MASTERING

A COURSE IN 21 LESSONS

D. Kopec, G. Chandler, C. Morrison,

N. Davies and I. D. Mullen

DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.

Mineola, New York
 Copyright
Copyright © 1985 by D.Kopec, G. Chandler, C. Morrison, N.Davies,
and I. D. Mullen
All rights reserved.

Bibliographical Note
This Dover edition, first published in 2006, is an unabridged republication
of the edition published by Cadogan Chess, London and New York, in 1994.
The book was originally published in 1985 by Pergamon Press, New York,
under the title Master Chess: A Course in 21 Lessons.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Mastering chess: a course in 21 lessons I D.Kopec ...[et a!.).
p. em.
Originally published: London; New York: Cadogan Chess, 1994.
ISBN 0-486-45061-9 (pbk.)
I. Chess. I.Kopec, Danny.

GV1449.5.M372 2006
794.1'2---d c22
2006041117

Manufactured in the United States of America

Dover Publications, Inc., 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, N.Y. 11501
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The idea for this work originated from We would like to thank Martin Richard­
discussions with Walter Munn , President of son, former Executive Editor of the Per­
the Scottish Chess Association. The five co­ gamon Chess Series, for his suggestions and
authors are all members of the Edinburgh help towards the completion of this work.
Chess Masters Association , a group which Also, we extend our gratitude to Alistair
was formed to supply competent chess Girvan, Chairman, S.C.A. Education Sub­
tuition for all levels of player ranging from Committee ; Dr. Ken Stewart, Assistant
novice to expert. One of the first tasks the Secretary, S.C.A. ; Bill Wallace, Alec Mac­
group was requested to perform was to Farlane , Alec Taylor, Graeme Taylor,
produce a teaching package for use by tutors Harry Leask, Morag Mullay, Professor D.
and students in Scotland. It is from that Michie, the Edinburgh Chess Club and the
initial project that this present volume has members of the Machine Intelligence Re­
'
evolved, having undergone several radical search Unit for the use of their facilities.
changes in the process.

iii
 CONTENTS

SYMBOLS VI

INTRODUCTION Our Purpose and Suggested Learning Methods­

Danny Kopec, I . M . vii

LESSONS 1-4 Tactics and Combinations - Geoff Chandler 1

LESSONS 5-8 How to Analyse a Position - Danny Kopec, I . M . 35
LESSONS 9-12 How t o Formulate a Plan - Chris Morrison 53
LESSONS 13-16 Opening Principles and Ideas - Nigel Davies, I . M . 71
LESSONS 17-20 Endings - lan D . Mullen 83

EXERCISES I (Lessons 5-8) 105

EXERCISES II (Lessons 9-12) 111
EXERCISES III (Lessons 13- 16) 1 15
EXERCISES IV (Lessons 17-21) 1 19

LESSON 21 Practical Tournament Tips and Advice - Ian D. Mullen et al. 125

SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES (Lessons 1-4) 131

GLOSSARY 133

v
 SYMBOLS

+ check 3 Bb5 a6
+ - White has a winning advantage 4 Bxc6 dxc6
-+ Black has a winning advantage 5 0-0 Bg4
= equal position 6 h3 h5
0-0 castles king-side 7 hxg4? hxg4
0-0-0 castles queen-side 8 Nh2 Qh4 -+
good move 9f3 g3!
!! excellent move 0-1
? poor move
?? blunder
!? interesting (deserves attention); Descriptive
inviting complications 1 P-K4 P-K4
?! a dubious move 2 N-KB3 N-QB3
mate checkmate 3 B-N5 P-QR3
1-0 White wins 4 BxN QPxB
0-1 Bl!lck wins 5 0-0 B-KN5
112-112 drawn game 6 P-KR3 P-KR4
7 PxB? PxP
The following game is given as an
8 N-R2 Q-RS
example , it is the first 9 moves of a badly
Black is winning
played Ruy Lopez (Exchange Variation) .
9 P-KB3 P-N6!
White resigns.
Algebraic
1e4 e5
_2 Nf3 Nc6

vi
 Introduction

OUR PURPOSE AND SUGGESTED

LEARNING METHODS
DANNY KOPEC, I.M.

In the lessons which follow you will be the elements of a position. The endgame
provided with a great deal of information and its most knowledge-oriented sub­
that is directly or indirectly relevant to every domains* are considered methodically in
game of chess. The understanding of open­ Lessons 17-20. In general, the examples
ing play, the ability to formulate a plan for a cho�en throughout are original and recent.
position , to analyse its essential com­ All chess books I have ever come across
ponents, to carry out a sound combination share in common the approach of attempt­
and finally to use efficient endgame tech­ ing to teach or illustrate through examples
nique to win, is part and parcel of every - either combinations from a given position
strong player's technique. However, over or complete games - and in this sense ours
the centuries there have been thousands of is no different. However, the good books
books written on the game of chess. What , whose examples have always proven to be
then, is the need for another - especially the most memorable are those which attach
when none of the subjects covered is par­ good labels to good examples. Take the
ticularly original? label of Kotov's in Think Like a Grand­
We believe that this work is unique in master, "dizziness due to success" . This
putting five essential chess topics under one label says a lot in a very few words and is
cover in a form specially geared towards the self-explanatory. It is capable of describing
club player (graded 1450-1750 [BCF 100- the downfall of vain, ignorant , self-con­
150]) . In this regard , one excellent book fidence in some phase of play better than
does come to mind for its broad scope in any other more detailed descriptions - or
providing the material necessary for evalu­ consider Kptoch's terminology in Pawn
ation of almost any chess position: Point Power in 'Chess , "The Sweeper-Sealer­
Count Chess (by AI Horowitz and Geoffrey Twist".t Each term in this label has a clear,
Mott-Smith) . Nevertheless, our work is meaningful, and memorable purpose . Again
quite different in that each of its five major we try to do the same for you through
subject areas is broken down into four carefully chosen , concise definitions and
lessons, effectively comprising a 20-lesson examples of many well-known and lesser­
course for the serious student whose ob­ known chess terms and concepts.
j ective is to become a stronger player. The It has been estimated that the chess
scenario which leads into a bright discussion master is able to store about 50,000 pat­
of "Tactics and Combinations" is a refresh­ terns. No one has as yet attempted to
ing yet complete approach to the subject .
1 'le elements and principles which guide *It is important to have specific information about
the theoretical aspects and goals of each of the
sc>•·nd opening play are illustrated by games particular endi ngs discussed. Calculation alone will not
in three different variations. In "How to suffice, while a little k nowledge can go a long way .
Analyse a Position" we consider the meth­ t A pawn move which sweeps open an outpost
square , seals an opponent's outpost square , and creates
odology for deciding on a particular a sudden, possibly unexpected, drastic change i n the
sequence of moves, based on evaluation of pawn structure.

vii
viii Master Chess

ascertain j ust what these 50,000 patterns one position with certain features, and the
inside the head of a chess master are . same motif applies for thirty positions with
Perhaps our present understanding of the same features, then perhaps it (or a
human cognition in terms of perception , variant of it) applies for all such positions.
memory, and pattern recognition are in­ In other intellectual endeavours this process
adequate to do so . Have no fear, this is also could also be called generalization ; but, for
far removed from our aims here , though chess, this alone is not adequate - in that a
future developments in artificial intelligence keen eye for the unique qualities or features
may allow such an endeavour to be feasible . of a position must always be present to
Our purpose is to provide the serious recognize its requirements . Finding an
chess student of middling club strength with appropriate plan , such as doubling up on an
the essential elements ; the components open file , is still only a small component of
which comprise the fundamental armoury the complete , correct conduct of a chess
for good, sound play . Concomitant with game , which may involve a sequence of
these goals is the intention of providing, in a associated correct plans. The inductive
book of about 140 pages , what we consider approach is different and diametrically
to be the necessary background for any opposed to the one which provides the
"cultured" strong player. examples (i .e. a typical opening mono­
During the course of the development of graph) but requires the reader to develop
their chess abilities most players find them­ his own ideas by "deduction" (working
selves failing or distinctly lacking in knowl­ backwards) from them .
edge about one phase or another of the The supplementary lesson on "Practical
game . For most players below master Tournament Tips and Advice" is intended
strength the phase where weaknesses to give some practical guidelines towards
appear most often is the endgame . How­ achieving real over-the-board success. The
ever , many players also often complain value of asking questions (hopefully the
-
about not being able to come up with the right ones) and learning from one's losses
appropriate plan for what they evaluate to cannot be overemphasized.
be � good position , and still more find A few words of caution are called for
themselves totally uncomfortable unless the here . Chess is a hard game . There are no
opening follows well-known theoretical easy solutions. Much hard work , persistence
paths which they have studied or memor­ and determination is a prerequisite , with no
ized. This , by necessity , is the clear expla­ guarantee of excellence or success. This is
nation for and j ustification of each of the because chess is unique in having all the
five major sections in this book. Each has its ingredients of science , sport , and art. It is
logical place and hopefully readers will find not enough to know how , nor is it sufficient
the presentation of material easy to under­ to carry out the motions , and likewise for
stand and generalize upon , in contrast to , moves with the aesthetic appeal of art for
for example , the typical book on a specific this may nonetheless result in dismal failure .
opening variation , which tends to over­ The student who carefully reads all five
whelm the reader with great detrimental major sections, who is very knowledgeable ,
effects. armed with our supplementary Exercises
The key question is, therefore , will the and Practical Tournament Tips and Advice ,
student be able to induce upon the material can unfortunately still be promised nothing
presented here in order to find correct and in terms of results.
creative moves for the positions which arise There is no substitute for over-the-board
in his games? That is, if a motif applies for experience of the dynamic element of chess.
 Introduction ix

You may know all there is to know about This is where understanding distinguishes
opening ideas and principles , about tactics itself from information , or even what might
and combinations , about analysis, planning, be called "knowledge" . Experience can play
and even endings, and yet when the moment a key role here. The rest is up to you, the
comes to play the best move (or a good one ) reader.
you can't do it.
 Lessons 1-4

TACTICS AND COMBINATIONS

GEOFF CHANDLER

The Weekend Tournament (a) He won't play a mating attack involving

a sacrifice unless he is 1 10% sure that it
Act One will succeed.
(b) He would dearly love to win opponents'
ScENE: The analysis room at a congress. The
pieces, but never attempts to fathom
players are sitting examining their games.
situations involving a few subtle moves.
PETE is alone at a chessboard and looking
forlorn. JACK enters and sits opposite PETE.
JAcK: "Hi Pete, how did you get on?"
LESSON 1
(PETE looks up and starts moving the pieces
about. )
These le ssons are for the Petes of the
_ PETE: "In this position I could have won a tournament halls.
piece if I had played this and this. " Before I set about attempting to coat
students' arrows with drops of poison, I
(PETE continues moving the pieces about.)
shall define the terms "tactics" and "com­
PETE: " . . . and here I've got a mating bination".
attack on. I could have sacrificed my
knight on g7, he has to take it, else I
Tactics
win a whole rook! Then I make this
neat little quiet move and he can't
This is the term given to the hand-to-hand
prevent mate . My opponent showed
fighting which takes place on the chessboard
me that after the game . "
when the opposing pieces come into direct
JACK: "It's convincing enough, how did you contact with each other, i . e. attacking and
get on?" defending . B asically, a tactical move in­
volves a threat, or a series of threats, to
PETE: "I lost ! " ·
which the opponent must respond immedi­
Curtain ately . It is normally a forcing sequence, and
thus the number of replies is generally
That small scenario is repeated countless
limited.
times at league and congress post-mortems.
The act could have lasted longer, with Jack
asking Pete how he missed such things, since Combination
he has been playing chess for 15 years now;
and Pete replying that he has been busy, felt A combination is a series of tactical
ill, had a sleepless night, was upset by the moves played in order to gain an advantage
traffic and attacked by a swarm of bees ! (or lessen or neutralize a disadvantage). It
Pete will always produce excuses for may span anything from one to more than
losing games rather than admit that: fifteen moves.
2 Master Chess

There are four main types of combi­ linked and the ideas used in a material gain
nation: combination can be (and very frequently
are) used to mate the enemy king.
1. The mating attack.
Positional combinations are played to
2. The material gain combination .
increase the scope of one's pieces, laying the
3 . The positional combination.
ground work for a future material gain or
4. The drawing combination .
mating combination .
These classifications contain many "tricks of Drawing combinations speak for them­
the trade" which form the bulk of all chess selves and give the tactically acute player a
players' armoury. A "tactical tree" has been chance of snatching lost games from the fir� .
drawn up to aid the student, giving a list of
all the main tactical motifs that are discussed
here. A good chess move will fall into one of
the following three categories: Tactical Terms

1. Tactical (as defined above) . Most of the standard terms are fairly self­
2. Strategical (deploying one's forces, explanatory, e.g. obstruction , line-clearing,
following an overall plan, manoeuvr­ square-vacating, decoying, etc. In Diagram
ing etc . ) . 1 White uses these four themes to bring
3 . Forced (getting out of check, recaptur­ apout mate.
ing a piece) .
I Rd4
It should be noted that mating attack and The rook sacrifices itself in order to
material gain combinations are closely obstruct Black's defence of the square h4.

Table 1. A "Tactical Tree" giving a List of Tactical Motifs Found in Combinations

Mating attack Material gai n Positional Drawing

Mating patterns Winning a Creati ng a Stalemate

piece left passed pawn
Smothered mate en prise Perpetual
Knight check
Back ran k mate Missing the outpost
threat Reduction
King hunt Rook(s) on to known
Knight fork the 7th drawn endi ngs,
Classic bishop e . g. two
sacrifice Skewers and Swapping knights and
other forks off i nto a king vs. ki ng,
Double and won ending wrong bishop and
discovered Pins rook's pawn etc.
check Destroying the
Overworked pawn formation
Double rook piece
sacrifice Tak ing control
Double bishop Desperado of the centre
sacrifice piece
Soft spot
attack (any Obtai ning the
square that Pawn two bishops
is guarded promotions
only by a k i ng) Forcing a
Discovered timely queen
attack swap
 Tactics and Combinations 3

attack. Let us take first a simple and

1 common mating pattern with queen and
knight (Diagram 2) .

1 ... Bxd4
2 Bxe6+
a c d e f g
Now the bishop clears the file for the rook
and queen to use.
Now we put more pieces on the board and
2 ... Bxe6
go back a few moves (Diagram 3).
3 Rh8+

The rook gives its life to vacate hi for the

queen and also to decoy the black king on 8 3
h8, allowing White to gain a vital tempo .
3 ... Kxh8
6
4 Qh1+ Kg8
5
Note that, had White not played 1 Rd4,
Black could have defended here with 4
4 . . . Qh4.
5 Qh7 mate.

The Mating Attack

g h
Standard Patterns and Thought Processes
Since we have given away the mating pat­
"A thorough understanding of the typi­ tern with queen and knight, it should not
cal mating continuations makes the take the student long to work out the
most complicated sacrificial combi­ combination leading to mate:
nations leading up to them not only not
1 Rc6!
difficult, but almost a matter of course"
(Tarrasch). This interferes with the queen's protec­
tion of the knight on f6 and also clears the
Just as a cook can imagine the finished
bl-h7 diagonal:
version of a meal in preparation, so a chess
player must visualize the final mating pos­ 1 ... dxc6
ition or mating pattern which will eventually· 2 Nxf6+ Kh8
appear on the board before launching an 3 Qxh7 mate.
4 Master Chess

Looking at it this way, the student may be

able to appreciate the apparent paradox that 5
mating attack combinations can be worked
out backwards !
I n the first place w e knew a mating
pattern existed, and could visualize giving
mate in the position (only the knight on f6
prevented this) . So we focused attention on
the black knight, found a way to remove it
by blocking the defender, and then deliv­
ered mate.
Though this example was simple, even the
most difficult mating combinations can be a e f g
broken down into easier component parts.
The analogy with cooking is apt. We had a similar positions almost without thinking, as
vision of the baked cake in our mind (the such processes have been imprinted on
mating pattern): we had the ingredients memory and become second nature . The
(queen and knight) and the recipe (correct knight can force the black king on to h8.
move order) . The queen can remove the black h-pawn.
In the next diagram we see another Then the rook moves to the h-file when
mating pattern, this time with rook and nothing can block the check; it's mate!
knight (Diagram 4). Broken down like this , it's as easy as . . .
baking a cake.

8 4
7
Mating Patterns
6
5 (see following diagrams)
4
The student will note that in all cases a
bishop or rook can be replaced by a queen.
In the maj ority of cases using a bishop and
rook, neither piece may be in the exact
position as shown in the diagram.
o b c d e g h In Diagram S mate is forced after 1 f6.
Diagram W is a pattern peculiar to queen­
side castling and the opportunity to play it is
Once again we add more pieces and go back not at all rare .
a few moves (Diagram 5 ) . The student, once Diagrams X, Y and Z are endgame
given the mating pattern as a clue, should mating patterns that should be very familiar
play out the combination fairly easily. to the student; Diagram Z, of course,
cannot be forced. The student should set
I Ne7+ Kh8
these positions up on a board remembering
2 Qxh7+ Kxh7
to swap the queen with bishop and rook, as
3 Rhl mate.
it is usually the queen that delivers the blow.
Yet again, the student can break down With these positions imprinted on memory
the thought process behind the combi­ circuits , spotting and calculating a mating
nation . The experienced player will solve attack will be much easier.
 Tactics and Combinations 5

A B c D E

F G H I J

K L M N 0

p Q R s T

u v w X y

z
6 Master Chess

LESSON 2. MATING ATTACKS experienced players . This attack takes place

against a king-side castled position when
there is no defending knight on f6. White
Practical Examples
sacrifices the bishop on h7 and then delivers
a check on gS with a knight. This clears the
A number of the following examples are
dl-hS diagonal for the queen to give the
taken from my own games, or encounters
knock-out (Diagram 7).
between average club players. There are
two reasons for this :
1. The games are between players of the 8 7
same standard as those at whom this
book is aimed and sometimes the
correct defensive moves have not been
played. This can be very instructive.
2. Reproducing all the classic gems of
yesteryear would scare the student into
thinking that combinations can be
produced only by masters .

Smothered �ate
a b c d e g
Every student should be familiar with
Philidor's Legacy . From Diagram 6 White
won thus: This is the common setting for the classi­
cal bishop sacrifice . The reader is advised to
1 Nd6+ Kd8 study the handling of the attack against the
2 Qe8+ Rxe8 three defensive tries.
3 Nt7 mate.
1 Bxh7+ Kxh7 2 Ng5+
(a)
8 6 2 . .. Kg8
7 3 Qh5 ReS
4 Qxt7+ Kh8
6
5 Qh5+ Kg8
5 6 Qh7+ Kf8
4 7 Qh8+ Ke7
8 Qxg7 mate.
(b)
2 .. . Kh6
3 Qg4 Rh8
4 Nxe6+ Kh7
a c e g 5 Qxg7 mate.
Aitkens-Jacobs 1 915 (c)
2 ... Kg6
The Classic Bishop Sacrifice 3 h4 Rh8
4 h5+ Rxh5
The opportunity to play this sacrifice 5 Qd3+ f5
occurs quite often in games between less 6 exf6+ Kxf6
 Tactics and Combinations 7

7 Qf3+ Ke7 Discovered Check

8 Qt7+ Kd6
9 QxhS This is also a potent weapon . Diagram 9
and White wins. arose from an off-beat variation of the Ruy
Lopez. The player of the white pieces
(c1 )
(playing in a minor tournament, Grange­
3 ... NdxeS
mouth 1980) captured the knight on c3 and
4 dxeS NxeS
was lucky to draw. Had he placed more faith
S hS+ Kf6
in the discovered checks available , he might
6 Nh7+ Ke7
have found:
7 Ba3+
White wins.
1 Nxc6+ Be7
The keen student will find the classic bishop 2 Nxe7 Nxd1
sacrifice examined in great detail by V. 3 Ng6!+ Qe7 (forced)
Vukovic in The Art of Attack in Chess, 4 Nxe7 Kf8
published by Pergamon Press. S Nxc8 and White is a piece up.

Double Check
9
The power of a double check is often a
match winner. Its force is the fact that the
king must move in reply to a double check.
Here is a humorous example from a simul­
taneous display given by Nimzowitsch (Dia­
gram 8).

Back Rank Mate

Everybody has been "back rank mated" . I

once thought for 10 minutes in a comfort­
able position and allowed a back rank mate
next move!
The first• example comes from a schoolboy
league match . We are about to witness a
common blunder - playing the obvious.
1 Be2 White played 1 Rxe5 and resigned after
1 . . . Rcxe5 , as his intended 2 Qxf7 is now
Offering the bait which Black grabs glee­
fully. illegal (the queen is pinned) . White should
have played (Diagram 10) :
1 ... exf3?
2 cxb7 Bxb7 1 Qxt7+ Nxt7
3 BbS double check and mate! 2 Rxe8 mate.
8 Master Chess

The combination is flawless. How can the

8 IO student be expected to produce finishes like
7 that? We can only recommend keeping your
eyes open and developing the habit of
6 exammmg all captures and forcing
5 sequences as a matter of course .
4
3 The Double Rook Sacrifice

2 The ever-recurring chess battle of

material versus development will no doubt
rage on till eternity. The double rook
a c d e g h
sacrifice (where the attacking player leaves
·both rooks as j uicy bait so that the time
The next example comes from the late wasted by the opponent in their capture is
Vladimir Vukovic. We shall go through it used to mate the enemy) speaks loudly for
step by step as it contains many tactical development .
motifs (Diagram 1 1 ) . Few examples can match the cheeky
imagination of Jacques Mieses, who con­
I Qxf8+ Kxf8
jured up a double rook sacrifice shown in
White creates the back rank weakness. Diagram 12.
Mieses played the seemingly pointless
2 Nd7+ Bxd7
Rb8, and his opponent walked into some­
White self clears the e-file and forces thing nasty.
open the c-file.
3 Ba3+ KgS 8 I2
Now the king is pushed back behind its 7
own pawns.
6
4 ReS+ BxcS
5
White exposes the overworked pieces; the 4
bishop is decoyed away from protecting e8.
5 ReS mate.

11
a b c d e f g

Craddock-Mieses

I RbS!
2 Ne4 Bc5
3 Nxf6+ Qxf6
4 Bxc6+ bxc6
5 QxbS+ Kd7
6 QxhS
It certainly looks as if Black's 1 . . . Rb8
was a blunder.
 Tactics and Combinations 9
6 ... Qf3 4 Qg5+ Kh8
7 Kd1 5 Qf6+ Kg8
6 Rc4! (1-0)
The only move .
In effect, the two bishops are fed as
7 ... Qxe2+
cannon-fodder to tear open the king's
8 Kc2 Qxc4+
defences and then the "heavies" (queen and
9 Kb1 Qd3 mate.
rook) stroll in to deliver a typical mate. The
absence of defenders on the king-side is the
The Double Bishop Sacrifice basis of this and many other violent assaults,
including the next example .
This is a fairly rare occurrence in over­
the-board play , but the mechanics behind it
The King's Clothes
are worth knowing and can apply to many
other typical sacrificial assaults. Here are
White has queen , rook , two bishops and
Tartakower's conditions for the likelihood
knight all within striking distance of the
of the combination being sound:
black king. With such an attacking force he
"The defending king must be exposed
can afford to sacrifice a couple of pieces and
and his pieces not readily available for
still have an effective material advantage on
defence. The attacker's rook must
the king's wing. The finish is straightforward
serve a double purpose ; to prevent the
and brutal (Diagram 14) .
king's escape to the other wing, and to
take part in the final assault without
any loss of time . " 8 14
7
8 13 6
7 5

a b c d e g

Shestoparov-Serzhanov, USSR 1 955

o b c d e g h
1 Rxd5! Bxd5
Miles-Browne, Lucerne Olympiad 1 982
2 Bxh7+ Kxh7
3 Nf6+ with inevitable mate.
Diagram 13 is a recent example. Miles
(3 ... gxf6 4 Qh5 + Kg7 5 Qh6+ Kg8 6
finished off with
Bxf6)
1 Bxh7+! Kxh7
2 Qh5+ Kg8
The King Hunt
3 Bxg7! Kxg7
If 3 ... f6 4 Qh8 + Kf7 5 Bxf8 threatens 6 Here the king is lured or forced out into
Qh7 + the open board and then mated . Very often
10 Master Chess

a king hunt combination cannot be fully A typical king-side castled position has
calculated - the hunter must use "instinct" the square g7 protected only by the king, so
to j udge the outcome. this is where Black is often at his weakest.
This is why the chance to play king hunts
is often not taken by weaker players, who
may lack the courage to sacrifice if they
cannot analyse the position fully . A stronger
player will sometimes not bother to try to
analyse all the possible variations, he will
simply know that a king out in the open, at
the mercy of an attacker's army, rarely
survives (Diagram 15) .

8 15
7 e = Soft Spot

6
Combinations against f7 are very rare in
5 master games, but there is one line of the
4 Danish Gambit where Black positively in­
vites an attack on this soft spot in order to
reduce White's attacking chances:

1 e4 e5
2 d4 exd4
a e g 3 c3 dxc3
4 Bc4 cxb2
Mullen- Weedon, Edinburgh 1 980
5 Bxb2 d5
6 Bxd5 Nf6
1 Nf7 Kxf7 7 Bxf7+ Kxf7
2 Qxh7+ Kf6 8 Qxd8 Bb4+
3 Bd4+ Kg5 9 Qd2 Bxd2+

This was as far as White had calculated .

with approximately level chances, though
He now invested 5 minutes on the clock to
nobody seems quite sure about this position.
finish off with
The chance to play combinations against
4 g3 f7 (or f2 if White is careless) crops up more
frequently in games between less-experi­
Black can only avoid the threatened 5
enced players . The opening lessons in this
Qh4 and 6 Qf4 mate at ruinous cost.
manual, plus the player's own experience,
should be sufficient acquaintance with the
Combinations Against the "Soft Spot" necessary preconditions, as most combi­
nations against an uncastled king are now
This is not a particularly new concept in well-known opening traps. I give two
chess strategy , as all players will recognize examples from less familiar settings .
the term "soft spot" when I remind them The first is a "what could have happened"
that f7 is Black's soft spot at the beginning between two players renowned for their
of the game . fiery attacks.
 Tactics and Combinations 11

Alekhine-Marshall for the white pieces to focus on this square,

and generally it is necessary to spend more
1 d4 Nf6
time co-ordinating pieces in order to over­
2 c4 e6
power it.
3 Nf3 Ne4
In some main line variations of the Ruy
4 Nfd2 Bb4
Lopez it is not uncommon to see the white
"a typical Marshall trap" (Alekhine). queen's knight hop all over the board to
reach f5 and eye g7, i.e. Nb l-d2-fl-e3/g3,
Alekhine played 5 Qc2 and won convincing­ and then on to f5 . Only the queen's bishop
ly. Had he chosen the natural looking can hit g7 using straightforward develop­
"Sunday morning move" (5 a3?) then he ment (a fianchetto or, in some cases, Bh6).
would have found himself with a lost game This is one reason why castled kings tend to
after 5 . . . Qf6. live longer than kings who stay in the centre;
The square f7 can also be a target in a safe g7 is harder to hit than f7.
looking castled position . Here is a typical A. gathering of strength against g7 nor­
"bolt from the blue" combination which mally spells the end (Diagram 17).
could equally well be categorized under the
back rank section .
McNab-Mullen 17

8 16

6
5
4

a c d e f g h

Capablanca - Corzo
0 c d e g h
The knight is a tower of strength on f5 and
1 ... Bg4? a simple piece count of attackers and
defenders around the black king gives a hint
Not reckoning on
of the coming disaster.
2 Qxt7!+
1 Bh6! Ne6
when Black fell off his chair, then resigned. 2 Bxg7 Nf4
If 2 . . . Nxg7, 3 Qg4 f6 4 Nh6+ wins the
The Soft Spot at g7 queen .
3 BxeS Ng6
By playing natural developing moves, a
4 Nh6 mate.
player can lock on to the soft spots f7 and h7
fairly easily with king's bishop , knight and A word of warning: Don't waste time on
queen. the clock looking for mates that don't exist !
The real soft spot in a castled position is You can't will a position to contain a
g7 (or g2) . However, it is not all that easy combination . The student must play over
12 Master Chess

typical mating attacks and sacrificial com­ may improve dramatically with study. Reti
binations in order to build up a "chess again:
instinct". The types of positions which con­ "It is a mistake to think that combi­
tain the seeds for such combinations will nation is solely a question of tale�t and
soon begin to be recognized. Also, it should cannot be acquired. The same el­
then be easier to produce attacking games ements , as double-attacks, pins,
and find the most aggressive squares for obstructions etc. , occur here again and
pieces . again in more or less complicated
A mating combination is normally the associations. The more one sees of
easiest of the four main types of combi­ them , the easier it becomes to conceive
nation to play! Even a crude computer can and follow through such combinations
work out a difficult mate in six if all the by oneself. "
moves are forced . With checkmate the game
ends . The student need not calculate past
Test Positions
mate. (Though it may be necessary to
anticipate a left hook from the opponent . ) In all the following positions (Diagrams
But when playing a material gain, positional 18-29) the player to move has a forced mate
or drawing combination , the student has to on the board . Some of the solutions are
have the ability to assess a position that will rather lengthy and this should convince the
arise some moves ahead. student that the difficulty of a combination
has little to do with the number of moves
"A knowledge of combinations is the involved . Finding the best move in a com­
foundation of positional play . This is a plicated position may be beyond the
rule which has stood its test in chess greatest players , but finding a forced mate
history and one which we cannot im­ in 9 can often be easy - given a knowledge
press forcibly enough upon the young of typical themes and a willingness to
chess-player" (Reti). calculate.
A few of these positions are taken from
Calling yourself a "positional player" and Locock's excellent (and long out of print)
avoiding tactical situations like the plague Imagination in Chess. Locock was of the
for fear of the ability to cope with them is opinion that imagination in chess was not an
doing nothing but fooling yourself. As en­ innate gift, but that it could be taught , and
couragement for the student, we mention proceeded to prove it by giving positions
that tactical ability is one chess skill which such as these to his pupils.

18 8 19

a c e g h a e g
(a) White 2 (b) White 2 (a) White 2 (b) White 3
 Tactics and Combinations 13

20 21

White 3 White 3

8 22 23
7
6
5
4

a g

White 4 White 5

8 24 8 25
7
6 6
5 5
4 4

a b c d e f g h a
White 5 White 5
14 Master Chess

8 26 8 27
7
6
5 5
4 4
3

o b c d e g h
White 6 White 6

28 8 29

7
6
5
4

0 e g
White 5 Black 9

Solutions

I8a. I Qxa7+ Qxa7 2 Nxc7 mate . 25. I Rf8+ Qxf8 2 Rh2+ Kg8 3 Rh8+ Kxh8 4 Qhi+
I8b. I Rh8+ Kxh8 2 Qh7 mate . Kg8 5 Qh7 mate .
I9a. I Qxc6+ bxc6 2 Ba6 mate . 26. I Rd8+ Rxd8 (I . . . Bxd8 2 Qf7+ Kh8 3 Qf8
I9b . I Rf8+ Nxf8 2 Bf6+ Kg8 3 Nh6 mate . mate) 2 Qa2+ Kh8 3 Nf7+ Kg8 4 Nh6+ Kh8 5
20 . I Rh7+ Kxh7 2 Nf6+ Kh6 3 Rh7 mate. Qg8+ Rxg8 6 Nf7 mate .
21. I Ne7+ Rxe7 2 Qf8+ Kxf8 3 Rh8 mate . 27. I Qxf6 gxf6 2 Bxf6+ Kg8 3 Rgl+ Kf8 4 Nd7+
22 . I Nf6+ gxf6 2 Qf8+ Kxf8 3 Bh6+ Kg8 4 Re8 Ke8 5 Rg8+ Kxd7 6 Rd8 mate.
mate . 28. I Qd8+ Kg7 2 Rxg5+ hxg5 3 h6+ Kxh6 4 Qh8+
23. I Rxg7+ Kxg7 2 Qg5+ Kh8 3 Qf6+ Kg8 4 Rgl+ Rh7 5 Qxh7 mate .
Qg4 5 Rxg4 mate . 29. I . .. Rxbi+ 2 Kxbl Ral+ 3 Kxai Qa4+ 4 Kbl
24 . I Nf6+ exf6 2 Bxh7+ Kh8 3 Bg6+ Kg8 4 Qh7+ Qa2+ 5 Kcl Qai+ 6 Kd2 Qxb2+ 7 Kd3 Qc2+ 8
Kf8 5 Qxf7 mate . Kd4 Qc4+ 9 Ke5 Qd5 mate.
 Tactics and Combinations 15

LESSON 3. MATERIAL GAIN cells will scream. (Also , there is a lot to be

COMBINATIONS said for a good night's sleep before an
important game . )
Leaving a Piece En Prise

Only the rawest recruits to our noble 8 31

game unwittingly leave pieces on attacked 7
squares. This section deals with leaving a
piece hanging in plausible positions (Dia­ 6
gram 30) . 5
The most common cause is the pawn
4
grab . White plays a harmless looking couple
of opening moves; B lack, feeling his
opponent is reluctant to fight, steals a pawn .
The rest is history . The opening moves :
1 e4 e5
2 Nf3 d6
3 c3 Nf6
Todd-Chandler 1 982
4 Be2 Nxe4?
5 Qa4+
1 ... Ng4?!
and picks up the knight on e4.
Setting a diabolical trap.
2 Bxc5? Bxc5
30 3 Nxc5 Nd4
Discovers an attack on the knight and
threatens 4 . . . Nxf3+ and mate on h7 .
4 g3 Nxc2
5 Nxb7?!
The desperado knight cannot match his
black counterpart .
5 ... Nxa1
0-1.
a b c d e g h
The Double Attack

A double attack is really a fork in an

Missing the Threat elaborate setting. In Diagram 32 as White I
was the exchange up and looking to bring
"What's my opponent up to?" is a matters to a head. I could see a distant
question which should be asked after every threat for my opponent using the rook on g6
move, even if you are in the middle of a against my king. I allowed him to play a
forcing sequence . By studying positions "combination" winning a pawn and opening
where blunders have occurred, the student up my king position. I had looked deeper
will build up an automatic alarm system. into the position and found a double attack
Bells will ring, lights will flash and memory that forced immediate resignation .
16 Master Chess
1 Nxd4??
32
Here I must confess I felt like a forgetful
fisherman who could not remember where
he placed his lobster pots. I was sure that
pawn was poisoned . . . then sanity pre­
vailed .
1 ... Nxd4
2 Qxd4

Now the discovered attack on the queen.

2 ... Bb4+
3 Qd2 Bxd2+
Chandler-Austin, Edinburgh 1977 0-1

1 QaS+ b6
The Overworked Piece
2 QxfS Rxg2+
3 Kxg2 Qxc2+
Chess pieces are lazy; they hate having
4 Bf2 Qxd1
defending duties, but tolerate them as a
All according to plan , thought my necessity. However, should you designate
opponent. too many defending duties to one single
piece, then its claim for more pay can be
5 Rd4 1-0
heard all over the board . We have already
With mate or loss of the queen. seen a perfect example of an overworked
piece in Diagram 1 1 . The theme is always
The Discovered Attack the same, no piece can be in two places at
the same time.
Diagram 31 is a good example of a
discovered attack. Diagram 33 has a dis­
covered attack as its main theme, but also 34
features a curious case of "chess blindness".
White had played his pawn to a3 to prevent
any bishop checks on b4, and under this
illusion played as follows.

33

Tajmanov-N.N. , USSR 1 978

1 Nf5!
White introduces back rank mate threats .
The black queen is protecting both back
Girvan-Chandler, Edinburgh 1980 rank and bishop.
 Tactics and Combinations 17

(a) 4 Nd7 Be4

1 0 0 0 QxcS 5 Nxb6
2 Rd8+ Qf8 and both desperados survive , but White's
3 Rxf8 mate. has caused more damage and created a
( b) winning ending.
1 0 0 0 e2
2 Rd8+ Qxd8 The Knight Fork
3 QxeS+ mating.

(c) Here is a nice piece of play with the

1 0 0 0 Qe8 knight supplying the sting in the tail.
2 Qxe5+ QxeS
3 Rd8+ mating.
36

The Desperado

This is a piece which is about to be

captured , but whilst still alive will sell its life
as dearly as possible . On the section cover­
ing "soft spots" we saw a "desperado
queen" in the Danish Gambit . White played
9 Qd2 ( for the bishop) and restored material
equality . Diagram 35 is by A.R.B. Thomas.

8 35
Henley-Matko 1 982
7
6 1 Rxc3 Rxc3
5 2 Qd4+ Qf6

4 The move that Black thought White had

missed, but it's all part of the plan to set up a
geometrical formation for the knight fork.
3 Qxf6+ Kxf6
4 Nd5+
a b c d e f h 1-0
g
Here we see two potential desperados sell­
Pins
ing their lives for pawns .
1 Nxf8 Bxfl Diagram 37 occurred in an Edinburgh
2 Nxh7 Bxg2 league match . I don't remember the players,
but I did witness this .
The bishop tries to match the display of
suicidal tendencies shown by the knight . 1 BaS b6??
3 Nf6+ Kt7 Underestimating the pin , or simply not
seeing it.
If 3 . . gxf6 , 4 Kxg2 and White wins the
.

ending. 2 Bc3
18 Master Chess
1 Qxd7+! Qxd7
37
2 e6+
if 2 ... Qxe6 , 3 Bc4 is the pin, and if
2 . .. Kxe6
3 Bh3+

is the skewer, and White draws what looked

like a difficult ending.

39

"Smith "-"Jones"

Zugzwang. When B lack eventually ran out

of pawn moves on the queen-side , he had to
leave the knight to its fate .

The Skewer

The skewer works on the same principle

as the pin where two pieces are caught on
the same line of action. This time it is often Diagram 39 shows a famous study by
the more valuable piece which is attacked Stamma.
and forced to move; allowing a less (or Black has a couple of threats - Kxc4 and
equally) valuable piece to be captured. The Rh l mate .
skewer is sometimes referred to as an x-ray
. attack . It is the king that is, usually , the 1 Rh4!
primary target in a skewer. Threatening 2 Ra3 mate.
I ... Rxh4
38 2 Ra3+ K-any
3 Ra4+ wins

The rook on h4 is skewered.

Pawn Promotions

Combinations of this type are always in

the air when a foot-soldier reaches the 6th
or 7th rank . The student should build up a
repertoire of pawn promotion tricks for
future use. The following three will serve as
a good base .
White gives B lack an unpleasant choice .
1 Rf8+
Have the queen pinned to the king , or be
skewered. White deflects the king.
 Tactics and Combinations 19

40 42

o b c d e g h o b c d e g

1 ... Kxf8 The Positional Combination

2 gxh7 and wins. In a pure positional combination no
material is gained , but tbe scope of one's
pieces should be increased. The need to play
41 a positional combination usually comes
when a player has other advantages that
cannot be maintained. Let us suppose, for
example, that a player has a lead in develop­
ment and space, but can find no way to
construct a mating attack (perhaps due to an
·early exchange of queens and a couple of
minor pieces) . Another train of thought, or
strategy , looking for the seed of a material
gain combination may also be fruitless if the
opponent has left no targets to attack .
o b c d e g h Advantages in development and space
tend to disappear if not cashed in right
away , so the player must seek some other
Diagram 41 shows a simple setting which way of keeping the initiative and not allow
gives a ploy worth knowing. the opponent into the game.
In Diagram 43 White trades a lead in
1 Rd8+ ReS space and development for a couple of
active rooks. (Active rooks tend to lead to a
This defence is usually sufficient but permanent advantage) .
1 Nxd7 Bxd7
2 Rxe8+ Rxe8 2 Bh7+ Kxh7
3 Bd8 and wins. 3 Rxd7

Diagram 42 is an example showing one of Play could continue

the many under promotion tricks .
3 . . . Rac8
4 Ret
1 Rf8+ Rxf8
2 Qh7+ Kxh7 Followed by Ree7 with a huge plus for
3 gxf8=N+ and wins. White.
20 Master Chess
special case of repetition of position, is one
8 43 of them. Neither player can make any
7 progress, the game is abandoned as a draw.
The other lifeline is "the curse of the
6 clumsy" - stalemate . I'm sure everyone has
5 had that awful feeling that follows throwing
4 a won game out the window by allowing
stalemate.

8 45
a 7
6
5
8 44 4
7
6 2
5
4 a c e g

Diagram 45 , though composed, is a won­

derful example of the half-chances often
a
missed by inexperienced players tending a
e g
lost position. Black plays:
1 . .. Rdl+
In Diagram 44 White simplifies the main
2 Kg2 Rxh1
advantage , the king-side majority, into a
3 Kxh1 Kb6
WID.
White can only watch as the black king
1 Rxd7+ Nxd7
buries himself with king a5-a4 and then
2 Rxd7+ Kxd7
plays pawn a5 = stalemate .
3 Nb6+ Kd8 (or Kc7)
Opposite coloured bishops, the wrong
4 Nxc8 Kxc8
bishop and the rook pawn, and two knights
5 g5 and wins.
vs. king are all saving clauses worth know­
E.g. 5 .. . hxg5 6 h5! wins . ing.
5 . . . Kd8 6 gxh6 wins . Diagram 46, again a composition, is a
5 ... h5 6 g6 wins . beautiful example of the art of saving a lost
game .
The Drawing Combination 1 Ra1 Kg2
2 Kh8! Bfl
The title speaks for itself - the combin­ 3 Ra7 h1=Q (or R)+
ing player is trying to save a lost game. The 4 Rh7 Qg1
laws of chess aid the losing player by giving 5 Rg7+
a couple of lifelines. Perpetual check, a
 Tactics and Combinations 21
Opposite Coloured Bishops
46
The reader should beware that the rule of
thumb "opposite coloured bishops always
draw" is tainted. Let us say that if an
opposite coloured bishop endgame can be
won , it will be only after surmounting
technical difficulties .

8 48
7
6
Perpetual Check 5

This drawing device (the perpetual nuis­ 4

ance) saved a lost game I was tending in the
following position from an allegro tourna­
2
ment.

8 47 0 c d e g
7
6 Diagram 48 , an analysis by Mednis, is an
example of a frustrating drawn ending.
5
4 1 .. . Be7!
2 d6+
If 2 Kd4 Bf6+ , 3 Ke4 Be7 4 c6 Bd6 and
2 the bishop stays on the a3-f8 diagonal
preventing progress .
0 e g h 2 ... Bxd6
3 cxd6+ Kxd6
Deacon-Chandler, Aln wick 1979
And although White has the "correct"
1 .. . fl=Q!? bishop for the rook's pawn , the black king
reaches b8 and cannot be dug out of the
The drowning man clutches at straws . It corner.
was now or never while I still had some bait
to offer.
2 Bxfl Kf2
3 Bxa6?
LESSON 4. INSTRUCTIVE POSITIONS
3 Bh3 or 3 Rf4+ wins . AND CONSTRUCTIVE ADVICE

3 ... Rg 2 +
I hope you can add more strings to your
And Black carries on checking at gl-g2-g3 .
bow by studying the following positions and
lf2-1/z games. Tactics form a large part of the
22 Master Chess
successful club players' armoury. Here is a
selection of mistakes typical of average club 8 50
players (Diagram 49) . 7
6
Accepting the Obvious (part one)
5
4
8 49

o b c d e g
Chandler- Parker

18 Rxh7+ Kxh7
19 Rh1+ Bh6
20 Qxh6 mate .
o b c d e t c-g h
The postman brought me a nice surprise.
Chandler-Austin 1980 Black resigned ! He can play:
17 .. . Bg4!
Black spent 5-10 minutes looking for
ways to stop mate at both a7 and c7. There and not only save the game, but win in many
are three different mating patterns. variations, e.g.
1 ... Nxc6 1 8 Rxh7+ Kxh7
2 Nc7 + Kb8 19 Rh1+ Bh5
3 Na6+ Ka8 20 g4(?) Rfl+
4 Qb8+ R or Nxb8 and Black wins.
5 Nc7 mate.
Don't over-estimate your opponent's
1 ... bxc6 attacking chances. Remain cool in defence ,
2 Rxa7 mate . and look at all moves , no matter how crazy
1 ... a6
they may at first appear.
2 Nc7 mate.

I spent the time praying to every god I

DON'T BE A LIPSCHUETZ
knew. My opponent �esigned(?). With
1 ... Qxg2 + ! In other words , don't sweep your losses or
2 Kxg2 Bxc6 + tactical oversights under the carpet. It is a
3 Qf3 Bxf3 + good idea to invest some time in studying
he could at least have drawn . your errors . If you keep missing tactical
combinations game after game then you
must take time out to sharpen your claws.
Accepting the Obvious (part two) Diagram 5 1 shows how White missed the
following win:
Diagram 50 arose in a correspondence
match, Scotland v. Austria. White has just 1 Qh8 + Kxh8
captured a knight on d4. The threat is: 2 Rf8 mate.
 Tactics and Combinations 23
Tactical Foresight
51
Correct calculation is a necessity for any
type of combination. However, what is
often more important is the ability to assess
the position which will arise after the combi­
nation has been played. Sometimes there
may lurk a nasty counter-combination not
seen by either player till the position clari­
fies . On other occasions there may be a twist
in the tail . Diagram 52 is a perfect example.
The position is composed from a variation
a c d e g h of a game I played.
It certainly looks as if White has a
Lipschuetz-Zukertort potential knight fork on c7 . White can decoy
the queen to a8 and knock-out the guard on
O . K . , you might forgive him . Everyone e6. That seems simple enough. We then
makes oversights like that. But . . . only have to calculate if the white king and
knight can halt Black's king-side pawns.
Once again there seems to be no problem.
52 The black e-pawn will be doubled, the
knight can pick up the c-pawn via b6, then
blockade the e-file . The white king can
catch the h-pawn once Black has created a
passed pawn . Play continues (Diagram 53) :

53

Lipschuetz-Lasker

Diagram 52 shows how White missed the

same sort of decoying combination . He
should have played: a c d e h
g
1 Rh4 Q anywhere
2 Rh8+ Kxh8 1 Rxa8 Qxa8
3 Qh3+ Kg8 2 Qxe6 dxe6
4 Qh7+ 3 Nc7+ Kd7
4 Nxa8
and mate next move .
There is nothing worse than sitting in the The "combination" is now complete ; White
analysis room looking for sympathy over a can look forward to an early Black retire­
missed win . Nobody wants to know. ment .
24 Master Chess
4 ... Kc6! 7 Qd5 + Kh8
8 Qd6??
Oops! the white knight is lost and Black
wins the ending easily. Always try to look The lazy move 8 Qb3 was correct.
just one move deeper.
8 ... Ba4!

Discovers a double attack on the queen,

The Lazy Move
skewers a rock under double attack,
threatens an x-ray mate in one . The Amer­
Diagram 16 was an example of the lazy
ican Grandmaster Lombardy understand­
move (1 . . . Bg4?) . In this example the play
ably refers to such moves (8 . . . Ba4 ! ) as
leading to the blunder contains many tac­
bone crushers !
tical motifs already discussed (Diagram 54) .
0-1 .

8 Ideas in Action
54
7 The following short tactical games will
6 give the student the chance to see in action
some of the tactical terms and ideas I have
5 discussed.
4 You should never miss the chance to play
over any miniature (any game less than 25
moves) . Such games usually contain useful
2 tactical ideas that can be reproduced in your
own games . Some players with intermediate
grades refrain from clashing with their
0 c e g h opponents in the early stages , but if an
Ratcliff-Chandler, Edinburgh 1979 opening error is not punished immediately,
either by tactical or positional means , then it
may turn out to be a good move !
1 .. . Nxd4
Learning from Short Games
A discovered attack on the bishop .
2 Bxf7 + Some time in the past I played out the
following three opening traps . (In my
The desperado .
beginner days I filled note books with every
2 ... Rxf7 opening trap and short game I could lay my
3 Nxd4 Qc7 hands on . ) Without this tactical background
4 Bb2 e5 I would certainly have missed a lot of
5 Ne2 Rd8 sacrificial chances that have happened my
way over the years .
Threatening a discovered attack on the
queen: l e4 e5
2 Nc3 Nf6
6 Rdl
3 Bc4 Nxe4
Pinning the bishop: 4 Qh5 Nd6
5 Bb3 Nc6
6 ... Rff8
6 d4 exd4
Easing the pin and renewing the threat. 7 Nd5 g6?
 Tactics and Combinations 25
8 Qe2 + Be7 White had been playing lazy moves up to
9 Nf6+ Kf8 here, but Black lets him gain the advantage
10 Bh6 mate . with this unprovoked exchange. 7 . . h6 was
.

better.
1 e4 e5
2 Nf3 Nc6 8 Qxf3 a6
J Nc3 Bb4 9 Nd5!? axb5
4 Bc4 Nf6
I had ·now intended 10 Nxf6+ gxf6 11
5 0-0 d6
Bxf6 picking up the rook . Suddenly the
6 Nd5 Bc5
alarm bells rang and I spotted he could play
7 d3 Bg4
11 . . . Nd4! in answer to my 1 1 Bxf6. Aver­
8 c3 Ne7?
age players tend to miss opponent's threats
9 Nxf6 + gxf6
but find moves like 1 1 . . Nd4! when their
.

10 Nxe5 Bxd1
back is against the wall. A knowledge of
11 Bxf7+ Kf8
how the casual and weak club players react
12 Bh6 mate .
in tactical situations certainly benefits the
1 e4 Nf6 student. My only hope was to leave him
2 Nc3 d5 alone for a move so as not to force him to
3 exd5 Nxd5 find the best continuation ! Then the bishop
4 Nge2 Bg4 and knight mating pattern, like a voice from
5 g3? ! Nc6 the past , came into my head.
6 Bg2 Ne5
10 c3 Ne7
7 Bxd5? Qxd5
11 Qxf6! gxf6
8 Nxd5 Nf3+
12 Nxf6+ Kf8
9 Kfl Bh3 mate.
13 Bh6 mate .
or
8 0-0 Nf3 + Lucky? Yes ! But I had gambled on him
9 Kh1 Ng5 + wanting to break the pin on his knight. 0-0
10 Nxd5 Bf3+ lost to 1 1 Nxf6+ . 10 c3 tempted a natural­
11 Kg1 Nh3 mate . looking move. I should like to say that I
would have found 1 1 Qxf6! without knowing
The linking theme was the bishop going to
or remembering the previous examples, but
h6 or h3 giving mate.
that would not be honest .
Chandler-Gillain, Edinburgh 1 981, In the next example we shall concentrate
Four Knights on what never happened, rather than what
did . White misses a win that anybody would
1 e4 e5
have been proud of - the point being that
2 Nf3 Nc6
anybody with a little tactical know-how
3 Nc3 Bc5(?)
could have produced it.
White can gain a positional plus with the
Johnson-Hayman, Edinburgh 1 981,
"fork trick" 4 Nxe5 , but I took a chance and
Scotch Game
waited for a bigger opportunity. One came ,
but I very easily could have been chasing a
1 e4 e5
lost game for not j umping on Black im­
2 Nf3 Nc6
mediately.
3 d4 exd4
4 Bb5 d6 4 Nxd4 Nxd4?
5 0-0 Bg4 5 Qxd4 d6
6 d3 Nf6 6 Bc4 c6
7 Bg5 Bxf3? 7 Nc3 Ne7
26 Master Chess
Black's opening play leaves a lot to be attacker's development. The defending
desired; however, it is only the following player should have considered a counter­
tactics which interest us. sacrifice and then used his extra piece to
bring about a "technique" win.
8 Bg5 Qb6
As the game progressed, the defender
I was watching this game (a league panicked and tried to rush his king to the
match) , and I shook my head in sympathy as queen-side. White remained cool and
White played 9 Qxb6. White eventually lost played a fairly easy queen sacrifice when
a long ending. "Why not take the pawn on three pieces down ! Suddenly the game was
d6?" I asked after the game. over. The moral of this game is: when
material ahead, you should always look for
9 Qxd6
the most aggressive way of giving it back.
"I was worried about 9 . . . Qxb2" came Getting a won position can be very easy ,
the reply. actually winning the game is the hard part !
9 ... Qxb2
G. Chandler-Dr. Ratcliff, Edinburgh 1983,
White's analysis stopped here and he did Evans Gambit
not like what he saw. However, anyone who
l e4 e5
has taken the time (a few very entertaining
2 Nf3 Nc6
evenings) to play out the "Golden Oldies" ,
3 Bc4 Bc5
or has studied opening traps, would know
4 b4 Bb6
that Black cannot waste as much time in the
5 b5 Na5
opening as he has done here . Linking a few·
6 Bxt7 + ? !
tricks together, I demonstrated the follow­
ing line of play. (The black moves were Two central pawns and an exposed king
played by the player of the white pieces in for a piece is playable compensation.
the original game. )
6 ... Kxt7
10 Rdl Qxc3 + 7 Nxe5 + Kf8
11 Bd2 Qxc4 8 0-0
12 Qd8 + Kxd8
but this very embarrassing blunder, played
13 Ba5 + Ke8
after 5 seconds' thought , should have given
14 Rd8 mate.
Black an easy win.
To miss such a beautiful win and then go
8 ... Bd4
on to lose is a common failing amongst
9 Ba3+ d6
weaker players. There is a cure! A good
10 c3 Bxe5
dose of Morphy, washed down with a couple
11 f4 Bf6
of hours studying tactics.
12 e5 Be7
In this next example , . which is not an
13 Qe2 Bf5
untypical league match between two players
14 g4
of intermediate grade, we see one player
sacrifice (in dubious circumstances) for what White has no choice , he must keep up
he believes to be compensation (two pawns some form of momentum .
and an exposed king for a bishop) . On his
14 . . . Bxbl
next turn , the sacrificing player makes a
15 Raxbl d5
"lazy" move and loses a piece . The defend­
16 Bel Ke8?
ing player then proceeded to swap pieces,
which is usually correct when one is material 6 . . . d4! , giving his pieces more room ,
ahead, but in doing so only furthered the was far better.
 Tactics and Combinations 27
17 d4 Nc4 You don't play chess on chessboards the
18 fS BgS? size of diagrams, yet students of the game
will spend an hour or more solving positions
Black's policy of swapping off pieces
from a book or magazine without the aid , or
when material ahead is usually correct , but
the proper use , of a set. Consequently,
after my next move his position becomes
when they sit down to reproduce their skills,
very difficult.
they find a mental block in some positions
19 f6! Bxcl and labour to carry off elementary attacking
20 fxg7 Be3+ methods. Give them the same position on a
21 Qxe3! diagram and they find even the most diffi­
cult moves!
White, three pieces down, sacrifices the
To aid in calculation, positions must be
queen. If 21 . . . Nxe3 , 22 Rf8+ . . . 23 Rxd8
set up on a standard size board so that
and gxh8.
certain patterns are formed in the mind. The
21 .. . Qe7 eye is trained at flowing along diagonals and
22 gxh8=Q Nxe3 files, instead of being fixed on a 1 1/2-inch
23 Qxg8 + Kd7 square .
24 e6+ I was given this advice many years ago by
a strong player after I had asked him how to
Wrapping it up neatly before any more
improve my analysis . I owe him a lot.
blunders.
Players will find a marked improvement in
24 . .
. Qxe6 their play if they take the time to study with
25 Qxe6 + Kxe6 the weapon they fight with, a standard sized
26 Rbe1 set.
1 0.
- I'm fairly certain about the "diagram
syndrome" . On a journey from Glasgow , I
Motivation to Study armed myself with a CHESS magazine to
kill time. From the six "winning combinat­
Nothing is more tedious than setting and ive play" positions I had only one right ! I
resetting different positions up on the chess­ rarely study , or even try to solve , problems
board . After you have spent 10 minutes without a set and board , but on this occasion
studying the tactical ins and outs of a I did not have one . That night I dug out
position, you have to destroy it and pains­ some really old CHESS magazines and with
takingly reset another. the aid of a set . . . 18 out of 18 correct!
After three or four such positions you
start to waste your time by trying to solve Summary
positions from diagrams. If you're just
starting off on the road of chess study , then I once read , in a very old chess book,
this exercise is a complete waste of time. "Both players are reminiscent of two old sea
Strong players may solve diagrammed captains, trying to manoeuvre their huge
positions within seconds. Some , Bronstein, galleons into a position to deliver a broad­
for example , even prefer to analyse on the side . " You can liken all chess players to such
demonstration board . However, when these captains in command of men-of-war.
players were at your stage they set and reset There is the absolute beginner who
instructive positions on a chessboard. How usually gets sunk before leaving the harbour
can you ask your memory cells and imagin­ (entering the middle-game) or else runs
ation to construct a mating net or produce a aground .
subtle manoeuvre if they have never seen it The weak club player normally runs out
before? of shot (no ideas) and is becalmed, drifting
28 Master Chess

towards the rocks (mated without resist­ British, on the other hand, sunk or captured
ance). 229 French ships. *
Then there is the semi-skilled player who
You can't argue with mathematics like
has a reasonable gun crew (tactical ability) ,
that . . . go for the throat!
but terrible navigators (positional sense)
and cannot move into a position to get a
good shot. They have been known to sink Tactics and Combinations: Test Positions
the occasional prize , but usually it is a case
of being out-manoeuvred and collecting a The following positions (Diagrams 1-36)
full broadside . There is a tendency for weak should illustrate and elaborate on many of
club and semi-skilled players to come un­ the themes we have discussed already. They
stuck in uncharted waters (unfamiliar open­ vary from the fairly easy to the extremely
ings) . I shall stick with our semi-skilled difficult but are not arranged in any particu­
player, else I'll start referring to Tal as lar order. Most of the solutions are very
Captain Cook ! "clean" with one clear-cut answer to be
As mentioned before, there is a pretty found.
reasonable gun crew, but whilst the crew is We suggest that you set each position up
still in need of further training they suddenly on your board and make a serious attempt
halt and turn to the navigators (positional to discover a definite best move or forcing
play) . The gun crew get sloppy (tactical line of play. If, after a few minutes, you are
ability starts to wane), and while this player completely stuck, then look up the solution
can now discuss at great length the points of and you may discover some of the amazing
a double or isolated pawn , weak squares , possibilities which can lurk beneath the
etc. , difficulty in nailing down small frigates surface of a position . These test positions
(rabbits with teeth) remains. are the real "meat" of the lessons, in that it
Train the gun crew first , for without them is very easy to learn nothing by breezing
you're harmless. Having reached a high through a whole work of well-annotated
standard of tactical ability, don't think it will examples, but it is a psychological law that
always remain in peak condition. Keep your greater attempts to achieve an object will be
powder dry! made if obstacles are put in the way. Also ,
chess is a game and solving these positions
should be fun .
Fact
A s a postscript , i t i s amusing that Bill
Hartston once wrote a glowing review of a
During the Napoleonic Wars the British
well-known book on tactics with the one
and French fleets clashed many times. The
criticism that he felt that tactical ability was
French strategy was to aim at the ship's
conditioned mainly by experience and won­
rigging, thus cutting down the manoeuvr­
dered if didactic works on the subject served
ability of the British ships (positional play) .
any use at all !
The British trained th eir guns on the Perhaps he was right, in which case we
French gun crews and personnel (tactical hope the reader enjoys solving these and
play) . accepts anything learned on the way as a
bonus.
During the period 1793- 1815 the French
captured or sunk 17 British ships. The • J ames Henderso n , The Frigates, Adlard-Coles Ltd .
 Tactics and Combinations ( 29

8 1 8 2

7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2

0 b c d e f g h
White

8 3 8 4
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2

0 b c d e f g h
White

5 8 6
7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3

d e f g h
White
30 Master Chess

8 7 8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4
3 3
2

a b c d e a b c d e
White Black

8 9 8 10
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2

White White

8 II 8 12

7
6
5
4
3

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Black Black
 Tactics and Combinations 31

8 13 8 14
7

5 5
4 4
3
2

d e
Black White

8 15 8 16
7
6
5 5
4
3

d e f g h d e f g h
White White

8 17 8 18
7 7
6
5 5
4 4
3 3

d e f g h d e
White White
32 Master Chess

8 19 20
7
6
5 5
4
3

White Black

21 22

f g h
White White

8 23 8 24
7 7

5 5
4 4
3 3

White Black
 Tactics and Combinations 33

8 25 8 26

6
5 5
4 4
3
2 2

a d e f g h a d e
.
f g h
White White

8 27 8 28
7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2

a d e f g h a d e f g h
Black White

8 29 8 30
7
6
5 5
4 4
3
2

a a f g h
White White
34 Master Chess

31 8 31
7

5
4
3

a b c d e f g h d e f g h
White White

33 8 34

f g h a b c d e f g h
B lack Black

35 36

f g h
White White
 Lessons 5-8

HOW TO ANALYSE A POSITION

DANNY KOPEC. I . M .

LESSON S. AN INTRODUCTION convinced me that even strong players,

TO POSITIONAL ANALYSIS particularly those in the 1800-2000 (BCF
150- 175) range , are often prone to such
errors in missing the best move at the end of
More than 10 years of experience in
a 4- or 5-move sequence . Here I am not
master play and the teaching of private
referring to positions which are essentially
students or classes with players below
very intricate by nature (though any
master strength has convinced me that there
"simple-looking" chess position may have
are essentially three areas where nearly all
deep underlying complexities), but positions
such players prove deficient. These three
which are relatively straightforward , analys­
areas, comprising Lessons 6, 7 and 8 are:
able , and therefore have small branching
1 . The basic question, "What is my factors. For our purposes, the branching
opponent threatening?" is not factor is the number of "plausible" moves at
answered. each level in the "tree" (Fig. 1) of legal
2. The essential logic, features, and goals moves from a given position. Thus, for
of a position are not deciphered. example, from the starting position in chess
3 . The ability to draw on previous ex­ White has 20 legal moves, but for practical
periences (i . e . patterns) , both good purposes only 5 or 6 (e4, d4, c4, Nf3 , b3 and
and bad , and to formulate the appro­ possibly g3) need to be considered as likely
priate plan for a position, is lacking. to lead to any edge for White. Here the
branching factor is 6 and in general middle­
Of course, the degree of deficiency in
game positions the branching factor seems
each of these areas where errors in approach
to average 7 .
occur may vary over a large range . For
The ability to break down a position into
example , when we say "not considering the
its essential features , both tactical (such as
threat or threats in a position" , this may in
pins, forks, double attacks, masked attacks,
some cases refer to a move which is an
checks, and overloads, e�.) and positional
outright blunder because the opponent's
(such as open or half-open files, pawn
immediate ( 1-move) threat has been over­
groups , and pawn weaknesses) , is necessary
looked. At the other extreme, the threat
to facilitate the process of selecting plausible
may be a forcing sequence of moves which
moves.
leads to a win by acquisition of material ,
With the above information , extractable
checkmate , or deterioration of position.
from any position , we can now address the
The root of the problem in such instances is
problem of deciding on a plan for a given
not an inability to analyse deeply enough,
position. The famous old saying cannot be
but an ignorance of the necessities or tactics
over-emphasized:
in a position (or a certain laziness) which
results in a key move , a "sting at the end of "It is better to play with a plan , albeit a
the tail" , a certain check, pin , fork or bad one , than to play without a plan at
double attack , being missed. Experience has all . "

35
36 Master Chess

Init i a l pos i t ion

0 White to move
• Black to move
Numerous respo nses

eS e 6 d5 d6 c5 c6 N f 6 N c6 g 6 d5 d6 c5 c6 e 6 f5 g6 N f 6 c5 c6 d6 es e6 Nf6 d5 c5 Nf6 d5 eS eS d5

Fig. I . Sample game tree of plausible moves from initial

positio n . Note that as White's first move takes less of
the centre , B lack obtains more choices with which to
respond.

You should always consider the type of goal 1 . . . e5

position you're after.
Black takes as much of the centre as he
The three main flaws outlined on p. 35 can get. The choice of e-pawn or d­
will be emphasized and supported with
pawn is academic, though the e-pawn
examples, but some other problems such as
allows early castling.
illogical play in the opening, impractical
play , and the use of published analysis will 2 Bb2
also be considered.
White develops and attacks the e-pawn .
As an example , let us ask:
2 . . . d6
"Why did White lose the following
game?" Black makes it clear that he wants to
keep his e-pawn and has no intention of
attempting to refute White's opening.
Game l
When you get down to it, what other
sound moves were there? 2 . . . Nc6?
(Polish Opening) 1 b4 e5 2 Bb2 d6 3 c4 Nf6 4
invites 3 b5 Nd4 4 e3 and White wins a
e3 Be7 5 Nf3 0-0 6 Be2 Bf5 7 0-0 h6 8 d4 e4 9
pawn ; 2 . . Bd6 breaks principles;
Nfd2 c6 10 Nc3 d5 1 1 cxd5 cxd5 12 b5 Nbd7
.

2 . . Qe7 is eccentric ; only 2 . . f6! ?

13 a4 ReS 14 Qb3 Nf8 15 f3 exf3 16 Nxf3 Bd6
. .

with the intention of blocking White's

17 Ne5 Be6 18 Bf3 Bxe5 19 dxe5 d4 20 Qa3
queen's bishop with a pawn wall is a
dxc3 21 Bxc3 Ng4 White resigns .
profound alternative.
Now we shall decipher the main events in
3 c4
this "short play" which led to White's early
resignation. It is short enough to look at on This move fits White's hypermodern
a move-by-move basis. start.
1 b4 3 . . . Nf6

While this move is certainly playable Black develops modestly. More am­
and probably not bad, it would be hard bitious alternatives here were 3 . . . f5
to argue that it is White's best or even and 3 . . . aS . The latter seems wrong in
that it offers a first move initiative . principle: why open up the wing where
 How to Analyse a Position 37
your opponent has more space unless when cxb5 12 Nxd5 (also 12 Nxb5 ! but
you can prove it weak? not 12 cxd5 ? b4 wins a pawn)
12 . . . Nxd5 ·13 cxd5 Qxd5 14 a4! would
4 e3
leave White with interesting counter­
White continues his non-committal chances for a pawn .
approach. Also possible in the same
11 . . . cxd5 12 b5
vein were 4 g3 , d3 or Nc3 .
This move is correctly motivated
4 . . . Be7
(queen-side counterplay) , but 12 Qb3
This and the next few moves require no was more to the point (faster) as it
comment. prevents 12 . . . Nbd7.
5 Nf3 0-0 6 Be2 Bf5 12 . . . Nbd7 13 a4? !
Here Black continues to fight for as Again 13 Qb3 and then on 13 . . . Be6 14
much of the centre as possible without f3! Instead White switches from plan to
making over-committal pawn moves. plan. It seems he intends 14 Ba3 ,
Again 6 . . . Nc6 too simply invites 7 b5 trading off his bad bishop.
and after 7 . . Nbd7 the knight would
13 . . . ReS 14 Qb3!?
.

have no particular future .

Here 14 Ba3 was consistent, though the
7 0-0 h6
text is not bad .
Not an important move , though one
14 . . . Nftl 15 f3!
which is often useful in providing a
haven for the queen's bishop on h7 if White decides to keep up the pressure
necessary. 7 . . . e4? ! 8 Nd4 Bg6 would on Black's d-pawn , but then what was
not be effective here since White can the point of 12 b5 and 13 a4?
follow with 9 d3, f3 or f4.
15 . . . exf3
8 d4?!
No choice .
Arguably, the game's first mistake.
16 Nxf3?
More cautious and logical was 8 d3 ,
contending the e4 square . Now Black is But what's this? 16 Bxf3 forcing
able to set up a good reversed French 16 . . . Be6 was essential. Black is now
formation with no particular problems. able to achieve two goals with his next
move .
8 . . e4 9 Nfd2 c6!
.

Discouraging 10 d5 and preparing to

support his e-pawn with that move 1
himself.
10 Nc3 Cis
Black is still anxious to prevent d5 by
White . However, on the more patient
10 . . . Re8 11 b5 c5 ( 1 1 . . . cxb5 12
Nxb5 ! with White better) 12 f3!? would
keep up the tensjon .
11 cxd5?
A clear error. White releases the
tension . Normal and correct was 1 1 b5 0 c d e f 0
38 Mast�r Chess

16 ... Bd6! Open, 1976) where the top-rated player

(this writer, 2346 at the time) meets one of
These are :
the lowest players (James Quirk , 1763) .
( 1 ) The White e pawn is exposed to
This game was intended to show the gradual
frontal attack.
decline of the weaker player in a strategi­
(2) The Black king's bishop obtains the
cally based game . In a tactically based game
b8-h2 diagonal . The d-pawn is, of
the loser's demise can , by contrast , be quite
course , still defended indirectly.
abrupt and easy to pinpoint .
17 NeS!?

Under pressure , White makes a stab for

counterplay. Certainly 17 Nd1 was dis­ LESSON 6. WHAT ARE THE
tasteful. THREATS IN THE POSITION?

17 . . . Be6
Consider the following position from the
Not 17 . . . Bxe5? ? 18 dxe5 Rxe5 19 Nd1
1981 Glasgow Herald Open in the game
and wins . .The calm retreat opens a
Kleboe (1835)-Weeden ( 1950) after 16 . . .
threat on the knight on e5 .
Qc5 .
18 Bf3??

Having been under some pressure for 8 2

the past few moves, White blunders
horribly (not analysing the threat or the
simplest move - or has he j ust for­ 6
gotten it?). On the necessary retreats
18 Nf3 or 18 Nd3 Black has many 5
pleasant continuations, e.g. 18 Nf3 Ne4, 4
18 . . . Ng4 , 18 . . . N8h7 , 18 � . . Ng6 or
18 . . . Bg4, or on 18 Nd3 N8h7 looks
best , though 18 . . . Qc7 ! ? and 18 . . .
Ne4 deserve attention too . The rest
needs no explanation .
a c d e g h
18 . . BxeS 19 dxeS d4 20 Qa3 dxc3 21 Bxc3
.

Ng4 White resigns.

It is important to develop the habit of
So why did White lose so quickly? Was it considering automatically all forced capture
j ust one big outright blunder? No , not sequences with every move. Had White
exactly. done so he would have continued 17 Bxf6
First, he unnecessarily ceded ground in Bxf6 18 Nd7 with a big plus , i . e . 18 . . . Qg5?
the centre (8 d4) ; then he wasted time (12 19 f4 Qg6 20 Bc2 Qh6 21 Nxb6 and White
b5 , 13 a4) , wavered fro m plan to plan , and wins a pawn, since if 21 . . . Bd4 + 22 Rxd4.
left himself with no counterplay for a per­ You might say that this is five full moves
manent weakness (pawn on e3) . Finally , he from the starting position, but after
blundered, losing a piece (18 Bf3??) . So his 18 . . . Qg5? they were all forced. One try for
final great blunder may in fact have been an Black would be 18 . . . Qb4 (attacking the
accumulation of earlier problems . bishop and b-pawn) , but then simply 19 b3
It may be worth adding that this game is a (threatening 20 Bb5 and even better than 19
typical 2nd round game in a 5-round , Swiss­ Nxf6 + ) would leave him in great difficul­
system open tournament (Cape Cod $500 ties. Best would therefore be 18 . . . Qc7 .
 How to Analyse a Position 39

Instead play continued: 17 Rfe l Rac8 18 the rook on d8 and pinned bishop on d5 in
Nxf7(! ??) (18 Bb5 would leave White clear­ addition to the mates on h7 and f7) Qxa6 30
ly better) White sacrifices his best posted Rxd5 Rxd5 31 Nxd5 Bxe5 ! This leaves the
piece for no clear compensation . B l ack game level, (e. g . 32 Nxe5 Qa1 + recovers
should have accepted and seen what \\nite the piece) but not before some final fire­
had in mind after 18 .. . Kxf7 1 9 Qxe6- Kf8 . works 32 Qe7 Qd6 33 Qxf7 Qxd5 34 Ng5
18 . .. Rxd1 19 Bxd1 (the mo,·e Weeden Qd1 + 35 Kg2 Nf4+ ! 36 gxf4 Qg4+ 37 Kfl
missed ( ! ?) but had he seen 1 9 . . . Qc6 ! Qd l + 38 Kg2 Qg4+ 39 Kfl Qdl+ 40 Kg2
threatening mate and guardi ng e6 . he would Draw .
have foiled White's ploy) 19 . . . Kxf7? 20 Now consider the following game played
Qxe6+ Kf8 21 Bh5 r e s ig n s . at the 1 980 Malta Olympiad between two
very sharp players , Ghinda (Romania) and
Example 2 Sax (Hungary) .

In the following position from Samuelian Game 2

(2268)-Burnham (1920) from the New
Hampshire Open (USA, 1981) after 23 (Sicilian Defence) 1 e4 cS 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4
moves of play White decides to end the 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 g6 6 Bg5 Bg7 7 Bb5 + Bd7
game by direct tactical means , aiming for a 8 Qe2 Nc6 9 0-0-0 ReS 10 Bxc6 bxc6 11 f4
king-side attack by 24 Qh4? ! . Correct was 0-0 12 e5 dxe5 13 fxe5 Nd5 14 Nxd5 cxd5 15
24 aS when Black's a-pawn was doomed e6 fxe6 16 Nxe6 Qb6 17 Nxg7 Rf2 18 Qd3
while White could keep his , along with the Kxg7 19 Rd2 Bf5 20 Be3 Bxd3 21 Bxf2 Qf6
better position . White resigns.

After a "first viewing" the reader should

3 be convinced that something went terribly
wrong in the midst of White's aggressive
intentions , initiated by 12 e5 . You should
also be suspicious of �bite's crudely simple
opening play and Black's almost disdainful
responses to it . An alternative requiring
consideration was 8 . . . Bxb5 when neither 9
Qxb5 + Qd7 nor 9 Ndxb5 Nbd7 offers White
much . At 9 . . . Rc8 Black's position was
already critical , e . g . if 9 . . . Nxd4 10 Rxd4
Bxb5 1 1 Nxb5 a6 12 e5 ! (12 Nxd6+ exd6 13
e5 ! also wins) axb5 13 exf6 is crushing, and
10 Bxc6 followed by 1 1 e5 was threatened.
White
However, 1 1 f4 proved to be over am­
bitious.
Instead the game went: 24 Qh4 Bxa4 25 Another serious alternative was 11 e5 .
Rxd5 Bc6 26 Nf5? (Here 26 Rxc6 Qxc6 27 Then a sample continuation could go:
Qxe7 Qxd5 28 Qxf7 + Kh8 29 Bc4! Qd1 + 30 1 1 . . . dxe5 12 Qxe5 0-0
Kg2 would appear to win for White; if the
knight on e6 moves , then 31 Qg8+ ! mates, (see following diagrams)
but 30 . . . Rf8 turns the tables . A better 13 Rhe1 Nd5 14 Nxd5 ! ? ? (14 Bxe7? Bxe5 15
winning attempt is 29 Ng5 ! ) 26 . . . Bxd5 27 Bxd8 Bxd4 wins a piece for Black) Bxe5 15
Nxe7+ Kh8 (better was Kf8) 28 Rd1 Qb7 29 Nxe7 + (or 15 Bxe7 Bxd4 16 Bxd8 cxd5 - + )
Bxa6? (29 Ng5 wins simply , with threats on Kh8 (15 . . . Kg7 1 6 Nef5 + gxf5 1 7 Bxd8
40 Master Chess

wins, or on 15 Bxe7 Qb6 ! etc. , with Black

4 better. Hence after 12 . . . 0-0 we must again
reconsider White's alternatives , for 13 . . .
Nd5 is definitely threatened. It is clear that
the White queen must move; the question is
"Where to?" 13 Qc5 is most enterprising,
though 13 Qg3 and 13 Qe3 are both prob­
ably sounder. The point of all this analysis is
that only now can we conclude :

1 . 1 1 e5 was a serious alternative for

White .
0 c d e g h 2. Then, however, after 1 1 . . . dxe5 12
White Qxe's 0-0 Black would threaten Nd5
taking over the initiative .
8 5
As play went , 12 e5 was sharpest but
premature . Deserving attention instead was
12 Nf3 . 13 . . . Nd5 could merit " ! ! " if Sax
5 had seen this move and its ramifications
4 early enough . Suddenly the stroke 16 . . .
Qb6! revealed Black's ominous designs . The
3 full depth of his tactical conception bloss­
2 omed with 18 . . . Kxg7 ! . Ghinda has no
answer to the threats which had mounted on
c2 after 19 . . . Bf5 as on 21 Bxb6 Rxc2+
0 c d e g h would win a piece . With further material
·
Black losses imminent , White had to resign after
(diagram) 17 . . . Bxd4 18 Rxd4 either R/xd8 21 . . . Qf6.
19 Red 1 which should win) 16 Nxg6+ hxg6 The lesson here is that you must always
Bxd8 and wins as in the footnote . But how ask why a game was lost , particularly if it is
many readers missed 17 . .. Bf4 + ? This is a short. In so doing, you should be able to
typical "A-player" blunder, missing that key isolate the key turning points .
intermezzo (in between) move, check , or Sometimes even solid grandmasters are
other such twist which completely alters the prone to this most common error in not
result. Instead , in the main line above White considering the threat(s) , checks , pins ,
may try 16 Rxe5 (threatening 17 Bf6 mate) forks , etc. , but usually with them they occur
but then simply 17 .. . f6 would again leave in a more sophisticated form.
us unconvinced about t}Je soundness of
White's combination, i . e . 18 Ndxc6 Qe8
Game 3
(18 . . . Bxc6? 19 Rxd8 Rcxd8 20 Nxc6 Rd6
and it's only unclear; 18 . . . Qc7 ! ? ) 19 Nxc8
The diagrammed pos1t1on was reached
fxe5 20 Nd6 Qe6 21 Nd8 Qg4 and Black
after the following moves in Korchnoi­
takes over.
Tarj an (Lone Pine 1981) Nimzo-Indian (via
So you might quite j ustifiably ask , why
Queen's Indian) Defence.
get carried away in all this generosity (14
Nxd5 ! ??) when you could play a sane move 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3 b6 4 Nc3 Bb7 5 Bf4
like 14 Qg3? Well then 14 . . . Nxc3 would Bb4 6 Qb3 aS 7 e3 d6 8 Be2 Ne4 9 0-0 Bxc3
have to be considered, but on 15 Qxc3 c5 ! 10 bxc3.
 How to Analyse a Position 41

8 6 8 7
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3
2

a c e g h a c d e g
Black White
Black could have obtained quite a solid move , 27 . . . Bf8-c5 ) , the position suddenly
game with 10 . . . 0-0 or 10 . . . Nd7 . Instead became rich with complications. The
he played 10 . . . g5? ! leading to 1 1 Bxg5 apparently precarious· position of the White
Nxg5 12 Qb5 + Nd7 13 Qxg5 Qxg5 14 Nxg5 . king means that a sacrifice on b4 had to be
It is unlikely that a grandmaster of Tarj an's considered on Black's last move , i . e .
calibre simply overlooked 11 Bxg5 , but 27 . . . Nxb4, but fortunately after 2 8 Rxb4
more than likely that after the continuation Bxb4 29 cxb4, White's rook on g3 guards
14 . . . Bxg2 15 Kxg2 Rg8 16 f4 h6 17 h4 f6 he against the fork on c3 . Black does threaten
missed 18 Bg4, winning a pawn (since on 28 . . . Bxd4 29 Qxd4 (29 cxd4 c3 + wins)
18 . . . Nf8 19 Nxe6 ! Rxg4+ 20 Kh3) and the 29 . . . Nxf4 simply winning a piece. To cope
game. For the record this is how Korchnoi with this, if White tries to move either
did it: 18 . . . Ke7 19 Bxe6 Rg7 20 Bxd7 Kxd7 knight or queen's bishop to a safe square
21 e4 (Korchnoi insists on connected d­ such as 28 Be3? or 28 Nf3? , then the rook's
pawns) c1 . . . c5 22 e5 dxe5 23 dxe5 fxe5 24 defence of c3 is interfered with and a
Rad1 + Kc7 25 Kh3 (finally the knight must combination on b4 becomes possible . On
be taken) 25 . . . hxg5 26 fxg5 e4 27 Rde 1 any 28th move by the White king (or on 28
Rd8 28 Rxe4 Rd3 + 29 Kg4 Rxc3 30 h5 Qcl) 28 . . . Bxd4 29 cxd4 c3 would win for
resigns . Black.
So what should White play? I was sure my
position could not have suddenly become
Example 3 lost from j ust that one move , 27 . . . Bc5 ,
finally completing Black's development . I
As a final example for this lesson on even considered 28 Nb3 ! ? with the idea that
analysing threats , see what you think of the on 28 . . . cxb3 29 Ba6 Qc6 30 b5 ! leaving
following position which arose after 27 tense Black's queen , bishop , and rook en prise,
moves of play in the first game of my two­ must win , e.g. 30 . . . Qb6 3 1 Rxe4 Qa5 32
game play-off match with Roddy McKay for cxb3 Qa3 + 33 Kc2 Qa2+ 34 Kd3 ! . But I
the 1980 Scottish Championship . hesitated , reluctant to embark on great
complications from what had been a "pure"
(see following diagram) plus; and indeed after 28 Nb3 ! ! ? Bxf2 29
Earlier in the game I had been sure that I Na5 Qb5 30 Bxc4 Rxc4 31 Qxf2 the position
stood better due to superior central control would become even more unclear, e . g .
(pawn on e5 holding Black's d- , e- and f­ 31 . . . Qxa4 3 2 Nxc4 Nxf4 3 3 Nd6! and
pawns) and control of the open g-file and White still has compensation for his piece
half-open a-file . However, after Black's last deficit.
42 Master Chess

Instead, in mutual time pressure I played play , but not 41 Qa1? for 41 . . . Rg3 42
28 Bxh6?? ! and the continuation was: Rxa7 Rxf3 43 Qa6 would win for Black!
28 . . . Bxd4 29 Bg7 41 . . . Rf8 42 Bg2?!

I had simply forgotten that on 29 Qxd4 After an hour's adj ournment analysis I
Nb6 allows the black queen to protect still played a move I knew to be flawed
his bishop while White's rook and - that is McKay could have got the
bishop are left hanging. edge with 42 . . . e5 ! in that on 43 Qxe5
Rf2 wins for Black, or 43 Rxe5 Bf6
29 . .. Bxf2
wins, and on 43 Qe3 he could follow
Here post-mortem analysis showed that with 43 . . . e4. Instead , McKay
29 . . . Nxb4! 30 Kc1 Nd3 + wins ; in blunders unbelievably:
horrendous time pressure McKay now
42 . . . Bf6?? 43 Qxb6+ Black resigns .
produced a series of blunders which
ultimately cost him the championship: Not a game of which either Roddy or I
could be proud , but one which is
30 Rh3 Nb6?
instructive and entertaining, particular­
Correct was 30 . . . Bg2 with the idea ly for its blunders !
31 . . . Be3 or 31 . . . a5 .
31 RaS Rhg8 32 h6

Now White has play for his piece .

LESSON 7. WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL
32 . . . Bh7? 33 Rf3? ! (33 Bf3 wins a piece FEATURES OF A POSITION?
immediately) 33 . . . Bh4 34 Rxt7 Bd8 35 Bf3
Qc7 36 Bf8 Bg6 37 Bd6 Bxt7 38 Qd4?!
Before you can consider what the correct
move might be in a position, you need to
identify its key components . These assess­
8 8 ments should be on a tactical and structural
basis . This includes interactions of opposing
forces in terms of pins , forks, double
6 attacks , checks, etc. , as covered in the
5
lessons on Tactics and Combinations by
Geoff Chandler and the overall structural
4 foundations of a position such as doubled
pawns, open and half-open files , etc. , as
covered in the lessons on How to Formulate
a Plan by Chris Morrison. Having per­
formed these assessments methodically, it is
then possible to consider what the correct
a c e . g (best) move(s) in a position might be.
White
Here I missed a last chance to win Example 4
quickly by 38 h7 Rh8 39 Qd4 (with the
idea 40 Qxb6+ ) 39 . . . Qxd6 40 exd6 The diagrammed position is now famous
Rxh7 41 Qe4 which is decisive . for the careful scrutiny to which it has been
subjected by the psychologist and chess
38 .. . Qxd6 39 exd6 Bg6 40 Qdl Bh7 41 Qd4
master Adrian de Groot (1965) and Newell
The sealed move after some "hectic" and Simon ( 1972) :
 How to Analyse a Position 43
"scenes" . These scenes roughly consist of
9 (with cumulative times given) :

Scene 1 (0 sec) . Orientation, material

examination, Black's threats.
Scene 2 (80 sec) . Examines 1 Bxd5 and 1
Qf3 , considering Black's possible
4
counter-attacks.
Scene 3 (300 sec) . Considers other moves
such as 1 Nxc6, 1 Nxf7 , 1 Nxg6, 1
Rc2 . and king-side pawn pushes,
finding nothing.
a e g h Scene 4 (385 sec) . Re-examines 1 Bxd5 ;
checks Black's counter-attack 1 . . .
White
Qxb2, finds White wins a piece for
De Groot's opening comments: pawn or two . Sees that 1 . . . Nxd5
"Taken from a game between A . D . de defends Black on e7 and finds that
Groot-C. Scholtens, April 10, 1936. 1 . . . Bxd5 2 Nxd5 Nxd5 also leaves
White is on move . . . This position the bishop on e7 defended.
mainly presents problems of a tactical Scene 5 (540 sec) . Starts to look at king-side
nature. Through his last move ( . . . Qb6) attacking ideas such as 1 Bh6 and 1
Black has created a "hanging position" Ne4 or 1 Ne4 , but fears 1 Ne4 Qxb2
for his bishop on e7 ; it is defended only with the bishop on a2 hanging.
by the exchangeable knight on d5 so Concludes that 1 Bxd5 should be
that the black knight on f6 is somewhat the initial move.
tied down. There are all sorts of ex­ Scene 6 (7 3 5 sec) . Re-evaluates 1 Bxd5 .
change possibilities in the centre and Finds that 1 . . . Bxd5 can be met
the question is whether or not it is by 2 Na4 leading to advantage for
possible for White to make some profit­ White ; thus examines 1 . . . exd5
able use of the tactical weaknesses in and also concludes that isolated
Black's position . If no such possibility pawn gives White edge . Finds that
should exist , White could best strength­ 1 . .. Nxd5 2 Nxd5 also loses for
en his position with some calm move . Black. Concludes 1 . . . exd5
From a thorough analysis, however, necessary .
it appears that White is in a position to Scene 7 (980 sec) . Decides that best move is
get the better of it; there is even a 1 Bxd5 .
forced win. The winning move is 1
It is fairly clear from the above "scenario"
Bxd5 . . . " (de Groot , 1965 , section
that while the subject ultimately chooses the
26) .
correct move , his reasons for doing so are
Newell and Simon devote some 40 intensive not convincing. There are several important
pages to the study of the behaviour of a details missing in his analysis and through­
single subj ect (S2) , an average , active out he "appears to be ignorant of several of
college club player of about 1600 strength, the essential features of the position"
for the analysis of this position. This is not (Newell and Simon).
the place to go into Newell and Simon's All humans are known to carry out a
research in detail, but we can briefly sum­ process of "progressive deepening" (de
marize the behaviour of S2. He analyses the Groot, 1965) in their analysis of a position .
position for 17 minutes, consisting of some That i s , w e tend t o deepen the extent o f our
25 "episodes" which have been split into 7 analysis of a position in successive stages.
44 Master Chess
This process, which entails returning to the only moves left to consider are those
previously analysed moves, rehashing, re- which might meet the threat(s) :
checking, and extending variations from
them, is not by any means an efficient one,
but due to the limitations of our memories 8 10
(in contrast to computers) we find this is the 7
best way to "take account" of what we have
considered. 6
A fact which is in further contradiction 5
with popular beliefs is that grandmasters'
unique talent does not lie in the ability to
calculate all the possibilities down the tree
of variations. Instead , they typically con­
sider some 30-50 nodes (future board pos­
itions) from a given one , with a maximum of
100 or so . They are particularly adept in a b c d e g
looking at a position and extracting the Black
essential features quickly. It is as if they
(A) 3 . . . Re8 allows White to win a
approach the witty remark attributed to
pawn after 4 Nxc6 Rxc6 (4 . . . bxc6
Reti when asked how many moves he
5 Rxe7 and 6 Bxf6+ - ) 5 Bxf6 Bxf6
looked ahead from a given position: "Only
(5 . . . Rxf6 6 Qxd5) 6 Rxe8+ Qxe8
one move , the best one " , he replied.
7 Qxd5 .
In his analysis of the diagrammed position
(B) 3 . . . Ne4 (a clarifying move which
the subject misses one important , recurring
is essential to consider) 4 Bxe7
theme: it is that White will have a fork on d7
Qxe7 5 Nxc6 bxc6 (5 . . . Rxc6 6
(Nd7) winning the exchange in a number of
Nxd5) 6 Nxe4 and White wins a
variations.
solid pawn.
For example, in the line 1 Bxd5 Bxd5 2
(C) 3 . . . h5 4 Nxc6 Rxc6 (again
Nxd5 Nxd5 he sees that the black on e7 is
4 . . . bxc6 5 Rxe7) 5 Rxe7 ! and
defended, but never mentions that after 3
B xe7 Nxe7 4 Nd7 , White wins the exchange herein lies the point - on 3 Rfe1
which looked more normal, Black
(though it's essential for White to see
could now play 5 . . . Qxe7 6 Nxd5
further that 4 . . . Rxc1 5 Rxcl Qxb2 6 Rb1
Rxc1 + and win. With 3 Rfe1 if
still wins) . Later the subject also comes to
White now resorted to 5 Bxf6 Bxf6
the correct conclusion that 1 . . . Bxd5 loses,
6 Nxd5 Rxc1 (not 6 . . . Bxd4 7 Rxc6
but for the wrong reason. He mentions 2
and 8 Ne7+) 7 Rxc1 Bxd4, he
Na4 instead of the above . Hence , also for
should have considered very
the wrong reasons, he is able to conclude
seriously the consequences of 8
that 1 . . . exd5 is essential . He never quite
Rc8 ! ? ? , because after 8 . . . Qxc8 9
hits upon the strength of 2 Qf3 ! (though
Ne7+ Kg7 10 Nxc8 Rxc8 it's not at
considers it as White's first move). Now
all clear. Probably White's best
Black must play 2 . . . Qd8 (if 2 . . . Kg7 3
would therefore be 8 Rc7 .
Ng4! threatening the knight on f6) and 3
(D) 3 . . . Rc7 ; with the above analysis it
Bh6+ wins since 3 . . . Nxg4 4 Bxe7 Rfe8
is now easy to find that 4 Nxc6 Rxc6
(4 . . . Nxh2? 5 Bxf8+ (CHECK)) 5 Bc5 is
(or 4 . . . bxc6) 5 Rxe7 and 6 Nxd5
decisive. Now the strong move which lesser
wins.
players would typically miss is 3 Reel. This
threatens 4 Ng4 again, i . e . 4 . . . Nxg4 5 Bxe7 The reader should note that 1 Bxd5 ! was
wins. Once again 4 . . . Kg7 is of no help so not the standard move in this sort of
 How to Analyse a Position 45
position, giVmg up the two bishops, but (B) 21 Nf5 Bf6? ! 22 Nd6 Nc4 is unclear,
because of Black's forced recapture , but 22 Rd6! is crushing; best is
1 . exd5 , leaving a bad light-squared for
. . 21 . . . d6 22 Nxe7 + (22 Bxe5 Bxf5)
Black (and White's threats to follow) it was Qxe7 23 Bxe5 Qxe5 24 Bxc6 which
best. This example has been covered in doesn't offer White anything.
great detail to illustrate just what is meant (C) 21 Qg3 d6! (21 . . . Bf6? ! 22 Nxb5
by "considering the threat(s)" (such as [not 22 Nf5 d5 !] followed by Nd6)
forkability on d7 , pins on f6, intermezzo 22 Bxe5 dxe5 23 Nxc6 Rxd1 + 24
checks) and the "essential features" (such as Rxd1 Rxa3 25 Nxe7 + Qxe7 26
bad bishops, loose pieces, and back rank Qxe5 ! would win at least a pawn for
counter-threats) in a position . White ; or on 24 . . . Bb7 25 Nxe7 +
Qxe7 26 Bxb7 Qxb7 27 Qxe5 would
win a pawn since 27 . . . Rxa3 28
Example 5
Rd8+ Kh7 29 Qf5 + g6 30 Qf6 is
decisive . However, Black does have
The following positiOn occurred in the
a key alternative in this line in
1978 Golden Knights (US Correspondence
24 . . . Ra4 which leaves the position
Championship) Finals between Burnham
in the balance .
(White) and Bailey (Black) .
I must apologize here to readers for all
these long variations. It is not my intention
11 to overwhelm you , but to indicate the
inherent intricacies in any position where
there are long capture sequences , threats,
and counter-threats , and the necessity to
analyse them thoroughly. In the present
game the fact that it was a correspondence
game meant that Black should have given
20 . . . Nxe5 sufficient attention . The game
continued :
21 Rxa3 Bxa3 22 Qg3 (White's threats are
now decisive) Qa7 23 Bxh6 ! Bf8 24 Bxg7
Qa3 25 Qg5 when Black should resign in
view of 25 . . . Bxg7 26 Nf5 Qf8 27 Nh6+
Kh8 28 Qf5 Qg8 29 Nxf7 + Qxf7 30 Qh7
Burnham gives 20 . . . Rxa3 a "?" but what
mate .
could Black play? The main threats are (A)
21 Nxb5 , (B) 21 Nf5 and (C) 21 Qg3 . Most
of White's dangerous threats stem from the
Example 6
cramping effect of the pawn on e5 . That is,
Black's d-pawn is kept backward on d7
The following posltlon occurred in the
which means the queen's bishop is locked,
game Orr-Moultrie from the second round
keeping the rooks disconnected and f5 is
of the 1981 Scottish Championship .
accessible to White's pieces.
Black is the exchange up and has a sound ,
Therefore 20 . . . Nxe5 is essential to con­
solid position . White has weakened his king­
sider. Then White's tries are :
side with the advances g4, g5 , and h4 in an
(A) 21 Nxb5 Qb8 22 Qg3 Qxb5 23 Bxe5 attempt to obtain counterplay there . Plaus­
f6 (23 . . . Bf8 24 Bd6 ! ) 24 Rd6 and ible moves are (1) 33 . . . Qh3 , exchanging
Black's troubles are not over. off queens; (2) 33 . . . Nd3 , forking White's
46 Master Chess

8 12 8 13
7
6
5 5
4 4

o b c d e g h o b c d e g h
Black Black
rook and bishop ; (3) 33 . . . Nxd5 , reducing Instead , without much thought, Wells
material , though also relinquishing Black's took up the gauntlet and indulged in
best posted piece , while White can re­ 13 . . . Ncxe5? ! when after 14 Nxe5 Nxe5 15
capture with the knight with much pressure Bf4, he did not want to cope with the long­
on f6; (4) 33 . . . Be7, pressing g5 and de­ term difficulties of 15 . . . f6 (15 . . . Qa5 16
fending f6 ; (5) 33 . . . fxg5 , with the intention Nd2 ! ) 16 Bxe5 fxe5 17 Qg4 when White
that on 34 hxg5 Nh3 + wins the g-pawn. All must stand better due to the e4 outpost,
these moves are logical in one way or despite his pawn deficit. So he quickly
another, though their effectiveness can only decided on the exchange sacrifice
be determined by considering concrete vari­ 15 . . . Nxc4! ? 16 Bxb8 Qxb8 17 dxc4. How­
ations. ever, here Black must try to connect his
Instead , due to the usual problem of time central pawns with 17 . . . f6 or 17 . . . e5.
pressure, Black's game dissipated with the Wells' continuation 17 . . . f5 was a position-
illogical 33 . . . Qb5? and the game con­ al blunder, since after 18 Nd2 Bf6 19 Nf3
cluded : 34 Bc4 Qe8 35 gxf6 gxf6 36 Nf5 followed by 20 Ne5 he was never able to
Rbc8 37 Kh2 Bc5? 38 Qxf4 ! Bd4 39 Qh6 play . . . e5 .
Qg6 40 Qxg6 hxg6 41 Nxd4 exd4 42 Rd1 and Again the lesson is that you should always
Black resigned . Of course time pressure evaluate and play according to the needs of
never helps ! the position . Having played 12 . . . Rb8 , 13
. . . Ncxe5 was an illogical move if only
because it invited the unpleasant pin 15 Bf4.
Black's further error was that having em­
Example 7 barked on this path, he did not consider
sufficiently the pros and cons of the interest­
The diagrammed position arose after 13 ing exchange sacrifice 15 . . . Nxc4.
Ne4 in the game Kopec vs. the late Ian
Wells , Manchester, 1981 .
There is really nothing wrong with Black's Example 8
position except for the slightly cramping
effect of the white e-pawn which he may To close this lesson on "the essential
feel. Since he j ust played 12 . . . Rb8 (to features of a position" I give a further
prevent Nd2-b3) I expected 13 . . . b5 example from my two-game play-off match
followed by 14 . . . a5 , with a general queen­ with Roddy McKay (March , 1981). The
side expansion, or a rational move such as following critical position in the 2nd game
13 . . . Qc7 , i . e . 14 Ng3 Rfc8. arose after 19 Rel.
 How to Analyse a Position 47
is covered) and with interest in that White's
8 14 king-side pawn structure has been per­
I�W?P�
7 manently damaged .
l f""'=m=
6
5
4 LESSON 8. INABILITY TO DRAW
ON PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE TO
3 FORM A PLAN
2
I have always contended that the games
from which I have learned the most were
0 e g losses or draws . These are the games which
Black most painfully and vividly have impressed
themselves on my chess memory , and there­
White has recovered two pawns sacrificed fore are the most valuable means to judge
in the opening with his rook on d6 and progress , or lack of it. But , admittedly , it is
knight on e7 and it appears that Black's most upsetting when you lose or draw a
knight on e5 is in great peril. Could it really game and there is no moral to be found, no
be trapped on an active square in the middle lesson to be learned .
of the board ! ? The following game was played about 12
Already having more than a n hour time years ago when I was then rated 2032 and
advantage , I gave the position considerable faced Joshua Fluk (1650) , a recent arrival
thought . Any knight move would appear to from Israel , in the 1969-70 New York City
lose at least a pawn , i . e . 19 . . . Nc6 , as Interscholastic H.S. Championships .
would the counter-attack on White's nearly Though we both had perfect scores 4/4 , with
trapped knight on e7 , 19 . . . Qg5 , i . e . 20 the big rating difference I was considered to
Bxe5 Qxe7 21 Bc4 ! (21 Bxg7 + Kxg7 22 be the favourite . However, having observed
Qe5 + Qf6 is not clear) . a number of Fluk's games, I knew he was a
What to pl ay then? I looked at 19 . . . a6 , good, natural player, not to be under­
but then simply 20 Bxe5 axb5 21 Qxb5 still estimated.
looked much better for White. I even As it turned out , I was given a lesson
considered the counter-stroke 19 . . . Nxf3 + never to be forgotten . On that occasion
with the idea that on 20 gxf3 Qc5 + either every move of Fluk's up to the decisive
picks up the hanging rook on d6 or bishop surprise stroke , 33 . . . Nxg4 , struck me as
on b5 (after 21 Qf2) . But of course the cold logic, and perfect , like those of a real
bishop on g3 would defend that rook after champion:
19 . . . Nxf3 + . The accumulation of all the
above assessments , features and tactical
Game 4 Kopec-Fiuk, Nimzo-Indian
motifs led me to find the perfect combi­
Defence
nation miniaturette in the position which
wen t :
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3 b6 5 Nf3 Bb7
1 9 . . . N xf3 + ! ! 2 0 gxf3 Qg5 ! Suddenly the
6 Bd3 Ne4 7 Qc2 f5 8 0-0 Bxc3 9 bxc3 0-0
"hanging" aspects of White's position are
fully evident. There is no 21 Be5 (illegal ! ) A standard opening with Black trying
a n d 2 1 Rxe6 fxe6 2 2 Qxe6 is impossible to maintain his grip on e4 and blockade
because the bishop on b5 hangs. Hence it is the position as much as possible , par­
clear that Black must recover his lost knight , ticularly White's doubled c-pawns .
for the white knight is now truly trapped ( d5 White , on the other hand , should try to
48 Master Chess

open the position as much as possible Nf6 23 Raa2 Kt7 24 Rag2 Qg7 25 Qb2 Rah8
for his two bishops and central pawn 26 a5 hxg4 27 hxg4 Rh3 28 Rxh3 Rxh3 29
mass. Kf2 Qh6 30 axb6 a6 31 Bc2 Rhl 32 Ke2 Qh3
33 Rf2 Nxg4 34 resigns.
10 a4
In relation to the previous example , con­
While this is not bad, with the goal of sider the following game where White was
opening the position by Ba3 , and c5 , 10 unable to draw on previous experience to
Nd2 and 10 Ne1 are more common. cope satisfactorily with the needs of the
position and problems posed by Black. It is
10 . . . d6
not so much that he plays bad moves, but
I gave up on the idea of 1 1 Ba3 that there is no resolution and direction in
followed by c5 for it could not be them.
enforced , and instead switched back to
1 1 Nd2.
Game 5 Dauber (1775)-Kopec (2430),
1 1 Nd2 Nxd2 12 Bxd2 c5 13 dS 12th Manchester Congress, 1981 ,
Round 5, Nimzo-Indian Defence
At the time I was already aware that in
such positions it is essential for White
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3 b6 5 Nf3 Bb7
to open the centre . 13 d5? ! had this
6 Bd2
intention , but proved ineffective. Much
better would have been 13 f4! (followed There is nothing particularly wrong
by e4) or 13 e4 ! ? , though I rejected the with this move except that it indicates
latter blinded by my desire to win , e.g. White's unfamiliarity with the opening.
13 e4! ? f4 14 e5 g6 15 Bxg6 hxg6 16 The games of the "old masters" Nimzo­
Qxg6+ = . witsch , Bogolyubov , and Alekhine
demonstrated the move as incon­
13 . . . g6!
sequential . More "theoretical" was 6
This showed Fluk's deep appreciation Bd3 as in the previous game.
of the position in that the weakened
6 . . . 0-0 7 Be2 d6 8 0-0 Nbd7
black squares could not be exploited ,
e.g. 14 dxe6 Qf6 15 e4 f4 etc. My Perhaps more accurate was 8 . . . Bxc3 ,
further efforts to open the position by since the bishop has served its purpose .
14 e4 and 15 g3 were thwarted by
9 Qb3 aS 10 Radl Bxc3 11 Bxc3 Qe7
14 . . . f4 and 15 . . . e5 , closing the
centre and leading to Fluk's quick re­ With 10 Rad1 White indicated his
organization utilizing his king-side intention to play d5 . Black makes
spatial edge. preparations for this and supports a
This was emphasized by 20 . . . h5 ! possible . . . e5 in any case . The more
followed by 23 . . . Kf7 and 25 . . . Rah8. direct 1 1 . . . Ne4 also deserves atten-
I tried to hold back B lack's king-side tion.
advances and even seemed to be mak­
12 Nd2
ing some progress on the queen-side
with 30 axb6 but the stellar 30 . . . a6 White correctly plays to fight for the e4
proved this too slow while Black pro­ square and from the previous game the
ceeded with his incursions (31 . . . Rh1 reader should now know 13 f4 is in the
and 32 . . . Qh3) capped by the decisive air; hence Black's continuation ; but
33 . . . Nxg4. what was the point of 10 Rad 1 ? Here
that rook on el would fit better.
14 e4 f4 15 g3 eS 16 f3 Nd7 17 Qc1 g5 18 Rf2
Rf7 19 Bel Qf8 20 g4 hS 21 h3 Rh7 22 Rh2 12 . . eS 13 Qc2 Rfe8 14 Rfel h6
.
 How to Analyse a Position 49
Black prepares knight manoeuvres via 22 . . . Nde5 23 Bxe5 Nxe5 24 f3?
h7.
In search of counterplay White finally
15 b3?! makes a serious error which can be
blamed for his defeat. Correct was 24
White correctly hopes to enforce a3 ,
Qc2 (pressuring and pinning the e­
b4 , and open the queen-side where he
pawn) and then f3 or f4 .
has more space , but 15 Nfl with the
idea Ng3-f5 was more pertinent. 24 . . . exf3 25 Nxf3?

15 . . . Nh7 16 Bfl e4 White's lack of experience tells . His

permanently backward e-pawn must
Black takes as much central space as
spell defeat. Only 25 gxf3 offered
possible , though the move does shut in
dynamic chances .
his queen's bishop , he hopes this pawn
will be a spring-board for a king-side 25 . . . Qe4 2 6 Nxe5 Rxe5 2 7 Rf3 Rae8 28 Bd3
attack. Qh4
17 a3 Ng5 18 Qb2 Qf6 19 Be2 Qg6 20 Kh 1 The rest of the game is now a so-called
Qf5 "matter of technique" . Black piles up
White's last few moves have shown no the e-pawn, White tries to counter on
direction ( 1 8 Qb2 19 Be2) so Black the f-file and king-side in general, but
proceeds on the king-side . Indicated with a poor structure and little space to
was 18 b4 . manoeuvre , this must fail .
29 Qd2 Bc8
21 Rfl Nf3
The bishop's scope is greatly increased
by this move .

8 15 30 Rf4 Qg5 31 Rdfl f5!

7
6
8 16
5
4

a c d e g h
White

Black throws a "monkey wrench" into a b c d e g h

White's king-side , which of course can­ White
not be accepted .
At first the decision to play this move
2 2 d5
was not an easy one , for the black
White tries to shut the long diagonal bishop is made "bad" for no apparent
avenue to his king while opening his reason ; however, the activity and
own , but Black can rustle up a "posse" . manoeuvring space of the maj or pieces
50 Master Chess

and pawns takes precedence here. I j ust took normal amounts of time ,
White's backward e-pawn is still awk­ considered the threats , options , and prob­
ward to defend while Black's f-pawn lems of the position (since I'd never been in
can be supported by . . . g6. the variation before) to play:
32 h4 Qh5 33 Be2 Qf7 34 Bg4 Qf6 35 Qf2 g6 12 Kf1

The result of this cat and mouse play Now Black thought for 40 minutes and
between White's pieces and the black play continued:
queen is that White is left with more
12 . . . Rg6 13 Bf4 e6 14 Qa6+ Kd7
weaknesses , Black has consolidated ,
and the e-pawn is still doomed.
I could not believe a good player would
36 h5 g5 37 Rxf5 want to rush into Black's position and
carefully thought over the thematic
Desperation. If 37 Rf3 Black can pro­
stroke:
ceed quietly with 37 . . . Kg7 ! , i . e . 38
Bxf5 Bxf5 39 Rxf5 Rxf5 40 Qxf5 Qxf5 15 d5! when after exd5 16 Qxa7 Qxf3 17
41 Rxf5 Rxe3 42 Rf3 Rxf3 and Black Qxc7+ Ke8 18 Qc8+ Ke7 19 Qb7+ Ke8 20
wins the king and pawn ending; other­ Qb8+ Kd7 21 Nc5+ Bxc5 22 Qc7+ Ke8 23
wise White soon runs out of moves. Rei+ Re6 24 Qxc6+ Ke7 25 Qxc5+ Kd7 26
Qc7+ Ke8 27 Rxe6+ fxe6 28 Rgl Qxh3+ 29
37 . . . Bxf5 38 Bxf5 Rf8 39 Bh7+?
Ke1 White soon won .
A final blunder; much longer resistance
You can see that I had you , the reader,
was offered by 39 g4.
in mind in Manchester !
39 . . . Kg7 40 Qxf6+ Rxf6 41 Rxf6 Kxf6 42
I must credit the following final example
e4 ReS White resigns .
to the Brazilian master Silvio Mendes . In
During my 5 years in Britain I noticed that 1979 a 16-year-old boy named Amilcar
there is too much emphasis on prepared played these moves against the well-known
opening variations , particularly amongst Argentine grandmaster, Miguel Quinteros:
young players , even strong ones . I do not
really consider this to be normal chess. In
the course of an "active" chess game every
Example 10 (Najdorf, Polugaevsky
position should be considered on its own
Variation , Rio de Janeiro ,
accord. The moves played should be an
Brazil, 1979)
accumulation of your experience, knowl­
edge, preparation and psychological state Ami/car-Quinteros
(feelings) .
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3
a6 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 b5 8 e5 dxe5 9 fxe5 Qc7 10
Example 9 Qe2 Nfd7 11 0-0-0 Bb7 12 Nf5 exf5 13 e6
Nf6 14 Bxf6 gxf6 15 Qh5 Bg7 (best
Here is yet another example from the 15 . . . Bb4) 16 exf7+ Qxt7 17 Bxb5 + ! axb5
12th Greater Manchester Open (Round 1 ) 18 Rhel + Be4 19 Nxe4? (Winning is 19
where I met Hutchinson (2120) who reeled Rd8+ Ke7 20 Nd5+ Ke6 21 Rd6+ Kxd6 22
off the first 11 "prepared" moves in 1 Qxf7 Bxd5 23 Rdl) Qxh5?? 20 Ng5+ Black
minute. resigned.

1 e4 Nc6 2 Nf3 d5 3 exd5 Qxd5 4 Nc3 Qa5 5 A year earlier Amilcar had won a game in
d4 Bg4 6 Bb5 0-0-0 7 Bxc6 bxc6 8 h3 Qh5 9 a Brazilian tournament with 19 Rd8+ ! in
Qd3 Bxf3 10 gxf3 Rd6 11 Ne4 Re6. the position after 18 . . . Be4. But after con-
 How to Analyse a Position 51
suiting Informant he rattled off these moves References
and played 19 Nxe4? according to its sug­
gestion . Quinteros, a Najdorf expert , had Thought and Choice in Chess, by A. de Groot ( Mouton
forgotten the variation and was working out Press).
Human Problem Solving, by A . Newell and H . A .
the moves over the board . However, his not Simon (Prentice-Hall ) .
playing 19 0-0 even in time pressure ,
. . . Think Like a Grandmaster, b y A . Kotov ( Batsford).
which was the logical , necessary and win­ The Best Move, by V. H o rt and V. J ansa (R . H . M .
Press) .
ning move , is inexcusable . Instead the Test Your Chess J. Q . . by A. Livshitz (Pergamon Press) .
grandmaster blundered, allowing 20 Ng5 + Best Games of the Young Grandmasters , by C. Pritchett
when mate follows. and D. Kopec (Bell & Hyman) .
 Lessons 9- 12

HOW TO FORMULATE A PLAN

CHRIS MORRISON

INTRODUCTION ing an unfamiliar position, they will search

their memory for analogies upon which to
In the following four lessons I propose to base their further play . It should be em­
examine various aspects of pawn structure phasized that their mental library will not
and discuss the importance of open lines in necessarily contain a position which is
all their forms. This course represents a similar in all , or even many , respects, but
mere "taste" of the underlying positional may contain an applicable tactical device, a
principles and keen readers should supple­ game in which weak squares in the enemy
ment it through studying the recommended position provided a springboard for attack,
texts and by gaining practical experience. or some other piece of useful information.
However, this introduction will be devoted The extent to which players know which
to explaining the importance of positional factors are vital in a given position depends
understanding and the way such knowledge on how highly developed their "intuitive"
can be applied in practice to formulate a feel is. However, don't believe that such
plan. intuition is something you were either born
When a player looks at a position and with or will never have; it's a skill which can
tries to determine the best way to continue, be trained and developed.
a decision may be relatively easy . For At this stage it is useful to outline the
example there may exist a neat tactical thought process which a master will use in
combination to win material, or the chance determining a plan and then deciding upon
to play for a direct mating attack. Such the next move :
concepts are relatively easy to grasp and 1 . The position will be assessed. Account
often will be neatly executed. But what will be taken of the dominant positional
should the player do if there is no obvious factors such as pawn structure, open files
way to proceed? I have often heard players and diagonals, and strong and weak
undertaking a "post-mortem" bemoaning squares.
the fact that "the books" say they had an 2. An objective will be determined. On the
edge, but they couldn't see what to do next, basis of this assessment , the master may
or that they "felt they stood better" but decide to , for example , pressurize a weak­
didn't know how to exploit their advantage . ness , seize an open file , simplify to an
Such problems arise due to a lack of advantageous endgame , etc.
understanding of the position and can be 3. A plan will be conceived. For example
reduced through the gaining of positional "I will double my rooks on the c-file ,
experience consisting of a greater mental attempt to divert that knight from its de­
library of classic games and general prin­ fence of c7 , and will then occupy the 7th
ciples. These precedents represent data rank with my rooks" or "I want to exchange
upon which a positional assessment can be off that black-squared bishop in order that
based and the plan of action determined. the squares around the isolated pawn will be
Most strong players will agree that in assess- weakened. "

53
54 Master Chess

4. The plan will be executed. Specific Diagram 1 shows what is known as the
variations will be analysed until a way of "classical" pawn formation, which has re­
carrying out the plan is found. It may curred for over 500 years.
emerge that the "ideal" plan fails tactically , White's formation is based on the premise
in which case one which can be executed in that central control is a good thing. If
the given position must be substituted . pieces, especially minor pieces, are centrally
posted, their scope is maximized, as they
The following lessons provide ground­ can be switched swiftly to either wing as the
work in positional assessment and deter­ need arises. A strong pawn centre provides
mination of objectives, as a plan is merely a
a firm foundation for such positioning. Thus
method of achieving the latter which is White's pawns occupy e4 and d4, while
based on the former. I will not attempt to
attacking e5 and d5 . Despite both sides
consider reams of tactical variations , nor
having played just two moves in the dia­
will I attempt a comprehensive study of grammed position, the strategic die has
positional chess . Instead I will deal with a been cast for at least the next few moves.
few fundamental themes and concepts, illus­
White has two pawns versus one in the
trated by examples , and direct the inter­
centre and will develop pieces to active and
ested reader to further areas of study and aggressive squares. Black, on the other
sources of material.
hand, established a central foothold with the
e5 pawn and will develop defensively, re-
LESSON 9

Basic Pawn Structures 1

Chess is a team game in the sense that if a

player's pieces do not co-operate with each
other in forming a well-deployed and co­
ordinated force , all efforts are usually
doomed to failure. Having quickly discov­
ered that premature attacks using just one
or two pieces are inadequate , a player will
learn to place two pawns at e4 and d4 ,
develop minor pieces, castle and centralize
rooks before undertaking further action .
This i s very laudable , but soon i t will be
realized that it's not enough to blindly
develop pieces without anchoring them on
8 2
good squares. Given that the pawn structure
adopted will play a vital role in determining
the posts at which pieces will be actively
placed and well . co-ordinated, a good gen­
eral principle is: " A I M FO R A PAWN STRUC­
TURE WHICH M A X I M ISES FREEDOM AND

STA B I LITY FO R YO U R P I ECES , W H ILE D E N Y I N G

"
S I M I L A R BENEFITS T O Y O U R OPPONENT.

The preceding point, namely that the

superiority of one player's structure is a
measure of the inferiority of the opponent's ,
is an important one to bear in mind. a b c d e g h
 How to Formulate a Plan 55
taining a solid, if rather cramped position
3
with no concrete weaknesses .
Diagram 2 is an example of the kind of
situation which may result. After the moves
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Be7 4 d4 d6 5 �c3
Nf6 6 h3 (keeping Black cramped b� d e n � ­

ing access to g4) 6 . . 0-0 7 0-0 h6 5 Re l

.

Re8 9 Be3 the diagrammed position w as

reached. This provides a s i m p le i l lustration
of how the scope of pieces is determined "by
pawn structure , it being clear that Black's
structure does not contain en ou gh good
squares to enable development to be com­
pleted. Indeed this idea of a player having
too many pieces to " fi t " the pawn structure
is an important on e A good general rule is
4
.

that in such positions the player with the

space advantage should seek to preserve
tension and avoid exchanges as in this way
superior mobility may be exploited. It
follows that the cramped player should try
to gain freedom through exchanges. Thus
Black continued 9 . . . exd4 10 Nxd4 Bf8 1 1
Bf4 Nxd4 1 2 Qxd4 Be6 . Although after 13
Radl White retained an edge with central
pressure and more aggressive pieces , Black
had avoided creating structural weaknesses.
While all the pieces can be redeployed if
badly placed, this does not apply to pawns.
Every time one is moved a definite change , traffic j am on his back two ranks. However
for better or worse, will take place in the Black's position has no concrete weak­
position. Pawns should not be thrown for­ nesses, whereas there's a chance that
ward recklessly , without due consideration White's advanced pawns may become ex­
for the consequences, as while a deficit in posed. Antoshin proceeds to overextend in
development, or piece pressure for your every direction simultaneously and accord­
opponent are mere temporary disadvan­ ingly reaches the brink of collapse in j ust 8
tages, structural problems such as weak more moves! The game continued, 10 g4 g6
pawns and weak squares are permanent 1 1 Bh6 Ng7 12 b4? ! b6 13 Qd2 Nf6 14 Ke2
problems which can rarely be remedied in a Kh8 15 Rag1 Bd7 16 Rg3 Qc7 17 Rhgl b5 !
satisfactory manner. A good example of Diagram 4 has now been reached and
excessive pawn pushing was Antoshin­ suddenly White's queen-side caves in. He
Ivkov , in which after Black's 9th move can't capture twice on b5 , as e4 will end up
Diagram 3 was reached, while after Black's hanging, but the whole queen-side is about
17th move Diagram 4 arose. to open up, leaving his position riddled with
In Diagram 3 White has a huge space weaknesses . In despair Antoshin tried 18
advantage and has active prospects on both h4, but soon lost horribly 18 . . . bxc4 19 Bc2
king- and queen-side . He will obviously be (Not 19 Bxc4?? cxb4 winning a piece)
able to switch his pieces from wing to wing 19 . . . cxb4 20 axb4 Rab8 21 h5 Rxb4 22
much faster than Black whose pieces are in a hxg6 fxg6 23 Rhl Rb2 24 Kdl Qa5 25 Ng5
56 Master Chess

Nxg4 26 Bxg7+ Kxg7 27 Rxh7+ Kg8 28 Qc1 square in front of an isolated pawn will
Bxg5 29 Qxg5 Qa1 + and White resigned. A always be a beautiful outpost on which
drastic example of the risks of over-zealous enemy pieces can be established. The reader
pawn pushing! may consider that as long as Black is able to
A general definition of a "weak pawn" is: defend this pawn as often as it's attacked,
"one which cannot be defended by another there is little to fear. Unfortunately , in
pawn" . Such pawns are weak because (1) practice it's often hard to guard against
they depend upon pieces for protection and threats elsewhere , while still protecting the
are easily lost , (2) by tying down pieces to pawn adequately .
their defence they may leave their possessor An excellent example of overstretching
vulnerable to aggression elsewhere on the an opponent who is nursing a structural
board, (3) weak pawns tend to have weak defect was given by the Russian master Kan
squares around them which may provide the (Diagram 6) .
opponent with strong outposts for pieces, or
lead to weak colour complexes, concepts
which will be central to Lesson 10. I shall 8 6
end this lesson with examples of common
types of pawn weakness. 7

Isolated Pawn 5

4
An isolated pawn is simply one which has
no pawn of its own colour on an adjacent
file to give it support. Such a pawn some­
times gives dynamic chances in a middle­
game , but represents a long-term structural
weakness which will be a particular liability a c d e g
in an endgame .

It's not enough for White to attack the d­

8 5 pawn with as many pieces as possible , since
Black can defend likewise , but his ability to
7
dictate the course of the game proves
6 decisive: 16 Nf3 Nb6 17 h3 Nh6 18 Nf4 Rfd8
5 19 Rd3 Rd7 20 Rhd1 Rad8 (Black threatens
to reactivate his knight by Nf5 , but . . . ) 21
4 Bh2 ! ! (Excellent - if now 21 . . . Nf5 22 g4
and the threat of 23 g5 forces 22 . . . Nd6,
and the d-pawn falls) 21 . . . g6 22 g4 Bg7 23
Bg3 ! (threatening 24 Bh4, hitting the rook
on d8) 23 . . . f6 (This would soon have been
forced, but now e6 is weak too) 24 Nd4! Nf7
a c d e g h
25 Nde6 Ne5 26 Nxd8 ! Nxd3 + 27 Nxd3 !
Rxd8 28 Nc5 - the point. White's queen­
Its vulnerability will be especially marked side thrust is the final blow and the b-pawn
when, as in Diagram 5, it lies on a half-open falls. Although a tactical trick finally won
file and is exposed to direct attack by both material, Black never really looked like
rooks and minor pieces. Futhermore, the surviving against Kan's skilful manoeuvres.
 How to Formulate a Plan 57
Backward pawn as they cover many squares. The problem is
that if the need to use them actively arises,
7 they are only marginally more forcing than a
single pawn as they impede each other.
Consider the following diagrams (Dia­
grams 8, 9 and 10) .

As can be seen from Diagram 7, a

"backward pawn" is one which has lost the
support of its neighbours by lagging behind
and has consequently become weak. If a e f g h
readers add doubled white rooks on the d­
file and visualize a knight arriving on b5 ,
they will realize the kind of direct pressure 8 9
to which the pawn may be subjected. Note
that the threat of NbS in such positions often
forces . . . a6 weakening Black's queen-side 6
dark squares, especially b6. In practice
5
Black can usually guard the d6 pawn against
direct attack based on a "weight of num­ 4
bers" concept, but White exploits the fact
that Black is tied to defence by generating
great central and queen-side pressure , often
hinged around a dominant knight on the
desperately weak d5 square . Add a white
a e g h
knight on d5 , place the respective a-pawns
on a5 and a6, and it does not require a
positional genius to see that Black's game is
8 10
bad.
7
Doubled pawn
6
Unlike isolated pawns and backward 5
pawns, which are virtually always structural­ 4
ly bad , doubled pawns are only usually bad.
Of course , structural monstrosities like
doubled isolated pawns are terrible and
represent easy endgame targets. However,
doubled pawns supported by an adj acent
pawn have considerable defensive strength , a b c d e f g h
58 Master Chess

Diagram 8 arises from a line in the Bishop's pressure from centralized rooks. There is
opening favoured by Larsen and is a pos­ thus sufficient dynamic compensation for ·

ition in which the doubled pawn complex the structural deficiency.

actually gives White an edge. Pieces will fit
nicely into the pawn structure, the opposing
Hanging pawns
bishop is restrained and the base of the
structure at c2 is very safe . Furthermore ,
White almost has an extra centre pawn as 11
one of the c-pawns is often exchanged for
Black's d-pawn .
Diagram 9 comes from a famous win by
Fischer over Spassky in their 1972 match.
The position is structurally interesting, as
despite Black's backward b-pawn on a half­
open file , his isolated e-pawn and his
doubled g-pawns , and despite White having
a protected passed pawn and the bishop
pair, Black has a clear advantage. To
understand this it is necessary to appreciate
that neither Black's b-pawn nor his e-pawn
can be attacked easily, White's d-pawn is
restrained , and his a-pawn is weak. In Diagram 1 1 i s a situation in which Black
addition Black has a fine knight on f4 which has hanging pawns at c5 and d5 . Clearly
is an "effective outpost" , as to dislodge it by such pawns are a powerful force if they can
g3 would desperately weaken White's king­ be maintained side by side, controlling
side white squares. However, the key to many important squares. In certain circum­
White's problems is his doubled pawn com­ stances the d-pawn may advance and be­
plex, c3/c4 . Such doubled and effectively come a powerful passed pawn . Indeed, in
isolated pawns are often directly vulnerable , positions with more minor pieces on the
but in this position they are weak because board , the thrust . . . d4 attacking a piece
they strangle White by killing all hope of with tempo, followed by . . . c4 with tempo ,
active play , his bishops being totally passive. then . . . d3 , establishing a protected passed
The game ended dramatically : 27 Qc2?? (27 pawn , has claimed many victims. White
Qbl is forced when White can struggle on) must keep the pawns under careful restraint
27 . . . Bxa4 White resigns (If 28 Qxa4 Qxe4 to avoid such possibilities. The pawns often
wins instantly) . Such games illustrate how a become a liability if, for instance , White
player must appreciate which factors are manages to exchange e- for d-pawn leaving
paramount in a particular position . Black with a weak isolated c-pawn . Alterna­
Diagram 10 arises from an old treatment tively , the c-pawn may be forced to advance
of the Ruy Lopez Exchange Variation. leaving a backward d-pawn on a half-open
Black's doubled pawns are not weak in file , or the d-pawn may be forced to advance
themselves, White's structural advantage in a situation in which the passed pawn
arising from the fact that Black's formation created is merely isolated and weak.
cannot force the creation of a queen-side A general rule to apply for hanging pawns
passed pawn in the endgame , whereas is the following: "if they can be maintained
White's "workable" 4-3 king-side majority side by side , or advanced ON TH E PossEss­
'
can easily do so . The position is , however, oR s TE RMS , they may be strong, but if the

at least equal as Black's bishop pair can opponent can force their advance , or liquid­
prove very powerful , in conjunction with ate one of them they're probably weak".
 How to Formulate a Plan 59
LESSON 10 student to be aware of this concept, when
conceiving middlegame plans, for it is at this
stage in the game that the endgame pawn
Pawn Islands, Outposts, and
structure is often decided .
Colour Complexes

Pawn Islands Outposts

In the course of a game pawns which In discussing isolated and backward

started in a united chain of 8 usually get pawns I emphasized the weak squares in
separated into sub-chains, gaps being front of them , indicating that such outposts
caused by the exchange of some of them. are as much , and often more, of a problem
An important principle , with particular for the weaker side as the weakness of the
relevance in the endgame, is that the player pawn itself. An outpost may be defined as
with the fewer "pawn islands" (Capa­ "a useful square where one can establish
blanca's name for these sub-chains) has a pieces which CANNOT BE ATTACKED BY
"
structural plus . Often the player with more ENEMY PAWNS . The key points are that the

islands has obvious weaknesses such as square can only be contested by enemy
isolated pawns , but consider Diagram 12. pieces and that it is USEFU L , which implies a .
central square or a foothold in the enemy
position. It should be relevantly placed to be
8 12 a platform for attack, a . lynchpin for co­
ordination of the player's own forces, a
disruptive weapon against your opponent's
6 co-ordination, or a combination of some or
5 all of these factors.
4

13

a b c d e g h

Each side has 6 pawns, none of which are

backward or isolated, but White's pawns are
in two islands of three each , whereas Black's
are in three islands of two. It follows that
White has a positional edge , having three
targets for attack (at b7, e7, and h7 being
the base of each sub-chain) while Black has
only two such targets.
That was a very simple example , but Consider Diagram 13. This pawn struc­
within my experience , the relative number ture , arising from an Old Indian defence in
of pawn islands is always an important and which White has erroneously played c4 gives
sometimes a decisive endgame factor, some­ Black two useful outposts, on c5 and d4,
thing which students should verify by play­ which cannot be challenged by white pawns.
ing through master endgames with island If readers visualize knights (the knight being
imbalance . For the present, I warn the the super-piece of outpost play) established
60 Master Chess

on these squares, it is clear that they would nation of f5 . The game continued: 15 gxf3
dominate the board . The white queen-side Nd7 16 0-0-0 (naturally) 16 . . . Re8 17 Bh3 !
would be under direct pressure which could (White simply threatens Bf5 followed by
be increased by pawn advances, while Black doubling rooks on the h-file and manoeuvr­
would control the centre and could switch ing his knight to e3 , a plan which would
pressure to the king-side too if necessary. In soon be decisive. Black must therefore
contrast , White has no such squares on remove this bishop. Note in passing that
which to anchor pieces and is condemned to Bxf4 by White at any stage would merit "??"
a life of defensive drudgery. To retain as Black would reply exf4 and gain access to
control of the position , Black must avoid a the beautiful squares d4 and e5) 17 . . . Nxh3
pawn of either colour reaching c5 . Playing 18 Rxh3 Nf8 19 Rahl Ng6 20 Ndl Rc8 21
. . . c5 would mean that each side had one Ne3 Rc7 22 Nf5 (A fine example of a
good square (d4 for Black, d5 for White) . dominant knight outpost in a very useful
To allow White to play c5 would be even place!) 22 . . . Rf8 23 Qd1 f6 (Black has no
worse, as then b6 , c4 and d6 would become chance of holding this position in the long
valuable outposts while Black would only run , but White now achieves a quick tactical
control d4. The lesson to be learned is kill) 24 f4 ! exf4 25 Qh5 Ne5 (If 25 . . . fxg3 26
"guard your structural advantages care­ Qxg6 followed by Rh8 mate) 26 Qh7 +
fully" . Black resigned (26 . . . Kf7 27 Qxg7 + Ke8 28
The usefulness of outposts is a key factor, Qxf8+ followed by Rh8 + and Rxd8 is
as the point of controlling them is to further fatal) .
one's cause elsewhere . Aside from the lesson that usefulness ,
that is to say the quality of outposts not just
8 14 their quantity , is important, another point
emerging from the above game is that if the
defender gives up pieces which have the
6 potential to contest an outpost, it tempts
fate severely. An outpost can only be
5 attacked by pieces; thus it follows that the
4 way to fight against one, is to cover it with at
least as many pieces as your opponent uses
to support its occupation . If it's then occu­
pied, a series of exchanges will force the
possessor to recapture with a pawn and lose
access to the square .
a c d e g h

Consider Diagram 14, which arose in the

game Benko-Najdorf, Los Angeles , 1963 , 15
after White's 14th move . White clearly has a
potentially strong outpost on f5 , but Black
now multiplied his own problems with the
positional blunder 14 . . . Bxf3? (He should
have played . . . Na6, but was probably
afraid of 15 Nh2) . His object was to secure
his own knight on its advanced square f4,
but if White castles queen-side , this piece
will attack thin air. In addition , by giving up
his white-squared bishop , Black destroys his
own chances of disputing White's domi-
 How to Formulate a Plan 61

In Diagram 15 White has a fine outpost at

d5, but Black forced its occupation by a 8 16
pawn through some neat tactics. Play con­ 7
tinued: 1 . . . Nb6 2 Bb3 Bg4 3 Ne1 Rc8 4
6
Qd3 Be6 5 Bxf6 (forced) Bxf6 6 Nd5
(forced) 6 . . . Nxd5 7 exd5 and the outpost 5
was j ust a memory . In the event that such a 4
defence is impossible, standard methods are
to exchange off your opponent's most
potent occupying pieces , or, if this is also
unachievable , to seek active counterplay
elsewhere .
Finally , I would ask readers to be aware a g
of the possibility of "building" outposts in
their games, whether by forcing weaknesses
in the enemy position, or by advancing
defend the black squares f6, g5 , and h6, the
pawns to support pieces. Such advances
bishop is performing this task, while moves
must be judged carefully, and the risks
such as . . . f6 or . . . h6 are possible if
weighed against the potential benefits, but
necessary. Now imagine that the black­
outpost building can often provide a plan
squared bishops have been exchanged , re­
when you feel yourself drifting and should
moving Black's bishop on g7. Suddenly the
always be borne in mind .
king-side black squares look rather exposed,
and if a white pawn is added on e5 , together
with a black pawn on e6, and it's assumed
Black squares and white squares: that white pieces are preventing . . . h6, it's
Colour complexes easy to envisage white pieces swarming in
for the kill via f6 and h6. This is why an
Readers will doubtless have heard the almost invariable stage in attacking a fian­
expression that one player is weak on the chettoed position is the exchange of the
black/white squares. This could mean, for bishop which defends the potentially weak
example , that the pawn structure in the area squares.
of the board in question, say the king-side , Obviously the addition of a black white­
is such that these pawns are on white squared bishop in the previous example
squares and do not adequately defend a would do nothing to cover the weaknesses ,
group of black squares. In such situations and this introduces the idea of the "bad
the player with what we shall call a "weak bishop". When a player has numerous
colour complex" will often have difficulty in pawns on squares of one colour, a bishop of
resisting an attack which aims to break the opposite colour, such as the fian­
through on , or infiltrate via, the weak chettoed bishop in the diagram , is "good" .
squares. The problem of defence will be It has great freedom and covers those
vastly increased if the defensive bishop squares which the pawns don't. Conversely,
which operates on squares of the same if a player with one bishop left commits the
colour as the weak squares has been ex­ common "beginner's error" of placing
changed, as this will make it much harder to pawns on squares of the same colour as that
protect the holes in the pawn structure . bishop, in the mistaken belief that they'll be
It is best to illustrate what is meant defended and safe , this will greatly impede
diagrammatically (see Diagram 16) . its freedom. Furthermore , it will be found
Black has a standard fianchettoed king-side that since squares of the opposite colour are
and it's clear that although the pawns don't neither protected by pawns nor bishop, the
62 Master Chess

enemy will infiltrate . Such "bad bishop/ enemy king and knight. A combination of
weak square" syndromes are particularly diversionary attacks and king manoeuvres
deadly in the endgame ( see Diagram 17) . gives the knight many victories in such
situations.
I have discussed weak colour complexes
17
in the context of the endgame as it's there
that the problems can be illustrated most
clearly. However, one must be aware that
such weaknesses can be deadly in the
middlegame too . There are frequent
examples in master play of attacking strat­
egies based on squares of one colour. To
conclude this lesson, here is a drastic
example of dark square strategy by a player
who pioneered understanding of such plans,
Aron Nimzowitsch .
In the game Nimzowitsch-Miss Menchik,
a c d e g h Carlsbad, 1929 , the position in Diagram 18
arose after Black's 9th move .
McNab-Sowray, London, 1982

The diagrammed position was the culmi­ 18

nation of a gradual "swindle" . B lack had
been winning comfortably but allowed his
queen-side pawns to be lured on to black
squares with the result that the white king
infiltrated via the unprotected white squares
c4 and b5 to its dominating position at c6.
49 . . . Bd8 would be futile after 50 Kd7 , so
Black continued 49 . . . g2 50 Bxg2+ Kxg2
with an extra piece . Nevertheless , White
won comfortably after 51 Kxc7 Kf3 52 Kxb6
Bd8+ 53 Kc6 Ke4 54 Kxd6 Kd3 55 Kc5 Kc2
56 b4 Kb3 57 Kb5 Kxc3 58 bxa5 and Black
resigned.
Given that in the endgame the king can White continued: 10 h4! Bf8 1 1 h5 Nge7 12
operate freely on squares of both colours, a Nb3 Qc7 13 Nbxd4 Nxd4 14 Nxd4 Bd7 15
good measure of endgame colour complex Bg5 ( White has already established a power­
weaknesses is to assess the ease with which ful bind , with a strong knight on d4 and
the enemy king can infiltrate . If the answer cramping pawns on e5 and h5 . Black must
is easily , remedial· measures should be also defend against penetration to the d6
undertaken immediately. Knights, like outpost. Moreover Black's king has no safe
kings, have the capacity for play on squares refuge . By 15 Bg5 White threatens Bxe7 and
of both colours , so one should be aware of it's hard for Black to avoid 15 . . . g6 further­
the possibility of liquidating to a "good ing White's coming black square attack )
knight versus bad bishop" endgame . These Black continued 15 . . . g6 16 Racl Nf5 17
generally feature a cramped bishop , grovell­ Bf6 Rg8 18 Bxf5 exf5 19 Qe2 Qb6 20 c3 Bc5
ing behind a badly arranged pawn structure , 21 b4 Bxd4 ( Hopeless, but B lack is totally
while its king tries to fight off both the lost - either she gets crushed by a break-
 How to Formulate a Plan 63
through supported by White's dominant and by the latent energy of B lack's fian­
knight, or she gets crushed on her weak chettoed bishop in some variations of the
black squares after giving up her black­ King's Indian Defence . It can spring into the
squared bishop as in the game) 22 cxd4 Be6 game with devastating effect if the h8-a1
(Trying to blockade the centre) 23 ReS ! diagonal is opened (see Diagram 20) .
(Black is surrounded on the black squares)
23 . . . Kd7 24 Qf3 Qxb4 (desperation) 25
Rxd5 + Ke8 26 Rc1 Bxd5 27 Qxd5 Qb6 28 20
Qf3 gxh5 29 Qa3 Qe6 30 Rc7 Black re­
signe d . Having been held in a total bind on
them , Black is now mated on the black
squares (see Diagram 19) .

19

NN-Kotov

In this position Kotov, having already

opened and seized control of the b-file
and undermined White's centre , acti­
vated his remaining pieces - in particular
his black-squared bishop - by opening the
long black diagonal . He struck with
Thus two important basic rules are :
28 . . . d5 ! and after 29 exd5 (29 Bc5 gives
1 . If you have one bishop left AVOID more chances) 29 . . . e4! the bishop came
PLAC I N G YOUR PAWNS ON THE SAME COL­ into its own . The game ended 30 Qe2 Nexd5
OURED S Q U A R E S AS I T . (threatening Nxc3 , followed by Nd5 and
2. Generally avoid pawn chains on carnage on b2) 31 Nd1 Nd7 32 Rc4 Rxc4 33
squares of one colour if this means the Qxc4 Nxe3 34 Nxe3 Bxb2 35 Qb3 Bg7 36
creation of VU L N E RA B LE weak squares of Rxd7 Qxd7 37 Qxb8 Qd3 + 38 Kcl (If 38
the other colour. Nc2 Qd1 mate) 38 . . . Qxe3 + White re­
signed .
Most readers will have played or seen
games in which a battery of bishops at, for
LESSON 1 1
example , d3 and e3 bear down on the enemy
king-side . It's possible to cite openings such
Open Lines - Part I as the Modern Defence (1 e4 g6 2 d4 Bg7) in
which one player makes no effort to occupy
Open lines can take various forms, these the centre but instead hopes to attack it later
being OPEN FILES , H A LF- O P E N FI LES , and by pawn moves supported by raking
D I A G O N A LS . The open diagonal can be a bishop(s) . A good general rule is to place
potent weapon and is a vital component of bishops on open diagonals in order to
many openings, as exemplified by Black's maximize their scope . Bishops are usually at
fianchettoed bishop in the Sicilian Dragon their best in open positions, so always bear
64 Master Chess
in mind the possibility of opening lines for liquidated into an advantageous endgame.
them. Both the c- and e-files are open and White's
While a bishop on an open diagonal which control of the e-file is guaranteed by his
points at enemy weaknesses can be a potent well-posted bishop at b5 , which by control­
weapon in co-operation with other pieces, ling eS will stop Black contesting the file.
infiltration, generally by rooks, on an open White's bishop may later move to eS to
file can often be decisive in its own right due assist in attacking f7, in contrast to Black's,
to the rook's ability to attack and destroy which will be forced onto the passive square
enemy weaknesses, especially pawns. This g6 and will not even be able to maintain that
leads to discussion of a second form of open defensive position. On the other hand,
line , namely the open file. Black controls the c-file and can penetrate
via c2 with counterplay, so why is White
The open file better? The answer to this question is the
key to the modern understanding of open
To start with a simple definition, an open files and gives rise to a very important rule
file is one which has no pawns of either which it is essential to grasp: " AN OPEN FILE
colour on it. Such files represent two-way HAS NO SIGN IFICANCE IN ITSELF AND IS IM­

streets which lead into both positions, thus PORTANT ONLY I F IT CAN B E USED FOR SOME
"
the fight for their control can be of great STRATEGIC PU RPOSE . Karpov realizes that

importance . This is the basis of the begin­ the e-file is the more valuable as (1) he will
ner's rule: "place rooks on open files" . penetrate to e7 before Black reaches c2; (2)
Indeed, the rook can b e a devastating piece he will force the doubling of his rooks on the
when played into attacking positions via an 7th rank, while restraining Black's counter­
open file as numerous powerful plans may play by a latent threat of back rank mate
become possible . which gains a tempo ; (3) he will then have a
Before discussing the important themes of target on f7, the fall of which will create
control , penetration , targets and disruptive mating threats; (4) Black will be unable to
power, here is a classic example of rooks defend passively , as White will dislodge his
penetrating via an open file and, in this case , pieces by pawn advances and the dominant
doubling on the 7th rank with devastating rooks on the 7th will make effective de­
effect. fensive co-ordination impossible ; (5) if
Black tries to play actively and counter­
21 attack, he will have insufficiently mortal
targets and leave himself fatally exposed.
Now observe how Karpov pressed home
his advantage : 25 f3 (clearing the way to the
7th) 25 . . . Bg6 26 Re7 (attacking b7 with
gain of tempo) 26 . . . b6 27 Rae1 ! (gaining
another tempo , for if 27 . . . Rc2 2S ReS+
forces mate) 27 . . . h6 2S Rb7 Rd6 (Black
tries to defend, but counter-attacking by
2S . . . Rc2 also fails as his king becomes
fatally exposed, e.g. 29 R1e7 Rxb2 30 BeS
ReS 31 Bxf7+ Bxf7 32 Rxf7 RSc2 33 Rxg7+
KfS 34 Kh2! and now White's king escapes
Karpov- Uhlmann, Madrid 1973 but Black's is hopelessly placed , for
example 34 . . . Rxg2 + 35 Kh3 Rh2+ 36 Kg3
Diagram 21 arose after Black's 24th move Rhg2+ 37 Kf4 Rb4 3S Rh7 KgS 39 Rhd7
in a French Defence , Karpov having j ust winning) 29 R1e7 h5 30 gxh5 Bxh5 31 g4
 How to Formulate a Plan 65
Bg6 32 f4 ! (Karpov's plan continues as he players doubling rooks or even trebling the
prepares to dislodge the bishop from its rooks and their queen. Minor pieces may
defence of f7) 32 . . . Rcl + 33 Kf2 Rc2+ 34 play an important role by controlling key
Ke3 Be4 (f7 was indefensible) 35 Rxf7 Rg6 squares (see Karpov-Uhlmann) or through
36 g5 (engineering the collapse of g7) diversionary attacks as in Example 2. The
36 . . . Kh7 37 Rfe7 Rxb2 38 Be8 Rb3 + 39 decision to contest an open file may be
Ke2 Rb2+ 40 Kel Rd6 41 Rxg7+ Kh8 42 defensive as a player tries to protect weak­
Rge7 Black resigned. (When his check runs nesses , or aggressive in trying to attack
out he will have no defence to White's those of the opponent. However, before
threats, e . g . Rb8 followed by bishop moves such operations are embarked upon it's vital
mate, or if Black plays . . . Rd8 simply g6 to assess the usefulness of the file, or indeed
wins. ) the relative importance of different files in
Perfect examples such as this tend to give the context of the particular position.
players delusions of simplicity. They think The following factors should be con­
that if a rook is established on an open file, sidered in making such an assessment:
victory will surely follow, but consider the 1 . Control. This will tend to be a case of
position in Diagram 22: who can ultimately bring more firepower to
bear on the file. Although control will
sometimes pass on a "first come , first
8 22 served" basis, we have already seen how a
7 file may change hands when the initial
occupant fails to maintain his presence.
6
2. Penetration. In the event that control of
5 a file may be won, one must establish
4 whether there exists a point on it at which the
enemy position can be penetrated. Such an
"entry square" will usually be on the 7th
rank, although sometimes on the 6th or 8th ,
and will be a square which cannot be
defended by enemy pawns . It will often be
a e g defended by enemy pieces and the potential
to exchange such defenders off or drive/
Black has just played Rad8 "occupying" divert them away must exist . If, however, all
the open d-file but he's lost ! White plays 1 the possible entry squares are securely de­
Be3 attacking the a-pawn and after 1 . . . a6 fended, the value of the open file is greatly
(if 1 . . . b6 2 a5 c5 3 axb6 axb6 4 Ra6 Black's diminished.
queen-side collapses) 2 Bb6 Rd7 3 Rad1 3. Targets. In the event that penetration
R8e7 (3 . . . Rde7 4 Bd8 ! followed by Rd7 on the open file is possible, are there targets
wins) 4 Bc5 Rxd1 5 Rxd1 ReS (5 . . . Rc7? 6 for attack within the enemy camp? Typical
Rd8+ Kh7 7 Bd6 is embarrassing ! ) 6 Rd7 targets are pawns which have been out­
winning easily. That position was a simple flanked and may be attacked from the side
example of the need to be able to penetrate and/or from behind. In many cases the open
on an open file. Black was unable to do so as file will lead to one or two rooks being
White's king was well-placed to stop any established on the 7th rank and co-ordinat­
entry while, when the file changed hands ing with other pieces to make targets of
(the "two-way street" theme) White enemy pieces , or even of the enemy king.
effected a decisive penetration via d7. 4. Disruptive power. This relates to the
The fight for control of an open file or idea of targets, but is more subtle in that the
files is a vital phase in many games, with file may, in some cases, not lead to win of
66 Master Chess

material or direct attack. The opponent may 26 . . . Rxcl 27 Raxc1 Rxcl 28 Qxe6 Rxel + !
be tied down to such an extent that a in addition to king-side mating threats,
decisive blow can be delivered elsewhere . leaving White hopelessly placed) 25 Rd1
An excellent example of penetration on an exd5 26 Bd2 Qf6 27 Rabl h4 28 Qa4 Qf5 29
open file paralysing the opposition is Stahl­ Qxa7 Bf8(?) (29 . . . Bg5 would give Black a
berg-Taimanov, Zurich Candidates , 1953 . mating attack , but now White managed to
exchange queens , although into a lost end­
game which Taimanov soon won).
23
The discussion of open lines will continue
in Lesson 12 which deals with half-open
files.

LESSON 12

Half-Open Files

In Lesson 1 1 we saw how an open file

represents an avenue through which the
player who wins the fight for control may be
a c d e able to feed pieces, to infiltrate and outflank
the enemy position . It was necessary to
Diagram 23 arose after White's lOth move consider , among other factors, whether con­
and Taimanov seized the initiative with trol could be achieved, whether penetration
10 . . . b5 ! (This forces the creation of an could take place , and whether targets for
open c-file , over which Black gains control attack would exist . In the case of the half­
by exchanging off White's best pieces and open file , however, there are fundamentally
forcing the rest back in confusion . Mean­ different considerations, which are inherent
while he smoothly develops his own forces in the very definition of a half-open file as "a
on good squares, creating a potent, well-co­ file on which there are only pawns of one
ordinated force . ) Play continued: 11 cxb5 colour" .
cxb5 12 Qdl b4 13 Nb1 Nc6 14 Nxc6 Qxc6
(Black is well on the way to control of the c­
8 24
file and the beautiful entry square , c2,
already beckons) 15 Nd2 Qb6 16 e3 Rac8 17 7
Bfl Rc6 18 Bxa6 Qxa6 19 Nf3 Rfc8 20 Qb3 6
Ne4 21 Nd2 (otherwise f2 will be fatally
weak after Rc2. Now Black could have won 5
two pieces for a rook by 21 . . . Rxcl but 4
decides that his paralysing grip on White's
position is more deadly) . Black continued
21 . . . Rc2! 22 Nxe4 dxe4 23 a3 h5 ! (excel­
lent - White can scarcely move , so Black
launches a king-side attack based on the
weak king-side white squares and White's a c e g
inability to feed pieces over for defence
without making fatal concessions elsewhere) In Diagram 24, which originates from the
24 d5 (White is becoming desperate) Exchange Variation of the Queen's Gambit
24 . . . R8c4! (killing any hope of simplifi­ Declined , two half-open files have been
cation. If now 25 dxe6 Qxe6 threatening created as early as move three. These are
 How to Formulate a Plan 67
the c-file which will be controlled by White
and the e-file which will be controlled by 25
Black. After e3 by White and c6 by Black,
both sides will be free to attack along
"their" open files . This is the keystone of
White's strategy in this variation, although
for reasons discussed later, Black's counter­
play does not tend to come through pressure
on e3 . The points to be made at this stage
are, firstly, that a half-open file can be
dominated by the side with no pawn on it,
without there being any practical chances of
the file changing hands , or even being o b c d e g h
contested effectively . If the black c-pawn is
moved to c6 in the diagram , and the reader
imagines White playing a rook to c1 , it's
obvious that Black would have to go d4! The positional point of this move is that
through contortions to oppose it directly by if Black captures on d4, he will find himself
placing a rook on c4! Furthermore , when with a weak backward pawn on the freshly­
one attacks on a half-open file , there will be opened d-file. While a pawn on d6 is not
a ready-made object of attack at the end of often a weakness in the Sicilian Defence , in
it. the diagrammed position Black has played
All this sounds very favourable , but e6 and fianchettoed his king's bishop. Thus
there's another side to the half-open file with the d-file opened, he will be hard­
coin. Whereas in the case of an open file it pressed to defend d6. For example , after
was necessary to penetrate via an empty 9 . . . cxd4 10 Nxd4 a6 (otherwise 1 1 Ndb5
square , it is now necessary to attack an would be crushing) Black is clearly worse
enemy pawn. This may be relatively easy if with a backward, exposed d-pawn and weak
the pawn is weak, whether backward or queen-side black squares . Aside from the
isolated, but if it's defended by another positional merits of 9 d4, it's a good example
pawn, the attack may "bite on granite" . It of the effect the "exception to a rule" , in this
may then be necessary to consider a piece case the one which says that pieces (in this
sacrifice when attacking the king, or where case "pieces" include pawns) shouldn't be
the object is to force weaknesses , to under­ moved twice in the opening, can have. As
take the undermining operation known as far as Black was concerned , White was
the "MINORITY ATTACK " which will be dis­ committed to a closed game and his defens­
CUSSed shortly . ive set-up was based on this assumption .
In the lesson on weak pawns examples The moral behind this is "think flexibly" .
were given of how backward and isolated In the game Black declined to make the d­
pawns are particularly weak if they lie on a file half-open and continued 9 . . . b6, but
half-open file. They are exposed to direct after 10 Qd2 0-0 11 Rad1 Ba6 12 Rfe 1 , he
attack, which means that pieces may be tied felt obliged by White's threatened central
down to their defence. Therefore a player breakthrough to play 12 . . . cxd4. However,
should be alert to the possibilities of open­ after 13 Nxd4 White's superior co-ordi­
ing a file to expose such a weakness . nation, together with his pressure on the d­
Diagram 25 arose after Black's 8th move , file, led to a decisive advantage : 13 . . . Ne5
in the game Morrison-Povah, British 14 b3 Ng4 15 Bg5 Rc8 16 h3 Nf6 17 Ndb5
Championship, 1978, and White , despite Ne8 18 e5 ! (thematic and decisive - White
having expended a tempo on 5 d3 , played 9 soon won) .
68 Master Chess

In a situation where the target pawn will There are many examples of such minor­
be supported by another pawn, a minority ity attacks leading to an almost "automatic"
attack may be possible. Viewed in simple win , but the reader may wonder why Black
terms, the objective when a- and b-pawns doesn't undertake similar operations against
face a-, b-, and c-pawns will be to eliminate White's e3 pawn by playing . . . f5 , . . . f4, in
all but the c-pawn , on the basis that it will co-operation with . . . g5 if necessary. The
then be unsupported and weak . answer is that Black's king would be left
A typical example of the power of such a exposed to an extent which White's is not
plan in the absence of effective counterplay, j ustified by the possible creation of one or
was seen in the game van Den Berg­ two pawn weaknesses in White's position.
Kramer, 1950, in which after the opening However, it's possible for Black to create
moves: 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 d5 4 Bg5 Be7 sufficient counter-chances by active king­
5 Nf3 0-0 6 Qc2 Nbd7 7 cxd5 exd5 8 e3 c6 9 side piece play.
Bd3 Re8 10 0-0 Nf8 1 1 Rab1 , Diagram 26 In addition to the Exchange Variation of
was reached. the Queen's Gambit Declined, there are
several other openings which create half­
open files , together with a pawn structure
8 26 featuring minority attack potential. Several
lines in the English Opening do this but
perhaps the most important example is the
Sicilian Defence. Consider the following
5 two diagrams :

27

a c d e g h

Black continued 1 1 . . . g6 (this starts a plan

aimed at exchanging White-squared
bishops, but it's far too slow ; 11 . . . Ne4! is
better) 12 b4 a6 13 a4 Ne6 14 Bh4 Ng7 15 b5
axb5 16 axb5 Bf5 17 bxc6 bxc6 (White's
strategy has produced a weak backward
pawn on c6, its support having been under­
mined) . 18 Ne5 (he attacks the weakness
immediately) 18 . . . Rc8 19 Rb7 (note that
as well as the weak target on c6, the
minority attack has also created open files
which can be used for infiltration and
outflanking manoeuvres) 19 . . . Bxd3 20
Qxd3 Rc7 21 Rxc7 Qxc7 22 Rc1 (threaten­
ing 23 Bxf6 Bxf6 24 Nxd5 winning)
22 . . . Qb7 23 Qb1 Qa6 (If 23 . . . Qxb1 24
Nxb1 and the c-pawn falls) 24 Na2 and the c­
pawn falls, e.g. 24 . . . Rc8 25 Bxf6 Bxf6 26
Nb4 etc. a b c d e f g h
 How to Formulate a Plan 69

In Diagram 27 Black has already obtained

29
a half-open c-file, a central pawn maj ority
and the potential for a minority attack which
will saddle White with a weak c-pawn. In
the short term White has a lead in develop­
ment and fine attacking chances, which
means that many Sicilian Defences develop
along explosive lines with piece sacrifices
flying about , and the result of the game
hinging on the success or failure of White's
king-side attack. The positional justification
for the Sicilian Defence does, however, lie
in Black's long-term structural advantage .
Therefore it's important that players should
not merely learn long "book" variations, but a1-h8 diagonal . Black will also develop
should also be aware of the vital underlying pressure with his knights by establishing
themes. them on squares such as e5 , a4, or d3 (after
In Diagram 28 Andersson , a player who White's e-pawn has moved) . Sacrifices on
likes "long-term" advantages , has reached a b2 are a frequent possibility , while on the
very favourable Sicilian ending. White's other side of the coin White must hope to
problems on the c-file , in conj unction with liquidate the pressure and remain a pawn
his weak f4 pawn, give Black a clear plus. up. Having said this it must be pointed out
After 24 b3 Rc6 25 a4 b4 26 Ne2 Rac8, that simple liquidation of material will not
White was reduced to 27 c4 but after solve White's problems as many endgames,
27 . . . bxc3 28 Rxc3 Nd5 his weaknesses on especially major piece endings, will be
b3 and f4 proved fatal. better for Black due to the persisting bind
In undertaking an attack against the and pressure on the Black squares of the
enemy king, players will frequently sacrifice a1-h8 diagonal.
pawns to open files and diagonals. They A classic example of the power of play on
know that it will be possible to sacrifice half-open lines following a pawn sacrifice
pieces to destroy the pawn screen in front of was given by Capablanca, with Black
their opponent's king, as the possibility of against Nimzowitsch at St. Petersburg, 1914
mate will justify the investment. This is easy (see Diagram 30) .
to understand, but a pawn can often be
sacrificed to open lines in the belief that the 30
active piece play obtained will eventually
lead to the investment's recovery with inter­
est, despite the absence of a direct attack
against the enemy king.
A good example of a whole opening
system geared to this strategy is the Benko
Gambit in which after 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 c5 3 d5
Black sacrifices a pawn with 3 . . . b5 4 cxb5
a6 5 bxa6 Bxa6. A possible continuation
would then be 6 Nc3 d6 7 Nf3 g6 8 g3 Bg7 9
Bg2 0-0 10 0-0 Nbd7 (Diagram 29) .
Black is a pawn down, but will develop
pressure with rooks and queen on the a- and Nimzowitsch-Capablanca,
b-files in conj unction with pressure on the St. Petersburg, 1 914
70 Master Chess

Superficially White is a safe pawn up with positional principles and will help them to
a superior pawn structure, but Black's play evaluate such lines, decide for or against
on the a- and b-files and a1-h8 diagonal is their creation, and make decisions as re­
rapidly decisive. The game continued 14 gards which lines should be contested and
Qa6 Rfe8 15 Qd3 Qe6 16 f3 Nd7 17 Bd2 Ne5 which represent mere dead ends.
18 Qe2 Nc4 19 Rab1 Ra8 20 a4 Nxd2 21
Qxd2 Qc4 22 Rfd1 Reb8 23 Qe3 Rb4 (Black
can regain his pawn by 23 . . . Bxc3 , but his
References
pressure is worth more) 24 Qg5 Bd4+ 25
Kh1 Rab8 (the threat of 25 . . . Bxc3 is
A. Kotov, Think Like a Grandmaster.
decisive) . White tried 26 Rxd4, but soon lost A. Kotov, Play Uke a Grandmaster.
- a typically smooth and powerful display M. Stean , Simple Chess.
by Capablanca. A. N imzowitsch, My System.
R. Keene, Nimzowitsch: A Reappraisal.
Hopefully, this discussion of open lines D. Bronstein , The Chess Struggle In Practice (Zurich
will give readers a taste of the most crucial / 953) .
 Lessons 1 3 - 1 6

OPENING PRINCIPLES AND IDEAS

NIGEL DAVIES, I . M .

There have been thousands of books de­

8 2
voted to the opening. The poor reader is
often encouraged to memorize hundreds of 7
variations only to be discouraged and dis­
6
mayed when results show no sign of im­
provement. Clearly an alternative approach 5
is required . 4
These four lessons attempt to clarify the
problems of the openings . The first three 3

analyse games illustrating the elements 2

(centre , development and planning) of the
opening. In the fourth I will present some
ideas which I hope will guide the reader 0 e g h
towards better opening play.
A comparison of the number of squares
controlled by each piece shows that central­
LESSON 13. THE CENTRE ized pieces have far more power. It follows
naturally that control of the centre is of
The centre of the chessboard is generally great importance , and all good openings aim
understood to be the squares d4, d5 , e4 and at control of these squares.
e5 . The importance of these squares can be At one time direct occupation of the
illustrated by the following two diagrams. centre with pawns was considered the ideal.
A pawn centre , when well supported with
pieces, can certainly be a very powerful
force , with a subsequent advance of the
8 l
pawns driving the enemy pieces to poor
(decentralized) squares .
6
However, modern players also appreciate
an alternative philosophy; pressure on the
5 centre with pieces.
4 These two ideas come into conflict in
many modern opening variations, one of
which is the Griinfeld Defence, Exchange
2 Variation.
Amongst the many advocates of White's
pawn centre is the young Soviet star Garry
0 c e g Kasparov.

71
72 Master Chess

Karparov-Natis, Ma{ta Olympiad 1980 here too White's central control is a signifi­
cant factor.
1 d4 Nf6
2 c4 g6 13 Nxd4 cxd4
3 Nc3 dS 14 Qxd4 QaS+
4 cxdS NxdS 15 Qd2 Qxd2 +
5 e4 Nxc3 16 Kxd2 Rd8
6 bxc3 Bg7 17 Ke3 b6
7 Nf3 c5 18 Rbcl (see Diagram)

After seven moves, White has achieved the

classical "ideal" of pawns on d4 and e4. By
advancing these pawns further he aims to 3
send the enemy forces into retreat and thus
create a large "power differential" between
the white and black armies. This "power
differential" gives White attacking chances.
On this occasion the attack continues into
the endgame .
8 Rb1
Black's strategic aim is pressure against
White's centre , making use of his fian­
chettoed bishop on the al-h8 diagonal and
moves such as . . . c5 , . . . Nc6, and . . . Bg4.
To counteract this pressure White often
18 e6
removes his rook from al so as to make the
19 Bc4 e5
advance d4-d5 feasible . Recently the most
popular way of doing this has been 8 Be3 Also after 19 . . . Kf8 20 Rhdl Ke7 21 e5 !
and 9 Rb1 , a sequence illustrated in the next White's central control leaves Black strug­
game. Kasparov's last move , 8 Rb1 , is as gling.
yet, relatively unexplored.
20 Bb3 Bd7
8 ... 0-0 21 Rc7 aS
9 Be2 Nc6 22 d6 b5?
Also possible is 9 . Qa5 , though 10 Rb5
After this Black's resistance crumbles. He
. .

Qxc3+ 1 1 Bd2 Qa3 12 Rxc5 Qxa2 13 0-0

must prevent 23 f4 with 22 . . . g5 , when 23
gives White a powerfully centralized army
g3 is met by 23 . . . g4.
for his sacrificed pawn.
23 f4! exf4+
10 dS! Bxc3+
24 Kxf4 Ra6
1 1 Bd2 Bxd2+
25 eS a4
12 Qxd2 Nd4
26 BdS a3
An interesting crossroads. After 12 . . . 27 Rfl Ra4+
Nb8, Black would keep his ill-gotten booty 28 Ke3 Be6
at the expense of a big "power differential". 29 Bxe6 fxe6
White would obtain dangerous attacking 30 Rft7 Rh4
chances with 13 h4! Instead of this Black 31 Rg7 + Kh8
opts for the "safety" of an endgame , though 32 Rge7 Black resigned .
 Opening Principles and Ideas 73
The Grunfeld Defence has been "refuted" Over the next few moves Black makes a
and rehabilitated many times since its intro­ fierce attack on White's centre and the
duction by the Austrian grandmaster Ernst balance of power tilts in his favour.
Grunfeld in Vienna in 1922.
13 f4 Rd8!
In the next game White plays the latest
14 c4 b4
"refutation" and one which has caused
15 e5 g5!
Black a lot of trouble recently. By bolstering
16 Bh3 e6!
d4 (8 Be3) and removing his rook from the
17 Rg1
al-h8 diagonal (9 Rc1 ) he aims to neutral­
ize Black's fianchettoed bishop. The theory A rather flimsy attempt to support his
goes that Black will then be unable to collapsing centre . 17 dxe6 Nxe5 ! would also
generate sufficient central counterplay and be good for Black.
get squashed by White's centre pawns.
17 ... gxf4
However, there are Griinfeld experts who
18 Rxg7 Nxe5!
continue to believe in the pent-up energy in
19 Ke2 fxe3
Black's set-up and search diligently for new
20 Qb2
methods of counterplay . Numbered among
these players are Grandmasters Timman , Black's next move destroys the last rem­
Ftacnik, Smej kal , Jansa , Sax , Uhlmann, nants of White's centre a ri d signals the start
Adorj an . . . and Shamkovich . of a new phase . After the brilliant marshall­
ing of his forces in the opening, Shamkovich
switches to a direct attack on White's king
Fedorowicz-Shamkovich, New York 1 980
(see Diagram) .
1 d4 Nf6
2 Nf3 g6
3 c4 Bg7 4
4 Nc3 d5
5 cxd5 Nxd5
6 e4 Nxc3
7 bxc3 c5
8 Be3 Bg4
9 Ret Qa5
10 Qd2 Bxf3
11 gxf3 Nd7
12 d5 b5!

White has obtained the bishop pair and 0 c e g

occupied the centre with pawns. In spite of
this a closer inspection shows that matters 20 Rxd5! !
are not easy for him . Black's last five moves
Now it is Black's pieces that occupy the
form a sequence specially designed to dis­
centre !
rupt the natural rhythm of White's develop­
ment . With 10 . Bxf3 he inflicted a gash in
. . 21 cxd5 Qa6 +
White's pawn structure making it difficult 22 Kxe3 Qd3+
for the white monarch to find a safe home. 23 Kf4 f6
His last move ( 1 2 . . . b5 ! ) discourages White
Threatening mate with 24 . . . Qf3 .
from supporting his centre with 13 c4 , as the
reply 13 . . . b4 would threaten 14 . . . Bc3 . 24 Qb3
74 Master Chess

Alternatives are no better. Both 24 Rg3 Davies-Baljon, London 1980 (Sicilian

·

Ng6+ 25 Rxg6 e5 + and 24 Bg2 Ng6+ 25 Defence)

Rxg6 e5 + 26 Kg4 Qxg6+ lead to mate.
1 e4 c5
24 . . . Ng6 + 2 Nf3 d6
25 Rxg6 3 Bb5 + Nd7
4 d4 Nf6
After 25 Kg4 h5 White is checkmated.
5 0-0!?
25 . . . e5 +
An interesting gambit which started to
26 Kg4 h5+
appear in a few games when it was dis­
27 Kh4 Qe4+
covered that 5 Nc3 cxd4 6 Qxd4 e5 ! 7 Qd3
White resigned.
h6! (preventing 8 Bg5) gave White nothing.
Both 28 Kg3 h4 and 28 Bg4 hxg4+ 29 Kg3 Now after 5 . . . cxd4 6 Qxd4 e5 7 Qd3 h6,
Rh3 are mate . White can play 8 c4 ! with a bind .
5 ... Nxe4

Snatching a pawn at the expense of

LESSON 14. DEVELOPMENT
development. Despite the risks involved,
such a pawn snatch is sometimes possible. In
In the initial position , both Black and the razor-sharp Sicilian Najdorf, Poisoned
White have their pieces poorly placed at the Pawn Variation (1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4
edge of the board. It is very logical for them Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Bg5 e6 7 f4 Qb6 8 Qd2
both to want to improve this state of affairs Qxb2) Black's pawn-snatch is justified by
and so in the opening moves the pieces are the damage thereby inflicted on White's
often brought to more influential posts. This queen-side. Here, the pawn captured is an
process is called development. important central pawn .
It often happens that whilst one side
6 Qe2 Nf6
centralizes pieces with lightning speed, the
other develops without any particular The price of the pawn. Black has had to
urgency . . . and gets murdered . To prevent move this knight three times (4 . . . Nf6,
such carnage, principles have been formu­ 5 . . . Nxe4 and 6 . . . Nf6) .
lated as guides to good opening develop­
7 dxc5 dxc5
ment:
8 Rd1 e6
1 . Develop pieces as quickly as possible . 9 Bg5 h6
2. Castle early, otherwise your king may 10 Bh4 Qb6?
become stranded in the centre.
A violation of principle . Black frees him­
3. Don't capture material at the expense
self from the pin on the d-file and the h4-d8
of development .
diagonal, but in doing so moves the queen
4. Don't move the same piece twice.
out too early - leaving the king-side un­
5 . Don't move the queen out too early.
developed and the king uncastled.
The queen will be forced into making
Instead , he should play the calm
time-wasting retreats if attacked by
10 . . . Be7 ! ! , when White's attempt to win a
pieces of lesser value.
piece with 1 1 Ne5 rebounds after 1 1 . . 0-0!
6. Don't make too many pawn moves at
.

(castle early!) 12 Bxf6 Bxf6 13 Bxd7 Bxe5 14

the expense of developing the pieces.
Bxc8? Qf6 and Black wins. Or 13 Nxd7
These principles find illustration in the Bxd7 14 Rxd7 Qc8 with threats of Bxb2 and
following games: a6. White, in turn , should not move a piece
 Opening Principles and Ideas 75
twice with 1 1 Ne5 , but concentrate on quick (threatening 24 Rxg7+) 23 . . . Rf8 (if
development with 11 Nc3. 23 . . . Rh7 then 24 Qe6+ Kh8 25 Qe7 gives
the deadly threat of 26 Rd8 - or if
11 Na3
23 . . . Ra7 ,_then 24 Rxa7 Qxa7 25 Rd8+ Bf8
Threatening to win time on Black's pre­ 26 Rd7) 24 Rxg7+ Kxg7 25 Qg4+ with mate
maturely developed queen, with 12 Nc4 to follow.
(12 . . . Qxb5 13 Nd6+ ) . (ii) 21 . . . Qb8 22 Qf5 + Kg8 23 Rad1
(threatening 24 Rxg7+ ) 23 . . . Qf8 (if
11 . . . a6
23 . . . Qe8 , then 24 Rxg7+ Kxg7 25 Rd7+
12 Bxd7 + Bxd7
winning, if 23 . . . Qe5 24 Qg6, or if
13 Nc4 Qa7
23 . . . Rh7 then 24 Qe6+ . Kh8 25 Qe7 Qg8
After 13 . . . Qc7 , 14 Bg3 is very un- 26 Rd8 Bf8 27 Qxf6+ wins) 24 Qe6+ Kh7
pleasant for Black. 25 Rf7 Qe8 26 Rxg7 + Kxg7 27 Rd7 + Qxd7
28 Qxd7 + and Black has too many weak
14 Nce5 (see diagram)
pawns to put up much resistance in the
endgame.
5 After 14 . . . Bc8, the win is simpler . . .
15 Nxt7 ! ! Kxt7
16 Ne5 + Kg8

After 16 . . . Ke8, there is the beautiful

finish 17 Qh5 + Nxh5 18 Rd8 mate , whilst
16 . . . Ke7 simply allows 17 Qh5 and 18 Qf7
mate.
17 Bxf6 b5

Or 17 . . . gxf6 18 Qg4+ Bg7 19 Rd8 mate .

18 Qg4 Qc7
19 Rd8 h5
14 . . . Bc8 20 Qg5 Rh6
21 Rxf8 + Kxf8
A retrograde step, although , as the fol­
22 Bxg7 + Qxg7
lowing variations show, the power differen­
23 Qd8 mate.
tial between White's centralized army and
Black's scattered rabble had already be­ The next game shows that on a bad day
come too great. even grandmasters can neglect develop­
(a) 14 . . . Rd8 15 Nxf7! Kxf7 16 Ne5 + ment, with equally disastrous consequences.
Kg8 (if 16 . . . Ke7 then 17 Ng6+ and 18
Nxh8, or if 16 . . . Ke8 then 17 Bxf6 gxf6 18
Andersson-Portisch (Skopje Olympiad,
Qh5 + Ke7 19 Qf7 is mate) 17 Bxf6 gxf6 18
1972) (Sicilian Defence)
Qg4+ Bg7 19 Rxd7 Rxd7 20 Qxe6+ and 21
Nxd7 wins. 1 e4 c5
(b) 14 . . . Bc6 15 Nxf7 ! ! Kxf7 (15 . . . Bxf3 2 Nf3 d6
16 Qxf3 Kxf7 17 Rd7 + and 18 Rxb7 wins 3 Bb5 + Nc6
Black's queen) 16 Ne5 + Kg8 17 Bxf6 gxf6 4 0-0 Bd7
18 Qg4+ Bg7 19 Qxe6+ Kh7 20 Nxc6 bxc6 5 Re1 Nf6
21 Rd7 and now: 6 c3 a6
(i) 21 . . . Qb6 22 Qf5 + Kg8 23 Rad1 1 Bn
76 Master Chess

At this point, White can offer an interest­ White threatens to win a pawn with 14
ing gambit with 7 Bxc6 Bxc6 8 d4, though Qd6 and 13 . . . 0-0 doesn't help after 14
the careful text move is more in keeping Qd6! Qxd6 15 Nxd6 Rab8 16 Be3 - or if
with Andersson's style. White appears to be 15 . . . b6 16 Nc4 !
retreating but his pieces occupy posts which
13 . . . Rb8
will be very effective in the approaching
14 b4!
middle game . Very effective development.
The immediate 14 Nd6+ would allow the
7 ... eS
calm reply 14 . . . Ke7. After 14 b4! the
8 h3
threat is 15 b5 !
An important precaution which is also
14 . . . cxb4
seen in the Ruy Lopez ( 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3
15 cxb4 Be6
Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0..:... 0 Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3
d6 8 c3 0-0 9 h3) . The immediate 8 d4 would If 15 . . . Nxb4 then 16 N(c4)xe5 ! , threat­
allow 8 . . . cxd4 9 cxd4 Bg4 with counter­ ening both 17 Bf4 and 17 Qb3 , is terribly
play. strong. The variation 16 . . . Nc2 17 Bf4
Nxe1 18 Qxe1 would have seen White
8 ... h6? !
recovering the exchange with interest .
This , on the other hand , is merely a waste After 1 5 . . . 0-0 White would have won
of time. 8 . . . Be7 9 d4 Qc7 would have been material with 16 b5 followed by 17 Ba3 .
better, when Black has a solid position
16 Nd6 + Ke7
9 d4 Qc7 17 Ba3 Ne8
10 a4 g6?
The variation 17 . . . Qxd6 18 b5 Nb4 19
Instead of the normal 10 . . . Be7 , Portisch Qxd6+ is also hopeless for Black.
produces a move which not only wastes time
18 Nxb7! Qxb7
but also weakens the squares d6 and c5 . As
19 bS + Kf6
a result the black king gets caught in the
20 bxc6 Qc7
centre.
Or if 20 . . . Qxc6 21 Nxe5 ! Kxe5 22 f4+
11 Na3 Bg7
Kxf4 (22 . . . Kf6 23 Qd4 mate) 23 e5 (or
12 dxcS dxcS
23 Qf3 + etc . ) wins.
13 Nc4
21 NxeS! (1-0)
. . . and Black is in trouble .
Neither 21 . . . Qxe5 22 Qf3 + Bf5 23 exf5
Qxf5 24 Be7 mate nor 21 . . . Kxe5 22 f4+
8 6 Kxf4 23 e5 must have seemed attractive
7 possibilities.
6 LESSON 15. PLANNING
5
4 It often happens that a player develops
pieces quickly and plays for the centre, but
is suddenly at a complete loss as to what to
do. These developed , centralized forces
suddenly look quite ineffective and the
advent of the middlegame sees the position
a c d e f g' h drifting slowly but irrevocably downhill.
 Opening Principles and Ideas 77

The reason for eventual defeat is that the square by square. Further commentary
opening has been played superficially, with­ seems superfluous.
out bearing in mind the subsequent middle­
11 Rbl! f6 12 b4 Nf7 I3 a4 Bxf3 I4 Rxf3 b6
game. The lesson to be learned is that even
IS bS! (see diagram)
in the opening the strategic features of a
position must be recognized and the pieces
developed on appropriate squares. The
opening must be played according to a plan. 8 7
The contrast between the following two 7
games is very instructive.
6
Capablanca-Janowsky, St. Petersburg 1914 5
I e4 eS 4
2 Nf3 Nc6
3 BbS a6
4 Bxc6 dxc6
S Nc3 BcS
Janowsky puts the bishop on its "most a
aggressive" square. 6 Nxe5 would not be
answered by (i Bxf2+ 7 Kxf2 Qd4+ 8
. . .
IS cxbS I6 axbS aS I7 NdS! QcS IS c4
Kel Qxe5 9 d4 but instead by 6 . Qd4 7
. . .

NgS I9 Rf2 Ne6 20 Qc3 Rd7 2I Rdi Kb7 22

. .

Nd3 Ba7 when White is rather tied up.

d4 Qd6 23 Rc2 exd4 24 exd4 Nf4 2S cS! NxdS
6 d3 Bg4 26 exdS QxdS 27 c6+ Kb8 28 cxd7 Qxd7 29
dS ReS 30 d6 cxd6 3I Qc6 and White won.
And now the other bishop takes up an
aggressive position .
Romanovsky-Botvinnik, Moscow 1935
7 Be3 Bxe3
8 fxe3 Qe7 I e4 eS
9 0-0 0-0-0 2 Nf3 Nc6
IO Qei Nh6 3 BbS a6
4 Bxc6 dxc6
It seems that Black's moves have followed
S Nc3 f6!
all the rules. He has developed quickly,
6 d3
brought his king to safety and shown a
regard for the centre , yet from now on his At one time White played this variation with
position slowly but surely deteriorates. a view to obtaining a qualitatively superior
The truth of the matter is that Black has pawn majority on the king-side after 6 d4
played the opening planlessly. He has sur­ exd4 7 Qxd4 Qxd4 8 Nxd4. Practice has
rendered his major trump, the bishop pair since shown that Black's pair of bishops
(7 . . . Bxe3) and in doing so strengthened provide excellent compensation for his in­
White's grip on the centre (8 fxe3). Not only ferior pawns and White has virtually aban­
does Black no longer have access to d4 but doned this line of play.
he has also presented White with the half­ Romanovsky's idea is different. By keep­
open f-file. ing the position closed he seeks to restrict
From here Capablanca's play is an object the activity of Black's bishop pair. Even­
lesson in methodical , clear-headed strategy, tually, and according to circumstance, he
demolishing Janowsky's king-position plans a breakthrough with f4 or d4.
78 Master Chess

Botvinnik's play makes a fascinating con­ White is continually forced to pursue

trast with that of J anowsky in the previous waiting tactics.
example. First of all he sets up a central
Black has the initiative, but it is not
bastion (5 . . . f6 ! and 7 . . . c5 ! ) and then by
easy for him to find a sound plan . "
the harmonious placement of his pieces
prevents White from realizing either of his
strategic objectives ( d4 or f4) . He then goes 8
on to prepare and play . . . f5 , the first stage
in the liberation of his bishop pair.
6 ... Bd6
7 Be3 c5!
8 Ne2 Ne7
9 Ng3

The advance f4 turns out to be difficult to

organize . A game Tartakover-Aiekhine ,
Semmering 1926, continued: 9 Nd2 Ng6 10
0-0 0-0 11 Nb3 b6 12 Kh1 Qe7 13 f4 when
13 . . . f5 ! 14 fxe5 Nxe5 15 exf5 Ng4 would
have given Black the better game. "Black's move 19 looks rather risky, as
Be6
the e-pawn is weakened and White gets
9 ...
e4. But in reality Black can avoid the
10 c3 Qd7
0-0
weakness at e5 (by transferring the
11 0-0
knight to f4, where White will have to
12 Qc2
exchange it) while the e4 square is far
After 12 d4 Black could play 12 . . . cxd4 13 from Black's camp, and its occupation
cxd4 exd4 14 Nxd4 Bc4 with good play. by White is more than offset by the
Nc6
opening of the f-file and Black's freer
12 ...
Rad8
position" (Botvinnik) .
13 Nd2
14 Radl b6 There now followed a complicated
15 f3 struggle in which Botvinnik finally managed
to direct his pair of bishops at the enemy
Pushing this pawn one square further would
have been disastrous after 15 . . . exf4 16 king. Strictly speaking the rest of the game
Bxf4 Bxf4 17 Rxf4 Ne5 ! falls outside my province , though I include it
to show the eventual triumph of Botvinnik's
15 ... Be7 masterful strategy:
16 Nb3 a5
20 exf5 Nxf5 21 Ne4 h6 22 Qel Be7 23 Bf2
17 Ncl Bd6
Bd5 24 Qe2 Rfe8 25 Rddl Qe6 26 Rfel Bf8
18 Qf2 Ne7
27 Qc2 Qf7 28 Rd2 Re6 29 Rde2 Rde8 30
19 Rd2 f5!
Qa4 Ne7 31 Bg3 Bc6 32 Qc2 Nd5 33 Nb3 g5
34 Nbd2 Bg7 35 Nfi R6e7 36 Rd2 Rd7 37 Ne3
In his excellent book One Hundred Selected
Nxe3 38 Rxe3 Qxa2 39 h4 gxh4 40 Bxh4 Qf7
Games Botvinnik states:
41 Rde2 Rf8 42 Bg3 Qg6 43 Kf2 h5 44 Nd2
"It is useful now to make certain Bh6 45 Rxe5 Rg7 46 Nfi h4 47 Bxh4 Bxf3! 48
deductions with regard to the opening Kgl Bxe2 49 Rxe2 Qh5 50 Re4 Rf4 51 Rxf4
system White has chosen . White's basic Bxf4 52 Qb3+ Kh7 53 Bf2 Qf3 54 g3 Qxd3 55
idea (the break-through at d4 and f4) Qe6 Bh6 56 Qh3 Rf7 57 Ne3 Qbl + 58 Nfl
has not been realized. In the future also Qf5 59 Qh2 a4 White resigned.
 Opening Principles and Ideas 79

LESSON 16. IDEAS FOR

AN OPENING REPERTOIRE 9

With the completion of Lesson 15 my

iiscussion of principles has come to an end.
With the correct application of these prin­
:iples , excellent opening play will result,
:� ! though rather than always working from
fi1 st principles a formula can be applied and
;�sed as a short cut. This magic formula is
.:alled on opening repertoire .
Developing an opening repertoire can be
likened to the purchase of a new suit.
Ideally it should be tailor-made for you and
fit your style of play perfectly. Unfortunate­
Chigorin Defence (1 d4 dS 2 c4 Nc6)
ly chess tailors are a rare commodity outside
the Soviet Union , so you must do your own Invented last century by the great Russian
work. master Mikhail Ivanovich Chigorin, this
The first, and perhaps most difficult, defence is the spiritual ancestor of the
stage in the process is to choose your Nimzo-Indian and Griinfeld Defences.
openings . A player with flair for attack Both Smyslov and Bronstein have been
should play openings which seize the initiat­ attracted by the chances it offers for lively
ive even at the cost of positional or material piece play .
concessions, whilst those with a penchant Some of Black's chances are illustrated by
for long-term strategy should adopt a more the variation 1 d4 d5 2 c4 Nc6 3 Nf3 Bg4 4
solid approach . cxd5 Bxf3 5 gxf3 Qxd5 6 e3 e5 7 Nc3 Bb4 8
In your choice you should bear in mind Bd2 Bxc3 9 bxc3 Qd6. White has a strong
the practical consideration of time. Most centre and pair of bishops , but his king will
amateurs have little time available for chess have trouble finding safety from the active
and should therefore think twice before black pieces.
adopting sharp , highly analysed variations
which require months of detailed work.
Instead I recommend the adoption of less 8 10
fashionable openings which , not being
under constant theoretical review, have
fewer variations and so need less study. The
following openings are all interesting
possibilities .
Veresov Opening (1 d4 Nf6 2 Nc3 dS 3 BgS)

A good method of opening a chess game ,

the Veresov can be interpreted in either a
solid or a sharp manner. Its recent and
successful adoption by Britain's Tony Miles a b c d e g
is just one testimony to its value .
Typical play occurs in the variation 1 d4 Centre Counter Defence (1 e4 dS)
Nf6 2 Nc3 d5 3 Bg5 Nbd7 4 Nf3 g6 5 e3 Bg7
6 Bd3 0-0 7 0-0 c5 8 Re1 b6 9 e4 when Despite the loss of time involved after 2
White has pressure . exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 , Black can achieve a
80 Master Chess

solid set-up. Having been adopted by grand­ Sicilian Defence, Rossolimo Variation (1 e4
masters such as Bronstein and Lein, it c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5)
certainly deserves to be taken seriously .
Black's position develops harmoniously in
the variation 1 e4 d5 2 exd5 Qxd5 3 Nc3 Qa5 13
4 d4 c6 5 Nf3 Bg4 6 Bc4 Nf6 7 h3 (7 Bxf7 + ?
Kxf7 8 Ne5 + Qxe5 + ) 7 . . . Bxf3 8 Qxf3 e6.

8 11
7
6
5
4
a c d e g h

2 Along with its sister variation ( 1 e4 c5 2

Nf3 d6 3 Bb5 + ) I can warmly recommend
this method of fighting the Sicilian . It can be
a c e g interpreted in either positional or gambit
style, the games in Lesson 14 illustrating
both these facets.
Albin Counter Gambit (1 d4 d5 2 c4 e5 3
dxe5 d4)
Ruy Lopez, Delayed Exchange Variation
This opening will certainly appeal to chess (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6
d'Artagnans. Black gains space in the 5 Bxc6 dxc6)
. centre, castles long and launches a direct
attack on the unsuspecting white monarch.
An example of play is the game Levitt­ 8 14
Speelman , Torquay 1982 , which went 1 d4
d5 2 c4 e5 3 dxe5 d4 4 Nf3 Nc6 5 g3 Be6 6
Nbd2 Qd7 7 a3 Nge7 8 Nb3 Ng6 9 Nbxd4
0-0-0 with a sharp and unclear position. 5
4
12

a b c d e g h

The Delayed Exchange Variation is an

excellent choice for solid strategists. A more
refined version occurs after 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3
Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0 Be7 6 Bxc6
when Black's bishop has been prematurely
committed to e7 .
 Opening Principles and Ideas 81
Having decided upon a repertoire, the ing just one variation are a different kettle
next stage is to acquire an extensive knowl­ of fish entirely .
edge and understanding of your chosen The authors of such books may or may
systems. Repeating them in both serious not be experts in the variation they have
and "friendly" games will contribute to­ written about. If they aren't then they will
wards this though I would like to recom­ have little of interest to say whilst if they
mend a more serious approach . My own are , they probably won't want to say it.
method is to annotate and file both my own My advice is to follow the example of
games and any master games that occur masters and grandmasters who generally
within my repertoire. Once this becomes a limit their acquisitions to a selection of
routine it takes up surprisingly little time Chess Informants (particularly important ) ,
and can pay rich dividends. magazines, and tournament bulletins. By
Finally I should like to say a few words filing the appropriate games from such
about the purchase of books on openings. sources you will have access to a more
Volumes such as Modern Chess Openings personal, comprehensive and up-to-date
and Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings can source of reference than any chess book
give a useful overview though books cover- could offer.
 Lessons 17-20

ENDINGS
IAN D . MULLEN

The four lessons which follow give a gentle thorough study of the following pages
introduction to the ending. This is tradition­ should equip the student with knowledge
ally the part of the game that club players enough to master most of the positions
are loath to reach and loathe even more to likely to arise in over-the-board play. Also,
study. It follows that this is the part of the and perhaps more important, the student
game where they are often at their weakest. might then be able to assess the pawn
The lessons have been arranged under the situation in any position more clearly and
headings of king and pawn ; minor piece ; have a greater understanding of the pos­
rook and pawn ; and queen and pawn end­ itional and tactical themes related to pawn
ings. The section on rook and pawn spills play in general .
over two lessons in order to keep an even "Pawns are the soul of chess" , but we will
balance in length. start with the bare bones:
The endings are to chess as putting is to
golf. Love them or loathe them , if your aim
King vs. King, the Opposition
is to be a strong player you must learn them !

8 1

LESSON 17. KING AND PAWN ENDINGS 7

6
King and pawn endings occur only rarely 5
in practical play, but are fundamental to the
game in every sense. One good reason for 4
their relative non-appearance is the fact that 3
all but the more complex positions will be
2
evaluated easily by the technically well­
equipped player; and mutual respect will la
preclude playing on in a clearly won, drawn , 0 g
or lost position . One pawn down in an
otherwise equal king and pawn ending will
generally soon crystallize into a queen down ! The kings are said to be in opposition when
- a point which is not appreciated fully by they are separated by only one square either
many amateurs, who may feel that they are vertically, horizont ally, or diagonally. In
doing well to reach such a situation. such a situation the side whose turn it is to
It would seem obvious that these endings, move is generally at a disadvantage as
being the most simplified, would also be the ground must be conceded. The other side is
easiest to play. To a certain extent this is then said to hold the OPPOSITION . In Dia­
true; but behind the scenes are a whole gram la the outcome depends on the move.
wealth of subtle ideas and techniques. A White to play cannot progress past the first
83
84 Master Chess

rank as long as Black maintains the op­

8 3
position, e.g. 1 Kd l Kd3 2 Kcl Kc3 , etc.
Black to move must relinquish the op­
position and is powerless to prevent White's
6
king from reaching the eighth rank (e.g.
1 . . . Kd3 2 Kf2 Ke4 3 Kg3 - or Ke2 5
regaining the opposition - Kf5 4 Kh4 Kg6 5 4
Kg4 etc . ) . This compulsion to concede
ground by being forced to move (zugzwang)
is often a decisive factor in very simplified
positions.

a c d e g
8 2

7 Win
6
In Diagram 3 White wins whoever m o v es .
5 (a) 1 . . . Kf8 2 Kd7, then 3 e6, 4 e7, 5 e8
4 (Q) . . .
(b) 1 Kf6 Kf8 2 e6 Ke8 3 e7 Kd7 4 Kf7
+ - . Similarly with 1 Kd6. This holds good
also for king plus queen pawn , bishop pawn
or knight pawn. The only exception to
Diagrams 2 and 3 occurs in the well-known
a c g king plus rook pawn vs . king ending, which
is drawn if the defending side can blockade
Win or Draw the pawn (Diagram 4a) , or confine the white
king in front of the pawn (Diagram 4b) .
Viz. , in this important position White to
move draws , Black to move loses. With
White to play, Black simply maintains the 4a 8 4b
opposition . To make progress White then 7
has to advance the pawn ahead of the king
6
and can only achieve stalemate, e.g. 1 Kf3
Kf5 ! 2 e4+ Ke5 3 Ke3 Ke6 ! 4 Kd4 Kd6! 5 5
e5 + Ke6 6 Ke4 Ke7 ! 7 Kf5 Kf7 ! 8 e6+ Ke7 9 4
Ke5 Ke8 ! 10 Kf6 Kf8 1 1 e7 + Ke8 12 Ke6
Stalemate . Black to move must concede 3
ground and White advances the king to clear 2
a path for the pawn to queen , e.g. 1 . . . Kf5
2 Kd4 ! Ke6 3 Ke4! ! (White's king must stay
ahead of the pawn- e3? , e4? ) Kf6 4 Kd5 !
=
a c d e g
Kf5 5 e4+ Kf6 6 Kd6 (building a bridge) Kf7
7 e5 Ke8 8 Ke6! + - (see Diagram 3 , White Draw
now wins whoever moves) . Diagram 2 is one
position which should be fully mastered Diagram 4a leads to stalemate ( 1 Kb6 Kb8 2
[N. B. White aims to keep the king ahead on a6 Ka8 3 a7 ) In Diagram 4b White has the
= .

the sixth rank.] choice of stalemating Black (1 h6 Kf8 2 Kg6

 Endings 85
as before) or inflicting a self-stalemate! (1 In example Sb White has only to be wary
Kh8 Kf8 2 h6 Kt7 3 h7 Kf8 = ) . The point to of stalemate in order to win easily: 1 g7 Kh7
notice is that if the defending side can reach 2 g8(0) + ! Kxg8 3 Kg6! + - .
a corner square or else f7, f8 (in Diagram The distant opposition occurs when the
4b ; c7 , c8 in Diagram 4a etc.), it is a DRAW. kings are opposing with three or sometimes
A full understanding of these "simple" king five squares between them .
plus pawn endings is really the key to all that Often what looks like witchcraft here is
follows in this section . solely a matter of technique. In Diagram 6a
Black has a choice of no less than seven
losing moves and only one which draws.
Examples of Opposition
Black must seize the distant opposition ,
thus: 1 . . . Kb6! ! ( = ) . On 2 Kb3 Kb5 or 2
Kc3 Kc5 .
Sa 8 Sb Note that on 1 . KbS? 2 Kb3 + - ,
. .

1 . . . Kc5? 2 Kc3 + - , or 1 . . .Kd5? 2 Kb3

+ - (diagonal opposition) .
6 Position 6b looks hopeless for White , but
5 there is a superb defence available . 1 e5 ! !
fxe5 2 Kg1 ! ! ( = ) - the point i s that White is
4
now ready to seize the direct opposition and
3 thus draw.
2

0 7b

6a 8 6b
7
6
5
4 7a
3
2

Pawn on 5th vs. pawn on 6th

0 e f g
In position 7a whoever moves loses! Bear
this in mind for Diagram 7b where White
Diagram Sa is drawn . White to play can win can win by 1 e5 ! Kg6 2 Kc6 Kg5 3 Kd7 ! (3
the pawn , but Black gains the opposition Kd6?? loses!) Kf5 4 Kd6 + - . A delicate
through a clever tactic. 1 Kc7 Ka8 2 Kb6 a5 ! dance .
3 Kxa5 (3 bxa5 leaves king plus rook pawn If White allows the defence 1 . . . e5 ! then
vs. king =) 3 . . . Ka7 = as Black holds the Black will draw by answering Kxe5 with
opposition . . . . Ke7 , taking the opposition.
86 Master Chess

Tempo moves (Spare pawn moves) Einstein's King

8 10

5
4

a b c d e g h a b c d e
Idea. The task is to move White's king
This position would be drawn were it not for from a4 to g4. Geometrical principles do not
the fact that White has more spare pawn hold! The king is as quick going via d7 as in
moves available and can thus take the a straight line. This gives rise to some
opposition : 1 Ke4 Ke6 2 a3 a6 3 h3 ! + - . brilliant ideas involving the king's capacity
Notice that it would be drawn if Black's h­ to operate in two directions simultaneously,
pawn were unmoved ! e.g. :

11
The "Square"

Sch/age-Ahues, Berlin, 1 921

12

The heavy line shows the imaginary "square

of the pawn". The horizontal length is the
same as the distance between the pawn and
its queening square . White to move plays 1
a4 and promotes unhindered as Black is
outside the square. Black to play enters the
square with 1 . . . Kf5 2 Kc4 Ke6 3 Kc5 Kd7 4
Kb6 Kc8 ( the vital square , compare Dia­
gram 4b ) and draws.
 Endings 87

8 13 15

0 e g h

16
1 1 . Technique. White can win by simul­
taneously approaching the pawn and head­
ing off the black king, i . e . 1 Ke6! Kc3 ! 2
Kd5 ! ! + - (in the game White actually
played 2 Kd6? and Black drew as his king
reaches c7 via 2 . Kd4 ! ! ) .
. .

1 2 . Optical illusion . Black t o move.

Which king is nearer the black pawn . . . ?
. . . Obviously the one on c6, as it is
within the square of the pawn .
13. E=MC2 . Based on a famous idea by
Reti . White seems hopelessly placed but
manages to draw by threatening to queen . 1
Kc8 Kc6 2 Kb8 ! Kb5 3 Kb7 ! Kxa5 4 Kc6 ! ( = )
as White has miraculously entered the 14. The Distant Passed Pawn ( D .P.P. )
square of the pawn . wins. Other things being equal , this is a big
positional advantage in a pawn ending. 1 a4 ,
and it can be seen that Black's king must
Positional Themes leave the centre to stop the D . P . P . White
then exchanges the a-pawn for Black's c­
pawn and mops up the king-side pawns with
a better-placed king. Try it out and see ! This
8 14
is one idea which is of immense use in
7 practical play and helps to demonstrate the
value of the oft-quoted "queen-side (dis­
6
tant) pawn-majority" .
5 15 . The Protected Passed Pawn ( P.P.P. )
4 wins. This is stronger even than the D. P. P.
White wins very easily in the diagrammed
3 position . The black king is tied to the square
2 of the P . P . P . and can never capture the
defending pawn. White's king is free to
roam the board and can capture the h-pawn
0 b c d e g h to win without difficulty.
88 Master Chess

16. Draw. The White pawns are mutually Here is one of the most spectacular break­
defended and Black has a P.P.P. Both kings throughs to have occurred in over-the-board
are tied to the opposing pawns (1 . . . Kc5 2 play . White can draw by simple king moves,
a5 ! ) . but is lured over a cliff by the scent of
victory. 1 . . . Kc4! (unashamedly playing for
a trap) 2 Kc2 Kb5 3 Kb3 Kc6 4 Kb4 Kd6 5
17a 8 17b Kb5 Kd7 6 Kc5 Ke6 7 Kc6? (7 Kb4 draws)
7 . . . g4 8 Kc5 f4! ! (the surprise) 9 exf4 (gxf4
h4) 9 . . . h4 ! 10 gxh4 g3 ! 1 1 fxg3 e3 - + .
6
5
19
4

o b c d e f g h

17(a). Pawn breakthrough. White can

make a sacrificial breakthrough and queen
before the black pawns get anywhere. 1 b6! !
0 c d e g h
axb6 ( 1 . . . cxb6 2 a6! ) 2 c6! bxc6 3 a6 + - .
How does White create a passed pawn in
Diagram 17(b) . . . ? The positionally cor­ Triangulation. White must manoeuvre to
rect move is 1 f4! , pushing the candidate (the gain the opposition and be wary of stale­
one that will eventually be passed) . 1 g4? mate. This can be done by making use of the
would normally be a positional disaster. magic triangle in order to lose a move. The
1 . . . g5 ! , and White's majority is tempor­ obvious does not work:
arily crippled. The idea of one pawn holding 1 c6+ ? bxc6+ ? 2 Kc5 + - . (2 . . . Kd8 3
·
two (or three) is both common and im­ Kd6 ! )
portant. 1 c6+ ? Kc8 ! ( ) and o n 2 c7 White has no
=

more than stalemate. However, White

moves in a triangular fashion and loses a
8 18
move with 1 Ke5 ! Kc6 (1 . . . Ke7 2 c6! ) 2
Kd4 Kd7 3 Kd5 ! . Now we have the dia­
7 grammed position with Black to move.
6 White holds the opposition and now wins
easily (1 . . . Kd8 2 Kd6 Kc8 3 Ke7 Kb8 4
5 Kd7 Ka8 5 c6 + - ) .
4
Problematic Positions
2
20. King plus queen vs. king plus queen
occasionally wins ; the proximity of the white
0 c g king spells danger here. 1 f7 h2 2 f8(Q)
h 1(Q) 3 Qf3+ Kg1 4 Qe3 + Kfl 5 Qcl + Kg2
Muller-Svacina, Vienna 1 941 6 Qd2+ Kfl 7 Qd1 + Kg2 8 Qe2+ Kg1 9
 Endings 89
Kg3 ! + - . Black must surrender the queen
8 20 to temporarily stave off mate.
7 21 . Reculer pour mieux sauter. This is a
position which would be fiendishly difficult
6
to solve without an understanding of basic
5 ideas . White must anticipate Black's threat
4 of 1 . . . a3 ! , which draws against all but 1
Kb1 ! ! a3 ! 2 b3 ! (b4? =) 2 . . . Ke5 3 Ka2 Kd5
3 4 Kxa3 Kc5 5 Ka4! + - . The point. White
2 keeps the king ahead of the pawn and wins.
22. Botvinnik's study . The possibility of
creating a D . P . P . wins for White even
0 b c d e f g h though the black king is well placed. 1 Kf2
Kf5 2 Kf3 Ke5 3 g4 hxg4+ 4 Kxg4 Ke4 5 h5
f5 + 6 Kh3 ! (the finesse, 6 Kg3 allows Black
to advance with check. ) 6 . . . f4 7 h6 f3 8 h7
f2 9 Kg2! + - .
8 21

23

0 b c d e g h

Dedrle 1921 0 b c d e g h

Schuster 1 975

8 22 23 . The king is a powerful piece. An

instructive position. White wins because of a
7 better-placed king and the weakness of
6 Black's king-side pawns by making a beeline
for h6; 1 Ke2 Kc8 2 Ke3 Kd7 3 Kf4 Ke6
5 (3 . . . h6 4 Ke5 ! and eventually penetrates) 4
4 Kg5 Kf7 5 Kh6 Kg8 6 h4! followed by h5 ,
breaking up the pawns. Black is forced to
capture and then the f-pawn is up for grabs.
2 One tempo makes all the difference here. If
Black could answer Kf4 with Kf6 then it
would be drawn .
0 b c d e f g h

Botvinnik 1 945
90 Master Chess

24 LESSON 18. MINOR PIECE ENDINGS

8

The Case of the Bishop versus the Knight

6

4 8 26
3

a e g
Bouaziz-Pomar, Siegen 1 970
24. Pawn power. The well-advanced con­
nected passed pawns give White tactical
opportunities, but Bouaziz played 1 g7?( ) . =

White can win with 1 h6! Kf6 2 h7 Kg7 3 o b c d e g h

Kg4! Kh8 4 Kf5 Kg7 (4 . . . e3 5 Kf6 e2 6 Kf7
+ -) 5 Ke6! e3 6 h8(Q ) + Kxh8 7 Kf7 and The Eternal Struggle
mates in three. An idea which has been seen
more than once.
Nowadays it is generally agreed that the
25 bishop is the stronger piece. However,
Chigorin once asserted that the knight was
the more valuable and even today this
opinion gains some support. The bishop is a
mobile piece , capable of covering the board
in one move and simultaneously operating
on both wings. It is able to lose a move,
which the knight cannot (i . e . what the
knight does in an even number of moves it
cannot do in an odd number) . The knight is
the drunken man of the chessboard, chang­
ing its focus and colour emphasis with each
o b c d e f g h leap. It rejoices in the firm foothold of an
Omholt-Jensen - Smith, Oslo 1 980 outpost or blockading station. The bishop's
inherent disadvantage is that it controls
25 . Both sides now. Black offered a draw squares of only one colour and thus has no
here , which was a little optimistic and a little effective power over half the board. The
too late. White holds all the trumps in this knight may be its master in blocked pawn
position and there are two winning plans at situations or where the pawns are all on one
her disposal . Creation of a D . P . P . with 1 b4 wing (i. e . where mobility is of less import­
and sooner or later Black has to capture . ance than manoeuvrability) .
The alternative is a king-side breakthrough In balanced situations, bishop vs. knight is
with 1 g4 followed by an eventual f5 , f6 , usually drawn and they are equally effective
exf6, g5 ! . at exploiting the advantage of a pawn plus.
 Endings 91
However, where there is a positional advan­ The bishop is the only piece which is
tage or passed pawns on both sides, the limited to squares of one colour, which
bishop is usuA L L Y better able to exploit this. explains why its strength is so delicate­
ly related to the pawn-structure. A "bad"
bishop, which is hemmed in by its own
In Practice
pawns, can be a poor piece indeed . In the
next diagram we see the knight as a hero ,
8 27 acting in its natural role as a blockader and
dominating a "bad" bishop . Black has a
P . P . P . which was of less than no use to him
6 in the continuation:
5

4 28

a e g h

Black wins . . .
Stoltz-Kashdan, The Hague, 1 921

This is a very beautiful and instructive

ending which gives an elegant demonstra­
tion of the bishop's potential mastery in an White wins . . .
open position with pawns on both wings.
The first step is to centralize the kings. A verbakh-Lilienthal, Moscow, 1949
1 . . . Kf8 2 Kfl Ke7 3 Ke2 Kd6 4 Kd3 Kd5
(Black scores the first point; his king is
better placed. Now he intends to drive the 1 g5 ! (to fix the black pawns on white
king from d3 and penetrate) 5 h4 Bc8! 6 Nf3 squares) 1 . . fxg5 (1 . . . f5 prevents the
.

Ba6+ 7 Kc3 (or 7 Ke3 Kc5 8 Ng5 Kb4 9 king's entry but leaves the bishop hopelessly
Nxf7 Kxb3 and the distant a-pawn will bad and hands White a j uicy outpost on e5 ,
decide) 7 . . . h6 8 Nd4 g6 9 Nc2 Ke4 10 Ne3 e.g. 2 Nf3 Be8 3 Ne5 Kd8 4 Kf3 Ke7 5 Ke3
f5 11 Kd2 f4 12 Ng4 h5 13 Nf6+ Kf5 14 Nd7 Ke6 6 Kd4 Ke7 7 Nd3 Ke6 8 Nb4 a5 9 Nd3
(14 Nd5 Bb7 15 Ne7 + Kf6 16 Ng8+ Kf7 17 Bd7 10 a4 Be8 1 1 b4 and the distant passed
Nh6+ Kg7 - + ) 14 . . . Bc8 ! 15 Nf8 g5 16 g3 a-pawn will win) . 2 fxg5 Bc8 3 Kf4 a5 4 Ke5
gxh4 17 gxh4 Kg4 18 Ng6 Bf5 19 Ne7 Be6 20 Ba6 5 Kf6 Bd3 6 Ke7 ! (6 Ne6+ and 7 Nf8
b4 Kxh4 21 Kd3 Kg4 22 Ke4 h4 23 Nc6 Bf5 + does not work as the Black d-pawn is then
24 Kd5 f3 ! (Now the h-pawn is unstoppable) set free) 6 . . Bb1 7 a3 Be4 8 Ne6+ Kb7 9
.

25 b5 h3 26 Nxa7 h2 27 b6 h 1 (Q) 28 Nc6 Kd6 Bc2 10 Nd4 Bbl 1 1 Nxc6 + - .

Qb1 29 Kc5 Be4 and White resigns. Notice how White claimed total control
Notice that after 6 . . . Ba6+ , White could over the black squares in the position . Also,
not prevent Black's king from entering on the overall harmony between king, knight
either side . and pawns .
92 Master Chess

Despite all the theoretical talk of the 12 Bc5 Kd7 13 Kd5 e4 14 Be3 ! with an
respective qualities of bishops and knights , imminent exchange of bishops) 10 Ba3 Kd7
it is obvious that the decisive factor in both 1 1 Bf8 ! Ke6 12 Bg7 Bd6 13 Bf6 ! Bb8 14 Bd8
these positions was the winning side forcing and White forces the exchange of bishops.
a decisive infiltration of the king. THE KING is White has the D .P.P. and weak point (e5)
by far the strongest piece in minor-piece to attack; it is amazing that this is enough to
endings ! The winning method is usually to win. The pawn ending is won and because of
create a passed-pawn - normally achieved this so is the game .
by capturing one or two of the opponent's
pawns !
30

Bishop vs. Bishop of Same Colour

Other things being equal , a material

advantage will often suffice here. One pawn
up will generally win (assuming enough
pawns remain on the board) and even a
positional edge may give strong possibilities.
Because of the threat of exchanging, the
weaker side is often faced with a gradual
and painful retreat.
a b c d e f g h
"That player has the advantage who
can assail important points without his Fine 1 941
opponent daring to offer an exchange. "
- Lasker.
Notice how easily White wins here . The
play follows three logical stages ; (1) central­
29
ization, (2) creation of passed pawn, (3)
sacrifice of pawn as decoy to win on king­
side - exactly the same strategy as would
apply in the corresponding pawn ending.
1 . . . g6 2 Kfl Kf8 3 Ke2 Ke7 4 Kp3 Kd6 5
Kc4 Kc6 6 b4 Bb6 7 f3 Bc7 8 a4 Bb6 9 Bd4!
Bc7 10 b5 + axb5 + 11 axb5 + Kb7 12 Kd5
Bb8 13 Bf2 ! Bc7 14 g3 h5 15 h4 Bb8 16 b6
and Black has run out of moves (1-0) .
Minor piece endings occur very regularly
in practice and bishop vs. bishop of same
colour is one of the easiest to handle. One
should be wary of entering such situations
Lasker 1 932 with a definite positional or material dis­
advantage as the counter-chances are slight.
White plays and wins with the most The basic ingredients are the same as with
minimal of means . 1 Bc3 Bd6 2 Ke3 Kf7 3 pawn-endings ; P . P . P . , D . P . P . , king position
Ke4 Ke6 4 b4 Bc7 5 b5 and Black runs out of and pawn weaknesses are ot great sigmti­
moves: 5 . . . Kf6 6 g4 Ke6 7 g5 g6 8 Bb2 Bd6 cance with the added theme of "good" vs.
9 b6 Bb8 (or 9 . . Bc5 10 b7 Bd6 1 1 Ba3 Bb8
. "bad" bishop .
 Endings 93

Bishop vs. Bishop of Opposite Colour

32
This is a notoriously drawish ending, even
when one side has a material plus. The fact
that the bishops can never be opposed
means that the possibility of exchanging
down to a clearer pawn ending is slight and
the defending side can often set up an
unbreachable blockade. In an otherwise
normal situation , one pawn up will generally
not win unless it is accompanied by a
positional advantage . In odd cases some­
times two or even three pawns will not do o c d e f g h
the trick. The most important factors here
are passed pawns and the possibility of Calder-Smith - Katz, London, 1949
creating them. The two most common win­
ning methods are creating a pair of mobile
connected passed pawns, or two widely
separated passed pawns which will force the
defender to sacrifice the bishop. Knight vs. Knight Endings

Here again, one pawn extra will normally

suffice to win. The knight, however, is a
31 crazy beast and its penchant for unpredict­
able tactics means that this is often a
difficult ending to conduct .

8 33

0 e f g

Drawn . The black bishop has no power

over the vital squares c3 and d2. [N. B. If
Black's king were on d4 and the pawn
advanced to c3 then it is easily won as long o c d e f g h
as . . . c2?? , allowing another blockade, is
avoided! ] . Helpless
I n the next diagram Black t o play wins
outright by threatening to create another
passed pawn with 1 . . . aS ! ! 0-1 . The diagram demonstrates a peculiar diffi­
If 2 Kxe4 a4 3 Be3 a3 4 Bel f2 . O r 2 bxaS culty in stopping a passed pawn , especially
b4 3 Kxe4 b3 4 a6 b2 , queening with check. the rook pawn. 1 h6 Kf7 2 h7 ! + - .
94 Master Chess

34a 8 34b 8 36

7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2

0 c d e f g

Bonner-Medina, Haifa, 1 980

The forker. Here the knight impresses Tactics come to the fore. Black to play
by single-handedly stopping a passed pawn. made a sealed move , choosing the brilliant
Its ability to fork saves the situation in and decisive 1 . . . Nc3 ! ! , when the a-pawn
Diagram 34a. 1 Kc7 Na7 2 Kb7 Nb5 3 Kb6 romps home .
Nd6! 4 a7 Nc8+ ( ) = .
(2 bxc3 a4 3 cxd4 cxd4! 4 Nb2 a3 - + ) .
Similarly Black is safe in Diagram 34b, as Knight endings are often likened t o pawn
the knight holds the queening square . endings and can be very similar in the sense
that the positional weapons of the P. P. P.
and especially the D. P. P. are very potent
35
here. The knight may act effectively enough
8
in the role of blockader against the former,
but such a short-stepping beast has great
problems keeping an eye on a wing-pawn.
Here is a classical example of this theme.
37

0 c d e g

Stein-Dorfmann, USSR, 1 973

Here the knight depresses by its o b c d e g h

inability to lose a move. 1 Bf6 Nd3 2 Ba1 A lekhine-Andersen, Folkestone, 1 933
Nb2 3 Kel Kbl 4 Kd2 Kxal 5 Kcl Nc4 6 Kc2
and the knight is powerless to help extricate Alekhine's winning plan is to convert his
the king ( = ) (White must only remember
. spatial advantage and better knight into the
to go to a square of the same colour as the advantage of a D . P.P. by swapping his d­
knight. 5 Kc2? loses) . pawn for one of Black's queen-side pawns.
 Endings 95
1 Nb3 ! Kf8 ( 1 . . . Ne7 2 Na5 Nxd5 3 Nxb7 favourite piece - an interesting choice . The
Nb4 4 Nxd6 Nd3+ (4 . . . Nxa2+ 5 Kc2 Nb4+ distinguishing mark of being able to control
6 Kc3 and the white king enters quickly) S a whole rank or file puts it on a level far
Kc2 Nxf2 6 b4! Kf8 7 bS + - ) 2 Na5 b6 3 Nc6 above the minor pieces in both power of
Ke8 4 Kd2 Ne7 S �xa7 NxdS 6 NbS Kd7 7 action and confusion of effect. It is said that
Nd4 g6 8 a4 Nc7 9 Kc3 g5 10 Kb4 d5 1 1 Nf3 Capablanca (renowned for his precise end­
f6 12 Nd4 Kd6? (Loses quickly , but on game technique) examined over 1000 rook
12 . . . Ke7 1 3 a5 bxaS + 14 Kxa5 Kd7 15 b4 and pawn endings before developing his
Kc8 16 Kb6 + - ) 13 NbS + Nxb5 14 KxbS great flair for them . All this may sound a
KeS 1S b4 d4 16 Kc4 ( 1-0) . little daunting, but here we shall limit
ourselves to only 18 positions which should
amply repay a little time and patience.
38

Basic Situations

One fundamental point is that king plus

rook is a sufficient mating force. This gives
importance to the struggle of rook vs.
pawns. King plus rook vs . king plus pawn
will win easily unless the pawn is far
advanced. King plus rook vs. king plus two
pawns generally wins - though it is worth
remembering that two connected passed
a b c d e g h
pawns on the sixth rank are normally worth
at least a rook.
Rellstab-Machate, Essen, 1 948

The "wrong" bishop . 1 Kgl ! Bxe3 + 2 8 39

Kh 1 ( = ) . To win with bishop plus rook pawn
vs. king the bishop must be of the same
colour as the pawn's queening square (with 6
odd exceptions) . This explains the combi­ 5
nation. White can now happily sit tight in
4
the corner, sure in the knowledge that Black
has no more than stalemate .

LESSON 19. ROOK AND

PAWN ENDINGS 0 e g

Fine 1 941
These are by far the most common end­
ings to occur in practical play, and any
serious student could reap benefit from a White's king is very badly placed, but
study of some of the difficulties involved. there is still a win with 1 Rg1 + ! (gaining a
The rook becomes a mighty force in the tempo) 1 . . . Kf5 (the only square , note
ending, capable of producing tactical and 1 . . . Kh5? 2 Kb2 is easy) 2 Rh 1 Kg6 3 Kb2
positional ideas of great richness . Perhaps hS 4 Kc3 Kg5 S Kd2 Kg4 6 Ke2 h4 7 Kf2 h3 8
this is why it was Bobby Fischer's declared Rh2 Kh4 9 Kf3 + - . Black to move draws
96 Master Chess

with 1 . . . h5 . A classic maxim is that rooks An example of how these positions may
belong behind passed pawns, whether your arise. Bogolyubov failed to find the saving
own or your opponent's ! If White could play clause:
1 Rh8 in the diagram then he would win 1 . . . Kg4? 2 b7 f5 3 b8(Q) Rxb8 4 Rxb8 f4
easily enough. 5 Kd5 f3 6 Ke4 f2 7 Rf8 + - .
Black, however, could have drawn by
using the king to push the pawn and also
40
prevent the approach of Wh i te's king, i . e .
1 . . . Ke4! 2 b 7 f5 3 b8(Q) Rxb8 4 Rxb8 f4 5
Re8+ Kd4! 6 Rf8 Ke3 7 Kd5 f3 ( ) = .

It is because of the relative difficulty of

converting a small advantage that we hear
the cry that "All rook and pawn endings are
drawn!" . This is not true, but is worth
bearing in mind in difficult situations. Cer­
tainly the drawing resources are great in:

a b c d e f g h

Sozin 1 935 King, Rook and Pawn vs. King plus Rook

Black's king is cut off from the dangerous We shall look at this in reasonable detail
passed pawns and with accurate play White as it is of great practical importance and can
wins. 1 Rg6! (holding both pawns) 1 . . . Kd7 also be a big help in understanding more
2 Rg4! g2 3 Rxg2 Ke6 4 Rg5 ! cuts off the complicated positions. The basic ending is
king again and wins clearly . (4 . . . f3 5 Rg3 normally drawn if the defending king can
f2 6 Rf3 + - ) . block the pawn or occupy its queening
However, place Black's f-pawn on f3 and square. In all cases, White (the attac ki ng
then Black wins as the pawns are unstop­ side) tries to cut off the opposing king. A
pable. Also if White's rook were on , say, a1 helpful formula discovered by Philidor is
(in front of the pawns) then White is lost. that the defending side should place the
rook on the third rank to prevent the
advance of White's king . When the pawn
41 goes to the sixth , Black's rook goes to the
eighth in order to threaten re peated checks
at a safe distance . The rook pawn is, as ever,
drawish . Against a knight pawn Black
should not allow the king to be driven away.
Against a c- , d- , e- or f- pawn Black can
move to the shorter side and still draw. As
with all rules, there are exceptions. Never­
theless, these are useful and practical
guides.
Some examples:
King, rook and knight pawn vs. king plus
Alekhine-Bogolyubov, rook. The posi tion in Diagram 42 is drawn.
World Championship, 1 929 1 . . . Rg6! ( 1 ' Rg8 would also draw
· ·
 Endings 97
King, rook and bishop pawn vs . king plus
8 42 rook.
7 When Philidor's method is out, Black still
draws against a bishop's (or centre) pawn by
6
putting the rook on the eighth . Passive
5 defence does not work here as White's rook
4 can operate on both sides of the pawn.
1 . . . Rg1 ! 2 Kb6 Rc1 ! 3 Kc6 Kb8 (Black
3 moves to the shorter side, the point being
2 that the rook now has more room to check
from the longer side) 4 Rh8+ Ka7 5 Rc8
(On 5 Rd8 Rc2 waiting, or 5 Kd6 Kb7)
a b c d e g h 5 . . . Rhl 6 Kd7 Rh7 + 7 Kc6 Rh6+ 8 Kb5
Kb7 9 Rg8 Kc7 10 Rg7 + Kc8 with Philidor's
position ( ) Alternatively White could try
= .

2 Kc6 Kb8! 3 Rh8+ Ka7 4 Rd8 Rcl ! (When

here , but not against a bishop's or centre checks are not practicable , Black attacks the
pawn) 2 Rf7 Rh6 3 b6 Rh 1 ! 4 Ka6 Ral + . pawn from behind) 5 Kd6 Kb7 (the king
Now we see what happens when the pawn moves back) 6 Rd7 + Kc8 7 Rc7 + Kb8 8
has reached the sixth. White can only avoid Rh7 Rc2 9 c6 Rd2+ ( ) . =

checks at the cost of his pawn. White t o play wins as Black i s forced to
White to play can create threats with 1 remain passive. Let us see what happens
Ka6 Rg8 ! ! (against a knight pawn Black then . 1 Kb6 Kb8 (1 . . . Rg1 2 Rh8 + Kd7 3
loses if by keeping the rook on the 8th rank c6+ Kd6 4 Rd8 + Ke7 5 c7 + - ) 2 c6 Rf8 3
he allows the king to be driven away. Rh7 Re8 4 Rb7+ Kc8 5 Ra7 Kb8 6 c7+ Kc8
Instructive blunders are: 1 . . . Rbl ? 2 Kb6 7 Ra8+ + - .
Kc8 - with the knight pawn there is no
shorter side to go to - 3 Rh8+ Kd7 4 Rb8!
Rb2 5 Ka7 Kc7 6 b6+ Kc6 7 Rc8+ Kd7 8 b7 44
Ra2+ 9 Kb8 reaching the Lucena position
which is examined later. Also, if 1 . . . Kc8?
2 Rh8 + Kd7 3 b6 etc.) 2 b6 Rf8 and White
can do nothing against Black's totally pass­
ive defence.

43

With a centre pawn : 1 Kd6 Kc8! 2 Rh8 +

Kb7 3 Ke7 Rg7+ 4 Kd8 (4 Ke8 Kc7 5 Rh6
Rg8+ 6 Ke7 Rg7 + 7 Ke6 Rd7 8 Rh5 Rd6 +
( )) 4 . . . Rg6! 5 Rh5 (5 Rh7 + Kb6 6 Rd7
=

Kc5 7 Kc7 Rh6 8 Rd8 Rh7 + 9 Kb8 Rh6)

5 . . . Rd6 + 6 Ke7 Kc7 7 Re5 Rd7 + 8 Ke6
Rd6+ 9 Kf7 Rd7+ 10 Re7 Kd6 ( = ) .
98 Master Chess

From the defending side's point of view

46
the following must be avoided: (1) the rook
being passive (except in the case of the
knight's pawn) (2) the king being driven
away unnecessarily (3) moving to the wrong
side when/if driven away. The defender
must also know when it is correct to attack
the pawn from behind and when to use the
rook to check from the flanks.

a c d e g h
45

The Lucena Position

. . . Or how to build a bridge . The

problem is how to create a shelter for the
white king to escape from checks. 1 Rg1 +
Kh7 2 Rg4 ! (Rg5 also wins) 2 . . . Rf2 3 Kd7
Rd2+ 4 Ke6 Re2+ 5 Kd6 Rd2+ 6 Ke5
Re2+ 7 Re4 + - .
This is a fundamental idea which occurs
often . There is also a more mundane win­
ning line, viz. 1 Rg1 + Kh7 2 Ral Kg7 3 Ra8
Rdl 4 Rd8 Re l 5 Kd7 Rdl + 6 Kc6 and
With the rook's pawn there is the diffi­ Black runs out of checks.
culty of extricating the king and Black draws
if the king is near enough . Diagram 45 is
critical . White to play wins: 1 Rb8 ! Rc1 2
Kb7 Kd6 (2 . . . Rb1 + 3 Ka8 Ra1 4 a7 Kd6 5
Kb7 + - ) 3 a7 Rb1 + 4 Kc8 Rcl + 5 Kd8 Ideas and Positional Themes
Rh1 (With a threat ! ) 6 Rb6+ Kc5 7 Rc6+ !
Kb4 8 Rc8 Rh8 + 9 Kc7 Rh7 + 10 Kb8 + - .
47
Black to play draws : 1 . . . Kd7 2 Rb8 Ra1
3 Kb7 Rb 1 + 4 Ka8 Ra1 5 Kb7 ( ) = .

If you find all this rather difficult then you

are not alone ! These positions are worth
studying for that very reason as such endings
occur daily and yet there is no all-purpose
formula to cover all cases.
We have seen how Black draws typical
situations, but if White successfully manages
to escort his pawn to the 7th rank then there
is still one more bridge to be crossed, which
leads us to:
 Endings 99
Cut off the King 1 a7?( = ) Ke7? 2 Rh8! + - (2 . . Rxa7
.

It should not be hard to see the winning 3 Rh7 + ) . The point to notice after 1 a7 is
move for White now. 1 Re1 ! cuts off the that Black's king must remain on either g7
or h7 (avoiding Rh8 or else a rook check
king and White can mentally chalk up a
followed by a8(Q)) .
point on the scoreboard ( 1 . . . Rh8 2 Kc6 !
Rc8+ 3 Kd7 + - ) .
Black to move draws with 1 . . . Ke7. so

48

6
5
4
3
2

Kmoch 1 959
a c d e g h
Seventh Heaven
A Place to Hide
50. White obviously holds an advantage
49. White must not play a hasty 1 a7? ? in here as the rook has found its natural home
the diagram as that square is needed to on the 7th rank. What is less obvious is that,
·
shelter from checks. How many won games given time, Black may well equalize through
have been drawn through a premature pawn 1 . . . g6, 2 . Kf8, 3
. . Ke8 , expelling the
. . .

push to the 7th in similar situations! 1 Kc5 unwelcome visitor.

Kf7 2 Kb6 Rb1 + 3 Ka7 Ke7 4 Rb8 Ra1 5
Kb7 Rb1 + 6 Ka8 Ra1 7 a7 Kd7 8 Kb7 Rb1 +
9 Ka6 Ral + 10 Kb6 Rb1 + 1 1 Kc5 + - . 51

49

5
4

a d e f h Maroczy- Tarrasch
c g
The Skewer Lust to Expand
100 Master Chess

1 g6! (to make inroads with the king and Rooks belong behind passed pawns
also open up the 7th rank) 1 . . . fxg6 2 Kg4
b5? (makes things easy, though Black can­ Correct strategy for White in Diagram 52
not avoid creating weaknesses indefinitely) is 1 Rd2 ! ! followed by Ra2 . + - when
3 Kg5 Kh7 4 Re7 Rd8 5 Rxe6 Rd2 6 Rc6 Black's rook will be reduced to total
+ - . Tactical exploitation of a positional passivity. This type of position occurs very
advantage is a common theme . often in practical play and the respective
5 1 . Maroczy played 1 Kc6 Rcl + 2 Kb6 rooks' positions is often of decisive import­
Rc4! (threat 3 . . . Rh4) 3 Rxh2 Rxb4+ 4 ance (1 a6? Rc2+ 2 Kf3 Ra2= ) .
Kc5 Ra4 ( = ) , missing a straightforward win The position in Diagram 53 demonstrates
with 1 Rxh2 ! Kxh2 2 Ka6 Kg3 3 b5 Kf4 4 b6 a common situation and the strategy is well
Ke5 5 b7 Rbl 6 Ka7 Kd6 7 b8(Q) + Rxb8 8 worth knowing. White's only winning
Kxb8 Kc6 9 a6 + - . attempt must be to venture towards a7 with
the king and abandon one or two of the
king-side pawns to the wolves. This may
eventually lead to the win of the black rook,
LESSON 20. ROOK AND PAWN
but leaves the white king misplaced to fight
ENDINGS CONTINUED
the resultant counterplay. A sample con­
tinuation . . . 1 Kf3 h5 2 Ke4 (White should
try 2 h4 to delay Black's king-side pawns)
8 52 2 . . . Rxf2 3 Rc8 Ra2 4 Rc6 ( 4 Ra8 Rxh2 5
7 Kd5 Ra2 and Black will even win)
4 . . . Rxh2 5 Kd5 Ra2 6 Kc5 g5 7 Kb6 h4 8
6 gxh4 gxh4 9 a7 h3 10 Kb7 h2 1 1 Rcl Rb2+
5 12 Kc6 Ra2 13 Kb7 ( ) . If the positions of
=

the rooks in the diagram are reversed, then

4
of course White wins. White has chances in
positions like this when the black pawns are
too advanced (e .g. f5 , g4, h5) leaving the
king exposed , or are weak and subject to
capture . Common sense tells us that White
a has much greater possibilities with a b­
pawn , as then the king saves two moves on
its return queen-side excursion.

8 53

Game Continuations
6
5 A great watchword of all rook and pawn
4 endings is that of activity . The rook is
essentially an attacking piece and to perform
the menial task of passively defending is
usually beneath its dignity. To be forced
into such a situation does not necessarily
mean the eventual loss of the game , but it is
c e g h often a big step in the wrong direction !
 Endings 101

Black to Play and Win

8 54
Rubinstein was regarded as the incom­
6
parable master of rook endings. Here is one
of his famous masterpieces which gives a
5 good illustration of active vs. passive rook.
4 1 . . . Re6 2 Rel Rf6 3 Re2 Ke6 4 Kc2 Ke5
5 c4 Ke4 6 b4 g5 7 Kc3 g4 8 c5 h4 9 Rg2 Rg6
3 10 Kc4 g3 1 1 hxg3 hxg3 12 Kb5 bxc5 13 bxc5
2 Kf3 14 Rg1 a6+ ! (0-1). After 15 Kc4 g2 16
Kd5 Kf2 it is easy.

a e g
56
Van de Hoek-Euwe

Passed. pawns must be pushed. "One has

never lost as long as one can offer some
threat. " - Euwe. This is a good example of
active counterplay and the potential power
of the passed pawn. Black falls two pawns
behind here but still draws. 1 Rc4 Rxg2 2
Rxa4 f5 (Black's only counterplay is the
passed f-pawn on which all ene �gies are
concentrated) 3 Rxh4 Kf7 4 Rh6 f4 ! 5 Rxc6
Capablanca- Tartakower, New York, 1924
f3 6 Rc4 f2 7 Rf4+ Ke6 8 Ka2 Ke5 9 Rf8
Ke4 10 a4 Ke3 (Threatening . . . Rg3 . . . Rf3)
Seventh A bsolute
1 1 Re8+ Kd3 12 Rd8+ Ke3 13 Re8+ and
drawn by repetition .
Capablanca, also , made his niche in this
department . Here he gives a textbook
lesson on the power of the 7th rank, active
8 55 king and passed pawn(s) . 1 Kg3 ! Rxc3+ 2
Kh4 Rf3 (Fine suggests 2 . . . Rcl ! as tough­
er) 3 g6 Rxf4+ 4 Kg5 Re4 5 Kf6! (side­
6 stepping the black pawn) Kg8 6 �g7+ Kh8 7
Rxc7 Re8 8 Kxf5 Re4 9 Kf6 Rf4+ 10 Ke5
5
Rg4 1 1 g7 + Kg8 12 Rxa7 Rg1 13 Kxd5 and
4 White soon won.

Queen and Pawn Endings

a c e f g The queen's immense power and capacity

to set up double-attack , perpetual check or
Schlechter-Rubinstein, San Sebastian, 1 912 mating situations means that these endings
102 Master Chess

are potentially the most difficult . The fact

58
that ( in a straight queen vs. queen fight ) a
lone queen can escort a pawn home to its
promotion square explains why passed
pawns and the possibility of creating them
can be very important here . One well­
advanced passed pawn may outweigh a large
material disadvantage. A pawn advantage
may often be enough to win but its exploit­
ation will still require great patience and
tactical vigilance.

8 57

6
from queening. Black can only throw his
king-side pawns forward with the idea of
5 gaining perpetual check ; however, this is a
4 vain hope .
Space limitations do not allow us to enter
3
into a discussion of the very technical
2 endings of bishop and knight mate, king and
queen vs. king and rook , etc. , which the
keen student may cull from any larger text
a c e g on the endings.
"Imagination is of little use in the
ending. This is the domain of the
The queen will always win against king plus artisan rather than the artist . "
pawn on the 7th except in the well-known
cases of king plus rook pawn or king plus W e leave the reader t o dwell o n the
bishop pawn . In both these cases the de­ accuracy of this quote. Hopefully , this brief
fending side has the resource of stalemate. introduction will have helped in the assimil­
The student should play out these and ation of some of the purely technical ideas
examples with other pawns. [N. B. White which must be digested before imagination
may still win if the king is close enough to can freely play its part - for surely imagi­
create a mating net ( see Diagram 20) .] nation must always play a part - even in the
The theoretical stance on king, queen ending.
plus pawn versus king plus queen has
changed in recent years. Many positions
that were once dismissed as draws have now Bibliography
been proved to be wins and the task of
defending such positions is often very Recommended, General and
arduous. A detailed study of queen plus Reference Works
pawn endings is beyond the scope of this
work, but Diagram 58 is an example of one R. Fi ne, Basic Chess Endings, Mc Kay .
recurrent theme which is of great practical Euwe and Hooper. A Guide to Chess Endings, Rout­
ledge and Kegan Pau l .
importance.
Keres, Practical Chess Endings, Batsford .
White plays 1 b4 and wins rather easily as Averbak h , Chess Endings: Essential Knowledge, Per­
Black has no means of preventing this pawn gamon Press.
 Endings 103
Others Advanced and Supplementary

Hooper , Practical Chess End- Games, Routledge and Nunn, Tactical Chess Endings, Allen & Unwin.
Kegan Paul . Speelman, Analysing the En d-game, Batsford.
Chernev, Practical Chess Endings, Faber & Faber .
Schuster , End-games in Chess , Lutterworth Press .
Barden , How to Play the End-game in Chess , Bobbs &
Merri l l .
 EXERCISES I : Lessons 5-8 . How to Analyse a Position

In each of the following seven diagrammed

positions there is either a correct plan which 3
leads to victory or a precise forcing se­
quence which is decisive . Use the themes
highlighted in the lessons to help you find
the solutions. All positions except no . 3 are
White to move.

8 2
a e g
7
6
8 5
5
4
6
3
5
2
4

a e g

a e f g

1 05
106 Master Chess

would provide Black with sufficient counter­

6
play against the f-pawn to gain equality, e.g.
28 Rxe6 Rxe6 29 Qxe6+ Qxe6 30 Rxe6
Rxf4 31 Rxb6 Rxg4 with Black certainly not
worse in the rook plus pawn ending; or if 28
5 Rfl to keep the status quo with pressure ,
4 then 28 . . . Qf7 forces matters. So White
needs to prevent . . . Kg8 if he is to play g4
3
with the threat of g5 to immediately follow.
2 The only move which achieves this objec­
tive is 27 Qh7! but it does involve some risks
in that the white queen is thereby highly
0 c d e
� g h decentralized . Black could reply with
27 . . . Qc6 threatening . . . Qf3 . Now on 28
g4 Rxf4 29 g5 would lead to a decisive
8 6a breakthrough . However, Black still has 28
. . . Qf3 ! and on 29 g5? Qxf4+ or on 29 f5
Qxg4 30 Rxe6 (30 fxe6+ Ke7) 30 . . . Rxe6
6
31 fxe6+ Ke7 and Black is better.
5 After 27 Qh7 Qc6 White does have a
4 reply in 28 Rle4! which paves the way for
g4-g5 without delay , though the road to
3 Rome is long and treacherous. If 28 . . . Qc8
2 threatening 29 . . . Rh8 trapping the white
queen , 29 f5 ! effects a winning break­
through as the black queen no longer covers
g6. If now 29 . . . exf5 30 Re7+ or
29 . . . Rxf5 30 Rxf5 + exf5 31 Qg6+ Kg8 32
Re7 or 29 . . . Re8 30 Rg4! Rg8 31 fxe6+
How to Analyse a Position
Rxe6 32 Qf5 + Ke7 33 Rxe6+ Qxe6 34 Re4
or finally if in the last line 32 . . . Rf6 33
1 . Kopec vs. Sunday Standard Readers, 1 982
Rxg7+ ! ! .
This was the crucial position of a game However in the main line after 27 Qh7
that was played at the rate of one move per Qc6 28 Rle4 co-authors Chandler and
week. Earlier the pawn structure was Mullen discovered the fine improvement
White : a2, b2, c2, c3 , f4, g3 , h4; Black: a4, 28 . . . Qa8! whereby Black still threatens to
b6, c5 , d7, e6, g7 , h7. In order to remove trap the white queen with . . . Rh8 and the
the pressure on the backward d-pawn Black black queen keeps an "eye" on hl for
played . . . d5 thereby leaving the e-pawn counterplay. Now on 29 f5 Re8 (on
backward . White then shifted the pressure 29 . . . Rh8 30 fxe6 + wins) if 30 Rg4 Black
on to e6 by tripling on the e-file . Then at the has 30 . . . Qhl + 31 Kd2 Qg2+ 32 Re2
right moment the lever c4 ! struck, forcing Qxe2+ ! ! 33 Kxe2 exf5 + etc. with more than
the disruption of Black's queen-side 5-pawn equality. If instead White plays 30 fxe6+
group and leading to the diagrammed pos­ Rexe6 31 Rxe6 Rxe6 32 Rxe6 (32 Qf5 + Rf6
ition. 33 Qd7 + Kf8 is unconvincing) 32 . . . Qhl +
Here White would like to play g4-g5 to (an important intermezzo which stems from
burst open and break through on the king­ 28 . . . Qa8!) 33 Kd2 Kxe6 and Black draws
side. However, if now 27 g4 then 21 . . . KgR ! the queen-ending without difficulty. White
 Exercises I 107
could instead bide his time with 30 g4 whenWhite could simply play 39 Bxf5 and remain
Black can do nothing positive, but with thewith two bishops and two pawns for a queen
white queen amusingly stalemated and g5 as he has for the past 20 moves or so . A
not a threat, neither can White do anythingcontinuation could then go : 39 . . Qxd5 40
.

positive. Bxf6+ Kc7 41 Rcl + (not 41 h7? Qc5 + 42

Thus a further assessment of the initialKhl Rxh7+ 43 Bxh7 Qh5 + etc . ) and even
diagrammed position leads one to conclude though he retains winning chances it's not
that if White plays 27 a3 ! ! Black is virtually
all that clear.
in zugzwang! His pawns cannot move, However, through a precise series of
except for 1 . . . g6 which is very weakening.
intermezzo checks and deadly strokes,
His rooks cannot move , as for example the Black's next four moves can be forced
rook on f8 must remain put to meet 28 g4 causing havoc amongst his pieces: 39
with . . . Kg8. The black king and black Bb6+ ! ! (never miss a good check, but not 39
queen must guard e6 and 28 . . . Qc8 is again
Bxf6+ Kc7 (39 . . . Ne7 loses to 40 h7 and
decisively met by f5 ! Only 27 . . . Qd6 re­
39 . . . Re7 to 40 Bxf5) 40 Bxf5 Qxd5 trans­
quires further consideration . The move 27 posing to the note above) 39 . . . Ke7 (if
a3 ! ! not only passes the onus of moving to
39 . . . Kc8 40 Bxf5 is crushing) 40 h7 ! (tak­
Black , but also creates an important flight
ing advantage of this precise moment when
square for the white king. Hence after the black king interferes with the black
27 . . . Qd6 28 Kbl ! leaves Black at a loss for
rook's defence of h7 to let the pawn gain in
a move since the variations given earlier strength) 40 . . . Qg7 (after 40 . . . Qxg6 41
with a check on hl by the black queen are h8= Q with a new queen and the black king
still wide open White would win easily) 41
no longer significant . If here 28 . . . Rb8
White wins with simply 29 g4 and 30 g5 . IfRel + ! Kd6 (now the black king interferes
with the black rook's attack on the d-pawn)
28 . . . Qd7 White proceeds with the earlier
idea of 29 Qh7 , e.g. 29 . . . Qc6 30 Rle4 Qa8
42 Bxf5 (only now does White capture the
31 f5 Re8 32 Rg4 winning easily. knight, harassing Black's rook threatening
Admittedly all these ramifications of 27 Re8, and so forcing his reply) 42 . . . Re7 43
Qh7 would have been difficult to analyse inRxe7! (not 43 Bc5 + ? ? Kxc5 44 Rxe7 Qxe7
over-the-board play. The game concluded 45 h8= Q for Black has 45 . . . Qel + fol­
27 Qh7 Rb8? 28 g4 Rxf4 29 g5 hxg5 30 h6 lowed by 46 . . . Qe5 + picking up the
Rg8 31 Rxe6 resigns. bishop) 43 . . . Kxe7 44 Bc5 + Kf7 (the black
Summary. Having found that the threat of king is now a little bit schizoid , since he
wants to help stop both of White's passed
g4-g5 was decisive , and realizing that Black
had no threats , it was necessary to find apawns but is caught between them and can
sound way to effect this threat. 27 Qh7 wasstop neither. On 44 . . . Kd8 or 44 . . . Ke8
the right idea but premature due to the after 45 d6 the pawn will advance with
check) 45 d6 Qh6 46 d7 Qcl + 47 Kh2 Qf4+
saving clause 28 . . . Qa8 ! . However, after
48 Khl Qh4+ 49 Bh3 f5 50 h8= Q Qxh8 51
the calm 27 a3 ! ! it quickly becomes apparent
that Black is in virtual zugzwang and then Bb6 Qxb2 52 d8= Q . White promotes for
after 28 Kbl ! White can ruthlessly carry out
the second time and this time the queen is to
his threat. stay. Black should resign , but played on for
seven more moves .
2. Kopec-C. McNab, Edinburgh
Moral. Never miss a check, especially if
Congress 1 981
it's part of a forcing sequence. If you see a
This position with White momentarily a good move , look for a better one leading to
queen down for bishop and two pawns, was positions which you feel are simpler and
reached after Black's 38th move (Rd6xd7) . easier for you to play or win .
108 Master Chess

3 . Najdorf-Reshevsky, Match 1952 (a) 3 exd5 ! e5 4 Qe4 Kg8 (on 4 . . . h6 5

Bxh6! followed by Qg6 wins; or
(Black to move: also appears as example
4 . . . g6! ? 5 Rfl + Kg7 6 Qf3 Bb7 7
no. 22 of the Bratko-Kopec Experiment in
Qf7+ Kh8 8 Bh6 Rg8 9 Kh1 ! with
Advances in Computer Chess 3, 1982 , Per­
great pressure as Black can hardly
gamon Press) .
move while White improves his pos­
The winning continuation from the dia­ ition through c3 , Bc2-e4 . 5 Qxe5 ! !
grammed position is actually quite simple, dxe5 6 d6+ Qc4 7 Bxc4+ bxc4 8 dxe7
short, and straightforward - once you've and White should win .
seen it. However, it is unusual enough that (b) The more brutal line is 3 Bxd5 ! ? exd5
only one of 35 humans graded between 1600 (3 . . . Rb8 4 Bh6 exd5 5 Qxg7+ Ke8
and 2400 found it (I .M. Craig Pritchett) . 6 exd5 with a strong attack) 4 Rfl +
People suggest all kinds o f reasonable and Bf6 (if 4 . . . Ke8 5 Qxg7 with decisive
interesting continuations such as . . . d5 ! ? , threats) 5 e5 ! dxe5 6 Qxd5 + - as
. . . Rfd8, . . . Rfe8, . . . Nh5 , . . . Ne5 ! ? , and Black has no defence to 7 Bc5 + with
. . . e5 ! ? . Such moves fall into the typical deadly threats, e.g. 6 . . . Ra7 7 Kh1
strategical lines of play in "hedgehog pos­ etc.
itions" , but the solution is: 1 . . . Bxe4! 2
For those who like quieter methods, six­
Bxe4 Qxc4 3 Qxc4 Rxc4 and wins back the
teen-year-old Mark Condie contributed the
piece remaining at least a clear pawn ahead.
strong lever, 1 a4! as another way to
The combination is based on the over­ proceed.
loaded white queen and hanging knight on Summary . It requires a certain amount of
a4. Note that the move order inversion
chess culture (experience) to play the typical
1 . . . Nxe4? does not work. A pity that after "Sicilian sacrifice" 1 Nd5 ! without necess­
playing the winning combination Reshevsky arily being able to see all its ramifications; 1
later blundered and only drew.
a4 is a good positional alternative.
How many of you kicked yourselves after
seeing how simple it is? Never mind , you are 5 . Pritchett-Gheorghiu, Lloyd's Bank
in good company, as a former World Cham­ Masters, London, 1 980
pion (in 1952) suggested the provocative White has sacrificed a pawn for the two
. . . e5 ! ? .
bishops and king-side attacking chances.
4. Rogolowicz-Jarecz There is no time to be wasted as Black might
be able to organize a defence by playing
(Also appears as example number 5 of the
. . . e5 and his connected queen-side passed
Bratko-Kopec Experiment)
pawns may soon become dangerous. Prit­
This position tests a player's experience as chett continued: 23 e5 Nd5 24 Qh5 Nf8
much as anything else for the stock Sicilian (Black's last two moves were virtually
sacrifice , 1 Nd5 ! is called for here . The forced) 25 f5 ! (White uses his trump, a king­
analysis could go: 1 Nd5 Nxd5 (if 1 . . . exd5 side majority, to add more fuel to the fire)
2 Bxd5 + etc.) 2 Rxf8+ (an important 25 . . . exf5 26 Qxf5 Qc7 27 Nc5 ! (taking
intermezzo improving on Informant 18's advantage of the black queen's load in
solution , Ex. No. 24, .where after 2 Bxd5 defending f7 and creating numerous threats
Rb8 3 Qa7 Bd8! (a move found by M. including 28 Bc4) 27 . . . Bc8 28 Qf3 (the
Condie) is not decisive) 2 . . . Kxf8 (if white knight and e-pawn are still immune
2 . . . Bxf8 now 3 Bxd5 Rb8 4 Qa7 + - ) ; now while White steps up the pressure by attack­
there are two continuations of interest to ing the hanging black knight on d5)
White: 28 . . . Nb6 29 e6! (new threats as the pawn
 Exercises I 109
advances with immunity , e.g. 29 . . . Bxe6 30 est point in Black's position) 22 . . . Rxd5
Qxf8+ ! Rxf8 3 1 Rxf8+ Kxf8 32 Nxe6+ wins (see Diagram 6a) .
or 29 . . . Nxe6 30 Bxh7 + ! wins) 29 . . . Rd8
6a. Kopec-Ocipoff (after 22 . . Rxd5
30 Bg5 resigns.
.

23 hxg6+ fxg6)
The thrust of White's attack initiated by
23 e5 and followed up with a series of The position requires such precision as to
hammer-blows, lasted only 7 moves , but merit another diagram. There is only one
what great effect they had. convincing and winning move , e.g. 24
Moral. When the position calls for attack, Bxg6 + ? ! Nxg6 25 Qxd5 Qxh4 and 24 Nxg6?
do so with vigour, precision and without Rxd2 25 Nxf8+ Kg8 etc. are both in­
compromise , by using each piece to its adequate . Necessary is 24 Qxd5 ! ! forcing
maximum effect . the black knight away from its defence of
g6. Play continued: 24 . . . Nxd5 25 Nxg6
6. Kopec-N. Ocipoff, Pan-American
(with the primary threats 26 Nxf8+ and 26
Intercollegiate, Louisville, Kentucky, 1974
Rxd5) 25 . . . Bb7 (perhaps the best try was
(Dartmouth College vs. City College
25 . . . Qa8) 26 Nxf8+ Kg8 27 Ne6 Qf6 28
New York)
Nxg7 Kxg7 29 Be4 Qf7 (on 29 . . . Nxe3
If you're looking for an immediate finish Rd7 + and 3 1 Rxb7 + - ) 30 Bxd5 Bxd5 31
through the queen sacrifice 21 dxc6 Rxd2 22 Rc3 (Black has no answer to this rook
Rxd2 etc. , you're on the right track, though doubling manoeuvre) 31 . . . Qb7 32 Rdcl
a bit premature . First it is better to prise Qa6 33 Rc7+ Kg6 34 Rd7 Qd3 35 Rd6+ Kf5
open the lines to the black king from the 36 Rxh6 a5 37 Rc8 Qb1 + 38 Kh2 Qxa2 39
sniper tactics started by 21 h5 . Play con­ Rxb6 Qe2 40 Rh8 Qfl 41 f3 e4 42 g4+ (42
tinued: 21 . . . Ne7 (attacking the d-pawn Rh5 is mate , but both sides were in time
and guarding g6) 22 Nh4! (the only con­ trouble) 42 . . . Ke5 43 Rh5 mate .
sistent move as 22 d6 Nf5 23 Bxf5 gxf5 Moral. Once you set upon a strategical
leaves White's d-pawn weak with no theme (21 h5 and the weakening of g6) see it
counterplay. Since that pawn must fall in through to its logical conclusion with the
any case , White adds pressure to the weak- tactics necessary to support it.
 EXERCISES I I : Lessons 9- 1 2 . How to Formulate a Plan
In the exercises which follow there is not
8
necessarily just one "good" plan and you 3
need not exhaust yourself poring over pre- 7
cise lines. Instead, study the positions going
6
through the four-point mental process ou\-
lined in the introduction to Lessons 9-12, 5
namely: (1) Assessment, (2) Objective , (3) 4
Plan, (4) Method of execution .
Having identified what you consider to be
the essential features of the position, the
solution can then be studied and learned
from. Remember that top grandmasters
thought for a long time in several of the 0
positions , so don't be discouraged if you do
not spot every trick and nuance .
8
8
1
7

6
5
5
4
4

0 c d e g
o b c d e f g h
Black to play White to play

8
2 5

o b c d e f g h 0 c d e f g
White to play White to play
111
1 12 Master Chess

then 25 . . . Rxf4 26 Rxf4 Bxe5 wins)

6 25 . . . Rfe8 26 Rxe4 ReS 27 Rdel d3 and the
combination of Black's passed d-pawn , rak­
ing bishops and well-placed rooks left White
totally lost.
The game finished: 28 Nf3 Rxe4 29 Rxe4
Bb7 30 Re3 d2 3 1 Nxd2 Bd4 32 Kfl Ba6+ 33
Kg2 Bxe3 34 Bxe3 Rc2 35 b3 Bb7 + 36 Kfl
Bd5 37 Ke1 Bxb3 ! White resigned . (If 38
Nxb3 Rc3 wins . )
2. Penrose- Tal, Leipzig 1 960
a e f g h White has a powerful attacking position
but must now find the best way to press
White to play
home his advantage . Direct attack is called
How to Formulate a Plan for, but an immediate f5 would give Black
the beautiful square e5 for his knight and
1 . Penrose-Keene, British Championship, allow him to disentangle his cramped pieces.
Blackpool, 1971 Penrose played 19 e5 ! dxe5 20 f5 ! and the
pawn sacrifice had sealed off e5 while
(1 e4 g6 2 d4 Bg7 3 Nc3 d6 4 f4 Nf6 5 Nf3
freeing e4 for White's knights, allowing him
0-0 6 Bd3 Nc6 7 h3 Nb4 8 Be3 b6 9 a3
to press home his attack on the f-file. The
Nxd3 + 10 cxd3 c5 1 1 Qd2 Ba6 12 Kf2? Rc8
square e4 is an "effective outpost" , as
13 Rhcl Nd7 14 d5 e6 15 dxe6 fxe6 16 Re 1 ?
challenge by enemy pawns is not practical
Nf6 17 Rad1 ?)
and it undoubtedly passes the usefulness
In the diagrammed position Black's plan test !
of undermining White's centre is reaching Play continued 20 . . . Bb7 21 Rad1 Ba8 22
its climax . The moves thus far have been Nce4 Na4 23 Bxa4 bxa4 24 fxg6 fxg6 25
provided to illustrate the manner in which Qf7 + Kh8 26 Nc5 Qa7 27 Qxd7 Qxd7 28
White built up an impressive centre . Having Nxd7 Rxb2 29 Nb6 Rb3 30 Nxc4 and White
considered but not executed a king-side soon won .
attack, he now pays the penalty for having White's idea in this game was by no
badly co-ordinated pieces and an exposed means a novel one as he had undoubtedly
king. seen earlier "classic" games with a similar
The half-open f-file menacing the white theme. Hopefully you will soon have a store
king, Black's well-placed pieces , bishop pair of such ideas to use in your own games.
and mobile centre allowed him to strike with
3 . McNab-Sowray, Phillip & Drew
17 . . . d5 ! Now we see that White's "im­
"Knights", London 1982
pressive" centralization is of mere illusory
strength. His pieces are huddled together Black's knight is attacked and his im­
and get in each other's way, forcing him to mediate task is to decide where to move it.
capture or lose a piece to . . . d4. After 18 While 10 . . . Ne7 is obvious and reasonable,
exd5 exd5 19 d4 (forced as before but now Black wished to exploit the fact that White,
the "hole" on e4 leads to further opening of by recapturing a piece on f3 with his g-pawn
lines) 19 . . . Ne4+ 20 Nxe4 dxe4 21 Ne5 g5 ! to open files for a possible attack , had
(and now Black proves that White's proud seriously weakened the square f4.
looking outpost on e5 is merely transient, as He therefore offered a pawn sacrifice by
its support can be cut away) 22 Kg1 gxf4 23 playing 10 . . . Nd4! which is, once again , an
Bxf4 Qxd4+ 24 Qxd4 cxd4 25 g3 (if 25 Rxe4 idea commonly seen in such positions.
 Exercises II 1 13
White accepted the offer and play continued Black obtains some counterplay. Instead he
11 Bxd4 exd4 12 Qxd4 Nh5 . Now the full played 18 e4 ! (trading in the long diagonal
point of Black's plan is clear. Not only will to maintain his bind and break through on
his knight reach f4, where it will be aggress­ the open files) 18 . . . Nb6 (still blocking the
ively placed, but he also controls all the road to c7) 19 Bfl ! (a subtle move, reacti­
central dark squares with his bishop and vating the bishop and preparing the tactics
queen . Squares such as e5 , g5 , h4 and h6 can which arise shortly) 19 . . . ReS 20 Rdd1 Rf8
be used to deploy these pieces and cement (Black is totally tied up - he cannot play a
Black's grip. In the play which follows piece to d7 because of Rc7) 21 a3 Kg7 22 b3
White's pieces are suffocated by his im­ Kg8 23 a4 Rd8 24 Qc5 ! (The point ! As soon
mobile pawns. as Black tries to contest the d-file , White
The game continued: 13 Qc4 Nf4 14 Bfl forces a neat tactical win , for example if:
a6 15 Qb3 Qg5 16 Ne2 Bh6 (note how
(a) 24 . . . Qxc5 25 Rxd8+ Qf8 26 Rxf8+
White's king is now caught in the centre on
Kxf8 27 Rc7 with the devastating
the potentially dangerous half-open e-file,
twin threats of 28 Rxf7 + and 28 aS
in addition to his other problems) 17 Rg1
trapping the knight ! Or if
Qe5 18 Qc3 Qe7 19 Rg4 Nxe2 20 Bxe2 Rae8
(b) 24 . . . Qf8 25 Qxf8 + Rxf8 26 aS or
21 Qd3 Qe5 22 c3 Qh2 23 Kd1 f5 24 exf5
(c) 24 . . . Qe8 25 Ng4 . )
Qh 1 + 25 Bfl Rxf5 26 Rg3 RefS 27 Kc2 Rxf3
28 Rxf3 Qxf3 29 Qxf3 Rxf3 30 Kb3 Rxf2 and Black resigned !
Black was winning. A fine example of how to cash in an
The game ending decisively after 58 advantage while giving your opponent no
moves in a win . . . for White ! Black's chance to fight back . Should you not have
bishop became the pathetically bad piece seen everything, do not despair; at the time
which featured in the endgame diagram on Kasparov nominated this as the best game
page 62. Sadists among you may care to he'd ever played!
refresh your memories !
5 . Tarrasch- Teichmann, San Sebastian 1 912
4. Kasparov-Petrosian, Bugojno 1 982
Once again White stands clearly better,
White obviously has a clear advantage the most striking feature of the position
with his rooks well placed on open files, a being his well-pl(!.ced king on d4. The king
powerful bishop on the h1-+ a8 diagonal, an ties a black rook to the c-file to guard
active queen and a well-placed knight which against its further penetration and means
can be dislodged only by the weakening that Black must avoid excessive liquidation
move . . . f6. Black, on the other hand, is as this would almost certainly lead to a lost
seriously behind in development and will be endgame. Furthermore , Black's pawn struc­
struggling to find any way of developing his ture is the more cramped and his bad bishop
bishop and thereafter co-ordinating his has little scope , whereas White has excellent
rooks. He has also played . . . g6 weakening communications between the two wings and
his king-side dark squares. White's objec­ the centre of his position , giving his pieces
tive must be to maintain his bind on the greater mobility .
position , while seeking a way to penetrate Nevertheless, Black is not about to lie
on the open files and gain a more tangible down and die and White must find a plan
advantage. which will force the issue . Tarrasch achieved
Petrosian's one well-placed piece is the this, overstretching Black by launching a
knight on d5 , which guards the entry square king-side attack which opened files thereby
at c7 , while blockin g the d-file . Accordingly, enabling the infiltration of Black's weak­
Kasparov dislodges it, but not by the · ened pawn shield. He continued 26 g4 Bc8
obvious 18 Bxd5? exd5 19 Qxd5 Be6 when 27 h4. This threatens 28 g5 h5 29 g6 and the
114 Master Chess

black h-pawn is doomed. Black is thus be considered however and White's active,
forced to make further king-side pawn centralized queen , rook and bishop give
moves and must have bitterly regretted scope for dynamic play , exploiting open
playing 22 . . . h6 which weakened his pawns lines.
and greatly accelerated the speed at which Botvinnik avoided 21 cxdS because of
White could force open files . This is a 21 . . . Qd6 blockading the passed pawn and
typical example of why one should avoid making progress difficult. He played 21
casual pawn moves needlessly creating RxdS ! ! preserving his grip on the d-file
weaknesses for your opponent to attack. (21 . . . Rd8 loses to 22 RxeS as 22 . . . Nxc4
The game finished: 27 . . . g6 28 Rh1 Kg7 loses a piece after 23 Re8+ Rxe8 24 Qxe8+
29 hS Rh8 30 Rfh2 Bd7 3 1 gS (forcing open Kh7 2S Qe4+ ) The remainder of the game
.

lines) 31 . . . hxgS 32 fxgS gxhS 33 RxhS is instructive for the impressive blend of
RxhS 34 RxhS Kf8 3S Rh8 + Ke7 36 g6 fxg6 tactics and positional themes which Botvin­
37 Bxg6 b4 38 Rh7 + Kd8 39 Bd3 Rc3 40 a3 nik employs to seize the 7th rank and
aS 41 Rh8+ Ke7 42 Ra8 and Black resigned establish an iron grip on the position.
- his queen-side pawns are doomed as his Play continued 21 . . . Qe7 22 Bg4! Qb7 23
position has been outflanked. BfS Qb8 24 Rd7 Rd8 25 QxeS ! Nxc4 26
Qxb8 Rxb8 27 Be4 ! (White rejects 27 Rxa7
6.Botvinnik-Chekhover, Leningrad 1 938
in favour of increasing his positional grip)
There are often many factors to be con­ 27 . . . Na3 28 BdS Rf8 29 e4 aS 30 c4 bS 31
sidered in assessing a position. In the dia­ cxbS NxbS 32 eS a4 33 f4! (envisaging a
grammed position Black has only two pawn powerful passed e-pawn) 33 . . . Nd4 34 Kf2
islands as against White's three, while gS 3S g3 gxf4 36 gxf4 Ne6 37 Ke3 c4 38 fS
White's doubled, isolated c-pawns look NcS 39 Rc7 Nd3 40 e6 fxe6 41 fxe6 and
rather sick. Black has j ust captured a rook Black resigned.
on dS and the automatic "structural" re­ Winning chess often requires flexible
capture is 21 cxdS creating a protected thinking in order that the key themes in a
passed pawn. Pieces, not j ust pawns, must particular position may be recognized .
EXERCISES III : Lessons 13- 1 6 . Opening Principles and Ideas

1 3
7

4
3

(1) Does 5 Bxf7 + give Black serious (3) What should Black to move play?
headaches?

(2) Could and should White play to win a (4) Does Black to move need to retreat ?
pawn?

115
116 Master chess

5 8

(5 ) - What should White to move play? (8) Is 6 . . . Nd4 a good move for Black?

8 6 8 9
7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3
2

0 e g 0 e g

(6) Black to play. What is the number one (9) Why did White play the odd-looking 12
priority? Nh2?

8 7 8 10
7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3
2

0 e g h 0 e f g
(7) White's king is uncastled . Can Black to ( 10) Black to play is threatened by 10 Bg5 .
play exploit this factor? What is the best move?
 Exercises III 117

4. Certainly not ! 7 . . . d5 ! is both thematic

8 11
and strong when 8 exf6 dxc4 9 Re1 +
Be6 leaves Black with an excellent
game.
5 . This position arose after the moves: 1 e4
5 c6 2 Nc3 d5 3 Nf3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 Bf5? 5
4 Ng3 Bg6 6 h4 h6 , and illustrates an
instructive opening mistake . 4 . . . Bf5 5
Ng3 Bg6 is fine after 1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3
2 Nc3 dxe4 4 Nxe4 but not here . White
has the powerful centralization 7 Ne5 !
A game Alekhine-Bruce , Plymouth
0 e f g h 1938, continued: 7 . . . Bh7 8 Qh5 ! g6 9
Bc4 ! e6 10 Qe2 Nf6 1 1 Nxf7 Kxf7 12
( 1 1 ) How does White to play deny Black Qxe6+ 1-0 whilst Alekhine-Navarro,
the time needed to complete Madrid 1940, went 7 . . . Nd7 8 Nxg6
development? fxg6 9 d4 e5 10 Qg4 Qf6 1 1 Be3 Ne7 12
Ne4 1-0.
6. The main goal should be to get rid of
8 12 White's powerfully centralized knight
7 and to this end the retrograde 7 . . . Nd7 !
is extremely logical. Before the
6 discovery of 7 . . . Nd7 ! Black had been
5 destroyed several times in the variation
7 . . . Bf5 8 g4 Be4 9 f3 Bg6 10 h4!
4
Whilst 7 . . . Be6 had left him passively
3 placed in lines such as 8 Be2 g6 9 �
Bg7 10 c4 � 1 1 Be3 .
2
7. This position, taken from a game Fish­
Abrahams , Liverpool 1929 , came about
0 c e g after the moves 1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nf3
d5 4 Bg5 h6 5 Bxf6 Qxf6 6 Nc3 Bb4 7
(12) Of the moves 13 Nd2 and 13 Qc2, Qb3 Nc6 8 a3 BaS 9 e3 0-0 10 Bd3.
which is better and why? Abrahams exploited White's uncastled
king with the ingenious stroke 10 . . . e5 !
Opening Principles and Ideas The astonishing sequel was 1 1 cxd5
exd4 12 exd4 Re8+ 13 Kfl Qxcf3 ! ! 14
1 . Not at all . After 5 . . . Kxf7 6 Nxe4 d5 , gxf3 Bh3 + 15 Kg1 Nxd4 16 Qd1 Re1 + !
Black's powerful centre and smooth 17 Qxe1 Nxf3 mate .
development more than compensate for 8. No. It moves a piece twice in the
the slight inconvenience to the king. opening and constitutes a premature
2. White could but shouldn't . After 4 dxc6 attempt to seize the initiative. Rosso­
Nxc6, Black could play . . . e5 and limo-Romanenko , Salzburg 1948, con­
. . . Bc5 with beautiful development and tinued 6 . . . Nd4? (better is 6 . . . 0-0) 7
a powerful central outpost at d4. e5 ! Ng8 (If 7 . . . Nxb5? 8 exf6 Nxc3 9
3. Above all Black shouldn't allow the fxg7 + - ) 8 d3 Nxb5 9 Nxb5 a6 10
heartbreaking threat of 6 Nd6 mate . Nd6+ ! ! exd6 11 Bg5 ! Qa5 12 exd6+ Kf8
5 . . . Ndf6 is a simple way of making 13 Re8+ ! ! Kxe8 14 Qe2+ Kf8 15 Be7+
White's queen look rather stupid on e2. Ke8 16 Bd8+ ! ! Kxd8 17 Ng5 1-0 .
118 Master Chess
9. The position arose in a game Keene­ 3 Bb5 g6 4 0-0 Bg7 5 c3 e6? (5 . . . Nf6!)
Ligterink, London 198 1 . Keene's knight 6 d4 cxd4 7 cxd4 Qb6? 8 Na3 Nxd4 9
is en route for the square d5 via h2, f1 Nc4! Nxf3 + 10 Qxf3 Qc7 1 1 Bf4 e5 .
and e3. After 12 Nh2! b6 13 Nfl Ba6 14 Rossolimo now produced the brilliant
Ne3 0-0-0 15 Nd5 the knight had stroke 12 Nxe5 ! ! , the game continuing:
become a monster ! 12 . . . Bxe5 13 Rac1 Qb8 14 Rxc8+ !
1 0 . The position i s taken from a game Qxc8 15 Bxe5 f6 16 Bxf6 Nxf6 17 Qxf6
Botvinnik-Reshevsky, World Cham­ Rf8 18 Qe5 + ( 1 8 Qe6+ ! Kd8 19 Rd1
pionship Tournament 1948. 9 . . . h6 is + - ) 18 . . . Kd8 19 Qg5 + Ke8 20 Rc1
obvious yet dubious as Black would Qd8 21 Qe5 + Qe7 22 Bxd7+ Kfl 23
thereby weaken his kingside. Reshev­ Be6+ Ke8 24 Rc7 1-0.
sky played 9 . . . Ne8 ! , an apparently 12. The position comes from a famous
retrograde action but one which con­ game Nimzowitsch-Salve , K�rlsbad
tains several subtle ideas: 191 1 , which opened: 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5
c5 4 c3 Nc6 5 Nf3 Qb6 6 Bd3 Bd7 7 dxc5
(a) The pin 10 Bg5 is prevented.
Bxc5 8 0-0 f6 9 b4 Be7 10 Bf4 fxe5 1 1
(b) A subsequent f4 by White can be
Nxe5 Nxe5 1 2 Bxe5 Nf6.
paried by . . . f5 .
The apparently strong 13 Qc2 does
(c) Black's knight could at some stage
not conform to the essential require­
go to d6 where it would help gang up on
ments of controlling the central squares
the weak c4 pawn.
d4 and e5 . Black could sacrifice a pawn
The continuation of Botvinnik-Reshev­ by 13 . . . 0-0 14 Bxf6 Bxf6 15 Bxh7+
sky was highly instructive: 10 0-0 Ba6 Kh8, when his centre pawns would
1 1 Be3 d6 12 Ng3 Na5 13 Qe2 Qd7 14 become mobile and dangerous. Nimzo­
f4? (14 e5 !) 14 . . . f5 15 Rae1 g6 16 Rd1 witsch did not allow himself to be
Qfl 17 e5 Rc8 18 Rfe1 dxe5 19 dxe5 distracted in such a way and played a
Ng7 20 Nfl Rfd8 21 Bf2 Nh5 22 Bg3 beautifully thematic game: 13 Nd2 ! 0-0
Qe8 23 Ne3 Qa4 24 Qa2 Nxg3 25 hxg3 14 Nf3 Bd6 15 Qe2! Rac8 16 Bd4 Qc7 17
h5 26 Be2 Kfl 27 Kf2 Qb3 28 Qxb3 Ne5 Be8 18 Rae1 Bxe5 19 Bxe5 Qc6 20
Nxb3 29 Bd3 Ke7 30 Ke2 Na5 31 Rd2 Bd4 Bd7 21 Qc2 Rfl 22 Re3 b6 23 Rg3
Rc7 32 g4 Rcd7 33 gxf5 gxf5 34 Red1 h4 Kh8 24 Bxh7 ! e5 (too little , too late) 25
35 Ke1 Nb3 36 Nd5 + exd5 37 Bxf5 Bg6 Re7 26 Re 1 Qd6 27 Be3 d4 28 Bg5
Nxd2 38 Rxd2 dxc4 39 Bxd7 Rxd7 40 Rxc3 29 Rxc3 dxc3 30 Qxc3 Kg8 31 a3
Rf2 Ke6 41 Rf3 Rd3 42 Ke2 0-1 . Kf8 32 Bh4 Be8 33 Bf5 Qd4 34 Qxd4
1 1 . The diagrammed position is Rosso­ exd4 35 Rxe7 Kxe7 36 Bd3 Kd6 37 Bxf6
limo-O'Kelly, Oldenburg 1949, and gxf6 38 h4 1-0.
arose after the moves: 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6
 EXERCISES IV : Lessons 17-21 . Endings

1 8 2
7
6
5
4

a b c d e f g h

(1 ) White to play and win. (2) White to play. What result?

8 3 4
7
6
5

3
2

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

(3) White to play . What result? (4) White to play and draw.

119
120 Master Chess

8 5 8

a b c d e f g h
(5) White to play and win . (8) What result with White to play?

a b c d e g h
(6) Black's positiOn looks hopeless, yet
White offered a draw after Black's next
move . What was it?
(9) White to play. What result?
7

8 10
7
6
5
4

a b c d e f g h
(7) Tartakower, playing against Schlechter,
produced 1 . . . g5? here . That was a bad a b c d e g h
mistake - can you see why? What,
then, is White's winning plan? (10) White to play and win.
 Exercises IV 121

8 11 14

6
5
4

(1 1) White (Fischer) plays a good move . (14) Black is two pawns up, but with
bishops of opposite colour the win still
seems far off. B lack to play and win .
8 12
15

5
4
3
2

(12) Black (Tal) plays a good move also .

(15) Black to play and win.

13 16

a b c d e g h

(13) A study by Rinck. White to play and (16) A study by Lolli . White to play and
win in very instructive fashion. win.
122 Master Chess

8 17 8 20
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2

0 e g 0 g

(17) A trick worth knowing. White to play. (20) You should know this one by now.
White to play.

18

8 21
7
6
5
4

(18) White played 1 Kg4? here and that 0

cost him the game . How did Black
(21) Tal (White) made another good move
then manage to stop the h-pawn?
here .

8 19
8 22

6 7
· 6
5
4 5
4
3
2 3
2

0 g h
o b c d e f g h
(19) The exception that proves the rule and
that a little learning can be a dangerous (22) Rinck again. White plays and wins in
thing. White to play and draw. style.
 Exercises IV 123

8 23 8 26
7 7
6 6

5 5
4 4

a c d e g a c e g
(23) White is in a position to make use of a (26) Black sealed 1 . . . Qf4 + here and had
common theme in rook and pawn to face the wrath of "some bystanders
endings. who audibly criticized her for trying to
win such an obviously drawn position" .
24 She then agreed t o a draw. Would
you?!

Endings

1 . 1 Ke6! (opposition ! ) . 1 Kc5 also wins,

but not 1 Kd6??( ) .
=

2. 1 Ke3 Ke7 2 Ke4 Ke6 3 e3 ! and the

spare pawn move is decisive (1-0) .
3 . 1 Kh7 Kf7 2 h6 Kf8 3 Kg6 Kg8 4 Kf6
Kh7 5 Ke6 Kxh6 6 Kd6 Kg7 7 Kc6 Kf7 8
a c d e g Kb5 Ke7 9 Kxa5 Kd7 10 Kb6 Kc8 and
(24) What is Black's best move here and Black draws by a hair's breadth. Simple
how would you rate the chances of counting can be important in king plus
survival? pawn endings. Black never reached this
"might-have-been" , choosing to resign
25 earlier.
4. 1 c4!
5 . 1 e6 ! ! fxe6 2 e5 !
6. 1 . . . g5 ! and the White king has no way
through.
7. 1 . . . g5? allowed White to create a
D .P.P. after 2 fxg5 hxg5 3 Kf3 Kg6 4
Kg4 f5 + 5 exf6 Kxf6 6 g3 ! a5 7 a4 e5 8
h4 and wins.
8. 1 h4! ! followed by the breakthrough g4
is decisive (1-0) .
9. 1 Bh7 ! keeps the black king out of the
corner and wins (1 . . . Kf6 2 Kf4) .
(25) Black had struggled on for many hours 10. 1 Nb6+ ! ! (pawn on 5th vs. pawn on
to reach the diagrammed position and 6th) .
now came up with 1 . . . e2. What 1 1 . 1 Be5 ! cornered the black knight and
happened next? there followed 1 . . . Kh5 2 Kd3 g4 3 b4
124 Master Chess

a6 4 a4 gxf3 5 gxf3 Kh4 6 b5 axb5 7 a5 ! 20. 1 Re4! (Lucena) .

Kh3 S c6! (1-0) . 21 . 1 ReS ! cuts off the king and wins after
12. 1 . . . Ne3 ! (0- 1 ) . 1 . . . Kd6 2 ReS Kd7 3 Re1 Rc8 4 f4
13. 1 a 5 Bh7( !) 2 Bxh7 g 6 3 BgS Ke5 4 a 6 h2 RgS+ 5 Kf5 RfS+ 6 Kg5 (1-0) . On
5 Bd5 ! ! Kxd5 6 a7 h1(=0) 7 a8( = 0) + 6 . . . Rg8 + 7 Kh6 RfS S Re4! Kd6 9 Kg7
i s a lovely piece of play . Rf5 10 Kg6 Rf8 1 1 f5 heads towards the
14. 1 . . . g4! (to create another passed Lucena.
pawn) is the only idea and Black went 22. 1 f6 Rxe2 2 Rh5 + Kb6 3 Rf5 ! ! (1-0) .
on to win after 2 hxg4 (2 fxg4 f3 ! ) 23 . 1 b6! cxb6 2 a7 Rxa7 3 Rg7+ (1-0).
2 . . . h3 ! 3 gxh3 Kxf3 4 g 5 Kg3 5 g6 Bd4 24. If you chose 1 . . .Rc2 or, better still
6 h4 f3! 7 h5 Bg7 , finally manoeuvring 1 . . . Rc1 + then you have the right idea.
his king to d2. 1 . . . Ra8? is unnecessarily passive and
15 . 1 . . . Na3 + ! 2 Nxa3 Ke2 (0- 1 ) . risks defeat after 2 h4 ! Kg6 3 Kh2 Ra7 4
16. 1 Rb5 ! Kxb5 2 b 7 (1-0) . Kh3 Kh5 5 hxg5 hxg5 6 g3 ! fxg3 7 f4. On
17. 1 Ra1 ! ! Kxa1 2 Kc2 (1-0) . principle , Black should try to keep the
1S. 1 Kg4? Rc4+ 2 Kg5 Rh4 ! ! 3 Kxh4 g5 + ! rook active, and 1 Rc l + 2 Kh2 Ra1
. . .

(0- 1 ) . 3 Rxa5 Kg6 4 h4 gxh4 5 Kh3 h5 ! 6 Kh2

19. A difficult one . White played 1 Rf7+ ? h3 ! 7 gxh3 Ra2+ draws with ease.
Ke3 2 Kfl Ra1 + 3 Kg2 Kd3 4 Rd7 + 25 . 1 Qg1 + Kd2 2 Qcl + Kd3 3 Qc3 is a
Ke2 5 Rb7 e3 6 Rb8 Kd2 and lost. The nice example of the "epaulette" mate .
idea (of going to the "shorter side") was 26. We hope not . Black has a standard win
right, but the first priority here is to stop which we have shown already.
the pawn's advance. 1 Kd2! draws
(1 . . . Ra2+ 2 Ke1 Ke3 3 Kfl ! Kd3 4
ReS! Ra1 + 5 Kf2) .
 Lesson 21

PRACTICAL TOURNAMENT TIPS AND ADVICE

IAN D. MULLEN and others

This last section is written in an attempt to Efficient use of thinking time in chess can
bridge the yawning gap which so often can make a big difference to any player's results.
separate theory from practice. We , the Three common causes of unnecessary time
authors , hope that you have enjoyed what trouble are:
you have read so far and trust that much of (a) Where there is a choice of equally
it will be of use in the field of combat. plausible looking moves and the
Anyone who understands fully only a player feels that he cannot choose
quarter of what is contained here knows a between them.
lot; but there are still a few points which (b) Where the player has decided which
require mention. move to make next but still insists on
Chess , by its very nature , is a very checking and rechecking the con-
competitive game . To some it may be an art sequences.
form , and in many ways it can resemble a (c) Daydreaming (or perhaps stage­
science ; but anyone who has tasted the fright} .
experience of real tournament play knows
that, in essence , a game of chess is a BAITLE If you cannot make up your mind which
- where the stronger (and/or luckier) move to play next then try to make a
player emerges victorious. As a parting shot rational choice'but don't waste time striving
we will mention that, for humans , psychol­ for perfection. If you do know which niove
ogy, attitude and nerves are as much a part you are going to play, then PLAY IT and leave
of the game as anything else . This book is your opponent to work out the con­
not written for computers, so we thought it sequences. If you like daydreaming or just
wise to include a few ideas on how to survive get a plain thrill from being in time trouble ,
in the chessboard jungle . Here are a few then enjoy it ; but don't complain when your
practical suggestions which might tie up a flag falls. Kotov has suggested that you
few loose ends. make use of your opponent's time by look­
(1} Time is precious and its use and abuse ing at the position from your opponent's
varies immensely from player to player. It point of view while it is his turn to move.
does not matter how good your position Also , to concentrate on the strategical and
looks when you lose on time ; the score on long term possibilities on the board. Many
the notice board will still tell the same sad players simply waste their opponent's think­
story: no points . The clock is an integral ing time.
part of the modern game and there is only It is a good idea to try to recognize when
one real cure for time trouble - don't take the critical or turning point of a game is
so long over your moves! It makes good approaching. What is sometimes worse than
sense to advise the novice to try to "stagger" wasting time is to play too quickly when the
his game ; e.g. when playing a time control position on the board demands a deep
of 40 moves per 2 hours, play the first 10 think . If you feel there is something "on" ,
moves in something under 30 minutes, and then trust your instinct and try to find it. It is
the first 20 in something around an hour - very common to see a player take 20 or so
which is to say , keep one eye on the clock. minutes over a critical move and then the
125
126 Master Chess

position clarifies and the following moves Karpov, particularly, has emphasized the
become easier. If you play quickly and importance of strong nerves for success in
superficially in a complicated situation (as chess and he is one person who should
many inexperienced players do) you are know. Every chess player has two basic
likely to miss something you will regret. By fears to overcome: the fear of losing, and
the way , if your opponent insists on circling what is sometimes worse, the fear of
the numbers 30 to 40 on his scoresheet winning! On this topic, Nimzowitsch
before the game has started then be preached the use of what would nowadays
prepared. Most players underline move 40 be called meditation ; i.e. occasionally clear
(or the relevant time control) at the start of your mind of all thoughts and relax -
a game - j ust in case. The best advice we something which is hard to achieve, but is
can offer you when facing an opponent who worth trying. This, and similar methods can
is left with 10 moves to make in a minute is also be profitably employed to soothe j angl­
to ignore it. Your opponent will be nervous ing nerves before an important game . Other
with a good position, and desperate with a obvious suggestions are to walk out the
bad one. Either way, you can compound adrenalin and knock back a cup of (mild)
your adversary's problems and relax your coffee, or perhaps (a la Miles) milk.
own nerves by taking a "time out" . If your A healthy flow of adrenalin is a useful
own position happens to be near hopeless it thing in most competitive situations and if
might be worth trying the "blitz" technique. you are wise enough not to take the game
Blast out your moves as quickly as possible too seriously there should be no problem in
and hope for a blunder. this direction; but remember, with no
Allegro finishes can be a nightmare for tension , there would be no game.
some people. Five-minute chess is looked (3) Winning chess has a lot to do with
down upon in certain circles, but it can playing good moves, but it has more to do
prove a handy preparation for this nerve with not playing bad ones. If you play 10
wracking situation. Often it is psychologi­ excellent moves, 10 average ones and then a
cally difficult to readjust to having to move lulu, there is every likelihood that your
quickly after a long, hard struggle. This has opponent may still win without having
proved to be the downfall of many a good, played as well as you for 90% of the game.
but slow player. The only recommendation A basic requisite for improvement in chess
we can offer is to let yourself go and treat is an avoidance of blunders . One tried and
the allegro finish as no more than a glorified trusted method is to write down the move
5-minute game (bearing in mind the differ­ before you play it and then to check to see if
ence in rules, touch move etc . ) . you are about to leave a mate in one on the
(2) Nerves. board. A well-known Scottish player took
this idea a step further and developed a
"Under no circumstances should one
system of writing indecipherable scrawls on
become nervous, because nervousness
his scoresheet before making his move - he
consumes energy. One .must continu­
was mentally (and physically) ticking off a
ally remember that all this is not so
series of questions directed to himself:
terri�ly important, that the result of a
"Does my opponent have a check?" ; "Can I
chess tournament is not a matter of life
be forked? " ; "Is there a surprise move I
and death. "
have overlooked?", etc. It worked! (Al­
A fine piece o f advice from Nimzowitsch, though this is strictly illegal since no form of
though we admit that this comes from the notetaking is allowed during a chess game
same man who reputedly leapt on to a chess other than a record of the moves. ) The main
table after an unexpected defeat and distinguishing mark of the 2200 player is
screamed: "Why must I lose to this idiot! " often not so much the brilliance of his play,
 Practical Tournament Tips and Advice 127
but the wonderful lack of unforced errors. which conjures up visions of fianchettoed
(4) Making your move. Danny Kopec has bishops, exasperating manoeuvring and lots
already touched on this subject in his sec­ of draws; to others, his play is like a dream,
tion, but some points are worth repeating. I once asked Jon Speelman on how to
Think Like a Grandmaster has been one of improve· at chess and the most tangible reply
the most influential chess books of its time he gave me was to pick a model - some
and in it Kotov offered the following valu­ famous player whose games I enjoyed and
able piece of advice on systematic and with whose style I felt an empathy. I chose
efficient decision making. When in the Fischer, and he replied, (somewhat enig­
process of choosing which move to play, matically) : "Ah, Fischer has a very compli­
first of all sift through all the "candidate cated style. " He suggested I pick a less
moves" (all the potentially good moves you unattainable goal and base my play round
can see in the position) . Go through them that - steal his opening repertoire , fathom
one by one , carefully analysing each possi­ his ideas and generally try to become a mini
bility as well as you are able ; then make whoever-it-was. This is certainly a clever (if
your choice . If you have developed some not original) idea and labour-saving device;
faith in your analytical ability, you will not a do-it-yourself ready-made style . But do
need to continually recheck the variations. you really know your own style?
Any method of semi-organized thinking is (6) Know thyself and try to become aware
generally more efficient than a mystical of your own strengths and weaknesses. Pick
groping for inspiration from the heavens an opening which suits your temperament
above. Here is an insight into the mind's eye and aim for positions you enjoy playing. An
of a chess player at work: even position which one player enjoys play­
ing, and the other doesn't, is not an even
" O . K. I can play e5 now, that looks
position ! Don't be afraid to play a move
nice . Hmmmm, maybe h3 and drive his
which isn't in the books; a lot of what is in
knight away first . What else? Any other
the books is wrong anyway. Try not to let
moves? Rel Nc3 . Just develop?
the grading list intimidate you too much. If
Maybe . Anything else? No . . . WAIT.
you are paired against a player who , on
What about b4 for a laugh? I don't
paper, is far stronger than yourself, you will
think so . Right , that's the lot.
not cause worry by keeping your pieces in
e5 , h3 , Rel , or Nc3 . That's the
your own half of the board and playing for a
choice . . . e5 first.
draw. In such situations the only practical
O . K . e5 , then he plays d5 , maybe d6.
policy is to put aside your inhibitions and
So e5 , d5 , then I play , then he plays ,
have a go. You may not win , but at least you
then I play, etc.
will make a game of it. As far as your pieces
This beautifully simple idea of trying to put are concerned, "when in doubt , get them
some order into the normally chaotic out". Also , "the threat is stronger than the
thought process of the chess player is one of execution" (Nimzowitsch) ; i . e . errors are
the best pieces of advice I have ever read in far more likely to occur when a player has a
a chess book. Properly applied, practised wide choice of moves than when forced into
and perfected, this can lift you from the playing good moves by the opponent's
murky haze to something approaching threats. "Give someone enough rope and
clarity in thought! they will hang themselves" is often the
(5) Developing a style. Everyone has his philosophy strong players apply when play­
own particular preferences as to what types ing rabbits. Most players will occasionally
of position he enjoys playing, and also a vary their openings to suit a particular
personal bias in the choice of chess "heroes" opponent and the psychological battle
and "villains" . To some , Petrosian is a name fought in the first few moves is often an
128 Master Chess

important one . Contrary to popular point of analysing your games and pinpoint­
opinion, many strong players are not walk­ ing your errors - especially the typical ones
ing memory machines and they also know which you notice recurring time and time
less opening theory than some would again . Try to get a stronger player to go over
suppose; but what they do know, they know your games with you and do not be afraid to
well and certainly know how to put into ask the said stronger player about pieces of
practice. (Refer to lesson 15 , Opening Prin­ analysis or openings which you do not
ciples and Ideas. ) understand. Most chess players do no'
(7) Health. When asked what h e thought guard their secrets jealously, (though some
was the most important asset for success in are not so good at explaining how they do
chess, Fischer mentioned that top of his what they do) , but , in general , they will be
personal list was health . Botvinnik made a only too pleased to make use of any oppor­
point of going for an hour's walk every day tunity of testing or showing off their skill.
during a tournament and every chess player Simply watching two expert players go over
must pay a certain amount of attention to a game in the analysis room can be an
general fitness for the brain to function at education in itself.
anywhere near peak capacity. On the other (9) Chess books. It is a well-known fact
side of the coin, Timman once told of an that there are more books published on
episode when he prepared for a major chess than on all other sports and games put
tournament by retreating to the country, together. We would again suggest that it is a
carefully watching his diet , and religiously good idea to ask an experienced hand about
setting out for daily training runs . Later, he what is , and what is not , a good buy
bemoaned the fact that when he sat down at amongst this mountain of confusion. Many
th'e board, his by then rippling torso was younger players will rush out and invest
bursting with so much energy that he could money on the latest edition of hard-core
not retain his concentration and, as a result, analysis on the "Perspiration System" , only
played badly . Timman sensibly recommends to discover later that the book is almost
that you stick to your normal routine when totally useless for their purposes . If you are
playing in a tournament . However, he is a going to buy opening books , and you will
professional , and it is not within most need some , then we suggest you concentrate
players' normal routine to face five hard on those which devote a little space to the
games of chess in the space of three days (at written word and the explanation of various
a weekend tournament) without suffering ideas behind the moves. Many of the
from some form of fatigue . Walking is younger British writers are good on this;
nature's tranquillizer - exertion without Hartston , Pritchett , Stean , Nunn , and
exhaustion - a brisk stroll before a game Keene (especially in his earlier work) ,
can do nothing but good for the body and amongst others , are worth investigating; but
brain . Also , it normally makes good sense many wordless theoretical works are a waste
to avoid eating a big meal· before a game , for of time for anyone under master strength .
fairly obvious reasons (though , as if to be Also , there are certain writers who are well
awkward, we have heard it said that Larsen worth avoiding.
enj oys a hefty meal before he plays and says (10) Gamesmanship . Fischer used to say
it . calms down his over-active mind) . You that he liked "to crush the other guy's ego"
don't need to go to the length of juggling and made headlines in the world press as
with medicine balls but a 5-hour playing much through his off-the-board antics as
session will be pretty exhausting if you are in through his brilliant play. Sometimes the
no way prepared for it. struggle in a chess game is not restricted to
(8) Post mortems. You can learn more over-the-board moves - we all know cer­
from your losses than your wins. Make a tain players who are compulsive
 Practical Tournament Tips and Advice 129
"j 'adoubers", "shakers" , "piece-hangers" , personal matter which we must leave to the
etc. We would recommend Hartston's How reader's own discretion. And with these
to Cheat at Chess for a light-hearted and final words we take leave of you. We wish
illuminating study of this seamy side of chess you well , yet renounce all responsibility by
and hope that it does not occur too much in saying that:
your own games. How one uses, or chooses
to react to, gamesmanship is very much a The rest �s up to you!
 SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES: Lessons 1-4.
Tactics and Combinations
1 . 1 Rxeo Rxe6 :! Qg6 + ! Rxg6 3 hxgo + K h H � Nn 22. I N xe 7 + Kh8. ( I . . . Rxe7 2 Rhg l + Kn 3 Qg7 +
m a te . and Qxe7 m;lle) 2 Q ffi + (or Qxh7 + ) Rx ffi 3
:!. I QfH + B g!! 2 Q f6 + ! B x f6 3 Bxfo mate . Rxh7+ and Rh l mate.
3. I . . . Rg:! ! ! 23. I Rg4 + ! fxg4 2 Qg5 + Kh8 3 Qh6 and the douhle
4. I Rxt7 Rxn :! R f l Rf8 3 g6 hxg6 4 g5 . Zu gzwa n g. mates (Qxf8 and Qxh7) prove decisive .
After Black's qu e e n - s ide pawns have expended 24. I . . . Rh8 ! ! This mysterious rook move comes from
their moves. B l a ck must lose a piece . a Pachman game . White has no answer to the
5. I a4! Bxa� :! Qa3 Bh5 3 Rxh5 Qxa3 4 R h 7 + and 5 t h reat of 2 . . . g6 3 Qxh6+ Kg8 w i n n i ng the quee n .
hxa3 . 25 . I N f5 + ! gx f5 2 gx f5 + K h 7 3 K f2 ! ! allowing the
o. I B hH ! ! White wins m a teri a l . rook on f l 11ccess to the g-tile and taking p<�rt in the
7. I Bc7! Bxe7 :! Qe5 + fo 3 Qe 6 and 4 Q n . allack ! 3 . . . Rg7 the hest try at organizing a
8. I . . . Ng3+ ! :! hxg3 hxg3 + 3 Kg l N f2 4 Rxf2 Rh l + ! defence to Rg6 4 Qxh6! + 4 . . . Kxho 5 Rh3+ KgS 6
5 K x h I gx f:! . Nothing can stop the paw n . Rg l + Kf4 7 Rh4+ and mates.
9 . I Rxh:! ! gx h2 2 Bh l h l = Q/R s ta l ema t e . V�- 1h. 26. I Q e 8 + ! Rxe8 2 Nn+ Nxn 3 Rxe8 mate.
10. I Q x dH + ! B xd!! 2 Bxh7. Not an everyd11y hack­ 27 . I . . . Rxg2'!'! intending to answer 2 Qxf8 + with the
rank com b i n a tio n . cute . . . Rg8 + and Rxf8. 2 Qxh7 + with stalemate!
I I . I . . . Kd�! Zu gzwa n g . 2 B e l (2 Be3 + Kc3 and Correct is I . . . R n and Black has a comfortable
3 . . . Kh2) . . . Rxe I +! 3 Kxc I Kc3 4 R1l l Kh2 5 Rd I win.
Bxd I with an e as ily won ending. 2 8 . I Rx n + ! K x n 2 Q d 7 + Kf6 3 Q d 8 + K1!.7 4 Qc.l7 +
12. I . . . Qh3 :! Re2 Q xg3 + ! 3 hxg3 Nxc2 + 4 Kf2 Nxc l Kg8 5 Qc8+ ! K h 7 6 Qxb7 + Qg7 7 Qxhl+ Ifl.Ifl
5 Rxc l Rc8 . ;mother example of a winn ing pin (see 29. I Nh6+ Kf8 2 N f5 ! e/gxf5 3 Rxh7 mating.
positi o n � ) if 6 h3 t he n 6 . . . Rd2 + . Or 6 Ke2 Rc4. 30. I N xf5 RxfS 2 B x c7 + ! Kxc7 3 g4 winning the
1 3 . I . . . R eS ! exchange .
1 4 . I Q e7 + Kf8 2 Q h 8 + ! Qf8 3 Qe5 + Re7 4 Bb5 + ! 3 1 . I Qg7 + ! Kxg7 2 N f5 + Kg8 3 N e 7 mate.
axhS S Qxh5 + Rdd7 6 QhH+ perpetu a l check . 32. I Ra7 + ! Kxa7 2 Nc6+ Ka8 3 Qxb8 + Qxb8 4 Rxb8
I S . I Rf8 + Rxf8 2 Qh8 ! + Kxh8 3 e x ffi ( Q ) mate. mate .
16. I B x n+ ! Kxn 2 Rxc7 + and Qh7 + . 33. I . . . Re3 ! ! White is powerless agai nst Nh3 and Qg l
1 7 . I Rxc8 Qxc8 2 Qxc8+ Kxc8 3 Rxf6 gxf6 4 g 7 Be6 S mate.
Bh3 and the pawn promotes. 34. I . . . Rb l ! 2 Qxb l N xe3 + 3 Kg l Qxf3 and mates.
18. I Rxh7 + ! Kxn 2 Rxn+ Rxf7 3 Q x g6 + and Qxn. This com bination was missed by Botvi nnik who. in
1 9 . I Qxc8 + ! Qxc8 2 B c7 and B lack cannot preve nt time trouble , accepted a draw.
Rxc8 + and Bd8. 35 . 1 Qxh6 + ! gxh6 2 Rg7+ Kh8 3 Bg8 !
20. I . . . Nd7! forci ng a positional concession from 36. I Be4! a variation on the inte rference theme.
W h i te with 2 dS. If 2 Ne2? N de5 ! 3 d x e 5 N xe5 and I . . . Rxe4 2 h3+ Kg3 3 Rf3 mate . Or I . . . Bxe4 2
4 . . . Nxd3 + . h3+ Kg3 3 Be l mate .
2 1 . I R x d 7 ! Qxd7 2 Bxc6 Qc7 3 B x a 8 Rxa8 4 Qc6!
White wins material .

131
 GLOSSARY

3 . Isolated pawn : a pawn with n o friendly pawn� on

I. Tactics and Combinations
adjacent flies.
4. Hanging pawns two pawns on the same rank on
I . Zwischenzug is German for "in-between-move " . adjacent files with no friendly pawns on neighbouring
This is a move which is "slipped in" before a forced files .
reply. e . g . I e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 e5 c5 4 cJ Nc6 5 Nf3 Qb6 6 5. Backward pawn : a pawn which cannot be defend­
Bd3 cxd4 7 cxd4 Nxd4?? 8 Nxd4 Qxd4? 9 Bb5 + Bd7 ed by another pawn , cannot advance without the risk of
and now White plays a zwischenzug with 10 Bxd7+ being taken by an enemy pawn . and is exposed to
before capturing the black queen on d4. attack on a half-open file .
2 . Desperado piece is a piece that is lost but gives up 6. Doubled pawns are two pawns of the same colour
its life in the most expensive manner. An example of this on the same file, classed as a weakness because the\'
can be found on page 17, where both White and Black cannot defend each other and an opposing single pawn
offer minor pieces. can block them .
3. Rabbit: A weak player; other terms are fish . 7. Colour complex: a group of undefended squares of
muppe t . zombie . etc. These unkind terms are part of one colour. arising from the pawn structure .
chess lore . There is neve r any malice suggested in the
term other than it refers to a weak player.
4 . A Hanging piece is one which is unprotected.
4. Opening Principles and Ideas
though not necessarily under attack (and thus a
potential tactical weakness) . I . The Opening is the initial phase of the game in
which the pieces are mobilized.
2 . To Centralize is to move a piece towards the
2. How to Analyse a Position
centre .
3. A Power dif!erelllial is the difference in activity of
I . The Branching factor (plausible moves) is the
the white and black pieces in a given position.
number of reasonable moves which must be considered
4. A Fianchetto is the development of a bishop on b:2
at every turn of play. Typically. (for humans) . this will
or g2 for White . or on b7 or g7 for Black .
be 6 or 7 in an ordinary middle-game position. In
5. The Two bishops is a case of I + I =2 and a little bit
computer chess. it may be the number of legal moves in
more . as a single bishop's inherent disadvantage of
the position .
colour blindness is eliminated. In an open position.
2. Esselllial features refers to the general overview of
possession of the two bishops vs. ( B + N ) or ( N + N )
a position involving such factors as open or half-open
will normally give a definite positional advantage .
files, pawn structure and piece activity . This may
include tactical points such as pins or hanging pieces.
3. A Forcing sequence is a series of moves in which 5. The Ending
one player's responses are forced to aven immediate
disaster. I . The Ending is the phase of the game which is
4. The Game tree is the "tree" which represents the characterized by the paucity of material on the board
plausible moves from a given position i n terms of nodes and a general absence of complications typical of
connected by arcs. opening or middlegame positions.
5. Progressive deepening is the process of rehashing 2 . P. P. P. is an abbreviation for protected pass�d
and rechecking previously analysed variations and pawn .
extending them in successive stages. which humans 3. D. P. P. is an abbreviation for distant passed paw n .
perform before deciding on a move . 4. Zugzwang i s a German word with the lit�ral
6. A Threat is an immediate tactical move such as a meaning of "compulsion to move " . The option ,,f
capture . pin . fork. double-attack . etc. moving is not always an advantage and this is ����ll in
the sense of b ei n g forced to move an d LOSt' .
5. Wrong bishop: with relevance to the endin!! ,,f
3. How to Formulate a Plan king, bishop and rook pawn vs. king if the bish<'P ll<'<.'s
not control the queening square and the opposin!! kin!!
.1 . Open file: a fi le with no pawns on it. has access to that square , the bishop is said to b,· ,,f tlw
2 . Half-open file: one with pawn(s) of only one "wrong" colour as the enemy king cannot h� r,,r,.,.,( ••ut
colour on i t . of the corner.

133
 DOVER BOOKS ON CHESS
MY BEST GAMES OF CHESS, 1908--1 937, Alexander Alekhine. (Available in U.S. only.)
(0-486-24941-7)
107 GREAT CHESS BATTLES, 1938--1945, Alexander Alekhine. (0-486-27104-8)
AN INTRODUCTION TO CHESS MOVES AND TACTICS SIMPLY EXPLAINED, Leonard Barden.
(Available in U.S. only.) (0-486-21 2 1 0-6)
ONE HUNDRED SELECTED GAMES, M. M. Botvinnik. (0-486-20620-3)
BOBBY FISCHER: PROFILE OF A PRODIGY, Frank Brady. (0-486-25925-0)
200 OPEN GAMES, David Bronstein. (0-486-26857-8)
ZURICH INTERNATIONAL CHESS TOURNAMENT, 1 953, David Bronstein. (0-486-23800-8)

CAPABLANCA'S BEST CHESS ENDINGS, Irving Chernev. (0-486-24249-8)

COMBINATIONS: THE HEART OF CHESS, Irving Chernev. (0-486-2 1 744-2)

PRACTICAL CHESS ENDINGS, Irving Chernev. (0-486-22208-X)

THE MOST INSTRUCTIVE GAMES OF CHESS EvER PLAYED, Irving Chernev. (0-486-27302-4)

TWELVE GREAT CHESS PLAYERS AND THEIR BEST GAMES, Irving Chernev. (0-486-28674-6)

100 SOVIET CHESS MINIATURES, P. H. Clarke (0-486-40844-2)

How GOOD Is YouR CHESS? Daniel King. (0-486-44676-X)

CHESS WORLD TITLE CONTENDERS AND THEIR STYLES, Danny Kopec and C raig Pritchett.
(0-486-42233-X)
STRATEGIC CHESS: MAsTERING THE CLOSED GAME, Edmar Mednis.(0-486-4061 7-2)
A GUIDE TO CHESS ENDINGS, Dr. Max Euwe and David Hooper. (0-486-23332-4)
CHESS MASTER VS. CHESS AMATEUR, Max Euwe and Walter Meiden. (0-486-27947-2)

THE LOGICAL APPROACH TO CHESS, Dr. Max Euwe, et a]. (0-486-24353-2)

C HESS OPENINGS FOR THE AVERAGE PLAYER, Tim Harding and Leonard Barden.
(0-486-40404-8)
THE UNKNOWN CAPABLANCA, David Hooper and Dale Brandreth . (0-486-276 14-7)
CLASSIC CHESS PROBLEMS, Kenneth S. Howard. (0-486-22522-4)
THE ART OF THE MIDDLE GAME, Paul Keres and Alexander Kotov. (0-486-261 54-9)
PAWN POWER IN CHESS, Hans Kmoch. (0-486-26486-6)
CHESS FOR FuN AND CHESS FOR BLOOD, Edward Lasker. (0-486-20 146-5)
CHESS STRATEGY, Edward Lasker. (0-486-20528-2)

Paperbound unless otherwise indicated. Available at your book dealer,

online at www.doverpublications.com, or by writing to Dept. 23, Dover
Publications, Inc., 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, NY 1 1 50 1 . For current
price information or for free catalogues (please indicate field of interest),
write to Dover Publications or log on to www.doverpublications.com
and see every Dover book in print. Each year Dover publishes over 500
books on fine art, music, crafts and needlework, antiques, languages, lit­
erature, children's books , chess, cookery, nature, anthropology, science,
mathematics, and other areas.
Manufactured in the USA.