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TheMiddleGameinChess 10005735
TheMiddleGameinChess 10005735
TheMiddleGameinChess 10005735
IN C HESS
LON DON
G. B ELL AND S ONS ,
LTD
.
F R T P U LI H ED
I S B S J U LY , 1 922
R E P R I NI E D
‘
M AY , 1 923
J ULY , 1 9 30
TAI N BY
P RI NTE D I N GR E AT B R Y Pv n s z u .
P AULTO N ( 50 11 3 11 52 1 ) AN D LO NDO N
C ON TENTS
P RE A E F C
PART I
I T H E E L EME NT
. S OF CH E SS
Spa c e
Ti m e
Fo c e r
TH E P E E T H E R CONT R O L
'
I C S AN D I
P awn s
Th e Ki gn
Quee n n ht ,
Roo k , and Bishop
T H E E E NT A L O T H E G AMESS I S F :
Gai i Fo c e Spa c e d Ti m e n n r , an
Th eats r
PART I I
M IDD L E GAM E TH E
V aluatio f P ositio n o n
C o st u c tio d E e c utio
n o f the Pla
r n an x n n
I I S U ER O R PO T ON
. P I SI I S
I t odu c to y n r r
Ad a tage i Fo c e v n n r
Ad a tage v n in Ti me
Ad a tage v n in Spa c e
III I N ER O R PO T ON S
. F I SI I
I t odu c to y n r r
I n fe io ity i n Fo c e r r r
I fe io i ty i n Ti me n r r
I n fe io i t y i Spa c e r r n
I V E Q U A L P O T ON S
. SI I
vi CONTENTS
PART I I I
E X A M PL ES
C H AP .
I I NT R O DU TO RY R EMAR
. C KS
II . MANCEU V R E S
I M an ce u vr es on the
. VVh Ol e B oar d
2 Man w u v r es i n th e
. e Ce n tr
3 . M a eu es n the Wi n gs
no vr o
4 . Ma eu es with P awn s
no vr
III A TT A C
. K
Th e Atta ck the C e nt e
In r
Th Atta c k n b oth Wi g s
e o n
I V D E E NCE
. F
V . T H E COUNT ER BA TT L E -
Th C ou n te
I . e r- B attl e i n the Ce n tr e
Th C ou n te
2 e r- B attle i n the Ce n tr e an d on the Wi ng
3 Th C ou te
. e n r- Battle n di fi nt Wi ng s
o er e
4 Th C ou n te
. e r- B attle n the same Wi n g
o
CON L U ON C SI
L T
IS OF I LL U T RA T IV E P O T ION
S SI S F R O M A C TU A L PLA Y
PR EFAC E
At a time whe n the ope n ing and the e n d game have been
worked out i n detail the middl e game is n ot an obj e ct of
,
ch ess with all its possibil ities its attacks defences sacrifi ces
, , , , ,
regard to the mi ddle game were still i n the air The theory .
from carrying out my idea and only now have I been able
to return to the work .
greatly appreciate .
and the end game How then could a small work of 2 2 6 pages
.
so on .
tical rul es which wi ll make the g am e e asier for the begi nner .
centre etc
,
.
of the chessmen .
, ,
.
comprehend the basis of the game and grasp the real and
uncontrovertible fa c ts of play The book is the logical out.
this work .
hospitality l
EUGENE Z NOSK O B OROVSK Y -
P A RT ONE
GENERAL OBSER V ATIONS ON THE GAME OF CHESS
C H A P TE R I
T HE E LEMENTS OF C HESS
CHESS the most pro fou n d
,
Of all existi n g games develops in ,
mistakes are the occasio n for the greater triumph of the laws ,
C hess derives its laws a n d its qualities from its own component
parts which man ifest its character a n d dictate its laws The
, .
an d acts in
( )
2 S P A C E
,
represe n ted by the chessboard and ,
B
2 THE ELEMENTS OF C HESS
The whole game is a combin ation of these three eleme n ts ,
S PA C E
Dia g am 1
r .
The space in whi ch a game
of chess takes place is bounded
Diag am 1 1
r .
cert ain difference betwee n
the squ ar es arising out
of their position on the
board J ust as i n a circle
.
s q ua es It is OI great advantage
r .
,
Di ag a m IV
r There is another di fference
.
the r an ks .
9 7
, ,
as show n i n Diagram V From t hi s it follows that j ust
. ,
as pieces in the ce n tre are stro n ger than pieces at the edge
of the board so too pieces co n trolli ng o n ly diago n als are
, , ,
Diag a m V I
r
we ak er than those that con
trol ran ks or fil es as we
.
Th st o gest li es
e r n n
Diagr am I V clearly shows
.
lo n g diago n als are stro n ger than the other diago n als But .
files and so the most powerful lin es of all are the ran ks a n d
files which pass through the ce n tre squar es (Diagram
Each of these lines may be rep r ese n ted by the number 2 44 .
weakest ; but that is not quite the case From the v ery .
fact that they are o n the edge it follows that they are mo r e
powerful for defen ce They cann ot be passed through for
.
”
as a besieged fortress or a military square we can se e ,
Diag am V III r
exe r cise pressu r e o n the ce n
t r al squares it is n ecessary
.
look at the chan ges of the squares alo n g the ra n ks from the ,
poi n t but o n the co n trary has four Sides each with an equal
, ,
at the squares horizo n tally we see that the di ffere n ces depe n d
on the positio n relative to di ffere n t pieces ; but if we look
at them vertically we s ee that o n e of each couple of squares
is n earer to o n e camp the other to the Opposi n g camp As
,
.
this ki n d of play .
IO THE ELEMENTS OF CHESS
That the squares make up li n es amo n g which the ,
their full force they must be placed on the stro n gest lines
,
and squares .
of the pieces .
T IME
eve n then time could not be a fixed thi n g for every game ,
tio n of the forces the preparatio n for the game proper (which
is the middle part ) a n d the will to be master of the play
Both the squares of the boar d an d time have a si milar i n fluence
over the chessmen The player who does n ot complete his
.
mob i lisatio n towards the middle game weake n s all his pieces
o n the co n trary the player who has mobilised for the middle
,
tu rn a P a wn i nto a Q u een .
of space I n time the u n its are the moves J ust as all the
. .
are of the same len gth i n time With absolute regularity they
.
clear that each Of his two moves has lost half its value This .
is clearer still whe n we take the case where the seco n d move
un does the first that is to say return s the action to the poi n t
, ,
weaken both the pieces and the player s game The obj ect ’
.
b egi n s to decrease this means that the pieces and the player s
,
’
FOR C E
are the same Are the forces the same or not ? Does the
.
port ant ) .
SE
E ME EE AA . 2 0 Al
Q uee n Ro ok Bis h op K i ght
n Pa w n
FORCE I 3
r f —
The e are n o other di feren ces i n them as we shall see later ,
plan .
Th U i t of Fo c e i C hess
e n r
outside chess whi ch are not
n .
may cover the same Space i n the same time but di ffer o n
accou n t of their armamen t There is nothi n g Similar to this
.
—
. ,
the eighth rank a Pawn may be exchan ged for any piece of
its own colour (This was probably designed to reward the
.
and left .
i s called capturi n g en p a ss
”
a nt or in passi n g ,
.
n
v
rule is probably that the
.
the game very monoto n ous But this peculiarity of the Pawn
.
more active than the Pawn s ; the latter are more solid and
impart stren gth to the game .
When a Paw n has advan ced it can not retreat which shows
, ,
Diag a m X I
r .
more the n eed of caution,
Cert ai n ly it is n ecessary to
play out all o n e s pieces ’
The piece most like the Pawn is the Ki n g which also moves ,
—2 Paw n s
% .
the weakest piece next to the Pawn has the highest sig n ifican ce
of all the pieces .
Diag a m X II r
This peculiarity puts the
Ki n g outside the game It is
.
that the diago n als are weaker than the ranks and files .
Dia g am X I V r .
et c On the other hand
. o n ly ,
of the Rook and the B i shop is stro n ger than those two pieces
,
togethe r For her all the diago n al s are open and she h as
.
—
position looked at ho r izo n tal ly the Rook since the central
ranks have but rarely an importance—should either be very
, ,
close to the enemy for attack or else i n its own camp for
, , ,
on the side of the board All this shows the desirable position
.
it must stand on the edge of the board and for the attac k on
the sides it must be in the centre If the occupation of the .
the Bishop may be right at the end of the b oard on the same
di ag on al .
sq uares .
D iag am XV
of the K n ight are n ot i n
r
cluded in the Ki n g s moves
.
’
.
on a black square as in ,
M o es Of the Q n
v u ee
Diagram X I I all those ,
Diag am XV I
r .
easily comprehe n sible Si n ce ,
Sometimes he can be en
t i re ly compared wi th the
Quee n For example in .
,
vi ce vers a
-
They are like two Bishops of Opposite colours This
. .
(Really there are still more b ut there are no pieces for the
others) .
22 THE ELE MENTS O F C H ESS
This property of the Kn ight makes him part icularly danger ~
it The Rook can atta c k the King and the Queen an d at the
.
This makes him quite uni que and explains the fear which
many players have of him H e seems t o move in a different
.
D a g am XV II I
i r
dimension
.
from all the other
M o es f Queen nd K ni g ht
v o a
moves .
pieces still cannot meet the Knight Are there then pe rhaps
, , ,
other lines on the board besides the ran k s files and diagonals ? , ,
P e pe di c ula Li es
r n r lmes o n the chessboard
n . .
Dia g a m X X r
meters dividing the surface
i n to equal parts an d making
four right an gles (360 4 = °
can r n a
adj a c e t s q ua es c o mp l ete up to the se c o d li e f o m the ed g e
,
n r n n r .
24 THE ELEMENTS OF CHES S
That i s the relatio n betwee n the moves of the Rook and the
Bishop a n d comp rises the moves of the Quee n (Diagram
Havi n g two Bishops of op posite colours we seem to have
, ,
Dia g am XX I
r .
two centres to the b oard .
that the Rook s move from the Same square bisects the angle
’
Dia g am x x 1 v r geometrically ,
Ag ai n the .
( Diagram X X V I ) similar ,
fo med b y the K i g ht s Mo es
r
dissipate the false opinions
n
’
v .
Mathe mati cia ns ha e i n the past paid atte n tio n to the K ni ght s mo e
‘
v
'
v
and ha e n oted with asto nish me t t h at i n the o i g i n a l Roo k K ni g ht
v n nd r a
Bishop a ll c o mma nd R 3
, , ,
.
F ORCE 27
Diag am XXV I
r vi n c ed
.
reader can verify
mathematically all that we
have said) then we may ,
sometimes o n ly two It is .
Dia g am XXV II
r
ma .
n di n g a n y line on the
chessboard Next to the .
P AWN S
We know some of the properties of the Pawn s among which ,
that they must be adva n ced with care This shows their
.
chief r ole They are the static part of the position The
. .
28
PAWNS 29
statio n ary eleme n t in the game therefore they are the best ,
Dia g am XX VIII
r i n g to b r eak through the
.
,
.
”
by Pawn s is called a hole To get this on Kt 3 two Pawn s
.
,
Dia g a m XX I X
r . D ia g ra m XXX .
holes . o nly on e e a .
an d
Compari n g all these positions we may state as follows ,
D iag am XXX I
r . D iag am XXX II
r .
’
.
,
true that a further move of the Pawn freque n tly cou n teracts
this doubli n g but that does n ot do away with the weak n ess
of the doubli n g of the Paw n in itself .
, ,
The value of the Pawn s lies in their weak n ess and this ,
more powerful than they are obliged to fall back before their ,
Queen should be stro n ger than the attack of the Pawn and
that in a collision the latter should give ground as a light
ball is driven away by a heavy one In reality the opposite .
,
that the Queen can attack the Pawn from different points
of the board and from different distan c es while the Pawn ,
i n front of it .
stan d next the enemy s Pawns First of all that takes too ’
.
,
.
PAWNS 35
both cases that the attack of the Pawn s i n volves the stormi n g
,
But even duri n g such an assault the Pawns very often have
a passive obj ect to Open a line for their own pieces or to ope n
,
When all the pieces have bee n driven away the Pawn fi n ds ,
come to the ordi n ary Pawn game apart from the question ,
On this subj ect we ca n add but little to what has been said
before as the role of the Pawns in such positions is not a large
,
important to have the ope n files for the pieces the passed ,
Pawn while blocki n g the file has in itself great stre n gth
, ,
.
Thus while the player of the passed Pawn must see clearly
,
n ot ide n tical with the weak squares on the board P The truth
is that besides the strong a n d weak squares on the board
,
weak squares are the same for both sides exactly the Opposite ,
THE KI NG
We have a l ready spoke n of the Ki n g a n d we k n ow that he ,
too much with his defe n ce What does this mea n ? Above
.
it stro n ger and gives the Pawn s a protectio n which they had
not before He thus ful fil s his seco n d active r ole : to pro
.
,
by B at B I , Kt at I or K at R 2 .
best piece for the defence of the castled position the Knight
is at the same time a good piece for the central attack In .
at o n ce has a hold upon the files of the K n ight and Rook while , ,
speak about her later an d shall not yet pay much atte n tio n
to her because sh e combi n es the qualities of other pieces
, ,
on als
. This at once reveals their peculiarities Each Bishop .
help each other This shows that the Rooks are the stronger
. .
,
. .
,
but n ot a file which is the chief line for the Rook This
,
.
.
,
are closed for him as well as for his oppo n e n t The closi n g .
fin ally when the e n emy has some pieces left which comma n d
,
them .
44 THE PIECES AND THEI R C ONTROL
It ofte n happe n s that o n e of the player s strives hard to
ope n a li n e but in the e n d its ope n i n g harms him ; o n e side
,
must not only weigh up the pieces in the field of actio n which
co n trol lines n ow but also consider the possibility of their
,
I
,
lines are closed for the Rook and it is necessary to force them
ope n duri n g the game ; but for the Bishop on the other ,
to the players and the Pawns occupy all the files along which ,
they advance towards the e n emy those files from the very ,
fore the files the most important lines for the Rooks are
, , ,
closed and eve n the ran ks are not easily ope n ed because
, ,
If on the contrary the b oard were placed with the cor n ers
, ,
be adv an ced to the third ran k this return of the Rook would ,
v eni en ces its own Pawn s and how da n gerous is its positio n in
c ases
.
piece the Bishop does not fear the attacks of the e n emy s
,
’
speci al cases .
So the horizo n tal move of the Rook except for the protectio n ,
and that does not i n crease the stre n gth of a piece When .
,
said the Rook o n all the squares of the board has th e same
, , ,
fi eld for its threats a n d it might thus seem that it does not
matter where it stands In reality this is not s o for we
.
, ,
vi ce versa
-
The K n ight st rikes from ce n tre to ce n tre an d
.
the latter becomes stro n ger in positions where there are man y
Pawns where they are packed close an d where the whole
, ,
di ffere n ces which arise from the combin atio n of the moves
of these two pieces in those of the Queen All those d an gers
, .
the Side of the b oard Sh e can exert only the force of either
,
like the Knight still in three But she has adva n tages over
,
.
the K n ight because her lines are complete an d She can threaten
from a distance Whereas therefore the K n ight on a n open
.
, ,
and in such cases she stands far aside reserving her potential
, ,
and the player who k n ows how to gai n advantages and pile
them up will wi n the game .
The first is easy to determi n e The player who has the more
.
stro n gest squares has the adva n tage in space It is more diffi
, .
( castli n g —
) altogether 9 moves Black has made with his .
2 moves .
par t of the board an d develop all the pieces while the e n emy
,
freque n tly this combi n atio n of the eleme n ts chan ges duri n g
Diag a m XXX V
r . Dia g am XXXV I
r .
Bla ck : 0 Ch aj e s Bla ck : 0 Ch a j e s
C apabla c a
. .
W hite J Capabla c a
.
W hite
.
J : . R . n . : . R . n .
with his Pawns 3 moves with his Bishop 2 (the return move
,
Knights 5 ,
with his Ki n g one with his Rook one
, altogether
1 2 moves .
Now therefore White is 2 moves to the good
, , ,
the game is played with the pieces this relation between time
and space ofte n escapes the attentio n of the player and the ,
—
,
K t K B 3 ; 4 B K Kt 5 B K 2 ; 5 P K 5 K K t Q , ,
2 ; 6 EXE , Q XB .
for White .
but o n e of them gai n ed the advan tage i n Space and the other
in time We may say that White sacrificed ti me to Space
.
,
that from all these examples and from what we have said
,
that and if his oppo n ent did nothing duri n g that time he
,
ment of this P awn has no value and the gain i n time turns ,
into the loss Of the game We find the same also with regard
.
applies to the forces too when the player who gai n s a piece
,
an an alysis should n ot be
di fficult for us (Some explan a .
White L p aulsen
. .
: . .
r ealise his extreme adva n tage but also to develop the attack
o n the e n emy This judgme n t of the positio n is generally
.
hopes are disappoi n ted the n the obj ective iron logic of things
,
Part
T HREATS
If we wish to get the advan tage in force space and time , ,
Dia g am XXX I X
r
From the former it is not
difficult to protect oneself while ,
t i o n (D i ag r a m
White plays P—K t 5 with a ,
White D S T
: r h . . ar ras c .
,
, ,
—
.
7 K t X P ,
wi nn i n g a Pawn .
Black to a n swer Q K t X P ,
ai t;
B
the co n trary Blackg after I ,
.
4 B >< P a n d after ,
P X B 5 Q
—
,
K t 3 ch a n d Q X B wi nn ing ,
check .
P) ; 3 K t Kt B P Kt ; 4 B P P B ; 5 Q — Kt 3 e h
, , ,
K —R I ; 6 Q B ,
P Kt ; 7 R Kt , etc .
positio n s .
,
.
games have received thorough atte n tio n but the middle game , ,
which is the most i n teresti n g and the most difficult has not , .
mutual help .
p ie c es we already k n ow we ca n
, ,
diago n als for the Bishop and Queen that the Queen must ,
has no need to protect this Pawn etc etc After what has ,
.
, .
to bring out all the pieces at the most profitable poi n ts The .
his game might still be quite good That is why the Spanish .
varieties of chess .
or neutral game .
which really are two aspects of the same position first from ,
, .
VALUATION OF THE POSITION 67
an d with a pe n etration i n to
their qualities Such a v alu a .
Whi te P s Leo h a dt
. .
: . , n r , .
,
great Significa n ce .
has gained also i n time Thus White has made gains in all .
three elements .
Dia g am X L III
r . Dia g am X L I V
r .
B la ck : Tei ch ma n
R n . Bla ck : J McConn ell
White : B Ve g ani White : P M o phy
. . .
. r . . r .
, ,
j udgme n t of position .
The more difficult the position is the deeper are the char ,
say that this i n sti n ct shows itself in the guess i n g of the qual i
the true path in the game an d is more dan gerous to the oppo
ne n t because he does not understand all the peculiari ties of
,
.
,
White .
pieces (B an d R ) n ot p arti ci p a t
i n g If the Bishop ca n easily
.
from which she can be easily driven away by the Bishop (at
B 4 or K 4) without the possibility of occupyi n g a n y other
72 THE M IDDLE GAME
profitable square AS regards the K n ights o n e of them is
.
,
more important .
, , .
of the best positio n s for the Rook The Knights are also .
’
.
White R Ch k . a r o u se .
.
two Black pieces (Bishop a n d Rook) while all the others are ,
Black s K B P
’
O n reachi n g the e n d game the Black Pawn -
must be chosen .
Black thus has no chance to win the Pawn and must con
seque n tly think how to complete his ow n developme n t first ,
K t —B I .
teeti n g it .
which must be used for this obj ect But if we move that .
has two pieces (Bishop and Knight ) o n this side The second .
Bishop also strikes at this flank and the cen tre Pawn plays ,
, 3 Q
78 THE MIDDLE GAME
K t x P ,etc ) —
’
R 5 ,
Kt B I ; 4 Q >< P ch or .
3 3 ch PQ Q ,
B 4; 4 P >< P e p ch .
,
K x P ; 5 K t— R 7 eh K — B 2 ; 6 Q
,
B 4 e h ( if 6 K t — K t 5ch K —B ,
K—K t 3 ; 7 Q Q 3 -
ch a n d SO on
, .
—R
Q 5 threatening on c e again to take this and ope n i n g an
,
simply 2 K t P tK ; 3 B B 4 ch K — B I ; 5Q
— B 3;
in the second case 2 P—K 6 P X P ; 3 K t >< K P
, ,
.
, ,
— — — —
, ,
—
K t K 4 a n d K t B 6 ch or K t Q 6 or again B K t 5 B 6 , ,
castled positio n the R P would not compen sate for the loss
,
— —
K B I (if K R I the n 4 K t >< P ch K t t ; 5 B — K t 6)
—
, ,
4 B K 4 Black now
. ma n ages to bri n g out his Q B late in ,
, ,
the basis for the plan of play Further the last example .
Although the pla n of the game does not appear with all ,
but gr ows unnoticed from the first move and even after ,
a plan one can foresee all the possibilities the game of chess
bei n g so deep that no intelligence can grasp it completely .
very much matter for it may happen that the game while
, ,
with small gains tryi n g o n ly not to have gain turned into loss
,
.
for Black to have his Pawn also on the fourth rank as the n ,
to be badly placed .
seizin g the ce n tre files i n the n ext two moves Mean while .
,
in fact is re al ly a loss .
, , .
because ’
White would then con n ive at the loss of his centre Pawn in
exchange for Black s wi n g Pawn after P—Q R 4 Kt x Kt P
’
, ,
Q — K t —
3 not to mention i n connection wi th this move the
, ,
Q R 7
— K Kt I and secondly
,
he will give the opportu n ity ,
P —K t 4 .
vi a ,
the Rook on Q 3 That is a general rule : If a piece is
.
, , ,
, ,
, ,
got what he wanted He has brought out the Bishop res cued
.
,
86 THE MIDDLE GAME
the centre Pawn from the threat an d compe lled the enemy
to move P—K t 3
,
his K n ight is badly placed So his next obj ect is to put that .
in a better place .
But then Black profits by the fact that White does not threaten
a n ythi n g He answers
. R B I with a threat of R—B 7
— ,
a n d on 7 Kt B if
3 ( 7 K t— K 4 B X K t ; 8 QX B —
Q Q 8 ch ; , ,
9 Q
— K I Q — B 7) B t ,
8 R X B —
Q Q 5 co n ce n trati n g , ,
which means the Bishop which was out of the game is brought, ,
into it .
off . But also the K n ight does not stand badly on Q 4 because
n ot only does he th r eaten to move to B 3 but also through
B 2 —K 3—K t 4 to K B 6 or K R 6 with check
, ,
.
, ,
,
CONSTRU C TION AN D E X E C UTION OF THE PLAN 87
v e l op e d an d it will o n ly be
,
, r. . r .
must be co n structed .
We have already see n that the b asis of the plan is the nature
of the p ositio n which determines the direction of the game
,
88 THE MIDDLE GAME
and its active or passive character We have also seen in .
our threats for the attack we saw how to repulse the threats
of the enemy a n d if he attack how to prepare to meet his
, ,
blows .
.
,
we must try to hide our own plan from the enemy and to
deceive him .
conceal his plan for which he had to move his King and
, ,
himself about i ts mea n ing and SO lost the game b eing caught ,
in the trap .
: . . r .
.
but also threate n s all the n ear squares The other K n ight .
, .
But especially well placed are the Black Rooks one on the ,
other standing beh i nd the adva n ced Pawns and helpi n g them
in their advance But the re al advantage of Black over
.
the other hand the extra White Pawn the backward one on
, ,
, ,
,
.
them and to open the lin es for the attack alo n g the ran k
aga inst the backward K P .
, ,
. .
94 THE MIDDLE GAME
can move this Pawn up to the sixth ra n k only whe n it is
rei n forced from the back by the Rook ; because otherwise
White will simply take it an d Black by re taki n g with the , ,
-
This means that White may meanwhile take away all his
pieces from the Queen s wi n g There will be n o catastrophe ’
.
on the Quee n s ’
.
—K 5 therefore it is necessary to c ap
.
I n a n swer to , ,
,
’
.
Black can p arry this threat best of all by the move of the
K n ight to K 5 which brin gs ,
P >< B 4Q
— K t 3 ( Diagram L ) .
at Q Kt 4 .
Pawn stan ds on K 5 .
But that same Pawn might be the obj ect of White s attack ’
—
b ecause in View of White s threat P K Kt 4 i t is hardly ’
96 THE MIDDLE GAME
possible to stre n gthen it by P—B 4 and therefore it must ,
notice that the nearer the game is to the e n d the stro n ger ,
K B I — K B 4 K t — K t 4 B 2 K t K t 3 or Q B Black
to defend must make 5 moves (P—B 3 B —Q 4 Q —Q 2 —B 3
, , ,
—
, , , ,
.
,
.
,
4 Q
,
R— K ; 31 IO
4; Kt
Q — —
B
B ,
B —Q II —B
Kt 2,
(Diagram L L ) .
,
’
,
C ONSTRU C TION AND E X ECUTION OF THE PLAN 99
Bishop is now used for defe n ce but we have al ready said that ,
of the positio n For if the plan and its chief li n es are marked
.
his idea .
t o t h e ga i n of t h e B P 7) ; I 7 P I8 R—B 1 ,
on the Quee n s But Black s misfo rtu n e is that all his pieces
’
.
’
, This mean s ,
1 00 THE M IDDLE GAME
that one piece may be taken away from the d efe n ce in such ,
with a threat .
’
.
,
only took away the defe n ce from the K P but also from the
K B P White can therefore attack this Pawn and as his
.
,
, , ,
Kt P Pt ; Q X B P ch R — K t 2 ; R K t 4 Q Q 2;
K t—B 4 which would wi n
, , ,
with defen c e .
But this was not the only obj ect of White s move H e ’
.
freed this square for the Knight and to Q x P the reply would
be K t—B 4 threatening both the Bishop o n Q 5 an d a check
,
remai n s the same 1 8 but White took adva n tage of the last
,
, ,
.
’
co n ti n ue the development of
his attack he must Open a file ,
331 ; ggjggigg;
1 3 5
move the Q R P With what .
moves with the Rook so that on his fifth move Black can win,
a Pawn .
on K B 6 .
their defe n ce stro n ger and each Slow move gives the opponent
,
a n extra chan ce
Thus 1 8 P— K R 3 P—Q R 4 ; 1 9 K t—R 2 P—R 5 ; 2 0
.
, ,
, ,
move P Kt 5
obliged to play 2 1 Q — K t 3 wi th the threat of P—K R 4
.
,
.
,
threat .
This result is natural for all the Black pieces prote c t the
,
, .
Bla ck : Dr S Ta rr as c h Bla ck : Dr S T
. h a rr as c .
P lls b u y N Pills b u y
.
. . .
White : H N i r .
W hite : H . . r .
, ,
2 6 Q —B 4 threate n i n g 2 7 P—K t
, , ,
.
1 0 6 THE MIDDLE GAME
the protectio n of the poi n ts K B 2 a n d K Kt I —the
hila t i n g
Bishop ) R t ; 2 7
,
K t — R 6 ( with the th r eats R— Kt 8
mate if R—K 1 th e n 2 8 K t — B 7 mate if Q —B 1 or Q —R 1 ,
28 RxR ,
K xR .
the Queen is on the closed sixth file the Knight holds the ,
B P and the poin t B 1 but all the other poin ts a n d both the ,
—
For i n stan ce 2 9 Q K t 3 ch The King can go neither
, .
of R—R 4 mate for the n the Black Rook comes i n to the game
,
,
.
3 1 R— K t I Q — K I 3 Q
2 —,
B 4 ch K — R 4 33 R — K t 4 ,
.
Or 30 K —R I Q —Q 4 ; 31 R— K t I Q >< B P ; 32 Q —R 4
ch Q —R 4 ; 33 Q —B 4 ch Q —K t 4 ; 34 R >< Q P >< R ; 35
, ,
, , ,
Whi te did not hesitate to sacrifice first the Pawn o n his passive
win g and the n the K n ight o n the active wi n g —an d those
sacrifices were not in vai n as the game came in to its decisive
phas e whi ch dem anded decisive measures—ought n ot Black
,
actual positio n the Bishop is stro n ger than the Rook because ,
, ,
would not depe n d o n the Rook or the Bishop to rei n force them .
.
,
, ,
10 8 THE MIDDLE GAME
K —B I 27 P— B 6
decides the game) If White exchanges .
K 5 (2 6 R— K t 2 R—K t K t x Kt 27 Pt
,
R— K t 2 ch ,
.
, , ,
the ideas are bei n g realised S how us all the cases of change
of one eleme n t into an other and all the deman ds that arise ,
that the plan while foll owing its main line was divided into
, ,
saw i n the last example how Black lost the game because
he turned advantage in space an d time i n to advantage in
force If on the contrary he had sacrifi c ed the Exchan ge
.
, ,
C H A P TE R II
side.
it co n sists
.
2 . K t—K 5
Threate n ing ch 3 P— Q 7 ,
i ié i P
l ’ ’
féi y
’
S Kt x Q B P
‘
'
w ii M i
K t —B
.
2 .
3
The Black Rook can n ow retire an d therefore White cap ,
3 B >< R . Kt (B 1 ) >< B
4 B —B 5
With the former threat of 5 P—Q 7 ch a n d if K t >< P then
.
—
,
6 K t >< K t Q t
, ; 7 Q R 8 ch K t —B I ; 8 Qt mate , .
4 Kt —Q 2
5 . Kt —K t 4
1 2 SUPERIO R POSITION S
—
With a double (indirect ) threat Q R , 8 ch and Kt —B
6 ch .
P Kt 3
-
7 K t ( R 2 —
) B 1
6 —
Q Kt
If P >< B then 7 Q >< K t followed by 8 Q —K t 8 ch K t
.
, , ,
B 1 ; 9 P—Q 7 K t— B 6 ch .
an d m Sp a ce But if White
B la ck A K Ru b i stei
.
,
: n n
White A D mamb e g be i n g content W i th the two
. .
.
; , . r ,
, ,
of the Pawns .
ally with direct threats and the i r will have the possibility
, ,
White s K B P It is clear ’
.
i n co n ve n ie n ce him seriously
an d the adva n tage of o n e Pawn
Wh i te h as n ot enough oppor
t u n i ti es to begin the attack
himself an d so i nitiates a
Bla c k J H B l kb
.
ac u rne
,
Wh i té M j T hi g i f
, . ,
gener al exchange by the threat
c or n
Pawn from the enemy s attack while at the same time attack ’
3 K >< Q . R Q 1
, .
, ,
INTRODU C TO RY 1 1 5
B —Q I
7 B X P ch
; a n d 8 B X R wi nn i n g the Excha n ge a
,
n d
the game which gai n is see n in the threat of attack o n the
,
Black Ki n g .
4 BxP .
4 B .x B
5 RxB R >< Q P ch
R (K 1 ) —
.
6 K 3 R >< R ch
.
K x R R —B I
7 .
—
.
R — R Kt
8 K 6 .
Q 1
K —K
9 4
And the e n d game is easi ly
won by Wh ite
-
game ,
an d time .
—
the initiative the character of each position determining
in which element .
A DVANTA G E IN FOR C E
di ti ons u n der which force acts and so the last i s the active
,
We also k now that there are often c ases when one side ,
I —
Q Q 5
pinn ing both K n ights a n d retiri n g the Quee n from the Rook s ’
threat Note at —
( . th K t Q 5 would place the Black
Quee n in com pl te st al emate positio n with n o protectio n
e ,
2 . K— R I B —K 3
with the n atur al obj ect of exchan gi n g Bishops If White .
must play
4 .
—
Q Kt 7
threate n ing the R P White c annot give up a second Pawn
.
,
.
,
—
, ,
6 . K t —K t 4 Q K t 3
7 . R— K t 3
If Black moves the Queen to K 3 then P— B —
5 B 6 will ,
the Knight
8 K t —K 5 Q — K 3
.
9 . Kt t Kt t
Black s superiority is n ow obvio us In the number of
’
.
moves both Sid es are equal Black has en ough space his extra , ,
an d Kt 6 .
1 1 . R—B 4 P >< P
Threateni n g if P ,
1 2 R >< B ,
P >< P a n d there is no good
retreat for the Rook o n Kt 3 .
Q — R I 1 2 .
1 2 —
Q Q 2
.
1 20 SUPER I OR POSITIONS
1 3 K t —B 3 .P >< P
1 4 K t—K 5 .
—
Q K 2
1 5 R >< P B
( 4) .
Q R — K I
I6 K t —B 4 .
Q — K 8 ch
1 7 R—B 1 .
Q >< Q
1 8 . R >< Q K t >< P
Black has now won three Paw n s exchan ged off nearly al l ,
forget that the loss of more Pawn s by Whi te was the result
of his being obliged to mai n tai n his advantage in time ; b e
cause had he lost that Black would have had the clear a d
, ,
(which they would n ot have been but for the extra Pawn )
'
3 .
Q K t 5 1
—
the exchange of Rooks a n d the move Q R 6 the Black Queen ,
wi ll be lost .
4 . K t—B 6 R >< P
5 RxR Q X R
So we s ee that Black has won a seco n d Pawn a n d in a few ,
game e asier this simply shows that our co n duct of the game
,
ca n be utilised .
A DVANTAGE IN T IME
If superiority in force is lost o n ly in the event of hostile
attack on our pieces if advantage i n space is very last i n g
, ,
we can keep the game in that positio n but after a gai n in time ,
the same but both oppo n e n ts have them placed near ly alike ,
except that the two Whi te K n ights have made three moves
more than Black s In that lies Whi te s real advan tage
’
.
’
.
to lose the advan tage i n time i n two ways either the enemy
has the chance of attac k ing the more rapidl y developed pieces
a n d compelli n g them to retire a n d thus lose the time g ai n ed
or he simply makes import an t developin g moves o n e after
the other while the other side ,
r .
.
K Kt P an d a check on Q 6 .
dee !?
Bla c k J Mi
:
Wh i te s advantage that
White D 5 Ts iii
‘ ’
is
: h
r. . sc .
—
, ,
4 K t >< P ch K B I ; 5 Kt
,
remai n i n g with Rook and ,
t o attack the White K night with the Bishop he will take off ,
2 —
Q Q 3
But b y this he drops his threat against Blac k s Pawn on B 3 ’
2 .
—
Q K 3
A new threat from Black !
3 . P —B 3
We have now another curious moment The attack on .
will be decided .
1 30 SUPERIO R POSITIONS
If we now sum up the position (Diagram we see
that Black h as gai ned o n ly one move but with that he h as ,
II .
—
Q Kt 5 B —Q 5 ch
1 2 .
—
K R 1 R ( R 1 ) —K t 1
1 3 RxB
The game i s won .
Whi te A Ni m i t h
. .
: . e z ov c .
.
most diffi cult point in this is the chan gi n g over of pieces from
one attacking s quare to another through a series of passive
ones In the example this feature is also marked The chan gi ng
. .
at this moment makes the threat The most diffi cult process
, .
A DVANTA G E rN S PA C E
The obj ect of the game whe n havi ng the advan tage in
,
retirin g the pieces from the important advan ced posts which
they occupy and on the contrar y to strengthen them there
, ,
.
will come of itself when the e n emy bei n g too hard pressed , ,
undo the player who had the advantage in Space This shows .
Bla c k J R C ap ab la c a
.
W h ite s attack is directed
n
’
.
: r , , r ,
that White s obj ect while playing in the c entre and o n the
’
,
1 34 SUPERIO R POSITIONS
i n order to develop the Bishop But a question arises ought
.
Therefore :
3. B —B 4
Of course Black ought to take this Bishop as he c annot ,
4 . B >< B
s Kt Q 4
Here at last is the first White threat in five moves ! This
threat is o n ly to move the K n ight to K 6 We n ote that .
5 .
Q R— Q I
6 . K t— K 6 R—Q 2
Black at his Q 3 .
7 Q R— Q 1 .
Rook for the defe n ce Therefore Black must first play P—B 4
.
in order to hold the square Q 4 with the Bishop and not the
Pawn In reply White would guard against the weakness of
.
From this it follows that Black cann ot realise his idea and
must fall back on passive defence That is the real result .
7 .
8 . R—B 2
9 K R—Q 2
—
.
Io
Q Kt 4 P
Parryi n g the threat of P—B
.
4
10 . K —B 2
n . P—Q R 3
IS there not a great an d wo n derful di fference from the
game which we last looked at ? Black cann ot move and ,
1 1 . B—R 1
1 2 . K— B 2 R—R 2
P— K t 4
'
1 3 .
is helpless to preve n t it .
1 3 . P— R 3
1 4 . R— Q 3 P— Q R 4
PxP
R ( R 2 ) —K 2
R —Kt 1
P— K t 3
P— K t 4 ch
K t—K t 3
R PXP
The continuatio n has hardly any i n terest for ou r purpose ,
position .
22 . R—R 3
23 K —K t 3
—
.
24 .
Q R K R 1
25 . P— K 5
with a n attack o n P Q 5 .
with the better game But Black in the former variation can
—
.
fice would win the game j ust the same but he would lose
, ,
the initiative
His o b j ect is to develop the Q B and transfer the K B to
the diago n al Q R 2 —K K t 8 a n d to double the Rooks or ,
Now the threat of this Bishop will deprive Black of the possi
b i li ty of adva n ci n g the Q P or with it capturi n g White s K P
’
gives White the Opportu n ity of taki n g off the defe n ce fro m
the K P and i n this way of developi n g the Q B which ca nn ot ,
, ,
for the Rook from which on the Quee n s Side it can protect
, ,
’
.
,
5 . P—R 4 K t —B 2
6 . B —K 3 P— K t 3
7 . R—R 4 K— B 1
8 .
Q R —R 1 K t— K t I
At the same time all Black s threats are parried White has
’
.
1 40 SUPERIO R POSITIONS
g a i n ed two moves while losi n g nothing i n space As in the .
,
.
,
.
n early all Black s pieces have been brought up for the defe n ce
’
help of a n attack on the Q P which for the time bei n g can not ,
10 Kt P >< B
— —
.
1 1 Q R 5 R R 2
—
.
1 2 Q Kt 6 .
Kt ( B 2 ) —R 3
.
,
1 2 .
CH A P TE R III
those where there are great or small adva n tages for the enemy ,
which e n able him to execute his plan to man ifest his will ,
that the weaker S ide while submitti n g to the stro n ger some
, ,
realise his advantage and then his attack comes the quicker .
not e n ough to win then the obj ect of the game is more simple
, ,
may win the game and must as a rule always try for vi ctory , ,
been made equal Le from the moment when they fal l within
,
.
,
who en forces his own will then the position is a lost o n e and
, , ,
all to destroy the influe n ce of the enemy over its own moves
,
.
them in seaso n and carry out the realisation of its own plan .
the end game i n either case in order to cho ose what material
-
,
I NFERI ORITY IN F OR C E
If one player has fewer forces than the other he must decide ,
e s
Pawn gives him a small advan tage ; while White has two
extra moves Thus the di ffere n ce is only in material the
.
,
with the attack Shown before must brin g the Bisho p to the
Kin g s Side
’
.
Thus
1 .
2 .
Q R—K 2
3 Q — R s
Of course this is n ot good as the Queen is rut off and out ,
S t
.
, , , ,
P -
K R 3
4 Kt 4 .K —R 2 P— K
Preventin g P K R 4 which would be met b y P—K Kt 3
-
, ,
King s side and is able with all hi s forces to begin the move
’
the Quee n and would renew the attack or on the other hand , ,
, ,
1 .
—
R Q 1 K —K t
6 R—Q 1 . P—B 4
r Q
— R 3
—
Q Rs
Brin gi ng the Quee n in to the g am e an d freeing his Pawn s for
a further advan ce Meanwhile the Quee n attacks the Rook
.
out of play .
8 . R (K 2 ) —
Q 2 —
Q K 5 ch
9 . Kt 4 K —R I P— Q
Here is the importan t mome n t Black could attain his .
also gives Black a passed Pawn but it does not block the ,
1 1 . K —K t I P— K t 5
We can n ow leave this posi
Diag am L XV I
r . tio n It is clear that Black
.
,
weaker side can attai n to a better ending for its own purposes .
I NFERIORITY IN T IME
that one must not hurry to convert positional adv an tage into
material advantage In spite of its tangible c haracter the
.
,
latter is not the c ase Black has developed but one piece
.
,
and that only one move ; and from the poi n t of V iew of ,
two pieces for attack and his attack is against an insu ffi ciently
,
,
’
kin d of e n di n g .
Dia g am v i i
r have n ot o nl y o n e Pawn less
,
Wh ite G M O y
’
: . ar cz . ,
And so :
1 . K —K 2
2 . R—K 5
4 P B 5 for
then P >< P ; 5 P >< P R—K Kt 1 attackin g the u n prote c ted
,
, ,
3 .
Q R— K 1
4 . P— K B 4
5 . P— K t 4
The decisive mome n t has arrived White threatens to .
attacked as before .
So Black p l ays :
5 P— B 5
removing the Pawn from the Roo k s attack and threate n ing ’
6 . P— R 4
Prepari ng for —
P B 5 .
6 .
7 . Kt
8 . R >< R ch
9 . P—B 5
Io PXP
1 1 . P ch R ><
1 2 R >< Q R P
.
White has won a Pawn but only on the Rook s file Black s
,
’
.
’
has two S plendid P awns beautifu lly protected when the Roo k
,
Such a result
is the best which is possible in Black s di fficult positio n and ’
, ,
though White has not lost his winning chan ces yet he has a ,
directed here .
5 . K t— Q 2 P >< P
The Knight tries to move to Q 6 it is necessary to prevent
hi m
—B
.
6 . Kt 4 K t—K t 3
With the same obj ect . We s ee how Black protects his
weakest point
—R 5 ch
.
7 . Kt K —R 1
8 P >< P
then K t—Q
.
K P —Q 4
9
—
Q Q 4 R B 1 —
Blac k has now protected his positio n and drawn level i n
the number of moves and only in space is Wh ite a little ahead
, ,
1 0 . P—B 4
But this Knight is the base of all Black s defence ; if he ’
offer less cha n ces than passive defe n ce ; but as the former ,
10 P K 4
P—K 5
.
1 1 Q — K t 1
—K 6 threaten
.
Thus we see
, , ,
.
merely for the sake of attack but also to parry the hostil e
coun ter attack
-
.
1 2 P X Kt PXR .
Diag am L X I X r I3 __
P Q 6 . R _ K 7 .
Bla c k E Z k B
: ky n os o- or ov s
Whi te J R C ap ab la c a w as bas ed o n passive resistance
.
,
;
.
, , n .
the Pawn the other Rook with the Quee n ready to protect
, , ,
the whole seve n th row) an d also pay heed to the weak po i nts
of the enemy or such positio n of his pieces as wi ll allow u n
ceasing threats durin g the development of the cou n ter attack -
.
1 56 INFERIO R POSITION S
If the latter state of affairs does not exist the force of the
counter —
,
I NFERI ORITY IN S PA C E
his game quietly to put his pieces on the best s quares and
, ,
what is the chief weak n ess of one s own position and then ’
from the beginni n g of the game when only few of the possi,
, ,
,
1 58 INF ER IOR POSITIONS
from B 5 now that the Black Q K t P has moved Black is .
3 . K t— K 5
4 B —K 1 R—B 1
—Q
.
5 .
Q R—B 1 Kt 3
6 . K t —Q 2
7 . B —B 3
Going on to the long diagonal and attacki n g the Q Kt P .
8 . P -
B 3
So at last this move is possible which opens a new diagonal ,
for the Bishop Now the stre n gth of the White positio n is
.
8 . K t —B 3
9 . Kt Kt R X Kt
1 0 RXR Q XR
1 1 . K t— K t 3
Threateni n g to move again to Q 4 and attacki n g the Kt P
with the Bishop Black parries these threats with a move
.
an equal endi n g
1 2 .
1 3 .
Q XQ
1 4 . R— Q 2
Diag am L XX I
r very important as from the
.
,
Whi tf g gfi fifi g fg w
k
Pawn or obtains the initiative
with the move B —
n vs
B 4 if White ,
give up the Pawn when Black will have a Pawn to the good
,
1 P >< P
2 .
Q — K t 2 P—Q 6
3 . K —R 1
1 60 INF ERIOR POSITIONS
This is an importan t moment for Black He has to protect .
i n order to meet it .
threat White must move the K n ight which prote c ts the Pawn ,
the Rook and then the Pawn is lost for if Black protects it
, ,
K —
the n White has a winning move in t K 5 Black can pro .
for the tim e being taki n g the Rook which remain s pin n ed ,
hi n dered .
know that the Pawn attack on the castled King can only be
-
,
1 62 INFERIOR POSITIONS
piece In one of the examples already given the same methods
.
,
were used by Black for the defence but they were fat al as , ,
they did n ot parry the chief threat of the e n emy in this case
they really protect Black who managed to s e e the enemy s
,
’
10 . R
Now White h a s only to win back the lost Exchange and then
everythi n g wi ll be equal with Bishops of opposite colours ;
,
1 1 . B >< R P >< B
In this way the defence has proved brilli ant .
i n what its defects consist how great they are and also where
,
EQUAL POSITIONS
WE now come to the last part of our study to the most diffi ,
and the most lively games often arise out of them after various
comp licatio n s sudde n ly leadi n g to equality .
weakn esses and defects But how must one play when one
.
Here the positio n s ar e exactly alike and each oppo n ent has
to compose a plan havi n g no defin ite obj ective for it
, .
1 63
1 64 EQUAL POSITIONS
may for all their equality have a special meaning for each
, ,
the n the obj ect is a very subtle game exhibiting the art of ,
positions where neither oppo n ent had the chance to get any
,
Wh i t e ; . o ec e r,
and defence .
tion is almost equal White has the adva n tage of one move
.
Paw n s agai n s t three ; but for that purpose the Black Pawn
o n the Queen s fil e m u st be transferred to the Bishop s file
’ ’
.
1 66 EQUAL POSITIONS
o nly yield him no advantage at all the enemy havi n g an ,
but not the Rook For the latter open files are necessary
.
, .
to make o n e .
9
—
P Q R 3 .
1 0 P— Q Kt 4 .
IL PXP
12 . P Kt 3 -
1 3. K —K t 2
1 4 .
—
Q Q 1
tage here but also gives the e n emy the cha n ce to attack :
,
14 .
15 —
Q Kt 3 .
This is only good when there are very few pieces an d the
advantage is very sm al l But then arises the q uestion .
vantage .
1 6 . R—K R 1
1 7 . P—K t 4
White s King s Side Pawn s are paralysed Black s second
’ ’
.
’
the move P Q R 4 -
.
—B
1 7 .
Q 5
Here is reve aled the inconsiste n cy of White s game Now ’
.
whe n his pieces are bei n g used for defe n ce whe n Black s ,
’
1 68 EQUAL POSITIONS
Pawns on the contrary occupy the better positions and his
, ,
the initiative he could wait for Black to strive for advan tage
,
.
18 P— Q R 4 Qt P
“
1 9 PxP Q t P
20 R—K t 3 —
Q R 3
R—K 1
.
21 .
—
Q Q 4
22 . K —K t 1 R— K 4
and so on Black s advantage now equals one Pawn and
.
’
Queen s S ide where Black has brought his King where Black
’
, ,
be begun only whe n all the Special obj ectives have been
1 70 EQUAL POSITIONS
Kt I or Kt 5) a n d to put the Rook o n Q 1 after which he will
—
,
, ,
1 P—K t 4 Q.R— Q 1
Freeing the Knight an d strengthe n ing the Q P .
2 . K —R 1 R— Q 3
A move which has a great preparatory significance Bla c k .
threats the Black Rook must stand on the third rank pro
, ,
t hreat may lose all its meaning Only if well prepared for .
3 R — K Kt 1 —
Q Kt 4
.
4 Q R — K B 1 .
All the White pieces have left the ce n tre of the board a n d
o n ly the Bishop remai n s on the Quee n s file which will be ’
,
EQ UA L POSITIONS 1 7 1
seventh ran k (the K n ights will also be exchan ged ) and Black
wi ll be able to carry out a n attack by the Rooks along the
rank not only again st the Quee n s Side Pawns but especially
,
’
P -
Q 5
Let u s notice that thanks to Black s previous move this
,
’
We have already seen the result of the first but let us pay
attentio n to the e ffect of the Bishop s bad position on Q 3 ’
.
threat P—B 6 will not attain its obj ect on account of this
Bishop Should he move beforehand for instance to Kt 1
.
, ,
chances are forestalled and all one s own pieces are well ’
placed .
5 Kt —K 4
6 . R— K t 3 Kt ( K 2 ) —B 3
7 . K t —Q 2
Even here White pays no attention to the e n emy s threats ’
the better of which wins : not the determi n ation not the ,
7 . Kt x B
8 . R x Kt Kt—K 4
9 . R —K K t 3 P—Q 6
1 0 .
Q — K t 2
this that the Black Rook n ow comes into the game without
,
( Diagram
The di ffere n ce in the position of White and Black is as we ,
Diag am L XX I V
r
When however the situation , ,
itiii ffiiéf
l ‘
the Black Bishop ge ts close d
‘ ‘
e .
, ,
White c an also place his Queen upon this diagonal but Black ,
.
, , , ,
threat an plays
d B — , .
But from what has been said it follows that the initiative
must go to Wh ite and if Black tries to seize it he will only
,
K ing s Side but try ing to maintain the centre and not allow
’
it to be broken .
I P—Q 4 B —K t 5
—
.
2 .
—
Q Q 3 Kt R 4
Black wants to improve the position of his Bishop on Kt 5 ,
here .
3 Kt Kt .
4 . B— K t 5
5 . K t —Q 2
Bishops are out of the game while the White Bishops stand ,
P—K R 3
6 B —K 3 .
Q R — K 1
It was now necessary to remove the Queen i n order to ,
both stand badly Black tries to use his position for attac k
. .
7 P — B 3 .
1 78 EQUAL POSITION S
gradually give more chan ce to one Side It is an example of .
L XX V )
We s ee that the position is quite equal as regards all three
elements The only di ffere n ce betwee n White and Black is
.
i n itiative fi n d expression It is
n o secret for us Fi r st of all in .
: . . n n .
must protect it .
better the position of the Black Paw n s and would open the
diago n al for Black s K B Meanwhile the White K B would
’
.
White ca nn ot capture o n K 5 .
EQUAL POSITIONS 1 79
side which will bri n g them u n der the attack of the Black
,
i n itiative to Black .
to victory .
I . P— Q 4 B —K t 5
2 . P— Q 5 K t— K 2
In accorda n ce with what we have said it was necessary to ,
3 Q —
Q 3 —
Q Q 2
4 . K t —Q 2 B —R 6
We see that as White t ran fers his pieces to the Queen s ’
5 . P— R 4
1 82 EQUAL POSITIONS
it here if Black wanted to transfer it through K B I to Q 2 .
10 K R—Q R I P— R 3
.
1 1 . B —B 1
Wi n g .
How must White place his pieces i n order that his attack
may b e crown ed with success T h e Black Q R P can be pro
t e ct e d by the Queen a n d the two Rooks To make that .
.
,
B 1 K t —Q 2
, .
Q B 1 where,
he protects n othi n g I f he makes his way .
1 1 R Kt 2
1 2 B —K 3 P —B 3
—
.
1 3 . P B 3
EQUAL POSITIONS 1 83
— —
Black will an swer P B 4 a n d after 4 P B 3 P >< P ; 1 5
1 ,
P >< P R —
,
1 3 K t— K 2
—
.
1 4 Q — K B.1 K t B 1
1 5 K t —Q 2 .
1 5 .
—
Q Kt 5
1 6 —
Q B 4 .
White desires to force the game still more and compel the
exchan ge of Queens beforeha n d i n order that the e n emy s ,
’
R P .
1 6 .
1 7 . Kt x Q
1 8 . K t —Q 2
1 8 . R—Q B 2
1 9 RxP R—B 7
R ( R 6) —R
.
20 . 2 RXR
21 . RXR
and wins without di ffi
culty .
advance .
L XX V I )
K B >< P
Kt t
Kt —
B5
P—R 5
Q — R 3
Diag am L XXV I
r .
in S pace wi ll b e plain .
Bl ack H S h t i g
: uc n
. r .
6 R—K t 1
—
.
7 . K R 2
—
Q Q 3
9 . P —K t
Io PXP
1 88 E X AMP L ES
The reader k n ows how to esti m ate the positio n a n d White s ’
—
Q B 3
K t— K t 2
P —B 3
R—K
Q 1
B —
B 1
(Diagram L X X V I I ) .
.
,
2 K t —K t 3
—
.
3 . Kt B 5
4 . K B x Kt
5 . K t— K 5
The Bishop is attacked twice the Pawn on B 5 is attacked
if B x Kt ( B then a piece is lost after P >< B .
5 B >< K t ( K 4)
6 . B >< K t
If Black replies —K 1 then 7 P >< B R >< B ; 8 K t— K 4
with threats of K t—B 6 and Q —Q 6
, , ,
.
1 96 E XAMPLES
A magn i ficen texample of the development of the Knight
an d of placi n g it in a good positio n after its first forced
u n profitable move .
6 . K t— K 2 K t— K 3
7 . P—B 3 P— Q B 4
first o n slaught of the enemy Black himself begi n s man oeu res
,
v
8 K t— B 4
. Kt Kt
9 B x Kt. PxP
10 PxP . K t—B 3
1 1 B— K 3 Castles K R
—K t 3
.
1 2 . P— R 6 P
1 3 . K t— B 3 P—B 3
,
’
1 4 PxP RxP
1 5 .
—
Q Q 2 B— Kt 5
1 6 C astles Q R K t— R 4
—K t
.
1 7 . K 1 K t—B 5
( Diagram L XX I X ) .
1 . P— K 4 P— K 4
Di a g mm L XX I X '
5.
—
Q K 3 K t —Q 2
6. B P >< P Q P >< P
7 . K t— K t 3 C astles K R
8 . B —Q 2 Q R —K 1
Bla ck R Spi el mann R_ K I Q _
Q Q
:
9 3
. .
W hite M Vid ma
: . r .
The Wh ite Pawns become the obj ect of the enemy s attacks ’
ATTACK
1 . THE A TTA CK IN THE CENTRE
(Diagram L XXX ) .
Dia g a m L XXX
r . Diag am L XXX I
r .
Wh ite D S T
: r . . a rr a s ch . : . r .
, .
pieces are much better placed than those of the enemy whose ,
pieces are cr owded o n the second and third lines i n the c entre
1 92
1
94 E X AMPLES
the attack on the centre Pawn s combi n ed with attack on the
—
Ki n g s side primarily with the help of the Rook on R 1
’
attack on the ra n k .
1 R — R 6 R—R I
.
2 . P >< K P R >< R
If the Rook doe s not take Black will hardly be ab le to ,
along the rank and therefore White ought not to allow the
enemy to advance the Q P .
3 P x Kt
—
.
4 K t Q 5 .
freed the third ran k for the Rook to begin its attack on the
K Kt file The Rook can n ot at once move away from the
.
first rank as the n the Black Rook will check White must
, .
6 . R—K 1
7 P—R 3 —
Q Q r
— —K t 3
.
8 R K 3 Kt
K—B 1
.
9 . K t—B 5 c h
10 . R— K 6
Excellent A n att ack is opened o n the K R P and the K ing
is n ot allowed to escap e f rom th e Ki n g s side And again a ’
.
m . RxR
IL PXR
V ery good The Ki n g can not move away he is ne w threat
.
ened with mate and the loss of the K n ight is also threatened
,
.
1 1 . P— Q 4
P ch K —K 1 >< R
Q 1 2 .
1 3 P >< P ch K >< P
—
.
14 Q — R 7 ch K . K 3
15 Q >< K t and wins without
. di fficulty ,
.
,
.
( Diagram L XX X I I ) .
Diag am L XXX II
r .
: r er s
the Pawn on K 4 can hold
. . .
White A Ni m i t h
: . e zov c .
7 . K t —Q 1 P—Q 4
8 . K t —B 2 P >< P
9 P X P . B — B 4
The K P is now lost and with it the game , .
1 0 P—B 3 . B x Kt ch
1 1 QxB . R x P ch
1 2 . K —Q 1 B —Q 6
Blocking the Ki n g on Q 1 . Black threate n s Q K R 4 ch .
—B K 7 ch
1 2 .
Q 3 B -
1 3 .
QxB RxQ
1 4 . KxR Q — R 4 ch
an d Black wi n s .
Blac k R Reti
: Bla ck S W i w : na er .
White : R Spielmann
. . .
. . W hite : J Ma o n . s .
( Diagram L X XX II I ) .
of the Bishop
Rt P
—
Q R 7 eh
B >< K t
R—K t 7 ch
B —B 8 dbl ch -
.
Q X Q a n d wi n s ,
.
5
. THE A TTA CK ON THE K ING S S IDE C ASTLING ’
( Diagram L XXX V ) .
Diag am L XXX V
r Here it i s still more di fficult
.
Bla ck S L i t ki
is destroyed Black will be able ,
: ev s
to rush upo n the hosti le Ki n g s ’
. .
White A A Alj h i
: . . ec n .
I K t >< K t
Cleari ng the file for his own K B P
—Q
.
2 Bt Kt 5
Attacki n g White s K P ’
.
3
—
Q Q r B —K Kt 5
ATTACK 1 99
4 . R— K 1
P Q B 3
In order to make possible the move of the K B P .
5 B — K t 2
. P — K B 4
Threateni n g P B 5 to open the file for the Rook to attac k
-
,
White s K B 2
’
P—K R 3
.
6 .
7 P — Q Kt 4
.
8 . K t —K t 3
9 . P— K t 4
This closes diago n al of the Bishop W ithout openi n g the
th
file for the Rook but instead allows the Quee n to come i n to
,
—
Q R 5
10 .B5 P— Q
,Closi n g the diagonal of another Bishop . We see a severe
battle for ope n files .
10 . K t >< K t
ch —B 2
Q
1 1 . >< B Kt
The Bishop not o n ly moves away without loss of temp o from
withi n ran ge of the Pawn but also threate n s to occupy ,
1 2 .
—
Q B 3
It is necessary to protect the Q B P .
1 2 R4 P— K
If the Pawn is taken the Bishop will agai n come into the
game threateni n g P—K B 6 Meanwhile there is n othi n g
,
.
,
defence of the Q B P
P—Q 4
.
1 3 . R PXP
Black of course does n ot take the Q P as Wh ite would
the n get an excelle n t diago n al Q R I —K Kt 7 an d would
, , ,
14 R P >< P
. B— Q 4
20 0 E X AMPLES
If Q >< K t P then White develops himself fairly well with
,
1 5 .
Q P >< P B >< B
1 6 . K >< B Q t P ch
I7 . K —B I P >< E P
Threatening by the further advance of thi s Pawn to open
the diagonal for the Bishop .
I8 PXP B xP !
1 9 .
Q >< B —
Q R 6 ch
20 . K —K t I R—B 4
21ch .
Q —
B 4 K —R 1
White s game is lost He is menaced with mate and with
’
.
22 QxK B P RxQ
.
23 BxR R— K B 1 and wi ns
.
, .
(Diagram L X XX V I ) .
The first obj ective is to open the files the seco n d to form ,
1
—K t
.
2 . P 4
3 K t—K t 5
—
.
6
’
—K t 3
.
,
P
4 . R—B 6
Threats : four attacks o n the poi n t K B 7
combi n ed with Q —K t 5
,
4
— B
.
5 .
QR K 1
6 Q —B 4
—
.
7 . P K 6
20 2 E X AMP L ES
2 K t—B 3
3 . Kt Kt K x Kt
4 . P— K t 3 K t— K t 3
5 .
—
P K B 4 K P >< B P
PxP 6 . PxP
7 BXP . Kt x B
Black has now n ot a si n gle piece for the defence
—
.
8 Q x Kt ch K K t 2
—
.
9 R — K t 1 ch
. K R 2
10 Q — B 6 .and Wins ,
.
of Q >< P ch .
( Diagram L XXX V I I I ) .
the R P .
1 . P— K t 4
2 P— K t 5
—K t 3
.
3 . K
—
It would be better to achieve the latter end by R B 2 as ,
—
Q R2
4 . R—B 1 P— R 3
One ought never in i n ferior positio n s to open the files one
self n or to isolate or exchan ge the Pawn s White should be
, .
5 . P—R 4 P —R 4
ATTACK 20 3
6 P—B 5 P >< P
R—K
.
7 . P >< P 1
8 . P—B 6 B >< P
9 PxB —
Q Q 2
—
.
1 0 .
Q Kt 6 Resig n s .
(Diagram L XXX I X ) .
Las k e
. . . . .
White D S T
: r . . ar r as c h . White D : r , r,
20 4 E X AMPLES
( Diagram X C ) .
1 Kt ( K 2 ) —K t 3 Q >< B P
.
2 R—Q B 1 .
—
Q Kt 7
Dia g am X C r . Diag am X C I
r .
Bla ck
: Dr 0 . . S Be stei n
. rn . Bla ck J Mieses
:
C apab la c a
. .
once
3 . K t—R 5
4 . R— K 2
5 . P—B 4
Drivi n g away the Queen from the defence of the Kt P
—
.
5 .
Q K t 4
Kt (B 6 P .
.
,
20 6 E X AMPLES
Cutting off the King from all the other pieces .
1 0 . R—B 1
10 . B —B 1
1 1 . R—B 3 P—B 6
The u n supported Rook on Q 4 does not allow White to m ake
any defensive man oeuvres .
1 2 RxR
. P—B 7
Here is a classical position in the attack on the Queen s ’
side castli n g
.
1 3 Q XP
1 4 . K >< B
And of c ourse White resigned
, , .
CH A P TER IV
DEFEN C E
1 . P ASSI V E D EFEN C E
( Diagram XC I I ) .
attacked by the Q R P ; an d ,
li
.
preve n ts this .
I P—Q R 4 Q Kt 5 -
2 . P— R 5 K —K t 1
3 . K R—Q Kt 1 Q — B 4
4 . K t—R 4 —
Q R 2
5 . P 4
Threatening to shut out the Black K n ight from Q 3 .
P—B 4
K t—B 1
K t—Q 3
20 8 E X AMPLES
Black s obj ect is now attai n ed with a threat to capture
’
8 . K —B 3 P—B 3
9 . K t— K t 6 —
K B 2
10 . R— K t 1
K 6 ch and s o o n
, .
Q R—K Kt 1
—
Q Q Kt 2
1 1 .
1 2 . K t— R 4
1 3 . Kt X P
1 4 .
—
Q R3
1 5 .
Q R — K t 1
17 .
Q K 7 ch K r
18 Q XB P K —R I
1 9 . R x R ch RxR
29 Q XB P
R—K Kt 1
—
Q K 7
K xR
Blac k i n a few moves .
3
. C OUNTER A TTA CK
-
( Diagram X CI V ) .
Diag am X C I V
r .
Wh ite : Dr E . . r.
1 P —Q Kt 4
—
Q K 4
K t (B 3) —
.
2 . Kt 5
B 2 ; 6 Q
, ,
R 6 ch etc , .
DEFEN C E 21 1
2 Kt —B 4
—B
.
3 . R 1
Kt
4 Pt Q >< P ch
—K
.
5 . B —K 2 B 2
the Rook and brin gs a new piece in to the attack The dan ger .
ch P >< R ; 9 Q >< R ch an d ,
6 . R—B 3
If the Black Queen moves away White castles at once ,
decisive in attack with the result that White gets the attack
,
by force .
6
—K t 3
.
7 . P
8 . C astles
RxB 9 .
9 . PxR
IO . B —B 3 —
Q K 4
Four White pie c es will now attack the once prote c ted
Black K n ight .
K t x P ch K —B 2
Kt P X Kt
RXP ch K —K t 1
R—K t 6 ch K —B 1
Q —B 1 ch K —Q 2
Kt X B and wins ,
in a few moves .
( D iagram XCV ) .
Dia g am X CV
r .
Bla ck : R Pr z e p i Or ka
sb e g
. .
White : 1 On u . r .
Now both the K n ight and the Queen are enprzse Besides
’
Rook .
—
5 Q Kt 3 .
6 K B 1
—Q
.
7
. B 3
8
. B >< R
CH A P TE R V
(Diagram X C V I ) .
Dia g a m X CV I
r
Black has a S plendid passed
Pawn on Q 5 but it is blocked
.
Whi te 0 D : '
1 .
—
Q R5
2 P— K t 3 Q — R 4
K —K t 2 P—B 5
.
3
K t—B 4
.
—K
4 .
Q 4
5 BxB P—B 6
6 .
Q Q 3 Kt
7 R i —Q 5
White now threatens first of all K R—Q 1 attacking the
—
,
.
,
P—B 4 ,
drivi ng away the Quee n Black therefore decides .
7 Rt
8 PxR Q xP
9 . K R —Q 1 Kt —K 3
Protecting not o n ly the Q P but also the Q B P because if ,
White Should take that the n after the gener al exchange the
move P—B 7 wi ll win the g am e
, ,
1 0 Q >< R P —
R R 1
—
.
1 1 .
Q K 2 P—Q 6
1 2 R >< Q P —
Q K Kt 4
—
.
1 3 .
Q K 3 RXP ch
1 4 K—K t 1 Q K -
R4
—
.
1 5 .
—
P R 4 Q K B4
Threatening Q —R 6 If 1 6 P—K Kt 4 then Q B .
, 5; 1 7
Q XQ ,
Kt xQ with
,
the threat of K t — K 7 ch .
15 R (Q —
Q R6
—B
.
16 . R 8 ch K —K t 2
18 Q — K 5 ch P— B 3
R (B 1 ) —B 7 c h K —
.
1 9 R3
—
.
20 Q — K
.
3 ch P Kt 4
21 P x P ch
. Kt x P
All the same better would be P >< P 2 2 Q >< K t ch Q X Q
—
, ,
(Diagram X CV I I )
.
1 . Castles
By this White at once opens the attack on the enemy s ’
an attack .
Diag am X CV II
r . Diag am X C V I I I
r .
L
. .
E Las k e Wh te
. . .
Whi te : Dr . . r .
i : . F or ga c z .
e
s
i P 5
—Q
m B —K t s
e Bf
Q xK B P
r
P
21 8 E X AMPLES
Threate n ing P >< P .
8 . P— K t 5
It looks as though by this White blocks his game on the
Kin g s side but in reality he is prepari ng a new stormi n g
’
attack
—B
.
P 4
The sacrifice of the Pawn gives Black great ch an ces .
9 . P >< P P —Q 5
Black s threats B —B 5 K t—Q 4 P—Q 6 P—
’
Kt 6 -
h as a defence .
IO —
Q Q 2 B —B 5
—K 1 —
.
1 1 R Q Q 4
—Q R 3 P—K t 6
.
1 2 P
B —K t 2
.
1 3 . K t —B 3
an attack
P—K R 4 K—
.
14 B 2 .
15 P—K 6 ch Kt 2
P—R 5 —K
.
1 6 R 1
R ( Kt 3) —K —B
.
17 .
3 K 1
18 PXP
A very beautiful a n d a scrupulously sound com b ination .
If Black takes this Pawn then the Queen will sei ze the open ,
Roo k s file
’
.
1 8 PXR
1 P >< P K K — 2
9
—
.
20 . RxP R K B1
The Queen c ann ot b e tak en on a c count of B B 6 mate .
THE C OUNTER BATTLE -
21 9
2L Q XQ
22 . P—R 8 = Q
more decisive was P—K t 6 .
22 RxQ
K —B 1
.
23 . B —B 6 ch
24 . B x R and White win s easily
, .
4
. T HE C OUNTER B ATTLE -
ON THE SAME WIN G
( Diagram X CI X ) .
Diagr am X C IX .
Whi te s attack is directed
’
1 . R—B 5 Q —B 6
R 2 ; 3 K t >< R (R
4Q
— R 4 ch , K —K t 2 ; 5R
B 5 ,
etc .
Bla c k R Tei ch ma
: nn
2 ' P_ K 5 P >< P
. .
White O Du r as
It i s ImpossIDle not to capture
. .
3 . R —K t 5 K 2
Q —B 6 ch was threatened .
4 . Kt —B 5 Pt
—K
,
5 .
Q >< P ch R t 3
If K —R 1 , then 6R —R 5 .
2 20 E XAMPLES
6 .
—
Q B 6 —
Q Q 5 ch
7 . R— B 2 —
Q Q 8 ch
8 . K —R 2 P— K 5
Now Black by sacri ficin g the Rook closes the Bishop s
, ,
’
.
, ,
9 .
Q >< R ( K 7) R—R 3 ch
Io . K — Kt 3 —
Q K 8
White threatened R >< P ch . If Q >< P ch then
,
1 1 R —B 3 ,
1 1 Q >< B Q —K 6 ch
—K t 4
.
1 2 . K
1 2 P—B 4 ch
R—K t 3 ch
.
13 R ( Kt 5) >< P
.
14 Q >< R ch .
14 KxQ
R—B 6 ch K —K t 2
.
1 5
R—B 7 ch K —K t 1
.
1 6
R—B 8 ch K —K t 2
.
1 7
R (B 2 ) —B 7 ch K —K t 3
.
18
K —K t 2
.
19 R—B 6 ch
R (B 8) —B 7 ch K —K t 1
.
20
—R 5
.
21 . K
Excellent ! White threatens a mate against whi c h there is
no defence .
21 .
22 . P— K t 4
222 E X AMPLES
In this way Black brings his Rook into the game and so
gets one piece more White therefore on his S ide start s
.
, , ,
an attac k .
14 Kt x P B x R dbl ch
—
. .
1 5 K >< B Q B 7 ch
—
.
1 6 K —Q 1 Q K 7 ch
K —
.
17 B 1
. P >< Kt
1 8
. R— Q 1
obj ective facts which aid the player in findi n g his way in
each separate case V ery often a player seein g that he has
.
,
struct a plan for what to strive Still more is this the c ase
, .
trov ert ib le facts which form the basis of the game Con se .
223
2 24 CON C LUSION
On this is founded the co n duct of games which I have divided ,
have bee n rewa rded for the great labour which I have put
into the task of writin g it .
226 ILLUSTRATI V E POSITION S
A RAM
DI G P AGE
EQUA L P OS ITION S
S chl e c hte Las ke r- r
B u n Z O kO B
r ky
n S -
orov s
Riga Be li n
-
r
Ru bi n stei n Du as -
r
S chl e c hte S h ti g r- uc n
Spiel ma nn T t k w -
ar a o er
V id ma Spiel mann
r-
E X AM P LES ATTA CK
T h Bu
ar r as c -
rn
S ch le c hte S l we r- a
Ni m e i t h P e lis
zov c -
r
Spiel ma Reti nn -
Mason W i n w -
a er
Al j e ch i n Le vi t s ki
-
F or ga c z- Ta r t a kow er
S c hle c hte r- Tarr as ch
Tarras eh -S chle c hte r
L as k e B auer- r
C apab la c a B e nstei n
n -
r
B eye Mieses
r r-
E X A MPLES D EFEN C E
K Oh nl e i n - Tarr asch
L ask e T r-h arr as c
L as k e J a ows ki
r- n
TH E C OU NTE R B AT TL E -
Du C oh
r as - n
L as k e M a shall
r- r
Du as
F or ga c z- r
Du as Tei ch mann
r -
Pills b u y T as hr -
arr c
BELLS BOOKS FOR CHESS PLAYERS
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1 90 8—
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By A . AL E K H IN , Ch e s s Ch a mp i on of th e Worl d .
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”
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. .
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n r r v r
eedful sa i g of t m e nd e ffo t d as a alua b le aid to c hess
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’
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poi ts of
—Ob
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n fl ew r a x r r
la g ua g e
,
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-
’
H AN DBO O K
t o wh i ch h av e b e e n a dd e d t h e Ch i e f Vari ati on s from
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e xa mp l e s of Mo d ern Ma s t er P l a y Edi te d by E H . . .
B ER M I N GH A M 7 s 6d n e t . . . .
C H E SS
A H an d b ook -
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IS . 6d . net .
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