.Af4 .£Jc4 17. .£Je3 .£Jxe3 18.fxe3 lac3 19.1aa2 ~b6 20..Q.g5 Axg5 8 7

6 5 4

IL~'X~'>,

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Sacking the Citadel Another sacrifice out of the middlegame. White has a secure e5-pawn and the Ela2 which can reach the f-file immediately or even the h-file as in the final notation. In the 'it'g6 line, tfg4-h4 (rather than g3) provides the quickest path, because once again 25.tfh7 'it'xg5 opens a mating net. 21.Jlxh7+ ~xh7 22.~ xg5+ ~g6 In the 'it'gS line, the mate in five is not there owing to the absence of the tfdS, but White has time simply to play Ela2-f2 to cut off the black king's retreat. 22 ... 'it'gS 23.tfh5 EleS 24.tfxf7+ 'it'hS 25.tfh5+ (White can also play 25.Elf2 first) 25 ... 'it'gS 26.Elf2 +- . In the 'it'h6Iine, tfg4-h4 triumphs in part because Black cannot safely anchor the ElhS. 22 ... 'it'h6 23.tfg4+-. 23.~g4 White cannot make meaningful progress after 23.h4? f5! (or even 23 ... f6 24.exf6 gxf6 25.tfg4 'itlh6 26.tff4 tfc7 27.4Jxe6+ tfxf4 2S.4Jxf4 .il.c6-+ ). 23 •••f5 Forcing the knight to move with 23 ... f6 24.4Jxe6+ ~f7 25.tfxg7+ '\tlxe6 26.~xfS+- leaves the king unacceptably exposed in the center. 24.~h4 White is also winning easily after 24.tfg3!? ElgS (on 24 ... f4 25.tfh4) 25.4Je4+ 'itJf7 26.4Jd6+ ~f8 27.tfg6+-. 24••. ~d8 25.~h7+ ~xg5 26.h4+ ~g41-O The mate in four culminates with a nice rook swing from a2: 27. tfg6+ ~xh4 2S.g3+ 'itlh3 29.Elh2#. (257) Tahirov - Kalichkin Tula2002 Caro-Kann Defense [B 14]

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

Black probably thought that he was winning a pawn on c5 but once again the c5-square is a target when the black piece there is unanchored. White has only the dark-square bishop and the unassuming 4Ja4 as additional assets, but the knight on the rim plays a key role in capturing on c5. In the 'it'gSline, we see an interesting variant of the traditional mate in five. In this case, White, without an e5-pawn, does not control d6. Undaunted, White blasts through with a pretty mate in two to end the contest.13.Jlxh7+ ~xh714.~g5+ ~g8 In the 'it'g6 line, that 'itJc2 picks up the loose piece, either the 4Jc5 directly or the ElaS after 4Jc5-e4. 14 ... ~g6 15.4Jxc5 4Jxc516.tfc2+ 4Je417.4Jxe4 dxe418.'itJxe4++-. 15.~xe5 The immediate effort to mate on h7 meets 15.'itJh5 .il.b4+ 16.~d2 .il.xd2+ 17.'it'xd2 4Jf6 -+ and the knight shuts down the attack. 15.•• ~ xe5? Black can hold the position by maneuvering a knight to f6: 15 ... '~H6 16.'itJd3 'itJe5+ 17.'it'f14Jf618.ElbU. 16.~h5 ~d3+ 17.~e2 ~xel+ 18.~axel ~e8

19.~xf7+ ~h8 20.~h5+ ~g8 1.e4c62.d4d53.exd5exd54.e4~f6

5.~e3 e6 6.~f3 Jle7 7.e5 0-0 8.Jld3 b6 9.h4 a5 10.~a4 ~fd7 1l.b5 bxe5 12.dxe5 Jlxe5

314

21.~h7+ ~f8 22.~h8+ ~e7 23.~xg7+ ~d6 24.~e4+ dxe4 25.~hdl#

1-0

Games 15 ... 4Jxa2+ (not 15 ... f5 16.h5+ ~f6 17.4Jh7+ ~e7 18.~xg7+ 1":If7

(258) Richter - Palac Dresden 2002 Trompowsky Attack [A45]

19.~g5++-) 16.~b1 (16.~d2 ~xb2

l.d4 4)f6 2.Jl.g5 d5 3.e3 4)e4 4.iU4 e5 5.j'td3 e6 6.4)d2 4) xd2 7. ~xd2 4)e6 S.4)f3 j'td6 9.dxe5 j'txe5 10.00-00-0 11. ~e2 4)b4

In this Trompowsky Attack, only one exchange has occurred, a pair of knights, and White has taken the opportunity to set up the sacrifice with 11.~e2. In support of the sac, White has as additional assets, the darksquare bishop and the 1":Idl. In the ~g6 line, Black's counterattack after 14.~g4 4Jxa2 is useful to review. 14.h4 appears to provide better attacking chances for White, but Black's counterattack should permit him to equalize. 12.Axh7+ ~xh713.4)g5+ ~g6 In the ~g81ine, White has the mate in five made possible here by the fact that the ~f4 covers the d6 escape square. 13 ... ~g8

17.4Jxe6+ ~h7 -+ ) 16... 4Jc3+ 17.~c1 (17.~a1 ~a5#) 17 ... 4Ja2+= with a perpetual. 14 ••• f5 Black's best is 14 ... 4Jxa2+! 15.~b1 (not 15.~d2 ~a5+ 16.~e2 f6-+) 15 ... 4Jc3+ 16.bxc3 ~b6+ 17.~c1 f6 18.4Jxe6+ ~f7 19.~xg7+ ~xe6+ and the ~c5 holds the 1":If8. 15.~g3 ~f6 Black's attack with 15 ... ~a5 16.a3 4Ja2+ 17.~b1 4Jc3+ 18.bxc3 ~xa3 fails because the white queen on g7 defends the critical b2-square. 19.4Jxe6+ ~f7 20.~xg7+ ~xe6 21.c4 ~b4+ 22.~a2 +-. 16.4)e4+! fxe4 17.j'tg5+ ~f7 IS.AxdS EtxdSl9.h4 White can also win by prying open the f-file, 19.f3 ~xe3+ 20.~b1 ~g8 21.fxe4 d4 22.1":Ihfl 4Jc6 23.1":If6+-. 19 ••• j'td6 20.~g5 j'te7 21.~f4+ M622.g4e5 23.~g3 g6 24.f4 4)e6 25.f5 gxf5 26.g5 AhS 27.h5 ~gS 2S.h6 Ae6 29.Etdgl f4 30.~h4 4)e7 31.g6 4)f5 32.~g5 Etd7 33.g71-0 (259) Onocko - Duarte da Silva Orvina2002 French Defense [ell] l.e4 e6 2.4)f3 d5 3.4)e3 4)f6 4.e5 4)fd7 5.d4 e5 6.dxe5 Axe5 7.Ad3 4)e6 S.Af4 0-0

14.~h51":1e815.~xf7+ ~h816.~h5+

8

~g8 17.~h7+ ~f8 18.~h8+ ~e7

7

(pre-

6

mature here is 14 ... 4Jxa2+ 15.~b1 ~a5 16.~g4 f5 [not 16 ... ~f617.4Jh7+ ~e7 18.~xg7 ~e8 19.~g5 +- ] 17.h5+ ~f6 18.4Jh7+ ~f7 19.~g6+ ~e7 20.4Jxf8 4Jb4 21.~xg7+ ~e8 22.~g8+-) 15.~g4 (15.h5+ ~f6+) and only now

5

19.~xg7#. 14.~g414.h4! ~b6

315

4

3 2

Sacking the Citadel The position at the time of the sacrifice is identical to Borg-Veer, 1984, save for the absence of a single move pair (0-0, a6). The result is that the king's rook will not easily join the attack, but White can still count on the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the 4Jc3 as additional assets. In the ~g6 line, as played in the game, the same ~d3-g3 (with the check preventing 4Jxe5) maneuver prevails. 9 . .Q.xh7+ ~xh7 10.{)gS+ ~g6 In the ~g8line, White still has the usual mate in five. 1O ... ~g8 11.~h5 E'!e8 12.~xf7+ ~h8 13.~h5+ ~g8 14.~h7+ ~f8 15.~h8+ ~e7

16. ~xg7 # Shushpanova-Petrovskaya, Albena 2009. 11. ~d3+! Proceeding with check. The alternative 11. ~g4 invites the capture on e5: 11...4Jcxe5 12.~g3 f5 13.4Jxe6+ 4Jg4 (with the idea of i.1.xf2+) 14.4Jxc5 ~e7+ 15.~f1 ~xc5 16.h3 E'!h8 17.E'!gl ~xf2+ 18.~xf2 4Jxf2 19.~xf2 4Jf6 20.E'!adl i.1.e6 Zamarbide Ibarrea-Ojer Lora, Orvina, 2006 YZ-YZ. In another game, BoBente, Playchess 2004, Black tried 11...4Jdxe512.~h4 (12.~g3 ~f5 13.00-0 i.1.e7 14.h4 i.1.xg5 15.i.1.xg5 f6 16.i.1.d2 g5 [16 ... ~e717.h5 ~b418.f4 4Jg4 19.E'!h4 +-] 17.f4 g4 18.h5 ~e8 19.fxe5 fxe5 20.E'!dfl#) 12 ... E'!h8 13.~g3 4Jg4 (13 ... ~f5 14.h4 ~b6 15.0-0 f616.E'!ael ~b417.4Jge4 dxe4 18.E'!xe4 ~xe4 19.~h3+ ~g6 [19 ... ~xf4 20.g3+ ~f3 21.g4+ ~f4 22.~g3#] 20.4Jxe4 i.1.e7=) 14.~xg4+­ f5 15.~g3 ~e716.h4 E'!h5 17.4Jxe6+ ~f6 18.4Jxd5+ 1-0. 11 ...fS And, of course, the king retreats are quickly mated, 11...~h5 12.~h3+ ~g6 13.~h7#. 12.~g3 ~e7 The effort to eliminate the white e-pawn results in an amusing cascade of captures. 12 ... 4Jdxe5 13.4Jxe6+ 4Jg4 14.4Jxd8 i.1.xf2+ 15.~xf2 4Jxf2 16.4Jxc6 4Jxhl

316

17.4Je5+~h518.4Jxd5+-.13 ..£lxe6+ ~h7

On 13 ... ~f7 White wins by returning the knight to g5 rather than immediately capturing the E'!f8: 14.4Jg5+ ~g8 15.4Jxd5 ~e8 16.~b3+-. 14.{)xf8+ Missing the power of the return of the knight to g5, 14.4Jg5+! ~g8 (14 ... ~g6 15.4Jxd5 ~d8 16.4Je6++-) 15.4Jxd5 ~e8 16.~b3 E'!f7 17.4Jc7 +- and both knights will pick up exchanges. 14••. ~xf8 IS.0-0 White is winning after 15.4Jxd5 +- with the idea of 4Jc7-e6. IS ••• .£ld4 Black needed to activate the bishop and E'!a8 with 15 ... 4Jb616.E'!adl i.1.e6±. 16.~hl .£lb617.a4 .£l xc218.f!adl.Q.e619.aS .£lc4 20..£lxdS .Q.xdS 21.f!xdS.£lb4 22.f!d7 .£l xaS 23.f!fdl .Q.b6 24.e6 .£lbc62S..Q.d6~e826.~xg7# 1-0 (260) Arizmendi Martinez-Rasmussen Linares 2002 Caro-Kann Defense [B 14)

1.e4c6 2.d4 dS 3.exdS cxdS 4.c4 .£lf6 S..£lc3 e6 6 ..£lf3 .Q.b4 7.cxdS .£l xdS 8 ..Q.d2 .£lc6 9 ..Q.d3 .Q.e710.0-0 0--0 11. ~e2 .£lf6 12. .£le4 ~b6 13.a3 .Q.d7 14.f!fdl f!ad8 lS.b4 a6 16.f!acl .£la7 17 . .£lxf6+ .Q.xf6 18..Q.gS .Q.xgS 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Two minor piece exchanges were needed here to initiate the sacrifice, in-

Games eluding the common .ilg5 maneuver just preceding .ilxh7 +. The result is that White has only the two active rooks as additional assets, but they prove sufficient against Black's unimpressive setup. In the 'it'g6 line, the t:ig4-g3-g4 maneuver permits the white queen to retain long enough to carry out the discovered check and double attack upon g7, when the white rooks can actively finish off the job. 19.Jlxh7+ Iit>xh7 20.?J xg5+ Iit>g6 In the 'it'gBline, there's no mate in five owing to the d6 escape square, but White simply swings a rook to the f-file to cut off the king's flight. 20 ... 'it'gB 21.t:ih5 §feB 22.t:ixf7+ 'it'hB 23.t:ih5+ 'gB 24.§c3+- or 24.t:ih7+ 'it'fB 25.t:ihB+ 'it'e7 26.t:ixg7+ 'd6 27.4Je4+ 'it'd5 28. t:ie5 #. 21. ~g4 Active but insufficient is 21.§c5!? f5 22.t:ie5 4Jb5 23.t:ig3 t:id6= with key support from the 4Jb5. And not 21. t:id3+? 'xg5 22. t:ih7 when the black king can escape, 22 ... 'f6-+. 21 •••f5 22. ~g3 f4 Running the king towards the center encourages the advancement of the h-pawn. Note how White prefers to augment the pressure rather than win the exchange with 4Jh7. 22 ... 'f6 23.h4 4Jb5 24.h5 'e7 25.4Jh7 §f7 26.t:ig5+ 'it'eB 27.t:ig6 t:id6 2B.4Jg5 t:ie7 29.d5 e5 30.§el4Jd6 31.4Jxf7 4Jxf7 32.t:ixg7 e4 33.h6+-. 23.~g4 e5 24.?Je6+ 1it>f7 On 24 ... 'f6 White busts through with 25.dxe5+ 'e7 26.§d6+- or 26.t:ixg7. 25.~xg7+ Iit>xe6 Avoiding 25 ... 'it'eB 26.t:ixfB#. 26.dxe5 Better to activate the rooks with 26.§c5! 4JcB 27.ti'g6+ 'it'e7 (27 ... §f6 28.§xe5++-) and all three majors are collaborating 2B.§xe5+ Ae6 29.d5+-. 26 ... Jtc6 Black has tougher defense with 26 ... 4JcB 27.§xd7 §xd7 2B.t:ixfB with three pawns for the knight. 2B ... t:idB 29.t:ih6+ 'e7 (it's much too danger-

ous to expose the king in the center with 29 ... 'it'xe5 30.§e1 + 'd4 [30 ... 'f5 31.t:ie6+ with mate in two 31...'g5 32.§e5+ +- ] 31.t:ixf4+ +- and mate is looming) 30.t:ig7+ 'e6 31.t:ig4+ 'e7 32.e6+-. Black will be forced to capture the pawn and activate the white rook. 27.~g6+ lit>e7 28.~g5+ lit>e8 29.~g6+ lit>e7 30.Etd6 Etxd6 No better is 30 ... §f7 31.§e6+ 'f8 when it's mate in five: 32.t:ih6+ §g7 33.t:ihB+ 'it'f7 34.§f6+ 'e7 35.t:ixg7+ +-. 31.~xd6+ lit>e8 31...'f7 32.t:if6+ 'gB (32 ... 'eB 33.t:ie6+ 'dB 34.§d1 + transposes to the game's final position) 33.t:ig6+ 'hB with a rook swing to end the discussion 34.§c3 +-. 32. ~e6+ Iit>d8 33.Etdl + 1-0 There's no adequate response to the rook check, and the .Ilc6 is pinned to the unanchored queen. 33 ... 'c7 34.t:id6+ 'cB 35. t:ixf8+ +-

317

(261) Blanco Gramajo - Salcedo Mederos Correspondence 2002 Nirnzo-Indian Defense [E54]

l.d4 ?Jf6 2.c4 e6 3.?Jc3 Jlh4 4.e3 0--0 5.Jtd3 c5 6.?Jf3 cxd4 7.exd4 d5 8.0--0 dxc4 9.Jlxc4 a610.a3 Jtxc3 1l.bxc3 ~c712.Jtd3 ~xc313.M4 ?Jc614.Etel ?Jd515.Jld6 Etd8 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

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Sacking the Citadel Complex, unusual, and one of my personal favorites. White has two additional assets, the .E!e1 and the darksquare bishop on d6. In the r.t>g6 line, 4Jg5-e4 gains a critical tempo on the black queen, and all of White's pieces contribute harmoniously in a late middlegame with a significant material imbalance. 16..1lxh7+ 'it>xh717.~g5+ 'it>g6 Throughout many of these lines, the ~d6 simply sits there, but it also plays a key role in the r.t>g8Iine, blocking the king's escape to f8 and helping to deliver the final blow with ~f8. 17 ... r.t>g8 18.'li{h5 when Black can try: (a) 18 ... 4Jf6 19.'li{xf7+ r.t>h8 20.~f8+­ forcing an exchange sacrifice when a rook swing will then end the game; (b) 18 ... 'li{d3 19.~xf7+ r.t>h8 20 ..E!e4+blocking the queen's access to h7 and threatening the rook swing to h4; and (c) not 18... .E!xd6 (White mates on the back rank) 19.'li{xf7+ r.t>h8 20.~f8#. Quite unromantic is the knight fork and skewer after 17 ... 'it'h6 18.4Jxf7++r.t>g6 19.4Jxd8 4Jxd8 20.'lii'g4+ r.t>f6 21.~h4+. lS.~e4! Hitting the queen, protecting the ~d6, and making ready for ~g4+. If instead 18.~g4 f5-+ or 18 ... 4Jf6-+. And after 18.h4, Black can pounce with 18 ... 'li{xd4 -+ . IS ••• ~xe1 + Black does not have time to retreat the queen with 18 ... 'li{a5 19.~g4+ r.t>h6 (19 ... r.t>h7 20.'lii'h5+ r.t>g8 21.4Jg5 and Black cannot defend with ... 4Jf6 because of 'li{xf7 and ~e5) 20.'li{g5+ r.t>h7 21.'li{h5+ r.t>g8 (White resorts only now to the typical 4Jg5 maneuver after ... r.t>g8) 22.4Jg5 4Jf6 (Black cannot safely vacate the back rank with 22 ... .E!xd6 23.'li{xf7+ r.t>h8 24.~f8#) 23.'li{xf7+ r.t>h8 24.~e5+­ (but not 24.~f8? 'li{xg5). 19. ~xe1 f5 20.f3! fxe4 21.fxe4 ~f6 21.. ..E!xd6 22.~g3+ +- picking up the rook and

sustaining the attack. 22.e5 Etxd6 White should proceed patiently after 22 ... 4Jd5 23.'li{e4+ 'it'f7 24 ..E!f1 + 'it'g8 25.g4 ~d7 26.'li{g6 .E!fB 27.~xf8 .E!xfB 28 ..E!xfB+ r.t>xfB 29.'li{e4+- with a winning endgame thanks to the kingside pawn majority and the inactivity of Black's minor pieces. 23. ~g3+ 'it>h7 24.exd6 Ad7 25.Etfl EtfS 26.~f4 'it>gS 27.g4 ~h7 2S.~d2 Etxfl+ 29.'it>xfl ~f6 30.g5 ~d5 31.g6+h5 32.h4 ~f6 33.h5 ~d5 Black's position is clearly too loose after 33 ... 4Jxh5 34.d5 4Je5 (34 ... e xd5 35. 'li{xd5+ +-) 35. 'li{e3 +-. 34. ~f2 ~dS 35.'it>e2 a5 36.~h4 ~c6 37.'it>d2 ~f6 3S.~f4 'it>hS 39.'it>c1 ~a7 4O.h6 a441.h7 ~c842.d5exd5 43. ~e5 d4 44. ~c5 d3 45. ~e51-0

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(262) Kasparov - Deep Junior New York 2003 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E48] 1.d4 ~f6 2.c4 e6 3.~c3 Ab4 4.e3 0--0 5.Ad3 d5 6.cxd5 exd5 7.~ge2 EteS S.O--O Ad6 9.a3 c610. ~c2

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This is Kasparov's second game involving a Greco Sacrifice against a worldclass computer and, in this case, it's the computer attempting the move against the world champion. The computer can count on two additional assets, the

Games light-square bishop and the f1e8, but Kasparov has key assets of his own, notably the-,~k2 helping to defend on f2, the pressure upon h7, and the 4Je2g3- Kasparov correctly brings his king to g3, when, after ... ~g5, f4 drives the black queen off the g-file. Kasparov selects a drawing line, rather than 16.g3! perhaps to avoid a tactical bloodbath against the machine. 10 ... j}.xh2+ IViljlxh2 ~g4+ 12.Cjfjlg3 There's no hope for White in the ~gl line owing to ~xf2 and the rook swing via e6. 12.'it'gl ~h4 13.f1d1 ~xf2+ 14.'it'h1 f1e6 -+ . The 'it'h3line walks into a game ending discovery. 12.~h3 4Jxe3+-+. 12 .• :~g5 There's nothing for Black after 12 ... ~d6+? 13.4Jf4 g5 (White gains control over the h3-c8 diagonal) 14.~xh7+ ~f8 15.~f5+- and after 12 ... h5?, 13.f1h1 combines with f4 to shut down the attack: 13 ... ~g5 14.f4 ~h6 15.e4+-. 13.f4 13.~xh7+ ~h8 14.f4 ~h5 likely transposing to the game. 13 •.• tPth5 14.j}.d2! tPth2+ 14 ... f1xe3+? 15.~xe3 4Jxe3 16.~d2 4Jxf1+ 17.f1xf1+- 15.CjfjlH tPth4 16.j}.xh7+ Kasparov settles for a forced draw. The only try for a win is 16.g3!, a tactical continuation that might have seemed daunting against the machine. 16... ~h2 (not 16... 4Jh2+ 17.~f2 4Jg4+ 18.'it'el+-) 17.f1ae1! g6 18.e4 with what appears to be a winning advantage. 16 ... Cjfjlh8 With better development, White has a slight edge after 16... ~xh7 17.~xh7+ ~xh7 18.f1hl+ 'it'g6 19.e4;l;. 17.~g3 It's too late to play for a win with 17.g3!? ~xh7 18.~xh7+ 'it'xh719.f1h1 + 'iftg6 20.f1h4 f5 21.4Jc1 (with the idea of 4Jd3-e5) 21...4Jd7 22.4Jd3 b6 23.f1ah1 ~a6 24.4Je5+ 4Jdxe5+ 25.fxe5 ~d3=. 17... ~h2+ 18.Cjfjlf2 ~g4+ 19.Cjfjlf3 ~h2+

Yz-Yz

(263) Kovalev - Kochetkov Minsk 2003 French Defense [CI4] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~c3 ~f6 4.j}.g5 j}.e7 5.e5 ~fd7 6.j}.xe7 tPtxe7 7.f4 a6 8.~f3 c5 9.tPtd2 ~c6 10.dxc5 tPtxc5 11.0-0-0 b5 12.Cjfjlbl ~b6 13.j}.d3 Ad714.Ethel 0-0 8

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It seems tough to believe that a 2300+ player would castle into the attack here, especially since Black has promising moves such as 14 ... f1b8 or g6. The sacrifice occurs immediately after Black's committal move, and White relies on the secure e5-pawn, the 4Jc3, and the rooks as additional assets, while Black does have counterplay on the queens ide. In the game, Black played ~g6, walking into the familiar 4Je4 fork. 15.j}.xh7+ CjfjIxh716.~g5+ CjfjIg6 Especially given the unanchored ~c5 and White's delay in playing the queen to the h-file, the ~g8 line represents Black's best chance because the king is able to escape and the black attack has merit. 16 ... ~g8! 17. ~d3 (the queen obviously does not have direct access to hS) 17 ... f1fe8 (the queen has only one entry on h7) 18.~h7+ ~f8 19.~h5 (19.~h8+ ~e7 20.~h4 f1h8 21.4Jh7+ 'ifte8 22.4Jf6+ gxf6 23.~xh8+ ~f8 24.~xf6± when White's advantage is

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Sacking the Citadel obvious and he can proceed with the advance of the h-pawn) 19 ... 'it'e7 (aiming to escape to the queens ide) 20.4Jxf7 (with the idea of cutting off the king's retreat) 20 ... 4Ja4 (20 ... 4Jc4 21.fS 4Jb4 22.f6+ gxf6 23.exf6+ ~xf6 24:i£rgS+ 'it'xf7 2SJ~f1 + +- ) 21.fS 4Jxc3+ 22.bxc3 exfS 23.e6 'i£rxc3 24.'i£rh4+ 'i£rf6 2S.4JgS d4 (2S ... AcS 26.§xdS+-) 26.c3;!;. 17:~d3+ f5 IS.exf6+ Cit'xf6 After the king retreat, White must proceed carefully, but the mate is still there: lS ... ~hS 19.'i£rh7+ ~g4 20.4Jf3 gxf6 (20 ... ~xf4 21.§e4+ dxe4 22.'i£rxe4#) 21.'i£rh4+ 'it'fS 22.'i£rhS+ ~xf4 23.g3 #. 19.4)ce4+ 1--0 (264) Lugovoi - Kallio Gausdal,2003 N irnzo-Indian Defense [E51] l.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)c3 -'lb4 4.e3 0--0 5.-'ld3 d5 6.4)f3 4)bd7 7.a3 dxc4 S.-'lxc4 -'le7 9.e4 4)b610.Ad3 c5 1l.dxc5 -'lxc512.e5 4)fd5 8

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esting for the brutal attack after 18.'i£rxcS+.13.Axh7+ Cit'xh714.4)g5+ Cit'g6 In the 'it'gS line, Black can delay the mate in five only by capitulating with ... 4Jf6 or ... 'i£rxgS. 14 ... 'it'gS lS.'i£rhS+- §eS 16.'i£rxf7+ ~hS 17.'i£rhS+ ~gS lS.'i£rh7+ 'it'fS19.'i£rhS+ ~e7 20.'i£rxg7#. 15:~c2+11S.'i£rc2 is more accurate because, in lines involving 4Je4+, the queen can also capture on c5. On lS.'i£rd3+ fS 16.exf6+ 'it'xf6 17.4Jce4+ 'it'e7 White is certainly winning but can only capture on c5 with the knight. lS.4JxcS +-; lS.'i£rg4? fS 16.'i£rh4 (there's no direct way to keep the queen on the g-file with 16.'i£rg3 f4 17.'i£rg4 'i£rxgS -+) 16 ... §hS 17.'i£rg3 'i£re7 (the queen is out of reach of the discoveries) lS.4Jxe6+ 'it'h7 19.4JxdS 4JxdS 20.4JxcS 'i£rxcS and White must settle for a perpetual with 21.'i£rh4+ 'it'gS 22.'i£rdS+=. 15 ••. f5 16.exf6+ Cit'xf6 17.4)ce4+ Cit'e7 IS.~xc5+ Cit'eS 19.4)d6+ Cit'd719 ... 'it'e7 20.4Jxb7+ +wins the queen. 20.4)df7 White also wins easily with 20.4Jge4 'i£rc7 21.'i£rd4 §f6 22.AgS +-. 20 ••• ~e7 21. ~b5+ Cit'c7 22.Af4+ 4) xf4 White crashes through after 22 ... eS 23.JlxeS+ +-. 23.Etc1 + Cit'bS 24. ~e5+ 1--0 (265) Thorhallsson - Balinov Plovdiv 2003 Sicilian Defense [B27]

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Once again, the unanchored piece on cS should conjure up images of 4Je4+ forks and 'i£rc2 attacking the ~g6. For additional assets, White has the eSpawn, the dark-square bishop, and a clearly useful4Jc3-e4. In the 'it'g6 line, White obviously plays 'i£rc2+ aiming at the AcS. The game is especially inter-

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l.e4 c5 2.4)£3 b6 3.d4 cxd4 4.4) xd4 -'lb7 5.4)c3 a6 6.-'le3 e6 7.~d2 -'lb4 S.£3 4)f6 9.a3 Axc310. ~xc3 d511.e5 4)fd712.0--0--0 4)c513.f4 ~d7 14.4)f3 0-0 15.-'ld3 EtcS 16.Cit'bl a517.Ethel-'la61S.-'lxc5 lS.Axh7+ 'it'xh7 19.4JgS+ 'it'gS 20.AxcS transposing. IS ... bxc5

Games (266) Roese - Coenen Germany 2003 Reti Opening [A47] 1.4)f3 4)f6 2.b3 c5 3.,1lb2 e6 4.e3 j'te7 5.d4 0--0 6.j'td3 b6 7.4)bd2 j'tb7 8.0-0d69.c4 4)c610.~e2 ~c7 11.~adl ~fe812.dxc5 bxc513.4)e4 4)xe414.,1lxe4 4)b415.j'tbl j}.f8? abcdefgh

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White's capture on c5 opens the third rank for ~c3-h3. White can count here on the two centralized rooks and the secure e5-pawn as additional assets. In the ~gSline, ~h3 attacks only the h7square, giving Black a bit oftime to organize a defense, but White's assets are ready to overwhelm the black kingside, with ideas such as f4-f5, Ele3-g3, and ~h7-hS-g7. 19.,1lxh7+ 'ifjlxh7 20.4)g5+ 'ifjlg8 In the ~g6line, Black cannot safely defend with ... ElhS. 20 .. .'.t;>g6 21.~h3+-. In the ~h6line, ~h3 comes with check and White delivers mate in two with ~c3-h3-h7. 20 ... ~h6 21.~h3+ ~g6 22.~h7#. 21. ~h3 ~d8 If Black tries to run with 21 ... ~f8. White can break through with 22.f5 ~e7 (the capture on f5 is too dangerous because White, with the rook on e I, can quickly advance the e-pawn, 22 ... exf5 23.~hS+ ~e7 24.~xg7 Elc6 25.e6+-) 23.~h4 ~eS 24.~hS+ ~e7 25.~xg7 ~dS and a rook swing to finish things off. 26.Ele3 +-. 22. ~h5 Eta7 22 ... ~eS 23.Elxd5 exd5 24.e6+and Black cannot safely capture the pawn owing the double attack on e6. 23.f5 exf5 24.e6 g6 25. ~h7+ 'ifjlf8 26.e7+ 1--0 Black resigns rather than face mate in three: 26 ... 'it'eS (26 ... El xe7 27.~hS#) 27.~xf7+ 'it'd7 2S.eS~+ ~d6 29.Ele6#.

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Black's 15 ... .1lfS was a clear error, taking the bishop off its defense ofthe g5square. White can rely here on the darksquare bishop and the Eld1, and even the Elfl after a timely f4. In the ~g6 line, ~g4 is the correct path when, after ... f5, White can win with either ~g3 or ~h4, often a wise choice when the black rooks cannot safely reach hS. 16.j'txh7+ 'ifjlxh717.~g5+ 'ifjlg6 In the ~gSline, Black can delay the attack with .1le4, but White then has time to bringuptheElfl.17 ... ~gSl8.~h5.1le4 19.4Jxe4.:te7 20.f4 ~c6 21.4Jg5 .1lxg5 22.fxg5 Ele7 23.Elf4+-. After 17 ... ~h6 White wins quickly with 18.~g4 and 19.~h4. 18.~g41 18.h4? gives Black time to play 18. ..f6-+ .18•••f51S ... ~e7 is easily parried with 19.4Jxe6+ ~h7 (19 ... ~h6 walks into a mate in four 20 ..1lxg7+ ~h7 [20 ....1lxg7 21.~xg7+ ~h5 22.~h7+ ~g4 23.~h3# or 23.h3#] 21.~h5+ ~gS 22.~hS#) 20.4Jxg7 +- taking full advantage ofthe

Sacking the Citadel .llb2. 19. ~h4 e5 20.f4 ~c8 The mate threat on g2 is trivially parried: 20 .. .'lii'c6 21.e4+-. 21.e4 White also has a crushing attack after 21.g4. 21 ... E!d8 22.fxe5 jlxe4 23.~h7+
22.~h5+ ~g8 23.~h7+ ~f8 24.~h8+ ~e7 25.~xg7#,

and while there's no immediate mate after 20 ... ~h8 21.4Jxf7+ +-; the fork is certainly sufficient. 21. ~xf7+
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This example is somewhat easier than others in this chapter, but it contains an unusual pair of additional assets, the e5-pawn and the .§.dl. In the game, Black tried the ~g6line where, with just two majors, White delivers a rather simple checkmate. 19.Axh7+
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Black's 12th move, 12 ... .llb7, seems oblivious to the danger, perhaps because Black felt that he could count on ... 4Jf8 or ... 4Jf6 for the defense. White relies here upon two additional assets, the dark-square bishop and {he .§.el. In the game, Black selected the ~g6 line where White has several paths to the

Games win, including g4!, threatening rather than playing ~d3+. 13.j},xh7+ 'it>xh7 14.4Jg5+ ~g6 The 'it'gSline is Black's most promising continuation because the king's rook has already vacated f8, and the black queen is also able via f6 to reach the key bl-h7 diagonal. 14 ... 'it'gS 15.~h5 ~f6 (15 ... lLlf6? 16.~xf7+ 'it'hS 17.§e3+-) 16.~h7+ 'it'fS 17.lLle4 when: (a) Black is fine after 17 ... ~f5 IS.~hS+ (not IS.lLlxd6 ~xh7) IS ... 'it'e719.~xg7 M4=; (b) Too dangerous is 17 ... ~xd4 IS ..l1g5 f6 19.§adl +- with lLlxd6 next; and (c) White wins a pawn and sustains the the initiative with 17 ... ~g6 18.~xg6 .1lxh2+ 19.
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16 ... lLle5 17.dxe5 Ae7 IS.gxf5+ exf5 19.~g3 Jlxg5 but the Jlg5 is now pinned, 20.h4 ~d4 21.~xg5+ ~h7 22.~xf5+ ~gS 23.Ag5 ~xe4 24.e6+splitting Black's forces in half. 17.h4 c5 18.h5+ 'it>h6 19.4Je4 'it>h7 20.4J xf6+ 4J xf6 21.gxf5 exf5 22. tlYxf5+ 'it>g8 23 . .Q.h6 .Q.e4 24. tlYg5 .Q.f8 25.j},xg71-0

(269) Eriksson - Zetterberg Gothenburg 2005 English Opening [A34] 1.4Jf3 4Jf6 2.c4 c5 3.4Jc3 d5 4.cxd5 4Jxd5 5.d4 cxd4 6.tlYxd4 4Jxc3 7. tlYxc3 4Jc6 8.e4 e6 9.j},b5 j},d7 10.0-0 tlYb6 11.a4 tlYc5 12.tlYd3 tlYd6 13. tlYe2 .Q.e7 14.e5 tlYc7 15..Q.d2 a6 16..Q.d3 4Jb4 17.Etfcl .Q.c618.j},e40-0 19..Q.xb4 .Q.xb4 8

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The sacrifice is somewhat optimistic here. White does have the e5-pawn, an active §el, and the unanchored Ab4 towards which to aim, but Black's ~e7 protects the f7-pawn laterally. In the ~gSline, however, the §e4 rook swing drives the Ab4 to d2 where it disrupts White's efforts with the threat ofAxg5. Black fails to find the best defense with 25 ... §adS after which the queen and rook triumph on the kingside. 20..Q.xh7+ 'it>xh7 21.4Jg5+ 'it>g8 In

Sacking the Citadel the ~g6 line, White finds the unanchored ,ilb4 to be useful after both ~g4 and a well-timed §c4. 21...'it>g6 22.~g4! (22.~d3+ f5 23.~g3 'I11e7 24.f7 25.xf6 (23 ... ~a5 24.f7 25.'I11xg7+ ~e8 26.§xc6 bxc6 27.h6Iine, White is also able to play §c4 with tempo against the Ab4.21...'it>h6 22.§c4+- g6 (on 22 ... Ae7 23.§h4+ 'it>g6 [not 23 ... 'it>xg5 24.~g4#] 24.~h5+ ~f5 25.f5 (24 ... 'it>h5 25.~h3+ ~g5 26.f4#) 25.~f4#. 22.'i!\'h5 ElfeS White can again count on gaining a tempo for the attack by playing against the ,ilb4, 22 ... §fd8 23.~h7+ 'it>f8 24.~h8+ 'it>e7 25.~xg7 §f8 26.§dl ,ild5 27.§acl. (the point. A rook is headed for the fourth rank) 27 ... ~a5 28.§d4 ,ilc5 29.b4 Axb4 30.§f4 §ae8 31.f1 +-. 23.Ele4 Ad2 24.Elh4 ~fS 25.EldI25.e7 (on 25 ... 'it>g8 26.f8 [the offer of the knight cannot be accepted, 26 ... gxf6 27.~h8#] 27.e7 28.e7 29.~xg7 +- with the unstoppable idea of ~f6 and §d4+) 26.§d4 §ed8 27.§xd2 §xd2 28.'I11g5+= picking off the §d2, but Black emerges with adequate compensation for the pawn. 25 ••. Axg5 The toughest defense is 25 ... §ad8! 26.g8 27.f8 [Black must obviously avoid 27 ... gxf6 28.~h8#] 28.e7 30.~xg7 §d5 31.§h8 ~xe5 32.'l'iYf8+ 'it>f6 33.~xe8 ,ila5= and Black's activity compensates for the material deficit) 27.§xd2 §xd2

28.'I11g5+ f6 29.exf6+ gxf6 30.~xd2= when White emerges a pawn to the good but Black has excellent activity after 30 ... ~e5. White cannot meaningful gain an advantage with 25 ... §ad8 26.~h8+ 'it>e7 27.~xg7 §f8 28.§h8 ,ild5 29.g6 32.§xc7 ,ila5 and White is unlikely to advance the extra kingside pawns successfully. 26.'i!\'xg5 ~gS 27. 'i!\'h5 White repeats the position first rather than simply playing 27.§g4+-. 27•.• ~fS 2S.'i!\'g5 ~gS 29.Elg41 g6 30.Elh4 EladS 31.Elfl f6 Black cannot successfully exchange queens with 31...~e7 32.~h6+- when a capture of the rook would be needed to stave off mate. 32.exf6 'i!\'f7 33.Elh6 .1l,e4 34.'i!\'h41--O

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(270) Zezulkin - Urban Germany 2005 Sicilian Defense [B40] l.e4 e5 2.4)e3 e6 3.4)f3 a6 4.d4 b5 5.dxe5 .1l,xe5 6.e5 .1l,b7 7 ..1l,d3 f5 S. 'i!\'e2 'i!\'e7 9 ..1l,e3 4)e7 10.0--0--0 Ab411 ..1l,d2 4)bc612.~bl.1l,xe3 13.Axe3 4)d5 14..1l,d2 0--0 15.a3 Elac816.Elhe14)a517.g4f4 8 7

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In this Sicilian, Black has organized the familiar counter play down the c-file. White has prepared the sacrifice with a

Games g-pawn sacrifice to open the b1-h7 diagonal. White can count here on the dark-square- bishop, albeit blocked along its key diagonal by Black's f4pawn, and the centralized rooks. In the game, Black selected the ~h6Iine, taking advantage of the relative inactivity of White's dark-square bishQP, but White correctly found the winning method with itYd3-h3-h7 and the advance of the kings ide pawns. 18.Axh7+ \tIxh719. .£jg5+ \tIh6 In the ~g8 line, the mate in five morphs into a nice mate in nine because the d8square is vacant.19 ... ~g8 20.itYd3 (the capture on a5 distracts the black queen and also enables victory: 20.Axa5 itYxa5 21.itYd3 §fe8 22.itYh7+ ~f8 23.itYg6 ~e7 24.4Je4+- with domination over key entry squares) and now, with the f-pawn on f4 and the white gpawn on g4, there's no safe way to block the check. And so: (a) 20 ... §fe8 21.itYh7+ ~f8 22.itYh8+ ~e7 23.itYxg7+ ~d8 24.4Jf7+ (forcing the king back into a discovery) 24 ... ~e7 25.4Jd6+ ~d8 26.itYg5+ §e7 (26 ... 4Je7 27.4Jf7# with a lovely smothered mate) 27.'ti11g8+ §e8 28. itYxe8 # ; (b) To stop the attack, Black can give back a rook: 20 ... itYxc2+ 21.'ti11xc2 §xc2 22.~xc2 +- with an extra pawn and far better development; and (c) Black cannot manufacture a path to the queens ide with 20 ... §f7 21.Axa5 itYxa5 22.itYh7+ ~f8 23.itYg6 §e7 24.itYh5+-. In the ~g6Iine, itYd3+ requires that Black return material with ... §f5. 19 ... ~g6? 20.itYd3+ when Black cannot block the check with .. .f5. Instead: (a) 20 ... §f5 21.gxf5+ exf5 22 ..ilxa5 itYxa5 23.§gl; (b) 20 ... ~xg5 when the normal 'ti11h7 resource fails to ...'ti11xc2, but White has 21.h4+! ~h6 (21...~xg4 22.§gl + ~xh4 and now the queen will arrive on h7 with check

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[22 ... ~h5 23.'ti11h7#] 23.'ti11h7#) 22.g5+ 23.itYh7+ ~g4 and now it's mate in eight, 24.f3+ ~xf3 (24 ... ~g3 25.§gl + +-) 25.'ti11e4+ ~g4 26.§gl + ~h5 (26 ... ~h3 27.'ti11hl#) 27.'ti11h7#; and (c) 20 ... ~h6 when White has a mate in two in two ways: 21.'ti11h7+ (21.'ti11h3+ ~xg5 22.itYh5#) 21...~xg5 22.'ti11h5#. 19 ... ~h8looks as if it might have promise because the white queen cannot reach h5 directly, but White has 20.'ti11d3 threatening mate on h7 as well as 'ti11h3+. 20 ...'ti11xc2+ 21.'ti11xc2 §xc2 22.~xc2+-. 20.Axa5 ttxa5 21. ttd3 g6 22. tth3+ \tIxg5 Black might as well capture on g5 in view of 22 ... ~g7 23.itYh7#. 23.tth7! .§g8 24.f3 1-0 Best is 24.§gl! holding the g-pawn, threatening h4#, and starting a mate in eight after 24 .. .f3. ~h5

(271) Godnjavee - Zufie Portoro 2005 Nimzo-Larsen Opening [AOl] l.b3 e5 2.Ab2 .£jc6 3.e3 d5 4.Ab5 Ad6 5..£je2 4)f6 6.Axc6+ bxc6 7.000-0 8.d3 e4 9 ..£jd2 8

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White's modest opening has permitted Black, in just nine moves, to establish the e4-pawn and to set the sacrifice in motion. In addition to the e4-pawn, Black can count on the light-square

Sacking the Citadel bishop as additional assets. In the game, White played 'it'g3 when Black establishes the queen on the g-file and finishes off the king in an accurately played king hunt. 9 ••• Jtxh2+ 10.~xh2 .£\g4+ 1l.~g3 In the 'it'h3Iine, Black has i;t"g4 with the idea of playing .£le3+ or transferring the queen to the h-file with mate on h2. 11.'it'h3 i;t"g5 12 ..£lf4 (12.dxe4 .£lxe3+ 13.'it'h2 i;t"xg2#) 12 ... i;t"h6+ 13.'it'g3 i;t"h2#. In the 'it'gl line, Black is able to barge straight through with i;t"xf2 and .£lxe3, threatening both the white queen and an immediate checkmate. 1 I. 'it'gl 'lii'h4 12.Ele1 i;t"xf2+ 13.'it'h1 .£lxe3 -+. 11 ••• ~g51 with the idea of .£lxe3+. Less convincing is 1l ... h5 when White is happy to give back a knight: 12 ..£lf3 exf3 13.gxf3 .£le5 14 ..£lf4 Ele8+ and not 11...i;t"d6+ 12 ..£lf4 g5 (gaining back the knight but ceding the center) 13.dxe4± 12.f4 ~g613.f513.i;t"c1 is more prudent, safeguarding the queen though inviting Black to seize the center, 13 ... .£lxe3+ 14.'it'f2 (not 14.'it'h2 "i!'rxg2# or 14.'it'h4 .£lxg2#) 14 ... exd3 15.cxd3 (it's much too dangerous to capture the knight 15. 'it'xe3 El e8+ 16..Ile5 dxe217.'it'xe2 f6-+) 15 ... Ele8 threatening ... 'lii'xg2# 16 ..£lg3 (16.Elg1 .£lg4+ 17.'it'f1 [17.'it'e1 "i!'rxd3 -+; 17. 'it'f3 i;t"xd3 #; 17. 'it'g3 El xe2 -+ ] 17 ... "i!'rxd3-+) 16... .£lxfl17 ..£ldxfl h5 with an obvious advantage. The same idea with 13.i;t"e1 walks into 13 ... .£lxe3+ 14.'it'f2 .£lxc2-+. 13•.• ~g5 14.~h3 White can safeguard the queen, but Black then opens up the center with 14."i!'rc1 .£lxe3+ 15.'it'f2 exd3-+. 14••• ~h5+ 15.~g3 ~h2+ 16.~xg4 h5+ 17.~g5 f6+ IS.Jtxf6 gxf6+ 19.~h6 19.'it'g6 walks into a simple mate with19 ... i;t"xg2+ 20.'it'xh5 (20.'it'h6

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"i!'rg5#) 20 ... i;t"g5#. 19...~f7 0-1 Closing the net, 20.'it'h7 .Ild7 -+. (272) Stojanovic - Vasovski Struga2005 French Defense [C14] l.d4 .£\f6 2.Jtg5 e6 3 . .£\f3 Ae7 4.Jtxf6 Axf6 5.e4 d5 6 . .£\c3 0-0 7.e5 Jte7 S.Jtd3 c5 9.h4 f610.exf6 Jtxf6 8

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In a flash back to 1895, the players reach the same position as De Visser-Young (game 18). In that game, Black selected the 'it'h6 line, a wise course given the absence of a dark-square bishop and the presence of the h4-pawn. Here, Black played the 'it'g8Iine, when White, still the victor, missed the most accurate course with 0-0-0, Elhe1, and .£lxd5. 1l.Jtxh7+ ~xh7 12..£\g5+ ~gS For 12 ... 'it'h6 see game 18. 13.i;t"d3! Jlxg5 (13 ... g6 14.h5 +-) 14.hxg5+ 'ittxg5 15.'lii'g3+;!;; the 'it'g6 line invites an mate in three because Black cannot block the check from the "i!'rd3+. 12 ... 'it'g613.'lii'd3+ 'it'h514.g4+. 'ittxg4 (14 ... 'itth6 15.'lii'h7#) 15.'lii'f3#. 13. ~h5 E!eS 14. ~f7+ ~hS 15.dxc51? White's best is continued development with 15.0-8-0! .£ld7 16.Elhe1 .£lf8 in preparation for 17 ..£lxd5! i;t"xd5 18. i;t"xe8 .Ilxg5+

Games 19.hxg5 'it'gS 20.dxc5 ~xg5+ 21.'it'b1 +- with EldS on the next move. 15.~g6 'it'gS -16.0-0-0 .£Id7 17.'li¥f7+ 'it'hS lS.Elhe1 .£IfS 19 ..£Ixd5 transposing to the line just above. 15 ... ~d7 16.0-0-0 ~f8 17.~ce4 ,1}.d7 18. ~h5+ g819.~f7 dxe4? Crumbling at a critical moment. Black holds with 19 ... ~e7 20 ..£Ied6 .£Ih7 21.~g6 ElfS when the threat on f7 forces White to deliver a perpetual check. 22 ..£Ih6+ 'it'hS 23 ..£Ihf7+=. 20.~xdS +- EtexdS 21.Etd6 J1,c6 22.Ethd1 Etxd6 23.Etxd6 J1,e8 24.~e2 Etc8 25.b4 J1,c6 26.Etxc6 Etxc6 27.~xe4 Etc7 28.a3 Etd7 29.h5 Etd5 30.f4 a5 31.g4 ,1}.c3 32.~c4 axb4 33.axb4 J1,d2+ 34.h2 ,1}.e3 35.~e4 J1,d4+ 36.c3 ,1}.f6 37.g5 J1,d8 38.h3 f7 39.f5 Etd7 40.fxe6+ ~xe6 41.~f5+ e7 42.h61--O (273) Arutinian - Snorek Pardubice 2005 Queen's Gambit Accepted [D26]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.~f3

~f6

4.e3

e6 5.,1}.xc4c5 6.~e2 a6 7.dxc5 ,1}.xc5 8.0--0 h5 9.J1,d3 0--0 10.e4 ~b611.e5 ~d5 8

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White's e-pawn has just driven off the .£If6, allowing White to initiate the sacrifice with two additional assets, the e5-

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pawn and the dark-square bishop. In the game, Black played ~g6, when White has the efficient ~e4+ (or ~g4)­ h4-h7 maneuver and a familiar king hunt to end the game. 12.,1}.xh7+ xh7 13.~g5+ g6 In the ~gSline, the customary mate is in six moves, not five, owing to the black queen's departure from dS. 13 ... ~gS14:li¥h5 EldS (there's no anchor for the rook on eS: 14 ... EleS 15.'li¥xf7+ ~hS 16.'li¥xeS+ AfS 17.'li¥xfS#) 15.'li¥xf7+ 'it'hS 16.'li¥h5+ ~gS 17.'li¥h7+ ~fS lS.'li¥hS+ ~e7 19.'li¥xg7+ 'it'eS 20.'li¥f7#. In the ~h6 line, 'li¥g4 has two threats, 'li¥h4 and the knight discovery supporting 'li¥g7 # : 13 ... ~h6 14.~g4 ElhS 15 ..£Ixe6++-. 14.~e4+ 14.'li¥g4 f5 15.'li¥h4 transposes to the game. But not 14.'li¥d3+ f5 15.'li¥h3 .£If6 16.exf6 ~xf6 when White does not have .£Ie4 double-check as in the game. 14.••f5 Both king retreats lose once again: 14 ... ~h5 15.'li¥h7+ ~g4 16.h3 # or 16. 'li¥h3 #; and 14 ... 'it'h6 15.'l1i'h7#. 15.~h4 f4 15 ... .£If6 16.exf6 ~xf6 (not 16 ... gxf6 17.~h7#) and White has a powerful double check. 17 ..£Ie4+ ~f7 (the queen and knight work well together, and Ag5 is also in the air, 17... ~g6 IS. 'li¥g5+ ~f7 19.'li¥h5+ +- ) lS.'li¥h5+ when the knight and queen again show offhow well they coordinate: (a) After lS ... ~gS the knight simply returns to g5: 19 ..£Ig5 EldS when White's fastest path is 20.'li¥h7+ ~fS 21.'li¥hS+ 'it'e7 22.'li¥xg7+ ~d6 23 ..£If7++-; (b) lS ... g619.~h7+ 'it'eS 20.'li¥xg6+ +- with the rook entering on dl if the king tries the d-fiIe; and (c) lS ... 'it'e7 Delivering check and preparing Elc1, 19.Ag5+ 'it'd7 20 ..£Ixc5+ 'l1¥xc5 21.Eldl+ ~c7 22.Elc1 +-. 16.~h7+ xg517.h4+ g418.~g6+ xh4 19.93+ 1-0 It's mate in three with 19 ... fxg3 (19 ... ~h3 20.'l1¥h5 #) 20.'li¥xg3+ ~h5 21.'li¥g5#.

Sacking the Citadel (274) Rendle- Guido Bratt02005 Sicilian Defense [B40] 1.e4 c5 2.4)0 e6 3.h3 4)f6 4.e5 4)d5 5.Ah2 Ae7 6.4)c3 4)xc3 7.Axc3 0o8.Ad3 4)c6 9.h4 f510.exf6 Axf6 11.'li:\'e2 (1 Ulxh7+ ~xh7 12.4JgS+ ~h6-+) l l ...d5 8

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White nicely prepares the sacrifice with 11.'ltfe2, a requirement in lines in which the queen requires immediate access to the d3-square. White relies here upon the dark-square bishop and the h4pawn as additional assets. In the game, Black tried the <;t>h6 line, undoubtedly counting on the immediate absence of the dark-square bishop and the presence ofthe h4-pawn, but White shows the correct path with 'ltfd3+ and hS!. 12.Axh7+ g8 line, 'ltfhS wins immediately because the capture on g5 once again opens the h-file with effect. 13 ... ~g8 14. 'ltfhS +- . 'ltfd3+ is devastating in the ~g6 line because Black does not have ... fS to block the attack. 13 ... <;t>g6 14.'ltfd3+ <;t>hSlS.g4+ ~h6 (IS ... 'it'xg4 16. 'ltff3 #) 16.'ltfh 7 #. The exchange on g5 opens the h-file for the attack: 13 ... AxgS 14.hxgS+ <;t>g8. The retreat to g6 encourages 'ltfhS with a mate in seven. IS.'ltfhS 4Je7 when much better

328

than g6 is 16.i.tf6+-. 14.~d31 g6 Blocking the queen's access to h7. Black's two alternatives fare no better: (a) 14 ... i.txgS IS.hxgS+ <;t>xgS exposes the king and White now has a mate in five: 16.'ltfg3+ <;t>fS 17.flhS+ (17.'ltff3++-) 17 ... gS (17 ... 'it'e4 18.d3#) 18.'ltfd3+ <;t>g4 (18 ... 'it'f4 19.'ltff3#) 19.'ltfh3+ <;t>f4 20.'ltff3#; or (b) Moving the rook to h8 cedes control over f7 and only encourages 14 ... flh81S.4J£7++-. 15.h5 4)e7The alternatives also get crushed: If Black bravely captures the knight ,IS ... 'it'xgS, 16.f4+ mates quickly: (a) 16 ... 'it'xf4 17.'ltff3+ 'it'gS 18.'ltfg3+ <;t>fS 19.0-0+ 'it'e4 20.flael # ; (b) 16 ... <;t>g4 17.'~f3+ ~fS 18.g4#; and (c) 16 ... 'it'h6 17.'ltfxg6#. Trying to defend the gpawn loses the queen. IS ... flg8 16.4J£7+ +-. The most logical defense is probably IS ... 4JeS covering the gpawn and attacking the queen, but White can capture the knight or pursue mate with 16.hxg6+ 'it'xgS (16 ... 'it'g7 17.flh7+ <;t>g818.'ltfh3 4Jxg619.flh8+ 'it'g7 20.'ltfh7 #) 17.f4+ <;t>xf4 (17 ... 'it'g4 18.'ltfh3+ ~xf4 19.'ltfh6+ ~gS 20.00++-) 18.'ltfe3+ <;t>fS (18 ... 'it'g4 19.'ltfh3+ 'it'gS 20.'ltfhS+ <;t>f4 21.00++-) 19.'ltfh3+ <;t>f4 (19 ... 'it'e4 20.d3+ 'it'f4 21.i.td2#) 20.'ltfh6+ +-. Capturing the knight with the bishop misses White's main threat, IS ... ~xgS 16.'ltfxg6#. 16.4)f7+ The fastest path to victory is 16.hxg6+ 'it'g7 (not 16... <;t>xgSI7.'ltfg3+~fSI8.flhS+'it'e4 when White has numerous mates in one: 19.d3# or 19.'ltfe3# or 19.'ltfg4# or 19.f3# or 19.'ltff3#) 17.flh7+ <;t>g8 18.'ltfh3 Axc3 (there'S nothing better: 18 ... d4 19.flh8+ Axh8 20.'ltfh7#) 19.'ltfh6+-. 16.•• E!xf717.hxg6+ 1-0 Black's position crumbles after 17 ... <;t>g7 (There'S no point in playing

Games 17 ... ~g5

18.~g3+ ~f5

20.~e3#)

19.§'h5+ ~e4

IB.§.h7+ ~gB19.gxf7+ ~fB

20.Axf6+-.

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(275) Plachetka - Talla Czechia 2005 Queen's Gambit Declined [D61] 1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.4)e3 4)f6 4.Jl,g5 Jl,e7 5.e3 0-0 6.4)£3 4)bd7 7.~e2 dxe4 8.Axe4 a6 9.a4 e5 10.dxe5 4) xe5 11.0-0 b6 12.lafdl 4)ed7 13.laac1 Ab7 14.~e2 ~e8 15.e4 4)e5 16.e5 4)fe4 17.4)xe4 4)xe4 18.Jl,e3 Ae5 19.Jl,d3 Jl,xe3 20.'~xe3 4)e5 8

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The c5-square is once again important, not because the <£\c5 is unanchored, but because it alone provides the anchor for the Ab7. White can rely here on two additional assets, the active rooks. In the ~gB line, the exchange sac on c5 eliminates Ae4 as a defense. Black misses the opportunity to decline the rook sacrifice, returning the piece with 23 ... ~a4 and reestablishing communication with the key e4-square. 21.Jl,xh7+ 'iflxh7 22.4)g5+ 'iflg8 In the ~g6line, ~g3 provides the discovery with <£\e6. After <£\xc5, Black cannot counter ~b3+ picking off the unanchored Ab7. 22 ... ~g6 23.~g3

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when Black has four defensive tries: (a) 23 ... f6 forces the knight to move 24.<£\xe6+ when now: (1) 24 ... ~f7 25.<£\xc5 bxc5 26.exf6 gxf6 (White delivers the key check) 27.i£1b3+ ~g7 2B.i£1xb7++-; (2) Certainly not 24 ... ~h7 25.i£1xg7#; (3)After24 ... ~h6 it's mate in three with 25.~xg7+ ~h5 26.~h7+ ~g4 27.h3# or 27.i£1h3#; and (4) It's also mate in three after 24 ... ~h5 25.<£\f4+ ~h6 26.i£1h4+; (b) 23 ... f5 24.<£\xe6+ ~f7 25.i£1xg7+ with an instructive mate in the center, 25 ... ~xe6 26.§.d6#; (c) With a rook swing at White's disposal, it's hopeless to try 23 ... ~f5 24.§.c4 <£\e4 25.<£\xe4 Axe4 26.§.xe4 ~xe4 27.i£1g5+-; and (d) After 23 ... ~h6 White forces the black king to capture on g5 with 24.~h4+ ~g6 25.~h7+ ~xg5 and now it's mate in five: 26.i£1xg7+ ~h5 (26 ... ~h4 27.§.c4+ +-; 26 ... ~f4 27.i£1f6+ ~g4 2B.h3+ ~h5 29.g4#) 27.g4+ ~h4 2B.i£1h6+ ~xg4 29.h3+ ~f5 30.~f6+ ~e4 31.§.c4 #. 23.laxe5 On 23.~h3 Ae4 24.§.xc5 Af5 25.g4 ~e7+ Black prevents the mate on h7, developing effectively. 23 ... bxe5 Best to spurn the "automatic" recapture by activating the queen, threatening both rooks, and by returning the piece, developing the §.aB, 23 ... i£1xa4! 24.§.cc1 §.ad8~. 24.~h3 Jl,e4 25.4)xe4f5 On 25 ... §.dB the exchange of rooks only releases the pressure, and so 26.§.el f6 27.exf6 §.d5 2B.fxg7 ~xg7 29.i£1c3+ e5 30.<£\xc5 +- when the black majors are active, but the extra white pawns will triumph. 26.exf6 lad8 27.laxd8 ~xd828.~xe6+ +- 'iflh829.fxg7+ 'iflxg7 30.~e5+ 'iflg8 31.h3 ~d4 32.~g5+ 'iflh7 33.~xe5 ~xe5 34.4)xe5 a5 35.4)b7 laf5 36.4)d6 lae5 37.b3 lae3 38.4)e4 laxb3 39.4)xa5 lab4 40.g3 laxa4 41.4)b3

Sacking the Citadel g5 next. 62.4)e4+
(277) Yalov - Spasov ICCF e-mail 2005 Queen's Gambit Declined [038]

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19.•.Axh2+ 20.f1 ~xg2+ 24.~e2 Af3+ 25.<;t>d2 Axdl 26.E!.xdl f2 ~h4+ 24.~gl f1 E!.xf4+ -+ and 24.g3 ~xg3+ 25.~f1 E!.xf4+-+. 21 ... ~gSI 21...xg4 f5+ 25.~g5 ~h6#. 22 ••• fS 0-1 It's mate in seven: 23.f4 ~h5+ 24.<;t>g3 ~h2+ 25.<;t>f3 fxe4+ 26.xg4 E!.xf4+ 27.<;t>g5 ~h6#) 26 ... ~xf4#.

l.d4 4)f6 2.e4 e6 3.4)e3 dS 4.4)£3 Ah4 S.exdS ~xdS 6.e3 0-07.Ad3 Ad7 8. ~e2 ~aS 9.0-0 eS 10.a3 Axe311.bxe3 Ae612.e4 e413.Ae2 ~xe314.§bl ~aS1S.eS 4)dS

""_.".:.-:-",,",,,,,

3 IV"""CL-K~ 2

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Greco Sacrifices with the black pieces are rare enough, but here, Black also relies on an unusual combination of additional assets, the light-square bishop and the E!.c4 already able to move laterally. In the game, White selected the ~h3 line when ~g5-h5 or f5 overwhelm White's defenses.

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Games To avoid the sacrifice after e4-e5, Black prudently ought to have returned the pawn with .·.. 1.txf3. Here, White can count on three additional assets, the secure e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the .§bl. In the game, Black tried the 'it'gS line, giving back the knight on f6 in order to play \¥yf5 reaching the key diagonal, but White, by playing very actively, retains a winning advantage. 16.Jl.xh7+ Cit'xh7 17..£)g5+ Cit'g8 In the 'it'g6Iine, ~e4+ is most efficient because, after .. .f5, the queen continues to attack the weakened e6-pawn. 17 ... 'it'g61S.\¥Ye4+ when: (a) After 18. ..f5, 19.exf6+ is overwhelming because the queen has access to both e6 and h7: 19 ... 'it'xf6 20.~xe6#; 19... 'it'h6 20.~h7#; 19... 'it'h5 20.~h7+ 'it'g4 2l.f3# or 21.h3# or 21.~h3#; (b) Again, king retreats meet a quick mate. 18. .. 'it'h5 19.~h7+ 'it'g4 20.f3# or 20.h3#or 20.~h3#; and (c) lS ... 'it'h6 19.\¥yh7#. In the 'it'h6 line, ~g4 provides the additional option after 4Je6+ or ~g7#. 17 ... 'it'h6 18.~g4 '§hS19.4Jxe6+ +-. 18.tNh5 .£)f6 The rook retreats fare poorly: (a) After lS ... .§eS, 19.'§xb7 strips the bishop from its defense of the .§e8. 19 ... 1.txb7 20.~xf7+ 'it'hS 21.\¥YxeS#; (b) On lS ... .§dS the rook takes the part of the queen on d8 giving White the usual mate in five: 19.\¥Yxf7+ 'it'hS 20.\¥yh5+ 'it'gS 21.\¥Yh7+ 'it'fS 22.'lii'hS+ 'it'e7 23.~xg7+; and (c) The rook can't hide on c8: 18. .. .§cS19.~xf7+ 'it'hS 20.\¥Yg6 'it'gS 21. ~xe6+ +- forking the king and rook. 19.exf6 tNf5 20.d5! Opening the long diagonal for the ~cl. Less precise is 20.g4 ~xb1 2l.fxg7 'it'xg7 22.4Jxe6+ with the threat of ~h6 winning the queen, but Black can wind his way to equality: 22 ... 'it'gS (22 ... fxe6 23.~h6+ +-) 23.~h6 \¥Yg6 24.\¥Yxg6+

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fxg6 25.4JxfS 4Ja6=. 20 •..gxf6 Trying to force the 4Jg5 to retreat. The alternatives permit White to activate the darksquare bishop on the long diagonal. 20 ... 1.txd5 21.1.tb2 ~g6 22.\¥yh3 \¥Yxg5 23.fxg7 +- and 20 ... exd5 2l.fxg7 'it'xg7 22.1.tb2+ f6 23.g4 \¥Yg6 24.4Je6+ 'it'f7 25. \¥Yxg6+ 'it'xg6 26.4JxfS+ +- . 21.dxc6 .£) xc6 22.Elh5! e5 23.f4 Certainly the most tempting continuation, activating the dark-square bishop and the .§f1, but better is putting the question to the queen, which must remain on the b I-h7 diagonal. 23.g4! \¥Yd3 (23 ... 'lii'g6 24.\¥Yxg6+ fxg6 25.4Je4 +-) 24 ..§d5 \¥Yg6 25. ~xg6+ fxg6 26.4Je6 +-. 23 ••. fxg5 24.fxe5 tNg6 25.tNg4 a6 26.Elc5 .£)e7 27 . .1lxg5 Elac8 28.Elxc8 Elxc8 29.h41-0 The threat of h5 and a discovered check forces Black to offer an exchange of queens. 29.h4 c3 30.h5 \¥Ye6 3l.\¥Yxe6 fxe6 but now White wins a piece with an easy simplification, 32.1.txe7 c2 33 ..§c1 +- . (278) Esen - Sveshnikov MoscowZ006 Dutch Defense [A84] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3 ..£)c3 c6 4.e3 Jl.d6 5.Jl.d3 f5 6. tNc2 .£)f6 7 ..£)ge2 0-0 8.0-0 .£)a6 9.a3 dxc4 10.Jl.xc4 h5 1l..1ld3 8

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Sacking the Citadel Black neatly prepares the sacrifice with ... b5, making ready to play ... c5 and assisting the light-square bishop to enter the attack on the long diagonal. For the attack, Black has the light-square bishop and the .§f8 as additional assets. In the game, Black played the '
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as in the game, White needs to shut down the long diagonal: 17.e4 c5 18..l1xb5 ~h2+ 19.~f3 cxd4 20.~xd4 .§ac8 (fighting over the e4-square) 21..§el fxe4+ 22 ..§xe4 (capturing the knight brings on a mate in five: 22.~xg4 h5+ 23.'
abcdefgh

Games White readies the sacrifice with II.e5, when Black, to avoid the loss ofa pawn, must exchange-on d3, bringing the lightsquare bishop there. For the attack, White can count on the dark-square bishop, the <£lf1-g3, and the Elel as additional assets. In the ~g8 line, the queen swings to h4, not h5, giving Black a chance to create an escape for the king and to capture the e5-pawn. But White's queen, knights and rook are sufficient to blast through Black's center. 14..Q.xh7+ <;t>xh715.4)xg5+ <;t>g8 In the ~h6 line, the white queen reaches h4 directly, giving White time enough to assemble a rapid mating net. 15 ... ~h616.'~h4+ ~g617.~h7+ (forcing the capture ofthe knight) 17 ... ~xg5 and now it's mate in three with 18.h4+ ~f4 (18 ... ~g4 19.<£lh2+ ~f4 20.g3#) 19.'~h5 with mate next move. In the ~g6 line, White can choose between two winning continuations. 16.~g4 is effective because the discovered check with <£lxe6 followed by "iJ1xg7 force the king to e6 when White can force open the e-file for the Elel. 16.~c2 also works because .. .f5 weakens the e6-square for the Elel, and because <;tJxg5 walks into another mating net. After 15 ... <;tJg6, 16."iJ1g4+- is sufficient to win. White can keep the queen on the g-file and the knight has useful discoveries. 16 .. .f5 (not 16... <£lxe5 17.Elxe5 +- and the discovered checks make the rook immune. ) 17. "iJ1g3 ~c4 (hoping to block the discoveries with ... "iJ1g4. If instead 17 ... "iJ1b7, White can continue with <£le4-d6) 18.f4 ~c5+, reposting the queen on e7, but 19.<£le3 ~e7 20.<£lxe6+ ~f7 21.~xg7+ (once again, the knight is poison) 21... ~xe6 22."iJ1g6+ <£lf6 23.exf6 Elxf6 24.<£lxf5+ +- when a discovered check by the other knight wins the queen. But

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after 15 ... ~g6, White's best is 16.~c2+ when the king retreats to h5 and h6 walk straight into mates, leaving Black with two real choices: (a) 16... <;tJxg5 invites the usual mating net with 17. ~h7 <£lxe5 (17 ... ~xe5 prevents an immediate mate by tossing away the queen. 18.f4+) and now White can mate: 18.~xg7+ <;tJf5 19.<£lg3+ <;tJf4 20.~f6+ <;tJg4 21.h3#; and (b) 16 ... f5 17.exf6+ when Fritz12 finds mates in 10 against both .. ,<;tJh6 and ... ~h5 leaving two main alternatives: 17 ... ~xg5 18.fxg7 with the usual idea of~h7, and 17 ... ~xf6 with a mate in five. 18.Elxe6+ ~xg5 19.~g6+ ~h4 (19 ... <;tJf4 20.g3+ <;tJf3 21.<£ld2 #) 20.g3+ <;tJh3 21.~h5#. 16. ~h4 §e8 The win is similar to the game after 16 ... Eld8 17.~h7+ <;tJf8 18.<£lg3 <£lxe5 19."iJ1h8+ <;tJe7 20.~xg7 <£lbc6 21.<£lxf7 <£lxf7 and White has a mate in eight with 22.<£lf5+ <;tJe8 23."iJ1g8+ <;tJd7 24.~xf7+ <£le7 25."iJ1xe6+ <;tJe8 26.~g6+ <;tJf8 (26 ... <;tJd7 27.El xe7#) 27.~g7+ ~e8 28.Elxe7+ "iJ1xe7 29.~xe7#.17.~h7+ <;t>f8 18.4)g3 4) xe5 19.4)h5 <;t>e7 20. ~xg7 4)bc6 21.f4 4)d3 22.4)f6 Missing 22.<£lxf7, since winning the exchange only brings the rook powerfully to the e-file, and 22 ... <£ld8 23.<£le5+ ~d6 24.~xc7+ <;tJxc7 25.<£lxd3 +- with a simple win by advancing the kingside pawns. 22 ..• 4)ce5 23.§e2 §f8 24.4)fh7 ,11.a6 25.~f6+ <;t>d7 26.4)xf8+ §xf8 27.fxe5 Or simply 27.<£lxe6 fxe6 28."iJ1xf8+-. 27••. ~c5+ 28.<;t>h1 ~e7 29.4)h7 §c8 30.§f1 4)c5 31.~g7 <;t>c6 32.§xf7 ~h4 33.g3 ~a4 34.h3 ~a3 35.§ef2 4)e4 36.4)g5 36.Elc2 +- limits the black queen's activity and ends the discussion. 36 .•• ~cl+ 37.<;t>g2 4)xf2 38.§xf2 ~xc3 39.~g6 After

Sacking the Citadel 39AJxe6+- White is three pawns to the good. 39 ••• ~xe5 40.~xe6+ ~xe6 41.4)xe6 §.e8 42.§.f6 §.e7 43.'iflf3 'ifld6 44.4)f4+ 'iflc5 45.§.e6 §.h7 46.h4 d4 47.'ifle4 §.g7 48.§.e5+ 'iflb4 49.§.g5 §.d7 5O.4)d5+ 'ifla3 51.'iflxd4 'iflxa2 52.b4 'iflb3 53.h5 Ab7 54.b5 'ifla4 55.h6 'iflxb5 56.h7 §.d8 The pawn is immune: 56 ... Elxh7 57.4Jf6+ +-. 57.§.h51-0 (280) Sosna - Berezjuk Czechia 2006 Philidor's Defense [C41] l.d4 4)f6 2.4)f3 d6 3.4)c3 4)bd7 4.e4 e5 5.Ac4 Ae7 6.0--0 0--0 7.a4 c6 8.§.el b6 9.d5 cxd5 lO.4)xd5 Ab7 1l.b3 §.c8 12.§.a2 4)xd5 13.Axd5 Jlxd5 14.~xd5 4)f6 15.~b5 d5 16.4)xe5 §.c5 17.~a6 Jld6 18.Jlb2 dxe4 19.4)c4 8

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Black's 18th move simultaneously places a pawn on e4 and twice attacks White's 4Je5. Once the knight retreats to c4, Black can rely on two key additional assets, the e4-pawn and the Elc5 ready to swing. In the game, White defended in the 'ittgl line, where playing Elh5 first is more accurate so that the black queen can eye the d4-square for an extra move. 19••• Axh2+ 20.'iflxh2 4)g4+ 21.'iflgl In the ~g3line, Elh5 im-

mediately threatens ~h4, and even White's willingness to throw back a rook fails quickly to the combined power of Black's majors. 21.'ittg3 Elh5 22.Elhl 4Jh2! 23.'ittf4 (White dare not capture the knight, 23.Elxh2 ~g5#) 23 ... ~g5+ (the mating net is cast) 24.'ittxe4 Eld8 25.4Jd6 (25.4Je3 f5+ 26.~e5 ~e7+ 27.'ittf4 ~e4+ 28.'ittg3 f4# or 25 ..Ild4 ~d5+-+) 25 ... ~e7+ 26.~f4 Elh4+ 27.'ittf5 (27.~g3 ~g5#) 27 ... g6#. In the 'itth3 line, the rook arrives on h5 with check, eliminating even the possibility ofElhl. 21.~h3 Elh5+ 22.~g3 (it's too dangerous to capture the knight, 22.'ittxg4 ~g5#) 22 ... ~h4+ 23.~f4 when the mate in two is surprisingly hard to find: 23 .. .f5 24.Axg7 ~xf2#. 21 ••. §.h5! The rook move is more accurate because the queen remains for a move to prevent .Ild4. 21...~h4 22 ..Ild4 Elh5 23.~f1 ~hl + 24.~e2 ~xg2 and the king is escaping: 25.~d2 Eld5 26.c3 ~xf2+ 27.Ele2 ~f3 28.4Je3 ~f4+. 22.'iflf1 There's no successful defense. White can avoid mate with 22.g3 ~d5 23.~b5 e3! 24.~xd5 exf2+ 25.~f1 fxel ~+ 26.'ittxel Elxd5-+ with a large material advantage. And both 22.4Je5 and 22.Ad4 run into 22 ... ~xd4-+. 22 ... §.f5 Also deadly is 22 ... e3 when White can pick his poison: (a) 23.fxe3 and Black has mate in three 23 ... Elf5+ 24.~e2 (24.'ittgl ~h4-+) 24 ... Elf2#; (b) 23.El xe3 exposes the back rank and permits mate in two, 23 ... ~dl + 24.Elel Elhl#; and (c) After 23.f3 the queen comes alive: 23 ... ~h4 24.~e2 ~f2+ 25.'ittdl (25.~d3 ~xel-+) 25 ... Eld5+ -+. 23.4)e3 White can instead try to prevent ... ~h4, but Black still barges through with 23.g3 Elxf2+ 24.'ittgl ~g5-+ with ... Elf3 and ... ~c5 to come. 23.•.§.xf2+ 24.'iflgl ~d20--1

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Games (281) Yegiazarian - Asrian Yerevan 2006 English Opening [A32] l.d4 {)f6 2.c4 c5 3.{)f3 cxd4 4.{) xd4 e6 5.{)c3 Ab4 6. ~b3 {)a6 7.Ad2 0-0 8.e3 b6 9.Ae2 Ab710.0-o Ae7 ll.gfdl gc8 12.gac1 d5 13.a3 {)c5 14.~a2 dxc415.Axc4 Ad616.Ael

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Existing theory ofthe sacrifice suggests that White ought to be fine here in the \t'glline owing to the {)d4's ability to return to f3, the overprotection of the f2-square, and the king rook's early departure from fl creating an escape route for the king via fl-e2 towards the queenside. But Black has four additional assets, the {)c5, the light-square bishop aiming at f3 and g2, and the rooks, especially the §c8. White tried the \t'gl line in the game. There, despite the king's escape from the kingside, Black has significant resources to maintain the pressure. 16.•• Axh2+ 17.ciflxh2 {)g4+ 18.ciflgl In the 'it'g3Iine, White cannot dislodge the black queen from the g-file, and the J1b7's support for 'lftxg2 makes the discovered knight checks especially brutal. lS.\t'g3 'lftg5 19.{)f3 (19.f4 'lftg6 20.'lftb1 [White cannot ignore the discovered check because the black queen can safely reach

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g2. 20.b4 {)f2+ 21.'it'xf2 itYxg2#] 20 ... {)e4+ [using the check to safeguard the queen on g6] 21.{)xe4 J1xe4 22.Ad3 [finally getting the discovery] 22 ... {)f2+ 23.'it'xf2 'lftxg2#) 19 ... J1xf3 20.'it'xf3 (it's mate in four after 20.gxf3 {)xe3+ 21.\t'h3 itYg2+ 22.'it'h4 itYh2+ 23.'it'g5 f6#) and Black must play precisely to sustain the attack: 20 ... {)h2+ 21.\t'e2 §fdS 22.b4 'lftg4+ 23.f3 itYxg2+ 24.J1f2 itYxf3+ 25.'it'e1 {)e4 26.{)xe4 itYh1 + 27. 'it'e2 itYxe4 2S.itYc2 'lftg4+ 29.'it'e1 {)f3+ 30.\t'fl §d5-+. In the 'it'h3 line, Black again sets out a mating net after 'lftg5-h5-h2. lS.\t'h3 'lftg5 19.{)f3 itYh5+ 20.'it'g3 Axf3 21.gxf3 'lfth2+ 22.\t'xg4 f5+ 23.'it'g5 itYh6#. 18..• ~h419.b4 White cannot safely return the knight to f3 owing to Black's light-square bishop. 19.{)f3 Axf3 20.gxf3 itYh2+ 21.\t'fl (hoping to hide on e2) 21...{)e5 22.b4 itYh3+ 23.'it'e2 'lftxf3+ 24.'it'fl (White loses a piece after 24.'it'd2 {)e4+ 25.{)xe4 §fdS+ 26.\t'c2 §xd1 27.§xd1 itYxe4+ 28.'it'b2 {)xc4+-+) 24 ... itYh3+ 25.'it'e2 (not 25.'it'gl {)f3#) 25 ... itYg4+ 26.'it'fl (26. \t'd2 {)xc4+ -+ ) 26 ... {)f3 (playing for mate rather than the piece) 27.J1d2 {)d7 2S.J1d3 {)de5 29.J1e4 {)h2+ 30.'it'e1 §c4-+ with ... §dS next. 19••• ~h2+ 20.ciflfl ~xg2+ 21.cifle2 {)d7 22.cifld2 {)xf2 23.Axf2 ~xf2+ 24.j},e2 {)e5 25.gfl ~h2 26.{)cb5 Ad5 27.~bl {)c4+ 28.gxc4 gxc4 29.{)c3 gxc3 30.ciflxc3 e5 31.{)f5 ~xe2 -+ 32.{)e7+ ciflh8 33.gdl The attempt to win back material with 33.{)xd5 meets 33 ... §cS+ 34.'it'b3 itYc4+ (recovering the piece) 35.\t'b2 (35.\t'a4 §c5-+) 35 ... itYxd5-+. 33... ~c4+ 34.cifld2 j},f3 0--1

Sacking the Citadel (282) Zierke - Loffier Hamburg 2006 Queen's Gambit Declined [D32] 1.d4 e6 2.~f3 c5 3.e3 d5 4.c4 ~f6 5.~c3 ~c6 6.cxd5 exd5 7.Ae2 cxd4 8.~ xd4 Ad6 9.0-0 0-0 10.b3 Ae5 11.~xc6 bxc6 12.Ab2 J'tf5 13.J'td3 8

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an anchor. 16.f4 After 16.'it'f3 the knight check wins a piece and sustains the attack. 16 ... 4:Je5+ 17.'it'e2 ~xd3+ -+ (king retreats are mated: 16.'it'h4 g5+ 17.'it'xg5 f6+ 18.'it'h4 [18.'it'h5 ~h2#; 18.'it'xf5 4:Jh6#] 18 ... ~h2#; and 16.'it'h3 ~h2#). 16... ~ xe3 17.'ltd2 'ltg6+ 18.~f3 d4 Black wins more easily with either 18... ~xd3 -+ or 18. .. ~fe8 -+ . 19.Axf5 ~xf5 20.g4 E!fe8 20 ... dxc3-+ ends the discussion. 21.~d1 Now, White may be able to survive with 21.gxf5 ~h5+ 22.'it'g3 ~e3+ 23.~xe3 dxe3 24J:!ael ~. 21...~h4+ 22.~g3 f5 23.~f2 E!e3+ 24.'ltxe3 dxe3 25.~xh4 exf2 26.g5 h6 27.E!xf2 hxg5+ 28.fxg5 E!e8 29.E!afl E!e3 30.E!f3 'lte6 31.Ac1 E!xf3 32.E!xf3 'ltel+~l

White's 13th move likely sought to lessen Black's building pressure by exchanging the light-square bishops, but the bishop move eliminated White's ability to prevent ... 4:Jg4. That said, Black is hard pressed to locate an additional asset beyond the light-square bishop while in turn, White does not have needed defensive resources. The ~fl blocks the king's escape, the 4:Jc3 cannot reach f3, and the ~b2 cannot reach the b8-h2 diagonal. Black chose the 'it'g3 line. There ~d6+ is accurate, permitting Black to interpolate 4:Jxe3 prior to~g6.13 ...J'txh2+ 14.~xh2 ~g4+ 15.~g3 In the 'it'gl line, Black has Voellmy's mate in five:15.'it'gl ~h4 16.~el ~xf2+ 17.'it'hl ~h4+ 18.'it'gl ~h2+ 19.'it'fl ~hl+ 20.'it'e2 ~xg2#. 15... 'ltd6+! The black queen cannot remain on the g-file, and the effort to place it there loses the 4:Jg5. 15 ... ~g5? 16.f4 ~h5 (16 ... ~g6 17.~xf5 ~xf5 18.~xg4+-) 17.~hl +-. The rook has

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(283) Zumsande - Hujbert Budapest 2006 Sicilian Defense [B22] 1.e4c5 2.c3 ~f6 3.e5 ~d5 4.d4cxd4 5.~f3 ~c6 6.cxd4 d6 7.Ac4 ~b6 8.Ab3 d5 9.~h4 e6 10.~f3 Ae7 11.~c3 Ad712.~ E!c813.Ac2 a6 14.~h1 ~c4 15.~e2 'ltb6 16.b3 ~a3 17.Ad3 'lta5 18.~e1 ~b4 19.Ad2 'ltb6 20.Axb4 Axb4 21.f4 0-0 22.~f3 E!c7

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Games White can count on the secure eSpawn, <£\e2-g3, and the .§.f1 as additional assets, out Black appears to be but a move or two from crashing through on the queenside. Black correctly defended in the 'ittg8 line, where the white queen does not have ready access to hS. But Black erred with .§.fc8 rather than .§.e8, a move that charts Black's escape route to the queenside. 23.-'lxh7+ ~xh7 24.oflg5+ ~g8 In the <;!tg6Iine, White breaks through quickly with ~d3-h3 because ... .§.c7 destroyed the communication between the rooks.24 ... <;!tg6 2S.~d3+ when: (a) 2S .. .fS 26.~h3+- and Black can only delay the mate by tossing away a rook on h8; (b) And the king retreats meet a very quick end.2S ... <;!thS 26.~h7+ 'ittg4 27.~h3# or 27.h3#; and (c) 2S ... 'itth6 26. ~h 7 #. In the 'itth6 line, ~d3-h3 mates even faster. 24 ... 'itth6 2S.~d3 g6 (2S ... .§.h8 26.<£\xf7+ 'itthS 27.~h3+ <;!tg6 28.<£\xh8#) 26.~h3+ 'ittg7 27.~h7#. 25. ~d3 Elfc8 Black needs fuji, and the alternative 2S ... .§.e8! aims to create an escape path for the king. 26. ~h 7 + <;!tf8 27.fS (not 27.~h8+ 'itte7 28.~xg7 ltbS-+ and the king is safe) 27 ... exfS (even better than ...'itte7 28.<£\f4 ~h6 29.<£\xdS .§.cc8 30.~xh6 gxh6 31.<£\h7+ <;!tg7 32.<£\hf6 <£\c2 33.<£\xb4 <£\xb4 34.<£\xd7 <£\c2 3S . .§.acl <£\xd4=). 26.~h7+ ~f8 27.~h8+ No better is 27.fS exfS 28.<£\f4 ~h6 29.<£\xdS ~xh7 30.<£\xh7+ <;!tg8 3 1. <£\x c7 .§.xc7 32.<£\gS <£\c2 -+ when White has won back an exchange but Black emerges with far superior development. 27 •.• ~e7 28. ~xg7 -'le8 29.f5 ~d8 30.oflf4! Ele7 31.f6 Eld7 Or 31.. ..§.ec7 32.~g8 '§'c2 33.<£\xf7+ +-. 32.~g8 Or 32.<£\fxe6+ fxe6 33.~g8+- threatening <£\xe6. 32 .•• Elc6 33.Elacl ~b5 34.oflfxe6+! Elxe6 35.oflxe6+ fxe6

36.f7 Elxf7 37.Elxf7 Ae7 38.Elxe7 1-0 The exchange sacrifice smokes out the black king, 38 ...'ittxe7 39.~g7+ 'ittd8 (39 ... ltf7 40.~f6++-) 40.~c7#. (284) Fridman - Tan Netherlands 2006 Queen's Gambit Declined [D30] l.d4 d5 2.oflf3 c6 3.c4 e6 4.e3 oflf6 5.-'ld3 ofl bd7 6.0--0 dxc4 7.Axc4 b5 8.-'ld3 a6 9.a4 -'lb7 10.e4 ~b6 11.~e2 Ae712.Ae3 0--0 13.oflbd2 ~c714.e5 ofld515.Ag5 Axg5 (D) Black can force a knight back to f6 and the queen is on c7, ready to defend f7, but White can count on three useful assets, the eS-pawn, the <£\d2-e4, and .§.a3-h3. In the game, Black defends in the 'ittg8 line where the <£\f6 defense

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comes into play. Play is instructive, as White makes excellent use of all three majors with the black king caught in the center. 16.-'lxh7+ ~xh717.oflxg5+ 'iflg8 In the 'ittg6 line, ~d3 is more effective than ~g4 because Black loses a line of defense with ... <£\f6. Once again, ... 'ittxgS is inadequate owing to ~h7 with a mating net. 17 ...'ittg6 18.~d3+ (much less convincing here is 18.~g4 because Black can force a knight back to f6. 18... <£\7f619.exf6 <£\xf6 20.<£\xe6+

Sacking the Citadel 4:lxg4 21.4:lxc7 §ac8 22.axb5 §xc7 23.bxa6 Aa8 24.4:lc4±) and now, after 18.i£rd3+, Black has four familiar choices: (a) Blocking the check with 18 ... f5 weakens the e6-pawn for the knight 19.4:lxe6 avoiding the en passant capture when Black can safely capture on gS. 19 ... i£ra5 20.axb5 ~xb5 21.4:lc4+-; (b) After 18 ... ~h6 White has mate in five beginning with the needed 19.~h7+ 'it'xg5 20.4:le4+ 'it'f4 (20 ... ~g4 21.~h3+ ~f4 22.~f3#) 21. ~h4+ ~f5 22.4:lg3+ ~g6 23. ~h5 #; (c) Running to hS with 18 ... ~h5 gives White an extra tempo, bringing 19. ~h7 + with check: 19 ... ~xg5 (19 ... ~g4 20.4:lde4 +-) and it's mate in four: 20.f4+ 4:lxf4 21.4:le4+ ~g4 22.4:lf2+ ~g5 23.h4 #; and (d) After 18 ... 'it'xg5 the mate is there, but most players will find it challenging: 19.~h7 g6 and White has a mate in five: 20.f4+ 4:lxf4 (20 ... ~f5 21.~h3 # or 20 ... ~g4 21.~h3#) 21.h4+ ~g4 (21...~f5 22.~h6+-) 22.§xf4+ ~xf4 23.~h6+ 'it'g4 (23 ... ~g3 24.~g5#; ~f5 24.~g5#) 24.~g5#. In the ~h6Iine, §a3-h3 and ~e4-h4 are the best plans to avoid the 4:lf6 defense. 18.§a3 (aiming for §h3) 18 ... g6 trying to create luft (no better is 18 ... 4:lxe5 19.dxe5 g6 20.§h3+ ~g7 21.§h7+ ~g8 22.~e4+­ which is similar to the game save that Black has thrown back a piece on eS) 19.§h3+ ~g7 (not worth considering is 19 ... ~xg5 because White has obvious resources: 20.4:le4+ ~f5 [20 ... ~f4 21.~f3#] 21.~f3+ 4:lf4 with a pretty mate from the pawn 22.g4#) 20.§h7+ ~g8 21. ~g4 with either ~h4 or §h8 to follow. The other obvious try 18.~d3 also succeeds: (a) 18 ... 4:l7f6 19.exf6 §h8! the best try (It's hopeless to capture with the knight 19 ... 4:lxf6 20.~h3+ and now the king is forced to capture

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on gS 20 ... ~xg5 21.4:lf3+ 'it'g6 [21...'it'f4 22.§fe1 +-] 22.4:le5+ and Black would need to give up the queen on eS to prevent the mate 'it'g5 23.f4 #) 20.~g3 (with a winning simplification) 20 ... ~xg3 21.4:lxf7+ 'it'g6 22.4:lxh8+ §xh8 23.fxg3+-; (b) Capturing on gS does nothing to relieve the pressure: 18 ... 'it'xg5 19.~h7! g6 and White has mate in five. 20.f4+ 4:lxf4 21.h4+ 'it'g4 (21...'it'f5 22.i£rh6+-) 22.§xf4+ 'it'xf4 23.~h6+ ~f5 (23 ... 'it'g3 24.~g5#) 24.~g5#; and (c) Blocking the queen from reaching h7 weakens e6. 18 .. .f5 19.4:lxe6+-. 18:/th5 4)7f6 Creating luft with 18 ... §fe8 19.~xf7+ 'it'h8 20.§a3 +- invites a crushing rook swing. 19.exf6 4) xf6 20. '/th4 gfd8 21.ga3! c5 The toughest defense may be 21...§d5 with the idea of§xg5, but after 22.§h3 ~f8 23.~h8+ 'it'e7 24.~xg7 §xg5 25.~xg5 §g8 the queen reenters the position powerfully on cS, 26.~c5+ i£rd6 27.4:lb3 +-.

22.gh3 ~8 23.'/th8+ 'l;e7 24.'/txg7 gf8 25.gel Ad5 26.gf3 White can also consolidate his winning advantage with 26.§h6 4:le8 27.4:lxe6+-. 26... Axf3 27.4) xe61-0 (285) Hoi - Pinchuk Mecklenburg 2006 Queen's Gambit Declined [D63]

1.d4 d5 2.4)f3 4)f6 3.c4 e6 4.4)c3 Ae7 5.Ag5 4)bd7 6.e3 0--07.gel dxc4 8.Axc4 a6 9.e4 b5 10.Ad3 Ab711.e5 4)d512.Jlxe7 4)xe7 (D) White's opening has resulted in a trade of the dark-square bishops on e7 and a successful e4-e5 pawn push. White has three additional assets, the secure e5pawn, the 4:lc3-e2-f4, and the §cl.

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Black selects the \t>h6line, when White, without a dark square-bishop, places the queen on d2 and uses h4-h5 and the threat of the discovered check to draw the black king into the open board. 13..1lxh7+ g8 line, against the knights on d7 and e7, White should capture on £7+ and follow with 4Jxe6 threatening the queen and mate on g7. 14 .. .f.t'g8 15.ii'fh5 .§e8 16.ii'fxf7+ \t>h8 17.4Jxe6+-. In the \t>g6Iine, Black cannot dislodge the white queen from the g-file, and White can capture on e6 with check or take time to transfer the 4Jc3f4. 14 ... \t>g6 15.'l'ifg4! f5 16.ii'fg3 f4 (safeguarding the queen with 16 ... 'l'ifc8 gives White the time to bring up reserves: 17 .4Je2 [with the idea of 4Jf4] 17 ... 4Jd5 [on 17 .. .f4, 18.ii'fh4 4Jxe5 19.dxe5 \t>f5 20.~xf4+ 'it'g6 21.ii'fh4+with ii'fh7 and h4+ to follow] 18..§xc7+and Black cannot successfully capture the rook) 17.'l'ifg4 and the queen cannot now be dislodged: 17 ... 'l'ifb818.4Je2 .§f5 19.4Jxe6+ \t>f7 20.ii'fxg7+ \t>xe6 (20 ... \t>e8 21.4Jxc7+ +-) 21.d5+ making room for4Jd4+. (D) Now: (a) 21...4Jxd5 22.4Jd4#; (b) 21...itxd5 22.4Jd4#; and (c) 21...'it'xd5 22.0-0 (to bring the other rook to dl) 22 ... ii'fe8 (22 ... c5 23.ii'fxe7 +- since the

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king retreat to c6 meets 4Jd4+) 23 ..§fd1 + 'it'e6 24.4Jd4+ \t>d5 when the discovery provides a mate in two: 25.4Jxb5+ 'it'e6 (25 ... \t>e4 26 ..§d4#) 26.4Jxc7#. 15.h4 is too slow because the capture on e5 permits Black to relieve the pressure by exchanging queens. 15 ... 4Jxe5=. 15.~d3+? 4Jf5! (too dangerous is 15 ... 'it'xg516.~h7 cutting off the king's retreat: 16... 4Jxe5 17.dxe5 .§h8 and White commences a torturous king hunt: 18.f4+ \t>xf4 19.0-0+ 'it'xe5 20.~xg7+ 'it'd6 21..§xf7 .§f8 22 ..§xe7 'l'ifxe7 23.'l'ifd4+ itd5 24.4Jxd5 exd5 25.~c5+ \t>d7 26.'l'ifc6+ 'it'c8 27.~xa8++- and White will also pick up the d-pawn with check) and now there's nothing to be gained from 16.g4 ii'fxg5 -+. 15. 'll1td21 Very tempting is 15.ii'fg4 4Jg6 16.~h3+ (forcing the black king to capture on g5) 16... 'it'xg5, when White, without the ability to play 4Je4+ safely, cannot mate the king. 17.~e3+ (17.f4+ 4Jxf4 18.~g3+ \t>h6 19.ii'fxf4+ ~g5 -+) 17 ... 'it'h5 18.g4+ 'it'h4 19.~g3+ \t>g5 20.h4+ 'it'h6 and Black has survived the assault. 15...
Sacking the Citadel 16... c517.§c3+-.16.h4Jclxe5After aggressive defense with 16... .£lf6 White can capture the knight or more profitably set up a mating net with 17 ..£le2 .£led5 lS.g4+- since ... .£lxg4 meets h5+. 17.h5+ f517 .. .'f6 walks into a mate in two: lS ..£lh7+ r,t>f5 19.'lii'g5#. IS.Jclh3 Better is lS ..£le2 +- forcing Black to prevent ,"H4 #. IS .•• Jcld5 19.Jcl xd5 exd5 20. t\'f4+ e6 21.Jclg5+ d7 22.t\'f5+ d6 On 22 ... r,t>eS White picks back one piece 23.~xe5+ 'iI1e7 24.~xe7+ 'tlxe7 25.§xc7+ +- and then the Ab7. 23.t\'xe5+ d7 24.t\'f5+ e7 25.0o t\'d7 26. t\'e5+ 1-0 Also winning easily is 26.§fe1 +r,t>dS 27 ..£le6+ +-. (286) Pedersen - Thorstensen Oslo 2006 French Defense [C06]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Jcld2 Jclf6 4.e5 Jclfd7 5.j'td3 c5 6.c3 Jclc6 7.Jcle2 t\'b6 8.0--0 cxd4 9.cxd4 f610.exf6 Jclxf6 1l.Jclf3 j'td6 12.Af4 Axf4 13.Jclxf4 0--0 14.E!el Jcle4 15.g3 Jclxf2 8

7

6 5

play. White can count on the §e1 and the already well-developed .£lf4. In the 'tlgSline, as played in the game, Black, by sacrificing the exchange with lS ... §xf4, is able to run his king to the queenside, but white two rooks, knight, and queen combine for a pretty finale. 16.Axh7+ xh717.Jclg5+ gS In the r,t>h61ines, the .£lf4 supports 'iI1h5 #. And with the knight on f4, the black king cannot even enter the 'tlg6 line. IS.t\'h5 E!xf4 Black can delay the game with two checks: lS ... .£lh3+ 19.'iI1xh3 'iI1xd4+ 20.'tlh1 §xf4 21.~h7+ r,t>fS 22.§xe6+-. The rook cannot be taken, and now the king has no escape. And after IS ... §dS White delivers a pretty smothered mate, 19.'iI1f7+ r,t>hS 20 ..£lg6#. 19.9xf4 Jclh3+ The effort to develop simply loses the bishop: 19 ... Ad7 20.~f7+ 'tlhS 21.'iI1xd7 +-. 20.t\'xh3 Jclxd4 20 ... ~xd4+ 21.'tlh1 'iI1f6 22.'iI1h7+ r,t>f8 23.~hS+ 'tle7 24 ..£lxe6 (exploiting the pinned bishop) 24 ... Jlxe6 (24 ...'tld6 25 ..£lxg7 +with .£leS next) 25.'iI1xaS+-. 21.t\'h7+ fS 22.t\'hS+ e7 23.t\'xg7+ d6 24.hl Ad7 25.Jclf7+ More accurate is 25.§ac1 trapping the king in the center. 25 ••. c7 26. t\'e5+ cS 27.E!acl + Jclc6 Black would also have to resign after 27 ... Jlc6 28.§gl +- . 2S.E!gll-O

4

(287) Boesenberg - Herzog ICCF e-mail 2006 Ruy Lopez [C78]

3 2

abc

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A very exciting game in which Black, with the .£lf2, pressure on the white d4pawn and the §fS, has considerable

340

l.e4 e5 2.Jclf3 Jclc6 3.Ab5 a6 4.Aa4 Jclf6 5.0-0 b5 6.Ab3 Ac5 7.a4 Ab7 S.c3 0--0 9.d4 Ab610.dxe5 Jclxe4 1l.Ad5 Jclc512.axb5 axlJ.513.E!xaS t\'xaSI4.b4 Jcla415.Ae4 Jcla7

Games

8

7

I~.-'_<-·:

6 5 4 3 2

abc

abcdefgh

Black's position has the appearance of having rolled towards the edge of the board. White has a surprisingly secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop as additional assets. In the game, Black unfortunately selected the ~g6 line, by comparison a cake walk because h4-h5 forces the king into a devastating discovered check. 16•.Q.xh7+ 'itlxh7 17..£)g5+ 'itlg6 In the gBline, White must commence with ~d3+ in order prevent Ae4. White is therefore able to enter the black kingside only on h7, and the attack proceeds more patiently, involving every white piece in the king hunts that follow. 17 ... gBl8.~d3 (not 18.~h5? Ae4-+ defending on the key diagonal) 1B ... .§.eB (lB ... g619.~h3 +with mate on h7) 19.~h7+ f8 20.~h5! Ad5 (defending f7; the alternatives lose more quickly: 20 ... .§.e7 21.~hB# and 20 ... g6 21.~hB+ r:tJe7 22.~f6+ r:tJfB 23.~xf7#) 21.4Jh7+ e7 (21...gB 22.4Jf6+ gxf6 [22 ... r:tJfB 23.Ag5 +- ] 23.~g4+ ~hB [23 ... ~f8 24.exf6+-] 24.~h4+ ~gB 25.i.th6 .§.xe5 26.~xf6+-) 22.~g5+ e6 (22 ... f6 23.exf6+ r:tJd6 [23 ... gxf6 24.~xf6#] 24 ..§.d1 c6 25.Af4+ ~e6 26 ..§.e1 + ~f7 27.~xg7#) 23.~g4+ and now all of Black's responses bring the dark-square bishop and rook into the attack.

341

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(a) 23 ... e7 24 ..ilg5+ f6 25.exf6+ r:tJd6 (25 ... gxf6 26.4Jxf6+-) 26.fxg7 .ile6 27 ..§.d1 + r:tJc6 2B.~f3+ (preventing the king from reach b7) 2B ... d5 29.4Jf6 .§.dB 30.4Ja3+-; (b) 23 ... r:tJxe5 24.M4+ r:tJe4 25 ..§.d1 +- with threats such as Ag3 # and 4Jg5#; and (c) 23 ... f5 24.~g6+ xe5 (24 ... r:tJe7 25.Ag5#) and now it's mate in four: 25 ..ilf4+ r:tJe4 (25 ... r:tJxf4 26.~g3+ r:tJe4 27.4Jd2#) 26.~g3+­ with 4Jg5 # on the next free move. The h6 line walks into a discovery, but the ~g4-h4 maneuver is more accurate. 17 ... r:tJh6 18.~g4+-. IS.h4 1-0 An early resignation rather than be subjected to the attack. 1B.h4 prepares both h5+ and ~g4: 1B .. .f5 (lB ... .§.hB cutting off h5 but weakening f7 19.~xd7 ~gB 20.g4+- with ~f5+ or h5+ next) 19.h5+ (forcing the king onto the dark squares) 19 ... r:tJh6 20.4Je6+ h7 21.~xd7 .§.gB and now White has a forced mate: 22.4Jg5+ r:tJhB (22 ... r:tJh6 23.~xf5 g6 24.hxg6 .§.xg6 25.~h3+ g7 26.~h7+ r:tJfB 27.~f7#) 23.4Jf7+ h7 24.~xf5+ g6 25.hxg6+ .§.xg6 26.4Jg5+ hB (26 ... r:tJg7 27.~f7++-; 26 ... r:tJh6 27.~h3+ ~g7 28.~h7+ r:tJfB 29.~f7 #) 27.~xg6 and Black can only delay the mate with a check on t2 and by tossing away his queen.

Sacking the Citadel (289) Nanu - Miron Predeal2006 Queen's Gambit [D02]

(288) Vass - Durica Piestany 2006 Budapest Gambit [AS1] l.d4 .£lf6 2.e4 e5 3.dxe5 .£le4 4 ..£lf3 .£le6 5 . .£lbd2 j';lb4 6.a3 j';lxd2+ 7.j';lxd2 .£l xd2 S. tP/xd2 tP/e7 9. tP/e3 0-0 10.0--0--0 .§eSll ..§d5 a612.e3 .§b813.j';ld3 b614..§dl.£ld815.h4 e616..§d6.£lb7

1 . .£l0 e5 2.e3 .£le6 3.d4 d5 4.dxe5

e6 5.a3 Jlxe5 6.b4 Ab6 7.Ab2 .£lf6 S.e4 0-0 9.e5 Ae7 10..£lbd2 tP/e7 1l.Ab5 e5 12.Ae2 .§dS 13.0-0 d4 14.Ae4e415..£lxd4 8

8

7

7

6

6

5

5

4

4

3

3

2

2

abcdefgh abc

d

e

f

g

h

With an enormous positional advantage, it is fair to say that White did not need to initiate the sacrifice here. White relies on the e5-pawn and the doubled rooks as additional assets, though clearly the §d6 plays a critical role in eliminating both the ... 'it'g6 and ... 'it'h6 lines. In the game, Black defended in the 'i!tg8 line, when White uses the doubled rooks to sac an exchange and cut off the king's escape to e7. 17.Jlxh7+
342

Black sacrifices the d4-pawn in order to play ... e4 and to dislodge the {)f3. Black can rely upon the e4-pawn, the lightsquare bishop, and the {)c6 as additional assets. White's knights are poised to retake f3, but Black can interpolate the knight exchange on d4 to prevent that defense. In the 'it'g3 line, ... ~e5 eyes both h5 and e3 in the event off4. In the game, White defended with 'i!tgl and returned the piece by sacrificing the .l1b2-e5, but Black plays very accurately to retain the attack. 15...Jlxh2+ 16.
Games meet a quick end. 18.'ifi>h4 ~h2+ 19.'g5 ~h6# or 19 ... h6#; and (c) 18.'h3 ~h2#. 17... ~xd4! Best first to capture the knight. On 17 ... ~h4? White can defend by forcing a knight back to f3: 18..£J4f3 exf3 19 ..£Jxf3+-. IS •.Q.xd4 tith4 19.Jl.e5 ~xe5 20.Jl.e2 Jl.g4 21.f3 exf3 22.Jl.xf3 titg5! 23.titel gxd2 24.Jl.xg4 White can recapture and survive: 24.~xd2 Axf3 25.l~a2 (25.l:hf3 .£Jxf3+ -+ forking the queen) 25 .. .l:~d8-+. 24... ge2 25.Jl.h3 ~d3 26.titdl titxe3+ 27.'\tIh2 ge2 28.titb3 tite5+ 29.~gl ~f4 30.titf3 g5 31.~hl gfS 32. titg3 ~ xh3 The first, even minor inaccuracy. 32 ... h5 -+ overwhelms without risk. 33.~xh3 White returns the favor. There's a slight bit of hope in the double rook endgame: 33.~xe5 !!xe5 34.gxh3 f5 =+=. 33 ... ge4 34.g3 ge3 35.gg1 tite4+ 36. titg2 ~e6 37.ga2 gdS 3S.gf2 ~h6+ 39.~h2 ~xh2+ 40.~xh2 gxa3 41.gel gd7 42.geS+ ~g7 43.gaS ga4 44.gb2 ge7 45.~g2 a5 46.gxa5 gxa5 47.bxa5 gxe5 48.gxb7 gxa5 49.g4 ga4 50.~g3 gf4 51.gbS h5 52.gxh5 gh4 53. gaS f6 54.ga7+ ~h6 55.gaS ~xh5 56.ghS+ ~g6 57.gxh4 gxh4+ 5S.~g4 h3 0-1 (290) Pugachov - Yurkov

Vitebsky 2006 Sicilian Defense [B42] l.e4 e5 2.~f3 e6 3.d4 exd4 4.~xd4 a6 5.~e3 b5 6 ..Q.d3 d6 7.0-0 ~f6 S. tite2 Jl.e7 9.f4 0-0 10.~hl Jl.b7 1l.Jl.d2 b4 12.~dl 'ltb6 13.~f3 ~e6 14.e5 dxe5 15.fxe5 ~d7 16.~f2 ~e517.Jl.e3 tite71S.Jl.xe5 Axe5

8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Another example with an unanchored piece on c5, although White's mating attack is strong enough that the win of the piece is unimportant. White has an unusual collection of additional assets, the e5-pawn, the .£Jf2-h3-f4, and the !!fl. In the game, Black defended with the 'h6 line, but .£Jg4-f6 opens lines for White's major pieces to mate. 19.J}.xh7+ ~xh7 20.~g5+ ~h6 In the 'g8line, .£Jg4 usefully opens the ffile with unstoppable mating threats. 20 ... 'g8 21.~h5 !!fe8 22 ..£Jg4 .£Jxe5 23 ..£Jxe5 ~xe5 24.~h7+ ~f8 25.!!xf7#. In the ~g6Iine, the .£Jh3-f4 maneuver is devastating. 20 ... ~g6 21..£Jfh3 ~xe5 22 ..£Jf4+ ~xg5 (22 ... ~h6 23.~h5# or 22 ... ~f5 23.~h5+- or 22 ... ~f6 23 ..£Jd3++-) 23.~h5+ ~f6 24 ..£Jd5#. 21.~g4+ ~xg5 Careful readers will by now have no difficulty defeating the alternative king retreat 21...'g6 22.~e4+ when: (a) 22 .. .f5 23.exf6+ (the king is forced to capture on g5) 23 ... 'xg5 (23 ... 'h5 24 ..£Jxe6+- and it's mate in four) 24.h4+ 'h5 (24 ... ~xh4 25 ..£Je5+ ~h5 [25 ... 'g5 26.~g4+ 'h6 27.~h4#] 26.~g6+ +-) 25.~h7+ (a second knight sacrifice) 25 ... 'xg4 26.~g6+ ~xh4 27.!!f3+-; (b) The immediate capture on g5 gives White a mate in five: 22 ...~xg5 23.h4+ ~h5 (23 ... ~xh4

343

Sacking the Citadel 24.4Jf6+

~gS

[24 ... ~g3 2SJH3 #]

2S.~g4+ ~h6 26.~hS#) 24.'~h7+ ~xg4 2S.~xg7+ ~xh4

(2S ... ~hS 26. ~gS #) 26.E1.f3 +- and there's no way to stop E1.h3 #; and (c) 22 ... ~hS 23.~h7+ ~xg4 (23 ... ~xgS 24.~xg7+ ~h4 [24 ... ~hS 2S.E1.f4+- ] 2S.4Jf6+-) 24.4Je4+-. After 21...~hS White mates in four: 22.4Jf6+ ~xgS (22 ... ~h6 23.~hS# or 22 ... ~h4 23.~hS#) 23.~hS#. 22.4)f6 1-0 22.h4 is also winning, but 22.4Jf6 initiates a mate in seven: 22 ... gxf6 (22 ... E1.h8 23.~g4+ ~h6 24. ~hS #) 23.h4+ ~xh4 (23 ... ~g6 24.E1.xf6+ ~g7 2S.~g4+ ~h7 26.~gS+-or 23 ... ~h6 24.E1.xf6+ 'if)h7 2S.~hS+ ~g8 26.~gS++-) 24.E1.f4+ 'if)gS (24 ... ~g3 2S.~g4#) 2S.E1.g4+ 'if)hS (2S ... 'if)fS 26.~e4# or 2S ... ~h6 26.E1.h4+ ~g6 27. ~g4 #) 26. ~f3 +with ~h3 to follow. (291) Ezat - Faranka Beirut 2007 Queen's Gambit [D06]

sacrifice with h4 and can count on the secure eS-pawn, 4Jc3-e4, and the h4/ E1.hl as additional assets. In the ~g6 line, ~d3+ (or ~c2+) requires .. .fS, when the en passant capture forces the black king to f6 and 4Jc3-e4+ drives the black king into murderous discovered checks. 10.Axh7+ ~xh711.4)g5+ ~g6 In the ~g8Iine, Black must capture on gS and then push the f-pawn to stave off the mate, but gS-g6 once again ends the discussion.l1...~g812.~hS AxgS (12 ... E1.e8 13.~h7+ ~f8 14.~h8#) 13.hxgS fS 14.g6 1-0 Perun-Erofeev, Kiev2003.12:~'d3+ 12.~c2++- transposes to the game. With the pawn already on h4, White also prevails easily after 12.~g4 fSI3.hS+ forcing the king on to a dark-square. 13 ... ~h614.4Jf7+ ~h7 IS.~g6+ 'if)g8 16.4Jh6+ ~h8 17.4JxfS E1.xfS 18.h6+-. 12 ... f5 13.exf6+ ~xf6 White has a mate in four, but it's even worse after the king retreats to the h-file. 13 ... ~h614.~h7# and 13 ... ~hS 14.g4+ ~h6 (14 ... ~xg4 IS.~f3#) IS.~h7#.14.4)ce4+ ~g6

l.d4 4)f6 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 4)xd5 4.e4 4)f6 5.4)c3 e6 6.4)f3 Ae7 7.Ad3 0o S.e5 4)d5 9.h4 c5 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

14 ... ~fS when it's mate in three with either IS.4Jg3+ ~g4 (IS ... ~f6 16.4JhS#) 16.~f3+ (16.~e2+ E1.f3 17.'~xf3#) 16 ... E1.xf3 17.gxf3# or IS.4Jd6+ 'if)g4 (IS ... 'if)f6 16.4Jh7#) 16.~e2+ E1.f317.~xf3# 15.h5+ ~h6 After IS ... ~fS it's a pretty mate in one, 16.~h3#. 16.4)f7+ 1-0 And the knights provide an attractive finale 16 ... ~h717.4Jf6#. (292) Gagunashvili - Gurevich Oak Brook 2007 Semi-Slav Defense [D4S]

h

Black's horrible opening ceded the center and permitted White to drive off the 4Jf6 with eS. With the Ae7 ready to capture the 4JgS, White prepares the

344

l.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4)f3 4)f6 4.4)c3 e6 5.e3 4)bd7 6.~c2 Ad6 7.b3 0-0 S.Ae2 b6 9.0-0 Ab7 10.Ab2 ~e7 I1.Etadl EtadS 12.Ad3 EtfeS

Games 13.E!fel e5 14.cxd5 cxd5 15.dxe5 ~xe516.~d4 ~xd317. ~xd3 8

7

6 5

4 3 2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Black's sacrifice is marginal here. Two minors have already been exchanged, and Black must rely upon two additional assets, the buried light-square bishop and the EleS. In the 'it'g3Iine, Black cannot maintain his queen on the g-file and after ... ~d6+, White can safely capture the 4Jg4. 17.••Axh2+ 18"~i'xh2 ~g4+ 19.
345

24. ~fl AeS 25.Ac1 Aa6+ 26.4Jeb5 +- . 20 ... ~g5+ 21.
(293) Novikov - Domogaev

Tula2007 Sicilian Defense [B29] 1.e4 c5 2.~f3 ~f6 3.e5 ~d5 4.~c3 ~ xc3 5.dxc3 e6 6.Af4 Ae7 7.Ad3 0--0 8.h4 f5 9.exf6 gxf6 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

In almost all of the games, the defender's kings ide pawn structure has been pristine, at worst with a bishop rather than a pawn on g7. Here, the structure has been compromised, but Black may be counting on the f6-pawn

Sacking the Citadel to prevent the sacrifice. For additional assets, White has the dark-square bishop and the h4/Eih1, which can swing via h3 to the open g-file. In the game, Black selected the 'xh711..£)gS+ Iit>g6 The .£JgS is immune from capture because of the opening of the h-file for White's queen and rook. 11...fxgS 12.hxgS+ (12.'l!YhS also wins trivially, but not 12.'~d3+? EifS) and now all three king moves lose quickly: (a) 12 ... 'it'g7 13 ..1leS+ M614:~hS+-; (b) 12 ... 'h7 There's no escape to the queenside because after 13 ... '
346

14 ... 'gS No better is 14 ... 'it'g7 lS.Eih3+- withEig3tofollow.lS.~g6+ Iit>hS16..§h31-0 16.Eih3 with the obvious idea ofEig3 would require Black to play actively: 16 ... Eif7 (16 ... ~dS 17.~h6+ 'ittgSl8.Eig3+ 'ittf719.~g6#) 17.Eig3 ~f8 lS ..1lh6+- and there's no way to save the queen and prevent mate. (294) Morchiashvili - Kadimova Kavala2007 Semi-Slav Defense [D52] 1.d4 dS 2.c4 c6 3 ..£)f3 .£)f6 4 ..£)c3 e6 S . .1lgS .£)bd7 6.e3 ~aS 7.cxdS .£) xdS S. ~d2 .1lb4 9 . .§cl 0-0 10..1ld3 b6 11.a3 .1lxc3 12.bxc3 ~xa313.e4 .£)Sf614.0-0 .§e81S.eS .£)dS 16.c4 .£)c7 17.,§c3 ~fS 18.~f4 Jlb719.JldS .§axdS 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

a

h

c

d

e

f

g

h

White neatly sacrifices both bishops, the .i1gS on dS simply for clearance for the .£Jf3-gS. Although White loses the bishop as an additional asset, White can count on the secure eS-pawn and the Eic3-g3 or h3. In the 'it'gS line, the Eic3 swings to h3 where ~t threatens EihS and mate. 20.Jlxh7+ Iit>xh7 21 ..£)gS+ Iit>gS In the '
Games check, and the queen plays a useful role after 22 .. .f6 23. ~e4+ forcing f6-f5 when the discovered check is assured. 21...
(295) Dzhumaev - Mustafaev Tashkent 2008 Sicilian Defense [B50] 1.e4 c5 2.4)f3 d6 3.Ac4 4)f6 4.d3 4)c6 5.c3 e6 6.Ab3 Ae7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Ete1 Etb8 9.4)bd2 b5 10.d4 d5 1l.e5 4)d712.a3 b413.cxb4 cxb4 14.Ac2 bxa315.bxa3 Aa616.4)f1 ~c717.Ag5Axg5 8

7

6

5 4

3 2

abc

d e

f

g

h

White emerged from the sacrifice with a winning advantage but managed only a draw, but I think that the real story here is the choice that White must make in the ~g6 line. White can count here on the secure e5-pawn, the <£lfl-g3, and Elel-e3, and even Elac1 as additional assets. For the defense, Black stands

ready to capture the <£lfl and to give back material with <£lxe5. In the 'it'g8 line, as played in the game, White prepares 'ii¥c2 with Elc1. White's 25th, a pretty sacrifice, shows off another aspect of the positions, the versatility of the <£lg5-e6 fork when the ~c7 (or 'ii¥c5) is unanchored. 18.Axh7+ ~xh7 19.4) xg5+ ~g8 In the ~g6 line, 20.'ii¥g4, 20.'ii¥c2, and even 20.<£lg3 all appear to win. Simplest, I believe, is 20.~g4, when Black cannot dislodge the queen from the g-file, and the queen and knight coordinate the attack harmoniously. 19 ... ~g6 when: 20.'ii¥g4 f5 21.'ii¥g3 f4 22.'ii¥g4 (activating the discovered check) 22 ...'ii¥c8 23.<£lxe6+ 'it't7 24.Elac1 Elb6 25.~f5+ and White is clearly winning in every line: (a) The best defense is 25 .. .
347

Sacking the Citadel 22.~xg7+

4Jg6 (22 ... 't'f5 23.4Jg3+ 't'f4 't'g4 25.h3 #) 23.h4+ 't'f5 (other retreats permit quick mates) 24.4Jg3+ (Black would need to give up his queen to prevent the mate) 24 ... 't'g4 25.~h6 ~e7 26.~h5+ 'it'f4 27.~f3#. 24.~f6+

20.4Jg3!? The threat, of course, is ~h5+, which Black must prevent: (a) 20 ... E!hS but White can retain the queen on g4. 21.~g4 f5 22.exf6 4Jxf6 23.E!xe6 (the rook pins the knight, activating the discovery) 23 ... ~d3 24.h4 4Je5 (24 ... E!bfS 25.E!xf6+ E!xf6 26.4Je6++-) 25.h5+ 'it'h6 (25 ... E!xh5 26.~xh5 #) 26.4Jf5+ ~xf5 27.~xf5+-and the 4Je5 will not long be able to defend g6; and (b) 20 ... 4Jf6 (giving back a piece in an effort to delay White's attack) 21.exf6 't'xg5 (the king cannot successfully run with 21...'t'xf6 22.~f3+ 't'e7 [not 22 ... 'it'xg5 23.h4+ 'it'g6 24.~h5+ 't'f6 25.~g5# or 22 ... 'it'g6 23.~h5+ 'it'f6 24.~h4 'it'g6 25.4Jh7+-] 23.~xd5+­ with 4Jf5+ next.) There's no forced mate, but White's activity guarantees the advantage: 22.fxg7 E!gS 23.~h5+ 'it'f6 (obviously not 23 ... 'it'f4 24.~h4#) 24.~h6+ 't'e7 escaping to the queenside, but the g-pawn trumps. 25.4Jf5+ 'it'd7 26.~f6 'it'eS 27.4Jh6+-. 20.E!el There's no advantage after 20.~e2 .§,feS 21.~h7+ 'it'fS 22.~hS+ 't'e7 23.~xg7 E!fS (Black has sufficient counterplay on the queenside and center) 24.4Je3 4Jxd4 25.4Jxe6 4Jxe6 26.4Jxd5+ 'it'dS 27.4Jxe7 4Jxg7 2S.4Jxa6 E!b2= White has three inactive pawns for the piece, and Black has sufficient activity. 20 .•• E!bc8 21.E!e3 g6 22. ~g4 ~g7 23. ~h4 E!h8 24.~f4 E!cf8

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25.~xf7+! E!xf7 26.4)xe6+ ~g8 27.4)xe7 4)dxe5 28.4)xa6 4)e4 29.E!g3 White has better winning chances after 29.E!eS+ 'it'g7 30.E!xhS 't'xhS 31.4Jg3 4Jxd4 32.E!dl ± with a clear pawn to the good, though Black has the outside passer and White's kingside pawns will be slow to push. 29 ... 4)xd4 30.E!el ~g7 31.4)b4 E!h5 32.E!d3 4) b5 33.a4 4)e7 34.4)g3 E!h4 35.E!bl4)e5 36.E!ddl E!d7 37.a5 E!e4 38.4)e2 d4 39.4)f4 4)b5 40.4)bd3 4)xd3 41.E!xd3 a6 42.E!el E!e3 43.~f1 g5 44.4)e6+ ~f6 45.E!xe3= dxe3 46.4)e5 E!e7 47.4)d3 E!e4 48.E!al 4)d4 49.E!bl E!a4 50.f3 E!xa5 51.E!b6+ ~e7 52.E!b4 4)f5 53.E!e4+ ~f6 54.g4 E!al+ 55.~f2 E!a2+ 56.E!e2 E!xe2+ 57.~xe2 4)d4+ 58.~e3 4)b3 59.4)b4 ~e5 6O.~d3 4)d4 61.~xe3 4) xf3 62.4)d3+ ~e4 63.h3 a5 64.4)e5+ ~465.~b3 ~g3 66.4)e4+

Yz-Yz (296) Carlsen - Martinez Villanueva Pelae Madrid 2008 Caro-Kann Defense [B 12] 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 e5 4.dxe5 e6 5.4)f3 Axe5 6.Ad3 4)e6 7.0-0 4)ge7 8.Af4 0--0 9.4)bd2 a61O.Ag3

348

Games b5 1l.a4 b4 12.4)b3 Aa7 13.Ele1 Ab7 8

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Like Alekhine, Lasker, and Capablanca, the young Magnus Carlsen triumphs with the sacrifice in a simultaneous exhibition. For additional assets, White can count on the e5-pawn and Ag3-f4, though not l"l.e1-e3 or the 4Jb3. In the game, Black selected the 'it'g6Iine, when Black cannot dislodge the queen without either hanging the knight on e6 or the e6-pawn after ... f5. 14.-'1,xh7+ Ii!lxh715.4)g5+ Ii!lg6 In the 'it'g8Iine, White can select either ~h7+, the normal continuation with the black knight on e7, or with ~f7+ because the capture leaves the e6-pawn unguarded. 15 ... 'it'g8 16.~h5 l"l.e8 17.~xf7+ (17.~h7+ 'it'f818.~h8+ 4Jg819.4Jh7+ 'it'e7 20.Ah4+ 4Jf6 21.~xg7 +-) 17 ... 'it'h818.~h5+ 'it'g819.~h7+ 'it'f8 20.4Jxe6+ 'it'f7 21.4Jxg7 +-. In the 'it'h6 line, White would simply transfer the Ag3-f4 and continue normally with ~g4 if Black retreats the king to g6.15 ... 'it'h6 16.Af4 'it'g617.~g4+- .16.~g41 With the bishop on g3, White cannot quickly counter ... 4Jf5 with g4. 16.~d3+? 4Jf5 17.Af4 Ab8 18.g4 4Jxe5 19.9xf5+ exf5 20.~g3 4Jg4=.16 ..• 4)xe5 Moving the f-pawn removes Black's only defender of e6. 16 ... f5 17.exf6 e5 (17 ... 'it'xf6 18.l"l.xe6#) 18.Axe5+-. 17.Elxe5 f5

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lB. ~h4 AcB Preventing the main threat. Not 18 ... l"l.h8 19.1"l.xe6#. 19.4) xe6 White can proceed more patiently with 19.1"l.ae1 or barge ahead in a familiar way: 19.~h7+! 'it'xg5 (19 ... 'it'f6 20.l"l.ae1 ~d6 21.Ah4+-) and it's mate in six: 20.~xg7+ 'it'h5 (20 ... 4Jg6 21.h4+ 'it'g4 [21...'it'h5 22.~h7+ 'it'g4 23.~xg6++-] 22.~xg6++-) 21.Af4+-. 19 ..• Axe6 20.Elxe6+ Elf6 After 20 ... 'it'f7, 21.l"l.ae1 +- forces the knight to move when White will repost the queen to h5 orh7. 21.Elxf6+ gxf6 22.~xb4 4)c6 23. ~d2 d4 24. ~d3 4) b4 25.~c4 ~b6 26.a5 ~b7 27.-'1,d6 4)c6 2B.Ele1 +- EldB 29.Ele6 ~f7 30. ~e2 Eld7 31.-'1,f4 White can break through more quickly with 31.g4. 31 •.. 4)b4 32.4)c1 4)xc2 33.4)d3 Ii!lg7 34.Elxa6 ~c4 35.-'1,h6+ Ii!lxh6 36.Elxf6+ Ii!lg5 37.Elg6+ Ii!lxg6 3B.4)e5+ Ii!lf6 39.4) xd7+ 1-0

(297) Carlsen - Movsesian Moscow Blitz 2008 Slav Defense [D 15]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.4)f3 4)f6 4.4)c3 a6 5.a4 e6 6.Af4 dxc4 7.e3 4)d5 B.Axc4 4)xf4 9.exf4 Ae7 10.0--0 4)d711.a50--0 12.Ele1 b513.axb6 4)xb614.Ad3c515.dxc5 Axc5 8

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Sacking the Citadel Showing off, Carlsen successfully undertakes the sacrifice in a blitz game counting on the ~e1 and the 4Jc3, an unusual pair of additional assets. In the game, Black selected the ~g6 line and while he could not dislodge the white queen from the g-file, the absence of a white e5-pawn permitted the black king to run to f6 and e7. Despite the time control, Carlsen finds the right path, doubling the rooks on the e-file. 16.j'txh7+ ~xh717.4)g5+ ~g6 In the 'ittgSline, Black cannot successfully defend with ...'It¥d3 because White can use 4Jc3-e4 to block the diagonal. 17 ... ~gS lS.'~h5 ~eS (IS ... ~d3 19.4Jce4+-) 19.~xf7+ ~hS with time now to bring up the knight, 20.4Jce4 'It¥d7 (it's mate in three after both 20 ... 'lt¥e7 21.'lt¥h5+ 'ittgS 22.'lt¥h7+ 'ittfS 23.'lt¥hS# and also 20 ... ~e7 21.~h5+ 'ittgS 22.'lt¥h7+ 'ittfS 23.~h8#) 21.'lt¥g6 'ittgS 22.4Jf6+ +- winning the queen. In the ~h6 line, with the queens facing off, 4Jf7+ successfully wins the black queen because ~xf7 leaves the black queen en prise. 17 ... 'itth6 lS.4Jxf7+ ~xf719.'lt¥xdS+-. IS.t1tg4 Black survives handily after lS.'lt¥c2+ f5=. IS .••f5 19. t1tg3 ~f6 With no way to move the white queen off the g-file, Black must move the king or safeguard the queen. After 19 ... ~e7 20.4Jxe6+ 'itth6 White can profitably capture the rook because 21.4JxfS ~xfS 22.~g5+ 'itth7 23.~h5+ ~gS 24.~eS+- also nets the queen. No better is 19 ... ~h6 20.'lt¥h4+ ~g6 21.~ad1 ~eS (21...'lt¥e7 22.g4+-) when White's attack comes fully alive after 22.g4 ~hS 23.gxf5+ exf5 24.~g3 ~c6 25.4Je6+ 'ittf7 and the anchor on the knight results in a mate in two. 26.~xg7+ 'itteS 27.~dS#. 20.4)h7+ White repeats the position but ought to proceed now with

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20.~ad1!

~eS 21.~e5 .llb4 +- as in the game. 20 ... ~f7 21.4)g5+ ~f6 22.EIadl! t1teS On 22 ... ~c7 White infiltrates with 23.~h4 (possible since Black cannot play ... ~hS and now forcing the black king to g6 to avoid the discoveries) 23 ... ~g6 24.~d3 (and now the rooks come alive) 24 ... .lld6 25.4Jxe6 .llxe6 26.~ xe6+ +-. 23.EIe5 Jlb4 24.EIdel EIa7 25. t1te3 ~g6 26.t1txb6+- EIb7 27.t1te3 j'td6 2S.4) xe6 j'txe5 29.4) xfS+ t1txfS 30.fxe5 Jle6 31.4)e2 t1tb4 32.4)f4+ ~f7 33.h4 t1txb2 34.EIdl t1tb3 35.EId3 t1tc4 36.EId6 EIe7 37.~h2 a5 3S. t1tg3 ~gS 39.EId8+ 1--0 22.~de1

(298) Trent - Deslandes Cap d' Agde 2008 French Defense [C06] l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4)d2 4)f6 4.e5 4)fd7 5.c3 c5 6.Jld3 4)c6 7.4)gf3 t1tb6 s.o-o cxd4 9.cxd4 4)xd4 10.4)xd4 t1txd4 1l.4)f3 t1tb6 12.t1ta4 t1tb413.t1tc2 t1tc514.t1te2 j'te7 15.Jle3 t1tc7 16.EIacl t1tdS 17.EIc30--0 IS.EIfc11S ..llxh7+ 'ittxh7 19.4Jg5+ .llxg5 20.~h5+ ~gS 21..llxg5 f6 22.~h3 4Jxe5 23.~h7+ ~f7-+ IS••• 4)b6 8

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In return for the sacrificed d4-pawn, White has readied the sacrifice and

Games taken control over the open c-fiIe. It is interesting to observe that the Greco Sacrifice faits on move 18 with the black knight on d7 owing to 4::JxeS. For the sacrifice, White can count on the eSpawn, the dark-square bishop, and the doubled rooks, especially the §c3 ready to swing. In the
l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.{)c3 {)f6 4.Ag5 Ae7 5.e5 {)fd7 6.Jlxe7 ~xe7 7.f4

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a6 8.{)f3 c5 9. ~d2 {)c6 10.dxc5 ~xc5 11.0-0-0 b5 12.Ad3 b4 13.{)e2 a514.Elhel 0-0

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Another Classical French in which Black seems to castle into it. The dark-square bishops have been traded, but White can count on a secure eS-pawn, 4::Je2g3, and the centralized rooks as additional assets. Black in tum has generated some pressure upon the white queenside. In the game, White played the
Sacking the Citadel efficient path here is worth a careful review: 20.'lfi'hS+ 'tte7 21.'lfi'h4 'ttfS 22.f5! gxf5 (22 ... 4:ldxe5 23.f6+-) 23.4:lh7+ 'it'gS (23 ... 'it'g7 24.'lfi'g5+ 'ttxh7 [24 ... 'tthS 25.4:lf6+-] 25.E1.d3+-) 24.~g5+ 'ttxh7 (24 ... 'tthS 25.4:lf6+-) 25.E1.d3 +-. 20••. ~e7 After 20 ... 'ttgS it's an easy mate in two with 21.'lfi'h7+ and 22. 'lfi'xf7 "". 21. tNh4 ~f8 22.Eld3 White's most efficient win here is with 22.f5. Black cannot capture on g5 with the g-pawn because, after 4:lh7 and 'lfi'g5, the rook swing provides the finishing touch. The capture with the epawn encourages 4:lf4 with a double attack upon d5. And, if Black leaves the f-pawn where it is, the pawn can push through. Black's best defense is probably 22.f5 4:lcxe5 when White prevails with 23.f'xe6 with 4:lf4 to follow. 22 •..b3 23.Elxb3 ~b4 24.~d4 tNxd4 25.~h7+ ~g8 26.Elh3 ~xe5 27.~f6+ ~f8 Black probably wanted to avoid giving up the rook with check, but 27 ... 'ttg7 actually encourages a mating net with 2S. 'lfi'h6+ 'ttxf6 29.'lfi'g5+ 'ttg7 30.fxe5+-. 28.tNh8+ ~e7 29.tNxe8+ ~xf6 Avoiding 29 ...'ttd6 when 30.fxe5+ regains a piece and preserves the pressure. 30.fxe5+ ~g5 31.Elg3+ 1-031. E1.g3+ was good enough to force resignation, but 31.'lfi'e7+ and 31.'lfi'dS start mates in three. (300) Antal- Balog Hungary 2008 French Defense [C07]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.~d2 c5 4.~gf3 5.exd5 ~xd5 6.~b3 cxd4 7.~bxd4 Ab4+ 8.Ad2 0-0 9.c4 Axd2+ 10.tNxd2 ~b6 11.0-0-0 Ad7 12.~b5 a6 13.~d6 tNc7 14.~bl ~c615.Ad3 EladS ~f6

352

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The dark-square bishops have been traded in this French, but White retains the advanced 4:ld6 and the E1.dl as an unusual pair of additional assets. In the game, Black tried 'it'g6, when both 18.h4 with the idea h5 and 18.~d3-g3 are superior to the game continuation. 16.Axh7+ ~xh7 17.~g5+ ~g6 In the 'it'gS line, ~d3-h3 is crushing.17 ... 'ttgS lS.'lfi'd3 f5 (not lS ... g6 19.'lfi'h3+-or lS ... E1.feS when the queen must enter on h7, but the 4:ld6 cripples the defense 19.~h7+ 'it'fS 20.~hS+ 'tte7 2 1. 'lfi'x g7 E1.fS 22.4:lge4 +- and the queen will enter on f6) 19. ~h3 normally slow, but the 4:ld6 holds f7 enabling a simple mate if the rook retreats to e8. 19 ... E1.f7 (19 ... E1.feS 20.~h7+ 'ttfS 21.~hS+ 'tte7 22. ~xg7 "") 20.4:ldxf7 +- and White will capture on f8 after 'lfi'hS+ and then reach f8 with support from 4:lh7. The 'it'h6 line runs smack into a queen-winning discovery, 17 ... 'it'h618.4:lxe6+ +-. 18.~gxf7 White's most efficient continuation with lS.h4! threatens h5+ driving the king to h6 and a crushing discovery or to f6 with a mating net. lS ... 4:lxc4 19.h5+ 'it'f6 (19 ... 'tth6 20.4:lgxf7++- )20.4:lh7+ 'it'e7 21.~g5+ f6 22.~xg7+ E1.f7 23.~xf7"" )Also winning is the usual idea of 18.~d3+! f5 (capturing the knight again walks into

Games too many ready assets: 18 ... ~xg5 19.~g3+ 'it'h6 [19 ... 'it'f6 20.4Je4+ ~e7 (20 ... ~f5 21.~g5+ ~xe4 22.Eihel#) 21.~xc7+-] 20.4Jf5++- with a beautiful check that nets the unanchored queen) 19.~g3 f4 20.~h4 Eih8 21.~xf4 Eidf8 and the black king is too exposed to survive without significant material loss: 22.~g3 'it'h5 23.4Jge4 ~d8 24.~xg7 Eifg8 25.4Jf6+ 'it'h4 26.4Jxg8+- . 18... §xti 19.~d3+ §f5 20.g4 ~h7 With the attack on the pinned rook, White is winning. Black will need to retreat the king to h7, but he can first try 20 ... 4Je5 21.gxf5+ 'it'h7 22.~h3+ ~g8 23.f6 (with the threat of both f7+ and fxg7) 23 ... g6 (and the capture opens the g-file 23 ... gxf6 24.Eihgl + +- ) 24.f4 +- . 21.gxf5 exf5 22.c5 4:)a4 Challenging the powerful 4Jd6 only forces it to take a more active role on the kingside: 22 ... 4Jc8 23.4Jf7 Eie8 24.4Jg5+ (with the appearance of the sacrifice having just occurred) 24 ... 'it'g6 (24 ... 'it'g8 The king retreat to g8 encourages 25.~d5+ 'it'h8 when White can win with a rook swing or play for mate with 26.~f7 4Je5 27.~h5+ ~g8 28.~h7+ ~f8 29.~h8+ 'it'e7 30.~xg7+ ~d8 31.~f6+ 4Je7 32.4Je6+ +-) and the 'it'g6 line walks into an open g-file, 25.Eihgl 'it'f6 26.f4+-. 23.~h3+ ~g8 Not surprisingly, 23 ... 'it'g6 walks into a mating net, 24.Eihgl + 'it'f6 25.~h4+ 'it'e6 26.Eig6+ ~e5 27.f4# or 27.4Jc4# or 27.4Jf7#. 24. ~b3+ +- ~h7 25. ~xa4 Ae6 26.§he1 ~e7 27.§d3 §xd6 28.§h3+ ~g8 29.cxd6 ~xd6 30. ~d1 Ad5 31. ~h51-0 (301) Burmakin - Ziatdinov Moscow 2009 Catalan Opening [E08]

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1.4:)f3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 4:)f6 4.Ag2 Ae7 5.0-0 0-0 6.d4 c6 7.b3 b6 8.Ab2 Ab7 9.4:)c3 4:)bd7 10.~c2 §c8 1l.§fd1 ~c7 12.§ac1 ~b8 13.e4 §fd814.e5 4:)e815.cxd5 cxd5 16.Afl 4:)c7 17.Ad3 4:)f8 18. ~e2 Ac6 19.4:)a4 ~b7 20.§c2 a6 21.§dc1 Ae8 22.h4 4:)d7 23.~g2 4:)b8 8

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White has prepared the sacrifice with some slow maneuvering, h4 and 'it'g2 in order to activate the Eic1 on the hfile. In support of the sac, White has the secure e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the doubled rooks. By contrast, Black has massed inefficiently on the queenside, and for defense on the king's wing, Black has a vacated f8 square for the knight, the ~e8 and ~e7, and potentially the ~b7 over-protecting f7. In the line with ~xg5, Black worked hard to involve the ~b7 in the defense of the kingside, but ultimately, the weakness of the e6-pawn is telling. 24.Axh7+ ~xh7 25.4:)g5+ j'txg5 In the 'it'g8 line, Black has no choice but to capture the 4Jg5 and open the h-file. There's no immediate mate, but it is interesting to see how quickly the g5pawn becomes a queen. 25 ... 'it'g8 26.~h5 ~xg5 27.hxg5 4Jb5 28.Eixc8 Eixc8 29.Eihl 'it'f8 30.g6. The pawn is immune owing to the idea of ~h8 and

Sacking the Citadel then §h7. 30 .. .'li1c7 31.~hB+ '3;e7 32.~xg7 4Jc6 33.§h7 '3;dB 34.'li1f6+ "itlIe7 35.g7 +- and the pawn will queen. In the ~g6line, ~d3+ is the most effective continuation because the black e6pawn is irreparably weakened after ... f5. 25 ... ~g6 and now: (a) 26.~g4 wins, but more care is required because the queen does not have access to h4. 26 ...i.txg5 (the obvious try with 26 ... '3;h6 fails to 27.§hl and 2B.1a.c1, returning the dark-square bishop to the key diagonal) 27."itlIxg5+ '3;h7 28."itlIxdB §xdB 29.§xc7~aB 30.4Jxb6+-; (b) 26."itlId3+ f5 (king retreats are quickly mated) 27.exf6+ ~xf6 (not 27 ... ~h5 28.~h7+ '3;g4 29.f3 #) 2B. "itlIe3 when all of the lines are winning for White: (1) Black's toughest defense is 2B ... 4Jc6 but White has a forced win with 29.§xc6 ~xc6 30.§xc6 Axc6 when it's mate in eight: 31.~f3+ ~g6 32.h5+ '3;h6 (32 ... ~xg5 33.i.tc1 #) 33.~d3 i.teB 34."itlIh7+ ~xg5 35.~xg7+ '3;f5 36.~e5+ ~g4 37.f3#; (2) 2B ... i.td7 29.~f3+ (with threats of "itlIf7 and h5+) 29 ... '3;g6 30.h5+ '3;h6 (30 ... ~xg5 31."itlIf7+-) 31.~d3 i.teB 32.~h7+ '3;xg5 33.~xg7+ ~f5 (33 ... ~xh5 34.§hl + +-) 34.'liYe5+ '3;g4 35.f3 #; and (3) On 2B ... i.tf7 White has a quick mate with 29.~f3+ ~g6 30.~xf7+ ~h6 31.h5 +-. 25 ... '3;h6 (benefiting from the buried nature of White's dark-square bishop and the presence of the h4-pawn) 26. §c3 (threatening ~c2 and a breakthrough on the h-file) 26 ... g6 27.§hl ~g7 2B.h5 i.tb5 (2B ... i.txg5 29.hxg6 fxg6 30.~g4 i.th6 31."itlIh4+- taking full advantage ofBlack's inability to play §hB) 29.~d2 §hB 30.§f3 i.teB 31.h6+ ~fB (31...~gB 32.h7+ ~fB 33.~f4+-) 32.h7 4Jc6 33.4Je4+- with ~h6+ next. 26.hxg5f5 26 ... '3;gB 27."itlIh5+- with §hl to follow; 26 ... '3;g6 27.§h1+- and Black can-

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not prevent ~h5 with a quick mate. 27.gxf6 4)b5 28.'§xc8 .§xc8 29•.§hl+ Cit'g8 30. ~g4 ~f7 31.f xg7 1-0 (302) Khater - Grigorian

Dos Hermanas 2009 Trompowsky Attack [DOO] l.d4 4)f6 2.Jlg5 d5 3.Jlxf6 exf6 4.e3 c6 5.c4 dxc4 6.Jlxc4 Jld6 7.4)e2 0-0 8.0-0 4)d7 9.4)bc3 f5 10.j}"d34)f611..§cl 8

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A snap decision in a blitz game in which Black can count on the light-square bishop, which is itselfveiled behind the f5-pawn, and the §fB, which needs a move to reach the e-file. In the game, White defended in the '3;g3 line, the best defense. Black can sustain the queen on the g-file, but without a pawn on e4, the white king can run to f3. Even with the best defense, in which the white king reaches the queenside, Black retains a significant advantage. 1l...Jlxh2+ 12.Cit'xh2 4)g4+ 13.Cit'g3 In the '3;glline, Black wins quickly with ~xf2 and 4Jxe3, hitting the queen and threatening mate in one. 13.'3;gl "itlIh4 14.§el ~xf2+ 15.'3;hl4Jxe3-+. In the '3;h3 line, Black simply pushes the f4pawn out of the way to activate the discovered check. 13.'3;h3 f4! 14.exf4

Games c8 and c7 respectively, and even this small difference has a substantial effect upon the lines. White counts on the same additional assets, the mobile e5pawn and the two centralized rooks. In the ~g6 line, White has 'li¥g3 because the black queen cannot here capture on g5. 19..1l,xh7+ ~xh7 20.Jilg5+ ~g6 In the ~g8Iine, White can proceed with ~h7 or advance the e-pawn, shattering the center and activating the .§el. 20 ... ~g8 21.~h4 (the queen does not have access to h5, but the black queen is already defending f7) 21.. ..§fe8 22.e6 (22.'li¥h7+ 'it'fB 23.'li¥h8+ ~e7 24.'li¥xg7 (threatening both the f-pawn and 'li¥f6) 24 ... 'it'd8 25.
(safeguarding the queen costs the king: 14:~'d2
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(303) Bodiroga - Berry Dos Hermanas 2009 Queen's Gambit [D41]

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1.d4 Jilf6 2.c4 e6 3.Jilf3 d5 4.Jilc3 c5 5.cxd5 Jilxd5 6.e4 Jilxc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4.1l,b4+ 9..1ld2 .1l,xd2+ 10.~xd2 ~ 1l..1lc4 b612.~ .1l,b713.§fe1 Jilc6 14.§ad1 Jila5 15 ..1l,d3 §c8 16.d5 exd517.e5 Jilc418. ~f4 ~c7

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This position is remarkably similar to Flesch-Kovacs, 1969 (see game 146). There, Black's rook and queen were on

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(a) 22 ...
Sacking the Citadel ered check is overwhelming. Black's response hangs mate, but the alternatives are little better: 22 ... 'it>f5 23.4Jxg7# and 22 ... 'it>h5 allows a mate in four: 23.4Jf4+ 'it>h6 24.'~h3+ 'it>g5 25.'~h5+ 'it>xf4 26 ..§.d4#. 23.'lt/xg7# 1-0 (304) Ernst - On rust Vlissingen 2009 Slav Defense [Dl6] 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.{)f3 {)f6 4.{)c3 dxc4 5.a4 e6 6.e3 Ab4 7.-'l,xc4 0--0 8.0-0 {)bd7 9.'lt/e2 'It/a5 10.!3d1 {)b6 1l.-'l,d3 c5 12.{)a2 cxd4 13.{)xb4 'It/xb414.a5 {)bd515.e4 {)e7 16.e5 {)fd5 17.Ad2 White could have undertaken the sacrifice right here in part because the Rook swing he sought to arrange with .§.a3h3 was in fact available earlier with .§.d4h4. 17 ..Ilxh7+! 'it'xh7 18.'§'xd4+-. 17..• 'lt/b318.!3a3 'It/xb2

[White wants mate, not just the knight] 22 ... 'i'ii'c2 [not 22 ... 4Jxh7 23.~h5#] and it's mate in three: 23.4Jxf8+ 'it'f5 24.g4+ 4Jxg4 25 ..§.f3 #) 22. ~e4+ f5 (22 ... 4Jf5 meets 23.'i'ii'xf4 with ~g4 next, and not 22 ... 'it>xg5 23.~xf4+ 'it'g6 24.~g5#) and the en passant check resembles a bomb going off around the black king: 23.exf6+ 4Jf5 24.'i'ii'xf4+-. 21.~h5 ~c2 22.!3h31--O (305) Ganguly - Shirov Montcada 2009 Ruy Lopez [C78] 1.e4 e5 2.{)f3 {)c6 3.-'l,b5 a6 4.Aa4 {)f6 5.0--0 b5 6.Ab3 -'l,c5 7.a4!3b8 8.c3 d6 9.d4 -'l,b610.a5 -'l,a711.h3 0-0 12.Ae3 !3a8 13.{)bd2 -'l,b7 14.Ac2 exd415.cxd4 !3e816..1lbl {)e717.e5 {)fd5 8

7 8

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abc abc

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In the diagrammed position, White has an easy win with three additional assets, the e5-pawn, the .Ild2, and the .§.a3 ready to swing. In the 'it>g8Iine, as played in the game, the black queen can enter the bl-h7 diagonal on c2, but .§.a3-h3 trumps that defense. 19.Axh7+
356

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In this Ruy Lopez-like variation of the Sicilian, White has migrated the lightsquare bishop to the appropriate diagonal, and prepared the sacrifice with a strong center and e4-e5. In support of the sacrifice, White has four additional assets, the secure and mobile e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, .§.a3, and the 4Jd2, which can choose between 4Je4f6 and 4Jf3-h4. In the game, Black played into the 'it>g8 line where the .§.fS has already vacated the fS-square .... 4Jg6 would shut down the white attack were

Games it not here for the mobile eSpawn.1S.Axh7+ 'ifj1xh7 19.Jilg5+ 'ifj1gS After T9 ...'iftg6, ~c2+ followed by 4:Jf3-h4 seems the clearest path to the win. (a) 20.'lifc2+ fS (20 ... 4:JfS 21.4:Jdf3 E!hS 22.g4 'lifd7 [not 22 ... .llcS 23.Ac1 'lifd7 24.E!el +-] 23.'ifth2 E!aeS 24.E!gl +-) 21.exf6+ 4:JfS 22.4:Jdf3 'iftxf6 23.g4 4:Jh6 24.E!ael ± and now capturing the bishop on e3 opens the ffile for White's other rook; and (b) 20.'lifg4!? fS 21.'lifg3 ~cS with the aim of forcing the queen off the g-file (less promising is 21...f4 22.~g4 'lifcS the same idea, but White has 23.4:Je6+ ~f7 24.4:Jf3 a remarkable resource that protects the knight on e6 24 ... 4:Jg6 2S.4:JfgS+ ~gS 26.'liffS 'lifd7 27.'lifxg6 E!xe6 2S.4:Jxe6+- ) 22.4:Jdf3 f4 23.4:Jh4+ 'ifth6 24.Axf4 4:Jxf4 2S.'lifxf4 dxeS 26.dxeS §fS 27.'lifd2 (finally, the discovered check is in the air) 27 ... g6 trying to create an escape square, but 2S.e6± with a clear advantage, though the final positions in the 'lifd3 line are somewhat more compelling. 20. ~h5 Jilg6 21.e6! Etxe6 Too weakening is 21...fxe6 22.'lifh7+ ~fS 23.~xg6 (capturing the knight with a threat) 23 ... ~e7 24.4:Jde4 +- with a rook swing in the offing. 22.~h7+ 'ifj1fS 23.Jilxe6+ fxe6 24. ~xg6 ~f6 25. ~g3 'ifj1gS 26.Jilf3 EtfS 27.Etac1 ~f5 2S.Etfe1 Etf7 29.Jilh4 White can improve here with 29.4:JgS or 29.Ad2. 29 .•• ~h5 30.Jilf3 e5 31.dxe5 Jilxe3 32.e6 Etf6 33.e7 ~eS 34.fxe3? White's path to an advantage is 34.E!xc7 Axf3 3S.gxf3 AbS 36.E!b7 E!g6 37.E!xe3 E!xg3+ 3S.fxg3 with two active rooks and an immobilized black queen. 34... -'l,xf3 35.Etxc7 -'l,bS 36.Etc2 -'l,e4 37.Etf2 Etxf2 3S.~xf2 ~xe7 39.~f4 jta7 40.'ifj1h1 -'l,c5 41.~g4 d5 42.~h5 ~f7 43.~xf7+ 'ifj1xf7 44.'ifj1g1

357

'ifj1e6-+ 45.'ifj1f2 d4 46.exd4 jtxd4+ 47.'ifj1g3 'ifj1d5 4S.Ete2 jtd3 49.Etd2 'ifj1e4 50.b3 b4 51.'ifj1h4g5+ 52.'ifj1h5 'ifj1e3 53.Eta2 jtb1 54.Eta4 jtc3 0-1 (306) Kuzubov - Koerholz Ohrid2009 Nimzo-Indian Defense [E28] 1.d4 Jilf6 2.c4 e6 3.Jilc3 jtb4 4.e3 0-0 5.a3 -'l,xc3+ 6.bxc3 b6 7.-'l,d3

-'l,a6 S.e4 Jilc6 9.Jilf3 JileS 10. ~e2 Jila5 1l.e5 d5

abc

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There's often a price to pay for ceding the center. Perhaps sensing the danger after l1.eS, Black lashes out with ... dS seeking to relieve the pressure with exchanges. For the sacrifice, White can count on the secure eS-pawn and the dark-square bishop. The game ends abruptly because the E!fS is unable to create an escape square. In the ~g6 line, the immediate h4 forces Black to counter the threat of hS, driving the black king to h6. 14 ... E!hS tenninally weakens the f7-square, and 14 ... 'life7, the attempt to save the queen, only encourages a mating net with lS.'lifd3. 12.-'l,xh7+ 'ifj1xh7 13.Jilg5+ 'ifj1g6 13 ... 'iftgS 14.'lifhS+- The rook cannot vacate the f8-square, and Black can only delay the mate on h7 or give up his queen for the knight. 14.h4! Winning

Sacking the Citadel but less impressively is 14.~g4 f5 15.~g3 ~e7 (Black cannot force the queen off the g-file and so it is necessary to safeguard the queen) 16.4Jxe6+ 'it'f7 17.cxd5 (better to preserve the knight and threaten Jlg5 than to take the exchange) 17 .. J:~hB 1B ..ilg5 'l11"d7 19. ~f3 +- . And the queen checks also win: 14.~c2+ f5 (not 14 ... 'it'h515.'lii'h7+ 'it'g4 16.h3 # or 16.f3 # or 16.'lii'h3 # ) 15.h4 (not 15.exf6+ ~xf6"j: but 15.4Jxe6+- is satisfactory) 15 ... ~e7 16.h5+ (with an attack that is similar to what happens in the game) 16 ... ~h6 17.4Jxe6+ 'it'h7 1B.cxd5+-. 14.~d3+ f5 when White will win with either 15.4Jxe6 or 15.~g3. 14.•• tte7 After h5+, Black will be forced to play 'it'h6 enabling the discovered check. The queen move seeks to safeguard the queen from the discoveries. If instead Black attempts to prevent the advance ofthe h-pawn with 14 ... .§hB, White has a mate in six: 15.~d3+ f5 16.exf6+ ~xf6 (16 ... 'it'h6 17.h5 ~xf6 1B.4Jf7#) 17.~f3+ 'it'g6 (17 ... 'it'e718.~f7+ ~d6 19.~xe6#) 1B.h5+ '§xh5 19.~f7+ 'it'h6 20.~xh5 #. The other defensive try14 ... f5 does nothing to prevent the main threat. 15.h5+ 'it'h6 16.4Jxe6+ +- . 15.h5+
358

(307) Prie - Svetushkin France 2009 Queen's Pawn Game [D02]

l.d4 4)f6 2.Af4e6 3.e3 c5 4.c3 4)c6 5.4)£3 d5 6.4)bd2 J;td6 7.J;tg3 0--0 8.Ad3 tte7 9,J~~e5 4)d710.4)xd7 Axd7 1l.Axd6 ttxd6 12.dxc5 ttxc5 8

7

6 5 4

3 2

abcdefgh

The final two games in the book are highly unusual and well worth your time. At the time of the sacrifice, White cannot point to any additional assets, not an e5-pawn, not a dark-square bishop, and not even a pawn on h4. In addition, the remaining white knight, usually on f3, is on d2 and will have a longer journey to g5. Moreover, Black appears to be well developed. Remarkable, therefore, that White won two recent games from this position. 13.Axh7+
Games .lld7. 16•.£lg5 With the obvious threat on h7 and the attack upon f7 should the .§f8 move. 16••. ElfdS Black cannot try 16 ... ~d3 because e4 blocks the queen's access to h7. 17.e4 .§fd8 18 ..§dl 'ltYc4 19.~xfl+ 'it'h8 and White has time for either 20.~g6 or 20.f4. 17.~xf7+ Iit'hS IS. ~h5+ Iit'gS White clearly has at least a draw by perpetual check. In two recent games, patient white attacks garnered the full point. 19. ~f7+ 19 ..§dl d4 (19 ... ~xa2 20.f4 'ltYxb2 21.0-0 'ltYc2 22.f5+-) 20.'ltYf7+ 'it'h8 21.h4 ~d5 22.0-0 'ltYf5 23.~xf5 exf5 24.
(308) Brechin - Shaw Edinburgh 2009 Queen's Pawn Game [D02] 1.d4 d5 2.Af4 .£lf6 3.e3 c5 4.c3 .£lc6 5 •.£ld2 e6 6 •.£lgf3 Ad6 7 •.£le5 ~ S.Ad3 ~e7 9.~ .£ld7 10•.£lxd7 ~xd7 1l.Axd6 ~xd6 12.dxc5 ~xc5

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This position is nearly identical to the last game, save that White has castled and Black has not yet played ... i.1.d7. You might imagine that the difference would favor White, but the presence of the bishop on d7 leaves it vulnerable. 13.Axh7+ Iit'xh7 14.~h5+ Iit'gS 15•.£le4 g6 The key difference. In the last game, the presence of the bishop on d7 made ... g6 unplayable. 16.~g5 Maintaining the pin on the d5-pawn. 16... ~e7 17. .£lf6+ Iit'g7 Obviously not 17 ... 'it'h8 18.~h6#. And now, White has nothing better but to force a perpetual. lS•.£lh5+ Iit'h7 19 . .£lf6+ Iit'g7 20•.£lh5+ Iit'h7 21 •.£lf6+ Yl-Yl

359

Sacking the Citadel

360

Chapter 7 Greco's Quiz

I recommend that readers work through the taxonomy of the Greco Sacrifice in Chapter 5 before undertaking this 30-game quiz. It is my expectation that readers, once fully familiar with the sacrificial themes, will be able to calculate the relevant variations here intuitively and deeply. Of course, you can treat the entire book as a quiz. For every diagram just prior to the Greco Sacrifice, identify the additional assets and judge the soundness of each ofthe main lines before looking just ahead. You will find the solutions for each position in this quiz beginning on page 369.

#1 Unell-Judd Aspen 1968 Owen's Defense [A40]

#2 Schuett - Steiner Germany corr 1970 Ruy Lopez [C99]

l.d4 b6 2.c4 j},b7 3.Jilc3 e6 4.e4 j},b4 S.j},d3 j},xc3+ 6.bxc3 .£)e7 7 ..£)f3 0-0 8.0-0 dS 9.cxdS exdS 10.eScS

l.e4 eS 2..£)f3 .£)c6 3.AbS a6 4.Aa4 .£)f6 S.O-O j},e7 6.Elel bS 7.j},b3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 .£)as 10.j},c2 cS 1l.d4 'tNc7 12•.£)bd2 j},b7 13 . .£)fl cxd4 14.cxd4 Elac81S.j},bl dS 16.exdS exd417.j},gS .£)xdS 18.j},xe7 .£)xe7

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7

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361

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Sacking the Citadel #3 Ludvigsson - Lehikoinen

#5 Spassov - Panchenko

Groningen 1970 French Defense [C 11]

Sochi 1980 Semi-Slav Defense [D45]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 dS 3 . .£)c3 .£)f6 4.eS .£)fd7 S.f4 cS 6.dxcS .£)c6 7.a3 jlxcS 8 . .£)f3 0-0 9.jld3 f6 10.b4 jlb611 ..£) bS f xeS

1 ..£)f3 .£)f6 2.c4 e6 3 ..£)c3 dS 4.d4 c6 S.e3 .£)bd7 6. ~c2 jld6 7.b3 0-0 8.jle2 dxc4 9.bxc4 eS 10.0-0 ~e8 1l.jlb2 ~e7 12.~fe1 e4 H ..£)d2 .£)f8 14.jlfl

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abc

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#4 Kuzmin - Mukhin #6 Bernat - Lipnowski

Baku 1972 Sicilian Defense [B82]

Ramat Hasharon 1980 Queen's Indian Defense [EI2]

1.e4 cS 2..£)f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4 ..£) xd4 .£)f6 S. .£)c3 a6 6.f4 e6 7.jld3 'I1Ic7 8.0-0 jle7 9 . .£)f3 .£)c610. 'I1Ie1 0-0 1V~h1 .£)d7 12.'I1Ig3 ~d8 H.fS jlf814.fxe6fxe6

1.d4 .£)f6 2.c4 e6 3 ..£)f3 b6 4.a3 jlb7 S..£)c3 dS 6.cxdS .£)xdS 7.e3 jle7 8.JtbS+ c6 9.Jtd3 0-0 10.e4 .£)xc3 1l.bxc3 cS 12.h4 cxd413.cxd4 Aa6 14.jlc2 .£)c61S.eS ~dS

8

7

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abc

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362

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Greco's Quiz #7 Browne - Benjamin Berkeley 1984 Queen's Indian Defense [E12]

#9 Pablo Marin - Marin Corresa Cajas 1989 French Defense [COO]

l.d4 41f6 2.c4 e6 3.410 b6 4.a3 .1la6 5.e3 d5 6.41c3 .1le7 7.41e5 0-0 8.Ae2 c6 9.0-0 41fd7 10.41 xd7 41 xd711.b3 .1ld612.Ab2 f513.~c1 41f614.cxd5 Axe215.41xe2

l.e4 e6 2.f4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.4J0 41h6 5 ..1le2 tfJb6 6.0-0 41c6 7.c3 .1ld7 8. tfJb3 tfJc7 9.d4 cxd4 10.cxd4 41f5 1l.Ae3 Ab412 ..1lf2 a613.4Jc3 0o 14.~ac1 b5 15.a3 .1la5 16..1ld3 41fe717.41e2 Ab6 8

7

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abc

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#8 Sieiro Gonzalez - Paneque St. Spiritus 1989 French Defense [C14]

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#10 Jasnikowski - Votava Warsaw 1989 Queen's Gambit Declined [D41]

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.41c3 41f6 4.Ag5 Ae7 5.e5 41fd7 6.Axe7 tfJxe7 7.f4 0-08.410 c5 9. tfJd2 41c610.0-0-0 a6 1l.dxc5 tfJxc5 12.'iIlbl 4Jb6 13.Ad3Ad7 8

7

1.410 41f6 2.c4 e6 3.d4 d5 4.4Jc3 c5 5.cxd5 41xd5 6.e4 41xc3 7.bxc3 cxd4 8.cxd4 Ab4+ 9.Ad2 Axd2+ 10.tfJxd2 0-0 1l.Ac4 b612.o-0 Ab7 13.~fel 41c6 14.~adl ~c8 15.d5 41a5 16.Ad3 exd5 17.e5 41c4 18.tfJf441b2

6 5

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363

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Sacking the Citadel #13 Sanchez Almeyra - Rodriguez Maringa 1991 Nimzo-Indian Defense [CI6]

#11 Groszpeter - Linker Berlin 1990 Semi-Slav Defense [D47]

1.d4 d5 2.e4 e6 3.lZ)e3 /Z)f6 4.e3 e6 5./Z)f3 Ae7 6.Ad3 dxe4 7.Axe4 /Z)bd7 8.0-0 0-0 9.e4 /Z)b610.Ad3 e5 11.dxe5 Axe5 12.e5 /Z)fd5

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3./Z)e3 Ab4 4.e5 /Z)e7 5.Ad2 b6 6./Z)f3 0-0 7.Ad3 e5 8 7

6

5 8

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abcdefgh

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abc

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#14 Kosten - Adrian France 1991 French Defense [C 17]

h

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3./Z)e3 Ab4 4.e5 /Z)e7 5.Ad2 e5 6.f4 0-0 7./Z)f3 b6 8.Ad3 Aa6 Hoping to exchange Black's bishop for the .\.td3.

#12 Sziraki - Olah Eger 1991 Semi-Slav [D47]

1.e4 e6 2./Z)e3 d5 3.d4 /Z)f6 4./Z)f3 e6 5.e3 Ae7 6.Ad3 dxe4 7.Axe4 008.0-0 /Z)bd7 9.e4 t1/e710.e5 /Z)d5 11. t1/e2 /Z) 7b6 12.Ad3 e5 13./Z) b5 t1/e6 14.dxe5 Axe5 Opening g5 for the white knight.

8

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364

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Greco's Quiz #15 Ivanov - Katrein

#17 Nguyen - Rossi

Philadelphia 1991 French Defense [C05]

Lyon 1995 Queen's Gambit Declined [D37]

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Jild2 .£Jf6 4.e5 .£Jfd7 5.c3 c5 6.f4 .£Jc6 7 ..£Jgf3 tl,.e7 8.tI,.d3 0-0 9.h4 f6

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3 ..£Jf3 .£Jf6 4 ..£Jc3 .£Jbd7 5.Af4a66.cxd5exd5 7.a3 Ae7 8.e3 .£Jh5 9 ..£Jxd5 .£Jxf4 10..£Jxf4 tl,.d6 1l . .£Jd3 .£Jf6 12 . .£Jd2 ~e7 13.Ae2 Af514.0-0 h515..£Jc4 Forc-

8

ing Black into the sacrifice. More prudent was I5.flc1, I5.fleI, or I5.~b3.

7

6 5

4

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abc

d e

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h

#16 Vajda - Titz Eger 1993 Sicilian Defense [B22]

abc

1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 ~xd5 4.d4 .£Jf6 5.Ae3 .£Jg4 6 . .£Jf3 .£Jxe3 7.fxe3 cxd4 8.cxd4 e6 9 ..£Jc3 Ab4 10.tI,.d3 .£Jc611.0-0 Axc3 12.bxc3 0-0 13.ciflhl b614.~bl tl,.b715.~b5

d e

f

g

h

#18 Khenkin - Sher Geneva 1995 Queen's Gambit Declined [D41]

7

1.d4 e6 2.c4 .£Jf6 3..£Jf3 d5 4 ..£Jc3 c5 5.cxd5.£Jxd56.e4.£Jxc37.bxc3cxd4 8.cxd4Ab4+ 9.Ad2Axd2+ 10.~xd2 0-0 11.Ac4 .£Jc612.0-0 b613.~adl Ab7 14.~f4 .£Ja5 15.Ad3 ~f6

6

16.~g3~e717.d5~ad818.e5Axd5

~d8 8

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abcdefgh

3 2

abc

365

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Sacking the Citadel #19 Grivas - Papandreou Ikaros 1995 Bogo-Indian [Ell]

#21Matsuura - Capuano Sao Paulo 1996 Sicilian Defense [B42]

1.d4 4:)f6 2.e4 e6 3.4:)f3 .Q.b4+ 4.4:)bd2 b6 5.a3 .Q.e7 6.e4 d5 7.e5 4:)e4 8 . .Q.d3 .Q.b7 9.0-0 4:)d7 10.exd5exd511..§e14:)g512.4:)xg5 Axg5 13.~g4 0-0 14.4:)f3 .Q.xc1 15..§axe1.§e8

1.e4 e5 2.4:)f3 e6 3.d4 exd4 4.4:) xd4 a6 5.Ad3 ~e7 6.0-0 4:)e6 7.4:)xe6 ~xe6 8.e4 Ae5 9. ~g4 Ad410.4:)d2 4:)f611. ~e2 0-0 12.e5 4:)e813.4:)f3 Ae5 8 7

6 5

4

3 2

abc abc

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e

f

g

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h

#22 Joergens - Puschkeit Berlin 1996 French Defense [C 11]

#20 Remlinger - Whitaker Las Vegas 1996 Queen's Gambit Accepted [D26]

1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.4:)f3 4:)f6 4.e3 e6 5 ..Q.xe4 e5 6.0-0 a6 7 ..Q.d3 b5 8.dxe5 Axe5 9. ~e2 0-0 10.e4 Ab7 11.e54:)d5 8

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.4:)e3 4:)f6 4.e5 4:)fd7 5.f4 e5 6.4:)f3 4:)e6 7.Ae3 a6 8.dxe5 Axe5 9. ~d2 b5 10.Axe5 4:) xe5 11. ~f2 ~e7 12 ..Q.d3 Ad7 13.0-00-0 8

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Greco's Quiz #23 Annageldyev - Volzhin Calcutta 1996 Queen's Indian Defense [EI2]

#25 Wochnik - Troger ICCF corr 1997 Nirnzo-Indian Defense [E52]

l.d4 4)f6 2.4)f3 e6 3.c4 b6 4.4)c3 Ab7 5.a3 d5 6.cxd5 4) xd5 7.e3 4)xc3 8.bxc3 Jle7 9.Jlb5+ c6 10.Jld3 0-0 11.0-0 c512.Jlb2 t\'c8 13.t\'e2 Jlf6 14.e4 Jla6 Aiming to

l.d4 4)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4)c3 Ab4 4.e3 b6 5.Ad2 Ab7 6.4)f3 0-0 7.Ad3 d5 8.cxd5 Jlxc3 9.Jlxc3 4) xd510.Jld2 4)f611.0-0 4)a612.t\'e2 t\'c813.e4 4)b814.e54)e8

exchange the light-squared bishops.

15.c4 Blocking the diagonal, but giv-

8

ing Black an opportunity to exchange the dark-squared bishops. 15".Axd4

7

"=.7--::-'_=_ II?'-'~.r-~

6

16.Axd4 cxd417.e5 4)d7

5 4

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3 2

#26 Fabre Perez - Miranda San Jose 1997 French Defense [C02]

abcdefgh

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 c5 4.c3 4)c6 5.4)f3 t\'b6 6.Ad3 cxd4 7.cxd4 Ab4+ 8.4)c3 4)ge7 9.0-0 0-0 10.4)a4 t\'c711.a3 Aa512.b4 Ab6 13.4)xb6 t\'xb6

#24 Andre - Carvalho Brazil 1996 Sicilian Defense [C02]

l.e4 c5 2.c3 e6 3.d4 d5 4.e5 4)c6 5.4)f3 cxd4 6.cxd4 Jlb4+ 7.4)c3 4)ge7 8.Jld3 Jld7 9.0-0 0-0

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Sacking the Citadel #27 Dearing - Mah

#29 Karpatchev - Heinemann

Yerevan 1997 French Defense [C06]

Bad Zwischenahn 2006 Scandinavian Defense [BO I]

l.d4 e6 2.e4 dS 3.~d2 ~f6 4.eS S.Ad3 cS 6.c3 ~c6 7.~e2 cxd4 8.cxd4 f6 9.exf6 ~ xf6 10.0-0 Ad6 11.~f3 tf/c7 12.AgS 0-0 13.Elc1 Ad714.~g3 tf/b61S.Axf6 Elxf6

l.e4 dS 2.exdS ~f6 3.AbS+ Ad7 4.Ac4 bS S.Ae2 ~ xdS 6.d4 e6 7.~f3 Ad6 8.0-0 0-0 9.~c3 ~xc3 10.bxc3 Ac611.Ad3 ~d712.Elel Ele8 13.Elbl a6 14.a4 bxa4 lS.c4 Elb816.Elxb8 tf/xb8

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#28 Vega Gutierrez - Perez Gutierrez

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#30 Noble - Krzesinski Bad Homburg 2008 King's Gambit Declined [C30]

La Laguna 2009 Petroff Defense [C42]

1.e4eS 2.~f3 ~f6 3.~xeS d64.~f3 ~ xe4 S.~c3 ~ xc3 6.dxc3 Ae7 7.M4 0-0 8. tf/d2 ~d7 9.0-0-0 ~cS 10.Ae3 c6 1l.AxcS dxcS 12.tf/f4 tf/as 13.Ad3 Ae614.a3 bS IS.h4c4

l.e4 eS 2.f4 AcS 3.~f3 d6 4.c3 ~f6 S.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Ab6 7.~c3 0-0 8.Ae2 Ele8 9.0-0 ~xe4 10.~xe4 Elxe411.Ad3 Ele8 8

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Greco's Quiz Solutions to the quiz

20 ... r,!th6 21..tlg3 g6 22.~g4+-

#1 Unell-Judd

21.~h5~c2!

Additional assets: White has two, the secure e5-pawn and the dark-squared bishop. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds.

Reaching the key diagonal. White cannot block the diagonal with 22.§e4 1.txe4. 22.§xe7 Recovering the piece and threatening the f-pawn. 22 ••• Jld5 23.~g3 ~g6 Stopping the attack, and now it's Black with the initiative. 24.~xg6 fxg6 25.§d7 §fd8 26.§xd8+ §xd8 Placing the rook behind the passed pawn. 27.~3e4 ~c6 28.§cl d3 29.\t>f1 ~d4 30.b3 a5 31.~d2 ~c2 32.£3 a4 33.~ge4 Jlxe4 34.fxe4 a3 35.\t>f2 ~b4 36.§c5 ~xa2 37.§xb5 §a8 38.b4 ~c3 White will have to give up the knight to stop the a-pawn. 0-1

1l.Jlxh7+ \t>xh712.~g5+ \t>g6 12 ... ~g8 13.~h5 §e8 14.~xt7+ ~h8 when White wins easily with 15 ..tle6 or 15.f4 or 15.~h5+ ~g8 16.f4. 12 ... ~h6

13.~g4+-

threatening both and 14 ..tle6 when the discovery supports 15.~xg7#. 14.~h4-h7,

13.~g4

Also winning is 13.~d3+ f5 (13 ... .tlf5 14.g4+-) 14.exf6+ r,!txf6 (14 ... r,!th5 15.~h7+ [15.g4+ also mates next move] 15 ... r,!tg4 16.f3#) 15.~f3+ r,!tg6 (15 ... .tlf516.g4+-) 16.~g4sinceBlack cannot avoid a killing discovery with 16 ... ~f617.~e6#.

#3 Ludvigsson - Lehikoinen Additional assets: White has only the dark-squared bishop as an additional asset and indeed, White's center is crumbling and the king is exposed. Verdict: The sacrifice fails.

13••.f5 14.exf6 \t>xf6 15. ~e6 .... 1-0 12.Jlxh7+ \t>xh713.~g5+ \t>g8 #2 Schuett - Steiner Additional assets: White has the active §e1 and the .tlf1-g3 Verdict: The sacrifice fails. Black's lightsquared bishop is very active and the black queen can reach the key bl-h7 diagonal. 19.Axh7+ \t>xh7 20.~g5+ \t>g8! 20 ... ~g6 21..tlg3 §h8 22.~g4 ~f6 23.h4+- threatening 24 ..tlh7+ and 25.~g5#.

In the r,!tg6 line, White can win back only an exchange. 13 ... ~g6 14 ..tlxe6 (14.~g4 .tlf615.~g3 exf416.1.txf4 .tlh5 17.~g4 §xf4) 14 ... ~h4+ 15.g3 ~e7 16 ..tlxf8+ .tlxf8 and Black, not White, is on the attack. 13 ... r,!th6 walks into a potential discovery after 14.f5 fIe7 15 ..tlxe6+ ~h7 16 ..tlg5+ ~g817.~xd5+ r,!th818.~f3 .tlf6 19.fIh3+ ~g8 20.~b3+ §f7 21.~xt7+ ~xt7 22 ..tlxt7 r,!txt7 and it's Black with the advantage.

369

Sacking the Citadel #5 Spassov - Panchenko In the 'it'gS line, White has to settle for winning back an exchange. Without a pawn on e5, 14.~h5 meets 14 ... 4:lf6. 14•• :~f615.~xf8 ~xf816.t\'xd5+ Jle6 17.t\'e4 exf4 With a winning edge. 18.Eibl Eie8 19.Jlb2 t\'d8 20.'\t'fl Aa2 21.t\'xf4 .Q.xb1 22.~d6 Eie7 23. t\'g3 .Q.xc2 24•.Q.f6 Eif7 25.~ xf7 t\'d1 + 0-1 #4 Kuzmin - Mukhin Additional assets: White relies on the active E!.f1 and the dark-squared bishop as additional assets. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds. 15.e5 In order to cany out the sacrifice, White must first toss away the e-pawn.

Additional assets: Black can count on the light-squared bishop, the e4-pawn, the active E!.eS, and the 4:lfS-g6. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds. 14•••.Q.xh2+ 15.'\t'xh2 ~g4+ 16.'\t'g3 There's no hope for White in the ~gl line because the king has no escape path to the queenside. 16.~gl ~h4 17.Ad3 Trying to create an escape. 17 ... ~xf2+ 18.~h1 But now, with the king unable to move, Black needs only find a check. lS ... E!.e6-+ 16.•• t\'d6+ Fastest 17.f4 17.~h4 and Black can choose from among three mates in two. 17 ... ~h2+ (17 ... g5+ lS.'it'xg5 ~h6#; 17 ... ~h6+ 18.~g3 ~h2#) lS.'it'g5 f6#.

17••• exf3+ 18.'\t'xf3 Once again, the king retreats are quickly mated. Note also the active placement of the white queen, eliminating the 'it'g6 line from consideration. Black is still losing after 15 ... 4:lcxe5 16.Axh7+ 'it'xh7 17.4:lg5+ ~gS lS.4:lxe6. The fork aims to support E!. xfS and then ~xg7 # lS ... ~b619.E!.xfS+ E!.xfS 20.~xg7#.

18... t\'f6+ 19.'\t'e2 Eixe3+ 0-1

16.Axh7+ '\t'xh717.~g5+ '\t'g8

#6 Bernat - Lipnowski

Or 17 ... ~g6 when White has a powerful discovery, but better is mate in three with lS.~h4+-.

Additional assets: White has three additional assets, the dark-squared bishop, the secure e5-pawn, and the h4pawnlE!.h1. But Black is well developed, with pressure upon the d4-pawn and the active .ila6 which can directly reach d3. Verdict: The sacrifice fails.

18. t\'h4 g6 To prevent ~h 7 #. 19.~ce4

when, to prevent 4:lf6 and Black would have to play 19 ... 4:lg4.1-0

~h7#,

370

19 ... E!.xe3+ E!.xe1+-+

20.~d1

4:lf2+

21.~c1

Greco's Quiz 16.Axh7+~xh717.4)g5+~g8

17.. :~·g518.f4 ~g619.~f3 exd5 opening the e-file for the rooks.

There's no point in entering the ~h6 line with the dark-squared bishop on cl. But even there, there's no win for White. 17 ... 'lt'h6 18 . .£\e4+ ~h7 19 ..£\g5+ when Black gets a second chance to pick the ~g8 line.

19 ... .£\h2+ 20.'lt'f2 .£\g4+ 21.'lt'f3= 20.E!c3E!ae821.4)g3h5Pressingfor more than a draw. 21.. ..£\h2+ 22.'lt'f2 .£\g4+=

17 ... 'lt'g6 18.~g4 and only here in the 'It'g6 line is White winning. The threat is h5 forcing the king to h6 when .£\xe6 is crushing.

22.E!h1 4)h2+

23.~f2

4)g4+

24.~f3

Black becomes more active if White tries for more than a draw 24.'lt'gl .£\xe3 25.~f3 .£\g4 26.'£\f1 §.e4.

18. ~h5 Ad3 Ending the attack. 0-1 #7 Browne - Benjamin

24 ... 4)h2+ Yz-Yz Additional assets: Black can only rely on the rooks as additional assets, although after the capture on d5, the open e-file provides useful scope for the rooks. Verdict: A draw.

#8 Sieiro Gonzalez - Paneque

15...Axh2+ 16.~xh2 4)g4+ 17.~g3 To survive, the king must come forward. In the 'It'gl line, the black queen enters the attack on h5 where it pressures both h2 and f2. 17.'lt'gl ~h4 18,):"::(el. To avoid mate on h2 18 ... ~xf2+ 19.~h1 but now the king cannot move, empowering §.f8-f6-h6. 19 ... §.f6 20.'£\f4 §.h6+ 21.'£\h3 and it's mate in two with 21...§.xh3+ 22.gxh3 ~h2#. In the 'It'h3 line 17. ~h3 prevents ~h4, but encourages the rook swing to h3 17 ... §.f6 18.'£\f4 §.h6+ 19.~g3 '£\h2 (19 ... ~g5 20.'£\h3 ~g6 21.'£\f4=) 20.'£\h3 '£\xfl + 21.~xfl ~h4+ 22.~h2 exd5 with relatively even chances.

371

Additional assets: White has a secure e5-pawn, but not a dark-square bishop. The .£\c3 does not have easy access into the position, and the ~d2 does not have ready access to the h-file, resulting in the black king's successful escape to the queenside. Moreover, Black's counter-attack is already developing on the queenside. Verdict: The sacrifice fails. 14.Axh7+ ~xh715.4)g5+ ~g81 15 ... 'lt'h6? 16.~d3 aiming for h7 and h3 16 ... §.h8 (16 ... g6 and it's mate in two 17.~h3+ 'It'g7 18.~h7#) 17 ..£\xf7+ 'It'h5 18.g4+ ~xg4 19.~g3+ 'It'f5 20. ~g5 # when even the .£\c3 plays a role. 15 ... 'lt'g6 16.~d3+ f5 (after 16 ... ~h5 it's mate in two. 17.~h3+ 'It'g6 18.~h7#) 17.exf6+ ~xf6 (17 ... ~h5 18..£\f7 with mate in five after 18 ... §.xf7

Sacking the Citadel 19.94+ ~h6 20.~h3+ ~g6 21.~h5+ ~xf6 22.~g5#) 16.~d3 E!fe8 18. ~h4 E!ec8

17.~h7+

~f8

18... 4Jd4! 19.4Jh7+ ~g8 20.4Jf6+ 21.4Jh7+=

~f8

19.~h8+ ~e7 20.~xg7 ~d8 21.~xf7

20. ~h3 The queen enters on h3. 20 ••. E!fc8 21. ~h7+ ~f8 22. ~h8+ .£Jg8 23 . .£Jh7+ ~e7 With a position common to those in which Black has a knight on e7. 24.Ah4+ and here, the dark-square bishop enters the attack on h4 rather than gS. 24 ..• .£Jf6 25. ~xg7+- Ae8 26.j},xf6+ 1-0 26.Axf6+ 'it'd7 27.4Jf8# #10 Jasnikowski - Votava

2l.f5 exf5 22.4Jxf7+ ~c7 23.e6 Elg8 24.~h7 ~e7 25.exd7 Elaf8= 21 ... ~e7 22.~g6 ~c7 23.h4 E!g8 24. ~d3 E!ac8 25•.£Je2 ~b8 26•.£Jd4 .£J xd4 27. ~xd4 .£Ja4 28.h5 28.c3 should hold. 28 ••• E!c4 29. ~d2 E!gc8 30.E!c1 .£Jc3+ 31.hxc3 31.~al

Ela4-+

31 ••• ~a3 32.E!ce1 E!8c5 0-1 #9 Pablo Marin - Marin Corresa Additional assets: White can rely here upon the secure e5-pawn, a dark-square bishop with an entry on h4, a 4Je2-g3, and a Elcl ready to swing to the g- or hfiles. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds. 18.j},xh7+ ~xh719 •.£Jg5+ ~g8 19 ... 'it'h6 walks into a mate in two 20.~h3+ ~g6 21.~h7#.

19 ... 'it'g6 when White prevails with many ideas, including 20.~g3, 20.~d3, 20.Elf3, and even 20.f5+.

372

Additional assets: The eS-pawn and the active rooks. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds. 19.j},xh7+! ~xh7 20•.£Jg5+ ~g6! There's no mate in 'it'g8 line because the advance of the e-pawn to e6 opens the d6 escape square, but that retreat simply permits 4Jf7 + winning the queen. 20 ... 'it'g8 21.~h4 Ele8 (So instead, Black can take advantage of the knight's attack on d 1 by sacrificing the queen 21...~xg5 22.~xg5 4Jxdl 23.Elxdl but even here, White has a pronounced advantage.) 22.~h7+ 'it'f8 23.e6+- fxe6 24.~h8+ 'it'e7 25.~xg7+ 'it'd6 26.4Jf7+. 21.h4 Holding the knight and threatening hS+, exposing the king to a rook swing. Not 21.~g4 ~xg5. 21 ••. .£Jxd1 21...~e7 takes the queen out of the reach of discoveries 22.Ele3 Elc4 23.h5+ but White has time thanks to h5+ to bring up the rook. 23 ... 'it'h6 24.4Je4+ The knight blocks the rook's attack on the queen and prepares 4Jf6+. 24 ... 'it'h7 25.~f5+ 'it'h6 (25 ... 'it'g8 26.4Jf6++- and the knight wins the house; 25 ... g6

Greco's Quiz 26.4Jf6+ ~g7 27 ..§.g3+- with three attacks on g6) 26 ..§.g3 Threatening .§.g6+. 26 ... .§.xe4 27 ..§.g6+ 'i!th7 28 ..§.e6++-.

winning the bishop while sustaining the attack. #12 Sziraki - Olah

Black's best defensive try is 21.. ..§.c4 22 ..§.d4 '§'xd4 23.~xd4 .§.h8 24.e6 ~f6 2S.~g4 ~fS 26.hS+ ~f6 (26 ... .§.xhS 27.~xfS+ ~xfS 28.exf7+- and the pawn will queen) 27.~d4++- and the king has no good moves. 27 ... 'i!txgS (27 ... ~e7 28.exf7+) 28.~xg7+.

Additional assets: In support of the sacrifice, White has the e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and a pesky 4JbS. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds. 15.Axh7+ Cif,>xh716.4)g5+ Cif,>g6 The toughest defense.

22.h5+ Cif,>xh5 23.g4+ 1-0 16 ... 'i!tg8 17.~hS .§.e8 18.~xf7+ 'it'h8

19 ..§.d1 there's no mate in five because the black queen is off d8 19 ... ~d7 Black must play actively to counter the gameending rook swing. 20.~hS+ ~g8 21.~h7+ 'it'fB 22.~h8+ ~e7 23.~xg7+ 'i!td8 and now the 4JbS rears its head. The black king cannot flee to c7. 24.4Jf7+ The queen will have to capture the knight to avoid 24 ... 'i!te7 2S.~gS+ 4Jf6 26.exf6#.

#11 Groszpeter - Linker Additional assets: The advance of the e-pawn has dislodged the 4Jf6 and activated the light-square bishop for the sacrifice. White can rely upon the e5pawn, the dark-square bishop, and the 4Jc3-e4. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds. 13.Axh7+ Cif,>xh7 14.4)g5+ White wins in all lines. 14... Cif,>g6

17. ~d3+ A bit more accurate is 17.~e4+ fSl8.~h4+-.

In the ~g8 line, Black would have to give up his queen to capture the 4JgS or else face mate on h7 or the usual mate in five. 14 ... 'it'g81S.~hS .§.e816.~xf7+ ~h8 17.~hS+ 'i!tg8 18.~h7+ 'i!tf8 19.~h8+

17...f5 18. ~h3 f4 And it's mate in six. 18 ... 4Jf6 19.exf6 ~xf6 20.4Jc3+19.~h7+

'i!te7 20.~xg7#.

Cif,>xg5 20.h4+ Cif,>g4

21.~g6+ Cif,>xh4 22.g3+ fxg3

15. ~c2+ The correct response, taking aim at the unanchored ~cS. 15 ...f5 23.~g5+0r23.~xg3+.1-0

lS ... ~hS when it's an easy mate in two, 16.~h7+ 'it'g417.h3# or 17.~h3#.

#13 Sanchez Almeyra - Rodriguez 16.exf6+ 1-0 16.exf6+

~xf6

~g4 18.~h3#

(16 ... 'it'hS 17.~h7+ or 18.h3#) 17.4Jce4+

373

Additional assets: The sacrifice occurs here quickly out of a Winawer French. White relies upon an e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop.

Sacking the Citadel Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds.

#15 Ivanov - Katrein

8.Jl.xh7+! Cit'xh7 9.4)g5+ Cit'g6

Additional assets: Black has played .. .f6 to inhibit
9 ... «t>g810:~h5 fle8 when both queen captures provide easy wins. 11.'l£th7 + (11.'l£txf7+ «t>h8 12.<~Jb5 .l1xd2+ 13.«t>xd2 g8 15.e7 14 ..I1g5++-.

10.Jl.xh7+ Cit'xh711.4)g5+ fxg5 In the «t>g8line, the threat of~h7 forces Black to capture the g8 12.~h5 fxg5 13.hxg5 as in the game.

10.h4! Also winning is 1O.~g4 f5 11.'l£tg3 f4 12.'l£th4 flh8 13.'l£tg4.

10••• ~e8 Retreating the queen out of the reach of the knight discoveries. 11.~g4 4)f5 12.h5+ Cit'h6 13.4)ge4+! Cit'h714.h61-0 14.h6 h8 16.h8 16 ..l1xh6+-

In the «t>g6line, 12.h5+ forces the king back to the dark-square on h6 when ~g4 and f5 overwhelm the king. 11...«t>g612.h5+ 'itlh6 (12 ... 'itlf513.g4+ 'itlxf414.
#14 Kosten-Adrian

The «t>h6line is Black's best defensive try. White can win back an exchange, or

Additional assets: White sacrifices counting on the secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds.

attempt more by clearing the c I-h6 diagonal. 11...«t>h612.g8 18.hxg5+-.

9.Jl.xh7+ Cit'xh710.4)g5+ Cit'h6

12.hxg5+ Cit'g8

10 ... «t>g8 11.'l£th5 fle8 White's darksquare bishop does not have easy access to g5, and so 12.'l£txf7+ «t>h8 13.
12 ... 'itlg613.'l£th5+ 'itlf5 and it's mate in three.

13. ~h5 Etf5 14.g4 4)dxe5 15.dxe5 1-0

10 ... «t>g6 11.~g4 f5 12.exf6 gxf6 (12 ... «t>xf613.'l£txe6#) 13.
11. ~g4 11.f5 wins too, but 11.'l£tg4h4 is faster. 1-0

374

#16 Vajda - Titz Additional assets: The two rooks. Note that the flb5 supports the
Greco's Quiz ~h2+

19.'it'fl ~hl #

16.-'\.xh7+! xh717.4)g5+

IB.1::Iel

Also interesting is the immediate 17.1::Ih5+ 'it'gB IB ..£!g5 with the threat of1::lhB+ drawing the king to h8. IB ... g6

18••. hxg419.f3 g3 20. ~a4+ h5 0-1 #18 Khenkin - Sher

19.~g4+-.

17 ... 'it'gBl8.~h5 and with the 1::Ifl on an open file, Black would have to sacrifice the queen to continue playing for a while.

Additional assets: White embarks upon the sacrifice with a single additional asset, the e5-pawn, but note that the queen rests actively on g3. Verdict: The sacrifice leads to a significant and probably winning advantage for White.

17 ... 'it'h618..£!xf7+ with ~h5 to follow.

19•.1lxh7+ xh7 20.4)g5+ g8

18.4)xf7 Etxf7

The 'it'g6 line walks into an immediate discovery, 20 ... 'it'g6 21..£!xe6+ 'it'h5. The alternatives are more quickly mated. White now has two mates in five. (21...'it'h7 22.~xg7#) 22.'£!f4+ (22. ~h3+ 'it'g6 [22 ... ~h4 23.g4++-] 23.'£!f4+ 'it'g5 24.~h5+ 'it'xf4 25.1~d4+ Ae4 26.g3 #) 22 ... 'it'h6 23. ~h3+ 'it'g5 24. ~h5+ 'it'xf4 25.§.d4+ Ae4 26.g3 #.

17... g6

IB ... e5

19.~d3+

20.~xe4#) 20.~h7+

19.~h5#

'it'h5 (19 ... e4 'it'g4 21.~h3#

1-0

#17 Nguyen Anh Dung - Rossi Additional assets: In support of the sacrifice, Black has a light-square bishop and the h5-pawnl1::lh8. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds. 15••• .1lxh2+ 16.xh2 White's best hope is to decline the sacrifice with 16.'it'hl, but 16 ... .£!g417.g3 Ae4+ overwhelms.

21.Etxd5 Eliminating Black's defense with Ae4, but giving up enough material to justify ... ~xg5. 21. .• Etxd5 22. ~h4 ~xg5 The only way to prevent the mate in the comer. 23.~xg5 4)c6 24.Etel Better, of course, is 24.f4 when White has an advantage with the idea ofh4-h5. 24••• 4) xe5 Yz-Yz #19 Grivas - Papandreou

16.•. 4)g4+ 17.gl Hopeless is 17.'it'g3 h4+ when the king has no acceptable moves (17 ... ~g5 IB.Axg4 hxg4 19 ..£!ce5 ~h4+ 20.'it'f4 Ae6--+) 18.'it'f3 (lB.'it'f4 ~e4+ 19.'it'g5 f6#; IB.'it'h3 .£!xe3+-+) IB ... ~e4#.

Additional assets: The e5-pawn and the two active rooks ready to swing. Note also the placement of the queen on g4 where, with ~h5, it can eliminate lines other than 'it'gB. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds.

17•.. ~h418.-'\.xg4

16.-'\.xh7+ xh717.4)g5+

375

Sacking the Citadel 17:~h5+

#21 Matsuura-Capuano

forces Black to retreat to gS.

17 ... 'it'h6 encourages a mate in seven that shows off the power of the active rooks. IB.~h4+ 'it'g6 19.~h7+ 'it'xg5 20.f4+ 'it'xf4 21.§.f1 + 'it'e3 22.~h3+ 'it'xd4 23. ~c3+ 'it'e4 24.§.ce 1#. There's no point in 17 ... 'it'g6 when it's mate in three. 18.4Je6+ 'it'h619.~xg7+ 'it'h5 20.4Jf4+ 'it'h4 21.g3 #.

Additional assets: The e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds.

14.Axh7+ ~xh715.4)g5+ ~g6 15 ... 'it'gB 16.~h5 The black rook cannot vacate the fS-square, so that Black's only defense here would be ~e4 delaying the mate. 16.~d3+!

18.~h5

Ac8

19.~xf7+ ~h8

20.~h5+ ~g8 21.~h7+ ~f8 22.~h8+1-0

16.~g4? §.hB With the queen out of the knight's reach, the discoveries permit the king to reach safety on gS.

#20 Remlinger - Whitaker 16...f5 Additional assets: l1.e5 drove the black knight offf6 and readied the sacrifices, which counts upon the e5-pawn and dark-square bishop as additional assets. The placement of the ~e2 provides it with access to both h5 and e4. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds.

16 ... 'it'h5

17.~h7+

'it'g4 IB.h3# or

18.~h3#

17.~h3 And the black rook cannot safely reach hS. 17 ... f4 18.~h7+ ~xg5 And it's mate in five. 19.h4+ ~g4 20. ~g6+ ~xh4 21.g3+ 1-0

12.Axh7+ ~xh713.4)g5+ ~g6 21.g3+ fxg3 13 ... 'it'gB14.~h5 §.eB when White has the mate in five. 15.~xf7+ 'it'hB

22.~xg3+

'it'h5 23.~g5#

#22 Joergens - Puschkeit

16.~h5+ 'it'gB17.~h7+ 'it'f81B.~hB+

'it'e7

19.~xg7#.

14.~e4+ The correct choice, with a mate in four moves. 1-0 14.~e4+ f5 (14 ... 'it'h5 15.~h7+ 'it'g4 16.h3# -+;!; 16.~h3#) 15.exf6+ 'it'xf6 (15 ... 'it'h5 16.~h7+ 'it'g417.h3# or 17.~h3#) 16.~xe6#.

Additional assets: Black has castled into the attack rather than capturing the bishop on d3. For the sacrifice, White has a secure e5-pawn, the §.f1 able to swing, and the 4Jc3 which at very least prevents Black from defending with ...Ne4.

Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds.

14.Axh7+ ~xh715.4)g5+ ~g6

376

Greco's Quiz The ~h6 line may seem tempting because White no longer has a darksquare bishop, but the f-pawn holds the knight and the white queen has immediate access to the key h4-square, resulting in a simple mate in two. 15 ... Kh6

dS. 21.'l11xf7+ 'h8 22.~h5+ 'gS White has plenty of time to activate the rooks. 23.flfd1 ~xc4 24.flac1 +-. Even better for Black is 19 ... 'h6 when, without additional assets and with the e5-pawn under fire, there's no way to sustain an attack. 20.~d2 (or 20.'l11g4 when the capture on e5 permits the king to reach safety at f6; 20 ... 4Jxe5 21.~h4+ ~g6 22.~h7+ 'xg5 23.f4+ 'f6-+) 20 ... 'l11xc4 21.4Jxe6+ ~h7 22.4Jxf8+ flxf8 when White has obtained an exchange, but the black king will be fully safe on gS.

16:~h4+ ~g617.'l11h7#.

15 ... ~g8 16.'l11h4 In the ~g8 line, the 'l11e7 blocks any possible escape. 16 ... flfc817.'l11h7+ 'f818.~h8#.

Best is the immediate 16.~g3 because Black cannot dislodge the queen with .. .f5-f4 or with ... 4Je4.

20.~e4+f5

16...exd517.f5+ j},xf5 Falling into a mate in four.

Simplest is 20 ... 'xg5-+ when White cannot manufacture a mate. 21.'l11h7 4Jxe5 22.f4+ 'f6.

17 ... ~xg5! 18.'l11g3+ ~h519.'l11f3+ 'h6 20.'l11h3+ ~g5 and White has nothing more than a perpetual. 18:~xf5+ ~h6

21.exf6+ ~xg5 22.fxg7 Elf4 23.h4+ Elxh4 24. ~xe6 4)f6 25.f4+ ~g6-+ 26.f5+ ~g5 27. ~d6 ~c5 28. ~g3+ Elg4 29. ~d3 ~h6 0-1

18 ... 'h5 19.flf3+-

#24 Andre - Carvalho

19.~h7+ ~xg5 21.~h5#

20.Elf5+

~g4

1-0

Additional assets: The secure e5-pawn, the dark-square bishop, and 4Je2-f4. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds.

#23 Annageldyev - Volzhin 10.j',lxh7+ ~xh711.4)g5+ ~g8 Additional assets: Rather than recapture on d4 or try 18.'l11e4 White embarks upon the sacrifice but can count only only a single additional asset, the e5pawn. Verdict: The sacrifice fails.

A poor choice. Careful readers will recognize that the 4Je7 gives White a mate with'l11h5-h7.

18.j},xh7+? ~xh719.4)g5+ ~g6

Two games involved the ~g6 line, but neither player with White found the simplest line with 11...'g612.4Je2-f4.

On 19 ... ~g8? 20.~h5 fleS there's no mate because the queen has vacated

12.4Je2! flh8 13.4Jf4+ 'xg5 (13 ... 'f5 14.~d3+ 'xg515.4Jxe6++-) 14.4Jh5+

377

Sacking the Citadel ~h4

(14 ... ~f5 15.~d3+ 15.g3+ ~h316.-iJf4#

~g4

15•.Q.xh7+
16.~h3#)

(a)

12.~d3+

-iJf5 13.g4 (better is 13.~h4 §hS 14~g3+-) 13 ... -iJcxd4 (13 ... oile7 14.gxf5+ exf5 15.~hl -iJb4 16.~f3 f4 17.-iJh3+-) 14.gxf5+ -iJxf5 15.-iJe2 ~a5 16.-iJf4+ ~xg5 17.'
Or 16... ~gSI7.~h5 when Black must throwaway the bishop with ... oile4 to prevent an immediate mate.

17. ~g4 f6 is playable because the queen is out of reach of the knight IS.exf6 -iJxf619.~g3 e5 20.dxe5 ~g4 21.exf6 ~xg3 22.fxg3 gxf6 The outside passer should suffice for the win. 17•••f5 18.t;:\'h3 J£)f6 19.exf6 Elh8 20. t;:\'g3
12. t;:\'h5 Ele8 13. t;:\'xf7+ Missing a forced mate with 13.~h7+ '
13•••
Additional assets: White can count on a secure e5-pawn and a dark-squared bishop. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds. 14 •.Q.xh7+
18.Elh3+ Elh719.t;:\'f6+ 1-0 17•••
#25 Wochnik - Troger Additional assets: The secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop. Note that Black's rook on f8 is unable to create an escape square. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds.

378

18.•. J£)f519.Ela3 J£)ce7 20.Elh3+ 1-0 20.§h3+ -iJh6 21.§xh6+ gxh6 22.~h7#

Greco's Quiz Quicker is 24.~h7+ ~fB 25.~hB+ <£lgB 26.<£le6+ ~f7 27.~xg7+ (Or 27.Elfel as in the game.) 27 ... ~xe6 2B.Elcel +.

#27 Dearing - Mah Additional assets: White prepared the sacrifice with 15 .~xf6, removing the <£lf6 but activating the black rook. White relies here upon the <£lg3 and Elc1 as additional assets. Verdict: The sacrifice presents a tough defensive burden, but Black should be able to hold.

24... hS 25.~h3+ gS 26.~h7+ fS 27.4)e6+ f7 2S.!!fell-0 #28 Vega Gutierrez-Perez - Gutierrez

16.Jtxh7+ xh717.4)g5+ gS The <£lg3 supports ~h5 # in the ~g6 and ~h6 lines. 17 ... ~g6 IB.~h5#; 17 ... ~h6 IB.~h5#; 17 ... ~hB is playable because Black can meet ~h5+ with ... Elh6 IB.~h5+ Elh6 19.<£lf7+ ~h7 20.<£lg5+ with a perpetual. Taking the exchange runs the risk of unleashing black's superior development. (20.<£lxh6 ~eB 21.<£lf7+ ~gB 22.<£lh6+ gxh6 23.~xh6 <£lxd4 24.~g5+ when a draw is the likely result.) IS.~h5JteS

Not IB ... Elh6? 19.~f7+ ~hB 20.~xd7+but Black can hold with IB ... Elf4! 19.~h7 ~fB 20.<£lh5 ~xd4 giving back an exchange and readying the black king's run to c7.

Additional assets: 15 ... c4 forces White to consider the sacrifice, which relies here upon two additional assets, the Eldl and h4/Elh1. The ~f4 is an asset in preventing the ~h6 line, but the queen has no quick access to the h-file. Verdict: The sacrifice succeeds. 16.Jtxh7+ xh717.4)g5+ Jtxg5? Unnecessarily opening the h-file. 17 ... ~gB is the only defense. White must then try ~e4 to sustain the attack. 18.~e4 Unlike the game continuation, the queen joins the attack on e4 giving Black time for a rook retreat. IB ... ~xg5+ 19.hxg5 ElfdB 20.~h7+ ~fB 21.~hB+ ~e7 22.~xg7 Eld5=.

IS.hxg5+ g6 and it's mate in six. IB ... ~gB 19.~h4 f6 20.g6+-

19.!!h6+! gxh6 20. ~f6+ h5 19. ~h7+ fS 20.4)f5! The knight must be captured to stop ~hB #. 20 ... Elxf5

20 ... ~h7 21.Elhl +21. ~xh6+ 1-0

20 ... ~c7 21.~hB# 21.~xh6+ ~g4

22.Eld4+ ~f5

23.~f6#

20 ... exf5 21.~hB+ ~e7 22.~xg7+ Elf7 23.Elfel ++-

#29 Karpatchev - Heinemann

21.4) xe6+ Removing the Elf5 's anchor. 21...f7 22.~xf5+ gS 23.4)g5 4)e7 24. ~e6+

Additional assets: White relies upon the dark-square bishop and the active Ele1. Verdict: Black should be able to draw.

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Sacking the Citadel 17.j'txh7+ ~xh718.4)g5+ ~g8

#30 Noble - Krzesinski

Capitulation.

Additional assets: White has two additional assets, the dark-square bishop and the §fl, but neither is active. By contrast, Black's rook is already offf8, the .llb6 is placing pressure upon the white d-pawn, and without an e5-pawn, the queen can safely reach f6. Verdict: The sacrifice fails in the ~g8 line.

There's no advantage for White in the ~g6Iine: 18... ~g619.h4 f5 =. 19.~h54)e5

19 ... 4Jf6 An obvious try, given the absence of a pawn on e5, but 20.~xf7+ ~h8 21.§e3 when, to prevent the mate, Black will have to begin throwing away his pieces. 20.dxe5 j'tc5

And now White has a pawn on e5. With the queen off d8, there's no mate in five, but the position is still hopeless for Black.

12.j'txh7+ ~xh713.4)g5+ ~g6

Seeing that the white queen cannot safely play 14.~g4 or 10.~d3 owing to the light-square bishop, but White has a trivial win with 14.f5. 13 ... ~g8!

14.~h5

.llxd4+

15.~h1

~f6-+

21. ~xf7+ ~h8 22.~h5+

14.f5+ j'txf515.f!xf5 f!e4

Best is 22.§e3 threatening a swing to h3, and if 22 ... .llxe3 23.~h5+ ~g8 24.~h7+ ~f8 White's dark-squared bishop reaches a3. 25 ..lla3+

15 ... ~xf516.g4+ Starting a mate in five. 16... ~g617.~d3++16.4)xe4~xf517.~f3+

Faster is 17.4Jg3+!

17... ~e618.4)g5+ 'itld719.~xf7+ ~e7

20. ~f5+ ~c6 21.4)e6 ~f6 22. ~g4 ~d5 23.4)f4+ ~xd4 24.~hl ~f7 25.Ad2 4)d7 26.j'tc3+ ~c5 27.4)e6+ ~c6 28. ~c4+ 1-0

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Chapter 9 Related Literature

I had originally intended to end the book here, but the arrival of a new book, JJ.xh 71 by David Rudel, convinced me to add some final thoughts about the three recent books that have dealt with the sacrifice.

(1) How to Beat your Dad at Chess by Murray Chandler (Gambit Publications 1998) This book is an excellent primer for basic tactics despite my kids' complaint that the main premise of the book didn't work for them. Chandler's coverage spans four sections, a total of eight pages in the book. In the first section, he introduces the basic idea ofthe sacrifice on h7 and illustrates in four diagrams the classic mate in five in the 'it'g8Iine. In the second two-page section, Chandler introduces the 'it'g6 line. Says Chandler fairly, "It is vital to realize that White does not always have an immediate forced win against the 'iftg6 defense. The pressure against the black king can be medium tenn. You may need to calmly maneuver extra pieces or pawns into the attack, almost ignoring the fact you are a piece down."

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This may be a basic primer aimed at young learners, but Chandler emphasizes that the attacking side in the 'it'g6 line has three main options, ~g4, ~d3, and h4-h5. In so doing, he distinguishes the work from many others who have preceded him. He provides composed examples for ~g4 and h4, though not ~d3+. He calls ~g4, "the most common attacking continuation." It is an example in which White can maintain the queen on the gfile after .. .f5-f4, and in which Black has no pressure at all against a secure white e5-pawn. What is missing is an explanation of why one move might be more accurate than the other, but there are at least examples to get readers thinking about the differences. Chandler's third section covers the 'ifth6 line. Once again in composed positions, he illustrates f4-f5 uncovering a darksquare bishop, the idea of~g4-h4(h3)­ h7#, a successful king hunt in which ~d3-h3-h7 forces ... 'it'xg5, and also the idea of~d3, g4, h4-h5 when the darksquare bishop is gone! Altogether, this is a very impressive section, especially given the fact that most commentators rarely even mention the 'ifth6 line. Missing is a discussion of anchors for the ... .§.h8 defense, but that does not

Sacking the Citadel meaningfully detract from the usefulness of Chandler's discussion, especially considering his target audience. Chandler uses his fourth and final section to provide a potpourri of related themes. He uses one position each to illustrate the quick mate in the ... .llxg5 hxg5 line, and two diagram to show off black defenses in the ~g8 line, ... .llf5 reaching the bl-h7 diagonal, and ... <£lf6 in a position in which White has no control over the f6-square. To his credit, Chandler also invests two positions to examine the presence of a <£le7 in the ~g8 line. As is typical in practice, in one of the positions, presented here, there really is no meaningful difference between ~xf7+and ~h7+.

l.Axh7+ 'it'xh7 2.4)g5+ 'it'gB 3.~h5EleB 8

7

6 5 4

3

between ~xf7 and ~h7 is often blurred and indeed, even in this composed position, both lines appear to work equally well here, though I acknowledge that I would play itYh7, the most straightforward of the two lines. 4. ~h7+ 4. ~xf7+ 'it'hB 5. ~h5+ 'it'gB 6.cxd5 exd5 (6 ... <£lxd5 7.~h7+ ~f8 8.itYh8+ r:tle7 9.~xg7#) 7.e6+-; 4 ..• 'it'fB 5. ~hB+ 4)gB 6.4)h7+ 'it'e7 7.Jtg5+ 4)f6 7 ... f6 8.~xg7#; 7 ... r:tld7 8..llxd8+- B.~xg7+Fortunately, Chandler presents lI; second composition in which the distinction is fully clear, a position similar to my composition in section on the ~g8line in chapter 5. In a modest volume, Chandler has succeeded remarkably in presenting a comprehensive tactical overview for younger players. Although I miss full games and a more involved discussion, that was clearly outside the scope of his project and I must emphasize that I highly recommend his book for young players. I regret that younger players are rarely encouraged to play through complete games, but that's a complaint for a different venue.

(2) The ChessCafe Puzzle Book 1 by Kartsten MUller (Russell Enterprises 2004)

2

abc

d

e

f

g

h

Here is Chandler's first example in the ~g8 line with a <£le7. He suggests that White should tum down the usual idea of~xf7 by playing ~h7. As we saw in chapter nine, the theoretical distinction

382

My chess friends and I all adore Kartsten MUller's series of ChessCafe Puzzle books. The exercises are challenging, and the author often adds cogent middlegame theory.

Related Literature to say that Muller, like Chandler, did not intend to provide a comprehensive taxonomy of the sacrifice, but rather a series of positions to challenge his readers. He certainly deserves praise for selecting challenging games and for his observation on the "ittxg5 capture.

In the first volume ofthe series, Muller became the first annotator to list at least one of the key conditions under which the sacrifice does not occur. To quote: "The bishop sacrifice on h7 is as old as the hills. When an attacking knight can land on g5 and the queen can reach the h-file, your alarm bells should start ringing. It is easier to give the conditions when the sacrifice does not work, first:

(3) i2,xh 7! by David Rudel (Thinkers'

Press 2010) I was nearly finished with the first draft of this book when Rudel's book hit the marketplace. And so, readers can imagine my interest in seeing the book as quickly as possible.

1) Black's king is on g8, White's knight is on g5 and his queen is on h5, and 1.1) Black can play .£lf6, .£lf8, .llf5, or something like "ittc2 or ~d3 to reach h 7. 1.2) Black's king can reach f8 because f7 is protected.

1.3) Black's material advantage is already so large that he can afford "ittxg5. His first three points have been well known since Voellmy. Remarkably, Muller became the first commentator to emphasize the usefulness of ..."ittxg5. Unfortunately, he does not provide an example of the ..."ittxg5 capture, but he does provides nine examples of the sacrifice, eight in quiz form. Ofthe nine, six appear in this volume as games 3, 6, 8,9,62,70. He uses game 70 (RazingerHarum, 1933) to illustrate the mate in five in the 'it'g8line. Two of his examples do not involve .£lg5 and would therefore not have been considered in this book. His notes to Colle-O'Hanlon conclude that the 'it'g8 line is drawish, but there is no analysis in the key line with 17.f4. In sum, I think that it is fair

383

I am happy to report that his effort is significantly different than mine. What stands out most clearly is Rudel's folksy style, with frequent references to church matters, fast food restaurants, and even chocolate Sundays. Fortunately, there's some good analysis too. Rudel, a passionate advocate of the French and Colle, spends approximately half of his 184-page treatment on combinations and maneuvers other than the classic bishop sacrifice. The first and fourth chapters deal with bishop sacrifices on h7 in which White has a knight, not a pawn, on the e5square. His third chapter deals with the double bishop sacrifice, Axh7+ followed narrowly by Axg7. Rudel deals with the Greco Sacrifice with .£lg5 and queen attack on h 7 in chapters two and five. In chapter two, he examines the sacrifice as it appears

Sacking the Citadel in variations of French Defense (five of his twelve examples are from the Adanced French; another five stem from the Winawer) in which White has pawns on d4 and e5 as well as a darksquare bishop on the c1-h6 diagonal. By isolating games stemming only from the French, with black pawns on e6 and d5 and with a black knight on e7, Rudel attempts a fine classification of the sacrifice in those specific lines with useful emphasis on the ~g6 line, but readers should be careful not to apply these conclusions generically. Black should avoid castling, and White should undertake the sacrifice, suggests Rudel, when all four of the following conditions are set: • • •

•

White can play ~xh7 and follow up safely with 4Jg5+; White's pawn structure involves pawns on d4 and e5; White has a dark-square bishop with unblocked access to h6; (There is a curious absence of any mention of the role of the white queen.) Black's queen and bishop are unable to reach the bl-h7 diagonal; There is no reference to the possibility of 4Jf6 because, in this section, Black's king's knight rests on e7.

In the ~g8 line, given the 4Je7 and the dark-square bishop's access to h6, Rudel notes that White can win with the usual combination: 'lfi'h7-h8, 4Jh7+, and ~g5. Of course, all ofthat has been known since Voellmy. What is new and useful is his advice in the ~g6 line.

384

Says Rudel, when the Elf8 is unconnected to another major piece, White usually triumphs with 'lfi'd3-h3h7 since Elh8 is unplayable. When the Elf8 is connected to a major piece and White has not yet castled, White wins efficiently with h4-h5, kicking the ~g6 to h6 when Black is subject to effective discoveries, especially after the preparatory 'lfi'g4 threatening 4Je6+ and 'lfi'xg7. The chapter 5 taxonomy acknowledges this finding but only when White has a darksquare bishop. In positions with a White 4Jc3, White also has 4Jc3-e4-f4 says Rudel, although he adds somewhat surprisingly that he found no tournament examples of the maneuver. When White has castled and Black's queen remains on d8 with communication with the Elf8, Rudel recommends the maneuver with h4, 'lfi'g4 and, after .. .f5, an en passant capture on f6 and Elfel to pressure the now weakened e6-pawn. Rudel recommends the often played 'lfi'g4 only when the dark-square bishop is blocked or pinned and therefore incapable of defending the 4Jg5. The reality is that Rudel has provided insight for a subset of one asset pair, the secure e5-pawn and the dark-square bishop with a black knight on e7. As we have seen, this combination of additional assets represents the second most common asset pair, but with the knight on e7, his findings apply to only

Related Literature 14 of the 306 games in this book, games 2,8,59,100,118,160,162,164,180,195, 208, and 255. Only game 59 appears in Rudel's book. It is my belief that we are better served by a more general approach. I briefly considered a separate discussion for each important asset combination, but a brief look at the asset appendix should convince everyone that such an approach would be horribly complex and repetitive.

I must add that I found his game selections highly disappointing. Rudel appears to have committed his readers to a voyage of self-discovery through quizzes involving complete games which too often involve simple mistakes rather than sharp, cutting edged attacks.

fails even to mention the usefulness of the en passant discovered check after .. .f5. The discussion on the 'it'h6 line fails to note that White can succeed even with a pawn on h4 and without a dark-square bishop. And although I run the risk of sounding much like Renaud and Kahn, conspicuously missing is any mention of Voellmy, who understood early on the importance of many of the considerations just above, or even ofVukovic, with his remarkable observation, fully applicable to the positions considered by Rudel, that at least two additional assets are needed for the sacrifice to succeed. Rudel deserves significant praise. He becomes the first to devote to the sacrifice more than a small part in a book on tactics. He is the second author to emphasize the importance ofh4 in the ... 'it'g6Iine. And I appreciate his efforts to provide clarity in selecting among the alternative continuations for White in that line.

In his fifth and final chapter, Rudel attempts to provide a more generic discussion about the sacrifice. The discussion is informal and incomplete, but it does in 16 pages cover the main highlights, the mate five in the 'it>g8 with a list of the conditions that make it possible, White's attack with itlxfl and .£\xe6 when Black has knights on d7 and e7, coverage in the <;!tg6line of three alternatives iit"d3+, h4, and itlg4, and mention of the 'it>h6 and ... ~xg5 lines. There are many quibbles. His analysis ofColle-O'Hanlon follows the literature uncritically. There's no mention of the other three white alternatives in the iit"g6 line, .£\g3, f5, and the possibility of rook swings. The discussion on ... 'it>g6 iit"d3

385

But the failure to mention Vukovic has important ramifications. On page 118, Rudel provides his thesis: "Find another way to bring another piece in the battle if you cannot obtain a satisfactory advantage with just the Knight, Queen, and e5-pawn." Readers ofthis book will recognize that this additional piece represents, with the e5-pawn, the second additional asset beyond the bishop, knight, and queen. In essence, Rudel has made an e5-pawn a requirement rather than simply

Sacking the Citadel viewing it as one of many possible additional assets. In his fifth chapter, Rudel provides 56 examples. As in chapter two, many are mediocre games there in quiz form simply to illustrate obvious mistakes. Among these 56 games, 20 do not involve an e5-pawn, and in 17 of those 20 games, the sacrifice is unsound. "Once the e5 pawn goes, everything changes," suggests Rudel, but our experience here shows that

386

combinations of additional assets that do not include an e5-pawn still allow the sacrifice to succeed. There is no way to know, but it seems as if Rudel subconsciously cooked his data to support his hypothesis. As we approach the 400th anniversary of Greco's discovery, it is my hope that we are achieving some clarity with regard to his amazing idea and some profound appreciation for his contribution to the game of chess.

Bibliography

Sources listed chronologically Edward Lasker, Common Sense in Chess (London, Belairs 1896). Edwin Voellmy," Yom Rochadeangriff, Ein Beitrag zur Theorie des Mittelspiels," Schweizerischen Schachzeitung (November and December 1911). Eugene Znosko-Borovsky, The Art of Chess Combination (London, Chatto & Windus 1936). Fred Reinfeld, Colle s Chess Masterpieces (New York, Black Knight Press 1936. Fred Reinfeld, Fifty-One Brilliant Chess Masterpieces (New York, Capitol Publishi ing 1950). George Renaud and Victor Kahn, The Art ofthe Checkmate (New York, Simon and Schuster 1953). Irving Cherney, 1000 Best Short Games of Chess (New York, Simon and Schuster 1955). Dr. Max Euwe and H. Kramer (translated from the Dutch by W.H. Cozens), The Middle Game, Book 2, Dynamic and Subjective Features (New York, McKay 1965). Vladimir Vukovic, The Art ofAttack in Chess (London, Pergamon 1965). Vladimir Vukovic, The Chess Sacrifice (London, Bell 1968). Ken Smith and John Hall, Winning with the Colle System (Dallas, Chess Digest 1990). Vladimir Vukovic (edited and annotated by John Nunn), The Art ofAttack in Chess (Gloucester, Everyman 1998). Murray Chandler, How to Beat Your Dad at Chess (Guildford, Gambit Publications 1998). Andy Soltis, "Chess to Enjoy, The First Professional" Chess Life May, 1999, pp.1213. Gary Lane, The Ultimate Colle (London, Batsford 2001). Valei Bronznik, Das Colle-Koltanowski System (Schwieberdingen, Schachverlag Kania 2003). Karsten Miiller, The ChessCafe Puzzle Book (Milford, Russell Enterprises 2004). Vladimir Vukovic, Der Rochade Angriff(Czech Republic, Rattman 2006). Pete Tamburro, "A 400 Year-Old Attack," Chess Life for Kids June, 2007) David Rudel, Bxh 7! (Davenport, Thinkers' Press 2009). Nigel Davies, "The Greek Bishop Sacrifice," Middlegame Motifs, ChessCafe web site (www.chesscafe.com). July 14,2010.

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Sacking the Citadel Historical references for Chapters I and 2 Jenny Adams, Power Play, The Literature and Politics ofChess in the Late Middle Ages (Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania Press 2006). Femand Braudel, Capitalism and Material Life, 1400-1800 (London, Weidenfeld and Nicolson 1967). Jacob Burkhardt, The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy (London, Harrap 1929). Baldassare Castiglione Libro del Cortegiano (Book of the Courtier 1528). Richard Eales, Chess, A History ofthe Game (Oxford, Facts on File 1985). Dr. Max Euwe, The Development ofChess Style (London, Bell 1968). Daniel Willard Fiske, "Introductory Sketch of the History of Chess, The Book of the First American Chess Congress (New York, Rudd & Carleton) 1859). Jerzy Gisycki, A History ofChess (London, The Abby Library 1922) F. Lanier Graham, Chess Sets (New York, Walker and Company 1968). Frank Greygoose, Chessmen (New York, Arco 1979). Harry Golombek, A History ofChess (London, Routledge & Kegan Paul 1976). Gioachino Greco, The Game ofChess (London 1819). Eduard Gufeld, Oleg Stetsko, Winning with the Torre Attack (New York, Holt 1994). Garry Kasparov, My Great Predecessors, Part 1 (London, Everyman 2003). Alex Hammond, The Book ofChessmen (London, Arthur Barker 1950). William Hartston, The Kings ofChess (New York, Harper and Row 1985). Moses Hirschel, Das Schach des Herrn Gioachino Greco Calabro is und die Schachspiel-Geheimnisse des Arabers Philipp Stamma (Zurich, Ohms 1987). Louis Hoffmann, The Games ofGreco (London, Routledge & Sons 1900). David Hooper and Ken Whyld, The Oxford Companion to Chess (Oxford, Oxford University Press 1996). Benjamin Kohl and Alison Smith, eds, Major Problems in the History ofthe Italian Renaissance (Lexington, MA.,D.C. Heath 1995). A.A. MacDonell, "The Origin and Early History of Chess," Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Jan. 1898,pp. 117-141. Kenneth Matthews, British Chess (London, Collins 1958). H.J.R. Murray, A History ofChess (Oxford, Oxford University Press 1913). John Najemy, ed., Italy in the Age ofthe Renaissance 1300-1550 (Oxford, Oxford University Press 2004). Charles Nauert, Humanism and the Culture ofRenaissance Europe (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press 1995). T.S. Pattie, "An Italian Chess Player in England," The British Museum Quarterly Vol. 33, No. 3/4, Spring, 1969 pp. 105-108. J.H. Plumb, The Italian Renaissance (Boston, Houghton Mifflin 1961). Anthony Saidy, The World ofChess (New York, RHM 1975). Alessandro Sanvito, 1 codici scacchistici di Giulio Cesare Polerio e Gioacchino Greco (Brescia, Messaggerie Scacchistiche 2008).

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Bibliography Colleen Schafroth, The Art o/Chess (New York, Abrams 2002). Harold Schonberg, Grandmasters o/Chess (Philadelphia, 1.B. Lippincott 1972). Domenico Sella, Italy in the Seventeenth Century (London, Longman 1997). David Shenk, The Immortal Game (New York, Doubleday 2006). "The Game of Chess, A Scene in the Court of Philip II," Harper's (January, 1852). John White, Greco and his Manuscripts, Gioachimo Greco, 1600-1634, 300th anniversary o/the writing o/thefirst manuscript, 1619-1919/ twentyone illustrations/rom the originals Philadelphia, Good companion chess problem club, 1919). Hans Wichmann and Siegfried, Chess, The Story o/Chesspieces from Antiquity to Modem Times (London, Paul Hamlyn 1964). Charles Wilkinson, Chess, East and West, Past and Present (New York, Metropoli tan Museum ofArt 1968). Paul Yachnin, "A Game at Chess and Chess Allegory," Studies in English Literat UTe Vol. 22, No.2 pp. 317-330. Marilyn Yalom, Birth o/the Chess Queen (New York, HarperCollins 2004).

389

Sacking the Citadel

Index of Openings This index of the annotated games in this volume confinns that many of the sacrifices emanate from openings that naturally involve White pawns on d4 and e5 and a.ild3. The French Defense (COO-CI9) has 98 games or 32% of the annotated games in book. Queen's Gambit and the Colle also generate a fair number of the games. But it will surprise many readers that the sacrifice occurs across a broad spectrum of openings. Numbers within the indices are game numbers, not page mumbers. B1779 B21 141 B22 145,148,217,247,283 B27265 B29293 B32139 B33 194 B40270,274 B42290 B43226 B47205 B50 224,246,295 B56242 B69157 B80172 B82177,201 B85 175

AOI 271 A02 197 A0376 A07 131 A13 20 A18 154 A22223 A32281 A34269 A40 11,52,143,167 A41220 A43 186 A45258 A4689 A47 68,78,83,266 A4833 A51288 A54 192 A60 151 A8081 A8441,278

COO 2,4,70,245,279 COll,173 C02 8,59,100,102,166,180,198,241, 255 C03 158 C05 101,163,187 C06 104,116,119,126,176,184,196, 218,221,222,230,243,256,286,298 C07149,232,300 CIO 45,72,99

B03 214 B1287,296 B13 179 B14 85,199,257,260 B15200

390

Index of OpeningsBibliography CII13,34,71,77,91,168,170.253,259 C14 9, 10, 12, 15, 18, 19,25,27,29,35,40, 64,65,66,73,82,111,129,140,183,181, 185,191,219,235,248,263,272,299 CI593,188,189,203,213,229,231 C16 160,164 CI7112,150,162 C18 92,118,128,136,142 C19 195,208 C243 C29 5,50,120 C30244 C31 133 C3347 C41280 C4244,202 C43238 C4546 C4828 C5621 C637 C78 26,287,305 C8049 C81 125,225 C846 C86182 C89117,240 C90 134,254 C99 115,135,161

D31 103 D32 138,282 D3732,234 D38277 D4030,37,38,107 D41110,146,147,267,303 D44 215 D45 53, 84, 90, 292 D4616,88,169,210,233,268 D47 94,156,159,207,239,250,251 D4886 D49 95,97,132 D52294 D5326,42 D55 14,17,23,43,74,127 D6036 D61275 D63 48, 51, 285 E08301 Ell 171,237 E12 54,174 EI4211,236 E20124,178 E28306 E29123 E38276 E41 108 E46 114 E48130,262 E50144 E51 113,193,264 E53109 E54 122,137,261 E55 121 E59152

DOO 190,204,302 D02 24,31,105,289,307,308 D03209,216 D05 55,60,62,67,69,80,212 D06 39,98,291 D07155 DIO 58 DB 96 DI5 153,249 DI6304 D2161 D24206 D27165 D28 106,227 D30 57,75,252,284

391

Sacking the Citadel

Index of Asset Combinations

No additional assets: 6, 31, 34, 307, 308 One additional asset: }\rook:32,58,69,96,204 }\dark-(orforBlack, alight) square bishop: 13,41,43,46,56,70,75,76,88,105,109, 117,118,148,152,182,202,211,282 }\ (secure) e5 (e4)-pawn: 64,172,215,226 )\ knight (square will be noted ifnot c3): 36,42,66 (Nd6) Kingside pawn stonn: 87 Two additional assets }\ dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... an active rook: 16,20,28,47,60,62, 68,80,83,93,95,97,104,113,124,126,130,132,133,134,138,149,151,174,188,190, 193,194,197,216,218,222,232,233,236,252,258,261,262,266,268,276,278,292, 302 }\ dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... a (secure) e5-pawn: 39,49,59,63,67, 84,92,98,100,106,108,122,128,131,137,141,142,143,144,152,160,164,165,192, 195,200,208,210,220,223,244,255,271,273,287,296,306 }\ dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop-an h4-pawn (with a Rbi): 44,45,54, 99,178,179,199,217,274,293 }\ dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... an active knight: 33, 61, 136, 156, 180, 196,219,257 }\ (secure) e5-pawn ... an active rook: 17,30,72,94,120,166,183,185,198,225,246, 250,251,256,267,269,280,294 )\ (secure) e5-pawn ... an active knight: 24, 35, 52, 71, 82, 86, Il2, 129, 163, 171, 180, 181,221,245 }\n active rook ... a knight on c3: 48, 201, 297 }\n active rook ... a knight on g3 or on fl with access to g3: 79, 115, 135, 161,230 Two active rooks: 123,173,254,260,275 Three additional assets }\ dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... a (secure) e5-pawn ... an h4-pawn (withaRbl): I, 103, 158 }\ dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... a (secure) e5-pawn ... an active knight: 2,90, 119, 121, 125, 155,162,167,206,207,259,264,289 }\ dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... a (secure) e5-pawn ... an active rook: 4,8,11,22,50,53,55,78,81,89,101,107,139,159, 189,205,212,214,234,239,277, 304 }\ dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... an active knight ... an active rook: 21, 176,191

392

Index of Asset Combinations A dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... two active rooks: 7, 38, 85,153,184, 224,231,238,270 A (secure) e5-pawn ... an active knight... anh4-pawn (with a RbI): 9,10,12,29,65, 72,111,291 A (secure) e5-pawn ... an active knight... an active rook: 15,25, 140, 145, 170,235, 248,253,279,283,284,285,290,295 A(secure)e5-pawn ... two active rooks: 110,146,147,157,247,265,288,303 An active knight ... two active rooks: 3,241 : An h4-pawn (with a Rb 1) ... two active rooks: 14 Four or more additional assets A dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... a (secure) e5-pawn ... an active knight ... an h4-pawn (with aRbl): 77,91,116 A dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... a (secure) e5-pawn ... an active knight ... an active rook: 228,237,240,244,305 A dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... a (secure) e5-pawn ... an active rook ... an h4-pawn (with a RbI): 301 A dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... a (secure) e5-pawn ... two active rooks: 37, 187,203, 175,213,227,229,298 A dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... an active knight ... two active rooks: 242,263,281 A dark- (or for Black, a light) square bishop ... a (secure) e5-pawn ... an active knight ... two active rooks: 177

393

Sacking the Citadel

Index of Players Bold = White Agdestein, 170 Ahlander, B 204 Ahues, C 63 Airekoski, E 161 Akopov, R 179 Al Modiahki, M 202 Alapin, S 27 Alayola Montanez, J 267 Alekhine, A 41, 52, 54, 65, 72 Anagnostpoloulos, D 183 Ancin,A 116 Andersen, J 243 Andreev, D 154 Antal, G 300 Antos 100 Anttila, P 161 Apol, L 169 Appel,D 166 Araiza Munoz, D 145 Arizmendi Martin, J 260 Arje, Z 132 Arutinian, D 273 Asgeirsson, A 65 Asrian, K 281 Asztalos, L 66 Avrukh, B 251

Billecard, M 19 Billings, S 36 Bird,H 6 Blackburne, J 14 Blackmar,A 13 Blanco Gramajo, C 261 Boch, W 152 Bodiroga, P 303 Boesenberg, E 287 Borg,G 168 Borge, N 187 Borochow, H 48 Boucher 47 Bozek,A 118 Brach, J 51 Brechin, H 308 Brenninkmeijer, J 176 Brinckmann, A 58 Brody 21 Brunner, E 67 Buecken, D 255 Bueno 91 Burmakin, V 199,301 Burn,A 13,17,31,33 Capablanca,J 40,42,48,79 Capello, G 148 Carlsen, M 296,297 Cavalotti 10 Champion, K 138 Chandler, M 183 Cheron,A 57 Christen, P 169 Christoffel, M 96 Cipriani, F 112 Clapperton, G 128 Cochrane, J 3 Coenen, N 266 Colle,E 62 Computer Deep Junior 262

Baburin, A 228, 252 Baikovicius 81 Balanel, I 113 Balinov, I 265 Balla,Z 43 Balog, I 300 Bastian, H 241 Baumann, W 115 Becker, M 240 Benecke, H 141 Berezjuk, S 280 Bernstein, 0 28, 32 Berry,F 303 Bialas, W 104

394

Index of Players Computer Deep Fritz 200 Crespi, N 10 Crosara 11 Crouch, C 156 Cruz Filho, 0 88 Davis,A 40 De Geus, G 166 De Labourdonnais, L 2 De Lagontrie,] 245 De Smet, K 197 De Souza Mendes,] 88 De Soyres,] 9 De Visser, W 18 De Waard,] 231 Deery, T 207 Delbner 50 Desforges 209 Deslandes, P 298 Dimitrov, V 232 Dittmar, P 241 Dobosz, H 159 Dolezal,] 116 Domogaev, S 293 Donner,] 114 Duarte da Silva, E 259 Dufek,] 215 Duhm 35 Dumitrache, D 233 Durao,] 129 Durica, D 288 Dus Chotimirsky, F 68 Dychhoff 26 Dzhumaev,M 295 Ekenberg, B 85 El Taher, F 248 Eliskases,] 89 Eriksson,] 269 Ernst, S 304 Ernst, W 81 Escandell Mari,] 211 Esen, B 278 Estrin, Y 154 Euwe,M 96

Ezat, M 291 Fahndrich 23 Faichetto, A 45 Faranka, K 291 Farrand,] 155 Faul59 Fayne, T 217 Fernandez, R 231 Ferry,R 131 Fichtl,] 120 Fine,R 73 Fiorito, F 201 Flaga, K 227 Flesch,] 146 Foltys,] 99 Forgacs, A 226 Formanek, E 140 Forzan 164 Fournier, F 212 Frank,] 226 Freese, H 206 Fridman, D 284 Fritz,A 12 Ftacnik, L 186 Fucak 125 Fuderer, A 106 Fueriinger, H 239 Furman, S 122 Futterer 22 Gagunashvili, M 292 Galeb,A 145 Gallien, K 163 Ganguly, S 305 Gazi,M 196 Geissert, E 117 Geller, E 122 Gering 7 Giffard, N 158 Ginsberg, G 218 Giusti, A 112 Godnjavec, F 271 Golmayo,D 16 Gonzales Freixas, A 217

395

Sacking the Citadel Gonzales Rojo, E 67

Holm 44 Hucula, L 223 Huguet Mainer, S 185 Hujbert, F 283 Hulsen 23

Goosey, R 225 Gorenstein, R 110 Goric,E 256 Graf,A 254 Graf, S 89 Granados Gomez, M 216 Greco,G 1 Grigorian, A 302 Grigorian, K 159 Grosser, W 101 Grund,H 255 Guerrero, V 185 Guest,A 13 Guido,F 274 Gunderson 59 Gurevich, D 292

Jackson, L 140 Jacobs, B 182 Jakobson, L 237 Jares, V 51 Johannesson,L 222 Jones, E 20 Jose Abril, R 224 Judd, M 24 Jurcisin, I 196

Hahn, E 87 Hall,L 93 Hamilton, D 238 Handoko, E 202 Harms 98 Harris, W 195 Harrow, M 114 Hartmann, K 117 Harum,F 71 Hasek, J 61 Havasi, K 58 Hebden, M 182 Heidenfeld, W 129 Heikkonen, T 160 Helling, K 60 Hellsten, J 237 Helwing, A 115 Herrmann, F 98 Herrmann, L 109 Herzog, K 287 Hirsch 142 Hodges,A 15 Hodgson, J 167 Hoffman,A 211 Hoffinann, A 173 Hoi,C 285

Kadimova, I 294 Kadner, M 151 Kalichkin, I 257 Kallio, H 264 Karklins, E 227 Karlsson, S 94 Kashdan, I 60 Kasimdzhanov, R 250 Kasparov, G 200,210,262 Kazhgaleyev, M 246 Kazic,B 111 Kemeny,E 29 Kemp 164 Khater, S 302 Kiik,K 276 Kipper, J 279 Klavins, J 121 Knox, V 162 Kochetkov, V 263 Koerholz, L 306 Kogan,B 153 Kohn, S 55 Koltanowski, G 78, 84 Kostantinopolsky, A 83 Kopec, D 209 Kopera, M 234

lonescu, C 177 Ivanov, I 153

396

Index of Players Komeev, 0 230 Korchnoi, V 191 Koshnitsky, G 69 Koska,} 76 Koskela, N 193 Kotov,A 95 Kottnauer, C 95, 97 Kovacevic, B 236 Kovacs, L 146 Kovalev, A 263 Kozlova, G 124 Kozma,} 143 Kraai,} 299 Kranewitter, N 239 Krant,L 189 Kranzl,A 137 Kravtsov, S 244 Krouzel,} 215 Kritikhin, Y 133 Kuhnrich, F 139 Kulornzin, V 28 Kunz,H 229 Kuper,S 208 Kuzubov, Y 306 Lakdawala, C 252 Langreder, U 229 Laptev, R 187 Lasker, Em 16,34,39,77 Lecrivain, M 2 Lehti,} 194 Leise,A 49 Leisebein, P 188 Leitner, F 100 Lesiege, A 250 Leu,M 149 Lida Garcia, F 201 Likov, V 244 Lindner, M 218 Ljapunova 124 Loeffler, S 282 Loose, W 90 Lorin, F 212 Lovewell 52

Lugovoi, A 264 Lutgens, W 198 Lyrberg, P 190 Mackenzie, A 36 Madema,C 86 Madl, I 235 Makarczyk, K 53,55 Malac, M 243 Malikov, 0 172 Mandelbaum 23 Mansfield, C 56 Marchetti, D 134 Marin y Liovet, V 64 Markoff, S 103 Moroczy, G 19,32 Marsden,} 238 Marshall, F 31, 33, 34, 46 Martinez Villanueva Pelai, G 296 Mason,} 12 Mason, W 128 Matrisch, G 137 McMahon, F 207 Mejrup, S 184 Mellberg, B 108 Melzer,O 219 Michaelides, E 156 Michel,P 82 Mihajlovic, Z 75 Milotai, D 120 Minckwitz,} 7 Minic, D 131 Miron,L 289 Molina Carranza, L 42 Morchiashvili, B 294 Morphy, P 5 Movsesian, S 297 Mrva,M 242 Muck,P 149 Mueller, D 219 Mueller, E 163 Mueller,} 126 Mufic,G 180 Mulcahey, W 221 Mustafaev,} 295

397

Sacking the Citadel Pircher, M 180 Pisa Ferrer, J 224 Piskov, Y 230 Piachetka, J 275 Platanov, I 130 Podzielny, K 206 Pohl, W 203 Polugaevsky, L 147 Porreca, G 107 Portisch, L 144 Poso, H 193 Pratten, W 138 Prie, E307 Priwonitz 70 Prokhorovich, T 121 Pruess, D 299 Przepiorka, D 53 Pugachov, A 290 Pulieri, P 152 Purdy,C 69 Pytel, B 162

Myant, M 136 NN 1,38,38 Nanu, C 289 Nash, R 136 Negele, M 245 Neu, K 142 Niephaus, W 90,123 Nijboer, F 176 Nikolac, J 236 Nikolic, S 158 Nilsson, A 57 Ninic,M 75 Norcia, F 73 Nonnann, C 87 Novikov, I 175 Novikov, M 293 Nuenchert, E 141 O'Hanlon, J 62 Olafsson, F 108 Onocko, G 259 Onrust, B 304 Oosterom, E 249

Quinteros, M 171 Radonjanin, V 184 Rahman, Z 268 Ramesh, R 251 Rasmussen, K 260 Rastrelli, A 45 Razinger 71 Rea,A 192 Recktenwald, T 205 Reeh, 0 173, 254 Reid,A 155 Reilly,B 78 Rellstab, L 82 Rendle, T 274 Renner, C 253 Reseli, BIll RiberaArnal,A 79 Ricardi, P 178 Richter, M 258 Rigo,Z 242 Robbins 47 Roese, 0 266

Pachman, L 97, 99 Pahl50 Palac,M 258 Panchenko, A 175 Panov,V 83 Paulsen, L 8 Pearce, D 225 Pearsall, A 46 Pedersen, J 286 Perez Gomar, G 54 Perez,F 214 Perie, S 228 Pestalozzi 35 Petek, P 125 Piazzini, L 86 Pelilyan, V 179 Pillsbury, H 17, 24 Pinchuk, B 285 Pinterne Kovacs, M 235 Pirc, V 107

398

Index of Players Romer,H 94 Rossetto, H 92 Rotlewi, G-41 Rubinstein, S 74 Ruiz,G 214 Ruppe,O 101

Sole Fabragat, X 216 Sorial, H 248 Sosna, J 280 Spasov,S 277 Spassky, B 127 Spassov, L 157 Spielmann, R 66,74 Spraggett, K 165 Squarcialupi, D 148 Stafin, S 204 Stark, T 240 Staunton, H 3 Stavrev, S 160 Steingrimsson, H 222 Steinitz, W 6 Stenzel, H 220 Stets, D 279 Stevens, B 102 Stisis, Y 199 Stojanovic, M 272 Stoltz, G 106 Suberville, A 134 Subiza 91 Sundstrom, Sutter 44 Sutter 221 Sveshnikov, E 278 Svetushkin, D 307 Svidler, P 253 Swiderski, R 25 Szylkrot, C 197

Salazar, C 85 Salcedo Mederos, P 261 Sale, S 247 Salman, N 165 Salvioli, C 11 Salwe,G 37 Sandin, S 135 Savage, A 192 Savoia, L 276 Sax, G 181 Schenzen, J 39 Schlechter, C 30 Schmidt, W 126 Schrader, E 29 Schulten, J 5 Schuman, E 72 Schuster, C 178 Schuster, T 123 Schwarz,A 8 Seirawan, Y 171 Sergeev, A 68 Sermek, D 247 Seul,G 186 Shaw,J308 Shchekachev, A 249 Shetty,R 268 Shirov, A 305 Short, N 170,210 Siegel, M 114 Simon,G 205 Simon,H 80 Simutowe, A 267 Skalicka, C 76 Skipworth, A 8, 20 Sliwa,B 113,143 Smejkal, E 223 Snorek, M 273 Sobel, R 119

Tahirov, F 257 Tal, M 147 Talla, V 275 Tan,M 284 Tanguay, A 105 Tarjan, J 167 Taylor, J 93 Te Koiste, J 25 Teichmann, E 135 Tereba,R 61 Teschner, R 127 Thompson 4 Thorhallsson, T 265 Thorstensen, T 286

399

Sacking the Citadel Timman,] 181 Timmins,] 220 Tokarev, V 110 Tremblay, L 150 Trent, L 298 Trimbom 26 Trimpi, H 195 Troxler,] 77 Tseveloidoff 119 Turcot,] 150 Tyroler,A 43 Uhlmann, W 104 Unzicker, W 109 Urban,] 270 Urbanczyk, C 208 Vaatainen, T 194 Van der Weil,] 157, 191 Vasovski, N 272 Vass, F 288 Vavrak, P 234 Veer, W 168 Vergruggen,~ 80 Vexin 4 Vidmar,~ 37 Vieweg, K 151 Villegas, B 92 Voge1,D 203 von Zitzewitz, C 213

Weimo,H 132 Welin, T 174 Wellington, G 49 Wells, P 233 Wiktorczyk,] 119 Wilke 70 Willey, F 103 Wilson, F 139 Winawer, S 27 Winckelmann, T 188, 189,213 Winter, W 63 Wolf,H 30 Yalov, S 277 Yandemirov, V 246 Yanofsky, D 84 Yates, F 64 Yegiazarian, A 281 Yemelin, V 256 Yepes ~artinez, E 232 Young,] 18 Yudovich, M 172 Yurkov, P 290 Zaitsev, A 130 Zalys, I 105 Zetterberg, S 269 Zezulkin,] 270 Zhilin, V 133 Zlatdinov, R 301 Zierke, 0 282 Zinski 22 Znosko Borovsky, E 56 Zufic,~ 271 Zukertort,] 14 Zumsande, ~ 283

Wademark, H 190 Waters, W 102 Wedberg, T 177 Wegner, H 174 Weijers, F 198

400