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- Herausgeber: Batsford
- Kategorie: Lebensstil
- Sprache: Englisch
One of the game's most admired and respected writers guides you through 62 masterly demonstrations of the basic strategies of winning at chess. Each game provides a classic example of a fundamental problem and its best resolution, described with chess diagrams and Chernev's lively and illuminating notes. The games – by chess greats such as Capablanca, Tarrasch, Fischer, Alekhine, Lasker and Petrosian – are instructive for chess players of all levels. The games turn theory into practice, showing the reader how to attack and manoeuvre to control the board. Chernev runs through the winning strategies, suggests alternative tactics and celebrates the finesse of winning play. This is not only a book of 62 instructive chess games, but also 62 beautiful games to cherish.
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Seitenzahl: 440
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2014
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The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played
62 Masterpieces of Modern Chess Strategy
Irving Chernev
Table of Contents
1. Rook on the Seventh Rank
Capablanca – Tartakover, New York 1924
2. The King Is a Strong Piece
Tal – Lissitzin, Leningrad 1956
3. Knight Outpost at d5
Boleslavsky – Lissitzin, Moscow 1956
4. Aggressive Rook in the Ending
Tarrasch – Thorold, Manchester 1890
5. The Passed Pawn
Rubinstein – Duras, Vienna 1908
6. Weak Pawns, Weak Squares and Mighty, Mighty Knights
Mattison – Nimzovich, Carlsbad 1929
7. Finesse in the Ending
Domenech – Flohr, Rosas 1935
8. Phalanx of Pawns
Petrosian – Kozali, Montevideo 1954
9. Passed Pawn’s Lust to Expand
Fischer – Berliner, New York 1960
10. Rook and Pawn Ending
Smyslov – Reshevsky, Moscow 1948
11. King in the Center
Tartakover – Frentz, Paris 1933
12. The Shifting Attack
Reshevsky – Najdorf, Dallas 1957
13. Every Move a Threat!
Porges – Lasker, Nuremberg 1896
14. A Touch of Jujitsu
Petrosian – Korchnoi, Leningrad 1946
15. The King-Side Attack
Tarrasch – von Scheve, Leipzig 1894
16. Magnificent Outpost
Smyslov – Rudakovsky, Moscow 1945
17. The Art of Exchanging Pieces
Menchik – Capablanca, Hastings 1931
18. The Isolated Pawn
Lasker – Tarrasch, St. Petersburg 1914
19. The See-Saw Check, Zugzwang, and Other Tactical Tricks
Kupferstich – Andreassen, Denmark 1953
20. The Two Bishops
Rosenthal – Steinitz, Vienna 1873
21. Variety of Themes
Tartakover – Domenech, Sitges 1934
22. Systematic Strangulation
Tarrasch – Showalter, Vienna 1898
23. Good Bishop and Bad Bishop
Barden – Rossolimo, Hastings 1950
24. Coup de Grâce
Alekhine – Yates, London 1922
25. The Powerful Passed Pawns
Aganalian – Petrosian, Tiflis 1945
26. Bishop and a Half
Bondarevsky – Smyslov, Moscow 1946
27. Prophetic Strategy
Tarrasch, Schottlander, von Bardeleben, von Scheve – Mieses, Paulsen, Riemann, von Gottschall, Leipzig 1888
28. Problem-like Finale
Foltys – Golombek, London 1947
29. A Pawn Is a Pawn Is a Pawn
Kashdan – Steiner, Pasadena 1932
30. Board with Excitement
Keres – Tarnowski, Helsinki 1952
31. Elegant Simplification
Botvinnik – Boleslavsky, Moscow 1941
32. Four Endings in One
Blackburne – Weiss, New York 1889
33. Bishop and Pawn Ending Deluxe
Weiss – Blackburne, New York 1889
34. Brilliant Career of a Pawn
Panov – Taimanov, Moscow 1952
35. Dispatching the King’s Musketeers
Petrosian – Smyslov, Moscow 1961
36. The Sheltering Pawn
Schlage – Réti, Berlin 1928
37. The Power of Position Play
Capablanca – Germann, Miller, Skillicorn, London 1920
38. That Old Black Magic
Bernstein – Mieses, Coburg 1904
39. The Singular Strategy of Steinitz
Steinitz – Sellman, Baltimore 1885
40. The Odyssey of an Isolated Pawn
Burn – Znosko-Borovsky, Ostend 1906
41. Zugzwang, the Invincible Weapon
Marshall – Lasker, New York 1907
42. Symphony of Combinations
Eliskases – Grunfeld, Mahrisch-Ostrau 1933
43. Escorting the Potential Queen
Schlechter – Mason, Monte Carlo 1903
44. The Pillsbury Bind
Chekhover – Rudakovsky, Moscow 1945
45. The Galloping Knight
Tarrasch – Vogel, Nuremberg 1910
46. The Roving Rook
Pillsbury – Showalter, Brooklyn 1897
47. Web of Black Squares
Schlechter – John, Barmen 1905
48. Endgame Arithmetic
Mieses – Reshevsky, Margate 1935
49. In the Grand Manner
Janowsky – Capablanca, New York 1916
50. March of the Little Pawns
Pillsbury – Gunsberg, Hastings 1895
51. Irresistible Pawn-Roller
Marshall – Capablanca, New York 1909
52. Quiet, Like a Tiger
Botvinnik – Kann, Moscow 1931
53. Cornucopia of Ideas
Zagoryansky – Romanovsky, Moscow 1943
54. Endgame Duel – Knight against Rook
Botvinnik – Vidmar, Groningen 1946
55. Perennial Favorite
Bogolyubov – Réti, Mahrisch-Ostrau 1923
56. Command of the Board
Rubinstein – Schlechter, San Sebastian 1912
57. The King Takes a Walk
Botvinnik – Kann, Sverdlovsk 1943
58. Surprise! Surprise!
Petrosian – Pachman, Bled 1961
59. Bolt from the Blue
Andric – Daja, Belgrade 1949
60. Lured into Zugzwang
Marshall – Capablanca, New York 1918
61. The Flash of a Mighty Surprise
Olafsson – Fischer, Portoroz 1958
62. Symphony of Heavenly Length
Evans – Opsahl, Dubrovnik 1950
Index of Openings
Index of Players
Introduction
Chess masters play to win. In doing so they would like to create master pieces. They would like to conjure up brilliant combinations that leave everybody gasping with wonder and admiration – but first and foremost, they play to win, and win quickly and easily.
The chess master knows which positions are favorable, and tries to bring these positions about. He knows that his pieces must be placed where they exert the utmost influence, and where they prevent the opponent’s pieces from moving about freely. He knows that Rooks must seize the open files, with a view to gaining control of the seventh rank. He knows that Bishops must either command long diagonals, or else pin down and paralyze the opponent’s Knights. He knows the squares on which his Knights must be posted to get a powerful grip on the position. He realizes the essential truth in Tartakover’s epigram, “Seize the outpost e5 with your Knight, and you can go to sleep. Checkmate will come by itself.” The chess master knows how to obtain a slight advantage, and then exploit it to the fullest. In short, he knows the strategy of winning.
The games in this book are to my mind the most instructive examples in the whole literature of the game, of position play – the strategy of winning chess. Who, for example, will doubt the tremendous power exerted by a Rook posted on the seventh rank, after seeing Capablanca’s delightfully clear-cut demonstration in Game No. 1 against Tartakover? And who will not learn a great deal about the art of handling Rook and Pawn endings (the most important endings in chess) after playing through Tarrasch’s game against Thorold? And can there be a more convincing illustration of the paralyzing effect on the opponent’s position that comes from control of the black squares, than in the Bernstein – Mieses game? Or are there more enlightening and entertaining Bishop and Pawn endings than feature the two games between Blackburne and Weiss?
These games, as well as all the others, are masterly demonstrations of the basic strategy of winning. So much so that I thought an appropriate title for a book of these games should be The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played.
But I might just as well have called this collection The Most Beautiful Games of Chess Ever Played.
Paris 1965
New York 1965 – Irving Chernev
To My Dear Wife
Chess, like love, is infectious at any age – Salo Flohr
♖ GAME ONE ♜
Rook on the Seventh Rank
J. R. Capablanca – S. Tartakover
New York 1924, DUTCH DEFENSE
Capablanca’s play in the game that follows provides us with a magic formula for conducting Rook and Pawn endings: seize the seventh rank with your Rook, and advance your King to the sixth!
Capablanca gives up a couple of valuable Pawns to get his King and Rook onto the key squares. Once there, they keep the adverse King busy warding off threats of mate, and leave him no time to defend his Pawns. Four of these pawns fall victims in half-a-dozen moves, after which resistance is of course hopeless. Capa’s clear-cut, methodical play is so easy to understand that the whole ending is a marvellous piece of instruction, and a thing of beauty as well.
1
d4
e6
2
♘f3
f5
3
c4
♘f6
4
♗g5
♗e7
5
♘c3
0–0
6
e3
b6
7
♗d3
♗b7
8
0–0
♕e8
Black evidently intends to attack on the King side by 9 … ♕h5 and 10 … ♘g4 – customary strategy in the Dutch Defense.
9
♕e2!
This move makes Tartakover change his mind, since 9 … ♕h5 is met by 10 e4, and White’s center is imposing.
9
…
♘e4
10
♗xe7
♘xc3
11
bxc3
♕xe7
The exchanges have left White with a doubled c-Pawn. In compensation for this weakness, the b-file has been opened and is available to his Rooks.
12
a4!
A clever preventive move! It stops an unwelcome intrusion by 12 … ♕a3, and also prepares to meet 12 … ♘c6 with 13 ♖fb1, and if then 13 … ♘a5 14 c5 undoubles the Pawns by force, since the continuation 14 … bxc5 15 ♖b5 is to White’s advantage.
12
…
♗xf3
13
♕xf3
♘c6
14
♖fb1
♖ae8
15
♕h3
Another preventive move. Black cannot free himself by 15 … e5 as 16 ♗xf5 would follow. The Queen’s move also makes it possible for White to play 16 f4, giving him a grip on the square e5.
15
…
♖f6
16
f4!
♘a5
17
♕f3
The Queen returns to f3, to dominate the long diagonal.
17
…
d6
18
♖e1
Having done its work on the b-file, the Rook moves to the center, to support a break by 19 e4.
18
…
♕d7
19
e4!
White opens up the position to give his pieces more scope.
19
…
fxe4
20
♕xe4
g6
21
g3
White stabilizes his position with this move and the next, before start ing an attack on the King side by h4 and h5.
21
…
♔f8
22
♔g2
♖f7
23
h4
d5
This leads to an exchange of Queens, leaving White with a tiny advantage – but all Capablanca needs is a microscopic advantage!
24
cxd5
exd5
25
♕xe8+!
♕xe8
26
♖xe8+
♔xe8
27
h5!
All according to plan! If Black plays 27 … gxh5, there follows 28 ♖h1 ♔f8 29 ♖xh5, and White wins the h-Pawn or the d-Pawn.
27
…
♖f6
28
hxg6
hxg6
29
♖h1
Good players always seem to hold the high cards. Capablanca’s Rook controls an open file and will seize the seventh rank next move. Should Tartakover’s Rook become ambitious and try to counter-attack by 29 … ♖c6, the reply 30 ♗b5 would come like a flash and pin the unfor tunate piece.
29
…
♔f8
30
♖h7
Rook to the seventh – the magic move in Rook and Pawn endings. What is the secret in the strength of this move? It is this:
(a) The Rook is in perfect position to attack any Pawns that have not yet moved – those still standing on the second rank.
(b) The Rook is prepared to attack any Pawns that have moved, by getting behind them without loss of time. The Pawns would be under constant threat of capture, no matter how many squares they advanced on the file.
(c) The Rook’s domination of the seventh rank confines the opposing King to the last rank, preventing him from taking any part in the fighting.
30
…
♖c6
31
g4
♘c4
The Knight hastens to get into active play. Black naturally avoids 31 … ♖xc3, as the reply 32 ♗xg6 allows his opponent to have two connected passed Pawns.
32
g5
Threatens to win by 33 ♖h6 ♔g7 34 f5.
32
…
♘e3+
33
♔f3
♘f5
34
♗xf5
gxf5
This is the position, with White to move:
Now comes a brilliant continua tion, which Capablanca must have planned many moves before. In a simplified ending where Pawns are worth their weight in gold, he gives away two Pawns! Moreover he lets Black capture them with check!
35
♔g3!
The King is headed for f6, a square from which he can assist the Rook in mating threats, and also help the passed Pawn take those last three steps.
35
…
♖xc3+
36
♔h4
♖f3
Instead of this, if Black tries to exchange Rooks, this follows: 36 … ♖c1 37 ♔h5 ♖h1+ 38 ♔g6 ♖xh7 39 ♔xh7 c5 40 g6, and the Pawn crashes through.
37
g6
♖xf4+
38
♔g5
38
…
♖e4
Capturing the d-Pawn would be fatal: 38 … ♖xd4 39 ♔f6 ♔g8 (on 39 … ♔e8 40 ♖h8+ ♔d7 41 g7 and Black must give up his Rook for the Pawn) 40 ♖d7 and White mates.
39
♔f6!
Excellent! The King is beautifully placed to support the passed Pawn, and incidentally to frighten Black with threats of mate.
Notice that White disdained cap turing Black’s Pawn. Now it acts as a buffer against annoying checks by the Rook.
39
…
♔g8
40
♖g7+
♔h8
41
♖xc7
♖e8
42
♔xf5
♖e4
43
♔f6
♖f4+
44
♔e5
White goes after the Queen side Pawns. Contrasting the activity of the two Kings, White is practically a piece ahead!
44
…
♖g4
45
g7+
Black doesn’t dare take the Pawn. If 45 … ♖xg7 46 ♖xg7 ♔xg7 47 ♔xd5 ♔f7 48 ♔d6 ♔e8 49 ♔c7 ♔e7 50 d5, and the Pawn cannot be stopped.
45
…
♔g8
46
♖xa7
♖g1
47
♔xd5
♖c1
48
♔d6
♖c2
49
d5
♖c1
50
♖c7
♖a1
51
♔c6
♖xa4
52
d6
Resigns
The continuation (for anyone still skeptical) would be 52 … ♖d4 53 d7 ♖c4+ (if 53 … ♔xg7 54 d8(♕)+) 54 ♔b7 ♖d4 55 ♔c8 and the Pawn becomes a Queen next move.
“No one has ever played these endgames with such elegant ease as Capablanca,” says Réti.
♖ GAME TWO ♜
The King is a Strong Piece
M. Tal – G. Lissitzin
Leningrad 1956, SICILIAN DEFENSE
To those of us who worry about the safety of the King, Tal’s play in this game is a joy and a revelation. Tal realizes that the power of the King increases as the game progresses and as the pieces come flying off the board. By the time the ending has been reached, the King is truly a formidable fighting piece.
Watch Tal’s King stroll non chalantly into the heart of the enemy camp, gather up a couple of Pawns, and then prepare to escort one of his own Pawns to the Queening square. It is a treat to watch, an absorbing lesson in endgame procedure.
1
e4
c5
2
♘f3
d6
3
d4
cxd4
4
♘xd4
♘f6
5
♘c3
g6
6
f4
♘c6
Black avoids a trap with this move, indicating that one must not play mechanically even at this early stage. If 6 … ♗g7 (the natural follow-up to 5 … g6) the continua tion is 7 e5 dxe5 8 fxe5 ♘g4 9 ♗b5+ ♔f8 (on 9 … ♗d7 or 9 … ♘d7 10 ♕xg4 wins a piece) 10 ♘e6+, and White wins the Queen.
7
♘xc6
bxc6
8
e5
♘d7
9
exd6
exd6
10
♗e3
Other lines of play look more aggressive, but lead to no more than equality. For example: 10 ♕d4 ♘f6 11 ♗e3 ♗e7 12 ♗e2 0–0 13 0–0 c5. Or 10 ♕e2+ ♗e7 11 ♗e3 0–0.
10
…
♗e7
11
♕f3
d5
12
0–0–0
♗f6
13
♗d4
Proper development does not concern itself merely with placing the pieces where they are effective for attack. It is equally important to interfere with the range of influence of the opponent’s pieces. You must dispute control, as Tal does here, of every file, rank and diagonal.
13
…
0–0
14
h4
Indicating his intention of opening up the h-file by 15 h5.
14
…
♖b8
Black seizes an open file. Captur ing the h-Pawn instead would be dangerous, as after 14 … ♗xh4 15 ♕h3 g5 16 g3 ♘f6 17 f5 and the Bishop is trapped.
15
♕f2
Guards against the threat 15 … ♗xd4 16 ♖xd4, ♕b6, and Black attacks the Rook as well as the b2 Pawn.
15
…
♖b4
16
♗xf6
Tal is not tempted by the offer of a Pawn. It is easy to yield and then fall into something like this: 16 ♗xa7 ♕a5 17 ♗e3 ♖xb2! 18 ♔xb2 ♗xc3+ 19 ♔c1 ♕a3+ 20 ♔b1 ♕b2 mate.
16
…
♘xf6
17
a3
Here too Tal resists temptation. 17 ♕xa7 ♕d6 18 g3 ♖xb2 19 ♔xb2 ♕b4+ 20 ♔c1 ♕xc3 and Black has a strong attack, one threat for example being 21 h5 ♕a1+ 22 ♔d2 ♘e4+ 23 ♔e1 ♕c3+ 24 ♔e2 ♗g4 mate.
17
…
♕b6
18
♕xb6
♖xb6
19
♘a4!
A powerful move, even though the Knight moves to the side of the board. Tal has two objects in mind: To fix Black’s center Pawns so that they may not advance, and to dominate his opponent’s weakened black squares.
19
…
♖b7
20
♗d3
♘h5
21
♖hf1
♖e7
22
f5!
A fine positional sacrifice. At the cost of a Pawn Tal disrupts his opponent’s Pawn structure on the King side. In addition to this, the acceptance of the sacrifice leaves Black’s Bishop hemmed in by Pawns occupying white squares.
22
…
gxf5
Black is hypnotized into taking the Pawn, and that leads to his ruin.
23
♖fe1!
Another fine positional move. Tal is a Pawn behind, but does not hesitate to exchange pieces. The point is that he must dispute control of the open e-file, or else Black will double Rooks and gain complete possession of it.
23
…
♖fe8
24
♖xe7
♖xe7
This is the position with Tal to play:
25
♔d2!
The beginning of a remarkable tour. The King is headed for the Queen side where it will terrorize all the Pawns in sight.
25
…
♘g3
26
♔c3
f4
Clears the way for the Bishop to come into the game.
27
♔d4
The King continues his journey along the black squares.
27
…
♗f5
Not only does Black want to exchange Bishops (being a Pawn ahead) but he has this idea in mind: 28 … ♗xd3 29 ♔xd3 ♖e3+ 30 ♔d4 ♖e2 and his Rook controls the seventh rank.
28
♖d2
♖e6
Obviously, to go after the h-Pawn.
29
♘c5
♖h6
30
♔e5!
♗xd3
31
cxd3
♖xh4
32
♔d6
The King goes merrily on his way.
32
…
♖h6+
33
♔c7
Despite the fact that he is two Pawns down, White’s chances are better in the ending. His King is so wonderfully active, and Black’s so woefully passive, that he is in effect a King ahead!
33
…
♘f5
34
♔b7
♘d4
The Knight guards the c-Pawn, freeing the Rook for active duty. Black threatens now 35 … ♖h2 followed by 36 … f3, winning another Pawn and the game.
35
♖f2
a5
36
♖xf4
♘e6
37
♖g4+
37
…
♔f8
Instead of this, if Black tried to exchange Rooks (being a Pawn ahead), this would teach him the error of his ways: 37 … ♖g6 38 ♖xg6+ hxg6 39 ♘xe6 fxe6 40 ♔xc6 ♔f7 41 b4, and White will have a new Queen in a few moves.
38
♔xc6!
The King fears nothing – not even discovered check.
38
…
♘xc5+
39
♔xc5
♖e6
40
♔xd5
(One must resolutely avoid the impulse to say, “The Pawns fall like ripe apples.”)
40
…
♖b6
41
b4
axb4
42
axb4
♔e7
43
♔c5
♖f6
44
♖d4
This cuts off Black’s King from the Queen side, and the possibility of blocking the passed Pawn.
44
…
♖f5+
45
♔b6
Better than 45 ♖d5 when 45 … ♖f4 (threatening 46 … ♖g4) allows Black counter-play.
45
…
♖f6+
46
♔c7
♖f5
47
♖e4+
Drives the King still farther away from the Queen side.
47
…
♔f6
48
♔c6
♖f2
49
g4
h5
Black sacrifices one Pawn to make a passed Pawn of the other. There was nothing in 49 … ♖c2+, as after the reply 50 ♖c4, Black has simply wasted a move.
50
gxh5
♔g5
51
b5
f5
52
♖b4
f4
53
b6
f3
54
b7
Resigns
The finish, had Lissitzin played on would have been 54 … ♖c2+ 55 ♔d5 f2 56 b8(♕) f1(♕) 57 ♕g3+ ♔f6 (or 57 … ♔f5 58 ♕g6 mate) 58 ♕g6+ ♔e7 59 ♖b7+ and a quick mate.
♖ GAME THREE ♜
Knight Outpost at d5
I. Boleslavsky – G. Lissitzin
Moscow 1956, SICILIAN DEFENSE
Boleslavsky knows that a good grip on the center almost always guaran tees the success of a King side attack. He therefore plans to anchor a Knight at d5 – so firmly that it can never be driven away. To accom plish this he must do away with two enemy pieces that bear down on that square, a Bishop and a Knight. He lures the Bishop off by a gift of a Pawn, and disposes of the Knight by pinning it and forcing its exchange.
Once Boleslavsky’s Knight reaches the magic square d5, combinations appear out of the air as a reward, and the King side attack seems to play itself.
1
e4
c5
2
♘f3
d6
3
d4
cxd4
4
♘xd4
♘f6
5
♘c3
g6
6
♗e3
♗g7
7
f3
This move does many things: it strengthens the center, prevents an attack on the Bishop (and its subsequent exchange) by 7 … ♘g4, and prepares for a later Pawn storm by g4 and h4.
7
…
0–0
8
♕d2
♘c6
9
0–0–0
9
…
♘xd4
An attempt by Black to free him self by 9 … d5 could lead to this interesting combination: 10 ♘xc6 bxc6 11 exd5 cxd5 12 ♘xd5 ♘xd5 13 ♕xd5 ♕c7 14 ♕xa8 ♗f5 (threatens mate) 15 ♕xf8+ ♔xf8 16 ♖d2, and White has the better prospects.
10
♗xd4
♕a5
11
♔b1
Threatens 12 ♘d5 ♕d8 (if 12 … ♕xd2 13 ♘xe7+ wins a Pawn, and White will win the d-Pawn.) 13 ♘xf6+.
11
…
e5
12
♗e3
♗e6
13
a3
♖fd8
Prepares for an eventual … d5, which would free his game.
14
♘b5
This powerful move interferes with Black’s plans. If Black replies to it with 14 … ♕xd2, then 15 ♖xd2 follows and White threatens 16 ♖xd6 as well as 16 ♘c7 ♖ac8 17 ♘xe6, and he has the advantage of two Bishops against Knight and Bishop.
14
…
♕a4
The d-Pawn is attacked three times, but if White took it this would be the consequence: 15 ♘xd6 ♘e8 16 ♗c5 ♘xd6 17 ♗xd6 ♗f8 18 ♕b4 ♖xd6 19 ♖xd6 (on 19 ♕xa4 ♖xd1 is checkmate) 19 … ♕xb4 20 axb4 ♗xd6, and Black has won a piece.
At this point Boleslavsky has two objects in mind:
(1) Prevent Black from freeing himself by … d5.
(2) Establish his Knight firmly at the outpost station d5.
To bring the latter about it is necessary to rid the board of the two black pieces that guard the square d5, the Bishop at e6 and the Knight.
15
c4!
A brilliant sacrifice which must be accepted. Refusing the Pawn means that Black could never free himself by … d5. It would also enable White to play 16 ♘c3 next move (attacking the Queen) and thus gain time for 17 ♘d5, establishing a strongly supported outpost.
15
…
♗xc4
16
♘c3
♕b3
17
♗xc4
♕xc4
One black piece has been disposed of. Now to get rid of the other!
18
♗g5!
White pins the Knight to keep it from running away. Now he is assured of being able to remove it from the board.
18
…
♕e6
19
♗xf6
♕xf6
20
♘d5
Now we shall see whether Boleslavsky’s imaginative strategy is justified. He has given up a solid, valuable Pawn for something that is intangible – the unassailable posi tion of his Knight. The Knight, it is true, dominates the board and cannot be driven off, but is that worth a Pawn?
20
…
♕h4
Black tries to prevent the advance of the adverse King side Pawns. He intends to meet 21 g3 with 21 … ♕h3, while the reply to 21 h3 would be 21 … ♗h6 followed by 22 … ♗f4.
21
♕e2
♗f8
22
♕f1!
A subtle preparatory move. If at once 22 g3, ♕h3 blockades the h-Pawn.
22
…
♖ac8
This is how things look:
23
g3
The Pawns begin their advance to break up Black’s King side.
23
…
♕g5
24
h4
♕h6
If 24 … ♕xg3 25 ♖d2 leaves Black curiously helpless against the threat of 26 ♖g2 winning the Queen.
25
g4
Now White intends 26 g5 ♕g7 (if 26 … ♕h5 27 ♘f6+ wins the Queen) 27 ♘f6+ ♔h8 28 h5 (threatens to win the Queen by 29 h6) 28 … gxh5 29 ♖xh5, and the attack on the h-Pawn will force Black to give up his Queen.
25
…
g5
26
hxg5
♕xg5
27
♖h5
♕g6
28
g5!
Threatens annihilation by 29 ♘f6+ followed by 30 ♖xh7+.
Black has no defense in 28 … ♕xh5, as 29 ♘f6+ wins the Queen, nor in 28 … ♗g7 when 29 ♘e7+ does likewise.
28
…
h6
29
♖xh6!
♕xg5
Here too 29 … ♗xh6 is penalized by 30 ♘e7+ and loss of the Queen.
30
♖h5!
Resigns
On 30 … ♕g6, the continua tion is 31 ♕h1 (threatens 32 ♖g1 winning the Queen) 31 … ♕e6 32 ♖h8+ ♔g7 33 ♕h7 mate.
The King side Pawns did an amazing job of opening up files for the benefit of the heavy pieces.
♖ GAME FOUR ♜
Aggressive Rook in the Ending
S. Tarrasch – E. Thorold
Manchester 1890, FRENCH DEFENSE
Tarrasch plays the following game as though he were giving a good friend a lesson in the art of winning an ending. “In a Rook and Pawn ending,” Tarrasch used to say, “the Rook must be used aggres sively. It must either attack enemy Pawns, or give active support to the advance of one its own Pawns to the Queening square.”
Here, with the help of an active Rook that keeps the opponent under unremitting pressure, Tarrasch’s King and passed Pawn march methodically up the chessboard. As they move forward step by step, the opponent’s pieces are driven further and further back until they reach the very edge of the board. There, they can put up little resistance to the inexorable advance of the passed Pawn.
The classic simplicity of Tarrasch’s technique in the conduct of this ending is so impressive as to make it in my opinion:
The Most Instructive Rook and Pawn Ending Ever Played.
1
e4
e6
2
d4
d5
3
♘d2
Tarrasch prefers this to the usual 3 ♘c3, since the Knight is developed without blocking the c-Pawn.
3
…
c5
4
exd5
♕xd5
This is better than 4 … cxd4 5 ♗b5+ ♗d7 6 dxe6 ♗xb5 7 ♕h5 (threatens 8 ♕xf7 mate) 7 … ♕e7 8 ♕xb5+, and White enjoys a pleasant initiative.
5
♘gf3
A temporary Pawn sacrifice, to gain time for quick development of the pieces.
5
…
cxd4
6
♗c4
♕h5
7
0–0
7
…
♘c6
It would be a mistake to protect the d-Pawn by 7 … e5 as the continuation 8 ♘xe5 ♕xd1 (8 … ♕xe5 9 ♖e1 wins) 9 ♗xf7+ ♔e7 10 ♖xd1 would cost Black a couple of Pawns.
8
♘b3
With a triple attack on the d-Pawn.
8
…
e5
9
♘xe5!
♕xd1
Other captures lose instantly: 9 … ♘xe5 by the brusque 10 ♕xh5; and 9 … ♕xe5, by the equally ungallant pin of the Queen 10 ♖e1.
10
♖xd1
♘xe5
11
♖e1
This pin, followed by 12 f4, will regain the piece given up by White.
11
…
f6
12
f4
The threat is now 13 fxe5 fxe5 14 ♖xe5+ followed by 15 ♘xd4 and White is a pawn ahead.
12
…
♗b4
Not merely a developing move, this attack on the Rook must be met carefully, if White is to avoid being forced into a draw.
13
♗d2
Tarrasch sidesteps the plausible 13 ♖e2 after which 13 … ♗g4 14 ♖e4 ♗f5 15 ♖e2 ♗g4 allows Black to draw by his perpetual attack on the Rook.
13
…
♗xd2
14
♘xd2
♗f5
15
fxe5
0–0–0
Best, since the King reaches com parative safety while the Queen Rook comes into play.
16
♗d3
♗xd3
17
cxd3
White benefits in two ways by the exchange of pieces: he is rid of Black’s active Bishop, and he has an open file for his Queen Rook.
17
…
fxe5
18
♖ac1+!
This prevents the King from mov ing toward the center for the ending. If he does so by 18 … ♔d7, there follows 19 ♖xe5 ♔d6 20 ♖e4 ♔d5 21 ♖c4, and White wins the d-Pawn.
18
…
♔b8
19
♖xe5
♘f6
20
♖ce1
♖he8
Preferable to this is 20 … ♖d7, to dispute possession of the seventh rank. If then 21 ♖e7 ♖hd8 gives Black a fair chance to hold the game.
21
♖xe8
♘xe8
If 21 … ♖xe8 instead, 22 ♖xe8+ ♘xe8 23 ♘b3 follows, and White wins a Pawn.
Rook on the Seventh Rank.
22
♖e7
A paralyzing move! Black must submit to the loss of a Pawn.
22
…
a6
23
♘b3
b6
To prevent the Knight from coming in at a5. If instead 23 … ♔a7, to get the King into play, then 24 ♘a5 ♖b8 25 ♘c6+ wins a whole Rook.
24
♘xd4
♖xd4
25
♖xe8+
♔c7
This is the position on the board:
White is a Pawn ahead, and that should be sufficient to win. If he is greedy though, and wants to pick up another Pawn or two (just to make sure) this is what might happen: 26 ♖e7+ ♔d6 27 ♖xg7 ♖xd3 28 ♖xh7 ♖d1+ 29 ♔f2 ♖d2+ 30 ♔f3 ♖xb2, and Black has good drawing chances, his Rook being so active.
26
♖e3!
A star move! White protects the important passed Pawn, while keep ing the adverse Rook out.
26
…
♔d7
27
♔f2
g6
28
♖h3!
This forces the h-Pawn to advance, thus weakening the g-Pawn.
28
…
h5
Changing of the Guard.
29
♔e3!
This move accomplishes a great deal:
(1) The King protects the Pawn, freeing the Rook for active duty.
(2) The King is brought closer to the center.
(3) Black’s Rook, blockader of the Pawn, is forced to retreat.
(4) The passed Pawn will be able to advance.
29
…
♖d6
30
d4
♖e6+
31
♔d3
♖e1
An attempt to get behind White’s Pawns.
32
♖g3
♖e6
The Rook must return to defend the g-Pawn. On 32 … ♖b1 instead, 33 ♔c2 wins a Pawn for White.
33
♖e3
An offer to exchange Rooks, which Black dares not accept. The ensuing Pawn ending would be an easy win for White.
33
…
♖d6
34
♖e5
♖f6
Once more the Rook tries to get at the Pawns.
35
a4
Mindful of the safety of his Queen side Pawns, Tarrasch moves them away from the second rank and possible attack by the Rook.
35
…
♖f2
36
♖e2
The hostile Rook must be evicted – and at once!
36
…
♖f6
37
b4
♖f1
38
♖e5
♖f2
The Rook persists in trying to settle down on the seventh rank. An attack on the Queen side Pawns would be futile, 38 … ♖a1 being met by 39 a5, and 38 … ♖b1 by 39 b5.
39
♖g5
Combines attack (on Black’s g-Pawn) with defense (of his own). Black’s Rook will have to scurry back.
39
…
♖f6
Clearly, this is better than 39 … ♖b2, which loses a Pawn at once after 40 ♔c3 in reply.
40
h3!
An effective waiting move. If at once 40 d5, ♖f4 is annoying, while 40 ♔e4 is met by 40 … ♖e6+ 41 ♖e5 ♖c6, and Black has some counter-play.
40
…
♔d6
41
♔e4
♖e6+
42
♖e5
♖f6
43
d5!
♔d7
Cuts down the choice of reply. For example, if 43 … ♖f2 44 ♖e6+ wins a Pawn. Or if 43 … a5 44 bxa5 bxa5 45 ♖e6+ ♖xe6+ 46 dxe6 ♔xe6 47 ♔d4 ♔d6 48 ♔c4 ♔c6 49 h4 ♔b6 50 ♔d5 ♔b7 51 ♔c5 ♔a6 52 ♔c6, and Black has run out of moves.
44
♖g5!
Clears the square e5 for the King, and also arranges to bring the Rook to g3 and then to f3, where the threat of exchange will drive the opposing Rook off the open file.
44
…
♔d6
45
♖g3
♔e7
46
♖f3
♖d6
The Rook must leave the only available open file, since an exchange would be ruinous.
Advance of King and Pawn.
47
♔e5
White threatens a quick win by 48 ♖f7+ ♔xf7 49 ♔xd6 ♔e8 50 ♔c7, and the Pawn marches through.
47
…
♖d8
48
d6+!
Very pretty! If Black captures by 48 … ♖xd6, the continuation is 49 ♖f7+ ♔xf7 50 ♔xd6, and White picks off the Queen side Pawns, winning easily.
48
…
♔d7
No better is 48 … ♔e8 49 ♔e6 g5 50 d7+ ♖xd7 51 ♖f8+ and it’s all over.
49
♖f7+
♔c8
A humiliating retreat, but 49 … ♔c6 50 ♖c7 mate is even more embarrassing.
50
♖c7+
♔b8
Forcing the exchange of Rooks.
51
♖c2
♖e8+
52
♔f6
b5
53
d7
♖h8
54
♔e7
♖h7+
55
♔d6
♖h8
56
♖e2
Indicating that he will check at e8, and Queen the Pawn. The threat is decisive, so …
56
…
Resigns
♖ GAME FIVE ♜
The Passed Pawn
A. Rubinstein – O. Duras
Vienna 1908, QUEEN’S PAWN GAME
I don’t know which you will enjoy more – Rubinstein’s explosive combination early in the game to win a Pawn, or his skillful play thereafter to exploit his advantage.
The combination, involving a Queen sacrifice, is brilliant and clear-cut. The subsequent strategy of winning with an extra Pawn may be summed up as follows:
(1) Rubinstein simplifies the posi tion by exchanging as many pieces as possible.
(2) He returns the extra Pawn on one wing to create a passed Pawn on the other.
(3) He rushes the passed Pawn to the Queening square.
1
d4
d5
2
♘f3
c5
3
e3
♘f6
4
dxc5
4
…
♕a5+
The Queen should not come into play so soon. A safer way to regain the Pawn is by the simple 4 … e6. White could not then hold on to the Pawn, for if 5 b4 a5 6 c3 axb4 7 cxb4 b6, and if White continues stubbornly by 8 ♗a3, then 8 … bxc5 9 bxc5 ♖xa3 10 ♘xa3 ♕a5+, and Black wins two pieces for a Rook.
5
♘bd2
♕xc5
6
a3
♕c7
7
c4
dxc4
This move not only surrenders the center, but helps White develop his pieces. A preferable move is 7 … e6.
8
♘xc4
♗g4
“Knights before Bishops!” ad vised Lasker, way back in 1895, but some people just won’t listen.
9
b4
♘c6
10
♗b2
b5
A nervous attempt to force the Knight to retreat, but Rubinstein has other plans for the piece. Its next move initiates a spectacular combination.
11
♘ce5!
♘xe5
12
♘xe5
♗xd1
13
♗xb5+
♘d7
The alternative 13 … ♔d8 leads to this sparkling finish: 14 ♖xd1+ ♔c8 15 ♗a6+ ♔b8 16 ♘c6+ ♕xc6 17 ♗e5+ ♕d6 18 ♖c1 and mate follows next move.
14
♗xd7+
♕xd7
Practically forced, as after 14 … ♔d8 15 ♖xd1 leaves Black helpless to ward off the many threats.
15
♘xd7
♗h5
16
♘e5
♖c8
17
g4
♗g6
18
♘xg6
The two Bishops might enable Black to put up a good deal of resistance, so Rubinstein removes one of them. In return, Black gets an open file for his King Rook.
18
…
hxg6
19
♗d4
a6
20
♔d2
The King moves toward the center, to take an active part in the endgame.
20
…
f6
Preparing to evict the Bishop by 21 … e5, from its strong posi tion in the middle of the board.
21
♖ac1!
Puts the question to Black. He must either exchange Rooks or abandon control of the open file.
21
…
♖xc1
22
♖xc1!
Much better than capturing with the King. The Rook must attack in the endgame, not stay inert at h1 protecting a Pawn.
22
…
e5
If 22 … ♖xh2 23 ♖c8+ ♔f7 24 ♔e2 e5 25 ♗c5 ♗xc5 26 ♖xc5 ♖h8 27 ♖c7+ ♔e6 28 ♖a7, and White will soon have two connected passed Pawns.
23
♗c5
♖xh2
Or 23 … ♗xc5 24 ♖xc5 ♔d7 25 ♖a5 ♖a8 26 b5 and White wins.
24
♗xf8
♔xf8
25
♔e2
e4
26
♖c6
♖g2
27
♖xa6
♖xg4
Material is even, but Rubinstein has a great positional advantage in his two connected passed Pawns – either of them a potential Queen.
28
♖a7
Almost instinctively the Rook hastens to seize control of the seventh rank.
28
…
♖g1
29
b5!
♖b1
30
a4
g5
31
♖b7
♖a1
This is the position with White to play:
32
b6!
Rubinstein doesn’t waste time saving both Pawns. One Pawn (in the right hands) is enough to win.
32
…
♖xa4
33
♖a7
Offers an exchange of Rooks (which Black dares not accept) and clears the way for the Pawn’s ad vance.
33
…
♖b4
34
b7
With the threat of winning by 55 ♖h8+ followed by Queening the Pawn.
34
…
g4
Nothing else is any better, 34 … ♔e7 losing instantly by 35 b8(♕) discovered check.
35
♖a8+
♔f7
36
b8(♕)
♖xb8
37
♖xb8
♔e6
38
♖e8+
♔f5
39
♔f1
Resigns
Further resistance is not only useless, but could lead to this humil iating finish: 39 … g3 40 fxg3 ♔g4 41 ♔g2 f5 42 ♖e7 g5 43 ♖g7 f4 44 exf4 e3 45 ♖xg5 mate.
♖ GAME SIX ♜
Weak Pawns, Weak Squares and Mighty, Mighty Knights
H. Mattison – A. Nimzovich
Carlsbad 1929, NIMZO-INDIAN DEFENSE
It is amazing how much instructive strategy Nimzovich can pack into a mere 23 moves.
His attack on a doubled Pawn leads to a weakening of a key square. On this important square Nimzovich plants a Knight so firmly that it cannot be dislodged. He then forces open a file for the benefit of his Queen Rook. With that sector under control, he switches the King Knight over to the center of the board. The power generated by the centralized Knights is devastating. So great is the effect that Mattison feels compelled to resign, though he hasn’t lost so much as a Pawn.
Is chess of this sort an art or a science? In the hands of a crafts man like Nimzovich, it may be either.
1
d4
♘f6
2
c4
e6
3
♘c3
♗b4
4
♘f3
♗xc3+
5
bxc3
An exchange which probably pleases both parties. White, because he has the two Bishops, and an open file for his Queen Rook. Black, because he has created a weakness – a doubled Pawn – in his opponent’s position.
5
…
d6
6
♕c2
♕e7
Black is ready to meet 7 e4 with 7 … e5, securing a fair share of the center.
7
♗a3
With two objects in mind:
(1) To prevent 7 … e5, after which 8 dxe5 leaves Black unable to recapture, and
(2) To advance 8 c5, with the idea of dissolving the doubled Pawn.
7
…
c5
This fixes White’s Pawn at c4, making it a stationary target at which Nimzovich can aim an attack.
8
g3
White prepares to fianchetto the Bishop and control the long diagonal. Ordinarily, this is a commendable development, but here this has the drawback of depriving the weak Pawn (at c4) of a defender. A better course was probably 8 e4 followed by 9 ♗d3.
8
…
b6
Black of course intends to dispute control of the diagonal.
9
♗g2
♗b7
10
0–0
0–0
11
♘h4
White is anxious to exchange Bishops, since Nimzovich’s has more scope, and bears down (together with the Knight) so strongly on the square e4.
A better way to bring about an exchange though was by 11 ♘d2. The Knight would then not only exert more influence on the center, but would be a useful protector of the frail c4 Pawn.
11
…
♗xg2
12
♔xg2
Much better than this was the recapture by 12 ♘xg2, to bring the Knight back into play. If then 12 … ♘c6 13 e4 ♘a5 14 ♘e3, and White does not stand too badly, his Knight being centralized, and his c4 Pawn defended.
This is the situation, with Black to play:
12
…
♕b7+
13
♔g1
White gets into difficulties after this. The right move was 13 ♘f3, which gets the Knight back from the sidelines, and gives White a fighting chance.
Interposing by 13 f3 would lose a piece after 13 … g5 14 ♕d2 h6, and the Knight has no flight square.
13
…
♕a6
Attacks Bishop and c-Pawn, forcing White’s reply.
14
♕b3
♘c6
15
♖fd1
The alternatives are:
(1) 15 dxc5, bxc5, and Black threatens 16 … ♖ab8 winning the Bishop and 16 … ♘e5 winning the c-Pawn.
(2) 15 ♘f3 ♘a5 16 ♕b5 ♕xb5 17 cxb5 ♘c4 18 ♗c1 ♘d5, and the c-Pawn falls.
15
…
♘a5
16
♕b5
♕xb5
17
cxb5
17
…
♘c4!
The doubled Pawn has been dissolved, but the weakness of the square on which it stood remains. Nimzovich anchors his Knight on this vital square, and with that move he secures new advantages:
(1) The Knight is posted aggres sively. It attacks the Bishop and drives it back to its original square.
(2) The Knight is posted defen sively. It protects the d-Pawn and the b-Pawn against pos sible attack.
(3) The Knight has a great deal of influence on the important cen tral squares.
(4) The Knight cannot be dis lodged by Pawns, nor by the Bishop (which operates on black squares only).
18
♗c1
a6!
This forces open the a-file, since White must capture or lose a Pawn.
19
bxa6
♖xa6
Now the Rook has a fine target in the isolated a-Pawn.
20
dxc5
bxc5
21
♘g2
The Knight returns, but it’s late in the day.
21
…
♘d5
A comparison of the positions shows the superiority of Black’s in that his Knights are strongly cen tralized, and his Rooks can operate on the two open files. White’s minor pieces are widely scattered, and his Rooks out of touch with each other.
22
♖d3
♖fa8
23
e4
♘e5
24
Resigns
Mattison surrenders though he hasn’t lost so much as a Pawn! If he chose to play on, this would be the continuation: 24 ♖d1 ♘xc3 25 ♖f1 (on 25 ♖d2 or 25 ♖e1 ♘f3+) 25 … ♘xa2 26 ♖xa2 ♘f3+ 27 ♔h1 ♖xa2 and White must lose a third Pawn.
♖ GAME SEVEN ♜
Finesse in the Ending
R. Domenech – S. Flohr
Rosas 1935, SICILIAN DEFENSE
For a description of Flohr’s skill in this game, I commend you to Roget’s Thesaurus, where you will find such adjectives as exquisite, elegant, artistic, and enchanting.
Throughout the play there are delightful finesses and touches of originality. Who but Salo Flohr would interrupt a series of exchanges, force an irreparable weakness, and then proceed to complete the exchanges?
To my mind, this quiet little positional game, played with cry stalline clarity, outshines all the blazing combinations of a dozen wide-open, slam-bang attacking games.
1
e4
c5
2
♘f3
e6
3
c4
An attempt to get the Maroczy Bind, which is no improvement on the usual 3 d4. A move has been wasted that should have been devoted to straightforward develop ment, while the Pawn at c4 restricts the scope of White’s King Bishop.
3
…
♘c6
4
d4
cxd4
5
♘xd4
♘f6
6
♘xc6
Apparently White does not care to play 6 ♘c3, when 6 … ♗b4 in reply puts him on the defensive. He would have to guard against 7 … ♘xe4 (winning a Pawn) as well as 7 … ♗xc3+ 8 bxc3 (saddling him with a doubled Pawn).
6
…
dxc6!
Geniuses do not have to capture toward the center! Black wants the d-file open so that he can exert pressure on White’s d3 and d4 squares, both of these squares having been weakened by White’s premature third move.
These weaknesses are almost imperceptible, and it is difficult at this early stage to see how Flohr can possibly exploit them, but he does so – and beautifully!
7
♕xd8+
♔xd8
Black has lost the privilege of Castling, but it is of no consequence. The King is more useful in the center than hidden away in a corner. With Queens off the board, there is little danger of the King running into a mating attack.
8
f3
This saves the e-Pawn, but it limits still more the scope of White’s King Bishop. The more of White’s Pawns there are on white squares, the less freedom of action the King Bishop has, since it travels on white squares only.
On 8 e5 instead, there follows 8 … ♘g4 9 ♗f4 ♗c5 (threatens 10 … ♘xf2) 10 ♗g3 (or 10 f3 ♘f2 11 ♖g1 ♘d3+ and Black wins the exchange) 10 … ♗d4, and Black wins a Pawn.
8
…
e5!
A little move, but it accomplishes a great deal:
(1) It releases the Queen Bishop, which will assume a strong attacking position at e6.
(2) It fixes White’s e-Pawn at e4, preventing it from advancing to e5.
(3) It exerts pressure on d4, one of the weak squares in White’s position.
9
♗e3
♔c7
10
a3
White’s idea may have been to prevent 10 … ♗b4+ (a move his opponent had no intention of making) but time is wasted, and another weakness created – a ‘hole’ at b3. This will cause White bitter regret later on.
The simple 10 ♘c3, developing a piece, would have been better.
10
…
♘d7!
The point of this is that it will enable Black to play … ♗c5, and force an exchange of Bishops. This would eliminate White’s good Bishop, and leave him with the one that is ineffectual.
11
♘d2
a5!
The Pawn is to advance to a4, where it will have a crippling effect on White’s Queen side.
12
♗e2
a4!
13
♔f2
This is the position, with Black to move:
13
…
♗c5!
Forces an exchange which will leave Black in control of the black squares.
14
♗xc5
♘xc5
15
♖ac1
♗e6
This Bishop is aggressive, White’s Bishop is passive.
16
♖hd1
♖hd8
Intending to double Rooks on the d-file. If White tries to dispute control of the file, this is what might happen: 17 ♘f1 ♘b3 18 ♖xd8 ♖xd8 19 ♖d1 ♖xd1 20 ♗xd1 ♗xc4, and White has lost a Pawn.
17
♔e3
♖d7
18
g3
The purpose of this move and White’s next, is to place some Pawns on black squares, thereby allowing his pieces (notably the Bishop) more freedom of movement.
18
…
♖ad8
Black now has a powerful grip on the d-file. His opponent can do little but sit tight and await developments.
19
f4
A perfectly natural move, but it opens the door to a surprising delayed-action combination. It is one that is unique, so far as I know, in the literature of chess.
This is the position, with Black to play and win:
19
…
exf4+
20
gxf4
Obviously 20 ♔xf4 loses a piece instantly by 20 … ♖xd2.
20
…
♖d3+!
