The Magic of Chess Tactics

The Magic of Chess Tactics © Copyright 2002 Claus Dieter Meyer & Karsten MUller All Rights Reserved ISBN: 1-888690-14-3

Published by: Russell Enterprises, Inc. P.O. Box 30 Milford, CT 06460 USA http://www.chesscafe.com [email protected] Cover design by OutExcel! Corp., Al Lawrence, President; Jami Anson, Art Director.

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Table of Contents Foreword by Alexei Shirov

3

Introduction

4

Acknowledgements

6

Code System

7

Photo Credits

7

About the Authors

8

A) Middlegame Tactics AI) Tactical Motifs AlA) Pin and Cross-Pin

10

Exercises/Solutions E l.l-I .4

14

A IB) Knight Moves

18

Exercises/Solutions E2.1-2.2

18

AI C) Trapped Pieces/ Loose Pieces Drop Off

19

Exercises/Solutions E3.1-3.2

21

A2) Sacrificial Attacks

22

Exercises/Solutions E4.1-4.7

60

A3) Magic by the Magician

63

Exercises/Solutions E5.1-5.6

66

A4) "ltJ + .£l Duo

69

Exercises/Solutions E6.1-6.2

74

A5) Attack and Defense

76

A6) Co nj unctio n of Tactical Met hods

133

Exe rcises/So lutions E7.1-7.5

144

A7) The Bishop Pair

147

A8) Pawn Levers and Breakthrough s

150

Exercises/So lutio ns E8. 1-8 .2

153

A9) Comb inatio ns

155

Exercises/So lutions E9. 1-9.8

159

B) Tactica l Endga mes B I) Opposite-Co lored Bishops B IA) With Rooks and /or Queens

164

B I B) Pure Oppos ite-Co lored Bishop Endings

174

B2) Same-Co lored Bishops

179

B3) Fortr ess or Not ?

192

Exerc ises/So lutions E I0.1- 10.2

20 7

B4) The Bishop Pair

228

Exercises/So lutions E 11.1-11. 3

231

B5) Rook + Minor Piece Endings B5A) Rook Endings

233

B5B) Rook + Min or Piece Endings

243

Exe rcises/So lutions E 12.1-12.2

247

B6) Thr ee Cunning Quee n Endings

249

Bibliograph y

252

Index of Players

254

Foreword Still the World of Magic When I was asked by my good friend OM Karsten MUller to write a foreword for his and C.D. Meyer's new book about tactics, I thought that nothing would be easier. Combinations and tactics, the books of Alexander Koblentz, the games of Mikhail Tal - all these were synonymous with my first steps in chess. So, I start reading through the present book, which has almost same name as the Magic World of Combinations by Koblentz (issued more than two decades ago in the Soviet Union). And ... what a surprise! It is no longer a matter of simple tactical motifs and combinations but in fact deep analysis and refutations of concepts that seemed to be axiomatic by definition of tactical play. Suddenly the reader is forced to look at everything with a critical eye, evaluating which tactics are erroneous and which are good.

But times have changed. The authors take us from the world of magical dreams to cruel reality with impeccable analysis by humans and computers. When I started playing chess, I believed in combinations and highly complicated tactical play. Time went by, I became a strong grandmaster and some of my views on chess were changed by down-to-earth players. Computers got involved and refuted other ideas. However, in the heat of battle I was able to sometimes find things that neither computers nor humans could refute. I am proud ofhaving kept faith in my childhood ideals of complications and tactics. And now having the manuscript of this new book in front of me I ask myself - do genuine tactics really exist? The answer is Yes! You need to seek perfection. Perfection is brilliancy. My move against Topalov (sorry for being immodest) is brilliant because it's the best move in the position and in fact it is the only move to win. And when in this book I see the analysis of the game Alekhine-van Mindeno (which completely shocked me at first) I realise that '§h2! is more brilliant than '§h5 because '§h2! lets White continue his attack while '§h5 even loses against Black's best defense. ~h3!

I have come to realise that there are basically two types of chess tactics. First, simple kinds of combinations you need to know when you start to play chess. I still believe they are the basis of everything. Things that computers see in a half-second. But the book is not about them. For those simple tactics, old Koblentz books are more than enough. This book is about complicated chess tactics, the kind you sometimes need hours of analysis just to discover the truth ofthe position. It's hard to see and calculate perfectly on the board; one needs intuition, imagination and precision. It's not easy to develop these qualities but I believe that the present book, full of examples and high quality analyses, will help you achieve that objective. Welcome to the magical world of tactics ! Alexei Shirov, Riga October 2002 3

Introduction "Chess is 99 perc ent tactics." This opinion of the German ches s master Richard Teichmann (1868- 1925) is certainly conte stabl e, but every chess friend know s that perm anent tactical vigilance at any stage of the game is of decisive importance. But what does the term ' tactics ' actually mean '! In a modern dictionary of chess you may read a definition like this: "Tactics is the theory of the reali sation of spec ific aims by short term operations based on concrete and clear vari ations ." (quoted from Mey ers Schach Lexikon by Otto Borik and others) The English Grandmaster Dr. John Nunn defines it more comprehensively thereby emphasizing the calculation of varia tions in endgames: "Tactics is something far more general than such methods like forks, pins, discovered attacks, skew ers etc., which are more properl y described as combinations, would indicate. We can say, that an idea is tactical if it is nece ssary to calculate specific variations to ensure its corre ctnes s. With this definition, it is clear that tactics can occur at any stage of the game. Indeed , simplified end games are especially prone to be tactical , since in such positions it is possible to calculate every worthwhile variation and hence to be absolutel y cert ain whi ch is the best move." (from Nunri 's Tacti cal Chess Endings) . But, in chess, matters are rarely simple and cIearcut. In practice tactic s often exist in close conjunction with technique and then these elements cannot do without each other. To determine which element is prevalent at one particular moment is rarely possible. On the other hand it is difficult to define the term ' technique' in chess as it tends to contain both strategical and tacticalelements. Let's start with two defmitions:'T echnique is the knowledge and experience that enables a player to achieve a win mechanically and without undue exertion. The possession of technique is one of the fundamental differences between the expert and the amateur." (from An illustrated Dictionary of Chess by Edward R. Brace). 'Technique is the awareness ofthe functions ofthe pieces and of their peculiar resources ... and methods of exploiting these things in recurring situations." (from Technique in Chess by Gerald Abrahams) Generally the subj ect of technique con sists of methodical treatments and lines of direction in order to exploit material/positional advantages or to prevent them . The Germ an master Kurt Richter ( 1900- 1969) once wrote: "Technique in ches s is the art of what can be learned," which seems to be a good attempt to define the term . Furthermore, if there is an area in chess where concrete knowl edge and experien ce are most significant, then it is certainl y the endgame. Many examples in this book are of both a tactic al and technic al nature and what dominates at any particul ar moment may be a matter of opinion, but plenty of 4

tactica l ideas and combinatio ns - "the heart ofchess" (A. Alek hine) - always make things lively. " It is simply not sufficient only to play - yo u have to train yo urse lf always to deve lop qua lities and abilities which help yo u to come to decisions dur ing the course of a game." (fro m Moderne Scha chtakt ik by Ma rk Dvoretsky). By mea ns of thorou gh ana lysis we learn to esti mate positions integrally and more often we will find the moves that the postion demands. In addition we de velop an "instinc t or feeling for positio n and danger" (which the Ge rmans call Posi tionsgefiihiy. The more comp lica ted the position , the grea ter the importance of co mbining this " instinct" and analytica l sk ills. The grea t Eman uel Lasker wrote: "For some roman tic enthusiasts the game of ches s has been pro moted to a science or an art. In fact chess does not stand that high. Its subs tantial characteri stic is that which the human nature takes most de light in it: the fight." (fro m Gesunder Menschenverstand im Scha ch) There is still an awful lot to discover and the borders be twe en kno wl ed ge, expe rience, calculation and int uition are fluid. But in over-th e-board-pl ay, the hor izon is not so wide; her e nervo us energy is requi red and the e lements of figh t with a ll its peculiarities dominate. Ofte n a player has to trus t his intuitio n, no matter the price . And in a sharp, com plex position, whe n the variations grow hazy or the arithmetic fails, the adve nt ure starts. In this book, the authors present a manifo ld co llec tion of tactical discourses on the middle- and endgame. It shows such a dra matic sharpening, but also hidden resources and astonishing new turns. Last but not least this work is abo ut chess erro rs, their detection and refutation, since people learn best from mistak es. At the critical points the readers may sharpen thei r tactical vision , test their abil ity to calculate concrete variations and to evaluate positions. Be sides all this it 's also a wonde rful thing to take time and j ust play over and enjoy the exa mples. Primari ly this book is aimed at aspi ring players from club to master level who seriously wan t to improve the ir chess understanding. Here the readers wi ll not find a logical progre ssio n from the begi nning to the end; the examples have been se lected for entertai nment and , above all, for instruct ional and training va lue. Although we have gro uped the games and fragmen ts in cha pters, sometimes the arrangement see ms arbitrary beca use there is a cons iderab le varie ty within the examples. Short exe rcises - easy and diffic ult - are added to help the readers to improv e analytical abilities.

The Magic ofChess Tactics is base d on ana lysis , articles and traini ng sessions of the German che ss trai ner and journalist FM Claus Diet er Meyer (Bremen). Sev era l positio ns were analysed dur ing the period 1989 to 1998, when he worked at the Hamburg training base where (then future grandmas ter) Karsten Muller, FM Stefan 5

Sieve rs and other yo ung Candidate Masters regul arly participated . GM Muller also acts now as co-a uthor of this book with some origi nal contri butio ns.

Combinatio ns ( 1980- 1993) and Tactical Disco urses ( 1993- 1998) were two rubric s of C D. Meyer publ ished in the Germ an Schoch Magazin 64. At that time he was co nsta ntly on the lookout for fres h material appropriate for both journa listic and training purpo ses. However when detailed analytical wor k had to be done , this was ju st the very thing for the ambitiou s Hamburg training group. And so some ofthe extraord inarily dense and difficult material in this book like Kunnemann vs N N and the Never-Ending StOlY has its origin in the very productive Hamburg period. Many articles were published in Scho ch Magazin 64 and Chess Base Magazine, but a great deal of the material, mostly taken from German Bund esliga praxis, is new. The old remarks have been thoroughl y revised, improved and tra nslated into Eng lish. Due to the large amo unt of origi nal ana lysis , eag le-eye d readers may find mistakes, for which we apologise in adva nce. As the contrast betw een practice and ana lysis som et imes is strikin g, we would like to remind the readers of the word s of Mikhail Tal, the unforgotten chess magic ian from Riga ( 1936- 1992): "Years of analysis and a few minut es in a practical game - they are abso lute ly not one and the same ." The authors hope , that fans of tact ics wi ll dive into and enjoy The Magi c, and, last but not least, learn a lot. Claus Dieter Meyer and Karsten MUli er Bremen/Ham burg October 2002

Acknowledgements We wish to thank many peopl e for the analytica l support and some or igina l contributio ns, espec ially the Hamburg trai ning gro up and seve ral chess colleag ues of th e SV Werder Bun desl iga team . Chess Base deserves specia l thanks for develop ing the program s that made this book possible and allowi ng us to use photos from their archives . Thanks also to Alexei Shirov for his Foreword and Edward Winter for his kind permission to use photos fro m his exc ellent gallery at ChessCafe.com. Ingol f Stein scanned several photos and caricatures. Finally we thank the publisher Hanon Russell for his friendly att itude tow ards the whole proj ect.

6

Code System + # x ! !! 'I

') '1

I? ' /1

+± ~

-+ +' +'

1-0 Y2-Yi 0-1 Ch 01 zt simul mem CBM COM KM

check checkmate ca pture good move excellent or beautiful move bad move blund er interesting move dubi ou s move White has a decisi ve advanta ge White has the upper hand White stands slightly better the position is equ al or drawn Black has a decisive advanta ge Black has the upper hand Black stands slightly bett er the game end s in a win for Whit e the game end s in a draw the game end s in a win for Bla ck championship chess olympiad zonal tournament simultan eous displ ay memori al tournament ChessBase Magazine Claus Dieter Meyer Karsten MUlier

Photo Credits Chess llase : Vlastimil Babul a (12) and Alexei Shirov (165)

Edward Wint er Collec tion: Wilh elm Stein itz (35) , Mikhail Tal (63 ), Rudolf Spielmann (76), A .A .Lilienthal (86) , Bobb y Fischer (92), Anthony Miles ( 131) and Tigran Petro sian (153)

C D. Meyer: Zbynek Hracek (99), Rainer Knaak (142) , Alexa nder Khalifm an (160), Loek van Wely ( 183) , Jan Timman (204) , Sven Joach im (237), Gerl efM eins (241) , the caricatures (page 8) by an unkn own art ist on the Moscow Arb at and by Al fred Hennsdorfer (210 , 227 ).

7

Claus Dieter Meyer

Es irrt der Mensch, solang er strebt. (Man will err while yet he strives.) Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Faust1 (1808)

About the Authors Claus Dieter Meyer was born August I, 1946 in Bremen, Germany. Formerly an insurance broker by trade, then a chess-journalist and FIDE-Master (1983), he is now well known in Germany as analyst and chess trainer. C.D. Meyer is the author of 1m Spiegel der Analyse (1987) and Die Jahrhundert-Meisterschaft im Schach (200 I, with Robert Hubner and others) and has also translated several chess books into German from English. He is the official chess trainer of SV Werder Bremen and long-time captain of Werder's Bundesliga chess team. Karsten MUller was born November 23, 1970 in Hamburg, Germany. He earned the grandmaster title in 1998 and is the co-author with Frank Lamprecht of the highly acclaimed Secrets ofPawn Endings (2000) and Fundamental Chess Endings (200 I). His popular column Endgame Corner has appeared at www.ChessCafe.com since January 200 I.

8

Middlegame Tactics Relative Pin

Middlegame Tactics

Horwitz - Bledow Berl in 1837

Before we del ve into th e jungle of speculative sac rifices, deep defens ive resources and attacks, we would like to remind the reader of some more basic tactical notions first:

AI) Tactical Motifs We start with the most important tactical weapon, which occurs in almost every game: Black to move (-+)

AlA) Pin and Cross Pin The knight f6 is pinned, but In Secrets ofSpectacular Chess , Levitt and Friedgood introduced a theory of chess aesthetics with Parad ox, Depth , Geometry and Flow as the four main in gredients. We want to explore a special motif of geometry: the cross pin. A piece is pinned if it is between the king (or, say, the queen) and a less valuable piece of the opponent (such as a bishop). In the first case it is pinned "absolutely", because it is not allowed to move away from the line or diagonal. In the se cond c as e it is pinned " relatively", because if it mov es awa y, a more valuable piece will be attacked. Nevertheless, it is sometimes possible to mo ve out of a relati ve pin with advantage, as the next exampl e shows:

1... .£)xe4!! 2.A xe7 Axf2+ 3.\tlfl .£)g3 # mates . On the other hand a pin can be a deadly weapon, as the following two exampl es illustrate: Threat and Parade

Shagalovich - Levin Min sk 1997

White to move increases his pressure . The basis of a tactical operation is a threat. In this case the pin ofthe bishop at c7 and the missing link between the IO

Tactical Motifs

2.Ac5!+- 1-0

black roo ks m ay be ex p loite d by increasing the pressure on the weakness at e7.

2. Bd e 3? wo u ld b e weak du e to 2 .. . E! xd 4 3. B xe 7 Bd l+! 4. Bxdl Wxe7.

1.El.d3! With the deadly threats A e5 and TIde3. The defender has to reali ze th e cri sis immediately and should try to solve his problems in the best possible way.

L A e5! co mbines a doubl e attack wit h a deadl y pin . It threatens 3.B xd8# as we ll as the simple capture of the bishop by 3 ...\l xe 7 + or 3 .Bxe7 . Bl a ck is overl oaded. Fo r e x a m p le, 2... B e 8 (2 .. .B xcl3 is re fute d by th e zwisc he nz ug 3.A xe 7+ 'tt'e8 4.e xd3 , winning a piece) 3.E!xe7+-. A simple yet instructi ve example.

I Th e follow ing alternatives also lose: A) 1... E!d5? 2.E!de3 E! xd 4 3.E! xe7 + w d 8 4 .Bx b7 +- 'tt'c8 5 .B e e 7 B) 1.. .E! d7? Ba) 2.E!de3 +Bal) 2 w f8 3.Ac 5 C3. E! xe 7) Ba2) 2 'tt'd 8 3.Ab6 + We8 4.Ae5 Ba3) 2 B xd4 3.Bxe7+ transpos es to 1...E! d 5? Bb) 2.Ac5 B e7 3. B de3+ C) 1.. .b6? 2. E!de 3 (2 .Axb6? Bxd3 3.e xd3 W d 7 ~ ) 2 ... B xd 4 3 .E! xe7+ w d 8 4. Ba7+ -.

Overloading J. Asendorf (2297) - P. Wiebe Ham burg (German Amateurs-C h) 2002

II Th e only co rrect mo ve is 1...E!d6! with the idea of bolsterin g the defense with ...B e6: A ) 2.Ae5? B e 6 3. B e d l f6 B) 2. E!b3? Bxd4 (2 ... b 5?! 3.B be3 E! e 6) 3.B xb 7 E! d 7 4 .E! b 8+ Bd8 5. B b7 B d 7 6.Bb8 += C) 2.E!de3 E! e 6 3 .Bxe6 fxe 6 4 .B xe 6 wf7 ~ .

White to move (+-) (Pos ition after 24 ... A d6-e 7?)

With pressur e on e7 and e8, this move expl o it s the p in on the e-fil e convincingly. 25.'It1e7 is not so stro ng: I 25 ...'It1 f6 26 .a3! ( t h rea t a xb4+ -) 26...A cl6 (26 .. .b xa3? 27 .Ac3 'It1c16 28. Bx e 7 'It1 xe7 29 .E!xe7 B xe l + 30 .Axe l axb2 31. Bb7+ - ; 26 ... 'It1 d 6? 27 .E! xe7+ -) 27 .B xe8 + II

Middlegame Tactics § xe 8 28.§xe8+ '
25 ... §ad8 26.§xe7! (26 ... §xe7 27. 'i£yxd8+ 28.§xe8*) 27.§xe8* II 25 ... 'i£yd6 26.§xe7+I

§xd7 §e8

26.Af4!+A further pin along the diagonal a3-fS, here threatening §xe7, is also a central idea of White's final attack.

A Composition of Pins

26...g5

M. Solleveld (2427) V. Babula (2566) German Bundesliga 2002

26 ... §ad8 27.§xe7! I"1 xe 7 28.§xe7 §xd7 29.§xd7+27.E!.xe7! Again this capture demonstrates that Black's pieces are overloaded. 27... E!.edS 27 ...§xe7 28.ild6 §ae8 29.ilxe7+ (29.§xe7) 29 ... §xe7 30. l"1d8+ '
Black to move (-+) (Position after 23.§f1-f2)

2S.Axg5 (28.~e5) 2S ... tf}fxg5 29.E!. xf7+ lit>gS 30.tf}fe6 1-0

23...e5!

Sometimes there are several pins at work and it is easy to mix things up:

seems to exploit the pin on the d-file in a decisive way, but White has a pin himself: 24.tf}fe3 I 24.§d2 exd4 25.§xd4 ild5-+ 24. 'i£ye4 'i£y d 5 !- + (24 ... 'i£y e 6?

II 12

Tactical Motifs 25.§a5!) IIJ 24.ilg5 f6-+

pinned in two directions. The following examples will illustrate this: Three-Cross Pin s

24...'ijJe6

powerfully unpinning the e-pawn

(I) S zabo - Langeweg Kecskemet 1964

25.b7 exd4 26.'ijJxe6+ fxe6 27.Af4 d xc3+ 28.~el

White to move (+-) Now Black is prepared for the final assault, whereas 28.<;tJc1 ilc5-+ poses no problems.

1. 'ijJg7!! The bishop on e5 shields the queen on c7 and protects the rook on h8. That proves to be too much responsibility for the bishop, as the rook on b8 is trapped.

28...Ac5 29 ..§bl 29 . b8~ § xb8 30.,ilxb8 A xf2+ 31.'It'xf2 allows the beautiful 31...0-0+! 32..QJ 4 e5-+ with a deadly pin.

1. .. .Q, xg7 2..Q, xc7 .Q,d4 3..Q, xb8+-

and White converted his advantage to a full point.

29....Q,b5!

(l/)

Str onger than 29 ...,ilxf2+?! 30.'it'xf2 O-O! ? C3 0...ltb 5 31.§ d l ::;:) 3 1. b 8~ § d 2+, e .g . 32 .'it'f3 A e 2+ 3 3 . ~ e3 § xb8 34.§xb8 + ~ f7 35 .ile5 § xc2 36 .§ b 7 +::;: .

Bogatyriev -Sagoryanski Moscow 1947

30..§f3 If 30 .§ d l th en 30 ... § xd l +! 3 1. ~ x d 1 'it'd7 32.§ f3 ild 6 . 30... 0-0 31 ..§ xc3 .Q,d4 32 ..§c7 e5 and White threw in the towel - 0-1.

Black to move (-+)

A cros s-pin arises when one piece is 13

Middlegame Tact ics 1... ~d4!!-+

EI.2

wi ns immed iate ly. (In th e game, Bl ack pl ayed 1...B a 7? and th e result wa s a draw.) Note th at with th e white qu een o n e2 th is se c ond pin would not be poss ible and Whi te wo u ld be a ble to hold th e po siti on.

(II I) Bannik - Cherepkov USS R 1961

EI.3

Donner - Hubner Bu surn 1968

Black to move (-+) 1... f!e2!!-+ pins and win s the queen as

B g xg 2 + 3 .'
B h 2+

2 .'~lx c 5

4 .'
Exercises:

£1.4

ELl Pidorich - Chernusov Tjumen 198 1

White to move (+-) 14

Tactical Motifs Several example s are ta ken fro m Neistadts book. which presents a lot of combinations in a nice way.

Comedy of Errors (Pills and Cross-Pills) G. Fahn enschmidt - L. Gutman German Bundesliga 1987

Solutions: E 1.1: l.Ele7!! A xe7 (1.. .'&xc7 2.l1x d 5+ Wh8 3..\1xa8 +-) 2. ~ e4 ! ! 1-0 El .2: 1.~h3!! ( 1.f;te3 wins as well, but is not as convincing as 1.f;th 3) 1...Elfg7 2. ~e8+ Wh 7 3.fxg7 Elxg7 4.~h3 + , and Black resigned in view of 4...f;t xh3 5.8 xg7+ w h8 6 .8g8+ w h7 7 .8 1g7+ w h6 8. § h8+ +-. E1.3: 1.•.Elxc5 2. ~ xe5 Ele8!! , and Donner resigned, e.g. 3.f;txb6 § xcl + -+ or 3.b4 § xc5 4.bxc5 f;tb 2 -+. EI.4: 27... A xd3+?! (T he cross pin 27...f;tb5! ! wins on the spot.) 28. ~xd3 Ela3 29.Ae5 Ax e 5 [29 ...f;ta4 30 .Jhf6 C30 .§b l A xe 5 31.dxe5 c£lf4 32. f;t c 2 f;t b 5+ 33.Wg l c£le 2+ 34 .Wh l c£lc3-+) 30 ...§ xb 3 31.f;tf5 f;ta6 + 32 .Wg l gxf6-+ J 30.Elxe5 ~ xd4 31.~xd4 Elxb3 32.g3 [J 32. § xd5 § b l + 33 .We2 f;t e6 + 34. §e5 f;ta6 + 35 .Wd2 f;ta 2+ 36 .We 3 § e l + 37 .Wf3 § xe 5 38 .f;t xe5 f;t b 3+-+; II 32.f;t xd 5 § b l+ 33.We2 f;t g4+- + ; III After 32 .g4!? (Roos) it is not so easy to prove a win. For example: 32.. .'~'b 5 + 33.Wg2 § d3 34 .f;tf4 § d l 35. § e7 f;tfl + 36 .Wg3 f;td3+ 37.Wg2.] 32... ~h3 + 33.We2 ~ g 2 3 4.El xd5? C3 4 .§ e8 +! w h7 35.f;tf4 § b 2+ 36 .We3 d4+ 37 .Wxd4 § xf2 38 .f;te4+ f;t xe4 + 39 .§xe4 § d 2+ 40.Wc4 § d 7 + ) 3 4 ... ~ f3 + 35.Wel? C35 .Wd2 § b 2+ 36.Wcl C36. f;t xb 2 f;txd 5+ 37. We 2 f;t xc 5- +) 36 ...§ xf2 37 .§ d8 + w h 7 38 .f;td 3+ f;t xd 3 39.§xd3 § f5-+) 35... Elb1+ 01 due to 36.Wd 2 § d l +-+.

Black to move (-+) (Positio n after 8 d 2-f2) The turbulent finale of the Bundesliga ga me be twee n Grandm ast er Lev Gutman (Koblenz) and Dr. Gerh ard Fahnenschmidt (S indelfingen) was a real "co medy of errors" played amid time trouble . With piece sacrifices to open the enemy king position, Black hoped to get support from Caissa , the goddess of chess . Meanwh ile he is down a rook and a bishop with only one pawn (on h3) as material compensation. But that pawn is quite a nuisance : 1...El xf3? 1... h2+ 2.Wfl (2 .Wh l f;txf2- +) 2...f;th 3H with the first pin, but the simple 2...f;th4H is possible as well. 2.Ele2? I 2.8e 2?/ § d 2? tran sp oses a fter 2...h xg2! C2 ...A c5+?) 3.§ xg2 to the game. II 2. f;tfl? h 2+ 3 .Wh l § xf2-+ III An or igin al wa y to dr aw was

We en d this sec tio n wi th a very complicated example: 15

Middlegame Tactics 2.\£tb2!/\£tel! 1"1xf2 3.\£txf2 .llc5 (3 ... \£txf2+ 4.<;t>xf2 .llc5+ 5.<;t>g3 iba7 6.ilc6 <;t>xh8 7 ..£lxb5=) 4.1"1a8+ <;t>h7 5 ..lld4 .llxd4

Dr. Fahnenschmidt makes the last mistake. But what about the absolutely necessary 4 ..lld4 ? After the devilish cross pin 4 ... ~ e 5 ! ! (4 ... 1"1f1+? 5.<;t>xfl) it is extremely complicated. The attentive reader will explore the situation together with us. Black plays for a win despite being a rook down!

White is only apparently overloaded: 6.1"1h8+ (The only way out, luring the king onto the al-h8 diagonal in order to get rid of the bishop on d4 with check) 6...<;t>xh8 7. ~xd4+ and now both players have to be careful not to end up in a lost pawn ending:

A) 7 ... <;t>h7 8.\£tf2 (For 8.\£td5 see line B) 8 ... h2+ (With 8 ... \£txf2+?? 9.<;t>xf2 hxg2 IO.a4+- Black would have blundered badly) 9.<;t>fl \£td3+ IO.\£te2 \£tbl + 11.~el ~xa2 12.\£th4+ should be drawn. B) 7 ... <;t>g8 8.\£td8+ <;t>h7 9.\£td5 (9. \£ta8??/\£td2?? b4-+) is more or less equal: Ba) 9 ... \£te3+ IO.<;t>h2 hxg2 11.\£txf7+ <;t>h6 12.<;t>xg2= 02. ~f8+=) Bb) 9... hxg210. ~xf7+ <;t>h611.\£tf8+=

Analysis 5.1"1a8+ (For 5.1"1d7 1"1f4 6.1"1d8+ see IlA) I 5... <;t>g7 seems less precise. Some variations may lead to 11, but here is an independent example: 6.1"1g4!? f6 (6 ... 1"1d3? 7.1"1d8 1"1d2 8.1"1d5 .llxd4+ 9.\£txd4 1"1xd4 IO.1"1xg6+ followed by 11.1"1xe5=) 7.1"1d8!? and extreme complications have arisen. White is still offering strong resistance. Two plausible continuations are 7 .. .'$;{h5

2 hxg2! 2 £Lc5+? 3 ..lld4 ilxd4+ \£tel + 5.<;t>h2 ~g3+ \£tel +=, perpetual check.

4.~xd4

6.<;t>gl

3.,E!xg2 Ac5+

16

Tactical Mo tifs (idea .. J~ h 3 ) and 7 ...l"! d3 . II 5 ...Wh 7 ! A) 6 .J"!d8 J"! f4 7. l"!d2 (7 .l"! h2 + Wg7 8 .l"! d 2 transp o s es to Cc) 7 ... l"! h 4 8 .t'lfl t'l g 3 + 9 .E g 2 C9.t'lg 2 t'le 1+ i o.e n l"! h1+ 11. <;;tJ xh1 t'l xf l + 12 .w h 2 A d 6 + ! 13 .l"!xd6 t'lf4 +- +) 9 .. .A xd 4 + 10 .J"! xd 4 t'l e 3 + 11. ~ f2 I';1 xd 4 12.i;!xd 4 l"! xd 4 + . We w ill see th is roo k ending, whic h favo rs Bla ck , rep eat edly.

Analysis

Cb21) 8 .Ea h8 Axd 4+ 9 . ~xd4 C9.l"!x d4 ~ g 3 + 10 .whl ~ f3 + l1. Wgl 'it' xh 8 =+= ) 9 .. .i;!xd 4 + l O.J"! xd 4 Wxh 8 =+= Cb22) 8.J"!g4 l"! d 6 9.l"!e4 C9.Ee8 ~xd4 + ) 9 .. .A xd4 + 10. i;!xd4 ~xd4 + I1. E xd 4 l"!x d4 =+= Ce) 7 ..Ed S l"! f4 ! 8 .l"! dZ l"! h4 ! C8... E g 4 +? 9 .<;;tJfl) Now Bl a ck th reatens to exchange the bish op s and mak e way fo r h is qu een to reach g3.

B) After 6. J"!g4 l"! h 3!, 7 .l"! h8+ is the onl y pl ayabl e mo ve , eq uiva lent to a d esp e rate ap peas em e nt p olicy, b ut Black reach es a ve ry favo ra ble roo k ending in an y case: Ba) 7 ... ~ x h8 (th re ate n in g <;;tJg8 or ~a8) 8. <;;tJ g 2 Ax d4 9 .i;! xd 4 C9.J"!xd4 ? l"! h 5 - + ) 9 ... ~ x d 4 10. l"! xd 4 l"! c 3 =+= Bb) 7 ... Wxh8 8 .l"!e4 C8.WgZ J"! h 2 + 9.Wf3 Axd4 1 0 . ~ x d4 ~ xd4 I1. E xd4 l"! xaZ =+= ) 8 .. .Axd4+ 9. i;!xd 4 ~ x d4 + 10. l"!x d 4 l"! c 3 =+= as above .

C) 6 .l"! hZ + Wg7 Cal 7 .l"! dZ? f6 ! (t h r e a t e ni ng 8 ...A xd 4 + 9 .l"!xd4 ~e 3 + and ma te) 8. E e 8 ~ f4 ! 9. A xc5 ~xd2 10 .E e7+ <;;tJ h6 I1. A e 3+ E xe3 1 Z.J"! xe3 t'l xe 3 + =+= Cb) 7 .l"! h4 Cb l ) 7 .. .f6? 8 .l"!ah8! A xd 4 + C8... g5 9 .l"! 4 h7+ =) 9. Wh l C9 . ~xd 4?? ~g3 +/~e l + fo llowed by mate ) 9 ...f5 10 . ~ c1! E h 3 + I1. E xh3 ~ e4 + 12 .<;;tJh 2 i;!e Z+ =, perpetu al check Cb2) 7 ...l"! f6 !!

Analysis If 9..Ed 5 C9.b4 .I1xd 4+ 1O . ~xd4 .Exd 4 I 1. E Sxd4/ E Zxd 4 =+= ; 9. ~ d l A xd 4 + 10 .J"! Sxd4 ~g 3 + 11. <;;tJD E h 1 + l Z.<;;tJe2 t'lg Z+ 13. <;;tJd3 E xd l 14 .E xd l ~xa2=+=) then 9 ...A xd 4 + 1O. ~xd4 (lO.E5xd4? i;!g3+ 11.E g 2 ~e3 + l Z.E fZ E xd4 -+) 10 ....Exd 4 1l .E 5xd 4/.§ 2c14 =+= .

4... ~h3 + 0-1

]7

Middlegame Tact ics T he Germa n Grandmaster played 57 ... .£lb5? mi ssing 57...a4! 58.fl. xh4+ Wa5 59.E=k4 a3!-+ 58 .a4 .£lc3 59.E!g4

and White man aged to survive.

V. Ivanchuk (2730) - Ji lsaev (2440) Elista (01) 1998

A l B) Knight Moves The knight seems to be the most difficult piece to master. It moves in a non-linear way, canjump and can attack eight of the opponent' s men without being subjected to attack itself(from the center it controls eight squares, from the comer only two). This potential to fork other pieces makes it a dangerous warrior when it comes to tactics. In an attack it team s up well with the queen, as we will see in section A3 . In defense it is a good friend of the king. (Thus the say ing "W ith a knight on f8 Black will never get mated" , when he has castled kingside.) Let 's show some examples:

White to move (+-) Anothe r attribute of the kni ght is its ability to fork ene my pieces . Vasi ly Ivan chuk mad e use of it and won very qui ckl y: 29 .g4! E!f4 30 •.£lg5+ <;t>g8 C30...w f6 3 1.~ce4 + or ~e6) 31.E!xg7+ <;t> xg7 32 ..£le6+ 1-0

Two exercises con clude this secti on :

D. Ruzele (24 75) - R. Hiibner (2575) Elista (0 1) 1998

£2./

A. Morozevich (2625) L. Valenzuela (2405)

A knight is especially strong jf it has an outpost and can take part in an attac k against the enemy king.

Elista (ol) 1998

l///////~ .~ ~. ~. . ~ ~ ~

~ ~fff~'~~~ ~~ ~ ~~ }%~

" " '~ ~ ~ ~~a ~

~li~

.

~ .~

~ ~~W//~

,~% .~ ~~"~" ?B ltB

~~ ~

~ ~ ~' J~~ Black to move (-+)

18

Tactical Motifs £2.2

A1C) Trapped Pieces, Loose Pieces Drop Off

V. Topalov (2 700) Peng Xiaomin (2550) Elista (01) 1998

The term "loose pieces drop off ' was coin ed by John Nunn in Se crets of Practical Chess and reminds you that unguarded pieces are in danger of being attacked and captured. This does not mean, of course, that you should place your men only on protected squares such a strategy is in most cases doomed to fail. Instead, you should always watch out for possibilities to attack unguarded enemy pieces, and be alert to potential attacks on your own unguarded pieces.

White to mo ve (+-)

A co mmo n a nd ex trao rd inari ly dangerous weapon used to exploit loose pieces is the double attack:

Solutions: E2.1 : 39.~f5+ \£7h7 40.\£70! E!xd4 C4 0 ...§ e8 41..8h 2+ ~g8 42.4Jxe7 + .8 xe 7 43 ..8 xd 5) 41.E!h2+ 1-0 C4 1...Wg8 42.4Jxe7+ ~g7 43 .4Jf5+ Wg8 44.4Jxd4+-). E2.2: 37.~ xg6! [Also 37.fxg6+!, e.g. Wxe 6 38 ..8 f6 + ~ d7 39 . ~ g 4 + ~ c7 C3 9 ... ~ e 8 40. ~ e 6+ ~ e7 40... ~ e 7 4 1. ~ c6 + - 4 1..8f8 + ~ x f8 42. ~ f7 #) 4 0 . ~ f4 + ~ d 7 4 1. ~ f5 +

~c 7 4 2 ..8f7 + ~ b6 4 3 ..8 xb 7 + Wxb 7 44 .gx h7 +- .] 37... .Q,g7 C37... b l ~ 38 .4Jh 8 #) 38. ~e3 C38 ..8e 7 + ~ x e 7 39 .4Jxe7 +- is sufficient) 38... .Q,f6 C38... b l ~ 39..8e7++-; 38....8a7 39.4Je5+ A xe 5 4 0 . ~xe 5 + -) 39.E! xf6+ \£7 xf6 40. ~e6+ \£7g7C40...~g5 41.h4+ ~h6 42 .4:J e7 ++ -; 4 1.. .~ h 5 4 2 .~ e 3 ! + - ; 4 1.. . ~g4 4 2 . ~e2 + ~g3 43. ~f3 # ) 41.f6+ \£7h6 42.~e7 1-0 C42 ... b l ~

Black to move (-+) White loses surprisingly quickly due to his loose bishop on a3 and knight on e2: 26••.E!d3! 27.~c3 E!c8 0-1

43. ~e 3+ ~h 5 4 4 . ~f3 + ~h6 45. ~f4+ ~ h 5 46 . ~g4 + ~h 6 4 7 . ~h4

The situation with trapped pieces is similar. Watch out for pieces that do not have enough scope and maneuvering space.

# ).

19

Middlegame Tact ics

Poisoned Exchange

Rather abse nt aro und 9 : 15 a.m. on a Sunday, Black acted here as if he was a member of the Scandinavian suicide club...

M. Cleven - S. Eric sson Hamburg (SVE-GER, girls under 16) 1999

Playe d with out th ink ing because th is was a firm part of Black's plan . I 15...~b5 16 . ~ x b 5 cxb 5 17.d 5 1U e8 18.4Jxf5 (l8.§he l ±) 18...exf5± II 15 ...~e 4 ? 16.f3 ~ f4 17 .g3 ~ h 6 18.h4+- with a mur dero us attack

Shoc king! Sudden ly Black woke up and looked more closely at the position , as his queen is trapp ed (l7.§al). Despite long analysis the position didn't get any better, and it was time to throw in the t o w el - 1-0. So me th in g fo r t he Bunde sli g a " ha ll of s ha me " , e .g . 16.Wd 2!+- (l6.d5?? 4Jb6!=i= ; 16.4Jxf5? ex f5 17 .§ he l 4J b 6 ~ ) 16 ... 4Jc5 17.d xc5 (1 7 .f3 § ad8 I S.§ a l 4Jb 3+ 19.c x b3 ~ x b 3 20.4Jxf5 exf5 21.§adl) 17 ...§ ad S+ I S.We l etc .

White to move (+-) (Po sition after 9...~ a 5 ? ) With this unsuspecting qu een so rtie, Black overlooked the shot after to.a xb4! ,*xa l , namely It.lL)d2!!+- trapping the intruder. The locked-in queen could only be saved by sacrificing a piece, and White won conv inci ng ly ( 1-0/30). Note that Il .4Jc5 ? is mistake n becau se of II ... 4Jd4 12.e 3 d6 w ith an uncl ea r position.

On the Side

Shock in the Morning

White to move (±) (Posi tion after 22...§ dS-d7?) 23.Ae5! ,*a5

Black to move (Pos ition after 15.4Jc4-e3!)

Here the queen moves to the far side of the

20

Tactic al Motifs board, allowing White to direct his forces decisively to the kingside. The refutation of the following alternative deservesattention: 23....ftxe5 (23...El,dcl8/8, ed8 24.c4 along with 25..\lxg7 or 25.4Jf6+) 24.dxe5 ~xe5 (24 ...~ x e4 25.El, xe4 A xe 4 is cle arly ad va ntageous for Whit e) 25. ~ b 5!!+ ­ (25...\¥rxb5 26.4:%+ <;tfS 27.Axb5)'

E3.2 N. Mi chaelsen (2439) E. Bacrot (2592) Germ an Bunde sliga 2000

24.Ab5! Ac6 (24 ... ~c6 25. ~d6 +-) 25.A xg7 ~xg7 26.c4!+-

Black to move (-+) Solutions: E3.1: 20.exd5! [20 .g4? ~ x g4 21.fxg4 C22..£Jg2 ~xe4 2 3 . ~f2 \¥rg6 24.c3 b6 , uncl ear ) 22 .. .~ x e 4 23 .4~Jf5 w h 8 , uncl e ar (23 g6? 24.4.Jh6 + A xh6 25.,il xh6±)] 20 Ad7 [I 20....ftxd 5 21..ftxd 5 4.Jxd 5 22.El,xd5 El, xd5 23.g4+-; II 20...4.Jxd 5 2U bd5 (2 1.g4 4Jxe3 22.El, xd8 El, xd 8 23.g xh5 Ac5 24 .~ h l+ -) 21.....\le7 C2 1... El,xd5 22.El,xd 5 ..\le7 23.El, a5 A xh4 24 . ~c3 + ­ ) 22..\l xc6 El, xd l 23. ~xdl b xc624.g3+121.g4 .£\xg4 22.fxg4 A xg4 23 .d6 E!d7 24.E!d2 ~h8 C24 .. .A h 3 25 .4Jg2+-) 25.\\¥Yg3 E!e8? 26.A xf7 1-0 ~xg4 + 22. ~g3

White keeps the queen locked in at as and opens the gates to the royal chamber. Kindly note the x-rays ofthe queen on b2! 26... A xb5 27.d5+ es 28.\\¥yxe5+ ~f8 29.4Jf6 E!dd8 30..£\ xh 7+ ~g8 31..£\f6+ ~f8 32 ..£\ xe8 E!xe8 33.cxb5\\¥Yxb534.E!ac1 1-0

Exercises E3.1 K. Miiller - M. Lindinger Hambu rg (Intern ation al Ch) 1999

E3.2: 1...\\¥Ya6! 0-1 - short and sweet.

White to move (+-) 21

Middlegame Tactics

1.e4 e5 2.4J£3 4Jc6 3.Ab5 d6 4.d4 exd4 5.~xd4 Ad7 6.A xc6 Axc6 7.4Jc3 4Jf6 8.Ag5 Ae7 9.0-0-0 0-0

A2) Sacrificial Attacks (Intuition and Calculation) Wh en both side s launch a mas sive assault again st the opponent's king , or one side sacrifices material to open roads for the attack, special rules are at work. Speeding up the attack and brin ging all forces quickly into it can be more important than materi al.

This position used to be popular a very long time ago , but already in the mid1930s it was seen very rarely in games betw een masters . Despite the fact that this was not a very ambitious-looking defen se (3 ... d 6/ 4 ... ex d-l was call ed "Ur-Steinitz" by Tartako ver), it was by no means refut ed. It simply did not suit th e modern way to look for active count erplay. It is worth mention ing that th e sa me position ca n arise v ia th e Philidor move order (Morphy Variation/ C4 1) l.e4 e5 2.4Jf3 d6 3.d4 ex d4 4. ~ xd4 4Jc6 5 ..\t b 5 .\td7 6 ..\t xc 6 A xc 6 7. 4Jc3 etc . David Bronstein mad e an interesting remark about this position in his book 200 Open Games: " I had this po siti on in hundred s of s im u lta neo u s ga mes . And I faced always a difficult choice, whether I shall pl a y lO. l"!hel o r s a fe ly l O.h 4 pro tecting the bishop g5."

M ikh ail Tal w as the m aster of speculative sacrifices and so he deserves his own section (see chapter A3). We start with several examples to illu strate that very precise play is usually required in such cases , and the second-best move often does not suffice. David LeMoir has built a wh ole theory around this in his book How To Be Lucky in Chess . First we take a fresh look at a classical win by the great tactician Alekhine in a simultaneous displ ay:

Magic on the h-File (Blinded by the Light?) Spanish (C62) A. Alekhine - A. van Mindeno Holland 1933 (simul)

10.h4!? "M orphy always played l"1 h l -e 1 here. A le k hi ne' s mo v e might be e ven stronger. Most imp ortant it protects the bishop that is atta cked twice (ma sked )." ( S ie g be rt Tarrasch in Tarra s ch s Schachze itung, No .6, Dec. 15,1 933.) As 1O.l"1hel is still the main line , we will look at it in more detail: 1 Shortly before the simul Alekhine had play ed the main move and there foll owed 10 ... 4Jd 7?! Il. Axe7 ~ x e 7 12.l"1 e 3 (M . Vidmar's sugge sti on I 2.4Jd5! is stro nger, e.g . 12....\t xd 5 I 3 .e x d 5 ~ f6 I 4. ~ e3 ± with total cont rol of the e-file, U. Andersson Kadiri. Siegen o ly m p iad 1970)

Also in less imp ortant games, even in s im uls, th e former world champ ion played "with full creative inten sit y." (Alexander Kotov) One ofhis nume rous fam ou s creati on s is the foll owing displa y of fireworks , whi ch happened in a sim ultaneous display on 30 boards. Alekhine started a very hazardou s king atta ck with a bi shop sacrifice, the consequences o f which could not be ca lc u la ted o ve r the bo ard . A s the ope ning variatio n was rar el y played a fte rw a rds, th e ga m e ha sn't been studied thoroughly until now.

22

Sacrificial Attacks In his book Das Schacherbe Aljechins, Kot o v c la ime d : " Threatens nothing bec au se takin g th e bi sh op g5 is disadvantageous for Black ." Th e Sov iet Gra ndmaster unfortunately didn 't prove this. A more thorough check would have yielded insight s and cast a shado w on A lekhine' s continuation ll AJd5 (see the end of our analysis).

12...'I':H6 13..£Jd 5 A xd 5 14 .e xd 5 iifxd 4 15.-tixd4 l"! fe8 16.l"! dd 3 l"! xe3 17.l"! xe 3 .£Jb6 18 .c4! with an approximately level en ding , n e verth ele ss 1-0 / 3 7 in A. Alekhine - E. Andersen , Folkeston e 1933. II 10 ... h 6 11 ..l1h 4 -tieS 12. ihe7 \'dxe 7 13 .e 5?! [Too early ! Better are 1 3 . ~~d 2 foll ow ed by 4Jd 4 ( G. Ma roczy ) or 13. 4Jd5 (T. Kosten)] 13.. A xf3 14 .g xf3 ~ g 5 + 15 .<;t>b l?! ( 15.f4, Maroczy) 15...d xe5 16 .l"! xe5 iif g 2 17 .4Jd 5 ~ x h 2 18 .l"! e el? ! (18. f4, Maroczy) 18 ....~c16, and 01/37 in P. Morphy - D. Harrwitz, 2nd match gam e, Paris 1858.

Ko st en rem ark s ( in hi s a bov ementi oned book): " 1O...h6 is a bit too provocati ve. 10...l"! e8 seems more to the point and o nly after 11. l"!hel I recommend 11.. .h 6." The double- edged enterpris e 10.h4 h6 , nowadays very rare, in our opinion has to be measured against continuati ons such as 11.'lt'bl ( 11.. .l"!e8 ; 11. ..4Jg 4 ; 11...hxg5?? fails here due to the lack of checks on the diagon al g5-c I), II .e5 ( II... dx e 5 ; l I.. .h xg 5?!) and Il. A f4 0 1...4Jg4) . So it is not surprising that the authors could find only three games featuring the "Alekhine sacrifice" 4Jd5 (see below).

III 1O...l"! e8 ("Other ideas involving the exchange of the dark -squ ar ed bishop are worse," Kosten ) 1l.<;t>bl , and after this useful proph ylaxis Wh ite has the fre er g am e , a c c o rd ing to sev er a l theoretical works. However, the English Grandmaster Tony Kosten a lso thinks (in Winning with the Philidor ) that the continu at ion s 11.. .h6! ? l" . . .a useful move reliev ing Black of any later backrank probl ems at no co st o f time" (l2 .A h4 ~d7 id e a ~g4 ; 12... ~ b 8 ! ? ) 1 and lI.. . ~ b 8 ! ? (" w ith the ide a . . . b5 and .. . ~ b 7 sta rting active operations on the queenside . . .") are playabl e. lO ...h6!?

Tarrasch co nde m ned Black 's play extremely sharply in his chess magazine: "With 1O...h6? Black starts a help-mate combination. It is well-kn own that the pawns shielding the king sha ll not be moved without good reason except the king needs a road to enter the frame at the end of the middlegame. ~d8-c 8- e6 was bett er. But Black is still wo rse."

Chessfortune is with the courageous, but th e in gen iou s wo rld cha m pio n, whose extremel y sharp play was we ll known , goes too far. In the chess pre ss, acce pting the sac rifice wa sn't chec ked thorou ghl y because it was believed to 23

Middlegame Tactics bri lliantly. 11...c?Jxd 5 was called for." ( Ro is man) ; a nd " Pr o ba b ly a miscalcul ation . Black hop ed to de fend s uc c e s s fu lly afte r 1 2.h xg 5 . B ut a surprise awai ted him." (Kotov).

be bad. The opinions ofTarrasch and M. BlUmich (in Deutsche Schachzeitung, No. I , Janua ry 1934) we re joined first by Kotov, then by P. Keres/E. Ge ller (in the Yugo s lav En cyclopaedia of Chess Openings) . Later annotators (A. Roisman in 400 Ku rzpartien and T. Schuster in Unvergessene Schachp artien) even set an " !", Only the Danish Grand master Bent Larsen cast do ubt on this assumption at the beginning ofthe I970s . He suggested improvements for the defense and his analysis inspired the authors to dig deeper. Kosten ( in his 199 2 book ) j udg es A lekhines sacrifice with "?', brilliant but flawed," and for the rest refers to Larsen.

In th e gam e B. Lcngyel- van Hommel, B iel 1981 (M a st er Op en B) the Hungarian master followed Alekhine. B ut hi s o p po nent go t wind of th e d an g e r : 1 1.. ..8 e 8 ? 01.. ..£J xel5 ? 1 2 .e xd 5 .Q d 7 ~ ) 1 2 .l"\h3? (W hi te incre ases the tension and think s that if Black acce pts the sac rifice , doubling roo ks wi ll gi ve hi m e no ugh pl ay ) 12 ...h xg 5! (Take courage !) 13A2l xe 7+ ~xe7 1 4 .h xg 5 (and now ?) 14 ..:'::he 4? (For the analys is of this cr iti ca l phase see below. But, dear rea de r, please look there onl y when yo u co me to th e end of th e d iscu ssio n!) 15 ..8 elh I ? [15 .g xf6 ~ x el 4 16 .i£l xel4 06 .Ehel4?! g xf6) 16 . ..gx f6 17 . .8 c 3 ~ ] 15 . ..i£lh 7 16 ..8 xh 7?! 0 6 . ~d 3 ~ x el 3 17. c xel3 ~ f8 18 ..8 xh7 A el5 !?) 16 . .. ~ x h 7 17 ..8 xh 7 ~ x h 7 18 .g 6+ ~ x g 6

In terms of tactics train ing, we can see how dan gerou s this assault still is. An ex perience d G ra nd mas ter and other strong masters pre ferred not to accept the sac rifice because the dangers could not be fores een, and they added that it wa s even more unlikely for them to ca pture the piece in a tournam ent ga me . S uch pragm atic co ns iderations were also made by Tarrasch , who advised not to accept a sac rifice ifthe consequences ca nnot be calc ulated to the end.

1 9 . ~g4 +

~ f6

20. ~ g 5+

2 1 .i£l d 4 +

~ c1 7

22.~x g 7

~e6

,Q, c1 5 2 3. ~g4 + Ae6 24 . ~ f3 c 6 25 .g4 .8e 7 ~ , neverth eless 1-0/3 5, so " back to the roo ts."

Th e opinions of modern chess teachers a re di ffe ren t. Ma rk Dvo re tsk y, for exa mple, said, " Readiness to take risks is required in attac k and defen se in the sa me prop o rti on ." T he re are good reasons for the sayi ng , "A sacrifi ce can only be refuted by acceptin g it."

12. -2l xe7+ Tarrasc h, Kotov and other annotators gave an "! " to this move. Th e alternative 12.h xg5 is certai nly not what Wh ite w anted, as is sho wn by th e pr osaic 12 .. .i£l xd 5 ( i£lg4 ??/ i£l h 7 ?? 13 .8 h 5) 13 .e xd 5 A xg 5 + 14 .i£l xg5 ~xg5 + 15 .f4 ~ x d 5 1 6 . ~ x el 5 ,Q,xd 5 17 .l"\ xd 5 =+= 0 7 ...g 6) .

11...hxg5!

Many annotato rs though t that this move was wrong . So me words o f bla me : " Black can't withstand the temptatio n." (Tar rasc h) : " Accepting th e sac ri fice lead s to di saster as A lekhi ne shows

12... ~x e7

24

13 . h x g5

Sacrificial Attacks Analysis A) 14••. ~ xd4 (not reall y decreasing the pressure) Aa) 15.EI xd4?! (Th e rook lift to the kin g s ide .9. d 1-d 4 - h 4 is not the strongest option as Wh ite ' s kn ight f3 ha s problem s ent e r ing th e fra y) 15... -'l,d7(!) (The only move in view of the deadl y th re ats .9. c1 h 4/.§. d g 4) 16.EIdh4 06. 4Je S A fS 17. 4Jg4 A e 6; 16. 4Jg S A fS) 16•. .g xf6 17.EIh8+ 07 .g4 .9. a e 8 ) 17... \!7g7 18.EI1h7+ D 8 ..9. Sh 7 + leads to nothing, if Black s po ts 18 ...'i'1t g8 08 ... 'i'1tg6?? 19 ..9. 1h 5 ! with unavoidable mate) 19. .9. h8 + 'i'1tg7 20. Ei 8 h 7 + 'i'1tg8.J 18... \!7g6 19.4Jh4+ \!7g5 20.EIg7+ \!7f4 (The far-flung king can hold his own asto nishingly well!) 21.EIh6 ( 21 ..9. xf7 ?? Eixh 8 22 .4:\g6 + ~g 5 23 .4Jxh 8 A f 5!- +) 21.••-'l,e6! 22.EI xf6+ \!7e5 23.EIh6 EIh8 24.4Jf3+ \!7d5 25.EIg5+ \!7c6 26. 4:\d4+ \!7b6= /un clear (b ut not 26 ... \t>c17? 27 ..9. xe 6 !! fxe 6 28 ..9. g7 + \t>c8 29.4:\b 5±) .

The Encyclopaedia a/Chess Openings (C") g ives White compensation due to his attack and ends with a refe rence to our game. The idea ofthe sacrifice wa s not only to open the h-file, but also to defl ect the defending knight. So , what next'! We investigate the knight moves 13... 4Jxe 4 , 13... 4Jh7, 13... 4Jd 7 and the pea cemaking attempt 13... ~ xe4, alb eit in a different order. The reader shall use his own intuition to choose the r ight can d id at e move after so me thought.

I

The

Peacemaking

Attempt

13... ~ xe4 wants to steer into quieter waters by returning th e piece. But even a fter the exch an ge of queens, White's attack continues . A ft e r 0 3 .. . ~ x e 4 ?) 14.gxf6 the pawn f6 emerges as a very disturbing wedge , and th e resulting tact ical complications demand high preci sion.

Ab) 15.4:\ xd4! (The kn ight advances powerfully to the front, while the rook d I can join the attack via d3 or h 1. Now Black 's bi shop ha s to s up po rt the defense.) Ab1) 15...-'l,d7 [l5 ...g xf6? 16 ..9. c13 A e4 0 6 ... .9. fe S 17. 4:\f5+-) 17 .Eig3+ Ag6 18. f4 c 5 19. 4:\b5 a6 09 ... f5 20. 4:\xd 6 ~ g 7 21.4:\xb7 .9. d 5 22.Eid1 +-) 20.4J xd 6 Ei a d 8 21. 4:\xb7+-; 15 ... Ei fe S? 16. 4:\f5 Ei e 5 17. 4:\ xg7! 0 7 .4Je 7+ Ei xe7 18 .fxe 7 E! e 8±) 17 ... .9. g 5 18 .E!c14 E!g6 19 .4:\f5 E! xf6 20 .E!g4+ E! g6 2 1. 4:\e7 + ~g7 22 .4Jxg 6 fxg 6 23 .f3 +-) 16.EId3! and now : 25

Middlegame Tactics AbU) 16...§fd817.f'lg3 g61 S.f4 idea f5, f'lgh3+A b l2) 16...a6 17 .f'lg3 g6 l S.f4+p la n n ing l S...cS 19 .fS cx d4 20.f'lgh3 fo llowed by mate. A b 13) 16... §ae8 17. f'lg 3! 0 7 .4:JbS?! JU S) 17 ...g6 l S.f4 f'le 4 O S...cS 19.fS exd 4 20. f'lgh3 f'l e 1+ 21 .B xe 1 A xfS 22. B h2 .Q.g'l 23.B e h 1 A h S 24.g4 +-) 19.fS .§feS 20.fxg6 (20. (J e 6 B Sxe 6 2l .fxe 6 A xe 6 ) 20 ...B e 1 + [20 ...fxg6? 21. B xg6+ 'i:!t f7 22 .B g7 + 'i:!t xf6 23.B xd 7 B xd 4 24 .B xc7 B b 4 (24 ... B e 2 2S.Bd 1 B xd 1+ 26 . ~ xd1 B xg 2 27. f'lxb7+ -) 2S. Bh6+ ~ e S 26 .B h h7 ± / +- ] 21. Bxel B xe 1+ 22. ~d2 § e 4 (22 ... f'lf}? 23 .g xf7+ ~x f7 24 .Bg7 + ~eS 2S .(J f3+-) 2 3 . ~d 3 dS (23 Bg4? 24 .B xg 4 .Q.xg4 2S .g7+-; 23 B f4? 24 .g xf7 + 'i:!t xf7 2S .B g7+ 'i:!te S 26 .Be7+ ~d S 27 .(Je 6 + A xe 6 2S .B xe6 ~ d 7 29 .Be7 + 'i:!td 8 30 .B f7 B g4 3 1. ~e3! + -) 24 .gxf7 + ~ x f7 2S.Bg7 + ~ eS 26 .(Jf3 !? B e 6 27 .g4 B xf6 2S .(J e S A b S+ 29 .Wd 4 'i:!t d S 30.Wxd S B d6 + 3 1.'i:!te4 B d 2 32.e 4 A e S 33 .(J d3 ± Ab14) 16... §fe8 17.Bg3! [17.(J bS!? B ac8 l S.(J e3! (plan (J d S+-) 18...e6 O S gxf6 19 .B g 3+ Wf8 20. (J d5 +; 18 .Q.e 6 19 .Bg3 g6 20 .(J dS !+-) 19 .B xd 6 ± J 17 ...g6 I S. f4 B e 4 (l 8 ...eS? 19.f5 exd4 20. Bgh 3 B e 1+ 2 1.Bxe 1 .Q. xf5 22.B h2 pl an B e h 1, g4 +-) 19.fS ± , and after 19...B ae8 (20.fxg6 etc.) we have reac hed by tran sposition the same position as in variation Ab 13 (16...§ ae8) . Ab2) 15 . ...Q,e4 16.§h4 11 6 B a e S? 17 .f4! pl an 16 A g 6? 17 .f4 gx f6 1 8 . ~ b S gxf6 1 9 . ~ x d6 +-)

e S 19 A:Jf5 09 .abS f5 20 .BgS is interesting as well) 19...B fd8 20. h l ! B d 7 ( 20 ...d 5 2 1. !Zlg3 f5 22 .4JxfS plan c~g3 , f5+-) 21.4Jg3+-] 17.4Jb5 [Or 17 . f3 (After 17 . f4?! foll o ws 17 g xf6, which was impossible after 16 B a e 8 ) 17 ... g6 18 .f4 gx f6 0 8 .Q.e 4? 19. B g 4 +- ) 19 .fS 0 9 .B g 4? B e 4) 19 . ..eS 20 .f xg 6 c xcl4 21. gxf7+ Wxf7 22 .B h xd 4 ± .J 17... §ac8 18'(J xa7 §a8 19.§dhl g xf6 20. !Zlb5 §ac8 (20 . ..B xa 2?? 21. B h 8 + , xeS plu s xe 4 +- ) 21. §h8+ ( 21. (J xe7 B xe7 22. B h8 + ~ g 7 23 .BxeS B xc 2+ 2 4 . ~ b 1 A f5 2 5 . ~a 1 B xfU) 21 ... ~g 7 22.§ xe8 § xe823.§el± B) 14... §fe8 (This attempt to improve on the last variation gives White the option to avoid the exchange of queens) 15 .ti'd2! (lS .B d 3 .Q.d 7 !?; 1 5 .'~ e 3 ~ f4 + 16 .'i:!tb1 ~ x f6 ; 15 .Bh 3 ~ x cl 4 16. (Jx d 4 g xf6 17 . Be3 ~ ; lS .fxg7 ~ x d4 16 .(J xd 4 ~ ) 15... ti' g 6 (If l S... ~ g 4 ? ? th en 16 .B h 3! and a fter .Q. xf3 o r ~ x g 2 follows 17.Bdh1+-) 16.fxg7 ti' xg7 17.§h5!? a -rs 11 7...A e4 18. Bg5 .Q.g6 19 .!Zlh4 B e 5 20 .B xe S ~ x e 5 (20 .. .d xe5 21. !Zlx g 6 ~x g6 22 . ~ d 5 ±) 21. !Zlxg6 fxg6 22 .§ el ±] 18.gxf3 §e6 I1S...B e S 19 .Bxe5 ~xe5 09 .. .d xe5 ? 2 0 . ~ (7) 20. B e 1 & f6 2 1. ~a 5 ± J 19.§g5 §g6 20.§dgl §e8 21.§ xg6 fxg6 22. ti'd5+ ~f8 23.ti'xb7± [23 ... ~ h 6 + 2 4. ~ b 1 ~ cl 2 (24 ... ~ g 5 25.B h 1 ~ d 2 26 .a 3) 25.a3 ~ x f2 26. § xg6 B e l + 2 7 .~ a 2 « « : 28 . ~c8+ § e8 29 . ~ g 4 ± J.

§fe8!? f5 + - ; 0 7 .. .c 5 l S.B g4!

II The Game 13 .. .4Jxe 4

26

Continuation

Sacrificial Attac ks

15.,E!dh1 f6 05..J5? doesn 't protect e5 and is pu nished by 16. 4:Je 5!!+- or

look s most natur al and active but pours oi l on the flam es as it depr ives Black of the v ital options ~ x e 4 an d A xe4. Tarrasch wrote , " W hy not? W hi te 's qu een can' t ge t to the h-file !"

.. ~

~.e

''... '''' ';.'' .... 3r~.'/"-. .~ ..L ~~

.

~~@

~ .... ~~ 3r~ ~_e;: . ..L

•.

'~A~:£r ~~f. .. '. [Il ~~l·~ ~'0"'/,<

insu fficient) , and the case is getting more and mo re co mplicated, e.g.:

~ ~~ < ~

Ab I) 16...g xf6? (After 16...tLJxf6??

~

~ • :

[Il

16.l"lh7 ~g6 1 7 .~c4 + d5 18.l"l h8+ ~f7 1 9. "~e5+ ~e6 20.4:J xg6 +-) 16.gxf6! (I 6.E1 h8+? ~f7 17 . l"l x f8+ ~x f8 1 8. gx f6 l"l e8. 1 6. ~c4 + ? d5 17 . ~d3 w f7 and 16 . ~ d3? ~f7 17.gxf6 ~xf6 + - a re

~

~

i~

[Il ~ ~4J~ ~ f~~ .

8 r~8 ~

~ ~

17 . ~g5+ - dem onstrates an advan tage of 14.l"l h2 ove r the ga me con tinua tion 14.l"lh5) 17. ~c 4+! (W h ite forces a wea keni ng of the diagon al a3-fS , which allows him to attack wi th all his forces)

f~ ~~

r~ 8 ~

~g ~

·.gl

A) In fact, White's atta ck is very stro ng a ft er 14.,E!h2l! 0 4 .l"l h3!! is just as strong from o ur point of vi ew, but 14.l"lh4? loses, though it goes too far to pro ve th at here . T he ga m e co ntinuatio n 14.l"l h5? is deal t wi th in va ria tio n B), e.g.:

17... d5 18.,E!h8+ ~f7 19.,E!8h7+ ~g8 (19 .. . ~ e 6 20.~d 4+ Wd 6 (20 ... ~ e 5 21. l"l l h 5 + +-) 21. ~b4 + ~ c 5 22 . ~f5+ We 5 23 .l"ll h5+-) 20. ~b4! +- (Black is surro unde d by e nemy h ea v y p ie c e s , e .g. 20 ... a5 21. §h8 + w f7 22. § l h 7 + We 6 23.4:Jd4+ We 5 24 .§e7+ or 20... ~g6 21 . ~e 7 § f7 22 .§ h8 + Wg7 23 .§ 1h 7 + ~ x h 7 24 .l'' lxh7+ Wxh 7

Aa ) Alekhine's Patent After 14. .. ~ c 6? W hite ca n wi n analogous ly to the game: 15.,E!dh1 f5 16.l£)e5!! (Li ke Alekhine ' s bri lli ant move in th e game. A b it more co mplicate d is 16.g6 ~ x g6 17.4:Je 5!!

25 . ~xf7 + , a nd afte r ~ h6 or ~ h 8 fo llo ws 26. 4:Jd 4) .

Ab2) 16... ~ g 6 [16... ~e6? 17 .fxg7 §fe8 18. §h8+ w f7 1 9 . 98 ~ + l"l xg8 20 .§ 1h 7+ We 8 (20 .. . ~ g 6 21.4:Jh4+ Wg5 2 2 . ~e 3 + fo llowed by m a t e in t w o ) 21. ~g 7+- (4:Jf6 22 . ~g6 + etc .)] 17.fxg7 [I 7 . ~ c 4+? d5 18 .l"lh8+ Wf7 19 .4:Je 5+ 0 9 .§x f8 + Wxf8 20. § h8+ ~ f7 21. 4:Je 5 + ~x f6 22.~ xc6+ bxc 6 23 .4:Jx g6 l"l xh S 24. 4:J xh 8-+) 19 ...Wxf6 20. l"lxfS+ ~xe 5 21. ~b4 § xf8 22. ~e7+ Wf5 2 3 . ~xf8+ ~f6- + ] 17... ,E!fe8 18. ,E!h8+ ~ f7 19.98~+ ,E! xg8 20.,E!lh7+ ~ c 6 21.,E!h6!? [ 2 1. ~ c 4 + Wf6 e2L.d5? 22.~b4) 22.~d4+ We6=] 21...,E!xh8

~g 5 + 18. ~b1 ~ h 6

19 .1"lxh6 gx h6 2o. 4:Jxc6 bxc6 21. l"lx h6 +-) 16... d xc5 [16 ... ~ x e 5 (16 ... g6 17. l"lh8+ Wg7 18 .l"llh 7 m ate ) 1 7. ~ x e 5 d xe5 18 .g6 fo llowe d b y ma te] 17.g6 ~x g 6 18. ~c4+. As Black is forced to block his escape route via f7, l"l h8 mate can foll ow.

Ab) The Case Gets More and More Complicated after 14 ... ~e8! ? (Black pla ns to ope n an esc ape route for hi s king via f7-f6 and g uard the s q uares e5 a nd g6)

27

Middlegame Tactics

.ad5 19.§xe4 .axc4 20.§eh4 followed by mate on h8) 18.~xd5+ f!f7 19..£Ie5 (19.g xf7+) 19 ... f!af8 20.gxf7+ f!xf7 21.f!h8+ \t>xh8 22 ..£Ig6+ \t>h7 23 ..£Ixe7 f!xe7 24.~xf5+ \t>g8 25.~xf2+-. Ac3) 15 ... f!f6 (the only move) 16.f!dhl f!xg6 17.f!h8+ \t>f7 18.f!xa8 f!xg2 19.~c4+! d5 [l9 ~e6 (19 ... ~f6? 20.~g8; 19 ~g6? 20.§ah8) 20.§f8+ ~e7 21.~xe6+ ~xe6 22.4:Jd4+ ~e7 (22 ... ~e5?? 23.§xf5+ ~xd4 24.§dl + ~c4 25.b3+ ~c3 26.§d3+ ~b4 27.§d4+ ~a3 28.§a5+ M,a4 29.§axa4 mate) 23.§xf5 M,d7 24.f3! 4:Jf6 25.§a5 a6 26.§a3::!;] 20.~d4 (Now White can exploit the weakness of e5) 20 ... .£Ixf2 [20 ... §xf2? 21.4:Je5+ ~e6 22.4:Jd3 §f3 23.~e5+ ~f7 (23 ... ~d7?? 24.§el!) 24.§c8±] 21 ..£Ie5+ \t>e6 22. f!el! .£Ie4 23. .£Id3 with an enduring white initiative.

22.f!xg6+ \t>f5 23.b4! f!hl+ 24.\t>b2 \t>xg6 25.b5, and White's prospects seem slightly better (25...l"!e8 26.bxc6 b6 27.g3 §h5 28.4:Jh4+ ~f7 29.f3 4:Jf6). Ab3) 16...\t>f717.f!h4 (with the threat 18.fxg7 §g8 19.§f4+ ~e7 20.§xe4+ M,xe4 21.~xe4+ ~d7 22.~xb7+-, while after 17.fxg7 §g8 18.§h4 §xg7 19.§f4+ ~g8 20.§fu4 ~f7= there seems to be only repetition) 17...f!g8 [All the alternatives seem to lose, e.g. 17...4:Jxf6? 18.4:Jg5+ ~g6 19.~d3+!+-; or 17 ... g xf6? 18.§h7+ ~g8 (18 ... ~e6 19.~c4+ d5 20.4:Jd4+ +-) 19.~c4+ d5 20.~b4!+- with transposition to the line AbI.] 18.fxg7 [18. §xe4 is probably too optimistic: 18 ... M,xe4 19.4:Jg5+ ~g6 20.4:Jxe4 (20.f7?! ~c6 21.4:Jxe4 §h8) 20 ~e5 21.~d3 d5!?] 18... f!xg7 (18 4:Jf6?? 19.4:Jg5+ ~xg7 20.§h7+ followed by mate in three) 19.f!f4+ \t>g8 20.f!fh4 and we have again reached the draw mentioned above.

sm-.

Ad) A Solid and Safe Way is 14... .£Ixg5!? (This is a way to simplify the position before the complications get too hot) 15.f!h8+ (15.~h4?? f6) 15 ... \t>xh8 16.~h4+ \t>g8 17..£Ixg5 ~xg5+ 18.~xg5 f!fe8;;l;;/=. After this forced sequence the position is approximately level, e.g. 19.§hl (19.f4 §e2 20.g4 M,e4) 19 ... §e6 20.f3 §ae8 21.~f5 f6 or 20.~h5 §h6 21.~dl §g6 22.~h5.§h6. Back to the game:

Ac) A Tough Fight Arises After 14... f5!? the black monarch is forced to leave his castle and enter the open field. [After 14...f6?, on the other hand, he would be dead soon: 15.g6 ~e8 16. ~c4+ d5 17.§xd5 ~xg6 (17 .. .'?tfe6 18.§dh5) 18.§dh5+ followed by mate.] 15.g6

Ac 1) 15... ~e6?/~f6? allows 16.f!dhl ~xg6 17..£Ie5!!+-

B) The Game Continuation 14.f!h5?

Ac2) 15... .£Ixf2? 16.~c4+ d5 17.f!xd5 j;txd5 (17 ... ~e6 18.§h8+! ~xh8 19.~h4+ ~g8 20.~h7 mate; 17 ... ~e4 18.§d4+

Alekhine's obvious ("Protects g5 and threatens to double the rooks", Tarrasch) but faulty response. On this

28

Sacrificial Attacks e5, so that ~c4+ can't be answered by d6-d5 " (Blumich). 16... d xe5 [After 16 ... ~ x e S White w in s w ith e ith er 17 . ~xeS ( d xe S 18 .g 6) or 17 .g6 ~ f4 + 1 8 . ~ e 3 08 ... ~ h 6 19 .§ xh 6 gxh6 20 . ~x h6 fo llowe d by mate in one)] 17.g6, and Black resigned - 1-0 (\ 7 ... ~ x g 6 1 8 . ~ c 4+ plu s §h 8#). This exciting game set an example for "might goes before right", but as a relic ofthe romantic era it remains inspiring!

forward post the rook can be bothered and so the attacker faces problem s at an unpleasant moment. Nevertheless, Kotov pronounced the verdict: " Black has no satisfactory defense against the doubling of the rooks on the h-file. A nice finish follows."

Bb) Further Bad Ideas are shown by the following collect ion: - 14... .£lxg5?? l S.4JxgS+- with the threat § h8+ and mate 14... .£lf6?? l S.gxf6 ~ x f6 16. §dh1+- 14... Ae8?? lS .§ dh1 fS 16. ~dS+ and mate on h8 - 14 §fe8?? lS .§ dh1+- 14 .£lxf2? l S.§ e1 ! (l S . ~h4? fS; l S . ~ x f2?! g6!?) l S... ~ x e 1 + OS,.. 4Je4 ?? 16. § eh1 +- ; l S,. .Ae4?? 1 6. ~ xf2 g6 17.§ h 4 d S 18 .§ eh1 +) 16. 4Jxe1 4Je 4 1 7. ~ e 3 § fe 8 1 8 . ~h 3 ""'f 8 19. 4Jf3 ""'e 7 20 .4Jd4 g6 21. 4Jxc6 + b xc6 22 .E! h 7 dS 2 3. ~ h2 4Jd 6 ± - 14... .£lg3? l S.fxg 3 ~ e 4 OS,.. f6 16 .E! e1 ~ fl 17. ~ h4 ~g 6 18 .E! e7 +- ; l S... A e 4 16 .E! dhl f6 17. g 6 A xg6 1 8. ~d S+ Afl 19. E!h8 mate; lS .,. Ax f3 16 .g xf3) 16 .E!dh1 f6 17 .g 6! ~ x g 6 1 8 . ~ c 4+ dS 1 9. ~f4 ~ e 8 09 ... E! a c8 20 .E! h8+ ""'f7 21 .4JeS+) 20 . ~ x c7 ~ d 7 21.4Je S! fxeS 22. ~xeS ~ g 4 23 .E! h 8 + ""'f7 24.E!f1 + ""'g6 2S .E!hxf8+- .

Ba) 14... ~e6? (game) was remarkably branded as a mistake by Tarrasch ("Black had to use th is temp o for careful and circumspect defense, instead of threaten ing mate in tw o with ~ x a 2 and ~ a 1 , as White already threatens mate in one. ") and much later by Larsen, but both made di fferent suggestions to impr ove on Black 's play. The text move allows the well-kn own final 15.§dhl f5 16..£le5!!+-

!~t ~~~~~~ ~I

~~ ~ ~~/~ .~. . ,~:l~~~,.

~ ~~{ 3~ r~1fj a

~~~~~~"~ ~ ~.Y ~

'~1fj'~~~ '/~ ~~" d~~ a

"A surprising sacrifice by the help of which White occupies the black king 's only flight square f?" (Kotov). "The knight move shall lure the pawn d6 to

Be) The Shaky Candidates 14... f6?!/ 14 ... ~e8?! Bel) 14...f6?! with the idea of ~e8 ­ g6 is insufficient, as White can increase

29

Middlegame Tactics his control over the weak square g6. Tarrasch tried to improve the defense in this way: "With f7-f6! gS-g6 ~e8! Black had to attack the dangerous pawn, that threatens to occupy the only flight square of the king." The exclamation marks are given, but unfortunately the appropriate proofs are missing. So we continue: 15.g6 ~e8 16.4Jh4! [16.i£tc4+? dS 17.ElhxdS C17.EldxdS ~xg6-+) 17 ... ~xg6 18.:zjh4 ~xdS 19.ElxdS

Bd) The Best Defense 14... f5! strengthens the outpost e4 and allows a flexible resistance on the sixth rank. After 15.g6 Black's monarch nevertheless is under pressure again. [After 15.Eldhl(?) wt7! he could breath freer: 16.g6+ C16.~xg7+ ~xg7 17.Elh7+ ~gS 18.l''lxe7 Elf7 19.ElhS+ ~xhS 20. Elxf7 ElgS-+; 16.Elh7 Elg8 17.g6+ ~fS-+) 16 ... ~e8 17.Elh7 c:.Jf6 lS.Ele1 ~e4 -+.]

C19.\~xdS+ ~f7 20.~xe4 ~xa2-+)

.E~

19... t~Yh6+ -+ respectively 17 ... ~e6 18.ElhS ~xc4 19.Elclh1 ~fl+ 20.Elxfl ~eS-+] 16... 4Jg3!? [l6 f5? 17.Elh1 plan ~xf5+-; 16 ElclS? 17.~f5! (also 17.Ele1 f5 lS.Elh1 ~f6 19. ~xf5+-) 17 ... Eld7 lS.~c4+ cl5 19.~b4!+-] 17.fxg3 ~e2 18.fIh7 J1,e4 19. ~c3 J1,xg6 20.4Jxg6 ~xh7 21.4Jxf8+ fIxf8 22.~xc7 ~xg2 23. xd6 fIc8 24. ~d3+ ~g8 25. ~g6 + =.

w

8.8:

'~.~'~~~ ~~ it ~ ~.a.f.'

~

~

~

~

~~d'·i 'r$.··.".~~~~~ ~g~~ ~. ~

d.1 :p~ d.1 ~

~~ d.1 ~

Analysis Bdl) 15... ~e6!? (forms, together with 14 ... f5 1 , a remarkable defense originating from Larsen. It is much more clever to make the moves ~e6 and [5 in the other order, compared with the game, but the play remains complicated) 16.4Je5 [The best chance. Alternatives are 16.Eldhl? ~xg6 17.~c4+ C17.c:.Je5 ~xh5 18.Elxh5 dxe S -+) 17 ... d5 18.~d4 C1S.ElhS+ ~f7 19.~e5+ ~f6 20.~xg6 ElxhS 2l.Elxh8 ElxhS 22.~d4+ ~xg6 -+) 18 ... ElaeS 19.~e5 Elxe5 20.~xeS ~d6-+; 16. ~c4?? ~xc4 (also 16 ... d5 17. Eldh1 ~ x g 6 , see previous line) 17.Eldh1 ~fl+ lS.Elxfl ~e8 C18 ~f6-+) 19.~h4 Elf6-+] 16 fIfe8!? [16... ~ x a 2 ! is much stronger (probably even winning) as the reader can verify.

Bc2) 14... ~e8?! 15.fIdhl f6 16.gxf6! 4Jxf6! (This attack on the rook h5 leaves White little choice, whereas the alternatives (16 ... gxf6?/~f7?/~e6?/~g6?), in contrast to the 14.Elh2-variation, all play into White's hands) 17.fIh8+ ~f718.4Jg5+~g619.fIxf8~xf8 20.~d3+!! 4Je4! [20 ... ~xg5?

(21. .. ~g4 22.Elh4+ mate) 22.Elfl + ~g5 (22 ... ~e5 23.~f5+ followed by mate) 23.~f5+ ~h4 24.Elf4+ ~g3 25.~g5+ ~g4 (25 ... ~h2 26.~h4+ ~gl 27.~f2+ ~h2 2S.Elh4 mate) 26.i:1xg4 ~h2 27.~h4+ ~xg2 28.~f2+ ~h3 29.Elh4 mate] 21.4Jxe4 ~f4+ 22.lf)d2+ ~f5 with an unclear position. 21.f4+

~

... r~ ~ ..L ~..L0 ~

~xf4

~xh4 23.~h3

30

Sacrificial Attacks 21.\'f e7 .cZlfl-+) 18...wfl 19.4:1e5+ w f6

We give a sample variation: 17.b3 ~f6! 0 8.4Jxc6 0 8 .8 h2 A e 4!) 11:>...bxc6 19.B h4 8 th 8! 20. 8 d h 1 w f8 21.8h8+ We 7 22.B8 h7 '&a3 + plan .. .8 b 4!)] 17.§dhl ~ f8 18.4J xc6 [18.8 h8+ We 7 19 . cZl xc6 + Wel7 0 9 .. .b xc6?? 20.'&xg7+ +- (The line " 14...f5! 15.g6 \if e6 1 6 . ~ e 5 8 fe l:> 17 .8 elh 1 w f8 18 .8h8+ We 7 19 ...£J xc6 + w d 7 and Bl ack has a ll th e c ha nce s" was advocated by Larsen in his booklet Why .VOI th e Phi lidor D ef en s e ? C hess Digest. Dall as. Texas 197 I). There co uld follow 20.8 xe8 8 xe8 21.cZla 5 (2 1...£J xa7? '&xa 2 n .b 3 ( 5) 21. ..'&xg6 + J 18 ~xg6 [18...b xc6?? 19 .Bh8+ ; 18 4Jf6? 19 .Bh l:> + 0 9. '&xf6+?? gxf6 20. 8h 8+ ~l g l:» 19 .. .4Jg8 20.4:1a 5 b6 21. cZl c4 '&xg6 22 .GZl e3 ;!; ] 19.4Ja5 09. 8h8+ w f7 20 .\ifd5+ iiie6 2 1.iifxe6 + Wxe 6 + ) 19 b6 20.4Jc4 (20 AJc6 'i¥f e6 ) 20 4Jf6+ , and White's compensation fo r th e sac rifice d pawn aga in is insufficient.

2o ...£J xg 6 2:xh 8 - +.1 16... §fe8 17.§dhl ~f8-+ 0 8 . ~f3 'ii'txg6 or iiixel4). and White's attack has petered out.

ITI The Offense Is Stopped by 13... 4Jd7!?, and Black retain s a healthy extra pawn at the end. Let us spring all the mines!

Analysis A) 14.§h4? f5 !, a nd now e ithe r lS. ~c4+ ~f7 16.g6 ~x c 4 17.§dhl ~fl+ 18.§ xfl §fe8 19.e xf5 0 9 .Bfh l w f8 20 .exf5 We7-+) 19... A xf3 20.g xf3 4Jf6-+ o r 15.§dhl ~ f 7 16. ~ xg7+ 06 .8 h 7 8 g8 17 .\if c4 + '&e 6 18 .,& xe 6 + Wxe6 19 .4Jel4+ We 5- +) 16... ~ xg717.§h7+ ~g8 1 8 . § x e7 §ae8 19.§ xe8 0 9 .8 e h 7 B xe 4) 19... § xe8 20.e xf5 A xf3 21.g xf3 §eS-+

Bd2) 15... ~f6 ! [Most preci se: Wh ite 's qu een is attacke d and g7 remain s prot ected . 15 ... 8 f6? (after 15...'i¥fe8?? fo llow s aga in th e brilli ant 16 .4Je 5!!+- ) 16 .8d hl 8 xg6 17 .8hl:> + w f7 18 .8 xa8 B xg 2 19 .iiic4+ d5 20 .iiid 4 tran sp ose s to th e li ne 14.8h 2! f5?! ; see the remark s to the game continuation 14.8h5?] 16.4Jes [16. Bd h1 iiixg6 again transposes to 15. .. .iiie6 16. 8 d h l? iiixg6 (s ee und er Bd I). 16.iiic4+ is refuted by ideas we have already discus sed (see und er 15...iiie6 ): 16 .. .d5 17 .8 dh1 0 7 .8xel5 ?? iiie6 18. Bel 1 iiixc4 19 .8el h l iiifl + 20 .E!x fl 4Jf6 -+ ) 17 ... iiixg6 18 .8h8+ 0 8 .iiid4 8 ae8 19 .4Je5 8 xe5 20 .iiixe 5 4:1el6

B) 14.§h2? ~ xe4 15.§dhl f6 16.gxf6 ~xd4 17.4J xd4 4Jxf6-+ 08. 4:1e6 8 a e 8 ) C) 14.e5! With the necessary verve and

the aim to transfer the queen to the hfile. Ca) 14 ...A xf3? 15. ~h4 f516.e xf6! g xf6 06...4Jxf6? 17 .g xf3! and now 31

Middlegame Tactics After 19 ..."l¥If6! Sl ack has a health y extra pawn, but there's still a tough fight in s to re fo r hi m ( 20.iilh 7+ 'll'tf7 21. "l¥Ih 5+ / "l¥I d 3 'll't e7 ).

e .g . 17 ...'t!1e5 18 .g6 't!1 h5 19.'t!1 xh5 -tlxh 5 20.8x h 5 8 fe8 21.8 d h 1 w f8 22.8f5+! +- ) 17.g xf3 f xgS , and White has to deliver perpetual che ck, e.g . 18. 'l!Yh8+ C1 8 .8 d g 1?? 't!1 e1+) 18 <;!l1 f 7 19.'l!YhS+ <;!l1f6 09 Wg8?? 20 .8 dg l) 20. 'l!Yh6+=. Cb) 14 ... d xeS?? IS. 'l!Y h 4 fS 16.E! xd7! Ax d 7 17.4) xeS+ 07 ...'t!1 xe 5 18 .g6) Cc) 14... fS?? IS.'l!Yc4+! 0 5.t1h4?? .il xf3 16 .exd 6 't!1 e4 17 .'t!1h 7+ w f7 18 .g6+ Wf6 19. 9 xf3 't!1 f4+- + re s pe ct ive ly 16. g xf3 4Jxe 5- +) IS ...dS 05 .. .'t!1 f7/ 8 f7 16 .e 6+- ) 16.'l!Yh4 (wi th the th reats 17.'t!1h7+ 'll'tf7 18 .'t!1 h5+ g6 19 .e 6+ ! and 17.'t!1h 5 follow ed by 18.g6) 16... d4 (or 16 ... 4Jc 5 17 .'t!1 h 5 li e8 18. g6 A xg 6 19. 't!1 xg6 4Je 4 20 .e6 4Jf6 21. 8 h3 fo llo w ed by 8 d h 1 + -; 16 ...'ll'tf7 17 .'t!1h 5+ 'll't e6 18 .4Jd 4+ 'll't xe5 19 .8 h e 1++- respect ive ly 17 ...g 6 18 .e 6 +!+- ; 16 ... 't!1 e6 17 .4Jd 4 't!1 g6 18.e6 +- ) 17.e6! 'l!Y xe6 18.4)xd4+- (e .g . 18...'t!1e4 19 .t1 h7+ 'll'tf7 20 .'t!1 h5 + 'll't g8 21 .4Jxc6 o r 18 ...'t!1 g6 19 .4Jxc6 't!1 xc6 20. 8x d7 't!1 xd7 2 1.g6) Cd ) 14 ... 4) xeS ! (the only way to get an advantage) IS. 'l!Yh4 f6 16.4) xeS! fxeS 06 ...'t!1 xe 5?! 17 .'t!1 h7+ 'll'tf7 18.g 6 + We 6 19 .8de 1 A e 4 20.f3 f5 21.fxe 4 fxe4 22.'t!1 h3+ with a whi te initiative) 17.'l!Yh S Ae4 (I 7...A e8? 18 .'t!1h 7+ 'll'tf7 19 .t1 f5+ 'll't g8 20.'t!1 h7+=) 18.g6 (I 8.f3?! or 8 de 1? is answered by 18...t1e8 0 18 A xg6 19 . 'l!Y xg6 'l!Y f 6 ! + [19 8 xf2 20.'t!1h7+ (2 0.8 h7?? 't!1f7-+) 20 Wf7 21.'t!1h 5+ 'll'te6 22.'t!1h3+ (22.'t!1g4+ 8 f5 23.8 h5 "l¥If6) 22...8[5 23.t!b3 + w d7 24."l¥Ixb71.

IV The Culminating Point is th e ret reat 13... 4)h7!! , refut ing Alekh ine's sacrifice outright:

Analysis

14.E!hS 'l!Y xe4 04 .. .A xe4 ) IS.E!dhl 05 .iilc3 f6 16.'t!1 b3+ d5 17 .g6 't!1 xg6 18.8 d h l cZ!g5 19.4Jxg5 fxg5 20.'t!1g3 iile4-+; 15.g6 fxg6-+) IS...'l!Y xd 4 16.E!xh7 'l!Yf4+ 17.\t7bl fS 18.g6 'l!Yh6-+ B) 14.E! xh7 \t7xh 7 IS.E!hl+ \t7g8 16.eS Ba) 16...Axf317.'l!Yh4fS-+ 0 7...f6?? 18.g6 1-0, D.Furtado - Perruti, Buenos Aires/SeA 1987) 18.exf6 08 .gxf6 gxf6) 18 ...'l!Ye4? (18...gxf6-+) 19.'l!Yh 8+ \t7f7 20.'l!Y xg7 + \t7e8 21.g xf3 'l!Ye6? (21.. . iil e5) 22.E!h7?? (22 .iil xc7) 22...'l!Yel # 0-1, S. Manigk - A. Beck (German j uniors) 1998 Bb) 16... fS-+ (I 7.g xf6 gxf6 18.8 h3 Ax f3 o r 8 f7 ) or 16... A xf3-+ 0 7.iil h4 f5 18. g xf3 \t' f7 or iil e6; 18.gxf6 gxf6 19.iilh8+ 'll'tf7 20.8 h7+ Wg6 21.8 h6+ 'll'tg5) A)

32

Sacrificial Attacks C) 14.g6 f xg6 15.~c4+ ~f7 16.~xf7+ Elxf7-+

We7 21.'t:¥xc7+ A d7 23.B e 1+ leads to mat e) 19 .d xc 6 't:¥ e 6 20 .c xb7 +-] 18. ~ xe6+! ~x e 6 19.1£)g5 ~f8 20.l£)xe6+ Elxe6 21.Elh8+ ~f7 22.Elxa8± Eb42) 15... f xg6? 16.Eldh1 ~f6 06 ...4Jf6?? 17 .Bh8+ plu s 18 .4Jg5 ma te ; 16 .. .4Jf8?? 17 .'t:¥ c4+ d5 18 .e xd5 resp e cti vel y 17 ... 4Je 6 18 .'t:¥xe 6+ ! as we sa w a bov e; 16 ....\l xe 4? 17. Bxh7 .\l xf3 18 .g xf3 with a white initiative) 17.~c4+ Wf8 0 7 ...'t:¥e 6 ??; 17 . ..'t:¥ f7 ?!) wi th an unclear position. Eb43) 15... l£)f8!-+ (Keep calm ! Other moves would have spoi led it. But after th e text mo ve there is no way to continue Wh ite's att ack) 16.Eldh1 06 .gx f7 + 't:¥ xf7) 16... l£)xg6 17.Elh7 f6

D) 14.e5 because of 14... Jtxf3-+

E) 14.Elh4 Ea) No w after the inexact 14... Elae8?! 15. g6! is much stronger than in the main line (Eb): Eal) 15... l£)g5?? 16.Eldh1 f xg6 17.~c4+ d5 07 .. AJe6 18. 't:¥ xe 6+! 't:¥ xe 6 19 AJg5 follow ed by mate) 18 .e xd5 4Jxf3 19 .d xc 6+ 't:¥ e 6 20. 't:¥xe6+ B xe 6 21. B h8 + 'it'f7 22. Bxf8 + ~ x f8 23 .c xb 7 B b 6 24 .b8't:¥ +j B h 8 ++ Ea2) 15... l£)f6?? 16.Eldh1 f xg6 17.Elh8+ Wf7 18.l£)g5# Ea3) 15 ...f xg6 16.Eldh1 Elxf3! 17.g xf3 0 7 .B xh7? 't:¥g 5+ 1 8 . ~b1 Bf6-+) 17... l£)g5 or 17... l£)f6, and Black still has a slight advantage. Eb) 14. .. Elfe8! Ebl) 15.Ele1 ~e6 plan 't:¥g6-+ Eb2) 15.Eldh1 Jtxe4-+ Eb3) After 15.Elxh7 W xh716.Elh1 + Wg8 17.e5 Black has the con venient choice between 17...Jt xf3 18. ~h4 f5 19.e xf6 0 9 .gxf6 't:¥ xe 5 20 .'t:¥ h 7 + w f7 21. 't:¥xg7+ We 6-+ re spect ivel y 19 g xf6 20. e xf6 't:¥e4 -+) 19... ~e4 0 9 g xf6? 20. 't:¥h8+ Wf7 2l .'t:¥h 7+ ~ f8 2 2.'t:¥ h 8 +=) 20.~h8+ Wf7 21. ~ xg7+ We6 22.g xf3 ~f4+ 23.Wb1 ~ xf3-+ and 17... ~e6 18.~h4 Wf8-+ (e .g . 19 .e xd6 't:¥ xd 6 20 .'t:¥ h8 + We 7 21. B e1+ Wd8 respecti vely 21. 't:¥xg7 't:¥ f4 + 22. wb1 .\lxf3) Eb4) 15.g6 (the last trick!) Eb41) 15...l£)g5?? 16.Eldh1 f xg6 17.~c4+ l£)e6 D 7 .. .d 5 18. e xd 5 4Jf7
The defense was able to fend off the "magic on the h-file " with witty moves a ft er 13 .. .4Jd 7 !? a s well a s a ft er 13...4Jh7!!. Was it all bluffing? Were the old masters blinded by the glamour of Alekhin e's attack? The complicated question s posed by the sacrifice could only be answered afte r a long analysis and with the help of modern means. Mikhail Tal, the magician from Riga, once remarked : "The years of analysis and the few minutes of a practical game - that is abso lute ly not one and the same." Appendix I regardin g Kotov's thesis (position after 10...h6), White passes and Black accepts the sacrifice: 1l... h xg5 12.hxg5 l£)h7!! Obviously the patent move. Losing are (I) 12....4Jd7? du e to l3 .a h 5 '2le 5 4Jg 6 15. '2ld5! Be8 14 .Bdh1 33

Middlegam e Tactics g7 19.\¥Ih7+ r;t>f6 20 . ~xt7! +­ , whereas (III) 12.. .~x e4 is also weak due to l 3.c::Jxe4 Jlxe4 14 . ~x e4 i:l> x g5 + ~ ( 15 .~xg5 '®'xg5+ 16.f4 '®'g6 respectively 16Sti'bl g6).

Alternatives: I 15.e 5 llxf3 or ~::J x g 5 II 15 . ~dh l .i1xe4 III 15.2:xh 7 tran sposes to th e line 13 .. .4:J h 7 14 .2:h 4 2:fe S 15 . ~x h 7 . 15•..4jf8! 16.El,dhl 16. g xf7+ ,®, xf7 17 .~cl h 1 resp ecti vel y 17.c::Jg 5 '®'f4 +

4:J g 6

16...4j xg617.4jh4 13.El,h5 1 7 . ~h 7

1 3 . ~h 2 ?

0 3.g6? {Jg 5!) 13... A xg 5 + 14 .4:J xg 5 '®' xg 5 + 15 .Wbl \¥Ie5! 16 .\¥Ixe5 dxe5 17 . ~cl hl f5 18 .2:xh 7 fxe 4+

17... ~x e4 is winning.

18. lzlx g6 fx g6 ,

and Black

In Day s of Old

13...g6! and afte r the co unter-s acrifice 14.El,xh7 ltx g 5+ 15.4j xg5

In the next classic a spectacular rook sacrifice by the first World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz ( 1836-1900) proves to be correct in the end, but the immense com p lic at io ns j us t ify th e te rm "speculative sacrifice" . Also, there was a less risky alterna tive.

~x g5 +

16.~bl ~x h7!

16 .. .\¥Ie 5 17 .\¥I xe 5 d xe S pl an r;t>f8 -e 7 ~ /=

f6

18 . ~d h 1

~ fcl8

17.El,hl+ ~ h6 18.El,xh6+ ~ x h6

Th is happened in the early days when Steinitz used to play in the "traditional tactica l style... "

the chances are about equal (19.f3 f5!? or 19 .\¥If6?! ~ a e 8 pl an ~ e 6 ) . So if White would pass in the position after 10...h6 , accepting the sac rifice with ...hxg5 would lead to a dynamic balance.

1v. Steinitz (Vienna) - A. Mon gr edien (London) London 1862 Scandinav ian Defense (BO I )

Appendix 2 regardi ng the ga me B. Lengyel - van Bommel:

l.e4 d5 2.exd5 ~xd5 3.4jc3 ~d8 4.d4 e6 5.4jf3 4jf6 6.,1ld3 lte7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Ae3 b6 9.4je5 ,1lb7 10.f4 4jbd711.~e2lzld5 12.lzl xd5 e xd5 13.El,f3 f5 14.El,h3 g6 15. g4!? f xg4?

The second chance was again 14... 4jh7!!-+ as White's attac k is fended off.

had been obviously Black's intention to continue his development unhindered

" It

15.g6

34

Sacrificial Attacks sac rifices on g6 and h7 . 16 ...4Jf6? 1 7. ~ e 6+ rJJg7 18 .f5 +-) 17.d xe5! C1 7.fxe5?? Ac8 18.e6 S f6) is the most c1earcut way, according to Kasparov in th e Germ an new spaper Welt am Sonntag. There could follow: 17...Ac8 18.e6 and now:

Wilhelm Steinitz Analysis by 4Jd 7-f6 but he was completely surprised by the enemy's raid. Black should have played 15...4Jxe5 along with 16...Ah7-c8." (Schachmeis ter Steinitz by Ludwig Bachmann.) So 15...4Jxe5 and now 16.fxe5 [not 16.dxe5?! 06...d4 1 7 .~d2 ~h8 18.g xf5 ~d5 !? , unclear) 16...A c8!'i= ] 16...A c8, unclear C1 6...f4?! 17.Ad2; 16...fxg4? 17.8 xh71 transposes to the game).

A) 18... E!f6 Aa) 19.f5 Aa 1) 19 ... ~f8 and White has a choice: Aall) 20.~h1!? Aalll) 20 ... Ab7 21. Ad4 c 5

22 .fxg6 C2 2.Ax f6) 22 ... h 6 C22...cxd4 23 .gx h7+ '.t'h8 24 . ~g8 + ~ x g 8 25 .h x g 8 ~+ '.t'xg8 26 .8 g1 + and mate will follow; 22 .. .h xg6 2 3 . ~xg6+! ~g 7 2 4. ~xg7+ rJJ xg7 25.Sg 1+ '.t'f8 26. 8 h 8 #) 23 .g7 C23..l1xf6) 23 ... ~ x g 7 24. 8g 1 ~ x g 4 25. 8xg4 + ~ f8 26 .Jlx f6 A xf6 27. 8 xh6+Aall2) 20 ... cs 21.S g1 Aa1121) 21. .. d4 22 .Ag 5 .l1b 7 + <22.. .8 xf5 23 .itx f5 .\l xg 5 24 ..\l e 4 +-) 23 .Ae4 .\l xe 4 + C23 ... 8 xf5 24 ..Ilxe 7+-) 24 . ~ x e 4+­ Aa1122) 21. .. Ab7 22.Ag5 8 xe 6 C22 ... c4 23.f xg6+- c xd 3 24. g xh 7+ 'i!'l h 8 2 5.~ x f6 + .ll xf6 26 . ~g8 + ~ x g 8 27 . hxg8 ~ #) 23 .fxe6 .l1xg 5 24.sf3! C24 .8xh7 'i!'lxh7 25 . ~h 5 + ~h6 26..Ilxg6+ Wh8 27.8 xg5)

I Instead of the spectacular and very complicated rook sacrifice there was the less risky (and less exciting) alternative 16.~ xg4! and after 16... ~xe5 (The only real choice due to the threatened 35

Middlegame Tactics Aa1l221) 24... ~d8 2S.e7+- 'lt1 xe7 (2S...ilxe7 26.ibg6) 26.'lt1xgS ~xgS 27.gxgS d4 28.~c4+ ~g7 29.~dS Aa11222) 24 ... d4 2S.~e4 'lt1 c8 26.gf7+AaI2) 20.fxg6!? ilxe6 (20 ... ~cS 21.~xcS

~xcS+

23. ~gS+-)

22.~hl

Ba3) 21.c3 g eS (21...cS 22.Ah6 geS 23.~bS) 22.fxg6 ~xe6 23.AfS ~xfS 24.gxh7+ ~h8 2S.'lt1xfS±/+Bb) 19 ..§h6! BbI) 19 ... Ac5 20.~xg6 (20.il xcS ~xe6 21. 'lt1gS) 20 ... ~xe3+

~xe6

21.~hl+-

21.~hS

'lt1 g7 22. 'lt1xh7+ (22.gg3!? h6 23.ibh6 ~h8 24.gh3 ~f8 2S.~xfS 'lt1 xh S 26 .g xhS gaxfS 27.gel) 22 ... ~xh7 23.gxh7 ~cS 24.~xcS (24.gel ilfS 2S.~xfS g e S) 24 ... bxcS 2S.b3±/+AaI3) 20.Ah6!? 'lt1e S 21.~gS (21.~hl; 21.fxg6? hxg6) 21...gxfS 22.AxfS (22.~h4!? 'lt1 g6 23.~hl ~b7 24.gg3 ~hS 2S.gfl) 22 ... gg6 23.~xg6 ~xg6 24.gel (24.gg3!? ~xe6 2S. 'lt1h4 ~cS+ 26.Ae3 ~xe3+ 27.~g2 ~fS 2s.gxg6+ hxg6 29.gel) 24 ... ~xe6 (24 ... ~xgS 2S.gg3 h6 26.h4+-) 2S.gxe6 'lt1xgS 26. 'lt1xgS+ ~xgS 27.geS+- (xdS) Aa2) 19 c5 20.fxg6 ilxe6 21.'lt1hS Aa3) 19 ~e8 20.gel (20.'lt1h4 hS

Bb2) 19... .§f6 20.fS Bb21) 20 ... Af8 21.fxg6 ~xe6 (21...~xh6 22.gxh7+ ~h8 23.~xh6 ~f7 24. 'lt1d4) 22.g xh7+ ~hS 23. 'lt1d4 ~xh6 24.~xh6+­ Bb22) 20 ... Axe6 21.fxe6 ars 22.gxh7 ~xh7 (22 ... 'lt1 xe 6 23.~h3 ~xh3 24.gxh3) 23. 'lt1h4+ ~g7 24.~h6++-

Now we return to the game: II 16..§xh7!

21.~gS)

Aa4) 19 ... Ac5 20.~xcS bxcS 21.gel ~e7 22.gh6 c4 23.fxg6 Ab) 19.~h4! hS 20.gg3 ~fS 21. ~gS ~xe6 22.ilxg6 looks most convincing. B) 18... ~e8 Ba) 19.f5!? ~f6!? 20.gel ~ e 7 (20 ... cS 21.~h6 c4 22.fxg6 cxd3 23.g xh7+ ~hS 24.gg3+-; 20 ~g7 21.~h4 hS 22.gg3+-; 20 ~xb2 21.fxg6+-) Bal) 21.Ah6 geS Ba2) 21.Ad2 geS (21...gS 22.gg3 h6 23.h4) 22.fxg6 ~xe6 23.gxh7+ (23.ilfS ilxfS 24.gxh7+ ~h8 2S.~xfS±) 23... ~hS 24.ghe3 il xg4 2S.gxe7 gxe7 26.gxe7 cS±

16... l£\xe5

16 ~xh7 06 .. .4::1f6 17.gh6+-; 16 gf6 17.'lt1xg4! ~xh7 18.~xg6++) 17.'lt1xg4 4::ixeS (L? ... 4::if6? lS. 'lt1xg6+ ~hS19. 'lt1h6+ ~g8 20.~hl +-) lS.fxeS transposes to the game. 17.fxe5

Now we analyse 17 17 ... ilc8, 17 ... ~a6 and 17

36

~xh7,

~gS.

Sacrificial Attacks A) 17•.. ~ xh7 (game) 18. ~ xg4 Aa) 18...§g8? (ga me) 1 9 . ~h5+ r:Bg 7 20 . ~h6 + w f7 2 1. ~h7+ We 6 2 2 .~h 3 +! wf7 23 ..8£1+ ( 23 .e 6 + w e 8 24. ~h7 "I'£1d 6 25."I'£1 xg8+ ~ f8 26 ...Q.g 5 +- and m at e is un a v o id abl e , Ka sp a ro v ) 23...r:Be8 2 4 . ~e6 .8g7 25.11g 5 ~d 7 26 .A xg6 + .8 xg 6 27 . ~ x g 6 + r:Bd 8 28 ..8 f8+ ~e8 2 9 . ~ xeS # - 1-0. Ab) 18... §f5? 19..\l xf5 gxf5 20 . ~h5+ (20. ~ xf5+ Wg7 2 1.W hl) 20 ... Wg8 l 20...Wg7 6.wh1+-) 21.Wh1+Ac) 18.. . ~e8! (most te nacio u s) 1 9 . ~h 5 + r:B g7 C19... Wg 8 ? 20. Ax g6 .8 f7 2 1. r:Bh 1 +-) 20. ~ h6 + (20. A h6 +?? w h 8 21 .A xg6 "I'£1 xg 6 + 22 . ~xg6 .8 g S- +) 20 .. .r:Bg S 21. A xg6 .8 f7 2 2 .w h 1

as above ) 24 ..8g 1 r:Bf8 25 ..8g 3!! (the o n ly wa y) (2 5. A xt7? ~ x f7 26 ..8 g 6 ~ fI + 27 ..8g 1 ~ f7 , and Bl ack saves him s elf) 25 .. ..8 f 1 + 26. w g 2 +(K asparov) B) 17... -'\,c8 Ba) 18.-'\, xg6 .\l e 6 C18.. .A g 5 19 .v d 3 .\l xe 3 + 20. ~ x e 3 + - ) 19.r:Bh 1 wi t h th e pl an .8 g 1- xg 4 C19..\l h 6 .8 f3 20 ..8 f1 +- ) Bb) 18.§h6 ..\1 f 5 19 ...\1 xf 5 gxf5 20 ..8 f1 pl an .8x f5 20 ... Wg 7 21. .8 h5! (21. .8xf5? .8 xf5 22 .v xg4+ .\l g 5 23 ..8 h 5 r:Bg6 24. h4 ~ d 7 25 ..8 xg 5 + .8 xg 5 26 . ~xg5 + r:B h7 27 . ~ h 6 + r:Bg8) 2 1... wg6 22 .h 3! Wxh 5 23 ..8 xf5 ++ C) 17... -'\,a6 18 ..8h6 ! .\l xd 3

a rs

E ~ ~*~~

rt1jJ~

~ E~

1 9 . ~ xd 3+0

·'r~··.~.~~.z ~~

~

D) 17...,Q,g5!? Da) 18.-'\, xg5 ~ x g 5 19 ..8 xe7 lte8 (l9 .. ..8 ab 8 20 .e6; 19 ... g 3 20 . ~g2 ) 20 .e6 Dat) 20 ... §e8 21. A b 5 .\l xe 6 22. ltxe8 .8xe8 23 ..8e1 +Da2) 20 ... t"Jf 4 2 1.e7 .8 e 8 (21 ... ~ x d 4 + 22 .r:Bh 1 .8 e 8 23. ltxg6) 22 .'i¥te5 ( 2 2 ..\l xg 6) 22...'i¥txe5 23.d xe5 +Da3) 20 ...g 3 2 1.e7 gx h2+ 22. r:Bx h2 (22 .Wh l? .\l g4 !) 22 ... .8 e 8 23 . ~e5 ~ h4 + 24. Wg1 ~g4 + 25 .Wf 2 v h 4 + 26 . ~ g 3! "I'£1 f6 + 27 .Wg2 .8 xe7 28 ..8 f1 +Db ) 18. -'\, xg6 .8 f3 C18.. .A e 8 19 .~ d 3 + -) Db 1) 19.-'\,xg5?! ~ x g5 20.§ xe7 lte8!? (20 ...'i¥txg 6? 21. §xb7 .8a fS 22 .e 6! g3 2 3 .e 7+-) 21."I'£1b5?! .\l e 6 ! 22 . ~ e6 C22 .A h 7+ r:Bh8 23. ~e6 § af8 24.ltd3 § xd 3 25 .e xd 3 -&e3 + 26 .Wh l -&f3 + 27.r:Bg l g3-+ 28. ~e2 gxh 2+ 29.'i¥txh2+ A h 3 30 ..8 ee l § g 8 +; 2 2.A d3 § a fS 23 .~c6 .8xd 3 24 .~xe6+ r:Bh8, unclear) 22...~xg6 2 3 . ~x a8+ § f8

I

~~~~;

~.~. i~lt1 ~.<

~. ~~li· · ··~. ~~ ~ ~.· Ja •

~~ ~.~. : ~.~~~

~~'HH'. ~. ~ti Ana lysis AcI) 23.-'\,xf7+ ~ x f7 24 ..8g 1+ .\l g7 25 . ~f6 ! .8 e 8 (25 .. ..8 f8 26 .A h 6 "I'£1xf6 n .e xf6 .8xf6 28 ..8xg7 + r:BfS 29 ..8 xe7+ .8 xh 6 30 ..8 xb 7 +-) 26 .i t h6 ~ x f6 n.exf6 .8e 1!? 28 ..8 xe 1! A xh6 29 ..8 e7 A f4 30. h 4 +-. T he bl ack bis ho p pa ir can ' t wor k togeth er in an effic ient way now and Wh it e ' s king ca n enter th e scene with decisi ve effect (Kasparov) . Ac2) 23.t"Jh5 .\l g7 (23 ...~d7 24 ..8g 1 .\1g 7 25 . ~ h 7+ r:Bf8 26 ..\l xf7 ~ x f7 n ..8xg7 ~f1 + 28 ..8g 1 ~f3 + 29 ..8g 2+, Ka s pa ro v; 2 3.. . ~ e6 24 ..8 g 1 A g 7 25."I'£1h7+ wf8 26 . ~xf7 ~ x f7 n ..8xg7

37

Middlegame Tactics Dbll) 24.~xf8+ Wxf8 25.8f1 + ~J5 (25...Wg8 26.1'lf6) 26.8 xa7, unclear Db12) 24. ~xa7l"df5 (24...l"de4; 24...g3) 25.ag7+ wh8 26.8h7+ I"dxh7 27.'Litxh7+ It'xh7 28.8f1 iUS=+' Db2) 19.Af2! .af4 20 ..\lh4 itg5 21.·~Jg2!! ite8 22.8f1!, and White keeps the upper hand (Kasparov). De) 18.~xg4?! .\'te8! C18... Mxe3+? 19.6'hl I"dg5 20.'i'dd7 I"dxe5 21.8g1 1+-) 19.itxg5 .\hg4 2(Uhd8 It'xh7 21.i1xe7 itf5 22 ..\ld6, unclear.

Analysis

Dd) 18.~hl!

21. .. E!f2 (21...8e3 22.l"dd2 Ra8 23..\ bg6 8ff3 24..~J7+ Wg7 25.8g1; 21...l"df4 22.l"de5) 22.e7 (22.l"de5) 22 ... E!xe2 23.exf8~+ ~xf8 24.Axe2+Conclusion: Though the fascinating rook sacrifice was correct, the clearest way to victory was 16.~xg4! 4jxe5 17.dxe5!. "The great Steinitz would have been surprised to experience how many possibilities were still behind the scenes." (Kasparov)

Analysis

18... Ac8 19.~xg5 I"dxg5 20.8xe7+- [20...8f3 (20...ite6 21.8g1; 20...iH5 21.1"dg2) 21.1"dgL\lf5 (2l...ite6 22.8fl) 22.itxf5 gxf5 23.8C3!J Dd2) 18... ~xh7 19.1"dxg4+- 09...lt'g8 20..\lxg5 ~,e8 21.I"dg2 I"dd7 22.ith6) Dd3) 18 ... ~e8? 19.8xc7+Dd4) 18... E!f3 19.Axg5 ~xg5 20.E!xc7 E!af8 (20 ...l"df4 6.l"dg2+-) 21.e6!+- [21.8g1 8f2 (21...ite8? Ddt)

Of course speculative sacrifices also happen quite often nowadays. We continue with three examples from the German Bundesliga: All's Well That Ends Well J. Speelman (2603) -

Z. Hracek (2610) German Bundesliga, Hamburg 200 I Queen's Gambit Declined (D58) The game on top board of the Bundesliga match Werder Bremen versus the reigning German champion Lubecker SV became dramatic very quickly: 38

Sacrificial Attacks c;~d6)

21...4Jxc3! 22.8xc3 (2L~d7 22 ...'t¥d5 23.itc6 itxc6. Only with the lever f5 can White exert enough pressure on the diagonal a2-g8 and the f-file.

1.'tlf3 d5 2.d4 'tlf6 3.c4 e6 4.'tlc3 Ae7 5.Ag5 0-0 6.e3 h6 7.Ah4 b6 8.Ad3 Ab7 9.0-0 'tlbd7 10.~e2 cs 1l.E!.adl

c~d5)

The usual continuations are 11.Ag3 and 11.8fdl.

19 ...exf5!? No easy decision. Alternatives are: I 19...4Jxg3 20.'ii1g4 4Jxfl (20 ... c~xf5 21.c~xf7 ~:lxf7 22.Axe6 whS unclear) 21.8xfl exf5 22.c~xf7! 8xf7 23.\';'fxf5 (23.8xf5?? .~c8) 23...WhS 24.~xf7 ~e4 unclear. II 19 ... c~xc3? 20.~d3 4Jxdl (20 ... c~d5!? 21.fxe6 fxe6 22.8xf8+ 't¥xfS 23.8f1) 21.fxe6 and White's attack is dangerous in both cases.

1l... 'tle4 12.Ag3 'tlxg3 13.hxg3 cxd4 14.exd4 dxc4 15.Axc4 'tlf6 16.'tle5 Ab4! A product of the home preparation of the topical Czech No.2.

17.f4 After 17.4Jxf7 8xf7 is..tYxe6 Black is slightly better.

~f8

White's sacrifice has opened the position and Black has to defend carefully.

It seems that Black already has an advantage due to White's bad pawn structure. So the English Grandmaster intuitively decides to start an inspired firework after thinking for only five minutes.

21 ...'tlf6!? Better than I 21...4Jd6?

22.8dfl 4Jxc4 24.8xd5;j:; and II 21...4Jxg3 22..\lxf7+ (22.'t¥e6 4Jxf5 23.'t¥xf7+ Wh8 24. ~xf5 ~ c 8 ! ) 22...Wh8 23. ~g4 4:Jxf5 24.'t¥xf5 't¥e7 25. ~e6 8f8 26.'t¥e5=. 23. ~xc4 ~d5

19.f5!? All the consequences couldn't be calculated over the board, but after 19.'t¥e3 White would simply be worse, e.g. 19 ... 8c8 20.8cl b5!? 2L~xb5 (2L~b3 ~d5 22.f5 exf5 23.8xf5

22.E!.xf6!

Again the hard and direct way. Worseare: 39

Middlegame Tactics I 22.§el? § e8 23.11xf7+ Wxf7 24:&e6+ w g6 =+= and 22.'ii1e6?'ii1e7 =+= . II The somew hat slow 22 .§dfl gives Black th e chance to con solidate, e.g. 22 . .. i;';'d 7 ! (22 . .. § e8 ?! 23 ..il xf7 + w xt7 24. 'ii1h5+ w e7 25. § e5+ w f8 26. § xf6+! g xf6 27. ,&xh 6+ Wf7 28:I';')'h 7 + wfS 29 .'ii1h 8 +=) 23.Ae6 'ii1e7 (2 3 ':f'1e7?? 24 .§x f6) 2 4 .g 4 ! § a f8 C24 A e8 25.Axt7+ 'ii1 xt7 26 .§ e5 A d7 27 .g 5 h xg 5 28 .§e7) 25 .g5 h xg 5 26 .§ xg5 .\l.e8 n .Axt7 + 'ii1 xt7 28 .c 4 with approximately equ al chances .

At t his cri t ica l m oment J on a th an Spee lma n's intu ition lets him down .

22...g x f 6 23.'lE'Ih 5

The first real mistake should have cost the whole point. Only 25. ~ xh6+ was correc t: 25 ... w e 8 C25 w g 8 ? 26 .§f1 !+- ) 26 . ~ h5! f5 C26 A e 4 ? 27 .§ e l f5 28 .g 4 § c8 29 .A xf7 + 'ii1 xf7 30 .'ii1 xf5+ - ; 26 .. .§ e8 ? 27 ..Q. xf7 + 'ii1 xf7 28. Ele1+ w f8 29 .'ii1 h8+ 'ii1 g8 30 .'ii1x f6+ '&f7 3 1. 'ii1d 6 + Wg 8 32 .Ele 7 +- ) 27 .g4! (2 7 ..ilxt7 +? 'ii1 xt7 28 .Ele l + lle 4- +) 27 .. .'ii1 e3+ 28 .w h2 ~ f4 + I 29 .w h l ?! .ll xg 2 + 30 .Wxg 2 'ii1 xg4+! C3 0 . .. 'ii1 e 4 +?! see line II ) 31.'ii1 xg4 fxg4 3 2. A xf7 + w xf7 33 .'iYg3=, and Black has an extra tempo co mpar ed to line lIB below. II 29. wg l 'ii1 e3+ 3 0 .w h l ! A xg 2 + 3 1.'iY xg 2 'ii1e4+ 32.w g3

23 ...'lE'Ie7 This natural move, which protects the rook f7 and controls the e-file, is not better tha n th e a lternative 23...'ii1 d7. For exam p le , 24.'ii1g6+ w f8 25 .\':h h6 + w e7 26 ..ilxt7 ! C26.§ e l +? w d 8 27 ..\l xt7 'ii1 xt7 28 .'ii1 f4 .ilc 6! 29 .'ffd6+ .ild 7 =+= ) 26...Wxt7 I 27 .§ f] 'ii1 c6 C27 ..: &e 7? 28. 'ff h5 + 'i-~ g 8 29 .m 4! wi th attack) 28. d5 (28 . ~ h7+ w e8 29. n e 1+ w f8 30 .'1';1h 8 +=) 28...\':$x c3 29 .'ff h 7 + w f8 30.iof¥xh7 <30 : &g6 1?) 3 0 .. .'&' e 3 + = II D .§ e l 3 g8 28.'&h7+ § g7 29.'ffh5 + WfS 30:it1l18+ w t7 31.\i')'h 5+=

40

Sacrificial Attacks 28.E!,xe4!=

Analysis A) 32 ... ~ e 3 + ? ! 3 3 .Wh 4 ~ e 7 + C33... ~ f2 + ? 34 .Wg 5 ~ e 3 + 35 .Wg 6 ~ e 7 36 .§ e l ~ x e l 3 7 . ~ h8+ We7 3 8 . ~ x a 8 § f6 + 39. wg7 +-) 34.g 5 "®'e 4 + 35. Wg3 '&e3 + 36 .Wg2 '&e 4 + 37 .Wfl '&f4 + 38. We 2 '&g 4 + 39 .'&xg 4 fxg4 40. A xf7+ Wxf7 4 1. We 3± B) 32 . .. ~ x g 4 + ! 33 .,&xg 4 fxg 4 3LQ.x f7 + Wxf7 35 .Wxg 4 § c8 36 ..8 d 3 w e 6 37 .'i'H4 Wd 5 =, e .g. 38 ..8 h 3 b 5 39 .§ h 5+ w c4 40 .We 4 a5 4 1. §g5 (4 1. d 5 .8 d 8 4 2 .§ g 5 § d 7 =) 41.. .§e8+ ( 41... Wxc3?? 4 2.§ c 5 + +-) 4 2.§ e 5 § c8 43 .Wf5 § f8 + 44 .We 6 Wxc3 45.d5 (45.§xb5 Wxd 4 =) 45 . .. b 4 46.d6 a4 47.d7 § d 8 48. We 7 § xd 7 + 4 9 .Wx d 7 b3 =

~xe4

Hr acek obv io us ly m iss ed that 28 ...fxe4?? is refuted by 29 .'&c6 + ( xa8+ ) .

29...Wd 8 is no better. 30. ~ xf7+ Wd8 31.Ae6 ~e3+ draw agreed - Y>-Y>. Cri me : White 1.17h: 1.40h Black ) It was a surprise for both players that

19.f5 was indeed correct (at least it seems so after all). "During the game 1 didn't believe very much in this move, but now in the calm of home analysis it looks to me as the mo st ' log ical' one . An y a lte rna tive would ha ve be en ve ry comfortabl e for Black ." (Hracek) And Jonathan Speelman remarked at the postmortem analysis, "I was lucky in the end."

25 ... Ae4-+ 26.~xh6+ We8 27.E!,el 27 .'&h 5 § c8 ( 27 ...f5) and 27 .Axf7+ Wxf7 28.§el § e8 are not better.

Cut the Gordian Knot!

R. Schone (2435) - G. Meins (2460) German Bundesliga 1998

27... f5? But the top player of Werder Bremen can 't stand the enduring pressure and makes a mi st ake . 27 .. .§ h 7 ! w a s cor rect: 28 .'&f4 f5 I 29.g4 § h4-+ II 29. A d5 .Q, xd 5 30 .§ xe 7+ § xe 7 3 1. '&xf5 f1. d 8 - +

Black to move (-+) (The previous moves are 1. c4 e 5 2. .£Jc3 .£Jf6 3. g3 .I1b4 4. .I1g2 0-0 5. .£Jf3 .£Jc6 6.0-0 e4 7 . .£Je l A xc3 8 . d xc3 h6 9. h3 § e8 10. c5 b6 11. A e3 § e7 12. 41

Middlegame Tactics cxb6 axbo 13. 5Lic2 d6 14. b3 bS IS. .ad §eS 16. c:=Jd4 4:Jxd4 17. cxd4 §hS 18. e3.) Now the game continued 18... v~xdl? 19.§xcll 4:JclS 20 ..\lcl2 ilcl7 21.a3 and was drawn after a few more moves (1/2-28). Instead (in the diagrammed position) Black could have cut the Gordian knot by 1. .. Ag4!! This splendid sacrifice (which, as shown, must be accepted) would have revealed the vulnerability of White's kingside in a startling manner. Certainly the attack is speculative and its realization in overthe-board play would evidence mastership. Because of the so-called horizontal effect, chess computer programs also have problems handling such a position. The evaluation of the sacrifice is based essentially on some plausible possibilities to increase the pressure, whereas the white monarch in the narrowness of his chamber is more or less just a spectator.

CbI) 7.§f1

~c2+ 8.~h3

~g6 1O.~f3 (lO.~g2

":=Jf6 9.~cll 4:Je4) 10... c:=Je4

11.~g2 §e6-+ Cb2) 7.§el 4:Jf6 8.§e2 4:Je4 9.§ea2 C9.aS 4:JgS) 9...bxa-l 10.bxa4 (lO.§xa4 §ab8) 1O...§aS-+ plan §fS and/or §gS II 2.~c2 ilxh3-+ 3.f4 ,\ixg2 4.~xg2 C4.~xg2 b4) 4...4:Jg4 S.~gl CS.§hl?? c~xe3+ 6.ilxe3 ~f3+) S...b4

2... .£lxg4 3.§el §e6!-+

Analysis This reinforcement is the point: White is powerless against the threats 4 §h2+ S.~f1 4:Jxf2!-+ and 4 §f6 S.§e2 ~h2+ 6.~f1 ~xg3 and so on, e.g.:

2.hxg4 Otherwise Black gets a technically winning position, e.g.: I 2.f3 i.txh3-+ A) 3.fxe4 ~xcll 4.§xcll i.txg2 S.~xg2 4:Jxe4 6.ilb2 C6.a4?? bxa-i 7.bxa4 4:Jc3) 6 ... clS!? 7.§clcl §e6 8.§xc7 §g6 B) 3.ild2 ~xg2 4.~xg2 exf3+ S.~xf3 ~xf3+ 6.~xf3 4:Je4-+ C) 3.a4 ilxg2 4.~xg2 e xf3+

4.§e2 Altematives: I 4.a4 §f6 A) S.§e2 ~h2+ 6.~f1 ~xg3 Aa) 7.§aa2 4:Jh2+ 8.~gl C8.~el ~xg2-+) 8 ... 4:Jf3+ 9.~f1 ~h2-+ Ab) 7.'ltic2 4:Jh2+ 8.~gl 4:Jf3+

S.~xf3

9.~f1

Ca) S... ~xf3+!? 6.~xf3 bxa4 7.bxa4 cS -+ C7...4:Je4) Cb) S... 4:Jg4! 6.§hl ~g6 keeps the queens on board and exploits the weak squares in the enemy's camp most energetically:

Ac) 7.~gl §xf2-+ B) S.§a2 ~h2+ 6.~f1 ~xg3 7.§ee2 4:Jh2+-+ II 4.ild2 'ltih2+ S.~f1 4:Jxf2!-+ III 4.'ltic2 'ltih2+ S.~f1 §f6 6.§e2 transposes to the main line.

42

~h2-+

Sacrificial Attacks 4 ... Y¥'I h 2+

5.~f1

Analysis

§.f6 6.Y¥'Ic2 9... Y¥'I h4!

6 .Ax e 4?? 4:J xf2- + 7 .Ah7 + ~ x h 7 8 . ~c 2 + 4Jd3 + 9 . ~ f2 ~x f2 + 1 0 . ~ x f2

Also good is 9...~ g6! with the simple thr eat ctlf6: I 1O . ~xc7 bxa-i (l0...~Zlf6) 11. ~h7 cZlf6 12.f4 e xf3 13. ~xf3 ctle4-+ II 1O. ~c6 ctlf6! (l0 ..:0' xg2+!?) 11.f4 exf3! 1 2 . ~ xf3 02 .A xf3?? ~ g l * ) 12...ctle 4!-+ [th reatenin g ~ f6 ( +)] 13.E! c2 ~ f6 1 4. ~ x f6 c;Zlg3+ 1 5 . ~f2 gxf6 16. a xh 5 ctlf5 III 10.f4 e xf3 II .A xf3 ~ h 3 + 12.A g 2 ~ g 3 1 3 . ~ f2 03. Wg l g f6 al ong with mate) 13...4Jxf2-+ 03 ... g xe 3-+)

~x f2 *

Analysis Prote cts the e4 pawn very calmly as does not hurry off.

10. ~ a2

~xg 3

4Jh 2 + Il. Wel

10...d5 1l.§.a2 Y¥'Ih2

7.a4

12 .Afl

7 .Axe4 ?? ~ xe 4- + 8. We 1 (8 . ~ x e 4 ~ xf2 +) 8 ... 4Jxf2

~g4 - +

12.~f1

~g l

12...§.g6! 13.f4 13 .axb5 4Jf6 - + The only playable move in view of the th re at 8 .. . 4Jh 2+ 9 . ~gl ~Zl f3 + 10.w fl ~ h 2 Il.A xf3 ex f3 and th e e-paw n changes on G to a gravedigger.

13... e xf314.A xf3 Now White's king is dep rived of the shelter of his pawns and falls victim to Black 's powerful attack. 14... Y¥'Ih3+ 15.Ag2 Y¥'Ig3-+ Threatening g f6 + and/o r 4Jh 2 +, ctlf3 + plus g h 2. If 16.~gl then 16... Y¥'Ih2+ 17.~fl §.f6+ 18.~el Y¥'Ig1+ 19.~d2 §. xe3 and so on.

43

Middlegame Tactics On the Sacrificial Altar (Domination of White Squares)

20.4Jb5!? plan 4Jc3 (4Jd6) 20... Elc8 2l.Ad2 h5!? 22.g5 4Jh7 23.f4?

J. Heiss/er (2450)-

R. Kasimdzhanov (2595) German 8undesliga 1999 Pirc Defense (807)

Already since 19.94 White has to pay distinct attention to the safety of his king's wing, but with this weakening of the light squares he goes definitely too far. Instead 23.agl!? (23.h4? ~c7! threatening ~xc4 and ~g3) with an unclear game should have been tried.

The winner of this spectacular game, Grandmaster Rustam Kasimdzhanov, at that time was a 19-year-old new talent from Uzbekistan. l.e4 g6 2.d4 Ag7 3.c3 d6 4.4J0 4Jf6 5.4Jbd2 0-0 6.Ad3 cs 7.0-0 cxd4 8.cxd4 4Jc6 9.a3 (9.h3) 9 ... 4Je8 lO.d5 4Je5 ll.Ae2 e6 l2.dxe6 02.4Jxe5 dxe5 13 .'~b3=) l2...Axe6 13.4Jd4 Ad7 l4.4Jc4 4Jxc4 l5.Axc4 4Jf6 d5!?

rs.rs

23... Ele4!! Cuts the Gordian knot with wonderful creative play! 24.Ac3 Or: I After 24.~xe4 axc4 25.Ae3 Af5-+ the white queen is overloaded.

An interesting pawn sacrifice designed to hinder the development of the enemy's queens ide (~c 1) and to exploit the weaknesses around the white king (diagonal b6-g 1).

II 24.4Jc6 ~e8 25.aael ~f5-+ 26.4Jxa7 axel 27.axel ~xel+ 28.ibel ~xd3 29.4Jxc8 ~xc4

17.exd5 Ele8!? l8.
III 24.4Je6 ~xe6-+ 25.~xe4 axc4 and Black wins in any case.

with the deadly threat of 19 .. .'~h4 (xd4, 4Jg3+)

24... Elxd4! 25.Axd4 Af5 26.~c3

19.94!?

26.~e3

19.93? ~b6!

axc4

27.~xg7

~xd5+

28.'1!Itgl '1!Itxg7-+ is a technical win.

44

Sacrificial Attacks Ju st a s hopele s s a s

2 9. ~f3 ,

e .g .

29....I1xd5 I 3 0 . ~d4 4Jxf3 31. ~c3 (3 1. ~f6 ~c7­ +; 3 1. ~c5 'tt'xg7-+) 3 l... ~h 4 - + 11 30..I1f6 .llxf3+ 31.
29 ... 4)xe4 30 ..{.te5 ~ xd5

3Vi~7g1

26... 4) xg5! 26...A e 4 + 27.
27 ..{.txg7 I 27 .f xg5 A e 4 + 28 .Wg l ~ x g 5 + 29 .
( 29 . ~g3

4Jf3+ 31. 'it'fl

~h6+

31...4)g5!? 3 1.. . ~c5 +

32.
33.E!f2 ~x g 5 + h4 35.E!afl h3 36.E!dl ~ e3 37.E!dfl ~ e4 + 38.~gl g5 39.E!c1 ~g7 40.E!c7?!

32.fxg5

~x e 5 - +

34.~hl?!

3 0 . ~ f2

~b5

32.'tt'g 2 h 4 ; 29 . ~b 3 ~ b 6 + 3 0 . ~ x b 6 4Jh 3 # ) 2 9 " . ~ b6 ! 3 0. ~ fe l 4:) f3+ 3 1. ~ f2 4Jxe 1

4 0 . ~c3

~g4 +

41. ~ g3

~d l

42. ~fl

~d4 +

4 3 .~h l

~e4 +

+

44.'tt'gl g4 plan f5 etc .

40 ... ~g4+ and White resigned just

27 ... E!xc4

before mate - 0-1.

27 ...A e4+! win s ev en more quickl y: Someti mes the king is forced out of his stronghold and a real hunt starts:

28. ~g l ~ x c 4 ! 29. ~e3 ( 29 . ~xc4?

allows the main them e 29 ...4Jh3 # )

29" . ~b6 ! 3 1.f xg 5

3 0.~ fe l

4Jf3+

~g2+

3 2. ~ fl

(3 0 ". ~ c2 ~b 5 +

33. ~ e 2

~xe2

34. ~x e2

A d3)

3 1.'tt'f2 4:)x e l - +

45

Middlegame Tactics

A Small "Magnet-Combination" G. Kasparov (2827) V. Korchnoi (2643) Zurich (Korchnoi's Birthday) 2001

The point: By a sacrifice the king is driven out of its secure position into a deadly minefield.

White to move (+-) (Position after 19...g5)

The refusal 21...'
On the occasion ofthe 70th birthday of the legendary Victor Lyovich Korchnoi (* 1931), a high-carat rapid-chess tournament took place with prominent Grandmasters such as Kasparov, Kramnik and Spas sky. Gary Kasparov, who is probably the strongest chess player ever, didn't win the tournament (Vladimir Kramnik won) but demonstrated some brilliant tactical solutions.

20.LDg6+!

22.,1ld3+ ~h5 23.E!h3+ ~g4 24.f3+ ~f4 25.~f2 g4 26.g3+ 1-0 King Hunt (The Dream of an Isolani)

A. Lein (2465) - N. Aleksic (2405) Catania/Sicily 1993 Nimzo-Indian Defense (E32) l.d4 LDf6 2.c4 e6 3.LDc3 ,1lb4 0-0 5.,1lg5 cs 6.e3 cxd4 7.exd4 LDc6 S.LDO ,1le7 9.a3 d5 10.E!dl h6 11.,1le3!?

~f7

4.~c2

20 ... '
l1.~c1 b6 12.cxd5 excl5 13«llb5 2.b7 (=, ECO £2) 14.0-0 a6 15..lld3 2e8 16.2fe1 Yf1c7 17.421e2 .llcl6 18.421g3 2ac8 19.~f5 421e7 20.Yf1xc7 - draw agreed, KorchnoiShort, Barcelona 1989.

21.E!f3+!

11 ... ~a5?! 12.,1ld3 dxc4 13.,1lxc4 LDd5 14.,1ld2 ~dS 15.0-0 LDxc3?! 16.,1lxc3 ~c7?! 17.,1la2 ,1lf6 IS.,1ld2! 46

Sac rific ial Attacks This advance illustrates the strength of an isolated pawn brilliantly. White has very good reaso ns to open up the position. Not o nly ge nera l con si der atio ns (lead in development, better centralization) but the possibilities on the diago nal c3-f6 make this a strong attack .

24 ...e xd5 T he is ol at ed pa wn thre at en ed t o adva nce . A lternatives: I 24 ...-£\ xd S A) 25. gxd S! exd5 26 . ~ x f6 + ! is s im ila r t o th e ga me: 26 .. .'It'xf6

Due to his ai mless play Black a lrea dy face s a dil emma. A fter his mysterio us qu een mo ve s, the ro ok a8 a nd the bishop c8 are still at home. Now Black has to weaken his kingside, as l 8...g d8 does not really solve the probl em due to 19 ..Q. b l and White's att a ck is g ro wi ng, e .g . 19 ... g6 (l 9 ~ b 6

n. -£\ d7 +

E~.i. ~

~~

..

~1~4J~1 ~

~ ~s~ ~~r~ ~ ~ ~ s

20 .'ii1 h7+ 'It'f8 21. A c 3 ; 19 ~ f8 20. 'ii1h 7 as 2l .Ac3 pl a n d S) 20 .Ax h6 'ii1 b 6 21. Ae 3 {Jxcl4 22.{Jxd4 .{t xd 4 23. gxd 4 g xcl4 24 .Axcl 4 ~ x d 4 25 .gd 1± .

~~~~~~,

. r~

g

~

~

~~~

~

~~~ .~ ~~~ r~~

19 .E!fel ~d8 20.Ac3 4Je7 21.4Je5 ~c7 22. ~e2 g6 23. ~f3 r::!Jg7? 23 .. .A g7 was nece s sar y, b ut a fte r 24 ..Q.b4 !± (p lan g el and eventua lly d4-c15) Black 's situation is bad. On the

'

Analysis

Aa) 27...w f5 28..Q..b l + 'It'g 5 29.Ad2+ 'It'h 4 30.g eS! Aa l ) 30...f5 3 L Q..d3 +- O l. 4:\x f8+-) Aa2) 30...f6 31.-£\xf8 'ii1f7 32.f3 fxe5 33 .-£\h7 \£txh7 34.g3+ ~ h 3 3S.A d 3 foll owed by 36..Q..f1 # Ab) 27 'It'g 5 28. Ad 2+ Abl) 28 ~g4 29.h3+ ~ h4 30.g e 5 'ii1 xe5 31. -£\ xe 5 A g4 32 .~ h 2 followed by 33.g3 # Ab2) 28 ... 'ii1f4 29 .Axf4 + (29 .g e 5+ f5 30 ..Q.xf4+ ~ x f4 3 1. g3 + ~ g 5 32 .{j xf8 +-) 29 .. .~ x f4 30.{j xf8 itf5 3 1. {j h7 +Ab3 ) 28 ... 'It'h4 29 .4:\e5!+- g e8 ( 29...'ii1 xe5 30 .g xeS f6 3 1.gx d 5 f5 32 .g 3 + ~ h3 33 ..Q.c4 h4 34 ..{tfl +

ot he r hand th e ga me co nt in uatio n provokes White to start an assa ult and to pun ish Black.

47

Middlegame Tactics ~g4 3S.h3 + ~f3 36.E\e S h xg3 37.Ag2 # ;

I 27...E\fd8 28.E\xd8

29...A g4 30 .A xd S; 29 ...'ltfc2 30. g3 + ~h3 3UlxdS) 30.4:1f3+ ~g4 31.B xe8 and so on. B) 2S o<~x dS ! (mos t pre cise ) 2S...exd S 26 .'ii1x f6+! ~ x f6 27 .4::\g 4 + ~ g S 28.11f6+! ~xg4 29 .B xd S foll ow ed by mate. H 24 ...B d 8 2S. d 6 !+- ( 2SA:Je 6 ) 25...E\ xd6 26 .Bxd6 \iJxd 6 27 .4::\e4 III 24 ... ·£lfS 2S .d6! 4::\ xd 6 26.E\ xd6 \iJxd 6 27 .\iJxf6+ ! ~x f6 28 .( )c4 + ~e7 29 .4::\ xd6 B d8 ( 29 ... a 5 30 ..:;~c4 + -) 30 .A b4! ~f6 3 1.E\d 1!+and this battery threatens 4::\e4+. A ) 3 1...E\g8 3 2.B d 3 +- <32.4:1e4 ++ -) B) 31... Bd 7 32.4::\e 8 + Ba) 32 ... ~ fS 33.11b1 + ~g5 34 .B xd 7 A xd 7 3S. Ad 2+ ~ h 4 36.h3 follow ed by mate. Bb) 3 2 ... ~e S 3 3 ..ll d 6 + ~ fS 34. A b 1+ ~ g S 3 S.h4 + ~ x h 4 <3S...
A ) 28 .. .\iJxd 8 29 .4:1 xf7 ( 29 .\iJxb7)

29...~ x f7 30.\iJxb7++B) 28 .. .B xd 8 29 .g4 h xg 4 30 .h xg4

B e 8 3 1.g xfS A xe S <3l.. .B xe S 3 2.A xe S) 3 2.B xe S E\xe S 33.\iJg3!+II 27 ... B a d 8 28 .B xd 8 'ii1 xd8 29 .g4 (2 9 .\iJxb 7) 29 .. .h xg 4 30.h xg 4 11e 6 <30 .. .11xe S 3LQ.. xe S+ f6 3 2. 11c 3 .ile8 33.g S+- 'It'g8 34 .\iJe4!) 31.gS! .Q..xe S 3 L\lx e S+ +III 27 .. .h 4 28. ,ge l! ~ g 8 ( 28...\iJe7 29..Q.b 4 +-) 29 .4::\d 7 +-

26.4)d7+

.~ f 4 #

Th is decision was probably influen ced by materialistic considerations. More precise was pla ying for mate with the d iscovered doubl e che ck 26. 4::\g 4+! . Watch and enjo y the spectac ular finish of th e c ombin a ti on : 26 ... ~ g S ( 26 ...
A fter opening the center Bl ack 's king is forced to leave his castle by a queen sacrifice and Wh ite 's wh ole arm y hunts him. 25. ~ xf6+!

Lein doe s not play "o nly for the ga llery" as the qu een sac rifice is ind eed the best solution. Bu t the Grandmaster had to tru st his intu ition, because he co uldn 't calculate all the consequences, as we wi ll see bel ow. 2S..i lxd 5± was simple a nd stro ng as well , e .g . 25.. .4::\ xd S ( 2S .. .4:1 fS 26 .h 3 ! plan g4 -g S ±/ + ) (26 .. .A e 6 ? 26 .E\xd S iU 5 27 .\iJxf6 +! 'It'xf6 28 . .:;~ g 4 + ~ e 7 29 .A b4 + ~ e 8 3 0. 4:1f6 # ) 27 .h3 !

48

Sacrificial Attacks Now White faces a tough choice : How to streng then his att ac k ag ainst the exposed king?

Analysis I 27...~f5 28 .Ab l + ~x g4 29 .l:'\ d4 + ( 29. h3 + ~ f4 30 .l:'\ d4 # ) 29 .. .i'H 4 30.h3 # /f3 # II 27 ... ~ x g 4 28 .Ab l! h 4 29 .l:'\d4 + i;i' f4 30. f3+ ! C3 0. h3 +?) 30 ... ~ h 5 3 1. l:'\x f4
28 ..Q,xd5? What a pity! Correct were 28.
26•..~g5 26...~ f5 ? ! and for exampl e 27 .h4!+(w it h the idea 28. A bl + ~ g 4 29 .l:'\d4+ i;i' f4 30. 13xf4 + ~ x f4 3 1 A:J f6 fo ll ow ed by 3 2.Ad 2 # ) 2 7 . .. i;i' x c 3 (27 ... i;i' f4 28 .
Analysis A ) 28 ...
27.Ad2+~h4

27 . ..~ g 4 ? 28 .h 3+ ~ h4 I 29 .l:'\ e5! +- i;i'xe 5 ( 29 .. .
II 29 .
49

Middlegame Tactics

B) 30 ... wg4 3LIle4 -,';"ye5 32.h3+ wh4 and White mates in five moves

Da) 29 ... iU3 30.4:Jxf3+ wg4 3LQ,a5! C31.~hl h4) 31...~xa5 C31...h6 32.llbl h4 33.§d4+ ~f4 34.h3+ wh5 35.§xf4; 31... ~f4 32.h3+ wf5 33.~hl + wf6 34.llC3+ d4 35.§xd4) 32.~hl 4:Jf5 33.h3+ wf4 34.§d4+ 4:Jxd4 35.g3# Db) 29...wg5 30.§f3+ wh4 31.§h3+ ~xh3 32.g3# De) 29... ~xe5 30.§xe5 i;~f5 C30"0
by moving his king's bishop away, e.g. 33.~f3

Ba) 33 ... \¥t xe 1+ 34.ii xel

~xf3

35.wh2 c~f5 (35 ... ~xg2 36.f4 #) 36.g3+ i;~xg3 37.fxg3 # Bb) 33 ... llxf3 34.§xe5 f6 35.wh2 ~xg2 36.f3 ~xf3 37 ..llel # 28 •.•4)xd5?

I 28 ... iixd7? loses as well due to 29.§e4+ iig4 30.§e5!+- and the ghosts of mate are everywhere and will become reality soon, e.g. 30... ~f5

31.g3+ wg4 32.llg2 h4 33.h3+ wh5 34.g4# II Black misses his chance to establish a defense with 28...\¥txd7!!

~~~--~;==;

E~A~

[1: . .'• . . • • I~

.1. .1

'+J"'~

~..L~8~

~

;~

~t

~

~. ~. ~. ;;~,;,

.~%~~% ~%·~%P . ~~ ~ ~~it~~ .

'~¢i~~~

~d{~

M

~8:

Analysis

Analysis

28 ... ~g4 29.4:Jh7! ~xdl (29 ... f6 30 ..llg5+ f xg5 31.g3+ ~xg3+ 32.fxg3+ wh3 33.4:Jxg5#) 30 ..\1xd5! A) 30... 4:Jxd5 31.§e4+ Aa) 31...~f4 32.~xf4 4:Jxf4 C32 ... wg4 33.~g3+ wf5 34.§e5+ wg4 35.h3 #) 33.§xf4+ ~g4 34.g3+ wh3 35.4:Jg5# Ab) 31...4:Jf4 32.iixf4 wg4 (32 ... ~xf4 see above) 33.~xc7+ wf5 34.§e5+ wf4 35.§d5+ wg4 36.4:Jf6+ wh4 37.iig3#

A) 29.~f3?? \¥txd2-+ B) 29.§e4+? \¥tg4 30.h3 Ba) 30 ... \¥txe4? 31.ii xe4 C3l.wh2?? \¥txg2+-+) 31...§d8 C31...~xh3? 32.wh2 4:Jf5 33.iif3 ~xg2 34.Wxg2 4:Je3+ 35.ii xe3 followed by 36.§hl #) 32.iif4! §xdl+ 33.wh2 §hl+ 34.W xhl 4:Jd5-+e 35.~xd5 C35.lld2?? ~xh3 36.g3+ wg4 37.wh2 h4 38.f3+ wh5-+) 35 ... ~xh3 36.~g3+ wg5 37.gxh3± (threatens ~xb7

50

and

~xf7)

Sacrificial Attacks Bb) 30 ... f5! BbI ) 31.g3 +? ~x h3 32.8 xg4

34. itd 2+ ~ f6 35.A c3 += perpetu al check. C r ) 30 .Ag2?? ~ d 4 ! Cd ) 30.8 e4 + C d l ) 30 ... ~ f5 ? ! 3 1. 8 f4 + ~ e 5 32 ..ll c 3+ ~ d 6 33 .Ae6 +! ~ d 5 (3 3.. .~ c 6 ? 34. 8 C4+ ~ b 6 35.il xd7 A xd 7 36. 8x d 7 ~ c 6 37 .A f6 ±) 34 .A xd7 .1i xd 7 35 .A b4 + ~ c 6 36 .E!c4+ ~ b 5 37 .8C 5+ ~ a 6 38 .E! a 5+ Wb6 39. 8axd 5 A c 6 ~ Cd2 ) 30 ...~ f3 !

~ x g4

33 .f3 + ~ x g 3 3LIl e l + ~ f4 35.A d2 + ~ e 5 36 ..1lc3 + ~ d 6 37 .Ax b7+ ~ e 6 38 ..ll xa8 A a6 39 .8e l+ ~ f7 :j: Bb2) 31.hxg4?? fxe4 32.itxe4 8 d8! 33 .g3 + ~ x g 4 34. Wg2 8 xd 2 (3 4...h 4) 35.8 xd 2 A f5- + Bb3) 3 1. ~ h2 f4 32.h xg 4 ~ x d 5 33.8e 5 A f5 34. 8xd 5 Wxg4 35.f3 + 'it'g 5 36 .g3 8 a e 8 37. Ax f4 + ~ f6 = C) The enormous complications after 29 .g3 + 'it'g4 C29 ...Wh3 ?? 30 .Ag2 + ~g4 31.8e 5! plus 32.f3 # / h 3 #) are tragicomic. Black has an extra queen , while his king marches thr ough the enemy lines.

.! ~A~ ~S ~

.~ t~*~ t~ ~ ~ ~t~

~.~" ~, ""~~ ~~ ~% .",,

.~i?'~~;:!@~~~~ i?'~ i?'i!§

M ~ill ~~ '~ § ~~ '~,..

?:m

Analysis This step into the heart of the enemy position shows that White's attack will vanish soon. Cd21) 3 1. 8 f4 + ~ e 2 32. A f3 + C32.8 d 4?? ~ x d 5) 32...~ d 3 Cd21l) 33 .Ab4 +? Wc 2 34 .E!x d7 A xd 7 35 .Ax e7 8 fe 8 + C d 2 12 ) 33. Ae3 +? 'it'c 2 34 .E! c1 + ~b3 35 .E!b4+ Wa 2 36 .A e4 C3 6. A e 2 ~ d 5 - + ) 36 ... ~ f5 - + a nd the queen will interfere with decisive effect. Cd213) 33. A e 4+ ~ c 4 (33 ... ~ e 2 = ) 34 .Ac6 + ~ d 4 (o r 34 .. . ~ b 3 35 .A xd 7 Axd7 36 .A b4 A e 6 37 .A xe 7 8 fe 8 38 .Af6 8 a c8/A f5 39.E!b 4 + ~ c 2) 35. 8xd4+ ~x d 4 36 .A b4 + ~e 5 (36 ... ~ c 4 ?? 37. A a4 ! fo llow ed by 38. b3 # ) 37 .Ax e 7 b xc6 38 ...G..xf8 A e 6 =

Analysis Ca) 30 .h3 +? 'it'xh 3 31.Ag 2+ ~g 4 32.8e4 + ~f5 33 .8f4+ ~g 5 34 .8 d4 + ~f6 35.8xd7 A xd 7 36 .itc3 + ~ e 6 37 .8e l + ~d 6 38 .A b4 + ~ c 7 - + C b) 30.f3+? Cbl) 30...~h3 ? 31.8e4 ~ f5 32.Ac4 ~xg3 33 .A e l !! (The thr eat is 34 ii.fl + 35.Axfl followed by 8 h4#) 33 ~ g 4 C33 ... ~ e 7 34 .h xg 318 xg 3 ~c 5 + 35.8 dd4 and mate will follow) 34 .8xg4 A xg4 35.h xg 3 A xf3 36.8 d4 followed by mate. C b 2 ) 30 .. . ~ f5 3 1.Ae4 + 'it'f6 32 .A c3 + ~ g 5 33 .l~!x d7 A xd 7 51

Middlegame Tactics C d 22 ) 31.8c1e1?? 4jxcl 5-+ Cd23) 31.8e3+ Wg4 32.8e4 += and White should give perpetual.

29.f!e4+

II 31.. .8e8 32.,i lh6 ih d7 33.h3 8 e4 34.8xd7+- (threatening wh2 plus g3#) 34...£\h8 35..ild2 and so on.

~f4

III 31...A xd7 32.8 d5! iU5 02 ...f5 33.h3+- plan w h2 followed by g3 #) A) 33.B d4 ?? 8 fe8! 34.f3 04 .h 3

Be4 35.wh2 B xf4 36.Bxf4+ wg5+) 34... Bac8 35.Ae 3+ l1g 4-+ B) 33.h3! Axh3 and now either Ba) 34.f3 Ag4 (34 ....~x g 2 35.Wxg2 f5 36.8 d 1 foll ow ed by 37 .8 h 1 # ) ih f3 36.g3 + w g4 35. Wh2 37 .8g5 # Bb) or 34 .8g5 A xg 2 35.8xg2 f6 0 5.. .8 ae8 36 .Ag5+ Wh 3 37 .8 g3 #) 36.f3 followed by 37 .8 h 2 # .

30... ~x f4

Now Lein is in the driver's seat again and hunts Black's king so that Black can only postpone his death by allowing a lost end game to arise.

It is too late for 30...~ xcl7 now. But the refutation is quite nice :

I 31. h3?? ~ f5 ! 0 1.. . ~xd 1 +?? 32 .Wh2 +-) 32 .8 d e 1 ~ x f4 33 .8 xf4 + Wg5-+

30.Axf4 30.8 xf4+

~ x f4 3L~ xf4

ca me into

cons iderat ion as well, e.g.

Analysis

Analysis

I 3 1.. .8 d8 32 .8 d 5! f5 02 .. .Wg4 33 .11h6 8 xd 7 34 .f3 + w h4 35 .ilg5 # ) 33.4:Je 5 8 g8 34 .8 d3 followed by 35.8 h3 #

A) 31...f5 32 .8e3 Wg4 33 .8 f3 .Q. xcl7 03 ...8e8 34. h3+ Wh4 35. wh 2 l1 xd 7 36 .g3 # ) 34.h3+ w h4 35.Wh2 plu s g3 #

52

Sacrificial Attacks B)

31...~g4

32.Hd5

~f5

Storming the Barricades

33.f3+

~h4 3L~e3+ ~xe4 35.~g5 #

C) 31...c~xd7 32.~h6+ ~g4 33.h3 Hh8 (33 ... f5 34.~h2) 34.~e3 f5 35. ~h2 f4 (35 ... fxe4 36.g3 #) 36.~xf4 ~xh3 37 .c\:te3+ ~g4 38.g3 #

K. Muller (2425) S. Zagrebelny (2450) Budapest (Autoteam) 1991

White to move (+-) (Position after 15 ...a4)

16.4)f5!! The sting of the scorpion! A well-known sacrificial theme in the Sicilian Sozin. Alternatives: I 16.Hg3?! A) 16 ... axb3? 17.~xh6+-, e.g. 17 .. .4:Jxe5 18.Hxg7+ ~h8 19.Hg3 B) After 16 ... ~h4? one possible line runs 17.Hxg7+ ~xg7 18.4:Jf5+ ~g8 19.'©'g4+ ~g5 20. c:21xh6+ ~g7 21.~xg5 4:Jxe5 22.'©'g3 f6 23.~xf6+ ~xf6 24.Hfl + ~e7 25.'©'g7+ ~d6 26.Hxf8+-. C) 16 ... 4:Jxe5 17.Hxg7+ ~xg7 18.~xh6+ ~g8 19. '©'xe5 .\:tf6 20.'©'g3+ ~h8 21.~xf8 ,©,xf8 22.~c4 Vf1g7 23.Vf1xg7+ ~xg7 24.Hd1 gives White only a small plus in the ending. II 16.~xh6 wins as well, but is much more complicated: 16 ... g6! 17.Hg3 ~h7 18.Vf1h3 Hh8 19.":21f5! C19.~xe6 fxe6 20.He1±) 19 ... ~g8 C19... exf5 20.~xf7 Ha6 21.§d1 +-) 20.Vf1h5 4:Jxe5 21.4:Jxe7+ Vf1xe7 22.Vf1xe5 Hxh6 23.4:Jd5 '&f8 24.4:Jf6+ ~h8 25 ..~c4+-.

31 \tIg5 32.gxf4+ \tIh6 32 ~f3

~f5

33.He5+ 35.He3#

~xf4

34.Hd4+

33.4)xf8 The rest is a matter of technique.

33... Ag4 34.E!,del E!,xf8 35.E!,e8 E!,xe8 36.E!,xe8 AU 37.h4 \tIg7 38.\tIfl \tIf6 39.E!,e5 \tIg7 40.\tIel \tIf8 41.\tId2 f6 42.E!,e3 Ac6 43. \tIc3 \tIf7 44. \tIc4 Ag2 45. \ticS Ac6 46.\tId6 g5 47.fxg5 fxg5 48.E!,e5 1-0 For this fascinating game the winner, Soviet-American Grandmaster Anatoly Yakovlenich Lein (* 1931), received the brilliancy prize of the chess festival. Before we analyse some well-known sacrificial attacks, here are three examples from my own practice (KM): 53

Middlegame Tactics This seems to be a bit slow, and 7....~g4!? is better.

16...exf5 16 ... axh3 17.tJxh6++-

8.0-0 Ag4 9.f3 Ah5 10 ..!£lf4 Ag6 1l..!£lxg6 hxg6 12.f4! ~b6?!

17.Axh6! Annihilation of defense!

Now White's attack becomes extremely dangerous, as Black has few defenders around his king. 12 ... c£J h cl7 13.f5 ~'¥b6 was more precise.

13.Axf6 gxf6 14..!£le2 Ad6 After 14 ... f5 I had prepared the sacrifice 15.~xf5 gxf5 16.tJg3 with a dangerous attack, so White's knight on f5 is a tower of strength, e.g. 16 ... Be8 17.4Jxf5 Be6 18 .'~h5 Bg6 19.Bf3 c~cl7 20.Bg3.

15.f5 ~g7

With the help of a mighty bishop pair White storms the barricades decisively.

18 ... ~g5 19.Axg5 axb3 .!£l xe5 21.13xh4 1-0

I was planning to meet 15...g5 with 16.h4 to continue the attack.

20.~h5

16.fxg6 fxg6?

Beating Wolfgang Uhlmann K. Muller (2503) Jv. Uhlmann (2464) Austrian Staatsliga (A) 2001, 1st board French Defense (COl) At the 6th round I succeeded in defeating the famous East German GM Wolfgang Uhlmann (* 1935) in his beloved French Defense.

The zwischenzug 16...Bh8! was called for, mixing this up. But now the situation is clear as the enemy's fire starts violently:

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3..!£lc3 Ab4 4.exd5 exd5 5.Ad3 .!£lf6

17.Axg6!

At our last encounter Uhlmann had preferred 5...c6.

~xg6

17 ... Bh8 doesn't defend either: 18.tJf4, and now:

6..!£lge2 0-0 7.Ag5 c6?! 54

Sacrificial Attacks

18 ....\l xf4 19.b xf4 Wxg 6 0 9 .. .1"1. h 6 20 .il el3+..£\a 6 21. 'I'4g 4+ w h8 n .§el) 2(1. '&g4 + w fl 21. § xf6 +!+-

[24 .. .Wg8 (2 4 .. ...£\ h7 25.Bxf8+ § xfS 26 .§x f8 * ) 25 . ~g6 + w h8 26 .§h 4+ c2l h7 27 .'i'i'1x h 7 *.1 The next gam e was played on my 30th birthday (KM):

11 18 ... § h 4 19 .9 3 ( 19 ...£\ h 5 + Wh 8± ) 19 .. ..it xf4 (l9 .. . l::1: xf4 20 .'~ h 5+ - ) 20 .g xh 4 +-

Increasin g the Pre ssure

18.4)f4+ J1,xf4 19.E! xf4 The French GM Igor Ale xandre Nat af, who pl ays for Fu rstenfe ld, told me afterw ard s that he had prepar ed th is sacrifice for himself and that Whit e is winni ng by force now. But I got the chance to play it ea rlier...

19... f5 I 19 ...Wf7 20 . ~e2 ..£\el7 2 U~e 1 B fe 8 22. ~ h 5+ w f8 23 . ~ h8 + w fl 2 4 . ~ h 7 + w fS 25 .§ xe8 + § xe 8 (2 5...Wxe 8 26 . ~ h8 + ~ f8 2 7 . ~x f6 4:J d 7 28 .'~1 h 8 + + -) 26. § g4 § e 1+ 27. w f 2+ 11 19 .. .~ d 7 20. ~d 3

White to move White has already invested material in his attack and now he was confronted with a choice between giving perpetual check and try ing to brin g new forces into the attac k. He decided to give it a tr y, in parti c ul ar to mak e Bl ack ' s defensive task extraordinary difficul t.

20 . ~g4 ++ -

4)d7

20 ... ~ cl 8 21.§ afl

~g 5

22 .§ 1f3 +-

23.f4!? 23. c2lf6 .~A6 24 . ~ x f6 + may le ad to nowhere: I 24 .. .w h7 25 .'~f7 + w h8 26 .§ ae l (26 .'i~H6 + =) 26 .. .§ g 8!! (26 .. .4:Jd S? 27 .§ e 4 ..£\f4 28 .B d l + - ) 27 . ~ h 5 + (27. § e4?! ~ d 8 ) 27 .. .Wg7 28. f4 ~ d 6 29 .f xe S ~ c S + (2 9 .. .~ g 6)

21.E!afl The white reserves are coming to the front slowly but surely.

21 ... 4)f6?! I 21.. .4:Je5

n . ~ g 3+

4:Jg4 23 .h3 +-

II 24 Wg8 2 5 . ~g6 + w h8 un cl ear/ = C2 S Wf8?! 26 .f4 e4 27 .'&f6+ We 8 28 .Bae l )

II 2 1.. .§ f6 22 .§xf5 Wg7 23.§ g5 + w f8 24 .§ h 5+22. ~ xf5+ ~g7 23. ~g5+ ~h8 24. ~h6+ 1-0

55

Middlegame Tactics 32.8fel C32.8xd5 ~xfl 33.~xfl 8d8; 32.c£lg5+ ~g6 33. c::Jxh3 c£le3 34.8d7 6::Jxfl 35.~xfl) 32 ... c£lxe3 33.bxe3 ~g6. III In the post-mortem analysis Rainer Buhmann found a way for Black to save his skin: 23 ... 8f8! 24.f5 (24.c£lg5? ~c5+ 25.~hl ~f5 26.'\¥th5+ ~g8+) 24 c£ld8 25.f6?! (25.\fl'h6+=) 25 ~c5+ 26.c£lxc5 \fl'xc5+ 27.8f2 8f7! (27 ... c£le6? 28.8el cile8 29. \fl'h6+ ~g8 30.8e4+-) 28.8el <~ e6 ! (Fritz 6; in the analysis we only looked at 28...8h7? 29.8e4 after which White keeps a strong initiative) 29.8dl (29. \fl'h5+ 8h7 30.'\¥txe5 '\¥txe5 31.8xe5 c£lf7=i=/+) 29 ... c£ld7 30.8dd2 ~d5 =i=.

Analysis White has the fantastic 27.8f7!! winning: 27 ... c£lxf7 28.'t;;Yg6+ ~h8 29.\fl'h5+ c£lh6 30.\fl'xh6+ ~g8 31.\fl'g6+ ~h8 32.\fl'h5+ ~g8 33.\fl'xd5++-.

24.~h6+ ~g8

25.fxe5 1-0.

Sielecki resigned due to 25 ... c£lxe5 [25 ... ~e8 26.8f4 c£lxe5 27.'tfte6+ ~h7 (27 ... c£lf7 28. \fl'g6++-) 28.\fl'xe5 c£ld7 29.'ii¥d4+-] 26.c£lf6+ iixf6 27.8xf6 'ii¥e7 28.'\¥tg5+ \fl'g7 29.'ii¥ xe5 8e8 30.'\¥td6+-.

II 23...~e8!? comes into consideration as well: 24.\fl'h6+ ~g8 25.f5 A) 25 ...MJ8? 26.c£lf6+ ~f7 27.\fl'h7+ ~g7 28.c£lh5 ~f8 29.f6+B) 25 ... c£ld8?! 26.f6 ~e5+ 27.~g2 <~ c 6 28.8ael gives White a strong attack, e.g. Ba) 28 ... c£le4 29.~h3 \fl' d 7 + (29 ... <~xe4 30.8 xe4 c£le3 31.8f3 '\¥td7+ 32.g4+-) 30.~h4 cilxe4 31.8xe4 &::Je3 32.8f3 and one sample line runs 32 ... &::Jg2+ 33.~h5 cile3 34.\fl'g6+ ~f8 35.h4 8e8 36.8xe5 &::Je6 37.8exe3 \fl' d 5 + C37... 8e5+ 38.~h6 c£l xe3 39.8xe3+-) 38.8f5 \"tdl + 39.~h6 &::Jxe3 40.8g5+Bb) 28 ... 8e8 29.~h3 M.xe4 (29 ... '\¥td7+ 30.~h4 ~xe4 31.8xe4 ~f8 32.\fl'g6+ ~h8 33.8xe5 8e4+ 34.g4+-) 30.8xe4 ~f7 31.8g4+C) 25 ... &::Jd5 26.f6 .~f8 27.'\¥tg5+ ~h8 28.v~h4+ \fl'h7 29.'\¥txh7+ ~xh7 30.f7 .~d7 31.8adl .ah3

In a chapter on intuitive sacrificial attacks, the following three games should not be missing: Nezhmetdinov's Pearl

Black to move (-+) 56

Sacrificial Attacks

24 ....§xf4!! Alternatives are all hopeless, e.g.: J 24 ... ~ g 2 ? 25.e xh6 ~ f3 + 26.'i-l'td2 4:Jed3 27.~d4+II 24 ... ~ x h l ? 25. ~xhl 4:Jxc2+ 26.'i-l'td2 c~xa 1 27. ~ x h 6 + -

In this position Polugaevsky resigned, as after 34.'i-l'ta6 Nezhmetdinov could choose between three different mates. Gufeld's "Unforgettable" V. Bagirov - E. Gufeld Kirovabad 1973

Or 26 ... c5+ 27.dxc6 b5! 2S.~d3 4:Jexc6+ 29.'i-l'tc3 ~g7+ 30.'i-l'td2 exd3+ 3 1. 'i-l'te 1 (3 1. 'i-l'tc 1 exdl+ 32.'i-l'txdl ~xb2-+) and now both 31...~xb2 32. ~bl ~xal 33.a3 efS 34.axb4 4:Je5 and 31...exdl + 32.exdl ~xb2 33.exd6 are winning for Black.

27.a4 J 27.4:Jgl exg3 2S.4:Je2 ef3 29.4:Jgl 30.'i-l'tc4 4:Jxb2+ 31.'i-l'txb4 ~c3+ 32.'i-l'ta3 b5 33.b4 a5 34.b xa5 4:Jc4+ 35.'i-l'tb3 4:Jxa5+ 36.'i-l'ta3 4:Jc4+ 37.'i-l'tb3 ea3# (S.Gidins) &~ed3+

II 27.4:Jc3 4:Jed3+ 2S.e5

~xe5+

29.'i-l'tc4 (29.'i-l'te4? 29 ... 4:Jxb2+-+

4:Jc5 #)

Black to move (-+) (Position after 25.'i-l'tbl) The Ukrainian Grandmaster Eduard Gufeld (1936-2002), longtime trainer of Women's World Champion Maya Chiburdanidze, well known chessjournalist and book author, won a modern "immortal game" with his beloved King's Indian Defense. The diagrammed position shows the beginning of the final phase.

27...c5+ 28.dxc6 bxc6 29.Ad3 4)exd3+ 30.lIt>c4 30.e5

~xe5+

31.'i-l'te4 d5#

25... Ae6!! 57

Middlegame Tactics Black opens the queeri's road to the king via the b-file. 25...c2+? wins a piece, but slows the attack, which allows White to take over the initiative after 26.wb2 cxd l \£t 27Jhdl gh3 zs.nri Axg4 29.h6 owJ5 30.,§,xf5 gxh6 31.ggl.

30 ...{)d5+ 31.\t>c2 'l::"tb2+ 32.\t>d3 'l::"tb5+ 0-1.

Bagirov resigned in view of 33.Wc2 '&e2+ 34.Wb3 '&b2+ 35.Wc4 ,§,b5#.

Anderssen's "Evergreen"

26.J}.xe6 {)d3!

A. Anderssen - J. Dufresne Berlin 1852

26 ... c2+? 27.wb2 cxdl'§' 28.gxdl ~d3+ 29.gxd3 gxd3 30.Wc2 gh3 31.,§,f7 would be dangerous for Black.

White cannot accept the sacrifice due to ... ,§,b8+. 27...'l::"tb8+ 28.J}.b3

28.Wc2 4Jb4+ 29.wbl 0:Jd5+ 30.Wc2 ga2+ 31.Wd3 '§'b5 # White to move (+-) After wild complications Anderssen now justifies his play brilliantly:

28...E!.xb3+ 29.\t>c2

20.E!.xe7+! {)xe7

Now comes the final blow ...

20 wd8 21.gxd7+! Wc8 (21 Wxd7 22.Af5+ We8 23.Ad7+ wd8 24.Axc6+ Wc8 25.Ad7+ wd8 26.Ae7 #) 22.gd8+! Wxd8 (22 ... gxd8 23.g xf3+-; 22 ... ~xd8 23.,§,d7+!! Wxd7 24.iH5+ Wc6 25.Ad7#) 23.Ae2+ 0:Jd4 24.Axf3 cIlxf3 25.g3 Axdl 26.~xdl "with a boring but winning endgame" (Kasparov).

29...{)b4+! 30.\t>xb3

21.'liYxd7+!! \t>xd7 22.J}.f5+ \t>e8

23.J}.d7+ \t>f8 24.J}.xe7# 1-0

Or 30.Wcl gbl + (or 30 ... 0:Ja2+ 31.Wc2 gb2+ 32.Wd3 '§'b5+ 33.We3 ~e2+ 34.wf4 '§'f2+-+) 31.Wxbl 0:Jd5+ and Black mates.

To close our "miniature classic collection" we have selected a masterpiece of the great Akiba Rubinstein (1882-1961): 58

Sacrificial Attacks

Rubinstein 's Immortal

£ xh 3 + 24. 'f;Yx h3 'f;Yxh 3+ 25 .gx h3 26 .Wh2 g cl2+ 27.Wg3 1"!g 2+ 28 .w h 4 id,cl8 + 29 .w h 5 A g 6 # ) 23.. .A xe 4 24 .'f;Yxg4 (24 . ~ xe 4 ~g 3 ­ +) 24 ...~ x g4 25 .h xg4 g d 3 26 .Wh 2 g xc3 - +. ~x e4 +

G. Rotlewi - A . Rubinstein

Lodz 1907 Tarrasch Defense (040) l.d4 cl5 2.{lf3 e6 3.e3 c5 4.c4 c:Jc6 5 .4,j c3 {lf6 6 .clxc 5 ~x c5 7.a3 a6 8 .b 4 ~d6 9 ..~ b 2 0-0 1 0 . ~ cl 2 Yfi e7 I l. Acl 3 d xc4 12 .A xc4 b5 13. Acl 3 1"! cl8 1 4 . ~e 2 A b 7 15 .0-0 {l e 5 16 .{l xe5 A xe 5 17 .f4 A c7 18. e 4 1"! a c 8

Now Rubinstein uncorks one stroke of geni us after another.

22 ... E!xc3!! 23.gxh4

19.e5? Blac k is bet ter in an y ca se due to White's somewhat loose center, but this allows a devastating comb ination.

19 ... Ab6+ 20. <;t>hl 4)g4! 21.Ae4 I 2 1. {le4 ~ h 4 22 .h 3 g xcl3 23. Yfi xcl3 ( 23 . ~xg4 'f;Y xg4 24 .hx g4 A xe 4 - +) 2 3 .. .i h e4-+ II 2 1.Ax h7 + Wxh 7 22 . ~xg4 g d 2 23 .1"! a b l A cl4 24 .gf3 A xf3 25 .'f;Y xf3 g xb2 - + III 21. ~ x g 4 g xcl3 22. g fd 1 1"! clxc 3 - +

The powerful coordination of rooks and bishops mak es a strong impr ession .

21 ...l\th4! 22.g3

24. ~ xd2

22.h3 doesn ' t help either : 22 ...1"! xc3! 23 . ~xc3 (23 .i:lxb 7 1"! xh 3+ 24 .gx h3 'f;Y xh 3 + 25. 'f;Y h2 'f;Y xh 2 # ; 23 .'f;Yx g 4

I

u

2 4 . ~x g4

g xh 2 # 59

i b e4+ 25. £f3 g xf3- + .ll,xe 4 + 25 .'f;Y xe 4

2 4. ~ x c 3

Middlegame Tactics III 24.itxb7 §xe2 25.~g2 §h3-+

E4.3 V. Anand (2770) - O. Touzane (2368) Moscow (FIDE W-Ch) 2001

24... jtxe4+ 25.t:tg2 §h3 0-1 [26.§f2 (26.§f3 ~xf3 27. i:¥xf3 §xh2#) 26 ... ~xf2 27.i:¥xe4 §xh2#].

Exercises E4.1 K. Muller (2513) S. Wehmeier (2390) Lippstadt 2000 White to move (+-) Then-FIDE World Champion Viswanathan Anand misses a beautiful win. Can you do better? E4.4

White to move. How to continue his attack? E4.2 K. Muller (2513) -L. McShane (2480) Lippstadt 2000

White to move (+-) How did Smimov continue his attack?

60

Sacrificial Attacks

White to move (+-) Here the black king does not get off lightly!

E4.5 G. Kasparov (282 7) - N. Short (2676) Zurich (Korchnoi's Birthday) 2001

Solutions: E4.1: 25.2£l xh6+! \t7h 7 [25...g xh6 26 .'&g4 + '!¥tg5 (2 6 . ..'it>f7 27. '&g7 + We 6 28. '!¥te 7 *) n .'!¥txd 7+-) ] 26. ~g4g6

1 26 .. ..t\ xf6 27 J h f6! gx f6 28 . ~ f5 '&f7 29.4:Jcd 6 '&g 6 30 .'&h 4 + 'it'g8 31. ~ e 7 + + -

II 26 .. .4Je 6 27.4Jf5 4Jxf6 28 .'!¥t h3+ 'it'g 6 29 .4Je7 ++ -

White to move (+-) How did Kasparov demolish the black king's shelter?

27. ~h3

2£l xf6 28. .§ xf6 ~ h 5 30.2£lf5 1-0

29.~xh5 g xh5

E4.6 E4 .2: I 19...2£le7? 20.A xb7 2£lg8 (20 ...'&xb 7 21. 4Jd6 '&c6 22. 4Jxe 8 E1 xe 8 23. 4Jf3± as 23 ... g 5? ru ns into '&xd 6 25. 4Jxg5 +-) 24 .E1d 6 21.2£l xg 6 + 2£l xg 6 22. ~ h 3 ! f5?! (22 ... '&xb 7 23 .E1 d7 +- wi n ning Black's queen was missed by Luke in his ca lc ulat ions ) 2 3.e xf5 2£lf4 24. ~f3 2£lf6 25 ..§d6 .§g8 26..§ xf6 e 4 [26 .. .4Jxg 2 27 .'&xg2 E1 xg 2 + (2 7 .. .'&xb 7 28 .B g 6!+-) 28 .A xg2 '&g 7 29 .E1 e6 E1 g 8 30. 4Je3 +-] 27..§xe4! .§d8 (2 7...'&xb7 28.E1xe8 '!¥t xf3 29. E1 xg 8+ 'it'xg 8 30 .g xf 3 +-) 28.2£le3 2£l xg2 29.2£l xg2 ~ x b 7 30..§fe6 1-0.

CD. Meyer (2315) - E. Wellner (2200)

Berlin (open) 1984

White to move (+-)

II 19 . .. 4Jd 8 ! wi th a c om plica te d position was called for, e.g. 20 . ~d6 A xd 5 ( 20 ... '&xd 6 2 1.A xb7 '!¥t e6 22 .£ld 5 '&g 4 2 3 .g 3) 21. 4Jxe8 E1 xe 8 22 .4Jxg 6 + 4J xg 6 23 .E1xd5. E4.3: 21. ~d3? (game) I 21.cxb7?! is not so clear, e.g . 21.. .E1b8 22.'&h5 f5 23.Ax h6 '§Ie8 24.'&f3 gxh6 25.'&d5+ Bf7 26.'&xa5 Be7 27.h3 c5 61

Middlegame Tactics 28.1";xa7 cxd-i 29.'&xd4 2:exb7 30.],hb7 2:xb7 3L~xf5±. II 21.~1h5! is winning according to D. Poldauf in the German magazine Schoch (No. 1/2002): A) 21...1'5 22.11xh6 '&e8 23.'&g5 1"11'7 24.itb3 \t'h8 25 ..\1.xfl \i1xf7 26.exb7 2:b8 27«\hg7+ '4xg7 28. xf5+B) 21...b6 22 ..\hh6 gxh6 23.'ci1xh6 1'5 24.itb3+ 2:fl 25.'&g6+ \t'h8 26.itxf7 +C) 21 ... 'i'';fxd4 22.'&xa5 (22.exb7? 'ffte3! 23.itxh6 ,&xe2 24.2:e1 2:ae8 25. \¥txa5 '&b2) 22 ... bxe6 (22 ... b6 23.'&1'5 g6 24.'{;yf3+-) 23.itb2±(+-) D) 21...2:e8 22.itxh6! gxh6 23.'tftxh6 .\lel2 24. '&xd2 '&h 4 25.exb7 2:ab8 26.d5+-. But the game continued: 21 ...g6 22.cxb7 §bS 23.11.xh6 §eS 24. ~f3 §e6 25.11.b3 §f6 with counterplay.

occupying the dark squares) lS gxh6 19.~d2 f5 20.exf611.dS (20 llel6 makes no essential difference) 21.~xh6 §a7 22 ..I£)g5+- ~xb5 (22 ... §e7 23.fxe7) 23.f7+ §xf7 24 ..I£)xf71-0 E4.6: 21.d5! [21.ita6! wins as well, e.g. 21...\frel7 (21...b6 22.el5! §xel5 23.c2'Jd4ug7 24.t;Jxe6+ 4:1xc6 25.§c4 plan §bc1+-) 22.§xe6 c2'Jxe6 23.'W'a4 (;l.g7 (23 ... §e8 24.d5!+- exel5 25 ..Q.xa7+) 24.itb5 §e8 25.el5' vlxel5 26.itxe6+\i1xe6 (26 ... §xc6 27.'tftxa7+ \t'e8 28.'tftxb7+ \t'd8 29. \¥txf7) 27.'tftxa7+ \t'e7 28.§xb7+ 'tftxb7 29..\1,b6+ \t'e6 30. w2'Jd4+.] 21 ... exd5 [21...4:1xel5 22.itb5! (22.\lxcl5 §xel5 23.4:1d4 §xd4!? 24 ..\hcl4 l1g7 25.\¥te3±) 22 .. «\lxb5 (22 ... 4:1b6 23.itxe6 bxe6 24.l1xb6 axb6 25.\¥txb6+ \¥t xb 6 26.§xb6+ \t'a7 27.§bxe6+-; 22 ... \t'a8 23.4:1e14+-) 23.§xe7 6;;']xe7 24.4:1e14 §el5 25.a4 ita6 26."~c6+ \t'c8 (26 ... \t'a8 27.11xa7+-) 27.4:1xa7++-] 22.11.b5+- ~d7 23.e6 1-0 (23 ... \¥tc8 24.'tfta4 (24A:Je5); 23 ... fxe6 24.4:1e5; 23. \¥ta4!).

E4.4: 29 ..I£)g4!! [29.2:h1! wins as well: 29 ... '&xa2 (29 ... 2:xh1 30.\t'g5 v~e1 31.\t'f6+-) 30.2:xh2 '&xf2+ 31.\t'g5 '&g3+ 32.\t'f6 ,&xg6+ 33.\t'xg6 \t'g8 34.2:h7 ite6 35.2:d3+-.J 29 ... §xg2 (29 ... fxg4 30. \t'g5+-) 30. ~f6+ Iit>gS [30 ... \t'e8 31.'&h8+ \t'fl C31...\t'e7 32.'&g7+ \t'e8 33.4:'11'6#) 32.'&h7+ \t'f8 33.\t'g5 2:xg4+ 34.\t'f6+-] 31..I£)h6+ Iit>h7 32.§hl 1-0 C32... 2:g4+ 33.4:1xg4+ itxh1 34.\¥th6+ \t'g8 35.4:11'6+ \t'f7 36.\¥th7+ \t'f8 37.'tftg8+ \t'e7 38.'&g7#)

E4.7 23.11.xh6+!! Iit>xh6 24.~h3+ [24.§f7? \¥tel5 25.§afl (25.'tftf4+? \¥tg 5 26.'W'c7 4:1cl8 27.§f2 §f8-+) 25 ... \¥th5 26.the6 6~el8 27.\¥te3+ \¥tg 5 28.\¥th3+=] 24 ... lit>g7 (24 \t'g5 25.g3+-) 25.§f7+! 1-0 (25 \t'xf7 26.\¥th7+ \t'f6 27.§fl + \t'g5 28.h4+ \t'g4 29. \¥txg6+ \t'xh4 30.§f4 #)

E4.5: lS.11.h6!! (A splendid way of weakening the king's shelter and then

62

Magic By The Magician

M. Tal - A. Koblentz Riga 1957

Black to move Th e prev ious moves were (Sici lia n Defense/B63) l. e4 c5 2.4Jf3 d6 3.d4 cx d -l 4. 4Jxd 4 4Jf6 5. 4Jc 3 4Jc6 6 . ~g 5 e6 7. 'i¥Y d 2 .~ e 7 8.0-0- 0 0-0 9 .4Jb3 'i¥Yb 6 10 .f3 a 6 11. g 4 g d 8 12 .ile3 'i¥Yc7 13.h4 b5 14 .g 5 4Jd 7 15 .g6 h xg6 16 .h5 gx h5 17 .g xh 5 4Jf6 18. g h 1 d5 19 .e S 4Jxe 5 zo.a« il d 6 21. 'i¥Y h 2 'il'f f8 22 .'i¥Y h 8 +.

Mikhail Tal

A3) Magic by the Magician The style of former World Champion Mikhail Ta l ( 19 36 - 1992) was c ha racterize d by wild tactical co mp li cat io ns. "Central iz e and sacrifice" and "T hey can onl y take one at a time" we re two of his fam ou s principles. Euwe once rem ark ed, " In power s of co mbina tio n Tal perhaps outdoes even A lekhine . Sac ri fic e is second nature to him." His games were a na lyse d man y tim e s an d seve ra l sacrifices proved to be incorrect by later analysis. But over the board many of his opponents were so stunned that they j us t could n 't keep a c lea r head. Completely correct or not, his play has inspired co untless players and has won chess many followers. Here is one very typical, complicated strugg le against his trainer Alexa nder Koblentz (* 1916):

22....£lg8? Koblentz wants to trap Tal's queen , but underestimates the danger to his own king . 22...'il'f e7! wo u ld have refut ed Whi te ' s attac k o u tr ig h t : 23 .'i¥Y h3 C23. 'i¥Y xg7 ? g g 8 24. 'i¥Y h6 4Jd 3 + 25 .'il'fb1 ~ x f4 - +) 23 .. .il d7 -+

23.E!h7 rs Car ry in g th e d ea d ly thr eat 4Jg6 winning the queen.

24 ..1lh6 E!d7 24... gxh6 25.gxc7 I1.xc7 26 .4Je2 very complicated .

63

IS

Middl egame Tactics

Ana lysis Del ayi ng the sacrifi ce with 25 .<£Jd4 see ms to be stronge r, e.g.: I 2 5 ... § e 7 26 .<£J xf5 "~ g 6 (26 .. .ex f5? 27. <£J xd 5 <£Jg6 28 . "~x c7 <£J xh 8 29. § xd 6 §xe7 30 .§d8 + ~ e 7 3 1. § xg 8 <£Jf7 32. §h xg 7+-) 27 . "~ x e7 (27 .il xg 7 +?! § xg 7 28 . ~xg7 + ~ x g 7 29. § xg 7 A f4 + 30 . ~b l c~ 8 e 7 3 1. §xe7 <£J xe 7 3 2. c~ xe7 Wxe7 and Black is at least slig htly bett er ) 27 ... <£Jxh8 28 .A xg7 + Wxe 7 29 .il xh8 + ~ c1 8 30 .§ xc 7

Now White has the amazi ng problemlike sho t 28. Ad7 !! : Aa) 28 ... .l1f4 + 2 9 . ~hl ~ x d 7 30. <£J xe 6 + ~x e6 C3 0 ... ~ e 8 3 1. <£J xg 7 + ~ f8 3 2 .<£J e 6 +± ) 31.~ x g 7 + ~e8 3 2 .<£Jx d 5 ile 5 33 .<£J e7 + .\l xe 7 3 4 . ~ xc7 ilb 7 35 . ~x b7 ±

Ab) 28 ... 'i~1x d 7 29. -tlx e6 + ~ x e 6 30 . ~ x g7 + ~e 8 3 1.<£J xd 5 a 5 mak ing roo m for the bishop. Whit e ca n choose between the complicat ions after 32.f4 o r 32 .4:1f6 + (3 2 .. . ~ x f6 33. ~ x g 8 + 4Jf8 34.§ xd 6 ~ x d 6 3 5 . ~f7+ Wd 8 ~ d7 37 .§ xf8+ We7 36 .§ h 8 3 8 . ~ x d7 + ~x d7 39 .§ xf 5 =) . B) 26 ... A xe 5 27 .Ax d7 4:1 xh 8 28 .A xg 7+ We 7 29 .A e5+ 4:1 f7 30 ..l1xe7 Ax d7- +

Wxe7 ~

II 25 . ..§ f7 26 .<£Jcl xb5 27 .<£Jx b 5 gx h 6 28 .<£Jx e7 29 .§ xc7 A xe7 unclear.

ax b 5 § xc 7

25... E!f7? Also mi stak e n is 25 ...a xb5? d ue to 26 . c~ x h 5 + - , but co ntinuing the chose n plan with 25...<£Jg6! was ca lled for: I 26 .ilxd7 ilf4 + 27 .Axf4 (27 . ~h l .('t xh 6 28 .ilxc8 <£J xh8 29. il xe 6 <£J f7 - +) 27 .. .,,:-h f4 + 28 . c~d2 c~ x h 8 - +

II 26 .<£Jc 5 A) 26 .. .§ e 7? 27 ..\l xg 7 + § xg7

27.4Jd4?! 64

Magic By The Magician

I 29 ... Wxe8?! 3 0 ...£J xe 6 A xe 6 3 1. '®' xg8 + We 7 3 2.gxf5 H xf5 02 ... il xc3 ? 33. A g 5 + .ll f6 34 .A xf6 + Wxf6 35 .fxe 6 +-) 33 .Hgxg7 + .\l x g7 34 .\£t xg7 + Hf7 35 .'iit xf7 + A xf7 36 . c::Jx d 5 +± II 29 ... gx h6? 30 .Hxf7 + \£t xf7 3 1. \"¥ xe 5 +III 29 ...He7? 30 .c::Jc6 El xeS 31.g xf5 El e 7 32 .1'6 .l1xf6 33 .4Jxa7 +IV 29 ...A xd 4 30 ..Qx17 \£t xf7 wit h a very messy positi on .

Wit h the threat of 2i'L l1a6. But thi s tim e it is weaker th an its immed iate execution: 27 ..l1xa 6 ! A xa 6 (27 . .. ..£J xf3 28 .-IJb5 A f4 + 29 . ~d l A xh 6 30 ...£J xc7 El a xc7 3 1. A xc8 El xc8 3 2 .Elxh 6 +-) 28. c::Jd 4 A c8 c 29 . ::Jdb5 'iit b 6 30. Hgxg 7 +-

27 ... ll.Jg4!? 27 .. .-IJc 4? 28 . c::J xf5! A f4 + 29. ~b l e xf5 30 ...£J xd 5 'iite5 31. Ax c4 A xh 6 32 .Elxh 6 Ha b7 02 . ..'
29 ... a xb5 30. 4Jxe 5 'iitxe5 3 1. g xf5 ex f5 32. ild2 Hfe 7 c ame into consideration as w ell.

28.fxg4 il,e 5 30.il,e3 Or: I 28 .. .gx h6 ? 29 .gx f5 A f4 + 30 . ~b l Hg 7 OO...A g 5 3 1. Hx h6 Hg 7 32 .A d7! ! A xd7 33. f6 +-) 3 1. El hxg7 'i'l1 xg7 32 .Elxg7 H xg 7 33 .'i'l1xg7+ Wxg7 34 .1txa6 A xa 6 35 .4Jxe6 + w f6 36. 4Jxd 5 + Wxf5 3 7 .4Jex f4 +II 28 ... 11f4 +!? 29. 1txf4 ~ x f4 + 3 0 . ~ b l ~ x d 4 3 1. Elghl H fe 7 is unclear as Black can answer 32.g5 w ith 3 2. .. ~ g 4 .

t'.'

30 .b x c 3 !?

30 ...d4 31.E!ghl! E!d7

.~A~ ~.~ '~ ~.. S ~ . i ~~ g

~. r.· ·~

~~. t ~ t . •Wi~ "//&:YWi ~1t ~Wi ~

••••

32.il,g5?

'~Jfj~ ~ ......,,~O/. Wi~~ Wi~§ " "~ 29.ll.Jc6

3 2. g xf5! '&g 3 33 .f xe6 'iitxe3+ 34.W b l '&xe 6 35 .4Jxa 7 a xb 5 36 .H f1 + ~ e 8 37 .Elxg7 H xg7 38 .'&xg7 il b 4 39 ...£J xc8 +-

Th e alterna tiv e is 29..l1e8. and now :

32 ...a xb5

~ ~

,~ ..

~

,~

~ /

65

Middlegame Tactics

32 ... ~xb2+!? 33.~xb2 C33.~bl? d3 and Black's counterattack is very dangerous) 33 ... a xb5 C33 ... 2b7? 34.2 Ih6+-) 34.~xa7 C34.21h6? 'lifxc6 35.2f6+ gxf6 36.~h6+ 2g7 37.ibg7+

~e7

38.~xf6+

E5.1

~d6

39.ite5+ ~d5 40.2xa7 'lifc3+ is dangerous for White) 34 ... ~c3+ 35.~bl 2xa7 36.21h6= 33..§lh6

White to move (+-) How did Tal crown his play? E5.2

33...d3? Instead after 33 ... ~xc6! 34.2f6+ gxf6 35.~h6+ 2g7 36.it xg7+ ~e7 37.~xf6+

~d6

38.~e5+

~d5

Black should be able to hold. White to move (+-)

34.bxc3 d2+ 35.!itJdl! 36..§f6+ .§f7

36 ... gxf6 ~e7 ~d5

37.~h6+

39.~xf6+

~xc6

It looks as ifBlack is okay, but Tal found a way to shatter Black's position. Can you do the same?

2g7 38.ibg7+ ~d6

40.~e5+

4Lllb8+-

37.~xg7+ 1--0

We end this section with some of Tal's brilliant tactics to sharpen the reader's eye:

66

Magic By The Magician E5.3

E5.5

M. Tal - D. Keller Zurich (Candidates' Tournament) 1959

M. Tal - P. Benko Bled/Zagreb/Belgrade (Candidates'Tournament) 1959

White to move (+-) White to move (+-) How did Tal take the bull by the horns? Here Tal offered a Greek gift. How? E5.4

M. Tal - V. Smyslov Bled/Zagreb/Belgrade (Candidates'Tournament) 1959 ':f ~ &\

fA\]

_~..E.~

~

%':f:?, ~..~

E5.6

M. Tal - E. Nievergelt Zurich (Candidates' Tournament) 1959

;. ~ ,

~""~:f~trt

"~ r~ ~:~""0R.'.'.'/'.. ~%~ z,IIl ~ ~

~ ~ ~~t~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~4J~ ~r~~~

S~~l1~

r~~r~

i?'ml1i?'d.!'i

W§~"~'§

White to move (+-)

White to move (+-)

How did Tal decide this famous game in his favor?

How did Tal exploit the active position of his rooks? Solutions: E5.1: 24.E!,xe7+! (24.'~h4? lle6 25.4~xe6 fxe6 26Jhe6 §f7 and White's attack seems to be stopped) 24 ... ~xe7 25.E!,el+ ~d8 (25 ...lle6 26.~xe6

28.'li¥h4+

Vf¥ xc2 ~c7

27.~xf8+

26.tiYh4+ f6 27.tiYh6! tiYa5

67

~d8

29. Vf¥e7++-)

Middlegame Tactics

. r.·."' r.. ~~

~ ~

f~

~

~!.~

II 19.'l¥1e5? 'l¥1al + 20.'!1Jd2 c£Je4+-+ III 19.§xd8?? 'i';1al + 20.'!1Jd2 §xd8+-+

IljLll ··~11~ f~

19... ~a1+ 20.eJ;}d2 E!.xf7 21.4:)xf7+ eJ;}g8 22.E!.xa1 eJ;}xf7 23.4:)e5+ eJ;}e6 24.4:)xc6 4:)e4+ 25.eJ;}e3 Ab6+ 26.Ad41-o

8'r;y;

~~~~R.Il~tll~ ~F k.J' ~m ~ ~;~'l,~~;~~

. · "'.

'r.~'.·.~'~~~'r.~ m m ~~·~B~ 11 f~ 11

E5.5: 23.Af8!! (A Greek gift, which allows White's queen to enter the scene with devastating effect) 23... E!.xf8 C23 ...'!1JxfS 24.§xh7 Ag7 25.'l¥1g5+-) 24. ~h6 E!.f7 25.exf7+ eJ;}xf7 26.~xh7+ Ag7 27.E!.h6 ~g8 28.~xg6+ eJ;}f8 29.4:)g5

f11

28.4:)b3! [A very important zwischenzug, but not 28.'&xfS+? '!1Je7 29A:jb3 C29.'&xf6?? b3! 30.4Jb5+ '!1Jb7 3L4Jc3 §xc3-+) 29 .. .'&xa2+ 30.'!1Jxa2 §xf8±] 28... ~d5 29.~xf8+ eJ;}c7 30.~xf6 E!.e8 31.E!.c1 Aa4 32.~d4 ~b7 33.E!.d1 E!.e6? C33...>&b6 was more tenacious) 34.~c4+1-0 C34 ...'!1Jd7 35.4Jc5++-)

E5.2: 21.b4! (Forces Black to give up material to save his queen) 21 ... ~a4 [21... >&b5 22.e4 >&a4 C22.. .'&xc4 23.c£Jf6+ Axf6 24.§xd8++-) 23.§a3 §xd5 24.§xa4 §xdl + 25..u 'xdl +-] 22.E!.a3 E!.xd5 23.exd5 e4 C23 ...'ii"xb4+ 24.§ b3+-) 24. ~c3 Af6 25.E!.xa4 1-0

(White's attack crashes through) 29 ... ~xd5 C29...Axh6 30.c£Jh7+ 'l¥1xh7 31.'l¥1xh7 Ag7 32.'i';1xf5+ Af6 33.g4+-) 30.E!.h8+ and Black resigned 1-0 C30...gxh831.c£Jh7#)

E5.3: 29.E!.b7+!! C29.'&a4? Axe7 30. >&xe4 §xa5 3L>&xf7 ho r ) 29...eJ;}xb7 30.~d7+ eJ;}b8 31.e8~+ E!.xe8 32.~xe8+ eJ;}b7 C32... '!1Je7 33.'i';1 xa8+-) 33.~d7+ eJ;}b8 34.~xc6 1-0

E5.6: 34. ~h6!! (This double attack on h8 and a6 decides the issue as 34 ...§xh6? leads to mate: 35.§xe8+ Bb8 36.§e xb8+ '!1Ja7 37.§3b7#) 34... E!.d8 35.Axa6 Ad2 C35 ...Ae7 36.u'xc8 § xe8 37.d6+-) 36. ~f6 ~d7 37.Axc8 1-0 C37... §xe8 38.§a6++-)

E5.4: 19.~xf7! Obviously a good choice: I 19.c£Jg5? >&al+ 20.'!1Jd2 c£Jxh5 2Lc£Jgxf7+ §xf7 22.4Jxf7+ '!1Jg8+

68

Qu een and Kni ght Duo

A4)

i1!I and 4J

47.8e5 . un clear/= II 4 5 .8 e3! ? 8 d 7 C4 5 . .. fl xc 5? 4 6 .t1x f7 + w h6 4 7 .t1 f8 + +- ; 4 5 .. .'&f5 4 6 .t1 d S t1 xc5 47 .t1x h4 + Wg 7 4 8 .fl e 4 = ; 4 5 . .. 4Jf5 4 6 .8 d 3 , un cl ea r) 46 .flg 3 fl xd 5 C46 .. .t1 d l + 47 . '~ x d l fl xd l + 4 S .We 2 ;l; ) 47 .Elxg 4 8 xc 5 4 8 .fl xh 4 + Wg 7 49. We2 = .

Duo

(Capablanca's Theorem) Q uee n a nd kn ight ar e a ren o w ned attacking force . The y complem ent eac h o the r we ll , le ad in g C apa b la nca to fo rmu late hi s th eorem : Queen and kni ght are str onger than queen and bishop. John Watso n cast doubt on this th eorem in Secrets of AIm /ern Chess Strategy. presenting statistics showi ng no superiori ty in a pure ending. Th is sou nds reas ona ble, but in th e attac k aga inst the king '~ + 4J form a powerful du o.

Both alternatives give the imp ression that White ca n fight on. Instead, aft er the frivo lous ga me co ntinuation Black 's attac k become s very dan gerou s.

45 ...E!xc5!

Missed Counter (Cal culation of Variations)

The only real chance to w in. Not so strong are: I 4 5 ... fl xe 7?! 46. Axe7 t1 h 3 + C46... Wg7 47 .A xh 4) 47 .We2 t1g4+ 48 .w d 2 t1 f4 + 49 .Wc3 a nd II 45 ... t1 h 3 +?! 46 .We2 t1g4+ 4 7 .w d 2 .

H. Pfleger - P. Keres Bamberg 1968

46.t"tx c5? I 4 6 .t1 xf7+ ? w h 6 47 .t1g 7 + Wg 5 4S.8e 5 + fl xe 5 4 9 . ~xe 5 + 4Jf5- + is bad II but th e sur pris ing co unte rs tro ke 46 .fl xf7+! had to be ca lculated:

(position after 44....£lf5 xfth4) In Chess Inf ormant No .5 ( 1968, with a shor t ana lysis by B. Ivkov) , Black 's position was evaluated as winning. But although the white king is more exposed th an Bl a ck's , we doubt th at thi s judgment is jus tifi ed.

45.E!e7?! Analysis I

45 .8 e 4 !? t1g2+ 46 .We2 4Jf5

69

Middlcgame Tactics

A) 46... ~ h 6 47. g h7 +! (47 . ~)(e5? ? ~ d l # ) 47 ... ~ x h 7 48 . ~f7+ ~ h 6 49. B fS+ wit h perp etu al c hec k : 49...Wg5 (49 ... Wh 5 SO . ~h8+ Wg5 5 1 . ~d8+= ) SO. ~e 7+ w f4 (SO WfS S1. ~xeS + w f6 S2 . ~f8+ ; SO Wh S S 1. ~ h 7 + WgS S2.'&e7 +) 51. ~ e 3+ ~ fS 52. ~xeS+ w f6 5 3 . Bf8+ = B) 46... Wg8 47 .g f8 +! (47 .gf4 +? ,8 xd 5 48 .g xg 4 g h S 49. e5 ~ f7 SO.e6 g h8 S1.ge4 4Jf5 S2.e7 g c8+) 47 ... ~ x f8 48. '&xeS+ a nd agai n White has perpetual check : 48 WgS (48 ...We 8 49. '&e 5+ ; 48 Wf7

Dynamic

M. Rivas Pastor (2450) 1. Dorfman (2600) Logrono (Spai n vs. USS R) 1991

49 . ~ e7 +) 49. ~ d 5 +

Ba)

49 .. .Wg7

5 1. ~ f6+

50. ~e5 +

(51. ~b8+;

Black to move

w rs

S1. ~ d 6+)

1...E!xe5!!

5L .WeS 52 . ~ e 5 + Ba 1) 52 .. .Wd 8 53. ~d 6 +

~d7

5 4 . ~ f8+

55 . ~d 6 +

We8

S6. ~ e 5 + ()6. ~ a 6 + ) B a2) 52 .. .~ d 7 S3 . ~d5+

Spe ed in g up th e attac k is more important than material here.

We 7

S4 . ~e5+

SS . ~g 7 +

~ f7

2.fxe5,,£\xe5

50 . ~d8 +

w f7

~e8

~e6

56 . ~ e S + = 49 .. .Wf8

Bb)

3 . ~a4

d4 I 4 .ex d4? ~ e 4 + S.Wfl (S. Wd2? '&d3+ 6.Wcl g c8+ 7 . ~ c 2 ~ x e 2 # ) 5.. . ~ )( h l + - + II 4 .f4 d xe 3 5.0-0 4Jd 3 6 . ~e6 ~ g 4 + 7 . ~ g 2 ~ )( g 2 + 8 .Wxg2 e2 9.gfe l 4Jxf4+ 1 0 . ~ f3 g5 =+=

51. ~ c 7+ =.

46... ~d l + 47.E!el ~d l + 49.E!e l

~d3+

3.~dl

48.E!e 2

~:·:·Z~ ~

~~~ ~~~ft~~~~.

~~~~1fl~~ ~~~:~B%~~

49 ... ~d3 + 50.E!e2 ~h3+ 51. \tlel "£\f3+ 0-1 in view of 5 2 .~dl ~fl + 53 .We2 ~ x e 2 + - +

70

Queen and Knight Duo "Perhaps 4...8C2 5.~xc2 ~xc2 6.fxe5 7.0-0 ~xe5 would have been a cleaner finish." (1. Dorfman in The Method in Chess)

Both teams from North Germany had 3Y2 points and this last game was to decide the issue. After almost seven hours, exactly one minute before the end, tragicomic things happened:

~xb2

5.0-0 ~xe3+ 6.\t>g2 ~e4+ 7.\t>g3? 76... ~d2? 7.~gl! 9.~xf2 11.~g2

8c6 C7 ... 8C2 8.8f2 8xf2 4Jd3+ 10.~g3 ~xf4+ ~f2+

12.~hl

Exchanging to an elementary pawn ending would have made short work of it: 76 ... 4Jxg2 77.~xg2 ~xf1 + 7fL ~xf1 ~h3-+.

~xb2

transposes to the 7... 8C6 line) 8.f5 8c.2 9.8f2 8xf2 10.~xf2 4Jd3+ 11.~f1

~xf5+

13.~hl ~xb2

12.~g2

~f2+

77.~f3 ~xg2+??

14.~bl ~e5

and Black is better, but White can still fight.

draw agreed YZ-YZ.

The critical line instead runs: 77 ... ~el+ 78.Afl and now:

7 ... E!c6 8.f5 E!h6 9.E!f2 ~h4+ 10.\t>g2 ~xh2+ 11.\t>f1 ~h1+ 12.\t>e2 ~e4+ 13.\t>d2 4)c4+ 14.\t>c3 0-1 and White resigned, not waiting for 14...8h3+-+. The following endgame decided the match between the authors' Bundesliga teams: Dramatic

Analysis D. Sebastian (2361) J. Heiss/er (2437) German Bundesliga 2001 (Hamburger SK - Werder Bremen)

I 78 ... g2+? 79.~h2 C79.~gl? ~g5 zugzwang -+) 79...gxfl4J+ (only move; 79 ...gxfl ~? 80. ~g4+ ~xg4 stalemate) 80.~xfl ~d2+! (80 ...~xfl?! stalemate; 80...~g3+ 81.~hl=) 81.~hl (81.~gl? ~g3-+) 81...~g3 82.~gl + ~f3 A) 83.~h2? ~d5!! 84.~c2 (84.~gl

86.~g3

~e2+

~g5+

84 ... ~g3+

85.~h2

87.~h2

~h5+

~h4 "*')

85.~gl ~d4+ 86.~f1

~al+ 87.~dl ~xdl,,*,

B)

83.~f1

+=

II 78 ... ~g5! 79.~gl g2-+ and again the zugzwang decides.

Black to move (-+)

71

Middlegam e Tact ics Now we see how dang erous the 'i'iY+.£l duo is:

In Kasparov's Hands

Analysis (27 ..£lf7 +? 'it'g 8 27 .'i'iY f3! !+28. 'i'iYf3 'i'iYe8 29 .'i'iYd5 'i'iY h 8 ) 27 .. .'i'iY g 8 28 .4::If7 + 'i'iY xf7 29. 'i'iYxf7 B) 2 5 .. .'~ d 8 26 .4)f7 + 8 xf7 27 .'i'iYx f7 8 e8 28 .8e4! ( 28. 'i'iYxa7?? 'i'iY d 5 + =; 28 .8 xe8? 'i'iY xe8 29 .'i'iYxa7?? 'i'iYe6+ ) 28 . . .a5 29 .8 e 7 'i'iYg8 30.'i'iYxg8+ 'it'xg8 3 1.8 h 7 8e6 32 .h4 h5 33 .a 3±/+- 03 .a4)

Black to move (Pos it io n aft er 22 A:Je4-d6) Black's position is bad, but not lost.

22 ... l£le6? 24.~e4 f xe6 25.~xe6+ \t>h7

"A blunder, doubtless 22 ...8 ad8 was ca lled for, e .g . 23 .8 e d 1 4::I e 6 24 .84 d 2 8 d 7 25. 4::I b 5 'i'iY e6+ 26 .'i'iYf3 'i'iY xf3 + 2 7 . ~x f3 8x d2 28 .8 xd 2 a6 29 A:Je3 and admittedly White stands slig htly better, but thi s isn't comparable to what happens now." (Schoch Weltmeisterschaft 84/85 by V. Budd e and L. Nik olaic zuk)

23.E!xe6! h5!

25 .. .'~ h 8 ? 26 .8d5! ( a lso 26 .8e 4!) 26 .. .8 xf 2 + ( 26 ... g6 27 .'i'iYxg 6+ - ) 27 .'it'xf2 8 f8 + 28 .'it'g2 \':¥ e 2 + 29 .'it' h3 g6 30 .4::If5 +- ( 30 ..£le 8 +-) 3 0 .. .8 xf5 0 0 .. .'i'iY e3 3 1. 'i'iY xg6) 3 1. 8 d 8 + ~h 7 32.'i'iYe7+ ~ h 6 3 3 .8 h 8 *

23 . ..fxe 6 ( 23 .. .8 a d 8 ?? 24 .4::Ib5 !+) 24.'i'iY xe6+ I 24 ...8 f7 ?? 25 .8f4 +A) 25 .. .'i'iY e6+ 26 .f3 'i'iY d 7 ( 26 ...'i'iY e2+ 27. ~ h 3 ) 27. 'i'iYxf7 + 'i'iY xf7 28 .4::I xf7 B) 25 ... 8 a f8 26 .4::Ix f7 8 xf7 27 .'i'iYe8 + 8 f8 zs.e-ra-

26.E!d5!? 72

Queen and Knight Duo " If 26... ~ c 6 then White star ts with 27. Wh3! , a pat ient but irres ist ible mating attack." (BuddelNiko laiczuk) : 27...g6 28. ~e7+ and now:

" l : White is winning, but does not see

it." (CBM-Blunders). In our opinion the game continuation is not worse than the proposal of C BM, namel y 26.8c4!? (26 .-iJe4!? is interesting as well), e.g.:

I 28...'it'g8 29.8 g5 f5+- (BIN)

I 26 .. .'~ b 8? 27 . ~ e 4 + A) 27...Wg8 2 8. ~d5 ++- and mate in five B) 27 ... Wh 6 28. 8c6! +g6 (2 8 ...8 f6 29.-iJf7 # ) 29. 4::\f7+ 8 xf7

~c 2

30 .f4!! plan

II 28 ...'it'h8 29.4::\ f7+ Hxf7 30 . ~xf7 \¥Ye8 3 1.\¥Yf6+ \t' h7 32.8 d6+ -

3 0 . ~xg 6 #

28 .. .w h 6 29 .-iJf7+ 8 xf7 (" +- " an d e nd in BIN ) 30 .. .\¥Ye8 OO .. .8 e8? 31. 8d7 ~ e6 + 32 . ~x e6 H xe 6 33 .8 xa 7 +-) ~c8+ 32.'~ g 2 \¥Y b 7 31. ~ f6 III

g6 28 . ~e7 + Wg8 29.8 c7+D) 27 Wh8 28 . ~d5 +-

3 0 . ~x f7

C) 27

II 26 ... ~ c 8 ? 27. J"ld7 w h8 2 8 . ~e7 J"l g8 29. J"l d 5 (29. ~ g 5 ~c6 30. ~x h5 + ~ h 6 31. ~d5 J"l gf8±) A) 29 ... ~ e 8 30.4::\d6 OO. ~h 4 g6 31. 4::\f6 ~ c 6 3 2.~ g 5 + -) 30 ... ~ g 6

33 . ~ f4 +

A) 33 ... 'it'h7 34. ~e4 'it'g7 35.f3 ~c6 05 ... J"l f8 3 6. ~ d 3 + - ) 36 .\¥Ye 7 + 'it'h6 37 . ~f7 Aa) 37 ... ~ e 8 38. ~f6 +- Wh 7 ( 38 .. .\¥Y f8 39 .8x h5 + Wxh 5 4 0. ~ h 4 # ) 39 .8e5 Ab) 37 .. . ~ c 2 + 38 .Wh3 ~ c 8 + 39 .Hd 7 +34 . ~e 5 + Wf7 B) 33 .. .Wg7 04 'it'h 7 35. ~e 4 tra ns poses to 33 Wh 7) 35 . ~e 4 Wg7 (35 ... 8 b8 36 .f3) 36.f3 ~ c 6 tr an sp oses to 33 .. .Wh 7 .

3 1. ~ h4 + -

B) 29...~g4 30.h 3 8 ge8 Oo...~g6 3 1. ~xe8+ 8 xe8 32. h xg 4 8 xe 4 33. Wf3 +3 1. ~ h4 + -)

III 26.. .~ d8 2 7. ~e4 + (2 7. ~ e5 g6 28. 4::\ e 4 Hc8 29 .-iJg5+ Wg8 3 0 . ~e 6 + Wg7 3 1. 8 xc8 ~ x c 8 3 2 . ~e7 + Wh 6 33 .4::\f7 + 8 xf7 3 4 . ~ xf7±) 27...g6 28 . ~b7 + ( - and end of the analysis in CBM, but there are still ope n qu esti on s) 28 .. .w h6 ( 28 ... Wg8?? 29 .8 c7 ~ f6 3 0 . ~ d 5 + Wh 8 3 1. 4)f7 ++-; 28 .. .\t' h 8?? 29. 8c7 ~ f6 30 .4)f7 ++- ) A) 29. Hc7? ~ x d 6 30. Hh7+ \t' g 5 3 1. h4 + (3 1. 8 d 7 J"l xf2+ 32. Wxf2 ~c5 + 33 .\t'g 2 ~c2+ 34 .Wh3 ~ f5 + = ) 31.. .'it'f6 32. ~f3+ 'it'e 5 33 . ~ e2+ 'it'f6 34. ~f3+= B) 29. 4::\f7 + J"l xf7 30. ~ xf7 8 c8±

27.4Je4 .E!ad8 28 .4Jg5+ 29 . ~e4 .E!fe8

~g7

Or 29... J"l de8 and now: I 30 .4::\e6 + 'it'fl 31. 4::\g5+ 01. J"l e 5?l ~ x e 5 32. ~x e5 8 xe 6 ; 3 1. J"l f5 +? gxf5 32. \¥Yxf5+ 'it'e 7 33 . ~ h7 + J"l f7 34 .~ x f7 + 'it'xf7 3 5 .4::\ xc7) 31...'6'g7 32..i:!fd4+ with transposition to II is correct. II 30. \¥Y d4 + Wh 6 (3 0 ... Wg8? 32 . ~d5+ w h8 3 1.8 d 6 ~ c 2 33 .4::\f7 + Wg7 34 .8d7!+-) 3 1. ~ d 2 (3 1.8 d 7?! ~ c 6 + 32 .Wh3 8 xf2

IV 26...Wh8 27 .8 d7 ~c1 , un clear

26...g6 73

Middlegame Tactics 36.~g2 '[;1e2+ C36... ~h6?? 37.'[;1f4++and mate in three; 36... ~h7 37.E\d7+) 37.'[;1f2± Bb) 32.'[;1xe5+ '[;1xe5 33.E\ xe5 ~f6 34.E\e2± C) 31...~f7 is very dangerous for Black: 32.E\xd8 '[;1c6+ 33.~h3 E\f6 34.f3! Ca) 34 ... a6 35.~h4 C35.E\d7+

33.l~Xh7+ ~xg5

34:[;1h4+ ~f5 35.)":\[7+ 36.E\xf2 '[;1d7+ 37.~g2 '[;1c6+=) 31...'[;1c6 32.c£Je6+ C32.~h3?? E\xf2; 32.~f1 ~g7) 32... ~h7 33.c£Jxf8+ E\xf8 34.f3± ('[;1f6 35:[;1d3).

~e5

~g8)

Cb) 34 ... E\xf3 35.E\d7+ CbI) 35 ... ~e8 36.E\d6+- '[;1c8+ 37.~g2 E\f5 (3 7 . . . E\ f 7 38.'[;1h8+; 37... E\f8 38.'[;1e5+ ~f7 39.E\f6+) 38.'[;1h8+ Cb2) 35 ... ~e6 36.E\ xa7+- E\f6 37.'[;1e3+ ~d5 38.'[;1d3+ ~e6 39.'[;1e2+ ~d5 40.E\e7 '[;1c8+

I In the game happened 30. \':td4+? <;!7g8 31.E!xd8 E!xd8 32.\':tf6 E!d6 33.\':teS \':tc6+ 34.<;!7h3 \':td7+ 3S.<;!7g2 \':tc6+ VI-VI.

41.~g2

D) 31...'[;1e5 32.'[;1xe5+ E\xe5 33.E\ xd8 "with a theoretically won rook ending as White possesses an extra pawn and an active rook on the seventh rank" (BIN), but the second part of this statement is only a wish due to 33...E\e7(±).

II Very plain was 30.c£Je6+ E\xe6 31.'[;1d4+! C31.'[;1xe6?? '[;1b7!-+) and now:

Exercises E6.I A. Schmitz (2185) -M. Borriss (2445) German Bundesliga 2001

Analysis A) 31...E\f6 32.E\xd8 '[;1c6+ 33.~h3 '[;1e6+ 34.~h4 '[;1f5 C34...a5 35. '[;1d7+ '[;1xd7 36.E\xd7+ ~h6 37.f4) 35.'[;1d7+±/+B) 31...E\e5 Ba) 32.E\xd8 '[;1c6+ 33.f3 '[;1c2+ 34.~f1 C34.~h3 '[;1f5+ 35.~g2 '[;1c2+) 34 ... '[;1e2+ 35. ~gl '[;1e 1 +

Black to move (-+) How can Black escape the checks? 74

Queen and Knight Duo

Solutions: E6.1 : 4 3 ... \tlh7! 0-1 an d W hite resig ned as Black's king esca pes to the safe haven g4: 44 .'~t7 + ~h6 4 5.'~f8+ r.t'h5 4 6:~h8 + Wg4-+ . (Afte r 43...~h6 44:(;;'h8+ Wg6 4 5. ~e8 + Black has to find the right way to esca pe, namely by Wh7-+.) E6.2: I 33... 4Jd4!! 0-1 and White resigne d due to 34J''!.xe 2 E1 cl + 35..§e l (3 5 . ~x c l 4:Jx e 2 + -+) 3 5... E1 xe l + 36 .~x el 4:Jf3+ 37.Wf2 4:Jxe l 38.~xe l ­

Black to move (-+ )

+.

II 33....§a4 win s as well: 35..§xe 2 .§xc3-+.

Ind eed Black ha s something up his sleeve.

75

34 . ~c3

E1 a3

Middlegame Tactics

A Classic From the Modern Point of View (Making Plans, Simplification and Technique A.D. 1909)

AS) Attack and Defense There is an old saying "Attack is the best defense", but this is not always the case of course. The art of defense is much richer than that. Sometimes an immediate counterattack is called for; sometimes passively bolstering the weak points or bringing forces to shield the king is the right option. In most cases this is the foundation for a successful counterattack later, when the opponent's attack has dried out and the weaknesses tell. "Optimists on the attack are very bad at readj usting to the changed circumstances". (Mark Dvoretsky and Artur Yusupov in Attack and Defense.)

Milan Vidmar (Austria) Rudolf Spielmann (Germany) St. Petersburg 1909 Dutch Defense (A85) The players, at that time 24 and 25 years young respectively, participated in the international congress that was held in memory of the great Russian master Mikhaillvanovich Chigorin (1850-1908). The congress included an All-Russian main tournament won by 19-year-old Alexander Alekhine and an international master tournament with 19 participants won by Rubinstein and then-World Champion Emanuel Lasker with 14.5 points each. At 3.5 points behind came the Grandmasters Duras and Spielmann sharing third place, while master Vidmar (7 points) landed at 15/16th place with Bum. Vidmar(1885-1962),who was born in the old Austrian Laibach (now Ljubljana), later became the first Yugoslav Grandmaster. From the following game only the renowned finish with opposite-colored bishops emerges in textbooks today. The much more complicated middle game and the experimental opening have almost disappeared from sight. Here we pass the opening phase without comment as well, because we want to present a sharper picture of the turbulent complications in the middlegame and the endgame. The masters played with the following time limit: " ... in the first 2.5 hours 37, in the next 1.5 hours 23, and

Rudolf Spielmann

76

Attack and Defense furthermore 15 moves per hour ... " according to the tournament program.

l.d4 f5 2.c4 e6 3.4Jc3 4Jf6 4.e3 itb4 5.itd3 itxc3+ 6.bxc3 cs 7.4Je2 d6 8.~c2 ~e7 9.0-0 g6 10.e4e511.f4fxe412.itxe44Jxe4 13.~xe4 itf5 I4.~e3 4Jd7 I5.fxe5 dxe5 I6.4Jg3 0-0 17.itd2 §ae8 I8.§aeI ~d6

Now it is White's turn to give the fight a direction. Both sides have weak pawns and weak squares, White on the queenside and Black on the kingside. But for the moment the attention is focused on the tension in the center and the lurking heavy pieces. Black's queen has just left the e-file, while White's queen is placed inharmoniously. The pressure on d4 needs special attention. If it were Black's move he could simplify favorably by exchanging to an endgame: 19 ... cxel4 [but not 19 ... exel4? 20.'Ii'1xe8 gxe8 21.gxe8+ ~f7 22.ge2! or 19 .. .'§'a6?! 20.4Jxf5 gxf5 21.elxe5 gxe5 (21...4Jxe5? 22 .'~xc5) 22. 'i~H3] 20.cxel4 'Ii'1xel4 21.'Ii'1xcl4 exd-l 22.gxe8 gxe8 23.4Jxf5 gxf5 24.gxf5 4Je5. Structural deficits usually carry more weight in the endgame, so White will refrain from simplifications. There is no hurry; the troops have only just marched

up. Yet an interesting middlegame is in store for us with a lot of dynamic possibilities and chances for both sides. I9.~h6?

Emanuel Lasker wrote in the tournament book, which he edited and published "in less than six months": "The queen can't protect the square d3 any longer. After 19.c::'1xf5 gxf5 20.'Ii'1g5+ 'Ii'1 g6 , cl5 can't be played due to 4Jb6. White starts a combination to get some compensation tor the pawn- the e-file and more mobility tor his bishop." A strange comment. Why can't Black's queen keep d3 protected? Is White's position so critical that a pawn sacrifice is to be justified? Is there no alternative beside 19.4Jxf5 and can this move be condemned so easily? To form an opinion we have to consider more candidate moves, e.g.: I 19.4Jxf5!? A) 19 ... gxf5? 20.gxf5 gxf5 21.elxe5 Aa) 21...4Jxe5?? 22.'Ii'1g3+ ~f7 23.~f4 4Jf3+ (23 ... ~f6 24 .'~ g 5 H-) 24. ~f2 +Ab) 21...gxe5 22.'Ii'1g5+ ~f7 23.gbl (23.gfl 'Ii'1e6) 23 ... 'Ii'1c6 (23 ... b6?? 2Lilf4 ~el3 25.'Ii'1h5+ idea gell, ~xe5) 24.~f4 'Ii'1e4 25.gell ge7 26.h3 4Jf6 27.'Ii'1h6! idea ~g5± B) 19 ... gxf5 Ba) 20.'Ii'1g3+ 'Ii'1g6 (20 ... ~h8 21.elxe5 'Ii'1xel2 22.gell f4 23.'Ii'1h3 'Ii'1e3+ 24.'Ii'1xe3 fxe3 25.gxel7e2 26.gel gxe5 27.g3=) Bal) 21.'Ii'1f3?! e4 Ball) 22.'Ii'1f4 4Jb6! 23.ge3 ~h8 24.gg3 'Ii'1f6 25.'Ii'1c7 ~¥je7 (25 ... 4Jxc4?? 26.gxf5) 26.'Ii'1xe7 77

Middlegame Tactics Aa) 20 ... A d 3?? 21. -£l h5 +- ~ e 7 (21.. ..B xfl + zz .n-n ~e7 23.d6) 22.d6 .B xfl + 23 ..B xfl .B f8 24. Jl f4! Ab) 20 ~ e 7 2L{.tg 5 ~g 7 2 2. ~h 4 B) 19 b5?! 20 ..£\ xf5 .B xf5 21. .Bxf5 g xf5 22 . ~g5+ '
.B xe 7 27 .itg 5 .B e f7 28 .d xc5 .£\ xc4 29 .Ad -£l xe 3 30 .8. xe3 .B e8 Ba12) 22. ~e 2 e 3 23.Jlc l f4 24 ..B d l b6 25.Jla 3 .B f7 Ba2) 2 1. ~h4!? unclear Bb) 20. d xe5 ?! .£\ xe 5 Bbl) 2 1. ~ h3 ~g6 22 .Jl h6 (22 . ~ h4 ~ g 4 ) 22 ....B f6 Bb2) 2 l . ~ f4 ~ f6 Be) 20. ~ g 5+ ~ g 6 Bel) 21.dx e5 ?! .£\ xe 5 2 2 . ~h4 ~ g 4 Be2) n .d 5? 4:J b6 22 . ~ xg6 + (22 . ~ h4 f4) 22. ..h xg6 23 .A e 3 .£\ xc4! (23 .. ..B c8 24. Jlh 6 .B fe8 25.g4! ?) 24 .Ax c5 .B f7 Be3) 21. ~ h 4! ? is unclear, e.g.: Be31) 21... '
II

~e3

So White 's position is by no mean s wo rs e . 19 ..£\ xf5!? is inte res ti ng, 19.d5! is probably be st, but what' s wron g with 1 9. ~h6?

III 19 ..£\e 4?! A xe 4 idea .. .cxd 4

IV 19.d5 closin g the center looks okay for White :

19...Ad3

Analysis A) 19 ... '
20.§xf8+ 78

Atta ck and Defen se Probabl y 20 ..:£Jh 5(?) was planned originally, but this attack peters out after 21. 8 xfl 8 e7 20 .. .l'' lxfl + (2 1. .. ~e 7?? 22 ...I1g 5 8 f8 23 .8 f4! is similar to lines above) 22.dxe5 ~ x e 5 23 .8e l ~ f5 (23 ... ~ x e l + ?? 24 ..llxe l 8 xe l + 25 .~ f2 and 25...8 e2+ 26 . ~g 3 g xh5 are refuted by 27. ~g 5+ A g 6 28 . ~ d 5 + /x el 7 ) 24. 4")g 3 8 xe l + 25 .Ax e l ~ e 6 +

20 ... .E!.xf8

21.~e3?

A confessio n that the queen sortie was pr em atu re . To limit the d amag e 21.elxe 5 [not 2 1..:£Jh5? 8 f7 22 .elxe5 ~ x e 5 (2 2 ... .:£J xe 5) 23 .4") f4 ~ el 6 ] was preferable : 21 ... .:£Jxe 5 2 2 . ~h4! (Not 22 ..:£Jh 5? ~ e 7 23 ..:£Jg 3 ~ f7 or 22 .Af4? .:£J f3 +) 22 ... 8 e 8 !? ( 2 2. . ..:£J xc4 23 .A h6 ~ f6 24 . ~ x f6 8 xf6 25. 8e7 ; 22 .. ..:£J f7 23 .8 e7 ; 22 ... .:£J c6 23. A g5; 22.. .b6 23 .A h 6 8 e 8 24 . ~ hl) 23 . ~g 5 (23 .Af4 .:£Jf3 + 24. ~f2 8 xe l 2 5 ..Jlxel6 .:£J xh 4 26 . ~xe l Ax c4; 23 . ~ h l 8 e 6 24 .Af4 .:£Jf7; 23 . ~ f4 8 e 6) 23 ... 8e 6 24 ..:£Je 4 A xe 4 25 .8xe 4 b6 =i=

24. 8e7

~d3)

24 ... ~ d 3

23 ... ~d5!? Thi s co mes as a surprise. Inste ad of holdin g fast the extra pa wn with the ob vi ou s 23 ... ~ el 3 24 . ~xd3 .:£J xel3 , Black complicates matters . 24. ~ xc5

A fte r 24 ..:£J xc 5 (2 4 .h3 .:£Jel3 25 .8d l? !LIf4 !) th e game a lso ge ts complicated, but Black keep s the upper hand , e.g.: I 24 .. ..:£Jg4 A) 2 5 . ~ el 4 ~ f7 26 ..:£J el3 (26 .g3? !LIe 5! 27. ~ xe 5 ~ f2 + 2 8. ~hl ~ x el2 29. ~ gl h 6-+ 30 ..:£J e 6 'l£r f2 + 3 1. ~ h l A d 5 + 32 . ~ x d 5 ~ x e l + 33 . ~g 2 ~ fl# ) 26 ... A xd 3 27 . ~x d3 ~ f 2 + (2 7 .. . ~ x a 2 28.(4 ) 2 8 . ~hl ~c5 29 . ~ d4 (29 .Ae3?? 8 e 8) 29 ... ~ x d 4 30 .c xd4 8f2 B) 25 . ~ g 5 ? ? 'l£r f7 C) 25. ~e6 + ~ x e 6 26 ..:£J xe 6 8 f2

21 ... A xc4 White loses a pawn without real compensation.

22.dxe5 After 22..:£Je4 the repl y 22.. .'l£rel5 (or 22...cxd4) is advantageous for Black : 23 ..:£J xc 5 (23 .elxe5 'l£r xe5; 23 .elxc5 A xa 2) 23 .. ..:£J xc 5 24 .elxc5 A xa 2

22 ... 4] xe523.4]e4 O r e .g. 23. ~ g5 .:£Jel7 (2 3 ... .:£J el3 24 . ~ h4!?) 24 ..:£Je 4 (24 .a3 ~ f6;

79

Middleg ame Tactics 30 .. .Wh 6 OO .. .Wf8 3 1. ite 5 + Wg 7 32..~l d4 =) 3 1.4Jg4 ~ / uncl ear B) but 26 .. .Wh 8 ! r i .Y£t xf8 + Y£t xf8 28 .B e8 Y£t xe8 29 .4Jxe 8 ,il xa 2 +

Again Spie lma nn rej ects the prosaic exchanging to an endgame, but this time the passionate tactician miscalculates. Co rrec t wa s 24 . . .4Jd 3 ! 2' .'&xd 5 + .Q, xd 5 26 ..§ e 2 A xe 4 n .§xe 4 B f2 and now: I 28. ilh 6 B xa 2 29.h 4 w f7 II 28 .Ae 3 B xa 2 29 .Wfl ~ e2)

II It fo llow s that 25.\;,¥f2 was called for : 25 ... 4Jd 3 (2 5 ... \;'¥e 6 26 .'®'x a 7 ; 25 .. .,®, xf 2 + 26 .4Jxf2 B xf2 n .w xf2 4Jd3 + tra nsp o ses to th e g a me ) 26 . \~h f7+ B xf7 n .Bd l !? .Q. xa 2 (n . .. .§e7 28 .4Jd6 .Q.. xa 2 29. A h6 ) 28 .it h6'j:

( 29 .h 4

29 ...b 6

III 28. itg5 .§ xa 2 29 .h 4 (29. g4 § a l + 30 .Wg2 B e l 31. B d 4 4:\e 5 + ) 29 .. ..§ a l + 30 .Wh 2 .§ f1 +

But luckil y for Vidmar. . .

25.4Jf2??

25 ... t1' xf2+?

Certainly a very bad choic e by Vidmar to prevent the rude double threat (mate o n f1 and kni ght fork o n d3 ) . Alternatives are: I Th e co ld -b lo od e d 25 .h3 ? is ins uffic ie nt as we ll: 25 .. .4Jd 3 26 .4Jf6+ an d now:

I Spielmann was too concerned about White's weakn esses d3 and a2. I f he had loo ked hard er a t th e ot he r mot if, White's wea k back rank, he would have spo tted 25 ... 4Jg4 !: A) 26 .'&xf8 + Y£t xf8 n. 4:\xg4 Y£t a 3!? Aa ) 28 .4Jf6 + Wg 7 29 .4:\e8 + Wh 8 ( 29 .. .w f7 30. Af4 ) Ab) 28 .Ag 5 Y£t xc3 29 .4:\ f6 + Wg 7 30 .B e 7 + itf7 B) 26. ite3 b 6 27. '®'d 4 [now would be a good tim e to sacrifice the queen (if this is White's concept) as the bishop e3 ca n ge t to th e o utpo s t d4. Neve rtheless White 's positi on after 27.\ii xf8+ Y£t xfS 28 .4Jxg4 sho uldn ' t be tenable in the long run , e.g. 28...h5 29. 4:\e5 A xa 2 30 .Ad4 Y£t e7 .) 27 .. .4Jxe3 ( liq u ida te s a po te nti al tr o ub le m ak e r) 28. Y£t xe3 A xa 2 29 .4Jg4 '®'f4! and the passed a-pawn plus the superi or minor piece should be decisive.

Analys is A) not 26 ... ~ g 7 ? 27 .ith 6 +!! Wh 8

Wxf6 ?? 28. Y£t g5#; wxh 6?? 28. ":21 g 4+ Wg 7 29 .Y£t d4++- ) 28 .Ax f8 4Jxe 5 <28.. .Y£t xf6?? 29 .A e 7 +Y£t f4 30 .A d 6/ A g 5 ; 28 . .. 4Jxe 1?? 29 .ith 6 +-) 29 .Axe 5 Wg 7 (29 .. .h6? 30 ..ftd 4 !) 30. A d 4i? ( 30 .B e 7 Wxf6 3 1. '§x f7 + .il,xf7 32 ..ft.xa 7 ,il xa 2= ) <27

n

II Las ker re comm end ed th e zwischenzug 25...b6(?), which actually is weaker: 26.Y£td4 (2 6 .Y£te3?? cZlg4 ; 26 .Y£tx f8 +? lifxf8 n. Bxe 5 lifa 3!)

80

Attack and Defense

26 ...c~ g 4 (26 .. .c£l c6? 27 . ~ h4 ..Ilxa 2 28 .c£lg4 !) 27 A:Jd 3 ! (We already know this nasty resourc e from the remark to White's 24th move. But notice that Black 's b-pawn is here on b6. Finally 27...Ile 3? would lead to the 25 . .. c£lg 4 line after 27 .. .c£l xe3 2 8 . ~x e3 ll xa 2 29. c£lg4 ~ f4 ! ) . Th e re co uld follo w 27 ... ..Il xd 3 28 . ~ xd 3 ~ f2 + (28 .. . ~ x a 2 ? 29 .c4 ! gives White enough compensation due to the open king position) 29 . ~h l A) 29 . .. ~ h 4 ? 3 0 . ~ d5 + ~ h 8 31. ~d 4+ ~ g 8 (3 1.. . ~ f6? 3 2 .h3: 31.. .fl.f6?? 32. fl. e 8 + ~g7 33 .fl.e7 + ~ g 8 3 4. ~ d 5 + ~ h 8 35. ~ d 8+ fl. f8 36 . ~xf8#) 3 2 .~ d S + =

B) 29 . .. ~ c 5 ! 30.~d4 (30 .ii e 3??

fl. e8 is simi lar to what we saw before) 30 .. . ~ x d 4 31.cxd4 fl. f2!? (31.. .fl. d 8!?) Thi s endgame favors Black, but it remains to be seen whether White can d efend pa ssi vel y with 3 2.fl. d 1 [3 2 ... fl. e 2 33. ~g l ~ f7 ! 34 .dS (3 4 .h3 c£l e 3; 34 .a4 ~ e 6 ; 34 .'~ f1 fl. f2+ 3 S . ~g l .8fS) 34 ...~e 81 or has to see k a ct iv ity w it h 32 ..Q.. g S (sacr ificing the a-pawn) 26.~ xf2 § xf2 27.\t> xf2 4)d3+ 28.\t>e3 4) xel 29.A xel

This necessary recourse to an endga me w ith o ppos ite -co lo red b ish op s has ope ned a completely new cha pte r. M ist ak en was 29. ~d 4 ? c£l xg 2 30 . ~xc 4

~ f7

32. iig S+ ~ d 7 34 . ~ f6 4Jf3 '1=

29 ... A xa2=i=

31.~d5

~e 7

33.~e5

c£l e l

After Vidmar has gotten off cheaply the ma in point no w is to find a c le ar defensive plan. With the help of modem chess techn ique it is easy 10 see that the extra pawn does not really matter. White is well advised to assign the parts as follows: His majesty blocks the enemy's passed a-pawn while his bishop secures the kingside.

30.\t>d4 \t>f7 Or e.g . 30 ...aS 31.c4 a4 32.h4 iib l 33 j t b4 , and acco rding to the scheme .ftg 3/lld6/~c 3 Wh ite co ns truc ts an im p regna ble fortre ss o n the da rk squares. Especi ally the timely h 2-h 4 ! leaves Black no real weakness to attack.

A step in the wrong direction, but White can afford it. In the tourn ament book Lasker demon strated the clear draw by 31.h4 (plus g3) followed by c3-c4 or ~c5-b4

31...Ac432.J;tf2?! Provoking the a-p awn to advance (which was intend ed anyway) . 32.h4 was called for.

32... a5 33.Ab6

81

Middlegame Tactics

33.h4 was mo re to the poin t aga in.

Vidm ar wavered and decided to wa it. Instead he co uld force matters wi th 3 6.~d4 ! pl ann ing Wc4-b4, e.g .:

33...a 4 34..Q,c5 .aru

I 36 g5 37.'it'c4 A d7 38.h4 gxh4 C38 g4 39 .ltd6) 39.g xh4 ~ e 6

The first small prick, in order to block the kingside and to create a target there . Be s id e th e pa ssed a -paw n Bl ack introdu ces another theme , abiding by the "principle of two weaknesses ."

4 0 . ~ b4,

"and White can give up the QBP, and still draw the game, since the Q-side Pawns are blocked ... " (Reuben Fine in Basic Chess Endi ngs)

35.g3

II " Even if Whit e were care less and allowed Bl ack th e most favo ra b le po s it ion on th e Kin g ' s si de, e.g."

35.g4?? would be a terr ible mistake due to 35...g5.

36...A d 7 37.'it'c4 g5 38.~ b4 'it'e6 39.c4 ~ f5 40.Ae7 g4 41.A h4 ~e 4 42 .c 5 'it'f3 43.ild8 'it'g 2 ("T hus losing a Pawn, this superiori ty would be inconclusive. For after. . .") 44.ilh4 ~ x h 2 45.~a3 ~ g 2 (" Blac k can obviously do nothing on the K-side") 4 6 .~ b 4 ~ f3 4 7 . ~a 3 ~ e 2 48. ~b4

Wd3 49 .A f6 ~c 2 50. A h4! w b 2 51.Af6+ Wa2 52. Ah4 a3 53 .Af6 ile8 54 .Ah4 'it'b2 55 .Af6 + "a n d still no progress is possible. Black could win this ending only if he were allowe d to sec ure a Passed Pawn on the King 's s ide ." (ex cerpts fro m Bas ic Chess Endi ngs)

Spielmann skilfully uses the only chance to win. We quote from the tournament book: "A brilliant idea. Black makes the h-pawn immovable in order to exploit this extremely sma ll weakness to a win." Therewith Lasker essentially finished his annotation and left the rest to the reader.

III What happens if Black mobilizes his king without the weakening pawn moves ...g5 and ...g4? Regarding this concept see the line ofa Russian expert: 36...'it'f6

C36...b5 37.c4) 37.'it'c4 'i£ig5 38.'it'b4 ~g 4 C38 ...ild7 39.h4 +! 'it'g 4 40.ild6 with a fortr ess) 39.Ad6! ~f3 C39 ...ilfl 40.h4! ) 40. ~x a 4 ~ g 2 4 1.~ b 5 ~xh2 42.g4+ ~ g 2 43.g5 a rs 4 4 .~b6 ile4 45.i1J8 plan ilh6 plus ftc4-c5= [Mark Dvoretsky in his

In h is Le hrb uc h des Schach sp iels ( 1925) he added later : "35...g5 would be wrong due to 36 .~f5 h6 37.h4." But after 35...g5 (?) 36.h4 seem s more logical, as it avoids questions that arise after 36 . ~f5, e.g.... ilh3+! 37 . ~e 4 C3 7 . ~xg5? ~e6 followed by a march to the queensi de; 37.g4? h6 plan ftb5,

A fl, ild 3+,

~g6)

boo k Geheimnis s e g ezielte n Schachtra inings ( 1993) and Schachmatny Bulletin (3/72) ]

37 .. .~g6

36..Q,a3

36 ...g5 37.Ab4 Wg6

82

Attack and Defen se

38.c4 Dvoretsky criticizes this mo ve and indicates that White's king has to defend the pawn at h2 and block the enemy's way to the qu eensid e at th e same time : 38 .Aa3 \t1h 5 39.'tie4! 'it'g4 40 .'it'e3 k fl ( 40 ...'tif 5 41.'tid 4!) 4 1.'it'f2! (4 1. Ae7? 'tih 3! 42 .'tif2 'ti xh 2!) 4 1.. .Ad3 4 2..Ile 7 'it'h3 4 3. 'it'g l b 5 44. A f8 and so on. Bu t this co ncept, whether suitable or not, contradicts the usual assignment ofparts, which is called most reliable by Dvoretsky himself( at the beginning of his treatise). In short, White 's bishop alone is strong enoug h her e to pre vent Black from creating a second passed pawn on the kingside . "Examples of such position s w he re th e in fe rior s ide dr a ws by blockadin g one wing with his King and defend ing the other side with his Bishop are legion." (Basic Chess Endings )

But this activism brings disaster! While Lasker - perhaps deeply impressed by 35....I1h3 - gives no further idea , Fine mentions 39.'it'd4 as "still good enough." Fine doesn't prove his point but a quick check confirms it. So 39.'tid4! and after 39...'ti g4 (39 ...A d 7 40 .'ti e3 'ti g4 4 1.A e7) the mo ve 40 .Ae 7= sto ps Black's progress. 40.'it'e3 is playable as well : 4 0 ...'it'f3 (40 ...Ag2 4 1. A e 7) 4 1.Ae7 g4 4 2 .'it'b4 'it'g 2 4 3 .'it'xa4 'ti xh2 44.A h 4= and White reaches a more comfortable version than the one already shown in the line 36.lta3 ltd7.

Now after the enemy has lost his way Black 's king breaks through decisively on one of the wings .

40..f1.a3 Other 40th moves don't help either: I 40.'it'g7 'it'f5 41.Wxh7 g4 along with 'it'e4 - d 4 II 40.e 5 'ti f 3!? (40 .. .h6 ; 40 ... iUl ) 4 1.'it'xg 5 'ti e 3 III Ev e n no w th e co ntri te return 40 .'it'e 5 causes som e difficulties: A) not 40 ...'tif 3? 41. A e 7! (4 1.'tid4? 'ti g 2, xh Z) 41.. .We 3 (4 1.. .g4 4 2 .Wd 4 =) 4 2 .lt xg 5 + 'i£t d 3 43 .e 5 a 3 44 .'it'd 6 a 2 4 5 ..I1f6 A g 2 (45 .. .h5 46. c 6 !; 4 5 ... We 2 4 6 .c 6) 46. g4 'tie 2 47 .h 4 'tib l 48. g 5 pl an We7 , fth 5 = B) but 40 ....I1fl ! 4 1.A e7 (4 1.'i£td4 I 4 1.e 5 'i£th3 ) 4 1...Wh 3! (4 1...A xe4 ? 4 2 .wd4 plu s 'i£t c3= ) 42 .A xg 5 'tixh 2 43. ~.f4 ( 43.'tif4 Wg 2! pl an 'i£t f2 -e 2) 4 3 . ..a 3 -+ C44.'i£t d5 a 2

83

Middlegame Tactics 45.ae5 ~g2 46.~c5 ~f2 h5 48.~b3 al Yff 49.ilxal

47.~b4

42.c5 can be answered by 42 ... a3 43 ..~e5 (43.c6 a2) 43 ... a2 with several winning ideas (44 ... h5 followed by h4; 44...~d3 followed by h6 plus ~f3 and again the resolute 44 ... ~f3).

~xg3)

Black lures the white bishop to d6 in the hope that after 4L~d6 ~f1 42.c5 the opponent will block the diagonal d6a3 himself. More direct would be 40 ... ~f1 41.c5 (41.~e5 ~h3) 41...~d3 with the idea of h6 followed by ~f3 and ~h3, or even 40... ~f3!? (idea 41.~xg5 ~e3).

43.c5 Or 43.~xh7 (43.h4 gxh4 44.gxh4 h5), and Black has a pleasant choice between I 43 g4 44.c5 ~b5 intending ~c6 (44 a3? 45.c6 a2 46.c7) and

41.Ad6 Let's take a look at two alternatives: I 41. ~c1 h6 (41...~f3!?) 42.~g6 (42.h4 gxh4 43.gxh4 h S) 42 ~f3! 43.h4 (43.~xh6 g4) 43 gxh4 44.gxh4 ~e4 II

41.~b4

II 43 .. .~xc4 (given by Lasker and Fine) 44.h4 gxh4 45.gxh4 ~e2 46.~h6 b5 47.h5 ~e6 48.~f8 ~d5

~xh5

50.~f4

b4 52.~f3 b3 53.~a3 ~c3 followed by b3-b2, Lasker) 50 ... ~d4 51.~g7+ (5Ule7 ~c3 52.~f6+ ~b3 53.~e3 b4

h6

(41...iHl; (42. iH8 ~f3 43.\lxh6 g4) 42 ... ~f3! (42 ... ~h3? 43.~xh6 g4 44.~g5 ~f3 45.~f4 41...~f3!?) 42.~g6

~xh2 46.~d6 ~e2 47.~e3 ~xc4 48.~d4=)

49.~g5

(50.~xh5 ~c4 51.~g4

43.h4

(43.~xh6

g4

54.~e7

~c3

51...~d3

52.~f8

~c2

44.~g5 ~h3 45.~f5 ~e2 46.~e4

54.~f8 ~b2

56.~e3

~dl) 43 ... gxh4 (43 ... ~e4; 43 ... £iJl) 44.gxh4 ~e4 and Black's king gets to the queenside to support his passed pawn and grab the c-pawn,

55.~f6+ ~c3

~c2)

53.~g7+

55.~g7+ ~a2

b4 etc.

43 ...a344.c6 44.~e7

a2

45.~f6

44 ...a2 45.g4+

84

g4

46.~c3 ~e4

Attack and Defense 4 5 ..ile 5 b xc6 4 5 ...
~xe7- + ;

n .fl.xg6 +? fxg6 -+ ) . The reinforcement of the attack is an essential improvement on former analysis, shown by the Ukrainian Gra ndmaster Felix Levin on the occasion ofa training session at Werder Bremen]

The Art of Defense In ov er- t he -bo a rd p la y it is oft en ext reme ly difficult to hold up under press ure by fin di ng th e o n ly vita l resources. In the fo llowi ng c ri tica l posi tion of a we ll-know n encounter, G ra nd mast e r Yefi m Dm ietr ie vi ch Bogolj ubov ( 1899- 1952) missed the o p po rt un ity to dem o nst rat e an ingenious defense.

Analysis

R. Ret; - Y. Bogolyubov Stockholm 1919 (round 1)

(Po sition after 26.§.el-e7) Analysis Can Black escape uninjured? 26... ~ xd4? 26.. .'~d8 ! (This only possible defense turns the situation, whi ch ap parently favor s Wh ite, almost up sid e down) 27 .fl.g4! [A lso the on ly mo ve C27.r:tJe 2? ~ x e 7 + 28 . ~ xe 7 fl. e 8 29 . ~xe8+ A xe 8 30. dxc 5 b xc5 - + ; 27.4~ e3? A xd 4 - + 28. ~ h4 / ~ g 5 ..I1 xe 3 29. r:tJ xe 3 ~ x e 7 + ; 27 . ~ g 5? A xd 4 - +; 27. <£lg3? lt xd 4 28 . ~x c 6

3 3 .4~g3 ! + -

( t h re ate n in g 34 .<£l f5 + Wxf5 36 .fl.e 5 + 'ti' g4 37 .h 3 # ; 33 .fl.e3?! fl. g 8 34 .fl. xc 3 Wf8 +) 33 ... .il xd 4 C33.. .~ x e 7 34.{Jf5+ Wf6 3 5 .<£l xe 7 'ti'xe 7 36 . ~ e5+ ~ d 7 37. ~ x d 5+) 34 .h4 (34 .<£lf5 + r:tJ f6 35 .{J xd 4 fl. g8 + 36.r:tJf3 ~ x e 7 3 7 . ~ h6+ fl. g 6 38 . ~ f4 + Wg 7 39 .<£l f5+ r:tJ f8 r:tJ xe 7 4 1. ~e 5 ++ -) 4 0 .<£l xe7 34 ... A e 3 3 5 .<£l f5+ r:tJ f6 36 .fl. xe 3 fl. g8 + 37 .r:tJh l fl. g 6 38 .<£le7 !+'ti'f6

85

3 5. ~ h 6 +!

Middlegame Tactics II 27... ~xd4 28.§xd4 cxd4 29A21g3! (Intending 30.4:1f5/4:1h5 gxf5/g xh5 31.'@g5+= with perpetual)

29.§g5 §d8 30.h4 C30.4:1e3) 29 ... E!,d830.E!,e2 30.4:1e3

.~ g 7

31.a4

30... lit'f8 30 ... §d7 31.E!,c7 Af6 32.E!,xa7 d4 33.E!,c7 d3 34.E!,g2 E!,d535..£le3 d2 36.lit'e2 E!,d8 37.lit'dl Ac3 38..£lc4 E!,a8 39.a3 E!,a4 40.E!,g4 f5 41.E!,xg6 1-0

•

Analysis 29... ~e8! (Black parries the perpetual and threatens ...d3-+) 30.§c7! (Again the only move with good drawing chances) 31.4:1f5 gxf5 A) 30 ... ~xc7 32.~g5+=, perpetual! B) 30 ... ~a6 31.§xc6 ~a4+ (or 31...~a3+; 31...~xa2? 32.4:1f5+-) 32.h4? d3 C) 30 ... ~e6 31.§xc6 ~ x f6 + 32.§xf6 §e8+ Now we return to the game continuation (26 ... ~xd4?), which granted White a very promising advantage. However, the final technique was less than convincing ...

A.A. Lilienthal

Lilienthal "ante portas" A.A. Lilienthal - L. Aronin Moscow (URS-Ch 16) 1948 Slav Defense (019)

27.E!,xc7 Axf6 28.E!,xc6±

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3..£lf3 .£lf6 4 ..£lc3 dxc4 5.a4 Af5 6.e3 e6 7.Axc4 .£lbd7 8.0-0 Ab4 9.tiYe2 0-0 10.e4 Ag4 11.E!,dl tiYe7 12.h3 Axf3 13.tiYxf3 e5 14.d5 .£lb6 15.Ab3 cxd5 16.a5 d4 17.axb6 dxc3 18.b xc3 Ac5 19.E!,xa7 E!,xa7 20.bxa7 Axa7 21.Ag5 E!,d8 22.Ad5 E!,d6 23.E!,bl!!± (Much

86

Atta ck and Defense stro nger tha n the sim plificatio n and pa w n ca p t ure 23 ..~ x b 7 § xd l + 24 . ~xd l h6 25 .A xf6 ~ x f6, wh ich would give up the nasty pin ofthe knight at f6 and co ncede Black rea l drawing cha nces due to the opposite-co lored bishop s) 23...Ab6 24.c4 tfYc7

.'~~~iil ~%'~'%'. ; ;'2' ~''I)'/' ' . ' ' ''''ww~

.

~.. ~

~

?,

~

~

. .~

~

r. ,

% ~ .f ~c '~ .-?-.~

~A~f{

~

'%

~

~ ft ~ ft ~

m

~~~~i', !~~~~~~~ White to move

This is an excellent exercise, certainly valid today. However, when mentioning the great tactician Lilienthal, normally the fa mo us enco unte r w ith Cap ablanca ( Has tings 1934/35) and the qu een sacrifice enter one's mind instantly. But for training purposes I (CDM) prefer the middl cgam e in qu esti on (wi th Le v Aron in) and the "events beh ind th e sce nes" . Th e heading could a lso run "learning from the ancestors" but we must be careful, since the Russian-Hungarian Andrej Amo ldovich (Andor) Lilienthal (* 1911 ) is th e e ldes t (o rtho dox) Gra ndmas ter still alive (and living in Budapest). The eldest Correspondence Grandmaster is the German Herm ann Heern soth (* 1909), who lives in my hometown of Bremen and plays in my club, "SV Werder Bremen". Back to the diagrammed position. Black int end s .. .4:J xd 5 with ten aci ou s resis tance. Therefore White decided to open thc c-file by an ener getic tactical stro ke in orde r to obtain dan gerou s threats on the eighth rank .

25.c5! Plausibl e and most probably the best move. How should Black take this pawn sac rifice? Pl ea se ca lc ula te the consequences.

25...tfY xc5? Th e game continuation, which loses by force due to the vuln erable back rank , but must be handl ed precisely. A remarkabl e defen si ve reso urce is 25 .. .i b e5!? a nd after 26 .§ xb 7 ne ither 26 ...\':;Jc8? 27.\':;Jb3! (27. \':;Jf50 nor 26...\':;Jd8? 27.§xf7! § xd 5 28.ibf6 gx f6 29. \':;Jh5+ - but 26 ... 4:J xd 5 !, exchanging the que en for a rook plus bishop, and Black may hold his own.

Ana lysis I 27 .\':;J b 3? § h 6 28 .§xc7 § xb 3 (29.exd5 A fS) 29.§xe5 ~b6= II A ft er 27 .§x e 7 ~ x c 7 28 ..l1e7 [28. <;t>fl/\':;J e 3 4:Je 6 ; 28 . ~h3 § b 6 (28 .. .4:J e 6?! 29. \':;Jb8 + 4:Jf8 30 .\':;Je8 !) 29 .\':;J a 4 h 6 30. A d 8 § h 4 31.\':;Je6 ~e6 32 .A c7 Ad4 33. \':;J e8 + I£ih7 34. \':;Jxf7 4~ x e 7 35 .\':;J xe7 § b 2] 28 .. .§ e6 29 .A xe 5 (29 .\':;Je3??) 29 .. .§ xe 5 30 .\':;Ja 3 4:Je 6

87

Middl egame Tactics

A b) 28 ... g xf6 29 .t¥g 4+ ~ f8 (29 .. . ~ h 8 30. B xd8+ ~x d8 3 1.A xf7 +- a nd mate ) 30 .',i¥d7 +Ac) 28 .. .k xf2+ 29 .<;t> h2 B xc8 3 0.A xg7 !+fi e7 C3 0 .. .t¥ c7 3 1. k h 6 ; 3 0 .. . ~ x g 7 3 1. t¥ xf7 + ~h6 32 . iH 6+ <;t> h 5 33 .g 4 "*' ) 3 1. A h 6 B) 27...Jld8 tra nsposes to the ga me.

it see ms as if Black ca n set up a fortres s, because there is an alm ost sy mmetric stru ctu re with all paw ns on one wing and the knight w ill reac h a base on e6 . However, th ings are far from clear as the co nti n ua tio n 3 1. ~a8 + ~ f8 3 2 . ~ d 8 st ill p ose s probl em s , e .g . 32...g6 33 . ~ f6 ~e 6 34.g 3± w ith the plan f4, and soo ner or later the knight w ill be driven away. Anyw ay, in thi s very co mplicated ending Black is able to offer tough res istance.

26.E!c1

27 ... E!xf6 27 ... g xf6 28. Be8+ B d8 (28 .. .Jld 8 29 . ~ h5 B xd 5 30 .exd5 t¥ xd 5 3 1. t¥ h6! +- a s b e for e ) 29 .t¥ h 5!+ (29 ... ~ x d 5 30 .exd 5 B xe8 3 1. t¥ g 4 +)

~a5

White makes short work of 26...~d4 : 27 ..\:txf6 gxf6 28. B e8+ .~. d 8 (28 .. .~ g 7 2 9. ~g3+ ~h6 30. B g8+28 .. .B d 8 29.Bxd8+ lt xd 8 30. ~ h5 /x f7 + - ) 29. ~h5 B xd 5 (29 ... B d 7 30 .B xd 8 + Bx d 8 31. ~xf7+

~h 8

28.E!c8+ Ad8 A fatal pin and a dominating white bishop.

3 2 . ~xf6 "*, )

30 .e xd 5 ~ x d 5 3 1. ~ h6 ! 32 .B c3 plan B g 3 ++-

~d6/

~d 7

Beating about the bush ! Lilienth al co uld have decided the ga me brill iantly with 29.t¥d l! +-. In regard to the thre at of the disco vered attac k B xcl8+, this wins o n the sp o t. I f 29 ... ~ f8 ( 29 .. .h 6 30 .Bxd8 + t¥ xd 8 3 1 .Jl xf7+ ~ x f7 3 2.t¥ xd8 ; 29 .. .B cl6 30 .Ax f7 + ~ x f7 3 1. ~ x d 6 ) th en 30. A c 6 ! B xc6 3 1.B xd8 + and mate in fo ur.

27..Q. xf6 Th ere are eve n two good alterna tives: I 27. t¥f5 A) 27 ....Q.d8 28 .t¥x e 5 B e 6 29 .t¥h8 B e 8 30 ..Q. xf6 gx f6 3 1. t¥x b 7+ B) 27 ... h 6 28 .Ax f6 B xf6 ( 28 .. .g xf6 ? 29. t¥ g 6 + ~h8 30.A.xt7 +- and mat e) 29 .B c8+ A d8 3 0 . ~ d7 + (30 ... ~ h7 3 1.B xd 8 w e I + 3 2 . ~ h 2 B xf2 3 3 . ~e 4 ! ) C) 27 .. .t¥ h 5 28 .A xf6 g xf6 29 .Be8 + A d8 (29 . .. B d 8 30.t¥x f6 +-) 30.B b 8! (plan B xb 7 +; 30 .t¥g 4 + ~ f8 31. ~h5 fi xd 5!?) 30 .. .t¥ d 7 3 1. t¥ f3 ~ e 8 32 .fix b7 .\l e 7 33 .t¥ g 4 + ~ h 8 34 .Bb 3 +II 27 .B c8+ A) 27 ... B d 8? 28 .Jlx f6 Aa) 28 .. .B xe 8 29 . ~g4 B c1 + 3 0 . ~ h 2 g6 3 1.t¥ d7 +- and mat e

88

Attack and Defense 30. ~b2!

30 . ~ x e 5 ? ! h 6

30 ... ~d6 More fun is 30 ...~ a 5 ? with the purs uit a nd d e c o y in g 3 1. ~ d2! C3 1. ~ xe5? w f8 ) 3 1.. .'liJb 6 /El c7 32. gxd8 + v.iJ' xd 8 33 ..Qxf7 + w xf7 34. ~x d8 + -

31.f4?! But after this move Black , though badly suffer ing under the pin on his weak back rank , sti ll co uld ha ve offered tough resistance . More severe was 3 1.'liJxb7 ! (th re at ening § a 8+ - , not 3 1. ~xe5?! <;!1;> f8 ± ): I 3 1... <;!1;> f8 3 2 .§ b 8 g6 C32. ..<;!1;> e 8 33 . ~b3 !) 33 . ~ c 8 <;!1;>e8 3 4. ~ c 4+ ­ II 31.. . ~f8

~ a~.~

~" ~

~~~ ~ 1 ~~ 1

~ ~ ~S · ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .'{< ~ ~ ~M,~~ ~

~

32.e5

~d7

32 . .. 'liJ xd 5 33 .e x f6 34. 'liJxb7 +- C34.'liJb5 +-)

'liJ d 7

~ ft~ •

~~~~1fJ'i' ~.~~~ ~W A) 32 .Axf7+ w h8 alon g with h6 and

Black is s t ill s trugg li ng. After 32 ... g xf7? White has 33. \£l'd 5. B) 32.f4!! ( It's worth seein g how the de fen se wi ll be overloaded) 32 g d 6 C32... g xf4 33 .\£l'b8+-; 32 e xf4 33 .e 5 +-) 33.<;!1;>fl ! C33.f xe5 A b 6 + 34. ~ h l § d8 35.§cl g b8 36. ~xf7 + <;!1;> h 8 37. \£l'd7 g d 8 ) 33 ... \£l' e 8 34. fx e 5 § d7 3 5 .'liJ b8 ~ f8 36 .A c 6 § d 4 37. ~ d 5+-

31 ...e xf4?

I 3 1...§ xf4? 3 2 .\£l'x e5 +II 31.. . ~d7! ? deserves atte ntion, e.g. A) 32 ..~x b7 ? g d6 3 3 .fxe5 C33 .'liJ xd 7 § xd 7 34 .fxe5 <;!1;> f8 ) 33 ... 'liJ xb 7 3 4.Ax b7 g d l + 35. Wf2 <;!1;> f8 36 .We2 § d 4 3 7 .Ad5 We7 38 .gb8 A c7 39 .gb7 ~ d 8 ;t; B) 32. §b8 b5 C32... g xf4 ? 3 3 . ~ b 6 + - ; 32 .. .e xf 4? 33. e 5 ~ x d 5 34. e xf6 pl an g b6 +-) 33 .§ b 7 C3 3 .\£l'x b5?! § d 6 ; 33 .g xb 5? e xf4 34 .e 5 g b 6 !) Ba) 33 ... 'liJd 6 34 .'liJ xe 5 ~ f8 35 .'liJd4! C35.gb8!?) 3 5 ... .\le7 C35.. .§ xf4? 36 .§b81 +- ) 36 .g xb 5 \£l' c8 C36... § xf4? 37 .ga5) 37. \£l'e3! g a 6 38.e5± Bb) 33 ... \£l'c 8 34 .'liJxe5 C34.f xe 5?? \£l' c 5 + 35.<;!1;>h2 g fl ) 3 4 .. .§ e 6 C34.. .h6 35. \£l'b8 ) 3 5 .'liJb8 \£l' xb 8 36. g xb 8 § d 6 37 .gb7 ±

A lso not bad is 34 .g xd8 .

34 ...E!d6 35. ~ xd6 Of c o urse not 35 .exd6?? \£l' e 1 += , perpetual.

35 ... Ab6+ 36.~ xb6 ~x c8 37.e6 g5 38.e7 c:J]g7 39.Ac6 1-0 Improving Fischer's Idea R.J. Fischer - J./l. Donner Varna (01) 1962 The 11th World Champion Robert Jam es Fische r (* 194 3 ) d id no t lose man y ga mes in his impres sive ca reer, and the 89

Middlegame Tactics defen ses based on f7-f6 or f7-f5 for the time being. But matters are not that easy . Black still has a lot of defen sive resources, as we will see.

foll owin g de fea t has att racted great attention:

3.. . ~e7!? Alternatives: 1 Afte r 3... ~ b 7 4.§ d 4 c~ c 5 ev en 5.!'!g4!? (of course 5.!'!f4!? is also very dangerous) looks promising, e.g. 5.. .f6

6.!'!g6 (6.Ax f6 ~ f7 ) fxeS (6 ... ~ f7 ? 7.§ xf6 ~ g8 8 . ~c 3 ~g4 9.f3 ~ x h 5 10.g4+-) 7.§ xh6+ A xh6 8. ~g6+ w h8 9. ~xe8+ 'tJg7 1 0 . ~g6 + '
White to mo ve If the kni ght ret reats fro m f5 White cannot claim an advantage , so Fischer took the opportunity to start a dangerous sacrificial attack.

than sufficient compensation.

II 3...c5? 1.4)xh6+!? g xh6

2.~g3+

A) 4.b3? allo ws Black 's knight to get back into the defense: 4...4Jb6 5..fiJ6 A a) 5...e 5? 6 . ~g 4 4Jc8 (6 ... !'!e 6?

The g am e we n t in st ead 2.!'!d4? (Fischer wanted to tran sfer the d I rook to th e att ack immedi at el y, but this all o wed Donn er to set up a so lid de fen si ve fo rmati on ) 2...f5 3.!'!fd l 4Jc5 and Black won later.

7.!'!d 3+-; 6 .. .e 4? 7 .!'!fe l ~ c 7 Wg8 9. §e3 +- ) 7 . ~ f5 + ~g 8 8. !'!d3 !,! xf6 9 . ~ xf6 ~ e 7 l O.!'!g3 + 'tJh7 11. ~f5 + ~ h 8 12.§d1± Ab) 5... 4Jc8! 6.~d3+ 'tJg8 8. ~ f5 +

7 . ~g3 + =

B) 4 .!'!d3! ~e 7 5.f4 !'!d8 6.!'!ff3

I

.

~~

I]

.

~ %~r ;~~f"~~

r~ !W~
.~

~ ~ ft ~ . ~~

~

!W~l~'tf~ r~~ ~~~~
Analysis

...

Further advancing the rook pawn was ca lle d for w ith winn ing adva ntage (acco rding to Dvoretsky and Yusupo v in Positionelles Schach) as it prevents

Analysis Dvoretsky 's main line stops here. We give some furth er evidence of White 's

90

Attack and Defense large advantage : 6...l"! ad6 (6 ...l"! xd 3 7. l"! xd3 l"! a8 8. ~g4+- ) 7.l"!a3 ~ e 8 8 . ~ g4 l"! d 1+ 9 .
~xd6

13 .fxg 3 A xf4 14 .g xf4 and the rook endgame is winning for White.

8 .Etel! e5

4 ...l"!a7 5.l"!f4 l"! d7? (5 ..AJc5 leads to the main line) 6 j H6 ~d6 7 .~g4 4Jxb 2 8 .8f3+ -

The o n ly defe nse. If 8 ~ d 2 ? (8 .. .8 d 7? 9 .8 f3 +- ; 8 4Jd 7? 9 .l1.c3+-) th en 9.8 e 3 8 d7 10. 8 g3 ~ d 1 + 11.
5.Etf4! Eta7

9.Ete3!

4.Etd4 .£lc5

5.. .4Jd7 ? is re fut ed by 6 .Ad6 7 .l"! xf7 + +-

~g5

~b l +

Again forced . I 9.. .exf4? 10.8 xd 3 4Jxd 3 11. ~f5+ 'itJg8 1 2. ~ x d 3 + II 9 .. . ~ x e3 ? 1 0 . ~ f5 + 'itJg8 11 .8g4 + ~ g 5 12.Axg 5+lO.~h2

.£le6

Analysis

Even in desperate situations one should not give up hope. Instead, looking at the position with a clear head often yields insights that allow one to fight on and on. I 7 .. . ~ d 7 ? 8. l"!dl ~ c 8 9 . ~e5 ! th reat ening l"! xf7 + 9 .. . ~ b7 10 .8f3 ~ e 7 1 1.A f6 +II 7 ... 4Jd7? 8.l1.d 4 4Je5 9. ~ g 3 f5! 10. 8 e1 ( Both 10. Ax a7 c5 and 10 .Axe5 ~ x e 5 11 . ~ g 6 + 'itJh 8 12. ~ xe8 ~ x f4 1 3 . ~ x f8 + 'itJh7 1 4 . ~e8 8 g7 are better for White, but Black's drawing chances are still alive) 10.. .8 g 7 11. l1. xe5 8 xg 3 12 ..il xd 6

Now White must find a way to progress. We will look at two different concepts:

11.Etfe4!? Afte r 11. 8 g 3?! Bl ack mu st p lay 11...4Jg5 to save his skin: I 12..ilxg 5? A) 12...f5? 13.8 xf5 8 g7 0 3...h xg5? 1 4 . ~xg5 l"! g7 15.8 f7 8 xf7 91

Middlegame Tactics 16.'t=4g8+ 'it'h6 17.E1g6+ 'it'xh5 18.g4+ 'it'h4 19.'i'fh8++-) 14.E1f6 Aa) 14 ...h xg5? 15.h6 ile7 05 .. .E1g8 16..f£td7+ E1e7 17.'i'fd8+-) 16.hxg7 ilxf6 17.'i'fh5+ 'it'xg7 IS.'i'fxe8+Ab) 14... E1xg5 15.'i'fd7+ E1e7 16.TIxh6+ ilxh6 06 ... 'it'xh6 17."f£fxc6+ 'it'h7 18.E1xg5 ilh6 19.E1g4 'i'ff5 20.'i'fg6+ 'i'fxg6 2l.E1xg6;!;) 17.'i'fxe7+ E1g7 IS.'i'fxe5 2 xg3 19.fxg3 a4 20.\';Je6;!; B) 12 ... hxg5 13.'i'fxg5 ith6 14J'lxt7+ E1xf7 15.'i'i1g6+ \';1xg6 16.hxg6+ 'it'g7 17.gxt7+ 'it'xt7+/-+ II 12.E1f5 ile7! 13.E1xe5 ilxf6 14.E1xe8 E1e7 15.E1xe7 ilxe7 16.'i'fd7 \';1e4=i'

1l...Ag7 11... c::Jg7? 12.E1g3 'it'g8 13.'i'ff5+-; 1l .. A:Jg5? 12.'i'ff5+ 'it'g8 13.E1g3+-

Bobby Fischer

12. ~f5+ h8 12 ... 'it'gS? 13.E1g3 'i'fdl 14.E1eg4 c::Jg5 15.E1xg5+-

13..§g3.§g8 I 13 ... i£lg5? 14.E1xg5 hxg5 15.h6+II 13 ... ~xf6? 14.'i'fxf6+ 'it'h7 15.\';11'5+ 'it'h8 16.'i'fxe5+ 'it'h7 17.\';11'5+ 'it'h8 18.'i'ff6+ 'it'h7 19.E1g6+-

Analysis

14...c5

14.f3!?

14 ... \';1xb2 15.E1eg4 'i'fb8! 05 ... i£lg5? 16.E1xg5 hxg5 17.'i'f xg5+-; 15 ... \';1b4? 16.'i'fxe5 'i'ffS 17.'i'fe3 i£lg5 18.E1xg5 hxg5 19.ilxg7+ E1xg7 20.\';1xa7±; 15... E1b7? 16.E1xg7 i£lxg7 17.E1xg7 E1xg7 18.'i'fg4+-; 15 ... E1aaS?

A very calm move, designed to give White a freer hand on the king's wing. But the walls of Black's castle are by no means easy to shatter. We did not succeed in finding a convincing way to win. It seems as if Black always has a defensive resource. 92

Attack and Defense 16.~xg7+ :rhg7 17.:r''lxg7 cfJxg7 18.i:H6+-) 16.ihg7+ f'lxg7 06 ... cfJ xg7? 17.'&f6+-) 17.f'lxg7 cfJ xg 7 18. '&f6 ',¥Jf8 08 ... 'ifl g8? 19.'~xh6+ 'iflh7 20.'&f6+-)

19.'iflxh6+ ~g8 20.'ifle3 'ifle7 21.h6 'iflh4+ 22.f'lh3 '&f4+ 23.'iflxf4 exf4 24.hxg7~

II 14 ... f'laa8 15.'&xe5 'iflc2 05 ... f'laf8 16.Mxg7+ f'l xg7 17.'iflf6 ~g8 18.f'lxg7+ cfJxg7 19.f'lg4 'iflh7 20.'iflxc6~) 16.iixg7+ f'lxg7 17.'iflf6 ~g8 18.f'lxg7+ cfJxg7 19.f'lg4 '&h7 20.'iflxc6~

III 14 ... f'ld7? 15.iixg7+ f'lxg7 16.f'lxg7 cfJxg7 17.'iflxd7+-

15.,*xe5 E!.a6 16.~xg7+ lLlxg7 16 ... f'lxg7? 17.'iflf6 f'la7 18.f'lxg7 cfJxg7 19.'iflxh6+ ~g8 20.'iflf6+17.E!.eg4 ,*h7 17 ... f6? 18.f'lxg7 f'lxg7 19.'&b8+ 20.f'lxg7+ ~xg7 21.'&b7++-

weak squares . A fascinating knight sacrifice." (Lehrbuch der Schachtaktik by A. Koblentz): 1.d4 e6 2.e4 In his younger days the "terrible fighter" sometimes also used to play l.e4. 2... d5 3.lLld2 lLlf6 4.e5 lLlfd7 5.c3 c5 6.lLlgf3!? In his new book Meine besten Kdmpfe, (200 I) Korchnoi remarks: "The approved continuations are 6.f4 and 6.cfJe2, but with the text move White shows, that he is willing to sacrifice a central pawn for rapid development." 6 ... lLlc6 7.~d3 ,*b6 8.0-0 cxd4 9.cxd4 lLlxd4 10.lLlxd4 ,*xd4 It is interesting to note that the German Grandmasters R. Knaak and S. Kindermann, both experts on the French, emphasize that it is preferable not to take the pawn.

~h7

18.,*xc5 E!.f6 19.,*xa5 E!.f5 20.'*b6 E!.xh5+ 21.E!.h3 E!.xh3+ 22.gxh3;l; In the next two examples the attacker prevailed after a bold pawn sacrifice in the opening.

Victor the "Terrible" V. Korchnoi - M. Udovcic

Leningrad 1967 French Defense (COS) With the plan 13.'&g4 (Korchnoi) "A central pawn is sacrificed. The optimistic intuition. A weakening pawn move. It is very difficult to get rid of

12... ,*b4 13.,*c2 h6?

93

Middlegame Tactics C a ) 21... gf8 22 .gxe 7 ~ x a 5 ( 22.. . ~ x e 7 23 .Ab4) 23. ~ xf7+ ­ Cb) 21. .. ~ x a 5 22 . ~xf7 ~ b 4 23 . ~xg7 x rs 2 4 . ~d 4 ! + - A d 7 (2 4 .. .-tle4 25 . ~ e2 ) 25 .gxd7+ D) 17 .. .0-0 18. gb l 'i'il'a 3 (18 ... b5 19 . ~g4) 19.'i'il'c2± threatenin g gc3 E) 17 ... 'i'il'a3 is.eez 4Jc5 08 4Jb 6 19 ,
13....~ e 5 14 .Ax h 7 (14 ..~ e 2 ! ? , E . Ge ller ) 14 .. .t h e 2 15. A xe 2 A e5= ; 13...g6!, Korchn oi 14.Ad2 ,*b6 14 ... 'i'il' e5? 15 .'i'il'a4 plan g a el +/(Sax/Hazai in Chess Informan t 42/332)

15.E!acl Ae7 15....lle 5 16 ..~ a 4 ! a 5 17. a 3 pl an b4+/- (Sax /Haza i)

II 16 .. .0-0?? 17 .g xe8+-

III 16 ... a6 17 .g c 2 O-O!? 1 8. ~ g 4 ! (18 .gxc8?! g fxc8 19 .'i'il' xd 7 g e7 2 0 . ~a 4 'i'il' xb 2 21. g b l ~a3 22 . ~x a 3 A xa 3 ;\; , Sax/ Haza i) 18 ... w h 8 (18 .. .f5 1 9. ~ g 6 pl an A xh6 +/ -, Sax/Hazai) 19. ~h5! (plan A xh 6) 19 .. .f5 20 .Ax h6! gxh6 21. ~x h6 + ~ g8 22. 'i'il' g6+ Wh 8 23.gfcl !+-, Sax-Vegh, Hungary 1986, I :0/42 (Chess Inform ant 42/332 ) I Grabbing the second pawn would be too greedy, e.g . 16...'i'il'xb 2? 17.g e7! C1 7 .ge3!? ~ b 6 i s .a t» ~ d 8 19. 9fel 0-0 20. ~g4; 17. Ab5 ~(8) and now: A) 17 ... A d 8 18 .g e 2 ~b6 19 ..~ b 5 + B) 17 ... a6 18. g bl (18. g fcl ? O-O!) 18 .. .'i'il' a 3 19 . ~c 2 Ae5 (19 .. .0-0 20. gc3 'i'il' a 5 2 1.gxe8) 20. g b3 ~ a 4 2 1.g xc5 ~ x c 5 22 . ~x e5± C) 17 .. . ~ d 8 18 .g fcl ~b6 (l 8 ... ~ a 3 19 .Aa5! b 6 20 . ~ e6 + - ) 19 .Aa5! g b8 20 .Ab5 ~a 3 21. 'i'il'f4 !

17 .E!c2 " Korchnoi's idea to double the rooks on the open c-fi le is logical, but after the game he confessed that 1 7 . ~g4 is much stronger. The combined pressure on both wings, especially the threat to pen etrate on c7 , wo uld be most unpleasant for Black." (Koblentz) 1 7 . ~ g 4 ~ f8 18 .A b 4 4Jb6 19 .a4 (Korchnoi) 17 ...\t7f 8

94

Attack and Defense

(n

o

f5 s... Wh8 (Korchnoi) would be too dangerous for Black. 17 ... 0-0

18.'~g4

19.~h5) 19.~g6

22 ... cI1d7? 23.ilxe7+ 24.§c7+- (Korchnoi)

III

~xe7

23.'l'i1'h4! 18.,E:!fel 20.Aa5!

Plan

4Jb6

21.~d4

19.'l'i1'g4 Ad7

Plan 24..~xg6 (Korchnoi) (Korchnoi)

20... ,E:!e8

20 ... g6 21. c:Jd4 §e8? 22.§xe8 ~xc8 23. c::Jb5 (Korchnoi) 21.,E:!xe8 Axe8 22.Ab4!?

"l; White wants to strengthen his bind with a4. And this move has a further tactical point: to underline the unfortunate position of Black's king." (Koblentz) 22.h4 ~d7 [22 ... g6 23.h5 g5 24.4:Jd4 ild7 25.§e2 plan f4 (Korchnoi)] 23.h5 is interesting as well. 22 ...g6

I 22 ... g5 23.h4 gxh4 (23 ... ilxb4?! 24.~xb4+ Wg7 25.hxg5 hxg5 26.~g4) 24.~xh4 We8 25.ilxe7 (25 ..~b5+ .~ d 7 26 ..I"hd7+ ~xd7 27.~xe7+ 'f:JJxe7 28 ..~xe7 Wxe7 29.§e7+ ~d7 30.§xb7~) 25 ... ~xe7 26.~f4!? II 22 ... ~xb4?! 23.~xb4+ A) 23 ... Wg8 24.~a5 (24.~d6 ~xd6 25.exd6) B) 23 ... ~e7 24. ~xb6 (24.~a5) 24 ... axb6 25.§xc8+ ~e8 26.§xe8+ Wxe8 27.wf1± C) 23 ... We8 24.~a5 (24.a4)

23 ...g5

I 23 ... ~e8? 24.J1xg6! II 23 ... ~d7? A) 24.~xg6?! We8 Aa) 25.~h5?! Aal) 25 ... §f8?! 26.~d2 ~xe7

27.~h7

(26.~xe7

~b4

28.§e2) 26 ... fxg6 27.~xg6+ §f7 28.~xh6 Aa2) 25 ... ~xb4 26.~xf7+ wf8 27.a3 ~e7 (27 ... ~e7 28.4:Jd4 ~g5 29.f4!) 28.~g6 ~xa3 29.bxa3 ~xa3

Ab) 25.~xe7 ~xe7 26.~xe7+ Wxe7 27.~d3 §c8= B) 24. ~f6! §g8 25.~xe7+ (In their book 4x25 Keres and Nei recommend the immediate 25.§c7, which is also better for White, but not so convincing: ~xe7+ followed by §c7: 25 ... We8 26. ~xe7+ ~xe7 27.~xe7 Wxe7 28.§xb7 §a8) 25 ... ~xe7 26.§e7± (26 ... ~ b 4 27.§xb7 ~xb2 28.§xa7) III

24.~b5+

iid7

26.J1xd7+ (Korchnoi)

~xd7

23 ... We8

25.~xe7 ~ x e 7 27.~f6

95

Middlegame Tactics

24.l£l xg5!

Hh8 35.~jxh8+ ';?!;>xh8 36.e8'&++';?!;>g7 37.'&e7+ ';?!;>g6 38.g4 C38.a4; 38.\fixb7) 38 ... 'i;1cll 39.h3 B) 27 ... hxg5 28.'&xh8+ ';?!;>xe7 29.',;;'{b8 4Jcl7 30.,&xb7 a5 ~

~e8??

After the forced 24 ... ';?!;>g8 25.ilxe7 26A:Jf3 \:;;'xh4 27 .6;;Jxh4 ~ "Korchnoi wanted to 'offer his opponent this worse endgame." (Koblentz) v~lxe7

25 ... Ad7 The best try, as 25...;!l;Jf8?? 26.'&h5+and 25 ... 4Jd7?? 26.4Jxe6! fxe6 27.,Q,xe7 '&xe7 28.Hxc8++- both lose.

25.Ab5+! I 25.ilxe7 \fixe7 26.4Jf3 'i;1xh4 27 .4Jxh4 ~ II 25.Hxc8 'i;1xc8 C25... c;;J xc 8?? 26.ilb5+ ,;?!;>f8 27.\fih5+-) 26.ilxe7 'i;1cl + 27 ..!lfl A) 27 ... ';?!;>xe7?

26.l£lxe6!

I 26.ilxe7?! 'i;'txe7 27.ilxcl7+ ';?!;>xcl7 A) 28.'&h5 ,&xg5 29.'&xf7+ ,;?!;>cl8 30.'\';l'c7+ <30.Hc7? He8) 30 ... ';?!;>e8 31.'i;1b8+ '&cl8 32.'i;'txb7 B) 28.4Jf3 '&xh4 29.4Jxh4 II

26.ilxcl7+?! 'i;'t xcl7 28.4Jf3 \fixh4 ';?!;>cl7

'i;'txe7

27.ilxe7 29.4Jxh4

26 ...fxe6 The alternatives are all worse, e.g.: I 26 ... ilxb5?? 27.4Jg7+ ,;?!;>f8 C27... ,;?!;>cl7 28.'i;'tg4+ f5 29.'i;1xf5 #) 28.4Jf5 4Jc8 29.Hxc8 '\';l'xc8 30.ilxe7+ ';?!;>e8 31.4Jcl6++-

Analysis Aa) 28. 6;;Jxe6+ ';?!;>cl7 29.\fif6 He8 C29... fxe6 30.'i;1g7+ ';?!;>c6 31.i:1xh8 \fixb2) Ab) 28. 6::Je4+?! ,;?!;>d7 29.i'if6 Hh7 Ac) 28.4Jxf7+!! ';?!;>xf7 29.'\';l'f6+ ';?!;>g8 30.'&xe6+ ,;?!;>f8 31. i'if6+ ';?!;>g8 32.e6 Hh7 33. 'i;'td8+ ';?!;>g7 34.e7

II 26 ....fbh4?? 27A:Jg7#

96

Attack and Defense III

26 ... a5??

28.ihd7+

27.itxe7 '{fjxe7 '{fjxd7 29. c:Jc7+ 'It'f8

3(J.'iiJ'f6+IV

26 ... 8g8??

27.4Jc7+

'It'f8

'{fjxd7 C28 ... 4Jxd7 29.4Jxd5) 29.e6 '{fjd8 30.'{fjf6 8g7

33.'{fjxf7+ 'It'xf7 (33 ... 8xf7 34.iH6) 34.Af6 C) 29.'{fjg4! 8h7 30.8g3 (30.Axd7; 30.8f3+) 30...Axb4 31.'iiJ'g8+ 'It'e7 32.'{fjxh7+ 'It'd8 33.8g8+

28.ihd7+-

31.exf7 V 26...d4?? 27.4Jc7+ (27.'iiJ'h5 '{fjb8 28 ..~xd7+ axd7 29.4Jc7++-) 27 'It'f8 28.Axd7 (28.'{fjxd4) 28 '{fjxd7 (28 ... c:Jxd 7 29.4Jd5) 29.e6

IV 28 ... 'It'g7 29.Axe7 'iiJ'xe7 30.8g3+ 'It'f8 31.8f3+ 'It'g7 32.8f6 8h7 33.Ad3 transposes to 28 ... '{fje8 29 ..~xe7

V 28...cile8

Analysis

28.!!c3 28. 'iiJ'f3+?! 'It'g8; 28.'{fjh4? 'It'f7

28 ... !!h7 I 28

Axb4 29.8f3++-

II 28 cilxb5 29.8f3+ followed by 30.'iiJ'f7 mate III 28...'iiJ'e8 A) 29.~xe7+!? 'iiJ'xe7 (29 ... 'It'xe7 30. 'iiJ'h4++- and mate will follow) 30.8f3+ 'It'g7 (30 ... 'It'g8 31.~xd7+-) 31.8f6 8h7 32.Ad3± Ae8 33.'{fjg4+ 'It'h8 34.8xe6 (34.~xh7) 34 ... '{fjd7 35.','£tf5 (Korchnoi) B) 29.'{fjh4!? 8h7 30.'{fjf6++- '{fjf7 31.~xe7+ 'It'e8 32.~d3 8g7

A) 29.~xe8!? 'iiJ'xe8 30.'iiJ'h4! (Keres and Nei) Aa) 30...'{fjf7? 31.8C7! [31.8f3?? 'It'e8 (forced) 32.8xf7 AxM 33.8 xb7 4Jc4J 31...4Jc8 (31...'It'g8 32. '{fjg4+) 32. 'iiJ'f 6!+Ab) 30... Axb4?? 31.'iiJ'f6++- 'iiJ'f7 32.'{fjxh8+ 'It'e7 33.8g3 with the plan 8g7 Ac) 30... 8h7 31.'iiJ'f6+ (31.8c7?! 4Jd7) 31... 'iiJ'f7 Ac1) 32.8C7?! Acll) 32....4lxb4?? 33.8xf7+ 8xf7 34.'iiJ'xh6+ 'It'g8 35.'iiJ' xe6 ~c5 36.'It'fl 'It'g7 (36 ... d4 37.f4; 36... Axf2?? 37.'iiJ'g6+ 'It'f8 38.e6) 37.f3 4Jc4 38.'It'e2+Ac12) 32...'iiJ'xf6! 33.exf6 Axb4 34.8xh7 d4, unclear Ac2) 32. Axe7+! 'It'e8 33.~d6!? (33.'{fjxf7+?! 8xt7 34.Ad6 'tlc4 35.b3 c:Jxd6 36.e xd6 'It'd7; 33.Bc7 97

Middlegam e Tactics

,& xf6 34.e xf6 ~d 7 35 ..~c 5 4:J xf6 36 .Elx h 7 4Jxh7 37 ."(lxa7±) 33 " A:Jc4 C33 .. .'&xf6 34.exf6 El f7 35.A e 5±) 34 .11b8 ,& xf6 04 .. .a6 35.b3) 35.e xf6 El f7 36 .b 3 4:Ja5 C3 6 ...4Jd 2 37 ..Q.e 5) 37 .A e5 4:Jc6 38. f4 +B) 29.'t¥f3+!? 'it'g7 ( 29 .. ..i1f7?! 30 .'&f6 B h7 31.§ g3 4:J c8 32.h 3) 30 .~x e8 § xe8 C30...'&xe8? 31.Elc7) 3 1.'&h 5 .i1g 5 32. El g3 ± (p lan h4) 32... '&c7!? 33.h4 '&f7 34 .'&xf7 + 'it'xf7 35.h xg5 h xg 5 36. B xg5± C) 29.E!f3 +! 'it'g7 C a) 30.B g3+ k g 5 31.Axe8 ,&xe8 32.'&xe8 El xe8 33.h4± C a l ) 33...'it'g6 34 .h xg5 0 4.f4 'it'f5 35. fxg 5 h xg 5 36 .El xg 5+ 'it'e 4±) 34".h xg5 35..i1d 2± C a 2) 33 ... Elc8!? 34.h xg 5 C3 4.Ac3?! d 4 3S.Ax d 4 B el + 36. Wh2 El c4 37. Bg4 El xd4 38. B xd4 .i1el ) 34 .. .B c2 35.gx h6 + 'it'xh 6 36. A f8 + ~ h S 37 .f4± C b) 30 .A xe8?? ~ x e 8 3 1.El g 3+ 'it'h 7 'i' C c) 30 .'&g4+! k g 5 00 .. ..i1g6? 3LQ. xe7 ,& xe7 32.B f6 +-) 31. h4! [31.,& xe 6?? ~ c 8 ; 31..i1xe8?? ,& xe8 32.h 4 '&g6 33 .h xg 5 h xg5 (-/+, Korchn oi ) 34 .B h3 Bx h 3 35 .g xh3 G~ c 4 'i'] C ct ) 31. ...i1xb S 32 .h xg5 ~ x g 5 (32...hxg5 33.Elf6!, Korchnoi; 32...h5 33.'&xe6 A e8 34.11f8+ and mate in two, Korchn oi ) 33. ~ x e 6 + - El e8 34 . ~ f7 + 'it'h8 35.Bg3 ~ x e 5 36.El g6, Korchnoi C36.A f8+-) Cc2) 31.. .h S 32. ~ g 3 .i1g6 0 2... Ax b 5 33 .El f6+-, Kor chn oi) 33 .h xg5±/+-

29 .B g3(?) .i1x b 4 ( 29 " .kxb 5?? 30 . 30. ~ g6 B f7 [Force d , 30 .. .,& g S( ??) 31. El xg5 h xg 5 32. ~ x h 7 A xbS, Korchn oi] 31. ~ x h 6 + , and White has to give perpetual, e.g. ~g6 +- )

I 31... 'it'e8 32.El g8 +

.ars

A) 33..i1d 3? .~ c 6 Aa) 34 ..i1g6 'it'd 7 35 . ~ h8

C35 ...l1 xfl

C3 4.. . ~ e 7) ~ x h 6 - +)

35.. . ~g S - + A b) 34 .'~J'h5 'it'e 7 C34...~c7) 3S..Q.g6

B g7 3 6. ~f3 B xg6 37.Elxg6 ~e 8 - + B) 33 .El xf8+ has to be pl ayed : 33 ... El xfS 3 4 . ~g6+ El f7 35. ~g8+ c:J)e7 36 . ~g5 + c:J)e8 3 7. ~g8+=

II 31.. .'it'e7 3 2. ~h 4+ 'it'e 8 33.Bg8+ C33 . ~xb4 ? !

34 .Elxf8 +!=

30. ~ xh6+-

98

~ e 7 'i' )

33.. ..Q.f8

Attack and Defense

30 ...Axb5C?) 30 ... ~g8 31.§h3! C3Lllxd7!?) and now:

I 31...ilh4 32.§xh4

C32.~xd7)

II 31...~f7 A) 32.ilxd7

4Jxd7 C32 ... '&xd7 '&xe7 34.'&h8 '&g5 ~e7 36.'&f8+ ~d7

33.ilxe7 35.§f3+ 37.'&d6+ and mate will follow) 33.§f3+ ~g8 C33 ... 4Jf6 34.il xe7; 33 ... ilf6 34.exf6 4Jxf6 35.'&f4 d4 36.ild6) 34.'&xe6+ ~h8 35.§h3+! ilh4 C35 ...§h7 36.il xe7) 36.f4 B) 32.'&h5+! (most clear-cut) 32...§g6 C32 ~g8 33.'&h8+ ~f7 34.§f3+; 32 ~f8 33.'&h8+) 33.ild3

Zbynek Hracek chess department of the SV Werder Bremen since 1991, and at Werder's top board in the German Bundesliga since 1994.

l.c4 e5 2.g3 4Jc6 3.4Jc3 4Jf6 4.Ag2 Ab4 5.d3 0-0 6.e4 d6 7.4Jge2 a6 8.0-0 Ac5 9.h3 4Je8 10.litth2 f5 11.f4 exf4 12.4Jxf4 fxe4 13.4Jxe4 4Jf6 14.4Jg5 4Jd4

E~~W

III 31...ilxb5 32.'&xe6+ §f7 33.'&h6 ilf6 C33 ... §g7 34.e6) 34.exf6 ,&xf6 35.§g3+

~0~~0~

1.;~~ %~f,~~

~~r~'~%·····~ ~ ~ ~ ~.

~ft~ ~ ~ ~~%~Y~0 ~ft~ ~~ft

31.§.g3 1-0

~

Exploiting Underdevelopment

Z. Hracek (2475) E. Prandstetter (2430) Bmo (Match) 1990, English (A25) Grandmaster Zbynek Hracek has selected for us this fine attacking game that he likes to recall. The Czech professional (* 1970) has played for the

~S~

~ 1%;r~! Y~'/;r~ 1

~r~ .D. i?'d..0i

~

~

~~ffi ..·'

~£~'g

~{/r~~;r ~;r'.

~

~g~o~

15.b4!! Grabs the initiative by means of a pawn sacrifice and thereby accelerates the development of his bishop at c 1 to b2. The main idea is to put a tempo pressure on the light squares in the enemy's 99

Middlegame Tactics camp, in particular to exploit the weak point e6. Indeed the drawback of Black's under-developed queenside will be punished severely! A noteworthy alternative is IS.~e3!?, and now: I IS ... h6? 16.~xd4 hxgS 17.iixf6 gxf6 07 ... gxf6? 18.~hS! ,&e8 19. '&h6! gxf4 20.iidS+ gf7 21.gxf4+-; 17 ... '&xf6? 18.i£JdS+-) 18.iidS+

26.d4 iixfS (26 ....llb6 27.gel +-) 27.'(;1xfS+'(;1h6 C27... iib6 28.'ci1h5+ ~g7 29.'(;1xg4+; 27 ... iixd4 28.'&hS+ ~g7 29.'(;1xg4+/xd4) 28.dxcS '(;1xh3+ 29.~gl 'iiixg3+ 30.~fl '®'h3+ 3LIlg2 Cb2) 21...'®'xf6 22.'(;1e2 (plan gfl+-) 22...£te6 [22...'®'g5 23.gfl; 22...iid7 23.gfl '&d4 24.:;~e7+ ~h8 25.hxg4 (threatening g5) 25 ... '&e3 26.'®'xe3 iixe3 27.i£Jg6+ ~g8 28.iidS+ ~h7 29.c~f8+] 23.gfl '®'g5 24.iixb7 ge8 25.gf8+' II 15... 4JfS!? offers hard resistance: 16.iixc5 dxcS 17.i£Jge6 4Je3

Analysis 18 ... ~h8?

19.~hS+

gh6 21.i£Jf8+ ~h8 (21 ... 'i';l'xf8 22.'thh6+) 22.'£;1f7+B) 18 ... ~f8?? 19.i£Jg6+ ~e8 20 .'£;1e2++C) 18... ~h7 19 ..~e4+ ~g8 20.i£Jg6 Ca) 20 ... iie6 21.'&hS c6 22.gxf6 \;jxf6 (22 ... gxf6 23.~h8+ ~f7 24.\¥¥h7+ ~e8 2S.iixc6+ bxc6 26.gel+- and mate) 23:£;1h8+ ~t7 24:tl'xa8 \;jxb2+ 2S.iig2 ~xg6 26.gfl +Cb) 20 ... g4 21.gxf6 (21.'(;1e2) Cb 1) 21.. .gxf6 2L:£Jh4! (plan iifS) 22 ... '&e8 (22 ... \;jf8 23.d4 iib6 2L(HS+-) 23.'(;1fl \;jf8 (23 ... ~g7 24.gel iib4 2S.ge2+-) 24.iidS+! (24.iHS '(;1h6) 24 ... ~g7 (24 ... ~h7 2S.d4~b6 26.'iiid3++-) 2S.i£JfS+ ~h8 (2S ... ~g6 26.hxg4; 2S ... iixfS 26.'iiixfS c6 27.iie4) A)

20.c~g6+

07 ... iixe6 18.i£Jxe6 '&d6 19.9xf5 'iiixe6 20.gxcS±) 18.i£Jxd8 4:Jxdl 19.i£Jde6 iixe6 20.i£Jxe6 4:Je3 21.gf3 4:Jc2 22.4:Jxf8 i£Jxal 23.i£Je6 ge8 24.4:JxcS ge2 25.g4 hS (25 ... c~c2? 26.~gl) 26.gxh5 gxb2 27.a4 i£Jxh5 28.gf5 4:Jf6 29.4:Jxb7±

~h7

15 ...Aa7 As so often the crucial test runs behind the scenes. Here the acceptance of the sacrifice seems consequential: 15 ... iixb4 16.iib2 h6 17 ..~xd4 hxg5 18.4Jg6 and now:

100

Attack and Defense Analysis I 18...§e8 19.M,d5+ M,e6 09..A'lxd5 20.~i1h5 c:Jf6 21.M,xf6 gxf6 22.~h8+ 'It'f7 23.~h7+ 'It'e6 24.§ae1 + M,xe1 25.§xe1 + 'It'f5 26.g4#) 20.§xf6 gxf6 21.~h5 ~xd5 (21...'lt'g7 22.~xg5 'It'f7 23.§f1 +-) 22. ~h8+ 'It'f723. ~h 7+ 'It'e6 24.ctlf8+ (24.§e1 +- just for a more beautiful end: 24 ... M,xe1 25.ctlf8+!! §xf8 26.cxd5+ 'It'xd5 27.~e4#) 24...§xfS 25.cxd5+ 'It'xd5 26.~e4# 18 ... §f7 19.§b1! 09.M,xf6? gxf6 20.~d5 'It'g7 21.~h5 ~e8) A) 19 ... M,c5 20.M,xf6 gxf6 (20 ... §xf6? 21.~h5 M,e6 22.§be1 threat §xe6+-) 21.M,d5 'It'g7 22.~h5 §d7 (22 ... ~e8 23.§bel) 23. ctlf4 +-

II

31.~d1+

~cl2

32.'~xd2#)

31.'ffi'gl+ 'It'xd3 32.~e3# Cb2) 25 ... ~e1 26.ctlf4+ 'It'e7 (26 ... 'It'e5 27. ~h8+: 26 ... 'It'f5 27.olle4+) 27.~g7+ Cb21) 27 ... 'lt'cl8 28.~f8+ ~e8 C28... 'lt'cl7 29.ctle6) 29.~xd6+ §cl7 / M,d7 30 ...£Je6+ Cb22) 27 ... 'lt'e8 28.~g8+ 'It'e7 29.~f7+ 'It'cl8 30.~f8+ as before Cb3) 25.. .'~e3 26 ...£Jf4+ as before D) 19 ... M,a5 20.M,xf6 gxf6 21.M,d5 'It'g7 22.~h5! 'ffi'e8 23.§b2! c6 (23 ... §e7 24.§xf6!+- is similar to above) 24.M,xf7 (24.§e2!? ~xe2+ 25.~xe2 cxcl5 26 ...£Je7 clxc4 27.~e4) 24 ... ~xf7 25.§e2 M,e6 26.h4+-

16.J},b2

B) 19 ... a5 20.a3 M,xa3 21.M,xf6 gxf6 22.M,d5 'It'g7 23.~h5 §d7 24.ctlf4+C) 19 ... c5 20.M,xf6 gxf6 21.M,d5 'It'g7 22.~h5 ~e8 23.§b2! Ca) 23 ... §e7 24.§xf6! 'It'xf6 (24 M,c3 25.M,g8+-) 25.§f2+ M,f5 (25 'lt'g7 26.~xg5+-) 26.§xf5++'It'xf5 (26 ... 'lt'g7 27.§xg5 §e2+ 28.M,g2) 27.ctlh4+ 'It'f6 (27 ... 'It'e5 28.ctlf3+ 'It'f6/'lt'f5 29.~xg5 #) 28.~h6+ and mate Cb) 23 ... §c7 24.§xf6! 'It'xf6 25.~h6!+- with a crushing discovered attack, e.g. CbI) 25 ... ~xg6 26.~f8+ Cbll) 26 ... §f7 27 ..~xf7 ~f5 (27 ... ~xf7 28.§f2+) 28.~e8+ 'It'e5 29.~h8+ ~f6 30.§e2+ Cb12) 26 ... 'lt'e5 27.§e2+ 'It'd4 28.~f2+ 'It'c3 29.~e1 + 'It'd4 30.~a1 + M,c3 C30... 'lt'xd3

16... .E!e8? I 16 ... h6 17.~xcl4 hxg5 18.M,xf6! §xf6 is analogous to above variation (l5.~e3 h6), but it makes a difference that White's b-pawn is on b4 instead of b2: A) 19.4'ld5?! §h6!? 09 ... §xf1? 20.~xf1 c6 21.§e1!) 20.~e2 M,e6 21.§ael ~ B) 19.M,cl5+ 'It'h7 20.M,e4+ 'It'g8 21.ctlg6 g4 22.~e2

(See diagram top of next page) 101

Middlegame Tactics Refreshes the fight over the weaknesses on the diagonal b3-g8.

Analysis Ba) 22 ... c6 23.8xf6 gxf6 24.4'1h4! 25.8fl '©'e8 (25 ... g xh3 26.'©'h5+-) 26.4'1f5 .\lxf5 (26 ... ~h5 27.0:1xd4 '©'xh3+ 28.'\!9g1 ~xg3+ 29.'©'g2+-) 27.8xf5+Bb) 22....~d4 23.Ad5+ '\!9h7 24.4'1e7! Bbl) 24 ... ~xal 25.~e4++- '\!9h8 (25 ... g6 26.8xf6 ~xf6 27.~xg6+ '\!9h8 28.~h6#) 26.0:1g6+ 8xg6

.~ d 4

27.~xg6

Bb2) 24 ... '\!9h8 25.8xf6 gxf6 (25 ... ibf6 26.4'1g6+ '\!9h7 27.~e4 '\!9h6 28.4'1f4+- Af5 29.'©'xf5 ~e8 30.8el Ae5 31.Af7) 26.8fl c6 (26 ... '©'e8 27.~e4 Ad7 28.~xd4 'if1xe7 29.8xf6+-) 27.4'1f5!+-

II 16 ... 4'1g4+? 17.hxg4 'if1xg5 18.Ad5+ Ae6 (l8 ... 4'1e6 19.'©'e2 '©'h6+ 20.'\!9g2 8xf4 21.8xf4 c6 22.Axe6+ Axe6 23.8el 8e8 24.8e4) 19.4'1xe6 wh6+ 20.'\!9g2 4'1xe6 21.~e2

18 ...h6?! The last inaccuracy, but it was too late anyway: 18...8e5 (l8....~xe5? fails to 19.Axd4 planning ~ b 3 ++ - ) 19.Axd4 8xg5 20.'if1b3+ (20.Axf6 gxf6 21.4'1h5±) 20 ... '\!9h8 21. ~e3 (21.Axf6 gxf6 22.d4±/+-) 21...e6 22.h4 8g4 23.~xf6 (23.8ael) 23 ... gxf6 (23 ... 'if1xf6 24.4'1e6 ~xfl 25.8xfl ~xe6 26.~h3 8g6 27.Axe6 8xe6 28.8f7+-) 24.Ah3+- 8g8 (24 ... Ab8 25.Axg4 Axg4 26.8ael ~e5 27.8xe5 fxe5 28.~xe5+ '\!9g8 29.8el; 24 ... 8g7 25 ..~xe8 Wxe8 26.4'1h5) 25.Axc8 8 xe8 26.4'1e6

19.Axd4 hxg5 20.Axf6 gxf6 21.Ad5+ \t>g7 22.4)h5+ \t>g6 23.!!xf6+ tiltxf6 24.4)xf6 \t>xf6 25. tiltf3+ 1-0

16 ... 'if1d7? 17.Axd4 Axd4 18.4Jge6 ~xal 19.c~xf8 '\!9xf8 20.'if1xal '\!9f7 (20 ... '\!ge8 21.4Je6+; 20 ... '\!9g8 21.4Jd5+-) 21.g4 h6 22 ..\'td5+ c~xd5 23.c~xd5+ '\!9g8 (23 ... '\!9g6 24.~el) 24.~el + 17.e5! III

102

Attack and Defense On the Verge of the Abyss

I 2... ~ x h 6 3.8x b5

.o.rz

4 . ~ x f2

~xh5

Analysis ~g 5 ! 6 .8x b7 (6 . ~ f2 with the double threat ~d 1+/ ~ e 4 + ; 6. 8b2 ~ x e 3 - + ) 6 ~ x e 3 7.8b2 (7.h3 ~ x e 3 - + ) 7 ~ e 4 + 8.8g2 8 b8 plan 8 b l -+ B) 5.8bl ~g4 6 .8 g1 ~e 4 + 7 .8g2 b 5 8. ~ e 2! 8 xg 2 9 . ~ x g2 ~ x e 3 1O. ~b 2 ~d3 11. 'it'g2 rttg7 12. ~a 3+ and in this queen ending it is open to question whether the extra pawn will be decisive.

A)

(Position after t1"f3-e2) In a compact Dutch Stonewall with longtenn flank operations, White has made visible concessions (open g-fiIe, pawn stru ctur e, ba ck ward pa wn at c3) . Furthermore , the bishop at h5 is badly placed (weakness of the e4-h I and a6- fI diagonals), allowing Black to emphasize his power on the g-file and force White into a vel)' passive defense . But don 't think that Black is already sure ofthe win!

1...i;tb5! This troublemaker breaks a tempo into the action . Less pretentious would be 1...a6 2.itf3 A b 5 + (3. ~g2/3 :~d2)

2.i;th6 The forced counterattack , whereas 2 . ~ d 2 ?? and ~ b 2 ? ? both fail to 2 ... .1ld 3-+

5. ~ f1?

~g4 - +

II 2...A xe 2 3.Axg7+ 8 xg7 4.ilxe2

Be7 C4...ilf2? 5.c40 5.r;!'tg2 C5 .Bel ? ilg5; 5.Bb4 ile l) 5... B xc3 6.r;!'tf3 ilg5 7. B b3 + and considering the bishops of opposite color the extra pawn might also be insulftcient here.

Th e only pla yabl e mo ve C3 ..\l xg6?? .\l xe 2- +)

2... t1"g6!

In stead of th is creati ve g a m e continuation the alternatives would hold Black's advant age, but the y might be not good enough :

103

Middlegame Tactics Wh ile th e de fender is unde r heavy pressure now, the attac ke r sta nds at the crossroads. Beside the obvio us capture ,&xh6 there is a further promi sing and spectacular continuation ...

3... ~xh6

14 .Af5 l"l c 3 15.d5 05 .Wg2 l"l xc4 16 .d5 l"l c5 + / -+; 15.ile 6 l"l el3 16.d5 l"l e 3 17 .el6 w fS- +) 15.. .l"l e 3! 16 .e 6 (16 .el6 l"l xe 5- +) 16 Wf6 l 7 ..{tg 4 (1 7 .d6 l"l xe 6-+) 17 h 5!-+ C) 8. h4 !!

3...~>d3! ? That's what the enterprising Poli sh In tern ati onal Master Matl ak ac t ua lly pl a y ed. A fter th e forced exc ha ngi ng to an end gam e 4 ..{t xg6 .Ib b 1 5 ...ilf7 it e 4 6. ~xe 4 fxe 4 7 .A f4 C7 .Ax g8 ?? Wxg 8 pl an ~> e 1 ­ xc 3 - +)

Analysis

the fight has reached the culminating point. Now 7...l"l d8? cert ainly may be excluded because of 8 .itxe 6 't1Jg7 (8...b5 931h6) 9.c4 dxc4 10.itxc4 with dangerous connected passed pawn s for th e o ppo ne nt, but Bl ac k has o ther interesting continuations at his disposal: I 7 ....I1.f2?1 (game) A) 8 .h3 ? (ga me) 8 ... l"l g 6! 9 .it xg6 h xg 6 10 .Wg 2 ile 1- + a nd wi th h is bad bishop White soon lost - 0- 1. Black won de servedl y but, as we wi ll see, he was lucky in the end! B) 8. ilg 3? l"l g 7 9. ,Q, xe 6 il xg3 10.h xg 3 l"l xg 3 11. ,Q, xd 5 Wg7 12 .,Q, xe4 02 .i bb7 l"l xe 3 ) 1 2. ..b 6 + plu s l"l xe 3 a nd here th e connected passed pawn s are no re al dan ger fo r Bl ack , e.g . 13 .c4 l"l xe 3

Thi s startling re source h ad to be di s co vered ! 8 ... l"l g l + (8 ... il xh 4 ? 9 .ilx e 6 l"l elS 10.c4 ! d xc4 11 .ilxc4 a nd again w it h th e two co nn ect ed pas sed p a wn s White alread y feel s co m fortab le. 8 ... l"l g 6?! 9 .h5! and in co mpariso n with the game this makes a ll the d i fference!) 9 .Wh2 l"l eI 10 .il xe 6 A xe 3 1l. ilg 3! l"l e 2 + 12.'t1Jh3 l"lc2 (l 2 ... ilf2? 13 .ilf4)

Analysis C a ) 13.ilxel5 g xc3 14.'t1Jg4 lead s to va r ia t io n C b belo w 0 4 .e6? il f4 15 .Wg 4 itx g3 16. e 7 h5+ !-+) Cb) 13.'t1J g4 l"l xc 3 14 ..Il xd 5 04 .ltd7 ? it xd 4 15 .e 6 lt f6 ) 104

Attack and Defense 14 ...ilx cl4 (l 4 ... ~g 7 15. e 6 A xcl4 16 .e 7 § c8 17. A xb 7 § e 8 18 .,Q,d6 et c . =) 15 .e 6 (w ith su ffic ient co unterp lay, but not 15..ll xe 4? h 5+ 16 .wf4 A xe 5 + 1 7. ~ x e 5 § xg 3- +) I5 ... A f6 (l 5 .. . ~ g 7 I6. e 7) 16 .e 7 06.Acl6 e3 I7 .e 7 8 c8 I 8. ~f3 8 e8 I 9.Af7 8 xe 7 20 ..~x e7 A xe 7 21.Wxe 3 Ax h4=, wrong bishop and rook pawn) 16 ...8 C8 I 7 .Acl6 8 e8 18. Af7 8 xe 7 19 .A xe 7 A xe7 20 .w f4 llx h4 2 1. ~x e4 = and ag ain the duties for White' s piece s are clear : The bishop defends on the queenside while th e kin g mak es himself comfortable in the h l comer.

Analysis Such a position with major pieces and bishops of opposite colors tends to be tricky and subtle. The case in point shows White still continuing his adventure trip on the verge of an abyss!

4... b6 It is notclear whether one ofthe following alternatives offers better prospects to Black: I 4 ...A f2 5 . ~ xf2 ~ x h 5 6 .8b I ~g4 :;: etc. see before under variation 2... ~ x h 6/ 5 .8 h I .

II

4 ...8 g 5

5.A e8

6.8h2 6 .. .~ h 4 7 . ~f1 C7. 8g2? A xh 2 8 .§xg5 A xe 5+ 9.Wg2 ~ x g 5 + ; 7.Ab5? § h 5 8 ..\le8 8 h 6 9 . ~g l l h h2+ 1 0 . ~f1 A g3 11.8 xb7 ~ h 3 + I 2 . ~ e 2 ~ h 2 + I 3.Wd3 .\le I I 4 . ~c11 ~ x a 2 - + ) 7 .. .'.:::te4+ 8. 8 g2 ( 8 . ~ g 2 ? ? .Q. f2) 8 .. o
Analysis The original hope of the auth or that Black will win this endin g somehow seems illusory. As the periphery on both sides is small and the bad bishop not too bad, White can probably survive. Anyway this is another story suitable for training in technical skills .

•

A g3

~h4 ! - + )

.. ~ ~ ~ ~. .~ t • • • t

. t . %~

~ . t t~ t ~~ ~ ~ ~ f.~~*'~ . ~ ~ ~ t~ t~

4.§ xb5

it •

•.

.. • • §~~

.~.~~:.~ 105

Middlegame Tactics Ana lysis With one foot in the grave the defender stub born ly st rugg les : 9 ....,Il xc 3 (9 ...\;'1 xe 3 10 .f!. xg5 \;'1 xg 5 11.itf7 ,.Q, xc 3 + 12.\;'1g2!? \;'1 c 1+ 13. \;'1g 1 \;'1 xg 1+ 1 4. ~ x g1 M, x d 4 + 1 5 . ~g2 it xe 5 1 6 . ~. x e6 ~g 7 17.,il xf5: 9 ...8 xh 5? 10 .\;'1 b 5! Ag 3 11. \;'1 e8+ ~g 7 12 .\;'1 e 7+= ; 9 . ..h 6? 10 .A f3 \;'1 xe 3 11.8 e 2; 9 ...A d 2 +) 10 . \~,H 3+

Analysis 14.h4+! (a brilliant shot to stop Black 's pl anned f4 fo llo w ed by ~ f5 ; 1 4 . ~ g3?? f4+ -+ ) 14 ... ~xh 4 15.c4 d xc-l 16.d5 exd5 17.e6 c3 18 . ~e 2 f4 19 .e 7 f3 + 20 .Wxf3 c2 21.e8\;'1 c 1\;'1 22 .\;'1e7+ =

5.E!bl Ag5 6.E!gl!? Analysis White has already walked into the trap ! Aa) 7. \;'1e 2? itd8! 8.e4 \;'1h6! 9.8 b 1 (9.\;'1fl \;'1e 3) 9...8 xf7-+ Ab) 7.f!.b8+? A d8-+ with the double threa t \;'1e 1+/ 8 xf7 Ac) 7 .\;'1g3 \;'1e 4 + 8 .\;'1g 2 \;'1 xg 2 + 9.Wxg2 A e7+! (The final point: This discovered check with the interception of the seventh rank captures the bishop on f7 ) 10 .We 8 xf7 11.8 xa7 Wg7 01.. .8 g7? 12 .a4) 1 2.a 4 02. 8a6 .i1g 5 13.8 xe 6 8 c7) 12 ... itg 5 and Black still has good chances to win. B) 5. 8 xb 7 it xe 3 6 .f!.b1 \;'1g 5 7 .'~ g 3 ! (7 .h3? A c 1! 8 .\;'1 f1 \;'1 xh 5 9. 8 xc1 \;'1h4 -+ ) 7 ...\;'1xh 5 8 .\;'1 xe3 ~ g 4 9 .8 g1 , and thi s is the on ly playable move, which fortunately leads to a tricky pawn ending and finally to a

To exchange the rooks at least, whereas prote ct ing the paw n by 6.8e1 ? after 6 ...8 C8 7 .itf7 8 c7 (7 . . . 8 x c3? 8. 8g1 with co unterp lay ) 8 . ~ h 5 \;'1 xh 5 9.ihh5 'it'g7 10 . ~ g 2 8 xc3 11.Wf3 ~ f8 +/ -+ wo uld lead to an almost winning position for Black.

.t.. «»:»:»

.~ ~.~.~lfJ~ ~~

~

. ~. r~~ r_i ~. ~~' ~

e

~ ~d.0 ~d.0 g l:. u ~.). ~~j]

~

~

Analysis 6 ....Q, xe3

106

~B%~

Attack and Defense I 6 ...B e8 7. Af7 .Ilxe 3 8. Bg3 A xd 4

Play with Fire (Balance of Power)

A) 9 .ex d4? B e l + 1O.B gl (1 0 . ~g2

B e 2 +) l O... B xg l + l1. ~ x gl 'ittg7+ 12. 'it'f 2 'ittxf7- + B) 9 .B h3?? 'ittel + C) 9 .Axe6 A g l lO .B xgl 'ittxe6 l1. 'itte3=+= II 6 Bf8 7. B g 3 A) 7 A xe3 8 .B h 3 C8.'itte2 ? f4

A d 2 io.e -uz 'ittxh 5-+) C8 .. .'ittf4 9.'ittxf 4 Ax f4 l O.A e 2 B e8 l1. Ab5 § e7 12.e4 9.'ittg2 'ittg7 d xc4 13. B c3 =+= ) C9.. .B e8 ?! 10. Af7) 10.'ittxg7 + ~ x g 7 11 .A g 4 =+= B) 7 .. .f4 8.exf4 C8. Bgl fxe 3 9.'ittg4 B f5) 8 .. .Ax f4 9. Bh 3 A xe S lO. 'ittd3 A d6 n.aai \i1g7 12.Ac2 B f 7 =+= 9 .Bg2

R. .. f4

7•.§xg8+ ~ xg8 8. 'I';:"Ig3+ ~f8

8 ... \i1g5 9.\i1xg5+ Axg 5 l O..Ile 2 A d 2 ll .e4 9.Ae2 Af410.~f2+

and again a clear decision is not in sight. Although we made every effort to force White to his knees we did not really s ucceed . On the other s ide, it's an ext raord in a ri ly tough job to hold White's position, which admittedl y in practice is almo st impo ssibl e. The next example shows an exciting duel of heavy pieces with an ingenious conflict between attack and defense.

White to move

In this major piec es ending garni shed with attractive finesses the young International Master (and future GM) Tom as Polak from Czechos lov ak ia made the following winning attempt ... 1.'I';:"Ixf7+!

An y alternati ve is ad vantageou s for Bl ack, e.g . : 1. 'ittb6? O. \i1 b8? \i1 d4 2.Bfl exb4) 1...h4! (The troublemaker comes forw ard threatening, whereas 1... \i1d2/ \i1d4 2.B fl exb 4 doe sn 't promise much ), and now: I 2.\i1b5 \i1f3! 3. \i1fl ex b4 II 2.\i1d8 h xg 3 3 .'itth4 + Wg 7 4.\i1 xg3 cx b4 C4 ... \i1d 2) III 2.g x h4 \i1 f3 3 .B fl B f4 !? 4.\i1b7 + C4.h3?? ~ x h 3 ) 4.. .'ittxb7 5 .a xb7 B g4 + 6 . ~ h l E'lx b4 7 .B d l Bxb7 8.Bxd6 B e7 1...'I';:"Ixf72 •.§al

2.b5?? \i1 a 2 2••.'I';:"Ia7!

107

Middl egame Tactics The only playabl e move. If 2...'&f3? then 3.a7 +- '&'a 8 4 .b 5 h 4 S.b6 h 3 6 .b 7 ,&xb 7 7 .a 8 '&.

3...e4! Again the only move, int ending to advance the e-p awn and saving th e situation in an amaz ing manner.

4.b6 As in the main variation play is forced, and it seems that I 4 .fla 3? lose s to 4 ... e3 (4 .. .c4 ?? 5. b6) 5.l'h e3 (5 .fxe3 c4 ; 5 .b6 ,&, xb 6) 5... c4 6 .fla3 '&' c5- +, and II 4.flbi is the only alternative to the text: 4...e3 ! A) 5 .b 6? tyxa6- + (5 ... e xf2 +- +) 6 .b7 exf2 + (6 .. .'&' e 2- +) 7 .Wg 2 O .'i'ltxf2 '&' a 2 +/ xb l) 7 . ..f1 '&' + s. x-rr '&' xb 7 + B) S.fxe3 '&' b 6 (S .. .'&' e 7 6 .fle l '&' a 7 ; 5 .. .'&f7 6 .fla l ii b 3) 6 .fla l (6. Wf2 e4 ) 6 . .. c4 (6 .. .ii a 7 7.b6 '&g 7 ) 7 .a7 '\;¥ xe3 +=

4... ~g7! 5.E!bl

Indeed a fright ening pawn duo, but Black's powerful queen knows her job too. Beside s the text, 5.fld 1 may also work, e.g. S...,\;¥b2 (S e3!?) and now n ot 6 .b 7? e 3! (6 e4?! 7 .fl d 2!?) 7 .fxe3 c4- +, e .g . 8 .flx d6 c3 9. fl e6 c 2 IO.flx c 2 '&b I +! 11 .Wg 2 ii xe2 but 6 .a 7 '\;¥e 2=

5...e3 Th e intended adv ance, a lt ho ug h S.. .iif7 fir st is also okay, e.g. 6 .b 7 (6 .a7 iia 2 7 .flb 5 '\;¥a4 8 .b7 '\;¥d l + 9. Wg 2 '\;¥ f3 + lO.W g l '\;¥ d l+ =) 6...e3 I 7. f4 '\;¥a 2 8 .b8'\;¥ (8 .flfI? iib 2+) 8 .. .,\;¥ f 2+ 9 . ~ h l '&f3 += II 7.fxe3 7...ii e6! (7 ...ii e7? 8 .flb 3 c4 9 .b8,\;¥ e x b 3 I O.ii xb 3) 8 .b8ii (8 .wf2 ?/ 'i'ltf1 ? ii f 5+) 8 ... '\;¥ xe3 + 9. Wg 2 '\;¥ e 2 +=

6.b7 I 6.a7 may also lead to a drawn end ing, e .g . 6 ... exf2+ 7 .wfl O .Wxf2? '\;¥d4 + 8 .We2 ii e4+ 9. w d 2 '&' xb l +) 7 .. .iib 7! 8. Wxf2 (8 .flb2? '&' hl + 9 .Wxf2 '\;¥ xh 2 + 10. 'i'lt f3 '&xb 2 II. a 8 ii '&' xb 6 - +) 8 ...ii f7+ 9 .Wg l (9 . ~ e3 '&' e 6 + I O.wd 2 '&a 2 + II. Wel c4 12.flb 2 '&a l + I 3 .We 2 '&a 4 + 14. Wd2 -& a 3 IS .Wc2 ii d 3+ 16. Wcl e3) 9 ... '&a 2 IO .fl e l ,&, a 4 108

Attack and Defense OO ... gS

1l.8e8 '&bl+

12.'lt'f2

Finally the perpetual check is inevitable.

'iifb2+ 13.'lt'gl 'iifd4+=) 11.8e7+

'It'h6 12.8f7 e4 14.'lt'f2 'iifd2+=

13.8f8 '&dl+

II But 6.fxe3? definitely goes too far due to 6...'&e3 with the lines: A) 7.a7? 'iifxe3+ 8.'lt'g2 (8.'lt'fl 'iifd3+) 8 ... 'iife4+, xbl-xh6 B) 7.8fl 'iifxe3+ 8.8f2 (8.'lt'g2? 'iife2+ 9.8f2 ,&xa6: 8.'lt'hl? 'iife2 9.8al ,.;;ye4+ 10.'lt'gl '&d4+) 8 ... c4 (8 ... 'lt'g7) Ba) 9.b7 'iifb6 10.'lt'g2 'It'g7 (plan dS-d4) 11.8d2 'It'f6 12.8d4 c3 13.8e4 'iifh2+ 14.'lt'f3 c2 IS.8xc2 OS.8e8 'It'eS) IS ... '&b3+ 16.'lt'f4 gS+ 17.'lt'e4 '&xc2 + Bb) 9.a7 'iifel+ 10.8fl OO.'lt'g2 'iife4+ 1l.'lt'gl/'lt'fl 11...e3) 10 ... 'iifaS 1l.'lt'g2/'lt'hl e3 6 ... exf2+ Or 6...'&f7 as before under S...'iiff7/

6... e3

8.b8~

~d3+ 9.g2 ~d5+ lO.xf2 ~d2+ 11.f3 ~d3+ 12.f4 ~d4+ 13.f3 and the players agreed to a draw - Y:!-Y:!. A very pretty and perfect finish.

Intuition and calculation are very important injudging whether an attack will crash through or not, and in how to take measures against an attack. Chessboard Magic! This "romantic" game, full of unexpected ideas and tactical blows, shows two young masters acting with wonderful spirit and creativity. The Czech Grandmaster Vlastimil Babula (* 1973), since 1999 Werder Bremen's successful fighter at board 2 in the German Bundesliga (behind his compatriot Hracek), kindly placed this fascinating battle at our disposal. Now fans of tactics can enjoy some unusual Sicilian fireworks. L. Keitlinghaus (2495) -

V. Babula (2530) Lazne Bohdanec 1995 Sicilian Defense (B23)

1.e4 cs 2..!£)c3 .!£)c6 3.Ab5 .!£)d4 4 ..!£)f3 g6 5 . .!£) xd4 cxd4 6 ..!£)e2 ~a5!? 7.c4!? .!£)f6!? 8.e5

7.'lt'g2 '&f7 8.b8'iif '&dS+(=) 9.'lt'xf2 (9.'lt'fl 'iifd3+) 9 ... 'iifd2+ ends with perpetual check as in the text, whereas 7.'lt'xf2? loses the rook to 'bid4+-+ etc.

8.axd4? axe4'j' , the bishop at b5 is badly placed. 8 ... .!£)g49.e6! 9.f4? &:Je3: 9.axd4 axes unclear

7 ... ~d4 (or 7...'&e3) 9 ...fxe610 ..!£)xd4 109

Middlegame Tactics

10..•4:)xf2!?

14.\¥t xh8

10 .. . ~e 5? fai ls to 11. a xe6! (threateni ng b4) 11... a6 1 2 .'~e 2 ! ( but not 12 ..\l a 4?? b 5 13. e xb 5 d xe 6 - +) 12 .. .a f7 13 .b4 ~ x b 4 1 4 A~ e 7+ 'it'd 8 15 A~x a 8 a xb S C1 5 ... A g 7 1 6 . ~ e 3 ! ) 16. ~b6 .\lg7 17. 4Jd 5+-

1 4 .~x e6 !?

11. c,t>xf2 ? itl b6-+ plan .il g7 , e5

15. ~ g5+

e1x e6 ~g8

(I 4 .. . ~ e1 6

16 . ~xh8+

~xh8

17. 4Jf7+ ~g8 18 .4Jxel6 ex el6 19 ..\l b 2 ; 14 ... E'l g 8 15 .Ab2!?/ 15 ..4J e 7) 15 ..\l b2 ! ~ x b 2 16. ~xb2 ltg7 17.d4 E'l el8 is un clear.

Aga in the only move, e.g.: I 14 ... a6? 15 .4:'If3! axb5 16. 4:'Ie5 +! We 8 17. itl xh 7 b xc 4 18.itl f7+ ~ d 8 19 .itl xf8 + ~c7 20 . ~f4+-

Th e o nly pl ayable move. 12... ~ b 4 ?

02 itl b 6? 13 .e5+ -) 13 .itl xh 8

~e5

C1 3 ~ d 6 14 .4:Jf3 +-) 14 .d 3 +inte nding .\l h 6 (not 14. 4:'I xe 6? ~f2 + 15 .Well ~ f1 + 16 .We 2 ~ f5 + ) 13.b4!

II 14 ... h 6? 15 .4Jxe 6 C15.a4 !?) 15 .. .d xe 6 16 ..\l b 2 e 5 17 ..\lx e 5 .il f5 18 ..il e 3 itla 3 1 9 . ~h 7 + We 6 20 . ~g8+ Wd 6 2 1. ~ d 5 + We7 22 ..il e 5 + ~c 8 23 .E'lbl E'l b 8 24.g4 A xg 4 25 . ~f7 +-

13.itlxh8 leaves both acto rs in the dark a fter 13 ... .\l g 7 1 4. ~ xh 7 ~ b 6 15 .4Jf3 ~ f2 + 16 .'it'dl ~xg2 17 .4Je 5 + ~ f6 18.e14 e16 C1 9 ..fte 8 !?)

13...\¥txb4

11 0

Attack and Defense

15 ... a6? There was no time for this, and 15...wf8! was called for, e.g.: I 16.{jxe6+ dxe6 17.~xg6 wg8!, unclear (17 ... ilxa1?? 18.~e8!+-; 17 ... ~d7?? 18.~xd7 ~c5 19.~xe6+- ~f2+ 20.wd1 ~f6 21.~xf6+ ~xf6 22.2b1 orz23.we2 {je4 24.~a3) II 16.~xg6 (threatening 17.{jxe6+ dxe6 18.~e8#) 16 ... ~xd4 (16 ... ~d6? 17.{jf3 ~xal? 18.d4!) 17.2b1 ~c5 18.2b3 ~e5+ 19.wfl ~g7 20.2f3+ ~f6, unclear III 16.a4 ~c5 17.2 a3 (17 .~b2?? ~e5+) 17 ... ~xd4 18.2f3+ ~f6 19.~a3 ~e4+ 20.wfl ~ b 1 + 21.we2 ~e4+=

16.We2? With the idea ~a3, 2fl +, but there is a flaw. Alternatives are: I 16.{jc2! A) 16 ... ~d6 17.d4!+- plan ~h6 (17.ilb2?) B) 16 ... ~c5 17.d4! Ba) 17 ... ~f5 is.ane ~f2+ (18 ... ~e4+ 19.wfl+-) 19.wd1 ~fl + (19 ... ~f6 20.we2! ~f2+ 21.wd3 ~f5+ 22.wc3+-) 20.wd2 ~xg2+ 21.wc1! plus wb2+Bb) Not so distinct is the ending after 17 ... ~h5 18.~xh5 gxh5 19.~a4 b5 (19 ... b6? 20.ilb2) 20.cxb5± although Black suffers from two problems: His knight is locked in and White has an outside passed pawn.

20.~xg7++-) 19.~xg6+ wxe5 18.c:2J xg6+ wf7 19.{jh8+ wf8 20. c:2Jg6+=

III 16.a3? axb5! (16 ... ~c5? 17.ub2) 17.axb4 2xa1 18.wd1 C18.{je2 bxc-i with the plan e5, d5 is unclear) 18 ... bxc4 (18 ... 4:1f2+? 19.we2!) 19.wc2 (19. ~h4 MJ6) 19 ... {jf2 20.~b2 2a2 21.wb1 2xb2+ 22.Wxb2 e5, unclear ( 23.{jb5 d6 24.h4 {jd3+ 25.wa3 4:1f4).

16...axb5?!

The number ofpossibilities can be quite confusing: I 16 ... wf8?? 17.ila3 ~xa3 18.2fl+ ~f6 19.{jxe6+ dxe6 20.~h8+ wf7 21.~e8# II 16 ... ~c5? 18.wf1±

17.ilb2

~e5+

III 16 ... {jf2! A) 17.~b2? ~xb2 18.2fl ~xd4 19.~a4 b5 20.~c2 (20.c xb5 ilb7 21.2xf2+ ~xf2+ 22.Wxf2 2h8-+) 20 ... ~xc4+ 21.Wxf2 ~xc2 22.wgl+ ~f5 23.2xf5+ exf5-+ B) 17. wxf2?! ax b5 C) 17 .4:1c2 ~c5 18 ..\lb2 ~h5+ 19.~xh5 gxh5 20 ..ilxg7 w xg7 21.~xd7 ~xd7 22.wxf2=/unclear D) 17.~a3 ~xa3 18.2fl ~d3+ 19.Wxf2 axb5 (19 ... ~xd4+? 20.we2+ ~f6 21.~a4! plus ilc2±) 20.wgl+ ~xfl+ 21.Wxfl bxc4 22.4:1f3 2a5 23.g4, unclear

17.Jlb2 II 16.{jf3? axb5 17.{je5+ (17.{jg5+ wf6=/unclear) 17 ... wf8 (17 ... wf6? 18",~b2!! ~xb2

17.ila3? ~xc4+ 19.2fl+ {jf2-+ III

18.d3

~xd4

Middlegame Tactics

17 ...l2'lg3+1?

20. ~ xg7+?

To at lea st da mage White 's paw n struc ture on t he k in gsid e too . T he alternatives are not better: I 17 ...-§'xc4 +?? 18 .d3+-

Misses the last opport unity. Correct was 20 .Axg7+ 'it'e 8 2 1.-§'xg 6 + <;'lj d 8 22.-§,d3+ and now : I 2 2 ....~ d7 23. Elf1 (2 3 .El h l) 23 .. .-§,d 6 24. El f8 + A e 8 25 .cx b 5±

II 17 .. .d6? 18. Elf1+ <;'lje8 19.-§'xg7! ( t hreate ni ng El f7 ) 19 ... -§'xc4 + 09 ... -§'xb 2 20 .Elf7+-) 20 .d3 ~ x a 2 21 A.J xb 5 +III 17 .. .4:J f2? 18 .4:Jb 3+ 0 8 .. .-§'xc 4 + 19 .'it'xf2 -§'f4 + 20 .<;'ljg l)

IV 17 ... <;'lj f8 18. 4:J xe 6 + 0 8 .Elfl +?! it f6 ) 18 . ..d xe6 19 .it xg 7 + 'it'e 8 20 .'i¥J xg 6 + <;'ljd 8 2 1. -§, d3 + 'it'e 8 (2 1.. .'i¥J d 6 ;!;) 22 .El f1 'i¥Jd 6 ;!;

T he on ly m ove 08 ...-§'xb 2?? 19 .El f1 + <;'lj e8 20 .-§'g8 + A f8 2 1 .-§'xf8 # ) 19.12'l xe 6 +

IV 22 .. .'i¥Jd 6 23.cxb5 ±

21. Elcl 22. c xb 5)

21. ~ xg6+

b xc4=

19 .El f1+ ?

.\i f6

20. 4:J xe 6+

<;'lj f 7

21. ~h 7 += )

20 .. .c1 xe 6 2 1. ~ h 8 + <;'lj f7 22 ..\l xf6 23.d 3. uncl ear

( 2 1.. .Elxa 2

21...WdS 22.AeS 22. 'i'i¥g8 + <;'ljd7;

(20 . ~ h 8+

19... d xe6

III 22 ... <;'lje8 23.El fl -§'d 6 A) 24. Elf8+ <;'ljd7 25. cxb5 -§'xd 3 + ( 25 .. .El xa 2? 26 .'i'i¥ c3! 'i'i¥ c7 27 .'i'i¥ xc7 + 'it'xc7 28 .A e5+ 'it'd 7 29.b6+- El a 6 30 ...\lc7 El a 8 3 1. g4) 26 .'it'xd 3 ± B) 24 .'i'i¥g 6 + 'it'd 7 25.c xb 5 El xa 2 26 ..ll c 3±

20 .•.W e S

IS.hxg 3 W f S

~ x c4 +

II 22 ...<;'ljc7?? 23 ..\'Le5 ++ -

22 . ~d 3 +

<;'lj e8

22 ... ~xc4+ 23. ~d3+ Ad7 24.~ xc4 - draw agreed - Yz-Yz The next exam ple is very difficul t, long and deep. The defensive resources were underestimated for a long time. 11 2

Attack and Defense

An Old Riddle (Anatomy of a Fragment)

Kunneman - N.N. Berlin 1934

(Position after ... ~b6xb2!) This stimulating game fragment from the Berlin of the 1930s has amazed generations of chess players all over the world. In the literature the International Master Hans Muller (Angriff und Verteidigung), Grandmaster Hans-Joachim Hecht (Schach- und Turniertaktik) and the German Master Kurt Richter (Kombinationen) among others have annotated the cunning finale, the latter alluding to the "unsuspected possibilities of the royal game". The diagrammed position shows a fascinating example of the theme "attack vs. defense" that includes an exceptional number of tactical exercises. International Master Mark Dvoretsky, well known as a trainer and author and a representative of the socalled "Russian school of chess," deals with the position much more seriously than his predecessors. In his book Moderne Schachtaktik he provides the attack with fresh impulses and in the end produces a surprise recipe. But then he

withholds the necessary prooffrom the curious reader. Moreover the supposed "solution" apparently does not work. Nevertheless, Dvoretsky deserves credit for providing a deeper understanding of the position. To begin, we allow Kurt Richter (19001969), the "executioner of Berlin", to speak: "The diagrammed position shows us that Black has created a flight square for his king, but thereby allowed the white bishop to take away the breathing space immediately in return. Such a bishop, who looks into the king's chamber, is extremely annoying and must be eliminated if possible. Black's back rank is unprotected and only the bastion on e5 prevents the immediate catastrophe. On the other side the bishop e5 may not move (due to .Be8 mate), and that's where White's plan is based on." Considering his damaged queenside, White has to show strength. One would think that this is no problem, since the security of the black monarch hangs by a thread and his lady has just gone astray. However, the seemingly careless queen turns out to be a powerful intruder supporting the defense!

I First Experiences A) The impetuous 1.E!xe5?! ignores the weaknesses around the white king and allows Black to save himself by a counterattack: 1.. ..Bxe5 2.\t:H6 ~bl + 3.~g2 ~e4+ 4.~gl ~bl += with perpetual check. B) The game continuation 1. ~f6?! involves a genuine threat to remove the bastion on e5, but Black's reply is poisonous:

113

Middlegame Tactics

1..:iik1!! [Instead of this discovery by Hungarian chess players (K. Richter) the game con t in ue d : 1. .. ~ x c 3 ? ? 2 . ~g7 +! A xg7 3 .8 e 8+ a rs 4.8xf8 # - 1-0. 1... ~ b 1?? is refute d by 2. ~x eS 8 xe S 3 .8 xb l +- and White wins a piece] 2. ~xeS (All other moves are better for Black : 2.iixcl ? ,ll xf6 :;: ; 2 .8 xc l ? iixf6 :;:; 2. ~xf7 +? ~ x f7 3 .8 xc1 8 d3 :;:) 2...~ x h 6 an d now:

Ball) 4...~c 1 +? ! 5. ~g 2 give s White a perpet ual: Balla) 5...~ x c 3 6 .El g8+ (6 . ~ xb7? El I'S!) 6 .. .w f6 7 . ~ f4 + El f5 8 . ~d6+ <;t>g 5 9. ~ d8+ 8 1'6 10 .1'4 + w h S 1 1. El h 8 ~c2 + 1 2 . ~ f3 ~c3 + 1 3. ~g2

~c2 + =

Ballb) 5 ... 8 d l 6. ~ e5 + (6. Elg8 + ~ f6) 6 ... ~h6 7 . ~ e 7! Elg1+ 8 . ~ h 3 ~ d l 9.~ f8 + (9. ~ e 3 +? g5 10.1'3 ~hS!) 9 ... w h S lO .El eS+ ! 1'5 11. Elxf5+ gxf5 1 2 . ~ x f5 + ~ h 6 1 3 . ~f6+ =

Ba12) but after 4...~g5 ! ? Black gains the upper hand: Ba12a) 5 .8g8+ ~ f6 6 .8d8 (6 . ~ xb 7 ?? 8 d l + 7 . ~g 2 ~ d 5 + 8 . ~ h 3 El g 1-+) 6 .. . ~ e 5 :;: Bal2b) 5 . ~g2 ~ fS :;:

Ba) Aft er 3 . ~ b8 + ? ! Wg7 White has to c hoo se be twee n con ti n uing a doubtful attack and regaining the pawn, which involves problem s as we ll. Ba1) After the risky 4.8e8?! Black has a choice:

Ba2) 4 . ~x b7? is wro ng : 4 ... ~ d 2 5.El e7 ( S.8 f! ~ x c 3 6 . ~ x a 7 El a S:;:; S.El e3?? 8 1'5-+) S... El f5 and now: Ba21) 6. ~ xa7?? ~d 1 + (6 ...c 5? 7 .1'4 ~ x c 3 'j: ) 7 .~ g 2 ~ f3 + 8 .<;t>g l c5-+ Ba22) 6 .f4 ~ x a 2 'j: Ba3) Taking the pawn with 4 . ~xa 7 'j: is better for Black as well: 5, Ele3 (5.8e7 ? 8 d 3!) 5...8 d 7

~d2

Bb) The active 3 . ~f6!? looks relatively be st: 3... ~ f8 4. 8e7 (4.c4?! El d 6) 4 ...El f5 5 . ~d6 b5 6.ic1d 7 8 d 5 7 . ~x a7 with roughly equal chances.

11 4

Attack and Defense C) l.c4? pushes home his advantage too e ar ly and a llo ws Black to conso lidate the defense and to refer to his extra pawn:

5. ~xe7

~ x f2 +

5 . ~g7! + -

6. ~ h 3 +-)

as after 5... b6 Wh ite has

6. 1"1 xe S Aa2) 2...1"Ia 5! 3.E!. d l (An atte mpt to use the d-file, as 3.iH4 and 3.iffd3 are both answe red by 3... ~ d 4 ) Aa21) 3... E!. xa 2? leaves White after 4. E!. d 2 ~b l 5 .E!. xa2 ~xa2 6 . ~d l A f6

7 . ~d6

(7 . ~d7

iff e2

8 . ~ c8 + ~ f7

Ca) Th e ov er-ambit io us 1... ~ b 4 ? loses to 2. ~e3 ! : 2...1h 5 3.1"Idl ~e 7 (3 ... f6 4 .1"I d8 + ~ f7 5. ~d 3+ -) 4.c5 ! ( threa te ni ng 5.dxe5) 4 ... f5 ( 4.. .A f6 5. ~x e 7 ~ x e 7 6.1"Ie1+-) 5 .'~ b 3+ ~h8

6 . ~xb7 +-

Cb) 1.. .1"Id8 with the plan ...A g7 is solid: 2. ~e3 f6:;: ; last but not least the pawn a7 is certainly taboo in view of .. .A d4 .

9. ifff8+ ~ e 6 l O.iff c8+ ~ f7 = ) 7 .. . ~ f7 8 . ~f8+ ~ e 6 th e c hoice bet ween 9 .iff g8 + ~ d 7 lO .wx h 7 + ~ e 7 11 . ~g5 « «: (unclear) and the dry 9.'i:ik 8+ (=) Aa22) 3,..iffc2! threatens to exc hange the queens on e4 . A fter 4 .1"I d 8 + (4 . ~ b 3 ~ x b3 5.a xb 3 b S) 4 ... ~ f7 5 .1"Id7+ (5. ~ e 3 ~ e 4 + 6. iff xe4 f xe 4) 5 ~e8!? 6. 1"Ixb7 (6. 1"I xh 7 iff xc4) 6 ~ xc 4 Bl ack has a clear advantage

Ab) 2.iH4 fights for the e-file in order to bother Black 's king with the heavy pi eces. 2... Ax f4 3 . ~ x f4

II Seeming Improvements

• • •~.

I

~~~I~~~ '~1~ ~ ~1 . ~%1~% ~%1~

A ) V i£7g2 ren ews the doubl e threa t 2 . 1"Ixe5 /2 . ~f6. Black ha s to react w ith 1.. .f5 O ...f6?? 2.1"1 xe5 +-)

~ ~j?'~ ~~<~j?'~~ .~~~~~

~~lAr ~~ ~

.D,

Aa) 2.c4? comes again at the wrong mome nt: Aa l ) 2 1"I d 7? 3 . ~ e 3 1"I e 7 4 . ~c 5 ~ f7 ( 4 1"I e 8 5..~ f4 + - ; 4 ... ~ d 4

~af

•

~j?'~ ~j?'~ ~.ill '0"~~

'LL \?~ ~~~' JlrL J

Abl) 3... 1"I d 7 4. ~ h6 ( 4 . ~b8 + ~g7 5.we5+ ~ h6 6 . ~f4+ ~g 7 7. iff e 5+ = ) 4 ... ~ a 3 5. 1"I e8 + ~ f7 6 .1"I h 8 ~f6 7. ~h 4 + ~ e 6 8. 1"I xh 7 ~ x a 2 , unclear A b2) 3...E!. d8?? 4 . ~ h4! ~ d 2 5.1"Ie7 h 5 6. ~ f6 + -

11 5

Middlegame Tactics Ab3) 3... §d2?? 4.§e7+AM) After 3...~d2! Black controls the d-file and shields his king better, but he can't prevent perpetual check: AMI) 4.§e8+ ~t7 S. ~h8 (S.§e3 §d7 6.·~Jh6 \'¥dS+ 7.~h3 ~f6 8.~h4+ ~g7 9.§e7+ §xe7 lO.~xe7+ ~f7 11.~eS+ ~h612.~e3+gS 13.~xa7 g4+ 14.~g2 \';JdS+ lS.~fn) S... §d7 6.§h8 (6.§e3 ~dS+ 7.~h3 ~g7 8.~xa7) 6 ... ~dS+ 7.wh3 ~f6 8.~xa7, unclear Ab42) 4.§e3?! §d8 Ab43) 4.~b8+ §d8 S.§e8+ §xe8 6.~xe8+ ~g7 7.~e7+=

Bel) 3 ... Axf4?? 4.~xf4 Be2) 3 ... ~ d 4 ? 4.§dl '~xc4 (4 ... ~e4 S. ~h3!) S.§d8+ ~f7 6.§d7+ ~e8 7.~dl cl1f6 8.§xh7 Be3) 3... ~c3? 4.'W'e2! .\txf4 S.~e8+ ~g7 6.~e7+

B) l.h4? dreams again of § xeS but is refuted by l...fS!, e.g. 2.c4 (After 2.iH4? follows 2 ... ~xc3, which wasn't possible in the 1.~g2 variation due to taking on e5) 2...§aS!

Be3!)

6 ... ~h6

7.gxf4

§xa2

(7 ... ~d4 8.~gS+ ~g7 9.§e7+ ~f8

lO.§xh7+-) 8.hS!+Be32) 6... ~g8 7.§dl! Ad2 8.~d8+ ~g7 9.§xd2 §dS lO. ~c7+ ~f8 (lO ... ~f6 1l.§e2+-) 11.~c8+ ~g7 12. ~xb7+ ~h6 13.cxdS ~cl + 14.~g2 ~xd2 lS.dxc6 ~dS+ 16.~gl ~dl+ 17.~h2 ~f3 18.~xa7 ~xc6 19.~d4+-

Be4) The only move to gain an advantage is 3...Ad4 4.§e8+ (4.cl1e3 §eS; 4.Acl ~ c 3 ; 4. ~e2 '!t'J xe 2 S.§xe2 b6) 4 ... ~f7+ and now: Ba) 3.~dl ~d4 4.~h3 ~c3! S.'li'tdl cl1d4 6.§e3 (6.Ad2?? ~xg3+) 6 ... ~al (6 ... ~ x c 4 ? 7.§e8+ ~f7 8.~el Axf2+ 9.~xf2 ~xe8 io.e-: + ~d7 11.~xaS) Bb) 3.§dl §xa2 4.§d8+ ~f7 S.§d7+ ~e6 6.§xh7 Ad4 7.cl1e3 §a3 Be) 3.§e2 ~c3! Bd) 3.~e3 ~d4 4.~h3 (4.~e2 ~d7) 4 ... ~ c 3 Be) 3..~J4

Conclusion: After 1.h4? f5! 2.c4 §a5! White will have problems even equalizing. C) 1.'l¥Ye3 is a multipurpose move that confronts Black with the threats c4, f4 and ~xa7.

116

Attack and Defense

Cal 1.. .'&a3!? 2.\!ig2 1? (The ideas of 1...'i::ia3 are revealed by 2.f4~g7 3.-t¥re8+ '&f8 and 2.c4 '&xe3 3.8xe3 8a5) 2.. .f6 (Now this is necessary. Black prepares himself to sacrifice a piece. The lines 2... b5? 3.c4! ,&xe3 4.8xe3 bxc4 5.f4 and 2 ... cIlg7? 3.-t¥rxa7! '&f8 4.cIlxg7 \!ixg7 5.'&xb7 show new aspects that would not be possible without \!ig2) 3.f4

.t. 1Il

~

.~t • •

the glutton will be punished: CbI) not by 2.f4? f6 (2 ... 8d2? 3.'&c5 .~d4+ 4.-t¥rxd4+-) 3.f xe5 8xe5, unclear Cb2) but by the deflection sacrifice 2.c4!, e.g. Cb21) 2... 8a5

~"

• t

~~t~" ~~ ~~pJ

1Il •• 1] ae ~_eJ;

~ ~

~ ~

i(~

~m

•

r~

i".m?

~ ~

~Ji(~

\-gj

~m

·ft.y.··~."·-·s~~~f 1Il ~~ 1Il

Cal) 3 ... -t¥rxa2+ 4.8e2 '&c4 5.\!if2 b6 Cor 5 ... '&xc3) 6.fxe5 8xe5 7.'&d2 8xe2+ 8.'&xe2 -t¥rxe2+ 9.\!ixe2, unclear Ca2) 3 ... \!if7 4.fxe5 8xe5 5.-t¥rd2 8xel 6.-t¥rxel ,&xa2+, unclear Cb) In case of 1...'&xa2?

and now: Cb2la) not 3.f4?? '&b2!-+ 4.fxe5 C4.8e2 cIld4; 4. '&d3 cIld4+! 5.\!ihl 8al 6.'&e4 8xel + 7.,&xel -t¥ral) 5. '&f3 C5.'&d2 -t¥rxd2 4 ... 8a2 6 ..~xd2 8xd2) 5 ... -t¥rxh2+ 6.\!ifl '&h3+ 7.\!igl '&xh6 s.n.n '&h2+ 9.\!ifl 8d2 Cb2lb) but 3.-t¥rd4+-, 3.-t¥rd3+- or 3.8dl +Cb22) 2 ... ,&xc4 3.-t¥rxa7!+- 8d8 C3 '&d4 4.8xe5; 3 ... -t¥ra6 4.'&b8+; 3 f5 4.'&a8+ \!if7 5.'&f8+ \!ie6 6.~g5) 4.'&a5 (or 4.8xe5 ) 4 ...'&d5 5.8 xe5 Ce) 1...f6!? 117

Middlegame Tactics After the introductory sec tions I and \I, the evil intentions of this move are clear: White ma kes the reaction ...f5 more d ifficult , a n d as hi s k in g h a s a n add it io na l fl ight sq ua re o n g3, he ren e ws the threat 2 .gx e5 ( gx e5 3. "iiif6 "iiib i + 4 .Wg2 ~ e 4 + - 5. wg 3 '~el3 + 6 .f3+-).

Cel ) The main point of this defense is th a t th e d ir ect 2 .f 4?? bac kfires : 2...El el2! 3.fx e5 O .ih a7 is re futed by 3 iiel4+-+ ; the lame 3. h 4 runs into 3 Elh2 4 .'~f3 iiel6-+. Note the penetrating glance of the bish op at the po int s 1'8 a nd c5 ) 3 ... g xh 2 4.iH3 El xh 6 - +, and in cas e of 5 . ~el3 C5 .e xf6 "iii h 2+ 6 .w fl ~ h 1+ - + fo llow ed by m an y ex ch an ge s) 5..."iiih 2+ 6 .wfl "iiih i + 7 .We 2 ~ el 5 wins easi ly C el ) 2 .c 4? is ba d as we ll du e t o (2,. .g el4!?) 3 .iif4 2 ...g elS x C3."iii a7?? and 3.f4?? fail for the same reason as before) 3..."iiixa 2 =+= C d ) 2 ."iiixa7 g elS 3. "iii a5 El e S 4 ..iH 4 (4 .Elxe5 ~ b l + 5. Wg2 fxe5 6 .'W c7 * e 4 += pe rp etu al c hec k) 4 .. .EH S 5.ii xe5 f xe5 6."iiic5 ~ el 2 =

III Dvoretsky's Patent Mo ve l.g4! After several attacks have failed or come to nothing, the reader hopefully will take great intere st in Dvoret sky's reinforcement 1.g4!, which he annotates in his aforementioned book as follows: "S uch a move like g4 !! does not happen in a practical game, it emerges if at all as a resu lt of a len gth y an alysi s (w hat actually was the case in point)."

Black 's reaction 1...f5 "takes the bull by the horn s," but is it rea lly the best or eve n only defense'? The author s offer two alternatives, 1...'&b5 and 1..."iiic2, before ana lys ing 1...f5.

Although this move stabilizes the fifth rank and involves vic ious counter-ideas, the attacker succeeds in tearing a large hole in the barricade. But on the way there are all kinds of hindrances: A a ) 2."iii f6 1 ? Elell ! 3 .'~ x e 5 "iii xe5 4. El xel1 "iii e7-+ Ab) 2 .El xe 5? g xe 5 3. "iiif6 El e 1+ 4 .Wg 2 "iii e5 5 ."iiiel S+ "iii e S 6 ."iiif6 "iii e 4 + 7. Wh 3 (7.f3 "iii e5=) 7 ... ~ e 5 = Ac) 2.Wg 2? g elS 3 ."iiie4 f6 A d ) 2."iiie3?1 f6! 3.f4 (3 .'&xa7 ? El el8 4 . ~a3 "iii c4) Adl) 3 ...El el3? 118

Attack and Defense

Adll) 4.'&xa7? M,c7 -+ e 5.'&a8+ .\ld8 6.c4 (6.§e8+ It'f7 7.§f8+ It'e7 8.'&a3+ §d6) 6 'i';1c5+ 7.lt'hl C7.lt'g2 ,&xc4!) 7 'i';1b4! 8.§e2 ,&xc4! and White has problems. Ad12) 4.'&e4 '~c5+ 5.lt'hl §d5 6.§f1 ,&xc3 7.fxe5 '&xe5 (7,..§ xe5 8. 'i';1f4) 8.'&xe5 §xe5 9.§xf6+-, e.g. 9,..§e8 lO.lt'g2 c5 11.It'f3 c4 12.§d6 b5 (l2,..§c8 13.§d7 c3 14.§g7+ It'h8 15.§xb7 c2 16.ilcl) 13.§d7 Ad2) 3...'&c4! Ad21) 4.fxe5 §xe5 (4 ... '&xg4+? 5.'&g3 '&xg3+ 6.hxg3 §xe5 7.§xe5 fxe5 8.lt'f2 It'f7 9.lt'e3+-) 5.'&g3 §xel+ 6.'i';1xel '&xg4+, unclear/= Ad22) 4.'&xa7 §d8 (unclear/=) 5.'i';1b6 (5.'&a5 §c8 or 5 ... §e8!?) 5 §d2 6.'&a5 It'f7 7.'&a7 ,&e6! C7 M,c7?? 8.'&e3+-) 8.'&xb7+ It'e8 9.'&b8+ It'd7 lO.'&b7+ It'e8=

7.Jlg5+ It'd7 8.c4 'i';1xc4 9.'&xh7+ It'c8 lO.'i';1xf5+ followed by §xe5) Ae2) 2... '&b6 3.c4 §a5 (3 ... §c5 4.'i';1d4! '&a5 5.§e4+-) 4.'&d3! (4.'&f4!? 'i';1c7 5.'&d2 f6 6.f4 M,d6 7.§e8+ It'f7 8.§h8) 4 ... '&c7 (4 ... § xa2 5.c5! ,&c7 6.l''lxe5+-) 5.f4 f6 6.fxe5 §xe5 7.§xe5 fxe5 C7 ... '&xe5 8.'&d8+ It'f7 9.'i';1f8+ It'e6 10. '&e8+ It'd6 11.M,f4 'i';1xf4 12.'&b8+, xf4 +-) 8.'&a3!+Ae3) 2 ... '&b2 3.c4 f5 (3 ... §a5 4.Bd3+-) 4.g xf5 ilxh2+ 5.lt'g2 (5.lt'xh2) 5... §e5 6.Bd3+Ae4) 2,..'&a5 3.c4 Ae41) 3 ... §c5 4.§dl (4.f4!?) 4 ... Bc7 (4,..f6 5.f4+- or 5.§d7+-) 5.f4 f6 6.fxe5+- or 6.'&d3+Ae42) 3 .. f5 4 ..~e2! §c5 (4 ... §d4 5.B xe5+-) 5.M,f4! M,xf4 6.'i';1e8+ It'g7 7.§e7+ It'f6/lt'h6 8.h4 and Black's king is caught in a mating net.

Ae) The only move to hit Black's Achilles heel is 2.'&e4!

B) The line 1.g4!

~c2?

induces fantastic complications. The queen stalks to the critical zone, shifts her influence mainly to the light squares (d3, e4, f5) and in particular toys with the freeing move fl-f5. White has to act quickly.

The threat c4 reveals the unfortunate position ofthe enemy's major pieces. As there is nothing better than to remove the queen from b5, the move 1... '&b5?,.. turns out to be an irreparable loss oftime.

Ael) The direct 2,..f5 fails to 3.gxf5 gxf5 4.'i';1g2+ It'fl (4,..lt'h8 5.'&g7+ il x g 7 6.§e8+ ilf8 7.§xf8#) 5.'\i~g51+- (5 ... '&d3 6.'&h5+ It'e7

Ba) 2.§xe5?? §xe5 3.'i';1f6 '&d1+ (3 ... §el+?? 4.lt'g2 '&e4+ 5.lt'h3

'&e5

119

6.'&d8+ '&e8

7.'&f6 ,&e5

Middlegame Tactics 8.'iitcl8+=) 4.Wg2 '&xg4+ S.wfl '&h3+ 6.Wg1 §el # Bb) 2.Wg2? fS'+ Be) 2.'&f6? 'W'cl 3.'&xeS 'ii¥xh6 4.1~1f6'? 'bJf8 S.§e7 bS 6.§xa7 with approximately equal chances Bd) 2.1¥Ie3! is doubtlessly strongest. At this salient point Dvoretsky's annotations end with the commentary "very unpleasant for Black". But the dance has just started: Bdl) 2 §aS? 3.1¥1d4!+Bd2) 2 b6 3.f4!? §d2 4.'bJh3! §e2 C4 ... §c1l S.'&fl) S.§xe2 'W'xe2 6.fxeS 1¥1c11+ 7.wf2 'ii¥c2+ 8.Wel \:cl'b1 + 9.We2 '&xa2+ lO.ltd2 1¥1c4+ l1.Wf2 as 12.'ii¥f3 a4 13.Jlh6 C13.1¥1e2!?) l3 ... 'ii¥cS+ 'ii¥ xe3+ lS.Jlxe3 a3 l4.1¥1e3 l6.Jlcl a2 l7.Alb2+- and after the centralization of White 's king the extra piece will decide. Bd3) With 2...'bJxa2 Black sets his last hopes on this foolhardy pawn robbery. Bd31) 3.f4 is probably too early as 3...f6!? offers very tenacious resistance, e.g. 4.gS C4.fxeS §xeS, unclear) 4 ... §c12

S.fxeS CS.'&h3 fS 6.fxeS 1¥1e6!?; S.gxf6?? §g2+ 6.wfl §xh2-+) S... §g2+ 6.wfl §xh2 7.wf3 fS 8.e6 1¥1c4+ 9.Wgl C9.§e2 as) 9 ... 'bJh4, unclear Bd32) 3.1¥1e4? 1¥1a3! + Bd33) 3.gS!?

White voluntarily shuts out his bishop in order to eliminate the hindrance on e5 and to exploit the weakness of the 81h rank. Bd33a) 3 ... fS? (to neutralize this advance was one of White's main ideas) fails to 4.gxf6 with the plan f4+Bd33b) 3 §bS? 4.1¥1d3+Bd33e) 3 1¥1c4/'ii¥c2/'ii¥aS 4.f4±/+Bd33d) 3 a6 4.1¥1h3 1¥1d2 C4 ...1¥1aS S.§xeS) S.Wg2!+- threatening §xeS CS.§xeS fS) Bd33e) 3 ... b6 4.1¥1h3 fS C4 ... 1¥1a6 S.f4; 4 ... 1¥1d2 S.Wg2!) S.gxf6 wf7 6.1¥1c8+C6.§xeS!?) 6 ... 1¥1a3 7.§xeS §xeS 8.1¥1d7+ §e7 9.fxe7 1¥1xe7 lO.1¥1xc6 Bd33f) 3 ... 1¥1a3 4.1¥1h3! (Again the clou of White's play, whereas Black would have no difficulties with other attempts, e.g. 4.c4?? 1¥1xe3 S.§xe3 §d1 + 6.Wg2 f6-+; 4.f4?? Jlg7; 4.Wg2? cGlg7 S.1¥1xa7 1¥1f8 6.'ii¥xb7 Jlxh6 7.gxh6 1¥1xh6 8.'ii¥xc6 1¥1gS+ 9.Wfl wfS 'j:) Bd33f1) 4 ... '&d6 S.§xeS+Bd33f2) 4 ... 1¥1e7 S.1¥1c8+ 1¥1d8 CS ... §d8 6.§xeS '&xgS+ 7.JlxgS §xc8 8.§e7+-) 6.'&xd8+ §xd8 7.§xeS+- (The bishop h6 is shut out, but even worse is of course that the king g8 has almost no breathing space: 7 ... §a8 8.§e7 bS 9.§c7 as lo.§xc6 a4 11.§d6 a3 12.§d1 a2 l3.§al §a3 l4.wm 120

Attack and Defense

Bd33f3) 4 .. .f5 5.gxf6 wf7 (5 ... '\'£1d6 6.'\'£1e8+ wf7 7.f4 '\'£1b8 8.'\'£1g4+-) 6.8xe5! 8xe5 7.'\'£1d7+ 8e7 (7 ... Wxf6 8.Ag7+ Wg5 9.ilxe5+-) 8.fxe7 '\'£1xe7±

Bd43a2) 6 ... wf6 7.'&f8+ We6 8.8el '\'£1d4 9.'\'£1e8+ wf6 (9 ... Wd6 lO.axe6#) lO.g5# Bd43a3) 6 ... We7 7.8bl 8b5 8.'&f8+ We6 (8 ... Wd7 9.8dl + 8d5 lO.'\'£1f7+ WeB l1.8e1) 9. ~e8+ wd6 lO.8dl + 8el5 l1.8el Bd43a4) 6 ... ael7 7.8ell ..\ld4 C7 ~el6 8.Af4) 8.8el 3 8el7?? 4.'\'£1a8+ wf7 5.'\'£1f8+ We6 6.'ii1e8+ 8e7 7.8xe5++Bd43b) 3...8el8

~ ?~ ~~~ ·~t~ ~ ~t

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White is clearly better, but for the moment he should avoid the exchange of queens, e.g. 9.'\'£1d4!? (9.'\'£1g4!?) 9 ... a5 lO.h4!? plan Ag5.

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Bd4) 2...f5 is logical and consequent, but not sufficient to stop the attack.

Only seemingly White's attack is brought to a standstill: 4.~e5! (4.8xe5?? '\'£1ell+ 5.Wg2 ,&xg4+ 6.wn aell + 7.ael '\'£1h3+ 8.We2 ~el3 #; 4.'\'£1xb7? '\'£1xe3; 4.'@e3? '\'£1e4; 4.'\'£1a5? ..\lf6) 4 ... ~f6 5.~e4+ ael5 (of course not 5 ... wh8?? 6.,@f7)

Bd41) 3.ilf4?? ',';:'te4-+ Bd42) 3.f4?? 8d2-+, e.g. 4.fxe5 (4.'\'£1xa7 ~.d4+) 4 ... ag2+ 5.Wn 8xh2 6.8e2 '\'£1dl+ 7.8el '\'£1xg4 Bd43) 3.'\'£1xa7 Bd43a) 3 ... '\'£1xe3 4. '\'£1a8+ wf7 5.'\'£1xb7+ We6 6. '\'£1e8+!+(6.8el!?), e.g.: Bd43al 6 ... wfl 7.8bl 8b5 8.~d7+ Wg8 9.'\'£1e8#

6.~f4' (The only way to make progress, whereas 6.'l±'fb4 8el8 7.'\'£1c4+ 8el5 8.,@f4! just transposes) and now:

12\

Middlegame Tactics Bd43bl) 6 ... 'f;fxc3 7. 'f;fbS+ fl d 8 S.fleS+ ~f7 9.flxd8 'f;fel + 10.~g2 'f;fe4+ 11.~f1 'f;fb l + 12.~e2±/+­ (l2 ... 'f;f e 4 + 13.ite3 M,xd8 14. 'f;fxd8 'f;fxg4 + 15.~el or 15.f3; 13.'f;fxd8 'f;f xa 2 + 12 ... .axd8 14.~f3 fxg4+ 15.~xg4) Bd43b2) 6...fld7 7.g5!+- fldl (7 ...ite7 S.'f;fe5 ars 9. M,xf8) 8. 'f;fc4+ ~h8

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9.~g2

Bd43b3) 6 ... fldl 7.'f;fb8+ M,d8 C7 ... fld8 8.fle8+ ~f7 9.flxd8 'f;fb l + 10.~g2 'f;fe4+ 11.~f1 and probably +-) S.~g2!+-, e.g. 8 ...'f;fd 3 (8 ... 'f;f a4 9.h3; 8 ... flxel 9. 'f;fxd8+ ~f7 io.ers- ~e6 11. 'f;fe8+, xe l ) 9.fle8+ ~f7 ro.nrs- ~e7 11. 'f;fxb7+ 'f;fd 7 12. 'f;fxd7+ followed by gxf5 Bd43b4) After 6... fld8 7.g5! Black loses more and more ground and his position falls completely to pieces.

~

13 b5 D3 ... b6 14. 'f;fd6 fle8 (l4 M,e5 15. 'f;fe6+ ~h8 16.fle3+) 15.'f;fxc6+-, e.g. 15 ... fld8 16. 'f;fc7 fle8 (l6...fla8 17.fla3 fle8 18.fla7) 17. 'f;fd7 flbS 18.'f;fd5+ ~hS 19.fld3; 13 ... M,xf2 14. 'f;fe6+ ~hS 15.flbl 'f;fd4 16.flb4 'f;f a l 17.~xf2+-] 14.'f;fc7 M,e5 D4 ... fla8 15.fla3 fleS 16.'f;fxc6+- and now 16 ... ~f7 17.'f;fd5+ ~e7 (l7 ... fle6 18.fla8) 18.fla6 or 16...flb8 17.'f;fd5+ ~h8 18.flaS] 15.'f;fxc6 ~h8 C15...'f;fd4 16.'f;fe6+ ~h8 17.fle3+- 'f;fg4+ 18.~f1 'f;fd l + 19.flel 'f;fd3+ 20.~g2; 15.. .f4 16. 'f;fe6+ ~hS 17.flbl 'f;fd4 18.flel f3+ 19.~h3+-) 16.flxb5 fld8 (l6 ... flg8 17.flxe5 'f;fxe 5 18. 'f;ff6+ 'f;fxf 6 19.9xf6+-) 17.fld5 flb8 18. 'f;fe6+- itg7 (l8... M,d4 19. 'f;fd6) 19.M,xg7+ 'f;fxg7 20.fld7+-. C) The Best Defense 1.g4! f5!

'f;fxc 3 C7 ...itxc3?? 8. 'f;fe 3 + - ; 7 fldl?? 8. 'f;fe3/8. 'f;fc4 +/ 8 . ~g2+) S.fle3 'f;f a l + [S... 'f;fcl + 9.~g2 M,b2 10. 'f;fb4!+- ~h8 (lO ... c5 11. 'f;fb6; 10 ... 'f;fd 2 1l.fle8+; 10 ... itd4 11. 'f;fe7; 10 ... 'f;fd l 11. 'f;fxb2 'f;fg 4 + 12.flg3) 11. 'f;fe7 flg8 12.fle5; 8 ...'f;fd4?? 9.gxf6] 9.~g2 Jld4 10.'f;fc7 fla8 1l.fla3 fle8 12. 'f;fd7 flb8 13.flb3 (Start of the final assault, which is performed here in full length) 7

1.g4! f5! 2.c4!

122

Attack and Defense Though Dvoretsky considers 1."f5! the best defense, after 2.c4! he pictures Black in a difficult situation C2.gxf5? 'ifJxc3 3.l":1e3 'ifJc2!). This is sufficient for him as a solution and his investigation ends here. But one could be contented only if there were not a continuation equal to the great demands of the position. So, where to go with the rook d5?

Ca) 2".l":1d8? 3.'ifJe3! 'ifJd4 C3".l":1e8? runs into 4.iH4 with a deadly pin) 4.'ifJxe5 'ifJxg4+ 5.'ifJg3 'ifJxc4 6 ..1ig5 Cb) 2".l":1c5? 3.gxf5 l":1xc4 transposes to the next line 2 ... l":1d4/3... l":1xc4 C3... gxf5 4.'ifJh5+-). Ce) 2 ... l":1d4? 3.g xf5 C3.h3? l":1e4 4.l":1dl l":1d4)

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4 ..1ig5! and now: Ce2l) 4 gxf5 5.'ifJxf5+- ~f6 6.c5 Ce22) 4 'ifJd4 5.'ifJe2 .1ig7 C5 ... ~f6 6.ellh6 ,{le7 7.h3; 5 ... g xf5 6.'ifJxe5 ~xe5 7.l":1xe5 l":1g6 8.l":1xf5 h6 9.f4) 6 ..lle7+Ce23) 4 ... h6 5.~e7! C5 ..1ixh6?! l":1f6) 5... 'ifJc3 C5... l":1d7 6.f6 ~f7 7.~e3) 6.'ifJe2 l":1d4 7.f3 C7.fxg6; 7.f4) 7 ... .1ixh2+ 8.~hl .1ie5 9.~f6+-

Cd) 2... l":1a5?!

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Cel) The sharp 3... l":1xc4 is met by 4.fxg6 hxg6 5.'ifJf8+ ~h7 6.'ifJf7+ ~xh6 7.'ifJxc4 ~xh2+ 8.~g2 elld6 9,'i;1g4!+- with the threat l":1e6. If 9 ... .1ic5 C9... 'ifJb4 lO.l":1e4 'ifJbl 11.'ifJh4+ ~g7 12.l":1d4; 9 ... 'ifJc2 lO.'ifJh4+ ~g7 11.'ifJd4+, xd6) then lO.'ifJh4+ ~g7 11.l":1d1+Ce2) 3".l":1d6 (The idea gxf5 followed by l":1xh6 and l":1g6+ is flawed)

This deviation of the rook conjures up a tactical storm! Cdt) 3.l":1dl? is wrong: Cdll) 3 ... l":1xa2?! 4.l":1d8+ ~f7 5.g xf5 Cdl1a) 5".l":1a3 6.fxg6+ ~xg6 7 ..1ie3 'ifJc1 + 8.l":1dl C8.~g2? 'ifJxc4) 8".'ifJxc4 9.'ifJg2+ ~f7 10.~h3, unclear Cdllb) 5... ~e7 6 ..1ig5+ C6.l":1d3!?) 6 ... ,{lf6 7.fxg6 'ifJbl+ C7... ibg5?? s.era- ~e6 9.l":1e8+ ~d7 ro.er.~d6 11.gxh7 .1if6 12.l":1e6+ ~c5

123

Middlegame Tactics 13.8xf6+-) 8.8dl (8.'\t'g2? I'fyxg6 9.\;jxf6+ I'fyxf6 10.cllxf6+ '\t'xf6+=) 9.\:!{e3+ (9.\:!{xf6+?) 8 l'fyxg6 9 '\t'f8 10.h4 h6 11.'I¥¥e6 hxg5 l2.8d8+ ~xd8 13.V4xg6 gxh4, unclear Cd12) 3... ~c7? Cd12a) 4.8el? 8e5 5.8dl ~b6 Cd12b) 4.~f4? 8a3 5.~e3 'l¥¥e5-+ Cd12c) 4.'I¥¥e3? 8e5 5.'I¥¥xa7 'l¥¥e2 6.i'ld4 c5 7.l'H4 'ffi'dl+ 8.'\t'g2 gel 9.l'fya8+ .~.d8-+ Cd12d) 4.8d2? \:!{e5 5.h3 ~d6 (5 ... g5) 6.8e2 8a3+= Cdl2e) 4.8d7 'l¥¥e5 (4 ... 8a3 5.'ffi'dl +-) 5.8g7+ Cdl2el) 5 ... '\t'h8? 6.8xc7 I'fyxc7 7.'I¥¥c3+ 'l¥¥e5 C7 ...'\t'g8 8.'I¥¥f6+- and mate in two) 8.'I¥¥d2 (8.clld2+-) 8 ... '\t'g8 9.l'fyd8+ '\t'f7 10.1'fyf8+ '\t'e6 11. 'ffi'e8+ '\t'd6 01... '\t'f6 12.g5#) 12.~f4 'l¥¥xf4 13.'I¥¥b8++Cd12e2) 5... 'I¥¥xg7 6.~xg7 '\t'xg7 7.'ffi'd3'i' Cd13) 3... ~f6! 4..~g3 (4.'I¥¥e3? 8e5 5.l'fyxa7 'l¥¥e2) Cdl3a) 4...'I¥¥e5? 5.'I¥¥b3!, unclear/= 5... 'I¥¥b2 (5 ... 'I¥¥c7? 6.c5+ 'l¥¥f7 7.'I¥¥g3!) 6.'I¥¥g3 (6.8d8+ '\t'f7 7.8d7+ '\t'e6) Cd13b) 4 ... 8e5! 5.gxf5 (5.cllf4 l'fye2) 5 ... I'fyc 2 Cd2) 3.gxf5

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Cd21a) 4 ... 8a3 5.'&g4 8xa2 (5 8h3 6.8xe5 8xh6 7.f6+-; 5 ~xh2+ 6.~hl +-) 6.clle3+Cd21b) 4....,lf6 5.fxg6 hxg6 6.8e8+ '\t'h7 7.l'fyxf6 \:!{dl + 8.'\t'g2I'fyg4+ 9.'\t'fl 'l¥¥dl+ (9 ... l'fyxc4+ 10.8e2 '\t'xh6 11. 'l¥¥h8+ '\t'g5 12. 'l¥¥d8+ '\t'h6 13.'I¥¥xa5+-) 10.8el I'fyd3+ 11.'\t'g2 '\t'xh6 12.8e3 '&d7 13.8g3 'l¥¥e8 03 ... 'I¥¥h7 14.'&f4+ '\t'g7 15.'&c7+ '\t'h6 16.'I¥¥xa5) 14.l'fyf4+ '\t'g7 15.'&c7+/xa5+Cd21c) 4 ... \:!{bl+ 5.'\t'g2 'l¥¥b4 (5 ... ga3 6.l'fyg4+-) 6.a3! (6.fxg6!? hxg6 7.'I¥¥g4) 6... 'I¥¥e7 (6 ... 'I¥¥d6 7.'I¥¥b3!+- with the double threat c5+ and 'l¥¥xb7; 6 ... 8xa3 7.l'fyg4 '&d6 8.fxg6 hxg6 9.8xe5 'l¥¥xe5 10.l'fyxg6+ '\t'h8 11.~g5+-) 7.~d2 gxa3 8.'I¥¥e2+Cd22) 3...'I¥¥c3? 4.8e3 Cd22a) 4 ... 'I¥¥cl + 5.'\t'g2 'l¥¥xc4 (5 ...'I¥¥c2?? 6.8d3+-; 5 ... g5?? 6. 'l¥¥h5+- followed by mate) 6.fxg6 I'fyd5 (6 ... hxg6 7.8xe5+-) 7.\:!{xd5+ 8xd5 8.f4+Cd22b) 4 ... 'I¥¥b4 5.'I¥¥dl! 'l¥¥e7 (5 ... 'I¥¥d6 6.8d3+-; 5 ... ~d6 6.'I¥¥d4 ~J8 7.ge8+-) 6.f6! Cd22bl) 6...'I¥¥c7 7.'I¥¥g4+- ~xh2+ C7 ... 'I¥¥d6 8.'I¥¥c8+ '\t'f7 9.'&xb7++) 8.'\t'g2 8e5 9.~f4+- (9.8xe5 I'fyxe5 lO.'I¥¥c8+ '\t'f7 11.l'fyd7+ '\t'xf6 12.~g7++-) Cd22b2) 6 'I¥¥xf6 7.'I¥¥d7+Cd22b3) 6 'I¥¥d6 7.8d3+Cd23) 3 ... 8xa2!? 4.fxg6 hxg6 (See diagram top of next page)

~~

Cd21) 3...\i:tc2? 4.8e4!

124

Attack and Defense Cd23b2b) 6 ... ga5? 7.'&h3+ wg7 8.\ird7+ wf6 9.~xe5+ gxe5 10.'Elcl6+ wf5 11.gf3++[1l ... ;!;>g4 01...wg5 12.'&f6+ and mate) 12.gg3+ wf4 13.1'1f6+ we4 14.ge3+J Cd23b2c) 6 ... '&xf2+ 7.'&xf2 dxf2 allows 8.i'Lxe5 or 8.Wxf2, while both are avoided by the main line 5...cI1f6!? Cd23c) 5.ge4!?

The forces are distributed in such a way that Black's lights should be blown out rather quickly, but ... Cd23a) Astonishingly 5.'&f8+? wh7 is not the way to proceed: Cd23al) 6.~.c1 i'Lg7 7.'&f3 '&c3=i= Cd23a2) 6""~g5 .\lg7 Cd23a2a) 7.ge7? is brilliantly refuted by 7...ga1 + 8.wg2 gel!! 9.gd7 gd1 (9 ... '&e5) 10.ge7 '&a1-+ Cd23a2b) 7.'&f4? ga1-+ Cd23a2c) 7.'&f3 ga3! C7 ... ga1 8.'&h3+ wg8 9.'&e6+ wh7 10.'&h3+=; 7 ... '&c3? 8.ge3 ,&xc4 9.'&h3+ wg8 10.ge8+ i'LfS 11.i'Lf6 ,&c1 + 12.wg2 gxf2+ 13.Wxf2 '&f4+ 14.'&f3) 8.'&g4 (8 ..\le3 ,&e5) 8 '&d4 9.'&xd4 (9.ge4 ,&d3) 9 ibd4 10.ge7+ wg8=i= Cd23a3) 6.i'Le3 i'Lg7 7.'&c8 ,&e5 8.'&xb7 ,&e6=i= Cd23b) 5.ge3!? Cd23bl) 5...i'Lf6!? 6.gb3? C6.ge8+ transposes to the main line) 6...'&d4! 7.gxb7 gal + 8.wg2 '&xc4 - and now? - 9.i'Lg7! i'Lxg7 C9 ... '&f1+ 10.wg3 '&g 1+ 11.wh3 '&f1+=) 10.gb8+ wh7 11.'&h3+ cI1h6 12.'&d7+= Cd23b2) 5... wh7?! 6.cI1f4! Cd23b2a) 6 ... cI1xf4? 7.'&xf4+C7 ... '&b1+ 8.wg2 '&f5 9.'&h4+ wg7 10.ge7+ wf8 11.gxb7)

A problem-like move. The deadly threat is '&f8+ followed by gh4. Cd23c1) 5... ga3? 6.'&f8+ wh7 7.gh4+Cd23c2) 5... ~xh2+? 6.wh1! Cd23c2a) 6 ... Jle5 7.'&f8+ wh7 8.gh4 '&xf2 9.Jlg5+ C9.'&xf2 gxf2 10.i'Le3+/xf2+-) 9 ... '&xh4+ 10.~xh4 gh2+ 11.wg1 gxh4 12.'&e7+, xh4+Cd23c2b) 6 ... wh7 7.'&h3+C7.Jlg5+-) Cd23c2c) 6... '~xf2 is refuted by the mating attack 7.ge8+ wh7 8.gh8+ wxh8 9.'&c3++Cd23c3) 5 ... cI1d6? 6.ge6 '&b1 + 7.wg2 wh7 8.ue3+Cd23c4) 5 ... wh7? 6.gh4+-, e.g. 6 .. .'&a1+ 7.wg2 cI1g7 C7 ... Jlf6 8.cI1g5+ wg7 9.cI1xf6+ ,&xf6 10.gh7+) 8.'&f7 gxf2+ 9.W xf2 '&f6+ 10.'&xf6 ~xf6 1l.cI1g5+ wg7 12.cI1xf6+ wxf6 13.gh7

125

Middlegame Tactics Cd23cS) 5 .. .'&a 3? 6 .'&xa 3 .il xh 2+ B xa 3 8. Be7+Cd23c6) 5...11f6 6 .El e8 + C d 23 c6 a ) 6 .. . ~ f7? 7 .'&e 3!+-, e .g . 7 . ..'&b 1+ 8. ~g2 g5 (8 .. .El xf2 + 9 .Wxf2 '&f5 + 10. Wg 3) 9 .'&e6+ Wg 6 10 .Elg8+ Wh7 l1. '&f7 + ~ x h 6 12 .,&xf6+ followed by mate . C d23c6b) 6 ... ~h7 7..il g5! (Bes t, but Black can escape into an extraordinarily complicated ending) Cd23c6b I) 7 .. ..il xg 5 8. '&h 3 + .il h 6 (8 ... ~ g 7 9 .'&h8 + Wf7 10 .'&f8# ) 9 .El e 7 + '&g 7 (9 .. . ~ g 8 10. '&e6+ Wh8 l 1. '&c8 + A f8 1 2. '&xf8# ) 10. El xg 7 + ~ x g7 1 1. '&b 3 (l1. '&d 7 + ~ f6 1 2. '&xb 7) l 1.. .El a l+ 12.~g 2 + - and the pawn s on the b- and c-file will drop off. Cd23c6b2) 7 ...'&xf2+ 8 .'&xf2 El xf2 9 .Wxf2 .il xg 5± 7.~xh 2

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C e ll ) 5 ..il g 5?? .~ x h 2 + Ce12) 5.'&c5 Ele 8! C5 ...b6? 6. '&xc6 it xh 2 + 7.W fl El xe l + 8 . ~xe1 '&e 5+ 9 . ~ f1 , uncl ear) Ce13) 5.'&a5 '&d 4 ! Ce14) 5. '&a8 El e 8 6 .'&a5 '&d 4! CelS) 5.~h1 ,&b4 !/xc4 and 6.Elcl A b 2 Ce16) 5.Ae3 Cel6a) 5 ... A d4 6. '&a4 (6 .'&b 8 A c 3 7 .Eld 1 « «: s.nas ,&xg 4 + 9. Wh 1 ,&xc4- +; 6 .'&a8 '&b 4 7 .Elfl ,&xc4- +) 6 ...f4 7 .EI fl fxe 3 8 .fxe3+ Wg 7 9.e xd4 Ele 2- + Cel6b) 5...fxg4 + C e 2) With the qu iet mo ve 3 .Wg 2 White wants to avoid checks on his back rank, but it is too slow:

_~~.~~iJJ!a

A case for friends of endgame studies ! This position is so rich in content that we will deal with it separately. C e) Light at the End of the Tunnel can be seen after the only steady defense 2...El d7!, and now: C e l ) 3 .'&e 3? El e 7 highli ght s th e difference from the 2...El d8? variation. In case of 4 .'&xa 7 (4 .'&c 5? .il d 4 ; 4 ..QJ 4? .il d 4 ; 4 .'&c1? A d 4) foll ows 4...Wf7! and Black tums the tab les.

Ce21) 3 ... Eld4? 4. g xf5 (4 .h3? El xc4 5 .gx f5 El c 3!) 4 . ..El h 4 5 .fxg 6 El xh 2 + 6. ~gl h xg 6 7 .Bd l! Wh 7 8 ..Q. c 1 +C e22) 3 .. .'&d 4?! 4.gxf5 El f7 5 .Ele4 '&d 6 6 .'&e3 B xf5 7 .f4 itg 7 8 .Be6

126

Attack and Defense l'iY f8 9 .ge8 .il x h 6 10 .B xf8+ B xf8 l 1. ~ x a 7 g f7 02 .f5!?) Ce23) 3 ...B f7 4 . ~ d3 C 4.'~c1l) 4... Ag7 5.Be8+ Bf8 6.B xf8+ AxfS 7.'';;'c18 l'iYa3 8 .g xf5 l'iYcl6 uncl ear /= Ce2 4) 3.. .f4 4 .Be2 C4 .Axf4 il xf4 5 .l'iYxf4 g f7 ) 4 ... ~ c1 4 5.g e 4 ~ c 3 C5 .. .l'iY d 6? 6 . ~e2 B f7 7 .f3 A g7 8. Be6) 6 . ~ xc3 A xc3 , unclear /= Ce2 S) 3... ~ c3? 4.B e3 C4. i;¥e2? B e7 5.A g5 fxg4! 6. i;¥ e3 B f7 7. l'iYx e5 "}'f 3 +, pe rpe tu al check ) 4 .. . i;¥ b 2 C4 ... ~d4 5 . ~e 2 Be7 6.f4+-) 5.gxf5 l'X f7 s.e .u A g7 7 .g e 8 + B f8 8 .Bxf8+ A xf8 9 . ~ d8 i;¥ b4 10 .fxg6 h xg6 11. ~ e 8 +Ce26) But 3...A g7! equalizes: 4.ge8+ (4 .A xg7? ! ~xg 7 5. g xf5 B f7) 4 .. . ~ f7 5 . ~e 3 ~ f6 Ce26a) 6 .Ag5? ~ c1 6 7 .A f4 A d 4! 8 . ~e2

~ x f4 ~h6

10 .'&xd 7+ 1 2 . ~f1

~ f3 !

9. ~e6 +

~g7

l1. g e 2

~ x g4 +

l 3 . ~ e1

Ce3) 3.gxf5 and now:

~

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I1t I1tl1 I1tW : ~ 11 ~ it l1 %11 it11 11 %~

.~ t lti l1

5 . ~g 2

Bf7 6.Bd3 8 .i;¥d3 +Ce32) 3.. . ~ d 4 ? 4.f6 ~ h 4 (4.. .~ f7 5. ~ e 2 ~ e 6 6 .~ h l + - (p lan f4) 6 .. .g 5 7 .Ax g5J 5. B xe 5 ~ x h 6 6 . ~g4 +(6 .. .B d 8 7 .f7 + ~ f8 8 . ~e6 'iBg7 9 .'&e8) ~ f7

Ce33) 3...Bd6? 4.Ag5! transposes to 2.. .B d 4? 3 .gx f5 B cl 6 4 .A g 5!, see above Ce34) 3...g [7! (The only defense and the main idea of 2...Bd7: Now the last defenders can be held together) 3.gxf5 and now:

~ f4 :;:

0 3 ... e5 :;: ) Ce26b) 6 .g5? A xh 6 C e26c) 6 .A xg 7 ~ x g7 7 .g 5 l'iY cl4 8 .ge 7 + ~ h 8 =

~

Ce 3 l b) 4...~a l +

x-rs 7 .B d 8 +

1~:·:~Yf

Ce 3 1) 3...~ c3? 4.Be3 Ce3 1a) 4 ... ~ d4 5.fxg 6 h xg 6 ( 5 .. . ~ c1 1 + 6 . ~x cl l g xcll + 7 .~ g 2 + -) 6 .'&f8+ ~ h 7 7 .iH4 ~ d l + 8. ~ g2 ~ g 4 + 9.Bg3 +-

Black has rea ched his aim, but the dangers are not completely over: Ce34a) 4 . ~d3 Ce 34 a 1) 4 .. .B xf5? 6. ~ f8 +

~e6

5 . ~d8+

7 . ~e8+

~ f7

~d6

(7 .. . ~ f6 8 .f4+- ) 8. A e 3!+-

Ce34a la) 8oo .c5 9. ~d8 + C e34ala l) 9 .. . ~ e 6 10 .f4 ~ e 3 00 ... g h 5 11. ~ e 8 + ) l1. ~ e 8+ followed by fxe5+ Ce34 ala2) 9 ... ~ c 6 1 0 . ~ c 8 + A e7 0 0 .. .'it'b6 l 1. ~x e5+ 'it'a6 l 2 . ~ x a 7* ; l O.. . ~ d 6 l1. A xc 5* ) 11. A f4 ! Ce34a l b) 8 ... ~ c 7 9 . ~e 7+ 'it'e8 10 .B dl C e34a lc ) 8 .. . ~ c 2 9 . ~ d8 + 'it'e6 10 .A e 5

127

Middlegame Tactics

Ce34a2) 4...cflg7 1 5.TIe8+ TIf8 (5 ... uf8?? 6.fxg6+-) 6.l"lxf8+Uxf8 7 ..4.xf8 Ce34a2a) 7...\:1el +II 8.~g2 Ce34a2al) 8... ~xm?1 9.'&el8+ ~f7 (9 ... :t!ig7?? 10.f6+ ~h6 11.f7+-)

o

10.",'tel7+~f8 o... ~f6?? 11.\:ie6+ :t!ig5 12.f6+-) 11.\;1e8+ Ce34a2all) 11...~e7?? 12.\'£Yxb7+ 't;f6 13.'&xe6+ ~xf5 14.'&d5+ 04.'liH3+ \':'If4) 14... ~f6 15.e5 Ce34a2a12) 11. .. ~g7 12.'iilxb7+ wh6 Ce34a2a2) 8...\':'Ig5+ 9.'&g3 \:i xg3+

Ce34e2a) 5 ... ~f'8? is brilliantly refuted by 6.\o'fell1:

10.~xg3 ~xf8 11.~f4

Ce34a2b) 7... ~xf8 8.'&el6+ and the play transposes to the main line. Ce34b) 4.l"lell? TIxf5 Ce34c) 4.\':'Ie4? l"lxf5 5.l"le2 '&a3 Ce34d) 4.f6?! l"lxf6 5.'&e3 TIf5 6.\':'Ixa7 itd6 Ce34e) 4. \':'lei 1 Ce34el) After 4 ... l"lxf5? White's attack crashes through: 5.'&el8+ ~f7 6.\':'If8+ ~e6 7.\':'Ie8+

7 ... ~d6 (7 ... ~f6 8.f4+-) 8.ue3! \~1e2 (8 ... e5 9.\~ld8+ ~e6 10.f4+-; 8 ... we7 9.~1e7+ ~e8 10.TIell +-) 9.\';Jel8+ ~e6 10 ..lle5+-

Ce34e2) 4 ....4.g7 5.TIe8+ (5.TIe2?! \£lf6)

6 ... '&d4 (6 ... '&f6 7.'&e6! ~h8 8.'&xf6+ l"lxf6 9.cflxf8+-) Ce34e2al) 7.l"lxf8+ l"lxf8 8. \':'Ie6+ ~h8 (8 ... TIf7 9.'&e8+ l"lf8 10.'&xf8#) 9 ..\lxf8 \':'Ig4+ 10.~f1 '&dl + (l0 ... gxf5 1LIlel6 \':'I d l + 12.~g2 '&g4+ 13.cflg3+-) l1.'&el+Ce34e2a2) 7.h3 '~h4 (7 ... '&d7 8.\¥le6'+-; 7 ... ,&xc4 8.'&e6+- or 8.we5+-) 8.TIxf8+ l"lxf8 9.'&e6+ ~h8 io.a-rs \:ig5+ 11.~h2 \';Jf4+ 12.~g2 '&g5+ 13.~f3 '&h5+ 14.~f4 '&h4+ 15.~e5+-

Ce34e2b) 5... TIf8 (again the only move) 6.l"lxf8+ (6 ..\lxg7?! ,&xg7) 6 ... .llxm 7 ..llxf8 (7.'&el8?? '&bl+ 8.~g2 \£lxf5) 7... ~xf8 (See diagram top of next page)

128

Attack and Defen se 39.13d7! Sudd enl y the bo ard was c los e ly surro unded by excit ed . gesticulating spectators and a whispering started . The Portuguese Internati onal Master was so shocked and confu sed that he could not dec ide to make a move, the last minutes on his chess clock ticked away and j ust before his time was up he resigned - 1-0. A fter all the turbulence the ship is calli ng at a sa fe port : 8 . ~d6+ r:JJg7 9 . ~e 7 + C9.f xg6? ! hx g 6 ) 9...'i!!i h6 10 .1'6 (a la st effort , but in vai n ) 10 .. . ~ c l + (o r l O... ~ b l + 11. r:JJg2 ~ f5 = ) 11. r:JJg2 ~ x c 4 = . S o the defense stands firm - or? Back rank probl ems plus tim e trouble det ermine the follo wing fragment.

At the be ginnin g o f the hecti c postmort em anal ysis there was a difference o f o p inio n and e ven the Yug o sl av Grandmaster Ljubojevic, who was j ust lookin g over th e pl ayer 's sh oulder s, gave a quick assessment that th e final po siti on might be drawn ('1). Well , after all there are not so many possibilities:

Much Ado About Nothing (Domination on the 7'h)

A. Martorelli (2315) A. Antunes (2465) Reggio Emilia (ll) 1985/86

Ana lysis

(Position after 38... 13ad8?) As Black wa s in time trouble White played boldly on and with the help of Caissa got a big break. Aft er the weak g a d 8? the Itali an master-cand id ate im medi atel y repli ed

40 ... ~g8 (40 .. .g xd 7? 4 1. gx d7 ~ g 8 4 2 .8 xh 7 + ~ x h 7 43. ~ x f8+ ~ g 8 44.~ h 6 + =, perpetual che ck) 41.13 xc7 13f7-+ (b ut not 41.. .4Jd 6?? 42 .8x d6 with an e a sy win ) . T im e trouble has its own rule s! Th e mating ide a, unique of its kind , makes the game of chess wo nderful and 129

Middlegame Tactics complicated as well. The safety of the king is most important and therefore he must be defended prudently, otherwise ... Dreadful End

Cil). Meyer (2325) - R. Junge (2365) German Bundesliga (II) 1992 French Defense (C02)

l.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 e5 4.e3 4Je6 5.4Jf3 'liYb6 6.a3 Ad7 7.b4 exd4 8.exd4 §e8 9.Ae3 4Jge7 10.Ad3 4Jf5 11.0-0 Ae7 12.4Jbd2 O-O?! 13.4Jb3 4Jxe3 14.fxe3 f5?! 15.exf6 §xf6 I 15 ... gxf6 16.4Je5 ~ C16.4Jg5!? fxg5 17 :~h5 '§f5 18.g4 4Jxb4! with great complications) II 15 ... ilxf6 16.4Je5 ~ "\tie7 17."\tie2 h6 C17 ... g6? 18.ilxg6 hxg6 19."\tixg6+ \t'h8 20. "\tih6+ \t'g8 21.4Jg5 il xg5 22. "\tixg5+ \t'h8 23.'§f6!+-) 18 ..§acl

18."\tibl (xb7/xh7), particularly because 18 ... .§h6!? C18... h6? 19. "\tixb7 '§b8 20. "\tia6 e5 21.4Jxe5! 4Jxe5 22.'§xf6 4Jxd3 23.'§f3+-) sets a devilish trap:

I Not the greedy 19."\tixb7? '§b8 20."\tia6 e5! with a tremendous counterattack due to the exposed queen at a6, e.g. 21.e4 4Ja5 22 :~xa 7 and the game is still extremely tricky: A) 22 ... .§b7? 23. "\tixb7 c:=J xb 7 24.exd5 Aa) 24 ilg4? 25 ..§abl! (25.4Jxe5? "\tih4) 25 "\tixd5 26.'§b4 Ab) 24 ... exd4 25.e6 .~xe6 (25 ... 4Je5? 26.ile4!) 26.dxe6 .§xe6 27.ile4 '§b6 28 ..§adl 4Je5 29.4Jxd4 '§f6, unclear B) 22 ... .§a8! 23. "\tixa8 "\ti xa 8 24.4Jxe5 ile6 25 ..§abl '§f6+

16.4Je5 Axe5? 16 ... ile8 17 ..§el

~

17.bxe5

17...'liYe7? After the text move a well calculated, lethal raid quickly decides the game! Black should have tried 17..."\tid8 as his best chance despite the double attack

Or 18 ... .§h6 C18... .§xf1+ 19. '§'xf1+-) 19.ilxh7+! '§xh7 C19... \t'h8 20.g3+-) 20.4Jxh7 \t'xh7 21."\tih5+ \t'g8 22.,§,f7+ \t'h7 (22 ... \t'h8 23.'§f4 '§'d 8 24.g3+-) 23.'§f4 ~ d8 24 ..§g4 "\tif6 25. ~xd7+-

19.§xf6 gxf6 20.'liYh5!+- Ae8 21.'liYxh6 fxg5

130

Attack and Defen se 21.. . ~g 7

22 . ~xg 7+

~x g7

2 3 .4J xe6 +

Better a dreadful end than endless dread.

22.E!f1 'ftJe 7 Allow s a pretty de flec tion and se lfobstruction theme, whereas 22...~g7 2 3. ~xe6+ simply loses the rook c8. Anthony Miles

23.E!f8+ 'ftJx f 8 24.'ftJh7# 1-0 We end this chapter with a

Tribute to Anthony Miles (1955-2001 ) While writing this book we received the terrible n ews th at Ton y Mil es had passed away. We want to remember this grea t chess tighter. In 19 74 he be cam e Wo rl d Juni or Champion and in 1976 he became the first Briti sh Grandmaster, signaling a resurgenc e in the strength of English c hess . M iles pl a yed at num erou s olympiads and tournaments all ove r the wo rld, whe re his fight ing spirit and superb endgame technique earn ed him many poin ts and respect. In the 1980s in Germany he and Cze ch Gra ndmaster Vlast im iI Hort head ed th e fa mo us Bundesl iga club SG Porz. Miles wrote a very origin al column for the Chess Cafe.com site, with a dry and

witty style that proved very popular. He gu ara nte ed c reat ive and ex cit ing enterta inment: When you feel bored , simply enjoy one of his produ cts. On the other hand, he didn 't show much respect for the great player s. Once he even managed to defeat th en-World Cha mpio n Anatol y Karpov in Sk ara 1980 with the provocative defense 1.e4 a6. T he foll owin g v ic tory ag a inst former World Champion Bor is Spass ky shows Miles at his best:

A. Mile s (256 5) - B. Spassky (2630) Montill a/Moriles Mont illa (2) , 1978 Queen 's Indian (E I2)

1.d4 -tlf6 2.-tlf3 b6 3.c4 e6 4.Af4 Ab7 5.e3 Ae7 6.h3 0-0 7.-tlc3 d5 8.c xd5 e xd5 9.Ad3 c5 10.0-0 -tlc6 1l.-tle5 c4?! 12.Ac2 a6 13.g4 b5 14.g5 -tle8 15.'ftJg4 g6 16.E!adl -tlg7 17.h4 Ab4

131

Middl egame Tactics

23.h5! After 23 A,j xd7? ,&xd 7 2 4 . ~d 4
23 ... E!xd5?

White's kingside attack looks dangerous, but it's not easy to carry out. Spassky's last mo ve wa s a mi st ak e ( 17 ...b 4 18 .tLle 2 f6 is only s lightly better fo r White, Miles in Chess Informant 26/609) Mil es found a n imaginati ve wa y to increase his pressure.

Alternatives are: I 23 ... El b 7? 24 .,§,f4 M. h 3 2 5 . c~ g 4 A xg 4 26 .h 6 ~t'g 8 27 .h xg7 g e 8 2 8 . ~ x g4 4Jxcl5 29 ,.QJ6 +II 23...A d6! was the best defense, when matters are not com pletely clear, e.g. 24..£lcl4 g e7 25.'&f3 oZlef5! (25...A e5? 26. cl6!±; 25 ...4Jg8? 26 .4Jxh 7 ~ x h 7 27.hxg6+ fxg6 28.,§,hl ++ -) 26.h6 4Jxcl4 27.hxg7+ ~xg7 28.g xcl4 8,h8 24.~f4

E!xdl(?)

Very tempting, but 18 ...M.xc3!? is more appropriate for over-the-board play : 19 .tLl f6+
24 ... § cl2 25. ~h2 g xh 5 26 .4Jxh 5 {Je f5 27.4Jf6 h5 28 .g xh6 4Je 8 29 .8, xd 2 M.xcl2 30 .{Jxe 8 + f6 3 1.4J xf6 § xf6 32 ...Q, xf5 M. xf 5 33. ,§,h4 + -

19.1f) xd51i&h8

25 .E!xdl +-

18.lf)d7! Ac8?!

Sidesteps the fork on f6.

20.1f)5f6 E!a7 20 ... o~ e 8 21. M.e5 C2 1. M.f5!?) 2 1.. .4Jxe5 22 .d xe 5 4Jxf6 23 .g xf6±

21.d5 If)e7 22.Ae5! E!xd7

. ~

~a5

[ BAB" .. ~S" .. ~1< /~

/~

~ ~ ~ l~i l 1 ~ ~ &] 1. ·~ ~ 1~~ ~!r~ ~"' r~ ~ ~aJ ~ :i"JW .!..1.

. ~~ i~ . tlt/;'

~.

.!..1. ~~~~

~

..

':~';t1i~:~a.~ ~ §~

r~

~ .... /

~

Now Miles wins by a very nice mo ve: 26.lf)e8! f6

Although Spassky has finally managed to get rid ofthe intruder, Miles continues his attack energetically.

A last desperate try, but White' s attack is irresistible: I 26...§ xe8 27.'§'xf7 8,g8 28.h6+27 ."Zl xg7 {Jxg7 II 26 .. . cZle f5 28 ..£l xg 7 + ~x g7?! 29. ,§,f6 +
27.gxf61i&g8 28.lf) xg7 1-0

Conjunction of Tactical Methods Threatening 4.\:if7 (3.ilxd6? would have been unclear because of 3...c~b6 or 3 ... 0,f6)

A6) Conjunction of Tactical Methods We now discuss several tactical examples that feature a variety of themes and motifs.

3 ... l£)f6

Deflection and Interruption R. Nezhmetdinov - Y. Kotkov USSR 1957

5...Ag7

White to move (±/+-) This glorious finale is a jewel that should be enjoyed in its whole beauty!

1.l£)xc7! This strong sacrifice opens great chances and involves almost no risk.

!he alternative to the game continuation IS 5... \:ig7 (5 ... ~g7? 6.J1c4!+-), but after 6.ge8 ile6 7.J1xf6 \:ixf6 8.g xe6±/+- White reaches a very good en~game thanks to an extra pawn and positional advantage (despite the opposite-colored bishops).

i~t~:~~~WJ~"~~ J~ ~ , , ~ rA\'~t

1... tiYxc7 2.tiYd5+ \t>h8

2... EH7? 3.ge7+-

/-----~/

~- .~/

~

~

~\?i¥~t~

'/

~

~ .~.~ ~" ~~" i.&;,~

;~""""<"Ci t" ~ ~ ~

~

~~

~

~~

~~ft/~~~ ."~ft ~ r.~; ~ ~m. r~ J1. ~~ 11.

" ~. ~

3 ..§e8!

.... ~"'$"".""." ~~ 0~ 11 ~

'~H{' ;~ ?'d;

:;8:

This has been only the overture as the critical phase of the long combination starts now! White can crown his sacrifices with a beautiful attack based on motifs like deflection and interruption. 133

Middlegame Tactics II but 7.~fl! wins by force: A) 7... ~d8 Aa) s«Q.xf6 ~xf6 (8 ... Axf6 9.§e8+ and mate as above) 9. ~ x d 7 b6 lO.§e7+Ab) 8.§e7 ~f8 9.Axf6 ~ x fl lO.§xfl Axf6 11.§xf6+B) 7.oo§f8 8.§e8!!

6.Ac4! Threatening 7.§e8+ 42lxeS or the trivial 7.ibf6

8.~gS#

6...Ad7 6 ... \'1d8? (6 ... ke6? 7. ~xe6+-) and now: I 7 .oll.xf6?' .\lxf6 8. ~fl A) S...~d7? ends like the game: 9.§eS+ \'1xeS (9 ... ihe8 lO.~fS#, interruption) lO.~xf6#, deflection B) 8 ...oile 5 9.d4 Ae6 lO.Axe6 Axd4 1l.\,:¥xb7 §b8 12.~d5 ~b6 13.§e2±

111 '1I1i ~

~a~~

s.

.~ ... 00 IJ. ~,J!V11M.. ... ;,a.0 ..I. ~a;..a.~ 'E1 ~ ..I.

Y~~ ~~ ~ ~ iI 111 ....•

..... '

~4-:'~~

'r~~r6f~r6f~£ .J.1.~J1.~~

~~d.1.~ . . 1I1'1I1J~

II 7. ~f7! Ad7 O ...Ae6 8.§xe6+) 8.§e7 ~f8 9.Axf6 ~xf7 lO.§xf7 Axf6 11.§xf6+-

Analysis The point! The thematic deflection motif in a more refined form: 8 §xe8 (8 ... ~xe8 9. ~xc7; 8 42lxe8 9. ~xf8#) 9.Axf6 §el + lO.wh2 d5+ 11.g3 Axf6 12. ~f8# wonderful!

7...Axf6 8.,~H7 and now: This interesting position wasn't even analysed in some sources and the game continuation was applauded without critique, e.g. in Encyclopaedia of Chess Middlegames (Chess Informant) and Combination Art (M.W. Bloch). In fact the position needs to be treated very seriously.

7.Axf6?!

18...~d8? (game) 9.§e8+! 1-0

happened in the game. Alternatives are: I 7.§e7? is refuted by 7 ...§f8! (not 7 ... 42lxd5?? 8.kxg7+ WgS 9.itxd5+ ite6 lO.Axe6#)

II 8 ... Ae5? 9.§xe5 dxe5 10.~f6# III 8oo.kg7? 9.§e7 and mate IV 8oo.Ag5!? parries all threats for the moment and is a tough nut to crack, but 134

Conjunction of Tactical Methods White holds his advantage with 9.g3 [threatening h4; also 9.t4 iih4 10.g3 '&c 5+ 11.§e3! (l1.lt'fl? cIlc6 12.g xh4 '&d4) 11... ~c6 12.gxh4±] and now, for example:

By conjoining themes such as mating attack and unprotected piece, Black decides the fight skilfully. By the way, the expression "left-right combination" usually refers to a boxing match ...

1...4Jg3+! The left part of the combination (from Black's perspective), in order to open the h-file.

2.hxg3(?)

Analysis

A) 9... '&d8? 10.h4 ~c6 (lO ... ~f6 11.§e8+ and mate like above) 11.hxg5+B) 9... §c8 10.h4 ~e6 (lO ... ~c6? 11.§e8+ §xe8 12.~xc7+-) 11. ~xe6 ilxd2 12.'li¥f6+ ~g7 13. ~xg7+ It'xg7 14.§e7+ It'h6 15.§xb7 a5± C) 9... d5? 10.h4!+D) 9.. .f4 10.h4 fxg3 11.hxg5 gxf2+ 12.lt'xf2 (or 12. ~xf2 ~c5 13.~xc5 dxc5 14.~d5±) 12 ... ~c5+ 13.§e3 ·{£Yf5+ 14. ~xf5 ~xf5 15.§e7±

I 2.lt'gl?! ~ x e 2 + 3.~xe2 ~xd4-+ loses the exchange and a central pawn. This is the first theme, namely the unprotected piece (here the rook at c3): 4. ~d2 (4."~xd4 §xc3; 4.§xc8 ~xe2+ with a cracking zwischenzug!) 4 ... 1"1 xc3 (or 4 ... ~e2+) II Comparatively best was 2.1"1 xg3 although after 2... hxg3 3.h3 and for example 3... g6!? is just a delaying action. 2 ... Axb4!

The right part attacking the unprotected rook at c3 plus at the same time clearing the d8-h4 diagonal for the black queen. After the premature 2 ... hxg3+?? 3.lt'gl ihb4 4.§xg3+- White would be the lucky winner.

Left-Right Combination P. Hertel (2270) - R. Franke (2286) Germany (Team-Ch) 1999

3.axb4 3.§xc6 hxg3+ L~,h5 (4.lt'gl §h1 +! mate in three) 4... ~h4 + (mate in four) 5.lt'gl ~ h 2 + C5 ... §xc6-+) 6.lt'fl ~ h 1+ 7.lt'e2 ~ x g 2 + 8.lt'd3 ~e4 #

Black to move (-+)

3...hxg3+ 135

Middl egame Tactics

Strayed Kni ght, Bad Position of Chessme n

After 4 . ~g l a cras hing sac rifice wo uld m a k e way for the b lac k q uee n :

4 ... 8 h l +! 5 . ~ xh l i'¥h4 + i'¥h 2+ 7.~ f1 i'¥h l * 4 ... ~h4+

5.~gl

6 . ~ gl

White to move

El,xh5-+

White naively thought that exchanging Bla ck 's dark- squ ared b ish op wo uld improve his situatio n, but he should have calculated concrete variatio ns or sensed the danger unleashed by this undertaking.

Most co nvinci ng, but 5...i'¥h2+ works as we ll : 6 . ~f1 i'¥h l + 7. ~e 2 i'¥xg2+ 8. ~e 3 (8.~e l i'¥f2 * ; 8 . ~d3 i'¥e4+) 8 ...i'¥e4+ 9 . ~d2 i'¥xf4+ etc . -+

1 6 A~d4 (unclear) was ca lle d for and s lig ht ly better fo r Wh ite du e to the poten tial to put pressure on the isolated pawn d5.

16... Af5!

6. ~f1

Mate in five . Otherwise White loses his qu e en a ft e r 6. 8xg3 '~ h l + 7 . ~f2 ~j x d l; or 6 .i'¥xh5 i'¥xh 5 7. ~ e 3 '&' d 7

6 ... ~ h l +

7. ~e2 ~ xg2+ 0-1 an d White resigned in light of 8.\'ltd 3/ \'lte3

i'f e 4 + 9 .Wd 2 '&fxe 2 *.

8 h 2+

A strong zwischenzug th at opens th e cha nce of a pin on the c-fi le, and '&'d6 or i'¥e5, wi nning the kn igh t in so me lines. 16...'&'e5? wo uld be prematu re due to

17. 8 fcl! ilf5 0 7 ... 8 e 7? 18. 4Jxa8 ilf5 19.'&'e5 i'¥xh 2+ 20 .wfl+ -) l S..i;Jre3 A xe 7 19 .,&, xe7 A e 4 20 ..ll xe 4 d xe 4 21. \¥t xh 7± 17.e4

10 .i'¥e 2

Alt ern atives are all worse, e.g.: 136

Conjunction of Tactical Methods I 17.'l!1c5? b6 (l7...8C8-+ wins as well) 18.'l!1c1 'l!1e5-+ Il 17.c£Jxd5? 'l!1e5-+ III 17.'l!1cl? '~e5-+ (now 17 ... 8c8? is wrong due to 18.c£Jxa8!) IV 17AJxe8? '~e5-+

20.8xe1 ihh2+ 21.Wxh2 'iifd6+ 22.Wg11lxc2 23.8e8+ '&f8 24.8xf8+ Wxf8 25.g xf3 We7-+, but 19 ... 8e2 is possible as well (20. \¥lC4 \''vc5-+). Tactics with an Isolated d-Pawn

17...dxe4 'The one who is afraid of playing with an isolated pawn should give up chess." (S. Tarrasch)

Astonishingly White has no way to save himself.

The isolated d-pawn can arise from many openings, so it's important to understand the resulting problems. When the possessor of the "isolani" obtains an active position, his initiative is usually not easy to neutralize, as he has a lot of tactical motifs at his disposal. We will start with a controversy between two top players.

18.4:) xa8(?!) More tenacious was 18.c£Jxe8, but after 18...'l!1e5 19.93 e xf3 20.'l!1d1 'l!1xe8 21.'l!1xf3 .llc8 22.8fe1 'l!1f8 23.8acl (after 23.8ad1 .llc7 Black will untangle his forces soon: 24.8d3 8b8 with the plan .lle6-+) 23....lld6+ Black is also winning, e.g. 24.8ed1 8b8 25.'l!1d5 .lla3 26.8c7 .lle6 18... exf3 19.El.fe1 If 19.8ae1 then 19 ... .lle5! 09 ... 8d8!?) 20.'l!1d1 fxg2 21.Wxg2 iih3+! (21...'f:yc6+ 22.f3 .llh3+!) 22.Wxh3 'f:yh6+ 23.Wg2 'l!1xh2+ 24.Wf3 ~h3+ 25.We4 (25.We2 .\1J4 '*") 25 ....l1f6+ 26.Wd5 '&d7+ 27.Wc5 'f:yb5+ 28.wd6 '&c6'*" 19... ~xa1 0-1 A nice blow to finish White off. 19...8xe1 + would be less convincing:

V. Kramnik (2770) G. Kasparov (2849) London (BGN World Ch, 10th game) 2000 Nimzo-Indian Defense (E54)

The following notes are based on my (KM) annotations for ChessBase (Frederic Friedel has translated them into English). l.d4 4:)f6 2.c4 e6 3.4:)c3 Ab4!? After the promising turn of events in game eight it is not surprising that Kasparov once again goes for the Nimzo-Indian. 4.e3!? This time not 4.'&c2, which wasn't at all good for Kramnik in the eighth game. It is very impressive how his team has been able to prepare for the openings duels so far. 137

Middlegame Tactics

4 ...0-0 5.Ad3 d5 6.4)f3 cs 7.0-0 Thi s positi on is reached in most ga mes in whic h Wh ite plays th e Rubinstein Variation with 4.e3

7...c xd4 Th e main altern ative is 7 ..A:Jc6

8.exd4 d xc4 9.A xc4 14.A xf6!? Th e type of position is simi lar to the ga mes in whi ch Kasparov played the Queen' s Gambit Accepted (games four and six). White has an isolated pawn on d4, but also better development potential.

9...b6 10.Ag5 Ab7 1l..E!el 4)bd7 12 ..E!cl.E!c8 12....,Q.,x c 3?! 13 .8. xc 3 ~ h8 14 .-tle S! -tlxe 5?! 15.8. xe S -tle 4? 16. ~g4± , D. Kum aran - J. Hell sten , Co pen hagen 1996; after 16...-tlxc3 White wins with 17.A f6 g6 1 8 . ~g S+-. Here Kramnik tho ug ht for a lon g time o n how he should proceed .

This attacks not only the bishop on b4, but Black must also now reckon with the permanent threat of A xe6. Playable are a lso 13 ..\1h3 , 1 3 . ~ e 2 and 13. 11d 3 D 3.. .E! e8 1 4 . ~ e 2 Axe} IS .b xc3 ~c7 16 ..\lh4 ~d6!?= , B. Gulko - N. Short, New York (m/4) 1994]

13 ...Ae7 13 ...A xc 3 14 .8. xc 3 h6 CI4 ... ~ e 8 ? ! 15 .-tld 2 h6 16. A xh 6 ! gx h6 17 .E! h3 ±, M . Brod sk y - Y. Kruppa, A lus h ta 19 94 ) 1S. A h4 A d S ;!; , L. Atan u - Anh Dun g Nguye n. Bud apest 2000 (C BM 55)

T his sur p ris ing m o ve is ba sed o n t acti cal moti fs lik e -tlb S-d 6 a nd a possible sa crifice on e6

14 ... 4)xf6 I 14 . ..11xf6 15. -tlb S E! a 8 16 .-tleS CI6. -tld 6 A xf3 17 . ~x f3 with th e id e a 17 . ..11xd 4 18 .-tlxf7) 16 ... -tlxe 5 17 .dxe5 A g S 18. E! cd l;!; II 14 ...gxf6?! I S.d S;!; , P. Ni e lsen - J. Hell sten , Gistrup 1996

15.Axe6

15 ...f xe6? I S...8.c7! (Kaspar ov ) was call ed for, when matters are far from cle ar, e.g. 16 .-tlg S ~xd4 16. ~ xe6+ ~h8

16 ... 8. f7 ?? 17 .-tlgS ~ e 8 18 A:J xf7 19 . ~ x e 7 + -

~ x f7

138

Conjunction of Tactical Methods 17.'li'/xe7 In this position Kanstler gives White a clear edge in CBM 55 17... Axf3 18.gxf3 18.~xd8

l"Icxd8 19.9xf3 l"Ixd4 20.l"Ie7 with a minimal white advantage in the endgame.

25.'it'd2 h5 26.l"Igl c:2Jg4 27.h3 ~f5 'it'h7 29. ~d3 ~ x d 3 + 30.'it'xd3 4Jxf2+ 31.'it'e3 4Jxh3 32.l"Ig3 1-0, L. Hazai - H. Danielsen, Valby 1994 28. ~d8+

II 19 ... ~ d 3 ! ? (Kramnik) 20..§.xc8 20.4Jd6? (20.l"Ic7? 4Jg8=) 20 ... ~ x c1 (20 ... l"Ixc1?? 21.~xf8+ 4Jg 8 22.4Jf7#) 21.l"Ixcl (21.~xf8+?! l"Ixf8 22.l"Ixc1 4Jd5 'j') 21...l"Ixc1 + 22.'it'g2 l"Ia8= 20... .§.xc8

The knight now penetrates into the black position with tempo via d6. But not 19. ~xa7? due to 19 ... 4Jg4! 20. 4Je4 (20.fxg4?? ~ x f2 + 21.'it'hl ~ f3 + 22.'it'gl ~xg4+ 23.'it'hl l"If2 24.~b7 l"Icf8 with the irresistible threat of 25 ... l"Ixh2+ 26.'it'xh2 l"If2+ 27.'it'hl ~h3+ 28.'it'gl ~ h 2 # ) 20 4Je5

21J~)d6!

.§.b8?

21...l"Ia8! 22.4Jf7+ 'it'g8 23. ~e6 h6! (23 ... h5? 24.4Jg5+ 'it'h8 25. ~f5+-) 24.4Jxh6+ 'it'h7±

19 'li'/xb2? Kasparov has used up almost threequarters of his time. Nigel Short, who challenged Kasparov in 1993 in London, said Black's position is already completely lost. Alternatives are: I 19 ... ~ f4 20.l"Ixc8 l"Ixc8 21.4Jd6 A) 21...l"Ia8 22.4Je8 4Jxe8 (22 ...4Jh 5!?, H. Langrock) 23. ~xe8+ ~ f8 24.~xf8+ l"Ixf8 25.l"Ie7± B) 21...~xf3? 22.4Jxc8 ~ g 4 + 23.'it'fl ~h3+ 24.'it'e2 ~ x c 8

A devilish knight/queen battery! 139

Middlegame Tactics 23... §f8(?!)

There is no patent recipe: I 23 ... h5 24.c£Jg5+ \tJh8 25.'&f5+(Fritz6). The attack is based on ideas like 3e6xf6, 3e7, '&g6 and it cannot be stopped (the white king has a safe spot on g2), e.g. 25 ...'&xa2 26.3e7 '&a3 27.3f7 \tJg8 28.h4 3f8 29.3xf6 3xf6 30.'&h7+ \tJf8 31.'&h8+ \tJe7 32.'&xg7+ \tJe8 33. 'ciJxf6+-

The following game shows similar motifs. Jv. Browne (2550) L. Ljubojevic (2605) Tilburg 1978

White to move (Position after 13...'&e7?O 14 ..Q,d5!!

Not: I 14.Jlxf6? c£Jxf6 15.Jlxe6 fxe6 16.3 xe6 '&f7 (16 ... Jld5 17.3 xe7 Jlxb3 18.3xa7 Jld5=+=) 17.c£Jg5 Jld5 18.'&xb4 '&h5 19.3e5 c£Jg4 20.c£Jh3 c£Jxe5 2l.dxe5 Jlxg2 22.\tJxg2 '&f3+ 23.\tJgl '&xh3-+ II 14.d5?! '&c5 15.dxe6 '&xc4= 14 ....Q,a6

Black resigned - 1-0 [25 ... 3xd8 (25 ... 3e8? 26.'&xe8+ c£Jxe8 27.3xe8#) 26. '&xd8+ c£Jg8 27.'&d5+-] At half time many had predicted that the next decisive game would settle the match. It would seem that it was now all over in favor of Kramnik, but could Kasparov turn it around one more time, as he has done so often in the past? We now know that he didn't manage to alter the course of events and lost the match. Our congratulations to Vladimir Kramnik for this great achievement.

I 14 ... Jlxd5? 15.4:Jxd5+II 14 ... 3b8 15.Jlxh7 Jlxc3 16.'&xc3 3xb7 17.d5± III 14 ... 3xc3? 15.hxc3 Jlxd5 16. '&xh4+IV 14 ... Jlxc3!? is relatively best: 15.ellxb7 Jlxel 16.3xc8 3xc8 17 ..,\lxc8 Jla 5 :E

Instead 15...Jla5!? was interesting, e.g. 16.a3 h6 17.Jlxf6 c£Jxf6 and now: 140

Conjunction of Tactical Methods I 18. b4 8 xc3 19.8 xc3 6~x d 5 20 .8e2 (20.8 b3 8 c8) 20 ... ~xb4 , unclear II Even afte r 18.Jl.a 2!?A b7 matters are still not clear, e.g. 19.b4 ilxf3 20.gx f3 :Dh 5 21 .b xa5 (21 . ~e 2 t';Jg5+ 22. Wh l ~ x e l 23 .8xcl b 5 24 .'i~i'xa5 t';Jd 2 25.t';Jx b 5 -iJf4) 21...-iJf4 .22.'&b 5 .1'! c5 23. t';Jf] .1'! h 5 24 ..1'! e 5 8 xh 2 25.Wxh2 i£th4+ 26 .Wg l cDh 3+

16.bxc3 4)b817.Ab3 b5?! ~b7?! 19.,1lxf6 g xf6

18.~a5

Black to move 22 ... ~g4!?

20.d5!

As White 's hea vy pieces arc all on the que en side , Bla ck starts a kin g attack. II' 22 .. .
the dec isive advance

23.f3!

20 ...e xd5

But not: I 23.e3 ?

~ x f2!

24.'#Jx f2

20 .. .e5 2 1. t';J b4 t';J d 7 22 .,§,h4 '#Jg7 23 ..1'! e 3 + 21.~b4

~d7

22.~h4

\tIg7

23.4)d41-0 The next encounter could also be grouped ill the section on speculative sacrific es.

A. Brenke (235 7) - K. Muller (2513) Lippstadt 2000 C losed Catalan (EOO)

Analysis

l.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.4)f3 4)f6 4.g3 l2)bd7 5.,1lg2 Ad6 6.4)bd2 0-0 7.0-0 b6 8.b3 Ab7 9.Ab2 c5

24 ....1'! xe 3!! 25 .'#Jxd ~ x g 3 + 26 .iH3 (26. cDf3 ,.Ilxh4-+) 26 ...,Q,xh4-+ II 23 ...\lf3? 'itfg6 24 . ~ .g2 (24. Wg2? 26 .8xc1 ,<;t xh 4 25. 8 h l 8 xc l

141

Middl egame Tactics A f6- +) 24 .. .g xe l 25. g xc1 A xd 4 26 .Axd4 A xe 2 n .ge7 'l;;t g4 a n d Black 's attack is very dangerou s.

23 ... ,* xg3 24.fxe4 Elxe 4 25 ..£)f5! 25 .g xe 5?

~e3 +

26 .Wfl

n. g c8+ A xe8 28 .A xe 4

A xh 4

~ f2 #

25 ...,*g4! 25 ... ~ x g 2 + ? wo u ld go to o fa r: 26 .Wxg 2 g xe 2 + n .'it'h l g xb 2 28 .4Je 7 ++-

Rainer Knaak

Knaak On Missed/Seized Opportunities We wo uld like to thank Grandmaster Ra in e r Kn aak for pr ovidin g th e followi ng exampl es.

26.El xc5 b xc5

Z. Lanka (2440) - R. Knaak (2520) Jurm ala 1978

26 ... g xe 2 27 A:Je3 ~ f4 28 .gex d 5 ~ f2 + 29 .wh l ~ x h 4 + 30. Wg l ~ f2 + =

27.A xf6? In ti me troubl e Dr. Brenke missed D .d! According to Fritz 6 this lead s to equality aft er 27 ... ~ x f5 28 .Ax f6 ~ x f6 29 .A xe 4 d xe 4 30 .'l;;t xe4 A e 2 3 1.g e l A g4 =

27 ...Elxe2 White to move (+-) (Position aft er 31.. .Wh 7)

It' s all over now.

28..£)e3 Elxe3 29.El xd5 g xf6 30.Eld2 ,* xh4 - 0-1 (The forego ing ana lys is is based on Karsten MUller 's article for the German magazine Schoch. No . 8/2000 . p.56.)

32..£)e4? 32 ...I1 xd 5 1! 4Jd 2 + (3 2. .. e xd 5 33. '.!i'a l 4Jxfl 3 3. 4Jxd 5 +-) 34 .4Je4 +- (Gips lis ) 142

Conjunction of Tactical Methods

30..11e7!? ju st a trap ...

30....11xd4?? Also no t 30 .. . ~x d 3? 31.A xfS ~ x d 4 32.'&xf7 + w h 7 33 .f4 ~ h 6 34 . s.e: w h 5 3 5 ..ft g 5 +- , b ut 30 .. .B c 8 ! 3 1. '§' xb71l xd 4 3 2 ..ft d 6 A e 5 + 33 .f4 Ax d 6- + Analysis 34 . .. ~ d 8 3 5 ..fJf6 + ~ )( f6 36 .ex f6 e xcl5 37 ..fJe 7 ! fl, xe 7 38 . ~ x e 7 + -

31..11xf7+! Elxf7 3 1.. .'.19g 7?

32 .A xf8 + 34 .fl, xd 4 +-

~ x f8

33 . ~ d 6 + ~ x f7

32 ...d xe4 33.4:)f8+ \fIh8 32 .ti'd8+ \fIg7 33.Elxd4 33 . .. § xf8 ? 3 5 . ~ x f8 '"'

3Lfh e 4 +

~h8

As usual the opposite-colored bishops favo r the attacker, and in this ca se powerfully.

34.4:)xd7?? 34 .!2lg6 +=; 34 . ~g 6 .fJa 3 + 35 .b xa 3 '&0 6 + 36 .'.19a l ~ d 4 + =

34 ...4:)d2+ 35. \fIa1 Eld8 36 ..l~/e7 36 ..fJf8

~ x f7

37. fl, xf7

~g8- +

36...4:) xfl 37..11xe4 ti' xd7 0-1 R. Knaak (2525) J. Brenninkmeijer (2385) Wijk aan Zee (Hoogovens-B) 1988

35 .. .'&e 8 was mo re tenacious, e .g . 36 . ~g 5 § f5 3 7 . ~ h6 + ~ f7 38. fl, h 3

36..11g3 36 . ~g5 !?

~g8

3 7 . ~xg6 +

§ g7

3 8 . ~ f6 + -

36...Eld7 37.ti'g5 Ele7 38.ti'h 6+ \fIf7 39. ti'f4+ \fIe6 40.ti'd 6+ \fIf7 1-0

White to mo ve (P osition after 29 ...fl, e f8) 143

Middlegame Tactics

R. Knaak (25/5) - A. /liner (2320) German Bundesliga 1993

29.4:Jf4? was intended, but then Black replies ... g5!

(Position after 26..(ld5xtcJe6) After 26... b2(D White missed the opportunity to create a work of art with 27.8e6! i"th7 (27 ... 8xe6 28.8xe6 \';jxe6 29.~h6+ ~g8 30.4:Jg5 ~e7 31'(;;Yxg6+ ~h8 32.~g2 i"tb7+ 33.f3 h1~ 34.8xh1 ~xe2+ 35.~h3 ~e7 36.8h1+-; 27 ... 8h7 2~Uh15 ~g7 29.4:Jf4+-) and now'?

37.~h3+-)

f4?!

32.gxf4

~xf4?

33.~xg7++- c;tJxg7 34.121e6+

c;tJh6 35.121xf4 E!xf4 36.E!bxb2 E!g4+ 37.c;tJfl E!h4 38.E!d7 E!hl+ 39.c;tJg2 E!el 40.c;tJf3 1-0

~~§~A~l~ f.... ~~0.~ ~ J

lf~~~lf ~ ~ ~ ~.ft?4J cD:. f~

30 ...8e8 31.8b1 Axe2 (unclear) was preferable (not 31...8xe2? 32.8d6 8c1+ 33.~g2 8xf2+ 34.~xf2 8c2+ 35.~gl 8el + 36.~h2 8c2+

31.E!bl

~ ~ . . ?S ~ ~.t1.~ ~~ ~

~;;;~

30... E!g7?

Exercises

~~;;;~ ..... ~

~ ~

%W~ J1 t~ ~ ~~~ ffi p~

E7.1

~G:

R. Knaak (2500)A. Schneider (2425) Stara Zagora (zt-B) 1990

White to move Not 28.8d6? due to 28 ... 8xe6! 29Jhe6 ~xe6 30.~h6+ ~g8 31.c:Jg5 we7 32.~xg6+ 'tig7! 33.'i¥fxg7+ 'It'xg7 34. c:Je6+ ~f7 35. c : J x f 8 Q .e4 (unclear), but 28 ..ltf7!!+- - a study-like solution!

27.E!cdl? E!xe6 29.121g5!

28.~h6+

c;tJg8 White to move (+-) 144

Conjunction of Tactic al Methods

E7.2 R. Knaak (2525) - A. A nastasian (2445) Ere va n (Petros ian mem ) 1988

White to move (+-)

White to move (+-)

Solutions:

E7.1: 25. ~h6!!+- (2 5.e xf5? a llows 25 ...'&f6) 25 ... El,xd3 (25 ...f xe4 26.gg3 + <&'h8 27.A xe4 f5 28. g xc3 ,&xc3 29 .'&xd6 +-) 26. ~ xd6 El,c8 27. ~ xd7!? (27 .'&g3++-) 27 ... El.cc3 28 .El. xd3 El. xd3 29.~d8+ \tIg7 30. ~g5+ \tIf8 31. ~d8+ \tIg7 32. ~g5+ \tIf8 3 3 .~x f 5 El.dl+ 34.El,xdl ~ x d 1+ 35.\tIh2 ~ a l 36.e5 ~x a 3 37.~f6 \tIg8 38.d6 ~a4 39.~g5+ ~f8 40.~d8+ ~e8

White to move (+-)

41. ~ f6 \tIg8 42.h4 h6 43. ~ e 7 ~ a4 44 .d 7 ~ f4 + 4 5.\tI h 3 ~f5 + 46. \tIg3 ~d3+ 47. \tIh2 1-0

.I. A .~endorf(22 68) - V. Kupreicik (2449) Travemiinde (open) 2000

E7.2: 23.El.f6!! 1-0 and Black res igned in light o f 23 ... A xf6 24 .t¥d 3 '#:l g7 25 .'&h7 #

E7.4

E 7.3 : 27.El.dl? !27 .g xf7! <&,xt7 ( 27 .. .'&xe 5 28 .'&xe 5 g xe 5 29.gx b7+-) 28 .e 6+ +-, unprote ct ed piece] 27 ... jld5 28.El,d6? (28.b3±) 28...Ax a 2 ;1;; and the game wa s draw n later.

E7.4 : T he th e m es Pi n , Fork a nd Discovered Attack playa cruc ial ro le: 23.El.dl

White to move (±/+-) 145

(23 ..Q. xb 7?

g xc l +

Middl egame Tactics

24:&xc l '.¥th6 ::;: ) 23 ... E!c7 [23....~ b6 24 .ctlc4 C24 ..8xd 7 4Jxd 7 25 .'i;j xd 7 .8cd8 26.'i;jg4 .8xd l + 27AJxd l +-, e.g. 27 .8e l + 28 .iifl 'i;j d 8 29. 4:J e 3) 24 'i;j g 6 (2 4 .. .'lt1 f 6 25. 4:Jd6+-) 25..\l xb7± (25.4:Jd6? .8c2!); 23 ...'i;je7 24 ..8xd 7 4:J xd 7 25. 'i;j xd 7 .8cd8 26 .'~x e 7 .8 xd 1 + 27 .4:J xd 1 .8xe 7 28.Wfl±/ +-124.-'1,h 3 E!e7

25 ..£ld5!+- A xh3 26 ..£lf6+ g xf6 27.E!xd8 (Black could have resigned here, but decided to continue until the time control ) 27 ... E!cd7 28.E! xd7 E!xd7 29.~cl

\tlg7 30.E!xd7 j;txd7 32.f4 a6 33.\tlf2 .£le6 34.~d6 h5 35. \tle3 f5 36.h3 Ag2 37.~e5+ \tlg6 38.g4 j;t xh3 39.~xf5+ \tlg7 40.~ xh5 1-0 -

38.Ab8+ 1-0. Milov resigned due to 38 .. .Wa8 08 .. .'lt1 xb8 39 .'i;j xa6 # ) 39. A d6 + Wa7 40. iix c 5+-.

31.~c7 j;tc6

Amateur outplays Grandmaster!

E7.5: Lutz found an amazing move, conjoining the themes Defl ection, SelfObstru ct ion and Pin: 35.E! xb7+!! 35... \tlxb7? [35 ... 'i;j xb 7 ! was call ed for : 36 .'i;j xc 5 + 'lt1 b 6 0 6... Wa8 ?

146

The Bishop Pair

A7) The Bishop Pair

After 25.8a2!? 8xfl+ 26.'i:;Yxfl '§'xfl + 27.c;£7xfl 8c8 28.~e3 Jlf4! (Lutz) Black is better, but White may have some drawing chances in the resulting ending.

This is an evergreen theme, always fascinating. Some general thoughts to start with: Whereas one bishop can visit either only the light or the dark squares, the pair is able to control the whole board. Together the two bishops complement each other perfectly and form a "fighting pair", rather different from two knights or rooks. Therefore they are worth more than the sum of their single parts: "Consider that the two bishops in the center of the board control a massive 26 squares, only one tess than a centralized queen, and arguably the same as two rooks, who cannot help but control two ofthe same squares twice." (The Seven Deadly Chess Sins by Jonathan Rowson)

25 ... t'Yxh2+ 26.\t>f1 J,tc6!

Black plans to bring his reserve forces from b7 and a8 to the front line. Only sufficient for a draw would have been 26 ... ,§,hl + 27.c;£7e2 '§'h2+ 28.c;£7e3 '§'h6+ 29.c;£7e2 '§'h2+= [not 29. c;£7d3? 29 ... '§'d6+ 30. c;£7e2 '§'xc5 31.8 xg3 '§'h5+ 32.c;£7el (32.8f3 ~xe4 unclear) 32 ... '§'e5-+ J, Lutz

The bishop pair can be a very powerful attacking force, as the next three game fragments show.

Annihilation of Defense 27.J,tg5?! G. Kasparov (2775) -

Three alternatives: I 27.~e3? Jlb5+ 28.4Jd3 8d8 29.~gl '§'h3+ 30.c;£7e2 '§'g2+ 31.~f2 ~xf2 32.8xf2 '§'xe4+-+

V. Kramnik (2775) Dos Hermanas 1996

II 27. '§'d3? '§'h 1 + 28. c;£7e2 '§'e 1*

Black to move (=+:) Kramnik had to take strong measures to justify a piece sacrifice. 24... .§.xf3! 25..§.xf3

III 27.8a5!? is the most tenacious defense, but the fire of Black's attack is still burning, e.g. 27... ~c7 28.,§,d4 (28.8al? '§'hl + 29.c;£7e2 '§'g2+ 30.c;£7e3 '§'g5+ 31.c;£7f2 '§'xc5+-+) 28 ~xa5 29.Ab2 ~b5+ (29 ,§,h6 30.8g3 with compensation, Lutz) 30.4Jd3 ~xd3+ 31.'§'xd3 '§'hl + 32.c;£7e2 '§'g2+ 33.8f2 '§'g4+ 34.c;£7fl 8d8 35.'§'c4+ c;£7h8 36.·~d3 h6+

147

Middlegame Tactics

27...Ab5+ 28.4Jd3

31...~g2+ 32.~c1

The knight at d3 looks very sad, whereas Black's mighty bishop pair rules the board.

32.'tJf2 §d4+-+

32 ... ~xa2 33.§xg3 'i'lfxf8

33.§f8+

35.~xf4 'iil'a l +

33... ~a1+

34.'\£tf3+ ~f4+ 36.'i'lfd2 '\£tc3+-+

34.~c2 ~c3+ 35.~bl

§d40-1

"One of the most impressive games of late." (OM Christopher Lutz in CBM 53) The next example shows a similar pin of a knight combined with ruling bishops.

28... §e8!

All black forces are aiming at the enemy's king, who has no way out.

Zeitnot-Finale (Space Clearance, Pins)

29.§a2

Four alternatives: I 29.~e3 §d8-+ II 29.'iil'd2 'iil'hl + 30.'i'lfe2 §xe4+ 31.§e3 '\£th5+ 32.'i'lffl 'iil'xg5-+

III 29.§cl '\£thl + 30.'i'lfe2 §xe4+ 31.'i'lfd2 C31.§e3 '\£tg2#) 31...'iil'g2+-+

IV 29.§bl §xe4 30.§f8+ C30.§xg3 \~ixg3-+) 30 ...'i'lfxf8 31.'\£tf3+ 'i'lfg8 32.'\£txe4 '\£tf2#

Black to move (-+)

1...d3 Here Kramnik missed a mate in four: 29 ... ~xd3+1 30.§xd3 C30.'&xd3 'f4hl + 31.'i'lfe2 '\£tel #) 30 ... 'iil'h l + 31.'i'lfe2 '\£tg2+ 32.'i'lfe3 §xe4# 30.~e2 §xe4+ 31.~d2

3 L~e3 '&g2+ 32.§f2 '\£txf2#

1...§xg6 wins as well: 2.'\£tc7+ 'i'lff8 C2 ... '\£td7? 3.'&c5+ 'i'lfd8 4.4Je5 '\£tg7 5.'i;1xd4+ 'i'lfe8 6.'\£ta4+ and Black can't escape the checks) 3A21d6 Ae3+! 4.'i'lfhl §f6 5.'i;1d8+ C5.'fu'b8+ 'i'lfg7 6.4Je8+ 'i'lfg6 7.4Jxf6 'i;1f5-+) 5...'i'lfg7 6.4Je8+ 'i'lff7 7.'i;1xf6+ 'i'lfxe8 8. 'iil'h8+ 'i'lfd7 9.'iil'g7+ 'i'lfc6 lO. 'iil'e7 '\£tf5 n.x-: 'i'lfb6-+

148

The Bishop Pair

23.Ac4!+By the deadly pin of the knight White is paralyzed.

After this paralysis of the king's wing Black will be defenseless.

3...h4

23 ...4Jd7

3...iif3 4.gxf3 gxf3 5.\£;,f2 fxe2+ 6.\£;'xe2 h4 7.~gl ~e5-+

If 23 ... \£;,h7 then 24.E1g5! with the decisive threat of E1xg6

4.~el 24.~xg6

4.b4!? doesn't help either in the long run, e.g. 4 ... ~c3 5.~e1 ~d4 6.\£;,h1 h3 7.4:Jf5+ l''lxf5 8.iixf5 hxg2+ 9.E1xg2 ~e3 10.iid3 i.lxg2+ 11.\£;'xg2 ~d5+ 12.\£;'g3 ~f3+ 13.\£;,h4 ~h3#

Inthe last encounter ofthis section «faux pas ofBlack's queen allows the opponent

The quiet move 24.lid4!! (threatening ~xg6) demonstrates Black's dilemma even more drastically, e.g. 24 .. .c:2le5 25.E1xe5! ~c6 (25 ... ~c8 26.~xe4) 26.E1g5 (26.iid5 ~d6 27.E1g5) 26... iixd4 (26 ... \£;,h7 27.~h4+ \£;'g8 28.iid5 ~d6 29.~xe4) 27.E1xg6+

to start an irresistible attack with the help of a dominating bishop pair.

24...4Je5

4...h3

5.~g3 hxg2

6.b413f1# 0-1

24 ... 4Jxc5 25.itd4 4Je6 26.itxe6

Simply Irresistible (Execution at the King's Wing)

25.~g3! \tJh7

V. Babula (2566) - V. Epishin (2583) German Bundesliga 200 I

25 ... ~e7 26.itd4

26.Ad4 or

26.itf4 4Jg6 27.E1h5+

\£;'g8

28.~xg6

26 ...4Jf3+

Black to move (Position after 22.~f3-g4)

Time to throw in the towel, but the Russian "bear" Grandmaster Vladimir Epishin prefers a delaying action. If 26 ... f6 then for example 27.~h4+ \£;'g6 28.iixe5 fxe5 29.~xe4+

22... ~e8?

27.g xf3 Ah6 28.~h3 13g8+ 29.\tJhl13g6 30.13c7 1-0

A fatal mistake; 22 ... ~f6 or even 22 ... ~e6 were called for (~) 149

Middlegame Tactics 38.§xh6+ <;'1;>g7 39.;gxa6 d3 and White is better, but Black has some counterplay.

A8) Pawn Levers and Breakthroughs Pawn breaks are not only important in pawn endings. Creating passed pawns and opening lines are also effective weapons in the middlegame. Quite often the pawn lever increases the field of action and strengthens the pieces enormously. Let's enjoy a couple of fine performances.

A Thematic Break

31.§xf8+ \tIxf8?! 31...Axf8!? 32.4:Jf6+ <;'1;>h8 C32... <;'1;>g7 33.4:Jxd7 4:Jxd7 34.Ae4 ~f6 35.~a4 ~xd6 36.;gh7 and White is much better) 33.4:Jxd7 ~xd7 34.~b8 \trxd6 35.~xd6 Alxd6 36.;Gb6 see above.

32. tfJIb8+ tfJIe8 33.Jl,h5 tfJId8

K. Miiller (2506) -

I 33 ... 4:Jg6 34.~xe8+ <;'1;>xe8 35.g4 Axe4 36.4:J xe4 <;'1;>f7 37.§el +II 33 ....\1g6 34.Axg6 4:Jxg6 35.4:Jxc5 ;Gd8 36.c:Je6++-

A. Naiditsch (2540) Altenkirchen (GER-Ch) 2001

34.4:)xc5 §xd6 34 ... Alxbl??

35.4:Jxd7+

4:Jxd7

36.~xd8*

35.4:)de4 §d5 I 35 ... Axe4 36.4:Je6+ <;'1;>e7 37.4:Jxd8 Axbl 38.~xbl §xd8 39.f4+II After 35 ... 4:Jc6 even the very surprising 36.4:Jxd6 4:Jxb8 37.4:Jxf5+- is possible as Black can't deal with the numerous threats, e.g. 37 ... <;'1;>g8 38.4:Je6 \trd7 39.;gxb8+ <;'1;>h7 40.{Jfxg7

White to move White's strong breakthrough

29.c5! introduces a dangerous attack on the enemy's king whereby the long-range effect of his pieces is remarkable.

36. tfJIa7 tfJIe7 29 dxc5 30.d6+ tfJIf7 30 ~e6 31.§xf8+ Alxf8 C31...<;'1;>xf8? 32.~xe6 Alxe6 33.§h8+ <;'1;>f7 34 ..\1h5+ 4:Jg6 35.4:Jxe5 §xd6 36.§b7++-) 32. c:Jf6+ <;'1;>g7 33.4:Jxd7 ~xd7 34.~d5 ~xd6 35.§b7+ <;'1;>h8 36.I'£txd6 ~.xd6 37.§h6~oe7 150

36 ... g4 37.;Gb8 Ale8 38.;gxc8 ~xc8 39.4:Je6+ ~xe6 40.~b8+ <;'1;>e7 41.~e8*

37.§b7 37.§b8+ §d8 38.\trb6 39.;Gb7 wins as well.

4:Je6

Pawn Levers and Breakthroughs

37 ... 4Jc6 38..§.xe7 4Jxa7 39 ..§.e8# 1-0.

A second energetic pawn lever turns Black's king position upside down! Comparatively weak would be 25.gxe5?! due to 25,..gxe5 26.~xe5 c5 along with ge8

Sting of the Scorpion J. Berkvens (2461) -

25 ... 4Jxd5 26.cxb6 4Jxb6 27.J1a5! 1-0

R. Knaak (2484) German Bundesliga 2002

White to move (Position after 23...'li'tc7-d7)

The sting of the scorpion, e.g. 27...~d4 28.~xd4 gxd4 29.ilxb6 axb6 30.a7 and the rook pawn breaks through.

As a result of a Slav Gambit accepted White achieved a crushing king attack, which now was skilfully crowned.

Exchange Sacrifice B. Larsen - T. Petrosian Havana (01) 1966

24.d5! Threatening 25.dxe6 fxe6 26.h4! with the plan ~h3!, but in case of 24 ...ge8 White plays 25.dxc6 along with 26.gadl or gedl.

24...e5 Some alternatives: I 24...gdh8 25.h4 g5 26.dxc6 c~xc6 27.gadl 'i¥1e8 28.c5+II 24 cxd5 25.cxd5 plan gael HIII 24 exd5 25.ge7+IV 24 c5 25.ilxc5! bxc5 (25 ...exd5 26.\lxb6) 26.ga5+C26,..'li'tc7 27.gxc5 'i¥1xc5 28.~b7#)

25.c5!

White to move (Position after 32...bxc5) At this encounter the "iron" Tigran Vartanovich Petrosian (1929-1984), one of the Soviet "fathers of the positional exchange sacrifice", probably went too far, but was lucky in the end. 151

Middlegame Tactics

33.g3? The Danish Grandmaster Bent Larsen (* 1935) begins to ruin his position,

whereas 33.§bl!± with the plan §db2 stands a good chance.

Now White is powerless against the following pawn breakthrough.

37.E!b2

35.'i'i1te6+? After 3S.c4 dxc4 36.§cl ~d7! (In Chess Informant 2/173, R. Marie noted the weaker 36 ... ~f7 37.~xcS §e8 38.~xc4 §el + 39.'it'h2+-) 37.§xc4 §e8 38.~xcS ~xh3 39.~dS+ 'it'h8 40.§dl d2 41.\:ixd2 ~e4 42.§xe4 §xe4 the game would be equal.

35.••'i'i1tf736.'i'i1txf7+? In any case the Danish pioneer should have avoided the exchange of queens, e.g. 36.~d6 .~e4 37.f4 c4!, although Black stands quite comfortably, e.g. 38.'1)'1h2 ~f6! 39.~i'xf6? C39.\;yb4 'i::'tb6) 39 ... §xf6 40.§b2 §b6 41.§xb6 axb6 (threat ~f3, ftd2) 42.§dl d4-+

Or: I 37.c4 dxc4 38.§cl 'it'e6 39.§xc4 'it'dS 40.§c1 c4-+, Marie II 37.§eS §e8! 38.§xe8 C38.§xdS? §el + 39.'it'h2 ~e4-+, Marie) 38 ...'it'xe8 (plan d4), e.g. 39.'it'fl d4 40.c4 C40.cxd4 c4-+) 40....\lg8, xc4-+

37... c4! 38.f3(?) 38.§b7+ seems logical, e.g. 38...'it'f6 39.§d7 C39.§xa7 d4-+ 40.§a6+ 'it'f7 41.§a7+ 'it'g8 42.§ee7 ~fS) 39 ~e4 40.f4 C40.§xa7 d2-+) 40 ~f3-+ 41.§eS C41.§d6+ 'it'f7 42.§d7+ 'it'g6 43.§eS §e8 44.§xe8 d2 4S.§e6+ 'it'h7 46.§ee7 dl~+ 47.'1)'1f2 ilhS) 41...§e8 42.§d6+ C42.§exdS\lxdS 43.§xdS §e2) 42 ... 'it'f7 43.§fS+ 'it'e7 44.§fxdS ilxdS 4S.§xdS §d8 or §b8

38 ... d4-+

36 ... \tIxf7

152

Pawn Levers and Breakthroughs Exercises E8.1

A. Yusupov - J. van der Wiel Luzern (01) 1982

White to move (+-)

T. Petros ian

The great chess magician Mikhail Tal was shown this position and he found an amazing way to win. Which?

The "fish is in the net."

39.E!,c1 c;t>e640.c;t>f2 Ae441.f4 E!,e8! 42.g4 Ac6 43.E!,el+ c;t>d5 44.E!,xe8 Axe8 45.cxd4 cs 46.E!,b8 d2 47.E!,d8+ c;t>c4 48.E!,c8+ c;t>d3 0-1

Black to move How to assess the position? Solutions: E8.1: 25.E!,f3 [25.d5!! (Tal) 25...exd5 (25 ... §d7 26.d6+-) 26.§xd5 'i"txd5 27.4::1f6+ ~xf6 28.'i"txf6 'i"txe5 29.§e3+-] 25 ... E!,f8 26.Axf8 ~xf8

153

Middlegame Tactics 27.d5 exd5 2S.~xd5 /fJb4 29.~dl ~c6 30./fJd6 /fJxa2 31.~a4 1-0

+) 55 ... ~e7 56.~g5 ~d7 57.~h4 ~c7 58.~g5 ~b6 ~b5

E8.2: Black is winning as the passed pawns on both wings tear the poor knight apart: 47... a4 4S./fJc4 Or: I 48A:Jxd7 a3 49.bxa3 b3-+ II 48.{jd5 a3 49.bxa3 bxa3 50A:Jc3 .£lb 5 51.d5 .ilc4 52.d6 a2 53.4:Jxa2 ~xa2 54.~f4 ~e8 55.~g4 ilf7 56.~f4 ~d7 57.~e5 h5 58.~f6 h4-+)

61.d5

59.{jc2 a2 60.f6

~c5-+

49... \tIe7 50.f6+ \tIfS 51./fJc4 h4 52./fJb6 AeS 0-1

4S ...h5 49./fJd6+ 49.~f4!? poses a much more difficult task for Black:

Analysis 50J2)b6 ~xf5 I 49 ... ~f6? 51.4:Jxa4= II 49 ... .Q,b5?? 50.{jd6++III 49 ... h4? 50.~g4 .ilxf5+ 51. ~xh4 ~e6 52.{je5+ ~f6 53.4:Jd3 a3 (53 ... b3 54.{jc5 a3 55.b xa3 56.{je4+ ~f5 b2 57. c:Jc3= as the knight builds a barrier to keep Black's away from his b-pawn) 54.b xa3 55.{jb4 ~f5 b xa3 56.~g3 ~e4 57.~f2=

IV 49 ... ~f8!! 50.4:Jb6 ~b5 51.{jd5 a3 52.bxa3 bxa3 53.4:Jb4 ~c4 54.~g5 ~f7 55.~h4 (55.d5 ~e7-

154

Combinations In this case no expected result is announced. There are several plausible candidates. Which one to choose? Every (half-)move counts in this razor-edged position!

A9) Combinations The first example, analysed in depth, is very exciting as both sides have dangerous attacks. When a Combination Flashes (Attack and Counterattack, Realizing the Crisis, Calculation of Variations) "For the chess practitioner it is most important that he learns to trace out the turning points of a fight, i.e. to realize such moments when general estimations or approximate values are insufficient and much more absolute concentration as well as deep calculation are indispensable to find exactly the only way that can lead to success. The training of mastering such critical moments does help us to acquire this ability." (Geheimnisse Gezielten Schachtrainings by Mark Dvoretsky)

I l.b3? Bxb3!!-+ (An unexpected sacrifice; but not 1...~xc3? on account of 2. ihc3 '§'xg5+ 3.f4 '§'xf4+ 4.~bl f6 5.g3 Bc4!? (5 ... ~ g4 ? 6. ~xf6+-) 6. ~xc4 '§'xc4 7.bxc4±) 2.cxb3~xc3-+ (threatening ~ a 3 + , ~ d 7 etc.) II l. Bxd6? (the game continuation)

Certainly such "feeling for danger" has to be developed. Here is a splendid example from practice where "behind the scenes" a fantastic combination flashes!

R. Junker - A. Pauli Northern Bavaria/Germany (Team Ch) 1996

Analysis White to move

Aa) 4.. .f6 5.g3!

155

Middlegame Tactics

.ll xc3 4.8 xc3 8xa2 5.'it'd2 8h5 6 ..11f6/6.f4 6oo.8xc2+ 7.'it'xc2 \;'Ia2+-+) 3oo.82h6! 4.8xb6 (4.f4 ~g7 5.\f1c5 8b5-+) 4...8xb6 with a deadly pin: 5.cile7 (5.~J4 8d6+ 6.'it'e2 ~c4+ 7.'it'f3 8f6-+) 5...8b5!-+ (5 ...8c6 6..(:th4) Be2) 2...,(H5! (most convincing) Be21) 3.'it'xh2 \f1h5+ 4.'it'cl \;'Ixc6+ (5.8dl f6; 5.8el 8e6) Be22) 3.8c5 \;'Ia3 4.8xe5 8b5+ 5.'it'd2 8bxe5 6.\;'Id4 (6 ..iH6 8dS++) 6 ... \;'Ih2 7.8hS+ (7.8cl 8el-+) 7 ... 'it'xhS (7 ... 'it'g7?? S.cilf6+ 'it'xf6 9.4:ld5+ 'it'g7 10.\;'Ixh2 'it'xhS l1.f4+-) s.ars- 'it'gS 9.cilxe5 \f1xc2+ plus f6-+

Aal) 5...\f1e4 6.8dh2 .ll d 7 7.8hS+ (7.\f1xf6? .ll h 3!) 7oo.'it'f7 S.8lh7+ 'it'e6 9.8xeS+ ~xeS lO.8h4± Aa2) 5oo.8c4 6.gxf4 8xc3 7.hxc3 l1xa2 S.8d7± Ab) 4... ~h3 (This time deflecting the white queen from the dangerous long diagonal, but White's attack perseveres) 5.\%xh3 (5.8xh3?? 8el "") Abl) 5... 'it'g7 6.g3 \f1f3 (6oo.\f1g5?? 7.\i'Jh7+ 'it'f6 S.8f1 +) 7.\f1h6+ 'it'f6 S.8d6+ Abll) S... 'it'e7? 9.8d3+Ab12) 8oo.8e6? 9.\f1h8+ 'it'f5 (9oo.'it'g5 lO.8xe6 fxe6 l1.\f1h6+ 'it'f5 l2.\f1fS++-) lO.8xe6 'it'xe6 11.8el + 8e4 l2.\f1eS+ 'it'd 5 13.\f1d7+ 'it'e5 03oo.'it'c5 l4.\f1xa7++-) l4.\f1c7+ 'it'f6 l5.\f1xc6++Abl3) Soo.'it'f5 9. \f1h3+ 'it'g5 lO.8d3± Ab2) 5oo.'it'fS 6.\f1hS+ 'it'e7 7.\f1c3 8e4 s.\f1xc6± [Soo.8e2? 9.\f1c7+! \f1xc7 lO.8xe2+ 'it'd7 OOoo.'it'fS 1l.8h8+) l1.8d1+ etc. +-]

III 1.8d3? A) 1...8xb2!? 2.'it'xb2 (2.cilf4

~xc3

3.8xc3 8xa2-+) 2oo. \;'Ixa2+ 3.'it'cl cilxc3 4.8xc3 \;'I a 1+ 5.'it'd2 \f1xhl +/-+ B) 1...f6! 2.cilh6 (2.g3 ~f7-+ with the threats 8xh2 and fxg5) 2...cilxa2-+ IV 1.\;'If3? 8xh2! 2.cilf6 8xc2+! 3.'it'xc2 i:tf5+ 4.'it'd2 cilxf6-+ (5.8del 8bS)

B) 1...8xh2! (game: This is the main threat White had missed) Ba) 2.8xe6 8xe6 3.'it'xh2 \f1h4+

4.'it'cl cilxc3-+ Bb) 2.8d4 \f1a3 3.'it'd2 f6! (3 ....llg7 4.8hh4) Bbl) 4.8h8+ 'it'xhS 5.i:txf6+ 'it'gS (5 ... i:txf6? 6.\f1h6+ 'it'gS 7.\f1xg6++) 6.\f1xe5 8xc2+ 7.'it'xc2 cilf5+ 8.'it'dl 8xe5 9.~xe5 \f1c5+/-+ Bb2) 4.\f1e4 ~f5 5.\f1xc6 \f1e7 6.\f1d5+ \f1e6 7.\;'Ixe6+ i:txe6 S.~e3 i:tf5 + Be) 2.8xc6 (game) Bel) 2...8eb8!? and the counterattack

V 1.8del? A) 1...i:txc3 2.hxc3 8h1 + (2 ...8b5? 3.Af6+- 8h5 4.\f1h6 \f1a3+ 5.'it'dl ~g4+ 6.f3 8d5+ 7.\f1d2) 3.'it'xhl .llxa2+ (3 ... \f1a3? 4.8hS+! 'it'xhS 5.Af6+ 'it'gS 6.c4+-) 4.'it'h2 8xe3 5.Af6 (5.~.xe3?! cile6 6.cild4? \;'Ia2+ 7.'it'cl f6+) 5...\;'Ih6+ 6.'it'xa2 \f1a5+ 7.'it'h2 \;'Ib5+ S.'it'a3=

struck through - 0-1. As the game notation ended here, for the sake ofillustration we continue analysing: 3.'it'd2 (3.8el

(See diagram top of next page)

B) 1...8xh2!?

156

Combinations Ba22) 12.wh4 8e8 13.g4 '§'d6 14.8hf3 '§'h2+ 15.8h3 '©'f4 16.8hf3= Bb) 7,..8d3+ 1 8.8e3 8xe3+ 9.fxe3 C9.Wxe3?? \£id3*) 9 ... ilh3

Analysis .2. (~{xe5' (A very tough resource with annoyingcounterplayon the dark squares. To estimate the outcome of the complications, over the board, is beyond human capacity. 2.Wxh2? ilxc3+ 3.wcl/'§'xc3 8h8-+) 2... 8xc2+ (2...dxe5 3.ilf6 8xc2+ transposes) 3.Wxc2 dxe5 C3 ... ilf5+ transposes) 4.,~.f6 ,~f5+ 5.wd2 8d8+ 6.We2 ,!~la6+!? (seems more attractive than 6... .~g4+ 7.f3 ilh5 8.ilxd8 '§'xc3 9.. ~J6 with an unclear position) 7.We and now: Ba) 7 ... ,§,d3+ 8.8e3 e4+ 9.Wf4 ,'£ld6+ 10.Wg5 ilh3 Bal) 11.8exh3?? '§'c5+!-+ 12.wh6 (l2.wf4 '©'f5+) 12 ... ,§,f5! 13.ilg5 03 ..i tg7 '§'f4*; 13.4Jxe4 g5) 13...f6 Ba2) 11.8hxh3 '©'c5+ (again the only move) Ba21) 12.Wh6? (frivolous) 12,..,§,f5 Ba21I) 13.4Jxe4? g5 14.wh5 g4+ 15.wh4 gxh3-+ 16.ilxd8 h2 17.4Jf6+ 07.4Jg3 '\¥1xf2) 17 ... Wg7 lR.8g3+ '§'g6 Ba212) 13..itg5 8d4/§e8 (threatening f6 and '§'e5) 03 ... '§'e5 14.~xd8 ';';'lf4+ 15 ..itg5 '§'e5=) 14.4Jxe4 8xe4 15.8xe4 f6 05 ... '\¥1xe4?? 16.8e3) 16.8e8+ wfl 17.8a8 {~lxg5+ 18.wh7 '1i'Yc5 =+=

157

Analysis Bbl) 10.8d1? Wh7! 11.8h1 01.g xh3 '©'c8 12. Wg3 ,©,f5) 11 ... g5 12.g xh3 Wg6 =+= Bb2) 10.8xh3?? '§'fl +, xf6 Bb3) 10.gxh3 '§'c8 11.e4 01.~xe5? f6!) 11...'§'e6 12.~g5 '©'c4 13.8c1 '§'d3+ 14.~e3 f5 =+= VI 1.f4? .Ilg7 2..Ilh6 A) 2... 8xh2? 3 ..'lxg7 8xc2+ (3 ... ~a3?? L~f6!+-) Aa) 4.whl?? 8xg2!-+ C4,..'\¥1h4+) Ab) 4.Wxc2 .Ilf5+ 5.wd2 8xe3 6 ..\l.f6! C6.Wxe3?? Wxg7-+) 6... 8h3 C6 ... 8d3+ 7.We2 8h3 8.gxh3+-) 7.8de1 wf8 8.gxh3±/+B) 2 .. ,,'lf6 3,,'lg5 ilg7 4 ..Ilh6, unclear/= C) 2... .lid7 3. v~g3 C3 ..Ilxg7?? 8xe3 4 ..l1f6 .lih3) 3 ....\l.h8 (3 ... ild4?? 4.8xcl4' 8xd4 5 ..Ilg5+- with the double threat of .Ilf6 and '§'h4) 4 ..Ilg5 C4.8xd6?! .Ilf5) 4 ... .Ilg7, unclear/= D) 2,..il.h8 3.~g5 (3.8xd6? g xb 2!; 3.f5? 8xb2' 4.fxe6 8xe6) 3... .Ilg7 4 ..Ilh6, unclear/=

Middlegame Tactics VII 1.§d5!! uncorks the brilliant key move with the central idea to eliminate the main defender on e5 by exchange or queen sacrifice - in order to execute the terrible threat ~f6 and the back rank mate §h8#. Furthermore, the hidden pin along the e-file helps White to realize his evil intentions. A) 1...cxd5 2.~xe5+- dxe5 (2 .. .f6 3.'iflxf6/'i¥th2+-) 3.~f6 with mate in three B) 1...~xd5 2.ilf6+- ~xf6 3.~xe8+ \t'g7 4.~h8# C) 1...~b6 2.~xe5+- (2.§xe5+-) D) 1...'i¥ta6 2.§xe5+- (2. 'i¥t xe5+-) E) 1...~xa2 2.4:lxa2+- ~xb2+ 3. \t'd2 F) 1...§b5 2.~xe5+- (2.§xb5 cxb5 3.~xe5+-, but of course not 2.§xe5?? §xe5 3.~f6 §h5-+) G) 1...~xc3 2.~xc3+- (2.§xa5? ~xb2+ 3.\t'dl §d4+) H) 1...'i¥txd5 2.4:lxd5 ~xb2+ (2 ... ~xd5 3.~f6+-; 2... cxd5 3.~xe5+- dxe5 4.~f6) is the crucial test:

Analysis 3.\t'd2 (only move: 3.\t'dl?? .\l g4+-+ plus §xe3; 3.\t'bl?? cxd5) and now:

Ha) 3...§d4+ 4.~xd4 ~xd4 5.4:lf6++(5.ilf6 ~xf6 6.c:2lxf6+ \t'f8 7.4:lxe8 \t'xe8 8.§h8+ \t'd7 9.§a8, xa7++-) 5...\t'fS 6.c3 (6.§h8+) 6...~e5 7.f4 Hb) 3...cxd5 Hbl) 4.§h4?? d4! Hbll) 5.'iil'e2? ~c3+-+ (6.\t'cl §eb8 7.\t'dl §bl + 8.~cl §xcl + 9.\t'xcl ilxa2) Hb12) 5.~g3? ~c3+-+ (6.\t'cl .\l xa 2; 6.\t'dl ~c4) Hb13) 5.~e5 ~c3+! (5 ... d xe5? 6.~f6 ~c3+ 7.\t'cl ~b2+ 8.\t'd2 ~c3+ 9.\t'cl=) 6.\t'cl §bl+ 7.\t'xbl ~xa2+ 8.\t'xa2 §xe5 9..\ lf6 §h5 1O.§e4 \t'fS+ Hb2) 4.c3! is the final point, threatening .~ f6 and cxb4

Analysis 4...d4 (to the last man and in the end White still has to be absolutely careful; 4 ... ~a3 5.cxb4) Hb21) not 5.cxd4?? §xd4+ 6.\t'c2 §a4! (6 ... ~f5+? 7.\t'xb2 §xe3 8.~xe3 OJ:; 6 ... 1"1 b4! 7. \t'd2 1"1 b5!-+) 7.\t'xb2 §xa2+ 8.\t'c3 §b8-+ Hb22) but 5.~f6! does the job: 5... dxe3+ (5 ... ~xc3+ 6.~xc3+­ d xc3+ 7.\t'd3 ~f5+ 8.\t'xc3 §c8+ 9.\t'xb4; 5...ilcl + 6.\t'dl ~g4+ 7.f3+-; 5...dxc3+ 6.\t'el +-)

158

Combinations

E9.2 K. Muller (2506) - H. Knuth (2313) Altenkirchen (GER-Ch) 2001

Analysis Now: not 6.We2?? .\lg4+ 7.f3 ilh5-+ not 6.Wd3?? i:tf5+ 7.We2 .\lg4+-+ not 6.Wxe3?? Ac1 + (6 ... Ag4+; 6 ... ilh3+-+ ) not 6.wdl?? Ag4+-+ but 6.fxe3!+- is the only right choice!

Quintessence: What you miss in 0 moment no eternity brings back!

Black to move Black played 35 ... ·,"iH2. Was this a fortunate choice?

E9.3 F. Ketelaar (2005) -A. Dubkov (2021) Neumunster (Germanjrs. team Ch) 2000

Exercises E9.1 J. Conde RodriguezJ. Munoz Palmerin (2206) Vila de Padron (open) 2000

White to move (+-)

White to move (+-)

159

Middlegame Tactics £9.4 I. Zaragatski (2193) -A. Dubkov (2021) Neumunster (Germanjrs team ch) 2000

£9.6 A. Khalifinan (2688) - E. Bareev (2707) Wijk aan Zee (Corns) 2002

White to move

White to move Khalifman found a way to break through immediately. Can you do the same?

How would you strike? £9.5 M. Voigt (2300) - R. Staak (2163) Hamburg (Wichern open) 2001

White to move

A. Khalifman £9.7 J. Aagaard (2420) - R. Kempinski (2545) Groningen (open) 1998

Is 1."":Jxf7 winning?

160

Combinations

White to move White missed an amazing way to win. Can you do better?

E9.8 R. Buhmann (2416) -K. Muller (2513) Heringsdorf (German Ch) 2000

Analysis

I 23,. .MA6 25. c:Jxd7+-

24. c:Jxf6+

~f7

II 23,..iH8 24.axg6+' (S. Berger; 24.'li¥e5+-, KM) 24,..hxg6 25.'li¥xg6+ ~h8 26.c:Jf6+III 23,..i'td8 24.axg6+ hxg6 25.~xg6+ ~h8 26.i'tg7+ ~g8 27.4:Jf6+ i'txf6 28.i'txf6+ ~f8

White to move White missed the way to win. Can you do better?

29.~h6+

~g8

30.~h8+

~f7

31.~g7*

Solutions: E9.1: 5.4)xe5 Axdl? C5,..dxe5 6.'iYi xg4+- ) 6.Axf7+ '3Je7 7.4)d5* 1-0. A nice version ofthe famous mate!

In the game followed: 23 ... Axf6 24.~xf6 ~f7 25.~e5 .§ac8 26 ..§c3 .§xc3 27.bxc3 Axa2?! 28..§e3 Ad5 29.h4 .§c8 30.h5 ~c7

E9.2: 35 ... \~H2? C35,..'li¥e5! was called for. It is not completely clear whether White can convert his advantage then) 36 ..§xf2 gxf2 37.'3Jh2! (this is the point Black missed)

31.~g5 ~d8 32.~f4 ~c7 33.~h4 ~d8 34.Ag5 ~e8 35.hxg6 ~xg6 36..§g3 '3Jf7 37.Ad8 C37.ilh6 wins as well: 37 i;1f6 38.~h5+ ~e7 39.i'tg5+-) 37 ~bl+ 38.'3Jh2 .§xd8 39.~xd8 a5 40.~d7+ '3Jf841..§g7

37 ... .§el 38.~d8+ .§e8 C38... ~g7 39.'i·/rd4++-) 39.~f6 1-0 E9.3: 21.4)xd7! ~xd7 22.~e5! f6 23.4)xf6+ (instead the beautiful 23.\'i'txf6!' was called for:

1-0

E9.4: 20.4)xf7! (Although this strike takes a very important defender, the pawn f7, it's still not completely clear)

20 ... Axg2!? C20... ~xt7?

21.~xe6*;

20,..~d5!?±,

21.~xe6!

C21.~xg2?

Fritz6)

'li¥d 5+

21.~xg2? ~xf7

22.~gl ~xf7 and are not so good)

21...~d5

(See diagram top of next page)

161

Middlegame Tactics

22.4)d6+ l22.4'1d8+!? 'fiixe6 C22 ...'1t'h8? 23 ..~xf6+ .\hf6 24.l'i:xe8+ i';Jg8 25. c:Jf7 #) 23.4'1xe6 ~a3 24.'1t'xg2 .\bel 25.llxc1±] 22 ... ~xe6 23.E!,xe6 Ad5? (23 ... ~h3 and 23 ... ~xd6 are better) 24.E!,xe7 1-0 due to 24...l'i:xe7 25.4'1xc8+E9.5: 17.4)xf7 was required:

~xf7?

[17...l'i:xe4!!

Analysis 18.'§'xe4 (l8.l'i:xe4? ~xe4 19.'fiixe4 I'11xf7 2(J.'fiixh7 ~1f6-+) 18 ... 'fiif6 19.4'1h6+ gxh6 20."~f3 l'i:f8 21.~f4 kxf4 22.'fiixf4 ~g6'j:] The game continued: 18.4)xd6+ ~xd6 19.~xf5+ ~f6 20.~h5+ ~g6 21.~xg6+ ~xg6 22.Ad2± and White went on to win. E9.6: I 20.E!,g5!! 1-0 Bareev resigned in view of 20 ... f5 [20 ....ilxg5 21.4'1xg5 ~xg5 (21...l'i:d8? 22.'fiixh7+ I'11f8 23.~xf7#)

22.'(';Jxg5+-; 20 ... 'fiic7 21.l'i:h5+-] 21.l'i:xg6+ hxg6 22.~xg6+ I'11h8 23.'fiih6+ I'11g8 24.1Lc4+'fiixe4 25.l'i:gl + 1'11f7 26.i';Jg6# II The alternatives are much weaker: A) 2o.~xg6? fxg6 21.l'i:xg6+ hxg6 22.'~xg6+ I'11h8 and White has to give perpetual due to 23.l'i:gl?? 'fiixc2+ 24.'fiixe2 ~f5-+ B) 20.4'1g5? ~xg5 21.l'i:xg5 i';Jd4! and Black's queen arrives in time C) 20.h4? .\H6 21.lZlg5 (21.l'i:g5?! ~b6 22.1"1b5 .~g7!) 21 ....\hg5 22.hxg5 i';Jd4 23.1"1hl 'fiig7 and Black's defense is still holding.

E9.7: I White decided to give perpetual with 50.~f5+? ~xh6 51.~g5+ ~h7 52.~h4+ ~g7 YZ-YZ

II Also mistaken are: A) 50 ..~e4?? i';Jxd5+ 5 1. \';Jx d5 l'i:c5-+ (Aagaard in MEGABASE 2001) B) 50.l'i:h4? gives Black the possibilities \';Jxd5+ and 1"1e2, whereas after 50 ... ~g6? White has to return with 51.1"1h6 ~e8 52.l'i:h8+III But an astonishing way to win was 50.1"1h8!! 1"1e2 C50... l'11xh8 51.I'11h6 along with the unavoidable mate on g7; 50 ... ~g6 51.1"1g8+ I'11xg8 52.l'11h6+-; 50 ... i';Jxd5+ 51.i';Jxd5 1"1c5 52.i';Jxe5 dxc5 53.1"1 xe8+-) 51. \';Jhl+E9.8:

34.~h6+?!

34.f4! I 34 ... {)d7 35.\';Jh6+ I'11h8 (35 ... l'11g8 36.f5 exf5 37.e xf5 4'1f8 38.f6 4'1e6 39.l'i:hl +-) 36.l'i:hl 4'1f8 37.f5 f6 38.g xf6 l'i:a7 39.~h5 1"1b8 40.fxe6 {)xe6 41.i';Je5+II 34 ... 4'1g6 35.i';Jh6+ I'11g8 36.f5 exf5 37.exf5 l'i:a5 C37 ... e5 38.f6+-) 38.f6 4'1f4+ 39.'1t'g3 lZle6

162

Combinations

34 ... \tlg835.§hl? 35.f4! is sti ll winnin g. Black ha s the addition al possibility 35...£ig4 but thi s does not really hel p him: 36.'l¥J'h5 £ie3+ 37.'it'f3 c~c4 38.fr h l 'it'fS 39 . ~h6+ 'it'e7 40.i'1f6 + 'it'd7 41.fr d l ++-

35 .. . ~g6! 36. ~ xh7+ \tlf8 37. ~h6+ g8 38.f4 §a5 (B lack stops th e f-pawn) 39.\tlf3 §c5 40.~h7+ \tlf8 41.~h6+ \tlg8 42.~h7+ \tlf8 43. ~h6+ \tlg8 44.~h7+ Yr-YZ

An alysis and no w co mes the finishin g stro ke

40.fre l! +-

163

Tactical Endgames White to move (±) (Position after 27...'&d4-b6)

Tactical Endgames Bl) Opposite-Colored Bishops Pure endings with enemy bishops of the same type, i.e. two queen or king bishops, have a notorious drawing tendency. As they live in different worlds, a light and a dark one, and neither bishop can protect squares that are attacked by the other, even a material advantage of two pawns may be insufficient. Quite often the defending side reaches a positional draw by a blockade. With more pieces on the board, especially queens or rooks, this assessment can change dramatically. Here the oppositecolored bishops generally favor the attacker or the side with the initiative. It's difficult for the defender to shake off the pressure on the squares of the enemy bishop, particularly because a normal exchange of bishops is impossible. The first two examples demonstrate this.

BIA) With Rooks and/or Queens

28.~g5!

28.Ek3(?!) cannot convince: 28...'&b1+ 29.~h2 8e8 30.'&g5 (30.,&d6 '&f5) 30 '&g6 31.,&xg6fxg6 32.f4 ~f7I? (not 32 g5? 33.8C7 gxf4 34.8xg7+ ~f8 35.8g4!)

I 28 ...f6 29.'&xf6 '&xf6 30.'&xd5++-

(xa8) (Miles) II 28 ...'&g6 29.'ii'txg6 fxg6 30.8c7+(Miles) III 28...g6? 29.'&h6 f6 30.'&xg6++29.~xh6

gxh6 30.,Ek3 (±, Miles)

30 ...!i£7f8 31.§c5 0, Miles) 31 ...§d8 31...ilb3 32.8c6 (+-, Miles)

32.Af6 §d6 33.§c8+ Ae8 34.Ad4 §e6 35.§d8 (+-, Miles)

A Capital Scalp

35 ...!i£7g8 36.§xd5 §el + 37.!i£7h2 §d138.§d8 !i£7h7 39.g4 §d3 40.f4 h5 41.f5 1-0 (Chess Informant 26/610)

164

Opposite-Co lored Bish ops

(Adjourned Position after 61.§.e8-e7) Although Black is three pawn s up, he is at the brink of disaster due to Whi te 's strong attack. A fter analysing the posit ion tor a long time 1shared my thought s with the German chess train er and journalist C laus Dieter Meyer, who later wrote an article for the Ge rman Schad! Magazin 64 ( 12/1994), which Shirov includ ed in his book Fire 0 11 Board. In vie w o f th e br uta l mat ing threat 62.B xg7+ w h8 63.'It'g6 f4+ 64.'.t'17 .Il cl5+ (64 ...E: el 3 65 .E.g8+ + 'l!?h7 66.Bh8 "' ) 65.'.t'f8+- th e Fre nc hma n now had the agon y of choosing which adjo urn ment move to make.

61...<;£ig8? Lau tier had indeed sealed the move we had expected. In retrospect it seems to lose a draw n position , but at that time we thought it would lead to a draw as we ll.

Alex ei Shirov

Adjourned Game Full of Tricks In 1993, A lexei Shirov 's sta rt at th e Munich tournament did not go well. After two rounds he had scored only haifa point, and in the third round his position against Joel Lautier was very bad until the seco nd time control. when Lautier was too greedy and had to seal a move in the followi ng pos it io n . Kars ten MUli er , w h o w as Shirov's second in Munich , reports here.

Instead of the game continu ation [and 61.. .'.t'h8 ?? 62o<(l xg7+ '.t'g8 ( 62 .. .'.t'h7 63..i1e5+, xg3) 63.'It'f6 ..Ilc6 64.Bf7 and mat e in two] th ere were two ways to hold on: 61...8 h3 and 61...8 cl3 . Here I will giv e some detail s only on th e first alt emative: 61.. .8h 3 62. 8 xg7+ 'It'h8 63. '.t'g6 f4+ 64. '.t'g 5 (64 .'.t'f7? B h 7l)

A. Shirov (2670) - J. Lauri er (2635) M unich 1993

64...g el 3?

165

Tact ical Endgames

A nalysis is beau tiful ly re fute d by 65. ,§,e7+! ,§, xd 4 66.cx d 4 g3 67 .,§, xe 4! g2 6H.,§,el f3 69.Wg6 f2 70.Be8 mate . II 64....QJ 3 65.Wxf4 (a lth o ug h th e ba t ter y lo o k s impre s si v e t he re is noth in g e ffec tiv e in sig ht) 65...A d l 66 .,§, xg4 + Wh7 67 .Bg7+ ·'it'h6 a nd Black sho uld be a ble to hold on. 62 . ~g6

A c6 63.Ac5!?

Laut ier had ove rlooked th is tric ky move in his adjourn ment anal ysis and did not find the necessary retort.

63 ...E!d3?! 63...w h8 s ho uld have been pl a y ed . The main line run s 64..~d4! wgH a nd we ha ve reac he d the po siti on after

62 ....I1e6 ag a in . But now 65. ,§, xg7+ w fS 66 .,§,e7 is stro nge r, e.g.: I 66 ....~ g 2 67 .Wf6 w e 8 68 .w e6 Wd 8 69 .,§, e5 .I1 h7 70. 1H6 + w e 8 71 .,§, e7 ,§, e3 + 72.Ae 5 ,§, xe 5+ 7 3 .w xe 5

A) 78...w h7 79.we5 'l!te7 80.wd4 wd7 81.a4!bxa-i82.w xe4 We7 83.wd4 w f7 84.da6 Aa ) 84 .. .g3 85. ,§, xa4 g 2 (85 .. .'l!tf6 86 .We3 'l!tg 5 87.8 al) 86 .8 a 1 'l!tf6 87.We3 plu s w f2 A b ) 84....uc2 B5.we3 g3 (85 ...We7 86 .131'4 'l!tel7 87.Bg6+- ) 86.Wf3 1'4 87.g el6 plu s Bd4 B) 78 ...Wel7 79.8 b6! .G.-e6 80 .Wxf5 We7 8 1. 8 xe6 + Wxe6 82 .Wxg4 Wh 6 (82 ... w d 5 83 .wf5 pl an Wd 4 a long with a4) 83 .a4!+C) 78 ...ilc 2 79 .'l!te 5 .O.d 3 80 .Wd4 .I1e 2 (80 .. ...Q,e 2 8 1. ~} e 5! .Q. d l 8 2.wx h 5 1'4 83. w c 5 g3 84 .8 g 7 + an d 85. wd4) 81. 8 g5 .\ld 3 82.b3 ! D) 78 ... .\lel3 79. We5 A e2 80.w d 4 A ell 81.8g5 .I1e 2 8 2.a4 ! b xa4 83 .Wxc4 w d 6 84.wel4 w e 6 85 .8 g6 + 1 w f7 86 .,§,d6! Da) 86 .. .We7 87. We 5 g 3 (87 ... 1'4 88 .8 d4 ; 87.. .A e 4 88 .,§,a6) 88 .8g6 1'4 89 ..!" lg 5 etc . Db) 86 .. .1'4 87 .'l!te 5 1'3 (87 ... g 3 88. ,§, 1'6+ , xf4 ) 88. ,§, d4 +Dc) 86 .\l e4 87 .,§,a6!+Dd) 86 g3 87 .'l!te3 ..Q.e 4 (87 g2 88 .'l!tf2 A e 4 89 .,§,a6; 87 1'4 + 88 .Wf}!) 88 .8d4 !+- w f6 (88 g 2 89 .Wf2 ,\le6 90 .,§, e4 ; 88 ... .\l e6 89 .8e4 ; 88 .. .1'4+ 89 .Wxe 4) 89. E!xa4 Wg 5 90.8a 7

II 66 .. ..Q,el 5 A) T he post-mortem ana lysis of Shiro v a n d Lautier run s 67 .w f6 We 8 Analysis Meyer worked very hard on this position and finally came to the conclusion that White is probably winning. Here are some ideas: 73... ~e 4 74.Wf4 wd8 75.Ba7 We8 76 .,§, xa6 'l!th7 77 .'§' el6! etA7

78. '§' g6

68 .,§, e 5 Ab7! 69.8 e5 + w d 7 70 .8e 7 + We6 71. 8 e 6+= B) 67. 8e5! (my i m p rov e me n t ) 67 ... .\le 6 (6 7... .\lb7? 68 .,§, e 5! ~. c 6 69 ..Qc5+ Wg8 70.,§,e6 A el 7 7l .ne7 ,§, el 3 72 .,§, g7+ w h8 73 . ~ el 4 + - ; 67 .. ."Q,f7 +? 6H.wf6 We 8 69 .Ae 5 g g 2 70.,§, e8 + w el 7 7 1.8 e7 + <;j'j>e 8 166

Opposite-Co lored Bish ops

72.gxf7 g xb2 73.'1£j>e6+-) 6R.'1£j> f6 A d7 69.ge7 '1£j> eR 70.ga7 with a furth er bran ch : Ba) 70 ... A e6 7 1.ge7+ '1£j> d 8 ( 7 1... '1£j> fS 72 .g e7 iteR 73 .g e8 +-) 72..Q.h 6+ '1£j> c8 73.gc7 + '1£j> hS 74.g xc6 sho uld be winning for Wh ite alth ough it' s not triv ial. Bb) 70 ...'1£j> cl8 7 1.Ab6+ '1£j> e8 n. ge7 + w d 8 73.ge 5+ '1£j> e8 74.ge 5+ '1£j> fS 75 .Ac5 + '1£j> gS ~6. g e7 g d3 77 .g g7 + '1£j> hS 78 " l1d4 A c6 79 .'8c7 '8xd4 SO .cxd4 .l1e4 81.'1£j>g6 f4+ 82. '1£j> h6 and th is position had also been rea ched in the game , see main variation a fter 6S. '1£j> h6.

64.§ xg7+

~h8

65.Ad4 § xd4

Now Shirov found the "bone crus her"

69.§c5! Leavin g Lauti er defenseless.

69... Ag8 70.d5 f3 71.d6 Ac6 71...f2 n .m5 g3 73.d7 g2 74 . dS~ gl ~ 7 5 . ~ f6 + ~g7 + 76 .itf xg7 mate

65 ... ~. e S + 66. '1£j> h6 g h 3+ 67 .'1£j>g5 '8h 5+ 6s. '1£j>f4 +-

72.§e5 Ad7 73.§e7 f2 74.§ xd7 ~g8 75.§g7+ ~f8 76.d7 1-0.

66.c xd4 f4

The Siege of a Fortress (Anatomy of an Endgame)

66 .. .g3 67 .'8h 7+ '1£j> gS 6S.'8 c7 k e8+ (68 .. .'1£j> f8 69 .'8xe6 g2 '1£j> gS 71 .'8 cS+ '1£j> h7 70.'1£j>f6 72.'8c7 + '1£j> hS 73 .'8g7 +-) 69. '1£j> f6 f4 70.'8g7+ '1£j> hS (70...'1£j> f8 71.'8g5 .\1 e6 n .d 5 f3 73 .clxe6 f2 74.c7 fl w + 75.'8 f 5+- ) 71. '8g5 A c6 n .d5 A xd 5 73 .'8xcl 5 g2 7 4. ~1'f7 ! + - ( B . Ce rt ic in Ch ess Info rmant 58)

R. Garbarino (23 65) Y. Yakovich (2560) EI Vendre ll 1991

67.§c7 Ae4+ 67 ...itcl5 6S.'8cS+ .l1gS 69.'8 f8 f3 70. cl5 g3 7 U h f3 itxcl5 n.'8xg3+- ( La ut ier)

Black to move In view of the " wrong" bishop and th e rook pawn it seems very difficult to win since White can always use the threat 167

Tactical Endgames

to simplify into a rook endgame to defend himself. So this constellation shows an inherent drawing tendency due to the reduced material, but the extra pawn and positional advantage together with the exposed position of White's king open tactical possibilities for Black.

Question: Can Black break through by using a mix of ideas (deflection, activating his king, zugzwang, etc.) or can White construct an impregnable fortress? Analysis 1 ... h3+!

Some knowledge of endgame theory is required, and remaining mindful of several traps- especially a study from 1993 -- complicates matters. Jonathan Speelman proved that a position (8 +iHrook-pawn vs. 8) with the pawn on the seventh rank and the "wrong" bishop, previously considered drawn, is in fact winning! The spectacular finale of this game, which is analysed briefly in Chess Informant 52 by GM Yakovich, is only the tip of the iceberg. However, with tough resistance a lot of difficult questions arise.

Black plans to combine an attack on the first and second rank with advances of the pawns (mating and promotion motifs by setting up batteries and using deflection). Black's king has to help a lot in the procedure. Attempts to activate the d-pawn will depend very much on whether the h-pawn has been advanced to h3 or h2 or whether it is still on h4. White plans to establish a blockade on the light squares that restrains the enemy's pawns from advancing and safeguards his king. So White's rook on a5 has to go back immediately. To sum up, White should try to reach a fortress-like position and - if necessary - sacrifice material in order to use all of his defensive resources.

Uses the moment! It is of fundamental interest to check what progress Black can make if he keeps his rook's pawn on h4 for the time being (as it might be attacked more easily when advanced), e.g. 1...§f4? 2.§d5 (2.'~h3? §f2; 2.§a8? h3+!; 2.§a2? h3+!; 2 ..~.e6!?) 2 ... §g4+ 3.whl wf6 4.§d3 and Black can't break through: 4 ... we7 (4 ... ild4 5.ild5 we5 6 ..llg2 d5 7.b4=) 5.ild5 wd7 6 ..~lg2 we7 7.ilf3 §f4 8.wg2 wb6 9.wh3 ild4 lO.ilg2 we5 1 LIlf3 d5 12.ilg2=. If the rook's pawn remains on h4, White has sufficient means of defense and can even allow Black's advance d6-d5. 2.~gl

After 2.whl (2.Wxh3? §f2-+ as above) 2...8f2 3.§d5 O.§a8? §d2+) 3...wh4 4.§dl we have transposed to the main line.

I If 2... wf4 3.§a2 Wg3 O ... ~d4+ 4.wh2) then 4.§d2 is disturbing II The voluntary 2... h2+? looks unconvincing due to 3.whl §f2 4.§d5 followed by §dl. The promotion idea ...§gl + with the plan wg3/bg2/lle3 can easily be prevented now and White gets additional drawing chances, as will be seen below. 168

Oppos ite-Co lored Bishops The text move aims at 3....~d4 + 4 . ~h l Qf2 followe d by 5....8d 2 with an idea l po sitio n for Black. White has two possibilities to combat that plan, name ly :Ls a2 and 3.1"!d5

3.. .l3g8+ More direc t than .. .1"! a 8-a 2, which leads 10 simi lar positions. 4.~h l l3g2

5.l3dl

3.l3 d 5!? 5. Bd3 C5.iH 1? B b 2 6. Bd 3 B b l 7.Bf3 ~g4 - + ) is inte resting as we ll: 5 .. .1"! h 2+ 6 . ~gl B b 2 7 .1"! d 1 C7 .s f3? ~ g4 - +) 7 A f4 8 . ~ h I C8..8e l .8 e12 ... d5 ) 8 B h 2+ 9 . ~g l Bg2+ transposes to the main line.

and the attack succeeded by using nice mating ideas: 3...el5!! (A we ll-timed dctlection sacrifice; 3...Wg3?! 4..8e12 s fY S..8d 3 =; 3 ... .Q.d 4 +?! 4 . ~ h l ];f e 8 5.Be2 B a8 6. Bel 1"! a 2 7.B d l ; 3.. .B f3?! 4 .1"!d2 1"! e 3 S..8d 1 1"! e 2

Analysis

6 . ~ h 1)

I 4..~ el 3 ~g3 S.B el2 A) 5 ... .Q.el4+ 6. ~ hl B a 8 7. Abl !?

(7. S d l B a 2-+, Yakov ich) B ) 5.. .11,e3! Ha ) 6 .Se2 11,d 4 + 7 .Wh l 1"! a 8- + B b) 6. Ba2 B f3 7 ..I1a 6 C7 .11,e 2 O d 4 + 8 .Wh1 B f2- +) 7 ... A el4 + H.r.t' h 1 B e 3 9 .Ba 1 Be2- + Be) 6 .Sdl 11,d 4 + 7 .Wh 1 s f2-+ II L~ e 2 B g8 + S.~ h 1 S g 2 6 .B el2 'trig3 7 .b4 A e 7- +

III 4..Q"xelS (game) 4...11,d4 + 5 . ~h 2 }J f1!-+ 6. Ba 4 C6 .1"!e 2 11,g 1+ 7 .Wh l ,l1f2 + 8 .Wh 2 ~ g 3 '"' ) 6 .. .1"! f2 + 7.Wg1 Wg 3 8 ..l1c4 B g 2+ 9. Wfl h 2 - 0-1

This blockade on the light squares poses big problems! It can only be run if Black succee ds in creating mating threats on t he firs t and secon d ran ks an d maneuvers his rook in front of the dpawn to ac hie ve d6-el5. Now we investigate 5...B h 2+ and 5...A f4. An Od yssey After 5.Bel l a very lon g marc h of Black 's king to the queens ide and back shows the line 5... l3h2+. So we wou ld like to present th is long undertaking here without comment: 6. ~ g l B b 2 7 .w h l ~ g 5 C7 .. . ~ f4 8. 11,d 5!) 8 .Wgl w f6 9 .11,e1 5 We 7 IL~d5 We 7 10 .A e4 Wel7 12..I1e 6! h2 + 13.Wh1 We6 14 .A c4 ~e 5 15. Bd5 + ~ b 4 16 .Bcl1 B f2

169

Tactical Endgames l 7. Jle6 ~c3 18 Jl c4 B f4! 19.Jle6 ~c 2 20.Bel Bd4 2U lf7 Jlf4 22.Jle6 ~c3 23.Bbl ~b4 24..11f7 elS 2S.A h S A e S 26.E\ c1 1 E\ h4 27..11f7 el4 28...I1c4 E\ g4! 2 9 . ~.d 3! ~ x b 3 30.E\el E\ g3 31.E\dl 'l1'tb4 32.Jle4 ~cS 33.Ad 3 'l1'td6 34.Jle4 ~e6 3S.Q cl3 ~f6 36..l1e4 'l1'tgS37.Jlel3 'l1'th4 38.A e4 B a3 39.Jld 3 B a2 40.A e4 .QJ 4 4 1..l1el3 ~g3 42.Jlfl A d

~

.

A) 43 .E\ cl3 (White wants to introduce the lurkin g sta lemate motifs) 43...E\ f2 44 ...I1g 2 (44 .Bell? cl3!-+ shows a nice int er section theme; 44. Jle 2? E\ g2-+; 44 ..l1h3 E\ e2 4S.Jlfl E\ b 2 ends in a transposition to the text) Aa) 4 4 ... B xg 2? 4 S.E\ xe3 += 'l1't f4 ( 4S 'l1't f2 46 .B f3 + 'l1'te2 47. B f2 + ; 4S ~ h 4 46 .B h3 +) 46 .E\ d3 Ab) 44 ... E\ e2 4S.Jl fl E\ b2 C4S ... E\ e l ? 46. E\ cll =) Abl) 46 .Ja.e2? ~ f4! - + 47. ,{lh S (4 7 ..I1f3 'l1't xf 3 48 .B xe3 + ~ f2 ) 47...E\f2 plan ~g 3 plu s E\ g2 Ab2) 46. B ell B f2 47. E\ e l w ill be dealt with in line B (4 3.E\el E\f2)

~

~~mm~~ _~rJtmmm.~ ~~m
Now Black is to move, but this does not really matter. He removes his rook from the seco nd rank and transfers it to the d- fil e: 47 ... B fS 48 .Acl3 E\ gS

a ~ <~J~<;!t

Analysis

~ i

Black has managed to win the enemy b-pawn and to advance his own from d6 to d4. Thes e successes have been reali zed due to the king' s support after return in g from a lon g and tickl ish mission on the queenside . But Black had to pay a high price, as he had to push his h-pawn, which was attacked at every opportunity, to h2.

•

•

~

•

~~~.~.~~

~mm~~mm~'Sft:.

_

W~' Ai 'r~ W~ ~

. . _~et:

~~m.~~ ~m

'

Y~:f '

~~ ~~~ ~~® Analysis

The remarkable odyssey now reaches its climax. Is it possible to crack White 's fortress'! Well, some da y a computer will s u r ely be able to enlighten us. In the po sition under discussion it seems as ifthe defenders are on their last legs, yet they can still summon astonishing resource s! Chess is so fanta stically complex that creative humans - mindful of computer development - still will enjoy it for a long tim e.

We will look at two differe nt defen sive techn ique s : 49 .E\ e2 ( fo rci ng) and 49 .Jla6 (wai ti ng) : Ab2l) 49.E\e2? (To test a fundamental sav in g idea im mediate ly) 49 ... ~ f3 SO.E\ b 2 (SO..I1c4? E\ g l + S l. ~xh2 B c1 - +) SO.. .A f4 ( SO.. .E\ a S Sl. E\bl) Sl. E\b l ~e 3 S2 ..Ila 6 cl3 S3.Axel3 CS3 .E\fl ? cl2-+ and Black's d-pawn has crossed the bani er and gives Bl ack a techni cal win ) S3 ... ~ x el 3 170

Opposite-Colored Bishops (B lac k can now reach the study by Speelman, with reversed sides and colors) -j4.g dl + We 2 55.Bel + Wf3 56.g fl + 'tt'g4 57.Wg2 Ba5 Ab 2l a ) 5S.g el hl \£1+ !-+ 59.Wxh l (-'i 9 .g xh l g a 2+ 60 .wfl Wf3 6 1.g h 3 + A g 3) 59 ...El. h5+ 60 .Wg l (60 .\£7g 2 § h 2+ 61. Wfl \£7f3) 60...\£7f3 61.g f}+ \£7g3 62.g e l g h 2 63.8 e8 ge2 64.'it' fl \£7f3 and so on. A b 2 1b) 5S.w h l El. a4 59 .Bb l Wf3 60 .El. fl + Wg3 61. El. f3 + Wg4 62. gfl

~~:~:~:

69. El. h8 (69.Wg2 El. a l -+) 69 ...g a l + 70.Wg2 El. g l +-+ AbU) 49 .A a6! (w a it and see)

49 ... ~ f2 (49 ... Wf3 50. El.fl+ A f2 51. ~b 7+ , un cl ea r) so.n.n Wf3 5l. gd3 + (51. ~ f l? g g l +! 52 .Wxh2 ~e3 53 .g b l w f2 54.Ad3 ~ f4 + 55 .Wh 3 8 g 3 + 56 .Wh 4 gx d3 -+) 51.. .A e3 52.g a3! g e5 53 .ga l Be 2 54 .Ad3 (54 . ~b7 + \£7g 3 55 .Ae4 , uncl ear; 55.. .d 3? 56 .gfl) 54 ...g d 2 55 . ~fl e1 3 56 .gbl and th e ga me transposes to line B. B) 43.gel ! (This modest move makes a grea t differ ence) 43 8 f2 (43 ...g d 2? 44. ge2 =; 4 3 g b 2 44 .8e2) Ba) 44. ~ h3 !? Bal) 44 ...Wxh 3?! 45. El.xe3+ Wg4 46 .8 d 3 (46. El.g 3+? Wf5 47 .g g 5 + We 4) 4 6 ...g f4 47. Wxh2 'it'f5 48 .'it'g 3 'it'e 5 49 .g f3 = Ba2) 44...g el2 45.A fl transposes to Bc Bb) 44 .g d l? el3!-+ Be) 4 4 .~ g2 g el2 45 .A fl (45.A e 4!?) 45 ...w f2 46 .g b l el3

'~~~I~

~ ~~ ~~ .~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~j'

~ ~~~~l~~ Analysis

By analogy with the Speelman study (Botsford Chess Endings, 1993) Black wins as follow s: 62 ... ~e3 Ab21bl) 63 .Wxh 2 B a 2+ 64 .Wh l 1H 2 65.Wg2 A g 3 + 66. \£7hl g h 2+ ~ f4 69. El. d3 67 .'it'g l g e 2! (69 .\£7 fl Wf3! 70 .El.el3+ ~ e3 7 l. g d7 g h 2 72.gf7+ A f4 73.El. g7 ~ c 2 - + see th e t ext ) 69 .. ..Q. e 3 + 70.Wfl w f) 7 l. g d7 g h 2 72 .gf7+ Q.J 4 7 3. El. g7 B e 2 74 .El. e7 El. b 2 75.g e8 El. h 2 76 .g gS A h 6 77 .g g6 ii e3 78 .g f6 + A f4 79 .8 g6 g f2+ 80. \£7g l (SO.'it'e 1 g e 2-+) SO ... B d 2 8 1.\£7 h l gd5 S2.8g7 g h 5 + 83 .\£7 g l ~ e3 + S4. Wfl g h l + 85. g g l g xg l "" A b2 1b2) 63 .El.el 63 ... Wf3 64 .El.fl + ';t e 2 65 .El.fS A f4 66 .g e8+ Wd 2 67 .8 d 8 + We 2 6S. g e8 + Wb 2

es.n.u

Analysis Obviously a critical position. Bel) 47 .'it'xh 2? 'it'f3+ 48 .Wh 3 (48 .w h l Wg 3-+) 48 ....Q.f4 49 .Wh4 g h 2+ 50. A h3 .G.g 3+-+ 171

Tactical Endgames Be2) 47.itxd3? §xd3-+ and compared to Speelman's study here Black's pieces are even better placed, especially the bishop, already on his ideal post e3. For example: 48.§b2+ (48.Wxh2? .~f4+ 49.whl §h3#) 48...Wf3 49.§bl §d4 50.§f] + Wg3 51.§bl wf2 52.§b2+ Wf3 53.§bl §g4 54.§b7 §gl + 55.Wxh2 §dl 56.§b3 §d5 and so on. Be3) 47.§b3? §dl! (47 ... Wxfl? 48.§bl += rampant rook/stalemate) 48.§xd3 §xfl + 49.Wxh2 Wf3 50.§c3 §dl 51.§b3 §d5-+ as above. Be4) 47.§el? §e2 48.§dl d2 49.itb5 §el 50.ita4 itf4 5L\lb3 We2-+ BeS) 47.§al! is the only move to keep the position and it seems that Black is brought to a standstill: 47 ... Wg3 (47 ... itf4 48.ibd3! §xd3 49.§fl + Wg3/We3 50.§f3+=; 47 ... itd4 48.§bl ite5/Wg3 49.§dl=) 48.§el Wf3 (48 itd4/itf2 49.§dl=; 48 itf4/itgl 49.itxd3=) 49.1"1 b 1 Wg4 (49 ... itf2 50.§b3=) 50.§el/§al and it is still open to question whether White's fortress can be cracked. Conclusion: Such positions with a blocked rook's pawn on the second (seventh) rank together with the "wrong" bishop are very complicated and even the presence of a mobile dpawn does not automatically guarantee the win. Let's compare the situation with the Trojan War. Troy could only be conquered after a long siege. So let's return to the front of the gates like the ancient Greeks. Unfortunately we don't have a horse to open the gates, but we do have an improvement of the attack in another form ...

5...Af4!!

An Efficient Constellation

Analysis By instructive maneuvering Black has opened up new possibilities. The text move - together with the next - forms a deep point. While reducing the means of defense, Black achieves an efficient attacking constellation.

6.Ad5 The alternatives are clearly worse: I 6.iHl? Wg3-+ 7.§d3+ (7.§el Wf2) 7 ... wf2 II 6.§d4? Wg3-+ 7.§e4 d5 s.a-as §h2+ 9.Wgl §d2 III 6.1"1f1? Wg3 7.§el (7.§gl ite3) 7 ...§h2+ 8.Wgl §d2 idea ... d5 IV 6.b4? Wg3 7.§el §h2+ 8.Wgl §d2 with the plan ...d5 6...§f2!

172

Opposite-Colored Bishops Analysis

Analysis

After a long search we have reached a promising position! 7.b4 loses directly (due to 7 ...l"!h2+ 8.'l!'1g1 l"!b2, xb4-+), as well as 7.l"!e1 (due to 7...l"!d2 with the plan d5-+ as above), whereas 7,,\le6 leads to the variation with 7 ..I1.c4 (after 7 ... l"!h2+ 8.'l!'1g1 l"!e2 9.ihA l"!g2+). So the following three candidates remain: 7.\!igl, 7.l1c4 and 7 ..l1b7.

A really nasty bishop: Now he frees a path for his king to reach the middle of the board (to support the d-pawn) and denies White's rook important squares on the d-file. (l4 ... 'l!'1f4!? looks playable as well: l5.l"!f3+ 'l!'1e4 l6.:8fl 'l!'1d4 followed by d5) Ba) 15.§c15+ 'l!'1f6 l6.§c13 06.'l!'1f2 h2 17.'l!'1g2 l"!b2+ l8.'tlhl lU2-+) 16 ... h2+ l7.lt'g2 07.lt'hl It'e5 ...'l!'1e4-+) 17 ...'l!'1e5 18.b4 plus 'l!'1e4-+ Bb) 15.'l!'1f2 It'f5 16.§c15+ 06 ..l1c2 Llb2 17.§c12+ 'l!'1g5 18.l"!e2 c15-+) 16 ... 'l!'1e6 17.§d4 (l7.§c13 h2 18.'l!'1g2 'l!'1e5 plan 'l!'1e4-+) 17 ... §b2+ 18.'l!'1f3 h2 19.§e4+ 'l!'1c15 20.§el ge5 (threatening .\lcl4-gl) 21.'l!'1e3 It'c5-+ The defensive powers are disastrously split and the rest is pure technique: 22 ..l1f3 (22.'l!'1e4 l"!g2 23.l"!hl l"!gl 24.kf3 'l!'1b4. xb3-+; n.§hl kcl4+ 23.lt'e4 ~.gl) n ... l"!xb3+ 23.'l!'1e4 (23.'l!'1f2 §b2+ 24.§e2 §bl 25.§el .l1g3+-+) 23 ... l"!b4+ 24.'l!'1e3 gf4+ 25.'l!'1e2 l"!b2+ 26.'l!'1fl .Q.g3 etc.

7.Ab7 I 7.'l!'1gl ge3 8.'l!'1hl l"!e2 1 (Black always has 'l!'1g3 up his sleeve. As 9.l"!fl? is refuted by l"!d2, the rook at e2 must be scared away immediately) A) 9.kc4 l"!g2! io.x-: 00.gd5 \~ig3-+; 10.l"!xd6 l"!gl+ 11.'l!'1h2 e!-+) 10 ....\lf4 11.l"!d1 (Now we have returned to our starting position see the diagram after 5...iH4 - but this time with Black to move!) 1l ...'l!'1g3! 12.l"!el l"!h2+ 13.'l!'1gl l"!d2 and after this maneuver Black's rook has finally reached his optimal place. The plan ...d5-+ will clinch matters. B) 9.kf3 l"!b2 10.l"!d3 gf4 11.'l!'1gl b 1+ l2 ..a.n .\le5 13. 'l!'1hl (13.'l!'1f2 l"!b2+ 14.'l!'1g1 l"!g2+ 1'j.'l!'1hl l"!f2 l6.l"!f3 l"!d2 17.l"!fl d 'j-+) 13 ... It'g5 l4.lt'glQJ4 1

II 7.\)c4 §h2+ 8.'l!'1g1 §g2+ A) 9.'l!'1hl 'ih'g3! 10.l"!e! 00.l"!c13+ 'ih'f2-+: 10 ..o.gl ge3-+) IO ... §h2+ I 1. 'ih'g1 l"!c12-+ and Black can play d5 soon. B) 9.lt'fl :8b2 C9 ... gcl2!? IO ..a.c15 'l!'1g3 1) 10 ..Q.c15 h2 Il.b4 cIlg3 1 and Black wins analogously to the main line.

7... El.h2+ 8.~gl El.b29.Ad5 Ae3+ 1O.~f1 h2!

Now this pawn advances with pleasure.

1l.b4

173

Tactical Endgames Or: I l1. 8 d 3 .arz: l 2 . ~ f3 13 .8d4 + ~ f4 l 4 . ~d 5 15.8 d1 .Qg 3 l 6. Ah l 17 .wel 8 c 2+ 18 .w fl 19. 8d4+ w e 3-+ II 1L llhl ~ f4 followed by III 11.8al g d 2 plan d5 -+

~g3 !

w g5 8 f2+ 'it'f4 ~g 3 - +

1l ... Af4! 12.b5 A g 3 n.Ah1

Analysis Mate in five! 24 .•.tP!d 5+ 25. ~e2

25 .we3 27 .wf3

25.. .tP!e4+ 26.~f2 §.c2+ 27.~f1 tP!e 2+ 28.~g1 §.c1#

Analysis

Conclusion: The fortress can be taken, if our proof has no serious flaws.

An invitation to a very pleasing finale. n ...d5!

Of course not l3 ... g xb5? due to 14. 8 d 4 + wg5 (l 4 .. .w h 3?? l5 . ~g2 "" ) 15.gd5 + 8 xd 5 l 6 .A xd5= 14.b6 §.f2+ 15. ~e1 d 416.b7 §.g2+ 1 7. ~f1 §.g1+ 18.~e2 d3+ 19.§. xd3 §. xh1 20.§. xg3 §.e1+-+

20 .. .8 b l 21. 8g7 w h 3-+ 21.~d2

§.d1+

22.~c2

23.~d3 h1tP! 24.b8tP!

g e l + 26 .wf2 ~ d 2 + 28. wg 2 ~ e 2 ""

~e3 +

§.c1+

BIB) Pure Opposite-Colored Bishop Endings Positional considerations can be more important than materia l. The interested reader is advised to study Dvoretsky's tr e atment in Tech n iqu e fo r the Tournament Player (for another wellknown example of this theme see our analysis of Vidmar vs. Spielmann, St. Petersburg 1909 in chapter AS ). The first example shows that it's sometimes necessary to sacrific e pawns to create another passed pawn.

174

Opposite-Colored Bishops

K. Bischoff (2533) A. Khalifman (2690) German Bundesliga 200 1

The next two examples show similar themes.

Grope in the Dark (Triangulation and Zugzwang) F. Geisler (2330) - J. Heissler (2440)

German Bundesliga 1995

Black to move Alexander Khalifman demonstrated superb technique:

White to move (+-) Numerous games prove that in the final phase of a game, when the ranks are thinned, players miss their chances again and again. The so-called "simple endgames" are a different kettle offish and actually mistakes are quite common. The case in question shows a dispute about opposite-colored bishops where delicacy and precision are called for. and now comes the decisive blow 56 ...g5!! 0-1

I In the game happened

Bischoff resigned because the creation of a third black passed pawn will destroy his fortress, e.g. 57.fxg5 (57.hxg5 h4 58.gxh4 r;t>xf4 59.iH6 r;t>e4 60.11al d5 6L~b2 Ilh5 62.11al d4 63.11b2 f4-+) 57 ... f4 58.gxf4 r;t>xh4 59.r;t>f3 C59.11f6 r;t>g4-+) 59 ... 11g6 (Black's bishop has all his duties on one and the same diagonal. This principle of one diagonal is very important!) 60.11f6 wh3-+

1.Axg6? wasting a vital tempo, which allows Black to save himselfby a clever change of diagonals. 1. .. Af2 2.~d7 Ag3!=

(See diagram top of next page)

175

Tactical Endgames

3.\&c6 Af4 4.~c7 Ag3 5.Ad3 Af4 6.Ab5 Ag3 7.Ad7 Af4 8.Ab5 Ag3 9.~c6 ~e8 10.~c7+ ~f8 YZ-YZ

Analysis It seems that all ways end at this zugzwang position.

B) 1. .. Ae3 2.\'l'ic8 iib6 3.l'hg6 .(lcl8 4.~xg6 ~g7 S.JlhS is similar to the text) 3... ~g7 4.~hS

II Later the Czech Grandmaster Pavel Blatny discovered that White's superiority would have led to a studylike victory after

C3.~b7

1.~d7!

Neither

l.~dS?

~e3

2.~xg6

(2.'6'c6\lf41=) 2... ~f4! 3.~c6 iig3= nor l.d7? ~b6=1iie7=. Now after the text move White threatens ~c7 along with d6-d7, but to realize that is easier said than done. The pawn g6 drops in any case like a ripe fruit.

Analysis

A) 1...Ab6

Aa)

2.~c6

iicl8 (2 ... Qe3 3.d7

(lgS/'¢'e7 4.~c7+-) 3,,~xg6

Aat) 3 ... \'l'ig7 4.uhS '6'f8 (4 ... ~f6 5.tld7 .ilb6 6.~e8+-) S.~b71 ,'!yel7 followed by 6.~c8+Aa2) 3....Q.g5 4.~b7! (4.cl7? .Q.cl8=; q.~cl7?1,"'?c7? 4 ... ~f4=) 4 ... .(lcl8 (4...Rh4 5.~c8+-) 5.~c8 £Lb6 6.Rh5. zugzwang!

Ab) 2.Rxg6 Abt) 2 ... \'l'ig7 3.iih5 '6'h6 C3 ... ~f8 4.~c8 or 3... ~f6 4.~e8+-) 4.iidl followed by \'l'ic8+-. Ab2) 2... Qe3 3.~c8 Rb6 4.M.h5+as before 176

Now 4 ... ~f6 (4 ...'6'fS transposes to the line Bd after 6...~fS, see below) demands great precision:

Opposite-Colored Bishops Analysis

67... Af4?

'Uig4! wf7 (5 ... wg5 6""~e2 wf6 7..fLeA followed by d7+-) 6.wd7' and this finesse activates again the zugzwang mechanism: Ba) 6 wf6 7.we8+Bb) 6 Ac5 7.wc7+Bc) 6 ~J2 7.iih5+ wfS (7 ... wf6 13.1t'e8+-) 8.we8 iib6 9.wb7! JH2 lO.d7 we7 11.we7+Bd) 6...wfS 7.~h5 ~e3 8.we8 iib6

67 ... we8 was called for: 68.wc7 wf7 69.wd7 iif4 70.iih5+ wf8 (70 ... wf6? 71.we6 iig3 n ..~g4+­ ) 71.we6 iig3 n.d7 Ac7 73.iie2 iid8 74.wd6 iib6 75.wc6 .\id8= (Steffen Pedersen in Test your Chess) 6S.d7 eJ)e7 69.eJ)b6 eJ)dS 69 ... iid2 70.we7 iif4+ 71.wc8+70.eJ)xa5 eJ)c7 71.eJ)b5 Ae3 72.a5 Af2 73.eJ)c4 Aet 74.a6 Ah4 75.eJ)d4 Af2+ 76.eJ)d5 Ah4 77.Af3 eJ)b6 7S.Ae2 eJ)c7 79.Afl eJ)bS SO.eJ)e6 - 1-0.

"Most Amazing Move Ever" V. Topalov (2740) -A. Shirov (2710) Analysis

Linares 1998

White must lose a tempo here. This is accomplished by a triangulation: 9.wb7! (9.wb8' is possible as well) 9 ... iid8 lO.wb8! iib6 11.wc8!+as above.

This wonderful example is taken from Fundamental Chess Endings (No. 4.60). The fascinating finish inspired British Chess Magazine to start a search for the Most Amazing Move of all Time and the panel of judges voted for Shirov's 47 ... Ah3!!

Missed Drawing Set-Up V. Kovacevic (2545) - L. Day (2380) Toronto 1989

Black to move (-+) Black to move (=)

Black has only one move to win, namely t ... Ah3!!. "Schirows Geniestreich" 177

Tactical Endgames (Shirov's stroke of genius) they call it in Schach 4/98. "It's a very sharp way of highlighting the bishop's relative value in endgames with oppositecolored bishops." (Jan Timman in New in Chess Magazine 4/98). Black frees the route for his king via f5-e4 without loss of tempo. I 1.. ..~e4? allows White to install an unbreakable defensive set-up: 2.g3 \t'f5 (2 ... f5 3.\t'f2 f4 4.gxf4 \t'f5 5.we3 \t'g4 6.M-f6 \t'g3 7.~e7 \t'g2 8.M-d6 \t'fl 9 . .\lb4=) 3.wf2= (For more details see Fundamental Chess Endings No. 4.60) II 1...wd6? 2.\t'f2 \t'c5 3.\t'e3=

II but 5.wd3 a3 6.M-f6 a2 7.M-e5 f4 8.M-al \t'b4 9.\t'e2 \t'c4 lO.\t'f3 d4 11.\t'xf4 \t'd5=

4.\t'e2 f5-+ (Shirov)

4...d4! Now the pawns can't be stopped on one diagonal anymore (since the principle of one diagonal is violated here).

5.Ae7 5 ...\lg5 \t'd3 6.\t'el \t'c2-+

5...\tId3! 6.Ac5 \tIc4! 2.gxh3 Refusing the Greek gift with 2.\t'f2 doesn't help either since the motif repeats itself after 2 ... \t'f5 3.\t'f3 M-xg2+ 4.\t'xg2 \t'e4-+ [Shirov in Chess Informant 72/(415)] 2... \tIf5!

After 2...f5? White is able to stop the horde of pawns by 3.\t'f2 \t'd6 4.\t'e3 we5 and now I not 5 ...\ld4+? \t'e4 6.M-b2 d4+ 7 ..\hd4 (7.\t'f4 d3-+) 7 ... f4+ 8.\t'e4 f3 9.\le3 a3 10.\t'xf3 a2-+

6 ... \t'c3? 7.\t'e2=

7.Ae7 Until this point all of Black's moves were unique, which increases the value of the combination considerably. Only now he has a choice:

7...\tIb3 (or 7 ...\t'e3) and Topalov resigned 0-1 because of 8.~c5 d3 9.\t'e3 \t'e2 lO.M-b4 a3+ (L. Ftacnik).

178

Sam e-Colored Bishops

B2) Same-Colored Bishops Good vs. Bad Bishop (Mechanisms ofZugzwang, Maneuvering)

"Monoc hro my is a sin again st the twoco lo red nature of the ch ess board" , Hans Kmoch ( 1894- 1973) wrot e in his fam ous book Pawn Power in Chess . Flowery words, but " insufficient control of squares of the same color" wi 11 be an "evergr een" theme as long as we play our beloved game. The follo wing example shows White sufferin g from this dilemma. Black has the much better bishop and managed to win by in structive maneuvering and zugzwa ng mechanisms. We start from the adjourned position.

br ea k repeatedl y ) 4 ...e4 5 ,fxe 4 f3 6.itc8 f2 7.Ah3 fl "iff s.a-r: A xfI -+ Ab) 3.itxb 5+ Wxb 5 4.g6 ~a6 5.Wc4 Wb6 6.~d3 Wb 5 7 .w c3 = B) 1...ite2 2 ,ith 5 A d !? ( 2... ~ b6 !

is co rrec t: 3. ~cl2 itc4 4.A fl sec line Cf2 after 3 ..\1.f7) 3 .i l,g4 ~ a 6 (No t 3 . ..e4?? 4 .it cl7+ ~ b 6 5.fxe 4 f3 6 .Wd2 f2 7 .A h 3 +- . Black ca n pla y the adva nce e 5-e4 only whe n White 's bishop is on h5 andlor Black 's kin g is on b6/a6 . It is not po ssibl e to bring a bo ut the cr it ic al po s it ion bAdl l wAg4 with White to move and to force him to play A g4-h 5, si nce White's king can use corresponding squares to Black's king). But after the text move one sample line run s: 4 .Wd3 ! w b 6 5. Wd2 ,\1b 3 6 ,ite 6 il, c 4 7 .it f7 ~ h 5 8 .Wc 3 A e2 9 .A h 5 a nd we have reac hed the posit ion after 2.A h5 aga in. C) 1.. . ~h6

Ca) 2. A e4 ~a 6 Ca 1) 3 .Wh 2 Wb 5 5 .Wc3 itc 4

4 . ~ b3

.\1e 2

White to move (-+) I 1.i;tg6! This tenacious continuation isn't eas y to refute: A) 1.. .
Analysis Thi s position on the other hand is won for Black, whoeve r moves first! 6 .g6 .\1e 2 7 . ~d2 (7 . ~ b3 il, fl f:l. ~ c3 A c 4 - +, zu g zw an g ) 7 . .. .f U l 8 . ~c3 .\1c4- +, zu g zw an g

179

Tactical Endgames Ca2) 3..Qg6 ile2 C3...'l!1ib5 leads to the same: 4.ile8+ 'l!1ib6 5.ilg6 ile2 6.ile4 'ili'b5, see the position after 7...ile2) 4.ile4 'l!1ib6 5.'l!1ic2 'l!1ib5 6.'l!1ib3 ilc4+ 7.'l!1ic3 ile2 8.'l!1ib3/'l!1id2Qf1 9.'l!1ic3 .Qc4-+, zugzwang Cb) 2..Q.h5 CbI) 2.... Q.g2 3.'l!1ic4 C3.'l!1id3 'l!1ib5 4.'l!1ic3 e4-+) 3 ... e4-+ Cb2) 2 ... ile2 3.'l!1id2 ilc4 4.~J7 leads to the key position, variation Cf2 (after 3..Qf7) Ce) 2.'l!1ib2 .\le2 3.ile4 'l!1ib5 4.'l!1ib3 ilc4+ 5.'l!1ic3 C5.'l!1ia3 ile2 6.'l!1ib3 ilfl 7.'l!1ia3 .~ c 4 8.g6 ile2 9.'l!1ib3 ilJl 10. 'l!1ic3 ilc4-+, see above) 5 ... ile2 6. 'l!1ib 3/'l!1id 2 6 ... iHl 7.'l!1ic3 ~.c4-+, see above Cd) 2.'l!1ib3 ile2 3.Ae4 'l!1ib5 4.'l!1ic3 ilc4-+ Ce) 2.'l!1ic2 ile2 3.Ae4 'l!1ib5-+ Cf) 2.'l!1id2 Cfl ) 2... 'l!1ia6 3.ilJ5 'l!1ib6 C3 ....{ic4 4.ile6 'l!1ib5 5.'l!1ic3 .~ e 2 6 ..\lg4) 4.ilg6 only repeats the position with 2.'l!1id2 Cf2) 2 ... ilc4! 3.Af7C3.Ae4 'l!1ib5+, see above)

.a.n

3 ... ilb3? 4.ile6 'l!1ib5 5.'l!1ic3 and we have reached the same position as in line B above after 3..Qg4 ~ Black can't make progress) 4..\le6 (4.'l!1ic3 ile2 5.ilh5 e4-+) 4 ... 'l!1ib5 5.'l!1ic3 .~e2 6.ilg4ildl (zugzwang) 7.ilh5 O.g6 Ae2-+, zugzwang; 7. 'l!1id2~b3-+) 7 .. .e4-+ 6.~g4,

II After i.ars ile2 2.ilg4 C2«\le4 ilc4-+) 2... ildl (zugzwang) we are in line Cf2, position after 6...ildl III 1.'if)b3 (game; the sealed move is not the strongest) l ...,1le2 2.'if)c3 ,1lc4 (zugzwang) 3.g6 ,1lft C3 ....~e2 is faster: 4.'l!1ib3 nn and so on) 4.,1lf5 ,1le2 5.,1lg4 ,1ldl 6.,1ld7+ 'if)b6 7.,1lg4 e4 8.'if)d2 ,1lxf3 9.,1lxf3 exf3 lO.'if)el 'if)b5 1l.'if)f2 'if)xb4 12.'if)xf3 'if)c5 13.'if)xf4

~~~~~fj

~ ~~~ ~l11rft'~ ~~~rif~~~ ~~80~~f!:l:~~ ~ ~ ~ ..v

~111111111111111111~ ~

~

~

l3 ... 'if)d4 03 ... 'l!1ixd5?? 14.'l!1if5=) l4.'if)g4 'if)e4l5.'if)g5 'if)e5l6.'if)g4 'if)f6 0-1 The following two examples highlight again that king marches often playa key role. Analysis (Now we have reached the key position. Black wins by a clever maneuver) 3 ... ~Ya6!! (The triangulation 'l!1ib5b6-a6-b5 combined with ... ile2 forces White's bishop to h5. But not 180

Same-Colored Bishops

Turning the Enemy's Flank (I)

To prevent White from playing '6'f3 and g4 (=), and to create a weakness on g3.

L. van Wely (2400) V. Kramnik (2450) Amhem (European Junior's Ch) 1990/91 )

40.iiLe3 g4 41.114 .lie7 - +

The highly talented boy from Tuapse (Black Sea, * 1975) though already one of the favorites, did not win the championship (third place), which surprisingly the Norwegian 1M Rune Djurhuus did. For the tournament book Kramnik said the game with (the "Dutch hope") 1M Loek van Wely was "maybe his best" in Amhem. As a matter offact Kramnik got a special price for the most interesting endgame. The writer of these notes, in Amhem second of the West German and East German representatives (Karsten Muller and Michael Schwarz), published the very exciting and instructive endgame with original analysis by the winner in Schach Magazin 64 (16/91 ).

.~d8

42 ..~el

40 ...g4+ 41.hxg4+ hxg4+ 42.'\&e3 Ae7 43.Ac3 Ad6 44.Ael '\&e6 4S.,\&d3 The idea of bringing the bishop to f4also loses: 45.'6'f2 '6'd7 l45 ... .(le7 (winning a tempo) 46.'6'e2 'C!"d7 47.'6'f2 '6'e6 48.iiLd2 '6'h5 49.iiLf4 .Q.b6-+, Fundamental Chess Endings by Karsten Muller/Frank Lamprecht] 46 ..Q.d2 '6'e6 47.iiLf4 iiLe7 48.iiLe5 '6'b5 49.'6'e3 '6'b4 50.'6'f4 '6'xh3 51.'6'xg4 a5-+

4S ... ,\&d7 46.,\&e2 '\&c6 47.'\&d3 ,\&bS 48.'\&c2 as 49.'\&d3 a4

The winning strategy for Black is to fix the kingside first in order to penetrate on the other wing. The fine technique required is garnished with some precisely calculated tactical variations.

SO.bxa4+ Kindly notice the alternative 50.'6'e2 and now: 1 50 ...a3 5L'i'lfbl (51.iiLJ2 '6'a5 52.'6'bl '6'b4 53.'6'e2 a2 54.'1t'b2 al 'fu'+ 55.'6'xal '6'xb3-+) 51...iiLb4 52.iH2 (52,.{iLxh4 '6'xh4 53.'6'a2 '6'e3 54.&xa3 '6'xd4 55.'1t'b2 '6'd3 56.h4 '6'e4-+) 52 ... itd2 53.'6'al '6'b4 54.'6'a2 '6'c3

Black to move (-+) (Position after 39.'6'd3-e3)

39 ...gS! 181

Tactical Endgames 55.<;tJxa3 <;tJel3 56.b4 <;tJe2 57.M.gl <;tJf1+trappingthe bishop (Muller/Lamprecht) II 50 ... Jlb4! 5L(hb4 C5Ulf2 a3! 52.~c3<;tJc6! with the plan <;tJd7-e6f5-e4-+) 51...<;tJxb4 52.bxa4 <;tJxa4 53.tic3 <;tJa3 54.wcl3 wb3 55.we3 ','ic3 56 ..;191'4 wxc!4 57.W xg4 wd+

50... ~xa4 51.J;tf2

57 ...gc3 58.gf2 gel2 59«Q,gl 1t'c3 60.gf2 gg5 61.ggl itf6-+

54 ... ~dl55.J;tf2 55.gf4 gb4 C55 ....v,a3 56..i ld2 .ile7 57.gh6 wel 58.we3 .Q,d6 59.'QJ4 ~a3-+, Muller/Lamprecht) 56 ..\iel2! (This stalemate defense is just a delaying action) 56 ge7 1 57.gf4 C57.\ia5 lld 6-+) 57 wel 58.we3 Jlb4! 59..i le5 ..\1d2+ 60.wd3 llg5-+

If 51.<;tJc2 then 51...lt'a3 1 and White is in zugzwang: 52 ..QJ2 C52.lt'd3 ;1;;h3-+; 52.wc3?? itb4+) 52 ... lt'b4 53.\t'c13 wh3 transposing to the game after Black's next move. 51...~b3 52.J;tel ~b2 53.J;tf2

53.wcl2 .\l b 4 +-+

55 ...J;ta3!!

55.....\1b4 56.we3 M.d2+ 57.wd3 M.cl 58.\ie3 56.~e3

56..i le 3 It'el-+ 56 ...J;tc1+ 57.~d3 J;td2! 58.J;te3

58..\igl .ile l 59..llh2 ..\11'2-+ First the black king (and then his bishop) is going to turn the enemy's flank.

58... J;tel 59.J;tf4 J;tf2! 60.J;te5

54.J;te3+

63.~c5 ~e4!

~el 61.~c3 ~e2 62.~b4 ~f3

~

54.we2 wc2 55.gel C55.we3 well-+) 55 .. «Q,c7 56.gf2 C56.we3 well 57 ..a J2 .\iel6 58.wcl3 ga3 59.we3 llcl+ 60.wcl3 gc!2-+, Muller/Lamprecht) 56...ga5! 57.ge3 C57.we3 lld2+ 58.we2 wc3 59 ..Q,gl gg5 60.QJ2 gf6-+)

0-1

~

~

~~~~~~ ~

ffi

~

%'!@

s~l~

~

~

~ 1~ ~% ~~r.&,t~ i,lJ;;;::f'~%'%~

»»>»; ~

182

~

~

~

~.~

~

Same-Colored Bishops With a deadly zugzwang. "Amazing stuff! E4 was a key square right from the start, but who would have thought that Kramnik's king would eventually come from tJ to get there'?" (Muller! Lamprecht)

resources, otherwise he will remain with his "bad" bishop and perish by an encirclement ofWhite 's king along with zugzwang. An extremely tough job for the Swiss/French Grandmaster Yannick Pelletier (* 1976) at a simultaneous display in his German club Werder Bremen.

45.\tIb7 Af7!

Loek van Wely

Turning the Enemy's Flank (II)

According to analysis the only playable move. Alternatives are: I 45 ...f4? (The panicky game move, which comes at the wrong moment. But it should be noted that this breakthrough - in order to open the kingside plus the diagonal h3-c8 and to prevent zugzwang - forms a central idea ofthe defense) 46.exf4 gxf4 47.gxf4+£Lf5 4S.£Lb3 £Le4 49.£Ldl £Lf5 50.£Lh5 'it'd7 51.'it'b6 'it'd6 52.h4 £Le4 53.£Lg4 £Lg2 54.f5 £Le4 55.f6 £Lg6 56.'it'b7 h5 57.£Lh3 £LeS 5S.'it'cS £Ld7+ (A last joke of the young Grandmaster, but ... )

M. Westphal (2268) y. Pelletier (2531) Bremen (simul) 2001

59.'it'dS! - 1-0.

White to move (Position after 44...£LcS-e6)

II 45 ...Ad7? loses trivially in the pawn ending: 46.£Lxd7 'it'xd7 47.'it'b6+(blocked pawns/critical squares; also 47.h4+-)

Black has to defend with subtlety and flexibility and use all of his tactical

III 45 ...g4? (an unstable blockade) 46.0\lb5 oQ,t7 47.'it'cSug6 48.'it'd8 183

Tactical Endgames (48.ilcl7 ends in zugzwang) 48...iH7 49.ilcl7 ~~g6 50.ilc8+-

IV 45 ...h5? (This pawn is immediately fixed as an additional weakness and

increases Black's "monochrorny") -46.h4! gxh4 47.gxh4ilf7 48.We8

Analysis

Analysis The 'bad' bishop inside his pawn cage: A) 4S ... J1,g6 49.ilcl7 We7 (49 ....\'th7 50.\'te8: 49...iU7 50.ihf5) 50.We7 '6f6 51.'6c16 .QJ7, see line B B) 4S... ~e6 49.We7 w1'6 Ba) 50.J1,c2 makes no essential difference to the following, as White cannot win a tempo. After 50 ... ~e6 51.Wcl6 .af7 52 ..~.bl i'lg8 (52 ... ~e6? 53.~a2 1'4 54.ex1'4 w1'5 55 ..l1bl +!+-) 53.~cl3 ~e6 54.M.e2 iH7 55.il1'3 1'4 56.ex1'4W1'5 57.ClAI5+- the same position as in the following line 50.Rcl7 /52.~e6! is reached, sec Bb21 Bb) 50.J1,d7 ~g6 51.Wd6 Rt7 BbI) 52.J1,cS?! (Luring Black's bishop to g8 complicates matters) 52 ... ~g8 53.l1b7 1'4 54.exf4 w1'5 55 ..i lxd5 .ilh7 56 ..lH7 (56.We7? Wxf4 57.wf6 like in the 52.lle6 variation see Bb2 - doesn't work here due to 57 ... Wg4) 56 ... Wxf4 57 ..a .xh5 It'g3 58.We5

Bbll) 5S...J1,gS 59.Wf6! (59.~f3? Wx1'3 60.h5 Wg4 61.h6 Wg5 62.d5 Wg6 63.cl6 wt7=) 59...~e4 [59...Wxh4 60.W illi7 61.cl5~e4 62.cl6 ~c6 63.We7 plan ~e8+-] 60.~t7 ~b5 61.h5+BbI2) 58...Wxh4 (From now on we use the Nalimov Tablebases to get the highest precision) 59.cl5+- (59 ..\'t1'7? .\'tcl3 60.cl5 .itb5 61.cl6 Wg5 62.We6 wf4 63.We7 We5=) 59 ... Wg5 (59 ....itcl3 60.Re8 Wg5 61.cl6 ~f5 62 ..itt7 transposes to the main line) 60.cl6\'tf5 61.llf7 ~d7 62.~e6 ~c6 63.Qc8 .i lb 5 64.We6 .i t a4 65.We7 '011'4 66.~d7 ~c2 67 ..a.e8 .QJ5 68.w1'6 ilg4 69.ilf7 ~cl7 70.We7 .,Q.e6 71.~e8 and the pawn advances. Bb2) 52.J1,c6! Bb2I) 52 ... f4 53.e xf4 wf5 54 ..Q.xcl5 Bb2la) 54 ... J1,eS 55.We7 .Q.b5 56.ile6+ Wxf4 57.cl5! (57.wf6? .uc6 58.Wg6 .\'t1'3 59.wh6 we4 60.c15 r,"t'e5 61.Wg5 .\'te2 62.QJ7 uB) 57 ... Wg3 58.cl6 Wxh4 59 ..QJ7 <;fig5 60.~e8+-

Bb21b) 54 ... J1,g6 55.We7 Wx1'4 56.'011'6 (This win of a tempo eases the task considerably) 56...~.cl3 (56 ....Q.e8 we4 57 ..Q.f7 .Qe6 58 ..\'txh5 59.QJ3+! Wx1'3 60.h5) 57 ..:117 We4/Wg4 58.cl5+-

184

Same-Colored Bishops Bb22) 52... Ag6 53.Jlxd5 f4 Bb22a) 54.exf4 ~f5 55.~e7

Abl) 49.~d6 h4 50.gxh4! (50.11c6? ~xf4

56.~f6!

(56.Am ~e4 57.~f6 ~g4 as above) 56...iid3 57.iH7+Bb22b) 54.e4! .~ e 8 55.e5+ ~f5 56.~f3+-

C) 48... Ae6+49.~d8 ~fl 50.11d7 (50.Ae8? Axe8 51.~xe8 ~e6=) 50 ... Ag6 51.11c8 .(;Lh7 52.~e8 ;tic7 53.11e6 ~d6 54.~f7+-

h xg3 51.h xg3 f4! 52.exf4 gxf4 53.gxf4 ~f5 54.Axd5 Ah5 plan ~xf4=) 50 ... g xh 4 51.Ac6 f4 52.exf4 ~f5 53.Axd5+- (Averbakh/Rauser), e.g. 53 ...ilg6 54. (;Le6+ ~xf4 55.d5 .Qoe4 56.~e7 Axd5 57..(;Lxd5 Ab2) 49.h4 gxh4 50.gxh4 Ag6 51.~d6~f7 52.Ac6 f4 53.exf4 ~f5 54.cI1xd5+- as before under line IYBb21 B) 48.~d6 f4 49.exf4 gxf4 50.gxf4 ~f5

51.11c6 ~xf4 52.11xd5 11g6 53.11g2 cI1J7 54.~e7 .~ c 4 55.d5 11xd5 56..~xd5+-, and Black doesn't manage to get into the comer or to reach "Rauser's drawing zone." (See e.g. Fundamental Chess Endings 4.11, p.98) II 46... Ae6+? 47.~d8 11fl 48 ..~d7

Ag6 (48 ... 11e6 49.11xe6 ~xe6 50.~c7+-) 49.h4 gxh4 50.gxh4 Ah7 51.h5+-

Analysis

Back to the main line (46 ...Ah50

46... Ah5! Looks natural and is good. Alternatives are: I 46... ~e7? 47.~c7 ~f6 (47 ...Ae6 48.iic6 Af7 49.Ad7 Ag6 50.~c6+-)

A) 48.Ad7 Aa) 48... Ah5 49.~d6 Af3 50.Ae6

Ildl [In the ideal case (note lIIB to 47...iig4 in the main line) the g-pawns are already exchanged and - what is more remarkable - the h-pawns are fixed on h5/h4. This is without doubt better for Black due to the weakness of the white h-pawn, whereas the pawn h2 stands here out of reach] 51.Axd5 f4 52.gxf4 gxf4 53.exf4 1 and probably +- (53.e4?! f3) Ab) 48... h5

Analysis The black bishop leaves his prison immediately to defend his vulnerable pawns from outside.

The direct continuation of the encirclement. The following possibilities are interesting as well:

185

Tactical Endgames

I 47.Ac2?! .\l g 4 4S .'\t'c18 h 5 49 .We8 (A fte r 49.h4 gxh4 50.g xh4 .a h 3 51.'\t'e8 '\t'e 6 = White doesn 't eve n reach the favo rable conste llation wWd6 /wAe6) 49 .. .'\t'e 6 50 .Aa4 f4! 51.A d7+ C5 1.exf4 gxf4 52 .g xf4 '\t'f5 =) 51... '\t'd 6 52. ih g4 h xg4 53.e xf4 gx f4 54.gxf4 We 6 = t ran sposes to th e followin g line C47 ... .f:ld 7) II 47.Ad7?! .Q.g4! 4S.Wd8 h5 4 9 .\t>e 8 f4! 50 ..\l xg4 h xg 4 51.exf4 gx f4 52 .gxf4 '\t'e 6 =, e .g . 53 .'\t'fS '\t'f5 54. '\t'e 7 '\t'xf4 55.'\t'd6 C55 .'\t'e6?? '\t'e 4) 55 .. .We 4! 56 .'\t'e 5 +Wg 2 C55 ... '\t'f3?? 57 .Wf4 Wh 3 58.W g 5) 56 .We5 Wf3 57.Wxd5 Wg 2 58. We5 Wxh 2 - draw B) 49.h4?? f4! 50 .Axg4 h xg4 5 1.ex f4 gx h 4- + C) 49.Ac8 f4!

(5 3 .. .'\t'f5? 54. Wcl6+-) 54 .'\t'e6 h 3 55.'\t'e5 '\t'f5 56 .Wxd5 '\t'xf4 57.'\t'e6 '\t'f3 5S.d5 Wg2 59.d6 '\t'xh2 60.d7 '\t'g l 61.dS-t,1 h2=

47,..Ag4! The alternative 47....Q.f3 is the start of an a d ve nture aft e r 48 .We 8 We 6!? (48" .A h5+ 49 .wfS We6 tran sp oses to th e main lin e ) 49 .A d7+ Wf6 50 .'\t'dS and now :

A)

~il~

~

~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~~ .. ~ .. .

",

~ ~ t ~ ~~t ~ ~~ mJ..~

~ ~~.,~. .~~ ~~ ~~ . . ,~. .~~ ~

~

~

Analysis

Ca) 50.Axg4 Cal) 50 ... h xg4? 51.exf4 gxf4 52.gxf4 We 6 53. We7 Wf5 54. Wd 6 We 4 C54...Wxf4 55.Wxd5 Wf3 56.We5 Wg2 57.Wf4+-) 55.We5+Ca2) 50... f xg3! 51. h xg3 C51.Af3?? gx h2 ) 51.. .hxg4 52. '\t'c8 (52. WeS '\t'e 6 =) 52 .. .'\t'e6 = Cb) 50.e xf4 A xeS 51.'\t'xc8 g xf4 52 .g xf4 We 6 53. '\t'c7 h 4! 186

Analysis

150...h5? A ) 51.h4? gxh4 52.g xh4 A g4! 53.'\t'e7 We7 54.Ab5 (54 .We6?? 1'4) 54...We6 55.A d3 ,{lf3 56.We6 A g4 57.We5 A f3 58.A a6 A g4 59.A e8+ Wf6 60.Ab7 1'4 = B) 51.\t>c7! h4 (Black is one temp o too lat e ) 52. Wd6 h xg 3 53 .hxg3 A e 4 54 .A e6 .{le 2 55 .Axd5 1'4 56 .gxf4 gxf4 57 .e4 A d l 58 .e5+ Wg7 (58 " .'\t'f5 59.e6 Wf6 60 .Ac6 .l1h 5 61. e 7+ -) 59. e 6 1'3 60. '\t'e5 1'2 61 .Ae4 .l1b 3 62 .Afl +II 50 ...Ah5? (Th ere is no time for this retreat ) 51.Wc7 A f7 52.Wd6 A) 52 ... h5 53. A e6 +- ( 53 .h4 +-) 53 .. .1'4 54 .ex f4 gx f4 55 .gxf4 '\t'f5 56 .Axd5 A g 6 57 .Ag2 +B) 52 ... Ag8

Same-Colored Bishops Analysis

Analysis Ba) 53.Ae8? (leaves the diagonal c8h3 and allows the opponent to rescue himself with the motif of the "wrong" bishop) 53 ... f4! 54.exf4 gxf4 55.g xf4 '<'ltf5 56.~e6 '<'ltxf4 57.Rxd5 Rh7 Bal) 58.Ae6 Re4 59.'<'lte7 (59.d5 '<'ltg5 60.'<'lte7 Rxd5 61.~xd5 '<'ltg6=) 59... '<'ltg5 60.'<'ltf7 '<'ltM 61.'<'ltf6 h5 62.'<'lte5 ~f3 63.d5 Rxd5 64.'<'ltxd5 '<'ltg5= Ba2) 58.Ag2 Rg8 59.'<'lte7 (59.d5 .\l x d 5 60.Rxd5 '<'ltf5 61.'<'lte7 '<'ltg6=) 59...'<'ltg4= Bb) 53.Ac6 f4 54.exf4 gxf4 55.g xf4 '<'ltf5 56.Rxd5 ~h7 57.'<'lte7 '<'ltxf4 58.Re6 (58.'<'ltf6 a d 3 59.Re6+-) 58 ... Re4 59.d5+III 50 ... Ae4 51.'<'lte7 '<'lte7 52.'<'lte6 ~.e2

53.Re8 Re4

The "bad" bishop is more mobile outside his pawns, but nevertheless zugzwang comes into play - with or without fixing Black's h-pawn (h6-h5 with h2/h3h4). A) 54.~c5 h5 Aa) 55.~c6 h4 AaI) 56.gxh4? gxh4 57.'<'lte5 '<'ltf6 58.'<'ltd6 '<'ltg5 59.lie6 (59.'<'lte5?? '<'ltg4) 59...'<'ltg4 (59 ... f4) 60.Rxd5 '<'It f 3 = Aa2) 56.~c5 hxg3 57.hxg3 '<'ltf6 58.'<'ltd6 Rf3 59.~e6 ~dl 60«~xd5 f4 61.gxf4 gxf4 62.e4 f3=, and Black's defense is easier compared to variation B with the additional h-pawns. Ab) 55.h4!? gxM 56.gxM '<'ltf6 57.'<'ltd6 Rf3 58.Re6 (58.lib7? f4 59.exf4 '<'ltf5 60.ibd5 lldl 61.Re6+ '<'ltxf4=; 58.lid7? ~g4!! 59.RC6 f4 60.exf4 '<'ltf5 61.~xd5 '<'ltxf4=) 58 ... Rdl transposes to Bb, position after 58...Rdl. B) 54.h3 (Whitecould also oscillatewith his king between c5 and c6 in order to reach the constellation w'<'ltd6/w~e6 using zugzwang. But in the meantime Black changes a pair of pawns on the kingside) 54...h5 55.h4 gxh4 56.gxh4 '<'ltf6 57.'<'ltd6 Rf3 58.Re6 Ba) 58 ... Ag4? 59.Rxd5 f4 60.e4 (60.e xf4? '<'ltf5 61.'<'lte7 '<'ltxf4 62.'<'ltf6 Re2) 60 ... f3 61.Rc4 f2 62.e5+ '<'ltf5 (62 ...'<'ltg6 63.e6 Rdl 64.'<'lte5 Rb3 65.Rfl +-) 63.Rd3+ '<'ltf4 64.e6 Rf5 (64 ... Rdl 65.d5 '<'lte3 66.Rfl +-) 65.Rfl '<'lte4 66.e7 Rg6 67.d5 Rf7 68.Rg2+ '<'ltd4 69.'<'ltd7 fl 'If1 70.Rxfl '<'ltxd5 71.Rb5 along with '<'ltd8 and Re8+Bb) 58...Adl!

187

Tactical Endgames

Analysis

Analysis

A remarkably tough defense! Play continues: 59.ibd5 f4: BbI) 60.exf4? 'It'f5 61.It'e7 It'xf4 62.M,e6 (62.lt'f6) 62 .. «lif3 63.'lt'f6

Bb22a) 63.Jlg2 It'f6 Bb22al) 64.e7 ~,a4 65.~h3 ,Q,b5 66.d5 (66 ..\1d7? ~xd7 67.lt'xd7 f l '?f1 6S.eS'?f1 '?f1b5+ etc. =) 66 ... ~a4=. and White can't make progress. Bb22a2) 64.d5 .\1b3 65.M,fl M,dl 66.M,b5 M,a4 67.~.e2 .\1b3=, and we can't see how White can make meaningful progress. Bb22b) 63.Jlc4 It'f6 64.d5 (64.'lt'd7?? ~b3; 64.e7 M,a4=) 64 ... .\1b3 65.{!b5 ~a4 66.~fl

~e4=

Bb2) 60.e4± (Despite the connected passed pawns in the center, matters are far from clear!) 60 ...f3

~b3=

Analysis As his last chance Black tips the scales with this pawn advance. Bb2I) 61.Jlc4?? .lie2 6Llie6 f2 63.e5+ 'It'g6 64 ..lih3 f l '?f1 65 ..\1xfl .\1xfl 66.d5 c1lc4 Bb22) 61.e5+ (It is more precise to prepare this advance, for example with .lie6 - see the main line) 61...lt'f5 62.e6 (62.lt'e7? M,e2) 62 ... f2

Analysis We couldn't find a win here either, neither with the white bishop on c4 nor on h3. So the adventure - though very exciting - shall end here and we return 188

Same-Colored Bishops to the main line demonstrating that Black can defend much more easily.

Analysis

50...f4! This thematic breakthrough finally clears up everything. Even the weaker 50 ... Ilfy' 51. '0xh6 '¢?f6 may be a matter for discussion.

51.exf4 gxf4

52.~xh6

52.gxf4 wf5 53.Qd7+ Wxf4=

Analysis

48...l1h5+! White's monarch is invited to penetrate on the kingside. But Black's breakthrough by means oft4 will now be more effective. The normal looking 48... ~e6? loses without a fight: 49 ..lld7+ wf6

("19 ... ili'd6 5CLIleS We7 51.~e6 ,td6 52.'01'7 with the plan Wf6, ;lxf5+-) 50.wdS (The king marches

Analysis

back and uses the well-known mechanism to force the antagonist step by step away) 50 ... h5 51.We7 We7

A highly instructive and tricky ending. Conclusion: Essentially Black manages to survive by a clever and welltimed sacrifice of his f-( d- )pawn.

(51...h4 52.gxh4 gxh4 53.Wd6+-) 52.;"?e6+- (52.iteS+-)

In the following example the attacker also wants to break through.

189

Tactical Endgames

8 .Wb l =) S.~ b2 w el5 9 .g6 h xg 6 l O.h xg6 ~e6 l1. g7 ~f7 1 2 . ~c 3 c1 2 13.Wc2= with a draw.

Elegant Way To Draw (Fortress) U. F/Ogel (2320) - O. Brendel (2410) Ge nTIan Bundesliga 1998

i • • , ~

• ~

~:j

_

_

• ~ 11

~

I]

.'~':f~_ft. ~f~ ft

F~ ~~

~'~' . ". '~ ~~ ~ ~111 . IJ ~IJ ~

~

_

.

White to move (=) (Posi tion after WaS-bS)

The fortress is perfect! Whit e won 't fall into zugzwang because his bishop can move on the three squares a I, b2 and c3 while his king rem ain s o n b3. Therefore the players agreed to a draw .

There are a lot of fortress themes in the endg am e, whi ch do occur in pract ice more ofte n than generally supposed . Here is one elegant example. Black's int enti on to sa crific e the a-p awn to deflect the enemy and thereby break in with his king on c4 has a big flaw ...

We end this section with a relati vely simple example. FuJI Activity

i.acn

A. Khalifman (2660) V. Salov (2685)

U lc3? fail s to 1.. .A g7! L l1a l ~ f6 3. A c3 h 6 4 .A a l A d S S.A c3 A b 6 (Fo r S...a2? see later) 6.Aa l .l1aS-+, zugzwa ng, but 1.Ab4!?, thou gh more compl icated, may be playabl e too . 1...a2?! A bett er atte m pt would have be en 1.. . .Ilg7, e .g. 2. AxgS (2 .Ax a 3?) 2.. .A xel4 3 .Ac l ! a2 4.Wxa2 wc4 Sj tb2! (The easiest way; lO.gS!? may be okay t o o) S... A e 3 (S ... .Il xb 2 6. ~xb2 w el4 7 .g S ~e S S.g6 h xg6 9 .hxg6 w f6 l O.Wc 3= ) 6 ..111'6 c14 (6 ... ~ d 3 7 .g S ~ e 4 8 .g6 h xg6 9 .h xg6 A h 6 =) 7 .g S d 3 (7 ... ~ c 3

Black to move (-+) I After 37... Axf4? White can hinder Black 's king from leav ing the edge.

190

Same-Colored Bishops A) So 38.ihb4? is wrong:

38 ... <;t>g2 39.~el (39.~e7 ~g3 'to.<;t>e3 h4 41.~xh4 'uxh4 42.<;t>f4 ~g3+ 43.<;t>g4 iLc7 44.f4 ;1'1f2-+) 39 ... ~g5 40.f4

~

~:~:~m ~t~ ~t

~ ~

r.~'.·.·,", ~d..0j

r.~'.·.·.,", ~d..0j

~ ~

B) The right way to save the position is

38.<;t>f1! itd6 39.<;t>gl .\le7 40.<;t>f1 <;t>h2 41..\1f2 h4 42 ..~,el h3 43.f4 ,Uf6 (43 ....\ld6 44.<;t>f2 ~xf4 45.~xb4=) 44.~f2~g7 45..\lh4 ,\l xd4 46.f5=

!I;Th~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~ ~

48.<;t>e2!+-) 42.<;t>e3 <;t>h3 43..\lel <;t>g4 44.b4 h4 45.<;t>f2 h3 46.~d2! with the plan iLd2-h6-g7 and White seems to be holding his own (e.g. 46...<;t>f5 47.illi6 <;t>e4 48.~g7 ~xb4 49.<;t>g3 ~c3 50.<;t>xh3 .\1xd4 51.M8=) Ab) 40 .....\1f6! 41.f5 h4 42.~a5 h3 43...\1c7 h2 44.~xh2 <;t>xh2 45.<;t>f3 <;t>h3 46.b4 <;t>h4 47.<;t>f4 <;t>h5 48.b5 'uxd4 49.f6 <;t>g6-+ (49...~xf6? 50.b6=)

WJ ~

Analysis

II Salov won the game easily after 37... ~g2! since activating the king is the predominant criterion here: 38.f5 .Q,e7 39.f6 .Q,xf6 40 ..Q,xb4h4 41 ..Q,d6h3 42.b4 .Q,e7! 0-1.

Aa) 40 ...iLxf4? 41.~h4 (41.b4? ~g5 42.b5 h4-+) 41...~d6 (41...iLg3?? 42.~xg3 <;t>xg3 43.b4 h4 44.<;t>f1 <;t>h2 45.b5 h3 46.b6 <;t>hl 47.b7 h2

191

Tactical Endgames

B3) Fortress or Not? In endgames, the side with a material disadvantage is often able to construct a fortress due to the somewhat limited possibilities resulting from the reduced material on the board. For example, the position ~d5+:1h5+\t'g4 . vs. se6+:1f7+\t'g7 is drawn since It IS basically a fight between two pieces. The reader should sharpen his eye for these types of positions. A Small Finesse

alternative 39.1'1e2? allows Black's king to penetrate devastatingly after 39 ... a2 40.1'1el cl:1c2 41.1'1al b3! (41...libP 42.b3!=. If ... \t'e4 then White can always reply \t'e2) 42.\t'e2 ~d6 43.\t'd2 \t'd5 44.\t'el \t'e4 45.~e2 ~bl 46.\t'd2 I 46 ... \t'f3? 47.~c3 ilc2 48.\t'd4 \t'g3 (48 ... ~e2?) 49.e4 II 46 ... ild3 47.1'1cl (47.\t'c3 ilc2 48.\t'd2 \t'f3-+) 47 ... ii.bl 48.1'1c4+ \t'f3 with decisive effect: 49.1'1a4 .l:1g6! 50. \t'c3 ilf7 51. \t'd4 \t'g3 and probably -+

39 ...bxa3 40.f'!e2 a2 41.f'!el Ac2 42.f'!al 42.1'1cl \t'd6 43.1'1al would only waste time.

White to move (=) (Position after 38 ... ~e6xb3) A clever pawn breakthrough initiated by an exchange sacrifice led to this exciting ending, which the Amencan GM Yasser Seirawan (* 1959) won beautifully. However, his opponent, I~ Teodor Ghitescu from Romania (* 1934), could have saved himself in an amazing manner'

39.bxa3 Taking away the b-pawn reduces Black's winning potential. The

Now White has to follow the right plan so that the black king cannot enter the enemy camp.

43.h4! The immediate exchange ofrook pawns is very convincing, though White can also delay it - but not for long, e.g.: 43.\t'el?! (the game continuation; 43.\t'g3 \t'd6 44.h4! is similar to the main line) 43 \t'd6 44.\t'e2?! (44.h4!) 44 ~d5 45.\t'f3? (45.h4!) 45 ... \t'c4-+ 192

Fortress or Not? Analysis In the game this position arose (with Black to move) but with the pawns h3/ h6 still on the board - a small finesse that makes all the difference! Black could have taken appropriate measures so that momentarily he is not to move. Now he tries to invade with his king on the queenside at a moment when White's king is not on n. Otherwise White could draw beginning with §xa2 and we4.

I 46.EIxa2 (game) 46 ... ~xa2 .j7o;ve4 itbl+ 48.we5 wel3 ,'J.6'f6 w xe3 50.wg7 wf4 51.'6'xh6 .~ e 4 and White resigned 0- I l51.. ..\le4 52. wh5 itO with the idea ....\:txg4(+)]

46.e4+! Clearing the square e3. Alternatives are:

II 46.e4 wb3/we3 47.we3 [47.e5 ;t;b2 48.§xa2+ ~xa2-+ (49.we4 ~Le6 50.wel4 we2 51.we5 wel3 52.6'el6 ~b3 plus we4-f4)] 47 ... wb2 48.§xa2+ itxa2 49.wel4 ;1/c2-+ III 46.h4 (too late) 46 ... wb3 47.hxg5 hxg5 48.e4 (48.§xa2 6' xa2-+) 48 ... wb2 49.§xa2+ D.xa2-+

45 ... g xh4 44.wg2 wf6 45.wh3 ;'I;g5 46.e4=

I 46.wf2 wc4

A) 47.wf3 wel3 48.wf2? (48.e4!) 49.wf3 (49.e4 wb2 50.§xa2+ .\:txa2-+) 49 ... wb2 50.§xa2+ wxa2-+ B) 47.e4 wel4 48.wf3 ~xe4+ 49.wf2 ~bl 50.wf3 wel3 51.wg3 we3 and Black has a decisive advantage (?) according to Seirawan in the Endgame Encyclopaedia (position no. 835). However, the analysis of the main variation shows that this evaluation is wrong.

48 ... we3

46.we2 wc4 47.wel2 wb4 (47 ... wb3 48.§xa2=) 48.e4! (48.§xa2? itxa2 49.wel3 ~e6-+) 48 ... we4 49.e5! (49.we3? we3 50.e5 wb2 51.§xa2+ ~xa2-+) 49 ... wel5 50.we2 wx e 5 51.we3 wel5 leads to the main line. Black's king can take the pawn g4 at his leisure. II

46... Axe4+ 46 ...wel4 is no better: I 47.wg3? we3 48.wf2 (48.e5 wb2 49.§xa2+ .\1xa 2- +) 48 ... wb2 193

Tactical Endgames 49 .B xa2 + A xa 2 50 .\t' e3 '>'I1 e3-+ II 47 .'>'I1 f2 '>'I1 e3 (47 ...'>'I1 d3 48 .e 5 '>'11 c3 49 .e 6 \t' b 2 50.e7 =) 48.\t'e 3 '>'I1 b 2 49 .B xa 2+ A xa 2 50 .\t'd4=

52...\t' h 4 53. \t'h 2 g4 54 .'ltig2 g3 55.'>'I1g 1 \t' h 3 56 .\t'h 1 A e 4 + 57.'>'I1g1 A d 5 58 .Bd1 = 53. ~f2 g4 54.~g2 g3 55. ~gl ~f3 56.~f1

III 47 .e 5 ile 4 + ( for 47 ... 'ltixe 5

48 .\t' e3 , see the main line ) 48.\t' e 2 A d 5 49. ~ d 2 A e 6 ( 49 ...\t' xe 5 50 .\t' c3 =) 50. \t' e2 = 47 .~e3 Ab1 48.~f2 4 8 .~f3

'ltid4 makes no difference.

56 . ~ h 1

~ f2

57 .B xa2+

~ f1

58 .Be2 =/ Bg2 =

56 ...Ad3+ 56 .. .g2+ 57 .\t'gl '>'I1g3 58 .flxa2 itx a2 stalemate

48 ... ~e4

57.~gl

48 ... ~ d 4 49 . ~ f3 ile4+ (49 ...'it'd 3 ~e3 51.~e3 ~b2 50 .'it'f2 52.B xa 2+= ) 50 .'>'I1f 2 .'\ld5 51. 'it'e 2 \t' e 4 52. ~d2 =, e .g . 52 ...'it'f4 53.'>'I1 e3 \t' xg4 54 .\t'b2 '>'I1g3 55 .B e1 g4 56 .Be5 A e 6 57. flg5 plann ing fl xg4

or 58.'>'I1h1 ~d5 59. 'it'gl=. In any case Black can't make progress.

Ac4 58.E!.c1=

The next position is favorable for the bishop due to the far advanced passed pawns. Space Clearance and Maneuvering

49 .~g3 ~e3 50.~g2 ~f4 51. ~f2 ~ xg452. ~g2

Analysis Black to move (-+) Black can't achieve anything better than this positio n, with White having the vital opposition .

49...Ad5? Bl ack th ou ght to wi n eas ily by f4+.l1e4+\t'e3 with zugzwang . But the

52...~f4 194

Fortress or Not? passed a-pawn marches to a7, after which White can hold his own tactically.

54...Ac6

I 49 ... f4? 50.a6 ild3 51.a7 ile4 transposes to the game after 51...~e4 II However, the last and beautiful winning possibility in the game was 49...b4!! in order to prevent a6, win a tempo and then after 50.cxb4 f4 continue with the bishop maneuver J1e6-g4 or ila6-cS-g4, e.g. 51.Rg6 ile6 (or 51...ila6 52.J:':lgS ilcS 53.b5 ilg4 54.J:':lxg4 ~xg4 55.~f2 ~h3 56.~gl ~g3 57.b6 f3 5S.b7 f2 #) 52.b5 C52.a6 ilg4 53.J:':lxg4 ~xg4 54.~f2 ~h3 55.a7 ~h2 56.aS~ gl ~+ 57.~e2 ~g2+ 58.~xg2+ ~xg2-+) 52 ... ilg4 53.J:':lxg4 ~xg4 54.~f2 ~h3 55.~gl ~g3 56.b6 f3 57.b7 f2# well timed!

~xc3

54 ... f3?? 55.J:':le7+ ~d3 56.~f2 C56 ... ilc6 57.J:':leS+-) 57.§e5 plan §xb5+-

55.§e7+ or 55.§g6 ild5 C55 ... ~e4 56.§g4) 56.§g7 as before 55...\f}f3

55 ... ~d3??

56.~f2

56.§g7 Ad5 57.§g5 Ac6 58.§g7 Ae4 59.§g5 \f}e3 60.§g4 Ac6 61.§g7 YZ-YZ At the Botvinnik Memorial Match 2001, three of four games with classical time controls were disappointingly short draws. But the following endgame provided at least partial compensation for the spectators. Escaping Like Houdini G. Kasparov (2838) V. Kramnik (2809) Moscow (Botvinnik Memorial Match) 2001

53.§g4! The only possible defense, preventing Black from advancing his passed pawns (53 ... f3?? 54.J:':lxe4+). Unfortunately Black is unable to get this position with White to move (zugzwang!) since the opponent can vary his defensive ideas.

53...Ad5 54.§g7 54.§g5?? f3 55.§g3 ile4-+

Black to move Kramnik found a clever way to put pressure on Kasparov. 195

Tactical Endgames

45 ...f5!

White's remaining pawns. So it was better to wait and play 5 8.~d4, e.g. 5S...El a2

An astonishing fork on an ungu arded square that defl ects the bishop and wi ns the ex change!

C59 .4.Jf5? g a4 + 6 0 . ~e3 6 1.4.Jxh6 g a 3+ 62 .'it'f2 'it'f4+) 59 .. .g a4 60 . ~d 3 g a8 6 1 . ~ e 4 g fS 6v~ d2 g f4 + 63 .We3 g a 4 64 . c~e4 w e 5 65 . ~g3 g a3+ 66 .;t>f2 g b3 67 A:Je 2 ;t>d 5 68.~g 3 ;t>d 4 69 . c~ f5+ 'it'e 5 70 .'it'g3 g b6 7l .4.Je 3

5 9 . c~ c4

~e 5

46.Axf5 ga8 47.Abl 47.\i'1c1?1 is ver y risky: I 47 ... e4? 48 ..QJ., xe 4 g a l 49 .Ab l \;, d 3 ,)0."&c8+ ;t> h 7 5 1. c~f6 + ;t>g6 52 .-2re8 + ;t> xf6 53 .\i'tf8+ 'It'e 6 = ( 'i3 ... '0'g6? 5 4 . ~1tl6 + + - ) " 47 .. .8.a l 4fU a,b l "&c3 49 ."W' tl l e 4 50 .4.Jx h6 + ~ h 7 51..Q.xe 4+ 'rt ' xh 6 52 .Ab l g6! (52 ...'itl b 2? 53 . ~ tl 6 + ~ f6 54. \i'i' d 2+ g5 55 . ~jtl3=) 53 .g 4 'it'g5 54 .'itld 8 + 'it'f4 55. ~d 6+ 'it'e 3 56. 'itlb6+ C56 .-{:/tl l!?) 56 ... \';1 d 4 57 .'itlb3+ 'it'f2 58 .'\il!c2+ ~ x f3 59 .\';1b 3+ 'it'f4 and it is uncle ar whether White can hold his own.

47 .. . ~b2 48.h4 gal 49.'it'h2 ~x b l 50 .~ xe5 ~h1+ 51.'it'g3 ~e l + 52. ~ xel gxel 53.'it'f4 ge2 54.4Je3 g6 55.g4 'it'f7 56.h5 g5+ 57. 'it'e4 'it'e6

and now : I 7 I. ..g c6 (to transfer the rook to the afil e ) 72 .4.Jf5 g a6 73 .4.Je3 ~ d 4 7 4 . c~ f5 + Wcl3 75.f4 'it'e 4 76 .fxg 5 h xg 5 n .h 6 g a 7 7S.4.Jd 6 + 'it'e 5 79 .4.Jf5 g a3 + SO.'it'g2 ~ f4 (SO.. .~f6 8 1. c~d4 g a4 82. h7 ~g 7 83 A:J f3 g xg4 + 84 . ~ h 3 = ) 81. h 7 g a8 82A:Je7= and the double threat 4.Jg6+ and 4.JgS sec ures the draw. II 7 1.. .'it'd 4 72 .4.Jf5+ ~d3 73 .f4 ~e 4 74 .fxg 5 h xg5 75 .h6 g b8 (7 5...g b 3+ 76.'it'g2 ~ f4 n .h7 g b8 78 .4.Je7 ~ x g 4 79 .4.Jg6 =; 75... ~ e 5 76 .h7 g b8 n .4.Je 3 g h8 78 .4.Jd l g xh7 7 9. c~ f2 El. d 7 80 "£\h3 =) 76.h7 ;t>e 5 n .4.Je 3 g h8 78 .4.Jd l El. xh7 79. i;~ f2 El. a7 80.4.Jh3 =

S~~~~~~

~ ~ ~~ ~.

So Kasparov was able to es ca pe into the foll owin g endg ame .

~ ~~~~ •

~~~ '0 ~

.~~~~~~~~~ ~ ~ ~ ~4J1 ~ ~ '.-~. ~

~

~

An aly sis The kni ght has reach ed its ideal squa re, where it g uards the entry sq uare f4 and forces Black to protect his last pawn so that no meaning ful progress is possibl e.

58.f4?! Nor ma lly it is goo d to exc hange pawns, b ut no w Bl ack ge ts roads to attac k

58...gf2! 59.4Jd5? 196

Fortress or Not?

Alternatives: I 59.fxg5? is also insufficient due to the un favorabl e position of Whit e's kni ght : 59 ...h xg 5 60 .4:Jd5 8 1'7 6 1. ~d 8 1'4 + 62. 'it'd 3 8 b4 A) 63 .":21c4 Wd 5 64..£\e 3+ (64 . ~ d 2 :3 xg4 65. etJ f3 8 g 3 66. 'it'e 2 'it'e 4+) 64 ... 'it'e5 6 5.h6 (65.'it'e2 8 b 2+ 66 .'it'f3 8 b3 67.Wf2 'it'f4- +) 6 5...8 h 3 + 66 .We2 w f4 67. :211'5 ,:l h 3 - + B) 6 3 . ~c3 8 e 4 64.Wd3 We 5 65 .h6 ;::i. a 4 66 .'it'e2 C66. a f5 8 a 3+ 67 .w e 2 8 h 3-+) 66.. .'i-t'f4 6 7 . ~d 5+ $ xg4 68.h7 (now the pawn is caught by the rook just before reachin g his promotion square) 0

Analysis A) 64.Wf3? (is wrong as we will see

soon) Aa) 64 ...w f6? (misses the chanc e) 6 5 . ~ d5+ 'it'e 5 6 6 .~ e7 8 a8 (66 ... 8 a 3 + 67. 'it'g 2 w f4 68 .1'6= ) 8e8 68. :21 g 6 + 'it'f6 67. 'it'g 3 69 .Wf3 8 a8 70 .Wg 3 8 a3 + 7 1.'it'h 2 Wf7 7 2..£\e 5 + 'ti e 7 73 .Wg 2 8 d 0

.. ,.

~~~-~-~. ~~~ ~~ ~rtf

~ ~~~~T~ift~ ~~ ~~"" ~rft'1%I

1%I~~~~'iJ.l1%I ~

.

Analysis

74 . ~ g 6+! w d 6 7 5.wf2 .8 b 3 76. w g 2 'it'd 5 77. w f2 We 4 78 .w g 2 8 h 2+ 79 .'it'g3 (It is not possibl e to bring White into a decisive zugzw ang)

Analysis 68 ...8 a 8 69 .4:)1'6 + 'it'f5 £ a 2+ 7 1.W f3 8 h 2- +

70 . ~g8

II 59.f5+! was called for, e.g. 59...Wf6 60 . :21d 5 + w f7 6 1.Wd4 8 g2 6 2. o:21d 8 a 2 63 .We 4 8 a4 + (White has to be very careful) o

~///)tl • _ . 1%1 ~ ~~~

"'//////~% ~% ~~ J~

Analysis

E~~ ~~~l ~ ~~ kJ.~ 1

Aal) 79 .. ..8a 2 80 .Wh 3 w f3 8 1.f6 Wf2? goes too far since after 82.f7 'it'gl 83 .f8~ the new queen protects a3. Aa2) 79 ....8c 2 80 .":21e7 Wd 8 1. 1'6 .81'2 82. af5 + We 2 83 .1'7 8 1'3 +=

1%1 ~ ~ it *~ it

...

~~

~~~

197

Tactical Endgames Aa3) 79...§ d2 Aa31) After 80.Wh3? White's king is surprisingly caught in a mating net: SO ...Wf3 8 1.f6 w f2 82 .f7 (82 .'it'h 2 Wf1+ 83 . ~ g 3 8 f2-+) S2 ... ~ g l

~

~

~

.

~~~~'!~f ~~ ~~ ~~ .J! '.'

~

~

~

•

Cal 68 .4:Je3 +? ~ e S 69 .'it'c3 ~ d 6 7 0 . ~ d 3 § b 4 7 1.f6 C7 1. ~c4 + ~d 5 72 . ~ e3 + We 5-+) 7 1.. .We 6 72 ..£\f5 'it'xf6 73 .4Jxh 6 We 5 74 .4Jf7 + ~ f4 7 5 .h6 8 b 3 + 7 6 . ~ d4 C7 6 .'it'e 2 8 h 3-+) 76 ... § h 3 n .wd S 'it'xg4 78 .'it'e5 (Black has to play precisely to score the full point)

~~ it

~

. ~ ~ ~ ft~ ~ ~~ . ~

C) 64 . ~d3! is sur prisingly cor rect: 64 .. .fl f4 6 S . ~ c 4 Wf6 66 .4:Je3 'it'e 5 6 7 . c~c4 + 'it'd S

. . ••

~~~~~ . ~.~.

~

Analysis

B) 64 .~ e 5? 8 f4 and White is in z ug zwang: 65.Wd 5 'it'f6 66 .Wd6 fl e 4 67 .4:JdS + ~ f7 - +

~ ~4J~

~ ~~~ ~W~ ~irfi-~~lt"

.. . . .

Ab) 64...8 f4+! 65.'it'g3 (65 .~e 2 fl d4 66 .Wf3 'it'f6 67.4:Jg2 'it'e 5 68 .4:Je3 8 d 3-+) 65 .. .fl d 4 66 .4:Jg2 (66 .4:J f1 We 7 67 .4:Jh2 8 d 3+ 68 . ~f2 'it'd 6 69 .4:Jf3 'it'd 5-+ ) 66 .. .~ e7 67. ~e 1 (6 7.4:Je3 ~ f6 68. 'it'f2 ~ e S 69.Wf3 8 d 3-+) 67 .. .Wd 6 68 .4:Jf3 fl d 3 69. 'it'g 2 'it'd 5 70 .4:Jg 1 'it'e4 7 1.4:Jh 3 fl a 3 72. 4:Jf2+ w f4 73.f6 fl a6-+

~

~

~~ ~~~ ~~~

83 .4:Je S (83 .f8 ~ ? 8 d 3+ 84 . ~ f3 fl xf3 "" ) 83 ...8 f2 84. 'it'g 3 fl f6 8 S.4:J f3 + 'it'f1 86 .4:Je S ~ e 2 - + Aa32) 80 .4:Je 7! § d 1 (80 .. .8 d 3+ 8 1. Wg 2 Wf4 82 .f6 =) 8 1. Wf2 (S l .f6 8 d8 82 .f7 § f8 83 .4:Jf5 'it'e 5 'it'f6 8 5.4:J f5 fl xf7 S4. 4:Jx h 6 86 .4:Jd6 8 e 7!) 8 1...'it'f4 82 .f6 = (This drawing line was found by P. Montige1, a readerof Schach Magazin 64)

~

~ ~~ ~ ~

~

~

Analysis 78 ... 8 h 1 79.We4 C7 9 .Wf6 w f4 80 .Wg6 g4-+ as Black's knight plays a rather unfortunate role) 79 ...8 h 5!1 80 .We5 Wh4 - + Cb) 6s .4Jb6 +! Wc6 69 .4:Je 4 We 5 70. 4:Je 5 Wd 5 C70.. .§ a 4 7 1.We3 fl xg 4 73 .f6 =) Wd 5 72.4Jg6 flf3+ 72.We2 'it'e 4 71. 4Jd7 ( 72 ...fl f4 73. ~ e 3 Wd 6 74. 4Jf6 § a 4 7 5.Wf3 8 a 3 + 76 .Wg 2 We S We 5 n .4:Jd7 + 'it'd 5 78 .4Jf8 79 .4Jg6 +=) 73 .4Je 5+ 'it'f4 74 . ~ d3 + Wg3 7 5.4:Je 5 fl a3 76 .f6 fl a 5 n .4Jd7 § a 2+ 78 .'it'e3 fl f2 79 .~e 4 Wxg4 80 .f7 8 xf7 8 1.4Je5+ ~xh5 8 2 .4:J xf7 = Now back to the game: 59..,gxf4 60.-tlxf4+ !if}f6 61.!if}e3

I 61.4:Jg6 'it'g S 62. 4:Je5 fl f6 63.'it'e 3 8 e 6 64.Wd 4 Wf4-+ II 6 1.4:Jh 3 8 h 2 62 .4:Jf4 ~g 5 63.Wf3 fl a 2 64.4:Jg2 fl a3+ 65. ~ e 3 loses as in the variation 63...Wg5! below 198

Fortress or Not'?

Kramnik could have won now by means of zugzwang, as he showed himself at www.c1ubkasparov.ru (we have added some variations to illustrate his proof):

63... E!al 63 ... lt'g5! 64.~e5 (64.~f2 §g3 6'5.lt'd4 It'f4 66.g5 §f3 67.g xh6 ;]xf2 6S.h7 §d2+-+) 64 ... §a7 65.lt'f3 §e7 66.~c4 (66.~d3 §eS 67.~f2 It'h4 6S.lt'g2 §fS-+, zugzwang) 66 ... §el 67.~e3 (67.~d2 §al 6S.~e4+ It'h4 69.4Jf2 §as 70.lt'g2 §fS-+) 67 ... §bl 6S.lt'e4 §b4+ 69.lt'f3 (69.lt'e5 §a4 70.lt'd5 It'f4 71.~f5 8a6-+) 69 ... §a4: I After 70.lt'g2!? Black reaches the decisive zugzwang position as follows: 70 ... lt'f4 71.~f5 §a2+ A) 72.It'f1!? avoids the zugzwang, but runs into 72 ...lt'xg4 73.~xh6+ It'f3! 74.lt'el §a5 75.lt'd2 §xh5 76.c~gS §e5 77.lt'd3 (77.~f6 §e6 nL~h7 It'g4-+) 77 ... §e6 7S.lt'd4 It'f4. and Black catches the steed. B) n.lt'h3 It'g5 73.lt'g3 §a4 74.:£Je3 §f4-+, zugzwang II 70.lt'g3 §f4 71.lt'g2 C71.lt'h2 3e4-+) 71...lt'h4 n.4Jf5+ It'xg4 73.4Jxh6+ It'xh5 74.lt'g3 §fS 7'5.:£Jg4 §gS-+ (Kramnik)

68 ...E!b5?

Now Kasparov escapes ingeniously, like Houdini. Instead of the text, es... §c4 69.~d7+ (69.~e4+ It'e5 70.~f2 §c3+ 71.lt'g2 It'f4-+; 69.~d3 §c3 70.lt'e4 §a3-+) 69 ... lt'g5 70.~e5 §c3+ 71.lt'e4 §c7 72.lt'f3 §e7-+ was called for. 69.4Je4+ ~e5

69 ... lt'g7 70.lt'f4 §b4 71.lt'f5=

70.g5!!

This brilliant resource saves Kasparov. 70 ...E!b4 I 70 ...§b3+ 71.lt'g4 It'xe4 72.g xh6

It'e5 73.h7! C73.lt'g5?? §g3+ 74.lt'h4 §gl 75.h7 It'f4 76.lt'h3 §hl+ 77.lt'g2 §xh5-+) 73 ... §b8 74.lt'g5= 199

Tactical Endgames II 70 ...hxg5 71.c£J xg5 '.t'f5 72.c£Jh3=

1...Ac3

71.{)f2 E!f4+

The only playable move as the bishop belongs on the vital long diagonal. All the alternatives lose. For example, 1.. ..l1h4? protects f6 for the moment, but the diagonal h4-d8 is too short: 2.1'H7+ '.t'g8 C2 ... '.t'h6/'.t'h8 3.§f4 plan '.t'f7 plus §g4) 3.§f4 iid8 U ... iiel 4.'.t'f6+-) 4.§a4 '.t'g7 5.§a7+. Since '.t'g8 is refuted by §as Black has to leave his hostel under bad circumstances: 5 ... '.t'h6 6.'.t'f7 '.t'h5 7.§a4+-. The procedure will be examined more closely in the following.

71...hxg5 72. c:Jd 3 + '.t'f5 73.c£Jxb4 g4+ 74.'.t'g3 '.t'g5=

n.\t>g3 - Yz -Yz. The draw was agreed in light of 72 ... hxg5 73. c:Jd3+ '.t'f5 74.4Jxf4 gxf4+ 75.'.t'f3 '.t'g5 (based on an article by Karsten MUller for the German Schach Magazin 64). The next fortress is worth exploring as it happens quite often in practical play. Also, we will refer to it later on!

2.E!f7+

The Never-Ending Story (On Fortresses and Pseudo-Fortresses, A Study in Three Parts) Part I: Introduction (Parameters)

2...\t>g8

Black to move (=) The diagrammed position deals with questions offundamental importance for the following and for part II as well. Experts know that Black can construct a fortress here. A small test will demonstrate.

200

Parameters With 2...'.t'g8! Black adopts a "wait and see" policy: I) Black's king does not leave the squares g8 and g7 (if possible) and hinders White's king from advancing to f7.

Fortress or Not'? 2) The bishop rules on the long diagonal a l-h8 and oscillates on it (preferably on the squaresc3 andd4) so that White's king is restrained from f6. When he threatens to enter via g5, then Black has to be able to defend with J1f6 (e.g. w~g4I:§c6/ fth3 - b~g7 / J1b2/ftg6 and w~g4/ ."lb7/fth3 - b~g8/~c3/ftg6). 3) The black pawn stays firmly on g6 (on the opposite color of the bishop). 4) To achieve something against this waiting strategy White has to change the pawn structure. When he reaches for example the constellation w~e6/l"Ig4/ itM - b~g8/~c3/ftg6 and creates the threat hS, Black's king has to leave the dangerous comer and escape via h7-h6h5. White can then enter the enemy's hostel, but with correct play both pawns fall and the resulting endgame is drawn. Now we want to illustrate point 4 with a line containing the typical ideas. First we deal with the false ways:

penetrate and capture the g-pawn or decide the duel between rook and bishop in his favor. The following circumstances are also worth mentioning: a) Black can't reach a solid defensive formation in the main line due to his lack of control over the critical entry squares t7 and f6, and b) Black's king threatens now to attack the h-pawn and exchange it with gS-g4. But as it stands White can prevent that by the maneuver l"If7-c7-c4-g4. The importance ofthis rook lift to the fourth rank will be seen several times. Now we enter into details: II 2... ~h6? 3.l"Ic7 (plan ~f7, l"Ic4g4) 3 ... ~d2 (3 ... ~aS 4.l"IcS ~b6 5.l"Ib5) 4.~f6 A) 4 ~f4 S.l"Ic8 ~h7 6.l"Ic4+B) 4 ~e3 S.l"Ic4 ~hS 6.l"Ig4 and now:

I 2... ~h8? is too passive: 3.l"Ic7 ~aS 4.l"Id7 ~c3 (4 ~g8 S.~f6+-) 5.l"Id3 ~b2 (S ~el 6.~f6 ~h7 7.C,vg5+- idea l"Id7+ plus ~xg6) 6.~f7 ~h7 (6 ... gS 7.~g6 along with mate) 7.l"Ig3 ~h6 8.l"Ixg6++-

II 2... ~h6? is an instructive mistake. Black sacrifices the pawn g6 and tries to attack the pawn h3. Keeping the g-pawn with gS loses as well (see Bb below).

Bal) 7.l"Ixg6? is too early, as White's king hampers his rook: 7 ... ~h4 8.~fS (8.l"Ig2 J1c3+) 8 ... ~xh3 Ba2) 7.~f7 Ba2l) 7 ... ~e3 8.l"I xg6 ~h4 9.l"Id6 J1f2 lO.l"Ih6++-

Black has left the entry square f7 unguarded, so White's king can 201

Tactical Endgames Ba22) 7...Alg5 8.Bgl 'it'h4 (8 ...'it'h6 9.Bel 'it'h5 10.Be6 Alel 1l.Bxg6+transposes to 7...Alel) 9.'it'xg6 Ald8 10.Bhl Ale7 (l0 ... 'it'g3 1l.'it'h5+-) 1l.'it'f5 plan 'it'e4-f3-g2+Ba23) 7...Alel 8.Bxg6+- 'it'h4 9.Bh6+ Ba24) After 7...Alel 8.Bxg6+- 'it'h4 9.Be6 Alg5 the win is still quite tricky:

Ba24a) either 10.'it'g6Ald2 1l.Be2 Alel l2.'it'f5 'it'xh3 13.'it'f4 Alb4 l4.'it'f3 Ala3 l5.Be3 Alb4 l6.Bb3 Alel l7.Bbl Alg3 l8.Bal Ald6 08...'it'h2 19.Ba2+ 'it'h3 20.Ba8+-) 19.Bdl Alg3 20.Bd8 'it'h4 (20...Ale5 2l.Bd5+-) 21.Bh8++Ba24b) or 10.Be3 Ald2 1l.Bd3 Alel iz.x,n Alf2 13.Bfl Alg3 l4.Bhl Alf2 l5.'it'e6 'it'g3 l6.Bfl Alb6 l7.Bbl Alf2 l8.Bb3+ 'it'h4 19.'it'f5 o\:tg3 20.'it'e4 Ald6 2l.'it'f3 'it'xh3 22.Bb6 Alf8 23.Bf6 Alg7 24.B[7+-

White's winning plan consists of three steps. First his king marches back and changes roles with his rook: 7.'it'f5 Ald2 8.'it'e4 Alf4 9.'it'f3 Ald2 10.Be4 Alf4 1l.Be8 ~e5 (after 11...~d2 l2.Bh8+ 'it'g6 l3.'it'g4 Ale3 l4.Be8! the bishop is maneuvered out and the defense is overloaded) l2.Be8 Ale3 l3.Be7 Alb2 l4.Bh7+ 'it'g6l5.Bb7 Alcl16.'it'g4 Ale3 l7.Be7 Ald2 l8.Be6+ 'it'f7

Since a direct approach does not yield the desired result, White has to take a second step, this time backwards: 19. 'it'f3! 'it'g7 20.Be2!

Bb) 6...g5

In order to force the bishop onto muddy ground and prepare the final onslaught. The aim (step three) is to chase Black's king away from the kingside and to conjoin attacks on the pawn g5 with mating threats! Bbl) 20 ... ~f4 2l.h4! 'it'g6 22.'it'g4 Ale3 23.Be6+ followed by hxg5+-

202

Fortress or Not? Bb2) 20...lib4 21.~g4 lie7 22.§e7 23.§c6+ ~g7 (23 ...~e5 24.§g6 plan §xg5+-) 24.~f5 ~f7 25.§e7 ~f8

~f6

26.~e6 ~b4 27.~f6+- ~e8 28.~xg5

Bb3) 20... ~el 21.~g4 ~h4 22.~f5 ~h6 23.§e6+ ~h5 (23 ...~g7 24.§f6 ~h7 25.§g6 ~h8 26.~e6 ~h7 27.~f7+-) 24.§e8 ~h6 25.§g8 ~h7 26.§g6 ~h8 27.~e6 followed by ~f7 as above +Back to the main line. 3.h4

This unavoidable weakening highlights the difference with the 2 ... ~h6? variation: In the end the pawn h4 will fall prey to the bishop. 3... Jld4 3... liel?

4.~f6

lixh4+

5.~xg6+-

7...~h5 8.§g2 lic3 9.§h2 ~ellO.~f6 lig3 (l 0...lixh4+ 11.~f5) 11.§hl ~f2 12.~f5 lid 13.§el lif2 14.§e4 ~b6 15.§a4 itgI16.§e4 lie3 17.§g4 lid2 18.§e4 itc119.~e6ith6 20.~e5 lif8 21.~f5 lid6 22.§e6 lih2 23.§e2 itd6 24.§d2 lie5 25.~f4 ite7 26.§d7 itf8 27.~g3 lid6+ 28.~h3 lif8 29.§d5+ and so on. II 4...lie3 is also sufficient for a draw: 5.§g4 (5.§f7 lld4= as above) 5... ~h7 6.~f6 A) 6 ... lif2? 7.§xg6 lixh4+ 8.~f7 (+-, CD-ROM) 8 lid8 9.§c6 ~h4 10.§e4 ~d8 lif2 11.§f4 lig3 12.§f3+-) 11.§d4 lig5 12.§d3+B) 6 ... ~h6 7.§xg6+ ~h5 8.§g3 .llb6 9.§b3 (9.§h3 ~g4=) 9 ... lid8+ 10.~f5 ~xh4= (CDROM)

uo

5.!,!g4 \&h7 6.\&f7 \&h6 7.!,!xg6+ \&h5

4.!'!f4 4.§d7 lif2

5.~f6

itxh4+

6.~xg6

'~f8=

Conclusion: With Black's bishop on b2 or ai, White (to move) would win, but with the bishop on c3 or d4 Black draws (CD-ROM). 4... Jlc3 8.!'!c6 Jlcl Two alternatives: I 4... cllb2? 5.§g4 ~h7 6.~f7 ~h6 7.§xg6++- and White wins as follows according to the endgame CD-ROM:

203

8...lid2? 9.§c4+9.!'!c4 Jlxh4l0.\&c6 \&g5=

Tactical Endgames 5 1 . ~f3 A c3 52..9. a 7 A b 2 5 3 . ~e4 A c3 54 . ~ d5 .ilb 2 55 . ~ e6 .il c3 56 .E1.d7 .l1b 2 57. E1.c12 A d 58 ..9. g 2

In part II we deal w ith mu ch more complex problems, but at the end we ' ll see a tough tight about the parameters we have j ust disc ussed.

~g 7 !

59 .E1.g4

59 .h 4 w h 6 60 . ~ f7 w h 5 6 1. .9. xg 6 62. We6 A d 2 =

~x h4

59 ... Ab2 Y2-Y2 The next set-up is simi lar:

S. A rkhipov (2550) - JY. Watson (2460) Moscow 1985

Jan Timman

Practical Examples J. Timman (2605) A. Mo rozevich (2742) Wijk aan Zee (Co rus) 2002

Black to move (=) Black 's position is defensible despite the loss of the f7 pawn:

67 ... Ae5! 68.E! xf7+ Cif/g8 69.E!d7 A b 2 70.E!d2 Ac3 71.E!c2 Ad4 n.Cif/e7 Ae5 73.Cif/e6 A,d4 74. Cif/d5

Black to move (=)

48 ...h6! 49.g xh6 49. h 4 h xg 5 50.h xg 5 is drawn eve n with ou t the a-pawn - see th e next example.

74 ..9. c4 A b2 75.E1.f4 A d (leaving the long diagonal with 75...A c l? is fatal: 76 ..9.f6 ~ g7 77 .E1.f7+ ~ g 8 78. Wf6 A xg5+ 79.~xg6+ - since Black's king is trapped in the " wro ng co rn er" ) 76 .:81'6 ~g7!= (o f cou rs e not 76 ...A xf6?? 77 . ~ xf6 ~h7 78 . ~f7 ~h8 79 .Wxg6 ~g8 80 . ~h6 ~h8 81.g6 Wg8 82.g7+-)

49...Ax h 6 50.E!xa5 Ag7 Black has reached the fortress.

74...Aal 75.Cif/e6 Y2-Y2

204

Fortress or Not? Certainly there are more fortresses with this distribution of material: S. Kindermann (2440) V. Inkiov (2500) Plovdiv (EU-ch/T) 1983

[

... -

.~

r~,~~~~~,,,J ~_

~

~ ~ ~ I ~~:~ ~. ~.

'~~~~I ~~ ~~ . ~ ~ White to move (=)

White's efforts are in vain: 63 ..§h6+ \t1b 7 64.\t1d5 Ae3 65..§e6 Acl 66.'\t;e5 Ab2+ 67. '\t;f 5 Ad4 68.'\t;g6 .Q,c 5 69.'\t;f7 Ad4 70.'\t;e7 Ac5+ 71.'\t;d7 .Q,d4 n ..§c6 .Q,e3 73 ..§c3 A d 4 74 ..§b3+ '\t;a7 75.'\t;c6 Af2 76 ..§b7+ '\t;a8 77..§f7 Ae3 78 ..§f3 A d 4 79 ..§f4 Ae3 Y:r-Y2 D. A lzate (2410) - T. Caiafa s Thessaloniki (ol/m) 1984

Retreating to the 1/01 dangerous comer by 50...'~g7 is correct: 51.Wg5 (51.h5 w h 6 52.hxg 6 .Q.. xg6 =) 51.. .ile 4 52.ge6 A b l 53.g e7+ Wg8 = 51..§a6 \t1f7 51.. .We 7 52 .We5 ilf5 53 .h5+ 52.'\t;g51-0. Bl ack resi gn ed du e to 52...ild 5 ( 52....ars 53.h 5+-) 53. g a 7 + Wg8 54 .Wxg 6 ile 4+ 55. Wh6 ild3 56 .g g7+ Wf8 57 .gg 5 Wfl 58 .gg3 ilc 2 59 .Wh5 Wf6 60 .g g5 ilf5 6 1.Wh6 ild 3 62. gg3 ile 4 63. gg4 ltd 3 64 .g f4++ But not all positions are drawn. D. Janosevic - M. Vuki c Sarajevo 1969

Black to move (=)

Black can save himself with a lightsquared bishop almost effortlessly: 47 ...'\t;f6 48 .'\t;f4 .\te2 49..§b7 Af5 50 ..§b6+ 205

Tactical Endgames B la ck th re w in the towel due to 63.'.!lg4 ~ g 7 (6 3... ilg7 64. '.!lh 5 ~ f7 65.a f3+ ~ g S 66 .g6 h 6 67.af7 A fS ss.n.rs- WxfS 6 9 . ~ xh6 ~ g S 70 .g7 +-) 6 4 . ~h5 '.!lgS 65. ad8+ '.!lg7 66. ad7+ '.!lhS 67 .g6 h6 6 S. ~ x h 6 ilc 1+ 6 9 . ~ h5 ~ g S 70 .g7 w h 7 71 .af7 ile 3 n .gs,\{),+ WxgS 73 . ~g6 ilgl 74.a fl A h2 75.a h l ilg3 76.a h3 A d6 77.a d3 ile7 78.ac3+-. Also 62...A h6 loses: 63.a d5 ilc7 64.Wf6 Jlh6 65.ad7 ..\la5 66.ag7+ ~h8 67.a a7 Jlc3+ 68.~t7 h5 69.g6+-

In this conste llation White can brea k through.

64.§g2 A e3 65 .g4 f xg4 66.§xg4 Wh 6 66 ...ilc1 67 .f5 g5 6s. f6++ -

67. Wf61-0. B lack re sig ne d d ue to 67 .. .'.!l h 5 6S.!hg6 il xf4 69 . ~f5 ! ilh 2 70 .a g2 ild 6 71 .ad2 ilg3 n .a d l +- followed by a h l (+)

G. Es tevez (2395) G. Zaichik (2500) Camaguey (B) 1987

m-~~~~~~. ·:~~:i~~: ~~ ~,~~~~~~~

«.

~

~

~

Black to move (+- )

Black to move (=)

]f Black misses h7-h5 and a position like this arises , he loses.

Here Black has to defen d very precisely to reach the draw. Baranov proved that it is possi ble to hold this position, and Maizelis contrib uted a lot of insights as well. We also used Wina nts ' ana lysis from CBM 83:

59 ... Ad4 60 .Wf5 Ac3 61.§h3 .Q,d4 I 61.. .ilb 2 62 .ab3 ila l 63.ad3! '.!lf7 64.'.!lg4 ile 5 65 . ~ h5 ilg7 66 .a d7 + ~ g S 67. g6 +II 61...ild2 62 .ad3 ila5 (62...ilb4 63.ab3 .Q.c5 64 .ac3 A f2 65.acS+ ~ f7 66 .a c7+ ~g S 67 .g6+-) 63 .a b3 A c7 64.ab5 A g3 65 . ~f6 A c7 66. ad5 +-

68 ...A d 2? T he on ly de fen se was 6S... ~ c 7 ~d7 70.l"! h 7+ ~ d S '.!leS 72 . ~ c 7 A c3 73 .a h3 A h 4 74. a e3 + ~ f7 75.'.!ld7 ~ f6 76. 't/c6 't/ f5 77. ~ d 5 't/ f6 = (Ba ranov)

69 .Wd5

71 . ~c6

62 .§d3 A b2 1-0. 206

Fortress or Not? 81. .. A e 7 82.~ xa5 Ag5 83.E!bl Ae384.E!b5! 8 4 . ~b5

'#i' b7

85 .a 5??

11.f2 =

(Winants) 8 4 ... A d 2 + 85. ~ b 6 ~b8 86.E!e5 ~c8 87.E!e8+ ~d7 88.E!g8 1-0 Here are two small exercises before it becomes much more comp licated and tricky :

Ex ercises 71 . ~ d7 !

A e 1 72 ..§c 6 + <;£?b 7 73 .'§ h 6 ! A d 2 74 .Elh 5 Ae1 7 5.'§ b 5 + <;£?a6 76.'#i'c6 [W in ant s ga ve this in structive man euver (originating from Maizelis). White still has to operate carefully in order to put Black in zugzwang] 76...1H2 77.El b8 '#i'a 7 (77 .. .A a 7 78 .El e 8 A g 1 79 .'#i'd 5 A b6 80.'#i'c4 A c7 8 1..§g8 A b 6 8 2 .El g6 ~ a 7 83 . ~b5 A c 7 84 ..§g 7 '#i'b7 8 5..§e 7 ~ b8 86.'#i'c6 A g 3 8 7. ~b6+ - ) 78 ..§ f8 A e 1 79. El d 8 A b4 80 .<;£?b5 '#i'b 7 82 .'.t'c6 '#i'b 8 8 1. El d 7 + ~ c 8 83 . ~b 6 '.t'c8 84 .El d 1+-, zu gzw ang. 71 ... ~b7?! 7 1...A a 3 is much more tenacious as White has to return with 7 2. ~e6 ! +-

ElO.I K. Lerner (2530)- A. Yennolinsky (2445) Tashkent (Agzamov Memorial) 1986

ElO.2 B. Ziiger (2335) - J. Amason (2445) Randers (zt/A) 1982

n. f'k 6 ~b8 73. ~c4 ~b7 74.~b5 Acl 75.E!c2 Ab4 White wins by using the sharp weapon zugzwang repeatedly. 76.E!cl (zugzwang) 7 6 .. .Ad2 77.E!dl Ab4 78.E!d7+ ~ c8 79.~c6 ~ b8 80.~b6 ~c8

81.E!dl (zugzwang)

White to move. How to evaluate this posit ion? 207

Tacti cal Endga mes

Solutions: E 10.1 Th e unfo rtunate po siti on o f Wh ite's bi sh op a llo w s a very quick fin ale: 1...f4! 0-1

E10.2 White wins easi ly: 1.f!h2 1-0 due to l... Wh7 2.g4 !Lg6 3.g5 h5 4.Be 2 ~el 3

5.Be7 + Wg8 6.g6+The Never -Ending Stor y (On Fortresses and Pseudo- Fortresses, A Study in Three Parts)

wi tho ut doub t wi ll be mo bilized and, if oc cas ion arises, liqu idated . In regard to pressing qu estion s oftempi a th o rou gh t re atm en t is requ ir ed . Altho ug h a draw may not surpr ise the reader, it took many hours of ana lysis to find the narrow path to pea ce. We wa nt to thank the me mbe rs of the Hambu rg tra ining gro up and 1M Ge rle f Mein s lor their support . For the analysis of the five-man end ings the ChessBase Endgame CD-ROM proved inval uabl e. Let us end the pro log ue here an d j ump into the j ung le.

Part II: Main Part

A sha rp ly calculate d plan : T he kin g wa nts to occ upy a dominatin g posi tion in the ce nter. Th e rea de r sho uld study this main line first, as the study of th e alternat ives will then come more eas ily.

1 ... Af6

White to move (=) In the middle g ame a na ly sis of Kunneman vs. NN one of our variations ended in a complex, very instruc tive and exciting end game (see dia gram above). In term s of mate rial Bla ck see ms to be fin e with his tw o pawns fo r the e x ch an g e . But th e pa w ns o n the queenside are far beh ind an d in the lon g run one of the m has to bit e the du st. In a ny case W h ite w ill ga in a s ma ll material adv antage. Neither king is very ac tive , es pecially Black's. White has to deal with bish op activities on the diagonal s a7-g I and b8h2 , Black with ro ok attacks on the se v enth r ank . Fir st w e direct o u r a tte nt io n to th e q ue e nsi de , w h ic h 208

This change of the diagonals threatens 2...b 5= (3. e5 A d4 ) w ith an imme diate draw. A ll the alte rnatives le ad to di s a s ter. Th e atte mpts t o mobili ze the qu een s ide immedi at el y lead to a fier ce fight but in the end White's c-pawn prev ails :

I 1...b6? 2.Be8! w h6 (2...a5 3.B xe6 !Lel 8 4 .B cl 6+ -) 3.B xe6 A ) 3... Wh 5 4.B c7 a 5/ a6 5.B h7+ !Lh 6 6 .B b7 +B) 3...!Lcl 8 4 .Wg 4! '1 5 (4 ...!Le7 5.h4 +-) 5. h4 '1 4 (5 ...Wg7 6.Bd6+) 6.h5 '13 7.B xg6+ w h7 8.B d6 a2 9.Bd7+ w h6 10.Ba 7 fo llowe d by B xa2 +C) 3 !Ld 2 4.Bc 7 +D) 3 A e7

Fortress or Not?

.. ~

~~ ~f~ ~ ~~~ ~ ~

.~ .~

~~ ;g ~

~1~

IJ~~~ ~ it~ ~ • ~. ~~~ l !IJ~~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~rtm . .. ~L Wg4 ! (White starts a powerful atta ck . As he will co ntinue with h2-h4-h5 Black can 't protect all his paw ns. We will see this attacking conc ept again ) 4 ....il.e 5 5 .h 4 a 5 ( 5 .. .Wg7 6 .1"I e7 + ;~ f6 7.1"Ixa7 +- and White liquidates the kingside in order to simplify into a pawn end game by capturing on b6 with his rook at an appropriate mom ent) 6.h5 a4 (Black lacks one tempo needed to organize efficient counterpl ay) 7. h xg6 (Remarkably White ca n 't win after 7 .1"Ixg6+? w h7 . We will deal with this in part III) 7...a3 8.wf5 Wg7 (8 ....il.d4 9.1"Ie7 .il.g 7 10.1"Ia7+-; 8. ..a 2 9.1"Ie7 and mate on h7) 9.1"Ie7+ Wg8 10.1"I a7 .ab 4 11.g7 w h7 12.'
II 1...a 5? 2.e5

A) 2 . ..w h 6 3 .1"I h8 + Wg 7 4 .1"I b8! iie 7 (4 . ..'
209

A xe 5 7 .1"I xe6 +- ( e.g . 7 ....ft g l 8 .Wg 2 A d 4 9 .1"I xg6 Wl'7 10 .1"I a 6 .~ e 3 I I .We and so on) B) 2 ll.d 2 3 .we4! A e l 4 .We 3!+C) 2 a4 3.1"I b8 a3 4.1"Ixb7+ Ca) 4 ...Wh 6 5.1"I a 7 A cl ( 5 ...A d 2 6. We4 A b4 /~, e l 7 .wd4 +- ) 6 . 1"1 a6! .fib 2 7.We 4 and the threat of 1"I xe6 is dead ly. For example 7...Wg5 8 ..B xe6 a2 9.);a6 a 1'l£f 1O.l"l. xal .il.xa 1 11.c6+- and the c-pawn is unstoppable. C b) 4 ...Wg 8 5 .1"I a7 A e l (5 .....ftd 2 6. l"l. xa 3 .ll b 4 7. l"l.a6 A xe 5 8 .l"l. xe6 , xg6 ++-) C bl) 6 .l"l.a 6? .il.b 2 7 .'
Tactical Endgames

~f2 5.'it'c4 b6=; 4.'it'e5? 5.'it'd6 b6=) 4 ... ~g5+ (4 ... 'it'g7 5J~b8 'it'f6 6.'it'd3 'it'e6 7.'it'c4+-) 5.'it'd3 ~h4 6.8b8+-

4.'it'd3? .~J2

3.8C7 'it'e5 4.8xb7 a5 (4 ... 'it'd4 5.8xa7 'it'xc4 6.8g7+-) 5.8c7 'it'd6 6.8g7 'it'c5 7.8 xg6 ~e7 8.'it'e4

111% ~~ ",111%

III l...b5? 2.c5 as 3.8C8 a4 4.8xc6+-. Black's pawns are too slow and their white counterpart on c5 decides the outcome.

IV l...'it'h6? 2.8h8+! 'it'g7 3.8C8! 'it'h6 C3 ...b5 4.c5 ~e7 5.8xc6+-; for 3...'it'f6 see the next variation beginning with l...'it'g7) 4.8C7 b6 5.8xa7 (5.8xc6 wins as well, see l...b6/ 3.8xc6 above) 5...~d2 (5...b5 6.c5+; 5... 'it'h5 6.8h7+ ~h6 7.8C7+-; 5... c5 6.'it'g4 ~d2 7.8b7 ~a5 8.h4+-) 6.8a6+-/§c7+-

V l...'it'g7? 2.8C8! 'it'f6 (2 ... ~e7 3.8C7 'it'f6 4.8xb7 ~d6 5.h3+-; 2 ... 'it'h6 transposes to l.. .. 'it'h6)

1I1~.~.l1I1 ~

~ ~ ~ ~~ft~l~ ~111 ~~~~~~~Ji

~111 ~111 ~111~

8 ... 'it'xc4 (8 ... a4 9.'it'd3+-) 9.8xc6+ 'it'b3 10.'it'd3 a4 11.8c3+ 'it'b2 12.8c7 ~f6 (l2 ... ~b4 13.8b7 'it'b3 14.h4 a3 15.8 xb4+ 'it'xb4 16.'it'c2+-) 13.8b7+ 'it'a2 14.'it'c2 a3 15.8a7 ~d8 16.8a4 ~e7 17.h4+2.~e4

210

Fortress or Not? The rook will enter the stage only after the ce ntra lizat io n of his monarch . Altema tives: 12. ~ e3

A) 2 A g5+? 3 . ~e4 Aa) 3 ~ h 6 4.E!. h8+ ~g7 5.E!.a8+ (5.E!. c8+-) Ab) 3...-'th4 4 . ~e5! B) 2...'it'h6!3.E!.b8 (3.E!.c8 A e5=) 3...b5 4.c5 -'te7 5.'it'd4 A f6+= II 2.8 b8 b5=

III 2.E!.e6!? is wort h investiga ting in more detail:

•. _ft...•. -.

~ ~ ~ :~

~ t'

EaI2) 7 ... ~ f6 8. 2 c7 A xh 2 9 .E!. xc6+ ~ f7 I O.c5 +Ea2) For 5...a5 6.E!.a7 Ac3 7 .~e4 + ­ see below Eb) 3...h5? 4.c5!+- [e.g. 4...b4 (4...a5 5.2xc6; 4...A e5 5.2 xc6 ) 5.2xc6 b3 6.2 c7+ ~h 6 7 .E!. h7 A d4 8 .c6 A b6 9.c7 b 2 1 0 . c 8~ b l ~ 11. ~ f8 + ~g5 (l1.. . ~ h5 12.E!.h7+ ~g 5 1 3 . ~ f4 *') 12. ~f4 + ~h 5 13.E!. h7 *,I Ec) 3 b6? 4. E!. xc6 +Ed) 3 A e 5 4 .8 e17 + ~f6 ! (4 ... ~f8? 5.E!.xb7 Ax h 2 6 .E!. xa7 c5 7 .~g4 + ­ ) 5.E!.xb7 llx h2 6 . ~e4 (6. E!. xa7 c5! pl an A g l =) 6 ... A g 1 7 .E!. c7 c 5 8. E!.x a 7 A d4 =

~

'J_~. r_!~ t'~ ~ ~

, ~~ ~~~~~~ ~

~_~~

r~~

A) 2 A d 8? 3 .E!. el6+B) 2 A g 5? Ba) 3. E!.el6 'it'h6 Bal) 4 . ~ g4 A e 3 5.h4 A c5 6.E!.el7 h5 7.E!.c7 bxc4 8 .E!.xc6 A el4 9. h5 +(9 .E!. xc4? A f6) Ba2) 4.8 e17 Bb) 3 . ~g4 A el8 O ... ~ h 6 4 .h 4 A d 2 5.h5 +-) 4 .E!.d6 +C) 2.. .A c 3? 3.8e7 + ~ h 6 4 .E!.xb 7 a5 5.E!. c7+D) 2 A g7? 3.E!.e7+E) 2 ~g 7 (look s natur al and is the only defense) 3.8 d6 and now: Ea) 3... ~ f7 ? 4 .8e17 + ~ e 6 5.E!.xb7 EaI) 5 ...A d 4 6. ~e 4 AgI (6 .. .A b 6) 7 .E!. g7 ! Eall) 7 ... A xh 2 8. E!.xg6+ ~ d7 9. 8g7 + ~ d 6 (9 ... ~c 8 10 .E!. xa7+ -) 10. 2 g 2+ -

The extra pawn on g6 secures Black a positional draw. 2 .••Wh6

Black has to leave the seventh rank. He wants to continue with .\l h4-f2 to gain influence on the point c5. Altematives are: I 2...a5? 3.E!.b8 b5 4.c5! a4 5.E!. b6 a3 6.E!.xc6 a2 (6...114 7.E!.a6+-) 7.E!. a6 a1 ~ 8. 2 xa1 -'t xa l 9 .c6 +-, this probl em is already known to us. II 2...A h 4? 3. ~ e 5 ! O .E!. c8? ~ h 6 ! lead s to the main line posit ion after 3 .. .A h 4 ) A) 3... ~h6 4 .2 h8+! ~g 5 5.2h7

211

Tactical Endgames Aa) 5...b5 6.e5 cQJ2 (6 ...a5 7.~d6+­ ) 7.~c16+Ab) 5...b6 6.§xa7 ilf2 7.~c16+­ B) 3...b6 Ba) 4.~c16? a5 5.§e2 (5.~xe6 iH2=) 5 ~f6 6.§e4 (6.~xe6 ~d4=) 6 a4' 7.~xe6 a3 8.§e2 .~d4 9.§e7+ ~h6 lO.§a7 ite5= Bb) 4.§b8! ilf2 5.§b7+ ~h6 6.dxa7 b5 7.§a6 bxe4 C7 ... b4? 8.§xe6 b3 9.§e7 ,u,gl IO.§b7 .~xh2+ 11.~f6+-) 8.§xe6+-, and in sharp contrast to the main line (position after 7.§xe6) White has a decisive advantage due to his king on e5. III 2 ... b6? 3.§e8! ~h6 C3 ... ilh4 4.§xe6 ~h6 5.~f3!+- with the double threat 6.§e7 and 6.~g4 followed by h4-h5 is analogous to the 1...~h6 variation; 3... itc3 4.§xe6 ~h6 5.§e7+-) 4.§xe6! (for 4.§e7? ith4! see the main line) A) 4 itcl8 5.§e8 Aa) 5 11h4 6.§h8+ ~g5 7.~f3+C7.§h7+-) Ab) 5 ite7 6.~d5 see the main line with 4 ite7 (6.§e7? ild6 7.§xa7 ilxh2=) B) 4 ... ilh4 5.~f3!+- see 3 ... ilh4 above C) For 4... ~e3 5.§e7+- see 3...ile3 above D) 4... ile7

This position is drawn with Black to move (see at the end of the 1.§b8 complex under the first move alternatives), but White can win by 5.~d5!: Da) 5...c~h4 6.§e7 a5 7.§f7 (with the threat of 8.~e6 ild8 9.§c17 and IO.~xb6) 7... c~g5 8.~e4 .f1h4 9.~f3 ild8 (9...ilg5 lO.§b7 .~c18 11.~g4+­ due to zugzwang) lO.h3 ~h5 11.§d7 plan §d6-xb6+Db) 5... 11f8/ilb4 6.§e7 a5 7.§e6 11e5 8.§xe5+De) 5....~g5 6.§e7 Af4 (6 ...a5 7.~e4 .f1h4 8.§f7+- as above) 7.§xa7 ilxh2 8.§al!u'f4 (8 ....~g3 9.§f1 plan ~e6) 9.§a3+- as the plan §b3xb6 together with ~e6 or ~e4 is deadly. 3.§c8

I 3.§b8 b5= II 3.§f8 ilb2 (plan b5, ila3) 4.§e8 (4.§f7 b5=) 4 ... ila3 5.§e7 b5 6.§xa7 .u'c16=

After 3.§e8 (threatening §e7) Black must decidewhetherto defendor liquidate his queenside. He has several candidate moves, but only two of them are good!

3...J;th4! I The stubborn attempt to hang on to his queenside pawns with 3... Ae7? loses, but it is by no means easy to prove that: 4.§e7 and now 212

Fortress or Not?

»»:».

Attacking the Queenside

Ba) 7.<;t>d5? (The direct plan to advance with the king to b5 and sacrifice the exchange on a5 or c5 fails by one tempo, if Black defends correctly) 7 ... <;t>h5 C7 ... g5? 8.<;t>e4 <;t>h5 9.<;t>f5+-) 8.<;t>c6 g5 1

,~1~~ ~ ~ ~f~~l~

~~'~I~~~ ~~~~~~~~]f; ~~~~~~;;;

A) After 4 ... .\.ld6 5.8xb7 .~ x h 2 6.8xa7 Black can't reach the rescue island ftc5/ ~d4. White wins in any case, e.g.

Now Black reaches a fortress: Bal) 9.h3 <;t>h4 (or even 9 ... g4 10.hxg4+ <;t>xg4 1l.<;t>b5 <;t>f5 12.2e7=) 10.8h7+ <;t>g3 11.<;t>b5 g4 12.hxg4 <;t>xg4 13.8c7 (l3.2f7 <;t>g5) 13 ... <;t>f5 14.2xc5+ ~xc5 15.<;t>xc5 <;t>e6=

Ba2) 9.<;t>b5 g4 10.8h7+ <;t>g5 11.2f7 <;t>h4 12.8f2 <;t>h3 13.8e2 <;t>h4 14.2e3 .~d2 C14...<;t>g5) 15.2d3 ~b4 16.2b3

Aa) 6 ...c5 7.8a1! Aal) 7 ... ~d6 8.<;t>d5 ~e7 (8 ... ~f8 9.§f1) 9.8e1 ~h4 10.8h1 followed by <;t>xc5+Aa2) 7 ~g3 8.8f1 <;t>h5 9.<;t>d5+Ab) 6 ~gl 7.8a1! ~f2 8.2f1 ~h4 9.2f7 c5 (9 ... ~g3 10.c5+-) 10.<;t>d5+B) 4 ... ~b4 5.8xb7 a5 6.2a7 c5 (6 ...<;t>g5 7.c5! <;t>g4 8.<;t>d4+-)

<;t>g5=

Ba3) 9.<;t>d5 <;t>g4 10.<;t>e4 <;t>h3 1l.2h7+ <;t>g4 12.h3+ <;t>g3 13.<;t>f5 ~d2 14.2d7 ~b4 15.2d3+ <;t>h4= Bb) 7.~4! (White needs time to improve his position before he can march to the queenside to sacrificethe exchange there)

213

Tactical Endgames Bb22c1) IS ... i:td2+ 16.'tt'e4 'tt'hS 17.'tt'dS i:tb4 18.'tt'c6 gS 19.'tt'bS+Bb22c2) IS ... Alc3 16.'tt'e4 'tt'hS 17.'tt'dS 'tt'h4 18.'tt'xcS gS 08 ... 'tt'xh3 19.1"lg8+-) 19.'tt'dS 'tt'xh3 20.cS+Bb22c3) IS ... 'tt'g7 16.l"la6! [or 16.'tt'eS! 'tt'h6 17.'tt'clS+- as shown above, but not 17.'tt'f6? i:tc3+ 18.'tt'e6 C18.'tt'fl 'tt'hS) 18 ... i:tb4J 16 ... 'tt'h6 17.l"la7 ,.\ld2+

7 ....Q,d2+ (7 ... i:tc3? allows 8.h3! immediately. Otherwise White has to work hard to get this possibility) Bbl) 8.'tt'eS?! 'tt'hS! (8 ... i:tc3+? 9.'tt'dS+-) Bb2) 8.'tt'g4 i:tb4

gj:Ti:Ti~~ ~~~~~~~~8

'J~jf~~~I~ ~~~~~~~fi ~~~~~~~. How to break this defense? We will give two different ways to destroy Black's pseudo- fortress: Bb21) Astonishingly the bishop always finds a square after 9.h4?!: 9 ... i:tc3 1O.l"ld7 i:tb2 11.l"ld2 Ala3 12.l"ldl i:tb2 13.l"lbl i:tc3 14.l"lb3 Ald2 IS.l"lb6 'tt'g7 16.l"lb2 i:tc3 and White hasn't made meaningful progress.

Now White has won the missing tempo by achieving the move h2-h3. The rest runs like clockwork: 18.'tt'e4 Alb4 19.'tt'dS 'tt'gS 2o.'tt'c6'tt'h4 21.l"lh7+ 'tt'g3 22.'tt'bS gS 23.l"lg7 'tt'h4 24.l"lg8 'tt'hS 2S.l"lcl8 'tt'h4 26.l"lclS i:ta3 (26 ...'tt'hS 27.l"lxcS+-) 27.'tt'xaS+-

A Magic Way to Win the Extra Tempo Bb22) 9.l"la8! starts a long maneuver: Bb22a) 9...'tt'g7 1O.'iM4 Ald2+ OO...'tt'h6 l1.h3) 11.'tt'e4 'tt'h6 12.'tt'dS lib4 13.'tt'c6+Bb22b) 9 ... Alc3 10.l"lc8! OO.'tt'f4? 'tt'hS) 10 ...i:td4 (for 10...Alb4 11.l"lc7 see the next variation) 11.l"lc7 ligl 12.h3 ,\ld4 13.'iM4 also see next variation Bb22c) 9 ... Ald2 10.l"lc8! i:tb4 OO ...i:te3 11.l"lc7 Ald4 12.h3 i:te3 13.'tt'f3 i:td4 14.'tt'f4 .arz IS.l"la7 Alel 16.'tt'e4 'tt'hS 17.'tt'dS i:tb4 18.'tt'c6+-) 11.l"lc7 Ala3 Ol...a4 12.l"la7 a3 13.h4+- due to zugzwang) 12.h3! ..\lb4 13.'tt'f4 i:ta3 03 ...a4 14.'tt'g4 a3 IS.l"la7+-) 14.l"la7 i:tb4 IS.l"la8

Winning by Deflection Bb23) 9.l"lcl7! starts a winning plan that is based on the following considerations:

214

Fortress or Not ? I) The conditions under which the rook can leave the a-file are fulfilled, since after 9...a4 1O.:8a7 a3 White brings Black into zugzwang with 11.h4+:2)9.:8d7 threatens :8d6 plus h4-h5. After d d6 Black can't defend with ~h6-g7 due to ~g5 , so Black's bishop must be able to give a check on the c l-h6 diagonal. 3) It is White 's task to force the bishop on the c l-h6 diagonal deflecting him from the defense of his queenside. The aim is achieved by the maneuver :8a7-d7-d 3! 4) Under th ese co ndi t ions th e kin g march to d5 c1ar ilies the matt er.

Bb23a) 9...itc3 1O.:8d3 Bb23al) 10 ...A e 5 11.:8b 3+Bb23a2) 10 ...~. e 1 11. :8d 6 ll f2 (I1...llc3 12.h4+-) 12.:8e6+Bb23a3) 10 ...A b 4 l1.h4 a4 (I 1.. . ~g7 1 2 . ~g5 + - ~f7 13 .:8d6+) 12 .:8d6+Bb23a4) 10 .. .~. b 2 l1. :8h3 + ~g 7 12.:8b 3 lle 5 13.h 4+- plan :8b 5 Bb23b) 9 ...11a 3 10 .:8d3! llc 1

Bb23b2) 11.. .itb 2 12.:8b 3 ide a :8 b 5 +Bb23b3) 11...~g7 12.~e4 a4 13.:8d6 a3 14 .:8a6 (l4 . ~d5 ) 14 .. .~h 6 0 4 ...g 5 15.h 3+-) 1 5. ~d 5 ~ h 5 1 6. ~ x c 5 g 5 1 7 .~b6+- and the c-pawn decides. II 3...~g5? 4.:8c7 with a technical win, e.g. 4 ...11d8 (4 ...b 6 5.:8xa7; 4 ...~g4 5 .:8xb7 ~ h 3 6 .:8xa 7) 5.:8x b 7 A b 6 6.:8e7 A g1 (6...~6 7.:8e8) 7.:8e6 (7.h3) 7...c5 8.h3 III 3...a5? sets a trap: A) 4 .c 5? .Q,h 4 ! 5 .:8a8 ( 5 .~e 5 itf2 6 . ~d6 b6 7 .cx b 6 A xb 6 =) 5 ... itf2 6.:8xa5 b 5 7.cxb6 A xb6 8 .:8a6 l1g 1 9.:8a1 A f2= B) But after 4.:8c7! b6 (4 ...11c3 5.c5+lle 1 6 .~e3 ! + - is ana logo us to 1. ...a5) 5.:8xc6 A d8 6.~c15 +- Whi te wins (li ke in the 2...b6 variatio n)

IV 3 .. .b6? transp oses to th e 2 ... b6 variat ion

II. ~ f3 !

V 3...11b 2? 4. :8c7 +-

A Critical Line: Can Black reach his fortress? VI 3...11c3!? (opens the discussion, but seems to be not as solid as the main line 3...11h4!) 4 .:8c7 b6 (4 ...A b4 ? 5.:8 xb 7 a5 6 .:8a7 tr an sp oses to 3 A e 7?/ 6 .:8a 7) 5 .:8xa7 llb4 ( 5 b5 ? 6 .c 5 11b4 7 . ~d4 lle 1 8. ~ e 5+ - ) 6. :8c7 b5 7. :8xc6 b xc4 8. :8 xc 4

The bishop was forced to lea ve his harbor on b4, so the pawn at c5 is very weak and Black is soon defensele ss: Bb23bl) 11 ... a4 12. :8d5 ll a 3 i 3 . ~g 4 A b2 C1 3 ...A b 4 14 .:8d7 pla n :8a 7 +-) 14 .:8xc 5 itc3 15 .:8c6 a3 16 .:8a6 llb 4 1 7. ~f3 a lo ng w ith

(See diagram top of next page )

~e4 +-

2 15

Tactical Endgames

A critical position that could have been reached by several different move orders. Black has to defend extremely carefully to save his skin, in sharp contrast to the main line (after 7.§ xc6) where he has diverse alternatives: A) 8 ... lia3 (8 ... lie7?/ lif8?l~aS?/ licl2?/lie1? 9.weS+-; 8 ....~el6? 9.welS cIlb8 10.we6 wgS l1.h3+-) Aa) 9.weS?! lib2+ 10.we6 wg7 l1.§c7+ wg8= see part I Ab) 9.§c2 (with the extra move h2-h3 this would win!) AbI) 9 ... wgS? 10.weS wg4 l1.§c4+ wgS (11.. .wh3 12.§c3++-) 12.we6+Ab2) 9 wg7? 10.weS+Ab3) 9 cIlel6 10.welS (10.h3 wgS l1.welS cIlf4 12.§c4 wfS=) Ab3I) 10...cIlf4? l1.§g2! wg7 (after 1l ...whS/cIlb8 the point is 12.h3+) 12.we6 cIle3 13.§g4 lic1 14.§b4+Ab32) 10 ... cIlb8 l1.§g2 (11.§c8 ~J4 12.§c4 wgS; l1.§b2 cIlc7; l1.§c4 wgS 12.h3 wfS; l1.we6 '0'?gS 12.wf7 wh4 13.Wxg6 wh3) l1...whS 12.we6 wh4= Ae) 9.§c7 .~el6 10.§c2 wgS l1.welS (l1.§g2+ wh4 12.§xg6 ~xh2=) 11.. ..l1b8/cIlf4= Ad) 9.§a4 llb2 10.§a7 wgS= Ae) 9.h3 itb 2 10.§c7 wgS= At) 9.wclS

216

Aft) 9... ~b2? 10.§c7 wgS l1.we6 wg4 12.§c2! lla1 (l2 ... cIla3 13.§c4++-) 13.§a2! AflI) 13 ~c3 14.§a4++Afl2) 13 iiel4 14.§a4+Afl3) 13 ....l1g7 14.§g2+ wh3 (14 ... '4ihS lS.h3 wh4 16.§xg6+) lS.§xg6+Afl4) 13 ... ~h8 14.§g2+ whS lS.h3 cIlel4 (l'S ... wh4 16.§xg6+-) 16.§g4+- analogous to part I Afl) 9...wg7 AflI) 10.§c7+ Af2Ia) 10 ... wh6? l1.we6 wgS (11. .. llb2 12.wf7~eS 13.§c4+-) 12.§c4+Af2Ib) 10 ... wg8? l1.§b7+- llel 12.we6llgS (we have seen in part I that this defense on the h4-d8 diagonal is insufficient. The main line contains some further details, see analysis of 7 ... wg7) Af2Ie) 10 ... wf6 l1.§c6+ wfS= (if l1...wg'S? 12.we6 wg4 13.§c4++; 11...wg7? 12.§b6+-) Af2Id) 10.§c2 wf6 (10 ... wf7? 1l.weS+-) l1.§f2+ we7= (ll...wgS? 12.we6) and the winning plan weS along with a check on the seventh rank can't be realized now, e.g. 12.§a2 iib4 (not 12...llc1? 13.weS ~e3 14.§b2 wf8 lS.§b7+-)

The main line contains a similar discussion with further information. 4.E!c7

I 4.§h8+ wgS S.we3 lle1= II 4.weS ,I1f2 S.wel6 (S.§c7 bS=) S... b6 plan as=

Fortress or Not?

Not better are: I 5.we5 a5!(5....\li2? 6.8,xa7) 6.8,xc6M2 7.\~>f6

wh5 8.8,d6 a4 (8...ile3) 9.8,d5+ Jig41O.Wxg6 a3 Il.h3+ wh4 12.8,dRuc5 13.Wf5 (l3.8,d3? ilb4) 13...Wxh3=, e.g. 14.8,g8 ild4 15J~a8 ilc5 16.we4 wg3. The same constellation, but with Black's king stuck on the h-file, is reached in part Ill. II 5.wf3 ilt6= III 5.we3 ilg5+! 6.wd3 M4/illi4= IV 5.8,xc6 ilf2=

5 b5 5 (H2? is punished by 6.8,f7! .Q.,g l (6 \lc5/itel 7.8,f6+-; 6...ilh4 7.8,c7+) 7.8,fll itc5 (7 ...ilxh2 8.8,hl +-) 8.8,f6 d.gl 9.8,xc6+6.§.c7 (or 8,a6) 6.c xb5 cxb5 (7 wg5=) 6 bxc47.§.xc6

7.§b7

. \lf6=

The attentive reader knows what's going on. White's king threatens to cross the line of demarcation and advance to the critical zone while his rook waits for a suitable moment to catch the c-pawn, Black on the other hand lacks two improvements of his position: His king belongs on g7 and the bishop belongs on the diagonal a l-h8, but that is asking too much. Nevertheless White still misses one tempo to victory (8,xc4 or we5), so Black is able to counterattack White's h-pawn and achieve a draw:

7•••C\t>g5 Most convincing. The alternatives are surprisingly complicated: I 7 ...c3 8.§xc3 A) 8 ... wg7? 9.8,c7+! wf6 lo.§c6+ wg5 (lO ... wg7 II.we5 1+- ) 1l.we5! wg4 12.§xg6+ wh3 13.wf4 ite7 14.8,h6+ wg2 15.h4+B) 8 ... wg5? 9.we5 ilf2 (9 wg4 10.h3+ wg5 11.§c4+-; 9 ilel 10.8,c4+-) 10.8,c4 ilgl 1l.h3 ilh2+ 12.we6 plan §g4 and wf7+C) 8 ... ~d8? 9.we5! wg7 (9 ... wg5 10.§c4+-) 10.we6+D) 8 ... iH6 9.8,c7 wg5 (9 ... ilb2? 10.wd5 wg5 l1.we6 wg4 12.§c2!+- see the analysis of 3....flc3; 9 ... ~g7? 10.wd5 wh7 l1.we6 wg8 12.8,c8+ wh7 13.wf7+-) 10.wd5 Da) 10 wf4? 11.§f7 wf5 12.8,f8 wg5 02 g5 13.h3+-) 13.h4+ wf5 14.wd6 g5 15.h5 g4 16.h6 wg6 17.h7 itg7 is.use ilxh8 19.§xh8+Db) 10 wf5? 11.8,f7+De) 10 Q.b2? Il.we6 as above Dd) 10 wg4 11.8,c6 (l1.we6 ~.g5=) 11...wf5= 217

Tactical Endgames II 7...'3lg7 A) 8 .'3leS '3lf7 C8.. .c3? 9.l:''Ic7+ 'it'g8

10.E'\ xc3+-) 9.E'\c7 + Ae7 ! Aa) 10.h3 c3= Ab) 1O.'it'd5 c3 11.E'\ xc3 A f612 .E'\ c7+ ( 12.E'\f3 '#;g7 13.'#;e6 A d 4 14 .E'\ f7 + '#;g8=) 12...'#;g8= Ae) 10. E'\ xc4 A f6 += B) 8.E'\c7 + Ba) 8...'3lg8? 9.We 5! AgS 10.E'\ xc4 Wg 7 11. E'\ c7 + '3lg8 12.'3le6

~~· ~~~~I

~ ?B ~ ~ '~ J~~~ t ~ z

~~~ ~

IE

%~

~

~~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~

12 .'3le5+Be2) 9...AgS? l o.E'\ c6+ '3lg7 11.'3le5+Be3) 9 ~gS? 1O.'#;e5+Bd3) 9 M2! Bd31) l o.E'\ c6+ Wg 5 11. ~e 5 .ll a7! 12.'#;e6 itb8= (12... ~g4 = ) Bd32) 10.,#;f4 A g l Il.h3 ith 2+= Bd33) 10.'3ld5 A g l OO ... '3lf5? 1 1.~d6) 1l.h3 .llh2 [This flexible setup with the king on f6 and the bishop on the diagonal h2-b8 (idea Gerlef Meins) can' t be destroyed] 12.E'\c2 (12. ~c6 A eS with the plan ~g7 =) 12...A b8 (12...M4) 13.E'\f2+ ~g5 = 8.~f3

..

~% ~% ~~~% .0

I 8 .h 3 Ael 9. E'\ xc4 'it'h 4 10.E'\c1 (10 .~f3 + ~xh3=)

~~~~~~~iJi

10...A g3 11.E'\ h l g5 itf4 13. ~g2 g4= II 8.E'\ xc4 ~g4 = III 8 . ~eS ~g4 9.E'\xg6+ C9 .E'\xc4+ ~ h 3 = ) 9 ... ~ h3 10.E'\ h6 c3 = 1 2 . ~f3

12...,#;f8 02 ...A h4 13.E'\ c4 with the plan '#;f6, E'\ g4 is analogous to part I) 13.E'\ d7 'it'g 8 03 .. .A h4 14 .E'\ f7+ 'it'g8 15.E'\ f4 is also analog ous to part I) 14 .h 3 ,#;f8 I S.E'\d5 A h4 0 5.. .A e 7 16.E'\ d3+-) 16.E'\d4 ite 1 17.E'\c4 '#;g7 18.E'\ c7+ ~h6 19.w f7+- and we have reached our analysis of part 1.

8... ~f5 9..§xc4 9.E'\c 5+

~e6

10 .E'\x c4 A f6 =

9...Af6= First Move Alternatives for White I 1.E'\b8 (The direct onslaught on the queensid e is very plausible as we ll.

Bel)

9 ... '3lf7?

10 .E'\c7+

Now White 's rook is better placed and prevents more enem y activities)

'#;e 6

OO ....ile 7 11. ~e 5+- ) 11.E'\ c6 + w f7

218

Fortress or Not? 1. .. b5 ? (Thi s im me di a t e A) counterstrike is in suffic ient) 2 .e 5! (W hite keep s his valuable c-paw n alive and his plan .§e8-xe6 is hard to preven t. Remarkably the critical lines differ a lot from those arising after 1. ~f3) Aa) 2...a5 3.,§,e8.I1f4 <3...b4 4.,§,xe6+: 3 ...a4 4 .,§,xe6 a 3 5..§a6 +-; 3....QJ 6 4 .,§,xe6 .I1d 4 + 5. ~ e2 a 4 6. 'it'd3 +-) !i,,§, xe6 a 4 5 .,§,a6 A xh 2 6 .e6 ~ h6 7.,§, a7 +Ab) 2... ~g7 3.,§, e8 a5 (3 ...~f7/3 ...b4 4..8 xe6 +-) 4 .E=!xe6 Il.e7 5 . ~e3 b 4 6 . ~d4 b3 7.'§'b6 b 2 (7 ...a4 8. ~d5+-) 8,'§'xb2 A f6 + 9.'it'd5 A xb 2 1O.e6+Ac) 2 .. ..ll f6 3 .'it'e3 A e 5 ( 3 .. .A g 5 + 4.Wd 3 .11M 5.E!.c8+-) 4.'§'b7 + Ac1) 4 ... ~ h 6 5 .,§, xa7 ! A xh 2 6 .,§,a1! .I1e 5 (6 . .. ~ g 5 7 . ~ e4 plan .8 a6 +-) 7 .,§, a6, xe6 +Ac2) 4 .. .Wg8 5. h3! A h 2 6 .,§,xa7 .I1g1+ 7 .~f4 ! .I1xe5 8 .'§'b7 plan

Ad23b) 9 .. ..I1f4 10 .'§'b7 'it'e 6 11.e6 ~d6 12. '§'f7+-

Bishop moves fail as well. For example : B) 1...Il.f6? 2.,§,xb 7 + w h6 3. Wf3+-.

Wh ite will capture the black a- or c-pawn and reach a technical win. C) L .I1f4? 2.'§'xb7+ 'it'h6 3.,§,xa7 (or 3.h3 a5 4.'it'f3 A e 5 5.'§'b6 e5 6.'§'b5 +) 3....Ilxh2 4.e5 ~g5 (4 ...Ae5 5. ~e 3+­ ) 5..§a6 ~f5 6..§xe6 +-

~g 5- xg6 + -

Ad) 2 ... Il.f4 3 .'§'b 7+ Adl) 3 ... 'it'g 8 4. ,§,xa7 A xh 2 ( 4 .. ..I1e5 5 .,§,a6+- ) 5. ,§,a6 ~ f7 6. ,§,xe6 A e 5 7 .'it'e3 b4 8 .'§'b6 Ae3 9. ~e4+-

Ad2) 3... ~ h6 4.,§,xa7 (4 .h3? A e 5 = see the line 2....I1f6 above) 4 ...A xh 2 (4 ... ~g5 5 . ~f3 ! Ax h2 6 .,§, a6 transposes to the main line) 5.,§, a6 Ad 2 l ) 5 .I1e 5 6 . ~e3 +Ad22) 5 b 4 6 .,§,xe6 b 3 ( 6 .. ..I1e5 7 . ~ e3+-) 7 .'§ b 6 .Ile 5 8.~ e3 +­ Ad23) 5 .. .'it'g 5 6 . ~f3! ~ f5 (6 .. .b 4 7 . ~ e 4 + -) 7. ,§,xe6 g5 (7 . .. .I1g 1 8 .,§,e7 'it'e 5 9.'it'g2 .Ild4 10 .e 6+ -) 8 .,§, b 6 g4 + 9 .~ g 2 Ad 23 a ) 9 ... .I1e 5 10 .e6 ~e 6 11 .'§'b 7 ~ d 6 12. '§'xb5 A f4 13 .'§'b 4 A e 3 C1 3 . .. .Ile 5 14 .,§,e4 .I1b2 15 .,§, e 4) 14 .,§, e 4+ -

219

With th is measured react ion Bl ack weathers the storm. Da) 2.'§'b7+ ~h6 and now : Da l ) 3 . ~f3 co mes too lat e due to 3...A d 2 'i..§e7 (4. ,§,xa7 b 5=) 4 ...A b4 5. ,§,xe6 .I1e 5 an d Black 's a-p awn guara ntees a sufficient counterweight (if 6 . 'it'g4/~e4/.§ e7 then 6...a5 =) Da2) After 3.,§,xa7 Black ca n liquidat e the que enside with 3....I1f4: Da21) 4 .'§'b7 A e 5! (or .I1d 6!) 5. h3 b 5= Da22) 4 .,§, a8 A e 5! 5.'it'e3 'it'g5! 6.h3 (6.,§,e8 A xh 2 7 .,§, xe6 ~f5 =) 6...b 5 Da22a) 7 . ~ e 4 ild6 = Da22b) 7 .e 5 A h 2 8 .'it'e4 (8. ,§,a1 Wf 5=) 8 . .. A g 1 9 .,§, e8 ~h6 10. ,§,e5 ~ g7 =

Tactical Endgames Da22e) 7.cxbS cxbS 8. ITaS '¢ih4 9. bxbS .a .g3= Da23) !i. 3a6~e5! S.Wf3 (S.h3 b5=; S.Wg2 .li.d4=) 5...M,d4 plan bS= Da24) 4.h3 .~.d6 1 5.ITa6 (S.Wf3 b5=) S....woe7 6.wf3 b5= Db) After 2. ITc8/Lla8/h3 follows 2.. ..a J4! etc. = Dc) 2.Wf3

.~

1lI 1lI 111 111 111~ r.....·.·.·~." .... ~ ~ .... ~ ?~

~'""'~'""'~

We will treat this adventurous position separately in part III.

~'""'~

1lI111'~111~1lI

1lI 111 111~111 111~1lI 111~1lI 111~1lI0~~ A change of course by which White tries to conjoin the advantages of the 1.Wf3 and 1.1=Ib8 variations. This is still very dangerous and Black has to defend well: Del) 2...wh6? conjures up an old disease, namely 3.1=Ih8+! Wg7 4.1=Ic8! wh6 (4...M,f6 5.1=Ixc6+-) 5.1=Ixc6 M,e7 6.Wg4! with the plan h4-h5+-, which transposes to the line 1.Wf3 Wh6? De2) 2 b5? 3.c5+De3) 2 .\ld2?! (with the idea h5, kh4 and ..\lc3) creates a situation of high tension: 3.1=Ic8! (3.We4 ilh4=; 3.Wg4 b5=; 3.1=Ih7+ wh6 4.1=Ixa7 h5=) 3...wh6! (or 3...ilc3 4.1=Ixc6 wh6 with transposition; 3... kb4? 4.1=Ixc6 wh6 S.Wg4! and Black lacks a tempo) 4. 1=Ixc6 [acknowledging that ... kb4 (followed by ilc5 and h5/a5=) was actually threatened now and that 4.We4 is unpleasant due to 4 ...ilel! (5.1=Ixc6 .wJ2=; 5.Wf3 M,b4=)] 4 ... kc3 (4 Wg5? 5.1=Ic7 a5 6.1=Ib7+-; 4 .Q.b4? 5.wg4!) 5.Wg4! i1d4 6.h4 a5 7.h5 a4

220

De4) 2... .QJ6' 3.we4 De41) Compare 3... \lc3 4.1=Ib7+ wh6 5.1=Ixa7kb4 6.1=Ic7 h5 7.1=Ixc6 hxc4 8.1=Ixc4 with the analysis of 3...ilc3 in the main line. De42) 3...i1h4? 4.We5' also see the main line, analysis of2...ilh4? (4.1=Ib7+? wh6 5.1=Ixa7 b5 transposes to the main line) De43) 3...Wh6 gives the bishop good options, e.g.: De43a) 4.1=Ib7 i1g7 (or 4...ilc3) 5.1=Ic7 .\li8 6.1=1 xc6 kb4 leads to the next line. De43b) 4.8c8 ile7 (or 4...ilc3) 5.1=Ixc6 kh4 (5 ...ilc5? 6.8xc5 bxc5 7.Wd5+-) 6.Wd5 ild2 7.1=Ie6 (7.We6 wh5 8.wfl g5 9.Wf6 Wg4=) 7...ilb4 8.1=Ie2 a5 9.1=Ia2 (threatens 11.Wc6 ilc5 12.1=Ixa5+-) but 9...ilc3=

II 1.1=Ia8 iie7! 2.Wf3 kd6=) 2... iic5=

(2.ITc8

III 1.h3 i1f6! 2.We3 (2.Wf3 h5=) 2 ... Wh6!=, e.g. 3.1=Ic8 C3.1=Ib8 b5; 3.We4 ilb2/kh4) 3 ... i1e5 4.We4 .a.d6/ ilg3/ kh2 IV 1.1=Ic8 kf4! 2.1=1f8 i1xh2 3.1=Ifl+ wh6 4.1=Ixb7 .\l e 5 5.We3 (5.wf3 .lld 4) 5... c5 (5 ... a5? 6.c5+-) 6.We4 (6.1=Ixa7 Wg5 7.1=Id7 Wf6=) 6 ... iid4

Fortress or Not? 7.:gxa7 wg5=, and the extra pawn g6 gives Black a draw analogously to the line l.wf3 .ilf6 2.:ge6. The last part of our story offers a riddle. Black has provoked an adventure and opened a completely different discussion:

A) 2.wf5?! a3= B) 2.:gcl6 M,c5 3.:ge6 <3.:gc6 a3 4.wf5/wf3 4 ~c14=) 3 ... a3 4.§c6 M,c14 (4 wg7?? 5.h6++-) 5.:gc7+ wh6 6.:ga7

The Never-Ending Story (On Fortresses and Pseudo-Fortresses, A Study in Three Parts)

6 ... M,c5= and White can't make progress (6 ... ~b2?? 7.:ga6 wh7 8.h6+-), e.g. 7.:gb7mc7mfl (7.:gcl7 M,b4; 7.:ga6 wh7 8.wg5 ('te3+/ M,e7+) 7 .. 0<\'tcl4 C) 2.c5?! M,xc5= D) 2.:ge6 a3 (2 ....~c5) 3.:ge2 wh6 4.:ga2

White to move. Can he win?

After both sides have advanced their rook pawns, White must choose whether to capture on g6 immediately or to insert a zwischenzug. What now? There is much to discover, so let's take a positive view and remember, "The magic is always in the detail." 4 .... ('tc5 (4 ... ~b2?? 5.wf5 wxh5 6.'3;?e6 wg5 7.wcl5 wf5 8.wc6 we5 9.Wxb6 wcl4 IO.c5 wc4 11.c6 wb3 12.:gxa3++-) 5.wf5 .~b4 6.:gg2 (6.:ge2 .\'tc 3) 6 .... 'l.c3 7.:gg6+ wh7 (7 ... Wxh5?? 8.:gg3 .\'tel 9.:gh3+ M,h4 10.:gxa3+-) 8.:gxb6 a2= II Harmless 1.hxg6 a3=

221

Tactical Endgames 3 . ~f5

(After 3 . §c6/§ e 6/~f3 Black plays 3" .a3 and we reach practically the same positi on) 3" .a3 4.§g2 A) 4" .ild4 5.§a2 A c5 6 . ~e4 ~h 6 7. § h 2 A d 6 8 .§g2 (8 .§ h l/§ h 3 A f8 =) 8" . ~x h5 9 . ~ d3 / ~d4 = see below B) 4 ,. .~ h 6 5 . ~ e 4 ~ x h 5 6 . ~d3 ~h4

7. ~c 3 I

Black save s him self sin ce 2.Wf5?? rebound s: 2" .a2 3.l''!c7 .fLg7 4 .§ a7 a l '& 5.§xa l A xa l 6 . ~e4 ( 6 . ~ e 6 A g 7 7 .~ d 5 1U 8 - +) 6 ,.. Ac 3- + A plausible line is 2.g7+ Wxg7 3.§c7+ ~ f6 4.§a7 ~e5 = (or 4" .Ab2 5. ~f4 ~e6 6.§a6 ~d6 7 . ~e4 ~c5 8 . ~d3 b5 9.§a5 a2=) 5.§ xa3 ~ e4 with the plan R c5, ~d4 and encirclement of the pawn at c4.

•••

• • • •

~~~

~.

• 00 • • : · ~. ft.~. ~~ ~ ~W ~. ~_·

~-y. ~. !~ ~

~

~

Draw This position could also be reached by other move orders. While the white monarch observes the a-pawn, the black king suspiciously guards the squares g31 g5. 7 ,. .Ad6 ( or 7" .'i!'t h3 8J-=\g8 'i!'t h4 9 . ~b3 'i!'th5 see the main line) 8 . ~b3 (8. § g6 J1c5 9.'i!'t b3 'i!'t h5) 8 ,. .A c5

III From Plan to Study

The continuation 1.§ d6 A c5 2.§xg6+ is much more subtle and offers a concrete plan:

~h7

.. .

~ ~

~

~

~~~':?4 ~ ~% ~~

White directs his king to the queenside in suc h a way that the an tag onist remains shut off on the h-fil e. Then he plans an exchange sacrifice in order to reac h a won paw n ending . But the success of this undertaking depends on one tempo: With the white king on a21 b3 the rook can only capture a3/c5, when at this moment Black's king is still stuck on the h-file! 222

~

,

~Jf.·~~ ~,~ ~~ ~.< . ~. ~.~. !~ ~

~

Ba) 9 . ~a2 involves a deadly threat of zugzwang but this constellation with White to move cannot be forced due to 9 ... Jl d 6 / J1e 7 / A f8 = Bb ) 9.§g8 (This pincer movement demands specia l atte ntion ')

Fortress or Not? Bb I) 9 .. .w h 3? l O.8 g 5 A d (l O.. .w h 4 1l .l'h c 5+-; 10 .. .A e 7 11. 8 b 5 +- ) 1 U~ e5 ! (l 1. 8 b5? !/ 8 d 5?! w g4 12. Wxa 3 w f4 ) 11.. .A d 4 01.. .A c 1/A f4 12.8 e 6 +) 12. 8 d5 A f2 13 .Wxa 3 w g 4 14 .w b 4 w f4 15.wb 5 we4 16 .8 d 6 followe d by 17.8 xb6+BbZ) 9 ...A d 6? (Ae7?)

c_ •

. §~

~-;•..•ft. •

A ) 1.. .b xc 5? Aa) 2.hxg6? a3 3.8a6 C3. Wf5?? a 2 4 .8c7 A g 7 - +) 3 .. .a 2 4. 8x a2 W x g6= Ab) 2.8xg6+ w h7 3.8 a6+-

~~"~l ij ~.~.wJ ~D ~ • •

~ .~.~ ~

f~c;!?

~ •• 1

0 '• • •

s~~

~

!

~

Now White's trap springs: 10.8 g6 A c5 1 1.Wa 2!! and Black is in zugzwang: I 1...Wh5 (l 1...Wh3 12.8 g5+- see above) 12.8 g3 (plan 8xa3+-) 12...Wh4 13.8xa3 Wg4 14.8 a8 w f5 15.8 e8 A d6 16.Wb3 .lle 5 17.Wb4 w e4 18.Wb5+Bb3) 9...w h5 1O.Wa2 A d6 11.8 g2 w h4 (lL .Wh6) 12.Wb1 A c5 13.Wa1 w h5 (l 3.. .w h3 ? 14 .8 g6+ - ; 13...A d 4 +? 14.Wa2+-) 14.Wa2 A d6=

IV Breaking the Blockade! l .c 5! (W it h th is fa b ulou s pseud osac rifice Whit e plays out his highes t trump and offers us exciting news):

• • • -.

1......"" ~

r~

~~

~

~

...

.~

•

.D.

i~ "".~.~ :

; ~~.~ ~ ;

••

~

~.~.

.~• • •

I

Black's pawns are no real obstacle. First White captures the a-pawn, then posts the rook on his ideal square c6 and continues according to rule. Note these two aspects ofth e position: To control White's h-pawn Black has the "wrong" bishop, which can defend h8 but not the more important adjacent squares , espec ially g6 ; and Black's king stands in the "dangerous" comer, so that White can exchange his hpawn for the c-pawn and win the pure rook versus bishop endgame.

Abl) 3...A e 3 4.8 xa4 w h 6 5.8 a6+ w h 7 6 .8 c6 Wg7 (6 ... A d4 7 .h6 +-) 7. w f3 .Ild 4 8. h 6 + w h7 9. Wg4 Ae3 10 .wh 5 +AbZ) 3...Wg7 4.h6+ w h7 5.w h5 c4 6.8d6 A b 2 7.8 d7+ Wg8 8.'1t'g6 +-

223

Tactical Endgames Ab3) 3... a3 4.gxa3 \tig7 5.ga6 ad 6.gc6 \tih7 (6 ... \tif7 7.h6+-) 7.~~f3 ild4 8.h6 c4 9.\tig4 (9.gxc4? ilf6 10.\tig4 \tixh6=) 9 ... ae3 (9 ... c3 10.\tih5+-) 10.\tih5 c3 11.gc7+ (l1.gxc3 ilxh6 12.TIc7+ .~g7 13.2:d7 Wg8 14.\tig6+-) 11...\tig8 12.h7+ \tih8 13.:;t>g6 and White mates. B) 1...ilxc5? is wrong as well:

Da) 3.gxb6? a2 2.gxb6?

This deflection motif ofthe bishop from the long diagonal is known to us from part II. White wins by a small margin: 2.hxg6(+-) a3 3.Wf5 \tig7 4.gc7+ \tig8 5.ga7 ilb4 6.g7 \tih7 7.Wf6 ilc3+ 8.\tif7 ilxg7 9.gxa3 b5 10.gh3+ ilh6 1l.gh4 b4 12.gxb4 ilg5 13.§b3+C) L.b5? loses in several ways, e.g. 2.g xg6+ (or 2.hxg6+-) 2... \tih7

3.c6 .~b6 C3 ... .£le5 4.gg5+-) 4.§e6 a3 (4 ...b4 5.ge4+-; 4...\tig8 5.ge8+ \tif7 6.gb8+-) 5.c7 ,Ilxc7 6.ge7+ Wg8 7.gxc7 b4 8.ga7+-

transposes to

DbI) 5 \ifg1 +? 6.\ifg3 Dbll) 6 \ifel 7.gd6 \ifd1+ C7...\ifc4 8.\iff4+-) 8.\iff3 \ifg1 + 9.Wh3+Db12) 6 \ifd1+ 7.\iff3 \ifg1 + 8.\tih3+Db2) 5 ilg7? 6.\iff4 Db21) 6 ... \ifd1 + 7.\iff3 \ifd7+ (7 ... \ifd4+ 8. \tih3+-) 8.wh4++Db22) 6 \ifg1 + 7.\ifg3 \ifel 8.\iff3+Db3) 5 \ifd1 +

~-~

~

~~

~~~~~II ~~~~. ~• .ft

D) The Only Defense L.a3 2.§xg6+! (for 2.cxb6? a2 3.b7 a1 \if 4.gxg6+ \tih7 5.b8\if see the annotations to 3.c6!, variation 3.c xb6?; 2.gxb6? a2 3.gxg6+ \tih7 4.ga6 a1'ii15.gxa1 ,Ilxa1=) 2...\tih7

~"• ~'"'~~~ ~~ ~ ~'tl~

~~~~~~ ~~*'~ ~

224

Fortress or Not?

Db3!) 6.~g3 ile5+! 7.'!f1xe5 '!f1f3+ '!f1h3+ 9.~g5 -tifxh5+ lO.~xh5 stalemate Db32) 6.~f5 -tifxh5+ 7.l"\g5 '!f1h3+ 8.sg4 (8.~e4 -tife3+=)8...'!f1h5+ 9.~f4 :ld+ lO.~g3 (lO.~f3 -tiff5+=) J O...iiJ2+= Db33) 6.~f4 .lle5+' 7.'!f1xe5 (7.~xe5 ,,:;xh5+=) 7 ... '!f1f3+ 8.~g5 '!f1xh5+ 9.,'lixh5 stalemate Db34) 6.~h4 ilf2+ 7.~g5 ile3+ transposes to Cc Db35) 6.~g5 ii.e3+ 7.~f6 '!f1f3+ 8.~e7 (8.~e6 '!f1h3+! transposes to the main line) 8 ... ~c5+ Db35a) 9.~d8 '!f1f8+= Db35b) 9.~d7 '!f1f7+ lO.~c8 (lO.~c6 \'1f3+-+e=) lO...'!f1e8+ 11.~b7 '!f1e4+ 12.l"\c6 '!f1b4+= Db35e) 9.~e6 -tifh3+! lO.~f6 ,,"ff3+ 11.~e6 -tifh3+= i-L~h4

De) A Mystery After these stalemate jokes Black has nothing to laugh about: 3.c6! a2 l3 ... ile5? 4.l"\e6 a2 (4 ... ilb8/ilh2 5.l"\e3+-) 5.l"\e7+ ~h6 6.l"\a7+- or 4.~f5 a2 5.l"\gl 'If] 4.c7 al-tif 5.c8-tif

So far the situation has been more or less comprehensible, but now the mobile queens bring us to a dilemma. However, at least once we want to get an insight into the abyss. 5...'!f1dl+ (The alternative 5...'!f1g1 + also comes into consideration: 6.~f5 'fi1f2+h'irf1 +/

'!f1bl+, whereas 5...Alg7? is wrong due to 6.'!f1c2!+-) 6.~f4 [otherwise the position is immediately drawn by perpetual check: 6.~g5? '!f1d2+ 7.~f5 '!f1d3+=, 6.~h4? '!f1el +=, 6.~g3? ile5+ 7.~h4 C7.~f2 -tifd2+=) 7 ... '§'el +=. 6.~h3?? even loses due to 6 ... '!f1xh5+-+] 6... '!f1d2+ [worth investigating are also 6 ...Ale5+ 7.~g5 ilg7 C7 ... ,§,d2+) 8.'!f1g4 (8.l"\xg7+?); 6 ... ilg7 7.'!f1g4; and 6 ... -tiff1 + 7.~e4 ilg7] 7.~e4 '!f1e3+ 8.~d5 '!f1e5+ (8 ... ilg7?! 9.'!f1c7)

~~~

~

~~~~~I

~"~~~~~~ ~~~:;lliiS};~' ~

~

~

~

~~~~~~~ ~

~

~

Del) 9.~c6? '!f1c5+! lO.~b7 '!f1xc8+! (lO ... '!f1d5+? 11.l"\c6; lO ... -tif e 7 +? 1l.'!f1c7) 11.~xc8 (It must be stressed that Black could exchange the queens only because the white king drifted so far away from his h-pawn)

11...b5 Dell) 12.~d7 (The direct return route to the kingside is only possible when -

225

Tactical Endgames as concession - Black's b-pawn is allowed to advance to b2), e.g. 12...b4 13.~e6 b3 14.§g3 ~h6 15.~f5 (l5.§xb3~xh516.~f5~h6=)15...b2 16.§ b3 ~c3 17. ~g4 (17.§ b6+ ~xh5=; 17.§b7 ~d4=) 17 ... ~d4 18.§b4 ~c3 19.§b6+ ~h7 20.~g5 (20.h6 ~d4=) 20 ... ~d2+=. The defense holds since White has no way to realize the usual plan with the advance h6. Del2) 12.§g5 b4 (12 ~h6? 13.§xb5+-) 13.§b5 ~c3 (l3 ~h6? 14.§xb4+-) 14.§b6 (l4.~d7 ~h6=) 14... ~e1 De12a) 15.~d7 ~d2 16.~e8 C16.~e6 ~h6=) 16... ~g5 17.~f7 ~d2 18.§g6 ~c3 C18...b3? 19.§b6+-) 19.~e6 b3= Dc12b) 15.~b7 (This strange attempt via a6-b5-c4 fails at the start) 15 ... ~f2! (15 ... b3? 16.§xb3 ~h6 17.§h3+-) 16.§xM (16.§b5 ~h6 plan b3=) 16 ... ~h6=

De2)

9.~c4

De21) 9.. .'(;1C5+? 10.'£;1xc5

~xc5

11.~d5 ~f2 12.~e4

caliber.

13.~f3 ~e1

14.§b6 b4

b5

15.~g4

~d2

ill

~

ill

iIl~~~~~~i iIl~~~~~~I' ~ ~ iIl~~~~~iIl :f"

~iIl . ill ~iIl

16.§b7+ ~h6 17.§c7! De2la) 17 ... ~c3 18.§c6+ ~h7 19.h6 ~e5 (19 ... ~d2/~d4 20.~h5+-)

20.~f5!

~d4

(20 ~g3 21.~g5 ~e5 22.§b6+-; 20 ~c3 21.~g5 ~d2+ 22.~h5+) 21.~g5 b3 22.§c7+ ~g8 23.h7+ ~f8 24.§c8++De2lb) 17 ... ~e3 18.§c4 ~d2 19.§c6+ ~h7 20.§c7+ ~h6 21.§b7 ~c3 22.§b6+ ~h7 23.h6+De2le) 17... ~e1 18.§c6+ ~h7 19.h6 b3 20.~h5 (20.§b6? ~f2 21.§xb3 ~xh6=) 20... ~a5 21.§d6 b2 22.§d7+ ~g8 23.§b7 ~c3 24.~g6 ~f8 25.~f5 ~d4 (25 ... ~e8 26.~e6 ~d8 27.~f7+­ ; 25...~g8 26.h7+ ~f8 27.~e6+- see below) 26.h7 ~c3 (26 ...b1 ~+ 27.§xb1 ~g7

28.h8~+

~xh8 29.~g6+-)

27.~e6

De2lel) 27 ... b1~ 28.§xb1 ~g7 (28 ...~d4 29.§b8++-) 29.h8~+ ~xh8 30.~f7+-

In sharp contrast to the 9.~c6? variation (De I), White's king is placed here more favorably, so that the b-pawn will be bridled in time. While 10 ... bxc5+- would lead back to the analysis of 1...bxc5?, the following winning method is certainly of another

226

De21e2) 27... ~h8 28.§f7+ (28.§b8+? ~g7 29.§xb2 ~xh7 30.§g2 ~d4 31.~f7 ~h6=) 28 ... ~e8 29.§f1 ~g7 30.§h1 ~h8 31.§gl ~d8 32. ~f7 +De22) 9...b5+ (only move)

Fortre ss or Not?

1 0 . ~h4

[l O. ~b 3

~e3 +

11. ~b 4

'&el + (l1.. . ~e 7 +) 12.Wxb 5 ~ e 2 + transposes to the main line; 10.Wd3? B e 3+ 11. ~c2 B e 2+ 12.Wcl ~ e l + 13. Wc 2 ~e2 + =] 10 ... ~ e 7 + I1. Wa5 (o r I 1.Wxb5 ~e2+ 12.Wc6 B e 4 + 13 .Wc7 ~ e 5 + 14. w b7 B b 5+ 15 .WaS ~ a 5 + 16. 8 a6 B xh5 and we have reached the same position as at the end ofthe main line) 1 1.. . ~ a 3+ 1 2 . ~ xb5 ~ b 3 + 1 3 . ~c 6

B c4 + ~a 5 +

1 4 . ~b 7

16 .8 a6

~b5 +

15 . ~ a S

~xh5=

227

It's not without a certain kind of humor to put a stop to the adve nture here. Despite all attempts in 1997, when we fin ished this anal ysis we could onl y s up po se that White ca n no t win. Meanwhile the new six-man databases (built by Ken Thompson) confirm that the final position is drawn .

Tactical Endgames ( !! ) the squares it controlled before, and the co lo r of th e sq uare it occ up ies changes with each move . Th e bishop is a long- range piece, which can visit only half of the square s of the board. So depending on the given pawn structure, it can dom inate the knight in an open positi on with pla y on both wings , or look like an overgrown pawn , if the pawns are blocked on squ ares of the same color and it has very limited scope."

B4) The Bishop Pair This is a famous theme, and opinions about the strength of the two bishops have va ried over time . Today most Grand mas ters sa y the bish op pair is very strong, or as GM Anth ony Mile s put it, "The bish op pair is a force you can win with. " Why is this the case? Because the main disad vantage of a s ingle bishop, his monocromacity, is compensated by the seco nd bishop. Jonathan Row son describes this in his recent work (The Seven Deadly Chess Sins, page 130) as follows: "Although the pair ofknights can be very effective, we don't see them as 'a pair ' because there is nothing one knight can do that the other can't in principle ... There may be somethin g good about the 'two knights ' in a particular position, but this is purely accidental, for there is no reason in principle why a pair of them should be more than the sum oftheir parts. On the other hand, one bishop makes up for the shortcomings of the other, and takes care of its own shortcomings in the process. So what happens when you capture the opponent's bishop is not only that you remove one piece of value, but that you ' weaken' the other bishop too." The two bishops are especially strong in the end game, or if the y have open diagonals and rake the board (two raking bishops are often called Horwitz bishops). A singl e bishop is in general not superior to a knight. We qu ote from Endgame Corner (no . 5) : "It is very surprising that bishop and knight are of almost equa l strength on an SxS board as they move in co mpletely different ways. The knight is a short-range piece. When it moves, it loses contact with all

There is another very important aspect: It is much easier to brin g a knight into zugzwang, becau se he loses contact with all the squares he controlled before and so ca n't lose a move. On the other hand the bishop, who has all his dutie s on a single diagonal, can 't be diverted and doesn't fall into zugzwang. The following tactical endgames are from Endgame Corner:

Beware of the Pair! I. Hausner (2440) - K, Muller (2380) Hamburg 1990

White to move Though White is an exchange up he should not underestimate the power o f the two bishops.

228

42 ..Q,xa7?

The Bishop Pair Allowing the c-pawn to advance is extremely risky, whereas after 42.'1t'f2!? Black has to strive for equality.

42 ...hxg4 43.hxg4 c3 44 ..Q,e3 For 44.§el c2 45.M,e3 see the game.

Now White faces an awkward choice: where to go with the rook?

45.E!el! I Certainly not 45.§al? since after 45 ... l£1c4 46.M,c1 ~c5! 47.a4 M,d4 Black wins:

Analysis The raking bishop pair (Horwitz bishops) dominates the board: 48.§a2 .\le3 49.§al I£1d2 50.'1t'g3 (50.§a3 ~xf3+ 51.'1t'h3 M,xf4 52.§xf3 4::1xf3 53.~xf4 4::1g1 + 54.'1t'g2 l£1e2 229

55.M,e3 cl1f1 56.M,xcl 4::1xcl 57.a5 c:Jcl3 58.a6 4::1f4+ 59.'1t'f3 l£1e6 60.a7 4::1c7-+) 50 ... llxf3 51.M,xcl2 ~xcl2 52.;,/;,xf3 cl'i¥1 53.§xcl .~ x c1 54.a5 ~a3 55.a6 ih'5-+ II 45.§xd6(?) is a better practical attempt, but the position after 45 ... iixcl6 46.M,cl g5 47,[xg5 fxg5 48.Mxg5 (48.;,/;,f2llxf3 49.'1t'xf3 Mf4-+) 48 ... f1a3 49.'1t'f2 cl1f1 50.~xc1 .~bcl-+ is theoretically lost. Both white pawns will fall prey to the bishops, and the pawn less ending two bishops vs. knight is always won for the bishops provided that the side with the knight cannot force an immediate draw. This fact was discovered by Ken Thompson using a computer database. His result overturned pre-database theory, which had assumed that the ending is drawn if the defender can reach the "Kling and Horwitz position" (w'1t'cl5,~a4,f8; b'1t'b6,l£1b7). John Nunn deals with the subject extensively in Secrets of Minor Piece Endings (pp.265-281 ). III 45.§f1?! seems to be playable as well, although it looks suspicious: 45 ... l£1b5 (45 ... l£1c4? 46.M,cl .llxcl 47.§ xc l 4::1cl2 48.§ xc2! is certainly not better for Black) A) 46.iicl? .\lxcl 47.§xcl I£1c3-+ B) 46.'1t'f2?! I£1c3 47.4::1d4 Mb2 48.§cl (48.4::1xc2 M,xc2 49.iicl4 c:Je4+ 50.'1t'e3 .\l a 3) 48 ... M,xcl 49.ibcl I£1xa2 and in both cases it is not completely clear whether White can draw. C) 46.§el?! Mb4 and Black's threats are very dangerous, e.g.: Ca) 47.§al? M,c3 48.§f1 (48.§cl lib2 49.§f1 I£1cl4-+) 48 ... c:Jcl4 49.licl '1t'e6-+

Tactical Endgames Cb) 47.l"! h l 4Jc3 48. a 4 A a3 49.a 5 ":0d l 50 .A d2 .ft c 5 5 1. .ilcl A e 3 52 ..il a 3 A xf4 D) 4 6 .~g3 A d 3 (46 ...4Jc3 47 .4Jd 4 J1b 2 48 .Ac l ! .il xc l 49. l"! xc l 4Jxa 2 50. l"! xc2 =) 47 .l"! e l 4Jc 3 48 .4Jd 4 .l1b 2 (48 ... 4Jxa 2 49. l"! al A b 2 50 .l"! xa2 .ilxd4 51.l"!xc2 A xc 2 52 ..il xd 4 =) 49 .4Jxc 2 i1.xe 2 50 ..il d 4 =

":0d l + 4 9 .~ e 2 il xe l 50 .Wxel 4Jxe 3- +) 48 .. .4Jd 3 + ( 48 .. .4Jd 1 + 49 .We2 4Je 3 +=) 4 9 . ~ e 2 4Jxe l + 50. Ax e l and Black 's adva ntage is probably insufficient.

45...Ab4

48 ...Ac3

46 ...Ad3 47.4Jd4 4Jc4 48.Acl 48 .4Jxc 2 ,\l xe 2 49 .Ae l 50 .l"!f2 A e 15 1. l"! f3 A e 4- +

A d3

I 48 ... A a 3? a llo ws the de fen se 49.A xa3 ! (49 .l"!el A b 4 50 . ~f2 :j:) 49 .. .A xe 2 50 .4Jxe2 4Jxa 3 5 1. Wf3 .fJb 5 52 .We 3 4Jc3 53. 4Jel f5 54. g xf5 wf6 55 .Wd 3 4Jxa2 56. 4Jxa 2 ~xf5= II 48 .. .ile5 49.4:\b 3 A xe 2 50.4Jxe5 A xg4 is similar to the game.

If 4 5... .fJc4?! th en 46 .Ae l A xe l 47 .l"! xcl 4Jd 2 a nd Whit e has th e resource 48 .l"!x c 2!

~

~~ ~~ ~~

..'%

~ ~~~~ ~ ~ 0~tr '~ ~~ ~ ~~ .. ..

~d~~~~'~

After the text move White has to find the right square for his rook.

~

~A~

~

~~

~

r.i~I~I~

46.E!e2? Alternatives are: I 46 .l"! f1 ? 4Je4 47 .Acl (47 .Wf2? A xf3 48 .Wxf3 4Jd 2 +- +) 47 ... 4Jd 2 48 .l"! f2 4Jxf3 49 .l"!x f3 ~e6 50 . ~f2 Ax f3 51.~x f3 ~d5 52 . ~e3 ~c4 and I can't see a way for White to hold on, but on the other hand it is not so easy to prove that he is lost. II 46.l"!a l ? 4Jc4 47 .Wf2 4Jxe 3 4 8. ~ x e 3 A xf3 4 9.~x f3 A a 3- + III 46 .l"!cl! 4Je4 4 7 . ~ f2 4Jb 2 ( 47 ... A a 3 48. 4Jd4 A xe l 49 .il xc l =) 48 .4Jd 4 (48. 4Je l ?

~

Now Black wins the exc hange while keeping the strong passed c-pawn alive.

49.4Jb5! 49 .l"!x e2 ? Ax d4- +

49...,Q.xe2 Not 49 ...A b 2? bec au se of 50.l"! el! and Black's attack has cease d.

50.4J xc 3 A xg4 51.4Jd5 Ae6 52.4Jb4 Af5 53.\f}f2 Ae4 54.4Ja6 \f}e6 55.4Jc5+ \f}d5 56.4Jb3

230

The Bishop Pair

56 ."Z'l xe 4 ~ x e 4 57 .We2 Wd 4- +

IV 4 0.B c l? ft e7

56 ... A f 5 57. We2 Ag6 58. 4)d2 tilb6 59.tilfl Wd4 60.Ab2+ w e4 6l. Ac1 Wd 4 62.Ab2+ w e4 63. Ac1

40...f4

6 3 A:Je 3? 6 5. ~d 2

~a4

64. Jtc l

I 40 ..."Z'l d 6 4 UldS ! "Z'l xe4 42.B d 7+(H uzrnan in CBA160)

II 4 0...ft e7 4 1.!Lb4 +-. lo o k at th e mighty bishops! III 40...B e8 41.c7 B e8 42.B d7 ~d6 4 3 .ft a 6 +-

cZ'l c 3 +

~xa2-+

63...A h 5+ 64.Wf2? 41.E!d 7 1-0. Hausner is tired and makes things easy . 64 .~d2! wa s requ ired, after which it' s not entire ly c lea r whe the r Bl ac k is wi nni ng , e .g . 64 ...Wxf4 65. Wxc 2+ ':;t>f3 66 .itb2

Exercises

64...Wd31 65.tile3 lUi 66.a3 tila4 67.tilg2 tile5 68.tilel+ we3 69.We3 Ag6 70..Q,d2+ Wb2 71.tilxe2 A xe2+ and Black won - 0-1.

Achilles' Heel J~

Kramnik (2740) - V. Topalov (2725) No vgorod 1997 Black to mo ve (-+ ) How did Kramnik tum the tables?

E 11.2 V. A nand (2 725) - J. Lautier (2645) Londo n (PCA- Intel G P) \ 995

White to move (+-)

40. Ae41 aiming at Black 's Achilles' he el , th e knight on 17. After other moves Black can fight on, e.g.: I 40. B d7? B xd 7 4 1. exd7 We 7 II 40 0<'id8? 4Jxd 8 4 1. B xdS ft e7 11I40.ft b 4? B e S 4 1. B d7 B b8 23 \

Tactical Endgames E 1l.2: The following motif is worth remembering: 34.Axb7!! )t>d7 C34 ..A"Jxb7? 35.a6 wd7 36.a7+-. The rook's pawn is the main enemy of the knight!) 35.Ab4 )t>c7 (The bishop is still poisoned: 35... ~xb7 36.a6 we7 37.a7+- since the knight hinders his own king) 36.Ad5l£)a6 37.c3 C37.ilf8 g6 38.g5 wins as well) 37... l£)xb4 38.cxb4 c3 39.)t>e3 )t>d6 40.Af3 C40.a6 wxd5 41.a7+-) 40... h5 41.a6 1-0.

EII.3 G. Kasparov (2838) - M. Adams (2742) Linares 2002

White to move Kasparov found an amazing continuation to create winning chances and confusion. Which one? Solutions: EI1.!: Kramnik uncorked 25... g3!! 26.l£)fl C26.fxg3 ~e5+ 27.§d4 ilxd4+ 28.~xd4 §d8-+) 26... gxf2+ 27.)t>h2 (27.wg2 §g8+ 28.wf3 ,ilxe4 29.~a3 ~xa3 30.§xg8 ~xf1 31.Wxf2 ~e4··+) 27 ... Axc40-1

EIl.3: 32.d5!? (creates a passed pawn that threatens to win Black's rook) 32 ... l£)xe5? (Adams could have defended with 32...exd5 33.e6 c:Ja50 33.Axe5 cxd5 C33 ... §e8 34.~f4! exd5 35.e6 ~xa3 36.e7 f5 37.gxf6 gxf6 38.e8'& §xe8 39.~xe8±) 34.c6 f5 35.gxf6 gxf6 36.Ae6+ )t>g7 37.Ag3 Axa3?! (allows White to capture the d-pawn immediately. 37 ... d4! 38.e7 ~xa3 39.e8'& §xe8 40.~xe8±) 38.Axd5 El,c839.c7 Ac5 40.Ab7 El,xc7 41.Axc7 a5 42.Ac6 g5 43.)t>fl )t>g6 44.f3 )t>h5 45.Ae8+ )t>h6 46.)t>e2 f5 47.Ad8 1-0.

232

Rook + Minor Piece Endings

B5) Rook + Minor Piece Endings BSA) Rook Endings Since rook endings occur very often in practical play, time spent studying them is very well invested. The next example is typical, and illustrates that even simple looking positions can be complicated and involve amazing resources.

Analysis I 50...§a6? 51.Wh5! transposes to the game. II 50...§a5? 51.Wh5! §xf5 52.wg6 §a5 53.§b8+ We7 54.§g8 §b5 55.§xg7+ 1£?f8 56.wh7 +III 50...§a7? 51.Wh5! wf7 52.§b8 §c7 53.g6+ wf6 54.§f8+ We5 55.f6! C55.§f7? §cl=; 55.Wg5? §cl=) 55 ... gxf6 56.wh6 §cl 57.g7 §hl + 58.Wg6 §gl + 59.Wf7 f5 60.g8,§, §xg8 61.Wxg8+IV 50 ...g6!? 51.§b8+ wf7 52.§b7+ wf8 53.f6 C53.fxg6?=) 53 ... §a4+ C53...§g2+? 54.wf4 §f2+ 55.Wg3 §f5 56.Wg4 plan ...§g7+-) 54.we §a5 55.wf4 §a4+ 56.We5 §g4= C56...§a5+!?) 57.We6 §e4+ V 50...§h2!? 51.§b8+ C51.§h3 §g2+ 52.wh5 wf7 53.§a3 g6+ 54.fxg6+ Wg7=) 51. ..We7 C51...wf7? 52.g6+ We7 53.§g8 wf6 54.§f8+ We5 55.§e8+ wd6 56.§g8 plan ...§xg7+-) 52.g6 §hl= C52 ...§g2+ 53.We §gl=)

Theory and Practice J. Heissler (2447) E. Pezerovic (2447) German Bundesliga 2000

111~111~~~8 I1l ~~

1I1B~ ~

~

~···111

111 ~ ~ft~~ ~~~~~~~111

1~~~1I1 111 111 %111

White to move (+-) (Position after 49 ....fr.a4xftb3)

Activity is extraordinarily important in rook endings, and here White's rook is placed very well behind the enemy passed pawn. The fact that his king can support the attack gives him a decisive advantage.

50 ... §a6

I 50 ... b2 51.Wg6 §a6+ 52.f6 gxf6

53.gxf6 §a8 54.§xb2 plan §h2+II 50...§f2 51.§xb3 §xf5 52.Wg6+- as

50.§xb3? is premature and gives Black a chance to defend himself: ifhe restrains White's king from entering his camp via h5 (otherwise he loses by force):

233

above

51.§xb3 51.§b8+ We7 52.§xb3 is strong as well.

Tactical Endgames Analysis This position is very tricky: A) The natural 57.§£1? is wrong due to 57 ... §al 58.'it'g4 C58.§xg7?? 'it'f4-+; 58.f6 §h1+ 59.'it'g4 §gl+ 60.'it'f3 §xg6 61.fxg7 'it'e6=) 58 ... 1"lg1+= B) Only the amazing continuation 57.f6!! §xf6 58.§f7!! wins: 58 ... §f5+ C58... 'it'e6 59.§xg7+-) 59.'it'g4 §f6 60.'it'g5 §a6 61.§xg7+-

The fascinating and study-like ideas underlying this position were developed in the 1940s and 1950s (sources: Averbakh, LevenfishlSmyslov and the Encyclopaedia).

52.\tIh6!

51...g6+

If 52.fxg6? then 52...§al!= keeps the balance, whereas 52...'it'g7? loses to 53.§b7+ 'it'g8 54.'it'h6 §a8 55.§b6! plan g7 plus §f6-f8++- (not 55.§g7+ 'it'h8 56.§f7 'it'g8 57.§f6? §a1 58.g7 §h1 + 59.'it'g6 §h6+!=)

After 51...'it'£1 White continues with 52.§b7+! C52.f6? gxf6 53.g6+ 'it'g7 54.§b7+ 'it'g8 55.'it'h6 §a8 56.§g7+ 'it'h8 57.§h7+ 'it'g8 58.g7 'it'f7 59.§h8 §g8 draw) 52 ... 'it'f8 53.§b8+ C53.g6? §al! 54.§b8+ 'it'e7 55.§b7+ 'it'f8/'it'f6=) I 53 ... 'it'e7 54.f6+! gxf6 55.g6 §al 56.g7+- §h1+ 57.'it'g6 §g1+ 58.'it'h7 §hl + 59.'it'g8 f5 60.§b7+ C60.§b6) 60 ... 'it'e6 C60... 'it'e8 61.§b5 plan §xf5, §e5+) 61.'it'f8 §gl 62.g8~+ §xg8+ 63.'it'xg8 f4 64.§£1 'it'e5 65.'it'g7 and so on. II 53 ... 'it'f7 54.g6+ 'it'e7 55.§g8 wf6 56.§f8+ 'it'e5

52 ... gxf5+ 53.g6 .§al 54 ..§b8+ \tIe7 55.g7+- .§hl+ 56.\tIg6 .§g1+ 57.\tIh7 .§hl+ 58.\tIg8 .§gl 58 ... f4 59.§b7+! 'it'e6 C59... 'it'e8 60.§b4 f3 61.§e4+ 'it'd7 62.§f4+) 60.'it'f8 §gl 61.§b5+-

59 ..§b5 or 59.§b7+ as above

111% 111% ~e;r.~ 111 111 111 ~~ 11111 111 11I.ft11l 111 111 ~. ~~

59 ... \tIf6

~~~~"v,~~

59 ... f4 60.§f5 §g4 61.'it'h7 §h4+ 62.'it'g6 §g4+ 63.'it'h6 (threatening 64.§xf4/§f8+-) 63 ... §h4+ 64.'it'g5 §h1 65.§xf4+-. Shortly before the second time control both players now miss the correct path.

111~~~ ~~~111

111 111 111

234

Rook + Minor Piece Endings

62 •••f7
l"lf5 f3 66 .'it'e5 ~ g 3 6 7 . ~e4 f 2 68. ~e3 and White 's king is bac k in time - 1-0.

O bvious - and wro ng . Correct was the zwischenz ug 60.l"lb6+! I 60 ... ~ e 5 6 1.~f7 l"lxg7+ 6 2 . ~ x g7 +-

Now we look at a spe cial case of the famo us "4 pawns vs . 3 paw ns" the me on th e same wing. In most cases the theo ret ical verdict is a draw, but the re are exce ptions .. .

II 60.. .~ e 7 6 1. ~ h 7 + - / 6 1. l"l b7 ++ ­ II I 60 .. .~ g 5 61.~f7 ~h 5 62.l"lbl+ 60 ... E!g2?

Active King Plus Extra Pawn

T he d e ci s ive lo s s o f a te m po! A ltema tives : I 60...f4? 6 1.g8~ l"lxg8+ 62. ~xg8 ~l7 g 6 63 .l"la5 'it'f6 6 4 . ~h 7 f3 6'5 .l"la3+ II 60...l"lal? 61.l"lb8 (61.l"lb6+ ~e 5 62.l"le6+!) 61...l"lgl 6 2 . g8~ l"lxg8+

y. Anikaev (2480) V. Gavriko v (2485) Klaipeda 1983

6 3 . ~ xg8 +-

III T he o n ly pl a y abl e m o ve w a s 60 l"lxg7!: 6 1.l"lb6+ ~ g 5 (aft er 6 1 <;)') e5? 62 . ~ xg 7 f4 63.'it'g6 Whit e ' s k in g reac hes th e f-paw n : 63... f3 64.l"lf6 ~ e 4 65 . ~ g 5 ~ e 3 6 6 . ~g4 f2 6 7 . ~g3 + -) 62 . ~ x g 7 f 4=, a n d White's pieces hind er them selv es. 61.g8~ E!xg8+ 62.
White to move (+-) N ormally such rook endgam es have a grea t drawing tendency, but in this case Whi te 's king has invad ed the ene my 's ca mp. Th e reader may see for himself that 1.e5+? doesn 't work, since White cannot mobilize his pawns due to the

235

Tactical Endgames

strong position of the black rook. Nevertheless there is a startling and simple solution!

1.E!e3! drives out the enemy's rook. Certainly exchanging to a pawn endgame had to be calculated.

1...E!c7

extra pawn it's not so easy to predict the general theoretical result, but it is definitely worth looking at such positions, as they tend to arise quite often. The following position shows an almost classic ending very suitable for training purposes. Though it looks drawish, the defender must move with precision.

A Defensive System on the Sixth Rank

1...8 xe3 2.f xe3 '!Je7 (2 ... '!Je5 3.'!Jg7) 3.'!Jg7 '!Je6 4.e5 '!Je7 5.'!Jg8 '!Je8 6.e6+-. This pawn-lever (with or without rooks) obviously is a key move to destroy Black's structure.

D. Bronstein (2590)O. Romanishin (2485) Yerevan (USSR-Ch) 1975

2.E!f3+ \tIe5 2 ... '!Je7 3.'!Jg7 '!Je8 4.8[6 8e7

5.f3 8e7 6.e5 8e7 7.e6+3.E!f4 Also good is 3.'!Jg7 etc.

Black to move (=) (Position after 40.b6)

3...E!a7

3... 8c6 4.8xf7 '!Jxe4 5.'!Jg5 '!Je5 6.8g7+-

40 ...E!b5?

4.\tIg7 or 4.f3 plan '!Jg7

4...f5+ 4 ... '!Je6 5.8[6+

5.\tIxg6+-, and the rest was easy. We know that the seeming simplicity of rook endings is deceptive. If for example the attacker has an outside 236

Grandmaster Oleg Romanishin (* 1952) missed the opportunity to hold his own with 40...8[6! (=, O. Romanishin/A. Mihaljcisin in Chess Informant 201 351). The rook does not attack the passed pawn from behind (Tarrasch) but from the side, and at the same time prevents the white king from slipping out! If 41.'!Jfl then 41...8e6! and White can't make progress: 42.8b8 '!J[6 43.b7 8b6 and this position with the pawn on the seventh rank plus the passive white rook should be a wellknown draw. The rook maneuver 8[6-

Rook + Minor Piece Endings e6-b6 reminds us of an old study with the a-pawn (wWg2,l'la8,a6 - bWg7, l'lal) where l...l'la5! 2. Wf3 l'lf5+ 3. we4 l'lr6! leads to the defensive system on the sixth rank.

4Vi!t>f3 §b2 41.. .l'le5? with the idea l'le6 fails to 42.l'lc7' along with 43.b7. Also after 'fl...wf6 42.We4;'t;e6 43.Wd4 Black has severe problems. 4Vit>e4! The main actor enters the stage and by a precisely calculated march decides the game. Sven Joachim 42... §xf2

"All Rook Endings Are Drawn" Allows White to activate his rook, whereas 42".wf6 43.Wd5 is clearly advantageous for White too.

s. Joachim

(2455)-

V. Epishin (2599) Bad Zwesten (Open) 2002

43.§c7 §b2 44.b7 f6 45.d5 f5 46.§xf7+ g4 47.§g7 xg3 48.§xg6+ xh4 49.c6 h3 50.§g5! With the double threat l'lxh5+ and 8:b5. Good enough would be 50.:&c7+50...§xb7 51.xb7 h4 52.c6 h2 53.d5 h3 54.e4 and the king returns exactly in time - 1-0.

White to move (=) This complicated rook ending left me no peace and back at home I started to analyse and tried hard to find "the truth". Now I am convinced that this position is a draw, but in over-the-board play White has pretty good chances to lose.

The next example reminds us of Dr. Tarrasch's old aphorism:

43.h4g5 237

Tactical Endgames

I was amazed at how qui ckl y Epishin played this move. He had two othe r winning atte mpts:

I 43 ...E\ xa3

4 4. ~ x g 7

h5

C) 45.g4? h xg4 (45...Bg3? 46.g5 Bg4 47 .g6 E\ xh 4 48 . ~ h 6 =) 46.h 5 E\ h 3 47.h6 g3 (47...e3 48 .h7 g3 49 .h8-& E\ xh 8 50. Wxh 8 g2-+ ) 48 .B b2 !? (48 .B bl c3 49 .h7 g2 5 0 .h 8 ~ E\ xh8 51.Wxh8 c2 52.E\al w d4 -+ Ana lysis

Analys is Now Wh ite stands at a cros sroads: Four move s see m plausible to me, but onl y two of them hold the draw, with more or less diffi culty. A ) 4 5.E\e8+? w d 4 46. w g6 E\ a 5H ( fo r 46 .. .E\xg3 +? 47 .Wxh 5 e3 48 .wh6 =, s e e 4 5 .Wg6 E\ xg3+ 4 6 . ~x h5

e3 47 .h 6

~d 4

48 .E\ c8)

B) 45.E\ h8 (White ca ptures the h-pawn

w ith the roo k and not with the kin g in orde r to preven t the king from being cut off at the co me r. Th e rook return s j ust in time) 45...e3 (4 5...E\ xg3+ 46.wf6

c3 47. E\xh 5+ w d 4 48 .E\ h8 e2 49 .l'rd8 + We 3 50. E\ c8 ~d 2 5Uhe2+ Wxe 2 52. h5 =) 46 .E\xh 5+ w d4 Ba) 47 .E\ f5 c2 48. E\ fl E\ xg3+ 49.W h 6 (4 9 . ~ f6 ? E\ f3+; 49 .wh7? E\ h 3 ) 49 .. .Wd3 (4 9 .. .E\ d 3 50. E\ e l Wc3 5l .h 5 E\ d l 52.E\xc2+ Wxc2 53 .Wg6 =) 50.h 5 ~ d2 5 1. ~ h7 c1 ~ 52 .E\ xcl Wxc l 53 .h6 w d 2 54. w h8 We 3 55 .h 7 = Bb) 47. E\ h8 c 2 48 .B d8+ We3 49 .E\e8 ~ d 2 50 .E\ xc2 + Wxc2 51.h5 E\ xg3+ 52. Wf6 B h3 53. Wg6 Wd 3 54. h 6 ~e 4 55 .h7 = 238

A key positi on of thi s endi ng. Please co mpare w it h th e not e to 44 ...E\ g2 bel ow. White loses becau se Black ' s passed pawns sta nd too close togeth er - with a pawn on b2 instead of c2 and Whit e to mov e this would be a draw)

48 ... E\ h 2! (4 8 ... c3? 49. E\g2 wd4 50. h7 =) 49 .h 7 g2 !-+ ( 49... E\ xb 2 50. h8 ~ g2 51. ~c8 + = ) D) 4 5 .Wg 6 E\ xg3+ 46 .Wxh 5 c3 4 7 . ~ h6

Da) 47 .. .w d4 48. E\ e8 Wd 3 49 .h5 e 2 50 . ~ h 7 w d 2 51. B xc2+ (51.h 6 E\ c3 52. B xc 3 Wxc3 53 .Wg8 cl -& 54 .h 7 =) 51.. .Wxc2 52 .h6 Wd 3 53 .w h8 ~ e 4 54 .h 7 = Db) 47 ... ~ c4 Dbl) 48 .h 5? e2 49. E\c8+ (4 9 .~ h7 E\ g5-+) 49 ... Wb 3 50. E\xe2 Wxc 2 51. Wh7 Wd3 52 .h 6 ~ e 4 53. wh 8 w f5 54 .h 7 ~ g 6 - + Db2) 48 .E\ e8 +? Wb 3 ( 48 .. . ~ d 3? 49 .h 5= see 47 .. .Wd 4) 49 J',( b 8 + Wa 2 50 .E\a8 + w b 2 51. Bb8+ We I 52. h5 c 2 53 .E\e8 w d 2 54 .E\ xe2 + Wxc2-+ see the remark to 48.h5

Rook + Minor Piece Endings Db3) 48.flbl! (Only in this way can White prevent Black from setting up a barrier on the c-file. Now Black can win the enemy's rook only by advancing with his king, after which White escapes by a stalemate) 48 ...e2 49.flfl ~d3 50.h5 ~e2 51.flal ~d2 52.~h7 el'iii 53.flxel ~xc1 54.h6 ~d2 55.~h8 ~e3 56.h7= stalemate II 43...flg2 (The a-pawn is spared to

prevent a White stalemate defense later on) 44.~xg7 h5

Ba) 47 ... ~e4 48.a5 e2 49.a6 fla3 50.fle8+ ~d3 51.flxe2 (51.~g5?? flc3+) 51...~xe2 52.~g6= Bb) 47 ... ~d4 48.fle8 ~d3 49.a5 e2 50.a6 flgl 51.a7 flal 52.fld8+= 44.~g6

44.hxg5? hxg5 45.flg8 (45.~g6 flg2-+) 45".c3 46.fl xg5+ ~e4 47.flgS flg2 4S.fle8+ I 48 ... ~b3? 49.a4 fl xg3 50.a5 fld3 51.~e7! (51.~e8? e2 52.a6 flh3 53.fle5 flh5 54.fle6 flh6-+; 51.~e6? e2 52.a6 fld8 53.fle6 fla8 54.flb6+ ~e3 55.~d7 c1 'iii 56.fle6+ ~d2 57.flxel ~xc1-+) 51...flh3 52.a6 flh7+ 53.~d8 e2 54.fle6 flh6 55.flxh6 el'iii 56.a7 'iii xh 6 57.~e7= II 48".~d3 49.a4 flxg3 50.a5 e2

51.a6 flgl-+ Analysis A) 45.flh8 e3 46.flxh5+ ~d4 Aa) 47.flf5?! e2 48.flfl flxg3+ 49.~h6 ~d3 50.a4 ~d2 51.a5 c1'iii 52.flxel ~xc1 53.a6 ~d2 Aal) 54.a7? fla3 55.h5 ~e3 56.~g5 fla5+ 57.~g4!!= (57.~g6? ~f4 58.h6 fla6+ 59.~g7 ~g5 60.h7 flxa7+ 61.~gS ~g6 62.hS4j+ ~f6-+) Aa2) 54.h5 ~e3 55.a7 figS 56.~h7 fla8 57.h6 ~f4 58.~g6 flxa7 59.h7= Ab) 47.flh8 flxg3+ 48.~f6 e2 49.fld8+ ~e3 50.fle8 ~d2 51.flxe2+ ~xe2 52.h5= B) 45.~g6 45 ... flxg3+ 46.~xh5 e3 47.a4! (The rejected pawn announces his wish to speak and deflects Black's king. Pushing the h-pawn and king instead would be senseless) 239

Here it's not difficult to see that exchanging on g5 loses.

44... .§xa3?! Again played quickly. Instead 44...flg2 would have posed more problems and led to beautiful variations: 44 ...flg2!? 45.~xh6 g4 46.h5 (46.~g5?! flxg3 47.~f4 flgl 4S.a4 might be drawn as well, but I'm not sure) 46 ... fl xg3 47.~g7 flh3 48.h6 g3 49.flbl (49.nb2 flh2 50.h7 g2

Tactical Endgames 5U"Lb1 c3 52.h8'i'1 l'hh8 53.'
This loses another tempo, but Epishin obviously had already settled on a draw. 45 ... 8a6+ 46.'
53.8a1! (The only way to draw. White prevents Black from winning a tempo by attacking the rook; 53.8gl? '
48..§bl \f7d4 49.\f7f5 .§a2 50.g5 .§f2+ 51.\f7e6 c2 Yl-Yl (annotation according to analysis and statements from Sven Joachim). We end our presentation of pure rook endings with three tragicomic events.

Mutual Chess Blindness G. Meins (2460) - S. Reschke (2415) German Bundesliga 1997

45.hxg5 45.'
White to move (=) That White achieves a draw here is not really surprising, but after more than six hours, when both players certainly were somewhat exhausted, strange things happened ...

45... hxg5?! 1.\f7e5??

240

Rook + Minor Piece Endings Certainly Black has the upper hand, but anyone who thinks Black's advantage here suffices for a win is mistaken! 50 ...Wxh5

G. Meins

l.wc3 §c6+ 2.wb3 (2.wd4 §d6+) 2 ... §e6 3.a6 §xa6 4 .§xa6 wxa6 5.wc4 wb6 6.wd5 we7 7.we5 wd7 8.wf6 we8=

Alternatives: I 50 ... §h3+ 51.wf4 (51.wd4? wxh5 transposes to the game) 51...§xh5 (51...Wxh5?? 52.§h8+). e.g. 52.wg4 wg6 53.§g8+ wh7 54.§b8 §xe5 55.wf4 §h5 56.§xb3= II 50 ... §h2 51.wf4 §b2 (51...§xh5 transposes to 50...§h3+, see above; 51...b2 52.§h8+ wg7 53.§b8=) 52.§h8+ wg7 53.§b8 §bl 54.we3 is only slightly better for Black (=) III 50 ... §xh5 51.wd4=

:

lJI

~

~

lJI~lJI'~lJI

1....E!e6+?? 1... wc6!-+ (of course not ... we5?? 2.§cl+) along with mate by .. .f6#; 2.§cl + wd7 does not alter the fact.

~

~

~

~

~

2.Wd5= Wa6 3..E!a3 h4 4.gxh4 .E!e4 and drawn after a few more moves.

Missed Rescue

~

~~

~t!&.t

~

~

%'%

~.ft~

~ ~1~

~~

~e-

~S

~

~~~lJI

lJI lJI lJI

51.Wd4?

T. Neumann (2090) - P. Braun (2271) Dresden (Open) 2001

What a pity! White could seize the moment with 51.§xb3! §h3+ (51...f5 52.§b4 wg5 53.wf3= f4 54.§b8) 52.wf4 §xb3= stalemate! 51 ....E!h3-+ (The rest is a "matter of technique") 52 ..E!h8+ (52.§b7 §f3 53.§b8 wg4 54.§g8+ wh3) 52 Wg4 53 ..E!g8+ Wh4 (or 53 wf3 54.§g7 ElM 55.§xf7+ §f4 56.§h7 §xe4+ 57.wc3 §e3+ 58.wd4 b2 59.§f7+ we2 60.§b7 §d3+ 61.we4 §d2 62.wc3 we3

Black to move 241

Tactical Endgames 63.db4 §h2 64.§b6It'e4 65.§b5 §g2 66.§b8 It'xe5) 54..§b8 .§f3 55 ..§g8 ~h3 (or 55...b2 56.§b8 §f2 57.lt'e3 It'g3 58.§g8+ It'h3 59.§h8+ It'g2 60.§b8 It'fl 61.lt'cl3 It'el 62.lt'c3 rJJdl) 56.~c5 b2 57 ..§b8 .§f2 58.~d6 ~g4 59 ..§b7 ~g3 60.~c5

More accurate is 67...lt'e3

~g2 61.~d4 ~f1 62.~d3 ~el 63.~e3 .§h2 64..§b6 ~d165.~d3

.§d2+ 66.~e3 ~c167..§b7 .§c2 01. Cut Off King Mutual chess blindness! Long since in a winning position, Black does not see the final little trick: 68 ... lt'cl4 69.§cll + It'e3

White to move (=) (Position after 61...§e2-el)

Analysis

62..§a4? Allows Blackto cut off the defendingking from the pawn and moreover to drive the king to the edge ofthe board. This could have been avoided with 62.§g2= (also §g3 and even It'g6), e.g. 62...lt'e4 (or 62 ... §dl 63.§e2+ It'cl5 64.lt'f4) 63.§g4+ It'd 3 64.§g3+ It'cl4 65.§g4+ §e4 66.§gl e5 67.§al and so on with an easy draw. 62....§gl+!-+ 63. ~h4 ~f5 64. ~h3 e5 65.~h2 .§g8 66 ..§al ~f4 67..§f1+ ~e4

242

Now the essential point is that after 70.§el + Black can leave his pawn due to the double threat 70 ...lt'f2!-+ along with mate or capturing the rook. Pure technique requires 70.§d5, e.g. 70 ... e4 71.§e5 It'd3 n.§d5+ It'e2 73.lt'h3 e3 74.§e5 It'cl2 75.§cl5+ It'el 76.§e5 e2 n.§e6 §clS building a bridge. (These variations have been checked with the Nalimov Tablebases. )

Rook + Minor Piece Endings

B5B) Rook + Minor Piece Endings

50 ...§g4 51.§b7 §xg5 52.hxg5 ge8 53.e7 h4 54.§b4 h3 55.§h4+51.exf7 §.el+ 52.\tId4 1-0.

Endingswith rook plus minorpieceon both sides occur very often in practical play, but there is not so much literature on the situation. The following theme from rook endings, the seventh rank, is certainly significant for the middlegame as well.

Simplifications into pawn endings should always be checked carefully:

"Trapper Chess" D. Pirrot (2410) - J. Heissler (2435) German Bundesliga 1998

Seventh Rank M. Borriss (2445) - F. Holzke (2475) German Bundesliga 200 I

White to move In order to free his strangulated rook White played

White to move (+-) l.a5!? Mating attacks in the endgame occur frequently, preferably with an aggressive king supporting his men:

49.e6! White wants to open the seventh rank and beyond that a path for his king via e5 to f6.

49 ... §.xf4+ Or: I 49 ... fxe6 50.'I!'1e5 c(,ie8 51.§b7+ 'I!'1g8 52.'I!'1f6+II 49 ... §xg5 50.fxg5 fxe6 51.'I!'1e5 .ilc2 52.§b7+ 'I!'1g8 53.'I!'1f6 gxd3 54.'I!'1xg6 f4+ 55.'I!'1f6 f3 56.g6+-

and by the way sets a trap.

1... \tIb5?? In time trouble a blunder that unfortunately leads the opponent to force a winning pawn ending. Instead the knight had to give way, and after 1...4Jd5 or 1...4Jc4 White would keep his advantage but a win would not be a certainty.

2.§.xb6+! of course not 2AJd6+?? 'I!'1xa6 3AJxb7 'I!'1xb7 4.axb6 'I!'1xb6-+

2...axb6 2 ... §xb6?? 3.axb6+-

50. \tieS §.f1 243

Tactical Endgames

13.\t'e6 1-0. Last Trap

Now we have an uncomplicated pawn e ndga me with th emes s uc h as dominating king, spare tempi and rules for blockaded pawns.

Black to move (=) (P osition after 6 2.~e 4 x ft d3)

6.\t'e3 6 . ~g3?

takes th e wrong way to the w ing, which wi ll be blocked : 6 ...f5! 7 .h 6 C7 . ~ h 4 ? h 6 ; 7 .~ f2 ~ c 5 = ) 7 ~c5 8 . ~h4 ~d6 =

6 \t'c6 7.\t'e4 \t'd6 S.<;fIf5 \t'e7 9.\t'g5 Also good is 9 . ~e 5 (not 9 .h6? f6=) 9 ...f6+ (9 ... h6 1() . ~f5 ~e8 11. ~f6 ~f8 12.f5+-) 1(). ~d5 h6 lU5 ~d7 12.f4 ~e7 13 . ~c6+ - , and by entering the winning zone White will capture all of Black's pawns.

62 ...h5! Avoids the last and most beautiful trap 62 . ..E!. xg 4 ?? 63 .e6!!+- ( 63 . .. f xe 6 'It'f7 64 ..Qe 5 + ~g8 6 5 .4Jf6+ 66 .4Jxg 4)

63.g xh5 g xh5 64.Ae7 <;fIh7 65.l2)d6 <;fIg6 66.Af6, and the game lasted on until mov e 93 - Yz-Yz. The next game fragment shows a nice prom otion theme.

Study-like

A. Szypulski - F. Silbermann Cologne 1992

9...<;fIfS 9 ... f6 + 1 0. ~h 6 ~ f7 11. ~ xh 7 f5 12.h6 ~ f8 1 3 . ~ g 6+ -

lO.\t'f6 <;figS 1l.<;fIe7 or l 1. h 6 ~h 8 12.f5 ~g8 1 3. ~ e7 ~ h 8 1 4 . ~f8 f6 15 . ~ e 7 etc . +-

11...<;fIg712.f5 f6 12 .. .~ h 6 13 . ~xf7 ~ x h 5 1 4 . ~ g 7 15.f6 +-

~g 5

White to move 244

Rook + Minor Piece Endings It's well known that in knight vs. pawn endgames the rook pawn is the main enemy of the knight. This game shows White uncorking a brilliant sacrificial combination in order to create a mighty passed pawn. But this is only the overture to a greater composition!

But how should Black capture the doomed knight at d5? Now the deep calculation of variations and correct evaluation are of vital importance!

3... E!xd5? The wrong choice, which was hard to see. Let's look at the alternatives: I 3 ... cxd5 4.h7 dxe4 (for 4 ... wf7 5.h8'& dxe4 see variation II, next diagram) 5.h8'& e xf3+ (5 ... wf7) 6.Wxf3 wf7 leads to variation II. n 3 ... wf7 4.h7 cxd5 5.h8'& dxe4

The only playable move: I 2 4:Je8??/4:Jh5?? 3.4:Je6+ II 2 Eld7?? 3.hxg7 III 2 wc8? 3.hxg7 Eld8 4.4:Jg6!+threatening the interception 5.4:Jf8 and the forks 5.4:Je7+ and 5.g8'&/6.4:Je7+ respectively - a powerful knight! IV 2... we8? 3.h7 gxf4 4.h8'&+ wf7 5.'&b8+- (xf4+/xb7+)

This second sacrifice is necessary to block the d-file. Clearly mistaken are: I 3.4:Jg6+?? wf6 4.h7 Eld8 5.h8'& El xh8 6.4:Jxh8-+ and the black knight would be cut off (6 ...4:Je6 etc.) II 3.hxg7?? wf7 4.4:Jh5 Eld8 plan wg6-xg7-+

Analysis

A) 6. '&b8?! exf3+ 7.Wxf3 Elf4+ O ... Elxb4?? 8.c6+-) 8.we2 1 Ele4+ 9.wd3 Ele7 B) 6. 'r¥tc8? exf3+ 7.Wxf3 Elxb4 C) 6.b5! Cal 6 ... axb5 7.'&c8 exf3+ 8.W xf3 see Cc Cb) 6 ... Elb4?! 7.c6 Elxb2+ C7 b xc6 8.bxa6!) 8.we3 4:Jf5+ (8 Elxb5 245

Tactical Endgames 9.e7 .£If5+ 10.Wxe 4) 9.Wxe 4 8 xb 5 10 .e7 8 e 5 11. -&h5+ 'it'f6 12.-&h2!! (threat en ing e8 -&) 12 ... 'it'g 6 02 ... 'it'f7 13.e8-& 8 xe8 14 .'it'xf5 ) 13 .-& a 2!! .£Ig 3 + 14. 'it'e 3 8 xe7 l5. -& e 6+ Wh 5 1 6 . ~ g 4+ 'it'g 6 17. ~ x g 3 Cc) 6 ... e xf3 + 7. Wxf3 a xb5 8 . ~e8 'ih' f6 9. ~x b 7 4:Je 6

Szypulski can be realized ! The re are thre e ways for the king to move, so where to go'?

6.\fId2! Th e kin g mar ch d 2- e 3-b 3-a 4 -a 5b6- xb7 is the final point of Wh ite's play, whereas the routes to the center or to the king's wing corne to nothing. Nevertheless both sides have to be very careful , e.g.: I 6.'it'e 3? .£Ig6 7 .d6 + w f6 (7 .. .We 6 8.'it' e4 4:J h 8 =) 8 .d7?! C8 .We4 =) 8 ...We7 9.We 4 'it'xd 7 10.'it'f5 4:J h8 11. 'it'f6 'it'e8 12.Wg7 We7 13.Wg8! C13.'it'xh 8?? 'it'f7) 13 ... 'it'f6 14. 'it'f 8= II 6 .w f2? .£Ig6 7. d 6 + 'it'f6 8 .Wg3 .£I h 8 9 .Wg4 .£I f7 10.f4 ClO.Wg3?? 'it'g6) 10 .. .g xf4 11. Wxf4 'it'g 6 12. 'it'e 4 Wf6 Cl2 ... Wxh7?? 13. Wf5 - e 6-d 7- e8+ -) 13 .'it'f4=

Analysis This is most likely the crucial test of the whole venture. White still has the upper hand, but a win is open to question: Cel) 10 .e6 8 e4 11. b 3 8 e 1± l12.We 3 8 e3+ C1 2.. ..£Id8?? 13.-&b6 .£I xe6 14. Wd 2+- ) 13 .Wd 2 b 4 14 .-& xb 4 8 xe 6± ] Ce2) 1 0 . ~ xb5 8 d 5 11. -&a 6 8 xe 5 12.b4 8 b 5 13. -&d6 8 f5 + 14. 'it'g 3 04. 'it'e 3 g4) 14 ... 8 b 5±

.it •.it.

4.exd5 .£lh5 5.h7 .£lf4+

»». •

8~ ~~ 1. 1.1. ~

~~

~

.

'

~

~~ it . .... ~ ~

~ ~~

~f

~ .

'~

~

6....£lg6 7.d6+ \fIf6 To keep the black king at the queeri's wing is no better, e.g.: 7...'it'd7 8.'it'e3 I 8 ...We8 9 .Wb 3 .£Ih8 10 .Wa 4 4Jf7 11. Wa 5 Wb8 12 .'it'b 6 We8 13.d7++II 8.. .4:J h8 9.'it'b3 .£If7 10.'it'a4 b5+ 11. e xb 6+- CI 1. 'it'a 5?? =) III 8 .. .b 5 9. exb6 Wxd 6 I O.wd4 .£Ih8 11.We4 +- and here of course the monarch changes to the other wing .

8.\fIc3 .£lh8 9.\fIb3 \fIg7 lO.\fIa4 \fIxh711.\fIa5

~~,~ .~. ~~ ~~ ~ '

.

.

Now the splendid winning idea of the Polish Internation al Master Andrzej

246

Rook + Minor Piece Endings Exercises E12.1 E. Bareev (2707) - A. Dreev (2683) Wijk aan Zee (Corus) 2002

A final diagram elucidates the fundamental idea of the combination: While the black pieces have been deflected, the white king grabs the pawns on the other side. White to move Bareev found an astonishing way to get an advantage.

11 ... ~g6

To capture the f-pawn as soon as possible, whereas l1...00f7 would be too slow: 12.~b6 ~g7 13.~xb7 ~f6 14.~xc6 etc. +12.~b6

~f5

13.~xb7

E12.2 S. Pedersen (2420) -J. Aagaard (2440)

London 1997

~f4

14.~xa6!

More precise than

14.~xc6

and 14.d7

14 ... etlf7 15.b5 cxb5 16.d7 ~e5 17.~xb5 ~e6 18.c6 ~d6 19.~b6+-

Black to move (-+) There is a hidden way to win. Can you trace it out?

15.b5 g4 16.bxc6 g3 17.c7 g2 18.c8~ gl~ 19.~xh8+- ~a1+

Solutions: EI2.1: 53.a4! (53.gd8+? ~f7 54.~g5 §xa3 55.§d7+=) 53 ... .£Jb6 (53 ... ~f7 5Lf'lc5 §a3 55.axb5±) 54.axb5 ~f7 (if 54 ... <0d5?! then 55.§xd5 exd5 56.i:lc5 and the pawn at b5 triumphs: Analysis

19 ... '&xc 5 20.'§'c3+ 20.~b6 ~xb2+?! 21.~xb2

1-0

247

Tactical Endgames 83. QJ2+-) 83 . h8 \~+-J 80.Ab6 \tJe 4 81.h6 f3 82.\tJg3 f2 83. \tJg2 \tJd 3 8 4. \tJfl \tJd2 85 .A xe3+ \tJx e 3 86.h7 \tJf3 87.h8~ \tJe3 88.~h3+ ~e4 89.~xf2 ~d4 90. ~c3+

Analysis '5 6.. .Qf4 57.b6 g xh4 58 .b 7 g e 4+ '5l) .';j7d2 g e8 60 ..Q.el 6 w f7 61. Wel 3 We 6 62 .b8 & g xb 8 63..Q. xb8 Wel 7 64 .b5 We8 65'
248

1-0

E 12.2: I The ga me co nti nua tio n 53 ... E!h3? is insutlicient: 54.E!xb2+
Three Cunning Queen Endings Analysis

B6) Three Cunning Queen Endings

A) 1...\=fc4? 2.we5 (2.·~lb6 ~g7=)

The queen is so powerful that her presence demands special vigilance. In queen endings it is particularly prudent to watch out for motifs such as perpetual check, mate and stalemate. We illustrate this with three tricky occurrences from the practice of masters:

Deflection and Self-Obstruction A. Karpov (2696) - A. Shirov (2751) Monaco (rapid) 2000

2 ... \Jic2

Aa) 3.f3 ~c6 4.~f4= Ab) 3.f4?? ~C6!1-+ plan f6+ [e.g. 4.g4 f6+ 5.'&xf6 \Jixf6+ (5 .. .'t;jd5+ 6. \ire 5 '~jd8+ 7. \;;,f6 't'txf6+ 8. ~xf6 hxg4-+) 6. ~xf6 hxg4-+] Ac) 3.~f61? \~xf2+ 4.lt'e7= B) 1...\Jid2+11 2.f4 (2.iiff4 't'td5+ 3.~f6 \ire6+ 4.lt'g5 f6+ 5.\irxf6 \irg4 #) 2 ~xa5+ 3.\ire5 (3.f5 \~d2#) 3 ~d8+ 4.\Jif6 \irf8! 5.\;;'e5 f6+! 6.\~xf6 ·;;fh6# runs a wonderful echo-variation.

II III A)

1.~f4= (l ... \;;'c4+ 2.~e3/~f3)

1.~f6

1...\;;,f3+?

(2 ... 't'txf2?? ~h7 4.~f8 ~h6

2.~e7

3.~f8+-)

~g8

3.'f;fb8+

't'ta3+ (4 ... 't'tf6 5.'t'tc7 5.~xf7 't'ta2+

6.\ire7±)

6.~e7±

B) 1...\ird7!= (2.f3 ~g8 3.'t'tb8+ ~h7 4.\ire5)

White to move (=) The vital question is: What does Black really threaten? 1.~c5?

The ex-world champion walks into the trap. Alternatives: I 1.~f6? loses as well:

Back to the initial question. If Black had the first move, then he could win by 1...\irf3!-+ (not 1...'t'td2+? 2.~f6 't'txf2+ 3.~e7 ~g8 4.\irb8+ ~h7 5.~'txb7 ~) along with mate in four: 2.'t'tf4 (otherwise 2... f6+ 3.\irxf6 'lfjg4 #) 2 ... 't'td5+ 3.~f6 't'te6+ 4.~g5 f6+ 5.\irxf6 \ir g 4 # 1...~f3!-+

249

Tactical End gam es

44...d5+! Dr ive s the kin g beyo nd th e line of dem arcation , whe re the enemy wa its ...

This hidden mating threat was overlooked by the great Karpov, but this may easily happen, especially in a rapid game . 2. ~e5

f6+ 0-1 .

In the Enemy's Camp The tricky ending decided the Bundesliga match betw een Delmenhorster SK and Hamburger SK.

O. Reeh (2399) J¥.. Beckemeyer (2374) German Bundesliga 1999

Oh! A wicked "quiet move" sudde nly d ec ides the figh t. T he mon arch is trapped in the m iddle of the boa rd , and the mating net is imp enetrable. To par ry the thr eat of 46 ...'I;H6 * ther e is on ly 46 .'&f4 (46 .g5 '&1'5 'It ) , but th is is a self-o bstr uction in view of 46 ...'&e 2+ 47 .'&e3 '&xe 3 '1t . T he re fo re W h ite resign ed - 0-1. We end th is book with a magn ificent rescue by the late Gra ndmaster Anth ony Miles.

Perpetual or Stalemate G. Sigurjonsson (2475) -A. Miles (2435) Ha stin gs (3) 1975

White to move (Po siti on afte r 43 ... ~'£r f1 +)

A te rribl e blac ko ut du e to la c k o f vig ilance after more than four hours of p lay . 44 .'&f2 was forc ed , an d if 4 4 . ..v xh 3 + the n 45. %'f4 w it h a roughly equa l ga me .

250

Black to move (=)

Three Cunning Queen Endings (Position after 142. Wb8-c8) 144... ~f8+!

142... ~c5+! The only playable move. Not: I 142 ... wf8+?/>&h4+? 143.>&d8++; one always has to watch out for counter-checks! II 142 ...>&el? 143.h7 and now Black can't stop the pawn, e.g. 143 .. .'&e4 144.>&a7+ Wb5 145.'&b7++III 142 ... Wa6? 143. >&d3+ Wa7 144.h7+- with a technical win.

143. ~c7+

~a6!!

Again the only move. Not: I 144 ... >&f5+? 145.>&d7!+-, e.g. 145 ... '&c5+ (l45 ... wf8+ 146.Wc7!) 146.wd8 '&a5+ 147.'lt'e8 '&h5+ (l47 ... '&e5+ 148. ofiJe7) 148.'&f7 'i"le5+ 149.'&e7 '&h8+ 15C),wd7 '&c3 151.'iY1e4 with a technical win II 144 ... '&d4? 145. '&b7+ Wa5 146.'i"fd7!+145.~d8

A beautiful stalemate motif saves the game.

144.h7 I 144.'&xc5(?) stalemate; II 144.wb8 '&b5+ 145.Wc8 >&e8+

146.'&d8 '&c6+= III 144. wd7 >&f5+! 145.Wc6 >&e4+

146.Wc5 '&c2+ 147. wd6 wd2+=

251

145.wd7 ofiJf7+=, e.g.146.Wd6 '&f4+ 147.Wc6 ofiJc4+ and White's king can't escape. 145... ~c5+ YZ-YZ (All checked with the Nalimov Tablebases)

Ma gic o f Chess Tactics

Bibliography Aagard, Jakob. Excell ing at Chess , Eve ryma n 2002 Abraha ms, Ge rald, Technique in Chess , Dover Publ ication s 1973 Averba kh, Yuri, Lehrbuch del' Sc hachendspiele. Band 2, Spor tve rlag Berlin 1979 Babur in, A. et al, Chess Tuday (dail y internet che ss new spaper) Bachm ann, Ludwig, Schachm eister Steinitz; Band Jill, C. Brligel & Sohn 1925 Bloch. M. w., Combination Art. Moscow 1993 Borik, Petzold et al, Meyers Schuch Lexikon , Meyers Lexikonverlag 1993 Brace, E. A., An Illu strated Dict ional}' ofChess, The Haml yn Publi sh ing Group Ltd. 1977 Bron stein , David , 200 Open Games, Batsford 1974 Budd e and Nikolaiczuk, Schoch Weltm eisterschaft 84185, Band I, Beyer- Verlag , 1985 ChessSase Magazine (CBM) Chess Informant, Sahovski informator, Belgrade Crowther, Mark , The Week in Chess (weekly internet magazine) Deutsche Schachzeitung, January 1934 Dorfm an, Iosif, The Method in Chess , SARL GAME MIND 2001 Dvor etsky, Mark, Geheimnisse gezie lten Schachtrainings, Edition Olm s 1993 Dvoret sky, Mark , Moderne Scha chtaktik, Edition Olms 1994 Dvoretsky and Yusupov, Attack and Defen ce, Batsford 1998 Dvoretsky and Yusupov, Positionelles Scho ch, Edition Olm s 1996 Dvoretsky and Yusupov, Techn ique / or the Tournament Play er , Batsford 1995 Emms, John , The Most Amazing Chess Moves of All Time, GAMBIT 2000 Fine, Reub en , Basic Chess Endings. David McKay Co. 1941 Hecht , Hans-Joachim, Schach- und Turniertaktik, Beyer-Verla g 1980 Kasparov, Garry, Welt am Sonntag (co lumn, 9/ 15/1996) Koblentz, Alex ander, Lehrbuch del' Schachtaktik , Sportverlag Berlin 1974 Korchn oi, Victor, Mein e besten Kampfe. Ed ition Olms 2001. Kosten, A., Winning with the Philidor, Batsfo rd 1994 Kotov, Alexander, Das Schacherbe Aljechins, Ed ition Olms 1984 Lasker, Emanue l, Del' internationale Schachkongrefl zu St. Petersb urg 1909, Edition alms 1989 Lasker, Emanuel, Gesunder Mensch en verstand im Schach, Wertbu chh andel 1925 Lasker. Emanuel, Lehrbuch des Schach endspiels , Das Schach-Archiv 1977 LeM oir, David, Huw to he Lucky in Chess, GAMBIT 2001 Levenfi sh and Smyslov, Rook Endin gs,B atsford 1971 Levitt and Friedgood, Secrets of Spectacular Chess, Batsford 1995 Levy and O'Connell, Korchnoi s Chess Games, Oxford University Press 1979 Matan ovi c, Alexander et al, Ency clopaedia ofChess Endings , 5 Volumes, Chess Informant 1982, 1985. 1986, 1989 and 1993 Matan ovic, Alexander et al, Encyclopa edia 0/ Ches s Midd legames, Chess Inform ant 1980

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Bibliography Matanovic, Alexander et al, Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, Chess Informant 1981 Muller, Hans, Angriff und Verteidigung, Walter De Gruyter 1981 Muller, Karsten, Endgame Corner twww.ChessCafe.comi Muller, Karsten, various articles in the Ukrainian mathematical journal, In the World of Mathematics Muller, Karsten and Lamprecht, Frank, Fundamental Chess Endings, GAMBIT 2001 Neishtadt, Yakov, Zauberwelt del' Kombination, Berlin, Sportverlag 1987 Nunn, John, Secrets of Practical Chess, GAMBIT 1998 Nunn, John, Tactical Chess Endings, George Allen & Unwin 1981 Richter, Kurt, Kombinationen, Edition Beyer 1988 Rowson, Johnathan, The Seven Deadlv Chess Sins, GAMBIT 2001 Schach Magazin 64 Schachmatny Bulletin, 3/72 Shirov, Alexei, Fire on Board, Cadogan 1995 Tarrasch, Siegbert, Tarrasch s Schachzeitung, Edition Olms 1984 Watson, John, Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy, GAMBIT 1998

253

Magic of Chess Tactics

Index of Players (Numbers refer to pages) Aagaard Adams Alekhine Aleksic Alzate Anand Anastasian Anderssen Andres G. Anikaev Antunes Arkhipov Amason Aronin Asendorf

Kempinski 160, Pedersen 247 Kasparov 232 van Mindeno 22 Lein 46 Caiafas 205 Kramnik 231, Lautier 231, Touzane 60 Knaak 145 Dufresne 58 Smirnov 60 Gavrikov 235 Martorelli 129 Watson 204 Zuger 207 Lilienthal 86 Kuprejcik 145, Wiebe 11

Babula Bacrot Bagirov Bannik Bareev Beckemeyer Benko Berkvens Bischoff Bledow Bogatyriev Bogolj ubov Borngasser Borriss Braun Brendel Brenke Brenninkmeijer Bronstein Browne Buhmann

Epishin 109, Keitlinghaus 109, Solleveld 12 Michaelsen 20 Gufeld 57 Cherepkov 14 Dreev 247, Khalifman 160 Meyer 19, Reeh 250 Tal 67 Knaak 151 Khalifman 175 Horwitz 10 Sagoryanski 13 Reti 85 Weiner 14 Holzke 243, Schmitz 74 Neumann 241 FlOgel 190 Muller 141 Knaak 143 Romanishin 236 Ljubojevic 140 Muller 161

Caiafas Camejo

Alzate 205 Mitkov 194 254

Player Index Cherepkov Chemusov Christ Cleven Compo Shredder Conde R.

Bannik 14 Pidorich 14 Muller 153 Ericsson 19 Gulko 61 Munoz P. 159

Day Donner Dorfman Dreev Dubkov Dufresne

Kovacevic 177 Fischer 89, Hubner 14 Rivas Pastor 70 Bareev 247 Ketelaar 159, Zaragatski 160 Anderssen 58

Epishin Ericsson Estevez

Babula 149, Joachim 237 Cleven 20 Zaichik 206

Fahnenschmidt Fang Fischer Flegel Franke Frohlich

Gutman 15 Hammes 136 Donner 89 Brendel 190 Hertel 135 Polak 107

Garbarino Gavrikov Geisler Ghitescu Gufeld Gulko Gustafsson Gutman

Yakovich 167 Anikaev 235 Heissler 175 Seirawan 192 Bagirov 57 Computer Shredder 61 Seger 19 Fahnenschmidt 15

Hammes Hausner Heissler Hertel Holzke Horwitz Hracek Hubner

Fang 136 Muller 28 Geisler 175, Kasimdzhanov 44, Pezerovic 233, Pirrot 243, Sebastian 71 Franke 135 Borriss 243 Bledow 10 Prandstetter 99, Speelman 38 Donner 13, Knaak 145, Ruze\e 18

Illner

Knaak 144 255

Magic of Chess Tactics Inkiov Isaev Ivanchuk

Kindermann 205 Ivanchuk 18 Isaev 18

Janoscvic Joachim Junge Junker

Vukic 205 Epishin 237, Polak 20 Meyer 130 Pauli 155

Karpov Kasimdzhanov Kasparov

Knuth Koblentz Korchnoi Kotkov Kovacevic Kramnik Kunneman Kuprejcik

Kasparov 72, Shirov 249 Heissler 44, Sutovsky 242 Adams 232, Karpov 72, Korchnoi 46, Kramnik 137, 147, 194, Short 61 Babula 109 Tal 67 Aagaard 160 Pfleger 69 Dubkov 159 Bareev 160, Bischoff 175, Salov 190 Inkiov 205, Leski 75 Tal 66 Anastasian 145, Berkvens 151, Brenninkmeijer 143, HUbner 145,244, Illner 144, Lanka 142, Schneider 144 MUller 159 Tal 63 Kasparov 46, Udovcic 93 Nezhmetdinov 133 Day 177 Anand 231, Kasparov 137, 147, 194, Topalov 231, van Wely 181 NN 113 Asendorf 145

Langeweg Lanka Larsen Lautier Lein Lerner Leski Levin Lilienthal Lindinger Ljubojevic Lutz

Szabo 13 Knaak 142 Petrosian 151, Tal 66 Anand 231, Shirov 165 Aleksic 46 Yermolinsky 207 Kindennann 75 Shagalovich 10 Aronin 86 MUller 21 Browne 140 Milov 145

Keitl inghaus Keller Kempinski Keres Ketelaar Khalifman Kindermann Klaman Knaak

256

Player Index Martorell i Matlak McShane Meins Meyer Michaelsen Miles Milov Mitkov Mongredien Morozevich Movsesian MUll er

Munoz P. Naidit sch Neum ann Nezhmetdinov Niev ergelt

Antunes 129, Meyer 179 Panczyk 103 MUlier 60 Reschke 240, Schone 4 1 Beckeme yer 20, Junge 130, Martorelli 179, Wellner 6 1 Bacrot 2 1 Sigurjonsson 250, Spassky 131, 164 Lutz 145 Camejo 194 Steinitz 34 Timman 204, Valenzuela 17 Miiller 148 Brenke 141 , Buhmann 161, Christ 153, Hausner 228, Knuth 159, Lindinger 2 1, McShane 60, Movsesian 148, Naiditsch 150, Roos 12, Sielecki 55, Uhlmann 54, Wehmeier 60, Zag rebelny 53 Conde R. 159

NN

Miiller 150 Braun 241 Kotkov 133, Polugaevsky 56 Tal 67 Kunn emann 113

Panczyk Paul i Pedersen Pelletier Peng Xiaomin Petrosian Pezerovic Pfleger Pidorich Pirrot Polak Polugaevsky Prand stetter

Matlak IOJ Junker ISS Aagaard 247 Westphal 183 Topalov 19 Larsen lSI Heissler 233 Keres 69 Chem usov 14 Heisslcr 243 Frohlich 107, Joach im 19 Nezhmetd inov 56 Hracek 99

Reeh Reschke Reti Rivas Pastor Romanishin Roos Rotlewi Rubinstein

Beckemeyer 250 Meins 240 Bogoljubov 85 Dorfman 70 Bronstein 236 Muller 14 Rubinstein 59 Rotlewi 59 257

Magic of Chess Tactics Ruzele

Hubner 18

Sagoryans ki Sa lov Sc hm itz Sc hnei der Schone Sebastian Seg er Se irawa n Shaga lov ich Shirov Short Sielecki Sig urjonss on Silbermann Smim ov Smyslov So lleveld Spass ky Speelman Spielma nn Staa k Ste initz Sutovs ky Sza bo Szy pulski

Bogatyri ev 13 Khali fman 190 Borriss 74 Knaak 144 Meins 41 Heissler 71 Gustafsson 19 Ghitescu 192 Levin 10 Karpov 249, Lauti er 165, Topa lov 177 Kasparov 6 1 Muller 55 Miles 250 Szy pulski 244 Andres G . 60 Tal 67 Babula 12 Miles 13 I , 164 Hracek 38 Vidmar 76 Voigt 160 Mongredien 34 Kasimd zhanov 242 Langeweg 13 Silbermann 244

Tal Timman Topa lov Tou zane Turner

Benko 67 , Keller 67, Klaman 66, Koblentz 63, Larsen 66 , N ievergelt 67, Smys lov 67 Morozevich 204 Kramnik 23 1, Peng Xiaomin )8, Shirov 177 Anand 60 Winants 206

Udovcic Uhlmann

Korchn oi 93 Muller 54

Valenzuela va n der Wiel van Mindeno van Wely Vidmar Voigt Vukic

Morozevich 18 Yusupov 153 Alekhine 22 Kramnik 181 Spielmann 76 Staak 160 Jan osevic 205 258

Player Inde x

W atson Wehmeie r Weiner Welln er Westph al Wiebe Winants

Arkhipov 204 Mull er 60 Born gasser 14 Meyer 6 1 Pelletier 183 Ase ndor f II Turn er 206

Yakovich Yerm oli nsky Yusup ov

Ga rbarino 167 Lerner 207 van der Wiel 153

Zagrebeln y Zaic hik Zaragatski Zuger

Muller 53 Estevez 206 Dubkov 160 Amason 207

259