Alburt,.Lev.&.Pelts,.Roman.-.Comprehensive.Chess.Course,.Vol.2.(electronic.edition)

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VolumeIIofTheComprehensiveProgramofChessTrainingbyRomanPeltsandGMLevAlburt,three-timeU.S.Champion Copyright2001byRomanPeltsPublisher:LevAlburt4th,enlargededitionAllrightsreserved.EBookeditionpublishedbyChesswise.comOriginallypublishedbyChessInformationandResearchCenterP.O.Box534,GracieStation,NewYork,NY10028eISBN1-59062-142-5DistributiontobooktradeinNorthAmerica:W.W.Norton,500FifthAvenue,NewYorkCity.Photographer:NigelEddisCover:GrandmasterLevAlburtteacheschesstoTimothyEddis.ThisbookisalsoavailableinprintasISBN1-889323-01-2. TABLEOFCONTENTSVolumeII:AnIntroduction.Lesson1Therulesofplay.Lesson2Abbreviatednotation.Somechesstermsandconcepts.Attackanddefense.Trades.Lesson3Moresymbolsandterms.Howtostartagame.MatingwithaQueenandRookintheendgame.Lesson4Mistakesintheopening.MatingwithtwoRooksintheendgame.Lesson5Openingtraps.MatingwithaQueenintheendgame.Lesson6Theconceptofplanning.Exploitingalargematerialadvantage.MatingwithaRookintheendgame.Lesson7Tactics.Doubleattack.Pawnendgame.Theruleofthesquare.Lesson8Pinning.EndgameswithKingandtwopawnsversusKing.Lesson9Theskewer.Howcombinationsarecreated.EndgameswithKingandRookpawnagainstloneKing.Lesson10Typicalmatingcombinations.Theback-rankmate.EndgamewithKingandnon-RookpawnversusKing.Lesson11Typicalmatingcombinations(continuation).Matebyamajorpiece(QueenorRook)helpedbyothermen.EndgamewithKingandnon-RookpawnversusKing(continuation).Lesson12TestsAfterword:MovingOntoExpertandMaster VOLUMEII:ANINTRODUCTIONWelcometoVolumeII,thesecondlevel,ofourComprehensiveChessCourse.ItisaimedatthosestudentswhohavecompletedandmasteredthelessonsinVolumeI.Inadditiontonumerouscorrectionsandalterationstothis,thethirdedition,anewchapterhasbeenadded,“MovingOntoExpertandMaster.”ItaddressestheconcernsofmanyreaderswhowantaguideforconsolidatingtheprogressmadeduringthestudyofvolumesIandIIandconcretesuggestionsforadvancingtowardexpertandmaster.TEACHINGINTERMEDIATEPLAYERSAlthoughVolumeIIisdesignedforplayerswhoarefamiliarwiththemainrulesofplaysetforthinVolumeI,teachersareadvisedtoreviewtheserulesduringthefirstlessonoftheintermediatecourse.Therearealwaysafewplayerswhodonotknowthemthoroughly.Alsoduringthefirstlesson,studentswillbeintroducedtothetriplerepetitionand50-moverules,whichmeansthattheywillnowknowalltherulesofchessplay.Experiencehasshownthatthefollowinglessonplanworkswellforintermediatelevelstudents:1.Ironoutdifficulties,ifany,inthehomeworkassignments.2.Reviewpreviouslystudiedmaterial.3.Introduceandexplainnewsubjectmatter.4.Assignhomeworkforthenextlesson.5.Supervisepracticegames,aportionofthelessonthatshouldoccupyhalfthetimeofthetotallesson.Whendiscussinghomeworkfromthepreviouslesson,theteachershouldconsidernotonlyquestionsaskedbythestudentsbutalsowhathedeemstobeparticularlyinterestingorinstructivepointsintheassignment.Relevantpositionsshouldbesetuponademonstrationboard,andastudentwhohasansweredagivenquestioncorrectlyinthehomeworkassignmentoughttobeaskedtoexplainthesolutiontotheentireclass. Thenextstepinthelessonistoreviewpreviouslystudiedmaterials,withspecialattentionbeinggiventomasteryofthechessboard.Eachchapterorlessoncontainsseveralreviewquestionsofvaryingdifficulty.Inmostinstances,theteachershouldselectthreeorfourofthesequestionswithwhichtodrilltheclass.Directtheeasierquestionstoweakerstudents(graduallyleadinguptomoredifficultexercises)andthetougherquestionstothestrongerstudents.Thepointbehindthisdrillisnottostumpstudentsbuttostimulatetheirthinkingand,intheprocess,toactivatetheirknowledge.Followingthereviewsegment,newmaterialshouldbepresented.Ifduringtheintroductionandexplanationofthismaterial,thestudentsappeartiredandbegintolosetheirconcentration,thenitisadvisabletobreakoffthetheoreticalportionofthelessonassoonaspossible.Handouthomeworkassignmentsforthenextlessonandbeginthepracticalorgame-playingportionofthelesson.(Coursematerialthatstillremainstobeexplainedcan,ifpossible,beincludedinthehomeworkassignmentorbeintroducedatthenextclasssession.Teachersmustbecertainthatstudentsassimilatethematerialevenifitrequiresextrameetingsforreviewpurposes.Itmayhappen,forexample,that12classsessionsareinsufficienttocoverthe12lessonsinVolumeII.Frequently,coachesextendthenumberofclassesto15or16.)Beginnersareattractedtochessprimarilyasagame,andsomeofthemhavelittlepatienceforstudying.Teachersneedtoconvincestudentsthatthemoretheyknowaboutchess,thebettertheywillplayitandthegreatertheywillenjoyit.AsalreadynotedintheIntroductiontoVolumeI,eachstudentshouldbeprovidedwithaseparateboardandsetsothathecanfollowtheteacher’sexplanationsduringthetheoreticalportionsofthelesson.ThesamegoesforcopiesofComprehensiveChessCourse.Ifeachstudenthashisowncopy,thentheteacher’staskwillbebotheasierandlesstime-consuming.Ifthatprovesimpossible,thenteacherswillhavetomakecopiesofhomeworkassignmentsanddistributethemalongwithsolutionstothequestions.Webelievethatstudentsshouldnotspendvastamountsoftimetryingtosolvevariousproblems.Fiveortenminutesonanindividualquestionisenough.Studentsshouldthenconsultthesolutionandendeavortoreasonitout. AttheendofeachlessoninVolumeII,teacherswillnoticeasectionofsupplementarymaterial,whichtheymaywishtoincorporateintothelessonsoruseforclasscontests.Forreadersstudyingontheirown,wesuggestthattheysetupthepositionsonaboard,devotenomorethanfiveto10minutestoanygivenposition,consulttheanswersanddiscoverthewhysandwherefores.Thebenefitsofthiskindofindependentworkareconsiderable.Aboutself-study,moreabitlater.IfVolumeIIcontainsahugeamountofmaterial(illustratedbynearly800diagrams!),thestudentcannonethelessmasteritsuccessfully.DecadesofexperienceintheformerSovietUnionprovedthatanyonewillingtoworkhardcanreachadvancedlevelsofplay.ThegreatEmanuelLasker,forexample,statedflatlythatanyonethissideofanimbecilecouldbecomeamaster.Moreover,bytheword“master,”Laskerdidnotmeansomeonewhopeakedat2203;hemeantsomeonewhowonatleastone-thirdofhisgames,thefamousMeisterdrittel,inapremiermasterevent.Forthemoment,studentsneedonlydotheirhomeworkassignmentswithgustoandactivatetheirever-increasingtheoreticalknowledgebyplayingseveralgameseachweekbetweenlessons.Lesson12,thefinalchapterofVolumeII,consistsof20separatetestswithsixquestionseach.Thetestsareofapproximatelyequaldifficulty.Studentsareallowedonehourtoanswerallsixquestionsonatest.Thosewhofailtoanswermorethanthreequestionscorrectlymaybeallowedtotryanotherexamination.Thefirstfivequestionsineachtestcount15percenteach,andthefinalquestion(onpawnendings)isworth25percent.CoachesmustdecidewhichstudentshaveadequatelycompletedthesecondlevelofComprehensiveChessCourseanddonotrequirefurtherinstructionwiththismanual.SELF-STUDYFORVOLUMEIIAsalreadynotedintheIntroductiontoVolumeI,ComprehensiveChessCoursecanbeusedprofitablyforseriousself-studybybothadultsandchildren.Thelessonsarelargelyself-explanatory,andthetipsgivenintheVolumeIIntroductionhelpplayerstocreateactiveknowledgewhich,asnoted,isknowledgethatcanbereadilyappliedinpractice. Still,studentswholearninaclassroomsituationorwithapersonalcoachpossesscertainadvantages,includinginsideradvicefromveteraninstructorsabouthowtoavoidaccidentsalongtheway.Thisadviceincludessuchcommon-senseideasastocountthematerialbalanceasitexistsonthechessboardratherthancountthecapturedpiecesalongsidetheboard.Anothersuggestionisthatifastudenttendstomakeelementaryblunders,thenwhenheisabouttomakeamove,heshouldtakeabriefmomenttolookatthepositionwiththeeyesofacompletebeginner.Forgetaboutdeeplylaidplansandmulti-movecombinationsandsimplytakeasecondortwotoseeifyouaretossingawayapiece,overlookingaback-rankcheckmateandsoon.THEGREATMEMORIZATIONMISTAKEManyinstructionalbooksbeginwithanexplanationoftherulesandfollowthisexplanationwithasectiononopeningtheory,therebybeguilingbeginnerswiththenotionofbeingabletoplaycorrectlythefirst10to15movesofagame.Sotemptingandultimatelysowrong!Unfortunately,openingtheoryisbasedonsubtletiesthatcanbegraspedonlybystrongplayers.Aweakplayermaybeabletoparrotopeningvariations,buthedoesnotunderstandthem.Andsinceunderstanding—asevincedbythoughtfulplay—isthegoalofeverychessplayer,itfollowsthatroteplayisharmful.Playersoughttoknowthepurposeofeverymovethattheymake.Whathappensotherwiseisthecommoncaseofamateurswhowastetheirtimeandenergymemorizingopeningvariations,onlytostumblepitifullythemomentanopponentmakesamove—goodorbad—thatisnotinthebooks.Suchwell-bookedamateursarehelplesseveninsimplepositions.Mindlessmemorizationisinimicaltogoodchessnotonlyintheopeningsbutalsointhemiddlegameandendgame.Whatstudentsneedistounderstandtheprinciplesofsoundplayandthereasoningbehindthoseprinciples.Onceastudenthasdevelopedthisunderstanding,hewillremembervariationsandspecificendgamesalmosteffortlessly.Chessbooksusuallytellstudentswhattolearnbutsayalmostnothingabouthowtolearn.Thesebooksarelaidoutinchapters.Onechapterisdevotedtotheopenings,anothertothemiddlegameandstillanothertotheendgame.ButdecadesofchessteachingintheformerSovietUniondemonstratedthatbeginnersarefarfromkeenaboutstudyingendgames. InComprehensiveChessCourse,wehavetriedanendrunaroundthisdifficultybydevotingasectionofeachlessontoendings.ThelessonsinbothVolumeIandVolumeIIplaceconsiderableemphasisontactics,whichistosay,combinations.Theemphasisisnotaccidental.Itiscrucialforplayerstomasterthevarioustacticalthemesinordertomakecombinations,tofindhiddenpossibilitiesinpositions,tounderstandanopponent’splans,andtoplaycreatively.Manyoutstandingchessmastersbegantheircareersastacticiansandonlylatermasteredthenuancesofpositionalplay.Keepinginmindourinjunctionagainstunthinkinglyteachingopeningvariationstobeginners,theinitiallessonsofthecurrentcourseinsteadacquaintthestudentwithgeneralprinciplesofpiecedevelopmentintheopeningandgiveguidelinesonhowtoavoidmistakes.Forabeginner,theassimilationoftheseprinciples,alongwithassiduousstudyofmiddlegameandendingplay,willprovequiteenoughtoputupagoodfightinmostgames.SEEINGTHEWHOLEPICTURETheabilitytopictureinthemindapositionasitcouldbewithinafewmovesisabsolutelyindispensabletochessplayers.Moreover,thisfeatofvisualizingthechessboardwiththepositionofthepieceschangedfromthewaytheyareontherealboardpresentsthegreatestdifficultytobeginners.Thespecificallychess-relatedknackofbeingabletopicturefuturepositionscanonlybedevelopedgradually.Thefirststepforabeginneristolearntovisualizeclearlyallthesquaresofanemptyboard.Aseriesofexerciseshavebeendevisedtoachievethisgoal.Gradually—stepbystep—theboardinourvisualizationexerciseswillbe“peopled”bymoreandmorechessmen,untilthestudentdevelopstheknackofformingmentallyaclearpictureofpositionsastheymaybecomewithinafewmoves.PRACTICEANDANALYSISAchessplayercanmakeprogressonlyifhecoordinatesstudywithpractice.Practicemeansplayinggames,andinagame,aplayerhastogothroughanopening,middlegame,andsometimesanendgame.Thatiswhy ineachlessonofComprehensiveChessCourse,weprovideinformationaboutthemiddlegameandendings.Wealsofrequentlypresententiregamessothatstudentscangetacquaintedwithopeningsplacedincontext.About100gamesarepresentedinthiscourse,withalmostallofthemspeciallyannotatedforstudentsofVolumeII.Thegamesineachlessonhavebeenchosentoillustratethethemesdiscussedinthatlesson.Forexample,LessonEightcontainsgamesemployingthethemeofpinning.Bystudyingthesegamesandinternalizingthepinningtheme,studentswillbeabletobuildtheirowncombinations.Indeed,nicecombinationssuchasthefollowingpin,counter-pin,counter-counterpinpassageofarms:MichaelFranklin–HarryGolombekBritishChampionship,1962Blackhadonlyaminuteonhisclock,but60secondsweremorethanenoughtimetoforceresignationby1....Bxe52.fxe5Rg23.Bf6+Kg84.Rg1(foramoment,Whiteappearstowinwiththiscounter-pin,but...)4....Qf4+!,Whiteresigns.AnotherexampleofmatchingillustrativematerialwithsubjectmatterisLesson10,whichconcernsmatesalongthebackrank.Studentswhomasterthisusefulthemewillonedayfindthemselvespullingoffcoupssuchasthefollowing: Mileika–VoitkevichRiga,1963Frankly,abackrankmateseemsimpossibleinthisposition.Themoreonelooksattheposition,themoreonewonderswhatWhitecando,giventhatheisdownapawn.ButthefirstplayerdiscoversatrulyamazinglinetodiverttheBlackQueenfromthed8square.Thewinninglineis1.Ra7!Qb62.Rb7!!,whenBlackmustforfeitmaterialbecausetheRookonb7cannotbecapturedwithoutpermittingabackrankmateond8.ReadersshouldnotbesurprisedtofindonlyonegamebythegreatAmericanworldchampion,RobertJamesFischer.Thereasonisthatsomestrongplayershaveverycomplicatedplayingstyles.PlayersstudyingVolumeIIwouldneitherunderstandnorderiveanybenefitfromsuchgames.Lateron,therewillbeplentyoftimetodiscovertheartworkofthegeniusFischer.Inactualgames,beginnersfrequentlyfailtoperceiveanopponent’sthreats.Theyoftencommitgrossblunders.Howoftentheauthorsofthisvolumehaveseenaplayerwhoisupseveralpiecessufferdefeatbecausehefallsintoanelementarycheckmate.Toreducesuchmistakestoaminimum,studentsmustplayoften.Andwhentheydoplay,theyshouldalwaysabidebytherules.Duringpracticesessions,theyshouldavoidplayingnumerousquickgamesandinsteadshouldplayjustoneortwogamesinaseriousmanner.Theyoughttothinkouteachmovecarefully. CHESSAPPRECIATIONMostgoodchessplayerstakethetimetolearnsomethingaboutthehistoryofthegamethattheylove.Beginnersshouldalsobeintroducedtochesshistory,butinagradualfashion.Forexample,ifaFischergameisbeingstudied,theteacheroughttoexplainwhoFischerisandwhenheplayedchess.Or,totakeanotherexample,ifagameopeningwithPhilidor’sDefenseisunderdiscussion,thentheteachercansayafewwordsaboutAndrePhilidor.Anotherpointbehinddevelopingchessappreciationamongstudentsistocushiontheimpactofdefeats.Ithappensnotinfrequentlythatseveralearlydefeatsdemoralizeachildsomuchthathegivesupchess.Amodernaidtohelpusdealwiththisproblemisthechesscomputer,towhichastudentcanlosewithouthisegosufferingtoomuch!Still,theteacheroughttoremindstudentsconstantlythattheyneednotfeardefeatbecauseaplayerlearnsfromhislosses.TheteachercanadducetheexampleofformerworldchampionJoseCapablancawhosaidthathelearnedmorefromasinglegamethathelostthanfrommanyvictories.Studentsbenefitgreatlyfromananalysisoftheirgames.Unfortunately,coachescannotcommentoneverygameplayedduringpracticesessions,thoughtheyshouldtrytoobservetheplayofeverypupil.Common-senseadvicetocoachesisthattheytakenoteofparticularlyinstructiveideasthatoccuranddemonstratethemlatertotheclass.Forexample,oneplayermayhaveoverlookedapossibilitytocheckmatehisopponent,whereasanotherplayermayhavemadeparticularlyeffectiveuseofmaterialthathelearnedinclass.Etc.etc.PlayersworkingonlessonsinVolumeIIshouldacquirethehabitofrecordingtheirgames.Notonlyisrecordingrequiredformosttournamentplay,italsoallowsthestudenttoanalyzehisgameslaterwithhiscoach.TheauthorswouldliketoacknowledgetheirindebtednesstothosewhohaveaidedusinthepreparationofComprehensiveChessCourse.JonathanBerryandIndianchessenthusiastMohantranslatedthetwovolumes,andGordonHoweperformedadmirablelaborsasproofreader.Forhelpwithpreparingthesecondedition,theauthorsareverygratefultoFaneuilAdams,DewainBarber,SvetozarJovanovic,BrucePandolfini,andotherswhoassistedinthiswork.NigelEddis,theworld’sleadingchessphotographer,tookthecoverphotograph.Forinsightfuladviceon thenewchapter,“MovingOntoExpertandMaster,”wethankDr.MartinKatahn.And,ofcourse,wethankthemanyreaderswhowroteinwithsuggestionsandcorrections.Finally,webothwishtothankLyubaPelts,thewifeofFMPelts,whounfailinglyattendedtotheendlesssmall,thoughvitaltasksinvolvedinproducingaworksuchasComprehensiveChessCourse.RomanPeltsandLevAlburtNewYorkCityAugust1,1996 LessonOneManyofyoualreadyknowtherulesofplay,butweshallreviewthembrieflyhereforthebenefitofthosewhosemasteryofthemisperhapsabitshaky.1.Whatisthe“touch-move”rule?2.Canyouchangeamoveafterplayingit?3.Whatdothewords“Kingside”and“Queenside”mean?4.Whataretherelativevaluesofthevariouschesspiecesandpawns?5.Whatischessnotationandwhatisitspurpose?6.Howdoyourecordagame?7.Whatrewarddoesapawngetforreachingthelastrank?8.Whatotherspecialpawnruledoyouknow?9.Whatisthestrongestmovepossibleinagame?10.Whenisaplayerconsideredtohavewonthegame?11.WhatisthenameofamovewhichinvolvesboththeKingandaRookatthesametime,andwhencansuchamovebemade?12.Whatisstalemate?13.Dowehavetosay“check,”“checkmate,”or“stalemate”duringagame?14.Whathappenswhenoneoftheplayerskeepscheckinghisopponentendlessly?15.Doyouknowthe“three-timerepetitionofposition”rule?Whatisit?16.Whatisthe50-moverule?17.Whenisagameconsideredtobeadraw?Answers1.Aplayerwhotouchesoneofhismenmustmovethatman.Ifhetouchesoneofhisopponent’smen,hemustcaptureit.However,ifaplayertouchesoneofhisownmenbutthemanhasnolegalmove,orifhe touchesoneofhisopponent’smenbutthereisnothingtocaptureitwith,thenthereisnopenalty.Ifcertainmenareuntidilyplacedontheboardandyouwanttocenterthemintheirsquares,youmustfirstsay“Iadjust”or“j’adoube”toyouropponent.2.Ifaplayermovesamanandletsgoofitwithhishand,themoveisconsideredtobecompletedandcannotbetakenback.However,iftheplayerisstillholdingontothemanaftermovingit,themoveisnotconsideredtobefinishedandtheplayershastherighttoplacethatmanonanylegallyallowedsquare.3.The“Kingside”isthathalfoftheboardonwhichthetwoKingsstandatthebeginningofagame,whilethe“Queenside”istheotherhalfoftheboard.SeeDiagram1.1 4.Thepraxisofmanygenerationsofchessplayershasshownthatthemenhavethefollowingrelativevalues:ManPointsQueen9Rook5Bishop3Knight3Pawn1FromthesevalueswecanseethataKnight=aBishop=3pawnsorthataRook=aKnight+2pawns,andsoon.TheKingisinvaluable,asagamecannotcontinuewithoutit.Itmustalwaysbekeptinmind,however,thattheexactvalueofagivenmanvariesaccordingtopositionontheboard.Sometimesapawncanbestrongerthantheentireadversearmy,asalookatthecrazypositioninDiagram2willconvinceyou.2 5.Chessnotationisasystemofsymbolsfordesignatingthesquaresofthechessboard.Itisusedinordertohelpustorecordgamesorpositions.Letuslookatthealgebraicsystemofnotation,whichiswhatweshallbeusing.Thechessboardconsistsof64squaresformingeightverticallinesknownasfilesandeighthorizontallinesknownasranks.Thefilesaredesignatedbythelettersa,b,c,andsoontoh(startingfromWhite’sleft),andarecorrespondinglycalledthea-file,b-file,c-file,etc.Theranksaredesignatedbythenumbersfrom1to8(startingfromWhite’ssideoftheboard)andarecorrespondinglycalledthe1strank,2ndrank,etc.Forexample,inthestartingposition(seeDiagram1)alltheWhitepawnsareonthe2ndrankwhilealltheBlackpawnsareonthe7thrank.Sinceeachsquareisattheintersectionofafileandarank,itcanbedesignatedbyaletterandanumber.TheboardwiththedesignationsofallthesquaresisshowsfromWhite’ssideinDiagram3andfromBlack’ssideinDiagram4.3fromWhite’sside 4fromBlack’ssideTheboardcanalsobedividedintodiagonals,whicharenamedbyindicatingtheirendsquares.Forexample,thea1-h8diagonalreferstothediagonalbeginningwitha1andendingwithh8.Allthesquaresinagivendiagonalareofthesamecolor,i.e.,adiagonalcanbeeitherlight-squaredordark-squared.6.Inordertorecordchessmovesorpositions,wehavetoknowcertainsymbols.Themajoronesaregiveninthefollowingtable. MainSymbolsUsedinChessNotationSymbolMeaningKKingQQueenRRookBBishopNKnightPPawn—movesto×captures+check#checkmate0-0castlesKing’sside0-0-0castlesQueen’sside?badmove!goodmoveThesymbolsfordesignatingthemenandthesquaresallowustorecordthemovesofpiecesandpawns.First,thesymbolforthepiecemovedisindicated,thenthesymbolforthesquareonwhichthepiecestoodbeforethemove,thenahyphen,andthenthesymbolforthesquareonwhichthepiecestandsafterthemove.Ifwearerecordingapawnmove,thesymbolforthepawn(P)isleftout. Letusnowgooverasamplegame.Game11.e2-e4Thenumeral“1”indicatesthenumberofthemove,whilethe“e2-e4”meansthattheWhitepawnfrome2movestoe4.1....e7-e5ThethreedotsbeforethemoveindicatethatitisBlack’smove.Black’sKingpawnmovesfrome7toe5.2.Qd1-h5?Nb8-c6TheWhiteQueenmovesfromd1toh5.Thesymbol“?”indicatesthatthemoveisapoorone.TheBlackKnightmovesfromb8toc6.3.Bf1-c4Ng8-f6?TheWhiteBishopmovesfromf1toc4,whileBlackbringsouthisKnightfromg8tof6,amistake.4.Qh5xf7#TheQueenonh5capturedthepawnonf7.Thesymbol“#”meanscheckmate.Rememberthefinalposition,showninDiagram5. 5Itoccursmanytimesinbeginners’gamesandiscalledtheScholar’sMate.7.Apawnthatreachesthelastrank(8thrankforWhiteand1strankforBlack)mustturnintoapieceofitsowncolor.Usuallythestrongestpiece,theQueen,ischosen,butinsomecasesaKnight,Bishop,orRookischoseninstead.Thusitispossibletohave9Queensofthesamecolorontheboardatonetime,or10Knights,andsoon,ifallthepawnsarepromotedtopiecesandaddedtothealreadyexistingones.SomebeginnersmistakenlythinkthatitisalwaysgoodtopromoteapawntoaQueen.ThatthisisnotsocanbeseenfromDiagram6. 6IfWhitepromoteshispawntoaQueenhewillloseitafter1....Ng8-f6+,whilebypromotingittoaKnight(1.f7-f8N#)hecancheckmateBlack(seeDiagram7).7 8.Anotherspecialpawnruleisthe“enpassantcapture.”ThisisillustratedinthepositioninDiagram8,whichoccurredinaschooltournament.8TheboyplayingBlackmoved1....b7-b5andjoyfullyannounced“Mate!”(seeDiagram9).“No,it’syourKingwhichismated!”,repliedhisopponent,playing2.a5xb6#(seeDiagram10).9 10Onlythetournamentdirector’sinterventionsettledthedispute,whichhadarisenbecausetheboywiththeBlackpiecesdidnotknowthe“enpassantcapture”rule.An“enpassantcapture”ispossiblewhenapawnmovestwosquaresfromitsstartingpositionandendsupsidebysidewithanenemypawn,whichcanthencaptureitasifithadmovedupnottwosquares,butonlyone.Aplayerwhowishestocaptureenpassantmustdosoonhisfirstturnaftertheopposingpawnhasmoveduptwosquares.9.Thestrongestmoveinagameisobviouslyamovewhichcheckmatestheopponent’sKing,sinceafterthatthegameisfinished.11 InDiagram11,Whitetoplaymatesin1move.ThisproblemcanbesolvedprovidedneithertheWhiteKingnortheRookonh1hasmovedduringthegame.Thesolutionis1.0-0#.10.Agameiswona)whenoneoftheplayerscheckmatestheopponent’sKing,orb)whenoneoftheplayersresigns,consideringfurtherresistancetobeuseless,orc)whenoneoftheplayerslosesontime.11.EachplayerscanmakeasimultaneousmovewithhisKingandaRookonceinagame.Themoveiscalledcastling.AplayermaycastleeitherwiththeKing’sRook(castlingshortorcastlingK-side)orwiththeQueen’sRook(castlinglongorcastlingQ-side).Castlingisonlypossibleunderthefollowingconditions:i.CastlingisnotpermittedifeithertheKingortheRookusedincastlinghasalreadymovedatanypointinthegame.ii.AllthesquaresbetweentheKingandtheRookmustbeempty.Neithercanjumpoveranyotherpieces.iii.TheKingmustnotbeincheck(castlingisnotallowedforthepurposeofgettingoutofcheck).iv.TheKingmaynotmoveintocheck.v.ThesquarewhichtheKingjumpsovershouldnotbeunderattackbyanyenemyman.Nowletusanalyzethefollowinggame. Game2Feuer–O’KellyLiege,19341.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-b5a7-a64.Bb5-a4d7-d65.Ba4xc6+b7xc66.d2-d4f7-f67.Nb1-c3Ra8-b88.Qd1-d3Ng8-e79.h2-h4h7-h510.Bc1-e3“What!Itlookslikehe’sblunderedhispawnonb2!”,thoughtBlackwithsurprise.Findingnoreasonwhyheshouldn’t,hedecidedtotakethepawn.10....Rb8xb2?11.d4xe5d6xe5?Ofcoursehehadtotakeone5withtheotherpawn.(11....fxe5).TheBlackplayerlaterbecameagrandmaster,butatthetimeofthisgamehewasn’tverystrong.12.Qd3xd8+Ke8xd8SeeDiagram12. 12Blackhaslosthisrighttocastleinthisgame,ashisKinghasalreadymoved.White,however,cancastleoneitherside.Naturally,hechosetocastlelong,13.0-0-0+,sincethatallowedhimtowinaRook(seeDiagram13.)13 TheWhiteRookcheckedBlack’sKingandatthesametimetheWhiteKingattackedtheBlackRookonb2.SoBlackresigned.12.“Stalemate”isapositionwheretheplayerwhoseturnitistomoveisnotincheckbuthasnolegalmoveseitherwithhisKingorwithanyofhisothermen.Whenastalemateoccurs,thegameisconsidereddrawn.Stalematecanariseifaplayermakesathoughtlessmovewhenattemptingtomatehisopponent’sloneKing.Carelessnessinwinningpositionsisthemaincauseofstalemate.1415 InDiagram14,Whiteunthinkinglyplayed1.Qe1xe6?andthegamewasdrawn,sincetheresultingpositionwasastalemate(seeDiagram15).Anyothermove(exceptofcourse1.Qe1-e4??)wouldhaveledtoawin.However,stalemateisnotalwaystheresultofagrossblunder.Sometimesitisplannedasamethodofsavinganotherwiselostposition.16Forexample,inDiagram16Blacktomovecouldmateintwomoves:1....Re8-e1+2.Kg1-f2g2-g1Q#.However,itwasWhite’sturntomoveandhefoundaninterestingstalemateidea.TheWhiteKinghasonlyonepossiblemove,tof2.SoWhiteplayed:1.Rg7-h7+Kh3-g3NowtheWhiteKingcannotgoeventof2,sincetheBlackKingcontrolsthatsquare.2.Rh7-e7! WhitegivesuphisRookfornothing,sinceonceitisgonethepositionwillbeastalemate.2....Re8-a8TheBlackRooktriestogetaway,butinvain!3.Re7-a7!Thedrawisinevitable!TheWhiteRookkeepssacrificingitselfalongthe7thrank(seeDiagram17).17ARooklikethisiscalledadesperadoRook.13.Itisnotcompulsorytoannounce“check,”“mate,”or“stalemate.”14.AseriesofchecksfromwhichtheKingcannotescapeisknownas“perpetualcheck,”andthegameisconsideredtobedrawn. 18Forexample,inDiagram18BlackgivesperpetualcheckbycheckingtheWhiteKingcontinuouslyfroma2toa1.TheWhiteKinghasnowheretohideandthedrawisforced.Justlikestalemate,perpetualchecktoocanbeplannedinadvancebyaplayer.Sometimesplayersevensacrificepiecesinordertoobtainadrawbyperpetualcheck.NowletuslookatagameplayedbetweentwoWorldChampionsintheyear1914.Whitewas22-year-oldAlexandreAlekhine,whobecameWorldChampionin1927bydefeatingtheCubanJoseRaoulCapablanca.BlackwasthereigningWorldChampionEmanuelLasker,whowonthetitlein1894andkeptitfor27years,untilhelostittoCapablancain1921.Game3Alekhine–Lasker1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.d2-d4 Thisopeningiscalledthe“ScotchGame,”becauseitwasafavoriteopeningofScottishplayersmanyyearsago.TheearlyopeningupofthecenterdoesnotcauseBlackanydifficulties.Bytheway,doyourememberwhatismeantbythe“center”ofachessboard?Right!Thecenterconsistsofthefoursquaresd4,d5,e4,ande5.3....e5xd44.Nf3xd4Ng8-f65.Nb1-c3Bf8-b46.Nd4xc6b7xc67.Bf1-d3d7-d58.e4xd5c6xd59.0-00-010.Bc1-g5Bc8-e611.Qd1-f3Bb4-e712.Rf1-e1h7-h6SeeDiagram19.19 BothsideshaveplayedverywellandifWhitehadnowretreatedhisBishopfromg5,thegamewouldhavebeeneven.However,AlekhinewasimpatienttogetadrawagainsttheWorldChampionandsohesacrificedtheBishopforapawn,andthenhisRookone1fortheBishopone6.13.Bg5xh6g7xh614.Re1xe6f7xe6NowtheBlackKingisexposedandWhitecangiveperpetualcheck.15.Qf3-g3+Kg8-h8Not15....Kg8-f7,becauseof16.Qg3-g6#.16.Qg3-g6!Theplayersagreedtoadrawhere!SeeDiagram20.20BlackisupaRookforapawn,buthecannotavoidperpetualcheck.Forexample,16....Qd8-e817.Qg6xh6+Kh8-g818.Qh6-g5+Kg8-h819.Qg5-h6+etc. 15.Ifthesamepositionwiththesameplayertomoveoccursthree(ormore)timesinagame,thegameisdrawnbythree-timerepetitionofposition.Incidentally,perpetualcheckisacaseofthree-timerepetitionofposition.21InDiagram21,Whitehaslostapawnanddecidesthatitisbettertodrawbythree-timerepetitionofpositionthantolosethegame.Therefollowed:1.Ra1-b1Qb2xa32.Rb1-a1Qa3-b23.Ra1-b1Thefirsttime.3....Qb2-a24.Rb1-a1Qa2-b25.Ra1-b1 Thesecondtime.5....Qb2-a36.Rb1-a1Qa3-b27.Ra1-b1Thethirdtime.TheBlackQueencannotgetawayfromtheattacksoftheWhiteRook.Whiteclaimedadraw.16.If50moves(a“move”hereactuallymeansapairofmoves,onebyeachside)gobywithnocaptureorpawnmovebeingmade,eitherplayercanclaimadraw.Forexample,aplayerwithaKingandQueenagainstaloneKingmustknowhowtomatewithin50moves.17.Agameisconsidereddrawna)whenthetwoplayersagreetoadraw;b)ifstalemateoccurs;c)ifaplayergivesperpetualcheck;d)ifaplayerclaimsadrawbythree-timerepetitionofposition;e)ifaplayerclaimsadrawbythe50-moverule;andfinally,f)ifneithersidehasenoughmaterialtomatetheopponent’sKing:i)AKingalonecannevercheckmateanotherKing.ii)AKingandKnightalonecannotcheckmatealoneKing. iii)AKingandBishopalonecannotcheckmatealoneKing.vi)AKingandBishopalonecannotcheckmatealoneKingandBishopiftheBishopsmoveondiagonalsofthesamecolor(seeDiagram22).22HOMEWORK(Answersattheend)I.Diagrams23–3023 OnlyWhitemoves.WritedowntheroutethattheKnightmusttaketovisittheotherthreecornersandthencomeback.Indoingso,theKnightmustnotputitselfunderattackbyanyoftheBlackpawns,normustitcaptureanyofthepawns,normustitlandonanysquaremorethanonce.Writeyouranswer__________________________________________________________________________________________24Howshouldthegameenda)withWhitetomove?b)withBlacktomove? Writeyouranswer__________________________________________________________________________________________25Howshouldthegameenda)withBlacktomove?b)withWhitetomove?Writeyouranswer__________________________________________________________________________________________ 26Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves(theRooksandKingshavenotyetmovedinthegame).Writeyouranswer27Whitetoplayandwin. Writeyouranswer__________________________________________________________________________________________28Whitetoplay.Howshouldthegameend?Writeyouranswer.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 29Whitetoplayanddraw.Writeyouranswer__________________________________________________________________________________________30Blacktoplay.Howshouldthegameend? Writeyouranswer__________________________________________________________________________________________II.BoardStudyExercisesWritedownyouranswersinthespacebelow.1.PlacetheboardsothatyouareplayingWhite.Findthesquaresd4,f7,andc3.2.LookingattheboardfromBlack’sside,findthesquaresc6,h2,d3,anda5.Answerquestions3–5withoutlookingataboard.3.Whatcolorarethefollowingsquares:c3,h5,d6,b4?____________________________________________________________4.Nameallthesquaresmakinguptheh2-b8andd1-h5diagonals.____________________________________________________________ 5.Namethediagonalsrunningthroughd5.Namethesquaresmakingupthesediagonals.____________________________________________________________III.GamesforAnalysisGame41.e2-e4e7-e52.Bf1-c4Bf8-c53.Qd1-f3?Ng8-h6?3....Ng8-f6wasthecorrectmove.4.d2-d4!e5xd45.Bc1xh6g7xh6?6.Qf3xf7#SeeDiagram31forthefinalposition.31 Game51.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3d7-d63.Bf1-c4Bc8-g44.c2-c3Nb8-c65.Qd1-b3Bg4xf3?5....Nc6-a5!wasthecorrectmove.6.Bc4xf7+Ke8-e77.Qb3-e6#SeeDiagram32forthefinalposition.32 HOMEWORKANSWERSI.Diagrams23–30D-23Na1-b3-c5-a6-c7-a8-b6-d7-f8-g6-h8-f7-h6-f5-g3-h1-f2-d1-e3-c2-a1.Twentymovesinall.Otherroutesarealsopossible.D-24a)Whitetoplaywinswith1.b7-b8Q+!Kh2-h32.Qb8xc8+etc.b)Blacktoplaywinswith1....g2xf1Q+2.Kb5-c6Nc8-e7+andBlackwillwinthepawninafewmoves.D-25Blacktomoveplays1....d5-d4,exchangingoffthelastWhitepawn,afterwhichthegameisadraw!Whitetoplayshouldwinafter1.Kd2-d3.D-261.0-0-0!0-0OnanyothermoveWhitewouldplay2.Rd1-d8#.2.Rd1-g1#D-271.a5-a6Kd7-c72.a6-a7!andtheWhitepawnQueens.D-281.Nd5-c7+Ka8-b8 2.Nc7-a6+Kb8-a83.Na6-c7+Drawnbyperpetualcheck.IfBlackgivesuphisQueenfortheKnight,it’sstilladraw.D-291.Rb1-b8+!Ka8-a7IftheKingtakestheRook,it’sstalemate.2.Rb8-b7!+Ka7-a63.Rb7-b6+ThedesperadoRookkeepsofferingitselfasasacrifice.Thegameisadraw.D-301....Bb3-c4+OrelsetheWhitepawnwillQueen.2.Kf1-f2Bc4xa6StalemateII.ExercisesYoucaneasilycheckyouranswerstotheboardstudyquestionsbylookingatachessboard. SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionInDiagrams33–38thestalemateideaisused;Diagrams39–42containtheperpetualchecktheme;Diagram43illustratesathree-timerepetitionofposition;andDiagram44usesanenpassantcapture.33L.Ponziani,1769Whitetoplayanddraw1.Kg4-g5Ra1-g1+2.Kg5-h6a2-a1Q3.Ra7-a8+!Qa1xa8Stalemate 34L.Ponziani,1769Whitetoplayanddraw1.Bh6-e3!Qd4xe32.Qh2-f2!Qe3xf2Not2....Qc5,becauseof3.a4-a5+winningtheQueen.3.a4-a5+Kb6xa5Stalemate 35E.CookWhitetoplayanddraw1.Ra7-b7+Kb8-c82.Rb7-b5c2-c1Q3.Rb5-c5+!Qc1xc5Stalemate 36Marshall–McClure,NewYork1923Whitetoplayanddraw.1.Rf6-h6!Rh5xh62.h7-h8Q+Rh6xh83.b4-b5andallmovesbyBlackproduceastalemate!37Whitetoplayanddraw. 1.Qg1-c5+!b6xc5IfBlackmoveshisKing,heloseshisQueenonf8.2.Kb4-a3!andallmovesbyBlackproduceastalemate.38H.Rinck,1912Whitetoplayanddraw1.Kf2-g3h7-h52.e2-e4Kh1-g13.e4-e5d6xe5StalemateBlackcouldnotplay3....d6-d5,asWhitewouldhavewonbyQueeninghispawn. 39Whitetoplayanddraw1.Nc7-e8+Kf6-e62.Ne8-c7+Ke6-f63.Nc7-e8+Perpetualcheck.40Blacktoplayanddraw 1....Nh6-g8+2.Ke7-e8Ng8-f6+3.Ke8-e7Nf6-g8+Or3....Nf6-d5+,andtheWhiteKingcannotescapefromperpetualcheckwithoutlosingaRook.41FromagameplayedbyA.NeumanWhitetoplayanddraw1.Re1-e8+!Nf6xe82.Qd3-h7+!Kh8xh73.Nd7-f8+Kh7-h84.Nf8-g6+Kh8-h75.Ng6-f8+Perpetualcheck. 42Whitetoplayanddraw1.Qh1-d5+Kg8-h82.Nh4-g6+h7xg63.Qd5-h1+Kh8-g84.Qh1-d5+Perpetualcheck.43Lipnizky(Master)–Boleslavsky(Grandmaster)Moscow1950Whitetoplayanddraw 1.Re6-d6Kf7-e72.Rd6-e6+Ke7-f73.Re6-d6Kf7-e74.Rd6-e6+Ke7-f75.Re6-d6Drawnbythree-timerepetitionofposition.44D.UlyanovWhitetoplayandmatein3moves1.Bb1-a2d6-d52.d2-d4!c4xd3(enpassant)3.Ba2xd5#.Checkmate. LessonTwoA.CheckLesson1homework(ifnecessary).B.ReviewQuestions:1.Whatisthemostpowerfulmoveinachessgame?2.Canaplayerpasshisturn?3.Whichpiecescanbemovedbeforeanypawnmoveshavebeenmade?TrytoanswerQuestions4–8withoutlookingatachessboard.4.NamethesquaresonwhicheachoftheWhitemenstandsatthestartofagame.5.Whatcolor(lightordark)iseachofthefollowingsquares:a1,a8,h1,h8?6.Namethesquaresmakingupthea1–h8diagonal.Whatcolorarethey?7.Namethesquarewherethee1-h4andg1-a7diagonalscross.8.Namethesquarewherethe4thrankcrossestheh1–a8diagonal. 45WhatmovebytheBlackKnightwillattackalltheWhitepiecesatthesametime?46Atrickpuzzle!HowcanWhitecheckmateBlackinhalfamove? AnswerstoReviewQuestions:1.Checkmate.2.No.3.Knights.4.Ra1,Nb1,Bc1,Qd1,Ke1,Bf1,Ng1,Rh1,pawnsa2,b2,c2,d2,e2,f2,g2,andh2.5.a1andh8aredarksquares,andh1anda8arelightsquares.6.a1,b2,c3,d4,e5f6,g7andh8.Theyarealldarksquares.7.f2.8.e4.D-45.1....Ne6-f4+.D-46.Whiteisinthemiddleofcastlingshort.Hehasmadehalfthemove(Kingtog1)andbycompletingthemove(byjumpingtheRookfromh1overtof1)hewillcheckmateBlack.Thewholemoveis1.0-0#.C.AbbreviatedNotationBeginnersusuallyrecordtheirgamesusingthe“full”algebraicnotation,wherethesquareonwhichamanstandsbeforemakingamoveisfirstindicatedandthenthesquareonwhichitstandsaftercompletingitsmove.Asplayersbecomemoreexperienced,however,theyoftenswitchovertothe“abbreviated”notation,wherethesquarefromwhichamanstartsoutisomittedandonlythesquareonwhichitlandsisindicated.Forexample,1.Nb1-c3iswritteninabbreviatedformas1.Nc3.Inthecaseofapawncapture,thefile(butnotthesquare)fromwhichthepawnstartsoutisalsoindicated. 47Forexample,themove28.b6xa7inDiagram47wouldbewrittenas28.bxa7.SupposenowthatWhiteplays28.Ra1-c1inDiagram47.Thiswouldbewritteninabbreviatednotationas28.Rac1.Bygivingthefileofdeparture(“a”)wemakeitclearthatitistheRookona1andnottheRookonf1whichmovestoc1.Sometimesinordertoremoveanambiguity,wehavetoindicatetherankfromwhichapiecestartsout.If,forexample,inDiagram47Whiteplays28.Nd4-f3,itwouldnotbeenoughtowrite28.Nf3,sincebothWhiteKnightscangotof3.However,ifwewrite28.N4f3,itbecomesclearthatitistheKnightonthe4thrankwhichmovestof3.Fromnowonweshallbeusingboththefullandabbreviatedtypesofnotation.Themainmovesingamesandpuzzleswillbegiveninfullnotation,whileinthecommentariesabbreviatednotationwillbeused.Nowletusanalyzeagamerecordedinfullnotation.Thisencounterfromthe1924ParisChampionshipistheshortestgameeverplayedinamajortournament. Game6Gibeau–Lazard1.d2-d4Ng8-f62.Nb1-d2?Anunfortunatemovethatblocksthedark-squareBishop.2.c4or2.Nf3wouldbebetter.2....e7-e5Blackhopestosetupanattackbymeansofthispawnsacrifice.3.d4xe5Nf6-g44.h2-h3?Whiteisplayinghastily,withoutthinkingouthismovescarefully.HewantstochasebacktheadvancedenemyKnightrightawayeventhoughitisnotthreateninganythingdangerous.Apossiblealternativeis:4.Ngf3Bc55.e3Nc66.Nc4b57.Ncd2a68.a4,withaslightlybetterpositionforWhite.4....Ng4-e3!(seeDiagram48) 48Whiteresigns.HemustlosehisQueen,sinceif5.fxe3,then5....Qh4+6.g3Qxg3#.Hereishowthisgamewouldberecordedinabbreviatednotation:Gibeau–Lazard(Paris,1924)1.d4Nf62.Nd2?e53.dxe5Ng44.h3?Ne3!Whiteresigns0–1 SomeChessTermsandConceptsLetuslookatsomefrequentlyusedchessterms.AnyarrangementofpiecesandpawnsonthechessboardiscalledaPOSITION.PiecesandpawnsareknownasMATERIAL.Atthestartofagame,therefore,thetwoopponentsareinastateofMATERIALEQUALITY.Ifoneplayerhasextramaterial(evenifitisonlyapawn)ormaterialofgreatervalue(e.g.aQueenforhisopponent’sRook),heissaidtohaveaMATERIALADVANTAGE.49Diagram49showsanotherkindofadvantage.BlackisupaRookforonlyapawn,buttheRookistrapped—itcannotmakeanymoveswithoutbeingcaptured.Asaresult,itisWhitewhohaschancesofwinning.InpositionslikethiswesaythatWhitehasaPOSITIONALADVANTAGE.Thatis,hispiecesandpawnsarebetterplaced,andin Diagram49thatmorethanmakesupforBlack’sMATERIALSUPERIORITY(anothertermfor“materialadvantage”).QueensandRooksarecalledMAJORPIECES,whileBishopsandKnightsareknownasMINORPIECES.AplayerwhocapturesaRookinexchangeforaminorpieceissaidtoWINTHEEXCHANGE,andhisopponentissaidtoLOSETHEEXCHANGE.VoluntarilygivingupmaterialinordertoachievesomegoaliscalledaSACRIFICE.Thus,ifaplayervoluntaritygivesupaRookforaminorpiece(KnightorBishop),heissaidtoSACRIFICETHEEXCHANGE.Itisworthwhiletosacrificealmostallyourmaterialifyoucancheckmateyouropponent’sKingwithwhatyouhaveleft.VirtuallyeverygamecontainsTHREATS.ATHREATisanintentiontomakeamovethatisunpleasantfortheopponent.Forexample,ifyoumakeamovewhichopensupthepossibilityofcheckmatingtheenemyKingthenextmove,youarethreateningcheckmate.Similarly,ifyouchecktheenemyKing,thatisathreat,sinceyouintendtocapturetheKingnextmove.Aplayercanalsothreatentowinmaterialoroccupysomeimportantsquarewithoneofhismen.Manychesstermsoriginatedinmilitaryusage.ExamplesareATTACK,whichisacombinationofaggressiveactions,andCOUNTERATTACK,whichisanattackunleashedbyaplayerinreplytohisopponent’sattack. 50InDiagram50,Whiteplayed1.Rf1xf6—anEXCHANGESACRIFICEwiththeTHREATof2.Qxh7#.WhiteisthusATTACKINGtheBlackKing.BlackrepliedwithaCOUNTERATTACK:1....Ba7xe3+;2.Kg1-h1Be3xg5.BlackhasrepulsedWhite’sattackandwonapawn.Inthiscase,Black’sCOUNTERATTACKprovedstrongerthanWhite’sATTACK.AttackandDefense.Trades.Sometimes,asforexampleinthe“Scholar’sMate”,adirectattackontheKingbringsagametoarapidfinishevenbeforeanymenhavebeencapturedbyeitherside.However,thisdoesnothappenveryoften.Usuallyeachplayertriestoeliminatetheopponent’smenandstartsamatingattackonlywhentheenemyKinghaslostmostofitsarmy.Toeliminateanenemyman,youmustfirstATTACKit.Thisisadifferentmeaningoftheword“attack.”Hereitmeansto“threatentocapture.”Anattackcanbeone-wayormutual.Apawnthatattacksanenemypawn,Bishop,Queen,orKingisitselfunderattackbytheenemyman.Thesearecasesofmutualattack.Ontheotherhand,apawnthatattacksaKnightor Rookisnotitselfunderattackfromtheenemyman.Theseareexamplesofone-wayattack.Whenattacking,defending,orexchangingmen,youmusttakeintoaccounttherelativeworthofthemeninvolved.Forexample,letusanalyzethepositioninDiagram51.51Whitedecidedtoattackthepawnona7byplaying1.Ra1,andBlackrepliedwith1....Ra8,defendingthepawn.Whitecouldnowcapturethea7pawnwith2.Rxa7,butafterthereply2....Rxa7WhitewouldhavelostaRookforonlyapawn.SoWhiteplayed2.Rea2.Nowthepawnisattackedtwicebutdefendedonlyonce(seeDiagram52). 52IfBlackdoesnotdefenditagain,Whitecouldcontinuewith3.Rxa7Rxa74.Rxa7,andBlackhaslostapawn.Blackcouldstrengthenthepawn’sdefensebyplaying2....Nc8,butthenafter3.Bxc8Rgxc8(anequaltrade)4.Rxa7Rxa75.Rxa7Blackstillwindsuplosingthepawn.ComingbacktoDiagram51,letusseewhatmighthappenifBlackrepliesto1.Ra1with1....Nc6.Whitecouldthencontinuewith2.Rea2(seeDiagram53).53Nowthea7pawnisattackedtwicebutdefendedonlybytheKnightonc6.DoesthismeanthatWhiteisthreateningtocapturethepawn?Let’sfigureitout: 3.Rxa7Nxa74.Rxa7.WhitehaslostaRookinreturnforaKnightandapawn(or,inotherwords,hehaslosttheExchangeforapawn).SinceweknowthataRookisworthaKnightandtwopawns,itisclearthatthecaptureshaveresultedinWhitelosingaboutapawn’sworthofmaterial.SotheanswertotheabovequestionisthatWhitewasnotreallythreateningtocapturethea7pawninDiagram53.Whenyouattackanenemyman,itisimportanttotakeintoaccountnotonlythenumberofyourownmenthatareattackingit,butalsothevalueofthesemen.Itisnotworthwhiletobeginattackinganenemymanwithapieceofyourownthatismorevaluablethanthedefender.Allthesame,1....Nc6inDiagram51isnotagooddefenseagainst1.Ra1.Whitewillplay2.Bf3,threateningtotradeonc6andthencapturethea7pawn.ThesimplestdefenseforBlackis1....a6.NowWhitecouldpileuponthea-pawnwithhisBishopandotherRook,buteventhencapturingthepawnwouldnotbeworthit,sinceWhitewouldgetonlytwopawnsforhisBishop.Thusitispointlesstousepiecestoattackapawnthatisdefendedbyanotherpawn.Hereisanotherexample.Game71.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3TheKnightattacksthepawnone5.2....d7-d6Blackdefendsthepawnone5withapawnond6,sothatnowitwillbeuselessforWhitetoattackthee-pawnwithpiecesalone.SoWhiteplayed:3.d2-d4 Whitethreatenstowinthepawnone5,whichisnowattackedtwiceanddefendedonlyonce.SoBlackdefendsthepawnasecondtimewith:3....Nb8-c6(seeDiagram54)54Now4.d4xe5Nc6xe55.Nf3xe5d6xe56.Qdxd8+Ke8xd8wouldonlybeanequaltradeofaWhitepawn,Knight,andQueenforthesameBlackmen,althoughtheresultingposition,showinDiagram55,isslightlybetterforWhiteasBlackhaslosttherighttocastle. 55Nowletuslookatthenextexample.Game81.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c6Blackdefendsthepawnone5,whichtheKnightonf3wasthreateningtocapture.3.Bf1-c4TheBishopattacksthepawnonf7,which,however,isdefendedbytheBlackKing.3....Bf8-c5Thisattackonthef2pawnisalsonotdangerousforthetimebeing.4.d2-d3Ng8-f6 5.Nf3-g5?(seeDiagram56)56Whiteincreasesthepressureonthef7pawnandthreatenstotakeitwithhisBishoporKnight.SoBlackmustdefendthepawnagain.5....Qe7,althoughitdefendsthepawnasecondtime,willnotdo,asyouwillseefromthefollowingvariation:6.Bxf7+Qxf77.Nxf7Kxf7(seeDiagram57)57 WhitehaslosttwominorpiecesworthatotalofsixpointsbutinreturnhasgainedBlack’sQueenandapawn,worthatotaloftenpoints,sothatBlackhasendeduplosingfourpointsworthofmaterialLetusgobacktoDiagram56.AnotherwayforBlacktodefendthef7pawniswith5....Rf8.Nowafter6.Nxf7Rxf77.Bxf7+Kxf7WhitehasgivenupaBishopandaKnight(6points)foraRookandapawn(6points).Thatis,anequaltradehastakenplace.58Intheresultingposition,showninDiagram58,WhiteandBlackaremateriallyequal,butBlackhasapositionaladvantagebecausehehasdeveloped(i.e.,broughtout)threeminorpieceswhileallofWhite’spiecesarestillsittingathome.Inspiteofthis,5....Rf8isabadmove,becauseWhitedoesnothavetocapturethepawnonf7butcaninsteadplay6.0-0,whileBlackhaslosttherighttocastleKingsideandwillhavedifficultyintransferringhisKingtoasafespot.ThecorrectmoveinDiagram56is5....0-0!,castlingandatthesametimere-defendingthef7pawn.Inplaying5.Nf3-g5?WhitecountedonBlackmakingamistake.ThecorrectdefencebyBlack,5....0-0!,however,showsupWhite’smovetohavejustbeenatime-wastingerror. NowletuslookatDiagram59.59TheBlackpawnond5isattackedfourtimes(bytheBishop,Queen,andtwoRooks)anddefendedonlythreetimes(bytheBishopandtwoRooks).Inspiteofthat,itwouldbebadforWhitetocaptureit:1.Bxd5?Bxd52.Rxd5Rxd53.Qxd5?Rxd54.Rxd560TheresultisshowninDiagram60.WhitehaslosthisQueen(9points)foraRook(5points)andapawn(1point).Thatis,Whitehaslost9—(5+ 1),or3,pointsworthofmaterial.ThishappenedbecausetheWhiteQueenwasthethirdattackerandtheBlackpawnwasdefendedthreetimes.LetuschangeDiagram59justabitbyshiftingtheWhiteQueenfromd3tob5.TheresultisshowninDiagram61.61Whiteisstillattackingthed5pawnfourtimesandBlackisstilldefendingitthreetimes.However,nowWhitecanwinthepawn:1.Bxd5Bxd52.Rxd5Rxd53.Rxd5Thisisthedifference!InthepreviousexampleWhitewasunabletocapturewithhisRookonthethirdmoveandinsteadcapturedwithhisQueen.Now,however,after3....Rxd54.Qxd5Whiteisapawnup(seeDiagram62). 62LetusfollowthethoughtprocessesofachessplayerfacedwiththeproblemofwhetherornottocapturetheBlackpawnond5inDiagram61:“I’mattackingitfourtimesandhe’sdefendingitonlythreetimes.Nowlet’scheckthevalueoftheattackersanddefenders.IhavetwoRooksandaBishopattackingthepawnandhealsohastwoRooksandaBishopdefendingit.ButinadditionIhavemyQueenhittingthepawn,and,what’smoreimportant,IcanusetheQueentomakethefinalcaptureandthusholdontoit.”Onlyafterthinkingthingsoutlikethiswilltheplayermakethemove1.Bxd5.Aplayermustlearnnotonlytoseehisopponent’sthreatsbutalsototakeproperdefensivemeasuresagainstthemandinadditioncreatethreatsofhisown.Inhisdesiretocreatethreats,however,aplayershouldavoidattackingthisopponent’smenaimlesslyandatrandom.Rather,heshouldattackamanonlywhenheseesthathecangainsomeadvantagebydoingso.Otherwisehewilljustbewastingtimetothedetrimentofhisposition. Inconclusion,letusseehowwecandefendagainstthe“Scholar’sMate.”Game91.e2-e4e7-e52.Qd1-h5?Nb8-c6Defendingthepawnone5.3.Bf1-c4WhatisWhite’sthreat?(4.Qxf7#)3....g7-g6Defendingf7andsimultaneouslyattackingtheQueen.4.Qh5-f3?DoesWhitethreatenanythingnow?(5.Qxf7#)44....Ng8-f6Thebestdefense.Blackdevelopsapieceanddefendsagainstmateatthesametime.5.Qf3-b3?Whiteisstubborn.Heattacksthef7pawn,whichisdefendedonlyonce,asecondtime.However,heisnolongerthreateningmate(seeDiagram63). 635....Nc6-d4!Blackdoesnotdefendthef7pawnbutrathercounterattacksbythreateningtheWhiteQueen.6.Qb3-c3OnlynowdoesWhiterealisethat6.Bxf7+wouldloseapieceafter6....Ke77.Qc4b5!.6....d7-d5!Blackcouldhavecapturedthepawnone4buthedecidesthatitismoreexpedienttoopenupapathforhislight-squareBishopandquicklybringitintoplay.7.e4xd5Bc8-f5WhatdoesBlackthreaten?(8....Nxc2+;thepawnonc2isnowattackedbytwoBlackpiecesanddefendedonlyonce).8.d2-d3SeeDiagram64. 64HowcanBlackwintheWhiteQueennow?8....Bf8-b4!BlacksacrificesaBishop!9.Qc3xb4Thereisnothingbetter,sinceif9.Bb5+,then9....Bd710.Bxd7+Qxd7leavesWhitewiththesameproblem.WhocanfindBlack’swinningmovenow?9....Nd4xc2+!SeeDiagram65. 65Whiteresigns.TheBlackKnightissimultaneouslyattackingtheWhiteKing(check),theWhiteQueen,andaWhiteRook.TheKingmustmoveoutofcheck,afterwhichtheKnightwillcapturetheQueen,leavingWhitewithonlyaBishopforaQueen,thatisamaterialdisadvantageofsixpoints.WhitelostquicklybecausehemademorethanhalfhismoveswithhisQueen(themostvaluablepiece).ThisenabledBlacktobringhisminorpiecesintoplaywithgainoftimebyattackingWhite’sQueenorcreatingvariousthreats.Conclusion:DonotrushtobringyourQueenintoplaybeforeyouhavepreparedyourattackproperly. HOMEWORK(Answersattheend)I.Diagrams66–7366Blacktoplaywillpileuponthee5pawn.CanWhitedefendit?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 67Nameinorderthesquaresmarked1to7.Firstdothiswiththehelpofthelettersandnumbersprintedontheedgesofthediagram,thencoveruptheranknumbersontheleftedgewithapieceofpaperandrepeattheexercise,andfinallycoverupboththeranknumbersandthelettersindicatingthefilesanddotheexerciseoncemore.68CanWhitetoplaywinthepawnond5?________________________________________________________________________________________ 69WillBlacklosehise-pawnifheplays1....e6-e5?__________________________________________________________________________________________70WhatisthedifferencebetweenthispositionandDiagram69?Is1....e6-e5agoodmoveforBlackinthischangedposition?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 71SamequestionasforDiagram70.__________________________________________________________________________________________72CanWhitetoplayhinderBlackfromcastling?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 73CanWhitetoplaywinmaterial?__________________________________________________________________________________________ II.ExercisesWriteyouranswersinthespacebelow.1.Change1.bxc8N+tofullnotation.__________________________________________________________________________________________2.TheWhiteKingisong1andthereareWhitepawnsong2andf2.DescribetwodifferentwaysfortheKingtogettof3inthreemoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ Trytoanswerthefollowingquestionswithoutlookingatachessboard.3.Nameallthesquaresina)theh1-a8diagonal,andb)thea1-h8diagonal.__________________________________________________________________________________________4.Namethediagonalsrunningthroughthesquareb2.Whichsquaresmakeupthesediagonals?__________________________________________________________________________________________5.Atwhichsquaredoesthe2ndrankcrossthec1-a3diagonal?__________________________________________________________________________________________ III.GamesForAnalysisGame101.e2-e4e7-e52.Bf1-c4Ng8-f63.d2-d4Nf6xe44.d4xe5c7-c65.Ng1-e2Ne4xf26.0-0!Blackhadcountedon6.Kxf2,afterwhich6....Qh4+wouldwinbackthepiece.6....Nf2xd1?6....Bc5!wasnecessary.7.Bc4xf7+Ke8-e78.Bc1-g5#SeeDiagram74forfinalposition. 74Game111.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-c4Bf8-c54.c2-c3Ng8-f65.d2-d4Bc5-b6?5....exd4wascorrect.6.d4xe5Nf6xe46....Ng4wasbetter.7.Qd1-d5Ne4xf2?8.Qd5xf7#Ofcourse,BlackwouldhavedonebettertogiveuptheKnightthantogetmated.SeeDiagram75forthefinalposition. 75 HomeworkAnswersI.Diagrams66–73D-66Yes,becauseWhitecanmatchadefenderforeachofBlack’sthreeattackers.D-67a1,b3,d4,e6,g5,f7,h8.D-68Yes.Thepawnond5isattackedseventimesandalsodefendedseventimes.However,thepreliminaryexchangeswillopenupthec-file,afterwhichtheBlackKnightonc7willnotbeabletomoveasitmustshielditsKingagainsttheWhiteQueen.SothenumberofBlackdefenderswillbereducedbyoneandWhitewillwinthepawn.D-69No.Thepawnone5willbeattackedsixtimesanddefendedsixtimesaswell.Inaddition,thedefendersandattackersareofequalvalue.Thus,Blackcansafelyplay1....e6-e5.D-70No.ThispositiondiffersfromDiagram69inthattheWhiteQueenisonc2insteadofd2.Thischangeisenoughtomake1....e6-e5abadmove,sinceafterthepreliminaryexchangesone5,WhitecanexchangeQueensbyQxc7.Asaresult,oneofthedefendingpieceswillbeeliminatedandtheattackerswilloutnumberthedefenders.D-71No.ThispositiondiffersfromDiagram69inthatBlack’sh-pawnisonitshomesquareinsteadofonh6.Asaresultofthisseeminglyinsignificantchange,Blackcannotplay1....e6-e5.Thesequenceofexchangesone5wouldresultinthedisappearanceofalltheminorpiecesandRooksandconcludewiththeBlackQueencapturingone5(7....Qxe5).Atthatpoint,however,theBlackKing’sfatewouldbesealedasWhitewouldplay8.Qd2-d8+andmatenextmove.Ifthepawnwereonh6,theKingwouldhaveanescapeholeandbesafe.D-72InthispositionfromthegameMorphy–Stanley,NewYork1857,Whiteplayed1.Bc1-a3!,fixingtheBlackKinginthecenter,andlaterworkedupastrongattack. D-73No.TheKnightonf6isattacked5timesanddefended5timesaswell(thepawnong7cannotbecountedadefendersinceitshieldstheKingagainsttheWhiteQueen).Sothedefenseisadequate.II.AnswerstotheExercises1.1.bxc8N+,indicatingapawnpromotingtoaKnight,wouldbedescribedinfullalgebraicnotationby1.b7xc8N+.2.a)Kf1-e2-f3;b)Kh2-g3-f3.Youcanchecktheanswerstotheremainingquestionseasilybylookingatachessboard. SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionPositions76–81illustratethethemeof“AttackandDefense.”76Whitetoplayandwinapawn.1.Rd1-d4!Rd8-d62.Rb1-d1Rf8-d8Thetwoattackersarematchedbythetwodefenders,butWhitehasathirdattackerinreserve.3.c2-c4!b5xc44.b3xc4 AndWhitewinsthepawnond5.77CanWhiteplayandwinthepawnonf7?No.AlthoughWhitehasthreeattackersagainstonlytwodefenders,theQueenisthefirstattackerandwillbecapturedbytheBlackRook:1.Qf3xf7+Re7xf72.Rf2xf7+Kf8-g8AndWhitehaslosthisQueenforaRookandapawn,amaterialdisadvantageof9—(5+1)=3points. 78Whitetoplayandwinapawn.1.Ra1-a7!Rf8-c82.Re1-c1AndBlackcannotdefendthec7pawnasecondtime.Notethat1.Rec1wouldnotwinsinceafter1....Rb72.Rc3Blackcandefendthepawnasecondtimeby2....Rc8.79CanWhiteplayandwinthepawnond4? No.Whitecanattackthepawnfourtimes,butBlackhasfourdefendersofthesamevalueasWhite’sattackers:1.Bg3-f2Ng7-e62.Rc2-d2Bf8-g73.Rf1-d1Re8-d880CanBlackplayandwinthepawnone4?No.Theattackingpiecesareworthmorethanthedefenders,andBlackwouldlosetheExchangeforapawn(i.e.,alossofonepoint.):1....Nd6xe42.Bd3xe4Re7xe43.Nf2xe4Re8xe4 81CanBlackmoveandwinapawn?Yes.TheWhiteKnightisattackedthreetimesbyBlackanddefendedonlytwice:1....Bg4xf32.g2xf3Qf7xf33.Qd3xf3Rf8xf3AndBlackhaswonapawn.ExamplesofGameswithOpeningMistakesGame121.e2-e4b7-b62.Bf1-c4Bc8-b7 3.Qd1-f3?3.d3isbetter.3....Ng8-f64.Ng1-h3Bb7xe4?4....e6isbetter.5.Nh3-g5?Whiteshouldwinbackthepawnby5.Bxf7+Kxf76.Ng5+Ke87.Nxe4.5....Be4xf3?5....d5isnecessary.6.Bc4xf7#SeeDiagram82forthefinalposition.82 Game131.d2-d4f7-f52.Bc1-g5h7-h63.Bg5-h4WhitetemptshisopponenttoopenuptheBlackKing’sposition.3....g7-g54.Bh4-g3f5-f4?4....Nf6iscorrect.5.e2-e3h6-h5Blackdefendsagainstthethreatof6.Qh5#.6.Bf1-d3Rh8-h6?Blackhastoplayinstead6....Bg77.exf4h4.7.Qd1xh5+!Rh6xh58.Bd3-g6#SeeDiagram83forthefinalposition. 83Game141.e2-e4e7-e52.Bf1-c4Qd8-f6?3.Ng1-f3Qf6-g6?ItisbadplaytomoveonlyyourQueenintheopening.4.0-0!Qg6xe4?5.Bc4xf7+!Ke8-d85....Kxf7wouldbebadasBlackwouldlosehisQueenafter6.Ng5+.6.Nf3xe5!WhitesacrificesaKnight.6....Qe4xe5?ItwashightimeBlackstartedbringouthisotherpieces. 7.Rf1-e1Qe5-f6?8.Re1-e8#SeeDiagram84forthefinalposition.84Game151.e2-e31.e4isbetter.1....e7-e52.Qd1-f3?d7-d53.Nb1-c3e5-e44.Qf3-f4?Agrossblunder,insteadofwhichWhiteshouldhaveretreatedhisQueen(4.Qd1).4....Bf8-d6! 85Whiteresigns,ashecannotsavehisQueen. LessonThreeA.CheckLesson2homework(ifnecessary).B.ReviewQuestions1.Whatdifference,ifany,istherebetweenanattackandacounterattack?2.Canaplayerhaveapositionaladvantageevenifthetwosideshaveequalmaterial?3.Whichpiecesarecalledminorpiecesandwhicharecalledmajorpieces?4.Whatismeantbyasacrifice?5.Whatdoesthephrase“sacrificetheExchange”mean?6.Withoutlookingatachessboard,nameallthesquaresintheg1-a7diagonal.Aretheylightordarksquares?86IstheBlackpawnond5sufficientlydefended? 87IstheBlackpawnond5sufficientlydefended?88HowcanWhitecheckmateBlackinonemove? 89HowcanWhitecheckmateBlackinonemove?AnswerstoReviewQuestions:1.Acounterattackisanattackundertakenbyaplayerinreplytohisopponent’sattack.2.Yes.Apositionaladvantageisabetterarrangementofpawnsandpieces(material)andcanoccurevenwhenthetwosideshaveequalmaterial.3.TheBishopsandKnightsaretheminorpiecesandtheQueenandRooksarethemajorpieces.4.Asacrificeiswhenaplayervoluntarilygivesupmaterialinordertoachievesomegoal.5.ThedifferenceinvaluebetweenaRookandaminorpieceisknownastheExchange.SotosacrificetheExchangemeanstovoluntarilygiveupaRookforaBishoporaKnight.6.g1,f2,e3,d4,c5,b6,a7(allaredarksquares.) D-86Thepawnisattackedbytwopiecesanddefendedbyonlyone.Soitisnotadequatelydefendedandneedsadditionalprotection.D-87Thetwodefendersarematchedbytwoattackersofcorrespondingvalue,butWhitehasathirdattackeraswell.Sothepawnisnotadequatelydefendedandneedsadditionalprotection.D-881.Qa5-d8#.D-891.Qf4-f5#. MoreSymbolsandTermsWearealreadyacquaintedwithanumberofsymbolsthathelpustorecordandanalysechessgames.Nowherearesomemoreusefulsymbols.SymbolsMeaning!!excellent(beautiful)move??grossblunder?!risky(dubious)moveuanymove=WhiteandBlackhaveequalpositions+/—White’spositionisbetter—/+Black’spositionisbetterAndnowletusgetacquaintedwithafewmorechesstermsandconcepts.Youwillsometimescomeacrossexpressionssuchas“Whitehasaforcedwin,”“anexchangeofpiecesisforced,”“thepawnqueensbyforce,”“Blackforcedadraw,”etc.Inchess,tosaythatsomethingisforcedmeansthatitcannotbeavoidedbyoneoftheplayersifhisopponentwantsit. 90Forexample,inDiagram90,wesaythatWhitehasaforcedmateinfivemoves.ThatmeansthatBlackcannotavoidgettingcheckmatedinfivemovesorlessnomatterwhathedoes:1.Rh5-e5+Ke4-d42.Qg3-e3+Kd4-c4(seeDiagram91)91 3.Re5-c5+Kc4-b44.Qe3-c3+Kb4-a4(seeDiagram92)925.Rc5-a5#YoucanseethatBlackcannotavoidtheaboveseriesoffivemoves.Suchaseriesofmovesinwhichoneplayercannotavoidisknownasaforcedvariation,inthiscaseafive-moveforcedvariation.Avariationisaseriesofmovesunitedbyacommonidea.InDiagram90,White’sideawastodrivetheBlackKingtotheedgeoftheboardandcheckmateit.Acombinationisaforcedvariationcontainingasacrificeandpermittingtheachievementofsomeaimdesiredbytheplayerwhomakesthecombination.Theaimofacombinationcanbetomatetheopponent’sKing,obtainadraw,winmaterial,improveyourposition,etc. 93Diagram93,fromthegameSteinberg–Makarov,Kiev1956,showsanexampleofacombination.WhitehadsacrificedapawnandthenanExchangefortheattack,butafterawhileitbecameclearthatBlackhaddefendedsuccessfullywhileatthesametimeretaininghismaterialadvantage.Realizingthathewasmorelikelytolosethantowin,WhitedecidedtoforceadrawinthepositionofDiagram93bymeansofacombination:1.Nd5xe7!WhitesacrificestheKnightwiththeideaofeliminatingthepawnthatdefendsBlack’sKnightonf6.1....Nc6xe72.Qb2xf6+!NowWhitesacrificeshisQueenwiththeideaofdrawingtheBlackKingoutofhisshelter.2....Kxf6(seeDiagram94) 943.Be3-d4+AndnowWhiteforcesadrawbyaperpetualcheckthatBlackcannotavoid!3....Kf6-g54.Bd4-e3+Kg5-h45.Be3-f2+Kh4-g56.Bf2-e3+DrawAnothercommonlyusedchesstermisZugzwang.AplayerissaidtobeinZugzwangifitishisturntomoveand,althoughheisnotthreatenedwithanything,anymovethathemakeswillleadtoalossortoaworseningofhisposition. 95Diagram95isanexample.BlacktoplaylosesbecauseheisinZugzwang.Ifhecouldstayputwithoutmakinganymoveshewouldnotlose,butsincetherulesofchessdonotallowaplayertopasshisturnBlackmustmaketheonlymoveavailabletohim,1....Kg8-h8,althoughitleaveshisBishopundefendedandallowsWhitetocheckmatehimwith2.Ra8xf8#.Letusexaminethepositionagain,butthistimewithWhitetomove.WeobservethatBlack,ifitwerehisturntoplay,wouldbeinZugzwang.ThereforeWhitemustsomehowtransferhisturntoBlack,whileconservingtheelementsofthepositionthatmakeaZugzwangpossible.WhitecanachievethisbymakingawaitingmovewithhisRookalongthe8thrank,forexample1.Ra8-c8.NowBlackisinZugzwangandaftertheforcedmove1....Kg8-h8heismatedby2.Rxc8xf8#. HowtoStartaGameAchessgamecanbedividedintothreestages:theopening(thestartingmovesofagame),themiddlegame,andtheendgame.Inthissectionweshalldiscusstheopening.Allthatabeginnerneedstoknowabouttheopeningisthebasicprinciplesofpiecedevelopmentthatwillhelphimtochoosetherightmovesinthestartingstagesofagame.Hereisalistoftheseprinciples:1.ItisbestforWhitetostartagamewith1.e2-e4or1.d2-d4,openingupapathwayforaBishopandtheQueenandattackingimportantcentralsquares.Blackshouldreplycorrespondinglywith1....e7-e5or1....d7-d5.2.Fromtheveryfirstmovesyoushouldfightforcontrolofthecenter(thed4,d5,e4,ande5squares).Piecesaremuchstrongerinthecenteroftheboardthanonanedge.Forexample,aKnightcontrols(i.e.,attacks)eightsquaresfromthecenter,foursquaresfromanedge,andonlytwosquareswhenithasbeendrivenintoacorner.3.Themainopeningprincipleisrapiddevelopmentofyourpieces.Whatthismeansisthatyoushouldbringyourpiecesintoplayasquicklyaspossible.BeginbydevelopingyourKingsideminorpieces(KnightandBishop).ThisclearsthewayforKingsidecastling,whichenablesyoutoputyourKinginsafetyanddevelopyourRookatthesametime.Aftercastling,bringoutyourQueensidepieces.Thereasonfordevelopingrapidlyisthattheplayerwhosucceedsinbringinghispiecesintoplaybeforehisopponentcanobviouslystartattackingfirstandwillhavebetterchancesofmakingeffectivecombinationsandwinningthegame.AgreatmasteratexploitingadvantagesindevelopmentwasthebrilliantAmericanchessplayerPaulMorphy.Beforeexaminingexamplesofhisplay,letusfirsttakeabrieflookatsomehighlightsofMorphy’schesscareer,oneofthemostremarkableintheannalsofchess.MorphylearnedtoplaychessattheageoftenandwithinjusttwoyearsbecamethestrongestplayerinhishometownofNewOrleans.in1857,attheageoftwenty,heeasilybrushedasidealloppositioninwinningthe FirstAmericanChessCongressandwasonthepathtobecomingachesscelebrity.NotfindingworthyopponentsinAmerica,MorphywenttoEuropein1858andplayedanumberofmatchesinLondonandthenParis.Thefantasticeasewithwhichhedefeatedthestrongestplayersofthedayearnedhimanunequalledreputation.In1859MorphyreturnedtoAmericaand,toeveryone’ssurprise,nevertookpartinanymoretournaments.NowletusexamineoneofMorphy’sbrilliantgames.Thisgamewasplayedunderextremelyoddcircumstances.ThedatewasOctober1859,andtheplacewastheGrandOperainParis.theboxesandstallswereoccupiedbythecreamofParisiansociety,the“beaumonde”,whohadcometowatchaperformanceoftheoperaTheBarberofSeville.Amongthesespectatorsweretwoaristocrats,thewell-knownDukeofBrunswickandthelittle-knownCountIsouard.Theywerebothchessamateurs,andbythestandardsofthosedaystheydidnotplaytoobadly.Byacoincidence,anotherpersonwhohadcometotheoperathatnightwasnoneotherthanPaulMorphy,whoplayedexcellentchess—bythestandardsofanyperiod.DuringtheintervaltheCountandtheDukeinvitedMorphytotheirboxandsuggestedagameofchess.Morphyagreed.Hereistheimmortalgamethatwasplayed.Game16White:PaulMorphyBlack:CountIsouardandtheDukeofBrunswick(inconsultation)1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3d7-d63.d2-d4Bc8-g4?3....Nf6or3....Nd7arethecorrectmoves.4.d4xe5Bg4xf3After4....dxe5Whitewouldwinapawnby5.Qxd8+Kxd86.Nxe5. 4.Qd1xf3d6xe5(seeDiagram96)96TheBlackBishopmadetwomovesandwasexchangedfortheWhiteKnight,whichhadonlymadeone.Asaresult,Whitehasgainedadevelopmentadvantageoverhisopponent.6.Bf1-c4WhatisWhitethreatening?(Qxf7#.)6....Ng8-f6BlackdefendsagainstthematebuthasnotnoticedtheotherthreatcreatedbyMorphy’slastmove.6....Qd7wouldbeabettermove,althoughBlackwouldstillbefacedwithadifficultdefenseafterthepossibleWhitemoves7.Qb3,8.Nc3,9.0-0,and10.Rfd1.7.Qf3-b3(seeDiagram97) 97WhiteattackstwoBlackpawnsatthesametime.TheQueenattacksthepawnonb7,whiletheBishop,supportedbytheQueen,threatensthepawnonf7.Blackcannotdefendbothofthem.7....Qd8-e7Relativelythebest.Althoughhemustloseapawn,BlackwantstoatleastforceanexchangeofQueensafter8.Qxb7Qb4+andtherebyhinderWhite’sattack.Whywould7....Qd78.Qb7Qc6bebad?(Becauseof9.Bb5winningBlack’sQueen).WhatwouldhappenifBlackplayed7....Nxe4?(8.Bxf7+Kd79.Qe6#).8.Nb1-c3!WiththismoveMorphyemphasizesthatitismoreimportantintheopeningtodevelopyourpiecesthantocaptureenemypawns.8....c7-c6Inordertodefendhispawn,Blackisforcedtomakeyetanotherpawnmoveinsteadofdevelopinghispieces.8.Bc1-g5 Whitehasnowcompletedthedevelopmentofhisminorpieces.9....b7-b5?BlackexpectstheWhiteBishoptoretreat,afterwhichhecouldplay...Nbd7andgraduallydevelophispieces.But9....Qc7wouldbebetter.SeeDiagram98.9810.Nc3xb5!!Animportantmomentinthegame.MorphysacrificestheKnightinordertoopenuplinesalongwhichhisotherpiecescanattacktheBlackKing.Thissacrificeisnotanaccident,butratheramanifestationofoneoftheprincipleswhichgovernchessstruggles.Accordingtothisprinciple,theplayerwhohasdevelopedfasterthanhisopponentmuststrivetoopenuplinessincehispiecesarereadytoseizecontrolofthem.Conversely,aplayerwhoisbehindindevelopmentshouldavoidmovesthatleadtotheopeningoflinessincehispiecesarenotreadytousethemandtheywillbetakenoverbytheopponent’spieces. 10....c6xb511.Bc4xb5+Nb8-d712.0-0-0BycastlinglongWhiteenablestheQueen’sRooktoimmediatelyenterthestrugglealongthed-file.WhatisWhite’sthreatnow?(13.Bxd7+,andBlackcannotrecapturewith13....Nxd7sincehewouldlosehisQueen.)12....Ra8-d8Whydoesn’tBlackplay12....Qb4?(Becauseof13.Bxf6Qxb314.Bxd7#,or13.Bxf6gxf614.Bxd7+,winningbackthepieceandmaintainingadevastatingattack.)SeeDiagram99.9913.Rd1xd7!Rd8xd714.Rh1-d1WhitesacrificedtheExchangeinordertoeliminatetheimportantdefensiveKnightandnowbringsupfreshreservesintheformoftheh1Rook.BlackontheotherhandhasconductedtheopeningsopoorlythatneitherhisRookonh8norhisBishoponf8canhelphiminhisdefense. 14....Qe7-e6Whyis14....Qb4nogood?(Becauseof15.Bxf6followedby16.Bxd7+.)15.Bb5xd7+Nf6xd7SeeDiagram100100FindthecombinationwhichMorphymadetocheckmateBlackintwomoves.16.Qb3-b8+!!Nd7xb817.Rd1-d8#Abrilliantfinish!Ifitweren’tforthisgame,nobodyintheworldwouldhaveheardofCountIsouard.Asitis,however,hisnameisknowntomillionsofchesslovers.ThusdidageniusmaketheCountimmortal! WelearnedearlieronthatitisbadtobringoutyourQueenatthebeginningofagame.HowisitthenthatMorphy“violated”thisprincipleandstillwonabeautifulgame?ThereasonisthatMorphyrapidlydevelopedallhispieces.AsforhisQueen,itwassafebecausetheBlackpieceswerenotinapositiontoattackit.Therewasgoodco-operationamongallofWhite’spieces(i.e.,theyhelpedoneanother)andWhitewasevenabletosacrificetheQueeninordertocheckmateBlack.SoMorphydidnotreallybreakanyopeningrules.Wemustkeepinmindfurthermorethatexceptionstotherulesarepossibleandthateverythingdependsontheactualsituationontheboard.TheEndgameCheckmatewithQueenandRookCheckmateintheopeningispossibleonlyastheresultofagrossblunderbyoneoftheplayersandoccursrarelyamongstrongchessplayers.Norisitpossibleineverygametocheckmateyouropponentinthemiddlegame,whentherearestillalotofpiecesontheboard.Thusgamesareofteninfactdecidedonlyintheendgame,whenthenumberofpiecesontheboardhasbeenconsiderablyreducedasaresultofexchanges.Themaingoalofaplayerintheendgameisgenerallynotanimmediatecheckmate,asthereareusuallytoofewpieceslefttoorganizeamatingattack.Rather,theplayerstrivesfirstofalltoqueenapawn,afterwhichcheckmatingtheopponentwillnotbedifficult.Tobeginwith,however,hereisaverysimpleendgamewhereWhitealreadyhasaQueen,alongwithaRookandhisKing,whileBlackhasonlyhisKing(seeDiagram101). 101InordertocheckmatealoneKingthatisawayfromtheedgeoftheboard,youhavetocontroltheeightsquaresarounditaswellasaninthsquare:theoneonwhichtheKingisstanding.IftheKingisonanedge,however,ithasonly5escapesquares,whileinacornerithasonly3escapesquares.SoitisobviouslyeasiertocheckmateaKingonanedgethanoneinthecenter,andeveneasiertocheckmateaKinginacorner.AQueenandaRookcancheckmatealoneenemyKingwithoutthehelpoftheirownKingbydrivingitovertoanedge.InDiagrams90–92wesawacommonlyoccurringtypeofmatewithQueenandRookagainstKing,butnowletuslookatthemainmatingmethod,knownas“row-by-rowmating.”102 Diagram102showsthetypicalpatternresultingfrom“row-by-rowmating.”(WecallthesituationinDiagram102apatternratherthanapositionbecausearealpositionalwayshastwoKings,whileinDiagram102theWhiteKinghasbeenleftoutasnotbeingrelevanttowhatwewanttoillustrate).Theideaofthismatingpatternissimple:onepiececontrolsthebackrow,wheretheenemyKingstands,andtheotherpiececontrolsthesecond-lastrow,cuttingofftheKing’sescape.NowletusreturntoDiagram101andtrytodrivetheBlackKingovertoanedge.1.Rc1-c4TheRooktakescontrolofthe4thrankandcutstheKingofffromhalftheboard.1....Ke5-d5TheKingattackstheWhiteRook.SeeDiagram103.1032.Qb1-b5+TheQueentakescontrolofthe5thrankandatthesametimeprotectstheRook. 2....Kd5-d6SinceWhitecontrolsthe4thand5thranks,theBlackKingisforcedtoretreattothe6thrank.SeeDiagram104.1043.Rc4-c6+TheWhiteQueenhavingcuttheBlackKingofffromthe5thrank,theWhiteRooknowtakescontrolofthe6thrank.3.....Kd6-d7SincetheRooknowguardsthe6thrank,theQueenisabletomoveovertothe7thrank.4....Kd7-d8Theendoftheroad.5.Rc6-c8#SeeDiagram105. 105Thiswayofmatingiscalledtherow-by-rowmethodbecausetheQueenandRookinturncuttheKingofffromonerowafteranotheruntiltheyhavedrivenittotheedgerow(fileorrank),wheretheycancheckmateit.TheQueenandtheRookarearrangedinsuchawaythattheRookisalwaysdefendedbytheQueen.ThusthetwopieceshelpeachotherandtheirjointeffortsareenoughtocheckmatetheopposingKing.Thisisanexampleofgoodpiececo-operation.106 Diagram106showsanotherexample.TheBlackKinghasbeencheckmatedinthecenteroftheboardthankstothefineco-operationofalltheWhitepieces(includingtheKing).TheWhiteKingcontrolsd5ande5,theRookguardsthe4thrankandattackstheBlackKing,andtheQueencontrolsthe3rdrankandf5. HOMEWORK(Answersattheend)I.Diagrams107–112107Whitetoplayandmateinsixmoves.108Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 109Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.110Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 111Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.112Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves. II.BoardStudyExercisesWritedownyouranswersinthespacesbelow.1.PlaceeightQueensofthesamecoloronanemptyboardinsuchawaythatnoneofthemdefendsanyoftheothers.__________________________________________________________________________________________2.FindanyoneofthepathsinwhichaBlackKingonf8canreacha4intheshortestnumberofmoves.Writeitdowninchessnotation.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 3.SupposeyouareplayingBlack.Namethesquarewherethefourthrow(countingfromyourside)crossesthefourthfile(countingfromyourleft).__________________________________________________________________________________________4.WritedownanyoneofthepathsinwhichaKnightona8canreachb7intheshortestnumberofmoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________5.Recordoneofyourgamesinfullalgebraicnotationandthenplayitovertocheckifyourecordeditcorrectly. SCORESHESTDate______________19________WHITE______________________________BLACK______________________________RESULT:WHITEWONDRAWBLACKWON III.GamesforAnalysisGame17Spielman–Flamberg,Mannheim,19171.e2-e4e7-e52.Nb1-c3Ng8-f63.f2-f4WhiteplaysaGambit.Agambitisanopeninginwhichaplayersacrificesapawnorapieceinordertodevelopveryquickly.3....d7-d5!Therightmove,counterattackinginthecenter.4.f4xe5Nf6xe4Threatening5....Qh4+,andif6.g3,then6....Nxg3.5.Ng1-f3Bc8-g46.Qd1-e2Whitesetsuptwothreats.Oneistowinapawnby7.Nxe4,andtheotherisplay7.Qb5+andthentakethepawnonb7.6....Ne4-c5?BlackshouldexchangeKnights,completehisdevelopmentandcastleontheKingside.7.d2-d4!Sacrificingapawn. 7....Bg4xf38.Qe2xf3Qd8-h4+9.g2-g3Qh4xd4Blackhaswonapawn,butatgreatcost.White’sQueenhasoccupiedanattackingpositionandtheotherWhitepiecesarereadytoenterthefraywithoutlossoftime.10.Bc1-e3!Qd4xe5Blackwinsasecondpawn,butgetsevenfartherbehindindevelopment.11.0-0-0!c7-c6WhitehasdevelopedhisQueen,aKnight,aBishop,andaRook,whileBlackhasmanagedtobringoutonlyhisQueenandaKnight,andeventheyoccupypoorpositions.Suchdisregardfordevelopmentcannotremainunpunished.12.Nc3xd5!Whenyouhavemorepiecesactive,youmustactenergeticallysoasnottogiveyouropponentabreather.12....c6xd513.Rd1xd5Qe5-e614.Bf1-c4Qe6-e4Whitewasthreatening15.Rxc5or15.Rd8+.15.Be3xc5!SeeDiagram113. 113WhitesacrificeshisQueen.Blackresigns,becauseif15....Qxf3,then16.Re1+Be717.Rxe7+Kf818.Rd8#.RudolfSpielmann,whocommandedtheWhitearmyinthisbrilliantgame,wasafamousAustriangrandmaster. HOMEWORKANSWERSI.Diagrams107–112D-1071.Rc1-c3+Kb3-b42.Qa1-a3+Kb4-b53.Rc3-c5+Kb5-b64.Qa3-a5+Kb6-b75.Rc5-c7+Kb7-b86.Qa5-a7#D-108(byG.Carpenter)1.Qf3-h3BlackisinZugzwang.Heisforcedtoplay1....Kd4-e4Andgiveupcontroloverc4,allowing2.Rc2-c4#D-109Solution1:1.Ke3-d3Kd5-e52.Qg1-g5#Solution2:1.Qg1-c1 BlackisinZugzwangandmustgiveupcontroloverc5.1....Kd5-e52.Qc1-c5#D-110(byP.Morphy)1.Rh1-h6BlackisinZugzwang.Ifhedidnothavetomove,Whitecouldnotcheckmatehim,butsincehemustmove,heloses:a)1....g7xh62.g6-g7#b)1....Bg8-anywhere2.Rh6xh7#D-1111....Nd4-c2Zugzwang.2.b2-b4c4xb3#C-1121....Nd7-f8Zugzwang.2.h6-h7Nf8-g6#II.Exercises1.SeeDiagram114.Ninety-twosolutionstothisproblemwerealreadyknownmorethanahundredyearsago. 1142.Kf8-e7-d6-c5-b4-a4(fivemoves).3.e5.4.Na8-c7-b5-d6-b7(4moves).SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionInDiagrams115–120WhitewinsbyputtingBlackinZugzwang.115Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 1.Kf5-f4g4-g32.h2xg3#116G.Greco,1624Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves.1.Ne5-g4+Kh2-h12.Kf2-f1h3-h23.Ng4-f2#117Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 1.Ba8-h1Kh2xh12.Rh7xh3#118Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.1.Ke6-f7Bh6-any2.Be5xg7#119M.YudovichWhitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 1.f2-f4...a)/...e4xf32.Qg3xe5#b)/...e5xf42.Be1-c3#c)/...g4xf32.Qg3xg5#d)/...g5xf42.Qg3-h4#120Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.1.Kf5-f6...a)/...Kh7-h82.Re4-e8#b)/...Kh7-g82.Re4-e8#c)/...Kh7-h62.Re4-h4# SampleGamesWithOpeningMistakesGame18FourKnightsGameH.Dickson–H.N.Pillsbury,NewOrleans19001.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Nb1-c3Ng8-f64.Bf1-b5Bf8-c55.0-00-0H.N.Pillsbury,whoplayedBlackinthisgame,wasanoutstandingAmericangrandmasterandoneofthestrongestplayersintheworldinthelate1800sandearly1900s.Thisgamewasplayedinwhatisknownasasimultaneousblindfoldexhibition.Thatis,Pillsburywasblindfoldedandwasplayingmanygamesagainstdifferentopponents(whowerenotblindfolded!)atthesametime.6.Nf3xe5Qd8-e7After6....Nxe57.d4Whitewouldwinbackhispiecewithagoodgame.7.Ne5xc6?Tryingtohangontohisextrapawn,Whitemakespoormoves.Heshouldinsteadplay7.Nf3Nxe48.d4,whentheBlackQueenwillcomeunderfirealongtheopene-file. 7....d7xc68.Bb5-d3??Hehadtoplayinstead8.Bc4Nxe49.d3,givingupthepawnbutcompletinghisdevelopment.8....Qe7-e59.h2-h3Thefinalmistake!EvennowWhitecouldhaveaverteddisasterbyplaying9.Be2.9....Bc8xh3!BysacrificingtheBishop,BlackexposestheWhiteKing’sposition.10.g2xh3Qe5-g3+11.Kg1-h1Qg3xh3+12.Kh1-g1Nf6-g4121Whiteresigns.HehastogiveuphisQueenby13.Qxg4inordertoavertimmediatemate. Game19GiuocoPianoGreco–Amateur,Rome16191.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c6TheItalianmasterGreco,Whiteinthisgame,wasthestrongestplayerofhistime.3.Bf1-c4Bf8-c54.c2-c3Qd8-e74....Nf6isplayedmoreofteninthisposition.5.0-0d7-d66.d2-d4Bc5-b67.Bc1-g5f7-f6?8.Bg5-h4g7-g5?Black’slasttwomovesarepoor.Itismoreimportanttodevelopyourpiecesintheopeningthattomovepawns.7....Nf6followedby8....0-0wouldbebetter.9.Nf3xg5!WhitesacrificestheKnight!OnlybysuchenergeticmeasurescanBlack’sincorrectplayberefuted.9....f6xg510.Qd1-h5+Ke8-d711.Bh4xg5Qe7-g7 12.Bc4-e6+!Aprettysacrificeleadingtomate.12....Kd7xe613.Qh5-e8+Qg7-e714.d4-d5#SeeDiagram122forthefinalposition.122 LessonFourA.CheckLesson3Homework(ifnecessary).B.ReviewQuestions1.Ise2-e4isgoodfirstmove?Ifyes,whyexactly?2.Whatisthe“opening”?3.Doyouknowthemeaningoftheword“gambit”?4.Whendoestheendgamestart?5.Whatismeantbytheword“forced”?6.Whatisa“variation”?7.Whatisa“combination”?Trytoanswerquestions8–10withoutlookingatachessboard.8.Whatcolor(lightordark)istheg2square?9.HowmanymovesdoesaKnightneedtogetfromg4tof5?Namethesemoves.Givetwosolutions.10.SupposeyouareplayingBlack.Namethesquarewherethethirdrow(countingfromyourside)crossesthea1-h8diagonal.AnswerstoReviewQuestions 1.1.e2-e4isaverygoodfirstmovebecauseitopensapathfortheQueenandaBishop.Inaddition,thepawnoccupiesacentralsquareandcontrolstheimportantsquaresd5andf5.2.Theopeningismadeupofthefirst10–15movesofagame.3.Agambitisanopeninginwhichoneoftheplayerssacrificesapawnorsometimesevenapieceinordertogainanadvantageindevelopmentoverhisopponentandtowhipupaquickattack.4.Theendgamebeginswhen,apartfromtheKingsandpawns,onlyafewpiecesremainontheboard,theresthavingbeenexchangedoff.5.Tosaythatsomethingisforcedmeansthatitcannotbeavoided.6.Avariationisaseriesofmovesunitedbysomeidea.Ifthesemovescompeltheopponenttomakecertainreplies,thevariationiscalledaforcedvariation.Forexample,inDiagram123White(toplay)winsbymeansofaforcedvariation:1231.b7-b8N+Ka6-b62.Nb8xc6Kb6xc63.h6-h7u 4.h7-h8Qetc.Theoreticallyspeaking,othermovestoowerepossible,butthemoveswehavegivenarethebestforbothWhiteandBlack.7.Acombinationisaforcedvariationinwhichoneormoresacrifices(ofapawn,anExchange,orapiece)aremadeinordertoachieveaparticularaim.AnexampleisshowninDiagram124:1241.Qh1xh7+!Kh8xh7Black’sreplyisforced.2.Rg1-h1#8.Light.9.Twomoves:Ng4-e3-f5orNg4-h6-f5.10.f6. MistakesintheOpeningEverytimesomebodylosesagame,itisbecausehehasmadesomemistake.Sometimesevenamistakeintheopeningcanbesoseriousastodecidetheoutcomeofthewholegame.Inchessasinlifewemustpayforourmistakes,andthemoreseriousthemistakethemoreseverethepenalty.Letusgooversomeopeningprincipleswhoseviolationresultsinmistakes:1.ItisbadtobringoutyourQueenearlyinthegame.Ifyoudo,youropponentwillbeabletodevelophisminorpieceswithgainoftempobyattackingyourQueen,which,beingthemorevaluablepiece,willhavetoretreat.2.Donotmakepassivewaitingmovesintheopeningsucha2-a3,a7-a6,h2-h3,orh7-h6.Everymoveshouldbeusedeithertobringoutapieceortoopenaline(rank,file,ordiagonal)forapiece.3.Donotwastetime(tempos)intheopeningbyunnecessarilymovingthesamepieceseveraltimes.4.Anattackconductedwithmeagerforcesbeforeyouhavecompletedyourdevelopmentandcastledisprematureunlessyouropponenthascommittedsomegrossblunderthatallowsyoutomakeacombinationthatwinsbyforce.5.Donotgochasingaftersomesmallmaterialadvantage(suchasapawn)intheopeningatthecostoflaggingbehindindevelopmentorgettingabadposition.Nowletuslookatsomegamesfeaturingtypicalopeningmistakes. Game201.e2-e4e7-e52.d2-d4e5xd43.c2-c3d4xc34.Bf1-c4c3xb25.Bc1xb2ThisopeningisknownastheDanishGambit.WhitesacrificestwopawnsinordertodevelophisBishopsonactivediagonalswithoutlossoftime.5....Bf8-b4+Asoliddefenseis5....d5!,withtheideaofgivingbackone(orperhapsevenboth)ofthepawnsinordertoachievefullpiecedevelopment.Apossiblevariationis6.Bxd5Bb4+7.Nc3Bxc3+8.Bxc3Nf69.Nf3Nxd510.exd5Qe7+11.Kf10-012.Qd4Qf613.Qxf6gxf614.Bxf6Nd7=6.Nb1-d2Qd8-g5?Asyounodoubtremember,itisnotgoodtobringyourQueenoutearlyinthegame.However,BlackhasdecidedthatinthegivenpositionhecangainanadvantagebydoingsosincetheQueenong5notonlydefendsg7butalsoattackstheWhitepawnong2.Inaddition,BlackisthreateningtoexchangeQueensby7....Qxd2+,whichwouldbegoodforhimsinceheistwopawnsup.SeeDiagram125. 1257.Ng1-f3!Whitesacrificesathirdpawnandcontinuestorapidlybringhispiecesintoplay.7....Qg5xg28.Rh1-g1Bb4xd2+SeeDiagram126126 ThisisthepositionthatBlackhadinmindwhenheplayed6....Qg5.WhatisWhitetodonow?IfherecapturestheBishopwithhisQueenhewilllosehisKnight,ifherecapturesitwithhisKnighthewilllosehisRook,andifherecapturesitwithhisKing(9.Kxd2)hewilllosehispawnonf2withcheck.9.Ke1-e2!!Thismove,overlookedbyBlack,allowsWhitetocontinuewithadevastatingattack.9....Qg2-h310.Qd1xd2SeeDiagram127.127SomeonewhocameuponthispositionwithoutseeingwhatleduptoitmightbeforgivenifhethoughtforaninstantthatonlyWhitehadbeenmovingformostofthegame!Blackhasthree(!)extrapawnsbuthaspaiddearlyforthem.Allhispieces(excepttheQueen)areinadeepslumber,sotospeak,whilealltheWhitepiecescontrolimportantfilesanddiagonalsandarereadytolaunchanattack.Itisthereforenosurprisethatthestruggleisoverinjustafewmoremoves.10....Ng8-f6 11.Bc4xf7+!Ke8-d8If11....Kxf7,then12.Ng5+winstheQueen,whileif11....Kf8,then12.Ba3+d613.Bxd6+cxd614.Qxd6+Kxf715.Ng5againwinstheQueen.12.Rg1xg7Nf6xe413.Qd2-g5+!Ne4xg5HowdoesWhitematenextmove?14.Bb2-f6#ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram128.128Thisdidacticgameshowshowdangerousitisgoto“pawn-grabbing”intheopening.Asaresultofhisgambit,WhiteobtainedanoverwhelmingsuperiorityofforcesontheKingsideandinthecenter,andthisadvantageindevelopmentcreatedexcellentconditionsforattainingvictory.Game211.e2-e4e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3f7-f6?Apoorwayofdefendingthepawnone5.Thepawnonf6deprivestheKnightong8ofitsnaturaldevelopingsquare,theBlackKing’spositionbecomesexposed,andWhiteisabletoworkupanirresistibleattackbysacrificinghisKnight.Blackshouldinsteadplay2....Nc6,2....d6,or2....Nf6.(SeeDiagram129forthepositionafter2....f7-f6?).1293.Nf3xe5!f6xe5?3....Qe7wouldbebetter,althougheventhenWhitewoulddevelopwithtempo(gainoftime)by4.Nf3Qxe4+5.Be2Nc66.Nc3.4.Qd1-h5+!ThisearlyQueensortieisjustifiedheresinceWhitehasaforcedwin.4....Ke8-e7If4....g6,then5.Qxe5+Qe76.Qxh8.5.Qh5xe5+Ke7-f76.Bf1-c4+ Whitedevelopshispieceswithtempo(sincethemovesbytheBlackKingareuseless)andworksupanirresistibleattack.6....Kf7-g6Blackcouldprolonghisresistanceby6....d5,althoughafter7.Bxd5+Kg6(f5isnowcontrolledbytheBishoponc8)8.h4h69.Bxb7!Bd6(if9....Bxb7,then10.Qf5#)10.Qa5Nc611.Bxc6Whitehasfour(!)extrapawns.7.Qe5-f5+Kg6-h6HowshouldWhitecontinuehisattack?8.d2-d4+TheBishoponc1entersthefraywithtempo.8....g7-g5HowcanWhitebringupfreshreservesnow?9.h2-h4!Theh-pawnandtheRookonh1jointheattack.9....d7-d510.Qf5-f7d5xc4HowcanWhitematenextmove?11.h4xg5# 130AlltheBlackpieceslookedonidlyfromtheirhomesquareswhiletheirKingperished.TheEndgameMateWithTwoRooksAgainstaKingYoualreadyknowhowtomatealoneKingwithaQueenandaRookusingtherow-by-rowmethod.TwoRookstoocan,withoutthehelpoftheirownKing,matetheopposingKingbyusingthesamemethod.Thematingpattern(seeDiagram131)isalsoalmostthesame.131NowletuslookatDiagram132. 132TheBlackKingmustbedriventoanedge,preferablythenearestone.Soletustrytodriveittotheh-file.Todothat,wemustfirstpreventtheKingfromescapingtotheQueenside.1.Rg7-d7TheRookcontrolsthed-fileandcutstheKingofffromtheQueenside.1....Ke5-e6SeeDiagram133.133TheKingattackstheRook.WhitemovestheRookfaraway,tothefirstrank(nottothesecond,whereitwouldinterferewiththeotherRook). NowoneRookwillbeactingalongthefirstrankandtheotheralongthesecond.2.Rd7-d1Ke6-e5NextWhiteforcestheBlackKingtoabandonthee-file.3.Ra2-e2+Ke5-f44.Rd1-f1+Thepersecutioncontinues.4....Kf4-g3SeeDiagram134134TheRookonf1controlsthef-fileandWhitewouldnowliketotakeovertheg-filewiththeRookfrome2.However,theRookcannotgiveacheckimmediatelyong2,asitwouldbecapturedbytheBlackKing.SoWhitemovestheRookasfarawayaspossible,totheotherendoftheboard.WecannowseethedifferencebetweenmatingaloneKingwithtwoRooksandmatingitwithaQueenandaRook.IftheRookonf1wereaQueen,theRookone2wouldnothavetorunawaytotheotherendoftheboardbutcouldinsteadgotog2(5.Rg2+),sinceitwouldbesupportedbytheQueen. 5.Re2-e8Kg3-g2AttackingtheRookonf1,whichmustalsobemovedasfarawayaspossible,butnottothe8thrank,whereitwouldinterferewiththeotherRook.SonowtheRookswillbeactingalongthe7thand8thranks.6.Rf1-f7Kg2-g37.Re8-g8+Kg3-h48.Rf7-h7#135ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram135.TheBlackKinghasnowherefurthertoretreat,soit’scheckmate!TwoRookscanmatetheopposingKinginthemiddleoftheboardaswell,butonlyiftheyareaidedbytheirownKing.Diagram136showsanexample. 136Asyouknow,ninesquaresmustbecontrolledinordertomateaKingthatisnotonanedge.Inourexample,theWhitepieceseachcontrolaseparategroupofthreeoftheseninesquares,sothattogethertheycontrolalltheninesquares,thuscheckmatingtheBlackKing. HOMEWORK(Answersattheend)I.Diagrams137–142137Whitetoplay.Findthebestmove.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 138Whitetoplay.Findthebestmove.__________________________________________________________________________________________139Whitetoplay.Mateintwomoves.Findtwosolutions. 140Whitetoplay.Mateinfourmoves.Findtwomethods. 141Whitetoplay.Mateintwomoves. 142Whitetoplay.HowmanymovesareneededtocheckmateBlack?Whatarethesemoves? II.ExercisesWritedownyouranswersinthespacebelow.Trytoanswerquestions1–3withoutlookingataboard.1.CanapositionwithWhitepawnsona2,a3,andb2occurinagame?__________________________________________________________________________________________2.HowmanymoveswillittakeaBlackKnightonc7tocaptureaWhitepawnone7?__________________________________________________________________________________________3.Namethediagonalsrunningthroughe4.Whichsquaresmakeupthesediagonals?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 4.SetupseveralrandompositionswithaKingandtwoRooksoraKing,QueenandRookagainstaloneKingandpracticecheckmatingtheKinguntilyoucandoitquicklyandconfidently.5.Recordoneofyourgamesinabbreviatednotationandthenplayitovertocheckifyoudiditcorrectly. III.GamesWithOpeningMistakesForAnalysisGame221.f2-f4ThisisnotconsideredtobeoneofthestrongestfirstmovessinceitdoesnotopenlinesfortheWhitepiecesorhelpWhite’sdevelopment.Furthermore,itexposestheWhiteKing’sposition.1....e7-e5Astrongmove.Blacksacrificesapawn(i.e,heisplayingagambit)butgetsmorethanenoughinreturn:pathsareopenedupforhisQueenanddark-squareBishopandhecandeveloprapidly.1....d5,freeingthewayfortheQueenandthelight-squareBishop,wouldalsobegood.2.f4xe5Whitelosestimebycapturingthepawninsteadofdeveloping.Thebestmovewouldbe2.e4,withWhiteinhisturnofferingBlackagambit.2....d7-d63.e5xd6Bringingoutapieceby3.Nf3wouldbebetter.3....Bf8xd64.Nb1-c3??WhiteblithelyignorestheexposedpositionofhisKing.Hehadtoplay4.Nf3.4....Qd8-h4+! Thischeckisgoodherebecauseithasadefinitefollow-upthatleadstovictory.5.g2-g3Qh4xg3+!BlacksacrificeshisQueenforapawn.5....Bxg3+!wouldhaveledtothesameresultalso.6.h2xg3Bd6xg3#ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram143.143Whitelostquicklybecauseheneglectedthedevelopmentofhispieces.Thenextgamealsofinishesveryquickly.Game231.f2-f4e7-e5 2.e2-e4ThistimeWhiteplaysabettermovethan2.fxe5.ThepawnsacrificeofferedbyWhiteiscalledthe“King’sGambit.”2....Bf8-c5Blackfollowstheverysensiblepolicyofdevelopinghispiecesinsteadofgrabbingapawn.Also,hecorrectlyavoids2....Qh4+.Beginnerslovetocheckwhenevertheycan,butchecksareoftenuselessorevenharmful.Forexample,Whitewouldreplyto2....Qh4+with3.g3.TheattackedQueenwouldhavetoretreatandBlackwouldjusthavelosttime.3.f4xe5?WhiteshouldhavefollowedBlack’sexampleanddevelopedapiecewith3.Nf3.3....Qd8-h4+!Nowthischeckisgood!4.Ke1-e2Qh4xe4#SeeDiagram144forthefinalposition.144 Whitecouldhaveavoidedcheckmatebyplaying4.g3,butafter4....Qxe4+hewouldhavelostaRook.InthisgametooWhitegotcarriedawaybytheideaofwinningapawnandneglectedhisdevelopment. AnswerstotheHomeworkI.Diagrams137–142D-1371.Qd1-d5Ng8-h62.Bc1xh60-03.Qxf7wasthreatened.3.Bh6-e3Andsoon.Thediagrampositionaroseaftertheopeningmoves1.e4e52.Nf3d63.Bc4Nd74.d4BE7?5.dxe5dxe5??.D-138ThesolutionisexactlythesameasforD-137,althoughthispositionarosefromadifferentopening(1.e4e52.d4exd43.Bc4Bb4+4.c3dxc35.bxc3Be7??).D-139Solutiona):1.Rb7-b5+Kg5-h42.Ra6-h6#Solutionb):Rb7-h7Zugzwang.1....Kg5-f5 2.Rh7-h5#D-140Solutiona):1.Rb1-e1+Ke7-f62.Rd2-f2+Kf6-g53.Re1-g1+Kg5-h44.Rf2-h2#Solutionb):1.Rb1-b6Ke7-f72.Rd2-d7+Kf7-e83.Rd7-a7Ke8-d84.Rb6-b8#D-1411.Qc2-xh7+!Kh8xh72.Ra2-h2#D-142Blackcanbematedinsevenmoves.Therearemanywaysofdoingthis.Hereisone:1.Ra1-a4Ke5-d52.Rb1-b5+Kd5-c63.Rb5-h5AsfarawayfromtheKingaspossible. 3....Kc6-b64.Ra4-g4SothattheRooksdon’tgetineachother’sway.4....Kb6-c65.Rg4-g6+Kc6-d76.Rh5-h7+Kd7-e87.Rg6-g8#II.Exercises1.No.Suchapositionisimpossiblebecausetheonlywaysapawncangettoa3areeitherbyadvancingfroma2orbycapturingfromb2,butboththesepawnsarestillontheirhomesquares.2.Twomoves:1....Nc7-d52,....Nd5xe7.3.Youcaneasilychecktheanswersyourselvesbylookingatachessboard. SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionPositions145and146illustrateopeningmistakesandDiagrams147–150demonstratethelinearmateidea.145Blacktoplay.WhatisWhite’sthreatandhowcanBlackdefendagainstit?Thispositionaroseafterthefollowingopeningmoves:1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-c4Ng8-f64.Nb1-c3d7-d6?5.Nf3-g5Whitethreatens6.Ng5xf7.Blackisforcedtogiveupapawn,whetherby6....Bc8-e6(defendedonce,attacked,twice),6....d6-d5(defendedtwice,attackedthreetimes),or6....Bc8-g47.Bc4xf7+Ke8-d78.f2-f3. 146FromthegamePetrosian-Ree,Beverwijk1971.Whitetoplayandwinapiece.Thispositionaroseafterthefollowingopeningmoves:1.c2-c4e7-e52.Nb1-c3Nb8-c63.Ng1-f3Ng8-f64.e2-e3Bf8-b45.Nc3-d5Nf6xd5?6.c4xd5e5-e4??Whitenowwinsby:7.d5xc6e4xf38.Qd1-b3!a7-a59.a2-a3!Bb4-d610.c6xb7Bc8-b711.Qb3xb7withanextrapiece. 147FromthegameGoglidze–Botvinnik,Moscow1935.Blacktoplaymatesinthreemoves.1....Qe2xf1+!2.Kg1xf1Rb8-b1+3.Kf1-e2Rc8-c2#148FromthegameSchlechter–Tarrasch,Cologne1911.Blackresignedafter1.Rd1-d3.Why?Becausehehadnogooddefenseagainstthethreatof2.Qxh6+Kxh63.Rh3#. 149FromthegamePillsbury–Maroczy,Paris1900.Whitetoplaywins1.Qf4-h6Threatening2.Qg7#or2.Qf6#.1....Qb2xe52.Qh6xh7+!!Kh8xh73.Kh3-g2#150FromthegameBudrich–Gumprich,Berlin1950.Whitetoplaywins. 1.Bg2xd5+!Toclearthec-file.1....c6xd52.Qe7xf8+!Kg8xf83.Rc2-c8+Bg5-d84.Rc8xd8#SampleGamesContainingOpeningMistakesGame24ThreeKnightsOpeningReti–Dunkelblum,Vienna,19141.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Nb1-c3Bf8-c5?!This“active”moveisnotverygoodasitallowsWhitetogainanadvantageinthecenterbymeansofatemporarysacrifice.4.Nf3xe5!Nc6xe55.d2-d4Bc5xd4?Betterwouldbe5....Bd66.dxe5Bxe5.6.Qd1xd4Qd8-f6?ItwouldbebettertodefendtheKnightby6....d6,when7.f4wouldbedangerousforWhitebecauseof7....Qh4+8.g3Nf3+.InbringinghisQueenouttof6,BlackhasbeentemptedbythechancetothreatentowinWhite’sQueenby7....Nf3+. 7.Nc3-b5!Themorestereotypedreply7.Be3,developingapiece,wouldalsohavegivenWhiteanadvantage,butinthisparticularpositionthetalentedgrandmasterRichardRetirealizesthathecanbetterexploitBlack’sopeningmistakesbymovinghisKnightasecondtimebeforecompletinghisdevelopment,althoughsuchamovegoesagainstageneralopeningprinciple.7....Ke8-d8?!7....c6wouldundoubtedlybebetter,butBlack’spositionwouldremaindifficultinanycaseafter8.Nd6+.8.Qd4-c5!Blackresigns,ashecannotdefendagainstboth9.Qf8#and9.Qxc7+atthesametime.SeeDiagram151forthefinalposition.151Thisgameshowsusthatwhileasarulewemustplayinaccordancewiththemajoropeningprinciples,exceptionstotheserulesaresometimespossible. Game251.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-c4Bf8-c5BothsideshaveplayedwellinbringingouttheirBishopstostrongpositions.ThisopeningiscalledtheGiuocoPiano.4.d2-d3OpeningapathfortheotherBishop.4....Ng8-e7?Apoormove.TheKnightwouldbebetterplacedonf6.5.Nf3-g5!Attackingthepawnonf7asecondtime.5....0-0?Afterthismistake,Blackcannolongersavehimself.Heshouldinsteaddefendwith5....d5.6.Qd1-h5!IfWhiteplays6.Nxf7instead,thenafter6....Rxf77.Bxf7+Kxf7hewillhavegivenupaBishopandaKnightinreturnforaRookandapawn,adisadvantageoustradeintheopeningstagesofagame.After6.Qd1-h5!,ontheotherhand,Whitethreatensmateonh7andsimultaneouslyattacksthepawnonf7athirdtime.Blackcannotdefendagainstboththreatsatonce.6....h7-h6 Theonlydefenseagainstmate,since6....Re8wouldbefollowedby7.Bxf7+Kf88.Nxh7#.7.Ng5xf7Rf8xf7BlackhastogiveuptheExchange.After7....Qe8hewouldbematedinthreemoves:8.Nxh6++(doublecheck)Kh89.Nf7++(anotherdoublecheck!)Kg810.Qh8#.8.Bc4xf7+Kg8-f8If8....Kh8,then9.Bxh6gxh610.Qxh6#.9.Bf7-b3Qd8-e8WhitewasthreateningtomatewiththeQueenonf7.10.Qh5xh6InsteadofthisQueensacrifice,Whitecouldalsoplay10.Qf3+Nf511.Qxf5,withanextraRookandaneasywin.10....g7xh6?11.Bc1xh6#SeeDiagram152forthefinalposition. 152InsteadofcapturingtheQueen,Blackcouldhaveplayed10....Ng8,whichwouldhavebeenfollowedby11.Qh8Ne712.Bg5d513.Bxe7Qxe714.Bxd5Be615.Bxe6Qxe6.InordertoexploithismaterialadvantageofanExchangeandthreepawns,WhiteshouldnowstrivetosimplifythegamebyexchangingtheQueensandotherpiecesandgoingintoanendgame. LessonFiveA.CheckLesson4Homework(asnecessary).B.ReviewQuestions1.Whatisthedifferencebetweenanopeningandagambit?2.Whatdoes“Zugzwang”mean?3.Ifapawnmovesfrome2toe3,andthenthenextmovefrome3toe4,canaBlackpawnond4captureitenpassant?Trytoanswerquestions4-6withoutlookingataboard.4.NamethesquaresonwhichBlack’sBishopsstandatthestartofagame.Whatcolor(lightordark)arethey?5.OnwhichsquaredoesWhite’sQueenstandatthestartofthegame?Isitalightordarksquare?6.Atwhatsquaredothea3-f8ande1-a5diagonalscross?Whatcolor(lightordark)isit? Answerthenextquestionsdirectlyfromdiagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard.153Whitetoplayandmateinonemove.154Whitetoplayandmateinonemove. 155Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.156Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.AnswerstoReviewQuestions1.The“opening”referstothefirstfewmovesofagame.A“gambit”isaspecialkindofopeninginwhichaplayersacrificesmaterialinordertodevelophispiecesmorerapidly. 2.Aplayerissaidtobein“Zugzwang”whenallthemovesavailabletohimwillworsenhispositionbutheisforcedtomakeoneofthemanywaybecauseyouarenotallowedtopassyourturninchess.AnexampleisshowninDiagram156(forsolutionseeNo.10below).3.No.ABlackpawnond4cancaptureaWhitee-pawnenpassantonlywhenthelattergoestoe4inasinglemove,i.e.,e2-e4.Furthermore,ifBlackwantstotakeenpassant(...d4xe3),hecanonlydosoonthemovewithwhichherepliestoWhite’se2-e4—onsucceedingturnsthepawnone4willbesafefromenpassantcaptures.4.c8(light)andf8(dark).5.d1(light.6.b4(dark).D-153:1.Bc4-f7#.D-154:1.Qa1-e5#.D-155:1.Qb8xf8+Kg8xf82.Rb7-b8#.D-156:1.Rb3-b7BlackisnowinZugzwang.1....Kd8-e8AforcedKingmovethatlosescontrolofc8,allowingtheWhiteRooktooccupyit.2.Rc1-c8# OpeningTrapsManybattlesinthehistoryofwarfarehavebeenwonasaresultofsomecunningstratagem.Similarly,chessbattlestooareoftendecidedwhenwecatchouropponentinatraporwhenweourselvesfallintoatrap.Whatexactlyisatrap?Simplyput,atrapisanenticementtomakeamistake.Itisacunningmovecontainingsomehidden,disguisedthreatwhichthetrap-setterhopeshisopponentwilloverlook.Aregularcharacteristicofatrapisthatitenticestheopponenttomakesometempting,natural,andapparentlyadvantageousmoveorvariationwhich,however,willmeetwithanunexpectedrefutation.Everychessplayerhasatonetimeoranotherfallenintotraps,eventheWorldChampions.Trapscanbegoodorbad.Atrapisbad(orunsound)ifitisariskygamblethatwillgiveyouanadvantageifyouropponentfallsintoitbutthatwillreboundtoyourdisadvantageifyouropponentseesandavoidsit.Thatis,anunsoundtrapisbasedonlyonthehopethattheopponentwillmakeamistake.Atrapisgood(orsound)ifthereisnoriskassociatedwithit.Ifyouropponentmakesamistakeandfallsintothetrap,somuchthebetter,butevenifheseesandavoidsyourcleverruse,yourpositionmustnotsuffer.Asoundtrapwilltakeintoaccounttheopponent’sbestrepliesandmakesuretheyarenotharmful.Letusnowlookatsomegameswhoseoutcomesweredecidedbyatrap.WewillbeginwithanoldtrapwhichoccurredinagameplayedinParisin1787.The85-year-oldchessmasterdeKermursiredeLegalwasplayingWhite,whilethecommanderoftheBlackarmywasaweakchessplayercalledSaint-Brie.LegalhadbeenthestrongestchessplayerinParisformanyyears,untilheacquiredatalentedpupilbythenameofFrancoisAndreDanicanPhilidorwhoonefinedaystartedwinningfromhisteacher.Philidorlaterbecamenotonlythestrongestchessplayerintheworldbutalsoafamousmusicianandcomposer.Legal,althoughovertakenbyPhilidor,neverthelessremainedthesecond-bestplayerinParisrighttotheendofhislife.Inourdays,too,pupilsoftenstartdefeatingtheirteachers.Right? Game26Legal–Saint-Brie1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3d7-d6ThisopeningiscalledPhilidor’sDefense.That’sright!ThesamePhilidorwhowasLegal’spupil!3.Bf1-c4Nb8-c64.Nb1-c3Bc8-g4SeeDiagram157.157Untilnowbothsideshaveplayedwell.Atthispoint,however,LegaltouchedtheKnightonf3andthenquicklytookhishandaway,whereuponhisopponentremindedhimaboutthe“touch-move”rule.ThemanyonlookersconfirmedthatLegalhadinfacttouchedtheKnightandtheytooinsistedthathemoveit.Legalagreed,buthesaidhewantedtothinkabitmoreaboutwheretomoveit,andfinallyheplayed: 5.Nf3xe5?!TheChevalierSaint-BrieimmediatelysnappeduptheQueen,thinkingthatWhitewasgivingitupjustlikethat.5....Bg4xd1??ThisisthemovethatWhite’shighlyriskytrapwasbasedon.ButifBlackhadthoughtthepositionovercarefully,hewouldhaverealizedthattheQueencouldnotbetakenbutthatthesimple5....Nxe5,ontheotherhand,wouldleaveBlackapieceup.6.Bc4xf7+Ke8-e77.Nc3xd5#158NobodyknowstodaywhetherLegal’stouchingtheKnightreallywasaccidentalorwhetheritwasjustaploycalculatedtocatchaninexperiencedopponentinaprettytrapthatLegal,althoughheknewitwasunsound,wasunabletoresistplaying.Althoughthetrapworkedinthiscase,youwoulddowellnottosetsuchtraps.Don’tforget,ifBlackhadseenthroughthetrap,hecouldhavewonapiece.Thismatebecameknownas“Legal’sMate”,andithasbeenrepeatedmanytimessincetheninavarietyofforms. TheideaofLegal’smatecontinuesuptothepresentdaytoformthebasisofthreatsortrapseveninthegamesofstrongplayers.Hereisanexample.Game27Cheron–Jeanlose,Leysin1929Thisgamewasplayedina“simultaneousexhibition”—AndreCheron,manytimeschampionofFrance,wasplayingmanygamesatthesametimeagainstdifferentopponents.1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-c4d7-d64.Nb1-c3Bc8-g4ThepositioninwhichLegalsetanunsoundtrapwith5.Nxe5.5.h2-h3!!ThetemptationtofollowLegalmightbegreat,butlogicismoreimportant!However,themove5.h2-h3toosetsacunningtrap.5....Bg4-h5?After5....Bxf36.Qxf3Nf6(defendingagainst7.Qxf7#)7.d3White’spositionwouldbebetterbutitwouldstillbeahardfight.SeeDiagram159forthepositionafter5....Bg4-h5?. 1596.Nf3xe5!NowthisLegal-styleQueensacrificeisabsolutelysound.6....Bh5xd1??Blackshouldresignhimselftothelossofapawnby6....Nxe57.Qxh5Nxc48.Qb5+c69.Qxc4(or6....dxe57.Qxh5).7.Bc4xf7+Ke8-e78.Nc3-d5#SeeDiagram160forthefinalposition.160 Thetrapinthisgamenotonlyworkedbut,unlikeLegal’strap,itwasalsosound.Evenworldchampionsarenotaversetosettingsuchtraps!Youshouldmakeastudyofboth“good”and“bad”traps—thegoodonessothatyoucanusethem,andthebadonessothatyoucanavoidthem.Letusnowlookatanotherverypopulartrap.Game28Mullok–Kostic,Cologne19121.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-c4Nc6-d4?!SeeDiagram161.161Blacksetsanunsoundtrap!WhitecouldnowgainadevelopmentadvantageoverBlackbyplaying4.c3Nxf3+5.Qxf3,whileeventhesimple4.d3or4.Nxd4wouldgiveWhitethebettergame.Ofcourse, GrandmasterKosticrealizedthat3....Nc6-d4?!wasfarfromthebestmove,buthecountedonhisweakopponentbeingtemptedbythepawnthatBlackleavesundefended.4.Nf3xe5?Thefirststeptowarddisaster.TheBlackpawnone5wasa“poisonedpawn.”4....Qd8-g5!SeeDiagram162.162TheQueensimultaneouslyattackstheKnightandthepawnong2.White,however,canhardlybelievehiseyesandthinks,“Howcanagrandmastermakesuchblunders?Icantakehispawnonf7withmyKnightandforkhisQueenandRook!”(“Fork”meansto“simultaneouslyattack”).5.Ne5xf7??Andthisisthesecondandfinalsteptowardsdisaster.Thetraphasclappedshut!Whywould5.Ng4beabadmove?(Becauseof5....d5,winningtheKnightortheBishop). Whitecouldstillhavesavedthegamebyplaying5.Bxf7+Kd86.0-0Qxe57.c3followedby8.d4.InreturnforhispiecehewouldthenhavetwopawnsandchancesofworkingupanattackagainsttheBlackKingstrandedinthecenter.InsuchcasesWhiteissaidtohavecompensationforhislostpiece.5....Qg5xg26.Rh1-f1IfWhiteplayed6.Nxh8,howwouldBlackreply?(6....Qxh1+7.Bf1Qxe4+8.Be2Nxc2+9.Qxc2andBlackwinstheQueen.If9.Kf1,then9....Qh1#).6....Qg2xe4+7.Bc4-e2?It’sbettertolosetheQueenby7.Qe2thantogetmated.7....Nd4-f3#SeeDiagram163.163 White’sKingiscompletelysurroundedbyitsownmenbutnoneofthemcanhelp.Suchamateiscalleda“smotheredmate.”Thetrapinthisgamewasprettybutunsound—itwasbasedentirelyonthepresumptionthattheopponentwouldblunder.Howcanyousafeguardyourselffromfallingintoatrap?Chessaboundsininnumerabletraps,soitisobviouslyimpossibletomemorizethemall,butinspiteofthatstrongplayersveryrarelygettakeninbythem.Thereasonisthattheyfollowthe“majorprinciplesofpiecedevelopment,”theveryonesthatyouhavestudiedinpreviouslessons.Themostimportantthingistoalwaysplaycarefullyandnevercaptureenemypawnsandpieces(eventheQueen)withoutfirstthinkingitoverandmakingsurethere’snotrap.MatingwithaQueenintheEndgameYoualreadyhavesomeexperienceinmatingaloneKingandknowthatyoumustfirstdriveittooneoftheedgesoftheboard.TheQueen,thestrongestchesspiece,candothisallbyitself,withoutthehelpofitsKing.LetuslookatthepositioninDiagram164.164 ThebestmethodistochasetheKingtothenearestcorner,whichinourexampleisa8.However,iftheKingvoluntarilyheadsforanothercorner(h8),wecanmateitthereaswell.1.Qc1-f4TheQueencontrolsthefourthrankandthef-file,cuttingoffseveraloftheBlackKing’sescaperoutes.1....Kd5-e62.Qf4-g5TheBlackKinghavinggivenupthefifthrank,theWhiteQueenimmediatelyoccupiesit.2....Ke6-d63.Qg5-f5NowtheBlackKingiscutofffromthef-file.3....Kd6-c64.Qf5-e5Kc6-b65.Qe5-d5SeeDiagram165.165 Notethetechnique:theQueendoesitsjobwithoutgivingasinglecheck,alwaysstayingaKnight’smoveawayfromtheBlackKing,which,unabletoattacktheQueen,isconstantlyforcedtogivewayandlosecontrolovermoresquares.5....Kb6-c7Abandoningthe6thrank.6.Qd5-e6Kc7-b77.Qe6-d6Kb7-c8Leavingthesecondlastrank.8.Qd6-e7Kc8-b89.Qe7-d7Kb8-a810.Qd7-c7???SeeDiagram166.166Oh,no!Whathavewedone?TheBlackKingislaughingandtheWhiteKingiscrying.Andnowonder:it’sstalemate,thegame’sadraw! White’slastmovewasagrossblunder,butbeginnersoftenfallintothistrap.Inarealgame,youcannottakebackmoves,butherelet’stakebackourterriblelastmovesothatyoucanlearnhowtocheckmate(ratherthanstalemate)!SeeDiagram167.167IndrivingtheKingintothecorner,youhavetobeverycarefulandnotmakehastymoves.LeavetheenemyKingtwosquaresonwhichitcanmove(inthiscasea8andb8)andbeginmovingupyourownKing.10.Ka1-a2Ka8-b811.Ka2-a3Kb8-a812.Ka3-a4Ka8-b813.Ka4-a5Kb8-a814.Ka5-b6Ka8-b8SeeDiagram168. 168NowtheWhiteKingcontrolsa7,b7,andc7andallowstheQueentodeliverafatalcheck(mate!)totheBlackKing.15.Qd7-b7#SeeDiagram169forthefinalposition.169DidWhitehaveotherwaysofmatinginonemoveinDiagram168?(Yes.15.Qd8#and15.Qe8#.) WepushedbacktheenemyKingusingonlyourQueen.Thisistheeasiestmethodforbeginners.IfwebringourKingintoplayrightfromthestartthejointactionoftheKingand-Queenwillallowmatetobegivenmorequickly.Inthatcase,however,wemustplayevenmorecarefullybecausestalematecanoccurmoreoften.Withcorrectplay,aQueenandKingcanmatealoneenemyKingwithin10-15moves.However,ifyoumakealotofmistakesyouwillruntheriskofnotwinningthegamebecauseofthe50-moverule.Doyourememberthisrule?(If50consecutivemovesgobywithnomancapturedandnopawnsmoved,thenthegameisadraw!)SowhenmatingaloneKing,youhavetomakesureyoudoitwithin50moves.NowhereareanumberoffrequentlyencounteredstandardpositionsinwhichaQueenandKingmatealoneenemyKing.Rememberthesepositions!SeeDiagrams170and171.170 171Adifferentpositionisshownineachquarter-diagram.InthepositionsinDiagram170,theQueen,defendedbyitsownKing,matestheenemyKingfromanadjoiningsquare,whileinthepositionsinDiagram171,theQueenmatestheenemyKingfromafar,whileitsownKingtakesawayflightsquares. HOMEWORK(Answersattheend)I.Diagrams172-177172Whitetoplay.Mateintwomoves. 173Whitetoplay.Mateinthreemoves.174Whitetoplay.Mateintwomoves. 175Whitetoplay.Mateintwomoves.176Whitetoplay.Mateintwomoves. 177Whitetoplay.Mateinfourmoves.II.Exercises1.Writedownthepositionafterthemoves1.e4e52.Nf3Nc63.Bc4Nf6.FirstwritedownWhite’sposition,andthenBlack’s.Ingivingthelocationsofmorethanonemanofthesamekind,(i.e.,pawns,Bishops,etc.),listtheminorderfromthea-filetotheh-file.Ifseveralmenofthe samekindarelocatedonthesamefile,thenbeginwiththeoneonthelowestrank(i.e.,theonenearestWhite’sside.)__________________________________________________________________________________________2.SetupseveralrandomarbitrarypositionswithKingandQueenagainstKingandpracticematinguntilyoucandoitrapidlyandconfidently.TrytoanswerQuestions3-5withoutlookingataboard.3.Whatcolor(lightordark)isf3?4.Atwhichsquaredoesthea3-f8diagonalcrossthed-file?5.Atwhichsquaredoestheh2-b8diagonalcrossthe4thrank?III.GamesContainingOpeningTrapsforAnalysisGame291.e2-e4e7-e5 2.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-b5Thisopeningiscalledthe“RuyLopez.”3....Ng8-f64.d2-d3Nc6-e7?Itisagainsttheprinciplesofdevelopmenttomovethesamepiecetwiceintheopeningbeforedevelopingyourotherpieces.Ontopofthat,theKnightispoorlyplacedone7,blockingtheQueenandtheBishop.Inmakingthemove,Blackreliesentirelyonhisopponentmakingamistake.5.Nf3xe5?Whitefallsforthebaitandcapturesthepoisonedpawn.5....c7-c6!Hereisthepointofthetrap.IftheBishopnowretreats,BlackwillwinaKnightforpawnby6....Qa5+followedby7....Qxe5.Althoughitworkedinthiscase,thetrapwasanunsoundone.Forstarters,ifWhitehadn’ttakenthepawnone5andinsteadhadjustcontinuedhisdevelopment,Blackwouldhavesimplylosttime.Ontopofthat,thetrapistooobvious.Theostentatiousremovalofthee-pawn’sdefendershouldputevenaveryinexperiencedplayeronhisguard.6.Ne5-c4RatherthanlosetheKnight,Whitedecidesto“giveaway”theBishop.6....c6xb5??BlackissohappyatcatchingWhiteinhistrapthathedoesn’tpayanyattentiontoWhite’slastmoveandquicklysnapsuptheBishop,therebyfallingintoacounter-trap.7.Nc4-d6# SeeDiagram178.178Asmotheredmate!InsteadofgreedilygrabbingtheBishop,Blackcouldhavewonapiecefortwopawnsbyplaying6....d67.Ba4b58.Bxb5cxb5.WhileBlack’strapwasnogood,White’strap,ontheotherhand,wasbothsoundandbeautiful.Whitehadtoloseapieceanyway,sohedecidedto“giveaway”theBishop,settingapitfallintowhichBlackdulyfell.Astheoldproverbsays,“Don’tdigagraveforsomebodyelse,youmightfallinyourself.”Game30PircDefenseHamlisch–N.N.,Vienna18991.e2-e4d7-d6ThisdefensewasdevelopedintoasystemandintroducedintomasterplaybytheYugoslavgrandmasterVasjaPirc. 2.d2-d4Nb8-d7?!Aninaccuracy.TodayBlackusuallyplays2....g6,puttingoffthedevelopmentoftheQueen’sKnight.3.Bf1-c4g7-g64.Ng1-f3Bf8-g7?Blackdoesnotsensethedangerloomingoverhim.5.Bc4xf7+!!Ke8xf75....Kf8wouldbebetter,butafter6.Ng5Blackwouldstillbeinbadshape.6.Nf3-g5+Kf7-f6BlackdoesnotwanttoretreathisKingtof8ore8becauseinbothcases7.Ne6wouldwinhisQueen.7.Qd1-f3#SeeDiagram179. 179Whiteplayedwellanddidnotviolatetheprinciplesofdevelopment.Blackhasonlyhimselftoblameforblunderingintoanopeningtrap. HOMEWORKANSWERSI.Diagrams172-177D-1721.b7-b8Q+Ka7-a62.Qb8-b6#D-1731.b7-b8QKa6-a52.Qb8-b3!CuttingofftheBlackKing’sescapeandforcingittoreturntoitsoriginalsquarebecauseofZugzwang.2....Ka5-a63.Qb3-b6#D-1741.Kh5-g6!Controllingtheimportantsquaresf7,g7,andh7.1....Kh8-g82.Qg2-a8#D-1751.Qc1-f4!Controllingtheimportantsquaresb8andf8. 1....Kc8-d82.Qf4-f8#D-1761.Ke3-f4!Controllingtheimportantsquaresg3,g4,andg5.a)1....Kh4-h52.Qb1-h7#b)1....Kh4-h32.Qb1-h1#D-1771.Kh8-h7!Controllingtheimportantsquaresg6andg7.1....Kf6-e7Forced,becauseofZugzwang.2.Kh7-g6NowtheKingcontrolstheimportantsquaresf6andf7.2....Ke7-e8If2....Kf8,then3.Qf7#.3.Kg6-f6NowtheBlackKingisagaininZugzwang.Ifitcouldstayput,itcouldnotbematednextmove,butitisforcedtomoveontoafatalsquare. 3....Ke8-f84.Qd5-f7#II.Exercises1.White:Ke1,Qd1,Ra1,Rh1,Bc1,Bc4,Nb1,Nf3,P’sa2,b2,c2,d2,e4,f2,g2,h2.Black:Ke8,Qd8,Ra8,Rh8,Bc8,Bf8,Nc6,Nf6,P’sa7,b7,c7,d7,e5,f7,g7,h7.Youcaneasilycheckyouranswerstotheotherquestionsbylookingatachessboard. SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionSampleGameswithOpeningTrapsGame311.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Ng8-f6ThisisPetroff’sDefense,namedafterthefirstRussianchessmaster(1794–1867).3.Nf3xe5Nf6xe4?BlackmustfirstdrivetheKnightawaywith3....d6andonlythentakethee-pawn.4.Qd1-e2!Astrongmovethatatthesametimesetsatrap!4....Ne4-f6??ItisbettertoloseapawnthantheQueen:4....d55.d3Qe76.dxe4Qxe57.exd5,or4....Qe75.Qxe4d66.d4.5.Ne5-c6+!SeeDiagram180. 180Thisisthepointofthetrap!TheKnightattackstheenemyQueenandatthesametimeclearsthewayforitsownQueentochecktheenemyKing.Suchacheckisknownasa“discoveredcheck.”Blackresigns,sincehecannotavoidlosinghisQueen.Game32Petroff’sDefense1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Ng8-f63.Nf3xe5Nf6xe4?4.Ne5xf7?Whiteshouldplay4.Qe2Qe75.Qxe4d66.d4f67.Nc3!dxe5Nd5Qd69.dxe5fxe510.Bf4Nc611.0-0-0withirresistiblethreats.Insteadheplaysforatrap,hopingfor4....Kxf75.Qh5+Kf6(or5....Kg86.Qd5#,or5....Ke76.Qe5+,or5....g66.Qd5+)6.Qf3+Ke57.d4+Kxd4,afterwhichitisonlyamatteroftimebeforeBlackismated.4....Qd8-e7! Anexcellentmovethatincidentallysetsacounter-trap.5.Nf7xh8??ItisofcoursebettertoloseaKnightby5.Be2thantheQueen.5....Ne4-c3+!Adiscoveredcheck.SeeDiagram181.181Whiteresigns,sincehehastolosehisQueenandtheKnightinthecornerwon’tgetoutaliveeither.Game33Petroff’sDefense1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Ng8-f63.Nf3xe5Nb8-c6?Amistake.Betterwouldbe3....d6followedby4....Nxe4. 4.Ne5xc6d7xc65.e4-e5?!5.Nc3,developingapiece,wouldbebetter.5....Nf6-e46.d2-d3?EvennowitwouldbebettertobringouttheKnight,by6.Nc3.6....Bf8-c5!Bywastingtime(tempos)withunnecessarypawnmoves,Whitehasfallenintoatrap.7.d3xe4?7.Be3Bxe38.fxe3Qh4+9.g3Nxg3wouldbeslightlybetter,althoughWhitewouldstillbeinabadstate.7....Bc5xf2+!8.Ke1xf2If8.Ke2,then8....Bg4winstheQueen.8....Qd8xd1SeeDiagram182. 182Whiteresigns.Game34FourKnightsGame1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Nb1-c3Ng8-f6ThisopeningisknownastheFourKnightsGame.4.Bf1-b5Bf8-b45.0-00-06.d2-d3d7-d6BlackcopiesWhitefortoolongandsoonfallsintoatrap.Heretherightwaytoplayis6....Bxc37.bxc3d6.7.Bc1-g5Bc8-g4 8.Nc3-d5Nc6-d49.Nd5xb4Nd4xb5It’sverydangeroustocopyyouropponent’smovesforsolong.10.Nb4-d5Nb5-d411.Qd1-d2Qd8-d712.Bg5xf6Bg4xf313.Nd5-e7+Blackcannolongercopyandgetsmatedinafewmoves.13....Kg8-h814.Bf6xg7+Kh8xg715.Qd2-g5+Kg7-h816.Qg5-f6#SeeDiagram183forthefinalposition.183 Game35Mieses–Equist,Nuremberg,18951.e2-e4d7-d5ThismoveistheCenterCounterDefense.2.e4xd5Qd8xd5Asyoucansee,thedisadvantageofthisdefenseisthatBlackhastobringhisQueenintoplayveryearly.3.Nb1-c3Qd5-d8Insteadofthismove,whichleavesWhitewithaclearadvantageindevelopment,3....Qa5wouldbemoreactive.4.d2-d4Nb8-c6?Amistake,asWhitecaneasilyattacktheKnightwithapawn.4....c6or4....Nf6wouldbesafer.5.Ng1-f3Bc8-g4?Whenyouarebehindindevelopmentyoushouldavoidmakingambitiousmoves.Here,forexample,5....e6couldbeplayed.Whitewouldofcoursehaveanadvantage,butBlackwouldnotloserightaway.6.d4-d5Nc6-e5?Thefinalmistake.Blackfallsintoaprettytrap.Blackshouldplay6....Nb8andtrytodefendhisverydifficultposition.7.Nf3xe5!SeeDiagram184. 184Blackresigns,since7....Bxd1wouldbefollowedby8.Bb5+c69.dxc6a6(if9....Qb6,then10.cxb7+followedby11.bxa8Q+)10.c7+etc.Game361.d2-d4d7-d52.c2-c4d5xc4ThisopeningiscalledtheQueen’sGambitAccepted.3.e2-e3b7-b5?Itisbetternottotrytohangontothepawnandinsteadcontinuewith3....e64.Bxc4c5!.3....e5!wouldalsobeagoodreply.4.a2-a4c7-c6?Ofcoursenot4....a65.axb5,andBlackcannotrecapturethepawnonb5becausehewouldlosetheRookona8.Therelativelybestreplywas4....bxa45.Bxc4e6,givingbackthepawns.5.a4xb5c6xb5? 6.Qd1-f3!SeeDiagram185.185Evenacomputercouldn’tcountallthebeginnerswhohavefallenintothistrap!BlacknowhasthechoiceofpartingwithhisRook,Knight,orBishop.TheleastoftheevilsistogiveuphisKnightby6....Nc67.Qxc6+Bd7.ThusBlack’spawnhuntinghascosthimapiece.Game37TheQueen’sGambitDeclined1.d2-d4d7-d52.c2-c4e7-e63.Nb1-c3Ng8-f6BlackignoresWhite’spawnsacrificeandinsteaddevelopshispieces.4.Bc1-g5Nb8-d7 Agoodmovethatincidentallysetsatrapwhichoftencatchesbeginners.5.c4xd5e6xd56.Nc3xd5?Whitetakesthebait.HefeelssurethattheKnightond5cannotbecaptured.6....Nf6xd5!AtemporaryQueensacrificethatresultsinBlackwinningapieceforapawn.7.Bg5xd8Bf8-b4+Aninsidiouscheck.8.Qd1-d2Bb4xd2+9.Ke1xd2Ke8xd8SeeDiagram186.186White’spositionislost. Game381.d2-d4d7-d52.c2-c4e7-e5ThisistheAlbinCounterGambit.3.d4xe5d5-d4Inreturnforhissacrificedpawn,Blackgetsastrongpawnond4thathindersthedevelopmentofWhite’spieces.4.e2-e3?WhiteattemptstoexchangeoffBlack’scentralpawnwhilepreservinghisextramaterial.However,itwasbetternottotrytoholdontotheextrapawnbutratherdevelophispiecesby4.Nf3,5.g3,6.Bg2,7.0-0,etc.4....Bf8-b4+5.Bc1-d2d4xe3!Adevioustrap.BlacksacrificestheBishop.6.Bd2xb4?Whitedecidesthathecansafelyacceptthe“gift.”However,6.fxe3mustbeplayed,althoughitresultsindoubledpawns.6....e3xf2+7.Ke1-e2Whitecannotrecapturethepawnonf2becausehisQueenwouldbeleftundefendedandBlackwouldwinitby7....Qxd1.ButnowWhiteisinforasurprise.7....f2xg1N+! SeeDiagram187.187Thisisthepointofthetrap!Araresituation!ABlackpawnreachesthefirstrank,capturesaWhiteKnight,itselfbecomesaKnight,anddeliversafatalchecktotheWhiteKing,causingWhitetoresignimmediately.ItwouldbemuchlesseffectivetopromotethepawntoaQueen,sinceafter7....fxg1QWhitewouldhavetimetoexchangeQueensby8.Qxd8+andafter8....Kxd8capturethenewbornQueenwithhisRook.InDiagram187,iftheWhiteRooktakestheKnight,8....Bg4+isdecisive,while8.Ke1ismetby8....Qh4+withadevastatingattack.Game39Caro-KannDefenseKeres–ArlamovskiiSzczawno-Zdroj19501.e2-e4c7-c6 Blackprepares...d7-d5.Thisdefensewasinventedinthe19thcenturybytheGermanchessplayersCaroandKann.2.Nb1-c3d7-d53.Ng1-f3d5xe44.Nc3xe4Ng8-f65.Qd1-e2Agoodmove.GrandmasterKeresdefendstheKnightandpreparestocastleontheQueenside.Thelight-squareBishopwillbedevelopedong2.5....Nb8-d7??ThemasterplayingBlackwasafraidofthemove6.Nxf6anddecidedtodefendtheKnightonf6withhisotherKnight.Hemadehismoveinstaneouslyandwasdulypunishedwiththeutmostseverity.6.Ne4-d6#Asmotheredmate.SeeDiagram188.188Blackfellintoa“children’s”trapthathascaughtmanychessplayersofvaryingstrengths. Game40SicilianDefenseFischer–Reshevsky,USA1959AtthetimeofthisgameFischerwas15yearsold.1.e2-e4c7-c5TheSicilianDefense.Oneofthemostpopularopeningstoday,itgotitsnamemorethan500yearsago.2.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.d2-d4WhiteisplayedbythebrilliantAmericanchessplayerRobertFischer,whowontheWorldChampionshipin1972.3....c5xd44.Nf3xd4g7-g65.Nb1-c3Bf8-g7TheplayeroftheBlackpiecesisnobeginnereitherbutratherthewell-knowngrandmasterSamuelReshevsky,aformerchildprodigywhoattheageofeightwasalreadytouringmanyEuropeancities,givingsimultaneousexhibitionson20-25boardsagainstadultopponents.6.Bc1-e3Ng8-f67.Bf1-c40-08.Bc4-b3Nc6-a5? Untilnowbothgrandmastershaveplayedverywell,buthereReshevskyblundersandfallsintoasubtleopeningtrap.Therightmovesare8....Qa5or8....d6.9.e4-e5!Nf6-e8After9....Nxb310.exf6Nxa111.fxg7Whitehasaclearadvantage.10.Bb3xf7+!Rf8xf711.Nd4-e6!SeeDiagram189.189Blackcouldresignhereashispositionishopeless.Norwould10....Kxf7havesavedhimsinceWhitewinsafter11.Ne6Kxe612.Qd5+Kf513.g4+Kxg414.Rg1+Kh515.Qd1+.Nooneisimmunetomistakes! LessonSixA.CheckLesson5homework(asnecessary).B.ReviewQuestions1.Howmanysquaresarethereonachessboard?2.CanyoucastleifyourRookisunderattack?3.Isitagoodideatosetatrapwhoseworthdependsentirelyonyouropponentblundering?TrytoanswerQuestions4-6withoutlookingatachessboard.4.OnwhatsquaresdotheBlackRooksstandatthestartofagame?Whatcolor(lightordark)arethesesquares?5.HowmanydifferentmovescanWhitemakeinthestartingposition?6.Atwhichsquaredoestheh1-a8diagonalcrossthethirdrankandwhatcolor(lightordark)isit? AnswerthenextquestionsdirectlyfromtheDiagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard.190Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.191Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 192Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.193Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. AnswerstotheReviewQuestions1.64.2.Yes.3.No.Suchatrapisunsound(bad)andifyouropponentseesthroughityoucanexpectnothingbuttrouble.4.a8,alightsquare,andh8,adarksquare.5.20.6.f3,alightsquare.D-1901....Rc8-c2+2.Kb2-b1Re8-e1#Astraight-linemate.D-1911.Qf5xh7+Kh8xh72.Rf2-h2#Astraight-linemate.D-1921.g7-g8Q+Kg1-h12.Qg8-g2#D-1931.Ke8-f7! Controlstheimportantsquaresg6,g7andg8.1....Kh8-h72.Qe7-h4#TheConceptofPlanningThereareoftenmomentsinaperson’slifewhenhehastochooseacourseofactionthatwillenablehimtomakebestuseofhisabilities.Atthesametime,hemustalsofindwaysofovercominganyobstaclesthatmayhinderhisprogressalonghischosenpath.Heachievesallthisbyworkingoutadefiniteplan.Youcannotalwayshituponthecorrectplanatfirstshot—mistakessometimesoccur.Oneoftheveryusefulthingsthatachessplayerlearnsistheartofmakingappropriateplans.Duringagame,aplayersetscertaingoalsforhimself:towinthegame,tocheckmatetheopponent,toavoidlosing,etc.Hemustthenformaplanofplaywhichchartsoutwhathehastodoinordertoachievethesegoals.Aplanindicatesthemainchannelsalongwhichaplayerchoosestodirectthecourseofthegame.Forexample,hecanmakeaplantoattacktheenemyKingoraplantocarryoutaQueensideattack.NowletusanalyzethepositioninDiagram194.194 ItisWhite’sturntoplay.HisgoalistofirsteliminatethedangerousBlackpawnond2andthencheckmatetheBlackKing.Letusformaplanofplaytoachievethisgoal.First,wemustcontrolthed1square,orelsethepawnwillpromotetoaQueen.Canwecontrold1andatthesametimeattackthepawnond2?Yes,fromeitheroftwosquares—d4andd7.Sowecanplay,forexample,1.Qg7-d4andthenextmovecapturethepawn.Withthat,thefirstpartofourgoalhasbeenachieved.Nowletusformafurtherplanconsistingoftwostages:1)drivingtheBlackKingtooneoftheboard’sedges,and2)movinginwiththeWhiteKing,andwithitshelp,matingtheBlackone.Youalreadyknowhowtodothis.Plansareimportant!FormerworldchampionEmanuelLaskerusedtosaythatisbettertofollowevenabadplanthantoplaywithoutanyplanatall.ExploitingaLargeMaterialAdvantageWhoamongushasnothadtheexperienceofbeingoneortwopiecesupbutthendrawingorevenlosingasaresultofnotfindingthecorrectplan!Twomethodsofplaycanberecommendedforexploitingalargematerialadvantage:1.Exchangeoffpiecesandtransposeintoawinningendgame,or2.UseyoursuperiorforcetolandanattackontheenemyKing.Themainmethodisexchangingoffpieces,becausesimplifyingthepositionmakesiteasiertoexploitamaterialadvantage.Letuslookatsomeexamples. 195InDiagram195,itisWhite’sturntomove.HeisupaKnightandshould,ofcourse,win.Butthequestionis,how?Letusformaplan:1.WintheBlackpawn.2.PromotetheWhitepawntoaQueen.3.DrivetheBlackKingtoanedge.4.MatetheBlackKingbythecombinedactionoftheWhiteKingandQueen(andpossiblyalsotheKnight).Letusputthisplanintoaction:1.Nb2-d1Kb5-c62.Nd1-e3TheKnightattackstheBlackpawn.Itwouldnothavebeenasgoodtoplay1.Nd3followedby2.Nb4sincetheKnightwouldthenblockthepathofitsownKing.2....Kc6-d6Continuingtodefendthepawn. 3.Kc3-b4TheKingsetsofftowardstheBlackpawninordertoattackitasecondtime.3....Kd6-c64.Kb4-a5TheWhiteKingpushesbacktheBlackKingbymakinguseofZugzwang.4....Kc6-d6BecauseofZugzwang,theKingisforcedtogiveupcontrolofb5andb6.5.Ka5-b6Kd6-e6NowZugzwangforcestheBlackKingtogiveupc5andc6.6.Kb6-c6Ke6-e77.Ne3xd5+NowtheKnightandKingwillhelpthepawntoqueen.SeeDiagram196.196 7....Ke7-d88.Nd5-b6TheKnightcontrolsc8andfreesthewayforthepawn.8....Kd8-e79.Kc6-c7!NowtheKingcontrolstheimportantsquaresd6,d7,andd8,therebyclearingthewayforthepawntoqueen.9....Ke7-e610.d4-d5+Ke6-e711.d5-d6+u(anymove)12.d6-d7u13.d7-d8QOnlythelaststageofourplanremains,i.e.,tomatetheloneBlackKing,butyoualreadyknowhowtodothisbyyourself.197 Diagram197,withWhitetoplay,isournextexample.HeretooWhiteshouldtrytowinquickly,buthemustwatchoutforthedangerofBlacktryingtodrawbygivinguphistwopawnsinreturnfortheloneWhitepawn.Forexample,ifWhiteattackstheBlacke-pawnby1.Nf7,thenBlackwillreply1....f4+andobtainadrawbyexchangingoffWhite’slastpawn.Soletusformaplan:1.TheWhitepawnmustbepreservedfrombeingexchanged,andsotheWhiteKingmustbemovedtoanothersquare.2.TheKnightmustattackandcapturetheBlackpawns.3.TheWhitepawnmustbequeened,andsoon.Hereistheexecutionoftheplan:1.Ke3-f3!Ka8-b7Nowif1....f4,thentheWhitepawnqueensbyforceafter2.g4.2.Nh8-f7e5-e4+2....f4doesn’tsaveBlacksinceafter3.g4helosesbothhispawns.3.Kf3-f4Kb7-c64.Nf7-h6SeeDiagram198. 1984.Kxf5isnotasgoodsinceafter4....e3thereisadangeroftheBlackpawnqueening.4....Kc6-c55.Nh6xf5Kc5-d56.g3-g4NowBlackmustgiveuphislastpawn.6...Kd5-e67.Kf4xe4SeeDiagram199. 199ThenextpartofourplanistoqueenthepawnwiththehelpoftheKingandtheKnightandthenmatetheloneenemyKing.Youcandothatbyyourself.Thefirstrulethatabeginnershouldlearnaboutexploitingamaterialadvantageistoavoidallhastiness.Whoamongusdoesnotrememberinstanceswherewehadalargematerialadvantagebutwererobbedofourvictorybecauseofjustonehastymove!Soremember:Don’tbehasty.MatingwithaRookandKingagainstaLoneKingARookandKingcanmatealoneKingonlyonanedgeorinacorner.Diagram200showsfourstandard“RookandKingagainstloneKing”matingpositions(eachquarterofthediagramshowsadifferentposition). 200TomateaKingontheedgeoftheboardwemustcontrolallfiveofthesquarestowhichitcouldmove,andinadditionasixthsquare,theoneonwhichtheKingstands,mustbeattackedbyourRook.TheRookcancontroltwoflightsquaresandattacktheKing,whiletheotherthreesquaresmustbecontrolledbyourownKing.WhentheKingsareplacedsuchthateachofthemcontrolsthreeoftheother’sflightsquares,theyaresaidtobeinopposition.ThishappenswhentheKingsfaceeachotherwithasinglesquarebetweenthem.InDiagram200,forexample,theKingsonb1andb3areinopposition,asaretheKingsona6andc6.IftheloneKingisinacorner(forexample,h8orh1,asinDiagram200),thenmateispossibleevenwithoutopposition. 201InDiagram201,WhitemustfirstofalldecidewhichedgehewantstodrivetheBlackKingto.Let’ssupposehedecidestomatetheBlackKingontheeighthrank.Thenwehavetoformaplan:1.CuttheBlackKingofffromthelowerhalfoftheboard.2.MovetheWhiteKingtowardsthecenter,becausetheRookismuchweakerthantheQueenandcannotchasetheenemyKingtoacorneroranedgebyitself.3.DrivetheKingintoacornerbythecombinedactionoftheRookandtheKing.4.CheckmatetheBlackKing!Hereistheexecutionoftheplan:1.Rh1-h4TheBlackKingiscutofffromthelowerhalfoftheboard.1....Kd5-e52.Ka1-b2 OnlywiththehelpofitsKingcantheRookpushbacktheenemyKing.2....Ke5-d53.Kb2-c3Kd5-e54.Rh4-d4!202ProtectedbyitsownKing,theRookcutstheBlackKingofffromtheQueenside.4....Ke5-f55.Kc3-d3TheKingnowcontrolse4.5....Kf5-e56.Kd3-e3!6.Re4+wouldbeamistakebecauseof6....Kd5,andtheBlackKingwouldescapetotheQueenside.6....Ke5-f5 TheBlackKingdoesnotintheleastwanttoleavethecenteroftheboard,whereitisinsafety,butitisforcedtodosobecauseofZugzwang.6....Ke6wouldbenobetterbecauseof7.Kf4Kf68.Rd6+Ke79.Ke5etc.7.Rd4-e4Takingpossessionofthee-file.7....Kf5-f6BlackwasagaininZugzwang.If7....Kg5,then8.Rf4cutstheKingofffromthef-file.8.Ke3-f4Controllingtheimportantsquaresf5andg5.NotehowtheWhiteKingandRookhelpeachother.8....Kf6-g6IfBlackcouldpasshisturn,hewouldn’tlose.But...This“but”iscalledZugzwang.9.Re4-e6+!SeeDiagram203.203 TheBlackKingmustretreattotheseventhrank,sinceafter9....Kh5awaitingmovebytheRookalongthesixthrank,e.g.,10.Rf6,wouldagainputBlackinZugzwang,forcinghimtomovehisKingintooppositionby10....Kb4,allowing11.Rh6#.9....Kg6-f710.Kf4-f5Kf7-g711.Re6-e7+ForcingBlacktothelastrank,since11....Kh6wouldallowmateintwomovesby12.Rf7(Zugzwang)Kh5(opposition)13.Rh7#.11....Kg7-f812.Kf5-f6Kf8-g813.Kf6-g6!Kg8-f8SeeDiagram204.204 Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.Rememberthismethod!Therearesixsolutions.AnywaitingmoveoftheRookalongthee-file(except14.Re8+)willputBlackinZugzwang,forcinghimtoplay14....Kf8-g8andallow15.Re6-e8#.WehaveexecutedallthestagesofourplanandmatedBlackinfifteenmoves.Ingeneral,withcorrectplayyoushouldbeabletomatewithKingandRookagainstKingin15-20movesstartingfromanyposition.Ifyoudomakemistakes,however,youmustbeverycarefulnottomakesomanyastoletBlackdrawbythe50-moverule.Inconclusion,letuslookatashortbutinterestinggame.Game41Queen’sGambitDeclinedFine–Yudovich,Moscow19371.d2-d4d7-d52.c2-c4e7-e63.Nb1-c3TheAmericangrandmasterReubenFine,Whiteinthisgame,wasoneofthestrongestplayersintheworldatthetime.3....Ng8-f6Hisopponentwasthelittle-knownSovietmasterMikhailYudovich.4.Ng1-f3c7-c5Yudovichwasofcoursequiteexcitedattheprospectofplayingsuchafearsomeopponent.HepreparedfortheencounterbyplayingoveralargenumberofFine’sgames.InoneofthemhenoticedthatFinehadwonbycatchinghisopponentinanopeningtrap.Yudovichfound,however,that Fine’strapcouldberefutedbyaremarkablecountertrap,andsodecidedthatinhisowngamewithFinehewould“fallinto”White’strap.5.Bc1-g5c5xd46.Nf3xd4e6-e5Yudovichthoughtfortwoorthreeminutesovereachmove,pretendingthathedidnotknowthisopeningverywell.7.Nd4-b5SeeDiagram205.205EverythingisgoingaccordingtoYudovich’splan.Onemoremove,andhecan“fallinto”Fine’strap.AlthoughYudovichalreadyhadhisnextmovefiguredoutbeforethegame,hepretendedtothinkherefortwentyminutes.Hedidnotwanttoreplyquickly,forfearthatFinewouldgetsuspiciousanddiscoverBlack’sidea.7....a7-a68.Nc3xd5?SeeDiagram206. 206Whitehastoplayinstead8.Qa4,withacomplicatedgame.Fine,however,glancedslylyathisopponent,thinkinghehadcaughtyetanotherinexperiencedmasterinhistrap,andplayed8.Nc3xd5?instantaneously.8....a6xb5!207Yudovichwasveryexcited!Afterall,hehadmanagedtocatchoneoftheworld’sstrongestplayersinatrap!And,lookingnotattheboardbutathisopponent,heinstantlycapturedtheKnight.Thegrandmasterfirstrecoiled fromtheboard,andthensankintodeepthought.Herememberedhowhehadwonaprettygamewiththissamevariationafter9.Nxf6+gxf610.Qxd8+Kxd811.Bxf6+Ke812.Bxh8etc.ThiswasthetrapinwhichhehadwantedtocatchYudovich.Butnowhesawhisopponent’splanandrealizedthathehimselfhadfallenintoabeautifullypreparedambush.Heregrettedthathehadmadehiseighthmovewithoutthinking,butitwastoolatenow.9.Nd5xf6+Qd8xf6!!SeeDiagram208.208Thisisthe“present”thatYudovichhadpreparedathomeforthegrandmasterandwhichhehadartfullyledupto.FinehadnotconsideredthistemporaryQueensacrificeinhiscalculations.10.Bg5xf6Bf8-b4+Beforecapturingonf6,Blackmakesanin-betweenmove,checkingwithhisBishop.11.Qd1-d2WhiteisforcedtoreturntheQueen. 11....Bb4xd2+12.Ke1xd2g7xf6andBlack,withamaterialadvantageandanexcellentposition,quicklywon.Thefamousgrandmasterplayedverywellinthetournamentanddeservedlytookfirstplace,butinthisgamehewastaughtagoodlesson!Andindeed,thegamewasagoodlessonformanyamateursaswell. HOMEWORK(Answersattheend)I.Diagrams209–214.Formaplanandfindthesolution.209Whitetoplayandwin.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 210Whitetoplay.Mateintwomoves.211Whitetoplayandwins. __________________________________________________________________________________________212Whitetoplay.Mateintwomoves. 213Whitetoplayandwins.__________________________________________________________________________________________214 Whitetoplay.Mateinthreemoves.II.ExercisesTrytoanswerQuestions1–3withoutlookingatachessboard.1.Writedownthelocationsofallthepiecesinthestartingposition.__________________________________________________________________________________________2.Whichlines(rank,file,anddiagonal)runthroughe5?__________________________________________________________________________________________3.Whatcolor(lightordark)ise6? __________________________________________________________________________________________4.SetupsomerandompositionswithKingandRookagainstKingandpracticematinguntilyoucandoitquicklyandconfidently.5.ThinkupapositioninwhichBlacktoplaycanmateintwomoves.III.GameForAnalysisGame42Nimzovich–Alapin,Riga19131.e2-e4e7-e62.d2-d4d7-d5ThisopeningiscalledtheFrenchDefense.3.Nb1-c3Ng8-f6AronNimzovich,Whiteinthisgame,wasoneofthestrongestplayersintheworld.4.e4xd5Nf6xd5Itwouldbebettertoplay4....exd5soasnottogiveWhiteasuperiorityinthecenter.5.Ng1-f3c7-c5 Alossoftime.5....Be7followedby6....0-0,7....b6,and8....Bb7wouldbebetter.6.Nc3xd5Qd8xd5Betterwouldbe6....exd5,openingupthelight-squareBishop’sdiagonal.7.Bc1-e3c5xd48.Nf3xd4a7-a69.Bf1-e2!White’spositionisconsiderablybetter.HehasbroughtoutallhisminorpieceswhilethemasterplayingBlackhasdevelopedonlyhisQueen.9....Qd5xg2?Insteadofthisfurtherlossoftime,Blackshouldbethinkingaboutdevelopinghisminorpieces.10.Be2-f3Qg2-g611.Qd1-d2e6-e5Black’spositionisdifficult,butinanycasehehadtostartdevelopinghispiecesinsteadofpushingpawns.12.0-0-0!!Magnificent!NimzovichgivesuphisKnightforapawnbutinreturnallhisremainingpiecesrapidlyenterthefray.12....e5xd413.Be3xd4Nb8-c6Althoughapieceup,Blackislost.White’smanifestadvantageindevelopmentallowshimtofinishoffthegamewithascintillatingcombination. 14.Bd4-f6!ClearingthewayfortheQueen.Whitenowthreatens15.Qd8+Nxd816.Rxd8#,orif14....Be7,then15.Bxc6bxc616.Qd8+Bxd817.Rxd8#.14....Qg6xf615.Rh1-e1+Blackisalreadytwopiecesupbuthegetsmatedbyforce.15....Bf8-e7If15....Be6,then16.Qd7#;if15....Ne5,then16.Rxe5+Qxe517.Qd8#;if15....Qe7,then16.Bxc6bxc617.Qd8#.16.Bf3xc6+Ke8-f8If16....bxc6,then17.Qd8#.17.Qd2-d8+!Be7xd818.Re1-e8#SeeDiagram215. 215AnswerstotheHomeworkI.Diagrams209–214D-209Theplan:1.Queenthepawn.2.DrivetheBlackKingtoanedgeorcorner.3.CheckmatetheBlackKing.Theexecutionoftheplan:1.Ne3-f5+Kd6-d72.Kd4-e5Kd7-c73.d5-d6+Kc7-d74.Nf5-g7Kd7-d85.Ke5-e6Kd8-c86.Ke6-e7u(anymove) 7.d6-d7u8.d7-d8Qandsoon.Theabovevariationisonlyonepossibility;othermovesalsoleadtothegoal.D-210Theplan:1.PuttheBlackKinginZugzwang.2.CheckmateBlack.Theexecutionoftheplan:1.Ke5-d6!Ke8-d8BecauseofZugzwangtheKingisforcedtotaketheopposition.2.Rf1-f8#D-211TheplanissimilartothatforD-209.Theexecution:1.Kg5-g6Kg8-h82.h5-h6Kh8-g83.h6-h7+Kg8-f84.h7-h8Q+andsoon.If3....Kh8,then4.Be5#.Othersolutions(withdifferentmoves)arealsopossible.D-212TheplanissimilartothatforD-210.Theexecution:1.Ra5-f5!Ke8-d8BecauseofZugzwangtheKingisforcedtotaketheopposition.2.Rf5-f8# D-213Theplan:1.PenetratewiththeKingtod5.2.TransfertheKnighttoc4.3.Eliminatealltheenemypawns.4.Queenthepawn,andsoon.Theexecutionoftheplan:1.Kd3-c4Kc6-c7If1....d5+,then2.exd5+Kd63.Nd2wins.2.Kc4-d5Kc7-d73.Nf3-d2Kd7-c74.Nd2-c4Kc7-d75.Nc4xd6Kd7-e76.Kd5xe5Ke7-d77.Ke5-d5Kd7-e78.Kd5xc5Ke7-e69.Nd6-c4Ke6-d710.Kc5-d5Kd7-e711.e4-e5Ke7-d712.e5-e6+Kd7-e713.Nc4-e5Ke7-d814.Kd5-d6Kd8-e815.Ne5-c6Careful!15.e7??isstalemate.15....Ke8-f816.Kd6-d7u 17.e6-e7u18.e7-e8Qandsoon.Othersolutions(withdifferentmoves)arealsopossible.D-214Theplan:1.TaketheoppositionandconfinetheKingtotheeighthrank.2.PutBlackinZugzwang.3.CheckmateBlack.Theexecutionoftheplan:1.Kd5-d6andnowa)1....Kd8-e82.Rd1-f1PuttingBlackinZugzwang.2....Ke8-d83.f1-f8#orb)1....Kd8-c82.Rd1-b1PuttingBlackinZugzwang.2....Kc8-d83.Rb1-b8#II.Exercises 1.White:Ke1,Qd1,Ra1,Rh1,Bc1,Bf1,Nb1,Ng1,P’sa2,b2,c2,d2,e2,f2,g2,h2.Black:Ke8,Qd8,Ra8,Rh8,Bc8Bf8,Nb8,Ng8,P’sa7,b7,c7,d7,e7,f7,g7,h7.2.Fourlinespassthroughe5:a)thefifthrank;b)thee-file;c)theh2-b8diagonal;andd)thea1-h8diagonal.3.Light. SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionPositions216–221dealwiththetheme“Planforexploitingalargematerialadvantage.”Positions222–227illustratethecombinedactionofaKingandaRookagainstaloneKing.216Whitetoplayandwin.Theplan:1.PutBlackinZugzwang.2.Winthepawnonc5ortheoneong5.3.Queenthec-pawnortheg-pawn,andsoon.Theexecution:1.Bd1-f3WiththeKingsfacingoneanotherinopposition,anyBishopmoveputstheBlackKinginZugzwang.1....Ke5-d6 TakingtheoppositionandbarringtheWhiteKing’saccesstotheBlackpawns.2.Ke3-e4Kd6-e63.Bf3-h1ThiswaitingmovewiththeBishopmakesitBlack’sturntomove,butBlackdoesnothaveanygoodmoves.3....Ke6-e7Losingcontrolovertheimportantsquaresd5,e5,andf5.4.Ke4-f54.Kd5wouldalsowin.4....Ke7-f75.Kf5xg5Kf7-g76.Kg5-f5Kg7-f77.g4-g5Kf7-g78.g5-g6Kg7-g89.Kf5-f6Kg8-f810.g6-g7+Kf8-g811.Bh1-d5+Whitemustbecareful:11.Kg6or11.Be4isstalemate.11....Kg8-h712.g7-g8Q+Kh7-h613.Qg8-h8#Othersolutions(withdifferentmoves)arealsopossible. 217Whitetoplayandwin.Theplan:1.Guardyourpawnfrombeingexchanged.2.WintheBlackpawn.3.Queenyourpawn,andsoon.Theexecution:1.Ba6-b7Controllinge4.1.Bd3isalsopossible.1....f5-f4TryingtoexchangeofftheWhitepawn.2.e3-e4!Savingthepawnfrombeingexchanged.2....Ke5-e63.Kf1-f2Ke6-f64.Kf2-f3Kf6-e5 5.Bb7-d5AwaitingmovewiththeBishop,makingitBlack’sturntomoveandthusputtingBlackinZugzwang.5....Ke5-f66.Kf3xf4Kf6-e77.Kf4-e5TakingtheoppositionandpushingbacktheBlackKing.7....Ke7-d78.Ke5-f6Freeingthewayforthepawnandcontrollinge6ande7.8....Kd7-e89.e4-e5andsoon.218 Whitetoplayandwin.Theplan:1.HoldbacktheBlackpawns.2.Queenthef-pawn.3.CheckmatetheBlackKing.Theexecution:1.Nf2-e4+!OnlywiththischeckcanWhitestoptheBlackpawns.1....Kf6-e72.Ne4-c3Controllingb1.2....a5-a4Threatening3....a3followedbythequeeningofoneofthepawns.3.Nc3-b1!Nowboththecriticalsquares,b1anda3,arecontrolledbytheKnight,whichthuspreventstheadvanceofbothBlackpawns.3....Ke7-f6If3....Kd6,then4.f6wins.4.Nb1-a3AwaitingmovethatputsBlackinZugzwangbymakingithisturntomove.4....Kf6-f75.Kf4-e5Kf7-e7 Takingtheopposition.6.f5-f6+Ke7-f77.Ke5-f5Kf7-f8BecauseofZugzwang.8.Kf5-e6Kf8-e8Takingtheopposition.9.f6-f7+Ke8-f810.Na3-b1!OnlywiththiswaitingmovecanWhitewin.10.Kf6?isbadbecauseof10....b1Q11.Nxb1a3,when12.Nxa3stalematesBlack!10....Kf8-g7BecauseofZugzwang.11.Ke6-e7Kg7-g612.f7-f8Qandsoon. 219Blacktoplayandwin.Theplan:1.AttackWhite’sQueensidepawnswiththeRook.2.StoptheadvanceofWhite’sKingsidepawns.3.Ifnecessary,giveupthea-pawninordertoeliminateallofWhite’spawns.4.CheckmatewithKingandRookagainstKing.Theexecution:1....Rf8-c82.f4-f5If2.Ke4,then2....Rc23.Kd4Rxa24.b4Rf25.Kc5Rxf46.b5Rxg47.Kc6Rg58.Kb7Rxb5+etc.2....Rc8-c23.g4-g5Rc2xa24.Kf3-f4Ra2-b25.f5-f6Rb1xb26.g5-g6a7-a57.Kf4-e5a5-a4 8.Ke5-e6a4-a39.Ke6-e7Threatening10.f7+followedby11.t8Q.9....Rb3-e3+andtheBlackpawnwillgoontobecomeaQueen!220GrandmasterSchlechter–GrandmasterMarshallVienna1908Whitetoplayshouldwin.HehasaBishopfortwopawnsandinadditionwillwinBlack’spawnond5nextmove.Theycontinuedasfollows:27.Qd3xd5Beingaheadinmaterial,WhitetriestoexchangeQueens.27....Qd7-e728.Qd5-d6Qe7xd6If28....Qg5,then29.Qb8+Kh730.Be4+etc. 29.e5xd6Rb2-d230.Bg2xb7Rd2xd631.Kh1-g2BringingtheKingtowardsthecenter.31....g7-g632.Rf1-f2Controllingthesecondrank.32....Kg8-g733.Rf2-c2andBlackresigned.IfBlackhadplayedon,WhiteshouldhavetriedtoexchangeRooksandbringhisKinguptothecenter.AnothergoodgoalwouldbetooccupytheseventhrankwiththeRooksoastoattackthea7andf7pawns.InDiagram220,Whitehadanalternativewayofexploitinghisadvantage:27.Bxd5,threateningthepawnonf7.Then27....Qh3wouldnotworkbecauseof28.Bxf7+Kh829.Qd8+and30.Qg8#.Finally,athirdmethodofwinningwasshownbyTarrasch:27.Rxf7Qxf728.Bxd5or27....Kxf728.e6+Qxe6(28....Kxe629.Bh3+)29.Bxd5Rb1+30.Kg2Rb2+31.Kf3.However,suchamethodisnottoberecommended.Trytochoosethesimplestmeansofexploitingyouradvantage,becauseitiseasytomakemistakesincomplicatedvariations. 221Whitetoplay.HeisupanExchange.Howcanheexploithismaterialadvantage?Blackisthreatening1....Qh1#.TheBlackQueenandBishopcancauseagreatdealofunpleasantnessforWhite,sincehisKingisexposed.Consequently,thebestmethodforWhitetoexploithisadvantageistoexchangeQueens:1.Qf2-d4+Kh8-g82.Qd4-d5+!Qc6xd53.c4xd5Bb7xd5WhitehassacrificedapawnbutinreturnhasmanagedtoexchangeQueens.Nowtheb-pawnassureshimofaneasywin.4.b2-b4Kg8-f85.b4-b5Kf8-e76.b5-b6Ke7-d6If6....Ke6,then7.Rc7h58.b7Bxb79.Rxb7andWhitemustwin.7.Rc1-d1!Kd6-c6 8.Rd1xd5!Kc6xd59.b6-b7andthepawnwillqueen.Diagrams222–227.Thethemeinallthesepositionsisthesame:theconfinementoftheBlackKingbythecombinedactionoftheWhitepieces.222Whitetoplay.Mateinsixmoves.Theplan:DrivetheBlackKingtothea1cornerandcheckmateit.Itisnothardtowin,butthereisonlyonewayofmatinginsixmoves:1.Rb2-b5PlacingtheRookundertheprotectionofitsKingandatthesametimeputtingBlackinZugzwang.1....Ka4-a3 BlackiscompelledbyZugzwangtogiveupcontroloverthea5square.2.Kb6-a5!Attackingthea4square.2....Ka3-a2BecauseofZugzwang.3.Ka5-a4DrivingtheBlackKingintothecorner.3....Ka2-a1BlackwasagaininZugzwang.4.Ka4-b3!Whitemustbecareful:4.Ka3wouldbestalemate.4....Ka1-b15.Rb5-c5TheRookcontrolsthec-fileandkeepstheKinginthecorner.BlackisnowinZugzwangforthelasttime!5....Kb1-a16.Rc5-c1# 223Whitetoplay.Mateinsevenmoves.Theplan:KeeptheBlackKingconfinedtothea8cornerandcheckmateit.TheideaisthesameasinD-222.1.Kh4-g5Ka8-b82.Kg5-f6Kb8-c83.Kf6-e7DefendingtheRookandsimultaneouslyattackingthed8square.3....Kc8-b8TheBlackKingisforcedtogivewaybecauseofZugzwang.4....Ke7-d8!ContinuingtokeeptheBlackKinginthecorner.4....Kb8-a8 ForcedbecauseofZugzwang.5.Kd8-c7Whitemustbecareful—5.Kc8wouldbestalemate.5....Ka8-a76.Rd7-d6TheRookcontrolsthesixthrankandthuskeepstheBlackKinginthecorner.6....Ka7-a8AgainforcedduetoZugzwang.7.Rd6-a6#224Whitetoplay.Mateinsevenmoves.Theplan:ConfinetheBlackKingtotheh8cornerandcheckmateit. 1.Rf8-f4PlacingtheRookundertheKing’sprotectionandcuttingBlackofffromthefourthrank.1....Kg5-g6If1....Kh5,then2.Rg4Kh63.Kh4Kh74.Kh5Kh85.Kg6Kg86.Rf4Kh87.Rf8#.If1....Kh6,then2.Rg4Kh53.Kf4Kh64.Kf5Kh5(or4....Kh75.Kf6Kh86.Kf7Kh77.Rh4#)5.Re4Kh66.Re7Kh57.Rh7#.2.Kg3-h4Avoidingthesquareg4,whichmightbeneededfortheRook.2....Kg6-h7If2....Kh6,then3.Rg4Kh74.Kh5givesusafamiliarposition.If2....Kg7,then3.Kg5Kh74.Kf6Kh8(or4....Kg85.Rh4Kf86.Rh8#)5.Kf7Kh76.Rh4#.3.Kh4-g5Kh7-g75.Rf4-f1AwaitingmovethatputsBlackinZugzwang.5....Kg7-h7If4....Kg8,then5.Kg6Kh86.Rf8#.If4....Kh8,then5.Kg6Kg86.Rf2Kh87.Rf8#.6.Kg5-f6Kh7-g8If5....Kh8,then6.Kf7Kh77.Rh1#.6.Rf1-h1Kg8-f8ForcedduetoZugzwang. 7.Rh1-h8#225Whitetoplay.Mateineightmoves.Theplan:ConfinetheBlackKingtothea1cornerandcheckmateit.Wesolvethisproblemeasilybyapplyingthemethodthatisnowfamiliartous:1.Rb2-b7Ka6-a52.Kb8-a7!Ka5-a4TheBlackiscontinuallyinZugzwang.3.Ka7-a6Ka4-a34.Ka6-a5Ka3-a25.Ka5-a4Ka2-a16.Ka4-b3Whitemustbecareful:6.Ka3wouldbestalemate.6....Ka1–b1 7.Rb7-c7PuttingBlackintoZugzwangforthefinaltime.7....Kb1-a18.Rc7-c1#226Whitetoplay.Mateinsevenmoves.Theplan:ConfinetheBlackKingtothea8cornerandcheckmateit.1.Kb1-c2!Ka3-a42.Kc2-c3Ka4-a5If2....Ka3,then3.Rb4Ka24.Kc2Ka35.Rc4Ka26.Ra4#3.Kc3-c4Ka5-a6IftheKingreturnstoa4(3....Ka4),itwillbeinoppositiontotheWhiteKingandgetcheckmatedby4.Ra2#.4.Kc4-c5Ka6-a7 5.Kc5-c6Ka7-a86.Kc6-c7Ka8-a7Unabletoretreatanymore,theBlackKingisforcedtoreturnandstandoppositeitsWhitecounterpart.7.Rb2-a2#227Whitetoplay.Mateineightmoves.Theplan:DrivetheBlackKingtothea1cornerandcheckmateit.Bynow,thisproblemwillseemacinch.1.Rb8-b7Awaitingmove.1....Ka6-a52.Ka8-a7Ka5-a43.Ka7-a6Ka4-a34.Ka6-a5Ka3-a25.Ka5-a4Ka2-a1 6.Ka4-b3Youofcourserememberthat6.Ka3can’tbeplayed,becauseofstalemate.6....Ka1-b17.Rb7-c7ThefinalZugzwangforBlack.7....Kb1-a18.Rc7-c1#InalltheexamplestheKingandRookhelpedeachother,i.e,theyco-operatedwell. LessonSevenA.CheckLesson6Homework(asnecessary).B.ReviewQuestions1.HowmanymovesareyouallowedformatingifyouhaveaRookandKingagainstaloneKing?2.Whatismeantbya“plan”inachessgameandwhyisitneeded?3.Whatisthepurposeofwaitingmoves?4.Whatisthebestmethodofplayifyouhavealargematerialadvantage?TrytoanswerQuestions5&6withoutlookingatachessboard.5.ThereisaWhitepawnona6andaBlackoneonb7.Blackplays...b7-b5.CanWhitecaptureenpassant?6.HowmanymovesdoesaKnightneedtogetfromh1tof3?Whatarethesemoves? Answerthenextquestionsdirectlyfromthediagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard.228Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.229Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 230Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.231Whitetoplay.Whoshouldwin? AnswerstoReviewQuestions1.50moves.Ifyoutakemore,thegame’sadraw!2.Aplanisaprogramofactionthattellsuswhatwehavetodoinordertoattainthegoalthatwehavesetforourselves.3.SometimesyouropponentwillbeinZugzwang,i.e.,hewillnothaveanygoodmoves.Insuchcasesyoucanprofitablyplayawaitingmove,whichwillmakeityouropponent’sturntoplaywithoutchangingthepositionsignificantly.4.Exchangingpiecesandtransposingintoanendgame.5.No.Whitecouldcaptureenpassantonlyifhispawnwereona5,andnotona6.6.Four:Nh1-f2-e4-g5-f3.Otherroutesarealsopossible.D-2281.Qd1-d7+Or1.Qb1,or1.Qb3.1....Ka7-a82.Qd7-b7#D-2291.Qb1xh7+Kh8xh72.Ra5-h5#Alinearmate.D-2301....Rh8-a8 PuttingWhiteintoZugzwang.2.Kb1-c1Ra8-a1#D-231Blackshouldwin.Heisthreatening1....Ra8#andtheWhiteQueenissobadlyplacedthatitcannothelpitsKing.TheWhitepawnonlyhelpsBlack,sincewithoutitWhitecouldwinby1.Qh1,controllingthecriticalsquarea8.Butinthepositionasitis,thebestWhitehasis:1.Kg8-f8Ra7-a8+2.Kf8-e7Ra8xh8BlackhaswontheQueenandinafewmoveshewillwintheWhitepawnandgoontowinthegame. TacticsYoualreadyknowthattheplansthataplayerformsduringagameanswerthequestionofwhatmustbedoneinordertoattainacertaingoal.Thequestionofhowtoexecuteaplanbelongstotherealmoftactics,whichconsistsofcombinations,exchanges,tacticalthemes,etc.Tacticalthemeswhichareoftenencounteredinpositionsthatsharecertainfeaturesareknownastypicaltacticalthemes.LetusnowlookatDiagram232.232Whitetoplayandwin.After1.Rh6-h7+Kd7-d82.Kd5-e6BlackcannotpreventWhitefromexecutinghisplanofplayingRh7-d7followedbyRd7xd6,givinguphisRookfortheBishopbutwinningallofBlack’spawnsinreturn.HereWhite’splanconsistsofexchanginghisRookforBlack’sBishopandpawns,whilethetacticaldeviceemployedisthedeflectionoftheBlackKingfromthedefenseofthepawnond6. DoubleAttackGamesoftencontainopportunitiesforaplayertowinbyabeautifulcombinationbutunfortunatelytheseopportunitiesfrequentlygobyunnoticed.Aknowledgeoftypicaltacticaldeviceswillhelpinspottingcombinations.Todayweshalllookatoneofthemostimportantofthesetacticaldevices,knownasdoubleattack.Diagrams233and234showvariousdoubleattackpatterns.Ineachofthequarter-diagrams,thedoubleattackiscarriedoutbyadifferentman.233234 Adoubleattackoccurswhenapieceorpawnsimultaneouslyattackstwoenemymen.Doubleattacksarealsoknownasforks.ThemostdangerousforkingpiecesaretheQueenandtheKnight,bothofwhichattackineightdirectionssimultaneously.AdoubleattackisparticularlyeffectivewhenoneofthepiecesattackedistheKing.CheckingtheKingandsimultaneouslyattackinganothermanoftenleadstothewinofmaterial.Letusnowlookatsomesimpleexamplesofdoubleattack.InDiagrams235–240,Whiteistoplayandwinmaterialusingthetacticaldeviceofdoubleattack.Solvetheseexerciseswithoutmovingthemen.235 236237 238239 240AnswersD-2351.Kb4-b5D-2361.Qe4-d4+(or1.Qd5+)D-2371.Rd8-d5+D-2381.Bg3-e5+D-2391.Nc2-e1+D-2401.g2-g4+Kh5-g62.g4xf5+Nowherearesomematerial-winningcombinationsbasedonthetacticaldeviceof“doubleattack.”WhitemovesfirstinDiagrams241–246. 241HowcanyouwinBlack’sBishop?242HowcanyouwinBlack’sBishop? 243HowcanyouwinBlack’sKnight?244HowcanyouwinBlack’sQueen? 245HowcanyouwinBlack’sQueenanddrawthegame?246HowcanyouwinBlack’spawnanddrawthegame? AnswersD-2411.Re3xh3!BysacrificingtheExchangeWhitedecoystheBlackRookontotheh3square.1....Rh6xh3OtherwiseWhitewouldbeapieceup.2.Bc4xe6+AdoubleattackwhichwillleaveWhiteupaBishop.D-2421.Rg4xg7+!BygivinguphisRookfortheBishop,WhitedecoystheBlackKingontog7.1....Kh7xg7Orelse2.Qxh6#wouldfollow.2.Qd2-d4+ThischeckwinstheRook,leavingWhiteaBishopup.D-2431.Qe2xe6!TheQueensacrificesitselffortheKnight,whichcontrolsf8.1....Qd5xe6 If1....Qd8,then2.Qf5+and3.f8Qetc.2.f7-f8N+!IfthepawnpromotedtoaQueenthegamewouldbeadraw,butbypromotingtoaKnightitimmediatelycreatesaforkthatwillleaveWhiteaKnightup.D-244Black,withamaterialadvantage,wasdreamingofwinning,butWhitemadeamagnificentcombinationandgainedthevictory.1.Be6-d7+!TodecoytheBlackKingorQueenontothetreacheroussquared7,theWhiteBishopsacrificesitselfforthesakeofadoubleattack.ButitslosswillbeavengedbytheKnight!Variationa):1....Ke8xd72.Ng4-e5+AKnightfork.2....Kd7-d63.Ne5xc6Kd6xc6Variationb):1....Qc6xd72.Ng4-f6+Againafork.2....Ke8-e73.Nf6xd7Ke7xd7Whitehasgainedthreepoints.Inbothvariations,Whitefinishestwopawnsupandshouldwin. D-2451.Rc1-c5!Blackhasabigmaterialadvantageandfeltsureofwinning,but....Whitefindsasavingcombination.BysacrificingtheRook,heforcestheBlackQueentooccupyc5.1....Qd5xc5Allothermoveswouldlose.2.d2-d4+ForkingtheQueenandtheKing.2....Qc5xd4It’sbettertogiveuptheQueenfortwopawnslikethisthanforjustone.3.e3xd4+Ke5xd44.Kf2-g3Adrawisinevitable,asBlack’slastpawnwillbeeliminated.AsaresultofthecombinationWhitegainedthreepoints.D-246TheBlackpawnisthreateningtoqueen.1.Bc3a22.Ka4a1Q+3.Bxa1Nxa1doesnotsaveWhitesinceBlackshouldwinwithhisKnightandBishopagainstWhite’sloneKing,althoughonlystrongandexperiencedplayersknowthewinningtechnique.However,WhitecansavehimselfbyaforkingcombinationinwhichtheKingitselfplaysthemainrole.1.Bb4xa3TheBishopsacrificesitselfforthedangerouspawnona3andatthesametimedecoystheBlackKnightontothatsquare.1....Nc2xa3 IfBlackdoesn’tcapturetheBishopthegameshouldbeadrawanyway.2.Ka5-b4NoweithertheKnightortheBishopwillbelostandthegamewillbedrawn.Notethatineachoftheaboveexamplessomethingwassacrificedinordertoachieveagoal—acombinationisjustthat.PawnEndgames.TheRuleoftheSquareWenowbeginthestudyofpawnendgames.Youwilloftenhavetodealwithsuchendgamesinyourgames.TheyarisewhenallthepieceshavebeenexchangedoffandeachsideisleftonlywithhisKingandsomepawns.Pawnendingsdemandaccurateplay,sinceasingleincorrectmovecanchangetheoutcomeofthestruggle.Sometimesoneoftheplayersobtainsanadvantageofasinglepawn.Isthisadvantageenoughforvictory?Shouldhestrivetoexchangeoffallthepiecesandgointoapawnendingorshouldheavoidsuchexchanges?Aplayercancorrectlyanswerthesequestionsonlyifhehasamasteryofpawnendings.Todayweshalllookatsomeverysimpleexamples,inwhichapawntriestoadvancetothequeeningsquarewithoutthehelpofitsKing. 247Whitetoplaywins.Blacktoplaydraws.InDiagram247,WhitetoplaywinsandBlacktoplaydraws.WithWhitetoplayweget:1.b3-b4Kh3-g42.b4-b5Kg4-f5TheBlackKingapproachestheWhitepawnalongthediagonal,whichistheshortestroute.3.b5-b6Kf5-e64.b6-b7Ke6-d75.b7-b8QTheBlackKingwasunabletocatchtheWhitepawn,whichhassuccessfullyqueened.Nowletuslookatthesameposition(Diagram247)withBlacktoplay:1....Kh3-g42.b3-b4Kg4-f5 3.b4-b5Kf5-e64.b5-b6Ke6-d75.b6-b7Kd7-c7TheKingslightlydeviatesfromitsdiagonalpathbecausec8iscontrolledbytheWhitepawn.6.b7-b8Q+Kc7xb8TheBlackKingcaughttheWhitepawnintimeandcapturesit.GoodchessplayerscantellinadvancewhetherornottheKingcancatchthepawninsuchsituations.TheydothisbymakinguseoftheRuleoftheSquare,whichstates:Drawasquareonesideofwhichisthelineextendingfromthepawntoitsqueeningsquare.IfthedefendingKingonitsmovecanenterthissquare,itcancatchthepawn.Whensuchpositionsoccurinagame,playersdrawamentalpictureofsuchsquares.ReturningnowtoDiagram247,weseethatwithWhitetoplaytheBlackKingisunabletoenterthesmallersquareb4-b8-f4-f8andsothepawnqueens,whereaswithBlacktoplayhisKingcanenterthelargersquareb3-g8-g3-g8andcatchupwiththepawn.Whenapplyingtheruleofthesquaretoapawnonitshomesquare(2ndrankforaWhitepawnand7thrankforaBlackpawn)wemustrememberthatthepawncanadvancetwosquaresatonceonitsfirstmove.Asaresultwemustdrawthesquarefromthethirdrank(foraWhitepawn)orthesixthrank(foraBlackpawn). 248InDiagram248,forexample,Whitetoplaywinsby1.a2-a4,theBlackKingbeingunabletoenterthesmallsquarea4-a8-e4-e8.Blacktoplay,ontheotherhand,draws:1....Kg3-f4TheKingentersthelargesquarea3-a8-f3-f8andcatchestheWhitepawn.1.a2-a4Kf4-e53.a4-a5Ke5-d64.a5-a6Kd6-c75.a6-a7Kc7-b76.a7-a8Q+Kb7xa8TheKingusuallychasesthepawnalongthediagonalbecausethatistheshortestroute.Ifthereissomeobstacleonthediagonal,theruleofthesquarebecomesinapplicable.Forexample,letuslookatDiagram249: 249BlacktoplayandWhitewins.1....Ka3-b4TheKingentersthesquarebutbecausethereisanobstacle(theBlackpawnond6)initspath(thea3-f8diagonal),Blacklosesanyway.Norwould1....d5saveBlack:2.f5d43.f6d34.f7d25.f8Q+Kb36.Qf1Kc27.Qb1+Kc38.Ka2andWhitewillattackthepawnwithhisKing,winningitandwithitthegameaswell.2.f4-f5Kb4-c53.f5-f6Kc5-c6TheKingisforcedtolosetime(atempo)ingoingaroundhisownpawn.4.f6-f7Kc6-d75.f7-f8QBlackfellonemove(tempo)shortofdrawingthegame.Nowletususeournewly-acquiredknowledgetomakesomecombinations. 250BlacktoplayandWhitewins.1....Ka3-b4WiththismovetheBlackKingentersthesquareofthepawnandBlackthoughtthatthegamewouldbedrawn,but....2.d5-d6!Acombination!TheWhitepawnsacrificesitselfinordertodecoytheBlackpawnontod6.2....c7xd6OrelsetheWhited-pawnwouldqueen.3.f4-f5AndWhitewinsinexactlythesamemannerasinthepreviousexample.TheBlackpawnond6blocksitsKing’spath. 251Whitetoplaywins.1.Ne4-c3!Otherwisethegamewouldbedrawn:1.Nc5Kb42.Kg2Kxc53.a5Kb5,andtheKingisinthea5-a8-d5-d8squareandeasilywinsthepawn.1....Ka5-b42.Kh1-g2!Acombination!TheKnightissacrificedinordertodeflecttheBlackKingfromthea5-a8-d5-d8square.2....Kb4xc3OtherwisetheWhiteKingwillapproachand,togetherwiththeKnight,willescortthepawntoitsqueeningsquare.3.a4-a5Nowthepawncannotbestopped.3....Kc3-b4 4.a5-a6Kb4-b55.a6-a7Kb5-b66.a7-a8Qandsoon.252Whitetoplaywins.1.Qg5xf6+!AtemporaryQueensacrificewiththeultimategoalofassuringthequeeningofthepawnonb5.SacrificingtheRookinsteaddoesnotwork:1.Rxb6+Qxb62.Qxf6+Kc53.Qxb6+Kxb6andtheWhitepawnislost,astheBlackKingisintheb5-b8-e5-e8square.1....Qd4xf62.Rb7xb6+Kd6-e53.Rb6xf6Ke5xf64.b5-b6AndthepawnqueensastheBlackKingcannotentertheb6-b8-d6-d8square. 4....Kf6-e65.b6-b7Ke6-d66.b7-b8Qandsoon.Toconcludethislesson,letuslookatsomeveryshortgamesinwhichadoubleattackdecidedtheoutcomeofthestrugglerightintheopening.Game43Combe–Hasenfuss,Folkestone19331.d2-d4c7-c5IfWhitereplies2.dxc5canBlackwinbackthepawn?Yes,withthemove2....Qa5+,adoubleattackontheKing(check)andthepawn.2.c2-c42.d5wouldbeagoodmove.2....c5xd43.Ng1-f3Whitedoesn’twanttobringouthisQueenwith3.Qxd4.3....e7-e5Blackdefendsthepawnond4andatthesametimesetsatrapthatshouldbe“child’splay”toavoid.SeeDiagram253. 253Whatisthetrap?4.Nf3xe5??Whitefallsforthebaitandtakesthepoisonedpawn.Insteadofattemptingtoregainthesacrificedpawn,heshouldplayagambitwith4.e3.Butheisgreedyandlosesimmediately.4....Qd8-a5+Adoubleattack.TheQueenforkstheKingandtheKnight.Whiteresigns.SeeDiagram254. 254ThisgameistheshortesteverplayedintheWorldChessOlympics.Game44FrenchDefense1.e2-e4e7-e62.d2-d4d7-d53.Nb1-c3d5xe44.Nc3xe4Ng8-f65.Bf1-d3Agoodmovethatincidentallycontainsatrap.5....Bf8-e7Blackseesthroughthetrap:5....Qxd4wouldcosthimhisQueenafter6.Bb5+.6.Ng1-f30-0 7.Qd1-e2b7-b6?UntilnowbothsideshaveplayedwellbuthereBlackoverlooksadoubleattackofWhite’s.Heshouldplayinstead7....Nbd7followedby8....b6.8.Ne4xf6+Be7xf69.Qe2-e4!SeeDiagram255.255Blackresigns,ashemustlosehisRook.TheWhiteQueenissimultaneouslythreateningtomateonh7(10.Qxh7#)andcapturetheRookona8(10.Qxa8). HOMEWORKI.ThesolutionstoDiagrams256–261involvethetacticaldeviceof“doubleattack.”256FindallthepossibledoubleattackswithWhitetoplayandwithBlacktoplay(donotmoveapiecetoasquarewhereitcanbecapturedfornothingorbyavaluableman).__________________________________________________________________________________________ 257Whitetoplay.Findallthepossibledoubleattacks.Whichisthebest?(DonotputyourQueenunderattack.)__________________________________________________________________________________________ 258Blacktoplay.Findthebestmove.259 Blacktoplayandwinapiece.260WhitetoplayandwinBlack’sQueen. 261Whitetoplayandwinapiece.II.InDiagrams262-267findcombinationsthatusethetacticaldeviceof“doubleattack.” 262Whitetoplayandwinapiece.263 WhitetoplayandwinBlack’sQueen.264Whitetoplayandwin. 265Whitetoplayandwin.266 Whitetoplayandwinapiece.267WhatwillhappenifBlackcapturesthepawnond6?III.ThesolutionstoDiagrams268–273makeuseofthe“ruleofthesquare.” 268WhathappensifitisWhitetoplay?IfitisBlacktoplay?269Whitetoplay.Howshouldthegameend? 270CanBlacktoplaywin? 271Whitetoplayandwin.272Whitetoplay.QueenyourownpawnwhilestoppingBlack’s. 273Whitetoplayandwin.AnswerstotheHomeworkD-256WithWhitetoplay:Kg1-g2;Qe1-b4;Qe1-e2;Ng6-e7+;Ng6-h4;b2-b3.WithBlacktoplay:Qc8-e6;Qc8-e8;Rf3-e3;Ba4xc2;Nc4-e3. D-257Qf3-b3+isthebestmoveasitwinstheRook,themostvaluableBlackpieceontheboard.Othermovesare:Qf3-b7;Qf3-c6+;Qf3-e4+;Qf3-h3+.D-258Variationa):1....Nd4-c2+2.Ke1-d2Nc2xa13.Rg1xa1BlackhaswonaQueen(9points)andlostaKnight(3points)foranetgainof6points.Variationb):1....Nd4xf3+2.Ke1-f2Nf3xg13.Kf2xg1InthiscaseBlackhaswonaBishop(3points)andaRook(5points)andlostaKnight(3points).Thatis,hehaswon5points.Soweconcludethat1....Nc2+isthebestmove,sinceitgainsonepointmorethan1.Nxf3+.D-259(BasedonthegameReti-Alekhine,Baden-Baden1925).1....Be6-d5winseithertheRookortheKnight.D-2601.Rh5-d5+.ThischeckwinsaQueenforaRook,againoffourpointsforWhite.D-2611.Kc5-b6Na7-c8+If1....Kg4,then2.Kb7winsapiece.2.Kb6-b7 TheKingattackstwopiecessimultaneouslyandoneofthemmustperish.D-2621.Qd2xd7+!ThisQueensacrificeeliminatestheBishopdefendingthepawnone6.1....Rd8xd72.Nf4xe6+NowtheKnightisabletocapturethepawnone6andforktheQueenandKing.2....u3.Ne6xf8andWhiteisaKnightup.Blackhaslostfourpoints.D-2631.Rd2xd4+!ThisexchangesacrificedecoystheBlackKingontod4.1....Kd5xd4OtherwisetheRookwouldtaketheQueen.2.Ng5-e6+Ouroldfriendthefork.2....u3.Ne6xd8 AndWhiteisupaKnight.BlackhaslostaQueenandBishopforaRook,i.e.,atotalofsevenpoints.D-264Blackisthreatening1....Qg2#andapparentlythereisnodefense.However,Whiteissavedbyan“exchanging”combination:1.Qa8-h8+!TheQueenissacrificedtodecoytheBlackKingontoh8.1....Kh7xh82.Nd6-f7+Againafork.2.....u3.Nf7xg5Nowweseetheideabehindthecombination.WhitehasexchangedoffthedangerousBlackQueenandnowcanwineasily,sincehisKingiswithinthesquareoftheBlackpawn(f1-f3-h1-h3)whiletheBlackKinghasn’tthefaintesthopeofmakingittothesquareoftheWhitea-pawn(a6-a8-c6-c8).D-2651.Bf4-d2+!AfineBishopsacrificethatdecoystheBlackKingontod2.1....Kc3xd2If1....Kxb2,thenWhiteplays2.Bxa5followedbyqueeningthepawn.2.Nb2-c4+Afork.Itisnotfornothingthatchessplayersconsiderhorsestobedangerousbeasts. 2....u3.Nc4xa5andthea-pawnwillqueenastheBlackKingcannotenterthea6-a8-c6-c8square.D-2661.Rc1xc2!AnexchangesacrificetodecoytheBlackRookontoc2.1....Rd2xc2OrelseWhitewillremainaBishopup.2.Bh3-f5+AcheckwinningtheRook.WhitewillbeupaBishop.D-267(FromLjublinskii–Kamyshov,Moscow1949).1....Kd7xd6?wasfollowedby2.Rb1-d1+Kd6-e73.Rd1xd8!Ke7xd84.Be3xb6+AcheckwinningtheRook.Blackresigns,ashehaslostapiece.D-268WhitewinsinbothcasesastheBlackKingcannotmakeitintimetotheb4-b8-f4-f8squareandtheWhitepawnwillqueen. D-269Whiteshouldwin:1.d4-d5!ThepawnissacrificedinordertoestablishaBlackpawnintheBlackKing’spath.1.a4wouldnotworkbecauseof1....Ke42.a5Kd5,whentheBlackKing,havingenteredthea5-a8-d5-d8square,canstopthea-pawn.1....e6xd5Otherwisethed-pawnwouldqueen.2.a2-a4Kf3-e4Itdoesn’thelptomove2....d43.a5d3,becauseof4.Ke1!andtheWhiteKingcaneasilystopBlack’spawn.Atthesametime,theBlackKingcannotstoptheWhitepawnonthea-file.3.a4-a5Ke4-e5TheKingisforcedtoloseadecisivemove(tempo)ingoingarounditsownpawn.4.a5-a6Ke5-d65.a6-a7Kd6-c76.a7-a8QBlackwasjustonemoveshortofcatchingthepawn.D-270Yes.1....Ba1-e5!TheBishopissacrificedinordertodeflecttheWhiteKingfromthec1-c4-f1-f4square.2.Ke4xe5 OtherwiseBlackwillbringhisKinguptoaccompanythepawnandwineasily2....f4-f3andthepawnwillqueen.D-2711.Nc4-b2!OnlythisKnightsacrificewins.1.Ne5wouldbemetbythedoubleattack1....Kd4,winningthepawn.1....Kc3xb2OrelsetheWhiteKingwillcomeuptohelpthepawnqueen.2.d3-d4andWhitewins,sincetheBlackKingcannotstopthepawn.D-2721.Kf1-g2!1.a4wouldbeamistakebecauseof1....g2+,winningforBlack(theBishopcaneasilystopthea-pawn).SoWhitefirstkeepstheBishopoutofplay.EventhoughitnowbecomesBlack’sturntoplay,hisKingstillcannotmakeitintimetothesquareofthepawn.1....h6-h5Theonlychance.2.a2-a4h5-h43.a4-a5h4-h3+!BlackoffersapawninanattempttofreehistrappedBishop. 4.Kg2-h1!!Whiteignoresthepawnonh3.4.Kxh3wouldallowBlacktowinby4....Bg1,butasitistheBishopstillcannotbreakloose.4....g7-g5YetanotherpawnhurriestotheaidoftheBishop.5.a5-a6g5-g46.a6-a7g3-g2+!BlackgivesuphisBishopinafinalattempttosavethegame.7.Kh1xh2g4-g3+!Thepawnsong3andh3areunderattacknow,buttheyareboth“poisonedpawns.”IftheKingcaptureseitherofthem,thepawnong2willqueen.8.Kh2-g1!!TheBlackpawnshavebeenstopped!8....h3-h2+9.Kg1xg2Kh8-g710.a7-a8Qandsoon.TheWhiteKingsuccessfullycopedwithaBlackBishopandthree(!)BlackpawnswhilenothingcouldholdbacktheWhitea-pawn.ThishappenedbecausetheBishopwascaughtinadisastroussituationandtheBlackKingwastoofarawayfromboththeBishopandtheWhitepawn.D-273(FromPetrosian-Taimanov,Moscow1957).Thefutureworldchampionplayed1.Rd8-d1andBlackresigned.1....Ra2isnogoodbecause2.Kb3snarestheRook.If1....Rxd1,then2.Kxd1andtheBlack Kingcannotreachthesquareofthea-pawn(a3-a8-f3-f8),whiletheWhiteKingcaneasilystopanyoftheBlackpawns. SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionDefendingAgainstaDoubleAttack274Blacktoplay.White’sBishopisforkingtheKingandtheKnight.CanBlacksavehispiece?Yes,hecan,byusingatacticaldeviceknownasdefendingagainstacheckbyinterposition:1....Bf7-g6NowboththeKingandtheKnightareprotected.2.Be4xc2Bg6xc2Piecesofequalvaluehavebeentraded. 275Whitetoplay.TheBlackpawnone4isforkingtheKingandtheRook.DoesWhitehavetoloseaRook?No.Whitecansavehimselfbyusingatacticaldeviceknownascounterattacking:1.Kf3-g2!TheKinggetsoutofcheckandatthesametimeattacksBlack’sRook.1....e4xd32.Kg2xh1Whitehaslostnothing.AllthathasoccurredisatradeofRooks. 276Whitetoplay.1.e5-e6ThepawnforkstheRookandtheBishop.CanBlackavoidlosingapiece?Yes,byusingthetacticaldeviceknownasin-betweencheck:1....Rd7-b7+Blackmovesawayoneofhisattackedpieceswithcheck.WhitehasnotimetocapturetheotherpiecebecausehemustfirstsavehisKing.Notethatthein-betweencheck1....Rd1+wouldnotworkbecauseofthecounterattack2.Kc2,whenWhitewouldwinapieceafterall.2.uBf7-e8Blackhassavedhispiece. 277Blacktoplay.TheWhiteRookisforkingtwoBlackpieces.CanBlacksavethem?Yes,byusingthetacticaldeviceknownasdefendingoneattackedpiecewiththeotherattackedpiece:1....Bb4-d6Thedefenses1....Nc6and1....Na6wouldbeinsufficientsinceafterthenewfork2.Rb6!Blackwouldloseapieceafterall.2.Rb4-b6Bd6-e53.Rb6-b5Kg7-f6withanequalposition. 278CaneitherWhiteorBlacktoplaywinmaterial?Whitetoplaywinsapiece:1.Qd1-h5+AcheckwinningtheKnightona5.1.Qa4+alsosimultaneouslyattackstheKingandtheKnight,butwouldnotwinapiece.Blackcoulddefendintwoways:a)1....Nc6(oneattackedpieceprotectstheother)orb)1....c6(thepawncoversthecheckandatthesametimeopensadiagonalalongwhichtheQueendefendstheKnight).Blacktoplaycannotwinmaterialinspiteofthefactthathecanmakeatripleattack!1....Qd8-h4+TheQueensimultaneouslyattackstheKing,theKnight,andthee-pawn.2.Nh3-f2!Oneattackedpieceprotectsthetwootherattackedmen:theKnightmovesawayfromtheattackandatthesametimecoversthecheckanddefendsthee-pawn. 279Whitetoplay.Is1.Be4-d5agoodmove?No.AlthoughtheBishopforkstwoBlackpieces,themoveisstillablunder.Blackcanwinapiecebyusingthetacticaldeviceknownaseliminatingthedefender:1....Rc4xf4!!WiththisexchangesacrificeBlacksimultaneouslyeliminatestheBishop’sdefenderandattackstheWhiteQueen.2.Qf1xf42.Bxf7wouldbeevenworsesinceafter2....Rxf1+Blackwouldbeapieceup.2....Qf7xd5+AsaresultofhiscombinationBlackhaswonaKnightandaBishop(6points)foraRook(5points),i.e.,hehasgainedonepoint.Youarenowacquaintedwiththemajorwaysofdefendingagainstdoubleattacks.Thereare,however,othermethodsaswell,andyouwillbeintroducedtothemlateron. SampleGamesContainingTheThemeofDoubleAttackGame45SicilianDefense1.e2-e4c7-c52.d2-d4c5xd43.Ng1-f3Whitecouldwinbackhispawnby3.Qxd4,buthedoesnotwanttobringhisQueenoutsoearly.HeexpectsthattheBlackpawncannotbedefendedinanycase.3....e7-e5Blackdefendsthed-pawnandsetsatrapatthesametime.4.Nf3xe5??Howoftenwefallintotraps!Whitethinksthatthee-pawnisagift.Itwouldbebettertoplayagambit:4.c3dxc35.Nxc3d66.Bc4,andtheaggressivedevelopmentoftheWhitepiecesmakesupforthelostpawn.4....Qd8-a5+!SeeDiagram280. 280ThissimpleQueencheckwasoverlookedbyWhiteinhiscalculationswhenhemadehislastmove.BlackwillcapturetheKnightone5andhaveexcellentchancesofwinningthegame.Game46VitaliiKozlov(age12)–KolyaPetuhov(age14)Schoolchildren’sTournament,USSR19741.d2-d4Ng8-f62.Bc1-g5c7-c6Afairlygoodmovethatatthesametimesetsatrap.3.e2-e3??WhoseesthestrongestreplyforBlack?Whitehasnotnoticedadoubleattackandpayswithapiece.Instead3.Nf3wouldleadtoanevengame.3....Qd8-a5+! Ofcourse,thisisthestrongestmove.AcheckwinningtheBishop.SeeDiagram281.281Whiteresigned,butitwouldmakesenseforabeginnertofightoninsuchasituationsincehisopponentmightinturnmakeablunder.CanBlackbesaidtohavemadeacombinationinthisgame?No.Acombinationhastocontainasacrifice.Black’smove3....Qa5+isatacticaldeviceknownasdoubleattack.Game47RuyLopez1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-b5Thismoveinitiatesthemostpopularopeningofourtimes,theRuyLopez,namedafteraSpaniardinwhosehandsitwasafearfulweaponsome400yearsago. 3....a7-a6Blackoftenmakesthismove,whichinvolvesatemporarypawnsacrifice.4.Bb5xc6d7xc6Blackcouldalsoreply4....bxc6,e.g.5.Nxe5Qg5(attackingboththeKnightandthepawnong2)6.Ng4d5!(afreshdoubleattack,thistimeontheKnightong4andthepawnone4)7.Ne3dxe4.5.Nf3xe5?!Whiteisinahurrytowinapawn.Hewoulddobettertocontinuehisdevelopmentby5.0-0or5.Nc3.5....Qd8-d4!AdoubleattackallowingBlacktowinbackhispawn.Alsopossibleis5....Qg5(againadoubleattack)6.d4Qxg2.Notasgood,however,wouldbe5....Qe76.d4f67.Nf3Qxe4+8.Be3,whenBlackisbehindindevelopment.6.Ne5-f3Qd4xe4+7.Qd1-e2Qe4xe2+8.Ke1xe2SeeDiagram282. 282Black’spositionispreferable.WhitehaslosttherighttocastlewhileBlackcanrapidlybringouthispiecesandcastleontheQueenside.Game48FimaRokhman(age11)–DimaShapiro(age12)Schoolchildren’sTournament,USSR19721.c2-c4d7-d52.c4xd5Ng8-f6Blackcouldplay2....Qxd5buthedoesn’twanttobringhisQueenoutsoearlyandplanstocapturethepawnwithhisKnight.3.e2-e4Whitedecidestodefendthepawn,atthesametimesettinga“childishlysimple”trap.3....Nf6xe4?? Blackcanblameonlyhimselfforplayingsocarelessly.HegrabsthepawnwithoutnoticingWhite’ssimplereply.Instead,Blackshouldplayagambit,i.e.,sacrificeapawninreturnforgoodplay.Forexample:3....c64.dxc6Nxc6.4.Qd1-a4+!AcheckwinningtheKnight.SeeDiagram283.283Blackresigns.Ofcourseyouwon’tmakesuch“typicalmistakes,”right?Game491.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-e2Apassivemove.3.Bc4or3.Bb5wouldbebetter.3....Bf8-c5 4.0-0d7-d65.c2-c3Preparing6.d4.5....Bc8-e6?Ablunderthatcostsapiece.5....Bg4or5....Nf6wouldbebetter.6.d2-d4Beforemakingthismove,WhitehadtocounthowmanytimesthepawnwouldbeattackedbytheBlackmenandhowmanytimesitwouldbedefended.6....Bc5-b6Blackcannotwinthepawnond4becausethethreeattackersdonotoutnumberthethreedefenders.7.d4-d5!SeeDiagram284. 284Aforkwhichwinsapiece.ThisiswhatBlackoverlookedwhenplaying5....Be6?.NowBlack’saffairsareinabadway.Game501.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Ng8-f63.d2-d3Whitedefendshispawnone4andplanstocapturetheBlackpawnone5,butthemoveispassiveandblocksthelight-squareBishop.Moreactivepossibilitiesare3.d4or3.Nxe5d64.Nf3Nxe45.d4.3....c7-c6Aninterestingmovethatprepares4....d5andatthesametimeindirectlydefendsthepawnone5.4.Nb1-c3WhiteseesthroughBlack’sfirsttrap:4.Nxe5wouldbebadbecauseof4....Qa5+winningtheKnightone5. 4....d7-d5!Blackagainoffersthepawnone5,butseizesthecenter.5.Nf3xe5?Black’ssecondtrapcatchesWhite!IfWhitewantstowinthee-pawn,heshouldplaythefollowingline,althoughBlackgetsenoughcompensationforthepawn:5.exd5cxd56.Nxe5d47.Qe2!(anin-betweenmovewiththeQueenthatprevents7....dxc3sincethediscoveredcheck8.Nc6+wouldwinBlack’sQueen)7....Be78.Nd1(nowtheKnightone5isdefendedbytheQueenandWhitedoesnothavetofearthedoubleattack8....Qa5+).5....d5-d4!ThisisthemovetheWhiteunderestimatedinhiscalculations.6.Nc3-e2Qd8-a5+ThesameoldcheckwinningaKnightthatoccursinsomanygames!SeeDiagram285.285 Game51Queen’sGambitDeclined1.d2-d4d7-d52.c2-c4Whitesacrificesapawnforquickdevelopment.2....Ng8-f6Blackdeclinesthegift,butabetterwayofdoingsowouldbeby2....e6,defendingthed-pawnwithanotherpawn.3.c4xd5Nf6xd54.Ng1-f3Nb8-c6Amistake.TheBlackKnightsarenowconvenienttargetsfortheWhitepawns.Itwouldbebettertoplay4....e6or4....c6,controllingthecentralsquared5.5.e2-e4Nd5-f66.d4-d5!TheWhitepawnsoccupythecenterandchasetheBlackKnightsawayfromthere.6....Nf6xe4?Blackplaysforatrap.Heexpects7.dxc6Qxd1+8.Kxd1Nxf2+9.Ke1Nxh1,whenhewouldbeupanExchangeandtwopawns.However,itwouldbebettertomovetheKnightbacktoitshomesquarewith6....Nb8.7.Bc1-e3! Nowthepawnonf2isdefendedbytheBishopandWhitereallythreatenstocapturetheKnightonc6.Blackhasfallenintoacountertrap.7....Nc6-a58.Qd1-a4+!SeeDiagram286.286AtripleattackontheKingandtwoKnights!BlackcandefendtheKnightona5with8....c6(openingalineofdefencefortheQueen)buthecannotsavetheKnightone4.ThedoubleattackthatBlackplannedtoexecutewithhisKnightone4hasbeenforestalledbytheWhiteQueen’stripleattack.Whitewindsupwithbothamaterialadvantageandabetterposition. Game52Borbesch–Kovacs,Zurich1948SicilianDefense1.e2e4c7-c52.Ng1-f3d7-d63.d2-d4c5xd44.Qd1x4Muchrarerthan4.Nxd4butnotatallbad.4....Nb8-c65.Bf1-b5Bc8-d76.Bb5xc6b7xc67.Nb1-c3Ng8-f68.Bc1-g5Ra8-b8?Apparentlyagoodmove,forBlackattacksthepawnonb2andprobablyplanstomeet9.0-0-0with9....Qb6.Thethingis,however,thatWhitedoesnothavetodefendtheb-pawnatall.Thecorrectmovewas8....e5withanequalgame.9.e4-e5!d6xe510.Nf3xe5Rb8xb2?Ablunder.Blackoverlooksadoubleattack.Therightmoveis10....Rb7,defendingthepawnona7andthelight-squareBishop.Asitis,WhitegetsanideabasedonattackingtheBlackRookbycastlingontheQueenside.11.Bg5xf6EliminatingtheKnightthatdefendstheBishopond7. 11....g7xf6?Blackdoesnotsensethedanger,orelsehewouldplay11....exf6,openingthea3-f8diagonalforhisBishopandintendingtotryandcomplicatethegamebyreplyingto12.Nxd7withthein-betweenmove12....Rb4.12.Ne5xd7!Theonlyway!12.Qxd7+Qxd713.Nxd7wouldbewrongbecauseofthein-betweenmove13.....Rxc2,whenbothWhiteKnightswouldbeunderattack.12....Qd8xd713.Qd4xd7+ForcingtheBlackKingontothed-file.13....Ke8xd714.0-0-0+!SeeDiagram287.287AcheckwinningtheRookonb2.AfterthisprettymoveBlackresignedrightaway.WehavealreadycomeacrossasimilarideainFoyer–O’Kelly(game2). Game53Karaklajic–Fuderer,Yugoslavia1955Philidor’sDefense1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3d7-d63.d2-d4Nb8-d7Agoodmove.3....Nc6couldbemetwith4.Bb5,continuingtoputpressureonthepawnone5.4.Bf1-c4WhitedevelopshisBishopandatthesametimesetsatrap.4.Bb5wouldyieldnothingafterthesimplereply4....c6.4....Bf8-e7?Thenatural-lookingmoveturnsouttobeamistake.Blackmustfirstplay4....c6,andonlythen5....Be7.5.d4xe5Nd7xe55....dxe5wouldbeevenworsebecauseof6.Qd5!,winning(seelesson4,D-137).6.Nf3xe5d6xe57.Qd1-h5! 288TheQueenforksthepawnsone5andf7.Blackcannotdefendthembothandmustloseoneofthem.TheplayeroftheBlackpiecesinthisgame,Fuderer,wasaYugoslavmaster.Interestinglyenough,thewinnerofthegame,YugoslavmasterKaraklajic,caughtanothermasterplayer,Nedeljkovic,inexaclythesameopeningtrapinanothergameplayedfiveyearslater,alsoinYugoslavia.NorwasLiberzon,wholaterbecameagrandmaster,abletoavoidfallingintothistrapinthegameheplayedagainstthemasterEstrinin1958,inMoscow.Asyoucansee,evenstrongchessplayerssometimesblunder!Game54Imbisch–Goering,1899ViennaGame1.e2-e4e7-e52.Nb1-c3Ng8-f63.Bf1-c4Whitewoulddobettertoplayagambitbysacrificingapawnwith3.f4andthenquicklydevelophispieces. 3....Nf6xe4Atemporarypiecesacrifice.4.Nxe4wouldbemetby4....d5,forkingtheKnightandBishopandwinningbackthesacrificedpiecewithagoodposition.4.Bc4xf7+WhitedecidestoexposetheBlackKing’spositionbymeansofthiscounter-sacrifice.4....Ke8xf75.Nc3xe4Nb8-c6?Materialiseven,butBlackcouldobtainapositionaladvantageby5....d5!6.Qf3+Kg87.Ng5Qd7!(not7....Qxg58.Qxd5+Be69.Qxe6#).Blackhasthebetterpositionafter7....Qd7!becauseofhisstrongpawncenter,andhecaneasilydriveawaytheWhiteKnightfromg5by8....h6.6.Qd1-f3+Kf7-g8??Herethismoveisagraveerrorindeed!TheonlywayforBlacktoavoidimmediatedisasteris6....Ke8,althougheventhenhispositionisworseduetohisKingbeingstuckinthecenter.7.Ne4-g5!SeeDiagram289. 289Whiteplaysthestrongestmove,forcingBlacktocapitulateimmediately.Thereisnosatisfactorydefenseagainstthedoublethreatof8.Qf7#and8.Qd5#. LessonEightA.CheckLesson7Homework(asnecessary).B.ReviewQuestions1.HowmanymovesdoesaKnightneedtogetfromf6toh8andwhatarethesemoves?Trytoanswerthisquestionwithoutlookingatachessboard.2.Whatismeantbya“forcedvariation”?3.Whatisthedifferencebetweentacticsandaplan?4.Whatisthedifferencebetweencombinationsandtacticaldevices?Findthesolutionstoquestions5–8directlyfromthediagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard.290Blacktoplay.Howshouldthegameend? 291Whitetoplay.Canhewinapiece?292Blacktoplay.Findhisbestmove. 293Blacktoplay.Canheescapefromthefork?294Whitetoplay.Howshouldthegameend? 295Whitetoplay.Howshouldthegameend?AnswersTotheReviewQuestions1.Fourmoves.Nf6-g8-h6-f7-h8(otherroutesarealsopossible).2.Aforcedvariationisaseriesofmovesunitedbyacommonpurposeandwhichcannotbeavoidedbyatleastoneoftheplayers.Forexample,wecansaythatinDiagram290thegameshouldfinishwithaforcedvariation.3.Aplanshowswhatmustbedonetoachieveacertaingoal,whiletacticsanswerthequestionofhowitcanbedone.4.Tacticaldevicesareanumberofmethodsusedinchesscombatthatdonotentailsacrificesofmaterial(pawns,pieces,Exchanges,etc.)Anexampleisthedoubleattack(seeDiagram290).Acombinationisatacticaldevicethatisaccompaniedbythesacrificeofmaterial.AnexampleisshowninDiagram291.D-290Thegameshouldbedrawn:1....f7-f6+ (Afork.)2.Qg5xf6g7xf6+3.Ke5xf6D-291Yes:1.Qf3-d5+!AcombinationwithaQueensacrifice!TheBlackQueenisdecoyedontod5.1....Qd7xd52.Nf5xe7+AforkthatwillleaveWhiteapieceup.2....u3.Ne7xd5D-292TheWhiteKnightisforkingtwoBlackpiecesbutBlackcanusethetacticaldeviceof“counterattack,”movinghisBishoptosafetyandatthesametimeattackingtheWhiteRook:1....Bc5-d42.Ne4xf6Bd4xa1TheresultisjustanexchangeofRooks.D-293InthispositionBlackescapesfromtheKnightforkbyemployingthetacticaldeviceknownasthe“in-betweencheck”:1....Bc5-b4+ TheBishopfleestheKnight’sattackandcheckstheWhiteKing.AfterWhite’sreply,BlackwillmovehisRookawayfromtheKnight’sattack.D-294ThegameshouldbedrawnastheBlackKingisinsidethesquareofthepawn(c4-c8-g4-g8):1.c4-c5Kg4-f52.c5-c6Kf5-e63.c6-c7Ke6-d74.c7-c8Q+Kd7xc8D-295Whiteshouldwin.AlthoughtheBlackKingisinsidethesquareofthepawn,itspathisblockedbyanobstacle—theBlackpawnone6:1.c4-c5Kg4-f52.c5-c6Kf5-f6TheBlackKingisforcedtogoaroundthepawn.3.c6-c7Kf6-e74.c7-c8QBlackwasonemove(tempo)shortofeliminatingtheWhitepawn.PinningThetacticaldeviceknownaspinningoccursinalmosteverygame.Pinninginvolvesthreemenstandinginaline(diagonal,rank,orfile):thepinningpiece(Queen,Rook,orBishop),thepinnedman(anypieceorpawnexcepttheKing)inthemiddle,andthemanbeyondthepinnedman(theshieldedman).Thepinningpieceisofadifferentcolorfromtheothertwomen. 296Diagram296showsvariouspinningpatterns.Ineachquarter-diagramadifferentmanispinnedandunabletodefenditsKingfromcheckmate.Itiscostlyforapinnedpiecetoleaveitspostsincethatwillexposetoattackanother—morevaluableorundefended—piece.IfthisotherpieceistheKing,asinDiagram296,thenwehavewhatiscalledanabsolutepin.Thatis,thepinnedpieceistotallyparalyzedandimmobilized.If,however,theotherpieceisnottheKing,thenthepinisknownasarelativepin.Herethepinnedpiececanattimes,inordertoachievesomespecificgoal,movefromitspost,sacrificingthemorevaluablepiece(eventheQueen)thatitwaspinnedagainst.RememberLegal’sMate?(Seegame26.)Nowletuslookatsomemoreexamples.InDiagrams297–302itisWhite’sturntoplay.Findthebestcontinuationineachcase.Makeuseofthetacticaldeviceofpinning.Workoutthesolutionsinyourhead,withoutmovingthemenabout. 297298 299300 301302 AnswersD-2971.Qd2-h6#Whitemakesuseofapin.TheBlackpawncannotcapturetheQueenbecauseitispinnedagainstitsKingbytheWhiteBishop.D-2981.Rh2-h8#TheRookcanbecapturedneitherbytheKnight,pinnedagainsttheKingbytheBishoponb3,norbytheBishop,pinnedagainsttheKingbytheRookong1.D-2991.Rf1-e1TheRookpinstheKnightagainsttheKingalongthee-file.1....f7-f5ThepawndefendstheKnight2.f2-f3AndtheKnightmustperish.D-3001.Ba4-c2Adiagonalpin.1....Kh7-g6TheKingdefendstheRook.2.g2-g4 Winningtherook.D-3011.Bd3-e4Whitewinsapiece.Inthiscasethepinisrelative,butifBlackmoveshisKnighthewilllosehisRook.D-3021.Be3-f4BlacklosesapieceduetotherelativepinoftheKnightonb8.ThepinisrelativebecausetheKnighthastherighttomove,butifitdoestheRookona8willbelost.Nowletustryouthandatcombinationsbasedonthetacticaldeviceof“pinning.”FindthestrongestcontinuationinDiagrams303–308.303Blacktoplay. 304Whitetoplay.305Whitetoplay. 306Whitetoplay,fromthegameRagozin(grandmaster)–Boleslavskii(grandmaster),Moscow1945.307Whitetoplay,fromthegameAverbakh(grandmaster)–Penrose(master),London1954. 308Whitetoplay,fromthegameSzabo(grandmaster)–Donner(grandmaster),Goteborg1945.AnswersD-3031....Bc7xe5!WiththisBishopsacrificeBlackdecoystheWhiteQueenontothee-file.2.Qc3xe5AnyretreatoftheQueenwouldlosetheRookona1.2....Rc8-e8Usingaverticalpin,BlackwinstheWhiteQueenforanetgainoftwopoints(QueenandpawnforRookandBishop).D-304 1.Rc1xc6!TheBlackRookisdecoyedontothec6square.1....Rc7xc6NowtheBlackRookispinnedbytheWhiteBishop.2.b4-b5a6xb53.a4xb5WhitewillwintheRookandwillhavemadeanetgainofaBishop.D-3051.Qc3xg7+!Qf8xg72.Re1-e8#TheBlackQueenisdiagonallypinnedbytheWhiteBishopandsocannotdefendtheKing.Asecondsolutionisalsopossible:1.Re1-e8Kh8-g8If1....Qxe8,then2.Qxg7#.2.Qc3xg7#TheBlackQueenispinnedalongtherankandsocannotcapturetheWhiteone.D-3061.e7-e8Q+AsacrificetodecoytheBlackKingontoe8. 1....Kf7xe82.Bc2-a4Blackresigned.Thankstothepin,WhitewillhavewonaRookforapawn(anetgainoffourpoints.)D-3071.Bb2xd4!ABishopsacrificethatBlackisforcedtoaccept,sinceotherwisehisQueen,pinnedalongthediagonal,willbelost.1....Qf6xd4TheQueenhasbeendecoyedontod4.2.Nh4xf5+Blackresigns.HewillenduphavinglostaQueenandtwopawnsforaBishop(i.e.,eightpoints).Thiscombinationmadeuseoftwotacticaldevices:aKnightforkonf5andapinontheg6pawn.D-3081.Ne5xg6+!ThisKnightsacrificepinstheBlackBishopong7andexposestheBlackKing’sposition.1....h7xg6Forced.2.Qc1-h6+Bg8-h73.Qh6xg7# EndgamewithKingandTwoPawnsversusKingAKingandtwopawnsalmostalwayswinsagainstaloneKing.LetuslookatsomeexamplesinDiagrams309–314.309Blackwinsnomatterwhoplaysfirst.310Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst. 311Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst.312Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst. 313Whitetoplaywins.Blacktoplaydraws.314Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst.D-309Blackwinsnomatterwhoplaysfirst: 1.Kd4-c4Ifthepawnsarefarremovedfromeachother(atleastthreefilesbetweenthem)theywineasilyevenwithoutthehelpoftheirKing.1....f4-f32.Kc4-d3Capturingtheb-pawnwouldputtheWhiteKingoutsidethesquareofthef-pawn.2....b4-b3Whilechasingoneofthepawnsadvancingtowardsitsqueeningsquare,theWhiteKingisforcedtoleavethesquareoftheotherpawn.3.Kd3-c3f3-f2andsoon.D-310Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst:1....Kf7-e62.h5-h6Ifthepawnsareseparatedbytwofilesandarebothontheopponent’shalfoftheboard,theycanalwayswinwithoutthehelpoftheirKing.2....Ke6-f72....Kxe5wouldlosebecauseof3.h7,andtheBlackKingcannotreachthesquareoftheh-pawn.3.h6-h7Kf7-g74.e5-e6Andoneofthetwopawnswillqueenbyforce. D-311Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst:1....Kf4-g5Thepointisthatthepawnonf3isinvulnerable,sincecapturingitwouldtaketheBlackKingoutsidethesquareoftheg-pawn,whichwouldthenbecomeaQueen.E.g.,1....Kxf32.g5Kg43.g6Kg54.g7Kg65.g8Q+etc.2.Kb1-c2TheWhiteKingapproachesthepawnstohelpthemqueen.ThusweseefromthisexamplethattwopawnsonneighboringsquaresprotecteachotheragainstcapturebytheenemyKing.D-312Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst.1....Kb2-c3CapturingeitherofthepawnswouldtaketheKingoutoftheotherpawn’ssquare.E.g.,1....Kxa22.c4,andthec-pawnwillqueen.2.Kh1-g2Takingadvantageofthefactthatthepawnsaresafefromcapture,theWhiteKingcomesuptohelpthemqueen.D-313Whitetoplaywins.Blacktoplaydraws.Whitetoplay:1.b3-b4Controllingthec5squareandforcingtheBlackKingtoleavethesquareofthepawnonb5.1....Kd5-c42.b5-b6 andthepawnwillqueen.Blacktoplay:1....Kd5-c52.b5-b6Kc5xb63.Ke7-d6Kb6-b5andBlackwillcapturethepawnonb3aswellanddraw.D-314Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst.1....Kf4-f51....Kxf3wouldlosebecauseof2.h5,andtheBlackKingcannotreachthesquareoftheh-pawn.Atthesametime,theBlackKinghasdifficultyinattackingtheh-pawn,needingthreemovestoapproachit.2.Kb1-c2Withthepawnssafefromcapture,theWhiteKinghastimetocometotheiraid.2....Kf5-g6Blacknowthreatenstowintheh-pawnby3....Kh5.3.f3-f4!Kg6-h53....Kf5wouldbefollowedby4.h5!.4.f4-f5!Thepoint.Nowtheh-pawnisimmunefromcapture. 4....Kh5-h6Theonlymovetostopthef-pawnfromqueening.5.Kc2-d3Withthepawnssafeoncemore,theWhiteKingcancontinueitsjourneytowardsthemtohelpthemqueen.5....Kh6-g76.h4-h5!Takenoteofthistacticaldevice:thepawnsstayabreast(i.e.,onthesamerank)aslongastheyarenotunderattack,butwhenoneofthemisattacked,theotheradvancestothesamerankastheKing.6....Kg7-f67.h5-h6Kf6-f78.Kd3-e4Kf7-f69.Ke4-f4Awaitingmove.9....Kf6-f710.Kf4-g5Kf7-g811.f5-f6Kg8-h812.f6-f7Kh8-h7Watchout,atrap!13.Kg5-h5!Awaitingmove.13.f8Qor13.f8Rwouldbestalemate.Now,however,BlackisinZugzwangandmustmovehisKingtotheeighthrank.13....Kh7-h8 14.f7-f8Q+Andmatenextmove.Wethusseethatpawnsseparatedbyonlyasinglefilecandefendeachotherindirectly,nomatterwheretheirKingmightbe.Twopawnsofthesamecoloronthesamefilearecalleddoubledpawns.While,asyousawearlier,twopawnsonneighboringfilescaneasilydefendeachother,doubledpawnsareunabletodosoandareusuallyeasytoattack. HOMEWORK(Answersattheend)I.Usethetacticaldeviceof“pinning”inthesolutionstoDiagrams315–320.315FindallthepossiblepinsbothwithWhitetoplayandwithBlacktoplay.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 316Whitetoplay.HowcanhewintheBlackKnight?__________________________________________________________________________________________317Whitetoplay.HowcanhewintheBlackKnight? __________________________________________________________________________________________318Whitetoplay.Findthebestmove.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 319Whitetoplayandwinapiece.__________________________________________________________________________________________320Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. II.Diagrams321–326.Ineachpositionfindacombinationbasedonthetacticaldeviceof“pinning.”321Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 322Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.323Whitetoplay.HowcanhewintheExchange? __________________________________________________________________________________________324Whitetoplay.HowcanhewintheExchange?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 325Whitetoplayandwinapiece.__________________________________________________________________________________________326Whitetoplayandwin. __________________________________________________________________________________________III.InDiagrams327-332usethe“ruleofthesquareofthepawn”tofindthesolutions.327HowshouldthegameendwithWhitetoplay?WithBlacktoplay?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 328CanBlackwinifitishisturntoplay?AndifitisWhite’sturn?__________________________________________________________________________________________329FindthedrawbothwithWhitetoplayandwithBlacktoplay. __________________________________________________________________________________________330Isitpossibleforthispositiontooccur?Howshouldthegameend(whetheritisWhiteorBlacktoplay)?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 331FindthedrawbothwithWhitetoplayandwithBlacktoplay.__________________________________________________________________________________________332 Isitpossibleforthispositiontooccur?FindthedrawbothwithWhitetoplayandwithBlacktoplay.__________________________________________________________________________________________AnswerstotheHomeworkD-315WithWhitetoplaywecanpintheRookond5with1.Be2-c4ortheBishoponc7with1.Ra1-a7.WithBlacktoplaythereareagaintwopinspossible:1....Bc7-b6,pinningtheKnightonc5,and1....Rd5-d2,pinningtheBishopone2.D-3161.Ra1-a4AhorizontalpinoftheKnight.1....e7-e52.e2-e3andtheKnightislost.D-3171.Nc3-b5+!uNeitherthepawnonc6,pinnedbytheRook,northeKnightond6,pinnedbytheBishop,cancapturetheWhiteKnight.2.Nb5xd6winningtheKnight. D-3181.Bb5-c4!andtheBlackQueenperishesbecauseofthepin(Blackendsuplosingsixpoints).D-3191.Rc1-c6!TheBlackBishopispinned.White’staskistodoubleRooksalongthec-fileandatthesametimekeeptheBlackKingfromcomingtothedefenseoftheBishop.Thus1.Rc4wouldnotdobecauseof1....Kd6,defendingtheBishopasecondtime.1....Ke5-d52.Rd1-c1DefendingtheRookonc6andattackingtheBishopasecondtime.Blackmustloseapiece,ashecannotdefendtheBishopwithasecondpiece.D-3201.Qe4-g6!Thismoveispossibleonlybecausethepawnonf7ispinnedbytheWhiteBishop.1....u2.Qg6xg7#D-3211.Qf3xf7+!BysacrificinghisQueenWhitedeflectstheBlackRookfromthelastrankandpinsit. 1....Rf8xf7Orelse2.Qxf8#wouldfollow.2.Re1-e8#TheBlackRookispinnedandcannotcoveritsKing.D-3221.Qf4-f6!Threatening2.Qg7#.1....e7xf6Blackisforcedtoacceptthe“gift,”thoughthepawnone7ispinnedbytheWhiteRook.2.Re1xe8#CheckmateisworthmorethantheQueen!D-3231.Nc4-b6!ThisKnightsacrificeclearsthewayfortheWhiteBishopandatthesametimeforkstheBlackQueenandRook.1....Qd7-d8Itgoeswithoutsayingthatacceptingthesacrificeby1....cxb6wouldbeworsebecauseof2.Bb5,pinningandwinningtheBlackQueen.2.Nb6xa8Qd8xa8 andBlackhaslosttheExchange.Thisexamplemadeuseoftwotacticaldevices:“doubleattack”and“pinning.”D-3241.Qd3xd4!DecoyingtheBlackQueenontod4.1....Qg7xd4Forced.2.Bd2-c3AdiagonalpinthatdoomstheBlackQueen.2....Qd4xc3+3.b2xc3Asaresultofhiscombination,WhitehasexchangedtheQueenandwontheExchange(aRookforaBishop).D-3251.Rb5-b8!PinningtheBlackBishopandthreateningtowinitby2.Bd6or2.Bh6.1....Kf8-f7NowtheBlackBishopisnolongerpinnedbytheRookonb8andcanmove.White,however,canplayacombinationbasedona“doubleattack.” 2.Rb8xf8+!Kf7xf83.Bf4-d6+u4.Bd6xc5andWhiteisupaBishop.D-3261.Rf3xf6!White’splanistoexchangeoffallthepiecesandqueenapawn.Toachievehisaimhemakesuseofthetacticaldeviceof“pinning”andthe“ruleofthesquare.”Itwouldbenogoodtoplay1.Bxf6Rxf62.Rxf6Kxf63.b4Ke64.b5Kd65.b6axb66.axb6Kc6,andtheBlackKingcatchesthepawntwomovesbeforeitcanreachthequeeningsquare.Whitecouldinsteadtry6.a6Kc77.a7Kb7,andalthoughagaintheBlackKingreachesthesquareofthea-pawnintime,thepawnisonlyonemoveshortofqueening.1....Rf7xf62.b3-b4!Thepoint!SincetheBlackRookispinnedandcannotmove,Whitedoesnothurrytocaptureitbutfirstgainsatempo(amove,time).2....Kg7-f7Blackisforcedtoloseamove(tempo).2....a6wouldnotsavehim,becauseof3.b5!axb54.a6andthepawnqueensbyforce.3.Bb2xf6TheRookmustbecapturednoworelseitwillrunaway.3....Kf7xf64.b4-b5Kf6-e65.b5-b6a7xb6 6.a5-a6!Theonlyway!If6.a5xb6,then6....Ke6-d6allowstheBlackKingtoreachthesquareofthepawn(b6-b8-d6-d8).6....Ke6-d6NowtheBlackKingcannotenterthesquare(a6-a8-c6-c8)andthepawncanqueen.7.a6-a7Kd6-c68.a7-a8Q+andWhiteshouldwin.Blackwasjustonemoveshortofcatchingthepawn,themovethathehadtolosebecauseofthepinonhisRook.D-327Whitetomovewins.1.d2-d4!Kd5-c61....Kxd4wouldlosebecausethec-pawnwouldqueenafter2.c6.2.Kh8-g7TheWhiteKingwilljointhepawnsandhelpthemqueen.Blacktoplaydraws:1....Kd5xc5andthesecondpawnmustperishtoo.D-328Blacktoplaywins: 1....a6-a52.Kd3-c4a5-a4!3.Kc4-c3If3.Kxc5,theBlackpawncannotbestoppedafter3....a3.3....Kh8-g7Whenthepawnsaresafe,theKingapproaches.4.Kc3-b2Nowthepawnona4isindanger.4....c5-c4!5.Kb2-a3If5.Kc3,then5....a3!.5....c4-c3!Thepawnonc3indirectlydefendstheotherpawn,as6.Kxa4wouldbefollowedby6....c2andthequeeningofthepawn.6.Ka3-a2Kg7-f67.Ka2-a37.Kb1losesimmediately,asafter7....a3oneofthepawnsmustqueen.7....Kf6-e5TheBlackpawnsareabsolutelysafe,buttheycannotqueenwithoutthehelpoftheirKing.SotheKinggoestothem. IfWhitestartsinDiagram328,hecandraweasily:1.Kd3-c4a6-a52.Kc4xc5andsincetheKingisinthesquareofthepawn(a1-a5-e1-e5)itwilleliminatethesecondpawntoo.D-329Thegameshouldbedrawnnomatterwhomovesfirst.Forexample:1.Ka4-a3Ofcourse,takingthepawnisano-nosinceitwouldputtheKingoutsidethesquareoftheotherpawn.1....Kh6-g7ForthesamereasontheBlackKingtoocannotcapturethepawn.2.Ka3-a4If2.Kb2,then2....a4againmakestheBlackpawnsinvulnerable.2....Kg7-h6Draw!TheKingscankeepawatchontheenemypawnsbutnotcapturethem.Norcaneitherplayerspushhispawnswithoutlosing.Forexample,ifBlackplayed2....c3,hewouldloseafter3.Kb3.D-330Suchapositionwillhardlyeveroccurinagame,butitistheoreticallypossible.Forexample,thepawnfrome7couldhavegottob4bymakingthreecaptures:1....e7xd6,2....d6xc5,3....c5xb4.Bycontinuinginthisvein,wecanseethatBlackmusthavemadeatotalofsixpawncapturestoreachthisposition,andthatispossiblesinceWhitehaslostmen.ThepositionisadrawbecausetheKingscanwardofftheenemypawnsbutcannotcaptureanyoneofthemwithoutleavingthesquareofanother. TheWhiteKingwillshuttlebackandforthbetweena2andb3andtheBlackKingbetweeng7andh8.D-331Thistooisadraw,theonlydifferencebeingthattheBlackKingmustnowshuttlebackandforthbetweenf6andf7orh6andh7.Forexample:1....Kg7-f62.h5-h6Kf6-f73.Kb3-a2Kf7-f64.Ka2-b3Draw.D-332Thispositionispossibleonlytheoreticallyandwouldnotoccurinagame.Thirteenmenhavedisappearedfromtheboard,andthatisexactlythenumberofpawncapturesthatWhitehadtomaketogettothisposition.Onceagain,theresultshouldbeadraw,astheKingscanstoptheenemypawnsfromqueeningbutcannotcapturethem.Forexample:1.h4-h5Kh7-h6!Theonlymove.Allothermoveslose:e.g.,after1....Kg82.h6,BlackisinZugzwangandmustletoneoftheWhitepawnsqueen.2.h3-h4Kh6-h7NaturallytheKingcannotleavethef6-f8-h6-h8square.3.f6-f7Kh7-g74.h5-h6+Kg7xf7Thepawnsacrificehasnotachievedanything.5.Ka1-b2Kf7-f6! Againtheonlymove.If5....Kf8,then6.f6Kg87.f5andBlacklosesduetoZugzwang.6.Kb2-a1Kf6-f7!Draw. SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionFightingAgainstaPinThefewestopportunitiesforunpinning(escapingfromapin)occurwhenapieceispinnedagainstitsK0ng,i.e.,ifthepinis“absolute.”Thefollowingtacticaldevicesforunpinningarepossibleinsuchcases:1.Chasingawaythepinningpiece.2.InterposingamanbetweenthepinningpieceandtheKing.Forexample,letuslookatDiagram333.333 Blacktoplayisfacedwiththethreatofd4-d5,attackingthepinnedKnightwithapawn.Blackcandefendby1....Bc8-d7,interposingonthea4-e8diagonalandthusunpinningtheKnight.Buthecanalsoplay1....Bc8-g4,since2.d4-d5canbeparriedby2....a7-a63.Bb5-a4b7-b5,chasingawaytheBishopfromthea4-e8diagonalandtherebyunpinningtheKnight.3.Pinningthepinningpiece.Forexample,letuslookatDiagram334.334CanBlacktoplaysavehisQueen?Yes,hecan,by1....Bd7-c6!,pinningtheWhiteBishopalongtheh1-a8diagonalandthussavingtheBlackQueen.4.Playinganin-betweencheck. Forexample,lookatDiagram335.335CanWhitetoplaywintheBlackQueen?Yes.ThispositiondiffersfromthelastoneinthattheWhiteQueenisong1,acircumstancewhichallowstheWhiteKingtobemovedawaywithdiscoveredcheck:1.Kg2-f2+!TheWhiteBishopcouldnotcapturetheBlackQueenbecauseitwaspinnedalongtheh1-a8diagonal.TheKingmoveunpinstheBishopandatthesametimeunblockstheg-file,allowingtheWhiteQueentogiveaninbetweencheck.TheBlackKingmustmoveoutofcheckandthenWhitecancapturetheQueen. 5.Eliminatingthepinningpiece.Forexample,lookatDiagram336.336TheKnightonf3ispinnedandattackedtwice.HowcanWhitetoplayescapefromthepin?Bythefollowingcombination:1.Rh4xg4!UnpinningtheWhiteKnightbyeliminatingthepinningpiece.1....h5xg41....Nxf3wouldbeevenworsebecauseofthefork2.Rf4+.2.Nf3xd4Asaresult,WhitehaswonaKnightandBishopforaRook(i.e.,hehadmadeanetgainofonepoint.) 6.MovingtheKingoutofthepinwiththeconcurrentcreationofstrongthreats.SeeDiagram337.337CanWhitetoplaysavehispiece?Yes,hecan.HemusttemporarilysacrificehisKnightonc3buthecanthenwinbackapiecebymakinguseoftheideaof“doubleattack.”1.Ke1-e2!TheKinggetsoutofthepin,therebyunpinningtheKnight.1....Ba5xc3OrelsetheKnightonc3canrunaway. 2.Ke2-d3!BothBlackpiecesareunderattackandoneofthemmustperish.ThenetresultwillbethatWhiteandBlackhaveexchangedpiecesofequalvalue.7.Creatingcounter-threats.SeeDiagram338.338CanWhitetoplaywintheBlackQueen?No,because1.Bc4-b5?canbemetbythepowerfulcounterstroke1....Na5-b3+.Takingadvantageofthefactthatthepawnonc2ispinnedalongthefile,BlackforkstheWhiteKingandQueen.After2....Nb3xd43.Bb5xc6+Nd4xc6Blackwillhavewonapiece. IfapieceispinnednotagainsttheKingbutagainstsomeotherpiece,thepinisarelativeoneandadditionalmethodsofunpinningbecomepossible:1.Movingthepinnedpiecewithcheck.SeeDiagram339.339Is1.Rg1-e1agoodmove?No,becauseBlackcansacrificehisRookwithcheckandatthesametimeattacktheWhiteQueenwithhisown:1....Re3xa3+!2.b2xa3Qg5xd2andBlackhaswonaQueenandpawnforaRook. 2.Movingthepinnedpiecewithstrongthreats.SeeDiagram340.340CanWhitetoplaysavehispinnedKnight?Yes.1.Ne5-g4!SacrificingtheRookagainstwhichtheKnightwaspinned.However,theKnighthasunpinneditselfwithastrongthreat.1....Re8xe2?Black’sbestreplyis1....Ne6.2.Ng4-h6# CheckmateisworthmorethanaRook!3.Movingthepieceshieldedbythepinnedpiece,eitherwithcheckorwithstrongthreats.SeeDiagram341.341CanBlacktoplayunpinhisRook?Yes,intwoways.a)1....Qf7-g6+TheQueengetsoutofthepinandatthesametimegivesanin-betweencheck,therebyunpinningtheBlackRook. b)1....Qf7-f6TheQueengetsoutofthepinandattackstheWhiteRook.2.Bb3xd5Qf6xa1ThenetresultisanexchangeofRooks.4.Movingthepinnedpiecetoasquarewhereitdefendsthepieceitwaspinnedagainst.SeeDiagram342.342Whitetoplay.Howdoeshewinapawn?1.Nc3xe4!TheKnightgetsoutofthepinandatthesametimedefendstheBishopthatitwaspinnedagainst. 1....Bb4xd2If1....Nxe4,then2.Bxb4.2.Ne4xd2andWhitehaswonapawnasaresultofhiscombination.Game55CenterCounterDefense1.e2-e4d7-d52.e4xd5Qd8xd53.Nb1-c3ThisshowsupthedrawbackoftheCenterCounterDefense.WhitebringsouthisKnightandattackstheBlackQueenatthesametime,forcingBlacktoloseamove(tempo)byretreatingtheQueen.TheusualmovehereforBlackis3....Qa5,althougheventhenitissomewhatmorepleasanttobeplayingWhite.3....Qd5-c6??Agrossblunder.4.Bf1-b5Blackresigns,asthepinwillcosthimhisQueen.SeeDiagram343forthefinalposition. 343Game56Petroff’sDefense1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Ng8-f63.Bf1-c4Whitesacrificesapawntodevelophispiecesasrapidlyaspossible.3....Nf6xe44.Nb1-c3Ne4xc35.d2xc3d7-d66.0-0Bc8-g4?Hehadtoplay6....Be7andthencastle.7.Nf3xe5! TheKnightbreaksoutofthepinandputsitsQueenunderattack.ThiscombinationispossiblebecausetheKnightcreatesmatingthreats.7....Bg4xd1Otherreplies,too,loseforBlack.E.g.,7...dxe58.Bxf7+Kxf7(if8....Ke7,then9.Bg5+)9.Qxd8,or7....Be68.Bxe6fxe69.Qh5+g6(or9....Ke710.Qf7#)10.Nxg6hxg611.Qxh8.8.Bc4xf7+Ke8-e79.Bc1-g5#SeeDiagram344forthefinalposition.344Inthisgametoothe“pin”broughtnothingbutdisenchantment. Game57CenterCounterDefense1.e2-e4d7-d52.e4xd5Ng8-f6Blackplaysagambit.Hedisregardsthepawnandinsteadquicklybringsouthispieces.3.c2-c4Adubiousmove.Insteadofbeinggreedy,Whitewoulddobettertobringouthispieces.3....c7-c64.d5xc6Anothermistake.Itwasnottoolatetogetanevengamewith4.d4cxd55.Nc3.White,however,isverykeenonhavinganextrapawn.4....Nb8xc65.d2-d3e7-e5Black’spositionisbetterinspiteofWhite’sextrapawn.6.Nb1-c3Bf8-c57.Bc1-g5?HehadtodevelophisKingsidewith7.Be2andcastleatthefirstopportunity.7....0-08.Nc3-e4?? Asuicidalmove.Legaldiedaverylongtimeago,buthisideaisimmortal.8....NfBxe4!9.Bg5xd8If9.dxe4,then9....Qxg5leavesBlackapieceup.9....Bc5xf2+10.Ke1-e2Nc6-d4#SeeDiagram345forthefinalposition.345 Game58Falkbeer–Amateur,Vienna1847ScotchGambit1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.d2-d4ThisistheScotchGame.3....e5xd44.Bf1-c4WhenWhitedoesn’tretakethepawnond4,theopeningbecomestheScotchGambit.4...d7-d65.c2-c3Whitesacrificesapawnbutbringsouthispiecesquickly.5....d4xc36.Nb1xc3Bc8-g4Anunfortunatemovetowhichthebestreplyis7.Qb3.Blackshouldhaveplayed6....Nf6or6....Be6.7.0-0Nc6-e5??Hehadtoplay7....Bxf38.Qxf3Ne59.Qe2Nxc410.Qxc4Qd7,althougheveninthisvariationWhitehasgoodplayforhispawn.8.Nf3xe5! OnceagainthegreatLegal’smate!8....Bg4xd19.Bc4xf7+Ke8-e710.Nc3-d5#SeeDiagram346forthefinalposition.346 Game59Nimzo-IndianDefense1.d2-d4Ng8-f6TheKnightcontrolse4andpreventsWhitefromplaying2.e4.2.c2-c4e7-e63.Nb1-c3TheKnightattackse4andWhitenowthreatens4.e4.3....Bf8-b4ThisisthekeymoveoftheNimzo-IndianDefense,namedaftertheoutstandinggrandmasterAronNimzovich.TheBishoppinstheKnightandthusprevents4.e4.TheKnightonc3isparalyzedbyanabsolutepin.4.Qd1-c2c7-c55.d4xc5Bb4xc56.Bc1-g5?NowtheWhiteBishoppinstheBlackKnight,butthepinisarelativeonesinceundercertaincircumstancestheKnightcanbreakoutofthepinevenifitmeansexposingtheQueen.6....Bc5xf2+!ThisisthecombinationthatWhitedidnotnotice.TheBishopsacrificesitselfinordertodecoytheWhiteKingontof2.7.Ke1xf2Nf6-g4+TheKnightbreaksoutofthepinwithcheck,andatthesametimetheBlackQueenattackstheWhiteBishop. 8.Kf2-e1Qd8xg5SeeDiagram347.347TheBishopwhichwaspinningtheKnighthasperished.Blackhaswonapawnandhaschancesofwinning.Asyoucansee,pinningdoesnotalwaysleadtosuccess. Game601.e2-e4c7-c6ThisistheCaro-KannDefense,namedinhonoroftwo19thcenturyGermanchessplayers.2.d2-d4d7-d5TheWhitepawnshaveoccupiedthecenter,butBlackimmediatelyattacksthem.3.Nb1-c3d5xe44.Nc3xe4Nb8-d75.Bf1-c4Ng8-f66.Ne4xf6+Nd7xf6NowyoucanunderstandwhyBlackplayed4....Nbd7:inordertohavetheopportunityofreplyingherewith6....Nxf6.7.Ng1-f3Bc8-g4?InhiseagernesstopintheKnight,BlackoverlooksthatWhitecanplaythefollowingcombination:8.Bxf7+!Kxf79.Ne5+Ke810.Nxg4,andWhiteisapawnupwithanexcellentposition.Whitesawthiscombination,buthewantedmore.8.Nf3-e5?Apoortrap,basedsolelyonthepossibility8....Bxd19.Bxf7#.8....Qd8-a5+!Thisin-betweencheckwasasurpriseforWhite. 9.Bc1-d2Qa5xe5+!Afreshsurpriseandagainanin-betweencheck.10.d4xe5Bg4xd111.Ra1xd1Nf6-d5SeeDiagram348.348Whitedoesnothaveevenasingleextrapawn.Needlesstosay,heshouldnothavelethimselfbetemptedbyanunsoundtrap,prettythoughitmighthavebeen. Game61Brikhta–Botur,Budapest1951GiuocoPiano1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-c4Bf8-c5ThesemovesconstitutetheGiuocoPiano,anopeningwhichwasverypopularinItalyasfarbackas500yearsago!4.c2-c3Controllingacentralsquareandpreparingtoplayd4.4....Bc5-b6MoreoftenBlackplays4....Nf6,developinganotherpiece.5.d2-d4Qd8-e7InthisparticularpositionitisnotdangerousforBlacktobringouthisQueensincetheWhitepieceswillfinditdifficulttoattackit.6.0-06.d5wouldbebad,sincethepawnwouldblockitsownBishopwhiletheBlackKnightwouldsimplyretreattob8.6....d7-d6SomeofyoumightbethinkingthatBlackcouldhavewonapawn,butinrealityhecouldn’thave!Thereasonisthat6....exd47.cxd4Qxe4wouldbefollowedby8.Re1,pinningandwinningtheBlackQueen. 7.Nf3-g5Theusualcontinuationis7.h3,forestallingthepin7....Bg4andthusmakingthepawnond4moresecure.7....Ng8-h68.Bc1-e30-0After8....exd49.cxd4Nxd410.Nxf7(if10.Bxd4,then10....Qxg5)Nxf711.Bxd4White’sgameismorecomfortable.9.f2-f4?Aprematuremove.Whitehadtoplay9.h3,keepingtheBlackKnightoutofg4.9....e5xd410.c3xd4Nh6-g411.f4-f5Whiteisforcedtotakethisdesperatestepsincenowaytodefendthepawnond4canbeseen.11....Ng4xe312.Qd1-h5Threatening13.Qxh7#.12....h7-h6??HehadtosacrificehisQueenby12....Qxg5.After13.Qxg5Bxd4!(butnot13....Nxc4,becauseof14.f6g615.Qh6)14.f6Nxf1+15.Kxf1Bxf6,Whitewouldhavehadtopayforhisoverlyventuresomeplay.Asitis,however,WhitebeautifullyrefutesBlack’sgrossblunder.13.f5-f6!DestroyingBlack’scastledposition. 13....Bc8-g4After13....gxf6Blackwouldbematedintwomoves:14.Qg6+Kh815.Qh7#.14.Qh5-g6!SeeDiagram349.349Whitethreatensboth15.Qh7#and15.Qxg7#.Sincethepinnedpawnonf7cannothelp,Blackresigns. Game62Steinitz–Amateur,Berlin1863WilhelmSteinitzwasthefirstofficialWorldChessChampion,reigningfrom1886to1894.InthisgameheplayedwithouthisRookona1.ViennaGame1.e2-e4e7-e52.Nb1-c3Nb8-c63.f2-f4Whitesacrificesapawninordertoseizethecenterandquicklydevelophispieces.3....e5xf44.Ng1-f3Bf8-b4AnunfortunatemovethatallowsWhitetosetupapowerfulcenter.5.Nc3-d5Bb4-a56.Nd5xf4d7-d67.c2-c3Ba5-b68.d2-d4WhitehasastrongpawncenterwhileBlack’sBishophasmovedthreetimesandstillendeduppoorlyplaced.8....Bc8-g49.Bf1-b5 SteinitzpinstheKnightandthreatenstowinitby10.d5.9....Ke8-f8?Apoormethodofbreakingthepin.ItwouldhavebeenbettertomovetheBishopbacktod7.10.0-0Nc6-e5?Blackmakesa“pretty”butlosingmove.Hewantstoexchangeonf3andtherebyclosethedangerousf-file.However,hehasmiscalculated.Whilethepawnond4ispinnedabsolutely,foritshieldstheKing,theKnightonf3,althoughittooispinnedbyaBishop,neverthelesshastherighttomove:11.Nf3xe5!Bg4xd1??HowthehanditchestograbtheQueen!However,Blackshouldresistthetemptationandinsteadplay11....dxe512.Qxg4exf4.12.Nf4-g6+h7xg613.Ne5xg6#SeeDiagram350. 350Blackforgotthathispawnonf7wouldbepinnedbytheRook.Whitehasfewpiecesleftbuttheyareworking.Black,ontheotherhand,hasmanypieces,buttheyaresleeping.Game63Alekhine–Mikulka,Paris1928King’sGambit1.e2-e4e7-e52.f2-f4ThisistheKing’sGambit,apopularopeninginthe19thcentury.Whitesacrificesapawninordertoseizethecenterandrapidlymobilizehispieces.2....e5xf4Thechallengeisaccepted! 3.Ng1-f3ThisgamewasplayedbyWorldChampionAlekhineinasimultaneousblindfoldexhibition.3....g7-g54.d2-d4h7-h6Blackcouldalsoplaymoreaggressivelywith4....g4,whichcouldbemetbytheKnightsacrifice5.Bc4gxf36.Qxf3,withchancesforbothsides.5.Nb1-c3Bf8-g76.Bf1-c4Nb8-c67.Nc3-d5d7-d6On7....g4Alekhinewouldhaveprobablycontinuedwith8.c3(itwasforthisreasonthatheplayed7.Nd5)gxf39.Qxf3,withanattackforthesacrificedpiece.8.c2-c3Ng8-e79.0-0Ne7xd510.Bc4xd5Nc6-e7Beingapawnup,BlacktriestoexchangeofftheactiveWhitepieces.11.Bd5-b3Ne7-g612.g2-g3Whitetriestoopenthef-fileandorganizeanattackagainstthepawnonf7.12....f4xg3? 12....g413.Ne1f3,keepingthef-fileclosed,wasworthyofconsideration.TheworldchampionwouldprobablyhavesacrificedhisKnightby14.Nxf3gxf315.Qxf3,withaverysharpandunclearposition.13.Nf3xg5!Withthethreatof14.Bxf7+.13....0-014.Qd1-h514.Nxf7couldhavebeenmetby14....Qh4,withthethreatof15....Qxh2#.14....g3xh2+15.Kg1-h1!After15.Kxh2theWhiteKingwouldhavebeentotallyexposed,whilenowitisshieldedandprotectedbytheBlackpawn.15....h6xg516.Qh5xg6Thismoveispossibleonlybecausethepawnonf7ispinnedbytheBishoponb3.16....Qd8-e8?Blackdefendsthepawnonf7athirdtime.However,abetterchancewouldhavebeen16....d5,unpinningthepawnonf7.Whitecannotplay17.Bxd5becauseBlackwouldeliminatethepinningBishopby17....Qxd5andthencapturetheWhiteQueen.InsteadWhitemustreplywith17.Qh5,maintainingtheattack.17.Bc1xg5YetanotherpiecejoinstheattackagainsttheBlackKing. 17....Bc8-e6Alekhine’sopponentthinksthatbyblockingthediagonaloftheBishoponb3hehaswardedoffallthethreats:aretreatoftheWhiteQueenwouldbefollowedby18....Bxb3and19....Qxe4+,whileafter18,Bxe6Qxe6theattackhasbeenbeatenoff.However,hehasnotnoticedtheworldchampion’sbrilliantcombination:18.Rf1xf7!Be6xf7?After18....Rxf719.Bxe6Blackwouldendup“only”apawndowninanendgame:19....Kf820.Bxf7Qxf721.Qxf7+Kxf722.Kxh2.Asitis,however,pinsbytheWhiteBishopsdohimin.19.Bg5-f6!SeeDiagram351.351Inordertocounterthethreatof20.Qxg7#,BlackisforcedtogiveuphisQueenby19....Qxe4+,butafter20.Qxe4Bxf621.Bc2Whitewouldhaveamaterialadvantagewhileretaininghisattack.SoBlackresigned. Game64Sangla–Karpov,U.S.S.R.19681.d2-d4Ng8-f6Blackwasplayedby17-year-oldAnatolyKarpov.2.Ng1-f3e7-e63.Bc1-g5c7-c54.c2-c3Anunfortunatemove.White’susualcontinuationinthisvariationis4.e3,andif4....Qb6,then5.Nbd2,sacrificingthepawnonb2.4....c5xd45.c3xd4Qd8-b6TheQueenattacksthepawnonb2andatthesametimeunpinstheKnightonf6.6.Qd1-b3Nf6-e47.Bg5-f4After7.Qxb6axb68.Bf4Nc6Black’spositionisatriflebetterbecausehisRookcontrolsthea-file.7....Nb8-c68.e2-e3Bf8-b4+9.Nb1-d2?Ofcoursepiecesmustbedeveloped,butinthepresentsituationWhitehadtointerposetheotherKnight(9.Nfd2).TheKnightond2ispinnedandattackedtwice.Althoughitisalsodefendedtwice,Blacknowremovesoneofthedefendersbyforce. 9....g7-g5!Acombinationbasedonthetacticaldevicesof“pinning”and“doubleattack.”10.Bf4xg5After10.Be5f611.Bg3g4Whitewouldloseapiece.10....Bb4xd2+SeeDiagram352.352After11.Nxd2theBishopong5wouldbeundefended,allowingthedoubleattack11....Qa5,forkingtheBishopong5andtheKnightond2(butnot11....Nxg5,becauseof12.h4,winningtheKnightong5).SoWhiteresigned. LessonNineA.CheckLesson8Homework(asnecessary).B.ReviewQuestionsInthepositionsshownonDiagrams353-358,itisWhite’sturntoplay.Findhisbestcontinuationineachcase.Solvetheexercisesdirectlyfromthediagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard.353354 355356 357358FindthesolutionstoDiagrams359-364directlyfromthediagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard. 359Whitetoplayandwinapiece.360Whitetoplay.Findacombination. 361Blacktoplay.Howcanhegetridofthepin?362Whitetoplay.CanhesavehisKnight? 363Blacktoplay.Howshouldthegameend?364Blacktoplay.Canhewin? AnswerstoReviewQuestionsD-3531.Ng5-e6#D-3541.Qc3xg7#D-3551.Qb3-f7#D-3561.Rd1-d4#D-3571.Qc1-h6+Kh8-g82.Qh6xg7#D-3581.Qe5xg7+Qg8xg72.Re1-e8#D-3591.Nf3xd4Bg4xe22.Nd4xe2!,remainingapieceup.If1....exd4,thenby2.Bxg4Whitestillwinsapiece.D-3601.Nf3xe5!TheLegal’smateidea.1....Bg4xd1If1....dxe5,thenBlacklosesapieceafter2.Qxg4.2.Bc4xf7+Ke8-e73.Nc3-d5# D-3611....Rb6-b1+WiththismoveBlacknotonlygetsridofthepinbutalsowinsapiece.2.Kg1-f2Bb7xe43.Rb8xb1If3.fxe4,thentheRookislostby3....Rxb8.3....Be4xb1D-3621.Bg5-d2!OnlywiththismovecanWhitesavetheKnight.1.Rc1and1.Kd2donotwork,becauseof2....d4,winningtheKnight.After1.Bg5-d2!,however,theBishophasnotonlydefendedtheKnightbutalsoshieldedtheKing.1....d5-d42.Nc3-e2andsoon.D-363Blackwinsafter1....h4-h32.Kf3-f2Capturingthepawnonf4wouldputtheKingoutsidethesquareofthepawnonh3,whichwouldthengoontoqueen. 2....Ke8-e73.Kf2-g1IftheKingreturnedtof3,theBlackKingwouldjoinitspawnsandhelpthemtoqueen.3....f4-f34.Kg1-h24.Kf2wouldmeetwiththedecisivereply4....h2,followedbyqueening.4....f3-f2andsoon.D-364Blackwinsafter1....g7-g5NowWhitecannottouchtheBlackpawns.2.Kg4-f3Takingthepawnong5wouldputtheKingoutsidethesquareofthepawnonf4,whichwouldthenqueen.2....Ka4-b4TheKingapproachesitspawnstohelpthemqueen. TheSkewerThetacticaldeviceknownastheskeweroccursveryofteningames.Asinapin,threepiecestakepartinaskewer.365Inapin(Diagram365),thepinnedpiecemustshieldamorevaluablepiecethatisbehindit.366 Inaskewer(Diagram366),however,apiece,usuallyanimportantonesuchastheKing,theQueen,oraRook,hastomoveoffalinewhenattackedbyaQueen,Rook,orBishop,leavingthepiecebehinditexposedtocapture.Letuslookatsomeexamples.InDiagrams367–372findthebestcontinuation.Usethe“skewer”tacticaldevice.Solvetheproblemsdirectlyfromthediagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard.367Whitetoplay. 368Whitetoplay.369Whitetoplay. 370Blacktoplay.371Whitetoplay. 372Whitetoplay.AnswersD-3671.Rh1-h4+u2.Rh4xa4D-3681.Bg1-h2+u2.Bh2xb8D-3691.Qc6-f6+(1.Qb6+wouldwintheBishopbutit’sbettertowinaRook)1....u2.Qf6xa1 D-3701....Rd8-e82.Qe7-a3Re8xe1+D-3711.Rf3-f8+Kc8-c7TheKingisforcedtooccupythesamerankastheQueen,asaresultofwhichBlackwilllosematerial.2.Rf8-f7+Kc7-c63.Rf7xb7Kc6xb74.Kg1-f2Aftercapturingthepawnonh4Whitewillwineasily.D-3721.Nd3xe5Theideaofthisexchangeistoopenthed-filefortheRookond1.1....d6xe52.Ba3-d6NowtheBishopisprotectedbytheRook.2....Qc7-b73.Bd6xb8Re8xb8WhitehaswontheExchange(RookforBishop). HowCombinationsareCreatedAsyoualreadyknow,acombinationisaforcedvariationcontainingasacrificeanddesignedtoachieveadefiniteaim(checkmate,winofmaterial,drawinaninferiorposition,etc.)Combinationscanoccurbothinattackandindefense,andintheopeningaswellasinthemiddlegameorendgame.Asuccessfullyconductedcombinationisasourceofgreatpleasuretoachessplayerandremainsinhismemoryforalongtime.However,combinationsarenotpossibleinallpositions,andnoonecansayaprioriwhetheragivenpositioncontainsacombinationornot.Wemustlearntofindandcreatecombinationsthatwecanuseandalsotofindanddisruptouropponents’combinations.Everycombinationconsistsofthreeelements—thesituation,theidea,andthegoal.ThesituationisthepositionofcertainWhiteandBlackmenthatwarnsus,“Becareful,acombinationmightbepossible?”Thepossibilityofacombinationusuallyariseswhenapositioncontainssomeweaknesssuchasanundefendedpiece,apinnedpiece,anexposedKingor,conversely,asmotheredKing,etc.Amaterialadvantagetoocansometimesserveasthebasisofacombination.Theideaisthemethodusedincarryingoutacombination.Forexample,thetacticaldevicesof“doubleattack,”“pinning,”and“skewer”arecombinationalideas.Thegoalisthedesiredresultofthecombination,e.g.,thewinofapiece,checkmate,orstalemate.Duringagame,manyinterestingconceptions,ideas,andcombinationswilloccurtoaplayer.Theymustbeverifiedandtheimpracticalonesdiscarded.Sometimesaplayerthinksalongthefollowinglines:“Ifitweren’tfor...,Icouldsetupabeautifulfork”,etc.Oftenwecometotheconclusionthatacombinationisnotpossibleinagivenposition.Sometimes,however,oneoftheideasturnsouttobepracticalandwehaveourcombination! Beforebeginningacombination,aplayermusthaveaclearpictureofthefinalpositioninhismind.Chessplayersusuallydonotmemorizeindividualpositions,buttheyfirmlycommittomemorytheideasbehindvariouscombinations.Thereasonisthatagivenarrangementofmenontheboardmightnotberepeated(althougheventhatdoeshappensometimes!)buttheideasofthecombinationsarerepeatedtimeandtimeagain.Strongplayersknowhundredsorsometimeseventhousandsofideas.Duringagametheymentallyconstructnumerouspositionsthatcouldoccurinthegameandinwhichcombinationsmightbepossible,andatthesametimetheytrytodiscovertheideasoftheopponentinordertocounteractthem.Sometimesjusta“little”pawn(yourownoryouropponent’s)standsinthewayofsomefinecombination.Whileanalyzingsomegameplayedbyworldchampions,youmightsometimesthink,“Howboringlytheyplay!Notasinglecombinationinthewholegame.”Suchaconclusionwouldbeerroneous.Manyideasandcombinationsrunthroughthemindsofstrongplayersduringagame,buteachofthetwoplayersguessesthethoughtsoftheotherandpreventshimfromputtingthemintopractice.Therearealsonumerousunsound(incorrect)combinations.Theseoccurwhenaplayersacrificesmaterialwithoutnoticingsomestrongreplybytheopponent.Itisofcoursealwayspainfultolose,especiallyifyouhadawinningposition.However,aplayeralwayshasonlyhimselftoblameforhislosses.Itisnottheendoftheworldifyoumakemistakes,butitisbadifyourepeatthem.Thatiswhyeverytimeyouloseyoumustfindoutthereasonforthelossandtrynottorepeatthemistake.Aplayercandevelophiscombinativeabilitiesbystudyingthevarioustacticaldevices,bygettingtoknowthegamesofmastersandgrandmasters,andbyanalysinghisowngames.Nowtryyourhandatmakingcombinationsbasedonthe“skewer”tacticaldevice.Setuppositions373–378onaboardandineachcasefindthestrongestcombination. 373Blacktoplay.374Whitetoplay. 375Whitetoplay.376Whitetoplay. 377Whitetoplay.378Whitetoplay. AnswersD-373Whatisthereinthispositionthatsuggeststhatacombinationmightbepresent?Well,theWhiteKingandQueenareonthesamediagonal,a1-h8,andwecouldemploythe“skewer”tacticaldevicebyplaying1.Qa1+.However,theWhiteKingwouldmovetoc4ord3,defendingtheQueen.Obviously,suchanapproachwillnotbringusvictory.Thinkingsomemore,however,wearestruckbytheideathatitwouldbeniceiftheWhiteKingandQueenwereonthesamediagonal,butatsomedistancefromeachother.Andthenwefindthecombinationthathelpsusdothis:1....Be7-f6!TheBishopissacrificedwiththeideaofdrawingtheWhiteQueenawayfromtheKingwhilekeepingthemonthesamea1-h8diagonal.2.Qd4xf6Forced,becauseofthepin.2....Qa8-a1+Nowthismovewinsthegame.3.uQa1xf6BlackhaswonaQueenforaBishop(sixpoints).D-374AlookatthepositionshowsusthattheBlackKingandQueenareonthesamefile,namelytheb-file.Thissuggeststheideaofacombination.However,theskeweringmove1.Qb3+doesnotleadtothedesiredresultsincetheQueenonb6isdefendedbytheKing,aRook,andapawn.HowcanwedeflecttheBlackQueenfromb6whilekeepingitontheb-file?1.Rg8-b8!Afamiliaridea!TheRookissacrificed. 1....Qb6xb8Forced,becauseofthepin.2.Qh3-b3+Nowtheskewerwindsupthecombination.2....u3.Qb3xb8WhitehaswontheQueenforaRook(fourpoints).D-375WenoticeherethattheBlackKingandQueenarebothonthe7thrank,afactwhichtellsusthatundercertaincircumstancesacombinationmightbepossible.Thatis,ifWhitecouldemploytheskewerontheseventhrank,BlackwouldlosehisundefendedQueen.Wefindthemove1.Qh7+,buth7iscontrolledbytheBlackBishop.However,weshouldnotletthatscareus.Rather,weshouldcountuphowmanypointswewillbesacrificingandhowmanywewillbewinning.Onlyafterthissimplecalculationshouldwedecideonourmove.1.Qh2-h7+!SuchasacrificeiscalledatemporaryQueensacrifice.1....Bg6xh72.Rh1xh7+u3.Rh7xa7Asaresultofthecombination,WhitehasexchangedQueensandwonaBishop(threepoints). D-376Thepawnwantstoqueen,butitispinnedbytheBlackQueenandtheredoesnotseemanywaytounpinit.Thereis,infact,acombinationthatwilldecidetheoutcomeofthestruggle,buttobeabletoplayitwemustbeacquaintedwiththefollowingtacticaldevices:doubleattack,decoying,anti-pinningmethods,pawnpromotion,and,finally,theskewer.1.Qa2-b3+Thismovemakesuseofthreeideas:1.TheWhiteQueenforkstheBlackKingandQueen.2.TheBlackQueenisdecoyedontotheb-file.3.Thepawnisunpinned.1....Qf3xb3Forced.2.b7-b8Q+Amovecontainingtwoideas:queeningthepawnandskeweringtheBlackKingandQueen.2....u3.Qb8xb3NaturallyWhitedecideduponthetemporaryQueensacrificeonlyaftervisualizingthefinalposition,inwhichheisaQueenup.D-377Lookingattheposition,wenoticethattheBlackKingandQueenareonthesamefile,afactthatwouldmaketheskewerpossibleundercertainconditions.Inparticular,ifweremovedtheBishopfromtheboardthenQd8+wouldwintheBlackQueen.SowhatwehavetodoistosomehowdeflecttheBlackBishopfromd5.1.Nf2xe4+! TheKnightsacrificesitselfsothatthecombinationcanbecarriedout.Themovecontainstwoideas:forkinganddeflection.1....Bd5xe4Forced.2.Qh4-d8+!Nowtheskewerdecidestheoutcome.2....u3.Qd8xd2Asaresultofthecombination,WhitehaswonaQueenandapawnforaKnight(10—3=7points).D-378Whatstrikesourattentionhereistheline-upofthethreeBlackpiecesandtheWhiteRookonthee-file.Asaresult,weareledtolookforacombinationbasedontheskeweringidea.1.Re1xe4!AnExchangesacrificewiththeideaofdecoyingtheBlackQueenontoe4.1....Qe7xe4OrelseBlackwouldbeaKnightdown.2.Rf1-e1Askewerthatwinsmaterial.NotethatiftherehadnotbeenaBlackpawnonc6oronf7theBlackQueencouldnowhavedefendedtheRookby2....Qc6or2....Qg6.OriftheRookone8hadbeendefendedbyanotherpieceinadditiontotheQueen,White’scombinationwouldagainhavebeenimpossible. 2....Qe4xe1+WiththismoveBlackendsuplosingaQueenandaKnightfortwoRooks(12—10=2points),whileiftheQueenhadmovedaway,thenafter3.Rxe8+thenetresultwouldhavebeenthatapairofRookshadbeenexchangedandBlackhadlostaKnight(threepoints).3.Nf3xe1EndgameswithKingandRookPawnAgainstLoneKingAnextrapawnintheendgameoftenmakesitpossibletowinthegame.However,therearealsopositionsinwhichanextrapawnisnotenoughforvictory.Chessplayersatalllevelsshouldhaveafirmknowledgeofwhatfateawaitsagivenextrapawn:willitbecomeaQueenorwon’tit?Forthispurpose,aplayermustknowwhichpositionsarewonpositionsandwhichonesaredrawnpositions.ThemostdifficultpawnstoqueenaretheRookpawns.Letuslookatsomeexamples.SetupeachofthepositionsinDiagrams379–384onaboard.379Drawnwitheitherplayertomove. 380Drawnwitheitherplayertomove.381Drawnwitheitherplayertomove. 382Drawnwitheitherplayertomove.383Whitetoplaywins;Blacktoplaydraws. 384Whitetoplaywins;Blacktoplaydraws.AnswersD-379IftheKingoftheweakersideis(orcanget)inthewayoftheRookpawn(i.e.,ontooneofthesquaresinfrontofit),thegameisalwaysdrawn.1.a5-a6+Kb7-a72.Kb5-a5Ka7-a83.Ka5-b6Ka8-b84.a6-a7+Kb8-a85.Kb6-a6Stalemate!Thisisthewholepoint.Iftheweakerside’sKingdoesnotlosetouchwiththecornersquare,stalematealwaysoccurs.D-380YoualreadyknowthatbyreachingthecornersquareinfrontofanenemyRookpawn,aKingcanstopitfromqueening.Inthisexample, Blackdrawsinthesamemannerasthelastone,eventhoughheretheWhiteKingisinfrontofitspawns.1.Kh6-g6Kh8-g82.h5-h6Kg8-h8NobodycanmaketheBlackKingabandonh8.3.h4-h5Kh8-g84.h3-h4Whitehasfourpawnsontheh-filebuttheycannotwin.Itwouldhavebeenbettertohavejustasingleextrapawn,butonadifferentfile.4....Kg8-h85.h6-h7StalemateThedrawwasunavoidable.D-381AdrawalsooccurswhentheKingofthestrongersideisinfrontofitsRookpawnbutthedefending(lone)Kingmanagestolockitintothecorner:1.a3-a4Kc6-c7TheBlackKingheadsfora8.2.Ka6-a7TheWhiteKingdoesnotallowtheenemyintothecorner.2....Kc7-c83.a4-a5Kc8-c7TheBlackKingstaysclosetothea8corner. 4.a5-a6Kc7-c85.Ka7-a8Or5.Kb6Kb8followedby6....Ka8.5....Kc8-c76.a6-a7Kc7-c8Stalemate.D-382Nomatterhowmanypawnstheremightbeonthea-file,Whitedrawsinthesamewayasintheprecedingexample:1.Kc2-c1a4-a3If1....Kb3,then2.Kb1followedby3.Ka1.2.Kc1-c2Ka2-a13.Kc2-c1a3-a24.Kc1-c2TheWhiteKinggoesbackandforthbetweenc1andc2anddoesn’tlettheBlackKingoutofthecorner.AssoonasBlackusesupallhispawnmoves,hewillbestalemated!D-383Thisexampleshowswhatthestrongersidemustaimforinordertowin.1.Kg6-g7!Theg7squareisacriticalsquare.Byoccupyingit,theWhiteKingassuresthequeeningofthepawn.1.h5wouldbeamistakebecauseof1....Kf82.h6Kg8,whentheBlackKinggetsintothecovetedcorner.If2.Kh7,then2....Kf7,againwithanunavoidabledraw. 1....Ke7-e6TheKingcannothinderthepawnfromqueening.2.h4-h5Andsoon.IfinDiagram383Blackmovesfirst,hedrawseasilyby1....Ke7-f8!,controllingthecriticalg7square.D-384WeknowbynowthatifWhitesucceedsinoccupyingthecriticalsquareg7withhisKing,hewillwin,whileiftheBlackKingmanagestogaincontrolofg7andkeeptheenemyKingout,thegamewillbeadraw.Theresultofthegamedependsonwhoseturnitistomove.Whitetomovesucceedsinhisefforts:1.Kh3-g4Kb4-c52.Kg4-g5Kc5-d63.Kg5-g6Kd6-e74.Kg6-g7!AndBlackcannotstoptheadvanceofthepawn.WithBlacktomove,thepictureisdifferent:1....Kb4-c52.Kh3-g4Kc5-d63.Kg4-f5Kd6-e74.Kf5-g6Ke7-f8!Controllingthecriticalsquareg7.5.Kg6-h7 IfWhitedoesnotplaythismove,theBlackKingwillgetintothecorneranditwillbeimpossibletodriveitout.5....Kf8-f76.h2-h4Kf7-f87.h4-h5Kf8-f78.h5-h6Kf7-f8AndWhitecanonlychoosehowtodraw:stalematetheBlackKingorlethisownKingbestalemated. HOMEWORK(Answersattheend)I.Diagrams385–390.Usetheskewertacticaldeviceinthesolutions.385WhitetoplayandwinstheRook. 386Whitetoplayandwinapiece.387 WhitetoplayandwinstheRook.388WhitetoplayandwinstheExchange. 389Whitetoplay.Howdoeshewin?390 Whitetoplayanddraw.II.InDiagrams391–396findacombinationthatusestheskewertacticaldevice.391HowdoesWhitewin?(2solutions) 392Whitetoplayandwinmaterial. 393FindaforcedwinforWhite.394HowcanWhitewinmaterial? 395Whitetoplay.CanhewintheKnight? 396Blacktoplayandwinmaterial.III.Diagrams397–402dealwithRook-pawnendgames. 397Whitetoplayanddraw.398HowshouldthegameendwithWhitetoplay?WithBlacktoplay? 399Whitetoplay.Canhewin? 400Blacktoplay.Canhesavehimself? 401Canthispositionoccurinagame?Ifyes,canWhiteavoidlosingifitishisturntoplay?__________________________________________________________________________________________402Blacktoplayanddraw. AnswerstotheHomeworkD-3851.Bd2-g5+andtheRookperishes.D-3861.Ra1-d1+,winningtheBishop.1.Ra4+wouldbenogoodsincetheKnightisdefendedbytheBishop.D-3871.Rh8-h3+!(forcingtheKingontothe4thrank)1....anymove2.Rh3-h4+(winningtheRook.)D-3881.Bd2-g5forcestheBlackQueentomove,whereupon2.Bg5-f6+winstheexchange.D-3891.b5-b6h4-h3TheBlackKingcannotholdbacktheWhitepawnsinceitisnotinthepawn’ssquare.2.b6-b7h3-h2 3.b7-b8Qh2-h1QTheBlackpawntoohasbecomeaQueen,butnotforlong!4.Qb8-b7+ThischeckwinstheBlackQueen.D-3901.Bc1-g5!1.Bh6wasalsopossible.IfBlacknowqueenshisa-pawn,hewillloseitimmediatelyafter2.Bf6+.1.Bd2+wouldloseto1....Kc2.1....h4-h32.Ke2-f2TheKingiswithinthesquareoftheh-pawn.2....h3-h2Blacksetsaprettytrap.3.Bg5-f6+!Onlythisin-betweencheckallowsWhitetodraw.3.Kg2wouldloseto3....h1Q+!(decoyingtheKingontothefirstrank)4.Kxh1a1Q+,andWhitedoesn’thavetimetoplay5.Bf6+sincehisKingisincheck.3....u4.Kf2-g2Andthedrawisunavoidable. D-391Blackthreatens1....Ra1#and1....Kxf4.However,Whitehastwowaysofparryingthesethreats.Solution1:1.Rf4-a4!DecoyingtheBlackRookontothefourthrank.1....Ra8xa4Forced,for2.Rh3#wasthreatened.2.Rh1-h3+NowwehavethepositionfromDiagram387.2....u3.Rh3-h4+WhitewillremainaRookup.Solution2:ThisispossibleonlyiftheWhiteKingandtheRookonh1havenotmovedsofarinthisgame.1.0-0!SavingtheKingfrommateandatthesametimedefendingtheRookonf4.NowWhite,withanextraRook,shouldwin.D-3921.Qd3xd4+! AtemporaryQueensacrifice.1....Ke5xd42.Ba3-b2+u3.Bb2xh8Asaresultofhiscombination,WhitehaswonaBishopandexchangedoffQueens.D-3931.Rc1-c8!ARooksacrificetodecoytheBlackQueenontoc8.1....Qd8xc8Forced.2.Qh5-h8+AcheckthatwinstheBlackQueen.WhitegainsaQueenforaRook(9—5=4points).D-3941.Rd1xd5!WiththisExchangesacrificeWhitedecoystheBlackQueenontod5.1....Qd7xd52.Bf1-g2Qd5-d7TheQueenmaymovetoothersquares,too. 3.Bg2xa8WhitehasexchangedRooksandwonaBishop.D-395Yes.1.Rg7xf7!AtemporaryExchangesacrifice.1.Ra8+withtheideaofwinningtheRookonh8doesn’tworkbecauseofthereply1....Nd8.SoWhitefirsteliminatestheKnight.1....Rf2xf72.Ra7-a8+u3.Ra8xh8Asaresultofhiscombination,WhitehasexchangedRooksandwonaKnight.D-396FromthegameSanguinetti—Fischer,1958.1....Nf4xd5!Fischerwinsapawn,sinceitturnsoutthatWhitecannotplay2.Qxd5becauseof2....Rad8,winningaRook.D-397FromthegameAncigin—N.Guravlev,USSR1952.1.Ke3-f2!LockingtheBlackKinginthecorner.1.Kxf3wouldlosebecauseof1....Kg1followedbythequeeningoftheh-pawn. 1....Kh2-h1Zugzwang.IfithadbeenWhite’sturntomove,Blackwouldhavewoneasily,e.g.,2.Kf1Kg33.Kg1f2+4.Kf1h2,etc.2.Kf2-f1!NowtheBlackKingcannotescapefromthecorner.2....f3-f2If2....h2,then3.Kf2isstalemate.3.Kf1xf2Kh1-h2Ifnow3....h2,then4.Kf1isstalemate.4.Kf2-f1Kh2-g35.Kf1-g1!TheWhiteKinggetsintothecovetedcorner,makingthedrawinevitable.D-398Whitetomovedrawsafter1.Kf2-g3!ForcingBlacktopushtheh-pawn,asotherwisebothpawnswouldbelost.1....h3-h22.Kg3-f2!NowtheBlackKingiscaughtinthecorner.2....f7-f53.Kf2-f1f5-f4 4.Kf1-f2f4-f35.Kf2-f1f3-f26.Kf1xf2StalemateIfBlackmovesfirstinDiagram398,hewinseasilyafter1....Kh1-h2!PuttingWhiteinZugzwang:WhitemustmakesomemoveandlettheBlackKingoutofthecorner.2.Kf2-f12.Kf3wouldnotsaveWhite,becauseof2....Kg1,winning.2....Kh2-g3Black,withtwoextrapawns,shouldwin.D-399Yes!1.Kb3-b4!PreventingtheBlackKingfromgettingintothea8corner.1....Kd4-d52.Kb4-b5!Kd5-d63.Kb5-b6!Kd6-d74.Kb6-b7!NowtheWhitepawncanqueen.4....Kd7-d65.a2-a4Kd6-c5 6.a4-a5Kc5-b57.a5-a6andsoon.D-400Yes,Blackcansavehimself,butonlybymeansofthefollowingKnightsacrifice:1....Nh4xg6!OtherwiseWhitewouldqueenhispawnafter2.g7+.2.Kh7xg6Kf8-g8andthedrawisunavoidable.D-401Itistheoreticallypossibleforthispositiontooccurbutitwouldn’tinpractice.TheBlackpawnshavemadethirteencaptureswhilefifteenWhitemenhavegonefromtheboard.Whitedrawswith1.Kg3-f2,lockingtheBlackKinginthecorner.Afterthat,theWhiteKingshuttlesbackandforthbetweenf1andf2untilBlackrunsoutofpawnmovesandbecomesstalemated.Asyoucansee,itdoesnotmatterinthisexamplehowmanyextrapawnsareonthef-andh-files.D-4021....Kf2-e2!!OnlythuscanBlacksavehimself.1....Kg2wouldlosebecauseof2.Kg4Kf23.Kxh4Kf34.Kg5,andtheWhiteKingcanoccupythecriticalsquareofg7andescortthepawntothequeeningsquare. 2.Kf4-g4Ke2-e33.Kg4xh4Ke3-f4!TheBlackKingheadsfortheh8cornerandatthesametimerestrictstheWhiteKingtotheh-file.WhentheKingsareplacedlikethis,theyaresaidtobeinopposition.4.Kh4-h5Kf4-f55.Kh5-h6Kf5-f66.h3-h4Kf6-f7TheBlackKingcontrolsthecriticalsquareg7,makingthedrawinevitable. SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionTheFirstStepsoftheWorldChampionsTherenownedchampionsbegantoplaychessinthesamewayasyoudid.Theymadetheirveryfirstchessmoveswhentheywereanywherefrom6to15yearsold.Theytoo“hung”theirQueensandtheytoofellinto“Scholar’sMates.”Hardtobelieve?Well,let’sstartwithMikhailTal,whowasontheworldchessthronefrom1960to1961.Hereisagameplayedby9-year-oldMikhailandhisbrother.Game65MikhailTal’sBrother—MikhailTalRiga19451.e2-e4e7-e52.Bf1-c4Bf8-c53.Qd1-h5?Nb8-a6??4.Qh5xf7#SeeDiagram403. 403YouofcourseknowhowtodefendyourselfagainsttheScholar’sMate,butTaldidn’tuntilthisgame.However,hedidnotfallintosuchmatesanymoreandfifteenyearslaterhebecametheWorldChampion.BorisSpasskywastheWorldChampionfrom1969to1972.Whenhewas11yearsold,heplayedthefollowinggame:Game66BorisSpassky—M.Podgaiskii,USSR1948SicilianDefense1.e2-e4c7-c52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.d2-d4c5xd44.Nf3xd4Ng8-f65.Nb1-c3e7-e6 6.Bf1-e2Bf8-b4PinningtheKnightandthreatening7....Nxe4.7.Be2-f3Qd8-a5AttackingtheKnightonc3asecondtime.8.Nd4-b5??Hehadtodefendwith8.Ne2.8....Qa5xb5SeeDiagram404.404TheKnightonc3isabsolutelypinnedbytheBlackBishop.AsBorisSpasskyrecalledlater,hebrokeintotearsafterBlack’smoveandresignedthegame.Itis,ofcourse,painfultogiveawayapiecejustlikethat,fornothing.Butineverygamethataplayerloses,hehasonlyhimselftoblame! Nowtakealookatagameplayedinaschool-children’stournamentbetweentwofuturechessstars(althoughtheydidn’tknowthatyet).Game67ViktorKorchnoiBorisSpassky(17yearsold)(11yearsold)Leningrad,1948SicilianDefense1.e2-e4c7-c52.Ng1-f3d7-d63.d2-d4c5xd44.Nf3xd4Ng8-f65.Nb1-c3g7-g66.f2-f4Bc8-g4BlackhasplayedtheDragonVariation,buthislastmoveisamistake.6....Nc6isbetter.7.Bf1-b5+Nb8-d78.Bb5xd7+!AstrongmovewiththeaimofexploitingthepoorpositionoftheBlackBishopong4.8....Qd8xd78....Bxd7wouldbemetbytheunpleasant9.e5.9.Qd1-d3 Now10.f5isthreatened,afterwhichtheBlackBishopmightgettrappedby11.h3and12.g4.9....e7-e510.Nd4-f3Bg4xf311.Qd3xf3Qd7-g4?Black’sdesiretobringaboutadrawbyexchangingQueensleadstoanimmediateloss.Blackcouldhaveputupresistanceby11...exf412.Bxf4Bg7and13....0-012.Nc3-d5!SeeDiagram405.405Spasskyresigned,thinkingthathehadtoloseapiece.Indeed,13....Qxf3isnogoodbecauseofWhite’sin-betweenchecks:14.Nxf6+Ke714.Nd5+u15.gxf3andWhiteremainsapieceup.Norwould12....Qh4+saveBlack,becauseofthereply13.g3.However,Blackcansavethepiecewiththeincrediblemove12....Kd8!,althoughafter13.Qxg4(if13.Nxf6,then13....Qh4+followedby14....Qxf6)13....Nxg414.h3Nh615.fxe5dxe516.Bg5+and17.Bf6White winsapawn.Asyoucansee,eveninthislineBlackgetsadifficultposition.WorldChampionJoseRaoulCapablancareignedonthechessthronefrom1921to1927.Helearnedchessataveryearlyage.Hereishowithappened.Oneday,4-year-oldJoseRaoulwentintohisfather’sofficeandfoundhimplayingchesswithacolonel.LittleCapablanca’sinterestwasarousedbythepiecesmovingonaboardaccordingtosomerulesthathedidnotyetknow.ThenextdayJoseRaoulagaincameandsilentlywatchedhisfatherplay.Thethirdday,hesuddenlysawthathisfathermovedaKnightfromalightsquaretoanotherlightsquareandthathisopponent,alsoapparentlyaweakplayer,didnotnoticeit.Thelittleboylaughedandproceededtoaccusehisfatherofcheating.Thefatherbecameangrybutthesonimmediatelyshowedhimontheboardthemistakehehadmade.Findingithardtobelievethatsuchayoungboycouldhavemasteredtherulesofplaybyhimself,CapablancaSenioraskedhissonwhetherhecouldsetupthemenintheirstartingpositions.JoseRaoulnotonlypassedthistestwithoutamistake,butalsowonagamethenandthereagainsthisfather.Afewdayslater,CapablancaSeniortookthe“Wunderkind”(childprodigy)tothechessclub.Oneofthestrongestclubmembersagreedtoplaywiththe4-year-oldchild,butinsistedongivinghimQueenodds.Hereiswhathappenedinthatgame:Game68Iglesias—Capablanca(aged4)Havana,1892(WhiteplayedwithouthisQueen)1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Ng8-f63.Nf3xe5Nf6xe44.d2-d4d7-d6 5.Ne5-f3Bf8-e76.Bf1-d3Ne4-f67.c2-c40-08.Nb1-c3Nb8-c69.a2-a3a7-a610.Bc1-d2b7-b611.0-0-0Bc8-d712.Kc1-b1Whiteiswaitingforthechildtostartgivingawaypieces,butsofarBlackhasbeenplayingverywell.12....Nc6-a513.Rd1-c1Na5-b314.Rc1-c2c7-c515.d4-d5Rf8-e816.h2-h4b6-b5!Goingoverthisgamewegettheimpressionthattheplayersweremodernexpertsandcertainlyolderthanfouryears.17.g2-g4Nb3-d418.Nf3xd4c5xd419.Nc3-e4b5xc420.Ne4xf6+Be7xf621.Bd3xc4Bd7xg422.Bc4-d3Bg4-f323.Rh1-h3Bf3xd524.h4-h5Bd5-e625.Rh3-g3g7-g6 26.f2-f4Bf6-h427.Rg3-g1Kg8-h828.f4-f5Be6xf529.Bd3xf5g6xf530.Bd2-h6Re8-g831.Rc2-g2Rg8xg232.Rg1xg2Qd8-f633.Bh6-g7+Qf6xg734.Rg2xg7Kh8xg735.Kb1-c2Kg7-f636.Kc2-d3Kf6-e537.h5-h6f5-f438.Kd3-e2Ke5-e4SeeDiagram406.406Onlyheredidthegrown-upplayingWhiteacknowledgehimselfvanquished.Yes,CapablancawasnotconsideredaWunderkindfornothing! ThebrilliantAmericanPaulMorphywasundoubtedlythestrongestchessplayerofhistime.Hissplendidcombinationseventodaythrillchesslovers.HereisagamethatMorphyplayedblindfoldedagainsthisuncle.ThisgamewasplayedonPaulMorphy’sbirthday.Game69P.Morphy(age12)—E.Morphy,NewOrleans1849GiuocoPiano1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-c4Bf8-c54.c2-c3d7-d65.0-0Ng8-f65....Bb6or5....Qe7wouldbemoreprudent.6.d2-d4e5xd47.c3xd4Bc5-b68.h2-h38.Nc3isagoodmovehere,butPaulMorphydecidestopreventtheBlackBishopfrommovingtog4.8....h7-h69.Nb1-c30-010.Bc1-e3 HereWhiteshouldretreathisotherBishoptob3.10....Rf8-e8Anunfortunatemove.Blackhadachanceofequalizingby10....Nxe411.Nxe4d5.11.d4-d5Bb6xe3?ItwasbettertoretreattheKnighttoe7.12.d5xc6Be3-b613.e4-e5d6xe514.Qd1-b3Whitecouldplay14.Qxd8Rxd815.Nxe5,butPauldecidestokeephisQueenfortheattack.14....Re8-e7?Heshouldhavedefendedwith14....Be6.15.Bc4xf7+!Theyoungmaestroimmediatelytakesadvantageofhisopponent’shardlyperceptiblemistake.15....Re7xf716.Nf3xe5Qd8-e817.c6xb7Bc8xb718.Ra1-e1Bb7-a619.Ne5-g6!BlacklosesbecauseofthepinontheRookatf7.19....Qe8-d8 20.Re1-e7SeeDiagram407.407Blackresigns.20....Nd5willnotsavehim,becauseof21.Nxd5Rxe722.Nf6#.Theonlookers’delightatthisgamewasindescribable.In1978,a17-year-oldSovietschoolgirlcalledMaiaChiburdanidzebecametheWomen’sWorldChampion.Neverbeforeinthehistoryofchesshadtherebeensuchayoungworldchampion.ThefollowinggameshowshowstrongaplayerMaiawasevenattheageoftwelve.Game70M.Chiburdanidze—O.Andreeva(InternationalMaster),USSR1973 SicilianDefense1.e2-e4c7-c52.c2-c3Ng8-f63.e4-e5Nf6-d54.d2-d4c5xd45.c3xd4d7-d66.Ng1-f3Nb8-c67.Nb1-c3Nd5xc38.b2xc3d6xe5?Itwasbettertoplay8....d5or8....e6,withequalchances.9.d4-d5!e5-e4Freeinge5fortheKnight.10.Nf3-g510.dxc6Qxd1+11.Kxd1exf3wouldbeinBlack’sfavor.10....Nc6-e511.Ng5xe4Qd8-c7Aninaccuracy.Betterwas11....e6,underminingWhite’scenter.12.Qd1-d4!InthisinstancetheQueenissplendidlyplacedinthecenter,forBlackcannotattackiteasily.12....Bc8-d7Yetanotherinaccuracy.ThedevelopmentoftheKingsideisurgentlycalledfor. 13.Bc1-a3!Preparingthemove14.d6.13....f7-f6DefendingtheKnight.13....e6wouldloseto14.d6Qa515.Bb4.14.d5-d6Qc7-c614....exd6wouldbeinferior,becauseof15.Nxd6+Bxd616.Bxd6,andWhitehastheadvantage.15.d6xe7Bf8xe716.Ba3xe7Ke8xe7TheBlackKinghaslosttherighttocastle.White’stasknowistoorganizeanattackagainsttheKingstrandedinthecenter.17.Qd4-b4+!ForcingBlacktodeterminethepositionofhisKing.17...Ke7-f7TheKinghadfoursquares,butnoneofthemguaranteeditsafety.Itmaybethat17....Kd8wasthebest,butBlack’sdesiretohideherKingontheKingsideisunderstandable.18.f2-f4!White’sideaistoplayBc4+,butsincetheBlackKnightcontrolsc4WhitetriestochasetheKnightawaywithherpawn.18....Rh8-e8 18...,Ng6wouldloseafter19.Bc4+Be620.Bxe6+Qxe621.f5!Qxf522.Nd6+.Relativelybestwas18....Ng4,althoughWhitewouldstillmaintainaverystrongattackafter19....0-0-0.19.f4xe5Re8xe5BlacksacrificedherKnightexpectingthatinreturnshewouldwintheWhiteKnight,whichisnowpinned.However,thereisasurpriseinstoreforher.20.0-0-0!Excellentlyplayed!TheKinggoesintohidingandatthesametimetheWhiteRookattackstheBishop.20....Re5xe421.Rd1xd7+!Kf7-e8?21....Qxd7wasbetter,althoughBlackwouldstillhavelostapieceafter22.Qxe4.22.Rd7-e7+!!SeeDiagram408. 408It’salmostunbelievablethat12-year-oldagirlcouldmakesuchamove!Blackresigns,since22....Rxe7wouldbefollowedby23.Bb5,pinningandwinningtheBlackQueen.Afterlookingatthesegameswecanconcludethatthechampionspossessedchesstalentevenintheirchildhood,butthattheyneverthelessmademistakesandwerebeatable.Butwhatcharacterisedthebuddingchampionswasaboveallthis:evenafterthemostunpleasantlosses,theydidnotbecomedisenchantedwithchessorloseconfidenceintheirabilitites.Rather,thesechildrenanalyzedtheirmistakesandoversightswithstillgreaterenergy,inordertoavoidrepeatingthem.Thatiswhatwetoomustlearntodo! LessonTenA.CheckLesson9homework(asnecessary).B.ReviewQuestionsFindthebestcontinuationinDiagrams409-420.Workdirectlyfromthediagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard.409Theplayerwhomovesfirstwins. 410Whitetoplay.411Whitetoplay. 412Whitetoplay.413Whitetoplay. 414Whitetoplay.415Whitetoplay. 416Whitetoplay.417Blacktoplay. 418Blacktoplay.419HowshouldthegameendwithWhitetoplay?WithBlacktoplay? 420HowwouldyouplayifitwasyourturnwithWhite?AndifitwasyourturnwithBlack?AnswerstoReviewQuestionsD-409Whitetoplay:1.Qa1-g7+Blacktoplay:1....Qb7-h1+D-4101.Bd1-g4+D-4111.Qe2xe6+Kd7xe62.Bd1-g4+D-4121.Qe2xe6+Kd7xe62.Bd1-g4+D-4131.b7-b8Q+D-4141.Qc2-b1+Qh1xb12.b7-b8Q+D-4151.Bf3-d5+D-4161.Re7xe6+!Ke5xe62.Bf3-d5+ D-4171....Ra1-a2+D-4181....Rh1-a1!(threatening2....h1Q)2.Rh7xh2Ra1-a2+D-4191.Nomatterwhoplaysfirst,thegameshouldbeadraw,astheBlackKingcannotbedrivenoutofthecorner.D-420Whitetoplaywins:1.Kh7-g8Kf6-g62.h6-h7andthepawnwillqueen.Blacktoplaydraws:1....Kf6-f72.Kh7-h8Kf7-f8.TypicalMatingCombinationsThefinalaimofeachoftheplayersinachessgameistocheckmatehisopponent’sKing.Acombinationwhichservesthisaimiscalleda“matingcombination.”Wecaneasilyunderstandthataplayerwillreadilysacrificeanyamountofmaterialforasound(correct)matingcombination.Beforeplayingthecombination,theplayermustofcourseclearlyvisualizethefinalmatingposition.Therearemanytypicalmatingpositionsthatoftenoccuringames.Aknowledgeofthesepositionswillhelpustocreatetypicalmatingcombinations.However,theymustbestudiedgradually.TheBack-RankMateAsyouknow,itisdangeroustowastetimeintheopeningbymakingaimlesspawnmoves.Butontheotherhand,ifyoudonotpushuponeofthepawnsinfrontoftheKingafterithascastled,youruntheriskofgettingmatedontheback(1stor8th)rankbyyouropponent’sRookorQueen.PushinguponeofthepawnsinfrontofthecastledKingtoavoidthedangerofmateisknownas“makinganescapehatch”fortheKing.Thisshouldpreferablybedoneinthemiddlegame,andthemoveshouldbetiedinwiththeplayers’splanofplay. 421Forexample,letuslookatDiagram421,whereitisWhite’sturntomove.ItwouldbeadvisableforWhitetomakeanescapehatchbyplaying1.g2-g3.Theg2squareistherebyfreedfortheKingandatthesametimethepawnong3controlsf4andh4,deprivingtheenemyKnightofthesesquares.Blackcanreplywith1....h7-h6,attackingtheKnightandatthesametimemakinganescapehatchforhisKingonh7.1....f6?,ontheotherhand,wouldbebadbecauseof2.Ne6Rd1+(anin-betweencheck)3.Kg2Rf74.Rb8+Nf85.R2b7Rdd76.Rxd7Rxd77.Rxf8#,therebeingnoescapehatchfortheBlackKingonh7.Sometimesaplayerpullsoffaback-rankmatewithouthavinghadtosacrificeanything,asaresultofagrossblunderonthepartofhisopponent.Mostofthetime,however,theback-rankmateistheresultofacombination.Letuslookatsomeexamples.ThepatternsshowninDiagrams422,424and426formthebasisofthecombinationsinDiagrams423,425,and427,respectively.Findthesecombinations.Solvetheexercisesdirectlyfromthediagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard.Memorizethematingpatterns,butnotthepositionsofthevariousmeninthecombinations. 422pattern423Whitetoplaymatesintwomoves. 424pattern425Blacktoplaymatesintwomoves. 426pattern427Whitetoplaymatesintwomoves. AnswersD-4231.Qh4xd8+!TheQueenissacrificedinordertoeliminatethepieceguardingtheeighthrank.1....Bc7xd82.Re2-e8#D-4251....Qf4-c1+Thiskindofcombinationiscalledanx-rayattack,becausetheRookonc8controlsc1throughtheenemyRookonc2.2.Rc2xc1Forced.ButnowtheBlackRookcanmovetoc1.2....Rc8xc1#D-4271.Qh7-h8+!Anx-rayattack,withtheRookonh1attackingh8throughtheBlackRookonh6.1....Rh6xh8Forced,sincetheKnightispinned.Now,however,theRookonh1entersthefray.2.Rh1xh8# InsomecasestheQueenisabletomatetheopposingKingbysimultaneouslycontrollingboththebackrankandtheKing’sescapehatch.InDiagrams429,431,and433findthecombinationsusingthepatternsshowninDiagrams428,430and432,respectively.Solvetheexercisesdirectlyfromthediagrams,withoutsettingupthemenonaboard.428pattern429Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves. 430pattern431Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 432pattern433Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. AnswersD-4291.Rd4-d8+!TheideaofthisRooksacrificeistofreetheh5-e8diagonalbydeflectingtheKnight.1....Ra8xd8If1....Nxd8,then2.Qe8#.2.Rd1xd8+Nf7xd8Forced.3.Qh5-e8#D-4311.Rf4-f8+!ThismoveispossiblebecausetheWhiteQueencontrolsf8throughtheBishopong7(x-rayattack).1....Bg7xf82.Qh6xf8#D-4331.Rh1-h8+Ng6xh82.Qd4xh8# Workingdirectlyfromthediagrams(withoutsettingupthemenonaboard),findthecombinationsinDiagrams435,437,and439,usingthepatternsinDiagrams434,436,and438,respectively.434pattern435Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 436pattern437Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 438pattern439Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves.AnswersD-435Lookingattheposition,wegettheideaofplayingthemoveRd8#,buttheRookcannotjumpovertheBlackBishop.HowcanweforcetheBlackBishoptoabandonthed-file? 1.Re1-e8+!Bd7xe82.Rd1-d8#Weachievedourgoalbyusingtheideaofdeflection.D-4371.Qb5-e8+!Againwemakeuseofthex-rayattackidea.Thee8squareiscontrollednotonlybytheQueenandtheBishopbutalsobytheWhiteRookactingthroughtheBlackRookond8.1....Rd8xe82.Rc8xe8#D-439Thisexamplemakesuseoftwoideas:thedeflectionoftheBlackRookfromtheeighthrankandthex-rayattack.1.Qa2xf7+!Rf8xf72.Re2-e8+Rf7-f83.Re8xf8#SuchcombinationscanoccurevenwhentheKinghasanescapehatch,providedthatthisescapesquareiscontrolledbyanenemyman.Workingdirectlyfromthediagrams(withoutsettingupthemenonaboard),findthecombinationsinDiagrams441,443,and446,usingthepatternsinDiagrams440,442,444,and445. 440pattern441Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves. 442pattern443Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 444pattern445pattern 446Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves(twosolutions).AnswersD-441SincetheWhiteBishopcontrolstheescapehatchonh7,WhitemustbreakthroughtotheeighthrankwithhisRookorQueen.1.Qc3-c8+!Wewon’tbalkatsacrificing!1....Bb7xc82.Rc2xc8+Nb6xc83.Rc1xc8#D-443WemustfirstofallfindthematingideapatternedinDiagram442.ThenwemustdecidehowtodecoytheBlackKingontog8.1.Qh7-g8+!Kf8xg82.Re1-e8# D-446Lookingattheposition,wemustmentallyvisualizethe,patternsshowninDiagrams444and445.WewillrealizethenthattheBlackkingmustbedecoyedontoh8orf8.Solution1:1.Rh1-h8+!Kg8xh82.Rf1-f8#Solution2:1.Rf1-f8+!Kg8xf82.Rh1-h8# EndgameWithKingandNon-Rookpawnvs.KingWeshallexaminepositionswiththepawnonanyarbitrarynon-Rookfile(i.e.,anyfileexceptthea-fileandtheh-file)sincetheresultsarethesameforallnon-Rookpawns.Anon-RookpawniseasiertoqueenthanaRookpawnbutheretooyoumusthaveasureknowledgeofwhichpositionsarewinningandwhicharenot.Todayweshalllookatthepositionsinwhichthepawncanqueen.Youarerecommendedtomemorizethesepositions.447Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst.448 WhitewinsonlyifitisBlack’sturntoplay.449Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst. 450Whitetoplaywins.451Blackwinsnomatterwhomovesfirst. 452Whitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst.D-447TheloneKingcanhavechancesofstoppingthepawnonlyifitisinfrontofthepawn.AKingthatisbesidethepawncannotstopit.Whitetoplaygainsadecisiveadvantageby:1.d5-d6Ke5-e62.Kc5-c6Ke6-f73.d6-d7Kf7-e74.Kc6-c7WhitewillgetanewQueenonthenextmove.Blacktoplay:1.1....Ke5-f6TryingtostopthepawnfromthefrontbyplayingKf6-e7-d7. 2.Kc5-c6TheKinghurriestothec7square,fromwhereitwillcontrold6,d7,andd8,thepawn’squeeningroute.2....Kf6-e73.Kc6-c7ProtectedbytheKing,thepawnwillbecomeaQueeninthreemoves.Conclusion:IfthetwoKingsandthepawnareallonthesamerank,andthepawnisdefended,thenthesidewiththepawnwinsnomatterwhoseturnitistoplay.D-448Thisextremelyimportantpositionisencounteredquiteofteninpractice.NotethepositionoftheKings.YouwillrememberthatwhentheKingsarestandingacrossfromeachotherwithonesquarebetweenthem,theyaresaidtobeinopposition.TheKingwhichhasobtainedsuchapositionaftermakingitsmove(sothatitistheopposingside’sturntomove)issaidtohavetakentheopposition.Inthepresentexample,theoutcomeofthestruggledependsonwhohastheopposition.IfWhitehastheopposition,sothatitisBlack’sturntoplay,thenWhitewins:1....Ke8-d8Tryingtostopthepawn.2.d6-d7Kd8-c7Blackhadnoothermove—hewasinzugzwang.3.Ke6-e7Thepawnwillqueennextmove. IfontheotherhandBlackhastheoppositioninDiagram448,sothatitisWhite’sturntomove,thenthegameisadraw:1.d6-d7+OnanyothermoveBlackwouldreply1....Kd7andwouldagaindraw.1....Ke8-d82.Ke6-d6Stalemate.ThistimeitwasWhitewhowasinzugzwang.Hecouldhaveavoidedstalemateonlybygivinguphispawn,butthatwouldofcoursebeadrawanyway.Asyousee,inthisexampletherighttoplayfirstisadvantageousneitherforWhitenorforBlack.Suchasituationisknownasmutualzugzwang.Conclusion:Ifaprotectedpawnreachestheseventhrankwithoutcheck,itwillqueen;otherwisethegameisadraw.(Ofcourse,alltheconclusionsapplytoBlackaswell,whenitisBlackwhoistryingtoqueenthepawn.)D-449WhentheKingisinfrontofitsownpawn,thechancesofvictoryareconsiderablyincreased.Ifinaddition,asinthepresentexample,theKingisonthesixthrank,thenthepawnwillqueenbyforcenomatterwhoseturnitistomove.TheKingsareinopposition.ThismeansthateachKingtakesawaythreeinterveningsquares(c7,d7,ande7inthepresentcase)fromtheother.WithBlacktoplay,White’staskisnotcomplicated:1....Kd8-e8BecauseofZugzwang,Blacklosescontrolofc7. 2.Kd6-c7Immediatelyoccupyingc7.Nowthepawnwillqueenbyforce.Thesamethingwouldhavehappenedafter1....Kc8,exceptthatWhitewouldhaveplayed2.Ke7instead.LetusseenowwhatwouldhappenwithWhitetoplay:1.Kd6-e6Kd8-e8!TheBlackKingtakestheopposition.Onanyothermove2.Ke7wouldbedecisive.2.d5-d6!This“reserve”tempo(move)forcesBlacktoyieldtheopposition.2....Ke8-d83.d6-d7Thepawnhasreachedtheseventhrankwithoutcheck!3....Kd8-c7Zugzwangoccursveryfrequentlyinpawnendings.4.Ke6-e7AndWhitewins.Conclusion:IftheWhiteKingisonthesixthrankandinfrontofitsownpawn,Whiteisalwaysassuredofwinning. D-4501.Kc4-d5!Onlythus!TheadvantageoftakingtheoppositionisthatWhiteputsBlackintozugzwang,forcinghimtomovehisKingtooneside,andtherebyassuresthepenetrationofhisownKingontheotherside.1.Kc5wouldbeamistakesinceBlackwoulddrawbytakingtheoppositionwith1....Kc7!.OnanyotherWhitemove,Blackwouldsavehimselfby1....Kd6.1....Kd7-e7Forcedtogiveuptheopposition,Blacklosescontroloverc6.1....Kc7wouldbefollowedby2.Ke6!.2.Kd5-c6!ThemainideaofthisoutflankingmaneuverwiththeKingistochasetheenemyKingawayfromthepawn,whichistherebyenabledtoadvancetothequeeningsquare.2....Ke7-d8On2....Ke6,3.d5+isdecisive:3....Ke74.Kc7andthepawnqueens.3.Kc6-d6!Asyoualreadyknow,iftheKingisonthesixthrankandinfrontofitspawn,thewinisassured.3....Kd8-e84.Kd6-c7!Theroadhasbeenclearedforthepawn,whichwillbecomeaQueeninfourmoremoves. Conclusion:IftheKingisinfrontofitspawnandcantaketheopposition,thewinisassured.D-451Whitetoplayhastogiveuptheoppositionimmediatelyandlosethegame.Forexample:1.Ke2-d2Ke4-f3Clearingthewayforthepawn.1.Kf2wouldhavebeenmetby1....Kd3.2.Kd2-d3e6-e5Thepawnmustbebroughtup.3.Kd3-d2e5-e43....Kf2wouldbebadbecauseof4.Kd3,forcingtheBlackKingtoretreat.4.Kd2-e1Kf3-e3!IfBlackgetshisKingonthethirdrankandinfrontofhispawn,healwayswins!4....e3wouldbeamistakeallowingWhitetodrawbytakingtheoppositionwith5.Kf1!.Forexample:5....e2+6.Ke1Ke3stalemate.5.Ke1-d1Ke3-f2!On5.Kf1Blackwouldhavewonby5....Kd2.Nowthepawnhasobtainedthegreenlightandwillqueeninthreemoves.WithBlacktomoveinDiagram451,Whitehastheoppositionbutmuststilllose,becauseBlackcanmakeitWhite’sturntoplaybypushinghispawn.Afterthat,Blackwinseasily.1....e6-e5! Regainingtheopposition.2.Ke2-f2Ke4-d33.Kf2-f33.Ke1wouldalsolose,becauseof3....Ke3!4.Kf1Kd2!etc.3....e5-e4+4.Kf3-f2Kd3-d2!Andthepawncannotbestopped.Conclusion:InpositionswheretheKingisinfrontofitspawnandthereisatleastonesquarebetweentheKingandthepawn,victoryisalwaysassured.D-452WithBlacktoplay,Whitewinseasily:1....Kh7-g81....Kh8wouldnotsaveBlack,asWhitewinsafter2.g6Kg83.g7Kh74.Kf7.2.Kf6-g6!Takingtheopposition.2.g6wouldleadtoadrawafter2....Kf8!3.g7+Kg84.Kg6stalemate.2....Kg8-h8If2....Kf8,thentheWhitepawnwouldbeunstoppableafter3.Kh7.3.Kg6-f7Kh8-h74.g5-g6+Kh7-h8 5.g6-g7+Kh8-h76.g7-g8Q+Andsoon.WithWhitetoplay,afewcomplicationsariseasaresultoftheg-pawnbeingneartheedgeoftheboard.1.Kf6-f7!Watchoutforthetrap!1.g6+??wouldbenogoodbecauseof1....Kh8!afterwhichthedrawisunavoidableinallvariations:(a)2.Kf7stalemate.ThisispossibleonlywithaKnight(gorb)pawn.(b)2.g7+Kg83.Kg6isagainstalemate.(c)OnanyothermovebytheWhiteKing,Blackdrawswith2....Kg7.1....Kh7-h82.Kf7-g6!Again2.g6?mustbeavoidedbecauseofstalemate.2....Kh8-g83.Kg6-h6!Withtheideaofcontrollingh7inordertodrivetheBlackKingoutofthecorner.3....Kg8-h8Orelse4.Kh7wouldfollow.4.g5-g6 HavingcompletedthemaneuverswithhisKing,Whiteadvanceshispawn.4....Kh8-g85.g6-g7Kg8-f7Forced.6.Kh6-h7AndWhitewins.Todaywehavelookedatcaseswherethepawnhassucceededinforcingitswaythroughtothequeeningsquare.Thenextlessonwillacquaintyouwithexampleswherethepawndoesnotmanagetodothisandthegameendsinadraw. HOMEWORK(Answersattheend)Rememberthepatternshownineachoftheodd-numbereddiagrams453-463anduseitinsolvingthecorespondingeven-numbereddiagrams454-464.453pattern454Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 455pattern456Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves. 457pattern458Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 459pattern460Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves. 461pattern462Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves. 463pattern464Blacktoplayandmateinthreemoves. II.InDiagrams465-476findthestrongestcontinuation.Usethetacticaldeviceof“back-rankmate.”465Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. 466Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.467Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves. 468Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves. 469Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.470Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves. 471Blacktoplayandmateinthreemoves. 472Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.473Whitetoplayandmateinfourmoves. 474Whitetoplayandwin. 475Whitetoplayandwinapiece.476Whitetoplayandwin. III.Diagrams477–482dealwithendgames.477Blacktoplayandqueenthepawn(twosolutions). 478Eithersidetoplay.Queenthepawn.479Whitetoplay.Queenthepawn. 480Eithersidetoplay.Queenthepawn. 481Whitetoplay.Queenthepawn.482Whitetoplay.Queenthepawn. AnswersD-4541.g5-g6+!ForcingtheKingtoretreattothelastrank.1....u2.Re1-e8#D-4561....Qe3-c1+!BysacrificinghisQueen,BlackdecoystheWhiteKingontoc1.2.Kb1xc1Ra8-a1#D-458Whenyouknowthepattern,it’snothardtofindthesolution:1.Rf1xf8+!Kg8xf82.Re1-e8#D-460 1....Qc6xc2+!DeflectingtheRookfromthedefenseofthefirstrankandpinningitatthesametime.2.Rc1xc2Rd8-d1#D-462HowcantheBlackKingbeforcedtoretreattotheeighthrank?1.Qf4-f6+!!Whenwe’vefoundamatingidea,wecanofcoursesacrificeanypieceinordertomaketheideaareality.1....e7xf62.e5xf6+anymove3.Rh2xh8#D-464Theideaofthecombinationistoentice(decoy)theWhiteKingontoh1.ButtheBlackQueencannotgettoh1solongastheBlackRookisinitsway.So:1....Rf3-f1+!!FreeingthewayfortheQueen.2.Re1xf1Qe4-h1+!3.Kg1xh1Rf7xf1#D-4651.Re1-e8+!Whitemakesuseofthe“x-rayattack”tacticaldevice—theRookonc8controlse8throughtheBlackRookond8. 1....Rd8xe82.Rc8xe8#D-466WediscovertheideaofRe8#,butfindthattheBlackBishopisintheway.So:1.Rc1-c8+!Whitemakesuseofthetacticaldeviceof“lineclearance.”1....Be6xc82.Re1-e8#D-467TheWhiteRooksattacke8,butthesquareisdefendedbytheBlackRookandBishop.Thatis,thereareapparentlytwoattackersversustwodefenders.Actually,however,theWhiteQueenalsoattackse8(anx-rayattack),andso:1.Re2-e8+Rd8xe82.Re1xe8+Bc6xe8ClearingthewayfortheWhiteQueen.3.Qa4xe8#D-468TheWhiteRookandthepawnonc7controlthed8square,butthetwoBlackRooksdefendit.Thatis,therearetwoattackersagainsttwodefenders.1.Qa6xc8+!Eliminateoneofthedefenderswithcheck.Andnot1.Qxa8,allowing1....Qh1#. 1....Ra8xc82.Rd1-d8+Rc8xd83.c7xd8Q#D-469Wecan’tplay1.Rf8+sincetheKingwouldcapturetheRook.Sowemakeuseofthe“drivingaway”tacticaldevice:1.Be2-c4+Kg8-h8Forced.2.Rf1-f8#D-4701....Nc4-d2+TheKingisdrivenawayfromtheWhiteRook.2.Kb1-a1Rc8xc1#D-471Whenyouhavethechancetocaptureyouropponent’sQueen,don’tdoitinstantaneously.Alwaystakealookfirsttoseewhetheryoudon’thaveabettermove.Inthepresentcase,forexample,theWhiteQueenisunderattack,butmoreimportantisthefactthatWhite’sbackrank(thefirstrank)ishopelesslyweak:1....Rb8-d8!Aquietmove.Whitecouldwellresignnow.2.Qb7xb5! Thelastchance.MaybeBlackwillhastilyreplywith2....Rd1+,whenWhitewouldwinby3.Qf1.2....c6xb53.anymoveRd8-d1#D-4721....Qa2-b1+!!The“decoy”theme.2.Kc1xb1Rd4-d1#D-473Lookingatthee8square,weseethatitisattackedfivetimesbyWhiteanddefendedonlyfourtimesbyBlack.Therefore:1.Qe4-e8+!1.dxc8Q+wouldbenogoodbecauseof1....Qxc8!,whenBlackwouldmaintainfourdefenderswhileWhitewouldalsoonlyhavefourattackersinsteadoffive.1....Nf6xe82.d7xe8Q+Rc8xe83.Re3xe8+Ra8xe84.Re1xe8#D-474ThisisapositionfromagamebetweentwooutstandinggrandmastersplayedinMargate,1937.PaulKeres,playingWhite,defeatedtheworldchampionAlexanderAlekhineasfollows:1.Qd3xd7+! Blackresigned,1....Rxd7wouldhavebeenmetby2.Re8+Rd83.Rxd8#.D-475TheBlackQueenisoverloadedwithduties—itmustdefendboththeeighthrankandtheBishop.1.Qf3xb3!Thedeflectiontheme.BlacklosesaBishop,sincehecannotreply1....Qxb3,becauseof2.Rd8+Re83.Rxe8#.D-4761.Ra1-b1!ThismoveispossiblebecauseBlackdidn’tmakeanescapehatchforhisKingingoodtime.1....Ra8-f81....Rxa7wouldallow2.Rb8#.AnyotherBlackmovewouldalsoletWhitewinby2.Rb8.2.Rb1-b8g7-g6Creatinganescapehatch.3.a7-a8QRf8xb84.Qa8xb8+WithaQueenforfourpawns(afive-pointadvantage),Whiteshouldwin.D-477 a)1....Kd4-c32.Kc1-d1Kc3-b2Andthepawnisunstoppable.b)1....Kd4-d32.Kc1-d1c4-c33.Kd1-c1c3-c24.Kc1-b2Kd3-d2Andsoon.D-478a)Blacktoplay:1....Kc8-c7Takingtheopposition.2.Kc5-d5!ForcingBlacktoyieldtheopposition.2....Kc7-c83.Kd5-c6!Kc8-d84.Kc6-d6!Kd8-e85.e6-e7Andthepawnwillqueen.b)Whitetoplay:1.Kc5-c6! Achievingthefamiliarwinningposition.D-4791.Kd1-c2!1.Kd2wouldleadtoadrawafter1....Ke72.Kc3Kd63.Kc4Kc6,withatheoreticallydrawnposition.1....Kf8-e72.Kc2-b3!Now2.Kc3wouldhaveledtoadraw.2....Ke7-d63.Kb3-a4!3.Kc4wouldonlydraw.3....Kd6-c64.Ka4-a5!FourstrongmoveshavebroughtWhitetoatheoreticallywonposition.HisKingisinfrontofthepawnandhecancapturetheopposition.4....Kc6-b75.Ka5-b5!Kb7-a76.Kb5-c6Ka7-a87.Kc6-b6!Ka8-b88.b4-b5Kb8-a89.Kb6-c7Andthepawnwillqueeninthreemoremoves. D-480a)Blacktoplay:1....Ka8-b72.a7-a8Q+!Bysacrificingthepawn,Whiteobtainsatheoreticallywonposition.2....Kb7xa83.Kb5-a6!Takingtheopposition.3....Ka8-b84.b6-b7AndWhitewins.b)Whitetoplay:1.Kb5-c5Anotherwaytowinis1.Ka5Kb72.a8Q+Kxa83.Ka6,withafamiliarposition.Butbecareful—1.Ka6and1.Kc6leadtostalemate!1....Ka8-b72.a7-a8Q+!Thisistheonlywaytowininthisposition—sacrificethepawnandthentaketheopposition.2....Kb7xa8 3.Kc5-c6Whitetakesthediagonalopposition.3....Ka8-b84.b6-b7Andsoon.D-4811.Bb1xd3!Whiteexchangesthelastpairofpieces,knowingthatthepawnendingistheoreticallywonforhim.1....Ke3xd32.Kh1-h2!2.g4wouldleadtoadrawsincetheBlackKingcouldenterthesquareofthepawnby2....Ke4.2....Kd3-e43.Kh2-g3Ke4-f54.Kg3-h4AndWhiteshouldwin(withcorrectplay).D-4821.Ba8-d5!!Theonlywaytosavethepawn. 1....Kc5xd52.Ka6-b5!TheKingmanagestocometothepawn’saidintime.2....Kd5-d63.c3-c4Kd6-c74.Kb5-c5!Reachingatheoreticallywonending.Youalreadyknowhowtoplaythisposition. SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionDefendingtheBackRankAback-rankmateisusuallytheresultoftherankbeinginsufficientlydefendedagainstinvasionbytheopponent’smajorpieces(RooksandQueen.)Oftenaplayerfallsintoaback-rankmatebecauseofcarelessnessonhispart:hemovesinstantly,thinkingonlyabouthisownaimsandforgettingtotakeintoconsiderationtheideasofhisopponent.So,tobeginwith,youmustpaycarefulattentiontothebackrank,bothyourownandyouropponent’s.And,ofcourse,youhavetoknowthemethodsofdefendingthebackrank.Letusnowlookatsomeexamples.483Isthismate?It’snot,ofcourse.Blackhasathisdisposalthesimplestmethodofdefense—thatofeliminatingtheenemypiecewhichhasinvadedthebackrank: 1....Bh1xa8484Thisonlylookslikemate,forWhitecanplay1.Nh2-f1.TheKnightnotonlydefendstheKingagainstthecheckbutalsocreatesan“escapehatch”fortheKingbyvacatingthesquareitwason(h2).485Whitetoplay.CanhecheckmateBlack? No.Whiteattackse8twice,butBlackhasitdefendedanequalnumberoftimes.Youcanseethatthedefenseissufficientifthenumberofdefendersisnotlessthanthenumberofattackers.486CanWhitetoplaymateBlack?No.Blackissavedbytheescapehatch:1.Qd2-d7+Kc8-b82.Qd7-d8+Rh8xd83.Rd1xd8+Kb8-a7 487Whitetoplay.IsBlack’sbackranksufficientlydefended?Yes,itis.AlthoughWhiteappearstohavetwoattackersagainstonlyonedefender,inactualfacthisRookond1ispinnedandcannotleavethefirstrank.488WithwhichpieceshouldBlackcapturetheWhiteQueen?WiththeRook,ofcourse!Becauseotherwise: 1....Kxf82.Rd8+Rxd83.Rxd8#489Whiteplayed1.Qa4xe8+.HowshouldBlackreply?With1....Re2xe8!(maintainingtwodefendersonthebackrank).OtherwiseBlackwouldbemated:1....Rdxe82.Rf8+Rxf83.Rxf8#.490Whattodo?Totakeornottotake? Nottotake!BlackwinsbyretreatinghisKingintothecorner,afterwhichWhitecannotavoidgettingmatedby...Qb2#.If,ontheotherhand,Blackplays1....Rxf7,hewouldbetheonetogetmated,after2.Rd8+Rxd83.Rxd8#.491Blackthreatens1....Qg2#.CanWhitesavehimself?No,hecannot.Blackisabletodefendhisbackrankbecauseofanx-rayattack.Namely,hisBishopcontrolsg8throughtheRookone6.Forexample:1.Qd4-d8+Re6-e8!2.Qd8xe8+Ba2-g8AndWhiteisdefenseless. 492Whitethreatens1.Rxg8+Kxg82.Rd8#.IsBlackinapositiontodefendhimself?Yes—Blackcansavehimselfbyusingthex-rayattackmotif:1....Rb7-b8!TheBlackRooksdefendeachotherthroughtheWhiteRookond8.2.Rd8xb8Rg8xb8 493Whitetomove.Whoshouldwin?Whiteloses.1.Rd4-d8+doesnotsavehimbecauseBlackcanmakeuseofthex-rayattackprinciple.1....Re6-e8!1....Rxd8wouldloseto2.Qxd8+followedbymatenextmove.Now,however,theRookonc8defendstheRookone8throughtheWhiteRookond8.2.Rd8xe8+2.Rxc8wouldnotsaveWhite,becauseof2....Qg2#.2....Rc8xe8Whiteisdefenselessagainstmatenextmove. 494Whitethreatens1.Qxc8+Kxc82.Rh8#.CanBlackdefendhisbackrank?Yes,by1....Qd2-g5!TheonlymovethatsavesBlack.ItisobviousthatBlackcannotplay1....Rxh8,becauseof2.Rxh8#.Ifnow2.Qh8xc8+Kb8xc83.Rh1-h8+thenafter3....Qg5-d84.Rh8xd8Kc8xd8Whiteshouldlose,asBlackistwopawnsupinthepawnending.Therearealsoothermethodsofdefendingthebackrank.Youwillbeintroducedtothemlateron. 495Blacktomove.Canheplay1....Qf6xb2?No.Whitewinsmaterialafter:2.Qc5-e7!DeflectingBlack’sRookfromtheeighthrank.2....Re8-f8Itdoesn’thelptoplay2....Qe2becauseof3.Qxe2Rxe24.Rd8+Re85.Rxe8#.3.Rd1-d8Qb2-b1+4.Kg1-g2Qb1-e4+Otherwise4....h65.Rxf8+andsoon,or4....Rxd85.Qxd8#.5.Qe7xe4Rf8xd8BlackloseshisQueenforaRookandpawn.9—(5+1)=3points.InsteadofcapturingWhite’spawn,Blackshouldmakeanescapehatchbyplaying1....h6or1....g6. SampleGamesWithaBack-RankMateGame71(Schoolchildren’sTournament)1.d2-d4e7-e5?Averydubiousopening,playedwiththeintentionofsurprisingtheopponent.2.d4xe5Nb8-c63.Ng1-f3Qd8-e7Blacktriestowinbackhispawnandatthesametimesetsadevioustrapforhisopponent.4.Bc1-f4?Thepawnshouldbedefendedby4.Qd5.4....Qe7-b4+!Atripleattack!TheKing,Bishop,andtheb-pawnareforked.5.Bf4-d2Qb4xb26.Bd2-c3?ThisBishopismakingtoomanymovesintheopening.Whitehastoplay6.Nc3,withanapproximatelyequalgame:6....Bf8-b4!Blackvisualizestheback-rankmatingpatternshowninDiagram496. 4967.Qd1-d2??TheWhiteQueenhelpstheenemytoputhisdeviousplansintoeffect.Instead,Whitehadtoplay7.Bxb4Qxa18.Bc3Qxa2,givinguptheExchangeandapawnbutavoidingmate.7....Bb4xc38.Qd2xc3?ItwasatanyratebettertogiveuptheRookandpawnby8.Nxc3Qxa1+9.Nd1Qxa2.8....Qb2-c1#497ComparethefinalpositioninDiagram497withthepatterninDiagram496.White’sneglectofhisdevelopmentwasthecauseofhisdisastrouslossinthisgame. Game72DanishGambit(analysis)1.e2-e4e7-e52.d2-d4e5xd43.c2-c3Apawnsacrificeforrapidpiecedevelopment.3....d4xc34.Bf1-c4Inordertogainaleadindevelopmentoverhisopponent,Whitesacrificesasecondpawn.4....c3xb25.Bc1xb2d7-d5!Byreturningonepawn,Blackgetsafinegame.6.Bc4xd5Bf8-b4+7.Ke1-f1?7.Nc3wouldbepreferable,althougheventhenBlackwouldhavethebetterpositionafter7....Bxc3+8.Bxc3Nf6.7....Ng8-f6!Blackespiesthepossibilityoftheback-rankmatingpatternshowninDiagram498. 498pattern8.Bd5xf7+?Nordoes8.Qa4+work,becauseof8....Nc69.Bxc6+bxc610.Qxb4Qd1+11.Qe1Ba6+!12.Ne2Bxe2+13.Kg1Qxe1#.(ComparewiththepatterninDiagram498.)8....Ke8xf79.Qd1-b3+Whitehasplayedafaultycombination,nothavingseenBlack’smatingcounterattack.9....Bc8-e610.Qb3xb4Qd8-d1+11.Qb4-e1Be6-c4+12.Ng1-e2Bc4xe2+13.Kf1-g1Qd1xe1# 499Comparethefinalposition,showninDiagram499,withtheback-rankmatingpatterninDiagram498.Aftersacrificingapawnintheopening,Whitewasintoomuchofahurrytogetitbackandmiscalculated,underestimatingBlack’sthreats.Game73Efimov–Bronstein,USSR1942King’sGambit1.e2-e4e7-e52.f2-f4e5xf4Blackinthisgamewas17-year-oldDavidBronstein,wholaterwentontobecomeoneofthestrongestplayersintheworld.3.Ng1-f3Ng8-f64.e4-e5Nf6-h55.Nb1-c3d7-d6 6.Bf1-c4d6xe5?Betterwouldbe6....Nc67.Qe2Be6!,withanequalgame.7.Nf3xe5?Whitecouldhavegainedanadvantageby7.Bxf7+!Kxf78.Nxe5+and9.Qxh5.7....Qd8-h4+8.Ke1-f1Notmuchbetterwouldbe8.Ke2,becauseof8....f3+,whentheWhiteKingwouldbeindanger.8....Bc8-e6500Bronsteinhasseenthepossibilityofachievingtheback-rankmatingpatternshowninDiagram500andstartstoputtogetheracombination.Tobeginwith,hedecidestodeflectWhite’sBishop.9.Bc4xe6?Whitehadtoplay9.d4andsacrificetheExchangewith9....Ng3+10.Kg1Nxh111.Kxh1.9....Nh5-g3+ 10.Kf1-g1?Theonlywaytoofferresistancewaswith10.hxg3Qxh1+11.Kf2.10....Bf8-c5+!Winsbyforce.11.d2-d4Bc5xd4+!DeflectingtheQueenfromthefirstrankandatthesametimedecoyingitontothed4square.12.Qd1xd4Ng3-e2+!Afork!TheKnightissacrificed,buttheroadisclearedfortheQueen.13.Nc3xe2?ItisbettertoloseyourQueenthantogetmated.13....Qh4-e1# 501Comparethefinalposition,showninDiagram501,withtheback-rankmatingpatterninDiagram500.Bronsteinsacrificedthree(!)pieces,butachievedhisaim!Game74Rudnev–Kopylev,USSR1939EnglishOpening1.c2-c4Themid-19thcenturyEnglishmastersusedtoopentheirgameswiththismove,hencetheopening’sname.1....Ng8-f62.Nb1-c3d7-d5Attackingthecenter.3.c4xd5Nf6xd54.e2-e4Nd5-b4 Blacksetsaprettytrap:5.d4?wouldbefollowedby5....Qxd4!6.Qxd4Nc2+7....Nxd4,andWhitewouldbeapawndown.5.Qd1-a4+AnunfortunatemovethatallowsBlacktodevelophispieces.5.d3wouldhavebeenabettermove.5....Nb8-c66.d2-d4?ItwouldhavebeenbettertodriveawaythedangerousKnightbyplaying6.a3.6....Bc8-d7!WhitehadhopedthatBlackwouldregalehimselfonapawnbyplaying6....Qxd4,whenWhitewouldgetafinegameafter7.Be3,8.Rd1or8.a3,etc.AfterthemoveplayedinthegameWhiteisinconsiderabledifficulties.Nodefenseisvisibleagainstthethreatof7....Nxd48.Qxb4Nc2+9....Nxb4.7.Bf1-b5?ItwouldhavebeenbettertogohomewiththeQueenandgiveupthepawn:7.Qd1Nxd48.Bd3,althougheventhenWhite’spositionwouldhavebeendifficult.7....Nc6xd4!AgaintheKnightonb4cannotbecaptured.8.Ke1-f1?TheKingissofrightenedoftheforkthatitdecidestorunabitfartherawayfromtheBlackKnights.However,WhitewouldhavedonebettertofirstexchangeBishopsandQueensandthenmakeamove;notwithhisKing,butwithhisRook.AftertheKingmove,themasterplayingBlacksensedacombination.HementallyremovedtheWhiteQueenandthe Knightonc3fromtheboardandplacedhisownQueenond1,andsawthatWhitewouldbematedasintheback-rankmatingpatterninDiagram502.502Butforthetimebeing,allthiswasonlyadream.8....Nd4xb5Freeingthed-filefortheQueen.9.Qa4xb49.Nxb5wouldnotsaveWhite,becauseof9....e5followedby10....a6,winningthepinnedKnight.9....e7-e5ThispawnmoveopensupthediagonalfortheBishop,whichnowattackstheQueen.Thistypeoftacticaldeviceisknownasa“discoveredattack.”10.Qb4-c4Nb5xc3Black’sdreamsaregraduallystartingtocometrue.TheWhiteQueenhaslostcontroloverd1andtheKnightonc3hasalreadybeeneliminated.11.b2xc3a7-a6! Agoodmovethatatthesametimesetsatrap!12.a2-a4?Only12.Ke1couldhavesavedWhite.12....Bd7-b5!!Whiteplacedhispawnona4thinkingthattheBlackBishopwouldnolongerdaretooccupyb5,but...theBishopsacrificeshimself.13.a4xb5Alas!ThisisoneofthosepositionsinwhicheventheWorldChampioncouldnothelpWhite!13....Qd8-d1#503Comparethefinalposition,showninDiagram503,withtheback-rankmatingpatterninDiagram502.Asyoucansee,Black’sdreamhascometrue!ThetragedyinthisgameoccurredbecausetheWhiteQueenwenttravellingintheopening,leavingtheKingtothemercyofhisfate. Game75Caro-KannDefenseThisgamewasplayedinasimultaneousexhibitiongivenbyGrandmasterIgorZaitsevin1970.ZaitsevwasWhite.1.e2-e4c7-c62.d2-d4d7-d53.e4xd5c6xd54.c2-c4Ng8-f65.Nb1-c3Nb8-c66.Bc1-g5Sofareverythingisunderstandable.Bothplayershavebeenrapidlybringingouttheirpiecesandfightingforthecenter.6....Qd8-b6?Amorereliablemovewouldhavebeen6....e6,withtheideaofdevelopingthedark-squareBishopandthencastling.7.c4xd5Nc6xd4If7....Qxb2,thenWhiteobtainsaconsiderablybetterpositionafter8.Rc1.8.Ng1-f3Evenstrongerwouldhavebeen8.Be3e59.dxe6Bc510.Qa4+Qc611.0-0-0!.8....Nd4xf3+9.Qd1xf3Qb6xb2 Findinghimselfinadifficultposition,Blacktriestocomplicatethestruggle.10.Ra1-c110.Rb1!wouldhavebeenstronger.Forexample,10....Qc211.Bb5+Bd712.0-0,withahugeadvantageindevelopment.10....Bc8-d711.d5-d6Itmaywellhavebeenbettertoplay11.Be2followedby12.0-0.11....Ra8-c8?Blackshouldhaveplayed11....Bc6,withapproximatelyequalchances.Afterthemoveactuallyplayed,however,theGrandmasterespiedapossibilityofmatingonthebackrankandvisualizedthepatternshowninDiagram504.504Foreseeingthismatingposition,Whitebegantosetupacombination.12.Bf1-b5! Whiteneedsthepawnonb7butitisdefendedbytheBlackQueen.SoWhiteusesthetacticaldeviceofinterference.TheBishop,bysacrificingitself,interfereswiththeQueen’sactionalongtheb-file.12....Bd7xb5Allowsaspectacularfinish.However,on12....Bc6Whitecouldsimplycastleandremaininanoverwhelmingposition.13.Qf3xb7!AdoubleattackforkingtheRookandtheBishop.WhiletheBishopcannotmovebecauseitispinned,theRookcancapturetheKnightthatWhiteisofferingasasacrifice.13....Rc8xc3Blackhasalostpositioneventhoughheisuptwopieces.14.d6-d7+!!Asapreparationforcarryingouttheideaofaback-rankmate,WhitemustfirstenticetheBlackKnightontothed7square.14....Nf6xd714....Bxd7wouldbenobetter,becauseof15.Qxb2,while14....Kd8wouldbefollowedby15.Qc8+!Rxc816.dxc8Q#.15.Qb7-c8+!Rc3xc816.Rc1xc8# 505Comparethefinalposition,showninDiagram505,withtheback-rankmatingpatterninDiagram504.Blackplayedactively,butchoseafaultyplanintheopening.HeshouldhavedevelopedhisKingsideandnothisQueenside.TheGrandmastersuperblyexploitedtheweaknessofthebackrankandtaughthisopponentagoodlesson.Game76Richards–Locock,Correspondence1975TwoKnightsDefense1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-c4Ng8-f6ThisisthestartingpositionoftheTwoKnightsDefense.4.d2-d4e5xd4 5.0-0Bysacrificingapawn,Whiterapidlybringshispiecesintothefray.5....Bf8-c56.e4-e5d7-d5Acounterattack.7.e5xf6d5xc48.Rf1-e1+Bc8-e69.Nf3-g5Qd8-d5Not9....Qxf6,becauseof10.Nxe6fxe611.Qh5+12.Qxc5.10.Nb1-c3Qd5-f5Ofcourse10....dxc3wouldbebadbecauseof11.Qxd5.11.g2-g4Anaggressivemove.11....Qf5-g611....Qxf6isconsideredtobeweakerbecauseof12.Nce4Qe713.Nxe6fxe614.Bg5Qf815.Qe2,withastrongattack.12.Nc3-e4Whitewouldgetnothingfrom12.fxg7Rg813.Nce4Be7!.12....Bc5-b613.Ng5xe6f7xe614.f6-f7+! DecoyingtheKingortheQueenontothef7square.14....Qg6xf7Not14....Kxf7,becauseof15.Ng5+and16.Rxe6,catchingtheQueen.15.Ne4-g5Qf7-d716.Ng5xe6Nc6-e7?Blackshouldhaveplayed16....Kf7,removingtheKingfromthee-filewiththeWhiteRookonit.17.Bc1-g5Ke8-f718.Qd1-f3+Kf7-g819.Bg5xe7Qd7xe7AfterthismoveWhitesensedamatingideaandcameupwiththeback-rankmatingpatternsshowninDiagrams506and507.506 50720.Qf3-d5Qe7-f7?Amistake.True,Black’spositionisbadanyway,buthecouldhaveofferedmoreresistancewith20....c6,althoughafter21.Qxc4Qf722.Re4!Whitehasadecisiveattack.21.Ne6-d8!Aspectacularstroke.21....Qxd5wouldbemetby22.Re8#asinDiagram506.21....Ra8xd822.Qd5xd8+Qf7-f823.Qd8-d5+Qf8-f724.Re1-e8# 508Comparethefinalposition,showninDiagram508,withtheback-rankmatingpatterninDiagram507.Bothsidesplayedwellintheopening,butinthemiddlegameBlackcommittedanerrorwhichwasbrilliantlyexploitedbyhisopponent.Game77Volchok–Kreslavskii,Kiev1970RuyLopez1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-b5a7-a64.Bb5xc6d7xc6Agoodmove,openinguppathsfortheBishopandtheQueen.4....bxc6isnotasgood. 5.0-05.Nxe5?wouldbeunsatisfactoryforWhitebecauseof5....Qd4or5....Qg5.InbothcasesBlackwouldwinbackhispawnandobtainagoodgame.5....f7-f6Now6.Nxe5wasalreadyarealthreat.6.d2-d4Bc8-g47.c2-c3Whitedefendshiscenter.7....e5xd4?Ariskycontinuation.7....Bd6wouldbebetter.8.c3xd4Bg4xf3?Blackcontinueshisfaultyplan.Heshouldinsteadplay8....Qd7.9.Qd1xf3!WhitepreferstosacrificethecenterpawnratherthanexposehisKingby9.gxf3.9....Qd8xd4?Black’sopeningstrategyofplayingformaterialgainattheexpenseofdevelopmentisfundamentallyunsound.10.Rf1-d1Qd4-c411.Bc1-f4Qc4-f712.Qf3-g3 Attackingthepawnonc7asecondtime.12....Bf8-d6Inadifficultposition,Blackdecidestoreturnthepawnbutcompletehisdevelopment.13.Bf4xd60-0-0BlackcountsoncapturingtheBishoponhisnextmove,asitispinnedandcannotmovewithoutallowingmateonthefirstrank.ThemasterplayingWhitethoughtforalongtimehereandcameupwiththeprettyback-rankmatingpatternshowninDiagram509.509Howdidthisideaarise?ThestartingpointwastheobservationthatiftheRookond1weredefended,theBishopwouldbeunpinned.Sothemove14.Qg4+,defendingtheRookond1,wasfound.Thenthereply14....Qd7wasdiscovered.AndonlyafterthatdidWhiteseetheamazingvariation15.Be7!!Qxg416.Rxd8#,asinDiagram509.However,theimmediate14.Qg4+wouldachievenothingifBlackreplied14....f5!.SoWhitefirsttriestodeflectthepawnfromf6.14.e4-e5!AstrongmovethatatthesametimesetsanoriginaltrapwhosepointisoverlookedbyBlack.14....f6xe5? Blackhadtoplay14....cxd6,althoughafter15.exd6WhitehastheadvantagebecauseofhisstrongpassedpawnandhischancesforanattackonBlack’sKing.15.Qg3-g4+Qf7-d7Itisdifficulttosuggestanythingbetter,asBlackwouldanywaybeapiecedown.16.Bd6-e7!Hereisthesurprise!Averyprettymovethatcouldwellbeoverlookedevenbyastrongplayer.16....Qd7xg4?Itwould,ofcourse,havebeenbettertogiveuptheQueenbyplaying16....Nxe7,eventhoughBlackwouldhavestillstoodtolose.17.Rd1xd8#510Comparethefinalposition,showninDiagram510,withtheback-rankmatingpatterninDiagram509. Blackdidnotapprehendthethreatofmateintimeandwasdulypunished.Game78Adams–Torre,NewOrleans1920Philidor’sDefense1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3d7-d63.d2-d4e5xd4AnunfortunatemovethatleavesWhitewithafreegame.Instead,Blackcouldwithnoriskhavemaintainedthetensioninthecenterby3....Nf64.dxe5Nxe4or3....Nbd7.4.Qd1xd4ItisusuallyundesirabletobringtheQueenoutearly,buthereWhiteplanstoanswer4....Nc6by5.Bb5andthenexchangetheBishopfortheKnight.4....Nb8-c65.Bf1-b5Bc8-d76.Bb5xc6Bd7xc67.Nb1-c3Ng8-f68.0-0Bf8-e79.Nc3-d5Bc6xd510.e4xd50-011.Bc1-g5c7-c6?Afaultyplan.Black’spositionissomewhatcramped,andinsuchsituationsaplayershouldnotopenlinesbutrathertrytoexchangesome piecesinordertoincreasetheactivityoftheremainingones.Consequently,itwouldhavebeenusefulheretomakethemove11....h6,tobefollowedby12....Nd7.AlthoughthepositionthenwouldbefavorableforWhite,Blackwouldneverthelesshaveeverychanceofequalizingthegame.12.c2-c4c6xd513.c4xd5Rf8-e814.Rf1-e1a7-a515.Re1-e2Vacatinge1fortheotherRook.15....Ra8-c8?FormanymovesBlackhashadtheopportunityofplaying...h6,attackingtheBishopandatthesametimecreatinganescapehatchforhisKing.Hewillhaveoccasiontoregretignoringthispossibility.16.Ra1-e1!Now16....h6wouldalreadybetoolate,becauseof17.Bxf6Bxf618.Rxe8,winningtheQueen.16....Qd8-d7ConnectingtheRooksandintending17....h6afterall.17.Bg5xf6!!Whitehasdiscoveredthepossibilityofaback-rankmateaccordingtothepatternshowninDiagram511,andstartsadeeplythought-outcombination. 51117....Be7xf6?OfcourseifBlackhadforeseenthefurthercourseofevents,hewouldhaveplayed17....gxf6,althougheventhenhewouldhavehadadifficultpositionafter18.h3,threatening19.Rxe7Rxe720.Rxe7Qxe721.Qg4+and22.Qxc8+,remainingapieceup.Theimmediate18.Rxe7wouldnotworkbecauseof18....Qxe7!19.Rxe7Rc1+20.Re1Rcxe1+21.Nxe1Rxe1#(comparewiththeback-rankmatingpatterninDiagram512.)51218.Qd4-g4!!ThestartofaforcingmaneuverthatwillresultinoneoftheBlackpieces(theQueenortheRookonc8)beingdeflectedfromthedefenseoftheRookone8.18....Qd7-b5 Decliningthepresent,sinceif18....Qxg4,then19.Rxe8+Rxe820.Rxe8#.NowBlackisthreateningtomateWhiteaccordingtothepatternofDiagram512:19....Qxe220.Rxe2Rc1+21.Re1Rcxe1+22.Nxe1Rxe1#.19.Qg4-c4!Takeme,please!19....Qb5-d720.Qc4-c7!Take,meplease!Amostinterestingsituation!TheundefendedWhiteQueenpursuestheBlackQueen,deprivingitmovebymoveofallthesquaresonthea4-e8diagonal.20....Qd7-b521.a2-a4!Not21.Qxb7?Qxe2!andit’sBlackwhonowwins:after22.Qxc8Qxe1+23.Nxe1Rxc8heisupaRook(or22.Rxe2Rc1+23.Ne1Rxe1+24.Rxe1Rxe1#,asinthematingpatternofDiagram512).21....Qb5xa4Theothervariationsalsolose:a)21....Rxc722.Rxe8+Qxe823.Rxe8#(patternofDiagram511);b)21....Qxe222.Rxe2Rxe223.Qxc8+Re824.Qxe8#(patternofDiagram511.);c)21....Rxe222.Qxc8+Qe823.Qxe8+Rxe824.Rxe8#(patternofDiagram511)22.Re2-e4!Thechasecontinues! 22....Qa4-b5On22....Kf8,23.Qxd6+etc.wouldbedecisive,whileothermoveswouldlosebecauseofthevariationsgivenabove.23.Qc7xb7!Thepursuithasended.TheBlackQueenhasnowherelefttogo,andsoBlackresigned.ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram513.513Inthisgameyousawacomplicatedbutundoubtedlyoneofthemostbeautifulcombinationsonthethemeofback-rankmate.However,ifBlackhadtakencareingoodtimetomakeanescapehatchforhisKing,wewouldhavebeendeprivedoftheopportunityofseeingthischefd’oeuvre.Game79Alekhine(aged16)—Kenlein,Moscow1908ColleSystem 1.d2-d4d7-d52.Ng1-f3Ng8-f63.e2-e3e7-e64.Bf1-d3Nb8-d75.Nb1-d2Bf8-d6ThisopeningisnamedaftertheBelgianmasterEdgarColle.6.e3-e4Attackingthecenterandopeningapathwayforthedark-squareBishop.6....d5xe4Whitewasthreateningthefork7.e5.7.Nd2xe4Nf6xe48.Bd3xe40-09.0-0TheplayeroftheWhitepieceslaterwentontobecometheworldchampion,butatthetimeofthisgamehewasonlysixteenyearsold.9....f7-f5?BlackattemptstodevelopanattackevenbeforecompletingthedevelopmentofhisQueenside.Thepawnonf7defendedtheKingandthepawnone6.AfterBlack’smove,bothe6andthea2-g8diagonalhavebecomeweak.9....e5wouldalsohavebeenbad,becauseof10.dxe5Bxe511.Nxe5Nxe512.Bxh7+Kxh713.Qh5+followedby14.Qxe5,andWhiteisapawnup.ThecorrectmoveforBlackwas9....Nf6,bringingtheKnightclosertotheKing.10.Be4-d3e6-e5?Hereagain10....Nf6wouldhavebeenbetter. 11.Bc1-g5!DecoyingtheQueenontothee-file.11....Qd8-e8Evenworsewouldbe11....Be7,becauseof12.Bxe7Qxe713.Nxe5Nxe514.Re1,withadvantagetoWhite.12.d4xe5Nd7xe513.Rf1-e1PinningtheKnightandthreateningtowinapieceby14.Nxe5Bxe515.Bf4.AtthispointAlekhinesensedthepossibilityoftheback-rankmatingpatternshowninDiagram514.514patternHowever,toturnthispossibilityintoreality,Black’shelpisneeded.13....Qe8-h5??Byabandoningtheeighthrank,theQueenhelpsWhitetoturnhisplansintoreality.Instead,Blackmustplay13....Nxf3+,althoughWhitewillhaveabigadvantageindevelopmentafter14.Qxf3.14.Nf3xe5! Preparingacombination.14....Qh5xg5OrelseBlackwouldloseapiece.15.Bd3-c4+ChasingtheKingintothecornerandclearingthed-filefortheQueen.15....Kg8-h816.Qd1xd6!!Alekhinecouldhavewontheexchangeby16.Nf7+Rxf717.Bxf7(17.Re8+doesnotworkbecauseof17....Rf8,theRookonf8beingdefendedbytheBishopond6).However,theweaknessofBlack’sbackrankallowsWhitetowinmorethanjusttheexchange.SeeDiagram515forthefinalposition,after16.Qd1xd6.515Blackresigned,sinceafter16....cxd6therewouldhavefollowed17.Nf7+,andif17....Rxf7,then18.Re8+Rf819.Rxf8#—theback-rankmatingpatternillustratedinDiagram514.Ifinsteadof17....Rxf7,Blackplays17....Kg8,hewouldendupapieceandapawndownafter18. Nxg5+(discoveredcheck)18....Kh819.Nf7+Kg820.Nxd6+.Playing13....Qh5?,BlackdidnotnoticeWhite’scombinationandlostbyforce.Game80Martinik–Dobosz,Poland1973SicilianDefense1.e2-e4c7-c52.f2-f4e7-e63.Ng1-f3d7-d54.Bf1-b5+Bc8-d75.Bb5xd7+Qd8xd76.e4xd5e6xd57.0-0Nb8-c68.d2-d4Ng8-f6Sofarbothsideshaveplayedwell,rapidlybringingouttheirpieces.9.b2-b3?Afaultyplan.TheBishopshouldnotabandontheimportantc1-h6diagonal.Betterwouldbe9.Ne5Nxe510.fxe5,openinglinesfortheBishopandtheRook.9....c5xd410.Bc1-b2Bf8-c511.Kg1-h10-012.Nf3xd4Nf6-g4Threateningaforkwith13....Ne3. 13.Nd4xc6White’spositionwouldbebadafter13.Qd2too:13....Rae814.c3Re4,withtheideaof15....Rfe8.13....b7xc614.Qd1-f3?Black’sBishopisverydangerousandWhiteshouldhavetriedtoexchangeitoffbyplaying14.Bd4.InsteadWhiteplaysamovethatisbasedonthehopethatBlackwillnotnoticethetrap15.Qc3,withthedoublethreatof16.Qxg7#and16.Qxc5.14....Rf8-e8!BlackofcourseseesthroughWhite’strapandmakesagooddevelopingmovethatatthesametimesetsacounter-trapbasedontheweaknessofthefirstrank.15.Qf3-c3?Expectingonly15....Bf8.15....Ng4-f2+!TheRookisdeflectedfromthefirstrank.16.Rf1xf2If16.Kg1,thentheWhiteQueenislostafter16....Ne4+(discoveredcheck).16....Bc5-d4!!AquietmoveafterwhichWhiteresigned.SeeDiagram516forthefinalposition. 516If17.Qxd4,thenafter17....Re1+18.Rf1Rxf1+19.Qg1Rxg1+20.Kxg1BlackhasaQueenfortwominorpieces,whileif17.Qd2,Blackwinsby17....Bxb2followedby18....Bxa1,finishingaRookahead.AlthoughWhitemanagedtoavoidmateinthisgame,theweaknessofhisbackrankcosthimaconsiderableamountofmaterial. LessonElevenA.CheckLesson10Homework(asnecessary).B.ReviewQuestionsFindthesolutionstoPositions517–522directlyfromthediagrams—donotsetupthemenonaboard.517Howshouldthegameend?518Whitetomove.Whatwouldyouplay? 519Whoevermovesfirstwins.How?520Whitetomove.Howshouldthegameend? 521Whitetomove.Whatwouldyouplay?522Whitetomove.Findthestrongestcontinuation.Solvepositions523–526directlyfromthediagrams,withoutsettingupandmovingthemen.Positions527and528youcansetuponachessboard. 523Whitetoplay.Howshouldthegameend?524Whitetoplay.Whoshouldwin? 525Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.526Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves. 527Whitetoplay.Canhewin?528Whitetoplayandwin. AnswerstoReviewQuestionsD-517Whitewillbematedonthefourthmoveatthelatest:1.Bf5-b1Ra1xb1+2.Rc3-c1Rb1xc1+3.Rd2-d1Rc1xd1+4.Qe6-e1Rd1xe1#Aback-rankmate.D-5181.Qa3-f8#1.Qa8+wouldnotworkbecauseof1....Rc8,parryingthecheckwhilecontinuingtothreaten2....Qg2#.D-519Whitetoplaywinsby1.Qd4xe5Re8xe52.Rd1-d8+Re5-e83.Rd8xe8#Aback-rankmate.Blacktoplaywinsby1....Qe5-e1+2.Rd1xe1Re8xe1#Aback-rankmate. D-520WhiteattainsvictorybysacrificinghisQueen:1.Qc3-c8+!Ba6xc82.Rc2xc8+Nb6xc83.Rc1xc8#Aback-rankmate.D-5211.Re2-e8+!Bf7xe82.Re1xe8#Aback-rankmate.D-5221.Qa5xd8+!1.Qxa8doesnotworkbecauseof1....Qg2#.1....Ra8xd82.Re2-e8+Rd8xe83.Re1xe8#Aback-rankmate.D-523Whiteshouldlose,evenifhemovesfirst.1.Qa4xe8+doesnotsavehim,becauseof1....Qh5xe8!,defendingthelastrankagainstmate.Noristhereanyothersatisfactorydefenseagainstthethreatof1....Qh1#. D-524Blackwins,sinceWhitecannotdefendhimselfagainstthethreatof1....Qg2#.If1.Qb4-b8+,then1....Rd7-d8!(butnot1....Rxb8,becauseof2.Rxb8+Rd83.Rxd8#—aback-rankmate)2.Qb8xd8+(anyothermovewouldbefollowedby2....Qg2#)2....Ra8xd83.anymoveQh3-g2#.D-5251.Rc1-g1any;2.Rc6-c8#.D-5261.Re1-e8+Bg7-f82.Rd1-g1+Kg8-h83.Re8-f8#D-527Whitewins:1.Ka4-b5Kh5-g62.Kb5-c6Kg6-f73.Kc6-d7andWhitewillqueenhispawnbyforceinthreemoves.D-5281.Kc7-b6!Careful!After1.b6it’sstalemate!1....Ka8-b8 2.Kb6-a6Kb8-a83.b5-b6Ka8-b84.b6-b7Kb8-c75.Ka6-a7andWhitegetsaQueennextmove. TypicalMatingCombinationsMatebyaMajorPiece[QueenorRook]HelpedbyOtherMenTherearemanytypicalmatingpatterns,andtheyoftenserveasthebasisofbeautifulcombinations.Letusexaminethemechanismsinvolvedinsuchcombinations.Tobeginwith,lookatthematingpatternshowninDiagram529.529NowfindthesolutionstoPositions530–533.530Blacktoplayandmateonhisfirstmove. 531Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.532Blacktoplayandmateinthreemoves. 533Blacktoplayandmateinfourmoves.ThispositionoccurredinagameplayedbyAdolphAnderssen,thestrongestplayerofthemid-19thcentury.SolutionstoD-530toD-533D-5301....Qf1-h3#D-5311....Nf5-g3+ExposingtheWhiteKing.2.h2xg3Qf1-h3# D-5321....Qf2-f1+Withtheideaofblockingg1withtheRookandopeningthef1-h3line.2.Rg2-g1Nf5-g3+3.h2xg3Qf1-h3#D-5331....Bh3-g2+DeflectingtheRookfromthefirstrankandfreeingh3fortheQueen.2.Rg1xg2Qf2-f1+3.Rg2-g1Nf5-g3+4.h2xg3Qf1-h3#Thus,BlackinPosition533madeacomplexcombinationbasedonmatingpattern529andusingfivedifferenttacticalmotifs.Letuslookatsomeothercommonlyencounteredmatingpatternsandcombinationsbasedonthem.Solvepositions535–539bymakinguseofthematingpatternshowninDiagram534. 534pattern535Whitetoplayandmateonhisfirstmove. 536Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.537Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves. 538Whitetoplayandmateinfourmoves.539Whitetoplayandmateinfivemoves.Thispositionisbasedonaproblempublishedintheyear1512byP.Damiano,andthetypeofmatingpatternitillustratesisknownasDamiano’smate. SolutionstoD-535toD-539D-5351.Qh1-h7#Damiano’smate.D-5361.Qd1-h1+Kh8-g82.Qh1-h7#Damiano’smate.D-5371.Rh1-h8+DeflectingtheKingtoasquarewhereitcanbecheckedbytheQueen,andclearingthesquareh1fortheQueen.1....Kg8xh82.Qd1-h1+Kh8-g83.Qh1-h7#Damiano’smate.D-5381.Re1-h1+.ClearingthelinefortheQueen.1....Kh8-g82.Rh1-h8+Kg8xh83.Qd1-h1+Kh8-g8 4.Qh1-h7#Damiano’smate.D-5391.Rh1-h8+DeflectingtheKingtoasquarewhereitcanbecheckedandclearingthesquareh1fortheotherRook.1....Kg8xh82.Re1-h1+Kh8-g83.Rh1-h8+Kg8xh84.Qd1-h1+Kh8-g85.Qh1-h7#Damiano’smate.Thus,WhiteinthepositionofDiagram539carriesoutacomplexcombinationinvolvingthreetacticalmotifs.Solvepositions541–544bymakinguseofthematingpatternshowninDiagram540. 540pattern541Blacktoplayandmateonhisfirstmove. 542Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.543Blacktoplayandmateinthreemoves. 544Blacktoplayandmateinfourmoves.SolutionstoD-541throughD-544.D-5411....Qh2xf2#D-5421....Qh3-h2+2.Kg1-f1Qh2xf2#D-5431....Bh2-g3+Discoveredcheck.2.Kh1-g1Qh3-h2+3.Kg1-f1Qh2xf2# D-5441....Bd6xh2+2.Kg1-h1Bh2-g3+3.Kh1-g1Qh3-h2+4.Kg1-f1Qh2xf2#ThecombinationinPosition544isbasedonthetacticalmotifofdiscoveredcheck.Solvepositions546–549usingthematingpatternshowninDiagram545.545 546Blacktoplayandmateonhisfirstmove.547Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves. 548Blacktoplayandmateinthreemoves.549Blacktoplayandmateinfourmoves.SolutionstoD-546throughD-549D-5461....Ra4xh4# D-5471....Qb4xh4+!2.Rh7xh4Ra4xh4#D-5481....Rf4-h4+!2.g3xh4Qb4xh4+!3.Rh7xh4Ra4xh4#D-5491....Nf1-g3!+ExposingtheWhiteKing.2.h2xg3Rf4-h4+!3.g3xh4Qb4xh4+!4.Rh7xh4Ra4xh4#ThecombinationinPosition549workswiththehelpofthetacticalmotifofexposingtheKing.SolvePositions551–554usingthematingpatternshowninDiagram550. 550pattern551Whitetoplayandmateonhisfirstmove. 552Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.553Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves. 554Whitetoplayandmateinfourmoves.ThepositioninDiagram554isfromagamewonbytheoutstandinggrandmasterRudolfSpielmannagainstHenschtscherinViennain1929.SolutionstoD-551throughD-554D-5511.Rh5-h8#D-5521.Re5-h5+Exploitingthepinontheg6pawn.1....Kh7-g82.Rh5-h8#D-553 1.Qh6xh7+!ExposingtheKinganddecoyingittoasquarewhereitwillbechecked.1....Kg8xh72.Re5-h5+Kh7-g83.Rh5-h8#D-5541.Nf5-e7+!ClearingalinefortheRook.1....Qc5xe72.Qh6xh7+!Kg8xh73.Re5-h5+Kh7-g84.Rh5-h8#GrandmasterSpielmannmadeuseoffourtacticalmotifsinhisfinecombination.Solvepositions556–559usingthematingpatternshowninDiagram555. 555pattern556Blacktoplayandmateonhisfirstmove. 557Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.558Blacktoplayandeitherwinapieceormateinthreemoves. 559Blacktoplayandeitherwinapieceormateinfourmoves.Position559occurredinthegameGiuli-HennebergerplayedinZurichin1941.Thematingpatternillustratedthereisknownas“Anastasia’smate”becausetheideawasfirstpublishedinthenovelAnastasiaandChessprintedin1803.SolutionstoD-556throughD-559D-5561....Re4-h4#Anastasia’smate.D-5571....Re5-h5+! ClearingthelinefortheotherRook.2.g4xh5Re4-h4#D-5581....Qf4xg4!ExposingtheKing.2.h3xg42.f3doesnotsaveWhite,becauseof2....Ng3+3.Kg1Nxf14.fxg4Nxd2.2....Re5-h5+!3.g4xh5Re4-h4#D-5591....Nd4-e2+DecoyingtheBlackKingontotheh-file.2.Kg1-h1Qf4xg4!3.h3xg4OrelseWhitelosesapiece.3....Re5-h5+!4.g4xh5Re4-h4#Blackexploitedthreetacticalmotifsinthiscombination. EndgameswithKingandnon-RookPawnvs.King(Continuation.Forbeginning,seeLesson10)Inthislessonweshallstudyexamplesinwhichthepawnisunabletoqueenandthegameendsinadraw.560DrawnonlyifitisWhite’sturn. 561Drawnnomatterwhomovesfirst.562Drawnnomatterwhomovesfirst. 563DrawnonlyifitisBlack’sturn.564DrawnonlyifitisBlack’sturn. 565Drawnnomatterwhomovesfirst.AnalysisofD-560throughD-565D-560TheKingsareinoppositionandthepositionisoneofmutualZugzwang:itisdisadvantageousbothforWhiteandforBlacktomakethefirstmove.IfBlackbegins,heloses,sincetheWhitepawnwillreachtheseventhrankwithoutchecking:1....Ke8-d82.d6-d7Kd8-c7Thereisnoothermove.Blackisthusforcedtogiveupcontrolovere7.3.Ke6-e7andWhitewins.WithWhitetoplay,thepositionisdrawn,sincethepawnreachestheseventhrankwithcheck:1.d6-d7+ OrelseBlackwilldrawwith1....Kd7(seethenextexample).1....Ke8-d82.Ke6-d6stalemateConclusion:Ifthepawn,defendedbyitsKing,reachestheseventhrankwithcheck,thegameisdrawn;otherwise,itwillbeabletoqueen.D-561Thisisatheoreticallydrawnposition.However,BlackhastoknowhowtomaneuvercorrectlywithhisKing,sincetheslightestmistakewillleadtoaloss.TheBlackKingshouldshuttlebackandforthbetweend7andd8andoccupyc8ore8onlywhenbydoingsoittakestheopposition.Forexample:1.Ke5-d5Kd7-d8!WaitingforWhite’snextmove.OtherwiseBlackwouldlosetheoppositionandthegame:a)1....Ke82.Ke6!Kd83.d7Kc74.Ke7etc.;orb)1....Kc82.Kc6!,winning.2.Kd5-c5Tryingtoconfusetheopponent.2....Kd8-d7!Againtheonlymove.3.Kc5-d5Kd7-d8!Theonlyway. 4.Kd5-c6Kd8-c8!Takingtheopposition.5.d6-d7+Kc8-d86.Kc6-d6stalemateIfhemovesfirstintheaboveexample(Diagram561),Blackdefendsinthesameway:1....Kd7-d8!2.Ke5-d5Kd8-d7!andsoon.Conclusion:IftheloneKingcantaketheoppositionontheeighthrankwhentheenemyKingandpawnareonthesixthrank,thegameisalwaysdrawn.D-562HavingtheoppositionisnotofdecisiveimportanceinthispositionsinceBlackwillhavetheopportunityoftakingtheoppositiononthelastrank,asinthepreviousexample.1.c5-c6+Kd7-c7!1....Kc82.Kd6Kd8!,takingtheopposition,alsoleadstoadraw.Allothermoveslose,sincetheyallowWhitetotaketheoppositionwiththeBlackKingonthelastrank:a)1....Kd82.Kd6!Kc83.c7Kb74.Kd7any5.c8Q;b)1....Ke82.Ke6!Kd83.Kd6!,etc.;c)1....Ke72.Ke5!Ke83.Ke6!Kd84.Kd6!,withafamiliarposition. 2.Kd5-c5Kc7-c8!3.Kc5-b5Kc8-c7!4.Kb5-c5Kc7-c8!5.Kc5-d6Kc8-d8!6.c6-c7+Kd8-c87.Kd6-c6stalemateBlacktomovedrawsinthefollowingmanner:1....Kd7-c7!Theonlymovetodraw.Allothermoveslose:a)1....Kc82.Kc6!Kb83.Kd7andthepawncannotbestopped;b)1....Kd82.Kd6!Kc83.Kc6etc.;c)1....Ke8(or1....Ke7)2.Kc6!Kd83.Kb7andthepawnwillqueen.2.c5-c6Kc7-c8!3.Kd5-d6Kc8-d8!4.c6-c7+Kd8-c8withadraw.Conclusion:Ifthepawnisnofurtherthanthefifthrank,thentheloneKingdrawswhetherithasthefirstmoveornot,providedthatitisinfrontofthepawnandthereisnomorethanonesquareseparatingitfromthepawn. D-563WealreadyknowthataKingcanholdbackanenemypawnifitcangetinfrontofthepawn,butnotfromtheside.SotheBlackKingheremusttrytogoroundtothefrontofthepawn:1....Kg5-f6!1....Kf5losesbecauseof2.Kc4Ke53.Kc5,whenthepawnwillqueeneasily.2.Kb3-c4Kf6-e73.Kc4-c5Ke7-d7!Justintime!Nowit’sadraw.4.d5-d6Kd7-d8!5.Kc5-c6Kd8-c8!6.d6-d7+Kc8-d87.Kc6-d6stalemateIfWhitehasthefirstmove,hewinsasfollows:1.Kb3-c4Kg5-f62.Kc4-c5Kf6-e73.Kc5-c6!TheKinghasreachedthesixthrankaheadofthepawn.Thisisalwaysawin.3....Ke7-d84.Kc6-d6!Kd8-c85.Kd6-e7andthepawnwillqueeninthreemoremoves. D-564ItgoeswithoutsayingthatWhitetomovecanwineasilyinanumberofways,e.g.:1.Kd5-e6Ke8-d82.Ke6-d6Kd8-e83.Kd6-c7andthepawnwilladvanceunhinderedtoitsqueeningsquare.However,Blackcandrawifhehasthefirstmove:1....Ke8-d7!Thesavingmove!Blackseizestheopposition.2.Kd5-e5Kd7-e7!Keepingtheopposition.Allothermoveswouldlose:a)2....Kc63.Ke6Kc74.d5Kd85.Kd6!etc.;b)2....Kc73.Ke6Kc64.d5+Kc75.Ke7andthepawnwillqueen;c)onanyothersecondmovebyBlack,Whitewinseasilyby3.Kd6.3.d4-d5WhitecannotbreakthroughwithhisKingandhastopushhispawn.If3.Kf5,Blackdrawsby3....Kf7or3....Kd6.3....Ke7-d7!Againtheonlymove.Anyothermovewouldloseto4.Kd6. 4.d5-d6Kd7-d8!Onceagaintheonlydrawingmove.Blackfightsfortheopposition.AnyothermovewouldallowWhitetowinby5.Ke6.5.Ke5-d5Whitetriestoconfusehisopponent.On5.Ke6Blackwouldtaketheoppositionby5....Ke8,afterwhichthedrawisinevitable.5....Kd8-d7!Theonlyway!6.Kd5-c5MaybeBlackwillblunder?6....Kd7-d8!BlackmaneuvershisKingcorrectlyandgetsthedraw.7.Kc5-c6Kd8-c8!Blackhaswontheopposition.8.d6-d7+Kc8-d89.Kc6-d6stalemateConclusion:IftheloneKingisinfrontofthepawn,butnotonthelastrank,andgetstheoppositionagainsttheenemyKing,thegameisdrawnprovidedthatthepawndoesnothaveanysparemoves,i.e.,iftheenemyKingisonthesquaredirectlyinfrontofitspawn. D-565Finally,letusseehowtofightagainstapawnthatisonitsstartingsquare.InDiagram565,theBlackKinghasoccupiedthesquareinfrontoftheWhitepawnandpreventsthelatterfrommoving.However,theKingcannotremainonthissquareforeversinceitwillhavetoretreatwhenitisBlack’sturntomove.Thenthepawnwillbeabletoadvance,supportedbytheWhiteKing,butifBlackmaneuverscorrectlywithhisKing,heshoulddraw.Otherwise,hewilllose.ItdoesnotmatterwhoseturnitisinDiagram565;letussupposethatitisWhite’sturn:1.Kd1-c1AwaitingmovethattransferstheobligationtomovetoBlack.1.Ke1wouldalsobepossible.1....Kd3-d4!AlthoughinthepresentpositionitisnotofcrucialimportancewheretheKingmovesto(exceptofcourse1....Ke2,whenthereply2.d4putsthepawnoutofreach),youshoulddevelopthehabitofretreatingalongthefileonwhichthepawnstands.2.Kc1-c2Controllingd3.2....Kd4-c4!TakingtheoppositionandhinderingtheadvanceoftheWhiteKing.Allothermoveswouldlose,sincetheWhiteKingwouldgettheoppositioninfrontofitspawn.3.d2-d3+Kc4-d44.Kc2-d2Kd4-d55.Kd2-e3Kd5-e5!6.d3-d4+Ke5-d57.Ke3-d3Kd5-d68.Kd3-c4Kd6-c6! 9.d4-d5+Kc6-d610.Kc4-d4Kd6-d711.Kd4-e5Kd7-e7!12.d5-d6+Ke7-d7!13.Ke5-d5Kd7-d8!14.Kd5-c6Kd8-c8!15.d6-d7+Kc8-d816.Kc6-d6stalemateAsyoucansee,inordertoplaypawnend-gameswellyouhavetoknowhowtomakeuseoftacticaldevicessuchastheopposition,waitingmove,Zugzwang,etc.Youalsohavetoknowinsideout(likeamultiplicationtable)whichpositionsarewonandwhicharedrawn.YouhavenowworkedthroughLevelII(IntermediateI)ofourchesstrainingprogram.Thenext,andlast,lessonwillbeatest.Twentytestsofequaldifficulty,eachcontainingsixquestions,havebeenprepared.Eachstudentwillpickoneatrandomandanswerallsixquestionsonit.Thetestwillshowhowwellyouhavemasteredthecontentsofthecourse. HOMEWORK1.Reviewthehomeworkassignmentsofpreviouslessons.2.Playoften,butnotmorethanoneandahalfhoursaday.3.FamiliarizeyourselfwiththetypicalmatingpatternsshowninDiagrams566–601.Theseinvolveamajorpiece(QueenorRook)assistedbyotherpiecesandpawns.4.MakeuppositionsinwhichWhite(orBlack)canmakeatwo-movecombinationleadingtothesetypicalmatingpatterns.TheTypicalMatingPatterns566567 568569570 571572573 574575576 577578579 580581582 583584585 586587588 589590591 592593594 595596597 598599600 601 SUPPLEMENTARYMATERIALforuseattheteacher’sdiscretionSampleGamesIllustratingTypicalMajorPiece(QueenorRook)MatingPatternsGame81RuyLopezIn1895EmanuelLasker,whowasjustbeginninghis27-yearreignasWorldChampion,publishedhisCommonSenseinChess,abookthatacquiredgreatfame.Letuslookataninterestinggamefromthatbook.1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-b5Ng8-f64.0-0!Nf6xe45.Rf1-e1Strongerwouldbe5.d4Be76.Qe2,withacomplicatedposition.5....Ne4-d65....Nf66.Nxe5Be77.d40-08.Nc3wouldbetoWhite’sadvantage.6.Nb1-c3 SinceBlackcannotdefendthepawnone5,Whiteisinnorushtocaptureitandinsteaddevelopsapiece.6....Nd6xb5Itwasmoreimportanttoblockthee-filebyplaying6....Be7.7.Nf3xe5!LuringBlackintoaclevertrap.WhitedoesnothurrytocapturetheKnightonb5sinceBlackdoesnothavetimetosaveit.ThethreatistowinBlack’sQueenbymeansofthediscoveredcheck8.Nxc6+.7....Nc6xe5?Itwasstillnottoolatetoplay7....Be7,preventingthediscoveredcheckandpreparingtocastle.7....Nxc3wouldloseafter8.Nxc6+Be79.Nxe7Nxd110.Ng6+(anotherdiscoveredcheck)10....Qe711.Nxe7,whenWhiteremainsapieceup.8.Re1xe5+Bf8-e79.Nc3-d5!WhitecouldcapturetheKnightwithhisRookorhisKnightbutpreferstopileuponthepinnedBishop,whichcannotbedefended.9....0-0TryingtogethisKingoutofdanger.10.Nd5xe7+Kg8-h8IfWhitelooksatthepositionclosely,hecanseefivepossiblematingpatterns(seeDiagrams602–606). 602603604 60560611.Qd1-h5!Threatening12.Qxh7+Kxh713.Rh5#(Anastasia’smate,Diagram602).Whitecouldalsowinwith11.Nxc8Nd412.Ne7Re813.c3,remainingapieceup.11....g7-g6Aprettyvariationis11....h612.d3!d613.Bxh6gxh614.Qxh6#(Diagram604).Ifinsteadof13....gxh6,Blackrepliedto13.Bxh6with13....g6,then14.Bxf8+!gxh515.Rxh5#(Diagram605).White’sattackisirresistibleinothervariationsaswell.12.Qh5-h6d7-d6ThereisalreadynosatisfactorydefenseforBlack. 13.Re5-h5!Threatening14.Qxh7#(Diagram603).13....g6xh514.Qh6-f6#ThematingpatternshowninDiagram606.SeeDiagram607forthefinalposition.607Abeautifulgame,madeupbyWorldChampionLaskerespeciallyforinstructionalpurposes.Game82GiuocoPianoGioachinoGreco,anearly17thcenturyItalianchessplayer,leftbehindamanuscriptcontaininganalysesofmanyopeningvariationsusedinhistime.Thisgameisoneoftheanalyses. 1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-c4Bf8-c54.c2-c3Ng8-f6Allthesemovesareencounteredeventodayinthegamesofchessplayersofalllevels.5.Nf3-g5?Thebestmoveis5.d4,but5.d3isalsopossible.Asyoucansee,350yearsagoplayerssometimesignoredthemainprinciplesofopeningplayandmovedthesamepiecetwiceintheopening.5....0-06.d2-d3h7-h6?Blackwasnotfacedwithanythreatandshouldhavecontinuedhisdevelopmentbymeansofthemove6....d6.7.h2-h4h6xg5??Thereisnoruleinchessthatsaysthatcapturingisobligatory!WiththiscaptureBlackonlyfurthersWhite’saggressivedesigns.7....d6shouldstillhavebeenplayed.8.h4xg5Nf6-h7?Weliketocapturepiecesbutarenotsoeagertogivethemback!Blackhadtoplay8....g6,maintainingcontroloverh5.9.Qd1-h5Variousmatingpatternsareintheair(seeDiagrams608-610).9....Rf8-e8 Planningtoanswer10.Qxh7+with10....Kf8.9....Nxg5wouldnotsaveBlack,becauseof10.Qh8#(back-rankmate,Diagram609),whileanyothermovewouldrunupagainst10.Qxh7#(Diagram608).608609 61010.Qh5xf7+Kg8-h811.Rh1xh7+!Kh8xh712.Qf7-h5#ThematingpatternofDiagram610.ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram611.611ThisisthefamousGreco’sMate.ThisanalysisshowsthegreatdangerofacoordinatedattackbytheQueenandaRookalongtheopenh-file. Game83Reiner–Steinitz,Vienna1860ScotchGambit1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c6TheBlackpieceswereconductedbyagreatplayerwhoin1886becamethefirstofficialWorldChampioninchesshistory.3.d2-d4e5xd44.Bf1-c4ThisopeningisagambitasWhitestrivestodevelophispiecesrapidlyratherthanrecapturehispawnimmediately.4....Bf8-c5Blackdevelopsanddefendsthepawnatthesametime.4....Bb4+wouldberiskydueto5.c3dxc36.0-0cxb27.Bxb2,withaconsiderableadvantageindevelopmentforWhite.5.0-0d7-d65....Nge7wouldbeamistakebecauseof6.Ng5Ne57.Bb3h68.f4hxg59.fxe5,withanirresistibleattackforWhite.Downrightbadafter6.Ng5wouldbe6....0-0,becauseof7.Qb5h68.Nxf7,withaquickvictoryinsight.6.c2-c3Bc8-g4!Blackaimsforacounter-attack.6....dxc37.Nxc3wouldgiveWhitegoodplay. 7.Qd1-b3Afork:boththeb7pawnandthef7pawnareattacked.Thiswouldbefineifitdidn’tleadtoWhite’sownKingbecomingexposed.7....Bg4xf3!IgnoringWhite’sthreats.8.Bc4xf7+Ke8-f89.Bf7xg8Rh8xg810.g2xf3Letusevaluatethepositionthathasarisen.Bygivingbackthepawn,BlackhasachievedexcellentdevelopmentandhasgoodchancesforanattackagainstWhite’sweakenedKing.10....g7-g5!Energeticallyplayed!Thereisnotimetoprotectthepawnonb7.11.Qb3-e6After11.Qxb7Ne5WhitewouldfinditverydifficulttodefendhisKing.11....Nc6-e512.Qe6-f5+?Weakplayerslovetocheck.Butitisbettertocheckmateoncethantocheck1000times.HereWhiteshouldhaveplayed12.Kh1andthentriedtodevelophisQueenside.12....Kf8-g7!Aclevermove!13.Bxg5istobemetby13....Kh8!,whentheWhiteBishopwouldbecaughtinadangerouspin. 13.Kg1-h1Kg7-h814.Rf1-g1WhitewillpayaheavypriceforforgettingabouthisQueenside.Hehadtoplay14.cxd4Bxd415.Nc3g416.Bf4,bringingouthispiecesatthecostofapawn.14....g5-g4!ClearingthewayfortheQueenandanticipatingthematingpatternsshowninDiagrams612and613.15.f3-f4?Thebestchancewas15.Bf4.15.fxg4wouldhavebeenmetby15....Qh4,threatening16....Raf8.15....Ne5-f316.Rg1xg4Whitedoesnotsensethedanger.16....Qd8-h4!!Takeme,please!Thethreatis17....Qxh2mate(Diagram612).612 17.Rg4-g2613Whitedoesn’tliketheideaofgettingmated17.Rxh4Rg1#(Diagram613).17....Qh4xh2+!ForcingWhitetoaccepttheQueensacrifice!18.Rg2xh2Rg8-g1# 614AbeautifullyplayedgamebytheWorldChampion.AsforWhite,hegotmatedbeforehegotaroundtomakingasinglemovewithhisQueensidepieces.Game84Koshtenko–Lerner,SovietUnion1962FrenchDefense1.e2-e4e7-e62.d2-d4d7-d5ThesemovesconstitutetheFrenchDefense.3.Nb1-c3Bf8-b44.Ng1-e2Whitesacrificesthepawnone4.FormerWorldChampionAlexanderAlekhinesometimesutilizedthisideawithsuccess. 4....d5xe45.a2-a3Bb4xc3+OrelseWhitewouldwinbackthepawnone4andBlack’s3....Bb4wouldturnouttohavebeenpointless.6.Ne2xc3Ng8-f6?Blackcouldholdontothepawnwith6....f5,butthatwouldallowWhitetowhipupastrongattackafter7.f3!exf38.Qxf3Qxd49.Qg3!.Itisbettertogivebacksuchpawnsandinsteadconcentrateondevelopingyourpiecesquickly.Here,forexample,after6....Nc67.Bb5Ne78.Nxe40-09.c3e5!thegameisequal.7.Bc1-g5!WhitenotonlywinsbackhispawnbutalsopinstheKnightonf6,apinwhichwillbeveryunpleasantforBlackashehasalreadyexchangedoffhisdark-squareBishop.7....Nb8-c68.Bf1-b5PinningtheotherKnight.8....0-0If8....Bd7,then9.Nxe4,whichcannotbemetby9....Nxd4becauseof10.Bxf6gxf611.Bxd7+Qxd712.Nxf6+,winningtheQueen.9.Bb5xc6b7xc610.Nc3xe4WhitehaswonbackhispawnanditisnotobvioushowBlackcanunpinhisKnight.10....Qd8-d5 ItisonthismovethatBlackhadplacedhishopes.Realizingthathispositionisdifficult,hedecidestotakearisk.11.Ne4xf6+WhiteseesthatthePillsburymatingpattern(Diagram615)isapossibilityandbeginstoprepareacombination.615pattern11....g7xf6Forced.12.Bg5xf6Qd5xg2?Afatalmistake!Blackhastoplay12....Qf5,tryingtochaseawayWhite’sdangerousBishop.However,hethinksthatWhitewillsavehisRookwith13.Rf1,whereuponafter13....Ba6itwouldbeWhitewhoisintrouble.13.Qd1-f3!!Nowthere’samoveforyou!Blackresignedrightaway.TheQueencannotbetakenbecauseofPillsbury’smate(Diagram615):13....Qxf3 14.Rg1+Qg415.Rxg4#.Andafter13....Qg614.0-0-0Qh6+15.Kb1Whitewinseasilytoo.SeeDiagram616forthefinalposition.616Blacklostbecauseofthedangerouspinonthef6Knight,whilethefinalcatastropheoccurredbecausehedidnotnoticePillsbury’smate.Game85(fromunder-13tournament)1.d2-d4Ng8-f6TheKnightcontrolse4,preventingtheWhitee-pawnfrommovingthere.2.Nb1-d2?AnunfortunatemovethatblockstheBishopandQueen.2.c4or2.Nf3arebetter.2....e7-e5 Blacksacrificesapawninthehopesofrapidlybringingouthispieces.3.d4xe5Nf6-g44.Ng1-f3Bf8-e74....Nc6wouldbemoreaccurate,butBlackwastemptedbythetrapfromthegameGibeau-Lazard(Game6),andplays4....Be7inanticipationofthematingpatternshowninDiagram617.6175.h2-h3??Itwasthis“natural”movethatBlackwascountingon.InsteadofhurryingtochaseawaytheKnight,Whitecouldhavegotagoodgameafter5.e3Nc66.Nc4b57.Ncd2a68.a4.5....Ng4-e3!Whiteresigned.HehadnottakenBlack’slastmoveintoaccountinhisearliercalculations.If6.fxe3(otherwisetheQueenislost),then6....Bh4+7.Nxh4Qxh4+8.g3Qxg3#(seethematingpatternofDiagram617).ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram618. 618Whitewasroutedbecauseofhiscarelessness.Game86Mayet–Anderssen,Berlin1851RuyLopez1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c6BlackwasAdolphAnderssen,aGermanmasterwhowasthestrongestplayerintheworldinthemiddleofthenineteenthcentury.3.Bf1-b5Bf8-c54.c2-c3Ng8-f65.Bb5xc6?ThisexchangeonlyhelpsBlacktobringouthisBishop.5.d4isbetter. 5....d7xc66.0-0Bc8-g47.h2-h3Itwouldbesafertoplay7.d3followedby8.Be3,tryingtoexchangeoffthedark-squareBishops.7....h7-h5AnderssensacrificestheBishopinordertoopentheh-file.Feelingmoreathomeincomplicationsthanhisopponents,Anderssenoftentookrisks.8.h3xg4h5xg49.Nf3xe5?Whenyouhaveamaterialadvantageyoushouldtrytoexchangepieces.Itwasbetterthereforetoplay9.d4exd410.Nxd4.9....g4-g3?Itiseasytomakeamistakeinsuchsharppositions.9....Nxe4!isstronger.Thiscannotbemetby10.Qxg4sinceafter10....Bxf2+!11.Rxf2Rh1+!!12.Kxh1Nxf2+13.Kg1Nxg414.Nxg4Qd3itwouldbedifficultforWhitetodevelophisQueensidepieces.Evenworsewouldbe10.Nxg4becauseof10....Qh4withanunstoppablemate.10.d2-d4Nf6xe411.Qd1-g4? 619WhiteseesthatthematingpatternofDiagram619isapossibility:themove11.Qd1-g4isdirectedagainstthethreatof11....Rh1+!12.Kxh1Qh4+13.Kg1Qh2#.However,abetterdefensewas11.fxg3!Nxg312.Re1,eliminatingallofBlack’sthreats.11....Bc5xd4?Bothadversarieshaveoverlookedatypicaltacticaldevice:11....gxf2+12.Rxf2Rh1+!13.Kxh1Nxf2+followedby14....Nxg4,whenWhitehasonlytwominorpiecesforhisQueen.Anderssenwastemptedbythematingpatternshownindiagram620.620 12.Qg4xe4?Thelastmistake.Itwasnecessarytoplay12.cxd4,intendingtoreplyto12....Qxd4with13.Qd7+,withcomplicatedplay.Blackwoulddobettertoinsteadplay12....gxf2+13.Rxf2Rh1+14.Kxh1Nxf2+15.Kg1Nxg4,winningtheQueen,althoughnowhehashadtogiveupthreeminorpiecesforitinsteadofonlytwo.12....Bd4xf2+!Whiteresigned,sincemateisunavoidable:13.Rxf2Qd1+14.Rf1Rh1+!15.Kxh1Qxf1#(matingpatternshowninDiagram620).ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram621.621Bothplayersmademistakesinthisgame,butitwasWhitewhomadethelastmistakeandasaresultfellvictimtoabeautifulmate.Game87Rieman–Anderssen,Germany1876King’sGambit 1.e2-e4e7-e5Blackwasplayedbythestrongestchessplayerofthemid-19thcentury.2.f2-f4Thisgambitwasverypopularinthosetimes.2....e5xf43.Bf1-c4Qd8-h4+4.Ke1-f1Whitehaslosthisrighttocastlebutincompensationhehasgainedthecenterandcandevelophispiecesmorequickly.Thegameisequal.4....d7-d5!Blackiswillingtogivebackthepawninordertogainatempofordevelopinghispieces.5.Bc4xd5Ng8-f66.Nb1-c3Bf8-b47.e4-e5TheideaofthispawnsacrificeistokeeptheBlackKinginthecenterandwhipupanattack.7....Bb4xc38.e5xf6Bc3xf69.Ng1-f3Qh4-h510.Qd1-e2+ItwasforthesakeofthischeckthatWhitesacrificedapawnontheseventhmove. 10....Ke8-d8!622pattern623patternAnderssenvisualizesseveralpotentialmatingpatterns(Diagrams622and623)andbeginstosetupacombination.Thatiswhyhefreese8forhisRook.11.Qe2-c4Rh8-e8 Atrap!Inordertoseeit,youdon’tnecessarilyhavetobeaverystrongplayer,butallthesameitisQueensacrificesthatarethemostoftenoverlooked.12.Bd5xf7?Whitehadtoplay12.d3,withagoodgame.Instead,hegetsmatedinfivemoves.12....Qh5xf3+!ExposingtheKinganddeflectingthepawnong2fromcontrolofh3.Atthesametime,theKnightcontrollinge1iseliminated—thistacticalmotifisknownas“eliminatingthedefense.”Anderssenthusmakesuseofthreetacticalmotifsinonemove.13.g2xf3Bc8-h3+14.Kf1-f2Or14.Kg1Re1+15.Kf2Bh4#(MatingpatternofDiagram622).14....Bf6-h4+15.Kf2-g1Re8-e1+16.Qc4-f1Re1xf1#ThematingpatternofDiagram623.ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram624. 624Whitelostbecausehe“fellinto”Black’scombination.Game88Sanchez–Sotolareya,Mexico1948Veresov’sOpening1.d2-d4Ng8-f62.Bc1-g5d7-d53.Nb1-c3ThesemovesconstituteVeresov’sOpening,namedafteraSovietmaster.3....c7-c54.d4xc5Ariskymove.Itwouldbebettertoplay4.e3anddeveloptheKingsideassoonaspossible. 4....d5-d45.Bg5xf6e7xf6OpeningadiagonalfortheBishop.6.Nc3-e4Bc8-f5TheopeninghasgivenBlacktheupperhand—hecanbringouthispiecesquickly.7.Ne4-d6+Whitedecidestoreturnthepawninordertoexchangeoffthedark-squareBishops.7....Bf8xd68.c5xd6Qd8xd69.Ng1-f3Nb8-c6Blackhascompletedhisdevelopmentandisreadytocastleoneitherside,whiletheWhiteKing,ontheotherhand,willbestuckinthecenterforalongtime.10.c2-c3Itwouldbebettertoplay10.a3,controllingtheb4square.Openingupthepositionisadvantageousonlytothebetter-developedside(inthiscase,Black).10....0-0-0Bycastling,BlackautomaticallybringshisRookintotheattackalongthed-file.11.c3xd4?Itwouldbebettertoplay11.Nxd4andtrytoexchangeQueens. 11....Qd6-b4+!Thisin-betweencheckwasunderestimatedbyWhite.Blackontheotherhandvisualizestwomatingpatterns(Diagrams625and626).62562612.Qd1-d2Nc6xd4!NowWhitecannotplay13.Qxb4becauseof13....Nc2#(matingpatternofDiagram625).13.Ra1-c1+??Whitehadtoplay13.Nxd4andexchangeQueens.13....Nd4-c2+!! 14.Rc1xc2+Bf5xc215.Qd2xb4Rd8-d1#ThematingpatternofDiagram626.ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram627.627WhitewasseverelypunishedfornotgettingaroundtodevelopinghisKnights.Game89Ezerskii–Lel’chuk,SovietUnion1950King’sGambit1.e2-e4e7-e52.f2-f4Theaimofthispawnsacrificeistodevelopasspeedilyaspossibleandopenupthef-filefortheRook. 2....Nb8-c63.Ng1-f3d7-d64.f4xe5?4.d4,attackingthecentralpawnone5,isbetter.4....Nc6xe5?Whygiveupthecenter?After4....dxe5,openinglinesforthedark-squareBishopandtheQueen,Blackwouldhaveafinegame.5.d2-d4Whitenowhasastrongpawncenter.5....Ne5-g6?BlackshouldnotlosetimebyretreatingtheKnight.Itwouldbebettertoplay5....Nxf3+6.Qxf3Qf6,tryingtoexchangeQueens,a1thougheventhenWhitewouldundoubtedlyhavethebetterposition.6.Bf1-c4Bf8-e77.0-0Ng8-f68.Nb1-c30-09.Qd1-e1!Blackwasthreatening9....Nxe410.Nxe4d5,breakingupWhite’spawncenter.TheWhiteQueenthereforedefendsthepawnone4whileatthesametimetryingtopenetrateintotheKingside.9....Rf8-e8?Black’sdesiretoplacehisRookonthesamefileastheWhiteQueenisunderstandable,butthemoveweakensthef7pawn.SinceBlack’spositioniscramped,abettermovewouldbe9....Be6,tryingtoexchangeBishops.10.d5inreplywouldnotbedangerousforBlack,sincethemovewouldblockthediagonalofWhite’sBishop. 10.Nf3-g5Whiteimmediatelyexploitstheweaknessofthef7pawnbyattackingit.10....d6-d5?BlackshouldadmithismistakeandreturnhisRooktof8.Hecouldalsoplay10....Nh8.ThetextmoveleadstoanopeningoflinesthatisfavorableforWhite,sincehispiecesarethemoreactive.11.Nc3xd5Nf6xd5?Blackrushestohisdoom.Itisbettertogiveupapawnthantolosethegamerightaway.Hehadtodefendthef7pawnby11....Be6,11....Rf8,or11.Nh8.12.Bc4xd5Evensimplerwas12.Nxf712....Be7xg513.Bd5xf7+Kg8-h814.Bf7xe8Bg5xc1Aroundnow,Whitestartedtovisualizethefollowingpotentialmatingpatterns(seeDiagrams628–631).ButtheycanbecomerealityonlyifBlackplayspoorly.628 629pattern630pattern631pattern 15.Be8xg6EliminatingtheKnightthatwasdefendingtheimportantf8square.15....Bc1xb2?Thelastmistake.Betteris15....Bg5followedby16....Qxd4+,withsomecounterplayforthelostexchange.16.Qb4wouldnotworkforWhitebecauseof16....Be7,winningaBishop.16.Qe1-h4!!Qd8-g816....Qxd4+(or16....Bxd4+)wouldnotsaveBlacksinceWhitecanreply17.Kh1,withamatingattack.After16....Qxh4?,thematingpatternofDiagram629wouldbecomereality:17.Rf8#.17.Rf1-f8!TheRookattackstheQueenandsays,“Takeme,please!”SucheffronteryturnedouttobetoomuchforBlack,andheresigned.Thefactisthathegetsmatedinallvariations:a)17....Qxf818.Qxh7#(patternofDiagram630);b)17....h618.Rxg8+Kxg819.Qd8#(patternofDiagram628—aback-rankmate);c)17....Bxd4+18.Kh1Be619.Qxh7#(patternofDiagram631).ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram632. 632Blackplayedactively...,butbadly!ThesafetyofhisKingshouldhavebeenhisprimaryconcern.Game90Gruenfeld–Torre,Baden-Baden1925DutchDefense1.d2-d4WhitewasanoutstandingAustriangrandmasterafterwhomoneofthemostpopularmodernopenings,theGruenfeldDefense,isnamed.HisopponentwasatalentedMexicanmaster.1....e7-e62.Ng1-f3f7-f5ThismoveintroducestheDutchDefense.3.g2-g3 Thismove,recommendedbyGruenfeld,isoftenplayedinsuchpositionseventoday.3....Ng8-f64.Bf1-g2d7-d5Thisvariationiscalledthe“stonewall”variation.5.0-0Bf8-d66.c2-c4c7-c6If6....dxc4,thenWhiteplays7.Qa4,winningbackthepawnwithagoodposition.7.Qd1-c20-08.b2-b3Nf6-e49.Bc1-b2Nb8-d7Bothplayersaredevelopingrapidly.Thepositionisabouteven.10.Nf3-e5Qd8-f611.f2-f3Afterthismove,Torrenoticedaninterestingpotentialmatingpattern(Diagram633)thatwasoverlookedbyWhite. 633pattern11....Nd7xe512.d4xe5??Gruenfeldcouldhaveobtainedthebettergamebymeansofthein-betweenmove12.c5!.E.g.,12....Bc713.dxe5Bxe514.Bxe5Qxe515.fxe5,and15....Qxa1doesn’twork,becauseof16.Nc3,nettingtheQueen.However,GruenfeldoverlookedBlack’sin-betweencheckwhichimmediatelydecidestheoutcomeofthestruggle.12....Bd6-c5+!TheBishopescapesfromthepawnwithcheck!12....Bxe5wouldnotwork,becauseof13.Bxe5Qxe514.fxe4Qxa115.Nc3,andBlackmustlosematerial.13.Kg1-h1Ne4xg3+!Whiteresigned,sincehewillbematedbyforce:14.hxg3Qh6+15.Bh3Qxh3#(matingpatternofDiagram633).ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram634. 634GrandmasterGruenfeldwascaughtinhisopponent’strapand,itgoeswithoutsaying,herememberedthisgamefortherestofhislife.Game91Alekhine–Mindeno,Holland1933RuyLopez1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-b5WhitewasthereigningWorldChampion.ThisgamewasplayedduringasimultaneousexhibitionwhereAlekhinewasplayingmanygamesagainstdifferentopponentsatthesametime.3....d7-d64.d2-d4e5xd4 5.Qd1xd4TheideabehindthismoveistoprepareQueensidecastling.5....Bc8-d76.Bb5xc6Bd7xc67.Nb1-c37.Bg5wouldbeprematurebecauseof7....Be7!8.Qxg7Bf6,withagoodgameforBlack.7....Ng8-f68.Bc1-g5Bf8-e79.0-0-00-0Bothsideshavebroughtoutalltheirminorpieces.Theyhavebothcastled,butondifferentsides.White’spositionispreferable,asBlackiscramped10.h2-h4Preparing11.Nd5byprotectingtheBishop,since10.Nd5wouldloseapieceafter10....Nxd5.AnotherpossibleplanforWhitewastoplay10.Rhe1,threatening11.e5,butAlekhinealwayspreferredtoattacktheKing.10....h7-h611.Nc3-d5!h6xg5?Acceptingthesacrificeleadstodefeat.Blackshouldhaveplayed11....Nxd512.exd5Bd7.12.Nd5xe7+!12.hxg5wouldbefollowedby12...Nxd513.exd5Bxg5+12....Qd8xe7 13.h4xg5Nf6xe414.Rh1-h5BlackhasanextraBishopbuthispositionislost,sinceWhite’sattackalongtheh-filecannotbeparried.TheWorldChampionvisualizedfivepotentialmatingpatternsatthispoint(seeDiagrams635–639)andbegantosetupabrilliantcombination.635pattern636pattern 637pattern638pattern639 pattern14....Qe7-e615.Rd1-h1Threatens16.Rh8#(thepatternofDiagram637—aback-rankmate).15....f7-f5MakingaholefortheKingonf7.White’staskistokeeptheBlackKinginthematingnetbymaintainingcontroloverf7atanycost.16.Nf3-e5!!Anastoundinglybeautifulandstrongmove!Thethreatis16.Rh8#(thematingpatternofDiagram635—aback-rankmate).16....g6doesnotsaveBlack,becauseof17.Rh8+Kg718.R1h7#(matingpatternofdiagram636).IftheWhitepawnmanagestoreachg6unpunished,Blackwillnotbeabletoavoidmate.ItisforthatreasonthatAlekhinetriestodeflecteithertheBlackQueenfromcontrollingg6orthed6pawnfrombeingabletointerposeonthea2-g8diagonal.16....d6xe5On16....Qxe5Whitewinsby17.Qxe5dxe518.g6any19.Rh8#(matingpatternofDiagram639—aback-rankmate).17.g5-g6!OnlynowdidBlackunderstandtheWorldChampion’sbrilliantidea.Heimmediatelyresigned,sincethethreatof18.Rh8#isdeadly.Theonlydefense,17....Qxg6,abandonsthea2-g8diagonalandallowstheWhiteQueentodeliverafatalcheck:18.Qc4+Rf719.Rh8#(matingpatternofDiagram638—aback-rankmate).ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram640. 640ThisgameshowstheimportanceofopenlinesinattackingtheenemyKing.Game92Fink–Alekhine,Pasadena1932Ponziani’sOpening1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.c2-c3ThismoveintroducestheopeningworkedoutmorethantwohundredyearsagobythegreatItalianchessplayerDomenicoPonziani.3....d7-d5Black,thereigningWorldChampion,immediatelycounterattacksinthecenter.4.Qd1-a4Ng8-f6 Alekhineplaysagambitvariation,sacrificingapawnbutdevelopingrapidly.5.Nf3xe5Bf8-d66.Ne5xc6b7xc67.e4-e5Thefirstmistake.Whitecouldhavemaintainedtheequilibriumby7.d30-08.Be2,withtheideaof9.Nd2and10.0-0.7.Qxc6+Bd78.Qa6wouldbebadforWhitebecauseof8....dxe4,withthebettergameforBlack.Whitedecidestoreturnthepawntogaintimefordevelopinghispieces.7....Bd6xe58.d2-d4Be5-d69.Qa4xc6+?Whiteshouldhaveresistedthistemptationandinsteadthoughtaboutdevelopinghispieces!9....Bc8-d710.Qc6-a60-0BlackhasfinishedhisdevelopmentwhilehisopponenthasineffectbeenmovingonlyhisQueen.Whitehasalostpositioninspiteofhisextrapawn.11.Bf1-e2Rf8-e812.Nb1-d2Whitewasafraidtocastle,asBlackpieceswerelookingstraightathisKingside.12....Ra8-b813.a2-a4 Parryingthethreatof13....Bb5,winningthepinnedBishop.13.0-0wouldnothelp,becauseof13....Rb614.Qd3Bb5,winningapiece.13....Qd8-e7TheWorldChampionpreparesthematingpatternshowninDiagram641.64114.Nd2-f1?Whitecansavehimselfonlybyplaying14.Kd1,unpinningthebishop,althoughhewouldstillbeinabadstatebecauseofhishopelesslyretardeddevelopment.14....Bd7-b5!Thetacticalmotifofinterference.NowtheWhiteQueencannolongerdefendtheBishop.15.a4xb5Qe7xe2#ThematingpatternofDiagram641.ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram642. 642Whitereceivedagoodlesson!Youmustplaywithallyourpieces,andnotjustyourQueen.Game93Alekhine–DeCassio,1944ViennaGame1.e2-e4e7-e52.Nb1-c3ThisintroducesanopeningworkedoutbyagroupofViennesechessplayersinthe19thcentury.2....Bf8-c53.Bf1-c4Ng8-e7?TheKnightispassivelyplacedhere.Youshouldgenerallytrytoplaceitonf6,fromwhereitcontrolsmanyimportantsquares. 4.d2-d3WorldChampionAlekhinewasplayingthisgameblindfolded.4....Nb8-c65.Qd1-h5!Threatens6.Qxf7#.Thisisthe“Scholar’sMate”patternshowninDiagram643.643WhycantheWorldChampionbringhisQueenoutearlyinthegamewhileweareadvisednottodoso?ThereasonisthatinthiscaseBlackmadeapoormove,3....Ne7,andonlyafterthatdidAlekhineallowhimselftobringouthisQueen.Moreover,theWorldChampionforesawamatingattackmanymovesahead.AndthefactisthatitisnotsoeasyforBlacktogaintimebyattackingtheQueen.Forexample,5....g6ismetby6.Qh6,preventingBlackfromcastling.5....0-06.Bc1-g5PinningtheKnight.6....Qd8-e8?Blackofcourseknowshowthepiecesmove,buthedoesn’tknowwheretheyshouldgo.HehadtopinthedangerousWhiteKnightby6....Bb4, andthenneutralizeWhite’sdangerouslight-squareBishopby7....d6and8....Be6.7.Ng1-f3Ne7-g6?Itwasstillnottoolatetoplay7....Bb4.8.Nc3-d5!Thoughblindfolded,theGrandmasterseesseveralpotentialmatingpatterns(Diagrams644and645)andbeginstosetupacombination.644645 8....Bc5-b6AllofWhite’sminorpiecesaswellashisQueenaretakingpartinhisattack,whiletheBlackpiecesareplacedpassivelyandareunabletohelptheirKing.9.Nd5-f6+!g7xf6Forced.10.Qxh7#(matingpatternofDiagram644)wasthreatened.10.Bg5xf6Whitehasthedoublethreatof11.Ng5followedby12.Qxh7#(matingpatternofDiagram644)and11.Qh6followedby12.Qg7#(matingpatternofDiagram645).SinceBlackcannotdefendagainstboththreats,heresigned.ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram646.646TheWorldChampion’sopponentplayedaimlesslyandwasroutedrightatthestartofthegame. Game94Mardle–Gaprindashvili,Hastings1965SicilianDefense1.e2-e4c7-c52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c6TheWomen’sWorldChampionNonaGaprindashviliplayedthisgameinamen’stournament.2.d2-d4c5xd43.Nf3xd4e7-e64.Bc1-e3Ng8-f65.Nb1-d2Apassivemove!6.Bd3isstronger.Alsopossibleis6.Nc3,butWhitedidn’tlikethepinarisingafter6....Bb4.6....e6-e5Blackcanallowherselftomaketwomoveswiththee-pawnintheopeningbecauseWhite’slastmovewasweak.7.Nd4xc6d7xc6OpeningadiagonalfortheBishop.8.f2-f3PreventingBlackfromplayingherKnighttog4.8....Bf8-e79.Bf1-c40-0 10.0-0Nf6-h5WiththeideaofexchangingBishopsafter11....Bg5.11.Nd2-b3Saferis11.g3.11....Be7-g512.Be3-c512.Qxd8isofcoursebadbecauseofthein-betweencheck12....Bxe3+,winningapiece.12....Qd8-f6TheWomen’sWorldChampionseesapossibilityofcreatinga“Greco’sMate”pattern(Diagram647),andsosheleavesherRookenprise.64713.Bc5xf8?Whitedoesnotnoticethetrap.Hehadtoplay13.f4Nxf414.Bxf8,withadouble-edgedposition. 13....Bg5-e3+14.Kg1-h1??Matecouldhavebeenpreventedonlyby14.Rf2.14....Nh5-g3+!Whiteresigns.15.hxg3Qh6#isa“Greco’smate”(patternofDiagram647).ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram648.648TheWomen’sWorldChampionwasn’tplayingspeciallytocatchheropponentinatrap,anditwasn’therfaultifhevoluntarilyfellintothetrapandgotmated!Game95Gaprindashvili–Servati,Germany1974SicilianDefense 1.e2-e4c7-c52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.d2-d4WhitewasNonaGaprindashvili,Women’sWorldChampionfrom1962to1978.3....c5xd44.Nf3xd4g7-g6TheDragonVariation.5.c2-c4Controllingd5.5....Bf8-g76.Bc1-e3Ng8-f67.Nb1-c3Nf6-g48.Qd1xg48.Nxc6isunsatisfactorybecauseof8....Nxe39.Nxd8Nxd110.Nxd1Kxd8,withthebettergameforBlack.8....Nc6xd49.Qg4-d1e7-e59....Ne6wouldgivebetterchancesofequalizing.10.Nc3-b50-011.Bf1-e2Qd8-h4?Blackhadtoplay11....Nxb512.cxb5d613.Bc4Be6,withanapproximatelyequalgame. 12.Nb5xd4e5xd413.Be3xd4Qh4xe414.Bd4xg7Qe4xg2?Nogoodcancomeoutofgreediness.Blackshouldhaveplayed14....Kxg7,althougheventhenWhitehasthefreergameafter15.0-0.15.Qd1-d4!Aprettydouble-Rooksacrifice!TheWomen’sWorldChampionseesthepotentialmatingpatternshowninDiagram649.64915....Qg2xh1+16.Ke1-d2Qh1xa1?AgainBlackisgreedy.Hestillhadsomechancesofsavinghisgamebyplaying16....Qxh2,controllingh6.17.Qd4-f6!Blackonlynowrealizedthathewasinatrap,andcapitulated.ThereisnodefensetobeseenagainstWhite’sthreatof18.Bh6followedby19.Qg7#(matingpatternofDiagram649).Theimmediate17.Bh6wouldnothave worked,becauseof17....f6,defendingagainstthemate.ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram650.650Blackmadeamistakeinhiscalculationofthevariations.HeoverlookedtheWomen’sWorldChampion’slastmove,whichmadeitimpossibleforBlacktosavehimself.Game96Shamkovich–Ivashin,1946RuyLopez1.e2-e4e7-e52.Ng1-f3Nb8-c63.Bf1-b5a7-a64.Bb5-a4d7-d65.c2-c4 Withtheideaofstrengtheninghiscontroloverb5andd5.5....Ng8-e76.Nb1-c3Bc8-g4PinningtheKnight.7.d2-d4Whitesacrificesapawnwiththeaimofdevelopinghispiecesasrapidlyaspossible.7....e5xd48.Nc3-d5Thewell-knownGrandmasterplayingWhiteanticipatedseveralpossiblematingpatternsatthispoint(seeDiagrams651–656).651652 653654655 6568....Ra8-b8Blackpreparesthemove...b5totryandfreehisKnightfromthepin.8....g6wasnotpossible,becauseof9.Nf6#(patternofDiagram651—asmotheredmate).9.Bc1-g5b7-b510.c4xb5a6xb511.Ba4-b3Nc6-e5?Delightedatbeingunpinned,theBlackKnightrushestoattackthepinnedWhiteKnight.However,BlackshouldhaveinsteadbeenthinkingofhowtounpinhisotherKnight(theoneone7)andprepareforcastling.11....f6immediately,though,wouldnotwork,becauseof12.Bxf6gxf613.Nxf6#(matingpatternofDiagram652).12.Nf3xe5!ThismovehadbeenoverlookedbyBlack.12....Ne7xd5Aprettymatewouldhaveresultedafter12....Bxd113.Nf6+!gxf614.Bxf7#(matingpatternofDiagram653).IfinsteadBlackplays12....dxe5,hewillremainapiecedownafter13.Qxg4. 13.Qd1xg4f7-f614.Bg5xf6!!BlackcantaketheBishopinanyoneofthreeways,butineachcasehegetsmated.Ifhetakeswiththepawnby14....gxf6,then15.Qh5+Ke716.Qf7#(patternofDiagram654—anepaulettemate).IfhetakeswiththeKnightby14....Nxf6,then15.Bf7+Ke716.Qe6#(patternofDiagram655—anepaulettemate).Finally,ifhetakeswiththeQueenby14....Qxf6,then15.Qd7#(patternofDiagram656).SoBlackresigned.ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram657.657Blackstartedactiveoperationsbeforecompletinghisdevelopmentandunderestimatedhisopponent’sthreats.Asaresult,hedeservedlylost. Game97Marshall–Burn,Paris1900Queen’sGambitDeclinedThisprettygame,whichwetakefromFrankMarshall’sbookMarshall’sBestGamesofChess,isannotatedbythegrandmasterinanoriginalandamusingway:“Iattributethewinlargelytothefactthatmyopponentneverhadtimetogethispipelit!...BritisherAmosBurnwasaveryconservativeplayerandlikedtosettledownforalongsessionofclose,defensivechess.Helovedtosmokehispipewhilehestudiedtheboard.AsImademysecondmove,Burnbeganhuntingthroughhispocketsforhispipeandtobacco.”1.d2-d4d7-d52.c2-c4e7-e63.Nb1-c3Ng8-f64.Bc1-g5Bf8-e7“Notmuchthoughtneededonthesemoves,butBurnhadhispipeoutandwaslookingforapipecleaner.”5.e2-e30-06.Ng1-f3b7-b67.Bf1-d3Bc8-b78.c4xd5e6xd5“Hebeganfillinguphispipe.Ispeededupmymoves.”9.Bg5xf6Be7xf610.h2-h4“Madehimthinkonthatone—andhestilldidn’thavethepipegoing.Thethreatis11.Bxh7+Kxh712.Ng5+,knownasthePillsburyattack.” 10....g7-g6(Amistake.10....c5isbetter—Pelts).11.h4-h5Rf8-e8(Alossoftime.Hehadtoplay11....Qe7andanswer12.hxg6with12....fxg6,allowingtheQueentotakepartinthedefenseoftheKing—Pelts).12.hxg6hxg6“Nowhewaslookingformatches.”13.Qd1-c2Bf6-g7(Aseriousmistake,fornowtheBishopnolongercontrolstheimportantg5square.Itwasnecessarytoplay13....Kg714.0-0-0Nd7,whenBlackwouldhavegooddefensivechances—Pelts).14.Bxg6(Marshallseesseveralpotentialmatingpatterns[Diagrams658–660]andmakesanabsolutelysoundsacrificeofaBishopfortwopawns—Pelts).658 65966014....f7xg6“Hestruckamatch,appearednervous.Thematchburnedhisfingersandwentout.”15.Qc2xg6Nb8-d7“Anothermatchwasonitsway.”(15....Re7wouldnotsaveBlack,becauseof16.Ng5[threatening17Rh8+!followedby18.Qh7#—thematingpatternofDiagram660],and16....Kf8wouldbemetby17.Nh7+Kg818.Nf6+Kf819.Rh8+Bxh820.Qg8#—thematingpatternofDiagram658—Pelts.)16.Nf3-g5 (Threatens17.Qf7#—thematingpatternofDiagram659—Pelts).16....Qd8-f6“Hewaspuffingawayandlightingupatlast.Notimeleft.”17.Rh1-h8+Resigns“Forif17....Kxh8,18.Qh7#.”(MatingpatternofDiagram660.ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram661.—Pelts).661“PoorBurn.IthinkIswindledhimoutofthatone.Ifhecouldonlyhavegotthatpipegoing,itmighthavebeenadifferentstory.Hetookitgood-naturedlyandweshookhands.Thenhispipewentout.”TothesecommentsbythegreatMarshallwecanonlyaddthatheplayedthegamebrilliantly,whilehisopponenthelpedhimbyunderestimatingWhite’sattack. Game98Keres-Meeke,Correspondence,1933King’sGambit1.e2-e4e7-e52.f2-f4Whitewasasixteen-year-oldEstonianchessplayerwholaterbecameoneofthetopplayersintheworld.2....e5xf43.Nb1-c3Qd8-h4+4.Ke1-e2d7-d5!Theopponentsareplayingaverysharpopeningvariationthatgiveschancestowintobothsides.Withhislastmove,Blackreturnsthepawninordertogaintime.5.Nc3xd5Bc8-g4+6.Ng1-f3Nb8-c6SacrificingaRooktolaunchadangerousattackagainsttheWhiteKing,whichisstrandedinthecenter.Insuchsharppositions,asinglemistakecanleadtoacatastrophe.7.Nd5xc7+Ke8-d88.Nc7xa8Nc6-e5Thissetsupthepossibilityof9....Nxf310.gxf3Bxf3+!11.Kxf3Qh5+12.anyQxd1.9.h2-h3! WhiteispreparedtoreturnsomematerialinordertoweakenBlack’sattack.Now9....Nxf3canbemetby10.hxg4Nd4+11.Kd3Qxh112.Kxd4,andWhite’spositionisbetter,sincehecanlaterhidehisKingonc2afterthepreliminarymovec2-c3.9....Bg4-h5Alsopossiblewas9....Bxf3+10.gxf3Qg311.d3,withunclearplay.Black,however,hasinmindthematingpatternshowninDiagram662andsodecidestokeephisBishop.66210.Rh1-g1?Thedecisivemistake!Alossofvaluabletime!WhitemustinsteadsacrificehisQueentomaintainapproximateequality:10.d4!Nxf311.gxf3Bxf3+12.Kxf3Qh5+13.Kg2Qxd114.Bd3.10....Qh4-g3NowtheKnightonf3cannotbedefended. 11.Qd1-e1Only11.d3wouldpreventmate,butafter11....Nxf312.gxf3Qxf3+Whitewouldsufferhugemateriallosses.11....Bh5xf3+12.g2xf3Qg3xf3#ThematingpatternofDiagram662.ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram663.663Whitelosteventhoughhejustmadeonemistake!Game99Johner–Tartakower,1928SicilianDefense1.e2-e4c7-c5 Blackwasafamousgrandmaster.2.Ng1-f3Ng8-f6Araremove.3.Nb1-c33.e5wouldbemetby3....Nd5,withchancesforbothsides.3....d7-d54.e4xd54.e5isnotdangerousforBlackinviewof4....d45.exf6dxc36.fxg7cxd2+,withanevengame.4....Nf6xd55.Nc3-e4Itwouldbebettertobringfreshforcesintoplay.Forexample,5.Bb5+Bd76.Ne5Bxb57.Qf3f68.Nxb5fxe59.Qxd5Qxd510.Nc7+,withadvantagetoWhite.5....e7-e66.d2-d4c5xd47.Nf3xd4Bf8-e78.Bf1-b5+Bc8-d79.c2-c4Nd5-f610.Ne4-c30-011.0-0Qd8-c7Thepositioniseven.Bothsideshavefinishedtheirdevelopmentwithoutdifficulty. 12.Qd1-e2Nb8-c613.Nd4-f3ItwouldbemorelogicaltoexchangeKnightsinsteadoflosingtimebyretreating.13....Rf8-e8Preparingtopushthee-pawn.14.Bc1-g5Saferwouldbe14.h3,controllingg4.14....Nf6-g4!PreparingthematingpatternshowninDiagram664.66415.Bg5xe7?JohnerdoesnotsuspectanythinganddecidestoexchangeBishops.IfhehaddiscoveredWhite’sthreat,hewouldhavereplied15.g3.15....Nc6-d4! Anin-betweenmove!InsteadofcapturingtheBishop,Blackmakesuseofthetacticalmotifofdeflection.Whiteresignedsince16.Nxd4wouldbemetby16....Qxh2#(patternofDiagram664)and16.Qd3wouldfailto16....Nxf3+17....Qxh2#(patternofDiagram664).ThefinalgamepositionisshowninDiagram665.665WhitelostbecausehedidnotseeBlack’sthreatintime.Game100Serebryanskii–vanGompelCorrespondence,1973Queen’sPawnGame1.d2-d4d7-d52.Ng1-f3Ng8-f63.e2-e3e7-e64.Bf1-d3c7-c55.0-0Nb8-c6 6.b2-b3Bf8-d67.Bc1-b20-08.Nf3-e5ThisquietopeningisknownastheQueen’sPawnGame.SometimesWhiteplays8.a3here,deprivingtheBlackKnightoftheb4square.8....Qd8-c79.f2-f4WiththeideaoftransferringtheRooktotheKingsideviaf3.9....c5xd410.e3xd4Nc6-b411.Nb1-c3Nb4xd3EliminatingthedangerousBishopthatwaspointedatBlack’sKingside.12.Qd1xd3a7-a6DeprivingtheWhiteKnightoftheb5square.13.Rf1-f3!WhitehascompletedhisdevelopmentandisreadytoattacktheenemyKing.13....b7-b5Black’sdesiretobringouthislight-squareBishopisunderstandable,butitwasmoreimportanttoseetothesafetyofhisKingbyplaying13....g6,withtheideaof14....Ne8and15....f5.14.Rf3-h3Bc8-b7?? Blacksuspectsnothing.14....g6wasobligatory.ThepositionisnowripeforcombinationalplayandWhitevisualizesseveralpotentialmatingpatterns(Diagrams666–670).666667668 66967015.Ne5-g4!TodeflecttheKnightfromthedefenseofh7.15....Nf6-e4BlockingtheQueen’spath.15....Nxg4wouldofcourseallow16.Qxh7#(patternofDiagram666).16.Nc3xe4!EliminatingtheKnight,whichwascontrollingf6. 16....d5xe417.Ng4-f6+!ExposingtheKing.17....g7xf6Else18.Rxh7#(patternofDiagram667—anArabianmate).18.Qd3-g3+Kg8-h819.Qg3-h4ResignsForthereisnosatisfactorydefenseagainstthethreatof20.Qxh7#(if20....h6or...h5,then21.Qxh6(5)+and22.Qh7#).BlackmustsuccumbtooneofthematingpatternsshowninDiagrams668(epaulettemate),669,and670.ThefinalpositionisshowninDiagram671.671BlacklostthisgamebecauseheunderestimatedWhite’sattack. LessonTwelveTestOneWriteyouranswersbelow.672Whitetoplayanddraw.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 673Blacktoplay.Canheavoidlosingapiece?__________________________________________________________________________________________674 Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________675Blacktoplayresigned.Why?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 676Whitetoplay.Findhisstrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________677 HowdoesWhitequeenhispawnifitishisturntoplay?AndifitisBlack’sturn?__________________________________________________________________________________________ TestTwoWriteyouranswersbelow.678Whitetoplayanddraw.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 679Whitetoplay.Whydidheresign?__________________________________________________________________________________________680Blacktoplayandwinapiece. __________________________________________________________________________________________681Whitetoplay.Findthestrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 682Whitetoplayandwinapiece.__________________________________________________________________________________________683 Whitetoplayandqueenhispawn.CanBlacksavehimselfifitishismove?__________________________________________________________________________________________ TestThreeWriteyouranswersbelow.684Blacktoplay.Canhewinthepawnone4?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 685Blacktoplayandwinapiece.__________________________________________________________________________________________686Whitetoplayandwinapiece. __________________________________________________________________________________________687Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 688Is1....Bg7xd4agoodmove?__________________________________________________________________________________________689Blacktoplayandqueenapawn. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestFourWriteyouranswersbelow.690Whitetoplayandwinapiece.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 691Is1....Bd5-e4(doubleattack)agoodmove?__________________________________________________________________________________________692Blacktoplayandwinapiece. __________________________________________________________________________________________693Whitetoplay.Findthestrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 694Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________695 Whitetoplayandqueenhispawn.CanBlacksavehimselfifitishisturntoplay?__________________________________________________________________________________________ TestFiveWriteyouranswersbelow.696Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.(TheWhiteKingandRookhavenotmovedinthegamesofar.)__________________________________________________________________________________________697Blacktoplayandwinapiece. __________________________________________________________________________________________698Whitetoplayandwinapiece.__________________________________________________________________________________________699Blacktoplayandwinapiece. __________________________________________________________________________________________700Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________701 Whitetoplay.Canhequeenhispawn?CanBlackstopthepawnifitishisturntoplay?__________________________________________________________________________________________ TestSixWriteyouranswersbelow.702Blacktoplay.Whatishisstrongestcontinuation?__________________________________________________________________________________________703Blacktoplay.Whydidheresign? __________________________________________________________________________________________704Blacktoplayandwinapawn.__________________________________________________________________________________________705WhitetoplayandwinaRook. __________________________________________________________________________________________706Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________707Whitetoplayandqueenhispawn. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestSevenWriteyouranswerbelow,708Whitetoplayanddraw.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 709Whitetoplayandwinapiece.__________________________________________________________________________________________710Whitetoplay.Howcanheavoidlosingapiece? __________________________________________________________________________________________711Blacktoplayandmateinthreemoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 712Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________713Whitetoplayandqueenhispawn.Blacktoplayanddraw. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestEightWriteyouranswerbelow.714Whitetoplayanddraw.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 715Is1.Rf1-e1agoodmove?__________________________________________________________________________________________716Blacktoplayandwinapiece. __________________________________________________________________________________________717Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 718Whitetoplayandmateinfourmoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________719Showthattheresultshouldbeadrawnomatterwhomovesfirst. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestNineWriteyouranswersbelow.720Blacktoplay.Howshouldthegameend?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 721Whitetoplayandwinapiece.__________________________________________________________________________________________722Whitetoplayandwinapawn. __________________________________________________________________________________________723Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 724Whitetoplay.Findhisstrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________725Whitetoplayandqueenhispawn. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestTenWriteyouranswersbelow.726Whitetoplayanddraw.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 727Whitetoplayandwinapiece.__________________________________________________________________________________________728Blacktoplay.CanhesavehisQueen? __________________________________________________________________________________________729Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 730Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________731Whitetoplayandqueenapawn. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestElevenWriteyouranswersbelow.732Blacktoplayanddraw.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 733Blacktoplay.CanhesavehisBishop?__________________________________________________________________________________________734Whitetoplayandwinmaterial. __________________________________________________________________________________________735Whitetoplayandwinmaterial.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 736Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________737 HowshouldthegameendifitisWhite’sturntoplay?AndifitisBlack’sturn?__________________________________________________________________________________________ TestTwelveWriteyouranswersbelow.738Blacktoplay.ShowhowWhitematesBlackinonemoveaftereachofBlack’spossiblemoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 739Blacktoplay.Findhisstrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________740Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. __________________________________________________________________________________________741Is1.Ng3xh5agoodmove?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 742Theplayerwhoseturnitistomovewins.__________________________________________________________________________________________743Whitetoplayandqueenapawn.CanBlacksavehimselfifitishismove? __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestThirteenWriteyouranswersbelow.744WhitetoplayandwinBlack’sQueen.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 745BlacktoplayandwinWhite’sQueen.__________________________________________________________________________________________746Whitetoplay.Findhisstrongestcontinuation. __________________________________________________________________________________________747Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 748Is1....Bb7xg2agoodmove?__________________________________________________________________________________________749Whitetoplay.CanBlacksavehimself? __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestFourteenWriteyouranswerbelow.750Whitetoplay.Howshouldthegameend?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 751Whitetoplay.Findhisstrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________752Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves. __________________________________________________________________________________________753Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 754Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________755Whitetoplayandqueenapawn. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestFifteenWriteyouranswersbelow.756Whitetoplayandwinmaterial.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 757WhitetoplayandwinBlack’sQueen.__________________________________________________________________________________________758Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. __________________________________________________________________________________________759Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 760Whitetoplay.Findhisstrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________761 CanWhitewinifitishisturntoplay?WhatwouldhappenifitwereBlack’sturn?__________________________________________________________________________________________ TestSixteenWriteyouranswersbelow.762Whitetoplay.Canhewinapiece?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 763Whitetoplayandwinmaterial.__________________________________________________________________________________________764CanWhitetoplayavoidlosingapiece? __________________________________________________________________________________________765Blacktoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 766Blacktoplay.Findawinningcombinationforhim.__________________________________________________________________________________________767 Whitetoplayandqueenapawn.CanBlacksavehimselfifitishisturntoplay?__________________________________________________________________________________________ TestSeventeenWriteyouranswersbelow.768Whitetoplay.Findhisstrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 769WhitetoplayandwinBlack’sQueen.__________________________________________________________________________________________770Whitetoplayandwinapiece. __________________________________________________________________________________________771Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 772Whitetoplay.Findawinningcombinationforhim.__________________________________________________________________________________________773 Whitetoplayandqueenapawn.CouldBlacksavehimselfifitwerehisturntoplay?__________________________________________________________________________________________ TestEighteenWriteyouranswersbelow.774Whitetoplayandwinmaterial.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 775Whitetoplay.Findawinningcombinationforhim.__________________________________________________________________________________________776Whitetoplay.Canheavoidlosingapiece? __________________________________________________________________________________________777CanBlackavoidgettingmatedonthebackrank?__________________________________________________________________________________________ 778Showhowtheplayerwhoseturnitistoplaywins.__________________________________________________________________________________________779Showhowthegameisdrawnnomatterwhomovesfirst. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestNineteenWriteyouranswersbelow.780Whitetoplayandwinmaterial.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 781Whitetoplay.Findhisstrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________782Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves. __________________________________________________________________________________________783Whitetoplayandmateinthreemoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 784Blacktoplayandmateinthreemoves(twosolutions.)__________________________________________________________________________________________785Showthatthegameshouldbedrawnnomatterwhomovesfirst. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestTwentyWriteyouranswersbelow.786Blacktoplayandwinmaterial.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 787Whitetoplay.Findhisstrongestcontinuation.__________________________________________________________________________________________788Whitetoplay.Canheavoidlosingapiece? __________________________________________________________________________________________789Whitetoplayandmateintwomoves.__________________________________________________________________________________________ 790Blacktoplay.Findawinningcombinationforhim.__________________________________________________________________________________________791ShowthatWhitewinsnomatterwhomovesfirst. __________________________________________________________________________________________ TestOneAnswersDiagram6721.Bd1-c2+!(Doubleattack)1....Qb1xc2;2.Nf1-e3+(fork)2....Bf4xe3stalemate.Diagram673Ilyin-Zhenevsky–Levenfish,Moscow1936.Blackavoidslosingapieceasfollows:1....Qd7-d4!2.Bb5xc6+b7xc63.Qe4xd4(if3.Qxc6+,then3....Kf7)3....Ne3-c2+(fork)4.anyNc2xd4.Diagram6741.Qf1-f8+Re8xf82.Rc8xf8#(aback-rankmate).Diagram675Pelts–Fauzi,ChessOlympics,Lucerne1982.Whiteisthreatening1.Qf8+Rxf82.Rxf8#.If1....Kh8,then2.R1d7(threatening3.Qf8+Rxf84.Rxf8+Bg85.Bg7#)2....Rxd83.Rxd8+Bg84.Qf8andBlackcannotavoidmate.Diagram676Reti–Bogoljubow,NewYork1924.1.Bf7-e8!Blackresigned.If1....Rxe8,then2.Qxf8+Rxf83.Rxf8#(back-rankmate);if1....Be7,then2.Qf8Bxf83.Rxf8#(back-rankmate);if1....h6,then2.Qxf8+Kh73.Bg6+Kxg64.Qf5#;if1....h5,then2.Qxf8+,andWhiteisupaBishop.Diagram677Whitetoplay:1.Kd5-e6Kb8-c82.Ke6-e7andthepawnqueensbyforce. Blacktoplay:1....Kb8-c82.Kd5-c6(or2.Ke6)2....Kc8-d83.d6-d7etc.TestTwoAnswersDiagram6781.Nf4-g6+!Bf5xg6(orelse2.Kxh7follows)stalemate.Diagram679Leonhardt–Englund,Stockholm1908.Blackthreatens1....Rxh2+Kxh2Rh8+3.Bh6Rxh6#(Anastasia’smate).If1.h3,then1....Rxh3#,whileon1.Bf4thereply1....Nxf4isdecisive.Diagram680Bogoljubow–Capablanca,NewYork1924.1....Rc8xc5!Whiteresigned.If2.Rxc4,then2....Rxc4,while2.dxc5isfollowedby2....Qxc5+(doubleattack)3.anyRxc1.Diagram6811.Ra1-f1(or1.Rh1-f1)apin.Ifnow1....Rxg2+,then2.Qxg2Bxg23.Rxf8#isaback-rankmate.Diagram682Capablanca–Tanarov,NewYork1910.1.Qg3xe5!Qc7xe52.Nh6xf7+(doubleattack)2....Kh8-g8(if2....Rxf7,then3.Rd8+Qe84.Rxe8+Rf85.Rxf8#isaaback-rankmate).3.Nf7xe5andBlackresigned.Diagram683Whitetoplaywinsasfollows:1.Kg5-f6Kg8-f82.f4-f5Kf8-e8(if2....Kg8,then3.Ke7)3.Kf6-g7andthepawnwillqueenbyforce.Blacktoplaydraws:1....Kg8-g7!(takingtheopposition)2.Kg5-f5Kg7-f7(againtheopposition)3.Kf5-e5Kf7-e7(stillkeepingtheopposition)4.f4-f5Ke7-f75.f5-f6Kf7-f86.Ke5-e6Kf8-e8(theopposition)7.f6-f7+Ke8-f88.Ke6-f6stalemate. TestThreeAnswersDiagram684No,Blackcannotwinthepawnone4;if1....Nf6xe4,then2.Rd6xc6!Rc8xc63.Re1xe4(anequaltrade);if1....Bc6xe4,then2.Rd6xf6!g7xf63.Re1xe4,andagainthetradehasbeenequal,eachsidehavinglostsixpointsforthofmaterial.Diagram685Hasenfus–Flohr,Latvia1937.1....Qf6-g5+2.Kg2-h1(if2.Kh3,then2....Qg4#)2....Qg5xd2(theNonf3ispinned;Whiteresigned).Diagram686Stahlberg–Saemisch.1.Qh5-g6+!Blackresigned,sinceif1....Qxg6(orelse2.Qxh6+follows),then2.f5xg6+(fork)2....any3.g6xf7.Diagram6871.Qf1-f6+!e7xf62.e5xf6+(or2.gxf6+)2....Kg7-g83.Rh2xh8#.Diagram688Eve–Loman,Rotterdam1923.1....Bg7xd4??2.Qh3-h8+Bd4xh83.Rh1xh8#.Diagram6891....Kc5-c4(puttingWhiteinZugzwang)2.Kb2-a1b3-b2+!!3.Ka1xa2(if3.Kxb2,then3....a1Q+4.Kxa1Kb35.Kb1—takingtheopposition—5....Ka36.Ka1—keepingtheopposition—6....b37.Kb1b28.Kc2Ka2andBlackwins)3....b2-b1Q+!4.Ka2xb1Kc4-b3(takingtheopposition)5.Kb1-c1(if5.Ka1,then5....Kc2)5....Kb3-a2andthepawnwillqueenbyforce. TestFourAnswersDiagram6901.Qd6xd4!(if1.Qxd8,then1....Qxd8;if1.cxb6,then1....Rxd6)1....Rd8xd42.c5xb6.Diagram6911....Bd5-e4?(doubleattack)2.Rh7-h8+(anin-betweencheck)2....Kb8-b73.Nb5-d6+(fork)any4.Nd6xe4.Diagram692Pirc–Stolz,Prague1931.1....Qa3-a1+(askewer)Whiteresigned.If2.Ke2,then2....Qxh1;if2.Qd1,then2....Qxc3+;if2.Nd1,then2....Qxd4(thepawnone3ispinned).Diagram693Keres–Levenfish,Moscow1949.1.Qd2xb4!Blackresigned.If1....Rxb4,then2.Rc8+Ng8(or2....Nxc83.Re8#—abackrankmate)3.Re8xg8+!Kh8xg84.Re2-e8#(aback-rankmate).If1....Re8,then2.Qxe7Rxe73.Rc8+Re84.Rxe8#Diagram694Morphy–Amateur,NewYork1857.1.Rf3-f8+!Qe8xf82.Rf1xf8+Ra8xf83.Qh6xg6#(anepaulettemate). Diagram695Whitetoplay:1.Ke5-e6!(takingtheopposition)1....Ke8-d8(if1....Kf8,then2.Kd7Kf73.Kc7)2.Ke6-d6(opposition)2....Kd8-c8(if2....Ke8,then3.Kc7)3.Kd6-e7andthepawnqueensbyforce.Blacktomovedraws:1....Ke8-e7!(takingtheopposition)2.d5-d6+Ke7-d73.Ke5-d5Kd7-d8!4.Kd5-e6(if4.Kc6,then4....Kc8!,keepingtheopposition)4....Kd8-e8!(opposition)5.d6-d7+Ke8-d86.Ke6-d6stalemate.TestFiveAnswersDiagram6961.0-0Kh3-g32.Rf1-f3#Diagram697Makogonov–Chehover.1....Qg4-h4+!(adoubleattack;theWhiteQueenispinned).Whiteresigned,sinceafter2.anytherefollows2....Qxf6.Diagram698Morphy–Mongredien,Paris1859.1.Qc4-b4!(adoubleattack).Blackresigned,sinceif1....Nd7(1....Qxb4leadstoaback-rankmate:2.Re8+Qf83.Rxf8#),then2.Qxb7.Diagram699Alekhine–Bogoljubow,Match,Berlin1929.1....Qd3-e4!(adoubleattack).Whiteresigned,sinceif2.Rxe4,then2....Rc1+3.Re1Rxe1#isaback-rankmate,while2.Qb1ismetby2....Qxa4.Diagram700Vladimirov–Bobotsov,1966.1.Qh4-h8+!.Blackresigned,sinceif1....Bxh8(if1....Ke7,then2.Qe8#),then2.Rg8+Ke73.Re8#. Diagram701Whitetoplaywinsby1.a3-a4,sincetheBlackKingcannotenterthesquareofthepawn:1....Kg3-f42.a4-a5Kf4-e53.a5-a6Ke5-d54.a6-a7Kd5-c65.a7-a8Q+.BlacktoplaywillstopthepawnsincehisKingcanenterthesquareofthepawnby1....Kg3-f3,e.g.:2.a3-a4Kf3-e43.a4-a5Ke4-d54.a5-a6Kd5-c65.a6-a7Kc6-b76.a7-a8Q+Kb7xa8.TestSixAnswersDiagram702Keres–Holmov,Moscow1948.1....Qh3-g4+!(doubleattack)2.f3xg4stalemate(orelseBlackplays2....Qxa4,winningbackhispawn,afterwhichthegameshouldbeadraw).Diagram703Morphy–Bogier,Paris1858.BlackisfacedwithadoubleattackontheBishopond7andthepawnonh6;ifhesavestheBishopby1....Bxe6,then2.Rxh6+gxh63.Qxh6#.Diagram704Chekhover–Kasparyan,Moscow1936.1....Nf6xe4!Thepawnonf3ispinned:if2.fxe4,then2....Bxe2.If2.Qxe4,then2....Bg6pinsandwinstheWhiteQueen.Diagram7051.Kf6-e6!(adoubleattack!TheRookisattackedand2.Rh8#isthreatenedatthesametime!)1....Ke8-f82.Ke6xd5.Diagram706Romanovski–Rohlin,Moscow1927.1.Qh5-g6!(threatening2.Qh7#).Blackresigned.If1....hxg5,then2.Qh5#; if1....Qd3,then2.Nf7#.Diagram7071.Kd4-e5Ke8-e7(opposition:if1....Kf8,then2.Kf6withtheopposition)2.Ke5-f5Ke7-e83.Kf5-e6(opposition)3....Ke8-f84.Ke6-f6(opposition)4....Kf8-g85.g6-g7Kg8-h76.Kf6-f7andthepawnwillqueenbyforce.TestSevenAnswersDiagram708Gurgenidze–Suetin,Moscow1961.1.Rf7xh7+!Kh6xh72.Qe8-h8+!Kh7xh8stalemate.Diagram709Chigorin–Janowski,Paris1900.1.Qc3-c5!BlackresignedbecauseofthedoublethreatofcapturingtheBishoponf5and2.Qf8#.Diagram7101.Rc5-d5!1.Rc4wouldnotsavethepiece,becauseof1....c52.Rxc5Rxd4+)1....c6xd52.Bd4xf6+(theunpinnedBishopmakesadoubleattack)2....any3.Bf6xd8.Diagram7111....Rd7-d1+!2.Rb1xd1(if2.Nxd1,then2....Qe1#—aback-rankmate)2....Rd8xd1+3.Nc3xd1Qa5-e1#(aback-rankmate).Diagram712Johanson–Rey,1935.1.Rh3-h8+!Kg8xh82.Qe8xf8+Rg7-g83.Qf8-h6#.Diagram713Whitetoplaywinsasfollows:1.Kc5-c6(opposition)1....Ke6-e72.Kc6-b7Ke7-d63.a2-a4andthepawnwillqueenbyforce. Blacktoplaydrawsasfollows:1....Ke6-d72.Kc5-b6Kd7-c83.Kb6-a7(if3.a4,then3....Kb8[opposition]4.a5Ka85.a6Kb8[opposition]6.a7+Ka87.Ka6stalemate)3....Kc8-c7(opposition)4.a2-a4Kc7-c85.a4-a5Kc8-c7(opposition)6.a5-a6Kc7-c87.Ka7-a8(opposition)7....Kc8-c78.a6-a7Kc7-c8stalemate.TestEightAnswersDiagram714Troitzky–Foht,1896.1.Qc2-d1+!!(doubleattack)1....Qf3xd1stalemate(orelse2.Qxf3).Diagram7151.Rf1-e1?(pin)1....Ne5-f3+(doubleattack)2.g2xf3Qe8xe1+.Diagram716Stolyar–Averbakh,Leningrad1938.1....Rd8xd1!2.Re1xd1(if2.Qxc6,then2....Rxe1+3.Kg2Rxc6)2....Qc6xg2+3.Kh1xg2Ng4-e3+(fork)4.anyNe3xd1.Diagram7171....Qc2-d1+!2.Ke1xd1Rf5-f1#(back-rankmate).Diagram7181.Qh2xh7+!Nf8xh72.Re1-e8+Nh7-f83.Re8xf8+Kg8xf84.Rh1-h8#(aback-rankmate).Diagram719Whitetoplay:1.Kd5-e5Kd7-d8!2.Ke5-e6Kd8-e8!(opposition)3.d6-d7+Ke8-d84.Ke6-d6stalemate.Blacktoplay:1....Kd7-d8!2.Kd5-c6Kd8-c8(opposition)3.d6-d7+Kc8-d84.Kc6-d6stalemate. TestNineAnswersDiagram720EmanuelLasker–Lisitsyn,Moscow1935.Blackdrawsbyperpetualcheck:1....Qf4xf2+2.Kg1-h1Qf2-h4+3.Kh1-g1Qh4-e1+4.Kg1-h2Qe1-h4+(ifBlackdoesn’ttaketheperpetualcheck,Whitewillqueenhispawnond7.)Diagram7211.g2-g4Adoubleattack.TheRookisattackedandatthesametimethefork2.g5+isthreatened.Diagram7221.Bc4xf7+!Kg8xf72.Nf3-e5+(theKnightescapesfromthepinandforkstheWhiteKingandBishop)2....any3.Ne5xg4Nf6xg44.Qd1xg4.Diagram7231....Bb3-a2+2.Kb1-a1Rg1xc1#(Aback-rankmate.)Diagram724Bronstein–Keres,Budapest1950.1.Qg5-h6!.Blackresigned.2.Qg7#isthreatened,and1....Qxb1+wouldbemetby2.Kh2Rg83.Qxh7+!Kxh74.Rh4#.Diagram7251.Na6-b4!!(Blackwasthreateningadoubleattackby1....Kb5.If1.Nb8,then1....Kb52.a6Kb63.Ke5Ka7—againadoubleattack.If1.Nc7,then1....Kc52.Ke5Kc63.N-anyKb5andthepawnislost.)1....Kc4-b5(If1....Kxb4,then2.a6andthepawnwillqueen.)2.a5-a6Kb5-b63.Kf4-e5Kb6-a74.Ke5-d6Ka7-b6(opposition)5.Kd6-d7Kb6-a76.Kd7-c6Ka7-a8(opposition)7.Kc6-b6Ka8-b8(opposition)8.Nb4-d5Kb8-a89.Nd5-c7+Ka8-b8(opposition)10.a6-a7+andthepawnwillqueen. TestTenAnswersDiagram7261.Kg3-h4!any2.g2-g3!anystalemate.Diagram7271.Ng5xe6f7xe62.Qd1-h5+(doubleattack)2....any3.Qh5xc5.Diagram728BlackcansavehisQueenafter1....Nf8-e6+(anin-betweencheck).Diagram7291....Qf1xb1+!2.Ka1xb1(theRookonb2ispinned)2....Rd8-d1#(aback-rankmate).Diagram730Verlinski–Yuhtman,USSR1949.1.Rg5-g7!Blackresigned.Thethreatis2.Rxh7#(Arabmate).1....Qb1wouldbemetby2.Rg8+Rxg83.Rxg8#(Arabmate),whileif1....Ra7,then2.Rg8+Qxg83.Rxg8#,againwithanArabmate.Diagram7311.d3-d4!(If1.Kg4,then1....Kc52.Kf5Kxd5andBlackshoulddrawwithcorrectplay)1....Kb5-b62.Kh3-g4Kb6-c73.Kg4-f5Kc7-d64.Kf5-e4Kd6-d75.Ke4-e5Kd7-e7(opposition)6.d5-d6+Ke7-d77.Ke5-d5(opposition)7....Kd7-d88.Kd5-c6Kd8-c89.d6-d7+Kc8-d810.d4-d5!Kd8-e711.Kc6-c7andthepawnwillqueen.TestElevenAnswers Diagram7321....Rf1xf6+(doubleattack)2.Qf8xf6stalemate(orelse2....Rxf8wouldfollow).Diagram733BlacklosesinBishopinallvariations:1....Ba2(or1....Ba4)2.Ra6+(doubleattack);1....Bf72.Rd8+any3.Rd7+(doubleattack);1....Bg82.Rd8+(doubleattack).Diagram734,1.Rc4-c5+(adoubleattack;theBishoponb6ispinned)1....Rd5xc5(orelse2.Qxd5)2.Qd8xd3(theRookond5wasalsopinned.BlackhaslostaQueenforaRook).Diagram7351.Re3xe6!Rf7-f8!(if1....Rxe6,then2.Qd8+Qe83.Qxe8+Rxe84.Rxe8+Rf85.Rxf8#[aback-rankmate])2.Qd4-e5andWhitehaswonapawn.ButWhitemustnotplay2.Rxc6,forBlackwouldthenwinaRookby2....Rxe1+3.Qg1Rxg1+4.Kxg1bxc6.Diagram736Kramstov–Vaisberg,USSR1938.1.Rd7xb7+!Kb8xb7(theBishoponc8waspinned)2.Qd8-b6#(anepaulettemate).Diagram737WithWhitetoplay,thegameshouldbedrawn:1.Kf6-g5(or1.g7+Kg82.Kg6stalemate;or1.Kf7stalemate)1....Kh8-g72.Kg5-h5Kg7-g83.Kh5-h6Kg8-h8(opposition)4.g6-g7+Kh8-g85.Kh6-g6stalemate.WithBlacktoplay,Whitewins:1....Kh8-g82.g6-g7Kg8-h73.Kf6-f7andthepawnwillqueen. TestTwelveAnswersDiagram738ThisisaproblembySamLoyd.BlackisinZugzwang—everymoveofhisallowsWhitetomatehimimmediately:1.1....Bb72.Nf5#;2.1....Bd72.Qd5#;3.1....Be61.Qe5#;4.1....Bf52.Nxf5#;5.1....Rd72.Nf5#;6.1....Rd62.Qxb4#;7.1....Rd52.Qxd5#;8.1....Re72.Qxb4#;9.1....Re62.Nf5#;10.1....Re52.Qxe5#;11.1....Bc52.Qa1#;12.1....Bd62.Qd5#;13.1....Be72.Qe5#;14.1....Bg72.Qb6#;15.1....Bh62.Qb6#.Diagram739Mikenas—Pelts,Leningrad1969.1....Qd8xd4!(doubleattackontheBishopandthepawnonb2)2.Qd3xd4Ne3xc2+(fork)3.anyNc2xd4.Diagram7401.Rg6xg7!(theBlackQueenandtheRookong8arepinned)1....Rg8xh8(orelse2.Rhxg8#)2.Qf6xf7#.Diagram741Taimanov–Kotov,Moscow1948.1.Ng3xh5??Bf4-e3+Whiteresigned.(2.anyRg1#). Diagram742Whitetoplay:1.Qc1-g5!g7-g62.Qg5-h6Ra8-a1+3.Kb1xa1Qe8-a8+4.Ka1-b1Qa8-a2+5.Kb1-c1Qa2-a1+6.Kc1-d2Qa1-a5+7.c2-c3Qa5xc3+8.b2xc3any9.Qh6-g7#.Blacktoplay:1....Ra8-a1+!2.Kb1xa1Qe8-a8+3.Ka1-b1Qa8-a2#.Diagram743Whitetoplay:1.Kd5-e6Kh7-g72.Ke6-e7Kg7-h73.Ke7-f6(3.f8Q??isstalemate)3....Kh7-h64.f7-f8Q+etc.Blacktoplaydraws:1....Kh7-g72.Kd5-e6Kg7-f8(WhiteisnowinZugzwang)3.Ke6-f5(3.Kf6or3.h6isstalemate)3....Kf8xf7(opposition)4.h5-h6Kf7-g85.Kf5-g6(opposition)5....Kg8-h86.h6-h7stalemate.TestThirteenAnswersDiagram7441.Nb7-c5+(or1.Nd6+)1...Ke4-d52.Qc3-f3+!(skewer)2....any3.Qf3xa8.Diagram745Amateur–Leonhardt,Leipzig1903.1....Bc5xf2+!2.Qg3xf2(if2.Kxf2,then2....Nxe4+[fork]3.anyNxg3)2....Ne5-d3+(fork)3.anyNd3xf2.Diagram7461.Kh3-g4!Rh8xh63.Kg4-g5!(doubleattack)2....Rh6-h23.Kg5xg6.Diagram7471.Bf1-c4+Kf7-f82.Rd1-d8#.Diagram748Kan-Alatortsev,Leningrad1951.If1....Bxg2??,then2.Ne7+!Kh83.Qxh7+!Kxh74.Rh4+Qh55.Rxh5#(Anastasia’smate). Diagram749Thepositionisdrawnnomatterwhoplaysfirst.1.Kd5xe5Kf8-e7!(opposition)2.Ke5-d5Ke7-d7(opposition)3.e4-e5Kd7-e74.e5-e6Ke7-e85.Kd5-d6Ke8-d8(opposition)6.e6-e7+Kd8-e87.Kd6-e6stalemate.TestFourteenAnswersDiagram750Whitedrawsbyperpetualcheck:1.Qh3-c8+Rb7-b82.Qc8-c6+Rb8-b73.Qc6-c8+Rb7-b84.Qc8-c6Rb8-b75.Qc6-c8+Diagram7511.Re1xe5+(doubleattack)1....Rd5xe52.f2-f4+!(fork)2....Kg5-f53.f4xe5Kf5xe54.Kg2-h3!Ke5-f5(opposition)5.Kh3-h4!Kf5-g66.Kh4-g4!andwithcorrectplayWhiteshouldwin,sincehisKinghastheoppositioninfrontofhispawn.Diagram7521....Qc7-c1+!2.Rh1xc1(theKnightandRookonb2arepinned)2....Rc8xc1#(aback-rankmate).Diagram7531.Re4-e8+!Kf8xe82.Rg2-g8#(aback-rankmate).Diagram754Duras–Olland,Karlsbad1907.1.Qh4xh5+!g6xh52.Rd6-h6#. Diagram7551.Kf3-f4!(if1.Ke4,then1....Kd6putsWhiteinZugzwang:2.anyKxd5andBlackshoulddrawwithcorrectplay.)1....Ke7-d6(opposition)2.Kf4-e4(nowitisBlackwhoisinZugzwang)2....Kd6-d73.Ke4-e5Kd7-e7(opposition)4.d5-d6+Ke7-d75.Ke5-d5Kd7-d86.Kd5-e6Kd8-e8(opposition)7.d6-d7+Ke8-d88.d4-d5!(awaitingmove)8....Kd8-c79.Ke6-e7andthepawnwillqueenbyforce.TestFifteenAnswersDiagram7561.Ra1-a8!(threatening2.g8Q)1....Rg2xg72.Ra8-a7+(skewer)2....any3.Ra7xg7.Diagram7571.e4-e5+(afork)1....Qd6xe5(or1....Kxe52.Nc4+[fork]2....any3.Nxd6)2.Ne3-g4+(fork)2....any3.Ng4xe5.Diagram7581.Qh5-g6!(thepawnonf7ispinned)1....any2.Qg6-h7#.Diagram7591.Qe7xf8+!Kg8xf8(orelse2.Qg7#wouldfollow)2.Rd1-d8#(aback-rankmate).Diagram760Kolisch–Loyd,Paris1867.1.Qg3xg6!!h7xg6?2.Rf1-f3Blackresigned,since3.Rh3#(Greco’smate)isthreatenedandif2....Re6,then3.Bxe6Qf74.Bxf7any5.Rh3#(Greco’smate).Diagram761ThisisapositionofmutualZugzwang.IfWhitestarts,Blackdraws,whileifBlackmovesfirst,Whitequeenshispawnandwins. WithWhitetomove:1.Kh7-h8Kf7-f8!(opposition)2.f6-f7(or2.h7Kf7stalemate)2....Kf8xf73.Kh8-h7(opposition;if3.h7,then3....Kf8stalemate)3....Kf7-f84.Kh7-g6Kf8-g8(opposition)5.h6-h7+Kg8-h86.Kg6-h6stalemate.WithBlacktomove:1....Kf7-f8(or1....Kxf62.Kg8)2.Kh7-g6Kf8-g8(opposition)3.f6-f7+Kg8-f84.h6-h7andtheh-pawnwillqueen.TestSixteenAnswersDiagram762No,Whitecannotwinapiece.If1.Rf2?(skewer),then1....Bh4(counterskewer)2.Rxf3Bxe1andWhitehaslostanExchange.Diagram7631.Rb6xc6!Rc7-d7(theBishopond5ispinned,while1....Rxc6ismetbythefork2.Bxd5+winningaBishopandaRook.If1....Bxa2,then2.Rxc7)2.Rc6-c8+(Whitehaswonapawnbyhiscombination).Diagram7641.Re1-e6!(acounterpin)savesthepiece.Diagram7651.Qb7-b1+!Kc1xb1Rd8-d1#(aback-rankmate).Diagram766Delva–Pelts,Ottawa1981.1....Rf8-f3!!Whiteresigned.2.Bxf3ismetby2....Qxh4#and2.Rxf3by2....Qg2#.Diagram767Whitetoplay:1.b7-b8Q+!(not1.Kc7stalemateor1.b6+Kb82.Kc5Kxb73.Kb5Kb84.Kc6Kc8[opposition]5.b7+Kb86.Kb6stalemate)1....Kxb82.Kc6-b6!(opposition)2....Kb8-a8(or2....Kc83.Ka7)3.Kb6-c7andthepawnqueensbyforce. Blacktoplaydraws:1....Ka7-b8(WhiteisnowinZugzwang)2.Kc6-c5(if2.Kb6or2.b6itisstalemate)2....Kb8xb73.b5-b6Kb7-b84.Kc5-c6Kb8-c8(opposition)5.b6-b7+Kc8-b86.Kc6-b6stalemate.TestSeventeenAnswersDiagram7681.Qd1-h5+Kf7xf62.Qh5-h4+!(skewer)2....any3.Qh4xd8.Diagram7691.Bf1-b5!(pin)1....Qc6xb52.Nd5-c7+(fork)2....any3.Nc7xb5.Diagram7701.Rd3xd6!Re6xd6(nowtheRookispinned)2.e4-e5any3.Ba3xd6.Diagram7711.Nd5-c7+!Ne6xc72.Rd3-d8#(back-rankmate).Diagram7721.Qh3-b3+!!Qb8xb3(or1....Kh72.Qxb8Rh2+3.Qxh2Rxh2+4.Kxh2)2.Re1-e8+Kg8-f7(or2....Kh73.Rh8#)3.Re8-f8#.Diagram773Whitetoplay:1.b6-b7Kb8-a72.b7-b8Q+!(not2.Kc7stalemateor2.b6+Kb83.Kc5Kxb74.Kb5Kb85.Kc6Kc8[opposition]6.b7+Kb87.Kb6stalemate)2....Ka7xb83.Kc6-b6!(opposition)3....Kb8-a8(or3....Kc84.Ka7)4.Kb6-c7andthepawnwillqueenbyforce. Blacktoplaydraws:1....Kb8-a8(or1....Kc8)2.b6-b7+(2.Kc7givesastalemate)2....Ka8-b8(WhiteisnowinZugzwang)3.Kc6-c5(after3.Kb6or3.b6itisstalemate)3....Kb8xb74.b5-b6Kb7-b85.Kc5-c6Kb8-c8(opposition)6.b6-b7+Kc8-b87.Kc6-b6stalemate.TestEighteenAnswersDiagram7741.h6-h7Qg3-h22.h7-h8Q+!Qh2xh83.Ra7-a8+(skewer)3....any4.Ra8xh8.Diagram7751.Qc4xe6!Qd7xe6(orelse2.Qe8followedby3.f8Q)2.f7-f8N+!any3.Nf8xe6.Diagram776Whitesavesthepiecebyplaying1.Nd4-f5!.Then1....Bxb2ismetby2.Nxh6(aneventrade)while1....Nxf5ismetby2.Bxf6+(alsoaneventrade).Diagram777Blackcandefendhisbackrankbyplaying1....Rd7-d8!andnow2.Rc8xa8canbemetby2....Rd8xa8whileif2.Rc8xd8,then2....Ra8xd8.But1....Rxc8wouldloseto2.Rxc8+Rd83.Rxd8#(back-rankmate).Diagram778ComposedbyKubbel.Whitetoplay:1.Rh3xh7+!Kh8xh72.Qe6-h3+Bf6-h43.Qh3xh4+Qc5-h54.Qh4xh5#(Greco’smate).Blacktoplay:1....Qc5xf2+!!2.Rf1xf2(orelse2....Qxf1#[back-rankmate])2....Rb2-b1+3.Rf2-f1Bf6-d4+4.Rh3-e3Bd4xe3+5.Kg1-h1Rb1xf1#(back-rankmate). Diagram779Whitetoplay:1.Ka7-a6(opposition;if1.Ka8or1.Kb8,then1....Kb5,whileif1.a6,then1....Kc7[opposition]2.Ka8Kc8[opposition]3.a7Kc7stalemate)1....Kc6-c72.Ka6-b52....Kc7-b7(opposition)3.a5-a6+Kb7-a74.Kb5-a5Ka7-b85.Ka5-b6(opposition)5....Kb8-a86.a6-a7stalemate.Blacktoplay:1....Kc6-c7(opposition)2.a5-a6(if2.Ka8,then2....Kc8[opposition];if2.Ka6,then2....Kc6[opposition])2....Kc7-c83.Ka7-b6(if3.Ka8[opposition],then3....Kc74.a7Kc8stalemate)3....Kc8-b8(opposition)4.a6-a7+Kb8-a85.Kb6-a6stalemate.TestNineteenAnswersDiagram7801.Bc1-g5+(skewer)1....f7-f6(orelse2.Rxd8#)2.e5xf6+g7xf6(if2....Ke8,then3.f7+[in-betweencheck]followedby4.Rxd8)3.Bg5xf6+!Ke7xf64.Rd1xd8andWhitehaswontheExchangeandapawn.Diagram7811.Nh4-g6+Kh8-h72.Ng6-f8+(fork)2....Kh7-h83.Nf8xe6(fork).Diagram7821.Qd1xh5+(thepawnong6ispinned)1....Kh7-g82.Qh5-h8#.Diagram7831.Qf3-f8+!Rb8xf82.Rf2xf8+Ra8xf83.Rf1xf8#(back-rankmate).Diagram784solutiona):1....Qb6-b1+2.Rg1xb1Rb7xb1+3.Rh1xb1Rb8xb1#.solutionb):1....Qb6xg1+!2.Rh1xg1Rb7-b1+3.Rg1xb1Rb8xb1#. Diagram785Whitetoplay:1.Kf4-e5(or1.Kf5Kg7andWhiteisinZugzwang:2.anyKxg6andBlackshoulddrawwithcorrectplay)1....Kg8-g72.Ke5-f5Kg7-g8!3.Kf5-f6Kg8-h8(or3....Kf8[opposition])4.g6-g7+(or4.Kf7stalemate)4....Kh8-g85.Kf6-f5(after5.g6or5.Kg6itisstalemate)5....Kg8xg76.g5-g6Kg7-g87.Kf5-f6Kg8-h8(or7....Kf8[opposition])8.g6-g7+(or8.Kf7stalemate)8....Kh8-g89.Kf6-g6stalemate.Blacktoplaydrawsinananalogousmanner.TestTwentyAnswersDiagram7861....Rc7-c2!(pin)2.Qd2xc2Qb8-h2+(skewer)3.anyQh2xc2.Diagram7871.Qe2-e4!(withthedoublethreatof2.Qh7#and2.Qxa8)1....g7-g62.Qe4xa8.Diagram788WhitesaveshispinnedKnightasfollows:1.Nd4-e6!Rd7xd3(or1....fxe62.Rxd7)2.Ne6xc5+(fork)2....any3.Nc5xd3.Diagram7891.Rc8-h8+Bg7xh82.Qe5xh8#.Diagram790Gutop–Roshal,Moscow1963.1....Qd6xd5!!(threatening2....Qxg2#)2.Bg2xd5Bb7xd5(thepawnonf2ispinnedandsoWhitehasnodefenseagainst3....Rh1#).Whiteresigned.Diagram791Whitetoplay:1.Ke4-f5Kg8-g72.Kf5-g5(2.g5?leadstoadraw)2....Kg7-g83.Kg5-h6Kg8-h8(opposition)4.g6-g7+Kh8-g85.g4-g5!(awaitingmove:theimmediate5.Kg6givesstalemate)5....Kg8-f76.Kh6-h7andthepawnwillqueenbyforce. Blacktoplay:1....Kg8-g72.Ke4-f5Kg7-h6!3.g6-g7!(3.Kf6givesstalemate;3.g5?leadstoadrawnpositionafter3....Kg7)3....Kh6xg74.Kf5-g5(opposition)4....Kg7-f7(or4....Kh75.Kf6)5.Kg5-h6Kf7-g86.g4-g5Kg8-h8(opposition)7.g5-g6Kh8-g88.g6-g7Kg8-f79.Kh6-h7andthepawnqueensbyforce. MOVINGONTOEXPERTANDMASTERStudentswhocompleteVolumesIandIIofComprehensiveChessCoursefrequentlyaskacompellingquestion,“WhatdoIdonext?”Whichisanotherwayofasking,howdoesoneconsolidateknowledgegainedandmoveontothenextlevelofstrength?Asalreadynoted,ComprehensiveChessCourseispartofamulti-yearcourseofstudylongandsuccessfullyemployedintheformerSovietUnion.Thisambitiouscourseisdesignedtomakemastersoutofrankbeginners.VolumesIandIIcontainmaterialswhich,ifcompletelymastered,bringmostplayersuptowhatwecalltheClassAlevel.Thetaskisnowthatof,asstatedinthetitleofthischapter,“MovingOntoExpertandMaster.”FMRomanPeltsandGMLevAlburt,theauthorsofthebookyouarenowreading,initiallyintendedtopublishathirdvolumedesignedtoadvanceplayerstowardthelevelof2000to2100.Butthisgoodintentionhasencounteredtherealityoftheeconomicsofpublishing.ReaderswillnoticethatVolumeIcontained124pagesandVolumeII,288pages.Bothvolumestogethercontainednearly1,100diagrams.TheincreaseinpagesfromVolumeItoVolumeIIisnoaccident.Itisafunctionoftheincreasedknowledgerequiredtoascendfromleveltolevelinchessstrengthandtheincreasedabilityofplayerstoabsorbinformationastheygrowstronger.WeestimatethatLevelIIIinourComprehensiveChessCoursewillrequireabout1,000pagesandnearly3,000diagrams.Thus,we’reproducingitinseveralbooks.Thefirstofthese,ChessTacticsfortheTournamentPlayer,appearedlastDecember,withbooksonAttack&Defense,Strategy,EndingsandOpeningstofollowsoon.Thecurrentchapter—thoughitpresentschesspositionstoillustratecertainpoints—isnotinstructionalinnatureanddoesnotcontainquestionstoanswer,problemstosolveandteststotake.Rather,itismeanttoprovideconcreteadviceonhowtocreatearegimenofself-studyandself-trainingthatwillmakeyouastrongerchessplayer. Inwhatfollows,werecommendseveralbooksbyotherauthors.Theserecommendationsbynomeansexhaustthepantheonofgoodchessbooks.Itmayhappen,forexample,thatagivenstudentwillfindaparticularworkonendgamesmoreusefulthanourownrecommendations.Thatiscompletelynatural,andstudentsshouldfeelnohesitationinconsultingworksotherthanthosementionedhere.BEGINNINGANEW?ThefirststepforyouontheroadtoexpertandmastermaybeavariationontheoldLeninistthemeabouttakingonestepbackwardinordertotaketwostepsforward.Bebrutallyhonestwithyourself:HaveyoureallymasteredthematerialpresentedinVolumesIandII?Bywhichwemean,canyoureadilyapplyinpracticewhatyouhavelearnedintheory?Quick,whatcoloristheg5square?Quick,whatcolorisc6?Thereshouldbenohesitationinyouranswers.Okay,hereisaneasyone:Whitehaspawnsona6andb6andaKingone2;BlackhasaRookonc5andaKingong5.Withthesecondplayertomove,canhestopthepawns?Yesorno,quickly!TheprecedingquestionsconcernmaterialpresentedinVolumeI,andtheydealwithknowledgeoftheboardandtheendgame.Ifyoucannotanswerthesequestionsreadily,thenyououghttoconsiderbeginninganew.Infact,evenasyoureadthischapter,turnbacktoDiagram168,whichcontainstheRookandpawnendingmentionedintheprecedingparagraph.AlsotakealookatDiagram51,inwhichtheRookfightsthreeconnectedpassedpawns,andatDiagram52,inwhichtheBishopmustfighttwoconnectedpassedpawns.AndwhataboutDiagram55,inwhichtheRookismatchedagainstfourpawns,andDiagram16,inwhichpawnsarescatteredeverywhere?Don’tforgettorecheckthereviewquestionsinLessonFour.Canyouprovideinstantanswers?(AlltheabovereferstoVolumeI).Believeus,knowingthebasicsandknowingthechessboardlikeyouknowthemultiplicationtablesisusefulknowledgeuptothemasterlevelandwellbeyond.Indeed,itisessentialknowledge.MostAandBplayersdonotseethechessboardclearlyand,therefore,oftenfailtoanalyzelinescorrectlytotheirconclusion.TouseaphraseofGeorgeBush’s,the“visionthing”inchessiscrucial,anditmustbedevelopedearlybymasteringthechessboardandbystudyingtactics. Ouradviceisthatexceptforthosetestscoveringmaterialthatyouknowverywellindeed,retaketheexaminationsinbothVolumesIandII.Gradetheresultsnotonlyonwhetheryouanswerthequestionscorrectlybutalsoonwhetheryouanswerthemquickly.Doyoufeelthisknowledgeinyourfingertips?Anddothesefingertipsmovenaturallytothecorrectpiece?Or,evenbetter,areyouabletotakethetestswithoutusingaboardandpieces?Ifyoucannotcompletethetestswithvirtuallynoerrorsandwellwithintheonehourallottedforeachexamination,thenperusetherelevantlessonsinVolumesIandII.Thesearethelessonsthatcontainknowledgewhichisnotyetactiveinyourmindandwhichyoucannotyetapplyautomatically.ForthosestudentswhocantruthfullystatethattheyeasilyhandlethematerialinVolumesIandII,werecommendthattheyreadoverJoseCapablanca’sChessFundamentalsandLastLectures,twowonderfulbooksbythemanregardedbymanyaschesshistory’sgreatestgenius.Capablancaalsohadageniusformakingthecomplex,simple—perhapsbecauseforhim,itwassimple.Heunderstoodthereasonsforthingsandcouldrelatethosereasonsinclearlanguage.STUDYTHESOULOFCHESSMostreadershavelimitedtimeforstudy;therefore,howthattimeisusedbecomescrucial.Werecommendthatstudentsdevotetwo-thirdstothree-quartersoftheirtimestudyingtactics,whicharethesoulofchess.“Chessis99percenttactics,”SaviellyTartakowereithersaidoroughttohavesaid.Theimportanceoftacticsinchessisobvious.(WebegstudentswhoareaddictedtoopeningmanualstorememberthatmostplayerswhospendtheirtimestudyingtheoryneverreachA-level.)Everystudentshouldrememberhowhestrugglesconstantlyduringmostgamestowendhiswaythroughtacticalcomplications.Inchess,strategyisbasedonwhatistacticallyfeasible,whichistosay,positionalideasmustalwayssurvivetacticalexaminationsbeforetheyareplayed.Blackoftenwantstoplay...d6-d5intheSicilian,butthetimingofthispositionallyusefuladvanceisstrictlyafunctionofspecifictactical considerations.Learningallofthepositional“oughts”inchessisuselessiftheserulescannotbeaccuratelyapplied.Layingdownasolidtacticalfoundationis,then,absolutelynecessary.InComprehensiveChessCourseweintroducenumeroustacticalideasandprovidehundredsofexercises.Assumingthatthestudenthasmasteredthissubjectmatter,thetimehascometostudyotherbooks.SomeofourfavoritesincludeMoeMossandIanMullin’sBlundersandBrilliancies,YasserSeirawan’sFlashTactics,AugustLivshitz’sTestYourChessIQ,NikolaiKrogius’EncyclopediaofMiddlegames:Combinations,VladimirVukovic’sTheArtofAttack,LeonidShamkovich’sTheTacticalWorldofChess,FredReinfeld’shardyperennials,1001BrilliantWaystoCheckmateand1001WinningSacrificesandCombinations,and,ofcourse,ourownLevelIIIbooksontacticsandattack.Studentswhoaimfortheexpertandmasterlevelsshouldstudytacticsinordertolearnnewideas.Trainingissecondaryatthisstage.Thebestwaytoapproach,say,Krogius’Encyclopediaistomovefromonechaptertoanother,solvingonlytwoorthreepositions,whichproceedfromthesimpletothecomplex,ineachchapter.Aftergoingthroughallofthechapters—thereare16thematiccategoriesofcombinations—gobackanothertimeandlookatpositionsthatyouhaveyettosolve.Ouradviceisnottospendmorethanfiveor10minutesoneachposition,thenlookatthesolution.Yourobjectiveisnotprimarilytotrainyourselftosolvepositionsbuttotrytounderstandthesolutionsothatyouwillrecognizetheideaonthenextoccasion.Usethesepositionstolearnmoreaboutsuchcombinativethemesasdoubleattacksanddeflection,overloadingandX-rays,etc.ThepositionsintheEncyclopediaarefrequentlyratherdifficult.ThepositionsinReinfeld’s1001booksareeasierandcanbeusedtorefreshyourmindaboutsimplercombinationalideasandmotives.TheReinfeldvolumesareexcellentforwarminguponthewaytoatournamentwithouttiringoneselfbyplayingfive-minutechess.Hereisaneatpetitecombination,usingapinningtheme:(Seethediagramatthetopofthenextcolumn.)Whitewinsimmediatelywith1.Qg8+!.On1....Kxg8,Whiteforcesmateby2.Ng6,threatening3.Rh8,mate.InthegameBlacklostquicklyafter1....Ke72.Qxf7+Kd83.Ng6Qxb24.Rd1+Bd75.Qxe8+,Blackresigns.Withpropertacticalstudy,shotslike1.Qg8+!should suggestthemselvesasreadilytotheeyeas2....Qh4,mateafter1.f3e52.g4.GeraldAbrahams–ThynneLiverpool1930Themoreproficientastudentbecomesinhandlingtacticalthemes,themoreinstructionhecanobtainfromtheVukovicandShamkovichvolumes,whichcontaincompletegamesandwhichcovercomplextacticalideassuchastheintuitivesacrifice.Andwhileonthesubjectofintuitivesacrifices,MikhailTal’sautobiographicalTheLifeandGamesofMikhailTaloffersbothinstructionandentertainment.Indeed,hardstudybecomesunadulteratedfunwiththeTalvolume.Self-trainingincalculatingvariationsislargelyamatterofmethodcombinedwithawillingnesstoconcentrateoverextendedperiods.TakeanInformantandspendaneveninglookingforpositionsinthecombinationsectionwithsolutionsrunningbetweenfiveandeightmoves.Writedownthenumbersofthesepositions,alongwiththefirstmoveofeachsolution,andreturntothematalaterdate.Remember,youraimnowispurelytrainingincalculation.Ouradviceistospend,ifnecessary,from30minutestoanhouroneachposition.Dependingonhowsuccessfullyyouperform,handlingfromthreetosixsuchpositionsatasittingprovidesafineworkoutandagood testofwhereyoustand.(IfyoudonotownanyInformants,thenaninexpensivesubstituteisFlashTactics,especiallythe“Advanced”series.)Asyourfriendsexpendtheirlimitedstudytimeonplowingthroughopeningmonographswrittenbygrandmastersforgrandmasters,justrememberthatplayersintheprocessofdevelopmentintheformerSovietUnionandEasternEuropereceivedrelativelylittleopeningtheoryandagreatdealoftrainingintacticsandtheendgame.AndtheseplayersfromformerCommunistlands,whohaveoftenbeenexposedtofarlessopeningtheorythanWesternplayers,nowparticipateinWesternSwisseventsandareregardedas“monsters.”Theyseemtoplaymiddlegamesandendingsasiftheyweregeniuses.Inreality,theyaremerelyformidablyschooledinthebasics.THEIMPORTANCEOFSTUDYINGENDGAMESFewplayersneedtobeconvincedoftheutilityofknowinghowtowinordrawKingandpawnversusKingendgames.Suchpositionsoccursooftenintheirgamesthatthepracticalvalueofstudyingthemisobvious.Nonetheless,theyregardendingsasdryandactasiftheywereoflittlepracticalimportancebyimaginingthattheywillwinintheopeningormiddlegame.Thefactthatmostplayersarewoefullyignorantofendgamesisoneofthebestreasonsforyoutostudythem.Suchworkwillproveoneofthemostefficientwaysofincreasingyourstrengthinabsolutetermsandinrelationtoothers.Moreover,thestrongeraplayerandhiscompetitionbecome,themoreoftenendgamesoccur.Theplayerwhostudiesendingswillbeabletowinevenpositionsanddrawinferiorandlostpositions.Anotherreasontostudyendingsisthatwhileopeningtheoryconstantlychangesandplayersoftenswitchopeningsastheygrowstronger,endgametheoryremainsrelativelystableand,ofcourse,playersdonothavetheoptionofswitchingendgames.Tostudyendings,especiallyRookendings,whicharethemostcommonofallendgames,isanefficientuseoftimebecausetheseendingsorslightvariationstendtorepeatthemselves.Ifmemorizingcomplicatedopeningtrapsmaynetaplayeran occasionalquickpoint,studyingRookendingswillgarnerhundredsofextrapointsandhalf-pointsovertheyears.Studyingpareddownendingsorminiaturesisalsoveryhelpfulfortacticalthinking.Manyendingsillustratechessboardgeometryinparticularlystarkfashion.ThecommonthemeofinterposingtheQueenagainstanopponent’sQueencheck,whilesimultaneouslycheckingtheopponent’sKing,isagoodexample.Hereisanother:Whitetomove.Canhesavethegame?Yes,Whitecansavethegame.Butthesolutionisfarfromobviousforthosewhoareunacquaintedwithoppositionintheendgame.Whitehasonlyonemovetoholdthedraw:1.Kh1!.Pleasenotethattherearenoextraneouspiecestoclutterupsomeveryclearideas.“Clearideas?”—whatdowemeanbythisphrase?Unlikeopeningsandmiddlegames,endingsareultimatelyeasiertostudybecausethevastmajorityofpositionsyieldtodefiniteevaluations.Too,theimportanceofmoveorderisdemonstrableinendings—andnevermoresothaninKingandpawnendingswheretheweakersidemustmaintaintheopposition.Twoofourfavoritebooksforstudyingtheendgameareanoldclassic,Capablanca’sChessFundamentals,andBrucePandolfini’smodernclassic,Pandolfini’sEndgameCourse.Thelattervolumecontainswithinitsbeautifullyorganizedpageseverybasicbitofknowledgethataplayer requirestohandleendingslikeanexpertorevenamaster.ItperfectlycomplementsourComprehensiveChessCourse.OtherbookstoconsultincludeEdmarMednis’PracticalRookEndings,JonSpeelmanandAugustLivshitz’sTestYourEndgameAbilityandMikhailShereshevsky’sEndgameStrategy.Onceagain,wenotethatourlistisfarfromexhaustive,andsomeplayersmaypreferIrvingChernev’sCapablanca’sBestChessEndingsasanadvancedprimerratherthantheShereshevskyvolume.Or,perhaps,someplayersmayfindtheminiaturestudiesinChernev’sPracticalChessEndingssofascinatingastoawakeapassionforendgames—eventhoughthebookitselfisnotdesignedasateachingtool.ReaderswillnotetheobviousabsenceofGMReubenFine’sBasicChessEndingsfromourlistofrecommendedworks.Thisbookisaproductofgeniusbyagenius.Thereisnothing“basic”aboutit.Waitafewyears,developabitmore,thenpurchasethismasterpiece.UseFine’sbookprimarilyasareferencetool.Theidealsolutionforwould-beexpertsandmasterswithendgamedisabilitiesistoworkwithachesstrainer.Butifthiskindofintensivecareisimpractical,thenthestudentdoesbesttoinvestigatesystematicallythe200orsobasicpositionsisolatedinPandolfini’sEndgameCourse.THEARTOFPYTHON–THINKINGWealsoadvisestudentstomakeaconcertedefforttoreorienttheirthinkingwhenplayingendgames.Whichistosay,themostcommonpitfallinendgamethinkingistomistakeendingsformiddlegamesandtoactlikeatigerpouncingonitspreyratherthanapythonslowlysqueezingoutresignations.Atthehighestlevel,thisfundamentalmisconceptionmayconstitutethedefiningdistinctionbetweenafineendgameplayerlikeMikhailTalandasupremevirtuosolikeMikhailBotvinnik.Certainly,intheir1961worldtitlematch,BotvinnikrepeatedlytookadvantageofTal’stigerishimpatienceinthefinalpartofthegame.Andasistrueofpolitics,soitisofchess:Inanycontestbetweenpowerandpatience,alwaysbetonpatience.Theobjectiveinpracticalendgamesistotransfertobasicendingpositionswhichareknowntobewinning.Tradingoneadvantageforanotherisatypicaltechnique.Inthefollowingposition,GMBentLarsentriestokeep atwo-pawnadvantageatallcostsinsteadofshiftingintoaknownwin:(Seethediagramatthetopofthenextcolumn.)Whiteplays78.Rc7inordertokeepbothpawns.Objectively,themoveisokay.ButGMLarsenfailstotransferintoaknownwin,whichhecouldhavedonewith78.Kg5Rxc579.Kg6,threatening80.Rh8+.BlackmustlosebecausehisKingisonthelongsideoftheboard,whilehisRookcannoteffectivelyplaylateralchecksontheWhiteKingwhichisontheshortside.BentLarsen–EugenioTorreLeningrad(St.Petersburg)Interzonal,1973WhitetomoveThepointisthatGMLarsenknewthat78.Kg5wasatheoreticalwin,andhadheplayedthismove,thegamewouldhavebeendefactoover.Butafterthetext,itisstillagame.Playcontinued:78....Kd879.Rc6Kd780.Rd6+Ke7.Whitecouldstillhavewonwith81.Re6+Kf782.c6,butLarsenfellintoadrawwith81.f6+?Kf782.c6Kg683.Kf3Re1!.TheWhiteKingiscutofffrombothpawns.Anotherpracticetoadoptwhenplayingendingsisthesimpleactofremainingalertfortempogains.Manyplayersblindlypushaheadwith theirpawnsandplansevenwhentheynoticegoodopportunitiestopickuptempos.“Whybother?”theyaskthemselves.Here’swhy:P.S.Leonhardt–RudolfSpielmannSanSebastian,1912;BlacktomoveSpielmannplayed1....Kxd4,andLeonhardtheldadrawafter2.g6Kd33.Rd7d44.g7.Blackcouldhavescoredthefullpointbyexecutinganelementarymaneuvertowintwotempos:1....Kc32.Rc7+(Whiterelievesthematethreat)2....Kxd4(thefirsttempo)3.Rg7Kc34.Rc7+Kd3(thesecondtempo)5.Rg7d46.g6Rc2+7.Kb1Rc68.Rb7Rxg69.Rxb4Kc310.Rb8Rg1+11.Ka2d3,andBlackwins.ThesignificanceoftheaboveexampleisnotthatSpielmannfailedtowinasuperiorendingorthathemissedthewinoftwotempos.Notatall.ThepointisthatSpielmanncouldcertainlyhaveessayedtheabovemaneuverifnotforadesiretoavoidapparentdigressionsinthepursuitofhisplan.Hewasthinkinglikeatigerratherthanapython,whowouldhaveclampedonthebigsqueezebygainingtwoinsurancetempos.Python-thinkingisakindofprophylaxis,whichistheanticipationandpreventionofanopponent’sthreats.Thepythonwrapsallofitscoilsaroundtheprey,whethersuchoverkillisneededornot.Chesspythonsare neverinahurryandalwaystaketimetopickuptempos—notbecausetheyarethwartingspecificthreatsbutbecausetheycannevergettoomuchofagoodthing.Todevelopafeelforpython-practice,playthroughtheendgamesofJoseCapablancaandAkibaRubinstein.StartwiththeirnumerousRook-and-pawnendings,ifonlybecausethiscategoryofendingoccursmostofteninover-the-boardplay.LASTANDLEASTStudyingtheopeningsoughttooccupymuchlesstimeinaplayer’sworkregimenthanstudyingtacticsandendgames.Still,theopeningsareobviouslypartofchess—atthehighestlevels,abigpartofchess—anddomeritinvestigation.Butthoseplayerswhoaspiretoreachexpertandmasterlevelsoughttoconducttheirindividualinvestigationsdifferentlyfrominternationallevelplayers.Yet....Muchofthechess-bookpublishingbusinessisbuiltonopeningmanualswrittenbyprofessionalsforprofessionals,butboughtandstudiedmainlybyClassAandBplayers.TheInformantseries,theEncyclopediaofChessOpeningsandnearlyeveryother“serious”treatiseonopeningsconcludeindividuallineswithobscuresymbolssuchasaplussignoveranequalssign(Whitehassomeunspecifiedmicroscopicedge).Aschessteachers,weoftenobserveClassAandBplayersadoptingopeninglinesunsuitablefortheirlevelofdevelopment.TheseplayersseeanadvantageawardedtoWhitein,say,theCatalanandblindlyfollowthegivenvariations.Buttheirresultsarepooragainstopponentsofsimilarstrength,andtheseplayersconcludethattheCatalandoesnotaccordwiththeir“style.”Theymoveontoanewopening,therebyforfeitinganimmenseamountofpreviousstudytime.ThetruthisthatcertainlinesintheCatalaninwhichWhitegainsaQueensidepawnmajorityareobjectivelysuperiorforthefirstplayer,buttheselinesareunsuitableforplayersbelowthemasterlevelbecauseBlack’scrude,thoughofteneffectivecounterchancesinthecenterareeasiertoexploitthanthelong-rangeadvantageofaQueensidepawnmajority. Anothertypicalmistakeofdevelopingplayers—especiallythoserated1500andbelow—istoheadblindlyforcertaintheoreticallyfavorablepositionsinwhichtheyenjoytheadvantageofaBishopforaKnightorwhatBobbyFischercalls“theminorexchange.”Onceagain,however,theadvantageevaporatesintheirhands,andmoreoftenthannotthenonlinearmovementsoftheKnightprovemoredangerousinpracticethanthemoreeasilyenvisageddiagonalsweepsoftheBishop.Thegeneralprinciplebehindouradviceforstudyingopeningsisthatstudentswillachievethebestpracticalresultsnotbymemorizingvariationsbutbymasteringtheideasofrespectiveopenings.Inpurelypracticalterms,itisbetterforaplayertohaveaninferiorpositioninwhichheunderstandswhattodothantoenjoyabettergamewithoutaclueofwheretomovenext.Whenselectingbooksforopeningstudy,avoidopeningmanualswithcolumnsofvariations.Arational,thoughnotinfalliblepractice,istopurchasebookswithalargepreponderanceofwordsovervariations,especiallyifthesewordsarepennedbyreliablewriters.Remember:Variationsseldomrepeatthemselves,butideasdo.Itisbettertoplayoveronewell-annotatedcontestthan10variation-engorgedgamesfromanInformant.Withthesethoughtsinmind,someofourfavoriteopeningbooksareReubenFine’sIdeasBehindtheChessOpenings,EdmarMednis’HowtoPlayGoodOpeningMoves,LarryEvans’(etalia)HowtoOpenaChessGame(inparticular,LajosPortisch’schapter,“DevelopinganOpeningRepertoire”),andasanexampleofamodelworkonasingleopening,RobertBellinandPietroPonzetto’sMasteringtheKing’sIndianDefense.Inopeningplayandchessstyle,conventionalwisdomsaysthatplayersoughttobeginasgambiteersandprogresstowardmorepositionalopenings.Foronce,conventionalwisdomhasmuchtorecommendit.Byallmeans,tryouttheKing’sGambit,theGoeringGambitandtheScotchGametosharpentacticalawareness.Exploretheopengamebeforewrappingyourselfinclosedpositions.Whenanopponentplays1.e4,donotbeafraidtotry1....e5.Anaturalprogressionfromtheslam-bangchessofclassicgambitsistowardthepawn-basedchessofAndrePhilidor.TheFrenchDefenseisanaturalopeningchoice,sincepawnstructuresaresoimportantinmanyvariationsofthisdebut. Onlylaterinaplayer’sdevelopment,dowesuggestthathemovetoopeningsandideasdevelopedbythelikesofRetiandNimzovich—openingssuchastheReti,theNimzo-IndianandAlekhine’sDefense.AftersamplingopeningsrangingfromtheancientMuzioGambittotheModernDefense,moststudentsdiscoverpersonalpreferences.Somedonotmindsacrificingmaterial,andgambitsareoftenforthem;othersprefersolid,grindingplay,andtheexchangevariationoftheRuyLopezmaybetheircupoftea.Ineithercase—andforthemanycasesinbetween—thenextstepsaretomasterthemaintacticalandpositionalideasoftheopeningand,ofcourse,toplayitintraininggamesagainstfriendsandcomputers.Followingeachgame,astudentshouldanalyzewhathappenedandtrytodiscoverwheremistakesweremade.Ifastudentsimplygetsabetterpositionandpressestheadvantagehome,thenhemustunderstandclearlythereasonsforsuchsuccess.Whenastudentfinallyplaysanopeningintournaments,thenECOsandInformantshavearoleinconcretepreparationagainstspecificopponentsorasreferenceworkstodiscoveralternativelinesofplayfromwhatoccurred.ALLDRESSEDUP,NOWHERETOGO?Mostplayersfindthemselvesstrandedatonepointoranotheronaperformanceplateau.Theyworkeverharder,spendinghundredsofhourswithnosesburrowedinmiddensofBCOs,ECOsandMCOs.Theysucceedinreachingexcellentpositionsoutoftheopeningbutcannotfindordecideuponagoodmiddlegameplan.Theyarealldressedupbutwithnowheretogo.Soundfamiliar?Thecauseissimple:Theseplayersknowtheiropeninglinescoldbutlackapositionalfeelforemergingmiddlegamepositions.Playerswhoconstantlysnagthemselvesonthecuspbetweenopeningandmiddlegameoughtfirsttoanalyzetheirchoiceofopenings.Hereisasuggestedmethod:1.Compileresultsaccordingtoopening.2.Breakdowntheresultingnumbersintosub-resultsagainstopponentsofdifferentratinglevels. 3.Whentabulatingresultsforseldom-playedopenings,checktodiscoverwhethertheoutcomeofindividualgameswasdecidedintheopeningorlateron.4.Examineearlymiddlegameplayinvariousopeningstoevaluateone’s“feel”foremergingmiddlegamepositions.5.Drawappropriateconclusions,discardingsomeopeningvariationsandresearchingadditionstoone’srepertoire.Anotherpieceofadvice—andanimportantone—istostartlookingforone’sownideas.Forgetthefearofplayingsomethingunbookedorlittle-booked.For,infact,thebestwaytoensuresmoothpassagefromopeningtomiddlegameistoworkoutpetopeningvariations.Nevermakeabookmovethatyoudonotunderstand;ifyoufeelthatyouhaveabetteridea,thentryit.Theplayerwhoprogressesfrommemorizinglinestocreatingideasisaplayerwhocannothelpbutgrow,becausetoseevalueinanopeningideaistoapprehendatleastpartofitslong-termpotential.Noristhecreativeactinchessrestrictedtointernationallyrankedplayers.GMYevgenySveshnikovwasonlyanexpertwhenhebeganworkingonnovelideasinwhathasbecomeknownastheSveshnikovSicilian(1.e4c52.Nf3Nc63.d4cxd44.Nxd4Nf65.Nc3e5).RichardMoody,acorrespondencestudentofLevAlburt,cameupwithaveryinterestingideaintheKing’sGambit(1.e4e52.f4exf43.Qe2)thatcontainsplentyofpitfallsforthesecondplayer.Thebeautyofdevelopingone’sownideasisthatevenwhentheyaremediocreorfranklyinferior,theystandagoodchanceofdoingwellovertheboard.Inmostinstances,aplayerwhoinventsanideahasreasonsforitandwillmakethemostofhispracticalchances,whichcanbeconsiderable.Exceptatthehighestlevelsofchess(wherepunishmentoferrorisalmostautomatic),thesecretbehindsuccessfulopeningplayistounderstandwhatoneisdoing,evenwhenitturnsouttobethewrongthing!Why?Becauseinunderstanding—notinroteapplicationoftheoreticallycorrectmoves—liestheseedoffutureimprovement. THESTUDYOFSTRATEGYAlthoughwemakenobonesaboutemphasizingthestudyoftacticsandendgamesasthemostproductiveuseoflimitedstudytime,thestudentshoulddevotesometimetostrategy,whichinchessistheartofascertainingthebestkindofpositiononecanachieveinagivensituationandthengettingthejobdone.EmanuelLasker’sManualofChessandSiegbertTarrasch’sDreihundertSchachpartienandTheGameofChessareclassicteachingvolumesforstrategy—threeworkswhichhavesurvivedthetestoftime.MoremoderntreatmentsareRobertBellinandPietroPonzetto’sTestYourPositionalPlayandLevAlburt’sTestandImproveYourChess.Forthosewithtimetostudystrategyindepth,werecommendMaxEuwe’sTheMiddleGame(2vols.)andLudekPachman’sModernChessStrategy.KNOWTHYSELFINCHESSInHamlet,WilliamShakespearenearlywrote,“Thisaboveall:tothineownchessselfbetrue.”Whichmeans,firstandforemost,gettingtoknowyourchessself.Butmoststudentsnevertakethetimetoassesscarefullytheirchessplay.IntheformerSovietUnion,oneofthemosteffective,thoughdemandingmethodsforconductingpersonalchessassessmentswastoassignnumericalvaluestothefacetsofone’sgameandtotheplayofothers.Onanascendingscaleofzeroto10,assignyourselfanoverallplayingstrengthoffive.Thispartiseasybecauseinthissystem,everyonefromaClassAplayertotheworldchampionstartsoutatfive.Thepartthatisnotsoeasyistodeterminetheothernumbervalues.Beginbysearchingyourmemorytogetasenseofyourplay,andjotdownsomeroughratingsforyourstrengthinsuchbroadcategoriesofpracticalplayastheopening,middlegame,endgame,strategy,tactics,andattackinganddefensiveskills.Lateron,therewillbetimetorefinetheseroughimpressions.Predictably,yourstrengthinsomeareaswillexceedthevalueoffiveassignedtoyouroveralllevel,andinotherareas,itwilllag.Now,thispracticeofattachingnumberstoone’sattackingordefensiveplayiseasytoparody.Yetovertheyears,practicehasshownthatthe zero-to-10scaleishighlyeffective,especiallyifoneextendsitbeyondthemajordepartmentsofover-the-boardplay.OneplayerbrokedownhundredsofhisgamestodiscoverhowwellhehandledthetwoBishops,conductedpawnstorms,playedpositionswithKingscastledonoppositewings,exercisedtechniqueinfavorablepositions,negotiatedtherigorsoftimepressure,andsoon.Eventually,hegeneratedratingstoexpresshisperformanceintheseandotherareas.Remember:Theimportantthingisnottocalculateabsolutelyaccuratenumbersbuttocompareone’sstrengthinspecificcategorieswithone’soverallstrengthand,ifpossible,withthestrengthoflikelyopponents.Startlingdiscoveriescanbemadeaboutone’splay.OneplayerdiscoveredthathewastooapttooptforthetwoBishops.InalineoftheEnglish(1.c4Nf62.Nc3e63.Nf3Bb44.Qc20-05.a3Bxc36.Qxc3d5),heoftencourtedtroubleintheearlymiddlegamebydroppingtempostokeephisclerics.Simplybecomingawareofthisweaknesswashalfthebattle,andthisplayerbegantocheckmorecarefullythosemovesdesignedtoobtainBishopsforKnights.Anotherhelpfulpracticeistoassignnumericalvaluestotheoverallstrengthsoflikelyopponentsandtospecificareasoftheirplay—thekindofanalysisthatMikhailBotvinnikmadeofhisopponentsatthe1948worldchampionshiptournament.Amongotherthings,BotvinnikdiscoveredthatformerworldchampionMaxEuwerelentlesslysoughtattackingpositionsandopenfiles,paidtoolittleattentiontosquareweaknessesandtoomuchtoKingsafety,and—charmingly—tendedtooverlooklongmoves.Theplayerwhotakesaparthisgames,evaluateshundredsofimportantdecisions,chartshisoverallperformanceinimportantareas,anddoesthesameforlikelyopponentsisonhiswaytomajorimprovement.Hewillsoonbeshapinghisopeningrepertoiretoachievemiddleandendgamepositionsinwhichheexcels.PREPARINGFORSPECIFICOPPONENTSPlayerswhoareexpertsandmastersknowthattheonlywaytoreachtheirrespectivelevelsistodefeattheirpeers.Theyknowthatmoreefficientdisposaloflower-ratedplayersisnotenoughtobridgethegapwhichseparatestheClassAorBplayerfromjourneymenexpertsandmasters. Andso,inevitably,ambitiousplayersmustprepareagainstindividualopponents—especiallyiftheydonotliveinoneofahalf-dozenurbanchesscentersandhave,therefore,onlyafewtargetstoknockoff.Thetaskofpreparationoughttobeeasierthanmanyplayersmakeit.Theproblemisthattheyaretrappedinatimewarp.TheirconceptofpreparationisexhaustedbythefamousstoryofhowHarryNelsonPillsburylosttoEmanuelLaskeratSt.Petersburg1895-96,discoveredanimprovement(1.d4d52.c4e63.Nc3Nf64.Nf3c55.Bg5cxd46.Qxd4Nc67.Bxf6!ratherthanhisearlier7.Qh4),analyzeditexhaustively,andsprangthenewideaonLaskeratCambridgeSprings1904.Pillsburywonthegamebrilliantly,andgenerationshavegrownupreadingallaboutit.That’sfine.ButifPillsbury,asthelegendgoes,reallyspentnineyearsanalyzingtheaboveline,thenhesquanderedhistime.Thereis,ofcourse,nothingwrongwithfindinganopeningimprovementandspringingitonanopponent;ourpointisonlythatthereiseversomuchmoretopreparationthantrappingsomeoneinanopeningline.Playersofallstrengthsshouldfindpartnerswithwhomtocollaborate.AClassAplayerwhowantstomovehighershouldapproachalocalexpertandasktoworkwithhim.Workwiththehatedcompetition,divulgeone’spreciousthoughts?Absolutely.Strongplayersaretoooftenreluctanttoworktogetherbecausetheyseeonlyrelativelyminusculenegatives(lettingslipanopeningideaorstylisticpreference)insteadofthehugedividendsthatcomefromfruitfulcollaboration.JustaskArturYusupovandSergeiDolmatovorMikhailBotvinnik,whoworkedwiththelateVyacheslavRagozin.Theideabehindchesscooperationistoconcentrateonone’sownimprovementratherthanworryingaboutsilly“secrets.”Playerswhogrowstrongerhavenoproblemdetectingtheroughedgesoftheircompetitorsandnoneedtoworryaboutanoccasionallost“secret.”Intheprecedingsectionofthischapter,wespokeoflearningtoknowyourchessselfandsuggestedusingaratingscaleofzeroto10bywhichtoguageperformanceinthevariedelementsofchessplay.Totheextentthatonewantstoconcentrateontheopposition,itshouldbeinconjunctionwithusingthisscale.Aspiringexperts,forexample,oughttoplayoveralocalexpert’sgamesanddiscoverhowwellthelatterhandles,say,therigorsoftimepressureorpositionswithKingscastledonoppositewings. Breakdownanopponent’sgameintoitsconstituentpartsandcomparehisstrengthswithyourown.OLEGROMANISHIN:ACASESTUDYOnedaybackin1978,GMLevAlburt—oneoftheauthorsofthischapter—wasleafingthroughanotebookcontaininghispastgameswithafellowgrandmaster,OlegRomanishin.StillaSovietcitizen,thefutureU.S.chesschampionwasnothuntingforopeningnoveltiestospringonGMRomanishin.HewasattemptingalaBotvinniktounderstandthechesspsychologyofhispotentialopponent.AlburtdiscoveredthatheandRomanishinwerealotalike:Bothplayerspursuedcomplex,unbalancedpositions,searchedforexceptionstogeneralrules,andwillinglygaveorgrabbedmaterial.Contrarytothecommonassumption,Romanishinwasnotsomuchanattackingmasterpersebutratheraplayerseekingunbalancedpositionswhetherinattackordefense.AlburtalsonoticedthatinhisgameswithRomanishin,thesidesacrificingmaterialfaredbetterthanthesideacceptingdebatablegifts.OnlyafteranalyzingRomanishin’splayindetaildidAlburtdevelopanoverallgameplanwhichinvolvedsacrificingmaterial.HebegantothinkaboutpossibleopeningsandknewthatRomanishinlikedtoplaytheBlacksideoftheQueen’sGambitAccepted.WhatpossibilitiesdidWhitehavetoofferapawnforaninitiative?QUEEN’SGAMBITACCEPTEDW:GMLevAlburtB:GMOlegRomanishinVilnius,19781.d4d52.c4dxc43.e4e54.Nf3Bb4+Atthetime,anovelty.ButAlburtkeepstohispregameplan.5.Nc3Whitecannotplay5.Nbd2becauseof5....c3!andhasnointerestintheslightlybetterendingthatcouldariseafter5.Bd2.Beforeplayingthetext,AlburtanalyzedthegamecontinuationandwasnotsurprisedthatRomanishinplayed6....Qe7and7....Qxe4+.TherewasnoimmediatepunishmentinsightforBlack,and thecaptureledtoadynamic,unbalancedposition.5....exd46.Nxd4Qe77.Bxc4Qxe4+Hereitis:Romanishinistruetohisstyle—afterthinkingfor40minutes.After7....Nf6,Whitehasonlyaslightadvantage.8.Kf1!Bxc39.bxc3Be610.Qb3!Bxc411.Qxc4Nc612.Bg5Theobviousthreatis13.Re1.12....Qg613.Re1+Kf814.Nxc6bxc6Thecapture,14....Qxc6,ismetbythesamemoveasinthegame.15.Qb4+Qd616.Qb7Rd8Thealternativeis16....Re817.Rxe8+Kxe818.Qc8+Qd819.Qxd8,mate.17.Bxd8Qxd818.Qxa7,andWhitewinsThefirstplayerisanexchangeand,ineffect,apawnup.Realpreparationismorethanfindingaholeinopeninganalysisorsettingatrap.Itiscomingtounderstandhowanopponentthinksatthechessboard,whichisseldomarandomprocesswithmoststrongplayers.WhenGMAlburtassumedthatGMRomanishinwouldunbalancetheposition,hewasnotinveiglinghisopponentintoatrapbutdrawingabehavioralconclusionbasedonclosestudy.HOWTOTHINKDURINGAGAMEInhisThinkLikeaGrandmaster,AlexanderKotovexplainedthethoughtprocessesofhimselfandperhapsothergrandmastersduringchesscombat.Herecommendedthatplayersidentifycandidatemovesinagivenposition,analyzethesemoveseachintheirturn(without,ingeneral,returningtocheckcalculations),andthenmakeamove. Kotov’scandidate-movemethodhasvalueifonlybecauseitoffersanorderlywaytoanalyzepositions.Lessintellectualstaticbuzzesinthebrainwhenoneceasesjumpingfrommovetomove—andthenbackagainandagain.YetawarninglabelmustbeattachedtoKotov’smethod:Avoidrigidadherence.Ifafterconsidering,say,threecandidatemoves,donotbeafraidtolookatotherideasastheyoccur.Further,ifafterrejectingcandidatemove“A,”younoticethatanideainvolvedwithcandidatemove“B”couldproveusefulinline“A,”thendonothesitatetoreconsiderthelatter.“Flexibility”isthebyword.GMMikhailTal–GMLajosPortisch1965Candidates’Match,Game2;WhitetoMoveIntheaboveposition,Talwonquicklyafter16.Rxe6+!fxe617.Qxe6+Kf818.Bf4Rd819.c5Nxd320.cxb6Nxf421.Qg4Nd522.bxa7Ke7?!23.b4!Ra824.Rel+Kd625.b5!Rxa7?26.Re6+Kc727.Rxf6!,Blackresigns.Onmove17,Blackhadtwootheralternatives:17....Kd8and17....Be7.Thefirstideawouldhaveresultedinadrawbyperpetualvia18.Qd6+Ke819.Qe6+,etc.Whenplaying16.Rxe6+!,TalsuspectedthatPortischwouldeschewthislineinsearchofarefutationtothesacrifice.Atfirstglance,onesuchrefutationis17....Be7. GMMikhailTal–GMLajosPortischWhitetomoveWhitehastwocandidatemovesthatsuggestthemselves,18.Bg5and18.Bf5.FollowingKotov’smethodbyrote,onetreatsthetwomovesasequalsandanalyzesbothofthem.Butamorenaturalwaytoapproachthepositionissimplytolookattheobviousandpromising18.Bg5.OnediscoversthatBlackwinsafter18....Qc719.Re1Nxd3!20.Bxe7Qd7!.Whitewouldliketoplay21.Qg6,mate,butthepawnonh7preventsit.Ah,ha!Isthereanytrickthatfreesuptheg6square?Theanswerisathirdpossibilityatmove18thatwouldneverentertheminduntilafteranalyzing18.Bg5.Whitecanplay18.Bg6+,andBlackcannotreplywith18....hxg6becauseof19.Bg5Qc720.Re1.White’sthreatsaredecisive.Therefore,Blackmusttry18....Kd8,withacomplexpositionthatisdifficultforbothsides.Kotovteachesusnottojumpunnecessarilyfrommovetomovewhenanalyzing.That’sgood.Butdonotfearsearchingforexceptionstogeneralrulesanddonotavoidnaturalmethodsofthought.Inasentence,theproblemwithKotov’smethodofthinkingisthatincomplexpositions,itisoftenimpossibletoidentifycandidatemovesimmediately.Thesemovesappearasyouanalyzeothermoves,e.g.theaboveTal-Portischexample.Inover-the-boardplay,amoresubtleorganizationofthinkingisthefollowingmethod:1.Establishthegoalofcalculation,e.g.canIgetaperpetualcheck? 2.Searchforideastoreachthegoal,andbegincalculatingthemovemostlikelytoleadtothegoal.3.Calculatethemovesinorderoftheirseemingstrength.TheabovemethodofthinkingincomplexpositionssavestimeovertheKotovmethodwhilemaintainingintellectualdisciplineinanalysis.(SeealsoachapteroncalculationinourTactics).THEROLEOFCREATIVITYINCHESS“Ihavealwaysaslightfeelingofpity,”wroteSiegbertTarraschinTheGameofChess,“forthemanwhohasnoknowledgeofchess,justasIwouldpitythemanwhohasremainedignorantoflove.Chess,likelove,likemusic,hasthepowertomakemenhappy.”Tarraschwasontosomething.Chessis,afterall,anart.Andtheplayerwhorecognizesthiselementofthegamewillnotonlyfindchessmoresatisfyingandenjoyablebutwillalsoimprovehisover-the-boardresults.Improveone’sover-the-boardresults?Inanagewhenbrilliancyprizesaretoutepasseandratingsthesingletickettopeervalidation,theideaofapproachingchessasanartseemsimpractical,ifnotsuicidal.Theideaoftossingawayratingpointsbyessayingbrilliantsacrificialcombinationsthatgobustseemscrazy.YettheyoungMikhailTaldidnotworryaboutlosinggamesbecauseofsacrificialover-exuberance.Heunderstoodasayoungplayerstrugglingtoraisehisgamethathecoulddonobetterforhimselfthantostretchhislimitsbyplayingbothwinningandimaginativechess.Manystudentsdonotunderstandthatstrivingtoplayartisticallycontainspractical,long-termbenefits,butthoseplayerswhoarealerttothesebenefitspossesswhathassadlybecomeasecretweapon.Here,forexample,isacombinationplayedbyTedField,sponsoroftheNewYorklegofthe1990WorldChampionship.Field,whoisnotatournamentplayer,performsataboutmasterlevel.Hedidnothavetoplaythesacrificeatmove24andcouldhavechosenaquietandstrong,thoughlessconclusivepositionalline.Butnoplayerimprovesunlesshestretcheshislimitsandstrivesfortheverybestcontinuation. TedField–LevAlburtTrainingGame,199123.Re3!ThispositionhasdevelopedfromtheTchigorinVariationoftheRuyLopez.Inthepostmortem,Whitestatedthathewasproudofthismove—andrightlyso.Indeed,worldchampionGaryKasparov,whoplayedoverthisgame,praisedtheRookliftasshowingtruemasterybypatientlybuildinganattack,whilesimultaneouslyshuttingdownBlack’sQueensidedemonstration.White’skeyinsight—basedonapositionalunderstandingofRuyLopezformations—wasthathiscontemplatedattackprobablyrequiredtheservicesoftheKingRook.Themove,23.Re3!,isaknownmaneuvertothosewhostudytheideasbehindopenings.23....Ndc5Bythistime,Blackknewthathispositionwasworsebutstillexpectedtoconfusetheissuewiththismove,followedbyatimelypawnsacrificeond3.24.Nf5!!Atthetime,Blackfearedthisshottotheheadlessthanthepositionalbodypunchesofh3-h4andh4-h5.Eventsshowthatinthisinstancethemoredirectcourseisalsothestronger.24....gxf5If24....Bxf5,Whitegainsacrushingpositionwithoutmaterialinvestmentafter25.exf5g526.h4.25.exf5Kh8Blacknowrealizedthathewasinbigtrouble.WhitethreatenstoplayNh6,Qg4,andRg3,intendingtomateoneitherg7org8.IftheBlackmonarchattemptstoescapewith25....Kf7,heiscutdownby26.Nxe5+dxe5(if26....Ke8,Whitehas27.Qh5+Kd828.Nc6+)27.Qh5+.26.Nh6Rg827.Qh5!Black’slasthopewasthatthefirstplayerwouldgrabtheRookong8.Thetextthreatens28.Nf7+Kg729.Rg3+Kf830.Bh6+,etc.27....Rf828.Rg3Onethreatis29.Qg4.Butthereisanother.28....Qd829.Qf7!,BlackresignsOfcourse,if29....Rxf7,thenWhiteplays30.Nxf7,mate. Playerswhoseekbeautyinchessarenotafraidtolosebecausetheycanadmireboththeirmovesandthoseoftheopponent.Notbeingchesscowards,theydiebutonce.Playerswhoapproachchessasanartbelievethatthereisapointtoplayingthegameandare,therefore,morelikelytohavethecouragetodare.Weallknowthepracticalvalueofcourageinchess,whichisanexpressionofastrong,ifnotalwaysamoralpersonalcharacter.Weallknowsmooth,well-schooledplayerswhoseemtofallapartwhenthegoinggetstough.Weallknowotherplayerswholiftapieceintotheair—theirhandshakingwithtension—andsomehowputitdownontherightsquare.Thepointisnotthateverychesstoughguyisaconsciouschessartist;thepointisthattestingone’screativelimitsisanexcellentwaytolearntoplaybetterchess.Makingcreativedemandsononeselfbuildsconfidence,whichinturndevelopsthecapabilitytodotherightthingevenwhenitappearsunlikely.GMSvetozarGligoric–GMMikhailTal1959Candidates’Tournament;BlacktoMoveIntheaboveposition,Talplaysasurprising,ifsoundlybasedsacrifice.White’spositionseemssolidenough,butBlackripsopenthepawncenterwith18....Nxd5!Talhasinmindthepositionwhicharisesafter19.exd5 Bf520.Qc3Bg721.Qc1Bxb122.Bxg7Kxg723.Qxb1Nf424.Nde3Qe5,whenhethreatens...Qd4.Gligoriccounterswith25.Bxb5!Rxb526.Nf5+gxf527.Rxe5Rxe5,andthepositionisaboutequalbecauseBlack’sQueenRookispoorlyplaced.Atfirstglance,Black’ssacrificeseemstoviolategeneralprinciplesbecauseWhiteappearstohaveasolidposition.YetTalneverriskedlosingequalityandposeddifficultproblemsforGligorictosolve.Hehadtheconfidencetoplayanunlikelyandcorrectlinebecausehetrustedinhisjudgment.Noneofusarebornwiththecapacitytobelieveinandactuponourbetterjudgment.Welearntodotherightthinginchessbyextendingourcreativelimits,whichmeanstakingsomelumpsalongtheway.TheyoungBobbyFischerofthelate1950swasoftencriticizedforstubbornlyadheringtoopeninglinesevenwhentheyyieldedpoorimmediateresults.Hewas,infact,payingcreativeduesforthestunningandeasyeleganceofhismaturity.GMBobbyFischer–GMOscarPannoBuenosAires,1970;WhitetomoveFischerplaysamisprint,28.Be4!!,withtheideaofaddingaBishoptohisKingsideattack.BlackcannotcapturetheBishopbecauseof28....dxe429.N3xe4,threatening30.Nf6+Kh831.Nxf7,mate.Thegamequickly concludedafter28....Qe729.Nxh7!Nxh730.hxg6fxg631.Bxg6Ng5(Blacklandsinahopelessendingwith31....Qg732.Bxh7+Kh833.Qxg7+Kxg734.Bb1Ne735.f4Nc636.Kf2.)32.Nh5Nf3+33.Kg2Nh4+34.Kg3Nxg635.Nf6+Kf736.Qh7+,Blackresigns.GOODTOTHELASTMOVEBobbyFischerandMikhailTalarenottheonlychessartistsaround.AkibaRubinstein,whowonsomeRook-and-pawnendingsthatstilllooklikewitchcraft,isasdifferentfromTalasanyonecouldbe.Yethe,too,isachessartistwhosegamesaregoodtothelastmove.Unlikemanyofus,playerslikeFischer,TalandRubinsteinseldomrelaxinwinningpositionsbecauseachessgameisseenasanartisticwhole.AlexanderAlekhine,too,wasfamousforruthlesslyexploitingwonpositions.Inaccuracies—evenmeaninglessmistakesthatdonotaffecttheoutcome—areviewedaspoxonalabaster.Theplayerwhocaresaboutchessasanartisneverboredbyaposition,andthisqualityinconjunctionwithadeterminationtoplayintenselyfromtheopeningthroughthemopping-upstageisoftremendouspracticalvalue.Thecommoncomplaintaboutdrawingorlosinga“hopelesslywonposition”isnotsocommonamongplayersmotivatedtomaintainmaximumconcentrationuntiltheopponent’sresignation.Here’showRubinsteinwona“hopelesslyboringposition”againstamanwhooncebeatAlekhine:HermanisMattison–AkibaRubinstein Carlsbad1929;Blacktomove18....Re519.Rhd1?!Thismoveappearstobeabovereproach:WhitedoubleshisRooksandbearsdownontheseeminglyweakandbackwardQueenpawn.Butheoughttoplay19.Rxe5dxe5toachieveacleardraw.ThecharmofthisendingisthatBlackoughttolosebasedonrotepositionalideas.NotonlydoesthesecondplayerhaveabackwardQueenpawn,hewilllaterisolatehisKingsidepawnsandpermitWhiteapassedf-pawn.19....Rxd520.Rxd5Kd721.c4g622.Kc2Ke623.Kc3f5!BlackhasnowaslightedgebecauseofamoreactiveKingandmoremobileRook.24.exf5+gxf525.Rd2b526.b3Whiteneedstogetactivewith26.b4.26....h527.g3f4!28.Re2+Kf529.Re4fxg330.hxg3Rg831.Rf4+?Whitehadtotry31.g4+hxg432.Rxg4Rh8!,whenBlackkeepsastronginitiative.Ofcourse,Blackmustavoidboth32....b4+33.Kd3Rxg434.fxg4+Kxg435.Ke4and32....Rxg433.fxg4+Kxg434.cxb5axb535.a4.31....Ke632.Re4+Kd733.g4Rf8!34.Re3Whitedoesnotsavehimselfwith34.gxh5Rxf3+35.Kc2Rh3.34....h435.a4bxa436.bxa4Re8!37.Kd2Anotherwaytoloseis37.Rd3h338.Kc2Re2+39.Kc3Rf2!.37....Rxe338.Kxe3d5!,WhiteresignsThefiligree-likedelicacyofRubinstein’sconcludingpawnpushbeautifullycomplementstheartisticeconomyofmovesandmeansthathehasexhibitedthroughoutthisending. Muchmorecanbesaidabouthowanappreciationforthebeautyofchessimprovesone’sover-the-boardplay.Thesheerjoyofsatisfactionisprobablythechessartist’sgreatestpracticalreward.Attheboardheremainseverhungryfortheintellectualhighaffordedbycreativeendeavor.Andthischesshungermeansmoreratingpoints. SELECTEDBIBLIOGRAPHYMostofthebookslistedbelowareeasilyavailable.AnexceptionisSiegbertTarrasch’sDreihundertSchachpartien,whichhasyettobepublishedinEnglish.Amongwell-knownmail-orderoutletsforbooksandchessequipmentaretheU.S.ChessFederation(186Route9W,NewWindsor,N.Y.12553;phone:800-388-5464);PBMInternationalCorporation(504BloomfieldAvenue,Montclair,NewJersey07042;phone:800-726-4685);ChessDigestIncorporated(P.O.Box59029;Dallas,Texas75229;phone:800-462-3548);andDewainBarber(524S.AvenidaFara,Anaheim,California92807;phone:714-998-5508).ToprocuretheTarraschvolume,contactdealersinusedchessbooks.Onewell-knownandrespecteddealerisFredWilson—Books(80East11thStreet,Suite334,NewYork,N.Y.10003;phone:212-533-6381).Thebookslistedundereachsubheadarearrangedinascendingorderofdifficulty,thoughsucharankingcanonlybeapproximate.BOOKSFORSTUDYINGOPENINGS1.EdmarMednis,HowtoPlayGoodOpeningMoves2.ReubenFine,IdeasBehindtheChessOpenings3.RobertBellinandPietroPonzetto,MasteringtheKing’sIndianDefense4.LarryEvansetal.,HowtoOpenaChessGame5.EncyclopediaofChessOpeningsandChessInformantsBOOKSFORSTUDYINGCHESSSTRATEGY1.JoseCapablanca,ChessFundamentals2.EmanuelLasker,ManualofChess3.JoseCapablanca,LastLectures4.LudekPachman,ModernChessStrategy5.AndrewSoltis,PawnStructureChess6.RobertBellinandPietroPonzetto,TestYourPositionalPlay7.LevAlburt,TestandImproveYourChess 8.SiegbertTarrasch,TheGameofChess9.SiegbertTarrasch,DreihundertSchachpartien10.MaxEuwe,TheMiddleGame(twovolumes)BOOKSFORSTUDYINGTACTICS1.FredReinfeld,1001BrilliantWaystoCheckmateand1001WinningSacrificesandCombinations2.AugustLivshitz,TestYourChessIQ3.MoeMossandIanMullin,BlundersandBrilliancies4.VladimirVukovic,TheArtofAttack5.GarryKasparov,KasparovTeachesChess6.LeonidShamkovich,TheTacticalWorldofChess7.MikhailTal,TheLifeandGamesofMikhailTal8.YasserSeirawan,FlashTactics(Advancedseries)9.NikolaiKrogius,EncyclopediaofMiddlegames:Combinations10.ChessInformants(seethechapteron“Combinations”atthebackofeachvolume)BOOKSFORSTUDYINGENDGAMES1.JoseCapablanca,ChessFundamentalsandLastLectures2.EdmarMednis,PracticalRookEndings3.BrucePandolfini,Pandolfini’sEndgameCourse4.IrvingChernev,Capablanca’sBestChessEndings5.HansKmoch,Rubinstein’sChessMasterpieces6.AugustLivshitzandJonathanSpeelman,TestYourEndgameAbility7.IrvingChernev,PracticalChessEndings8.MikhailShereshevsky,EndgameStrategy9.ReubenFine,BasicChessEndingsAlexanderKotov’sThinkLikeaGrandmasterisanimportantworkforstudyingandevaluatingthisfamousgrandmaster-author’sadviceabout howtocalculatevariationsduringagame.And,ofcourse,readComprehensiveChessCourse,LevelIIIbooks(see“HowtoOrder”page.) ROMANPELTSBorninOdessa,Ukraine,onAugust11,1937,RomanPeltsholdstherankofFIDEmaster.Butheisbestknownasoneofthemostrespectedchesstrainersintheworld.SincefoundingtheRomanPeltsChessStudio,firstinMontrealandlaterinToronto,hehastaughthundredsofstudentsandiscommonlyregardedasCanada’stopchessteacher.FMPeltslefttheformerSovietUnionin1977,takingwithhimthenotesonwhichComprehensiveChessCourseisbased.DuringhisyearsintheSovietUnion,hequicklygainednameasacomingyoungmaster,finishingsecondintheRussianChampionshipforYoungMasters.Buthesoonfoundteachingchesstobemorefulfillingandchallengingthanplayingthegame.In1959,FMPeltsfoundedinOdessaachessschool,andamonghisfirstpupilswereseveralchildren,wholaterbecamefamousgrandmasters,includingLevAlburt(theco-authorofComprehensiveChessCourse),SemyonPalatnikandVladimirTukmakov.Hewasawardedtheprestigioustitleof“HonoredCoach.”In1971,heservedascoachfortheSovietnationalstudentteam,whichincludedamongitsmembersfutureFIDEworldchampionAnatolyKarpovandfuturetitlecandidateAlexanderBeliavsky.AlongwithMarkDvoretsky,FMPeltsisamongthemostinnovativeofchessteachersandtrainers.Heinstructschildrenandadultswhoarejust beginninginchessandtop-ratedplayerswhoneedtheservicesofanexperiencedcoach.“Oneofthemostimportantteachingprinciples,”statesFMPelts,“istoprovidestudentsonlytheknowledgetheyneedattheirgivenlevelofdevelopment.Givethemtoomuch,theybogdownindetail;givethemtoolittle,theydonotreceivepropertraininginthebasics.”FMPeltsisindemandasachessteacherandlecturerthroughoutbothCanadaandtheUnitedStates.HeisaleadingproponentofputtingchessintoCanada’spublicschoolsandhasorganizednumeroustournamentsforchildren.“Ifirmlybelieve,”hestates,“thatchesssharpensthemindsofkidsandcontainsavaluebeyonditsroleofbeing,quitesimply,theworld’spremiergame.” LEVALBURTGrandmasterLevAlburtwasborninOrenburg,Russia,onAugust21,1945.Formanyyears,helivedinOdessa,aUkrainiancitylocatedontheBlackSea.Athree-timechampionoftheUkraine(1972-74),hebecameEuropeanCupchampionin1976.In1979,whileinWestGermanyforachesscompetition,hedefected.Since1979,GMAlburthasmadehishomeinNewYorkCity.Inhisadoptedcountry,hecontinuestoplaychessand“toenjoythebestRussianfoodanywhereintheUnitedStates.”Hehasalsoreturnedtohisearlierloveofteachingchesstothosewhowishtolearntheroyalgame.Thisthree-timeU.S.Champion(1984,1985,and1990),whofirsttaughtchessintheformerSovietUnionunderthedirectionofmany-timeworldchampionMikhailBotvinnik,nowadaysconductsclassesatchesscamps,teachesandtrainssomeofAmerica’sstrongestyoungplayersundertheauspicesoftheAmericanChessFoundation,andlecturesatclubsthroughouttheUnitedStates.Inaddition,GMAlburtconductsclinicsforscholasticcoachesonhowbettertoteachchesstotheirstudents.OnememorablehighpointwasaspeechtotheHarvardRussianResearchCenterontheroleofchessinSovietpolitics.Asateacher,GMAlburtisattheforefrontoffindingnewwaystoteachchesstostudentsrangingfromyoungchildrentoadultswhowishtotake upthegame.ComprehensiveChessCourseisoneoftheproductsofwhatissometimescalled“thenewchesspedagogy.”HefrequentlyworksonlessonswithIMMarkDvoretsky,whoiscommonlyregardedastheworld’soutstandingchesstrainer.CurrentlyGMAlburtoftenconductschesslessonsbybothtelephoneandmail—havingdevelopedcourseplansforbothkindsofinstruction.HecanbereachedbywritingtoLevAlburt,P.O.Box534,GracieStation,NewYork,N.Y.10028.OtherbooksbyGMAlburtincludeTestandImproveyourChess,publishedbyPergamonPress,andTheAlekhinefortheTournamentPlayer(co-authoredwithEricSchiller),publishedbyBatsford.“Chessisagameforlife,”GMAlburtsays,”andthatmeanschildrenwholearnchessnotonlyimprovetheirabilitytoreasonclearlybutalsohaveapastimethatwillneverfailthemastheygrowolder.”anotefromGMLevAlburt...MAXIMIZEYOURPROGRESSINCHESSWithPersonalInstruction(inpersonorbymail/telephone)Asachessteacher,myjobistoprovidequickandsteadyimprovementformystudentsbyenablingthemtousetheirvaluabletimetomaximumeffect.Afterdiscussingyourchessandanalyzingyourgames,I’lldesignforyouthemosteffectivepersonalizedstudyprogram,basedonarenownedRussian-developedcourse.Myinstructionisbasedonwhathasalreadyworkedinpractice.Individuallessonsaren’tcheap(startingat$80/hourforcorrespondencelessons)buttheyarealsohighlyefficient,savinghundredsofvaluablehoursotherwisespentfollowingfalseleads.Evenasinglesessionmay helpyoutoreassessyourchessandtoputyourchessstudiesontherighttrack.Formoreinformationandtoscheduletheappointment,writetoLevAlburt,P.O.Box534,GracieStation,NewYork,NewYork10028-0005,orcall(212)794-8706.Mentionthisadandget30%offfromthepriceofyourfirstlesson.