Mind-bending analysis and instructive comment from a man who has participated in world chess at the very highest levels
World championship candidate and three-times British Champion Jon Speelman annotates the best of his games. He is renowned as a great fighter and analyst, and a highly original player. This book provides entertainment and instruction in abundance.
Games and stories from his:
• World Championship campaigns
• Chess Olympiads
• Toi>level grandmaster tournaments, including the World Cup
Jon Speelman is one of only two British players this century to gain a place in the world's top five. He has reached the sem>finals of the world championship and is one of the stars of the English national team, which has won the silver medals three times in the chess Olympiads. Jon Speelman's Best Games
Jon Speelman
B. T. Batsford Ltd, London First published 1997 © Jon Speelman 1997
ISBN 0 7134 6477 I
British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. Contents A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, by any means, without prior permission of the publisher. Introduction 5 Typeset and edited by First Rank Publishing, Brighton and printed in Great Britain by Redwood Books, Trowbridge, Wilts Part I Growing up as a Chess player for the publishers, B. T. Batsford Ltd, Juvenilia 7 583 Fulham Road, I JS-J.Fletcher, British U-14 Ch., Rhyl1969 9 London SW6 5BY 2 JS-E.Warren, Thames Valley Open 1970 11 3 A.Miles-JS, Islington Open 1970 14 4 JS-Hanau, Nice 1971 18 5 R.O'Kelly-JS, Cambridge-Middlesex 1971 23 6 JS-J.Nunn, British U-21 Ch., Blackpool 1971 27 7 JS-G.H.Bennett, Islington Junior A 1971 31 8 J.Mestel-JS, Hastings Challengers 1971172 35 9 Holtzl-JS, Hastings Challengers 1971172 38 10 M.Basman-JS, British Ch., Brighton 1972 40 II JS-Schauwecker, Hastings Challengers 1972173 43
International Titles 49 12 JS-T.B.Bennett, Lloyds Bank, London 1977 51 13 JS-J.Fedorowicz, Hastings 1977178 56 14 JS-H.Ree, Lone Pine Open 1978 63 15 JS-M.Stean, London 1980 69 16 JS-G.Sosonko, London 1980 76 17 JS-V.Kovacevic, Maribor 1980 86 18 JS-A.Kuligowski, Maribor 1980 93
A BATS FORD CHESS BOOK Seven Days in London 100 Editorial Panel: Mark Dvoretsky, Jon Speelman 19 JS-N.Short, London (1st matchgame) 1988 104 Commissioning Editor: Paul Lamford 20 N.Short- JS, London (2nd matchgame) 1988 108 General Manager: David Cummings 21 JS-N.Short, London (3rd matchgame) 1988 112 22 N.Short- JS, London (4th matchgame) 1988 123 23 JS-N.Short, London (5th matchgame) 1988 134
Part II Four Themes Introduction Skirting the Precipice 137 24 M.Chand1er-JS, British Ch., Edinburgh 1985 137 25 L.Psakhis--JS, Hastings 1987/88 144 26 G.Kasparov- JS, Linares 1992 150 'Reginicide' 160 27 J.Levitt--JS, British Ch., Torquay 1982 160 When, more than five years ago, a book of my games was first 28 JS-A.Martin, British Ch., Torquay 1982 164 mooted, I realised at once that this would be a serious project. A 29 JS-V.Knox, British Ch., Torquay 1982 168 professional, even then, for a decade and a half - now more than 171 Prelate Power two decades - I wanted to incorporate not only my (more or less) 30 JS-G.Sax, Thessaloniki Olympiad 1988 171 mature output: but also some indication as to how the apparently 31 JS-M.Petursson, Novi Sad Olympiad 1990 182 somewhat 'vegetarian' adult animal developed. Some of this mate 32 JS-J.Eh1vest, Linares 1991 197 rial dated back as far as 1969. There was no way that the traditional chronological approach could do justice to such a body of work. Blood on the Board 204 Unwilling immediately to commit myself to such a large under 33 JS-A.Mi1es, British Ch., Morecambe 1975 204 taking, I turned to 'masterly inactivity'; failing actually to sign a 34 V.Korchnoi--JS, Brussels World Cup 1988 213 contract for the work until a few weeks before I finally delivered it 35 Zsu.Po1gar-JS, Dutch League 1993 219 and initially taking refuge in a long succession of lists. 36 JS-Z.Azmaiparashvili, Spanish Team Ch., Menorca 1994 226 Eventually I decided on a mixed approach, including some 37 P.van der Sterren--JS, Moscow Olympiad 1994 229 chronological material but also several chapters devoted to par 38 J.Hjartarson-JS, Copenhagen (Politiken Cup) 1996 235 . . ticular themes. As With most such books, the material wasn't writ ten in the order in which it finally appeared. I began with the games Bibliography against Tony Miles (Game 33) and Zsuzsa Polgar (Game 35), Chess for Children Raymond Bott and Stanley Morrison (Collins, 1982) worked my way through the match with Nigel Short, 'Prelate The Chess Apprentice Raymond Bott and Stanley Morrison (Collins, 1982) Power' and 'Reginicide' and only towards the very end took in London 1980 Stewart Reuben and William Hartston (Pergamon, 1980) 'Juvenilia' (my thanks to my editors - I'd always assumed the third The Pirc for the Tournament Player John Nunn (Batsford, 1980) vowel was an 'a') and 'International Titles' before a final burst of The Pirc Defence Raymond Keene and George Botterill (Bats ford, 1973) 'Blood on the Board'. Developments in the Pirc and Modern Systems 1984-87 Nigel Davies While the initial material was written extremely episodically, the (TUI Enterprises, 1987) �ody of t�e book only took shape over the last year. During this The English Defence Raymond Keene, James Plaskett and Jon Tisdall . . time, despite certam residual Luddite tendencies (as an enthusiastic (Batsford, 1987) if very occasional Linux user, I'm certainly not a huge Windows Informator fan) I moved on from using Chessbase 4.0 in DOS and a DOS text The Chess Player editor to the more integrated environment of Chessbase for Win British Chess Magazine (BCM) dows and eventually even Microsoft Works for Windows so that I New in Chess Magazine could see the diagrams embedded in the text. I hope both that this Die Schachwoche 6 Introduction has provided for smoother analysis and that the excellent editing has homogenised the text so that the older material isn't too readily apparent. Nowadays, I try to analyse - if not to play - chess in a fairly epi sodic way. Quite long tracts of play involve natural moves, which 1 one could perfectly well find in a five-minute game; but then there Juvenilia will be moments which require deep investigation. These can occur when a plan has to be chosen, complex tactics have to be negotiated or on the cusp between results as the game passes from a draw to a win or vice versa. These are always the most tense moments of a game, in which one's body exhibits ·the most stress; and have tended to call forth a torrent of analysis as I've sought, even away I was taught chess at the age of still treasure it. from the cordite, to lay the game to rest. I realise some of these six on Boxing Day 1962 by my In order for a player to be analyses are obsessive; and beg the reader's indulgence for the teenage cousin. Naturally I im come really strong at chess, product of sleepless nights. mediately wanted to play a there should be some period of There are many people I should like to thank for spurring me on. game; and equally naturally I his life in which he (or she) is in Firstly, everybody at Batsford and in particular the present incum succumbed to scholar's mate - love with the game. It doesn't bents Dave Cummings and Paul Lamford who've guided the book the one where the queen lands have to last; you can't expect through its final moments. Byron Jacobs and Andrew Kinsman of on 'bishop two' (presumably he somebody who's been a profes First Rank Publishing who did the editing and typesetting. John let me start, so it was f2). sional player for twenty years to Nunn for his gentle chivvying when he was a Batsford adviser. Bob Despite this outrage, I was feel the same devotion as a Wade for endless encouragement and the use of his wonderful li fascinated. I saw the game as a child. But it is only tlrrough this brary. And last, but far from least, Lindsay and Lawrence who had very hard puzzle; and to some obsession that one can suck the to endure several months of a rather less domesticated animal than I extent continue to do so to this essence of the game into one's would usually wish to present at home. day. My first chess book was very being. Chess for Children by Bott and For me this lasted right Jon Speelman Morrison, soon followed by tlrrough my childhood, from London their sequel The Chess Appren soon after I learnt the moves August 1997 tice - retitled years later, with right up to my early teens. In crashing mundaneness, More common with quite a lot of Chess for Children. strong players, I lost my father I pestered my mother into extremely young - in my case buying a fairly decent chess set just fifteen months - and my and on the same day also ob obsession with chess to some tained my first 'real' chess extent filled the emotional void book: Bob Wade's account of left by his absence. (Many years the 1963 world championship later, I developed a much better match in which Petrosian de understanding of this after feated Botvinnik. Although this reading The Ego Ideal and was many years too advanced Creativity and Perversion both for me, it is a lovely book and I by the splendidly named French 8 Juvenilia Juvenilia 9
Post-Freudian, Janine Chasse Coaching was practically non 1969. My mother had arranged else and this was my first seri guet-Srnirgel.) existent, so youngsters devel for me to be looked after by ously good result: I took first So chess definitely had an oped infinitely slower than later some slightly older boys; so place with 10/11. Although the emotional significance far be generations. But this was also a apart from the rigid timetable of games are fairly execrable, they yond its substantive value dur great boon since without the the tournament, I was to some at least display the rudiments of ing my childhood - indeed, I constraints of a formal structure extent on my own. the vicious attacking style of had only learnt to read properly you have to develop your own Compared to the incredibly my youth. So here, warts and through Chess fo r Children, ideas. This has been of great strong juniors today, I was a all, is a double rook sacrifice though in my defence I was al value in the creation of the beginner. But so was everyone from that tournament. ready reasonably numerate - highly heterodox 'English and, as with most of my col Chess School' - if such exists. Game 1 leagues, it continues to resonate While my memory of the J.Speelman-J.Fletcher enormously. You only have to tournament in the library is British U-14 Championship, Rhyl1969 observe somebody just after pretty clear, things then become Two Knights Defence, Fried Liver Attack they've lost even a relatively something of a blur. There were unimportant game to see rivers several London Junior Champi 1 e4 e5 12 axb4 '&xal of emotion way beyond a onships, none of which I won, 2 lLlf3 lLlc6 nought on a tournament table. including an from Under-12 3 Sl.c4 lLlf6 My very first chess tourna which I had to withdraw with 4 lLlg5 ment, at the age of seven or so, chickenpox. Then there were Playing for the 'Fried Liver', was a knockout at the local li junior county matches; and I with which I did well at the brary. Things went smoothly joined Hampstead Chess Club. time; though John Nunn used to until the final when I opened Over the years I played many 1 amass a frightful score with the e4 (of course it was 1 P-K4 in games there with George Stone, Traxler (Wilkes-Barre) 4... Sl.c5 those days), but the cad to my an elderly gentleman, now long and if 5 lLlxt7 Sl.xf2+. horror replied l...e6, defending dead, of about 200 (2200) 4 d5 the bishop two (t7) square, strength, who specialised in 5 exd5 lLlxd5? against the obvious continua squeezing wins out of almost 6 lLlxti tion. Shocked by what I would equal endings. From him I Initiating the Fried Liver At- later learn is called prophylaxis, learnt to appreciate small ad tack. 13 lLlxd5? I soon fell into difficulties. vantages - indeed probably 6 rJrxti Too much! 13 Sl.e6 14 Nevertheless, I rallied against even to overvalue them; and 0-0 7 '/i¥f3+ 'it>e6 lLlxd5 cxd5 15 Sl.xd5 '&a6 16 adversity and eventually suc this is a trait I've retained to 8 lLlc3 lLlb4 Sl.xb7 'tS'c4 17 ti'f3+ rJrg8 18 ceeded in winning. this day. (Bob Wade tells me 9 d4? Sl.xa8 wins. In the mid sixties, junior that in fact he was originally 9 e4 c6 10 a3 is the correct 13 ... 'tS'xc1+ chess was only very loosely known as George Stachstein, a '*'" way to play. 14 rJre2 't'i'xhl organised in the UK. As a German refugee who played in 9 c6 14 ... Sl.g4+ 15 f3 'tS'xhl was southerner, there were the Lon British Championships round 10 '/i¥e4 'it>ti! also plausible; but in those don Junior Championships after about the War.) 11 a3 '&a5? happy days people still gener Christmas, the British Champi My first tournament away 11... exd4! would have refuted ally took any material on offer. onships, then as now in August, from home was the British Un White's play. 15 lLlc7+ 'it>e7 and junior county matches. der-14 Championship at Rbyl 10 Juvenilia Juvenilia 11
16 '*'fxe5+ r;pd7?? leagues' games; or with a suit of August 1970. I had a good fi nal game. Blocking the bishop's diago able strength adjustment, when result, drawing three games and I've always been tall and by nal. After 16 ... <;t>d8 17 tZlxa8 examining games by less ex winning three to reach 4112/6; this time was quite large enough �g4+ 18 �d3! 'iifl+ 19 <;t>c3 alted players. TIlls is the quality and have included my last to get into a pub, at least for a �xf2 20 fib8+ �e7 21 �e5+ it which I've also searched for in round win since it flows rather soft drink. I popped in a local is perpetual check. my own juvenilia. I have no nicely. But the tournament is hostelry with him but soon had 17 tZlxa8 'Wxg2 wish to bore either the reader or most memorable for a remark to get some change to phone 18 ft'c7+ 1-0 myself with more than a very made by one of my opponents home. 'Have you got a worry Black resigned in view of few examples from my youth, (Brian Hare, I believe) after the ing wife?' he asked. mate next move. but the ones which follow were chosen most of all according to Game 2 As with physical growth, that criterion. J.5peelman-E.Warren chess development is a highly Although I played plenty of Thames Valley Open 1970 non-linear process: there are games during the next year, Queen's Gambit Declined, Chigorin Defence periods of sharp improvement none of them is particularly interspersed with plateaux and memorable. The same could be 1 d4 d5 7...�b4 8 f3 f5. Pillsbury re even sometimes small slips said of those at the next British 2 c4 tZlc6 acted with 9 e5, allowing Black backwards. Championships, in Coventry The Chigorin Variation has a fine blockade - it is similar to Competence is achieved in 1970. I shared first place in the never been terribly respectable some modem lines of the certain areas, but there are ex Under-16s with Jonathan - at least since the end of last Queen's Gambit Accepted ex tensive badlands in-between in Mestel. But my strongest century - but some slightly ec cept that Black has successfully which the intermediate player is memories are of a boy only a centric players have embraced it negotiated .. .f5 without this be only groping. The same applies, few years older than us drinking from time to time; notably ing taken en passant. That game for that matter, to grandmasters a very considerable quantity of Morozevich in the mid nineties. continued 9 ... tZle7 10 a3 .i.aS 11 or the world champion himself vodka - more than half a bottle Of course, I must have known JLc4 JLd5 12 '*'fa4+ c6 13 JLd3 but of course the stronger you I think. (He survived, thank next to nothing about it then. I �6 14 .i.c2 �a6 15 .i.dl �c4 are, the more territory is already heavens.) And of the gamelet remember first seeing the game 16 f4 17 �e3 tZld5 18 mapped and the greater your against a fairly strong opponent 0-0-0 Pillsbury-Chigorin many years �d2 tZlb6 19 't'ic2 .l:hd4 already confidence in your instinct who had prepared the Marshall ago; though surely later than winning a pawn - Chigorin won when faced with the unknown. Gambit against me (I shan't be this. in 38 moves. I see improvement mainly as so unkind as to name him). 3 tZln �g4 Nowadays, however, I be a knitting together of the areas Very quickly we rattled out 1 4 cxd5 �xn lieve that the gambit 9 JLc4 of competence so that gradually e4 e5 2 tZlf3 tZlc6 3 �b5 a6 4 �xc6 (instead of 9 e5) 9.. .fxe4 10 0-0 one learns more and more to �a4 tZlf6 5 0-0 �e7 6 :l.el b5 7 5 dxc6 6 tZlc3 tZlf6 is supposed to be good for sustain good play until there �b3 8 c3 d5 9 exd5 tZlxd5 0-0 Chigorin's idea was to play White. wiU be whole games without 10 tZlxe5. In the heat of the 6... e6. After 7 e4 he played 7 n e5 serious error; and even coherent moment, he now played his in 7 ... tZlf6 and got squashed by 8 dxe5 ft'xdl+ games in which one can discern tended second move first: Pillsbury in their second match 9 r;pxdl 0-0-0+ a single underlying intelligence. 1O ...tZlf6?? 11 tZlxc61-0. game in St. Petersburg 1895. 10 r;pc2 tZld7 Coherence is the single elu The Thames Valley Open But two games later, he found a If Black wants to put the sive quality which I most prize, was held just a few weeks after way to attack the centre with knight on d7 then he should either playing through my col- the British in the last weekend 12 Juvenilia Juvenilia 13 probably do so without ex Gaining space on the queen- players, however, would proba changing queens - ...'t'fh4+ may side. bly be too concerned about the be annoying sometimes and the 14 .tb6 prelates. black queen can attack the e5- 15 a4 a6 Black would like to wait with pawn from e7. 16 tlle3 a5 for example IS ...f6. Now 19 After the exchange of queens 17 bxa5!? .txe5 l1xe5 20 .txc6 %Xc5 21 1O... tll d5 is more dangerous. White could also have gained .txb7+ '.t>xb7 22 l1a3 does But although the submissive II space with 17 b5 .td7 IS tlld5, seem good for White; but Black tllxd5 nxd5 leaves Black ex but it is better to open the can simply play 20 ... bxc6 when tremely active, II e4 may be queenside if possible. The he has a bad pawn structure but good because ll...tllb4+ 12 question is whether Black can the knight isn't very happy. I �b3 .tc513 .tg5 looksfavour maintain the blockading bishop also thought of trying to im able for White and after on a5 after prove on this with IS ... h5 so ll...tllxc3 12 Wxc3 (not 12 17 ... .txa5 that the rook can come out via 26 b6 bxc3 .ta4+) 12.. J1dl 13 Wc2 18 .tb5! h6 to intensify the 'pressure'. 27 �b5 Wd6? l1el 14 b3 White is only one Creating the 'threat' of .txe5 If he is totally unwilling to 28 f4 e5 move away from co-ordinating followed by .txc6. play one of the lines above then 29 l1dl+ We7 his pieces. The only way to put IS ... .td7 was also perfectly 30 lIe7+ Wb8 a spanner in the works is sensible, threatening ... c6. If 19 31 .l':ldd7 1-0 14... .tb5 15 .tb2 .txfl!? (or .txd7+ tllxd7 the crude 20 tllb5 In December 1970, I played 15... l1xal 16 .txal .txfl 17 is met by 20... tllc5!, coming to in my first Islington Open - the lhfl with a big advantage for e6, and something like 20 l1hdl sixth such. This tournament, White), but 16 ltxel .txg2 17 c6 2111acl can't be too terrible organised by Islington Chess nhgl .txf3 IS llg5 is very for Black. Club, was the very first to em good for White. 19 �xc3 f6 ploy the now highly traditional 11 .tf4 20 l1hcl l1e6 format of six games in a week White could have achieved a 21 '.t>b3 Wd7? end - one on Friday night, three clear edge with 11 e6!? fxe6 12 This is walking into trouble. on Saturday and two on Sunday. e4. Relocation with 21.. ..teS was The first, in December 1965, 11 ... l1e8 better. attracted just twenty-four en This is somewhat 'cack 18 ... .txe3?! 22 l1e5 ne8? trants. But by 1970 there were handed'. Black would prefer to A move that I feel could only Black's idea is to give up the about 400 players in the various keep this rook on the d-file, but be played by a strong or a rela e5-pawn for activity, but... sections; and a year later it had lines like 1l....tc5 12 e4 ltheS tively weak player. The strong 23 .txe5 fxe5 risen to nearly 500. 13 .tc4 tllxe5 14 .txe5 lIxe5 player would decide that all 24 .txe6+ lIxe6 In the early years, with Eng 15 .txf7 look pretty dubious: other options are worse and so 24 ...bxc6 keeps material par lish chess relatively backward, Black has the two bishops and simplify, surrendering the two ity, but in a rotten position. these weekend tournaments had active rooks, but White's centre bishops to the opponent but 25 l1xe5 lIh6 been easy prey to foreign is solid. limiting White's attacking op 26 �e4! 'mercenaries'. I still have the 12 e4 tllxe5 tions; while a weaker player This kills Black's counter bulletin to Islington 1970; and 13 tllb5 .te5 might not be too concerned play since if 26 ... 11xh2 27 lIdI + in the introduction Stewart 14 b4! about the bishops. Intermediate �c6 2S %Xe6 is mate! Reuben records how in 1967 14 Juvenilia Juvenilia 15 they got a £50 grant (think of it 5/6 - a year later I could man a) 16 SLc7 1:tf7 wins. JS 1997: 'i'ib4+ 25 'iti>fl �xe4 26 dxc6 in 1997!) from the council to age only 3112. Perhaps my best Certainly this is true after 17 'i't'xc2 and although Black has a invite Bojan Kurajica over: he game was against Tony Miles - SLxd6? lId7, but 17 llJd5 llJd4 strong initiative, by the time he romped home. But this rigorous who was much stronger than me 18 SLa5, while nice for Black, is has taken the annoying c6-pawn format soon toughened up the at that time - and whom I man far from over. White should be able to get or 'natives' so that even by the aged to down with a haymaker. b) 16 llJa4 and Black seems ganised. early seventies the invaders of While I have no wish to include to have a lot of pressure because ten went home empty-handed. too many games against my of the bad position of the bishop And it acted as the springboard English colleagues, this one is on b6. from which English chess could of particular interest since I 15 llJc8 quickly develop following the wrote notes to it for the bulletin. 16 �c5 llJxb6 Fischer-Spassky match in 1972. I've reproduced it as is with 17 �xb6 lIad8 I had a particularly good various inserts marked 'JS 18 llJe2 tournament in 1970, garnering 1997' . If 18 '&xb7 .ltc4 and now: a) 19 llJd5 lIxd5 20 exd5 Game 3 llJd4 wins for Black. A.Miles-J.Speelman b) 1911cl llJd420 llJe2.ltxe2 Islington Open 1970 21 .ltxe2 �xg2 is also winning Instead Black can mobilise Sicilian Defence, Lowenthal varia tion c) JS 1997: But in the sup the knight with tempo to either posed rush for White to get b4 (variation c2) or d4 castled, I had missed the best (variation c3). 1 e4 c5 12 . .. (5 2 llJf3 llJc6 reply: 19 b3! Although the c2) 2l...llJb4 22 lIc!! (not 22 3 d4 cxd4 black attack is extremely dan bxc4 llJxc2+ 23 c,i(e2 'i'ic6 24 c5 4 llJxd4 e5 gerous, White's position is still llJxa l 25 lIxa l 'i'xc5 hitting 5 llJb5 a6 intact and he has a trump card both the knight and f2 with a 6 llJd6+ .ltxd6 in many positions of llJd5. After winning attack) 22 .. :t't'd6 23 7 �xd6 'tIi'f6 a couple of hours' analysis, I llJd5! .ltxd5! 24 exd5 llJxa2! (if 8 'tIi'dl lOge7 still can't find anything wonder 24 ... e4 25 .ltxe4 lIe8 26 f3 9 llJc3 0-0 ful. The most natural line is llJxd5 27 0·0 llJe3 28 '&114 g6 Too passive. Better is 9 ...'i'g6 19... lIb8 (19... llJd4 allows the 29 life1 the knight is huge on and 10 ... d5. JS 1997: Rather Icing to slip over to the queen e3, but White does have two simplistic and far from obvi side with 20 0-0·0; and 19 ....ltf7 extra pawns) 25 lIa1 'i'ib4+ 26 ously true; but I was very much 20 �xa6 is a lot of pawns) 20 c,i(f l llJc3 27 'i't'e6+!? (to re into the big heave-ho. '&d7 lIfd8 21 'i't'g4 move the dangerous e-pawn; 10 SLe3 d6 13 SLf3 instead 27 lIxa6 'i't'b5+ 28 SLe2 11 .lte2 'i't'g6 13 exf5 looks better to me - (see fo llowing diagram) llJxe2 29 'tIi'xe2 'i1fxd5 30 lIa l Black has to get some coun Black's pawns are so weak. e4 gives Black a very powerful terplay - how else? 13 (4 and now: attack) 27 ...'>i>h8 28 'i't'xe5. Now 12 'i'id2 14 .ltb6 .lte6 el) If 21...'t't'd6 22 llJd5 SLxd5 if 28 ...lIe8 29 'i1ff5 defends but If now 12.. .'t't'xg2 then 13 15 'i'xd6 23 exd5 e4 (23... 'tIi'b4+ 24 'iti>f l Black can take the vital d-pawn 0-0-0 must win quickly. If 15 0-0-0 llJc8 and now: llJd4 25 .lte4 leaves the bishop with 28 ...lIxd5! 29 SLxd5 'i't'b5+ very well placed) 24 SLxe4 30 'iti>g l (not 30 <>i>el lIe8 and 16 Juvenilia Juvenilia 17
Black wins) 30 ... lZle2+ 31 q"f l 19 e3? the figures seem so extraordi the D final of the European with a perpetual check. If 19 't'i'cS it.xe2 20 q.,xe2 nary today.) Although I made Junior Championship in Gron c3) 2l...lZld4 allows White to IZld4+ 21 q"fl �e6 is probably lots of points, my play was still ingen. castle, albeit into a very dan winning, but this loses at once. very erratic. As Stewart Reuben Ian, although he was quite a gerous attack, viz. 22 0-0-0 and 19 ... IZld4! put it with typical trenchancy: strong player, had somehow now: 'Jonathan Speelman won Junior contrived to find himself in the c31) The most natural se B extremely convincingly. At bottom section after the quali quence is 22 ... 'W'c6 23 bxc4 14, though, his play is still ex fying rounds. Two points clear 't'i'xc4, but 24 nd3! defends tremely immature and crude. He going into the final round, he since if 24 ...lZlxc2 2S ltxd8+ seems to sacrifice incessantly faced the weakest player in the nxd8 the vicious intennezzo 26 and then win against inferior tournament (whom it would be 'i!i'gS!! disrupts Black's co defence.' unkind to name). After a serious ordination. The queen is hitting These good results had im night's drinking Ian turned up both the rook and the eS-pawn portant long-tenn consequen and the game started something and 26 ... 1te8? allows 27 q"xc2, ces, since I believe that it was in like 1 b3 eS 2 d3 dS 3 q"d2 IZlf6 so Black must try 26 ... 1tc8 27 Hastings just after this tourna 4 q.,c3 IZlc6 5 q.,b2, after which �xeS IZld4 (27 ... lZlb4 28 q"bl ment that five of us - Tony White naturally won in fine 'i!i'd3+ 29 'iPa l IZlc2+ 30
'&b2+ 26 'iPd2 �xc2+ 27 'iPel 20 ... lZle2+ 21 �fl lIe8 22 which eventually yielded S/S fact, this didn't arise: the only lIb2 forces White to take per �xeS IZlxal 23 b3 l:ted8 24 g4 grandmasters; though it pre opponent who didn't play 1 d4 petual starting with 28 'i!i'c8+ 'i!i'h6 2S Wg2 it.xe2 26 it.xe2 sumably had a less beneficial against me was Bentley in the (28 it.e2 doesn't defend in view f3+ 27 it.xf3 lIxf3 28
of 28 .. . f3!). �h3+ 29 't'i'g3 Ild3+ and Black tion. Sicilian. But it does contrast c32) 22... 'I!I'b6 may be better won in a few more moves. My first international junior wonderfully with the fourteen though, since if 23 IZldS it.xdS tournament was in Nice in April year-olds today. (And as it hap 24 exdS 'i!i'aS 2S'iPb l (2S1bd4 Immediately after the Isling 1971. I travelled with Tony pens I'm writing this the day exd4 26
7/9, while Haik was third equal loss in round four I eventually Although Black has a bad almost plays itself. with Barle (Yugoslavia) on reached plus one with the game pawn structure, the weakening 18 'ii'd4! 'ii'xd4 61h.] But even after a further below and fmished on 5/9. of h3 gives him some counter 19 Ihd4 lUc8 play. Now 17 ...'ii' g6 looks right, 20 l:tfd l q,;,f8 Game 4 threatening ...i.xh3. 21 i.e a6 J.Speelman-Hanau Now IS q,;,h1 may look natu 22
11 1:tdl 17 ... �h4? Very odd - normal is to cas A blunder, allowing White to tle short and start a minority lorce the exchange of queens, after which White's position 20 Juvenilia Juvenilia 21
Ribli eventually won the possible plans: vs. king and rook ending will rather near to zugzwang so it game, though it was a very hard sometimes be drawn. may well be possible to achieve fight and, while it is nothing to 29 !td8+ this after the rook has moved; do with the present game, his 30 'it>c3 !tc8+ otherwise White may have to approach is very interesting. 31 'i!tb3 !tc6 settle for an a-pawn. 33 '!:c2 J:tdl+ 34 'oPc3 a5 35 32 J:[c2 nd6 Presumably, Black will try to l:td2 llcl+ 36 'i!tb2 J:[gl 37 g3 33 'i!tb4 'oPd7 attack on the kingside himself, 'i!te6 38 'i!tc3 'i!te5 39 'i!td3 :l.h1 34 'it>a5 g6 and, whilst this will create 40 llc2 �d5 41 e4+ 'i!td6 42 h4 weaknesses, the result certainly J:[e1 43 'i!td4 1I1d1 + 44 'i!te3 :l.a1 isn't a foregone conclusion. A 45 'it>f4 'i!te6 46 f3 'i!td6 47 :l.g2 sample line goes 35 h4 h6 36 b3 'i!te6 48 l:[d2 b4 49 :l.c2 'i!td6 50 g5 37 hxg5 hxg5 38 f3 g4! llg2 l:tdl 51 g4 :1hl 52 gxh5 (38... 'oPe6 39 a4 bxa4 40 bxa4 l:txh4+ 53 !tg4 !txh5 54 !txg6 g4 41 fxg4 fxg4 42 l:tf2! trans poses to the note below) 39 'i!te6 55 !tg2 (After considerable a) He can aim to set up a fxg4 fxg4 40 a4 (not 40:l.f2 g3! manoeuvring, Ribli has created passed e-pawn on e4 with the and if 41 .l:f3 !td2) 40 ... bxa4 41 a haven for his king menacingly king sheltering behind it. Black bxa4 g3 (if 4l...�e6 42 ltf2! near to the enemy forces.) would like to defend with his �e5 43 11f4 11g6 44 g3 'it>d5 45 55...1;[h4+ 56 'i!te3 llh1 57 !tc2 king on e6, but White can l:tb4 �c5 46 :l.b8! looks over) l:tel+ 58 'i!tf4 :1a1 59 J:[h2 stretch the enemy defences 42 e4 l:td4 43 :l.c3 :l.xe4 44 (Decisive zugzwang.) further by first taking the c-file, 35 �b4 lhg3 �c7! (not 44 ...'it>e6 4S after which the defence will be A surprisingly sophisticated :l.a3! or 44 ...:l.e6 45 :1g7+) 45 Ribli-Adorjan much harder to co-ordinate change of tack which quickly l:tg7+ (45 :l.b3 is met by since only on d6 can the king bore fruit. I presume that I 45... ltg4 46 g3 .l:g6) 45... 'it>d6 control the main entry points on would have been very reluctant 46 g4 'i!te6 47 :l.g6+ (maybe 47 the queenside. I could have em to take this decision, but there is g5) 47 ... 'i!tf7 48 1I1xa6 .l:xg4 49 barked on this plan immediately some justification for it. A nor :l.d6 ri;e7. by taking control of the c-fiIe mal plan would be to keep the with 29 �d 1 (instead of 29 enemy king cut off on the d-file 'i!td3) followed by 30 ltc2; and and try to create enough action later I reverted to it, but only to exchange one of the kingside after tryingthe second plan. pawns in return for setting up a b) To penetrate with his king passed pawn on the queenside. on the queenside. Black will In principle, this should be a b 59 ...'oPf7 60 'i!tf5 1I1c l 61 have some potential counterplay rather than an a-pawn; since J:[h7+ 'i!tg8 62 l:ta71-0. against White's abandoned then almost all rook and pawn 29 'it>d3 kingside pawns, but by judi against rook endings will be This ending presumably cious play White ought to be winning. However, if White at ought to be winning, though able to eliminate the entire some point plays 1 b4 and then My first impression was that there is still plenty of work to kingside. Unfortunately, if he is 2 a4, 2... bxa4 3 �xa4 .l:dl! may this would be winning since the do. Generally speaking, White left with an a-pawn then the be very annoying. Black is black king is so far cut off. But seems to have at least two good resultant king, rook and pawn 22 Juvenilia Juvenilia 23 in fact it is quite drawn and 37 �d3 l:td6+ diagram'). While I regret not in advance I thought it was suf Black can even waste some 38 cJr>e2 �e6 having seen the sacrifice further ficient to justify inclusion. time before undertaking the cor 39 l:tc7 '.t>r6 rect defence. The point is that in 40 b3 gS?! GameS order to keep the black king cut R.O'KeJJy-J.speeJman off, the rook must retreat down Cambridge-Middlesex 1971 the d-file. Then Black can con King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto variation fine the white king to the a-file - otherwise it has no shelter. 1 d4 tt:lf6 2 c4 g6 3 g3 iJ..g7 4 20 lDxg7? The position �a8, a7 and ltd l iJ..g2 0-0 5 lDc3 d6 6 lDf3 lDc6 Letting Black back into the (say) vs. �e7 and l:tb2 will be 7 0-0 36 8 h3 eS 9 dS lDe7 10 game. Instead 20 ti'xf5! would reached; and this is dead drawn cS lDd7 have led to a large safe advan since by the time the white rook 10 ... lDe8 is very possible, tage, albeit after a slightly com gets to b8 to free the king, the intending to recapture on d6 plex series of captures: black king will already have with the knight. 20... tt:lxd5 (20. . .'i!Vf7 21 'ii'd3 reached c7. This theoretical po 11 cxd6 cxd6 12 e4 h6 13 lDel lDxd5 22 lDxf8 is simple) 21 sition is extremely well known fS 14 exfS gxfS 15 '.t>h2 lDg6? tt:lxg7 SLxf5 (or 2l...c;txg7 22 (and of course I was well aware Creating serious weaknesses This blunder loses a pawn 'ii'h5 tt:lf6 23 'ii'xh 6+ cj;f7 24 of it when reaching the diagram on both f5 and h6. If he wants and should have led to a deci tt:le4 etc.) 22 tt:lxe8 tt:lxc3 23 above, but imagined that White to move a kingside pawn then it sive disadvantage. tt:lxd6 SLd3 24 bxc3! SLxfl 25 could somehow arrange to ought to be 40 ... h5. 16 '*It'hS! �h7 17 lDf3! SLxfl l:txf2+ 26 cj;gl 1:H3 or avoid it). However, if the king 41 g4 f4 ? It was a very long time ago, !tc2 27 tt:le4! and Black is is cut off one file further on f7 41...fxg4 42 hxg4 was very but I think I must have seen his squashed flat. then White does win. bad, but now he goes down in previous move but missed this 20 cJr>xg7 35 h6 stantly. switchback when playing 21 'i'xh6+ �f7 36 �c3 lXc6+?! 42 exf4 gxf4 15 ...lDg6? 22 �e3 l:th8 43 1.tcs 1-0 17 ... �e8 18 lDgs+ c;tg8 19 23 �b6 f4 ! In contrast, here is some lDe6 lDf6 24 'i'xd6 hackery from a county match just a couple of months later; a game which, although I blun dered in the early middlegame, is memorable for the spectacu lar if somewhat obvious sacrifi cial attack which I was able to whip up after he let me back
into the game just after the first I diagram. The main line, which Rory Making life easy for White. O'Kelly avoided, involved a 36 ...�e6 looks slightly more queen sacrifice leading to a very resilient. pretty mate (see the 'aesthetic 24 Juvenilia Juvenilia 25
Black is now able to launch a shelter. Wg2 f3+ 35 �xf3 ':f8+ is also c2) Realising that Black vicious sacrificial attack, but After 26 c;t>g2 Black has three hopeless) 33 ...exf 4! Black will needs to prevent 'iWe6+, I then sadly at this point I hadn't yet plausible ways to continue the soon deliver mate. wondered whether it is even seen the possible queen sacri attack: b2) If 29 'ftc7+ lLIe7? (hoping better to commit the rook first fice. So while my instincts were a) If 26...lLIh4+ 27 Wxh3 for 30 d6?? ':h8 31 '£fxe7+ with 27 ...:e8 rather than play good, I'm somewhat baffled as '&h8 gives White enormous 'it'g6) 30 jLxf4! ':h8 31 Wg2! .. .'&h5, which is often not the to what I intended! latitude so that it would be very defends; but conceivably Black best square for the queen. And 24 jLxh3! surprising if he didn't have at can afford to block the back indeed this looks strong, e.g. 25 jLxh3 l;txh3+ least one reasonable continua rank with 29... 'it>g8 with the c21) If 28 �6 fxg3 29 fxg3 tion. 28 "YWe6+ is obvious to es slow but nasty threat of .. .f3 llh2+ 30 Wfl 'iWh3+ 31 WeI cape ...lLIf5+ and now for some followed by .. .'ti'h3... or iDg4. lLIf4 wins. reason my first reaction was In any case, in the real world c22) I was slightly put off by 28...�g6 (rather than to g7) any sane Black would obviously 28 �c7+ lle7 29 'fic4, but when: meet 26 'i.t;g2 with: 29 ...b5 is very pleasant to annoy al) 29 lLIe4!? lLIf5+ 30 �g2 c) 26 .. .'t�'h8! 27 ':g I! (27 the queen and if, for example, f3+ 31 c;t>xf3 ! (not 31 �g 1 lLId4 't'1'e6+? only helps Black since 30 'iWb3 fxg3 31 d6+ ':e6 32 32 "&xf6+ 'i'xf6 33 lLIxf6 lLIe2+ after 27 .. 53;g7 28 't'fxh3? is im fxg3 'uh2+ 33 'it'fl 't'1'h5 wins. and mates) 3l...lLId4+ 32 'i.t;g2 possible in view of ...f3+) c23) White can try 28 Wfl, lLIxe6 33 lIh1 �xh I + 34 <;txh1 when: but after 28 .. Jlhl 29 J:itxhl lLIxe4 35 dxe6 looks about cl) My first idea was '&xhl+ 30 We2 W'g2 ! he does equal. 27 .. .'�·h5 28 Wfl fxg3, when not get far, e.g. 31 '&c7+ ':e7 a2) But 29 lIhl, and if White can try 29 'tlVb6, defend 32 '£fc4 fxg3 33 d6+ ':e6 34 26 �xh3? 29 ...1!! e8 30 gxh4!? lIxe6 31 ing against immediate disaster jLe3 lL1f4+ 35 �d2 b5 36 'ij'c7+ This leads to forced mate, so �g 1 + when the good f5-square since if: c;t>g6 37 d7 gxf2 and wins. he had to try 26 c;t>g2! My origi is taboo in view of ng5 mate, cll ) 29 ...gxf2? 30 'tlVe6+ c;i;Jg7 26 'ij'h8+ nal instinctive reaction was to looks even better. This line 31 't'Ve7+ with a perpetual. 2 7 �g2 lLIh4+ dismiss this out of hand as would also be effective with the c12) 29 ...g2+ 30 'i.t;xg2! (not 'grim'; but while this must king on g7. 30 ':xg2 ':h 1 + 31 l;tg1 'iIfh3+ surely be correct it turns out Since Black is playing for the 32 'i.t;e2 :xgl 33 �xb7+ iDe7 that White can still put up quite advantage, these lines are quite and wins) 30 ....:xc3 (30 ...'�1f3+ a good fight for at least a few enough to put him off 31 'it>fl 'tlVd3+ 32 c;i;Je l) 31 moves since he also has some 26... lLIh4+. 'i't'e6+! <:;g7 32 bxc3 ':e8 33 trumps. b) 26 ....:h2+ 27 c;t>xh2 'iWh8+ ':h l lLIh4+ 34 ':xh4 �xh4 35 One problem for Black is that 28 <;tg l (not 28 Wg2? trans 't'1'f5 and White survives. he must always watch out for posing back to the game) cl3) But 29... .:hl 30 fxg3 �3+ 31
I1hS mate! Mike O'Hara. This game had, And here there was general My best game of the tourna from my point of view, just two surprise that after 45 ... .i.xd5 ment was against John Nunn. The aesthetic diagram interesting moments: 46 ltJxd5 l:bd5+ Black is un And while I'm not too keen to able to defend against the a include examples against my M.O'Hara-J.Speelman pawn; but an endgame database friends, and quake to offend the British U-21 Championship confirms that there is indeed no mighty doctor, here it is: one of (round 6), Blackpool 1971 defence in this particular posi my very first games against a tion. 47 b6 I1dl 48 a6 l:tbl+ really good player to maintain 49 c7 �d5 50 llc6 l:tal 51 aesthetic integrity throughout - ..t>b7 11a2 52 l:tb6 ..t>c5 53 a7 albeit I didn't have to do so for I1h2 1-0 many moves.
Game 6 J.Speelman-J.Nunn A 'pure mate' (if I under British U-21 Championship (round 9), Blackpool 1971 stand the definition correctly), English Opening in that all the white Icing's flight squares are attacked once and 1 c4 e5 which he introduced when the once only. Indeed, if one re 2 ltJc3 ltJf6 more obvious 6 ...cxdS was moved the pawns on a6, b7 and 3 g3 c6 shown to lead to difficulties. f4 then it would be a 'model The game had started as a Like 2 c3 against the Sicilian, Black's problem is that after 7 mate', since all the other black S1i.misch King's Indian. Here I this can lead to some very sharp d3 ! he is unable to maintain the pieces are contributing. remember still being so naive as lines. Since I haven't been in centre, and theory still quotes a 28 ltJO+ to be surprised by the transition volved in it for years, I was game Ivkov-Kozomora, Sara 29 Wg2 �h2+ to an ending with 18 'iWd4+! quite interested when annotat jevo 1967, which continued 0-1 Surely White was supposed to ing this game in May 1997 to 7 ....i.cS 8 ltJb3 .i.b4 9 dxe4 In view of 30 �xf3 '&hS+ 31 play for mate in the Samisch? find out what the current state ltJxe4 10 .i.d2 �b6 11 ltJxe4 Wg2 f3+ 32 Wg1 IDI8 mating. After various adventures we of play is; though of course it dxe4 12 .i.xb4 'ti'xb4+ 13 fid2 At the British Champion reached this position: has no bearing whatsoever on ltJc6 14 .i.g2 fS IS 'ti'xb4 liJxb4 ships in August, I played in the our game in 1971. 16 0-0 .i.e6 17 ltJd4 .i.d7 18 f3 Under-2 1s. I started badly with 4 ltJo exf3 19 I1xf3 0-0 20 I1b3 as 21 an abysmal first round loss fol 4 .i.g2 is hardly ever played a3 ltJc6 22 :Xb7 liJxd4 23 ltxd7 lowing my adoption of 1 b3; the since 4 ...dS 5 cxdS cxdS 6 \'Vb3 and White went on to win in 62 only time I've ever played this ltJc6! 7 ltJxdS ltJd4 8 ltJxf6+ moves. in anger in my life, unless you gxf6 9 't}fd l 'iikc7 gives Black a Black can also play S ...1lVb6 a count an important five-minute very dangerous initiative though move earlier, introducing a play-off game against Nick De it isn't absolutely clear. quite different set of complica Firrnian in the GMA rapidplay 4 e4 tions. Obviously, White would tournament in Brussels 1992. 5 ltJd4 d5 like to play 6 ltJb3, but 6 ...aS is But I rallied with a good series 6 cxd5 'tj'b6!? a serious nuisance, intending to of wins and draws marred only This is Paul Keres's move meet 7 d3 a4 8 .i.e3 'Wb4 9liJd2 by a loss in the sixth round to Juvenilia 29 28 Juvenilia with 9 ...a3! - though 7 lba4 21 e4 dxe4 22 lDxe4 1:ta6 23 d5 World Championship (9th �c7 13 nc l lDc6 14 c4 llad8 'i'fb4 8 lbd4 is very unclear. h6 24 lbc3'&d7 25 S£.f4 S£.h326 matchgame), Moscow 1961. 15 lDd4 lbxd4 16 S£.xd4 and I was rather surprised to dis lIad1 S£.xg2 27 'i.t>xg2 lbc7 28 9 d3 here Keres got into serious cover that 'theory' gives 6 e3 as i.xc7 'fixc7 29 ltd2 lbe8 30 trouble against Reshevsky at best against 5 ...'t\Yb6, continuing llel .l:l.f6 31 'i'fd4 lbd6 32 ltde2 Los Angeles 1963 after with the rather 'Basmaniac' b5 33 lbxb5 lDxb5 34 lIe8+ 16 ...exd3 17 cxd5 �d7 18 S£.xf6 6 ... d5 7 �c2 jLd7 8 a3 �e7 9 ltxe8 35 llxe8+ 'it>h7 36 'i'fd3+ dxe2 19 �xe2 gxf6 20 't\Yb2 b4 0-0 10 S£.b2 lba6 11 c5 'lJic7 g6 37 '&xb5 'i'fc2+ 38 '&e2 '&b3 c3;g7 21 'ilkd4. However, 12 f3! exf3 13 lbxf3 ltae8 14 39 lId8 h5 40 h4 a4 41 'it>h3 16.. .'&e7! is better: 17 cxd5 lhd5 18 �a4 b6 19 S£.xf6 gxf6 S£.d3 lbb8 15 0-0 when White 't'if3 42 't'fxf3 llxf3 43 ':a8 ttd3 20 S£.xe4 tta5 21 'itc2 .txe4 22 was indeed better in Najdorf 44 lha4 nxd5 45 na7 1-0 Bot dxe4 lIe8 23 lIfd l '&xe4 1/2-1/2 Rossetto, Buenos Aires 1968. vinnik-Alexeev, USSR 1968. lezek-Sapundzhiev, Correspon However, this is hardly suffi b) 7 ... cxd5 8 S£.g2 a5 9 d3 a4 dence 1973. cient basis to dismiss 5 ...�6. 10 jLe3 �b4 11 lbd4 a3 12 10 O-O! 7 lbb3 cxdS lbc2 �xb2 13 jLd4 jLb4 14 Of course it is nice to get the 8 jLg2 S£.fS lbxb4 'tlf'xb4 15 S£.xf6 gxf6 16 9 on exd3? king safe, but in fact the simple I found this game difficult to 0-0 S£.e6 17 ttc1 lbc6 18 dxe4 Somewhat lagging in devel recapture 10 exd3 is also good: annotate, since a fairly reason dxe4 19 lbxe4 i.xa2 20 lbd6+ opment and with a centre to a) The main point is that the able-looking position for Black \t>f8 21 lbxb7 lbe5 22 lbc5 nb8 defend, Black has very little obvious 1O ...d4 loses the pawn disintegrated in just a couple of 23 lDa6 S£.b3 24 lbxb4 S£.xdl 25 leeway; and this very bad move to 11 lDxd4 ! when 1l...�xd4? moves. My fe eling is that the llfxd l ttxb4 26 tta l ltb2 27 renders matters critical. With 12 jLxb7 .i.b4 13 O-O! gives whole line is a little shaky. 'it>fl 'it>g7 28 .l:ha3 llc8 29 i.e4 9 ...exd3 Black surrenders his White a winning material ad 6 ...�6 gained a tempo since ne8 30 na4 1:1e7 31 jLf5 nc7 centre, reactivates the enemy vantage the knighthad to retreat, but the 32 lIh4 h6 33 lIa4 lIc5 34 h3 bishop on g2, leaves his d-pawn b) 10 ...lbc6 11 0-0 transposes queen is somewhat misplaced lbc4 35 S£.d3 lbe5 36 i.e4 lbc4 under immediate fire and opens back into the game. on b6 in the long term, since she 37 jLd3 lbe5 38 i.e4 lbc4 39 the e-fiJe, which turns out to be c) 1O ...S£.g4! is mildly dis is very likely to get hit by S£.e3. 'it>eI lbe5 40 llad4 llc3 41 a serious problem since White ruptive since if Of course 8 ...S£.f5 shouldn't be l:.ld2 llcl+ 42 l:.d l l:.c3 43 f4 is able to gain a significant lead cl) 11 lDxd5? 'ite6+! 12 .te3 too bad; but it seems to make f5 44 i.xf5 lbc4 45 lt4d3 ltcc2 in development while the d5- (12 \t>d2 lDxd5 13 S£.xd5 .tb4+) more sense to try to press with 46 S£.g4 tta2 47 nb3 'i.t>g6 48 pawn is being defended. Black 12... lDxd5! wins . ... a5 either now or on the previ �f2 lbd2 49 ne3 lbc4 50 nb3 had hoped to gain compensation c2) II 'itd2 is a fairly siJIy ous move. Neither is supposed lDd2 51 lIe3 lbc4 52 lIe8 lbd2 by kicking White around in the square. to be particularly good, but the 53 lIe5 �f6 54 lIf5+ 'it>g6 55 short term. It isn't even clear c3) But 11 't'ic2 is fm e, e.g. evidence of two old Botvinnik lie5 'i.t>f6 56 S£.h5 ltc3 57 h4 that this works after the obvious ll...lDc6 12 0-0 jLe7 13 .tg5 games isn't necessarily deci l1c4 58 i.f3 l1cc2 59 S£.d5 lla4 recapture, but White can do 0-0 and now if 14 jLxf6 lDb4! sive: 60 iH3 btaa2 61 lIeI lla4 62 h5 even better. 15 lDxd5 lbxc2 16 lDxb6 .txf6 a) 7 ... a5 8 d4 cxd5 9 S£.g2 lIc3 63 S£.g2 lIc2 64 lIdl lIa3 9 ...S£.b4 was the correct way 17 lbxa8 lDxal 18 nxal ltxa8 S£.e7 10 0-0 0-0 II S£.g5 ltd8 12 65 S£.d5 na4 66 'i.t>el lId4 67 for Black to continue. Then 10 Black should survive; but 14 e3 lba6 13 f3 exf3 14 '6'xf3 jLg2 lbb3 68 ltxd4 lbxd4 69 0-0 S£.xc3 11 bxc3 0-0 isn't very �d2 ! d4 15 .txf6 .txf6 16 lDd5 S£.e6 15 't\Ye2 lbc7 16 lbc5 'i.t>f2 lDe6 70 S£.e4 nb2 71 lIf5+ cheery for Black but does seem �d8 gives White a very pleas S£.xc5 17 lba4 't'fb4 18 lbxc5 rt;g7 72 lId5 rt;f6 73 rt;f3 1-0 reasonably playable: 12 S£.e3 ant edge. S£.g4 19 �f2 lbce8 20 a3 �5 was the game Botvinnik-Tal, Juvenilia 31 30 Juvenilia ...tldS 21 llxe7+ '&xe7 22 an act of charity. Still, I was c 10 ... ltJ 6 bail out with 15... ltJxd5 16 'Wb5+ 'Wd7 23 l:te l+
7 i.d3 i.xd3 reminds me forcibly of this But White can react with 18 a4, ning, since if Black waits, 8 cxd3!? c6 move in a currently fairly when 18 ...bxa4 19 'iWc2 is tre penetration down the b-file will Playable but not best. In 1971 trendy line of the Slav. mendous and 18... b4 19 'i'Vd2 surely be decisive, while cap I criticised it, reconunending 12 JLg3 O-O? lbg5 (19... fka6 20 'ti'xb4 ft'xd3 turing on d6 is obviously disas instead 8 ...cS or 8 ...JLe7. If 12 ...JLc7 13 liJa4 '&as 14 21 'tlYb7 wins for White) 20 trous. 9 e4 'i'J'b6 b4 'iWxb4 (l4... 'l'fxa4 15 JLxc7 liJd4 '&a6 21 f4 ! liJh7 22 'i'Vxb4 21 �xd6 9... i.e7 is sensible, and if 10 0-0 16 JLd6 is rather unpleas wins at least a pawn. 22 exd6 nc8 'tlVb3 only then 1O... 't':tb6. ant) IS JLxc7 '&xa4 16 JLd6 and So the best looks to be 23 d4 lbd7 10 �e2 JLe7 White has dangerous play for 17 ...lbg5 !, trying to disrupt 24 lbe5 lbxe5 11 0-0 the pawn; but 12 ... �e7 was White before he gets organised, 25 '&xe5 �d7 quite playable, intending to as 18 b4 liJxf3+ 19 'i'Vxf3 �a4! 26 llabl c;tJt7 castle next move. (not 19 ...'iWxb4? 20 l::1ab !) isn't 27 l1b3 l::1ed8 13 JLd6! ne8?! too bad at all. So perhaps 18 28 h4 13... dxe4! 14 dxe4 %le8 and lbd4; but then ...f6 prepares to Black has some chances - JS return the knight to f7. 1971 . 17 ... .ie7?! 14 e5 lbh7 18 b4 't'id8?! 15 lba4 'ilt'a5 18 ... '&xb4? 19 l::1ab l is awful, IS.. :fia6 looks better, pre but 18 .. .'&a4! is a conceivable paring to retreat to b7 after way to try and annoy White by ...b6. blockading the queenside. 16 lbc5 lbxc5 19 l'1fc1 f5? 17 dxc5 Although White's structure is slightly deformed, he has some very short-term pressure since the obvious 11...0-0?? drops a 28 ... cxb5?! piece to 12 eS. Hastening the end. 28 ... b6 29 11 .•. .id8? hS is just as horrible as the But this is a little co game, so I suppose Black operative. Black could simply should try 28 ...g6. However, have retreated 11...�d8. Then there must be lots of ways to 12 't':tc2 is mildly irritating, in win since Black has serious tending to meet 12... 0-0 with 13 weaknesses all over the board - 't'Vb3 to try and force a weak e6, b7 and h6 to name the three ening on the queenside. Still, After this Black is quite lost - most obvious. Indeed White can 13...liJb6 14 a4 as IS lbeS (1S The 'protected passed bishop' JS 1971; a judgement I concur almost win (after exchanging on eS liJfd7 defends his colleague) radiates power. with today, though the 'quite' c6) on the b-file alone with the IS.. Jla7 defends. Black would like to play seems a little excessive. following plan: play aS and put And after 1l...�d8 12 't':tc2, 17 ... bS, so as to close the 20 a4 lbfS rooks on bl and b5 and the 12... a6 is even possible, in queenside after which he could 21 b5 queen on b2. Presumably Black tending 13 't'Vb3 l::1a7, which try to play round the prelate. This must already be win- will defend with rooks on b8 34 Juvenilia Juvenilia 35 and d7 and the queen on c6. 35 ... axb6 36 a7 l:tb7 37 lta3 Game S Then play 1 a6 and if l...�xa6 l:td7 3S ll:el l:txd6 39 nc l 'ii'b7 J.Mestel-J.Speelman 2 ll:al 'Wc6 3 ll:xa7. l...b6 may 40 'We5 llhdS 41 aSft'!) 36 Hastings Challengers (round 4) 1971172 be messier, but 2 axb6 should l:txb6 axb6 37 l:tc l! 'C'ixd6 3S Sicilian Defence, Najdorf variation be sufficient to win in nearly all 't'ie5 ! 'i'xe5 39 dxe5 naS circumstances .. (39 ... g5 40 h5 ! doesn't help) 40 This game, played on the first Very new at the time and ex Black could prevent this by 1:.c7+ ..t;eS 41 a7 ..t;dS 42 nh7 day of 1972, is of interest tremely perturbing to face over putting the queen on a6 rather 'itfcs 43 'itff1 b5 44 ..t;e2 b4 45 mainly because of the opening . the board. Indeed there is only than c6, but then White wins at ..t;d3. I played vast numbers of games one earlier game in In/ormator once by moving the queen with c) 34 ... b5 35 cxb6 transposes against my very good fr iend Jon - see Walther-Gereben below. tempo to e3 where it hits both into the above, though 35 'iWe2 Mestel around that time. And While the present somewhat h6 and e6. Only the bS-rook can must be an even simpler way to whilst, after we'd both left uni messy game received very little defend both of these two pawns convert White's advantage. versity and he became a math notice, later in the tournament but that would leave b7 en 29 axbS b6 ematician while I continued as a Jonathan used this variation prise. Or 29 ...g6 30 na l ll:aS 31 professional chess player, my again against the Swiss 1M In practice, White would �e3 ll:hS 32 1:.a5 b6 33 ll:a6 results have been better, from Wirthensohn - and that game probably choose to try and win bxc5 34 dxc5 ll:abS 35 'C'ie5 ! our mid teens until our early did make it to In/ormator 13. somewhat less thematically. and White emerges with a win twenties he was clearly stronger 12 ... lLlf6?! There isn't too much point ad ning advantage. than me. Although I've never After long thought - though ducing variations since they 30 hS! bxcS been a serious theoretician, I I'm afraid I didn't record clock will all be more or less the same 31 dxcS nbS did play the Najdorf at that times in those days. This is infe 'itff8 - attack the various weaknesses 32 J:lg3 time, and here Jonathan hit me rior since Jonathan's response until Black loses co-ordination 33 c6 1-0 with one of the very first out gives White a clear plus; but it and then strike at a suitable ings of a particularly sharp line. is dismissed by theory for a dif moment. But here is one fairly 1 e4 cS 2 lLlf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 ferent reason which, when I aesthetic one: (2S ...g6) 29 bxc6 lLlxd4lLlf6 S lLlc3 a6 6 �c4 e6 7 looked at the position recently, 'Wxc6 ('threatening' ...lhd6; if �b3 �e7 S 0-0 0-0 9 f4 bS 10 wasn't at all clear to me. 29 ...llxc6 30 a5 - to fix the b7- eS dxeS 11 fxeS lLlfd7 12 'WbS Mestel-Wirthensohn later in pawn - 30 ... nbS 31 ncbl and the tournament went 12.. .'t!i'b6 Black has insufficient time to 13 �e3 �c5 14 ltf4 lLlc6 15 manoeuvre the c6 rook to the l:th4 h6 16 l:tdl lLldxe5? 17 second rank before the white lLle4! �xd4 IS lLlf6+! queen reaches the b-file) 30 J:le1 'W d7 31 ll:eb1 ll:bS 32 a5 (see fo llowing diagram) ft'c6 33 'ii'e3 ll:hS and here White can short-circuit the de IS ... ..t;hS (IS ...gxf6 19 l:tdxd4 fence at once with 34 a6 when The annual cycle continued lLlxd4 20 �xd4 leads to mate, he is winning in each of the with the Hastings Challengers a e.g. 20 ...'Wa5 21 c3 lLlg6 22 following variations: few weeks later. I started badly 'Wxh6 lLlxh4 23 .txf6 etc.) 19 a) 34 ...'Wxa6 35 l:ta3 ft'c6 36 but eventually struggled to lldxd4 lLlxd4 20 �xd4 'Wc7 21 lha7 J:lh7 37 ll:b6. 5112/ 10, including these two 'Wg5 ! lLlg4 22 lLlxg4 f6 23 lLlxf6 b) 34 ... b6 35 cxb6 ll:xb6 (or games. 36 Juvenilia Juvenilia 37
!1xf6 24 .txf6 fia7+ 2S 'ltih l Unsurprisingly, a quarter of a wins the exchange since continuation chosen by Jona �h7 26 c3 �fl 27 1hh6+ 1-0. century later, reliable defences 19 ... ltJxcS? allows immediate than in the game is rather un had been found. For example, mate with 20 'i'J'xfl+ llxfl 21 comfortable for Black; and the game Anand-Kasparov, Mo ::tdS+) 19 lhd7 .txd7 20 ltJxf6 moreover there are other decent scow (PCA) Grand Prix 1996, fidS 21 .tgS h6 22 fihS .tc6 defences like the one chosen by continued 12... .tcS 13 .te3 23 .§L.xh6gxf6 24 .tgS+�g7 2S Kasparov against Anand above. .txd4 14 .txd4 ltJc6 IS .§L.e3 fih6+ 'it?gS 26 .txf6.txg2+ 27 But it does illustrate how a pos ltJcxeS 16 lIad1 .§L.b7 17 l:td4 'it?xg2 1-0 sibly viable line may be dis ltJg6 IS ltJe2 'fie7 19 ltJf4 eS 20 But I don't really understand carded without sufftcient test ltJxg6 hxg6 21 fixg6 exd4 22 why he can't try IS ...'W'd7 to ing. And if the other supposedly .txd4 ltJeS 23g3 'W ::taeS 24 meet: 'reliable' defences turned out to 11fS ltJf3+ 2S gxf3 fiel+ 26 a) 16 'i!fxaS? with 16 ....tb7 be 'unreliable' then it could be 'fixe1 11xel+ 27 q;f2 11dl 2S 17 'il'a7 .txg2+ . come of real interest. Walther-Gereben, Switzer- .tcS .tcS 29 ::tf4 gS 30 ::te4 b) When I happened to men 13 .tc5 land 1971, also resulted in a ::tfdS 31 ::teS ::tSd2+ 32 �g3 tion this (very casually) to 14 .te3 ttJd5 quick win for White: 12... g6 13 .te6 33 lIxgS+ 'ltih7 34 c4 :ChI Jonathan himself, he suggested 15 �xd8 lIxd8 fie2 .tcS 14 .te3 .tb7 3S cxbS axbS 36 .te3 lIxb2 37 instead that White should get to 16 ttJxd5 lthS+ 'ltig6 3S 'ugS+ �h7 39 it with 16 .th6, but: 16 .txdS exdS would remove J:thS+1/2-1h. bl) 16 ....txc3 17 'ift'xc3 gxh6 any residual pressure against fl. 13 't'ih4 IS 'ift'g3+ 'it?hS 19 fieS+ f6 20 16 exd5 13 exf6 is supposed to refute :Cxf6 llxf6 21 't'ixf6+ 't'ig7 17 ::tadl .§L.e6 12... ltJf6 completely on the ba looks like a draw. 18 'it?f2 ltJd7 sis of the game Bednarski b2) And 16 ....tb7 17 fig3 Zuckerman, Polanica Zdroj 't'ie7 (not 17... .txc3? IS bxc3) 1972: 13... fixd4+ 14 q;h l .txf6 isn't clear IS �f3. c) Then I wondered about ftrst 16 ltJe4 .te7 and then 17 IS lhfl! .§L.xd4 (worth of at .th6, but it looks like Black can tention is IS .. Jhfl, as 16ltJxe6 get away with taking it: 17 ... gxh6 IS 't'ig3+ q;hS 19 .txe3+ 17 'ti'xe3 �b6 IS 't'ixb6 ltJxb6 19 ltJdS ltJc4' 20 a4 is not lIadl fia720 '&eS+f6 21 ltJxf6 at all convincing for White) 16 ltJc6 22 '&e4 .txf6 23 'Wxc6. So il-xe6 .txe3+ 17 'iiixe3 ::txfl IS 17 'W'g3 is better, when if ::tfl fib6 19 '&xb6 ltJxb6 20 17... ltJc6 IS .th6 'Wd4 19 llael ltxfl .tcS 21 .tb3 ltJc4 22 ::tc7 White certainly has a lot of de 19 ltJc6? .§L.e6 23 a4! ltJd7 24 axbS axbS velopment for the pawn, though I gave this a question mark at 2S ltJxbS ::tal+ 26 �f2 ltJdxeS Here Zuckerman continued he still has to hit home. 27 ltJa3 fua3 2S .txe6+ q;fS IS .. .'i'ia7 after which Black FinalJy, 16 ltJe4 .teS also the time. The obvious alterna tive was 19 ltJf3 .txe3+ 20 29 bxa3 ::txa3 30 l:lxh7 ::tc3 31 certainly seems to be in trouble: looks possible and if 17 'WhS f6 'it>xe3 ltJb6, when White has a .tb3 ltJd3+ 32 q;e3 ltJb4+ 33 16 ltJe4 ttJd7 17 .te3 'WbS IS or 17ltJgS h6! structural advantage but the 'ltid4:Cc6 34 c3 1-0. ::tadl 'it?hS? (1S... .teS 19 .tcS This is probably all only of academic importance since the possibility of ...ltJc4 offers 38 Juvenilia Juvenilia 39 some compensation. bxe3 2S iLbS l:tee8 26 �xc3 a3 19 l:I.dc8 27 �xd7 �xd7 28 l:I.xdS �e6 16 h4?! Stopping l:g4, after which 20 �xeS l:I.xe6 Ill-Ill 16 �d2 �h6+ 17 rl;>c2 was White is already almost out of 21 �d4 as! Here the draw was agreed. recommended (without any en sensible moves Black now obtains the neces After 29 l:td2 neither ... 29 axb2 thusiasm) by Barden in Th e 21 g4? sary time to liquidate the queen 30 �xb2 l:txa2 31 l:a1 nor Chess Player. And Black might But this self-immolation of side. 29... iLxa2 30 J:[a1 axb2 31 do even better by prefacing the the rook certainly doesn't help. 22 e3 a4 23 �e2 b4 24 �d3 l:xb2 is very interesting. check with 16 ...b6 17 �f6 �b7 21 f6 IS f3 �h6+, e.g. 19 �c2 lZlc4 22 f3 eS Game 9 20 h4 lZle3+ 21 �b2 lZldS. 23 �gl lZld3+ Holtzl-J.Speelman 16 ... b6! 24 rl;;f1 �d2 Hastings Challengers (round 9) 1971172 17 hS?! 2S l:I.bl �xe3 A/ekhine Defence Preparing h6 and iLg7, but 26 �e3 dS this is easily parried with a 27 �g2 d4 This game from the penultimate would have given Black much good developing move. 28 �h6? �el! round is awfully one-sided, but more scope to go wrong, though 17 iLh6! 0-1 I still quite like my purposeful it is possible to get a rather 18 l:h4? iLa6! play throughout. pleasant position with 1 e4 lZlf6 ll...lZlxeS 12 �d4 f6 2 eS lZldS (l2... lZlxc4 13 �xhS 't!ixcS is a 3 e4 lZlb6 real mess) 13 �xeS fxeS 14 4 eS lZldS 'i'xeS l:gS! IS 't!ixc7 'i'xcs 16 S �e4 e6 'i'xcs �xcS when the two bish 6 lZlc3 ops should give Black a slight A somewhat megalithic line edge. in which White's main idea is 11 'SixeS! that if Black takes too soon on 12 �xgS fixeS cS White may get a fr ightful 13 'SixeS lZlxe5 attack with fig4. But otherwise 14 �f6 lZlxe4 the pawns on cS and eS can be IS �xh8 lZlxb2 By now I feel that we are come rather a liability. With two pawns for the ex 19 lZlh3?! near the end of my chess child 6 lZlxe3 change, the two bishops and He had to try to be obstruc hood. But I'm including just 7 dxe3 lZle6 some juicy light squares to aim tive with 19 �f6 when some two more games in this chapter 8 �f4 fih4!? for, Black is obviously doing thing like 19... lZld3+ 20 �e2 from the next year and a half. To take the g3-square away very well. The only problem lZlf4+ 21 �d l lZldS 22 �h8 To begin with, my fust ever from the bishop in preparation would be if White could some rl;;e7 23 c4 l:xhS (23...�xc4 24 game in the British Champion for ...gS. how develop an attack on the lhc4 l::txh8 is also tremendous) ship. Although it went splen 9 g3 fie7 kingside. Holtzl's next move 24 cxdS exdS 2S l:a4 �c4 26 didly, I only won once more - 10 'li'e2 gS!? pursues this laudable aim, but J:[xa7 �d6, while dire for in round 9 - and ended up with 11 �d2? he leaves his king in the centre White, at least leaves him with a miserable 4112/11; a score I Very submissive. II �e3 too long. some reasonable legal moves. repeated the next year until I 19 �e7 fm aUy started to get the hang of 20 �d4 l:tg8 things with six points in 1974. 40 Juvenilia Juvenilia 41
Game 10 taking another, since at least problems. M.Basman-J.Speelman then he has something to play 15 il.g6 British Championship. Brighton 1972 for. 16 b3 c5 Alekhine Defence 17 'it>f1 cxd4 18 il.xd4 il.e5 1 e4 li'lf6 3 ... e6!? 19 c3 IIbd8 2 e5 li'ld5 4 g3!? 20 'it>g2 il.xd4 3 li'lc3 To deflect the junior from 21 cxd4 li'le5 22 il.b7 Four rounds later, I lost a theory, but the fianchetto is miserable - for me that is - fairly harmless here. If 22 dxe5 lIxdl 23 exf6 game against John Littlewood 4 d6 lIxaI Black should win. which I have to confess has 5 exd6 il.xd6 22 ... li'ld3 rather put me off the Alekhine's 6 il.g2 0-0 Hitting not only f2 but also to this day, though looking at it 7 li'lge2 il.d7 the inviting weakness on the f4- now it is clear that I played ex Offering some bait. square. ceptionay badly: 3 d4 d6 4 8 li'lxd5?! 23 li'lh3 lIxd4 li'lf3 g6 S il.c4 li'lb6 6 il.b3 il.g7 Extremely risky, particularly 10 ... li'ld7 24 't'i'f3 'ike6 7 exd6 cxd6 8 0-0 0-0 9 lIel since Michael Basman dislikes 11 d4 25 :hdl h6? 10 a4 as? 11 li'la3 li'lc6 12 being attacked. However, after Obviously it would be absurd c3 li'ld7 13 'We2 lIe8 (Inviting the sequence 8 0-0 li'lxc3 9 to take the exchange, e.g. 11 the following powerful sacrifi li'lxc3 il.c6 10 li'le4 fS!? II il.xa8? �xa8 12 lIg1 (or 12 f3 cial attack.) li'lxd6, both ll...cxd6 12 d4 �xf3 13 lIg1 lIe8 14 d4 il.g4) il.xg2 13 'it>xg2 li'ld7 and 12 . ..li'le5 13 f4 li'lf3+ 14 ctlf2 1l...�xd6 12 d4 il.xg2 13 li'lxh2 IS d3 �·f3+ 16 'it>e l �e8 'it>xg2 li'lc6 14 c3 �d5+ are fm e and Black wins. for Black; and 11...il.xg2 is also 11 IIb8 possible first. In the latter case 12 il.f3 't'i'f6 White has no good zwischenzug 13 li'lgl lIfe8+ and must simply recapture, after 14 il.e3 il.f5 which Black can decide how he 15 g4? wishes to take back on d6. Presumably Michael Basman 8 ... exd5 had some specific reason for 25 ... h6!? 9 il.xd5!? this 'pseudo-active' move - Rather typical of my play 14 il.xf7+! ctlxf7 IS 'ti'e6+ The logical follow up, though perhaps he wanted to make sure then, as now. Given the choice <,1;f8 16 fkxg6 e6 17 il.xh6 �f6 again the discreet 9 0-0 c6 was that ... il.h3+ is never on the between immediate action and 18 lIxe6! I:.xe6 19 il.xg7+ more sensible. cards later - but as the game constructive waiting, I will of goes he never follows it up in ten choose the latter, particu fkxg7 20 'i'ixe6 fkf6 21 �b3 9 . .. il.h3! 'Wf7 22 fkxf7+ <,1;xf7 23 li'lbS 10 il.xb7 any way and it looks merely larly against an opponent in dS 24 li'lc7 nb8 2S lIel li'lb6 26 Once White has taken one weak. 15 g4 doesn't in any way time trouble. And he may well b3 il.fS 27 h4 il.c2 28 li'lgS+ pawn for this awful position assist White's development and have been afflicted by this - for 1-0. then he is quite right to risk creates a potential weakness on while I don't have a time record f4 which later causes serious for the game, I do know that 42 JuveniLia Juvenilia 43
h when he lost on time on move �xf3 '&f6) 28.. .l g4 29 �d5! Game 11 38, having used up the then 2112 still leaves Black with a little J.Speelman- Schauwecker hours at his disposal, I was still work, albeit in a dead won po Hastings Challengers 1972/73 only on Ihr 51 minutes. sition. Nevertheless, it would objec b) But 27 ...ltdd8! is simplest, Sicilian Defence, Closed variation tively have been at least as trapping the bishop and winning strong to hit out at once with instantly. I have chosen to publish this able to promote a 'space in 25 .. Jhg4+ with the following 26 nxd3 traumatic contest partly for its vader', left a scar, in the shape variations: 27 lDf4 ltxf3 cathartic value. Following my of a slight over-evaluation of a) 26 �hl IDt4 (26... ltJel was 28 lDxe6 ltc3 5112/ 10 the previous year in the such resources, which I am only suggested by the irrepressible 29 lDf4 �e4+ Challengers, this game marked exorcising today. (Though in computer program, Fritz, with 30 �xe4 llxe4 the beginning of the tournament the calm light of day it is clear the main line of its Silicon 31 lDd5 lbg4+ a year later, when I racked up that Black did have serious le analysis continuing 27 �e3 32
White may have a pull but rook and two pawns are totally could also try to exchange these best move. White has two other this is desperate. The lady is insufficient compensation for units off - when life is much plausible possibilities: 29 IId2 now devoured in just a few the queen, but both pawns are simpler but I doubt whether and 29 lLlc1. moves. passed and potentially ex there is a win. a) 29 .u.d2 and now: 24 lIac1! 'i!fxb2 tremely dangerous. The white White could also play for an all 29... .ib7?! after which 2S .ixe4 dxe4 knight, at present en prise to ending with queen, knight and Black at best gets an inferior 26 lU2 �a3 ...l:td3, lacks an accessible sup initially three pawns against version of the generic position 27 IIal port point; and hI is the very queen and four (see 'the pro mentioned above: 30 l:txdS+ worst square which one could motion position', below). In IIxdS 31 'C'ia7! (not 31 't'ib6 reasonably choose for the king. order to evade perpetual, White 1:rd7 32 llJc5 [if 32 '.t>g h6 fol On the other hand, Black's back I would have to jettison the g lowed by ... .id5] 32 ...e3+ 33 rank is still vulnerable, so he pawn, but this would still leave lLlxb7 e2 34 '*'VaS IId1 + 35 '.t>g2 will have to spend an invaluable hS and Black will win) and: tempo making luft in many a material advantage of queen, knight, f4-pawn and e5-pawn all) Black would like to play lines. against queen and four pawns - 3l...e3+?, but the back rank is Somewhat to my surprise, I but Black's h-pawn can run. his undoing: 32 't'ixb7 e2 33 have found no absolutely clear It is interesting to consider 'C'ie4! IIdl+ 34 \t>g2 el't'i line for White but rather believe that he can choose between sev how the evaluation of the posi (34... ellLl + 35 lti'h3) 35 't'iaS+ and mates. eral rather unclear endings. tion would change if either po sition were improved. With the a 12) 3l....idS? 32 't'ixa3 Many lines lead to a generic white king on gl, I'm sure he'd loses for Black. 27 ... l:.d8 position with Black's bishop on be winning; while if Black had a13) 3l....ic6? 32 'C'ic7 IIdl+ 28 lLca3 d5 supporting the a-pawn on a2, already played ...h6 then I be (32 ...e3+ transposes to variation One should always consider which is blockaded by the lieve that he would corre al l) 33 \t>g2 .ieS 34 'C'ibS \t>fS alternatives, even to a move as knight on al (see 'the generic spondingly be quite comfort 35 'C'ib4+ \t>gS 36 '6xa3 e3 37 obvious as this. But delaying position', below). Normally, able. '*'VaS lti'fS 3S lti'f3 is also insuf capturing the lady doesn't help Black will have shed his passed ficient for Black. since after 2S l:td2 .u.xd2! 29 e-pawn to arrange this, so the a14) 3l....iaS! is the only de 'ti'xd2 .ib7... (29 g6 is conceiv battle will be between the re fence, when 32
29 .•. l:I.b2! 30 l:I.xb2?? A blunder, losing immedi- ately to the intermezzo 30... ::'d l+! 31 �g2 axb2. Here Black can choose be 30 �g2 was correct: 30... a2 tween 44... '&e l+ 45 lti>d4 fif2+ (not 30 ... .:xf2+ 31 �xf2 a2 32 BI;jck is still going to lose the (also 45 ...'i;�·xg3 at once) 46 'ti'a3 l:I.d2+ 33 �e3 l:I.c2 34 bishop, but in return he will get 'it>c4 �xg3 47 ltJd3 and Here play might continue 36 ltJxe4) 31 'i!fa3 lldd2! 32 ltxd2 many checks: 44.. .'&gl+ 45 �e2 fih2+ 46 �c3 (to defend the g3-pawn ltxd2+ 33 Wh3 e3! and now: b2l) If 36 ... h5 37 'i!fd8+ 'iPh7 �fl '&xg3. Both lines are since if 36 fid4 l:I.bl+ 37 �f2 a) 34 'ii'a8 g6! (again 34 ... h6 38 'Wxc8 '&b2+ 39 �h3 'i:'fcl 40 highly plausible since the sim ::'h l 38 h4 ::'h2+ 39 �e3 l:I.g2) allows a fatal check later: 35 �7! (40 'ii'c6 lti>h6) 40 ...'l:}i'xc5 ple plan of advancing the h 36.. J�bl+ 37 �f2 l:.hl 38 h4 'i't'xc8+ �h7 36 ltJb3 e2 37 'ii'cl 41 '&xf7 't'i'c6 42 '(;\l'xh5+ �g8 pawn will always cause prob (not 38 �e3 l:I.xh2 39 �d4 h5 l:I.b2 38 'Wxb2 el'ti'39 'ti'xa2) 35 White has excellent winning lems for White. We could con 40 �c5 lIh3 41 �d6 h4 42 �e7 'i'xc8+ �g7. Of course White chances. tinue the latter line: 47 '&e4 h5 hxg3 43 �c8 llh8 and Black can easily draw by perpetual, b22) Black can play 36 ...h6 48 ltJd3 h4 49 ltJf2 h3 50 �e2 wins) 38 ... h5 39 �e3 l:1.d l. but he doesn't seem to have so that the pawn isn't en prise at h2 51 'ii'f3 '&g l with a clear a22) In fact 30 ...g6 looks more since the two passed the end of the above variation, draw. even better since after 31 �g2 pawns are just too much. but I think that it is best to 30 axb2? (31 't'J'a2 l:I.a8 32 ltJc5 ':a5) b) 34 'i't'xe3! and: move the g-pawn instead, since 31 '&b3 e3 at the end of the following 32 �g2? 31...�g7 32 'ti'c3 a2 33 ltJa1 bl) 34 ... alfi35 'Wxd2 'i'i'f 1+ Black has even kept the e-pawn. (not 35... h5 36 'i't'd8+ 'it>h7 37 variation Black clearly prefers After 32 ltJd3 e2 33 'Wxb2 b) White could also try 29 'Wxc8 'ti'f1+ 38 �h4 'ti'e2 39 h3 to have his king on g7 and pawn (not 33 �g2? ltxd3 34 'ii'xd3 ltJcl, but Black will surely be or 35... g6 36 ltJe4 'i!fa3 37 on g6 rather than king on h7 elltJ+) 33... .:xd3 34 'l:}i'xe2 able to win the knight for the 'ii'd8+ 'ii'f8 38 ltJf6+ �g7 39 and pawn on h6. �b7+ 35 >t>gl l:I.d8 White is two passed pawns, after which ltJe8+) 36 �h4 g6 and now 37 b23) 36 ... g6 37 'i!fd8+ (now better since he can try to mount an ending of queen and four �d8+? <#;g7 38 fixc8 't'ie2 that Black has taken the h-pawn a kingside attack; but without against rook bishop and four forces a draw, but White can 37 ltJe4? �b7 38. ltJf6+ �g7 is any queenside pawns left it must be defensible, e.g. attack with 37 ltJe4! �g7 38 ridiculous since the crushing must be drawn. 29 ....:b2 30 �g2 �b7 and now: ltJf6 h6 39 'ffd8 g5+ 40 fxg5 ...�1 mate is threatened) 32 e2 bl) 31 ltJa2 ::'d3 (maybe hxg5+ 41 �xg5 'ii'f5+ 42 �h4 37... �g7 38 't'i'xc8 't'i'dl 39 'i!fc6 33 �f2 lId1 31...g6) loses a piece after 32 't'ixe543 ltJh5+ winning. 'tifh5+ 40 �g2 '(;\l'e2+ 41 lti>g l 34 �xe2 l:I.hl! l:I.xb2 (not 32 fia7 e3+ 33 �h3 b2) So it is better to take the 'ffdl+ 42 �f2 '&d2+ 43 �f3 Obviously, this it what I'd '&dl+44 �e3 missed when playing 32 �g2. 48 Juvenilia
35 �b8 h5! 10 rIel h6 11 b4 f5 12 e5 f4 13 But not 35 ...h6? 36 �xc8+ !.Da4 !.Df6 14 \'fe2 g5 15 !.Del g4 'it>h7 37 !.Dd7 bl'iif 38 !.Df8+ 16 f3 g3 17 h3 'iWe8 18 b5 �h5 Wg8 39 !.Dxe6+ 'ito>h7 40 !.Df8+ 19 �b4 !.De8 20 !.Dd3 .fIf7 21 with a perpetual check. ltfd l ltJg6 22 ltJel ltJh4 23 �fl 36 �xc8+ 'it?h7 �f8 24 J:td2 !.Dxg2 25 �xg2 A queen and knight for a �xh3 26 �xh3 'iifxh3 27 �d3 2 International Titles rook and pawn ahead, White is b6 28 exb6?? White could have totally lost: 37 �b8 bl'iif 38 refuted the attack by taking '8'xbl+ ltxbl 39 �f3 .J:tb2 40 control of h3 after 28 cxd6 cxd6 h3 lta2 41 ltJe4 :a3+ 42 'it?g2 29 '8'fI 'ffd7 30 'it?g2! h5 31
34 . .. .l'J.dd8 Mestel was either too dumb Ports Hotel, purpose-built, with just one short of the overall re If 34 ...fx g5? 35 fixeS opens founded or too nonplussed to help from the Hastings Borough quirement. My most inter the floodgates. summon up the appropriate re Council, for conferences and esting game was this tremen 35 l1acl l1d7 sponse. with the chess tournament very dously chaotic struggle. Played If 35 ...�xa6 36 :xd4! again The playing hall was next much in mind.) in round 11, nine games after wins. door in the basement of the In my first Premier I started my previous - and eventually 36 �f3 White Rock Theatre, which, well with a chaotic draw against only - win of the tournament, it Faced with ideas such as l1g 1 like many such establishments, Leonid Shamkovich followed started off quietly but degener by a win against Jonathan Tis- ated into chaos just before the 56 International Ti tles International Titles 57 first time control. Although Indeed, it appears to have been was still winning after the ad sufficient for a draw in an ana 22 34 nc8 alternative to the game move. urnm jo ent, the scent of victory lytical sense, as well. (Clock 23 �b2 1:37
Game 14 In reality, the game lasted mountains, but rather across only two more half-moves. Death Valley to that Paradise of J.Speelman-H.Ree 55 f4 Mammon or - depending on Lone Pine Open 1978 56 'it'e2 Ih-Ifz your point of view - hellhole, English Opening Las Vegas. I believe that as a man of principle I lost one dol r first analysed this game for the Timman-Ligterink from round lar 25 cents on the slot ma British Chess Magazine, August five - this game was played in chines; and was particularly 1978. I've left the annotations round tluee - continued more impressed by the marriage par practically intact apart from soberly with 8 �e2 c6 9 0-0 lours (a free bottle of cham clarifying a couple of variations itJa6 10 f3 exf3 11 �xf3 itJc7 pagne for every third wedding). and chucking in my slightly 12 'i'b3 'it'h8 13 l:.ael c5. Tim As you can imagine, I support incomplete record of the clock man did not seem ever to get their particular interpretation of times. anything much, on the contrary this very fm e American institu 1 c4 e5 Ligterink seemed very comfort tion. 2 itJc3 d6 able throughout and the game The chess started wonderfully 3 itJf3 was drawn in 37 moves. I for me when beat Bent Larsen 3 e3 is a possible alternative, 8 c6 0:16 After 58 ...l:.b8 57 Wdl f3?! in the fu st round: my very fu st to meet 3 .. .f5!? with 4 d4 when 9 .1l.e20:38 ltJa60:20 58 itJc4 lhb7 (or 58 ...e2+ 59 win against a grandmaster - if 4 ...e4 the white knight isn't 10 a3!? 0:48 Wxd2 lhb7 60 itJe5) 59 itJxe3 though he went on to win the attacked. 3 g3 is also perfectly White wants to play g4, and White has chances of reaching tournament outright, scoring normal. JS 1997: But 3 d4!? with this in mind he is anxious rook and knight against rook, so 71h from the final eight rounds, cxd4 4 'i'xd4 is really the most to prevent ...itJb4 at an unpleas of course Black should repeat drawing only with Polugay critical line. ant moment. with 57 ...11d8! 58 We2 11b8. evsky. I had good chances to 3 f5 10 ... tDc7 0:22 run continue the in the second 4 d4 e4 Black continues with his very Lone Pine 1978 round against Reshevsky but he 5 .1l.g5 itJf6 sensible plan of strengthening The tiny town of Lone Pine is in got away. The rest of the tour 5 ....1l.e7 is also sensible, e.g. 6 the centre in preparation for the centre of California near Mt nament was less impressive. .1l.xe7 Wixe7 7 itJd2 (also 7 ...d5. Whitney, the highest point of There were in total five draws, itJd5) ... 7 e3 !? 8 fxe3 itJf6. 11 g4!? 0:52 mainland USA (Mt McKinley losses to Walter Browne and 6 itJd2 �e7 And here it is! in Alaska is higher). The tour Peter Biyiasas, and a win 7 e3 0-0 JS 1997: While I could nament, a very strong open against Jay Whitehead. Even so, 8 h4!? 0:33 imagine myself playing this Swiss, was the brainchild of the an overall result of 41h/9 was This took me 13 minutes. today, it would probably be in a local magnate, the late Louis enough for my fm al 1M norm White is embarking on a rather blitz game - which this later Statham, who owned the local and the title. grandiose plan of undermining rather resembles. water supply. Although the win against the e-pawn by g4; and with this JS 1997: 11 d5 is another I remember getting up in the Larsen was so important to me, in mind, he wants to protect the wild idea, but White has the mornings and gazing out of the I've already published it - not bishop on g5. 8 h4 is, in any problem that if 1 I...cxd5 he motel at the most beautiful only in the BCM but also in The case, quite a good move posi can't really recapture, since af snow-capped mountains. On the Best Chess Games 1970-80 - so tionally since it starts to erect a ter 12 cxd5 (12 llc l!? �e6) two consecutive rest days we instead here is a typically messy blockade on the dark squares. 12... h6! 13 �f4 itJfxd5 14 went, however, not to the draw against Hans Ree. 64 International Titles International Ti tles 65 liJxd5 liJxd5 15 .ltc4 .lte6 Black idea which I did not consider has won a pawn for not a great sufficiently seriously at the time better for White) 23 liJg5! h6 combination of !s and ?s to ap deal. - it looks a bit strange calmly to (23 ...g3 24 liJh3 l:.fS 25 llhfl pend to this move) 17 ...gxf6 IS 11 d5 0:38 reposition a piece just after wins) when: g6. After IS.. .'it?g7 (lS... h6 is 12 cxd5 0:59 cxd5 0:38 losing a pawn. But after this JS 1997), bl) My first thought was 24 also quite sufficient - 13 �b3 1:01 move Black doesn't seem to l:thc1 so that if 24 ...nxb2 25 however, this is shown to be White has a certain amount have anything wonderful. nab l lIa2 26 nxb7! hxg5 27 quite unsound, but in the heat of of pressure against the black The complications after :.tcc7! with at least a draw. battle it is easy to make such centre, but his play does rather 14... .ltxh4 seem to be good for Black can try .. .l:hd2+ at some misassessments. smack of over-optimism. Black White, since after 15 .ltxg4 point in this line, though it may 17 lLlg3 1:36 now fm ds an excellent way to fxg4 16 .ltxc7 .ltxf2+ 17 ct>e2 still be good for White, e.g. It is important to have the simplify the situation in his fa- and if 17... Wixc7 IS liJxd5 Wif7? 24 ...1hd2+ 25 'it>xd2 hxg5 26 knight on the kingside to defend vour. 19 liJe7+ ct>hS 20 l:txh7+! l:tc5 ! gets behind the passed against ideas such as ...g3. 13 ... liJxg4!0:45 mates. So Black must try pawn; or 24 ...:.txb2 25 'uab1 17 ..• Wixg5 1:11 IS... .lte6, which in 19S0 I left at l:txd2+ 26 'it>xd2 hxg5 gives 18 Wixb7 1:40 that. In fact, although this is White the additional option of I felt that this position was very unclear, it seems to be 27 lhb7 'ue6 2S ncc7 lIg6, unclear enough for an offer of a rather good for White. The though 27 l:tb5 looks safer. draw not to be impolite and variation continues 19 liJxc7 b2) But this is academic since made one since I feared, how .ltxb3 20 liJxb3! (20 liJxaS? the calm 24 llad1! (Fritz) is ever, that in reality my position .ltc2 is simply bad; while 20 even better after 24 ...g3 25 liJh3 was quite a lot worse. 'uac1 l':.acS 21 liJxb3 transposes g2 (or 25 ...:fS 26 llhfl) 26 18 . .. Wie7 1:19 to 20 liJxb3 l:tcs 21 J:1ac1) :.th2 or 24 ....ltg3 25 liJgxe4! IS.. .11f7 comes into consid 20... l:tacS and now: lIxe4 26 �d3 and White is eration, fo llowed by doubling a) 21 'uac1 offers Black a winning. on the f-file. choice between: (This analysis of IS ....lte6 is 19 Wib3 1:45 al) 21....ltg3!? 22 liJe6 nf2+ JS 1997.) I considered 19 liJb5, of White can now win a pawn 23 ct>dI lhc1 + 24 liJxc l .lth2 So Black should play some course, but rej ected it quickly by 14 .ltxe7 Wixe7 15 .ltxg4 with a messy position. thing calmer such as 14 ....lte6, because .. :tWf6(f7) at some fxg4 16 liJxd5 liJxd5 17 Wixd5+ a2) 21...g3 is more reliable, when 15 .ltxc7 fixc7 16 liJxd5 stage would 'surely be good '. I .lte6 IS �xe4, but the state of though after 22 liJe6 g2 23 is certainly playable for Black suspect (without much analysis) his light squares at the end of liJxfS gxhlWi24 lhh l nxfS 25 but not marvelIous. Maybe that this must be the case, but that transaction would be lam liJd2 (25 liJc5 l:tf3 I?) 25 ....ltg3 some other 14th move promises 19 liJb5 certainly merited some entable. 26 liJxe4 .ltbS I imagine that Black more? attention since after 19 '&b3 Another try is 14 .ltxe7 'WIxe7 White can't be worse. Eventually I chose: White is clearly worse. 15 liJxd5 liJxd5 16 Wixd5+ .lte6 b) But in any case 21 liJe6! 14 .ltxg4 1 :20 .ltxg5 0:52 JS 1997: Of course if 19 liJb5 17 'Wxe6+, but after 17... 'Wxe6 seems to be clearly stronger: Black could also have played Wif7 is simply good for Black: IS .ltc4 Wixc4 19 liJxc4 lIac8 21..Jk2+ (2 1...nf3 22 liJd2 14... fxg4 immediately. a) If 20 lIh2 Black can sim White is in a very bad way :tc2 comes to the same thing) 15 hxg5 t :2 1 fxg4 0:52 ply exchange on b5 if he likes - since he must allow the black 22 liJd2 ! :.teS (22 ...:.tf3 23 l:tac 1 16 lLldxe4 1 :24 .lte6 1:04 my note above gives the im rook to penetrate to c2. :.txd2+ 24 �xd2 .ltxe3+ 25 16 ...'it>hS is a good alterna pression that I'd miscounted 14 .ltf4!? is an interesting 'it>e2 .ltxcl 26 l:txcl is clearly tive. Ree was a bit worried by and thought that White had a 17 lLlf6 (l can't imagine what pawn for his troubles; but in 66 International Ti tles International Ti tles 67 fact material is even. will find it very difficult to get While unsurprisingly taking any positive play. In general of the posItion - something following beautiful variation: either way on c7 gets slaugh White would like to provoke along the lines of 'put the tered. Black only has to take Black into 'doing something' bishop on f7 and play ...h5-h4' care that the white queen quickly, for if Black plays well could be very unpleasant in the doesn't return home to d3 or c2 then his position should im long run. . with tempo on h7, e.g. prove while White's has got It only took him three min b) 20 'Dxc7 'i'ixf2+ 21 'iPdl very few ways of getting better utes! -JS 1997. �f3+ (not 2l...J:tab8 22 'C'ia6 and is, on the contrary, likely to 23 exd4 2:00 �d7+ 1:31 lhb2 23 it'd3) 22 'iPd2 (22 Wc2 deteriorate if he tries anything If now 24 Wfl then %:tab8 23 'C'ia6 �f5+ 24 'Dxf5 much. 24 ...�xa4 25 'f!ixa4 'f!ie3! wins 'C'Vg2+!) 22...:tab8 23 'C'Va6 21 :tel 1 :50 'Db5 1 :28 back the piece. I analysed 26 %:txb2+ 24 'iPc3 'C'ixe3+! 25 With an exchange of knights, llc2 'C'Vxg3 27 '&d7 for a bit (27 Wxb2 l::f2+ and mates. Black would leave White's 'f!ixa7 'f!id3+ 28 Wgl 'Wdl + 29 c) 20 'f!ixc7 'C'Vxf2+ 21 'iPdl queenside very weakened. Wg2 'f!if3+ 30 Wg l h5 is also JS 1997), l::ac8 (not 2l...'C'Vxb2? 22 'i'ic2!) White is unwilling to commit horrible - so that if 28 :txh7+ 'iPxh7 29 'ii'h2+ 22 'f!ie5 (or 22 l::fl 'C'ixfl+ 23 many pieces away from the 27 ...:tf7?? 28 fi'xf7+! but then riJg7 30 'f!ih8+ Wf7 31 'lWg8+ 'Dxfl llxc7) 22 ... :tc2! 23 kingside and will therefore have saw 27 ...'i'id3+! and decided to Wf6 32 IH8+ Wg5 33 fi'xd5+ �xe6+ Wh8 and mates in a few to contest the queenside with a abandon the line. (33 1:1f5+ is nothing) 33... Wh4 more moves. material deficit there. 24 'De2 is also very bad: 34 'Whl+ Wxg3 and wins, for 19 ... l::abS 1 :23 22 'Da4!? 1:59 24 ... �xa4 25 �xa4 l::xb2 26 after 35 'IiVg 1 + Wh4 the black 20 'C'Vc2 1:46 g6 I decided that 22.. .ttJxd4!? 'f!idl (or 26 llc2 %:tb l+) rook will be able to interpose White has no very happy did not win outright and so pro 26...'C'Ve4! (not 26... 1:1e8 27 %:tc2) with check. long-term home for his king and voked Black further. is murder. To this we can add the sub hence has problems connecting That only leaves: variations: his rooks; while his knights do 24 Wd1! 2:13 a) (after 28 l1xh7+ Wxh7 29 not have any juicy squares to Now Black conceived a 'ii'h2+ Wg7 30 'f!ih8+ Wf7) 31 aim for and his light squares are 'grand finale'. He could have 'f!ih7+ (it is very hard to see weak. Black has a safe king, tried 24 ...�xa4 25 'C'Vxa4 l::xf2 checks which give the black connected rooks and some at (also 24 .. .lhb2) when he would king freedom of action when tractive targets to aim at - some have had some play for the analysing a long way ahead) nice light squares his knight knight, but this isn't entirely 3l...We6 (3 l...Wf6 32 'f!ih4+ might reach one day and a pos clear. We6 33 '&xg4+ riJd6 34 'C'ixg6+ sible pawn push to remove the 24 lhf2 1:52 transposes) 32 'lWxg6+ 'iPd7 33 white knight from g3. We can 25 fi'xf2 2:14 �xa4+ 1:52 'f!ixg4+ 'f!ie6 and wins, for if 34 assert that Black is better, but in 26 b3! 2:16 lixb3 �xe6+ Wxe6 35 Wd2 a piece order to do anything he will The white king cannot escape falls or 34 ftc7 + (d8+) have to find a plan. White 22 ... lLlxd4!? 1:31 the battery so the only chance 34 ...'iPxc7 (xd8) 35 'f!ixe6 should be able to meet any Black is tempted but maybe left is to counterattack. Iitb6+. short -term threats against his he should jusl have continued 27 l:tcS+ 2:20 Wg7 b) (after 28 %:txh7+ Wxh7 29 position but, in view of the gen calmly, as White cannot really Ree had (of course) fo reseen 'C'ih2+ riJg7) 30 lLlf5+ riJf6! ! eral looseness of his game, he change the basic characteristics this position when playing (not 30 ...gxf5?? 31 'f!ih8+). 24 .. Jhf2 and had analysed the But he had missed: 68 International Titles International Ti tles 69 28 tLlfS+! 2:25 gxfS things got much tougher when 29 J:[xh7+! FIDE raised the standard from For a player rated only 2495, experienced this tournament
Now White has a perpetual 2550 to 2600 - with inflation I the tournament represented both as a roller coaster in which I but no more. guess 2625 or 2630 at today's a great opportunity and a con reached many bad positions but 29 'it>xh7 1 :55 ratings. I could easily start siderable danger. While it was hacked my way out of the ma 30 'iiixfS+ 2:25 'it>g7 1 :59 banging on again about how very exciting to face such ex jority, several even to victory, Not 30... 'i!th6?? 31 nhS+ things are easier today; though cellent opposition, there was and often by keeping my nerve 'i!tg7 32 nh7+ 'it>gS 33 �g6+ in truth there are far more also plenty of opportunity to during critical time trouble 'i!tfS 34 nhS mate. strong players even than one suffer. situations. 31 �xg4+ 'i!tf6 decade ago, let alone two. In Indeed Nigel Short, who was At the drawing of lots the
32 �f4+ 'i!tg6 stead I'll move swiftly on. much younger - just 15 - and night before the first round, I 33 i'Wg4+ 'it>f6 still considerably weaker (2360) was lucky to obtain number one 34 �f4+ liz_liz Phillips & Drew Kings 1980 had one of the worst tourna and a double white in the fITSt This game was adjudged to This superb tournament was the ments of his life after he spoilt a two rounds. Since the tourna be the second most interesting first of three sponsored by the won adjournment in the fI Tst ment was three categories above (as distinct from 'second best') City Stockbrokers at biennial round against Tony Miles. The any that I'd played in before, I game of the round. intervals. Held in the sumptuous adjournment was held in a back was quite happy to start very surroundings of County HaIl room and, presumably partly quietly with a draw in just 20 Grandmaster Title (the OLC wasn 't abolished until through nerves, Nigel played moves against Gyula Sax. In the As with the IM title, I didn't 19S6), the first in particular at Space Invaders when he should next round, against Michael really make a huge attempt to tracted huge public interest. have been at the board and only Stean, however, I quickly dissi become a grandmaster until I There was a glorious hospitality drew. He ended up with just pated, not only the advantage of was clearly strong enough. This room with drinks and splendid 2/ 13; and I believe that this de the first move but any reason took a couple more years until cakes, which, in 19S0 was vis fe at set him back several years able pretensions to a good posi 19S0, though just as I was ited by no less than ten per cent in his progress towards the tion. But instinct took over and starting to consider norms, of Phillips and Drew's clients! summit. I bluffed my way into a violent Not very well prepared tech attack in my own time trouble 1 2 345 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 nically, but extremely keyed up, which led to mate: * l l 1 Miles 1 1/2 0 1 1 iz iz 0 1/2 1 1 1 1/2 8 liz 2 Andersson o liz 1 0 liz liz 1 1 1 1 I 8 * 1/2 1/2 liz Game 15 3 Korchnoi 112 112 * 112 112 112 1 1/2 1 1 0 1/2 1 1 81fz J.Speelman-M.Stean * 7 4 Sosonko 1 1/2 112 0 112 112 1/2 112 1/2 1 o 1 1 liz London (round 2) 1980 S Speelman 1 * 1 1 liz 1 711z o 0 1/2 1 112 1/2 112 0 Queen's Indian Defence 6 Gheorghiu 0 I 1/2 112 0 * 112 1/2 liz 1 1 liz 0 1 7 7 Lj ubojevic liz 0 liz * liz 1 1 0 1 liz 1 7 1/2 112 1/2 /2 1 d4 0:03 tt:\f6 0:00 9 fxg3 0:28 8 Timman liz liz liz liz * 0 I I o 1 liz 7 1/2 1/2 1/2 2 c4 0:04 e6 0:00 Dynamic in that it opens the 9 Sax liz 0 liz liz liz 0 0 liz liz 61/z I 1 * 1/2 1 3 tLlf3 0:08 b6 0:01 f-file; but spoiling White's 10 Browne liz 0 0 liz 1 0 liz 0 0 liz liz SIIz * 1 4 tLlc3 0: 1 1 �b7 0:03 pawn structure. 11 Larsen o 0 liz liz liz SI/z I 000 1 0 1 * 0:14 1 S �gS h6 0:11 9 ... �g7 0:32 12 Stean o 0 1 1 0 liz 0 liz liz liz * liz liz SIIz /2 1 6 �h4 0: 16 gS 0: 12 10 �d3 0:33 13 Nunn o 0 o 0 1/2 I 0 112 1/2 1 1/2 * 1/2 41fz 112 12 7 �g3 0:16 tLlhS 0: 12 In the Riga Interzonal the 14 Short 1 0 o 0 000 1/2 0 0 0 1/2 * 2 12 112 8 e3 0:18 tt:\xg3 0: 12 previous year, at which I was 70 InternationaL TitLes InternationaL Ti tLes 71 present as Tony Miles's second, regretting my seduction by the Oleg Romanishin had won a Romanishin game - I've never lLlfS '6'gS looks less good) 17 have some counterplay - for nice game against Zoltan Ribli been particularly comfortable dxc6? dxc6! is extremely pleas instance if 22 llc3 'We4! is very after 1O ...d6 II 0-0 lLld7 12 with the responsibility engen ant; while 17 gxh4 exdS 18 annoying. il.c2fIIe7 13 'i'd3a6 14lLld2 cS dered by a bad pawn structure at lLlxdS �eS 19 e4 leaves White b) 19 g3 �gS 20 il.xb7 Wxb7 IS lLlde4 fS 16 dxcS lLlxcs 17 such an early stage. pretty loose. and now: I: 0-0-0 lLlxd6+ 'it>f8 18 lLlxfS exfS 19 12 ltc1 11 0:48 16 ... il.g5! 1:16 b I) Immediate violence with 'i'xfS+ It>g8 20 lLldS 'i'e8 21 13 �a4 1: 17 It>b80:57 17 il.xb7?! 2:04 21 lLlbS invites 21...a6 22 lLlxc7 Uad 1 Uc8 22 b4 lLle6 23 lLlxb6 In his notes in Informator 29, Going into 'swindle mode' Wxc7 23 'i'xa6 ':'b8 24 b4 and Uc7 24 cS hS 2S lId6 J:l:h6 26 Michael suggests the obstruc rather early. Obviously White if 24 ...b5 25 a4, but 21...11a8 nxe6 1-0. Very aesthetic, but tive 13 ...�b4 14 'i'c2 'i'e7 doesn't want to defend the looks better and if22 e4, not my Black's play was surely dictated when IS a3 would lose a valu pawn with one of his rooks, first thought 22 ...'W d2 in view by nerves. For this was in the able tempo, while IS cS lLlb4 since 17 ltce1 moves the rook of 23 cxb6 axb6 24 'Wc4! when very last round and had Ribli exchanges the bishop and IS away from the attack while 17 if 24...�xb2 25 lle2 'Wb4 26 won or even drawn then he fIIa4 �b4 only repeats. But pre llfe1 removes the pressure form �xb4 lLlxb4 27 Uxc7+, but now would have got into the Candi sumably Michael was already the f-file. But the latter move is 22 ...a6 when 23 lLlxc7 Wxc7 dates tournament direct; going for more. far from clear, e.g. 17 llfe l simply doesn't work. whereas he ended up in a play 14 c5 1:23 g4 1:06 il.xh4 18 gxh4 �xh4. Now the b2) 21 b4 is admirably cairn off with Andras Adorjan 15 lLlh4 1:32 il.f6 1: 12 attack on the el rook is annoy but doesn't seem to do much (subsequently drawn 3-3 which 16 il.a6 1:53 ing, since il.xb7 fo llowed by after, for example, 21 ...h5. meant that Adorjan went l1xc6 is precluded; and Black is b3) Perhaps 21 lLle4 �d5 22 through on tie-break). threatening ...g3. But it is lLlc3 (not 22 cxb6? �xe4 23 Romanishin-Ribli was anno White's move and he can cer ':'xc6 axb6 24 Uxc7+ It>xc7 2S tated in the booklet on Riga tainly create reasonable practi '\IIa7+ It>d6 26 'Wa3+ It>c6! which I co-authored with Tony. cal chances with either: which is dead lost) offering a And while I've long ago for a) 19 cxb6 axb6! (not repetition; though the black gotten which of us did what, I 19... cxb6 20 d5 exdS 21 �f4+ queen might choose f5. presume that he must have d6 22 il.xb7 It>xb7 23 'Wxf7+) 17 ... il.xe3+ 1:19 taken this one since Michael 20 lLlb5 runs into 20... g3! (not 18 'it>hl 2:04 Wxb7! 1 :20 now adopted a clear improve 20 ...il.a8 21 dS exd5 22 'i'f4 Quite rightly, · Michael ment that was actually sug nc8 23 il.xc8 lhc8 24 �xf7) quickly avoided the appalling gested in those notes. 21 h3 and now: mess created by 18... il.xcl 19 10 ... lLlc6! 0:36 al) 21...�f6? 22 11fl �gS 23 il.xc6 il.xb2 (19... dxc6 20 I1xcl 0-0 Leaving myself with only 37 11 0:44 �e7 0:39 il.xb7 'i'xe3+ 24 It>hl It>xb7 2S is simply good for White) 20 minutes for the next 24 moves Much more sensible than Ri Uxc6 Wxc6 26 'i'c4+ Wb7 27 'Wa6! dxc6 21 lLlb5! in an increasingly complex po bli's rush to create light square fIIxc7+ It>a6 is winning for sition. If 16 dS, trying to cash in weaknesses with ...d6. What White - one way starts 28 lLld6 (see fo llowing diagram) on the momentary 'forkability' ever Michael knew in advance, Ub8 29 b4. of the queen and bishop, Black it is clear that I was flounder a2) 21...il.a8! is correct when which is clearly extremely can utilise the looseness of the ing; for I now took twenty as a result of Black's previous dangerous. seven minutes for my next bishop on d3. After 16 ... il.xh4 move the d-pawn is pinned. Obviously if 21...cxbS?? 22 move. Obviously, I was already (l6... il.xc3 17 I1xc3 exd5 18 This is certainly still very dan c6 and mate next move. And gerous for Black but he does other defences also appear to 72 International Ti tles International Titles 73 fall short. simple recapture on b7 Black ought to have found a way to
27 'ij'xc7+ �xbS built up a very good posltlon It is interesting to compare much five-minute chess? The 28 '&xb6+ �c4 with 2 d3 against the Caro my memory of the incident with rules theoretically would not 29 '&a6+ �xb4 Kann, but I fought back, almost Stewart Reuben's perception, as permit me to allow this, not that 30 l:tbl+ �xcS to equalise during the time recorded in the tournament I could have known Jon's in 31 't'ib6+
(2l...�e4 22 l1d7) 22 �d3 (not messy. dangerous - for instance if 16 . . . lUb6?! 1:52 17.. .'t'ixa2 18 h5 lUc5 19 'lifh4 22 f5? f6) yields an advantage. b2) But 23 c5 looks very �f5 and now: 17 �e2 1:09 as 1:59 good since if: a) Not 20 hxg6?? 'lifa l+ 21 If 17...l:te8? ! 18 %theI ! de b2 I) 23... lUd5 24 lUxb7 �bl (or 21 lUbl lUb3+! 22 fends the bishop, preparing to lUe3+ 25 We2 lhd2+ 26 Wxe2 �xb3 'lifxb l+ 23 'it>d2 'ti'xb2+) invade on d6. But after 18 .. .'�f8 lUxg2 27 lUdS lUxf4 2S lUxc6 2l...�xb l+! 22 lUxb l lUb3 19 lUd6 Ihe2 20 J:txe2 �g4 leaves White ahead in the race, mate. while White is certainly better, while if: b) But 20 �xf5 lUa4 21 'l!i'f6 he needs to find the very best b22) 23... lUa4 24 lUxb7 gxf5 22 h6 and wins. lines and Black, having at least lUxb2+ 25 Wc2 1::txd2+ 26 But in any case after 16... 'lifa5 freed himself from the bind Wxd2 the black knight is in 17 a3 is simple and good. without immediate catastrophe, trouble. In the game M. Gurevich does have some decent drawing 18 b3 1:17 lUd7 2:07 Novikov, USSR 1982, Novikov chances. Indeed, this line could 19 l:the1 1:21 11b8 2:09 decided against any heroics, but A very bad square for the be seen as a reasonable attempt 20 �f3 1:23 h6 2:11 after 16 ...l:te8 17 f4 'i'J'xe4 18 knight, from which it returns at damage limitation: 21 g3 1:25 lUf6!? 2:15 lUxe4 White had forced Black just a couple of moves later. In a) 21 J:tdel �xe2 22 l:txe2 In a vile position and getting to exchange. This is not a posi In/orlllator 30, Vlado Kova gives chances of a big advan short of time, Black decided to tion one would want to have as cevic recommends that Black tage. Black will be in a lot of lash out; but his pieces are on Black against anybody, let accept the doubled pawns at trouble if he allows White to terrible squares so it is not sur alone an excellent technician once with 16 ...lUf6 17 lUxf6+ consolidate with b3, so perhaps prising that White can refute the like Gurevich. White quickly gxf6 and now: he should try 22 ... J:td8 (22... g6 lunge. won a pawn and, after a certain a) Black has time after IS 23 b3 is clearly better for Whi amount of resistance, the game: �d3 to get in 18.. .£5, securing tre) 23 lUxb7 l:td4. But White 18...Wg7 19 lUd6 l:te7 20 l:the l the e6-square for the bishop, can choose between: Wf8 21 g4 lUf6 22 g5 lUe8 23 though of course he is still al) 24 c5 lUc4 25 b3 J:td7 26 1::txe7
23 ... fS 24 gxfS .bfS 2S l::teS l::txf7+ �g8 with a draw) This makes it easy, but Black Black is still paralysed, e.g. White wins the a-pawn. But he 32 .. .1hh2 33 J:[xcS l::th3+ 34 is also lost, albeit after creating 33 ... .ltxfS 34 J:[xfS J:lxfS 3S should have tried this, since �b4 l::tdd3 3S lIb l l::td4 36 lldS a few threats of his own, after .ltc2. after 2S ....lth7 26 l::txaS (26 l::txg4 37 contriving to play some magni my nerve in some hairy situa ficent fighting chess, it was a tions to run out with a very great shock when Death did flattering fm al score of 4- 1 fm ally catch up with Misha Tal against Yasser Seirawan. Mean in June 1992. while Short had cruised through 3112-1112 3 Seven Days in London with a smooth victory Saint John against Gyula Sax, while the For this cycle and this cycle other results were: Portisch only, FIDE decided to hold all Vaganian and Timman-Salov the first round Candidates both 3112-2112, Yusupov-Ehlvest matches together. These were 3112- Ph, Hjartarson- Korchnoi played in Saint John, New 4112-3112 and Spraggett-Andrei When I first planned this book, I had a tremendous tournament, Brunswick (not to be confused Sokolov 6112-5112. I had been intending to include eventually racking up 9/10, a with Saint John, Newfoundland) TIle latter two matches were quite a long section on my vari point and a half ahead of Glenn at the end of January and start decided only after tie-break ous world championship cam Flear. of February 1988. Canada is not games and Spraggett-Sokolov, paigns, running right through There were three Interzonals warm in the winter, but there last to finish, turned into quite a from my very first Zonal in on that occasion. Nigel Short was a closed tunnel from our circus as they battled through a Amsterdam 1978 to the Biel and I were drawn to play in the hotel right into the huge com series of increasingly fast pairs Interzonal in 1993; my last first of these, which took place plex where the event was held. of rapidplay games. The contest event before the convulsions in June/July 1987 in Subotica - This complex included a shop was only decided when a shat which leave the world champi in the fo rmer Yugoslavia just ping centre and various eateries, tered Sokolov left his queen en onship cycle presently (July south of the Hungarian border - including one where they had prise to a knight fork in the final 1997) in a state of flux. while the two others were in )lit upon the notion of naming fifteen-minute game. It is al But by the time I had in Zagreb and Szirak, a village cocktails after chess players. ways difficult to find a totally cluded everything else, it had near Budapest. Various alliterati ve delights equitable way of splitting ties, become quite clear that I would It is not easy to come in the were to be had including, if I but fo llowing this experience have to trim this ambitious flISt three of a really strong recall, the Benko Bomber and FIDE never used a time limit project. Eventually I decided to qualification tournament and I Speelman's Surprise. Despite that quick again. concentrate on just one battle, could expatiate on Subotica at its excellent name, I believe, The pairings for the next my first Candidates match with some length. The final result, however, that the latter was in round were to be made as for St Nigel Short: an event of cardi though, was that Sax, Short and fe rior to the former - my fa John, 1 vs. 8, 2 vs. 7 etc., but it nal importance in my career, myself tied on 101h/15, ahead of vourite. had not yet been agreed which eclipsed only by his victory Tal and Ribli. I had scored Six-game matches are pretty rating lists to use. Eventually - three years later in a murder seven wins, losing only to Tal. beastly things - I shall be say and here I'm glossing over the ously close 'return match'. And I remember how on the last ing a lot more on the subject no doubt tortuous negotiations evening Misha gave us, the two when we get into the meat of since I can't even remember The Cycle English victors, a rousing cho this chapter with the subsequent whether I was privy to them, let The relevant cycle started for rus of 'Oh when the Saints .. .' match against Nigel. And al alone the details - it was de me with the Bath Zonal in Feb Always on the point of physical though my play wasn't terrible cided to carry on with the J anu ruary 1987. With two places at disaster for the last three good technically, splendidly ary and July 1987 lists; though stake among the 10 competitors, decades of his life, but still assisted by Will Watson, I kept there was an excellent case for 102 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 103 replacing January 1987 with Taxco (Mexico) in 1985, but his in Mexico in the late seventies; players can't sleep properly. January 1988. This led to the feelings for this match were and began working together Roman Dzindzihashvili, who following order: Karpov, Yusu very mixed since he had also during one of Ray Keene's isn't quite so strong now but pov, Short, Timman, Portisch, done a certain amount of work Brighton tournaments in the was truly formidable in his time Speelman, Spraggett, Hjartar with Nigel; and in any case be early eighties. - a man with whom Tigran Pet son; and the pairings Karpov lieved that if Nigel did win he He always used to represent rosian would agree a quick Hjartarson, Yusupov-Spraggett, would be likely to progress Reuters at big events such as draw even when Petrosian was Short-Speelman and Timman further than I would. All in all, world championship matches; White - is a prime example. Portisch. he definitely wanted to stay out indeed we collaborated on a But even if you can cope with of this one, sentiments he very book on the first Karpov the pressure - and the nature of The Match honourably conveyed to me; Kasparov match in 1984-85, competition is such that it Sentiment in England was very and we parted extremely amica Moscow Marathon - a book weeds out those who can't - it mixed when the two English bly. which, like the match itself, ex still demands this shift; the rush men were drawn to meet each It was Will himself who sug panded to an ungovernable size of adrenaline that comes with other. Certainly this guaranteed gested that I should employ before foundering; and many sitting opposite a dangerous that one of us would progress to Jonathan Tisdall in his stead. years later he was, with Bob opponent. So that it is ex the semi-finals; but after we had Tisdall is a Japanese-Irish Wade and myself, a co-author tremely hard to discern how one both won so convincingly in St American who moved to of Batsfo rd Chess Endings. He would react in combat when John, it seemed likely that at Europe over a decade ago; first was an excellent choice for a one is sitting in a comfortable least one would have won considering :;ettIing in England second since not only is he a chair at home. I believe that through, anyway. but ending up in Norway where strong player and a friend but Kasparov nowadays copes with Personally, I wasn't very his partner, Marianne Hagen, his presence at all these matches this problem by analysing, not happy to be facing the one op and he, now have a five-year had given him a deep under only with a second but also a ponent out of seven who I knew old son, William. A truly ex standing of the psychological couple of computer programs so well and lived almost next cellent analyst, 'Tis' for many aspects of matchplay. on the latest hardware to check door to; but there was nothing years found it difficult to trans Anyhow, in preparation for for errors. to be done. The most important fer his full strength to playing the match, I went over to Oslo a Of course we did manage to thing was that the match should but he fm ally became a grand couple of times to work with get some work done, one piece be played before the Olympiad master a couple of years ago. Tis. Preparation has always of which, jumping ahead for a in mid November. Meanwhile, Nigel employed been the relatively weakest part moment, was the novelty I em Excellent sponsorship was John Nunn to beef up still fur of my play; a state of affairs ployed in the second game. Ni forthcoming from Pilkington ther his considerable theoretical which one might expect an in gel's first question after the Glass; and the six-game match punch, and he also made at least telligent person to be able to match finished was where this was arranged to take place one trip to France, which we remedy, through the very act of 'piece of rubbish' (I don't re starting on 17 August 1988 in only found out about after the identifying it. The problem, member his exact words but his the downstairs cinema at the match - see the notes to the fi rst though, is getting into the right idiolect would tend to suggest a Barbican. It was scheduled to game. state of mind. rather stronger usage) had come last until August 25th, but play Tis, with whom I'm nowa When people play at tourna from. And the answer is, from offs in the result of a draw days in very frequent e-mail ments, they tend to get sucked when I was in the back of a car could go on right up to the 31st. contact, reminds me that we into a 'hypertense' state of be on the way to the friendly foot Will Watson had acted as my first met in one of the World ing, quite distinct from normal ball match between Norway and second since the Interzonal in Under-26 Team Championships living. Some highly talented Brazil - which I believe the 104 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 105 visitors won 2-l. they thought I'd win; and I re Later, we discovered that part of rather to prepare for e4. If The prospect of a battle be ceived tremendous support from his preparation had involved White does it well, then eventu tween two EngJislunen led to a my friends at the Kings Head going to see Boris Spassky in ally Black is likely to pre-empt great deal of brouhaha, some of chess club, where I was infi France to work on the Queen's him, often playing ...as to start it, such as being interviewed nitely more active in those days Gambit. action on the queenside himself, together with Nigel by Stephen than I am now. Black has to stop his oppo as in the impressive Karpov Fry at Simpson's-in-the-Strand, Since this match was so cen nent clamping down on his Kiril Georgiev game below. most enjoyable. tral to my career, I'm giving the queenside with bS, so the Although his position pres The general feeling, not un scores of all five games. But choice is between this and ently looks somewhat passive, reasonably, was that Nigel was while the two crucial wins are 11. .. cS - which had been tested Black has serious long-term favourite; and I myself gave analysed properly, the other in repeated Kasparov-Karpov chances due to his bishop pair. him 60:40 in interviews. But three games have sketchier games with the two gentlemen And if, as in this game, White both Larsen and Korchnoi said notes. prepared to play the position mistimes his break, then the with either colour. The latter position can rapidly turn against Game 19 leads to a simpler sort of posi him. J.Speelman-N.Short tion, in which Black will be 13 �b3 0:16 liJd7 0:07 London (1st matchgame) 1988 doing fine, as long as he sur 14 lIfel 0: 19 vives the opening. Nigel had Queen's Gambit Declined, Tarlakower variation already played this against Ribli in London 19S6, drawing in 37 The first game of a tournament This was particularlyrelevant in moves. And he has played it is always an exceptionally tense our case since both Nigel and I since, though without much affair, let alone a match. had serious plus scores with success - years later, he even Matches create their own space, White but had never beaten the tried it against Karpov in the in that the intensive preparation other in a serious game with seventh game of his splendid which they entail, means that Black. Tisdall and I decided that match victory in Linares 1992, there may be theoretical battles we should use this first game to though he did lose that game. fought which will never be settle in and test the water. 12 0-0 0:14 'B'd6 0:06 continued, at least by the play Would Nigel suddenly intro In Belfort, Short had played ers in question, outside the con duce all sorts of unexpected 12... IteS first; and though it all fm ed psychological and tempo twists to his repertoire; or was looks very similar, a great deal 14 ... :lad8 0:13 ral - it all seems to happen very he going to play things straight of work had gone into these nu 14.. .lHeS would still trans quickly - conditions of the down the line? ances, since this is a far from pose back directly into Short's match itself. 1 d4 lOf6 2 c4 e6 3 liJf3 dS 4 simple position. two games from the Belfort At the drawing of lots the lOc3 lLe7 5 lLg5 h6 6 lLh4 0-0 White's plan is initially to World Cup 19S5: IS lLd3 lLe7 night before, I had been 7 e3 b6 8 lLe2 lLb7 9 lLxf6 keep the position under control, 16 ltab l .ifS 17 e4 as IS awarded the white pieces for the lLxf6 10 cxd5 exd5 11 b4 c6 a3 first game, which must be an 0:12-0:05 clamping down on enemy axb4 19 axb4 g6 20 h3 lLg7 21 1/2-1/2 advantage in a short match Although Nigel had had queenside expansion with ...cS. exdS was Speelman-Short; since there is some possibility problems with this line in the He can play on the queenside and lS ...g6 16 e4 �g7 17 eS of winning the match before Belfort World Cup earlier that with a4-aS, but Karpov, who 'We6 IS liJe2 lOfS 19 g3 't'fd7 20 having to face one's last Black. summer, he sticks to his guns. does especially well with this lOf4 11acS 21 nac1 nc7 22 11.£1 line, has generally preferred 'WdS 23 lLh3 lLcS 24 .ixcs 106 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 107 �xcS 25 b5 ltJe6 26 lDxe6 trolling g4 so that the move g3 ' ate perpetual) 30 fib5 and: 'i'ixe6 27 bxc6 necS 2S 'ifa4 a5 is stronger in lines where the bl) 30 ...'i'ie4 31 'i'r'xeS+ 29 fib5 .I'hc6 30 1:txc6 lhc6 31 black queen goes to f4 - she 'ilixeS 32 �xf3 when White will ..t>g2 .ltfS 32 nb l .lte7 33 fia6 can't run to g4, He gives: be reasonably placed if he <3iIg7 34 h3 h5 35 nb3 g5 36 a4 a) 17 ...g6 IS e4 dxe4 doesn't lose at once, e.g. after �f5 37 'ii2'e2 g4 3S hxg4 hxg4 (IS... .ltg7 19 e5 '&bs 20 h4 is 32.,.f5 33 il..d3 fie5 34 llb l! 39 lDh2 l:tg6 40 f3 l:tc6 41 fxg4 clearly better for White) 19 �xd5+ 35 We2 'i'xa2+ 36 �el 'ii2'h7 42 l:tb2 .ltg5 43 lDf3 lkl ltJxe4 fff4 20 ne3 (intending the b-pawn is a powerful unit. 44 lDg l l:tc3 45 lDf3 l:tc l 46 g3) 20 ....ltg7 21 llbe l fibS?! 22 b2) 30 ...lDe l+ looks like an lDg l .l:tc3 47 lDf3 112-112 was ltJd6! Ihe3 23 '&xf7 + 'it>hS 24 improvement, but the white d Karpov-Short. nxe3 'ii2'xd6 25 ne7 and wins, pawn should not be discounted. While six years later b) l7...ne7 IS e4 dxe4 19 Black seems to be winning after 14 ....lte7 15 l:tab l a5!? 16 bxa5 ltJxe4 '&c7 20 Ire3 l:tdeS 21 31 'it>gl '+!Ve4 32 f3 '+!Ve3+ 33 l:txa5 17 a4 l:teS IS �n �fS 19 nbe l �fS 22 ltJxf6 ltJxf6 23 The critical position. Things Whl d3 (33 ... ltJxf3 34 d6 ltJg5 'ii2'c2 g6 20 e4 dxe4 21 ltJxe4 lDe5 lDd5 (23 ... c5 24 �xf7+!) had gone very badly for me so 35 fif5) 34 d6 'ilie2 (if 34.,.l::tfS fff4 22 .ltc4! �g7 23 l::Ie2 c5 24 .lth7! g6 25 .ltxg6 ltJxe3 26 far, but now I managed to pull 35 'i'r'c5!) but this runs into 35 24 d5 l:!.aaS 25 l:!.bel l:tadS 26 '+!Vxe3 fxg6 27 'i!ixh6+ �gS 2S myself together and start fight llf2! and if 35 ...�xf2 36 fib3 .ltaS 27 g3 fibS 2S d6 l:tfS 'i!ixg6+ �fS 29 l:!.e4 with a clear ing. '+!VxeS+ Wh7 37 .ltxd3+ ltJxd3 29 .ltxf7+! l:!.xf7 30 ltJeg5 hxg5 advantage for White. 21 h3 1:21 3S �e4+ g6 39 'ilixd3 and 31 ltJxg5 l:tdfS 32 l:teS! 'ij'xd6 c) 17... ltJfS! IS e4 dxe4 19 It is a good idea to pre-empt White wins. 33 'ij'xf7+ <3iIhs 34 ltJe6 1-0 was .ltc4 lDe6 20 lDxe4 �f4 with an back-rank tricks. If 21 .ltb5?! 21 ... ltJe5 1:ll Karpov-Kiril Georgiev, Tilburg unclear position. il..xd5 22 exd5 lhe l+ 23 l:txel If instead 2l....ltxd5 22 exd5 1994. 17 •.. �b8 0:32 ltJf6 24 .ltc4 '+!Vf4 (threatening lhe l+ 23 llxe l ltJf6 I had in 15 llabl 0:25 IUe8 18 e4?! 0:46 ...ltJg4) and now: tended 24 .ltc4! and if 24 ...'+!Vf4 16 .ltd3 0:31 This has been badly prepared a) 25 '+!Vc2? would be nice if 25 �c2 defends since the line Playing for e4, which at the and already rebounds unpleas it were playable, but after above doesn't work once White moment would have led to a antly. 25 .. ,�d6 26 �d2 ltJxd5 27 has made air with h3, i.e. if. draw: 16 e4 dxe4 17 .ltc4 exf3 18 ... c5! 0:52 'ii'xd4 'ii'xb4 2S l:!.dl l:!.cS! Black 25...'ij'd6 26 �d2 ltJxd5 27 IS .hf7+ c,t>fS 19 �g6 lle7 20 19 lDxd5 1 :07 has won a pawn with wonderful 'iixd4 'i:'ixb4? 2S l:tdl is now .lth7 l:tf721 .ltg6 l:te7. Forced, for 19 .ltb5? dxe4! 20 winning chances. In view of the winning for White, 16 ... .lta8 .ltxd7 ];Ie7 (20 ...cxd4 is also weak back rank, White can't 22 .ltb5 1:21 lle6 1:12 17 'ii'a4? 0:41 good but less so) 21 .ltc6 .ltxc6 play 29 .ltxd5? 'ij'xd4 30 l:lxd4 23 "fib3! 1 :22 Black can easily defend a7, 22 '+!Vxc6 ne6; 19 e5? cxd4 20 l::tcl+, Nigel had clearly missed this after which the queen is mis exf6 nxel+ 21 l:!.xe l dxc3 22 b) 25 g3 is better - if rather and after seventeen minutes' placed. After this bad move, fxg7 'i'r'f4 and 19 bxc5? ltJxc5 frightening - when Black has thought he played: Black is already doing quite 20 dxc5 .ltxc3 21 necl d4 all various attacking possibilities, 23 •.. 'ifd6?! 1:29 well. If 17 e4 dxe4 IS .ltc4 (1S lead to a big advantage for e.g. 25... 'i!if5 (25 ...'ii' f3 !?; and offered a draw which I ltJxe4? �f4 19 lle3 c5 is al Black. 25 ... '+!Vd2!?) 26 fixa7 ltJg4 27 quickly accepted (23 ...ltJg6 was ready good for Black) leads to a 19 ... .ltxd4! 0:59 l:ln ltJe5 as given by John Nunn a way to play for a win). draw again. But in the BCM, Better than 19 .. ,cxd4 20 .ltb5 in the BCM. One critical line Although the opening had John Nunn suggests that 17 h3! with equality. then is 2S 'ii2'xb6 ltJf3+ 29 �g2 gone so badly, I took heart from is best, prophylactically con- 20 lDxd4 1:17 cxd4 0:59 neS (29 ...ltJh4+ is an immedi- the fact that I had played some Seven Days in London 109 108 Seven Days in London posts it on a different one - and 16 �g3 1:10 fi'c6 1:09 decent moves under pressure; with Black, my opponent would incidentally prevents ...fi dS and also had hopes that after perhaps be tempted to drop his later. achieving such a pleasant game guard slightly. 9 ... iLg70: 17 10 0-0 0:29 Game 20 Of course immediate vio N.Short-J.Speelman lence with 10 '&e2 followed by London (2nd matchgame) 1988 0-0-0 was also quite playable. French Defence, Burn variation But Nigel decided to be more careful. 1 e4 e6 which most accords with my 10 ... 0-0 0:21 During our pre-match prepa style. 11 C3 0:32 ration, we had decided that my Objectively, it may not be a Supporting the d-pawn. After main weapon, the Caro-Kann, terribly wonderful move; but it 11 fie2 gS 12 iLg3 g4 it drops was extremely risky since Nigel suited my purposes admirably. off. 17 '6'n? 1:12 would have had ample time to Nigel had blitzed out his first 11 b6 0:26 Up to here, Nigel has played bring some serious ordnance to eight moves in just six minutes, 12 'iWe2 0:47 iLb7 0:33 very well, but this allows Black bear upon it. We were intending a rate of play which presaged 13 �adl 0:49 a6?! 0:42 to become active. Instead 17 serious unpleasantness in the to play a Pirc at some point; but To prevent the exchange of �c4! would have been clearly main lines; or at the very least a in the hothouse atmosphere of bishops with iLa6, but now the stronger, returning to annoy the the match itself, a problem passage of play in which he felt black rook is tied to this pawn. queen. After 17 ...l:tac8 to de arose which discomfited me and particularly comfortable. In 13 ...'&c8 was a reasonable al fend the c-pawn (if 17 ...lL\e4? required a couple of days to stead, we now have a com ternative way of stopping the 18 dS!; or 17... fi'd7 18 ttJeS solve. So I decided to play the pletely new position, in which exchange, to be followed by �e8 19 h3 with good control) I'd done some work to make French. ...lL\dS and ...cS. 18 't'ffl is better now that White 2 d4 d5 sure that disaster wouldn't 14 nfel 0:53 'iWd6!? 0:49 controls the fl-a6 diagonal. 17 3 ttJc3 lL\f6 strike instantly; and he had 15 Sl.b3 1 :05 �eS was also reasonable. dxe4 nothing prepared. 4 �g5 Out of the way of the c-pawn 17 ... �a6! 1:15 5 lL\xe4 lL\bd7 8 ...g6 is quite logical in that to prepare c4. Seizing the opportunity. 6 lL\xf6+ lL\xf6 in the normal lines, Black often 15 ... as 1:07 18 c4? 1:16 7 lL\f3 h6 0: 11 has to worry about threats on Played after eighteen minutes Rather losing the thread. He 8 �h4 0:06 g6 0:15 the d3-h7 diagonal - White may thought. Presumably I wanted should have entered the compli As I mentioned in the general play �xf6 followed by fi'e4, to play IS... lL\hS but came to the cations with 18 lL\eS!?, when I introduction to the match, this threatening fih7 mate. But it (probably correct) conclusion disliked 18... �7?! 19 �c4 be novelty was conceived (parth does lose time and renders ...cS that 16 dS in reply is just too cause c6 is weak, although enogenetically, I hasten to add) somewhat harder to get in suc strong, e.g. 16 ...eS 17 lL\d2 lL\f4 Black has compensatory activ on the back seat of a car en cessfully; since after ...�g7 the 18 '&f3!, threatening ttJc4 or ity. In fact I was hoping to be route to a football match in bishop won't support that break. lL\e4 and holding onto the dS able to play 18... �xfl 19 lL\xc6 Oslo. I was wondering what 9 �c4 0:23 pawn since if 18... �xdS? 19 �bS when: move I would play in this posi After ...g6, there is less point lL\e4 �xe4 20 lLce4 fics 21 a) 20 lL\e7+ �h7 21 a4 and tion if I had carte blanche; and in putting the bishop on the d3- �c4 �S 22 l:[xc7 with a big now: realised that 8 ...g6 was the one h7 diagonal, so Nigel simply advantage. al) 2l...�a6 22 �xc7!? (22 110 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 111 tDc6 �b7 is fine for Black, minimal. 24 b3 1:39 b) 30 lldS (to defend the fifth while 22 dS l1feS 23 dxe6 lhe7 c2) 21 �c2 is perhaps rank) 30... l:tf2 31 �a8+ �h7 24 exf7 J:l.xel+ 2S J:l.xel is very slightly over-icing the cake. and: speculative) 22 .. J:tfeS 23 After 2l...tZJhs 22 �e4 J:taS ! 23 bl) 32 l:td7 J:l.fS 33 l:txg7+ tDxg6! (both 23 tDc6 J:l.ac8 and �h4 �xeS (23 ... gS 24 �f3) 24 (forced since if 33 g4 �xg4 23 �d6 �f8 are good for dxeS gS 2S �f3 Black can Black has overwhelming Black) 23 .. .fxg6 (23...'it.?xg6? 24 choose between: threats) 33 ... �xg7 34 �a7+ �c2+ �hS 2S J:l.eS+ and Black c21) 2S... tDg7 26 �g3 and �f6 3S 't'fb6+'i!t'e6 is winning. will be mated) 24 �xe6 is very ...tDfS possibly preceded by b2) 32 l:txcS (to keep on the unclear - my feeling is that un 26...�c4 27 a3 tDfS. fifth rank) 32 ...:l.fl! (not less Black can disrupt White in c22) The more ambitious 32 ...'t'fd l? 33 �e8) wins since the next couple of moves then it 2S ...tDf4 26 �g3 tDd3. the queen will land decisively will be rather more comfortable 18 ... llad8 on el or dl next move for White. 19 tiJe5 I: 19 'fib7 1:21 26 fldS 1:34 a2) 2l...�d7 22 dS (22 �xc7 Preparing ...cS. 24 ... tiJxg3? 1 :32 27 llxd8+ 'i!t'xd8 1:35 .tHe8 is bad for White now that 20 �a4 1:26 e5 1:24 After cursory thought, I gave 28 �e6 1:43 �c8 1:41 the e6-pawn is defended) 21 dxe5? 1:33 away most of my advantage. 29 �h2 1:44 h5 1:42 22... l1fe8 23 tDxg6!? (23 d6 After this, Black gains a seri- Short had seen that 24 ...�c7! is 29 ... gS was possible here, 0us advantage which quickly cxd6 24 �xd6 �fS 2S �eS I much stronger immediately, though 30 '&e3 isn't bad. �xe7 26 �xf6 �xf6 27 l1xd7 proceeded to fritter away. I was since now the defence White 30 �f3 1:45 h4 1:44 rightly much more concerned �g8 is equal) 23 .. .fxg6 24 dxe6 uses in the game is impossible: 31 'ti'e3 1:46 hxg3+ 1:45 about 21 tDc6 llc8 22 dS! �c6 2S �xc7 is another sacrifi 2S f4 (2S tDxg6 tDxg3 26 hxg3 32 �xg3 1:46 �d6?! 1:45 cial variation. Again White has tDxdS! 23 lhdS exdS 24 J:l.e7, is insufficient - see below) I had to seize the moment three pawns and this time the when during the game I thought 2S ... l:tdS 26 J:l.xd8+ 'i!t'xd8 27 with 32 ... gS 33 �hS! (not 33 e6-pawn is particularly menac that �c6 'i!t'd4+ and wins since the fxgS? '&c7 34 �f4 [6 wiIUling ing, though there are plenty of a) 24 ...lhc6 was the best way f4 -pawn falls. for Black) 33... gxf4+ 34 �xf4 Black pieces in the way. But to give up the queen, i.e. 2S 25 hxg3 'fie7 f6 3S tDc6 't'J'd7 36 �f3 when Black can lose quickly if he J:txb7 �xb7 26 �xc6? �xc6 27 26 f4 ! 1:40 the two bishops still give Black isn't careful, for instance if cxdS �xdS which is equal. But Nigel took just a minute to some chances. 2S .. .l::tc8 26. �eS tDgS? 27 in the middle of this, 26 cxdS!? reject the attempt to complicate 33 �f2 1:47 lld7! �xd7 2S exd7 lheS 29 is alarming when the d-pawn matters with 26 tDxg6? which Now if 33... gS White can llxeS l1d830 ne8 etc. will be very dangerous. loses by force, albeit after support the f-pawn with 34 g3. b) 20 dS a4 21 tDd4 axb3 22 b) Later we decided that White has afforded some resis 33 ... �d7 tDxbS tDxdS is absolutely fi ne 24... fixc6! was in fact better, tance: 26 .. .fxg6 27 'i!t'xe6+ 't'ff7! I don't have the clock time for Black. i.e. 2S �xc6 l:txc6 and if 26 b3 28 �xa6 't'J'xf2+ 29 �h2 'fie2 ! after this, but I think I only took So if White doesn't want to (26 'ij'd l looks better) 26 ... dxc4 (29 ... 't'ffS 30 J:l.dS �eS 31 �d7 a few minutes over it. Realising risk a piece sacrifice then he 27 bxc4 :l.dS, threatening both is unclear) and now: that I'd spoilt my chances, I should retreat with : ...J:td4 and the immediate a) 30 't'J'd6 llfS ! and both 31 offered a draw here which he c) 20 tDeS a4! and: ... �xc4. �d7 llhS+ 32 Ah3 l:txh3+ 33 readily accepted. c1) 21 �c4 is normal, though 21 bxc5 1:25 �xh3 �S and 31 lIdS l:thS+ How does one evaluate this after 21...�xc4 22 tDxc4 any 22 'ij'e2 1:33 l1xdl 1:29 32 J:txhS �xh5+ 33 �g 1 �d4+ game in the match context? Ni White advantage is absolutely 23 llxdl 1:33 tiJh5 1:29 34 �fl 't'f d 1are mate. gel dealt fa irly easily with my 112 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 113 unusual eighth move but then falter. normal rhythm since the most wings, leaving him to it. played some uncharacteristi I seem to remember not being important thing was to avoid Some measure of the spec cally bad moves after the first especially pleased with myself arousing Nigel's suspicions. tacular nature of Gurevich's diagram. Had 8 ...g6 caused but also far from downcast after The line with 5 i.f4 is an obvi wonderful new idea can be some sort of delayed reaction? I this game. Both players were ous one to try; but it is hard not gauged from Tisdall's report in didn't play too convincingly clearly still nervous; I hadn't to telegraph a bombshell like 10 Ne w in Chess: 'Michael Stean after springing my surprise but buckled under the first huge 0-0-0. told me that in his days working did seize my opportunity on theoretical punch when taking 1 ttJf6 0:01 with Korchnoi, they periodi move 17 onwards. Only when I Black; and the real fight lay 2 c4 0:02 e6 0:01 cally tried to revive this varia gained a big advantage, did I ahead. 3 ttJf3 0:04 d5 0:02 tion for White over a span of 4 ttJc3 0:04 i.e7 0:02 years - but never considered 10 Game 21 5 i.f4 0:05 0-0-0. ' J.Speelman-N.Short I remember that between 10 ••. i.e7 0:16 London (3rd matchgame) 1988 moves one and nine I actually Since 1988, there have been Queen's Gambit Declined counted to myself to 100 in a literally hundreds of games with couple of languages and possi 10 0-0-0. I don't want to get too After my rather pitiful perform the weekly Swiss magazine, Die bly also recited poetry so as not involved in the theory but will ance with the white pieces in Schachwoche. The next Die to rush and appear too eager. adduce a few very relevant ex the first game, we had a great Schachwoche was due and in 5 0-0 0:02 amples: stroke of luck. Marianne, Tis deed just two days later it ar 6 e3 0:05 c5 0:02 a) When Tis first showed me lLl dall's girlfriend, had come over rived through John Nunn's let 7 dxcS 0:06 ttJc60:02 10 0-0-0, 1O ... e4!? was what I � to London a day or so previ ter box, with Gurevich-Sokolov 8 c2 0:08 i.xc5 0:02 was most concerned about. lLl ously and happened to buy a as large as life. So we had a 9 a3 0:09 �aS 0:04 Having fa iled to see II b5, Norwegian newspaper on the window of just this one game, 10 O-O-O!? 0:11 we spent some time trying to way. In the chess column, there during which the novelty would persuade ourselves that the ob was the game between Mikhail be effective. vious: lLl � Gurevich and Andrei Sokolov Although initially a little al) 11 xe4 dxe4 12 xe4 i. for too much: it loses to 21 ::'c3 .ixdS and wins. 14 ... ltJe8 1:25 .if6 22 .ixd8 �xc6 23 .ixf6 c22) 18... eS 19 .ig3 (19 b4 14 ...ltJhS would be much lhc3+ 24 .ixc3) 21 �xc4 (2 1 exf4 20 bxcS .ixcs 21 ltJe4 is more desirable if it were possi �c3 'tWxc6 22 lhc6 �d7 is unclear) 19... b4 20 ltJc4 lhc4 ble. However, after IS .ih2! equal) 2l...bxc4 22 jLxd8 21 �xc4 bxa3 22 �d2 looks Black's centre is collapsing and cxd3+ 23 �d2 .ixd8 24 .ixd3 pretty good for White. the knight on hS is loose. The with a clear plus. c23) 18... aS looks best when: lines are rather complex, but c2) So instead Black should c23 1) 19 ltJb3 nc4 20 jLxc6 after very helpful analysis with recapture with the rook, i.e. achieves nothing after 20... l'!xc6 former Women's World Cham IS... �xdS ! 16 ct>b l 't'Ib6 - but not 20 .. .'e!hc6? 21 lLlxaS! pion Xie Jun, I now believe that (16... �cS ?! 17 ltJb3 �xc2 18 lhaS 22 �d8+ .if8 and either White has at least a couple of ltJxaS �b2+ 19 'i.t>xb2 ltJxaS 23 �xa5!?, allowing counter ways to get the advantage. This position would be over must be better for White, but play after 23 ...eS 24 .ig3 b4, or Black must try IS... dxc4 at once were it not for the cru the exposed position of the the safer 23 .id6 h6 24 �xf8+ (IS... d4 16 ltJb3 �6 17 lLldS; cial counterblow ....if S: white king does give Black 'i.t>h7. IS ....ixgS 16 ltJb3 'ti'b6 17 bl) If 20 ltJb6 .ifS! (not the some compensation) 17 .ig2 c232) 19 ::'c l can even be ltJxdS � a 7 18 .ie2 lLlf6 19 submissive 20 ....:b8? 21 .ig4! llcs 18 '&d3. met by 19 .. JIxc l+!? 20 ltxcl l:hg l wins - Nunn) 16 ltJxc4 jLxg4 22 hxg4 lLlg7 23 ltJd7) .ib7, when 21 'ii'd7? lld8 22 '&c7! (not 16 .. Jhd l+? 17 and: �xc6 l:txd7! (not 22 ....ixc6? 23 �xd l when the knight on hS bll) 21 e4 leads to a great �xe7 ::'xd2 24 .ic7 �7 2S hangs) and now: deal of mess: <.ttcl l:[d3 26 .ie4! winning for a) Taking the exchange at blll) 2l....ixgS+ 22 �b l White) 23 ::'xb6 .ixg2 looks once with 17 ltJdS?! l:txdS 18 ltJd4 23 �d3! (23 l:Ixd4 leads to good for Black. lhdS .ie6 looks extremely only a slight edge after c233) 19 .id6 .ixd6 20 foolhardy. Black emerges well 23 ...exd4 24 exfS dxc3 2S lLlxa8 �xd6 .ib7 is also perfectly developed and with dangerous �xa8 26 fxg6 hxg6 27 .iill playable for Black, since if 21 pressure on the c-file, though gill 28 'ii'xc3) 23 ...ltJxe2 24 l:c l (21 ltJe4 or 21 ltJb3 would there is no obvious immediate �xe2 .ixh3 2S lLlxa8 �xa8 26 both be met by 2l...l:c4) blow after, for example, 19 l'Ld2 �d3! (26 l:[g l .if4 27 'ilixhS Black has some short-term 2l...l:txcl + 22 llxc l ::'d8 23 l:tc8 20 �b 1. .ixh2 28 �xh3 .ixgl 29 �g2 difficulties, particularly the �cS �xcS 24 l:txcS l:xd2 2S b) 17 llxd8+ is much more .ixf2 30 'ilixf2 is unclear; while threat of b4, but if he can cir .ixc6 (not 2S llxbS? .ia6 26 enticing since White keeps if 26 .ixeS 'i't'e8! is annoying) cumvent these then he will have l:b6 .id3+ 27 Wcl l:txf2 28 many threats. 17.. .'&xd8! is 26 ....ie6 27 .ixeS yields a big a perfectly good game: .ixc6 <.ttf8) 2S ....ixc6 26 Itxc6 forced as 17... .ixd8? gets stam advantage. c2 1) If 18... b4 the best may <.ttf8 or 26... hS the rook ending peded by 18 lLldS and after ei b1l2) 2l...lLld4 is a better be the illogical-looking 19 axb4 is fine for him. ther 18 .. .'t'kb8 or 18.. .'&d7 19 move order, e.g. 22 .l:txd4 exd4 ltJxb4 (l9... 'ti'xb4 20 ltJb3 .ib7 14 gS! 0:53 lLldb6 wins. The obvious con and now 23 exfS .ixgS+ 24 21 ltJxcS .ixcs is clearly better After this obvious reply, tinuation after 17 .. .'&xd8! is 18 'Ot>b 1 leads to variation bill, for White) 20 ltJc4!! (this deli Black has a very hard choice. I .ie2 g6! (not 18... .ie6? 19 l:tdl note to White's 23rd move. In cious move, fo und, of course, presume that Nigel was origi �c7 20 ltJdS .ixdS 21 l:txdS g6 stead White can try to improve by Fritz, seals White's advan nally intending 14 ...ltJhS but 22 ltJxeS nc8 23 ltJxc6 �xc6 with 23 lLlcdS ! (Xie) but after tage) 20... ltJxd3 21 ltJxb6 ltJxf4 lost confidence in it and so re 24 '&xc6 lhc6+ 2S �d2 and 23 ....ixgS+ 24 f4 .ixe4! 2S 22 .ixa8 ltJdS 23 lLlxdS exdS 24 treated. wins) 19 .l:td l tif8. �xe4 l:e8is unclear since if 26 120 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 121 '&c2 (26 'Wxd4? ltxe2 27 fx gS forced (20 ...�fS? doesn't work liquidate to a clear advantage, 20 'itlbl! 1:19 bxc6!? 1:34 e4 ltxh2 wins for Black; 26 'a'g2 now due to 21 lLld4 22 '&d3 e.g. 16 bxc3 �xa3+ (l6... �fS I remember being very 'a'cS+ 27 - a game which has since been Reykjavik Open 1990. After a natural move may have been a 16... a4 first was more logical. repeated many times. few more moves he had a very novelty. Keene and Botterill wanted to prevent �4, but There had also been further dubious position: 18...�h8 19 gave 12 ... lDd4 13 lIfI and now this not only doesn't seem too satisfactory experiences for lDxb4 'tiI'bS 20 c3 as 21 lDd4 13... �hS! is supposedly best important but wasn 't even Black, but it would have taken 'Wb6 22 lDdS 'tiI'xb2 23 .l:td l e6 and enough to equalise; though achieved. Much more relevant, extraordinary theoretical self 24 lDe3 i.b7 2S Wia7 i.e4 26 it all looks a bit tenuous. by moving off the a-file I've confidence to venture upon this 'We7 and 'Azmai' won in S3 left the a-pawn badly defended in such an important game moves. But the most interesting in subsequent lines in which against an opponent so heavily thing about this is not the exact White forces the black queen to armed and with such a second. moves, but rather that Azmai flee for her life. 6 i.e2 0:01 would play 9 ...bS at all. If 17 �gl 0:43 A very old move, about somebody as erudite as Azmai I hadn't prevented 17 'tiI'h4 which ] knew next to nothing. believes in 9 ... bS then maybe it anyway since if 17... llxc3? 18 So unusual is it that there is isn't so bad after all? i.d2! wins material after, for very little coverage in modern 9 ... lDc6 0:26 example, 18 ....l:tfc8 19 'We I. 17 opening literature, even in So the choice was between ...a4 18 J:th3 (threatening lDdS) tomes as comprehensive as John this and 9... lDbd7. But ...lDbd7 18... hS is therefore necessary. Nunn's. But I subsequently dis looked a much more modern This seriously weakens g6 so covered that there is an excel move and, moreover, had that a race will follow between lent chapter on it in Keene and alarming similarities with 13 i.e3 0:14 lDxd3 0:51 White's attack and Black's Botterill's The Pirc Defence variations of the 6 f4 Najdorf 14 cxd3 0: 14 'Wb4!? 0:51 queenside counterplay. But the (1973) - now, of course, out of about which Nigel knew a great As I wrote in New in Chess: white queen and rook are tem print for many years. deal and I next to nothing; so 'Trying to irritate White by porarily, at least, very clumsy; 6 cS 0:13 the decision wasn 't too difficult. tilting at the queenside pawns. ' so I imagine it is perfectly good 7 dxcS 0:02 'YJiaS 0:15 10 i.d3 0:10 From the clock times it is clear for Black. 8 0-0 0:03 �xcS+ 0:18 10 'l'iel i.g4 II i.d3 trans that I'd decided on this before But the critical line, on which 9 q;,hl o:03 poses back to the game, while taking on d3. 14 ...WiaS looks Nigel spent his 13 minutes, was Of course I wanted to play in the BCM John Nunn noted more 'normal'; but provocation 17 'Wd l!, a move of which I 9 ...bS now but simply didn't that it also allows 1O ..• dS li eS was the order of the day. remained blissfully unaware believe that it could work. In lDe4. 15 l:tbl o:21 as 1:01 throughout proceedings. (Don't 126 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 127 believe ex- or even present 28 l:th3!) 28 h3 preparing to White loses material. But the 24 ':e l g5 25 Sl..xg5 now fails to World Champions if they tell attack with ':f6. queen is more active on b3. 25 ...hxg5 26 �xg5 when: you they see everything. It just b) 21...'CWcl+ 22 ':e l is 19 Sl..d4 0:56 b2 1) 26 .. ..!hc3? was my first doesn't happen that way.) hopeless. By defending his knight idea, but 27 l:txc3 lbxe4 28 The threat is to trap my queen c) As is 21...gxf5 22 d4 WJc l+ Short frees the queen, which '&xe7! poleaxes Black. at once with 18 a3! Now 17... d5 23 l:tel '&g5 24 �xf5. couldn't leave the first rank in b22) 26 ...'&xb2! wins, how is forced (since if 17... a4 White d) But Tisdall and I did in view of ....:xc3. The alternative ever, after 27 l:tg3 lbh5 ! 28 can simply take it): 18 e5 lbg4 vestigate 21...e6 on the rest day. was 19 d4, which threatens lbd5 �xh5 (28 lbd5 lbxg3+ 29 hxg3 19 lbxd5 lbxe3 20 lhe3 �c5 However, we decided that 22 but loosens the white position. I Wixd4 30 lbxe7+ rt>f8 31 lbd5 21 �f3 . Nigel rejected this line fxe6 fxe6 23 lbf6+ Sl..xf6 hadn't yet chosen between can't possibly work) 28 ...llxc3 in view of: (maybe 23...rt>h8) 24 exf6 l:txf6 19... '&c2 and 19... '&c4, but in and Black is a tempo ahead: 29 a) 2l...nfd8 but he'd missed 25 WJxf6 Wixe3 26 nfl was ex his notes in the BCM, Nunn l:txg7+ (29 .!1g4 '&d2! wins) 22 lbxe7+! Wixe7 23 f6 and: tremely unpleasant. demonstrates that the former is 29 ...lt.i>xg7 30 �g5+ <;\>f8 31 f6 al) 23...'t'fb4? 24 fxg7 '&xb2 17 ... a4 1:18 dubious: exf6 32 '&xf6 <;\>e8 escapes the 25 l:t£1 '&xa2 unsurprisingly By removing his bishop from a) 19... '&c2?! gets hit by 20 perpetual. loses at once to 26 e6, when the black knight's ambit, Ni e5 dxe5 21 dxe5 lbg4 22 lbd5 19 ... e6 1:29 Black can hang on for only a gel's last move threatened '&d l ':fe8 23 e6 gxf5 !? 24 exf7+ Running fairly short of time, few more moves: 26 ... l:tc7 in earnest. Still oblivious to this rt>xf7 25 lbb4! '& c4 26 ':xf5+ I played this committal move (26 .. .f5 27 �xb7) 27 '&f4 ':e7 blow, I rejected 17... e6, the only It.i>g8 27 '&g3 when Black is quite quickly. It stops any ideas (27...':dc8 28 e7) 28 Wif6 l:tde8 other move I considered, be very loose, though he can fight of Sl..xf6 and lbd5 stone dead 29 exf7+ '&xf7 30 '&xf7+ ':xf7 cause of 18 a3 '&b3 19 d4, when off the immediate threats with but does weaken the f6-square. I 31 nxe8+. White gets in e5 and f6. But of 27... '&e4 28 ':bfl lbe5. seemed to play this whole game a2) So 23 ...'&e6 24 fxg7 is course 18 Widl is even stronger: b) 19...�c4 20 ndl nfd8 21 in something of a fugue, the critical variation and per 18 ...d5 19 e5 lbd7 20 f6 looks '&h4 b5 is still very unclear but choosing moves more through haps then 24 ... '&xa2 since oth horrible for Black. looks fairly pleasant for Black judgement than analysis - usu erwise White remains a pawn 18 a3 0:47 Wib3 1:24 to me now. I don't believe that ally with me it is the other way up, albeit not an especially good White can either develop a round. So in New in Chess I one. I stopped here in New in really strong attack or bash wrote that 'I considered 19... e5 Chess, assessing it as somewhat through in the centre; but Black as an alternative but wasn't ter better for White, but Nunn in has good play on the queenside. ribly struck on it and fe lt that if the BCM went further: 25 ':fl John continues with the sample necessary e5 could always be (threatening e6) 25...'CWe6 26 line 22 :h3 h6 23 Sl..e3 and: played a move later.' 'CWf6 ne8 when White can bl) 23 ...g5 24 Sl..xg5 hxg5 25 John Nunn in the BCM gives choose between: '&xg5 which looks pretty dan much more cogent analysis. As a21) 27 nef3 so that if gerous for Black to me: in re he points out, Black can play 27...WJxf6 28 exf6 nc2 29 h3 tum for the piece White has ...e5 followed by ...d5 at various the g7-pawn is very dangerous. annoying threats on the g-file moments in the next move or If Black tries to attack with and has brought Black's coun so. He analyses 19... e5 20 Sl..f2 29 ...nee2 then 30 l:tf4 lhg2 31 terplay to a halt for the moment. (20 Sl..e3 d5 21 exd5 lbxd5 22 ':e l wins immediately. 18... 'i:lVa5 is also possible b2) 23 ...'D'b3 looks better, to lbxd5 Wixd5 23 f6 Sl..h8 is un a22) And 27 'D'g5 is also pos since if 19 lbd5? 'iixel 20 harass the enemy pieces before clear) 20 ...d5 and now: sible, i.e. 27... nc2 (27...Wxg7 lbxe7+ rt>h8 21 nxel :ce8 allowing the sacrifice. If then a) 21 exd5 lbxd5 22 lbe4 128 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 129 gives White a pleasant edge. rather 28 ...'&c2 29 J:1g1 J:1xg2! had missed) 2S ...�xh8 26 fxg6 White's ragged pawn structure b) 21 it..h4 d4 22 it..xf6 dxc3 30 J:1g3 (30 't'fxh7+ �xh7 31 lDf6 27 g7+ Ii?g8 28 gxf8�+ and temporary lack of co 23 it..xg7 leads to more forcing .!:th3+ Wg6 32 J:1xg2+ "*'fxg2+ nxf8 29 "*'fgS+ �h8 30 �xf6+ ordination, allied to the strong play: 33 Ii?xg2 looks very unpleasant Wg8 31 h3 and the horribly ex black pawn on a4, give Black bl) 23 ...c2? loses to 24 J:1cl for White) 30 ...J:1xg3 31 hxg3 posed king will most likely veryreasonable compensation. 'J;xg7 2S f6+ 'J;h8 26 'fih4 (for 11g8 with a big advantage. quickly be beheaded. Certainly 20 .•. b5 t:31 what it matters, John gave 26 Finally, instead of moving after 3 \..."*'fxd3 (perhaps The natural move, preparing 'fie3 after which 26 ...gS 27 the e-pawn at all, 19... bS was 3l...'i'fdS but it is pretty grim) to undermine Black's queenside '*'ixgS J:1g8 at least stops imme also well worth considering, to 32 11D 'Wg6 33 "*'fc3 'Wb l+ 34 structure. Nigel now took ten diate mate; though White can avoid weakening the f6 point. �h2 eS (34 .. .f6 3S 't'Vc7 'J;h8 36 minutes to play: take another pawn with 28 20 "*'fgl?! t:08 'fie7 finishes things off) 3S 21 g4 1:19 'fixeS, winning easily since if 20 't'fh4? loses a piece to "*'fc7 !, and the threat of J:1g3+ 28 ... J:1ge8 29 '*'ihS '*'ixb2 30 20 ...eS 21 11h3 hS or 2 \...h6! followed by "*'fe7 is immedi 't'i'h6llg8 31 11h3) 26 ...'fixb2 27 (21...exd4? is much less clear ately decisive. '&h6 and Black must play the after 22 lDdS lDhS 23 g4) 22 hopeless 27 ... 'fixc l+ since it..e3 lhc3. 27 ...I!.g8 allows mate in two: 28 And, as Nunn points out, 20 �xh7+ 'it>xh7 29 Yh3. 'fid2?, is a bad square since b2) 23...'it>xg724 f6+ 'it>h82S 20 ... eS 21 it..f2 dS 22 it..h4 d4 23 bxc3 't'ixc3 26 '&e3 is more in it..xf6 now loses in view of teresting. N unn continues with 23 ... dxc3, while if 21 it..gl dS the very plausible: 22 exdS lDxdS 23 lDe4 Black b2 1) 26 ...J:1g8? with the idea has a tempo with 23 ... J:1c2. that if 27 '&h6? gS defends But Nigel spent what seemed I through the threat of ..."*'fc +; or ages but was actually just Here I was really rather 27 J:1h3 gS ! But White has 27 twelve minutes on 20 �fl! b) 20 ...eS was my bail out in lucky. After just four minutes I 'tWg5 !! when there is absolutely which he rejected because of extremis, but after 21 it..f2 dS lashed out with: no defence to the threat of J:1h3 a) 20 ...lDxe4? which I had White should choose the simple 21 ... lDxg4!? 1:35 followed by "*'fh6, e.g. vaguely seen was possible but bl) 22 exdS ! lDxdS 23 lDe4 Not a bad move, particularly 27...�xa3 28 J:1h3 "*'ff8 29 '&h4 strongly mistrusted. In subse with a nice safe advantage. in time trouble, but the four hS 30 "*'fxhS+! quent analysis, Tisdall and I b2) Instead 22 it..h4 d4 23 minutes were spent on calcu b22) 26... gS ! is therefore established that it does indeed it..xf6 dxc3 24 bxc3 "*'fxc3 2S lating the consequences of forced at once with very unclear lose to 21 it..xg7! (2 1 dxe4 it..xg7 'J;xg7 is less good. With White attempting to mate Black play which can swing enor it..xd4 22 lDdS exdS 23 .!:txb3 the queen on fl, White can't and nothing else. mously on a single tactic. For axb3 is much less convincing) attack ·on the dark squares. After 22 it..xg7 �xg7 23 instance, if 27 "*'fxgS J:1g8 28 2\...lDd2 22 '&c l! lDxb l 23 There is some pressure against '&xg4 J:1xc3, 24 fxe6 11c7 '&h6 (28 'fih4?? allows 't'fh6 lDxc3 (23 ... 11xc3 24 11fl is f7 but after 26 fxg6 (not 26 looked absolutely fm e and 24 28 ... 't'fc2 29 J:1g1 '&xg2+! and simple) 24 J:1fl lDdS 11xb7_'t'Vxa3 27 fxg6? llcl and m3 exfS 2S exfS ncs defends, mates) Black has a nasty hit not Black wins) 26 ... hxg6 27 nxb7 so I concentrated on 24 f6+ with the obvious 28 ...J:1g6? 29 (see fo llowing diagram) nc7 28 llxc7 (28 d4 '&xD 29 �h8 when if: �h3 ncg8?! 30 g3!, re gxf3 llxb7 doesn't look danger a) 2S '&g5? 11xd3 26 'i!fh6 establishing co-ordination, but 2S it..h8 !! (the move Nigel ous for Black) 28 ...'&xc7 ng8 and wins. 130 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 131 b) 25 :h3 l:lxd3 26 11xh7+ h4! when: after 23 g5 (23 exd5 ttJxd5 24 either variation a21 or a22 be �xh7 27 't!t'h4+ �g8 28 't!t'h6 al) 22...ttJxg4? 23 f6 ttJxf6 ttJe4 is better but a pretty good low White wins a piece for what l:ldl+ 29 lhdl �f3+ 30 Wgi 24 �xf6 �xf6 25 .l'.txf6 is much version for Black) 23 ... dxe4 24 must be inadequate compensa 'ii'xd l+ (30... 't hf6 is enough to worse than in the game since dxe4 ttJxe4 is possible due to tion: assess the variation as decisive Black must lose a tempo to pre the pin on the third rank. If then a2 1) 25 ...l:t xd3 26 fx g7 for Black) 31 �g2 'i!t'e2+ and vent l:txg6+, e.g. 25 ...' it>g7 26 25 f6 ltJd2 26 fxg7 1Itfd8 White �xg7 27 l:lel. after a couple more checks 'ii'd4 e5? 27 '&xd6 1:lxc3 28 is very loose - unless the knight a22) 25 ...h5 26 'ii'gl! (not 26 Black will be able to capture the �xe5 l:tc5 29 l:lxg6+ �xg6 30 can get into play he is in trou '&g5? �h8 27 l:lgl llxd3 28 f6-pawn. l:lgl+ r.t>h7 31 '&g7 mate. ble) Instead of 24 dxe4, 24 l:le3 '&xh5 l:tdl! repelling the attack) c) 25 �3! is critical when: a2) 22 ...e5 is considerably ltJd5 25 ttJxd5 't't'xd5 26 dxe4 26 ...1 hd3 27 fxg7 �xg7 28 cl) 25 ... h5? is obviously very worse than in the variations 't'fb7 is good for Black and 24 llbfl. dangerous, and indeed after 26 below. I'll return to it after ex gxf6 exf3 25 fxg7 �xg7 is un a23) Retreating the bishop is 'ifg3 White seems to be win amining them. clear. now disastrous: 25 ...� h8 26 h5 ning: b) 2l...e5 looks ridiculous but b3) 22 �f2 d5 is very similar g5 27 �xg5 ! crashes through, cll) 26 ... 'iWc2 27 l:tel 'ii'xb2 seems to be playable because of to b2. e.g. 27 ...hxg5 28 't'fxg5+ 'it>h7 (27 ...l:l c5 28 d4 h4 - if the rook various tactical fi nesses made b4) But if White instead 29 ngl l:lxd3 30 'ttf5+ 'it>h6 31 moves �g5 wins - 29 'ifxd6! possible by the temporary plays 22 �e3 then now there is llg6+! �h7 32 ng7+ r.t>h6 33 wins) 28 'ii'g5 �h7 29 l:th3. looseness of the white position: no pin on the third rank, so: l:th7 mate. c12) 26 .. J,'tc5 27 d4 '&c2 28 bl) 22 g5 exd4 23 gxf6 dxc3 b4 1) 22 ... d5? 23 g5 dxe4 24 Nigel now thought for more l:te 1 transposes. 24 fxg7 c,t>xg7 25 f6+ r.t>h8 26 dxe4 is bad. Black can try than half of his remaining time c13) 26... l:t fc 8 27 'Wg5 �h7 bxc3 �xc3 27 �g5 l:tc5 de 24 ...ltJ xe4 but it fa ils to 25 before replying: 28 11th3. fe nds. After 28 �6 l:lg8 and if ltJxe4 �d5 26 'iWg4! (26 ltJd2? 22 f6 1:40 c2) 25 .. .ltc5 ! is of course the 29 l:lh3 l:lh5 Black is doing gxf5 is unclear) 26 ...l:t c4 27 I remember that I was off move you look at from afar. I well. ltJc3 !! '&d3 28 '&gl! defending stage when the realisation hit decided that 26 '&h6 (26 d4? So the bishop must move: the rook on bl and threatening me that he could win a piece. At 'ii'c2!) 26 ... l:lg8 is obviously not b2) 22 �a7 and: to co-ordinate with l:ldl. first I was shocked and won losing for Black; though, as b2 l) Now the obvious b42) But now 22 ...ltJ xg4! is dered why he was taking so Short later pointed out, White 22 ...ttJ xg4? is bad after 23 ttJd5 playable because the natural 23 long to see it, but by the time he can draw with 27 l:lh3 l:lh5 28 when if: I:i:Jd5? is a blunder, allowing made his move I'd realised that l:txh5 gxh5 29 l:tgl! l:lxg l+ 30 b2 11) 23... ttJ f6 24 ttJe7+ 'it>h8 'iWxd3, and 23 'i!t'xg4 lhc3 24 f6 it would be quite playable for Of course not 22 ... jl,xf6? 23 27 lIf2 1:47 could later aim to set up the the excitement got too much 1:txf6. 27 �a4 would get hit by pawn on e5 and transfer the and I fm ally stopped recording 23 jl,xf6 1 :40 jl,xf6 1 :37 27...�6! and if 28 �xa3 knight to f6. 32 dxe4 might be all the clock times. 24 lhf6 1:40 b4! 1:38 28 ...l:ta8 29 ttJa4 'ilfd4 and wins; reasonable in a postal game or 36 lOb3 2S axb4 1 :46 a3 1:38 or 28 bxa3 �d8 29 't't'd4 e5. played by a computer, but it If 36 ttJa2 '&f3+ 37 �g2 27 ... axb2 1 :43 was madness for a human being nd l+ 38 l:txdl '&xd l+ 39 �g l In principle one would prefer in time trouble. Instead 32 l:lxe4 'iWf3+ 40 �g2 'ilfxg2+ 41 Wxg2 to keep the tension with �a8 should be fine for Black. nc2+; or 36 l:l4b3 nxc I!; while 27 ...'t't'd4, but after 28 l:tc2 axb2 32 ... �e3! 1:50 36 l:t4b2 doesn 't prevent the 29 ttJe2 �e3 30 l:tcxb2 White threat of 36 ...'t'if3+ 37 ng2 has regained his co-ordination. l:tdl. 28 ttJa2 '&d4 36 'ti'f3+ 29 lUxb2 1:47 37 'i1J'g2 l:tdl+1: 58 It was also possible to take 38 l:txdl 'fkxdl+ with the other rook, but 29 ...d5 39 'ti'gl �e2 1:58 would still be playable for 40 h3 Black. In any case, White's Or 40 '&al e5 41 �g l 'iWg4+ mistakes come later. 42 Wh l �f3+ 43 Wg l nc2 44 Despite White's extra piece, 29 •.• dS 1:44 nb8+ <3;g7 45 '&xe5+ �h6 and Black has excellent chances of 30 l:tb4?! 1:48 wins. holding the game. He will not Much too ambitious. Nigel's 40 ... l:tc2 1 :59 only be able to eliminate all the problem was that in view of the And after a few minutes' queenside pawns but also one of match situation he fe lt he had to White is on the brink. In fact thought, Nigel resigned. This White's centre pawns. A likely win; so he avoided solid moves he can still defend and indeed was the first time that either of result will be an ending of rook in the hope of gaining more. I'd play for the advantage with ei us had beaten the other with lmight and h-pawn against rook expected either 30 �f3 or 30 ther 33 ttJb3, and if 33 ...l:tfd8 34 Black in a proper tournament and f-, g- and h-pawn which 'tIfe2!?, when if, for example, '&f1 llc2 35 l:tel! �h6 36 lle2; game. Of course, I was lucky in would be an easy draw. 30 ...dxe4 31 �xe4 (31 dxe4!?) or even 33 ttJd3, and if that I missed some very danger Today, I would be worried 3l...l:tfd8 32 �xd4 nxd4 33 33 .. .llfd8 34 nlb3 but neither ous moves and it turned out not about playing this position nb8 .::txb8 34 nxb8+ Wg7, I felt of us saw anything clearly at the to matter. Had I seen everything against a computer, which, una that Black should be able to time. Instead Nigel panicked in advance then I would have fraid of checks and hurricane draw without undue difficulty. with: been immensely proud of this fast at calculation, might well 30 .•. 'iWa7 1:47 33 '&gl? 1:56 game, but even so I have a seri fm d a way to co-ordinate the 31 ttJcl?! 1:49 The losing move. ous soft spot for it. white forces effectively. But of Nunn prefers 31 l:ta4. 33 't'if3+ 1:53 There is a slightly dreamlike course, Nigel was under great 31 ... dxe4 1:48 34 't't'g2 1:56 '&dl+ 1:55 quality to some of my play - the pressure due to the match situa 32 dxe4?! 1:48 3S 't't'gl 1 :55 l:lfd8 1 :57 way reasonable positional tion and, moreover, was drifting It was imperative to recapture Luckily I had a way to im moves held up if not com into time trouble. Under those with the rook, but, as Nunn ex prove while definitely keeping pletely, at least to a sufficient circumstances Black's position plains, Short was still pursuing the perpetual. There is now no degree, against aU sorts of di is fully playable. the elusive win and reasoned good defence to the threat of rect threats - which would not 26 'iWdl 1:46 'iWxb4 1:39 that by keeping the e-pawn he ... �f3+ and ...nd l. At this point nonnally appear if I were more 134 Seven Days in London Seven Days in London 135 on the planet and calculating a good flowing course, even if nervous about 8 ... Jtb7 when favour. All my nerves disap rationally. This is not the way I the barnacles underneath the Black has a free game. There is peared and the rest was rela usually aspire to play chess, but craft are constantly alanned by nothing obviously better than 9 tively painless. steering by instinct does lead to hidden reefs, barely avoided. tllxd5 Jtxd5 10 Jtxd5 1'i'xd5 11 9 dxe3 :a7 0-0 and here I believe I started 10 a4 Jtb7 Game 23 to wind myself up about 11 e4 !ta8 J.Speelman-N.Short 11...lllc6. Instead in a game five ll...lbc6 12 0-0 followed by London (5th matchgame) 1988 years later, Epishin played Jte3 and !tdl would be similar. Catalan Opening 1l...1'i'c6 against Polugayevsky 12 0-0 Jte7 - a move I also have a vague 13 ltdl �c8 1 tlln 0:02 Polugayevsky had recently memory of having noticed - 14 Jtf4 lLlc6 Of course we had no idea been doing rather well with this and they quite quickly drew: 12 15 lba3! how Nigel would try to play this move. For instance, 5 ... c5 6 't'ic3 b4 13 '&xc6+ tllxc6 14 e3 Forcing Black to cede the c4- game. He had seemed pretty tlla3 lllc6 7 tllxc4 'Wic7 8 d3 0-0-0 15 a3 �b7 16 !tdl as 17 square. shattered after the end of the lbd5 9 0-0 i.e7 10 a3 lbd4 11 �fl Jte7 18 �e2 !td5 19 axb4 15 e5 1 previous game, but chessplayers lllxd4 cxd4 12 Jtd2 0-0 13 axb4 20 d3 !thd8 12-112 16 Jte3 b4 are tough people, none more so llac l Jtf6 14 't'ib3 'i'fd7 15 !tc2 Polugayevsky-Epishin, Tilburg 17 lbc4 0-0 than Nigel; so we were certainly b6 16 Jtf4 Jtb7 17 Jte5 Jtxe5 1993. This is a draw based on 18 !tact! expecting some serious trouble. 18 lllxe5 'li'd6 19 lbf3 e5 20 serious mutual respect. White 18 as was no doubt also One of the advantages of I lbf3 !tfel !tad8 21 lbd2 Jta8 22 a4 has the better pawn structure strong, but I didn't want any is that, as Tisdall put it in Ne w h6 23 as !tb8 24 axb6 axb6 25 but Black much the better de stray pawns, even one as well in Chess: 'A wise and wily 'ilib5 !tfd8 26 !taI tllc7 27 't'ic4 velopment. With an effort, one guarded as this. Why not keep it Swede once told me that this Jtxg2 28 �xg2 lbe6 29 'i'fc6 could convince oneself one was simple? was a good choice against �e7 30 :a6 !td6 31 !ta8 1hc6 worse with either colour ! 18 %le8 Stonewall Dutch players. That 32 !txb8+ �h7 33 I1xc6 'Db4 19 lbd2 Itd8 is how Seirawan chose to exit 34 !tc2 'iWd6 35 .:tcc8 't'id5+ 36 20 lbb3 lhdl+ the cycle against Speelman, and n b5 37 �f2 lllc5 38 !t.d8 'iWc6 21 ltxdl l:12 Jtd6 1:21 Short, of course, has tried it be 39 !tdc8 �d5 40 h4 b4 41 l1d8 22 �c5 1:17 fore.' lbd7 42 !tbc8 'ti'e6 43 lbe4 f6 The holes on the queenside render Black's position ex 1 .. . tllf6 0:04 44 !tc7 1-0 Polugayevsky 2 c4 0:03 e6!? 0:0& H.Olafsson, Akureyri 1988. tremely unpleasant. And Nigel's coming attempts to stir up trou Offering another battle in the 5 ... a6 0:13 Queen's Gambit, but they can't 6 llJe5 0: 14 lbd5! 0:20 ble merely exacerbated matters. have been too surprised when I This excellent move neutral 22 'li'e6 opted instead for a Catalan. ises White's slightly pretentious 23 e3 !tc8 3 g3 0:06 d5 0:09 scheme. 24 JtO lbe7 4 Jtg2 0:0& dxc4 0:09 7 lLlxc4 0:22 b5 0:24 25 nc1 ,&g4 Nigel decides to play it sim 8 lLle3 0:27 8 ... lbxe3?? 0:27 26 Jtg2 h5!? ple and hope that the tension The critical point of the Quite the reverse of the strat 27 llJa5 Jta8 will get to me later. game. Under the extreme stress egy implied by 2 ...e6 and 28 'i'c4 Jtxc5 5 �c2!? 0:10 of the occasion, I was pretty 4 ...dxc4. This unbalances the 29 �xc5 lbg6 position but greatly in White's 30 h3 �e2 1:42 136 Seven Days in London 31 'iWxb4 1:33 that it wouldn't be impolite to offer a draw. But after eight more minutes, Nigel resolutely continued. 31 ltd8 1:50 32 jLfl '&0 33 jLg2 1 :40 �f6 1 :50 4 Skirting the Precipice Otherwise, I was quite happy shamelessly to repeat. 34 ltJc4 jLc6 3S 'tIkaS jLe8 36 �xc7 jLxa4 37 �b6 1:46 jLbS 1:56 This chapter consists of three games, since in the first against Here Nigel offered a draw examples of the power of the Murray Chandler it was I who Since this position is not only himself; an offer I was more irrational - games in which I was dictating events and delib more or less winning but I was than happy to accept, despite succeeded in changing the erately aimed for the combina also ahead on time, I decided White's overwhelming position. course of events by a totally tion. For all their charm neither unexpected move. It is perhaps of the other two is very sound. no coincidence that I was Black But I don't greatly regret this in all three: it is normally only since in battle one must use all when one is under pressure that the weapons at one's disposal. one feels the need for such And I certainly fared better by shock tactics. skirting the precipice than I Actually this generalisation would have by meekly awaiting only applies to the latter two my fate in the valleys below. Game 24 M.Chandler-J.Speelman British Championship. Edinburgh 1985 Caro-Kann Defence, Advance variation 1 e4 0:01 C6 0:02 This has often been played by 2 d4 0:01 dS 0:03 Boris Spassky. White induces 3 e5 0:02 the slightly weakening ...h5, at Not an unwelcome choice the cost of his own slight weak since the Advance variation, ness on h4. while quite dangerous, gives Nowadays white players usu Black good long-term pros- ally follow Nigel Short's de pects. ceptively quiet 4 ltJf3 intending 3 jLfS 0:06 jLe2 and 0-0. Black 'has a good 4 h4 0:03 game', but the break ...c5 will 138 Skirting the Precipice Skirting the Precipice 139 The idea is to play liJg3-e4 lose another tempo and White 16... .l1l.xd6 17 i.xd6 llgS (the g 'tlfxd l+ 14 Q;xdl l'.lxhS IS g3. and then .l1l.gS, attacking on the often manages to whip up a se file and Black's central control So perhaps Black must destabi rious attack. The aggressive 4 dark squares and hoping to get give him an edge) IS l'.lfe l '3'g6 lise the centre with lO... cS, in liJd6(+). liJc3 e6 S g4 was all the rage for 19 '&h3 'it'd7 20 .l1l.cs l'heS 21 when my initial reaction today, some years but is much less .l1l.xb6!? axb6 22 a4 11e7 23 '&f3 a dozen years later, was that 11 well regarded now. lleg7 24 g3 '&fS! 2S �g2 llg4 dS would be dangerous, and 4 . .. hS 0:07 26 '&xfS exfS 27 'it>f3 11eS 2S indeed after ll...liJxeS 12 .l1l.f4 Essential to fight for some l'.ledl! (forced) (12 dxe6 liJf6 looks much less space on the kingside, though convincing) gives White a very the gS-square is slightly weak dangerous initiative. ened. 10 ... liJh6! 0:42 c4 0:03 dxc4 0: 10 5 Now the knight will always Sometimes they play S ...e6 be able to come to fS, covering first and only capture on c4 d6. later. But this doesn't seem to 11 liJgS?! 0:49 have any great advantages; and Very odd. Although there are it is nice to fix the pawn struc some vague threats against e6, 8 ... .l1l.e7 0:38 ture with the slightly weak d these are easily dealt with. II Eight years later, forgetting pawn, rather than leave White .l1l.gS was natural, but after the option of cxdS!? exactly what I'd played against 2S ...f4 ! 29 gxf4 (if 29 liJxf4 1l....l1l.xe4 (1l...'&aS+ 12 �f1 At one time, it was thought Murray, I tried instead liJxf4 30 gxf4 l:txh4) 29 ...fS 30 liJfS 13 liJxfS .l1l.xfS 14 .l1l.xe7 Black could equalise with S... liJb6!? against Ekstrom in a as bxaS 31 lhaS llxh4 32 llg1 .l1l.xe4 IS .l1l.d6 is playable for S ....l1l.xb l6 l:txb l e6. But this is European Club Cup match. This l'.lg4 33 l'.lga l h4 34 l'.la7 �c7 Black but unnecessary) 12 does have the advantage that the a very simplistic approach, as 3S llaS llggS 36 llxeS llxeS 37 liJxe4 liJfS Black is comfort Boris Spassky amply demon bishop has to retreat before it llg1 liJb43S 11g7+�b6 39 liJc3 able. strated in a fine win against can go to e2. After 9 .l1l.d3!? liJd3! (threatening 40 ...liJe l 11 ... 'i!l'aS+ 0:50 Vasser Seirawan in the second (maybe 9 .l1l.b3)... 9 .l1l.xd3 10 mate) 40 q;g2 liJxf4+ 41 �h2 With White's pieces some '&xd3 '&d7 11 .l1l.gS f6, he Phillips and Drew Kings, Lon liJe2 42 �h3 liJxc3 43 bxc3 what lacking in co-ordination, don 19S2: 7 a3 liJd7 S liJf3 g6 9 meekly retreated with 12 .l1l.f4 lle2 44 11g 1 11xf2 4S q;xh4 l'.lf3 this is surprisingly strong . .l1l.gS .l1l.e7 10 cxdS cxdS II .l1l.d3 (the forcing 12 liJf4 fxgS 13 46 llb l+ 'it>c7 47 llb3 bS 4S dS 12 i.d2 1:08 l'.lcS 12 0-0 'it'fS 13 l'.lc l l'.lxcl liJg6 11h6 14 hxgS l'.lxg6 IS cS ! 49 llxbS llxc3 SO �gS q;d6 Or 12 'it>f1 0-0-0 with pres 14 '&xcl <3;g7 IS '&f4 .l1l.xgS 16 '&xg6+ '&f7 16 '&xf7+ q;xf7 17 SI 'it'xfS �xdS and I won in a sure against d4 and eS. liJxgS liJh6 17 l'.lc 1 'i!t'b6 IS b4 l'.lxhS was well worth consider further 14 moves. 12 ... .l1l.b4 0:56 lleS 19 llc3 l'.le7 20 lkS liJgS ing) and the game continued 9 liJg3 0: 17 i.g6 0:40 13 liJSe4 1:14 21 g4 hxg4 22 h5 fS 23 exf6+ l2... liJe7 13 0-0 liJedS 14 liJe4 10 liJce4 0:22 If 13 a3 .l1l.xd2+ 14 'tlfxd2 liJdxf6 24 '&eS g3 2S llx S+ '&f7!? IS exf6 gxf6 16 liJd6+? g Aiming at d6; but after my '&xd2+ IS 'it'xd2 0-0-0 - or 'it>xgS 26 '&xf6 gxf2+ 27 <3;g2 (16 i.d6 is better, as after reply, Black holds the dark maybe IS ... lldS when the king '&c7 2S '&xg6+ 'it>fS 29 '&f6+ 16... 0-0-0 17 .l1l.xfS '&xfS IS squares. 10 .l1l.e2 seems better will be very happy on e7 - 16 1-0. liJcs White has play against the because 10 ....l1l.xh4 11 liJxhS 'it'c3 cS! 6 .l1l.xc40:04 e6 0: 11 e6-pawn; while Black must also .l1l.xhS 12 .l1l.xhS looks better for 13 ... .l1l.xe4 0:59 7 liJc3 0:08 liJd70: 17 keep his eye on the hS-pawn if White. The attempted combina 14 liJxe4 1: 16 liJfS 0:59 8 liJge2!? 0:13 the position begins to simplify) tion 12... liJxeS fails to 13 dxeS As a result of the tempo loss 140 Skirting the Precipice Skirting the Precipice 141 lLle4-g5-e4, White's centre is But 17 -ac l was conceivable, White; though 20 .ixb5 lLlxe5 Andrew Martin reported in now under serious pressure. though it leaves Black with a 21 lLlxf7 lLlxf7 is less clear. the BCM that 'White made this 15 .ic3!? 1:17 .ixc3+! 1:09 very wide choice of attacking b3) But White's best reply is move with a confident air. ' Of course, I would have pre continuations: the surprisingly strong 19 Certainly, it looks as though he ferred not to strengthen White's a) If 17... lLlxe5!? IS dxe5 lLlxb7!, trying to commit the is getting out, since if 19.. .'Ci'xc3 centre; but the various pins �xe5 19 f3 I could choose be black queen to e5 too early so 20 l:tcl 'tWa3 21 f4 with an at prove extremely unpleasant in tween: that if tack. It is perfectly possible that the short term, so I can smash it al) 19... lLld6 20 .ie2 (20 b31) 19... �xe5+ 20 �fl l:tbS Black, who is two pawns up at up before White gets organised. �g5? lLlxc4) 20 ...lLlxe4 21 fxe4 21 cxd4 with a big advantage. the moment, could survive, but If instead 15... :'dS 16 'fid2, in when there probably isn't any b32) 19.. .'�a4 is a better try, I had no wish to defend. tending 16 ... .ixc3 17 '&xc3!; or thing better than 21...'&xe4 but simply 20 cxd4 �b4+ 21 While if 19... lDxe5 20 cxd4 if 15 ...0-0-0 either 16 'ffd2 orl6 which is pretty unclear. 'iot>e2 '&xb7 22 lIdl is nice for lLlxd3 21 lLlxb7 �f5 22 lLlxdS '&b3. a2) 19 ... lDg3 20 'figS ! �xg5 White; while 20 O-O! looks even l:txdS 23 �a4! Black has play 16 bxc3 1:18 l:td8! 1:10 21 hxg5 lLlxh I 22 c,t>e2 when better. for the exchange - the knight Clearly I had taken this deci the ending looks reasonable for c) 17... lLlb6! is most sensible. will be very dangerous when it sion when playing 15... .ixc3+. White. Is lLld2 and now: goes to f4 - but White is active It would be nice to castle, but b) 17... lLlxd4 isn't a move cl) Is ...lLlxd4 is very ap too. However, this variation after 16... 0-0-0? 17 �b3 lDxe5 which I examined at the time, pealing, as after 19 cxd4 llxd4 only works for White because not (17... lLlxd4?? IS lLld6+) IS since the alternatives seemed so Black has a very dangerous at the knight on d4 is en prise, i.xe6+! (IS 1':'1bl!? also worried appealing and it is always nice tack for the piece, e.g. 20 .ie2 which makes it a desperado: a me at the time) IS.. .fxe6 19 to avoid a knight on d6 if possi 0-0 21 � c2 lUdS 22 0-0-0 doomed piece trying to sell its 'ii'xe6+, the natural 19... lLld7 ble. 18lLld6+ c,t>fS (not however �xe5 !? (threatening 23 .. .lhd2) life as dearly as possible. When allows a hit 20 'ffxf5!, repulsing IS.. .'�e7? 19 �g5+ 'it>fS 20 when: selecting this continuation I'd the black attack and keeping an �fl lLlxe5 21 lDxb7 f6 22 lLlxa5 cll) 23 lLlf3 '&f4+ 24 l:td2 already decided on: extra pawn; while if 19.A.'bS fxg5 23 cxd4 lLlxc4 24 lLlxc4 (24 �b I? l:tb4+ 25 'it>aI �f6+) 20 'ii'xe5+ 'ffxe5 21 dxe5 l:theS and wins) looks somewhat like 24... l:txd2 25 lLlxd2 is foul for 22 f4 White keeps control. the game: White. bl) Now 19 0-0 lDf3+! 20 c12) 23 lLlb3 '@'f4+ 24 �bl gxf3 lLlxe5 21 %:tdl! (not 21 ltxdl+ 25 llxd l lDd5! also lLlxb7 lLlxf3+ 22 'iot>g2 �f5 23 looks very nice for Black. 1ild l �g4+ 24 �fl �xc4+ and But if Black doesn't want to Black wins) 21..J:txd6! 22 risk sacrificing a piece then the lhd6 lLlxc4 23 ltd4 lDe5 is un safest is to take a pawn which, clear. if heated at all, is lukewarm at b2) And 19 �fl can be met most with: by either: c2) Is ... lLlxc4 19 lLlxc4 '@'d5 b21) 19 ...lLlf5 20 lLlxb7 �a4 20 lDe3 lLlxe3 21 �xe3 '@'xg2 21 lLlxdS 'ilt'xc4+ 22 'it>g 1. 22 0-0-0 �d5. This simple line 19 ... lLlf3+!! 1:20 b22) Or even 19... lLlb5, when effectively refutes 17 'fic1. A shocking sacrifice which the continuation 20 lLlxb7 �a4 17 lLlxd4 1:15 leaves White with serious prob 17 .id3 1:40 21 .ib3? (2 1 lDxdS �xc4+ 22 18 lLld6+ 1:45 ct;e7 1:18 lems. I can't remember now, If 17 O-O? lLlxe5 is simple. 'it>g l) 2l...'&a6! is bad for 19 0-0 1:45 ' when I first noticed it, but the 142 Skirting the Precipice Skirting the Precipice 143 ten-minute think before playing may be stronger. the h5-pawn and so threatens Instead 2l...�xc3 22 ttJxd8 IS... .ixc3+ suggests that it was bI I) 22 ...'fixc3 is extremely ...\t>f8. After 24 .ic2 cj(f8 White llxd8 23 :tcl 'Wxd3 24 lIYxd3 then - or perhaps during Mur foolhardy, since 23 'axfS f6 24 has to try 25 �f6, since other �xd3 was also very pleasant, ray's time, while he was decid .ibl! (24 .ic2 loses a crucial wise ...\t>g7 will leave Black but I preferred to keep the ing on 17 .id3. tempo after 24 .. Jld2 2S .ib3 totally safe. Black plays queens on. My decision de 20 gxf3 1:51 �d8! 26 J:rd l off; while 26 rut! fi'e4 is going to play, Lev Psakhis tends 19 Jl.e1 0:54 g60:50 speedily decisive to get on with it. So before this It was also possible to try to 26 ... 1:txc3! 1 :39 move he'd spent just one min use the 'weakening' ...f6 with Since there is no win with ute. But my perfectly natural 19.. .'.i>f7 or even to initiate checks, the rook simply moves 12th move was less conunon some kingside play with away, preparing to land on c2; than ...tiJb4, and so he started to 19... h5 !? and controlling cS so that ...g6 think. 20 %:tabl 1 :02 is now an additional threat, 13 ... l:[d8 0:17 The position is threatening to moving the queen off before the 14 Jl.gS+!? 0:19 stabilise with White holding a final blood bath initiated by Inducing a slight weakness, pleasant edge ...... wg4+. though it is not inunediately 20 ... tiJdb4!?0:59 27 ltab1 2:16 'Wh2+ 1:40 clear whether this will be useful I'd already more or less de 28 �fl 2:16 'i't'h3+ 1:40 to White or not. 14 Jl.d2 is also cided on the following rather 26 l:tfdl2: 13 29 'iti'e2 2:16 %:tc2+ 1:41 perfectly playable at once. desperate expedient. Unsurprisingly, there is sim 30 �e3 2:18 14 f6 0:17 21 a3 1:04 ply too much fu e power aimed Or 30 �d3 tiJel+and mate in 15 Jl.d20: 19 %:td6 0:26 at the white king. If 26 't'i'cS+ a few moves 16 0-0 0:27 %:tad8 0:34 tiJxh4+ 1 :41 'iti'f6! 27 l:[hl ..wg4+ 28 'iti'fl 30 17 %:tfc1 0:43 0-1 tiJd2+ 29 �el 't'i'e4+ finshes The other rook was also pos sible and indeed had been Game 25 played in Bellon-Seirawan, Zu L.Psakhis-J.Speelman rich 1984. Hastings 1987/88 17 ... b6 0:35 Queen's Gambit Accepted Here I offered a draw. Black has a well centralised position 1 d4 dS 8 tiJd2 tiJe7!? with at the moment even a 2 c4 dxc4 Surrendering both bishops for slight space advantage; but if he 3 tiJf3 c5 knights. A few months later drifts then he is likely gradually 4 d5 e6 8 ... tiJc6 was introduced, which to be driven back. White wilJ 21 ... tiJa2?! 1:00 5 tiJc3 exd5 keeps the bishops but at the cost hope to exchange one or both How should one annotate a 6 't'i'xd5 't'fxd5 of some time. pairs of rooks; and then slowly move like this? The rationale is 7 tiJxd5 Jl.d6 9 tiJxc4 tiJxd5 exploit the advantage of the two that Black is beautifully cen In this line of the Queen's 10 tiJxd6+ b22) So here Black must play 27 e5 1:43 b2) 49 �d4! is much more 26...li:lf6! 27 %hd5 li:lxh5, but 28 JLb4 1:49 na6 1:46 controlled, as after 49 ...'it>d6 50 with the rook on f1 rather than 29 'Wb5 1:50 Sl.d7!? 1:50 b4 f5 either 51 b5 g5 52 cJ;>c4 cl this looks playable for Black. In time trouble, I didn't want 'iot>c7 53 JLe3! or 51 cJ;>c4 li:lxb4 22 ... '&xe5 1 :29 to be attacked after 29 .. J:td8 30 52 �xb4+ �e5 53 cJ;>d3 must 23 �d3 1:34 �e7. win. Played instantly. If 23 �c2 30 �xb7 1:51 �xe3+ 1:51 42 �xa3 2:03 li:le3+2:19 Black ought to try 23 ...f5 24 31 'iot>hl 1:51 l:.a7 1:51 43 Wg1 2:05 IIa8!? 2:31 '*'fd3 li:lf6, since 23 ...b5 24 '*'fd3 Not 3l...nb6 32 '*'fa7. After quite a long think I re f5 25 e4 fxe4 26 �xe4 �xe4 27 32 JLd2? jected 43 ...li:lg4 44 llxc2 ltxc2, �xe4 �a6 is very ragged; the 32 '&f3 would have kept a since I felt that despite my con a3-pawn, in particular, is in se large safe advantage. Here my siderable activity the queenside rious trouble. record of the times disappeared pawns would be too strong: 23 .•. l:.a6! 1:35 as we bashed our way through 41 ... };tfe8! 2:17 a) My notes in In/ormator Much the best way to get ac the time scramble. After 4l...J:ld8 42 ltxc2 continue 45 �c l li:lxh2 and: tive. 32 ti'd4 li:le3+ 43 'it>f2 li:lxc2 44 .!Xdl all Here I produced 46 a4?? 24 c4 1:43 li:lf6 1:35 33 JLc3 '&e5 li:lb4 45 ltd2 li:lxa2 46 �f4! li:lf3+ 47 �fl which, in my ter 25 JLg2 1 :45 .!Xd6 1:39 34 �b4? '&c7 lixd2+ 47 �xd2 White traps ror at the a-pawn, I assessed as Black seems to have achieved 35 c5? the knight, which I judged to be winning for White; but after some activity, but a couple of decisive. And certainly only 47 ...li:ld4! Black is absolutely excellent moves by the World White can win, though it will fine since if 48 J:lb l li:lxb3. Champion promptly dispelled take a lot of time to win the a2) If 46 �e3? li:lf3+ 47 'iot>fl this illusion: knight, requiring the white king llh2 ! and White has nothing 26 'ti'c3! 1:45 'C'fg5 1:40 to travel a long way. Black can better than 48 �cL 27 �a5! 1:48 often create a passed f-pawn, so a3) So 46 b4! is correct, when Black can't afford to ex White must play accurately: the pawns really are dangerous change queens, but now the a) 47 .. .f5 48 'iot>e3 g5 49 'it>d4 b) 45 �b4 li:lxh2 46 a4 li:lf3+ weaknesses on a3 and b7 are 'it>f7 50 �e5 'it>g6 51 b4 li:lxb4 47 Wfl li:ld4 (better than very pronounced. 52 �xb4 a2 53 JLc3 looks 47 ...l1h2 48 lta3!) 48 ltb l! is hopeless as long as White ne also very threatening. gotiates the stalemate trap c) The calm 45 h3 is also 53... g4 54 'it>e6 cJ;>g5 55 JLe5 possible, when if 45 ... li:le5 46 35 ... JLe6? 'iot>h5 56 'iot>xf5?? (56 Wf6!) �cl li:lf3+ 47 Wfl White has an Missing an excellent chance. 56 ... a 1 'C'f 57 �xa L extra h-pawn compared to 35 ...ltb8! would have won the b) 47... still the days of 40 moves in IS �xe2 loses the queen after two-and-a-half hours, but by a few checks: IS.. .'t'ibS+ 16 move 20 I was already in a <,t.oel lDd3+ 17 >i>fl lDf4+ 18 slight rush and he in a serious Wgl lDe2+ 19 'tikxe2 'tikxe2 20 hurry. .txcS. Not only does Black 3 dxeS 0:02 d4 0:05 have a nominal material ad 5 'Reginicide' 4 lDf30:03 lDc6 0:05 vantage, but White's forces are 5 g3 0:05 .te6 0:07 much too loose. 6 lDbd2 0:05 'tikd7 0:07 15 ... .ta6 1:50 7 a3 0:14 lDge7 0:14 lS ... lDd3+ 16 Wxe2 'ffxfS 17 8 lDb3 0:37 lDg6 0:25 �hcl is good for White. Black 9 lDbxd4 0:42 0-0-0 0:58 has no better than 17 ... lDxc1+ After 33 minutes' thought. (if 17...�he8+ 18 �fl defends - The queen sacrifice - the tri than three Ladies to the Guillo The more modest 9 ... .txc4 was but not 18 .te3?? '\5'xf2+) 18 umph of energy over matter - tine in just eleven games. also quite playable. �xc1 �he8+ 19 .te3 (even 19 has always appealed to me in From their blood I reaped 10 .te3 0:43 lDgxeS 1:06 <,t.ofl is legal since White can the abstract; and over the years three points, which - combined 11 lDxeS 1:07 lDxeS 1:07 interpose 19 .. .'ii'xc2 20 .th3+!) I probably have had recourse to with other acts of barbarism - 12 .tg2 1:25 19 ...'t'ixc2+ 20 :;txc2 and the this weapon rather more often sufficed for eight points from Not 12 b3 lDg4! two bishops yield a big end than I should. Nevertheless, it 11 games, clear second a point 12 .tXC4 1:16 game advantage. was quite a coincidence when in behind Tony Miles. 13 'B'c2 1:38 .tcS 1:25 IS ... .tc4 was possible, to the British Championship in Here are those three 'regin 14 lDfS 1:45 block the c-fiJe and so prevent Torquay 1982, I sent no less icides'. 14 O-O-O!? occurred to me as the game continuation. But at a very sensible alternative on the time I was positively hoping Game 27 re-examining this game four to be able to sacrifice my queen. J.Levitt-J.Speelman teen years later. 16 lDd6+! 2:07 British Championship (round 1), Torquay 1982 If 16 .te4 (16 lDe7+ �xc2 b6 22 .itb4 (not 22 ble, it is best to avoid forcing bll) The ending after l:tb6 (or 29 ...nb5 30 .itxc4) 30 lDc6+? �b7 23 lDe5 l:td5 24 moves unless they really. are 25...tLlc4!? 26 b5 .!:[xa3+ 27 .ltxc4 .!:[d1 + 31 '1t>a2. lDxf7 when 24 ...l:txc5 is check) strong: he will usually have 'ilfxa3 lDxa3 28 bxa6 lDbS 29 c2) 28 'We4 lLlaS 29 'ilff4+ 22 ...c5! (22 ...a5? 23 lDc6+ �b7 prepared a reply to direct axb7 (29 .itxb7 .!:[d2+ 30 �b3 looks fairly balanced - though 24 lDe5 lId5 25 .itc3) 23 lDc6+ threats, but will have to reorient lDd6) 29 ...l'ld2+ 30 '1t>b3 lDd6 of course White is doing much �c7 24 lDe5 cxb4 25 lDxd7 himself against more subtle ap looks pretty good for Black. better than in line b2 in the note �xd7 looks equal. proaches. So after just six min b12) 25 ... lDb3! 26 .!:[c2 lLld4 to 23 ...f6. 16 �b8 1:52 utes I kept the tension with a gives Black an extremely dan 25 lLle52: 12 17 0-0-0 2:07 cxd6! 1 :53 positional move to support the gerous attack. 26 .lth32:27 b6 2: 13 18 .itxd6+ 2:10 'iixd6! 1 :53 knight on e5. b2) Of course, in practice 27 'i't'xh7 2:28 19 lIxd6 2:10 lIxd6 1:53 23 ... f6?! 2:12 White would always reply 24 27 nc2 is legal, since Although Black has just a But objectively Black should �d l when 24 ....ltc4 !? wins the 27....!:[d l+ 28 �a2 .ltd3 (or first rook and knight and no pawns have got on with it: exchange, but after 25 l'lxc4 28... .itc4+ 29 b3 .itd3) loses to . for the queen, the white king is a) 23 ... lDxb2 looks good but lLlxc4 White has reasonably 29 nc8+ �b7 30 lIxd8 .itxfS 31 '{!f looking pretty shaky and I was after 24 c2 (24 � as lDc4 25 obvious moves to make. .itg2+! feeling fairly confident. li:YfS transposes to variation a2 Against an opponent in time But Black can reply 20 '(!f a4 2 :22 lIhd8 2:03 below) 24 ... lDc4 White has two trouble, 24... g6! looks even 27 ...lt2d7 when if 28 f4? .ltd3 21 �bl 2:23 lDc4 2:05 good lines: better as long as White doesn't 29 'i'h5 .ltxc2 30 .ltxd7 lLlxd7 22 l'lc12:25 l:td42:06 al) 25 it'xh7? InVites have a way to avoid shedding wins material. 23 �aI 2:25 2S .. J:td3! with a dangerous at· material later. 27 ... .itc4 2:16 tack. 24 'iic2! 2:25 27 ... lLld3 is better but both of a2) But 25 fif5 l'ld3 26 lhc4 24 .ith3? fails to 24 ... lLld2! 25 us totally missed White's refu .ltxc4 27 'i't'f4+ �a8 28 '&xc4 b4 (25 'Wxd4 lLlb3+; 25 it'c2? tation of the attack. ltdl+ 29 <;Pb2 lt8d2+ 30 �b3 ltc4; 2S 'Wdl .ltc4) 25 ....itc4 26 .!:[d3+ is an immediate draw (not <;Pb2 bS 27 'iic2 (27 it'a6 l'l4d6 30 ....tlb I +? 31 <;Pa4 when the b 28 '(!faS lLlb3) 27... lLlb3. pawn is pinned). 24 ... l'ld2 2: 11 a3) And 2S .ltfl! covers the 25 'i't'f5 d3 ·square, giving White a rela It is best to centralise. The tively easy game and leaving greedier 2S it'xh7 leads to the Black pretty uncomfortable; fo llowing variations: though after a sensible move a) 2S ...l'lxb2? loses to 26 like 2S ...g6 it is far from clear ltxc4 lhf227 l'lc2. Here I perhaps should have how White can improve his po b) If 2S .. Jhf2 26 .lthl lLla5 taken longer. Black obviously sition. or 26... lLld2 (not 26... lLlxb2 27 has reasonable compensation b) But 23 ...lDd2 looks best: �xg7 lDc428 .itd5) 27 .itd5! for the queen, but I persuaded bl) 24 b4 would be unrea c) 25 ...lLla5 (best) 26 .!:[c3 Prior to annotating this game myself that immediate action sonably brave when short of .itc4! 27 .!:[xc4 (27 .ite4? .!:[dl+ in 1996, I'd believed that it was, didn't seem to work very well. time: 24 .. .1;td3 25 '1t>a2 (after 2S 28 .itbl lDb3+ 29 l'lxb3 .ltxb3 if not totally sound, at least pre This was a conclusion I was b5 lDb3+ 26 <;Pb2 lDxc1 27 and wins) 27 ...lLlxc4 and now: sentable. But I made the psy predisposed to come to since, bxa6 lDe2 Black has at least a cl) 28 'Wxg7!? leads to a chological, if not technical with the opponent in time trou- draw) and now: draw after 28 .. Jhb2! 29 .ltd5! mistake of turning on Fritz. It 164 'Reginicide ' 'Reginicide ' 165 turns out that White can inflict ning ending: 29 ...Itxci 30 '&xci grievous damage with 28 f4 ! .Jtb3 31 fxeS .l1d I 32 'tlrxd l kingside attack. 9 h6 (not 28 Vlixg7? Itd l 29 Itbl [or .Jtxdl 33 exf6 gxf6 etc. b) 9... iLf5 ! was recom 10 e3 iL.fS 29 'ti'h6 .Jtb3) 29 ...Itxb I + 30 Instead White panicked with: mended by Keres as an im 11 h3 't't'd7 �xbl .Jtb3 and Black wins) 28 b3? 2:28 iLxb3 2:16 provement and has been played 12 'it>h2 l1ab8 28 ...l1d l (if 28 ....Jtg8 29 'fjIxg7 29 '8xg7 2:28 .!LIe4 2:17 several times since. At the time Very playable, though at the l1c2 30 �b I; or 28 ....Jtb3 29 30 Itxe42:28 iLxe4 2: 17 I felt that 10 .!LIh4 was 'alright time I was more concerned fxe5 Itc2 30 Itb I) 29 '&bIt! 31 iLg4 2:28 Ite8 2:17 for White'. In fact after about 12... iLe6, intending ...dS. 10... .!LIxd2 II �xd2: 12 ...gS !? was played in a fo rcing simplification to a win- 0-1 bl) ll...cxd4 12 .!LIxfS gxfS game Grigorian-Tukmakov Game 28 13 iLxc6 bxc6 14 iL.xd4 is about USSR Championship 1977 equal (Keres). (although the position was J.Speelman-A.Martin b2) 1l....!LIxd4!? is also very reached by a totally different British Championship (round 6), Torquay 1982 playable. move order). They continued 13 English Opening b3) 1l...iLd7 looks odd, but .!LIgl g4 14 .!LIe4 ltJh7 IS f4 in a game Romanishin-Fedorov, gxh3 16 .!L1xh3 iLg4 with a mess After an insipid opening, my notes with my original ones in Nikolaev Zonal 1995, Black which eventually ended in a position in the early middle the October 1982 BCM; and followed up with 12 dS �aS ! draw. game was, if not bad, far from have enclosed the latter in in when an exchange of queens 13 '&d2 0:56 inspiring. Against a fundamen verted commas for the sake of would take most of the poison 13 ltJdS ! was better, freeing tally very sensible player like clarity. out of the position. They agreed the position since Black can't Andrew Martin, this would 1 .!LIn .!LIf6 a draw after 13 �c l .!LId4 14 take - if 13 .. .ltJxdS?? 14 cxdS have been extremely difficult to 2 e4 g6 l1e1 bS IS e3 .!LIfS 16 .!LIxfS ltJe7 IS e4 traps the bishop. win by normal means; if easy to 3 g3 iLg7 iLxfS 17 iLxg7 20 b) Black can try to cause dis IO a3 wins material) 9 ttJbc3 ruption with S ... d4 but after 9 lIbS 10 e4. 8 Sl.e3! and 9 ...ttJc6 10 ttJbS (also pos ttJxd4 (not 9 ttJa4? �a5+ 10 b4 6 ... e6 sibly IO c5) IO ...eS II �gS are ttJxb4 11 Sl.d2 ttJe4 12 axb4 7 a3!? 0:15 pretty unpalatable. Sl.xb4; but 9 Sl.xd4 ttJxd4 10 Not 7 Sl.e3 when 7 ...�4 is 10 cS! 0:48 �xd4 Sl.c5 11 �f4 0-0 12 b4 unpleasant. I played 7 a3 imme Using the lead in develop also looks very strong) 9 ...lLlg4 diately so obviously it had been ment to attack Black's centre IO ttJa4 ttJxe3 11 ttJxb6 ttJxdl decided upon during the previ- immediately. 12 ttJxaS ttJxb2 (or 12... ttJxf2 0us think. He now took 21 min 13 c) 7 ...d6 is perhaps the most Black has lost two tempi with 10 ... a6 0:55 sensible when S e4 1J..e7 9 Sl.e3 his queen and played ...ttJc6-e5, If IO ...ttJhS White can imme- '*"'dS IO Sl.e2 leads to a fairly White's extra moves - a3 and diately force events with II normal-looking 'Maroczy bind' Sl.e3 - lack bite; and ttJd4-b3 1J..xeS dxeS 12 �xd8+ Against the more trenchant Black has few weaknesses, :d7 keeping up the pressure. a5) 29... a5 keeps White's ad 11...bSI?, White can reply nor apart from the b6-square, but it 17 �xd6 vantage within bounds. mally with 12 cxd6 li'xd6 13 will be extremely hard to de IS l:hd6 ltdS! b) So I guess that White ltla5 fic7 or 12 �e2 �b7 13 velop without allowing some 19 l:txdS+ ltlxdS 1.50 really ought to go for more with 0-0 l:tc8 14 l%c l; but he can also sort of blow. 20 ltla4 1.30 21 e4 which one would like to go for broke with 12 ltld4!? and avoid - it weakens the dark if 12... �b7 13 ltldxb5 !? (13 squares and very slightly ex lDcxb5 axb5 14 �xb5+ ¢le7 IS poses the pawn - but is neces c6 �a6 16 0-0) 13... axb5 14 sary to maintain the initiative. �xbS+ ltlc6 15 cxd6 when the 21 ltlb6 1:31 l%bS 1:53 three pawns for the piece give 22 ltlxd7!? reasonable play, particularly After only four minutes, I since Black cannot develop with continued with the minimalist the most natural move 15 ... g6? approach - 22 ltlc5 would have in view of 16 fif3 ! l%c8 maintained the pressure in a (16... Wd7 avoids losing back more complex way. Seeing this material) 17 �e5 �g7 18 d7+! now, in July 1997, reminds me 12 cxd6 1 :02 'Wxd6 1 :20 forcibly of Fischer's famous 12 ...�xd6 13 fid4! (13 l:tc l 17 �d6?! 20 ... �d7 exchange of knight for bishop fib8 14 ltld2!) is most unpleas After just three minutes I de After three more precious against Petrosian. I can't be ant. It is important that Black cided on this reasonable but minutes. 20... ltld5 !? was more lieve that this wasn't at least doesn't have time to drive the somewhat too minimalist ap combative. Here: part of my motivation at the bishop away from f4 since proach. I should have gone for a) 21 �f3 �d7 22 ltlbc5 time. 13... ltlh5 ? (13 ...0-0 14 l%d l lDe8 more with 17 ltla4 ! (17 �f3 e5 (maybe even 22 ltlac5 �c6 23 22 lDxd7 15 ltle4 ltlc6 16 �xd6 ltlxd4 17 is much less good) and if 17... e5 lDa5 l:tc8 24 ltld3) 22 .. J�c8 23 23 :c7 lDb6 �xc7 ltlxb3 18 �b6 is clearly (17... ltldS 18 �g3 leaves Black �xd5 �xa4 24 l%c3! �c6 25 24 ltlc5 ltld5 better for White) 14 ltle4 wins in terrible trouble) 18 �g5 �xc6 lhc6 26 ltd3 ltc8 27 g4 This took him three minutes. immediately - Sax. when: (perhaps 27 g3) and now: If 24 ...ltc8 25 lhc8 ltlxc8 26 13 �e2 �e7 a) The move that Black wants al) 27 ...a5 28 l%d7 b5 is ex �f3 ltld6 27 b4! fixes the 14 0-0 0-0 1:41 to play is 18... �e6?, but it en tremely risky. After, for exam queenside with a serious ad 15 l%cl 1:19 courages 19 lDbc5 ! - Sax. ple, 29 ltlb7 Black has got to try vantage. Sax now took seven of his b) 18 ...ltld5 19 �xe7 ltldxe7 29... lDc6 since 29 ...ltlxb7 30 25 ltd7 1 :43 as 1 :57 remaining nineteen minutes be (or 19 ...lDcxe7 20 �f3 �e6 21 :xb7 simply wins a pawn. Then To forestall b4, but this does fore acquiescing in: ltlbc5 and White will win at 30 ltld6 ltle5 31 ltlxc8 ltlxd7 32 weaken b5 . If instead 25 ...ltlf6 15 ... li'xdl least a pawn) 20 ltlb6 l%b8 21 lDa7 b4 33 axb4 axb4 33 ltlc6 26 l:td6 with a clear plus. IS .. :&1>8 was conceivable ltlc5 lte8, and here White can b3 looks better for White, but 26 �b5 b6 with the point that if 16 fid4 cash in at once with 22 ltlxc8 the b2-pawn is also a little And this gives White control ltlc6 stays alive. lDxc8 (22 ...l%exc8? 23 ltld7 l%a8 weak. So perhaps White could of c6. 16 ltfxdl ltlc6 24 ltlb6; 22 ...l%bxc8 23 li:lxb7) try 30 f4 first. 27 ltle4 1:50 ltlf6 1:57 White's lead in development and now even more ambitious a2) 27 .. .'�f8 is more con By eliminating my knight, gives him a potentially very than the simple 23 ltlxa6 bxa6 trolled. 28 b4 �e8 29 'it>g2 (29 Sax hopes to stabilise the posi serious advantage. Of course 24 lhc6 lhb2 25 �xa6 is 23 l:td6 <3;e7 30 l:tb6 l:t.c7 31 Wg2 tion sufficiently to hold the 176 Prelate Power Prelate Power 177 draw. The thing is that knights on the clock: 1:56-1 :57. are particularly well suited for 33 ... ltJb7 - This very unusual plan is to avoid ...lDc6 as in the para probing against weaknesses, so 34 b4! predicated on the control which graph above - the rook can just he is happy even to create an Of course, White must keep it allows White to exert over the sit on c7 for example, White other one - the doubled f-pawns the knight locked in. black pieces. By immuring the will get his king to d4 and play - to get rid of them. Perhaps an 34 axb4 bishop on a6, White blocks the e4. even more important considera 3S axb4 ltJd8 a-file and also controls c8, so If Black plays ...e5 then a tion for him was that knights 36 g4 !1c8 making it impossible for the stroll to d7 will end the game. are very hard to control when 37 .l:!.d6?! black rook to become active But otherwise White can play you're short of time. A perfectly good move. But, while the white one remains on e5 and, using repeated 28 ltJxf6+ 1:50 gxf6 1:58 not wanting to commit myself the seventh rank; unless the zugzwangs, he will graduaLly be 29 XId6 in time trouble, I passed up the knight can manage to move. But able to penetrate with the king 29 f4 was possible at once. chance of 37 Xl.a6!, cementing the knight is in trouble, ham to f6. The rest will be a massa 29 ... Wg7 the bind which I had managed pered by the rigidity engendered cre - cf analysis diagram AI. 30 f4 ! to impose five moves later. by the doubled f-pawns. It has 43 ... c,t>e8 2: 10 To discourage ...e5 . Up to 37 Itb8 only two possible normal es Fairly natural but the wrong here, this game hasn't been 38 h4 h6 cape squares - e6 and £1; and way. The king needs, now or anything special, but the reason 39 �e2 c,t>e7 Black is likely to have to make later, to go to g7 to try and cre I have included it is my han 40 nd7+ �1'8 a very serious concession to ate trouble on the kingside - dling of the ending which has I didn't record clock times free one of these. and to get off the back rank in the hope of ...ltJc6. now arisen: White strives to get past move 35 - so I guess we There is one further possibil a complete grip without allow must both have been pretty ity, though, which White must The three other possibilities were 43 ...�g7, 43 .. .f5 and ing the knight to get out and short. watch for. When the black rook become active. 41 �f3 ':c8?! is on a8 and the white one on d7 43 ... h5. We're still a bit far The first move after the time the move 1...ltJc6 will occasion from the end to prove a definite control allows me to establish ally be possible. Usually, White win here, but they do all look full control. would win against this at once very promising for White: with 2 bxc6 I:l.xa6 3 c7, but if a) If 43...�g7: 42 Xl.a6!2:06 :a8 2:07 White has weakened his king's 43 bS! 2:06 al) 44 f5? is the wrong way pawn cover then 3 ...na3+ (or round: 44 ...h5 ! and if 45 e4 3... na4+ if the king is on the hxg4+ 46 c;t>xg4 exf5+ 47 exf5 fourth rank) fo llowed by 4 ...!lc3 lDc6! works perfectly here 48 will place it behind the newly bxc6 lha6 49 c7 .l:!.a4+ 50'.t>f3 passed c-pawn. However, even :c4 51 �e3 b5 52 �d3 �cl this won't help if the black king with a draw. is on the eighth rank for then a2) 44 h5 f5 45 e4 is correct: White will still have 5 nd8+. 45 ...fxg4+ (45 ...ltJc6 doesn't 30 W1'8 Black must now react quickly in work here: 46 exf5 exf5 47 31 c,t>f2 We7 the next couple of moves, be bxc6 nxa6 48 c7 .l:!.a3+ 49 �e2 32 l1d7+ W1'8 fore White can get a bind on the 1.:c3 50 g5 ! b5 51 g6 '.t>f6 52 33 c,t>O kingside. If White can get in h5 gx£1 '.t>g7 53 f8'&+ �xf8 54 By now I'd almost caught up and f5 then there will be a cast nd8+; or if 45 ...fxe4+ 46 '.t>xe4 iron winning plan. Taking care tLlc6 47 bxc6 nxa6 48 c7 lta4+ 178 Prelate Power Prelate Power 179 49 �e5 l:.c4 50 �d6 and wins) black pawns pretty weak. White. 45 ...f5 (45 ...fx g5? is can advance through the centre, 46 �xg4 �f6 (Black can also c) 43 ...f5 was also possible of hopeless since 46 hxg5 31 Game Black must be fm e as long as he lH6, but this is clearly winning J.Speelman-M.Petursson reacts well. and he converted in 17 more Novi Sad Olympiad 1990 7 �e7 0:09 moves. Sicilia n Defence, 3 jLb5+ variation 8 lLlbd2 0:22 0-0 0: 12 9 h3 0:28 If 9 lLlfl lLlg4!? is possible, The Icelander Margeir Peturs free them; while the strategic en route to e5. Black wants to son is a fine defensive player, subtext also involved a fierce reposition one of his knights on not only prepared but even struggle for control of the light c6 to fight for the d4-square. happy to contest the grimmest squares. While he can always do so with positions; partly, I presume, on Sadly from an aesthetic (if . .. lLld7-b8-c6, I fe lt that he the grounds that his opponents, not a practical) point of view, would slightly annoy me if it even though it is they who the battle only really lasted the went via e5, threatening to ex might appear to be exerting the five moves up to the time con change. In fact I could just pressure, often eventually crack trol. But the domination which I move the knight away from f3: in frustration at his stubborn, achieved, while less dramatic IO liJd2, when 1O... lLlge5 11 f4 immovable solidity. He is also, than that in the previous game, lLlc6 12 lLlf3 is a reasonable when he holds the reins, an ex was equally effective on this way to play the position. cellent squeezer; though both of occasion. Half a decade later, Loek van 9 ... b5 0:24 these modes at the chessboard 1 e4 c5 Wely played 8 ...b5 at once 10 lLlfl 0:32 c4?! 0:29 are in sharp contrast to his ex 2 lLln d6 against me in a Dutch League 1O ...lLle5 was fine for Black. tremely pleasant disposition 3 �b5+ �d7 match. Loek plays for the ex 11 lLlg3 0:36 away from it. 4 �xd7+ lLlxd7 tremely strong de Variant team If 11 d4 at once, Black can In this hard-fought battle, a 5 0-0 lLlgf6 from Breda and I had been per reply 11...d5 12 e5 lLle4 after pretty innocuous opening led, 6 ne1 0:10 e6 0:05 suaded, for the one and only which I would have probably with a good deal of co 7 d3!? 0:16 time in my decade in the Dutch acquiesced in exchanging it. So operation, to a position in which By playing 6 l:e l, White League, to play for my club in accordance with the plan I was exerting some pressure. I threatened, if that is not too Volmac's second team. started by 7 d3, I first moved then allowed it to dissipate to strong a word, c3 followed by Unfortunately, this manoeu the knight, now threatening d4 reach a most interesting ending d4; and so induced ...e6 rather vre was punished since I now after which Black, unable to go just five moves before the time than the slightly more aggres attempted to exploit the early in to e4, would be a little con control. sive 7 ...g6, after which 8 c3 and thrust with 9 a4!?, but after the gested. In general, positions with just 9 d4 is quite good. Now, how simple 9 ...a6 10 h3 0-0 II lLlfl 11 ... cxd3 0:33 a few pieces on the board may ever, the main line with 7 c3 he provoked me with l1...lLlb6 12 cxd3 0:36 lLle5 0:36 not look 'sharp' in the conven �e7 8 d4 cxd4 9 cxd4 d5 10 e5 12 a5!? lLlbd7 13 lLlg3 lLlb8! 14 After gaining some time ad tional sense that there are dra lLle4 is known to be fm e for e5 lLlfd7 15 exd6 �xd6 16 lLle4 vantage in the opening, goons of tactical fusillades Black. So instead I switched to �e7 17 d4 lLlc6 18 �e3 c4. The Petursson had now caught me waiting in the wings. But just a slower development, intend a-pawn is horribly weak. I now up. We then stayed roughly bal beneath the apparently innocu ing first to develop lLlbI- d2-fl thrashed around with 19 �g5 anced until move 20, but there ous surface, a vicious if short g3 before fm ally getting in the �xg5 20 lLlexg5 lLlf6 21 lLle4 after I remained very slightly tactical battle raged as I fought d4 advance. lLlxe4 22 lbe4 lLlxa5 23 lLle5 ahead. And the clock was to be to dominate his pieces and he to But this is very insipid and �d5 24 l1h4 lLlc6 25 'i'J'h5 h6 26 very significant in the critical lLlxc6 'i't'xc6 27 1:[a3 f5 ! 28 J:tg3 stages of the ending. 184 Prelate Power Prelate Power 185 I now chose a fairly mini The 19 minutes spent on this probably now 2S :!:I.xh7.While I would beckon for the knight. fairly umemarkable move must malist move, simply establish felt that White must be doing 29 ... na8 1:43 ing my centre. But 13 /tJh2 was have reflected, above all, his pretty well here, I didn't at all Of course if now 30 il..g5 the also possible, keeping an extra discomfort. like the fact that the bishop will bishop can simply retreat to fS, pair of minor pieces on the If IS... l:lcS 19 llac1 llc4 soon be capturing on d4. But strangely, it is quite a good board - in principle the player White can play 20 b3 immedi I tried to fm d other tactical idea to force the exchange of with a space advantage should ately. ways to make this work, but the white knight for the black 19 b3 1:09 Ile8 1:09 avoid exchanges, hoping to they didn't seem adequate. For bishop. 20 llacl 1:11 il..a3 1:lo profit from the congestion instance, (22 :Xc 1 f6) 23 /tJf4 30 tiJg5 1:43 which the opponent may suffer sets up the crude trap from. 23 ... il..xc I?? 24 /tJg6+ hxg6 25 13 d4 0:39 /tJxf3+0:36 �4 mate, but Black can sim 14 �xf30:40 d5 0:38 ply take the piece with 23 ...fxg5 15 e5 0:41 /tJd7?! 0:44 24 /tJxe6 'UeS 25 llc7 il..e7! turns After this, the knight when White's compensation for out to be on rather a restricted the piece is surely insufficient. circuit; more important, I get 22 ... il..e7 1:24 the immediate chance to create 22 ... il..b4? hits a rook again, some trouble by attacking g7. but in this case White can ig So 15 .../tJeS was better. nore the 'threat' with 23 il..g5 ! 16 /tJh5 0:53 '>t>h8 0:46 when if 23 ...f6? 24 exf6 gxf6 25 If 16... g6 17 /tJf4 with an /tJxf6 Ihg5 26 �xg5 il..xe l 27 edge. 21 il..g5! 1:12 Ilxc1 I:21 'l:'ie5 ! results in a quick win - 30 ... il..xg5 1:46 17 'a'g4 0:58 l1g8 0:49 Normally, Black wouldn't 27 ...il.. xf2+ 2S '>t>xf2 �f8 29 Margeir was concerned to 18 il..d2! 1:06 exchange like this since it ap '>t>gI doesn't help at all. limit my attacking chances The reason for going here pears to concede the c-file. But 23 il..e3 1:19 tiJd7 1:33 which would flare up after in his 11 minutes' thought, rather than the more obvious e3 24 lIel I :26 as 1:33 30 ...�gS 31 h5. Petursson has decided that is so as not to interrupt the Preparing to exchange one of Now if 3l....lbg5 32 il..xg5! White will be obliged to recap rook's defence of the e5-pawn: his weak queenside pawns. I Black is in serious trouble since ture with the bishop. a) IS :!:I.e3? is much too crude. used the time this entails to im he doesn't have time to stop h6: 22 il..xcl!? 1:19 After IS... ncs 19 lIf3 :!:I.c4 prove my kingside. 32 .. .'.t>f8 33 h6 g6 leaves the Of course, I would have liked Black is already hitting the e5- 25 g3 1:31 a4 1:35 black king in a real draught and to play 22 l:lxcl, but I wasn't pawn. 26 h4 1:33 axb3 1:36 White's next move might be 34 b) If IS il..e3 I was concerned sure about the main line: 27 axb3 1:36 '6'b6 1:38 'i'd l, preparing to infLitrate. about IS... :!:I.cS 19 lbcl nc4, 22 .. .f6! (the pathetic 22 ...il..e7 28 /tJf4 1:38 So Black is morally obliged when 20 b3?? is met by 23 il..xe7 simply cedes White a Threatening 29 tiJxd5. to try 3l...h6, when White 20 .../tJxe5. But 20 'a'f3 is sensi large safe advantage) 23 exf6 28 ... lld8 1:40 would keep a good game with ble, hitting £1: 20 .. J:HS (20... f6 gxf6 24 il..xf6+ (not 24 tiJxf6? 29 tiJh3! 1:39 the simple 32 lLIh3, but the 21 /tJf4 is unpleasant) 21 b3 il..xc l 25 '6'h4 '6'c7 26 /tJxgS Threatening 30 il..g5 to force critical line is 32 lLIx£1! '>t>x£1 llxc 1 22 nxc 1 is quite a good '>t>xgS winning for Black) off the bishops, after which g7 33 'Ug6+ q;,fS (not 33 ...q;,gS 34 version for White. 24 ... 'Uxf6 25 'ilfxgS+ q;,xgS 26 would be that much weaker and il..xh6 il..fS 35 il..xg7!) tiJxf6+ �£1 27 l:lc7+q;,xf6 and 18 ... /tJb6 1:08 alternatively the c5-square After considerable analysis I 186 Prelate Power Prelate Power 187 believe that this is quite good passed e-pawn as well and challenging, aiming to play ...b4 Black retained the two pieces, for White; but Black does have Black has only minimal coun to generate some play of his the white queen and rook would a single reasonable way to play terplay. own. But after 41 '&£1+: be too strong. But Black can the position - see line b32 be b24 1) 4l...�c6 42 'i'xe6+ fight on with 40 ... Wc7! 41 low. ctJb7 43 '&£1+ (there is no need �xa8 ii.c3! attacking the d4- a) Here in my original notes for 43 'i'd7+ 'Ot>a8 44 e6 b4 45 pawn. I can't then see better in Informator 50 I suggested the ctJh2 !thl + when Black get lots than 42 'iiVh8 (if 42 'ilia3? i.xd4 immediate 34 ii.xh6 gxh6 and of checks - though in fact 43 'ilid6+ 'Ot>c8! Black is better) then 35 lIc3, but this is gilding White can escape) 43 ...ctJa8 (if 42 ... 3Lxd4 43 'i'xh6 when play the lily since it gives the bishop 43...Wc6 44 e6 '&c8 45 h6 !ta8 would perhaps continue with a good square on g5: 46 h7 '&c7 47 e7 '&d7 48 'fff6+ 43 ...3Lxe5 44 l:!.£1. In any case, a I) 35 ... ii.g5? loses the a8 �c7 49 'tiVb6+ Wc8 50 h8'&+; although the h-pawn is very rook to 36 J:lf3+ ctJe7 37 1:£1+ while 43 ...9;b8? allows fo rced strong, Black is well centralised 9;d8 38 'i!i'g8+ This extremely critical posi escapes), reaching the fo llowing with 42 ...e5. counterplay while White is tion is so far from the game that position: 37 ... fxeS 1:55 winning the b-pawn, by ad I am going to give a few lines Margeir wanted to clarify vancing his king towards e4 and then leave it to any interested which way I would recapture, even f3. researcher to see if they can be though since I didn't really White can react either by improved upon. want to capture on f6, this is a bringing out his own king to f3, d2 1) 43 ...Ilb8 44 b6 1Oc6? 45 slight concession. If Black now in which case ...ltel will create lta3! keeps the black king out plays ...h5, the g5-square will counterplay; or by blocking the of White's position. be available for the bishop. c-fiIe with .ic5, when the black d22) But 43 ...fIb8 44 b6 lOb7 38 fxeS 1:54 rook can't use that line but his is tricky since if 45 .id6 lOxd6 king will reach e4, e.g. 40 .l::tb6 46 exd6 ltb7!! (46...�xd4 47 d7 lOd8 41 1hb5 Wg6 and: 'it>c5 48 b7 and queens a pawn) stops both the pawns - when Although Black has no pawns ever White puts his rook on the for the piece the hyperactive seventh rank to force the ad king and pin give him drawing vance of one of them, the black chances. But now White has a rook will be able to end up be useful tactical trick: 51 c;t;d2 and hind it, i.e. if 47 na8 'it>xd4 48 if 51...'iti?xg3 52 f5! 'it>h3 Ilc8 'it>e3 49 fIc7 fIxb6 50 d7 (52 ...exf5 53 e6!) 53 fxe6 fxe6 Ild6 is good for Black. (At first 54 c;t>e3. I'd failed to notice this excellent 51...g6 is better and perhaps square in the middle of Black's 52 J:tb8!? Wxg3 53 f5! when if pawn mass.) Black ignores the pawn then 54 38 ... a221) 45 �h2 naS 46 b5 is certainlygood for White). .axdS .I1xdS 42 l:ta6 since Black down, after which Black's own na2+ 47 Wh3 l:tal (not must go passive with 42 ....I1eS. passed pawns will be very dan 47.JiJfl? 4S !1a6) is an imme It is clearly better for Black gerous. diate draw. first to activate the king, after 39 l:ta7! 1:55 a222) 45 b5 is an extremely which he should be able to hold Only now, when the piImed risky winning attempt. White the rook ending, e.g. knight can't retreat to dS, is this can now block the a-file with b42) 40 ...�g6 41 11a7 ttJdS correct. Ita6, but if Black does ever ac 42 .axdS l:txdS. 39 ... l:tc7 1 :56 tivate either piece it could be 40 g4! 1:56 come dire. It is important to stop the b) The alternative is to try to king becoming active. bring the king up quickly with 40 ... �g6 1:58 39 �g2 (also perhaps 39 �f2) White now has no time for 43 41 c.t>g2 1 :59 bS 2:00 but after 39 .. .'�h7! (39...�fl? g5 in view of the threat of Black can't activate the rook, 40 �a7 l:tc7 41 g4! �g6 42 43 ...ttJxe5+. Instead he could since 4l...l:tc2+ 42 ..t>g3 nb2 43 �g3 would transpose. back into try: h5+! (43 .ae7 would also win, the game) nothing looks very b3 1) 43 �f4 liJh6 and as usual) 43 ... Finally succeeding in playing 22 ... b5 was possible at once. White the choice between 31 bI) 32 ... ltJc6 33 d7 (not 33 e4. But Black has used the time 23 �c4 'ii'xc4 �b4 !? and the more adventur 'iPe4? ltJb8) 33.. .<�f7 34 'iite4 to this has taken to organise to 24 ltJxc4 fS ous but perhaps better 31 ltJd8! be followed by 35 d5 is pretty develop very harmoniously and 2S 'iPf2 ltJxa3 32 ltJxe6. simple. is now able to force all the b) 29 ...ltJbc4 30 ltJc6! a6 b2) But 32 ...ltJb7 33 d7 <3;f7 rooks off, reaching a roughly (after 30 ... ltJxa3 31 ltJxa7 the 34 'ito>e4 '.t>f6! is better,. e.g. 35 equal position. b5-pawn is weak) and 31 ttJd8!? g4 (preparing h4 and g5+; if 35 . 17 cxd4!? looks necessary here since if 31 d5 as 36 �xa5 ltJc5+!) 35... g5 18 cxd4 :xcl �b4 ltJb7!, preparing as. (not 35 ...a5 36 �xaS 'i;e7 37 19 :xc1 11c8 29 �c3 ltJb6 d8'i'i+ ltJxd8 38 �xd8+ 'iitxd8 20 .uxc8+ �xc8 30 �b4 ltJbc4? 39 'iite5 with an easily won 21 �d3 'ii'c6 He should have played pawn ending) 36 h3 ltJd8 37 d5 In In/ormator I commented 30 ...ltJdc4, though 31 ltJc6 eS t (37 ...ltJb7 38 d6 [38 'i;d4 that 2l...b5! would have been keeps the edge. eS+ 39 'it>e3] ... 38 aS 39 �c3+ better, with the following possi looks fairly simple) 38 �aS bilities: 'iite7 39 'iitxeS ltJf7+! (the pawn a) The idea is to meet the ending is lost after 39 ...'it>xd7 natural 22 f3 with 22 .. .ltJb6!? This ending is about equal, 40 �xd8 '.t>xd8 41 'iitd6 as 42 when: since White's central control This seems obvious, since if bl) ]f 63 ... it:lxel 64 �b5 ! usual way. 54 ...it:lf2 55 .I1..g3 it:lg4 56 'iPc5 (but not 64 �b7?? it:ld3 or 64 6 �e3 the penetration is obviously 'iPb6?? g3 when Black queens very worrying. But in fact after with check) wins since the 56 ...it:le3 matters are far from knight can't stop the pawn and clear, though White may just be if 64 ...g3 65 a6 g2 66 a7 gl'i' winning, e.g. 57 .I1..f4 and now: 67 a8'&+ Wd7 68 �b7+ and a) The obvious 57... it:ld5? mate in two. traps the knight in mid board. b2) 63 ...it:lxe5 64 ..t>b7 it:lc4! After 58 .I1..d2 g6 White is able (if 64 ...Wd7 65 a6 it:lc6 66 �g3 to triangulate 59 �c4 �c6 60 wins) 65 'iPc6 it:lxd6! 66 a6! ..t>d4 Wb5!? and now: (but not 66 ..ti>xd6 ..ti>c8 with a This is the critical position. al) 61 d7?! it:le7 62 d8it:l! draw) 66 ...it:lc8 67 �h4+ ..t>e8 Black to play loses quickly should also be enough, but cer 68 'iPc7 it:la7 69 .11..f2 it:lb5+ 70 after 6 . .. it:lhl!! tainly not 62 .I1..g5? it:lc6+ 63 ..t>c6 r.t;>d8 71 �xb5 ..ti>c8 72 1 ... r.t;>d7 But not 6 ...it:ld l? 7 .I1..g1 or ..t>e4 Wxa5 64 d8'&+ it:lxd8 65. .I1..g3 and the king can't cross If l...it:lh2 2 .I1..f4 it:lg4 3 �f3 6 ... it:lg47 We4! and it is Black's .I1..xd8+ �b5 66 ..t>f4 ..t>c6 67 the diagonal. traps it at once. tum to move. ..t>g5 'iPd5 68 .I1..c7 a5 69 'iPxg6 55 .I1..e3! 2 .I1..f4 it:lrz+ 7 .I1..f4 a4 70 �f6?? (70 .I1..a5 still After this White has a simple 3 a2) ]t is much better to con 56 .I1..xg5? 4 ••. it:lrz 8 .I1..d2 it:lg4 comes to the tinue the triangulation: 61 'iPd3! But this lets Black off the Or 4 ...it:lb2 5 .I1..e3 r.t;>c6 6 same thing. White's problem is �c6 62 'iPc4 'iPd763 'iPc5 g5 64 hook, after which I believe he �g I it:la4 7 ..t>c4 it:lb2+ 8 r.t;>c3 that the only square for the .I1..xg5 it:lc3 65 �b6 and wins. should still have drawn. 56 it:ld 1 + 9�c2 as in the game. bishop which really controls the b) 57 ...it:lc2! is tougher: 58 .I1..gl! was correct. I rejected this 5 .I1..g3 it:lg4 knight is e3. If the knight is on �b6 it:lb4 59 'iPb7 (not 59 �d2? because of 56 ...g4 57 �d3 g3 6 r.t;>c5 f2 then ...it:lh 1 defends. it:lc6! 60 Wxa6 it:lxe5 61 'iPb7 58 �c2?? it:lf2! and Black wins! But as far as I can see, White 8 •.. it:lg4! it:lc6 with a draw) g5 60 .I1..g3 g4 But a move earlier White has an can't 'lose a move'. 8 .....t>d7 also seems to hold 61 �b6 (zugzwang) 6l...'iPd8 easy win with 58 �d4! (threat 1 .I1..f4 it:lrz+ since if 9 �c5? Black replies 62 .I1..el it:ld3 63 'iPxa6: ening 59 r.t;>d2) 58 ...g2 59 ..t>c2! 2 Wd4 it:lg4! 9 ...it:le4+ 10 �b6 it:lxg5 11 56 . .. it:lb2? 3 r.t;>d3 it:lrz+ �xa6 ..t>c6 12d7 it:lf7! 56 ...it:lf2 would still have 4 �e3 it:ldl+ 9 �e3 drawn! 5 �d4 While with the knight on g4 57 .I1..e3! liJa4 Not 5 'iPd3? it:lb2+ 6 ..t>d4 Black can play: 58 'iPc4 it:lb2+ it:la4 7 d7?? ..ti>xd7 8 .I1..e3 (if 8 9 .•• it:lh2! 59 �c3 it:ldl+ .I1..d2 r.t;>c6 9 �b4 �b5 10 .I1..a3 Threatening to emerge via f3- 60 �d4 1-0 ..t>xa5 II �c4 ..ti>b6 and the h4-f5. If the white king could Black has no defence to 61 knight escapes) 8 ...r.t;>c6 9 r.t;>c4 go to e3 then he could transfer �gl followed by devouring the it:lb2+ 10 ..t>c3it:ld 1 + and wins! the move, but after: trapped beast. So Ehlvest re 5 ... it:lrz! 10 We4 it:lg4 signed. 5 ...it:lb2? 6 .I1..e3 loses in the It is still White to play. Blood on the Board 205 under-estimation of my posi tion! When I started to think at move seven, I felt that it should be rather good for me; but then I began to have doubts. If Black can get in .. .f5 successfully, 7 Blood on the Board then he may get a good game. At some point the extreme idea of h4 occurred to me. And presumably the more I looked at it the more I wanted to play it. Eventually, I decided to give in Korchnoi eventually won that to my cruder instincts. game, starting with 12 �e3 0-0 After the rather oppressive rec but when I came to this section 1 c4 b6 o: 10 (Polugayevsky-Korchnoi, Evian titude of the previous chapter, I the pages were already groaning 2 lbc3 0:07 �b7 sixth matchgame 1977). under the analytical load; so I wanted to finish with a much 3 e4 0:10 e6 Interestingly, I reached ex more relaxed spread of battles decided to settle for half a 4 d4 �b4 actly the same position in a dozen examples of serious royal. 5 �c2 game in 1993, but with both Originally, I had envisaged ' hackery ranging over a period For the main alternatives 5 f3 sides having lost two tempi: 1 quite a large selection of games, of more than twenty years. and 5 �d3 see my game c4 b6 2 d4 �b7 3 �c2 e6 4 e4 (eighteen years later) with '*'fh4 5 lbd2 �b4 6 �d3 �g4 7 Game 33 Zsuzsa Polgar (Game 35). \t>fl f5 8 lLlgf3 �xd2 9 lbe5 J.Speelman-A.Miles At the time, the position after '&h4 10 lbf3 't'ih5 II �xd2 lbf6 British Championship, Morecambe 1975 4 �c2 was almost totally unex 12 exf5 �xf3 13 gxf3 lbc6 English Defence plored. Nowadays, the main line (M.Quinn-Speelman, Dublin is 5 .. .'t'ih4. (I suspect that Tony Zonal 1993). One of the biggest psychologi then he may not give the im actually suggested this move in Although I was aware of the cal problems in playing chess, pression of objectivity - there the postmortem!?) In any case, Polugayevsky-Korchnoi game, I is to strike the proper balance are some notorious optimists Korchnoi introduced this idea in certainly didn't know that they between the moves which one around - but the moves which his Candidates match with had reached this exact position. wants to play; and those which he plays will probably belie his Polugayevsky a couple of years I chose instead, to castle long one believes one ought to play. words. later, albeit in a slightly differ and won in 31 moves: 14 �c3 Certainly, one should aim to Although this game was ent position: I d4 e6 2 c4 b6 3 0-0-0 15 11e l 11he8 16 lte2 remain as objective as possible, played more than twenty years e4 �b7 4 �c2 �h4!? 5 lbd2 �h3+ 17 \t>e 1 't'f'xf3 18 11g 1 at all times. But in the heat of ago, I have rather a clear mem �b4 6 �d3 f5 7 lbf3 �xd2+ 'ilff4 19 I1xg7 exf5 20 �d2 battle this is, ' of course, ex ory of the feelings - though of (7...�g4 is better) 8 �fl? (8 11xe2+ 21 \t>xe2 11e8+ 22 \t>fl tremely difficult. course not the exact calcula �xd2 '*'fg4 9 lbe5 �xg2 10 '*'fxh2 23 �xf5 lLle7 24 �d3 This is one area in which the tions - which led me to lash out 0-0-0 fxe4 II �e2 gives White lbg6 25 f3 hl+ 26 \t>f2 11f8 difference between strong play on move seven. very serious chances for the 27 'fi'g5 lLlh4 28 c,.t>e2 �xf3+ 29 ers and weaker ones is particu My decision was the result of pawns) 8 .. .'t'ih5 9 �xd2 lbf6 10 �d2 lLle4+ 30 �xe4 �xe4 31 larly marked. If you talk to a a heady cocktail of respect for exf5 �xf3 11 gxf3 lbc6, 't'f'g4 ltf2+ 0- 1. grandmaster after the game, my opponent combined with an reaching the following position. Despite the result, it turned Blood on the Board 207 206 Blood on the Board it is extremely provocative. Pre winning. out after the game that my op 0,e2 leaves White with some sumably 7 h4 and S lIb3 had c2) I J...�c8 12 lIh2 fS 13 ponent had been well prepared advantage) 9 �gS '+!kcS 10 1:.h3! caused a serious rush of adren 0,e2. I stopped here in my for the English Defence. This threatening g4. That it where I aline! original analysis, but Black has was a ftrst round game and he left it in my original notes in Nowadays, I record clock 13.. .fxe4 14 �xe4 �fS! which had played a quick game with Th e Chess Player in 1975 times after almost every move, gives him a very reasonable Tony Miles that very morning (volume 10, Game 52). (The but in those days I only did so game positionally as long as he for publicity purposes in which notes to this game are based on occasionally. By this stage I had doesn't lose at once. And in Tony had also chosen the Eng those but heavily revised.) already used one hour and 10 deed after IS �gS �xe4 16 lish Defence! Black might consider 10 ... h6, minutes of the two and a half '+!kxe4 lLlbc6 Black does seem to Not being prescient, in 197 S but II g4 !? is a strong answer. stay afloat. Miles chose a slightly less am b) If 7 ...dS - which I doubt if hours which we used to dispose 11 exfS 1:23 exd4 bitious plan. Tony considered at all - S cxd5 of in those days, while after his S ... �xc3+!? exdS 9 eS cS 10 0,f3 leaves next move Tony was up to one I J...e4 12 �xe4 �xe4 13 To make sure that White's White with a pleasant advan hour and four minutes. 't!Vxe4 lLlbc6 was an unclear al queenside pawns end up dou tage. 10 ... fS 1:04 ternative. After 14 g4?! hS! (l4 bled. 5 . ..liJe7 is also playable at 7 0-0 Black's alternatives were: ... lIeS IS .!:I.e3) IS tle3 hxg4 once. 8 lIh3!? a) 1O ...�cS? simply encour 16 dS lLlxf5 17 dxc6 't!Vxh4+! 6 bxc3 0,e7 Once loosed from the fetters ages 11 f5 . (not 17 ...lLlxe3 18 �xe3 'Wxh4+ of playing 'properly', I carried b) 1O ... 0,bc6? li dS 0,aS 12 19 'iPd2 l1ae8 20 �dS+) IS on playing the moves I wanted fS . In 1975 , I gave this as 12 .•. equally have been quite unclear. tLlbc6 are pages of complicated varia aim at the white king. 13 1:38 d5! Indeed, I suspect that this may 't'fc3 tions to come. 20 . . . tLlxe5 If 13... tLlxfS 14 d5! is very have been stronger: it is nice for It seems to me that this is a 21 dxe5 �d7 good for White: Ihe king to have some pawns to turning point. After Black's If 2l...h6 22 gS! hxgS (or a) 14 .. .'t�e7+ 15 �dl tLla5 protect him and the variations next move, which voluntarily 22...�d7 23 e6 'ii'xdS 24 gxh6 (15... tLlcd4 16 g4!) 16 .i.b2. over the next few moves look moves His Majesty onto the tLlfS 2S hxg7+ tLlxg7 26 h6) 23 b) 14.. .'�'eS+ IS �d2. fairly good for Black. But there long diagonal, there are lots of h6 g6 24 e6! and White crashes is such a lot of excitement later, c) 14 ...tLlcd4 15 g4 '&eS+ 16 unclear lines, but White is try through. 'ii a3 1) 26 �xh7+ o;t>£1and: 24 �b2 2: 15 while ago - JS 1997.) Here is a3 11) 27 g8�+ �xg8? (see By playing 24 hxg7+ first, what we came up with: a3 12) 28 �xg8+ o;t>xg8 29 fS White has fo rced Black to open al) The attempt to be clever �d7+ (29 ...'&d6+ 30 '&d2) 30 up the long diagonal. with 27 't'i'eS? leads to disaster o;t>el ttJdS 31 �eS. Now if 2S ...'it>g8 26 �c3! after 27... ttJdS 28 hxg7 + 'it>g8 a3 12) 27 g8't'i+ ttJxg8! 28 <;f;>£1 (26.. .'ilkxg4+ 27 'it>c2 'iiVg2+ and now: �fS l:td8+29 �d2 �d6 and: 28 o;t>b3) 27 'it>c2 (27 l1xh7+ all) 29 'it>d2 lle8 and: a3 121) Unfortunately if 30 'it>e8) 27...�e4 (27...lt:'idS 28 alii) Of course White would 't'i'xc7+ �xc7 31 �h7+ o;t>f8 32 l'lxh7+ 'it>e8 29 l:tel) 28 l:tel like to play 30 11xh7, but after �xc7 �fd6!; or 30 nh7+ o;t>f8 .i.xd3+ 29 nxd3 wins, so Black 30 ...�xeS 31 W18+ (31 �xeS 31 nxc7 't'ixf4 ! must try 2S ... 'it>£1 when 26 ttJf6 32 :h8+ comes to the a3122) 30 nd3 �e7 31 �c4+ o;t>d2! seems to win, viz. same thing) 3l...'it>xg7 32 o;t>f8; or 30 'it>c2 ttJe7 (and not b21) 26... 'it>e8 27 11el �xg4 �xeS+ ttJf6 33 l'.bhl Itc2+! 24 30 ...nxfS 31 l:th7+!). 28 l:txe7+ 'it>xe7 29 �xc7+. 'it>xc2�xh 1 refutes this fantasy. a313) 27 fS !? b22) 26 ...nad8 27 �e l �e4 24 ... �xf4? a1 12) 30 't'i'd4 l:td6 31 l:txh7 a32) 26 fS is also possible 28 fS 'iiVdS (28 ... ttJxfS 29 gxfS After this White wins quite ttJf6! defends (but not without �xh7+, though both 'ilfxfS 30 �xc7+ 11d7 31 simply since the rook turns out 3l...'it>xh7 32 g8'i:lk+ 'it>xg8 33 26...�d6 27 �b2 ttJdS (27 ...l:t£1 �xh7+) 29 �xh7+ 'it>e8 30 to be loose to a later 'Wxc7+. it'h8+ o;t>£1 34 'WIg7 mate) when 28 f6) 28 'ilfd2 l:td8 and l:txe7+ 'it>xe7 31 lhe4+ it'xe4 If 24 ...'i:lkxe6 2S hxg7+ <;f;>xg7 if 32 't'i'xf6? lhd3+. 26 .. .'ilk£1are very messy. 32 'ii'xc7+ 11d7 33 'i:lkxd7+ (2S ...<;f;>g8 26 �c4) 26 fS, in a12) 29 gS l:te8 30 g6 ttJf6 ! b) But today I believe that o;t>xd7 34 �xe4 wins. tending gS. a2) But the crude 27 hxg7+ White should play the cruder 24 b23) 26 .. .l:tfd8 attempts to But 24... l:txe6! would still 'it>g8 28 f6 ttJg6 (28 ...�d6 29 212 Blood on the Board Blood on the Board 213 fxe7 .aa6 30 '&e4 l:txd3+ 31 long time to find - you see that 29 .axg6 l:tfl+ 37 e7+ 1-0 'it>e1 wins - Fritz 2) 29 l:txh7 it is legal but would much pre 30 4 lDc3 0:13 e6?? 16 .I1l.xd6! 1-0. lDc3 .I1l.e6 15 .I1l.xe6 '6'xe6 16 b) JS 1997: The line was If instead 4 f3,4 ...c5 is very I knew vaguely of a game 0-0 lIad8 17 'ftc 1 .I1l.xc3 18 tested later in the year in the possible Ligterink-Timman where Black bxc3 �d7 when, despite the ex game Hodgson-McNab, British 4 ..• a6 0:06 had played ...c6 instead of ...a6 tra pawn, White is clearly worse Championship, Blackpool 1988, This rather cheeky move is and here played 7 ...d5!? At the and Jan won in 109 moves but far from conclusively: 14 more or less the 'main line' at board, round about the time of (remember, though that in this 0-0 f4 (l4... .I1l.xb2!?) 15 .I1l.cl the moment (i.e. in 1988). Black 5 ...lDf6 , it suddenly clicked that game the pawn was on a7 rather tie5 16 h4 h6 17 l2Jh3 lDd4 18 leaves the lmight on g8 to stop a it is quite conceivable to play than on a6, which is probably c3 lDxe6 19 lDxf4 1:hf4 20 quick .I1l.h6 and starts to expand d5 here anyway. So: slightly in Black's favour - .I1l.xf4 'ftxf4 21 'i'fd8+ cj;h7 22 on the queenside. He plays ...a6 7 ... dS!? 0:21 there is no weaknesson b6). 'i!kxe7 �f8 23 '&xf8 .I1l.xf8 24 rather than ...c6 since he hopes 8 eS 0:20 JS 1997: But he played ...a6 ':fel lDxc5 25 b4 lDd7 26 ':xe4 to get in c5 later, preferably in 8 exd5 lDxd5 9 lDxd5 '6'xd5 four moves later anyway! 19 lDf6 27 l:t.d4 .I1l.f5 28 ':e l ':c8 one move. 10 .I1l.e2 would give White a lre l nfd8 20 'fkb2 �f5 21 'iitb3 29 �e3 �fS - Fritz) IS lbc3 (IS �d3? c3 lbc6 with an unclear posi not be very good. Black can lbd6+ 9i>f8 and then 22 l:taeI fS and 16 ...f4): tion. play 17 ...e6 and if 18 f4 simply causes some confusion. a) IS... lbd7 - which I didn't b) At the time I was more 18... lbc6 or 18 g4? '&c6 or 18 JS 1997: It is wrong to check consider during the game - 16 interested in simplifying with 0-0 �xh3!? is at least a draw. first since if 21 lbd6+? �f8 22 �e2 and now simply 16... 9i>h7 IS ... �xb2 and now: b12) However 17 lbg3! con l:tae 1 the cold blooded is quite okay for Black. bl) 16 dxc7 l1xdS 17 cxb8't'i' tains more poison. If 17 ...'&aS+ 22 ... �xc2! extricates the b) JS 1997: The weaker (17 �c4? lbc6 18 �xdS �xa l) 18 �fl White has lost the right slightly menaced bishop (not IS ...lbc6 led eventually to de 17... �c3+ 18 White regains the piece, for if (but not 19 ... lLlb4? 20 �d2!) 28 ...nd8+ 29 'it>e2 '&xeS+ 23... �xe4? (23 ...lh8 24 'ij'c4 and Black has abundant com (29 .. :i't'e3+ 30 ..t>fl �xeS 31 f6 ! doesn't change much) 24 fxe4+ pensation for his single pawn is extremely messy), but at �f6 (24 ...We8 25 1i'xe6) 25 deficit. worst White can play 30 Wfl lhf6+! 'it>xf6 26 :fl+ 'it>g7 27 18 �h7 1:22 (30 'iPf2) 30 ...lLlxal 31 '&xg7+ 'tiVxe6 lLlg8 28 llf7+ Wh8 29 19 f4 1 :22 lLlb4 1 :27 't't'xg7 32 lLlxg7 lId1 + 33 c,t?e2 'Wxg6soon wins. 20 �e6 1:26 lLldS! 1:28 lIxhl 34 lLlh5 which looks good b2223) But 2l.. .�xe4 22 Black's problem is very sim for Black, though the knight on fxe4+ 'it>e8 is very possible, ple: how best to get at the en al is very bad for the moment. though White has at least a emy king. The answer is equally b) JS 1997: 27... 'ii' xe5+ is temporary initiative. simple. The dark squares are the possible, but 28 �fl (28 �e3 b2224) Perhaps the safest key to His White Majesty's :d2+!) 28 ...l:txd2 29 f6! (29 winning attempt is to head for comfort and so the defending 'iWxg7+ 'ii'xg7 30 lLlxg7 �xg7) the ending with the sequence bishop must be removed. The Since this wins by force, 29...�e2+ (29 ...lLle3+ 30 'Otrg l 2l...�xb2 22 lLld6+ lIxd6! (not threat of 21...lLlxe3 is now most there is no real need to look for lIxg2+ 31 1i'xg2 lLlxg2 32 22...Wf8 23 'ii'xb2! �xd2 24 unpleasant. alternatives. And once I saw fxg7+ Wh7 33 Wxg2 is equal) g4! as above) 23 'tiVxb2 �xb2 21 �d2 1:42 32 ...'iWxh2+ in the game con 30 \t>gl �e3+ 31 Wh2 �xf6 is 24 cxd6 lLld5. I had expected 21 ft'xdS tinuation, the choice was clear. also extremely messy. In any case, I ought to have lhd5 22 �xd5 'tiVb4, when But I think I first examined (JS 26 lLlxg7 1 :46 'ilixeS+ 1 :48 played 14 ...lLlc6 and if neces materially White is doing quite 1997: the notes in New in Chess 27 Wf2 1:49 'iWd4+ 1:49 sary chosen one of the sensible well but in view of the loose don't make this clear) 28 WeI 1:49 'ith4+! 1:51 lines from the diagram. ness of his position he is in 2S ...lLlc2+ 26 Wdl �e2+ 27 29 g3 1:50 '&e4+ 1:51 Returning to the game: trouble. 'Ot>xe2 and then: Switching to the light squares 15 lLlg3 1:19 �xc2? 1:08 21 •.. �d3+ 1:33 a) 27 .. Jhd2+ to see whether for the final assault. Of course IS... �e6 was 22 ..t>el 1 :42 Black can win with checks. 30 I had lost my first game Miles (Game 33), S jLd3 and S fxe6 lOfS 8 lOge2 0-0. A recent cowardly 12 jLgS? dxe4 13 against Zsuzsa Polgar in Brus f3. As usual, I'll give a precis of drastic example, also involving lOxe4 :d8 is good for Black) sels 1985 but had equalised the theory without getting too in Hans Ree (White against Moro 12 ...lOxd5 13 'iWxd5 l:d8 (if score two years previously in volved: zevich), was a rapidplay play 13... 0-0 14 jLg5) 14 't'fg5! and that year's Volmac-Hilversum a) If S .i.d3 fS !? 6 '&hS+ g6 7 off game from Tilburg 1994: 9 despite his lead in development match. Now, in view of the �e2 lOf6 8 f3 lOc6! (8 .. .fxe4 9 '&1>3? (White should presuma Black is an serious trouble, e.g. team position, she felt obliged fxe4 jLxc3+? 9 bxc3 lOxe4 10 bly play 9 jLf4) 9 ...cS 10 exd7? 14.. .f6 15 'l'ihS+! g6 16 '&h6 to go for me: ltJf3 gives White excellent lOxd7 11 dS lOeS 12 lOf4 't!fh4+ lOd4 17 �f2 with a huge ad 1 d4 0:00 e6!? 0:01 compensation) and now: 13 Wd l lOd4 14 1i'a4 lhf4 IS vantage. Before the game, I had spent al) 9 eS? lOxd4 10 'iWf2 ltJh5 g3 �hS 16 �xf4 '&xf3+ 17 b) 6 �e3 !? lOf6 (there is no quite some time trying to decide 11 �xd4? jLcs is a well-known �d2 1i'xhl 18 ltd l 't'fxh2+ 19 need for the over-ambitious how to avoid her rather solid trap. Instead White can fight �c I lOg6 0- 1. 6 .. .fS!?) and now: repertoire. But it was only as I with 11 g4!? when he may win My memory of the theory bl) 7 eS lOe4 8 't'fg4? (8 arrived at the board that I a piece, though his position is a was extremely hazy, but, rather 'ilfd4) 8 ...fS is awful for White. thought of this particular way of mess. surprisingly, Zsuzsa knew con b2) 7 �d3 exdS 8 exdS c6. wriggling out of her theoretical a2) 9 jLe3 fxe4 10 fxe4 eS 11 siderably less; and she chose a Here White could bail out with vice. dS lOd4 12 �d1 lOxe4 13 jLxe4 third possibility. 9 lOge2 cxdS 10 0-0 dxc4 11 2 c4 0:00 jLb4+ 0:01 't!f'h4+ 14 Wfl jLxc3 IS bxc3 S dS!? 0: 14 jLxc4, when he may well win 3 lOC3 0:04 '&xe4 16 jLxd4 exd4 17 'iWxd4 This is rather acconunodat back the pawn while Black is Here Zsuzsa had expected me 0-0+ 18 lOf3 l:ae8 and Black ing, but White's centre is suffi completing his development; to transpose back into a Nimzo won easily in Burger-Ehlvest, ciently solid for her to retain a but Black is certainly fine. with 3 ...lOf6, but I decided Saint Martin Open 1993. But reasonable position. Instead if 9 dxc6 lOxc6 fairly quickly on: White was outrated by almost S ... 'fIle7 0:15 (9 ...dxc6 is equal) when 10 lOf3 3 b6 0:04 300 rating points. 6 jLe2?! 0:35 runs into 1O ...lOg4 or if 10 4 e4 0:05 jLb7 0:06 b) If S f3 Black must choose Twenty minutes is a long lOge2 lOe5. between S ...'&h4+ and S ...fS : time to think this early and 6 lOf6 0:22 bl) 5...�4+ 6 g3 jLxc3+ (to clearly she was already a bit avoid 6 .. .'t'fhS 7 jLd2 when if concerned: 7 .. .fS 8 exfS �xfS 9 lObS ! is a a) In the postmortem, we nuisance, as in Ree-Miles, Am looked at 6 lOge2 which may sterdam 1978) 7 bxc3 1't'hS 8 well be better. The main point is ltJh3 fS ! and Black gets play on that Black should not try to play the light squares and a good analogously to the game. pawn structure in return for For if 6 ...lOf6 ...(6 exdS is White's lead in development quite playable to force 7 exd5 - and two bishops. of course not 7 cxdS 'iWxe4 - b2) S ... fS 6 exfS lOh6 is a lot and then 7 ...lOf6) 7 f3 exdS 8 more fu n. White can wimp out cxd5 c6 9 dxc6 lOxc6?! So we've reached a proper with 7 jLxh6 1't'h4+, but other (9 ...dxc6 is equal) 10 a3 jLxc3+ 'English Defence'. Here White wise Black gains a very serious (l0... jLd6 is unclear) 11 lOxc3 7 f3?! 0:37 normally chooses between S lead in development for his dS?! then White can safely take This is very slow and ex- 'itc2, for which see Speelman- pawn(s) after, for example, 7 the pawn with 12 lOxdS ! (the tremely weakening. White 222 Blood on the Board Blood on the Board 223 should only play moves like f3 where to go! Instead 11...cS Black would be doing okay. win. if she can keep control, and here leads to a complete mess after, And when you have a lead in But I certainly couldn't be there is an obvious way for for example, 12 'fid3 exdS 13 development but a structural sure that there wasn't some hor Black to detonate the position hxgS dxc4 14 iixc4 lLle4 IS disadvantage it is almost always rific accident lurking in this line immediately. lIxh6 11f8 (lS... ltg8 16 g6!?) 16 right to institute tactics if you whereby I would be pole-axed I was more concerned about 7 �h4. can. on the c-file. And since �gS!? when 7 ...h6 is plausible: c3) White might conceivably 11 exd5 0:44 0-0-0 0:32 13... gxf6 also looked very nice, 8 Ji.h4!? (this is an attempt to stay calm with 11 0-0-0, though 12 i-g5 0:51 it wasn't too difficult to acqui play for the advantage; if 8 1 1...d6 regains some control. More or less forced. If 12 0-0 esce in the maiming of my Ji.xf6 �xf6 9 :tcl Black is There is also another move White gets gunned down along pawn structure. comfortable) and now: instead of 7 Ji.gS - 7 �d4. After the central files: 12... Ji.xc3 13 In the postmortem, Zsuzsa a) 8 ...Ji.xc3+ 9 bxc3 �a3 10 the game I looked this variation bxc3 (I guess that 13 dxc6 l1xd 1 said that she had been pleased 'i'd4 (10 f3 '&xc3+ II Wfl and up in The English Defence by 14 cxb7+ After 10 'i'd4 liJf6 White can is vital to stay on the ai-rook) 14 ... �e5 0:52 play: 17 dxc6!? (if 17 �c4 liJaS 15 �d2 1:24 cl) II �eS is too eager: Black is clearly better) If IS 't'fcl: 11...cS! is the only move but a 10 d5! 0:31 17.. .l:hdl 18 cxb7+ ¢>xb7 19 a) ls... lLld4 is wrong since 16 good one. A pretty easy decision. Obvi ltaxd l (of course, if 19 �xdl 0-0 i-xc3 (l6... ¢>b8 17 i.d3 c2) If II h4 Black must avoid ously, I couldn't see anywhere '&xal wins) 19 ...'it'xe2 20 l1d7+ i.cs 18 Whl i.d6 19 g3 'fie3!? 1l...:tg8? 12 hxgS hxgS 13 near the end of the complica �a6 21 l:.xf7 l:.e7 (also with compensation), which l:lli6! when the knight has no- tions, but it was fairly clear that 2l..."t'Vxa2 !?) and Black should seems to win at once, runs into 224 Blood on the Board Blood on the Board 225 17 Sl.d3!! �b2 llxd1 24 l:lxd1 l:lxd 1 25 isn't bad of course) 21 'i'i'xd3 �c l lLlxh1 Black should win. b) But the momentarily 'i'i'xd l ,*,*,xf5) and now the most lLlxg2+ 22 15 ... Sl.xc3!0:54 ending a pawn up with <3:;d2l:ldS) 23 '&f5+ <3:;bS. '&e7 19 'it>f2 (if 19 c4 lLlf4 ! or 15 ... lLld4 16 O-O-O! is quite IS... 'ili'xe2+!? 19 'ili'xe2 llxe2+ 19 g3 lLlf4 20 gxf4 Sl.xf3 21 0-0 nice for Black, but White keeps 20 c22) 21 'it'f1 11xe2 22 'W'xf4 a) 19 l'ihe l 'W'd4+ (the simple 4 SLe3 0: 16 SLe7 0:\O 11 tbh5 0:28 (22 %txe2 tbxd3) Ihe1+ 23 19 .. :ilhe2+ also forces a won 5 c4 0:23 12 f4 0:49 exf4 0:28 tbxe1 �a6+ 24 c4 ltd4 wins. pawn ending) 20 'it'f1 11xe2 21 S tbh3 would be · good if 13 gxf4 0:50 g6 0:28 17 tbxd5 0:54 nxe2 tbxe2 22 'it'xe2 �a6. Black were to aUow it to go to 14 ngl!? 0:57 18 tbd3 1:31 tbxc3! 0:56 b) 19 �f1 't'id4+ 20 �g3 ne3 f2 unscathed. But S ... eS! equal This looks very appealing; 21 'it'h3 'it'bS. ises at once. but the knight on g7 wiU be an c) The desperate 19 'tiixc3+ 5 ... 0-0 0: 11 excellent defender. 'tiixc3 20 lIhel fails to If S ...dS 6 cxdS exdS 7 eS 14 ... tbg7 0:30 20 .. Jhe2+ 21 �xe2 nxd3. tbfd7 S tbc3 tbb6 9 SLd3 White After about a quarter of an is better. hour's thought White resigned. 6 tbc3 0:24 c5 0:19 0-1 7 d5 0:31 As I explained in the intro 7 dxcS dxcS S '&xdS nxdS 9 duction, we were playing this eS tbfd7 10 f4 is only slightly game under rather unequal con better for White if at aU. ditions since Zsuzsa had to win 7 a6 0:19 at all costs; and therefore avoid 8 a4 0:32 b6 0:20 ed quieter lines in the opening. 9 SLd3 0:38 SLb7?!0:26 This is what she'd missed. Nevertheless, it is my quickest Provocation! The bishop is Black is now winning after: ever win against a grandmaster. biting on granite here. 9 ...1:[a7 was normal or maybe 9 ... tbbd7 Game 36 when White can choose be 15 tbg5? 1:06 J.Speelman-Z.Azmaiparashvili tween 10 b3 with a slight ad Despite nineteen minutes' Spanish Team Championship, Menorca 1994 vantage and the more ambitious thought, I missed 16.. .f6! In Irregular Opening 10 f4 !? stead IS 't'if3 was more sensi 10 tbh3 0:40 ble. 15 ... SLxg5! 0: 30 Although this game is rather King's Indian. Indeed White 10 tbge2 was a very playable 16 1::txg5 1:07 f6! 0:30 slight and I played pretty abys also retains the option of devel alternative, and by defending f4 Of course not 16... fS? 17 exfS mally just out of the opening, oping his knights to b l-a3 and would have nullified the game tbxfS IS .bfS 11xfS 19 ltxfS I've included it in this book for g 1-e2-c3 against an orthodox continuation. 10 ... gxfS 20 'iih5 when the black the very pretty finish in which King's Indian set-up with ...eS. e5 0:26 king is in serious danger. . But my rook, bishop and knight rout The most usual rep ly here is Since the white centre is very after the rook has retreated, a queen, rook and bishop, even 3 ...eS, though White has some well defended, it makes some Black can detonate the centre. though the enemy queen can edge after 4 dxeS dxeS S sense to block and then try to 17 11gl l:14 f5 0:31 initially gi ve several checks. 'tiixdS+ �xdS 6 SLc4. Seven percolate round the edges. But 18 'iif3 fx e4!? 0:37 1 d4 0:00 d6 0:00 weeks later in the Olympiad, I of course White has a pleasant Black can play IS... tbd7 first, 2 e4 0:04 tbf6 0:00 tried 3 ...dS !? against Paul van advantage. but White can still retreat with 3 f3 0:06 der Sterren - see the following 11 g3 0:46 19 SLc2. This system is somewhat in game. 'Azmai' found a different If II tbcz Black can play to 19 tbxe4 1:17 tbd7 0:37 convenient for Black if he way to stir up some confusion. control the dark squares with 20 SLc2 1:24 'i't'h4+?! 0:40 wants to avoid a Samisch 3 ... e6!? 0:10 IL..tbhS and if 12 g3 �gS!; or 12 'iid2 tbf4 causes trouble. Despite his rather dubious 228 Blood on the Board Blood on the Board 229 opening play, • Azmai' has But after 24 ... l:laf8! Black the game but with White's h Black has run out of checks seized the initiative following would have had reasonable pawn still alive) 32 '>t>bI �d3+ and must now return the queen, my weak 15th move. But now compensation for the exchange. 33 �al escapes the checks im after which White simply he tries to cash in too early. mediately. emerges a piece up thanks to the 20 ...tLlf6 or 20 ...tLlf5 were 31 lIe7! 1:42 �xgl+ 1:00 dual threats along the seventh sensible, and Black can also 32 '>t>c2 I :42 �f2+ 1:01 rank. consider embarking upon an 33 .ti>b3 1:47 'i'f3+ 1:01 34 'i'xC6 1:01 adventure with 20... tLle5 21 34 '>t>a2 1:42 3S .lil..xf6+ 1:43 '>t>gS 1:01 'iWe2 '&h4+ 22 '>t>dl! (not 22 36 l:lxb7 1:43 bS 1:01 '>t>d2? l:lxf4!) 22 ...tLlxc4 !? 37 l:lg7+ 1:43 '>t>f81:01 (22 .. .l:txf4? doesn't work when 3S l1h7 1:43 bxa4 1:0 I it gets recaptured without check 39 .lil..c3! 1:45 23 .lil..xf4 �xf4 24 l:lfl, to be Of course, 39 l1h8+ �n 40 followed by 25 tLlxd6, but the J:txa8 �xf6 is also an easy win. restrained 22 ... tLln is fine) 23 But this is even cleaner. �xc4 when: 39 l:leS a) 23 ...'&h5+? 24 �e2 2S �xhS! 1:36 40 l:lhS+ .ti>n �xd5+ 25 '>t>cl is very uncon This simple queen sacrifice 41 J:txeS '>t>xeS vincing. turns the game around. White 42 .lil..f6! 1-0 b) But 23... tLlf5 24 .lil..d2! (not develops a ferocious initiative 24 .lil..f2? �xf2; while if 24 �d3 which turns out to be sufficient � xh2 Black is taking a lot of for immediate victory. pawns and White is still very 2S ... gxhS 0:49 Game 37 loose) is very unclear after If 25 ...J:txe4 26 .lil..xe4 gxh5 P.van der Sterren-J.Speelman 24...'ij'xh2 25 l:lel (25 'iffl? 27 .lil..xe5+ Wf8 28 l:ldfl+ c;fo>e8 Moscow Olympiad 1994 .lil..xd5 26 l:lhl tLlg3) 25... tLld4 or 29 l:lg8+ '>t>d7 30 .lil..f5 + '>t>c7 31 Irregular Opening 24 ...tLld4 at once. l:lg7 wins. 21 .lil..f2 1:29 'i'e7 0:42 26 .lil..xf4+ 1:37 tLlg6 0:49 This game was first annotated meeting each other in the Dutch 22 0-0-0 1:31 tLles0:43 Or 26... tLlg4 27 h3 with a in the British Chess Magazine, League. We've had two games 23 �e2 1 :39 l:lxf4 0:43 winning material advantage. March 1995. so far, in both of which I have Consequent, but after my re 27 .lil..gS! 1:38 '6'eS 0:52 1 d4 been Black. Both involved ...e6 ply, he ought to have sacrificed 2S tLlC6+ 1:40 c;fo>hS 0:52 I played Paul Van der Sterren systems and after successful the exchange. 29 .lil..xg6! 1:42 many times when we were jun time-scrambles I have managed 24 .lil..g3 1:31 tLlhS?? 0:47 29 tLlxh7 '>t>xh7 30 .lil..xg6+ is iors. Although I won the first to score 1112. This disastrous misjudgement also sufficient. But once I'd game, a Closed Sicilian I be This time, however, after follows from Black's previous worked out this infinitely more lieve, as White, thereafter Paul consultation with my captain moves in which he appears to aesthetic route, I couldn't pos became somewhat of a hete (i.e. the BCM's Editor, Murray run. have got White on the If sibly pass it up. noire, beating me five times or Chandler), I decided at a critical the rook moves back along the 29 ... hxg6 0:52 so without reply. There was stage of the Olympiad to aim file, for example 24 ...l:ln, 30 lldel l:42 �xh2 1:00 then a long gap until a couple of for chaos from the very start of White will play 25 tLlxd6! And He might as well. If 30 ... 'ti'd4 years ago when we started the game and so opted to play a 24 .. .1:lg4 is bad after 25 J:tgfl ! 31 l1e7! �xc4+ (3l...'ti'xg l+ is 230 Blood on the Board Blood on the Board 231 ... d6 system. that Black can hope to get play .ltxcS lDxc5 14 'WxdS+ 'it>xdS cxd4 and now: 1 ... d6 with ... cxd4 and ... lDc6. So Van when I was rather optimistic a) If 16 .ltxd4 '*'I'h4+ 17 .ltf2 2 e4 der Sterren decided to stop ... cS since the black knights might be 'Wb4 IS 'i'xb4 .ltxb4 19 0-0 This was somewhat of a sur with: very irritating, but in fact the .ltxc3 20 bxc3 .ltc6 Black prise since Paul normally re 7 .lte3 lDd7! simple IS �f2! keeps control should be fine. plies 2 lDD, but I did guess his This defends the c-pawn and after, for example, 15 .. .'�e7 b) During the game, both of next move before he played it. since if S .ltxc4? lDxeS and is White is slightly better. us thought that 16 lDb5 would 2 ... lDf6 much better than 7 ...lDc6 S f4 ! Instead my opponent decided be good for White. But in fact 3 f3 when the c4-pawn can be de upon a pawn sacrifice which after 16... lDd5 17 '*'I'xdS+ l1xdS This aims, if allowed, to fe nded only by the ugly looks frightening for Black but it isn't so clear, e.g. IS .ltxd4 transpose into a Siirnisch King's S ...lDaS. Now S f4 lDb6 is an is probably only equal against (IS lDxd4 .ltb4+) IS... a6 19 Indian. I've faced it four times, noying for White, so he decided sensible defence. lDd6+ (19 lDc3 .ltb4) 19... .ltxd6 as far as I can remember, and to pin the knight. This is not bad 11 .ltd3!? lDb6 20 exd6 f6. previously had always played but it does commit the queen to ll...lDxeS? 12 .ltxf5 loses; 15 .ltb5 "fic7 into the ending with 3 ... eS 4 a somewhat exposed square. and ll...lDcS? 12 dxc5 'i'xd3 dxeS dxeS S 'tfxdS+ �xdS 6 S "ti'34 lDe7 leaves White with a massive .ltc4 lPeS etc. I lost against 9 .ltxc4 lDr5 grip, e.g. 13 l1dl 'i'a6 14 'i'xa6 Kramnik, drew with some pain 10 .ltf2 c6 bxa6 15 lDe4 en route to d6. against Korchnoi and had it 12 '*'1'35 lDxd4! twice in the L10yds Bank Mas Not 12...'iWg5? 13 g4 lDe3? ters 1993, scoring lIh/2. 14 h4 (14 lDe4 'i'f4) 14...�f4 But 3 ... eS hardly creates 15 lDce2! and wins. chaos and so I decided to vary. It took me some time to pluck 3 ... d5!? up the courage to take the pawn, 4 e5 lDgS!? but at least this does make sense This was a spur of the mo of Black's previous moves. Al ment decision. 4 ... lDfd7 is nor though White has a lead in de mal. velopment and the knight is 16 .ltxc6+?? 5 c4 e6 very exposed on d4, the queen A terrible mistake after which 6 lDc3 on as is very badly posted. Black is already better. Van der White could instead fix the 13 ltdl Sterren played this move to free pawn structure with 6 cxdS !? Here Van der Sterren had a He played this very quickly. I bS for his knight but he should exdS 7 lDc3. long think. Unfortunately, I've was slightly expecting 13 0-0-0, have maintained the pin for an 6 •.. dxc4! lost my score sheet and so I though this would give Black a other move with 16 lDe4 when: Although Black has all his don't have the clock times, but I check on g5 in extremis. a) 16 ... .ltd7 is sensible and pieces on their original squares, guess he took half an hour if not 13 ... c5 should lead to approximate the weakening D does give him more. 14 lDge2 lDc6!? equality after 17 .ltxc6 .ltxc6 IS some immediate chances. If I was expecting II '*'I'dl and If 14 ...lDxe 2?! 15 .ltxe2 (15 lDd6+ .ltxd6 19 exd6 (or 19 now 7 .ltxc4 cS is slightly an during the wait I had more or �xe2 !?) IS... lDd7 16 'i'a4 gives l1xd6 0-0 with equal chances) noying. This hits the centre and less decided on I l...cS!? White a huge initiative. 19... 'i'd7 20 'i'xc5. the d-pawn is temporarily (ll...lDb6 12 .ltb3 lDd5 is one But 14 ... .ltd7!? was a reason b) 16... 'Wxe5?! is almost sui pinned - if S dxcS?? 'iih4+ - so alternative) 12 dxc5 .ltxc5 13 able alternative, e.g. 15 lDxd4 cidally provocative, but if it 232 Blood on the Board Blood on the Board �33 were possible then Black would terial will be equal; but Black 25 itJxe6!? fxe6 prising if this weren't winning love to play it. During the will have a big advantage. 26 �d2 l1a8! for Black and indeed after 32 postmortem Paul found the Forcing either horrible pas axb5 Black has: good reply 17 itJd4!? when: sivity with 27 l1al or the move a) 32 ... Sl..g5+? 33 �d3! (33 bl) 17... .td7 18 .txc6 .txc6 played, which seriously weak 'it>eI l1aI + 34 'it>e2 1ta2+ 35 19 .tg3 �h5? (19... �xd4 20 ens White's queenside struc c.!.>fl l1b236 l1g4 Sl..d2 37 fIxg7 l1xd4 cxd4) 20 itJb5 ! is crush ture. White would like to set up J::lxb3 38 l'ld7+ c.!.>c4 wins for ing. a blockade with b3 and a4, but Black) 33 ...l1a3 (33 ...l1a2 34 b2) If 17.. :tlYc7? Black gets now the pawn may get fixed on );[e2) allows the piece sacrifice his just desserts after 18 .tg3 e5 a3 as indeed later occurs. It will 34 .txd4! cxd4 35 l:txd4+ when 19 Sl..xc6+ bxc6 20 Sl..xe5! be easier for Black to set up a White is fighting hard. 16 .•. �xc6 passed pawn than with the b) 32 ...l1a2+. This was my itJd5! 17 tLlb5 white queenside untouched; and intention but I had not seen that Black could equalise with the b3-square is an inviting after 33 c.!.>e l llb2 34 1:tf4 Black 17 ....td7 18 itJd6+ Sl..xd6 19 long-term target for the black has 34 ...Sl.. d8! (34 .. Jhb3 35 l1xd6 tLlc4 20 lhc6 tLlxa5 21 23 itJf4 king. l:tf7.tg5 36 f4 is much worse). U.xc5 itJc6, but after a little Threatening 24 tLlc7! and so 27 a3 d4 By including the bishop in the checking I satisfied myself that preventing 23 ....ta6, though 28 llel 'it>d5 attack before regaining mate the text move is simply good. Black is happy to lose the two 29 l1e4 rial, Black is able to co-ord.inate run Unless he takes immediate ac bishops in return for a free This ugly move is the only all three pieces and win easily, tion, White will be a pawn on the light squares. way to protect the e5-pawn and i.e. 35 11f7 Sl..a5+ 36 c.!.>fl 1:lxb3 down with a bad game and so 23 ... Sl..e6! prevent immediate expansion and Black can now answer 37 the following transaction is al Better than the impulsive with ...c4. l'ld7+ with 37... 'it>c4, intending most forced. 23 ...g5?! which would leave a 29 ... 11f8 ...d3 and ...l:ta l+. He will win 18 1:lxd5 b6! weak pawn on g5 and weaken material or even mate in just a This intermezzo is the justifi the f6-square. few more moves. cation of 17 ...itJd5! 24 tLlxb6 axb6 30 ... b5! 19 �a4 exd5 I was lucky that in regaining But not 30 ...l1f5? when Black 20 tLlc7+ his pawn Van der Sterren had to can win the e-pawn, but at the The attempt to attack with 20 cede me a further asset: play cost of allowing a blockade: 31 itJd6+ �d7 simply doesn't down the a-file. a4 J::lxe5 32 l1xe5+ c.!.>xe5 33 work, e.g. 21 �f4 Sl..xd6 22 This ending is extremely un �d3 'it>d5 34 b3 and there is no �xf7+ .te7 23 itJf4 11£8 and pleasant fo r White due to the way to make progress. wins. black central phalanx and the 31 h3?! 20 �d7 weakness of the e5-pawn. Al In time trouble this makes 21 �xc6+ �xc6 though it is natural to remove life slightly easier for Black 22 itJxa8 Sl..e7 one of Black's bishop pair, since the g3-square is now un This is the end of the compli White's next move does lose 30 c;&>c2! defended - see the next note. cations instituted by 17 ... itJd5. control of the d5-square which If 30 a4 Black can switch But 31 b4 C;&>c4, for example, is The knighton a8 is trapped and can now be occupied by the back with 30 .. .1h8! 31 b3 b5! I winning as well. after White loses the beast, king; after which the black hadn't worked out all the details 31 l1f5 taking the b6-pawn with it, ma- game practically plays itself. at the time, but it would be sur- 32 b4!? 234 Blood on the Board Blood on the Board 235 If 32 i.g3 �gS forces the ex win in the end. But I preferred if 47 Jl.h6 e3 left with bishop and wrong change of rooks due to the possible to exchange the d4- 0-1 rook's pawn, but it will be easy weakening 31 h3. After 33 J:tg4 pawn for a kingside one, leav to remove the white h-pawn l1xg4 34 hxg4 c4 the ending is ing the weakling on a3 as a tar without allowing White's king easily won for Black. Unless get for later. A little thought into the hi comer. White plays f4 the eS-pawn will convinced me that although we It is important that the white soon fa ll, but if he does play f4 might reach an ending of bishop h-pawn is only on h3. If it could then ...�e4 will initiate a fatal and the wrong rook's pawn reach hS then the ending would invasion. against king, this could only be problematical at best, since 32 ... llxe5 arise with the white king way the black king would have to 33 lhe5+ over on the wrong side of the take a long detour to capture it If 33 bxcS �xe4 34 fxe4+ board. before rushing towards the hI �xe4 35 c6 i.d6 the c6-pawn is 37 Jl.gl comer to head off its counter easily surrounded and Black If 37 g3 Black could play part. But of course if, immedi wins trivially. 37 ...gS anyway. ately after 48 Jl.xe3 Jl.xe3 or 33 'itfxe5 37 Jl.d6 Van der Sterren resigned. later, White tries h4 then Black 34 bxc5 Jl.xc5 38 g3 g5 White must give up his bishop can always fix it with -49 ...hS 35 �d3 'itfd5 39 i.xd4 for the e-pawn. Black will be before taking it with the bishop. 36 f4 g6 Or 39 fxgS eS and wins eas- ily. Game 38 gxf4 39 J.Hjartarson-J.Speelman 40 gxf4 Si.xf4 Copenhagen (Politiken Cup) 1996 41 i.b2 i.d6 French Defence, Burn variation 42 Jl.cl I had expected 42 �e3 e5 43 I have included this fi nal exam 4 Jl.g5 0: 10 dxe4 0:03 Jl.c 1 Jl.cS+ 44 �f3, but Black ple on account of the quite 5 liJxe4 0:10 ltJbd7 0:04 can win with 44 ...e4+ 4S �f4 splendid mess which occurred 6 ltJf30: 12 Jl.e70:06 e3 when the pawn ending after round about move 26: it is sel 7 ltJxf6+ Si.xf6 0:06 46 Jl.xe3 i.xe3+ 47 �xe3 �c4 dom that one sacrifices a piece 8 h4!? 0:14 h6 0:14 is hopeless, as equally is 46 �f3 for quite such a slow attack, 9 Jl.e3 0:18 �c4 47 �e2 �c3 etc. 42 Jl.c5 particularly when the main Here the bishop doesn't pre try vent ...eS. He should have cho It is always nice in a bishop 43 'itfc3 e5 point is to to sacrifice a fur sen ending to be able to move a 44 'itfb3 e4 ther exchange. between 9 Jl.xf6 and 9 Jl.f4. I first annotated this game in 9 ... fje7 0:22 pawn onto a square of the right 45 a4 bxa4+ New in Chess, No.6 1996, and 10 C3 0:20 colour (opposite to one's own 46 'itfxa4 have just added the clock times, If 10 'ilid2: bishop's). White has succeeded in without any other significant a) 10 ...e5 is normal. No doubt, there are several eliminating his weakness, but emendations. b) 1O ...b6 !? is also possible ways to win now. Presumably, after Black's next move the 1 d4 0:07 e6 0:01 now that the queen is on d2 - it would be sufficient to ex white king is permanently cut 2 e40: 10 d5 0:01 White would like to have or change the d4-pawn for the a3- off from the action. 3 liJc3 0: 10 liJf6 0:03 ganised Jl.c4 and 'iiie2 but pawn, after which Black must 46 ... 'itfc4 236 Blood on the Board Blood on the Board 237 didn't have time. During the a) 16... iLxb2 17 llJg5 (17 rooks doubling on the h-file. seems that he has at least a game I vaguely looked at II �xb2 '&xe4) 17... hxg5 IS But I have to admit that I didn't draw. However, 24 .. .'ti'g2 25 0-0-0 iLb7 12 iLe2 0-0-0, pre 't'fxb2 with a mess. even consider it since I hate to l1deI leaves the knight mis paring to play ...c5 soon, and if b) 16 ... cxd5 17 llJxf6+ 'fi'xf6 give my opponent breathing placed, while 24 ...llJc5 !? looked 13 g4 e5 14 g5 exd4 (14... hxg5 IS 0-0-0 and here Black has at space in such a position. very unclear. is also very good of course) 15 least: 22 fxe3 1:28 �g5 1:14 25 <;1;xb2 1:36 l'lab8+ 1:31 gxf6? dxe3 16 fxe7 exd2+ 17 bl) IS... iLf5 19 'fi'c3: I had been intending the al 26 1t7c1 J :38 lhd2 l'ldeS is tremendous for bl1) 19... 'Wxc3+ 20 bxc3 ternative 22 .. .'i!Vc5!? while wait And not 26 Wc2?? when Black. llJxc4 21 iLxc4 dxc4 22 lXxdS+ ing for 20 g4, when we have: 26 ...ttd3 ! wins immediately. 10 ... e5 0:26 l:.xdS, winning a pawn since if a) 23 '&c3 is bad here be 26 ... '*"'f6? 1 :35 11 d5 0:31 23 iLxa7? I;IaS. cause after 23 ...llJa4 24 'ti'b3 A blunder. 26 .. .'i't'e5 was cor Too ambitious since it loses b12) But in this line llJxb2! White has to recapture rect. Black's threat is still time and the d5-pawn is weak 19... '&e6! may be even better. with the queen 25 �xb2 'ti'xe3 27 .. J,'td3 2S iLxd3 exd3 when if ened. b2) Not lS... d4 19 'C!fd2! and here I calculated the line 26 29 llJb l or 29 llJfl J::!.(x)bl+! Is 11 llJb6 0:31 b3) But ... iLg4 is playable l:th2 l'labS 27 ndhl f6! (not wins. White can defend with: 12 '*'fb3 0:38 0-0 0:36 and if 19 Ild4 iLf5 20 'Wc3 27 ...';1;fS?? 2S I;IhS+ We7 29 a) 27 It'lbI ttd3 2S 1Lxd3 13 llJd2 0:40 l:.d8 0:47 llJxc4 21 iLxc4 dxc4 or 19 f3 d4 'We5+) 2S I;IhS+<;1;f7 and wins. exd3 29 llJc3 'C!fxe3+ 30 lld2 14 C4 0:44 20 l1xd4 I;Ixd4 21 iLxd4 '&xd4 b) But then I changed my �d4 when White can, and 14 llJe4? llJxd5 15 iLc5 'ti'e6 22 fxg4 l'ldS. mind in view of 23 l:.h3! iLf5 probably should, force a draw at doesn't work at all. 16 ... bxc6 0:58 24 l:.g3 'We5 25 .Hdgl g6 when once with 31 IIdh2! '&f4+! - 14 ... e4 0:47 17 iLe21: 07 iLf5 1:01 White has very reasonable play during the game I only saw 15 't'fc2 0:55 c6 0:56 Threatening to take the h for the pawn. 3l...d2+?? 32 'ifl?d l! winning - To bust up the white centre as pawn and so morally forcing 23 �c3! 1:31 32 ltd2 'ti'd4 33 ltdh2. quickly as possible. White to sacrifice a pawn. Here 23 I;Ih3 iLf5 24 I;Ih5 b) 27 c5? gives the knight the 18 g4! 1:25 'ti'xe3 is winning. c4-square, but after 27 ...l:td3 2S If IS g3 the best is IS . . .'t't'b4 23 llJa4 1:20 iLxd3 exd3 29 llJc4 J:lb I +! 30 (also possible is lS... iLd4 at 24 '&a3 1:31 llJxb2!? 1:27 It7d2 l:.xdl+! 31 Wxdl '&e4! once or IS.. JlacS!?, intending causes a total catastrophe ...llJd5 next) 19 l:[b 1 iLd4! still (certainly not 31...'&al+?? 32 preventing castling since d2 'Wei 'C!fxa2 33 'i'fb2 '&xc4 34 hangs. '&bs mate) 32 I;Ih2 (if 32 IIfl 18 ... iLg6 1:01 'Wg4+!; or 32 Itg l 'i!t'f3+) 19 gS 1:27 hxgS 1:02 32 ... 'ti'g4+! 33 Wd2 �g l trap 19... iLd4 was also conceiv ping the rook! able and after 20 h5 iLxe3 21 c) But the best move is 27 fxe3 2l...iLh7 (or 2l...iLf5) 22 11h4!! gxh6 'C!fg5 23 0-0-0, maybe (see fo llowing diagram) 16 dxc6 1:05 even 23 .. .'ti'xe3. If 16 'ti'xe4 'iifxe4 17 llJxe4 20 hxgS 1:27 iLxg5 1:02 As we shall see, this beauti iLxb2 IS l'lbl iLe5 is extremely 21 0-0-0 1:28 iLxe3 1:04 ful move prevents 27 ... 11d3. It nice for Black. In the postmortem Johann Continuing to deny White also prepares to double on the While if 16 llJxe4: suggested 2l...iLf6 to stop the any breathing space, but it h-file if White gets a move. 238 Blood on the Board Blood on the Board 239 the b-file. But now White has (29 ...'&f2 30 l:td2 '/Wxe3 31 1:lxe2 1:ld8+ 35 I&>c2 wins. the splendid positional riposte: 'ifYd6! is hopeless), but after 30 31 l:td2 1:47 c32) 28 c5! This vacates c4 �xd2 (30 Itxd2?? '/Wxc3+!) Here Johann offered a draw, for the knight and incidentally 30.. .'8'f2+ 31 lDe2 1:ld8+ 32 but I thought I had at least opens the fourth rank for the I&>c l White wins, e.g. 32 ...Itb8 enough for the rook. rook in case of the thematic ex 33 '&xa7! Itb l+ 34 'it'd2 l1b2+ 31 ... '&d4 1:44 change sacrifice on d3. 35 I&>c3 l1c2+ 36 �b4. 32 '&a5?! 1:48 Now 28 ... Itdb7 fails to 29 27 ... '&e5 1:35 If 32 Ithl?! Sloe4 33 Itel f5 lDc4!, while if 28 ....I:I.d5 29 lDc4 cements the bishop. But perhaps is still good: 29 ...�a l+ (not 32 c5 was better. 29 ...1:lxc5 30 1:ldh l) 30 I&>c2 32 ... cS 1:44 cl) Unfortunately if Black IUdl 31 Sloxdl and here a fur 33 Ite1 I:52 SlofS :501 now plays 27... 1:ld3? 28 Sloxd3 ther point of c5 is revealed: if Threatening ... g5, after which (not 28 .l:tdhl?? '&a l+ 29 �c2 3l...m1+ 32 �d2 1:ld8+ White I could just put the bishop back l:.b2+ 30 '8'xb2 l1xd2+) can block with 33 lDd6! on g6 and advance the g-pawn. 28 ...exd3 29 ltd4! c5 30 'i'i'a5 !! c4) In view of this 27... c5! 34 1:lfl 1:54 not only protects the rook but seems best. Now Black does I had vaguely noticed the also threatens l1d8+, so threaten ...l1d3. But after 28 very computer-like 34 lle7, but 30 ...�e7 (or 30... 1:le8 31 l1d8 lDb 1! (not 28 Itdhl?? '8'a l+ 29 it is slow and badly weakens the '&a l+ 32 lDbl d2+ 33 s.t>xd2 'it'c2.l:l.b2+ 30 '&xb2 Itxd2+) he back rank. Indeed after 34... g5 and wins) 31 11f4 ! (not 31 1:ld5? can't carry out his threat: 35 .l:ha7 J:1b4 36 'iWa3, which I 't't'f6 32 lDbl l1xbl+ 33 �xb l 28 .. Jld3? 29 1:ldhl! and wins. 28 lDbl 1:42 had seen, there is 36 .. .'ii'e5 ! d2+) 31...'&e5 and now 32 1:ld4 So 28 ...11xd 1 + 29 Sloxd 1 is With the rook on the f-fiIe, (Fritz) 37 Ita8+ 'i'i'xbl+ 30 s.t>d2 Itb2+ 31 �c3 advantage: 27 ...1:ld3 28 Sloxd3 30 .•• 'fixe3+! 1 :4 1 38 .. . Slof3+ 'ficl+ 32 s.t>d4 1:ld2+. exd3 29 lDc3, and of course If 30 ...d2+? 31 �xd2! '&h2+ I wanted to play 38 ... l::I.xc4 It also prepares to double on here I was intending 29 ...d2+ 32 ttJe2 Sloh5 33 1:lfe l Sloxe2 34 but was, quite correctly as it 240 Blood on the Board turns out, worried about 39 �xa7 ! (if 39 l:tbxd2 l:txc3 40 lhd3 nxd3+ 41 '\I5'xd3 �xd3 the weak a-pawn gives White some chances, but Black must be doing pretty well) and now: a) If 39...�f3+ 40 llxf3 '&xf3+ I had seen 41 tiJe2! but not 41...'&f2, fo und by Fritz of course. However, after 42 'iWb8+! (not 42 't't'a8+? <,t>h7 43 �h l+ nh4 44 '&gl 'ttxg l+ 45 lZ:\xg l :hl and Black wins) 42 .. 5A;>h7 43 'iWg3 ! White de a) If 46 ...a5 47 '&c3!, pre fends with a big advantage. paring 48 a3, prevents Black b) If 39 ...I1xc3? I was con repairing his pawn structure. cerned about 40 '&b8+? <,t>h7 41 b) 46 ...IDI4 looks good, e.g. �h2+ which I thought might 47 '&g3 lith l+: win. But as we found in the bl) And here the natural 48 postmortem there is 41...'t'lh3 ! <,t>f2 �f5+ is ratherunpleasant: (Petursson) with a big plus. bll ) 49 tiJf4? g5 50 litb8+ But of course White has a �g7! (50 .. .';th7 51 'tWd3!) 51 huge hit in the middle of this: 'i!fc3+ f6 52 nb7+ Wh6 53 �g2 40 '&xf7+! and mate in a couple '{IVe4+ 54 'fff3 :g 1 +. more moves. b12) So 49 't'ff4 is forced, but 39 btxf3 . '\I5'xf3+ 49 ...nh2+ 50 �e3 is quite dan 40 �xd2 'iii'f4+? gerous for White since the king 40... l1xc4! was clearly better, really has to walk with the capturing while White still has knight misplaced - and Black some co-ordination problems. certainly keeps a perpetual in 41 �dI 2:04 'iii'fl+ 2:09 hand, e.g. 50 ...'&e6+ 51 <,t>f3 42 '&t>d2 2:05 'ii'xc4 2:12 't'fh3+ when 52 ""e4 is forced - 43 tiJe2 2:07 'ttd5+ 2: 12 not 52 'iWg3 'iWf l+. 44