Critical Moments in Chess E-Book

Paata Gaprindashvili

• Herausgeber: Batsford
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 511

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2013

Beschreibung

• A unique exploration of those pivotal moments in which chess games are won or lost – if you know how to spot them • Packed with invaluable tips and tricks on identifying critical moments, illustrated with examples from 280 chess games • Fascinating new book from the author of Imagination in Chess, which has built up a cult following in the chess world This exciting and unique book deals with an aspect of chess that is hard to pin down: those monumental moments in a game when the tide turns and the course of the game is altered. It outlines the different types of critical moment, explaining how to spot them and, crucially, how to combat them, seize the initiative and turn the game to your own advantage. To back up the theory, the author has provided deep analysis of 280 chess positions from games by some of the greatest players in the world.

Leseprobe

First published in the United Kingdom in 2010 by

Batsford Old West London Magistrates’ Court 10 Southcombe Street London W14 0RA

An imprint of Anova Books Company Ltd

Copyright © Batsford 2010

Text copyright © Paata Gaprindashvili 2010

The moral right of the author has been asserted.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

First eBook publication 2013 eBook ISBN: 9781849940993

Also available in paperback Paperback ISBN 9781906388652

This book can be ordered direct from the publisher at the website www.anovabooks.com

Contents

From the Author

1 Critical moments

2 Critical moments: struggle and capture of the initiative

3 Critical moments: development of the initiative, creation of an attack

4 Critical moments: obtaining and retaining the advantage; creation of counterplay; taking over the initiative from the opponent, etc.

5 Critical moments: delivering the decisive blow

6 Exercises

Solutions to Exercises

Index of Players

From the Author

Dear Reader,

Before you is a book dedicated to a very important problem, but one that has hardly been looked at in chess literature – the problem of critical moments in the game.

The book consists of six chapters. Chapter 1 gives readers an idea of critical moments, the reasons for their occurrence, and acquaints them with their types. In the following Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 detailed analysis is given of critical moments, as well as a list of methods utilised by chess players at critical moments of the struggle. Each chapter contains a large number of exercises for independent solving. Many of these are not so easy, while some are rather difficult. But it is not so important how many positions you manage to solve, the importance of the work you do on the book lies in the process. You will have a better feel for critical moments. Your understanding of chess will rise to a higher level, also increasing your class of play. Apart from this, you will find quite a lot of advice and practical recommendations. For strong chess players as well, this is a good opportunity to practice, to hone your skills.

First, carefully review the introductory articles to all the chapters, then go back and start solving the puzzles. In this way, you will work your way through the first 152 exercises, after which you can go over to the ‘Exercises’ chapter. Here there will be no tips. You will not know to which chapter the theme of this or that position relates, you yourself will have to deal with that and decide what to do. Run a pencil through the numbers of those exercises on which you have worked – this will help you not to miss a single position. All the examples are from practical play. Unless otherwise stated it is White to play. (*) indicates the degree of difficulty of the exercise.

It is desirable to solve the positions on a chessboard (and not from the diagram), without moving the pieces and giving yourself a reasonable amount of time for reflection, i.e. to work in conditions as close as possible to practical play.

It is also necessary to mention that in the book we do not use such signs as (!?) – ‘interesting move’ and (?!) – ‘dubious move’. The author considers that a move can be either neutral, or accurate – (!), or strong – !, or very strong – !!, and, respectively, incorrect – (?), weak – ? and a blunder – ??

Here’s to your success!

1 Critical moments

Almost every game has its own critical moments. Moments, where you have to decide questions about the initiative, advantage, where situations of conflict arise. Such moments have great significance, having an influence on the further course of the struggle. In games there will usually be 2-3 critical moments. They will arise in very different situations, but most frequently during 1) the struggle for the initiative; 2) development of the initiative, creation of the attack; 3) delivery of a decisive blow.

Tal – Bilek Miskolc, 1963

The opponents have come out of the opening. Black must solve the problem of his queenside development. 13 … b5 is no good for this purpose because of 14 dc! (after 14 xa8? b7 Black stands better) b7 15 c6 xe5 16 fe xc6 17 ef xf3 18 fg fd8 19 gf with advantage for White – here three minor pieces are superior in strength to a queen. Therefore the strongest continuation was 13 … b6! 13 … cxd4? Essentially an incorrect decision, since with this exchange he enhances the activity of the opponent’s pieces.14 xd4 xe5

The first critical moment. How to capture? 15 fxe5! With this capture and the associated pawn sacrifice White gains: 1) space to activate his pieces (the knight obtains the central square e4, the rook – the e- and f-files); 2) time (Black has to spend some time in order to eliminate the important e5 pawn); 3) a weakening of the opponent’s king’s cover (a capture on e5 inevitably leads to the exchange of his dark-squared bishop). In short, the move in the game creates real prerequisites for the seizing of the initiative. The other capture – 15 xe5, allows Black after 15 … b6+ 16 h1 d7 and 17 … c6 to complete his development comfortably and solve his opening problems. 15 … d7 16 e4! Just in time! The opponent threatened with the move 16 … c5! to neutralise the white knight – an important attacking piece. 16 … xe5 Black cannot allow the invasion of the knight on f6. 17 xe5 xe5 We get the impression that I.Bilek, in going in for this position, assessed it as being quite pleasant for him. However, White, having the initiative, has a way of increasing the pressure. 18 ad1 Activating the rook with tempo (he threatens 19 xd7). 18 … g7 19 d6 c5+ 20 h1 e5 20 … f6 was not possible because of 21 xf6+. 21 f4 He should pay attention to Tal’s manner of play – with each move he improves the positions of his pieces.21 … f6 22 f1 Identifying the weakest link in his opponent’s defence – the f6 square. 22 … a5 Played with the intention of driving away the white knight from its strong position by means of a8-a6, and likewise, at a convenient moment, to advance the a-pawn even further.

The second critical moment. There is the striking move 23 e8+, but after 23 … xe8 24 xf6+ g8 (24 … h6? 25 f4) 25 de1 (25 d8 d7? 26 xe6+!; 25 … xd8 26 xd8+ g7 27 f6+, draw) f8 26 xf8+ (26 xe6+? xe6 27 xe6+ f7) xf8 27 xf8+ xf8 28 xe5 e7 White has nothing concrete. So how does he generate an initiative?23 h4! a6 23 … a4 makes no sense because of the simple 24 xa4, while the slower 23 … h5 allows the opponent to carry out the knight sacrifice idea – 24 e8+ xe8 25 xf6+ h6 (25 … h7 26 de1; 25 … g8 26 fe1) 26 f4+ g7 27 de1 f8 28 xf8+ xf8 29 xf8 xf8 30 xe5 – the inclusion of the moves h4 and h5 makes Black’s position difficult. 24 e4 e7 25 h5 h6 25 … a4 would be bad because of 26 h6+ h8 27 xf6 d7 28 xd7 xd7 29 e5 xf6 30 xf6 g8 31 g5 e8 32 f1 a8 33 f6 f8 34 xe6+ xe6 35 xe6+; if 25 … gh, then 26 xf6 xf6 27 g3+, while on 25 … g5 M.Tal intended to reply 26 g3 with numerous threats.

The third critical moment. You sense that the position is ripe for the decisive blow, but for the present the capture on f6 does not work. What to do? 26 g3! Retreating still further strengthens the queen, rook and knight!26 … a4 At last Black carries out his threat, but already it is too late. If he were first to play 26 … c7, then would have followed 27 hg a4 28 xf6 xf6 (28 … ab 29 h5+ g8 30 xf8+ xf8 31 g7+) 29 xf6 xf6 30 g7! xg7 31 f1+, winning the queen. 27 xf6! Freeing the f1 square for the other rook with tempo. 27 … xf6 28 xe5 axb3 29 axb3! Black’s rook and bishop cannot take part in the defence of the king, and this means that White has in this part of the board a great advantage in fire-power. It seems there is no satisfactory continuation: 29 … f7 30 xf6 xf6 31 c7+; 29 … gh 30 xf6 (30 f1? a5!) xf6 31 g3+(!) 29 … b6 Preparing 30 … a5. 30 b4Suppressing any attempts at activity.1–0

Conditionally, critical moments can be divided into three groups: 1) clear, when the object of conflict is present, and the conflict obvious; 2) concealed, where the object of conflict and the conflict itself are, as it were, not present. Let’s look at them.

– clear critical moments

Tokarev – Gufeld Kiev, 1954

The struggle revolves around the d5 square (the object of the conflict). If White consolidates his pieces there – he will obtain a stable advantage whereas the liberating d6-d5 will lead to an overall improvement in the black pieces throughout his whole position. But 14 … d5 for the present does not work because of the possibility of an intermediate check: 15 xd5 xd2 16 xf6+. 14 … b5 The aim of this move is clear – to drive the knight away from c3. 15 d5 Taking the pawn (15 xb5) would be risky – opening the b-file, while 15 g5 is no good because of the counterattack 15 … b4! 15 … a6 After 15 … xd2 16 xf6+ xf6 17 xd2 a6 (17 … d5? 18 ed xd5 19 xd5 xd5 20 d1) 18 hd1 e7 White has the better endgame, he dictates the terms – and will have the possibility of increasing the pressure by means of e3-b6-a5-b4 or f3-f4-f5. 16 b4? White overdoes it – he wants at all costs to maintain the d5 square for his pieces. Meanwhile, by continuing 16 h4!, he would firmly seize the initative: 16 … xd5 17 ed h5 18 g5 hg 19 fg with an attack. 16 … b7 17 g5

It seems as though the battle for the central squares is over – White has finally taken control of them, however … 17 … a5!!Blow for blow, and otherwise, counterattack! E.Gufeld plays on principle!18 gxf6? And V.Tokarev does not want to retreat! He hopes to beat off the attack and retain his extra piece. In case of 18 d5 xd5 19 ed f5 20 d3! xd3 21 xd3 dc8 or 18 d3 h5 (19 c5? dc! 20 xd8+ xd8 21 xd8+ f8 22 xc5 c7 23 xf8+ g7) Black would have an excellent game. All the same the lesser evil was to recognise his opponent’s success in this microduel and return the knight to d5. But even better would be, in general, not to have moved it away from there in the first place! 18 … axb4 19 fxg7 xa2+ 20 c1 c4 21 e1 Preparing a refuge for the king on the opposite flank. 21 b3 loses – 21 … a6 22 de1 dc8 23 d2 xc2+ 24 xc2 a2+. The result of the microduel: White has gained a piece, Black – an attack.

21 … d5!Activating an inactive piece! Now all Black’s pieces take part in the attack! 22 d3 On 22 xc4 would decide 22 … a1+ 23 d2 dc+, while on 22 ed sufficient is 22 … a1+ 23 d2 xd5+ 24 d3 xd3+. 22 … dxe4 23 fxe4 xe4 24 e2 b3!The power of coordination! The attack develops automatically – Black ‘clicks’ on the white ‘keys’! 25 he1 If 25 b1, then 25 … xd3 26 cd a4 27 c1 c8+. 25 … a1+ 26 d2 xd3 27 cxd3 b4 mate.

Sveshnikov – Palatnik Kiev, 1973

White intends to play b5-d3, b2-b3 and obtain a clear advantage. 19 … ac4 Black decides to prevent this: to exchange the opponent’s bishop and in addition, to have at his disposal the d5 square. Thus arises the situation of conflict, the object of which is the light-squared bishop.20 b3! a6 21 bxc4 dxc4 Both partners go for the basic (principal) continuation, hoping to win this microbattle (microduel). After 21 … ab 22 cb c2 23 c1 Black’s activity is at an end. 22 d5! It seems that S.Palatnik missed this move. White’s idea is concealed in the following variations: 22 … xd5 23 e3! xb5 24 xb6 xb6 25 f4; 22 … ed 23 e6. Therefore he has to take with the knight and let the bishop out of the ‘cage’. 22 … xd5 23 a4 The extra piece quickly decides the outcome of the game. 23 … g7 24 d2 b5 25 c2 f8 26 c3! b4 27 f4! xc2 28 h6+ g8 29 e4 d4 30 f6! f5 31 xf5 ef 32 g5 xg5 33 xg5 xg5 33 … f6 34 xg6+ h8 35 xh5+ g8 36 g6+ h8 37 xf6+ xf6 38 ef. 34 xg5 … 1-0

Korchnoi – Najdorf Wijk aan Zee, 1971

In the diagram position M.Najdorf played 22 … a3, reckoning that the move 23 b1 deprived White of chances of attacking the king (he will not have the manoeuvre e1-e3-g3), while the move 23 c4 allows him to advance his queenside pawns with tempo … 23 c4! The microduel is approaching. Carrying out d4-d5 is the logical plan in such positions. 23 … b5 24 b3! a5 25 d5! a4? Here Black should really attend to studying the situation, acknowledging his failure in this microduel and go with the principal (main) path, i.e. make a concession and play 25 … ed, reconciling himself to an inferior position: 26 xd5 (26 … a4 27 f3 xh4? 28 xf7+!), but M.Najdorf, a great optimist by nature, has confidence in his calculations. 26 dxe6! On 26 d6?, 26 … a7! was in store. 26 … axb3 No good is 26 … xe6 – 27 xe6 xd1 28 xf7+ xf7 29 f5+ f6 30 ef xe1+ 31 h2, and White wins. 27 exf7 + h8 He couldn’t play 27 … xf7 because of 28 xd8 xd8 29 e6+ g8 30 e7 e8 31 b4 a8 32 xb3+ h8 33 ef+ xf8 34 xb5 winning. 28 xd8 xd8 29 axb3 e7 If 29 … xb3, then 30 e6 e7 (30 … g6 31 e7) 31 g5 b4 32 e5 e7 (32 … g6 33 e7) 33 b8 (creating the threat 34 xf8+) h6 34 e8 b4 35 f1 b1 36 xb1 xb1 37 h2, and it’s all over. 30 e6 a6

This is the position for which both players were aiming. Possibly, M.Najdorf thought that he would win the e6 pawn – and with it also the game. 31 f4!! A remarkable resource! It becomes obvious that V.Korchnoi has delved deeper into the position. 31 … h6 Alas, the pawn is untouchable: 31 … xe6 32 xe6 xe6 (32 … xe6 33 xe6) 33 xe6 xe6 34 f5 f8 35 h5! g6 (or 35 … h6 36 g4 g6 37 f6 gh 38 gh) 36 h6!, and the only thing left for Black is to resign. 32 f5 Now White’s game is winning, but time trouble affects the play. 32 … h7 33 c1 a8 34 f4 f6 35 c7 b4 36 c8+ The two opponents had consumed a lot of time calculating the variations. This could explain the following mutual errors. 36 c5 would have finished the struggle at once. 36 … h7! 36 … xc8? 37 xc8+ h7 38 f8=+. 37 xa8?? Missing the win. 37 … d4+ 38 f1 f4+?? 38 … d3+! would have made a draw. 39 e2 e5+ 40 d1 1-0

As we can see, in positions of the first group, the conflict is pronounced and obviously (in the first case the object of the conflict was the d5 square, in the second – the light-squared bishop, in the third – the advance d4-d5), a situation of conflict is present here. We go over to examples of the second group.

– hidden critical moments

Portisch – Fischer Santa Monica, 1966

It seems that there is no object of conflict, hence no conflict itself. In actuality however, the object of conflict here is the initiative, and on the board now is a hidden critical moment. A critical moment for Black. In the diagram position it is natural (and only!) to offer the continuation 11 … d7 12 d3 f6 13 h4 with an initiative for White. But does this give Black any chances of a fight? In the opponent’s camp there is a weak c4 pawn, and it is appropriate for his knight to be, not on f6, but on a5! 11 … d7!! Not an obvious idea! 12 a3? As will be seen from the sequel – this does not gain time, but loses it. However even after 12 d3 f5 13 e2 c6 Black has the advantage. 12 … e8 13 d3 f5 14 xa8 14 e2 c6 – is also not palatable. 14 … c6 15 xe8+ xe8 16 0-0 a5 17 ae1

17 … xc4(?) This time R.Fischer chooses the more obvious, but not the best continuation. After the strongest 17 … a4! 18 b4 (18 c1 xc4 19 xc4 xc4) xc4 19 xc4 xc4 20 xe6 a5 21 e7 d2 22 fe1 e4 23 h4 (23 f3? xa2) h6 victory is not far off. 18 xc4 18 xf5? a4. 18 … xc4 19 c1 c5! 20 dxc5 bxc5 … 0-1

Lutikov – Nei Parnu, 1971

Notwithstanding his lag in development, Black has played d6-d5 and created a few threats (f8-c5, f6-g4, d5xe4). A critical moment for White is approaching. The opponent has broken all the principles of opening strategy. How to refute his dubious play? 13 ed is unconvincing because of 13 … c5 14 d2 xe3+ 15 xe3 xd5 16 ad1 0–0 17 ()xd5 ed, etc. 13 a7! c7 14 exd5 Now this move gains in strength. 14 … exd5 He couldn’t play 14 … xd5 15 xd5 xd5 because of the loss of the a-pawn, and 14 … a8 – in view of the loss of the d-pawn: 15 d4 ed (15 … xd5 16 xd5 xd5 17 xd5 d8 18 c4; 15 … d8 16 b6) 16 e5+ xe5 17 fe g4 18 d4 d8 19 h3 h6 20 b6 d7 21 ad1, etc. 15 fe1 e7 (the ending of the game is examined in the chapter ‘Critical moments: delivering the decisive blow’.)

Suetin – Spiridonov Brno, 1975

On the board we have a typical situation: one side (in the present case, White) has an advantage in time, development, the other – a positional advantage.

Time works for Black: now he will play d7-e5, then b8-d7, complete his development and the static defects in White’s position will begin to tell – the isolated pawn, bad bishop, weakness of the dark square complex … So White needs to do something, and to do it at once. Indeed, for him a critical moment is at hand. Much, if not everything, depends on whether White is able, by exploiting the pluses of his position, to seize the initiative. The position is complicated by the fact that his pieces (in particular, his minor pieces) are not very active. 17 e2(?) A.Suetin activates his knight – he notices that also in his opponent’s camp there are weaknesses – the f5 and d6 squares. However White has available another and more energetic way to seize the initiative, 17 e5! – a liberating sacrifice of a pawn, activating the knight. Now after 17 … xe5 18 e4 0–0 19 g5 (19 … h5 20 f6+!) or 17 … 0-0 18 g5 xe5 19 f3 White creates an attack on the king. 17 … e5 18 d4 g6 He has to weaken his position – he cannot allow the knight to f5. Now White has a ‘lever’. 19 h5

19 … g5? A decisive mistake! Black’s very first task is to complete his development. Therefore N.Spiridonov should pay particular attention to making an appropriate move – the principled 19 … bd7! After 20 hg fg (20 … xg6? 21 f2 0–0–0 22 f5) 21 e2 (21 xh6?? f8; 21 g5 f8 22 g3 hg 23 h3 c5) f6 22 e3 0–0–0! 23 xh6 xh6 24 xh6 f8 Black has sufficient compensation for the pawn. Now however his game goes off the rails. 20 g3 e7 A painful necessity: 20 … bd7 already does not work – 21 hg fg 22 e6. 21 hxg6 fxg6 22 b3! An ideal move, preventing the development of the opponent’s pieces while contributing to the development of his attack The game is decided. 22 … f7 23 e6 e7 24 b4+ f6 25 f2+ xe6 26 c4+ 1–0 So it was White who was able to complete his development.

It should be mentioned that the overwhelming majority of critical moments assume a closed character.

2 Critical moments: struggle and capture of the initiative

The first clash, the first critical moment, usually arises at the start of the game, while coming out of the opening and embarking on the struggle to take the initiative.

There are various means of struggling for the initiative: transferring pieces to strong (active) positions, changing the pawn structure, sacrificing pawns to gain time or free one’s game, exchanging blow for blow, pursuing purposeful continuations and exchanges etc., but at the basis of all these lies the activation of pieces. Let’s have a look at the most frequently met of these methods:

– Transferring pieces to strong (active) positions – the most common method – leads to a general improvement in the position and capture of the initiative. The downside of this method is that it is rather slow.

Makarichev – Kholmov Tallinn, 1983

It might appear that the position is roughly equal, but this is a delusion. 19 … xe1+ 20 xe1 b8!! An excellent idea! With an activation of pieces, R.Kholmov underlines the defects of White’s position (the pinned knight, the weakness of the d5 pawn) and he will seize the initiative. 21 f2 White could give his opponent a choice with the move 21 c4: to reinforce the d5 pawn or open the c-file and expose the weakness on c7. However after the logical 21 … bc! (opening the game, activating the pieces) 22 xc3 b6 23 c1 (23 e1 c5! 24 f(h)1 xd5 25 xc7 h3!) e8 White falls into a difficult position: 24 f1 (24 d3 xa4; 24 a5 a7) e4 25 xc7 xd4 26 xd7 xf4+ 27 e2 (27 e1 c3+!) h6 28 c8+ h7 29 c2+ f5! 30 f1 e4+, etc. Therefore S.Makarichev decides not to open up the game. 21 … b7 22 f3 e8 23 d1 b6 24 f1 c5

Black has found excellent positions for his pieces – the rook occupies the only open file, the queen has taken up an ideal place on c5, where it exerts very strong pressure on White’s position. 25 d2 Defending the weak pawn on c2. He couldn’t get rid of it: 25 c4 bc 26 xc3 (26 xc3 xd5 27 xc7 g4 28 d2 e4; 28 e1 xe1+ 29 xe1 e4+) g4 27 xg4 xc3 28 f5 e3(!), and it’s all over. 25 … h5! Threatening to win a pawn by 26 … g4 and, incidentally, continuing to improve his position. 26 f5? Making his position worse. Since the h5 pawn is untouchable – 26 xh5 e4 27 d1 xf4+, etc., then the careful 26 h3 would be better, avoiding moves that weaken his position and adopting waiting tactics. In this case Black would still have to rack his brains in order to find a way to develop an initiative. Now, however, his task is simplified.

26 … e5! Immediately exploiting his opponent’s error! 27 e6 fxe6 28 fxe6? An oversight in the approaching time trouble. 28 xe5 would be tougher, though after 28 … de 29 fe (29 de e8 30 a8 f8 31 d7 e7; 31 xa6 e4) e8 30 d6 cd 31 a8 (31 d5 e7) f8 32 xa6 e7 33 a8 c6! 34 g8 e8! Black would win. 28 … xe6! 29 xe5 g4 Ending the struggle. 30 d4 Or 30 d3 (30 xd6 xd6) xe5 31 h3 d7 32 xa6 h2 33 a8+ h7 34 f2 d4 winning. 30 … xd4 31 e4 31 d3 e3. 31 … e5 32 h3 d7 33 g6 h4 34 h5 e3 35 f2 c1+ 36 e2 xc2+ 0–1

– Changing the pawn structure – leads to the opening of files and diagonals, with a rapid activation of pieces.

Blatny – Salai Stary Smokovec, 1990

Black occupies the centre, but is behind in development. He still needs a few tempi to complete the mobilisation of his forces and thereby consolidate his central position. So, if White wants to seize the initiative then he must act energetically. 9 e4! A powerful blow against the precarious centre. 9 … fxe4 Now the centre is cleared of pawns – by opening files and diagonals, the pieces suddenly become active, laying bare the weak squares in Black’s camp. Also after 9 … e7 10 ed White has the advantage. 10 dxe4 dxe4? He should play 10 … xe4 11 xe4 de 12 b3+ h8 13 g5 e7 14 xe4 e6 15 c3, etc. After the move in the game the activity of the white pieces becomes threatening.11 g5 e7 Or 11 … e7 12 b3+ d5 13 gxe4 with the initiative. 12 cxe4 xe4 12 … e5 13 e1; 12 … c7 13 xf6+ xf6 14 c2 g6 (14 … g6 15 e4) 15 b3+ g7 16 d2 e5 17 f3. 13 xe4 This was the whole point! 13 … f5 13 … h6 14 g6! 14 e1 d7 The queen has to defend the bishop on d6 and watch the back rank. There is also no comfort in 14 … xe4 – 15 xe4 f6 (15 … d7 16 d4) 16 f4 xf4 17 b3+ h8 18 xf4, etc. 15 b3+ h8 16 d1 g4 If 16 … c(e)7, then 17 xf5 xf5 18 d3; while if 16 … a6 – 17 e3 ad(e)8 18 xf5 xf5 19 f4. 17 f4! Of course! 17 … xd1 18 xd1 1–0 On 18 … f6 decides the double exchange on d6 followed by a fork. Also clearly hopeless is 18 … xf4 19 gf.

- Sacrificing a pawn for time – a well known and frequently adopted method. The time gained for the pawn will be used for development and further activation of pieces, which leads to the capture of the initiative.

Suleimanov – Komozin USSR, 1972

A critical moment for White: he has a bishop and a pawn under attack. What to do, take on c6 or … continue his development? 7 c3! Develop! A typical sacrifice of a pawn for time.7 … xd4 If 7 … xd4, then 8 xd4 xd4 9 e2 etc. 8 d5 xf3+ Or 8 … c5 9 xd4 xd4 10 0-0 with the initiative. 9 xf3 d6 9 … d8 10 f4. 10 d2 Also good was 10 f4 e5 11 xe5 xe5 12 c1. 10 … e6 On 10 … xb2 White simply completes his development – 11 0-0. 11 b4 Take note: White will develop and activate his pieces with gain of time.11 … b8 12 0-0! Not spending time on the retreat of the knight. 12 … a6 White’s advantage in time, development, activity of pieces, is enormous but there does not seem to be a decisive continuation. Why? Because he does not have enough forces. What to do next? Bring the reserves into battle – the inactive rook. 13 ac1 exd5 On 13 … e5 there is the decisive 14 b6. 14 exd5 axb5 Or 14 … e5 15 fe1 f6 16 d6 axb5 17 xe5+ fxe5 18 e1 with mate. 15 fe1+

White sacrifices two pieces and … achieves a material advantage! A superiority in forces taking part in the battle! 15 … e5 16 d6 f8 A pitiful sight: Black is a full two pieces ahead, but none of them can defend his king. 17 xe5 b6 18 c7 More energetic is 18 ce1 a6 (18 … b7 19 e8+) 19 e7 f6 (19 … xe7 20 g6) 20 xd7 etc. 18 … xa2 19 h3 There was also another idea: moving up the queen – 19 e1 f6 20 e3. 19 … a8 20 e3 Also possible was 20 c3 b7 21 e7. 20 … b7 On 20 … f6 would follow 21 e8+ (21 … xe8 22 e7+; 21 … g7 22 c3 xe8 23 xe8 b7 24 e7). 21 xb7 xb7 22 e8+ g7 23 c3+ f6 24 xg8+! xg8 24 … xg8 25 e8+ g7 26 xf6+. 25 xf6+ xf6 26 e7+ f5 27 g4+ 1-0

– Freeing pawn sacrifices – leads to a momentary opening up of squares, lines and diagonals, a sharp, explosive activation of pieces. A very effective and highly active method in the struggle for the initiative.

Nikolic – Gelfand Sarajevo, 1991

A critical moment in the game. Black wants to play 19 … fa8 and take the initiative on the queenside. What to do? 19 d5! Relying on the pluses of his position (superiority in the centre, powerful battery on the long diagonal), P.Nikolic first goes over to active operations. 19 … cxd5 20 cxd5 d7 Clearly B.Gelfand does not want to go back to c8 and deprive himself of the possibility of counterplay On 20 … c8 would follow 21 fe1, while on 20 … g4 – 21 h3. 21 d6! An excellent freeing sacrifice of a pawn! By opening lines and diagonals, White dramatically activates his forces. Three(!) short moves, and White’s pieces are unrecognisable – they are alive! It should be mentioned that on the less active 21 fe1 follows the energetic counter-blow 21 … fa8! – 22 d4 (22 xe7? a2 23 d4 b4) d8, consolidating the position. 21 … fa8(?) An attempt to take over the initiative. Stronger is 21 … xd6, and after 22 fd1 e6 (22 … b6? 23 xd7) 23 e1 b6 (23 … d6 24 cd1) 24 xe7 it is not easy for White to capitalise on his initiative. 22 dxe7 a2 23 d4! An energetic move, clarifying the situation. 23 b1 b5. 23 … e6 Nor do other moves promise Black an easy life: 23 … xb2 24 xb6 xb3 25 b1 xb1 26 xb1 c6 27 d1; 23 … d6 24 c5! xb2 (24 … xc5(e7) 25 xa2) 25 xd6 xb3 26 c7. 24 c3 xe7 25 xb7 b8 26 c7 e8 27 g2 … 1–0

– Sacrificing the exchange for time – pursues the aim of exploiting the difference in activity of his own minor pieces and the opponent’s rook. An initiative usually increases during an attack on the king.

M.Gurevich – Berelovich Tanta, 1997

After 15 e1 or 15 g2 xg2 16 xg2 Black completes his development and comfortably solves his opening problems. What to do? The critical moment for White. 15 b1 a3 16 xb7! A typical device: M.Gurevich sacrifices the exchange but gains a few tempi and achieves a rapid activation of forces. 16 … xd4 16 … xf1 was not possible because of the intermediate 17 xc6. 17 xd4 xf1 18 xf1 ad8 19 e4 Weaker is 19 xa7 d6. 19 … a5? Allowing the opponent to create an attack on the king. It was necessary to enter the variation 19 … c5 20 xf7 xf7 21 xf7+ h8 (21 … xf7 22 c4+) 22 f4, etc. 20 b3! Creating the threats of 21 xh6; 21 c2. Pay attention to this bishop which cooperates with the remaining pieces: it is significantly superior to either of the black rooks! 20 … f6 20 … fe8 21 xh6. 21 c2 g6 22 b3 g7 Or 22 … g7 23 e6. 23 xh6! But not 23 xg6? – 23 … xb3 24 xg7+ xg7 25 xb3 with a probable draw. 23 … d6 23 … xh6 24 xg6+ g7 25 xf7+. 24 g5! d4 If 24 … d7, then 25 e7. 25 xd4 Simple and strong. 25 xg6 is also decisive – 25 … d1+ (25 … d5 26 f6! d1+ 27 xd1 xd1+ 28 g2 fg 29 xg7+ h8 30 d7+) 26 g2 xb3 27 xg7+ xg7 28 xb3. 25 … xd4 26 e7 c8 26 … e8 27 c5. 27 a3 dc4 28 d6 1–0

– Blow for blow – allows the activation of the pieces, carrying out one’s own plans, ignoring the opponent’s threats. A very effective method. The downside is its great responsibility – as a result of an exchange of blows one might become the victim of a ‘knockout’.

Klaman – Gufeld Sevastopol, 1976

Here E.Gufeld offered a pawn sacrifice (for time) – 13 … b5, intending after 14 xb5 e6 to commence active operations against the white king. K.Klaman decides first to drive away the knight from its central position – 14 f4?, and then take the b-pawn. Upon which followed the energetic 14 … b4!Blow for blow!15 d5 15 fe bc, is clearly hopeless. 15 … c6!A second counter-blow! It seems K.Klaman underestimated this move. Against the opponent’s threat Black replies with an even stronger threat – 16 fe cd 17 ed f6, and White stands badly. 16 xb4 a5!And another! E.Gufeld still exploits effective means.17 d3 He has to retreat, since 17 fe ab is unacceptable. 17 … xd3+ 18 cxd3 Played with the aim of closing the active diagonal of the dark-squared bishop by d3-d4.

Thus, we summarise the results of the operation: with a series of counter-blows Black has gained time (since the knight did not need to retreat from the e5 square), opened lines, diagonals and now seized the initiative.18 … b8 19 c4 On 19 d4 would of course have followed 19 … c5! 19 … a6! So as not to allow the closing of the long diagonal. 20 d2 a4 21 c2 f6 22 d1 (the ending of the game is given in the Exercises chapter).

Simagin – Russo Correspondence, 1948

White’s rook is under attack. What should he do? He could of course play 13 d2, but this would have been the move of an amateur. 13 g5! Whereas here this is the move of a real master. V.Simagin meets threat with threat! How should he react? On 13 … f6 White, having provoked a weakening in the opponent’s camp of the a2-g8 diagonal and the e6 square, retreats the bishop to d2. And 13 … e7 leads to a favourable exchange of bishops for him and, as a consequence, a weakening of the c5 square: 14 xe7 cxe7 (14 … dxe7 15 c3) 15 bd2 with d2-e4-c5 to follow. 13 … d7 14 bd2 And here we have the result of White’s exploitation of the ‘blow for blow’ method: he develops his pieces harmoniously. 14 … h6? Better was 14 … fe8, beginning a struggle for the e-file.

15 a3! A peculiar form of chess pressure! By employing the same method, V.Simagin obtains new concessions from his opponent.15 … a5 Now the bishop does not control important squares along the a3-f8 diagonal. Other replies would be inferior: 15 … hg 16 ab f6 17 e4; 15 … xa3 16 xa3 hg 17 e4; 15 … e7 16 xe7 dxe7 17 e4 with a strong initiative for White. 16 h4 f4? He needed to take under control important central squares by means of 16 … fe8.

With the move in the game Black breaks one of the commandments of A Nimzowitsch “do not lift the blockade against mobile pawns of the opponent”. Punishment follows immediately! 17 d5!! Principled and very strong! Its tactical basis lies in the variation 17 … xd5 18 e4! xe1 (18 … b6 19 c2 c4 20 c5 c8 21 e4 with an attack) 19 c5 c8 20 xd5 a5 21 xb7, etc. 17 … a7 Rather more tenacious would be 17 … d8 – 18 e7 f5 (18 … c8 19 e4 g6 20 d3 xe7 21 xe7 e8 22 f6+ gf 23 xf6 e6 24 c2 f8 25 h4; 20 … f4 21 e3 g6 22 c2, etc; 21 … xd5 22 xd5 xd5 23 f6+ gf 24 d4 with irresistible threats) 19 e5 d7 (19 … g6 20 g3) 20 e4 g6 21 h5 with an attack. 18 e7 With energetic play V.Simagin has driven back the opponent’s forces and his pieces now occupy all the key squares in the centre that were previously controlled by Black. 18 … f5 On 18 … d6 or 18 … c8 would have followed 19 e4! 19 c2 h5? Here the queen comes under attack by the white pieces. 19 … c8 would be tougher. 20 e4! xd5 (20 … xd5 21 d3 g6 22 e5; 21 … f5 22 b3 fe 23 xd5+ xd5 24 xd5+ h8 25 e5; 20 … g6 21 d3) 21 b4 b6 (21 … c6 22 ba xe7 23 xe7 e8 24 d2) 22 d2 xe4 23 xe4 g6 24 xg6 fg 25 b2 f7 26 a2 f5 27 e5 winning. 20 e5 Provoking a decisive weakening. 20 … f5 21 e4 It’s raining cats and dogs. The threat is 22 g3. Black’s pieces are languishing. The game is decided. 21 … xd5 On 21 … g6 would follow 22 g3 c8 23 e7 f7 24 h4. 22 xd5 xd5 23 xd5+ h7 Or 23 … f7 24 b3 fe 24 xf7+ xf7 25 e5 f8 26 e7. 24 g4! e8 25 f6+ 1-0 25 … gf 26 xf5+ with mate.

– principled play – allows the realisation of one’s plans, whilst ignoring the opponent’s threats, refuting his ideas. As a rule this is linked to sacrifices. A very effective but also responsible method.

Suetin – Kuzmin Sochi, 1970

26 e5? In making this move White is relying on the following variations: a) 26 … xe5? 27 xb7 xb7 (27 … d2 28 d5 xc2 29 e7+ h8 30 xc8 threatening 31 f8+) 28 xb7 b8 29 xa6 h5 30 a7 xb2 31 e3!; b) 26 … h5 27 d6! c7 28 c5!; c) 26 … e8 27 f4 – in all cases with the advantage. G.Kuzmin thought for a long time. What was he thinking about? Of course not about retreating the knight! 26 … xe5!The principal reply! But in his comments to the game A.Suetin mentioned that he paid the least attention to this continuation. 27 xb7 d2! Here, checking the variations, A.Suetin found a ‘hole’ in his calculations: after 28 d5 xc2 29 e7+ h8 30 xc8 threatening 31 f8+ is not fatal – 30 … c1 31 f8+ g8!, and it is White who gets mated! 28 b3 Reluctantly, White made this move. Now a very unpleasant situation has arisen for him:

The knight must watch over the e1 and e3 squares, while the knight itself has to be defended by the queen. But what is there to do, if the more active 28 e7? loses immediately – 28 … f8. 28 … h5!

By including the h-pawn in the attack. Black is complete master of the position. White’s pieces make a pitiful impression. 29 e4 What else? Can you suggest anything better? 29 … xe4 30 fxe4 f4! 31 e3 cd8 Activation and cooperation of all the forces! 32 c3 White’s tragedy lies in the fact that his rook is in an ‘offside’ position. On 32 h3 would have followed 32 … f2 33 g1 dd2, and how then to defend against the threat of 34 … xf1+? 32 … f2 Getting even closer to the opponent’s king and creating the threat of 33 … d1. 33 h3 h4 So that the monarch will not have a flight square. 34 h2 White is helpless which is not surprising – since he is a rook down! 34 … f4+ 35 g1 8d3 36 b8+ h7 37 a5 f5 0–1

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3 Critical moments: development of the initiative, creation of an attack

The initiative is constantly changing, it appears and disappears, strengthens and weakens. It often happens that it is insufficient for victory. In the game there approaches a very important moment, when it is necessary to increase the initiative, allow it to develop, create an attack, otherwise it will come to nothing. For this purpose, basically the same methods are exploited as in the struggle for the initiative. Let’s look at an example.

– transfer of a piece to a stronger (more active) position

Taimanov – M.Botvinnik 5th match game, Moscow, 1952

Peering at the following position, it can be seen that the vulnerable point in Black’s setup is the g6 pawn, and if it is attacked it will not be easy to defend it. 25 c1! The dark-squared(!) bishop intends to take part in the attack on the g6 square. 25 … f8 Overprotecting the f5 pawn, which will soon need help. 26 a3The bishop is strengthened to the maximum.26 … ae8 27 g3Activating the queen.27 … g5 He must. On 27 … h7 would have followed the move 28 h5!, putting right the coordination of the queen, rook, two bishops and pawns(!) and, literally, blowing up Black’s defence – 28 … gh 29 xe7 xe7 30 xf5+ g8 31 g6. 28 xe7 Winning a pawn and together with this not forgetting about the activity of the pieces. Not so good was 28 hg g6, and the bishop on c2 is ‘killed’. 28 … xe7 If 28 … f4, then 29 g4. 29 xf5 xf5 30 xf5 f4 An attempt to complicate the game. Quite hopeless is 30 … gh 31 xh4. 31 xg5 xe5 32 dxe5 Of course not 32 h7+?? xh7 33 xe5 – 33 … xg2, mate! 32 … xd1+ 33 h2 d2 He couldn’t play 33 … e2 because of mate – 34 e6+ f8 35 f5+ etc. 34 e6+ h7 35 xc4 g6 There are no useful moves. 36 e6(!) So that the king cannot escape via the g4 square. 1–0

– changing the pawn structure

Pinter – Sharif Luzern, 1985

White has the initiative, but how to develop it? 21 e4! Activisation of pieces! By changing the pawn structure, J.Pinter strengthens practically all(!) his pieces. 21 … dxe4 Promoting the activisation of the opponent’s pieces and developing his initiative. Clearly no good is 21 … f8 because of 22 h6, but tougher was 21 … b6 – 22 exd5 xd4+ 23 h1 a) 23 … e5 24 xe5 xe5 25 xf6; b) 23 … f8 24 xe8 xe8 25 xf6 xd2 (25 … xf6 26 xf6 xd2 27 f7+) 26 d4!; c) 23 … b5 24 d6! xd6 25 xf6 xd2 (25 … xf6 26 xf6 xf6 27 xe8+) 26 d4; d) 23 … g7 24 de4 f8 (24 … h8 25 d1) 25 xf6+ xf6 (25 … xf6 26 g5) 26 h3 cd8 (26 … b6 27 xf6 xf6 28 e7+ f8 29 h6+ xe7 30 g7+ d8 31 xf6) 27 xf6 xf6 (27 … xf6 28 e7+ f7 29 xf7+; 28 … h8 29 h6) 28 e7+ f8 29 h6+ xe7 30 g7+ d6 31 xf6+ winning. 22 dxe4 g7 Also no help was 22 … f8 – 23 h6 fe8 (23 … f7 24 g5) 24 d5 b6+ 25 e3 a6 26 d4 f8 27 d6 d8 (27 … xe4 28 xe4 xd6 29 b5) 28 xf6+ xf6 (28 … xf6 29 e4) 29 d5+ h8 30 xf6, etc. 23 d5 a6 Or 23 … b6+ 24 e3 a6 25 d4 d8 (25 … f8 26 g5) 26 c5, and Black suffers material losses. 24 d6 Maximum activisation! 24 … d8 25 xf6 1-0 25 … xe1 26 e8+! xe8 27 f7+. Let’s represent the scheme of the development of events.

–principled play

M.Botvinnik – Portisch Monte Carlo, 1968

In the position shown in the diagram L.Portisch played 15 … b8?, planning, by means of c7-c6, to neutralise White’s pressure along the c-file. Of course he looked at taking the c7 pawn but as will usually be the case, he did not look hard enough at the possibilities for his opponent. 16 xc7!On principle!16 … c6 17 1xc6! bxc6 18 xf7! Black overlooked this move. The rook is untouchable – 18 … xf7 19 c4+ g6 20 g4+ f7 21 g5+ winning. 18 … h6 Weakening the light squares. 19 b7 c8 20 c4+ h8 20 … e6 21 xe5.

21 h4! A device we looked at in the previous chapter. M.Botvinnik gives his opponent no respite: he meets threat with threat, blow for blow! 21 … xb7 22 g6+ h7 23 e4 d6 Defending against mate from the g8 square. 24 xe5+ g6 24 … h8 25 f7+. 25 xg6+ g7 26 xh6+ 1–0 On 26 … xh6 follows 27 h4+ and 28 h7+.

– sacrifice of a pawn for time

Ivanov – Glek Borzhomi, 1984

In the following position Black has a space advantage, open lines and diagonals, free play, two excellent bishops. It is clear that the time has come to create an attack on the king …

16 … e7! An excellent pawn sacrifice for time. The time spent by the opponent on taking the pawn is exploited by I.Glek to transfer his forces to attacking positions. 17 xb7 ab8 18 e4 It would be extremely risky to take on a6 – 18 xa6 xh3 19 xe5 dxe5 20 gxh3 f3, etc. 18 … g6 19 d2 f4 20 xf5 xf5 21 g3 g8!

For a worthless pawn Black has obtained a very dangerous attack. His pieces occupy strong positions, are excellently coordinated and develop enormous power. 22 g1 White decides to exchange the opponent’s dangerous knight. Taking the exchange would lead to defeat: 22 xf5 xg2+ 23 h1 xf5 24 g1 e4! (24 … g5 25 f3; 24 … xf2 25 f3 xg1+ 26 xg1 xg1 27 xg1 xh3+ 28 g2 f4+ 29 f1) 25 d4 e3! 26 fxe3 d5 27 c4 e4 28 c2 xc2 29 xc2 xc2 30 exf4 xd4; better is 22 d4, but even here after 22 … e4 23 c2 d5 24 e5 xe5 25 dxe5 g7 26 h1 xe5 27 ad1 c6 White does not have an easy position. 22 … fg5 There are also other possibilities: 22 … g7 23 d4 h5; 22 … xg2 23 xg2 g7. 23 d4 e4 24 1e2 f725 xf4 xf4 26 e2 d5 White has somewhat weakened the opponent’s pressure but his pieces are passive – and he is still short of space. 27 c1 d6 28 e3 c5! Activating the bishop gives the attack additional impetus. 29 g1 cxd4 30 cxd4 f6 31 h1 On 31 d1 decisive is 31 … b8. 31 … xd4 32 d2 e5 33 f1 e6 34 h2 xh3 35 f4 xh2+ 0-1

– a freeing sacrifice of a pawn

Boleslavsky – Ciocaltea Debrecen, 1961

White’s only object of attack is the c6 pawn, but it is not difficult for Black to defend it. Why? Because White’s minor pieces are hampered by their own pawns, are not very active and are not taking part in the offensive. 25 e6! An excellent freeing sacrifice of a pawn. What does it free? The e5 square for the knight, the e-file for the heavy pieces. 25 … xe6 26 e1 d8 Black’s position has become surprisingly difficult – it is very hard for him to neutralise the opponent’s increasing activity. The following variations might serve as a vivid example of this: 26 … d7 27 e2 f7 28 e5; 26 … f6 27 h4 g6 28 e5. 27 h4 a7 A knight move leads to material losses. 28 e2 g6 It is not clear how to unload the e-file, while the pressure on it is ever increasing. 29 e3 c7 30 c2 h8 31 ce2

The activity of the pieces has reached critical proportions. Under the pressure of united forces Black’s defence collapses. 31 … f7 32 xe6 xe6 33 xe6 g6 34 f2 Here two minor pieces are far superior to rook and pawn. 34 … fc8 It seems that one of the opponents was already experiencing time shortage. This whole idea of advancing the c-pawn only brings the denouement closer. Better really was to exchange his passive rook for the opponent’s active rook (34 … e7). 35 h4 c5 36 xb6 c4 37 bxc4 xc4 38 h2 e8 39 xa5 c7 40 b5 1–0

– a destructive sacrifice of the exchange – as a rule leads to a weakening of the cover of the enemy king and creation of an attack against it. The basis of the idea is endeavouring to exploit the difference in activity between his own minor pieces and the opponent’s rook.

Polgar – Smirin Istanbul, 2000

11 h4 At first glance, a poor choice because of Black’s following reply. 11 … g4 12 h5! xh5 On 12 … gh strong is 13 e2 and 14 h2. 13 xh5! An exchange sacrifice, exposing the king and creating the prerequisites for an attack. 13 … gxh5 14 d5 c8 15 xh5 g7 No good is 15 … b4 – 16 e5 g7 (16 … c5 17 a3) 17 a3 c6 18 d3 h6 19 f5 e8 20 e6, etc. 16 e5! Opening the diagonal for the bishop. 16 … e8 On 16 … h6 could follow the crushing 17 a6 c7 18 g4 b4 19 g5!. 17 h3! h6 17 … de leads to mate: 18 g5! h6 19 f5 hg 20 d3 f6 21 h7+ f7 22 g6+ e6 23 f5. 18 d3 b4 19 e4White’s minor pieces are significantly stronger than Black’s rook and this decides the outcome of the battle.19 … e6

20 f5! Into the attack go the infantry. 20 … xc3 Black’s counterplay is doomed in view of the low activity of his pieces. Also other continuations were no better, for example: 20 … de 21 f6 xf6 22 xh6; 20 … d5 21 f6! de 22 g3. 21 f6! b5 Or 21 … a4 22 bc xa2+ 23 b2 xc3 24 d4. 22 g3 1–0 After 22 … xc2+ 23 xc2 xa2+ 24 d2 b4+ 25 e3 c5+ 26 d4 the checks are over.

– exchanging

Sajtar – Szabo Bucharest, 1953

Black has placed his forces excellently, directing them towards the opponent’s weakened kingside. But what to do next? How to develop an initiative? 22 … e7! An excellent decision! The knight on f4 is the key to White’s position, whereas the knight on c6 was Black’s only inactive piece.23 g2 On 23 e1 might follow 23 … xa3 with the aim of exploiting the opposing queen and rook on the e-file: 24 a1 b2 (Also possible is 24 … d6 25 c1 d7 26 a3 f6) 25 xa7 c6 26 c7 xf4 27 xc6 xf3+ 28 xf3 xf3, etc. 23 … g6 24 xg6 xg6

As a result of the exchanging operation there has been a significant strengthening of Black’s queen, rook and knight; the coordination between the pieces has been put right – now the threat is 25 … xf3 26 xf3 e4. Black’s position has improved, White’s – the reverse. 25 e1 The queen hurries to the help of her king, but, alas, it’s already too late. Let’s see whether White has anything better: 25 g3 h5 26 gh e4++; 25 e2 xf3!; 25 b2 xf3!; 25 a1 e6 26 b1 e4 27 e1 ef6 28 d1 h5, etc. 25 … xf3! All the same motif. 26 xf3 e4 27 d1 h5(!) The shortest way to his objective. 28 gxh5 28 f2 xf3+ 29 xf3 f8. 28 … f5 White is defenceless: 29 g3 g5+ 30 f2 (30 h3 g4+; 30 h2 h4+) h4+ 31 f1 (31 e2 g2+) h2 32 f2 (32 e1 g1+ 33 f1 g3+) g1+ 33 e2 xh5+ 34 f3 g2+ 35 e1 h4+; 29 f2 h4+ 30 f1 (30 g2(g1) g5+; 30 e2 xf3 31 xf3 f8+ 32 g2 f2+) h1+ 31 f2 h2+ 32 f1 (32 e1 g1+ 33 e2 g2+) g5, etc. 0–1

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