RecognizingYour
Opponent's Resources
Developing Preventive Thinking
2015 Russell Enterprises, Inc. Milford, CT USA Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Developing Preventive Thinking by Mark Dvoretsky
ISBN: 978-1-941270-00-4
© Copyright 2015 Mark Dvoretsky
All Rights Reserved
No part of this book may be used, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any manner or form whatsoever or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.
Published by: Russell Enterprises, Inc. P. O. Box 3131 Milford, CT 06460 USA
http:/ /www.russell-enterprises.com [email protected]
Cover design by Fierce Ponies Enterprises, Brooklyn, NY Translated from the Russian by Sarah Hurst Editing and proofreading by Peter Kurzdorfer
Printed in the United States of America Ta ble of Contents
Signs & Symbols 4
Foreword 5
Chapter I
Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 7
Exercises 18
Solutions 48
Chapter II
The Process of Elimination 138
Exercises 148
Solutions 166
Chapter III
Traps 211
Exercises 223
Solutions 229
Chapter IV
Prophylactic Thinking 247
Exercises 259
Solutions 285
Source Material 355 Signs and Symbols
a strong move
!! a brilliant or unobvious move
? a weak move, an error
?? a grave error
!? a move worth consideration
?! a dubious move
an equal position
;!;; White stands slightly better
± White has a clear advantage
+- White has a winning position
:;: Black stands slightly better
+ Black has a clear advantage
-+ Black has a winning position
00 an unclear position
# mate
(D) See the next diagram w White to move
B Black to move Foreword
Yo ur opponent also hasa right to exist- Savielly Tartakower remarked with his characteristic irony. Absorbed in our own thoughts, we sometimes forget this, fo r which we have to pay dearly. As Viktor Kortchnoi wrote, Well, ifyou do not check what your opponent is doing, you will end up complaining about bad luck aft er everygame. No chessplayer has managed to completely exclude this kind of mistake, but some make it less often and others more often. Many who are over-self-confident optimists make it with unenviable regularity. I hope that the collection of exercises which you have opened will help you to make tangible progress in this area, which in turnshould trigger improvement in your results and your overall level of play. This book consists of four chapters, all somehow or other associated with the ability to think not only for yourself, but also for your opponent, to put yourself in his place. The examples from the firstthree, "Pay Attention to your Opponent's Resources," "The Process of Elimination" and "Traps" are mainly tactical. The fourth chapter, "Prophylactic Thinking," is predominantly comprised of positional exercises. Then again, the boundary between positional and tactical play is notional nowadays, and sometimes it is impossible to identify even in analysis of an individual position, never mind in the chapters of a book that contain a multitude of varied examples. My goal is to supply the reader with high-quality material for independent training in the above-mentioned important areas by calculating variations that are usually ignored by the authors of chess books. Of course, examples of this nature can be fo und in any collection of exercises, but they are scattered there among the mountains of positions that are offered, while I have almost never found a specialized selection of material on these topics. The rare exceptions that I know of are Artur Yusupov's books and Jakob Aagard' s monograph Calculation, which were designed on the same principle as this collection. Each chapter starts with a short "theoretical" section. Then several dozen exercises are given, arranged (not strictly, of course, but with a considerable dollop of wiggle room) on the principle "from easy, even elementary, to difficult." Training your skills in searching for a move and calculating variations will help you at all stages ofthe game - which is why among the exercises there are opening, middlegame and endgame positions, and not only ones that aretaken frompractical games, but also studies. You may also independently solve the introductory examples from each chapter and the positions in the diagrams in the "Solutions" in those cases when there is a question mark and an indication of who is to play under the diagrams. The comments in the "Solutions" are quite detailed, not limited to giving the only correct sequence of moves and explaining side variations. I have tried to detail the logic of the search for a solution, to show how a player can come to the right conclusions at the board. Then again, the reasoning and calculations I offer are far from compulsory for everyone. Most likely, in many cases you will manage to achieve the aim another way. This is to be expected, as each of us has our own head on our shoulders and our own approach to decision-making.
5 I will also mention a few technical details. As in all my books and articles, quotes included in the text are given in italics. In the examples which are investigated in the introductions to each chapter, the moves made by the players are highlighted in bold text. In the solutions to the exercises things are different: the moves in the main variation of the solution are highlighted, regardless of whether or not they occurredin the game. Positions that came about during analysis of side variations, and also positions in the "Solutions," are shown in small diagrams. Studies are often not given from their initial position - and then the name of the study composer is furnished with an asterisk. The same symbol is also used for practical positions that did not occur in a game, but came about during its analysis. The majority of examples are taken from my"card index of exercises," work on which has been going on for decades. Obv iously I have already used many of the successfulexamp les frommy card index in my previous books. So was it worth giving them here again? I made a compromise decision. At the end of each of the four books in the series "School of Chess Excellence," there is a thematic index that sorts all the exercises by the thinking skills that they are designed to develop, and among those skills are all of the four that are the objects of examination here. I did not include the exercises fromthose books here (apart fromone or two), and if you want to you can findand use them, if subsequently you decide to continue working in this direction. There are also no exercises here from the text "8x12" that can be found in the first book ofthe series "School of Future Champions." In the list of 12 different topics (each of which has eight exercises) you will find "Pay Attention to your Opponent's Resources," "Traps" and "Prophylaxis." There are relevant examples in all my other books too, but it will be harder for you to extract them fromthere because ofthe absence of corresponding indexes. So I considered it possible to use those exercises here. Then again, there are not many of them - I haven't included the overwhelming majority of examples in my books before. A significant portion of the games and fragmentsthat I offe r for your attention could be characterized by the term "tragicomedy" (widely used for the firsttime in my Endgame Ma nual) - as in them one player then the other made crude blunders. Selecting this kind of material was not intentional, but it was not accidental either. It is these kinds of episodes that most often draw the attention of commentators during analysis of games and end up on the pages of magazines, books and websites, and fromthere the most interesting of them get into my card index. There is a positive side to the demonstration of simple mistakes made by grandmasters: it becomes clear that you can successfullyoppose ev en very strong players if you make progress with your own play. And since this task is hardly super-complicated, but completely fe asible by means of systematic training, it makes sense to try it.
Mark Dvoretsky Moscow May 2015 Chapter 1: Pay Attention to your Opponent's Resources
The key word in the title of this chapter is "attention." It is no accident that a significant proportion of mistakes (we call them "oversights" and "blunders") are by no means associated with your own failed ideas, but with strong opposition on the partof your opponent. You do not notice them because your attention is mainly directed towards looking for and studying your own strongest moves. You should put yourself in the position of your partner a little more often,and think about how he is going to react to the idea you have in store for him. However, this very important skill that forms the title of this chapter (like any other skill) does not appear by itself. Training it in tournament battles is difficult: you are being bombarded with too many different problems and overwhelmed by emotions that are too strong. But if you set up the pieces on the board in peaceful surroundings (at home, at a chess school or during a training meet), it is easier to correct your approach to decision-making. Ev en more so when there are positions in fr ont of you that you are unlikely to successfully investigate without paying enough attention to your opponent's resources. By learning to confidentlyand accurately solve the exercises fromth is book, you will subsequently be able to deal with similar problems confidently in tournament games too. To get a better idea of the challenges on this road, let's have a look at some practical examples and think about the reasons for the mistakes which were made in them.
Vallin - Nielsen to Rome, it is easy to lose your caution 1968 and concentration, which, obviously, also happens to the person playing White. The classic fo rmula: "Winning a won position is the most difficult thing W? of all," warns against dangerous complacence. In situations like this you have to be a "predator," trying to choose out of several possibilities the one path on which your opponent will not get ev en the tiniest chance. l.b8�? f2+ 2.�f1 .1l,g2+!! White probably ov erlooked this Does J.b8'i!fwin? ingenious thrust, which should put him on his guard, but does not. By taking White has an ov erwhelming with the rook on g2 he forces a advantage and there is no way he is transposition into a rook ending, in going to allow the blow .. .f3-f2+. which he retains a big adv antage. But Simplest of all is l.§.fl! or l.'Ml !- his he did not want to drag out the battle. opponent has to capitulate immediately. 3.�xg2? In completely winning positions, In the variation 3 .. .fe"lli'+? 4.�xb2, when almost all roads apparently lead the king easily gets away from the
7 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources checks: 4 ...'� e4+ 5.�h3 'l*f3+ 6 . .§g3 sometimes even completely let my �h5+ 7.�g2. But here a new surprise opponent 's 'time trouble rhythm ' draw fo llows. me in. 3 ... fl �+!! 4.
8 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
It is much more difficult to The consequences of the move that evaluate the fo llowing position than the the grandmaster made, 3l •.•f!f d8!? two previous ones. are rather unclear as well. The variation 32.cd �c3 33 . .§d4 E!.bc8 34.�b2 �xb2+ 35.'ifi>xb2 �xd4+ 36.ed §.xd5 Hodgson - M. Gurevich European Team Championship 37 . .Q.xe4 .§xd4 leads to a better Haifa 1989 endgame for Black (the only question is by how much). However, White has the defensive resource 32.'ifi>cl! at his disposal, repelling the threat32 ...�xc4 and simultaneously preventing 32 ...dc? B? because of 33 . .§xd8+ E!.xd8 34 . .§dl+- . Black maintains the tension by 32 ...a5!?. 32.c5?! E!b533.Axe 4 E!xc5
Is 31... l!fc8 worth playing?
It is clear that Black's initiative compensates for being two pawns down, especially since he can immediately win one of them back (only not by 31... �xc4?? because of 32.�xf8+!). The only question is whether he will find a way to convert White's position looks alarming his activ ity into a decisive attack. both after 34.§.cl .§xcl+ 35.E!.xcl The move 3l.. . .§fc8?!, creating the �b6, with a subsequent 36... �xe3, and difficult-to-repel threat of 32 ...�xc4, at after 34.ild3 �d6! (preventing the first glance solves the problem move 35.E!.cl and pointing the queen convincingly. But Mikhail Gurevich in the direction of e5). But both of rejected it, finding the ingenious these were much better than the capture refutation 32 . .§xd5! �xc4 33.�b2!! �c6 of the a7-pawn that occurred in the (33 ....Q.xb2? 34.bc is bad), and now not game. Julian Hodgson clearly 34 . .§c5? �a6! 35 . .§xc8+ (35 . .§e5 underestimated the danger his king was .§xc2!-+ ) 35 ... .§xc8 36.�cl �a5 -+ , but facing . 34.�xa7? E!c835.J;txd5 �b5 34 . .§d4! - here White at least is not worse. 35 ....§x d5! 36 . .§cl.§dl!! 37 . .§hxdl Black could simply play 3l...dc!? �e4+ decides matters more quickly and 32 . .§d6 (32.�d6 �c8) 32 ...�c7, impressively. intending 33 ... cb 34.ab �c3. The 36.f!d2 (36.�f7 .§cl+!; 36.ile4 initiative remains in his hands, although �e8!) 36.•• f!xd5 37.�f7 f!d6! breaking through his opponent's 38.f!c2 �xf5 39.f!hcl �xc2+! defenses will not be easy. White resigned.
9 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
It oftenhappens that when a player Short - Miles is enthusiastic about the combinational British Championship, Brighton 1984 idea he is found, he does not have the time or the patience to check it. As a result he does not notice a refutation; sometimes a fairly simple one. W? Simagin - Beilin Vilnius 1946
W?
This time there is no leading question under the diagram as there has been for each of the prev ious exercises. They directed your attention towards solving a specificproblem and thereby made the search fo r the right answer Find the combination easier. From now on in most cases I will and evaluate its correctness. do without these "hints." However, sometimes it is essential Vladimir Simagin was seduced by nevertheless. For example, it is highly the tactical idea l.�g6? fg 2.Etxe6 likely that in solving the position fr om the t}Jf7 3. �xb7. His opponent replied game Taimanov-Vorotnikov , a player with 3 ... �dS!, and taking the knight leads a good positional instinct would quickly to mate 4... �xf2+ 5. 'it>hl �fl +; find the strong idea of opening the h-file otherwise, Black retains his extra piece. in combination with the al-h8 diagonal. There fo llowed 4.Ete2 'l}fxb7 S.EtcS And then he probably would not pay any Etad86.EteS 'l}ff7! -+ (again the same attention to the move 21.f4?, which means motif; however, 6 ....§.f 5 -+ is also he would not train himself to look for its enough). hidden refutation - in other words, the White should recognize that he exercise would not achieve its aim. does not have an adv antage and limit In the position in the last diagram himself to a peacefulmo ve: most likely White has a strong extra pawn with it makes sense to exchange off the well-positioned pieces. The move made strong bishop, 1.4Jxb7=. in the game, 22.a3, retained a big advantage fo r him. On the other hand, when you find an But could White not end the battle apparently strong retort by your immediately? Nigel Short decided not to opponent, you do not always have to win the exchange by 22.4Jb6! because of reject your idea immediately. Sometimes the beautiful counter-blow 22 ...4Je2 !. that retort in its tum runs into a Taking either ofthe black pieces leads to refutation. The next example had already mate: 23.4Jxd7? .§.cl+ 24 . .§.xcl .§.xcl # become a classic a long time ago. or 23.Axe2? t¥xdl + 24 . .ilxdl .§.cl#.
10 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
We are left with the 24.�el {:}f7 with approximate deflecting/attracting blow 23:�f8+!!, equality. It is no worse fo r Black either (which went unnoticed by both players) with 24 .. ..!:!hd8 25.:B.xd8 :B.xd826.:B.xe5 as a result of which White is leftwith a :B.d5, as occurred in the game big material advantage. Westerinen-Csom, Las Palmas, 1978. Natural and best is the mov e 21.h4!. A sharp opening duel unfolded in I will risk suggesting that Sax rejected it the fo llowing game. because of the counter-blow 21...:B.xb2?,
Sax - Veingold which, however, can be refuted, ev en in Tallinn 1979 two ways: 22.!:1h3! 'i*el + 23..!:!dl+- or l.e4 c5 2.{:}{3 d6 3.d4 cd 22.'lird4!'i*xd4 23.!:1x d4 +- . That is why 4.{:}xd4 {:}f65.{:}c3 {:}c6 6.-'t, g5 e6 Black has to reply 21...�f7, on which 7.l\td2a6 8.0-0-0 h6 9 • .1lh4(more 22.�dl or 22.!:1h3 are possible, with a often the bishop retreats to f4 or e3) complicated battle. 9 ••• {:}xe4 10.l\tf4{:} g5 11. 4)xc6 be 12.l\ta4 l\tb6 13.f4 {:}h7 14.f5 �b8 In each of the prev ious examples, as 15.fe .1}.xe6 16.-'t,c4 -'t,e7 17.-'t,xe7 in the majority of the exercises from the C/;xe7 18 • .1}.xe6 fe 19.l\tg4 l\te3+ section fo r solving on your own, the A slightly unusual situation: in the center of grav ity lies in the search fo r a course of the last few moves Black hidden tactical resource for our opponent could take on b2 with check, but he did that is capable of upsetting our plans. In not do so, and he was right! For practice, tactics are usually closely example, in the game Vasiukov intertwined with strategy: in order to Zurakhov, 1960, after 19 .. :�xb2+?! make the best choice, it is important not 20.r.ftd2 �g5? (20 ...:B.hf8 is better) only to find specific moves, but also to 21.:B.bl �a3 22.h4 �f7 23.:B.hel e5 ev aluate their consequences and to sense 24.:B.fl, White created a winning attack. the dangers that lie in store for us on one 20.�d2 {:}g5 path or another. Let's investigate a few games and fragments in which the problem of taking into account and correctly ev aluation the opponent's W? possibilities arose fo r the players on more than one occasion.
Dvoretsky - Ludolf Viljandi 1971
Gyula Sax played carefully, W? 21.{:}dl?!, and did not get anything out of it. 21 ••• �e4 22.l\tg3 l\te5 23.l\txe5 (he has to exchange queens: after 23:�f2 �e4 24:�a7+ �f6 the adv antage is on Black's side) 23 •••de
11 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
Black intends to destroy my pawn lnarkiev- Vitiugov chain with the move 18... b3. Then Russian Championship, Moscow 2008 18.dc �c5 is fav orable for him with the threats of 19 ...�x f3 and 19 ..:�xc4. So how to av oid unfav orably opening up fileson the queenside? The problem is W? solved by a positional pawn sacrifice. 18.d41 �xd4? He should not accept the sacrifice, since the black king fa lls under a decisive attack. Underestimation ofthe opponent's possibilities sometimes manifests itself in precisely this fo rm: not a concrete blunder, but fa iling to Black's position is difficult; there understand the disadvantages or is absolutely nothing fo r him to do. The dangers of the position into which the advance ...g7-g5 leads to the creation player is going. 19.4)exd4 ,£lxd4 20.4)xd4 of multiple weaknesses on the kingside, Elxfl + 2l."�xfl �xd4 22.eSI dS and the same can also be said about the (22 .. :�xe5 23.1Ul6 +- ) move ...f7-f5 (which at the moment is impossible anyway, as the b8-rook comes under attack). There are also almost no chances to start play on the W? opposite side of the board. For example, an immediate 27 ...b4 is easily refuted by 28.ab ab 29.cb 4)xd4 30.�al or 29 ...4)xb4 30.�xa4 4)xa4 31.�a3. White has at his disposal the obvious and extremely dangerous plan f2-f4-f5. Black cannot let the pawn get to f5, which is why in these kinds of positions he usually replies to f2-f4 by If I make the natural move ...g7-g6, but then the knight or the 23 . .ilh6?, Black defends by 23... i1k5 ! bishop gets through to f6. 24. �f4 4)g7with a subsequent 25 ...�f8 The situation turns out to be very or 25 ..:�·f8. It is vital to take control of simple: if Black has no serious response the c5-square. to f2-f4, then it should be played 23.1te7!White resigned. immediately; ifthere is a response, then On 23 ...4)g7 or 23 ...4)c7, the the pawn march must be prepared. If moves 24.�f6 and 25.�fl are decisive. Emesto Inarkiev had thought about his Black resigned. opponent's possible reaction, ev en fo r a moment, he undoubtedly would have understood everything and played 27 . .ilh4!, retaining all the adv antages of his position. But, unfortunately,
12 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
concentrating on his own plans, Emesto hg �xg6 (30 ...h5 31..Ah4 �xg6 often forgets about his opponent and 32 . .Ag5)31 .�h5!. allows dangerous counterplay. 29.Etfl?!g5 30.hg �xg6 27.f4? f5! The situation has changed sharply. It becomes clear that in the event White's active possibilities are now of 28.ef gf, the g3-bishop is under limited, while his opponent intends to attack. After 29 . ..1lh4 f5, the position move his h-pawn forward, and later he stabilizes and Black has the strong will also think about preparing the maneuver .. .4Jb6-c8-d6-e4. advance ...b5- b4. White's position The commentary on White's next remains defensible, but it is indisputable two moves illustrates one of the most that with this development of events important aspects of an attentive Black has complete possession of the attitude towards your opponent's initiative. That is why I think that possibilities: prophylactic thinking. Inarkiev is absolutely right in trying to 28.itdl?! halt an unfavorably developing Obviously Black intends to play situation with a positional piece ...g7-g5. White will take the pawn en sacrificefo r two pawns . 31 • .A,xf5! ef 32.�xf5
W?
After theexchange of pawns on g6, he has to reckon with ...h6-h5-h4. He would like to prevent this by putting his queen on h5, but the lack of defense fo r the g3-bishop allows his opponent to deliver the blow ...�xe5 !. White should make the prophylactic move 29.�h2!, 39.g5? having in mind the variation 29... g5 30. The decisive mistake, again associated with inattention to his
13 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources opponent 's resources: Inarkiev battle to the center and to the queenside. overlooks Black's lethal 41st move. What decision would you have made in Meanwhile, after 39.<£lxg2 hg 40 . .§f2 the young Indian player's place? (on 40.�xg2? both 40 ....§b h7 41.Agl Viswanathan Anand saw that after �g5 -+ and 40 ... .§g7!? 41..§f4 .§gh7 15.<£la4! .§b8 (otherwise the knight goes 42.�gl 'liitg5-+ are very strong) to b6) 16.e5! conquers the important 40 ....§b h7 4l..§xg2 .§h3 42:ru"4, White c5-square and obtains an advantage, but preserves his main trump card: the he preferred a sharperrou te. 15.�e2 a5 16.�bd4 �xd4 passed pawns on the kingside, and with 17.�xd4 them the hope for a favorable outcome In the game, White's strategy was to the batt le. justified: there fo llowed 17 •••�b6?1 It is not that simple to refut e 18.e51± Ab7 19.ghfl de (19 ...a4 39 . .§f4!? (suggested by grandmaster 20.f5!) 20.fe gds? (the more st ubborn Vugar Gashimov). 20 ...g6 leads to a difficult endgame: 39 ••. gh5 40.g6 �xe3 41.�xe3 21.<£lf5 'l!txe3+22 .<£lxe3±) 2l.Axh7+1 g{71 �xh7 22.g6 + �g8 23. �h3 �f6 One of the pawns is lost and the 24.ef fg 25.fg Black resigned. game quickly ends. With opposite-side castling every 42.f6 �xg6+ 43• .Q.g3h2+ 44.Ci!thl tempo counts, and you have to act with �h3 45.�f3 Axc2 White resigned. the ut most energy, not letting material sacrifices st op you. Black obviously Anand - Ninov reject ed the principled 17 ...a4! because World Junior Championship of 18.<£lc6 'liitc7 19.<£lxb4 a3 (otherwise Baguio 1987 20.a3 with a subsequent �bl and c2- c3) 20.b3.
W? B?
Choosing a square for the knight 's White intends 'liitd4. Anand gives ret reat , White solves a purely positional two short variations: problem, which, however, is also 20 ...'liil c3 21.'ffi'el! 'liitb2+ 22.'it>d2is associated with the evaluation of his clearly in Wh ite 's fa vor - to Black 's opponent 's counterplay. By playing surprise he has little compensation fo r 15.<£le2 he plans to develop a pawn the pawn. attack on the kingside, but Black st ill 20 ....§b 8 21.<£la6 �xa6 22.-'txa6 has a similar opportunity on the with a subsequent -'tc4 - Wh ite 's queenside. The alternative is a blockade position on the queenside is solid, as the of the enemy pawns with the move poorly-positioned knight on e8 is 15.<£la4 with a transfer of the main unable to chase the white bishop away.
14 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
Alas, Anand was inattentive impossible to calculate and evaluate the towards his opponent 's resources. The arising complications precisely at the second variation contains a serious board. mistake: on 21..£la6? fo llows 2l..:i!1b6!! 20 ...ef (20 ....£Jf6? 21.i::!xh7+!!) 22.'ll\'xb6 i::!xb6, and the knight is lost. 21.'l!i'd4+ �f8 (21... .£Jf6? 22.1::!xh7+ That is why White has to play 21.'l!i'd2 �xh7 23. �xf6 .£ld3+! 24.�c2! 'l!Yh5 �c5 22 . .£Ja6.ilxa6 23 . .ilxa6.£lc7 with 25.i::!xd3 ± no longer works) 22.1::!xh7 a subsequent 24 ...d5 - Black get s good i::!e7 23. i::!xe7 (on 23.i::!h8?! the strong compensation for the pawn. Then reply 23 ....£ld7! can be fo und) 23 ....£Jxe7 Anand would probably regret reject ing 24.'i!i'f6 + �e8. the accurate 15 . .£la4!.
Khodos - Sergievsky Voronezh 1959 W?
B?
The direct 25.�h8+?! r,t?f726 :ll\'h7+ r,t?f8 does not give perpetual check and allows his opponent to repel the att ack: 27.'ll\'h8+ .£lg8 28.i::!d6! .£ld3+! 29. i::!xd3 (otherwise 29 ...'ll\' e5) 29 ...bc or 27.i::!d6 .£ld3+! 28.r,t?bl 'll\'e5 29.i::!xd3 be +. A choice obviously has to be made However, 25.e5! is much between 19... bc and 19... b4. stronger: 25 ...bc 26.'i!i'h8+ �f7 The simple move 19 ...bc!, creating 27.m6+ �g8 28.i::!hl (if Black had the extremely unpleasant threat of a deflected the rook with check fromd3 knight check on d3, secures Black a on the 25th move, then the e6-square winning position. The desperate 20 . .£lf4 would now be accessible to the queen) (t hreatening 21.i::!xh7+) 20 ...ef 28 ....£ld3 + 29.�bl c2+! 30.�xc2 21.'ll\'d4+ does not work because of .£lb4+ 31.�cl! .£lxa2+32 .�bl .£lc3+ 21... .£lf6! 22. i::!xh7+ (22.e5 i::!xe5!) 33.'�ic2�a4+ (another small problem 22 ...�xh7 23.�xf6 .£ld3+ 24.�bl related to attention to the opponent 's �h5 -+ . And 20 . .£ld4 is refuted in resources: 34.'�xc3? -tld5+! loses) exactly the same way. 34.�d3! i::!d8+ 35.�xc3 �a5+, with Vladimir Sergievsky chose perpetual check. 19 ... b4? counting on 20 . .£lbl? i::!cd8! But it is not only about this: having 21.'l!i'xc6 1::!e6-+ . advanced his pawn to b4, Black did not His choice was unsuccessfulin part foresee his opponent 's brilliant reply, because the combination examined which allows him to create a decisive above, 20 . .£lf4!?, which does not work attack. with a black pawn on c4, is enough fo r 20.{:)a411 {:)xa4 2l.�d7+ {:)e7 a draw here. True, it is practically 22. �e6 (t hreatening 23.i::!xh7+) 22 •••h5
15 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
The primitive 24... �e7? gives White a very important tempo to continue his att ack, and the game W? quickly ends. 25.gh �c5 Neither 25 ...f!cd8 26.'li¥ e6 f!xdl+ 27.f!xdl +- nor 25 ...�c5 !? 26.'lffd6 g5 27. �g3! �f7 28.�f5 +- saves him. 26.�e6! (threatening 27.h6+) 26 ... �g8 27.§d7+ §e7 28.§xe7+ �xe7 29. �xeS �g5+ 30.f4 �g2 And here German Khodos missed 3l.§gl Black resigned. the opportunity to complete his att ack impressively by 23.flxh5!! gh 24.f!d6! Let's go back to the position in the with the deadly threat of25. 'li¥h6+�g8 last diagram. As indicated by Vadim 26.'li¥g5+. Zviagintsev, Black's best practical 23.g4?! �d5?! chance is to switch to a counteratt ack, Black could not allow the capture for the sake of which he should not ofth e pawn on h5, creating the threat of mind even sacrificinga rook. 24 ...f!e 7!! h5-h6+: 23 ...�xb2? 24.gh or 23 ...'lfic7? 25.iffxc8 (25.Ehd5 f!xd7 26.f!xa5 24.gh! is lost (but not 24.fld7? �xb2! 27.�xb2 fld2+ 28.�b3 f!xe2 �c5! -+ ). However, 23 ...�c5! 29.gh c5! leads to a playable rook 24.'li¥xe5+is significant ly stronger than ending for Black) 25 ...b3! the move in the game, and now not 24 ...�g8? 25.�bl �d5 (25 ...b3 26.a3 �f5!? 27.'lfff6 �g7 28.gh! +- ) W? 26.'li¥g5 +- , but 24 ...�£7 !, leaving the g6-pawn defended by the king. 25.�bl �d5! 26.'li¥g3 b3 27.a3 h4! 28.flxh4 �f6 with the idea of 29 ...f!cd8 is no longer dangerous; 25.'lfif4 + �g8 leads to an unclear and, evident ly, approximately equal position. 24.�d7+ White has a big choice, the vanatwns that arise are fa irly complicated and it does not take long to get lost in them. White should rej ect both 26.ed? ba 27. �c2 'lfib4 28.'li¥xc6 B? 'lffxb2+ 29.�d3 'lfia3+ 30.�d2 e4! 31.fe �c5 -+ and 26.a3?! 'lfic5 27.�bl �xb2!? (27 ...'lfif2 is also possible) 28.�xb2 �b6oo. Not bad is 26.ab!? �ab6 27.'lfib8!, although the position that arises does not look safe for White and so going into it is not easy. The most
16 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources energetic and strongest is 26 . .§xh5!! gh may have been set by your opponent . 27.gh 4Jf6 (27 ..:i1k 5 28.ab+-) 28:�f5 In fa ct , this is the skill that you should .§f7 29.ab 4Jc5 30. 'it>c2, retaining be developing ultimately. excellent winning chances. There is not one strict solution to some ofth e exercises. Do not waste too Before we move from the much effort identifying a microscopic introductory part to the collection of difference (sometimes even a exercises I will make a couple of final nonexistent one) between continuations remarks. Considering the topic of the that appear to be roughly equivalent, but training, do not fo rget to check your only concern yourself about not missing ideas, constantly look for pitfalls that something that is truly important.
17 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
Exercises 1-2 Veselovsky - Psakhis 1-1 Leko - Piket Soviet Championship semifinal Tilburg 1997 Krasnoyarsk 1980
B? B?
1-3 Yanvarev - Shcherbakov 1-4 V. Bron * Moscow 1994 1970
B? W?
1-5 Tomczak - Anand 1-6 Tal - Kortchnoi Lugano 1988 Soviet Championship, Riga 1958
W? W?
18 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-7 Azmaiparashvili - Ye Jiangchuan 1-8 V. Bron * Beijing 1988 1975
W? W?
1-10 Dvoretsky - I. Ivanov 1-9 A. Kuznetsov, N. Kralin * Soviet Championship, 1st League 1981 Minsk 1976
W? B?
1-11 Ellison - Collins 1-12 H. Mattison * Port Erin 1999 1925
W? W?
19 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-13 Bradford - Byrne 1-14 Short - Bareev USA 1980 Tilburg 1991
B? B?
1-15 Morozevich - Kramnik 1-16 Vilela - Augustin Frankfurt (rapid) 2000 Prague 1980
W? W?
1-17 Pinter - Larsen 1-18 Dvoretsky - Polovodin Interzonal Tournament Soviet Team Championship Las Palmas 1982 Moscow 1979
W? W?
20 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-19 Shneider - Agzamov 1-20 Dworakowska - Calotescu Soviet Championship European Team Championship 1st League, Te1avi 1982 Gothenburg 2005
B? B?
1-21 Shamkovich - Sherwin * 1-22 Shtukaturkin - Shakarov Lone Pine 1976 USSR 1981
W? W?
1-23 Georgadze - Polugaevsky 1-24 Nikolac - Nunn * Soviet Championship, Tbi1isi 1978 Dortmund 1979
W? W?
21 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-25 Seirawan - Lobron 1-26 Forintos - Vukic Arnhem/Amsterdam 1983 Zemun 1980
W? W?
1-27 Wedberg - Kozul 1-28 E. Pogosyants * Olympiad, Novi Sad 1990 1977
W? W?
1-29 Dolmatov - Podgaets * Soviet Championship, 1st League, 1-30 G. Kasparyan * Kharkov 1985 1963
W? W?
22 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-31 Smyslov - Botvinnik 20th Game, World Championship 1-32 Mikenas - Bronstein Match, Moscow 1957 Soviet Championship, Tallinn 1965
W? W?
1-33 Mikenas - Polugaevsky 1-34 Klinova - Spence Soviet Championship, Tallinn 1965 Gibraltar 2006
B? W?
1-35 Ligterink-Keene 1-36 Gligoric - Commons The Netherlands 1981 Lone Pine 1972
B? W?
23 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-37 Y. Meller 1-38 Spassky - Karpov 1916 London 1982
W? W?
1-40 Do1matov - G. Kuzmin * 1-39 Yermolinsky - Kaidanov Soviet Championship, 1st League U.S. Championship, Long Beach 1993 Kharkov 1985
B? W?
1-42 I. Popov - Savchenko 1-41 Jansa - Sax Russian Championship, Top League Interzonal Tournament, Bie1 1985 Ulan-Ude 2009
W? W?
24 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-43 Spraggett - Spassky Candidates' Tournament 1-44 Martynov - Ulibin Montpellier 1985 Daugavpils 1986
W? W?
1-45 Shirov - Zhuravlev 1-46 Azmaiparashvili - Barbulescu Riga 1986 Albena 1986
W? W?
1-47 Malinin - Lavrentiev 1-48 Pigusov - Kir.Georgiev Correspondence 1983 Moscow 1990
B? W?
25 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-49 Spraggett - I. Ivanov 1-50 Nunn - Portisch 4th Match Game, Montreal 1987 Reykjavik 1988
W? B?
1-51 Lputian - Petursson World Team Championship 1-52 Junge - Ahrens Lucerne 1993 Lubeck 1939
W? B?
1-53 Tseshkovsky - Miles 1-54 Fernandez - Marino Palma de Mallorca 1989 Spanish Championship, Zamora 1996
W? B?
26 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-55 Adams -Anand 1-56 Petrosian - Najdorf Hilversum 1993 Santa Monica 1966
W? B?
1-57 Plaskett - Hebden 1-58 Euwe - Alekhine England 1982 Zurich 1934
B? B?
1-59 Marshall - Lasker 1-60 M. Liburkin New York 1924 1947
W? W?
27 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-61 R. Reti (corrected by A. Rink) 1-62 Gawlikowski - Olejarczuk 1928 Warsaw 1963
W? W?
1-63 Kremenetsky - Arbakov * 1-64 A. Wotawa Moscow 1981 1937
B? W?
1-65 P. Benko 1-66 Thipsay - lvell 1980 Edinburgh 1985
W? B?
Can you take on c2?
28 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-67 Zagrebelny - Kovalev 1-68 A. Rink Vladivostok 1995 1923
B? W?
1-70 Ftacnik - Hartston 1-69 Taimanov - Geller European Team Championship Soviet Championship, Moscow 1951 Skara 1980
B? B?
1-71 Trabattoni - Barlov 1-72 Gheorghiu - Ivanovic La Valetta 1979 Lone Pine 1980
W? W?
29 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-73 R. Reti 1-74 J. Vancura 1928 1924
W? W?
1-75 Klinger - Blatny 1-76 A. Gerbstman Bad Worishofen 1988 1954
B? W?
1-77 A. Daniel 1-78 Alterman - Raetsky 1908 (revision: A. Cheron 1960) Rostov 1993
W? B?
30 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-80 Konstantinopolsky - Sadomsky 1-79 A. Troitsky * Soviet Correspondence 1900 Championship 1958
B? W?
1-82 Karpov - Yusupov 1-81 Boleslavsky - Moiseev 6th Game of the Candidates' Odessa 1949 Semi-final Match, London 1989
B? B?
1-84 Keres - Shofman 1-83 Gligoric - Stein Soviet Team Championship Moscow 1967 Leningrad 1962
W? B?
31 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-85 Pchelkin - Tolonen Russian Federation Correspondence 1-86 Shamkovich - Bisguier Championship 1980 USA 1978
B? W?
Evaluate 23. e5.
1-87 K. Sumbatyan 1-88 V. Bron 1978 1929
W? W?
1-89 U. Venalainen 1-90 Uhlmann - Osmanovic 1968 Decin 1979
W? W?
Evaluate 40.g6.
32 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-91 Svidler - Volokitin Russian Team Championship 1-92 Azmaiparashvili - Gavrikov Dagomys 2005 Riga 1980
W? W?
1-93 Polugaevsky - Smyslov Soviet Team Championship 1-94 Zamikhovsky - Gufeld Moscow 1979 Kiev Championship 1956
W? B?
1-95 Jasnikowski - Sznapik 1-96 Lasker - Bogatyrchuk Poland 1980 Moscow 1935
W? W?
33 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-97 Fischer - Kovacevic 1-98 A. Beliavsky, L. Katsnelson * Rovinj/Zagreb 1970 1980
B? W?
1-100 Tseshkovsky - Dvoretsky 1-99 Velimirovic - Raicevic Soviet Championship, I st League Yugoslav Championship 1981 Minsk 1976
B? W?
1-101 Kovacevic - Beliavsky * European Team Championship 1-102 Gutman - Vitolins Plovdiv 1983 USSR 1979
B? W?
34 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-103 AI. Kuznetsov 1-104 Kasimdzhanov - Stellwagen 1962 Bundesliga, Solingen 2008
W? W?
Evaluate 26. fJxa6 1-105 Petrosian - Spassky lOth Game, World Championship 1-106 Van der Wiel- Van der Sterren Match, Moscow 1966 Dutch Championship 1986
B? B?
1-107 Suba - Morovic 1-108 Glek - A verkin Olympiad, Dubai 1986 Minsk 1983
B? W?
Is 23. fJxd4possible?
35 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-109 Van der Sterren - Glek 1-110 Karpov - Sax * Germany 1994 Linares I983
B? B?
1-111 J. Polgar - Granda Zuniga 1-112 Gulko - Karpov Madrid I992 Dos Hermanas I994
W? W?
1-114 Anand - Kasparov 1-113 Nikolac - Nunn * II th Game, World Championship Dortmund I979 Match, New York I995
B? W?
36 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-115 Kramnik - Shirov 1-116 Tiviakov - Pridorozhny Dortmund 1996 Moscow 2009
W? B?
1-117 Dizdar - Sadler European Team Championship 1-118 A. Gurvich Pula 1997 1927
W? W?
1-119 Janowski - Burn 1-120 H. Aloni Cologne 1898 1968
B? W?
37 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-121 Shereshevsky - Beliavsky 1-122 Benjamin - de Firmian Chelyabinsk 1974 U.S. Championship, Denver 1998
B? B?
1-123 Y. Afek 1-124 Nunn - Winants 1998 Brussels 1988
W? B?
1-125 Zurakhov - Vaysman 1-126 Terentiev - Domuls USSR 1966 USSR 1980
W? W?
38 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-127 Alekseev - Areshchenko 1-128 Shcherbankov - Rublevsky St. Petersburg 2002 Chelyabinsk 2000
B? W?
1-129 Timman - Yusupov * 1-130 Pigusov - Poldauf Hilversum 1986, 6th match game Panormo 2001
W? B?
1-131 I. Vandecasteele * 1-132 Topalov - Ponomariov 1967 Sofia 2006
W? B?
39 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-133 Krivoruchko - Borovikov 1-134 Bogoljubow - Alekhine Pardubice 2006 New York 1924
B? W?
Evaluate 25.llg3
1-135 H. Mattison 1-136 V. Bron * 1922 1966
W? W?
Can Wh ite win? 1-137 Szmetan - P. H. Nielsen 1-138 D. Przepiorka Olympiad, Bled 2002 1920
W? W?
40 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-139 V. Smyslov 1-140 Kozomara - Karaklajic 1976 Yugoslav Championship, Sombor 1957
W? B?
Can Wh ite win? Calculate 10... fJxe4
1-141 V. Yakimchik 1-142 Bobrov - Platonov 1966 Chemivtsi 1963
W? W?
Can Wh ite win? Evaluate 1. �h 5 1-144 Reshevsky - Bronstein 1-143 Uhlmann - Veresov * Candidates' Tournament Belorussia - GDR match 1970 Switzerland 1953
B? B?
41 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-145 Timoshchenko - Vaganian 1-146 Nezhmetdinov - NN Soviet Championship Simultaneous Exhibition 1st league, Baku 1977 Kazan 1951
B? W?
1-148 Kortchnoi - Spassky 1-147 Polugaevsky - Nezhmetdinov 7th Game of Candidates' Match Sochi 1958 Belgrade 1977
B? W?
1-149 G. Kasparyan * 1-150 G. Nadareishvili 1948 1973
W? W?
Can Whitesave himself?
42 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-151 V. Razumenko 1-152 Zaichik - Psakhis 1974 Riga 1980
W? W?
Whatdo you take with on d6?
1-153 V. Bron * 1-154 V. Bron * 1970 1962
W? W?
1-155 Petrosian - Bangiev 1-156 A. Kotov, L. Mitrofanov * Moscow 1974 1978
B? W?
Evaluate 27... f5
43 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-157 Bagirov - Lputian 1-158 M. Zinar Krasnodar 1980 1981
W? W?
1-159 P. Benko 1-160 A. Avni 1981 1980
W? W?
1-161 Sveshnikov - V aisser * 1-162 T. Cook Sochi 1984 1933
W? W?
44 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-163 Yusupov - Spraggett 7th Game of Candidates' Match 1-164 Y. Bazlov Quebec 1989 1994
W? W?
Evaluate 21.!4
1-165 E. Ratner 1-166 K. Sumbatyan * 1924 1996
W? W?
1-167 N. Ryabinin 1-168 Kortchnoi - Suba 1989 Beersheba 1984
W? B?
45 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
1-169 V. Bron 1-170 Magerramov - Makarichev 1958 Pavlodar 1987
W? W?
1-171 Simagin -Kholmov * Soviet Championship semifinal 1-172 Golovko - Notkin Moscow 1947 Smolensk 1992
W? W?
Calculate 10. ./J.x/7+ 1-173 Janowski - Marshall 1-174 Linn - Rozenfeld New York 1924 Correspondence 1987
B? W?
Evaluate 14... h6 Evaluate l.l!c5
46 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
1-175 Makarychev - Yermolinsky 1-176 Marshall - Capablanca Saratov 1981 9th Match Game, New York 1909
W? B?
1-177 P. Benko 1-178 Alekhine - Hofmeister 1982 Petrograd 1917
W? B?
1-179 Timman - Kasparov 1-180 Sax - Vaganian USSR-Rest of the World Match Interzonal Tournament London 1984 Rio de Janeiro 1979
B? W?
47 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
Solutions 1-1 Leko - Piket 1-4 V. Bron * "It is one step from the sublime to Promoting the pawn to a queen the ridiculous!" After 29 ...'l1Yf3?? allows Black a stalemate: l.b8i13'? 30.i13'xd7+!, Black has to resign because dl i*+! 2.-'l.xdl�f l +! 3. �xfl stalemate. of 30 .. 5.t>xd7 31.�b5+ followed by And l.b8�? is useless because of 32.�xf3. l...�xg6+.
29 •••.§xf 4! gives the opposite 1.4)f4+! .§xf4 2.b8.§!+- result: 30.gf �hl # or 305-t>gl i1Yh3. There is no satisfactory defense Also enough for the win is 29... �hl + against 3.�b3+. 30.�g2 'l1Yh3+ 31.�f3 �xel. 1-5 Tomczak -Anand 1-2 Veselovsky - Psakhis After 35. �h6+! 'it>g8 36 • .§e6 A similar story, but with a different Black has to capitulate because of the twist. Trying to choose between lethal threat of37.�g6+. apparently equivalent wmnmg In the game, the result was the continuations, Black "misses the boat." opposite: 35.�e6?? i13'xe6! and, White
6S •••'it>c3! forces immediate resigned (36.fe Ae4 • ). capitulation. Almost as strong is 65 ...�al + 66.t.t>d2Ac3 + 67.'it>e3 �el + 1-6 Tal - Kortchnoi 68.�f2 d2. Mikhail Tal undertakes an The move made by Lev Psakhis, incorrect combination on the theme of 65 ...�e3??, did not change the result: promoting a pawn: 33.h6+? �xh6 White resigned. But he could force a 34.'l;;'Yxh6+
48 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
l.�c61 �b4 (on l...'l!i'd3+ There fo llowed 38.t'!h5+'it>g6 39.t'!g5+! decisive is 2.'l*b5+) 2.�d71, Black t'!xg5 40.§ xb6+ 'it>h5 41.'it'xe3 ± . White resigned. is a pawn up again, and the rook ending may not be lost, but it is certainly very 1-S V. Bron * unpleasant for Black. In the end I You had to choose the best way of managed to get the win. repelling the threat of perpetual check But if my opponent chooses l..J�el+ 25.f.?f2 t'!le2+. 37 ... E!ge6!, the active rooks promise l..ila5? t'!2e3! is a mistake him significantly better chances of (threatening 2 ...t'!f 3+) 2.'it>f2 t'!e2+. saving himself in comparison with what The most natural move is l..llg3?, but happened in the game. Black saves himself on it too. 1-11 Ellison - Collins A draw results from l.g31 �f3 2.�d3(d2) �g2 3.�e31 �h31? B? 4.�f3(e2)1 �xh2 5.�f2. By playing l.'it>dl? 'it'f2 2.g3 'it>g2 3.'it>e2, White obviously overlooked the reply 3 ...h4! +- . The subsequent moves did not even have to be made: 4.'it'e3 ( 4.gh f4) 4 ...hg 5.hg 'it>xg3 6.'it>e2 f4 7.'it>fl 'it>f3 8.®gl 'it>e2,White resigned. l...t'!d2! 2.a8'l* t'!dl+ 3.'it'f2 t'!fl +! 4.'it>xfl stalemate. 1-12 H. Mattison * By the process of elimination (the l.e7+1 �f7 2.e8�+1 �xeS topic of the next chapter), we come to 3.�g7 wins. the only winning move 1 . .1lb6!, Another tempting path is l.fl? irtg6 destroying our opponent's hopes of (or l....ilg42.� h7 AhS!) 2.d6 irtxf73.d 7. stalemate, as the h2-square becomes available to the king.
1-9 A. Kuznetsov, N. Kralin * B? Again, as in the previous examples, White's task is to avoid stalemate, by which his opponent saves himself in the variations l.e8t:i'? t'!h3+! and l..ild4? t'!a3! (with the idea of l...t'!a8) 2.e8� t'!h3+!. 1.-'l,glll +- Alas, this is just a false trail: 3 ...irte 8!=. 1-10 Dvoretsky - I. Ivanov Naturally Black wants to restore 1-13 Bradford - Byrne material equality. 37 ...t'!e xg3?? is Robert Byrne was tempted by the impossible because of38.t'!h5+,which impressive move l...'l*d4??, is why Igor Ivanov played 37 ...t'!g xg3?!. overlooking the no less impressive, but
49 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources
far more usefulcounterblow 2:{'fYxh7 +!, which leads to big material gains. For the same reason l..:i!rd5? is W? bad. True, after 2.'i!rxh7+! �xh7 3.4Jxf8+
47 . .§xg7+! �xg7 48.�h5+
50 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources
27.�f3 .ile8 28 . .ilxg4 fg 29.e4! or 27 ...h5 28.e4!! his position still remains B? difficult. But by continuing 26 ...Elx g2+!? 27.'it' xg2 lte8 with a subsequent 28 ...Ag6, he could hold the defense: it is not easy for his opponent to open lines for his rooks.
1-18 Dvoretsky - Polovodin 34.ef �d8 35.Axg6 hg 36.i:�agl Elxf6 The firstmoves were l.e4 e5 2.-tlf3 37.Elxg6+ Elxg6 38.�h8+, Black a6 3.g3 d5 4.ed �xd5 5.-tle3 �h5 resigned. 6.-'tg2 ( 6 . .1le2!?) 6 ....t!e6 . While solving this problem, one of Artur Yusupov's students rightly The correct continuation is remarked that Bent Larsen could 7.h31;;!;,preventing the exchange of significantly complicate his opponent's light-square bishops by 7 ....ilh3 . For task if he prevents the undermining example, 7 ... B? Relatively better is 8.h3! Axh3 9. 51 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 1-19 Shneider - Agzamov But with 2l ••• c;!lh7! the position Black was left a healthy pawn up almost equalizes: 22.Ad3 Axd3+ by choosing the simple 27••• -'l,x c5! 23.�xd3+ �g6!? or 23 ...�xd 3+. 28.'/;?txc5 �exc6+. The attempt to obtain more with 1-21 Shamkovich - Sherwin * 27 ...E!.e l?, counting on 28.E!.xel? The tempting 27.E!.fl? (hoping for �xel + 29. 1-23 Georgadze - Polugaevsky The simple 32.-'l,xb5! secures White a healthy extra pawn, for example, 32... Ac6 33.�d3 4)f6 34.4)c3 +- , and so on. 22 ....ilxg4 23.�g7# or 23.h7•; That did not seem like much to 22 ...�xg4 23.h7+; 22 ...�e5 23.�xe5 Tamaz Georgadze. He preferred 32.c6? E!.xe5 24.E!.h5; 22 ...E!.e5 23.E!.h3!. ..llxc6 33 . ..1lxb5, underestimating the And now let's look for the best queen sacrifice 33 ...Axb5! 34.E!.xc8 continuation for Black. E!.exc8 35. E!.cl .llc4!. Taking the pawn 2l...Axc2? is refutedmost simply by 22.E!.h4 +- . On 21.. . ..1le4? the reply 22 . .1lf3 + is strong, as the black bishop is pinned down by the need to control the h7- square. It is possible to play 21...f6?!, but after 22.�f2 or 22.Ad3, the advantage remains on White's side. 52 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources The threat of36 ...<£\xb6 fo rced him He should returnthe exchange with to part with the passed pawn on a5, 34 . .§.xd5! j},xd5 35. .1lxd5. For which led to a complete equalization of example, 35 ...�d 8 36.e4 -'txd2 chances: 36.Ad4 (36.�hl?! <£\xb6 37.�xd2 �e7 38.�c3 with 37.ab Ac5 38.�f3 -'td5) 36 .. Jha5 approximately equal chances. 37.�d2 �a3 38.�c3 �al + 39.'it?f2 �a2 The game went 34.�c2? (34.�xa5? 40.�gl �al + 4l.�f2 �a2, draw. �xa5 35.-'txa5 �e5 or 35 ...�gxe3 are even worse) 34 ...�e5 (34 ...�e 8!?) 1-24 Nikolac - Nunn * 35.�f2 �e8 36.'it?gl �e6 37.�b2?! The simplest path to a draw may �xf3+ 38.�xf3 �xe3 -+ 39.�cl seem to be 48.�d2, but that is not the (39.Axe3 d4) 39 ... �f6 40.�hl h4 case in connection with 48 ...�e 2+! (40 ...�x f2 41. �xf2 'liYf6+ is also 49.�xe2 c3!!, and one of the black possible) 4l.�xc6 be 42.gh �f4 pawns inevitably queens. 43.-'txe3 (43 ...�g4 +! was threatened) It is necessary to play 48.bc! - you 43 ...'liYxe3, White resigned. only have to foresee that after 48 •••.§.x c4 49.�f3 .§.c2, the only 1-27 Wedberg - Kozul move 50.�e3!= can be found. Which pawn to take with on b3? The solution is not based on positional 1-25 Seirawan - Lobron considerations, but purely tactical ones. The American grandmaster 23.ab? is a mistake in view of a decided to win a pawn: 22.�xa7?, small combination: 23 ...�c4! 24.bc exploiting the fa ct that the queen is �c6+. poison because of mate. B? "Blunders never arrive alone." By He overlooked the brilliant continuing 25.�d3 �xa4 26.�d7 'li1c6 counter-blow 22 .. :�xf2+!!. After (of course, not 26 ...�c 6? 27.�d3!, and 23.�xf2 �xb2+ 24.�f3 �xcl, White Black's pieces are completely pinned has to resign. down) 27.�xc6 �xc6 28.�d7!, Tom 22. t?/al! is necessary (or Wedberg would probably take the 22.t?/d2!) 22 ...�xcl + 23:�xcl �b6 ending that arises to a draw. In the with a probable draw. game, though, there fo llowed 25.�b2? �xb6 26.�d7 (26.�d3!? md8 +) 1-26 Forintos - Vukic 26... ltc5 27.�hdl (27.�d3 �c6 In reply to any rook retreat there 28.�dl a5) 27 ...b3! 28.cb �xb3 with fo llows 34 ...�e 5! with an exchange of the an overwhelming advantage for Black. important f3-bishop,after which the white With 23.cb! the combination king comes under a dangerous attack. 23 ...�c4? 24.bc 'iiYc6 does not work 53 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources because of 25. �c2. On 23 ....£lc6, the 23.'it>xg2? .£lxd4 is bad, and reply 24.�e4! is unpleasant; it becomes 23 . .£lxe6?! fe 24.§.fcl ..llh3 25.f4 allows necessary to play 23 ...1.td8 24 . .ilc5!? Black to give perpetual check. On the §.e8;!;. other hand, 23.�xc3 is very strong - here his opponent cannot findsufficient 1-28 E. Pogosyants counterplay and White's material Clearly unsuitable are l.'it>e3? (the superiority decides matters. bishop will be captured with check), and 1. 'it>e4? .£lxc4 2.e8�? .£ld6+. However, l.�e2? looks tempting: on l... !!g2+ 2.'it>el §.xd2! (threatening 3 ....£lf 3+) there is the strong retort 3.1.te2!. B? 23 ...�g5 24.f4+-; 23 ...a5 24.�xb6 !!xc3 25 . .£lxe6fe 26.�b8+ 'it>f7 27.1.tb5! •; 23 ...Ah3 !? 24.§.xc5 .£lxc525.'it> hl! Axfl (in the event of 25 ....£lxd3, the But this is a fa lse trail. Black has double attack 26.�b5! is decisive; on the beautiful saving 3 ...!!d5! 4.e8'ii'Y 25 ...�g5 , it is possible to reply 26.!!gl .£lf3+! 5 . ..1lxf3 !!e5+!6.tt xe5 stalemate. �d5+ 27. f3 .£lxd328.� d2±, but it is You have to play Vi!7f4!, without better to snap off the pawn first: being put off by the fact that Black 26. ..1lxh7+! �xh7 27. !!gl+- ) 26:-li\•b5! manages to destroy the passed pawn by (a usefulzwischenzug - 26 . .Q.xfl �xf2 l ... �e6! 2.Jl,xe6 4)g6+.After 3.fit'g3! 27.�b5 �xe3 is weaker) 26 ...g6 4)xe7 4.Jlh3!,mate is unavoidable. By 27.Axfl �xf2 28.�e8+ (28.�e2 +- ) the way, 4 . .£lf3+ �hl 5.Ah3 is less 28 ...'it>g7 29.�e5+ 'it>g8 30. 'ii'Yf4 +- . accurate because of 5 ....£lf 5+! 6.�f2 .£le3. However, according to an 1-30 G. Kasparyan * endgame database, White also wins here How to stop the black pawn? The (mate in 40 moves!). precise move order is essential. The move 1.'it>d6? that suggests itself is 1-29 Dolmatov - Podgaets * refutedby l...Ab7!. 22.ed? loses because of22 .. :�xf3!! l.Ac8! d3 (l... ..llg4+ 2.'it>e5=) (but not 22 ...Axf3? 23.dc +- ), and that 2.fit'd6! d2 (2 ...'it>b6 3.Af5 d2 4.Ac2 means that 22.�xd4! is forced. White �xb5 5. �e5=) (D) should not be disturbed by 22 ... Jlxg2!, as he does not have anything better anyway. He just has to accurately 3.fit'c7! dl'lt 4.b6+ 'it'aS calculate the variations that arise. s.Jlb7+! Jlxb7 stalemate. 54 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources W? B? 1-31 Smyslov - Botvinnik He fends off the two obvious On 33. .ilxc5?!, Black pins the threats: 24 ...�xb2 and 24 ...�el + bishop: 33... §£7+ 34.'it>e2 §f5. 25.�fl �xh4, but he did not notice 35... a6 is threatened. another one which was hidden. After 24 ....§.x a3!!, White resigned. The same flashy blow 24 ....§.x a3!! decides the outcome of the battle on W? 24.�d2? or 24.�c3?. The move 24. �d4! gives a solid defense. If 24 ...�el +, then 25. .§xel .§xel + 26.�gl =.Also fullypossible is 24. .§d4! �el+ (after 24 ... .§.a4 25 . .§.xa4 the continuation 25 ...�xb2?? 26.�d4 +- does not work; 24 ...Ab5 25.�d2 is not A drawn pawn ending arises dangerous either) 25. �fl =. In these after 35 . .ilb4 §xb5 36.cb 4::lxb4 variations White is at least no worse. 37.ab 'it>f5 (e5) 38.'it>f3 g5. 1-33 Mikenas - Polugaevsky White would still have the right to In carryingout the small combination take the c5 pawn if he had previously - 22 ....§xd 31 23.Axd3 c4 (threatening correctly calculated the elegant shot 24 ...�c5 + and 25 ...�xa3), it is essential 35.Jld6!. After 35 ...§x b5 36.cb �xd6 to reckon on the reply 24. �d6!. 37.bc �xc6 38.�f3, a pawn ending again arises, only this time it is won fo r White. The route chosen by Vasily Smyslov is much simpler. He preferred 33.Ah21 B? .§f7+ 34.Cit>e2, and 34... .§.f5 35.g4 .§.g5 36.Af4 .§.g6 37 . .§.xc5 is bad. From this variation it is clear why the bishop retreated specificallyto h2, and not to g3. The game ended as fo llows: 34 ...§e 7 35 . .§.xc5 �d7+ 36.�d2 .§.e6 37 . .§.g5 g6 38 . .§.d5+ �c8 39 . .\lgl .§.f6 The bishop is unassailable for now: 40.Axd4 4Jxd4 4l..§.xd4 .§.f2+42 .�c3, 24 ...cd? 25.�xc6!. The correctness of Black resigned. Black's idea is proved by the zwischenzug 24 ...4)e 81. 1-32 Mikenas - Bronstein 25.�b4 �xb4 26.cb cd Vladas Mikenas carelessly played Black has achieved a material 24 . .§.b4?. advantage. But it may not be enough for 55 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources a win if his opponent exchanges pawns Black has excellent positional on the queenside with 27.b5! ab compensation for the sacrificed pawn: 28.�xd3 ba 29.�cl (threatening the bishop pair and dominance on the 30.�dc3) 29 ...a3 30.�xa3 .lld7 31.�xc8 dark squares. According to Wilhelm Axc8 32.�a8 Ad7 33.�d8=, and the Steinitz's classification, these are long bishop cannot hide fr om the rook's term factors that will have an effect fo r pursuit, or28 ... �b 8 29.�db3 �b6 30.ab the duration of many moves. J3..d7 31.�d3 �xb5 32.�xb5 .llxbS But there is also a temporary 33.�b3= (given by Artur Yusupov). 27.�c3? �c7! 28.b5 ab 29.a5 d2 advantage at Black's disposal which is 30.�d3? Axe4! 31.�d8 �cl + 32.\t>f2 about to disappear: the fa ct that his Ac6, White resigned. opponent has not castled. We would like to exploit it, but, unfortunately, we 1-34 Klinova- Spence cannot. The tempting 11...4) xe4? The two extra pawns should secure 12.4)xe4 .ll£5 does not work because of White a straightforward win. She just has 13.4)fd2 �h4 (13 ...�6 14.f3 or 14.�f3) to demonstrate attentiveness. For example, 14.g4!, and White keeps the extra pawn. �e1 by not missing mate in one: 42.f3?? #. Raymond Keene played simply The simplest path to the goal is 11. ..4)d7!. 42. �h4! ti?lf6+43. ti?lg5 (or 43.-'l.gS) 43 •.. ti?fh8+ 44.�g3 �c3+ 45.-'l:e3 t!?te5+46. t!?tf4. Slightly less convincing is 42.Ae3 'i'*eS+ 43.\t>h4 (it is still not too late to W? go back to the variationgiven above by 43.Af4 >@rc3+ 44.�h4) 43 ...>@re4 + 44.'it>g5 'i'*xg2+ 4S.�f6-as here White is just one pawn up rather than two. That is enough fo r a win too, of course. In the game, 42.>@rf3? was played. The reply should be 12.0-0 4)c5 13.>@rc2. Obviously Gert Ligterink was perturbed at giving the pawn back by B? 13 ....1lxc3 14.-l*xc34)xe4 1S.>@rd4 >@rf6 with an approximately equal position. But he still does not have an advantage, and what happened in the game, 12.4)d2?! 4)c5 13.�c2 Axc3 14.bc fS 15.0-0 fe 16.4)b3 >@rgS 17.�h1 AfS=F, allowed Black not only to win the pawn Black resigned, not noticing an back, but also to seize the initiative. impressive way to save himself: 42 ...>@rg 7+!! 43.�xg7 �xh3+! with 1-36 Gligoric - Commons stalemate. The players traded blunders. On 30.�d1?? there fo llowed not 30 ...4)e S+! 1-35 Ligterink-Keene 31..\lxeS �xdl 32.Axc7 eS with The firstmov es: l.d4 g6 2.c4 Ag7 unavoidable mate, but 30 ...�b7? 3.-tlc3 d6 4.e4 .tlc6S. Ae3 .tlf6 6 .1le2?!. 3l.�cd2±. (6.f3) 6 ...e5 7.d5 .tld4! 8.Axd4 ed 30.�d3?! 4)eS+ 3l.�e3 4)d3 9.>@rxd4 0-0 10.>@rd3 �e8 11.-tlf3. 32.�d1 �cd7 + is also unsuccessful. 56 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources One playable possibility remains for do this the best way in the game: White: 30.f4!. 44 ...�g7? 45 . .§.g5+�. He overlooked the powerful move 46 . .§.g6! +- , which 1-37 Y. Meller leads to winning a pawn in connection Mikhail Botvinnik called a with a double threat 47 . .§.xe6 and situation where a bishop is incapable of 47 . .§.gf6. stopping distant passed pawns "pant 46 ...e5 47 . .§.gf6 e4 48 . .§.xf7+' 1-40 Dolmatov - G. Kuzmin * The position looks almost equal, but White still has to act carefullyso as not to run into difficulties. The attempt to exchange rooks, l.. .b3! 2.h4 b4 3.h5 Aa4! 4.h6 26 . .§.d2?, does not work because of b5=, and Black self-stalemates. 26 ....§.x e3! 27:�xe3 �g5 -+ . To prevent stalemating counterplay The waiting move 26.b4?! also fails you have to make the prophylactic to 26 ...e4! 27.fe .§.xe3! 28.�xe3 Ad4 move l.b3! and only then queen the 29.�b3+ �g7 30 . .§.fl �e7+, or passed pawns. 27.Ac5 e3 28 . .§.e2 .§.e8+, with a subsequent 29 ...�d4 . 1-38 Spassky - Karpov On 26.�e2 �d5 27.b4 �e7=F, Boris Spassky played to pin the Black retains some initiative. e5-pawn with the move 35.�xf4?. He The soundest way fo r White to did not notice that after35 .. A)d6! two solve his problems is by 26 • .sl,c51=. of his pieces come under attack at the On 26 ....§.f7, he can now play 27.b4=. same time (the f8-rook attacks the bishop). There fo llowed 36.Axe5 �xc4 1-41 Jansa - Sax 37.�h3 4Jf7 38.b3 �d5, White Vlastimil Jansa made the best resigned. decision. By exchanging queens with The intertwining of the black 22. "ltxf6! he got a position with a pieces could be exploited impressively significant advantage for White. The by 35 • .§.dl! "ltc5 (35 ...�c6? game continued 22 ...�xf 6 23.�g2! 36.4::\xeS!+- ) 36.j'txf4!±. (23. .§.xd6± is not bad either) 23 ... 4Jh4 (anything else is even worse) 24.e5! 1-39 Yermolinsky - Kaidanov 4Jxg2 25.ef 4Jf4 26 . .§.xd6 -'tb7 27 . .§.h4 You have to defend against the 4Jg6 28 . .§.b4, and White won. rook check on g5 with a subsequent It was tempting to make the capture of the f7-pawn. Black did not "resounding" attacking move 22.e5?!. 57 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Very bad is 22 ...de? 23 . .1ld3 (or enemy pieces become active. The 23.�e4), and on 22 ...�xe5? 23.�e4! soundest continuation is 22. �c21. By 'l!Yf4 24.�xg5 'l!Yxg5 25 . .1ld3 White's attacking the a4-pawn, White onslaught probably leads to the goal. simultaneously prepares an exchangeof But his opponent had the powerful rooks. (A well-known-formula: with a retort 22 ..:� £4!. material advantage an exchange of pieces is usually favorable for the stronger side, and an exchange of pawns for the weaker one.) For example: W? 22 ...�d 6 23.�dl! �xdl + 24.'/;;i"xdl .llxb2 25.\tlxb2 .llxc4 26.-l!Yxa4 with great winning chances. After 22.'lfi"e2? �d6!, it became clear that the planned 23.�dl no longer works because of 23 ....ilxc4! 24 . .1lxc4 �xb2+ 25.'l!'txb2 �xdl +. Fearing a Threatening the counter-attack doubling of the black rooks with a 23 ...'l!'ta4, which quickly takes Black to subsequent incursion on the second victory after 23 . .ild3? or 23.�h5?. The rank, Ivan Popov decided to give back continuation 23.'l!'tc6? .llb7! 24.'l!'txb7 the extra material and transposed into 'l!'ta4 25.c3 (25 . .1la6 �xa6 26.c3 �aa8! an approximately equal endgame with is only slightly better) 25 ...�f b8 also 23 . .\lxa4 �xb2+ 24.'l!Yxb2 .llxb2 loses. There remains either 23 . .1lb5 25.\tlxb2.ll xc4 26.�cl .ild5 27.�c3. �xe5 or 23:�d3 h6 - in both cases with 1-43 Spraggett - Spassky an unclear, double-edged position. Another fa lse trail: 22:�c6?! with White's attack looks more a double attack on the rook and the dangerous, but he has to deal with a d6-pawn. rook sacrifice on b2. On 32.�t7? �xb2+! or 32.b4? �b2+! 33.�al �a2+!, the affair ends with perpetual check. In the variation 32.'l!i'f3!? �xb2+! 33.\tlxb2 B? -l!Yxd4+ 34.\tlbl 'l!'te4+ 35.-l!Yxe4 de, White has a big advantage in the ending, but Kevin Spraggett found a simpler and more convincing solution to the problem. 32.�all (threatening 33.�t7) 32... .§xb 2 On 22 ...� a7?! 23 . .1le2 �h4 Hunkering down with 32 ...'l!'te7 24.�hfl, White is better. But his 33.�t7 'l!'te8 is hopeless. You can opponent can reply 22 ....ll d7!! 23:�xd7 exchange two rooks fo r the queen (23.'l!Yxd6 .ila4)23 ...�e5 24.-l!Yc7 'lfi"xf2 immediately: 34.-l!Yh6 -l!Yxt7 35.�xt7, with sufficient counter-chances. but it is stronger to include the move 34.�e2!, and only after 34 ....Q.b5 (no 1-42 I. Popov - Savchenko better is 34 ...�g 6 35.h4!), play 35.'l!'th6 White has a palpable material 'l!Yxt7 36.�xt7�xt7 37.'l!Y f6 +. advantage. It is important not to let the 33.�g3 +1 �h8 58 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources White has a significantly more active king. But it is outweighed by the W? other side of the scales, on which there is a distant passed pawn that Black has created. 39.c4 h5 40.gh gh 41.'lie5 h4 42.'it>f4 f5 43.b4 'it>d644.'lie3 a5 45.a3 ab 46.ab h3! 47.�f2 �e5 48.�g3 �d4 49.'it>xh3 �xc4 50.�g3 �xb4 51.'lif4 �c4 52.�xf5 b5 53.f4 b4 54.�e6 b3, 34.§f7! White resigned. Accuracy to the end! The apparently equivalent 34J!g1? allows 1-45 Shirov - Zhuravlev Black to continue the battle by The move 31.E!.xg7? turns into a 34 .. J:!g2!! 35.E!.xg2 �xd4+ 36.�a2 crude blunder because of the beautiful �c4+ 37.�b3 �e4. deflection 31...E!.h7!! -+ (32.E!.xh7 34 ...§g 8 35.§xh7+! (on E!.g1# ). 34 ...E!.g2 the same reply fo llows) White himself went for a 35 ...�xh7 36.E!.f7+ �h6 37.E!.f6+, deflection: 31 . .Q.b8!!, and only after Black resigned. 31...E!.xb8 played 32.E!.xg7. There is no defense, and Black's time ran out. 1-44 Martynov- Ulibin In many endgames, being a pawn 1-46 Azmaiparashvili - Barbulescu down is not fa tal (we should recall the well-known formula: "Rook endings are Zurab Azmaiparashvili decided on never winning!"). Compensation should a combination: 17.E!.xd7+? �xd7 usually be sought in rook activity. He 18.E!.d1+ 'if.>e7 19.Axb7. should play 36.§hl! with the idea of 37.E!.h5.Useless is 36 ...E!.c 7 37.b3; the counter-attack 36 ...E!.e 7 37.E!.h5 E!.e2 B? 38.E!.xd5+ �c6 is not dangerous because of 39.E!.a5=. And also after the better 36 ...'�1c6! 37.E!.h5 E!.d6 38.f4!? White retains excellent drawing chances. By choosing 36.E!.e1?in the game he clearly underestimated the pawn sacrifice 36 ...E!.e 7! 37.E!.xe7 'lixe7 He was counting on 19 ...-tlc2+? 38.'it>xd5g6! . 20.�d2 E!.d8+ 21.�xc2 E!.ab8 (21...E!.xd1 22.�xa8) 22.-tlxa7! E!.xd1 23.-tlc6+ and 24.-tlxb8+- . But the simple reply 19 ...E!.d 8! (with the idea of 20 . .ilxa8 -tlc2+)allowed Black to stay up the exchange. Another tactical attempt is also a mistake: 17.-tlc3? .tlc2+ 18.'lid2 .tlxa1 19.Axb7. It is simplest for Black to reply 19 ...E!.d 8!? 20 . .ilxa8 Aa4+ 59 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 21.�d5+! ed 22.b3 �xb3+ 23.ab Axb3 40 . .§.gl �e6 41.�g7 .§.xe2 42.g6 d3 24 . .§.bl .§.xaS 25 . .§.xb3 a5 with a healthy 43.�gS d2 44.g7 .£\xg4 45.�hS �f6 extra pawn in a rook ending. Not bad 46 . .§.g6 �f5 47 . .§.xf6+ 'it>xf6 4S.gS� dl � 49.'lli'fS+ �g5 50.'l!\'e7+ �f4 either is 19 ....§.a bS 20.1txeS .§.xb2+. 51.�f6+ �e4 52.�g6+ �e3 53.'lli'h6+ True, after 21.�el! (21.�d3 AxeS �d3 54.�h7+ �e3, White resigned. 22 . .§.xal Aa6+ 23.�e3 .§.e2 -+ ) 21.. . .§.e2+ 22.�bl AxeS 23 . .§.el! the 1-48 Pigusov - K. Georgiev piece is recovered, but the more active The simple exchange of knight for position of his king and superiority of bishop 18.4)xe7+! '/}/xe7 secures White bishop over knight secures Black an better play. For example: 19.Aa7 overwhelming advantage in the minor (19-l:Udl!?) 19... a4! 20.�b4 (21.�e3 §.aS piece ending. 22.Ae3 ;!;)21...�xb4 21.ab §.aS 22.Ae3 ;!;. On 17.�a3?! .§.e7'1',the knight is But the apparently energetic 1S.e5? poorly positioned on the edge of the counting on 1S... �xe5? 19.Axe5 .ilxd5 board, and Black retains better chances. 20.Axd5 �xd5 2l..ilxe7 �xd2 A knightretreat to the center leads 22 . .§.edl +- fa ils to take a powerful to an equalization of the game. You queen sacrifice into account: 1S... �xd5! zwischenzug only have to fo resee a in 19. .ilxd5 ed!. response to an attempt to hustle it away from there. 17.�d4! e5 18.a3! =. 1-47 Malinin - Lavrentiev It is important to not be lured into an attempt to fo rce events by 33 ....§.x al? 34.Axal e4. W? After 20.�b5 d4, Black wins a third piece fo r the queen and seizes back the initiative. The game continued: 21.Axd4 ed 22.�f3 d3!? (Black is good with 22 ...�e4!? or 22 ....ilxh3 23 . .§.fdl �e4, but Kiril Georgiev wants to get more) 23.ed Ad5! 24.�d4 .§.deS Black wins on 35.Ab2? e3 36 . .Q.cl 25.b4 (25.�f5 !? Axe5 26.d4 .ile6!? 'it>e4, but his opponent comes out with 27.�xa5 AfS oo is stronger) 25 ...ab an elegant counter-blow, 35.e4+!! 26.ab �e5! 27 . .§.fdl �e6 28.�f5 .ilf8 (35 ...�xe 4 36.�xe4 d3 37.�e3=). 29.d4 .§.dS 30.�e3 .ilf3 3l.�e4 b5! A rook retreat leads to a decisive with an advantage for Black. advantage. 1-49 Spraggett - I. Ivanov 33 •••.§h2! The game ended 34 . .§.cl (34.g6 A well-known variation of the �xg6 35.�xg6 .§.xe2 36.Acl e4 -+ ) Queen's Indian Defense has been 34 ....§.f2+ 35.�g4 �g6 36.'it>h5 �e7 played, in which Black either loses or 37.Aa3 �f5 3S.g4 .§.h2+ 39.'it>g6 �e3 sacrificesthe exchange: l.d4 �f6 2.e4 60 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources e6 3.4Jf3 b6 4.g3 Ab7 5.Ag2 .ilb4+ 17.�xdSI;;!; 6 . .ild2 .ilxd2+ 7.�xd2 0-0 8.4Jc3 4Je4 The game continued 17... �xb2 9.�c2 <£\xc3 10.<£\gS �xg5 11..ilxb7 18. .§e1 (18.'it'g2 .§d8) 18... �xa2 (or <£\xe2! 12.�xe2 4Jc6 13 . .ilxa8 .§xa8 18 ...�d4 19 . .§e4! �xd5 20.cd 4Ja5 14.�e4 �aS+ 15.'it>fl �d2. 21.'it>g2'it>f8 22 . .§c1c6 �) 19 . .§e7! .§f8 With which of the two attacking 20 . .§xd7 4Jb421 .�e4?!. pawns should White part? After 16.b3?! Now Black completely equalizes �xd4 17.�xd4 4Jxd4 18.�g2 c5!, with the game. White preserves a slight a subsequent 19 ...a5 �, in the closed advantage with 21.�d4 c5 (21...4Ja6 position that is created it is better to have 22 . .§d8 �a4! 23.�d5 �) 22.�e4 �a4 a rook, knight and two pawns than two 23 . .§b7 4Jc2 24.®gU . rooks, for which there are no open lines. 21...4Ja6! (unlike the variation More promising is 16.dS!. True, given above, the excellent c5-square in the variation 16 ...�xb2 !? 17.�g2 remains at the knight's disposal here) �d4! (17 .. .f5?! 18.�f4 ! e5! 19:'l*xf5 .§f8 22 . .§e74Jc5 23.� d5 4Je624.� g2 �e2! 20.'{�/xd7 ±, and a capture on f2 with 25 . .§d7 h5 (25 ...�g4 26.f3 �g6) 26.h4 check is not dangerous fo r White) �g4 27.'it>h2 �e2 28.'it>g2 �g4, draw. 18. .§he1�xe4+ 19. .§xe4 4Jd8 20. .§d1 White's apparently unpleasant initiative 1-50 Nunn - Portisch can be neutralized by 20 ...4Jb7 21.de Black has to parry the threat .§e1- de 22 . .§ed4 4Jd6 23 . .§cl4Jb7 24 . .§d7 e4-h4. In the game he ignored it. To be .§c8 with approximate equality. But, more precise, not the threat itself, but a firstly, White at least is not risking small combination associated with it. getting worse here, and, secondly, it 31...c5?? 32 . .§e4! .§g8 will not be easy for his opponent to evaluate the consequences of his rather passive strategy over the board. 16... ed W? W? 33.�xh7+!, Black resigned because of 33 ...'it>xh7 34 . .§h4+ 'it>g7 35 . .ilh6+ 'it>h7 36.M8+. The natural capture 17.cd? comes 31...4Jd3? 32 . .§e4! 4Jf4 (32 ...<£\xcl up against the excellent counter-blow 33 . .§h4 4Je2+ 34. 'it>f2 'it>g8 35 . .§g4+) 17 ...f 5!!. The pawn is completely safe: 33 . .§xf4 ! ef 34.Ab2 +- does not help. 18:'l*xf5? .§f8-+ ; also unfavorable is Just one defense is left: 31 ....§.g81 18. �c4?! 4Je5+. After the forced 32 . .§.e4 .§.g71, leading to an unclear 18.�f3 4Je5 19.�d1 (19.�b3? 4Jd3-+ ) position. On 33 . .ild2 (with the idea of 19 ...�xb2 Black retains a position with .ile1-h4) it is possible to reply 33 ...4Jd3 the initiative. or 33 ...4Jc2 . 61 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 1-51 Lputian - Petursson The passive 20 ...�£8? 21.e5! The c3-rook is quite dangerous. It (21.E!.f6!?} 21...d5 (21...de 22.�e4) is worth exchanging it offwith the 22.E!.f6 �g7 23.�xg7+ �xg7 24.h6+ move 21.§c2!, preserving approximate �g8 25.�a4+- is also unsatisfactory. equality. But fo rcing the rook out does not 1-53 Tseshkovksy - Miles work: on 21.�e2? a combination White's position is of concern fo llowed on the theme of a double attack strategically. He has to choose and 21...E!.xf3! (if 22.gf, then 22 ...�g5 + accurately calculate the best way of 23.�g3 �xd2!}. White replied 22.�xb6. creating counterplay. 33.§ xd4! ed34. �fS! is essential. 22 ...Ax e4? does not work because of the reciprocal double attack 23.�d4!. On 34 ...-'i.h4, as indicated by Sufficient for a win is 22... �c4 !?, but Anthony Miles, there fo llows 35.�c7! the ingenious path that Petursson chose with an unclear position. In the event of 34 ...h6!? 35.�£8+ ®h7 36.�f5+ �g8 is also good. 22 ...�g5 !? 23.i*xb7 E!.h3!!24: �a7 37.�e6+ ®h8, the checks end, but �f3+ 25.�f2 �xd2, White resigned. White maintains the tension by 38.�f4! -'tg5 (38 ...Ae4 39.f3!} 39.�g6+ �h7 1-52 Junge - Ahrens 40. �f7!(but not 40.�£1? Ahl! 41.�f8 + White has no direct threats, and so, �xf8 42.�xhl �f3+ 43.�gl d3} according to the computer, Black has 40 ...-'i.e4 ! 41.�f8+ �h8 42.�£1 d3 several almost equally good 43.£3!d2 44.�e6! .llf6 45.�xd2 oo. possibilities. Human logic differs from Another tactical idea is 33.E!.cl? computer logic: we rarely pay attention .llxd5 34.�c8, which Vitaly to "abstract" moves, we are usually Tseshkovsky implemented in the game; trying to carry out some kind of idea. it turns out to be a mistake. From that point of view 20 ••• j},c8! :;: seems logical, preparing fo r the knight to come out to the center 21...�e5. B? An immediate 20 ... �e5? is refuted by 2Ulxe6+! (21...�xe6 22.1:!£8+!}.The game ended 21...®h8 22.Af5 (22.E!.f6!?; 22.c5!? de 23.E!.f5) 22 ...!!£8 (22 ...-i)xc4? 23.-'tg6 +- ) 23.E!.dl E!.xf5? (23 ...-i)xc4 24.1txh7 �g7 25.�xg7+ ®xg7 is more stubborn) 24.ef, Black resigned. 62 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources Both 35.�xd5 and 35.�xa8 ltxa8 29.'it>g2! 'll:\'xd3 30.�f3 'll:Yd2+ 31.' 1-55 Adams - Anand 1-56 Petrosian - Najdorf According to Anand, his opponent To achieve equality only one should choose 26 • .£\b31 : Wh ite has a precise move is required from Black, good outpost on c5, and this 31 ....£\c31. For example, 32.' 1-57 Plaskett - Hebden Black's hopes, being a piece down, Now White's best chance is are associated with the pursuit of his 28.�c6!. Here, too, a clear advantage opponent's king. The calm move remains on the side of Black, who could 28 ...g4! restricts its mobility and leads choose either 28 ...�xd 3 29.�f3! (29. to unavoidable perpetual check. �xf7+? §.xf7 30.�e7+ ' 63 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 31...'lii'd6, and if 31...'lii'e8, then 32.d5! �d6 33.f3±. After 30 ...�d6, no use is 31.d5? §.ee7! 32.dc? �xc5 33.§.xc5 f6 -+ . As ArturYusupov pointed out, White simply continues 3l.�xd6 4Jxd6 32.§.eel 4Je8 33.r:tlfl ;!; 31...or §.xd6!? 32.4Jxc6. The king has slipped out of the danger zone and Black's position has become hopeless. 30 ...�g6 (30 ...�x f2 3l.�xh6 �dl+ 32 . .ile2! �xe2+ 335.f.?h3 +- ) 3l..ild3! �g7 (31..:ii}•xd3 32.�xh6; 31...f5+ 32 . .ilxf5) 32.�xg7+ '3fxg7 33.'�>f3,Bl ack resigned. 32 ...r:tlf8 (of course, not 32 .. .f5? 1-58 Euwe - Alekhine 33.§e8+ 'l?f7 34.§.xc8 §xc8 35.4Je5+, and Alexander Alekhine guilelessly on 32 ...f6 strong is 33.d5! §xd5 34.§e8+ attacked an apparently pinned piece: ®f7 35.§.eel §.b7 36.§edl! §xdl + 30 ...f6?, missing the powerful reply 37.§xdl ®g6 38.§d8 4Je7 39.4Jb8 ±) 31.4Jt7!!. 33.§.celg6 34.§.e8+ 'l?g7 35.4Jb8;�:. Taking the knight leads to mate: 30... �e8!? makes sense, intending 31...®xt7 32:i*h5+ r:tle7 33J�(xe6+ 31...4Je7, although White is left with �xe6 34.§.el+ �d6 35:�c5+ r:tld7 some initiative here too: 3l.�eel <£\e7 36.�f5+ '3td6 37.�e6+. He has to play 32.4Jd3 <£\d533.� xe6 �xe6 34.�el ;!; . 31...�e8, and after 32.�xe6 �xe6 33.4Jd8 �e4 34.4Jxc6 White is left a 1-59 Marshall - Lasker pawn up, which he successfullyexploits. White has lots of tempting Black's defense is not very easy. I possibilities, but he has to be careful - think that he has to choose the his opponent will come out with an reinforcing move 30 ••.J�)e7!, exchange sacrificepractically anytime. preserving approximate equality. 44 . .4Jh6? �xfl +! 45.�xfl Ab5+ For those who made a diffe rent 46. '3tgl?! ( 46.§.eUis better) 46 ...Af4! +; choice I will give a short analysis of 44.�h3+? �h7=; some of the continuations that are less 44.§.h2+? �g7 45.�xe6 �xfl +! successful, in my view. 46.�xfl Ab5+ or 46 ... Axh2=; On 30 ...�e7? !, White retreats his 44.4Je5?!Axe5 45.de §.h4! oo. queen, 31.'lii'c3!, not fe aring 31. .. f6? Frank Marshall chose 44.'l!i'xe6?!, 32.�b 3! +- . The same move 32.'lii' b3 is after which there fo llowed 44 ...�x fl +! also unpleasant enough in reply to 45.�xfl. 64 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources W? W? 45 ...-'tb5 +! (but not 45 ...'l1kl +? If 2.�cl(c3)? a3, he falls into 46:i!Yel .llb5+ 47.�f2 'i!Yf4+ 48.�gl zugzwang, as on 3.�bl(c2) there 'i!Yxd4+ 49.�hl +- ) 46J!e2 (46.�f2 fo llows 3 ....ilh 7!=. 'i!Yc2+ 47.�f3 'i!Ydl+) 46 ....1l.xe2+ You have to get the same position, 47.�xe2 �f7+48. �f2 �g7, and Black but with Black to move. should draw despite his opponent's 2.1it>dl!a3 3.1it>cl! �h7 4.1it>bl material advantage: there are too few (or 4.�c2 �h6 5.�c3 +-) 4 ...1it>h6 pawns left on the board. S.lit>al! (again Black is in zugzwang) As Alexander Alekhine pointed s ...a2 6.1it>b2! (but not 6.�xa2? .ilh7=) out, 44.-'td3! leads to the goal. White 6 ...�h7 7.�xa2+-. prevents the exchange sacrifice and prepares a dangerous check on the 1-61 R. Reti * h-file. For example: 44 ....ilh5 45.4Jh6! Stopping the pawn is not difficult, l:!f8. but it is much harder not to stalemate your opponent's king at the same time. As, for example, in the variation l.Ac6+? �d6 2.t!d4+ �e5 3.l:!e4+ W? ®d6! 4.t!xe3 el 'i!Y 5.t!xel stalemate. 1.-'l,fS+I lit>d6 2.lad4+ lit>e7! 3.lae4+ lit>d8! W? 46.4Jf7+!! (Alekhine's suggestion 46:i:5i·g5?! is less convincing because of the beautiful reply 46 ....ilg 6!! ± ) 46 ...t!x f7 47.'i!Yh6+ l:!h7 48.-'txh7 +- . 4 • .Q.d71! 1-60 M. Liburkin The "spice" of the study! The After l.e6 a4 White has to primitive 4.t!xe3? leads to stalemate: maneuver his king precisely to 4 ...el'l!i' 5.t! xel. eliminate the enemy pawn without 4 ...el� (4 ...®xd 7 5.t!xe3) hindrance. S • .ilbS, and the threat of 6.t!e8 * is unstoppable. 65 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 1-62 Gawlikowski - Olejarczuk When launching a combination on the theme of a double attack, l.§xg41 W? 'itxg4 2. 'itxa61 (2 ...ba 3.�f6+ ), you have to consider the counter-blow 2 ...'itxe 41. W? 3 • .£lh4+1 'itJxh4 (threatening s.�f3#) 5 • .£)e6+. 1-65 P. Benko White has to choose one of two And foresee the worthy retort promising plans of action. 3.'ita 51 'itd5 (3 .. J!dS 4:�a8+; Direct play fo r mate by l.�c3? al �+ 3 ...b6 4:�gS+) 4 • .§e8+1 �g7 2.�b3 is refutedby themove 2 ...�a8! -+ . 5.'itxd8. So you want to cut offthe diagonal first: l.dS?! ed, and only now play 2.�c3. 1-63 Kremenetsky - Arbakov * To avoid losing a piece Black has to attack the e7-rook with his bishop. The only question is, fr om which B? square? No good is 19 ....itd 6?, counting on 20.4)dS? -'te6! (but not 20 ...§a e8? 21.t! xe8 t!xe8 22.be �xeS+ 23.4)e3) 21.be �xeS+ 225-t)hl -'txdS +. White replies 20.§e3!, and on a Now there is no 2 ...al �+? 3.�b3, knight retreat, there is 21.§d3. and 2 ...al� ? 3.§h4 �a2 4.§d4 �a3 S.§xdS �b3 6.§bS also loses. But 19... -'ldSI 20• .£)d5 ,£le61 (or 20 ....itc6!) 21.bc ,£lxd5 with mutual Black can save himself with 2 ...d4 +! chances. 3.�b3 al�+. A combination that has been known since ancient times is far 1-64 A. Wotawa stronger: a rook sacrificewith the idea The tempting l.�d4? allows of boxing the king into a comer and Black to save himself with 1...ed putting Black in zugzwang_. 2 . .itxd4 Aa7! 3 . ..Q.xa7 �b6! 4.1.txb6 l.§hl +I �b2 2.a,a11 'itlxal stalemate. 3.�c21 e5 4.d5 e4 5.d6 e3 6.d7 e2 1.,£ld41 efl (l...ed 2.�xd4+-) 7.d8'it el.£)+ (7 ... el� 8.�d4+) 2.-'lf2+ �g5 8.�b3 .£ld3 9.'itd4+. 66 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 1-66 Thipsay - Ivell There could follow 32 ....§b xb5 An unclear position arises on (32 ....§c xb5 33 . .§b4=) 33 . .§de4 (33.e6? 23 .. J'k6!? or 23 ...h6!?. A pawn capture fe 34 . .§xe6 .§xc3+ 35.�a4 .§f5+ is is refuted by fo rce. premature) 33... .§b 8 (33 ....§bl 34 .�a4) 23 .. :�xc2? 24J!e4!! ti'xe4 34 . .§b4 .§e8 35 . .§be4 .§b5 36.�a4 25:�h6+-. .§b6 37 . .§b4=. 23 •••§c2? 24.§e4! §ec8 1-68 A. Rink Any knight move allows the W? rook to attack two enemy pieces simultaneously. Moreover, driving the knight into a double attack can also be done immediately by playing l..§g3?. But after l...<£\e6 2 . .§e3, the knight moves offto d4 with check. You have to retreat the Black intended to parry 25.ti'h6? king to a square that the knight with 25 ...ti'xf 6!, but he overlooked a cannot reach. Vit'b2!! powerful counter argument by his - But not l.�a2?, on which there is opponent. at least 1...4Je4! 2 . .§e3 4Jd5. 25.§c4!! �xf6 (25 ....§2x c4 1 ••• <3lb6 2.§g3, and Black loses 26:�xb2) 26.§xc8+, Black resigned. apiece. 1-67 Zagrebelny - Kovalev 1-69 Taimanov - Geller ••• 30 .Q.c4!! The quiet move 41 ••• §g4! wins, If you do not play like this then preparing 42 ....§x h2. On 42 . .§h3 you White will gradually take advantage of can reply either 42 ....§f 2+ or 42 ....§cl + his extra pawn. By making this move 43.�e2 .§g2+ (43 ....§el+ 44.�d3 Black has to deal with the march of the .§xe5 -+ ) 44.�d3 .§c3•. enemy king to b4. Geller carelessly played 41 ....§ xh2?. 3Vit'a3 Jl,xb5 W? W? His opponent did not exploit the It turns outthat 32/�1b4? leads to chance that had fo rtuitously arisen and the loss of a piece after 32 ....§c 4+! after 42.�e3? .§a8 43 . .§g7+ �h6 33 . .§xc4 Aa6+! 34.�c5 .§c8+. resigned the game. But he could save White avoided the ambush, and himself impressively with 42 . .§xg8! after 32.ab! the players agreed a draw. �xg8 (42 ....§hl +? 43 . .§gl) 43 . .§g3+!! 67 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources �xg3 44.�b8+ �h7 45."�'h8+! �xh8 stalemate. It is probably worth pointing out B? that 41... .§.c3?! 42 . .§.xc3 be 43:i!1tc7 is not completely convincing. And the move 41...f6?, which seems very strong at first, does not lead to a win either. W? On 21. ..fg ?! 22.�xg5 Af8 23 . .§.a5!, the piece is unavoidably won back and White is left a pawn up. Even worse occurred in the game, 21...�f7? 22 . .§.el! h6 23.�xf6!?± (or 23.Axf6! �xf6 24 . .§.c7+ �f8 25.Axe6 �xe4 26 . .§.t7+ ®g8 27 . .§.xa7+! �h8 It is justifiedon 42.�xe6? ( 42 . .§.h3? 28 . .§.xa8 .§.xa8 29 . .§.xe4). 21... .1lf7! sets the most difficult .§.cl+ or 42 ....§.f 2+; 42.�e3? .§.a8 or problems for his opponent. On 42 ...! hg3 43 . .§. xg3 .§.xh2; 42.'i!1/el? 22 . .§.dl?!, given by Lubomir Ftacnik, .§. xh2 or 42... .§. xg3) 42... .§.cl + 43.�e2 Black replies not 22 ...f g? 23.�xg5 (43.'�g2 .§.xg3+ 44 . .§.xg3 .§.c2+ 45.®fl .§. ab8 24 . .§.a5!? (24.g3!?±) 24 ...-'tc3 'i!1/xf4+) 43 ...�xh2+ 44 . .§.f2 'i!1/xg3 25 . .§.xa7 .lle8 26.h4±, but 22 ...�e7! (44 .. :i!i'h5+45 . .§.gf3 .§.e8 -+ is enough 23 . .§.xd8+ .§.xd8 24.�xf6+ .llxf6 too) 45:i!i'f7+ ®h8! 46.'i!1/xf6+ .§.g7 25 . .ilxf6 Axb3 26.®fl Axa2=. 47.'i!1/f8+ �h7 48.'i!1/xf5+ ®g8 So White has to retreat his bishop, (48 ....§.g 6-+ ) 49.'i!1/e6+ �f8 50.�f6+ 22.Ah4;!;,or make a "little window," ®e8-+ . 22.g3!?, preparing 23 . .§.dl. However, by playing 42.�d6!, White saves himself: 42 ... .§.cl+ 43.�g2 1-71 Trabattoni - Barlov .§.xg3+ 44 . .§.xg3 .§.c2+45 .'�fl= - it is A draw comes from l.§.e61 §.g2+ important that the f4 -pawn is still 2.'it'hll §.xg3 3.§.xg61 =. defended. The apparently equivalent l..§.g5? is refuted by l... .§.g2+ 2.�hl .§.f2! 1-70 Ftacnik - Hartston 3.�gl .§.f6! with a decisive zugzwang. From which square to defend the pinned knight? The correct answer to the question is 20... 1tb71 , preserving approximate equality. 20 ...Ae6? seems more natural, unleashing the knight. By playing like this, William Hartston clearly underestimated his opponent's energetic reply 21.�e4!. 68 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 4..!:�a5�f3 5. g4 �g3+ 6.�hl �xg4 .£lxe6-+ ; 30.�xg7? 'l!i'xd4+31 .'l1Yxd4 cd +) 7.�a4+ �h3, White resigned. 30... 'l!\'xe7 31 .Ad5, the game equalizes. Slightly weaker, but also playable, 1-72 Gheorghiu -Ivanovic is 29 ...�al !?. For example: 30.flc2!? Florin Gheorghiu played simply (30.�xal f!xe7 31.bc 'l!i'xc5=) 28.laxcSI, preserving a big advantage. 30 ...Ab5 !! (worse are 30 ...�x el + After 28 ...�al + 29.�f2 'lli'b6, the 3l.f!xel± and 30 ..."f!xe7 31.flxalAe6 simplest thing is to take the pawn, 32.�xe6 flxe6 33."fre2 �f6 34.b5 ± ) 30.�xe7 +- , not fearing desperate tries 31."ili'xd8 (31."ili'c3 �xel + 32.�xel by his opponent like 30 ...'lli' h6. cb ;!;)31... �xel + 32.flxel�x d8 33.bc However, the restrained 30.flc2 �a7 flf5 and the activity of the black pieces 31.�xe7 �e6! 32.�xa7 "f!xa7 33.'lli'c3 almost makes up for the lack of a pawn. was also enough for the win. In overwhelming positions there is 1-73 R. Reti no point in combinations if the Everything seems simple: l.�xg2 consequences of sharpening the game �e4 2.�f2 �d3? 3.�el, and Black is cannot be subjected to quick and in zugzwang. But he can find a sharp accurate calculation. That is true here retort: 2 ... el 'lli'+!! 3.�xel �d3 (now too: 28.�xe7?! is wrong on principle White is in zugzwang) 4.�al �c3 because of 28 ...'l!i'd8! (but not 28 ..."frd6? (threatening 5 ...�b2) 5.�cl �d3=. 29.�xg7! cd 30.�xg5 +- ). On 29."fre2, Vit'f21 B? 4.laell (a decisive zugzwang!) 4 •••tll d4 (4 ...�f4 5.�f2+-; 4 ...�e5 5.�e3! +- ) s.tlld2 +- . 1-74 J. Vancura The knight is untouchable: 29 ...cd?? Black intends to play l...�e4+! 30.'l!i'xd4+-. The continuation 29 ...cb? 2.�h6 (the bishop is offlimits because 30.'lli'xb4 leads to a difficult position fo r of stalemate) 2 ...Axh 7=. On l.�h6?, Black. However, he can findan adequate there fo llows l...Ae4! 2.�a7 Ab7! defense: in fact, even more than one. (White is in zugzwang) 3.�a4 �e4!=. All the problems are solved by the Just as useless is l.�a7? Ae4+! (but not flashy counter-blow 29 ...Ae 6!!. After l...�b7? 2.�h6!, and Black falls into the fo rced 30.-'txe6! (30.�7xe6? zugzwang) 2.�h6 Ab7!=. 69 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Vi!ilgS!! jlg2 (l...' 2.�g4 (2.�a7? .Q.e4=) 2 ••• -'l.f3 (on saves himself with l...f5! (threatening 2 ....Q.h3 the same reply is possible) perpetual check with the rook on the 3.�f4+- fifthrank) 2.�a7 �e5!, and there is no The rook has managed to leave the defense against perpetual check on the a-file, which was unfavorable for it, e-file. with tempo, without losing a pawn at The idea of rejecting the pawn the same time or letting the bishop go capture is to transfer the rook to the to e4. On the next move the king will a2-square, neutralizing enemy get to h6. counterplay. Therefore the white king should not go there. 1-75 Klinger - Blatny Vi!ilb211at�+ Achieving a material advantage Very bad is l...�b5+ 2.r,t>al!, and often lulls a player into a false sense of in the case of l...f5 2.�a7 you get security. roughly the main line. The obvious 35 ...�xe5? apparently 2. The only correctmove, 3S ••• �d71, leads to a draw after36.�xd 7 (36.�f6? 4.�a71 �bS+ ( 4 ...�e 5 5.�a2! +- ) �e4! +; 36.�b8?! �h7+; 36.�e8 S. 1-76 A. Gerbstman 1-77 A. Daniel The a2-pawn wants to queen with It is easy to reject l.�h6? in view check. It has to be eliminated as soon of l...a2 2.r,t>g5 e3 3.�f4 e2 and as possible - what is there to think about 4 ...Adl -+ . Your only hope is to play here? for stalemate. The only circumstance that gives l.�xe41 J1,c2 pause for thought is that the pawn can On l...a2, White can play not only also be stopped by 1.r,t>b2 . The point of 2.�el Ac2+ 3.�h8, which takes the these subtleties is not clear yet, but since affair into the main line, but also 2.�f4+ we have a choice, before making a �e6 3.�fl Ac2+ 4.r,t>g7 Abl 5.�f6+ move we should check what our and 6.�a6=. opponent may do in response anyway. 2. 70 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 1-79 A. Troitsky * The study composer's idea was to create a stalemate refuge after l...�g4? W? 2.a5! �xh5 (2 ...�f4 3.�f2=) 3.�d2 �g4 4.�c2 h5 (4 ...�f3 5.�b2 'it'e3 6.'it'a3 �d3 7.�a4 �xc3 8.a3= does not change anything) 5.�b2 h4 6.�a3 h3 7.�a4 h2 8.a3 hl'£* stalemate. It is not difficult to prevent your opponent's idea by playing l...a5??, but 3.laell the cure turns outto be worse than the Queening the pawn can also be disease: 2.�e3 �g4 3.�e4 �xh5 prevented by an immediate 3J!e5?. But 4.�f5 (zugzwang) 4 ...�h4 5.�e6, and after 3 ...al.!:!!, the white king cannot White wins. escape a quick mate: 4 . .!:!f5+ �g6 5 . .!:!f8 The study still is not solved. As A. .!:!hl+ (5 ...Ab3) 6.'it'g8 .ilb3+. Rubenis pointed out, Black wins by 3 ....11, bt 4.E{e51 choosing l ... �f41 2.a5 (otherwise 4 . .!:!xbl? is too naive - Black, of 2 ...a5 -+ ) 2 ...�e41 . course, promotes the pawn to a rook, not a queen: 4 ...ab.!:! !. 4 ...allal ( 4 ...al '£* stalemate) 5.Eta51 (but not 5 . .!:!f5+? �g6-+) 5 ...E{x a5 stalemate, or 5 ...Aa2 6 . .!:!a7+, and the rook checks kick the king a long way away, freeing its own king fromconfinement in the corner of the board. 1-78 Alterman - Raetsky Zugzwang! On 3.'it'f2 there fo llows By playing 59 ...hg?, Black had in 3 ...'it'd3 , and on 3.a3 �f4 (with a mind the simple variation 60.fg? g5 subsequent ... 'it'g4xh5) the white king 61.'it'f3 Aa5 62.�f2 'it'e4. But his no longer has a path to the stalemate opponent replied 60.�g3!! gf 61.�xf3, refuge on a4. Finally, on 3.�d2 �f3 and it became clear that he missed the 4. �c2, the black king, without wasting win. After 61... 71 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources B? W? His calculation was obviously 19:t!1fxg6!! hg 20.Axf7+! !!xf7 predicated on 19 .. :�d7? 20 . .Q.xd5�xb2 21.l:!h8+! �xh8 22.�xf7+and 23.�xd6 (20 ...ed 21.�xd5!) 21. 72 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 1-82 Karpov - Yusupov l:!c2+ with a subsequent 32 ...Ah6) In this ending "materialism" is 29 ...l:!c2+ 30.�f3 l:!b8 31.�e3 appropriate - Black wins easily by (31.l:!gl l:!b3+ 32.4Jc3 l:!cxb2) eliminating the enemy pawns: 31...l:!b3+ 32.4Jc3 l:!bxb2 33.l:!a3 l:!xh2 34.�d3 l:!h3+ 35.4Je3 Ah6 38 .•• Etxh2! 39.Eta6 (39.f5 l:!f2+and 40 ...l:!x f5) 39 ...Elf2+ 40.�el E!xf4 36.4Jdl l:!bl,White resigned. 41.�e2 E!e4-+. The moves ...h6-h5- As ArturYusupov pointed out, the h4 are threatened, and if 42.l:!a5,then king should move to the other flank. 42 ...�d7 43.l:!d5 h5! 44.l:!xh5 �xd6. 26.�fl! fg+ (the alternative: a By playing 38 ...a3? in time trouble, repetition of moves 26 ..:� a6+ 27}�gl Artur Yusupov missed a deserved win. �a7) 27.E!xg2 �xg2 28.�xg2 There fo llowed 39.t!a6 l:!f2+ (39... l:!al+ 40.�e2 a2 41.f5! leads to the same thing) 40.�el a2 White intends �hl and l:!gl with dangerous pressure on his opponent's kingside. 41.f5! �d7 ( 41...l:!xh2 42.f6 l:!hl+? Another tempting possibility: 43.�e2 al� 44.l:!xal l:!xal 45.f7+- ) 26.h3!? (or 26.h4!?). A double-edged 42.f6 �e6 43.l:!a8!= �xd6 44.f7 l:!xf7 situation arises on 26... 4Je 2+ 27.�fl 45.l:!xa2 �e5 46.t!a6, draw. �a6 (27 ...4Jd 4!? oo ) 28. �g5! (28.gf? is refuted by 28 ...l:!c 2!! 29.'l*xc2 4Jd4+ 1-83 Gligoric - Stein and 30 ...4Jxc2 +) 28 ...4Jg3 + 29.�gl 26 .. .fg is threatened with a 4:lxf5 30.ef f6 31.�xh5. Stronger is subsequent 27 ...4Jh 3+. The continuation 26.. .fg 27.�h2. 26.4Jxd6? Ah6! 27.4Jxc8 l:!xc8 loses. Only opening the g-file gives White chances, even if he has to sacrifice the exchange to do it. Svetozar Gligoric chose 26.�hl? counting on 26 .. .fg+? 27.l:!xg2. A small combination that he overlooked, 26 ...�xf 2! 27.�xf2 fg+, allowed Black to exchange queens and transpose to a winning endgame. 28.�xg2 (28.�gl 4Jh3+) The situation is similar to the one 28 ...4Jxg2 29.�xg2 (also hopeless is that arose in the variation 26.�fl !. But 29.4Je7+ �h7 30.4Jxc8 l:!xc8 31.�xg2 here Black can fight fo r the advantage 73 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources by 27 ...�h7 28.�gl (28.�xg2 .£Jxg2 29.i!i'g5 f6 30.i*xh5+�g8 -+ does not work) 28 ...�g 8 29.�fxg2 Af6 30.�xg8 B? �xg8 31.�xg8 'it>xg8, and then 32 ...i!i'a6. White's difficulties are associated not so much with the lack of a pawn (which, by the way, he does not manage to win back: 32 . .£Jxd6?? i!i'd7-+ ), as with the exposed position of his king. 23 ....§.xc 7! 23 ....£Jxd3+? 24.� bl! loses with the 1-84 Keres - Shofman fe arsome threat of25.f7+. Black achieves a material advantage 24. 'I!Jxc7 'fJcS! in various ways. His task is to defuse the And here taking the knight with situation at the same time, not letting his check is inappropriate: 24 ....£Jxd3+? opponent exploit counter-chances 25.�d2! �f7 (25 ...i!i'g6? 26.i*g7+; associated with the al-h8 diagonal. 25 ...i!i'f7 26.'it>xd3!) 26.'it>xd3! ±. 21...i!i'b5?! does not achieve its 25.'fJxc8 .§.xeS+ 26.�d2 �c4+ goal, on which Paul Keres gives 22.�d2 After 27 ....£Jxb2, Black has a �xf6 23.�c7 'i'. There is also the winning endgame. "computerish" 22.a4!? i*xb4 (22 ....£Jxd3+ 23 . .£Jxd3 i*xd3 24.§xh7+ ®xh7 1-85 Pchelkin - Tolonen 25.i!i'c7+ 'it>g626.i!i' g7+ �h5 27.i!i'g4+ The essence of the position is the �h6=) 23.�c7 oo,but we do not usually need to evaluate the merit of the threat of pay attention to these kinds of resources opening lines on the kingside with the in our calculations. move g5-g6 and preventing it by 23 ...g 6!. Afterwhat master Shofrnan chose, Then your opponent would have to rack 21...�xf6? 22.�c7!, he lost both the his brains to figure out how to meet the initiative and control over events, which extremely unpleasant 24 ...d5 or 24 ....£Jb5. led to a quick loss: 22 ...�f7 (22 ...Axd3? And now let's see what happens if 23 . .£Jxd3+- ) 23.�xf7 i!i'xf7 24."i*b3! Black rushes to implement one of these i!i'c7+?(24 ...�c 8+ is preferable) 25.�c3 options. (a) 23 ....£Jb5? 24.g6! .£Jc3+ i!i'g7 26.i!i'dl �d8? 27 . .£Je6Af3, Black (24 ....£Ja3+ 25.�al .£Jxc4 26.i!i'h4! + resigned. threatening 27.i!i'xh7+ and 27."i*xc4) He should exploit the position of 25.'it>cl d5 26.i!i'h4 (D) the white king on the open c-file, of course. 21 ... .§.c8! 22• .§.c7! I will give some approximate On 22 . ..1lc3?, the most energetic is variations that illustrate the strength of 22 ...i!i'c6 23.'1t> d2 Axd3 24 . .£Jxd3 .£lf3+ White's attack. 25.'it>e2 i!i'xc3 -+ . 26 .. .fg 27.�xd5! (27.fg is not bad 22... Jtxd 3 23.�xd3 either) 27 ....£Jxd5 28.fg h6 (28 ...hg 74 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources operation that Leonid Shamkovich undertook is refutable. 23.e5?1 del Everything else loses: 23 ...4)d4? 24.Axh7+! �xh7 25.'ll\'h5+ �g8 26.ef+- ; 23 ...4)xd2? 24.ef 4)xbl 25.Axh7+!+- ; 23 ....ll xe5? 24.'ffi'd3 +- . 24. �d3 (a double attack on h7 and b3) 24 •••e41 (24 ...g6? 25.Axb3 §.fd8 26.�d5 'ffi'd7 27.�a5!+-) 25.�xe4 29.§.dl+- ) 29.�xh6! gh 30.g7 §.b6 (30 ....ll xg7 31.�e7+-) 31.gffi'+ �xf8 32.'ffi'g3 +- ; 26 ...4)xa2+!? 27.�d2 fg 28.fg hg B? (28 ...h6 29.Axh6 gh 30.g7 +-) 29.�el! §.d8 (29... dc? 30.�xc4+ �h8 31.§.g3 +- ) 30.�g4 (30.§.xd5 §.xd5 31.Ab6 'ffi'b5 is less convincing) 30 ...dc 31.�e6+ �h8 32.§.xd8 �xd8 33.§.g3 �h4 34 . .llf2 and 35.§.h3 with an overwhelming advantage; The game continued 25 ...g6? (b) 23 ...d5? 24.g6!! 26.Axb3 ..ll.xb3 27.4)g4! .ilg7 28.§.bcl �d8?! (28... Ac4 !? threatening 29 .. .f5) 29.§.xc8 �xc8 30.Ab4 §.d8 31.�f3! Ae6 32.4)f6+ �h8 33.Ac3!. White intends §.e4-h4 or �e4-h4, and his initiative soon grew into a decisive advantage and took him to victory. However, the result of the game is reversed if Arthur Bisguier finds a simple queen sacrifice. 25 ... �xc211 26.�xc2 �xd2 In the game there was 24.Ad3? g6 27.�e2 25.§.g3 4)b5 26.§.h3, and now No better is 27.�e3 4)xbl 28.4)d4 26 ...4)c3+ 27.�cl d4 wins. §.fe8!? 29.4)xe6§.x e6 30.§.cl4)c3! -+ . 24 .. .fg 25.fg hg 26.�h4! (26.§.xd5 27••• �xbl (but not 27 ...§.x c2? 4)xd5 27.§.dl is weaker because of 28.�d3 §.fc8 29.§.bdl) 28 • .§xbl 27 ...§.b 5!) 26 ...§.d 8 27 . .lld3 +- ; (28.4)b4 is a little more stubborn) 24 ...dc 25.�h4 fg 26.fg h6 28 •••.Q.f5 29 • .§cl Axb2-+. (26 ...hg 27.�xc4+ �h7 28.§.g3 +- ) 27.'�xc4+ �h8 28.Axh6! gh 29.g7+ 1-87 K. Sumbatyan Axg7 30.§.xg7+-. Playing fo r stalemate with 1.4)e6? .llxe6 2.§.g7+ does not work because 1-86 Shamkovich - Bisguier of 2 ...�h8! 3.§.h7+ �g8 4.§.g7+ The threat 23 ...4)d4 should be �f8-+ . fe nded off with the simple 23 . .ilxb3 l.�f71 .Q.g4+1 (l...g2? 2,1�jxg5+) �xb3 24.§.bcl=/;!;. The tactical 2.�xg4 g2 3.�xg5+ Axg5 75 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources A combination of zugzwang and domination: the rook cannot find a W? single safe square. 1-89 U. Venalainen l.'iti'f3 'iti'd2 l...e2? 2.1tc3+ �fl 3.®xg3 el�+ 4 . .Q.xel ®xel5.® g4= is not dangerous. Black hopes to win a decisive tempo in comparison with this variation after And now not 4.®h5? gl� 5.�g7+ 2.1te5? g2 3.r.t>xg2 e2 4.1tg3 el�+. ®h8! 6.�h7+ ®g8 7.�g7+ ®f88.�f7+ 2 • .1lf811 g4+ (2 ...e2 3.1txe7 g4+ 4.'iti'h31 gl� s.Etg7+ ®e8-+ , but leads to a transposition of moves) 'iti'h6(5 ...®h8 6.�g8+) 6.Etg6+'iti'hS 3.'iti'g21e2 4 • .Q.xe7 'iti'c3 7 .Eth6+! and stalemate fo llows. 1-88 V. Bron White cannot make the best of his W? advantage by "normal" means: Black can play for stalemate. For example, l.b7? �xd6+ 2.�g5 �d8 3.®f5 �b8 4.�e7 �xb7!=, or l.�e6? �xd6! 2.�g6 �xb6= (also possible is 2 ...�f 6 3.�g5 �f5+! or 3.b7 �f8) - the exchange of rooks 3.�xb6?? even loses. Direct play for stalemate, 5.Ad6?, l.EteSI !axeS 2.d7 Ete6+! counting on 5 ...el� ? 6 . ..1lb4+!, is 2 ...�d 5 3.b7 �xd7 4.b8� �d6+ refuted by 5 ...el§! 6.®xg3 �e6 and 5 .. r.t>g5 is hopeless, and the rook's rage 7 ...�g 6-+ . You have to implement the will soon be tamed: White stops the same idea in a more favorable situation. checks with the queen, getting a s • .Q.d8! 'iti'b4 6 • .Q.c71 (but not winning pawn endgame. 3.'iti'gSI Etxb6 6 . ..1lb6?el�! 7.r.t>xg3�e 6 -+ ) 6 ... ella (6 ...el� 7.1ta5+ ®xa5 stalemate) 7.'iti'xg3 Ete4 (7 ...�e 7 8.1td6+; 7 ...�gl+ 8.®h4 and 9 . .ilg3=) W? 8 • .Q.f4=. 1-90 Uhlmann - Osmanovic White is better thanks to the bishop pair. He preserves his advantage by continuing, for example, 40.1th5!? (with the idea of taking the g6-square Promoting the pawn to a queen or away fr om the knight) 40 ...g6 41.1tf3 a bishop leads to stalemate, and to a �e8 42.�xe8 1txe843. Af6. Also good rook - to a drawn rook endgame. But is 40.h4!?. there is also a fo urth option. The energetic blow 40.g6! opens 4.d84)1! +-. up the game immediately and promises 76 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources White even more, if only his opponent 1-91 Svidler - Volokitin does not finda concrete tactical retort. White went for a forced drawing 40 ••• ./ilxg6 (we will look at other variation. options fo r Black a little later) 36 • .§d71 .§xe6 37 • .§xg7 �xa2+ 41.,!3xd7 ./ilh4+ 42.�g3 ./ilxf3 (the only defense against mate) 43.�xf3 �f8 38.�xa2 .§xa2+ 39.�xa2 .1lf3 40 • .§h7+ �g8 41 • .§g7+ �h8, draw. Peter Svidler had accurately calculated that an attempt to achive W? more with 36.�xe8+? �xe8 37.�c3 �e7 38.Af7 leads to the opposite result. B? The rook has fa llen into a trap. Has White miscalculated? No, Wolfgang Uhlmann had foreseen everything! 44.h41! �e8 45.Jlxg7 �xd7 46.h5+-. The pawn can only be stopped by 38 ... §.e5! 39.�xg7 (or 39.'i1Yd2 'i1Ya8! giving up the rook fo r it. Black played 40.'i1Yd6�b l! 4l.a4 §.el -+ ) 39 ....Q.. c2!! -+ . 46 ...�a 8, and immediately resigned because of 47.h6 �xa3+ 48. 77 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources W? Two minor pieces and three pawns 2S.'li\'xeS �xeS 26.§xeS .§xa2, White more than compensate for the queen, maintains an advantage, but the and it is also much easier for Black to outcome of the battle remains unclear play. He is going to put his pieces on for now. good squares and advance the pawns on 23 • .Q.g2!!+- the queenside, while it is not clear what And now White wins a piece his opponent should do. without any compensation. The game continued 21.�b2 23 ...�dS 24.f4! (24 . .§xeS?! .§xeS! .§fxd8 22.h3 la.e6 23 . .§fdl aS 24.-tJgS is worse) 24 ... .§xa2 2S.fe b3 26.�c3 .ilc42S:i* c3 Ae2! 26 . .§el la.d3 27.Afl .§d8 27.e6 fe 28.§g4 �d7 29.�xb3 .tlbS 28.�cl la.xfl 29.�xfl .tld4 .§aS 30.�c3 .§da8 31.�h2 eS 30:i*c4 .§a7 31..§edl .§c8 32.®g2 32 . .§ge4, Black resigned. .tlbc2!? 33 . .§acl bS 34.�dS (34.'i*c3 b4 3S:i*c4a4!? 36 . .§xc2 .tlxc237.� xc2 1-94 Zamikhovsky - Gufeld c4) 34 ...c4 (34 ...a4!?) 3S . .§xc2 .tlxc2 36 . .tle6!la.f6! 37.'li\'d6 38.�.tlb4 b6 .§a6 Eduard Gufeld obviously thought 39.'li\'b7 .§aa8! 40.-tJcS c3 41..tld7 .ilg7 that after 30 ...�f4? 31.fg �xfl his 42 . .§al c2 43 . .§xaS .§ab8! 44 . .tlxb8 opponent would have to resign. cl� 4S . .§a8 .§f846 . .tld7'li\'c6! 47.'l*xc 6 .tlxc6 48 . .tlxf8 la.xf8, and White soon resigned. W? 1-93 Polugaevsky - Smyslov 21.h3! This move puts his opponent in a difficult position, as the bishop has no convenient retreat: 21.. . .ilh5 22 . .§xe5 (the bishop has come under attack); 21...Af5 22..£lxf5 'l*xfS 23.f4 (or 23.�e2); 21...5 Both 32 ...�g l+ 33.®h3 �hl+ 22.§xeS §xeS 23:i*c4+. But White 34.®g4 �hS • and 32.. . -'tgl+ 33.®hl should fo resee the combinational retort Af2+ 34.®h2 �gl + 35.®h3 �xg3 • are that fo llowed in the game. threatened. But the unforeseen retort 21 •••.1lxh 3 22.J}.xh3 "ltxd4! (D) 32 . .§al!!fo rced him to accept a drawn outcome. In fa ct, 32 ...la.x al? 33.�d8+ Bad is 23 . .§xd4? .tlf3+ 24.�hl �g7 34.'li\'d7+ ®h6 3S.Ah3 is bad, and .§xel+ 2S.�g2 .tlxd426.'li\' c4 (26.'l*d2? White is lefta piece up (on an immediate .§gl+!) 26... b3 27.ab .§d8. In the 33.Ah3? he gets perpetual check: endgame with an extra piece that arises 33 ...'l*e 2+ 34.Ag2 �hS+). And if after 23.�e2?! �xeS 24 . .§xeS .§xeS 32 ...'l*x al, then 33.�d8+ ®g7 34.�e7+ 78 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources �h6 35.�f8+, and he has to play 35 ...Ag7, as 35 .. . However, his idea is refutedby the unexpected counter-blow 13... §x f3 !!. After the fo rced 14.4Jxd6 (14.'i!t'xf3 i;Yxh2+ 15.�fl 4Je5 16.�b3 �h1 + 17.�e2 'i!t'xg2 -+ ) 14 ...§x f2 15.'i!t'xg4 §f4+ 16.�h1 §xg4 17.4Jxc8 �f7!, White is leftthe exchange down. I will give another two moves: 18.�6 Af6 19.�b3 §e4! (but not 19... §x c8? (a) 32:�·d7+�h6 33.�3 �e5! -+ ; 20.§e1 oo), and Black won easily. (b) 32.Ah3 § xh3+! (but not And so, neither 1l.g3?! nor 32 ...Ae5? because of 33:t!1'f8+!! �xf8 ll.§d1? solves the problem. A sounder 34.fg Axg3+ 35.�g1 +- or 33 ...'i!t'xf 8 and better move is 11.�e4 !?, leading to 34.fg±) 33.'i!t'xh3 �e5+-+ ; unclear positions after 11.. .§ xf3 (c) 32:t!1'g8+ �h6 33.i;Yf8 +! 'i!1'xf8 12:t!1'xg4 4Je5 or 11...4Jge5 12.4Jxe5 34.�xg3 'i!1'f4+ 35.�g2 'i!1'xe4+ 36.�g1 i;Yxe5.But I recommend a differentpath. (there is approximate material equality on ll.�b5! �d4! 12.�bxd4 the board, but White's fo rces are .Q.xd4 disconnected and in no condition to oppose Now 13.h3 obliges his opponent to his opponent's onslaught) 36 ...i;Yd3! force a draw by 13... §x f3! 14.hg §h3! 37.§a2 c4 (another good path: 37 ...'i!1'b3 15.gh 'i!t'g3+ 16.�h1 'i!t'xh3+. And on 38.§d2 'i!1'g3+ 39.�h1 'i!1'c3 40.§a2 13.'i!t'e4!? §xf3 14.�xg4 §£5 15.c3 'i!1'c4-+) 38.4Jc6 .1lc5 39.�g2 c3 -+ . White's chances are preferable, in my view. 1-95 Jasnikowski - Sznapik You have to find the best defense 1-96 Lasker - Bogatyrchuk against the threats 11...4Jd4and 11...§ xf3. White cannot get by without the The move 1l.g3?! fa ils, as it move e3-e4. But it is not worth rushing weakens the important f3 -square: it: 5l.e4? d4!, and with the e4-pawn 11...4Jge5 12.4Jxe54Jd4! 13.'i!t'd3'i!t'xe5 closing off the important h1-a8 or 12.Af4 §xf4! 13.gf 4:lxf3+ 14.'i!t'xf3 diagonal, the position is drawn. The 4Jd4 15.'i!t'e4 Ad7 - in both cases Black final moves of the game were 52.Ac4 retains a dangerous initiative. .llb7 53.�g5 �c8 54.1ifi>f4 �d7 55.1ifi>f3 By playing 1l.§d1?, White .llb7 56.1it>e2 ..llc8 57.�d3 ..llb7 obviously expected to meet 11...4Jd4! 58.�xd4 ..llc8 59.�e3 .llb7, and the with 12.§xd4 Axd4 13.4Je4. players agreed to a draw. 79 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources It is essential to first transfer the 23.<£lxf6 <£lxf6 24.Axf6 �xe4, or king to d4, and only then play e3-e4. 21...f!g8!? 22.e5 �d7 23 . .ilxf6 �c6+. Events could develop roughly like this: But it is still simpler and also 5V�g5 �f7 52.�f4 (52 . ..1lg6+! stronger to leave the f-file closed, '!Je7 53. 58 ...de No use is 58 ....ilc8 59.ed ed 60 . .ilfl ®g6 61.'!id3 '!Jg5 62.'!ie3 (zugzwang) 62 ... 80 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources We would like to increase the 1-100 Tseshkovsky - Dvoretsky pressure on the pinned knight, but on White's attempts to win a pawn do l.i:i'd2(f2) there is check from c4. And not bring him anything. if we cover that square with the move 31. W? 35 ....1lxh4! 36.'l!Yd7 Ae7 37.i:i'xc7 Ac5= 38.'l!:i'f4 'l!Yc2?! (38 ...i:i'xf4 39.gf �g6=) 39. 81 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Under the conditions of a practical a queen check from h5 Black is helped game it is difficultto know just where with 20 ...§.f7) 21.§gl. Black's best choice of a successful 19.0-0-0? is a blunder because of defense lies: on 33 ...Ag7 34.gh Axh6 19 ... Ad3!! 20.§.xd3 fe (20 ... �e7? 21.e4 35.h5 gh 36.4Jh4, or after 33 ...h5 �g7 22.�h5+ is significantly worse), 34.4Jgl �c6+ 35.f3 'lll'd6 36.4Je2Ae5 and White has to give perpetual check: 37.f4 �c6+ (37 ...Ag7? 38.4Jg3 �c6+ 21.�h5+ (21.e4? �h4 22.§.g3 �h7 -+ ) 39.'it'h2 �d6 40.f5) 38.'it'g3 (38.'it'h2? 2l...'it'g8! 22.e4 (or 22.�g6+) 22 ...§.f7 Ad6 39.�xg6 �f3=; 38.�d5!?) 23.§.g3+ §.g7 24.§.xg7+ 'it'xg725 .�g4+. 38 ...Ag7 39.4Jgl, but both are quite In the game 19.'it>d2? was played, unpleasant fo r him. and his opponent was aided by the same defensive resource: 19 ...Ad 3!!. 1-101 Kovacevic - Beliavsky * Winning a piece suggests itself: 55 ...Ae 2+ 56.'it'c3b4+ 57.'it'xb4 §.xd2. W? W? These kinds of surprises often knock a player off balance, making it difficult for him to look soberly at the But there fo llows the stunning new situation and choose the most blow 58.§.g5!!Ad3 (forced: the rook is playable solution. That was the case completely safe and 59.§.g6* was here too: approximate equality is threatened) 59.§.xg3 - White wins the maintained by 20.e4! Axe4 21.'lll'xe4 piece back and is two pawns up. §.a4! (2l...fe 22.�xe5+ 'lll'f6 23.'lll'h5+ Not bad is 55 ...g6!? (renewing the 'it>g824.§.gl + �g7 25.§.xg7+ 'it'xg7=; threat of 56 ...Ae2 + ), which leads to 2l...�e7 22.'lll'h4+ �h7 23.Axf6+ §.xf6 approximate equality after 56.e4 4Je2 24.'lll'xf6+ 'lll'g7 oo) 22.Ad4! §.xd4+ 57.'it>e3 4Jc3 58.§.d8 4Jdl+ 59.'it'd3 23. 'lll'xd4 'lll'e'i' 7 - White has two pawns 4Jf2+60.'it'e3. But it is also possible to for a piece, and the black knight is out fightfor an advantage. of the game for now, so the outcome of 55... b4! (threatening 56... .\leZ #) the battle is still unclear. 56.e4 (56.'it'c4? 4Jf5 -+ or 56... g6 -+ ) 20.'it>xd3 'lll'e7 (if now 21.�h6+, 56 .. .J£)e2 57.cifi>e3 l£\xf4 58.cifi>xf4 then Black covers with the queen with §xd2=i=with a subsequent 59 ...§.f 2+ check - this was also why he sacrificed and 60... §.f 3+. the bishop!) 21.e4 �g7 22.ill'h5+ 'it'g8, 1-102 Gutman - Vitolins and Black won. White wins quickly by recognizing the necessity ofthe interim 1-103 AI. Kuznetsov check 19.�h6+! cifj>gS 20.cifj>d2 (or To achieve the aim it is enough for 20 ...0-0-0) 20... cifi>f7 (by the way, on White to exchange off the f6-pawn, 82 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources since the bishop does not control the promotion square for the h-pawn that remains on the board. At first glance, B? l.'it>f4 easily solves the problem. In fact your opponent findsan excellent retort: l...h5!! 2.g5 Ad6+ 3.®f5 h4 4.®g4 fg -+ . Only an unexpected pawn sacrifice can save you. l.g5! fg 2.'i!i'g4 {2.f4? .ild6-+) 29 ••• �d5!! (it is very easy to 2 •••.Q.h6 The only way to prevent the overlook this kind of move) 30.§,xd3 exchange (2 ...h6 3.f4=; 2 ....ile7 3.f4 (30 . .£lxd3 .£lb4-+) 30 ••• §.c8! (but not h5+ 4.'it>f3! g4+ 5.'it>g3 and 6.f3=). the apparently equivalent 30 ...�a 8? 3.'i!i'h5'i!i'g7 4.f4! gf 5.f3 because of 31. �a3) 3l.�a2 �b4! 32.f!c3 f!d8-+. Instead of 27 :tit·b4?!, the moves 27 . .:£\c5 and 27 . .£lb4 are better, but here, too, theadvantage remains on Black's side. 27 . .£lc5 Axd3 28 . .£lxd3 �d6 29.�dl B? Black has fa llen into zugzwang and is fo rced to part with his bishop. The pawn endgame is drawn. 5 •••'i!i'f6 6.'i!i'xh 6 'i!i'f57.'i!i'h5 = On 7 ...'it>e6, there fo llows 8.�h4 or 8.®g4 ®e5 9.�g5, but just not The attempt to win the pinned piece 8.�h6? 'it>d5! 9.�g5 {9.®xh7 ®d4) by 29 ....:£\e4?! 30:l!t'c2 .£lc5 does not 9 ...'it>e 5, and White perishes because of achieve its aim: 31.�fl ! .:t\xd3 32.�e2 zugzwang. (White in tum exploits the pin) 31... �xh2 33J!xd3 �xd3 34:l!t'xd3 �xg2 35.'/!t'c4! 1-104 Kasimdzhanov - Stellwagen and 36.b4 with a very likelydraw. And if In the game 26 . .ilxb5=was played, 29 ....:£\g4 30.f4 'l!t'b6, then 31 .l:!el 'i!t'b5 and a draw was agreed. 32. 'i!t'e2'i'. Significantly stronger is 29 ...e5! Rustam Kasimdzhanov rejected 30.f3 (the only move) 30 ...e4 31.fe .£lg4 the alluring attempt to win the a6-pawn, 32.g3 .£le5 33 . .:£\xe5 'i!t'xd2 34.1:!xd2 1:!xd2 finding the fo llowing variation. 35 . .:£\x£7+ �g8 36 . .:£\e5 l:!xb2, and Black 26.�xa6? f!d8 (26 .. :l1Jd6? retains excellent winning chances. 27.'/!t'b4± is a mistake) 27.�b4 �xb4 27 . .£lb4! (the best defense) 28.�xb4.Q.xd 3 29.f!dl 27 ...�d6 {27 ....ilxd3? 28 . .£lc6) 83 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources As Kasparov pointed out, the move 29 . .§g4 (recommended by Boleslavsky) W? allows Black to save himself by 29 ...bc 30.bc .§e8! 31..§xd4 .§e1+ 32.�g2 .§d1! 33.�f3 i£)xc4 34 . .§xc4 .§xd2. Significantly stronger, according to Kasparov, is 29.<£)e4! <£)b7 30.cb! ab 31..§d1.§x a2 32 . .§xd4±. 22 . .§xfl <£)g6 23 . ..1lg4! Again White, although losing the pinned piece, immediately wins it back by pinning the enemy bishop: 28.'8'e1! (but not 28. .§d1?<£)g4 29.f4 i£)xe3 30. ilYxe3 ilYxb4-+ ) 28 ....ilxd3 29 . .§d1 i£)g4 30.f4 '8'b6 31..§xd3 .§xd3 32.<£)xd3 i£)xe3 33.'8'f2=F. 1-105 Petrosian - Spassky He should take the f4-pawn White's achievements are obvious. I will show you how the world immediately: 20 •••�xf 4!. For example, 21. .§xf4 �g5+ 22.�h1 ilYxf4 or 21.i£)e3 champion finished the game. ilYg5+ 22.�h1 .§xfl +. As subsequent 23 ...<£)xf4?! (23 ...'8'f6 24 . ..1le6+ �h8 25.'8'xf6+ .§xf6 26.f5 i£)e5 analysis showed, the chances remain 27.i£)e4 +- ) 24 . .§xf4 ! .§xf4 25 . .ile6+ approximately equal. .§f7 26.<£)e4! ilYh4 27 .i£)xd6 '8'g5+ Boris Spassky was lured by the 28.�h1 .§a7 29. .ilxf7+.§x f730.ilY h8+!, zwischenzug20 ...-'lli 3?, underestimating Black resigned. the positional exchange sacrifice his opponent had prepared. 1-106 Van der Wiel - Van der Sterren 21.i£)e3!(2 1..§f2? .§xf4) 21...Axfl? Paul van der Sterren repelled the Consistent, but bad. However, in threat of27.<£)g6+ with the primitive 26 ... the variation 21... .§xf4 22 . .§xf4 '8'g5+ W?. After 27.i£)f5+ he did not want to 23 . .§g4! i£)xg424.<£)xg 4 ..llxg4 25 . ..1lxg4 let his king get checked again with 27 ... '8'xg4+26.�h1 '8'd4! 27 . .§g1+ 'it'h828. 'it'd7!?, although 28.<£)xf6+?! 'it'e6 is ilYxd4+ cd, White also retains the playable for him (28.a4 is stronger, with advantage. the advantage). The move chosen by Black, 27 ...'it'd8?, allows his opponent to obtain a winning position with the W? tactical blow 28.i£)g5!. There fo llowed 28 .. .fg (28 ....§x h6 29.i£)xf7+) 29 . .§xh8+ Ae8 30.i£)g7 'it'd7 31.i£)xe8 .§xe8 32 . .§xe8 'it'xe8 33.'it'e2, and White soon made the most of being the exchange up. However, a positional exchange sacrifice secures excellent play for 84 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources Black: 26 ....Q.d 4!? 27 .0-0-0! Ae5 Ivan Morovic was lured by the 28.�g6+ �f7 29.�xh8+ �xh8. But more active 23 ....Q.e5? (with the idea of before going into this kind of position 24. �acl c4), underestimating the it is worth looking to see if there is exchange sacrifice 24.bc!! .Q.xal anything stronger. 25.�xal! (25. c6 Ae5!; 25.�d6 �c6 26 ••• }aag81 suggests itself, 26.�xc8 �xeS 27.�xal �xc5=), which threatening 27 ...�g 7. Hopeless is allows his opponent to grab the 27.�g6+ �xg6 28.�xg6 �xh7. Van der initiative. Sterren did not play like that, obviously, because of a small combination: 27• .£)xf6. B? B? Now 25 ...�d7 26.c6! �xc6 (26 ...�e6!? 27.�dl with compensation) 27.'f!xc6 �xf5 28.�xa6;�;/± is the In the vanatton 27 ...�x h6? comparatively lesser evil for Black, but 28.�xg8+ .llxg8 29.�f5+ and 30.�xh6 he would prefer not to go into that kind White wins. However, the ingenious of position, of course. resource 27 ••• }axg211 can be fo und, In the game 25 ...�c 6?! 26.�d4 completely changing the evaluation of �cc8 27.�f5 �c6 28.�d4 �cc8 29.c6 the position. �a7 (29 ...'f!e7 is more stubborn) 28.�xg2 �xh6 threatening 30.�dl �fe8 31.�f5 �g4 32.e3 �e5 29 ...�hl + and 29 ...'it'xf 6 is very bad. 33.c7 �a8 34. e4 �f3+ (34 ...�c4 28.�f5+ Axf5 29.�d5+ ®f7 30.�xh8 35.�c3 f6 36.�d7) 35.®g2 �g5 36.f3 Axe4 (30 ....1lxf 2+? 31.�fl l.txe4 was played, and White's decisive 32.�h7+! �8 33. �xf4) 31.�xb6 �gl + advantage became obvious. 32.®e2 �xal -+ is not much better. Only 28.�xh8 remains, but after 1-108 Glek - Averkin 28 ...�gl + 29.®d2 �xal 30.�h5!? Taking the d4-pawn looks risky, �xa2+, Black retains excellent winning but it still requires careful calculation: chances. if Black does not find a concrete refutation, then he will simply be lefta 1-107 Suba - Morovic pawn down. With a modest bishop retreat 23 • .£)xd4? ab 24.ab j},xd4 23 ••..1le71, Black 's position is not worse. 25.laxd4 }axd4 26.}axd4 (D) He intends 24 ...c4 or 24 ...�f e8; in the variation 24.�xe7+ 'f!xe7 25.bc �xc5 26. If 26 ...�al +?, counting on .Q.b4 (26.'�b3?! �c4! 'i'; 26.'f!b2!?) 27.�dl? �c3! 28.�fl �xfl +! 29.'it>xfl 26 ...�x c2 27.!J..xe7 �e8 28.-'txf6 gf, the �al+, then 27.�dl!±, and 27 ...�c3? pawn weaknesses are compensated for by does not work because of 28.�d8+! the activity of the black rook. �xd8 29.�xal +- . 85 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources And after17 ...4) xe4!? 18.4)xe 4, the move 18 ....ilxa 1? (counting on B? 19.§xa1? �d4 -+ ) is impossible because ofthe counter-blow 19.c5!+- . Essential is 18 ...�d4! However, an immediate 26 .•. 4)c311 puts White in a desperate situation: not only 27 .. :�a1 + is threatened, but also 27 ...�e2+ 28.�fl �xd4. In the game 23 . .ilc7 (23.Af4 !?) 23 ...§d c8 24.Axa5 was played. Another correct choice has to be made in the event of 19.§ael. The move 19 ... f5?! is good after 20.�xd6 B? �xd6=, but 20.�f6+! and 21. �xc6 allow White to achieve an advantage, and that means the operation Black undertook is unjustifiable. However, by playing 19 ... d5! 20. cd cd 21.�g5 'l*xd222.§d1 �e2 (worse is 22 ...'l*a5?! 23.§xd5 �xa2 24.f5!) 23.'l*xd5 �e7, 24 ...�xc5! 25.bc �xa5 26.�xd4 Black maintains equality. 'l*xc5'i', and the players agreed a draw, An equal position also comes about since Black was in time trouble and did in the game after 19.�xd6 cd 20.§ad1 not dare to continue the fight. �e4. Now 21.Ac3, 2Ula5 or 21.f5 are Orest Averkin could win a piece by not bad, but the continuation chosen by 24 ...b6 ?!, but avoided the temptation, White (21.§de1? 'l*xf3 22.§xf3 §xe1 + and rightly so, because the positions 23.Axe1 §e8 24.Ad2 §e2 25.§d3 c5!) that arise after 25 . .ilxb6! �xb6 26.cb led him into serious difficulties, and in §xc2 27. �xd4 §c4 (27 ...§c 3? 28.f3 the end to defeat. §xd3 29.§xd3 +- and 30.�c6) 28.b7!? or 28. �b5!?, are extremely dangerous. 1-110 Karpov - Sax * 1-109 Van der Sterren - Glek After 20 ... �c7! (with a The position remains approximately subsequent ...b5 -b4) an unclear and equal in different continuations; fo r probably approximately equal position example, 17 ...§e 7!?. The problem lies in arises. evaluating the different fo rcing attempts. Everythingelse loses. So, for example, it is worth noting 20 ...�b4? is easily refuted - that 17 ...'l*d4? 18.§a d1 �xe4?? does not 21.§d4! �c5 22.b4+-. work because of 19. .ile1 !+- . 20 ...b4? is tempting. 86 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources W? This move is justified after 38.�f3 is not much better) 38.Etxf8+ 21.4Jb5?! �xb5 22.�fo �c5 23.Etd6 (38.�c7 +- ) 38 ...Etx f8 39.Etxf8+ rtfxf8 �e4! 24.Etxe4 vtJc7 25.Etd5 Eta6oo. But 40.�c8+ rtie7 41.4Jf5+ rtff7 42.�xe6+ White can finda winning combination: with an extra piece. 2l.Etxe7+!! rtixe7 22.�d4! f6 (the only move) 23.Etel+ rtif7 24.vtJc4+ rtig6 1-112 Gulko - Karpov 25.Ete7! with the lethal threats 26.�d3+ The simple 37.§.c31 preserves a and 26.f4. Or 24 ...Ad5 25.4Jxd5 rtig7 significant positional advantage for 26.Ete7+ (26.g5) 26 ... Etf7 27.Etxf7+ White. rtfxf7 28.�e4!?+- (28.4Jc7+ is also The move 37.�dl?, chosen by enough). Boris Gulko, looks even stronger: the 1-111 J. Polgar -Granda Zuniga queen has its sights on the h5-pawn, and Judit Polgar played 34.Etfl? the threats of 38.§6c7 and 38.Etxb6 counting on what occurred in the game, with a subsequent 39.Etbb8 are 34 ...vtJxg2 +?? 35.�xg2 Etxg2 36.Etc8+ extremely unpleasant. 4Jf8 37.Etxf7 Etxh2+ 38.rtfgl §bg2+ Anatoly Karpov reacted 39.�fl +- , and her opponent loses a unsuccessfully: 37 ...Etg 4??, after which piece. After 39 ...h5 40.§fxf8+ rtfh7 38.§6c7! �b4 39 .ef leads most quickly 41.4Jc4,Bl ack resigned. to the goal, and on 39 ...vtJb2 - at least Leftunnoticed by both players was 40.fg Etxg7 41.4Jgl+- . But with what the impressive counter-blow 34 ...Etb c2!! happened in the game, 38.ef �xf6 (or 34 ... Etec2!!). Now the best thing for 39.4Jg5+ Etxg5 40.hg �xg5 41.Etxe6 White is to go into a position a pawn h4 42.Etee8!, White's attack also turned down: 35.�a8+ (35.Etxf2 Etxc6-+ ) out to be stronger than his opponent's 35 ...4Jf8 36 .Etal!? (36.h3 Etxc1 37.Etxcl counter-attacking actions. 'l*xd4+) 36 ...�xg2 + 37:�xg2 Etxg2 Both players missed the 38.Etxf7 Etxh2+ (38 ...Etg 6? 39.Etafl) combinational motifs that arise afterthe 39.tit>gl, and she retains real chances of response 37 ...f e!!. saving herself. The modest move 34.§.gll,creating the threat of taking the d7-knight, allows White to obtain a significant advantage after the fo rced 34 ••• �f8 35.§.cfl t,txd4 36.§.xf7. (D) Here is a sample variation given by Polgar: 36 ...Etb 8 37.Etgfl (but just not 37.4Jf5?? �xgl +!) 37 ...Et e6? (37 ...4Je6 87 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 38.4Jxe5? loses immediately to 38 ...�xh 4+!!. In the variation 38.4Jg5+?! .§.xg5 W? 39.hg (it makes sense to include the moves 39 . .§.8c7!? �f6, and only now play 40.hg, to double the rooks on the seventh rank later at a convenient moment) 39 ...�xg5 40.�cl (40.de? h4 -+ does not work, and on 40 . .§.c3 not bad is 40 ....§.a 2 41..§.c2 .§.a4) creating three threats simultaneously: 40 ...�xcl + 41..§.xcl 4Jxd4 with an 49 ...h5, 49 ....§.f7 and 49 ....§.f5. The endgame that is favorable for Black. move 48 . .§.f2! must be played, but after On 38 . .§.xb6, events unfold in a 48 ....§.e 8 the queen, which is defending completely fo rced manner: 38 ...4Jxg 3+! the g4-rook, does not have a single safe 39.fg .§.xg3 40.4Jg5+.§.x g5 41.hg �xg5 retreat on the diagonal. However, the 42 . .§.c2 (the only defense) 42 ...�h4 + saving resource 49 . .§.f7!!can be fo und, 43 . .§.h2 �e4+, and after 44 . .§.g2, the when taking the queen leads to affair ends in perpetual check. perpetual check. And if 49 ...�e2 +, then Finally, on 38.de Black replies SO.�gl (the king cannot retreat to h3 with the striking 38 ...4Jxh 4!. The knight here or in the futurebecause of ....§.hS+) cannot be taken; with mutual precise so ...�dl + 51.�g2 �c2+ 52.�f3 != (a play a drawing outcome is most likely. losing continuation is 52.�gl? �cl + Here is a sample line: 39.4Jd4! �b4 53.�g2 �xb2+ 54.�f3 �a3+ 55.�g2 40.�xh5+ (40 . .§.8c7!?) 40 ....§.h6 �xa2+ and 56 ...�xf7). 41.�xh6+! �xh6! 42 . .§.h8+ �g6 I will show you another variation in 43 . .§. xe6+ �f744 . .§.xh4=. which Black does not manage to achieve success: 45 ...�cl (defending against 1-113 Nikolac - Nunn * 46 . .§.xh6+) 46 . .§.f8 �xb2+ 47.®gl Black's passed pawn should decide �bl + 48.®g2 �xa2+ 49.'it>gl �bl + the outcome of the game, but only on 50.®g2 �c2+ Sl.®gl .§.e8!? (the only condition that no problems with his king try) 52 . .§.xe8 .§.xe8 53 . .§.xg7+! (much occur first. As, fo r example, in the weaker is 53:ifl'd7 �bl + 54.�g2 �b2+ variation 45 ...d2?? 46 . .§.xh6+!, and mate 55.®h3 �e5) 53 ...®xg7 54.�xe8, and next move. the king cannot find shelter fr om the According to John Nunn, the threatened perpetual check. position is drawn. He analyzed the And yet a route to victory exists! tempting combination 45 ...�e 2+ 4S ...�gS!! 46.�xgS �xe4+ 46. .§.f2 (onany king retreat, 46... .§.h5 is decisive) 46... d2!? (mistaken are 46 ....§.f7 ? 47 . .§.xe2 de 48 . .§.xg7+ �xg7 49.�g4+ +- or 48 ....§.x g7 49.®f2 ± ) 47 . .§. xe2 dl �. (D) Bad is 48.�f2? g5! (threatening 49 ....§.f7 +) 49.�f8 �d7. On 48.�a6?, the same reply 48 ...g5! is decisive, 88 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources On 47.�f3, there fo llows not 47 ...hg? 48.'l*h3+ 'it>g6 49.g4!= or 48 ...�g8 49:�c8+ �e8 50.'l*d7=, but the zwischenzug47 ...d2!, and only after 48.�d8 does Black play 48 ...hg -+. No help either is 47.'it>h3 hg 48.'l*f5+ �xf5+ 49.�xf5 when the most precise way of winning is 49 ...�e 4! 50.�xc5 (50.�d5 �d4) 50 ...g4 +! 51.c;t>h4 (51.c;t>g2 d2 52.�d5 �e2+ and And if32 ...�xb 4+, then 33.�c3! 53 ...�el +) 51...�d4 52.�cl d2 53.�dl (33-�cl f5= is significantly weaker) �h6 with an unavoidable 54 ... g5 #. 33 ...�c4+ 34.�b3 �ec8 (34 ...f5!? 35.�xb5 ± ) 35.�e2. One of Black's 1-114 Anand - Kasparov pawns is lost, and his chances ofsaving Viswanathan Anand came up with the game are extremely problematic . a combination on the theme of a double attack: 28.b4? ab 29.ab �c4 30.�b6? 1-115 Kramnik - Shirov �xb4+ 31.c;t>a3 The main thing is to avoid the very tempting 29.'l*fl +?, counting on 29 ...�a5 30.�b5+! 'it>a6 31.�b4+ �d3+ 32.�b3+- or 29 ...�b7 B? 30.�dl! +- . Black can save himself with 29 ...b5! 30.�xb5 (30.ab+?? �a5! with unavoidable mate). B? He had expected to win the exchange fo r a pawn after, say, 31...�bc4, but he overlooked the powerful counter-blow 31...�xc2!. He had to resign immediately, since White is left two pawns down: 32.�xc2 �b3+ 33.�a2 �e3+. He should take on e7, which 30 ...�e2!!, and your opponent has fo rcibly leads to a four-rook ending to accept a peaceful outcome after with White a pawn up. roughly 31.�b4 (31.�b3? c;t>a5 -+ ) 28.4)xe 7! �e8 29.4)d5 -'lxd5 31...'l*e3+32.�b 3 'l*c5+. 30.b4! (it is also possible to transpose Vladimir Kramnik, spotting the moves: 29.b4 ab 30.ab �c4 31.�d5) trap, preserved his advantage with the 30 ... ab 3l.ab �c4 32.�xd5 (D) move 29. �f3!. It is best for Black to reply On 32 ...�e c8?! there fo llows not 29 ...'l*d4, although his position is 33.�e2 �xb4+ 34.c;t>cl �c6 35.�ed2 difficult here too: 30.'l*c3 'l*d6+ �a6! (Kasparov), but 33.c3! �xc3 31.'l*b4 'l*d5 (31...c5 32.'l*c4+ c;t>b7 34.�e2 and 35.�xb5, with a healthy 33.�el! �d4 34."i*xe6+-) 32.�cl �d4 extra pawn. 33.'l*c3 ±. What happened in the game, 89 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 29 ...�xf3?! 30 . .§xf3 �a5 31..§f4!? l=!d3+ 24 . .§fl "it!f3 threatening 25 ....£\xe3, and 32.�b2, led him into a hopeless 23.�xa6? even loses because of endgame. 23 ...�f6 24.f4 (24 . .£\g4 'l!.i'f3-+ ; 24 . .£\d3 .£\b4!-+ ) 24 ....£\xe3 25.l=!el 1-116 Tiviakov - Pridorozhny l=!g2+ 26.�hl �f5!-+ . You have to repel the threat of Af6. By choosing 23.e4? in the game, Black did this unsuccessfully: Goran Dizdar was probably counting on 39 ...�g7? . After 40 . .§c6!, it became 23 ....§ 2b4? 24 . .£lc6+- (or 24.�xa6 with clear that 40 ...al "itt 41..Q.f6+ 'itlh7 a subsequent 25 . .£\c6). On 23 ....§8 b4?, 42.l=!c8 leads to unavoidable mate. He those moves do not work because of had to play 40 ...f6, and White replied 24 ...�f6, but a queen sacrifice, 24.ed! 41.t!a6 �f742 . .Q.b4 .§d4 43.Ac3, won .§xc4 25 . .£\xc4 looks promising. the a2-pawn - and later the game. A draw comes from 39 •••f6 ! 40 • .Q.xf6 (40.l=!al �f7 41..Q.b4 .§d4 and 42 ...l=! a4) 40 ...b4. B? For example: 25 ....§a2 26.d6 cd 27.cd "it!f6 28 . .£\d2! "it!d8 29 . .£\f3 or 29 . .£\e4 with a decisive advantage fo r For example, 4l.Ag5 b3 White. Bearing this variation in mind, (41...l=!d7!? is simpler, forcing the Black should play 25 ...l=!e2! 26.d6 cd bishop to return to f6) 42.l=!c8+ �f7 27.cd 'i!.i'f6 (or 27 ...'l!.i'a7!?), and the rook 43.l=!c7+ �g8! 44.f6 .§d6!=. can no longer be cut offfrom the f2- square. Evidently White has no 1-117 Dizdar - Sadler advantage here, but it is not easy to The enemy rook has to be kicked off establish that at the board, and the the second rank by playing 23.4)d3!. If passed pawn looks very dangerous. 23 .. J::(e2?! (counting on 24.4Jb4?! Etxf2! On the other hand, the above 25.�xf2 Etxb4 with excellent compensation variations have no particularsignificance, for the exchange), then 24.e4! 4Jf6 25.e5 (25.Etel;�;; 25 ) ... 4Jd526.� fl !? Ete3 (nothing as Matthew Sadler had prepared a better is apparent) 27:/&xa6 with an different, much stronger continuation. advantage for White. On 23 ...Et2 b3 there 23 ....£\e3 !! 24.fe (D) also fo llows 24.e4 (obviously 24.�xa6 4Jc3 25.ftd2 "iM()oo is weaker), and after24 ... 4Jf6 24 ...�f6?! 25 . .£ld3 "it!f3 26 . .£\xb2 25.f3 White's chances are preferable. .§xb2 27."it!fl "it!xe3+ 28.�hl "it!xe4+ But with an active rook Black 29.�gl leads to a draw. That is not manages to get more than sufficient enough for Black! counterplay in all variations. For 24 ...�g5 ! 25.�c3 �h5 26 . .§d8+!? example, useless is 23 . .£lc6?! �f6 (26.h4 "it!e2 -+ ) 26 ... �h7 27.l=!d2 .§xd2 90 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 9 ...§b7 is refutedby the interim check 10.�b2+. B? 1-119 Janowski - Burn Mistaken is 15 ...4Jg4? 16.§xg4 .ilxg4 17.4Jxd5 f6 18.Jlxg6 hg 19.�xg6+ 'lt>h8 20.4Jxe7 �xe7 2l.�xg4+-. Not bad is 15... §e 8!? with a subsequent ...Af8 -g7, securing a solid defense ofthe kingside, which makes the rook's 28.�xd2 �xe5. Black won the piece position on g5 rather ridiculous. back and achieved a big positional But in the game Black achieved advantage. more. 29.�d4 �g5 30.§fl e5 3l.�c3 f6 15.•• d4! 16.�e2 �g4 (16... c5? 32.'1t>g2 �g4 33.�c4 a5! 34.h3 �d7 35.�c2 �c6! 36.§dl §b4 37.§d8 17.4Jf4 is much weaker) 17.§xg4 J,txg4 18.�xd4? §xa4 38.§c8 §b4 39.�d3 �xc5, White resigned. 1-118 A. Gurvich B? The rook cannot be snapped up because of stalemate after l.§g7+? 'lt>xe82.§ xa7 or 1.4Jd6+? �xe6 2.§g6+ �d7 3.§g7+ 'lt>d8! 4.§xa7. Which means (taking into account the threat of l...§a4+) that White has to part with one of his knights. His task is to find a Of course, it is precisely this forced sequence of moves that allows capture, creating the threats of 19.4Je6 him to mate his opponent or win the and 19.�g7+! 'lt>xg7 20.4Jf5+ �g8 rook anyway while avoiding stalemate. 21.4Jh6*, that Amos Bum should have V�)d8+11 'i!J>xe8 2.§g8+ 'it>d7 3.§g7+ 'it>d6! dealt with first of all, although objectively White should prefer 18. .ilxd4. However, after 18... .ilf6 19.�f4 .llxd4 20.4Jxd4.ll d7 +, he only W? has a pawn for the exchange - in this case the compensation is insufficient. 18 ••.J,tg5! The point of Black's idea! An immediate 18 ....1lf6?! 19.�f4 allows his opponent to preserve approximate equality in connection with the two The rook is again safe. threats 20.�xg4 and 20.4Jxc6. For 4.�f7+!'i!J> c6(c7) 5.�e5+ \t'b6 example: 19 ...c5? 20.4Jc6! .llg5 (the 6.�c4+ 'it>a67.§ g6+ 'it>b5(no better only move) 2l.�e5 (21.4Jxd8!? .llxf4 is 7 ...'1t>b7 8.4Jd6+ 'lt>b8 9.§g8+ 'lt>c7 22.4Jxb7) 21.. . .\lf6 22.�xf6 �xf6 10.4Jb5+) 8.§b6+ \t'a4 9.'it>c3, and 23.Axf6 be 24 . .1le7 §fe8 25 . .1lxc5±, an attempt to defend against mate with or 19 ....1lf5 !? 20 . .1lxf5 c5 21.4Je6!?, or 91 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 19 ...Ag7 !? 20.�xg4 h5! 21.�f4 c5 probably had other ways to play for a 22.4Je6!? fe 23.�e4 Axb2 24.�xg6+ win at his disposal too, but this is almost �g7 25.�h7+ �f7 26.�g6+ �g8=. certainly the most convincing. On 19.{)fS! · 3 ...�c4 (3 ...4Jxb7 4.a6, and the pawn A beautiful retort, but Black had queens) the most precise is 4J!h7!, also foreseen it and was not afraid of it. attacking your opponent on the kingside 19••• J}.f6! -+ (''the double weakness principle"). Almost all of White's pieces are under attack, and he inevitably suffers 1-121 Shereshevsky - Beliavsky big material losses. After20.i* h4 Axb2 The pawn capture 17 ...de? was 21.4Je7+'ttg7 he had to resign. justified after White's choice of 18.f5? �d6 19.f6 g6 +. But he could develop a 1-120 H. Aloni very dangerous attack by sacrificing a The idea of sacrificingthe rook on piece: 18.Axh7+! 'it'xh7 19.f5 �d6 b7 jumps out at you, but it does not 20.i*h5+ 'it'g821. f6 threatening �e4-h4. work immediately: Uhb7?4Jx b7 2.a6 4Jd6 3.a7 4Jc4+ and 4 ...4Jb6. White has to deal with the move 1...4Jf7,restricting the rook's mobility. On l.'ttd4 4Jf7 2.�c5 the threat of 3.�b6 is dangerous, but Black can reply l...'ttd6 2.f5 Ag4 (2 ....ili3), after which 3J'hb7? 4Jxb7 4.a6 does not work again because of 4 ...c5+! 5.'tte3 4Ja5! or 5.�e4 �c6(c7)!, intending 6 ...4Jd6+ . For example: 21...4Jc522.�f 5 4Je6 l.fS+I �d6! (1...'it'xf5? 2.�d 7 +- ) 23.�e4 g6 24:f£rh6 d3 25.�h2! i*d4 26.�ff4 !! +- , or 21...4Jxf6 22 . .1lxf64Je7! 23.c5! (an approximately equal position is maintained by 23.Axe5 �g6 24.i*xg6 W? 4Jxg6 25.Axd4 or 23.Axe7 'f£rxe7 24.�xe5 'f£rxa3 25.'f£rh4! g6) 23 ...'f£rc7 (23 ...'f£rxf 6 24.�xf6 gf 25.i*f3 ±) 24.Axe7 'f£rxe7 25.�xe5 i*d7 26.�e4 f627.�h 4 'f£re628.'l!i' h7+ 'M7 29.�g4±. Black has two sound continuations at his disposal. Again, 2.�xb7? 4Jxb7 3.a6 does The simplest of all is 17 .••fS !? not work because of3 ... 4Ja5!4.b a (4.a7 18.ef �xe2 19.-'txe2 {)xf6. After 4Jc4+) 4 ...�c7 . Also useless is 2.�f4? 20 . .1li3,White has definitecompensation Ae2. But after 2.�f2!! Black is for the sacrificedpawn, but he can hardly defenseless. count on more than a draw. 2 •••J}.b3 3 • .§xb71 +- No worse is 17 •••h6!? lS.fS The main idea has been (18.Ah4 de; 18.'f£re4!? f5 19.i*d5 =1=) successfully implemented! White lS••• �x eS 19.�f2 (19.i*g4 4Jf6!) 92 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 1-123 Y. Afek There are two false trails, both of B? which are easy to fall for. l.c4? �e5 2.c5 (2.'it>c3 'it>d6=) 2 ...bc 3.'it>c4 �d6 4.�b5 B? On 19 .. :i!i'c5?! 20.Axh6! f6! 21.-'txg7! (the bishop eliminates the pawns with impunity: it cannot be taken) 21..JH7! 22.Ah6, the initiative remains with White. Stronger is 19 ... hgl 20 • .§.xe5 de=i= with more On 4 ...'it>c7? 5.'it>xc5 'it>b76.'it> d5 or than adequate compensation for the 4 ... c4? 5.�xc4 �c6 6.'it>d4,White wins, sacrificedqueen . as is easy to prove. But you can find 4 ...'it>d5 !! 5.a5 'it>d6! 6.a6 (6.'it>b6 c4=) 1-122 Benjamin - de Firmian 6 ...�c7 7.'it>xc5 'it>b8, and the black The tempting 31...4Jc2 32.l:!xd3 king succeeds in getting over to the "i!Yxd3 led to speedy success, since kingside in time by eliminating the grandmaster Benjamin did not spot his a6-pawn. opponent's idea. l.'it>d4? �g3 2.'it>e3 (2.c4 'it>xh3 3.c5? be+) 2 ...'it>xh3 3.'it>f3 �h2 4.'it>f2 h3 5.c4 W? B? His choice, 33.l:!fl?, was refutedby 33 ..."i!Yxfl +! 34.'it>xfl l:!dl + 35.'it>e2 l:!el+ 36.'it>d2 t!xe5 37.'it>xc2 l:!e2+, lf5 ... 'it>hl?, then both 6.c5 and 6.a5 White resigned. win. Black is aided by 5 ...b5 !!=. However, he saves himself by To complete the picture, I will finding 33.b3!! 4::\xel 34.Ab2 l:!d4 point out that a draw also comes from (34 ...�f8? 35."i!Y h8+ �e7 36.-'tf6+ 'it>e6 l.�d2? 'it>e4! (l...'it>g3? 2.c4!) 2.�c2 37.-'txd8 +-) 35:i!i'e8+'it>g7 36."i!Yxe l=. 'it>d5! 3.'it>b3 'it>c5 4.'it>a3 'it>c4 5.'it>b2 A modest continuation that �d5! 6.'it>b3 �c5=. guarantees Black an indisputable Correct is only l.�c211 �g3 advantage is objectively the strongest. (l. .. �e5 2.�b3 'it>d6 3.'it>b4 'it>c6 3l •••.§.xe 31 32.Jl.xe3 (32.l:!xe3? 4.�c4 +- ) 2.c4 �xh3 3.c5 �g4 4Jc2-+ ) 32 ••• 4)c233 • .§.fl .§.e8+. (3 ...bc 4.a5; 3 ...'it>g3 4.cb) 4.c61+-. 93 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 1-124 Nunn - Winants He just has to play 19 •.•�xg 3! 20."tt'xg3 cb 2l.ab 1te6;!;; -Black's piece activity and passed a-pawn secures him definite compensation for the pawn he sacrificedearl ier. White is right to try the sharper 20.bc!?, hoping after 20 .. .'{!f·xc6 21.�xg3 to get a version of the same position that is slightly more favorable Nunn achieved a decisive for him (without the passed a-pawn). advantage, which he soon made the best Black in his tum can risk going into of: 22 ...Ac7 23.c4 -tlcS 24.b6! -tlxa4 complications by playing 20 ....£le4!?. (24 ...�xb6 2S.§.d6) 25.bc -tlxb2 26.§.d6 �xc4 27.�g5, Black resigned. 1-125 Zurakhov - Vaysman White chose the continuation that suggested itself, l.§.e8? §.xa7 2.§.e7+, but after 2 ... \tlh8! the position became drawn (taking the rook is stalemate). 21.cb? does not work: 21..."i!Yxb7 22.�xf5 �xf2+ 23.§.xf2 -tlxf2 -+ . In the variations 21..1lc2 .£ld2 22.�xf5 �xfS 23.Axf5 -tlxfl 24.cb §.ab8 25.\tlxfl §.xb7 26. .1la3 §.d8 27 . ..1ld6 (27.§.bl §.bb8 28.Ad6 Ac7!) 27... .1lc7 28.Ae4 .llxd6! 29.Axb7 AxeS and 21..\ldS-tld2 The game continued 3.®f7 §.a6 22.cb -tlxf3+ 23 . .1lxf3 �d7 24.ba� (3 ...§.al is also good) 4.®g6 §.a8 §.xa8 2S . .Ilxa8�d2 White is better, but 5.\tlxf6, and here instead ofS ...§.al= or not by much. s ...§.a 6+ 6.§.e6 (6.«?tf7®h7=) 6 ...§.al! By playing 19 ....£ld2? in the game, 7.'�g6 §.gl+ 8.\tlf7 ®h7 9.f6 §.g7+! Luc Winants was obviously counting 10.«?te8 §.g8+ with a subsequent on 20.'l!.\'xf5 -tlxb3 21.§.adl (21.!!a3?! 11...§.a8=, master Alexander Vaysman .£ld2 22.§.el.£lc 41i5)21... cb 22.ab a4, played S ...®g8??. After 6.®g6 he had and the passed pawn secures Black to resign. decent counter-chances. John Nunn White has no plan other than continues the variation like this: 23."i!Ye4 exchanging rooks, but the exchange has a3 24.�b4 �e6 25 . ..\lxa3?..ll cS. to be prepared, so as to avoid the It is better for White to put his stalemate defense. knight rather than his queen on fS . Vi!i'f7! (but not l.®e7? ®g7= - it There fo llowed the unforeseen 20.'ffi'f4! is important to attract the black rook to -tlxb3 21.-tlxfS (threatening 22.-tle7+) a6) l •.• §.a6 2.�e7! �g7 3.�d8! 21...�e6 22.§.adl. (3.®e8?! �g8!) 94 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 'liJ'bl 6.'it'fl 'li¥xc2-+ ) 5 ...�xb5+ (5 ...1::1 d2!?-+ ) 6.�e2 1::1 xel+! 7.'it'xel 'liJ'bl+ 8.�dl �xa2, White resigned. And so, the knight is poison. Which means he has to retreat with his queen, but to where? l.'liJ'el? 'li¥xb5 is completely hopeless, and after 1.'li¥e3? 'liJ'xb5 2.'li¥xa7, decisive is 2 ...'li¥b2 3.'li¥e7 'liJ'xal+. Only one option remains. Black is defenseless: on 3 ...�g8 l.�b4!! �xb4 2 . .£jxb4, and the decisive is 4.'it'c7+ �g7 5.�b7, and on endgame is approximately equal, 3 ...'it'h6 White wins with 4.�c7 'it'g5 according to Jacob Aagaard's analysis. 5.1::1g8+ �xf5 6.a8� 1::1 xa8 7.1::1 xa8. I will not give the variations because With the rook on al he saves himself White has to go into this position no by checking the enemy king. matter what; he has no choice. 3 ••• E!al 4.E!c8! E!xa7 5.§c7+ §xc7 6.�xc7 �h6 7.�d7 �h5 1-127 Alekseev - Areshchenko 8.�e7! �g5 9.�e6 with a decisive Black gets a clear positional zugzwang (given by Sergey Dolmatov). advantage with a simple exchanging combination. 1-126 Terentiev - Domuls 24. ••.£J g3! 25.§xg3 E!xe3 White took the knight, seeing that 26.§xe3 (26.1::1xg6+ �f8)26 ••• �xd 4 after 1.1::1 xa4? 1::1dl + 2.4Jel�d4 he has 27.�c3 �b6 28.�hl .£le5+ the move 3.�e3!. Alexander Areshchenko wanted to achieve more with 24 ...4Jg5?. He clearly underestimated the counter-blow 25.1::1xf7!,which fundamentallychanges B? the evaluation of the position. 25 ...4Jxf7 (25 ...�xf7 26. 1::1f4 + �g7 27.�xb6) 26.'liJ'xg6+'it'f8 27.�xh5! He hoped to get a winning rook endgame after3 .. .'liJ'xe3 4.fe 1::1xel + 5.�f2 1::1dl (5 ...1::1 bl 6.b6 ab 7.a6+-) 6.1::1xc4. But his opponent calculated further. 3 ...c3!!, and if 4.1::1xd4 ed 5.�e2, then 5 ...c2! -+ . In the game there fo llowed 4.1::1a2 �b4! (this time the rook endgame is 27 ...4Jde5 (if 27 ...1::1 e7, then already in Black's favor: 4 ...�xe3 5.fe decisive is 28.1::1e4! �a5 29.Ah6+ 1::1 xel + 6.'it'f2 1::1bl 7.b6 ab 8.a6 1::1b2+ 4Jxh6 30 .1::1f4 +) 28.�f6! (threatening 9.1::1 xb2 cb-+ or 7.'it'f3 1::1 xb5 8.1::1c2 29.�h6+) 28... 1::1 e7 29.�xf7 (29.1::1e4 1::1c5 +;but rejecting the queen exchange also wins) 29 ...4Jxf7 (29 ...1::1 xf7 quickly leads to the goal) 5.'it'fl (5.1::1c2 30.'li¥h8+ 'it'e7 3l.�xc8) 30.'liJ'xe7+! 95 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources �xe7 31.!!e4+ 4)e5 32.Axb6 be And on 34."i!i"xc6, there is both 33.�d4 34 ...Ae 5!? 35."i!i"b7f5 and 34 ..."i!i"d 6!, for The combinational attack brought example: 35."i!i"b7 !!b8 36."i!i"e7 "i!i"xd5 White two extra pawns, which he took 37."i!i"xf6+ �g8 38."i!i"xh4 "i!i"xg2+! advantage of successfully. 39.«t>xg2 Axh4 40.'it'h3+«t>f7 4l .«t>xh4 .§b2=, or 35."i!i"xd6 Axd6 36.4)xf6 .§xh2+! 37.!!xh2 Axh2 38.4)xh7«t>xh7 1-128 Shcherbakov - Rublevsky 39.�xh2 .§f2+ 40 . .§g2 .§f4=. If the c3-knight were not on the 32.J�)b5!!Ae5 board, then "i!i"g3 with the unstoppable The knight is inviolable: 32 ...cb threat of mate would be decisive 33."i!i"g3 +- . And after 32 ....§b 4 immediately. Emanuel Lasker called 33.4)xd6!!, the queen is off limits: pieces that only get in the way 33 ....§ xb3 34 . .§g8+! !! xg8 35.4)f7#. desperadoes. They are prepared to self sacrifice, which means you have to examine all their moves, even the W? craziest ones. The two most aggressive knight jumps (of course, under attack!) are 32.4)b5 and 32.4)d5. Which of them is correct? Ruslan Shcherbakov made the right choice. He rejected 32.4)d5?because of 33.{\d6! 32 ....§h 4!, and 33.4)xf6?! is useless Black is defenseless: 33 ..."i!i"xd 6 because of 33 ....§x h2+ 34 . .§xh2 Axh2. 34."i!i"g8+ (or 34.!!g8+); 33 ...�xd 6 The move 33."i!i"b7 looks more 34."i!i"g3. Jacob Aagaard fo und another dangerous. path to victory: 33.i*g3! f5 34.4)d6 h6 35.4)c4!, and the black bishop is overburdened. 33 ....§g 4 34 . .§xg4 -'txd6 35.i*d3! B? (with two threats: 36:�xh7+! and 36 . .§d4) 35 ....§f7 36.i*xd6!, Black resigned. 1-129 Timman - Yusupov * The flashy 28.e6?! is unconvincing. I will give my analysis for those who were tempted by that blow. But the brilliant defense 33 ...Ag3 !! White maintains his advantage, not can be found. without difficulty, after 28 ...fe 29.!!h8 A draw comes from 34.!!xg3 .ilf3 30.Ag6 «t>c8 31.!! xe8+ «t>b7 "i!i"xd5+ 35.!!f3 (35.!!3g2?? !!g8 with 32.!!xa8 �xa8 33 . .§d2! (D) multiple threats; 35 . .§ lg2 "i!i"dl+) 35 ..."i!i"f7. 33 ....§x h5 34.�xh5 .ilxh5 35.!!d4 Black saves himself beautifully .ile2 36 . .§xf4 «t>b7 37.®d2 Ad3 after34.4) e7 with 34 ...!!x h2+! 35.!!xh2 38.®e3 ®c6 39 . .§f8 «t>xd6 40.!!a8 ±, .ilxh2 36.«t>xh2"i!i"d 2!=. or 33... !!hl + 34.«t>c2! (not 34.®b2 96 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources B? l'::! xh5 35.Axh5 Axh5 36.§d4 f3) king has nowhere to hide fromperpetual 34 ...l'::! gl 35.Ae8 �e4+ 36.�b2 f3 check (35.�h2?? l'::!hl * ). 37.�f6 (37.Axd7? l'::!g2) 37 ...Ac6 Only 28.§.h81 leads to the goal. 38.�a3 l'::!g7 39.�b4 ±. 28 ...Af3 29.l'::!gl! and 30.l'::! xe8+ It is even more difficultto evaluate (29.e6 fe 30.Ag6 �c8 is weaker); the consequences of 28 ...de !? 29.Aa4 28 ...l'::! xh5 29.§xh5 Af3 30.l'::!h8 (29.d7 �e7 30.l'::!h8 f3 oo ) Axdl 3l.Axdl +- ; 28 ... §.b8 29.f!f8! (threatening 30.�f6; also strong are 29.l'::!g8! and 29.e6!) 29... §.x h5 (with the rook on dl there is no longer a perpetual check: 29 ...l'::! xc2+ 30.�xc2 Ae4+ 3l.�d2 l'::!b2+ 32.�el Ad3 33.l'::!d2 l'::!bl + 34.�f2 l'::!fl + 35.�g2 f3+ 36.�g3 +- ) 29 ...�xd 6! 30.l'::! xd6+ �c7 W? 3l.l'::!d7+ �b6 32.l'::!xf7 l'::!hl+ 33.�b2 Ad5!. White is a piece up, but he is hindered by the pin on the h-fileand the threats of34 .. .f3 and 34 ...�a5. An attempt to give mate on the eighth rank by playing 28.l'::!h8 or 28.l'::!gl is far more promising. These options seem almost equivalent, so it is And now an elegant touche: important not to make a mistake in 30.e61! de (30 .. .fe 3l.Ag6+-) choosing one of them. 31.-'l_a41+-. In fact 28.l'::!gl? allows Black to save himself. (D) 1-130 Pigusov - Poldauf As in the previous exercise, you He plays 28 ...l'::! b8!! (but not have to make a choice between two 28 ...M3? 29 .l'::!h8! with the deadly threat apparently equivalent options. The h4- of 30.§ xe8+) 29 .l'::!g8 (29 .l'::!h8 does not pawn must be attacked with the rook, change anything) 29 ...l'::! xc2+! 30.�xc2 but from which square? Ae4+ 3l.�d2 l'::!b2+ 32.�el l'::!bl + Only 69 ...§.hll is correct. Both 33.�f2 l'::!b2+ 34.�gl l'::!bl +, and the 70.f5 l'::! xh4 7l.l'::!el l'::!h2 (but not 97 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 71...�h7?? 72. 98 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources W? W? 6.�cS+ He obviously only counted on The hasty 6 . .ile1? leads to a 32.�xd5? E!xd5 -+ , but he overlooked familiar stalemate: 6 ...c3+! 7A)xc3+ the elegant combination 32 . .£\xf6!! �b4 8..£\b1+ �a4 9 . .£\xa3. (much weaker is 32.d4?! E!g8 33 . .£\xf6 6 •••\flbS 7.�d 7! \fla48. �b6+ E!g7! 34 . .£\xh7! f!xh7 35.�xh7+ �xh7 36 . .ilb1 + �g7 37.E!xa5 .£\xd4 38.l:ha6 \flbS 9 • .1ld4! \flb4 (9... c3+ .£\e6 39.Ae5+ �f6 - Black's chances 10.�xa3) lO.�dS+ \fla4 11• .1lc3(a decisive zugzwang) ll ... �bS are preferable in the endgame) 12.�b6#. 32 ...�xf6 33.d4! �xa2 (the only playable defense against the deadly 1-132 Topalov - Ponomariov threat 34.Ab1) 34.E!xa2. White has embarked on a reckless The material advantage transfers to attack that should die out after thecalm White's hands, and he made the most of it. 31 ••• .§.g8!. For example: 32 . .ild2�a4 ; 32.d4 �b4; 32.�xf7E!g 7 33.�d5 �b4 1-133 Krivoruchko - Borovikov - everywhere Black makes the best of Black obviously decided against his material advantage without any 27 ••• �d4! (threatening 28 ...'ilitxb2) particular difficulty. because of the reply 28• .§.g6. But the natural move 31.. . .£\d4? allows his opponent to force a draw beautifully. B? W? The winning shot, pointed out by Andrei Volokitin and Vladimir Grabinsky remained unnoticed: 32.Axf7! �xa1 33.�g6 E!f7! 28 •••jlh4+ !! 29 • .§.xh4 (29.'ili'xh4 fg) 34.�xf7 �fl 35.Ag6! �xf4+ 36.g3! 29 •••�e3+ 30.\fldl fg 3l.�xg6+ .£\f3+ 37.�g2 .£\e1+ 38.�h2=. \flh8-+. But the careless 3l...d5??, which The cautious 27 ...'ili'e7? led to an Ruslan Ponomariov chose in the game, approximately equal position after is even worse. 28.�fl E!b8 29.�g1 'ili'a7+ 30.�hl. A 99 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources couple moves later, the players agreed position. The question is only how big a draw. Black's advantage is here. Let's switch to analyzing the 1-134 Bogoljubow - Alekhine variation 25.Etg3 Etxh5. Theharm or benefitof an action is conditioned by the aggregate of circumstances, Kozma Prutkov (the collective pen name of a group of W? Russian writers: A.K. Tolstoy and the brothers A.M. and V.M. Zhemchuzhnikov to publish satires and humorous and nonsense verses) taught us. Here too I will not try to judge whether the move 25 . .§g3 is good or bad - what is important are the variations you are In the game, 26. 'l*xhS �xhS? depending on and how you evaluate the 27.f!xh5 ab 28.f!h7 'it>d729 . .§xf7 .§f8 positions that arise in them. I will 30.f!h7 .§e8 31.f!g6 Ac8 32.c3 was suggest my own version, which differs played - an approximately equal ending substantially from that of Alexander arose. The move 25.E!g3 justifieditself, Alekhine, who commented on the game but Black's play can be improved. Here in the tournamentbook. is Alekhine's opinion: First of all, in order to make a Black did not notice in the comparison, let's evaluate the variation 26... 'fJYxg3! 27.'fJYx/7 ab consequences of the variation 25 . .ila4 28. !Ih 7 (28.�xe6 �g7! 29.�xb6+ bS 26.Ab3. 'it>c8-+ ) the possibility of 28... rJYel+ 29. rf'a2 'fJYb4! 30.!Ih8+(30. �xe6 'l*d6! 31.�xd6+ Axd6 32 . .§xb7 Ac7 -+ ) 30. .. 'lld7 31.!Ixa8 rJYc4+, aft er which my opponent could only have resigned (additions in parentheses are mine). If this variation is forced, the move 25.E!g3 deserves condemnation. But we have not looked at the try 26.Etxg6! yet (instead of 26.�xh5?): 26 •••Etx hl+ 27.�a2. After 26. .. �d7 White 's position would be lamentable, as he will never manage to get his rook to g3, Alekhine writes. In my view, by continuing 27 . .§dh3, White retains a playable position. By the way, if he wants to, by playing �fl on the next move, he prepares E!g3 -the fa ct that it is not clear whether it is worth going for this is anothermatter. Instead of 26 ...'it>d7, stronger is 26 .. :�g4!, forcing an exchange of 27. ..ab (s implest of all) 28. !Ig8+ queens and getting a clearly better r!?c7with an easy win (Alekhine). 100 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources Instead of 28.�g8+?, White plays significance. As Benjamin Franklin 28.�g7! �e8 (28 ...1tc6?! 29.�xf7 �d7 wrote, a little neglect may breed 30.g4! is risky), and only now 29.�g8+ great mischief As long as White has �d7 30.�xa8 ltxa8 31.�xb5+ Ac6 a choice, it is worth thinkingthrough 32.ili'xb6with roughly equal chances. all the details ahead of time. Black should take not the bishop, 3. B? It is clear that you have to retreat the king and on 3 ...�e 8 reply 4.�f3, threatening 5.�f8 (it was for this reason that the king was lured to the 2 ...�e 4+? 3.�d3 +- is no good eighth rank). But this does not win now; no help either is the ingenious immediately, your opponent finds a 2 ...Afl + (hoping for stalemate: 3.l::! xfl? defense. Which means you have to l::! xf7!=) 3.�e3! �xf7 4.�xf7 Aa6 calculate the variations and at the 5.�d4 Ab7 6.�c5 �xa7 7.�b5+- . same time figure out if the choice of There remains only 2 ...�x f7! 3.�xf7 square fo r the king's retreat has any Ag2! 4.�d3 ltb7. And here Black 101 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources saves himself: 5.<;;t>d4 <;;t>xa7 6.<;;t>c5 <;;t>a6! The excellent counter-blow or 5. .§b8 27 • .§dl with a certain draw. 20.4Jb2? was played in the game. W? 2 • .§g211 .§xf4 (2 ....§x g2+ 5.<;;t>hl +- ) 3 • .§f2.§x f7 4 • .§xf7 The g2-square is now inaccessible to the bishop, and it can no longer cross Ricardo Szmetan was obviously to b7 with impunity. counting on 20 ...E!c 6 21.4Jc4! 'l*b7? 4 •••jle6 (4 ...Ad7 5.E!f8+! <;;t>xa7 22.4Ja5 .§xd6 23.4:lxb7= or 21...'l*xc4 6 . .§f7+- ) 5 • .§c71 22.bc .§xd6 23.cd .§xd5 24 . .§bl,with But not 5.E!e7? Ac4! 6.<;;t>f2 Aa6 good drawing chances. Even here he 7. 5 •••Jld5(f5) 6 • .§c51 and 22.a4 (22.e4 .§xd6 is also hopeless) 7.E!a5+- . 22 .. :�xc4! 23.bc .§xd6 24.cd .§xd5, Black is leftwith a healthy extra pawn. But 20 ...'l*b7 2l.e4 .§c6 22.4Jc4 1-137 Szmetan - P. H. Nielsen 'l*a8!-+ , which Peter Heine Nielsen You had to find the best defense chose, is even more convincing. There against the threat of 20 ...E!c 6. The fo llowed 23.ed .§xd6 24.4:lxd6+ <;;t>e7 primitive 20.g4? 'l*xe2-+ should be 25.4Je4 'l*xd5 26.f3 4Jf6 27 . ..1lg5 E!c8 thrown out immediately. 28 . .§fdl E!c2+ 29.<;;t>hl, and White White obviously rejected the move resigned. 20.-'lg51 (with the idea of 20 ...E!c 6? 2l..§acl!+-) because of 20 •••�b71 1-138 D. Przepiorka 2l.e4 .§c6. The first move l • .§e2 is made automatically, as there are no others, and after it you would think it is time fo r Black to resign. Your task is to find W? a non-obvious defense for Black, and then its equally non-obvious refutation. The solution to the problem is remarkably short and very beautiful! 1 ... �g81 (but not l...h6? 2.E!e8+ ®h7 3.4Jf6+ and 4.E!g8+). 102 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 4 .....1lcl also requires precise calculation, after which you have to W? play 5 . ..1lh6! ..lld2 6.�g2 -'tel 7.-'tc5! (7.-'td6?e2 8.1ig5 1ig3! misses thewin) 7 ...e2 8.Af2 Ac3 9.Axh4 el� lO. .ilxel, and it is not difficultto take advantage of the two extra pawns in a bishop ending. 5.�f2 (5.�el? Axf8 6.1.txf8 It is very difficult to resist the �e3=) 5 •••el�+ 6.�xel �e3 7.f4! natural 2.�f6?!, but then there fo llows This is the only way to preserve the 2 ...�g l! 3.E!e8+? (it still is not too late h3-pawn. On 7.Axa3? �xf3 it is lost, to go back to the initial position with and mating with two bishops of the 3.�h5! �g8!) 3 .. 5.t>g7 4.E!g8+ �h6! same color is impossible. 5.E!xgl stalemate. 7 •••�x f4 8.�f2 2.{)g7!! If Black had managed to keep his Black is defenseless: 2 ...h5 (or bishop on the board he would have got 2 .. :i*f8 3.E!e8 rtlxg7 4.E!xf8 �xf8 a draw easily. Alas, on 8 ...1.tc l, there 5.a5+-) 3.E!e8 �xg7 4.E!xg8+ �xg8 fo llows 9.1ih6+. 5.a5+- . 1-140 Kozomara - Karaklajic 1-139 V. Smyslov Here we are looking at an opening It is easy to throw out 1.-'tb4? f3 position that arises in the Ruy Lopez 2.gf e2+ 3.�xe2 �xb4= and 1.-'i.el? after l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �c6 3.Ab5 a6 �d3 2 . ..1lxh4 �d2=. 4.Aa4 �f6 5.0-0 Ae7 6.E!elb5 7.Ab3 l.f7! Jta3 2.Jl,g7 f3! 3.gf (of d6 8.c3 0-0 9.d4 ..llg4 10.Ae3. course, not 3.f8�?? -'txf8 4.-'txf8 e2+ In his wonderful book Questions of 5.�f2 fg -+ ) 3 ••• �d3 Mo dern Chess Th eory,published in 1956, master Isaac Lipnitsky recommended testing the sharp try 10 ••• �xe4?!. Of course, people rarely played like this in W? practice even in the past. 10 •••{)x e4?! ll.Jl,d5 �d7 12.jlxe4 White is promised no advantage with 12.de?! �c5 (12 ...�g5? 13.-'txg5 Axg5 14.h3! +- ) 13.h3 .ile6 14.1.txc5 de= (Bogdanovic-Udovic, Yugoslav It seems that Black saves himself: Championship 1952) or 14.ed l.txd6 4.f8� e2+ 5.�f2 1ic5+! and 6.�xc5 15.Axc5 Axd5 16 . ..1lxd6 �xd6= el�+ 7.�xel leads to stalemate, and (Johner-Bemstein, Zurich 1934). 6.�el ..llxf8 7.1ixf8 �e3 to the loss of 12••• d5 (D) both white pawns. But stalemate can be avoided with an unusual promotion. In reply to 13 . ..1lc2?! e4 14.h3, 4.f81t!! e2+ possible is 14 ... Ah5 15.�e5 Axdl 103 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources and a subsequent 4.e7. On the other hand, now the hasty 2.e7? Ah5 gives W? Black an easy draw. 2.1tf71 �e31 W? 16. 1-141 V. Yakimchik opponent, as any defense of the h7 - square l.e6 g31 on the seventh rank is useless because of The pawn cannot be held back with 3.f7. But he had underestimated the l... ..lla4 2.Af7 Ab3 because of3 . ..1lg6+ brilliant reply 2 •••1th6 11. 104 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources presence of opposite-color bishops (given by Artur Yusupov). B? I consider the strongest way of conducting the attack to be the simple l.!!h5!. B? The game ended like this: 3:�xh6 !!c7! (but not 3 ...!!d 7? 4.t7 !!xt7 5.!!xt7+- ) 4.itxc2 (if 4.t7, then 4 ...!!xt7 5.!!xt7 !!dl+ 6.'it'g2 '1Wrg8+ with a win) 4 .. :�b7+, White resigned. Instead of taking the bishop, it is possible to try 3. �fS, counting on Yusupov continued the variation: 3 ...!!c 7? 4.t7 !!xf7 5:�xt7+- . But this l...�el! (l...�e3? 2.!!xh6 �xfl time Black defends against mate with his 3.!!xh7+!; l...�d4? 2.'1Wrg4 +- ) 2.!!xel other rook, not worrying about the fa ct 'l!i'f4. White has the advantage, and the that it comes under attack: 3 ••• E{d7!!. only question is how big it is. Now already useless is 4.f7!!x f75. 'ffi'xt7 'ffi'c7! -+ (weaker is 5 ...!!c 7?! 6.i!H6+ 1-143 Uhlmann - Veresov * ltg7 7.'�f5 and 8.-'txc2). First let's have a look at 4.�xd7 Etc7!-+. 17... itxd3 ?!. It is interesting that Black varies his defensive moves in each case. On 3:�xh6 correct is 3 ...!!c 7; but on 3:�f5 - 3 ...!!d 7!!. Unlike the variation 4.t7, W? where the queen had to be placed on c7, here 4 ...'1Wrc7? allows White to save himself with 5.!!dl! (but not 5:�xc7? !!xc7 6.t7 �d4! 7.f8'l!i'+ ltxf8 8.!!xf8+ �g7 9.!!a8 �xb3 10.!!xa6 �c5 -+ ) 5 ...-'tf8 6.i!i'xc7!!x c7 7.!!cl=. And so, the conclusion is clear: l.'l!i'h5? loses. But how should White White replies not 18.ed?? �xd3+! then attack? This is a new question, 19.�xd3 !!cl+, but 18 . .1lxd5!. After the which I will answer briefly. fo rced moves 18 ...-'1.xe2+ 19.'ffio'xe2 !!cl+ The move l.!!g7?! is justified 20.'�i'g2 !!xe2 21.-'txf7+ ®f8 22.!!xd4 afterl ...Axg7? 2.fg+ ®xg7 3.'ffi'f6+ �g8 !!xhl 23.�xhl (there is no point in the 4.Ad5+ !!xd5 5.!!gl+o r l...!!g8? 2:�f5 exchange sacrifice 23.Ah5 or 23.Ac4 - Axg7 3.-'te4+- . The attack is repelled there cannot even be any thought of by l...!!c7! 2.!!e7! �e3! (2 ....ili8? 3. '�e4! winning chances here) 23 ...®xf7 Axe7 4.fe+-) 3.'�e4 !!xe7 4.fe �xfl 'i', 24.!!d7+ ®f6 25.!!xa7 !!xb2 (or and Black is left a pawn up, although a 25 ...!!xf 2) a rook ending with an extra draw is the likely outcome thanks to the 105 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources pawn for White arises, but it is drawn, of computer evaluations, regardless of their course. objective correctness. From a human Now let's test an alternative point of view, the situation looks possibility. favorable fo r Black, and besides, by 17 •••�xe 2! 18.�xe2 (18.�xe2?? fighting for a win he is at almost no risk .§cl+ 19.<£\xcl �dl *) 18 ••• �e8+ of losing. At the board a player is right (18... 1txd3+ 19.�xd3 .§e8+ 20.'it>d2 to go into this kind of position, especially as there is nothing better anyway. 1-144 Reshevsky - Bronstein B? Why not 32 ...�xe5 ?; the variation 33.<£\f6+ 1txf6 34 . .§xe5 Axe5 gives Black a big advantage, doesn't it? In the event of a pawn capture Reshevsky had prepared a devilish combination. (Bronstein). 33 . .§xf5 !! gf (33 ...�x f5 34.<£\f6+ After 19 ...1txd3+?! 20.'it>gl .§e2 Axf6 35 . .§xe8+ .§xe8 36.�xe8+ 'it>g7 21.�fl .§e5!, White should not play 37.gf+) 34.<£\f6+ Axf6 22.Axd5? because of 22 ...Axfl 23.1txf7+ 'it>f8 24 . .§xd4 Ah3 25 . .§dl 'it>xf7 - with his rook stuck on hl forever, he is highly unlikely to save W? himself. Correct is 22:�dl, and Black has nothing better than a repetition of moves, 22 ...§e2 23.�fl .§e5. But 19 ... �xd3+!! allows Black to obtain a promising ending with two pawns for the exchange: 20. �xd3 j},xd3+ 2l.�gl �el+ 22.-'tfl .ilxfl 23.�d8+ �h7 24.h4 1td3+! 35.gf! �xe3 36.�g2+, and Black 2S.�h2 �e2 26.�dl (26.§xd5? gets mated. .§xf2 + 27.'it>gl .§fl + 28.'it>g2 .§xhl; David Bronstein played simply 32 ••• 1txe4+!, preserving an excellent 26 . .§cl!?) 26 •••jle4 27.�gl �xb2. position. White replied 33 . .§fxe4. B? My analysis program recommends 28 . .§d7 and gives it an equals sign. You Then came 33 ...<£\a6 (with the idea should not be disturbed by these kinds of of ...<£\c7-e6) 34.e6 fe 35 . .§xe6 §f8 106 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 36.E!.e7?! (36.AgU) 36 ...Ad4 37.E!.3e6 'l*f5, and there is already a significant advantage on Black's side, which he W? made the most of aftera long battle. Kasparov (in the second volume of My Great Predecessors) awarded an exclamation mark to the knight retreat to a6, and explained: "33 ...E!.e 6 34.Ag3 is not so clear." In my view, Black obtains more if in his turn he finds a The threat of24 ...E!.h8 is extremely "devilish combination" that was not unpleasant, and the c2-bishop is still given by either Kasparov or Bronstein. under attack. But a forced refutationcan 33 ...�xa2 !! 34.'l*xa2 E!.xe5 be fo und: 24.§.fl! i*xc2 25.�g5 M2 (25 ...E!.h 8 26.§.xf7+ 'it'g8 27.E!.h7! +- ; 25 ...f5 26.�e6+ 'it'f6 27.�xf8+-) 26.'l1i'h7+ 'it'f6 27.'l*h4! E!.h8 28.E!.xf2+!, Black resigned because of 28 ...i*xf 2 29.�h7+ 'it'g7 30.'l*xf2. He should rej ect the combination and chosen one of two options: (a) 20 ...Cit'g 7!? (but not 20 ...'it'h7? 21.E!.e5!+- with two ideas: 22.E!.xd5 and 22.E!.h5);if 21.E!.e5,then 21...Ac6, (a) 35.b4 E!.xe4 36.E!.xe4 'l*f5 intending the exchange of rooks on e8; (36 ...i*xb4) 37.i.tg2 E!.dl+ 38.E!.el (b) 20 ... �g3!? 21.4)d4 (38.-'i.el -'tc3 -+ ) 38 ... E!.xel + 39 . .ilxel (21.'l*xh6? Axf2+ 22.'it'hl Axel does 'l*e5!-+ or 36.bc E!.xe3 37.M2 E!.c3 -+ , not work) 21 ... �h4. intending 38 ...E!.dl ; In both cases an almost equal (b) 35.E!.xe5 Axe5 (besides 36 ...'l1i'xe3, position arises, which is perhaps also threatening 36 ...E!.dl or 36 ... Ab2) slightly preferable for White. 36.Af2 Ad4 37.E!.d3 (37.E!.f3 .ilxf2 38.'l1i'xf2 'l1i'e5!+) 37 ...'l1i'f5! 38.'l1i'd2 c5+. 1-146 Nezhmetdinov - NN In all variations the formidable The opening position is one of the passed a-pawn more than compensates rare variations of the Griinfeld: l.d4 fo r the sacrificedpiece. �f6 2.c4 g6 3.�c3 d5 4.cd �xd5 5.e4 �xc3 6.bc c5 7.Ab5+!? �c6? (7 ...Ad7 1-145 Timoshchenko - Vaganian is better) 8.d5! 'i*a5 9.'i*a4! i*xc3+ Rafael Vaganian did not accurately 10.�e2 Ad7 (10... -'tg7 !? ll.dc 0-0) calculate the tempting bishop sacrifice ll.dc be 12.Axc6 §.d8. he undertook; 20 ...Axh3? turns out to On the natural 13.E!.bl? there be incorrect. fo llows 13... 'l*d 3+!! 14.'3ixd3 Axc6+ 21.'l*xh6 (threatening both and 15 ...Axa4 + (Isakov-Nikitin, 1947). 22.'l*xh3 and 22.�g5) 21...'l*g3 After 13.Axd7+?! E!.xd7 14.�f3, 22.'l1i'xh3 'l*xf2+ (22 ...Axf 2+ 23.'it'fl Black does not take the rook, of course, Axel 24.E!.xel ± ) 23.'�hl �g7 but gives perpetual check: 14 ...'l*d3 + (23 ...'l*xc2 24.�g5 '3ig7 leads to a 15.�el 'l*c3+ (or 15... Ag7 16.e5 transposition of moves). 'l*c3+). 107 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Finally, on 13.4Jf3?! ilt'd3+!! (10.00 4Jge5 =i=)10 ... �h4 (10... 4Jce 5!?) (13 .. :�xa1? 14 . .ilxd7+ �xd7 15.�d1) 11.4Jg3 (11 .g3!?) 11...4Jge5 12.0-0. 14.�e1, the simplest is fo r Black to Black rejected 12 ....1lh6?, since in play 14... .ilg7 15.e5 �c3+ 16.�e2 the variation 13.f4! 4Jg4(or 13 ...4Jxd3 �d3+!!, although 14.. :�c3+ 15.Ad2 14.�xd3 .ilxf4 15.�xf4 �xf4 16.4Jd5) �xa1 + 16.�e2 �b2! is also possible. 14.h3 �xg3 15.hg .ilxg4 16.4Jd5 the Even when giving a simultaneous position clearly is not in his favor. exhibition, when there is no chance to It is harder to refute 12... 4Jg4?! think fo r a long time, the superb 13.h3 4Jxf2. tactician Rashid Nezhmetdinov not only did not miss his opponent's counter blow, but also found a winning combination. W? 13.�b3!! �xal (13 .. :i!i'xb3 14.�xd7+ �xd7 lS.ab +- ) 14.1tb2 �bl W? 14.�xf2? .ild4+ 15.�f3 4Je5+ is bad. Black is also quite happy with 14.�xf2 �xg3 15.4Je2 �h4 (or 15... Axb2!? 16.4Jxg3 Axa1). Rashid Nezhmetdinov was worried about a queen sacrifice for just two pieces: 14.�xf2!! Ad4 15.�f3! �xhl 16.�e5 15.�xd4 4Jxd4 16.4Jd5. (threatening mate on f7) 16 ...e6 17.1txd7+ �xd7 18.�b8+ �d8 (18... �e7 19.4Jc6#) 19.�b5+ White has a decisive attack. 19... �e7 20.�b7+ �f6 (20 ...�d6 21.4Jxf7#) 21.�xf7+�g5 22.4Jf3+ Exactly 30 years later at the World Youth Team Championship (Graz 1981) the game Yusupov-Morenz arrived at this same position. In it, Black Despite Black 's solid material resigned, while Nezhmetdinov's advantage, White is in no way worse, opponent played until mate. andpsyc hologically an unexpected tum 22 ...�h5 23.g4+! �xg4 24.�xe6+ of events is only in his fa vor �f4 25 . .ile5+�xe4 26.4Jg5 #. Nezhmetdinov writes. The dangers 1-147 Polugaevsky - Nezhmetdinov threatening the black king are White played the opening poorly: illustrated in the variations he gives. l.d4 4Jf6 2.c4 d6 3.4Jc3 eS 4.e4?! ed 16 ...4Je6? 17.�f6+-; 5.�xd4 4Jc66.� d2 g6 7.b3 Ag7 8 . .ilb2 16... 4Jc6? 17.�f4 �d8 (17... �g5 0-0 9.Ad3 (9.f3!?) 9 ...4Jg4 ! 10.4Jge2 18.h4) 18.Af6 �d7 19.Ae2! (with the 108 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources idea of ltg4) 19 ...h5 20.4Jxh5 gh Returning to the pos1t10n after 21.§.h4 'it>h7 22.ltxh5+- ; White's 16th move, let's take note of 16... �xg3 17.4Je7+ rtig7 another possibilityfo und by Joel Lautier: 18.ltxd4+ f6 19.t:lf3. Let's continue 16 .. .f5! 17.Axd4 (17.4Je7+ rtif7 -+ ) Nezhmetdinov's analysis: 19 ...�g5 17 ...'ffio" xg3. I tested the variations that 20.4Jd5 c5 2l..�c3 lte622.4J c7 (in the arise and came to the conclusion that the case of22.4Jxf6 t:lxf6 an endgame arises advantage here remains on Black's side. that is slightly better fo r Black) For example: 18.t:lf3 'ffi'h4 22 ...t:la e8 23.4Jxe8+t:lx e8 24.t:ldlwith an unclear game; In Nezhmetdinov's opinion, the best continuation is 16 ...c5!?. Unfortunately, unlike the other variations, he analyzes this one inaccurately. In my view it makes sense fo r White to include 17.4Jf6 +!? 'it>g7, and now play 18.4Je2 �xf6 (18... ltxh3 19.4Jxd4 cd 20.Axd4 is unclear) 19.4Jxc7 (19.t:lafl c6 20.4Jc7t:lb 8, 19.t:lxf6 rtixf6 20.4Jxd4 cd 21.ltxd4+, and if 21.ltxa7, then 2l...Ad7-+) retaining definite compensation in the 19.. .fe 20.t:lxf8+ 'it>xf8 2l.Ac2 t:lb8 ending for the exchange sacrifice, 22.�xa7 (better is 22.t:lfl + rtig8 although objectively the position that 23.4Jd5 �f5 24.4Jf6+ rtif7 25.4Jxe4 arises should still be evaluated in rtie6+) 22 ...�xh3! (22 ...e3!) 23.Axb8?! Black's favor. e3! 24.t:lfl + rtig8, and Black wins. Nezhmetdinov examines an A practical game is not computer immediate 17.4Je2 4Jxe2+ 18.Axe2 f5 analysis! It is almost impossible to (I actually wanted to prevent this move choose the strongest continuation at the with an interim check on f6) 19.t:lf4 board in an irrational situation, predicting �h6 20.t:lafl. in advance the result of the complications which arise. I think that Nezhmetdinov was completely right to reject winning the queen. Even more so since the move B? he chose, 12... f5 1, allowed him to retain the initiative without unnecessary risk, soon transforming into a fo rmidable attack. In reply, bad is 13.f4? 4Jg4-+, and after 13.ef gf, the threat of ...f4-f3 is unpleasant. The game we have been looking at John Emms rightly suggests is one of the best and most beautiful in 20 ...lte6!?, and if 21.4Jc7,then 2l...g5! chess history. It has been commented on with an advantage fo r Black. Far weaker in detail in many books. I will show you is what Nezhmetdinov gives, 20 ...g5?! the rest of the moves, limiting myself to 21.t:l xf5! Axf5? (21...§.xf5 oo is short explanations, but to fully enjoy necessary) 22.4Je7+ 'it>f7 23.4Jxf5 +- , this masterpiece I recommend that you and Black has to part with his queen. tum to other sources. 109 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 13.f3! .ilh6! (a deep move that opponent and allowing a capture with a secures in advance the defense of the check on dl: 32.h3! t;i 24 ....§x f4 !! 25 . .§xh2 .§f3+ 26.'it'd4 ..llg7!! (26 ...c5!? 27.dc b5!} 27.a4 c5+ 28.dc be 29 . ..1ld3 1-148 Kortchnoi - Spassky 30.'l;;'Yb7 suggests itself. All the variations seem to be in White's favor. For example: 30 .. .1:H8? 31.'l;;'Yb8!; 30 ....§cxc7? White wins the rook back, and then 31..§xc7 .§xc7 (31...'l;;'Ya4 32.�b8+ 'it>h7 unavoidably takes one of the pawns, 33.'�bl+} 32.�xc7 �b3 33.�d8+; achieving a decisive advantage. 30 ...'it>h7?! 31.h3! �g8 32 . .§c2±. 32 ....§ dd8 (32 ....§x c7 33 . .§xc7, But it turns out that Black can and the g7-square cannot be defended) allow the capture of the rook with 33.cd'®"+ .§xd8 34 . .§c7! i!i'al + 35.'it>h2 check: 30 .. .'�a4! 31.'®"xc8+ 'it>h7. e4 36.'®"xe4'®"f6 37.f4, and White won. 1-149 G. Kasparyan * The depth and complexity of this W? study is evidenced by the fact that the position offered as an exercise arises after 12 movesof tense struggle. White's plan is clear: bring his king to d7 and win the knight. It is not obvious whether his opponent can prevent this. White is still holding onto the In fa ct it is not all so simple. The draw, fo llowing the example of his straightforward 1.'it>e4? miss es the win. 110 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources and Black does not manage to improve his position. B? l ...�f 5! 2.Jl,f4! (2.�d5? �xg3 3.�b3 �fl is hopeless) 2 ...�x d4 3.Jlxd2! B? l...Aa7!! (paradoxical as it may seem, White is in zugzwang!) 2.�f5 (on 2.a3 the pawn will soon be attacked by the bishop: 2 ....il.gl 3.�f5 Ah2 4.�e6 Ad6 and 5 ....il.xa3=) 2 ....il.b 8!. Now 3.�e6 �a7! 4.1txc6 is stalemate, and It seems that everything is clear: 3.�c5+ �a7! 4.Axc6 �b6 5.�d7+ White saves himself thanks to �xc6 6.�xb8+ �b5 leads to a clear stalemate. But if your calculations draw. stopped there, the solution to the l.c;tJf4!! Jl,a7 (otherwise 2.�f5) exercise could not be considered 2.c;tJe4!! correct; Black has a brilliant resource at A familiar position has arisen, but with Black to move. It becomes clear his disposal that puts his opponent in a that the zugzwanghere is mutual: with difficultposi tion. the king on e4, stalemating counterplay 3 ...�b 3!! is no longer so effective. The king is stranded; on 4 . .il.xcl, 2 ...,1l.b8 (2 ....il.g l 3.�f5 with a there fo llows 4 ...�c5 *, and on 4.�xb3 subsequent ...�e6- d7) 3.�c5+! 111 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources The pawn cannot be stopped. But still White saves himself. 4.1ah5+! �xb4 5.�b6!! cl� B? 6.1ab5+, and the king cannothide from the checks: crossing the c-file leads to the loss of the queen. But l.E!f4? is refuted by 1...c3! 2.E!xh4 c2 3.E!h5+ (3.E!hl .lle4+) 3 .. .'�xb4 4.E!h4+ c;>b3 5.E!h3+ .i1.d3! 6.E!xd3+ c;>b4 7.E!d4+ c;>bS 8.E!d5+ By creating the threat of 2S.{)c6, c;>b6 9.E!d6+ �c7. Gennady Zaichik counted on winning back the exchange and getting an overwhelming advantage. He did not notice or he underestimated his opponent's brilliant reply. 24 ...f 6!! 25.E!xe6 25.{)xe6? fe 26.{)xf8 "(!fxd6 loses. 25.{)c6?! fe ! 26.{)xe7 E!xfl + 27.�h2 A£4 28.E!xe6 E!f2 leads to a difficult endgame fo r White. 25 .. .fe! With colors reversed, this position It becomes clear that Whitealready arosein a classic study by GeorgesBarbier has to fight fo r a draw. Now he has to and Fernando Saavedra that appeared in decide which of several possible positions to go into. Very often with the late 19th century. On lO.E!dS!, Black such a sharp change in circumstances a replies not lO ...cl� ? 1Uk5+ �xeS player does not succeed in restructuring, stalemate, but lO ... clE!!!ll .E!aS�b 6-+ . and makes new blunders, once again 1-152 Zaichik - Psakhis confirming Tarrasch's well-known aphorism that errors never occur alone. The natural and correct Perhaps White should play the continuation is 22.-'t,xd6! 4)xfl slightly worse endgame that arises on 23.1axfl -'t,h424. �h 2±. White wins 26.E!xe7!? E!xfl + 27.c;>h2 Af4. back the exchange and is lefta pawn up, The move 26. .1ld3!?also makessense, for which his opponent lacks sufficient for example: 26 ....Q.f4 (26... �d8 27.�xe5 compensation. ..llf6 28.�h5 g6 29:�·d5 with a position The tactical attempt to obtain more that is difficult to evaluate) 27.�xf4 E!xf4 that White undertook in the game is not 28.E!xe7 ed 29.cd l::if2 - the threats of crowned with success. 30 ...E!x b2 and 30 ...§.d 2 are rather 22.E!xd6?! {)xfl23. -'txfl "(!fe7 unpleasant, but White's central pawns If now 24.E!xa6, then 24 ...E!a 8 should not be underestimated either. 25 . .1lxb5 (25 . .1ld6 "(!ff6) 25 ...E! xa6 26 . ..1le2?!"(!fd8 ! 26 . .1lxa6E!a 8 with mutual chances. Nor Lev Psakhisreasoned correctly that does anything come from 24.E!d4 E!bd8 in this situation a queen retreat (24 ...E! bc8!?) 25 . .1ld6 (25.{)a5!? E!c8) promised him more than transferring to 25 ...�f 6=F. an ending with 26... .ilf4 . 24.{)d4 27."(!fxe5M4 28."(!fd5? 112 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources It is better to reply 28.'i!Yh5!?, preventing an intrusion by the enemy queen into his camp, although then after W? 28 ...b4, White's position also remains tough. 28 ...�h4 ! (the start of a decisive counter-attack) 29.�f3 'i!Yf2 30.'i!Ydl .§bd8 31.�d4 �g3 32.�gl �e3 33-�dl l=!f2 34 . .M3 .M"4, and White resigned in view of 35.'i!Ygl .§fl. Both 4.�f2? �e4+ and 4.�f3? h3 are mistaken (or 4 ...�c4 5.�c6 �f7, 1-153 V. Bron * and in the case of 6.�e5+ the knight is Analyzing the situation, we can taken with check) 8.�g3 �e4+. establish that White's knight cannot 4.cif}fl! h3 s.'itlgl 'itlc4 (5 ...�e4 leave the dB-square yet, but if he does 6. 113 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources It becomes clear that White has 10.1te41! fallen into zugzwang. After the fo rced Precisely to here: it is important to 8 . .ild5g2+! 9.Axg2 !!g7! 10.c7+ !!xg2 take control ofthe bl-square. the affair ends in a draw. 10 ...j'txc 7 ll.bc 'it'a7! To get the same position on your 12.c8.!3.!+- opponent's move you have to play The last nuance: 12.c8�? !!bl+ differentlywith your king at the verystart. 13.Axbl g2+ leads to stalemate. V�hll! gh 2.1tg2! g4 3.1tdS g3 4.1tg2 gS S.ltdS g2+ 5 ...g4 6 . .ilg2 !!f77.c 7+ !!f3 does 1-155 Petrosian - Bangiev not help: Black is worse, and he has to deal with f3-f4-f5. The move ...f7-f5 is useful positionally; he would like to make it. The only question is whether it is W? refutedby a combination. 27 •..fS? The question mark reflects the objective evaluation of the move. But in the game it was justified: Tigran Petrosian did not want to calculate a tense variation, and after 28.f4? �d7 Queening the pawn is stalemate, 29.®f2 �f7 the game equalized, and the while 8.c8!! ! ®b7 9.!!g8 allows you to players soon agreed to a draw. snap offthe g4-pawn, and then the rook 28.ef! .!3,xe2 29 . .!3.xe2 .!3.xe2 too - Black does not manage to free 30.�f8+ 'it'h7 himself. 6.1txg2 g4 7.1tdSg3 8.j'tg2 Black has fallen into zugzwang, but the battle is not over yet. W? 8 •.. .!3.a7! 9.c7+ .!3.b7 W? 3l.f7! 31.Ae7 !!xe7! (31.. . .£'lc6?32 .�f7+! �h8 33.�e8+ ®h7 34.f7+- ) 32.fe .£'lg7 is insufficient. If you promote the pawn to a queen 3l •..�f 6 32.�e41! or a rook, there is a stalemate on the Threatening 33 . .ile7. White's 31st board. It is pointless to put a knight and 32nd moves can be transposed. there, and after 10.c8A .ile5 ll.A8xb7+ 32... de �b8 12.Axa6 Ac3, Black takes the Little is changed by 32 ...!!el + aS-pawn, and the b7-pawn that remains 33.�f2 !!xe4 34.fe de 35 . .ile7 e3+ on the board does not queen: it is 36.�gl and then as in the main line. impossible to move the king off b8. 33.1te7 ef 114 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources t!xb6=) 5 ...t!x b5 6.e5 t!b6 (6 ...t!b 8+ 7.�d7) 7.�d6+-. W? 2.b6! (2.t!b3? bl'lir=)2 •••bl� W? 34.�xf6?? f2 + and 34.'l!rh8+?? �xh8 35.f8�+<£lg8 36 . .ili6+�h7 lose, and 34.'l!rxh6+? 'it>xh6 35.f8�+ �h7! 36. ftf7 + 'it>h6 leads to perpetual check. 3.Ethl! e3 4.Etfl! (covering the 34. �g7+!! li!lxg7 35.f8�+ f5-square ), and Black perishes because li!lh736. �f7+ li!lh837.,A.xf 6#. of zugzwang. 1-156 A. Kotov, L. Mitrofanov * 1-157 Bagirov - Lputian An idea immediately comes to White should strive fo r perpetual mind associated with deflecting the check. queen that appears on the board: l.b6 23.�h6! f5 24.�g5+ (24.t!h4? bl� 2.t!xcl. Axel 25.�xh7+ 'it>f8 26.'l!rh8+ 'it>e7 27.'lire5+ �d7 is a mistake; the king moves smoothly over to the queens ide) 24 •••1i!lf8 W? But Black is aided by playing for stalemate: 2 ...e3! 3.t!c2 (defending against check on f5 and threatening 4.t!a2+!) 3 ...�b 2! 4.t!c3 �b3! 5.t!c4 25.�f6 (25.t!h4? Axel 26.t!xh7 'lirb4!, and the queen has to be taken �b2 -+ ) 25 •••1tx cl (25 ...�c7 with 6.t!xb4, accepting a drawn 26.t!xc2!=)26.�h 8+ li!le727.�e5+ outcome. li!ld7 28.Etxd5+ �xd5 29.�xd5+ l.Eth3!! Etal li!le7 30. �e5+ li!lf8= Events develop more peacefully Vladimir Bagirov played for mate: with l...e3 2.t!xe3 (but not 2.t!h4? 23.t!g4+? 'it>f8 24.'l!rxh7. (D) t!al)2 ...t!al. White does not manage His choice is justified after to decide the result of the battle on the 24 ...�xcl? 25.t!g7! �e7 26.t!xf7+'it>e6 queenside here, but on the other hand 27.t!e7+ 'it>d6 28.'lirf7!, and, as he can advance his e-pawn to victory: subsequent analysis confirmed,Blac k's 3.t!b3 bl 'li1 4.t!xbl t!xbl 5.e4! (5.b6? situation is bad. 115 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources B? B? But Smbat Lputian demonstrated a 6 ... '!Jd2!! 7.e8iii' c3 8.iii'd8+ convincing refutation of his opponent's (8.�d7+ does not change anything) idea: 24... �d2 !! 25.!:lg7 iii 1-158 M. Zinar Black is obviously attacking the c3-pawn with his king. Meanwhile, White is advancing his e-pawn. The endgame "queen against bishop's pawn on the brink of the promotion square" Now Black is in zugzwang, and is drawn, so the question is whether the 2 ...®c4 3.e4 ®xc3 4.e5 c5 5.e6 c4 6.e7 black pawn will succeed in reaching c2. ®d2 7.e8� c3 8.�d8+! ®cl 9.�g5+! is The move l.'!Je7? is bad, as the already useless. If he advances the c-pawn king finds itself in the path of its own immediately, the king attacks it with more pawn: l...®c4 2.e4 '!Jxc3 3.e5 c5 4.e6 success than in the variation l.®e7? ®c4 c4 5.'!Jd6 '!Jb2 6.e7 c3 7.e8iii< c2=, or 2.®e6. For example: 2 ...c6 3.®e7! ®c4 2.�e6 �xc3 3.'!Jd5 '!Jb4! 4.�c6 (4.e4 4.®d6 �xc3 5.�c5 +- (5.e4+-) or 2 ...c5 c5=) 4 ...®c 4=. 3.®e7 c4 4.®f6 +- (4.®d7 +- ). Finally, an l.®g8? '!Jc4 2.e4 c5! 3.'!Jf7 (3.e5 attack on the e-pawn does not work either: �d5) 3 ...�xc3= is also unsuccessful.It 2 ...®e4 3. ®e6 ®e3 4. ®d7 ®xe2 5.c4 ®d3 is important that in reply to 2 ... c5, you 6.c5 ®c4 7.c6+- . So Black waits, can play 3.e5. preserving the possibility of directing his The most natural move is l.'!Jf7, king against either of the white pawns. but this is just a false trail. After 2 ••• 116 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources Thus, 45�i'd8? misses the win: 4 ...'� c4 further: 5.�c4 �cl+ 6.�d3? �c8! 5.e4 c5 6.e5 �xc3! (6 .. 5�>d5? 7. 5 ••. �xc3 6.�c5! +-. W? 1-159 P. Benko l. 2.h5! It is important to rid yourself of the h4-pawn. The hasty 2.�f8?�f l + 3.�g8 �gl + 4. 2 •••�g7 3.h6+ �h7 (3 ... 117 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources W? B? Now it is easy to reject 2:i;;\'xe2? It seems that the d2-pawn is lost, .§xe7+; harder is 2.�c6+? �c7 3:i;;\'f7+ but that is not the case: the winning t!e7! 4.�xe7. blow 27 ...ili'c5 !! can be fo und. As Evgeny Sveshnikov rightly pointed out, White should sacrificethe B? exchange: 24.Etxc61 be 25.bc B? Black is aided by 4 .. :i;;\'a6+!! 5.<;tJxa6 fl�+ 6.�a5 (6.'it>a7? ili'al+) 6 ...'l*e l +! 7.�a6! (otherwise mate !) 7 ...�fl +! with perpetual check. 2.�b6!! After25 ...t!x c6?! 26.'l*xd3, Black's The queen cannot be taken because position is alarming. The strongest of 3.�c6#; taking with the queen or continuation is 25 ...d2!, but to embark rook on e7 allows 3.�a8 #, and if he on it he has to find a worthy response takes with the king, then 3.�xe2+. to 26.t!e7 and 26.t!e3. The move 26.t!e7 is not dangerous 2 •••�b 5+1? 3.�xb5 fl�+ 4.�b61 �xe7 5.�e6+ �f8 6.�f6+ because of 26 ....§c 8!, and 27.t!b7+? �g8 7.Jlh7+1 �xh7 8.�xfl +- . �xb7 28.cb .§cl is bad.After 27.�g2 .§cxc6! 28.�xc6 �xc6+ 29.f3 =i= drawna 1-161 Sveshnikov - Vaisser * outcome is the most likely. Material equality can be And if 26.t!e3 (threatening maintained (at least temporarily) with 27.t!b3), then Black plays not 24.t!ee5? .ilxf3 25.�xf3d2 (25 ...t!h d8 26 ....§ d4? 27.t!b3 (27. 118 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 1-162 T. Cook s.�xd4! cd6.g6 'llcS 7.g7 E!b4 The rook is not capable of stopping 8.'llc7(c8)+-. the passed pawns, no matter which one of them White moves now. So what is 1-163 Yusupov - Spraggett his opponent counting on? If we do not As usual in these cases, you first understand that, we will probably miss have to figureout the evaluation of the the win. position aftera rejection off2-f4. In the It turns out that on l.h6? there game White played cautiously: 21.e3?!, fo llows l...§.a6!! 2.h7 §.a4 3.h8� a5 which does not promise him the slightest advantage even after with unavoidable stalemate. The finale 21.. . .1l.xg2 22.'�xg2 f5 with a is analogous with l.g6? §.a6!! too. subsequent 23 ...�b 7+. What Kevin A moment ago we did not see a Spraggett chose, 21...§c8 22."i!}'b3 defense fo r Black, and now we do not (22:�dl!?) 22 ....1l.xg2 23.�xg2 'l!}'b7+ know how to avoid stalemate. The idea 24.e4 Af8 25.�e3 §.d8 (25 ...a5!? ) is not obvious: firstrid ourselves of the 26.4�l2f3 4:lxf3 27.4:lxf3, was not bad e5-pawn, put the queen on h8, and then either, and the players agreed to a draw. sacrifice it on d4. The principled move 2l.f4! is the l.e6! E!xe6 only way of trying fo r anything. White Black can also try 1...§.d 6+. hopes to invade the weak c6-square with his knight, but he has to deal with the shaky position ofhis knights on the d-file. W? (a) 21...§c8 (counting on 22:i!Yxc8+? Axc8 23.fe Axe5 24.4:lc6.Q.x al! 25.4::lxb8 Ad4+ 26.r,t>fl §xb8) will be met by the simple 22.�b3!± -no counter-chances associated with the vulnerability of the white knights are lefthere; (b) 21...4::lg4 22.4:lc6! �xf4! (the best chance) An additional problem: where to retreat the king? The correct answer is 2.\�k7! §xe6 3.g6! (but not 3.h6? §g6 4.h7 §g7+) 3 ...§a 6 4.g7 §a4 5.g8� a5 6.�b8•. But 2.�c8? leads to a draw: 2 ...§x e6 3.h6 (3.g6 §a6! with unavoidable stalemate) 3 ...§e 8+! 4.�d7 §g8=. 2.h6! (2.g6? §a6!=) 2 ••• E!a63. h7 E!a44.h8� aS 23.4::\xbB (23.gf "i!}'xf4 24.4::\fl �h8 is less convincing) 23 ...Ae 3+ 24.�fl 4:lxh2+ 25.®el .ilxd2+ (25 ...Axg2 26.4:le4! +-) 26.�xd2 §.xd2 27.Axb7 §xb8 28.�xd2 §xb7 - the endgame is bad for Black. Possible, fo r example, is 29.§.c4!?, threatening both 30.§.hl and 30.§acl with 31.§.c7; 119 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources (c) 2l ••• .!}.xg2 22.�xg2 On 22 ...�b7 +?! there fo llows 23.�e4! ±. Black is also clearly worse B? after 22 ....ile7 23.�xe6! �d6!? (23 .. .fe 24.fe �xeS 25.�g6+ ®f826.� xh6+ ±) 24.fe �xe6 25.�f3 fe 26.�e4. Artur Yusupov was concernedabout the reply 22••• �g4 Black plays 3 ...�e3! 4.�xe3 Ad4 5.�h3 �d3! with a classic positional W? draw: the rook is permanently tied to the defense of the pinned knight and White cannot break free. And now let's try l.�e3+1 �e4 2.�xg2 �xg2+ 3.�f2. But it is not all so simple here either: our opponent replies 3 •••�f 41. 23.�e4, which suggests itself, will be met by 23 .. .f5 24.�f3 .ilxf4 25.�c6 �e5!. W? 23.�c3 'lii'b7+ 24.'lii'f3 (24.�c6 Ac5! oo)24 .. :i!i•xf3+ 25.�2xf3 e5!?oo does not give anything either. The simple knight retreat 23.�fll was missed, pointed out later by Klaus Bischoff. The tactical complications end, control of the c6-square remains in On 4.�xf4? there fo llows 4 ....ild4+ White's hands, and he maintains 5.�g3 Ae5 6.�fl (6.�h4 .ild6=) noticeably better chances in the 6 ...�f5! with the same positional draw fo rthcoming battle. as on l.�f4 +?. However, White has an additional 1-164 Y. Bazlov possibility here: 4.E(el+I �fS White is a rook up, and it does not 5.� xf4. True, after S •••.11, c31, he seem to be too hard to hold on to by cannot avoid losing one of his pieces. giving a knightcheck (any), then taking But a final anddec isive argument in the on g2 and playing �f2 with a double fa scinating discussion can be found - attack on the knight and the bishop. But the idea of domination. 6.E(cl .11,d2 7.E(cS+I �xf4 since there is a choice between two 8. �e2, and the bishop is lost. checks we have to look fo r counterplay for our opponent on one of them, and 1-165 E. Ratner then on the other, and compare them. On any bishop move, Black can It turns out that l.�f4 +? ®e4 count on winning back one ofhis pieces 2.�xg2 �xg2+ 3.�f2 misses the win. by retreating his king with discovered 120 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources check and then putting his bishop on d4. In the first place, White has to understand how in principle he should fight for a win, and only then, in accordance with the plan he has found, determine the most accurate firstmove . l • .Q.e211 ctlb7+ (on other retreats the king is checked by the knight) 2.ctlg2! .1}.d43.4lb 31 .Q.xe5 4.4)a5+ On 2.�xcS, Black is saved by the impressive 2 ....£Jxg7! 3.fg 'itlh6!. Promoting the pawn to a queen or rook produces stalemate, and putting a bishop on g8 is pointless, as two bishops of the same color do not win, and after 4.g8.£J+ one of the pieces is lost: 4 ...�g7 S . .£le7�f 8=. Not capturing the rook does not 4 ...ctla8 (4 ...�c8 S.Ag4+ �d8 help either, as it becomes rabid: 2.�d3 6 . .£Jc6+ is very bad) 5.4)c6! (but not .§.c3+ 3.'�d2 .£Jxg7 (3 ....§.c 2+) 4.fg S.Af3+? c6=) 5 ....Q.d6 6 • .1}.a61 g5 .§.d3+! or 2.�e4 .§.c4+! (but not 7.ctlf3(h3), and Black is defenseless 2 ....£Jxg 7? 3.fg .§.eS+ 4.�xeS �h6 against the march of the king to c8. For S.g8.£J+!�g7 6 . .£Jf6+-) 3.�eS (3.�dS example: 7 .....ll h2 8.�g4 �f4 9.�fS �xf6!) 3 ....£Jxg7! (3 ....£Jh6 4.f7 .£Jxf7+ Ae3 10.�e6 g4 11.�d7 g3 12.'itlc8g2 S.Axf7 .§.c8 or 4.g8� .£lxg8 S.f7 .£Jf6 13.Ab7•. 6.f8� .§.e4+ is also possible) 4.fg .§.e4+! On l.Ad3? �b7+ 2.�g2 Ad4 s.�xe4 �h6!=. 3 . .£lb3AxeS 4 . .£JaS+, Black exploits the On l.ctld3! the knight does not get bishop's rather poor position by to fS immediately. l... .§.dS+ 2.'itlc2 4 ...�b6! S . .£Jc4+ �cS 6 . .£JxeS�d 4=. .§.cS+ 3.�b3 is useless; the king And on l.Afl? �b7+, in the approaches the rook via the queenside. variation 2.�g2 Ad4 3 . .£lb3 AxeS Our opponent has counterplay here 4 . .£JaS+,the move 4 ...�c8! = appears too, based on knight forks and the there is no bishop check on the h3-c8 stalemate with which we are already diagonal. 2.�h1 Ad4 3 . .£lb3 AxeS familiar. So automatically using the 4 . .£JaS+ �a8 S . .£Jc6�d6 6.�a6 does not process of elimination is incorrect: first win either because of 6 ...gS 7. �g2 g4=, we have to find new resources that are and the king can no longer get to c8. not in the variations associated with l.�d4?. 1-166 K. Sumbatyan * l ...�c3+! 2.ctle21 �e3+1 We can reject l.�f3? because of (2 ....§.c2+ 3. �d1 +- ) l... .§.fS+2.'� e2? .§.eS+and 3 ....§.x e8 or We have to take the rook. So what 2.�g2 �xf6 3.g8� .§.gS+. has White got? 1. �d4? suggests itself, but our 3.ctlxe3 4lf5+ 4.ctle4 4)xg7 opponent replies 1 ....:tJf S+!. 5.ctle51 121 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources is threatened. 6.�c7? does not work with the same idea because of6 ...§.h 7+ 7.®b6 §.h6+ 8.�a7 W? Here is the point: we have managed to get by without taking the knight, and the king supports its passed pawn superbly fromthe e5-square. s ••• 4.)xe8 (5 .. 5.fth6 6.t7) 6.f7 On 7.§.xa4? the move 7 ...<£\c5+ 4.)f6 7.'it>e6(d6) +-. fo llows anyway, and meanwhile 7 ...§.x d4 is threatened. 1-167 N. Ryabinin 7.f4!! �xf4 8.�xa4! 4.)cS+9.dc We have to win back one of the �xa4 10.c6 �b4+ ll.cif7c8! cif7e6 black pieces, and fo r that the rook should 12.c7 cif7e7 stalemate! (or 12... �d6 stay on the fo urth rank. Without the help 13.�d8 §.h4 14.c8<£\+ with a draw) of the pawns, it cannot hold on there: now it is clear why the f-pawn l.§.c4? §.a8 2.�b7 §.a5 3.®b6 absolutely had to be given up. ltb3! -+ ; But how is a move by a different l.§.b4? B? 5 ...§.e8!! 6.d4 §.e4! (on l.f3 !! this square is under control). White does not manage to rid himself of the f-pawn, which means there will be no stalemate. 1-168 Kortchnoi - Suba This position arose in a sharp s ••• �h8! (but not 5 ...§.d 8 6.§.xa4 variation of the Benoni: l.d4 122 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 10:11Yb3 't!1'c7?!. White has to make a Suba examines other defensive choice between 11.e5 and 11.�xd6. methods assuming that after any The strongest continuation is ll.e51 continuation, he will retain a decisive 4)h5(1 1...de 12.Axe5 �c8 13.<£\e4 <£\xe4 advantage. 14.Axg7 .§.g8 15.Ah6+- Fedorowicz (a) 15.ef 't!1'xb2 16 . .§.d1 "11Yxc3+ Seret, Cannes 1987) 12.ed �a51? (worse 17.�d2 Ah6 18.'t!1'xb8 Ag4 19.'t!1'xf8+ is 12... �c8 13 . .1le3 0-0 14.a4 ..llg4 15 . .1le2 �xf8 20.�e2 �f5 21.d6 �e8! -+ and <£\d7 16.0-0 ± Fedorowicz-Hjartarson, 22 ...ltc 2; Reykjavik 1986) 13 . .1ld2 �b4. (b) 15.�d2 i*xb2 16. .§.b1 i*xc3 17."11Yxb8 �e4 18.'t!1'b2 .irtxe5 19.�e2 .ili520. �xe4 "11Yc4+ and 21...i*xe4-+ ; (c) 15.0-0-0 (the best) 15... �b7 16.�a4 i*b4 17.'t!1'a7�e4! (17... �xd5!? deserves serious attention, in my view). W? Mihai Suba rightly evaluates the position that arises after 14:11Yxb4 (14.1rte2!? 0-0 15.0-0±) 14 ...cb 15.�e4 in White's favor. Viktor Kortchnoi was tempted by 18.-'td3 Axd5 19.-'lxe4 -'l.xe4 an alluring combination, 11..� xd6? 20.�c3 �c6 21.�c7 (21.'t!1'xa6 is i!1'xd6 12.�xb7 (on 12.e5!? �c7 13.d6 beautifully refuted by 21...-'l.h6+ you have to play 13 ...'t!1'd8! oo,but not 22.�d2 �xc3+!! 23.bc .§.b8 -+ ) 13... 't!1'c6? 14.Ac4 0-0 15.ef Axf6 21...-'l.xf3 22.gf .llxe5 23.�xc6 �xc3 16.0-0-0±) 12... 0-0 13.e5 (13.'t!1'xa8? 24.b3 �a3+ 25.�c2 "11Yb2+ 26.�d3 't!1'b6 14.0-0-0? �xe4-+ ). .§.d8+ 27.�e3 (27.�c4 .lld4) 27 ....1ld2+ 28.�e2 Af4+ with a quick mate. For myself, I will point out that instead of 18.Ad3? the move 18.�b6! is B? significantlystronger. Black replies with the stunning 18 ...�d 7!! 19.�xd7 �6+ 20.�b1 (20.�c2?? 't!1'a4+ leads to mate; and on an immediate 18 ....ll h6+? White replies 19.�c2!) 20 ...�c3+ 21.�a1 (21.�c2 �xd1 22.�xd1 is evidently also possible) 21...�a4 22.�f6+ �g7 He had underestimated the beautiful 23 . ..1lc4! 't!1'xc4 24.bc i*xc3+ 25.�b1, zwischenzug 13 .....1lc8! !. After 14.�xa8 and Black only has perpetual check. (14.�xc8? "11Yb6 -+ ) 14 ...�b6, the b2- pawn is under attack, and the white queen 1-169 V. Bron is in some danger. In the game, 15.Axa6?! It is not difficultto findthe winning Axa6 16.0-0-0 <£\g4 -+ was played, and idea: approach the pawns with the king in a dozen or so more moves, Black won. and knight, then at the appropriate 123 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources moment sacrifice the knight on the Our opponent is aided by 5 ...c6 !! al-square and lock up the king in the 6.h5 c5 7.h6 c4 8.h7 c3, and 9.h8� or comer. This plan can be implemented 9.�c2 is stalemate, which cannot be in various ways. "General avoided on 9.h8� c2 either. considerations" will not help White King moves (instead of 1.4Ja5!!) also make a choice between several let the win slip. For example, l.�d2? a3, candidate moves - precise calculating and 2.4Jxc5 takes the affair to the is required, taking into account all of his variation 1.4Jxc5? a3 2.�d2, and 2.4Ja5 opponent's resources for counterplay. -to the variation 1.4Ja5!! a3 2.�d2?. The only way to win is 1.4)aSI! a3 On l.�dl?, Black replies l...c4! (l../�>c2 2.4Jc4 �b3 3.h5 +- ) 2.�dl! 2.4Jc5(2.4Ja5? c3 -+ ) 2 ...c3 3.4Jd3 c2+ (but not 2.�d2? a2 3.4Jb3 c4 4.4Jal (but not 3 ... c5? 4.4Jel!+-) 4.�d2 c5 (or c3+=) 2 ... a2 (2 ...c4 3.4Jxc4 a2 4.4Ja3+ 4 ...a3 5.4Jcl c5) 5.4Jcl c4 6.4Ja2 c;tJb2 and 5.4Jc2 +- ) 3.4)b3 c4 (3 ...�b2 7.h5 c3+ 8.�d3 a3 9.h6 cl� (Black's 4.4Jal�xal s.c;tJcl+- ) 4.4)al!�xal last moves can be transposed) 10.4Jxcl (4... c3 5.4Jc2 +- ) �xcl ll.h7 a2 12.h8� al�=. 1-170 Magerramov - Makarichev W? The essence of fo rthcoming events is clear: first the queenside will be closed, and then both kings will head for the kingside, where White has a space advantage. But whether that is enough for a win depends on specific nuances. We think in generalities, we Now mistaken is 5.�c2? c3 6.h5 live in details (AlfredNorth Whitehead). c5 7.h6 c4 8.c;tJc1c2 9.h7 c3=. The goal Elmar Magerramov started with the is reached with s.�cl! c3 6.hS c6! move 37.g4?. 7.h6 cS 8.h7 c4 9.h8El!c2 10.�xc2 c3 ll.E!hl#. Weaker is the continuation that suggests itself, 1.4Jxc5? a3 2.�d2 B? (2.4Ja4?? �c2 -+ is bad; on 2.�dl a2 3.4Jb3 c5 4.h5 c4 5.4Jal �xal 6.�cl c3 7.h6 c2= White is too late) 2 ...a2 3.4Jb3 �b2 (3 ...c5? 4.�c3 +- ) 4.4Jal �xal (4 ...c5? 5.4Jc2 +- ) 5.�cl (5.�c2 c5 6.h5 c4 7.h6 c3=). Black replied with the apparently logical 37 ...b5?, securing himself the spare tempo ...a7-a6. But after 38.�d3 B? his position turned out to be lost, and White's plan triumphed. The subsequent course of the game is quite instructive. 38 ...�d6 39.�e3 �e7 40.c;tJf3 c;tJf8 41.�g3 c;tJf7 42.'�h3! (42.�h4? g5+ 43.fg+ �xg6 44.h3 a6= is a mistake, 124 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources and White is in zugzwang) 42 ...�g8 (after 42 ...g5 43.fg+ �g7!? 44.�g3! �xg6 45.�h4 Black falls into W? zugzwang; he has to let the king go to h5, after which h2-h4 and g4-g5 are decisive) 43.�h4 �f8 44.�h5 �f7 45.h3 �f8 46.�g6 �g8 47.h4 �f8 48.g5 hg 49.hg fg 50.�xg5 'it>f7 �h7 45.�h4 ®g6 46.h3 a6= with a familiar zugzwang for White. On 4l.®g4 there also fo llows 41...g5! 42.fg+ �xg6 43.h3 ( 43. 'it>h4? even loses: 43 .. .f5 44.�h3 fe 45.�g2 �f5 46.h3 e3 47.®f3 e2 48.®xe2 �e4) 43 ...a6, and, to avoid the worst (44.h4? h5+ 45.®f3 f5 - + ) the king must be retreated to f3, accepting a peaceful outcome. White should exchange pawns with 40.�f2! is more clever: 40 ...�f7 f5-f6.To do this he has to obtain the same position with his opponent to move. The (otherwise the king gets through via h3) problem is easily solved, and Black is not 4l.�f3. even helped by his spare tempo. 51.�g4 (but not 51.�h5? �f6 52'it>h4 g6 53.fg �xg6 54.�g4 a6=) B? 51...�e7 (51...g6 52.�g5) 52.�h4! �f6 53.�h5 (zugzwang) 53 ...a6 54.�h4!, and Black resigned because of 54 ...g6 55.fg �xg6 56.�g4 or 54 ...�e7 55.�g4. So why then was White's 37th move awarded an question mark? The fact is that both players overlooked a How to prevent the king's arrival on comparatively straightforward rescuing h5? On 41...h5? White does not play 42.g4? resource: 37 ... h5!! 38.h3 (38.gh b5=) h4 43.g5 fg 44.®g4 ®f645.'it' h5 h3=, but 38 ...hg 39.hg b5 with a clear draw. 42.'it'g2! g5 43.fg+ ®xg6 44.®f3+-. Another try: 37.'it>c4? (threatening But then 41...g5! 42.fg+ �xg6 38.b5+ with an unavoidable invasion into 43.�g4 a6 44.h3! is no better either Black's camp via the d5-square thanks to Black is in zugzwang, and after44 ...h5+ White's abundance of spare tempi) 45.�f3 �f7(h6) 46.h4!, with a 37 ...b5+ 38.�d3 �d6 39.'it>e3 �e7. (D) subsequent 47.g4, the outcome of the battle is decided by the appearance of a In the game Black was not aided distant passed pawn on the board. Yes, by the spare tempo ...a7-a6, while here but the defense can be improved: it helps him to save himself. 41...g5! 42.fg+ �g7!!, and only then After 40.'it>f3 W, useless is 41.g4 43 ...�xg6= - any move by White g5 42.fg+ �xg6 43.®g2 ®g7 44.�g3 worsens his position. 125 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Let's go back. The problem can On 52 . .§c8? there fo llows 52 ..."if1e 2! only be solved by 37.a4!1. If 37 ...a6, (52 ...'l.!1"xd 7? 53:�a8 +-) 53 . .§h8+ then 38.c;t?c4 b5+ 39.ab+ ab+ 40.'�d3 c;t?xh8 54.d8"if1+ 'it'h7. Mate is c;t?d641 .�e3 (almost the same position threatened, and if 55.'l.!1"ddl, then as after 37.'it>c4? has arisen, but Black 55 ....§h2+. You have to play 55:�·h4. has no spare tempo ...a7-a6 here) 41...c;t?e7 42.c;t?f3 c;t?fl 43.�g4 (threatening 'it>h5)43 ...g5 44.fg+ c;t?xg6 45.h3 (a decisive zugzwang that is familiar to us) 45 ...h5+ 46.'it>f3c;t?f7(h6) 47.h4! �g6 48.g4+-. 37... bS 38.aS 'it'd6 39.'it'd3 'it'e740.'it' e3 'it'f741. 'it'f3 But after the waiting 55... 'it>h8, it becomes clear that there is equality on the board despite one side's enormous material advantage: both of the awkwardly-positioned white queens lack mobility. 52 . .§c2? 'l.!1"xc2 53.d8"if1 "if1e2 leads Either Black has the spare tempo to the same drawn position. Commenting on the game, Vladimir ...a7-a6, or White has a5-a6 - you cannot tell in advance, which means Simagin suggested 52.d8� �xd8 that the players are in an equal position 53.�c6, with a transfer to a decisive on the queenside. attack. However, as master Igor Yanvarev 4t ...hs pointed out, on 52.d8�?, Black saves No better is 41...g5 42.fg+ c;t?xg6 himself by 52 ....§h 2+!! 53.�xh2 �xh2+ 43.'it>g4 a6 44.h3!+- (zugzwang). 54.'�xh2 stalemate. 42.g41? He also gave a brilliant path to 42.c;t?g2!? is also enough for a win. victory. 42 ...h4 S2.d84)11 No help is 42 ...�g8 43.'it>g3! �h7 44.c;t?h4 c;t?h645 .a6 (zugzwang) 45 ...hg 46.'it>xg4 'it'h7 47.'it'h5 +- . 43.gSI fg 44.'it'g4 'it'f6 4S.'it'hSI h3 46.a6+-, and Black has fallen into zugzwang. Magerramov's analysis, with slight corrections, is the basis of the endgame comments. S2 ...�e2 1-171 Simagin - Kholmov * After 52 ...'l.!1"xd8, the continuation White has to do something, since 53.'l.!1"c6! 'l.!1"f8 54.�g6+ 'it>h8 55 . .§f7 52 .. .'l11e2 is threatened. "if1g8 56.'lf1xf5 (or 56. .§e7) wins. The 126 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources most stubborn is the move S2 .. :�a2!?, controlling the e6-square, but with cautious play White should make the best of his extra knight. 53.�xg7+! �xg7 (S3 ...)t>h8 S4.!!h7+! �g8 SS.�dS+) 54.t\'b7+ �h8 (S4 ...)t>g8 SS.� f7+)t>h8 S6.'lM 6+ 'itlg8 S7.�g6+) 55.�f7+ �g8 (SS ...)t>g7 S6 . .£'\gS+) 56.�xh6+ �h8 57.t\'c8+ �g7 58.t\'g8+, and mate 15.�xb7 on the next move. lS. .£'\xeS �c7 16.�f7+ )t>d8 17.�xg7 �xeS 18.�xh8+ )t>c7 1-172 Golovko - Notkin 19.�g7 l:!g8 also loses, for example: A position from a variation of the 20:i*h6 .£'\xe4! 21.de �xe4 22.f3 Ruy Lopez after the moves l.e4 eS �d4+ 23.)t>hl �xb2 or 20.�f7 .£'lg4 2 . .£'\f3 .£'lc63. AbS a6 4.Aa4 .£'lf6 S.0-0 21.g3 l:!g7 22.�8 �hS 23.�4+ d6 bS 6 . .llb3 Ab7 7.d3 Ad6!? (7 ...Ae7) 24.h4 .£'\eS. 8.c4 be 9.Axc4 .£'\aS. 15••• -'l.b6! White should play simply 10. .£'\bd2 The white queen is trapped; the 0-0 ll.a3!?;!;, intending 12.b4 or threat of 16 ...l:!a 7 is unstoppable! 12.�a2. The tempting bishop sacrifice 16.�xe5 �a7 17.t\'xa7 on f7 is refutedby fo rce. Or 17 . .£'lc6 (without check! - this 10.-'l.xf7+? �xf7 11.-'l.d2c5! 11... .£'lc6? 12.�b3+ ®e7 13.�xb7 is why it was important to retreat the leaves White with a healthy extra pawn, king specifically to e8) 17 ...!!x b7 and ll...Axe4? 12.de - with a clear 18. .£'\xd8 Axd8-+ . positional advantage. 17••• j},xa 7-+, and after 18. .£'\c3 .Jtlc7 19 . .£'lc4!!f8 20.eS .£'\g421.h 3 .£'lh6 22 . .£'ld6+'itld8, White resigned. 1-173 Janowski - Marshall The move 14 ••• h6! is principled: it is important for Black to kick the knightaway, taking the pressure offthe f7-square. On 1S . .£'\f3, both 1S.. .'�c7 and lS... bS!? are possible. In the game 1S. .llf3 hg 16.AxdS e6 17.Af3 In the line 12.AxaS �xaS 13:'l*b3+ (17 . .£'\xd6 ed=i=) 17 ..:� c7! 18. .£'\e3 �e7 14:�xb7 !!hb8-+ the queen is (18.AxgS .£'\xd4 19.cd �xc4) 18... .£'\aS trapped. But if your calculations are limited to this, the problem cannot be was played, with a good position. considered solved - White can play But it is necessary to carefully stronger. examine the knight sacrifice 15.�xf7 12. t\'a4 -'l.c7!(12 ....£'lc6? 13.�b3+ �xf7 16.-'l.f3 (16. .£'le3 e6 :;:) and 14.�xb7 ±) 13.-'l.xa5 Jtxa5 16••• -'l.e6! (16... e6? 17. .£'\xd6+ 'itlg8 14. �b3+ �e8! 18.!!fel ± ) 17.�fel!. 127 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources instead of the knight retreat examined by Alekhine on the 17th move, playing B? 17... 4)e5!! 18.de 4)b6. Nothing better is evident than the desperate 19. 1-174 Linn - Rozenfeld Bad is 17 ...�a5? 18.�xa5 �xa5 The move l.§c5!? is principled - 19.�xe6! or 17 ...�d7? 18.�xe6 �xe6 White does not flinch at sacrificing in 19.�e5+. We can try 17... 4)c 7!?, not order to open up the al-h8 diagonal. fe aring 18.d5? ltxd5 19.ltxd5+ �xd5 The rook must be taken: if l...�d6? 20.�e3 e6+. The only way to continue both 2.d5 e5 (2 ...�xc5+ 3.m2+-) the onslaught is 18.laxe6 4)xe6. 3.�c4 and 2.�e5 .ilf5 (2 ....ilb7 3.�xe6 or 3.d5; 2 .....11. d5 3.e4) 3.d5! ed 4.�exf5 win. l ...bc 2.dc �xc5+ (2 ...e5? W? 3 . .ilxe5)3.e3! Of course, not 3.�f2?? �dl + 4.Ml e5! 5 . .ilxe5�x fl +! 6.�xfl �cl +. 3 ...�xe 3+ 4.laf2 Alexander Alekhine considered the B? knight sacrifice on f7 incorrect in view of the variations 19.d5? �c5 -+ and 19.Ad5?! �d7 20 . .ilxe6+(2 0.�el �d8) 20 ...�xe6 2l.d5 (on 21.�el, the most decisive is 21...�xd4! -+ ) 21...�e2! 22.dc (22.�el �d4!) 22 ... d5! 23.cb �xc4 -+ . It seems that White's combination White's play can be improved by is correct. 4 ... e5? 5 . .ilxe5 is bad, and the continuation given by master Oleg after what happened in the game, Chebotarev: 19.lael! d5 (19... �d7? 4 ...�dl +? 5.-'l.fl �xfl + 6.�xfl e5 20.d5+- ) 20.Jl,xd5 �xd5 21.4)e5+. 7 . .ilxe5, Black cannot find a perpetual check. Next came 7 ...�c l+ 8.®e2 However, the move 14 ...h6! is not �c3+ (8 .....11. d3+ 9.®f3! +- , but not refuted by this: after 21...�xe5 22.de 9.�xd3?! �b4+ 10.®e2 �c2+ ll.®fl �ed8, with a subsequent 23 ...�a5, the �cl + 12. 128 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources 4 .. :�·ct+I! 5 . .Q.fll (on 5 . ..\lxcl?! But the subtle move 3.'it>f2!!, 5 .. ."�xb2 6:�xb2 lf:)b4, and the Black in a difficult position: outcome of the battle remains unclear: 3 ... breakthrough . ..b7-b 5. Sergey Makarichev carelessly played 32 . .1ld3?!, getting in reply 32 ...b5 ! 33.ab ab. W? For example, 2 ....\lhl (2 ....§.d 6 3 . .§.xc7 e5 4.�xe5 �xe5 5.de± is more stubborn) 3.e4! .llxe4 4 . .§.xe4 �xe4 5.d5+-. Aagaard suggested defending with l... .§.e8!? 2 . .§.f4 .§.de7!. The affair was exacerbated by the desperate 34.e5? �xe5 35.flel�d4 36.f6 (36.fle4 �f2+ 37.fle2�h4 -+ ) 36 ...�xf 6 W? 37.�h7+ �f8 38.cb �d4 39.�g6 flf6 40:lii'e4 flh6, and Black won. On the "normal" 34.cb, White was obviously bothered by both 34 ...�d4 (on which he has to findthe difficult-to calculate "spin" shot 35.e5! i£txe5 36.flelor 35 ...c4 !? 36.�h7+! �f837.f 6 3 . .§.xe4? �xe4 4.d5 �e3+ 5.'it>fl .llxf6 38.�h6+ �e8 37.ef with mutual e5 no longer works, and 3 . .\lfl 129 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 38.�e8+) 36 . .1ld3 �xc3! 37.bc �xc3+ the affair could end with a repetition of 38.' 130 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources bl� 65.�f3+ �d2 (65 ...'i£tc 4 this - so as not to calculate unnecessary 66 ..�c 6+) 66.�f2+ �c3 67.'�d4+with variations). For example, 2 ...�g l an unavoidable exchange of queens. 3.4Jf3+'i£ffl . With the rook on a2 White Igor Zaitsev gave a path to would simply take the pawn with the knight, but here he has to play salvation. When aiming for b4 with the 4.E!.xh2. However, Black does not get rook, it is important to cut the enemy a "rabid rook": 4 ...E!.b5+ 5.� d4 E!.b4+ king off :fromthe center. 6.'i£fd5 E!.b5+ 7. 59.h5 (otherwise 59 ...El.b 4!=) W? 59••• .§h6! 60 • .§h4 63. 131 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources s.'it'f3 (5.' 3.b6! 4:\xd6 (no help are 3 ...ab 4.cb 'l:i'xg2+!? 5.�xg2 4:\xd6 6.b7+ 4:\xb7 On the earlier l.�a2?, Black saves 7.ab+ �xb7 8.�a2+ �b8 9 . .ila7+ �c7 himself by attacking the rook: 6 ...�a3! 10.�c2+ or 9 ...®a8 10.�ba3!+- ) 4.cd 7.�e2 �a2= (or 7 ...�al =). But 6 ...�e 3 �ec7 (all the rest are easily refuted, for is useless here because of7.' W? After 4.b7+ 4:\xb7 5.ab+ �xb7 6.�xb7 ' 132 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources preparing b6-b7+ in a situation that is makes his opponent force a draw with more favorable fo r White. I do not see "only" moves. a satisfactory defense here; 2.cb! ab! 3 . .§bc3! .tlfl+ (also (d) l...bc?! 2 . .§xc5! possible is 3 ....§b 8!?, which objectively Although this does not win, it sets does not change the evaluation) 4.�hl difficult problems for our opponent. A .£lg3+ 5.�h2= quick draw can be obtained by other We can wander in the labyrinth of means, for example: 2 . .§b8+ .§xb8 variations for a long time, but a player 3:ili"c6+ .§eb7 4.ab+ .§xb7=. probably will not get lost in them at the board ifhe uses Ariadne's thread, in the role of which the principle of"candidate moves" appears here. By findinganother B? resource fo r Black and quickly understanding that it puts his opponent in a difficult position, we can avoid a detailed analysis of other continuations; (f) l ....§.e 2!! 2 ..:i!i"f5! The only defense. An interim check leads to defeat: 2 ....£lfl +? 3.�hl �f5 4.�xf6! �d7 5:i!i"xfl +- . 3 . .§bc3!? .tlfl+ (nothing else is worthwhile) 4.�hl .£lg3+ 5.�xg3! (trying to keep fighting for a win) 5 ....§x c5! 6.�g8! (6.�d6 .§c8! 7.�xf6! �d7! is worse) 6 ....§x c3 7.�xd8+ �c8 Black plays for mate: 2 ....£lfl + (7 ....§c 8? 8.'lii'xe7+-) 8.�xe7 .§xh3+! 3.�hl �xg2 #. After 2 .§x. e2 4Jxe2 (8 ...�xa6 ;!; is also possible, but it is (threatening 3 ...�c7) useless is 3.cb sounder to force a draw immediately) 1.txb6, and otherwise the queens are 9.gh �xh3+ 10.1.th2 �fl + with exchanged and a winning endgame for perpetual check; Black arises: 3.�e6 �e5+ 4.�xe5 (e) l...�f5!? fe -+ or 3.�d7 �e5+ 4.�hl �c7 (on 5.�e6, decisive is 5 ....£lg3+ 6.�h2 .tle4+7.d 6 4:1xc5!). 2 . .1l,f2�fl +I? W? Of course 2 ... .§xc2? 3.�d7 +- does not work, but quite possible is 2 ....§x f2!? 3.E!.xf2 �ell (3 ....£le4 4.�e6! �e5+ 5.�xe5 fe 6.cb 1.txb6=i= promises significantly less) 4 . .§.xg3 �xc5 (or 4 ...hg+ 5.�xg3 �xc5 6.d6 'lii'c6) 5.�xc5 hg+ 6.�xg3 .§.xc5 -+ . A subtle move: by defending the 3.�gl �e3 4 . .§.xe3 .§.xc2-+. rook in advance (and attacking the Black is a rook up, and his enemy one at the same time), Black opponent's attack is repelled without 133 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources difficulty: 5.'�d7 t!cl+ 6.t!el t!xel+ not found the solution. Garry Kasparov 7.Axel �e3+ 8.�f2 'l!Ycl+ 9.«fth2'M4 + did not find it in the game either. lO.«fthl 'l!Yc7-+ or 5.t!e8 f5 6.�d7 49 ...i£'\xf 5?! 50.Ad4! c6 51.'l!Yal t!cl+7. �el t!xel+8.§.xel t!c 7 -+ . i£'\xd4 (51...�f3 52.�a8!) 52.cd 1-179 Timman - Kasparov Black has a clear positional advantage, but it is not easy to exploit. With carefulexamination one drawback or another can be fo und for every move. On 49 ...�xf 5?! the strong reply 50.'l!Ydl! appears, preparing not only check on h5, but also 51.'l!Yg4. In the case of 49 ...i£'\xf 5?! the tactical resource 50.Ad4! can be found, and there is no White's pawns are weak, but the 50 ...i£'\xd 4? 5l.�xd5+, and if 50 ...c6, exposed position of the enemy king then the king is exposed and the white gives him sufficient counter-chances. 52 ...'l!Yd2 queen breaks out to freedom: 51.�al. On 52 ...'l!Yf3, Kasparov gives the The same reply 50.'l!Yal! is also variation 53.�a7+ �g6 54.®gl �xh3 good on an immediate 49 ...c6 ?!. 55.'l!Yb6 �e6 56.b5 with equality. 49... h5?! is tempting. Instead of 53 ...«ftg6, it makes sense to try 53 ...®£ 6!?, when 54.'it'gl?!�xh3 no longer works: after55 .'l!Yb6 'l!Ye6,there W? is no pin on the sixth rank - the queen is defended by the king. You have to play 54.�a2, and if 54 ...�f4 + 55.«ftgl �xd4, then 56.�a8. 53:�a7+ «ftg6 54.�g2 'l!Yxb4 55.�d7! �xd4 56:�e8+ Jan Timman does not rush to take the pawn (56.'l!Yxc6+ «fth5), hoping to The pawn is poison: 50.Axg5?? first worsen the position of the black i£'lf3+. If 50.b5 'l!Yxf5 51.�dl, Black pieces. does not play 51...1£'lf3+?! 52.' 134 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources down at the moment - he not only 56.�e3 h5 is not completely cannot improve his position, it is convincing. difficult to even suggest a move that will not worsen it. However, Black is also facing the same problem, as his forces are now positioned optimally. He W? manages to play for zugzwang only by deciding on a king retreat that is not obvious. 49 ...�g 8!!. Let's investigate his opponent's replies. (a) On 50.f6 �f7. it is not any easier fo r White -again good advice fo r White parries the threat of a further him is hard to come by; advance of the h-pawn with the surprise (b) The move 50.�al frees up an move 57.�g2!. important square fo r the enemy queen: 50 ... �f3+ 51.�g2 'ite4 is much 50 ...�e4! 51.'ii:Yhl 'ii:Ye5+ (or according stronger, and after52 .-'te3it is possible to Kasparov: 51...�f3+ 52.®g3 �e5+ to play as in the variation 50.'l!:i'al: 53.®g2 �h4+ 54.®fl �xf5) 52.®gl 52 ...�h4+ 53.�h2 'ite5+ 54.�gl 'itxf5; �xf5 - the f5-pawn has been eaten, and (e) All that is left is to investigate his opponent's pieces are still squeezed the desperate try 50.b5!. into the corner; (c) Let's have a look at SO.-'lcS. B? B? It is justified on Kasparov's Kasparov gives 50 ...h5 (with an suggestion 50 ...�f7 (again his exclamation mark) 5Ul.e3 'l!:i'xf5, exclamation mark has to be replaced by overlooking a successful defense: a question mark) 51.b6! cb 52.'italwith 51.'ii:Ycl! �f7 (or51.. .'itxf5) 52.'ite3. counterplay. We have to be satisfied Black maintains a large advantage with an extra pawn after 50 ...'itxb5 by playing so . . . �f3+! Sl.�g3 51.'ii:Ydl �xf5 (unfortunately 51. .. 'l!:i'c6 (51.'it>g2 'itxc3 52.'ltdl �h4+ 53.�gl 52.f6! d4? 53.'l!:i'b3+ �f8 54.'ita3+= does not work). However, as Artur 'l!:i'e5 +) Sl . . . �d2+ S2.�h2 (52.i;te3 �fl + 53.�g2 �xe3+ 54.fe 'ite2+ Yusupov pointed out, after 52.'itg4, it 55.�g3 'itxe3+and the pawn endgame is still very difficult for Black to make the best of his material advantage. that arises is easily won) S2 . ..�f7; (d) In reply to 50.l;td4, the tempting In connection with that, the 50 ...�xf5 51.'l!:i'dl 'itf4+ 52.�gl �f3+ grandmaster suggested retreating the 53.�g2 g4 54.hg 'itxg4+ 55.�fl 'ite4 king to a neighboring square: 135 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 49 •••�f8! !. The differencemakes itself 28.�xdl Axf2 29 . .£lxd4 ± White is left fe lt in the variation 50.b5 �xb5 a pawn up in a minor piece endgame, 51.�dl . but a win is far fromguaranteed for him. Much more unpleasant for his opponent is 24J:!f4! �xd3 25.�g4 Axf4 26.cd Ae3+ 27/.t>fl +- or 24 ...b5 25.�xe4 Axh4 26.�xh4+- . 23Jnf4 (the critical moment!) B? Black wins by 51 ... l'tc6!with the terrible threat of 52 ...d4. For example, 52 . .1ld4 �d6+ 53.'if?gl c5 54.Ae3 d4 or 52.�g4 �xc3. And on 50.Ac5+ he can continue 50 ...'if?g8 51..1le3 ®f7 (zugzwang) A knight check does not bring 52.b5 �xb5 53:�dl �c6!. Black anyjo y, as his bishop cannot take So, on 49 ...®g 8!!, or, even more on h4. precisely, 49 ...'if?f 8!!, Black maintains a 23 ....£lf 3+?! 24.� lxf3 ! (worse is large advantage, which is probably 24.�4xf3 �xd3! 25.cd �xf3!;!;) enough for a win. 24 ...�el + (24 ...�x d3 25.cd �xf3 26.gf, and the queen is defended) 1-180 Sax - Vaganian 25.-'i.fl �xf3! 26.gf Axh4 27.1::!. xh4 First let's have a look at how the �5e2 28.1::!.e4!? {28 . .£lxd4?! �d2 29.-tlf5 game continued. �xc2 with counterplay, fails; in the 22.�xf7?! .£lxg5! variation 28.�xd4 �xc2 29.�d2 1::!. xd2 This is considerably stronger than 30 . .£lxd2, White's advantage may not 22 ...�xf7? 23.�x f7 Axg5. be enough for a win) 28 ...�x e4 29.fe, and Black is unlikely to hold this ending. 23 ....£lh3+ ?! 24.gh h5! {24 ...1::!. g5+? W? 25.�g4+-) 25.�f5! l::!.xf5 26.�xf5�xf5 27.�xe7 with great winning chances for White. Black maintains equality by 23 ...�x d3! 24.cd .£le6! and 25 ....£lxf4. After the move in the game, he was left a pawn down. Of course, fighting is In the variation 24.1::!.fl !? l::!. xd3! (the still possible, but Rafael Vaganian acted queen is offlimits in view of25.Ac4+) very nervously and justifiablylost. 25.�g4! Ae3+ 26.�hl .£lf2+ 27.1::!. xf2 23 ...b5?! 24.�f2 �f6 25.1::!. xd4 �dl+! (more stubborn than 27 ...Axf2 �e6?! (preferable is 25 ...�a 8!) 26.1::!.d8+ 28:�c8+ 'if?f7 29.�xb7+ and 30.g3) '!lf7 27 . .llf5 �b6 28.1::!.d7+ '!le8?! 136 Pay Attention to Your Opponent's Resources (28 ...'it?g8) 29.�d3! 4:'lt7 30.�xh7 4:'ld6 The most precise is 25.�el! �xd2 3Ulg6+ (d) 24••• l\?(e2 (the main variation, given by Gyula Sax) W? W? 24.4)d2! This counter-blow has to be seen in advance. The game now branches out, and it is very difficult to calculate 25.E{xe7! the variations that arise precisely. 25.�xg3?! �xe5 26.4:'lf3 �e4 (a) 24 ...-lli' xfl + 25.4:'lxfl 4:'le2+ 27.-lli'b8+ ..llf8 28.�xb7 d3!? 29.cd �b4 265.t>f2 �xeS 27.4:'ld2 +- ; is harmless, and White, in any case, is (b) 24 ...-lli' xc2 25.4:'le4! (more no better. convincing than 25.�xe7 4:'le2+ 26.'it>hl 25 ••• 4)xfl (25 ...� xe7 26.-lli'xg3 +- ; �xe7 27.g6 hg 28.'l!i'xe7 'l!i'xd2 25 ...�xd2 26.-lli'xg3 +- ) 26.4)e4! 29.-lli'xt7+ )t>h7±; 30.-lli'xb7? does not The moves can also be transposed: work because of30 ...4:'lg3 +! with a draw) 26.g6!? hg (26 ...4:'lxd2 27.-lli'xh7+ )t>f8 25 ...�x e4 26:�xg3 �xe5 27.-lli'xe5 .M8 28.�xt7+)27.4:'l e4. 28.-lli'd5, and White should win; 26 ••• 137 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Chapter II: The Process of Elimination Sometimes accurately calculating the consequences of our intended move is difficult and even unnecessary. It is easier to convince ourselves that it makes sense, is not refuted immediately, and all the other moves are bad or at least noticeably weaker. As a result, we save time and simultaneously confirm the correctness of our choice. It is natural to call this approach to decision-making the process of elimination. Kortchnoi - Gipslis the choice between two knightmoves Zonal tournament,Tallinn 1967 to defend the queen he should concentrate on the search fo r his opponent's resources. And then the move in the game will be rej ected in B? favor of 25. switches to Black) 26 • .1lf3 itxc2 (26 .. :itfxb4!? 27.�c6 .!:!xdl + 28.�xdl �a3 + is no less strong) 27 .� xc2 E!xdl+ 28• .Q.xdl �d3 29.f4 .Q.xb4 30.,1le2 .1lc5+, and Black is left a pawn up. The situation White came up The queen thrust to a4 that fo llows against when he was considering his in the game is easily refuted by 25. 25th move is fairly typical. When you �ell, with a double attack on his compare two continuations that are opponent's rook and knight. Which equally attractive at first sight, it often means the knightshould have retreated, makes sense to try and refute one of but to where? them, to then choose the other by the On 24 ...�d7? the response 25.�g5 process of elimination. hg 26.Axa8 �xe5 ± is not bad, but 25:itfc7 .§d8 (nothing else works) Saidy - Popovych 26 . .1lil is even stronger, with the Gausdal 1982 unstoppable threat of 27 .Ab5 +- . Material losses are inevitable with 24 ...�a4? 25. 138 The Process of Elimination in view of 66 ...§el + 67. Randviir - Bronstein Pamu 1947 B? You have to defend against l...�el +. But it is also importantto bear in mind another, less obvious threat, l...�e5. Thus l.�cl? �e5! with a double attack (2 ...�x f5; 2 ...Aa2+) loses instantly. For the same reason the natural move in the game l.tNc3? is also a mistake. His The aggressive thrust 14... <£lb4? opponent replied l ... §eS!, threatening (hoping for 15:i*xh8?? <£lc2+ 16.'it>e2 not only 2 ...�x f5, but also 2 ... "i!i"xc7!. Ac4 #) is refuted by 15.Ab5+! c6 After 2.§dl §xfS, Black won. 16.0-0! ± (but not 16.�xh8?? �xg2! The choice has narrowed down 17.�fl <£lc2+ 18. �e2 Ag4#). considerably to the two pawn moves Which means you should simply l.b3 and l.c4. It is not possible to play 14... �e5! (there is also eliminate one of them conclusively, but 14 ...�e7!?, intending 15.�xh8? it is easy to observe that on l.b3?! �e5! <£lb4-+, but after15 .<£ld2you still have 2.<£ld6 (on 2.<£ld4?both 2 ...Axf3 and 2 ... to exchange queens with 15... �e5) Axb3 are strong) White's position is lS.�xeS �xeS+. alarming. Besides the capture of one of the pawns with the bishop (on which the What is the standard procedure for only playable reply to be fo und is 3. using the process of elimination? We �b6), 2 ... b6!? 3.�xb6 �5e6 also looks determine all the candidate moves that strong. In the fo rced variation 4.<£lxf7! make sense, then carefully look fo r the �e1 + (4 ...�x b6 5.<£lxd8 �xd8 6.�d1 strongest responses by our opponent, is weaker) 5.�xe1 �xe1 + 6. 139 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources But with l.c4! Black has no time for White's position is won. He can the dangerous move .El.e5, and 1... �xf3? happily ignore the threat of35 ....1lxd4, 2.gf .El.e5 is refuted by 3.�h6+! gh as then the black king will be left 4.f'!.gl+. which means l...�c6 is fo rced, defenseless - which means that 35.gh on which we play 2. �d4!, apparently is strong. He can also take the rook out keeping the extra pawn. Then again, by fromunder attack with 35.f'!.d3. continuing 2 ...�g5 !, the opponent again Grandmaster Geller played poses a tricky problem for White. 35.�e5??. He created the threat of 36.�f6+ (immediately this check does not give him anything), underestimating the only defense, which is not difficult to choose by the W? process of elimination. 35 .. .'�b2! 36 • .£)f6+ j},xf6 37.�g4+ The d4-rook is under fire, so he cannot just take on f6 (37.�xf6 �xd4 38.f'!.e8+ .El.xe8 39.'�xd4 f'!.el+ 40.'itlh2 hg 41.®xg2 .El.e6 -+ ). The knight and the g2-pawn are under attack. 3.�g4? does not work because of the impressive blow B? 3 ...�e4+ !!. It is very difficult to see why the quiet 3.4Jg3? is bad. A surprise pawn move on the other side fo llows, 3 ...a4 !! -+ , freeing the aS-square for the queen, and the c7-rook finds itself in a trap. Which means that we have to part with the f3-pawn by playing 3.g4! .\lxf3 4. f'!.gl with a subsequent 5.h4 (4 . .El.fl Black has to reject one of two .llxg4 5:�d5 h6 6.'itla2 also deserves possibilities: 37 ...Ag5 or 37 ...�g7. In attention). the game neither player turnedout to be at their peak. Geller - Gufeld 37 ...Jl.g 5? 38.�xg5+? hg 39.�xg5+ �h7 40.�h5+ �g8 Soviet Championship, Tbilisi 1959 41.�g5+ (41.f'!.g5+ �g7=), draw In reply to 38. �xg5+! hg 39.f'!.exg5+, Eduard Gufeld envisioned the only defense against mate: 39 ...�g 7!! 40.f'!.xg7+ 'itlh8 4l.f'!.7g5 f6. But he evaluated the position that arose incorrectly: after 42.f'!.d5 hg 43.'itlxg2 the d6-pawn is inviolable, and there is a clear advantage on White's side. And now let's look at a different bishop retreat: 37 ....1lg7 ! 38.�f6 �bl + with a subsequent 39 ...�h 7. 140 The Process of Elimination without noticing a resource that changes its evaluation in our favor. As a result we W? choose another, weaker one. However, sometimes an approximate, imprecise calculation of some of the variations nevertheless helps us to choose a good path, even if objectively it is not the only possible one. Commenting on the game, Gufeld Van der Wiel - Timman gave the variation 39.�h2 "'®"h740.E!e7 Amsterdam 1987 E!xe7 41.-®"xe7 E!f8 42.d7 �f5 (42 ...-®"d3 43.-®"f6+-) 43.�xf8+! 'it>xf8 44.d8"«Y +. Apparently it was because of this that he rejected the move 37... ..1l.g 7!. W? Alas, this "analysis" does not withstand cnttctsm. Instead of 41...E!f8?, it is possible to play 41...E!b8(a8) 42.d7 "«Yf5 43.d8"«Y+ E!xd8 44."«Yxd8+ �h7 with roughly equal chances. Even more importantly, by rejecting an exchange of rooks in favor of 40 ...�h 8!, Black wins, as John Van der Wiel justifiably 41."«Yxf7Ae 5+ does not work. rejected 47.b7? �xb7 48.�d5 E!c6 White's play can be improved by 49.�xe4 g5! 50.�d3 (50.�f3 E!c5 39.E!el! (instead of 39.'it>h2) 39 ..."«Yh7 51.e4 �c6-+) 50 ... g4, and White is (39 ..."«Yxe l +? 40.�h2 +-) 40.E!e7. Here defenseless. 40 ...�h8 is much less effective than He did not like the waiting move with the white king on h2: 41.�xf7E!g 8 47.�f4 because of 47 ...'it>d5 48.b7 E!b4 (there is no bishop check from e5) 49. E!xc3 E!xb7 - Black intends 42.d7=. so ...E!f7+ and 51...E!f3(f2). On 40 ...h2+ there fo llows 41.�hl!, 47.§.cl! of course. But if 40.. .!!x e7, then not Th ismove was fo und by the process 41."i!i'xe7? E!f842.d 7 "ili'd343.M 6?! "i!i'dl+ of elimination (Van der Wiel). The idea and 44 ..."i!i'xg4, but41.de! E!e8 42.g3!, is that after47 ...c2 48.�f4 �d5 49.b7 and it is impossible to make the best of E!b4 50.E!xc2 E!xb7, he manages to the extra piece because all the black force a draw with 51.E!d2+. In the game there fo llowed 47••• g5 pieces are tied down. Then again, White 48.�f5 §.c5+ (48 ...�d5 49.E!dl+ is not capable of making any noticeable �c5 50. E!d8) 49.�xe4 §.xa5 progress either, so a sharp battle should 50.§.xc3+ �xb6 51.§.c8 §.c5 end with a peaceful outcome. 52.§.b8+ �a7!? (52 ...'it>c6 53.'it>d4 That fragment illustrates the E!d5+ 54.'it>c4=) 53.§.f8 (53.E!g8!? aS difficulty of using the process of 54.�d4 E!b5 55.�c4 E!b4+ 56. �c5=) elimination in confusing situations. 53 ...a5 54.�d4 §.b555 .e4 a4 56.e5 Sometimes we throw out one of the a3 57.§.fl,and soon (true, aftera few possibilities aftercalculating it carelessly adventures) a peace treaty was signed. 141 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources And now let's go back to the position that arises after47. '�f4 �d5. W? White has an interesting path to a the same check comes to the rescue draw: 48 . .§.g2! c2 ( 48 ....§.b 4 49 . .§.xg7 l...Ae6+! (but not l...Ae8+? 2. �xe8 ®xg6 3.�f8!+- , and the black king does ®c4 50.®xe4 is not dangerous) 49.b7 c1 � 50 . .§.g5+! ®e6 5l.b8� �fl + not get to a safe comer). Finally, l.M6? 52.�g4 �f3 + 53.®h4, andhis opponent .ile8 2.h4 .ilxg6 3.Axg6 is stalemate. l.�g8! has to settle for perpetual check. In order to choose this move it is Moreover, even the variation not enough to throw out all the other calculated by Van der Wiel, 48.b7 .§.b4 continuations, you also have to fo resee 49.f1.xc3 .§.xb7, does not promise Black the bishop sacrificethat enables you to any real winning chances after 50 . .§.c8 put your opponent in zugzwang. For .§.f7+ 51. ®g4 .§.f3 52 . .§.a8 .§.xe3 example, l...Af5 2.g7! Axh7+ 3.®h8 53 . .§.xa6 .§.a3 54.f1.a8. �g6 4.h4! �h6 5.h5 +- . Or l ....Q.e6+ It turns out that the subtle rook 2.�h8! Af5 3.g7! .Q.xh7 4.h3! retreat to c1 is not compulsory at all. �g6 5.h4 �h6 6. h5+-. But it did not worsen White's position an iota and even offered him a good In School of Chess Ex cellence 1: additional opportunity in one of the Endgame Analysis and School of Chess variations. Which means that the Ex cellence 2: Tactical Play, I described attempt to use the process of an effective training method: playing elimination, if not all that accurate, still through specially-chosen positions taken produced a good result. from practical games or studies. In those exercises it is impossible or extremely Studies are an excellent practice difficultto calculate the correct path from ground for training in the process of beginning to end, and so you have to elimination. Here is a simple example. progress move by move. By playing through these studies we S. lsenegger learn to make some decisions quickly - 1951 (D) withthe help of the process of elimination - and at the key points, on the contrary, We can immediately toss out l.g7? to think fo r a while in order to find Ae6+! 2.®xe6 ®xg7 (an elementary non-obvious counterplay for our draw, as the bishop does not control the opponent and the only path that allows us h-pawn's promotion square). On l.Ag8? to achieve our aim. 142 The Process of Elimination 0. Pervakov 1997 W? W? And now the moment has come to go into the position deeply. We can reject both 7.'it'xh3? and 7.a7? .§g3+!. The rook cannot be touched: There are various ways to avoid an l.'it'xh3?d2 2.�h4 (threatening 3.Af8#) immediate draw. Let's test them. 2 ...'it'g7 ! -+ . The move l..ilb4? (or The "flashy"7 .Ag5? fg! even loses. l.�cl?) l..Jhh5 -+ is also 7.Af4? d2! 8.Axd2 d3 gives us unsatisfactory. Thus we come to the nothing (9 ....§g 3+ is again threatened), only playable option: first wefo rce the and on 9.Af4 - either 9 ...d2 10.�xd2 king to occupy the h5- square, and only .§g3+!, or 9 ....§h 4 10.a7 d2=. after that do we stop the d3-pawn. It On 7.f4?, Black replies 7 ....§h 4 8.f3 will then be difficult for Black to fight .§h3! (renewing the threat of9 ....§g 3+) the passed a-pawn. 9. �el d2! (it is important to get ridof 1.-'l.fS+! \!7xh5 2.j},b4 .§h4 one ofthe pawns) 10.Axd2 d3 11.-'tel 3.Jld2! .§g3 + (ll...d2 12.-'txd2 .§g3+ is also We make the last move after possible) 12.�xg3 (12.-'txg3 d2) convincing ourselves that 3.a5? is 12 ...d2 13. �xd2 stalemate. impossible because of 3 ... .§xf4 4.a6 .§f5 7.-'l.xh6! \!7xh6 5.a7 .§g5+and 6 ....§g 8. After the destruction of the h6- 3 •••\!7g6 ! pawn, 7 ...d2 8.-'txd2 d3 is now useless Threatening 4 ....§h5, but again we because of 9.f4! .§h4 10.f3+-. And in have a way of closing the rook's outlet to freedom. the variation in which the pawns on 4.f5+! both sides queen, White finds a way to It seems that the battle is over: after achieve a decisive advantage. 8.a7 d2 9.a8� d1 � 10. �h8+! 4 .. .'�xf5 5.a5 the pawn cannot be (but not 10.'il:Yf8 +? 'it'h7!=) 10 ••• \!7g5 stopped. But our opponent finds a surprising chance. ll.�g7+ \!7xf5 (ll...'it'h5 12.'il:Yxf7+ 'it'g5 13.'ll:Yg6+ does not change 4 •••\!7h5!! What is this? It looks like he is anything) 12.�g4+ \!7e5 13.f4+! and playing for stalemate. Well, for now we 14:i£l'xdl. have to move our pawn towards the promotion square and we will choose a In the examples we looked at above method of fighting our opponent's idea the continuations which should be a little later. rejected have a concrete refutation: a 5.a5 h6! 6.a6 lah3! move or a fo rced variation leading to 143 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources clearly unfavorable consequences. In But the natural bishop check on e6 endgame situations you can rarely get should be rejected not out of concrete by without such precise calculations - considerations, but purely positional which is why there are lots of studies ones: the e7-knight gets the g6-square, and practical endings among the afterwhich there is the threat of seizing exercises that I offerfor training on the the very important f4-square, which is process of elimination. in close proximity to the white king. In the opening and middlegame we So White should agree to exchange offthe f5-bishop and simply complete often eliminate this possibility or that his development: 15. .£\d2! .£\xf5 one out of positional considerations. In 16.i!rxf5 'i!Yc8 17.�xc8 .!:!axc8=. some respects this is easier: it does not 15.1te6+?! �h8 16.4)d2 4)g6 require precise calculation or finding (threatening 17... -'tf4) 17.1tf5? was non-obvious resources for your played in the game. opponent, but in others it is harder - the "Mistakes never occur alone." evaluation may betray us. Bertus Enklaar panicked and quickly lost. 17.-'txd5?.ilf4 . 18.ilxf6 �xd5 -+ Enklaar - Dvoretsky does not work; he should choose Wijk aan Zee 1975 between 17.'i!Yf5 (on which I intended l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �f6 3.�xe5 d6 17 ...c6 with a subsequent . . :iit'c7 and 4.�f3 �xe4 5.d4 d5 6 • .Q.d3 1te7 . ...ilf4) and 17. .£\b3. 7.0-0 �c6 8. E!el Jtg4 9.c3 f5 10.h3 17 ••• .Q.f4! 18.Axf6 (18.-'txf4 (10.-lWb3 or 10 . .£\bd2are usually played) .£\xf4 19.'i!Ye3 .£\6h5 or 18.-'txg6 -'txg5 10 •••.Q.xf 3!? (10 ...Ah5 is also possible) are hardly better) 18•• ."�xf6 19.Axg6 ll.gf!? (11.'iWxf3 0-0=) ll .•• �f6 Axd2 20.E!e2 (20.'i!Yxd2 i!rxg6+ is (11.. . .£\d6? 12. �b3) 12 • .Q.xf5 0-0 joyless too) 20••• .Q.f4 21.Axh7 13. ttd3 Ad6 14 • .Q.g5 �e7! (21.-'th5�g5 + 22.-'tg4h5) 21 •••t\'g5+ 22.�hl t\'h5, White resigned. Ivkov - Polgar,J. Monaco, 1994 W? l.e4 c5 2.�f3 4)c6 3 • .Q.b5 g6 4.0-0 Ag7 5.E!el ttb6?! 6.�c3 (6 . .£\a3!?) 6 •••4)d 4 7.4)d5 (7.-'tc4!?) 7 ••• 'itd88.� xd4 cd 9.c3?! 9.d3 is preferable, for example, 9 ...a6 10.-'ta4 b5 11..ilb3 e6 12.�f3! with a fo rmidable attacking position. 9 ...e6 Black obviously wants to exchange on f5 . We can immediately toss out 15. -'txf6? .!:!xf6 16.-'txh7+ �h8 (or W? 16 ...�£7) with the very dangerous threat of 17... g6 - White's position is unsatisfactory here. 15. .!:!e6? .£\xf5 16:iit'xf5 is also a mistake in view of 16 .. :�d7! 17.-'txf6 .!:!ae8! 144 The Process of Elimination The natural move 10.�f4? that reply either 11.b3 �f8 12.�a3+ d6 was made in the game is refutedby an 13. The knight sacrifice is also Belikov- Sa olin incorrect in this line: 10.�e2? ed Russian Championship, Elista 1995 11.ed+ �f8 12.d6 M6 -+ . 1.e4 c5 2.�f3 d6 3.d4 cd It seems that we already know 4.ttxd4 a6 5.c4 �c6 6.ttd1 �f6 7.�c3 g6 8.h3 Jtg7 9.Jl.e2 0-0 enough that by process of elimination 10.0-0 .ile611 .1te3 tta5 12.�d2 we can arrive at the only correct move, §fc8 13.�d5 10 . .£'lb4! ;t;.For a practical game, this reasoning is playable, allowing us to make a rational decision without wasting too much time. Still, at the end B? of the day we should check again to see if we have missed any candidate moves that make sense - what if they exist and promise us more than the modest knight retreat?! When the German player Berthold Ries was solving the problem, he looked fo r a way to get an attack after Difficult problems always have sacrificing the knight on d5. He simple, easy-to-understand, incorrect examined possibilities that I had not solutions (from the famous book considered. His conclusions were tested Murphy 's Law). and corrected by Artur Yusupov, and I used this example for a long time then by myself too. I will give our brief as an exercise fo r paying close attention summary. to your opponent's counter-chances. In the variation 10.d3?! ed 11.ed+ The logic seemed clear. You want to �f8 12.1li4 1U6 13.c4 �g7, White is parrythe threatsof 14. 145 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 15 .. :�a4! 16.4Jxb6 �b4 17.4Jxa8 �xa8 B? Black loses material. His resistance does not last long. Besides the pawn captures 15 •••�x d5? 16.�xa5 �c3 18 ...Axc4 or 18 ...Axb2, White also has Other knight retreats do not bring to reckon with 18 ...a5 and 18 ...�c 8. In any relief either: analysis, I did not manage to prove an 16 ...4Jb6 17 .4Jxc6 �xc6 18.b3! advantage for White - evidently the Axa1 19.�xa1 4Jd7 20.f4, and White's opponent preserves fu lly-fledged material advantage should make its counterplay. This course of action is presence fe lt. much more promising from a practical 16 ...4Jf 4!? 17.4Jxc6�x c6 18.�e1!? (18.-'ti3 also deserves attention, with point of view than the depressing the idea on 18 ....11. xc4 of replying defense after 13... .11. xd5. 19.e5!) 18... .11. xb2 (18... 4Jxe2+ 19.� xe2 The next game was played in the last .ll.xc4 20. �c2) 19.�b1 Ac3 20.�xb7 round of a big "Swiss" and determined �xe1 2l.�xe1, and again Black's who would be the winner of the chances of salvation are not great. 17.�xc6! �xdl 18.�xe7+ tournament and receive a very large �f8 19.�xc8 �xb2 20.�b6 §a7 monetary prize. A strange move. 20 .. J:le8 21.�ab1 f5 looks like a more natural attempt to help Hellers - Khalifman the knight that is stuck in the opponent's New York 1990 camp. But even then White preserves a l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.�c3 de 4.� xe4 .1lf5s. �g3 .ilg6 6.h4 h6 decisive advantage by choosing 22.e5! 7.�f3 �d7 s.hs Ah7 9.Ad3 .llxe5 23J!fcl .ild4 24J�c2 .llxb6 25. Axd3 10.�xd3 e6 ll.Af4 �a5+ �bxb2 with a subsequent 26J�xb7. 12.-'ld2 �c7 13.0-0-0 0-0-0 14. 21.§abl a5 22.§fcl .1ld4 �e2 �gf6 15.�e5 �b6 16.c4!? 23.§c2, Black resigned. Whethersomet hing is harmfUl or beneficial is determined by the circumstances - taught Kozma Prutkov. It would be a shame if you chose 13 ...4Jd7 only because you missed 14.�b6!. And conversely, very good if you played that way having foreseen your opponent's tactical blow and prepared a positional exchange sacrifice in response (suggested by grandmaster Simen Agdestein). 146 The Process of Elimination Here is what Alexander Khalifrnan 18 ....ll d6? 19.Elxd6 �xd6 20. 147 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Exercises 2-1 Ragozin - Boleslavsky 2-2 Feldmus - V. Nikitin Soviet Championship, Moscow 1945 Correspondence 1983 B? B? 2-3 Timoshchenko - Kuzmin 2-4 J. Moravec USSR 1980 1925 B? W? 2-5 Miles - Hort 2-6 Miles - Hort Amsterdam 1982 Amsterdam 1982 B? W? 148 The Process of Elimination 2-7 M. Dvoretsky 2-8 MacKay - Kondi 1981 London 1984 B? B? 2-9 Khalifman - Speelman 2-10 Gheorghiu - Liu Wenzhe Munich 1992 Olympiad, Lucerne 1982 B? W? 2-11 Anand - Timoshchenko 2-12 Gallagher - Nyback Frunze 1987 Stockholm2002 W? B? 149 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-13 Karpov - Csom 2-14 G. Fridstein Bad Lauterberg 1977 1987 B? B? 2-15 N. Grigoriev 2-16 N. Grigoriev 1933 1931 W? W? 2-17 R. Reti 2-18 A. Gurvich 1928 1961 W? W? 150 The Process of Elimination 2-20 Vranesic - Smyslov 2-19 Planinec - Bagirov Interzonal Tournament Banja Luka 1976 Amsterdam 1964 B? B? 2-21 Agdestein - Nunn 2-22 Dizdar - Chandler * Naestved 1985 Jurmala 1983 W? B? 2-23 M. Zinar 2-24 H. van der Heijden 1982 2002 W? W? 151 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-25 Miles - Makarichev 2-26 Dvoretsky - Geller Oslo 1984 Soviet Championship, Yerevan 1975 W? W? 2-27 Smejkal - Ambroz 2-28 Ravikumar - Nielsen Czechoslovak Championship 1978 Esbjerg 1980 W? B? 2-29 Taborov - Salov Soviet Championship Semifinal 2-30 J. Polgar - Svidler Nikolaev 1983 Haifa (rapid) 1998 B? B? 152 The Process of Elimination 2-31 Nunn - Sosonko 2-32 Ilyin-Zhenevsky - Ryumin Tilburg 1982 Soviet Championship, Leningrad 1934 W? W? 2-33 Fischer - Larsen 5th Game of Candidates' Match 2-34 Cvetkovic - Simic Denver 1971 Belgrade 1980 B? B? 2-35 Romanishin - Vogt 2-36 Crouch - Caffe rty Polanica-Zdroj 1980 Hastings 2001 B? W? 153 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-38 Kortchnoi - Polugaevsky 2-37 A. Sokolov - Short 7th Game of Candidates' Match Interzonal Tournament, Biel 1985 Evian 1977 B? W? 2-39 Smyslov - Kortchnoi Candidates' Tournament 2-40 Furman - Keres Montpellier 1985 Soviet Championship, Moscow 1948 W? W? 2-42 Simagin - Tarasov 2-41 Spiridonov - Shamkovich Soviet Championship Semifinal Polanica-Zdroj 1970 Sverdlovsk 1957 W? B? 154 The Process of Elimination 2-43 Daly - Smith 2-44 Polugaevsky - Hartston British Championship, Plymouth 1992 Las Pa1mas 1974 W? B? 2-45 Stahlberg - Alekhine 2-46 Chernin - Gindin Olympiad, Hamburg 1930 Kharkov 1975 W? W? 2-47 A. Cheron 2-48 Kempinski- 0gaard 1957 Saint-Vincent 2005 B? B? 155 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-49 Biro - Liptai 2-50 Smyslov - Botvinnik Hungary 1987 12th Match Game, Moscow 1957 W? W? 2-51 Pietzsch - Capello 2-52 Mestel - Flear Olympiad, Havana 1966 London 1986 B? B? 2-53 Adams - Lautier 2-54 Dehezdin - 0gaard Tilburg 1996 Capelle-la-Grande 2005 B? W? 156 The Process of Elimination 2-55 Yermolinsky - W chess 2-56 Yermolinsky - W chess Boston (rapid) 1994 Boston (rapid) 1994 B? B? 2-57 Yermolinsky - Wchess 2-58 G. Venink Boston (rapid) 1994 1922 W? W? 2-59 R. Reti 2-6o R. Reti 1928 1922 W? W? 157 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-61 A. Kazantsev 2-62 A. Gurvich 1950 1962 W? W? 2-63 Bitman - Alekseev * 2-64 Marcussi - Timmerman Moscow 1969 Correspondence 1985 W? B? 2-65 N. Grigoriev 2-66 L. Kayev 1932 1938 W? W? 158 The Process of Elimination 2-67 Smyslov - Veresov 2-68 Timoshchenko - Yusupov Moscow 1940 Soviet Championship, Frunze 1981 W? B? 2-69 R. Reti, A. Mandler 2-70 de Firmian - Gheorghiu 1921 Lone Pine 1980 W? B? 2-71 R. Reti 2-72 I. Sokolov - Rozentalis 1929 Tilburg 1993 W? W? 159 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-73 Steinitz - Lasker 2-74 Mastilovic - Belie 18th Match Game, USA 1894 Yugoslavia 1976 W? W? 2-75 G. Kasparyan * 2-76 G. Nadareishvili 1954 1964 W? W? 2-78 Estrin - Neishtadt 2-77 Lj ubojevic - Portisch Soviet Correspondence Championship Tilburg 1978 1963 W? B? 160 The Process of Elimination 2-79 Vaganian - Giorgadze 2-80 D. Gurevich - Schussler Zonal Tournament, Yerevan 1982 Eksjo 1982 B? B? 2-81 Vaisser - Martinovic 2-82 Dobrovolsky - Pekarek Vmjacka Banja 1984 Cadca 1984 W? B? 2-83 J. Timman * 2-84 Acs - Kortchnoi 1980 Ohrid 2001 W? B? 161 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-85 Van der Sterren - Kamsky Third Game of Candidates' Match 2-86 U. Feyga, H. Aloni Wijk aan Zee 1994 1978 W? W? 2-87 Ftacnik - Cvitan 2-88 V. Halberstadt Germany 1997 1938 W? W? 2-89 Anand - Radjabov 2-90 G. Nadareishvili * Dortmund 2003 1971 B? W? 162 The Process of Elimination 2-91 Tal - Beck * 2-92 A. Kuznetsov, B. Rybkin * Stockholm 1960 1983 B? W? 2-93 Balashov - Bellon 2-94 Mikhalchishin - G. Garcia Karlovac 1979 Cienfuegos 1981 B? B? 2-95 E. Janosi * 2-96 Kortchnoi - Timman 1978 London 1980 W? B? 163 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-97 G. Kasparyan * 2-98 D. Gurgenidze * 1968 2005 W? W? 2-99 A. Bezgodkov, V. Samilo * 2-100 V. Pakhman 1990 1980 W? W? 2-101 Chandler - Christiansen * 2-102 Romanishin - Van der Wiel Hastings 1981 Sarajevo 1984 B? W? 164 The Process of Elimination 2-103 Berg - Hort 2-104 Kramnik - Ivanchuk Biel 1985 Dortmund 1997 W? B? 2-105 Tukmakov - Agzamov * 2-106 M. Liburkin * Zonal Tournament, Yerevan 1982 1940 B? W? 2-107 A. Zaitsev - Shamkovich RSFSR Championship 1959 B? 165 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Solutions 2-1 Ragozin - Boleslavsky board will immediately be lost: 3.h5 Isaac Boleslavsky carelessly �e3 4.h6 f2 5.h7 flitr 6.h8itr itral+. played 35 .. .'it?f7??, and after36. e8itr+!, All that remains is l.Cifld5!! Ciflg2 he resigned because of 36 .. .'it?xe8 (l...�xh2? 2.�e4 �g2 3.�e3 +- - 37.�a4. Black is in zugzwang) 2.h4 Ciflxf2 By continuing 35 •••.§.b8! (with the 3.h5=. idea of36... t:l.e 8), Black retains winning chances. 2-5 Miles - Hort Black rejected the "active" defense 2-2 Feldmus - V. Nikitin 33 ...t:!.b b2? because of 34.�h3! t:!.xf2 Exchange on g5 or advance the 35. �h4! t:!.xh2+ 36.�g5 +- . He simply h-pawn? The question should be defended the f7-pawn: 33 ••• .§.f8!=. answered not based on positional There then fo llowed 34.t:!.e7 considerations, but purely concrete (White prevents the move 34 ...�g7) ones. In the game there fo llowed 34 ...a3 35. �f3 t:l.al 36.h3 t:l.a2 37.h4 20 ... h5? 21.t:l.f4! (threatening 22.�xg6), t:!.al 38.�f4 t:!.a2 39.f3 t:l.f2 40.t:l.xa3 and Black resigned, as he inevitably �g7 41.t:l.a6 �f6, and the position in loses a pawn and his position is hopeless. the next exercise came about. 20••• hg! 2l.hg .§.e8:t/± is necessary. Black has a difficult ending, 2-6 Miles - Hort but there is still nothing better fo r him. Tony Miles probably realized that he had no chance of success, but he 2-3 Timoshchenko - Kuzmin nevertheless pretended to fight fo r a Where should the king retreat to? win, not suspecting that the dangers Gennady Kuzmin did not guess right: might not only threaten his opponent. 29 ... �e7? 30.t:!.b8 t:!.a4 (if 30 ...b3, then After 42.t:l.d7?? t:!.g8!, it became 31.t:l.xb3) 31.t:l.e4 t:!.al 32.t:!.bxb4, and clear that there was no satisfactory with two pawns up, White won easily. defense against 43 ...t:!.g 4. White played Only 29 ••• Ciflg7! is correct. Now 43.e4, and immediately resigned. 30.t:l.b8 b3 is useless, and on 30 • .§.h7+, The threat has to be parried by there is 30 •••Ciflf6! (but not 30 ...�f8? 42 • .§.aa 7!= . 31.t:l.xe6). Thanks to the threat of ...b4- b3 Black should be able to draw. 2-7 M. Dvoretsky We can reject l...�f6? 2.�f4 2-4 J. Moravec You have to get (zugzwang) 2 ...�e7 3.'it'g5+- . No good close to the pawns so that your opponent either is l...f6? 2.�d4 �f7 3.�c5 �e7 does not have time to take on h2. 4.�c6 �d8 5.�d6+-. The only move In the variation l.�f5? �g2! 2.h4 remains: l •••Ciflf S!. The variations are �xf2 the black pawn promotes to a simple: queen with check: 3.h5 �g3 4.h6 f2 2.�f4 f6 !=; 5.h7 f1 itr+. 2.d6 �e8 3.�d4 f6! (but not l.�e5? �g2! 2.h4 �xf2 is also bad, 3 ...�d7? 4.�e5) 4.�d5 �d7 5.�c5 as the white queen that appears on the g5=; 166 The Process of Elimination 2.�d4 �e7 3.�c5 (3.�e5 f6+) 24 ..:�g1 +! fo llowed, and White 3 ...�d7 4.d6 f6 5.'�d5 g5=. resigned. Immediate mate also came on 2-8 MacKay - Kondi 24 . .£\xg4??�h1 + 25.�f2 �e1 *· Black carelessly played The situation that arises on 40 ...�xh 6?, not noticing the rook 24.�xg4?! fg is not completely harmless sacrifice41. �2 !. He laid down his arms for White: he has to deal with 25 ...g3 because of unavoidable mate: 4l...§xg8 and 25 ...h3. For example: 25:�d1 g3 42.§h1 + �g6 43.f5+ �g5 44/.fi>g3 26 . .£\h3?'l*h1 + 27 . .£\g1 h3! 28.gh t1/h2 .£\xe5 45.de and 46.§h5 *. 29.t1/f3 §ac8-+ . Instead of 26 . .£\h3?, He had to choose between the only move 26.§a3! can be found, 40 •••cifjlxg 4!? 41.E!,xg6+ hg 42.h7 but White does not need these kinds of E!,d8 and 40 ••• cifjlh4!? 4t.E!,xg6 adventures. {}xeS!. I will point out that the choice His opponent's attack is also easily is far from vious,ob as in both cases neutralized by 24.J,le2!?+-, and the difficulties making the best of his simple developing move 24 • .Q.d2!+- , material advantage crop up for Black. creating the threat of 23.�xf5. He should have gone deeply into the positions that arise in order to establish 2-11 Anand - Timoshchenko where the win was most likely, but we The d5-pawn is under attack, and will not do that here. we also have to deal with checks on c1 and e 1. Investigating various defenses, 2-9 Khalifman - Speelman we come to the only move, 33. "itc4!, The double blow 23 ...'l*c6?? is which allows us to preserve material refuted simply by 24:�xg7! - it is equality. Then comes 33 ...t1/e1 + 34.�1 necessary to resign immediately. 'l*d2 35.'l*c4 g6 36.g3=. Which means you have to exchange queens 23 •••"itxd 4+ and try 2-12 Gallagher - Nyback to save the difficult endgame after Trying to fo rce a draw with 24 . .£\xd4 .£\xd3 25.§a3 ±. 22 ...§c 6? 23.t1/xb7§b 8 does not work because of 24.�xc6! �xc6 25.§d6. 2-10 Gheorghiu - Liu Wenzhe 22 ...�c6? 23.§d6 'l*xb6 24.§xb6 White has a decisive advantage. It Ac6 25.§d6 (or first 25.1.txf8) also is not hard to repel the threat of loses. 24 ....£\xf2 25.�xf2 �g3+. But just not 22 ••• .Q.c6! is the move that was with the move 24.i*xf5??, played by played. After 23.l.td6 .£\d7 24.�e3 Florin Gheorghiu. Ab7 25.c3 §c6 the position remains roughly equal. 2-13 Karpov -Csom B? One of the knight moves leads to victory, and the other to defeat! Istvan Csom guessed wrong. There fo llowed 49 ....£\fB? 50 . .£\f5!, and Black resigned because of unavoidable mate: on a capture of the 167 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources knight or rook 51.�h2+ �g8 52.�g3+ easier to eat them. Now the enemy king is decisive. no longer succeeds in returning to its 49 ••• �gS! is necessary. If50.4)h5 own camp: l...�b3 2.�f7 �c4 3.�xg7 (threatening51. t:lh7+ 4)xh752 .�g7# ), h5 4.�g6 �d5 5.�xh5 �e6 6.�g6+- . then there are both 50 ...�e4 and On l...h6 the move 2.h5 is decisive. 50 ....§g 8. l ••• hS!? The only chance: Black is hoping 2-14 G. Fridstein for ...g7 -g5. For example: 2.�f7? g5! The pawn is threatening to queen 3.hg h4, and the pawns pass with discovered check. Then again, on simultaneously. l...hl�? it promotes not to a queen, but We should note that if the king was to a knight: 2.c84)+! �b8 (2 ...�a8 not partitioning the a2-g8 diagonal the 3.4)b6+ �b8 4.a7#) 3.a7+ �xc8 white pawn would queen with check. (3 ...�a8 4.4)b6#) 4 . .§xhl +- . The solution becomes clear. Checks are useless: l... .§bl +? 2. 1 ••• 168 The Process of Elimination Vit>f41 4)f2 (there is nothing 62.�xf4 'it>xf4 63.'it>e2(el)=. So Vasily else) 2. 2-20 Vranesic - Smyslov An attempt to play ''technically," 60 ...'it>f3?, is refuted by 6Lh4! gh 169 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Black's attack can be repelled in If 1...�3. then 2.eS! (2.gS? fg 3.eS? two ways: r:tif2! even loses) 2 .. .fe 3.gS e4 26.�g7+! �g8 27.AeS! �f3 + 4.�gl!+-. (27 ...AxeS 28.�gl+ and 29.�g2 +- ) 2.e5! fe 3.g5 e4 4.g6 e3 s.g7 e2 28.�gl AxeS 29.�b3!+- (29.�b3 6.g8� el� 7.�g2 # �c3= is worse); 26.AeS! 'l!t'f3+ (26 ...�xeS 2-25 Miles - Makarichev 27.f4! +- ; 26 ...�xeS 27.�a3+ and From a bird's eye view, the white 28.'l!t'h3 +- ) 27.�gl AxeS 28.�b3!+ knight is better than the bishop in this (but not 28.�b3? Ac3!=). structure, so Black wants to exchange on g3. For example, 37.'l!t'dS?! -'i.xg3 38.�xg3 'i!t'gl+ 39.�f3 �hl + 40.r:tie2 2-23 M. Zinar 'l!t'xdSwith a drawn pawn endgame. The l.�f4(f3)? �b3 2.eS �xa3 3.e6 knight needs to move away, but where? �b2 4.e7 a3 S.e8'l!t' a2 leads to a draw On 37.-tle2?! 'i!t'el=, there is no - the white king is too far away from 38.'i!t'xeS+?? Af6-+. After 37.-tlfl?! the queenside. We should note that with �b2, theknight has to be returnedto g3. the king on e3 or e2 this position would The only option remains: be won. l.eS? �dS 2.�f4 �e6 3.�e4 �e7 37.�hl!!. The f2-pawn is now solidly 4.�dS �d7 S.�cS �e6 6.�bS �xeS defended. White wants to tie down one 7.�xa4 �d6 8.�bS r:tic7= does not of the enemy pieces with the move achieve the aim either. If the pawn had 38.'l!t'c6, and then bring the knight back been eliminated on e4 instead of eS, the into the game. For example: 37 ...Ae7 black king will not succeed in getting 38.'l!t'c6 (38.�dS!?) 38 ...�d6 39.-tlg3 ± back to the safe comer. with a subsequent h4-hS. White's strategy becomes clear: do 37 ...�b2 38.�c6 not move the pawn, do not move the king away from the queenside without reason, and first try to make it your opponent's tum to move in the initial position. V�e2!! �d4 (l...�b3 2.eS �xa3 3.e6 r:tib24.e 7 a3 S.e8� a2 6.�d2 al 'l!t' 7.'l!t'bS+, and so on.) 2.�f3 �e5 (2 ...�c4 3.�e3! - zugzwang) 3.�e3 �e6 4.�d4 �d6 s.�c4 �e5 6.�b4 �xe4 7.�xa4 �d5 Black's position is unpleasant, of 8.�b5+- . course, but with precise defending White has to work quite hard. It is necessary to play 38 ....ilgS! 39.�f3 �bl 40.-tlg3 2-24 H. van der Heijden �dl + 41.�g2 �d8. The desperate pawn Attempts to win can only be sacrifice made by Sergey Makarichev associated with the pawn sacrifices does not bring him any relief. g4-gS or e4-eS. These breakthroughs 38 ...'l!t'b l? 39.'l!t'xc7 'l!t'e4+ 40.�h2 obviously cannot take place now or hS 41.�c6 'l!t'c2 42.gh 'l!t'fS 43.'l!t'g2!? after l.r:tih3? r:tif3. 'l!t'xhS 44.cS! be 4S.b6 �dl 46.�c6! l.�hl!! �fl Ae7 47.-tlg3 c4 48.b7 Ad6 49.-tle4 170 The Process of Elimination .llb8 50.'�c8 'i!j'f3 51.'1!1xb8 '1!1xe4 2-28 Ravikumar - Nielsen 52.'1!1c7 '(;1-f3 53.'itlg1! "l*d1+ 54. (counting on 31...'1!1xd2?32 .�c8+ 33.i;1'f5 + with perpetual check, or 45.b6+ By continuing 18 • .£le5!, White with check, but from which square? preserves a quiet, slightly better 26 ••• l'tc3+! 27. 171 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources The double-rook endgame 20 ...t!a d8?! 21.t! xe6! t!xd5 22.t!xe7 t!xd4 23.t!c3 ;!;/±is clearly in White's favor. But even worse is what happened in the game, 20 ....a.d6?. Bent Larsen obviously wanted to play the position after 21.t!g5 -'tf5, but he had underestimated the exchange sacrifice 2l.t!xe6! Axg3 22.t!e7 Ad6 A beautiful shot, reversing the evaluation of the position. On 18 ...�xg3+ 19.-'tg2 +- Black's attack hits a wall. On 18 ...�xd5 White gets a very important tempo to switch to a counterattack: 19J�adl �f3, and then, according to John Nunn's analysis, 20:�d7+ 'it>f6 21.t!d4! .a.xa7?! (21...lLlxg4! is more stubborn, but it is completely hopeless too: 22.hg -'txa7 23.t!el) 22.g5+! ®xg5 23.�e7+ f6 White has two fo rmidablebishops, 24.h4 •. pressure on the f7-squareand dangerous The game ended like this: 18 ...ed passed pawns on the queenside. 19.t!ael + 'it>d8 (19... ®d6 20.lLlb5+; 23 ...t!a c8 24.c4 a5 25.t!a7 Ac7 19 ...'it>f6 20.t!e3!) 20.lLlc6+! 'it>c7 (25 ....ilc5 . .ilxc526 t!xc5 27.'it>f2 with (20 ...bc 21.�a5+) 21.lLld4 �f6, and, a king march to d4) 26.g3 t!fe8 27.'it>fl Black resigned. t!e7 28.Af6! (not letting Black simplify the position with the move 28 ...Ad8) 2-32 Ilyin-Zhenevsky - Ryumin 28 ...t!e 3 29.Ac3 h5 30.t!a6! (but not The knight sacrificeon h6 that was 30.Axa5? -'1.xa5 31.t!xa5 t!ce8) made in the game is incorrect: 30 ....ile5 31.Ad2! t!d3 32.'it>e2 t!d4 21.lLlxh6+? ®f8! 22.�g3 (on 22.�g5, 33.-'tc3 t!cxc4 34.-'txc4 t!xc4 35.®d3! also are both 22 ...�f4 and 22 ...lLlh7) t!c5 36.t!xa5 t!xa5 37.-'txa5 .ilxb2 22 ...lLlf4! (but not 22 ...�xg3? 23.fg!) 38.a4 'it'f839.A c3 ..llxc3 40.®xc3 'it>e7 41.®d4 'it>d6 42.a5f6 43.a6 'it>c644 .a7 23.-ildlgh -+ . 'it>b7 45.'it>d5 h4 46.'it>e6, Black You have to retreat the queen, resigned. 21.�g 3!, and defend a worse position after 21...M4 22.lLlfe 3. 2-34 Cvetkovic - Simic 21...cb? 22.ab+ loses. In the 2-33 Fischer - Larsen variation 21...t!ab8?! 22.ab+ ab Black has to be satisfiedwith. the 23.t!a7+ t!b7 24.bc (24.§ la6!?) 24 ...bc move 20 . .. -'l.xdS!;;!;; , leading to an 25.t!la5 Black cannot avoid losing a ending with opposite-color bishops. pawn. On 21...'it>b7?!, unpleasant is After 21.t!xe7 t!fe8 (or 21...a6) the 22.Aa6+!? 'it>xa623.ab+ 'it>xb624.t!a 6+ game would most likely end in a draw. '!lc7 25.t!xe6 'it>d7 26.t!ea6, for Attempts to obtain more are example, 26 ...cb 27.t!dl+!? 'it>e8 refuted. (27 ...'!lc7 28.cb ±) 28.c4! ±. 172 The Process of Elimination By choosing 21 ...b51, Radoslav Realizing that on 23 ...ed there Simic prevents the opening of the a-file fo llows 24 . .llxf6 (24 ...�xf 6 and obtains good chances of equalizing. 25.�xb6+- ), by "process of It is probably worthwhile for his partner elimination" Black chose 23 ...e5. After to try 22 . .llxb5 §hbS 23 . .lla6 eb 24.eb 24.�e3 b5 (24 ... �a7? 25.a5+- ) .llxb4 25.fi:d3;!;.But in the game there 25.�a5, his position became fo llowed 22.be §abS 23.fi:bl 'it'e6 strategically difficult and White (23 ...a6? is much worse because of gradually won. 24.e4 ±) 24.a6 .llxe5, and 20-odd moves In critical situations a player must later the affair ended in a draw. be particularly careful in searching out hidden resources that provide chances 2-35 Romanishin - Vogt to change the unfavorable development White controls more space, and his of events or at least pose more difficult position is preferable. But no more than problems fo r the opponent. As here: the that - if Lothar Vogt defends the d6- capture of the d5-pawn is rejected in pawn with the modest knight retreat vain. It is necessary to findthe tactical 22... 4) e8! ;;!;. idea 23 ...ed! 24.Axf6 §eS!. I analyze Arriving at that move is not all the situation that arises after25 .Aal de that difficult if you notice the 26.�xe4. unpleasantness that awaits Black in other continuations. On 22 .. :�bS?, strong is 23.e5! �eS 24 . .llxb7 �xb7 25.�e4±. If22 ...Af S?!, B? then you have to deal with 23.d5!. On 22 ...d5?! 23.�d6 Black has an unpleasant choice to make. On 23 ...§e2 24.e5 �eS 25.�xb7 �xb7 26.Ml �bS 27.�e3 a noticeable positional advantage remains on White's side. And the exchange sacrifice 23 ...�xe4 The move that suggests itself, 24.�xeS §xeS is hardly correct. 26 ....ilx e4?!, is justified after 27 . .\txe4 25.�bcl, is possible, for example, not �xe4! 2S.�b2 �e5 29.<£Jxb6 �b7 fe aring 25 ...�x cl 26.§xcl .ilh6 30.�xeS �f3+ 31.'it'hl <£Jd4= or 29.f4 because of 27.fi:e7±. It seems that in �f3+! 30.'it'f2 �d4 3l.fi:xd4 .\tg7 these variations Black's situation is 32.�d2 .llxd4+ 33 . .llxd4 fi:eeS 34.�e3 worse than on 22 ...�e S!. �eS! with counterplay. But White 22 ... AfS?! 23.d5! was played in the replies 27.�b2! �e5 28.�xb6, for game. example: 2S ...�b7 29.�xeS §xeS (29 ...Axg2 30.f4+-) 30.f4 t»'b6+ 3l.�d4 (of course, not 31.'it'h2?? fi:e2 -+ ) 3l...�xd4+ 32 . .\lxd4 .\txbl B? 33.fi:xbl ±. 26 ...fi:e 6! is significantly stronger, in order, on 27.�b2, to reply 27 ...f6, and if 2S.f3, then 2S ...d5 . Although White probably retains better chances, the outcome of the battle remains uncertain. 173 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-36 Crouch - Cafferty We do not want to give up the g6-pawn, but it cannot be defended by W? the queen fo r now: 44. �g5?? .!J.e7-+ or 44.�e8? Ele7, and White already has to worry about his safety, so it is best to choose 45.�d8!? (on 45.�xa4 �xg6+ 465.!1hl Elg7 or 46 ...Elh 7 Black can fight for a win) 45 ...Eld 7 46.�e8 Ele7 47.'l*d8 i*xg6+ 48.'it?f3!=, intending And now White has to make a 49.Elh8+!. precise choice. On 21.Elh3? f6 22 . .!J.g3 The problem is solved by 44.lah3! there fo llows 22 ...W -+ , and 22.Axf6 f4 (44 ...'l*xg6+ 45.Elg3; 44 ...Elb 3 .£\xf6 23.Elg3 is refuted at least by 45.Elxb3 ab 46.i*e8+- ) 45.'itg5+-. 23 ....£\g4 24.Elxg4 Elf6-+ . Also clearly In the game, Colin Crouch played in Black's favor is 21..!J.xe7? �xe7 unsuccessfully: 44.'it?f3?, obviously 22.Elh3 f6 23.�h8+ �f7 24.Elh7+ �e6 having in mind the variation 44 ...�xg6 25.Elxe7+ �xe7+. 45.Elh8+ 'it?xh8 46.�xf8+ �g8 Andrei Sokolov forced perpetual 47.Elhl+ Elh7 48.i*f6+ 'l*g7=. Black check: 21..!J.f6! .£\xf6 22.Elh3 .£\h5 replied 44 ...'l*c3+?, allowing his 23.Elxh5 gh, draw. opponent to go back to the same position: 45.'it?g2 �g7, and now get on 2-38 Kortchnoi - Polugaevsky the right path ( 46.Elh3!). But Of course, 30 . .£\g5?? �xf2+ is meanwhile he could switch to a impossible, and 30.Elb3? a4 is also bad. dangerous counter-attack by On 30.Eld2?! there fo llows 30 ...ilxf3 44 ...Elb 3+! 45.'it?e2f4 !. 31.gf Ae7!? with roughly equal chances. The move 30.Etd6!!sets insoluble 2-37 A. Sokolov - Short problems for Black. The rook is How to repel the threat of 21.Elh3 invulnerable: 30 ....ilxd6 31..£\g5 +- ; with subsequent mate on the h-file?The and 30 ...Axf 3 does not work either move 20 ....£\e5? does not solve the because of 31.Elxg6+. A relatively problem. True, on 21.Elh3?!, the reply better escape from the position is 21...f5 ! appears (for example: 22.Ag3!? 30 ...�h5 !?, but after 31.�xh5 gh 'it?f7! 23.ef 'it?e8! 24.�xf8+! �xf8 32.Eld7 ±, you would not envy Black. 25.Elh8+ 'it?g7 26.Elxd8 gf;!; ). But 30 ...i*g4 31.Elf6+- .!J.f5 32.b3 White mates with 21.Af6! ef 22.Elh3. .ild433 . .£\xd4 (33.�d2!? Ac5 34:t::Yd5) Also unsatisfactory is 20 ...�b6? 33 ...�xd4 34.E!xg6+ .!J.xg6 35.�xg6+ 'it?h8 36.i*h6+ 'it?g8 �7.e6 i*e438. ef+ 21.Elh3! (but not 21..!J.f6 .£\xf6 22.Elh3 Elxf7 39.'l*f6 'l*bl + 40.�h2 �h7+ .£\h5, and White only has perpetual 41.'it?g3 'l*d3+ 42.f3 �xc4 43.�d8+, check after 23.Elxh5 gh) 21..:t::Yd4 Black resigned. (hoping for 22.!J.f6? i*xal+!) because of 22.'l*h7+!! �xh7 23.!J.f6+ �g8 2-39 Smyslov - Kortchnoi 24.Elh8+. The simple 44.'ite5! preserves a Nigel Short found the only defense: serious advantage for White, although 20... 'ite8!. after 44 ...'l*a3, his opponent was still able to put up considerable resistance. 174 The Process of Elimination Vasily Smyslov was tempted by an attack on the pinned knight, not having calculated that it led to fo rced perpetual W? check. 44.Ah7? �h2+! (44 ...'itle7? 45.�e5+! loses) 45.'it?e3 �gl +! (but not 45 ..:�·£ 4+? 46.< There fo llowed 24.�e2! .ile7 25.l:!c2 l:!d8 26.�h5 Ad6 27.Ah3, and White won. 2-41 Spiridonov - Shamkovich The move that suggests itself, 61.§b6?, is a blunder because of61...§f4!! 62.ef a2 63. ' 175 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources to be more precise - 58 .. .'�g6?does not 'it>c7. Instead of that there followed deserveexaminati on). 73 ....§h 8?? 74.b7, and Black resigned. In the variation 58 .. .'�xh6? 59Jhc7 .§d2!? 60 . .§b7 �g6 White 2-43 Daly - Smith plays not 61..§xb6+? �f7=, but 61.'it>e5! The unsophisticated 37.d7? allows ("shoving away" the enemy king) Black to give mate in three: 37 ...<£\b 4+! 61.. . .§dl62 .�e6! .§d2 63 . .§xb6+-. 38 . .§xb4 .§xa3+! 39.�xa3 .§aU. The right decision, 58 •••�h81 , is The move 37 . .§a4? does not made on the basis that after 59.gxc7 prevent the mate: 37 ...<£1b 4+! 38.ab (59.�d3 .§b2=)59 ... gb2, White does .§xa4+ 39. ba AdS+ 40.�a3 .§al#. not manage to defend the b-pawn (while Played in the game was 37.b4? on 58 ...�g8 there is a rook check on g7 .lld5+ 38 . .§xd5 �xd5 (38 ...<£\xb4+ with a subsequent .§g5). 60.�f5 39.�b3 <£\xd5 is also good) 39.d7 gxb5+ 61.�g6 is not dangerous (39.�b3 �xd6-+) 39 ...�c4! because of 6t ... gc5 =. (threatening 40 ...<£\xb4 #) 40.Ac5 <£\xeS In the game they played 58 ...'it>g8? (and now threatening 41.. . .§xa3+!), 59 . .§xc7 .§b260 . .§g7+ 'it>h861..§g 5 + White resigned . .§b4+ (61...�h7 62 . .§d5 and 63.'it>e5) There remains the only, but fully 62.�d3 'it>h7 63 . .§e5 �xh6 64.�c3 sufficient defense, 37.a41. Preventing .§h4 65 . .§e6+ �g7 66 . .§xb6 'it>f7 38.d7 +- can only be done by 67 . .§d6! (it is important not to let the 37 ...<£\b4+ 38 . .§xb4 'it>xd6,then fo llows king get to the pawn) 67 ...�e7 68 . .§dl 39 . .§c4 �xe7 40.Ac5+ �e8 41..§xc3 .§g4 (Black gives his opponent a taste with an overwhelming advantage for of his own medicine) 69 . .§d2 .§h4 White. 70.�b3 .§g4 71.�a3 .§h4. 2-44 Polugaevsky - Hartston Where should the knightretreat to? W? On 43 ...<£\dl? ? 44.�+ .§xb8 45 . .§d3+ or 43 ...<£1a2?? 44. .§a3 <£\cl 45 . .§al! <£\e2+46.�h2, Black loses a piece. On 43 ...<£\dS?, the reply 44 . .§d3! is unpleasant. But no flaws in the move 43 ...4)a 41 are evident, and by playing this way Black easily achieves a draw. In the final stage of the battle the In the game, though, there fo llowed 43 ...<£\dS? 44 . .§d3!. partners traded blunders. The preparatory move 72 . .§d3! leads to the goal, and only after 72 ....§g 4 - 73.b6 .§g6 74.b7 .§a6+ B? 75.�b2! .§b6+76 . .§b3. White rushed to advance the pawn: 72.b6? .§h6! 73 . .§b2 (thereis no longer 73.b7 .§a6+ and 74 ....§b 6+ ) . Now there is the saving 73 ...'itld 7 74.b7 .§a6+ 75.�b4 .§b6+ 76.�c3 .§xb2 77.'it>xb2 176 The Process of Elimination 44 ...'iftc6?! ( 44 ...f! xb7?? 45.E!xd5+!) 2-45 Stahlberg - Alekhine 45.E!dl! E!xb7 46.E!xd5!, Black With his last move, 30 ...h6!, resigned. Alexander Alekhine defended his It is possible to defend considerably queen, thus preparing a capture on f3. more stubbornly by retreating the king Gideon Stahlberg, not seeing the to a different square: 44 ...'if.le5 !. For biggest danger, played 31.'ifthl?, and example, 45.'ifth2?! �f4 46.E!d7 E!b2 47. after 31...E!xf3! resigned in view of the 1.ta6 (47.'iftg3 �h5+ 48.�h4 �f6 impossibility, after 32.�xg5 E!xf2, of 49.E!g7 �e4=) 47 ...E!x f2+ 48.'if.lhlE!b 2 repelling two threats at once: 49. E!d8 E!bl+ 50.�h2 E!b2+ 51.'if.lgl 33 ...E!x fl * and 33 ...hg. (51.�g3 'iftf5! 52.f!f8+ 'iftg5 53.f!xf4 31.�d2? does not help (the queen E!b3+ 54.ltd3!=) 51...E!bl+ 52.�f2 retreats to a defended square) because E!b2+ 53.�el (53.�e3 �d5+ 54.'iftd3 of a fo rced exchanging operation: �c7=) 53 ...E!bl + 54.'iftd2 g3!=. 3l.. . .ilxf3 32.�xf3 �xf3+ 33.f!xf3 f!xf3 Lev Polugaevsky gives the 34. �xg5 f!xfl + 35.f!xfl f!xfl + 36.�xfl hg 37.'ifte2 'iM7 38.'iftd3 'ifte6 variation 45.E!dl!E!b2 46 . ..1lg2 �f4 (38 ...b5) 39. �e4 b5-+ . The only defense is 31.Ad31 :j:. Taking on f3 is impossible now, and W? Black has to look for new resources to conduct his attack. 2-46 Chernin - Gindin White is better, so the positional sacrifice of a pawn or the exchange 29.f5?!, leading to unclear consequences, simply is not necessary. 47.f!d8 �xg2 48.b8�+ f!xb8 29.fe? de is a mistake - Black has 49.E!xb8, but afterthe knight retreats to too many threats: 30 ...E!x d3; 30 .....1lxa3; f4 or h4, the position that arises is most 30 ... Axdl. likely drawn. Exchanging the light-square Instead of 47.E!d8, the move bishops is favorable to White in 47.E!el+! is stronger, and any king principle, but on 29.-'tf3?,there fo llows retreat has its drawbacks: 29 ...-'txf3 30.f!xf3 d5!!. With 47 ...'if.ld6 48.E!e8 �xg2 Alexander Chemin restricted (48... �c7 49.E!c8+) 49.b8� E!xb8 himself to the simple move 29 . .§.fll. 50.E!xb8, Black's king is far from the White retains all the advantages of his kingside, which sharply diminishes his position, he intends 30 . .ilf3 or 30.f5. chances of building an impenetrable 29 ... �h6 30.-'1.f3! .llxf3 31.f!fxf3 fortress. (intending 32.E!d5, 33.E!fd3) 31...b5!? And in the variation 47 ...'iftf6 (31... h4 32.�h2!) 32.cb d5 (and here 48.�c6! g3!? (48 ...�h3+ 49.'ifth2 +- ) it is probably worth trying 32 ...h4!?) 33. 49.E!fl!± (49.fg? �h3+ 50.'if.lhl �f2+ f!xd5 �b6+ 34.�g2 f!xd5 35.ed �xb5 leads to a draw), the position ofBlack's 36.d6 ef 37.�d4+ (37.gf is more king on the f-file has an unfavorable precise) 37 ...Ag7?! (37 ...'ifth7 38.gf impact on his position. �f5) 38.�xf4 �a5 39.�b4!? (39.�cl!?), and White won. 177 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-47 A. Cheron 2-49 Biro - Liptai Black has to keep control of the l.h7? .!:!cl+ 2.�f2 .!:!c2+ g3 3.� f4-square - for that reason he should .!:!c3+ leads to an immediate draw. The only move his bishop for now. The only way to avoid perpetualcheck is the opponent will obviously bring his king at first glance strange rook retreat to d7 - then the black king should make l.Elhll!+-. it to b6. l...�f4 (l...�g4 2.�f2 �f4 3.'itle2 On l...Ad6? 2.�f5 �d4 3.!it>e6 or 3 . .!:!h4+ �g5 4.h7) 2.h7 .!:!cl+ �c5 4.�d7 +- , the black king does not (2 ...�g3 3 . .!:!h3+!)3.!it> g2 .!:!c2+ 4.'itlh3, get there. l.. . ..llh2(g3)? is also a mistake Black resigned. because of 2.'it'f5 �d4 3.f4+-. We are leftwith the only defense. 2-50 Smyslov - Botvinnik l ••. .Q.c71 2.�fS �d4! 3.�e6 Mikhail Botvinnik, against habit, (3.f4 �e3=) 3 ...�cS 4.�d7 �b6 s . .Q.e8 conducted the opening stage of the game slightly riskily: l.e4 c5 2 . .:tlf3 g6 3.c4 Ag7 4.d4 d6 5 . .:tlc3 .£Jc6 6.Ae3 Ag4 7.dc de 8.�xd8+ .!:!xd8 9 . .ilxc5 Axc3+ lO.bc .:tlf6. B? White cannot defend the e4-pawn with the knight: ll..:tld2? .!:!xd2 12.�xd2 .:tlxe4+and 13 ....:tlxc5 -+ . He is promised nothing from ll.Ad4?! .:tlxd4 (ll...ltxf3 12.Axf6 Axg2 is not bad either) 12 . .:tlxd4 .:tlxe4, since 13.f3? Accuracy is again demanded from .:tlxc3 is useless. 1V��d4! �xe4 12.�xc6 be Black - bearing in mind the possible 13 • .Q.xa7 return of the enemy king to the kingside. A draw can only be secured with S •••.Q.b81 6. �e6 �cS 7.�fS �d4 8.�g4 �e3. 2-48 Kempinski - 0gaard A capture with the queen on h7 is not White's only threat: 18 ...Ag6? 19.�xd5+! loses immediately. Leif 0gaard chose 18 ....:tlxf 4? 19 . .:tlxe7+®f7 20.�xf 4 �xe7, but after Now it is clear that the opening 21. .!:!fel his position became hopeless. skirmish has ended in White 's fa vor. He There fo llowed 2l...'�b4 (21...�d7 has obtained the two bishops and a 22.Af5) 22.�f5 g6 23.�d7+, Black passed pawn on the a file, while Black resigned. has no real counter-chances (V. But on 18... 'it'f7! 19. .:tlxe7 Smyslov). (19.�xh7? .:tlxf4-+) 19 ....:tlxe7, Black 13... Af5 14.f3 .:tld6 (14 ....:tlxc3 is no worse. For example, 20.�xh7?! 15.a4 or first 15.Ab6) 15.a4 .!:!a8 .!:!h8 21.�e4 Ag6 (21... .!:!ae8!?) 22:�e2 16.Ab6 0-0 17.c5 .:tlc8 18.g4 Ae6 Axc2 23.�xc2 �xd4=F. 19.a5 .:tlxb6 20.cb, and White won. 178 The Process of Elimination 2-51 Pietzsch - Capello It is harder to calculate In such tense situations it is 27 ...�c5?! 28.!!e2!. important not to cede the initiative to your opponent. That is exactly what happened in the game: 29 .. :�e7? 30J�a7 !!b7 31.�al!, and Black B? resigned. Black moved his queen away to defend the f7-square - he had calculated the variation 29 ...�xg3? 30.§xf7+! �xf731 .�d7+ with a quick mate. With the queen on e5, the rook sacrifice is not threatened, so it is 29.!!g3 is threatened again. possible to play 29 ...�g7? !. However, 28 ...�g5? 29.�xg5+ fg 30.4Jc6+- does after 30.�d7 §f8 31.!!f4! (31.�xd6 not work. White also preserves his �xd6 32.!!xd6 §b4!?;!; is weaker) advantage on 28 ...ab?! 29.Elg3 'l1\'g5 Black's position remains difficult. 30.Af5!..ll xf531.Elx g5+ fg 32.�xg5+ -'tg6 The best solution is to switch to a 33.h4 b3 (otherwise the bishop cannot be saved) 34.cb �h7 35.h5 .ilbl 36.b4. saving counter-attack: 29 ...h4! =. The response 30.gh? §xh4 loses, and It is only possible to equalize otherwise there is no way to defend reliably with 28 ...§f e8! 29.!!g3 (or 29.4Jd3 Axd3 30.§xd3 §xe2 3Ulxe2 against a rook sacrifice on g2, which lrtxf2+ 32.�fl !!xd3 33 . .1lxd3 .lle3=) leads to perpetualcheck. For example, 30.!!a8+ �g7 31.!!xh8 §xg2+! 29 ....1lg6 30.Ah5 (30.4Jd3 'l1\'g5=) 32.�xg2 �xg3+. 30 ...!! xe2 (30 ...Axf 2+ 31.!!xf2 §el + 32.�h2 �xf2 33.!!xg6+ is equivalent) 3l.§xg6+ fg 32.�xg6+ �h8 33.�h6+ 2-52 Mestel - Flear with perpetual check. 27 ...ab? 28.!!g3 quickly loses. An However, in the initial position attempt to cross on the third rank Black can aim for more. We have not 27 ...ltc3?, does not help. The simpl; been through all the candidate moves yet! 28.!!e3 ab (28 ...Ad2 ± is more 27 ...�fe8 ! stubborn) 29.!!g3 Ag6 30.M5 +- is not Now it is White who finds good bad, but the flashy 28.4Jd5!! is even advice hard to come by. After28.§ xe8+ stronger: §xeS, the continuation 29.!!g3 §el + 30. �h2 Axf2 -+ does not work, and on 29.�d2 there fo llows 29 ...ab 30.§xb4 Ac3! -+ . If 28.§fl, then Black replies not 28 ....1lc3?! (threatening 29 ...ab and 29 ...�xfl +!) 29.4Jd3 §xd3 (29 ...Axd3 30.cd �xb3 31.Af5=) 30 . .1le2! Ag6 . (30 ...a4? 31.§bbl) 3l.Axd3 Axd3 32.!!xc3 �xc3 33.cd=, but 28 .. .f5! 28 ...§x d5 (28 ...�xd5 29.§xc3 +-) 29.!!g3 fg 30.§xg4+ Ag6 -+ or 29.Ae6!! fe 30.!!b7 +- . 29.'l1l'g5+ .llg7 -+ . 179 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Jonathan Mestel played 28.l:!ebl, 2-54 Dehezdin - 0gaard on which 28... ab 29.l:!xb4 �xe2 or You cannot take on d4 because of 29.l:!g3 Axf2+ (29 ...Ag6) 30.'it>xf2 45 ...�xg3+ 46.�hl �h3•. White �xe2+ 31.Ae2+ Ag6 wins easily. But decided to first take control of the Black blundered: 28 .. :�e5?. h3-square by 45.�e8+?, but that did not help: 45 ...®h7 46 . .ilxd4 �xg3+ (or 46 ...hg+ 47.®h3 �xd4-+) 47.'it>hl �el + 48.®h2 �d2+ 49.®hl �xd4 W? 50.�f5+ 'it>h6-+, and Black won. 45.�hl!!= is necessary, avoiding the threatened check from g3. Now 45 ...�xg3?? loses: 46.�f8+ ®h7 47.Ae4+. And after 45 ...�e2 (or 45 ..:� f5) 46.�xd4 (46 . .1lxd4 is equivalent) 46 ...�fl + 47.�gl �h3+ The game ended 29. 180 The Process of Elimination B? W? Only 32 ....§g2! saves Black - it is 2-58 G. Venink important to have the option of covering If Black succeeds in fo rcing the the coming check with the rook on the move g5-g6 and brings his king to f8, eighth rank. On 33.Ac4!? (33.®bl then an elementary theoretical fo rtress .§b2+ leads to a repetition of moves) arises: despite White's extra bishop, a there fo llows 33 ...�b8! 34J!bl �d6! win is impossible. For example, l.Ah7? (on 34 ...�e 5+ 35.�xe5 181 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 2-61 A. Kazantsev Your opponent gets a draw if his king W? arrives at g8. To prevent this White has to put his king on g7. l.Aa3? Axd3 2.�b2 does not achieve the aim because of 2 ...e5! 3.�c3 Ae4! (Black has built a barrier in the way of the king) 4.�c4 �b7 5.�c5 �c7=. l.Ah8!! (only to here, so that the bishop does not get in the way of the On 3.�f7? E!.d8, White falls into king) l ...�b7 zugzwang and cannot win. The l...Axd3 2.�b2 e5 3.�c3 does not zugzwang here is mutual: if it were help; on 3 ...Ae4, decisive is 4 . .ilxe5! Black's move he would have to resign. �b7 5.�d4 (a very important tempo!) 3.�g7! l;dS4. �f7+- (4 ...®c7 5 ...Ac2 6.�d5 (6 . .ilg3)If3 ....ilb l, then 5.4)e6+) 4.�c4! (but not 4.Axe5? �b7 5.�d4 �c6=) 4 ...�b7 5.�d5. 2-60 R. Reti 2.�b2 j},xd3 3.�c3 .A.fS 4.�d4 �c6 s.�es �d7 6.�f6 Useless are l.a5? ®g3= or l.®d6? �e8 7.�g7 �g3 2.C�c7 �xh4 3.�b8 ltdl 4.a5 .ile2=. As in the previous exercise, the key to understanding the position is in mutual zugzwang. On l.�f4? Ae2!, the king has to cede the way to its black colleague: 2.�g5 �e3= or 2.�e4 �g3 3.�e3 Ag4! 4.a5 �xh4 5.b6 ab 6.ab .ilc8=. l.�fS!! is necessary. The king race has ended in White's favor. 7 ... es S.h6 e4 9.h7 e3 to.�h6 e2 ll . .Q.c3+- (just in time!). 2-62 A. Gurvich Let's look for a way to keep the extra knight. We can rej ect l.E!.d3? E!.xb4+ 2.E!.b3 E!.g4=; on l.E!.c7?, both l...E!.xb4+ 2.�c2 E!.g4= and l...Axb4 l ...,A.e2 (no help is either l...®g3 2.�c2 E!.g6= are possible. Finally, in the 2. �g5 Ae2 3.h5 Ad3 4.h6 �f3 5.a5 + variation l.E!.d5? E!.xb4+ 2.�c2 (on or l...�e3 2.a5 �d4 3.b6 ab 4.ab �c5 2.�al, the simplest is 2 ...Ag7) 2 ...E!.g 4 5.�f4! .ild5 6.�e5! Af3 7.h5+- ) 3.E!.xe5+ Ae7 4.4Je3 E!.xg5 5.4Jf5 the 2.�f4!, and Black is in zugzwang: pinned bishop cannot be won: Black 2 ...®g2 (2 ...�e1 3.�g5 +-) 3.�g5 ®f3 replies either 5 ...�d8 6.E!.d5+ �e8!=, 4.h5 ..lld3 5.h6 +- . or 5 ...®f7 6.E!. xe7+ �f6=. 182 The Process of Elimination The most attractive move seems to he has created two fe arsome threats: be u;;td2!, defending the g2-knight in l... .!:!g3+ 2.'!Jh4 .§xf3 and l...g5 (after advance. Now l..Jhb4+ (or l... .ilxb4) which 2 . .!:!f5 does not help because of is no longer dangerous because of 2 ...§.h4+ 3.'!J g2 .!:!xh2+ and 4 ....§x d2). 2 . .!:!b2. But it is still too early to make On l.�d5? it is possible to execute this decision since our opponent wins either threat. l..!:!f5? gf is hopeless. No the piece back here too, thanks to the help is l.i*f2? i::!.g3+ 2.�h4 g5+ 3.'!Jh5 unpleasant pin l •••J}.h6! . .ile8+ 4 . .§f7+ Axf7+ 5.�xf7+ '!Jxf7 It may seem that we have hit a wall. 6.hg ..llxc3. Well, in these kinds of situations you l.�e3!! have to check every try more carefully White not only gets his queen out in search of hidden chances that might from under attack, putting it on a have slipped fromview at first. Intuition will tell us where exactly to look for a defended square, but also creates the solution, and sharp combinational counter-attacking threat 2. 'f1Jxa 7. This vision will hC?JP us to find it quickly. threat considerably constrains his 2.Ele2! :§ xb4+ 3.�al! opponent's opportunities, which is clear The king has to defend the a2- in the variation l...h6? 2 . .!:!f5! gf pawn. 3.�c2? Axg5 4 . .!:!xe5+ Ae7 3.i*xa7 +- . 5.�e3 .!:!a4= misses the win. l...g5? 2 . .!:!f5 +- is unsatisfactory. 3 ••• j'txgS (on 3 ....ilg7 thesim plest An unclear ending arises on l... .!:!xe4+ is 4.�e4 +- ) 4.E!xeS+ Jl.e7 2.�g2 .§xe3 3 . .!:!xe3. After l...Ae6, both 2.�d5 and 2.�xa7+ �h6 3 . .!:!f5! gf 4.i*e7 .§g6 5:8"h4+ '!Jg7 6:flle7+ draw. l ••• E!g3+2. �h4 Elg4+ Black has nothing better, as neither 2 ...g5+? 3.�xg5+ .!:!xg5 4.�xg5; nor 2 ....!:!g 2? 3.h3! can suit him. 3.�h3 =. 2-64 Marcussi - Timmerman s.�e3! On 33 ...'f1td2??, the simplest is A surprisingly powerful quiet 34 . .§f8!+- , intending 35.�e8(c8). move that creates several threats at Which is why 33 ...i*f6? was played. But once: 6 . .!:!xe7+; 6.�d5; 6.�f5. Any that move is met by an elegant attempt by the black rook to get down refutation: 34.i*hl!! �xf2+ 35.�h3, to the seventh rank to defend the bishop and Black has to resign because of runs into a knight fo rk. s ...Etf4 unavoidable mate. Or 5 ....!:! h4(d4) 6 . .!:!xe7+! '!Jxe7 The only way to avoid an 7.�f5+. immediate loss is 33 •..�d7! 6.E!xe7+! �xe7 7.�dS+. 34:t\'e4! �fS (35.�gl! �dl + 36.'!Jg2 '8-d7 37.'8-el+- was 2-63 Bitman - Alekseev * threatened; on 34 ...g4, the move Black has just sacrificedhis queen 35 . .!:!e5!+- is strong, with a (for just one bishop), but in exchange subsequent 36. .!:!h5+or 36. .!:!d5). 183 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Where to retreat the king? 3 ...'iftd3?! 4. 35 •••g4!, and if 36.'�gl+, then 36 .. .'�h5 Nor does a win come from3 ...'iftc2 37:(bc6 'iM5- Black successfully holds 4. W? 184 The Process of Elimination Even if we do not calculate this variation to the end, it is clear that we have to go into it: as the rest are very B? bad, while here at least we are leftwith some hope. By concentrating on the position that arises, we can find an impressive route to rescue. 5.Af6+! �h3 6.Ad41 .E!.xd4 7 . .E!.e51 .E!.e4+8.�fl .§.xe5 stalemate. advantage thanks to the pressure on the 2-67 Smyslov - Veresov e-file. The tempting 14.e5?! only leads to a draw: 14 ...de 15.�xc6 §ac8 16.�b7 2-68 Timoshchenko - Yusupov §c7! (16... e4?! with the threat of The h 7 -knight is locked in for now, 17 ...§c 7 is weaker - after17 . .QJ4 §xc3 but if White gets it into play (for 18.0-0 §cc8 19.�xe7 Black experiences example, after 59... g5? 60 . .£'lf6), he will difficulties in connection with the easily win. weakness ofthe f7-square) 17.�f3. The gameended 59 ...�c7? 60.�d5 .£'lf4+ 61.�e5 .£'le2(61 .. . .£'ld3+62. �d4 and 63 . .£'lg5)62 . .£'lg5+- (the knighthas joined the battle and Black has no counterplay) 62 ....£'lc3 63 . .£'le6+ �b8 (63 ...�b7 64 . .£'lc5+ �c7 65.b6+ �c6 66.b7 �c7 67.a6 .£'lb5 68 . .£'ld7) 64.b6 .£'la465. �d4 g5 66 . .£'lc5,Bla ck resigned. The move �d5 cannot be stopped, but before letting the white knight out to freedom, it is important to force The simplest is to act on Smyslov's b5-b6, to attack the pawns with the recommendation: 17... §x c3! 18.bc (18. king. This is achieved by 59 ...�a71 1 Ad2? §xf3 19.Axa5 §f4+) 18 ... �xc3+ 60.�d5 4)c7+1 61.�c6 4)e6. 19.�e2 e4! 20.�g3 �d3+ 2l.�el Now 62 . .£'lg5 .£'lxg5 63.b6+ �b8 �c3+ with perpetual check. But 17 ... ed 64.a6 .£'le6= is not dangerous, while 18.Axd4 e5! 19.Axe5 §e7 (or 62.�d6 .£'ld463 .b6+ �b7= is harmless. 19 ...§e 8) 20.0-0 §xeS= is also possible. Only 62.b6+ �a6 63 . .£'lg5! (63 . .£'lf8 In the initial position White .£'lxf8 64.b7 .£'ld7=) maintains the controls more space and is better, so intrigue. there is no point in him going into the drawing variation. The simple 14.0-01;!;; is stronger, as Vasily Smyslov played. Then came 14 ...§a c8 15.§ad1 b4 B? 16. .£'ld5! (D) 16 ....£'lxd5?! (16 .. .'�b5! IS preferable, intending 17 ...a5 or 17 ... .£'lxd5 18.ed .£'la5) 17.ed! .£'la7 18 . .\lgS!, and White has an obvious 185 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources In this situation, the knight is a 8.�e3 �f5 9.�f3 h5 (the reserve tempo Greek gift, while 63 ....£}d4 +? 64.'it>c7 ...h6-h5 allowed Black to put his .£}b5+ 65.�d7! .£}d4 66 . .£}e6 .£}b3 opponent in zugzwang fo r the last, 67.�c7 .£}xa5 68..£}c5+ �b5 69 . .£}b3 decisive time). also loses. The key to understanding the But 63 ....£}d 8+! 64.�c7 draws, and fo llowing variation, and indeed the now either 64 ....£}b7 65 . .£}e4 g5! 66. whole ending, is the fact that seizing the .£}xg5 .£}xa5=, or 64 ...�xa5 65 . .£}f7 opposition has decisive significance for .£}e6+ 66.�b7 g5! 67.':Ja7 .£}c5!= or both players with a black pawn on g6. 67 ... .£}d4!= (but not 67 ...g4? 68.b7 .£}d4 But with the pawn on g7 it is essential, 69.'it>a8! .£}c670 . .£}e5 +- ). on the contrary, to yield the opposition to the opponent. Which means that on 2-69 R. Reti, A. Mandler 2.�f4 it is necessary to reply 2 ...�e6! Many years ago in a game against 3.�e4 g6 -+ . Finally, on 2.�f3, the Oleg Romanishin, I had the chance to move 2 ...g6! (seizing the distant transpose into this kind of pawn ending, opposition with the pawn on g6) wins: but I was unable to calculate it correctly 3. �e3 'it>e7! 4.®f3 'it>d6! (a king School of Chess Excellence 1 (see walkabout is a weapon with the help of Endgame Analysis, the chapter "Give which the strongest player exploits the me an envelope, please"). Of course, I possession of the opposition) 5.'it>e4 did not know this study by Reti and 'it>e66. �f4 �d5 75�?f3�e5 8.�e3 �f5 Mandler at the time. 9.�f3 h5. We can immediately reject l.h5? And so, l.�g4? does not save 'it>f72.'it> g4 'it>e63. 'it>f4 ®f6 -+ and start White. We have to put the king on calculating the most natural move another square: V�i'g3!1 For example, l.�g4. Our opponent replies l...'it>f7 l ...�f7 2.�g4! �f6 (but not l...'it>e7? 2.�f5 �f7 3.h5=, of 2 ...�g6 3.h5+ is useless. On course). 2 ...�e6 there fo llows 3.'it>f4!= (with the pawn on g7 White yields the opposition to his opponent), and on 2 ...g6 White plays 3.�f3!= (seizing the distant opposition). W? Neither 2.h5 �e6-+ nor 2.�h5 �6 3.�g4 �e5 4.�h5 'it>f4 5.�g6 �g4 6.'it>xg7 h5 -+ works. On 2.�f5 g6+ 3.�e5 �e7, Black gets the opposition and then advances his king without hindrance: 4.�d5 3.�hS! (but not 3.�f4? g6 -+ ) (4.h5 g5 5.�f5 �d6 is hopeless too) 3 ••.�eS (3 ...�f5 stalemate) 4.�g6 4 ...�f6 5. ®e4 �e6 (again Black has the �f4 s.�xg7 hS 6.�f6! �g4 opposition) 6.'it>f4 �d5 7.'it>f3 ®e5 7.�e5 �xh4 8.�f4=. 186 The Process of Elimination Black does not manage to achieve Let's switch to the position from success maneuvering the kings either: our exercise that arises after 12. .£\c7+. l...�e7 2.�f3! (it is impossible to go The move 12... �d8 looks like the fo rwards: 25.f;>f4? �e6! -+ ) 2 ...�f6 natural retreat. But Gheorghiu (2 ...�e6 3.�f4! �f6 4.h5=; 2 ...g6 justifiably rejected it in view of 3.�e3!=) 3.�e4! (but not 3.�g4? 13. 17... 187 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources White wins the rook back and with the h3-pawn still on the board, easily holds the knight ending. 50 ...4Jg3 (50 ...�x d7 51.4)f8+) 5l.d8� �xd8 52.4:lxd8 4Je453 .4Je6h4 54. 4:lxc54Jf2 55.4:ld3,draw. 2-73 Steinitz - Lasker 33 ...�xf3 (or 33 ...4)xf 3+) is threatened: 34.4)xf3 4)xf3+ 35.�xf3 Black is in zugzwang. His king is forced to occupy the important aS �el + and 36 ...�xd2 . It is not easy to square. give White any good advice. 33.�e3? does not defend against 2 •.• The king neutralizes the enemy queen by covering the invasion square 188 The Process of Elimination on the e-file.Furthermore, it moves out The game ended 1.<£\e4? hg+ (we of the danger zone on the kingside: now get to the variation we just examined on with the black queen on c6, the new l...Axg4+ 2.�h4 .ile7+ 3.<£lg5 defensive resource f3-f4 appears. And �g7!!-+) 2.�h4 Ae7+ 3.<£lg5 �g7! White wants to play 34:i!i"e3or 34.§c2. 4 . .Q.e2( 4.§xf2 �h6; 4.d6 Ad8) 4 ...§f 8! Of course, above all it is necessary 5.Axg4 §h8+, White resigned. to deal with the rook invasion 33 ...§cl. As Jacob Aagaard has pointed out, On that it is possible to reply either there is only one way to defend against 34.Ad3 with a subsequent .Q.e2, mate: 1 . .1lf5!1 gf 2.gh, and Black has reinforcing all the weaknesses in your to prove that his piece activity position as much as possible, or 34.Ac2 compensates for the material deficit(the (with the idea of 35:�e3) 34 .. :i*c6 exchange and two pawns). 35.'�'d4! (but not 35:�e3? <£\xf3), intending 36:�b2 and not fe aring 2-75 G. Kasparyan * 35 ...<£\xf 3 36.�xd7 <£\xd2+ White wins a piece not only with (36 ...<£\xh2+? 37.� e2 §xc2 38."i!i"d8+ is the move 1.�d7, but also any other king bad) 37."i!i"xd2�hl + 38.�e2. retreat to the seventh rank, as on In the game there fo llowed 33 ...§c5 34:�e3 §d5 35.§xd5 �xd5 1...<£lb6, decisive is 2.§b8. To make the 36.<£lc3 �c6 37.\t'f2 (37.f4!?) 37 .. .'!ig7 right choice you have to find 38.<£le2, and Whiteobtained a draw. counterplay for your opponent and understand how to render it harmless. 2-74 Mastilovic - Belie On 1.\t'e7?, there fo llows l.. . .Q.b6! The white king is in mortal danger 2.§xa8 �e5! 3.�d7 {3.�f7 �f5) with mate in two threatened: l.Axg6? 3 ...\t'd5 (a position of mutual zugzwang) .Q.xg4+ 2.�h4 Ae7•. 4.�c8 �c6=. Nothing is changed by On l.�h4?, Black replies not l.�f7? ..Q.b6! 2.§xa8 �f5=. l...hg? 2.Axg6+- and not l...§xd2? l.�d7! .1lb6 2.�xg6! {2.§xd2? �xg4 3.�g5 If l...�d5 (counting on 2.§xa8? �g7-+ ) 2 ....Q.xg4 3.Axh5 §xc2 Ab6= with a zugzwang that is familiar 4.�xg4±, but l...Axg4!! 2.<£le4 (2.�g5 to us), then you can play, fo r example, �g7) 2 ...Ae7+ 3.<£lg5 2.§h8!? ..Q.b63.§ xa8 or 2 ...1ta5 3.§h5+. B? W? 3 ...�g7! ! {3 ...§x c2? 4.-'txc2 �g7 2 • .§.e8+! (but not 2.§xa8? �d5=) is a mistake because of 5.d6 Ad8 2 ...\t'd4 6.§el +- ) 4.d6 .Q.d8 5.§el (5.§xf2 On 2 ...�d5 3.§xa8+- , the key \t'h6) 5 ...e4! 6.§xe4 (6.§xf2 �h6) position of mutual zugzwangarises with 6 ...-'txg5 + 7.�xg5 §f5+ 8.�h4 g5 #. Black's tum to move. And now the 189 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources knightcannot be taken, but White finds Only one sound continuation another idea. remains: 2S.Etbl!.After def ending the 3.�c6! Axa7 4.Etxa8 AcS b2-pawn, White no longer fe ars s.Eta4+' and the bishop is lost. 25 ...bc+ 26 . .£lxc3, and he himself prepares an exchange on b4. 2-76 G. Nadareishvili 25 ...4Jd5 26.cb �xb4 (on 26 ...4Jxb4 The knight does not succeed in the move 27.4Jc3 was planned with a getting close to the pawn: l..£lb5? subsequent Ac4, a2-a3; on 26 ...ab �c2 -+ . On the other hand, if you play comes 27.4Jd4 and 28.Ac4) 27.g3 l.�e4 or l.�c4, then after l...�c2(e2)? 2 . .£ld5, there is a draw immediately because of the knight fo rk, and on a retreat by the enemy king to a dark square a bishop check may work. For example, in the variation l.�e4? �el? 2 . .£ld5dl ff 3.-'tg3+�d2 4.-'1.£4+, the king has nowhere to hide from the checks. But our opponent plays l...'it'cl!2 . .£ld5dl ff3. Af4+ �b2 4.Ae5+ 'it>b3 - positions with bishop If White consolidates, he will have and knight against queen are almost a better endgame, since there are pawn always hopeless, according to theory. islands in the enemy camp which will It becomes clear that it is vitally become the object of an attack. important for White to take control of Moreover, in these kinds of situations a the b3-square. bishop is potentially (specifically l.�c4!! �cl (l...�el 2 . .£ld5 potentially, but, of course, not now) dlff 3 . .llg3+ �d2 4.�f4+ 'it>el stronger than a knight. 5.-'tg3+) 2.4:\dS dl � 3.Af4+ �b2 4.AeS+ �a3 s.Ad6+ Black's task is to exploit the And we have a draw, since theking activity of his pieces to create runs into the knight fo rk on any light counterplay that is capable of posing square. problems for his opponent and strategically worsening his position. 2-77 Ljubojevic - Portisch On 27 ...�b 8 White could choose We have to do something about the between 28.4Jc3 and 28 . .£ld4 (with the threatened 25 ...bc+. idea of �c4 and .£lb3). I think it makes After 25.cb? �xb4 two white sense to force b2-b3: in the variation pawns are underattack. On 25.�c2?! the 27 ....£la4 !? 28.b3 4Jc5(threatening ...a5- reply 25 ....£ld5 is unpleasant. 25.c4?! is a4) 29.�cl �d6 30.4Jc3 �d4+ 3l.�el a clear positional concession: the dark an equal position arises. Then again, the squares are weakened and the bishop continuation in the game is also fully becomes bad. In principle, with a possible. bishop, you should not close the game, 27 ...�d6 28.a3 �b8 (if 28 ...�b 6, but open it. It is also not desirable to put then 29.4Jcl and 30 . .1lc4; but before another pawn on a square the color of retreating the rook it was worth the bishop by playing 25.b3?!. including 28 ....£lb 3+!?) 29 . .£ld4 �b6?!. 190 The Process of Elimination This is too passive. On 29 .. .'�::la4! 30.<;;?;> cl, the evaluation of the position remains unclear. W? 30 . ..Q.c4 <;;?;>e5 31.�c2 �b3+ 32 . ..Q.xb3.E! xb3 33 . .E!el+ <;;?;>f6 34 . .E!e6+! <;;?;>f7 (the alternative is a worse knight endgame after34 ...<;;?;> xe6 35 . .£\d4+<;;?;> d6 36.�xb3 a4 37.�d4it)35 . .E!xc6 27 . ..Q.xa3+�xa3+ 28.�dl (but not B? 28.<;;?;>bl? .E!a8) 28 ...�al + 29.�e2 �xhl 30.�xd8 �f3+ (30 ...�h5 31.<;;?;>e3!) 31.�el �xg3+ (31...�hl+ 32.�fl) 32.�dl +- . The only option remains: 23 •••ciflc7! . In the variations 24.�xb5 .E!xd2! 25.�a5+ �xa5 26.�xa5 .E!g2 35 ....E!x b2? and 24.4)xd8 (as played in the game) Only now does Black's position 24 ••• Jl,a3 the position becomes become difficult. But meanwhile, by unclear. continuing 35 ....E!x f3 ! 36.Ek5 �f6! 37 . .E!xa5 �e4+ with a subsequent 38 ....E!b 3, Lajos Portisch almost certainly would have obtained a draw. 36.Ek5 li:Je7 (36 ...li:Jb6 37.E!c7+ and 38.�d3) 37.E!xa5 M 38.�c3 E!b7 39.E!c5 li:Jxg3 40.a4 �e6? (40 ...li:Jf5 is better) 4l.li:Jd4+ �d6 42.�c4 E!bl 43.li:Jb5+ ( 43.E!c6+!?) 43 ...�e6 44.a5 E!cl+ 45. �b4 E!bl+ 46.�a4 li:Jf5 47.a6 E!al+ 48.li:Ja3 25.�e6+ <;;?;>d6 26.d3 �al + E!dl49.a7 E!d8 50.li:Jb5, Black resigned. 27.�d2 �xb2+ 28.<;;?;>e3 �xc3 29.f5 �e5?! (29 ...g6! oo is stronger) 30.<;;?;>f2 2-78 Estrin - Neishtadt �xf5+ 31.�f4 g5 32.de �c5+ 33.�f3 In order to reject 23 .. :i!.\'xb3?, it is gf 34.gf �c6 35.�d3+ <;;?;>e7 36.�d4 enough to see the possibility of ..Q.d6 37 . .E!al .£tb8 38.b4 �e6 39.e5 simplifyingthe position with 24:i!.\'xb5 �h3+, draw. �xb5 25.�a7+ <;;?;>b7 26.�xb5±, although 24.�xd8! ..Q.a3 25.d4! +- is 2-79 Vaganian - Georgadze objectively stronger. With White to move, he cannot But an immediate 23 ...�a3?! finda way to win one of the pawns, fo r requires precise and deep calculation: example: 84 . .E!g5 l.te2 85 . .E!g6 l.td3 24.�a7+! <;;?;>d7 (other king retreats lose 86 . .E!xa6? b2 or 86 . .E!h6? <;;?;>g4. right away: 24 ...<;;?;> c7 25.�xb5+; However, any move by Black makes 24... �b7 25.�xb5+ <;;?;>xa7 26.�a5+ and his position worse: 27:f!11xa3) 25:i!.\'xb5+ ®e7 (25 ...<;;?;> e6 84 ...-'tc2? 85 . .E!g5 .£td1 86 . .E!g6 +- ; 26:'l;}·a6+)26. �c6+ �d6 84 ...<;;?;> f3?85 . .E!g5 +- ; 84 ...<;;?;> e4? 85 . .E!g5 191 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources .ile2 86J!g6 (threatening 87 . .!:!xa6 b2 �g5 38 . .!:!g3+ .§g4 39 . .§xg4+ �xg4 88 . .!:!b6+- ) 86 ...Ad3 87 . .!:!h6 +- . 40.\!tf2. The only path to salvation is to In the game, Black gave his queen sacrifice the b3-pawn with the aim of away not fo r a bishop, but fo r the g3- tying your opponent's pieces to the rook, but that did not change the result: passed c-pawn. 32 ...�d3? 33 . .§xd3 .!:!xd3 34 . .§f4 .§dl+ 84 •••�e3! 85.§.g5 35.�2 .§d2+ 36.�f3 .§d3+,draw. On 85 . .!:!g3+, the simplest is A beautiful rook sacrifice leads to 85 ...\!tf 4!=. But also possible is victory. 85 ...\!te2 86 . .§g5 \!tdl! (86 ...b2? 32••• E{x g2+!! 33.§.xg2 (33.\!txg2 87 . .!:!g2+) 87 . .!:!xh5 \!tel . 88.§g5 .ile2 �c6+ 34 . .§ff3 �xf6-+ is no better) 89 . .!:!gl+ Adl 90 . .!:!g2 Af3! 91..!:!h2 33 •••§.c6 -+ (or 33 ...�c6 -+ , but not .ilh5!= (an interesting position of 33 ....§ g8?! 34 . .§ xg8 \!txg8 35 . .ilxc3 mutual zugzwang). 'll1d3 36.Ab2, and it is far fromcertain that Black will manage to break through his opponent's defenses). 2-81 Vaisser - Martinovic Out of four king retreats only one saves White. 45.�dl!! gh 46.§.xh4+ �xf3 47.§.h5 = (47 . .!:!h3+ \!tg248 . .§h5!.§f 2 49.�el!= is also possible) 47 ...\!tg4 48 . .§b5 f5 49.�el .!:!a3 85 •••b2! 86.�xb2 �d2 87.§.c5 50.\!tf2 f4 5l..§b2 .§h3 52 . .§b8 .§h2+ (87 . .!:!g2+ Ae2=), and the players 53.\!tgl .§a254 . .§b3 .§c2 55.�fl .!:!a2 agreed to a draw, as after 87 ••• .A,e2, 56 . .!:!c3 f3, draw. White has no way of improving his The simplest to refute is 45.\!td3? position. gh 46 . .§xh4+ �xf3 47 . .§h5 �g4 48 . .§hlf5 -+ . The white king is left on 2-80 D. Gurevich - Schussler the long side, and a frontalattack does Black has an overwhelming not work. material advantage. He only has to On 45.\!tel?,45 ... \!te3! 46.�dl gh make his king safe. But doing that is not 47 . .!:!xh4 f5 ! (it is harder to calculate so simple. 47 ....!:!al + 48.\!tc2 \!txf3 49 . .!:!h5 \!tg4 He loses with 32 ....§d 3?? 33 . .!:!g7+! 50 . .§b5- here only 50 ....§el! 51 .\!td2 (not 33 . .!:!g4? immediately because of .!:!e8 wins for Black) 48.f4 .§al+ 33 ....§h3! 34.g h .§g8) 33... �h6 34 . .§g4 49.\!tc2 .§fl 50 . .§h3+ .§f3 51..§h8 .§xf4 'll1xf5 35.§x . f5, and there is no time to leads to the goal. queen the pawn because ofthe threat of An attempt to send the king over to 36.Ag7+. the short side does not help White: A drawn position arises in the 45.\!tfl? �xf3 46.�gl (on 46.�el variation 32 ...'ll1 d4+? 33.Axd4 .§xd4 .§al+ 47.\!td2 both 47 ...g4 48 . .§f5+ 34 . .§h3+ (34 . .§cl c2 35 . .!:!f3!= is also �e4 49. .§xf7 g3 -+ and 47 ... gh possible) 34 ...\!tg7 (34 ...\!tg8 35. .!:!ff3!) 48 . .§f5+ \!tg349 . .§xf7h3 50 . .§g7+ \!tf4 35.f6+ �g6 36 . .!:!g3+ \!th5 37 . .!:!h3+ 5l..§f7+�e5 52 . .!:!h7 h2 -+ are good). 192 The Process of Elimination If 3.�g4, then 3 ...:§hl=. There is no win either on 3.�e6 �xeS 4.:§d7 B? �c4!= (4 ...�c6? S.:§g7 �cS 6.�f7 fS 7.�g8 �d4 8.:§f7! �e4 9.�g7! :§hl 10.:§f6! :§xh7+ ll.�xh7 +- is a mistake). After 3.flg7 �xeS, the players agreed to a draw in connection with 4.�e6 �d4 S.�f7 fS=. 46 ...gh? 47.flfS+ �g3 48.:§xf7=is 2-83 J. Timman * harmless. 46 ...g4? 47.:§fS+ �g3 48.hS! l...:§c2 or l...:§f4+ 2.�dS :§fS+ is :§g2+ (48... :§al+ 49.:§fl=) 49.�fl! threatened, winning the rook. No easy :§h2 SO.�gl= also misses the win. way of parrying the threat is evident: on Correct is either 46 ...:§g2+! 47.�hl U.te4? decisive is l...:§f4!,and if Ulc8+? ( 47.�fl :§h2 48.:§xgS :§hl+ 49.:§gl �g3 2.Jle6 (having in mind 2 ...:§c2 :§xgl + SO.�xgl �g4 -+ ) 47 ...g4 3 . .Q.c4 or 2 ...:§f4+ 3.�dS, and there is no 48.:§fS+ �g3 49.hS (on 49.:§xf7 the check on fS), then 2 ...:§h2! (or 2 ...:§c2 same reply fo llows) 49 ...:§f 2! -+ , or the continuation given by David Navara 3.Jlc4 :§h2!) with the unstoppable 46 ...f 6! 47.hg (47.:§h6 �g3 48.:§xf6 3 ...:§h4+ 4.�dS :§hS+.Which means we :§al+) 47 ...�g3 ! (but just not 47 ...�g4? have to look for new ideas that do not 48.:§h6!=) 48.�fl :§aS-+ . jump out at us right away. l.Aa6!! §f4+ 2-82 Dobrovolsky - Pekarek Neither l...:§c2 2.Jlc4 and 3.�dS= We can immediately reject nor l...:§a2 2.JlbS!= is dangerous. But l...�xcS? 2.:§aS+ and 3.:§hS +- . An on l...�g3!? White has to execute three attempt to prevent the move �fS with "only" moves. l...�e6? does not work either, as after 2.c6 one of the pawns queens. When White plays �fS, the rook has to go to W? h6 in order to prevent �xf6 or �g6. Let's test an immediate l...:§h6? and finda refutation: 2.flc7! �e6 3.c6! �d6 4.:§f7!�xc6 S.:§xf6+. Which means we cannot let the rook get to c7. l .••�c6! 2.�fS (2.:§a6+ �b7= or 2...�bS=) 2 ••• §h6 (not 2 ...�xcS? 3.�xf6+-) 2.Jld3! :§f3! 3.Jlg6! (but not 3.Jlh7? :§f7 and 4 ...flc 7 -+ ) 3 ...:§f 6 4.�eS!=. 2.�dS §fS+ 3.�c6 §xeS+ (3 ....\lxcS 4 . .llc8=) 4.�b7 = - Black loses the bishop. 2-84 Acs - Kortchnoi Viktor Kortchnoi carried out an incorrect combination: 3l...�xgS?? 193 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 32.�xg5 gh 33.l�a8!, and Black The only defense is 35 ...�c 3!. resigned because of33 .. J!g4+ 34.'�xg4 After 36.!!h6+ '!lg7 37.!!xe6 lt>h8! hg 35.!!xg8+ lt>xg836.a4 +- ; Black's position is worse, but it is still 3l...!!f5?? 32.hg! loses with defendable. unavoidable mate, or 31...!!xf2?? 32.hg! 2-85 Van der Sterren - Kamsky !!fl + 33.�g2 !!f2+ 34.�h3; Paul van der Sterren was tempted 31...!!f3?! is better - after 32.'�e5! by a capture of the central pawn 22.fe? the endgame is drawn. But is not it de 23.�xe5?!. After 23 ...�xd3 his possible to get more? position became lost. We can find the idea ...!!g f8, ...�a l + and ...!!x f2 +, then determine the precise move order; 3l •••}af 8!! 32.}axg6 (or 32.hg) 32 ••• �al+ 33.'ift>g2 Etxf2+ 34.�xf2 }axf2+ 35.'ift>xf2 �d4+ and 36 ...�xa 7-+; 32.!!a8 !!xa8 33.!!xg6 �f8 (33 ...�a l + 34.lt>h2 !!f6! -+ ) 34.�g5 !!a7 -+ does not help White. And on 31... �a l +? 32.�g2 !!gf8, 24.E!adl �xc4 25.E!d7+ (25 . .£ld5 the move 33.!!a8! considerably �c5+ 26.'!lhl .:tlf4) does not work increases in strength: 33 ...!!x f2+ because of 25 ...'!lg6! 26.'i!;\'f5+ '!lh5 (33 ...!!x a8 34.�xf4+-) 34.�xf2 !!xa8 27.'i!;\'h3+ (27.E!d3 'i!;\'c5+) 27 .. :lit'h4 35.!!xg6 (35.hg �g7!= is worse) 28.�xe6 .:tlxd7. And on 24.'i!;\'xe6 !!ae8 25.�f5 (25.�h3 �d4+ 26.'!lhl .:tlg4),the blow 25 ....£le4! decided the outcome of B? the battle. White had to settle for 26.'i!;\'h3 �d4+ 27.'!lhl !!xfl + 28.E!xfl .£lf2+. Upon a rejection of 23.�xe5, Black keeps the extra pawn and the excellent f4 -square for his knight: 23.lt>hl .:tlf4 ::;: or 23.!!adl �d4+ 24.lt>hl .:tlf4::;:, It is necessary to continue 22.fg!, Here is an additional little problem weakening the enemy king's cover. for the process of elimination. Whitehas 22 ....£lxg5? 23.h4 is bad, for example, two threats: 36.�d2! and 36.!!h6+ '!lg7 23 ....£lh5 24.�g4 (24.�e3) 24 ....£lf6 37.�g3+!. The move that suggests itself, 25.�f5 .£lgh7 26.�g6+ lt>h8, and now 35 ...!!g 8?, is refuted by 36.a4!!. A the most energetic is 27.!!xf6! .:tlxf6 modest pawn advance puts Black in 28.�xh6+ �g8 29.!!fl +- (with the zugzwang: 36 .. :�e5(c3) 37.!!xg8+ deadly threat of 30.!!f5) or 29 . ..1lf5+- . �xg8 38:lil'g3+ or 36 ...!!x g6+ 37.hg And after 22 ...hg, you can fo rce a lt>g7 (37 ...�g7 38.�h4+ �g8 39.�d8+) draw whenever you want to: 23.Af5 38.�f7+ lt>h6 39.g7 �b2+ 40.'!lg3 .£lh5 (the only move) 24.�g4 (24.�h3 'i!;\'c3+ (40 ...�b3 + 41.�f3 !) 41.'!lg4 .£lef4 25.�g4 �f6 26 . ..1le4 �h6 + is �d4+ 42.�f4+ with a win. worse) 24 ....£lf6 25 .�g3. 194 The Process of Elimination 2-86 U. Feyga, H. Aloni 2-87 Ftacnik - Cvitan Black's main threat manifests itself Which is superior: White's in the variation l.Aa2? h3! (but not overwhelming advantage in the center l...e3? 2. 3.gh e3 4.Ad3 h5 5. �g6=) 2 •.Q.d3 h51? 26. 3.ciflh61 Armed with the conclusions we drew fromstudying the initial position, we caneasily avoid false trails: 3. 195 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources advantage. 25 ...ab is no better, after which the simple 26.dc �xc7 27.C[:Jxb6 (27.<£\d5) is sufficient. Probably 26.<£\d5!? is even stronger, or even 26.a6!? �xa6 (26 ...ba 27.dc �xc7 28.�d5+) 27.�xa6 ba 28.dc. 2-88 V. Halberstadt For now the knight should not leave the e8-square to prevent the reply 1...<£\f6, after which the black king can 3.<£lf6 (3.�d5 <£lf4+ 4.�d6 <£\g6=; approach the pawn. Whether the knight 3.<£ld6 <£\g7 4.�d5 �c7 5.�e5 �d7=) retreats with check or will be able to 3 ...<£\g7 4. �d5 �c7 5.�e5 {)e8!?(also give check on the next move, deflecting possible is 5 ...�c6 6.<£\d5 �d7 7.�f6, the enemy knight from f6, is another and now only 7 ...<£\e6! =) 6.�e6 matter. This idea does not work (6 . .£\xeS+�d7=) 6 ...<£\g7+ 7.� f7<£\f 5!=. immediately because of the poor On l.�a4?, it is simplest to reply position of the white king: 1.<£\c7? <£\f6 with the familiar l...{)c5+ and 2 ...<£le6. 2.<£ld5+ <£\xd5+. No worse is l...�c6, for example: It is usefulto note that after 1...�c6 2.�a5 <£\c5 3.<£lf6 (3.<£ld6 <£\b7+ the black king not only is not capable 4.<£\xb7 �d7=) 3 ...{)b7+ 4.�a6 <£\d6, of attacking the pawn, but also does not intending 5 ...<£\eS=, or 2.�a3 <£\e5 have a single safe neighboring square 3.{)f6 <£lc4+ and 4 ...<£\d 6=, or 2.�b4 at its disposal. <£\c5 3.{)f6 {)a6+4.� c4 {)c7=. What's Let's choose our first move after more, Black's moves in these variations rejecting alternativetri es. are not "only" ones. On l.�c3? �c5! White, strange as It becomes clear that the king has it may seem, falls into zugzwang. to be taken further away from possible checks. Vit'a3!! There is neither 2.�d3 <£\e5+ 3.�e4 <£\c6 nor 2.�d2 �d4 with a subsequent ...�e5-e6. And on 2.<£ld6 l... �c5 2.<£ld6 <£lf6 3.{)e4+ loses <£\f6 3.<£le4+ the knight is taken with immediately. l...�a5 2.<£\c7<£lf6 3.� b3 check. is no better, and Black is in zugzwang We can reject l.�b3? in connection (3 ...�b6 4.<£\d5+). with 1...<£\c5+! 2.�c4 <£\e6(threatening On l...�a7 we reply either 2.�b2 ...�c6-d 7). or even 2.�b3, no longer fe aring 196 The Process of Elimination 2 ...4::1 c5+ 3.'it>c4 .r£1e6 4.4::1d6 .r£1g7 24. 197 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 52 ...g6? 53.g5! (not compulsory, but probably the most "cultured" move) 53 ...hg 54.hg a4 55.�cl! �d4 56.�e6+ �e5 57.�f8 �f5 58.�h7 +- ; 52 ...g5? 53.hg hg 54.�cl (again "cultured," but far from compulsory; White also succeeds in eliminating the g5-pawn by bringing the knight back to the queenside: 54.�e4+ �b2 55.�xg5 a4 56.�f3 a3 57.�el(d4) a2 Threatening 7 .!!cl#. If the bishop 58.�c2 +- ) 54 ...�d4 55.�d7! 'it>e4 were positioned on e6, then it would be 56.�b2 �f4 57.�f6 �e5? 58.�h5! +- . lost after6 ...!!b 6! 7.!!cl+ �b2 8.!!xal Let's check the continuation that !!d6+! 9.'it>e2 !!xe6+, but now Black suggests itself, 52 ...\t'd4? 53.�e6+ �e5 does not have this resource. His 54.�xg7 �f4. attempts at further play may only be associated with a rook sacrifice in the hope of a double blow: check with the queen and a simultaneous attack on the undefended bishop. When going into this position, it would hardly be possible to precisely test if our opponent would finda route to victory. But that is not required either: by process of elimination we have established that we did not have another defense anyway. After 55.g5 hg 56.h5, it becomes If 6 ...!!d 2+ 7.�xd2 �aS+, then clear that 56 ...g4 57.h6 g3 is useless 8.�e2! �h5+ 9.�f2!, and the bishop is because of 58.�e2(el)!+- . No help not lost. And on 6 ...!!c 2!?, there fo llows either is 56... �e5 57.�e8! (threatening not 7.!!xc2? �d4+ 8.!!d2 �gl(g4)+ 58.h6) 57 ...�f5 58.�d6+ �f6 59.�e4+ and 9 ...�xg8, but 7.!!b4+! !!b2 and 60.�g3 +- . 8.!!c4!=. 52 •••a4 !! 53. 198 The Process of Elimination remains dangerous: in all variations his �xg8 stalemate) 2.1tcl +I l;!xcl queen is lost aftera "skewering" check. 3.g8� l;!hl+ 4.1if/g31 l;!gl+ 5.1if/f2 Obviously we have to look for stalemate l;!xg8 stalemate. by first sacrificing the bishop with the move -'tel+!. 2-93 Balasbov - Bellon First let's study the most natural Black is the exchange up, but the king retreats on the f- file. Alas, the positions of his king and queen are results of our tests are unfavorable for fraught with serious dangers. He has to White. deal with the threats of 15.�c5 and l.'iftf4? al� 2.g8� �d4+ 3.�f5 15.�g2 �b2 16.E!bl. The move �d3+, and the queen will be eliminated 14 ...�d7? would be very good, if not a move later. Nothing is changed by fo r the lethal blow 15.Ad3!. 2.-ilcl+!? �c2(dl)! (the bishop is not On 14 ...�b2? !, the reply 15.�c5 taken, to avoid stalemating ideas) with a subsequent 16.�d6 is strong. For 3.g8� �d4+ 4.'iftf5 Ad3+. example, 16... �d7 (or 16... �b6 On l.'iftf5?, Black plays not 17.�d6 �f7 18.-'td3 c5 19.�b5 +- ) l...al �? 2.-ilcl +!, but first l...Ad3+! 16.�d6 �f8 (16... d4 17.�xe6+ �f8 2.�f4, and only now 2 ... al� 3.-ilcl+ 18.�d6+ 'ifte8 19.�d3! +- ) 17.-'tg2 d4 (3.g8� �d4+ 4.�f3 Ae4+) 3 ...'ifte2 18.�e4 +- . 4.g8� �d4+. The clever move 14 ...E!h3?!, chosen If l.'iftg3?, then decisive is the in the game, is also unsatisfactory. simple l...al � (there is only stalemate Black repels his opponent's two main ifthe white king gets to the h6-square). threats, but allows 15.�b5! �xeS By the way, l...alE!? misses the win 16.M4+- (it is important that the h3- because of 2.-'\.cl+! E!xcl 3.g8� E!gl+ rook comes under attack). 4.'iftf2! E!xg8 stalemate. But on l.�g5?, by contrast, mistaken is l...al�? 2.-'i.cl+! �xcl 3.g8� �gl + 4.'ifth6=, while l...alE!!!-+ is strong. The only saving move is V�h4!!. The game ended 16... �b2 (16... �f6 17.g5 �e7 18.�c7+ and 19.�xh3+- is no better) 17.�c7+ �d7 18.�xh3 �b4+ 19.�cl �a6 20.�xa8 �c3 21.g5!? (the simple 21.Ag2 is also sufficient) 21...�a3+ 22.�d2 �xh3 From the h4-square the king can 23.�g3 �e7 24.E!bl b6 25.�xb6+ head for both h6 and f2 - depending on 'ifte8,and Black resigned. which piece the a-pawn promotes to. The only way to hold the position is 14 ••• 4)e71. Now on 15.�c5 you can l •••al l!! (l...al� 2.-'\.cl +! �xcl 3.g8� �hl + 4.�g5! �g2+ 5.'ifth6 sacrifice a piece: 15... 0-0! to launch 199 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources complications after 16.'�xe7.£la6 that (f) 43 ...�f8? 44. .1l.d5 �e7 are not unfavorable for Black. Commenting on the game in Chess Informant, Yuri Balashov expressed the opinion that White achieves a W? decisive advantage by 15. .1lxe7 rt)xe7 16.Jlg2 �b2 17.�c5+ with 18.§bl to fo llow. 45.§a2! and 46.§a8 wins. An immediate invasion on the eighth rank, 45.§c8?!, is inaccurate because of 45 ...§d2+ 46.�fl §dl + 47.�g2 §d2+ 48.�h3 .£lxd7 49.§c7 §xd5 50 . .£lxd5+ �d6 5I.§a7 �xd5 52.§xd7+ �e6 with a likely draw; The queen is certainly caught, but The only move without any real nevertheless it is here that Black gets drawbacks is the one played; a real chances to save himself. 17... rt)d8! (17... �e8!? 18.§bl paradoxical king retreat to the cornerof .£la6! 19.�d6 �xbl 20.�xe6+ �f8 the board, 43 •••rt)h8!! also deserves attention) 18.E!bl4)d7! 19.�d6 �xbl 20.4)xbl E!xh2;;!;; , and approximate material equality is maintained on the board. 2-94 Mikhalcbishin - G. Garcia White has no real threats - neither 44.Ad5 .£lxd7 nor 44.§c5 §d2+ are dangerous. Any move that does not worsen his position works for Black. But there is the paradox: finding a The players (obviously having move that does not have one drawback analyzed the adjournedposi tion at home or anotherturns out to be very difficult. which had arisen shortly before this one) (a) 43 ...g5? 44.�e3 (or 44.§c5 + agreed to a draw. In the variation 44.§c5 - there is no check on d2) 44 ...§dl (44.Ad5 .£lxd7; 44 . .Q..b5 �g7) 45.�e4+- ; 44 ...§d2+ 45.�fl §dl + 46.�g2 §d2+ (b) 43 ...f6? (or 43 ...f5?) 44.Ad5 47.�h3 .£lg4 48.§c2 §xc2 49.d8�+ .£lxd7 45.§c7 +- ; �h7 50.Ag2 .£lf2+ 51.�h2 .£lg4+, (c) 43 ...�f6? 44 . .£ld5+; White has to bring his king back to h3, (d) 43... �h7(g8)? 44.Ad5! .£lxd7 accepting perpetual check, as other 45 . .£lxd7 §xd5 46 . .£lf6+; retreats even lose: 52.�g l? .ll.e3+ (e) 43 ...§ d6? 44 . .£lc4! .£lxc4 53.�fl M2! or 52.�hl? §cl+ 53.Afl 45.bc! +- (45.§xc4 Ad2 46.Aa4 Ac3 §xfl + 54.�g2 §f2+ 55.�gl(hl) !J.e3. 47.§c8 M6 48.§b8 !J.e7� is weaker); 200 The Process of Elimination 2-95 E. Janosi * It may seem that White's efforts How to fight a piece down? Only remain fruitless - as on 4.t!a2 now a transfer of the rook to the fifth rank there is the reply 4 ...�e6 -+ . A brilliant promises some chances. But a direct stalemating idea comes to the rescue. l.t!d2+? 'it'e6 2.t!e2+ 'it't7! 3.t!e5 is 4.Ete2! ci!}d6 5.Ete5!! ci!}xe5 easily refutedby 3 ...�h7! 4.t!xh5 �f6+ stalemate. 5. 'it'g5 �xh5 -+ . On l.t!a2?, our opponent replies 2-96 Kortchnoi - Timman l...�e6! 2.t!a5+ �c5 -+ . We should There are not many pawns left on note that if the rook were on b5 we the board (and soon there will be even would manage to save ourselves by fe wer), and the white rooks are very attacking the g6-pawn with the move active, so it is not at all easy for Black 3.t!b6. It seems that White does not to win. have any other chances. Defending the h5-pawn with l.Etb2!! 37 ...l::l e5 (having in mind 38.t!xe5? 4Jd3+ and 39 ...�xe5) does not work: 38.t!d8+! l::le8 39.t!d5. The knight sacrifice 37 ...t!x f2? does not give Black anything: 38.t!xc5 g3 (38 ...t!x e3 39.'it'dl=) 39.t!xh5 (threatening mate), and if39 ... l::le7, then 40.§a8+. In the game there followed 37 ...�b3+? 38.'it'c2 (38.'it'b2!? t!b8 39.t!xh5= also makes sense) 38 ...§b 8 Threatening both 2.l::lb5+ and2. l::lb6. 39.t!xh5 t!xf2+ 40.'it'dl t!d8+ 41.'it'el On 1...4Je4 2.l::lb5+ �e6 (2 ...4Jc5 3.§b6 t!t742.t! xt7+,draw. 4Je64.§b5+) 3.l::lxh5 4Jf6+ 4.�g5, Black The only winning try is 37••• 4)e 4! has to take on h5 with the pawn, which 38.Etxh5ci!}g 8. Hopeless is 39.t!hh7 leads to a drawn position: 4 ...gh 5. l ••• ci!}c5 2.Eta2! (unlike in the variation l.t!a2?, here there is no knight cover on the fifth rank) 2 •••ci!}b5 3.Etb2+! ci!}c6 W? 39 ... t!xf2? 40.t!h8+ W 41.t!5h7+ 'it'g6 42.t!h6+! leads to an immediate draw. And on 39 •••Etef8, the reply 40.Ete7 looks unpleasant, planning to give perpetual check on the g5- and h5-squares aftera knight retreat. 201 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Only after the game was over did paths do not promise us anything, while Timman find the winning blow here Black retains excellent chances of 40... g 3!1. success. Even foreseeing the best On 41.fg, the king falls into a defense 40.c5!! in advance, it does not mating net: 41..-l:Hl + 42. 2-97 G. Kasparyan * W? Black holds onto the pawn by one of two methods: l..:�·fB or l...�c7. We have to find counterplay for both replies, and at the same time determine in which white king position the counterplay will be more effective. It is not difficultto prove that the While checking this exercise on my king is positioned worst on the al- or computer while preparing this book I b2-squares: both replies win easily. ran into the unexpected resource 40.c5!!. On 1. 202 The Process of Elimination 6 .. :�e3+! 7.'3k2 �d3+ 8.�b2 (if 2-98 D. Gurgenidze * 8.�c3, then at least 8 ....ilb 5+, with l.E!.a3+1 ...�d4+ and ...�xd7) 8 ...�d2+ 9.'3i'a3 The check is necessary to deflect (9.�b3 �c2+) 9 ...�cl + 10.'3i'b3�c2+ the king to the second rank - otherwise ll.�c3 �bl +! 12.'3i'b3 �c2+ 13.'3i'b4 the pawn queens without any hindrance �d2+ 14.�b3 .ilc2+ 15.�b2 �dl + (l.fl.h3? e3 2.�d5 e2-+ ). 16.�bl �c2+ 17.'3i'al �c3+ 18.�bl l ... There is no 5.'3i'd4 fl.al! -+ . And on 5.fl.g3 decisive is 5 ...fl.hl ! 6.fl.xe3 (6.fl.g2+ e2 7.'3i'f3 fl.fl +) 6 ...fl.h 4+ 7.�f3 fl.h3+. We should point out that the winning maneuver became possible only because the white rook had to leave the h-file. Bearing in mind the If 3 ...'3i'c7, then 4.fl.g7! �xg7 absence of other dangerous ideas for 5.4Je8+. It is clear that with the king on Black, we can come to the conclusion al or b2 a knight check is impossible that in the diagram we have a position because of the pin. of mutual zugzwang. 3 ... 203 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 5 ...!::!. e2 6.Cit>d4! !::!.el 7.'it>e4 e2 2-100 V. Pakhman 8.!::!.d3+ Cit>c29. !::l.e3! 'it>d2 10.!::!.d3+. 1 ...®b3 + with mate is threatened, and if the king breaks out of the danger 2-99 A. Bezgodkov, V. Samilo * zone via d3, then there is a knight fork Afterconvincing ourselves that on lying in wait for White on e5. On l.h7? !::!. xh7! 2 . .£lxh7 'it>xd5, the last l.'it'bl? �b4+ 2.'it'c2,it is possible both pawn is inevitably lost, we can start to take the queen, 2 ...�b2 + 3.®d3 studying other options. The most .£le5+, and mate: 2 ...�b3 + 3.'it'cl natural move is l.b4? (if, of course, you �b2 #. Black has the same pleasant quickly find the variation l...!::!. xb4? choice in the variation l.®a2? 'it'b5+ 2.h7 !::!.h4 3 . .£lh5! +- ). But our opponent 2.®bl �b4+ 3.�c2 �b2+ 4.'it'd3 : the replies l...!::!.b8! 2.b5 !::!.h8! 3.b6 !::!.xh6 simplest is 4 ....£le5+, but 4 ..:il!'fxe2+ also 4.b7 !::!.hl+ 5.'it>xg2 !::!.bl= or 2.h7 !::!.h8 wins, continuing the king hunt. with an unavoidable 3 ...!::!. xh7 4 . .£lxh7 We want to bring the queen into the 'it'xd5=. defense. We can immediately reject We should note that after the rook l.�bl? �c3+ and l.�d3? �b5+ 2.�bl sacrifice it will not be so easy for the "ili"b4+. Slightly more careful calculation black king to attackthe pawn that remains is required by l.�c2+?. The win is on the board, if it is positioned on b3. missed on l...�b5+? 2.�bl .£la3+ l.b31! E{xb3 (2 ...�b4+ is not dangerous either) Ifl...!::!.b8 2.h7 !::!.h8 3.®xg2 !::!.xh7 3.�b2(cl) .£lxc24. !::!.d5+. So Black plays 4 . .£lxh7 ®xd5, the knight succeeds in l...�b4+ 2.�a2 (2.�bl .£la3+)2 .. :i£re5+ defending the pawn with 5 . .£lg5! (but 3.�bl, and now either 3 ....£la3 +, fo rcing not 5.4Jf6+? 'it'd4!=) 5 ...®d4 6 . .£lf3+ mate (4.�cl �c3+), or 3 ....£lxe2!? -+ . ®c3 7 . .£ld2+- . If l.�g3?, then discovered checks 2.h7 E{bl+ are not too dangerous fo r White at the Black is preparing his last trap. The moment. But he is defenseless after consequences of 2 ...!::!. h3 are already 1... .£lxe2!, for example: 2.�b8 (2.�d3 familiar to us: 3 . .£lh5! !::!.xh5 4 . .£l£4+ 'it'f7 ®b5+) 2 ...�c3 + 3.�a2 (3.®bl .£la3+ 5 . .£lxh5 +- . 4.®a2 �c2+ 5.�al �xdl+ 6.®a2 3.�xg2 E{b8 .£lc3+)3 ...�c2 + 4.®al �xdl+ 5.�bl �d4+ 6.'it>a2 .£lc3+. We are leftwith the only defense that we have not tested yet: l.E{d21!. W? The subsequent play develops by force. l •••�b3+ 2.�bl 4)a3+ 3.�cl �c3+ On 4 . .£lg8?, Black has prepared 4 ...®f7 5.h8� !::!. xg8+. The same combination leads to the goal as on 2 ...!::!. h3, only with a 90-degree turn. 4.4)e8! E{xe8 s.4)c7+ �f7 6.4)xe8. 204 The Process of Elimination 4.ttc2+! (4.Ek2? 'i*e1 •) the piece. For example: 20 ...'l*b6(f6) 4 •• .J�)xc2 5 • .§d3! 4)xe2+ 6. 205 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources The breakthrough obviously does not work immediately. The question is how to prepare it. l.�e3? �c6 is a mistake. It is impossible to wait any longer: 2.'it>e2 �b5 3.g4 f5!-+ or 2.�d2(d4) 'it>b5 3.'it>c3 (3.g4 hg 4.f5 g3 -+) 3 .. .f5-+. But if2.g4, then 2 ...hg 3.f5 gf 4.h5 f4 +!, and Black wins. new opportunities to his opponent. For l.�e2? was played in the game example: 42 ...�h7 (preparing ...ltg7 (counting on l...�c6? 2.g4! hg 3.f5=) and ...h6- h5) 43.'i!Ye8, and there is no l...�d5!. time for a capture on f2, as the f7-pawn is under attack. Or 42 ...M6 43.�e8! ltd8(43 .. J!d8 44 . .£le6+) 44.'i!Ye5+�f 6 45.�d7+- (45 . .£ld5?! �xd5 46:�xd5 Axc7 is weaker). 42 ...h5 was played in the game. In reply it is possible to act according to the plan 43.�c8 �h7 44:�e8 Ag7, and now 45 . .£lh3! is very strong. But Romanishin noticed that with a pawn The main position of mutual on h5 a combination works that did not zugzwang has arisen fo r this endgame bring him anything one move earlier. with White to move. 2.�d2 �c6 or 43.'i!Ye7! Axf2 (43 ...�f 6 44.�c8 2.�el c3 are hopeless; we have already �f5 45.'i!Yd8! +- ) 44.4Jxh5+! gh seen the consequences of 2. �e3 45.�xd6 �c6! -+ . Unlike in the variation 42.'i!Ye7? 2.g4 hg 3.f5 g3! 4.fg g2 5.'it>f2 'it>e6 Axf2 43 . .£lh5+, Black does not have the 6.g7 'it'f7, and White resigned because important h6-pawn. of7.b5 c3 8.b6 c2 9.b7 gl'i!Y+!. 45 ...'i!Yb l 46.'i!Ye5+, and Black It seems that it is possible to break resigned because of 46 ...�g6 47.�c6+ through only when the black king goes �h7 48.'i!Yxh5+. to c6. To avoid zugzwang we play Vit'el!!. 2-103 Berg - Hort There is no point in defending the b4-pawn with the king from c3 - the outcome of the battle is decided by the spare tempo .. .f6-f5. White's only hope is associated with the pawn breakthrough on the kingside g3-g4 (if his opponent prevents it in advance or refuses to take the pawn by playing .. .f6-f5, then the king can now be sent to the queenside). 206 The Process of Elimination On l...�d5 2.�e2!, Black is in 17 ...b5? 18.ttxg7 +- does not zugzwang: 2 .. .'�d4 (2 ...�e6 3.g4!=) work. He should accept the loss of a 3.�d2!= (but just not 3.g4? f5! 4.gf gf pawn by playing 17 ...0-0 18.ttd4 ± . But 5.�d2 e3+ 6.�e2 �e4 7.b5 �xb5 Ivanchuk did not go into complications 8.�xe3 �e5 -+ ). fo r the sake of this. l ••• 2-105 Tukmakov - Agzamov * You have to move the bishop (there simply are not any other moves), but where? 207 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Evidently the bishop should stay 51...!J.f6 (not 51...®d8 because of on the al-h8 diagonal, as on 52 . .£Jc4, attacking the bishop and the 47 .....11 h4(g5)? the simple 48.®e4! is d6-pawn) 52.®e4 ®d8 53.�f4 �e7 unpleasant; 54 . .£Jc4 Ac3 (54 ...Ah4 55.®g4+-) On 47 .....11 d4?, there is the reply 55.®g5 .lld4 56.®g6 .llc3 57 . .£le3+- . 48.b4! +- ; We should note that if the black On other bishop retreats, you have king succeeds in getting to f6, the to deal with 48. �f7+ ®b8 and now outcome of the battle remains unclear. 49.�d7, 49.f6 or 49 . .£ld7+: This does not happen because of the 47 .....11 e5? 48.�f7+ ®b8 49 . .£ld7+ position of the bishop on b2. Thus we ®a7 50 . .£lxe5 de 51.�e4 with a come to the only correct move; winning queen ending; 47 ••• -'lal!! 48."ttf7+ �b8 47 ...�h8? 48.�f7+ ®b8 49.f6! 49."ttd7 ®a7 50 . .£ld7�xa5 51.�e8! 49.f6 ®a7 50 . .£ld7�xa5= does not give anything. 49 •••"tt xd7! (49 ...�f8? 50 . .£Jc4 leads to a difficult position) 50.4)xd7+ �c7 51.4)b6 (the same situation as in the last diagram, but with the bishop on al) 51 ••• �d8! 52.�e4 �e7 53.4)c4 .!lc3 54.�f4 �f6! 55.�g4 .!lal! 56.4)xd6 �e5 57.4)c4+ (57 . .£lxb7 ®xd5=) 57 ••• �xd5 58.�g5 The poorly-positioned bishop is not cooperating with the queen, and the latter has to retreat. 51... �c7 52.f7.!J.g7 53.®e4 B? The king penetrates the opponent's camp with decisive impact. Here is a sample variation: 53 ...c4 54.bc �xc4+ 55.®f5 �xd5+ (55 ...�d3 + 56.�e4 �h3+ 57.�g4 +- ) 56.®g6 �g2+ 57.�h7 aS 58.�b8+ (58.�d8!?) 58 ...�a6 59.�xd6+ ®b5 60.�g6 �h3+ All that remains is to make the last 6l.®xg7 �xd7 62.®h6+- ; precise move. 47 .....Q.b2? 48.�f7+ ®b8 49.�d7! 58 •••.Q.h8!! (preparing 59 ...�d4) �xd7 (nothing better is evident) 59.�g6 (59.f6 ®e6) 59 ••• �d4 60.f6 50 . .£lxd7+ ®c7 51..£lb6 .!lxf6 61.�xf6 �c3 62.�e5 �xb3 63.�d5 �b4=. 2-106 M. Liburkin * Black has two deadly threats: l...�a4+ 2.®bl dl�+ and l...b3+ 2.®bl �xg6+. No help is l.b3? �a6+ (l...cb+ also wins) 2.�b2 c3+ with a subsequent 3 ...�xg 6+. It may seem that l.Ac2? b3+ 2 . ..11xb3 cb+ 3.®xb3 �d5+ 208 The Process of Elimination 4.�c2 gives a sufficientdef ense, but if 28.l:!xg7+) 28.fg+ r,t>xh7 29.l:!xh6+! we continue the variation with 4 .. :i!i'c4+ r,t>xh6 30.'itfxf4+. But if 27 ...r,t>f8 5.r,t>xd2 Af4+ 6.'�dl'itfcl +, it becomes (instead of27 ...�h8), then 28.fg+ �e7 clear that this is not the case. 29.l:!e3+�e6 30.l:!d4+-. The move V�)xd2!! (in the hope A typical combination with a of switching to a drawn endgame after double rook sacrifice works in the l...'itfxhl 2 . .1le4+) does not look vanat10n 26 ...g6? 27.l:!xf4 �xe4 convincing either because of the 28.l:!xh6 (threatening 29.l:!xe4 l:!xe4 zwischenschach l ..•b3+ !. 30.l:!h8+!) 28 ...l:!c d8 29.l:!h8+! �xh8 30.l:!h4+ �g8 31.l:!h8+! �xh8 32.'�h6+ r,t>g833.'itf g7#. It is considerably harder to evaluate the consequences of 26 ... 4Jg6. White continues the attack in one of two ways: 27.Axg6 fg 28.l:!xg6 or 27.l:!xg6 fg 28.f7+. It is hardly necessary to accurately calculate the complications which arise. It is enough to convince ourselves that the outcome of thebattle is unclear here, Not 2.r,t>a3? �d6•, and on a king and it is possible that the affair will end retreat to the first rank, the queen is in perpetual check. In any case, this is taken with check. An impressive unquestionably the best out of stalemating combination comes to the everythingwe have looked at until now. rescue. Which means that we should play this 2.4)xb3! cb+ (2 ...'l;1xhl 3 . .1le4+! way, if, of course, we have not missed 'itfxe4 4.<£)c5+) 3.1it'al!! 1txhl+ some other option for Black. 4.Jtbt 1tc6 5.-'le4! lit'b6 (5 ...'itfxe4 Concentrating on the search for new stalemate) 6.-'lxc6 1it'xc6 7.1it'bl candidate moves, we can find the There is an elementary fortress on strongest continuation and quickly theboard that is well known in endgame prove that it puts White in a position theory: despite the extra bishop, the fromwhich he cannot escape. position is drawn. But before showing you the solution, I will give you my analysis of 2-107 A. Zaitsev - Shamkovich the move 26 ...�g6?! anyway. White has concentrated his fo rces (a) 27.l:!xg6 fg 28.f7+! r,t>xf7 against the enemy king, noticeably 29.�d5+ r,t>e7(you also get a draw on weakening his rear in the process. 29 ...l:! e6) 30.l:!f3! Which will prevail: his attack or his opponent's counter-attack? The white pieces which are under B? attack are unassailable for now. On 26 ...<£)xh3?, 26 .. J!xe4? or 26 ...�xe4? there fo llows 27.l:!xg7+ �f8 28.'itfd6+ with mate. White also mates in the variation 26 ...t! cd8? 27.�h7+! �h8 (27 ...r,t>xh7 209 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 30 .. .'itld6! (the only defense, but it Inaccurate is 33:�h6+ �e7! is sufficient: the king boldly goes 34.'l*g5+ �d6 35.�f4 + �e5 36.�h6+ towards discovered check) 31.Af7+! �c7 37:�xe5+ �b6 38.a5+! �xa5 39:�xa5+ �xa5 40A)e3 �a4! (31.Ab3+ �c7 32:�f4+ �d8 33:�d6+ (40 ...�d 3 41.�e6 �xc3 42.h4 oo is Ad7 34.h3oo is also possible) 31...�c7 weaker) 41.�gl �b3, and the endgame 32.'l*f4+ �b6 (32 ...�d8? 33:�d6+ that arises is quite unpleasant for White. �d7 34.Axe8 is bad) 33:�d4+ �c7 Perpetual check is secured by 34.'i£rf4+ with perpetual check; 33.'l*h4+! �f7! (everything else loses) (b) 27 . .ilxg6fg 28.�xg6 �cd8 (the 34.'l*f4+ (or 34:�h5+) 34 ...�g8 (again only move) the only move) 35.�g3+ �g7 36:�c4+, and so on. Leonid Shamkovich found the W? strongest move. 26 .•.gS!I In the variation 29 .f7+?! �xf7 30.�xg7+! �xg7 31.�xh6+ �f7,White not only does not mate, but does not give perpetual check either. The game could develop like this: 32.'l*f4+ ®e6! Relatively simple calculations 33.�h6+ �d7 34.�h7+ �e7! 35.�g4+ �c7! 36.�xe7+ �b8 37.�el Axa4 show that White's attack hits a wall. 38.'i*g3+ 'it>a8 39 . .£)e3 'i£rxc3 with an 27.�xh6 �xe4 28.�xg5+ Ag6 -+ ; 27.�xg5+ hg 28.Ah7+ �h8 advantage fo r Black. (threatening 29 ....£)xh3) 29.�h6 �cd8 Stronger is 29.�xg7+ �f8 30.�d7! 30.�d3+ �g8 31.Ah7+ �f8 32.Ad3 �xd7 (or 30 ...Axd 7 3l.'i£rxh6+ �f7=) .£)g6-+ ; 31.�xh6+ 'it>f7 32:�h5+! (32.�h7+? 27.�h7+ �xh7 28.�xg5 (as was �e6-+ ) 32 ...�xf 6 played in the game) 28 ...�g 8 (another path to the goal is 28 ...�el + 29:�xel .£)xh3-+ ) 29.�c2+ �g6 30.�xg6 fg W? 31.�e3 �d8 32.�el .£)xg2 33.�e7+ �h8, White resigned. 210 Chapter III: Traps A conscious attempt to help your opponent make a mistake is known as a trap. We tempt him to choose an alluring or at least natural continuation, having foreseen a non-obvious retort in advance. The topic of playing for traps is poorly reflectedin chess literature. It usually focuses on how not to fall into a trap, how not to make a move with a hidden refutation. In my view this is a slightly different problem - the firstchapter of this book is dedicated to it. The majority of examples that train you to pay attention to your opponent's resources also develop your ability to avoid the traps we have set. Here, though, we will look at the art of setting traps, which is much more difficult. We not only have to determine our opponent's possible train of thought, what he is planning to play, but also simultaneously identify the vulnerable spot in his idea, which, of course, does not throw itself at us (otherwise there would be no basis to bank on a mistake). Clearly this is only achievable by players with sharp combinational vision. I will start with an ancient episode to his plan, which was what his when a top player fe ll into a trap set by resourcefulpartner was counting on. an amateur (true, the fo rmer was only 24... §.fd8? taking his firststeps in the international 24 ...b5! is necessary, and if 25.a4, arena at the time). then either 25 ...!:!b 8 with a subsequent ...!:!b 6, or 25 ...c4!?. Middleton - Rubinstein 25.i£)xe6 �xe6 26.f4! Germany 1905 The idea behind the "mysterious" rook move becomes clear: 26 ...ef?? is impossible 27 . .1lc4 • - the knight is pinned! After the fo rced 26 ...§.x d6 27. §.xd6+ §.xd6 28.fe �xeS, Whiteis left a piece up (for twopawns). True, making good on his advantage is not that simple, and Akiba Rubinstein, whose technical skills were considerably superior to his partner's, managed to hold out. Often to make your opponent After Black's intended 24 ...!:!f d8, blunder you need some "bait": an easy the pawn must be defended by 25. and, at first glance, unpunished !:!bdl. So the move that was made in opportunity to obtain material or the game, 24.§.el!?, looks strange, and positional advantages. it should have put the opponent on the The fo llowing game was played in alert. Rubinstein did not sense the a school tournament and the players' danger, though, and played according ratings were not high. 211 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Rubtsov - Dvoretsky The fo llowing game was played in Moscow, 1963 the early twentieth century. Both the opening setup and the players' subsequent actions were characteristic of the time. Alekhine - Levitsky 2nd Match Game, St. Petersburg 1913 l.e4 e5 2.f4 ef 3 • .1l,c4 �f6 4.�c3 .Q.b45.�g e2 d5 6.ed f3 7.gf 0-0 8.d4 The black pieces are positioned more actively, but it is not clear how to exploit this circumstance to achieve something substantial. Not much, fo r example, is promised by switching to an endgame after 22 ...�b2 !? 23:�e2 i*xe224.�xe2 �g4 25 . .1ld4. My attention was attracted by a trap idea: lure my opponent into winning the a7-pawn. The main variation quickly The simple 8 ...�xd5! 'i= gives Black flashedthrough my mind, and I did not excellent play. Instead, Stepan Levitsky try to resist the temptation. chose 8 •••.Q.h3? Having prevented 22 ••• �d31? 23."�a8+? (23.l�(dl} castling and threatened the move 23•• • 212 Traps 12.'i!rgl! 4Jxhl+ 13.�xh3, White achieves a decisive advantage. I do not doubt that MikhailTal would have gone fo r this variation immediately (we will acquaint ourselves later with a couple of examples where he deliberately fe ll into the trap his partner had prepared). Although they say, "No one judges the victors!," I still think that playing For example, in the variations fo r a trap by no means always deserves 2.!!e7 .§xg4+ (the simple 2 ...�g7 is approval, even if it is crowned with also possible) 3.hg 'i!rh2+ 4.�g5 'i!rh6+ success. I will give a typical example. 5.'it>f6 'i!rg7+ 6.�g5 'lii'h6+, or 2.'lii'f3 f6! 3 . .§f8 (3.'lii'xf6?? .§xg4+! 4.hg 'i!rh2+ Najdorf- Curtis 5.\Ttg5 'l!\'h6#) 3 ....§x g4+! (3 ....§f 4!) 4.�xg4 'lii'xf2+ 5.'l*g3 'l*d4+ with perpetual check. 2.f3 'l!\'xe3 3 . .§xe3 .§d4 leads to an equal rook endgame. On 2.�g5, there fo llows 2 ...'lii' dl or 2 ...'i!rh l. Finally, on 2.!!a8, it is simplest to make the useful move 2 ...�g 7!, and if 3.!!a3, then 3 ...�g2 , having in mind not only 4 ...'l*xd5, but also 4 ...!!c 8!. So was it worth taking a risk, if Black had a simple and sound path at Black tried the desperate his disposal? l ...Etc 3?!. The experienced grandmaster did not guess his But if you are trying to save a opponent's idea and artlessly gobble the hopeless position or win a completely drawn one, here a trap tactic makes rook he had been offered. The game sense, and what's more, sometimes it is ended 2.�xc3? (2.'l!rd4 or 2.'i!rf4 wins the only thing that promises us any easily) 2 •••�x f2+ 3. 213 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources completely appropriate: Do not leave a stone unturned. It is alwayssometh ing, to knowyou 've done the most you could. You'll find a few more endgame "last chance traps" in my book Tragicomedy in the Endgame: in its sixth chapter there is a section by called "Traps." Now let's discuss an example of a. successful trap in a duel between two top grandmasters. Unjustified greed. By continuing 2.'l11d2!, and then, fo r example, �b3, Bronstein - Kortchnoi .£Jb2, 'itla4, -tld3-cl-b3, White wins the Moscow-Leningrad Match 1962 aS-pawn, and with it also the game. 2 •••cb (Black wants to close up the game conclusively with the move 3 ...h4 =) W? 3.h4 gh 4. "ttd2 h3! 5.gh h4, draw. Neither the king nor the queen is capable of surmounting the barrier. Vyzhmanavin - Lerner Soviet Championship, Lvov 1984 White has a significant advantage, based not so much on his extra pawn as it is on the vulnerable position of the enemy king. True, two pawns (b2 and f3) are under attack, but if he plays, for example, 36.-®'aS, they will be untouchable: on 36 ...�x b2?, there fo llows 37:i!;'\'a8+ '!;h7 38.�e8 with a decisive attack. An attack on the back rankcan also In a drawn position Black tries his be launched immediately, but then the last chance. f3-pawn remains under attack. That 74 ••• l;:ta3!? 75.�d2?? circumstance does not rattle David Correct, of course, is 75.�b2! �f3 Bronstein. 76.'!;c2�d5 77.'!;d2=. 36."ttb8+! �h7 37.l;:te8!"tt xf3?! 75 •••h2! 76.�e2 };:tal! White Viktor Kortchnoi does not guess resigned. his opponent's clever idea and falls into For the two fragmentswe have just the net he has set. Capturing the other looked at, as well as some of the pawn also loses: 37 ...�x b2 38.�h8+ examples fromthe exercise section, the '!;g6 39. �e5 �c2 40.�h5+ 'itlf6 words of Charles Dickens are 41.�f5+ 'itle7 42.�e5+, and White's 214 Traps attack is unstoppable. 37 ...'�1g6! ± offers idea we do not lose very much: the comparatively better chances of a evaluation of the position does not successfuldef ense. change substantially and the battle will 3S.ghs+ 'i!7g6 continue. In calculating the variations we check the correctness of the move that W? we intend to make. And we do not usually consider its tactical basis to be a trap, except in those rather rare cases when our idea is not obvious andwe are justified in hoping that our opponent will not guess it. I will elaborate on the thoughts I have expressed with the fo llowing In deciding to take the f3-pawn, example. Kortchnoi was undoubtedly convinced that his opponent had no simple paths Grachev - lnarkiev to his goal. For example, 39:�e8+? "i!Yf7! Moscow 20 1 1 40:�e4+ 'it>g5 4l.�e5+ (4l.�e3+? �f4+) 41...'it>xg4, and White has to be satisfiedwith perpetual check. 39.gxb6+!1 W? Black resigned because of the variation 39 ...'it>xh6 (39 ...gh 40.�g8+ 'it>f6 41. �f8+) 40.�h8+ ®g6 41."i!Yh5+ 'it>f642.g5+ and 43.�xf3. What can we say about the trap that we have just looked at? Well, firstly, it is sufficiently well-hidden (Kortchnoi did not fall into it without reason - he On the board there is a quiet and himself is a superb tactician), and that almost equal position that is just a little means it had good chances of success. more pleasant for White. To fight fo r a Secondly, playing fo r a trap in this win, on the one hand you have to case was not associated with the risk of accumulate tiny advantages, hoping that worsening White's position: as the with inaccurate play by your opponent continuation he chose was the strongest they will gradually transform into or one of the strongest. The tactical noticeable superiority; and on the other blow that Bronstein prepared served in you have to prepare tricks for your essence as the tactical basis of the path opponent, to provoke him into he intended to take. These kinds of inaccuracies and mistakes. "incidental" traps are a powerful These requirements are fully weapon, and they are not even satisfied by the move that Boris associated with any particular risk. Grachev made, 24.gd3!. He wants to Because if our opponent guesses our seize the d-filewith his queen, playing 215 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources i*dl or i*d2at the appropriate moment 21..:t;;i-g4!?. The move he made, (by the way, this is not threatened now 21 ....1l,d 41?, is objectively slightly because of the reply 4Je4). And at the weaker. But it is very good from a same time he sets a little trap, which his practical point of view, only on opponent fa lls into. condition that the Greek player sees the 24 .. :/tf5?? 25.§.xd6! �xc2 hidden tactical zest. Alas, in this game 26.§.d8+ �h7 27.�g5+, Black he clearly lacked sufficient tactical resigns because of unavoidable mate. inventiveness. Grachev probably did not see the move he had made as a trap: he hardly Viktor Kortchnoi found himself expected that his sophisticated partner fa cing a choice: with which piece to would make such a crude blunder. For take the bishop. The consequences of White, the variation that occurredin the 22.i*xd4 are obvious: 22 ...�xd 4 game served only as the tactical basis 23.f!xd4 f!xcl + 24.f!dlf!x al 25.f!xal, for his intended move. But, as we can and White has to fight for a draw in a see, even such apparently simple traps worse rook endgame. have practical chances of success. As a 22.§.xd4? was played in the game. very large number of players are inclined to concentrate only on their own ideas and are insufficiently attentive to their opponents' resources. B? It is clear that only an inventive player who has sharp combinational vision can succeed in setting traps. More than once I have had to observe a situation where neither player suspected the existence of a tactical ambush that was hidden behind the move made on the board. The opponent fe ll into it, but After 22 ... i*xd4 23.i*xd4 f!xcl + was left unpunished. 24:t;;i"dl f!xdl+ 25.f!xdl the rook is positioned slightly better on dl than it Kortchnoi - Georgiadis was on al in the variation we looked at Gibraltar 20 12 earlier, and that circumstance apparently determined the grandmaster's choice. True, he had to deal with the additional possibility of 22 ...f!x cl + 23.f!xcl (23.f!dl f!xal 24.f!xal i*xb2 25.f!fl �b5 26.�xe7 �xd5 + is worse) 23 ...f!x cl + 24.i*xcl i*xd4 25.g3 �xd5. Kortchnoi obviously hoped after 26.i*c7 to hold the queen endgame a pawn down. But here is what remained unnoticed by both players, an Black achieves a tangible impressive deflection, 22.. :t;;i"xa5!! advantage by continuing 21.. . .llxb2 or 23.f!bl�a2 -+ . 216 Traps 22 •• ."�xd4? 23.�xd4 .§.xcl+ 24. �dl .§.xdl + 25• .§.xdl .§.c2 {25 ... (33 ...� a3!?) 34.'itlg3 a5 35• .§.b5 the tournament, superbly conveyed his B? perception of this episode for the players and spectators. Black has just played 4.5••• f.5 - "My only chance because otherwise White just brings his king to c2 and plays §b3, " (Karjakin. ) . 46.l!d.5 "Perhaps I should play 46.13, but I believed that aft er the exchange of On the next move White will rooks, White should be very close to probably advance a pawn: h2-h4. In the winning here " (Carlsen). game they played 35 •••h6 36.h4 And here is another example of a trap that remained unnoticed by both players. 46.•• l!d8 47.l!xd8 .t}.xdS Carlsen - Karjakin 48. f!;d3 Sao Paulo 2012 ...and with extraordinary effort Karjakin hung onto a draw after I will reproduce the valuable notes 48••• f41 49. f!;e2 g.51 .50.gxf4 by Ian Rogers fromthe 1Oth issue of the exf4 .51.hxg.5 .t}.xg.5 .52. f!lf3 .tJ.h4 magazine 64 - Chess Review for 2012. .53. a4 a6 .54. b3 g.5 .5.5. f:Ja.5 f!le.5 The grandmaster, who was present at .56. €Jc6+ f!;d6 .57.€Ja.5 f!le.5 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 58. €)c4+ f!ld4 59. a5 .tJ. xfZ was in good fo rm ?) Yes, Caruana was 60. f!/xfZ f!lxe4 61 .€)d6+ f!ld5 wandering past Carlsen 's game against 6Z. €)e8 f!lc6 63 .€Jf6 f!lb5 64. €)e4 Karjakin, when Karjakinplayed 45. ..!5. g4 65. f!leZ f!lxa5 66. €Jxc5 f!lb4 Atfirst Caruana was puzzledas to why 67. €J xa6+ f!/xb3, draw. Karjakin would allow 46. !1d5, which After the game commentator obliges Black to exchange rooks into a Gilberta Milos, having had a little help likely losing ending, when he saw from his silicon friend,pointed out the 46. ..!1xb2 +!!and thought "What a great extraordinary trick missed by both trap by Karjakin!" Sadly Caruana 's player - 46. ..!1xb2+!! 47. fJxb2 fx e4! fa ith in the genius of Karjakin was when the white rook is trapp ed and disabused one move later. Whitewill struggle to draw. (I will point out that here, too, a drawn outcome is When choosing one path or another the most likely: after 48.El.d3!? ed in a game it makes sense, all things 49.�xd3 �d5 50.f3 or 48.E!.d7!? �xd7 being equal, to give preference to a 49.�e3 �c6 50.�xe4 �b5 5l.�d5, continuation in which the likelihood of Black's extra pawn does not play a your opponent making a mistake is significant role.) increased. We can only talk about a trap "Oh! Really! 46. .. !1xb2 is in these kinds of situations with a brilliant! " exclaimedKatjakin. considerable amount of caution, but "Wow! " was all Carlsen could still, in essence this is the same "trap" manage. approach. So are the top players playing Let's take a look at a theoretical worse than they used to? Wo uld endgame position that arose in analysis superstars of old have missed such of the famous ending Capablanca tactical ideas? Absolutely. The Janowsky, New York 1916. problem, as Shakespeare pointed out many years ago, is not in the stars but in ourselves. We are living in an age where everybody has access to computer assessments, meaning that W? every small oversight by top players app ears magnified In years past, tricks such as 46... !1xb2+!! might only have been noticed months or even years later, perhaps only brought to light by an amateur writing a letter to LarryEvans in Chess Life. Nowadays every move of White is in no condition to get a the top grandmasters can be challenged win: with accurate defense all his efforts andyes, being human, even Carlsen and are parried. The question is how to Aronian can miss moves that seem cause the most problems for his obvious once you are shown them. opponent. 89 . .ild6 r.t'c4= is harmless. After all, who would see Having positioned itself in the rear of 46... !1xb2+!! without a computer its counterpart, the black king prevents pointing it out? Fabiano Caruana - that a cover on c5 and guarantees an easy is who! (D id I mention that Caruana draw. 218 Traps 89.ltb6 ltg5 90.Af2 AdS 91.Ag3 Aronian - Jakovenko c4= gives nothing - again White was Olympiad, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 too late for the cover 92.ltc7. The move 89.b7 causes a problem fo r Black, but we can come back to that later. W? 89.'ifld5! Counting on his opponent sticking to a waiting tactic, by choosing, for example, 89 .. .f.Tic3?, then White wins by 90.Ad6 ..Q.b6(90 ...�b3 91. Ac5 �a4 92.�c6 +- ) 91.�c6 - depending on the bishop retreat the white bishop goes to c5 or c7. 89 ...J}.d2!! The only non-obvious defense. On Black's pieces are tied down to the 90.b6, there fo llows 90 ...Aa 5=. defense of the c5-pawn, and taking on 90.Ad8 (90.ltd6 lta5=) 90 ...Ae3! d4 is bad because of the reply .!:!c7. But (preventing the threatened 91.b6 Aa5 it is not easy for White to increase the 92.b7) 91.Ac7 (91.Ae7 Ab6 92.Ad6 pressure, as on 36.Ac6 the knight lta5 is not dangerous) 91 ...J}.d2! retreats with a tempo: 36 ....£Jb8. 92.'iflc6 The last move was 35 .. .'ittf8-g7. After our opponent has fo und the Levon Aronian rationally assumed that defense associated with the move ltd2! his opponent planned to go 36 ...M8, to we should go back to the initial position prepare 37 ...cd. Having spotted a flaw and try a plan with a transfer of the king in Dmitry Jakovenko's idea, Aronian to a6. decided to provoke him into blundering 92 ...Ae3 93.'it'b7! 'it'c4 and made a harmless waiting move. 94. 219 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources The words of La Rochefoucauld could serve as an epigraph for the next two examples: By pretending that we have fa llen into a trap that has been set we demonstrate truly sophisticated cunning, because deceiving a person is easiest of all when he wants to deceive us. In one of the books of Mikhail Tal's collected games there is a section called "Falling into a Trap." The grandmaster describes how he tries to After the exchange of pawns, the finda carefully-hidden net so as to later opportunity indicated above, 40 .. .f6!? find a move (it maybe a zwischenzug) 41. �xg6 .lld6, loses some of its fo rce or an unexpected solution that turns because the c-file has opened up fo r the everything upside down (or downside white rook. But, it deserved attention up - I do not know). It is like with here too, fo r example, 42Jk6 ( 42. wrestlers - one of them fa lls on the mat �h4!? �c7 ±) 42 ... �c7 43.E!.xd6 �xe8 44.E!.xe6 �xg6 45.E!.xe8 E!.a2, and the so that later, aft er extricating himself, outcome of the battle in a rook endgame he will be in a more fa vorable is not completely obvious yet. position. Another try, 40 ...Ae7, is justified I will introduce you to two episodes with 4l.�xf7?b3 ! 42.E!.c3 E!.a243.E!. xb3 of creativity by Tal on this topic, using �f8 oo or 41..llxf7?! E!.xe5+ 42.fe �xf7 his notes. 43.E!.c8 ( 43.b3 Ad8) 43 ...b3! ;�:.But after41.E!.c 8! Black's position becomes Bannik -Tal hopeless: one more threat has been Soviet Championship, Moscow 1957 added to all the others, 42.E!.a8. The path chosen by Jakovenko did not leave him any chances of saving himself. B? 40 •••g5?! 41.1txf7! Aronian correctly notices that he can give up two minor pieces for a rook and pawn, as the black knight remains out of play and will soon be lost. Then again, 41.E!.c6!? is also very strong. 41 •••.§.xe 5+ 42.fe �xf7 43 • .§.c6 4)b8 44. .§.c7+ 1te7 On 44 ...�g8, he intended 45.b3, Wh ite 's last move, 25. !1dl -d2, putting his opponent in a zugzwang fo rced me to be on my guard. Why did position. An analogous zugzwang also Bannik provoke Black into the fa vorable comes about in the game. advancefo r him ...e4-e3? As aft er the fo rced 25 ••• e3/ 26.fe �xe3+, Wh ite 45.b3 4)a6 46 • .§.b7 Black resigns because of 46 ...�e8 (preparing apparently cannot continue 27.�f2 27.•• t{Jxe2+/, 47 ...Ad8 and 48 ....£\c7) 47.E!.a7 .£\b8 because of winning the exchange.Did my exp erienced opponent, 48.E!.a8. 220 Traps by the way also an excellent tactician, It is obvious that White 's position really not notice this obvious blow? is worse. In his search fo r a defense By doubting Wh ite 's "naivete, " Robert Hubner prepared a trap fo r me. Black easily guessed the trap that had 23.b3 4)xh3+1 been set fo r him. And then fo und a Once again Black happ ily goes "to zwischenzug in it and happily stuck his meet his death, " as he had discovered head in the trap. an interim counter-blow in reserve. A For myself, I will point out that fe w of the next moves were made after 27.�h2 � White's position virtually instantaneously. remains playable. But there was no It is worth noting that the point in provoking ...e4-e3 fo r the sake transposition of moves 23 ...Axc3?! of that - there were more reliable paths. 24.§.xc3 4Jxh3+ allows White to get a 28• .§.xe2 �xcl + 29 • .§.el playable position after 25.�h2! 4Jg5 26.�xg5 hg 27.4Jf3 (however, after 27 ...4Jxf 3+ 28. §.cxf3 §.bd8, Black maintains his advantage). In the game, B? though, declining to capture the knight with 24.�h2 4Jg5 does not improve his position, as his own rook is preventing the bishop fr om taking on g5. 24.�xh3 .Q.xc3 25.�g4 The lesser evil fo r White was the simple 25.!1[2, leaving him a pawn down aft er 25... .ti.a5. But the essence of the Anatoly Bannik was obviously trap was sp ecifically in the move 25. 'ttg4. counting on achieving a significant I will clarify that in the variation advantage in the variation 29 ...§.d l? 25.§.f2 Aa5?! 26.'/!i'g4 (with a 30.�xf6!§.x el + 31.�h2 �h6 32.Axel. subsequent 27. §.d3) it is not all that But an extremely unpleasant surprise simple as the white pieces are hanging was lying in wait for him. threateningly over the kingside. 29 •••.1lx c31 30 • .§.xcl .ild4-+ 25 ...'/!i'a5! ::;:: is stronger, and if 26.'/!i'g4, The exchange and a pawn up, then either 26 ...4Jc6 (attacking the e5- Black won easily, of course. pawn and preparing Ad4), or 26 ...Ael 27.§.h2f5 . Hiibner- Tal 25 •••� xa21 (25 ...Aa5? 26.§.e4 Interzonal Tournament, Biel 1976 with an advantage for White) 26• .§.xc3 B? 221 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Now on 26. .. fJe2+27. r!lh l fJxc3, By the way, after 26... 4)e2+ White has 28. .£i.xh6 with a winning 27.(jf;>hl, the same move 27 ...h5! is very attack. But at this point the saying "he strong (instead of the losing that mischiefhatches, mischief catches " 27 ...4)xc 3??). The move 28.'l!rxh5 leads has never been more app ropriate. to what happened in the game, and if 26... h511 28.'l!rf3, then 28 ...4)xc3 29.�xc3 In this paradoxical way Black �xb3-+. destroys the harmony of the white 27.�xh5 �e2+ 28.�hl �xc3 pieces and aft er obtaining a material 29.Ah6 �e2! 30. �g5 �e4+ advantage easily makes the best of it. 3l.laf3 �h7, and Black won. 222 Traps Exercises 3-1 Chigorin - Schlechter 3-2 Dvoretsky - Zlotnik Ostend 1905 Blitz game, Moscow 1989 B? W? 3-3 Tukmakov - Karpov 3-4 Pilskalniece - Berzins Interzonal Tournament, Leningrad 1973 Riga 1962 W? B? 3-6 Lopez Martinez - Guseinov 3-5 Jansa - Rublevsky European Championship Ostrava 1992 Warsaw 2005 W? W? 223 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 3-7 Moiseenko - Yusupov European Championship (Rapid) 3-8 Shytaj - Jenni Warsaw 2012 Olympiad, Dresden 2008 B? B? 3-9 Blackburne - Nimzowitsch 3-10 J. Polgar - Antunes St. Petersburg 1914 Olympiad, Yerevan 1996 W? B? 3-12 Honfi - Lengyel 3-11 Taimanov - Averbakh Hungarian Championship Leningrad 1947 Budapest 1963 B? W? 224 Traps 3-13 Fridman - Yusupov 3-14 Speelman - Yusupov Apeldoom 201 1 Hastings 1989 B? B? 3-15 Boleslavsky - Bondarevsky 3-16 Fuchs - Bronstein Moscow 1941 Berlin 1968 B? B? 3-17 Jimenez - Keene 3-18 Ganchev - Pipkov Camaguey 1974 Albena 1966 B? W? 225 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 3-19 Karpov - M. Gurevich 3-20 Vladimirov - Sorokin Reggio Emilia 1991 Hyderabad 2000 W? W? 3-21 Kortchnoi - Lputian 3-22 Klinova - Volokitin Sarajevo 1998 Saint-Vincent 2002 W? B? 3-23 Ulibin - Cramling 3-24 Sznapik - Lechtynsky Stockholm2005 Decin 1979 B? B? 226 Traps 3-25 Seirawan - Shirov 3-26 Howell - Hillarp Persson Buenos Aires 1993 Oslo 2008 B? W? How should Black recapture onj8? 3-27 Gipslis - Dvoretsky Soviet Championship Semifinal 3-28 Potkin- Bologan Odessa 1972 Olginka20 1 1 W? B? 3-29 Kosikov - Kogan 3-30 Ortega - Fuchs Lvov 1974 Berlin 1968 W? B? 227 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 3-31 Khasin - Tal Soviet Championship 3-32 Gulko - Vasiukov Leningrad 1956 Moscow Championship 1983 B? W? 3-33 Nakamura - Giri 3-34 Dolmatov - Mamedyarov Reggio Emilia 201 1 Moscow 2002 W? W? 3-35 Mochalov - Yuferov Soviet Championship Semifinal 3-36 Cooper - Petrosian Minsk 1972 Olympiad, Buenos Aires 1978 W? W? Evaluate 20. .flg5. 228 Traps Solutions 3-1 Chigorin - Schlechter player is right to doubt the evaluation 44 ...�c7+ 1 of its consequences because of the The last trap in a completely exposed position of the black king and hopeless position. the pin on the fo urth rank). 45.�b6+?? l... .§g8! 2 . .§xg4 .§d8 3.'l!Yf3 'ftfxd4 After 45.b6 or 45.�b4, there is 4.�xb7 .§e8-+ . nothing fo r Black but to resign. 2.�xg41+- 45 ...�a81 0n 2 ... i!Yxd4there fo llows 3.i!Yxg6. Draw. If the queen is captured, it is White won. stalemate, and if 46.�a6, then 46 ...i!k8+ 47.� a5 'l!Yc7!=. 3-3 Tukmakov - Karpov White has no compensation for the 3-2 Dvoretsky - Zlotnik his material deficit. Vladimir The pin on the d-fileshould decide Tukmakov tried his last chance: the outcome of the battle in Black's 33-�fll favor. I tried my only chance. l.h31 l.g3? is considerably weaker, on which there are various good replies; B? for example, 1...�f 6!? And in the variation l... .§d8 2.i!Yxg4 �xd4 3.�xg6 Black also wins: 3 ...i!Ydl + 4.�g2 f3+ 5.�h3 �1 + 6.�g4 �c4+ 7.�xf3'l!Yxh4. And after33 ....§.d21 - he resigned. B? Against someone else, White's trap has chances of success, but Anatoly Karpov is always attentive towards his opponent's resources. He made the only move with which White's tactic does not work. On 33 ....§b 2? there fo llows l ... .§.d8? 34.'ftfg6+!! fg (34 ...'l!Yxg 6 35.fg+ �xg6 My opponent has fallen into the 36.-'txf7+ and 37 . .§xb2=) 35.�g8+ trap! On l...g3?! 2.fg fg the rook defends �h8 36.�b3+ with perpetual check. the knight and I can play 3.�cl oo.My The same combination also works opponent managed to win with one of with 33 ....§e 4? - 34.i!rg6+!! i!Yxg6 two not completely obvious (especially (34 ...fg 35. .ilg8+) 35.fg+ �xg6 in a blitz game) methods, united by a 36.-'tc2=. general idea: provoking a capture with The move 33 ... .§d7? (counting on the rook on g4. 34.�xe2? i!Yd6-+) is refuted by 1...-'te4!2 . .§xg4 .§d8 3.'l!Ycl'ftfxd 4 34.Axf7! .§xf2+ (the best) 35.i!Yxf2�. 4.�xf4 .§e8+ (however, even after And 33 ...'ftfd6?? even loses because of calculating this variation at the board, a 34.f6!. 229 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 3-4 Pilskalniece - Berzins The position is drawn; the extra pawn has no significance because of the B? activity of the white rook. l •••f4+ 1? 2.�e4?? Black's simple trap worked. Equality is preservedwith 2. 28 •••�x a6! The only correct response, fo rcing White to accept a peaceful outcome. 29 . .§g8+1 �xg8 30 • .§xg8+ �xg8 31.�g5+ Draw. 3-7 Moiseenko - Yusupov The move 23 •••.Q.h61 that was White resigned. On 3.!ha7+ 3-5 Jansa - Rublevsky White's position is hopeless: both B? SO ... 51 • .§a2!,Draw . 24 ••• �xf2+11 (the same blow can 3-6 Lopez Martinez - Guseinov also be inflicted after an exchange of Before ending the battle with rooks on c7) 25 • .§xf2 .§bl+, White perpetual check (28.�g8+ 4Jxg8 29.�xg8+ 230 Traps §g3+ 74.�d4, which was chosen by Black, soon led to a draw. It makes sense to try 71 ... §h4! in the hope of 72.\fi'e3? (instead of the correct72.§f l=). B? 28.'(fff2 The continuation 28.'(ffh5! �f7 29.g6! '(ffxg6+ 30.'(ffxg6 hg 31.4:lxe8 deserves serious attention. In the variation 31...4:lb3 32.§g2 f4 33.§xg6! Af7 White preserves a significant 72 ...d4 +! 73.cd §h3+ 74.\fi'e2 advantage in two ways: 34.§g5 .ll.xe8 §xd3! 75.\fi'xd3 Jle4+, and Black is 35.§xe5 and 34. §f6 '!ig8 35.�xf4! lefta piece up. AxeS 36 . .ilxe5 .ilg7 37.§e6 Af7 38.§e7 .llxe5 39.§xe5. 3-9 Blackburne - Nimzowitsch 28 ...'(ff c6 29.4:lxe8'(ff xe8 30. .1l.xd4 25.g5! ed 31.ef �d7 32.§el �f7?! (32 ...'(ff h5 Joseph Blackbume opens lines on is better) 33.�h4 §a8 34.§f2 .llc6? the kingside in the hope of creating an (34 ...h6!?) 35.�g4?! (35.g6! '(ffg7 attack. At the same time he provokes 36.§fe2 +- ) 35 ...§e 8? 36.§xe8 �xe8 the fo llowing reply from his opponent, 37.§e2 �d7 38.§e6 Aa8 39.g6 +- hg fo reseeing its tactical refutation. 40.§xg6 '(ffh7 41.'(ffg3 '(ffh5 42.§g4, 25 ...g 6?! Black resigned. He should play 25 .. .fg!. In attacking the knight, Aron Nimzowitsch 3-10 J. Polgar - Antunes was obviously counting on 26.4:lg3?f5 ::;:: 19 ...a4U (or 26 .. .fg :;:: ). In making his move, Antonio 26.�g4! Antunesprepared a beautifulcounter to White seizes the initiative, which his opponent's natural reply. his opponent does not manage to 20.b4?! (20 . .1l.xc5 dc =F) extinguish. 20 ... �b3+! 21.ab §xcl 22.§xcl a3 26 ...gf?! 26 .. .fg!? 27.4:lf6 '(fff7 28.4:lxe8 '(ffxe8, is preferable, but then again after 29. �xg5 gf 30.ef W 3Uli6+ �g7 32 . ..1lxg7+ '!ixg7 Black's position remains dire. And if we do go into the position that occurred in the game, then it is more precise to get it by transposing moves: 26 ...4:ld4 27.'(fff2 gf, as taking the knight immediately offers White an additional not unfavorable opportunity. Black obtains a material advantage, 27.4:lxf6 4:ld4 as the rook has to be given up for the 231 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources a-pawn. Then again, the battle is not The rook is untouchable: 47.�xb4? over yet. b2 -+ . Black wins the piece back and 23.1tbS! gets a rook endgame with a solid 23.�gS �f824.�c 7 a2! 2S.Axe7+ advantage. �g8 26.lk1 Ah6+ is useless. But it 47 . .ild4 �xd4 48.�b8 �d3+ makes sense to advance the pawn to b6: 49.�f2 aS SO.fS! �dS! Sl.fe �xeS 23.bS!? a2 24.b6 Ab2!? 2S.�d1 a1 � 26. S2.�xb3 �xe6+. � xa 1 � xa 1 (threatening 27 ...Acl +) 27.�c2. Antunes suggests 27 ... �a3 and 3-12 Honfi - Lengyel cuts the variation short, considering White's position is lost because of Black's position won. In actual fact, the extremely unfortunate position of his after28.A bS! �cS 29.AxcS de 30.�d3 rook. There is an obvious threat: �f8 31.�c4 �cl + 32.�d3, White has 47 ....§b2+, for example, 47 . .§aS .§b2+ 48. sufficient counterplay with the threat �a3 .§b3+ 49.�a2 .§xc3 -+ (SO.g7 .§g3 33.Ae6. Instead of27 ... Aa3?!, stronger is useless). On 47.aS, it is possible to react is 27 ....A.g7 28.1tbS �a2+ 29.�d3 �b2 in exactly the same way, but 47 ...Ac6 is 30.Aa4 �f8+. also strong, intending 48 ....§b 2+ 49.�a3 23 ...a2 24. �d3 .§b3+ SO.�a2 �xeS Sl.g7 .§b8. If An immediate 24.Ae6!? deserves 47.Ah3, then simply 47 . ...§x g6 -+ . attention, for example, 24 ...a1 � (the The best practical chance is a bishop is untouchable) 2S.�xa1 �xa1 stalemate trap, which was crowned with 26.�xb7 �b1 27.Ae6 �b2+ 28.�e1 complete success in the game. �xb3 29. Ad2 Ad4+. 47 • .11,c8! .§.b2+? 24 ...a1 'Vb 2S.�xa1 �xa1 26 . .A.e6 Winning is 47 ... aS+! 48.�bS �b1 27.�c4 �b2! 28.�xb7 �e2+ (48.�xaS �xeS; 48.�xaS �xe8) 29.�d3 (29. �bS �xg2) 29 ... �e3+ 48 ...�b2+ 49. �xaS �xeS SO.g7 �b6 30.�e2 �xb3 31.Ad2 .ile3! 32.1txe3 (here is where the absence of black �xe3 33.bS eS!, and Black won. pawn on a6 makes itselffelt: Sl...�a6• is threatened) SUlxb7 .§xb7 (again 3-11 Taimanov -Averbakh mate is threatened. However, Sl...�g6 The threat of 4S.�a8 canbe parried is also sufficient). with 44 ... 48 •••�x cS On 48 ...�g 2 there fo llows 49.�b6!? (or 49.�xe4!?). The move 232 Traps 48 ...E(c 2!? sets more complex tasks fo r approximately equivalent moves, the White, and if 49.'it>b4, then 49 ...E(cl! grandmaster chose the one on which his with zugzwang. It seems that you have opponent had a chance of making a to play 49.E(xc4! de 50.-'txb7 E(xc3 mistake. 51.g7! (but not 51. 'it>b4??E(b3+ and not 29 •••§.e6!? 5l..�. xa6? 'it>c5 -+ ) 51...E(g3 52.'it>b4c3 53.'it>b3 'it>c5 54.-'txa6 'it>d4 55.g8� E(xg8 56.'it>c2 with a drawn endgame. 49.g7 §.g2 SO.Jl,g4! §.xg4 W? Sl.g8'() §.xg8 stalemate. 3-13 Fridman - Yusupov On his last move White shiftedhis rook frome 1 to e2 - with the obvious intention of doubling on the e-file. The reply 18••• §.e6! apparently pursues the Jonathan Speelman saw his same objective .. opponent's idea and simply retreated 19.§.ael? (he has to retreat his his queen to d2, maintaing his king to f1 or h1) advantage. The calculation assumed that he would be tempted by a "winning" combination: 30. '()dS+? B? §.xd8 3l.§.xd8+ �h7 32.jlc2, which leads to the opposite result after 32 •••4)f 3+! 33.gf §.g6+. 3-15 Boleslavsky - Bondarevsky 2S •••Jl,h6! The strongest move and simultaneously a trap. After 19 ... E(be8? 20.'�fl . 26.§.xhS? approximate equality was preserved on 26:�·f2 is necessary. However, the board, and the game ended with a after, for example, 26 ...'l*xf2 27.E(xf2 peacefuloutcome. e6 28.4Jf6+ 'it>e7 29.4Jxd7 Ae3 Alas, Artur Yusupov only noticed 30.4Jf5+ ef 31.E(e2f4 3V�:le5, Black's the tactical spice of his previous move a position is better. little later than he should have: right 26 •••§.g 8! after he had put his rook on e8. Instead, The deadly threat of 27 ...�g1 + he wins with 19 ... �c3! 20.bc decides the outcome of the battle. (20.'l*xg6 4Jxe2+ 21.E(xe2 hg or 27. '()d3 '()gl+, White resigned in 20.Axb7 �xd3 21.cd 4Jxe2+ 22.E(xe2 view of 28.E(d1E(cl +. E(xb7 are no better) 20 ••. Jl,xf3 2l.'()xg6 §.xg6. 3-16 Fuchs - Bronstein 3-14 Speelman - Yusupov It is highly likely that White wants Black is worse in view of the to complete his development by weakness of his queenside, and he is bringing his bishop out. Since on �d2 facing a difficultdef ense. Out of several there is the reply ...4Jc2, we can expect 233 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources the move -'te3. Bearing this in mind, 33 •..�b211 Black prepared a clever trap. This is the essence ofBlack's idea. 21 ••.§fe81 22.Ae3? gSI On 33 ...!!x d2? 34.!!xd2, White's position remains defendable. However, 33 ....£:lf 3+! 34.gf �b2! also wins. W? 34.�xc2 34.�f4 !!xg2+ 35.'itlhl !!f2 (or 35 ...!!e2 36.!!dl �b3) is completely hopeless. 34 ... �xc2 (threatening both 35 ...�xa4 and 35 ....£:lf 3+) 3S.§a3 �b2, White resigned in view of his 23.4)hS? excessive material deficitafter 36.!! dd3 It is better to give up the pawn with .£:lxd3 37.!!xd3 �xb4. 23.-'td2. 3-18 Ganchev - Pipkov 23 ...g4 24.4)xf6+ efl 2S.�f4 4)dS 1.4)cSI White activates a piece Now it is clear why the move that was standing on the edge of the 21...!!fe8! was necessary - the queen is board with tempo and simultaneously trapped. White resigned. lures his opponent into an opportunity to win a piece. 3-17 Jimenez - Keene l ... §xa3 2.§xa3 (2 . .£:lxe6??!!al +) In the endgame that arises after 3l...�xd2 or 31...!!c2 Black retains better chances. But a stronger and more B? dangerous continuation for his opponent, associated with a clever trap, is the one he chose in the game. 31 ...�bll Threatening an invasion on the open line: 32 ...!!cl or 31...!!c2. 32• .Q,a6? An attempt to get two rooks for the 2 ... §xcS? He should refuse the queen - a natural but incorrect reaction. gift, accepting a slightly worse position 32:�a2 =I= is necessary. after2 ... h6 3 . .£:lxe6fe 4.!!a4. 32••• §c2 33 • .Q.xb7 3.§a8+1 .Q.c84. §a71 �b6 Obviously Black expected that the game would end with a repetition of moves: 5.!!a8 �c7 6.!!a7. But an B? extremely unpleasant surprise was lying in wait for him. S.�d711 Black resigned. 3-19 Karpov - M.Gurevich White is better, but not by much: his advantage of the bishop-pair is 234 Traps compensated for to a significant extent Jl,c4. In actual fact, after40.ab! .§.d3+ by the active position of the enemy 41.'\t1c2 .§.xd4 42.�c3, White wins pieces. the piece back and gets a decisive 73 • .1lc4! advantage thanks to his strong passed Anatoly Karpov brings his bishop b-pawn. out to an active position, leaving his 42 ...�f 4 (or 42 ...�h 4 43.g3 �xh2 central pawn defenseless, although it 44.'it'xc4+- ) 43.g3 �xf3+ 44.�xc4 �f2 turnsout to be poisoned. 45.b5 �xh2 46.b6, Black resigned. 73 ...�xe 4? 74.jtxd4 (73 ..:ili'd7+) Certainly,Bl ack was not obliged to ed 7S.�f7+ 'ltlh6 76.�f8+ 'itlhS lose quite so quickly and humiliatingly, (76 ...�h7 77. 'ili'g8+ 'it'h6 78.'ili'h8 #) 77. �h8+ jth6 but that is irrelevant: it is clear that after getting caught in the trap he came up against veryserious problems. If he had guessed his opponent's idea in time, he W? would have fo und the best defense: 38. ..�c5! 39.ab ab 40 . .£\c2 f6 41.�f5 g6! (41 ...�b5? 42.�e3 Ac6 43.�xb5 Axb5 44 . .£\dS ± is worse) 42.�xf6 Axb3 43. �xb4 �g7 ;l; -White most likely is not able to do anything with this kind of extra pawn. 78. ti\'eS+!! Black resigned. 3-21 Kortchnoi - Lputian 3-20 Vladimirov - Sorokin It is not easy for White to make the The b3-pawn is under attack. best of his extra pawn, so he sets a trap, Calculating the direct variation 38.ab the success of which makes the process ab 39.�b8 Axb3 40.�xb4 (two black of exploiting his advantage considerably pieces are under attack), we prove that easier. our opponent maintains equality with 36 • .§.a8! .1lb4? the move 40 ...�c 4!. And then we start 36 ...�g7! is necessary. Then White examining another try. returns with his rook, 37.�8a4 (37. �f3?! Ab4! 38.�b8 Axel 39.�xb2 38 • .§.eS! �xb2 40.�xel h5 is weaker), and after 37 ...�g6, gradually improves his position, starting with 38. �f3 h5 B? 39.'it'e4 ±. 37 • .§.g8+! 37.Axb4? �xf2 + 38.�g3 �g2+ 39.'it'f3 �gf2+ 40.�e4 �xb4 or 38.�gl �g2+ 39.�fl �gf2+ (39 ...�h 2) leads to a draw (but 40.�el? �h2 is bad). An interim check with the rook changes the It might seem that this does not situation considerably: on 37 ...�h6 work because of 38 ... jtxb3? (as will 38.Axb4 �xf2+ (38 ...�x b4 39.h4 +- ) become clear from the fo llowing, he both 39.�g3 �g2+ 40.�f3 �gf2+ 41. should not take the pawn) 39 • .§.xaS ®e4 �xb4 42.h4 and 39.�gl �g2+ 235 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 40.'it>fl win - Black has no time for a 24... d3! 25.laxd3?! quiet rook move because of the threat It seems that this way White avoids of.ilf8• . any danger, but that is just an illusion. 37 •••�f6 38.e4!+- She should accept the difficultpos ition that arises after 25.�g4!? h5 26.�al! 'l!i"d6 27.�dl .§ab8+. 25... lax d3 26.'le/xd3 B? The black king is in a mating net: there is no 38 ...�xel 39.e5+ r:Je7 40 . .§a7+. Also joyless is 38 ...e5 39.1:�a6+ r:Je7 40.�xb4+ .§xb4, and On 26 ...ed 27 . .§xe5 White is a now either 41.de .§xe4 42 . .§a7+ 'it>e6 pawn up, and on 26 .. :t!Ya5 27 . .§xe4! 43 . .§e8+ 'itld5 44 . .§xt7 (44 . .§d7+ r:Jc6 two pawns for the exchange. But an 45 . .§xt7), or 41..§a7+ r:Jd6 (41...�f6 extremely unpleasant surprise lay in 42 . .§f8) 42 . .§d8+. store for her. 38 ... .§c7 39.e5+ r:Je7 26... ef! !. White is left a piece If now 40 . .§xg5?!, then 40 ...�xel down, so she has to give up the fight 41..§xel .§cc2 42 . .§fl �f8, andWhite immediately. experiences technical difficulties associated with the blocked position of 3-23 Ulibin - Cramling his rook on g5. In my view, the most An approximately equal ending convincing solution is 40.Axb4+ .§xb4 arises after 19 ...�d8 20 . .§adl �xd4 41. .§aa8! (41..§ xg5 .§xd4± is weaker) 2l.Axd4 .§d8. 41...r:Jd7(42 . .§ad8! was threatened) 42 . 19... lad8!! The move in the game .§ad8+ 'it>c6 43 . .§d6+ 'itlb5(b7) secures Black a slightly better version 44 . .§xg5 with a completely winning of that endgame after 20.�c4 'l!i"xc4 position. However, the continuation 21.Axc4 h4 22.h3 (22.r:Jgl!? h3 23.g3 chosen by Viktor Kortchnoi, 40 . .§h8!? M6 =i=). �xel 41. .§xel .§cc2 42 . .§fl .§d2 43 . .§ xh7 .§xd4 44 . .§g7 .§e4 45 . .§xg5, also allows him to gradually obtain a victory. 3-22 Klinova - Volokitin In the vanat10n 24 ....§a c8 25.Axe4! Axe4 26 . .§de2 White virtually equalizes the game. Andrei Volokitin found a way to parry his opponent's threat, simultaneously She can choose between 22 ...M6 setting a clever trap fo r her. 23.f5!, 22 ....§h5!? 23 . .§acl .§f5=i= and 236 Traps 22 ... g5!? 23.f5 (23.fg �g8=F)23 ...g4 ! The continuation that was chosen by 24.fe gh 25.ef+ 'if.lf8=F. Black seems to me to be stronger and At the same, time Pia Cramling more dangerous fo r his opponent. lures her opponent into capturing the 18••• .§. a6! g-pawn, and Mikhail Ulibin does not resist the temptation. 20.'�xg7? -'l,f6! 21.�xf6 .§.g8 If 19 . .ile3, then ... 19 .§d 8+ (the d-pawn is very weak,while the a-pawn is solidly defended). So White decides On 22.�fcl there fo llows 22 ....ilxg2+ to take on a5, not noticing the final 23.�gl 'l!i'b7! 24Jk5 (the only move) impressive move at the end of the 24 ....§x d3 25 . .§g5 .§xg5 26.�xg5 .§xe3 forced variation. 27.�g8+ �e7 28.�g5+ �d7, and it is 19.-'l,xaS? .§.ea8 20.-'l,xb4 necessary to take on g2, switching to a On 20.�el Black plays, of course, completely hopeless rook endgame. not 20 ...�x a5?? 21.�xa5 .§xa5 22.�e8+ In the game White defends the ..llf8 23 . .§xf8+! �xf8 24.�xb4+, but g2-square, allowing his opponent to win 20 ...�d7 ! -+ or 20 .. :-l!Yxd5! -+ . 20 ....§.x al 21 • .Q.xd6 .§.xdl+ a piece back and obtain an 22.�xdl �xdS! White resigned. overwhelming advantage. 22.�gl �xd3 23 . .ilf2�d2 24.�g3 3-25 Seirawan - Shirov �d5! (intending 25 .. :-l!Yb7) 25:�h4 On any capture Black's position is �b7 26. h3 (26.'®h3 h4!) 26 ...�xg2 + preferable, but his advantage is not very 27. �h2 Ml + White resigned. big, and with accurate defending White successfullyholds on. 3-24 Szapnik - Lechtynsky The game continued 23 ...�xf 8 It is possible to play 18 ....§a c8 in 24.�c7 �f3 25.�f4 �e2 26.�f2 (26. the hope of 19 . .ilxa5? �c2 20 . .§el! �fl!?) 26 ...�d3 (26 ...�c4? 27.�cl! (20. �d4 l.tc5) 20... �e c8 +. But this �xa2? 28.�c7) 27.�d2 (27.�cl �d5 kind of "trap" is too transparent. Your 28. 'l!i'd2 f6! =F) 27 ...�c4 28.b3 �d5 opponent will most likely see through 29 . .§cl�d6 30.�a5 h6 31.�d8+ �h7 it and choose 19.&l:ld4�h5 (19... �xd5 20.�xa5 �e4=) 20.h3 with approximate equality: the a-pawn still remains under attack. Another try is 18 ...�f 4!? 19 . ..1le3 ..llxe3 20.fe. Here 20 ...�c2?! is useless because of 21.�d4! �xd4 22.�xd4=. A better response is 20 ....§e d8 21.d6 �e6=F. 237 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Instead of the accurate 32.�g2 =F, Yasser Seirawan carelessly played 32. 'l*d7?? in severe time trouble, and after 32 ...Af4! was forced to lay down his arms. Let's go back to the initial position of the exercise. Alexei Shirov rejected 23... �xf81 because of the reply 24• .Q.f4. On 27.i£)el, it is now possible to play 27 ...Axa4! 28.ba b3 29.a5 ba 30.ab al � 31..§cl<[)c4! 32. .§xal <[)xd2 B? with an equal endgame. And after27.a5 �a6 28.�xb4 <[)b529.� d2 .§a8 30.b4 b6 31.ab i*xb6;�;,the activity of his pieces secures Black definite compensation fo r the lost pawn. 3-27 Gipslis - Dvoretsky And it is a shame: a clever trap The position of both kings is cause works here, associated with Black's for some concern: White has to deal last move. As Vadim Zvjaginsev with the undermining move ...g6- g5; showed, 24... e311 25 • .Q.xd6+ �g8 Black with the maneuver .§cl-c6+ (on 26. �xe3 �d5 27.�f2 �g2+ a retreat to b7 the aS-pawn is lost). 28.�el �hl+ and 29 ...�xal -+ White's best practical chanceis to wins. The inclusion of the moves 24.a4 play fo r a trap. b4 (25.M4? e3!!, and so on) does not 22.§cll change much. 3-26 Howell - Hillarp Persson B? 26.§c51 A strong move, preparing a4-a5. At the same time White tempts his opponent into the tactical blow that fo llowed in the game. 26 ... .1lxa4? 27.ba b3 28.a51 (the refutation!) 28... ba 29.ab al �+ 22... .Q.xa 3? 30.§cl, Black resigned. There is It is precisely because of the nowhere for his queen to go, and he capture of the pawn that Aivars Gipslis loses at least a piece. rejected 22 . .§cl,but in vain! But how should he defend? 26 ... .§c8?! 22 ...g5? 23 . .§c6+ �b7 (23 ...�xb5 27.a5 �d8 28.�xb4 ± is clearly 24.�bl +) 24.�xa5 gf+ 25.'itf2+- with unfavorable. On 26 ....§a 8, the move a subsequent 26 . .§hcl is also a mistake. 27.i£)el! is very strong, intending <[)d3. 22 ....§c 8! is necessary, not fe aring I thinkit is worth playing 26 ...h6!?. 23 . .§c6+?! .§xc6 24.bc �xc6 25:�bl + 238 Traps �b5 26.�a2 {26.�c2 -'txa3)26 ...'lii" d3! with the very unpleasant threat of 27 ....§.h 3+! White continues either W? 23 . .§.xc8 'lii"xc8 24:ii\"e3 and 25 . .§.cl,or 23.�e3 .§.xcl 24. .§.xcl, retaining slightly better chances, but no more - when necessary Black reinforces his queenside by ...ltd8. 23.Etc6+ �xb5 {23 ...�b7 24.'lii"xa5+- ) 24.i?/e2+! 28.'tie3d4 + lose) 27 ...ed+ 28.�e2, but Gipslis did not notice the rook this is precisely the way the battle sacrifice; I might not have noticed it should continue. either if my opponent had gone into that 26.ef? .§.f8 27.'tie3, and now the variation. simple 27 ...Axf 6 secures me a decisive 24 ••• �xc6 25.i?/a6+ �c7 advantage. 26.i?/xa7+! (26 . .§.b1 ltb4 27.�xa7+ �c6! 28.�a6+ 'tic7 29 . .§.cl+ �b8 30.�b6+ �a8 31..§.c7 'lii"xc7 32.'lii"xc7 3-28 Potkin- Bologan .§.f8;!; is significantly weaker) The game has hardly gotten out of 26••• �c8 27.i?/a6+ �c7 28.i?/xa5+ the opening yet, and there is a position �c8 29.i?/a8+ �c7 30. i?/xa3+-, on the board that is typical of one of the and White's attack is decisive. variations of the Nimzo-IndianDef ense. All the other continuations pose far It seems to me that Black gets good play fewer problems for Black. now by sacrificing a pawn: 13 ...e5!? The prophylactic 22.h4?! .§.c8= is 14.de de 15 . .£\xeS'lii"c7 16. .£lxd7 'lii"xf4 inaccurate. 17. .£lxf6+ {17. .£lxf8?? .£lg4 -+ ) The move 22.�e3!? (preventing 17 ...'lii" xf6, with sufficientcompensation . . . g6-g5 and threatening 23 . .§.hcl) is thanks to his two strong bishops . objectively fine. After 22 ....§.c 8 Victor Bologan made a more 23 . .§.hcl.§.x c1 24 . .§.xcl .§.h8, the same cunning and ambitious decision. position arises as with 22 . .§.cl! .§.c8!, 13 •••g6! ? but here there is nowhere for me to blunder along the way. Now let's take a look at what happened in the game. 22.a4?! g5!? (to maintain equality 22 ....§.c 8 is enough, but I was already thinking of more) 23 . .§.cl (on 23.fg Axg5 the over-optimistic 24. �g4? is easily refuted by 24 .. .f5+! or 24 ....§.g 8! 25.�xh5 f5 with unavoidable mate) 23 ...gf+ 24.�xf4 {24.�f2!?) 24 ...f6 It appears that Black wants to drive 25 . .§.c6+ �b7 (D) the bishop offthe cl-h6 diagonal with 14 ....£\h S, and then play 15... Ag7. That It is not easy to hit upon 26.�xa5! is probably what Vladimir Potkin also fe + 27.�e3! (27 . .£\xeS? .§.f8+ 28.�e3 thought - he made the natural move Ag5+ 29.�e2 �h7 or 27.de? .§.f5+ 14.h3? (instead of the correct 239 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 14.4Jc3 ;!;), against which his inventive 3-29 Kosikov - Kogan opponent had prepared a tactical Black has prepared ... e6-eS-e4. By refutation. defending against the threat, White loses 14 ... e51 15.de de 16.�xe5 (the time and allows his opponent to consolidate his position. For example, fork 16 ...e4 was threatened) 16 •.• �h5 A bishop retreat loses by fo rce: 16.4Jc2?! �d6 oo or 16.1tc2?! E!.fe8 17.�h2? .£\xeS 18.�xeS "i*gS 19.ltg3 17.E!.acl E!.ad8 18.1tbl .M8 19.'l!i'c2 g6=. 240 Traps 2l.Axe4! .ilxe4 22J:hd7! +- is very 2S.�xel �xel + 26.<;!tg2 .ilxf3+! strong. 27.�xf3 (27.<;!th3 �xh2+! 28.�xh2 18... !H e8! �hl + 29.'it?g3 �xh6oo) 27 ...�c6+ The only move! Black hopes to 28.�g3 4£\e4+29 . .1lxe4�xh6 30.�d8+ return his bishop to f8 to defend the �f8 3l..llxh7+! <;!txh7 32.�xf8, which g7-square. For example, in the variation leads to a difficult ending for him. 19.�gS Af8 20.4£\h6+ (Black's task is Stronger is 24 ....ilxf 3 2S.�fl �xd7 more difficult with 20 . .ilfl!? or 26.�gS+ (26 . .ilxd7 4£\xd7 27.�f4 20.Ac2!?, but even here he retains Ac6oo) 26 ...<;!tf8 27.AxeS �xeS decent chances of holding the position) 28.�h6+ <;!te829 . .ilxd7+4£\xd 7 30.�f4 20 .. /.Tilh821 .4£\xf7+<;!tg8 thebattle ends Ac6 3l.cb �e6oo. with perpetual check. But in the game there followed On 19.Abl ef 20:-l!t'gSBla ck is not 22 ....£\eS? 23. �xf6 AxeS 24.�d7 �xd7 obliged to go into the worse endgame (24 ... �c6 2S.�xh7+! <;!txh7 26.�xf7+) that arises after 20 ....1lf8 21.� xd7! 2S . .ilxd7, and ackBl soon resigned. �xd7 22.4£\xg7!�g4! 23.4£\xe8+!�xgS 24.4£\xf6+�xf 6 2S . .Ilxf6 - the response 3-30 Ortega - Fuchs 20 ...g6 !? is more promising. 2S •••c61! 19.cS!! An extremely strong move that An ingenious blow! By cutting the secures Black a big advantage. Before bishop offfrom the f8-square, White playing it, of course, he had to prove to significantly increases the threat of�gS. himself that either capture of the pawn 19... ef! is refutedby force. 19 ...h6? 20.4£\xh6+gh 21.�xh6 ed 26.j},xc6?! 22.�xd3 +- or 19... ed?! 20.�gS g6 On 26. .£\xc6? there fo llows not 2l.�xd3 ± are worse (Baburin). 26 ....£\xg2? 27. .£\e7! 4£\f4 (otherwise 20.�gS g6 21.�h6!? (21..ilxf6 28 . .ilxg2)28.�g 8+ <;!th629.� xg6+! hg 4£\xf6 22.�xf6 gf 23.�gS+ <;!th8 does 30.4£\g8+, and White wins (Yusupov), not promise White an advantage) 21...gf but 26 ... 4£\h3! 27.gh �f3+ with the (21.. 24. opposite result. In reply to 26.f3 (counting on 26 ....£\h3? 27 . .£\d3!), very strong are both 26 ...�gS 27 .g3 4£\e6! 28 . .1lxc6 �e3, and 26... �h4 (intending 27... �f2) 27.�e4 (the only move) 27 ...�gS 28.g3 (28.�xf4 �xf4 29 . .ilxc6 Ac7 30.g3 �c4-+) 28 ... 4£\h3 29.4£\d3 (29.�e2 aS!) 29 ... �fS 30.�fl 4£\gS! 3l.Axc6 4£\xe4 32 . .1lxe4 �bS! with a decisive White has a multitude of threats: advantage. 23.�xd7; 23.Axd7; 23 . .1lxh7+. But So what is left for White? On still, as Baburin demonstrated, the 26.�fl!? �d6! +, it is difficult for him outcome of the battle remains unclear to battle the threats of 27 ...�d2 and if Black finds the beautiful defense 27 ...aS. If 26.4£\d3!?, then Black has a 22 ...�eS!! 23.�xd7 �ae8!. After 24.gf pleasant choice between 26 ....£\xd3 there is no point in him going into the 27.�xd3 �xf2 28.�dl �xb2 29 . .ilxc6 very sharp variation 24 ...�el +?! �xa2 + and the more sophisticated 241 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 26 .. :�d6!? 27 . .ila6 .ilc7! 28.'it'gl the introduction to this chapter. The (White's actions are strictly forced) grandmaster deliberately allowed his 28 ...c5!? 29 . .ilc4 29 ••• �a4! (a double attack on the 3l...�e2 32.�f3 �el) his position was knight and the rook) 30.Etd3! (now joyless, master Khasin gladly exploits a 30... �xf4? only leads to a draw: chance to solve his problem in tactically. 3l.�h3+ 3-31 Khasin - Tal We looked at a couple of similar examples of the work of MikhailTal in 242 Traps On 32 ...�d8? 33.�xd3, White But the unexpected blow seizes back the initiative, and after 18.j},xc6!!, freeing the g2-square for 32 ...tzle1 33 . .E1xe7 tzlxf3 34 . .§xe8+ the king and creating the threat of .§xe8 35.gf, he preserves decent 19 . .1lxb7,allows White to get the upper drawing chances in a rook ending. But hand in a tense tactical duel. After now comes an unforeseen surprise. 18 ...�e2 19.�xe2 .§xe2 20.Axb7 .§ae8 32••• .§.el!! (or 20 ....§d 8) 21. Axa6 .§xf2+ 22.�g1, In the variation 33 . .E1xe7 .§xfl + he will probably make the best of his 34.�xfl .§xe7 with a subsequent material advantage. 35 ....E1e1 Black is left a piece up, and In the game, a more modest with 33.�xd3 �xf7even a rook up. continuation was chosen: 15 . .Q.d2!?.Q.e6! 33:�d5 �xf7!? (33 .. :�e6-+ ) (15... tzlxe4?cannot be played because of 34.�xf7+�h8 35.�g1 .§xfl + 36.�xfl 16. .1lxe4! �xe4 17 . .§.ae1+- or (36.�xfl .§e1* ) 36 ....§e1 White 17 . .§.fel +- ) 16.c4! (16... .Q.xb3 17.ab tzlc5 resigned. or 17 ...tzlxe4 was threatened) 16 ....§.ad8. 3-32 Gulko - Vasiukov The e-pawn is under attack. He would like to defend it with a rook, but W? the bishop thrust to f5 impedes that. Thinking about the position, however, it is possible to establish that the impediment is in vain, and then the simple move 15 • .§.el! turns into a clever trap. 15• .§.el! .1lf5? (15... .1le6 Where to retreat the queen? White 16.1b3 � is better) 16.ef! .§.xel+ rejected the natural 17.�c2!? in view of 17.�h2 ti\'g4! (but of course not 17 ...b5 ?!, and in vain - as in the 17 ...�h5 18.-'tf3, and the queen is variation 18.tzla5! ..llxc4 19. tzlxc4 be trapped). 20.-'te3!tzlxe4 21.�xc4 c5 22 . .§ad1 he seizes the initiative. The move made in the game, 17. �e2, was justifiedafter an extremely W? poor reply by his opponent: 17 ...b5? 18.cb cb 19.�xb5 tzlc7 (19 ... tzlxe4? 20 . ..lla5+- ) 20.�g5 Axb3 21.ab tzlxe4 22.�xg6 hg 23.Aa5, and the two bishops in an open position are significantly stronger than the pair of enemy knights. White successfully After calculating this variation, exploited his advantage. Boris Gulko rejected the rook move to 17 ....ll c8 does not solve all the e 1. And indeed, the queen cannot be problems either because of 18.e5. For taken, and the complications beginning example, 18 ...tzld7 19.f4! �xg3 20.-'te1 with 18.�xa6?! ba 19.hg tzlxg4+ �g6 21.Ah4. But 17... tzlxe4! leads to a 20.�h3 tzlxf2+ 21.�h4 .£\d3 do not complicated and unclear position after unfold in his favor. 243 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 18.�xe4 (or 18.1.ta5;just not 18. Axe4? 1.txh3 19.1.txg6 .!::! xe2 +) 18 .. :�xe4 19.1.txe4 1.txc420 . .!::!fe1 Axb3 21...Q..a5. B? 3-33 Nakamura - Girl White's position is slightly alanning: he has to deal with both 23 ...�a4 and 23 ... �e4. He gets a worse ending on 23.Ad3 �xd3+ 24.�xd3 �xd3 25.cd. Commenting on the game, Anish to create a formidable passed pawn) Giri gave the strongest continuation fo r 33.cd cd 34.b3 (34 . ..Q..d2 .!::!e2 is also White, which contains a very devious joyless) 34 ...de! 35.bc ef 36 . .!::!f3 trap (neither player saw this idea during (36 . .!::!h3 .!::!e1 37 . .!::!h1 -'th4 38.f5 g5!) the battle). 36 ....!::! e1 37.�cl .ild4 38.c3 .ile3+ 23 • .1}.d4!! 4)a4? (23 .....Q.. xd4 is 39.�c2 f5! (Black plans on ... g7-g6) correct,but after 24.�xd4 White is left 40.a4 a5 41.c5 ..llxc5, White resigned. with no problems) 24.b3 4)xc3 3-34 Dolmatov - Mamedyarov There is a position on the board that W? is typical for one of the variations of Petrov's Defense. The first moves are l.e4 e5 2.�f3 �f6 3.d4 �xe4 4 . .1ld3 d5 5.�xe5 �7 6.�c3 �xe5 7.de �xc3 8.bc -'te7 9.�h5 .lle6. White was afraid of 10 ...�d7 threatening 11...A g4, so he played 10.f4. His opponent replied 10 ...g6 (not 25.-'lxf6!! 4)xdl 26.Etegl 'i!i'f8 allowing 1l.f5) 11.�5 f5 (11...�d7!?) 27.Etxg7 Ete6 (otherwise 28..!::!h7) 12.ef Axf6 13.0-0 0-0 with full-fledged 28. .1}.xe6 fe 29.Ethgl with a subsequent 30 . .1le5,and the black king counterplay.The game ended in a draw. cannot squeeze out of the mating net. As Sergey Dolmatov established later, Hikaru Nakamura chose 23.�e2?! it makes sense for him to set a clever �a4 24.�d1 (24 . .!::!hg1 �e4 25.'l1i'g4 is trap. stronger, exploiting the fact that it is lO.Etbl!�d7 ll.h3 (of course, unfavorable for Black to play not 1l..!::!xb7?? Ag4) 25 ...�xc3? because of 26.Ad3! and 27.�f5) 24 ...�e4 25 . ..1lxe4 .!::! xe4=i= 26 . .!::!hg1 (26.f3 .!::! xe3! 27 . .!::! xe3 �xf4 B? 28 . .!::!e1 d4!) 26 ....!::! ae8 27 . .!::!g3 �h8 28 . .!::!eg1 �c4! 29.�b1 c5! 30.�d3 (30.�f3!?, intending �g2) 30 ...b6 31.�xc4 .!::! xc4 32 . .!::!d1 (D) 32 ...d4! (the decisive breakthrough, associated with an exchange sacrifice 244 Traps 11... 0-0-0? Precisely because of castling, White considered an attack on the b7- B? pawn useless, but he was wrong. 12.-'l.bS! c6 13 • .Q.a6!! ba 14.�e2+-. Black has to part with his queen. After the comparatively better 11...c6 12.0-0, Black still cannot castle either side (12... 0-0-0? 13.-'ta6!!). The moment of truth! After Necessary is 12... g6 or 12 ...h6, 28 ...'i!Yb2? 29:�d8+ �g7 30.�d2, preparing 13 ...0-0. The unclear position Black resigned. that arises is more convenient for White White's trap worked and brought to play without a pawn on f4, blocking him victory, but his opponent could the diagonal fo r the dark-square bishop. defend better. 28 •.• �d3! 29. �b8+<1lg7 30. �eS+ 3-35 Mochalov - Yuferov On 30.M1 there fo llows 30 ...�c3 +! With the move 20.�gS!? White 30. �xe2 �c4+, fo rcing perpetual check prevents an exchange of rooks for now or a transfer to a drawn queen endgame. (20 ... li:Je7 leads to the loss of a pawn), And now 30 ...�f8 31..1lfl 'l!1/c3+ forces his opponent to deal with the 32. 'l!1/xc3 li:Jxc333.a 3 (or 33.Ac4) 33 ...a5 threats of d4-d5 and li:Jg5-e4,and, most leads to an almost equal minor piece importantly, lures him into a tempting ending. chance to get a material advantage. The 30 ...f6!? 31.'i!Yc7+ �h6 32 . .1lf3 (32. question is how the long and forced (if 'l!1/e7? li:Jg1!; 32.M1 'i!Ybl + 33.�xe2 Black so choose·s) variation will end. �b5+) 32 .. :�c3+ (32 ...li:Jc3 33:�e7! is 20 ..•�e7 (a double attack: weaker) 33:�xc3 li:Jxc3=is also good. threateningboth 2l...'i!Yxg5and 2l ....ll a3) And so, even after falling into the 2l.�bS a6 22.�b6 �xgS 23.�xb7 trap, Black has not lost: it was enough .§c7 24. �b6! for him to find one precise move, 24:�a8+? 'l!Yd8! is a mistake, and 28 .. :�d3!, at the very end. So despite White is left a piece down, while now the success that Evgeny Mochalov he wins it back. achieved, I still doubt the expedience of 24••• �xd4! In the variation 24 ...�b5 25.�xb5 his choice. In my view the strong ab 26 . .1lxc6 b4 ± Black has to defend positional move 20.li:Jd2! deserves an endgame a pawn down for a long preference. time. 2S • .§xc7 �e2+ 25 ...Axc7 26.�xc7 li:Je2+ (otherwise 27.�c8+ and 28.�xa6) 27.�fl leads to a transposition of moves. 26.\f/fl -'l.xc7 27.�xc7 �bS 28.\f/el 245 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources By retreating, White maintains the The problem is solved with the pressure on his opponent's position, consolidating maneuver 17 ...i!i'd7 ! achieving the same goals as after 18.0-0 i!i'e7 oo and then ....£lb6-d7-e5 20. .£\gS(opening up the h1-a8 diagonal, - the white knight is very poorly preparing .£le4), but without putting his positioned here. knight on a vulnerable square in the 17.0-01 process. The strongest move that contains a clever trap: at first glance it is not 3-36 Cooper - Petrosian obvious why his opponent should not 17.Axd6? .£\xc4 18.Axc4 �xc4 is snap up the c4-pawn. 17 •••�x c4? unfavorable, with better chances for Black. Black is also clearly worse after To secure the c4-pawn, White 17... �e7?! 18. .£ld1! §.g6 19. .£lb2 i!i'a3 exchanged queens. After 17:�·d1 20.§.f2 Ad7 21.§.afl ±. Only thesubtle i!i'xd1+ 18. §.xd1 {18.'it>xd1!? '!le7 17... §.g 6! maintains approximate 19.'it>d2) 18... '!le7 19.h4 At'S! 20.0-0 equality - after defending the knight, .£lbd7!, an approximately equal ending Black renews the threat oftaking on c4. arose. 18.�dl!! �b6 It was not worth rushing with the On 18... i!i'xd1 19. .£\xd1, both black exchange. 17 . .£ld1!? does not promise knights findthemselves under attack! much either, although his opponent has to findan accurate defense here. W? B? 19.�bl! Threatening 20.Ab5+, and White 17... .£\x c4? is a mistake because of is simultaneously aiming at the e4- 18. .£lb2! .£\xb2 19. i!i'xb2± - when play square. opens up the multiple weaknesses in 19 ....Q.d7 20 • .Q.dl! (stronger Black's position make themselves fe lt. than 20.Axd6 .£\bxd5 21.i!i'xb7) He is not too great either in the 20 ••.�c4 (20 ...'�a5 21..£\xe4 +- ) variations 17 ....ilg4? 18.0-0 Axe2 21 . .Q.b3 �e2 22.�el and 19. .£lb2! with a subsequent 20.§.xf6±, 23.�xe4+-. and 17... '!le7?! 18.0-0 ±. 246 Chapter Four: Prophylactic Thinking The idea of prophylaxis was first advanced by the great chess thinker Aron Nimzowitsch. He defined it as taking measures with the aim of preventing some events which are undesirable fr om a positional viewpoint. True, for some reason he reduced the scope of using prophylaxis only to the prevention of liberating pawn moves by the opponent (and also to the excessive defense of strategically important squares, which, in my view, is a rather different case - we will not be examining it here). Thinking about the topic of"prophylaxis" in my tum, I realized that it is useful for a significantly wider circle of situations than those that were examined by Nimzowitsch. And most importantly, that it makes sense to concentrate not on the prophylactic moves themselves, but on the process of findingth em. In order to prevent the enemy's ideas, you have to knowthem, which means learning to put yourself in your opponent's shoes and figure out what might be favorable to him. For the process of this kind of thinking we can use the well-known psychological term "empathy" (albeit with some reservations, of course). However, bearing in mind one of the facets of the old philosophical principle Occam's Razor: "Entities should not be multiplied unnecessarily!," I decided to use the accepted term in chess theory, with the one difference that I do not usually refer to prophylaxis, but to "prophylactic thinking." Prophylactic thinking is the habit of constantly asking yourself what your opponent wants to do, where he would go on his move, the ability to finda reply to the question that has been posed and to take it into account in your decision making process. In the book Secrets of Positional Play, the fourth in the "School of Future Champions" series by myself and Artur Yusupov, you will finda long article about prophylactic thinking, which I strongly recommend to the reader's attention. I will not repeat the examples from that article here, but I will reproduce one lengthy quote. Developing the skill of prophylactic thinking enables a player to make an enormous step fo rward, and to greatly raise his standard of play. Why ? I will single out two main reasons. (I) Th e range of positions in which prophylactic thinking can be used is extremely broad Any significant positional decision is bound to combine the implementation of your own plans with actions against the opponent 's. The main principle of converting an advantage is the restriction of the opponent 's possibilities; it is clear that here one cannot manage without prophylactic thinking. By developing this trait, you also become stronger in tactics and you make fe wer blunders. Whendef ending a difficult position, you must constantly see with what you are threatened; and when attacking, you must reckon with the opponent 's defensive resources. Th us possession of the skill of prophylactic thinking exerts a fa vorable influenceon practically all aspects of your play. (2) Chess is a battle between two players with equal rights, and your opponent 's ideas may be no worse than yours. It is logically clear that the optimal strategyshould harmoniously combine the implementation of your own ideas and 247 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources the prevention of your opponent's. Of course, it is bad to remain passive and merely destroy, but the opposite tendency is also extremely dangerous, and liable to lead to constant fa ilures. Meanwhile, players oft en fo rget to think about their opponent 's plans. This is understandable: concentratingon one 's own fe elings is typ ical of human nature. After all, sometimes in life too, wifortunately, we do not take too much account of the thoughts andfe elings of others. Th us it is not a matter, of course, of giving priorityto destructive actions over creative ones, but simply that the important skill of prophylactic thinking is most probably insufficiently well developed in us. By improving this aspect in which we are backward, and making our thinking more harmonious, we will certainly raise significantly our overall standard of play. In the chapters about traps and paying attention to your opponent's resources we already had to engage in prophylactic thinking, directly or indirectly. These topics are closely interwoven, but there is still a difference. "Prophylactic thinking" means guessing your partner's intentions, while "paying attention to your opponent's resources" is primarily the ability to find hidden defensive moves in the apparently tempting combinations that we would like to implement. In addition, prophylaxis, according to Nimzowitsch, prevents the opponent's positional threats, not the specific tactical ones we were dealing with there. However, the boundary here is rather vague, of course. The crucial importance of which is rather an energetic and preventive thinking as illustrated in a systematic application of prophylactic player's praxis was examined in the measures. " Th is idea seems second book of the series "School of paradoxical and incomprehensible, but Future Champions" I did with Yusupov I hope that an analysis of the present (Secrets of Op ening Preparation, the game will help it to be understood. chapter "In the Footsteps of One Of course, grandmaster Yusupov Game"). Here I reproduce only those developed the skill of prophylactic notes those which are relevant to the thinking long ago, from the time when theme at hand. he was not yet a grandmaster. Let 's see this skill in action. Gavrikov - Yusupov Interzonal tournament, Tunis 1985 l.d4 �f6 2.�f3 dS 3.c4 e6 4.�c3 .A,e7S . .A.gSo-o 6.e3 h6 7 •.A.h4 b6 s . .A,d3 ,1lb7 9.0-0 �bd7 10.t\'e2 B? cS ll . .A.g3 �e4 12.Elfdl cd! 13.ed (13.4:lxd4 4:\xc3) 13 ... �xg3 14.hg �f6 lS.�eS E!cS 16.�acl de 17. .A.xc4 �dS 18• .A.b3 �xc3 19.bc Among the numerous deep concep� expounded by Aron Nimzowitsch in his book My System, one of the most important seems to me to be the idea of prophylaxis. Artur asked himself: "What Nimzowitsch wrote: "Neither attack nor does the opponent want, and what defense is, in my op inion, a matter would he play if it were he to properly pertaining to position play, move?" Perhaps he was intending 248 Prophylactic Thinking to sacrificehis knighton m (However, it is not clear whether the sacrifice is correct.) Black certainly has to reckon with activity in the centre by c3 -c4 and B? d4-d5. Is that all? No, there is also another threat: 'fifd3 and then Jlc2 Th e move ...17-! 5 weakens the position too much, while in reply to ...g7-g6 there fo llows the knightsacrifice on g6 Now, knowing the opponent 's ideas, it is easier to choose your move. For example, 19... Jla3 comes into Now what is threatened? Probably consideration - aft er 20.!!c2 it is not nothing. Aft er strengthening his easy fo r White to setup the battery on position with a series of prophylactic the bl-h7diagonal. But does this move moves, Black can also think about his helpaga inst c3-c4 and d4-d5, and with own active possibilities. what plan can it be linked? (R emember, 24 ...g6 Nimzowitsch demands "an energetic and systematic application of prophylactic measures. '') 19... E!c7!! A grandmaster move! Black W? improves his position and prepares ... rifcB (o r ... �a B), which is a good antidote to Wh ite 's offensive in the centre. Now almost certainly the knight sacrifice on 17will be incorrect. 20.�d3 Af6 It transpires that aft er 21.i1.c2 g6, White cannot play 22. 4Jxg6? fxg 6- the black rook participates in the defense 25.E!el?! along the seventh rank. White decided to improve the 21.4)g4 h51 placing of his rooks by playing Bel and Parrying the obvious threat of !!cdl. A sensible op eration? 22.Ji.c2 g6 23. 4Jxh6+. Undoubtedly . However, absolutely ill 22.4)e3 timed. Now it was his turn to employ 22. 4Jxf6+ �xf6 would have led to "p rophylactic thinking " and fo restall equality, but fo r the moment Gavrikov Black 's prosaic idea of activating his is hoping fo r more. (D) fo rces: ... 'l!lg 7and ...!!hB. The problem But now what does White want? would have been most simply solved by Either, as before, c3-c4 and d4-d5, or 25. rife3! (but not 25. �h3? Jlg5! and 23. d5 immediately, in order to then 26... 'l!lg 7), fo r example, 25... .JJ. g7 support the d5-square by c3-c4. (25. .. 'l!lg 7? 26. �h 6+; 25... .JJ. g5 26.!4) 22... E!d7! 26. 4Je5withroughl y equal chances. Now 23.c4? l1xd4 is not possible, 25 ...�g 7 26.E!cdl? while if 23.d5, Yusupov was intending Consistent, but bad! Whiteshould 23 ...Jlg5! 24.!4 Jle7f ollowed by ...Jlc 5 have fo restalled the threatened attack 23. Jla4!1d6 24.4Jc4? JJ.a6isalso pointless. on his king with a series of exchanges: 23.g4 hg 24.4)xg4 26.rife3 (or 26. 4Jxf6 immediately) 249 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 26... l!h8 27.fJxf6 tixf6 28.tie5 with 16.a3! somewhat the better endgamefo r Black. Boris Gelfand writes in his notes to 26... ghs 27. �g3 the game: Whatdoes Whitewant? Obviously, A move inspired by a lecture by to simplifythe position by 28. fJxf6'IJ'xf6 Ma rk Dvoretsky on the topic of 29. tie.5. But it is not hard to parry this "Prophylaxis, " which he gave at one of threat with a move which at the same the training sessions fo r the national time comes into Black's plan of attack. junior team. 27 ...gh5! 28.�f4? White has noticed that his 28.fJxf 6 was nevertheless better. 28 ....Q.e7! opponent intends 16... �h 7!; for How quickly White 's position has example, 16.0-0 �h7! (threatening become difficult! The bishop switches ...ll:lb4 or ...ll:lxd 4) 17.ltd3 ll:lb4 to a powerful attacking position - d6. 18.ll:ld6+ cd 19.1.txh7 ll:lxc2 with A possible variation is 29. fJe5 JJ.d6 equality. Now 16 ...�h7? is already 30. tie3 'IJ'h 4 31.!3 l!xe5! 32. de .tJ.c5 useless because of 17 . .1ld3. 33.l!xd7 'Uxel+. 16... e5 (16... d5 17.cd�) 17.d5 29. �cl .ild6 30.�e5 �h4 �as ts.o-o �b8 t9.gfbtd6 31.f3 �g3 32.ge3 (32. Gelfand - Miles Navara - Kramnik Amsterdam 1988 Prague 2008, 8th Match Game (rapid) W? W? 250 Prophylactic Thinking 23.'it'c2! 33 ... .1l,d7 34.-'lfl! h4 35.gh Here is how grandmaster David �h8 36.c6 be 37.bc .1l,e8 38.'it'c5 Navara commented on the move· he 'it'c7 39.�e6 f4 40.�e7+ 'it'dS made. It would have been much more 41.c7+ Black resigned. natural to place the king on the dark square b2, but I wanted to prevent In technical positions such as the ...a7 -a6 A brief look into Mr ending Navara-Kramnik,you cannot get Dvoretsky's book on strategyduring my by without prophylactic thinking. The preparation helped me to think about fo llowing example confirms that truth prophylaxis. once again. 23. f!lb2 a6 24.a4 ab 25. ab gives Black sufficient counterplay along the Miles - Nikolac a-file, which prevents Wh ite fr om Wijk aan Zee 1979 playing f!lb3, f!lb4and c4-c5. 23 ...g 5?! Thisadv ance wins space but loses time. W? 23 ...a6! 24. b6+! t!lxb6 25. llbl+ f!lc5 26.!1xb 7 looked verypleasant to me, White 's rook binds Black 's pieces. To my great disappointment, Fritz indicates that Black can equalize aft er 26... lld8! (26. .. f!lxc4?27.llc 7+) 27.f!lc3 .£2.d7,followed by some pawn moves on the kingside. Despite this, I still /ike my An immediate attack on the d5- 23rd move. pawn is useless: 48.E!f5?!E!g5. Le t's ask 24. 'it'c3f5 25.g3 g4 26. .Q.g2h5 ourselves what we would do in Black's 27.a4 a6 (too late!) 28.'it'b4 a5+ place. By the way, the answer is often (28 ...ab 29.cb with a subsequent a4-a5 obvious, and the only problem is is useless) 29.'it'c3 �c8 30.c5 'it'bS 3l.'it'c4 e5 32.�d6 e4 forgetting to ask. That is the case here: after finding . ..b6- b5-b4, we play 4S.a4! without much hesitation, of course. Our opponent immediately has a shortage of sensible moves, though: all of them worsen his position in some way. For example, 48 ...E!g 5 takes the attack off the knight and allows us to win a pawn with 49.E!h7. In the event of 48... E!h4 we have to be careful: 49.E!f5? is ineffective because of 49 ...E!hl +! 50. �xhl -tlg3+. But 33.�f6! 49.-tlg6! with a subsequent 50.-i:leS is Also prophylaxis: on 33 . .\Ul? there very strong. fo llows 33 ...Af?+ 34.'iftd4 Ab3. 48 ...'it'c6 49. �f5 251 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources between a top grandmaster, an expert on attacking and combinations, and an ordinary British master. B? Winter - Alekhine Nottingham, 1936 B? It becomes clear that with the king on c6 an attempt to defend the pawn with 49 ...t:l.g 5? will be met by a mini combination: 50 . .£lxd5!t:!.x f5 51..£le7+. 49 •••4)d 6? SO• .§f6 .§h4 Sl.g3 .§g4S2.� g2+- hS S3.4)xhS �d7 S4.�f3 .§g8 SS. 4)f4!? (55.g4) ss ....§x g3+ (55 ....£Je4 56 . .£Jxd5) Black's position is preferable. But S6.�xg3 4)e4+ S7.�g4 4)xf6+ no means to obtain any concrete SS.�fS 4)e4 S9.4)xdS 4)d6+ advantages are evident, so Alexander 60.�eS 4)f7+ 6t.�f6 Black Alekhine started thinking about what resigned. his partner might want now. Even if the prophylactic measures The grandmaster concluded that taken do not objectively change the White was planning 14:�d2 with a evaluation of a position, they give us subsequent 15. .1lf4 (exchanging offhis definite psychological advantages and "bad" bishop) or 16. .llg5. That is why increase our practical chances of he chose 13 •••h6! -to meet 14.�d2 success. When we manage to make it with 14 ...g5, and then, if he could more difficult for our opponent to manage it, ...f7-f5-f4. implement his plans, he is forced to His opponent nevertheless should switch to solving newly-arisen play 14.�d2 g5 15.�c2 (or 15.f3), or problems which he cannot cope with for perhaps simply 14.�bl and 15 . .£lcl. a while. We saw this kind of picture in But the master preferred the aggressive the previous example Navara-Kramnik. 14.f4?!, hoping to advance the pawn And here too: in the position in the final to f5. diagram Black could successfully hold His plan is not difficult to prevent the defense if he finds 49 ...t:l.h 4! with 14 .. .f5. But White replies 15.�d2, 50 . .£lxd5 (on 50 . .£Jg6 the same reply preparing the maneuver .£Jgl-f3-e5, fo llows) SO ...t:!.hl +! 51.�xhl «tlg3+ almost equalizing the game. So 52.�h2(gl) «tlxf5 53.g4 (53 . .£lf6 «tle3) Alekhine preferred a different 53 ... «tlxd4 with a likely draw. prophylactic move, 14 •• ."�g4! (D) All chessplayers have to resort to Of course, he has to take into prophylaxis, regardless of their playing account the pawn sacrifice 15.f5!?. style and regardless of their opponents' Strangely, in the tournament book strength. Here is a fragmentfrom a duel Alekhine did not even mention that 252 Prophylactic Thinking Aronian - Jakovenko Olympiad, Khanty-Mansiysk 2010 B? possibility. Then again, whenever possible the fourth world champion typically avoided moments in his notes Black has to deal with a4-a5-a6. that might have put the infallibility of He does not want to prevent this plan his strategy in doubt. mechanically, by putting his knighton I think Black still preserves better a6: the place for the knight is d7, from chances by continuing 15 ...-'txg3! (not where it will support the undermining 15 ... �xf5 immediately because of of the enemy center by . .. c6-c5 or 16.h3) 16.�xg3 �xf5 17.�xf5 gf with a ...e6-e 5. The move 2l...f!a5 is also bad: subsequent ...f!d8-e8-e4. For example, after22.� d2, the white knight is ready 18.g3 (18.h3 �g6!?) 18 ...f!d e8 19.M4 to attack the rook. That is why Levon !'!e6! (so that after 20.�b5 f!d8, the Aronian recommends 2l...f!d8!. This h-pawn is still defended). William move is useful from the point of view Winter, probably fe aring his formidable of the planned undermining of the opponent, apparently did not even center, and it also prevents 22.a5?! consider the pawn sacrifice. Alas, because of 22 ...!'!d5. excessive caution usually leads to 21 ...4:\d 7?! 22.aS l;ta7 23.a6?1 passivity and almost inevitable defeat! (haste: the preliminary 23.!'!dcl! is In the game there fo llowed 1S.h3 stronger) 23 ... ba 24.l;txa6 l;txa6 �d7 16.l;thfl hSI (prophylaxis 2S.Axa6 against 17. f5, on which 17 ...h4 18.f6 �g8 19.�h1 f!e8+ is planned) 17.4:\glh4 18. 4:\3e2 4:\fS 19.4:\f3 f61 (another prophylactic move, albeit a completely obvious one). Black's B? positional advantage has grown significantly, and in the end he successfullymade good on it. In the previous examples timely prophylaxis helped to prevent the opponent's possible counterplay in a good position. But in the next ending White intends 26.!'!c1, and if prophylactic measures make it possible 25 ...!'!a 8, then 26.-'tb7. With a transfer to maintain approximate equality in a to passive defending the opponent slightly worse position. retains protracted pressure, and there is 253 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources no certainty that Black will manage to hold out, although objectively his position is defendable. The best W? prophylactic against the opponent's threat in this case is reciprocal activity: 25 ....§d 8! with the idea of 26 . .§cl?! (26.'ifi>fl !?;t ) 26 ...e5! 27 . .§xc6 .£lb8=(or first27 ...ed=). 25 ...§.b8? 26.§.cl± §.b6 27.Ae2 (27.Ac8!?) 27 ... .Q.fs28.�fl g6 29.�el �g7 30.�dl ,A.e73l .f4 �f8 32. .A.f3 (32 . .£lf2!?) 32 ...§.a6 with 19 . .§acl?! fe (on 19 ... .§ac8? 33.4)f2! c5 34.4)d3 Ela5 35.�e2 20 . .§xc8! .§xc8 21.f5! fe 22.fe± works �g7, and a position has arisen that is now) 20.de d4 (mistaken is 20 ...Ac5? analyzed in the chapter on traps. 21..§xc5! .£lxc5 22:t;:1c2 .§ac8 23.Axh7+ 'ifi>h824 :1J:Yg6with a decisive Some players, knowing about attack) 21.Ad2 .£lc5. prophylactic thinking only by repute, Emesto Inarkiev suggested an are sure that it is a synonym fo r passive, interesting and strong prophylactic defensive tactics. Nothing of the sort! move: 19. b4! White takes control of The point is not to defend against the importantc5-sq uare, and on 19 .. .fe?! everything - it is important to figureout there now fo llows 20.de d4 (there is no the opponent's intentions in time, and 20 ...Ac5) 21.1.\.d2± (there is no subsequent actions depend on the player 21... .£lc5). Takingthe b-pawn leads to himself. Sometimes you really do have a favorable opening-up of the game fo r to fe nd offa threat, but sometimes you White: 19.. :t;:Yxb 4? 20 . .§abl i*a5 can ignore it or play to get ahead, take 21..§xb7 +- , or 19 ...Axb4? 20 . .§abl decisive measures yourself, not giving 't;:Ya521 .a3! (21. 't;:Yb2 is not bad either). your partner time to implement his idea. On more restrained continuations Finally, prophylactic actions are often Black also experiences serious associated with sharp, aggressive difficulties. For example, 19 ...a5 20.ba moves, nothing like passive defense. (seizing space with 20.b5 also deserves This, for example, is what Aronian attention) 20 ...'t;:Yxa5 21.§abl ±, or recommended on the 25th move of the 19 ....§a c8 20.a3! ±. previous game, but the next episode is Alexei Shirov approached the even more convincing. position differently. He decided to rely on the capture f4 xe5, and in anticipation Shirov - Adams of the exchange he made a king move, Wijk aan Zee 1996 (D) but he did not choose the best square. White cannot play actively right 19.�g2?! (19.'ifi>hl!) 19 ...fe away; fo r example, 19.f5?! fe 20.fe ed 20.fe §.xfl 21.§.xfl §.fS (D) does not work. Meanwhile, on his move 22.§.cl Black will strive fo r exchanges: 19 ...f e With the exchange of the second 20.fe .§xfl + 21..§xfl .§f8,or 20.de �c5 pair of rooks White's space advantage (20 ...d4 21.Ad2 .£lc5 is not bad either). has no particular significance,so Shirov For instance, an unclear situation arises withdraws the rook. But if his king were 254 Prophylactic Thinking Black 's early capture on d5 was not necessary but it might make sense ifBlack can demonstrate that the white dpawn is weak. One obvious way to remove a defender of d5 is ... fJa6-c5- e4, aft er which Black 's fo rces will coordinate rather effectively. However, this is really the only way in which Black can develop the queen 's knight because ...d6, intend ing ...4Jbd7, would leave e6and c6 gruesomely weak. ...c6 on h1, his rook could go to g1 with a also leads to serious weaknesses so if I subsequent g4-g5 or l:!g3. 22... �d8! can stop Black's above-mentionedplan With his king on h1 the planned he will have a hard time making use of 23 ...Ag5 by Michael Adams could be his minor pieces on the queenside and parried by 23.g5! Axg5 24:�h5 Ah6 I can gradually turn my attention to (24 ...h6 25.�g6+-) 25.l:!g1 with playing e2-e4 or attacking on the decisive threats, while now the pawn kings ide. The best way to do this seems sacrifice is only enough for a draw. to be just to wait fo r ... 4Ja6 and then Analysis of the subsequent course of the play b2-b4, but this has the battle would take us too far from our shortcoming that it is liable to run into topic, so we will halt our investigation tactics on the h8-al diagonal. So the of the game here. long and short of it is that I need to be in a position to meet ... fJa6with b2-b4 I fo und an impressive example of without allowing tactical tricks based the use of prophylactic thinking in the on ... 4Je4or ... 4Jxd5. opening in one of the books by Scottish Rowson includes a short variation grandmaster Jonathan Rowson. with his evaluation, 9.Ag2?! 255 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Black's position is also sad in the 13.0-0 d6 leads to unclear variation 13 ...'i'!te7 14. ..1lf4 .£\e4 consequences, while on 11..£\d2, there 15. .£\xe4 fe 16.d6. is the excellent reply 11... .£\e6!. Alas, 14.dc de 15.�d4 �d7 the simple 12.0-0! fo llows and Black 16.�b3+ �h8 17.�e6 (17J�d1) has serious problems. 13.b4 is 17••• .§fe8 18.� xg7 �xg7 19.�a4!? threatened. There is little appeal in �e6 20.�xb6+-, and White won. 13... .£\h5 14 . ..1lg5 M6 15. ..1lh6±, and Rowson's subtle solution, not on 13... t!c 8, strong is 14 . .£\d2, with the readily apparent, was fullyju stifiedand inevitable b2-b4 to fo llow. earned him a well-deserved victory. But, as often happens, it thanks largely As I have already mentioned, to the fact that his opponent was not up prophylactic thinking is not a very to par and failed to solve the impending familiar method for the majority of strategic danger. Returning to the players, and learning how to use it diagram position (after Black's 8th capably requires purposeful training. move). However, there are players who seem Grandmaster Inarkiev, having to have "in their blood" constant become acquainted with the game, attention to their opponents' plans and made the fo llowing two observations: a desire to prevent those plans. One (a) On 9.t!b1, Black should reply such player is Anatoly Karpov. In the 9 ...'i'!te 7!, And if 10. .1lg2,then 1 0 ....£\e4! article on prophylaxis from the book 11..£\xe4'l!txe4 (the rook on b I is under School of Future Champions 4: Secrets attack) 12.M4 'l!txd5oo. White can react of Positional Play, a few examples of more precisely: 1 O . ..llf4! .£\e4 11..£\b5, the work ofthe twelfthworld champion having in mind 11... .£\a6 12.d6, with are given, and Artur Yusupov better chances. His opponent can try the comments on another impressive game sharper 11...0 -0!? as the consequences by Karpov on the same theme in School of 12 . .£\xc7 'i'!tc5 13.e3 'i'!ta5+ 14 . .£\d2 of Future Champions 1: Secrets of g5 are difficultto predict. For example, Chess Training. 15. ..1lxg5!? .£\xg5 16. .£\b5 (threatening To perfect any skill it is useful to 17.b4) 16 .....1lxb2 ! oo.Safer is 12.d6 cd get to know what has been done here by 13 . .1lg2, but White's chances here are the strongest experts - which is why I only slightly better. recommend that you study Karpov's (b) The natural move 9 . ..1lg2!? is games, and not only the ones I good enough. After 9 ....£\a6, it is still mentioned. This next game of his, not too later to implement the although not all that colorful, vividly prophylactic transfer of the knight to e4: demonstrates that Karpov was thinking 10 . ..1lf4! .£\c5 (Black is clearly worse prophylactically even at the dawn of his after 10 ....£\e4 11..£\xe4 fe 12. .£\g5) sporting career. 11.t!c1!. Now 11.. . .£\ce4 leads to the loss of a pawn: 12.irtxc7 'ffxc7 Amos - Karpov 13 . .£\xe4±, and on 11...t!c8 there Student Olympiad, Mayaguez 1971 fo llows 12. .£\d2, bringing the e4-square 1.e4 c5 2.�f3 e6 3.d4 cd under control and preparing 13.b4. 4.� xd4 �c6 5.�c3 a6 6.g3 �ge7 10 ...0-0!? is more resourceful. The win 7.�b3 �a5 (7 ...d6) 8.-'lg2 (8.'i'!th5!?) of a pawn by 11.b4 .£\ce4 12. ..1lxc7 'ffe8 8 ••• �ec6 9.0-0 d6 (9 ....1le7 10.M4 256 Prophylactic Thinking d6 11.�xa5 �xa5 12.�e2 �c6 13. .§.fd1 �c7= Romanishin-Podgaets, USSR, 1973) 10.�d2!? .!ld7 11. b3 .!le7 12• .Q.b2 Black's next move is typical of the playing style of the future world champion. 19 •••.!}.f6! The only possibility for his 12••• E{c8! opponent to display activity is f2-f4, But why not just castle? In reply to which he probably plays after the 12... 0-0, Karpov was bothered by 13.a3 natural 19... lte6. But now an advance b5 (13 ...�d4 14.�d5!) 14.b4 �c4 of the f-pawn sharply loses force, as it (14 ...�b7!?) 15.�xc4 be 16.�e2. leads to a favorable exchange of the However, even now 13.a3!? dark-square bishops fo r the opponent. deserves serious attention, since 20.E{cl .!le6 2l.f4 ef 22 • .Q.xf6 13 ...�d4?! 14. �d5! �xc2? leads to a �xf6 23.�xf4 Elfc8 24.�d5?! losing position after 15.�xe7 "il!/xe7 Better is 24.�xe6 �xe6 25:�h5! 16 . .§.cl. But, firstly, White still has to (threatening 26.lth3) 25 ...g6 26.�h6. find that, and secondly, he has to deal 24••• �d4+ 25.ciflhl with 13 ... �e5 14.®h1 (14.f4 �ec4! 15.�xc4 �xc4 16.bc �b6+ 17.®h1 �xb2 18.�d4 e5 oo)14 ... h5!? 15.f4 �g4. 13.�e2 0-0 14.c4 (according to Karpov, 14.c3 is preferable) 14 •••b5 15.cb ab t6.�f3 b4 Black is probably already slightly better. Amos tries to initiate play on the queens ide, but he only weakens his own position (Karpov). 17.a3?! Elb8 18.a4 18.ab is preferable, on which Karpov points out 18 ....§.x b4 19.Aa3 25••• ciflh8! .§.xe4. Another excellent quiet move. By 18••• e5! moving his king away from check by The pawn limits the mobility of the knight on the e7-square, Black several white pieces at once. prepares 26 ...�e 5. 19.�d2 26.�e2 �e5 27.h3 h6! 257 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources "Do not rush!" There is time to discussing and thinking about these make a window, improving his position factors will be greater. Knowledge of a before the start of decisive actions. fe w principles easily compensates fo r No usefulmoves are evident fo r the ignorance of a fe w fa cts (Helvetius). I opponent, and in these cases new recommend that you give priority to blunders are quite likely. human logic over the numbers that 28 . .§.dl? (he should wait: appear on your screen (if, of course, 28. �h2 + ) 28 ...4)d3 White resigned. they are not based on strong moves that I am not claiming that all of were missed in your analysis or mine). Karpov's prophylactic moves were the Then again, sometimes a position best ones in the position. Here it is can be approached differently, and the important to pay attention not to the solution offered in this book is not moves, but to the type of actions by a always strictly compulsory. Well, a player who would soon become the comparison of my rationale with your strongest in the world, and for a long own will be useful in any case, time, and to his approach to decision regardless of which one you consider to making. By no means do you have to be more correct in the end. play in Karpov's style, you only have And one more thing. Sometimes to try and take fromhim everythingthat the path suggested in the book does not is valuable to you. determine the evaluation of the position conclusively in your favor, but only A few words about the exercises complicates your opponent's task. After that are offered below. It is fairly easy penetrating the position he could have to explain the logic of the solutions to solved the problems facing him, but he the positional examples in words, but did not cope with them. The game we sometimes it is harder to prove it with looked at above, Rowson-Cooper, gives variations. The computer often doesnot a good example of this, as well as of the give a clear advantage to one path or possibilities of different roughly another, considering them almost equivalent approaches to a position. equivalent. But chessplayers are not Things oftengo like this in tournament computers, they are not capable of duels too: if there is no arithmetically awarding precise numerical evaluations exact solution that forces a favorable to the variations they have looked at, outcome for us, we look for and choose and when calculating and evaluating the one that promises practical chances they are fo rced to orient themselves of success. The exercises in this chapter using positional fa ctors. Plus the will help you to train yourself in this benefits for improvement from approach. 258 Prophylactic Thinking Exercises 4-1 Kasparov - Beliavsky Candidates' Match, 9th Game, 4-2 Simagin - Kotov Moscow 1983 Moscow Championship 1945 W? W? 4-3 Simagin - Kotov 4-4 Taimanov - Stein Moscow Championship 1944 Soviet Championship, Tbi1isi 1966 W? B? 4-5 Siimisch - A1ekhine 4-6 Siimisch- A1ekhine Dresden 1926 Dresden 1926 B? B? 259 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-7 Hort - Ciocaltea 4-8 Sveshnikov - Rashkovsky Budapest 1973 Sochi 1976 W? W? 4-9 Vaganian - Nogueiras Candidates' Tournament 4-10 Beliavsky - Radulov Montpellier 1985 Leningrad 1977 W? B? 4-11 Garcia - Sigurjonsson 4-12 Kapengut - Kholmov Cienfuegos 1975 USSR 1970 B? W? 260 Prophylactic Thinking 4-13 Hort -G. Kuzmin 4-14 Bastrikov - Yakovlev FRG 1981 USSR 1956 W? W? 4-15 Spielmann - Alekhine 4-16 Kasparov - Martinovic Carlsbad 1911 Baku 1980 W? W? 4-17 Kasparov - Martinovic 4-18 Ljubojevic - Beliavsky Baku 1980 Tilburg 1984 W? B? 261 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-19 Smyslov - Gligoric 4-20 Panov - Kan Moscow 1979 Soviet Championship, Tbilisi 193 7 B? B? 4-21 Keres - Rabar 4-22 Kholmov - Uhlmann Munich 1942 Halle 1978 W? B? 4-23 Kozlov - Kholmov 4-24 Serper - Rozentalis Bryansk 1987 USSR 1987 B? B? 262 Prophylactic Thinking 4-25 Euwe - Alekhine 4-26 Hort - Karpov 20th match game, Holland 1935 Amsterdam 1981 W? W? 4-27 Dorfman - Nogueiras 4-28 Smyslov - Nunn Moscow 1990 Tilburg 1982 W? W? 4-29 Smyslov - Reshevsky World Championship 4-30 Keber1 - Szabo The Hague/Moscow 1948 Budapest 1951 W? B? 263 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-32 Zakharov - Dvoretsky 4-31 Wade - Kortchnoi Soviet Team Championship, Buenos Aires 1960 Ordzhonikidze 1978 B? B? 4-33 Kortchnoi - Radulov Interzonal Tournament 4-34 Hiibner - Kortchnoi Leningrad 1973 1st match game, Solingen 1973 W? B? 4-35 Szabo - Petrosian 4-36 Kasparov - Vukic Interzonal Tournament European Team Championship Stockholm 1952 Skara 1980 W? B? 264 Prophylactic Thinking 4-37 Toth - Velimirovic 4-38 Suetin - Polugaevsky Budva 1981 Sarajevo 1965 B? W? 4-39 Agdestein - Vaganian 4-40 Petrosian - Barendregt Naestved 1985 Copenhagen 1960 W? W? 4-41 Alexandria - Akhmylovskaya * 4-42 Kasparov - I. Ivanov Candidates' Match, 9th Game Soviet Championship Semi-final, Kislovodsk 1980 Daugavpils 1978 B? B? 265 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-43 Hort - Timman 4-44 Root - Lane Montreal 1979 USA 1978 B? W? 4-45 Larsen - Spassky 4-46 Vaganian - Razuvaev Tilburg 1978 Moscow 1985 W? W? 4-47 Spassky - Karpov Candidates' Match, 6th Game 4-48 Yusupov - Rubinetti Leningrad 1974 Interzonal tournament, Toluca 1982 B? B? 266 Prophylactic Thinking 4-49 Kovacevic - Matanovic 4-50 Timoshchenko - Vile1a Yugoslavia 1981 Havana 1981 W? W? 4-52 Mestel - Bouaziz 4-51 Hort - Minic Interzonal Tournament Varna 1969 Las Palmas 1982 W? B? 4-53 Xie Jon - Taimanov 4-54 Bartel - Kosyrev Copenhagen 1997 Moscow 2002 W? W? 267 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-55 Gligoric - Smyslov 4-56 Smyslov - Timman USSR-Yugoslavia Match, Kiev 1959 Amsterdam 1971 B? W? 4-58 Polugaevsky - Bleiman 4-57 Lj ubojevic - Larsen European Team Championship Buenos Aires 1980 Skara 1980 W? W? 4-59 Barlov - Pliester 4-60 Christiansen - Gheorghiu Amsterdam 1984 Interzonal Tournament, Moscow 1982 W? B? 268 Prophylactic Thinking 4-62 Furman - Kholmov 4-61 A. Rodriguez - Ortega Soviet Championship Semi-final Bayamo 1982 Sverdlovsk 1963 B? B? 4-63 Aseev - Makarichev 4-64 Bareev - lvanchuk Moscow Championship 1982 Novgorod 1994 B? B? 4-65 Nunn - Smejkal 4-66 Kasparov - Marjanovic Olympiad, Lucerne 1982 Olympiad, Malta 1980 B? B? 269 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-68 Haik - Speelman 4-67 Hjorth - Pope World Team Championship Melbourne 1985 Lucerne 1985 W? W? 4-69 M. Gurevich - Tal 4-70 Karjakin - Grishchuk Junnala 1985 Nalchik 2009 W? W? 4-71 Lj ubojevic - Portisch 4-72 Cheparinov - Ivanchuk Tilburg 1984 Sofia2008 W? B? 270 Prophylactic Thinking 4-73 Brinck-Ciaussen -Hansen 4-74 Kudrin - R. Byrne Danish Championship 1984 U.S. Championship, Berkeley 1984 B? B? 4-75 A. Rodriguez - Polugaevsky 4-76 lvanchuk - Chekhov Moscow 1985 Tashkent 1987 W? W? 4-78 Romanishin - Timman 4-77 Kavalek - Lj ubojevic Interzonal Tournament Montreal 1979 Taxco/Montetaxco 1985 W? W? 271 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-79 Alekhine - Bogolyubov 4-80 D. Gurevich - Alburt Warsaw 1943 New York 1990 W? B? 4-81 Ivkov - Schmid 4-82 Mikh. Tseitlin - Malevinsky Olympiad, Siegen 1970 Lvov 1983 B? W? 4-83 Beliavsky - Boensch 4-84 Giardelli - Kasparov Munich 1990 Olympiad, Malta 1980 W? B? 272 Prophylactic Thinking 4-85 Beliavsky - Timman 4-86 Yermolinsky - Kamsky Reykjavik 1991 U.S. Championship, Long Beach 1993 W? W? 4-87 Smyslov - Kortchnoi 4-88 Yusupov - Dolmatov Soviet Team Championship, Riga 1975 Soviet Championship, Minsk 1987 W? W? 4-89 Forster - Chiburdanidze 4-90 Kamsky - Salov Biel 1994 Buenos Aires 1994 B? W? Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-91 Motwani - Ledger British Championship 4-92 Horvath - Uhlmann Scarborough 2004 Debrecen 1988 W? B? 4-93 Kramnik - Karpov 4-94 Van der Sterren - Drasko Dos Hermanas 1997 Balatonbereny 1983 W? B? 4-95 Rublevsky - Bareev 4-96 Yakovich - Solozhenkin Polanica-Zdroj 1997 St. Petersburg 1995 W? W? 274 Prophylactic Thinking 4-97 Gavrikov - Vogt 4-98 Timman - Geller Berlin 1989 Linares 1983 W? W? 4-99 Anand - Agdestein World Junior Championship 4-100 Anand - Bareev Baguio 1987 Linares 1993 B? B? 4-101 Fischer - Spassky World Championship, 4th Match Game 4-102 Beliavsky - Matulovic Reykjavik 1972 Sombor 1972 B? B? 275 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-103 Sakalauskas - Vallejo 4-104 Taimanov - Chekhov Olympiad, Istanbul 2000 Kishinev 1976 B? B? 4-105 Tolstykh - Zakharevich 4-106 Kortchnoi - Reshevsky Y ekaterinburg 1997 6th Match Game, Amsterdam 1968 B? W? 4-107 Kortchnoi - Reshevsky 4-108 Sutovsky - Chernin 6th Match Game, Amsterdam 1968 Rishon LeZion 1994 W? B? 276 Prophylactic Thinking 4-109 Dvoretsky - Koryakin 4-110 Azmaiparashvili - Shirov Moscow 1971 Madrid 1996 W? B? 4-111 Barcza - Soos 4-112 Dvoretsky - Tal Olympiad, Varna 1962 Soviet Championship, Yerevan 1975 W? B? 4-113 Spassov - Bonchev 4-114 Simagin - Petrosian Stara Zagora 1977 Match, Moscow 1956 W? W? 277 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-115 Kortchnoi - Romanishin 4-116 A. Sarychev, K. Sarychev Brussels 1986 1930 W? W? 4-118 Bigo - Purdy 4-117 V. Halberstadt World Correspondence Championship 1949 Semi-final 1947 W? W? 4-119 Anand - Morozevich 4-120 Larsen - Kavalek Dortmund 2001 7th Match Game, Solingen 1970 W? B? 278 Prophylactic Thinking 4-121 Savon - Zhelyandinov 4-122 Dvoretsky - Butnoris Riga 1964 Kiev 1976 B? W? 4-124 Tukmakov - Gutman 4-123 Kortchnoi - Hiibner Soviet Championship, I st League 2nd Match Game, Solingen 1973 Ashkhabad 1978 W? W? 4-125 Zilberman - Taimanov 4-126 Bastrikov - Kiselev Moscow 1979 Sverdlovsk 1946 B? W? 279 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-128 Lisitsin - Tolush 4-127 Karpov - Seirawan Soviet Championship Semi-final Tilburg 1983 Leningrad 1938 W? B? 4-129 Romanishin - Sveshnikov * 4-130 Quinteros - Portisch Zonal Tournament, Yerevan 1982 Mar del Plata 1982 W? B? 4-131 Karpov -Nunn 4-132 Skembris - Torre Tilburg 1982 Olympiad, Lucerne 1982 W? B? 280 Prophylactic Thinking 4-133 Pascual Arevalo - Dvoretsky 4-134 Levenfish - Taimanov Barbeni del Valles 1996 Leningrad 1952 B? B? 4-135 Polugaevsky - Torre 4-136 Makarichev - Svidler Biel 1989 Russian Championship, Elista 1995 W? B? 4-137 Herndl - Kindermann 4-138 Shirov - Kramnik Austria 1996 Linares 2000 B? B? 281 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-139 Anand - Karpov 4-140 Anand - Svidler 7th Match Game, Brussels 1991 Linares 1998 W? B? 4-141 Leko - Bareev 4-142 Leko - Short Dortmund 2002 Wijk aan Zee 2005 B? W? 4-143 Leko - Short 4-144 Shirov - Kramnik Wijk aan Zee 2005 Linares 1998 W? W? 282 Prophylactic Thinking 4-145 Carlsen - Anand 4-146 I. Popov - Khayrullin More1ia/Linares 2008 Ulan-Ude 2009 B? W? 4-147 Papaioannou - Oleksienko 4-148 Fischer - Keres European Championship, Rijeka 2010 Zurich 1959 W? W? 4-150 Dolmatov - Plaskett 4-149 Lerner - Lukin European Junior Championship USSR 1977 Groningen 1978 W? W? 283 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-152 Gligoric - Gruenfeld 4-151 Ftacnik - Hazai European Team Championship Sochi 1982 Skara 1980 W? W? 4-153 Botvinnik - Levenfish 4-154 Kasparov - Short * 8th Match Game, Moscow 1937 1st Match Game, London 1993 W? W? 284 Prophylactic Thinking Solutions 4-1 Kasparov - Beliavsky 42.f5 (42.�d4 b6 43.a4 +- is 18 . .1lh4!± probably simpler) 42 ...ef+ 43.®xf5 c5 White does not let his opponent get 44.bc .§xc5 45 . .§b6 E1c7 46.g4 �f7 active with the move ...<£\h5, and frees 47.a4 �e7 48.a5 �f749. �e4 (49.e6+!? the g3-square fo r his knight. �e7 50.�g6 �f8 51.�h7) 49 ...�e7 18 ...'�?h8 19.<£le2 .§g8 20.c3 4)a6 50.�d5 .§d7+ 51..§d6 .§c7 52.e6 �e8 21.4)g3 i!3"f8?! (21...M8 22.4)dfl !J..e7 53.E1b6 �e7 54 . .§bl�e8 55 . .§b4 .§cl is more stubborn, in Garry Kasparov's (after55 ...�e7 56 . .§b6 Black fa lls into opinion) 22.<£\dfl <£\h7 23.4)e3 !J..f6 zugzwang) 56 . .§xb7 .§dl+ 57.�e5 24./J.xf6+ 4)xf6 25.<£lgf5 <£lh5 26.'�f2 .§el+ 58.�f5 .§fl + 59.�g6 .§f4 60.g5 4)f4 27.g3 <£\h3+ 28.�e2 /J.xf5 29.<£\xf5 .§g4 61.�xg7 .§xg5+ 62.�f6, Black .§xg3 (desperation; 29 ...<£\g5 30 . .§hl resigned . .§g6 31.E1h5 is completely hopeless) 30.4)xg3 ffg7 31..§gl .§g8 32.ffd2, 4-4 Taimanov - Stein Black resigned. White would like to play 4)f4-d5. ts... gs r+ 4-2 Simagin - Kotov Reinfo rces the advantage. The Control of more space and the only white knights are out of play now open line, the d-file, guarantees White (Stein). On 16.g4 the grandmaster a protracted advantage. But he has to intends 16 ...Axg4! 17.<£\xg4 4)xg4 stop the thrust 28... <£\g5, which gives 18.e5 4)xe5! 19.Axa8 f!xa8-+ . his opponent counter-chances. 16.b4 cb 17.f!xb4 <£\7c6 18.i!3"b2 28.h4! i!3"d6 19. .§acl Ae6 20.c3 de 21.i!3"xc3 After 28 ...<£\fS 29 . .§d6 <£\e6 .§adS! 22 . .§fdl 4)d4 23.<£\xd4 i!3"xd4 30.4)xe6.§x e6 3l.E1xe6 .§xe6 32.ffd4 24.f!xd4 .§xd4 25.E1c2 .§f7, and f1f8 33.f4 .§e8 34.e5 i!3"e7 35.a3 a6 the subsequently Black exploited his big position in the next exercise arose. positional advantage, although not without some misadventures. The 4-3 Simagin - Kotov ending of this game is investigated in 36.hS!± the chapter "Using your Advantage" in Before switching to an endgame it the Dvoretsky and Yusupov book is useful to constrain the opponent's Secrets of Endgame Technique - the kingside as much as possible. Otherwise third in our "School of Future Black himself will play ...h6-h5 and Champions" series . ...g7 -g6. 36 ...i!3"e6 37.i!3"d7 E1e7 38.f1xe6 fe 4-5 Siimisch - Alekhine 39.�f3 .§c7 40.�e4 �f7 41..§d6 �e7 Black is better in connection with the prospects of ...a7-a5-a4. First of all he has to stop the exchange of bishops, which increases White's chances of equalizing. 19 ...�eS! (D) 20.i!3"b2? Too passive! Stronger is 20 . .§el (or 20. .§e2) 20... a5 (20.. .f5 is useless 285 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources An incorrect evaluation: 29.�c3 leaves him with considerably more W? chance of a successful defense. 29 ...�x a4 30J:�bl �a3+!? This check was probably planned in reply to 30.�b2, and Black does not deviate from his intended course, although 30 ...d5!? is very strong here. 3l.�e2 (31.�b3 �da8) 3l...�c3 because of 2l.f4 'tl¥f6 22.e4) 2l.f4 �f6 32.a4 �a3! (but not 32 ...�x c4? 33.�a2) 33.�b7+ �d7 34.�db2 �xa4 35.�xd7+ 22.�e4 �xe4 23.'tl¥xe4a4 �. �xd7 36.�b7+ �c6 37.�xg7 �xc4 20.. :�xb2 2l.�xb2 aS 22J:�bd2 - 38.�g6 �d5 39.�xh6 �c2+ 40.�fl c4 see the next exercise. 41.�h8 c3 42.h4 (on 42.�c8 decisive is 42 .. .£4! 43.ef �d4) 42 ...�d2! 43.�el 4-6 Slimisch- Alekhine �xg2 44.�c8 c2 45.h5 �h2 46.h6 �xh6 Premature is 22 ...a4? 23 . .llc2. First 47.�xc2 �hl + 48.�d2 �h2+ 49.�d3 you have to secure the defense of the �xc2 White resigned. d6-pawn by bringing the king into the center: 22 ••• 4-8 Sveshnikov - Rashkovsky Black is planning ...�f5 or ...�g6 . No good is 25.�h8+? �f7 26.�f4+? �f5. The knight has to be neutralized. 2S.Aa3!, Black resigned. You should not always fo llow 4-9 Vaganian - Nogueiras fo rmal rules. The b3-bishop is There is no point in defending the exceptionally passive, but it cements the b-pawn by 20.�bl? because of queenside, restricting the activity of the 20 ...Axc4. black rooks, and at the same time slows 20.§.al!+- down the advance ...d6- d5. That is why This apparently exceptionally Alekhine exchanges it off. passive move is in fact very strong, as 28 ...Aa4 ! 29.Axa4? it neutralizes your opponent's 286 Prophylactic Thinking counterplay on the queenside. If you Silvino Garcia loses the thread of the exchangeon b3 thebishop comes under game and starts acting unsuccessfully. attack, and after it moves away, the 22.E!.f2? �b7 23.�g3 (23.E!.f4 .ilg5) a7-pawn. 20 ....ll b7 21..llxb7 E!.xb7 22.'it>fl a5 23.'it>el'it>t7 24. 'it>d2ab 25.ab E!.xb3 26.E!.xa5, and White won. B? 4-10 Beliavsky - Radulov 53 ...g3? 54.E!.g6 g2 55.'it>b3 E!.f4 (55 ...'it>f2 56.'it>b4=) 56.a6 leads to a draw. The white pawn has advanced sufficiently far, and there is no time to exploit the fact that the king has been 23 ...Ae4! cut off from the fo urth rank (56 ...'it>f2 Exchanging bishops weakens all 57.a7), or for the cover 56 ...E!.g 4. S3... �fS!-+ the light squares in the opponent's camp. The initiative transfers to the It is important to tie the rook to the hands of Black. defense of the pawn. If 54.�b3 g3 24 . .Q..xe4 �xe4 25.E!.f4 �c6 55.�b4 g2 56.E!.g6, then the cover 26.E!.afl E!.d7 27.h3 a5 28.E!.lf2 b4 56 ...E!.f 4+ and 57 ...E!.g 4 is decisive. 29.ab ab =F 54.E!.a8 g3 55.a6 4-12 Kapengut - Kholmov The black knight must not be allowed onto c5. B? 20.cS!± If 20 ...�xc5, then 21.<£lxe5! (21..ila3 �c7 22.<£lxe5 Axh3! is less precise) 2l.. . .ilxh3 (21...de 22.Aa3 E!.xbl 23.E!.exbl �xa3 24.E!.xa3 .ilxa3 25.�e3! +- ) 22.gh de 23.E!.xa4. In reply to 20 ...dc White took the 55 ...E!.f 6! 56.a7 E!.f7!, White wrong pawn. Instead of 2l..ilxa6 f6 resigned. 22 . .ild3 <£Jb7 � stronger is 21..llc2! with 4-11 Garcia - Sigurjonsson a subsequent Axa4. On 21...Ag5 22.<£lg4 Black's position looks alarming -the knight is 4-13 Hort - G. Kuzmin sickeningly dangerous, aiming at f6 or Black gets counter-chances only if h6. For example, 22 ...<£lf5 23.ltxf5 gf his knight makes it to f4. By playing 37. 24:�h5 Ae7 25.<£Jh6+ �g7?! 26.E!.ael AdS!, Vlastimil Hort could prevent the or 26.E!.f3!? with a formidable attack. move 37 ...<£Je6 and prepare an attack on 21... hS! the t7-square, which leads to an easy Now the white knight is poorly win. positioned on e3. White maintains 37.�b4? �e5 (now the knight definitepressure anyway by continuing comes out to freedom and the affair 22.�g3 �b7 23.E!.f4 aS 24.E!.afl �.But becomes much more complicated) 287 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 38.a4 A draw can be fo rced by 42 .. :�f4+! 4-16 Kasparov - Martinovic 43.�e2 (43.�g2?? '(JJxf2+) 43 ...'(JJ cl! Black would like to freehimself by (43 ...'(JJ xf2+ 44.�d1 '(JJh2 45.�cl The prophylactic move 25 ..J!d c8! is the most stubborn, making a white pawn advance on the queenside more difficult.But in the game there fo llowed 25 ...§.d 7 26.c4 -'tg5 27.�xg5 hg 28.§.ad1 §.c8 29.b3 §.cd8 30.h3 �g8 31.§.b5 §.b8 32.c5!, Black resigned. 288 Prophylactic Thinking 21.c4! (an advance with multiple 4-21 Keres - Rabar plans: it prepares 22 . .rtld5, 22.a5 or 20.�e2! 22.c5) 21...c6 22 . .rtlb3 .rtld7 23.c5 b5 White covers the f4-square from 24.E!.edl Ae7 25 . .rtlc4!, and White's the enemy knights and plans to repel position is winning (this is also the case, 20 .. .f5? by 21.'l!i'h3 +- , and 20 ....rtlh4 by by the way, with the other powerful playing 21..rtlg3;finally, he is preparing blow 25 . .rtlf5!). f3-f4. Could we ask for more useful payoffs from one positional move? 4-18 Ljubojevic - Beliavsky 20 ...c6 2l.f4 d5 22.f5, and Black's White plans to seize space with position has become difficult. Whitewon. g2-g3 and f2-f4. The continuation 23 ...M5?! 24.f3 withthe idea of25:�·g3 4-22 Kholmov - Uhlmann is inaccurate. By playing 23 ...g5! :;: On his move White can play Alexander Beliavsky restricted his 36:ili'c4. It is important to avoid an opponent's possibilities on the kingside. exchange and keep the queen in its 24.g3 'l*f5 25.Ag2 g4! 26.'l*d2 dominating position in the center. The 'l*h5 27.E!.e5 E!.f5 28.E!.ael E!.xe5 problem is solved by the move 35 ... b5!. 29.E!.xe5 E!.f5 30. E!.e2 (30."((rf4 !?) 36.'l*b2 (36.b4!?) 36 ...E!.c d8 30 .. .'�f7 31.'l*cl rtle7 32.'l*bl �c6 37.E!.d3 E!.e4! 33.'l*el'l*g6 34.h3 h5 35. hg? (35.h4) 35 ...hg +. 4-19 Smyslov - Gligoric First you have to block White's queenside and prevent the move b2-b4. 18... -'lb3! + lf 19.E!.ccl, then 19 ...a5 20.-ildla4 21.Axb3 ab, and White can expect problems with the weak b2-pawn. But the continuation in the game is no 38.r:Jgl? (38.!J.g3) 38 ....rt\xd4! better. 39 . .rt\xd4?! E!.xd4 40.E!.xd4 ..llxd4 19.E!.fcl a5! 20.r:Jfl E!.a6 21.�el ( 4l.. . .ilxf2+fo llows on a queen retreat), E!.ad6 22.E!.bl a4 23.h3 f6 24 . .rtlh2 b6 White resigned. 25.-t\fl r:Jf726.f 3 f5 27 . .rtle3 28g5 . .rtlc2 �f6, and Black made the best of his 4-23 Kozlov - Kholmov overwhelming positional advantage. It is favorable for White to open a line with the move b2-b4!. So - 4-20 Panov - Kan 23 ...a5! oo. 18... g 5! 24.'l!i'c2a4 25.l:!e2?! �g7 26.E!.e4 'l!i'f7 It is necessary to prevent an 27.�cl �d4 28.Axd4 cd 29:ili'e2 E!.fc8 =F opening-up of the h-file at any price. On 19 . .ilxg5decisive is 19 ....rtlxb 2!. 4-24 Serper - Rozentalis 19.E!.d3 Ae5 20."((rgl f6. The 49 ...Et h8!-+ h6-bishop is permanently excluded It is important to stop the white from the game, and Black's position rook fromgetting into the game via h3 is won. or g4. Now there is neither 50.E!.h3 289 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources :§xh3 51.gh �f4, nor 50.E!g4 :§h4 4-26 Hort - Karpov 5l.E! xh4 gh 52.\fle2 �f4 53.'it>f2 b4 Black obviously wants to play (zugzwang). 50.c3 de+ 51.\flxc3 E!h4 14 ...b5 with a subsequent 15... <£\b6 or with a subsequent 52 ...\flf4 also loses. 15... <£\e4 . 50.�e2 :§h4 5l.b4 (5l.'it>f2 b4) 14.a4!;!;; 51...E!hl(threatening 52 ...E!bl) 52.E!h 3 Intending either the undermining move 15.b3, or active play in the center, 15.<£\e5. On 14 ...<£\e4 unpleasant is 15.Axe7 f!xe7 16.<£\xe4 de 17.<£\d2 b5 18.b3!. I think Black should restrict himself to the modest 14 ...<£\e8! with a defendable position. Karpov's attempt to prepare ...b6-b5 anyway turnsout to be unsuccessful and leads to major difficulties. 14... Ac6?! 15.<£\e5 flc7 16.<£\xc6 f!xc6 17. .ili3 (threatening 18.<£\xd5!) 52 ...:§x h3! 53.gh e4 54.fe+ \flxe4 17 ...Ab4? (17... E! ae8 is better) 55.�d2 �f4 56.\fld3 �g3 57.�xd4 \flxh3 58.c4 g4 White resigned. 4-25 Euwe - Alekhine W? Black wants to disentangle himself with the move 30 ....ilb 5. If 30.E!a3 (counting on 30 ... .ilb5? 3l.E!f3+), then 30 ...g4, reviving the threat of31...�b5. 30.laa2!!+- 18.<£\xd5! <£\xd5 19.flf5 (but not 19.f!xc4? f!xc4 20.E!xc4 b5! and ...<£\7b6) ...19 f!xa4 20.1txd5 E!ac8 2l.b3! cb 22.E!xc8 E!xc8 23.flxf7+�h8 24.Axb3 �b5 25 . .ile6 E!f8 26.�xd7 (26.f!xd7?! "«'th5 is weaker) Black resigned. 4-27 Dorfman - Nogueiras Now (and later) there is no ll.e4!± 30 ...�b5 3l.cb - the rook is defended It is important to take control of the by the bishop. d5-square - the b6-knight could use it 30 ...�e7 (30 ...g4!?) 31.f4 gf 32.gf to transfer to b4. White's further play 6 (32 ...E!g 6+ 33.\flf2 .ild7 34.E!xa7 develops by itself, while it is not easy is hopeless) 33.e4 g5 34.f5 (34.e5+ \flf5 for his opponent to choose a sensible 35.fg) 34 ...h5 35.h4! gh 36.\flh2 �g5 plan. 37.\flh3 E!a5 38.�b7 �6 39 . .ild5'it>g5 ll... .ilc6 12.<£\bd2 e5 13.b3 E!e8 40 . .ilb7 290 Prophylactic Thinking 24 ...�c 8 25.�d2 <£lb826."ilt"dl �c 6 27 . .1la7 <£ld7 28.1td5 �c7 29.Axe6 "ilt"xe630.� xd6+- . The move that Black chose in the game, 24 ...<£lb8, does not help either. W? 17.�fdl! (with the idea of 18.b4! cb 19.d4) 17 ...b5 18.ab ab 19.�xa8 .llxa8 20.Ah3! f6 21.b4! <£le7 (21...cb? 22.'�a4+- ; 21... .1lc6!?) 22.�al <£lf8 23.bc be 24 . .1la3 <£lc6?! 25.Axc5 <£le6? 26.ltxe6+ �xe6 27:ilt"a2!, Black resigned. 25.Axe6! fe 26."ilt"h4! This non-standard exchange 4-28 Smyslov - Nunn operation that wins a pawn by force By playing ...a6-a5 and ...b7-b6 incited general delight. For the sake of Black intends to kick the knightoff the fairness I will point out that no less c5-square. The move 22.b4?! does not strong is 26.�f3! (threatening 27."ilt"d3) prevent this plan: 22 ...a5! 23.ba �c6 26 ...<£ld7 27 .ltc7 +- . 24.<£lb3 �xe4. 26 ..."ilt"d7 27."ilt"d8+ "ilt"xd8 28 . ..1lxd8 22.a5!± <£ld7 29.Ac7 <£lc5 30.�xd6 �c8 31.ltb6 Vasily Smyslov keeps the knight <£la4 32.�xe6 <£lxb2 33.�xe5 <£lc4 in an attacking position and increases 34.�e6 <£lxb635.� xb6 �xc3 36.�xb7 his space advantage on the queenside. �c2 37.h4 �xa2 38.�g2, and White On 22 .. :i!t"c623.b 4 b6, he has a pleasant won without difficulty in the rook choice between 24.<£ld5 <£lxd525 .Axd5 ending that arose. and 24.<£lxa6 Axa6 25.Axa6 "ilt"xe4 4-30 Keberl - Szabo 26 . .ilc4. 23 ...a5! 24.�cl a4+ 22 .. :ilt"g6 23.g4! b6 24.<£lf5 <£lxf5 25.gf "ilt"c6 26.<£lxa6Axa6 27.Axa6 ba By playing like this, Black firstly 28.�xa5, and White soon won. prevented equalizing play with the maneuver <£lcl-b3, and secondly 4-29 Smyslov - Reshevsky launched an attack on his opponent's 24 . .!lb6! queenside by preparing to develop his White eliminates the possibility of rook via a6 to b6 or ...a4-a3 with a 24 ...<£la5 25 . .1ld5 �c8 with a subsequent ...�a 4. subsequent ...<£lc4 or ...<£lc7, and also 25.�f2 (25.<£ld3 �d8 26 . ..1lfl �d4) takes the dB-square away from theblack 25 ...a3 26.'it>e2 (D) rook, preparing to double his major pieces on the d-file (�d3, "ilt"dl). Vasily 26 .....1lb2 (26 ...�a 4 27.<£ld3 <£lb3! Smyslov gives these variations: is probably even stronger) 27.�c2 24 ...<£lc7 25."ilt" f3 �f8 26.�d3 <£le8 (27.<£ld3 <£la4 28.'it>dl Ac3 29.�c2 is 27 . .ila4 +- ; more stubborn) 27 ... �d8 28.1U"l <£la4 291 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 29... hS! -+ 30 . .§d2 f6 31.4)f3 .§c4 32.b3 .§c6 29.4)d3 4)c3+! 30.'it'e3 4)xa2! 31.4)xb2 4)b4!32 . .§cl ab 33 . .§b1 4)c2+! 34.'it'f4?! (34.'it'e2 4)a3 35 . .§xb2 4)xc4) 34 ...g5+ The threat 33 ...4)c7 is unstoppable. 35.�e5 .§d6! 36.c5 .§e6+ 37.�5 4)e3•. How easily the game develops if your opponent has no way of hindering you! 4-31 Wade - Kortchnoi 33.h4 g4 34.4)el 4)c7 35 .§x. h5 Black has to prevent the pawn 'it'g6, White resigned. breakthrough that is threatened, b4-b5! with a subsequent a4-a5, and on a pawn 4-33 Kortchnoi - Radulov capture - b5-b6. The problem is solved You not only have to deal with by a pawn sacrifice: 36 •••bS!! 37 .ab 25 .. :i*g3, but also 25 ...�e5 b6, and on 38.'it'e3or 38.h3 - 38 ...g5 =. (threatening 26... �xe3 and 26... �xd4) . Viktor Kortchnoi played the The move 25.'it>g2?! neutralizes one of careless 36 ...'it>g5?, and after 37.b5! those thrusts, and 25.e4?! the other one, 'it'h538.a5 !, he was forced to lay down but you have to defend against them his arms because of 38 ...ba 39.b6 cb both at the same time. 40.d6. The continuation 36 ...g5? 37.b5! 2S.�f2!± g4+ 38.'it'e2(g2) 'it'g5 39.f3 or 39.h3 The g3-square is covered; on also loses -the black king is not capable 25 ...�e5 there fo llows 26.e4. of simultaneously defending its 25... a5 26.'it'g2 g6 27.�d2 �e7 kingside and neutralizing the threat of 28.e4, and White gradually made the a breakthrough on the queenside. best of his extra pawn. 4-32 Zakbarov - Dvoretsky 4-34 Hiibner- Kortchnoi In my view, this example is quite For the a3-bishop to get into the instructive fromthe point of view of the game, it is vitally important fo r White technique of making the best of an to undertake b2-b4. On 18 ...4)d5?! he advantage. Black is much better, and has a choice between 19.b4 and 19.�c6 29 ....§c 2 or 29 .. .f6 do not look bad, for -'te6 20.4)d6, On 18 ...-'td7? !, there example. But first of all you have to fo llows 19.'lh6with the idea of 20.b4. think not about your own moves, but 18... aS! about your opponent's possibilities, and Now it is no longer possible to restrict them as much as possible. undermine Black's pawn chain. He does The only sensible try for White is not fe ar 19.4)xc5 be 20.-'1.xa8 because to exchangeoff the powerfuld5-knight of 20 ...-'td 7+. And the move b2-b3, by ...4)e5- g4-e3. This is easy to stop. which sooner or later White cannot do 292 Prophylactic Thinking without, will create a weakness on c3, 35.�a7 «£le3 36.�xa6 «£lxg2, and the which the black knight will aim at. endgame turns out to be lost for White. 19.'iik2 «£ld5 20J:kel �e8 21.b3 �a7 22.Ab2 �ae7, and Black's 4-36 Kasparov - Vukic advantage is in no doubt. White wants to strengthen his position on the kingside by playing 4-35 Szabo - Petrosian g3-g4 and either f2-f3 or f2-f4 with a The black knight wants to jump to subsequent g4-g5. His plan can be c4 or a4. By playing 26 • .§.h4!, it is prevented by 24 •••�aS! . On 25.g4, possible to take control of those there fo llows 25 ... «£lxg4, and on 25 . .ilc3 squares. On 26 ...'ii'l' c5 very strong is - 25 ...'/i'l'xhS, or even more precisely, 27.�b4!±. Tigran Petrosian probably 25 ...'ii'l' f5 +!? 26.'�al �d7. could take the important b4-square Most likely GarryKasparov would away from the rook with the have chosen 25.�dl with a small trap: prophylactic 26 ...a5!, but his position bad is 25 ...«£lxh5? (counting on 26.'/i'l'xh5 still remains worse after,say, 27.c4. f6) because of 26.'ii'l'd3! with the lethal Laszlo Szabo preferred the direct threat 27.'ii'l'd6. However, by continuing 26.�dl?! 'ii'l'c5 27.�d8 'ii'\'xa3+ 28.'it>bl. 25 ...�d 7 26.�xd7 «£lxd7!?(26 ...�xd 7 � is also possible) 27.Axg7 'ii'l'f5+ 28.'ii'l'c2 (28.'�al? 'ii'l'g5) 28... '/i'l'xhS, Black B? maintains approximate equality. The natural but unsuccessfulmove 24 ...�d 7? allows White after25 .Ac3 to obtain a tangible positional advantage, dooming his opponent to a protracted defense in which new blunders can easily be made. 25 ...'ii'l' b6 26.g4 'ii'l'd6 Black has to play 28 ...h6! oo, creating the threat of 29 ...«£la4! 30.�xf8+ �h7!. Petrosian was attracted to the move 28 ...h5?, which is more principled from the point of view of a possible sharp endgame (the white g and f-pawns are disconnected and the h-pawn is closer to the promotion square). Then again, he, like his opponent, underestimated the strong retort 29.�hl!, which holds the knight 27.f3 in its place and puts Black in a difficult Kasparov decided to act position. unhurriedly. I think he could allow 29.�xf8+?! 'ii'l'xf8 30.'ii'l'e4?! himself the sharper 27.g5!, as in the (30.�hl!) 30 ...'ii'l' e7 31.'ii'l'b4 'ii'l'c7 variation that he gave, 27 ...hg?! 28.h6 32.'ii'l'd6? (an incorrect evaluation of the 'ii'l'£4 29.hg �d8, Black's position is lost: position; now Black's idea is justified) strong are both 30.'ii'l'e5 'ii'l'xe5 31.�xe5 32 ...'l*xd6 33.�xd6 «£lc4! 34.�d7 b5 and the preparatory 30.a3!?. Little is 293 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources changed by 29 ..:ilt·f 5+ 30. 4-37 Toth - Velimirovic In the variation given by Kasparov, Black's best piece is the blockading 30.�xd3 E!xd3 31.Elfl f6 32. 294 Prophylactic Thinking 4-38 Suetin - Polugaevsky neutralize both black bishops by putting 28.4:\c7? .§ee7 is useless, and the apawn on f3. a7-pawn is untouchable because of the 23 . .§fcl? (weakens the f2-square) pin on the seventh rank; 23 .. :i*e7?! (delay: stronger is 23 ...f 5! 28.g5!? 4:\eS 29.f4 4Jec4 24.4Jxc5 fe 25.4Jxe4 .§f4 oo or 24.e5 (threatening ...4Jxb2 ; ...4Je3 ; ...e6 -e5) �e7 oo ) 24 . .1l.b5.ll. a8 25 . .1l.d3 fS 26.ef does not look convincing. Variations gf, and again, although with less impact such as 30.0-0-0 .§ef8 31.b3! 4Je3 than before, it is necessary to choose the 32 . .§g1! .§xf4 33 . .§xf4 .§xf4 34.�d2 prophylactic 27.�h1!. What happened .§xe4 35.4:\cS .§eS 36.4Jd3 4Jbc4+ in the game, 27.b4?!, led to irrational 37.bc 4:\xc4+ 38.�e1! .§aS± are not complications in which both players considered at the board, but only during blundered more than once. White made computer analysis of the game the final mistake, and lost. A normal choice for the practical player is to prevent Black's only active 4-40 Petrosian - Barendregt move, ...4:\eS, by playing 28.E!,a51±. 16.-'l,e6!± 28... .§f e7 29.b4 4Jf8 30 . .§h1 .§d8 A move with multiple plans! By 31..§c5 .§c8 32.'it>d2 .§d7+ 33.�e3 .§d6 34 . .§a5 .§d7 35.4:\cS .§e7 36.g5 attacking the d7-knight, White e5 37 . .§d1 �g7 38 . .§d6 h6 39.gh+ obliquely defends the e4-pawn, does �xh6 40 . .1l.a6 .§cc7 41.4Jd3 4Jfd7 not allow 16 ...�f6, and creates the 42.c4! 4Jb8 43.c5 4J6d7 44 . .1l.c4, and threats 17 .ef and 17 .4Jc4. White took the game to a winning 16 .. .fe 17.4Jxe4 Axe4 18 . .§ xe4 conclusion without any particular 4:\cS(18 ... 4Jxe4 19. .§xd7 �f6 20 . .ild5) difficulty. 19. .ilxc5be 4-39 Agdestein - Vaganian It is important to protect the b6- pawn, which the opponent plans to eliminate, by playing 22 ....ll. xa4 23.ba .§xb6. The problem is solved by 22.E!,bl!±. Black replied 22... e6. It is instructive to observe Tigran W? Petrosian's subsequent actions - a player who, like Anatoly Karpov, by nature had "the prophylactic instinct." On the rook retreat 20 . .§e2 Petrosian was obviously bothered by 20 ...e4 21.4Jd2 �f6 22.4Jxe4 4Jxe4 23:i*xe4�xc3. And although the final His hopes are obviously pinned on position of the variation is clearly in opening a line by ...f7- f5.It makes sense White's favor, he still does not want to for Simen Agdestein to make another allow the activation of the black bishop prophylactic move, 23.�h1!, to then or part with the c3-pawn. 295 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 20.Ad5! .§b8 (20 ... �xe4 21.Axe4 40 . .§f7 �g8 41..§g7+ �f8 42 . .§xh7 'ltf6 22.Axa8 .§xa8 23.�d2 +- ) .§xf5-+. 21..§e3! (to avoid the variation 21..§e2 37 . .§ xe7 .§xe4 38 . .§a7 h6 39 . .§a8+ e4 22.Axe4 'ltf6, White defends the �h7 40 . .§a7+, draw. c3-pawn in advance) 21...�f5 22 . .§eel �h4?! (22.. :�e7) 23.�xe5 'l*g524.� c6 4-43 Hort - Timman .§f3 25.g3! .§bf8 26.'l*e4! +- . The b6-knight guarantees the Nothing has come from the safety of the c4-pawn - so you have to opponent's attack, obviously, and repel the threat of a4-a5. 17... aS! Petrosian made the best of his A very strong move. The white advantage without any particular knightcannot go to b5 immediately and difficulties. Black gets some pressure on his opponent's position. By playing 4-41Alex andria - Akhmylovskaya * 17... fJd3hefalls into a trap: 18.a5 fJb4 By playing 49 ... �e7! + Black 19.ab fJxc2 20.bc fJxal 21.fJxc4with does not allow d5-d6 and prevents the a win fo r White (Timman). activation of the enemy king (50.�e5 18.4)e3 -'ld7 f6+). A mistake is 49 ....§x f4+? 50.�e5 with counterplay (the king goes to d6). Inaccurate too is 49 .. .f6?! 50.d6 (50.�e3!? .§h3+ 51.�d4 �e7 52 . .§g2 �d6 53 . .§g7 .§£3 54 . .§xh7 .§xf4 + 55.�d3 =i= is also possible) 50 ....§x f4 + 51.�d5 (threatening 52.Ab5). For example: 51... .§e4 52 . .§h2! .§el 53.�d4 .§dl+ 54.�e3 �g7 55 . .§g2+ �h6 56 . .§h2+�g5 57 . .§g2+! (but not 19. .§dl?! 57 . .§xh7? f4 +) 57 ...�h4 58 . .§g7 .§xd6 After getting into an unpleasant 59 . .§xh7+ �g5 60 . .§g7+ �h6 61..§g8, situation, players often lose their way and White retains decent drawing and allow inaccuracies, making it easier chances thanks to the activity of her for their opponents to develop an pieces and her opponent's king being initiative. That was the case here: 19.f4? cut offon the edge of the board. 'ltc5 20.fe 'l!\'xe3+ 21.�h2 'lte2!-+ with the terrible threat of 22 ...Axh3! 4-42 Kasparov - I.Ivanov does not work, but you have to choose The threats are not only a capture between 19. .§a3and 19.b3!?. of the e7-pawn, but also 37.g4. The 19 ... 'l*c5(the queen is heading fo r move 36 ....§c 7? loses because of37.g4! b4) 20.�bl �d3 + 21.�c3 (21.�d2 �b4 Ae8 38.�xc7. Igor Ivanov finds the 22:�bl Axa4) 21.. . .§ac8 22 . .ild2 (D) only, but sufficient, defense. 36... §.e2! = 22 .. .f5?! On 37.g4?! he had prepared 22 ...'ltb4! is preferable, intending 37 ....§x e4! 38.gh? (38 . .§xe7 .§xg4+ the exchange of queens 23 ...'l*b3 . The 39.�f2 is better) 38 ....§x e6 39.h6 .§e5 tempting but dubious move in the game 296 Prophylactic Thinking Now not 46 ... .E!e2 because of 47 . .:£)e6+, and the rook is lost. B? 46 ....E!g 8 47 . .:£)e6+ �f6 (47 ...�h5 48 . .E!xb7) 48 . .:£)xc5+ �e5 49 . .E!h6 (49 . .E!b4) 49 ...�f4 50 . .E!xh4+ �e3 51..:£)e4! fe 52 . .E!xe4+ �d2 53.�f2, Black resigned. 4-46 Vaganian - Razuvaev could lead to Black losing the lion's After playing 24 ....:£)c6, Black share of his advantage. Also a fa irly seizes the d4-square with his knight. typical picture: after getting a 24.g4! comfortable advantage, a player If 24 ....:£)h4, then 25.f5, and on sometimes loses his concentration and 25 ....:£)xg2?! there fo llows 26.f6!. stops checking his decisions carefully, 24 ... .:£)d4 25.-'txd4 cd 26.f5 ;!; .:£)d7 as they seem natural to him. 27.�hl .:£)f6 28 . .:£)g3?! (28 . .E!fl !?) 28 ... Axg2+ 29.'l*xg2.:£)d5 30 . .E!fl i.tg531. fe 23.ef Axf5 24 . .E!fl .t)el (24 ....:£)b4 fe 32 . .E!xf8+ .E!xf833 . .E!f2! .E!xf2 34.'l*xf2 25.'l*dl Ad3 26 . .E!el=F)25 .'l*dl .:£)xg2 26. �xg2? White misses a fo rtuitous opportunity. Correct is 26 . .:£)xf5! gf B? 27.'l*f3! =F. 26 ...-'td3 27 . .E!el.E!f8 28.f 4 .E!ce8, and Black's position became winning. 4-44 Root - Lane Black plans 18 ....:£)b6 and 19... g5 (but not 18 ...g5? immediately because of 19 . .ilxf5! ef 20.e6± ). Black's pawns are on squares of the 18.g3! 4)b6 19.h4� color of his bishop, so he can expect a The pawns on the kingside are worse ending. You have to use this blocked, and the g5-square is now at opportunity and exchange offthe "bad" White's disposal. bishop. 34 ...Ah4 ! 35:�f3 .ilxg3 19... �f7 205.t>g2 .:£)a4 21..E!hl 36.'l*xg3 h6 37.'l*e5 'l*f7, and the Ad8?! (21... .E!ac8) 22 . .:£)g5+ .ilxg5 players soon agreed a draw. (22 ...�e7!?) 23.hg .E!xhl 24 . .E!xhl .E!c8 25.�f3 �g8 26.�e3 ±. 4-47 Spassky - Karpov White wants to play b3-b4 and 4-45 Larsen - Spassky a4-a5, conquering the c5-square for the It is important to impede an invasion by the black rook on e2. knight. For example, 33 ...g6 34.b4 a5 46. .:£)c3?! is not enough (counting on 35.ba! Axa5 36.g5! f5 (on 36.. .f g the 46... �f4? 47.�f2 .E!g8 48..:£)d5+ �e5 same reply follows) 37 . .:£)c5+, or 34 ... 49 . .:£)e3 +- ) 47 ... .:£)g6!? (47 ....E!h 8!?) f5 35. .:£)g5+! �xd6 (35 ...�f6 36.f4!?) 47 . .E!xb7 .E!h8 or 47.�f2 .E!h8 48..:£)d5 36.a5 ..lld4 (36 ....1ld8 37 . .:£)f7+ �e6 .:£)e549 . .E!e6 .:£)c6with counterplay. 38 . .:£)xe5)37 . .E!d2=. 46.4)c7!+- 33... a5! 297 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Counterplay has been prevented, His opponent preferred 14... 'l*b6? and White, unlike his opponent, will with the idea of ...'l*a7 and ...Ab6. But now have trouble choosing a sensible this regrouping requires more time, and plan, so Black's chances are better, at also the queen is out of play on a7. least from a practical point of view. 15. .§b1!'l*a7 16.g4!± 34.Aa3 B? 16... .§ f8? 34 .. J!b8! Too passive! Black rejected Another superb move: Anatoly 16 ....ilb6 17.g5 .tlfd7, worrying about Karpov is preparing to demonstrate the fate of the d6-pawn after 18.-tlfl?!, activity on the queenside himself with in vain: in the variation 18... -tlfS 19.dc 35 ...Ad4 36J!c7 b5. be 20. �xd6? .§d8 White loses. So 35.l:k4!Ad4 (35 ...g6 is inaccurate Yusupov planned 18.h4! .tlf8 19.h5, because of 36.-tlc3; while putting the not letting the knight go to g6 (an knight on c3 a move earlier was attack, and prophylaxis at the same unfavorable because of the pin time). 35 .. Jk8) 36. f4 g6! (on 36 ...b5 Karpov 17.-tlfl! (but not 17.g5? .tle8 with was bothered by 37.ab .§xb5 38.f5+ a subsequent 18.. .f5) 17... -tle8 18.-tlg3 �d5 39.-tlc3+ Axc3 40. .§xc3 with a f6 19 . .tlf5 Axf5?! 20.gf Ab6 2Ulh5! likely draw) 37.-tlg3 eft 38 . .§xd4 fg .§d8 22 . .ilh6! .§d7 23.Axe8 .§xeS 39.�xg3 .§c8 40 . .§d3 g5! + 24.�h5 �b8 25.Axg7!, Black Black's subtle play turned his resigned. positional advantage into a win. The whole game, in my opinion, is one of 4-49 Kovacevic - Matanovic the best examples ofKarpov's technical White's positional advantage is artistry. evident. His opponent's natural counter chance is the undermining move ...b7- 4-48 Yusupov - Rubinetti b6, which can easily be prevented with Black has to deal with both 15.g3 39. aS!±. and a subsequent f2-f4, and also 15.g4. 39.Ac2? .§e7? (39... b6!) 40.g3? The subtle move 14 ... 'l;td7!, suggested The absence of even a hint of by Vladimir Kramnik, makes it harder prophylactic thinking - ignoring both for White to implement both plans (on of Black's ideas: ...b7-b6 and ....§e 7- 15.g4?!, there is 15... -tlhS!) and prepares d7. He should continue 40 . .§xe7 f!xe7 the development of the bishop to b6. 41.a5!±. Artur Yusupov probably would reply 40 ....§e d7 41..§d3 b6! 42.cb ab 15.M1 with mutual chances. 43.'l*d2 298 Prophylactic Thinking B? W? 43 ...e5? 31...!!a8 (31...'ilf"d7 32.'ilf"a7 !!e8 The simple 43 ...Af7 secures 33.�xb7) 32 . .£lxb7 'ilf"d7 33.�b6 'ilf"g4 approximate equality. The incautious (33 ...!!b 8 34 . .£l5xd6) 34.f3 'ilf"£435 .�e3 pawn advance in the center leads to a �xe3+ 36.!!xe3 !!a6 37.!!e3 !!b6 difficult position after 44.dc! !!xd3 38.!!e8 !!xb7 39 . .£lxd6, Black resigned. 45.Axd3 be 46.ilk2. But White again fails to find himselfon top. 4-52 Mestel - Bouaziz 44.d5? 'ilf"e5 45.'ilf"g5'ilf"e7 46.'ilt"xe7 Black has to take measures to !!xe7 47 . .1:!£4 !!e5 48.d6= �g7 49.d7 �f6 50. !!d6+ !!e6 51.!!dl �e7 prevent the passed pawn on the 52.Axf5 Axf5 53.!!xf5 !!xd7, draw. queenside from queening. Slim Bouaziz solved the problem by 33 ...�b21. 4-50 Timoshchenko - Vilela There then fo llowed 34.Ab6 �f8 With the move 21.'�d3!+- White 35 . .£la5 (35.Ae7 �e7 36 . .£le5 de prevents the bishop fromcoming out to 37.Axe5 .£ld3 38.Axg7 h5 is not f5 and immediately creates two threats, dangerous) 35 ...�e7 36.g3 .£ld3 oo. 22.'ilf"xb5 and 22.�xh7. 33 ....£ld2? 34.b4 .£le4 35.b5 ab By playing 21.g3? b4 22.Ad4, 36.ab .£le3 37.b6 .tlxd5 38 . .£la5 is a Gennady Timoshchenkowas apparently mistake, and you have to give up a piece hoping for 22 ...fg? 23.'ilf"xg5+!. But there for the b-pawn. fo llowed 22 ...1ti5 ! 23.g4 (23.gf? Axf4) The move 33 ....£la3 is objectively 23 ...Ag6 24.�bl !!e8 with mutual fine. White replies 34.b4. chances. 4-51 Hort - Minic 29 . .£la5? 'ilf"d7gives nothing. 29.ith31+- Vlastimil Hort prevents 29 ...'ilf"d7, which is important for the defense, and prepares 30 . .£la5,threatening 31..£lxb7; 31.!!e8. 29... !!a 8 30 . .£la5 !!b8 (30 ...'ilf"b6 31.�d7! !!b8 32 . .£le4) (D) If 34 ... .£le2?,then nothing changes 31.'ilf"e3! in comparison with the variation The queen has done its work on h3 33 ....£ld2? (35.b5 ab 36.ab .£lb4 37.b6 and now goes back, planning to invade .£lxd5 38 . .£la5+- ). You have to play on a7 with decisive impact. 34 ...'MB , leaving the knight on a3, from 299 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources where it controls the b5-square. True, chances. Xie Jun's subsequent lack of you constantly have to count on the confident play even took her to defeat. breakthrough b4-b5, and on a pawn capture - a4-a5. But analysis shows that 4-54 Bartel - Kosyrev this breakthrough is not too dangerous. Another problem on the theme of For example: 35.b5 ab 36.a5 b4 37.a6 king activity in the endgame: in the .£Jb5 38 . .£Ja5 .£Jc7 39.a7 �e8 40.g4 previous example - making the best of �d7 41.�g2 �c8 42.'if.lf3 b3 43 . .£Jxb3 an advantage, and here - defending. �b7 44.'if.le4 .£Jb5 . 45.£Ja5+ �a8, or You should prevent ...�h7-g6 by 35 . .£Jd8 �e8 36 . .£Jc6 �d7 37.b5 26.h4!. On 26 ...�h7, there is now (37 . .£Jb8+?! �c8 38 . .£Jxa6 .£Jbl and 27.h5, and you do not have to fe ar the 39 ....£Jc3) 37 ...ab 38 . .£Jxe5+ de 39.a5 move 26 .. .f6, at least in connection with b4 40.-'tcS .£Jc2 4La6 b3 42.a7 b2 27.g6!? fe 28 . .£Jxe5 .£Jxd4 29 . .§c7 (or 43.a8� bl �+ 44.Agl .£Jd4=. first 29 . .£Jd7), and White's chances are But to calculate these variations in no worse. your head at the board with a limited Less precise with the same idea is amount of time? It is clear that the move 26 . .§gl?! - the opponent can still reply made in the game is simpler and 26 ... �h7!, not fe aring 27.g6+ fg sounder. 28 . .£Jg5+ �g8 29 . .£Jxe6 .§fS (or 29 ....§f2 ) with a subsequent 30 ...�t7 +. 4-53 Xie Jon - Taimanov The importance of activating the It is very important to prevent the black king apparently was not activation of the black king by 24.g4!. considered by either player. The game For example: 24 ...Aa6 25.ab Ad3 concluded 26.�c2? .§c8? (26 ...�h 7+) 26 . .§b2 ab 27 . .§xa8 .§xa8 28.cb +- . 27. �d2 (if27... �h7, then 28 . .£Jh4 and 24.ab? ab 25 . .§xa8 .§xa8 29.�e3) 27 ...�f8, draw. 4-55 Gligoric - Smyslov 15... 4)a 5! 16 • .1ld3f5! W? As Artur Yusupov pointed out, it still is not too late to play 26.g4!. True, White has to calculate some variations here: 26... bc 27 . .§xb7 .§al+ 28.�g2 c2 A typical way of playing these 29.Ae3 d4 30.f5+ �h7 31.-'tgS +- or kinds of positions. The threat of f4-f5 26... Ac8 27.e6! fe 28.cb±. has been eliminated, and White's center 26.cb?! �5 27 .g3 �e4 28 . .§dl .§a2 has lost its mobility. Despite being two pawns down, the 17.e5?! (in my view, 17 . .£Jg3 is activity of his pieces, and above all the preferable, preserving the hope of king, secures Black enough counter- playing d4-d5 at a convenient point) 300 Prophylactic Thinking 17 ...c4 18.Ac2 4-56 Smyslov - Timman In choosing a retreat square for the bishop, White must bear in mind the undermining move ...f7-f5 ! If, for example, 26.-'i.g3?!, then 26 .. .f5! and I suggest 15 ...Ag 4!? based on 27 .. .f4. 16:ittd3 1lxf3 17.gf a4!? (17... f6 !? 26.Jl.e3! 18.Axd5 Bd8 is also possible) Now on 26 ...f5, there fo llows 27.ab 18.1lxd5 !!d8 19. 301 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources knight sacrificeon e5: 23.h3? (23 . .§d2 Black has to constantly deal with the is better) 23 ...4Jdx e5 24.fe (24.hg threat of an invasion on the queenside. 4::lxg4) 24 ....§xe 5oo. That is why Florin Gheorghiu 21.h3?! does not look very sound chose 28 ...a5!, and after 28 . .§el the because of 21...4::lh5, although this players agreed a draw. position is in White's fa vor. The simplest is to neutralize your 4-61 A. Rodriguez - Ortega opponent's counterplay with the By playing 25 ....§f e8?, Black prophylactic move 2l . .Q.f3!±. ignored the obvious threatto undermine The game ended as fo llows: with h2-h4. Payback fo llowed 21...4::\fS 22.4Jf5 4Je6 23 . .1le5 �b7 instantaneously: 26.h4! 4Jh3+ 24.�b2 .:J.e7 25. g4 h6 26.h4 c5 27.g5 (26 ...4Jg6 ± is certainly better) 27.gh hg 28.hg 4::lxe4 29.�g2 .§xdl + �xf3 28 . .§a3! �f6 29 . .1lxe5 .§xe5 30 . .§xdl, Black resigned. 30 . .§g3 g4 31.f4! .§e7 32.f5 �xh4 33. ...e5 -e4 by playing 29.f3! = with a On 25 ....:J.g4? very strong is subsequent 4Jg3-e4. 26 . .§a3!. 29.4Jg3?! is weaker because of 29 ... e4! 30.4::lxf5+?! (30.de Axe4 31..£\xe4 .§xe4 32 . .§acl=i=) 30 .. .'�xf5 31.de §xe4. 26 ....§ fe8 27.h4 .llxf3 28. .§ xf3 .§xe4 29 . .§xe4 .§xe4 30.hg 4::lh3+ 31.�h2 �xg5 32.�c2 �xd5 32 . .§acl? .§ae8 is bad, threatening 33.�xh3 +- does not work. 26 ...�g6 33 ....§e2 and 33 ...d3, but it is worth 27.h4! .llxf3 (27 ...f6 28 . .:J.xf4 gf exchanging a pair of rooks with the 29.�xf4±) 28 . .§xf3 .§xe4 29 . .§xe4 move 32 . .§el. �xe4 30 . .:J.xf4 gf 31..§xf4 is not much Afterthe move chosen in the game, better, and Black's position is difficult. 32 . .§fl?!, Black achieves a palpable Sometimes the solution is simple! advantage with 32 ...E1a e8 33.�d3 A mechanical means of preventing the 302 Prophylactic Thinking 4-62 Furman - Kholmov 25.'i£1xa6.£le4! (here 25 ...'/'iYf2 is no Black is better. 19 ...�f6 20.�adl longer so effective: 26.'/'iYxbS �b8 (20 . .ilxc5? g6) 20 ... Ab3 21.�d2 lrte5 27.�d3 e4 28.�d2 oo threatening is not bad, fo r example, but after 29.g5). The move in the game defended 22.�bl! =F (preparing 23 . .£\dS), White's the b5-pawn obliquely: 26.�xb5? position is defendable. .£lc3+! 27.bc �b8 -+ or 26 . .ilxb5�a 8 Ratmir Kholmov played the 27.�b6 .£ld2+! 28.)t>al (28.)t>cl 'l'iYg5 stronger 19 •••.1lb3! +. The c5-pawn is 29.h4 'l'iYf4-+) 28 ...'/'iYf2 ! (the most untouchable as before (20.Axc5? �e5), energetic), and if 29.�xf2, then but the main thing is that his opponent 29 ...�x a2+! with mate. has lost the open d-file. If 20.f4, then 26.�dl �f2 27.1rtd3 �a8 28.'/'iYc6 20 ...b4, and the e4-pawn is lost. .£\d2+ 29.�xd2 'i£!xd2 30.a3 b4 31.ab 20:�g4 'i£!c8! 2l.'l'iYf3 'i'iYe6 22 . .ili4 �xb4 32.c3 �xg4 33.�el e4 34.Ac2 Axf4 23:�xf4 �ad8 24.f3 �d4, and �xf5 White resigned. Black gradually made the best of his indisputable positional advantage. 4-64 Bareev - lvanchuk 24••• Ac2! =1=/+ 4-63 Aseev - Makarichev It is important to prevent the White launches a pawn attack on maneuver �hl-dl-d2, reinforcing the kingside with h2-h4. After the White's position - now, though, he blockading 22 •••�h4! =I=,though, he constantly has to deal with . ..d4-d3. The has to restructure and come up with bishop goes to a4, fromwhere it stops another plan. the pawns on the queenside, and Useless is 23.'/'iYa7 .£lc5,threatening subsequently can transfer to b5 (after to catch the queen: 24 ...�dB and ...� h8-e8). 25 ...�a 8. But a sortie deep into the 25.h4 �e8 26.�cl (26.g5!?) enemy camp apparently seemed 26 ....ila4 27.gh?! (27.g5) 27 ...�x h5 tempting to Konstantin Aseev, and he 28 . .ilg3?! did it anyway by another route. 23.�dgl .£lf6! 24.'/'iYb6? 0-0! 28 ...�e 3! 29.�c4? (29.�al =F) 29 ...�d5 30.Ad6 �c3! 31.f4 �xd6, Which pawn to take? If 25.'/'iYxd6, White resigned. then not 25 ....£le4?! 26.'/'iYb4! (26.'/'iYxeS? .£ld2+ 27/�cl �feB -+ ) 26 ....£lf2 4-65 N unn - Smejkal 27:li1el e4 28.�g2 e3 29 . ..1lf3oo,but lll...)t>e4? 112.'i!.?f7(f6) �fl + Black plays 25 ...'/'iYf2 ! 26.�el �fd8 113.)t>e6 �al (113... �g1 1 14.M6 )t>d5 27. �xa6 .£\xd5 with a winning attack. 115.g6 )t>d6 116.g7=) 114.g6 �a6+ 303 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 115.�t7 'iftf5 116.g7 �a7+ 117.'iftf8 The move chosen by Black in the (117.'�g8 �g6 118.�h8=) 117 ...�f6 game, 16 ...�h8?, has the same flaw. 118.g&tl+leads to a draw. Garry Kasparov conducted the attack You have to stop the white king brilliantly. fromcoming out to the f-fileby playing 17. .£le4! .llxb2 18. .£lg5! lll... �fl !!-+. 112.�h7 �e4 113.g6 �f5 114.g7 �hl+ 115.�g8 �g6 116.�f8 �fl+ 117.�g8 �al 118.�h8 �hl+, White resigned. 4-66 Kasparov - Marjanovic Not only 17 . .£lh6+, but also 17 . .£le4! are threatened, bringing the knight into the attack. The best defense against both threats is the modest queen Too many pieces are around the retreat 16 ... �d8! with an unclear king, trapped in the comer. Black is game. defenseless. Weaker with the same aim is 18 .. .'�c6 (18... .£le6 19 . .£lxg7! with 16... �c6? because of 17.�cl. the idea of 20.�h5) 19 . .£le7 �f6 20 . .£lxh7! �d4 21.�h5 g6 22.�h4 ..llxal 23 . .£lf6+, Black resigned. 4-67 Hjorth - Pope On l.�d2, there fo llows l...d5! 2.ed �e5=. l.�d5!+- By preventing the liberating move ...d6 -d5, White has leftthe enemy rook permanently locked up. Ifl... .£lg6,then at least 2.a4 .£le5 3 . ..1le2 and then �dl 17 ....£lc5 18. .1le5! d4 (18.. JHe 8 hl, �d4-d5. Another possible plan is 19. .£ld4+-) 19 . .£le4!� ae8 20 . .£lxd4! + to send the king to a4. (Kasparov). 1... .£lxd5+ 2.ed 'ifte5 3 . .1lc4 Instead of 17... �c5? significantly more stubborn is 17... .§a e8 18.�e4 �c5. White continues not 19.�xf6+ �xf6 20.Axc7 �xel+ 2l.�xel �d3 oo , but 19. .§xc5! be 20.�xf6+ �xf6 2l.Axc7±. The move 16... .£le6? defends against the first of our opponent's threats, but allows him to carry out the second: 17.�e4 with a very 3 ...'iftf5 (3 ...a4 4.a3 �f5 5.�d4 dangerous attack. with a subsequent �c3-b4xa4) 4.a4 �e5 5.-'1.b3�f5 6.�d4 �f4 7 . .1ldl�f5 304 Prophylactic Thinking 8 . .il.f3 �f4 9.�e4! (zugzwang), and White won, gradually kicking away his opponent's king. W? 4-68 Haik - Speelman The position is approximately equal, but if Black carries out ...f7-f5, he seizes the initiative. That is exactly what happened in the game: 14.b3?! f5! 15.ef (on 15.h3 there is a choice counterplay. I think the consolidating between 15 .. .fe 16.hg ef 17.4)xf3 g6 'l' move 22.�f2! is the strongest, preparing and 15... .ilxf 3!? with a subsequent a knight retreat to fl, afterwhich it will 16.. .f4) 15... �xf5 16.�xf5 � xf5 17.4)fl be difficult for Black to do anything �f7!18.4) g3 �f6 19.�a2 �af8=i=. active. You have to play 14.h31. After With the same aim Mikhail 14 ...�xf3 15.�xf3 the advance ...t7-f5 Gurevich played 22.�dl!?, and here Tal is no longer that easy to implement, and unfortunately missed an opportunity to it is not as effective as with the bishop carry out a pure "Tal-style" on g4. And if14... .ilh5 then 15.g4 .ilg6 combination, starting with a completely 16.b3 or 15.b3 .ilg6 16.g4 with equal unexpected knight sacrifice on the chances. square that White had just reinforced: 22 ...4)xd 5!!. 4-69 M. Gurevich - Tal White has to deal not only with 21...ba, but also 2l...�bc8 and 22 ...4)c4. There is another threat too: on 21.f4?, besides 21...�bc8, Mikhail Tal also gives 21...4)c4 22 . .ilxc4 be 23.�xc4 4)xd5. If 21.�d2, then 21... �e c8 (21...�bc8) 22.�fbl �d8 23.ab �xb5. There is clearly no sense in 21.Ad4 ba. 21.�blll (a) 23.ed 4)xf3+! 24.Axf3 �xe3 or A superb prophylactic move. White 24.�f2 �xe3 25. 305 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 26:�xb3 ba, and Black's chances are released from their defensive duties, in any case no worse. Or 24.ab .llxd5 acquired freedom and broke out into 25.ed .:£\xf3+! 26.�f2 (26. .1lxf3?.§x e3 unpleasant counterplay. 27.ba .§xb4 28 . .:£\xb4 �b6 29.®hl 24.Ad4 (with the idea of 25 . .:£\c3) .!:!a3!-+ ). 24 ...h4 25 . .:£\fl .:£\h5 is not completely convincing. The strongest seems to me to be 24 . .!:!cl!.:£\c4 (24 ...�a5 25 . .:£\fl !) 25 . .:£\fl! - White preserves all the advantages of his position. By the way, winning the pawn, 25.-'txc4?! be 26.!11cxc4 �xc4 27 . .!:!xb8 .§xb8 28.'lli'xb8+ .:£\e8!?29 . .:£\cl Ab5, leads to unclear consequences here too. 24 . .1lxb5?!Axb5 (24 .. :�a5! is more precise) 25 . .§xb5 .§xb5 26.�xb5 .§b8 My computer considers the White's extra pawn is not really strongest move (although it is not making itself fe lt. In the subsequent absolutely compulsory either) to be the battle, which was not mistake-free, Tal surprising 26... .:£\gl !!. The continuations outplayed his opponent and obtained 27.�xgl? .§xe3! 28.®xe3 �b6+ and victory. 27.�xgl? .§xe3 lose; 27.Afl? .§xe3! 28.�xe3 ab -+ is not much better. The 4-70 Karjakin - Grischuk only defense is 27.ba! .§xb4 28..:£\xb4 - Black intends 62 ...�c6 or 62 ...e6 after 28 ...h4 ! and 29 ....:£\xe2 a position (62 ...e5). arises in which it is not obvious which 62.Eta6!! (threatening 63 . .!:!e6) side should receive preference. leads to an overwhelming advantage. Andnow we will emerge from the world of enjoyable adventures (the analysis of which, of course, is far from exhausted and probably contains inaccuracies) and return to the game. 22 ..:�c7 23.ab ab W? There is no longer 62 ...e5+ 63.fe. Bad is 62 ...�xa 6 63 . .:£\c7+ �b6 64 . .:£\xe8 - the knight unavoidably eliminates the h5-pawn. If 62 ....:£\c5, then 63 . .!:!b6+ �a7 64. .§c6 +- . Finally, on 62 ....:£\ffi there fo llows 63 . .!:!b6+ �c8 The critical moment! Gurevich (63 ...®a7 64 . .§c6) 64.�e3! with a took the pawn he had been hankering subsequent 66.4Jf4. after for a long time, but, as often The move 62.�e4?! neutralizes happens, with its loss the black pieces, only the firstof the opponent's threats. 306 Prophylactic Thinking Alexander Grischuk replied 62 ...e5! ? 4-71 Ljubojevic - Portisch (62 ..e6!? is also possible, not fe aring The move 25 ....£lb4 bringsdefinite 63 . .£lf4 �b6! and 64... .£lc 5+). The game disharmony into the white piece setup. continued 63.t!a2 .£lc5+ 64. Black can win a piece with 31.-'tb5 ± - Lj ubojevic) 28.ba .£la5 64 ...t!e5+ 65.� g6 (a paradox: there is (threatening 29 ...b3) 29.Ad4 mutual zugzwang on the board, as will soon become clear to us) 65 ....£lb6 (what else?) 66.®xf6 t!xd5 67.t!xd5 .tlxd5+ 68.�g5 �c6 69.�xh5 �d6 70.�xg4, and White wins (a conclusion that is confirmed by the computer's endgame database). Which means he has to play 64.. . t!e2.If65.® g6, then the soundest is 65 ...t!e5!? (now White is in zugzwang!) 66.®g7 f5 67/t!g6 .£lb6 68.t!b5 t!xd5 The threat has been repelled: 69 . .§xd5 .£lxd5 70.®xh5 ®c6 71.®g5 29 ...b3 30.13.b6!. A difficult rook ®d6 72.®xf5 ®e7 73.®xg4 ®f6 - the ending for Black a pawn down results king has made it into the battle with the from29 ....§f d8!? 30.13.b6 .£lc43Ul xd8 pawns in time for a draw. t!xd8 32.�xc4! (32 . .§ddl .£lb233 .-'3.c2 65 . .£lf4 t!xf2 66.'t!e6! 'it'c6 .£lxdl 34 . .§xdl .§xdl + 35.Axdl -'3.xa2 67.t!xh5 t!f3 68 . .§h8 is stronger. The 36.a5 �c4 is weaker) 32 ...t!x d2 passed h-pawn is extraordinarily 33.13.xe6 (33.�b3) 33 .. .fe 34 . .§bl dangerous. According to my analysis E!xa2 35.t!xb4 �f7 36.t!b7+ �f6 Black should hold out with precise 37.E!a7. In the game the strength of the defending, but I am far from sure of that two bishops demonstrated itself in full conclusion. measure. 307 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 29 ...E!b8 30 . .ile5 E!b7 31.E!c2! f6 24. B? By preventing short castling, Black has created problems for his opponent's king, stuck in the center. This does not necessarily mean that he has obtained an advantage, but in any case it is no We can establish that after24 ...f6? longer that easy for White to make the 25.gh it is time to resign, and by process right decision, and the likelihood of him of elimination we choose 24 ...f 5!. With making a mistake has increased, which mutual precise play the affair ends in a was also confirmed by the subsequent beautiful draw: 25.E!xf5 E!xf5 26.gf course of the game. (26.Axf5 Axd5 is weaker, for example, I see two specific ways for White 27.gh �f6 28.E!gl+ 308 Prophylactic Thinking under control, and if 24J:!f5, then 38... E!b 5 39.Axg7+ �e8 40.�f6! 24 ..J! xg4. E!f5+41 .�e4. 24.�gl E!f4! (24 .. :�e7! is also But in the game White could not good) 25:�xd6 help taking the pawn and let go of his advantage. 38.Axg7+? �e7 39.E!a7+ (39.E!dl=) 39 ...�d6 40.E!cl E!b5 B? (40 ...b3!?) 41.E!a6+, draw. 4-76 lvanchuk - Chekhov Black's position is very constrained, but he hopes to free himself somewhat by playing 19 ...d5 . Vassily lvanchuk prevents this The knight does not have to be impressively. defended: 25 ...hg! 26:ofi1xd7 �c8 with 19.�d6!! +- a subsequent 27 ...gh immediately ends After 19 ...�xd 6 20.cd i!3"a5 the battle. Then again, 25 ...Ac8, chosen 2l.�xa5 �xa5 22.�b6 there is nowhere by Robert Byrne, is completely fo r Black to go. But it is no easier fo r sufficient for a win too: 26.E!xf4 ef him on a different capture either. 27.E!fl hg 28.i!3"xf4 f5 29.i!3"xb4 �f6 19 ...i!3"xd 6 20.cd ..llf6 30.d6 'ltrg3 31.hg 'ltre3+ 32.�hl �g7! 33.Af3 fg 34.Axg4 Axg4, White resigned. 4-75 A. Rodriguez - Polugaevsky 38.!'!a7! It is important not to let the black king out ofthe danger zone. Despite the small amount of material left on the board, White's attack quickly leads to the goal. 21.E!d2 b6 (21...b5 22.�ac5 +- ) 22.e4 ± is not bad, but it is far more attractive to halt the opponent's rook and bishop, even at the expense of a pawn. 21.�b6! ..llxb2 22.E!c4 f5 23.�c5 g6 24.e4 fe 25 . ..1lxe4�f7 26.� g2 ..llg7 27.E!ccl �a7 28.a4 �c6 29.�xc8 E!bxc8 30.�xb7 �d4 31.E!c7, and Black soon resigned. 4-77 Kavalek - Ljubojevic 38 ...f6 39.�c5+; By playing 13 ...d4 ! Black gets a 38 ...g6 39.E!hl; 38 ...Ad5 39.Axg7+ �e8 40 . .ili6 good position. Lj ubomir Kavalek or 40.E!el+ �e6 41.E!hl; decided to prevent this by 13.�a4!. 309 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources White is preparing to attack the it transfer to the better c6-square. Later center by !!fd1 or .£lf4. Material losses White will improve his position by result from 13 ...d4? 14 . .1lxb7 !!xb7 .lla1, Ah3 and .£lh4. 1S.�xa6 !!b6 16.�xa7 de 17.bc. Also 18.-'taS?! (counting on 18.,.c6? very unattractive is 13 ....£lc7? 14.�xf6 19.Ac7 and 20.Ad6 ±) is weaker -'txf6 1S. .£lxcS. White's position is because of 18 ....£lb 8!. From the c6- preferable on 13 .. :�e8!? 14.!!fdl. square the knight blocks the c-pawn, 13... c4 14 . .1lxf6 .llxf6 1S . .£lf4 -tlcS frees the rook from the defense of the (1S ...�d6 16.-tlfxdS AxdS 17.-tlxdS a-pawn, and controls the important d4-, Axb2 18.!!ad1 and 19.-tle3 ±) 16.�xa7 eS- and aS-squares. The position has equalized, and it is also easier fo r Black to act, so he gradually outplayed his opponent. B? 19.Ac3 .£lc6 20.�a4 �e6 21.h3 !!ad8 22.Aa1 AdS 23.e3 !!d7 (23 ...-'txa2? 24.!!xd8 !!xd8 2S.-tlxeS) 24.g4 !!ed8=i=. 4-79 Alekhine - Bogoljubow Black wants to free himself with It seems that Black is in trouble. He the move 22 ...eS. By playing 22.4)d21, has lost a pawn, the knight and the Alexander Alekhine prevented this dS-pawn are simultaneously under (22 ...eS? 23 . .£lc4 +- threatening attack, and the rook is about to get to 24 . .£lxb6•) and posed an unpleasant d1. And indeed, what happened in the problem for his opponent: how to game, 16 ...�d6 17.-tlcxdS .llxb2 defend against 23 . .£lc4. 18.!!ad1, gave White an undisputed advantage, and he gradually obtained victory. But paradoxes happen in chess! B? During analysis I was surprised to find that the move 16... Ad4! (creating the threats 17 ...!!a 8 and 17... .£lb3) maintains equality. 17.-tlcxdS .£lb3 18.�a4 -tlxa1 19.!!xa1 Axb2 is dubious, and on 17:�a3 !!a8 18.�b4 !!b8! 19.-tlbS (19.�a3 !!a8=; 19.!!ad1 22... !!f8 ? .llc6 20.�a3 !!a8=) 19 ...Aa6 20.a4 22 ....1le8! 23.£lc4 . .£ld7 is a -tlxa4 2l.f!xa4 -'txbS Black wins the comparatively better solution. Black's pawn back. position remains constrained, but he still retains a definitereserve of stability. 4-78 Romanishin - Timman 23Jtg2! 18. .1lc31:!: On 23 . .£lc4there fo llows 23 ...�d8 The place for the bishop is on the and 24 ...Ac8. By attacking the b7- long diagonal. Here it ties the d7-knight pawn, White does not let his opponent to the defense of the e-pawn, not letting take his king off the c-file. 310 Prophylactic Thinking 23 ...c6 24A)c4 r!lc7 25.e4 his partner's blunder. The restrained (threatening 26.d5) 25 ...cb 26.ab Axb5 39 ...b4 is objectively stronger. 27.d5 (or 27.i£)a3+.ilc6 28.d5) 27 ...ed 40.t:!xb5 c3 41.t:!b6 rtid742.h5 c2 28.i£)a3+ Ac6 29.ed t:!d7 30.I[)b5+ 43.Ad2 t:!c3 'it>d831 .dc be 32.4)d4!, Black resigned. 4-80 D. Gurevich - Alburt W? If White plays a2-a3 and t:!acl (t:!bl),he retains a playable position b2-b4 will be possible when needed. 27 ••• Eta3!1 (tying the a2-pawn to the spot and planning 28 ...t:!ba8) 28.ba -'l,xal The pawns on the a-file are weak 44.t:!b5? c1 � 45.-ilxcl t:!xcl - Black's advantage has increased. 29.a4 t:!a8 30.t:!c4 fo llowed, and Black won. Dmitry Gurevich rightly rejected 44.Acl? because of44 ... Aa3 -+ . But the interim check 44.t:!b7+!, given by Artur B? Yusupov, allows White to save himself, as any king retreat has its drawbacks: 44 ...rtid8?! 45 .Acl Aa3? 46.h6! +- ; 44 ...\tlc8?! 45.t:!b3!, and there is neither 45 ...cl �? 46.t:!xc3+ (with check!), nor 45 ...t:!x b3? 46.ab Aa3 47.h6 cl� 48.-ilxcl Axel 49.e3! Ab2 50.d4+-, and on a rook retreat there Black has to prepare ... b6-b5, and fo llows 46.�cl; to do that he has to defend the c5-pawn. 44... rtie6 45.Acl Aa3 46.Axa3 Especially as otherwise his opponent t:!xa3 47.t:!c7=. plays 31...1ld2 and 32.a5. 30 ...Ae5! 31..�.d2Ad6 4-81 Ivkov - Schmid The maneuvering stage of the battle I will use my own notes to this (and has arrived: Black brings his king into the next) ending from my book the center and prepares to break through Tragicomedy in the Endgame in which at the appropriate moment; White they are both included. reinforces his position, and at the same Black should play 70 •••�e 81, time gets somewhat more active on the bringing his king close to the pawns, kings ide. 32 . ..1lel f5 33.r!lf3 rtif7 34.g4 rtie6 and, most importantly, taking the With the development of events important f7-square away from the that happen in the game the move rook. (D) 34 ...e5!? turns out to be more usefulfo r For example: 71.'it>e5 t:!b6 72.'it>f4 Black. (otherwise 72 ...'it>f8) 72 ...t:!f 6+ 73.rtig5 35.gf+ gf 36.h4 b5 37.ab cb t:!xf2 74.'it>xg6 t:!f3=. 38.t:!c2 t:!a339.t:!b 2 c4?! 70... t:!f 6? was played in thegame. Lev Alburt forces events and Strictly speaking, this is prophylaxis - achieves success, but only because of the king is cut offfrom the kingside 311 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources For example, l...�d2 2.�b3 .§bl+ (with the king on dl Black simply plays W? 2 ...c2, while now afterthis therefo llows 3.t'!h2+) 3.'it>c4 c2 4 . .§h2+ 'it>dl 5.t'!hl+ (5.t'!xc2 'it>xc2 6.'it>d5= is also possible). 4-83 Beliavsky - Boenscb Before preparing f4-f5 with t'!g2or (there is no move 'it>f4). But you cannot �el, it is essential to prevent defend against everything in the world counterplay by Black associated with - learn to determine your opponent's 30 ...t'!a3. After restricting the mobility most substantialthreats. of the enemy rook with the move 71.'it>e5! 30.a41 ±, White poses difficultproblems Lothar Schmid was obviously for his opponent. If, say, 30 ....§b 6, then expecting 71.f4? 'it>e8=. Now it becomes 31.t'!g2 threatening 32.f5. clear that after 71..J!xf2 72.t'!g7 'it>e8 30.t'!g2? t'!a3 31.t'!f3? 73.'it>e6 �f8 74.t'!xg6 the h5-pawn is With his previous move White let unavoidably lost. go of the advantage, and with this one 71...t'!b6 72.t'!f7 he turns his position into a lost one. In view of the threat 73.t'!f6, Black Necessary is 31.f5! �xc3 32.fe fe resigned. 33:�f2(f4) �e3 34.�xe3 .§xe3 35.t'!f6oo. 4-82 Mikh. Tseitlin - Malevinsky Checks from the long side do not give White anything - his own f4 -pawn B? interferes: l.t'!h2+? �d3 2.t'!h3+ 'it>c4 3.t'!h2.§dl! -+ . Black is threatening to play l...'it>dl! - for this reason there is no time to take the pawn offthe fo urth rank. The game ended l.f5? 'it>dl! 2.t'!d6+ �c1 3.f6 c2 4.'it>alt'!dl, White 31...4Jf5!? resigned. This is a good move, but there is an It is possible to prevent an even stronger one: 31...4Jc6! with the improvement of the opponent's position unstoppable threats 32 ...t'!x c2! (which by the prophylactic move l.Eth3!1. is decisive, for example, in reply to 32.f5) and 32 .. .'iil'b6. 32.gf .ilxf533.�el .§xc2? The scales are balanced again! The advantage is preserved on 33 ...Axc2 !, and if 34.�d2 (with the idea of 35.f5), then either 34 ....ile4 !? 35.�xb2 �xb2 36 . .§xb2 Axf3+, or the cold-blooded 34 ...a5!! 35.f5 .ile4! 36.'iil'xb2 .ilxf3-+. 34.t'!xc2 Axc2 35.e6! 312 Prophylactic Thinking White could exploit his opponent's delay and almost equalize the game. Both 24.4Jd5!? 'lffd6 (24 ...'lff e6 25.f4) 25 . .§acl and 24.f4!? deserve attention. But he chose 24 . .§acl?!, evidently counting on a trap: 24 ...4Jcb3? 25.ab 4::lxb3 is refuted by 26.4Jd5!. Black replied 24 ....§f d8!, creating the threatof 25 ...4Jxd3 26 . .§xc8 4::\xel, and again his 35 ...f6? advantage became palpable. In the A draw comes from 35 ...fe subsequent battle Kasparov obtained 36. 'lf:lxe6.§ xc3 37 . .§xc3 'lffxc3 38. 'lf:le7 + victory. with perpetual check. Also possible is 35 ...�e4 36.e7 (36.f5!? fe 37.fe oo ) 4-85 Beliavsky - Timman 36... 'lf:lxe7 37.4::lxd5 'lf:lb7 38 . .§xa3 You have to fe nd offthe unpleasant (weaker are 38.'lffxe4 .§xf3 39.'lffe5+? move 16 ...4Jb6, which is achieved by f6! -+ or 39. 'lffxf3 c3 '1') 38 ...�xd5 oo. 16:�c11±. 36.e7 Aa4 37.f5 Ae8 38.fg The knight cannot be taken: The initiative has passed into 16 ...'lff xc3? 17.�d2; no good either is White's hands. 16... 4Jb6? 17.4Ja2 'lffc5 18.Ae3 +- . I will point out that 16.'lffe3!? is no 4-84 Giardelli - Kasparov weaker, and if 16... �d8, then only now White wants to exchange knights 17.'lffcl!. And on 16 ...4Jb6 a favorable (23.4Jc2) or fightfo r the c-file(23 . .§c3). tactic can be found: 17.Ml! cd 18.Ab5! 22... �c51 d4 19.4::lxd4!. Then again, if someone On 23.4Jc2 Garry Kasparov had plays like that, you can confidently prepared 23 ...4Jce6 (23 ...'lff d8!? is even suspect him of using computer hints. stronger), and on 23 . .§c3 - 23 ...4Ja4. 23 . .§el 16... Af8 17.Ad2 'lf:lb6 18. .llh6 23... h5?! 'lffc7 19.Axf8 .§xf8 20.'lffh6 cd 21.4::lxd5 Kasparov wrongly awards the (21.4Jb5!?'lff c5 22.�xd5 is very strong move he made an exclamation mark: too) 21...4::\xdS 22 . .§xd5 4Jf6 23.4::lg5 this prophylaxis (against 24.4Jg4) is .lle6 24 . .§e3 'lf:le7 25 . .§f3, and White superfluous! He should play either won. 23 ...'lff d6! 24.4Jg4?! .§fe8+ with a 4-86 Yermolinsky - Kamsky subsequent ...f7-f 5, or 23 ....§f d8! To support his attack on the 24.4Jg4?! f6 :;:: . queenside it is important for White to 313 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources preserve the strong g2-bishop. So Gata 4-87 Smyslov - Kortchnoi Kamsky recommends 12.lael!, and if Black is ready to launch a battle in 12 ...1.th3, then 13.1.th1 with a the center with the move ...e7-e 5. By subsequent .!:!b1and b4-b5. playing 16.lafdl!;;!;; (with a subsequent In the game Alex Yermolinsky 17 .Ae 1 ), Vasily Smyslov could prevent allowed an exchange ofbishops, andthe this advance: 16 ...e5? 17 .de fe 18.�xd5! advance of his pawns became harmless. l.txd519 .Ae1 +- . In Nimzowitsch's My 12 . .!:!b1?! Ah3 13.b5 �c7 14.a4 Sy stem there is a chapter dedicated to (14.bc Axg2 15.)t>xg2 be) 14 ...Axg2 these kinds of"mysterious rook moves" 15.)t>xg2 e5 (15 ...c5!? =) 16.de de -when a rook is placed on a closed line 17:�e2 .!:!d8 18.Aa3 �f5! 19.e4?! �d7 out of prophylactic considerations. 20.�b3 �e6 But the less accurate 16.b4?! e5! 17.b5 �e7 18.�xa7 .!:!a8 19.�c5 l:!fc8 20.�b4 .!:!c4 21.�b2 ed 22.ed .!:!xd4 fo llowed in the game, with an excellent W? position for Black. 4-88 Yusupov - Dolmatov On his move Black plays 16 ...Ab5 !, taking control of the c4- square and freeing thed7-square for his knight. For that reason the move An invasion by the knight on d4 is 16.g3?!, for example, is inaccurate an unpleasant threat. To prevent it, it (formally prophylaxis, taking the f4- makes sense to exchange knights square away from the enemy pieces). immediately: 2l.�c5! �xc5 22 . .llxc5. On 16.a4! Kamsky's suggestion, 22 ...�d3, White plays not 23:�·xd3?.!:!x d3 24-l:!bcll:!x c3 25.l:!xc3 �xe4+, but 23 . .!:!fd1!! �xe2 (23 ...�xc3 24 . .llb4 l:!xd1 25 . .ilxc3 l:!xb1 26.�c2! �xe4! 27.�xe4 ;!;)24 .l:!xd8+ .!:!xd8 25.�xe2 �xe4 26 . .llxa7, maintaining approximate equality. Obviously, finding and precisely calculating this idea at the board is not too easy even for a grandmaster. 21..!:!fd1 �c7 22 . .!:!xd8+ .!:!xd8 If 16... ba, then 17 . .!:!xa3. Black's 23 . .!:!d1 �d4 24.�d3 (24.�xd4!?) position immediately becomes 24 ...Af8 25.Axf8 �xf8 26.f3 �e7! extremely difficult. 27.�e2 �e6 28.�c2 .!:!xd1 29.�xd1 16 ...�d8 17.g3 .ilg4?!18 .�e3 .ilf3 �d6! 30.�xd6+ �xd6 (threatening 19.e5! de 20.�xf3 �xf3 21..�.g2 �f6 22.d6 .!:!a7 23.0-0 �g7 24 . .!:!acl �d7 ...�f6-d7 -c5), and Black has a 25 . .!:!fd1 �f5 26.�xf5 �xf5 27.�e3! e4 significant advantage in the endgame, 28.1.txe4 �e5 29 . .!:!d5 �e6 30 . .!:!dxc5 which he successfullyex ploited. �xc5 3l.�xc5, Black resigned. 314 Prophylactic Thinking 4-89 Forster - Chiburdanidze easier) 30 ...a5 with the threatened Dubious is 19 .. :�xe4 20 . .£Jf4 with undermining move ...a5-a4. When a subsequent �d2 and E1ael. Chasing convenient ...f7-f6 or . . . f7-f5 are also the white queen by 19 ...b5 20.'l*b3 .£Jc5 possible. Gata K.amsky finds an 2l.�f3 E1f6 does not bring success efficient way to restrict his opponent's because of 22.�f4 �xe4 23.�xe4+ options . .£Jxe4 24.E1ael. As we can see, White 29.Jl,el!± unfolds his play via the f4 -square, Now none of the undermining where neither his knight nor his bishop moves can be made, and the bishop is are opposed to being placed. So why not well positioned on c3 or a5. take control of that square? 29 ...E1 xb3 (29 .. .f5? 30.ef+ .£Jxf6 19... g5 !!+ 3l..�.c3 +- ) 30.ab! h5 3l.�e3 'it?g8 Black plans 20 ... E1he7 and 32.E1dl .£Jf8 33.�a5 .£Jd7 (33... E1b 7 21...�g7. Richard Forster replied 34.Ad8! +- ) 34.E1d3 .£Jf8 35.h3 'tlg7 20.E1f5!. 36 . .£Jf6 .£Jh7 37 . .£Je4 .£Jf8 B? 20... 'l*d6! The position has matured for A sober decision. There is no point decisive actions: 38.g4! hg 39.hg with in Black going into the immeasurable a subsequent g4-g5 and .£Jf6. Delay complications after20 ...�xe 4?! 21..£Jg3 presents the opponent with an �el + 22.�g2 b5!? (22 ...�d6? interesting counter-chance. 23.�f4+-; 22 ...E1h e7 23.�xd4 oo) 38.�h2?! E1b7 (with the idea of 23.�xd4 Ad6 24.Af4! �xal 25.Axd6. 39 ...E1 d7) 39.Ad8 (39 . .£Jd6!?) 39 .....1lxd8 On the other hand, now 2l.'l*xd4 40.E1xd8 E1xb3! 41.'l*xb3 (41.'l*xc5 �xd4+ 22 . .£Jxd4 E1xe4 and 21..£Jxd4 �xc5 42 . .£Jxc5E1e 3!?, intending 43 ...g5!, �g3+ are bad. And on 2l.�d3 an which is even possible in reply to 43.h4) overwhelming advantage is secured 41...'l*xe4 42.'l*g3 a5! (42 ..:� xc4 both by Maia Chiburdanidze's choice 43.E1a8 ±) 43.�h4! .£Jh7 44.�f2 ! a4 45.E1c8 �xc4 46.E1xc5 �e4 21... .£Jc522.� f3.£Jxe4, and by 21... .£Je5 22.�g3 (22.�b3 d3! with the idea of 23 ....£Jxg 4) 22 ...d3 ! 23.cd �xd3. 4-90 Kamsky - Salov There are not too many usefulideas at Black's disposal. The best of them is 29 ...E1x b3 30.ab (exchanging off all four rooks makes Black's defense 315 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Sooner or later the a-pawn will 25.E(a4! inevitably be won, but now White should A superb maneuver (threatening be thinking not about it, but about his both 26. .ilc4 and 26.E(b4), which does opponent's resources on the kingside. not work on 24 ...E(f e8 because of From that point of view, 47.h4!?± 25 ...�xg5 + 26.�xg5 fg 27.E(b4 E(b8. deserves attention. Kamsky played less On the other hand, now Black does not accurately, which Valery Salov skillfully manage to defend all his weaknesses, exploited. and his position falls apart. 47.E(a5? g5! 48.fg h4!! 49.�f3 �d4 25 ...�d6 26.E(b4 fg (26 ...�c7 50.�g4 (how else?) 50 ...�xg4 51.hg 27.�g3!) 27.E(xb7+- .£lxg5 52.E(xa4 .£lh7!! (a superb maneuver!) 53.�h3 (53.g5 .£lxg5 4-92 Horvath - Uhlmann 54.E(xh4 is more dangerous, but here too, The threat of31.�e7 obviously has in Salov's opinion, he preserves real to be repelled, and the only question is chances of saving himself in the variation how to do it. The natural 30 ...E(a 7?! 54 ....£lh7 55.E(g4+ �h8 56.®g3 .£lf8 allows the opponent to preserve a 57.�f4 �h7 58.�g5 �g7 59.E(g3 .£ld7) playable position after 31.c3 with a 53 ....£lf8 54.E(e4 .£lg6, and attempts to break through the fo rtress that Black built subsequent .£lb2 or .£lel-c2. 30 ...�£7! -+ bore no fruit; the game ended in a draw. An efficient solution to the 4-91 Motwani -Ledger problem in the spirit of the first world champion Wilhelm Steinitz, confirming Given the move Black plays 22 ....£lf6. that the king is a strong piece capable 22.g5!± of defending itself. The rook remains The knight is out of play. lf22 ...e5, free, and its invasion immediately then 23.�g3 E(de8 (or 23 ...E(f e8) decides the outcome of the skirmish. 24.E(adl �b8 25.d5! cd 26.E(xd5 ±. After 31.c3 (31..£lb2 �xcl +!; 31.�e2 22.. .f6 23.-'tfl (Jonathan Rowson �xd4) 31...E(a2!, White resigned suggests 23.�g3!? �xg3 24.fg e5 because of the unstoppable threat 25.d5 ±; there are also other options at 32 ...E(d 2+ 33.®el E(xd3. White's disposal) 23 ...�d5 24.�e3 E(de8? (24 ...E(f e8 is better) 4-93 Kramnik - Karpov All of Black's pieces are stuck on the back rank, and White should hold them there if possible. By playing W? 31.1l.a4!+- , Vladimir Kramnik prevented the knight from coming out to d7 or c6, and simultaneously created the threats Aa3 and E(dl-d8. 31... .£lc7 32.Aa3 ®g8 33 . .£le4! 316 Prophylactic Thinking For example, 31...t:l.c7 (on 31...t:l.a8 the same reply fo llows) 32.'it>a3! (not 32 . .1lc6? <£)d3! immediately) 32 ...t:!. bc8 (32 ...t:!.d 8 33.Ac6!) 33.t'!d5,and White maintains protracted pressure. The game was played less precisely: 31.g4?!, and after 31...b6 32.h4 'it>f7 33.g5 t:!.d8 34.t:!.c6 t'!dc8 35.gft:!.x c6 36.Axc6 gf 37.t'!h5t:!.h 8 the On 33 ...<£)ba6, Kramnik gives players agreedto a draw. 34 . .ild6 .ilb7 (34 ...<£)d5 35.Ac6; 34 ...t:!.a 7 35 . .ilb5!) 35.Axc7 ltxe436.f e 4-96Yakovich - Solozhenkin t:!.c8 37.Ab5 t:!.xc7 (37 ...<£)xc7 38.Ad7) We want to send the knight to d5, 38.t:!.dl. but our opponent replies In the game disaster came even "symmetrically": 11.<£)c3?! <£)c612 .<£)d5 more quickly: 33 ...t:l.x a4 34.t'!xc7 Aa6 �d6 with a subsequent . . . N4 equalizes (34 ....1ld7 35.Ad6 t:!.a1+ 36.•it>f2 t'!b1 the game. 37.<£)c5)35 .<£)c5!, Black resigned. It is importantto prevent the black knight fromarriving on d4. 4-94 Van der Sterren - Drasko ll.titd5!± It is important to take theg4-square To defend the c5-pawn Black has away from the bishop, which can be to fo rego his planned 11...<£) c6 and achieved by 23 •••h51 In reply to develop his knight to another square. 24.'iii'd6, the continuation 24 ...t:!.x f2? But the white knight preserves hope of 25.t'!f3+- does not work, but 24 ...Ac8= reaching d5. is simple enough. 11...<£)a6 12.0-0-0 'iii'f6 13.<£)c3 (of In the game there fo llowed course, not 13.Axc5?? Ae6-+ ) 13... <£)f4 23 ...t:l.f 4? 24.Ag4! 'it>h8?! (24 .. :i;}•e7 25.h4!) 25.f3! - White improved his position and got an advantage. W? 4-95 Rublevsky - Bareev The most unpleasant fo r the opponent is the prophylactic move 31.t:l.b6!, not letting Black reinforce by ...b7-b6, and forcing him to deal with the positional threat 32 . .1lc6. 14.'iii'd6 In my view, 14.'iii'd2! (intending 15.<£)d5) 14 ...<£)e6 is slightly more accurate, and only now 15.'iii'd6! <£)b4 16.<£)d5 <£)xd5 17.t'!xd5 ±. 14 ...Ae6 Clearly it is worth exchanging queens: 14 ...'iii' xd6 15.t:!.xd6 <£)e6 317 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 16.�d5 �d4. Yuri Yakovich justifiably 4-98 Timman - Geller thinks that after 17 .f4 he preserves an We can immediately toss out advantage, and the only question is how 18.'i*xc7? t!ac8 19.'l*xb6 t!xc2, since big it is (17 ...ef 18.Axd4 cd 19.�xf4 .!::(e8). Black has the initiative here. We can 15.'l*d2! �b4 16.Axc5 .!::(fd8 guess that on his move he would go 17.�e3 t!xdl+ 18.�xd1 �xa2+? 18... c5!, or perhaps 18 ...f6 or As Y akovich pointed out, 18 ... �c6 18 ...Axf 3 19.t!xf3 f6. And then we is necessary with some positional stop at the move 18.'ltc6! ;;!;; , compensation for the lost pawn in the preventing all the undermining variation 19.�b1! b620.Aa3 .!::(d8 21.�3. moves and tyingup our opponent's 19.'.Tib1'l*d8 20. �f2 t!c8 21.�xa2 pieces. 'l*a5+ 22.Aa3 b5 23.g3 b4 (23 ...�g6 24.�b1 b4 25.'l*d2+- ) 24.gf ef 25.'l*cl ba 26.b3, and Black soon laid down his arms. 4-97 Gavrikov - Vogt The most logical continuation is 19.ttc2! ;;!;; (as was played in the game), or the equivalent 19:llrd3! �. Viktor Gavrikov prevented the undermining move ...f7-f5, and at the same time, by 18... 'l*h5 (18 ....ilxf3 19.t!xf3 t!ae8 defending the e4-pawn, prepared the 20.t!afl ) 19.�g2 (another plan: maneuver �e3, aimed at seizing light 19.�d2 with a subsequent e3-e4) squares. 19... t!a e8 20.t!e1,and the position is 19 ...�b8 20.�e3! 'l*c5 21.t!he1 obviously favorable for White both after an exchange on f3, and on what happened in the game, 20 ...Aa6. 4-99 Anand - Agdestein In the game there fo llowed 16 ...Ae7? 17.�f5 t!d8 (17... 0-0 18.Ah6! is bad; if the bishop were on d6 rather than e7, the bishop thrust 18.Ah6 would not be as effective because of 18 ...'l*g6! 19.Axg7 e4! 21...Axb3? (a serious positional 20.'l*xe4 t!fe8; then again, these kind concession; better is 21...�e7) 22.ab of computer fancies are not worth �e7 23.b4 ± 'l*c6 24.�d3 �g6 25.�f5 attributing serious significance to when �f4 26.'l*c2 Af8 27.�3d4 'i!i'b6 28.�e3! t!c8 29.'l*b3 'l*c7 30.g3 �g6? evaluating a player's actions at the (30 ...�e6 is more stubborn) 31.�a4 board) 18 . .ile3g6?! 19.�h6! with a big (31 .�d5! 'l*c4 32.'l*a4 +- ) 31...�e5 advantage for White. 32.�b5 'l*b6 33.�d5 'l*a634.'l* xa6 ba It makes sense to take thef5-square 35.�d4+-, and White won. away from the knight by 16 ...g6! . 318 Prophylactic Thinking it is difficult to evaluate the consequences of19. .ilxf5 .£lc6 20.e6 f6 or 19.e6 f6! 20 . .£lxf5 gf 2l.Axf5 .£lc6: any outcome of the battle is possible here. 17 ....£lc6? 18.a4 .£lxd4 19.Axd4 .ilc6? Mistakes never come singly. 19 ...0-0 is necessary, since now White gets an overwhelming advantage For example, 17:�e2 Ag7 18.f4 everywhere on the board. 0-0 19.f5 (19.fe!? fe 20A)f3 h6 20.ab ab 2l.Ae3 �) 19 ...g5 20.·tlf3 aS! and 21...a4 with counterplay. Possibly White continues 17 . .ile3!? Ag7 (17... Ab4 18.Ah6�) 18. .ilc5 .ilf8 19.Axf8 �xf8 20.�g3 ;!;,but here too the entire battle is still ahead. 4-100 Anand - Bareev The pawn structure that has developed assumes that White will attack on the kingside. But if he 2l..§xa8+! Axa8 22 . .£lxc4! be manages to fuel the fire on the other 22 ...dc 23.Ae4 0-0 24.t!a1 is also side of the board too by playing a2-a4!, hopeless. If White had not exchanged Black's position will become on a8 first,he would not have achieved completely unsteady. The undermining control of the a-filein this variation. move could only be prevented by the 23.Ac2 .ilc6 24.�e3 subtle move 17 .•.4)a3!. In these kinds of situations the d4-bishop is exceptionally dangerous, acting on both flanks. 24 ...0-0 25.f5! ef 26.-'txfS i*d8 27.Ag4! .ilg5 28.i*e2 h5 (on 28 ...Ad7 or 28 ....§e 8 decisive is 29.e6!) 29.Axh5! gh 30.i*xh5 Ae8 31..§£6!, Black resigned. 4-101 Fischer - Spassky With opposite-color bishops in the On 18. .£lc2 bad is 18 ...�xc3? middlegame the initiative and the 19. .ild4 (or 19. .£ld1), but the knight possibility of creating threats to the returns with tempo: 18 ....£lc4 (the b2- enemy king are worth more than extra knight is undefended now). 18 . .§acl material, as is the case here: Black .£ld7 19. .£lb3 .£lb6 20 . .£la5 .£lbc4 is fightsfor the win despite being a pawn unclear. Deserving attention is the down. And he should not win the pawn precipitous 18.f5!? ef (bad is 18 ...gt? back: after 31...i*xb2? 32 . .§£1 .§£8 19.Axf5! with a very strong attack), but 33.c3 (threatening 34. �f6+) or 33. �h5 319 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources Ae7 34.Ad3 f5 35:i*e2 his initiative 4-102 Beliavsky - Matulovic goes out the window and the position The move 22... ,1l.c61 :!:/±, equalizes. covering the weak d7-pawn, gives the But what does White plan to do? best chances of a successfuldef ense in Probably 32.t:ifl, but you also have to a difficultposi tion. expect 32:iiic3. Of course, exchanging 22 ...�f7?! is significantly less queens ruins the pawn structure, but accurate because of 23.Ab5!. then the drawing tendencies of an ending with opposite-color bishops come into fo rce. By playing 3l ... ,l;th41 +, Black parries both his opponent's ideas. If now 23 ... Ac6, then 24.Axc6 (24.c4 is not bad either) 24 ...dc 25.c4 with a subsequent penetration of the rook to the seventh rank. 23 ...t:ic 8!? 24.c4 (24.Axd7? t:ic7 25.Ab5 �xc3 Exchanging queens leads to the 26.Ad3 Ae4) 24 ...�b4 25.c3 �c2 loss of a piece. Also bad is 32.b3? g4 deserves attention, and then 26 ...Ac6, (32 ...Ad6); On 32.t:ifl there fo llows although here too White's extra pawn 32 ...t:if 4 33:l1Ye2 t:ixfl + 34.iii'xfl ii\'xb2. secures him a significant advantage. Two white pawns are under attack at the 23 ...t:id 8 24.c4 �b4?! (24 ...�e7 is considerably more stubborn) 25.t:idl same time, one of them lost, and the (threatening 26.Ab6) 25 ...d5 26.c3 �c6 material advantage transfers to Black, 27.Ab6 t:ib8 28.Ac7 t:ic8 29.cd and the initiative (associated with the (29.Ad6!? de 30.t:ial)29 ...ed (the rook vulnerability of White's king) remains endgame a pawn down that arises in the in his hands. Finally, on 32.Ae2 variation 29 ...t:ix c7!? 30.dc Axc6 31.c4 (32.Afl ii\'xb2 33.g3 t:ih6!) 32 ...t:if 4 �e7 32.t:id6 Axb5 33.cb t:ic4 34.g3 h6 (32 ...ii\'xb2 + ) 33.'l1Yc3 (33.iii'h5 t:if2-+ ) 35.h4 is also difficultfor Black) 30.t:ial 33 ...Ad4 34.'l1Yd3 Axb2, Black's (30.Ad6) 30 ... Ab7 31.Ab6 t:ia8 advantage is not in doubt. 32.t:ixa8 Axa8 33.�f2, and White won. Boris Spassky played carelessly and allowed his opponent to escape. 4-103 Sakalauskas - Vallejo ... 31...Ad6? 32.'l1Yc3! 'l1Yxc3 33.bc =F 40 ,1lb81 Ae5 (33 ...Axa3 34.t:ial)34 .t:id7 'ifilf6 By cutting off the path for the 35.'ifilgl Axc3 36.Ae2 Ae5 37.�fl t:ic8 knight's retreat Black achieves an 38.Ah5 t:ic7 39.t:ixc7 Axc7 40.a4 '3Je7 overwhelming advantage. 41.�e2 f5 42. 320 Prophylactic Thinking and activated his rook. After 3 ..§b2 .§a 4 the players agreed to a draw. B? The same aim could be achieved in another, slightly more complicated way: l...g4!? 2 . .§xg4 (2.a4 .§g6 3.e4+ �g5 4 . .§b5.§e 6=) 2 ...e4 3.f3ef 4.�xf3 .§d3 5 . .§b4 (5.a4 .§b3) 5 ....§a 3 6 . .§b5+�e6 7 . .§xb6+ �e5 8 . .§b2 �f5, and White cannot make any kind of progress. The 42 ....§d 4! (a continuation of the activity of the rook in rook endings is same strategy oflimitation) 43 . .§elf4 ! the most important fa ctor, sometimes (and again the knight cannot leave the even capableof outweighing two extra g6-square: 44A)e5+ AxeS 45 . .§xe5 f3 pawns! 46 . .§gl.§d 2-+) 44 . .§egl f3 45 . .§c2 e5 46 . .§c8 .§d2 47, The aim has been achieved! The rest is elementary. 51.�g3 (51.g5+ �h5) 5l...Ae7 52.�h3 (52.h5 g5 53.�f3 tllg7 54.�e4 �f6 55.�d5 ..lli8 56.�e4 �e6 57.�d4 .llh6 58.�e4 l.tg7 with decisive zugzwang) 52 ....1lb4, and White By sacrificing a pawn, Valery resigned because of 53.tllg3 l.tel+ Chekhov prevented his opponent's plan 54.tllh3 11.f2 (zugzwang) 55.h5 g5. 321 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-106 Kortchnoi - Reshevsky there is nothing fo r Black to move) White's advantage diminishes on a 31.\t>f2 {31.g4!?) 31...®g6 (31... .ilxe4 knight transfer to c5 - it is important to 32.Axf6+-) 32.\t>e3 4Jh733.t1e 8!, and prevent this. 26.t1f8?! \t>g6 does not if33 .. .f6, then 34.E!.xe6 \t>f7 35.t1d6+ achieve the aim, and 27 ...4Jd7 is on the (Yusupov). agenda again. 30 ...t1d 7 3Ulc2 26.Jl,e5! Etcl+ (26 ...t1 d7?? 27 .-'txf6) 27 .Jl,fl Threatening 28 . .1lxf6 gf 29.t1d7. B? Black's position is difficult. 27 .....1lc8 W? Black fe nded offthe obvious threat 32.e5+ by 31...t1d2?. There fo llowed 32.t1xt7! (but not 32 . .1lxf6? ®g6!) 32 ...t1x c2 {32 ....ilxe4!? is more stubborn, and if 33.Axf6, then As Artur Yusupov pointed out, the 33 ...\t>g6; but the rook endgame a pawn simple 28.®f2 4Jd7 29.Ad6 is very up that arises in the variation 33.Axe4+ strong. The knight does not manage to 4Jxe4 34.t1xg7+ \t>h8 35.Ae5 t1d5 get to c5, and White plans e4-e5 and 36.t1g4+ t1xe5 37.t1xe4 t1xb5 38.t1xe6 Ad3+. Then again, the move in the is won, in Viktor Kortchnoi's opinion) game is not bad either. 33.Axf6 \t>g6 34.t1xb7 \t>xf6 35.t1xa7. 28.Ab2 t1c7 {28 ...t1c 2? 29.Ad3 Kortchnoi's two extra pawns are t1xb2 30.e5+ g6 31.ef Ab7 32.t1d7+-) enough for the win, of course. On 31...4Jg8 White, as Borislav The position in the next exercise lvkov pointed out, continues not has arisen. 32.e5+? g6, but 32.\t>fl ! t1d2 (otherwise 4-107 Kortchnoi - Reshevsky 33.®e2) 33.t1xt7 t1xc2 34.t1xg7+ \t>h8 35 . .ild4 t1c4 36.t1d7+ t1xd4 On 29.Ad3 both 29 ...t1d 7 30.e5+ 37.t1xd4+-. g6 31.E!. xc8 t1xd3 32.ef t1dl+, winning The most stubborn defense is the bishop back, and 29 ...4Jd7 are 31...t1c7!. Nothing comes from32 .-'l.bl possible. 29.Etf8! ± E!.d7 33.e5+? because of 33 ...4Je 4!=. The same idea as three moves The bishop has to go back home: earlier: you have to prevent the 32.�d3 t1d7 33.-'tfl ; then again, maneuver ...4Jf6-d 7-c5. Bad is 29 ...®g6 Black's position remains difficult. 30.e5 4Jd5 31.Ad3+ and 32.t1g8, after which the black king becomes the target 4-108 Sutovsky - Chernin of a decisive attack. The white queen wants to be on h6, 29 ...-'tb7 30.-'td3?! tying the f6-knight to the spot. In that Haste! Considerably more accurate case Black's options narrow (in is 30.-'l.eS! t1d7 (30 ...t1e 7 31.t1d8 - particular, exchanging pawns in the 322 Prophylactic Thinking center becomes impossible - because 4-109 Dvoretsky - Koryakin of a capture on d5 with the knight), and A position with opposite-side he has to deal with tactical threats like castling assumes mutual pawn attacks e4-e5 with the idea of 4Je4or f2-f4 and under the slogan "who's fa ster." The e4-e5. The fo llowing variation offered precipitous breakthrough b4-b5 is not too by Artur Yusupov can serve as an dangerous at the moment fo r my illustration of what I have said: opponent, who, in tum, is already 19 ..:�xb2? 20.E!.bl! �a3 21.�h6 §.fd8 prepared to open a file with the move 22.dc be 23.4Jd5 �a2 24.4Jxf6+ ef 15... g4 (including also in reply to 25.�xh7+ �f8 26.§.hb3 +- . 15. .£le3). It is possible to prevent my Black's position is not too pleasant opponent's counterplayby 15.'�g3!, after either after 19 .. :�b4 20.�h6 E!.fc8 which, on 15 ...g4, there is the reply 16.h4!. 2l.b3 or 19 ...�h8 20.b3 E!.ac8 21.E!.el, We also had the almost equivalent although his opponent has no direct option 15.�e3!?, creating the threat of threats here at the moment. 16:i*a7 and 17.4Ja5. There could The move that was made in the fo llow 15... \t>b8 (15... b6!?) 16.E!.fbl game, 19... h5! =, gives the soundest (16.b5 cb 17.ab Ac5 18:i*xg5 !!dg8 defense. 19.'i*f5 �xf5 20.ef ab 21.4Je3 c6oo is premature) 16 ...g4 17.h4 Axh4 18.b5 cb 19.ab Ae7!, and if 20.ba, then 20 ...b6 with a double-edged position. After the move in the game, my opponent replied 15... b6 16.4Je3 4Jf8?! (the knight is hurrying to g6, but it is better to play 16... �b7 first). Emil Sutovsky tried to create an W? attack anyway, but as a result he destroyed not his opponent's position, but his own. 20.�hl?! (20.b3) 20 ...cd (this exchange has become possible thanks to the move ...h7-h 5) 21.ed �xb2 22.E!.bli*a3 23.g4? 17.b5! cb 18.ab a5 23.E!.xb7? 4Je4! 24.i*el 4Jxc3 On 18 ...ab I planned to continue 25.E!.xc3 �xa4 + and 23:i*el?! �c5 19.E!.a7!, for example, 19 ...4Jg6 20.4J d5 24.E!.xb7 E!.ab8 + are unfavorable. E!.xd5 21.E!.a8+! �b7 22.ed �xd5 23.E!.e3 � gives a playable game. 23.E!.xh8 4Jxh8 24.Axg5 +- or 19 .. .f6 23 ...4Jxg 4 (23 ...hg 24.E!.h4 E!.fc8 20.4Jf5!? (threatening 21.d4!) 20 ...-'td6 25.E!.b3 �al + 26.�g2 with a 21.E!.fal with a formidable attack. subsequent 27.�h6 4Jh5 28.E!.xh5 is 19.4Jd5 f6 weaker) 24.E!.gl E!.ac8 25.E!.gg3 �b4 19 ...E!.x d5 20. ed �xd5 21.c4! does 26.\t>g2 E!.c4, and Black won. not bring any relief. On 19 ...g4 (with 323 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources the idea of 20.h4 �g6) the piece 2Ule3 -'lxe3? sacrifice 20.-'txa5!! ba (20 ...gh Positional capitulation! Black 2l.Axb6! cb 22.d4! +- ) 2Uha5�g6 obviously rejected 21...�d7! because of 22.d4! deserves serious attention; the 22.d4 h4 23:�h2 Ad6 24.c5, but the queen joins the pursuit of the enemy consequences of 24 ...ed 25.cd de are king on the third rank. far from clear. 22.fe �d7 W? W? 20.c4 I made my move without the A very similar setup arose in the slightest hesitation. The pawn classic game Capablanca-Janowski, St. reinforces the knight, freeing me from Petersburg 1914, but there the black the need to deal with an exchange pawn was on g7. Capablanca had to sacrifice, and later it has good chances prepare the breakthrough c4-c5, but of advancing to c5. It is logical, but here, thanks to the weakness of the now, after specific analysis, the f6-pawn, it works immediately. immediate blow in the center 20.d4! 23.c5! +- h4 24:�el �xc5 seems more energetic and accurate to 25.!!xf6 �e8 26.!!c6 (26.�xb6+ cb me. If 20 ...!!x d5 21.ed �xd5, then a 27.!!xb6) 26... ®b8 27.!!xc5, Black combination can be fo und: 22.de! �xd2 resigned. 23.�f3! 'if?b8 24.ef Ad6 25.!!ael! �g6 26.f7 �e5 27.!!xe5 AxeS 28.f8�+ 4-110 Azmaiparashvili - Shirov !!xf8 29.�xf8+®a7 30.�f3 with White IfWhite gets his king to g5 and his the exchange up (which is not that easy pawn is on f4, all that is leftfo r Black to take advantage of, though). And on is to resign (Shirov). For example, 20 ...�g6, at least 21.de (21.!!fdl!?) 33 ...'it>e6?? 34.'it>g5 .ilc6 35.f4! Ae4 21..:itrxe5 (21...�xe5? 22.-'txa5! ba 36.g4 (threatening 37.f5+) 36 ...-'th7 23.!!xa5+- ) 22.�xe5 fe 23.�xe7+ 3 7 .h5 a5 38. ®h6 -'le4 39. 'if?g7 +- . �xe7 24.Axg5 ± is possible, with an 33 •••Jtc6!! 34.Ciflg5 Jl.f3! = extra pawn. 20 ...Ac5 On 20 ...�g6, the continuation 21.�f3 g4! 22.�f5 �xf5 23.ef !!xd5! 24.ef �h4 oo is unconvincing. Stronger is 21.d4! (threatening 22.c5) 21...�f4 22.Axf4 gf 23.�f3 ed 24.!!fcl!? (24.�xf4 �xc4 25.e5 ®b8 26.�g6 also deserves attention) 24 ...Ad6 25.c5! �xc5 26.�xf4 �d6 27.�d3 ±. 324 Prophylactic Thinking Without the help of the f2-pawn 20.�c3 !:l.d2 is dubious, and if17.!:l.xd8, White does not manage to make any then 17... �x f3+ 18. .1lxf3 �xd8;!;) progress. 17 ...!:l.x d2 18.!:l.xd2 �xf3+ 19. .ilxf3 35. 4-112 Dvoretsky - Tal 36 .. .f5?! is premature because of 37.gf gf 38.�c5. On 38 ...a5 possible are both 39.�b7 'itle6!? (39 ...a4 40.�a5=) 40.&2\xa5 'itld5 41.a4 or 15... &2\fB 41.�b7 (true, the danger fo r White has Black rejected 15 ... Ab7!? fearing not passed here, as his knights are cut fo r the fate of the b6-pawn after oft), and 39.�a4!? 'itld6 40.&2\b6 'itlc5 16.!:!.d2. But by a tactical route he 41.�d7+. manages to extricate himself from the By playing 36 ...Ae3?! Black takes difficulties and almost equalize the the c5-square away fromthe knight. We game: 16 ...&2\d e5! 17.!:l.cd1 (17.&2\xe5 can continue the variation: 37. 'itle2 ltb6 !:!.xd2 18.&2\xc6 ltxc6 19.Axc6 !:!.xe2 38.�d2 1rta5 39.&2\xc4 ..llxc3. 325 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-113 Spassov - Bonchev It is important fo r White to win the a-pawn as soon as possible, for which it is crucial to take the b4-square away fromthe bishop. On the shallow 1.�f3? Ab4!, the path to victory becomes thorny,if it is possible at all. The most efficient way to solve the problem is l.a31!. Less precise is An exchange of pawns might work l.Ek6?! a5 2.a3 (with the idea of 'ifi>f3- for Black, but the problem is that after e2) - since then you have to deal with 40.4Je3,an unpleasant threatari ses (for the fo llowing options fo r your opponent: example, in reply to 40 ...'ifi>d6) 41.<£lg2 (a) 2 ...f5 3.�f3 e5 - will not the g5 42.<£le3 with decent chances for passed pawns become too dangerous?; White to save himself in view of the (b) 2 ...e6 (so that on 3.'ifi>f3 it is ossification of the pawn structure on the possible to reply 3 ...J;tg5, intending kingside. And if 40 ...J;td4 (planning on 4 ...Ae7 and preparing to defend the 41.<£lg2?g5 to exploit the poor position pawn from d8 on 4.E!.c5 or 4.E!.a6) - of the knight, fo r which the e3-square White's only correct reply is 3.Ek5!, is now unavailable), then 41.<£ld5+ �f7 and then 'it>f3-e2; 42.4Jb4 a5 43.<£lc6 .ilb6 44.g5, and (c) 2 ....ile3 3.�f3 (3.E!.a6 .ild2 again the outcome of the battle remains 4.�f3 e6 5.�e2 Ac3) 3 ...Ad4 4.'it>e4 unclear. �b2 5.a4 Aa3. Mikhail Tal finds a precise In the game it all turned out to be solution, destroying all my hopes of considerably simpler for White. creating counterplay. l...a5 2.'ifi>f3 (2.E!.c5!?) 2 ...f5 (2 ...e6 36. ..aSI -+ 3.Ek5! and 4.'it>e2) 37.'ifi>e2 (37.4Jc5 .ile3) 37 ...'ifi>e6 3.E!.c2!? 38.a4 (38.<£lc5+ �d5 39.4Jd7 .ilg7!) On 3.�e2 M4 , you have to 38 ...�f8 39 .g5 (desperation: White has sacrifice the h2-pawn: 4.E!.c5 ( 4.h3? no defense against 39 ...�e7 and 40 .. .f5) �d6) 4 ...Axh2 5.E!.xa5 (5.E!.xf5? e5). 39 ...f5 40.<£ld2 'ifi>d5 41.f4 ef, White Then again, as analysis shows, White's resigned, having calculated the simple advantage is enough for victory here too. variations 42.�f3Aa3 and 42.<£lf3 Ag7 3 ....ll g5 4.E!.c5a4! 5.E!.a5 (5.E!.xf5? 43.4Jxh4 'ifi>e4 44.4Jxg6 f3+. Acl) 5 ...e5 6.E!.xa4 e4+ 7.'it>e2 Ae7 326 Prophylactic Thinking 8J�a5 �d6 9.a4 �f6 10.t!b5 .ilxh2 knight on h4. The vulnerability of the 11.a5 .ilg1 12.a6 f4 13.�fl .ile3 g6-square slows down his opponent's 14.l:!b7 �f5 15.a7 .ilxa7 16.t!xa7 h5 counterplay on the kingside. 17.�f2 h4 18.l:!g7 �f6 19.l:!g4, Black Oleg Romanishin replied 12 ...a6. resigned. 4-114 Simagin - Petrosian 17.h41;!;; This move seems risky, but it is precisely in this way that Wh ite paralyzes Black 's attack on the kings ide (Simagin). On 17.c4, there fo llows 17 ...g5! 18.c5 (18.h4!?) 18 ... Ae7 19. Axf4 �xf4 {19... gf 20.4Je2=) 20.�xf4+ gf 21.4Je2 Five years later the same position f3!? oo. arose in the game Eingom-Titov (Berlin 17... 4J4d5 18.4Je44::\ xe4 19.�xe4 1991). After 13.a3 �e8 14.b4 4Jh5 4Jf6 20.Ac2 4Jg421 .g3 t!he8 22.a5! e5 15.Ad2 {15.-'l.cl!?) 15 .. .f5?! 16.4Jg5 cb 17.ab 4Jdf6 18.c5 {18.4Jb5!? �d8 19.c5 ±) 18 ...h6 19.4Je6 Axe6 20.de �xe6 21.cd, White achieved a clear W? advantage. The move chosen by Kortchnoi, 13.4Jh4?!, is logical with the black pawn on h6, but it is not justifiedhere. 13... �e8 14.t!e1 4Jg8 15.Ad2 �e7 16.4Jg2 f5 17.ef gf18.f 4 e4 19.g4!? b5!, and irrational complications began 23.Ag5! (the bishop pair begins to in which it is not easy to give preference demonstrate its power) 23 ...f6 24.Ad2 to one side or the other. (threatening 25.Ag6) 24 ...ed 25.cd {25.t!xe8! t!xe8 26.cd ± is more 4-116 A. Sarychev, K. Sarychev precise) 25 ...t!x e1 + 26.t!xe1 c5 The black king hopes to free its {26 ...Ac5!?) 27.a6! cd, and now instead knight, which is cut offin the comer of of 28.�a5?! b6 29 . ..Q.d2 4Je5oo , White the board. For example: l.�f2? �g6 should continue 28.Ae4! ba 29.�d3 2.�e3 �f5 3.4Jf2 �e5 4.�d3 �d6 and 4Je5 (29... �b6 30.-'i.g2!+- - Simagin) 5 ...4Jc 7=. 30.�xa6 �b6 31.�a4±. 1.4)eSI �g7 2 . .ild81 4-115 Kortchnoi - Romanishin Black intends 12 ...4Jg8 and 13 ...f 5. Viktor Kortchnoi was employing a typical method of fightingin these kinds of positions with the advance ...t7-f5 . 12• .ilgSI White provokes ...h7-h6, so that after 12... h6 13. .ild2 he can put his 327 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources White has built a barrier that to defend against them with the move restricts the enemy king's mobility. The 63 . .§.al?in view of63 ... Afterlosing a tempo, White has put his opponent in zugzwang. 2 ... Cif/b6 3.�d7+! �xd7 4.e6+- It is clear that with the king on f6 the sacrifice does not work: the knight is taken with check. And the necessity Now 63 ... 328 Prophylactic Thinking 4-119 Anand - Morozevich 22 ...�b6 (22 ...l::( xc3 23.bc l::(xc3 If the queen occupies the h4- does not work because of24.flg3 f!h6 square, cementing the position, Black 25 . .\lxbS!!) 23.�e2 (23.'lWg3 'lWh6) will be better in connection with the 23 ...�xd3 ! 24.l::( xd3 �c4 25.flf3 possibilities of attacking on the 'lWe4 -+ 26.'lWxe4 de 27.l::(h3+ 'it'g8 queenside ( .. J::(fc8, ...�b6-c4 or ...b5- 28.l::(dl? (28.�c3) 28 ...�xb2 !, White b4), or the undermining move ...f7-f6. resigned. Whitecan prevent a queen invasion by a tactical method. 4-120 Larsen - Kavalek 20. t'rg3! JilhS White wants to attack the a4-pawn. 20 ...b4? 21.l::(dgl does not work; Defending it from the a7-square does 20 ...'it'xh7 21.'lWxf4 f6 22.'lWg3 fle7 not look promising, which is confirmed 23.f4 leads to an unclear game. by the subsequent course of the game. 39 ...'it'g7? 40.l::(c4 l::(a7 (40 ...l::( b3 4l.l::(xa4 l::( xg3 42.l::(g4+) 41.�c3 (with a passive rook Black has no chances left of saving himself)41... h5 42.'it'b4 'it'g6 43.l::(c6+ 'it'g7 44.l::(c5 �h6 45.�b5 (intending 46.l::(c4) 4S ...l::( e7 46.'it'xa4 l::(e3 47.g4 hg 48.hg l::(e4+ 49.'it'b5 l::(xg4 50.a4 l::(gl 51.a5 l::(bl + 52.'it'c6 l::(al 53.'it'b6 l::(bl + 54.l::(b5 l::(fl 55.a6 l::(f6+ 56.�a5 l::(f7 57.l::(b6+ 'it'g5 58.l::(b7 l::(fl 59.a7 �h6 60.l::(b6+ 'it'g7 It is because of the attack on the 61.l::(a6, Black resigned. queen that both players considered the In rook endings the main thing is move 'lWg3 impossible. In fa ct, after 21.flh3? g6 22.ltxg6 fg 23.'lWxe6 �f4 rook activity! It is essential to fo cus on the advantage is clearly on Black's side. the thrust... l::( b3!. 21.1td3(c2)! 4)xg3 22.hg+ 39... �! (with the idea of40. l::(c4? Cit>g8 23.1th7+with perpetual check. l::(b3!) does not solve the problem. Viswanathan Anand did not find the combination, and his position started to deteriorate quickly. 20.'lWe3? (20.'lWf3?! 'lWh4 21.Ad3 f6 22.'lWg3 'lWh6 23.ef �xf6 is also in Black's favor) 20 ...f!h4 + 21.ltc2? (losing a tempo: 2Uld3 is better) 21...l::(fc8 22.Ad3 40.g4 suggests itself (planning 41.h4 and 42.l::(c4) 40 ...�e6?! 41.h4 'it'd5 42.g5!, then 43.l::(g3 and 44.h5 or 44.l::(g4. However, as Karsten Muller points out, Black can finda hidden path to salvation: 40 ...h5! 41.gh (41.l::(c4 l::(b3; 41.g5 h4) 41...'it'g7 42.h4 'it'h7 329 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 43Jk4 t:!b3! 44.t:!xa4 t:!f3. A classic drawing setup has arisen: the king is blocking the h-pawns, and the rook is keeping the a-pawn in its sights, tying the enemy rook to its defense; if the king approaches the pawn, though, it will be chased away by flank checks. White's play is improved by 40.t:!f3+! (instead of 40.g4) 40 ...®e6 (40 ...�g6 41.t:!f4 t:!b3 42.t:!xa4 t:!xg3 56.�c7 �all 57.'it'c6 �a6+ 43.t:!g4+) 41.g4± -no clear path to a 58.'it'b7 �al = draw is evident here. It is worth noting that switching to The move 39 ...h5!! convincingly a pawn ending, 52 ...®d7 53.t:!a7+ solves the problem of defending. t:!c7?, loses: 54.t:!xc7+ ®xc7 55.�a6 f6 (55 .. .'�d7 56.�b7 changes little) 56.gf �d7 57.�b7 g5 58.hg h4 59.g6 �e8 60.f4! (or 60.g7 �f7 61.f4!), and so on. In the game Black got greedy, for which he was punished. 5l...t:!xh4? 52.�c6 t:!xe4 53.�xd6 �f8 54.t:!a8+ �g7 55.�e7 t:!d4 56.d6 e4 (56 ...h4 57.d7 h3 58.d8� t:!xd8 59.t:!xd8 h2 60.t:!dl a3 61.t:!hl a2 62.f3 �g8 64.�f6+-) 57.d7 e3 58.fe Neither 40.t:!c4 t:!b3! 41.t:!xa4 t:!e4+ 59.�d6 t:!xe3 60.d8� t:!d3+ t:!xg3= nor 40.h4 t:!g7!? and 61.�e5, Black resigned. 41. ..t:!g4= are dangerous. On 40.g4, the simplest is 40 ... h4!, and Whitehas 4-122 Dvoretsky - Butnoris no way of improving his position. As White's plan is to transfer the d2- soon as his rook leaves the third rank knight to e3 to seize the d5-square: 4::\fl , the counterattack ...t:! b3! fo llows f2-f3, M2, 4Jfe3. It is also useful to play immediately. g2-g3, to take the f4-square away fr om Even 40 ...hg!? 41.hg �g7 42.t:!c4 the knight. The question is, which move t:!b343.t:! xa4 t:!g3 does not lose. Black to start with: 22.g3, 22.4::\fl or 22.f3. is two pawns down, but his rook is too It turns out that the first two give active. If 44.�b2, then 44 ...t:!g2+ my opponent a chance to activate 45.�c3 t:!g3+. somewhat by 22 ...�e6 and 23 ...f 5. For example, 22.g3?! �e6! 23:�b3 f5 4-121 Savon - Zhelyandinov 24."�xb7?? f4 . A sound path to a draw is to cut the The affair is more complex with king offfrom the pawns that it plans to 22.4::\fl �e6 23.�b3. (D) attack: 51 ... �c31. But you have to check whether the white rook can help In this situation 23 .. .f5?! comes up its king to break through via the c-file. against an unexpected tactical retort: 52.�xa4 �c5+ 53.'it'b6 �cl 24.ef gf 25 . .ilxh6!! .a.xh6 26.t:!d6 �f7 54.�a8+ 'it'd755. �a7+ 'it'e8 27.t:!xh6 4Jdf6 (the rook is in danger) 330 Prophylactic Thinking 25 ...�h7 26.Af2 �c7 {26 ...�g5 27.h4) 27.�fe3 ± White has implemented his plan, not giving his partner an opportunity to sharpen the game. 27 ...�b8 28.�b6 �e6 29.�a4 �b5 30.�d5 �xd5 31.�exd5 (threatening 32.c4 �d4 33.�xe8!) 31...�d8 32.�c4 �c6? {32 ...�d6 or 32 ... �d7 are more stubborn). 28.�fe3! f4 29.�f5 ±. In fact, if you had foreseen this, then you would be right to start with 22.�fl and consider your move a clever trap. But at the board in W? a quiet position few people are inclined to spend time searching for and calculating such complicated and unnecessary combinations - they are usually only fo und during computer analysis of a game that is been played. I did not see the combination, of 33.�e7! .ilxe7 34.�f7+ �h8 35.�xe7+- 'iit'd6 36.�f7 g5 37.Axc5! course, and so I played 22.f3! quite �d2+ 38.�h3 �d7 39.Ae7 �g8 quickly. Now 22 ...�e6 loses 40.�d5 �g7 (40 ...g4+ 41.fg �g5 considerable force because ofthe attack 42.�xf6) 41.�e8+, Black resigned. on the b7-pawn 23.�b3 ±, as 23 ...f5 has become pointless. 4-123 Kortchnoi - Hiibner 22 ...�f4 23.g3 �e6 24.�fl f6?! A clear draw is obtained on 46.�xh5? �b3+ 47.�a2 �xg3. Not dangerous for Black is 46.�g5? �b3+ 47.'it>a2 �b4 (there are also other W? options) 48.g4 �h3 49.�xh5 �h2+ SO.'it>bl �b3 51.�cl �c3 and so on. 46.�a2! 25.�g2! Another prophylactic move. The routine 25.Af2?! allows my opponent to create counterplay by 25 ...�g5 (intending 26 ...�e6) , and if 26.h4?! �xf3+27.� g2, then 27 ...�d4! 28.cd ed where Black will get three pawns for a Viktor Kortchnoi has prevented the piece. 25 ...f5!? (with the idea of 26.ef rook from reaching the third rank �g5) also deserves attention. (46 ...�b 3?? 47.�f4+) and created the 331 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources threat of 47.!!xh5. A passive defense of the pawn from the h7-square is not promising, but nothing else is evident. True, there are two ways to force a transfer to a pawn ending, but both lose: 46 ...!!g 7 47.!!g5!!!x gS 48.hg �d5 49,<;T;;>b3 �e5 50.�c4 'it>fS51 .�c5 �xgS 52.�b6 �g4 53.'it>xa6 �xg3 54.�bS(b6) +- ; 46 ...!!b5 47.!!xb5! 'it>xbS 48.�b3 'it>xa5 49.�c4 'it>b6 50.g4! (50.�d3! aS 15.Ah4!?, is not bad, but 15.e5! 4::\xeS 51.g4) SO ...hg 51.�d3! +- . (15... 4::\ aS 16.!!xd7! 4::\xd7 17.i!rxe6+ Robert Hubner tried to organize a !!f7 18.Axe7) 16.4::\xeS i!rxe517 . .11.xd7! pursuit of the white king, which was is even stronger. squeezed on the edge of the board, but An advantage for White is also he did not obtain any success. secured by the logical move 14 . .11.h4!? 46 ...!!e 7 47.!!xh5 !!e2+ 48.�b1 (with the idea of 15.Ag3), but it is quite !!g2 49.!!g5�c3 SO.hS !!g1+ 51.®a2 hard to precisely calculate and evaluate !!g2+ 52.�a3 !!g1 53.!!c5+ 'it>d4 its consequences. 54.!!c6 !!xg3+ 55.'it>b4 !!g1 56.!!c4+ 'it>dS 57 .!!h4 .!:! b 1 + 58. 'it>c3 !!cl+ 59.'it>d3 !!c7 60.h6 !!h7 61.!!h5+�e6 62.�e4 �f7 63.'it>d5 �g8 64.'it>c6!!f7 6S.h7+ �h8 66.!!h6, Black resigned. 4-124 Tukmakov - Gutman First of all White has to pay attention to the tactical threat 14 ...4Jg4 15.1txe7!!x f3. What fo llowed in the game, 14.e5? .ilxf3! (but not 14 ...4::\ dS 15.Ac4! !!xf3 On 14... 1td6, the most precise is 16. .ilxd5! ed 17.Axe7 c4 18.4::\bS!+ 15.!!ad1! (15.Axf6 !!xf6 16.!!fd1! is or 16 ...Axd5 17.4::\xdS !!xb3 18.4::\xc7 also possible) with an interesting !!b7 19.4::lxa8 AxgS 20.a4 +- ) 15.ef tactical twist: 15... 4::l xe4 16. .ilxd7! Axf6! (15 ...gf? 16.Ah6±) 16.Ae3! ili'xd7 17 .4::lxe4 .ilxe4 18.4::\eS ±. Ab7, led to a double-edged position in But if 14... 4::l xe4!?, then 15.Axe7! which all three results are possible. The (but not 15.4::lxe4 .11.xh4=F) 15 ...!!x f3! fascinating and not blunder-freeconflict 16.!!fd1! (16.gf? 4::ld2 -+ ) 16... 4::l xc3 concluded peacefullyin the end. (16... !!f7 17.4::lxe4 Axe4 18.Ad6±; 14. .§.adll± convincingly solves 16... d5 17.gf 4::\xc3 18.i!rxc3 'ihxe7 the problem. (D) 19.'l!re5 ±) 17.bc dS!? 18. .ilxc5! (18.gf ili'xe7oo)18 ... E(f 5 19.Ae3 ±. Now 14... 4Jg4? 15. .ilxe7!!x f3 does not work because of 16.Ad6. Black is 4-125 Zilberman - Taimanov clearly worse on 14 ...!!f7!? 15.!!fel. White is threatening to get an Finally, in reply to 14... 4Jc6, the move advantage by advancing the c-pawn. given by Vladimir Tukmakov, Mark Taimanov elegantly prevents this. 332 Prophylactic Thinking 17••• .Q.a6! 18.�a4 (18.e5? be (26. 4-126 Bastrikov - Kiselev 22.�gl +? �h7 23.�g5 (23.�g7+ B? <;;T;;>h6 threatening 24 ... e5! 25.1txe5 f6 ) 23 ...f6! (but not 23 ...'it>h6? 24.Ae3) 24.�xh5+ ®g6 is a mistake, with an excellent position for Black. It is good to prevent the important move ...t7-f6 for Black. 22.§.el!§.fe8?! 18•.• .Q.b7! A natural reply, but not the best But not 18 ...b5? because of one. 22 ...e6?! or 22 ...�a e8?! are also 19.�b4! ±. unfavorable because of 23. W? 23.�dl? The decisive mistake! 23.-IJ!a4? 333 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 28.t!el±) 27.Ae3 e6 28 . .ile5+! t!xe5 Karpov forces a transposition to a 29 . .£ld7+�e7 30 . .£lxe5,and most likely winning four-rook ending. 27.�d3! take advantage of his extra piece, .£Jd528. �g6+ is a faster way to achieve although not without technical victory. difficulties. 27 ...�xe2 28.t!xe2 ab 29.t!xe6+ 25.t!g5! b6 26.t!xh5 e5 27.Axe5! �f7 30.t!xe6 t!gd8 31.t!fl + 'it>g8 be 28.Af6 �e8 29.t!h8+ 'iftd7 30.t!xd8+ t!xd8 31..ilxd8 'it>xd832.<;M3 The pawn ending is easily won thanks to White's distant passed pawn. 32 ...'it>e7 33.'�e4 �e6 34.'iftf4 f5 35.h4 �f6 36.h5 �e6 37.�g5, Black resigned. 4-127 Karpov - Seirawan White is a pawn down, so he has to attack. 21.f4 suggests itself, planning 32.t!f5! both 22.f5 and 22.g5. On 21...�xd4 Karpov's typical endgame very strong is 22 . .£lxf7!. But his accuracy. He saw that in the variation opponent replies 21.. . .£Jfd7!, and if 32.t!xb6 t!d5 33.t!f5 t!xf5 34.gf 'it>f7 22.f5, then 22 ... .£Jxe5 23.de �e4. An the passed h-pawn gives Black exchange of queens benefitsBla ck, but counterplay that is possibly equivalent otherwise he castles, taking his king out to his material deficit. of the danger zone. 32 ...t!dl + 33.®b2 t!gl 34.t!xb5 With the move 21.b3! Anatoly t!xg4 35.t!exb6 g6 36.t!b8+ t!xb8 Karpov took control of the important 37.t!xb8+ 'it>g7 38.a4 t!e4 39.a5 t!e7 e4-square and threatened to play e2-e4 40.a6 �f6 4l.b4 g5 42.b5 t!a7 at an opportune moment. As, for 43.t!b6+, Black resigned. example, in the variation he gave, 21... .£Jfd7 22.e4! be (22 ...�d6 23.e5) 4-128 Lisytsin - Tolush 23.be �xd4 24 . .£lxf7! �f6 25 . .£ld6+ Black does not have time to defend with a winning position. 21...�d6 22.f4! ± .£Jfd7 23.f5 .£lxe5 the e7-pawn - on 18 ...b6 (or 18 ...e6) 24.de �e5?! (24 ...�a3 25.�cl with a there fo llows 19.�g5! .£Jg6 (19 ...�xg5 subsequent 26.fe fe 27.E!d6; 24 ...�e7!?) 20.fg .£ld7 21..£lxe4±; 19 ...�g4 !?) 25.fe fe 26.�e3! �xe5 (if26 ...�e3, then 20.�xh4 .£lxh4 21.f5!±. 27 .t!d6 - less precise is 27 . .ild4?! <£ld5!) The tempting 18... b5?! is dubious because of 19.eb! with a subsequent 20 . .£Je4, and Black's compensation fo r the sacrificedpawn is hardly sufficient. He also has to deal with 19.�xb5; after 19 ....£Jg4! (more precise than 19 ...t!a b8 20.�g5 �xg5 21.fg t!xb2 22.gf t!xd2 23.fe;J;)20.h3 t!ab8 2l.�g5 (21.�a4? .£lf5! 22.hg .£Jh6! -+ ; 2l.�a5 oo) 2l...�xg5 22.fg t!xb2 a roughly equal ending arises. 27 . .ilxb6 334 Prophylactic Thinking It makes sense to take the g5- square away fr om the white queen, bearing in mind that the threat of a B? capture of the c7-pawn is spurious. 18 ••• h6! 19.�xc7? (19.d5 oo is better) 19••• 4)f 5 4-130 Quinteros - Portisch Black is the exchange up, but it seems that it will be returned after an inevitable 25.<;ftf2. In a variation shown by Artur Yusupov, after 24 ...§.h 8!? 25.�f2 §.xfl + 26. 4-129 Romanishin - Sveshnikov * White's task is to stop his king fromgetting kicked into the comer. For that he has to defend the pawn with the bishop and also use it to take control of the important d3-square. It becomes clear that the bishop is l.Af7! 4)e2 2.Ac4! 4)d4+ untouchable (26.cd? cd -+ ), both now and 3.�dl(cl)= in the near future. Usefulmoves for White With his king in the comer of the are not obvious. Black intends either to board, White's position becomes lost. br ng p the knight or attack the c3-pawn Ul.g6? �e2 2 . .1lh7 �d4+ 3.�b2 ! � wrth hrs b-pawn. After the relatively best �d2 4 ..1lg8 �e2 5 ...\lc4 6.W�4 �d3+ 26.4Jd2 Ae3 27.�b3, Black can choose 7.�bl �c3 8..1lg8<£lc5 9.�a2 (D) between 27 ...Axcl 28.§.xcl §.xcl 29.4Jxcl §.g8+ and 27 ... Axf4!? 28.Axf4 9 ...�c2! 10 . .1lh7+ �d3 ll..llg6 (28.gf §.h8 29.Ad2 §.e2+ 30.'ifi'f3 �c3 12 . .1lf7 <£\cl+, and the last white §.hh2-+ ) 28 ...§.e 2+ 29.�f3 §.xb2 -+ . pawn is lost. 26.§.bl?!�g6 (26 ...b5 !?) 27.<£ld2?, and White resigned without waiting fo r the obvious 27 ....ile3 . 335 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-131 Karpov -Nunn 16 ...Eta c8!? deserves attention, 15.b3! preparing 17 ...d5) 17.d5! Etac8?! It is essential to take the c4-square (17... cd ± ), and now the most energetic away from the knight. The variation is 18.dc! (K.arpovpreferred 18.Etfdl!?±) 15 ...'l!i'xa3 16. 4-133 Pascual Arevalo - Dvoretsky Black plans to attack on the kingside: ...g6-g5, double his rooks on the f-file, somewhere play ....ilh3, and so on. This plan can be effectiveonly on condition that his opponent does not launch reciprocal play in the center or on the queenside. 16 ...4Jf8? (with the unfeasible hope On the natural 20 ...g5?! there fo llows of playing 17 ...4Je6; the move 21.b4!. But if 20 . ..b4?!, then 21.�cl g5 336 Prophylactic Thinking 22.a3 or even 21.a3 immediately with 26.'l*el subsequent operations on the opened a-file. By over-defending the g3-pawn 20 ...labc8! with the queen, White prepares Successful prophylaxis: the 27.Axh3 'l*xh3 28.f3. So I avoid the advance b3-b4 becomes impossible. exchange. The move that was made also has 26 ...Ae6 27.'l*cl{27.A e4 is better, another merit: by defending the c5- intending f2-f3) 27 ...g5 28.-'td5? pawn, Black fo rces his opponent to deal {28.11.e4),and here a decisive advantage is achieved by 28 ...11.xd5! 29.cd 'l*h3 30.�hl (30.'l*c4 g4! 3l.gf ef 32.Axf4 �xf4 33.'l*xf4 Ae5 -+ ) 30 ...e4! (30 ...g4!?) 3l.de c4! (31...�ce8-+) 32.bc �xc4! 33.'l*xc4 fg with mate. However, I also maintain strong pressure on the enemy king's position with what happened in the game, 28 ...Ah3?! 29.Ag2 �f6, which brought me victory about a dozen moves later. Now ...d6-d5 is unfavorable; after the exchanges White exploits the c4- square. I did not really want that! By 4-134 Levenfish - Taimanov closing the queenside my opponent Black has a clear advantage as a made it easier fo r me to conduct an consequence of his better pawn attack on the kingside. structure and possession of the bishop 22.'l*dl (evidently with the idea of pair. But if White puts his knight on d3 23.e3) 22 ...'l*f7 (so that on 23.e3 I and at a convenient moment on e5, he could reply 23 ...f3 ; worthy of attention will be able to organize a solid defense. is 22 ...1:�f7!? 23.e3 f3! 24.Axf3 �cf8) Mark Taimanov findsa way to prevent 23.�fl �h8!? 24 . .ili3.ilh3 25.A g2 'l*d7 the knight's arrival on d3. 23 . ..b6! 24.b4 On 24.4Jd3, there fo llows 24 ...c5! 25.dc d4! 26.11.b4?! {26.c6 11.xc6 27.Ab4 Ab5 + is certainly better) 26 ...Ab5 ! (26 ...a5?! 27 .c6 11.xc628.A d6 11.b5 29.�adl) 27.�adl Axd3 (or 27 ...bc! -+ immediately - any capture on c5 leads to the loss of a piece) 28.�xd3 be 29.Ad2 c4 -+ . In principle Black is not against exchanging offhis opponent's bishop, which is defending the kingside, but he B? wants to carry out the exchange in the most favorable way - with an invasion by the queen on h3. Possibly it is still worth it for White to go in for 26.Axh3!? 'l*xh3 27.�hl {27.'i*el? f3 28.ef �f5) 27 ...�f 5 28.�gl =F. 337 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 24••• �f4! + The tempting 24 ...c5?! is weaker because of 25.bc be 26 . .tlb3. And now 25 . .tld3?! .ll.xd4 gives Black an extra pawn, since the knight is forced to occupy a much poorer position. 25 . .tlb3 .!:!af8 26 . .!:!a2 Ac8 (intending ....ll. a6-c4) 27.a4 .ll.a6 28.b5! cb 29.a5 (29.ab? .ll.xb5 30 . .!:!xa7 .!:!xf2-+)29 ....il.b7 ...(29 ba? 30 . .!:!xa5 Lev Polugaevsky's planned space .ll.c8 31..1l.b4! is unfavorable, but grab on the queenside is not so easy to 29 ....1l.c8!? deserves attention) 30.ab ab implement. 31..1l.b4 .!:!c8 32 . .!:!e7 .§f7 33 . .!:!xf7 18. .!:!bl.§ fd8 (33 . .!:!e6 .!:!fc7 34.-'td2 .!:!c6 35 . .!:!e7 On the brink of the complications .!:!8c7 +) 33 ...'it>xf7 34 . .!:!a7 .!:!c7 35.'it>fl that arise the "mysterious rook move" (35 . .1l.d6!? .!:!d7 36 . .1l.e5) 35 ...'it>e6 18 ....!:!f e8!? is very good. Its idea 36.'it?e2 �d7 37.'it>d3 �c8 38 . .il.d6? manifests itself in the variation 19.b4 (38 . .tld2.!:!cl 39 . .!:!a2+ is considerably .ll.xb4! 20 . .!:!xb4 .tlf5 21.ef �xb4 more stubborn) 38 ....!:!c 4 (threatening 22.-l!t'd2 ef 23 . .!:!bl �e7oo. 39 ....!:! a4) 39 . .!:!a2 b4! 40 . .!:!c2 �d7 19.b4! .ilxb4! (19 ....1l.c7 20.f4±) 41..1l.e5.ll. xe5 42.de .ll.a6 43.'it>d2 �e6, 20. .!:!xb4 .tlf5 21.ef �xb4 22.�d2! ;!; and Black won. Analysis of the subsequent fascinating events would take up a great 4-135 Polugaevsky - Torre deal of space and take us too far away The bishop has to retreat, bearing from the topic under discussion, so we in mind the counter-blow in the center will stop here. ...c6-c 5. On 16 . .1l.b3?! c5 17 . .tla2 .ll.a5 18.dc .tlxc5! Black is good (19 . .1l.xc5? 4-136 Makarichev - Svidler 'l!t'xg5+). IfWhite mana ges to put his knight 16.J}.e2!;;!;; on d5, then his advantage, despite not Now bad is 16... c5? 17. .tla2! ± being very big, will be maintained .ll.a5? (17... cd? 18. .tlxb4 de throughout the entire game. So I 19.-l!t'xd6+-) 18.dc .tlxc5 19.b4+-. decided to try and stop the knightfrom It probably makes sense for Black getting to that square (Svidler). to try another undermining movein the Before looking at how Peter center: 16 ...e5!?. For example, 17.de Svidler solved the problem, let's briefly .tlxe5 18.�b3 'l!t'a5 19.�hl .ll.c5 investigate other tries . 20.-'t£4 .§fe8 21..§fdl .§adS 22 . .!:!acl ll.. . .!:!c8 12. .!:!el b5 13 . .tld5 �b6 23.-l!t'xb6 .il.xb6;!;,as happened in (13. .£lxb5? �d7) 13... .£Jxd5 (13... .ilxd5 the game Hortvath-Acs, Hungary 1996. 14.ed;!;)14.e d .ll.f5 15.c3 a5 16 . .!:!e2 16... 1.ta5 17.�hl! (a useful (16.a4!? b4 17.cb ab 18.a5) 16 ....!:!e 8 prophylactic move) 17 ...-l!t'e7 (D) (16... b4 17.cb ab 18.�el) 17.a4! ;!; (lnkev-Makarichev, Sochi 1983); Now I think it is worthit for White ll... �a5 12. .tld5 Axd5 13.ed to go for a direct attack with 18.�el!?, 4Jd7 14.c3 ;!; (Janosevic-Martinovic, with the idea of'l!t'h4and .!:!gl-g3-h3. Smederevska Palanka 1978); 338 Prophylactic Thinking ll...�d7 12.<�h2 .§ac8 13. .£ld5 17. .§ xc3 (17.bc �c5!?) 17.. :il1xa5 (13.Ae3!?) 13 ....£lxd5 14.ed Af5 15.c3 18.f5 Ac4 19. .§f4 Aa6! 20.fg hg h5 16.a4 .§c4!? 17 . .§elAe5 (Laketic (20 .. .fg? 21.�g4±) 21..§h4 .§xc3 Shcherbakov, Chelyabinsk 1991) 18.f4 22.Ad2 .§fc8! 23.Axc3 .§xc3 24.�d2, ltf6 19.lte3a6 20 . .ilb6;!; (20.-ilfl !?). and now Black obtaines a clear ll... 'itc81 12.�h2 'itc41 advantage by 24 ...g5! (24 ...�e 5!? was played in the game), and on 25 . .§h5or 25 . .§g4 - 25 .. .£6. 4-137 Herndl - Kindermann Black's positional advantage is not in doubt, but the distance from "minus plus in a column" (as they say these days) to a point on the tournament table sometimes cannot be overcome. Either because of the objective position of things If you manage to play 13 ....§a c8, (with attentive and precise defending by the knight will be tied to the c3-square your partner),or as a consequence of your because of the weakness of the c2- own carelessness, and neglect of hidden pawn. And the variation 13 . .£ld5.£lxe 4 subtleties. In this example we'll see the 14. .£lxe7+ �h8 looks favorable for opposite picture: Stefan Kindermann Black, since the knight is uncomfortable acted superbly, and his opponent did not on e7. see how he could defend. 13.a4 .§ac8 14.a5 (intending Black obviously improves his 15. .§a4 �c7 16.Ae3) 14 ....£ld7! 15. .§a3 position by bringing his king into the (by defending the c3-square White center, so his first wish is to play prepares 16.Ae3) 15 .. .'�c7 (threatening 28 ...�g7 . But we use prophylactic ....£le5 -c4) 16.f4 thinking, asking ourselves what our partner can do. It is highly likely that he plans to put his bishop on e2, his king on fl , and, probably, his pawn on f3 . In that situation it will be very hard for Black to make progress; the bishop restricts the knight's mobility, preventing it from taking part in the attack. And the white rook, free from its defensive functions, 16... .ilxc3!? can attack the d6- or f7-pawns. By giving up the important bishop, And so, task number one for Black Black either irrevocably damages his is to prevent the bishop's returnto e2. opponent's pawn structure or wins a 28 ....§a2 29.�fl (preparing pawn, for which White might not find 30.lte2) promises little, and if sufficient compensation. It is a shame, 29 ....£lc4, then 30 . .§b4!? or 30.�el!? of course, but what can you do - you �g7 3l..ile2 .£ld2 32.§b . 4 'itlf6 33.f3. have tofight fo r an advantage (Svidler). 28 ... .§a41 339 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources All the useful moves have been made - it is time to switch to the attack! W? 32 ....:£lc4! 33.Ad7 �al + 34.�f2 �a2+ 35.�gl .:£le3 36.g4 h4! 37.�c7 �g2+ 38.®hl �g3 39.Ae8 �xh3+ 40.�gl �xf3 4l.�xf7+ ®e5 42.�e7+ �d4 43.e5 �g3+ 44.®hl f3, White resigned. 4-138 Shirov - Kramnik By threatening the e4-pawn, Black White intends 21.Ag4 (for wants to fo rce f2-f3 or .llf5, after which example, in reply to 20 ...�g 8? or the bishop can no longer go to e2. Of 20 ...�b 6?). On an exchange of bishops course, he has to deal with an attack on the advantage will be on his side (the the d6-pawn, the only weakness in his weakness of the light squares and the position, but he decided that the white bad g7-bishop). Vladimir Kramnik king then comes under attack. For impressively prevents his opponent's example: 29.!'!b6 .:£lc4 (29 ...!'!x e4 idea. 30.!'!xd6 !'!el+ 31.�h2 !'!fl 32.f3 .:£lc4 20... d5U 21.cd (21.ed �b6 is 33.!'!d8+ rtig7 34.h4! gh 35.d6=i=; worse) 2l . ..§b6 29 ...!'!al+ 30.�h2 .:£ld3 31.g3 !'!a2 32.gf=i= ) 30.!'!c6 !'!al+ 31.�h2 .:£ld232.g3 (32.h4 .:£lfl+ 33. �h3 .:£le3! -+ ) 32 .. .f3 33.!'!xd6 h5!? (33 .. .'�g7!?)34 . .llxh5 .:£lfl+ 35.�gl .:£lxg3+ 36.�h2 .:£lxh5 -+ . If White evaluates the importance of his bishop getting to e2, he avoids the variation we looked at above by choosing 30.!'!b8+! (instead of30.!'!c6?) 30 .. .'�g7 31.Ae2 �al + 32.'�h2 .:£le5 33.�b6 �a2 34.Ah5 �xf2 35.®gl �d2 Now 22.Ag4? �h6 is impossible. 36.�xd6=i=. He also has a simpler If Black transfers his rook to the solution at his disposal: 29.Af3 !? tllg7 kingside unhindered, he will create an 30.�fl =i=. attack there. His subsequent moves are And now let's see how the game obvious: ...�h 6, ...�g 8, ...Af8, and so ended. on. A passive defense is unpromising. 29.Af5? h5 30.f3 ®g7 31.�cl �f6 32.�c3 Alexei Shirov senses the danger and prepares reciprocal actions in the center. 22.�adl! White plans to return the extra pawn by playing d5-d6!. As a result his bishop can come out to c4, and his knight to el (this square will be free soon), and then to f3 or d3. It is not possible to stop the pawn sacrifice: 22 ...� d6? 23 . .:£lxb4�h 6 24 . .£\c6. 340 Prophylactic Thinking 22 ...a5!? (a complex double-edged position arises on 22 ....§h 6!? 23.d6! 'l*f6!) 23.d6! (23.Ac4 .§d6! with a W? subsequent ....§g 8 and ...Af8 is worse) 23 ....§ xd6 24 . .§ xd6 �xd6 25 . .§dl (25:�xt7 .§f8 or 25 ... .§d8!? are also unclear) 25 ...i*g6 (but not 25 ...'l*c7? 26.Ac4 �e6 27 . .ilxe6.§x e6 28..£)el± ) 26.i*xg6 hg 27.Ac4 Ae6 28.Axe6 .§xe6 43. .1l.f4! .§c4 (43 ...�h5? 44 . .§g8+-) 44. .§g8+! (winning another tempo!) 44 ...Cit'h7 (44 ...�h5? 45.f1g5+ or 45.f1g7) 45. .§a8 On 45 ....§c 6, decisive is 46.�g5 with a subsequent .lle 7-c5 and .§c8. All that is leftis to try the desperate ...a6-a5 (immediately or after including the moves 45 ...Ab6 46.Ae3). 45 ...�b6 46.1.te3 a5 47.ba .§a4 48.ab! (48 . .§f8 is not bad either) White has achieved his desired 48 ....§x a8 49.-'td2 .§xa3+ (49 ....§b 8 material ratio (knight versus "bad" 50. .ila5 +- ) 50.�c2 .§aS (50 ....§a 6 bishop), but does not have an advantage 5U.ta5!) 51.�b3 .§b8 52 . .lla5+- because of the poor position of his 45 ...a5! 46.ba .§a4 47 . .ild2!.§x a3+ knight and the possibility of the 48.�e2 .§a2 (48... �g7 49.Ab4 .§a4 undermining move ...t7-f5 . 50 . .llf8+�g6 51.a6 .ilb652 .-'tc5.ilxc5 29.f1d5 .§c6 30.�el .§ell31. �fl 53.dc+- -Jacob Aagaard) 49.f1a7 AdS f5 32.f3 Af6! 33.�f2, draw. 33 .. .fe 50 . .§xt7+ �g6 51..§a7 b4 52.a6 b3 (33 ....§c 3!?=) 34.fe Ah4+ 35.g3 fg+ 53.�d3 b2 54 . .§b7±. 36.hg .ilxg3+ 37.®xg3 .§xel 38 . .§xe5 Viswanathan Anand played .§e2 39 . .§xa5 .§xe4= could fo llow. carelessly and could not obtain a win. 41..§c8? f6! 4-139 Anand - Karpov Our opponent's pieces are tied down, but winning still is not easy. The exchange of pawns fo llowing ... f7-f6 W? increases Black's chances of a successful defense - it has to be stopped. 41 • .§g8+! Cit'h7 42 . .§c8 (threatening .llg5-e7-d6) 42 ... Cit'g6(D) White has won an important tempo, A draw results from thevariation but now he has to solve the same 42.ef .§c4 43.Ag5 �xg5 44.t7 .ild6 problem again: defend against 43 ...f6! 45 . .§d8 l.te7 46 . .§e8 �f6 47.f8�+ 44.ef .§c4. .ilxf8 48 . .§xf8+�e7 49 . .§a8 .§c6=. 341 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources In the game there fo llowed 42 . .ilc3 On 49 ...�g5 switching to a pawn �fl 43.ef �xf6 44.Ad2 .§c4 45 . .§f8+ ending now wins, as White has an extra �g6 46 . .§a8 .§c6 47 . .§g8+ �fl48 .§c8 tempo in comparison with the variation .§c4=, and the further dozen or so we just looked at: 50 . .§d6 .§xd6 5l.ed moves that were made could no longer �6 52.�d4 �f7 53.f3 �e8 54.g4+-. change anything. On 49 ....§b 6 strong is 50.f3. And if White still preserves practical 49 ...§c 4, then not 50.§d6?! f4 !, but winning chances if he switches to a rook 50.E!e7 §c6 51.f3. For example: ending in the fo llowing way: 42.M4! 5l. .. �g5 52 . .§g7+ �h6 53. .§d7 (White .§c4 43 . .§f8! fe 44.Axe5 Axe5 45.de. won a tempo for the useful move f2-f3) 53 ...�g5 54 . .§d6 .§cl (54 ....§c 4 55 . .§xe6 f4 56.g4) 55.§xe6 f4 56.gf+ �xf4 57.�d4! .§dl+ 58.�c5 +- ; (c) 45 ....§c 6 46.f3! (to force the black king to declare itself; as we already know, 46 . .§f6+?! �g5! is inaccurate). Even if we can improve Black's play somewhere, it is extremely Black is facing a dilemma: where difficult for him to defend. to retreat the king, the seventh rank or the fifth? 4-140 Anand - Svidler (a) 45 ...�g7 46. .§f6 .§c6 47 .f4 Black is a pawn up, but his fo rces ( 47.f3!?)47 ...E!b 6 48.�e3 (48.g4?! fg 49.f5 are disconnected. It is important not to is premature: 49 ...g3 50.�e2 d4 and allow the opening of lines afterWhite 's 50 . .§g6+ 'it'fl 51..§xg3 ef) 48 ....§c 6 intended c2-c3. For example, 18... �d5 49.'it'f3 .§c3+ 50.'it'g2 .§c6 51.g4 fg (18... g5 19.c3) 19.c3 b3 20.�e2 and 52.�g3 with a subsequent �xg4, 'it'f3-e3- 2l.c4. Peter Svidler finds an excellent d3, f4-f5; prophylactic resource. (b) 45 ...�g5 !? 46.§g8+ (on 18... �c4! 19.c3 (19.b3 �d5, and 46.§f6?! §c6 47.f3 not bad is 47 ...a5! the queen cannot be chased off the 48.ba .§a6 49.�d4 §c6 50 . .§f7§c4+ d5-square) 19... b3 oo 51.�d3 .§a4;!;)46 ...�h5 47 . .§e8 .§c6 48 . .§d8 �g6. Now the hasty 49.§d6? .§xd6 50.ed �f7 5l.�d4 �e8 52.f3 �d7 53.�e5 d4 54.�xd4 �xd6 55.g4 e5+ 56.�e3 �e6 only leads to a draw. You have to play fo r zugzwang: 49 . .§d7!. To prepare c3-c4 and attack the b3-pawn, his opponent has to waste several tempi, and Black succeeds in consolidating his position. 342 Prophylactic Thinking 20.E!el g5 21.�e3 "i!Yd5 22."i!Yd3 30 ....§x b3 31."i!Yxb3 gf=F . But here he Viswanathan Anand wants to gain veered offthe correct path, obviously a tempo while preventing the knight overlooking something. fromcoming out to g6, so he rejects the 29 ...E!b 4? 30.E!xb3 E!xc4 31.E!b5 natural 22.4Jd2!?, on which fo llows "i!Yf7 32.E!xa5 �h7 33.E!b5,and White 22 ...4Jg6 23.E!a3 (23:�h5!? �f7oo) now stands better. 23... 0-0 24.f!xb3 4Jh4 24.f3 f!xb3 + with a subsequent E!b8. 4-141 Leko - Bareev 22 ...a5 23.E!a3 'it>f7 24.4Jd2 4Jg6 The b2-knightis unavoidably lost, 25.itl'e2 but we can force our opponent to take on b2 with the bishop, to then exploit the pin on the b-file. 34... §.b4! 35.Axb2 B? Svidler does not want to allow the pin 26.'ltl'h5; he chooses an interesting way of preventing it. 25 ...4Jh4!? 26.f3 4Jg6 27.c4 "i!Yf5 Only the knight is capable of 28.4Je4 coming to the aid of the pinnedbishop, On 28.4:lxb3, itis not worth replying and only via the route ...4Je7(a7)-c6-e5- 28 ....§b4?! because of29.g4! "IM630.4:lxa5. d3(c4). It is possible to prevent White's Stronger is 28... .§hf8!? with a subsequent plan by playing 35 •..§.b7!! 36.4:)d6 �g8 or 28 ...4Jf 4!? 29.�d2 c5 oo. §.b4! (threatening 37 ...4Jf4 or 37 ...a5) 28 ...'it>g8 (29.g4 was threatened) 37. 4:\cS §.b7!!= . 29."i!Ydl (29."i!Yd3 4Jf4) Instead of an immediate knight capture worthy of attention is 35.4Je7+!? 'it>h7 36.�xb2 (36.4Jc6E!c 4 - fromth is short variation it is clear why the king did not retreat to f7) 36 ...E!b 6! 37.4Jc8. B? With his superb play, Svidler has achieved an extremely promising position. He should choose between the simple 29 ...�h7 and the sharper 29 ...g4 !? 30.E!xb3 (30.4Jg3 "i!Yc2+) 343 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources If we play by analogy: 37 ...E!b 7?!, and 53.f3 win) 53 ...4Jh7 54.�e2 �g7 then after 38.4Jd6 E!b4, thanks to an 55.4Jd7 �g6 56.4Jc5 �f5 57.�f3 4Jf6 interim check, White has the new 58.4Jxa4 h4 59.gh gh 60.4Jc3 4Jg4 resource 39.4Jf7!. Here are some sample 61.4Je2 4Je5+ 62.�g2 4Jd3 63 . .1le3 �g4 64.f3+ �f5 65.4Jc3 e5 66.4Je4 variations which end in either winning -tiel+ 67.�f2 4Jc2 68.�e2 4Jd4+ or drawing positions - I am not going 69 . .1lxd4 ed 70.�f2 �e5 (70 ...�f4 to evaluate them precisely: 71.-tlc5) 71.4Jc5 �d5 72.-tld3 �c4 39 ...a5 40.4Je5 a4 41.4Jd3 E!b3 42.E!dl a3 43 . .1lal a2 44.�fl E!bl 73.4Je5+ �c5 (73 ...�d5 74.4Jg6) 74.�g2 �d5 75.4Jg6 d3 76.�f2 d2 45.�e2 with a subsequent �d2-c2; 39 ...4Jf4 40.4Je5 a5 41.g3 a4 77.�e2 �d4 78.-tlxh4, Black resigned. (41...4Je2+? 42.�f1 4Jc343 .E!c1)42.g f (42.E!el!?) 42 ...a3, and now either 4-142 Leko - Short 43.4Jc4 ab 44.4Je5 or 43.4Jd3 E!b3 Black wants to play ...4Jfd7 and 44.�fl E!xd3 45 . .1le5 a2 46.E!al. ...Aa6 with a good position, but Peter But then on 37... E!b3! Black is in Leko succeeds in frustratingthat plan. 23 • .Q.d31! absolutely no danger oflosing: 38.4Jd6 (38.4Jxa7 4Jf4; 38.g3 a5 39.4Jd6 E!b4 40.4Jf7 a4) ...38 4Jf4 39.4Jc4 4Jd3 40.E!dl (40.�fl E!b4) 40 ...4Jxb2 41.E!blE!b 4 42.4Jxb2 a5. Evgeny Bareev did not find the prophylactic 35 ...E!b 7!! (in reply to 35.1.txb2). Peter Leko kept his extra piece and then took advantage of it in a technical way. 35 ...4Jf4? 36.4Je7+ �h7 37.4Jc6 The positional threat 24.Axc5 has E!b3 38.4Je5! a5 (38 ...4Je2+ 39.�fl been created. On 23 ...4Jfd7 strong is 4Jc3 40.E!cl)39.g3 4Jd5 40.4Jc4 4Jb6 24.Ab5!, and if 24 ....ll a6, then 25 . .1lc6. 41.-tld2 E!b4 42 . .1lc3 E!xbl + 43.-tlxbl The main variation for Leko's idea is: 23 ...4)x d3 24• .§xc8+!1 (24:�xd3 is inaccurate because of 24 ...E!x cl 25.E!xcl .llxd5! 26.ed e4) 24... .Q.x c8 (24 ...E!x c8 25:�xd3± -the a5-pawn is weak) 25.'/txd3±. For example, 25... .1la6 26:lh3 �d8 27.E!bl, and then 4Jd2, E!b6, 4Jb3. After the movesthat were made in the game, 23 ...h5?! 24 . .1lxc5 de, the 43 ...a4 44.4Ja3 4Jd5 45 . .1lb2 g5 46.4Jc4 h5 47.4Je5 4Jb4 48.�fl 4Jc2 position in the next exercise arose. 49.�e2 �h6 (49 ...a3 50.�d2 ab 51.�xc2 �g7 52.�xb2 �f6 53.-tlf3 4-143 Leko - Short �f5 54.4Jh2! �e4 55.�c2+- ) 50.�d3 A classic move demonstrating 4Jb4+ 51.�c4 4Jd5 52 .1lcl. 4Jf6 understanding would be 25.JJ.b5, of 53.�d3!? (both 53.-tlf7+�g6 54.4Jxg5 course, but aft er 25 . . . .fJe8 (this is the 344 Prophylactic Thinking point of Black's plan - to put his knight The game ended 26 ...E!a c8 on d6} 26..ti.xe8 'IJ'xe8 the position is 27.4Jld2 4Je8 (27 ...c4 28.Elxc4 �a3 perhaps slightly betterfo r White, but that 29.4::lxe5 +- ) 28.�xe7 E!xe7 29.4Jc4 is not convincing at all, as Black plays �a6 ... c5-c4, defending this pawn with ...J:J.a6, and the dark-square bishop can come into play onone of the diagonals h6-cl or f8-a3. and then 23 ...h5 corresponds wonderfully with this plan (Leko ). 2S.�gS!! This move hasthe aim not of taking the pawn, but paralyzing Black 's position (Leko ). 30.4::lfx e5! Axe5 31.4::lxe5 +- c4 (31...Axd3 32.4::lxd3 c4 33.e5) 32.Axc4 W? E!xe5 33.Axa6 E!xcl 34.E!xcl E!xe4 35.f3! Ele5?! (35 ...Ele 7) 36.Elc5 h4 (if 36 ...4::1 £6 or 36 ...4Jd6, then 37.Elxa5, and on 36 ...a4 the same blow fo llows as in the game) 37.d6!, Black resigned. 4-144 Shirov - Kramnik In reply to 25 .. :/itfS, the Hungarian On 17.Ad3 Elfe8, a draw is not far grandmaster was prepared to sacrifice off. The move made by Alexei Shirov, the exchange: 26. 4::lxe5 4Jh7 27.�f4 17.Aa 4!!, is the only attempt to create ..llll6 28.�f3 Axel 29.Elxcl with total some difficulties for his opponent. domination. White is fighting fo r control of the On 25 ...�c7 !? (Anand), there is no e-file, and if an exchange of rooks is point in going into 26.�xe5? 4::lxd5! prepared by ...b7-b 5, then the weakness 27.�xc7 4::lxc7 28.Elxc5 4Je6,and Black of the queenside may make itself fe lt. has excellent positional compensation For example, 17 ...b5 18 . .1lc2 Elfe8 fo r the pawn. His position also remains 19.a4! a6 20.g4 4Jh6 21.h3;t. defendable on 26 . .ilb5 4Je8 27.Axe8 Possibly it makes sense fo r Black E!xe8 28.4::\fl ;t.But the simple 26.Elc2,! to prepare an exchange without with a subsequent 27.Elecl, poses weakening his pos ition: 17 ...4Jc 4!? difficult-to-solve problems for the 18.Ele2 4Jb6 19.Ab3 (19. .1lc2 4Jd6) opponent. 19 ...Elf e8 20.4Je5 4Jd6 21.Elael�f8. 2S... E!c7 26. �fl! In the game there fo llowed 17 ...g6 Transferring the knight to c4 in 18.Ele2.(D) essence decides the outcome of the battle. 26. �xe5? 4::lxd5! is a mistake And here, instead of the restrained here too, and the flashy combination 18... El fd8 or 18... h5!?, Vladimir 26.Ac4 4Je8 27:/itxg6!? fg 28.d6+ �f8 Kramnik did not hold back from 29.de+ �xe7 30.4Jh4 �f6! oo turns out 18 ...b5?! anyway, which offered his to be not very effective. opponent new possibilities. 345 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources pawn on h2 the position becomes drawn. As, for example, in the variation 34 ...'it>d6? 3S.gh gh 36.f4 !'!d2 37.Ah3 4-145 Carlsen - Anand White is planning 3S.gh gh 36.f4, afterwhich an exchange of his e- and f-pawns fo r the f6-pawn is unavoidable. The position that arises is winning if Black manages to compel the advance The winning plan is simple: the h2-h3 or shut in the king on the first enemy king is gradually driven away rank. But if White plays 'it>g2 with his from the pawns and cut off from the 346 Prophylactic Thinking kingside on the file, and then the black king comes to g3 or h2 and, finally, an exchange sacrifice on h3 fo llows. It is worth pointing out that the given plan does not work if the pawns on the kingside are advanced a rank or two ahead. There, on the contrary, a win is achieved only when you manage to lock the white king into the right-hand lower comer to then build a zugzwang If the rook capture is rejected in position. favor of 34 ...b5, then there follows 43.Ab7 �b6 44.Ac8 �e4 45.Ag4 35.�f4 �f8 36.h5, and all of Black's �b2+ 46.�el ®e3 47.®fl �f4 48.�el forces are tied down, and his position ®g3 49.®£1 �f2+ 50.®el (50.®gl �f7! remains difficult. - zugzwang) 50 ...�f 4 (threatening Ivan Popov missed the strongest 51...�xg4 52.hg h3) 51.�c8 �f8 move. The game ended 34.�dl?! (34.-'tdl 52.�g4 �g2 53.�e2 �e8+ 54.�d3 �f2 f4 35.gf �g2+ 36.�el �gl + leads to a 55 . .ilf5 (55.®d4 �e3) 55 ...�e 3+ draw) 34 ...f4 35.�gl �g4?! (after35 .. .fg+ 56.®d4 �f3 57.�g4+ �f4 58.®d5 36.�xg3 �d8 White even experiences (58.-'tc8 �e8 and 59 ...�d 8+) 58 ...�e5+ some difficulties) 36.gf �xf4 37.�hl 59.®d4 �g5, White resigned. There �g4 38.Adl �g2+ 39.®e3 f2 (39 ... §xb2 could fo llow 60.Ae6 �g6 61..ilc8�d 6+ 40 . .ilxf3 �xf3 41.®xf3 �c2 42.h5=) 62.®c5 �d2 63 ..ilg4 �g3 64.Af5 �h2 40.§£1 �h2 41.Ae2 �xh4, draw. 65.®d4 �xh3. 4-147 Papaioannou - Oleksienko 4-146 I. Popov - K.hayrullin 49 ..:� d4 and 50 ..:i!i·xb2 is The rook has just come froma8; to threatened, after which the c-pawn defend against Ac2-dl xf3, it is queens. The black knight is solidly necessary to create the reciprocal threat covering its king, so attempts to .. .f5-f4 with one of two moves: 33 ...�f 8 counterattack are doomed to failure, or 33 ...�g 8. This is a good problem on which is confirmed by the subsequent the theme of paying attention to your course of the game. opponent's resources, which Ildar 49.�g8? �d4 50.Af3 �xb2 Khayrullin does not solve. 5l.�xg6 c3 52 . .ilxh5c2 53 . .ilg4�d 4!, With the rook on f8, it is not and Black won. possible to stop the underminingmove White has a tactical means of 34 .. .f4, and the position equalizes. But neutralizing his opponent's threat. in the game White has the elegant 49.j},e2!!tyd4 50: �b7! = prophylactic move 34.gd4!!, which secures him better chances. (D) 34 ...cd 35.Ab3+ �d6 (on 35 ...�f6 36.Axg8 d3 37.�e3 the d5- square is available to the bishop) 36.j},xg8. Then possible is 36 ...d3 37.Ab3 (37.�e3) 37 ...b5 38.-ildl �c4 (38 ...d2 39.b3 and 40.'�e3) 39.Axf3 �xb2 40.�e3 ±. 347 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources On 50 ...�xb2? there follows to a drawn rook ending) 54 ...c3 51.Axc4. 55.�xd3 c2 -the rook has to be given up for the c-pawn, after whcih the 4-148 Fischer - Keres vulnerabilityof White's pawns does not Black is a pawn down, and the allow him to aim for victory; pawns he has left on the board are (c) 48.�f5? �cl 49 . .ild3 (as was vulnerable. But it is not all that simple played in the game). - you have to deal with the counterattack 48 ...Ekl and 49 ...Ac4 . The best continuation 48.b31 was given by RobertFis cher. It is important to take the c4-square away from the bishop and take one of the pawns off the second rank. On 48 ..•§.cl, there follows 49 • .A.e41. 49 ...�dl 49... .ilc4 50.�xf4! is also possible, and now not 50 ....ilxd3? 51. �xd4+, but SO ...<;;T;j> cS! 5U1xh7 �fl + 52.<;;T;j>g3 d3 53.b4+! <;;T;j>dS 54.�f8 �d4 with sufficient counterplay (Yusupov). A roughly equal position, in Artur Yusupov's opinion, also arises after 49 ...�al. Then again, the move in the On 49 ...Axe4 SO.fe±/+-, Black game is no worse. cannotavoid losing a second pawn. And 50.®e2 �gl 51.®f2 �dl 52.®e2 in reply to 49 ....ile6 the most technical �gl 53.�g5 .ilxa2?! is probably 50.�h6! (50.�xb5 �al As Yusupov pointed out, more 51.<;;T;j>e2± or 50.g4 ± are also possible) solid is 53 ...�al! 54.Axh7 Ac4+ 50 ...®e5 51.�xh7 �al 52.�h5+ with 55.�d2 �fl! (Paul Keres's excellent winning chances. recommendation 55... �x a2 56.�c2 And now let's look at some �al is weaker because of 57 . .ild3±) alternative tries. Some of them are 56.b3 �f2+ 57.�cl Ml 58.Ae4 .llxg2 refuted comparatively easily, while 59.�f5 .ilxh360 .�xb5 Ag2=. others may seem tempting, but they are 54 . .ilxb5 �bl 55.�d3, and now still objectively weaker than Fischer's 55 ...�x b2 56.�xd4 .ilbl! is necessary recommendation. with great drawing chances. On the (a) 48.�xh7? �cl 49 . .ild3 .ilc4!= ; continuation chosen by Keres, 55 ...h6? (b) 48 . .ilxh7? �cl (48 ...Axa2!? ) 56.�h5 �xb2 57.�xd4, he ran into 49.g4 (49.b3 �al=) 49 .. .fg+ 50.'�xg3 serious difficulties, which he did not Ac4!? 51.b3 d3 52.bc be 53.Ae4 ®e6! cope with in the end; 54.�d5 (54 . .ild5+ <;;T;j>d6 55.Axc4 �xc4 (d) 48.-'i.e4?! Axe4! 56.�h8 <;;T;j>e7 or 54.1li5+ �d6 55.�h7 But not 48 ....ilxa2 49.�xb5 Ac4 d2 56.�d7+ <;;T;j>eS 57.�xd2 �xf5 lead 50.�f5 d3 51.�xf4 d2 52.-'i.c2+- or 348 Prophylactic Thinking 49 ...�cl (with the idea of ...-'tc4) be 56.�c5+ 'it>e657.� xc4 'it>d558.�c 8 50.�f5! (50 . .ild3? �dl 51.'it>e2 �gl=) d3! oo,or 52 ...�dl !? 53.-'txbS .§d2+ 50 ...Ac4 51.�xf4±, and there is no 54.�gl AxaU . 51...d3? 52.-'txd3 -'txd3 53.�d4+. 49.fe �c2+ 50.'it>f3 �xb2 4-149 Lerner - Lukin Black needs the move ...b6-b5 to reinforce the knight and then include the bishop in the game by ...Ac8 or ...Ab7. In the game after21..§a dl?! b5! he managed to do that. In the variations 51..!:!d5+ 'it>c6 52.�xd4 �xa2 53.e5 (53.�d8 b4) 53 ...�a 3+ 54.'it>xf4 �a4 and 51.a3!? 'it>c6! with a subsequent 52 ...�b3+ 53.'it>xf4 �xa3 Black should obtain a drawn outcome; A series of exchanges and an equal (e) 48.�h6+?! �e5 49.�xh7 endgame result from 22.�d7 Ac8! (49.l:!b6? �cl 50.-'txh7.ilc4, threatening 23.�xe7 (on 23.e6 Axd7 24.ed �xel + mate, does not work; it is best for White 25.�xel �xel + 26 ..Q.. fl �d8 only to play 49.b3! �cl, and now not 50.-'txh7 White is in danger) 23 ...Axg4 24 . .§xa7 �al oo, but 50 . .§h5+! �d6 51..ile4, Axf3 25.Axf3 �xeS. Slightly better is switching to the variation 48.b3!). 22.'i!}'d7!?, not allowing the bishop off the a6-square fo r now. The prophylactic 2l.a4!1 allows White to achieve an advantage. The bishop endgame after 49 ...�x h7? 50.-'txh7 -'i.xa2 51.Ad3 b4 52.g4 is evidently lost. 49 ...�cl 50.�e7+! -'te6! 22.-'tfl is threatened. A retreat by (50 ...'it>d6? Sl.�el +- ) 51.Ad3 'it>d6 the c4-knight takes the attack off the 52.�e8, and now not 52 ...Axa2? e5-pawn, and White plays �d4. On 53.�e4±, but either 52 ...Ac 4!? 21...b5, both 22.ab Axb5 23.Ml and 53.�d8+ 'it>e5 54.�c8! �al!? 55.Axc4 22.-'tfl ! -'tc8 (22 ....!:!c 8 23.�d4 �xeS 349 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 24.f4 <£\xg4 25.E'!xe7 +- ) 23:i*f4 a6 However, on 27 ...�a 7!? (with the idea 24.-'txe4 be 25:i*xe4 are strong. of 28.<£\e2 d4) it is not clear whether An immediate 21.-'1.£1 (counting on White manages to prove his advantage. 21...b5?! 22.a4!) is less accurate because In the variation 26 ...de 27 . .§xd7 of the unpleasant reply 21..:�a3!. Axd7 28.fe, bad is 28 ...�xe5? 29.�e7, but there is the simple move 28 ...Ae 6!, 4-150 Dolmatov - Plaskett which repels the threat of a queen As is easy to prove, White is not invasion on e7. threatened with a capture on e5 for now. Finally, 26 ....§e d8!? (threatening In the first place he has to deal with 27 ...de) deserves attention. Dolmatov 26 ...-'txe4! 27.<£\xe4 d5=, and also, planned to reply 27.Axe6 be 28.�b6, probably, 26 ...�e7 !?. Sergei Dolmatov and an exchange on b6 leads to a tough finds a non-obvious way to defuseboth position fo r Black, but there is 28 ....§ b7!. ofhis opponent's ideas. Jim Plaskett did not guess right. He 26.�b41! understood what awaited him on an exchange on e4, and chose the second of his planned moves, on which Dolmatov had also prepared a worthy retort. 26 ..:�e 7?! 27.Axe6 �xe6 (on 27 ...be the same reply follows) 28.<£\a4! On 26 ••• j},xe4?! 27.4lxe4 d5 (if 27 ....§x e2, then 28.<£\e3! and 29.�a4(b3), forcing him to give up the rook for the knight) 28.c4! had been prepared (that is why the queen retreated!) 28 ...gxc 4? (it is certainly better to allow 29.ed) 29.�xc4 de 30.gxd7+-. The e2-pawn is untouchable Objectively the move made by because ofthe fork 29.<£lb6. The knight White did not change the evaluation of will go to b6 on its next move, securing the position, and Black could preserve the advance e2-e4. By going to e4, the approximate equality - in more than one pawn not only neutralizes the way, moreover. But his plans have been opponent's pressure on the e-file, but destroyed, and he has to restructure, also, in conjunction with the e5-pawn, evaluating the positions that arise again, conclusively eliminates all prospects for which is not so simple during a game. the poorly-positioned black knight. For example, after26 ...d5 27.-'td3, 28 ...<£\e7? (28 ....§ dd8 29.<£\b6 �e5 his position looks unpleasant in is better, on which White replies connection with the threatened 30:iii'e1! .§b8 31.e4) 29.e4 (of course, maneuver <£\e2-d4 ± (and if 27 ...d4, not 29.<£\b6? <£\d5!) 29 ...de 30.<£\b6 then 28.<£\a4 Axa4 29.�xa4 ;!;/±). .§xd1 31..§xd1 .§e8 32.fe 350 Prophylactic Thinking White's position is strategically Finally, on 67.�e6+ 'it>g768.�e2? won. Dolmatov precisely exploits his 'it>f8 the white queen is positioned too advantage. passively. 32 .. .'it>g733.'� d6! §.b8 34.�xc6 be 67.�e8+! �g7 68.�h5!+- 35.l=!d7 4Je8(35 ...4Ja8 36.c5) 36.g4! g5 Of course, White could simply Only in this way, by tying the bring his king into the center or go after queen to the defense of the g5-pawn, the a6-pawn. Instead of that, there again can White parry his opponent's fo llowed prophylaxis, and very specific, counterplay. Later he advances the aggressive prophylaxis. Black wants to d-pawn, exchanging it fo r the g5-pawn, free his knight in the only possible way: and gets an easily-winning ending. Here 37 ... 351 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources 4-152 Gligoric - Gruenfeld 41.�d7! �c7 White is better on almost any The most natural reply, which has development of events - because of the to be dealt with before anything else. weakness of his opponent's kingside. Let's have a look at other tries. The only question is how to extract the 41...f6? 42.E!xh7 +- does not work. maximum possible from the situation. If an exchange of pawns is And here a great deal depends on where prepared by playing 41...h5!?, then there Black's knight goes. It is easier for him fo llows 42.'it>f2 f6 43.'it>f3!( 43.E!b7!?;!;) to defend if the knight transfers to e5 43 ...E!c 7 (43 ...fe 44.4Jxe5 E!e6 via g6 or will be exchanged for one of 45.E!d5 ;t) 44 . .§d8 fe 45.E!a8 the enemy pieces. As, fo r example, in (Botvinnik). the variation 21..11xg7 'it>xg7 22.Ag4!? (22.<�:1e3 4Jg6;!;)22 ...4Jh3+ 23 . .11xh3 .11xh3;!;/±.Not much is promised by 21."il:Ycl?! .tlh3+ 22.'it>hl�xcl 23.�xcl h6 oo. To prevent the maneuver ...4Jf 4-g6- e5 and push the knight to a bad position, Svetozar Gligoric temporarily rejects the exchange of dark-square bishops that is otherwise favorable to him. 21 . .Q.cl! 4)h3+ 22.�hl (the 45 ...E!c 6 ( 45 ...E!f7+ 46. W? 23 ...E!e5 (24 .Ah5 was threatened) 24 . .llb2 (now it is time to exchange bishops) 24 ...E!g 5 25 . .llxg7 �xg7 26.4Je3 E!e8 27.Ag2 h5 28.�d2 (intending 29.4Jf5) 28 ....ll g4 29.4Jf5 �g6 30.4Jxd6(30.b4! is no less strong) 30 ...�xd6 3l.Axh3 - White is a pawn The move given by Mikhail up and has an overwhelming position. Botvinnik, 43.E!c8?!, is not too effective in connection with 43 ...f5 ! 44.�f2 4-153 Botvinnik - Levenfish (44.4Jd6 c4) 44 ...'it>f7 . Stronger is It is important to stop the king from 43.'it>f2 4Je644 .E!d7±. coming out to e7. 42.�d8 �e7 43.�d6!± 352 Prophylactic Thinking for White was still in question) 53J!g7 E!.b2+ S4.�fl e4 55.E!.xg6+ �eS 56.E!.xa6 E!.a2 57.El.a8 4-154 Kasparov - Short * A position that could have arisen Here is the key to White's idea - in a match duel between Garry the black rook is forced to occupy a Kasparov and Nigel Short was analyzed passive position on a7, since 43 ...E!.d 7 in detail by grandmaster Jan Timman. 44.E!.xa6 E!.d4 4S.�b6 �c7 (4S ...c4 The conclusions he drew are generally 46.E!.a8 �c7 47.E!.c8 �a6 48.�xc4) correct, although some details have to 46.E!.a7 �d8 47.a6 c4 48.E!.xc7 �xc7 be corrected. 49.a7 E!.d8 SO.a8� E!.xa8 Sl.�xa8+ Black's main threat is ...E!.f 8-f3- �b7 52.�f2 +- is bad (Botvinnik). c3xc2 with a subsequent promotion of 43 ...E!.a 7 44.E!.c6! the d-pawn to a queen, and, at an Technicalplay ! White did not like appropriate moment, the breakthrough the immediate 44.E!.b6 because of the ...c5-c4. On the move 43.E!.c6? which reply 44 .. .f6;!;, while on 44 ...f6, he has suggests itself, this threat comes to the rather unpleasant retort 4S.�b6!. fruition: 43 ...E!.f3! 44.E!. xa6 E!.c3. 44 ...�d7 4S.E!.b6! (but not 4S.E!.xc5? E!.c7) 4S ...�e7 46.�f2 f6 47.�e2 Another subtlety. Why the king went here specifically, and not to e3, will become clear from the rest. 47 ...E!.a 8 (47 ...fe 48.�xeS±) 48.E!.c6 fe 49.E!.xc5 �d6 SO.E!.c7+ �e6 With the king on e3 Black plays SO ...�d8, while now that move is impossible because of Sl.E!.xh7. (a) 4S.E!.xd6 E!.xc2 46.�g2 (46.a6 Sl.�xd6 �xd6 52.f!.xh7 d3 47.a7 E!.a248 .E!.e6+ �d7 49.El.e3d2 SO.E!.d3 E!.xa7 Sl.E!.xd2 E!.a3-+) 46 ...d3 47.�f3 c4 48.bc b3 49.E!.b6 d2 SO.�e2 b2-+ with a subsequent Sl...E!.cl or Sl...dl�+; (b) 4S.E!.a8+ �d7 46.a6 �c7, and again White has a choice: (bl) 47.E!.d8 d3! (47 ...�b6? 48.E!.xd6+ �a7 49.E!.xg6= E!.xc2? SO.d6+-) 48.a7 (48.cd �xd8 49.a7 E!.cl+) 48 ...dc 49.El.c8+ �b6 SO.a8� 52 ...E!.b 8? (52 ...�e6 53J!b7 �fS is c1 �+ 51.�g2 �gS+ 52.�fl E!.cl+ with considerably more stubborn - here thewin a quick mate; 353 Recognizing Your Opponent's Resources (b2) 47.t!g8 The move given by Timman, 48 ...t!x c2?, misses the win: 49.t!xd6+ 'lJa7 50.t!d7+ 'it>xa6 51.d6 d3 (51...�b6? 52.t!a7!+-) 52.t!a7+! '1ixa7 53.d7 d2 54.d8� t!cl+ 55. 354 Source Material Pay Attention to your Opponent's Resources ChessCafe.com, July-September 2010 The Process ofElimination ChessCafe.com, August-October 201 1 Traps ChessCafe.com, March-June 2012 Prophylactic Thinking ChessCafe.com, September-November 2012 355 E-Books Russell Enterprises, Inc. is one of the world's major publishers of fine chess books. For complete descriptions of all our books, free downloads and Hans Ree's monthly column Dutch Tr eat, we invite you to visit our website: www .Russell-Enterprises.com The fo llowing Russell Enterprises titles are also available as eBooks (Kindle, iPad, etc.): 1001 Winning Chess Sacrifices and Combinations by Fred Reinfeld 1001 Brilliant Ways to Checkmate by Fred Reinfeld 212 Surprising Checkmates by Bruce Alberston & Fred Wilson 3 . .. Qd8 Scandinavian: Simple and Strong by Dan Lowinger Art of Bisguier by Arthur Bisguier & Newton Berry Back to Basics: Fundamentals by Branislav Francuski Back to Basics: Op enings by Carsten Hansen Back to Basics: Strategy by Valeri Beim Back to Basics: Ta ctics by Dan Reisman Bobby Fischer: Th e Career and Complete Games of the American Wo rld Chess Champion by Karsten Muller Bullet Chess by Hikaru Nakamura & Bruce Harper Carlsen-Anand 2013 by Karsten Muller* Chess Analytics: Tra ining with a Grandmaster by Efstratios Grivas ChessBase Complete by Jon Edwards ChessCafe Puzzle Book 1 by Karsten Muller Chess Cafe Puzzle Book 2 by Karsten Muller Chess Cafe Puzzle Book 3 by Karsten Muller & Merijn van Delft ChessCafe Puzzle Book Sampler by Karsten Muller (free!)* Chess Puzzle Book 4 by Karsten Muller & Alex Markgraf Chess Juggler by Dr. James Magner Chess Maz es 1 by Bruce Alberston Chess Maz es 2 by Bruce Alberston 357 Chess Mo vies 1 by Bruce Pandolfini Chess Mo vies 2 by Bruce Pandolfini Chess Wo rds of Wisdom by Mike Henebry ChessBase Complete by Jon Edwards Common Sense in Chess by Emanuel Lasker Draw! by Leonid Verkhovsky Dvoretsky 's Endgame Ma nual by Mark Dvoretsky Elements of Positional Evaluation: How the Pieces Get Th eir Power by Dan Reisman Emanuel Lasker: Second Wo rld Chess Champion by Isaak & Vladimir Linder Endgame Wo rkshop by Bruce Pandolfini For Friends & Colleagues, Vo lume 1 -Profession Chess Coach by Mark Dvoretsky For Friends & Colleagues, Vo lume 2 -Reflections on My Profession by Mark Dvoretsky French Defense: Th e Solid Rubinstein Va riation by Hannes Langrock Gelfand-A nand 2012: Ma tch fo r the Wo rld Chess Championship by Karsten Muller* Th e Hague-Moscow 1948: Ma tch/Tournament fo r the Wo rld Chess Championship by Max Euwe A History of Ch ess: From Chaturanga to the Present Dayby Yuri Averbakh How to Be a Winner at Chess by Fred Reinfeld Ho w to Beat Yo ur Kids at Chess by David MacEnulty How to Play Chess like a Champion by Fred Reinfeld Ho w to Th ink in Chess by Jan Przwoznik & Marek Soszynski Jo se Raul Capablanca: Th ird Wo rld Chess Champion by Isaak & Vladimir Linder Th e KGB Plays Chess by Gulko, Felshtinsky, Popov & Kortchnoi Kramnik-Kasparov 2000 by Karsten Muller* Lasker 's Ma nual of Chess by Emanuel Lasker Legend on the Road by John Donaldson Let 's Play Chess by Bruce Pandolfini Th e Life & Games of Carlos To rre by Gabriel Velasco London 1922 by Geza Mar6czy 358 Lookingfor Tro uble (2nd ed.) by Dan Reisman Mas tering Ma tes : Book 1-One-move Ma tes by Jon Edwards Mas tering Ma tes : Book 2 - Two-move, Th ree-move and Four-move Ma tes by Jon Edwards Ma sters of the Chessboard by Richard Reti Mo dem Ideas in Chess by Richard Reti Mo dem Mo rra Gambit (2nd. ed.) by Hannes Langrock My Best Games of Chess, 1908-1937 by Alexander Alekhine My Best Games of Chess, 1905-1954 by Savielly Tartakower My Chess by Hans Ree My First Book of Checkmate by David MacEnulty My First Book of Checkmate Wo rkbook by David MacEnulty My First Book of Chess Ta ctics by David MacEnulty New Yo rk 1927by Alexander Alekhine No ttingham 1936 by Alexander Alekhine Paul Mo rphy: A Mo dem Perspective by Valeri Beim A Practical Guide to Rook Endgames by Nikolay Minev Profession: Chessplayer - Grandmaster at Wo rk by Vladimir Tukmakov Th e Rules of Chess by Bruce Pandolfini (free!)* St. Petersburg 1909 by Emanuel Lasker Strategic Op ening Repertoire by John Donaldson & Carsten Hansen Studies fo r Practical Players by Mark Dvoretsky & Oleg Pervakov Ta l-Botvinnik 1960 by Mikhail Tal Topalov-Kramnik 2006 by Veselin Topalov with Zhivko Ginchev Tragicomedy in the Endgame by Mark Dvoretsky Vienna 1922 by Larry Evans Wi lhelm Steinitz: First Wo rld Chess Champion by Isaak and Vladimir Linder Ziirich 1953 by Miguel Najdorf *Available only as an e-Book 359