A Contemporary Approach To The Middlegame (Suetin 1976)

A Contemporary Approach to the Middle Game
A Contemporary Approach
to the Middle Game
ALEKSEI SUETIN
Translated by L. S. Blackstock
Edited by R. D. Keene, it G. Wade, K. J. O'Connell
Chess Digest Inc., Dallas, Texas

First published in the German Democratic Republic (1971)
English translation © B. T. Batsford Ltd., 1976
Printed in Great Britain by

Willmer Brothers Limited, Birkenhead
for the publishers
Chess Digest Inc., P.O. Box 21225, Dallas, Texas 75211

Contents
Editor's Foreword, vii

Introduction, ix
I. The Foundations of Strategy, I

Two Conceptions of Strategy, 2
Particularities of Chess Strategy, 4
The Game Plan, 9
Positional judgement, 10
Elements of Positional Play, 14
Typical Strategical Developments, 15
2. The Bases of Chess Tactics, 20

Two Ways of Considering Tactics, 20
The Combination, 22
Systernatiation of Combinational Play, 23
The Most Important Combinational Ideas, 24
Accompanying Combinational Circumstances, 31
Calculation of Combinations and Positional Judgement, 37
3. Linking Strategy and. Tactics, 39

Strategy Comes First, 39
Conformity of the Aim with the Means, 44
The Independent Role of Tactics, 46
4. Style, 50
The Two Conceptual Categories of Chess Players, 54
The Measure of Strategic Mastery, 58
5. The Dynamic, 60
A Short Historical Survey, 60
The Essentials of Modern Dynamics, 64
vi Contents
The Maximum Proximity of the Plan to the Course of the Game, 65
Conversion of Material into Strength, 66
The Positional Combination, 68
The New Interpretation of the Main Factors, Force, Space and Time, 70
The Impossibility of Going Back on Dynamic Decisions, 72
Systematization of Dynamic Methods, 74
The Difference Between Dynamic and Ordinary Tactical Decisions, 76
Dynamic Struggle in Equal Positions, 76
The Interdependence of Static and Dynamic Treatment, 79
6. The Initiative, 85
The ROle of Tempo in the Game, 85
The Initiative, its Unfolding and its Increase, 87
Duration and Stability of the Initiative, 94
7. Transforming Positional Elements, 104

Different Sorts of Transformation, 104
Transition from Middle Game to Endgame, 109
8. Harmony, 119
Two Kinds of Strategic Principles, 119
The Development of the Principle of Harmony, 119
Importance of the Object of Attack, 130
The Impossibility of Breaking off Dynamic Harmony, 131
Classification of Harmony, 132
9. The Influence of the Dynamic Standpoint, 136

Intuitive Dynamics with regard to the Masters of the Past, 136
The Art of the Attack on the King, 139
The Creative Extent of True Mastery, 140
From Intuition to Conscious Action, 142
Ultra-Dynamic Style, 144
The Art of Sharpening the Play, 148
10. Relating Middle Game to Opening, 150

The Game as a Unified Course of Struggle, 150
Harmonious Co-ordination in the Opening, 152
The Influence of Development on the Middle Game, 156
Tactical Exploitation of Opening Advantages, 156
Strategic Exploitation of Opening Advantages, 158
Transition to the Middle Game — Positional Balance, 164
Editor's Foreword
Aleksei Suetin's Schachlehrbuch fur Fortgeschrittene, published by Sport-

verlag Berlin (German Democratic Republic) in 1971, consisted of
three booklets-
Moderne Probleme des Mittelspiels
Moderne Probleme des Positionsspiels
Die Grundlagen der modernen Eroffnung
—published as one volume.
International Grandmaster Suetin of Moscow is an acknowledged
specialist in the field of integrating opening ideas and trends into the
general structure of chess strategy and tactics.
L. S. Blackstock translated the first two booklets from what turned
out to be a very difficult German text—originally translated from the
Russian. Besides Mr Blackstock, both R. D. Keene and I had to devote
considerable time to clarifying the author's intentions. We have to
thank Mrs Marietta Phillips for her help with the translation.
The trouble taken with the translation is, I think, completely justified
by the contribution that Suetin makes to the general understanding
of modern chess. He redefines the terms of strategy, tactics, combina-
tions, manoeuvres; he explains the differences between static and
dynamic approaches. But, above all, the grandmaster seeks to show
that these elements have to be integrated the whole time into the chess
player's thinking in order to play games which flow as a single unified
conception.
In writing this work Suetin has referred to, and quoted from, the
following books in their Russian text:—
Zdravii Smisl v Shakhmatakh, Em. Lasker (Common Sense in Chess)
Strategia i Taktika Shakhmatnovo Iskusstva, G. Lisitsin
Mittelshpil, P. Romanovsky
Moi Luchshie Part ii, A. Alekhine (My Best Games of Chess 1908-1923)
Uchebnik Shakhmatnoi Igri, J. Capablanca (A Primer of Chess)
Teoria Zhertvi, R. Spielmann (The Art of Sacrifice in Chess)
viii Editor's Foravard
K. j. O'Connell has been responsible for presentation of the text and
for proof-reading.
D. Castello's work in reading the manuscript, making corrections
and suggesting tidying improvements in the text, is also gratefully
appreciated.
R. G. Wade
Introduction
It is generally acknowledged that chess is a complex phenomenon

which contains elements of sport, of science and of art. This game
attracts even the most inexperienced adherents through the inner
beauty of its ideas. At the same time chess progresses in accordance
with stern laws of logic. This circumstance, together with the highly
important role which psychological factors play, moves the art of chess
into the area of science. The centuries-old history of this venerable and
still mysterious game shows that chess has also cultural values.
How do the artistic ideas in chess arise? Where can the inner logic
of chess be found? These questions served the author as a starting-point
for this book.
1 The Foundations of Strategy
The game of chess, both in its inner content and its outward appear-
ance, consists of a struggle involving two camps starting with equal
forces. This struggle forms the basis of the game. The moment the
forces of the two opposing sides come into contact, battle is joined and
expedients of defence or counter-attack will react to such active methods
of combat as move, threat, operation, plan and so on.
The efforts of the contestants during the struggle are based upon
certain general concepts derived directly from specific features em-
bodied in the rules and aims of the game. Centuries-long practice has,
in the great majority of cases, established the correctness of these
concepts. Primarily they include factors familiar to even the most
inexperienced players, such as the relative values of the pieces and
pawns, and the properties and peculiarities of each particular piece;
among these factors the role of the king is without doubt the most
significant.
The chess space forming the battlefield has its own properties which
are inseparable from the values of the chessmen in use—the material
aspect. A player soon learns that the ratio of value between the pieces is
often only a relative concept, and the ,strength of a unit engaged in the
struggle constantly changes according to the situation on the board
and the way in which this affects one's own and one's opponent's pieces.
The actual strength of a given piece or pawn is very frequently
influenced by the external contours or outward features of the position.
Positional elements such as centralization, strong and weak squares,
open lines, the pawn structure, etc., which are widely recognized and
easily comprehended.
One objective in the battle is the attainment of these static material
and positional features. Every move changes not only the outward
characteristics of the position but also the values of the material and
positional features, and it is in this that the significance of the move,
which is the unit of chess time, lies. Time must therefore be reckoned
a basic factor in the struggle. To draw a comparison with films, each
individual frame of the film is equivalent to the move by move progress
of the game. In assessing any position, one has to consider every main
element of the struggle—the material balance of forces and the factors
of space and time. Among the most important of all these elements is
the arrangement of the pieces—their mobility, their co-ordination, etc.
This question of the arrangement and co-ordination of forces can play
an all-important role. One can have an advantage in material, in time
and also in space, and yet not be able to win—indeed one may even be
losing.
We consider two schematic positions:
In the first position (1) Black has a great material advantage but the
unfavourable arrangement of his pieces permits White to win imme-
diately by 1 P–N7.
In the second position (2) Black's material advantage is still more
considerable but after I P–N7 he must still be satisfied with a draw as
after 1 ... Qx P+ 2 K x Q White wins another piece. The struggle in
the game is conducted in conformity with the laws of strategy and
tactics.
Two Conceptions of Strategy

Chess strategy embraces the questions of general co-ordination of the
forces which serves to effect the most important aims during a certain
phase of the struggle.
In the course of the total development of theory the correlation
between the basic methods of attack and defence in the struggle of
strategic ideas plays a leading role. In this respect the strategic postu-
lates pronounced by Steinitz retain their validity up to this day.
When Steinitz formed his theories on attack and defence he pro-
ceeded above all from the pioneering experiences of Morphy whose
games he had analysed thoroughly. With that he discovered that a
The Foundations of Strategy 3
game is developed according to laws and fixed principles. An attack
can have success only when the attacker has attained a definite
superiority. If such is present then the player who has the advantage
must attack in order not to relinquish the initiative.
No less significant, since the formation of the theory of positional
play, are the principles of defence. Steinitz analysed the games of his
contemporaries both in detail and critically. He came to the conclusion
that the brilliant attacks and combinations of the masters of that time
were successful mainly because the defence, the laws of which were still
not formulated, was weakly conducted.
The first basis of defence is the greatest economy in the necessary
defensive measures. The defender may make only as few concessions
as possible.
Following from Steinitz, such positions, in which the prospects of
both sides are roughly equal, have been systematically examined, and
the game has tended to revolve around manoeuvring to accumulate
and nurse small advantages. In that respect one reckons with the
advantage of the bishop-pair, the possession of open lines, weak
squares in the opponent's camp, doubled or backward pawns, etc.
The modern conception of positional treatment is complemented by
dynamic factors. In that, together with the static elements, the un-
favourable posting of this or that piece, their limited mobility, etc. is
considered. One can interpret the concept of strategy (as well as the
concept of tactics) purely practically and separately (as the authors of
chess manuals have often done), but it is also possible to interpret it in
a wider sense.
Many chess players understand strategy to mean only the systematic
conducting of the game and accordingly the subordination of the play
to a definite plan. Naturally there is no objection to that. However, in
the deeper sense of the word, strategy means the totality of views of a
player (even the outlook of a whole school) on the conducting of the
struggle. Strategy embraces everything which relates to abstract chess
thought. For example modern strategy, as opposed to the long prevail-
ing positional school of Steinitz, distinguishes a comprehensive realiza-
tion and independence of combinational means. We now enter into
some aspects which are informative for the details of chess strategy.
(If one examines a game like Steinitz' famous win over von
Bardeleben at Hastings 1895, one suspects that Steinitz readily integ-
rated the systematic positional features with the combinational aspects.
Therefore one deduces that in his writings Steinitz, for the sake of
emphasizing a less-understood aspect, over-stressed the positional
factors.—Ed.)
Particularities of Chess Strategy

The Attacking Forces and Their Object
In the game the difference between the object of attack and the attack-
ing forces must be considered with extreme reservation. That is to say,
during the course of the game the object of attack can suddenly become
the attacker. The ending between Botvinnik and Petrosian from the
18th game of the 1963 World Championship match, which arose after
White's 41st move, may serve as a characteristic example (3).
3
B
White has built up an ideal pawn centre and possesses a certain

space advantage. In addition Black has a backward pawn at QB3 on
a half-open file which could be a comfortable object of attack for his
opponent at an opportune moment. It is instructive to follow how
Black transforms this immobile object of attack into an important
component of his counter-offensive.
41 ... B—B2!
An excellent reply which is connected with the following play
against White's central point K4.

42 N1—K3 P—Q134!
Black, perceiving a favourable opportunity, rids himself of his weak-
ness. In the further course of the game the pawn on QB4 proves itself
to be a real strength.
43 P—Q5 N—K4
44 R—Bl?
The beginning of a faulty plan which leads to defeat. White had to
play 44 N—QB4 N x N 45 P x N B—N3 46 P--K5! or 45 ... N—Bl
46 P—K5! Through the sacrifice of his central pawn, which has become
a target, White would have had the possibility of activating his pieces
and, in this case, would have obtained good prospects of saving the
game. The white centre, which a short time ago was a fearsome
attacking weapon, has now become a fixed positional liability.
44 ... B-N3
45 K-KI N-131
46 R2-B2 R--KB2
47 K-Q2 N-Q3
48 N-B5+ B x N
49 KP x B
The exchange sacrifice 49 R x B deserved attention, although Black's
advantage would be indisputable.
49 ... P-B5
50 R-QN1 P-N4
51 P-N4 P-B6 +
52 K x P
White is compelled to accept the sacrifice.
52 ... R-B2 +
53 K-Q2 N4-B5 +
54 K-QI N-R6
55 R-N2 N3-B3
The black knights suddenly participate in a boisterous counter-
attack.
56 R-R2 RP x P
57 PxPNxP 58 R-R6 N-B6 + 59K-B1 N x P 60 li-R4 RI-QB1
61 N-Kl N-B5 0-1
The Attacking Forces and Their 'Reserves'

In chess strategy a careful distinction must be drawn between attacking
forces and 'reserves'. In the following position (4), which arose after
White's 15th move in the game Haag-Suetin, Debrecen 1961, White
has a considerable lead in development. Black's K-side is almost
completely undeveloped and the king is still in the centre.
4
Nevertheless, a deeper examination of the position shows that Black
has an almost decisive advantage. It is instructive to note that Black
proves his superiority with moves of pieces that are already developed,
but throughout his reserves do not play a passive role. Each of the
black pieces not participating in the struggle at the moment works
excellently from its original square. Perhaps the secret of Black's
success lies in just that fact.
15 ... N-84!
Only this move panics the threatened breakthrough P-B5. On
16 P-B5, would have followed 16 ... N x B! 17 P x N (If 17 P x P
Nx B! 18 Qx BP+ IC-Q.1and White has no visible compensation for
the considerable material losses.) 17 Q-B71 18 R-B2 Qx N 19
P x P 0 0 0! and the black king escapes from the danger zone.
16 BxQNP Q-N3
17 N-Q4 N-R5!
18 QR-K1
Move by move the position becomes sharper. The black king is
subjected to a threefold pin. If 18 ... P-N3 then 19 Q-K5 R-KN1
20 B x N R x B 21 Q-N8+ would be very unpleasant. With this next
move Black severs the Gordian knot.
18 ... B-B4!
The first, and at the same time, decisive move of this bishop.
19 BxP+
The threats of 19 ... N x B and 19 ... B x N+ compelled White to
seek refuge in a desperate attack.
19 ... KxB
20 Qx BP+ K-B] 21 RxP Bx N+ 22 B B Qx B+ 23 K-R1
R-Q1 ! 24 R-QN1 Q-Q8 + 25 R-K1 Q-Q4 26 Qx P R-KN1
27 RxBRxQ 28 R x K-Ql 29 P-B5 R-R3 0-1
Greater and Lesser Preconditions for Victory

Naturally the result of a strategical battle is decided by a perceptible
upset in the balance of the position in favour of one side. But very often
situations arise in which the most insignificant fluctuations in the
balance of power create preconditions for tracing out the winning plan.
(The reader will be more convinced of this by the next example.)
The following position arose in Lutikov-Petrosian, 37th USSR
Championship 1969, after White's 17th move (5).
On careful consideration of the position one comes to the conclusion
that Black has a whole string of positional advantages; these show that
his prospects are clearly more favourable. The preferable features of
Black's position lie firstly in the better pawn structure (White's pawns
5
B
on QR4 and Q3 form a serious, even if inconspicuous, weakness in

their camp); secondly the black pieces have at their disposal more
favourable possibilities for harmonious co-ordination than their dis-
persed white counterparts; finally, and this is the most essential
ingredient, Black has the clearly defined plan of active Q-side opera-
tions while White can achieve little on the K-side.
In similar situations it can be very difficult to see imminent danger
in time. It can be occasionally extremely hard to pinpoint the actual
cause of the disturbance of the equilibrium, particularly in positions
which are not susceptible to the calculation of concrete variations.
17 ... P—K4!
18 N—R3 B—K3
19 N—B4 N—Bl
20 Q—B2 R—R2
The white queen can no longer satisfactorily be freed from the pin.
Black threatens to bring about an advantageous pawn structure by
21 ... R—B2 and 22 ... B x N. Therefore White concerned himself with
avoiding weaknesses, but in doing so the position of his pieces deteriora-
ted still further.
Probably White's QB4 square had to be held and 21 QR—B1 R—B2
22 Q—QI followed by P—B41 to be played. On 22 ... B x N 23 P x B
would have had the unpleasant threat 24 P—QB5! at hand. In any
event, White's position would have remained defensible.
21 N—R3? R—B2
22 Q—N2 N--Q3
The concept of speed in chess manoeuvres depends upon the
character of the position. The apparently protracted knight manoeuvre
in the present game proves to be extremely dynamic. The knight,
which a moment ago lay dormant on K2, leaps ardently to the critical
square ... QB4. Black's plan is accomplished in model fashion.
23 P—B4
B
Finally White decides to take active steps, but he has no way of
creating any threats on the K-side, while Black's advantage on the
Q-side increases inexorably.
23 ... Q—Q2
24 KR—B1 R1—B1
25 R x R R x R
26 R—QB1 P—B3
27 PxP PxP
28 B—KB3 N—N2!
Another effective move of the knight which hurries to the focal point
of the battle, Black's QB4 square. The weakness of White's QR4 and
Q3 is irreparable.
29 R x R Q x R
30 B—Q1 N-134
31 Q—B2 Q—B21.
With the unstoppable threat 32 ... B—N6. If immediately 31 ... B—N6
White could answer 32 Q—Bl, as 32 ... B x B 33 Qx B N x QP? fails
to 34 Q—N3 + winning a piece.
32 B—N5 B—KB I
33 B—Q8? N—N2
0-1
Despite the uniform spread of pawns (both sides' pawns occupying
the same files) White came quite quickly into a hopeless, even lost,
position without committing a direct blunder. In this game there were
no complications and tactics played no part at all. Petrosian's extremely
clear, though deeply based, strategy, in which the slight disruptions in
the balance were utilized with iron precision, is most instructive.
However, there are a number of positions in which even a con-
siderable material advantage is not sufficient to assure a win, e.g. the
theoretical ending of rook and knight versus rook or the construction
of various fortresses.
6
B
Black (6) has a great material advantage (queen against rook and
pawn). However, White, having erected an impregnable fortress, is
guaranteed a draw.
Here is an example (7) of a fortress wall which must surely strike us

as fantastic. The solution of this study by W. E. Rudolph (La Strategic
1912. And previously in The Chess Amateur—Ed.) shows clearly what
is meant by the term fortress.
1 B-R4 +! K x B 2 P-N3 + K-N4 3 P-B4 + K-B3 4 P-Q5 +
K-Q2 5 P-K6 + K x B 6 P-B5 and draws.
The Game Plan

Whatever particular circumstances may influence the course of a game,
strategy always consists basically of a plan which represents a meaning-
ful method of procedure. One must constantly be aware of the need to
adapt to new circumstances on the board and therefore to change that
plan.
The general aim, common to all plans, consists in attaining estab-
lished positional or material advantages which create preconditions
sufficient for victory. During the game the plan is a kind of compass
which oscillates according to the conditions of the struggle. If these
conditions change then the plan also changes; every alteration in the
position, sometimes even an apparently insignificant one, can require
new decisions.
The plan is always based on judgement of the position and the
weighing up of its essential particularities.
In connection with this we will concern ourselves with some charac-
teristics of method which are connected with positional judgement.
Positional Judgement
The methodical bases on which positional judgement rest have been
examined very thoroughly. Above all, the objective factors have been
investigated through centuries of theory and practice. The judgement
of a position begins most expediently with a survey of the outward
positional characteristics—the proportion of material forces and the
positional factors (such as the position of the kings, the situation in the
centre, the presence of weak and strong points with regard to pawns,
open lines, diagonals etc.).
Such a static judgement of the position is, as it were, the stepping-
stone to a more comprehensive, dynamic assessment. The dynamic
valuation is accompanied by the concrete calculation of variations
from which the mutual possibilities and future prospects are weighed
up. Only by this kind of approach to the problems can one recognize
in a clearer light the various hidden features of the position.
Often one finds in manuals on the middle game a more detailed
exposition of the successive procedures (i.e. stages) of positional judge-
ment, such as for example:
1) Stock-taking of the material situation.
2) Consideration of positional factors.
3) Attention to the main principles of strategy and tactics in the given
situation.
4) Study of combinational motifs.
In most cases in practice these stages have a specific character. One
must judge every position from such fixed points of view, in which are
considered the material and positional factors as well as every con-
ceivable combinational idea. Only a knowledge of these aspects frees
us from those instantaneous decisions by which moves are chosen at
random.
Obviously there are many positions which can be assessed com-
paratively easily. Some of them can be judged without difficulty on
general positional considerations; others, on the other hand, require
concrete analysis (one only has to think of any endgame study). As a
rule, however, positions on the board pose problems so difficult that
they can be solved neither by exact calculation nor by an approximate
assessment of positional considerations. In such cases, besides the
permanent outward features which can be gathered from the contours
of the position, very variable dynamic factors play an important part.
To these factors which are difficult to assess belong, for example, the
co-ordination and disposition of forces at any given moment. Ulti-
rnately, the assessment must rest on the particularities of each indi-
vidual position.
The following example is characteristic.
8
B
This position (8) arose in the game Smyslov—Gligorie, Warsaw 1947,

after White's 21st move. White on the last move quietly played 21
R.KB1—R1 oblivious to any danger. (Correct was 21 R—R6!) This
allowed Black to seize the initiative in decisive fashion with the unex-
pected reply ...
21 ... P—N41
Now an apparently unimportant, but actually essential, detail
becomes clear: the limited freedom of movement of the white queen.
White has no choice and must go into an unfavourable ending.
22 Q—K3
Of course not 22 P—QN4? on account of 22 ... Q—B8 +
22 ... Qx Q
23 P x Q R—B7
24 N—K4 P—KN5!
A further unpleasantness. Black's initiative increases and leads
finally to a won ending.
25 B x P NxB
26 R x N R x KP
27 R—Q2 R x R
28 N x R N x KP
29 R—R3 N—B5!
Having judged the position carefully, Gligori6 steers the game into a
rook ending.
30 N x N P x N
31 R—QB3 R—N1
32 R—B2 P—R3
33 K—B2 R—N6
34 P—R3 K—N2
35 R x P RxQNP+
36 K—B3 R.—N6 +
37 K—B4 P—R4!
The final part of the game is instructive for chess players of all
strengths.
38 P—R4 P—B3
39 R—B6 K—B2 40 R—B7 + K—N3 41 R—B8 P—K4 + 42 K—K4 R—N5 +
43 K—B3 K—B4 44 R—KR8 P—K5 + 45 K—N2 R—N7+ 46 K—R3
K—N3. Black has driven the white king to KR3; now the decisive part
begins, namely the advance of the passed KP. 47 R—K8 R—K7 48
R—K7 P—B4 49 R—K6 + K—N2 50 R—QR6 R—KB7 51 R—K6 K—B2
52 R—K5 K—B3 53 R—K8 R—Q7 54 R—KB8+ K—K4 0-1
This example shows that many dynamic possibilities are concealed
in even the most apparently simple positions. Consequently, in judging
a position one must always look for its hidden peculiarities and try to
grasp the exact extent of possibilities within the game.
I would like to offer for consideration a somewhat more difficult
example. Before us is a position (9) which occurred after White's 18th
move in the game Dackstein—Petrosian, 15th Olympiad, Varna 1962.
9
B
The game has reached the middle game stage and the respective
castled positions determine in essence the plans, which involve each
side in an attack on the other flank. Neither king is directly threatened.
Black has the half-open KR-file at his disposal while White can advance
his Q-side pawns to storm the enemy king's position. All this points to
roughly equal prospects in the struggle ahead.
That is the assessment of the position on the basis of traditional
positional concepts. However, in reality, White's position is already
very difficult.
18 ... P—R4!
By this paradoxical advance Black seizes the initiative almost by
force. As Black voluntarily opens lines on the Q-side, apparently
aiding White's attack, many dogmatists would not consider this move.
However, an essential aspect of the game is the initiative and for
the sake of that Black overrides positional prejudices. Now if 19 P x P
B x P Black has the important threat 20 R x P 21 K x R R-Rl +
22 K-Ni N x N and White would be mated.
White tries to obtain counterplay in the centre.
19 KR-Q1 RxR+
20 R x R R-R5!
The next link in Black's plan. The rook not only works powerfully
on the KR-file but also is eyeing its important fifth rank squares.
21 P x P BxP
22 P-R6 P-N3
23 R-Kl K-R2
24 B-K5 Q-Q2
25 N-K4 B-Q5
26 P-N3 B x Bi
The most energetic realization of his positional advantage. Through
the exchange sacrifice Black can dominate the entire board. At the
same time White's pawn structure is weakened even further.
27 P x R N-Q5
28 Q-Q1 Q-Q4
Better than 28 ... Q-R6 29 N-N3!
29 R-K3 N-B4!
30 R-Kl N-Q5 31 Q-Q3 P-KB4 32 N-N5 P-B4 33 R-K3 P-QB5
34 Q-Ql K x P 35 R-Q,R3 B-B3 36 P-R3 P-B5 37 Q-N4 (White, by
going into an ending, would be promised nothing, e.g. 37 .Ar--B3 x
38 Q.,x. r Qx Q 39 Rx (LB -1(4 followed by 40 ... K-R4.) 37 ... K-R4
38 N-B3 K-N5! 39 N x N K x R 40 N-B2 + K x P 0-1
In the realm of positional judgement unexpected attacks on the king,
with which one must reckon in even the most apparently simple
situations, occupy a particular place.
Taimanov-Larsen, Havana 1967, serves as a characteristic example
(10).
Up till the last move White has had the initiative in a quiet ending
and has endeavoured to realize the advantage of the two bishops, while
Black remained confined to passive defence.
However, completely unexpectedly, Black is now offered good
prospects of counter-play which is connected with a sudden tactical
attack on the white king.
31 ... P-K5+ 32 K-B4 (Not 32 K x ? )iB4 +) 32,... N-K2 33
10
B
B-R5 P-N3 34 B x N P x B 35 B-R4 N-N3 + 36 K-B5 R-B4 +

37 K-B6 N-K4 38 B-N3?
(White, not sensing the danger, runs into a mating net. It was
necessary to play 38 B-Q1). 38 ... K-Kl 39 K-N7?! N-N5! 40 R-Q1
R-KN4 + 41 K-R8 N-B3! 42 B-R4 + K-K2 0-1
Elements of Positional Play

The knowledge of positional elements is extremely significant in the
judgement of a position. It is very important to recognize the value of
open files for the rooks, strong diagonals for the bishops and the
existence of strong and weak points (here knights play an important
part). Space advantage, infiltration of the rooks to the 7th rank and
control of the centre also belong in this category.
There are many strategical problems of this kind. We would advise
learners not to study all of them but rather to concern themselves with
some of them as thoroughly as possible. In this respect one can take
much valuable advice from the work of Nimzowitsch.
For example, in his book 'How I became a grandmaster' (Kak ra Stal
Grossmeisterom, in Russian, 1929—Ed.) he wrote: 'The simultaneous
analysis of various types of positions leads only to a confusion of ideas,
while the thorough examination of only one type does not fail to
awaken positional understanding. If you, dear reader, with all your
available powers, sat down to the study of positions of one type, let us
say central files versus flank attack, then I would not be in the least
surprised if, because of that, you reached a clearer judgement, for
example, in the sphere of the end game. The process of study of whatever
kinds of position occurring on the board has not only the aim of
familiarizing one with the characteristic features of these positions but
also serves simply as an improvement of positional feeling.'
Despite their great inner and outer variety, strategic plans have
several common factors and this means that they can be treated
systematically.
Typical Strategical Developments

From the many strategic plans, typical areas like the conducting of
attacks against the king, the use of weak points in the enemy camp and
many such similar ideas have been clearly elaborated. Likewise, the
methods of defence against these ideas are well known.
The study of typical strategic ideas, as an aid to developing positional
thinking, has been strongly recommended by such prominent chess
thinkers as Emanuel Lasker and Capablanca. In his book Common
Sense in Chess Lasker analyses a characteristic position which occurs in
the French Defence after the moves 1 P—K4 P—K3 2 P—Q4 13—Q4 3
N—QB3 N—KB3 4 P—K5 N3—Q2 5 P—B4 P—QB4 6 P x P B x P 7
Q—N4 0-0 8 B—Q3 N—QB3 9 N—B3 P—B4 (10 B x P + was threatened.)
10 Q—R3 N—N5 I 1 P--N4! (11)
.11
B
A tense situation has arisen in which White has attacking prospects on

the K-side while Black has counter threats on the Q-side and in the
centre.
Lasker advises careful study of similar characteristic positions. We
republish his most important variations:
a) 11 N x B+ 12 P x N N—N3 13 P—Q4 B—N5 14 R—KN1 Q—B2
15 B—Q2 N—B5 16 P—R3 N x B 17 K x N! with the better game for
White.
b) 11 ... N—N3 12 P—R3 N x B+ 13 P x N B—Q2 14 P—N4 B—K2
15 N—Q4! when White strengthens his blockade in the centre and
retains the attack on the K-side.
c) 1I ...Q-N3 12 PxPNx Bi- 13 PxNR xP 14NxPI and White
must win.
At the end of his analysis Lasker gives the following résumé: 'The
chess enthusiast who wishes to become a master should collect such
characteristic and realistic positions and analyse them thoroughly.
He then will gain impressions and from them a feeling for the possibi-
lities of a position and could become a connoisseur or perhaps even an
artist with the bare materials of the chess board.'
As an example of researching recurring structures a good example
could be an examination of the methods of handling isolated queen's
pawn positions.
The IQP at Q4 can at the same time be both strong and weak,
because on the one hand it helps its side to conquer space and freely
manoeuvre, while on the other hand it ties its own forces to its defence.
In such positions the side with the isolated pawn tries, as a rule, to
attack on the flank, usually on the K-side or to open up the game by
the advance, P-Q5. Against this the defender endeavours to neutralize
the initiative of his opponent. To this end it is advisable to simplify the
position and above all to exchange the active enemy pieces. Another
important means of defence is the blockade, the occupation or control
of squares in front of the central pawn in order, subsequently, to put
it under pressure.
This defensive idea was first tested systematically by Steinitz in his
match against Zukertort in 1886. Whenever Steinitz had Black he
regularly took pains to saddle his opponent with an isolated pawn, as
he well knew how to defend himself against the associated attacking
chances. The following example is instructive for the course of the game
in such situations.
12
This position (12) arose after Black's 14th move in the 9th game of
the Zukertort-Steinitz match. It is interesting to observe how Steinitz
reduces White's attacking intentions to nothing and at the same time
cautiously realizes his main plan—the blockade of the centre.
15 Q-B3 B-K1
16 B-KR4 N x N!
A characteristic turn. Apparently Black rids his opponent of the
pawn weakness in the centre. However, in reality, Black perceives
clearly that the White centre is 'hanging' and the two pawns on QB3
and Q4 are weak, and on this he bases his counterplay.
17 P x N Q-B2
18 KR-Kl QR-B1
19 Q-Q3 N-Q4!
20 B x B Qx B
The exchange of the black-squared bishops suits Black as the
weakness of White's Q-side becomes more perceptible with increased
simplification. Nevertheless, White could have had a perfectly satis-
factory game with 21 P-QB4, but he still entertains past dreams of a
K-side attack. As a result Black threatens the centre more and more
effectively.
21 B x N R x B
22 P-QB4 R4-Q1
23 R-K3 Q-Q3!
24 R-Q1 P-B3
25 R-R3 P-KR3
26 N-N4
The threat 27 N x RP + appears to be very unpleasant, but Steinitz
resolutely sidesteps the tactical dangers and shows how untenable is
White's plan:
26 ... Q-B5!
27 N-K3 B-R5
28 R-B3 Q-Q3
29 R-Q2 B-B3
30 R-N3 P-B4!
This halts White's initiative on the K-side and at the same time
unmistakably threatens 31 ... P-B5. White no longer has a satisfactory
plan and seeks refuge in tactical tricks.
31 R-N6 B-K5
32 Q-N3 K-R2
33 P-B5 R x P!
34 R x KP R-B8 + !
35 N-Ql
35 N-Bl Q-Q4 36 R-K5 Qx R 37 P x Q R x R is also useless
because the threat 38 ... B-Q6 is unstoppable.
35 ... Q-B5
36 Q-N2 R-N8
37 Q-B3 R-QB1
38 R x B Qx R.K5
0-1
When one considers that this game was played almost a hundred
years ago, then one can understand how pioneering the strategic ideas
of Steinitz were at that time. His opponent obviously did not recognize
the strategic dangers and gradually fell into a difficult position. Since
that time the methods of attack and defence have been considerably
improved. Practice shows that White's initiative can become very
dangerous if there are still sufficient pieces on the board and—this is
just as significant—they are working harmoniously. The pawn on Q4
is an important outpost for the attack by the white pieces. Often the
advance P-Q5 proves to be a means of breaching the enemy position.
The following example is characteristic. In the game Boleslaysky-
Kotov, Zurich 1953, after the moves 1 P-Q4 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 P x P
3 N-KB3 N-KB3 4 P-K3 P-K3 5 B x P P-B4 6 0-0 P-QR3 7 Q-K2
P x P 8 P x P B-K2 9 N-B3 Black played prematurely 9 ... P-QN4?
without considering that White, thanks to the undeveloped black
Q-side, has the powerful tactical threat P-Q5! at his disposal.
It is instructive to follow how White utilizes the advantages of his
position as he combines tangible threats with the further development
of his pieces.
10 B-N3 B-N2
11 B-N5 0-0
12 KR-KI!
This move creates real threats on the K-file and is prerequisite to the
breakthrough P-Q5.
12 ... N-B3
13 QR-Q1
Now it is clear that Black cannot ward off the threat of P-Q5.
On 13 ... N-QN5 White plays 14 P-Q5! anyway, and if Black takes,
he loses a piece (the point of 12 KR-K1!). There followed:
13 ... N-QR4
14 P-Q5! N x B
15 PxP Q-N3
16 PxN PxP
17 N-Q4
and Black lost a pawn.
It is interesting that Black could defend himself against the tactical
threat of P-Q5 only by 13 ... R-K 1. Then 14 P-Q5 would lead only
to anequalgameafter 14... PxP 15 NxQPNxN 16 BxNBxB
17 QxR+ QxQ 18 RxQ+ RxR 19 NxBN—Q1.
Therefore, after 13 ... R—Kl White would have had to accommodate
himself to the changed circumstances of the opening struggle and vary
his main plan by playing 14 N—K5! with the threat of 15 N x BP. That
would have enabled him to maintain an opening advantage, even with
best defence by Black. After 14 ... N x N! (14 ... .14 f x P? 15 Q—K3 B—B4
16 Q—R3! would have been weak) 15 P x N N—Q2 16 B—KB4 Q—B2
17 B—B2 White has good attacking prospects on the K-side.
With this example I end the sample analysis of the typical pawn
structure.
2 Bases of Tactics
Two Ways of Considering Tactics

In many positions strategic intentions step into the background and
forced developments play the main role. Only then, when tactics, the
second essential ingredient of the struggle, prevail, does the making
of plans take second place. If strategy gives the chess player guiding
principles for a unified conduct of forces, then tactics demand a con-
crete approach to the judgement of the position of the moment, a
scrupulous penetration into the particularities of the conduct of the
struggle. Euwe has summed this up very pithily: 'Strategy is a case of
thinking, tactics one of seeing!' In chess literature the concept of tactics
is frequently a synonym for one or other combinational idea. For
example in his book 'Chess Strategy and Tactics' (Strategia i Taktika
Shakhmatnovo Iskusstva, Russian, 1952—Ed.) Lisitsin describes the dis-
covered check and discovered attacks and similar things as basic
elements of tactics, although really they are combinational elements.
From a practical point of view that is perhaps permissible because
tactics find their clearest expression in the combination and its elements,
but, in the deeper sense of the word, the concept of tactics embraces
literally aU happenings on the board from the simplest element, the
move, to the most complicated combinations many moves deep. Con-
sidered from this point of view, the game is an uninterrupted chain of
actions which is held together by the plans of both players. Partly
these plans make their mark on events, partly they step into the back-
ground in the course of a wild game.
Consequently, tactics are the art of conducting the struggle. They
have regard to the properties and peculiarities of the pieces and pawns
as well as the different extent of their harmony. The plans, once
conceived, are effected by means of tactical methods and operations.
The basis of every tactical operation is the threat. It can be very
different according to its character and can concern the enemy king,
aim to win material, create weak points in the opponent's camp, help
to exchange attacking enemy pieces, etc. Also, according to their
Baas of Tactics 21
content and form, threats can be extremely multiform and underline
the wealth of tactical ideas. There are several various tactical turns.
To this category belong all explosions and break-throughs, tactical
strokes and counter-strokes, the exchange of important enemy pieces
and several others.
The following example shows how effective the process of demolition
and exchange can be.
13
In the diagrammed position (13), which arose after 28 moves in

Hort-Unzicker, Venice 1969, White found a convincing way to conduct
the attack on the K-side, by removing Black's pawn-centre:
29 P—QB5 B—B4
30 R4—K3 QP x P
31 P x P R—K3
32 Q—B3 P—N3
33 Q—B4 P—R4
Not 33 ... R—R2 on account of 34 P—N4!. White has indirectly
exchanged his QBP for Black's KP and as a result has established on
K5 a strong outpost for a K-side attack.
34 Qx RP R—Q2
35 Q—QB4 Q—Bl 36 N—B6 + R x N 37 PxRQxP 38 R—K8 I3—Q6
39 Q—N8+ and White soon realized his advantage.
A very effective, if often not striking, tactical means is the manoeuvre.
What is to be understood by a manoeuvre is shown clearly in the
following example (11) from the game Alekhine—Tarrasch, Mannheim
1914.
N—N51
Apparently it would be more purposeful to play the knight to Q4.
There it would appear to be active immediately. But Alekhine does not
hurry to do this. He occupies the square Q4 only after some moves by
which the knight makes the long journey from KB3 to Q4 via KN5,
KR3, KB4 and K2. The idea of this remarkable manoeuvre lies in the

22 Bases of Tactics
14
fact that White, by a combinational attack on Black's KP, first of all

weakens Black's pawn formation and, as a result, conquers the com-
panion square 105.
1 ... P—R3
If Black plays I N—K4 then 2 B—N3 B—B4 3 B—R4 K—B I 4
B—B2 is very stro ng.

2 N—R3 Q; K4
3 R—BI N—N5

4 N—B4! P—KN4

5 P—R3 N5—B3

6 N—K2 NxP

7BxN Qx B
8 N—Q4!
The manoeuvre has ended and the possibility of the white knight
having access to KB5 decides the game.
8 ... Q; K4
9 N—B4 Q—Q4 10 N--B5! K—B1 11 N5 x QP and White soon won.
Tactical processes are very difficult to classify. Up to now only
combinational play has been examined thoroughly, although even
here many problems remain unsolved. In the following sections
different kinds of aspects and methods of combinational play are
elucidated.
The Combination
Among the different methods of tactics the most powerful and effective
means is the combination. It lends chess a particular power of attrac-
tion and enriches it with elements of art and aesthetics. The effect of
combinations, mostly accompanied by sacrifices of material, can be
compared with a wave of an explosion.
Within the realm of combinational play, the attack on the enemy
king connected with mating threats occupies a particularly large space.
Bases of Tactics 23
Systematization of Combinational Play

Combinational play can be systematized for even the simplest com-
bination consists of a series of inseparably bound elements.
Famous methodologists such as Spielmann, Kurt Richter and
Romanovsky have contributed much to the systematization and theory
of combinational play. In his book The Middle Game' (Mittelshpil,
Russian, 1963—Ed.) Romanovsky distinguishes three main sections of
duration/condition which are particular to any combination: the theme,
the motif and the idea.
The effect of the pieces which determine the combinational aims,
Romanovsky describes as the theme of the combination. To this belong,
besides the various types of mate, e.g. smothered mate or mate on the
back rank, also the removal of the king's protecting pawns, the pin, the
double attack, the discovered check, pawn promotion, etc.
A state of affairs which helps to create a combination is called by
Romanovsky its motif This state of affairs can arise through the position
of the pieces at a given moment, through their co-operation and
through the existence of weaknesses.
Finally, Romanovsky understands as the idea of the combination the
ways and methods by which combinational intentions are realized.
They could, for example, be divided into such simple ideas as deflec-
tion, magnetic operation, elimination of the guard, displacement,
obstruction, square clearance, etc. Naturally the theory of combina-
tional play is still waiting for a definitive drafting. Incidentally, it
is sufficient according to my way of thinking, to choose theme, idea
and manner of realization as the main components. The last com-
ponent is almost decisive in every combination and reflects the prac-
ticability of different combinational ideas and motifs.
To consider an example (15):
In order to bring home his advantage—pawn up—as quickly as
possible, Black engages in a liquidation which involves a temporary
rook sacrifice.
1 ... RxP
2 R x R B-R2
The combination appears to turn out to Black's advantage as after
the natural reply 3 R-Q3 he regains his rook with 3 ... R-Ql. On
closer examination, however, one soon notices that the combination is
not yet by any means settled as the zwischenzug
3 P-B5!
by which Black's KB2 is attacked, intrudes upon the proceedings. One
24 Bases of Tactics
15
B
calculates that after the forced reply 3 ... B x P White takes on KB7
with check and the black king's freedom of movement is noticeably
restricted. On 4 ... K—R2 or ... K—Rl then 5 R—KR3 mate would
follow.
This unforeseen circumstance allows White a counter-combination:
3 ... BxP
4 B x P+ K—B1 5 B—R2+ K—K2 6 R—K3+ K—B3 (not 6 ... K—BI
7 R—KB4 mate) 7 R—K6+ K—B4 8 P—N4+ K—N4 9 R—K5+ and
wins Black's bishop.
As one sees, it is extremely important to uncover the hidden quirks
of a combination. Without doubt this theme deserves to be treated in
more detail, but it does not belong to the narrow sphere of the present
work. We must confine ourselves to illustrating the basic combina-
tional ideas and the methods of their realization with single examples.
The Most Important Combinational Ideas

The following position (16) occurred in the game P. Schmidt—K.
Richter, Heidelberg 1946.
White decided the game by a brilliant combination which demon-
strates in an impressive fashion the concept of the magnetic operation.
16
W
Bases of Tactics 25
I Q-R6 + !! KxQ
2 PxP-I- K-N4
3 R-R5 + !
One White piece after another is sacrificed to entice the black king
into a mating net.
3 ... KxR
4 P-B4 + N x B
5 N-B6 + K-R3
6 R-KR1 + K-N2
7 N-K8+ !
And now the idea of deflection. The black rook is lured away from
the defence of KB2.
7 RxN
8RxP+ K-B3
9 R x P mate
Another example, Veresov-Kucharev, Minsk 1959, shows a similar
case (17).
17
W
1 Q-R6+ !! K x Q 2 R-R4 + K-N4 3 P-B4+ ! (To lure the black

king even further White sacrifices his last major piece.) 3 ... K x R
4 P-N3 + K-R6 5 B-Bl mate.
Here is another variation on our theme, again involving a queen
sacrifice.
This position (18) arose in Maryassin-Kapengut, Minsk 1969.
1 Qx P+ KxQ 2 B-R5 + K-R2 3 B-B7+ B-R3 4 R x B+ ! 1-0
Just as often one meets the idea of deflection. The following position
(19) occurred in Tal-Krogius, 26th USSR Championship 1959.
Despite White's active position the situation seems quite satisfactory
for Black. In order to get rid of the advanced white pawn on KR6 as
quickly as possible, Black forced the play with
1 ... P-N5
2 Qx NP R-KR2

26 Bases of Tactics
18 19
B
The pawn on KR6 appears to fall and a draw to be unavoidable, but

like lightning from a clear sky, there comes the deflective sacrifice.
3 R x P! 1-0
3 ... Q,x R is impossible on account of 4 Q-1313 + . One is quickly
convinced that there is no satisfactory defence.
The following very original combination can occur in a popular
variation of the Marshall Attack in the Ruy Lopez.
20
B
Black (20) has a decisive attack with

1 ... P-N4!
2 RP x P
If 2 KBP x P then 2 P-I35! is very strong.
2 ... R-R7 +
3 K-K1 Qx NP.6 + I (deflecting) 4 R x QR-K1 + and Black wins.
Another interesting example of deflection:
This position (21) occurred in a game Simag-in-Bronstein. White has a
considerable material advantage, but Black is threatening to make a
second queen and apparently has good chances of survival. However,
Black's hopes were shattered by a brilliant combinational stroke.
B-N511
Bases of Tactics 27
21
W
A study-like move to deflect the black queen. If 1 ... Qx B 2

Q-B8+ K-R2 3 Q-B7 + and 4 Qx P wins on material while if
1 ... P x B 2 P-B6 wins. Black chose a third variation, promoting the
pawn.
1 ... P-R8 = Q
2 Q-K8 + K-N2 3 (1-N6 + K-B1 4 Qx P+ K-Nl 5 Q-Q8 + K-N2
6 Q-K7+ K-N1 7 Q-K8+ 1-0 (If 7 ... K-N2, 8 P-B6 + wins or
7 ... K-R2 8 (2,-N6 + K-Rl 9 B-B6 mate.)
Now some examples of combinations which illustrate the idea of
line clearing or square vacating.
Often one's own pieces prevent the execution of a combination.
In such cases it is advisable to look for ways of clearing the necessary
squares.
The following typical example from the game Levenfish-Freyman,
Leningrad 1925, is impressive (22).
22
W
White ended the game with an effective combination:

I B x P! PxB
2 R x P+ K-N2 3 B-N7! (clearing the vital QN1-KR7 diagonal for
the queen) 1-0
The next example is also characteristic (23).
28 Bases of Tactics
23
IA I
M y
•
I
ii
i
(0, •
1 N4-N5
In order to protect himself against the threat of 2 B-K4, Black
replied
I ... N-Q3
but after the unexpected reply 2 B-B4!, which clears the diagonal to
KR7 for the white queen, Black either loses his queen or is mated after
3 Q,x RP + .
One very frequently comes across the idea of self-interference.
24
B
In Hermann-Charousek, Budapest 1896, Black (24) forces the win

by 1 ... B-R7 + 2 K-R 1 (2 IC x B B-B8+ wins the queen) 2 ... B-B81
3 Q-Q1 B-K71. 4 Qx B (After Black has made the square K2 inac-
cessible the white king is mated.) 4 ... B-Q3 + 5 K-N2 Q-R7 +
6 K-Bl Q-R8 mate. It will be noted that the white king could have
escaped to K2 if his own queen did not block this square.
One of the most powerful combinational resources is the double
check. Here is a simple example of this type of combination (25).
An uncomplicated, but effective, combinational stroke leads to the
win:
1 Q-R8+ K Q
Bases of Tactics 29
25
W

2 N xBP-F + K—N1
3 N—R6 mate
Now a more complicated example of the same idea which the
famous study composer, Kasparian, brought about in one of his games
(26).
26
W
White won with the following combination:

1 R x N! B x R
2 Q—QB4 + K—N2
3 QxB+!
Luring the black king into a double check.
KxQ
4 N—K5 ++ K—B4 5 N—Q3+ K—Q5 6 K—Q2! and Black has no
defence to 7 P—B3 mate.
Besides the cited combinational ideas, others, such as obstruction,
the pin, overloading and the discovered attack, are widely known.
Of course these elementary ideas rarely appear in practice in a pure
form. Usually they are closely interlinked so that the unravelling of this
fabric of ideas constitutes the contents of the combination.
Even then, when all three conditions mentioned above (p. 23) are
30 Bases of Tactics
fulfilled, one cannot always carry out a combination. Its practicability
depends on numerous, sometimes barely discernible, particularities of
the position.
The tracing out of combinations always requires great care and
imagination in order to be able to discover the veiled possibilities of the
position.
I will consider some more examples which elucidate the various
characteristic aspects of combinational play.
In the next two positions there is an unusual type of queen sacrifice
which combines the elements of the magnetic operation and blockade.
Alekhine was White in the first position (27).
27
White has several pretty ways of winning but the one chosen by
Alekhine is distinguished by particular efficiency and beauty.
1 Q—N6!!
A two-fold queen sacrifice. One can easily see that the white queen is
inviolate. If ... BP xQ2Nx P.6 + P x N 3 R—R3 + Q—R5 4 R x Q
mate, or if 1 ... RP x Q simply 2 R—R3 mate. But if
R—KNI
then White wins with the further queen sacrifice
2 Qx RP+ K x Q
3 R—R3 mate
Now the other example (28), taken from the earlier game Levitsky-
Marshall, Breslau 1912, is a constant inspiration.
Marshall, as Black, realized an original combinational idea.
1 ... R—R3
2 Q—N5 R B
3 R—QB5
Not 3 P x R? N—B6 + . White's calculation was based on the fact that
after the natural move 3 ... Q. R6 he had the powerful continuation
4 R—B7 at his disposal. But after
Bases of Tactics 31
28
B
3 ... Q-KN6!!
he had to resign. If 4 Qx QN-K7 + 5K-R1 N x Q+ 6K-N1 N x R
7 P x R N-Q7 and Black is a knight up.
Accompanying Combinational Circumstances

Hidden Combinational Possibilities and Miscalculations
Up to now I have drawn the reader's attention to cases in which
combinations found their logical conclusion. One also comes across the
opposite occurrence in practice again and again, i.e. that combina-
tional possibilities prove to be not realizable or, more frequently, that
the players overlook combinational strokes.
The following finale from the game Averbakh-Goldenov, Minsk
1952, can be regarded as characteristic.
29
W
In this wild position (29), White let himself be blinded by an appar-

ently very enduring attack and played
1 R-B8?
It is his misfortune, however, that Black had an interesting and well
disguised refutation at his disposal. There followed the formidable
counterblow
32 Bases of Tactics
1 ... R-KB5 +
which instantly crosses all White's plans, for Black wins after 2 B x R
Q-N7 + 3 K-K1 N-B6 mate or 2R xRRx Q.
However, White could have gained the upper hand in the dia-
grammed position by the combinational stroke 1 R-Q711 (line inter-
ference and deflection). Black would then have been defenceless, for on
1 R x Qor 1 ... R-NI or 1 ... R-R1, 2 R-B8 + wins.
In practical combinational play, one must always reckon with quiet
moves as well as with hidden and indirect defensive possibilities. I
consider these combinational resources in turn.
The Zwischemcug
The zwischenzug (or intermediate move or sandwich move) occupies
an important place in the arsenal of tactics. Whenever one engages in
complicated tactical operations or combinations one must always take
into account the possibility of an opponent's zwischenzug. There is an
instructive example (30) in the game Tartakower-Capablanca, New
York 1924.
30
White continued incautiously with

1BxN
and took it for granted that he would win a piece after 1 R x B
2 Q-R4+ and 3 Qx B, but his alert opponent answered 1 B x N with
the surprising and very strong zwischenzug
1 ... N-Q4!
Now 2 ... N-K6 + is threatened and at the same time Black intends
to play 2 ... R x B. It seems that White can avert both threats by
2 B-B4
Nowt ... N B would be bad on account of 3 Q-R4+ and 4 Qx B,
but Capablanca was waiting with another powerful tactical blow.
2 ... Q-B3!
Bases of Tactics 33
White has no satisfactory defence to the threats of 3 ... N-K6 + ,
3 ... Q x B and 3 ... N x B.
The zwischenzug proved itself to be a very effective weapon.
Naturally there is no general guide by which one can trace out zwi-
schenzugs. One must rely on one's imagination and resourcefulness.
Now and then completely improbable saving resources result from it.
There is the very informative example (31) from the game Simagin-
Aronin, Moscow 1947.
31
141
White played 1 R x P! after which Black's position appears to be

critical, for if 1 Qx Q, simply 2 B-KN6 mate and at the same time
the black queen is threatened. Nevertheless there is a saving device and
after I P-K5! White has nothing better than to take the queen by
2 Qx Q, whereupon Black forces a draw with 2 ... B x P+ etc.
The Qyiet Move

Frequently one hears that a quiet move has decided the game after the
combination and its associated sacrifices has already been introduced.
It is true that combinations which result in an attack on the king are
usually accompanied by forcing moves such as captures and checks; but
sometimes it is actually a quiet move which proves to be the high point
of the combination's course.
Here is an example to -illustrate this more clearly.
This position (32) arose in the game Teichmann-Schlechter,
Carlsbad 1911.
White proceeded energetically against his opponent's castled king:
1 B x P + K x B
2 N-N5 + K-Nl
3 Q-R5 NxN
4 Qx P+ K-Bl
5 Qx N+ K-NI
6 Q-N6!!
34 Bases of Tactics
32
w
AN *fit
tailE
rAIMA,%4M
riRE
A quiet move which prepares the decisive manoeuvre R-K3-KR3.

Against this Black is powerless. If 6 ... R-KB1, 7 Q-R7 is mate at
once, while after 6 ... Q-Q2 7 R-K3 Black found it necessary to resign.
The next position (33) occurred in the game Stahlberg-Alekhine,
Hamburg 1930.
33
B
1 ... R2-KB2
2 P-B3 R-B5
3 B-Q3 Q-R4
4 B-Bl Q-N4
5 R-KB2 P-R3!
This quiet move at the height of the attack is made in order to protect
the queen. Now White's KB3 can no longer be held.
6 K-Rl R x P!
0-1
Even after the comparatively best continuation 6 Q-Q2 Black would
have won by force with 6 ...BxP! 7 NxBNxN+ 8 RxNRxR
9 QxQ RxB+ 10 RxR RxR+ 11 KxR PxQ. It shows,
therefore, that quiet moves can have devastating consequences.
Bases of Tactics 35
Indirect Defence
One comes across indirect defence quite frequently in practice. The
following position (34) occurred in the game Westerinen-Spassky,
Palma. 1968, after White's 21st move.
34
B
With his last move, 21 Q.B3-N3, White threatened to capture on

KR6. However, Black found a way of neutralizing his opponent's
initiative without much effort and even, as a result, of becoming active
on the Q-side. These aims are served by
21 ... Q-K3!
by which Black's KR3 is indirectly protected as 22 B x P would be
answered by 22 ... N-R4 and 23 ... Qx B. At the same time the text
move noticeably improves the position of the black queen.
22 B-N3 P-Q4!
23 R x R R x R
24 P x P BxP
25 B-B2 N-Q2
26 P-KB4 R-R7!
Black strengthens the pressures inexorably. White's position is
already very serious.
27 B-Q4?
Relatively better was 27 R-Nl.
27 ... RxP
28 B x P RxB
0-1
Hidden Defensive Resources

How often in the course of a combination do we have only the resources
of the attack in view! This can be a tremendous mistake, which even
experienced players sometimes make.
36 Bases of Tactics
A striking example of this is the game Stein-Bronstein, Amsterdam
1964, in which White engaged in a very interesting combination but
did not appreciate sufficiently the hidden resources of Black's defence
(35).
35
After 1 B-B5 B-Q3 2 B x B Qx B 3 N-N5 Q-B4 4 N-Q4 B-N3

White played 5 N-K6? For a long time he had set his hopes on this
tactical surprise. In fact one first of all has the impression that after the
forced continuation 5 ... P x N 6P x P R x R 7 P--K7 + White wins!?
What can Black do? Does he not lose both rooks? However-7 ...
R-Q4!! Such counterblows are just as effective as the sharpest attacks.
Strange as it sounds, Black now has a winning position. There followed:
8 P R =Q+ K x Q 9 BxR NxB 10 Q-N3 N-B2 and the un-
successful White combination has given Black a material advantage
which he gradually realized.
The laws of the art of combination, as in every true art, are far-
reaching and therefore difficult to observe.
36
B
In this example (36) from the game Wade-Pilnik, Stockholm 1952,

it seems as if the white mating threat on K8 can be averted by
1 ... Q -N2+
Bases of Tactics 37
for if 2 K-B2 or 2 K-Nl Black still wins with 2 ... Q-N3 , but
unfortunately for Black his opponent has the additional combinational
stroke 2 N-Q5 +! Qx N+ 3 R x Q P x R 4 R-KR8 and White
easily realized his material advantage.
In this case the hidden resources lay on the side of the attacker.
Calculation of Combinations and Positional Judgement

In the combinations we have considered the main difficulty lay in
finding ways of realizing them. In many cases, however, the most
difficult thing is evaluating the consequences of a forced line of play.
There follows a characteristic example.
37
117
The diagrammed position (37) arose in the game Korchnoi-

Polugayevsky, Moscow 1960.
White began a combination, the greatest difficulty of which con-
sisted in judging the resulting position.
1 B x P! BP x B
Naturally not 1 Qx Q? 2 RxP+ K-NI 3 N-B6 mate.
2 Qx Q N x Q
3 RxP+ K x R
4 R x N+ K-R 1
5RxB
We can draw up the first balance sheet. White has not succeeded in
obtaining a great material advantage, but his positional superiority has
increased markedly.
Although, in the endgame, Black has a threatening rook for a knight
and two pawns, the character of the position is clearly in White's
favour. Black's disadvantage lies in the fact that his rooks are con-
demned to inactivity on account of the threat N-1(5 (and eventually
to KB6). Though he succeeds in exchanging the white rook, White
38 Bases of Tactics
wins another pawn and guides the game along another, likewise
advantageous, track.
5 ... R—QN1
6 R x RP R—Rl
7 R—QN7 R.B1—QN1
8 R—K7 R—K1
9 N—K5! RxR
10 NxP+ K—N2
11 N x R RxP
12 13—Q1341
White's plan culminates in this move. Now as soon as the knight
reaches K3, it guards the only vulnerable point in the White camp;
then the advance of the pawn chain on the K-side is decisive.
12 ... R—Q7
13 K—N2 R—Q2 14 N—B5 + K—B3 15 P—N4 K—K4 16 K—B3 and
White realized his predominance convincingly.
3 Linking Strategy and Tactics
Strategy Comes First 1

In discussing the relationship between strategy and tactics, one must
accord the leading role to strategy. The susceptibility of chess to
systematic planning, and its obedience to fixed rules of struggle, work
to give it a powerful vitality and to raise it to the level of a science.
Every effective execution of a tactical operation must contribute to
the realization of the strategic plan. From time immemorial the games
of our celebrated predecessors, the classical positional players, are the
models of this.
Here is an example of the strict subordination of all tactical opera-
tions to a unified strategic plan, taken from the game Schlechter—John,
Barmen 1905.
1 P—Q4 P—Q4
2 P—QB4 P—K3
3 N—QB3 P—KB4
4 N—B3 P—B3
5 B—B4 B—Q3
P—K3!
Already White makes it clearly understood that he is thinking of
directing play on to the weakened black squares. Naturally, 6 ... B x B
7 P x B would be unfavourable; White would be completely in control
of K5 and there could also be pressure against Black's backward pawn
at K3 along the half-open K-file.
N—B3
7 B—Q3 Q—B2
8 P—KN3! 0-0
9 0-0 N—K5
10 Q—N3 K—R1
11 QR—B1 B x B
Black, not liking the threat 12 P x P followed by 13 N—QN5, yields
his K4 square to his opponent. White's advantage now becomes clearer.
12 KP x B Q—B2

13 N—K5 Q-K2(38)
38
14 B x N!
A paradoxical exchange. One would have thought that White would
drive away the black knight with the natural continuation 14 P-B3
and occupy the K-file, but the next move shows that White has not
lost sight of his main aim. Proceeding in a tactical sense very skilfully
he dissolves his doubled pawns.
14 ... BP x B
15 P-B3 KP x P
16 R.QB1-K1 Q-QB2
17 Q-R3 K-Nl
18 R x P N-R3
19 P-N3 Q-Ql
20 P-QB5 N-B2
21 Q-N2 B-Q2
22 Q-QB2 Q-K2
23 R1-KBI QR-K1
24 P-KN4! B-B1
25 R-R3
Another important detail. White, by enticing the move ... P-KN3,
further weakens the black-square complex.
25 ... P-KN3
26 P-N4
The attack on both flanks underlines that White is master of the
position; the decisive break-through can be prepared on the appropriate
wing according to circumstances.
26 ... Q-B3
27 R3-B3 R-K2
28 P-QR4 P-QR3
29 N-Q1
Linking Strategy and Tactics 41
The knight sets out on the long journey to KR6 or KB6. With this
aim it will move to K3 and then, in conjunction with the advance
P-KN5, to KN4. 29 P-KN5 immediately would not have been so clear
on account of 29 ... Q-B4.
29 ... R-N2
30 N-K3 Q-K2
31 P-KN5 B-Q2
32 N3-N4 B-K1
33 N-R6 + K-Rl
34 Q-K2 Q-Ql
35 N5-N4 B-Q2
36 Q-K5
The square K5 acts as a springboard for the white pieces penetrating
Black's position. White's manoeuvres, because of their tactical preci-
sion, are to be admired. The final part of the game, despite the absence
of combinational effects, leaves a deep aesthetic impression.
36 ... N-Kl
37 R-KR3 Q-B2
38 N-1361 Qx Q
39 BP x Q R-K2
40 R3-KB3
Forcing the following exchange on account of the mate threat on
KB8.
40 NxN
41 R x N R x R
42 KP x R R-Kl
43 N-B7 + K-N1
44 N-K5
Again the square K5 plays a prominent role in White's plans. Last
but not least, the white king's penetration at this nodal point is decisive.
44 ... R-Q1
45 K-N2 K-B1
46 P-R4 B-K 1
47 K-B3 B-B2
48 K-B4 K-K1
49 R-QN1 K-B1
50 P-N5 1-0
After 50 ...RPxP 51 PxPB-K1 52 PxPBxP 53 NxBPxN
54 K-K5 Black's position is hopeless.
In most cases the realization of a plan requires great tactical skill,
appropriate choice of tactical means and scrupulous examination in
depth of the peculiarities of the position at a given time. On the other
hand, the direct execution of a plan, without due consideration of the
opponent's combinational possibilities, often wrecks it.
An instructive example is the game Tolush-Sokolsky, 18th USSR
Championship 1950, after White's 22nd move (39).
39
B
Black has succeeded in obtaining pleasant counterplay on the Q-side,

with, as a basis, immobile weaknesses on White's QB3 and Q4. Black's
plan is therefore clear; he envisages active procedures on the Q.side.
But in every position one must pay attention to tactical finesses. Black
had to keep a watchful eye on White's threats on the K-side. After
the prophylactic 22 ... K—RI or 22 ... P-N3 he would then be able to
resume active operations on the other wing untroubled; instead, Black
permits a tactical turn which White had gradually prepared and which
changes the course of events at a stroke.
22 ... P-N5?
23 N-R6 +
24 R x P!!
Lightning from a clear sky! Now tactics triumph and Black's posi-
tional plans remain uncompleted.
24 ... KxR
25 Q-N4 + B-N4
25 ... K-B3 would be bad in view of 26 P-QB4! Q-Q,R4 27
P-Q5! P x P 28 B-N5+ and mate in two more moves.
26 F-QB4 Qx QP
27 QxB+ K-131
28 B-K3 Q-Rl
Otherwise 29 B-B5 + K-Kl 30 Q-N8 + etc. wins.
29 B-B5+ K-Kl
30 N-N4 K-Q2 31 B-N6 R-QN1 32 R-Q1 + K-Kl 33 B xR RxE
34 R x R+ NxR 35 N-B6 + K-Bl 36 Q-Q135+ K-N2 37 N-R5 +
K-R3 38 P-KR4 Q-R8+ 39 K-R2 P-B3 40 N-B4! 1-0.
The following example provides a contrast to the previous one. It
shows how skilful handling of tactics offers the possibility of carrying
through strategic plans successfully.
40
w
This position (40) arose in the game Petrosian-Taimanov, 22nd

USSR. Championship 1955 after 14 moves. Black had committed a
scarcely perceptible inaccuracy in the opening and obtained a difficult
game. White's advantage is of a dynamic nature and demands resolute
action on the king's flank. It is instructive to observe the tactical
dexterity with which Petrosian executes the attack on the K-side.
15 B-R7+
White would like to get his rook into the battle quickly, but an
immediate 15 R x P is answered by 15 ... N-B3.
15 ... K-Rl
16 R x P B-B4
Somewhat better was 16 ... Q--K2 17 R-K4 Q-Bl 18 R-R4 N-K4
though even then White would have excellent attacking prospects, e.g.
19 N-N5! P-KB4 (not 19 ... P x X? 20 B-N8+1) 20 B-N6! N x B
21 R I K-N1 22 R x N.
17 R-B4 Q--K2
18 R-K4!
The manoeuvres of the white rook are very original. It is rare that
this piece, usually slow- in the middle game, works in such a light-
footed and nimble way.
18 ... Q--B1
19 R-R4 P-B3
20 R x P was threatened.
20 B-N6 R-K2
21 R-R5!
Crowning the manoeuvre R-QI-Q4-B4-K4-R4-R5. Black can do
nothing against the threat of N-R4.
21 ... B-Q3
22 R-Ql B-K4
23 B-R3l P-QB4
24 N-R4 1-0
Black is powerless to prevent 25 B-R7 and 26 N-N6+. If 24 ...
Q-Q1 25 B x P or 24 ... Q-Nl 25 B-R7! Qx B 26 N-N6 + etc.
Conformity of the Aim with the Means

If the means are subordinate to the aim, then, conversely, this aim must
conform completely with the available means. If a player devises a
strategic plan, he should be convinced of the attainability of the fixed
aims and their conformity with the essential particularities of the
position. Too ambitious aims, or the search after them without regard
to the actual requirements of the position, are refuted by the logic of
the struggle. In this respect tactical means are often of prime import-
ance.
41
w
The example from the game Bronstein-Petrosian, 27th USSR

Championship 1960, is instructive (41). White's extravagant treatment
of the opening has yielded nothing. He ought now to have completed
his development as quickly as possible with 14 0-0. Instead, he deluded
himself into pursuing an attack against the black king, overlooking that
a nasty tactical rebuff was in store for him.
14 P-KB4? P-Q134!
15 Q-R5
White has set his hopes on this sortie. 15 N-B3 would have been met
simply with 15 ... P-B5 16 B-B2 N x P and 15 N--B2 P-B5 would have
forced 16 BxN+ P x B, an exchange favourable for Black. Perhaps 15
N-N5 followed by P-B4 would have been the least evil. The text move
is energetically answered.
15 ... P x NI
The decisive counterblow. Black brings the enemy attack to a halt
with this exchange sacrifice and is shortly able to go resolutely on to
the counter-attack.
16 BxN+ P x B
17 QxR P x P
The white queen is out of play and the king helplessly exposed to
attack. The end is near.
18 Q—R7+ B—N2
19 B—K3
19 P-135 is refuted most simply by 19 ... Q—K4 + followed by 20 ...
13P x P or 20 ... Qx BP+ according to where the king moves.
19 ... PxP
20 R—QI B—R3 21 P—B5 KP x P 22 Q—R3 Q—B7 23 Q—B3 B—B5 0—I
A strategic plan can be realized only if it is tactically motivated.
In the game Suetin—Simagin, Tula 1950, after the moves 1 P—K4
P—QB4 2 N—KB3 N—Q/33 3 P—Q4 P x P 4 N x P P—KN3 5 P—QB4
B—N2 6 N—B2 P—Q3 7 B—K2 N—R3. White introduced an immediate
attack on the K-side by playing 8 P—KN4! (42).
42
B I"P., Mt*
it I '44
ff
When White came to this quite risky strategic decision he had above
all to consider the tactical possibilities of the position and assess the
pros and cons of the manoeuvre 8 Q—R4 + 9 B—Q2 Q—N3. Only
when he saw the variation 10 N—B3 N x P 11 P—B5!! which gives him
a clear advantage, could he accept that the plan with 8 P—KN4 is
tactically justified.
8 ... P—B3
9 P—KR4! 0-0
10 P—R5 P—KN4
11 N-133 P—K3
12 R—KNI N—B2
13 B—K3 P—N3
14 Q—Q2 B—N2
A serious mistake. It was necessary to play 14 ... B—KR3 and if
15 P—B4 P x P 16 B x BP B x B 17 Qx B N—N4 to establish a fortress
on the K-side.
15 0 0 0 Q—K2?
The last piece of negligence. It was still not too late to play 15 ...
B—KR3. Now White's attack is quickly decisive.
16 P—B4! PxP
17 B x BP KR—Q1 18 P—R6! B—KB1 19 P—N5! P x P 20 R x P+
N x R 21 B x N Q—KB2 22 R—Nl! Q--N3 (If 22 ... K—Rl White wins
with 23 B—R5! Q,x B 24 B—B6+.) 23 B—K3 and Black resigned after a
few moves.
The Independent R6le of Tactics

The examples quoted show that tactical operations (above all combina-
tions) are the most effective means of obtaining positive advantages,
including the main aim, the mating of the king.
During the game one must above all combat the tactical intentions
of the opponent, irrespective of whether they are a component of his
overall plan or have only passing significance (e.g. a trap). Therefore,
the acquirement of tactical capabilities is an indispensable condition
of the ability to master complicated strategic trains of thought.
Whenever the struggle enters the phase of great tactical complica-
tions, every move requires particular accuracy and resourcefulness.
The course of the struggle in the game Radulov—Uhlmann, Raach
1969, serves as a striking example. The following position (43) arose
after White's 15th move.
43
B
15 ... Q—Q2!
This neutralizes the effect of the white queen and through the
exchange wins a tempo for the central advance ... P—K4! Then the
centre of the board becomes the main battle arena and wild tactical
complications come to the fore.
16 Qx Q B x Q
17 P—B4 P—K4
18 B—QB3 B—R3!
An excellent move. The black bishop intervenes in affairs vigorously.
19 P x P B—K6 +
20 K—R 1 B x P
21 P—Q6 N—N4!
22 N x N B x N
Usually such an equal distribution of forces leads quickly to a draw,
but here the situation is just the reverse. The four bishops have a
dogged duel in which the black pieces are able to perform considerably
more purposefully.
23 B x NP QR—Ql
24 KR—B1 B x QP
25 B—R5 R—NI
26 B—Q5 + K—R I
27 P—K4 B—K7!
Black, having discovered the vulnerable point in White's camp,
begins a violent attack with only slender forces on the enemy king.
28 R—B2 B—B6+
29 K—N1 P—B4!
30 B—B3 P x P
31 P—QN4 B—B2
32 P—KR3 B—N3 + !
Black's other bishop intervenes actively. White is left completely
defenceless.
33 K—R2 B—Q5
34 R—K1 R.N1—B1 35 R1—QB1 R.QBI—Q1 36 B—B6 B x B 37
R x B R—Q7 + 38 K—N1 R—KN7 + 0-1
Now an example of a noteworthy trap.
In this position (44), which arose after 15 moves in the game Hecht-
Ivkov, Raach 1969, White became blinded by the plan of attacking on
the K-side and did not give sufficient attention to the insidious subtleties
of the struggle on the Q-side. He played the apparently natural, but
imprudent, move
16 P—N4?
(16 N—Q4 was correct.) and fell into a cunning trap.
16 ... N x BP!
17 Qx N B—R5
It is clear that White must return the piece and has lost a:pawn.
44
18 Q-131 B x N
19 P-N5 N-N5 20 N-Q5 ?! Q-Ql (not 20 ... (2,x Q2 21 NxB -F)
21 N xB+ Qx N 22 R-Q3 Nx 11 23 R xN P-K4 24 R-R3 P x P
25 Qx P B-K3 26 R-R5 P-B3 27 PxPRx BP Black has a winning
position and realized his advantage convincingly.
Frequently it is very difficult (and impossible under the conditions
of tournament play with limited time for reflection) to envisage all the
consequences of tactical operations, for which reason even great
masters of combinational play can stumble. For example:
45
Alekhine as White had deliberately steered the game into this

position (45), which arose in the game with Yates at Carlsbad 1923.
He had prepared a tactical operation which apparently had to give
him a decisive advantage.
1 N-N4
Attacks the bishop on K5 and the pawn on K7 and at the same time
defends KR2. If 1 ... B-B3 2 P-Q6! or 1 ... B-Q3 2 P-K5 both give
White the advantage.
1 ... RxN
2PxR R x R+
3 K-N2 Qx RP+
4KxR
This position had been foreseen by Alekhine and he had judged it to
be in his favour. However, it turned out that events have not ended
there. Black has a 16 move forced variation at his disposal which, in
this case, even such an ingenious combinational player as Alekhine can
be excused for not anticipating.
4 ... Q-R8 +
5 •K-B2 B-Q5+ 6 K-N3 Q-N8+ 7 K-R3 Q-KB8 + 8 R-N2
Q-KR8 + 9 K-N3 Q-K8 + 10 K-R3 P-KN4 11 R-QB2 Q-KB8 +
12 K-R2 Q-K.N8+ 13 K--R3 Q-KR8 + 14 K-N3 Q-Q8!! 15 R-B3
Q-KN8 + 16 K-R3 Q-KB8+ 17 K-N3 B-B7+ 18 K-B3 B-N8+
0-1.
4 Style
In the game the most choice blooms of strategy and tactics shine forth
in innumerable colours. In the deepest sense the inner correlation
between the elements of strategy and tactics is reflected in the outer
variety of the game.
The play assumes a sharply marked positional character as soon as
the strategic struggle revolves around the consistent accumulation of
insignificant advantages. On the other hand, games in which the inde-
pendent significance of tactics clearly stands out usually bear a com-
binational character. The almost inexhaustible variety of chess styles
wavers between these two extremes. The modern chess master must
do justice to all these forms of the struggle, for both the positional and
the combinational aspects are integral components of the art of chess.
Here is one of Keres' games which is an outstanding example of
a purely positional struggle. The following position (46) occurred in
the game Keres—Kotov, Moscow 1947.
46
B
With the ill-considered move ...

1 P—K4
... Black weakened the white squares, a factor which Keres, with
admirable capability, utilized to exercise strong pressure on the Q-side.
2 B—N4+ K—Nl
Style 51
2 ... K—B2 would be worse on account of 3 N—Q7 with threats of
N x P and B—N8 +-
3 N—Q7+ BxN
4RxB R—K1
5 B—N6! N—B3
6 B—B7 + K—Rl
7 K—B2 P-133
8 B—B5 P—R3
9 B—K4 P—KN4
10 P—QN4!
After White has strengthened the position of his pieces to a maximum
and completely tied up the enemy forces, he begins the decisive attack
on the Q-side.
10 ... P—KR4
11 P—QR4 P—B4
Desperation, but there is no defence to the threat P—N5.
12 BxBP R—KB1
13 B—K4 R x P+ 14 K—Q3 and White won quickly.
Now an example of an exciting combinational game, likewise
played by Keres, who knows how to handle the different kinds of
strategic and tactical weapons with great dexterity.
This position (47) arose in the game Keres—Tohtsh, Moscow 1957.
47
Already in the opening phase of this game a violent battle had

developed which led to great complications. The sharp positions
demanded courageous and quick decisions. A brilliant combinational
stroke met the spirit of the position.
1 N—Q511 NxR
1 PxN (2 BxQPNxR 3 BxBP-F) isnogood.
2 N—B7 + K—K2
3 B x N Q,x KP 4 Qx P K—Q3 5 N4 x P N—/33 6 R x N Q—K8 +
52 Style
7 R-Bl Q-K6 + 8 K-RI BxN 9 NxB QR-B1 10 Qx NP 1-0
There follow two examples which illustrate the creative extent of
the play of ex-world champion, Spassky, who has a universal style.
They were both taken from his games at Palma de Mallorca 1968.
48
This (48) arose in the game Spassky-Pomar after 19 moves.

The position is equal, apart from a slight space advantage to White.
It is very instructive to see how Spassky ingeniously assures himself of
the initiative.
20 N-B3!
The correct decision. The knight is stronger than the bishop here. To
permit the exchange 20 ... B x N would have meant consenting to a
draw.
20 ... KR-K1
21 K-N1 Q-K2 22 KR-K1 Q-B3 23 P-KN3 B-B2 24 P-R3 Q-B4
25 QxQPxQ 26RxRRxR 27K-B2R-K7+ 28R-Q2RxR+
29 K x R
Black has succeeded in simplifying the game considerably and has
reached an ending in which, though the knight certainly affords White
the better prospects, Black's defence remains still extremely difficult.
29 ... K-Q2
30 K-K3 K-K3
31 N-R4 B-Ql
32 P-R4 K-B3
32 ... B x N would be unsatisfactory in view of 33 P x B P-N3
34 K-B4 K-B3 35 P-Q5! and White wins.
33 P-B4 P-KN4 ?
Black fails to master the difficulties of the defence. Correct was 33 ...
P-N3! when Black's KB4 would remain sufficiently protected.
34 N-B3 K-K3
35 N-K5 P-B3 ?
Style 53
Another apparently insignificant, but decisive, mistake. Black takes
away the important square K.B3 from his king, allowing White to
manoeuvre his knight to K3 unhindered and prepare the advance
P-Q51 Spassky handles the final part of the game with great circum-
spection.
36 N-Q3 K-Q3
37 N-K 1 B-B2 38 N-B2 B-Ql 39 K-B3 P-N4 4-0 RP x P BP x P
41 P-N3 QNP x P 42 NP x P P-N5 + 43 K-K2 B-K2 44 N-K31
The knight has arrived. Black's position is hopeless. 44 ... B-Bl
45 K-Q3 K-B3 46 N x BP P-N4 47 P x P+ K x P 48 N-K3 K-B3
49 K-K4 K-Q3 50 K-B5 1-0
Now an example in which the struggle is of a completely different
nature. The position (49) arose after 22 moves in the Spassky-Ivkov
game.
49
In this extremely double-edged situation White seizes on an extrav-

agant plan, based on a pawn sacrifice, to snatch the initiative.
23 N-N3 N-B2
Black accepts the challenge and eyes White's Q4. The following
variation given by Spassky-23 P-K4 24 P x P N x P 25 B x N!
R x Q 26 R x R B-N4 27 NxBPxN 28 N-K4 P-N5 29 N-Q6!
and White must win—shows how laden with combinational ideas the
position is.
24 N-R5 B-K5
25 Q-K2 B x N
26 Qx B BxP?
Black, no longer equal to the tenseness of the struggle, falls into a
dangerous trap. White's attack now increases as if by magic.
27 B-B3 P-K4
27 ... B x B would be weak, e.g. 28 Qx B R x R+ 29 R x R R-KN1
54 SO*
30 R-Q8! and White wins; but, as the game goes, the end is forced.
28 Q-N3 B x P +
29 QxB Qx Q+ 30 K x QN.K2-Q4 Si BxPRxB 32 R.B1 xN
1-0
The Two Conceptual Categories of Chess Players

In the perfecting of chess ability the strategic and tactical capabilities
only seldom develop harmoniously tone is talking here of the players
of the higher classes). In practice one most often meets players with
whom either strategic or tactical elements prevail.
Those who are inclined towards tactics have a marked feeling for the
properties of the position at that moment. Their combinational
horizon expands quickly. The following example is typical of this kind
of thinking.
50
B
This position (50) arose in the game Lisitsin-Tolush, Leningrad

1938.
With 1 Q-R5 Lisitsin—an ardent supporter of strategic rationalism
—had attacked the pawn on QB7 and threatened the unpleasant
2 Q-KN5. Black surprisingly replied
1 ... P-KR3
This gives the impression that Black has chosen the lesser of two evils
and given up the QBP.
2 Qx BP N-B4!
White now has no satisfactory defence against the malicious threat
3 ... N-N5.
3 P-KR3
If 3 R-K2 Black would have played 3 ... N-N5 4 P-N3 Q-R6
5 R1-1(1 NxNP 6 PxNQx P+ 7 K-Bl N-R7 + etc.
After the text move Black wins the exchange by 3 ... N-N6 for if
4 R-B2 N-N5 and wins.
Style 55
But a way of playing which tends to use up the inherent energy of a
position on the particularities of the moment does not follow a clear
strategic plan; it mainly relies upon traps. This sometimes hinders the
timely recognition of strategic perspectives. The next example (51), in
which deeply-based strategy triumphs over pure tactics, is taken from
the game Tolush—Botvinnik, USSR Championship 1939.
51
With
Q—Q2
White prepared a cunning trap.
1 ... NxP
2 B—B7 ! ? Qx B
3 1\1" x N
Now after 3 ... Q--Q2 4 R-Ql P—K3 5 N—B71 or 4 ... N—B3
5 Q—B2! White's advantage would be indisputable. However, there
follows a surprising exchange sacrifice which White had seen but
probably under-estimated.
3 ... R x N!
It quickly becomes clear that White, having imprudently neglected
his development, has to face a strong attack on the Q-side.
4 Qx R B—K3
5 Q—Q2 N—B3
6 R—Ql R—Ql
7 Q—B1 Q—R4 +
8 R—Q2 It—Q41
Now White loses one pawn after another on the Q-side.
9 N—K2 RxP
10 N—B3 B x N 11 PxB RxP 12 Q—N2 R—R6 and Black has a
decisive advantage.
The development of the talented master Tolush impressively shows
how important for the chess player a harmonious balance is. Tolush
56 Style
could rise to grandmaster status only when he had acquired a deeper
positional ability.
Players who favour quiet positional play have the opposite problem
to overcome. Usually they play very convincingly as long as the position
requires protracted manoeuvres, but they can under-estimate the
àccidental' possibilities which always accompany the art of chess.
Some time ago the author had the opportunity to observe the play of
the young Moscow candidate master, Makarichev, who has a pro-
nounced preference for positional games. The following game illustrates
the strength of his play.
Makarichev-Yud.ovich jnr., Kislovodsk 1967
P-K4 P--Q134 2 N-K.B3 N-QB3 3 P-Q4 PxP 4 Nxr N-KB3
5 N-QB3 P-Q3 6 B-KN5 P-K3 7 Q--Q2 B-K2 8 0-0-0 0-0 9 P-B4
P-10.3! ? 10 B-R4 P-Q4 11 P--K5 N-Q2 12 BxBQxB 13 N-B3
N-N3 14 Q-K I B-Q2 15 B-Q3 QR-BI 16 P-KR4 Q-N5
Makarichev is going to show up the shadowy side of this move.
16 ... N-R4 would have been better.
17 N-K21
White has nothing against a favourable ending.
17 ... Q-R5
18 P-R3 N-B5
19 N-B3 Q-R3
20 B x N Qx B
21 Q-K3
White, with the help of his opponent's dubious manoeuvres, has
successfully regrouped his forces and created a favourable strategic
situation. In the further course of the game he plays consistently against
Black's bad bishop.
21 ... N-R.4
22 P-B5!
A good tactical idea which fits in with White's strategic plan.
22 ... PxP
23 Qx QRP
Not 23 R. x P Q-B2 as Black's bishop comes to life.
23 ... N-B3
24 Q-K3 B-K3
25 N--Q4 K.R-Q1
26 K.R-B1 N x N
27 Qx N Q-R3
28 R-Q3 R-B5
29 Q-B2 P-QN4
30 RI-Q1
Style 57
In the dogged battle in progress White will break through the
inventive defence of his opponent and realize his plan of blockading
the position. Now 30 ... P-N5 would not be good on account of 31
NxP!BxN 32 RxBRxR 33 RxR PxP 34R-Q8+ K-R2
35 QxP+.
Q-N2
31 R-Q4 K-R2
Not 31 P-N5? 32 R x R
32 N-R2 Q-B2
33 Q-K2 P-N3
34 N-N4 Q-B4
35 P-B3 P-R4
Black gives up his KN4 square too readily.
36 Q-Q2 R x R
37 Qx R Q-K2
38 P-KN3 K-N2 39 Q-KB4 R-Q2 40 R-Q4 R-Q1 41 N-Q3
R-QB1 42 N-N4 Q-Q2 43 N-B2 Q-N2 44 R-N4 R-QR1 45
N-Q4 B-Q2
46 Q-N5 Q-N3
47 Q-K7 B-K3
White has carried out his plan in model fashion and could now have
assured himself of victory with the simple 48 R x P. However, he
decides to force an endgame for which his technique was still not
sufficiently refined.
48 NxB+? Qx N
49 Qx Q P x Q
50 R x P P-N4!
51 R-N4 P-B5!
White has maintained his material advantage, but lost his winning
prospects.
52 NP x P P x RP
53 P-B5 P x P 54 R x P K-N3 55 K-Q2 K-N4 56 R-Q4 P-R5
57 K-K3 R-R1! 58 P-N4 R-R1 59 R-Q3 P-B5+ 60 K-B3 K-B4
61 P-K6 K x P 62 K x P R. x P with an inevitable draw.
Our young friend feels much more uncertain in the stream of
tactics.
The following miniature, which was played in the same tournament,
forms a sharp contrast with the example just cited.
Makarichev-Hasin, Kislovodsk 1967
1 P-K4 P-QB4 2 N-KB3 P-K3 3 N-B3 N-QB3 4 P-KN3 P-Q4
5 P x P P x P 6 P-Q4? B-N5 7 P x P Q-K2+ 8 K-Q2 (8 Q-K2?
B x N) 8 ... P-Q5 and White must already resign.
58 SD*
The Measure of Strategic Mastery

Just as in literature, the concept of strategy is often loosely used as a
synonym for positional play, players who indulge in purely positional
conceptions are frequently described as strategists. This is incorrect.
One can consider as modern strategists only those who possess tactical
and, in particular, combinational ability to a large degree. Such
strategists find new paths in chess art.
The events which occur in the game Alatortsev-Levenfish, match
1939, offer a good example of creative strategy (52).
52
B
1 ... P-Q5!
This pawn sacrifice goes beyond the bounds of a purely tactical
undertaking. It helps to realize an interesting plan which has in mind
increasing the co-ordination of Black's pieces in order to attack on the
Q-side as well as in the centre.
2PxP N-Q4
3 B-B4 R-Q1
4 Q-N3 Q-B4
5 R-N4 K-N2
6BxN RxB
7 R-Ql ?
A typical mistake. Black's threats not only have effect on White's
position, but also influence the defender's state of mind. More tenacious
was 7 QR-KN1.
7 ... R x RP!
8 Qx R.4 Q, x P
9 R-N2 RxN
10 1C-N1
Only with 10 Qx R Qx R.Q,8 11 R-N1 Qx P 12 Qx P Q-Q4+
Sole 59
13 R—N2 g-Q8+ 14 R—N1 Q—B6+ 15 R—N2 P—R4 16 Q—N2+ K—R2
17 Q—Q2 N—K4 18 Q—Q4 (but not 18 Q—K3 Q, Q8+ 19 R-1,11
Q—(44 + 20 R—N2 .741—B6 and Black wins) could White have preserved
prospects of a draw. However, it is very difficult to calculate all that
at the board.
10 ... R—QR4
11 Q—B2 N x P 12 (1—Q2 N—K7 + 13K—B1 R—K4 14 Q—N2 N—N6+
and Black soon won.
5 The Dynamic
A Short Historical Summary

Since Morphy and Steinitz in the last century showed clearly in their
praxis that the course of the game conformed to laws and laid down the
basic principles of strategy and tactics, the positional school (and
correspondingly, the positional style) has enjoyed a widespread follow-
ing. This style is often regarded by chess players as having a crystal
clarity and logic.
According to the concepts of the positional school, an advantage can
be attained only by the consistent realization of a plan which proceeds
from the actual circumstances on the board. In this process as a rule,
several stages are encompassed which include systematic and purpose-
ful mobilization of the forces, the struggle for the gradual intensification
of a minimal advantage and finally the conversion of the accumulated
advantages.
The positional school teaches that an attack can be successful only
if it is prepared by the preceding accumulation of small advantages.
Consequently, the attack is considered as a method by which an advan-
tage can be realized. In accordance with this, a successfully conducted
plan should be crowned with a tactical stroke. This means that the
tactical elements are strongly subordinate to strategical intentions. As
already stressed, the positional style promotes the systematizing of ideas
and plans and breaking them down into typical positions and situa-
tions. The methods of defence, in which the economy of forces had
become regarded as the most important principle, profited most from
this. The various processes of the realization of an advantage and
methods of conducting the struggle in equal positions were explored.
The positional school does not dispute the role of chance in chess,
but it distinguishes precisely between the accidental and accumula-
tively built events and sometimes weighs them against each other.
Their views are laid down in widely-known manuals (above all in the
works of Steinitz, Tarrasch and Euwe); they are expounded in detail
and intelligibly.
The Dynamic 61
Basically the theory of positional play is, in its foundations, without
doubt unshakeable, for it is built on the laws of logic and proceeds
from the judgement of the actual state of the struggle. But its rigid
application can limit—something which is true of every dogmatic
theory—the richness of chess thought.
If the struggle is conducted in stereotyped fashion then the whole
course of the game relies on the obvious features of the position. The
positional factors are elevated to being the centre-point of the struggle.
In the 1920's the new type of dynamic treatment of positions began
to assert itself more and more. Developments in theory and practice
had shown that in a great number of positions the principles of
Steinitzian theory were over-dogmatic. New measures for the analysis
and judgement of positions had become necessary. In this respect the
generation of grandmasters who came to the fore after World War I,
the leaders being Alekhine, Bogoljubow, Reti, Nirnzowitsch, Breyer,
Tartakower, GrUnfeld and Spielmann, did some pioneering work.
Already in his early creative period Alekhine had whipped up the
enthusiasm of the chess-playing public with such sparkling gems as the
following game.
Grunfeld-Alekhine, Carlsbad 1923
1 P-Q4 N-KB3 2 P-QB4 P-K3 3 N-QB3 P-Q4 4 B-N5 B-K2
5 N-B3 QN-Q2 6 P-K3 0-0 7 R-B1 P-B3 8 Q-B2 P-QR3 9 P-QR3
P-R3 10 B-R4 R-K 1 ! 11 B-Q3 P x P 12 B x BP P-QN4 13 B-R2
P-B4 14 R-Q1 P x P 15 N x QP Q-N3 16 B-N1 B-N2! 17 0-0
QR-B1
18 Q-Q2 N-K4!
Black has achieved comfortable equality in the opening and has
good prospects of seizing the initiative. Nevertheless, in this symmetrical
position, it is hard to believe that in another 10 or 12 moves a com-
binational storm will erupt and that the game will be decided by an
attack on the white king.
19 B x N BxB
20 Q-B2 P-N3
21 Q-K2 N-B5
22 B-K4! B-N2!
Avoiding the variation 22 ... N x RP? 23 Q-B3! B x B 24 N x B
B x N 25 P x B and Black would have a difficult position.
23 B x B Qx B
24 R-Bl P-K4!
25 N-N3 P-K5
26 N-Q4 R.K I -Q1
27 KR-Q1 N-K4
62 The Dynamic
28 N—R2 N—Q6
29 R x R Qx R
30 P—B3 (53)
53
B
Mik?
M I
in m RIM
M#
Now the break-through can be forced. But after 30 N—QB3 P—B4

31 P—B3 Black would have won as Alekhine showed : 31 ... R x N
32 P x KB x P+ 33 K—B1 N—B5 34 Q—Q2 Q-135 + 35 N—K2 P—K6
36 Q—K1 BxP 37 R—Q8 + K—B2 38 Q—Q 1 BxP! 39 Q—Q7 +
B—K2 40 Q-K8 + K—B3 41 Q—R8 + K—N4 42 P—R4+ K—R4
43 P—N4 + P x P 44 Q—K5+ P—N41
30 ... RxN!
31 P x P
31 P x R is unsatisfactory because of 31 ... B x P+ 32 K—B1 N-1351
33 Qx KP Q—B5+ 34 K—Kl N x P+ 35 K—Q2 B—K6 + winning.
31 N—B51
32 P x N Q—B5! 33 Qx QR x R+ 34 Q—B1 B—Q5 + and mate next
move.
The creativity of Alekhine and Bogoljubow is an extension of the
best elements of the style of their famous predecessor, Chigorin, who,
towards the end of the last century, had stood out against the dogmatic
tendencies of the positional school. The characteristics which were
attributed to Bogotjubow by MI, another master of the twenties, may
be mentioned:
`During the last few years instead of the Steinitzian static positional
judgement (weak points etc.), or rather as a supplement to it, dynamic
positional judgement has emerged more and more strongly. Apparently
bad, cramped positions can turn out to be good if hidden strengths lie
in them which permit one to conceive a good plan. On the other hand,
superior positions can turn out to be bad if they offer no possibility for
further improvement. Bogoljubow's style was distinguished by the most
The Dynamic 63
weighty dynamics. It is conceivable that it is just in this sphere, which
is almost completely uninvestigated systematically, that the roots of
Bogoljubow's strength lie. Perhaps only the next generation can make
a definite judgement on this.
`The following game shows the art of Bogoljubow in uniting appar-
ently different manoeuvres on the Q; side and K-side harmoniously
into one single powerful chord. Here it is even more astonishing, as
the centre, obstructed by pawns of both sides, appears to be completely
impenetrable.'
Bogoljubow-Mieses, Baden-Baden 1925
1 P-Q4 P-KB4 2 P-KN3 N-KB3 3 B-N2 P-K3 4 N-KB3 P-Q4
5 0-0 B-Q3 6 P--B4 P-B3 7 N-B3 QN-Q2 8 Q-B2 N-K5
9 K-R1 ?i
The beginning of an original enterprise. Bogoljubow clears the
KN-file as part of a plan of attack against the black king.
9 ... Q-B3
10 B-134 BxB
11 P x B Q-R3
12 P-K3 N2-B3
13 N-K5 N-Q2
14 R-K.N1 N x N.K4
15 QP x N N x N
16 PxNi
By taking towards the centre, White intends an attack with P x P
followed by P-B4 and to connect that with threats along the QN-file.
Due to the limited mobility of the black bishop White's advantage is
indisputable. But with the position fairly closed it may not be clear for
a long time whether White can succeed in storming the enemy bastions.
16 ... B-Q2
17 QR-Ql P-QN41
18 Q-N2 0-0
19 Q--R3 KR-Ql
20 PxNP P x P
21 Q-R6! (54)
A typically dynamic turn of events. It appears as if White is probing
the ground on the Q-side and on 21 ... K-RI plans the unpleasant
reply 22 B-B1 I At the same time there is another, more dangerous,
meaning to the queen sortie; it is the beginning of a surprising attack
on the K-side. This transference of active play is as paradoxical as it is
instructive and a good example of dynamic positional treatment. If
21 ... Q-R5 22 x PH P x 23 B x P+ K-Bl (23 ... K-R1 is weak:
24 B x R R x B 25 Q-N7 R-Q1 26 P-K6! etc.) 24 R-N51! Q-R3
64 The Dynamic
54
B
25 P-K6 I and White wins. To avoid this disastrous variation Black

played
21 ... Q-R4
This parries the variation just cited, but allows another remarkable
combination which White had prepare d.
22 Bx131. P x B
23 RxNP+! KxR
24 Q-KB6 + K-N1
25 R-KNI + Q-N5
26 R x Q+ P x R
The combination has ended. From a material point of view the situ-
ation is favourable for Black as he has two rooks and a bishop for a
queen and two pawns. But his forces are not working harmoniously
and his king is threatened by a strong white attack. Therefore it is not
surprising that the game is quickly decided by a combined attack of
the white queen and the central passed pawns.
27 P-B5 R.Q1-QB1
28 P-K6 B-B3 29 Q-B7 + K-R 1 30 P-B6 R-KN1 31 Q-B7
QR-QB1 32 Q-K5 P-Q5 + 33 K-N 1 B-Q4 34 P-B7 +1 R-N2
35 QxB 1-0
The Essentials of Modern Dynamics

Dynamic positional treatment is now generally recognized. This shows
clearly that the expression of chess ideas has not been chained by any
inconvertible rules.
Modern theory and practice point to many ways leading to complex
positions in which the play is often marked by a variety of ideas
transcending the sphere of formal logic.
It follows that limits are set on the attempts to accumulate small
positional advantages. The positional principles are applied above all
The Dynamic 65
in those positions in which protracted manoeuvres and the gradual
accumulation of advantages really seem to be purposeful. But there
are many positions in which it would be insufficient to be led by
general positional considerations.
If one does not play dynamically, one fails to obtain the best of the
deep dialectics of chess art which inseparably unites the elements of
logic and fantasy. The modern game has inherited the best of such
opposed schools as the romantic and the positional. This did not happen
in any artificial way, but came as a consequence of the development
of chess processes through the centuries. The art of combination,
which reached its prime in the middle of the 19th century, has now
been revived on a new positional basis. With the masters of the last
century, combinations appeared mainly as the climax of an attack on
the king. Now, through strategic means of struggle having been
considerably refined, combinations have taken on new and more
perfect forms.
The Maximum Proximity of the Plan to the Course of the Game

The strategy based upon a dynamic consideration is marked by its
maximum proximity to the course of the game. The plan must be
consistent with the demands of the game, and adaptable to the special
circumstances whereby the whole wealth of ideas in chess is to be
covered.
The struggle in the game Tal—Smyslov, Candidates' 1959, is
characteristic (55).
55
B
Proceeding on general positional considerations, Black played ...

1 ... P—N4
... to drive his opponent's white-squared bishop from its active position
and introduce a counter-attack on the Qside.
66 The Dynamic
2 B—Q21 Q—R3
This was part of Black's plan but is a serious mistake. Had Black
seen its consequences he would have preferred 2 ... Q—R5 and accepted
a somewhat worse ending after 3 N x B QR x N 4 B—N3 Qx Q
5 N x Q.
3 N—B5!!
A brilliant reply. White begins a stormy tactical attack, the basic idea
of which is extremely original, on the enemy king.
3 ... B—Q1
4 Q—R4!
On 3 ... B—B4 the same reply would have followed.
PxB
5 Q-N5 N—R4
Beautiful variations would have resulted after 5 ... N—K1, e.g.
6 Qx B Qx P 7 B—B3 N1—B3 8 R x N! B x R 9 N—R6 + K—R 1
10 Qx N! and White wins.
6 N—R6 + K—Rl
7 Qx N Qx P?
Smyslov could have been considerably more obstinate with 7 ...
B—B3 although White, as analysis proved, would still have won.
8 B—B3 N—B3
9 QxP!! Q—R8+ 10 K—Q2 RxQ 11 NxR+ K—N1 12 RxQ
and White won easily.
Conversion of Material into Strength

One quite frequently comes across material sacrifices for the sake of
dynamic advantages. 'This', to quote Spielmann, 'wonderful property of
chess, to be able to translate matter into strength, powerfully enriches the methods
of struggling to obtain positional advantages.' The following example from
the game Krogius—Stein, Kiev 1959, illustrates how effective com-
binational means can be in realizing a plan.
56
The Dynamic 67
In this position (56), which arose after White's 17th move, there
appears to be a protracted positional struggle ahead. White's hopes are
based on his play on the Q-side and the occupation of the Q5 square.
Black's prospects lie in a counter-attack on the enemy castled position.
However, a deeper examination of the position, to take into account
the dynamic factors, shows that Black, in spite of the apparently
cramped nature of his position, has the opportunity to enliven the game
by a positional sacrifice and to seize the initiative by setting up
dangerous threats on the K-side.
17 ... P-Q4!
An original tactical blow. His black-squared bishop comes into play.
18 N4 x P
If White had foreseen the difficulties in defending his king he would
have played 18 P x 1" B x N 19 P x B R-K2 20 Qx Q+ R x Q
21 N-K4 N x N 22 P x N and maintained the balance. After the text
move Black's main idea becomes clear.
18 ... B-034 +
19 K-R1 N-R4
20 Q-Kl N-N6+ !!
Another stroke which, besides deep calculation, also required
remarkable creative fantasy.
21 P x N Q-N4
22 P-N4 P-KR4
23 P-N3 RP x P
24 K-N2 QR-K.B1
Black combines direct threats with a general strengthening of his
position. Now 25 BP x P would be bad as White's king would be
defenceless after 25 ... B x P 26 P x Pp x P. White succeeds in warding
off the main threats, but it soon turns out that in spite of the extra
piece his king position cannot be sufficiently protected.
25 B-Q2 Q-R3 I
Besides threatening 26 ... Q-R6 + , this regroups for the decisive
strategic blow.
26 R-Rl Q--N2
27 NP x P KP x P
28 R-Q1 P-N4
29 P-K3 Qx P
30 P x P QxB-1-11
The final combination. White loses material.
31 Qx Q
Forced. 1131 N x QB x N + 32 K-R2 N-B3! and mate is unavoid-
able.
68 The Dynamic
31 ... P—B6+
32 Qx PRxQ 33 R.RI—B1 B x P 34 N—K4 B—KR6 + 35 K—R2
R x R 36 R x R B x R 37 N x B R—B7 + and White resigned after a
few moves.
The Positional Combination

The positional combination is one that unites combinational and
positional elements harmoniously with one another. This concept
has been enriched considerably in recent years. Here is an obvious
example (57) which, typical of the modern positional combination,
demands in equal measure long calculation, imagination and careful
assessment of the resulting positions.
57
In the game Tal—Polugayevsky, Tbilisi 1959, White undertook a

versatile attack on the black king, which is so forcing that the course
of the game and the plan are amalgamated in one unified whole.
1 BxKP! PxB
2NxP Qx P
3 Q—Q4 K—B2
4 R.—QB1 Q—R7
5 P—K5!
5NxPKxN 6 R—B7 Q—K3 7 BxN+ QxB 8 RxB+ K—N3
gives White nothing.
5 ... PxP
6 Qx P QxBP+
Black forces an ending as he sees that the attempt to maintain
material with 6 ... KR—Kl 7 B x N B x B 8 R—B7 + K—NI would be
refuted by 9 R x KNP + ! When White began the combination he had
not only to calculate the attacking possibilities far ahead, but also evalu-
ate this ending in which the material is level.
The Dynamic 69
7 K x Q N—N5 4-
8K—N1NxQ 9 RxNBxBI 10NxB+ K—N3 11 N—K6andWhite
has a great positional endgame advantage. The correctness of his
combination was confirmed.
58
B
This position (58) from the game Valiev—Suetin, Minsk 1964, after
White's 21st move is another example. Black entered upon a compli-
cated positional combination.
21 ... NxP!
The main point of attack is, as the next move shows, White's hidden
weakness, his KN2.
22 B x N BxNP!
The point. Black, taking advantage of the crowded white pieces,
attacks the king. If now 23 K x B Q—N5+ 24 K—B1 R x B (Less
convincing is 24 ... Q—R6+ 25 K—K2 R x B 26 B—B2!) 25 B—K2!
(The best defence; if 25 N—B5 R—KB5! or 25 P—N3 Q—R6+ wins.)
25 ... Q—K5! (but not 25 ... R x N 26 B x QB x Q 27 B—Q7! B x NP
28 BxP BxR 29 RxB!) 26 B—B3 RxR+ 27 RxR QxN 28
Qx P Qx Q 29 B x QR—QB1 and Black has a won ending.
23 B x B
Probably the best defence lay in 23 B—K2 B x B 24 KxB BxQ
25 R xQR xR 26 P x B R—Q7 27 B—B3 R—QB1 or 27 B—B4 R—Nl.
This is also advantageous for Black, but it would have not been easy
for him to realize his advantage.
23 ... Q—N5
24 P—B3
Now White loses by force. 24 B—K5 would have been more tenacious,
after which one of the main variations of the combination runs 24 ...
B—R6 + 25 B—N3 Q—B6 26 B—B1 Qx R 27 P. x QR x R 28 Q—Q3!
x Qt. 29 B x R R—Q1 30 N—B5 R.—Q4 31 P—N4 P—QR4 32 P—R3
70 nu Dynamic
P x P 33 P x P R-Q5; although this ending is certainly advanta-
geous for Black, it would still have required great efforts to score the
full point. Black also had to reckon with the tactical sortie 24 B-B5 ! ?;
he would then have forced a win with 24 ... R x R+ 25 RxR PxB
26 Q-KN3 (26 R-QB1 is weak, e.g. 26 ... B-B6+ 27 K-B 1 R-Q1!)
26 ... QxR+ 27 K xB QxN! 28 B-Q4+ K-B1 29 Q-N7+
K-Kl 30 Q-N8+ K-Q2 31 Qx R Qx B as the queen ending is hope-
less for White.
24 ... BxP+
25 K-B2 B x R
26 N-B5
White, disconcerted by his opponent's combination, failed to see a
tactical resource. 26 R x B offered more swindling chances as 26 ...
Qx R? fails to 27 B-KR6! P-B3 28 Q-B4+ K-R1 29 Q-B7 R-KN1
30 Qx KP; correct is 26 ... P-B3 27 B x BP P x B 28 Q-B4+ Qx Q
29 B x Q+ K--N2 30 R x R R x R 31 K-K3 P-KB4! and Black wins
the ending. Here it is interesting that the transition to an ending is a
matter for interlacing positional with purely tactical motifs.
26 ... P-B3
27 B x BP
Also 27 B-KR6 Q-KR5+ 28 K-B1 K x B 29 R x B Qx P brings
no salvation.
27 ... Px
28 B-B4+ K-N2
29 N-K6 + K-R3
30 Qx P
Both kings are in a mating net, but the possession of the move
decides.
30 ... R-Q7+
31 K-K3R-K7+ 32B x R Qx B+ 33 K-B4 (not 33K-Q4Qx NP+
33 ... Qx RP+ 34 K-K4 Q-K7 + 35 K-B4 Q-KB7 + 36 K-K5
Qx P+ 37 N-Q4 R-Kl + 38 K-Q6 Q-N1 + 39 K-B5 R-K4 +
40 K-B4 B-K7 + 41 N x B Q-N4+ 42 K-B3 R-K6 + 0-1
The New Interpretation of the Main Factors,

Force, Space and Time
Dynamic treatment of positions has in many respects enriched the
approach to the main factors of the struggle—force, space and time—
and combined them closely with concrete intentions of obtaining any
advantages. In the previous examples the reader could study the
The Dynamic 71
connection between positional elements and material and spatial
factors.
Now I want to draw his attention to the modern interpretation of
the factor of time. Time is not measured by the mechanical counting
of tempi, but by the moves necessary for the attainment of firmly defined
aims. Seen in this light, time can be regarded as an invisible positional
factor.
A good example is the game Alekhine—Rubinstein, The Hague 1921,
in which the following position (59) arose after 8 moves.
59
By an apparently ridiculous advance White achieves a clear

superiority almost by force.
9 P—KR4 B—Q3
10 P—R5 N.N3—K2 11 P—R6 P—N3 12 B—N5 0-0
13 B—B6!
In his annotations Alekhine wrote: In the first thirteen moves
White has made three moves with his KRP and 4 with the bishop after
which he is close to a winning position. Black made some eccentric
moves in the opening which would finally have led to a good game if
his opponent had not reacted strongly (e.g. if he had played 9 P—KN3
instead of 9 P—KR4). I did not push the pawn voluntarily but out of
necessity to prevent Black from gaining the advantage.'
The battle is already decided strategically, although White's K-side
is still almost completely undeveloped and Black even has a lead in
development according to old concepts. There followed:
13 ... P—QN4 14 P—K3 B—Q2 15 B—Q3 R—Bl 16 P—R4! P—N5 17
N—K2 Q—N3 18 N—Bl R—B2 19 N—N3 N—R4 20 N—B5! N—B5 (If
20 B x N 21 P xB Qx P 22 B— Q4 Q—B3 23 N—K5 Q— N2 24
N--N4! and White wins the exchange.) 21 B x N.B4 P x B 22 N—K5
BxN.K4 23 BxNl11—Q3 24BxRBxB 25 NxBRxN 26P—R5!
72 The Dynamic
Q-B3 27 Q-B3 R-Q4 28 R-QB1! and White has achieved a decisive
advantage.
In the further sections of this chapter we will examine more closely
the influence of dynamic factors on the most important general
principles of strategy.
The Impossibility of Going Back on Dynamic Decisions

There are often moments when dynamic factors, sometimes scarcely
recognizable, are at work which cannot be gone back on. An example
of a missed opportunity of solving the problem of the position dynami-
cally comes from the game Spassky-Furman, Tallinn 1959.
60
B
In the position after White's tenth move (60), White has an extra
pawn and a solid centre, but Black is dearly better developed and
White's king remains in the centre, unable to castle. Furman was
encouraged to try to win, but although he used up a lot of time looking
for a promising continuation, be did not succeed in finding one.
Rather after
10 N-B4
11 P x B N4 x P+
12 K-Q3!
White had a decisive advantage. Nevertheless, the game could have
ended quite differently if Black, instead of 10 ... N-B4, had played the
paradoxical move 10 ... B-N5!; then White's Q4 could no longer be
protected.
Decisions are, as a rule, made under the difficult conditions of
practical play. The difference between improvisation at the board and
home analysis is made clear by the following example (61) from
Mikenas-Botvinnik, Moscow 1940.
After 8 ... 0-0? 9 P x P! B x N 10 Qx B P-KN4 11 B-N3 N-K5
The Dynamic 73
61
B
12 Q—R3 B—K3 13 P—B3 N x B 14 P x N Q—B3 15 P—K3 R—B 1

16 N—K2 N—Q2 17 K—Nl R x P 18 N—Q4 P—R3 19 B—N51 Black
was in serious difficulties. His K-side was grievously weakened and his
Q4 remained under attack. By careful home analysis Botvinnik, who,
moreover, was able to rely upon the experiences of the game Belavenets-
Simagin, Moscow 1940, played shortly afterwards, found a substantial
improvement on Black's play. A fortunate chance enabled him to use
his analysis. In the match-tournament for the USSR Championship in
1941 Keres naively repeated the variation played by Mikenas and fell
into the prepared variation:
8 ... B x N1 9 Qx B P—KN4 10 B—N3 P x PI 11 Qx P N—B3 12
Q—QR4 B—B4! With this forced sequence Black has laid bare the
dynamic kernel of the position. As a consequence White's king became
a target of attack.
The game Penrose—Tal, Leipzig 1960, is an example of the timely
realization of positional advantages. From the diagrammed position
(62)
62
White staged a break-through in the centre.

19 P—K51 P x P
20 P—B5!
74 The Dynamic
The point of White's strategic enterprise. With Black's army
scattered White's attack threatens to become dangerous. The extra
pawn on K4 only separates Black's own forces from each other.
20 ... B—N2
21 QR—Q1 B—QR1
22 N.113—K4 N—R5?
23 B x N P x B
24 P x P BP x P
25 Q—B7 1- K—R1
26 N—QB5!
This exposes the Achilles heel (his K3) in Black's position. Object-
ively Black is lost.
26 ... Q—R2
27 Qx N Qx Q 28 NxQRxP 29 N—N6 R—N6 30 N x BP and
White won easily.
Systemization of Dynamic Methods

As yet typical dynamic methods have not been systematized. But a
break-through such as P—K5!, which clears the K4 square, is without
doubt characteristic of many strategic situations. There follow some
more examples.
63
W
This position (63) arose after 20 moves in the game Petrosian-

Larsen, Palma 1968. White took advantage of the awkward position
of Black's pieces and drove a wedge into the enemy camp:
21 P—K5 P x P
22 N2—K4 Q—B4
23 Q—B2
Threat 24 N--Q6!
The Dynamic 75
23 QR-Ql
24 B x R RxB
25 Q-N6 Q-B1
26 N-B5
Black's position is hopeless.
26 ... P-K5 (Weak is 26 ... .N-RI 27 Q-R7! or 26 ... B-QRJ 27
P-Q6BxB 28PxNRxR 29 RxRBxR 30 Q-N8! etc.) 27 QxB
P x B 28 Q x Q R x Q 29 P-Q6 B-B1 30 N-N7 N-K3 31 P-Q7
R-Nl 32 R xN! 1-0
The next position (64) occurred in the game A. Polyak-Simagin,
Moscow 1944, after 23 moves.
64
W
White energetically made use of the lack of coherence among Black's

forces and played:
24 P-K5! QP x P
25 N-K4 P-N3
26 P-R5! PxP
27 P-Q6
This wedge splits Black's forces in two.
27 ... B-Ql
28 N3 x BP Q-N3 29 NxNBxN 30 N-B5 B-K3 31 B x P and White
won quickly.
A good example of this theme is the game Veresov-Osnos, Grozny
1969. This position (65) occurred after 16 moves.
Now Black planned to solidify his game with 17 ... N-Q2, but White,
by a resolute advance in the centre, changed the situation to his
advantage.
17 P-K5! QP x P
18 N-K4 Q-Q2
Forced. If 18 ... R-KB1 White wins with 19 P-Q6!
19 QxP!
76 The Dynamic
65
Another surprise. Now if 19 ... B x Q 20 N x B+ K-Rl 21 N x Q

N x N 22 R-B7! and White wins a piece.
19 ... B-Q1
20 R-B2 Q-K2 21 Q-B3 N-Q2 22 B-N5 Qx B 23 NxQBxN
24 P-Q6 P-K5 25 Q-B7 + K-R1 26 Qx N.Q7 B x N 27 R-Kl
B-Q5 28 P-B3! B x R+ 29 K x B QR-Qt 30 Qx P R-QN1 31
Q-B6 R x P+ 32 K-N3 R-Q1 33 Q-B7 R-KB1 34 R x P R7-KB7
35 R-K3 F-KR4 36 P-Q7 1-0
The Difference Between Dynamic and Ordinary

Tactical Decisions
The dynamic realization of possibilities dormant in the position usually
takes place in a combinative manner. However, it would be wrong to
equate this way of solving the problems of positions with purely
tactical operations, although they resemble each other. The most
essential characteristic of dynamic decisions consists always in the fact
that they are connected with all the preceding strategic development of
the game. The reader will be convinced of this in the examples to come.
They arise from the plan followed up to that point and therefore
transcend the frame of an everyday tactical operation.
Dynamic Struggle in Equal Positions

In the examples quoted up till now the dynamic treatment of the
position allowed advantages already attained, but hidden, to be
realized and in this way to be made visible.
However, dynamic factors can have a balancing effect even in so-
called equal positions.
Obviously in an equal position one cannot decide the game by a
violent attack; but one, with a balanced position, is by no means
The Dynamic 77
compelled to accumulate small advantages. The way to success often
requires the sharpening of the tactical situation.
An interesting example (66) is the course of the game Korchnoi-
Tal, Candidates' match 1968.
66
IV
White, making use of a slight inaccuracy on Black's last move (11 ...
QN—Q2 ? instead of 11 ... B x P), introduced a forcing variation
having positional aims.
12 Q-B2 !
Removes the queen from the threat 12 ... N x P and at the same time
prepares the following instructive revaluation of positional factors.
12 ... NxP
13 BxP+! N x B
14 P—QR3 N—R3
15 P x13 NxP
16 Q—N3
The operation has ended. Through it White has gained a lasting
superiority in the centre and seriously weakened Black's Q; side.
16 ... N—N4
17 NxN Qx N
113 B—Q2 N—B3
19 B—B3 R--Q1
20 Q—N5 R—Q3
21 B x RP?
Here it was more judicious to refrain from further forcing of the play
and to choose 21 N—B4! Q—Ql 22 QR—Ql which would have
offered White good winning chances.
21 ... R—N3
22 N—N3 P—Q5!
23 Qx Q R x Q_
24 B—N6?
78 The Dynamic
Better was 24 B—Q2 though Black would have good prospects of a
draw after 24 ... RxR 25 RxR PxP 26 PxP.
24 ... RxR
25 RxR PxP?
In time-trouble Black makes a decisive mistake. With 25 ... P—Q6!
26 R—Ql R—N4 27 B—Q4 N x B 28 PxN Rx P he would probably
have drawn.
26 R—R8! N—K2
Not 26 ... P x P+ 27 K x P N—K2 28 B—Q8!
27 PxP R—Q4
28 P—N4 R—Q8+
28 ... K—R2 29 B—B5 B—N5 30 P—R3 N—B4 31 PxB N xN would
offer more resistance, though after 32 R—K8! N—K7 + 33 K—B2! White
would still win.
29 K—B2 R—Q7 +
30 K—Kl R x P 31 B—B5 K—R2 32 13 x N B—Q2 33 R—Q8 B—B3
34 R—Q2 and White won.
Also characteristic are the events in the game Botvinnik—Boleslaysky,
Moscow 1952, in which defensive ability and the art of attack were
counter-balanced.
w liEr41.50I
67
kr
y.
RH;
fieUgZ2
The double-edged struggle which developed from this dynamically
balanced position (67) is very instructive.
1 N—B5! PxN
2 PxP N—K4
3 PxN BxP
4 BxP K—R1 !
An excellent move. Black is prepared to give up the exchange to
obtain counterplay on the white squares. The natural continuation
4 ... R—N1? 5 B—Q5 R x P 6 B x B+ R x B 7 P—B4 would have
given White a clear advantage.
The Dynamic 79
5 B—Q5
The acceptance of the sacrifice 5 B x R Qx B 6 N—Q5 Q—BS! would
subject White to a dangerous attack.
5 ... B—N5
6 Q—R4
A mistake. 5 Q-B2!, had to be played and would have promised
White some initiative.
6 ... P—KB41
7 Q—B2 Q—B3
8 B—N51 Qx B
9 P—B4 Q—R3
10 PxN(?)
As the position is very complicated it is not surprising that both
players make small mistakes. 10 B x R would have been better. Now
Black could have a clear advantage.
10 ... Q—Kfi +
Missing the favourable opportunity. 10 ... QR—Nl was correct.
11 K—R1 B x P
12 BxR R x B
After a lively struggle an equal position has arisen.
The Interdependence of Static and Dynamic Treatment
Two Conceptions of Statics and Dynamics

One can signify the concepts of the static and dynamic properties of a
position in two ways, just as one can with the concepts of strategy and
tactics.
In the narrower sense the word static refers to the visible charac-
teristics of the position; in the wider sense it is synonymous with those
principles of positional play which depend above all on these charac-
teristics.
Such is also the case with the concept of the dynamic properties of a
position. One can understand this to refer to all the factors of the
position which bring about changes, but the deeper meaning is the
particularities of the position at one moment in time as well as the
most important moving forces of the struggle in a given situation.
Considered from this viewpoint, the principles of the positional school
are examined afresh. But the dynamic engagement in the struggle
makes it possible to establish the dialectic connection which exists in
chess between the particular and the general, between the permanent
and the transitory, between the law-conforming and the random.
80 The Dynamic
It would be quite wrong to oppose or to contrast the positional
treatment and the dynamic; they complement each other. When one
talks about the relation of the positional to the dynamic factors, one
must not forget that the dynamic standpoint was formed on a positional
basis, although historically it was a protest of living chess thought
against dogmatic writings which were suppressing chess art.
The Meaning of Chess Technique

Obviously the struggle is decided only occasionally by esoteric happen-
ings. In practice one is frequently forced to be guided by the obvious
external characteristics of the position. Prosaic logic has precedence
over flourishing imagination. Otherwise chess would be too beautiful,
as Tal once remarked appropriately. The old adage that surveyable
plans are better than bizarre resolutions still holds good.
In this connection, an assertion of Alekhine which he made on the
following position (68) from the game Alekhine v Znosko-Borowski,
Birmingham 1926, is interesting.
68
Alekhine played 1 N-Q2! and wrote:

`To exchange the white-squared bishops and thus to weaken even
more Black's somewhat unsafe pawn structure on the Q-side. Black
cannot prevent this. That does not mean White must get a decisive
advantage, but he has a comfortable game with winning prospects
and gives his opponent the difficult task of fighting for a draw.
'In my opinion, a master is morally obliged to seize every sort of
opportunity and to try to solve the problems of the position without
fear of some simplifications. To play for complications is a violent
measure on which a player must resolve only if there is no dear and
logical plan.'
1 P-K4 2 B-B3! B x B 3 N x B P-K5 4 N-Q2 Q-K2 5 Q-R4
The Dynamic 81
P—KB4 6 Q—B6 N--B3 7 P—QN4! P—QR4 8 R—R3 Q-Q2 9 Qx Q
NxQ 10 PxPRxF 11 RxR PxR 12 R—N1 R—Nl 13 RxR+
N x R Despite the simplifications, White's superiority has increased
on account of Black's weak QRP. 14 K—B1 N—Q2 15 K—K2 N—N3
16 K—Q1 P—R5 17 P—Q51 N—Q2 18 K—B2 N—K4 19 K—B3 N—N5
20 K—N4 N x BP 21 K x P P--B5 22 P x P P—K6 23 N—B3 N—Q6
24 K—N5! and the QRP decided the game.
The great importance of technique in chess is illustrated very clearly
in many of Fischer's games. A characteristic example (69) can be found
in Fischer—Taimanov, Palma 1970.
69
B
The continuation 27 ... R—K2 28 B—B2 R--K4 29 R1—Q1 P—B3

would have assured Black a good game. However, Taimanov was not
satisfied with that and presumed to have found something stronger. In
fact, after the continuation chosen, it is White who soon takes the
initiative.
27 ... N—K3(?)
28 Q—N3 Q—B2 29 N—Q5 Q—B4+ 30 K—RI B—B3 31 R—B3 N—N4
32B—B2BxN 33 RxBQ—B2 34F—K5!PxF
35 Qx P RI—N1
35 ... N—K3 was better to over-protect his QB4 square.
36 B—B5 Qx Q
37 R x Q P—N3
38 P—R4 N—R2
38... P—B3 39 R—N5 x13 40 P x N BP x P 41 R x BP K—N2, with
a drawn ending, was correct.
39 B—N4 N—B3
40 B—B3 R—Q2
41 R—QN5 R—Q5
42 P—B5!
Fischer demonstrates superb technique. If 42 P—R5, Black could
82 The Dynamic
have saved himself, according to an analysis by Vasyukov, with 42 ...
P—N4 ! 43 P—B5 R—K1 44 P x P P—N5 45 P—N7 P x B 46 P—N8 = Q
P-137! 47 Q—N3+ N—N5 48 R—Bl R—K6 49 Q—R4 R5—K5 50
R—N5 + P x R 51 Qx NP + and White must give perpetual check.
42 ... R x KRP+
43 K—Nl R—QN5
44 R x R!
Another very fine move. After 44 R—N3 (?) R x R.6 45 R x R N-.Q2
46 P—B6 N—K4 47 B—Q5 R—QB1 48 R x P K—B1! Black would have
good drawing chances.
44 ... PxR
45 R—B4 P x P
46 R x BP K—N2
47 P—R5 R—K1 48 R—B1! R—K4 49 R—R1 R—K2 50 K—B2! N—K1
51 P—R6 R—R2 52 K—K3 N—B2 53 B—N7 N—K3 54 R—R5 K—B3
55 K—Q3 K—K2 56 K—B4 K—Q3 57 R—Q5 + K—B2 58 K—N5 1-0
These impressive examples show that the positional principles are
valid in most cases and the events of the game are subordinate to them.
Stereotyped Play and the True Understanding of Positional Principles

The dynamic treatment by no means stands in opposition to the
positional principles built on many years' experience. In it, on the
contrary, are considered the most vital details of the struggle, through
which understanding of positional principles is broadened. The dyna-
mic approach is completely opposite to stereotype. Its main charac-
teristics lie in the fact that it enquires searchingly, ventures boldly, and
advances to the real kernel of the position. Dynamic treatment means
an intelligent approach, supported by calculation of the actual
circumstances, to help perfect positional treatment.
An instructive example is the following position (70) which arose
after seventeen moves in the game Olafsson—Simagin, Moscow 1959.
70
The Dynamic 83
From the opening White has achieved some advantage in space.

However, there is no vulnerable spot in Black's camp. Now 18 N-Q5
should have been played. Instead White over-estimated his chances
and played to exchange the black-squared bishops, obviously over-
looking Black's 20th move.
18 11-Q4 B x B
19 Qx B R-Q1
20 N-Q5
White had relied upon this sortie in exchanging the bishops and his
advantage after 20 ... B x N 21 KP x B would be indisputable, but
Black, free from a stereotype reaction, had prepared the following
zwischenzug in the centre which surprisingly allows him to seize the
initiative.
20 ... P-K4!
21 N-B6 +
Both21 Q-B3BxN! 22RxBPxPand21PxPQxPwouldbe
advantageous for Black.
21 ... K-R1
22 Q-B3
To simplify the game by 22 N x QP x Q 23 N-B6 K-N2 24 N-Q5
B x N 25 KP x B QR-K1 26 R x P R-K7! would give Black a clearly
better ending.
22 ... Q-K2
23 N-Q5 B x N
24R x B P-B3
Black has obtained a lasting advantage. His knight is clearly
superior to the white bishop hemmed in by its own pawns. The way
Black realizes his advantage is instructive for the handling of similar
endings.
25 P-B5 Q-QB2
26 RI-Q1 Q-N3
27 K-R1 P-N4!
Tempting his opponent to win the pawn on Q6, after which Black
will have chances to open up the game and become active along the
Qfile.
28 Q-Q2 R-B2
29 R x QP R x R
30 Qx R Q-N5!
Not 30 ... Qx Q 31 R x Q R--Q2 32 R-Q5! with good drawing
chances.
31 P-N3 K-N2
32 Q-Q8 P-R5!
84 The Dynamic
33 P x P Qs BP
34 Q—R5 Q—B7
Black is concerned about the Q; file and does not let himself be
diverted by tactical skirmishing. 34 ... N x KP would not suit him as
White's bishop would again participate in the struggle.
35 Q—Q2 Qx P.R5
36 R—QB1 R—Q2! 37 Q—K2 Q-R6 38 R—QN1 Q-QB6 39 R—QI
N—Q6 40 R—KBI N—B4 41 Q—N4 R--Q6 42 Q—R5 Q—Q5! 43
Q-K8 Q—Q3 44B—B3 R—Q7 45 P—QR4 P—N3! 46 R—Q,N1 N—Q6!
47 B—N2
The main variation of Black's combination runs 47 It x P N—B7 +
48 K—Nl N—R6 + 49 K—R1 R--Q8 + ! 50 K—N2 N—B5 + !! 51 P x N
Q—Q7 + 52 K—R3 P—N5 + ! 53 B x P Q—K6 + when mate is un-
avoidable.
47 ... N—B7+
48 K—Nl N—N5 49 P—R4 R x B+ 50 K x R Q-Q7 + 0-1
It is clear from what has preceded that modern strategy represents a
synthesis of the classical positional school and new dynamic tendencies.
Without doubt this standpoint has substantially influenced the evolu-
tion of the most important general principles of strategy. In the follow-
ing sections we will deal with these problems in more detail. They are
devoted to the basic factors of strategy such as the initiative, the trans-
formation of positional elements, and the harmony of the forces.
6 The Initiative
The Role of Tempo in the Game

The time factor plays an extremely important role in every game. Its
unit is the tempo; i.e. the move. Other things being equal, every gain
of time is a definite advantage. Even a single tempo can fundamentally
influence the course of events.
This becomes particularly clear at decisive moments of the struggle,
e.g. with pawn attacks on opposite wings or in combinational com-
plications. One can see in almost every game how 'important is the
tempo.
Take one of the simplest cases. This completely symmetrical and
apparently dead-drawn position (71) which occurred after White's
21st move in the game Barcza-Keres, Tallinn 1969.
71
B
Black, recognizing the tactical failings of White's set-up, found a

skilful way of advantageously complicating the game.
21 ... Q-B3!
Clearly 22 R x Q now loses to 22 ... R-R8 + 23 B-BI B-R6.
22 Qx Q P x Q
23 B-B3
Somewhat better was 23 P-R3 R x P 24 P-K3, though after 24 ...
R.-B7 Black still has winning prospects.
86 The Initiative
23 ... B—R6!
24 B—N2 B x B 25 K x B R x P 26 P—K3 R—N3 27 P—R4 P—R4 28
K—B3 P—B3 29 R—QR1 P—K4 30 P x P Px P 31 P—N4 R—N5!
32 P x P RxP
33 R—R8 + K—B2
Black has reached a won rook ending and forces the win con-
vincingly.
34 R—QBB R—QB5
35 R—KR8 R—B7 36 P—R6 P x P 37 R x P K—K2 38 R—R7 + K—Q3
39 R—R6+ K—B4 40 P—K4 K--Q5 41 P x P P x P 42 R—Q6 P—K5 +
43 K—N3 R—R7 44 R—Q8 K—B5 45 P—B4 P—K6 46 K—B3 K—Q5
47 R—K8 R—KB7+ 48 K—N4 K—Q6 0-1
How often merely one single tempo is missing! It can decide the
outcome of a game or the success of a tactical operation; it can even
put the validity of an entire strategic plan in doubt.
The following classic example (72) of each side attacking on opposite
flanks, from the famous game Pillsbury—Tarrasch, Hastings 1895, is
really a tragedy of the missing tempo.
72
Black's threats on the Q-side appear to be more lasting; however,

exciting events are in store.
29 N—N4!
The QRP cannot be taken because of the threat 30 N x P.
29 ... N—Q2
30 R4—B2
Again ... Qx P is bad, this time because of 31 N—B4 B—B2 32
N—N6+ BxN 33 PxB N--B1 34 NxPl PxN 35 RxP K—N1
36 R—B7! with White winning.
30 ... K—N1
31 N—B1 P—B6
32 P—QN3 Q-B3
The Initiative 87
Black's plan is simple—to play ... P-QR4-R5 x NP and then ...
R-QR1-R6 to roll up White's Aside. A riveting race of tempi
begins. Who will win?
33 P-KR31 P-QR4
34 N-R2 P-R5 35 P-N4 P x P 36 P x P R-Rl 37 P-N5 R--R6
38 N-N411x P 39 R-KN2 K-RI 49 P x P P x P
41 N x B RxN
Black appears to have achieved his aim. He has only to play 42 ...
P-B7 to win, but it is White, not Black, to move and that basically
alters matters. Black falls victim to a nasty sacrifice.
42 N-R6 I R-N2
43 RxRKxR 44 Q-N3 + ! K x N 45 K-R1 Q-Q4 46 R-KNI
Qx BP 47 Q-R4 + Q-KR4 48 Q-B4 + Q-N4 49 R. x Q P x R
50 Q-Q6 +
The combination ends with Black's complete demolition. His tragedy
is that White can arrive just in time to stop the QBP.
50 ... K-R4
51 Qx N 1-0
This example shows that, if the decisive tempo is lacking, an
apparently good deployment of pieces is condemned to failure. The
criterion for the effectiveness of every harmonious action must always
include an examination of the tempo situation.
The struggle of ideas and plans in chess is incompatible with point-
less, thoughtless moves. The most precise and painstaking care is
required over every tempo.
The Initiative, Its Unfolding and Increase
In the dynamics of chess the initiative is extremely significant if active

plans or individual operations are to be realized. It is a measure of
how each side does justice to the requirements of the position. It is
evident that it is closely connected with time. Its possession often
depends on a tempo. The initiative influences the events of the game
so deeply that only the one who possesses it can realize his plans and
force his opponent on to the defensive. (A player defending surely
can also realize his plans—Ed.).
The progressing development of opening theory reveals the import-
ance of the initiative more and more extensively. Besides maintaining
the initiative there are situations for augmenting it.
In the following position White resolutely deprives his opponent of
all counterchances.
88 The Initiative
73
This position (73) comes from the game Uhlmann—Portisch, Skopje

1968. In the first twelve moves White has gained a significant advantage
in the centre. Now, besides stopping all Black's counterplay in the
centre, he improves the position of his own pieces.
13 P—QN4
Prevents 13 ... N—K4 on account of 14 NxNPxN 15 B—B5
13 ... B—N2
14 B—Bl KR—Q1
15 P—QR3 N—K4
This only increases Black's difficulties as the QB becomes buried
behind its own pawns. Mistakes will, without fail, emerge from com-
plicated positions.
16 NxN P x N
17 B—B5 Q—K 1 18 P—QR4 P x BP 19 P—R5! R x R 20 R x R N—Q2
21 N—R4 N—Bl 22 B x P N—K3 23 N—N6 R—Nl (23 ... R—QI is bad
because of 24 B x.TV P x B 25 R—Q) with an easy win.) 24 R--Q6
N—Q5 25 la—R2! 1-0 Black has no defence to 26 R.—Q7 I
Positional Zugzwang
The growth of the initiative is closely tied to the increased co-
ordination of one's own forces and conversely to the disorganization
of the enemy's. This converse action can lead to the weaker side being
in a positional zugzwang.
The game Alekhine—Nimzowitsch, San Remo 1930, is an impressive
example of the gradual paralysis of the defence.
This position (74) arose after Black's eleventh move. Alekhine took
advantage of Black's passive opening play to encroach on the Q-side.
12 P—QN4 P x NP
Better was 12 ... P—B5.
13 P x P B—N2
14 N--Q6 P—B4
The Initiative 89
74
till I
.1k.“4 -4 ±M
.12) I ft
40„
ri
The decisive strategic mistake. 14 ... P-QR4 15 B-N5 P x P, to

create room on the Q-side for the intervention of his own pieces, was
necessary. After the text move White can proceed on the Q-side
unhindered, leaving Black in a hopeless situation.
15 P-R5! N-B1
15 ... P x P is bad because of 16 P-N5! followed by 17 R x P.
16 NxB Qx N
17 P-R6 Q-KB2
18 B-N5
Black finds himself in a positional zugzwang and no longer has any
satisfactory defence.
18 ... N 1 -K2
19 0-0 P-R3 20 KR-B1 KR-B1 21 R-B2 Q-K1 22 QR-QB1
QR-N1 23 Q-K3 R-B2 24 R-B3!
This has the clear intention of seizing the QB-flle to render Black's
QB3 untenable. 24 ... Q-Q2 25 R1-B2 K-B1 26 Q-BI RI-B1
27 B-R4! Crowning the positional , attack he began on move 15.
27 ... P-QN4 28 B x P K-K1 29 B-R4 K-Q1 30 P-R4! 1-0
Black has no reasonable moves. He would soon be forced to play
Q-K 1 after which P-N5 wins a piece.
Gradually Ripening Combinations

Often the initiative assumes a forcing step-by-step character which
finally bursts into a combination. Even now the game Reti-Bogoljubow,
New York 1924, is regarded as an excellent model of such a ripening
combination.
This position (75) arose after fifteen moves. It is instructive to note
how White's threats build up.
16 P-B5! B-KB1
17 QB2
Both of Black's centre pawns are put under fire. Now 17 ... BP x P
90 The Initiative
75
w
would be weak because after 18 B x P Black's KP and KRP are

attacked.
17 ... KP x P
18 PxP! QR—Q1
18 ... R—K4 would be bad, viz. 19 Q—B4+ K—R1 20 P—B6! etc.
19 B—R5!
Already beginning the forcing sequence which culminates in the
brilliant 25th move.
19 ... R—K4
20 BxPRxKBP 21RxRBxR 22QxBRxB 23R—KBI!R--Q1
24 B—B7+ K—Rl 25 B—K8l (blocking the rook) 1-0 25 ... B x P+
26 Qx B wins a piece.
Modern master practice shows many such combinations. The game
Petrosian—Kotov, 19th USSR Championship 1951, is characteristic
(76).
76
w
White, standing considerably freer, increases his advantage with the

following manoeuvres:
I Q—B2! Ce-R3
If 1 ... R--Q2 2 P—KB5! P x P 3 B—N6 Q-K4 4 P x P and White
Tits Initiative 91
wins at once. 1 N—B4 would have been more tenacious, but even
then White's advantage cannot be questioned.
2 B—N6! R--Q2
3 P—Q135 B—B5
Forced. If 3 Q—R 1 4 P-135 wins.
4 B x B Qx B.B5
5 P—K5! P—Q4
6 N-1(41
Black must give up the exchange on account of the threats 7 N-136
and 7 N—Q6.
6 ... PxN
7RxRBxP 8BxBNxB 9R—Q4 Q--K3 10 Q-132 P—N3 11R—Q6
Q—B1 12 Q—B4 and White realized his material and positional
advantage quickly and convincingly.
Sacrifices to Obtain the Initiative

Now and then one must make positional concessions and/or even
material sacrifices if one wants to seize the initiative. The main task
is to succeed in establishing harmonious piece-play ahead of the
opponent and to make him postpone active plans and resort to defence.
This idea was excellently accomplished in the game Najdorf-
Ragozin, Stockholm 1948 (77).
77
B
With his last move (1 Q—R3), White threatened 2 N x P + followed

by 3 Qx N and appears to have enduring pressure on the Q-file.
However, he had not given sufficient attention to the following com-
bination based on a positional queen sacrifice.
1 ... NxP!
2 N—B6
White loses a pawn if he does not accept the challenge.
92 The Initiative
2 ... NxN
3 R x Q KR x R
4 B-Q2
The combination has ended. A game with differing material
proportions, apparently favourable for White, is in store. However,
in judging this position, one has to take into account that Black has
the initiative. The further course of the game shows that the black
pieces, working together harmoniously, can restrict the white queen.
4 ... N-K5
5 B-K3 N-Q3 6 R-QB1 N-B4 7 B-KB4 B-Q4 8 B-B4 B x B
9 R x B P-K4! 10 B-N5? (The decisive mistake. White could hope
for a draw only by 10 R x N! PxR ilBx P, returning some material
to simplify the position.) 10 ... R-Q8 + 11 K-R2 P-KR3 12 R-Bl
R-Q2 13 B-K3 P-K5 14 N-K 1 QR-Q1 15 B-B5 B-K4 + 16
P-KN3 R-Q7 17 R-B2 B x K.NP ± 18 K-N2 B-K4 19 K--B1 R x R
20 N x R R-Q8+ 21 K-K2 R-KN8 and Black won. The white queen
did not make a single move during this entire section of the game.
Modern strategy attaches great importance to sacrifices made for
the sake of the initiative. In this way it fosters the traditions of such
prominent attacking masters as Anderssen, Murphy, Chigorin,
Charousek, Alekhine, Breyer, Red and Spielmann.
Here is a classical example of this kind of sacrifice.
78
B
This position (78) arose in the game Griinfeld-Spielmann, Sopron

(Hungary) 1934. Black has a Iead in development. But, with the
position closed as it is, how can he utilize this? Spielmann reaches an
interesting decision.
1 ... P-K4
. 2 BP x P NxP!
He sacrifices a piece for a powerful initiative which threatens to
increase into an attack. The aim of the sacrifice is to keep the enemy
The Initiative 93
king in the centre where it can become a target for Black's developed
and well-placed pieces. Naturally this procedure required long calcu-
lation, but it is not, and could not be, exhaustive in this position. When
Black began the combination he was guided by his belief in the
initiative and its increase. Spielmann's comments in his book Rkhtig
afifern! {translated into English under the title The Art of Sacrifice in
Chess-Ed.) are interesting. 'The sacrifice of the knight cannot be
justified in analytical terms and might perhaps be refuted in a corres-
pondence game, but in an over-the-board game and at a time limit of
eighteen moves per hour it will almost always triumphantly succeed.'
3PxN P-Q5 !
4 N-Q1
4 P x P was stronger as the queen check on R5 was not to be feared
on account of K-Ql followed by K-B2.
4 ... B x KP
5 P-K4
At the cost of another pawn this prevents the opening of the Qfile.
5 ... B x KP
6 N-B2 B-Q4
7 Q-KR3 Q-K2
8 B-K2?
A fatal oversight. He had to play 8 K-4:2,1 after which the position
would still be very double-edged.
8 P-Q6!
White had overlooked this. Now if9 N x P KR-Kl 100-0 B-Q5 + !
wins. The white king remains in the centre and is subjected to a
devastating attack.
9NxP KR-K1
10 K-B1 B x QNP!
11 R.-K1 Q -B3+.
12 N-B2 B-Q5
13 Q-KN3 R.-K51
14 P-KR4
Or 14 Q-KB3 R x B! 15 Qx B-B51
14 ... QR-K1
15 B-QN5 RxR+
16 B x R R-Kfil 17 Q-N5 R x B+ 18 K R Qx N+ 19 K-Ql
B x NP and White resigned after a few moves.
The struggle with varying material is extremely characteristic of
modern strategy. To conclude this section, here are some rules giving
the average value of the pieces, ascertained from middle game practice:
a) The queen is worth approximately a rook, minor piece and pawn.
94 The Initiative
Lasker liked to indulge in this sort of sacrifice (or more precisely this
sort of exchange) in the interests of the initiative.
b) Two rooks are, as a rule, stronger than the queen.
c) Three minor pieces correspond to a queen and a pawn.
d) A rook is roughly equal to a minor piece and two pawns. A pro-
tected, centrally posted minor piece is hardly weaker than a rook.
e) Bishop and knight are worth a rook and two pawns. In the middle
game the two pieces are usually better, but in the ending the side with
the rook often has the advantage.
f) Rook and two bishops are about equal to two rooks and a knight.
Naturally these statements relate to positions in which there are no
forced developments and the play is of a positional nature.
Duration and Stability of the Initiative

In order correctly to assess the value of the initiative, one must take
into account its duration and stability. Active possibilities of the defen-
der must never be disregarded.
The game Evans—Pietzsch, Lugano 1968, can be regarded as a
characteristic example of an only temporary initiative. This position
(79) arose after nineteen moves.
79
White's pieces appear to be actively placed. However, Black

successfully wards off all attempts by his opponent to seize the initia-
tive; with the 'floating' nature of White's pieces becoming apparent,
he is able to demonstrate the merits of his position.
20 P—K5 PxP
21 PxP
21 PxN? PxN
21 ... N—Q2
22 P—B4 QR—N1
The Initiative 95
23 R—N1 B—B4
24 R—N2 P—B3!
By this timely breaking-up of the position Black takes over control.
White's pieces are constricted and hinder each other.
25 P x P N x P
26 R—Q1 N—K5
27 N x N B x N
Simplest. If 27 ... B x R 28 N—B5!
28 R—R2 P—B6
29 Q—Q7 B—B4 30 Q—R.4 P—B7 31 R—QB1 Q—K7 32 B—B2 R—Ql
33 cl—N3+ P—K3 0-1.
Temporary Abandonment of the Initiative to Assure Material Advantages

Often one of the players consciously hands over the initiative to his
opponent to procure in return some positional or material advantages
of a permanent nature. He reckons to safely survive the opponent's
temporary initiative and then to realize the extra material. The
ending from the game Petrosian—Smyslov, Candidates' 1959, is
informative in this respect (80).
80
B
After a gripping opening struggle Black has achieved a clear

advantage. He has won a pawn and has good attacking prospects as
well. With energetic moves he increases his advantage.
1 ... N—N5
2 P—N3 B—B4
3 R—Q2
QR2
4 R—KB1
P—R3!
5 B—KB4 B—R3
6 Q—B5
If 6 Qx P Black continues 6 ... BxR 7 KxB QR—Q1! and not
only wins the exchange but also retains the initiative. The text move
96 The Initiative
is the only try to complicate the game. White even succeeds in working
up threats against the enemy king. A new section of the game begins
in which Black, in order to evaluate his material advantage, is forced
to conduct an adaptable defence.
6 ... BxR
7 Qx N B-B5!
8 B x P P-N3
9 B x B PxB
10 R.-Q7 (2-R3!
Protects the pawn and parries the threatened rook sacrifice on KB2.
If now 11 R x P K x R 12 Q-Q7 + R-K2 13 N--N5 + K-Nl 14
Q-Q5 + K-R1 15 Qx B Q-KI33 16 Qx BP R-Qi 17 Q-R4
R-Q8 + 18 K-N2 Q-B3 + 19 K-R3 Q-Q2 + 20 K-N2
21 K-R.3 K-N1 and Black wins easily.
11 R.-B7 Q-Q3
12 B-B4 Q-Q4 13 R-Q7 Q-K3 14 Q,x Q R x Q 15 R-B7 B--N3
16 R.-N7 P-B6 17 PxP PxP 18K-B1 R-Q1 19 N-N5 R-KB3
20 NxPRxN 21 RxBRxB! 0-1
In this case the materially stronger side succeeded in realizing the
advantage by the temporary renunciation of the initiative, but many
games do not proceed so smoothly. One inaccuracy can suffice to make
threats, which are apparently easy to ward off, assume powerful
proportions.
The game Tal-Geller, Riga 1958, is very instructive (81).
81
w
With his last move, B x QNP, Black had not only taken an important
pawn but also apparently snatched control of the game. White, seeing
that after a move of the rook on K1 his game would not be very
pleasant, took the only correct decision; he sacrificed the exchange in
the interests of the initiative.
The Initiative 97
1 R-NI! B x R
2 R x B R-K1
Here the return of the material by 2 ... Qx P 3 Qx Q N x Q
4 N x B N-B6! came seriously into consideration. The sting from
White's actions would be removed; the resulting ending would be
favourable for Black.
3 P-Q6! Q-B1
4 B-N5! R-K7!
Acceptance of the second exchange sacrifice by 4 ... Qx R is no
good on account of 5 B x N P x B 6 Q-R4 giving White a winning
attack.
5 R-B7 Q-K3
6 N x B RxN+
7 K-R2 R-QI
8BxN
Now Black, unequal to the psychological burden, made the grave
error 8 P x B? ? and lost at once to 9 R-K71 Instead, after the
logical continuation 8 Qx B 9 Qx QPxQ 10 P-Q7, White's
strong passed pawn would compensate for the minus material.
Giving Back of Material

In order to stem the opponent's initiative arising from a not completely
correct sacrifice, it is often advisable to find the right moment to return
the material.
In the game Shul-E. Rubtsova, Gori 1969 (women's tournament),
Black chose the wild Hennig-Schara gambit:
1 P-Q4 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 P-K3 3 N-QB3 P-QB4 4 BP x P BP x PI?
5 Qx P N-QB3 6 Q-Ql P x P .7 Qx P B-Q2 8 N-B3 N-B3
9 Q-Ql B-QB4 10 P-K3 Q-K2 11 B-K2 0 0 0
12 0-0 P-KN4?!(82)
82
The important moment of transition from opening to middle game

98 The Initiative
has arrived. White's next moves show that she anticipates no danger
and is endeavouring to maintain the extra pawn. 13 N-Q4 is better.
13 Q-B2 ? P-N5
14 N-Q2
Still 14 N-Q4.
14 ... K-Nl
15 P-QR3 R-QB1
16 P-N4 B-N3
But not 16 ...BxKP 17 PxBQx P+ 18 K-Rl N-Q5 19N2-K4!
17 N-B4 B-B2
18 B-N2 N-K4 19 N-Q2 P-KR4 20 KR--Q1 P-R5 21 N-B1 P-N6!
22 RP x P P x P 23 N x P N3-N5 24 N-Q5 Q-R5 25 B-Q3 N x B
26NxBN6 xBP 27BxRRxBO-1
White committed a strategic mistake; at the right moment she
should have given back the material and begun a counter-attack on
the Q-side. That would have been the best chance of refuting Black's
risky play. In this respect, the game Suetin-Krutikhin, Minsk 1964,
is informative; it followed the previous game to the 12th move (see
diagram 82).
This time White chose another plan based on the return of the central
pawn.
13 B-Q2
13 P-QN4! is also good.
13 ... P-N5
14 N-Q4! P-KR4
15 B-N5!
Unexpectedly, White is shown to have unpleasant threats on the
Q-side and gradually assures himself of the initiative.
15 ... K-N1
16 BxN P x B
17 R-Bl B-Q3
18 Q-R4 Q-K4
19 P-B4! P x Pep
20 NxKBP Q-K2
21 P-K4 N-N5
22 P-K5!
The counter-stroke. White, by returning the pawn, converts his
position into a winning attack.
22 ... N x KP
23 N-K4! P-B3 24 B-K3 N x N+ 25 R x N B-KN5 26 R x KBP
B--K4 27 R6 x P KR-N1 28 R6-B4 B-B1 29 N-B5 R-N3 30 R-K4
R--Q4 31 Q-N3+ B-N2 32 N x B Qx N 33 R-QN4 1-0
The Initiative 99
One can learn also from the game Portisch-Spassky, Moscow 1967
(83).
83
With the help of the following manoeuvre White wins Black's

advanced KBP. White is also unable to castle. Temporarily Black is
able to dictate the course of play. Nevertheless, in the struggle for the
initiative, White succeeds in proving that his powerful centre is an
essential factor.
18 Q-B3 Q-K2
19 P-B4 P-B3 20 PxP P x P 21 N x P Q-Q2 22 P-N3 Q-N4
23 Q-1(2! Q-R4 + 24 K-BI Qx P. Though Black has regained his
pawn, his opponent is irrevocably in charge. 25 K-N2 R--B2 26 R-B2
QR-KB1 27 KR-QB1 P-KR3 (Not 27 ... R x N 28 PxR RxP
29 R-.88+!) 28 Q-N4 Q-R5 29 P-K6 I R. x N 30 P x R Qx P
31 R-Q1 Q-B3 32 R-B7 N-B4 33 P-B5 QI-K4 34 R x RP and
White won.
Many games in the Marshall Attack illustrate the problems of the
counter-sacrifice in the interests of the initiative; they provide valuable
data for study.
White's strategy in this opening is based on warding off his oppo-
nent's threats and eventually returning the pawn to obtain a lasting
initiative. In Tal-Krogius (84), 30th USSR Championship 1962,
White accepted the pawn sacrifice, erected a firm defensive front on
the K-side and finally realized his advantage, cautiously combining
defence with an attack on the Q-side.
Black has just played 18 ... P-KB4.
19 Q-B1 I Q-R4
Closer examination shows that White gets a clear advantage after
19...P-B5? 20BxPBxB 21QxQBxQ22RxRBxN 23RxP.
20 P-KB4 R1-K1
21 P x P R x B ?
100 The Initiative
84 4
3? "ALL y
014
11=
Better is 21 ... RP x P. Now White has taken up the role of gambit

player. His attack proves to be extremely dangerous.
22 R x R RxR
23 P x RP B—N1
Both 23 ... R—K7 24 Qx R BxQ 25 P—R7! and 23 ... R—Kl
24 P—R7 R—Rl 25 B x P x B 26 Q—N5 are good for White.
24 P—R7 B x RP
25 R x B R—K7 26 R—R8 K—B2 27 P—R4 R x N 28 Q—R6 R—K7
29 BxN-FlPxB 30 Q—N7+! 1-0
Counterplay as the Most Elective Procedure to Obtain the Initiative

The examples considered show that, in the struggle for the initiative,
it is very important to strive for counterplay. If the opponent attacks
violently it is not always judicious to be forced on to the defensive.
We will discuss this basic idea in more detail in the game Suetin-
Polugayevsky, 34th USSR Championship 1967, from which the
following position arose after White's 23rd move (85).
85
B
4.4
The strategic struggle has reached its climax. In this double-edged

position, in which both sides are attacking on a flank, it is extremely
important to possess the initiative. Therefore Black's best prospects
The Initiative 101
would come from the positional exchange sacrifice 23 N x P! ?
24 NxN RxN 25 BxR Rx B; after 26 P-B5 B-B1 27 P-N6 a
violent battle would have raged; objectively White would have had
the advantage, but Black's pieces would participate powerfully in the
game. However, Black decided to conduct the defence passively; this
proves to be a serious mistake, as it permits White to impress his mark
on the game.
23 ... B-Bl ?
24 P-B5 P-K4
25 P-R5 B-B3 26 P-R6! P-N3 27 P x P RP x P 28 P-N4 N-B5
29 B-Q3 B-Kl
As his king is greatly endangered, Black has an uncommonly difficult
task.
30 N-N3 R4-N2
31 B-331 R-R2
32 N-N2 N x N 33 Qx N N-N3 34 B-K3 R2 R1 35 N-R5 N-R5
36 R x N!
This temporary exchange sacrifice enables threats to be made
against KB7.
36 ... BxR
37 B-QB4 B-Kl 38 Q-K132 R-Ql 39 B-N6 Q-Q2 40 13 xRRxB
41 Q-R4 R-B1
Black would have had better chances in the ending which arises
after 41 ... Q-R2+ 42 Q-B2 Qx Q+ 43 K x Q B-K2. White would
maintain his advantage with 44 R-KNI R-Bl 45 R-N3 B-N4
46 B-Q5, but Black would have good chances of saving himself. Now
White's attack becomes irresistible.
42 R-B3! Q-Ql
43 B-Q5 B-K2 44 Q-B2 Q-Q2 45 Q-N3 R-B2 46 N-B4 Q-R5
47 Q-B2 B x P
This ill-considered move leads forcibly to the break-through but
White also wins after 47 ... Q-Q8 + 48 K-N2 Q-QB8 49 R x P!
Qx NP+ 50 K-Bl Q-l38+ 51 K-K2 Q-B7+ 52 N-Q2 B-N4+
53 K-133 Q-Q8 + 54 K-N2 Q-N5 + 55 Q-N3 Qx Q+ 56 K x Q
B-KR5 + 57 KxBRxR 58 P-R7 + etc.
48 N x QP B-B5
49 N x B Qx N 50 Q= N6! Q-R5 51 Qx NP+ ! K-B1 52 cl-N7+
K-K2 53 P-R7 Q-Q6+ 54 K-N2 1-0
Korchnoi, at the present time the most able defender of difficult
positions, has a remarkable instinct for uncovering the hidden sources
of counterplay. His game against Gligork at Belgrade 1965 is a classic
example.
102 The Initiative
86
w
GligoriC, White (86), has an extra pawn and moreover has excellent
attacking prospects on the K-side. Now he should have continued
28 P-N4! N-Q4 29 P-N5. 29 R x P is prevented on account of
30 N-B6+ N x N 31 P x N etc. After the relatively best continuation
28 ... P-B3 29 P-N3 N-Q4 30 B-Q3 White's threats are quite
unpleasant-30 R x P would lose to 31 B-B4I The attack introduced
by 28 P-N4 would have improved White's prospects considerably.
The continuation chosen by Gligorie was to give away the initiative
irretrievably.
28 R-QB3 R1-N1 29 R3-B1 Q-Rl 30 Q-K7 N-Q4 31 Q-Q7
N--B3 32 R-B8 + K-N2! With this move Black brings about a
favourable simplification. The weakness of White's Q-side pawns
allows him to seize the upper hand. 33 R x QN x Q 34 R x R R x R
35 R-Q2 R-N5 36 B-B2 R x NP 37 P-N4 N-N3 38 P-N5 R-N5
39 K-N2 N x P 40 BxN RxB 41 R--B2 B-N3 Though Black has
an extra pawn, White can now make a draw by exploiting the un-
favourable situation of his opponent's king. 42 P-B3 R-Q5 43 R-B6
B-QI 44 P-R4 P-R5 45 R-R6 B-K2 46 R-R7 B-B1 47 N--B6
An exposition of styles, between direct, energetic attacking play and
the struggle for lasting initiatives, took place in the 1968 Candidates'
Match between Korchnoi and Tal. Tars creed of imaginative, intuitive
attacks met with violent opposition from Korchnoi. Korchnoi strictly
refrains from unrestrained fantasy not based on exact calculation. He
willingly accepts active defence and combines it with an unyielding
struggle for the initiative. The climax of the tenth and last game is a
typical example of their creative differences.
The following position (87) occurred after Korchnoi's (White's)
30th move.
Here, and also two moves later, Tal could obtain a clear superiority
and good winning prospects if he had simply continued 30 ... Q-Bl
followed by ... N-N 1-B3. However, he became carried away with the
The Initiative 103
87
B
idea of a K-side attack and forced the play, but Korchnoi was prepared
for just this turn of events.
30 ... Q—B2
31 RxR RxR 32 Q—B3 P—N4 ? 33 BP x P R—KN1 34 K—B2 R x P
35 Px P PxP 36 Qx P Q—R4 37 Q-K7 + R—N2 38 Q—B6 R—N3
39 Q-K7 + and Black's advantage had gone.
Summarising, it can be said that striving for counterplay in the
struggle for the initiative is better than if one meets the enemy initiative
exclusively with lame defence, from which the best that one can hope
is maintenance of the static balance. On the other hand, the search for
counterplay is synonymous with the struggle for the initiative. There-
fore it is worth while only in the rarest cases to seek refuge in passive
defence.
H
7 Transforming Positional Elements
The situation on the board changes permanently with the struggle of

plans and tactical ideas. From imperceptible transformations in the
position, which occur move by move, in every game there are promin-
ent moments of the struggle. Among these above all are the transitional
phases from one stage of the game to the next, e.g. the transition from
the opening to the middle game and from there to the endgame, and
also the entering into of various combinations and forcing develop-
ments, of complicated exchanging operations, violent attacks etc.
Different Sorts of Transformation

The game represents a unified whole, the stages of which are closely
interlaced with one another, although each section of the game
obviously has independent significance and raises completely different
problems.
There are many uniformly shaped games in which the transforma-
tion of positional and material factors represents the fruition of
strategic plans and is the moment for their revision.
An example of such a game is the encounter Furman—Smyslov, 17th
USSR Championship 1949 (88).
As a result of an opening error by Black, White has a clear superiority
88
Transforming Positional Ekrnents 105
in the centre. In the next few moves he strives to consolidate his
advantage.
1 R-B1 B-N2
2 B-QN5!
If White wants to strengthen his influence in the centre he must
advance P-Q5. However, the immediate 2 P-Q5 is met by 2 ... N-K4!
2 ... R-B1
3 Q-R4 N-R4
4 P-Q5!
White's centre pawn has advanced leaving Black's position more
cramped. Therefore Black must now, at all costs, take pains to break
up White's centre; at the moment 4 ... P-K3? is no good because of
5 PxPPxP 6B-Q7!
4 Q-Q3
5 B-Q2!
Again preventing 5 ... P-K3 because of 6 B-N4 and at the same time
threatening to win a pawn by 6 B x N.
5 ... RxR
6 R x R P-B4
An important moment. In search of counterchances, Black makes a
risky attempt to break up the enemy centre. If White were now to
stake everything on maintaining his central pair of pawns—up to now
his most important desire—and play 7 P-B3, then he would concede
Black excellent counterplay after 7 ... P x P 8 P x P B-K4 9 P-KR3
Q-KB 3.
If White wants to maintain his advantage he must bow to necessity
and radically change his strategic plan. Furman adapted himself to
the new circumstances (6 P-B4 has weakened Black's K-side) and
began an attack, utilizing the greater manoeuvring capability of his
pieces. He ignored Black's counterplay and even permitted the
destruction of his centre, as this part of the board was no longer the
height of the battle.
7 B-Q7! Q-K4
6 B-B3!
With this he turned to a decisive attack on the king. White's threats
increased quickly and soon became irresistible.
8 ... Qx KP
9 B-K6 + K-Rl
10 BxB+ K x B
11 Q-R3!
Threatening 12 Qx P+ very powerfully. If 11 ... K-B3 12 Q-QB3 +
Q-K4 13 N-Q4 and Black would have nothing against 14 R-K 1.
If 11 ... R-K1 12 Q-N2 + K-R3 13 R-B3 with a mating attack.

11 ... Q-KR5
12 R-B7 IC-R1 13 R x P Q--B3 14 R-QB7 B-R3 15 N-B4 Q-R8+
16 R-B1 Q-N2 17 R-B3 R-QI 18 Q-N2 and White won as Black
has no satisfactory defence to 19 N x P
In this game a slight mistake by Black in the opening enabled White
to obtain dominance of the centre. Then White adhered to an offensive
plan by means of 4 P-Q5! which further restricted the enemy pieces.
To obtain play, Black was forced to make a quick counterthrust in the
centre with 6 ... P-B4. Thereupon, White began to attack the enemy
king energetically with 7 B-Q7! and 8 B-B3!, the success of this
attack being guaranteed by White's better-placed pieces and space
advantage.
In this transformation of the advantage—the attack shifting from
the centre of the board to the flank—the influence lost in the centre
reappeared in the K-side attack in more potent form.
In every game moments can occur in which the consistent continua-
tion of the struggle demands that definite positional advantages are
replaced by others, i.e. are transformed. The possibility of transforming
positional elements shows that they are inseparably connected with
dynamic factors, though dynamics take precedence.
I would like to stress that the transforming of static factors does not
always obey the clearly formulated laws of strategy.
In Liberzon-Suetin, Moscow 1968, the following position occurred
after 29 moves (89).
89
One can see immediately that the main points of the struggle lie in
the centre and on the Q-side. A purely positional game is in progress
without any combinational sharpness.
30 N-Q5
30 R-Nl is better. Black now becomes active on the QR-file.
Transforming Positional Elements 107
30 ... R-R5!
31 R-N1 R-R6
32 N-K3 B-Q2
33 B-R3
White does not perceive the change of scene. He had to seek sim-
plification with 33 R-Q3.
33 ... B-K3
34 B-Bl
34 BxB PxB 35 R-Q3 is simpler.
34 ... QR2
The deep point of this manoeuvre only becomes clear three moves
later. Until then the text move can be interpreted as increasing the
pressure on the QR-file.
35 R-Q3 R-Bl
36 Q-Q2 R-R.7
37 B-K2?(90)
90
B
This apparently harmless move is a serious mistake—it allows a

surprising raid on the K-side, which becomes the main arena of events.
37 ... P-B4!
Now 38 P x P is bad because of 38 B x P 39 N x B Q-B7
40 K-R3 R1 x P. White must resign himself to a weakening of his
pawn structure.
38 B-Q1 PxP
39 P x P B-B5
40 N x B RxN
41 R-103 + K-K2!
Black is not intimidated by his opponent's apparent threats—his
position is firm enough to go on to the counter-offensive.
42 Q-Q5 N-B3
43 Q,x NP R5 x BP +
44 B x R RxB+
45 K-R3 Q--RI !
The fearsome threat 46 ... Q-QBI + can be averted only by material
sacrifice.
46 R x N P x R
47 Q-Bl Qx P
48 R-B1 R-K7!
Increasing the pressure. After 49 ... P-B4 or 49 P-R4, mate by
50 ... Q-N5 would be inevitable.
49 R-B3 R-K8
50 Q-B3 Qx Q 51 R x Q R-QN8 52 R-B3 R x P 53 R-B7 + K-K3
54 R-KR7 P-Q4 55 R x P P-Q5 56 P-N4 P-Q6 57 P-N5 R-KB5
0-1
In the study of strategic ideas one must bear in mind that tactics
can always upset everything. Ultimately, calculation of variations
constitutes the main content of the game and it often leads players to
drop their original strategic intentions.
An illustrative example of the triumph of tactics occurred in the
encounter Rotariu-Y. Zakharov, 6th Correspondence Olympiad
1968-69.
91
This original position (91) arose after 14 moves. White could now
have obtained a winning attack by 15 P-R5 N-R5 16 B-K4! ! e.g.
16 ...PxB 17Q,xPN-B4 18P-R6R-B2 19 RPxPN xNP 20Q-N6
and Black's position cracks. Only in this energetic way could White
decide the game in his favour; his hesitation to attack enabled Black
to take control.
15 P-KN3 B-N2
16 R-KR2 N-R1! 17 P x P N-B2 18 B-K2 P-R3 19 PxP BxP
20 P-B4 Q-N3 21 B x P.N4. A tempting piece sacrifice. White's
attack seems very dangerous but Black is well-equipped to meet it.
21 ... P x B 22 Qx P P-K4 23 0 0 0 Q-B3 24 P-R5 N-R3 25
Q-N5 R-B4 26 Q-R4 Q-B6 27 P-KN4 Qx NP! 28 Q-B2 P x P!!
29 R-N2 P x P 30 4Q-N1 Q-K135! (The point of Black's combination.
Now after 31 R x P+ K-131 32 R-K1 P-K7 + 33 B-Q,2 Q-B5+
34 K-N1 Q-X6.1 the threats .8-Q6+ and R x P+ cannot be parried.)
31 K-B2 P-N4! 32 P x Pep P-K7 0-1
This example shows that in the transitional phases one must be very
vigilant about the tactical details of the struggle.
Transition from Middle Game to Endgame

Realization of an Advantage
Among the most decisive and weighty moments are the transitions
from one stage of a game to another. We have still to speak in detail
of the merging of the opening into the middle game. Here we are
concerned only with the important transitional phase from middle
game to endgame. The strongest masters in the world have always
been prominent endgame virtuosi. Many masterly performances by
Steinitz, Lasker and Capablanca in their expert transition into end-
games, have remained unsurpassed to this day.
The famous game Lasker-Capablanca, St. Petersburg 1914, in
which White entered into a complicated ending at an early stage, is an
instructive example (92).
92
With the following move White, not shrinking from a backward

pawn on K.4, initiates an interesting K-side attack.
12 P-B5!
If one penetrates deeper into the position, then the essential advan-
tages of this advance, namely the increased mobility of the bishop and
control of the K6 square, can be seen.
12 ... P-QN3
Black senses no dangers. But by fianchettoing the bishop he weakens
his K3. Better to play 12 ... P—KN4! as 13 P x Pep N x P 14 R x P
would be disadvantageous for White on account of 14 ... B—K4
15 R—B1 B x N followed by 16 ... R x P.
13 B—B4 B—N2
14 BxB PxB
15 N—Q4 QR—Ql
16 N—K6 R—Q2
17 QR—Ql N—B1 18 R—B2 P—QN4 19 R2—Q2 R2—K2 20 P—QN4
K—B2 21 P—QR3 B—R1 22 K—B2 R—R2 23 P—N4 P—R3 24 R—Q3
P—QR4 25 P—KR4 P x P 26 P x P R2—K2 27 K—B3 R—N1 28 K—B4
P—N3
29 R—N3 P--N4 + ?
The decisive mistake. 29 ... P x P, to open up the game, would have
been preferable. After the text move White's attack becomes irresistible.
30 K—B3! N—N3
31 P x P RP x P 32 R—R3 R—Q2 33 K—N3! A fine move which pre-
pares the final combination; as a precaution the white king leaves the
long diagonal KR1—QR8. It is very informative that, despite the
absence of queens, White's attacking play displays such violence.
33 ... K—K1 34 RI—KR1 B—N2 35 P—K5 I QP x P 36 N—K4 N—Q4
37 N6—B5! B—B1 38 NxR B x N 39 R—R7 R—B1 40 R—R1 K—Q1
41 R—QR8+ B—Bl 42 N—B5 1-0
The thrust P—KB4—B5 proved very effective in the next position
(93) which arose in Fischer—Unzicker, Siegen 1970.
93
147
The strategical situation has clarified with the transition from

opening to middle game. White has a pawn majority on the K-side
while Black is in possession of the bishop-pair. Fischer exploits his
chances very energetically, and at the same time restricts the enemy
bishops.
13 P-KB4 B-Q3
13 ... B x N 14 B x B B-K3 is preferable.
14 P-B5!
A typical thrust. As in the previous game, Lasker-Capablanca, the
weakness of White's K5 square has no great significance here.
14 ... Q-K2
15 B-B4 BxB
15 ... B-B4 would have been better.
16 RxB B-Q2
17 R-K1 Q-B4
18 P-B3 QR-Kl
19 P-KN4!
White, planning the breakthrough P-K5, therefore first gives KB5
reliable protection.
19 ... Q-Q3
20 Q-N3 R-K2
21 N-B3 P-B4 22 P-K5! P x P 23 R4-K4 B-B3 24 R x P R1-K1
25 R x R R x R 26 N-K5 P-R3 27 P-KR4 B-Q2 28 Q-B4 Q-KB3
29 R-K2 B-B I (29 Qx RP? 30 .1V-.1+16) 30 Q-B4+ K-R2 31 N-N6
R x R 32 Qx R B-Q2 33 Q-K7! (The ending is won for White.)
33 ... Qx Q 34 N x Q P-KN4 35 RP xP PxP 36 N-Q5 B-B3
37 N x P B-B6 38 N-K8 K-R3 39 N-B6 K-N2 40 K-B2 13-Q8 41
N-Q7! P-B5 (if 41 B x P 42 P-B6+ wins) 42 K-N3 1-0
The following position (94) arose in Capablanca-Yates, New York
1924.
94
IV
White continued very exactly and exchanged queens, thus getting

a favourable ending, as Black's Q-side pawns are weak.
1 BxN PxB 2 Q-Q4! Q-B2 3 Q-B5 QxQ 4 NxQ P-N3
5 N5-R4 R-N1 6 0 0 0 P-QN4 7 N-B5 White occupies the only
open file and has seriously weakened the enemy Q-side. With heavy
blows he dismembers Black's pawn chain and finally obtains a material
advantage. 7 ... R—N3 8 P—QR4 N—R4 9 P—QN3! P x NP 10 BP x P
P x P 11 N3 x P R—QB3 12 K—N2 ! and Capablanca soon won. The
transition into the endgame was the most effective and probably even
the only correct decision. Certainly the advantages obtained in the
previous part of the game were realized most easily in the ending.
As with the great players of the past, the accurate judging of the
moment and means of transition to the endgame is a feature of the
games of Botvinnik, Smyslov, Petrosian, Spassky, Fischer, Karpov
and other leading grandmasters.
Here is an example of a typical transition into the endgame taken
from the practice of Smyslov (95).
95
This position occurred in Smyslov—Letelier, Venice 1950. White

has more freedom. He possesses an active pair of bishops, pressure on
the black squares and a space advantage. But how should he exploit
all these advantages, as Black is ready to get some counterplay by
opening up the KB-file? White takes a very instructive decision.
Smyslov abandons the advantages of the bishop-pair and, during the
process of exchanging into an ending with opposite-coloured bishops,
shatters the enemy pawn structure and obtains several squares whereby
his pieces can penetrate Black's position.
I BxN! P x B
2 PxPRxP 3 QR—Nl P—KR3 4 R—N5! B—K3 5 R1—QN1 R3--B2
6 N—K I P—B5 7 P—B3 P—N4 8 N—Q3! White exploits the weakness
of the squares QB5 and K5 at the right moment. 8 ... K—R2 9 R—K1
R—B3 10 R—B5 R—QB1 11 N—N4! N x N 12 R x B! This skilfully
prepared combinational blow decides the game. 12 ... R x R.K3
13 R x R N—B3 14 P—R6! An extremely important move through
which White, who now wins the pawn on Q5, procures himself two
connected passed pawns. 14 ... P x P 15 R-B7 + K-N3 16 R-Q7
N-K2 17 B-N4 N-B4 18 R x QP and White won quickly.
In modern practice there are many examples of quick transitions
from the opening and early middle game straight into endings. An
example is Polugayevsky-Ivkov, Belgrade 1969.
1 N-KB3 N-KB3 2 P-B4 P-B4 3 N-B3 N-B3 4 P-Q4 PxP 5NxP
N x N 6 Qx N P-KN3 7 P-K4 P-Q3 8 B-K3 B-N2 9 P-B3 0-0
10 Q-Q2 B-K3 11 R-Bl Q--R4 12 N-Q5 Qx Q+ 13 KxQBxN
14 BP x B KR-B1 15 B-K2 P-QR3 16 P-QN4! K-B1 17 P-QR4
N-Q2 18 P-R5! (96)
96
B
In this position White possesses various small advantages of which

the two bishops, the space advantage in the centre and the possibility
of becoming active on the Q-side stand out.
In the ensuing play Black failed to find enough counterplay, so
White, unhindered, steadily strengthened his position.
18 ... B-N7
19 R-B2 RxR+
20 K x R 13-N2
21 K-N3 R-B1
22 B-Q2 B-Q5
23 P-N4 K-N2
24 P-KN5!
Having tied up the enemy forces on the Q-side, White begins the
decisive attack on the K-side.
24 ... R-B2
25 R-Q1 K-B1 26 P-B4 13-R2 27 B-N4 K-K1 28 R-1(131 B-Q5
29 P-R4 B-N2 30 P-R5! B-Q5 31 R-KRI B-N2 32 R-R3 K-B1
33 P-R6. The topping-off brick for victory is placed. 33 ... B-Q5
34 R-Q3 13-R2 35 B-R3 11-N8 36 B-B3 K-K 1 37 P-K5 I3-R7
38 P x P PxP 39 R-K3+ K-Ql 40 R-K4 B-N8 41 B x N 1-0
(After 41 R x B.2 42 B—B6+ K—B2 43 R—K8 and 44 R—KR8 White
queens the KRP.)
Naturally, it is most advisable to strive for simplifications in order to
realize a material advantage. But this rule is not without exception.
The problems of chess are too many-sided. For instance there can be
cases where simplification is a mistake which only gives away the
advantage.
Sometimes even the strongest players find it difficult to choose the
right line. That is proved true in the following example from Smyslov-
Botvinnik, 1954 World Championship match (97).
97
,/ 4
72;
White has a piece for three pawns. However, when one considers
Black's tripled pawns on the KN-file, it is evident that the material
balance is in White's favour. Consequently his task is to realize his
advantage. Smyslov, choosing apparently the shortest way to victory,
simplified the game.
1 Q—K6 + Qx Q
2RxQ
But in this position Black has an astonishing means of defence which
Smyslov had not foreseen.
K—B2
3 RI—K1
If 3 R—K5 KR—K1 ! as 4 R x QP R—K6! 5 B—Nl R—K7 and
4 RI—Kl B—B2 ! achieve nothing.
3 ... KR—K1
4 RxR RxR
5 RxR
This leads to a draw but after 5 R—Ql R—K6 6 K—B2 R—R6! Black
would have sufficient counterchances.
5 ... KxR
6 B—B3 K—Q2 7 P—R5 B—Q1 8 B—N4 P—N3 9 P—R6 B—B3 !
Black has erected a fortress which his opponent cannot storm. The
game ended in a draw after a few moves.
However, from the diagrammed position White could have utilized
his extra piece best by conducting a K-side attack. The following
variation, recommended by Botvinnik, shows how quickly this aim
could have been achieved. 1 Q-N2! KR—K 12 P—R3 B—R4 3 R—K5!
with an irresistible attack.
Transformation in Equal Positions

The examples quoted have illustrated various logical transformations
of an advantage to lead to a win. One finds closely related transfor-
mations of positional factors in equal positions. This applies in particu-
lar to dynamic balanced positions in which the advantages of one party
are cancelled out by those of the other. In struggles of this kind it is
not too easy to preserve the balance.
A typical case of dynamic balance arose, after White's 15th move,
in the game Uhlmann—Pietzsch, Zinnowitz 1967 (98).
98
B
Despite approximately equal prospects, the position is full of life.

White sets his hopes on the weakness of some light squares in the
enemy camp and on a possible attack on the K-side. Black's chances
lie in counterplay on the Q-side with the aid of the dark-squared bishop.
15 ... N—K4
16 N—K3 B—Q2
17 P—R4 P—R3
18 P—R5 KR—N1
19 N—R4! B x N!
The knight cannot be allowed to reach N6. Black now opens the
QN-file to build up pressure against White's QN2.
20 RxB! P-N4
21 PxPep RxP
22 N-B5 Q-N2
23 R-QR2 R-Nl
24 P-B4 N-N3
Both sides adhere to their strategic plans. However, Black's play on
the Q-side having assumed a more tangible form, White feels occa-
sioned to steer immediately into an ending.
25 0-0 RxP
26 R x R Qx R
27 Qx Q R x Q
28 B x P R-N5
29 P-K5!
The battle rages on. Though White succeeds in creating a passed
pawn on the Q-file, the inner balance remains. 29 ... QP x P 30
P x NP P x P 31 P-Q6 N-Bl 32 B-B8 (Also 32 N--K7+ IC-R1 33 R x P
R-N3 34 N-B5 RxB 35 RxB RxP1 gives White nothing.) 32 ...
B-B3 33 N-R6 + K-N2 34 N-N4 B-Q1 35 N x P B-B3 36 N-B6
R-N3 37 N-K7 B-K4 38 N--B5 + K-N3 39 R-Q1 B-B3
Paradoxical as it may sound, one must sometimes sacrifice material
to maintain the balance. Indeed, if both sides continue purposefully
and exactly, dynamically equal positions will arise again and again.
The following case, from Vasyukov-Spassky, 26th USSR Champion-
ship 1959, is of interest (99).
99
B
ratiq
1'1
kfft
litgiS g,
White has three pawns for the sacrificed piece and has removed his
opponent's right to castle. Furthermore, the two pawns on K5 and Q6
seem very impressive. Nevertheless, Black's prospects are by no means
worse. The essence is that it is possible for him to choose a moment to
give back the piece for the appropriate equivalent of pawns as well as
to complete his development. But Black must proceed very cautiously
to retain an equal game.
cl—K1 !
Best, as the natural move 1 B—K3 is bad on account of 2 N—R3!
2 Q-B3 K—N1
3 Q-K3 B—K3
4 N—K2 N—Q2
5 0-0 N x P!
A correct counter-sacrifice. The game now becomes very com-
plicated.
6 Qx N B—B5
7 Qx Q R x Q
8 P—Q3!
Only this. If 8 P—Q7 R—Q1 9 R—K1 R x P Black would have a
favourable ending through his two bishops and better development.
8 ... B x P.Q6
9 R—Ql B x N
10 P—Q7 R—Q1
11 B—N5 B x R
12 RxB B--K2!
The last limb of the combination which began with 5 ... N x P! The
pawn on Q7 being untenable, a completely equal ending arises.
13 BxB K—B2
14 BxR RxB 15 P—B4 K—K2 16 K—B2 RxP 17 RxR+ KxR
and the players agreed a draw after a few more moves.
An interesting form of balance in Tal—Aronin, 24th USSR
Championship 1957, makes an even clearer case.
100
e•
•
fr/
UMW
/4 444
From the diagram (100) one can judge that the struggle has been
unusually sharp; White has violent threats on the K-side, but Black's
counterplay works even more convincingly as he threatens both his
opponent's queen and rook.
The further course of events shows that in this combination-laden
position neither side is able to shift the balance in his favour. The
ensuing combinational complications only transform the board.
I Px P RxQ
But not 1 ... RP xP 2 QxR! R xQ 3 RxR QxR 4 R-R8+
K xR 5 NxP+ K-NI 6 N x Q with a clear advantage in the ending
for White.
2 R x R RP x P
3 R-R7! R-B1 !
The only chance. 4 P-B3 B-R4 5 R-Q7! was threatened; instead
if 4 ... B-K3 White had 5 R-Q2 followed by 6 R2-R2. 3 ... R-Q1 ?
fails to the combination already mentioned.
4 P-B3 R-B3 1
This saves Black. Now if 5 PxB R xP 6 R3-R3 R-B7 + 7 K-N3
Qt-Q3 and only Black has winning prospects.
5 R x P Qx R
6 N x Q K x N
7 PxB KxP
8 R-Q7 R-N3
The equal rook ending soon ended in a draw.
Transformations of positional factors demand again and again of
the players fresh courage to act. All too often it is difficult to part with
external advantages of the position, e.g. a good centre or strong pieces,
for the sake of a future in a different kind of world.
The game is a dynamic process in which, in the course of the struggle,
every position, enticing as it may appear, is submitted to a revaluation.
From this it follows that advantages arc real only if they can be
transformed. The player must endeavour to utilize his advantage
opportunely; otherwise it can be lost for ever. Transformation of
positional factors represents one of the most important aspects of the
struggle. And dogmatic prejudices need to be overcome in order to use
it.
8 Harmony
Two Kinds of Strategic Principles

In strategy there are general and particular principles. The tatter are
directly connected with the peculiarities of the position. For example
the rule, which recommends exchanging one's own bad bishop for the
opponent's good bishop in positions with fixed pawns, is irrefutable.
The same goes for the rule that in open positions a counterthrust in
the centre represents the most effective method against a flank attack.
These special principles are constantly being supplemented by the
development of chess theory and practice. They are drawn up as
guides to the analysis of certain typical positions.
In addition, there are more general laws which are derived from the
aims and rules of the struggle. Their sphere of validity is naturally more
comprehensive. They can even be used outside chess in everything in
which the idea of struggle prevails. To this belong, for example,
activity, manoeuvring, capability and the permanence of disposition
of forces. One of the most important aspects is the principle of harmony,
which is the co-operation of pieces with each other. It is clear that one
can hope to complete tactical operations and strategic plans success-
fully only if one's own army is set out harmoniously and purposefully.
The harmonious working of pieces is an essential characteristic without
which games would be quite inconceivable. The harmony of the forces
is the highest law of strategy.
Under the pressure of actual play it is difficult to produce a com-
pletely harmonious interaction. However, every player is obliged,
with all the powers at his disposal, to improve the position of his pieces.
Harmony, as do all other general chess laws, influences the course of
the game. One should always be aware of the need for it.
The Development of the Principle of Harmony

The Iaw of harmonious interaction of all forces has been thoroughly
examined. Its formulation is directly connected with the general
development of theoretical ideas.
120 Harmony
Towards the end of the 18th century, Philidor expounded a number
of interesting strategical ideas on the interaction of pieces and pawns.
His central thesis was that pieces should attack under the protection
of the pawn chain.
The Influence of the Positional School

The general positional principles began to unfold particularly quickly
wider the care of the positional school in the second half of the last
century. We will consider more closely these laws and their relation to
the principle of harmony. With a positional struggle, immobile objects
(weak pawns and squares) are besieged so that the interaction of the
forces arises, as it were, from the external contours of the position and
makes its appearance gradually and logically. Characteristic of this
is Tarrasch—Teichmann, San Sebastian 1912 (101).
This position arose after 15 moves. White possesses certain advan-

tages. He has more space and the black bishop is confined in its
freedom of movement. Furthermore, as his next steps show, he can
gain control of his Q4.
16 N—K2 B—Q2
17 N—Q4 QR—Bl
18 K—B2!
White's king approaches the critical square Q4. Probably Black
must now play 18 ... P—B3 to get piece play; instead he is lulled into a
false sense of security.
18 ... R—B2
19 K—K3 R—Kl
20 R—B2 N—N2
21 B—B1 N—RA
22 P—N3 P—R3
23 B—Q3 N—B3
Harmony (21
It is possible that Black hoped for something from this manoeuvre
as White's commanding knight is exchanged. But in reality, with
White's king reaching Q4, his chances of counterplay are made more
difficult.
24 NxN! B x N
25 K--Q4 B-Q2
26 P-KN4
Relying on domination of the centre and on the fact that Black's
counterplay on the Q-side is limited, White begins a promising attack
on the K-side.
26 ... B-B1
27 P-KR4 P-N3 28 R-RI K-N2 29 P-R5 R-R1 30 R2-R2 13-Q2
31 P-N5! RPxP 32 BPxPRxRP 33 RxRPxR 34RxPK-B1
35 R-R8+ K-K2
36 P-N61
White has, move by move, worsened the harmony of Black's pieces
and almost put his opponent into zugzwang. His advantage is now
decisive.
36 ... PxP
37 B x KNP P-N5 38 R-R7 + K-Ql 39 B-Q3 R-B6 40 P-R3 P-R4
41 R-R8 + 1-0 (After 41 ... K-B2 42 R-R8 K-.10 43 R-R6+ White
wins easily.)
In a planned systematic positional struggle harmonious interaction
of the pieces is helped by organic weaknesses in the opponent's camp
at which to aim. During this the defender may be forced to neglect
the co-ordination of his forces in a positional as well as- in a tactical
respect.
Lasker's Contribution
We have laid out at great length the concepts which are represented in
the practice of the adherents of the Steinitzian positional school with
regard to the total effect of the pieces. They believed that it was most
favourable to besiege in a co-ordinated manner weak objects of
limited mobility.
Many valuable hints are contained in Lasker's books Common Sense
in Chess, which first appeared in 1896, and later in his Chess Manual.
The idea that pieces and pawns should supplement each other and not
perform parallel work runs like a red thread through both works.
Lasker deepens this standpoint with the aid of various examples in
which the pieces interact harmoniously with the pawn chain.
Lasker also examined some aspects of the principle of harmony
which break through the barriers of Steinitzian theory. In evaluation,
122 Harmony
not only the strength of the pieces at a given moment but also the
extent of their interaction must be considered. From this idea he
reached the conclusion that an additional field of tension exists which
is not easily determinable.
All this bears witness to the fact that Lasker to a certain extent
anticipated the development of the principle of harmony and pointed
out its independent significance with regard to positional judgement.
Capablanea's New Stratagems

Capablanca made an important contribution to the development of
the principle of harmony, both in practical play and in his methodical
works Chess Fundamentals and A Primer of Chess.
He interpreted the principle of harmony dynamically and thus took
a great step forward in comparison with the positional school. Har-
monious interaction of the pieces is, for Capablanca, the most important
and at the same time the most difficult aspect of the game. When in
his books he uses the term 'interaction' only with regard to pieces, this
does not in the least mean that he under-estimated the role of pawns.
He chose his wording, as have many other authors, only so as not to
overload his expositions. The word 'pieces' referred to both pieces and
pawns.
The following statements taken from A Primer of Chess are interesting :
'The most important principle by which one should be guided in
the middle game is the principle of harmonious action of the pieces.
A free position with a loose arrangement of the pieces, which cannot
be brought to harmonize with each other in the foreseeable future, is a
bad position. In the full judgement of a position, the strength, the
manoeuvring capability and the harmonious interaction of the pieces
must be considered.'
Capablanca graduates the importance of the various characteristics
of the position in the following way:
`The pieces must work harmoniously. The position plays the main
role; material is only of secondary importance. Space and time are
additional characteristics of the position.' (This was known long before
Capablanca's time.—Translator's note).
The Cuban genius illustrated the independent significance of
harmony by a number of stratagems such as driving enemy pieces
from key positions and isolating them from their own forces. Typical in
this respect is the game Capablanca–Bogoljubow, London 1922 (102).
1 P--KR3 13–R4 ?
This retreat allowed Capablanca to shut the enemy bishop out of
the game for a long time and to pursue an original strategic plan.
Harmony 123
102
w

2 N3-Q2 B-B3
3BxB Qx B
4 P-QR4
After White has cut off one black piece on the K-side, he opens up
the game on the opposite side of the board. Despite inventive defence,
Black is helpless against the superior power.
4 ... P-B5 !
5 NP x P N-B4
6 Q-K3 P x RP
7 P-B4 Q-K2
8P-N4 B-N3
9 P-B5 B-R2
10 N-KN3 Q-K4
11 K-N2 QR-N1
12 QR-Nl P-B3?
The decisive mistake. Much stronger was 12 ... R-N7 13 R x R
Qx R although White would keep his advantage after 14 R-K2!
13 N-B3 R-N7+
14 RxR QxR+
15 R-K2 Q-N6
16 N-Q4!
An instructive manoeuvre which underlines the helplessness of
Black, who is, in reality, playing a piece down. If Black accepts the
pawn sacrifice with 16 ... Qx P, then 17 N-K6! R-N 1 18 NxNPxN
19 R-Q2 R-N6 20 Q-B2 makes the passed QP decisive.
16 ... Qx Q
17 R x Q R-Nl 18 R-QB3 K-B2 19 K-B3 R-N7 20 N3-K2 B-N 1
21 N-K6 N-N6 (Black would lose quickly after 21 ... .TTxP 22 K x N
Rx A.+ 23 K-Q4 R-Q7 + 24 R-Q3 R-QR7 25 P-B51) 22 P-B5!
P x P 23 N x P N-Q7+ 24 K-B2 K-K2 25 K-Kl White has created
a passed pawn on the Q; sidewhile his opponent's bishop remains
124 Harmony
offside. The game is over. 25 ... N-N8 26 R-Q3 P-R6 27 P-Q6 +
K-Ql 28 N-Q4! R-N3 29 N4-K6 + B x N 30 P x B R-N 1 31
P-K7+ K-K1 32 N x P 1-0
In modern practice the strategic procedure of cutting off a part of
the enemy forces has been further perfected. For example, play against
a bishop confined by its own pawns has been methodically expanded.
The following double-edged situation arose after 14 moves in one
of the games of the Larsen-Tal 1965 Candidates' match (103).
103
White immediately began an attack on the Q-side where he has a

space advantage and can manoeuvre more freely. The black bishop
on KN2—condemned to inactivity—is an important factor in his plans.
It enables him to deprive Black of harmonious piece play throughout
the game.
15 P-B5! R-R1
Bad is 15... P x P 16 Q-N3 K-K1 17 P-Q6! P x P 18 N-N5 N-N3
19 N x QBP P x N 20 R-Q1 N2-Q4 21 P x N P-R3 22 P-Q6! and
White's attack breaks through.
16 Q-N3! P-N3
17 PxQPPxP 18 Q-R3 N-QB4 19NxNNPxN 20 P-N41PxP
21 Qx NP B-R6 22 R-KNI R-QN1 23 N-N5 N-Bl 24 B-R3 B-B1
25 Q-B4! B-K2
26 Q-B7 Qx Q
27 N x Q R-R4
28 B-KB1 B x B?
An instructive mistake. Black could preserve hopes and make it
difficult for White to win, only by retaining his most important piece,
the white-squared bishop, after which it would still not be easy for
White to win.
29 R.NI x B R x P
30 N-K6 R-R4 31 QR-B1 K-B3 32 R-B7 R-KR1 33 R1-B1 P-N4
Harmony 125
(better 33 ... P-R6) 34 P-R3 I Underlining Black's helplessness. He
now finds himself in a positional bind; meanwhile White strengthens
the position of his pieces unhindered. 34 ... R-N1 35 R7-B6 K-Bl
36 K-N2 K-B3 37 K-B1 R-KR I 38 K-K2 R-N1 39 K-Q3 R-KR2
40 R-B7 N-N3 41 RI -B6! 1-0 (Black is powerless against the varia-
tion 41 ... .11r—B1 42 .N—B5 K--B2 43 .N—N7! R—R3 44 .N—Q8+ K—KI
45 N—K6.)
Growth of the Modern Interpretation

The most distinguished representatives of the dynamic conception of
the game in the 1920's had broadened the strategic horizon by daring
plans, and sought to attain harmonious piece-play by material sacrifice
and board-embracing struggle.
Reti, in his book Masters of the Chessboard, emphatically drew the
reader's attention to the interaction of play on both wings. In his
opinion this art consisted in amalgamating apparently unconnected
manoeuvres on the Q-side and K-side into a unified whole.
Alekhine did not write purely instructional books, but in the annota-
tions to his games he often referred to the importance of the total
efficiency of the pieces.
His analysis of the game Alekhine-Chajes, Carlsbad 1923, in which
White undertook an attack on both flanks, is very instructive. The
following position (104) occurred after 32 moves.
104
33 B-R5!
In the book Moi Luchshie Partii (`My Best Games', Russian, Moscow
1927—Ed.) Alekhine wrote of this:
`The plan on which White has decided is quite complicated and every
detail must be prepared. This plan can be expounded as follows:
a) To march with the king to the Q-side so that after the exchange of
126 Hannon"
rooks and queens along the KR-file he can quickly penetrate the
enemy camp at QR5. This march of the white king will force the black
king over to the Q; side, especially as it is needed to defend its KP and
Q,BP.
b) By tactical threats firstly on the king, then on the pawns, the black
pieces must be forced to leave the K-side. White's threat to occupy
K5 with his knight will force Black to play his knight to Q2, making
the harmony of the already cramped black pieces more difficult.
c) At the appropriate moment, i.e. when the opponent's pieces are
sufficiently far from the K-side, the white rooks will be doubled on the
KR-file ready to penetrate the enemy hinterland after the forced
exchange of queens and bishops.
Às the course of the game shows, White needs no less than 28 moves
to carry out this strategic plan!'
33 ... N-N3
34 N-Q3
Tactics must be respected. If at once 34 K-K2 then 34 ... P-K4!
34 ... B-K1
35 K-K2 K-Bl 36 K-Q2 R-N2 37 B-B3 K-K2 38 KR-K1 N-Bl
39 N-N4 K-Ql 40 K-Q3 R.KN2-K2 41 Q-Q2 ! R-R2 42 R-KR1
R.K2-QB2 43 R-R2 B-N3 44 Q-K3 K-B1 45 RI-KRI K--N2
46 K-Q2 R-K2
47 N-Q3 N-Q2
48 B-R5!
An important phase of the game. White succeeds in exchanging
Black's most important defensive piece.
48 ... R-R1
49 B x B PxB
50 R-R7 R1-K1
51 N-K5!
Highlights the state of decay of Black's army. If now 51 ... N x N
52 BP x N Q-Bl 53 Q-N5! and White wins the KNP.
51 ... N-B1
52 R-R8 R-N2
53 N-B3! R-QN1
54 N-N5 R-K2
55 Q-K5!
The square K5 is the key point through which White's pieces
penetrate into the enemy camp. After the exchange of queens White's
advantage is decisive.
55 ... Qx Q
56 BP x Q K-R1 57 R-N8 P-N5 58 R1-R8 R2-K1 59 P x P K-R2
Har►nony 127
60 K-B3 K-R3 61 N-B7 R-Rl 62 N-Q6 R.K1-N1 63 R-Rl N--Q2
64 R-Rl 1-0
Spielmann's games and writings show clearly that harmony of the
pieces can be achieved from tactical sources. Many of his games
illustrate what role combinational resources and material sacrifices
play in that respect. A characteristic tactical ploy is a clearance sacrifice
to bring a piece into play. The following position (105) comes from
Spielmann-Janowski, Carlsbad 1907.
105
White's advantage is based on the advanced position of the rook on

K7 which, however, is in a critical situation as Black threatens to trap
it with ... N-K4. Naturally White's advantage would fade immediately
if the rook retreats. His task consists of organizing harmonious play
with the other pieces. This is achieved by a pawn sacrifice.
1 P-Q6!
White clears the Q5 square for his pieces and thus strengthens his
position.
1 ... NxP
Relatively best; 1 Qx P fails to 2 N-QN5 followed by 3 N x P
while if 1 ... P x P 2 N-Q5! followed by N-Q4, R-Kl and eventually
P-B4 would soon cause Black to lose.
2 N-Q5 R-B2
3 R-K 1 B-Q2
4 N-R4 R-R4
5 R x R NxR
6 N-B5!
The knights are untouchable. The combination leads to a significant
strengthening of White's position.
6 ... N-K4
7 N.B5-K7+ K-R 1 8 P-QN4! R-R 1 9 P-B4 N-N3 10 N x N+
128 Harmony
P x N 11 N-K7 Q-Kl 12 Q-KB2 P-KN4 13 PxPPxP 14Q-Q2
P-N4 15 Qx P R-R3 16 R-K4 R-R3 17 N-B5 Q-N3 18 Q-Q8 +
K-R2 19 Qx B R-R4 20 R-N4 R-N4 21 R-R4+ 1-0
Spielmann remarked in his annotations: 'It is instructive to follow
how, as a result of the strong knight position on Q5, all White's pieces
quickly achieved an excellent total efficiency.'
Another instructive example occurred in Spielmann-Duras, Ostend
1907 (106).
106
w
1 P-N6!!
In his book The Art of Sacrifice in Chess, Spielmann wrote of this
move:
Ìn this way White's attack is strongly enlivened as the major pieces
on the KN-file attain great efficiency. There were certainly other good
moves, e.g. 1 P-R5 (1 ... P-KN3! 2 B-KB4 P-Q4!), but then the
KN-file would have remained closed and White's pieces would, for the
most part, have to move to new positions to display a direct attacking
effect. That would not be logical as attacks must be conducted econo-
mically. Once the pieces stand well it is much more economical to
increase their efficiency with a small material sacrifice than to under-
take time-consuming regroupings. ...'
Today such ploys are taken for granted.
1 ... RP x P
2 P-R5 BP x P
Naturally not 2 NP x P on account of 3 P x P B-Q2 4 P-B6!
3RxR BxR
4 B x P P-Q4 5 B-Q3 Q-Q2 6 B-Q2 N-B4 7 Q-N5 N-K2 8 N-K2
N-K3 9 Q-N2 P-KN4 10 BxP BxP 11 B-B6! B x N 12 Qx B
R-KB1 13 B-K5 R-B2 14 Q-R5 K-B1 15 Q-R8 + N-N 1 16 B-R7
K-K1 17 BxN 1-0
Harmony 129
The Modern Standpoint

The harmonious total efficiency of the chessmen is recognized as a
separate factor in the modern assessment of any position.
Positional advantages, as practice shows, do not always guarantee
harmonious unison of the pieces; indeed this sometimes has to be
achieved through weighty positional or material concessions.
Modern theory proceeds from the fact that, under the pressure of
harmonious interaction, apparently unchangeable positional charac-
teristics can be shaken. Today one chooses not only immobile weak-
nesses as objects of attack, but even strong and mobile elements of
the position such as a pawn phalanx or the centre.
The following example, which arose in the game Zita—Bronstein,
Prague 1946, is typical (107).
107
B
White has a measurably stronger centre and a space advantage.

Black's position is cramped. Therefore on a consideration based only
on positional advantages White is doing very favourably. But what is
decisive in the judgement of this position is that Black's forces can be
made to work harmoniously together while the white pieces are passive
and disconnected.
I ... PxP
2 P x P N—N5 I
3 P—R3 ?
White anticipates no harm and completely fails to appreciate the
hidden tactical peculiarities of the position. 3 P—N4, which weakens
his Q-side but would have parried the immediate threats, was necessary.
Now follows a combination based on model harmonious play of the
black pieces.
3 ... RxB
130 Harmony
4 R x R N x BP!
5 R—K3
If 5 KxNNx NP1 or 5 QxN N—Q61
5 ... N x RP+
6 K—R2 N—B7! 7 R—B3 N4 x KP 8 Q—B4 N—N5+ 9 K—NI P—KB4
and Black has a winning position.
Here the harmonious working of Black's forces, whereby tactical
circumstances played a particular role, fully compensated him for the
outward advantages of White's position. The apparently firm White
centre proved ineffective and indeed became a target for his opponent's
actions. This shows how effective, but also how concealed, the possi-
bilities of harmonious play which occur in dynamic phases can be.
Therefore it can be necessary to regard the outward characteristics
of a position critically.
Harmony is not an aim in itself, but it serves any aim.
Importance of the Object of Attack

It is useful to recall the classical saying that an attack on the king
develops more slowly than an attack on objects of lesser value, but is
far more dangerous.
108
Consider an example (108) which arose in Kotov—Panov, Moscow

1936. White's hopes rest with his pieces mustered on the Q; sidewhile
Black trusts in a counter-attack on the K-side. At first sight Black's
pieces appear to have found no cohesion. But the course of the game
shows that Black's attack is far more dangerous than White's under-
taking on the Q-side.
1 P—B5 N—N4!
Strange as it sounds, after this knight sortie White is already no
Harmony 131
longer in a position to defend his king's position. The analysis shows
that Black's pieces work very well together. Panov gives the following
variation: 2 KR—K1 P—B61 3 B-131 (or 3 P—R4 NxP 4 RxNfIxB
with a clear advantage for Black) 3 ... B x RP 4 B x B N x B 5 K x N
Q—N4! 6 P—N4 B—K2 7 K—N3 Q—B5 + 8 K—R3 Q—R3 + 9 K—N3
B—R5+ 10 K x P R—KB1 + 11 K—N2 R x P+ and Black wins.
2 KR—Ql P—B6
3 P—R4 N x P 4 B x P RxN1 5 Qx R N—B6 6 Q--Q2 Q—B3 and
Black has a winning position.
Black's combination was as beautiful as it was unexpected. Kotov
wrote about this game: 'Of the many complicated and combinational
variations I cannot quote a single one which I had seen clearly at the
board. I had not considered at all the possibility of a combination on
the second move and was very surprised when Panov showed me the
variations especially as they made nonsense of my thoughts based on
general principles and plans.'
The object of attack remains passive and must be considered as an
organic component of every type of harmonious play. According to the
modern interpretation, the harmoniously working forces and their
object of attack form a dialectic unity. On the one hand, the powerful
pressure of co-ordinated forces can weaken apparently strong and
invulnerable objects of attack; on the other hand, the object of attack
challenges the co-ordination, the success of which depends on its weak-
ness. Seen this way, the harmony of the pieces is a driving force of the
game.
The Impossibility of Breaking Off Dynamic Harmony

The modern treatment of harmony is dependent on time. During the
course of the game the connection between some individual pieces
may loosen and between others become closer. In every position some
form of harmony predominates while other forms are cultivated or
passed into the background.
In the following example from Bronstein—Lutikov, Leningrad 1960,
the queen on N3, the rook on Q1, the bishop on Q5 and the knight
on Q4 are working ideally together. They are directed at the Q-side
where a considerable part of the black forces are tied down (109).
The wish to free his game induced Black to play
1 ... P—K4
which apparently disturbs the harmony of the white pieces. However,
White utilized the absence of black power on the K-side to deliver an
annihilating blow on that wing.
132 Harmony
109
B

2 BxP+ RxB
3NxN BxN
If 3 ... Qx N 4 N—N5!
4 R—Q8 + B—B1
5 N x P PxP
6 B—R6!
Now queen, rook, knight and bishop work in harmony against the
black king. To avert the threatened 7 R x B mate, Black must accept
decisive material losses.
6 ... P—B5
7 QxQR1 xQ 8 NxRRxN 9 RxNBxP 10 R—N1 B—N2 11
RxB+ RxR 12 BxRKxB 13 R—N5 1-0
The cause of Black's quick defeat lay in the fact that he took trouble
to reduce the pressure on the Q-side, but did not pay attention to
White's tactical possibilities. Naturally one must fight against the
opponent's most essential conglomerations, but one cannot neglect the
laws of dynamics in the process. With 1 ... P—K3! Black could have
reduced the pressure on the Q-side and at the same time countered
the threats on his king. Then White would have had only a slight
advantage. Chess events are also determined by the connection
between the total working of the forces and the initiative. More about
these questions later.
Classification of Harmony
The forms of appearance of the harmony between the pieces can be
manifold. The connections can be simple or complicated, of a positional
or combinational nature. In order to produce the correct relation
between them it appears expedient to undertake a fundamental
arrangement from which all others are derived. Harmony of the forces
is obviously closely connected with the formation of a plan, i.e. strategy,
Harmony 133
and with the realization of a plan, and so with tactics. These main
moments of the game are always mixed up with one another. But
there are also outwardly outlined, already formed and hidden marks of
harmony which only manifest themselves during the game.
Elements which mix both these types of harmony can be of a strate-
gical and tactical, of an active and passive nature. If one proceeds
from this basic division of harmony into a visual and a playable variety,
then one can easily quote other forms. For example, one needs only to
consider those motifs which are subordinate to plan formation (strategic
harmony) or to consider tactical motifs.
Interesting in this respect is the following example (110) from
Smyslov—Bronstein, 19th USSR Championship 1951.
110
TV
11 P—KB4
Apparently Black's reply is clear; retreat the knight to QB3. This
decision would be fully acceptable as the central outpost Q5 is propped
up and the efficiency of the pieces, above all the bishop on N2, both
knights and the pawn on QB4 would be increased.
But Black took a path difficult to walk along. A closer examination of
the position showed him that White's QN2 was vulnerable. Examina-
tion of the dynamic possibilities pointed to a hidden harmony in which,
besides the pieces named above, the black queen could play a leading
part. The following forcing combination drew the game into unusual
paths.
11 ... NxBP-F!?
12 QxN Qx P
13 QxQ
14 K—B1! B x Q
15 R—Nl B—K3
So far all forced. Now the tempting continuation 16 R x B N x R
17 B—QB3 would be energetically answered with 17 ... N—Q8 18 B x R
134 Harmany
P-B3 19 B--N7 B x QRP after which Black's pawn phalanx would be
very dangerous.
16 B-QB3!
The only reply, but sufficient. Now, move by move, White showed
the incorrectness of the risky enemy undertaking. Eventually the
defence triumphed, but it was no stereotyped victory. It required
creative idea-work. One must admit that when Black entered upon
this combination it was almost impossible to foresee that the white
pieces could be co-ordinated so quickly.
16 ... B x QRP
17 RxB NxR 18 B x N R-KN1 19 K-B2 B-B5 20 N-KB3 B x N
21 K x B K-Q2 22 R-Q1! P-QR4 23 N-K5+ K--B2 24 N x BP
P-R5 25P-K5P-R6 26B-QR1 R.N1-K1 27N-N5R-R.4 28N-K6+
K-Q2 29 B-Q51 (29 P-QN4 fails to 30 Nx P+ PxN 31 B-B7 .)
29 ... P-R7 30 P-N4! R-QBI 31 N-N5 R-B1 32 P-B5 NP x P 33
NP x P P-R3 34 B-K6 + K-B2 35 PxP+ P x P 36 N-K4 R-R.6
37 N x QP R x RP 38 B-K5 R-QR1 39 N-B4+ 1-0
This example shows how important is the support of all the pieces
for harmonious play.
Harmony can only be judged correctly if one has examined its exact
details. In the example of diagram 107 we became acquainted with a
case of co-ordinated influence of black pieces on the white centre. The
method followed by Black is typical of such structures. However, one
needs to change the position just a little and already Black's pieces
could lose their cohesion, while White's centre becomes a powerful
force.
Consider the case (111) of Korclmoi-Ivkov, Hastings 1955.
111
w
As opposed to the game Zita-Bronstein (diagram 107) White's

pieces are more active. That permits him to go on to the offensive and
completely paralyse Black's pieces.
Hammy 135
1 B-K31 Q-N5
2Q-Q2!
Now ,White has the unstoppable threat 3 N-B21 which gives his
opponent insuperable difficulties.
It follows from these examples that judging the total efficiency of the
forces is needed. Although harmony belongs inseparably to the events
of the game, it forms no law, but only a basis which is subordinate to
the main Iaw of the game, to the struggle. In order to do justice to the
requirements ofthe struggle it is often necessary to disturb the harmony
voluntarily. That is also the reason why it is so difficult in the judge-
ment of a position to evaluate correctly the harmony in both camps.
A slight change in the position can overthrow the general judgement.
In that respect one can compare again the related, but so abu dantly
different, games Mikenas-Botvinnik and Kerns-Botvinnik (diagram
61). They make clear that in the final analysis it is always the exact
details of the position at a given time that are decisive.
K
9 The Influence of the Dynamic Standpoint
Intuitive Dynamics with regard to

the Masters of the Past
We will undertake another short excursion into history and look at
some examples from the practice of the leaders of the positional school.
Their mastery in positional struggles is generally recognized. However,
it would be wrong to maintain that the founders and supporters of
the positional school were not fully acquainted with dynamic ideas.
The actions of chess players are for the most part intuitive. Obviously
the great master, endowed by nature, is an artist of the first class, to
whichever school he may belong.
It is for this reason that one comes across the elements of dynamics
so frequently in the games of Steinitz, Tarrasch, Rubinstein and many
other representatives of the positional school. If the problems of the
position demanded dynamic decisions, then intuition helped them to
reach them and to overcome the dogmatic confines of their school.
Thanks to their talent and their intellectual level they were appreciative
of dynamic factors. That can be shown in many games.
Typical are the following two games from M3.hriscb-Ostrau 1923,
played in orthodox positional style. Rubinstein-Hromadka went
1 P--K4 P-K4 2 P-KB4 B-B4 3 N-KB3 P-Q3 4 N-B3 N-KB3
5 B-B4 N-B3 6 P-Q3 B-KN5 7 P-KR3 B x N 8 Qx B N-Q5
9 Q-N3 ? Q-K2
The acceptance of the exchange sacrifice by 9 N x P + 10 K-QI
N x R 11 Qx P K-Q2 12 PxP Px P 13 R--B1 B-K2 14 B-KN5
allows White a dangerous initiative as the game Chigorin-Pillsbury,
Hastings 1895, showed.
10 PxP P x P
11 K-Ql (112)
An excellent idea. Before White becomes active on both wings, he
organizes the position of his king, trusting that in the present case the
abode in the centre is the safest.
11 ... P-B3
The lOnence of the Dynamic Standpoint 137
112
B
12 P—QR4! R—KN1 13 R—B1 I P—KR3 14 N—K2 0 0 0 15 N x N

B x N 16 P—B3 B—N3 17 P—R5113—B2 18 B—K3 K—Nl 19 K—B2 K-111
20 R—B3 N--Q4?!
A spirited attempt to obtain counterplay. If 21 P x N P x P 22
B—QN5 P—K4 23 B—KB4 P x R an unclear, double-edged position
would arise. Black probably wanted to engage in this but he has
completely missed the main enemy threat. 20 ... B—N1 21 Q—B2
R—Q2, with the intention of erecting a protective wall, would have
been relatively better.
21 B—NI N--B5
21 ... N—B3 was more tenacious.
22 Q—B2 B—NI
23 P—KN31 N x RP
24 R x P! CI—Q3
25 Q—N611
The decisive combinational stroke. Rubinstein has conducted the
whole attack with great power.
25 ... R—Q2
26 B—B5I! RxR 27 BxQR—B7+ 28 QxR 1-0
The next position arose in Spielmann—Tarrasch (113).
113
EVE.Nan MI
B
Mitt ' tit
El (
111
Alift/JiSr
EM;11
Black, utilizing his lead in development, finds an interesting dynamic
way to attain a forced advantage.
8 ... 0-0
9PxB R.-K1
10 B--N2
If 10 N-K5 then 10 ... Q-R5+ ! is very strong, while on 10 Q-N2
Black simply increases the pressure by 10 ... Qx P 11 B-K2 N-QB3
12 N-B3 Qx BP, after which White is not in an enviable position.
10 ... N-B7
11 N-K5 NxR
12 B x N N-Q2
13 N-QB3 P-KB3
14 N-K4 PxN
15 N x B NxN
16 PxP Q-R5 +
Black has regained the material with interest and his attack con-
tinues.
17 K-B1 R-KB1 !
18 K-N1 Q-Q5+ 19 B-K3 Qx KP 20 R-K1 N-Q2 21 Q-B4
K-Rl 22 B-K4 QR-K1 23 B-Q4 Q-B5 24 R-K2 N-B3 25 B x N
P x B 26 P-R3 R-I(N1+ 0-1
The following game, Forgacs-Tartakower, St. Petersburg 1909,
played at about the time of the golden age of the positional school, is
also interesting.
1 P-K4 P-K3 2 P-Q4 P-Q4 3 N-QB3 N-1(133 4 B-KN5 B-K2
5 P-K5 N-K5 6 N x N B x B 7 N x B Qx N 8 P-KN3 P-QB4 9
P-QB3 N-B3 10 P-KB4 Q-K2 11 N-B3 B.-Q2 12 Q-Q2 0-0
13 B-Q3 P-B5? (Better was 13 ... P-B4 followed by B-ICI-R4.)
14 B-B2 P-QN4 15 0-0 P-QR4 16 QR-Kl P-N5 (114) The position
is ripe. White begins a splendid attack against the enemy king which
even today serves as a model for the treatment of such positions.
114
The Influence of the Dynamic Standpoint 139
17 P-B5!! KP x P
18 P-N4! P x NP
19 N-N5 P-N3
19 ... P-R3 is bad on account of 20 N-R7 B-K3 21 R-B6! followed
by 22 RxRP!
20 R-B6 K-N2
21 R1-KB1 B-K1
22 Q-B4
The results of the sacrifice arc dear. White's pieces dominate the
K-side so clearly that Black's position quickly becomes untenable.
22 ... N--Q1
23 P-K6! R-R3 24 Q-K5 K-R3 25 R1-B5! BP x P 26 N-B7+
Qx N 27 R-R5 + ! K-N2 28 R x NP mate.
The Art of the Attack on the King

When the views of the positional school predominated, the opposite
direction also had its faithful supporters. Late romanticism exhibits
various stages which are connected with the names Zukertort, Black-
burn; Chigorin, Charousek, Spielmann and Breyer. At that time
direct attacks on the king were very popular. The following perform-
ances have lost none of their charm, even to this day.
In the age of the positional school, Spielmann was one of the few
defenders of the dynamic method. He is recognized in chess history
as the king of the gambit games. (The gambit, of course, is nothing
other than a double-edged form of dynamic strategy.)
Characteristic of Spielmann is his game against Eljaschoff (Black),
Munich 1904:
1 P-K4 P-K4 2 P-KB4 P x P 3 N-K.B3 P-KN4 4 P-KR4 P-N5
5 N-N5 P-KR3 6 N x P K x N 7 B-B4+ P-Q4 8 B x P+ K-N2
9 P-Q4 Q-B3 10 P-K5 Q-KN3 The players have chosen an un-
compromising variation of the King's Gambit, known as the Allgaier
Gambit, which gives the game a fantastic note. 11 P-R5 Q-B4 12 N-B3
B-N5 13 0-0 P-B6 14 N-K4 Qx RP 15 N-N3 Q-R5 (115)
In order to open lines as quickly as possible White boldly sacrifices
a rook and begins a direct attack on the opponent's king.
16 RxP! P x R
17 Qx P N-KB3
He must already return part of the material as 17 ... Q-K2 fails to
18 N-R5 + !
18 PxN+ K-El
19 B-KB4! N-R3!
115
Affitn rAA
Relatively best. 19 ... Qx P is weak because of 20 B-Q6+ K-N2
21 N-R5+ .
20 Q-K4 Q-N5
21 BxNP!
Another effective blow. Events now develop in a forced manner.
21 ... BxB
Not 21 ... R-QN1 22 B x N.
22 BxRP+ R x B
23 Qx Q R-R2 24 Q-N6 R-B2 25 P-B3 B-Q3 26 N-B5 B-K5
27 Q-R6+ K--NI 28 Q-N5+ K-B1 29 N-R6 1-0
The Creative Extent of True Mastery

It would be naive to accept that the leading masters of the romantic
direction felt uncertain in positions which had no tactical flavour.
True mastery is all-embracing.
There is for example the famous game Lasker-Chigorin, Hastings
1895, in which Chigorin, a representative of the combinational style,
outplayed his opponent purely positionally with great ability (116).
At first glance the positional advantage lies with White who has the
bishop-pair; however, to be able to work effectively, these need open
116
positions. Therefore Black aims to block the position and restrain the
mobility of the white pieces.
White should now play 18 P-1351 to open up the game, but instead
hesitates and gives his opponent the opportunity to realize an ingenious
and instructive plan.
18 R1-KN1 P-B51
19 B-B2 P-B4!
Now the sphere of activity of the bishops is limited and the black
knights obtain outposts in the centre at K5 and Q4.
20 B-Bl R-KB2
21 B-R3 R.-QB3
22 B-B5 R-R3
Entices the advance P-QR4 by which the bishop on QB2 is still
further confined.
23 P-Q,R4 N-B3
24 R--N1 R-Q2 25 R3-N1 N.N3-K2 26 R-QN2 N-Q4 27 K-Q2
R-R4 28 R1-N1 P-QN3 29 B-R3 P-N3 30 R-QN5? R-R3! 31
B-Bl N-Q1 32 R-R1 N-KB2 33 R5-N1 N-Q3 34 P-B3 N-KB2
35 R-R3 P-KN4 36 K-K2 P x P 37 P-K4 N-B3 38 B x P N-R4
39 B-K3 P-B5
40 B-132 R-R4
During the last few moves a violent struggle for the initiative has
been taking place. Black takes pains to shut the bishops further out of
the game. Instead of the text move 40 ... P-K4 would have been bad
as 41 R-N1 K-Bl 42 P x P N x P 43 R-N5 wins a piece.
41 R-N1+ K-Bl
42 R3-R1 P-K4!
Closing the position at just the right moment.
43 R.R1-N1 N-N2
44 R-QN4 R-B2
45 B--N1 N-K3
46 R-Ql N3-Q1
47 R-Q2?
A fatal mistake. Necessary was the continuation given by Levenfish:
47 PxP1 N--B3 48 R-N5 R x P 49 P-K6 which would have offered
good chances of survival.
47 ... N-B3!
48 R-N5 RxP
49 P x P N2 x P
50 B-R4 R-KN2
51 K-132 R-N3
52 R2-Q5 R-R8!
142 The Iliutnce of the Dynamic Standpoint
53 B-Q8 N-Q6 +
The tactical crowning of Chigorin's outstanding positional play.
54 B x N
Otherwise 54 ... N3-N5 is very unpleasant.
54 ... PxB
55 R xQP? R8-K-N8!
The point. Mate on KN2 is threatened.
56 R-B5 + K-Kl
57 B-N5 R3 x B
0-1
The strategic struggle of two knights against two bishops was
conducted in classic fashion.
From Intuition to Conscious Action

In. practice one can only speak of the conspicuous characteristics in the
play of the representatives of the positional or the dynamic school.
The adherents of the positional school have indeed anticipated the
dynamic factors which become operative during the struggle and which
are independent of their will. But through their limited theoretical
judgements they were not in the position consciously to bring about
dynamically stamped positions. Their knowledge of dynamics remained
superficial and was unable to influence substantially the direction of
style.
The modern dynamic positional game is more complicated and of
greater content than the older conception of the game. In order to be
able to recognize the driving force of the struggle, the contemporary
player must master basically the laws of positional play as well as be
in the position to calculate variations far and accurately.
In the following example (117), from Smyslov-Tal, Candidates'
1959, the struggle appears at first sight to run on positional lines, but
nevertheless dynamic factors also play a great part.
117
The lighsence of the Dynamic Standpoint 143
Black's position appears to be more favourable on account of the
threat ... P—K5, but the next move changes the position at a stroke.
1 Q-Q3!
This plain idea required exact calculation besides positional under-
standing; the later course of the ending would depend on who brings
his rooks into play first. White voluntarily accepted doubled pawns on
the Q-file as he perceived that Black's QNP is even weaker.
1 ... KR—B I
2 KR—B1 Qx Q
The threat 3 P—B4 induced Black to go into an ending. Perhaps the
pawn sacrifice 2 ... P—K5 3 BxP NxB 4 Qx N B—B3 offered better
prospects.
3 P x Q P—KN3
4 R—B3 RxR
5 P x R R—QB1
6 P—B4 P—K5
7 PxP R x P
The positional struggle proceeds in an unusually lively fashion.
Apparently Black, whose rook is now actively placed, has assumed the
initiative, but Smyslov has calculated further.
8 N—Q2 R—B7
9 B—Ql R—B6
10 K—Bl N—B4
As White intends to strengthen his position by B—Q4, K—K2, R—Nl
etc., Black seeks to change the course of events by an exchange sacrifice.
11 B—Q4 R—Q6
12 B x N.B5 P xB 13 K—K2 RxN+ 14 KxRNx KP+ 15 K—B2
The battle is strategically decided. It would still require scrupulous
care to realize the advantage.
Naturally modern chessmasters must make the classical heritage of
purely positional play their own. The game Polugayevsky—Uhlmann,
Sarajevo 1969, among others, shows how they have succeeded in doing
so (118).
This position arose after 15 moves. White has achieved a marked
positional advantage in the opening. The black pieces are obstructed
partly by their own pawns and partly by those of the opponent. The
clear space advantage gives White the opportunity to manoeuvre
freely. However, the question arises as to where he can eventually
penetrate. With the K-side completely blocked he must direct his
main thrust against the other wing. This happens in several stages
and is executed by White with model precision.
16 K—Bl PxP
118
17 BP x P Q-B3
18 K-N2 KR-B1
19 KR-QB1 B-B1
Both players concentrate their forces on the Q-side. It is particularly
important for Black to get his black-squared bishop to QN3.
20 Q-Q2 B-K2
21 B-N5!
This, at the right moment, exchanges Black's only effective piece,
the white-squared bishop, and thereby weakens Black's 104.
21 ... B-Q1
22 N-R1 !
A peculiar but completely logical re-posting. The knight heads for
KB5.
22 ... BxB
23 N x B N4-Q2
24 Q-K2 N-R5
25 N-N3 N5-B4
26 N-B5 B-K2
Black's hopes disappear. He is forced to persevere with completely
passive defence; White can prepare the decisive break-through at
leisure,.
27 R-B2 B-B1
28 RI-QB1 P-N3 29 P-N3 N-NI 30 P-R3 N1-R3 31 R-B4 Q-Ql
32 P-N4PxP 33 PxPQ-Q2 34 PxN!QxN.N4 35 PxPN-N5
36 N-K7+ K-R2 37 N x R R-R7 38 R4-B2! 1-0
Ultra-dynamic Style
In practice positions frequently arise, particularly through the
restricted time limits of tournament play, in which it is difficult to
decide whether to take the positional or the dynamic way. The former
is bound completely to logic while the latter allows individual inclina-
tions to come into their own and furthers double-edged play. In favour
of these positions, which are hard to judge, is the fact that they lend
wings likewise to logic and fantasy. In them the choice of means is a
case of taste and style.
That applies particularly to positions which arise out of complicated
modern openings in the transition from opening to middle game.
To these belong for example the main positions in the Chigorin system
of the Closed Ruy Lopez and many systems of the Sicilian Defence.
The development of dynamics has no doubt made the rise of different
styles more difficult but not impossible. A master needs to have an
all-round style. Some leading masters prefer the method of directing
play along lines in which logic predominates. On the other hand,
others seek opaque, double-edged struggles which demand fantasy and
combinational ability.
The latest direction of development of ultradynamics becomes
particularly clear among the representatives of the young generation,
in the first place in the play of Tal, Spassky, Korchnoi, Fischer, Larsen
and others.
The Favouring of Drastic Tactical Means

A characteristic feature of this strategy consists in conjuring up wild
tactical complications, striving for positions with material imbalance,
sacrificing in the interests of the initiative etc.
This tense situation (119) arose in the game Tal-Kolarov, Reykjavik

1957. As quiet continuations are no longer possible White consciously
sharpened the play.
1 BxKPI?
Later analysis showed that I 13—Q5! ? would have been stronger.
146 The Irgiuence of the Dynamic Standpoint
But the situation is confused in such a manner that the over-the-board
examination was unable to clarify all questions.
1 ... PxB
2 N x KP K-B2
3NxB RxN
4 Qx P P-N5
5 N-Q5 Qx P!
6 KR-K 1 I
The best chance; 6 B xN N xB 7 Q-K7+ K-Nl 8 N xN+ P xN
9 R-Q3 would be answered by 9 ... Q-B2!
6 ... K-N1
Black could play 6 Q-R8+ ! 7 K-Q2 Qx P and give perpetual
check with 8 ... Q-Q5 + etc.
7 BxN! PxB
A fatal error. 7 ... N x B 8 N-K7+ K-B2! 9 N-B6 K-NI! giving
equality was correct.
8 R-Q3! Q-R8 +
9 K-Q2 Qx P 10 P-B4 P-N6 1 I N-K7 + K-R I 12 R x P Q-R7
13 Q-Q5 and White has achieved a decisive advantage.
Power of the Attack

While the classical form of conducting an attack relies upon superior
weight of material in the battle area, the dynamic form makes use of
the real effective power of the pieces. Such attacks can be very original.
The example from Spassky-Shishkin, Tallinn 1959, is characteristic
(120).
120
1 P-B5 NP x P
2 BxP+!?
This sacrificial attack comes like a bolt of lightning from a clear sky,
but one has the impression that only a few white pieces are participating
in it. However, as if by magic, they find one another very quickly.
2 KxB
3 Q-N3+ P-K3
The only move; if 3 ... K-B1 or 3 ... K-Kl then 4 N-$41. is decisive.
4 N-B4 Q-Q2
5 KP x P N-R4!
A cunning defence. On the natural continuation 6 P x KP+ there
would follow 6 ... B x KP 7 N x B+ I with Black winning.
6 Qx KP+ QxQ
7 N x Q,
The game has transposed into a difficult ending with imbalanced
material, in which dynamic and positional factors are closely inter-
woven.
7 ... N-B5?
Despite surface appearance, this is a serious mistake. 7 ... B-B3!
would give Mack good counterplay.
8 B-N5 R-KNI
9 R-B4 B-B3
10 R xB P-KR3
11 P x P N-K4
12 Bx131
In this way White achieves a decisive advantage. Probably in his
calculations Black saw that he wins the exchange, but he failed to judge
the resulting position correctly.
12 ... NxR
13 B-Q4! and White ended the game quickly by the advance of his
K-side pawns.
The Connection Between. Calculation and Objective Assessment

If sober calculations can arouse little 'animation they still remain a
reliable means of finding the right way in the tumult of the struggle.
The following attack from Fischer-Stein, Sousse 1967, is instructive
(121).
22 N3—N51 B x N.K5
22 ... P—R3 would be bad on account of 23 N—R7! R—K1 24
N7—B6 P x N 25 Q—N4+ K—R1 26 B x P B—KB1 27 BxB RxB
28 N x KBP when White wins.
23 Qx B P—N3
24 Q—R4 P—R4
25 Q—N3 N—B5
Indirectly parrying the threat 26 N—K6 in view of 26 ... B—R5!
26 N—B3 K—N2
27 Q—B4 R—KR1
28 P—K6 P—B4
28 ... P—B3 would be weak because of 29 N—R4.
29 B x P!
An effective tactical blow. Now neither 29 ... R—B1 30 Q—R6 + nor
29 ... P x B 30 Q—N3+ K—R2 31 N—N5 ! B x N 32 B x B Q-KI
33 QR—Q1 are any good. Black finds the best defence which still
demands of White care in realizing his superiority.
29 ... Q—KB1
30 B—K4 Qx Q
31 B x Q R—Kl
But not 31 R x P 32 QR—QI !
32 QR—Ql R—R3
33 R—Q7! R x KP
34 N—N5
Despite the exchange of queens White continues with his K-side
attack.
34 ... R—K.B3
35 B—B3! R x B 36 N—K6+ K—B3 37 N x R N--K4 38 R—N7 B—Q3
39 K—B1 N—B7 40 R—K4! N—Q5 41 R—N6! R—Q1 42 N—Q5+ K--B4
43 N—K3+ K—K3 44 B—K2 K—Q2 45 B x NP N x B 46 R x NK—B3
47 P—QR4 B—B2 48 K—K2 P—N4 49 P—N3 R—QR1 50 R—N2 R—KB1
51 P—B4 P x P 52 P x P N—B2 53 R—K6 + N—Q3 54 P—B5 R—QR.1
55 R—Q2 R x P 56 P—B6 1-0
The Art of Sharpening the Play

Very marked among the representatives of ultradynamics is the capa-
bility of enlivening the play in apparently tedious positions. Korchnoi-
Gheorghiu, Bucharest 1968, may serve as an example (122).
The position appears to point to a protracted positional struggle. The
complications conjured up by White strike one as even more surprising
for that.
122
17 KR-K1! QR-B1
More exact is 17 ... QR-N1.
18 B x N.B6 NxB
19 P-Q5! PxP
20 B x P
White has unexpectedly opened up the game and sharpened the
struggle. Now 20 N x B would be no good because after 21 N x N
White threatens 22 N-B6+ and 22 N-K7 + and wins the exchange.
20 ... Q-B2 was relatively best although White's prospects are prefer-
able after 21 N-N5 Q-N3 22 N-Q6 R.QB1-Q1 23 B x BP+ R. x B
24NxRKxN 25 RxRQxR 26 QxP.
20 ... R-N1
21 B-N3 Q-B2
22 N-N5 Q-N3
23 N-Q6 R.N1-Q1?
This allows an effective finale, but after the better continuation
23 ... Q-B2 24 N x BP R x N 25 Q-K3! Black would hardly have
found a satisfactory defence.
24 N x BP R x N
25 R x R + Qx R 26 Qx P Q-Q2 27 R-K7! 1-0.
10 Relating Middle Game to Opening
The Game as a Unified Course of Struggle

The game represents a unified struggle of ideas the stages of which are
organically connected with one another although every phase naturally
has its independent significance and particular themes.
The character of the middle game is essentially determined by the
previous mobilization of the forces. Therefore it is self-explanatory that
the problems of the middle game cannot be considered separated from
the questions of opening theory. In modern opening play many varia-
tions are analysed up to complicated and sharp middle game positions
and sometimes even far into the ending.
Characteristic of that is the dispute of opinion on the Najdorf
variation of the Sicilian Defence.
1 P—K4 P—Q134 2 N—KB3 P—Q3 3 P—Q4 P x P 4 N x P N—KB3
5 N—QB3 P—QR3 6 B—KN5 P—K3 7 P—B4 Q--N3 8 Q-Q2 Qx P
9 R—QN1 Q—R6 10 P—K5 Px P 11 P x P KN—Q2 12 B—Qfl4 (123)
I23
B
The examination of unclear positions such as this is basically the

study of fixed strategic and tactical questions of the middle game. The
very existence of many opening variations depends on how one judges
the critical positions.
In the present example it is obviously not easy for Black to ward of
Relating Middle Game to Opening 151
the white attack against his uncastled king. For example, after 12 ...
Q—B4 or 12 ... B—K2, the sacrifice 13 B x KP! is very effective. As a
departure into the history of this variation shows, after a short time
White's attack was felt to be so dangerous that Black answered 7 P—B4
immediately with 7 ... P—R3 and only after 8 B—R4 continued 8 ...
Q—N3. The point of this tactical refinement lies in the fact that after
9 Q—Q2 Q x P 10 R—QNI Q-R6 11 P—K5 P x P 12 P x P KN—Q2
13 B—QB4 (124)
124
the move 13 ... B—K2 gains considerably in strength. Now the bishop
on R4 is not only unprotected but threatens to fall with check. There-
fore the sacrifice on K6 loses its danger and Black has time to remove
his king from the centre.
Continuing this hindsight, one is not surprised that this position no
longer satisfied White's supporters. Further examinations revealed new
methods which arise after 9 Q—Q3 or 9 P—QR3 ! instead of 9 Q-Q2.
Particularly the variations connected.with 9 P—QR3! proved to be
favourable for White. Therefore Black's supporters returned once more
to the first critical position (diagram 123) and began to place their
hopes in 12 ... B—N5.
We have no intention of examining further the extremely compli-
cated problems of this modern variation, but just wanted to illustrate
how closely opening and middle game are interwoven. Modern opening
theory cannot be separated from the study of the resulting middle game.
The examination of such critical positions also requires the knowledge
of other similar and already cleared-up positions into which the game
can flow. Naturally what is meant are cases in which the critical
positions cannot be exhausted by analytical means.
At the beginning of the next book we will concern ourselves more
thoroughly with the general strategic legitimacies of the opening
struggle and in particular with the role of the initiative, with the bases
of attack and defence, with the transformation of positional factors,
with typical central structures etc.
In this book I only want to draw attention to two things, to the
harmonious co-ordination of the pieces and to the influence which
mobilization exercises on the resulting development of the struggle.
Harmonious Co-ordination in the Opening

In modern opening theory not only is the mobilization of forces given
great importance, but also factors which are characteristic of the
middle game come into consideration. In the opening the struggle
unfolds very quickly with many pieces, some still undeveloped,
involved.
One must already, at the beginning of the game, direct one's attention
to the general co-ordination of the pieces. One should not only consider
the positional pawn weaknesses which arise in the opening and base
one's plan exclusively on them. Rather one must always see these
weaknesses in connection with the entire position.
The co-ordination of the forces arises from the opening. For this
reason, in developing the pieces, one should strive to achieve their
harmonious co-ordination. With a great number of pieces and pawns
present at the beginning of the game, their co-ordination assumes a
particular importance for they can complement one another or on the
contrary hinder one another.
Sometimes pawns confine the working of a certain piece and through
that disturb the general co-ordination of the forces. That applies, for
example, when pawns are fixed on squares of one colour and the
mobility of the same coloured bishop is perceptibly reduced. A typical
case of this was the game Schlechter-john, diagram 38 (p. 40).
On the other hand, the pieces must in no case hinder the pawns
which in the first moves have the task of creating space. Black com-
mitted a common mistake in Korchnoi-S. Szabo, Bucharest 1954,
when, in his concern to develop his pieces as quickly as possible, he
tried to emerge almost without pawn moves.
1 P-QB4 P-K4 2 N-QB3 N-KB3 3 P-KN3 B-B4 4 B-N2 0-0
5 P-K3 R-K I 6 KN-K2 N-B3 7 0-0 P-Q3 8 P-Q4 B-N3
9 P-KR3 B-KB4
Apparently Black has solved the problem of development, created
an adaptable pawn chain and acquired good prospects for the transi-
tion to the middle game. However, in reality his position is difficult
if not even already lost. Decisive is the fact that Black's pawns are
almost immobile and are powerless against the storm of the white
pawn phalanx in the centre and on the K-side.
10 P—Q5 N—N I
11 P—KN4B—Q2 12 N—N3 P—KR3 13 K—R2 P—QR4 14 P—B4! P x P
15 P x P N—R2 16 P—N5! and White's attack broke through.
There are many opening systems in which one side permits the
advance of the opponent's centre pawns in order then to be able to
attack them. Far advanced central pawns only assume space if they are
supported by pieces. If that is not the case, they represent a serious
positional weakness. On this idea are based many variations of
Alekhine's Defence 1 P—K4 N—KB3 2 P—K5 N—Q4, the variation
1 P—QB4 N—KB3 2 N—QB3 P—K3 3 P—K4 P—B4 4 P—K5 N—N1 of the
English opening and the variation 1 P—Q4 N—KB3 2 P—QB4 P—KN3
3 N—QB3 B—N2 4 P—K4 0-0 5 P—K5 (?) N—KI followed by ... P—Q3
in the King's Indian Defence.
Often one allows one's own pawns to be weakened or concedes
space in order to obtain good co-ordination between the pieces and
the pawn chain. In such cases the pawn weakness must be weighed
against the advantages one can exchange for it.
Here are some positions in which the pieces and pawns complement
one another. Characteristic for example is the following variation of
the Ruy Lopez:
1 P--K4 P—K4 2 N—KB3 N—QB3 3 B—N5 P—QR3 4 B—R4 P—Q3
5BxN-F PxB 6P—Q4P—B3
Black's pawn structure on the Q-side is weakened and his pieces
suffer somewhat from lack of space. Nevertheless Black's position,
despite its outward passivity, is full of vitality. The white-squared
bishop which protects the weakened white squares in the centre and
co-ordinates well with its own pawns assumes particular importance.
In the further course of the game the central pawns can be advanced
with ... P—Q4 or ... P—KB4.
Instructive is Ivkov—Smyslov, Belgrade 1956, in which the above
variation was continued as follows:
7 B—K3 N—K2 8 N—B3 N—N3 9 Q—Q2 B—K2 10 0-0-0 B—K3
P—KR4 P—KR4 12 P x P BP x P 13 N—KN5 {Black would have
answered 13 B—N5 with 13 ... B—B3!) 13 ... B x N 14 B x B Q—N1 I
(125)
An important regrouping with which Black plans a counter-attack
on the Q-side. White does not succeed in finding the most purposeful
set-up and soon drifts into a strategically Lost position without having
made a clearly recognizable mistake.
15 P—QN3 Q—N5 16 P—B3 P—R4 17 N—R4 P—B4 18 K—N2 0-0
125
19 Qx Q RP x Q 20 P-B3 KR-NI 21 Px P R xP 22 N-B3 P-B5

23 N-Q5 R-N2! 24 N-K7 N x N 25 B x N P-B6+ 26 K x P
R x RP 27 R-QN1 R x KNP and Black won.
Such pawn structures are characteristic of modern opening play.
That of the above game resembles the structure of the popular Sb.misch
variation of the Nimzo-Indian Defence after the moves 1 P-Q4
N-KB3 2 P-QB4 P-K3 3 N-QB3 B-N5 4 P-QR3 BxN+ 5 PxB
followed by 6 P-K3 or even 6 P--B3 and 7 P-K4.
As compensation for the weakness of his pawns White possesses a
numerical superiority in the centre. Occasionally the bishops can also
become active. These latent advantages can influence the further
course of the game in lasting fashion.
Typical for example is the following variation:
1 P-Q4 N-KB3 2 P-QB4 P-K3 3 N-Q,B3 B-N5 4 P-QR3 B x N+
5 P x 13 P-B4 6 P-K3 P-Q4 7 BP x P KP x P 8 B-Q3 0-0 9N-K2
followed by P-B3 and P-K4!
If the pieces stand 'offside' in the opening or they are insufficiently
protected, then they can prove to be a serious hindrance to harmonious
co-ordination. The following variation of the Ruy Lopez is quite
rightly considered unsatisfactory for Black:
1 P-K4 P-K4 2 N-1(133 N-QI33 3 B-N5 P-QR3 4 13-R4 N-B3
5 0-0 B-K2 6 R-Kl P-QN4 7 B-N3 P-Q3 8 P-B3 N-QR4 9 B-B2
P-B4 10 P-Q3 B-N5 ? I 1 P-KR3 B-R4? 12 QN-Q2 0-0 13
P-KN4! etc. White shuts his opponent's white-squared bishop out of
the game for a long time and obtains a clear advantage in the middle
game. One meets this theme also in some other opening systems
which are therefore considered disadvantageous for Black.
In tactically sharpened opening systems great attention is given to
co-ordination. In many of them mobilization is adapted to the circum-
stances and does not proceed as quickly as the principle of develop-
ment properly demands. New opening systems need to be explored
from the point of view of the total effect the forces exercise. Aggressive
plans in the opening can prove to be impracticable if the development
is not yet complete and the forces consequently are not yet capable
of participating. For example take the following variation of the
Sicilian Defence.
I P-K4 P-QB4 2 N-KB3 P-K3 3 P-Q4 P x P 4 N x P P-QR3
5 N-QB3 P-QN4 6 B-Q3 B-N2 70-4 Q-B2
Apparently in this system Black has successfully solved the difficult
problem of the development of the Q-side and posted his forces
effectively. Nevertheless, the judgement of the set-up chosen by Black
is that he has not yet mobilized his K-side and has offended the
principle of piece development. Tal-Gipslis, Riga 1958, illustrates how
this circumstance can be exploited.
8 R-K1 N-QB3 (8 ... 1(-KB3 is somewhat better.) 9 N x N Qx N
10 P-QR4 P-N5 11 N-Q5 (126)
126
4/ I
ti
Al.
NNileir ,s" MM.
This tactical attack, which White had already planned on his 8th
move, reveals the hidden unsoundness of Black's set-up. On account
of his weakened Q; side and undeveloped K-side Black does not
succeed in co-ordinating his forces.
I 1 ... N-B3
If 11 ... P-QR4 12 P-QB3 ! is very strong.
12 B-Q2 N x N
13 P x N Q-B4
Naturally not 13 ... Qx QP on account of 14 B-K4.
14 B-K4 P-B4
15 B-KB3 B x P 16 B x P! B x B 17 Qx B and White has a winning
attack.
In modern variations one meets the idea of co-ordination constantly.
A simple but instructive example appears in the variation 1 P-K4


P—QB4 2 N—KB3 N—QB3 3 P—Q4 P x P 4 N x P P—KN3 5 N—QB3
B—N2 6 B—K3 N—B3 7 B—QB4 0-0 8 B--N3
White's bishop exercises strong pressure on the QR2—KN8 diagonal ;
it would suit Black therefore to exchange it. In the game Fischer-
Reshevsky, US Championship 1958-9, this knowledge induced Black
to play 8 ... N—QR4 immediately. However, just for one move, Black
is depriving his queen of one square. This gives White a possibility:
9 P—K5 N—Kl 10 B x P+ !! and after either 10 K x B or 10 ...
R x B, 11 N—K6! wins.
The Influence of Development on the Middle Caine

One should bear in mind that the development of pieces decisively
influences the course of the struggle in the middle game.
Here is a short survey of various cases.
Tactical Exploitation of Opening Advantages

When one side emerges from the opening with a definite advantage,
the result of the game can already be decided. In such cases the end is
often accelerated by tactical strokes which now and then represent the
only means of realizing the superiority.
Spassky—Korchnoi, Moscow Zonal 1964, in which Black chose an
unfavourable variation of the Queen's Indian Defence is a characteristic
example.
I P—Q4 N—KB3 2 P—QB4 P—K3 3 N—KB3 P—QN3 4 P—KN3 B—N2
5 B—N2 B—K2 6 0-0 0-0 7 N—B3 P—Q4 8PxP PxP
9 N—K5 Q—Bl
10 B—N5 Q—K3
11 R—B1 P—B4?
11 P—B3, concentrating on defence, was necessary. The risky
advance of the QBP enables White to refute his opponent's set-up.
12 N—Q3! P x P
13 B x N B x B
14 N x P!
A simple but effective blow which really ends the game.
14 ... BxN
15 N—B4 Q—Q3
Black is also lost after 15 ... B x B 16 N x QB x R 17 N x R B—R6
18 Q—Q3 K x N 19 Q—K4.
16 NxB B—N4
17 P—B4 B—Ql 18 N—B3! N—R3 19 B x R Q—N1 20 N—Q5 Qx B
21 Qx P N—B4 22 P—QN4 N—K3 23 Q—Q3 R—Kl 24 P—K4 1-0
Mating Middle Game to Opening 157
Boleslaysky-Stoltz, Stockholm 1948, is another example. I P-K4
P-K4 2 N-KB3 N-QB3 3 B-N5 P-QR3 4 B-R4 N-B3 50-0 N x P
6 P-Q4 P--QN4 7 B-N3 P-Q4 8 P x P B-K3 9 Q-K2 P-N4?
In view of the threat ... P-KN5 Black appears to stand quite well.
However, White finds the tactical refutation of the adventurous
bayonet attack. 10 P-B41 NP x P 11 B-R4! B-Q2 12 P-K6 P x P
13 BxNBx13 14 N-K5 Q-Q3 15 Q-R5+ K-K2 16 BxP+ NxB
17 Qx N+ K-K1 18 Q-R5 + K-K2 19 Q-B7+ K-Q1 20 Q-B6+
and White has demolished his opponent's position.
Black's extravagant plan could have succeeded if White had not
had such a powerful reply at his disposal. But therein lies the logic
of chess; such goings astray can always be avenged, sometimes brutally.
The refutations are sometimes very difficult to find as they may demand
fantasy and accurate calculation, but that is a completely different
matter.
Another striking example occurred in Gufeld-Petrosian, 37th USSR
Championship 1969. 1 P-K4 P-K4 2 N-KB3 N-QB3 3 N-B3 P-KN3
4 P-Q4 P x P 5 N-Q5 B-N2 6 B-KN5 QN-K2 7 N x QP P-QB3
8 N-QB3 P-KR3 9 B-K3 N-B3 10 B-QB4 0-0 11 Q-B3 This
apparently active queen sortie is a mistake. Astonishingly Black can
now not only seize the initiative but even practically force a winning
position. II P-Q4 12 P x P P-B4! (127)
127
It was this move which escaped White's attention. It now turns out
that White's pieces mutually hinder one another and are not freely
mobile.
13 N4-N5
Also after 13 N4-K2 B-N5 14 Q-N3 N-B4! White would find
himself in a difficult situation.
13 ... P-R3
14 P-Q6 N-B4
15 N-B7 NxP!
Refutes the excursion of the white knight as, after 16 N x R, 16 ...
N x B followed by 17 ... B-N5 wins Black two pieces for a rook.
16 0 0 0
White sacrifices a piece to obtain counter-chances, but in vain.
16 ... Qx N
17 B-B4 B-N5 18 Q-Q3 P- N4! 19 B-Q5 (Or 19 Bx. r PxB!)
19 ... QR-Ql 20 P-B3 P-N5 21 Qx NP K-Rl 22 Q-Q3 P x N
23 P x B Q-N3 24 P-QN3 Q-N51 0-1
Frequently the tactical realization of opening advantages is con-
nected with an attack on the opponent's king. In this respect the
analysis by Kopayev of a famous variation of the Queen's Gambit is
very informative..
1 P-Q4 P-Q4 2 P-QB4 P-K3 3 N-QB3 N-K.B3 4 B-N5 B-K2
5 P-K3 0-0 6 N-B3 QN-Q2 7 R--BI P-B3 8 B-Q3 P x P 9 B x BP
N-Q4 10BxBQxB 1I0-0NxN I2 RxNP-K4 13 Q-B2 PxP
14 P x P N-B3 15 R-K1 Q-Q3
16 N-N51 B—N5 (128)
128
It seems as if Black equalizes comfortably by ... B-N5-R4-N3 as

proposed by Alekhine; but White can continue his attack on his
opponent's castled position as he has a pretty stroke at his disposal.
17 R-KN31 B-R4
I8 R-KR3 B-N3 19 Qx131.1,RPxQ 20BxP+1RxB 21 R-R8+!
K x R 22 N x R + K-N1 23 N x Q R--Q1 24 R-K6 and White has
an extra pawn in the ending.
Strategic Exploitation of Opening Advantages

Transition to the Middle Game— Attack
An attack on the opponent's king is one of the most important
strategic methods of making the transition to the middle game. If the
king stands in the centre, as in the following example, usually un-
pleasantnesses are not lacking. Savon-Liberzon, 37th USSR
Championship 1969, proceeded:
1 P-K4 P-Q,B4 2 N-KB3 N-QB3 3 P-Q4 P x P 4 N x P Q-N3
5 N-N3 N-B3 6 N-B3 P-K3 7 B-Q3 P-QR3
8 B-KN5 B-K2
8 ... B-N5 would have been better.
9 Q-K2 P-Q3
10 0-0 Q-B2
11 P-B4 P-QN4
12 QR-Kl P-N5?
After the text move White can begin an attack in the centre.
12 ... P-R3 13 B-R4 P-N4!? 14 P x P N-K4 is correct.
13 N-Q51
A typical stroke in such positions. White sacrifices a piece in order
to get at the opponent's king which has remained in the centre. His
threats on the K-file will be very powerful. The acceptance of the
sacrifice is forced.
13... PxN
14 PxP B-N5
Naturally 14 ... N x P is bad on account of 15 B-K4! But also after
14 ... N-QN1 15 B x N P x B 16 Q-R5 Black's forces are so dis-
organized that the attack can scarcely be parried. Therefore Black
seeks refuge in tactical tricks which, thanks to White's circumspect
play, do not succeed.
15Q-K3 N x P
Again 15 ... N-QN1 is bad as after 16 BxN PxB 17 P-B5 the
black bishop is caught in an ambush. Black prefers to return the
piece, but does not obtain any relief by so doing.
16 Q-K4 N-N3
17 B x B NxB
18P-B5! P-KR4
19 P-KR3 B x RP
20 P x B P-Q4
21 Q-R4 K-Bl
22 N-Q4 R-R3
23 P-B6! PxP
24 K-Rl
White has regained the piece, but has had to allow his opponent two
pawns for it. Nevertheless, Black's position, on account of the unsafe
position of the king, is as unsatisfactory as before.
24 ... N3 -B1
25 R-K3 Q-Q3 26 R3-B3 K-Kl 27 R x P R. x R. 28 R. x R Q-K4
29 R.-B1 N-Q3 30 N-B3! He sacrifices another pawn to gain control
of the K-file which is the main avenue of attack. 30 ... Qx P 31 R-K1
R--R2 32 Q-KB4 R-Q2 33 N-K5 Q-B6 34 R-KB1 R-B2 35 Q-B6
N2-B1 36 R-KN1 K-131 37 K-R2 Q-Q7 -1- 38 R-N2 Q-K6 39
B-R7! 1-0 (time).
There is no defence to 40 R-N8 mate.
In many opening systems castling on opposite sides is a means by
which attacks are provoked.
Such a situation is characteristic for example of many lines in the
Rauzer attack of the Sicilian, Dragon variation. The game Simagin--
Abramson, Vladimir 1960, may serve as an example.
1 P-K4 P-QB4 2 N-KB3 P-Q3 3 P- Q4 P x13 4 N x P N-KB3
5 N-QB3 P-KN3 6 13-K3 B-N2 7 P-B3 0-0 8 Q-Q2 N-B3 9 0-0-0
N x N 10 B x N Q-R4 11 K-N1 R-Ql (Theory prefers 11 P-K4
12 B-K3 B-K3. The text move loses time and thus favours White's
attack on the K-side.) 12 B-B4 B-K3 13 B-N3 P-QN4 14 P-KR4
P-N5 (129) (14 BxB 15 BPxB P-N5 16 BxN BxB is better.
Now White mounts a sharp attack.)
129
15 N-Q5 B x N
16 P x B Q-N4
17 P-R5! P-R4
18 R-R4! QR-N1
18 ... P-R5 is parried simply by 19 B-B4.
19 P x P RP x P
20 RI-RI P-R5
21 B-B4 Q-R4
22 Q-R6!!
A fine queen sacrifice. The end is forced.
22 ... BxQ
23 R x B P-N4
Not 23 ... K-Bl 24 R-R8 + N-N1 25 RxN+!KxR 26 R-R8
mate.
23 P-K4 24 P x Pep Q-K4 would have been more tenacious,
but Black's position is still hopeless.
24 R-R8 + K-N2
25 R1-R7+ K-N3
26 B-Q3 + N-K5
27 BxN+ 1-0
Another impressive example of this theme is the game Karpov-Gik,
Moscow 1968.
1 P-K4 P-QB4 2 N-KB3 P-Q3 3 P-Q4 P xP 4 NxP N-KB3
5 N-QB3 P-KN3 6 B-K3 B-N2 7 P-B3 N-B3 811-QB4 0-0 9 Q-Q2
Q-R4 10 0-0-0 B-Q2 1 I P-KR4 N-K4 12 B-N3 KR-B1 13 P-R51
N xRP 14 B-R6 B xB 15 QxB R xN 16 P x R Qx BP (This
allows White to introduce a noteworthy attack. 16 ... N-KB3 was
more circumspect.) 17 N-K2! Q-B4 (17 ... N-Q6+ 18 Rx N
Q-R8 + 19 K-Q2 Qx R is bad as Black loses material after 20 P-N4!)
18 P-N4 N-KB3 19 P-N5 N-R4 20 R x N! P x R 21 R-RI Q-K6 +
22 K-N1 Qx BP 23 R x P P-K3 Probably Black had relied upon this
move and considered his position to be defensible. The elegant con-
tinuation shows him otherwise. 24 P-N6! N x P (If 24 ... BP x P
White wins easily by 25 Qx RP + K-Bl 26 Q-R8+ K-K2 27 R-R7 +
N-B2 28 Qx R etc.) 25 Qx P K-131 26 R-K.B5!! (The point of
White's combination. 26 ... P x .R is impossible on account of 27 Qx P
mate.) 26 ... Qx B+ 27 RP xQPxR 28 N-B4 R--Q1 29 Q-R6+
K-K1 30 N xN PxN 31 Qx P+ and Black soon resigned.
The impression can arise that as the attack proceeded quite forcibly
in the games considered, it was a question of the tactical exploitation
of opening advantages. But that is not so. Admittedly, attack and
tactical realization of an advantage can often be confused in the heat
of the battle, but they are two completely different things. Indeed, it is
not necessary to have an advantage at the beginning of the attack. In
other words, although it proceeds from the judgement of the position,
the plan of attack can be something double-edged. It is considerably
more risky than the tactical process of realization hi which the advan-
tageous complications can mostly be calculated exactly.
Attainment of a Lasting Superiority

Frequently the opening advantage can only be maintained by em-
phatically stressing the advantages of the position. This is shown in
Suetin-Furman, Leningrad 1963.
1 P—K4 P—QB4 2 N—KB3 P—K3 3 P—Q4 P x P 4 N x P N—QB3
5 N—QB3 P—QR3 6 B—K2 Q--B2 7 0-0 N—B3 8 B—K3 B—N5 9 N—R4
P—QN4 ? (130)
130
A consequential but scarcely perceptible mistake which White

exploits by grievously weakening Black's pawn structure on the Q; side.
10 NxN QP x N
Also after 10 ... Qx N 11 N—N 6R—QN1 12 P—K5 Black has difficul-
ties.
11 B—B5! BxB
12 N x B 0-0
13 Q-Q4 P—K4
14 Q-B3
The situation has cleared. Black lacks an active plan while White
can increase his advantage methodically.
14 ... P—QR4
15 KR—Q1 P—N5 16 Q—K3 R—Ql 17 Q—N5 R x R+ 18 R x R
Q-K2 19 Q—K3 P—R3 20 N—R4 B—R3 21 13 xB R x 13 22 P—KB3
R—R2 23 N—N6! R—N2 24 P—QN3 R—Nl 25 N—B4 Despite con-
siderable simplifications, the weakness on the Q-side has become
more and more noticeable. Black can no longer avoid material loss.
25 ... R—Ql 26 R x R+ Qx R 27 Q—Q3! Q—B2 28 Q—Q6! with a
decisive endgame advantage.
To attain a lasting superiority requires systematic realization of the
opening advantages. There are many set plans to obtain the initiative
based on the peculiarities of the position. Besides some of the charac-
teristic cases of attack on the king and of play on weak squares dealt
with, similarly good are cases in which the plans are concerned with
the exploitation of space advantages or of pawn weaknesses on one
flank, the possession of open lines, advantageous simplification and
the transition into a better ending. The lastcase is considered separately.
Transition to Complicated Endings

I would like to commend strongly to young players the art of trans-
posing, at the right moment, to the ending. Endgame technique is
frequently under-valued, despite its growing importance in present-
day practice.
The transition to complicated endings enriches many modern
opening systems. Taimanov—Savon, 37th USSR Championship 1969,
is an example.
1 P—Q4 N—KB3 2 P—QB4 P—KN3 3 N—QB3 P—Q4 4 B—N5 N—KS
5 B—R4NxN 6 PxNP—QB4 7 P—K3N—B3 8BPxPQxP
9 Q-B3! (131)
131
B
White, relying on his strong pawn centre, wanted to enter a difficult

ending. The further course of the game confirmed that this plan had
much to be said for it. •
9 ... QxQ
Weak would be 9 ... Q—Q3 on account of 10 B—B4 ! P—K3 11 B—B6 !
10 NxQ B—N2
11 B—QN5 B—Q2 12 0-0 R—QB1 13 QR—N1 P—QR3 14 B—K2 N—R4
15 N—K5 !BxN 16 P x B B—K3 17 P—Q134! R—B2 18 KR—B1 K—Q2
19 P—B4 K-131 20 B—K1 I N--B3 21 P—N4 R—Q1 22 P—QR3 K—NI
23 B—QB3 K—R2 24 R—Q1 R. x R+ 25 R x R R—Bl 26 K—B2
White's advantage is clear. Apart from two strong bishops, he possesses
a mighty pawn phalanx on the K-side. He succeeded in winning the
game.
Similar questions are thrown up in a topical variation of the Queen's
Gambit Accepted: I P—Q4 P—Q4 2 P—QB4 P x P 3 P—K4 This move
has long been considered harmless. However, practice has shown that
it must be given attention. Korchnoi—Suetin, Leningrad 1969, con-
tinued:
3 ... P-K4 4 N-KB3 N-KB3 5 B x P B-N5 + (Correct is 5 ... Nx P
and if 6 Nx P .N-Q3! with a roughly equal game.) 6 B-Q2 B x B+
7 QN xBPxP 8 P-K5 N-N5 9 P-KR3 N-KR3 10 N-N3 N-B3
11N.N3xP N x N
12 Qx N! (132)
132
B
A correct decision. White goes into an ending in which he has a

lead in development and a space advantage. The knight on Black's
KR3 is particularly unfavourably posted.
12 Qx Q
Relatively better was 12 ... Q-K2.
13 N x Q B-Q2
14 0 0 0 0 0 0
15 P-KN4!
Further confining the black knight.
15 ... KR-K1
16 P-B4 R-K2 17 KR-Kl B-R5 18 P-N3 R2-Q2 19 P-N5! R x N
20 RxRRxR 21 PxNPxP 22 BxPRxP 23 P-K6 and White's
strong passed pawn soon decided the game.
Also characteristic is the new evaluation of the following variation
of the Ruy Lopez: 1 P-K4 P-K4 2 N-KB3 N-QB3 3 B-N5 P-Q113
4BxNQPxB 50-0P-B3 6 P-Q4 PxP 7 NxPP-QB4 8N-N3!
Qx Q 9 R x Q. The game Fischer-Portisch, Havana 1966, showed
that White has endgame prospects.
Transition to the Middle Game—Positional Balance

Up to now I have only given cases of the transition to the middle game
in which one side has achieved a definite advantage in the opening or
at least has obtained a persevering initiative. But how do events
develop when neither side has succeeded in attaining any advantage?
Naturally there are many variations in which the play rapidly becomes
so simplified that the further course of the game requires no comment.
As a rule, however, equal prospects in the opening only stress the
complexity of the middle game ahead. Frequently positional
manoeuvres are in store which demand of the players skilful 'tacking'
and the accumulation of slight advantages. Typical pawn structures
assume great importance. Different positions, say with an open centre,
with blocked pawn chains or with a numerical pawn superiority in
the centre against a wing majority, etc., require different plans.
In many dynamically equal positions central pawn weaknesses are
compensated by good piece play. Double-edged positions in which
tactics predominate are more and more characteristic of the modern
opening. Frequent changes of plan can be necessary as a result of the
rapidly changing circumstances in sharp encounters.
The examination of the combinational peculiarities of the position
gains in importance. An interesting example arose in Unaicker-
Gheorghiu, Ljubljana 1969, after the moves:
1 P—K4 P—Q134 2 N—KB3 N—QS3 3 P—Q4 Px P 4 NxP N—KB3
5 N—QB3 P—Q3 6 B—KN5 B—Q2 7 Q—Q2 R—Bl 8 0-0-0 N x N
9 Qx N Q—R4 10 P—B4 (133)
133
B
In the struggle for the initiative Black makes a bold and apparently
correct decision to weaken White's Q-side by an exchange sacrifice.
10 ... RxN
11 P x R P—K4
12 Q-N4 Qx Q
13 PxQ N x P
14 B—R4 P—KN4 !
Only in this way can the balance be maintained. If 14 ... P—B4
15 P x P P x P 16 R—Q5! Black would come into difficulties.
15 BP x P B-K2
16 R---K 1 P-Q4
17 B-Q3 P-KR3
18 P-B4 RP x P
19 PxP R x13!
Black has sufficient compensation for the sacrificed exchange.
20 R x N R x R
21 B x R P-B4 22 B--B2 B x P 23 P-KR4 P x P 24 R x P 13-R6 +
25 K-Q2 K-K2 4-i.
Also in the following combinational struggle, Adorjan-Honfi,
Hungary 1969, the dynamic balance prevailed.
1 P-K4 P-QB4 2 N-KB3 P--K.N3 3 P-Q4 PxP 4NxP N-QB3
5 N-QB3 B-N2 6 B-K3 N-133 7 B-QB4 0-0 8 B-N3 P-Q3 9 P-B3
Q-R4 10 Q-Q2 B-Q2 11 0-0-0 KR-B1 12 P-KR4 N-K4 13 P-R5
NxRP 14B-R6N-Q6+! 15K-N1!NxP 16 KxNBxB 17QxB
R x N (The consequences of 17 ... ftx .N+ 18 IC-N.1 P-R4! ? 19
P-X4 P-R5! are unclear.) 18 N-K2 R-B4 19 P-N4 N-I33 20 N-B4
B-R5 21 N x P Q-B6+ 22 K-N1 B x B! The storm has cleared and
peace has set in. 23 N x P+ K-RI 24 BP x B -1-i.

A Contemporary Approach To The Middlegame (Suetin 1976)

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A Contemporary Approach To The Middlegame (Suetin 1976)

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A Contemporary Approach to the Middle Game

Chess Digest Inc., Dallas, Texas

Printed in Great Britain by

Chess Digest Inc., P.O. Box 21225, Dallas, Texas 75211

Editor's Foreword, vii

I. The Foundations of Strategy, I

2. The Bases of Chess Tactics, 20

3. Linking Strategy and. Tactics, 39

7. Transforming Positional Elements, 104

9. The Influence of the Dynamic Standpoint, 136

10. Relating Middle Game to Opening, 150

Aleksei Suetin's Schachlehrbuch fur Fortgeschrittene, published by Sport-

It is generally acknowledged that chess is a complex phenomenon

Two Conceptions of Strategy

Particularities of Chess Strategy

White has built up an ideal pawn centre and possesses a certain

The Attacking Forces and Their 'Reserves'

Greater and Lesser Preconditions for Victory

on QR4 and Q3 form a serious, even if inconspicuous, weakness in

Here is an example (7) of a fortress wall which must surely strike us

The Game Plan

This position (8) arose in the game Smyslov—Gligorie, Warsaw 1947,

B-R5 P-N3 34 B x N P x B 35 B-R4 N-N3 + 36 K-B5 R-B4 +

Elements of Positional Play

Typical Strategical Developments

A tense situation has arisen in which White has attacking prospects on

Two Ways of Considering Tactics

In the diagrammed position (13), which arose after 28 moves in

fact that White, by a combinational attack on Black's KP, first of all

Systematization of Combinational Play

The Most Important Combinational Ideas

1 Q-R6+ !! K x Q 2 R-R4 + K-N4 3 P-B4+ ! (To lure the black

The pawn on KR6 appears to fall and a draw to be unavoidable, but

Black (20) has a decisive attack with

A study-like move to deflect the black queen. If 1 ... Qx B 2

White ended the game with an effective combination:

In Hermann-Charousek, Budapest 1896, Black (24) forces the win

White won with the following combination:

Accompanying Combinational Circumstances

In this wild position (29), White let himself be blinded by an appar-

White continued incautiously with

White played 1 R x P! after which Black's position appears to be

The Qyiet Move

A quiet move which prepares the decisive manoeuvre R-K3-KR3.

With his last move, 21 Q.B3-N3, White threatened to capture on

Hidden Defensive Resources

After 1 B-B5 B-Q3 2 B x B Qx B 3 N-N5 Q-B4 4 N-Q4 B-N3

In this example (36) from the game Wade-Pilnik, Stockholm 1952,

Calculation of Combinations and Positional Judgement

The diagrammed position (37) arose in the game Korchnoi-

Strategy Comes First 1

Black has succeeded in obtaining pleasant counterplay on the Q-side,

This position (40) arose in the game Petrosian-Taimanov, 22nd

Conformity of the Aim with the Means

The example from the game Bronstein-Petrosian, 27th USSR

The Independent R6le of Tactics

Alekhine as White had deliberately steered the game into this

With the ill-considered move ...

Already in the opening phase of this game a violent battle had

This (48) arose in the game Spassky-Pomar after 19 moves.

In this extremely double-edged situation White seizes on an extrav-

The Two Conceptual Categories of Chess Players

This position (50) arose in the game Lisitsin-Tolush, Leningrad