First published in 2014 by Gloucester Publishers Limited, Northburgh House, 10 Northburgh Street, London

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Copyright © 2014 Zenón Franco
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 Contents

About the author 4

Bibliography 5
Introduction 6

1 Attacking the King 8

2 Attack, Defence and Counter-attack 79
3 Positional Play and Typical Structures 152
4 Endings 230

Index of Games 263

 About the Author

Zenón Franco is a Grandmaster from Paraguay, now living in Spain. He represented Paraguay, on top
board, in seven Chess Olympiads, and won individual gold medals at Lucerne 1982 and Novi Sad
1990. He is an experienced trainer and has written numerous books on chess.

4
 Bibliography
The Life and Games of Mikhail Tal, Mikhail Tal (RHM Press 1976)
My Great Predecessors Vols.1-5, Garry Kasparov (Everyman Chess 2003-06)
Bobby Fischer Rediscovered, Andrew Soltis (Batsford Chess 2003)
Najdorf: Life and Games, Tomasz Lissowski, Adrian Mikhalchishin & Miguel Najdorf
(Batsford Chess 2005)
Garry Kasparov on Modern Chess, Parts 1-4, Garry Kasparov (Everyman Chess 2007-10)
San Luis 2005, Alik Gershon & Igor Nor (Quality Chess 2007)
Perfect Your Chess, Andrei Volokitin & Vladimir Grabinsky (Gambit 2007)
Chess Duels, Yasser Seirawan (Everyman Chess 2010)
Understanding Chess Middlegames, John Nunn (Gambit 2012)
Advanced Chess Tactics, Lev Psakhis (Quality Chess 2011)
The Magic Tactics of Mikhail Tal, Karsten Müller & Raymund Stolze (New in Chess 2012)
The Strategic Nimzo-Indian, Ivan Sokolov (New in Chess 2012)
Usted Qué Tal Juega, Zenón Franco (Jaque 2012)
Usted Juega - Tributo al Ajedrez Argentino, Zenón Franco (Ventajedrez 2013)

Periodicals
Revista Ajedrez, Editorial Sopena, 1954 to 1980
Chess Informant, Sahovski Informator, 1966 to 2013
Revista Jaque, 1980 to 2012
New in Chess, 1984 to 2013

Database
MegaBase 2013

Chess engines
Houdini
Fritz
Rybka

5
 Introduction
The idea of this book is to provide training, and thus improve your game. You are invited to leave
aside your computer for a while, set up the chess pieces on a board and ‘play’, as if it were a real
game.
It is best to move down each page gradually, in such a way as to conceal the next move. Although you
will be ‘playing’ each game from one side of the board, sometimes you are asked to decide upon
moves for your ‘opponent’. This is because, in chess, we don’t just have to see our own moves, we
also have to think about what our opponent is doing, or trying to do, or should do.
You should spend between an hour and a half and two hours on each game. Points are awarded for
selecting the best moves and are deducted for blunders. At the end there is a scale to indicate how well
you ‘played’.
Of course it is also possible to treat these simply as annotated games, without testing yourself, but the
training benefit is greater if you take an active part in the ‘lesson’.
A few years ago it gave me great pleasure to read that the Spanish scientific popularizer, Eduard
Punset, believed that it was very important for the student to take an active part in the lesson, since in
this way his or her learning would be enhanced. That is precisely the idea behind this book.
My fondness for this type of training goes back to my childhood in Buenos Aires, where I learnt my
chess; the many chess clubs there used to hold regular competitions where you had to guess the next
move, and this tradition continues to this day.
With the passage of time the pupil became a teacher and in the 1970s I started writing training articles
based on this format for the now defunct magazine El Rey de Argentina. I still do so today, for various
media, and my articles have been the basis for several books in Spanish and one previous one in
English, entitled Chess Self-Improvement.
This book will also appear in electronic format. The computer is now of huge importance in the
dissemination of chess information and it also provides an opportunity for improved training. Used
properly, information technology is fantastic, but poor practice can have negative consequences. It is
more and more common to come across weak players (and even some strong ones) who rely
completely on the computer for their evaluations and even express strong opinions, without being able
to back these up with their own arguments.
Nigel Short has written about this in the magazine New in Chess, and I was also very amused by the
reaction of an American master, who was commenting on a game being broadcast live on ICC (the
Internet Chess Club); the player with the white pieces was trying to win a rook ending with three
pawns against two and of course the computer was evaluating this as a draw, assuming best play by
both sides. Several low-rated chess fans were expressing their indignation on ICC that the player with
White was actually carrying on and still trying to win. The master’s response was: “90% of you guys
would lose this ending with Black, and the other 10% would even lose it with White.”

6
The structure of the book

The book is divided into four parts.

Part 1 is called ‘Attacking the King’, which is self-explanatory: in the eleven games presented, the
main theme is the attack on the enemy king.
Part 2, with twelve games, is entitled ‘Attack, Defence and Counter-attack’, where the scenario is the
most usual one, in that there are not only attacks but also good defences and successful counter-
attacks.
Part 3, is called ‘Typical Structures and Positional Play’ and consists of twelve games where the main
theme is positional play and/or the handling of typical pawn structures.
Part 4, ‘Endings’, is the shortest section, with five games in which the emphasis is mainly on the final
phase of the game.
There is inevitably some cross-over of ideas between the four sections, but I believe that this division
is a reasonable one.
As for the scoring, I cannot claim that it is mathematically precise, but I have tried to be as objective as
possible in the awarding of points.
In my experience, students (especially younger ones) ascribe great importance to the scoring; I
consider it to be a useful challenge and a stimulus to learning; I find that when the children are told
that a move can gain points they really sit up and take notice, with improved concentration.
The games have been checked with analysis engines, but obviously, as time passes, improvements
might be found. I have tried to reward ‘human moves’ more than ‘computer moves’; I consider it more
important to be able to understand a move, rather than justify it tactically with a complex line that only
a computer could see.
Wherever possible I have also used the players’ own annotations, since there can be no better guide,
though I have generally expanded these, since very often what is obvious to a master often requires
further clarification to the student.
As always, writing about chess is a pleasure for me. I hope that each one of these forty games will help you
to improve your play and your judgment, so that the above-mentioned American master will not be able to
include you among the 90% of players he was talking about, and certainly not among the other 10%.

Zenón Franco
Ponteareas, Spain, May 2014

With special thanks to Jonathan Tait for his very useful suggestions and improvements.

7
 Part One

Attacking the King

8
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Game 1
White: You
Black: Master
Sicilian Defence [B67]
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3
d6 6 Bg5 e6 7 Qd2 a6 8 0-0-0 Bd7 9 f4 Rc8
This move is less popular than 9 ... b5, 9 ... Be7,
and even 9 ... Qc7, preparing queenside
castling.
10 Nf3 Qa5
Black activates his forces on the queenside,
but the d7-bishop is left rather loose. Is it
possible to take advantage of this?
– Your Move –
Choose between 11 e5, 11 Kb1, and 11 Bxf6.
11 Kb1!
3 points. A typical defensive move, reinforcing
the position; the king defends the a2-pawn
and escapes the influence of the c8-rook. Of
course there are tactical reasons to discard
more active options.
11 Bxf6 (0 points) is playable but not very
flexible. In general, if there’s no clear path to
an advantage, it’s preferable to keep as many
options open as possible. Besides, the move
Bxf6 will be still be available later.
If you chose 11 e5? you will have to deduct 2
points at the end of the exercise.
Why did White reject 11 e5 - ?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 11 e5)
9
Answer: Black would respond, not with 11 ...
dxe5? because of 12 Bxf6, but with 11 ... Nb4!
(4 points) 12 exf6 (12 a3? loses to 12 ... Rxc3!)
12 ... Rxc3! 13 Nd4 (defending c2; whereas 13
bxc3? allows 13 ... Qa3+ 14 Kb1 Qxa2+ 15 Kc1
Qa1 mate) 13 ... Ra3 (threatening 14 ... Nxa2+
15 Kb1 Nc3+ and mates) 14 Bc4 (worse is 14
Nb3 Rxb3! 15 cxb3 Nxa2+ 16 Kb1 Nb4 with a
strong attack which more than compensates
for the sacrificed exchange) 14 ... Nxa2+ 15
Bxa2 Qxd2+ 16 Rxd2 Rxa2 17 Kb1 Ra4 and
Black is a pawn up.
11 ... b5
Black continues to play actively, ignoring both
the central break 12 e5 and the damage that
would result to his kingside pawn structure
after 12 Bxf6 gxf6.
– Your Move –
12 Bxf6
1 point. But only if you have already planned
your next move.
Surprisingly the young attacking player playing
White rejected the complications resulting
from 12 e5 (2 points). Black can’t counter-
attack with 12 ... b4, because after 13 exf6
bxc3 14 fxg7 Bxg7 15 Qxd6 White’s advantage
is clear; so the reply 12 ... Nd5 is forced, and
following 13 Nxd5 Qxd2 14 Rxd2 exd5 White
can either capture the d5-pawn, which allows
Black to gain some activity in return after 15
Rxd5 Be6 16 Rd2 dxe5 17 fxe5 Bc5, or,
probably the best option, create further
weaknesses in Black’s position with 15 a4!.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
12 ... gxf6
– Your Move –
13 f5
2 points. A thematic continuation, White fixes
the doubled f-pawns and puts pressure on the
e6-pawn; one idea now is to open the f-file
and another is to try to force Black to play ...
e6-e5; of course Black should do this only
when a white knight can’t easily reach the
weakened d5-square.
– Your Move – (as Black)
13 ... Nb4!
3 points. An unusual manoeuvre; Black
threatens ... Rxc3, but after the obvious white
response, Black will have lost two tempi. In
return he gains the possibility of the pawn
break ... b5-b4, which seems adequate
compensation.
In similar positions a standard idea is to
dislodge the c3-knight with 13 ... b4 (2 points)
and after 14 Ne2 (intending 15 Nf4), now that
this knight can no longer go to d5, Black can
safely play 14 ... e5, controlling both f4 and d4.
It is also worth considering 13 ... h5 (2 points),
a move which allows the eventual activation of
the dark-squared bishop via h6, while
preventing the advance g2-g4.
14 a3 Nc6 15 Nd4
10
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 15 ...
Nxd4, 15 ... Ne5, and 15 ... b4.
15 ... Nxd4?
This is inconsistent with Black’s previous play
and loses 2 points.
It was better to play 15 ... Ne5 (1 point), when
the ambitious 16 Qf2 (threatening 17 fxe6
followed by Qxf6, as well as the 17 Nce2-f4
idea) is questionable on account of 16 ... Rxc3!;
for example, 17 fxe6 fxe6 18 Qxf6 Rg8! 19 bxc3
Qxc3 etc.
So 16 Be2 is preferable, and White’s has
slightly the better chances after 16 ... h5 17
Rhf1, or 16 ... Nc4 17 Bxc4 bxc4 18 Qe2!
(targeting the c4-pawn, in order to discourage
the immediate 18 ... Rb8), followed by 19 Rhf1,
since in both cases the insecurity of the black
king is of mounting importance.
To return to the original question, Black’s best
option is 15 ... b4! (4 points), and after 16 axb4
Nxb4, Black has retained his strong knight and
opened the b-file against the white king,
justifying the idea initiated with 13 ... Nb4.
No better for White is 16 Nxc6 Bxc6 17 axb4
Qxb4 18 Qd4, and after 18 ... Rb8 19 Qxb4
Rxb4 20 Bxa6, instead of 20 ... Bxe4, which is
fully playable, Black can delay the capture of
the pawn and trust in his two bishops and
pressure along the open lines by playing, for
example, 20 ... h5, with the plan of ... Ke7, ...
Bh6, ... Rhb8 etc.
16 Qxd4 Be7
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move –
17 Be2
2 points. With the typical idea of 18 Bh5,
putting pressure on the f7-pawn and
threatening f5xe6.
17 ... Kd8
Seeking a safer location. If 17 ... h5 then 18
Rhf1.
Black’s original intention was to play 17 ... 0-0;
why do you think he had second thoughts?
– Your Move – (after 17 ... 0-0)
Answer: The strongest option is direct attack,
starting with the manoeuvre 18 Rd3! (3 points)
e.g. 18 ... Kh8 19 Rh3 (threatening Qe3-h6),
and after 19 ... Rg8 20 fxe6, the positionally
desirable 20 ... fxe6 loses to 21 e5! fxe5? 22
Qe4 Rg7 23 Bd3 etc, but if Black gives up
control of d5 with 20 ... Bxe6, the move 21 Nd5
is strong, and White is clearly better.
Also attractive are 18 g4 (1 point) and 18 Rhf1
(1 point)
– Your Move –
18 Rhf1
2 points. This idea should already be familiar;
the weakness on f6 is highlighted and now,
after f5xe6, the sacrifice Rxf6 is in the air.
As there’s no immediate black threat, there
are other good moves such as 18 g4 (1 point),
but this is less straightforward than the move
played.
11
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 18 ...
Rf8, 18 ... Rg8, and 18 ... Rb8.
18 ... Rb8?!
The counter-attack will not be successful, so
this move loses 1 point.
After 18 ... Rg8?! (which also loses 1 point), if
White wants to avoid complications he has two
strong options in 19 g4 and 19 Bh5!, when 19
... Rxg2? 20 Rg1 would be almost suicidal;
Black would have to play the sad 19 ... Rf8,
leaving White with the advantage after, for
instance, 20 Rf3.
It is also possible for White to plunge in with
19 fxe6 fxe6 20 Rxf6!, when the least of the
evils for Black seems to be 20 ... Rxc3 21 bxc3
Bxf6 22 Qxf6+ Kc7 23 Qe7 Qb6, but then White
can gain a clear advantage in several ways,
such as the active 24 Rf1 Rxg2 25 Rf7, or
simply 24 Bf3.
Worse is 20 ... Bxf6?! 21 Qxf6+ Kc7 22 Qe7
Qb6 23 e5! (23 Bxb5! is also good) 23 ... d5 24
Rxd5 etc.
As is only to be expected, a move like 20 ...
Rxg2?! is bad; one effective response is 21 Rf7
Rxc3 22 Rxe7! Rc6 23 Rf1 (also strong is 23
Rxh7!; e.g. 23 ... Rxe2 24 Rh8+! Be8 25 Qf6+!
Kd7 26 Qg7+ Kd8 27 Qf7 etc) 23 ... e5, and now
how should White continue?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

– Your Move – (after 21 ... Kc7)

Answer: One good way forward is 22 Qe7 (2

points) and if 22 ... Qb6 then 23 e5; but the
most accurate continuation is in fact the
immediate 22 e5! (3 points), and if 22 ... d5
then 23 Rxd5! (23 Nxd5+! is also good) 23 ...
Rbd8 24 Qe7 Qb6 (or 24 ... exd5 25 b4) 25 Rd6
Qg1+ 26 Ka2 Qa7 (or 26 ... Kc8 27 Rxa6) 27
Bxb5! with a winning position.
But what happens after 23 ... exd5, instead of
23 ... Rbd8 - ?
– Your Move – (after 23 ... e5)
– Your Move – (after 23 ... exd5)
Answer: The strongest continuation, and the
only one that gains any points, is the winning Answer: 24 b4! (2 points) wins, since the black
combination 24 Rxd7+! Kxd7 25 Rf7+ Ke8 26 queen must move, but after 24 ... Qxa3 25
Qa7 etc (2 points). Nxd5+ Kc8, White can take the rook on h8; 26
Going back to the initial question, since the Bg4! also wins.
counter-attack doesn’t work, in view of the
threat of 19 fxe6 and 20 Rxf6, the most
tenacious move is the natural 18 ... Rf8 (2
points). White can continue advantageously
with 19 g4, planning h2-h4 and g4-g5. Also
possible is 19 Rf3, continuing to activate his
forces.
19 fxe6 fxe6

– Your Move –

20 Rxf6!
2 points. Of course – why not? – Your Move – Choose between 21 Rf3, 21 Rf7,
20 ... b4 21 Rf5, and 21 Rxe6.
What happens after 20 .. Bxf6 21 Qxf6+ Kc7 - ?
21 Rf5!
3 points. Plunging into the complications.
Also advantageous, but with an endgame in
mind, is 21 Rxe6! (2 points) and after 21 ...
bxc3 22 Qxh8+ Kc7 23 Qxb8+ Kxb8 24 Rxe7
cxb2 25 Kxb2, White is much better, decisively
so according to the chess engines. White has a
material advantage, which in many variations
allows him to exchange the two rooks for the
queen, reaching a winning pawn ending.
Less clear is 21 Rf7 (0 points), which leads to
the same ending as after 21 Rxe6, but without
having captured the e6-pawn.

12
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

21 Rf3?! (deduct 1 point), isn’t dangerous,

because there are no substantial threats and
Black can fight on with 21 ... Rg8.
21 ... e5

– Your Move –

25 exf5!
3 points. This exchange sacrifice is the most
Now there are no less than three white pieces forceful continuation; in return White gets two
en prise. pawns, a dangerous passed f-pawn and a 3-to-
1 majority on the kingside, without allowing
– Your Move – any counterplay.
25 Nxb6?! (deduct 1 point) is less clear, as it
22 Qa7! gives Black some hopes of salvation, based on
2 points. The only move, but crushing. his bishop pair and active play; for example, 25
22 ... Qb6 ... Bxe4 26 axb4 Rf8 27 Bxa6 Rf2 28 Bd3 Bxg2
The ending offers no relief, but there’s nothing 29 Bxh7 Kc7 30 Nc4 Bc6 31 Rd2 Rf4 etc.
anything better. On 22 ... Rc8, White can play 25 ... Rb8 26 f6 Bf8 27 axb4 Kd7 28 g4 Rg8 29
23 Nd5; e.g. 23 ... bxa3 24 b4 Qa4 25 Qb6+, h4 h6 30 Rg1!
mating.
23 Qxb6+ Rxb6

– Your Move –

24 Nd5
1 point. Forced – any other move loses 1 point.
24 ... Bxf5

There are many winning moves, but this is the

clearest way; White gets two connected
passed pawns and the rest is straightforward.
30 ... e4 31 g5 hxg5 32 hxg5 Ke6 33 Bc4 Ke5
34 g6 Bh6 35 Ne7 Rgd8 36 g7 1-0

Mikhail Tal vs. Semen Furman, Riga 1955.

13
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Some lessons from this game:
1. You should always give serious
consideration to any possible pawn breaks;
equally you should not rush in without
precise calculation. (11 e5?)
2. It helps to be familiar with the typical
manoeuvres in the positions you are playing.
(11 Kb1!, 13 f5!)
3. You should do training to be able to sense
the critical moments of the game, when
precise calculation is needed. (15 ... b4!, 18
... Rf8!, 20 Rxf6!)
4. Of course it’s always good to capture
material ‘for nothing’, but you should always
check to see whether it really is ‘for nothing’
and decide whether it’s better to decline the
offer. (25 exf5!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to
moves actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 45 points)
More than 39 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 35 and 39 points: Grandmaster.
Between 28 and 34 points: International
Master.
Between 20 and 27 points: Tal is one of your
favourite players!
Between 10 and 19 points: You found several
key moves.
Less than 10 points: You need to be more
careful next time!
14
Game 2
White: You
Black: Master
Pirc Defence [B08]
1 e4 d6 2 d4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 Nf3 c6 5 Bc4 Nf6
6 e5
The player with white pieces criticized his
own move here: “This is hardly the way to
obtain an advantage. The activity of the
white pieces turns out to be fictitious.”
6 Bb3 and 6 Qe2 are more usual.
6 ... dxe5 7 Nxe5 0-0 8 0-0 Nbd7
– Your Move –
9 f4
1 point. Semen Furman used to say jokingly,
“As you make your bed, so you must lie in it.”
White took on a commitment by playing 6 e5
and now he has to justify his ambitious
decision.
Taking on d7 or retreating from e5 would be
a premature admission of failure, so the
knight needs reinforcing in its strong
position. However, this move isn’t without
drawbacks; for instance, the c1-bishop now
has less scope.
9 ... Qc7 10 Qf3 a6
Controlling b5, in order to play ... c6-c5
without fearing Nb5; it also prepares ... b7-
b5.
The immediate 10 ... c5 was also worth
consideration, but then the sacrifice 11 Nxf7
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
has to be considered – how would you
respond to that?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 11 Nxf7)
Answer: Not 11 ... Rxf7?! because of 12 Nb5!
Qa5 13 Qb3, winning material; if you chose
this, deduct 1 point.
Much better is 11 ... cxd4! (3 points), when
the position would be approximately equal
after the practically forced sequence 12
Ne5+ Kh8 13 Nb5 Nxe5 14 Nxc7 Nxf3+ 15
Rxf3 Rb8 etc.
11 Nb5 is another possibility; what would
you play now?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 11 Nb5)
Choose between 11 ... Qb8, 11 ... Qa5, and
11 ... Qd8.
Answer: 11 ... Qd8?! (deduct 1 point) is bad:
12 Nxf7! Rxf7 13 Qb3 e6 14 Bxe6 Qe7 15 f5
gxf5 16 Rxf5 follows, with the initiative and a
better position for White.
15
11 ... Qb8?! (deduct 1 point) isn’t playable
either, as after 12 Bxf7+! (even better than
12 Nxf7) 12 ... Rxf7 13 Nxf7 Kxf7 14 f5!
(threatening 15 Bf4) 14 ... gxf5 15 Qb3+! Kf8
16 Bf4 e5 17 dxe5 Nxe5, White’s advantage
is clear; he has several attractive
continuations, such as 18 Rad1 and 18 Rae1,
bringing the rook into the attack, or even 18
Qe3, planning to answer 18 ... Ne4 with 19
Qxe4! fxe4 20 Bxe5+.
The best response to 11 Nb5 is 11 ... Qa5! (3
points), and now 12 Nxf7?! isn’t dangerous
since Black can play 12 ... Nb6! 13 Ne5+ Nxc4
14 Qb3 Be6 15 Nxc4 Qb4 16 Qxb4 cxb4 17
Ne5 Rfc8 with the advantage.
After 11 ... Qa5, it would be better to play 12
Be3 a6 13 Nc3 with equal chances; Black
should then decide between 13 ... cxd4 14
Bxd4 Ng4 and 13 ... Qb4.
11 Re1
– Your Move – (as Black)
11 ... e6
0 points. The second passive move in a row.
This is an unnecessary precaution; the
winner said: “Black defends against possible
combinative attacks on the f7- and e7-
squares. Stronger, however, was the
immediate 11 ... b5! (4 points), when the
following variation does not work: 12 Nxc6
bxc4 13 Nxe7+ Kh8 14 Qxa8 Bb7 15 Qa7
Ra8”, winning. White must play 12 Bb3, but
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
after 12 ... Bb7, “Black’s position would be in
no way inferior.”
If Black didn’t mind a draw, then 11 ... c5 (2
points) was playable; a curious possibility
then is 12 Nxf7, when 12 ... Rxf7? is bad
because of 13 Rxe7, but after either 12 ...
Nb6 or 12 ... cxd4 White is almost forced to
take the draw.
After 12 ... cxd4, one amusing variation is 13
Ne5+ Kh8 14 Nd5 Qc5 (not 14 ... Nxd5? 15
Nxg6+ hxg6 16 Qh3+ Kg8 17 Bxd5+ Rf7 18
Rxe7 and wins) 15 Nxg6+ hxg6 16 Nxe7 Qxc4
17 Qh3+ Nh7 18 Nxg6+ Kg8 19 Ne7+ with a
draw.
12 Bb3
White spent some time here considering 12
f5, but he rejected it because Black can
simply play 12 ... exf5!, not fearing 13 Nxf7
Rxf7 14 Re7 since he has the counterblow 14
... Qd6!; for example, 15 Bxf7+ Kf8 16 Re6
Qxd4+ 17 Be3, and now 17 ... Qb4 wins
material.
It was also possible to play 12 ... Qb6, among
other moves.
12 ... c5
– Your Move –
13 Be3
1 point. Completing development; White
gains nothing by opening the position with
13 d5 exd5 14 Bxd5 Nb6! etc.
– Your Move – (as Black)
16
13 ... cxd4?
If you chose this move, deduct 2 points, as
we are at “the critical point of the game.
With this exchange Black frees the locked-in
bishop on e3, and all White’s pseudo-active
moves in the opening prove in fact to be
useful.” (Tal)
It was better to play 13 ... b5! (4 points),
when 14 Qxa8? Bb7 15 Qa7 Ra8 favours
Black, since the black queen is stronger than
the rooks and the b3-bishop is out of the
game; in fact this bishop will be sorely
missed on the kingside after an eventual ...
Qc6 or ... Qb7.
Instead, White intended to reply with 14
dxc5, obtaining three minor pieces and a
pawn for the queen after 14 ... Bb7 15 c6
Nxe5 16 fxe5 Bxc6 17 exf6 Bxf3 18 fxg7 Rfd8
19 gxf3 etc.
Less complicated and fully satisfactory was
13 ... b6! (2 points).
14 Bxd4 Nxe5
– Your Move –
15 fxe5
2 points. “Only with the pawn, of course,
because White is not at all afraid of losing it.”
(Tal)
15 ... Nd7
– Your Move –
16 Ne4!
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

4 points. “The threat of 16 ... Nc5 was much

more dangerous than the attack on the e5-
pawn.” (Tal)
16 ... Bxe5
16 ... Nxe5? loses to 17 Nf6+.
Now the dark squares on the kingside lose an
important defender.
17 Bxe5 Qxe5

Hoping to expel the d6-knight with ... Ra6,

and in some cases threatening ... a5-a4.

– Your Move –

– Your Move –
18 Rad1
1 point. An important reinforcement arrives,
threatening 19 Rxd7.
18 ... Kg7 19 Nd6 Qc5+ 20 Kh1 Ne5
20 ... Nf6? loses to 21 Qxf6+!.
21 Qf4 f6
– Your Move –
22 Rf1
2 points. “With all his pieces in dominating
positions, the conditions are right for White’s
attack to develop unhindered. First of all he
takes control of the square f6.”(Tal)
Now 23 Ne8+ is threatened.
22 ... a5
23 h4!
3 points. More support for the attack.
The attractive sacrifice 23 Ne8+?! (deduct 1
point) leads only to equality after 23 ... Rxe8
24 Qxf6+ Kg8 25 Rd8 Rxd8! (25 ... Bd7? 26
Bxe6+!) 26 Qxd8+ Kg7, and there’s no more
than a draw. No better is 25 Rde1, as Black
can simply play 25 ... Rf8 26 Qxf8+ Qxf8 27
Rxf8+ Kxf8 28 Rxe5 Ke7 with a level ending.
23 Ne4?! Qe7 isn’t justified either, since it
only helps the defence.
23 ... Ra6
After 23 ... a4, White has 24 Bxa4!. The
position is still not ripe for unleashing 24
Ne8+?! Rxe8 25 Qxf6+ Kg8 26 Rd8 Rxd8 27
Qxd8+ Kg7 28 Qf6+ Kg8 29 h5 – why not?

17
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move – (as Black; after 29 h5)
Answer: White threatens 30 h6, but Black can
play 29 ... Bd7! (2 points), when the a8-rook
joins in the defence. Now 30 h6? fails to 30
... Qf8, so White should play 30 Bxe6+ Bxe6
31 Qxe6+ Kg7 32 Qf6+ with a draw.
The computer suggests some other
‘imaginative’ moves that don’t lose, such as
29 ... h6 (1 point) and 29 ... Nf3 (1 point), but
for playing moves like these it’s better to
have silicon assistance.
On the other hand, 29 ... gxh5? loses in
several ways, one being 30 Qg5+ Kh8 31 Rf7
Nxf7 32 Qxc5 with a decisive material
advantage, thanks to the threatened mate
on f8.
– Your Move –
24 Ne4
1 point. Now the best course is to target the
f6-pawn.
Again after 24 Ne8+?! (0 points) 24 ... Rxe8
55 Qxf6+ Kg8, there’s no more than a draw.
24 ... Qe7
– Your Move –
25 h5!
2 points. This was what White intended with
23 h4, though exact calculation is required.
25 ... h6
Preventing 26 h6, but at some cost.
18
Instead, after 25 ... a4 White could play 26
h6+ followed by 27 Nxf6; whereas in reply to
25 ... g5, White would have played 26 Qg3,
threatening 27 Nxf6 and 27 Nxg5, and the
defence is difficult.
What was the best response to 25 ... gxh5 - ?
– Your Move – (after 25 ... gxh5)
Answer: White has 26 Nxf6! (1 point) and
Black can’t play 26 ... Qxf6? because 27 Qg3+
wins.
– Your Move –
26 Qg3!
2 points. Renewing the threat of Nxf6 and
exploiting the fresh weakness at g6.
26 ... a4
After 26 ... Qc7, one convincing line is 27
hxg6 a4 28 Nxf6! (28 Rxf6! is also strong) 28
... Rxf6 29 Rxf6 Kxf6 30 g7, as pointed out by
Tal, and now if 30 ... Qxg7 then 31 Rf1+.
– Your Move –
27 Rxf6!
2 points. The demolition begins.
This time 27 Nxf6? is bad and loses 3 points –
why?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 27 Nxf6)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Answer: Because of the calm defence 27 ...
Ra5!! (3 points), defending the knight; Black
wins a piece and the game.
27 ... Rxf6 28 Qxe5 axb3
– Your Move –
29 axb3!
1 point. There is no need to hurry, since
White’s position is strong enough to stand
the loss of a tempo.
29 ... b6
The pin is very annoying and Black can’t get
rid of it without losing material or coming
under a mating attack, as Tal pointed out.
Let’s examine his variations, first analysed
forty years ago, yet they still stand up to the
scrutiny of current analysis engines:
a) 29 ... Kf7 30 Nxf6 Qxf6 31 Qc7+ etc.
b) If 29 ... g5, there’s a win with 30 Rf1 Ra5
31 Qxf6+ Qxf6 32 Rxf6 and the h6-pawn will
soon be lost.
c) After 29 ... gxh5, it’s best to continue as in
the game, although 30 Nxf6 is also strong, as
after 30 ... Qxf6 31 Qc7+ Kg6 32 Qxc8, Black’s
king is too exposed.
In this last line, why is 30 Rf1 inferior?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 30 Rf1)
Answer: Because Black can force an exchange
of queens and reach a satisfactory position
with the counter-blow 30 ... Ra5! (2 points).
19
– Your Move –
30 b4! 1-0
2 points. This is best, as “the threat is
stronger than the execution” (Nimzowitsch,
and others). It prevents ... Ra5 and at the
same time maintains all the threats.
Mikhail Tal vs. Istvan Bilek, Miskolc 1963.
Some lessons from this game:
1. “In for a penny, in for a pound”. (9 f4!)
2. Sometimes, even against a strong
tactician, it’s necessary to enter
complications. (11 ... b5!, 13 ... b5!)
3. Preventing the opponent’s activity can be
as important as activating one’s own forces.
(13 ... cxd4?, 13 ... b5!, 13 ... b6!)
4. Don’t forget to ‘invite everyone to the
party’, bringing fresh forces into the attack.
(16 Ne4!, 18 Rad1!, 23 h4!)
5. Beautiful sacrifices were always present
when Tal was on the attack. (16 Ne4!, 27
Rxf6!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 45 points)
More than 39 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 35 and 39 points: Grandmaster.
Between 29 and 34 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 28 points: You play almost like
Tal!
Between 10 and 20 points: You found several
key attacking moves.
Less than 10 points: You must keep trying.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Game 3
White: You
Black: Master
Caro-Kann Defence [B15]
1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 b5
An unusual move, typical of the player with the
black pieces, for whom the “creative element
predominates over the practical”, in the words
of the White player.
4 a3
This was played after some twenty minutes’
thought; the White player came to the
conclusion that isn’t possible to refute 3 ... b5
immediately, so he made a move that kept
nearly all his options open.
He considered that there were several
reasonable responses, such as 4 e5 or 4 Bd3,
but in the latter case, after 4 ... b4 5 Nce2 dxe4
6 Bxe4 Nf6 7 Bd3 g6, he thought that the early
advance of the b-pawn justified itself.
From now on, at every move, it will be
necessary to evaluate which side is favoured
by the inclusion of the moves ... b7-b5 and a2-
a3, in comparison with the ‘normal’ positions.
4 ... dxe4 5 Nxe4 Bf5
It is also possible to play 5 ... Nf6, and after 6
Nxf6+ exf6, the advance c2-c4 is hindered,
thanks to 3 ... b5.
20
– Your Move – Choose between 6 Bd3, 6
Ng3, and 6 Nc5.
6 Bd3
2 points. No great courage is required to
sacrifice the d-pawn, as after 6 ... Qxd4 7 Nf3
Qd5 (or 7 ... Qd8) 8 Qe2 etc, White gets a lot of
compensation.
Of course it was also possible to continue as if
the moves ... b7-b5 and a2-a3 had not been
inserted. After 6 Ng3 (1 point) 6 ... Bg6 7 Nf3
Nd7 8 h4 etc, the line without these moves is
very popular, but the inclusion of ... b7-b5
favours Black, “since it begins a struggle for the
occupation of the central d5-square” (Tal);
when a black knight reaches d5 it will not be
easily dislodged, since the move c2-c4 will be
less effective.
On the other hand, 6 Nc5 (0 points) is less
promising, because now (thanks to the
insertion of 3 ... b5) there’s no pawn on b7 to
be attacked; Black can play 6 ... e6, 6 ... Nd7 or
even 6 ... e5.
6 ... Bxe4 7 Bxe4 Nf6 8 Bd3
White again thought for quite a long time here,
8 Bf3 suggested itself, targeting c6 and
controlling the long diagonal, but he
considered that Black would play 8 ... e6,
followed by “ ... Bd6, ... Qc7, ... 0-0 and then at
some point prepare the freeing advance ... e5.”
In reply to a3-a4 Black would play ... b5-b4,
preventing the opening of lines on the
queenside.
Maybe it’s just a matter of taste, though. After
8 Bf3 e6 9 Ne2 Bd6 White can play, for
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
example, 10 Nc3 a6 11 a4 b4 12 Ne4 Nxe4 13
Bxe4 0-0 14 g3!? (but not 14 0-0? Bxh2+!),
reaching a pleasant position.
– Your Move – (as Black)
8 ... e6
1 point. Black continues with his development,
just as the winner was expecting. 8 ... g6 (1
point) is of similar value.
Nevertheless, after 8 ... Qxd4! (2 points) the
engines are more or less in agreement with the
winner, who wrote that “White has the
initiative and a good position for the pawn, but
it can hardly be said that this is adequate
compensation.” After 9 Nf3 the chess engines
like 9 ... Qd6, although there are other playable
queen moves as well.
White chose his move on the basis of ‘playing
the man’, since he knew that Black disliked
“positions in which, for a minimal material
advantage, he has to conduct a lengthy,
painstaking, and relatively cheerless defence.”
9 Nf3 Be7
21
– Your Move –
10 Qe2
1 point. White wants to keep open the
possibility of queenside castling, since, in his
words, “the advance of Black’s queenside
pawns appears fairly harmless.” He also
wanted to delay a decision about where to
develop his queen’s bishop. Very soon,
however, he changed his mind, because in a
position with a definite advantage there’s no
point in complicating the game. With this in
mind, we can safely conclude that it was better
to play the immediate 10 0-0! (2 points)
Another interesting idea is 10 a4, forcing 10 ...
b4, followed by 11 Ne5 and 12 0-0 with the
initiative (2 points).
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 10
... Nbd7 and 10 ... 0-0.
10 ... Nbd7
2 points. Black also delays committing his king.
If then 11 Bd2, preparing queenside castling,
Black can play 11 ... Qc7 and, after 12 0-0-0, he
can follow suit with 12 ... 0-0-0. White
considered the following variation: 13 c4 bxc4
14 Bxc4 Nb6, “and with the d5-square in his
hands Black can look to the future with
reasonable optimism.” So once again 3 ... b5
would have been justified.
Of course 10 ... 0-0 (1 point) was playable as
well.
11 0-0 0-0
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

– Your Move – Choose between 12 Re1 and – Your Move – (after 12 ... Qc7)
12 Ne5.
Answer: There are several ‘normal’ moves,
12 Re1 such as 13 Bd2 (1 point), but 13 Ne5 (2 points)
1 point. White refrained from the immediate is sharper, and after 13 ... Nxe5 14 dxe5 Nd7,
12 Ne5 (0 points) – why? White has time for 15 c3 (or 15 c4), and then if
15 ... Nc5, it’s possible to play 16 Bc2.
– Your Move – (as Black; after 12 Ne5)
– Your Move –
Answer: Because after 12 ... Nxe5 13 dxe5 Nd7,
followed by 14 ... Nc5, Black can eliminate the 13 Ne5
strong d3-bishop with a good position (2 1 point. This threatens the c6-pawn and so
points). prevents Black from strengthening his kingside
If 14 Rd1 then 14 ... Qc7; and there’s no time with 13 ... Nf8.
to prepare a retreat to c2 with 14 c3 because 13 ... Nxe5 14 dxe5 Nd5
of 14 ... Nxe5!.
White can win a pawn with 14 Qe4 g6 15 Qxc6
Nxe5 16 Qxb5, but after 16 ... Nxd3 17 Qxd3
Qxd3 18 cxd3 Rfd8 19 Rd1 Bf6 etc, Black gets
excellent compensation.
Something similar happens following 15 Bh6
Re8 16 Qxc6 Nxe5 17 Qxb5, when Black can
play 17 ... Nxd3 18 Qxd3 Qxd3 19 cxd3 Reb8 20
b4 (if 20 Rab1 then 20 ... Rb3) 18 ... a5 etc, or
simply 17 ... Bd6.
12 ... Re8
Aiming to reinforce his king’s position; 12 ... a6,
preparing ... c6-c5, was also worth considering. This was one of the main ideas behind 3 ... b5:
What would happen after 12 ... Qc7 - ? to gain a strong position for the knight on d5,
without fearing the immediate c2-c4. The
advance ... a7-a5-a4 is also on the agenda,
consolidating the knight’s position.
Since the e5-pawn is now defended, there’s no
point in playing 14 ... Nd7?, as after 15 Qe4

22
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
there will be no compensation for losing a
pawn.
– Your Move –
15 Qg4
2 points. Black has obtained a strong
centralized knight, but this has left his king
rather short of defenders. Since there’s
nothing immediately decisive, White tries to
slowly build up an attacking position, first
putting pressure on g7.
15 Qe4 (0 points) forces 15 ... g6, but the
queen is less well placed on e4, and after 16
Bh6, Black can answer 16 ... Bg5 with a good
position and a safe king.
– Your Move – (as Black)
15 ... a5?
Black doesn’t see any reason to act on the
kingside and continues with his plan. There is
logic in his choice; he wants to play ... a5-a4,
but this move loses 2 points.
The complete answer is given after White’s
18th move.
– Your Move –
16 h4!
4 points. Played with the idea of h4-h5-h6, to
weaken the dark squares around Black’s king.
After 17 h5, Black will also face the threat of 18
Bh6 Bf8 19 Bxg7 Bxg7 20 h6. Black is almost
forced to accept the pawn sacrifice.
23
White has the enemy king in his sights, so he
doesn’t want to create any distraction on the
opposite wing with moves like 16 a4 or 16 c4.
Nor does he want to make a committal move,
such as 16 Bh6, which would only force Black
into a useful move in reply. (0 points for any of
these.)
16 ... Bxh4
– Your Move –
17 g3
1 point. The first step.
17 ... Be7
– Your Move –
18 Kg2
1 point. This was the idea; White was happy to
pay the price of a pawn to gain an open file
against Black’s king with tempo.
Going back, and completing the answer to the
question posed at Black’s fifteenth move, it
was better to anticipate White’s h2-h4-h5 idea
by playing 15 ... g6! (4 points); then if White
wants to continue as in the game with 16 h4,
this time it would be “a pawn sacrifice whose
consequences are not altogether clear”,
according to the winner. After 16 ... Bxh4, a
possible continuation would be 17 g3 Be7 18
Kg2 h5! etc.
Black was afraid of 16 b3, aiming for c2-c4, but
the winner believed that with 16 ... a5,
followed by ... a5-a4, Black would get a good
position, since 17 c4 Nc3! leaves the knight
well placed, hampering the activity of White’s
forces.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 18
... b4, 18 ... g6, 18 ... Bf8, and 18 ... Qc7.
18 ... g6
(0 points) Black restricts the activity of the d3-
bishop for the moment, but White’s attack
continues anyway.
After 18 ... Bf8 (0 points) White would answer
19 Rh1, and if 19 ... f5 then 20 Qh5! is very
strong; for example, after 20 ... h6 21 Qg6 Kh8,
the black king’s position is demolished by 22
Bxh6! gxh6 23 Rxh6+ Bxh6 24 Rh1 Ne3+ 25
fxe3 Qd5+ 26 e4, winning.
It would be better to play 19 ... g6, when we
could transpose to the game.
What would happen following a neutral move,
such as 18 ... b4 - ? (0 points).
– Your Move – (after 18 ... b4)
Answer: 19 Bxh7+? (deduct 2 points) is
tempting, but it doesn’t win: after 19 ... Kxh7
20 Qh5+ Kg8 21 Rh1, either 21 ... f5 or 21 ... f6
seems to force White to take a draw with 22
Qh8+ Kf7 23 Qh5+.
19 Rh1! (2 points) is stronger, and after 19 ...
g6 20 Bxg6! hxg6 (worse is 20 ... fxg6? 21
Qxe6+ Kg7 22 Bh6+ Kh8 23 Qf7 etc) 21 Qh3
Bh4 22 Qxh4 Qxh4 23 Rxh4, White threatens
24 Bg5 and Rah1.
To answer the initial question, the best option
was 18 ... Qc7! (3 points), increasing the
pressure on the important e5-pawn. If then 19
Bxh7+ Kxh7 20 Qh5+ Kg8 21 Rh1, there’s only a
draw once again after 21 ... f6 or 21 ... f5.
24
White can play 19 Rh1, but after 19 ... Qxe5
there isn’t anything concrete.
– Your Move –
19 Rh1
1 point. Of course!
19 ... Bf8
What punishment can be meted out if Black
counter-attacks against the e5-pawn by playing
19 ... Qc7 now?
– Your Move – (after 19 ... Qc7)
Answer: 20 Rxh7! (2 points) is crushing: 20 ...
Kxh7 (if 20 ... Qxe5 then 21 Rxf7! wins, but not
21 Bxg6? as after 21 ... Nf6!, the attack is
surprisingly halted) 21 Qh5+ Kg7 22 Qh6+ Kg8
23 Bxg6! with mate in a few moves.
What would happen after 19 ... Ra7, defending
along the second rank?
– Your Move – (after 19 ... Ra7)
Answer: White again wins by executing his
main threat: 20 Rxh7! (3 points) and if 20 ...
Kxh7 21 Qh5+ Kg7 22 Qh6+ Kg8, there comes a
second sacrifice with 23 Bxg6! fxg6 24 Qxg6+
Kh8 25 Qh6+ Kg8 26 Qxe6+ Kg7 27 Qh6+ Kg8
28 Qg6+ Kh8, and now 29 Bg5! looks decisive,
though as Lev Psakhis points out, it isn’t quite
over yet. His main variation is based on the
brilliant defensive resource 29 ... Nf4+!, and
after 30 Bxf4 Bh4! 31 Rh1 Rf8! 32 Qxc6 Rg7 33
Qe4 Rg4, there’s only one good move for
White. Can you find it?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move – (after 32 ... Rg4)
Answer: White wins with 33 Kf3! (2 points) 33
... Qg5 34 Ke3! and “having performed a swift
forced march into the middle of the board, the
white monarch takes personal command at the
head of his forces!” (Psakhis)
– Your Move –
20 Bg5!
3 points. “This intermediate move is
necessary,” as the winner said. It is clearly
better than 20 Qh3 (0 points) 20 ... h5 21 g4 h4
22 g5 Bg7, as now the c1-bishop is unable to
join in the attack. The direct 20 Rxh7? (deduct
2 points) 20 ... Kxh7 21 Bg5 is inaccurate –
why?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 21 Bg5)
Answer: There are two good responses. The
winner gave 21 ... Ne3+! (2 points) 22 fxe3 (or
25
22 Bxe3 Bg7 23 Rh1+ Kg8 24 Qh3 Qd5+ and
with 25 ... Qxe5, Black repels the attack) 22 ...
Qd5+ 23 Be4 Qxe5 24 Qh4+ Kg8 25 Bf6 (or 25
Rh1 Bg7) 25 ... Qh5 and we reach an equal
ending after the exchange of queens followed
by Bxc6.
It is also possible to play 21 ... Qd7! (3 points);
e.g. 22 Qh4+ Kg8 23 Rh1 Bg7 24 Qh7+ Kf8 25
Bh6 f5! 26 Qh8+ Ke7 27 Qxg7+ Kd8 and White
has compensation for the exchange, but
nothing more. 24 Bf6 Nxf6 25 exf6 is no better,
since Black has the now familiar resource 25 ...
Qd5+, followed by 26 ... Qh5.
20 ... Qc7
After 20 ... Be7, the sacrifice 21 Rxh7! wins;
e.g. 21 ... Bxg5 22 Rah1 Kf8 23 Rxf7+! (23 Bxg6
wins as well) 23 ... Kxf7 24 Bxg6+! with a
decisive attack: after 24 ... Kxg6 Black is mated
in four moves, starting with 25 Qe4+.
20 ... Ne7 can be punished either by 21 Bf6, or
directly with 21 Bxg6! hxg6 (or 21 ... fxg6 22
Qxe6+ Kh8 23 Rxh7+! Kxh7 24 Rh1+ Bh6 25
Qf7+, mating) 22 Qh4 Bg7 23 Qh7+ Kf8 24 Bf6
with a winning attack.
20 ... Qd7 was another possible defence, when
the sacrifice 21 Rxh7 is unclear, but here White
has 21 Qh4! with a decisive attack after 21 ...
h5 22 g4 Bg7 23 Rae1! etc.
– Your Move –
21 Rxh7!
2 points. The complete success of the idea
initiated with 16 h4! – “otherwise White’s
entire strategy would have made no sense.”
(Psakhis)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

After 21 ... Kxh7?, Black is soon mated, using Recovering the rook, as 24 ... Rxe8? loses to 25
ideas that we are already familiar with: 22 Bf6+.
Rh1+ Kg8 23 Bf6! Bg7 24 Qh4!, or 23 ... Nxf6 24 Also good was 24 Bh7+ Kh8 (not 24 ... Kxh7? 25
exf6 Qe5 25 Bxg6! Qxf6 26 Bh7+, mating. Rh1+) and now what?
It was more tenacious, though quite
depressing, to play the ending that arises after
21 ... Bg7 22 Bf6! Bxf6 23 exf6 Nxf6 24 Qxg6+!
fxg6 25 Rxc7 and White is a pawn up.
21 ... Qxe5

– Your Move –

22 Rxf7!
3 points. Concrete play, rather than general
considerations!
Instead, 22 Rah1? (deduct 2 points), chosen on
the principle of ‘adding more attacking pieces’,
is inferior here, since Black has 22 ... f5!
(possibly 22 ... Bg7 23 Bh6 Bxh6, followed by
24 ... Nf6!, isn’t losing either) and there’s no
mate after 23 Qh3 Bg7 24 Bh6 Ra7 etc.
22 ... Kxf7?!
This loses quickly. 22 ... Bh6 was better, though
Black still faces a very difficult defensive task
after 23 Bxh6 Kxf7 24 Bxg6+ Ke7 25 Bxe8 Rxe8
26 c3 etc.
– Your Move – (after 24 ... Kh8)
Answer: 25 Rh1?! (deduct 1 point) is unclear
after 25 ... Bg7!, or similarly 25 Qh5?! (deduct
1 point) 25 ... Re7! etc.
The best move is 25 Bg6! (3 points),
threatening 26 Qh5+ and mate; while after 25
... Bg7, White wins with 26 Bf7!.
24 ... Bg7 25 Bd7 Nc7
This loses a second pawn, but 25 ... Ne3+ 26
Bxe3 Qd5+ 27 Qf3 Qxd7 28 Rd1 also leads to a
hopeless position for Black, as the winner
pointed out.
26 Bxc6

– Your Move –

23 Bxg6+!
2 points. Neat, but also necessary, preventing
the coordination of Black’s forces. The rest is easy.
23 ... Kg8 26 ... Rf8 27 Rd1 Qc5 28 Bf3 Qxc2 29 Rd7 Rf7 30
Or 23 ... Kxg6 24 Bf4+ etc. Rd8+ Rf8 31 Bf6 Qh7 32 Be4 Qh6 33 Bg5 Qh8
24 Bxe8 34 Rd7 1-0

26
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
34 Rxf8+ Kxf8 35 Qf4+ etc was also sufficient.
Mikhail Tal vs. Bukhuti Gurgenidze, USSR
Championship, Alma Ata 1968.
Some lessons from this game:
1. It’s very useful to know something about
your opponent, such as his likes and dislikes.
(8 Bd3!)
2. Sometimes it isn’t easy to distinguish
between a position where it’s best just to
make a flexible move and one where the
moment to take decisive action has arrived
and precise calculation is required. (8 ...
Qxd4!, 10 0-0!, 15 ... g6!)
3. A prophylactic move, anticipating the
opponent’s attacking ideas, is sometimes
necessary. Again, accurate calculation is
needed. (15 ... g6!)
4. As we mentioned earlier, beautiful moves
and sacrifices were very often a feature of
Tal’s attacking games. (16 h4!, 21 Rxh7!, 22
Rxf7!, 23 Bxg6+!)
5. A chess masterpiece needs not only to be
beautiful, but also to be backed up by very
accurate moves. (20 Bg5! vs. 20 Rxh7? Kxh7
21 Bg5, 22 Rxf7! vs. 22 Rah1?)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 55 points)
More than 45 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 39 and 45 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 38 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 29 points: Very well played!
Between 10 and 20 points: Your attacking skills
continue to improve!
Less than 10 points: You need to be more
careful next time!
27
Game 4
White: You
Black: Master
Ruy Lopez [C95]
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0
Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 d6 8 c3 0-0 9 h3 Nb8 10 d4
Nbd7 11 Nbd2 Bb7
12 Bc2
This is a well-known position from the Breyer
Variation of the Ruy Lopez. With this move
White defends the e4-pawn, so that he can
execute the typical Spanish knight manoeuvre
Nf1-g3 (or sometimes Nf1-e3, though not in
this case).
Another possibility is to play 11 a4 c5 and then
decide between 12 d5 and 12 Bc2.
12 ... Re8 13 Nf1 Bf8 14 Ng3 g6 15 a4 c5 16 d5
c4
This move, clearing c5 for the knight, has
replaced the older 16 ... Nb6.
17 Bg5
Trying to provoke ... h7-h6; the less popular
alternative is to play 17 Be3 immediately.
17 ... h6
Black sees no problem in allowing himself to
be provoked; other moves played are 17 ... Bg7
and 17 ... Rb8.
18 Be3 Rb8
And here 18 ... Nc5 and 18 ... Bg7 are more
common choices.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move –
19 Qd2
1 point. This was the idea of 17 Bg5, to attack
the h6-pawn with tempo. Now Black has to
decide what to do about his attacked pawn.
19 ... h5
Intending to stabilize the kingside with ... Nh7,
... Be7 and ... h5-h4.
What would you play against 19 ... Kh7, the
other logical move here?
– Your Move – (after 19 ... Kh7)
Answer: There are two reasonable plans. One
is to play on the queenside with 20 b3 or 20 b4
(almost forcing Black to take on b3), or
perhaps prepare it by playing 20 Reb1 first.
The other option is to focus on the kingside
with 20 Nh2, preparing the breakthrough with
f2-f4 and trying to take advantage of the
closed centre; this was what White intended to
play. You get 1 point for choosing either of
these plans.
20 Ng5
White immediately occupies the weakened
square.
20 ... Nh7
Black tackles the intruder right away; 20 ... Be7
was another idea – how would you play in that
case?
– Your Move – (after 20 ... Be7)
28
Answer: Since White’s plan is to advance with
f2-f4, the most logical move is to play 21 f4 (2
points) at once, as the winner pointed out.
Preparing the pawn advance with a ‘useful’
move such as 21 Rf1 (1 point) is also logical,
although in that case it’s necessary to ascertain
who derives the greater benefit from the
following continuation: 21 ... h4 22 Ne2 Nh5,
which was Black’s intended response – even
though Black has weakened his king position,
the consequences of a subsequent f2-f4 would
now be less clear.
21 Nxh7 Kxh7
– Your Move –
22 Rf1
1 point. “There is nothing new under the sun.”
This prepares f2-f4 again.
22 ... Kg8
– Your Move – Choose between 23 Kh1 and 23
f4.
23 Kh1
0 points. Even though the position is closed,
and so time is a less important factor than in
open positions, it’s nevertheless questionable
whether evacuating the king from the g1-a7
diagonal is strictly necessary.
23 f4 (1 point) is preferable, as the winner
admitted.
23 ... Bg7
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

Bf6, White has succeeded in weakening Black’s

castled position with advantage after, for
example, 28 ... Bxf6 29 Rxf6 Nd7, and now
some deep calculation is required before
deciding between 30 Nxh5 Re5 31 Rf5, or 30
Rf5 immediately, or the modest 30 Rf2 – in all
cases White’s position is the more promising.
Going back in this line, what would happen if
Black plays, not 27 ... Qc7, but 27 ... f6 - ?

– Your Move –

24 axb5
3 points. This pawn exchange will give White
greater freedom of action.
Again 24 f4 (1 point) was also playable, but
after the planned 24 ... exf4 25 Bxf4 h4 26 Ne2
Nc5 27 axb5, besides 27 ... axb5 (transposing
to 26 ... h4 27 Ne2 Nc5 in the game), Black can
play 27 ... Nxe4 28 Bxe4 Rxe4 29 bxa6 Ba8 with – Your Move – (after 27 ... f6)
a complex position; White is a pawn up but
also has weaknesses at d5 and b2, and Black Answer: In that case White can launch a
has active play. crushing attack with 28 Bxf6! (3 points) 28 ...
Even less convincing is 27 Bg5 f6 28 Bh6 (here Bxf6 29 Qh6!; for example, 29 ... Bg7 30 Qxg6
28 Bxh4 Nxe4 29 Qf4 Qc7, planning ... f6-f5, (threatening 31 Rf7) 30 ... Re7 31 e5! (31 Nf5
isn’t worrying for Black) 28 ... Nxe4 29 Bxe4 and 31 Nxh5 are also strong) 31 ... Nd3 32 Ne4
Rxe4 30 Bxg7 Kxg7 31 Nf4 Bc8! 32 axb5 Rxb5! and wins.
etc. Black was unsure about the right moment to
Opening the a-file at once with 24 axb5 avoids expel the g3-knight. On 26 ... h4, it’s possible
this last possibility. to play 27 Bg5, sacrificing a piece after 27 ... f6
24 ... axb5 28 Bxh4 g5 29 Nf5 gxh4 30 Nxd6 Re5, when
White has undeniable compensation, for
– Your Move – example, 31 Qf4 Qc7 (if 31 ... Nc5 then 32
Nf7!) 32 Nxb5 or 32 Nf5.
25 f4 The knight could also simply retreat, as after
1 point. There are no useful preparatory moves 27 Ne2 Nc5 28 Bg5 f6 29 Bh6, the move 29 ...
left. Nxe4 is inaccurate – how can this be
25 ... exf4 26 Bxf4 Qe7 demonstrated?
After 26 ... Ne5, the knight occupies a good
central square, but this isn’t ideal for Black,
since the e4-pawn is under less pressure and
White can now improve the position of his
knight with 27 Ne2, heading for d4.
26 ... Nc5 is another possibility, but there isn’t
yet a threat to take on e4. After 27 Bg5 Qc7 28

29
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move – (after 29 ... Nxe4)
Answer: There could follow 30 Bxe4 Rxe4 31
Bxg7 Kxg7 32 Nf4, and the threatened invasion
on e6 forces concessions, because with the a-
file open 32 ... Bc8?! can now be answered by
33 Ra7+! Re7 34 Qe3! (3 points); for example,
34 ... Rf7 35 Qd4 (threatening 36 Ne6+) 35 ...
Rfb7 36 Rxb7 Rxb7 37 Qe4 f5 (not 37 ... Bf5?
38 Qxf5) 38 Qe6!.
27 Bg5
– Your Move – (as Black)
27 ... Qe5
We shall come back to this move in the next
note.
Alternatively, 27 ... f6! (2 points) is a good
move, since after 28 Bh6, Black has 28 ... Ra8,
demonstrating that the opening of the a-file
was not exclusively to White’s benefit. In that
case Black’s position would be more secure
than in the lines we looked at previously.
30
White could also avoid the bishop exchange
with the retreat 28 Be3.
– Your Move –
28 Bf4
1 point. There is no need for radical measures
yet.
The sacrifice 28 Nxh5?! loses 1 point, because
there’s nothing special after 28 ... gxh5 29 Rf5
Qg3. Here White’s best course of action is to
force a draw with 30 Rf3 Qe5 31 Rf5 etc,
because neither 30 Bf4 Qg6 31 Rg5 Qf6, nor 31
e5 dxe5 32 Rxe5 Qb6 33 Rxh5 Rbd8 are good
for White.
Going back, 27 ... Qe5 receives 1 point,
because Black would not be unhappy with a
draw, and although that move isn’t ambitious,
it isn’t bad either, since Black could change his
mind later (29 ... f6).
28 ... Qe7 29 Bg5 Qe5 30 Rf3
– Your Move – (as Black)
30 ... Ra8?!
Black sees no danger and occupies the open
file, trusting in his defensive resources on the
kingside. This move receives 0 points.
It was better to create a weakness on c3 with
30 ... b4! (4 points), and after 31 Raf1 (or 31
Ba4 Ra8!) 31 ... bxc3 32 bxc3 Rf8, the black
kingside is solid enough, even if White’s
prospects are slightly better after 33 Ne2 (Tal),
but not now 33 Nxh5?! because of 33 ... gxh5
34 Rf5? Qxc3.
31 Raf1
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 31
... Rf8 and 31 ... f6.
31 ... Rf8?
Black wants to keep the a1-h8 diagonal open,
which looks right, but in this position tactical
factors are predominant and choosing this
move loses 2 points.
By a process of elimination, 31 ... f6! (3 points)
should have been played, when Black’s
position is tenable.
– Your Move –
32 Nxh5!
3 points. Now White’s attack will be irresistible.
There was an alternative which was equally
strong, but more ‘computer-like’: 32 Nf5! (3
points), which threatens 33 Bf4; then 32 ...
gxf5 33 Rxf5 would transpose to the game.
32 ... gxh5?!
It was better just to accept the loss of the
pawn.
33 Rf5 Qe8
Now 33 ... Qg3 loses the queen after 34 R1f3
Ra1+ 35 Bd1 etc.
– Your Move –
34 e5!!
4 points. “Awakening the sleeping giant” at c2;
White now threatens to exchange a vital black
defender with Bf6.
The immediate 34 Bf6? fails to 34 ... Nxf6 35
Rxf6 Bxf6 36 Rxf6 Qe5, since if 37 Rf5 then 37
... Ra1+! wins.
31
34 Bh6?! f6! isn’t any good either.
34 ... dxe5
On 34 ... Nxe5, the reply is 35 Bf6! and the
black kingside is defenceless; for instance, 35
... Ng6 (or 35 ... Bxf6 36 Rxf6 Ng6 37 Qh6 and
wins) 36 Bxg7 (or 36 Rxh5, when 36 ... Bxf6? 37
Qh6! mates) 36 ... Kxg7 37 Rxh5 Rh8 38 Bxg6!
fxg6 39 Qd4+.
Let’s deal with Black’s other possible defensive
tries:
– Your Move – (after 34 ... Bxe5)
Answer: After 34 ... Bxe5, the strongest move is
35 Bf6! (2 points) and the attack prevails; e.g.
35 ... Bxf6 36 Rg5+! (or 36 Qh6!) 36 ... Bg7 37
Rxg7+! Kxg7 38 Qg5+ and mate in three
moves.
– Your Move – (after 34 ... f6)
Answer: After 34 ... f6, White wins by 35 exf6
Nxf6 36 Bxf6 Rxf6 37 Rxf6 Bxf6, and if you
planned 38 Qh6! then you earn 3 points.
Instead, 38 Rxf6? fails to 38 ... Ra1+ 39 Kh2
Qe5+ and the win slips away.
35 Bh6 Ra6
Black tries to bring more forces to the defence.
Closing lines with 35 ... f6 was no longer
effective – why not?
– Your Move – (after 35 ... f6)
Answer: Black’s position falls apart after 36
Bxg7 Kxg7 37 Rg5+! (2 points) 37 ... Kf7 (or 37
... Kh8 38 Rg3 and mate in four moves) 38
Bg6+ etc.
36 Bxg7 Kxg7
– Your Move –
37 d6!
2 points. Cutting the lines of communication
between the two flanks. Instead, 37 Qg5+?
(deduct 2 points) gives White no more than a
draw after 37 ... Rg6 38 Rxf7+ Rxf7 39 Qxg6+
Kf8 40 Qh6+ Ke7.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

37 ... f6 as important as advancing one’s own.” (27 ...

Vacating the f8-square for the king with 37 ...
Rh8 fails to 38 Qg5+ Kf8 39 Rxf7+ Qxf7 40
Qe7+ etc.
f6!, 30 ... Ra8?, 30 ... b4!)
3. Tal never neglected to involve as many
pieces as possible in the attack, while at the
same time hindering the reorganization of
opponent’s defensive forces. (34 e5!, 37 d6!)
4. Let’s note once again the brilliant sacrifices
ever-present when Tal was on the attack. (32
Nxh5!, 34 e5!, 38 Rg5+!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 46 points)
More than 40 points: Super-Grandmaster.
– Your Move – Between 35 and 40 points: Grandmaster.
Between 28 and 36 points: International
38 Rg5+! Master.
2 points. The final blow – the attack by all four Between 20 and 27 points: You are a master of
white pieces will be unstoppable. the Ruy Lopez!
38 ... Kf7 Between 10 and 19 points: Good tactical
Giving up the queen, but there’s nothing vision!
better: 38 ... fxg5 39 Qxg5+ leads to mate in Less than 10 points: Better luck in the next
two; while after 38 ... Kh8, both 39 Rg4 and 39 game.
Rg3 win.
39 Bg6+ Ke6 40 Bf5+ Kf7 41 Qd1!
There are several winning moves here, but this
is the most elegant.
41 ... Rh8
41 ... fxg5 leads to mate after 42 Qxh5+ Kf6 43
Qh6+ Kf7 44 Qg6 or 44 Be6.
42 Bg6+ Ke6 43 Bxe8 Rxe8 44 Qxh5 Rd8 45
Rg7 Kxd6 46 Qf7 1-0

Mikhail Tal vs. Boris Spassky, Tilburg 1980.

Some lessons from this game:

1. When is it useful to maintain the tension?
When is it necessary to release it? There are
no easy answers; these are difficult skills to
learn. (23 Kh1?, 23 f4!, 24 axb5!, 30 ... Ra8?,
30 ... b4!, 31 ... Rf8?)
2. Something we have already seen and shall
see again: “Preventing the opponent’s plan is

32
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Game 5
White: You
Black: Master
Pirc Defence [B08]
1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 g6 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 h3
This move used to be very popular; it controls
g4 and thus prepares Be3. It was later replaced
by 5 Be3, since it was found that ... Ng4 isn’t a
problem (White responds with Bg5), and so
h2-h3 can kept in reserve for when it’s really
necessary.
5 ... 0-0 6 Be3 a6 7 a4
White prevents expansion with ... b7-b5, but
now castling queenside is much less appealing.
7 ... b6 8 Bc4
White chooses the most active development
for his bishop; it could also go to d3 or e2, or
White could play 8 Qd2.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 8 ...
Bb7, 8 ... e6, and 8 ... Nc6.
8 ... Bb7?!
This is a developing move, but it’s also rather
provocative. Black reckons that the hardly very
active moves h2-h3 and a2-a4 don’t fit
together very well; they are not bad moves,
but as Black hasn’t done anything ‘wrong’, he
should be able to deal with any premature
attack. While this is correct in theory, practice
is a different matter and tactics will override
any other factors.
33
The other developing move 8 ... Nc6 (0 points)
is no better; White would continue as in the
game.
More prudent, and also more accurate, is 8 ...
e6! (2 points).
– Your Move – (after 8 ... Bb7?!) Choose
between 9 e5, 9 d5, and 9 Nd2.
9 e5
2 points. “In a greater sense this move is
forced and both players follow a narrow
tactical play.” (Seirawan)
Any other choice loses 1 point. 9 d5?! is
illogical, as it blocks the bishop’s diagonal;
Black could respond with 9 ... Nbd7 and ... Nc5,
or 9 ... c6, opening the c-file in his favour. Or
on 9 Nd2?!, Black can take advantage of the
bishop on c4 to react strongly with 9 ... d5!.
9 ... Ne4
Of course the passive 9 ... Ne8 was not part of
Black’s plan, and 10 e6 might follow.
The ending isn’t fully satisfactory either. After,
for example, 9 ... dxe5 10 dxe5 Ne4 (not 10 ...
Nfd7?! because of 11 e6) 11 Bxf7+! Kxf7 12
Nxe4 Bxe4 13 Ng5+ Kg8 14 Nxe4 Bxe5 15 Bh6
Qxd1+ 16 Rxd1 Re8 17 c3, White has the
superior structure and a clear advantage.
10 Nxe4 Bxe4
– Your Move – Choose between 11 e6, 11 0-0,
and 11 Ng5.
11 Ng5!
4 points. Consistent with White’s previous
aggressive play. The quiet 11 0-0 (0 points)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
causes Black no problems, and 11 ... dxe5 12
Nxe5 Nc6 is equal.
After 11 e6 (0 points), the white centre loses
its mobility and doesn’t look dangerous – with
11 ... f5, followed for example by ... d6-d5, ...
f5-f4, ... Nc6 etc, Black has a decent position.
– Your Move – (as Black)
11 ... Bxg2
2 points. This was Black’s intention in playing 8
... Bb7 and it’s a case of “in for a penny, in for a
pound”.
There was really no decent alternative. After
11 ... d5 (deduct 1 point), a possible
continuation is 12 Nxe4 dxc4 (not 12 ... dxe4?
13 Qg4) 13 0-0, when Black’s structure is
inferior and the g7-bishop remains passive.
After 11 ... Bb7 (deduct 1 point), 12 e6 is now
strong. The engines don’t like Black’s position
after 12 ... f5 13 d5 Bxb2 14 Bd4 Bxa1 15 Qxa1
– even though he is the exchange and a pawn
up, he is playing without his queenside pieces
(besides, the exchange can be recovered at
any time with Bh6) – or 14 ... Bxd4 15 Qxd4,
followed by h3-h4, and Black’s position is
dubious.
12 Rg1 Bc6
A tough decision; it was impossible to be sure
which square was better, c6 or b7. With the
move chosen, Black wants to have ... Be8
available, and he also targets the a4-pawn.
– Your Move –
13 Qg4!
34
4 points. Charge! White just masses his pieces
on the kingside, ignoring the fate of the e5-
pawn.
The alternative was 13 e6 (1 point), but closing
the position is something White should think
twice about; Seirawan gives 13 ... f6 14 Nf7
Qc8 15 d5 Be8 16 Nh6+ Kh8, and “White has
overextended himself.”
13 ... e6
With so many pieces attacking Black’s king,
taking the pawn with 13 ... dxe5 looks
extremely risky. White could simply respond
with 14 dxe5, but there’s a more concrete
continuation – what is it?
– Your Move – (after 13 ... dxe5)
Answer: The most straightforward response is
14 Nxh7! (2 points), since the attack is
unstoppable after 14 ... Kxh7? 15 Qh4+ Kg8 16
Rxg6 etc.
Actually, there is more than one convincing
continuation. Also playable is 14 Qh4! (2
points), and if 14 ... h6 then 15 Ne6! is very
strong; e.g. 15 ... fxe6 16 Bxh6 Qxd4 (or 16 ...
Bd5 17 Rxg6 Rf7 18 Bxg7 Rxg7 19 Rxg7+ Kxg7
and now, for instance, 20 Ra3 followed by
Rg3+) 17 Bxe6+ Rf7 18 Rg4 Qxb2 19 Rd1! with
a decisive attack. White might also play 15
Nxf7! Rxf7 16 Rxg6 Bd5 and now, for instance,
17 Bxh6 Bxc4 18 0-0-0, followed by Rdg1 and
Qg5.
14 0-0-0 Nd7
Targeting e5; Black accepts the challenge of
hand-to-hand combat, trusting in his defensive
resources.
More prudent is 14 ... Qe7, but not necessarily
better. Black defends e6 and f7, and hopes to
play ... b6-b5 and maybe ... h7-h5 (this idea
requires having ... Be8 available). White would
continue as in the game.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move –
15 h4!
4 points. Consistent with his main idea – White
wants to open lines. There are various
sacrificial possibilities instead, but the position
isn’t yet ripe for these:
There is no advantage in 15 Nxf7 (0 points) 15
... Rxf7 16 Qxe6 d5! (even better than 16 ...
Qf8 17 Qxf7+ Qxf7 18 Bxf7+ Kxf7 19 d5 Bxd5
20 Rxd5 Nxe5, when the two pawns give Black
decent compensation for the exchange) 17
Qxc6 dxc4 18 e6 Rf6 19 Qxd7 Qxd7 20 exd7
Rd6 with an equal ending.
15 Bxe6 (0 points) doesn’t yield anything
concrete either. After 15 ... fxe6 16 Qxe6+ Kh8
17 Nxh7 Qe8 18 Nxf8 Nxf8 19 Qxe8 Bxe8 20
exd6 cxd6, even though White has two pawns
and a rook for the two minor pieces, his rooks
are ineffective, while the black pieces can soon
occupy active posts.
15 ... dxe5
Playing ... h7-h5, either now or on the next
move, would radically prevent the opening of
the h-file but weaken the black kingside even
more.
Instead, 15 ... Qe7? gives more protection to
e6 and f7, but after 16 h5! White’s attack
proceeds unchecked; for example, 16 ... dxe5
17 hxg6! (17 Qh3 and 17 Nxh7 are also
promising) 17 ... hxg6 18 Qh3, and now 18 ...
Nf6 fails to 19 Nxe6! fxe6 20 Bxe6+ Rf7 21
Rxg6 and there’s no defence. Let’s continue
this line a little further: 21 ... Kf8 22 dxe5 Ng8
23 Bxf7 Qxf7 24 Rxc6 etc.
35
How would you refute 18 ... Rfe8 - ?
– Your Move – (after 18 ... Rfe8)
Answer: With 19 Bxe6! fxe6 20 Qh7+ Kf8 21
Qxg6 (2 points), threatening 22 Nxe6+, or if 21
... Bd5 then 22 Nh7+ Kg8 23 Bh6 etc.
– Your Move –
16 dxe5!
3 points. Opening the d-file ... in White’s
favour? Exactly so, as we shall see.
The alternative, 16 Nxe6! (2 points), at first
seems to give White no more than an equal
game, but let’s examine it: 16 ... fxe6 17 Qxe6+
Kh8 18 Qxc6 exd4 19 Bxd4?! Bxd4 20 Rxd4,
and now – how to continue?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 20 Rxd4)
Answer: The only move that offers any chances
of equality is 20 ... Qf6! (2 points), when 21
Qxd7? is no good because of 21 ... Rad8, while
21 Qxf6+ Nxf6 leads to an approximately equal
position, since the superior black structure
compensates for White’s greater dynamism.
However, White’s play can be improved with
19 Rxd4!, when 19 ... Bxd4? is inadvisable in
view of 20 Bxd4+ Nf6 21 Bd5!, followed by h4-
h5. The best defence is 19 ... Qf6, intending to
play 20 ... c5 if the white queen moves; but
instead of exchanging the queens and trusting
in his pair of bishops, White can play 20 Qh1!!,
planning to answer 20 ... c5?! with 21 h5! and
a decisive attack. For instance, if 21 ... cxd4?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

then 22 hxg6 just wins; while if Black tries 20 ...
h5, then after 21 c3 the continued presence of
the queens on the board is a serious threat to
the security of the black king.
16 ... Qe7
– Your Move –
since White’s attack is faster; e.g. 23 ... Qxf7 24
Bxg6 Qe7 25 Bh5!, planning Rxg7 and Bh6. If
instead, 19 ... Bxe5, another of the sacrifices
latent in the position makes its appearance: 20
Nxh7! Rfe8 (20 ... Rfd8 is similar, while 20 ...
Kxh7 21 hxg6+ leads to mate in five) 21 Qe4!
Bg7 22 hxg6 f6 23 Qh4, intending Bc5!.
b) 18 ... h6 doesn’t inspire confidence. White
can gain a clear advantage with 19 hxg6! hxg5
20 Bxg5 Qc5 21 Bf6! Qxf2 22 Bxg7! (not 22
gxf7+? Rxf7 23 Bxg7 Qxg1+! 24 Qxg1 Rxg7 and
Black is okay) 22 ... Kxg7 (if 22 ... Qxg1+ 23
Qxg1 Kxg7, then 24 Bd3! wins) 23 gxf7+ Kxf7
24 Rf1 and Black’s king is in a bad way.
c) At first Black was relying on 18 ... Bxe5 19
Nxh7! Qb4 (not 19 ... Kxh7? 20 hxg6+ and it’s
mate in five again) – what should White play
here?

17 Rxd7!
5 points. “Both forced and good” (Seirawan) –
a very important defender is eliminated. After
the natural 17 f4 (1 point), Black first plays 17
... b5! 18 Ba2 and then regroups with 18 ...
Rfd8 19 h5 Nf8 etc, when the kingside
defences have been strengthened by the
arrival of the knight.
17 ... Bxd7
After 17 ... Qxd7, White’s attack continues
unabated; for example, 18 h5 Bd5 19 hxg6
hxg6 20 Qh4 Rfd8 21 Bd3 and Bxg6 is coming – – Your Move – (after 19 ... Qb4)
the engines quickly decide that there’s no
defence for Black. Answer: The only winning continuation is 20
18 h5 Bd4! (2 points). Black was initially going to play
“Boris is an unstoppable attacking machine,” 20 ... Qxc4 (20 ... Bxd4 21 Qxd4 Kxh7 22 hxg6+
said Seirawan. is another mate in five) 21 Bxe5 Qxg4 22 Nf6+
18 ... f5?! Kg7, but at the last moment he saw the flaw in
“A bad move, which succeeds only in his analysis. What had he missed?
weakening my kingside.” (Seirawan)
However, finding a satisfactory defence isn’t
easy, as we shall see:
a) After 18 ... b5 White, logically, doesn’t take
on b5. One possibility is to switch the bishop to
a more effective diagonal with 19 Bd3 (the
simple 19 hxg6! is another strong
continuation), and if 19 ... bxa4 then 20 hxg6
hxg6 21 Qh3 Rfb8 22 Qh7+ Kf8 23 Nxf7! wins,

36
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move – (after 22 ... Kg7)
Answer: 23 Rxg4? (deduct 1 point) gives
nothing after 23 ... Bc6 24 h6+ Kxh6 25 f4 (or
25 Rh4+ Kg5 26 Rg4+ Kh6) 25 ... Bf3 26 Rh4+
Bh5, and White must take the draw with 27
Ng4+ Kh7 28 Nf6+ Kh6 etc.
White is better after 23 Nxg4+ (1 point) 23 ...
f6 24 Nxf6 Rxf6 25 Rxg6+ Kh7 26 Rxf6 Bxa4 etc,
but not clearly winning.
White can reach a superior rook ending with
23 Nxd7+ (2 points) 23 ... f6 (now 23 ... Kh6 24
Rxg4 Kxh5 25 Nf6+ Kh6 loses to 26 f4!) 24 Rxg4
fxe5 25 Rxg6+ Kh7 26 Nxf8+ Rxf8 27 Rxe6,
when White is a pawn up, and although there’s
a saying that “all rook endings are drawn”,
Black will have to suffer here to prove it.
However, there is a clear win with 23 h6+!! (4
points) 23 ... Kh8 (after 23 ... Kxh6 24 Nxg4+
Kg5 25 Ne3+ mate soon follows) 24 Rxg4 Bc6,
when Black is paralysed and can only watch
while White weaves a mating net; for example
with 25 Rg3, controlling f3 (to prevent the
manoeuvre ... Bf3-h5), followed by h6-h7 and
Ng8+.
37
– Your Move – Choose between 19 exf6 and
19 Qh3.
19 Qh3!
2 points. The correct move, not deviating from
the chosen path.
Instead, 19 exf6? (deduct 2 points) breathes
fresh life into Black’s position – he is more
active after 19 ... Qxf6, attacking b2 and with ...
Qf5 on the agenda. Then 20 Bxe6+?! doesn’t
work, as after 20 ... Bxe6 21 Qxe6+ Kh8!,
Black’s material advantage is significant.
19 ... f4
Black tries to block the e3-bishop’s access to
the kingside.
How would you finish the game after ... h6 - ?
– Your Move – (after 19 ... h6)
Answer: White wins with the simple 20 hxg6 (1
point) and after, for example, 20 ... Bxe5, both
21 Nf7 and 21 Qxh6 Qg7 22 Nxe6 Qxh6 23
Bxh6 etc are winning.
Black can prevent h5xg6 with 19 ... gxh5, but
then both the g- and h-files are open, and
White’s attack is unstoppable after 20 Qxh5 h6
21 Nh3 Kh8 22 Nf4 Qf7 23 Qh4, planning, for
example, Nh5 or Be2-h5.
20 hxg6 Bxe5
There is no good defence. What happens after
20 ... h6, which places two white pieces en
prise?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move – (after 20 ... h6)
Answer: There are several tempting
continuations, such as 21 Nxe6? (deduct 1
point), when 21 ... fxe3? loses to 22 Nxf8+ Kxf8
23 Qf3+ etc. Unfortunately, after 21 ... Kh8!
White’s pieces really are in danger, and the
combinative solution 22 Bd4 Rfe8 23 Nxg7
Bxh3 24 Nxe8 Rxe8 25 g7+ Qxg7 26 Rxg7 Kxg7
27 Bxa6 Be6 leads only to a Black advantage.
Nevertheless, as Seirawan pointed out, after
20 ... h6, Black “had no threat to take the g5-
knight at all. White could just ignore my
‘threat’ and play 21 Bd2!” (3 points), retaining
all his attacking options; for example, 21 ...
Bxe5 is punished by 22 Nf7! Bg7 23 Bc3 Rfe8,
and now there’s a choice between the
spectacular 24 Qxh6 and the prosaic 24 Bxg7,
both winning. Or after 21 ... Rfe8, White wins
with 22 Nf7! Qc5 23 Nxh6+ Kf8 24 Rg4! Re7 (or
24 ... Bxe5 25 g7+ Ke7 26 g8Q Rxg8 27 Nxg8+
etc) 25 Rxf4+ Ke8 26 Ng8 Qxe5 27 Qh4.
38
– Your Move –
21 Nxe6!
3 points. The strongest move, although not the
only winning one. White could also play 21
Nf7! (2 points), as after the virtually forced line
21 ... Rxf7 22 gxf7+ Kh8 23 Qg2! Qf8 24 Qe4!
White mates, since 24 ... Bg7 is met by 25 Bd3.
White’s position is so strong that there are
other ways to win, such as 21 Bd2, but these
gain no points – we should try to finish the
game off as quickly as possible, not prolong
the struggle.
21 ... Bxe6
Now 21 ... Kh8 loses to 22 Rh1.
22 Bxe6+ Kg7
Again if 22 ... Kh8, then 23 Rh1 is the quickest
solution.
23 gxh7+ 1-0
Boris Spassky vs. Yasser Seirawan, Zürich
1984.
Some lessons from this game:
1. Self-confidence is essential, but this can
easily be carried too far. (8 ... Bb7?!)
2. With the benefit of hindsight, it’s easy to
recommend prudence. (8 ... e6!)
3. “Charge!” – as we read, Seirawan referred
to Spassky in this game as an “unstoppable
attacking machine”. The former world
champion also played many other games
which justify this description. It is amazing
how many powerful attacking moves White
played in this short game. (9 e5!, 11 Ng5!, 13
Qg4!, 15 h4!, 17 Rxd7! etc)
4. The true value of the pieces can vary,
depending on the position. Sometimes a
sacrifice is justified to prevent a key defensive
manoeuvre. This idea can be seen in many
combinations. (17 Rxd7!)
5. A good dose of both imagination and
precise analysis are indispensable for
carrying out such a brilliant attack.
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 47 points)
More than 42 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 37 and 42 points: Grandmaster.
Between 28 and 36 points: International
Master.
Between 20 and 27 points: The opponent’s
king is your favourite target!
Between 10 and 19 points: Not bad at all.
Less than 10 points: You are surely learning
many tactical ideas.
39
Game 6
White: You
Black: Master
Sicilian Defence [B42]
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 a6 5 Bd3 Bc5
6 Nb3 Ba7
After successfully persuading the white knight
to leave the centre, at the cost of a tempo,
Black wants to keep his bishop active on the
g1-a7-diagonal, impeding White’s
development. The drawback, compared with
the alternative retreat 6 ... Be7, is that the
bishop will be missed in the defence of both
the kingside and the d6-square.
7 Qe2
White prepares Be3, neutralizing the annoying
bishop. The main alternatives are 7 c4 and 7
Qg4.
7 ... Nc6 8 Be3 d6 9 f4
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between
9 ... b5, 9 ... Nf6, 9 ... Nge7, 9 ... Qc7, and 9 ...
Bxe3.
9 ... Qc7
0 points. This is a typical Sicilian move, but it
isn’t really essential in this position, as we shall
see.
The advance 9 ... b5 (deduct 1 point) also looks
‘normal’ but isn’t the most accurate either.
When considering what to play, we should
always keep in mind the opponent’s
possibilities. Since the white knight is still on
b1, 10 a4! should first spring to mind; Black
then has to choose between two evils: 10 ...
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
bxa4 11 Rxa4 activates White’s forces and
leaves the a6-pawn weak; while 10 ... b4 is
even worse, since after 11 Bxa7 Rxa7 12 0-0
Nf6 13 N1d2 0-0 14 a5, Black has weaknesses
on d6 and b6, much to the ‘delight’ of the d2-
knight.
The exchange 9 ... Bxe3 (0 points) 10 Qxe3 just
helps White’s development, without any
obvious benefits to Black.
9 ... Nf6 (2 points) or 9 ... Nge7 (2 points) are
the best choices.
For instance: 9 ... Nf6 10 Bxa7 Rxa7 11 c4 (11
Nc3 would be the main alternative) 11 ... 0-0
12 Nc3 b6 13 0-0 Nd7 14 Rad1 Nc5 15 Bb1 Rd7
(this is one reason why 9 ... Qc7 may not be
the best – the rook is prevented from going to
c7, occupying the c-file, or to d7, as in this
case, overprotecting the d6-pawn) and now,
after 16 Nd2, Black has 16 ... b5! with good
play, as practice has shown.
10 0-0 Nf6 11 Bxa7
The black queen being on c7 makes this a
logical choice, as we have seen. Now the white
queen has more freedom.
11 ... Rxa7 12 Nc3 b5?!
– Your Move –
13 a4!
3 points. This move is still promising even with
the knight on c3. We shall soon appreciate the
strength of this advance, so we can quickly
conclude that it was better for Black to play a
‘normal’ move such as 12 ... 0-0, postponing a
decision about the b-pawn.
40
Quieter moves such as 13 a3 and 13 Qe3,
suggested by the winner, deserve only 1 point.
13 ... b4
– Your Move –
14 Nd1
2 points. The best retreat, as the knight has
greater mobility via d1-e3 than b1-d2. White
now threatens 15 a5, fixing the a6-pawn.
Black’s next move solves this problem; on the
other hand, the b5-square is relinquished,
even if that factor doesn’t seem relevant at
this point.
14 ... a5 15 Ne3
In their excellent book, San Luis 2005, Gershon
and Nor sum up the position thus: “Initial
results of the last three moves: Black
weakened b5 and c4; White transferred his
knight to a much better position, still eyeing
the vital d5-square, only one step away from
attacking the black king.”
15 ... 0-0 16 Kh1 Bb7
– Your Move –
17 Ng4!
3 points. Black’s kingside is poorly defended, so
no other move is as logical as this one,
exchanging the defending knight. No other
move receives any points. The a1-rook is the
only white piece that isn’t active; this can be
easily remedied, but which square it should go
to is something to be decided later.
Black has now a difficult defensive task.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 17 ...
Nxg4, 17 ... Nd7, and 17 ... Qe7.
17 ... Nxg4
0 points. White is happy with this exchange,
which is exactly what he wants – especially in
this way, improving the position of his queen,
while Black gets almost nothing in return.
After 17 ... Nd7?! (deduct 1 point), retaining
the knight for the defence, White can prepare
the f4-f5 advance with 18 Qf2, followed by
Qg3, or 18 Rf3 and Rg3, though it’s possibly
best just to play 18 f5 immediately.
Black’s best option is to draft in another
defender with 17 ... Qe7! (3 points) and if 18
Rae1, then halt the planned advance of the
white e-pawn with 18 ... e5!, as pointed out by
the winner.
18 Qxg4 Raa8
The advance 18 ... e5, stabilizing the centre, is
generally something Black wants to do, but
here, after 19 f5 f6 20 Rf3, White’s attack is
both dangerous and easy to play.
19 Rae1 Qe7
– Your Move –
20 Re3
2 points. The rook moves closer to the
kingside, which is bad news for Black, who
sorely misses his f6-knight. The alternative was
the immediate 20 e5 (1 point). Black could
counter-attack with 20 ... f5, which gains him
some counterplay after 21 exf6 Rxf6. However,
Black’s structure is inferior and White appears
to be better after, for instance, 22 Nd2,
41
planning to transfer the other knight to the
kingside.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 20 ...
Rad8, 20 ... g6, and 20 ... e5.
20 ... g6?
It is true that after the coming Rg3 a
weakening move like this will be necessary in
any case, but Black should not have
‘volunteered’ it without a concrete reason.
This move therefore loses 2 points.
20 ... Rad8 isn’t a particularly useful move and
receives no points.
This was the right moment to play 20 ... e5! (3
points) and after 21 f5, instead of stopping the
pawn advance 22 f6 with 21 ... f6, Black can
play 21 ... Qf6!.
White should thus probably refrain from
advancing the f-pawn and play 21 Rg3 instead;
whereas 21 Rh3 wouldn’t be very dangerous –
why not?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 21 Rh3)
Answer: Because Black could establish a
powerful ‘Sicilian knight’ on e5 after 21 ... exf4!
(2 points). If White tries to prevent ... Ne5 by
playing 22 e5, then after 22 ... g6 the main
beneficiary of the opening of the diagonals
would be Black’s bishop on b7, rather than
White’s on d3.
– Your Move –
21 Qg3!
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
3 points. This prepares the f4-f5 advance, since
the e3-rook is now defended; the queen also
moves out of range of an eventual ... Ne5.
Another plus is that the queen now exerts X-
ray pressure on the d6-pawn.
The chess engines prefer other moves here,
but they are not really better. Surprisingly, at
first one of their ‘top’ suggestions is 21 Ree1.
21 ... Rfe8
Preventing f4-f5 again; Leko indicates that
after 21 ... Kh8 White could play 22 f5 anyway,
as the opening of the g-file isn’t unfavourable
to White; e.g. 22 ... gxf5? 23 exf5 Rg8 and
White’s attack is devastating after 24 Qh3 Ne5
25 f6! etc.
– Your Move –
22 Bb5!
5 points. With this unexpected switch of
diagonal, the bishop creates an annoying pin
and exerts more pressure on the a5-pawn.
Does this mean that the attack against the king
has been abandoned? Not at all. According to
Gershon and Nor, this manoeuvre recalls
Karpov in his heyday.
It was also reasonable to improve the position
of the worst-placed piece by playing 22 Nd2 (1
point). Insisting on playing f4-f5 with 22 Rfe1
would move the rook away from the f-file
where it’s needed, so this receives no points.
22 ... Rac8
If Black unpins the knight with 22 ... Red8,
White would naturally play 23 f5; while if Black
exchanges bishops with 22 ... Ba6, the winner
indicated the line 23 Rd3 Bxb5 24 axb5 Nb8 25
42
Nd4 with the initiative – the presence of the
pawn on b5 is awkward for Black and his
pieces are badly coordinated. No better was 24
... Na7 25 Nd4, since if 25 ... Qb7, White gets a
strong attack with 26 f5!, threatening 27 f6,
among other things.
– Your Move –
23 c3!
3 points. A complement to the previous move;
White plans to continue with 24 Nd4. If now 23
... bxc3 24 Rxc3, White would once again be
threatening to play f4-f5.
The engines prefer an ‘inhuman’ move, such as
23 c4.
23 ... Red8
– Your Move –
24 f5!
2 points. Of course! Now that the rook is no
longer on e8, White plays his planned pawn
break. For any other move, deduct 1 point.
Black can’t take advantage of the one
drawback of this advance by playing 24 ... Ne5,
owing to 25 Nxa5.
24 ... bxc3
– Your Move –
25 bxc3!
2 points. Although this move weakens White’s
pawn structure, Black can’t do much to exploit
it. White’s priority is to prevent Black’s
counterplay. And besides, as I once heard
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

someone say, “In the next game, all the pawns

will be neatly arranged once again.”
After the apparently ‘healthier’ recapture 25
Rxc3?! (deduct 1 point), Black could respond
effectively with 25 ... Ne5!, since the e4-pawn
is then en prise and a new front, the c-file, is
opened up, which could well distract White
from his kingside attack.
25 ... Ra8

– Your Move – (as Black; after 29 Rh6)

Answer: The clearest way is 29 ... Ng4! (2

– Your Move –
26 f6
1 point. This wedge is extremely powerful, as
White’s major pieces can quickly move to the
kingside.
26 ... Qf8 27 Qf4 h6?!
This doesn’t hinder White’s attacking
intentions; and the radical 27 ... h5 can be
answered by 28 g4.
One annotator wrote that 27 ... Ne5! would be
met by 28 Rh3 (intending 29 Rh6, followed by
Qh4), when 28 ... h5 would fail to 29 Be2! and
Bxh5. But in fact Black has enough resources
after 28 ... Ba6!; if then 29 Rh6, what is the
correct defensive move?
points) and the rook must retreat.
Returning to 27 ... Ne5, another option for
White is 28 c4!?, planning to undermine the
strong black knight with an eventual c4-c5.
28 Rh3 g5
Not a pleasant move to have to make, but 28
... Kh7 was not the solution either – how would
you respond to this?
– Your Move – (after 28 ... Kh7)
Answer: After 29 Qg5! (2 points), with the plan
of Rf4-h4, there’s no good defence. If 29 ... e5,
preventing Rf4, one winning line is 30 Rh4
Rab8 31 Rf3 Bc8 and now simply 32 g4.
29 Qe3 Ne5

– Your Move –

30 Rh5!

43
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
2 points. Threatening Qh3. There isn’t a great
deal of space on the h-file, but there’s just
enough; White also threatens 31 h4.
This is much stronger than 30 Rg3 (0 points) 30
... Kh7 31 h4 g4 etc.
30 ... Ng6
– Your Move –
31 Qh3
2 points. This was the idea – straightforward
and probably best.
Leko gives 31 h4! (2 points) as a strong
alternative; then if 31 ... Nf4 White has 32
Rxf4! gxf4 33 Qxf4 e5 (after 33 ... Kh7 the
easiest way is 34 Bd3, when 34 ... e5 35 Qf5+
Kg8 36 Bc4! is similar, and 34 ... Ba6 35 c4 e5
doesn’t really help after 36 Qg5 and 37 Nd4)
34 Qg4+ Kh7 35 Qf5+ Kh8 36 Bc4! (threatening
37 Bxf7) 36 ... d5 37 Qg5! Kh7 38 exd5 Bxd5 39
Bd3+ e4 40 Nd4! and Nf5, winning.
Instead, 31 ... Nxh4 is punished by 32 Rxh4
gxh4 33 Rf4 Kh7 34 Rg4 etc. No better is 31 ...
gxh4, since after 32 Rxh6 Bxe4 33 Qg5!, White
can exploit the opening of the h-file – the
threat is Rf4xh4, or if 33 ... e5 then 34 Rxh4
Bc2 35 Rh3, followed by Qh5 wins.
31 ... Bxe4
If 31 ... Nf4 then simply 32 Rxf4 gxf4 33 Rxh6
etc.
32 Nd2!
Harassing the bishop, which has become a
good defensive piece. Nevertheless, the simple
32 Rxh6! is even stronger according to the
engines.
44
– Your Move – (as Black)
32 ... Bc2!
2 points. The most tenacious. This move isn’t
enough to save the game, but it sets the most
problems. It’s better than 32 ... Bf5 (0 points)
33 g4 Bc2 34 Rxh6, when Black is helpless
against the threat of Rh7-g7+.
Black’s king position is also demolished after
32 ... d5 (0 points) 33 Rxh6 Rac8 34 Qh5 Rxc3?!
35 Nxe4 (better than the intended 35 Rh7) 35
... dxe4 36 Rxg6+! fxg6 37 Qxg6+ Kh8 38 Qh5+
Kg8 39 f7+ Kg7 40 Qxg5+ and the c3-rook will
be captured in a few more moves.
33 Rxh6
Finally opening the h-file. The engines like 33
Be2! (preventing ... g5-g4), which is also
strong.
33 ... Rac8
What would you play to counter the move
‘feared’ by the computers – 33 ... g4 - ?
– Your Move – (after 33 ... g4)
Answer: White must combine attack with
defence.
34 Qh5? (deduct 1 point) doesn’t work, since
Black can counter-attack with 34 ... Rac8!,
when 35 Rh7? is bad because of 35 ... Rc5!,
forcing the exchange of queens.
The best way is 34 Qe3! (3 points), and if 34 ...
Rac8, there are several strong continuations,
such as 35 Rc1 Bf5 36 Nb3, threatening Nd4 as
well as the capture of the a5-pawn. But the
strongest move seems to be 35 h3!, again with
the idea of occupying the h-file – it threatens
36 hxg4, followed by Qh3 etc, or if 35 ... g3
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

then 36 Rf3 and Black’s position remains Winning the exchange; though as Leko pointed
critical. out, 40 Qg5 was even stronger, intending 41
34 Rh5 Rc5 35 Rc1 Rh3 and Qh5.
In time trouble White allows Black a practical 40 ... Rxc6
chance. There were several good moves, such After 40 ... Rd7 41 Ne5 Rdc7, White has 42
as 35 Be2! (the engines’ preference), 35 Qg3, Bd7!, threatening the rook as well as 43 Bxe6.
and even 35 c4, threatening 36 Qc3. If then 42 ... Rxd7 43 Nxd7 Qd8, the quickest
way is 44 Qg5 with mate in eight, according to
– Your Move – (as Black) Houdini, although the odd-looking 44 Rh7
forces mate in just one move more.
35 ... g4! 41 Bxc6 Qd6 42 Qg5 Qf4 43 Qxf4 Nxf4 44 Rg5+
2 points. Maximum resistance! This is the The rest is easy.
move that 35 Be2 would have prevented. 44 ... Kh7 45 Bb5 Kh6 46 h4 Nxg2 47 Rxg2 Rg8
Not 35 ... Bf5? (deduct 1 point) 36 g4 and the 48 Rc2! 1-0
bishop is lost. Peter Leko vs. Rustam Kasimdzhanov, FIDE
36 Qxg4 World Championship, San Luis 2005.
Some lessons from this game:
– Your Move – (as Black) 1. When to remain flexible, and when to
36 ... Bf5?! take concrete action? The answer is “it
0 points. In time trouble himself, Black fails to depends ... ” – there’s no ‘one-size-fits-all’
find the more tenacious 36 ... Rxc3! (2 points), answer. (9 ... Qc7?, 9 ... Nf6!, 9 ... Nge7!, 20
threatening 37 ... Bf5, and the struggle would e5?!, 20 Re3!)
continue. Now we can clearly see why 35 c4 2. “Which piece should I exchange? Which one
was suggested. should I keep?” If you can find the right
37 Qg3 d5 answers you’ll probably discover the correct
plan. (17 Ng4!, 22 Bb5!)
3. “How can I improve the position of my
pieces?” This is another question which, posed
at the right moment, can give us clues to
finding the best move. (38 Nb3!)
4. As the book San Luis 2005 remarks, knowing
the classics is always useful – as we can see in
the ‘Karpovian’ moves 22 Bb5! and 24 c3!.
Another lesson from the classics: play on both
sides of the board is something we can learn
from Alekhine’s games.
5. Never underestimate the opponent’s
– Your Move – defensive resources, even in difficult
situations. (35 Rc1?!, 35 c4!)
38 Nb3 Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
1 point. Once the knight enters the fray the actually played.
result will become clear.
38 ... Rcc8 39 Nd4
Even the materialistic 39 Nxa5 was good. How did you do?
39 ... Be4 40 Nc6 (Maximum score: 55 points)
More than 48 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 41 and 48 points: Grandmaster.

45
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Between 32 and 40 points: International
Master.
Between 22 and 31 points: You found some
good positional and tactical moves!
Between 10 and 21 points: You found several
difficult moves!
Less than 10 points: The time spent looking at
this game was a good investment, as you will
discover.
46
Game 7
White: Master
Black: You
Sicilian Defence [B90]
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6
6 Be3 e5 7 Nb3 Be6 8 Qd2 Nbd7 9 0-0-0 Be7 10
f3 b5 11 g4 b4
Other moves, associated with different plans,
are: 11 ... h6, 11 ... 0-0 and 11 ... Nb6.
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 12
Nd5, 12 Ne2, and 12 Na4.
12 Nd5
1 point. 12 Ne2 (1 point) is of similar worth.
Although it allows Black to continue his pawn
offensive with 12 ... a5, White can reply with
13 Kb1; whereas the black king, whether he
stays in the centre or runs to the kingside,
will not be safe anywhere, as the white
pawns are also menacing.
12 Na4 (0 points) halts the advance ... a6-a5-
a4, which can sometimes justify putting a
knight out of play. In this case, the knight is
vulnerable to (among other things) an
eventual ... Qc7-c6; for example, after 12 ...
Rb8, which would force Kb1, followed by
Nc1, in order to be able to play b2-b3.
If White dislodges the f6-knight with g4-g5,
in many variations the best answer will be ...
Nh5, which has some similarities to White’s
Na4 move – the main difference being that
the black knight can jump to f4 in many lines,
which changes things significantly.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
12 ... Bxd5 13 exd5
– Your Move – Choose between 13 ... a5, 13 ...
Nb6, and 13 ... 0-0.
13 ... Nb6
2 points. This is the way to show that White’s
12 Nd5 has a downside. Otherwise White has
just gained control of the light squares and,
in particular, thanks to 13 exd5, the c6-
square, which could be very important.
13 ... 0-0? (deduct 2 points) isn’t justified in
view of the obvious answer 14 Qxb4.
The counter-attack 13 ... a5? (deduct 1 point)
14 g5 Nh5 isn’t satisfactory either – why not?
– Your Move – (as White; after 14 ... Nh5)
Answer: It is possible to play simply 15 Kb1 (1
point) and White is slightly better after, for
instance, 15 ... Rb8 16 Bh3 etc.
However, 15 Bb5! (2 points) is more
accurate; after 15 ... 0-0 16 Kb1 a4 17 Nc1,
Black’s pawns are very weak and his pieces
are not active enough to compensate for loss
of material.
We might wonder why Black can’t play 15 ... a4
(instead of 15 ... 0-0).
– Your Move – (as White; after 15 ... a4)
Answer: Because White has the move 16
Nc5! (2 points) available, and the black king is
in a bad way after 16 ... dxc5 17 d6, since 17
... Bf8? fails to 18 Qd5, threatening 19
47
Qxe5+. Returning the piece by 17 ... Bf6 18
gxf6 Nxf6 19 Rg1 isn’t encouraging either.
14 Na5
The alternative, 14 Qxb4, isn’t advantageous
either, according to current theory. Black
should then capture on d5, but which way?
– Your Move – (after 14 Qxb4)
Answer: Black should play 14 ... Nfxd5 (1
point), when 15 Bxb6 is forced (because all
queen retreats lose to 15 ... Nxe3, followed
by 16 ... Bg5) and practice has shown that
Black can hold the position after 15 ... Nxb6.
14 ... Nbxd5? (deduct 1 point) isn’t the same,
since after 15 Qa4+ White can keep his pair
of bishops with advantage.
– Your Move –
14 ... Nbxd5
1 point. Consistent, if not forced. This was
the idea, not fearing the entrance of the
knight at c6.
15 Nc6
White also tried 15 Nc4 in later games.
15 ... Qc7 16 Nxb4
The alternative is 16 Nxe7 – what would
happen then? Give a short variation.
– Your Move – (after 16 Nxe7)
Answer: Black gets decent play after 16 ...
Nxe3! (2 points) 17 Qxe3 Kxe7. With the
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
disappearance of the e3-bishop, the black
king is safer, even if it stays in the centre.
Any move other than 16 ... Nxe3! loses 2
points, since material losses are then
unavoidable: if 16 ... Kxe7? then 17 g5 wins;
16 ... Qxe7? also loses, due to 17 g5 Nxe3 18
gxf6 Nxf1 19 Qd5! Qd8 20 Qc6+, followed by
21 Rxd6.
16 ... Nxb4 17 Qxb4 0-0
– Your Move – (as White)
18 g5?!
A logical move; the kings are situated on
opposite wings, so the main objective is to
speed up the attack, trying to be the first to
break through to the opponent’s king. This is
almost always the best strategy in such
positions, but tactical factors are also
important, and after this move (which loses 2
points) the race will go in favour of Black,
who already has two open files against the
white king.
After evaluating the strength of the two
competing attacks (which is obviously not an
easy matter – after all, if you chose the
erroneous 18 g5 you were following in the
footsteps of a 2700-strength Grandmaster!),
it becomes clear that 18 Qb6! (4 points) was
to be preferred, trying to exchange queens
or else disrupt the coordination of the black
forces. Then 18 ... Qc8 19 g5 is fine; and after
19 ... Nd7 20 Qa5, Inarkiev suggested 20 ...
Rb8! with a complicated struggle.
48
– Your Move –
18 ... Rfc8
1 point. First Black takes aim at c2, bringing a
fresh piece into the attack. This is something
that could have been avoided by playing 18
Qb6!.
Any other move, such as passively retreating
the f6-knight, or playing a rook to b8,
‘forcing’ 19 Qc4, loses 1 point.
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 19
Qa4, 19 Qc4, and 19 Bd3.
19 Qa4?!
White continues playing in the most
ambitious way, consistent with 18 g5, but it’s
too risky. This move loses 1 point.
Once again it was better to try to simplify
with 19 Qc4! (3 points), and after 19 ... Qxc4
20 Bxc4 Rxc4 21 gxf6 Bxf6 (better than 21 ...
gxf6 22 Rhg1+ Kh8 23 Bh6 Rg8 24 Rxg8+ Kxg8
25 Rg1+ etc, when only White can try to win)
22 Rxd6 Kf8 or 22 ... Rh4, the ending is about
equal.
The developing move 19 Bd3 was
unsatisfactory – why?
– Your Move – (after 19 Bd3)
Answer: Because 19 ... Rab8! (2 points) forces
20 Qc3, and after 20 ... Qxc3 21 bxc3 Nd5 22
Bxh7+ Kxh7 23 Rxd5 Rxc3, White’s structure
is dreadful and his pieces are uncoordinated.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
White might claim that, instead of 20 Qc3, the
counter-attack 20 Qh4 looks stronger. Show
why this isn’t true.
– Your Move – (after 20 Qh4)
Answer: Because Black strikes first with 20 ...
e4!! (5 points), cutting off White’s queen
from the defence, with an irresistible attack
after 21 Bxe4 Rxb2! 22 Kxb2 Qc3+.
There is no defence either after 21 fxe4
Rxb2! (threatening ... Qxc2+ or ... Rxc2+) 22
Kxb2 Qc3+ and 23 ... d5, while 22 Kd2 Nd7!
23 e5 g6 leaves the black king safe and the
white king at the mercy of all Black’s pieces –
again there’s no defence.
The immediate 20 ... Rxb2! (2 points) is also
strong; at this point we can agree that this is
“a very typical idea in this variation”
(Karjakin). The rook is taboo, since 21 Kxb2?
loses to 21 ... Qc3+ 22 Kb1 (or 22 Kc1 d5 etc)
22 ... Rb8+ 23 Kc1 d5!, while 21 Qc4 (which
20 ... e4!! prevented) is less useful than
before, because 21 ... Qb7 forces 22 Qxc8+
Qxc8 23 gxf6 Bxf6 24 Kxb2 e4+ 25 Kc1 exd3
26 Rxd3 and, after a creating an escape hole
for his king (with 26 ... h5, for instance)
before activating his queen, Black is clearly
better. The exposure of the white king (not
to mention the weak white pawns) means
that the black queen is much stronger than
White’s two rooks.
49
– Your Move –
19 ... Rab8
Black makes another zwischenzug, judging
that the f6-knight doesn’t need to retreat yet
– is this correct?
The answer is given below.
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 20
gxf6, 20 Bd3, 20 Qc4, and 20 Bc4.
20 Bd3?
In the first place, let’s answer the question
concerning the evaluation of 19 ... Rab8 – is
this move sound or not? Yes it is, and it truly
deserves the two exclamation marks
awarded by the winner in his annotations,
since “Black is exploiting the fact that White
doesn’t have time to take the knight.” You
receive 5 points if you chose this move.
Returning to the actual position, the winner
considered that 20 Bd3 (deduct 1 point) was
a “decisive mistake”.
You surely immediately discarded 20 gxf6?
(deduct 2 points), because this allows Black
to execute his main threat, 20 ... Rb4!.
20 Qc4? was no good either (deduct 1 point)
because, after 20 ... Qb7, White doesn’t get
two rooks for the queen this time, and if 21
Qb3, Black wins with 21 ... Qxf3.
The only chance to resist was with 20 Bc4! (3
points), after which Black has the initiative
and stands better, but there’s no immediate
win. Black could, for example, continue 20 ...
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Qxc4?! 21 Qxc4 Rxc4 22 gxf6 Bxf6 23 Rxd6 e4
24 c3 exf3 25 Rf1 Rh4, but his advantage is
minimal since the material is too reduced.
It would be better to keep the queens on.
Karjakin thinks that Black is slightly better
after 20 ... Ng4 or 20 ... Nd7, but probably
the most promising move is 20 ... a5!,
planning ... Rb4.
– Your Move –
20 ... Nd7
1 point. There are no more intermediate
moves; the knight must finally retreat, but it
heads towards the queenside to reinforce
the attack.
21 Qe4
– Your Move – Choose between 21 ... g6 and
21 ... Nf8.
21 ... g6
2 points. Of course there’s no need to deploy
the knight passively on f8; White is in no
position to exploit Black’s kingside
weaknesses. The retreat 21 ... Nf8? therefore
loses 2 points.
22 Bxa6
This opens more lines, but it was difficult to
find a good move, and “hardly better was 22
Rde1 Nc5” (Karjakin).
We said that White can’t exploit the
weaknesses that have appeared around the
black king. He could try to do so with 22 h4 –
how would you refute this?
50
– Your Move – (after 22 h4)
Answer: The most forceful way is with the
now familiar blow 22 ... Rxb2! (2 points), and
Black wins after 23 Kxb2 Qc3+ 24 Kc1 d5 etc.
– Your Move –
22 ... Rb4!
2 points. “The logical continuation of the
attack!” wrote the winner; Black gains more
activity and overloads the white queen.
22 ... Bxg5? is obviously wrong: after 23 Bxg5
Nc5 24 Qc4 Nxa6, White succeeds in
exchanging queens and his king is safe.
23 Qd3
If 23 c4, Black replies with the simple 23 ...
Rcb8, when 24 b3? loses to 24 ... Qa5. White
would have to play 24 Qc2, but Black then
has 24 ... Rxb2 with advantage.
The winner indicates the alternative line 23
... Qc6 24 Bxc8 Rxc4+ 25 Kb1 Rxe4 26 Bxd7
Qxd7 27 fxe4 Qa4 with a great advantage –
the e4-pawn falls and Black gains a powerful
central pawn mass.
– Your Move –
23 ... Rcb8
1 point. This was the point of his previous
move: to double rooks with tempo.
24 b3
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

27 ... Bxg5+
1 point. Recovering the pawn and defending
the f7-square.
Nevertheless, 27 ... Rc8! (3 points) “was
another very strong option”, not fearing 28
Qxf7+ Kh8, as there’s no good defence
against an eventual ... Rbxc4, combined with
... Bxg5+.
The winner pointed out the line 28 a3 Qxa3+
29 Kd2 Bxg5+ 30 Ke1 Rbxc4, but the
computer’s suggestion of 30 ... Rcxc4! is even
better, as after 31 bxc4 Qc3+ 32 Kf1 Qxc2
– Your Move – (threatening 33 ... Rb2) 33 Qd3 Qa2, White is
helpless.
24 ... Nc5! 28 Kb2
3 points. “When you have a good position it’s
easy to play well” (Karjakin); Black gains – Your Move –
control of the dark squares.
Now 25 Qe2 loses to 25 ... Rxb3!, so White 28 ... Ra4
must capture on c5. 1 point. Consistent with 26 ... Qa7; the attack
25 Bxc5 Qxc5 down the a-file is extremely strong.
Threatening 26 ... Rd4, followed by 27 ... 29 a3
Qa3+, winning. How would you reply to 29 Ra1 - ?
26 Qd5
– Your Move – (after 29 Ra1)
– Your Move –
Answer: The position of the rook on the same
26 ... Qa7! diagonal as the king is a “tactical weakness”;
2 points. A retreat, but once again with Black can play 29 ... e4! (2 points) and after
tempo, and with X-ray pressure on the a2- 30 Rhf1 e3, Black has a strong passed pawn
pawn; the g5-pawn won’t go away. which increases the pressure on the white
27 Bc4 king and indeed the whole white position.
Also strong is 29 ... Ra5! (2 points), relieving
the pressure on the f7-pawn in order to free
the black queen from its defence. After 30
Qxd6 Be7 (or 30 ... e4) 31 Qd3 Ba3+ 32 Kb1
Ra4, White is unable to coordinate his forces;
if instead 30 Qe4 then 30 ... Qc5! (even
better than 30 ... Ra3) threatens 31 ... d5 or
first 31 ... Qa3+, followed by ... d6-d5 and ...
e5-e4, bringing the bishop into the attack via
new diagonals.
29 ... Ra5 30 Qe4
30 Qxd6 loses to 30 ... Be7.
– Your Move –

51
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move –
30 ... Be3!
3 points. Joining the attack from outside the
pawn formation is a neat and strong idea.
There were several other attractive moves
here; 30 ... Kg7! (2 points) was also possible,
aiming to play ... f7-f5.
Somewhat more complicated was 30 ...
Rxa3! (2 points) 31 Ra1! Ra8 32 Qxa8+! Qxa8
33 Rxa3 Qxf3 34 Rf1, if only from the
practical point of view. Although “White has
counterplay”, as Karjakin pointed out, Black’s
advantage should still be winning, since after
34 ... Qe3, White can’t play 35 Rxf7? because
of 35 ... d5! and Black wins material; e.g. 36
Rb7 Qc1+ 37 Ka2 Qxc2+ 38 Ka1 Qd1+ 39 Ka2
dxc4 40 Ra8+ Bd8.
31 c3
Perhaps 31 Rxd6 was more stubborn, but
Black has 31 ... Bc5! (seeking a greater
advantage than that obtained after 31 ...
Bd4+ 32 Rxd4 exd4 33 Qf4 etc) 32 Rd5 Bxa3+
33 Kb1 Bc5 34 Qxe5 Ra8 35 Kb2 Ra1 36 Rxc5
Rxh1 37 Kc3, and now one winning path is 37
... Qa1+, followed by the exchange of queens
and then ... Rxh2, ... h7-h5 etc.
– Your Move –
31 ... Rxa3!
52
2 points. “Now it’s time to play it” (Karjakin).
31 ... Bc5 (1 point) also wins but isn’t as
strong.
32 Ra1
– Your Move –
32 ... Ra8 0-1
2 points. White resigned, as 33 Qxa8+
doesn’t work now: after 33 ... Qxa8 34 Rxa3
Qxf3 35 Rf1, Black has 35 ... Qg2+ followed
by 36 ... d5!.
If instead 33 Qb1, one way to win is the neat
sequence 33 ... Rxa1 34 Qxa1 Bc1+! 35 Rxc1
Qf2+ 36 Rc2 Qxc2+ 37 Kxc2 Rxa1 with a
winning endgame. The move order 33 ...
Bc1+! also works.
Peter Svidler vs. Sergey Karjakin, Wijk aan
Zee 2007.
Some lessons from this game:
1. When the kings are castled on opposite
wings, the most usual scenario is a race to be
the first to attack the enemy king. However,
if such a race will not be in our favour, we
have to carefully assess our other options. In
this game there wasn’t really a race, since
only Black could create threats against the
enemy king. (18 Qb6!, 19 Qc4!)
2. Opening lines (the b- and c-files in this
game) allowed Black to take the lead in the
race to attack. Obviously tactical factors are
also fundamental – they generally favour the
more active side. (18 ... Rfc8!, 19 ... Rab8!!)
3. Appropriate simplification was
Capablanca’s typical method of transforming
his advantage. In this game, 24 ... Nc5!
helped Black to take control of the dark
squares.
4. The presence of opposite-coloured
bishops generally favours the attacking side.
(30 ... Be3!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

How did you do? Game 8

(Maximum score: 62 points) White: You
More than 52 points: Super-Grandmaster. Black: Master
Between 45 and 52 points: Grandmaster. Petroff Defence [C42]
Between 36 and 44 points: International
Master. 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 d4
Between 25 and 35 points: You are a true d5 6 Bd3 Nc6 7 0-0 Be7 8 Re1 Bg4 9 c4 Nf6 10
Sicilian player! Nc3 Bxf3
Between 10 and 24 points: You found several This is a well-known position from the Petroff
important moves. Defence. 10 ... Nxd4 is another important
Less than 10 points: Better luck next time! move here.
11 Qxf3 Nxd4 12 Qd1 Ne6 13 cxd5 Nxd5 14
Bb5+ c6 15 Nxd5 cxb5

White is slightly ahead in development, while

Black is a pawn up, although this isn’t very
useful to him at the moment.

– Your Move –

16 Qb3
1 point. All this is still old theory, well known
since the Karpov-Kasparov match from 1985.
It was considered harmless for Black, but
White came up with a new idea for this
game.
Instead, A.Naiditsch-V.Kramnik, Dortmund
2008, continued with 16 Bf4 (1 point), which
brought White a spectacular win. The third
important move is 16 Qh5 (1 point), which
led to another loss for Kramnik, against
Ivanchuk in the same event (a tournament
Kramnik has won a record number of times),
though only because of a blunder late in the
game.

53
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
16 ... 0-0
What was White’s new idea?
– Your Move –
17 Be3!
3 points. A simple developing move, but a
dangerous one, as we shall see. White
maintains the tension and tries to maximize
the activity of his pieces.
17 Nxe7+ Qxe7 18 Qxb5 (1 point) was the old
line, with a very small White advantage.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 17
... a6, 17 ... Bd6, and 17 ... Bc5.
17 ... Bc5
1 point. “The most natural move” (Leko),
returning the pawn but relieving the
pressure on the queenside at the same time.
Trying to retain the bishop with 17 ... Bd6 (0
points) is less accurate, since after 18 Qxb5
b6 (or 18 ... Qb8 19 h3) 19 Rad1, White’s
pressure is unpleasant. The exchange of the
centralized knight doesn’t help significantly:
after 18 ... Nc7 19 Nxc7 Qxc7 20 Rac1! Bxh2+
21 Kf1 Qb8 (or 21 ... Qe5 22 Rc5 Qe4 23 Bg5
and 24 g3) 22 g3 Bxg3 23 fxg3 Qxg3 24 Qf5,
White’s bishop and more active pieces are
worth more than the three pawns.
It is a bad idea to try to hold on to the b5-pawn
with 17 ... a6? (deduct 1 point) – why?
– Your Move – (after 17 ... a6)
54
Answer: Because of 18 Nb6 Rb8 19 Red1!
Bd6 (preventing Nd7 temporarily) 20 Qd5
Bc7 21 Nd7, winning the exchange (1 point).
– Your Move –
18 Rad1
1 point. White wants to finish his
development as quickly as possible.
18 ... Bxe3 19 Rxe3 Qa5
White has now completed his development
and his pieces are clearly more active than
his opponent’s. White controls both the
open central files, has a dominating knight
on d5, etc. Yet all of this isn’t enough to
grant him an automatic initiative – now is the
moment to come up with a new plan.
– Your Move –
20 Qc2!
4 points. An unexpected move, which
immediately raises two questions:
1. What is the point of it?
2. Why not the ambitious 20 f4 - ? (1 point) –
which, by the way, would have been the
response to 19 ... a6.
Answer both questions.
Answers:
1. The main threat is 21 Ne7+ Kh8 22 Qxh7+!
and mates (2 points).
2. The advance 20 f4 is logical, but Black
could reply 20 ... Rfd8, with a harmonious
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
position (if 21 f5 then 21 ... Nc7!), so White
uses a tactical threat to complicate Black’s
defensive task. (2 points if you gave a similar
answer.)
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 20 ...
Rfe8 and 20 ... Rfd8.
20 ... Rfe8
2 points. Forced; “Black has no other good
way to defend against the childish mating
threat.” (Leko)
The defence 20 ... Rfd8?? is careless. This
move loses 5 points, in view of 21 Ra3! and
the black queen is trapped.
– Your Move –
21 f4!
1 point. The right moment! “The f-pawn is
used as a Trojan horse to break into Black’s
position and is the main idea of the whole
white set-up.” (Leko)
21 Ra3 (0 points) yields nothing special now –
why not?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 21 Ra3)
Answer: Because after 21 ... Qd8 (1 point),
there’s no good way for White to exploit the
X-ray pressure on the d8-queen by the d1-
rook.
On the other hand, and hardly surprisingly,
tactical methods wouldn’t help here: 21 ...
Nd4? (deduct 2 points) is bad because after
55
22 Qb1! Ne2+ 23 Kf1! Qd8 24 Re3, Black
loses a piece.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 21 ...
Rad8 and 21 ... b4.
21 ... b4
1 point. Giving the queen more room. Surely
you didn’t choose 21 ... Rad8??, which is
once again a fatal mistake (deduct 3 points)
because of 22 Ra3 Nd4 23 Qf2 etc.
22 f5 Nf8
The safest retreat; if 22 ... Ng5 White can
play 23 Ne7+, followed by 24 f6.
White has more pieces in play (the a8-rook is a
notable absentee), so Black must be careful
before agreeing to a tactical duel. 22 ... Qc5 is
wrong – why?
– Your Move – (after 22 ... Qc5)
Answer: After 23 Qf2! Nf8, White has 24
Nf6+! gxf6 25 Rg3+, winning (1 point).
– Your Move –
23 Red3!!
4 points. “The key move! At first it doesn’t
feel right. Giving up the open e-file plus
giving him an extra tempo for organizing his
forces can’t be the way to proceed, it
seems.” (Leko)
But this same move proved to be very
unpleasant for the second player, who, for
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
the first time in the game, sank into deep
thought.
Two months later, in T.Radjabov-B.Gelfand,
Bazna 2009, White preferred 23 Ne7+ Kh8 24
Qc4 (1 point), preventing Black from showing
his prepared improvement, though after 24
... Ne6!, Black held the position convincingly.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 23 ...
Nd7, 23 ... Qxa2, 23 ... Re5, and 23 ... b3.
23 ... Nd7
1 point. The most logical response, directed
against the f5-f6 advance.
After the move preferred by the engines, 23
... Re5 (1 point), White would play 24 f6.
If 23 ... Qxa2?! (deduct 1 point), the queen is
straying too far, making 24 f6! even stronger.
Leko made a very interesting comment at
this point: “The truth is that engines are far
from convinced that White has anything
special here and they might be right, but
from a human perspective the white pawn to
f6 looks deadly.”
The winner suggested a “human move”, 23
... b3! (1 point), returning the pawn; after 24
axb3!, Black finds some relief by exchanging
a pair of rooks with 24 ... Re1+ 25 Kf2 Rxd1
26 Rxd1 Re8, and if 27 f6, Black has 27 ... Ng6
or 27 ... Re5, when his pieces are better
coordinated than in the game.
– Your Move –
24 Qc7!
56
3 points. Rather unexpected. Contrary to
appearances, White has not abandoned his
aggressive intentions initiated with 20 Qc2!
and is using tactics (again) to hinder the
coordination of the black forces. Black can’t
exchange queens as this would lose the
exchange.
The hasty 24 f6?! (deduct 1 point) was not to
be feared, since after 24 ... Nxf6! 25 Nxf6+
gxf6 etc, there’s no attack; e.g. 26 Rg3+ Kh8
27 Rh3 f5 etc.
24 ... Qc5+
– Your Move – Choose between 25 Kf1, 25 Kh1,
and 25 Qxc5.
25 Kf1!
2 points. “Towards the centre”; in the
middlegame this isn’t the most pleasant of
decisions to have to make, but here it’s
forced.
25 Kh1?! (deduct 1 point) is bad because of
25 ... Qf2!, while exchanging queens is clearly
inconsistent (deduct 2 points).
25 ... Qb5
– Your Move –
26 Qg3!
2 points. This was the point of 24 Qc7! – the
queen joined in the attack by offering an
exchange of queens!
The pin on the d3-rook is unpleasant, but
White will soon create even more dangerous
threats of his own. Leko thought that Black
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
was practically lost here, although an
objective examination doesn’t bear this out.
– Your Move – (as Black)
26 ... Ne5?
This is the most logical move, but it’s almost
losing by force (deduct 1 point).
Another logical move is 26 ... f6 (0 points) –
how would you respond to that?
– Your Move – (after 26 ... f6)
Answer: The most direct way is 27 Nc7! (2
points) and if 27 ... Qxf5+ 28 Qf2!, White
wins an exchange. After 28 ... Qxf2+ 29 Kxf2
Ne5 30 Rd4 Nc6 (or 30 ... Kf7 31 Nxa8 Rxa8
32 Rd8) 31 Rd6 Red8 32 Nxa8 Rxa8 33 Rd7,
the activity of the white rooks is more
important than the two pawns Black
currently has for the exchange.
The engine suggests 26 ... Rac8! (3 points)
“and some valuable time was lost in order to
convince it that Black is in trouble even here”
(Leko). After 27 f6 g6, White has two main
ideas: 28 Ne7+ Rxe7 29 fxe7 Ne5 and 28 Qf4
Kh8 29 Qh6 Rg8 30 Ne7 Nc5; White is
probably slightly better, but not clearly
winning, in either case.
– Your Move –
27 f6!
4 points. “This is the move in the right spirit,”
said the winner, although he also had to
57
consider some other, less spiritual,
possibilities.
The materialistic 27 Nc7! (2 points) leads to a
White advantage after 27 ... Qc4 28 Nxe8
(the intermediate 28 f6? now fails to 28 ... g6
29 Nxe8 Nxd3 30 Nd6 Qf4+ 31 Qxf4 Nxf4
with equality) 28 ... Rxe8 29 f6 g6 30 Qe3!
Re6 31 Qd4! Rxf6+ 32 Kg1, but this was not
considered enough by the winner, and he
kept looking till he found the continuation
that decided matters.
27 ... g6
Forced; 27 ... Ng6 28 Nc7 Qf5+ 29 Qf2 is
similar to what we have already seen.
– Your Move –
28 Qg5!
2 points. Threatening 29 Qh6; and 28 ... Qc5
now loses to 29 Ne7+.
28 ... Kh8
– Your Move –
29 Qh6!
4 points. The move 29 Nc7! needed to be
analysed too. After 29 ... Qc5, then 30 Rd4!
wins (4 points, but only if you saw this move
when calculating 29 Nc7). We shall present a
fuller explanation below.**
Also winning is 30 Qh6 Qf8 31 Qg7+! Qxg7 32
fxg7+ Kxg7 33 Re3! f6 (or 33 ... Kf6 34 Rd6+
Kf5 35 Rd2!) 34 Nxe8+ Rxe8 35 Rd7+! etc (3
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

points, but only if you calculated 29 Nc7 as
far as the pin 33 Re3!).
Instead, 29 ... Qxd3+ 30 Rxd3 Nxd3 31 Nxe8
Rxe8 32 g3 is clearly inadequate. But how
would you refute 29 ... Qc4 - ?
– Your Move – (after 29 ... Qc4)
2 points. We are following a forced sequence
in which the crucial moment is reached at
move 34.
32 ... Qf5+ 33 Rf4! Ng4
This resource seems to be the key defence
that keeps Black in the game, but ...

Answer: We should drive the black queen

away with 30 b3!, as after 30 ... Qxc7 we
have the typical combination 31 Qh6 Rg8 32
Qxh7+! Kxh7 33 Rh3 mate (3 points).
** The promised ‘fuller explanation’ is that
after 29 Nc7 Qc5 30 Rd4! Qxc7, White wins
by playing 31 Qh6 etc with the same finish.
In point of fact, after 29 ... Qc4, 30 Qh6 (3
points) still wins, as we shall see.
29 ... Rg8 30 Nc7 Qc4

– Your Move –

– Your Move –
31 b3!
2 points. The queen must give up the pin; the
same position could have been reached via
the move order 29 Nc7 Qc4 30 Qh6 Rg8 31
b3.
We already know that 31 ... Qxc7? loses to
32 Qxh7+! Kxh7 33 Rh3 mate. 31 ... Ng4? also
loses without a fight after 32 bxc4 Nxh6 33
Nxa8 Rxa8 34 Rd8+.
31 ... Qg4
34 Qg7+!!
4 points. Leko found this move while he was
rechecking his calculations of 29 Nc7, where
the same possibility of Qg7+! arises in one
line. White isn’t seeking to mate anymore; he
will ‘content himself’ with a decisive material
advantage.
Instead, after 34 Rxf5 (0 points) 34 ... Nxh6
35 Rb5 Rad8 etc, followed by ... Ng4 to
eliminate the f6-pawn, Black has a decent
position.
34 ... Rxg7 35 fxg7+ Kxg7 36 Rxf5 gxf5
No better is 36 ... Ne3+ 37 Ke2 Nxd1 38 Kxd1
Rc8 (or 38 ... Rd8+ 39 Rd5) 39 Rc5 etc.
37 Nxa8 Ne3+ 38 Ke2 Nxd1 39 Kxd1 Kf6 40
Kd2 Ke5 41 Nc7 f4 42 Kd3 a6

– Your Move –

32 Rd4!

58
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 58 points)
More than 48 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 41 and 48 points: Grandmaster.
Between 32 and 40 points: International
Master.
Between 22 and 31 points: Leko is one of your
favourite players.
Between 10 and 21 points: You found several
key moves.
Less than 10 points: You need to be more
careful next time!
Preventing 43 Nb5.
43 Na8! 1-0
“An aesthetic way to finish this interesting
battle.” (Leko)

Peter Leko vs. Boris Gelfand, FIDE Grand Prix,

Nalchik 2009.

Some lessons from this game:

1. A piece doesn’t always need to be
deployed in an overtly aggressive manner for
it to gain in strength. (20 Qc2!, 23 Red3!!)
2. The value of controlling open files isn’t
absolute. (23 Red3!!)
3. Use your head! The engines may not
‘believe in’ your idea, but even if they are
right, because they can ‘calculate till the
end’, from a human perspective it’s often
quite different.
4. Dvoretsky continually emphasizes the
importance of “prophylactic thinking”. It is
useful to ask oneself “What is my opponent
threatening? or “What is my opponent
intending to play?”. (25 Kf1!)
5. Sometimes the best sequence of moves
comes to mind because you’ve previously
analysed a similar position. (34 Qg7+!! based
on 31 Qg7+!)
6. Always be on the alert for typical mating
patterns that can arise ‘anywhere’. (After 31
b3!: 32 Qxh7+! Kxh7 33 Rh3 mate.)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

59
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Game 9
White: Master
Black: You
Bishop’s Opening [C55]
1 e4 e5 2 Bc4
The Bishop’s Opening is one way to avoid the
solid Petroff Defence.
2 ... Nf6 3 d3 Nc6 4 Nf3 Be7 5 0-0 0-0 6 Bb3
– Your Move –
6 ... d5
1 point. The most straightforward response
but also the most ambitious and risky. Black
gains more freedom for his pieces, at the
cost of granting White the half-open e-file,
and also giving the b3-bishop greater activity.
The “normal” move 6 ... d6 (1 point) is
equally good; it “leads to a slower game,
similar to the Ruy Lopez.” (Gelfand)
7 exd5 Nxd5 8 h3
White proceeds with caution, preventing the
pin with ... Bg4 before playing Re1.
The alternative was to play 8 Re1
immediately, when the position can soon
begin to resemble the Marshall Attack after 8
... Bg4 9 h3 Bh5 10 g4 Bg6 11 Nxe5 Nxe5 12
Rxe5 c6 etc. Alternatively Black can try 9 ...
Bxf3 10 Qxf3 Nd4 11 Qxd5 Qxd5 12 Bxd5
Nxc2 13 Rxe5 with an unclear position.
60
– Your Move –
8 ... a5!
3 points. A multipurpose move, not only
harassing the b3-bishop, but with another
idea in mind as well ...
‘Normal’ moves such as 8 ... Re8, 8 ... Bf6 or
8 ... Be6 receive 1 point.
Now, how best to defend against the threat
of 9 ... a4 - ?
9 a4
This weakens b4, but is this important? Right
now the answer is no, but the situation can
change.
If 9 c3 then 9 ... Bf5 is logical, while 9 a3 a4
10 Ba2 was played by Kramnik against
Kasparov in New York (rapid) 1995, but
White failed to gain any advantage.
9 Ba4 allows 9 ... Nd4! 10 Nxe5 Nb6 11 c3
Nxa4 12 Qxa4 Ne2+ 13 Kh1 Bf6 with a strong
attack.
– Your Move –
9 ... Nd4
2 points. The most active move once more,
threatening to destroy the white pawn
structure. There is nothing wrong with the
solid 9 ... Be6 (1 point).
10 Nxd4
After 10 Nxe5?! Nxb3 11 cxb3 Nb4, Black
obtains more than enough compensation for
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
the pawn. In this variation we can see the
importance of the weakened b4-square.
10 ... exd4 11 Re1
White now threatens 12 Bxd5, followed by
Rxe7.
– Your Move –
11 ... Ra6!!
4 points. This was the other idea behind 8 ...
a5! – it’s playable because White is behind in
development, though of course it needs
concrete tactical justification. Black offers a
piece to gain a dangerous attack. White isn’t
forced to accept the sacrifice, but the rook
will create dangerous threats to the white
king in any case.
The winner commented: “When I saw this
move I immediately got excited. It would be
a shame to see such a move and not to make
it! But fortunately, I found out that this idea
works!”
It was also possible to maintain the tension
with a solid developing move such as 11 ...
Be6 (2 points), to which White would
respond with 12 Na3.
– Your Move – (as White)
12 Qh5
1 point. Both players calculated the
consequences of accepting the sacrifice at
the board; this is a difficult task, even for top
players.
61
Objective analysis indicates that there’s no
more than a draw after 12 Bxd5 Qxd5 13
Rxe7 (1 point). Black would play 13 ... Rg6 –
how should White defend then?
– Your Move – (as White; after 13 ... Rg6)
Answer: The best defence is 14 f3! (3 points).
After 14 ... Bxh3 15 Re2 Qxf3 16 Qf1, Black
can force perpetual check with 16 ... Bxg2 17
Rxg2 Rxg2+ 18 Qxg2 Qd1+ 19 Qf1 Qg4+ 20
Qg2! etc, because if White tries to deviate
with 20 Kh1? then after 20 ... Re8,
threatening 21 ... Re2, the attack will soon
force White to give up his queen.
White saw this line but thought that, since he
had the white pieces, he shouldn’t be
content with such an early draw.
It was riskier to weaken the kingside with 14 g4
(deduct 1 point) – why?
– Your Move – (after 14 g4)
Answer: 14 ... f5 (0 points) isn’t right, because
of 15 c4!, expelling the queen from her
strong position (you earn 1 extra point if you
saw this defence), and after 15 ... Qd6 16
Qe2 fxg4 17 h4 g3 18 f3 Be6 19 Bg5 h6 20 c5
Qd5 21 h5 Qxg5 22 Rxe6 Rxe6 23 Qxe6+, a
draw is the most likely result.
It is stronger to put pressure on the white king
position with 14 ... Qh5! (3 points); for
example, 15 Re4 Qxh3 16 g5 f5 17 Re5 f4 18
Qf1 Qh4 19 Qg2 – according to the engines,
this sequence constitutes White’s best
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
defence, and at first they don’t ‘see’ any great
danger, but finally they have to ‘surrender’ in
the face of 19 ... Rf5!, 19 ... Bh3 or 19 ... Bf5.
No better is 15 f3, because of 15 ... f5; and 15
Qf3 is no good either – why not?
– Your Move – (after 14 ... Qh5! 15 Qf3)
Answer: The attack is decisive after 15 ...
Bxg4! (2 points) 16 hxg4 Rxg4+ 17 Kf1 Rg1+!
18 Ke2 Qc5! (even stronger than 18 ... Re1+
19 Kxe1 Qxf3) 19 Qe4 (defending the rook on
e7) 19 ... Qxc2+ 20 Kf3 Qd1+! 21 Qe2 Qxc1,
and the lack of coordination between the
white forces means that there’s no good
defence. Black threatens both ... Qg5 and ...
Qc6+, continuing to target the still exposed
white king; for example, 22 Qe5 Qc6+ 23 Qe4
Qh6! (threatening ... Qh5+ and mates) 24
Ke2 (or 24 Re5 f5) 24 ... Qh5+ 25 Qf3 and
only now 25 ... Re1+! etc.
Going back to the initial question, 12 Na3 or
12 Nd2 are not bad moves, but they don’t
get any points as they do nothing to hinder
Black’s main idea, 12 ... Rg6.
62
– Your Move –
12 ... Nb4
2 points. The knight moves away from the
kingside; on the other hand it attacks c2,
which is helpful because it restricts the
mobility of the b3-bishop.
Nevertheless, there was a better move.
Gelfand makes this instructive comment: “As
soon as I made this move, I regretted it.
Stronger was 12 ... Bb4!, continuing to ignore
the hanging Nd5. When I was a junior player,
it was brought to my attention that it was
Fischer’s trademark – to attack an
opponent’s piece instead of defending your
own!”
After 12 ... Bb4! (4 points), Black answers 13
Re2 with 13 ... Re6! (again the same
trademark! – this move is also playable after
13 Re5) and gains good play after 14 Rxe6
Bxe6 15 Nd2 Re8 etc. Worse is 13 Bd2? Nf4!
14 Qf3 Rf6 (or even better: 14 ... Nxg2!),
when Black’s activity is too dangerous.
Employing Fischer’s method enables Black
either to exchange the active white rook
(after 13 Re2) or coordinate his pieces (after
13 Bd2).
13 Na3
Defending c2, but also moving away from the
kingside; 13 Nd2 was an alternative – how
would you respond?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
– Your Move – (after 13 Nd2)
Answer: The best choice, and the most
consistent with Black’s previous play, would
be 13 ... Rh6! (3 points). This gives up a
pawn, but after 14 Qxa5 b6 15 Qa8 Nc6,
Black has full compensation, as “the queen
on a8 really looks weird” (Gelfand).
White has no problems after 13 ... Be6 (1
point) 14 Bxe6 Rxe6 15 Rxe6 fxe6 16 Qd1
Qd5 17 Ne4 Qc6 18 Bd2 etc; while Black’s
pieces are not well coordinated after 13 ...
Rg6 (0 points) 14 Nf3 Bf6 15 Bf4 etc. Our
familiar resource 14 ... Be6 isn’t
advantageous in this case – why not?
– Your Move – (as White; after 14 ... Be6)
Answer: Of course 15 Bxe6? fxe6 would lead
to disaster, but instead White has the neat
counterstroke 15 Rxe6! (2 points) 15 ... Rxe6
(or 15 ... fxe6 16 Ne5 Rgf6 17 Bg5 etc) 16
Bxe6 fxe6 17 Qg4 and Black’s activity
dissipates.
– Your Move –
13 ... Rg6
1 point. Of course – this was the main idea.
Now White has to defend and: “White has a
few moves at his disposal, but none of them
gives him chances for an advantage.
63
Moreover, he’ll have to be careful to
equalize.” (Gelfand)
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 14
Bf4, 14 Bd2, 14 Nc4, and 14 Nb5.
14 Bf4?!
A logical move, but over-optimistic and
perhaps even slightly careless; in a few
moves it will be apparent that this isn’t a
good square for the bishop; deduct 1 point.
The modest 14 Bd2 (1 point) was preferable,
with the possible continuation 14 ... b6 15
Re4 Na6 and the knight goes to c5.
The centralizing 14 Nc4 (1 point) is also
better than the move played; it might be
answered with 14 ... Be6. In both cases, the
chances are approximately equal.
The ‘active’ 14 Nb5 (0 points) is less precise,
as the knight doesn’t really do anything
useful on b5. There might follow 14 ... Be6,
reminding White of the weakness at c2 – the
exchange sacrifice 15 Rxe6? now leads to an
advantage for Black after the line indicated
by Gelfand: 15 ... fxe6 16 Qe5 Kh8 17 Qxd4
Qxd4 18 Nxd4 e5 etc, while 15 Bxe6 fxe6 16
Qe2 Qd5 is good for Black as well.
– Your Move –
14 ... b6!
2 points. This defends the a5-pawn and also
has the idea of fianchettoing the bishop,
bringing it into the attack with 15 ... Bb7.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
How much more could we obtain from a
single pawn move?
And yet, with the rook already on g6, 14 ...
Be6! (2 points) also deserves serious
attention. Black has a promising position
after 15 Nc4 Bd5 etc. Opening the f-file with
15 Bxe6 is obviously dangerous, as after 15 ...
fxe6, the f4-bishop is attacked; if 16 Bg3 then
16 ... Bd6, and the black pieces become very
active, while 16 Re4 Nd5 is no better.
15 Qf3
This prevents the main threat but makes one
of the ideas with which we are already
familiar even stronger.
Black’s position is also better after 15 Nc4
Bb7 16 Bg3 Bd5, followed by ... f7-f5-f4.
Gelfand says that it was better to play 15
Bg3; then if 15 ... Bb7 16 Nb5 or 16 Nc4, the
struggle isn’t confined to the kingside, where
Black has the advantage – in this case the
white pieces also take part in the battle.
After 15 Bg3 it would be a good idea to
eliminate a good defender from the kingside
with 15 ... Bd6 16 Bxd6 Qxd6 17 Re4 Qf6,
“when it’s easier to play for Black, but
probably he has no more than that”
(Gelfand).
– Your Move –
15 ... Be6!
2 points. White prevented ... Bb7, but the
bishop finds another way to join in the game.
We have already seen this important idea.
64
Now White is almost forced to exchange
bishops, and the f8-rook enters the attack.
Not 15 ... Bd7? (deduct 1 point) on account
of 16 Bxc7! Qxc7 17 Rxe7 etc.
16 Bxe6
Not a pleasant move to have to make, but
there’s no safe way to prevent 16 ... Bxb3,
damaging White’s structure.
From the practical point of view 16 Rxe6 (16
Nc4? loses to 16 ... Bd5) 16 ... fxe6 17 Qe4 is
interesting, but Black has 17 ... Na6! at his
disposal, followed by ... Nc5.
16 Re2 was another option, on the basis that
accepting the doubled pawns is a lesser evil
than opening the f-file for Black, but as it
happens Black has something even better than
16 ... Bxb3 – what is it?
– Your Move – (after 16 Re2)
Answer: Black has the surprising stroke 16 ...
Nxc2! (4 points). Then 17 Bxc2 is answered
by 17 ... Bd5, with a winning attack, while
after 17 Bxe6 Nxa1 18 Bc4 c6! 19 Be5, since
White isn’t actually threatening to take the
knight yet, Black can either wait and play a
useful move such as 19 ... Bc5, preparing ...
Qd7, ... Re8 etc, or else clarify matters right
away with 19 ... Bxa3 20 bxa3 b5, when the
a1-knight is able to escape, retaining the
material advantage.
16 ... fxe6 17 Qe4
– Your Move –
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
17 ... Bd6!
4 points. “Black is winning the fight for the
key square f4. Then he intends to bring his
knight to this square.” (Gelfand)
Black wanted more than the minimum
advantage obtained after 17 ... Nd5 (1 point)
18 Be5 Bd6 19 Nc4! Nf4 (19 ... Bxe5?! 20
Nxe5 is worse) 20 Bxf4 Rxf4 21 Qc6 Qh4 22
Nxd6 Qxf2+ 23 Kh1 cxd6 24 Rf1 Qxf1+ 25
Rxf1 Rxf1+ 26 Kh2 etc.
18 Bxd6?!
The following moves will make it clear that it
would have been better to retreat the
bishop, even though this would not be
enough to obtain a good game.
Probably the best move was 18 Bg3. Black’s
queen can then join in the offensive with 18
... Qg5 19 h4 Qh5 etc, and Gelfand says that
“Black’s advantage is indisputable”.
Much worse is 18 Be5? Bxe5 19 Qxe5 Qh4
etc, attacking f2 and h3.
After 18 Bd2, Black can bring his only missing
piece to the kingside with 18 ... Nd5 19 Nc4
(or 19 g3 Ne3!) 19 ... Bf4! and the knight
gains access to f4.
Gelfand also mentions 18 Bc1, which was
considered by his opponent. Black then has
several options: Houdini likes 18 ... Rf5,
although it’s possible to play in the same
spirit as we have just seen with 18 ... Nd5 19
Nc4 Qf6 20 Re2 Bf4, when White can’t play
21 Ne5? in view of the simple 21 ... Bxe5 22
Qxe5 Qf3!, or the more complex 22 ... Rxg2+!
23 Kxg2 Ne3+! with a decisive attack.
– Your Move – (after 18 Bxd6?!)
18 ... cxd6!
4 points. Black gives up the d4-pawn to
accelerate his attack. The ideal square for the
black queen is g5. This move is so natural for
Gelfand that he makes no comment at this
point.
65
On the other hand, 18 ... Qxd6? 19 Nc4,
followed by 20 Re2 or 20 Ne5, was not
dangerous for White.
19 Qxd4?!
After 19 g3 e5, Black would have a strong
attack of course, but matters would be less
clear.
– Your Move –
19 ... Qg5!
2 points. “White is helpless. All the black
pieces are attacking the opponent’s king (the
knight will join in soon via the d5-square) and
nobody can help it.” (Gelfand)
20 g3
Creating more weaknesses around White’s
king, but there was no alternative. After 20
Qg4 Qf6 21 Qe2, the knight arrives with 21 ...
Nd5 and wins, while 20 Qe4 Nd5 21 g3 Nf4
22 Kh2 Nxh3! is equally crushing.
– Your Move –
20 ... Qf5!
2 points. Defending the h3-pawn is now very
unpleasant for White.
21 g4
After 21 h4 e5! 22 Qe3 Nd5 23 Qe2, there
are several good moves, such as 23 ... Nf4 or
23 ... Qh3 with a decisive attack.
– Your Move –
21 ... h5
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
1 point. Black already has more than one way
to proceed. 21 ... Nd5 (1 point) 22 Kh2 Qg5
was very good too, but opening lines as
Gelfand does is obviously very strong.
22 Re4 d5 23 Kh2
If 23 Re5, then 23 ... Qf6 24 Qe3 hxg4 25 h4
g3 or 25 ... Qxh4 26 Rxe6 g3 wins – it’s mate
in twelve according to the engines.
– Your Move –
23 ... Qf3!
2 points. Even better than 23 ... Qxf2+ (1
point) 24 Qxf2 Rxf2+ 25 Kg3, when White can
still resist.
23 ... hxg4! and 23 ... Qg5! also each receive
2 points.
24 Ree1 hxg4 25 Qe3 gxh3 26 Qxf3 Rxf3 27
Rg1 Rxf2+
The rest is simple.
28 Kxh3 Rxg1 29 Rxg1 Nxc2 30 Nb5 Rf3+ 31
Kg4 Rxd3 32 Nd6 Ne3+ 33 Kf4 Nc4 0-1
66
Sergey Karjakin vs. Boris Gelfand, FIDE World
Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk 2009.
Some lessons from this game:
1. Always be aware of possible multipurpose
moves like 8 ... a5!.
2. “Pawns can never go back” – it’s
important to evaluate correctly the pros and
cons before advancing a pawn in an
unfamiliar situation. (6 ... d5!, 8 ... a5!, 14
g4?)
3. “Study the Classics!” – this is something
Gelfand indirectly suggests at move 12,
annotating a move played à la Fischer. (12 ...
Bb4!)
4. An apparently sound developing move
may not be so good if the piece turns out
later to be in an exposed position. (14 Bf4?)
5. It is always useful to ask oneself “Which
piece should I exchange?” and “Which piece
should I keep?”. (15 ... Be6!, 17 ... Bd6!)
6. A similar question can be asked about
which diagonal or file it’s better to open or
keep closed. (15 ... Be6!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 52 points)
More than 45 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 39 and 45 points: Grandmaster.
Between 31 and 38 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 30 points: You’re a very
imaginative player!
Between 10 and 20 points: You have good
tactical vision!
Less than 10 points: You have just been given a
fantastic lesson by Gelfand!
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Game 10
White: You
Black: Master
Petroff Defence [C42]
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 d4
d5 6 Bd3 Nc6 7 0-0 Be7
8 Re1
The main alternative is 8 c4, leading to a much
debated theoretical position after 8 ... Nb4 9
Be2 0-0 10 Nc3 Bf5 11 a3 Nxc3 12 bxc3 Nc6.
8 ... Bg4 9 c4 Nf6 10 Nc3
White sacrifices a pawn to accelerate his
development. We are on familiar terrain, as we
saw this already in Game 8.
10 ... Bxf3 11 Qxf3 Nxd4 12 Qd1 Ne6 13 Bf5
Now we have a new branch; 13 cxd5 Nxd5 14
Bb5+ c6 15 Nxd5 cxb5 etc is what we looked at
Game 8.
13 ... c6
13 ... dxc4 and 13 ... d4 are more popular; in
both cases Black returns the pawn to induce
White to consume tempi and lose his
development advantage.
67
– Your Move –
14 cxd5
1 point. Opening lines for the bishops. It’s
premature to break the tension to recover the
pawn; after 14 Bxe6 fxe6 15 Rxe6 (0 points),
Black has the strong move 15 ... d4.
14 ... Nxd5
How would you respond to the recapture with
the pawn?
– Your Move – (after 14 ... cxd5)
Answer: Now 15 Bxe6 fxe6 16 Rxe6 (1 point) is
fine, because Black gets an isolated d-pawn
rather than a protected passed pawn (as in the
note to White’s 14th move).
Instead, 14 ... Nxd5 keeps Black’s structure
intact, but this comes at some cost – what is
it?
– Your Move –
15 Qg4
1 point. Correct – the knight is no longer
defending vital squares such as this one; the
queen exerts pressure on g7 and e6.
15 ... Nxc3
Black gains the superior structure, though of
course White gains something in return, as we
shall see.
After 15 ... 0-0, White has several options. One
of them is naturally to recover the pawn: 16
Nxd5 cxd5 (16 ... Qxd5?? loses to 17 Rxe6) 17
Qh3 (first forcing a weakness), 17 ... g6 18
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Bxe6 fxe6 19 Qxe6+ and White has a slight
advantage.
– Your Move –
16 bxc3
1 point. The zwischenzug 16 Bxe6 (0 points)
doesn’t improve matters because, after 16 ...
fxe6, there’s nothing better than 17 bxc3, and
there’s no trace of a White advantage after 17
... 0-0 18 Qxe6+ Rf7 etc. Once again it’s
preferable to maintain the tension.
16 ... 0-0
– Your Move –
17 Rb1!
3 points. This was the “something” that Black
conceded when he took on c3. White gains a
half-open file and the b7-pawn is unguarded,
so the rook occupies the b-file with tempo and
can be activated quickly at the right moment.
Simply recovering the pawn isn’t encouraging
here either, since after 17 Bxe6 (0 points), the
dangers hanging over the black king disappear
– and we shouldn’t forget that, if we compare
this position with the line in the note to Black’s
15th move, White now has three ‘pawn
islands’ to Black’s two.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 17
... Qd7, 17 ... Qc7, and 17 ... Nc5.
17 ... Qc7
2 points. “The most logical move, connecting
rooks and defending b7,” says Radjabov.
68
Moving the knight away from the kingside with
17 ... Nc5?! (deduct 1 point) is less convincing.
White can play 18 Bh6 Bf6 and now either 19
Re3, to go on to the attack, or the immediate
19 Qh3, which almost forces the exchange
sacrifice 19 ... g6. According to the engines,
after 20 Bxf8 Qxf8 21 Bc2, White has a clear
advantage.
Not 17 ... Qd7?? (loses 3 points), as White can
again win immediately with 18 Rxe6.
– Your Move –
18 Bh6!
3 points. Initiative! The direct threat is to
capture on e6, followed by mate on g7.
Instead, 18 Bxe6 (1 point) was again possible,
but White’s edge is minimal after, for example
18 ... fxe6 19 Qxe6+ Rf7 20 g3 Bf6 21 Bf4 Qd7
22 Qb3 h6 23 Rbd1 Qf5 etc.
It is hard to believe, but Black probably has
only one good move now. Three years ago the
engines were not very useful here, because
they didn’t see any big problems for Black after
several possible continuations.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 18 ...
Bf6, 18 ... Bd6, and 18 ... Bc5.
18 ... Bd6?
The bishop leaves the second rank to allow the
queen to defend the g7-square, and it also
attacks h2, but this move is actually a big
mistake, even if this isn’t immediately
apparent. It loses 1 point only, though, because
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
at the time it was very difficult, even for strong
masters and engines, to appreciate just how
serious this mistake is. Three years later,
engines and computers are more powerful and
can understand the difference.
18 ... Bc5?! is less logical; the bishop goes too
far, and the black pieces lose coordination –
this loses 1 point as well.
The best (and possibly only) move is 18 ... Bf6!
(4 points), overprotecting the vital g7-pawn.
The battle is still only beginning, of course;
after, for example, 19 Qh3 Rfe8 20 Bxh7+ Kf8
21 Bd2 (with the black bishop on c5, 21 Bf5!
would be decisive here) 21 ... Rad8 22 Bd3 Qd7
23 Re3!, threatening 24 Qh7, White maintains
the initiative, as the winner points out, but the
engines prefer 22 ... g6 and Black seems to be
fine.
Even more interesting is 21 ... Nf4!, in order to
exchange a pair of rooks and reduce the
pressure.
– Your Move –
19 Qh3!
4 points. The queen exerts X-ray pressure on
h7. There is a similar argument in favour of 19
Qh4! (4 points), though at the board it’s very
difficult to know which move is the more
accurate. White chose 19 Qh3 in order to
avoid an eventual ... Qe7 or ... Qd8,
“threatening” to change queens and thus
gaining a tempo for the defence.
19 ... Rfe8
The alternative was to bring the other rook to
e8, which has the positive side that it adds
69
reinforcement for the defence; on the other
hand, the f8-square might be needed for the
king – but these are only general
considerations. Switching to concrete play,
how would you continue after 19 ... Rae8 - ?
– Your Move – (after 19 ... Rae8) Choose
between 20 Rbd1, 20 Re4, 20 Re3, and 20 g4.
Answer: Emulating Black by bringing the
“missing piece” into play achieves nothing
here; in fact 20 Rbd1 (0 points) is a weak move
– why?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 20 Rbd1)
Answer: Because Black can solve his problems
by playing what seems to be almost a universal
solution for him: 20 ... Nc5! (3 points).
Combinative solutions do not work here: after
21 Bxg7 Bxh2+ (not the intermediate 21 ...
Rxe1+? 22 Rxe1 Kxg7 because, after 23 Qxh7+
Kf6 24 h4!, Black has no good defence to the
threat of mate with 25 Qh6+ etc; if 24 ... Bf4,
White has 25 g4!, threatening 26 g5+, with a
decisive attack) 22 Kh1 Kxg7 23 g3 (with the
white h-pawn gone, 23 Qxh7+ Kf6 isn’t
dangerous for Black) 23 ... Rxe1+ (Black should
exchange a pair of rooks now, since 23 ...
Bxg3? loses to 24 Rg1!) 24 Rxe1 Bxg3 25 Qxh7+
Kf6 26 Bh3, and now Black has to find the only
saving move: 26 ... Qf4!, controlling the f5- and
h6-squares, with equality after 27 fxg3 Qg5
etc.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Besides this, the computer’s suggestion 21 ...
Kxg7! isn’t easy to refute either, and might in
fact be sufficient to hold the game.
Going back, 20 Re4 (1 point) seems a logical
move, as the rook threatens to go to h4 with a
strong attack, but again Black has the cold-
blooded defence 20 ... Nc5!. Let’s examine
this:
a) After 21 Rh4, Black must play 21 ... g6; but
then if 22 Bxf8?! Bxf8, Black gets good
compensation for the exchange and White’s
pieces are not well coordinated. Here 23 Rxh7?
Qe5! is even losing. It’s better to play 23 Bd3,
but after 23 ... Qe5 Black is no worse – he has a
pawn for the exchange, the white forces lack
harmony and White’s structure is weak.
b) 21 Bxh7+ is also inferior, as after 21 ... Kxh7
22 Be3+ Kg8 23 Rh4 f6, White can do no better
than recover the piece with an equal game: 24
Bxc5 Bxc5 25 Rh8+ Kf7 26 Qh5+ Ke6 27 Rxf8
Bxf2+ 28 Kxf2 Rxf8 etc.
c) White gains nothing tangible from 21 Bxg7
Kxg7 22 Rg4+ Kf6 23 Qh6+ Ke7! either.
The general assessment is that the position is
unclear; White has a dangerous attack, but
Black defensive resources are also significant.
Let’s go back now to the initial question: What
is the best continuation against 19 ... Rae8 - ?
In several lines we saw the f5-bishop coming
under attack, so the best solution is a move
that is difficult to guess at first sight: 20 g4!! (4
points), which strengthens the position of the
bishop.
Now the ‘universal solution’ 20 ... Nc5? leads
to mate after 21 Bxg7!; and 20 ... Bxh2+ 21 Kh1
70
is also unsatisfactory, since White now
threatens to win with 22 Bxh7+ Kxh7 23 Bf4+.
Finally, after 20 ... gxh6, a possible
continuation is 21 Qxh6 f6 22 Bxe6+ Kh8 23
Re4. White doesn’t mind the presence of
opposite-coloured bishops because, as usual in
such situations, this makes his attack even
stronger.
The computer indicates another move, 20 Re3!
(4 points), which is also very strong: the rook is
ready to join in the attack via the third rank,
especially in those lines involving Bxg7; and it
prevents the simplifying move 20 ... Nc5?
which is now punished by 21 Bxg7! Kxg7 22
Qxh7+ Kf6 23 Qh6+ Kxf5 24 g4+! Kxg4 25 Rh3!
Rg8 26 Kh1! and mate in a few more moves.
– Your Move –
20 Bxg7!
4 points. Radjabov jokingly remarked: “They
say that you shouldn’t believe your engines.”
Three years ago, at first they indicated that this
leads to a draw, and only later changed their
mind. Now they see the outcome more
quickly.
No other move receives any points.
20 ... Bxh2+
Indicate a refutation if Black takes the bishop.
– Your Move – (after 20 ... Kxg7)
Answer: White wins with 21 Qxh7+ Kf6 22
Qh6+! (2 points) 22 ... Kxf5 and now 23 h3!,
threatening 24 g4 mate, is decisive.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
22 Bxe6! (2 points) also works, with the
possible continuation 22 ... Rxe6 23 Qh6+ Kf5
(we shall examine the defence 23 ... Ke7
later**) 24 g4+! Kxg4 25 Rxe6 fxe6 26 Qg6+
Kf4 27 Re1 and wins.
– Your Move – Choose between 21 Qxh2, 21
Kf1, and 21 Kf1.
21 Kf1!
3 points. Now Black has no longer a pin on the
h-file to provide counterplay. The alternative
21 Kh1 (1 point) also leaves White with some
advantage after 21 ... Kxg7 22 Qxh7+ Kf6 23
Bxe6 Rh8 24 Qf5+ Kg7 25 Qg5+ Kf8 26 Bh3 but
is less strong.
Exchanging queens is clearly wrong: after 21
Qxh2? (deduct 2 points) 21 ... Qxh2+ 22 Kxh2
Nxg7 23 Rxe8+ Nxe8!, the advantage swings to
Black.
Now (after 21 Kf1) Black must defend against
22 Qxh7 mate.
21 ... Kxg7
After 21 ... Ng5 22 Qh6 Qa5 23 Bd3!, “the
bishops protect everything and help each
other too”, as the winner says, which can be
clearly seen with 23 ... Qd5 24 Bd4.
22 Qxh7+ Kf6 23 Bxe6 Bf4
To cover the h6-square. After 23 ... Rxe6,
White wins with 24 Qh6+ Kf5 25 Rxe6 fxe6 26
g4+! Kxg4 (or 26 ... Ke4 27 Qe3+ Kd5 28 Qd4
mate) 27 Qg6+ Kf3 (27 ... Kh4 is punished by 28
Rb4+ Bf4 29 Qg3+ Kh5 30 Rxf4 or 29 f3) 28
Rb4!.
Your next task is to refute the king’s retreat to
e7 after 23 ... Rxe6 24 Qh6+ Ke7.
71
– Your Move – (after 24 ... Ke7)
Answer: White wins the queen by playing 25
Rxe6+ fxe6 26 Rxb7! Qxb7 27 Qh7+ (2 points).
** The same answer applies to 23 ... Ke7 in the
note to 20 ... Bxh2+.
24 Qf5+ Kg7
– Your Move –
25 Rb4!
3 points. This is the right moment to rouse the
‘dormant’ rook.
25 ... Rxe6 26 Rxe6 fxe6 27 Qg4+ Kh8
– Your Move –
28 Rxf4
1 point. Simple and strong; the king will not be
able to save itself without conceding heavy
material losses.
Nevertheless, “cybernetically speaking”
(Radjabov) it was easier to insert a few checks:
28 Qh4+ Qh7 29 Qf6+ Kg8 (or 29 ... Qg7 30
Qxf4 with equal material and a decisive attack)
and now 30 Rxf4 (2 points) 30 ... Qb1+ 31 Ke2
Qc2+ 32 Ke3 Qc1+ 33 Kf3 Qd1+ 34 Kg3 Qd3+
35 f3 etc.
28 ... Qh7 29 Qxe6 Qh1+
The rook ending after 29 ... Qb1+ 30 Qe1 is
lost.
30 Ke2 Qh5+ 31 g4 Qb5+ 32 Kf3 Qd3+ 33 Kg2
Qd5+ 34 Qxd5 cxd5
– Your Move –
35 Rf7!
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

1 point. With two connected passed pawns, Less than 10 points: You should concentrate
White has several ways to conclude matters, harder next time!
but putting the rook on the seventh rank is
“the most technical way to win” (Radjabov).
35 Rd4 (1 point) is equally strong.
35 ... b5 36 Rd7 a6 37 f4 Rc8 38 f5 1-0
The white pawns are faster. After 38 ... Rxc3 39
f6, White threatens 40 Rf8+ and f6-f7-f8, to
which there’s no defence.

Teimour Radjabov vs. Boris Gelfand, Medias

2010.

Some lessons from this game:

1. It is helpful to keep in mind the concept of
‘favourable tension’, both from the point of
view of maintaining it, as well as watching out
for ways to release it. In such situations it’s
sometimes difficult to know which is the better
course of action. (14 Bxe6?, 15 Bxe6!, 16 bxc3!,
16 Bxe6?, 17 Rb1! etc)
2. We should notice the great importance that
activating a single piece had in this game. (17
Rb1! and later the deadly blow 25 Rb4!)
3. Overprotection or active defence? There is
no universal answer; it depends on the
position. In this game, the best way could only
be found after deep analysis. (18 ... Bd6?, 18 ...
Bf6!)
4. A large dose of both imagination and precise
analysis are indispensable for conducting a
successful attack. (18 Bh6!, 19 Qh3!, 20 Bxg7!,
21 Kf1! etc)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 44 points)
More than 39 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 35 and 39 points: Grandmaster.
Between 28 and 34 points: International
Master.
Between 20 and 27 points: Very good attacking
skills!
Between 10 and 19 points: A dangerous
player!

72
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
Game 11
White: You
Black: Master
Queen’s Gambit Declined [D66]
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 d5 4 d4 Be7 5 Bg5 h6
6 Bh4 0-0 7 e3 Nbd7 8 Rc1 a6
Black’s idea is clear: in answer to 9 Bd3 he
wants to play 9 ... dxc4 and 10 ... b5, followed
by ... Bb7.
9 a4
Transposing to an old line, played in the
Fischer-Spassky match in 1972.
White has several other options:
Capablanca’s 9 a3 gave Alekhine no problems
in their match in Buenos Aires in 1927; Capa
didn’t win a single game with it, and he even
lost a model game.
9 cxd5 exd5 10 Bd3 is the most popular
continuation; White apparently makes 8 ... a6
a pointless move and the position turns into a
Carlsbad structure, although 8 ... a6 might turn
out to be useful after all if White adopts the
usual plan of the ‘Minority Attack’ with b2-b4-
b5.
Zvjaginsev has tried a relatively new idea here:
9 b3.
9 ... c6 10 Bd3 dxc4 11 Bxc4 b5 12 Bd3
73
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 12
... b4, 12 ... Bb7, and 12 ... bxa4.
12 ... Bb7
This natural move doesn’t receive any points.
Why not?
Everything revolves around the freeing move
... c6-c5. If Black is unable to play this, the
bishop might become a passive piece, which in
the long term could be a major problem,
because, as we know: “If one piece is badly
placed, the whole position is bad” (Tarrasch).
The most accurate move is 12 ... bxa4! (2
points), which Spassky played against Fischer in
the 12th game of their Reykjavik match; after
13 Nxa4 Qa5+ 14 Nd2 Bb4 15 Nc3, Black had
eliminated all the impediments to the advance
of his c-pawn, so 15 ... c5 comes and now 16
Nb3 Qd8 17 0-0 cxd4 18 Nxd4 Bb7 19 Be4 Qb8
leaves White with just a minimal advantage
after 20 Bg3 (as Fischer played) or 20 Nc6.
Going back to the initial question, the
remaining move 12 ... b4 (0 points) doesn’t
look good but isn’t completely clear, so let’s
examine in a little more, because it has a
connection to our main game.
– Your Move – (after 12 ... b4)
Answer: 13 Ne4 (0 points) was played in
J.R.Capablanca-N.Rossolimo, Paris 1938.
Although it brought Capa success, most
probably it isn’t the best, since after 13 ... Nxe4
14 Bxe7, Black has 14 ... Nxf2! 15 Bxd8 (White
has to head for the endgame, because 15 Kxf2
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

Qxe7 16 Rxc6 e5 is very good for Black) 15 ... Ambitious; but possibly the quiet response 14
Nxd1 16 Kxd1 Rxd8 17 Rxc6 and now 17 ... Bb7, ... Nxf6 15 Ne4 Nd7 should have been
as in the game, or the later suggestion 17 ... preferred.
e5; in either case Black has no problems. 15 Ne4 f5
The best continuation is 13 Bxf6! (2 points) 13
... gxf6 (after 13 ... Nxf6 14 Ne4, Black is left
with a weak c6-pawn and an inactive light-
squared bishop) 14 Ne4 f5 15 Ng3 (15 Nc5
Nxc5 16 dxc5 Bf6 17 Qe2 isn’t very effective,
since Black hasn’t played ... Bb7 yet, which is in
his favour – as can be seen, for example, after
17 ... Ra7 18 0-0 Rd7 19 Rfd1 Qa5, followed by
20 ... Rfd8), and now Black can play 15 ... c5,
but only at the cost of weakening his king
position and allowing dangerous
complications. White’s best option then seems
to be the simple 16 Qd2. It’s also possible to – Your Move –
play the quiet 16 0-0 or try to attack
immediately with, for example, 16 e4 or 16 d5,
16 Nc5!
but none of these options seem better than 16
3 points. The move ... c6-c5 should of course
Qd2.
be prevented, as long as the price of doing so
13 0-0
isn’t too high.
Without ... Qa5+ Black has more problems
After 16 Ned2 (0 points) or 16 Ng3 (0 points),
achieving the freeing move ... c6-c5.
Black can solve his problems by playing 16 ...
13 ... b4
c5.
16 ... Nxc5 17 dxc5
The weakness at c6 has disappeared but the
‘bad’ bishop remains, as do the weaknesses
around the black king. White should base his
move selection on these factors and try to
open some lines.
17 ... Bf6

– Your Move –

14 Bxf6
1 point. We already know that isn’t advisable
to play 14 Ne4 (deduct 1 point), since after 14
... Nxe4 15 Bxe7 Nxf2!, White’s advantage
disappears; if 16 Bh7+ then of course Black
must play 16 ... Kh8.
– Your Move –
14 ... gxf6?!

74
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King
18 Qe2
1 point. The best square for the queen,
combining play in the centre and along the f1-
a6 diagonal.
18 ... Qe7
The position after 18 ... Bxb2? 19 Qxb2 Qxd3
20 Qxb4 Qd7 21 Qf4 is simply horrible for
Black.
– Your Move –
19 e4!
1 point. White must open lines. Now the black
kingside is weakened and White has virtually
an extra piece (the b7-bishop is out of play), at
least for a few moves.
19 ... Rfd8
– Your Move –
20 Rfe1!
2 points. Black is offering a pawn with the aim
of reaching an endgame where his strong dark-
squared bishop would give him decent
compensation: 20 exf5 exf5 21 Qxe7?! (if you
played 20 exf5 planning 21 Qc2! you earn 1
point; White needs his queen to try to take
advantage of Black’s weak king) 21 ... Bxe7 22
Bxf5 Rd5 and now, for example, 23 Be4 Rxc5
24 Rxc5 Bxc5 25 Rc1 Be7 26 Ne5 Bf6 27 f4 Rd8
isn’t dangerous for Black.
After 20 Rfe1, White threatens 21 exf5 exf5 22
Qc2 under better conditions, since the f5-
pawn will drop and the queens are still on the
board.
20 ... fxe4 21 Qxe4 Kf8 22 Qh7
75
White threatens 23 Rc4, attacking the b-pawn,
while also threatening to go to g4 or f4 with
dangerous threats against the enemy king.
22 ... a5
Trying to activate the b7-bishop via a6. The
idea is also to hinder the ‘rook lift’ to the
kingside (23 Rc4), owing to the possibility of 23
... Rxd3 24 Qxd3 Ba6 etc.
After 22 ... Bxb2 23 Rc4, White’s attack is too
strong; the rook can go to g4 or f4, depending
on what Black plays.
– Your Move –
23 Rc4
White plays this anyway — is it good or bad?
The answer is given in the next note.
23 ... Rxd3
– Your Move –
24 Rg4!
3 points. Threatening both 25 Rg8 mate and 25
Qxd3.
Of course not 24 Qxd3? (deduct 3 points) since
after 24 ... Ba6, White’s attack is nearly over.
Black is able to get rid of his ‘bad’ bishop” and
keep his strong bishop instead.
Going back to the key move 23 Rc4! – if you
selected this, you receive 4 points.
24 ... Qd7
This move parries both threats, but there was
an alternative in 24 ... Qxc5 – what is White’s
best reply to this?
– Your Move – (after 24 ... Qxc5)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

Answer: White is clearly on top after the simple

25 Qxd3 (2 points). Black gets a passed pawn
for the exchange with 25 ... Bxb2, but more
important factors are the bad situation of the
black king and the great activity of the white
pieces after, for example, 26 Qh7 (threatening
27 Rf4) 26 ... Ke7 27 Rge4, followed by Ne5.
After 24 ... Qxc5, White also has 25 Rxe6 (0
points), which looks both pretty and decisive,
but there’s a hidden defence – can you see it?

– Your Move –

26 Rf4!
2 points. The increasing pressure on f7 and e6
is decisive. This is the only good move;
anything else loses 2 points.
26 ... Bxb2

– Your Move –

– Your Move – (as Black; after 25 Rxe6) 27 Ng5

1 point. Again the only good continuation,
Answer: Black has the beautiful resource 25 ... anything else loses 2 points.
Rd1+! 26 Ne1 Qg5!! (5 points). Black gets a 27 ... Rf8
rook and a bishop for the queen, which
normally shouldn’t be enough to equalize, but
here White has problems with his back rank
and his queenside; for example: 27 Rxg5 hxg5
28 Re2 (or 28 Qf5 Bc8 29 Qc5+ Kg7 30 Re3 Be6
and Black is fine) 28 ... Re8! 29 Rxe8+ Kxe8 30
Qe4+ Kf8 31 h3 Bxb2 32 Qe2 Rb1 and Black is
no worse.
25 Qxh6+ Ke7

– Your Move –

28 Nxe6!
3 points. This move was overlooked by Black
when he decided to play 22 ... a5 and 23 ...
Rxd3. Black’s position is now completely lost.
Subsequently, White doesn’t proceed in the
most accurate way but is always winning.

76
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

28 ... Rg8
There are many good continuations here –
which is the best?

– Your Move –

29 Qh7
2 points. This is one of several good moves,
and it’s mate in 21, according to Houdini.
29 Nf8+ (1 point), winning the queen, is also
good of course, but White wanted to finish
with mate.
However, the cleanest finish is 29 Qh4+! (4 White is winning, thanks to the above-
points) 29 ... Ke8 30 Rg4!, the point being that, mentioned advantages, but there’s no
after 30 ... Rxg4?, White gains access to h8 immediate win. The introduction of some new
with 31 Ng7+ Kf8 32 Qh8 mate. factor would help, but what?
29 ... Rf8 30 Qh4+ f6
– Your Move –

34 h4!
2 points. This new factor, a passed pawn, is the
most ‘human’ way to proceed. There are some
other good moves, but they don’t receive any
points.
34 ... Kb8 35 h5 Rh7 36 Qg6 Bc3 37 Re6 Bxd4 38
Rd6 Be5
38 ... Bxf2+ 39 Kxf2 Qe7 40 h6 is equally
hopeless.
39 Rxd7 1-0
– Your Move – After 39 ... Rxd7, one way to win is 40 g3
Bxf4 41 gxf4, threatening h5-h6 etc, while 41
31 Qh7+ ... b3 is answered by 42 Qg8+ and 43 Qxb3.
1 point. Winning, but not the best. 31 Nxf8+ (2
points) was quicker, since after 31 ... Kxf8 32 Zenón Franco Ocampos vs. Julio Granda
Qh8+ Kf7 33 Rh4, the mating attack is Zúñiga, Mexico City 2010.
unstoppable.
31 ... Rf7 32 Nd4+ Kd8 33 Qxd3 Some lessons from this game:
White is the exchange and a pawn up, with the 1. Be careful with seemingly ‘automatic’
more active pieces. moves. (12 ... Bb7?, 12 ... bxa4!)
33 ... Kc8 2. It is important not only to gain activity, but
also to hinder the activity of the opponent’s
pieces. (16 Nc5!)
3. Any move that weakens your own kingside
should be considered with extreme care. (14 ...
gxf6?)

77
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part One - Attacking the King

4. Attacking the king often requires ‘normal’

moves and decisions, such as to open the
position (19 e4!), infiltrate the enemy lines (22
Qh7!), and ‘easy’ combinations tend to arise
when all the pieces are attacking (28 Nxe6!).
5. But attacking the king often also requires
some ‘difficult’ moves, when precise
calculation is essential. (23 Rc4!, 26 Rf4!)
6. Good technique is always needed; this time
White was lucky, in that the position didn’t
require it. (29 Qh4+!, 31 Nxf8+!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 40 points)
More than 35 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 32 and 35 points: Grandmaster.
Between 27 and 31 points: International
Master.
Between 20 and 26 points: Very good attacking
player!
Between 10 and 19 points: Not bad at all.
Less than 10 points: You should do more
tactical exercises.

78
 Part Two

Attack, Defence and Counter-

attack

79
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Game 12
White: You
Black: Master
Queen’s Gambit Accepted [D29]
1 d4 d5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 c4 c6 4 e3 e6 5 Bd3 a6 6 0-
0 dxc4 7 Bxc4 b5 8 Bb3 Nbd7 9 Qe2 c5
By transposition of moves we’ve reached a
well-known position in the Queen’s Gambit
Accepted, with one move more, as both sides
have lost a tempo: White played 5 Bd3 and 6
Bxc4, instead of taking the c-pawn in one move
from f1, and Black played 3 ... c6 and 9 ... c5.
– Your Move –
10 Rd1
1 point. A normal move, creating X-ray
pressure on Black’s queen. The order
employed to reach this position makes it
possible to choose other good moves, such as
10 Nc3 (1 point), 10 e4 (1 point) and 10 a4 (1
point).
10 ... Bb7 11 Nc3 Qc7
– Your Move –
12 e4
1 point. White threatens 13 e5, which
practically forces Black to capture on d4,
opening lines. We should notice that Black’s
king is still in the centre, and White has already
occupied both central files with major pieces.
The alternative is 12 d5 (1 point).
12 ... cxd4
80
– Your Move –
13 Nxd4
1 point. Here there have been attempts to
exploit Black’s delay in safeguarding his king
with the amazing move 13 Nd5 (0 points).
After 13 ... exd5 14 exd5+ Be7 15 Bg5 Nc5! (15
... Kf8 is also good) 16 d6 Qxd6 17 Nxd4,
White’s compensation is insufficient, although
Black must play accurately.
– Your Move – (as Black; after 17 Nxd4)
Answer: The cold-blooded 17 ... Nxb3! (4
points), eliminating the strong attacking
bishop, parries the offensive; for instance: 18
Nf5 Qc5! (18 ... Qc7? fails to 19 Bf4! Qc5 20
Bd6 etc) 19 Nxg7+ (19 Bxf6 gxf6 20 Nd6+ Kf8
21 Nxb7 Qc6 22 axb3 Qxb7 is no better) 19 ...
Kf8 20 Bh6 Kg8 21 axb3 (Black’s king is
uncomfortable; he needs to evict the annoying
bishop from h6 and recover piece
coordination) 21 ... Qc6! 22 f3 Bc5+ 23 Kh1
Nd5 24 Nf5 Re8, followed by ... Bf8, and
White’s attack comes to a dead end.
17 ... Nce4?! has been played, trying to close
the e-file, but it’s less effective – why?
– Your Move – (after 17 ... Nce4)
Answer: White reaches a similar position, with
the bonus of a bishop on b3 and knight on e4,
which is in his favour, as we’ll soon appreciate:
18 Ne6! (3 points) 18 ... Qc6 19 Nxg7+ Kf8 20
Bh6 Kg8 21 Qf3 Bc5 22 Rac1! Bxf2+ 23 Qxf2
Nxf2 24 Rxc6 N6g4 (if 24 ... Bxc6 then 25 Nf5)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
and now the underestimated bishop lands the
decisive blow: 25 Bxf7+! Kxf7 26 Rc7+ (26
Rd7+!) 26 ... Kg8 27 Rdd7 (27 Ne6!) 27 ... Bd5
28 Rxd5 Nxh6 29 Ne6 Nf7 30 Rg5+! 1-0
E.Geller-A.Fuderer, Gothenburg Interzonal
1955.
The conclusion is that 13 Nd5 is unsound but
dangerous – the Nd5 leap is a typical sacrifice
in the Sicilian Defence and not uncommon in
this type of position, with the black king still in
the centre.

– Your Move –

14 Nd5!
4 points. “Of course!” you probably said. After
what we’ve been looking at, this move is an
obvious choice; the sacrifice is made under
better conditions than in the Geller game
above.
14 ... exd5 15 exd5+

– Your Move – (as Black)

– Your Move – (as Black; after 13 Nxd4)
Choose between 13 ... b4, 13 ... Bc5, 13 ... Bd6, 15 ... Qe5
and 13 ... Nc5. 2 points. Returning the piece was the lesser
evil.
13 ... b4?! Instead, 15 ... Be7 is bad, because it allows
Ambitious, but very risky; if you chose this White to gain the advantage by playing 16 Nf5
deduct 1 point. Qe5 17 Re1 etc, but there is an even better
When this game was played, the theory of the 16th move for White – what is it?
variation was still in its early stages. After this
defeat Najdorf improved his play with a more
sensible developing move, 13 ... Bd6 (1 point),
obtaining a reasonable position, although he
lost that game in the end as well. This was in
the first of the two matches he contested
against Reshevsky in the 1950s. Reshevsky
played 14 g3 (threatening both 15 Ndxb5 and
15 Bxe6) and the game continued 14 ... Be5 15
f3 0-0 16 Be3 Nc5 17 Bc2 Rac8 etc; chess
engines suggest several improvements for
both sides in this short sequence.
The other developing moves 13 ... Bc5 (1 point)
– Your Move – (after 15 ... Be7)
and 13 ... Nc5 (1 point) are the most common
choices nowadays.

81
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Answer: The strongest move is the spectacular ... Bb8 20 Bxe5 Nxe5 21 f4 g6 22 Nd4 f6 23
16 Qxe7+! Kxe7 17 d6+! (3 points) 17 ... Qxd6 Nf3, White has an overwhelming advantage.
(or 17 ... Kxd6 18 Bf4+) 18 Nf5+ Kf8 19 Nxd6, 18 Rxe5 Nxd5
when the combination of Black’s
uncoordinated forces and White’s superior
development will cost Black material.
The attempt to hold on to the material
advantage, at the price of keeping the king in
the centre, by playing 15 ... Kd8 is, naturally,
not to be trusted. White could continue with
16 Be3, followed simply by Rac1 and Nc6+, and
Black’s king will be unable to resist. In
A.Baburin-N.Vekshenkov, Novosibirsk 1989,
White played 16 Nc6+, which is also good;
after 16 ... Kc8 17 Be3 Bxc6 18 Rac1 Bb5 19
Rxc7+ Kxc7 20 d6+! Kd8 21 Qf3, White reached – Your Move –
a winning position.
19 Bd2
– Your Move –
2 points. “First things first!” – the a1-rook must
join in the game. It is strange (from a human
16 Qxe5+
perspective) that chess engines prefer to
1 point. Regaining the piece is natural and
continue playing actively with the e5-rook,
strong.
delaying the completion of development. This
16 ... Nxe5 17 Re1 0-0-0
might well be good, but it isn’t advisable to
What would you play after 17 ... Bd6 - ?
play in such a way, since it requires very
accurate calculation skills, perhaps of a level
that only computers possess.
19 ... Nc7
Removing the king from c-file by playing 19 ...
Kb8 looks reasonable, but that doesn’t get
Black out of trouble – why now?

– Your Move – (after 17 ... Bd6)

Answer: The immediate 18 f4?! (deduct 1

point) is inadequate because 18 ... Nxd5 19
fxe5 Bc5 20 Ba4+ Kf8 leaves Black with a strong
knight on d5, which holds his position
together.
– Your Move – (after 19 ... Kb8)
18 Bf4! (2 points) is better, and after 18 ...
Answer: Because White can create (or
Nfd7 19 Nf5 (or even 19 Bxe5 Nxe5 20 Nf5) 19
highlight) tactical weaknesses for Black on the

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
d-file with 20 Rd1! (3 points). Then 20 ... Bc5
fails because an extra tactical weakness on the
fifth rank now appears: White can continue
with 21 Nf3, threatening both to retreat the
d2-bishop and to take twice on d5, followed by
Bf4+ and wins. If 20 ... f6? instead, White wins
with 21 Ne6! fxe5 22 Nxd8 etc.
Agreeing to a tactical duel with 19 ... Bd6 fails,
owing to the bad position of Black’s king. A
possible continuation is 20 Rxd5 Bxd5 21 Rc1+!
(better than 21 Bxd5 Bc5 22 Rc1 Rxd5 23 Nb3
Rhd8 24 Be1 R8d7 25 Nxc5 Rd1 26 Rxd1 Rxd1
27 Kf1 Ra1 etc) 21 ... Kb8 22 Bxd5 Bxh2+ 23
– Your Move –
Kxh2 Rxd5 24 Nb3 etc.
23 Nc6+!
– Your Move –
2 points. Now all the light squares belong to
White.
20 Be3
23 ... Bxc6 24 Rxc6 Rhe8 25 g3 Re5
1 point. This is the only move of course, but it’s
Black gets rid of the unpleasant a5-rook, but
good enough.
this provides no relief.
20 ... f6
26 Rxe5 fxe5
Playing 20 ... Nd5 is equivalent to accepting
26 ... Bxe5 is no better – how can this be
that White has gained a tempo, developing the
demonstrated?
c1-bishop for free. It isn’t clear what White’s
best continuation is then, but in any case he
– Your Move – (after 26 ... Bxe5)
can retain the better position with 21 Rc1+ Kb8
22 Bd2, threatening Nc6+ (the disappearance
Answer: The bishop pair prevails after the
of the b7-bishop would expose several
exchange of the b-pawns; i.e. 27 Rb6+ Kc8 28
weaknesses in Black’s camp), and if 22 ... Nc7
Rxb4 Bxb2? 29 Bc2 Be5 30 Bf5+ etc (2 points).
23 Bf4 Bd6 24 Nf5, the tactics favour White.
27 Rb6+ Kc8
21 Ra5 Bd6
If 27 ... Ka8 then 28 Ba4 wins.
– Your Move –

22 Rc1
2 points. Threatening both 23 Nf5 and 23 Ne6.
22 ... Kb8

– Your Move –

28 Bg5!

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
2 points. White can force a gain of material. Game 13
28 ... Bc5 White: You
And if 28 ... Rd7 then 29 Ba4 wins. Black: Master
29 Rc6 Nimzo-Indian Defence [E59]
Now “Chess is easy again”, as Najdorf used to
say in such situations. 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 3 d4 Bb4 4 e3 0-0 5 Bd3 d5 6
29 ... Bd4 30 Bxd8 Kxd8 31 Rc2 a5 32 Kg2 Na6 Nf3 c5 7 0-0 Nc6 8 a3 Bxc3 9 bxc3 dxc4 10 Bxc4
33 f4 Ke7 34 fxe5 Bxe5 35 Rc6 Nc7 36 Kf3 Kd7 Qc7 11 Bb2 e5 12 h3
37 Ba4 Kd8 38 b3 1-0

Julio Bolbochán vs. Miguel Najdorf, Argentine

Championship (3rd matchgame), Buenos
Aires 1949.
Some lessons from this game:
1. It’s essential to know the typical ideas in
the position or the opening chosen. (13
Nd5?!, 14 Nd5!)
2. “If you find a good move, look for a better
one” – Em. Lasker. (16 Qxe7+!)
3. “Which piece(s) should I exchange and
which should I retain?” Answering these 12 ... e4
questions correctly will often bring you 12 ... Bf5 is more usual, but Black prefers to
success. (18 Bf4!, 18 f4?, 23 Nc6+!) gain space immediately.
4. The bishop pair in an open position almost 13 Nd2 Ne7
always grants positive results, especially if Black plays in the most direct way: the knight
goes to the kingside, since the enemy king isn’t
there are weaknesses or exposed pieces in
very well guarded.
the opposing camp. (28 Bg5!, 29 Ba4)
Black had several interesting alternatives. A
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
different idea was to play on the queenside
actually played.
after 13 ... Na5, but White seems to obtain
some advantage with a thematic plan that is
worth remembering, based on bringing his
How did you do?
dark-squared bishop to life: 14 Ba2 Bf5 (14 ...
(Maximum score: 37 points)
c4 would briefly shut down the activity of the
More than 33 points: Super-Grandmaster.
b2-bishop, but it can be reactivated by 15 a4;
Between 29 and 32 points: Grandmaster.
White can also try to break with an eventual
Between 24 and 28 points: International
f2-f3) 15 c4 Rfe8 16 d5.
Master.
Between 18 and 23 points: Good attacking
player.
Between 10 and 17 points: Not bad at all.
Less than 10 points: You should study more
tactical games.

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
In this type of position, opening up the b2-
bishop’s diagonal (even if it involves blocking
the light-squared bishop) generally favours
White. The b2-bishop is now very strong and
White has a passed pawn; a black knight
should go to d6, but this takes several tempi.
After 16 ... Nd7, Ivan Sokolov considers that
White can obtain a clear advantage with 17
Rc1 and 18 Bb1. In one game White preferred
17 f4!, threatening g2-g4 and f4-f5, trapping
the bishop, so Black was forced to capture en
passant: 17 ... exf3 18 Qxf3 Bg6 19 h4! (almost
forcing the following weakening move) 19 ...
h5 20 Bb1! Qd6 21 Bc3 b6 and here the
strongest continuation would have been 22
Bf5! Ne5 23 Qf4 Qe7, when as well as
exchanging into a promising endgame, White
has other attractive moves, such as 24 Rae1.
Instead, in V.Kramnik-S.Tiviakov, Wijk aan Zee
2001, 22 Ne4 was played, which allowed the
interesting exchange sacrifice 22 ... Rxe4!,
although Black didn’t gain complete equality
with this either.
Black can also activate his rook by playing 13 ...
Re8. After 14 Qe2, how would you continue?
85
– Your Move – (as Black; after 14 Qe2)
Choose between 14 ... Bf5 and 14 ... cxd4,
followed by 15 ... Be6.
Answer: It is best to continue developing with
14 ... Bf5 (2 points), when 15 f4 isn’t to be
feared, since after 15 ... exf3 16 Qxf3 Bg6,
planning 17 ... Ne4, Black sets up a strong
blockade.
Instead, after 15 Rfc1 Rac8 16 Nb3, a good
answer is 16 ... Na5!, without exchanging on
d4; and 15 Ba2 is less attractive – Black can
respond with 15 ... Rad8, for instance.
In E.Agrest-A.Beliavsky, German League 2004,
White tried 15 Bb5, and after 15 ... a6 16 Bxc6
Qxc6 17 c4 cxd4 18 exd4 Nd7 19 Qe3, Black
played 19 ... b5 with equal chances.
The other option, 14 ... cxd4? (deduct 2
points), tries to secure a good outpost at d5,
but after 15 cxd4! the move 15 ... Be6 is
tactically unsound – how can this be
demonstrated?
– Your Move – (after 15 ... Be6)
Answer: White has 16 d5! (2 points), when 16
... Bxd5? loses to 17 Bxf6, while after 16 ...
Nxd5 17 Nxe4 Nb6 18 Bd3!, the position is
opened up, Black’s king is in danger, and the
bishop pair gives White the advantage, as in
the game I.Kovalenko-Al.Zubarev, Zaporozhye
2011.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Answer: Both 16 Ba2 (1 point) and 16 Bf1 (1
point), justifying 14 Re1, are familiar ideas to
us and good choices.
Whereas 16 f3?! (deduct 1 point), as in
S.Furman-V.Ragozin, USSR Championship, Kiev
1954, trying to open the position, doesn’t work
here – after 16 ... Bg6 17 Ba2, Black isn’t forced
to open the position and can continue with 17
... Rfe8!, maintaining the central tension. There
is no way to compel Black to take on f3, so
White changed course and launched a pawn
storm, which is good if d4-d5 and c3-c4 have
been played, as we have seen, but here that
– Your Move – Choose between 14 a4, 14 Ba2,
isn’t the case. The continuation was 18 f4 Nfd5
and 14 Re1.
19 g4 b5! 20 Nf1 (after 20 f5 Bxf5 21 gxf5 Nxf5,
the white bishops would be sorely missed by
14 a4
their king) – what would you play now?
1 point. Intending 15 Ba3, although going Bb2
and later Ba3 casts some doubt upon the
correctness of White’s play.
It’s stronger to play á la Kramnik with 14 Ba2!
(3 points), planning c3-c4 and d4-d5, or vice
versa. Black can try to prevent this with 14 ...
Nf5, so that if 15 c4 then 15 ... cxd4 16 exd4
e3! 17 Nf3 Ne4 etc with an unclear position,
but White can push through his plan by playing
15 Qb1 Re8 16 d5 and 17 c4. Another
possibility would be 15 dxc5!? Qxc5 16 c4,
bringing the b2-bishop to life.
14 Re1 (1 point) was possible; White doesn’t
want to choose a concrete plan yet, and – Your Move – (as Black; after 20 Nf1)
continues to manoeuvre. After, for example,
14 ... Bf5 15 Rc1 Rad8, what would you play? Answer: 20 ... c4! (3 points) smothers the white
bishops. Now winning a piece with 21 f5?
would be under even worse conditions than
before, since both White’s bishops are out of
play, while after 21 Re2 f5 22 Rg2 Bf7 23 Qe1
Rd6 (“an example of what not to do as White,
or how to react as Black!” – Sokolov) 24 Ng3
Qc8, Black is better.

– Your Move – (as Black; after 14 a4)

Choose between 14 ... Ng6, 14 ... Nf5, and 14
... Bf5.

14 ... Ng6
– Your Move – (after 15 ... Rad8) Choose
1 point. The main alternative was 14 ... Nf5 (1
between 16 Ba2, 16 Bf1, and 16 f3.
point), also aiming at the h4-square – this is

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
fine, although it temporarily obstructs the
action of the c8-bishop.
On the other hand, 14 ... Bf5 (0 points), while a
developing move, isn’t the best choice, since
we don’t know yet whether f5 is the best
square for the bishop.
– Your Move – Choose between 15 dxc5 and
15 Ba3.
15 Ba3
1 point. 15 dxc5?! (loses 1 point) is
inappropriate; even if it won a pawn, this
would be insignificant. Black can respond with
either 15 ... Qxc5 16 Ba3 Qg5 17 Bxf8 Bxh3, or
15 ... Nh4, when Black’s pieces are beginning
to mount threats against White’s position and
the ... Bxh3 sacrifice is ‘in the air’.
15 ... b6 16 Qe2
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 16 ...
Nh4, 16 ... Bb7, 16 ... Rd8, and 16 ... Re8.
16 ... Nh4
2 points. This move is a ‘necessary’ one, in the
sense that it is definitely one Black wants to
make, whereas it isn’t at all clear yet which is
the best square for the f8-rook or the c8-
bishop; thus playing ... Nh4 first is the correct
move order (the ‘flexibility principle’).
No other move receives any points. 16 ... Bb7,
although approved by the computers, moves
the bishop away from the kingside, so it’s
inconsistent with the plan and gains no points.
87
– Your Move –
17 dxc5
1 point. Played only now that Black’s knight has
lost touch with the e5-square. In view of the
advanced black e-pawn and the menacing
knight on h4, White’s kingside is under
pressure, so he strives for counterplay on the
other flank by isolating the c5-pawn.
This isn’t bad, but Black’s subsequent brilliant
play shows that it was rather premature, if
White was seeking an advantage.
It was more ambitious to play with the a4-a5-
breaktrough in mind: 17 Rfb1 (2 points), or
even the immediate 17 a5 (2 points).
17 ... bxc5 18 Rab1
– Your Move – (as Black)
18 ... Re8
2 points. Black continues playing in the most
active way, although there’s nothing wrong
with 18 ... Bd7 (2 points), which develops a
piece and prevents Rb5 – Black considers that
he needn’t be worried about this.
– Your Move –
19 Rb5
1 point. This was the point of White’s play – he
threatens the weak c5-pawn and forces Black
to take an important decision.
Nevertheless, given what happens in the game,
there are arguments in favour of 19 Rfd1! (3
points), clearing f1 for the knight if necessary,
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
though we should be aware that an eventual
break with f2-f3 now loses strength. Black
could continue with 19 ... h6 or 19 ... h5,
avoiding any back rank problems, although he
could also continue as in the game.

– Your Move – (after 22 ... Bxg2)

Answer: Black is threatening 23 ... Qh3, and the

– Your Move – (as Black)
19 ... Bxh3!!
5 points. A promising sacrifice, and the
culmination of one of the ideas of the 13 ...
Ne7 manoeuvre, as an optimist might say.
19 ... Re5 (1 point) was possible, but then
White would be slightly better – how?
dangerous situation of the white king makes it
imperative to simplify with 23 Bxf7+! (3
points), reaching an equal ending after 23 ...
Qxf7 (or similarly 23 ... Kxf7 24 Qc4 etc) 24 Qc4
Qxc4 25 Nxc4 Bxf1 26 Kxf1 Nf3 etc.
Going back to the suggestion of 19 Rfd1, here
the sacrifice 19 ... Bxh3! 20 gxh3 Re5 21 Kh1
would have produced a position with chances
for both sides.

– Your Move – (after 19 ... Re5)

Answer: White activates his pieces with the

strong move 20 f4! (3 points), obtaining slightly
the better chances after 20 ... exf3 21 Nxf3
Nxf3+ 22 Qxf3 Rb8 23 Rxb8 Qxb8 24 Rd1 etc.
20 gxh3
Interposing 20 Rxc5 isn’t advantageous to
White. The continuation might be 20 ... Qd7 21
Bb5 Qe6 22 Bxe8 Bxg2 – and now what would
you play? – Your Move – (as Black)

20 ... Qd7?
The most direct way isn’t actually the best in
this position, and it loses 2 points.
The sacrifice could be justified by playing 20 ...
Rad8! (4 points), bringing another piece into
play and threatening 21 ... Rxd2 as well as 21 ...
Qd7. The response 21 Rfd1 fails to prevent 21
... Rxd2!; while after 21 Rxc5 Qd7, the piece is

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
regained thanks to the double attack on d2 3 points. “Signalling a clear refutation of Black’s
and h3, and the chances are equal. attack” (Euwe); the bishop can’t be taken
Computers claim that the ‘inhuman’ move 20 because of 25 Ng5+.
... Red8, moving a developed piece instead of 24 Nxh4? (deduct 1 point) is bad, because 24 ...
activating a fresh one, is equally strong. If you Qxh4, with the threat of ... Re5, allows Black to
reach this same strange conclusion, you gain 4 gain a strong enough initiative to equalize the
points and also my admiration for your game. The c4-bishop is en prise, so the white
thinking process. queen can’t move; while after 25 Rf4 Qg3+ 26
Qg2 Qe1+ 27 Qf1 Qxe3+ 28 Qf2 Qxc3, Black
– Your Move – has an excellent game with four pawns for the
piece.
21 f3! 24 ... Kh8 25 Bxe8 Qg4+ 26 Kh2 Rxe8
4 points. “The liquidation of Black’s e-pawn is a
matter of life or death for White” (Euwe). The
queen now defends along the second rank.
21 Rfb1? (deduct 1 point) is imprecise, since
the obvious continuation 21 ... Qxh3 22 Qf1
Qg4+ 23 Kh1 Rad8 would give Black a very
strong attack.
21 ... Rad8

– Your Move –

22 Rb2!
4 points. Defending the knight and
– Your Move –
strengthening the second rank. It also
threatens 23 Bb5, and now that the d2-knight
27 Nxh4
is defended, 22 ... Qxh3 can be defused by 23
2 points. Since White is a rook up, any
Qh2.
simplification is welcome, as long as there is no
This is much stronger than 22 Bc1 (0 points).
snag to it. Several other moves are approved
22 ... exf3 23 Nxf3 Qxh3
by the engines as well, but they don’t gain any
points.
27 ... Qxh4+ 28 Kg1 Qg5+ 29 Qg2 Qxe3+ 30 Qf2
Qg5+ 31 Kh1 h6 32 Qf5
Preventing 32 ... Re4. White still has to be
careful, but a rook is too great an advantage,
and the result is never really in doubt.
32 ... Qe3 33 Bxc5 Qxc3 34 Rc2 Qb3 35 Rcf2
1-0

Oscar Panno vs. Héctor Rossetto, Rio de

Janeiro Zonal 1957.

– Your Move – Some lessons from this game:

1. It is very useful to know the typical plans
24 Bxf7+! in your chosen set-up. (14 Ba2!, 16 d5!, 17

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
c4! in Kramnik-Tiviakov, and 14 Ba2! in the Game 14
notes to the main game.) White: You
2. The ‘flexibility principle’ – it is usually Black: Master
better to play a ‘necessary’ move first; i.e. a Sicilian Defence [B80]
move you know you will definitely need to
play (for instance, a piece whose best 1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 d6
position is clear) before committing any 6 g3 a6 7 Bg2 Qc7 8 0-0 Be7 9 f4
pieces that have options. (16 ... Nh4!)
3. Once committed to a certain course of
action, having made significant positional
concessions on one flank, it is necessary to
be consistent and proceed on our chosen
wing with as much energy as possible. (16 ...
Nh4!, 19 ... Bxh3!, 20 ... Rad8!)
4. “Which piece can I improve? Are all of my
pieces in play?” – these are questions we
should ask ourselves from time to time. (20
... Rad8!, 21 f3!, 22 Rb2!)
5. Attacking skills are important, but
“This looks dubious – White weakens himself
defending accurately and counter-attacking
along the g1-a7 diagonal” (Tal). Can Black
at the right moment are no less essential. (21
exploit this circumstance?
f3!, 22 Rb2!, 24 Bxf7+!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 9 ...
actually played.
Nc6, 9 ... Nbd7, and 9 ... 0-0.

9 ... Nc6?!
How did you do?
Black believes he can, but this move has more
(Maximum score: 42 points)
minuses than pluses; if you chose it you must
More than 37 points: Super-Grandmaster.
deduct 1 point at the end of the exercise.
Between 33 and 37 points: Grandmaster.
Tal made one of his typically witty comments
Between 27 and 32 points: International
here: “This move would be very good if it were
Master.
not a mistake”.
Between 19 and 26 points: You found some
9 ... Nbd7 (0 points) decides the position of the
fantastic defensive resources!
knight prematurely, giving up the chance to
Between 10 and 18 points: You counter-
put pressure on the centre.
attacked quite well!
It was better to keep more options open by
Less than 10 points: You need to train harder,
playing 9 ... 0-0 (2 points), a ‘necessary’ move,
otherwise you’re likely to be mated too often.
in accordance with the ‘flexibility principle’
with which we are already familiar:

– Your Move –

10 Nxc6!
2 points. This exchange isn’t generally
advisable, as it reinforces the black centre.
There should be a concrete reason to play it.

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Here Black is slightly behind in development,
so we have one justification, but of course this
isn’t enough – there needs to be some
imminent tactical point to it.
10 Be3 or 10 Nb3 don’t pose any special
problems, so they don’t receive any points.
10 ... bxc6
On 10 ... Qxc6 White could play either the
useful move 11 Kh1, threatening 12 e5, or else
11 Be3; but not 11 e5?! since then 11 ... Qc5+
is better for Black. After 11 Kh1 Qc7, the queen
manoeuvre ... Qc7-c6-c7 could have been
replaced by just one move, as Tal points out.
– Your Move –
11 e5
2 points. Exactly; this is the tactical justification
we mentioned – since Black has not yet castled
he can’t take twice on e5. The e5-pawn will
become an isolated pawn, but the opening of
lines makes this a reasonable price to pay.
11 ... dxe5
If 11 ... Nd5, White can continue
advantageously with 12 exd6 Bxd6 13 Ne4, and
the black pawn structure has been disrupted,
while the centralized black knight on d5 is
unstable, liable to be driven away by c2-c4 at
an opportune moment.
12 fxe5 Nd7
How would you answer 12 ... Nd5 - ?
– Your Move – (after 12 ... Nd5)
Answer: White has the natural move 13 Ne4 (1
point). Since Black has not yet castled, he can’t
91
play 13 ... Qxe5? because of 14 c4 and White
wins material after 14 ... Nf6 15 Nxf6+ (or 15
Bf4 first) 15 ... Bxf6 16 Bxc6+ etc.
13 Bf4 0-0
– Your Move – Choose between 14 Re1 and 14
Ne4.
14 Ne4!
4 points. From here the knight ‘wants’ to go to
d6 and, in some circumstances, even to f6.
When White played 11 e5 he already knew
that the e-pawn would probably be lost.
Defending it with 14 Re1 (0 points) would be a
significant concession, because the rook gives
up the f-file, and the pressure on the black
position diminishes.
14 ... Bb7
Black is trying to play ... c6-c5; if successful, he
can hope to neutralize White’s initiative.
As there is no immediate threat, Black could
capture the e5-pawn or the b2-pawn, but
neither of these comes ‘for free’.
If he plays 14 ... Nxe5, then after 15 Qd4 f6 16
Bxe5 Qxe5 (or 16 ... fxe5 17 Rxf8+ Bxf8 and
now 18 Qc4! with a clear plus in A.Naiditsch-
N.Grandelius, Wijk aan Zee 2013, even though,
as Naiditsch pointed out, the computer gives
an evaluation of about 0.00) 17 Qxe5 fxe5 18
Rxf8+ Kxf8 19 Rf1+, as Tal commented, “Black’s
extra pawn is only a nuisance since both
bishops are restricted in their movements.”
Naiditsch prefers 19 Rad1, when “White’s plan
is simple: to play b2-b3 and c2-c4 next and to
take the king to e3.”
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Understandably, Tal doesn’t mention, and
probably didn’t even consider, the capture of
b2-pawn. After 14 ... Qb6+ 15 Kh1 (15 Rf2 is
possible too) 15 ... Qxb2, although there is no
immediate refutation, the pawn isn’t relevant
to the course of the game, and Black has not
improved his position either; a possible
continuation is 16 c4, and then Rf2-d2, or Rc1-
c2-d2.

– Your Move – (after 15 ... c5)

Answer: Because everything is in place for the

sacrifice 16 Nf6+! (2 points) 16 ... Bxf6 17 exf6
Nxf6 (if the queen retreats, then 18 fxg7) 18
Bxc7 Nxh5 19 Bxb7 Ra7 20 Bf3 and White wins.
Returning to the initial question, Black’s best
course would be to rule out Nf6+ by playing 15
... Qb6+ 16 Kh1 c5 (2 points), since 17 Nf6+?
– Your Move – then fails to the simple 17 ... gxf6 18 exf6 Bxf6;
but White appears to retains the better
15 Qh5! position with 17 Rad1, thanks to his control of
3 points. Preparing 16 Rf2 and Raf1 (which the d-file. Tal also mentions the possibility of a
would be the response to 15 ... Rad8, for favourable exchange of bishops with 17 Bg5, to
instance), followed by an eventual Ng5 (or try to exploit the absence of the black queen
even Nf6+), trying to weaken the black king’s and attack the king.
position. White can also play 16 Rad1.
One of the ideas of 11 e5 and 14 Ne4 was to
obtain access to the d6-square, but the
immediate 15 Nd6 (0 points) isn’t a serious
problem for Black, who could just play 15 ...
Rab8. Tal mentions the radical alternative 15 ...
Bxd6 16 exd6 Qb6+ 17 Kh1 c5, “and the
advanced pawn on d6 isn’t a real threat to
Black, while the bishop on f4 is badly placed.”

– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 15 ...

c5, 15 ... Qb6+ 16 Kh1 c5, and 15 ... g6.
– Your Move –
15 ... g6
Black believes that he can tolerate the 16 Qe2!
weakness created on f6, but this isn’t the best 3 points. White has achieved a great success:
defence and it gains no points. the f6- and h6-squares are weak, and with Bh6
15 ... c5 (deduct 2 points) is even worse – why?

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
now a possibility, the importance of the f-file
has increased.
The retreat 16 Qf3, to lend more force to an
eventual Bh6 and to answer 16 ... Nxe5 with 17
Qc3, receives 1 point.
But why didn’t White try to exploit the
weakness of the dark squares straight away
with 16 Qh6 - ?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 16 Qh6)
Answer: Because Black could safely play 16 ...
Nxe5! (2 points) and White is unable to exploit
the pin; for example, 17 Ng5 Bxg5 (Houdini
considers 17 ... Qb6+ to be even more precise)
18 Qxg5 (or 18 Bxg5 f5!) 18 ... f6 19 Bxe5??
fails to 19 ... Qb6+.
16 ... c5
Now 16 ... Nxe5 lands Black in a nasty pin after
the simple 17 Rae1, and White’s initiative runs
unchecked; for example, 17 ... Qb6+ 18 Kh1
Nd7 (if 18 ... f6 then 19 Nxf6+) 19 Bh6 Rfe8 20
Qf3 f5? (but White is still on top after 20 ... f6
21 Ng5!) 21 Qc3 Bf8 22 Rd1! (even better than
22 Bxf8 Rxf8 23 Nd6) 22 ... Bxh6 23 Rxd7 fxe4
24 Qf6 with mate in six, according to Houdini.
– Your Move –
17 Nf6+
2 points. White decides that this is the right
moment for direct action. This is a difficult
decision, since there are several attractive
alternatives, such as 17 Bh6, 17 Rad1 and 17
Rae1 – any of these gains 1 point.
17 ... Bxf6
93
Forced, since 17 ... Kh8 is answered by 18 Bxb7
Qxb7 19 Nxd7 Qxd7 20 Bh6 etc.
18 exf6 e5
After 18 ... Qb6, White can play 19 Bxb7 c4+
(better than 19 ... Qxb7 20 Bd6, intending Qe3-
h6) 20 Qe3 Qxb7 21 Be5, threatening Qh6, and
the black monarch is suffering.
– Your Move –
19 Bxe5!
1 point. Stronger than 19 Bxb7?! Qxb7 20
Bxe5? Rfe8 21 Qd2 Rxe5 22 Qh6 Nxf6. As Tal
says, “White no longer needs his dark-squared
bishop.”
19 ... Nxe5
The ending which arises after 19 ... Qxe5 20
Qxe5 Nxe5 21 Bxb7 Rab8 22 Bd5 Rxb2 23 Rae1
is difficult for Black, since his king is badly
placed and the bishop is stronger than the
knight.
20 Bxb7
– Your Move – (as Black)
20 ... Rab8?!
This was Black’s last chance to offer resistance.
White’s advantage would be much smaller
after the natural 20 ... Qxb7! (3 points) 21
Qxe5 Rfe8 22 Qc3 (defending b2) 22 ... Re2 23
Rf2 Rae8, when White’s king sorely misses the
light-squared bishop.
The winner thought that 22 Qg5 (instead of 22
Qc3) was very strong – can you demonstrate
that this isn’t dangerous to Black?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move – (as Black; after 22 Qg5)
Answer: Black can defend himself by playing 22
... Re2 23 Rf2 Rxf2 24 Kxf2 Qxb2! (2 points) and
after, for example, 25 Rf1 h6! 26 Qxh6 Qxf6+,
the dangerous intruder on f6 disappears.
– Your Move –
21 Bd5
2 points. Targeting the f7-pawn; the bishop is
much stronger than the knight here.
21 ... Rb6
Black plans to attack the f6-pawn by
transferring his knight to d7 and, if necessary,
his queen to d6.
After 21 ... Rxb2, the pressure is increased by
22 Rae1, and then what is White’s best reply to
22 ... Nd7 - ?
– Your Move – (after 22 ... Nd7)
Answer: White wins neatly with 23 Bxf7+! (4
points) 23 ... Rxf7 24 Qe8+ Rf8 (or 24 ... Nf8 25
Re7) 25 Re7! and now if 25 ... Qc6 (not 25 ...
Rxe8? 26 f7+) 26 Rg7+ Kh8 then 27 Qe7! forces
mate (not 27 Rxh7+? Kxh7 28 Qe7+ Kh6 29
Qg7+ Kg5 30 h4+ Kg4 31 Qxg6+ Kh3 32 Qf5+
Kxg3, which only leads to a draw). In this line
25 ... Qd6! 26 f7+ Kg7 27 Rxd7 Qb8 is more
tenacious, but after 28 Qe6 or 28 Qe7, Black is
paralyzed and the engines give no hope to
Black; for example, 28 ... Rxc2 29 Qf6+ Kh6 30
Rd5 (threatening 31 Rh5+ Kxh5 32 Qh4 mate)
30 ... Rd4 31 Kg2! (threatening 32 Rff5; not yet
31 Rff5 due to 31 ... Qb1+) 31 ... Rd4 32 Qg5+
94
Kg7 33 Rxd4 cxd4 34 Qf6+ Kh6 35 Rf4 wins; or
even better, 35 Qh4+!, which Houdini says
leads to mate in twelve.
The engines show that the ‘inhuman’ and less
forcing move 23 Qe7! (2 points) is also strong,
since Black is virtually helpless; we shall see
something similar later.
– Your Move –
22 Rae1
2 points. The winner realized that Black’s
intended plan with 21 ... Rb6 is not viable, so
he decided not to hinder his opponent.
There are no points for any other moves,
although White’s position is so strong that
various ‘strange’ or waiting moves suggested
by the computers, such as 22 b3 or 22 c4, win
as well.
22 ... Nd7
– Your Move –
23 Qe7
2 points. This idea should already be familiar.
White puts pressure on f7, and the pin on the
knight is very unpleasant.
23 ... c4
What would happen after Black’s planned
move 23 ... Qd6 - ?
– Your Move – (after 23 ... Qd6)
Answer: White plays 24 Rd1!, winning material.
(2 points)
24 Kh1
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
White anticipates the queen check on c5. Also
strong was 24 Rf2, or even 24 Rd1, since there
is no good defence after 24 ... Qc5+ 25 Rf2.
24 ... Rxb2
– Your Move –
25 Re6!
3 points. The strongest and most elegant
continuation. There are other good moves
here, such as 25 Rd1 (1 point), exploiting the
awkward situation of Black’s knight and queen.
The game could then terminate with a similar
blow; e.g. 25 ... Qc8 26 Rfe1 Rb6 27 Re6! Rxe6
28 Bxe6 Qc6+ 29 Bd5 and wins.
No other moves receive any points, even if
they win, since these are ‘computer moves’.
25 ... Rbb8
– Your Move –
– especially when Tal was White – and neglect
of development can prove fatal. (9 ... Nc6?, 9
... 0-0!)
2. It is worth noting how Tal provokes further
weaknesses in the enemy camp. (15 Qh5!)
3. Once again we can admire the way in which
Tal increases the tension of the struggle, or at
least maintains it. (15 Qh5!, 16 Qe2!, 24 Kh1!,
22 Rae1!, 25 Re6!)
4. Beautiful combinations were always present
when Tal was on the attack. (23 Bxf7+!, 25
Re6!)
5. Tal’s own comments are instructive, and
always contain a spark of wit.
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 48 points)
More than 42 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 37 and 42 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 36 points: International
Master.
Between 22 and 29 points: The Sicilian
Defence holds no secrets for you!
Between 10 and 21 points: You played several
moves just like “the Magician from Riga”!
Less than 10 points: You surely learned some
useful things, didn’t you?

26 Rd6!
2 points. Once again the most attractive move,
though not the only good one. The most
prosaic, 26 Rxa6 and 26 Rc6 Qa5 27 Rd6! (but
not 27 Qxd7? because of 27 ... Rbd8, reducing
Black’s disadvantage) each receive 1 point.
26 ... Rbd8 27 Rd1 1-0
With the threat of 28 Bf3, against which there
is no good defence.
Mikhail Tal vs. Klaus Darga, USSR-West
Germany match, Hamburg 1960.

Some lessons from this game:

1. In few openings other than the Sicilian
Defence is king safety such an important issue

95
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Game 15 Other possibilities were: 10 ... Ne5 (not fearing
White: You 11 f4, which would be answered by 11 ... Nc4);
Black: Master activating the rook with 10 ... Rc8; and
Sicilian Defence [B49] continuing development with 10 ... Be7 etc.

1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 e6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 a6 5 Nc3

Qc7 6 Be2 Nc6 7 Be3 Nf6 8 0-0 b5

– Your Move –

11 Qd3
This move isn’t played much these days. It is 2 points. White can defend against both
more usual to play 8 ... Bb4, or else transpose threats (the attack on the e4-pawn and the
to the Scheveningen Variation with 8 ... Be7 9 knight move to c4) without being forced to
f4 d6. exchange on c4 or retreat the bishop from e3
to c1, which would shut in the queen’s rook.
– Your Move – 11 ... Rc8
Why did Black reject the immediate .. Nc4 - ?
9 a3
1 point. White prefers not to engage in a hand- – Your Move – (after 11 ... Nc4)
to-hand struggle at this early stage.
In such positions the standard reaction to an Answer: Because of the simple 12 Ndxb5! (or
early ... b7-b5 is to exchange on c6. After 9 12 Ncxb5!) 12 ... axb5 13 Nxb5 and White wins
Nxc6 (1 point) the game might continue 9 ... a pawn (1 point).
dxc6 (if 9 ... Qxc6 then 10 e5 is strong) 10 f4 b4
11 Na4, followed by Bf3 and a timely c2-c3, – Your Move –
etc; 11 ... Nxe4? isn’t advisable for Black, in
view of 12 Bf3 Nf6 13 Bb6 Qd6 14 Bxc6+! etc. 12 Rad1
9 ... Bb7 10 Kh1 1 point. So the rook will not be shut in on a1.
Once again the exchange on c6 was to be 12 ... Nc4 13 Bc1
considered. White made this prophylactic
move before playing f2-f4 since Black could
answer an immediate 10 f4 with 10 ... Bc5! 11
e5 Qb6 etc.
10 ... Na5
Considering White’s last two moves (9 a3 and
10 Kh1) to be somewhat passive, Black decides
to take the initiative, activating his knight and
attacking the e4-pawn.

96
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 13
... Nxa3 and 13 ... Be7.
13 ... Be7
1 point. In the Sicilian Defence it is often risky
to neglect development and keep the king in
the centre for too long; if you chose 13 ...
Nxa3?!, deduct 1 point.
There are other possibilities in addition to the
ones suggested, such as 13 ... h5, 13 ... d6 and
13 ... b4. On the other hand, the capture on a3
is dubious – why?
– Your Move – (after 13 ... Nxa3)
Answer: Because of 14 e5! (1 point) which
forces 14 ... Ng8, and White has excellent
compensation for the pawn after 15 f4.
14 f4 d6
– Your Move –
15 Qg3
2 points. The queen reaches its ideal square via
a different route from the usual one (Qe1-g3).
This is the only move to receive any points.
97
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 15
... h5, 15 ... g6, and 15 ... 0-0.
15 ... g6
A very difficult decision. Black is attacking the
e4-pawn and plans to castle next move. He
didn’t castle straight away because he was
worried about the complications arising from
16 f5, but 15 ... g6 isn’t the best move and it
gains no points.
Choosing the far too optimistic 15 ... h5? loses
1 point. It’s true that the g-pawn can’t be
captured, since 16 Qxg7?? runs into 16 ... Rg8
17 Qh6 Rg6 etc. So, what would you play
instead?
– Your Move – (after 15 ... h5)
Answer: White can make use of his active
pieces to launch a very strong attack with 16
e5! (3 points) and if 16 ... dxe5 then 17 Nxe6!
fxe6 18 Qxg7; for example, 18 ... Rh7 (18 ...
Rg8?? loses to 19 Bxh5+, while 18 ... Rf8? loses
as well after 19 fxe5 Qxe5? 20 Bd3 or 19 ...
Nxe5 20 Rxf6! Rxf6 21 Bxh5+ Rf7 22 Qg8+ Bf8
23 Bf4 etc) 19 Qg6+ Rf7 20 f5! exf5 21 Rxf5
Nd6 (not 21 ... Bd8? 22 Bxh5 Nxh5 23 Qg8+,
mating) 22 Rxe5 with two pawns and very
good compensation for the piece.
Returning to the initial question, the most
precise move was 15 ... 0-0! (2 points). Let’s
examine what could happen after 16 f5. Then
16 ... e5 is almost forced and after 17 Bh6 Ne8
18 Bxc4, Black has various possibilities – what
should he play?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move – (as Black; after 18 Bxc4)
Choose between 18 ... bxc4, 18 ... Qxc4, and 18
... exd4.
Answer: 18 ... Qxc4? is the worst option; if you
chose this, deduct 2 points. The continuation
would be 19 Bxg7 Nxg7 20 f6 Bxf6 21 Nf5 Kh8
(other moves, such as 21 ... Rc7, are answered
by 22 Nh6+ Kh8 23 Rxf6 etc) 22 Nxd6 (here we
can see that the queen is badly placed on c4)
22 ... Qe6 23 Nxb7 with an extra pawn and
advantage to White.
White’s advantage isn’t significant after 18 ...
exd4 (1 point) 19 Nd5 Bxd5 20 Bxd5 (this
bishop is very strong, but Black can regroup
effectively) 20 ... Bf6 (20 ... Qxc2? is almost
suicidal, in view of 21 Rc1 Qe2 22 Rce1 Qxb2
23 f6 Bxf6 24 Rxf6 with a very strong attack) 21
Rf2 Be5 22 Qg4 Kh8, followed by ... Nf6.
18 ... bxc4! (3 points) seems more precise, and
after 19 Bxg7 Nxg7 20 f6 Bxf6 21 Nf5 Kh8 22
Nxd6, Black can play 22 ... Bd8 23 Nxc8
(admittedly White can force a draw – but
nothing more – with 23 Qxe5 Be7 24 Rxf7 Rxf7
25 Nxf7+ Kg8 26 Nh6+ Kh8 27 Nf7+ etc) 23 ...
Bxc8 24 Nd5 Qb8 with equal chances.
98
– Your Move –
16 Bf3
1 point. White defends his pawn in the most
natural way. If he plays 16 Bd3 instead (deduct
1 point) then 16 ... Qb6! is unpleasant and
forces White to make a concession, such as
retreating the knight from its strong position –
which, after 17 Nf3, for example, could enable
Black to play 17 ... d5 in more favourable
circumstances.
However, White’s strongest move is 16 e5! (4
points), benefiting from having all his pieces in
play and exploiting the fact that the black king
is still in the centre. Accepting the pawn with
16 ... dxe5 17 fxe5 Qxe5 (other moves are even
more unsatisfactory; e.g. 17 ... Nd5? 18 Bxc4!
followed by 19 Ne4, or 17 ... Nxe5?! 18 Bf4
Nfd7 19 Bf3 and the pin is very unpleasant) 18
Bf4 Qc5 lands Black in a precarious position
after 19 b4! (to deflect the queen) 19 ... Qb6
20 Bg5! and Black has problems. If 20 ... Nd5
then 21 Nxd5 Bxd5 22 Bxe7 Kxe7 23 Qf2!
threatens both to invade at f7 with fatal
consequences, as well as 24 Bxc4 followed by
Nf5+, winning the queen.
20 ... Ng8 is no better – can you find the most
accurate response to this?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
1 point. The c1-bishop is now ready to rejoin
the battle from a more active position.

– Your Move – (as Black)

18 ... Qc5
2 points. Threatening 19 ... Ne3, while
controlling b5 and b4. If 18 ... Qb6?, with the
same idea, then White could play 19 b3!.

– Your Move –

– Your Move – (after 20 ... Ng8) 19 Rd3

2 points. Not only to defend e3, but also with
Answer: Black’s lagging development can be ambitious attacking plans for the future.
highlighted by 21 Bxc4! Rxc4 (if 21 ... bxc4 then
22 Qe5 f6 23 Nxe6! wins) 22 Nxe6! (3 points);
for example, 22 ... fxe6 23 Qb8+! Rc8 24 Qe5
Qc6 25 Nd5 and the exposed position of
Black’s king means that he will lose material.
So, after 16 e5!, Black would have to try
something else – such as 16 ... Nd7, which
would be answered by 17 f5!, or 16 ... Nd5 17
Nxd5 Bxd5 18 b3, followed by 19 a4! etc, but
neither line leads to equality.
16 ... e5 17 Nde2 0-0
Black was not attracted by 17 ... exf4 18 Nxf4
0-0, gaining the e5-square at the cost of – Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 19
activating the passive knight on e2 and ... a5 and 19 ... b4.
increasing the value of the d5-square.
19 ... a5!
2 points. The game is turning into a race, with
White attacking the black king and Black
assaulting White’s queenside. In such positions
it is important to accelerate one’s own attack,
while at the same time putting up the best
possible defence.
With 19 ... b4?! (deduct 1 point) Black could
open lines on the queenside, but he would be
unable to exploit them. White comes off best
after 20 axb4 Qxb4 and now, for example, 21
b3 Nb6 22 Bd2 Qc5 23 Bh6 etc. Worse is 21 ...
Na3?! 22 Na2 Qc5 23 Rc3! Qa5 24 b4, winning
– Your Move –
material for insufficient compensation after 24
... Qb5 25 Bxa3 Bxe4 26 fxg6 hxg6 27 Qf2, and
18 f5
White slowly but surely regroups.
20 Qh4

99
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move – (as Black)
20 ... b4
2 points. The consistent continuation. There’s
nothing to be gained from the unpinning
manoeuvre 20 ... Nd5 (deduct 1 point), since
21 Qh6 Nxc3? 22 Nxc3 leaves Black’s kingside
less well protected than before; while if Black
retreats with 21 ... Nf6, White doesn’t need to
withdraw his queen to h4 and can instead
continue his attack by playing 22 g4 b4 23 g5
bxc3 24 gxf6 Bxf6 25 Nxc3 with the better
prospects.
21 axb4 axb4 22 Na4
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 22
... Qa5, 22 ... Qb5, 22 ... Qc7, and 22 ... Qc6.
22 ... Qb5?!
This is one of the critical moments of the
game, possibly even the most critical. Although
the black queen has four possible moves, it
seems that only one of them is correct, and
this isn’t it. So if you chose 22 ... Qb5?!, deduct
1 point.
Also inadequate is 22 ... Qc7?! (deduct 1 point),
which can be forcefully answered by 23 Bg5!
and if 23 ... Qd8 then 24 Bg4! and the threat of
Rh3 is killing; e.g. 24 ... Rc7 25 Rh3 h5 26 Bxh5!
Nxh5 27 f6 and there is no defence.
Similarly 22 ... Qa5?! (deduct 1 point) is
answered by 23 Bg5, when the counter-blow
23 ... d5 fails to save Black owing to the same
direct attacking idea of 24 Bg4! Nxg4 25 Bxe7
dxe4 26 Rh3! h5 and here, with Black’s castled
position so weakened, there is more than one
100
way to win; e.g. 27 Ng3, threatening Nxh5, or
27 Qg5.
But the idea of a central counter-attack does
work if Black retreats his queen to the correct
square with 22 ... Qc6! (5 points), ready to
defend f6 along the third rank, supporting d5,
attacking the a4-knight, etc.
Then if 23 Bg5 d5!,
the move 24 Bg4? is no longer convincing,
since after 24 ... Nxg4 25 Bxe7 (or 25 Rh3 h5
26 Bxe7 Nce3 with multiple threats) 25 ... Nce3
26 Bxf8 Rxf8 Black has more than enough
compensation for the exchange; or if 26 fxg6
then 26 ... Qxg6! is strong, with X-ray pressure
on g2, and Rybka 4 fails to find any adequate
defence for White; for example, 27 Bxf8 Kxf8
28 Rc1 d4 and White must give up material in
the face of the many threats, including 29 ...
Bxe4 (here we can see yet another advantage
of the move 22 ... Qc6!).
If 24 exd5 (instead of 24 Bg4) 24 ... Qxa4, the
position remains about equal after some very
complex variations: 25 d6! Nxd6 26 Bxb7 (not
26 Bxf6? on account of the zwischenzug 26 ...
Nxf5) 26 ... Nxf5! 27 Rxf5 Qxc2! 28 Bxc8 (or 28
Rxe5 Qxd3 29 Rxe7 Rc4 30 Qe1 Qd6 31 Ng3
Ng4 etc – naturally this line isn’t forced) 28 ...
Qxd3 29 Rxe5 Qd6! 30 Rxe7 Qxe7 31 Ng1 Qe4
32 Qf2 (worse is 32 Bxf6? Qxh4 33 Bxh4 Rxc8
with advantage to Black) 32 ... Rxc8 33 Qxf6
Qf5 with equality.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
b) 25 ... Nce3 26 fxg6 fxg6 27 Rxf8+ Rxf8 28
Bxf8 Kxf8 29 h3, once again with a material
advantage and/or a winning attack.
c) 25 ... Rfe8 26 Rh3 forces Black to weaken his
kingside fatally, and after 26 ... h6 27 Qxg4 or
26 ... h5 27 fxg6 fxg6 28 Qg5, White wins in
either case.
d) 25 ... dxe4 is a final defensive try – let’s see
how White wins after this:

– Your Move – (after 25 ... dxe4)

Answer: The clearest win is 26 fxg6! (3 points)

– Your Move –
26 ... fxg6 27 Bxf8 exd3 and now the key move
28 Qe7!.
23 Bg5!
26 Rh3 (1 point) 26 ... h5 27 Qg5 Qc6 28 Rxh5!
2 points. Of course. We’ve already
is also good, though less devastating.
encountered this idea several times, and it
24 b3 Qa2
works here as well.
This sends the queen a long way from the
23 ... Qxa4
defence of Black’s monarch and it feels
Now if 23 ... d5, White plays 24 Bg4! again and
dubious, but there was no salvation in any
can answer 24 ... dxe4 with either 25 Rh3 or 25
case. How would you deal with the defensive
fxg6; for example, 25 ... fxg6 (or 25 ... hxg6 26
try 24 ... Qc6 25 bxc4 Kg7 - ?
Rh3) 26 Rxf6 Rxf6 (or 26 ... exd3 27 Rxg6+!
hxg6 28 Be6+ Rf7 29 Bxf7+ Kxf7 30 Qh7+ Ke6
31 Qxe7+ Kd5 32 Nec3+ and wins) 27 Bxf6 Qc6
(if 27 ... exd3, Black is mated after 28 Be6+ Kf8
29 Bxe7+ etc) 28 Rd7 Qxf6 29 Qxf6 Bxf6 30
Rxb7 with an extra piece and a winning
position.
Let’s examine some other defensive tries after
24 ... Nxg4 25 Bxe7:

– Your Move – (after 25 ... Kg7)

Answer: 26 Nd4! (3 points) is the strongest of

several attractive and good moves; for
instance, 26 ... exd4 27 e5 d5 28 cxd5 Qb6 29
d6 wins, or 26 ... Qxc4 27 Be2! (making way for
the rook, with the threat of Rh3!) 27 ... h5 28
fxg6 fxg6 29 Nf5+ gxf5 30 Bxf6+ Rxf6 31 Rg3+
etc.
a) 25 ... Qxa4 26 fxg6 fxg6 27 Bxf8 Rxf8 28
The choice is a difficult one. 26 Nf4! (3 points)
Rxf8+ Kxf8 29 Rf3+ with a material advantage
and 26 Ng3 (2 points) are also effective, both
and a winning attack.
with ideas of playing Be2 (or Bg4) to make way

101
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
for the rook, while the knight can go from f4 to
d5 or be sacrificed on h5 to break open Black’s
castled position. The engines are unable to find
any good defence for Black.
The idea of bringing the queen back to defend
with 24 ... Qa5 25 bxc4 Qd8 doesn’t inspire
confidence either, because the pin is very
unpleasant – how would you continue for
White?
– Your Move – (after 25 ... Qd8)
Answer: In a similar manner to what we’ve
already seen: 26 Bg4! (2 points) to give the
rook access to h3, as well as to threaten f5xg6
and Bxc8 – for example, 26 ... Bxe4 27 fxg6
fxg6 28 Be6+ Kg7 (or 28 ... Kh8 29 Rh3 Nh5 30
Rxf8+ Qxf8 31 Qxe4 with a decisive material
advantage) 29 Bh6+ Kh8 30 Rh3, winning
material while retaining the attack.
25 bxc4 Kg7
The counter-attack with 25 ... Rxc4 doesn’t
work; here is a sample continuation: 26 Bxf6
Bxf6 27 Qxf6 Rxc2 28 Rxd6 Rxe2 (White returns
some material to be able to attack the black
king) 29 Rd8! Rd2 30 Rxf8+ Kxf8 31 Qh8+ (31
fxg6 also works) 31 ... Ke7 32 Qxe5+ Kd7 (32 ...
Kf8 is no better on account of 33 Qh8+ Ke7 34
f6+ Kd7 35 Qb8 Qa6 36 Rc1 etc, while if 35 ...
Bc6 then 36 Bg4+ wins) 33 fxg6 hxg6 34 Rc1!
(to deflect the black rook from the d-file by the
threat of Rc7) 34 ... Rc2 35 Ra1! and the white
pieces will penetrate the black position with
Rd1+ and/or Bg4+; if Black tries 35 ... b3, White
can just play 36 Kg1.
102
– Your Move –
26 Rxd6! 1-0
2 points. Winning a piece and the game.
Apparently this was the move that the great
Najdorf missed at the start of the
complications.
Oscar Panno vs. Miguel Najdorf, Buenos Aires
1965.
Some lessons from this game:
1. “What is my opponent’s next move or
plan?” is a question that can help us find our
own best move or correct plan. (11 Qd3!, 12
Rad1!, 19 Rd3! etc)
2. Knowing the typical ideas in your chosen
opening is essential. (10 ... Na5, 15 Qg3!, 16
e5!, 19 ... a5!)
3. General rules are of little importance
when the game enters a critical phase and
it’s all about tactics. (22 ... Qb5?, 22 ... Qc6!)
4. To carry out a successful attack it’s
sometimes necessary to make use of
unexpected tactical details. (26 Rxd6!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 47 points)
More than 42 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 37 and 42 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 36 points: International
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Master. Game 16
Between 21 and 29 points: You need to play White: You
the Open Sicilian with both colours! Black: Master
Between 10 and 20 points: You guessed Ruy Lopez [C92]
several good moves!
Less than 10 points: You are still learning, so 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0 Be7
keep trying! 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 0-0 8 c3 d6 9 h3 Nd7 10 d4 Bf6

“This is a logical continuation, since it exerts

good pressure on the long diagonal.
Nevertheless the most accurate move here is
10 ... Nb6!, hindering the advance a2-a4,”
wrote the Argentine GM Herman Pilnik. From
now on, the comments in inverted commas
are by him; we shall see in them the great
optimism which always characterized Pilnik.
In the almost half a century since this game
was played, opening theory has naturally
evolved and now 10 ... Nb6 and 10 ... Bf6 are
considered to be of equal merit.
11 a4!
We shall respect Pilnik’s opinion (the
exclamation mark is his). This is a normal move
in the Ruy Lopez; White creates favourable
tension on the queenside. This is the most
common move here, though there are several
others of comparable strength: 11 a3, 11 Be3,
11 Bd5, and finally 11 d5, which in another
game was the choice of the player with the
black pieces here.
11 ... Na5 12 Bc2 Nb6
Pilnik indicated that 12 ... b4 is bad – why?

– Your Move – (after 12 ... b4)

103
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Answer: White gains the advantage by
exploiting the bad position of the knight on the
edge of the board with 13 d5! (2 points), when
13 ... Rb8? fails to 14 cxb4 Rxb4 15 Bd2!, while
13 ... bxc3 14 b4! Nb7 15 a5 gives White a big
advantage in view of Black’s uncomfortable
position.
13 axb5 axb5
– Your Move –
14 dxe5
1 point. This was a new move at the time,
resolving the central tension. Pilnik will explain
the point of this to us further on.
The position can be handled in various ways,
such as the natural 14 Nbd2 (1 point), and
even 14 Nh2 (1 point), heading for g4, which
was the choice of the Black player here in a
game where he was White.
14 ... dxe5
– Your Move –
15 Be3!
2 points. White doesn’t mind an exchange of
queens, because this would leave him in
temporary command of the d-file and with
pressure on the black pawns at e5 and b5.
Pilnik commented: “I believe that with this
continuation I have gained the advantage,
because Black’s pawn structure is weak. In
addition, Black’s king’s bishop will be confined
to a very passive role for a long time to come.”
104
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 15
... Be6, 15 ... Bd7, and 15 ... Qxd1.
15 ... Be6
1 point. “The queen’s rook was in urgent need
of protection because White was threatening
Bxb6, followed by b2-b4.”
In Chess Informant #1 there was a brief
annotation: “15 ... Bd7!=” and this was
repeated in #3. This move loses 4 points –
show why the evaluation is incorrect.
– Your Move – (after 15 ... Bd7)
Answer: White can play the simple 16 Bxb6
cxb6 17 b4 and the black queen is overloaded;
if 17 ... Nc4, White wins with 18 Rxa8 Qxa8 19
Qxd7 etc (2 points). Amazingly, several games
have gone this way.
For concrete reasons that we shall explain
later, it was also interesting to fall in with
White’s desires and exchange queens with 15
... Qxd1 (1 point); after 16 Rxd1, what is Black’s
best move?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 16 Rxd1) Choose
between 16 ... Be6 and 16 ... Nac4.
Answer: The best move is 16 ... Be6! (2 points)
and Black will gain counterplay with ... Nb3; for
example, 17 Na3 Nb3 18 Rab1?! Nc4! etc.
On the other hand, 16 ... Nac4?! (deduct 1
point) leaves the black pieces uncoordinated
after 17 Rxa8 Nxa8 18 Bc5 Re8 19 b3!. The
game R.Fuchs-J.Kostro, Vrnjacka Banja 1967,
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
continued 19 ... Ncb6 20 Na3 c6 21 Bd6 g6 22
c4 bxc4 23 bxc4, when Black sacrificed a pawn
with 23 ... c5 but failed to solve his problems.
– Your Move –
16 Bc5!
1 point. “Making a future ... Nc4 less effective,
since the knight would have to retreat after
b2-b3.”
– Your Move – (as Black)
16 ... Re8
1 point. Once again it was worth considering
16 ... Qxd1 (2 points) 17 Rxd1 and then either
17 ... Rfe8 or 17 ... Rfc8.
– Your Move –
17 Na3!
2 points. “Starting to exploit the weak b-
pawn.”
105
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between
17 ... Qxd1, 17 ... Bd7, 17 ... Nac4, and 17 ...
Nd7.
17 ... Qxd1
This exchange now takes place in
circumstances that are rather favourable to
White, so it receives no points.
In Chess Informant, 17 ... Bd7 was suggested
“with a slight advantage to White”, but the
advantage will be rather more than slight after
18 Bxb6 cxb6 19 Bd3, winning a pawn (albeit a
doubled one), so this move loses 1 point.
After the pseudo-active 17 ... Nac4? (deduct 2
points), Pilnik gives 18 Nxb5!, when 18 ... Qxd1
19 Raxd1 Nxb2 fails to 20 Rb1 and 21 Nxc7 and
White wins.
That leaves just 17 ... Nd7! (2 points) as the
best choice. Black is able to defend his weak
pawn and prevent any damage to his structure
after 18 Be3 c6.
– Your Move –
18 Raxd1!
2 points. This could have been avoided if Black
had exchanged queens before White
connected his rooks. Now a future ... Nb3 will
be less effective.
On the other hand, after 18 Rexd1? (deduct 1
point), 18 ... Nb3! is a strong reply, thanks to
the white bishop being on c5.
18 ... Na4
“Trying to complicate the game, seeking
compensation for the fact that the b5-pawn
can’t be saved.”
Now 18 ... Nd7 isn’t a solution, as we’ll see.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move –
19 Nxb5!
3 points. 18 ... Nd7 would have met with the
same response.
Instead, the tempting move 19 b4 (0 points)
brings no advantage – why not?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 19 b4)
Answer: On account of 19 ... Nxc3! (3 points)
and, surprisingly, Black gets back on his feet
after 20 Rd3 (20 bxa5 Nxd1 21 Bxd1 Rxa5 22
Bb4 Ra7 is better for Black) 20 ... Nb7 (the
unlikely 20 ... Nb3! seems to be good too) with
the possible continuation 21 Rxc3 Nxc5 22
Nxb5 (the only way to play for an advantage)
22 ... Na6 23 Nxc7 Rec8 24 Nxa8 Rxc3 25 b5
Nc5, and now if 26 Bb1 then 26 ... Bxh3, while
26 Bd1?! is even riskier in view of the reply 26
... Bd8! (threatening 27 ... Ra3) 26 b6 f6 etc. In
all these lines it is evident that Black gains
enough activity to compensate for the pawn,
whereas the white forces become passive and
uncoordinated.
19 ... Nxc5
“There isn’t anything better, in view of the
threat of Nxc7.”
– Your Move –
20 b4
1 point. This was the idea – but in view of what
might have happened, there are also
arguments in favour of 20 Nxc7! (2 points) with
106
a rook and two pawns for the two minor
pieces, although it can’t be said that there is
any clear advantage for White.
– Your Move – (as Black)
20 ... Na6
1 point. Despite the fact that “the Soviet
champion took almost an hour to decide on
this move”, White will demonstrate that,
although it offers good possibilities of
resistance, from the practical point of view it
isn’t the best, since White has the initiative
and his play is much easier.
“Although Black remains a pawn down, he
calculated that the new white a-pawn would
prove to be weak and exposed to the pressure
of the rook, and that his knight would have a
good square on c5.”
There doesn’t appear to be any White
advantage after 20 ... Rec8! (3 points) 21 bxc5
Nb7, regaining the pawn.
21 bxa5 Reb8 22 Rb1 Kf8
“If the e5-pawn didn’t need to be defended,
the move ... Bd8 would be good. On the other
hand, 22 ... c6 isn’t playable since the response
23 Nd6 would be very unpleasant. That is why
Stein, conscious of the precariousness of his
position, tries to prepare the incarceration of
the white knight as a last resort.”
– Your Move –
23 Red1
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
1 point. The most flexible. “Anticipating the
above-mentioned manoeuvre, so as to play
Nd6.”

– Your Move – (after 26 ... Ra6)

Answer: Because of 27 Bd3! (2 points), based

– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 23 ... on the well-known tactical idea 27 ... Rxc6 28
c6, 23 ... Rb7, and 23 ... Ke7. a6, when the threat of promoting the pawn
wins material.
23 ... c6 24 Nd6 Nc5
Consistent, but it weakens Black’s position so
gains no points. Centralizing his king first with
23 ... Ke7 (1 point) was more precise.
On the other hand, the move suggested in
Chess Informant, 23 ... Rb7 (deduct 1 point),
isn’t convincing – why not?

– Your Move – (after 23 ... Rb7)

Answer: Because of 24 Nbd4! (2 points), when

White is able to simplify and solve the problem
of his rather exposed pieces; for example, 24 ...
Nc5 (worse is 24 ... Rxb1? 25 Nxe6+ fxe6 26
Rxb1 Nc5 27 Ra1 etc) 25 Rxb7 Nxb7 26 Nc6,
retaining the strong passed pawn. One more
question: in this position, why is 26 ... Ra6 not
to be feared?
– Your Move –
25 Rb6!
2 points. Possibly Black was in time trouble
here, since he doesn’t put up the best defence,
instead sticking with his earlier idea beyond
the point where this was viable.
Black could have prevented this move by
playing 24 ... Rxb1 first and only then 25 ...
Nc5, though this isn’t serious yet.
25 ... Rxb6 26 axb6 Rb8?!
A passive move, albeit consistent with the idea
of trapping the intruder at d6. Unfortunately,
“The famous weak little pawn now turns into a
lion.”

107
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Instead, 26 ... Ra2! was more tenacious, when
27 Ne1 Rb2 28 Rb1 Rxb1 29 Bxb1 Bd8! etc
brings White no advantage.
27 Rb1 g6
“Threatening to trap the enemy knight.”
– Your Move –
28 Nd2
2 points. “The only move but a good one, since
it enables the knights to link up via Nc4.”
– Your Move – (as Black)
28 ... Bg5!
3 points. “Finally the inactive black bishop
comes into the game,” commented Pilnik,
although he was critical of this move,
suggesting instead 28 ... Ke7 (1 point), which
doesn’t seem to be an improvement. White
could continue as in the game with 29 N6c4,
and then 29 ... Bg5? would be bad – why?
– Your Move – (after 29 ... Bg5)
Answer: Because of 30 Nxe5! (1 point), taking
advantage of the new position of the black
king.
29 N6c4
108
– Your Move – (as Black)
29 ... f6?
This is the brilliant Ukrainian’s first clear error,
and it loses 2 points.
Just as before, 29 ... Ke7? loses to 30 Nxe5!.
However, Black could have neutralized White’s
advantage with 29 ... Bxd2! (4 points) and after
30 Nxd2, thanks to Black’s centralized king, the
pawn on b6 is doomed. Black can quietly play
... f7-f6 and ... Nd7.
We can see that, despite Black’s tiny errors (if
such they were), his general concept was by no
means erroneous.
– Your Move –
30 Nb3!
2 points. Now White is finally able to realize his
extra passed pawn and the g5-bishop remains
out of the game. “I believe that this is the only
way to try to win.” (Pilnik)
30 ... Na4?
“This hastens Black’s defeat.” Better was 30 ...
Nxb3 31 Bxb3 Ke7 32 Ba2 “with good winning
chances.”
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
be of great help and even prove decisive. (15
... Qxd1!, 16 ... Qxd1!, 29 ... Bxd2!)
4. Loose pieces are ‘tactical weaknesses’. (23
... Rb7?, 29 ... Ke7?)
5. “If one piece stands badly, the whole
position is bad.” (29 ... f6?, 29 ... Bxd2!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 55 points)
– Your Move – More than 48 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 42 and 48 points: Grandmaster.
31 Nba5! Between 33 and 41 points: International
3 points. A crushing blow. “Freeing the knights, Master.
with the horrible threat of Nxc6.” Between 22 and 32 points: You are mastering
31 ... Nxc3 32 Nxc6! Re8 the Ruy Lopez!
After 32 ... Nxb1 33 Nxb8, there is no good Between 10 and 21 points: You understood the
defence to the threat of 34 Nd7+ and b6-b7- position quite well.
b8Q. Less than 10 points: What did you think of this
lesson?
– Your Move –

33 Nd6!
1 point. The best move; there are other ways
to win, but this is the simplest. “Not granting
any respite to the poor black rook.”
33 ... Nxb1 34 Nxe8 1-0

Herman Pilnik vs. Leonid Stein, Mar del Plata

1966.

Some lessons from this game:

1. Fixing the pawn structure is a decision
that to a great extent determines the
subsequent plans. (14 dxe5, 15 Be3!, 16
Bc5!, 17 Na3!)
2. “Don’t believe everything you read or
hear.” “Question everything!” etc. (15 ...
Bd7?)
3. “Which piece to exchange?” “Which piece
to retain?” – as we already know, these are
questions that we need to keep asking
ourselves; answering them appropriately can

109
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Game 17
White: Master
Black: You
Sicilian Defence [B91]
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6
6 g3 e5 7 Nde2 Be7 8 Bg5
Instead of playing the usual 8 Bg2, White
begins a struggle for the d5-square, seeking
to eliminate one of the pieces defending it at
an opportune moment.
8 ... Nbd7
The alternative was 8 ... Be6.
9 Bh3
– Your Move – Choose between 9 ... 0-0, 9 ...
b5, and 9 ... Nb6.
9 ... b5!
3 points. Black must compensate for losing
control of d5 by gaining space on the
queenside. The passive 9 ... 0-0 (deduct 1
point) would allow 10 a4!, restricting Black’s
activity on his stronger flank.
Black shouldn’t allow the exchange of light-
squared bishops with 9 ... Nb6 (deduct 1
point), as although this leaves White’s
kingside a little weak, Black has no way of
exploiting it, and the loss of an important
defender is more significant. White would
continue with 10 Bxc8 and 11 Bxf6, fully
justifying his plan of conquering the d5-
square.
10 a4?!
110
White increases the tension on the queenside,
which will prove unfavourable for him. How
would you respond to the idea of eliminating
both black knights with 10 Bxd7+ and 11 Bxf6 -
?
– Your Move – (after 10 Bxd7+)
Answer: With 10 ... Qxd7! (3 points), making
way for the dark-squared bishop, so as
answer 11 Bxf6 Bxf6 12 Nd5 with 12 ... Bd8,
reaching a fairly equal position in which both
sides have their trumps.
10 ... b4 11 Nd5
What happens after 11 Bxd7+ now ?
– Your Move – (after 11 Bxd7+)
Answer: As Fischer indicated, after 11
Bxd7+?! Qxd7 12 Bxf6, Black can play 12 ...
bxc3! (2 points) and if 13 Bxg7? Rg8 14 Bh6,
Black has several good continuations, such as
14 ... cxb2 (Fischer’s 14 ... Qh3 is also strong)
15 Rb1 Qc6!, threatening to break with 16 ...
d5, as well as to capture the e4-pawn.
So White would have to play 13 Bxe7 cxb2 14
Rb1 Qxe7 15 Rxb2 Bh3, when Black has a
clear advantage.
11 ... Nxd5 12 Qxd5
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move –
12 ... Rb8
1 point. Keeping all options open. Given the
precarious state of White’s pieces, 12 ... Nb6
(1 point) was interesting too, when a possible
continuation is 13 Qc6+ Kf8! 14 Bxe7+ Kxe7
15 Bxc8 Rxc8 16 Qb7+ Qc7 17 Qxc7+ (or 17
Qxa6 Ra8) 17 ... Rxc7 and the endgame is
slightly better for Black.
13 Bxe7
– Your Move –
13 ... Kxe7!
3 points. Giving extra protection to the d6-
pawn, with the immediate threat of 14 ...
Nf6. In contrast, 13 ... Qxe7 (0 points) 14 Rd1
Rb6 15 a5 cedes the initiative to White.
14 Qd2
– Your Move –
14 ... Nf6
1 point. Developing with gain of time (since
the pawn on e4 is now attacked) and leaving
White with a difficult decision: should he
retreat his bishop, losing a tempo, or
exchange it, which would speed up Black’s
development?
111
– Your Move – (as White)
15 Bg2?
White chooses the greater evil. 15 Bxc8 (1
point) was better, although after 15 ... Qxc8 16
f3, White’s position would be slightly worse.
How would you continue in that case?
– Your Move – (after 16 f3)
Answer: Fischer indicated 16 ... Qc5! (2
points), preventing kingside castling. 16 ...
Rd8! is also strong, planning to break with ...
d6-d5 (2 points), perhaps preceded (in the
event of 17 0-0) by 17 ... Qc5+, highlighting
Black’s greater activity.
– Your Move –
15 ... Bb7
1 point. Black develops with tempo, since he
attacks the e4-pawn; but there was a more
precise move order, as we shall see.
Another idea is to insert 15 ... h5!? (1 point),
trying to create weaknesses on the kingside;
but Black is seeking the clearest path,
without any distractions, which is to make
progress on the queenside.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
4 points. Black rejects the obvious 17 ... Rhc8
(0 points), preferring to increase his options
first. You can have 1 point for 17 ... h5.
Instead of 17 0-0?!, White could have tried
17 a5!?, but after 17 ... Qc5 18 0-0 Rhc8 19
Rfc1, intending c2-c4, Black could still retain
a slight advantage by preventing that with 19
... Qc4.
18 Rfd1
White would like to play 18 c4, either closing
the queenside or activating his knight, but
after 18 ... bxc3 19 Nxc3 Ba6 20 Nb5, he
– Your Move – (as White) would lose a pawn without compensation.

16 Qd3?! – Your Move –

16 Qe3! (3 points) was better, aiming to
complete his development quickly after 16 ... 18 ... Ba6
Qc7 17 0-0!, since capturing on c2 would lose 1 point. This was the main idea behind 17 ...
to 18 Rac1, followed by 19 Rc7+. a5!.
19 Qd2 Rhc8 20 h3
– Your Move –

16 ... Qb6
1 point. Obviously this move, dominating the
dark squares, would have been prevented by
16 Qe3!. On the other hand, going back, 15
... Qb6! (3 points) was more accurate, as
Fischer pointed out.
17 0-0?!

– Your Move –

20 ... h5!!
4 points. Black unhurriedly prevents White
from expanding with g3-g4.
Why did Black reject the immediate .. Qc6 - ?

– Your Move – (as White; after 20 ... Qc6)

Answer: White has the surprising – and
– Your Move – excellent – move 21 Nd4!! (3 points); for
example, 21 ... exd4 22 e5 Ne4 23 exd6+ Kf8
17 ... a5! 24 Qf4! Bb7 25 Rxd4 with equality.
The position isn’t yet ripe for Black to play 20
... Rc4 – why not?

112
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
White’s position is also bad after 23 Kh2
– Your Move – (as White; after 20 ... Rc4) Rbc8 24 Rd2 Qc7, since 25 Rc1? fails to 25 ...
Rxb3.
Answer: As Fischer pointed out, White can 23 ... Rbc8 24 Rxc3 Rxc3 25 Kh2
play 21 g4!, intending to defend with 22 Ng3,
and in the event of 21 ... Nxe4?! 22 Bxe4 – Your Move –
Rxe4 23 Ng3, he would gain strong
counterplay, sufficient to equalize the game 25 ... Qc5!
(3 points). Black should continue with 23 ... 2 points. Now White’s queen’s rook must
Rf4 and, in necessary, sacrifice the exchange remain pitifully passive; as we know, 26 Rc1?
on f5. allows 26 ... Rxb3!.
21 b3?! 26 Ra2
This creates a new weakness, and in fact
weakens White’s whole pawn structure – Your Move –
without being forced to do so. 21 Rac1 was
better, though White’s position would 26 ... g6!
remain unpleasant after 21 ... Rc4. 4 points. Defending the h5-pawn, thus
allowing the knight to improve its position;
Black is planning the manoeuvre ... Nd7-b8-
c6-d4.
27 Bf1 Qd4 28 f3?!

– Your Move –

– Your Move –
21 ... Bxe2!
3 points. Although passive, the knight was
needed to support White’s position.
Normal moves such as 21 ... Rc6 (1 point) or
21 ... Rc7 (1 point), with the idea of doubling
rooks on the c-file, were also good.
22 Qxe2
28 ... Re3!
2 points. Black continues to gain ground and
infiltrate the white position; now 29 Qf2 runs
into 29 ... Rxe4 or, even stronger, 29 ... h4!,
intending 30 g4 Nxe4! 31 fxe4 Rxh3+! and
wins.
Another idea was 28 ... h4 (2 points), and if
29 gxh4 then 29 ... Nh5, coming to f4.
29 Qg2

– Your Move –

22 ... Rc3!
2 points. Threatening to take on g3, thus
gaining a tempo for doubling the rooks.
23 Rd3
– Your Move –

113
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
29 ... Qd1!
1 point. White’s passivity is total, and Black
has no more difficulties on the way to
victory. The rest is simple.
30 Bc4
30 Bd3 would indirectly defend the f3-pawn;
e.g. 30 ... Rxf3? 31 Be2 or 30 ... Qxf3? 31
Qxf3 Rxf3 32 Kg2 Re3 33 Kf2 and the rook is
trapped. However, Black can insert either 30
... g5! or 30 ... h4! (both indicated by Fischer)
and White is helpless.
30 ... Qxf3 31 Qxf3 Rxf3 32 Kg2 Re3 33 Bd3
Nxe4 34 Bxe4 Rxe4 35 Kf2 d5 36 Ra1 d4 37
Rd1 Re3 38 h4 Rc3 39 Rd2 Ke6 40 Kg2 f5 0-1
Milan Matulovic vs. Robert Fischer, Vinkovci
1968.
Some lessons from this game:
1. The principle of prophylaxis! Hindering
the opponent’s plans is just as important as
pursuing our own! (15 ... Qb6!, 16 Qe3!, 20
... h5!)
2. Watch out for ‘quiet moves’ which
improve the mobility of other pieces. (17 ...
a5!, 26 ... g6!)
3. Decisions about piece exchanges are always
of crucial importance; it is essential to keep
asking yourself: “Which piece would it suit me
to exchange?” and “Which piece do I want to
keep?” (10 Bxd7+!, 21 ... Bxe2!)
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 52 points)
More than 45 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 39 and 45 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 38 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 29 points: You played many
moves just like Fischer!
Between 10 and 20 points: You know how to
attack and counter-attack!
Less than 10 points: “No one is born wise”.
114
Game 18
White: You
Black: Master
Sicilian Defence [B85]
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6
6 Be2 e6 7 0-0 Be7 8 a4 Nc6 9 Be3 0-0 10 f4
Qc7 11 Kh1 Re8
This is a well-known tabiya of the
Scheveningen Variation, which became
popular after the first Karpov-Kasparov match
in 1984; there are thousands of games from
this position.
12 Bf3 Bf8
Preparing an eventual ... e6-e5.
12 ... Rb8 is the most common choice; other
options are 12 ... Bd7, 12 ... Na5 and 12 ...
Nxd4.
– Your Move – Choose between 13 Qd2, 13
Qe1, 13 Nb3, and 13 g4.
13 Qd2
2 points. The queen is going to f2, from where
it will try to exert influence on the f-file and
the g1-a7 diagonal.
2 points for 13 Nb3 as well; this removes a
piece from the centre and leaves it a long way
from the kingside, but doesn’t completely rule
out the possibility of a ‘bayonet’-style attack
with g2-g4. After 13 ... Bd7?! (planning the
typical ... Nxd4, followed by ... Bc6), 14 g4
would indeed be strong, since the d7-bishop
would have to move again to make way for the
f6-knight to retreat. So the best reply to 13
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Nb3 is 13 ... b6 (there is no longer any danger
of Nxc6 followed by e4-e5), after which White
can play 14 a5 or 14 e5 with a complicated
game in either case.
The immediate 13 g4 (2 points) is also playable,
when the standard response would be 13 ...
Nxd4 (13 Nb3 avoids this) 14 Bxd4 e5 etc.
The other typical manoeuvre, 13 Qe1 (1 point),
heading for g3, finds Black well prepared to
meet it – how?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 13 Qe1)
Answer: With one of the main ideas behind 11
... Re8 and 12 ... Bf8, the sequence 13 ... Nxd4
14 Bxd4 e5 (2 points) and Black has good play.
The f3-bishop prevents White from exploiting
the opening of the f-file after 15 fxe5; while
after 15 Be3, the engines suggest 15 ... d5,
which might be even better than the standard
plan of 15 ... exf4 16 Bxf4 Be6, followed by ...
Nd7-e5, which is satisfactory for Black.
13 ... Rb8
13 ... Na5 is another possibility, as played by
the greatest expert in this line, Garry Kasparov.
14 Qf2
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 14
... Bd7, 14 ... e5, and 14 ... Na5.
14 ... e5
1 point. Completing the plan begun with 12 ...
Bf8.
14 ... Bd7?! (0 points) is less convincing, since
15 g4! again creates problems for Black, even
115
though he ended up winning in Ma.Carlsen-
V.Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2008.
The careless 14 ... Na5? (deduct 2 points) fails
to 15 Nxe6! Bxe6 16 Bb6 etc.
15 fxe5
A new move at the time. In answer to the usual
retreat 15 Nde2, Black expands with 15 ... b5,
and in the event of 16 axb5 axb5 17 Nd5 Nxd5
18 exd5, Black has 18 ... exf4, typically gaining
the use of the e5-square.
15 ... dxe5
Now the f8-bishop obtains an open diagonal,
while the f3-bishop seems to be a ‘dead’ piece;
but there are other factors in the position, as
we shall see.
Having a nice knight outpost on e5 is a
standard option in the Scheveningen, but the
white knight will be secure on d4 too – and
besides, after 15 ... Nxe5, the move 16 Bg5 is
unpleasant. Black would have to try 16 ... Nfg4,
since the natural 16 ... Be7 isn’t a good move –
why not?
– Your Move – (after 16 ... Be7)
Answer: Because White takes over the d5-
square and has a tremendous position after 17
Bxf6 Bxf6 18 Nd5 Qd8 19 Bh5! (1 point), when
the build-up of white forces against Black’s
kingside is irresistible.
16 Nb3
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 16
... Nb4, 16 ... Be6, and 16 ... b5.
16 ... Nb4
1 point. Controlling d5 and taking advantage of
the weakness created by a2-a4. Another
possibility was 16 ... Be6 (1 point), to be able to
answer 17 Bb6 with 17 ... Qc8.
On the other hand, 16 ... b5?! (0 points) isn’t
advisable at this point – why not?
– Your Move – (after 16 ... b5)
Answer: Because, as the winner indicated, after
17 Nd5! (2 points) 17 ... Nxd5 18 exd5, thanks
to White having played 15 fxe5 earlier, the
black knight doesn’t have the e5-square
available and will have to retreat to a less
active position, conceding the initiative.
– Your Move –
17 Ba7
2 points. White prefers to leave the b7-pawn
with less protection, instead of “some vague
possibility that the rook might be hanging on
b8 in some line.”
The immediate 17 Bb6 receives 1 point.
17 ... Ra8
The winner mentions the exchange sacrifice 17
... Be6, which would offer Black some
compensation, because White would miss his
dark-squared bishop. Nevertheless, “an
exchange is still an exchange”.
18 Bb6 Qe7
116
– Your Move –
19 Rad1
1 point. The last reserve enters the fray.
– Your Move – (as Black)
19 ... Be6?!
1 point. It was safer to play 19 ... Bg4! (4
points) which, as the winner commented,
“looks paradoxical, as Black offers to exchange
his ‘good’ bishop for my ‘bad’ bishop, but
actually it makes a lot of sense, as the key
move ( ... ) will be less dangerous. White still
keeps a slight initiative, but Black has a
perfectly decent position.”
Indeed, Black’s position is fine after 20 Bxg4
Nxg4 21 Qg3 Nf6 22 Nc5 Rac8 etc. Nor does he
have any major problems after 20 Bc5 Qc7 21
Bxf8 Kxf8, or 20 Nd5 Nbxd5 21 exd5 Bxf3 22
Qxf3 Qb4 etc.
– Your Move –
20 Nd5!
2 points. Of course this is the above-mentioned
“key move”. White gets a strong passed pawn,
supported by the d1-rook and both bishops.
20 ... Bxd5 21 exd5 e4
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move –
22 d6!
2 points. A strong zwischenzug, as well as the
most logical move.
– Your Move – (as Black)
22 ... Qe6
Not the best, so it gains no points; while after
22 ... Qd7 (no points for this either) 23 Nc5,
the only move is 23 ... Qf5, since 23 ... Qc6?
loses – how?
– Your Move – (after 23 ... Qc6)
Answer: 24 Nxe4! (2 points) is crushing, as “the
pressure down the f-file combined with the
dangerous passed pawn is way too much for
Black to handle”, to quote the winner.
Returning to the initial question, the best
option was 22 ... Qe5! (3 points), and after 23
d7 Nxd7 24 Rxd7 exf3 25 Qxf3 f6 26 Nd4,
although White has greater activity and the
‘superior’ pieces, the engines are not very
impressed; White is only slightly better after
26 ... Re7.
117
– Your Move – Choose between 23 Nc5 and 23
d7.
23 Nc5
2 points. The tactics don’t work for White after
23 d7 (0 points) 23 ... Nxd7 24 Bg4 – why not?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 24 Bg4)
Answer: Black is helpless after 24 ... Qxb6?
(deduct 2 points) 25 Qxf7+ Kh8 26 Bxd7 Red8
27 Nd4, or 27 Be6 Bd6 28 Bf5 etc.
But Black has 24 ... f5! (3 points), the
difference being that the queens disappear
after 25 Bxf5 Qxb6 26 Bxd7 Qxf2 27 Rxf2 Re5,
leaving a balanced position.
23 ... Qf5 24 Be2 Qxf2 25 Rxf2
Now White’s passed pawn begins to tilt the
balance in his favour.
25 ... Nbd5
– Your Move – Choose between 26 Rxf6, 26
a5, and 26 d7.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
26 a5?
This logical move loses the advantage, so
deduct 1 point. In fact all three options are
logical, so it will be tactical factors that make
the difference.
After 26 d7 (0 points), White could try to win
the endgame arising from 26 ... Reb8 27 Rxf6
Nxf6 28 Nxe4 Nxe4 29 d8Q Rxd8 30 Rxd8 Rxd8
31 Bxd8 with his pair of bishops, but he would
be unlikely to succeed.
The best move was 26 Rxf6! (4 points), and if
26 ... Nxb6 then 27 Rff1, threatening to win
with 28 a5, to which there is no satisfactory
defence; for example, 27 ... Rad8 28 a5 Rxd6
29 Rxd6 Bxd6 30 Nxb7 Nc8 31 Bxa6 and
White’s passed pawns should win.
That leaves only 26 ... Nxf6 – how would you
then continue for White?
– Your Move – (after 26 ... Nxf6)
Answer: “For some reason” the winner only
considered 27 d7 (0 points, since it transposes
to the 26 d7 line above) and failed to examine
other moves, such as the extremely strong 27
a5!! (Carlsen), when Black has no counterplay
and will not be able to prevent White’s
queenside advance; if 27 ... Rec8 then 28 b4!,
followed by d6-d7 (4 points).
27 b4 (2 points) was strong too.
26 ... Nxb6 27 axb6
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 27
... Rec8 and 27 ... Rab8.
118
27 ... Rab8?
Black was short of time and missed his chance;
this move loses 2 points.
Instead, Black would be no worse after 27 ...
Rec8! (3 points); the winner gives these sample
variations: 28 b4 Rc6 29 d7 (29 Nxb7 Rxc2
doesn’t seem dangerous either) 29 ... Bxc5 30
d8Q+ (or 30 bxc5 Rd8 31 Bxa6 Rxc5 32 Bxb7
Rb5 33 Re2 Rxd7 34 Ra1 Rd8 35 Bxe4 Rxb6
with a level ending) 30 ... Rxd8 31 Rxd8+ Bf8 32
Bxa6! Rxb6 33 Bc4 Rxb4 34 Bb3, and now 34 ...
Rb6! prepares 35 ... Rd6, “solving Black’s
problems”.
– Your Move –
28 Rxf6!
2 points. Black missed this shot, and he is
almost lost again. With this exchange sacrifice
White clears the way for his passed pawn, and
the whole of Black’s queenside becomes
weaker, as we shall see.
28 ... gxf6
– Your Move –
29 Nd7
1 point. Regaining the exchange after
eliminating the annoying knight on f6.
29 ... f5
– Your Move –
30 c4
2 points. The exchange will not go away; this
pawn is going to c5 to defend the one on d6.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
The prosaic 30 Nxb8 (1 point) was not bad Some lessons from this game:
either. 1. Pay close attention to any change in the
30 ... a5 pawn structure. Even a slight alteration can
30 ... Bg7 31 Nxb8 Rxb8 32 c5 Bf6 would have have a big effect; for instance, after 15 fxe5
lost in a similar way to the game. dxe5, the ‘normal’ move 16 ... b5 became an
31 c5 Bg7 32 Nxb8 Rxb8 error.
2. “Which piece would it suit me to
exchange?” “Which piece do I want to
keep?” These are questions you should keep
asking yourself. Sometimes it can be
appropriate to offer to exchange a ‘good’
bishop for a ‘bad’ one. (19 ... Bg4!)
3. Simply attacking an enemy piece and
forcing it to move should only be done if, in
our estimation, the piece will stand worse on
its new square. (17 Ba7!)
4. We need to train ourselves to spot the
critical moments in the game, when there is
– Your Move – maximum need for accurate calculation. (22
... Qe6?, 26 Rxf6!, 27 ... Rfc8!, 36 Rc1!)
33 Ba6!
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
3 points. “The pawns are the soul of chess”, to actually played.
quote Philidor’s well-known dictum – and quite
a strong soul when they are so far advanced.
“As it is easy to see, Black is completely How did you do?
defenceless once there are three passed
(Maximum score: 52 points)
pawns.” (Carlsen). More than 45 points: Super-Grandmaster.
33 ... Bf6
Between 39 and 45 points: Grandmaster.
Between 31 and 38 points: International
– Your Move – Master.
Between 21 and 30 points: You know a lot
34 Bxb7! about “the soul of chess”!
1 point. The logical follow-up to his previous
Between 10 and 20 points: You found several
move. very strong moves!
34 ... Rxb7 35 c6 Rxb6
Less than 10 points: Carlsen was once again a
very good teacher, wasn’t he?
– Your Move –

36 Rc1!
2 points. It is essential to maintain
concentration throughout the game. Instead,
36 c7?? Rc6 would be a disaster; if you chose
this, deduct 2 points.
36 ... Bxb2 37 d7 1-0

Magnus Carlsen vs. Alexander Grischuk,

Linares 2009.

119
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Game 19
White: You
Black: Master
Nimzo-Indian Defence [E55]
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3 0-0 5 Bd3 d5 6
Nf3 c5 7 0-0 dxc4 8 Bxc4 Nbd7 9 Qe2
The player with the white pieces wrote that he
likes to play this way, because it doesn’t
require knowledge of a lot of forcing
variations.
Despite the quiet appearance of this line, it is
important to play the moves in the correct
order. The d4-d5 advance must be considered
at every move; with Qe2 White intends to play
Rd1, after which the advance might gain in
strength.
Let’s sidetrack for a moment and look at the
position after 9 ... cxd4 10 exd4 b6 11 d5 –
what would you play here?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 11 d5) Choose
between 11 ... Nc5 and 11 ... Bxc3.
Answer: It is essential to take on c3 – after 11
... Bxc3! (2 points) 12 dxe6 Bb4 13 exd7 Black
has a decent position.
In the line with 9 ... cxd4, the c5-square is
available so 11 ... Nc5? looks appropriate, but
in fact it’s a mistake (if you chose it, deduct 1
point) owing to the energetic continuation 12
Rd1! Qe8 (it’s too late to play 12 ... Bxc3, since
13 dxe6 now wins) 13 Nb5! (leaving the bishop
misplaced on b4) 13 ... exd5 (13 ... Na6 14 d6 is
also unpleasant) 14 Nc7! Qe4? (but 14 ... Qxe2
15 Bxe2 Rb8 16 Bf4 doesn’t solve Black’s
120
problems either) 15 Rd4! Qg6 16 Nh4 1-0,
V.Ivanchuk-V.Anand, León (rapid) 2008, in view
of 16 ... Qh5 17 Qxh5 Nxh5 18 Bxd5 etc.
Curiously, in the same event the following
year, the same mistake was repeated; this
game diverged with 14 ... Qc6, but it didn’t last
long after 15 Nxd5 Nxd5 16 Bxd5 Ba6 17 Qc2
etc, Ma.Carlsen-Wang Yue, León (rapid) 2009.
9 ... b6 10 Rd1
The continuation 10 d5 Bxc3 11 dxe6 Ne5 12
exf7+ Kh8 13 bxc3 Bg4 has been debated for
decades and definitely requires the sort of
preparation that White preferred to avoid.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 10
... cxd4 and 10 ... Bb7.
10 ... cxd4
2 points. In contrast, 10 ... Bb7?! (deduct 1
point) 11 d5 exd5 (11 ... Bxc3? loses to 12
dxe6) 12 Nxd5 looks slightly better for White,
thanks to the now misplaced bishop on b4.
11 exd4 Bxc3
Once again 11 ... Bb7?! is answered by 12 d5.
12 bxc3
– Your Move – (as Black)
12 ... Bb7
1 point. 12 ... Qc7! (2 points) was slightly more
accurate, as it restricts White’s options – how?
(The answer is given in the note to White’s
next move.)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
The primitive jump 15 ... Ng4 isn’t dangerous.
After 16 h3! Bxf3 17 Qxf3 Qh2+ 18 Kf1, the g4-
knight must retreat, and White’s bishops
dominate the position.

– Your Move –

13 Bb3
2 points. The bishop needs to move, to free the
c4-square for the pawn – but after 12 ... Qc7!, – Your Move – Choose between 16 Re1, 16
White would have to defend the c3-pawn Rd3, and 16 Qe3.
before retreating this bishop.
The d3-square looks better than b3, but this 16 Qe3
isn’t so – why not? This move only helps Black and gets no points.
16 Re1 was better, though not enough for an
– Your Move – (as Black; after 13 Bd3) advantage.
The a1-rook needs to enter the game and the
Answer: The d3-square would be superior, best way is by playing 16 Rd3! (3 points),
were it not for the fact that it lets Black play 13 followed by Re1 and Nd2, when all White’s
... Nd5! 14 Bd2 Qc7!, with the threat of ... Nf4, pieces will be working.
exchanging one of White’s bishops (2 points).
White would have to make some concession, – Your Move – (as Black)
such as allowing ... Bxf3, doubling his pawns, or
exchanging the queens. 16 ... Qf5
13 ... Qc7 14 c4 1 point. Of course 16 ... Qxe3?, reinforcing
According to the winner, if White manages to White’s centre, is bad and loses 2 points.
gain sufficient control of c4, he stands better.
14 ... Rfe8
As the winner explains, White’s plan is to move
his knight and play f2-f3, setting up a barrier
on the long diagonal and leaving the b7-bishop
rather useless. But if White moves his knight
now, he must reckon with the advance ... e6-
e5, followed by ... e5-e4.
15 Bb2 Qf4
This is a standard idea in this type of position;
Black doesn’t really want to take on f3 just yet,
but the constant threat of it reduces White’s
options.

121
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move – Choose between 17 Ne1, 17
Nd2, 17 Ne5, and 17 Rac1.
17 Ne1!
3 points. Just as planned, the knight seeks a
brighter future and White is ready to
neutralize the b7-bishop with a timely f2-f3.
On the other hand, 17 Ne5 (0 points) leads to a
drawish position after 17 ... Nxe5 18 dxe5
Qe4!, as the winner pointed out. And 17 Nd2,
with the same idea as the move in the game,
has a snag, as we shall see, and gains no
points.
17 Rac1! (3 points) was reasonable, bringing
White’s only inactive piece into play.
17 ... b5
With this typical and violent manoeuvre Black
seeks to gain control of the d5-square.
Is this move good or bad? We can’t answer
that yet. The move has a right to exist and
everything will depend on the ensuing
struggle. Aronian wrote about it: “A committal
decision. Now an argument begins between
the two sides. Will Black manage to get a piece
to the blockade square d5, or will White
succeed in preventing it?”
– Your Move –
18 c5
1 point. Allowing the exchange of pawns would
leave White with an isolated pawn on d4 and
would be a bad move.
The possibility of playing c4-c5 in favourable
circumstances was the reason for choosing 17
Ne1, which doesn’t obstruct the d-file. If the
knight were on d2, Black could blow up
White’s centre with 18 ... e5!, whereas now 18
... e5? would be answered by 19 d5.
With 18 c5 White gives up the control of d5,
but he also gains a passed pawn and retains his
greater manoeuvring capability; the d5-square
is a good one, but it’s just one square, and
Black has too many pieces that would like to
occupy it.
18 ... Nd5
122
– Your Move – Choose between 19 Qg3, 19
Qd2, and 19 Qd3.
19 Qg3
1 point. It is difficult to condemn this move
without knowing the calculation that lay
behind it; the winner described it as “again a
provocative move”.
The ending after 19 Qd3 (1 point) 19 ... Qxd3
20 Nxd3 N7f6, followed by 21 ... Rac8, Red8
etc, gives White very little advantage, if any.
Neither of the players, now or at any other
stage (such as with 17 Qg5 earlier), considered
that the exchange of queens would give White
any real winning chances.
The simplest solution is sometimes the best:
19 Qd2! (3 points) maintains the harmony of
White’s position and is justified tactically.
Although Black take can the initiative with 19
... Nf4 20 f3 e5, if he fails to achieve anything
tangible from it, the opening of lines will
favour White with his pair of bishops. This can
be seen after, for instance, 21 Nd3 Nxd3 (21 ...
Nh3+? 22 gxh3 Qxf3 fails to 23 d5) 22 Qxd3
e4?! 23 Qxb5! Rab8 24 fxe4 Bxe4 25 Qf1 etc,
as indicated by Sergei Shipov.
19 ... Nf4
White must postpone f2-f3 in order to deal
with the threatened fork on e2.
20 Rd2 Nf6
Black has activated his pieces and has a
playable position. As for White, the latent
power of his pair of bishops isn’t yet visible but
is there nonetheless.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
After the game the Black player said that 20 ...
e5 was interesting but looked illogical; White
agreed and thought that, after 21 f3, Black
would have problems, as he is unable to profit
from advancing the e-pawn.
– Your Move –
21 f3
1 point. This idea is already familiar to us and is
almost forced, in order to reduce the pressure
from Black’s bishop; any other move loses 1
point.
21 ... N6h5
– Your Move – Choose between 22 Qf2 and 22
Qh4.
22 Qf2
2 points. On the other hand, 22 Qh4 (0 points)
merely helps Black regroup his knights with ...
Ng6, when the other knight goes to f4, which
White would not want to allow. The engines
agree with this decision.
– Your Move – (as Black)
22 ... Bd5
“The start of an ill-conceived plan”, according
to the winner. Black believes in the strength of
his active pieces, but White is well prepared
for this, and the move gets no points.
It was better not to occupy the d5-point yet
and instead make progress on the queenside
with 22 ... a5! (3 points). “The pawns on a5 and
b5 would effectively restrict the white bishops,
123
and with appropriate support, could become
strong.” (Aronian)
23 Bc2
White made this move quickly for practical
reasons. 23 ... Bxb3 was not to be feared, since
it would open the a-file in White’s favour. As
the winner wrote: “There is no immediate
need to avoid the exchange, but I wanted to
play quickly and drive my opponent into time
trouble. In such strategic positions, where one
must think deeply over various plans, time is
even more important than usual.”
23 ... Qg5 24 Kh1
– Your Move – (as Black)
24 ... Bc4?
Abandoning the long diagonal in search of
tactical play is a bad decision, perhaps the fruit
of Black’s “ill-conceived plan”, which was how
Aronian described 22 ... Bd5.
Black vacates the d5-square to regroup his
knights, but he will not be able to benefit from
the activity of his pieces – of course tactical
factors will ultimately determine whether the
idea will prove to be good or bad.
Both the winner and the analysis engines like
the idea of gaining space on the queenside
with 24 ... b4! (3 points), with the plan of
playing ... a7-a5-a4. Another good option was
to start with 24 ... a5! (3 points). Black never
considered the plan of making progress on the
queenside, and this seems to be one of the
causes of his defeat.
The winner wrote: “A mistake. Black’s pieces
are already well placed, and it was time to
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
think of pawn advances. Both ... a7-a5 and ...
b5-b4 look good. While White is regrouping his
forces, Black can advance on the queenside.”
– Your Move –
25 g3
1 point. Driving the knight away. Now White
has to try to demonstrate tactically that 24 ...
Bc4 was a bad decision. The winner
commented: “Now the white knight turns from
a bit-part player into a box office star”.
25 ... Ng6
It is important that Black can’t exploit his
temporary piece activity after 25 ... Nd5 26
Nd3. Here White has the better position, since
if Black tries to increase his grip on the c4-
square by playing 26 ... Ne3 27 Bb3 Bd5,
clearing c4 for the knight, White can continue
to improve his pieces by 28 Ne5 f6 29 Re1!
with the advantage, since his forces are now
better coordinated than Black’s.
– Your Move –
26 Ng2
1 point. Heading for e3.
26 ... Bd5
The winner considered that it was preferable
(“more subtle” was the term he used) to play
26 ... Nf6, intending to answer 27 Ne3 with 27
... Nd5. Instead, White intended 27 h4! and
after 27 ... Qd5 28 Ne3 Qc6, “White is better,
but the battle would still lie ahead.”
27 Ne3
124
White has succeeded in putting a stop to
Black’s activity and stands better.
27 ... Nf6
On 27 ... Bc6, the most solid and perhaps
strongest reply is 28 Be4. The winner also
mentions the interesting break 28 d5,
intending to answer 28 ... exd5 with 29 Nf5,
leaving the black pieces completely
uncoordinated – or, as the winner wrote,
“depriving Black’s piece set-up of its sense.”
– Your Move –
28 h4
1 point. White begins to ‘wake up’ and play
more actively. His king’s position is now
weakened, but the black queen starts to
become short of squares. White thought for a
long time before deciding on this advance and
wasn’t at all satisfied with it.
Later, he pointed out the more flexible move
28 Kg1! (3 points), with the same idea as in the
game. The plan is to play 29 h4 Qh5 (29 ...
Nxh4? loses a piece to 30 f4) 30 Bd1, and with
his queen so badly placed. Black will not find it
easy to cope with White’s pressure. If this
perhaps seems a bit obscure, the next note
should make things clearer.
28 ... Qh5
– Your Move –
29 Nxd5!
3 points. This was not White’s original plan and
seems ill-matched to the flexible, tension-
maintaining style the player of the white
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
pieces is so fond of – but White is adapting to
the circumstances. What’s wrong with a
‘normal’ move such as 29 Kg2 - ?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 29 Kg2)
Answer: In answer to natural moves, such as 29
Rf1 or 29 Kg2, Black can play 29 ... Ng4! (2
points) when, after forcing the exchange of
knights, Black will retain his strong bishop on
d5. That’s what prompted White to eliminate
the bishop at once with 29 Nxd5.
29 ... Nxd5
29 ... Qxd5 looks more logical, solving the
problem of the badly-placed queen. White can
continue actively with 30 Bb3 Qc6 31 h5, but
this isn’t advisable, as after 31 ... Ne7, it is hard
to see any advantageous continuation. Instead,
White would have played 30 Qe2!, preparing
Be4.
– Your Move –
30 Re1
1 point. The only inactive white piece now
comes into action. After his failed attempt to
activate his pieces, Black can only await events,
not forgetting that his queen’s position is far
from secure.
30 ... Red8 31 Rde2
“White shifts his pieces closer to the kingside,”
wrote the winner.
31 ... Rab8
– Your Move –
32 Bc1
125
1 point. The dark-squared bishop was the only
piece without a clear role, so White brings it
into play, with the threat of Bg5 and g3-g4.
32 ... h6
– Your Move – Choose between 33 Bd2, 33
Be4, 33 Kg1, and 33 Kg2.
33 Kg2!
3 points. There are several other moves which
strengthen the position, such as 33 Bd2 (1
point) or 33 Kg1 (1 point), but 33 Kg2 is the
best, consolidating the position (as with the
other two moves mentioned), while adding
possibilities such as Kh3 and g3-g4, or Rh1.
Only 33 Be4 fails to score – although it isn’t a
bad move, it doesn’t actually do anything.
33 ... Nc3?
Black tries to force the e2-rook to obstruct
White’s other pieces, but it actually helps
White to crystallize his advantage. Black should
have carried on with his waiting game and
played either 33 ... a5 or 33 ... Rbc8.
– Your Move –
34 Re5!
2 points. With this exchange sacrifice White is
able to activate all his pieces and, as well as a
pawn, he gains two connected passed pawns.
34 ... Nxe5 35 Rxe5
35 dxe5 was also strong, threatening 36 g4, or
if 35 ... f5 then 36 exf6, and it will be very
difficult to defend the black king.
35 ... f5 36 Bb3
The immediate 36 Rxe6 was equally strong.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
36 ... Nd5 37 Rxe6
The white pieces dominate the board and
Black will have a hard job to save the game.
37 ... Kh8
In the event of the more tenacious 37 ... a5,
White was intending simply 38 a3, “retaining
all the advantages of my position”, to quote
the winner.
– Your Move –
38 Qe1!
2 points. Heading for e5, from where the
powerful centralized queen will drive the
blockading knight away from d5 and support
the advance of the pawns. Take 2 points for 38
Qe2! as well.
There are other strong options, but these are
more in the style of ‘computer moves’ and
receive no points.
38 ... Nf6 39 Qe5
This was the idea, although 39 c6 was also
good enough.
39 ... Re8
After 39 ... Nd7 40 Qe2 Nf8, what is the
quickest finish?
– Your Move – (after 40 ... Nf8)
Answer: 41 Rxh6+! gxh6 42 Qe5+ Kh7 43 Qe7+
Kh8 44 d5, followed by Bb2+ and mates (1
point).
40 c6 Rbc8 41 Qxb5 Qg6 42 h5!
White concludes the game in elegant fashion,
deflecting the black queen in order to gain a
tempo.
126
42 ... Qxh5
– Your Move –
43 Bf4
1 point. In order to play 44 c7. On the previous
move, 42 Bf4 worked as well.
Black now tries to distract White’s attention
with a few defensive ideas, but his position
remains lost.
43 ... a6 44 Qxa6 Nh7 45 c7 Ng5 46 Rxe8+ Qxe8
47 d5
Steadily advancing, since Black has no checks.
47 ... Ra8 48 Qc4 Kh7 49 d6 Qe1 50 Qf1
50 d7 was quicker, but the result is the same.
50 ... Qe8 51 Qd3 Qd7 52 Qc4 Qe8 53 Bxg5
hxg5 54 Qg8+! 1-0
An appropriate final flourish.
Levon Aronian vs. Peter Leko, FIDE Grand Prix,
Nalchik 2009.
Some lessons from this game:
1. Don’t forget to ask yourself: “What is my
opponent planning?” (12 ... Bb7?, 12 ... Qc7!,
17 Ne1!, 29 Nxd5! etc)
2. White’s concept of flexible play is admirable;
it can be seen not only in the way he plays, but
also in his annotations. (12 ... Qc7!, 22 ... Bd5?,
28 Kg1!, 33 Kg2! etc)
3. It is important to realize when it is necessary
to maintain the tension and when it is
appropriate to resolve it, preventing
premature simplification, as well as avoiding
giving the opponent the chance to make a
favourable exchange. (29 Nxd5!)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves Game 20
actually played. White: Master
Black: You
Petroff Defence [C42]
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 51 points) 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 d4
More than 45 points: Super-Grandmaster. d5 6 Bd3 Bd6 7 0-0 0-0 8 c4 c6 9 Re1 Bf5
Between 39 and 45 points: Grandmaster.
Between 31 and 38 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 30 points: You’ve learned
something of the art of manoeuvring!
Between 10 and 20 points: Well played!
Less than 10 points: Try harder next time.

White must decide upon a course of action

here and he has several options: he can alter
the pawn structure, carry on with his
development and allow exchanges, or
maintain the central tension. What would
you choose?

– Your Move – (as White) Choose between

10 Nc3, 10 cxd5 cxd5 11 Nc3, 10 Qb3, and 10
c5.

10 c5?
White takes a radical decision; he gains space
with tempo since he is attacking the d6-
bishop, but at the same time he releases the
central tension. Which is worth more,
White’s advantage on the queenside or the
freedom that Black gains on the opposite
flank?
This isn’t the only important factor in the
position: “Releasing the tension leaves a
typical open e-file position, but with a crucial
difference: thanks to the tempi White has
expanded on pushing his c-pawn, Black is
able to maintain his knight on e4 and isn’t
forced to exchange it. This crucial difference

127
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
saves Black time and makes it hard for White
to develop his dark-squared bishop” (Nunn).
10 c5? loses 2 points, which should be
deducted on completion of the test.
White should choose any of the other
options: 10 Nc3, 10 cxd5 cxd5 11 Nc3, and 10
Qb3 – any of these receives 1 point.
10 ... Bc7 11 Nc3
– Your Move –
11 ... Nd7!
3 points. White applied pressure at e4 to try
and force Black to exchange on c3, but for
tactical reasons Black isn’t compelled to do
so and can continue with his development
instead. No other move deserves any points.
A tense struggle now ensues, to see who will
have make concessions.
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 12
Nxe4, 12 Bxe4, 12 Bg5, and 12 Qc2.
12 Qc2
1 point. White steps up the pressure on the
e4-square, still hoping to force Black to
exchange his knight; this was his original idea
when he played 10 c5.
It wasn’t easy to admit that the struggle for
e4 is fruitless. It was probable necessary to
accept an equal position by simplifying with
12 Bg5! (2 points) 12 ... Nxg5 13 Bxf5 Nxf3+
14 Qxf3 g6 with chances for both sides.
Note that White can’t retain his extra pawn
after 12 Nxe4?! (deduct 1 point) 12 ... dxe4
128
13 Bxe4 Bxe4 14 Rxe4, since he falls
noticeably behind in development and 14 ...
Nxc5 15 Re1 Ne6 gives Black a very good
game. The isolated d4-pawn is more of a
weakness than a strength, given that two
minor pieces have already been exchanged.
12 Bxe4?! (deduct 1 point) 12 ... dxe4 13 Ng5
Nf6 14 Ncxe4 isn’t satisfactory either – why
not?
– Your Move – (after 14 Ncxe4)
Answer: Black regains the pawn by 14 ...
Nxe4 15 Nxe4 Bxh2+! 16 Kxh2 Qh4+ 17 Kg1
Bxe4 with a slight advantage (1 point).
12 ... Re8
– Your Move – (as White)
13 Be3
0 points. White is the first to blink. The
inadequately protected rook on e1 limits his
ambitions, so before continuing more
actively White connects his rooks.
Explain why White rejected the win of a pawn
with 13 Nxe4 (deduct 1 point) 13 ... dxe4 14
Bxe4.
– Your Move – (after 14 Bxe4)
Answer: Black regains the pawn with 14 ...
Qe7! 15 Ng5 (not 15 Bxf5?? Qxe1+ 16 Nxe1
Rxe1 mate) 15 ... Nf6 16 f3, and now the
engines prefer 16 ... Nxe4 17 fxe4 (not 17
Nxe4? Bxh2+! and wins) 17 ... h6!, when the
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
e4-pawn is lost after, for example, 18 Qf2
Bg6 etc (3 points) and White is left with the
inferior structure.
Continuing with the attack on the queenside,
ignoring Black’s plans, isn’t appropriate
either. After 13 b4 Bg6 14 Bb2, Black can
deploy his pieces at leisure in preparation for
a kingside attack; for instance, 14 ... Re6 15
Ne2 Qe7 16 Ng3 Re8 17 Qb3 h5! and Black’s
attack should be decisive.
The winner of the game pointed out that 13
Bg5! (2 points) was better. After 13 ... Nxg5
14 Rxe8+ Qxe8 15 Nxg5 Bxd3 16 Qxd3 Nf6
etc, the position is approximately equal.
– Your Move –
13 ... h6
1 point. Black considers that there is no rush,
so it is possible to spend a tempo on
preventing Ng5.
Nevertheless, it was more accurate to skip
this prophylactic move and play the
immediate 13 ... Qf6! (3 points), when the
e4-knight can be supported by ... Qg6 if
necessary. For instance, 14 Ng5 isn’t
dangerous, since after 14 ... Qg6 15 Ncxe4
dxe4 16 Bc4 Re7, followed by ... Nf6, Black is
better; White’s king is vulnerable and his
pawn structure is far from ideal.
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 14
b4 and 14 Nd2.
14 b4?!
This further loss of time allows Black’s
initiative to grow to even greater
proportions. It loses 2 points.
How would you answer 14 Nd2 (1 point),
adding pressure to e4?
129
– Your Move – (after 14 Nd2)
Answer: Not the immediate 14 ... Qe7?
(deduct 1 point), in view of 15 f3! Nxd2 16
Bxf5 with advantage to White, who gains the
bishop pair and good piece activity.
Instead, 14 ... Qh4 (1 point) is playable, and if
15 g3 then 15 ... Qe7. Now 16 f3 is no longer
a problem since, with the f3-square
weakened, Black can play 16 ... Nxd2 with
good play after, for example, 17 Bxd2 Bxd3
18 Qxd3 Qf6 etc.
Also acceptable is 14 ... Qf6 (1 point) 15 Bxe4
dxe4 16 d5 Be5, which is probably slightly
better for Black, though not entirely clear.
Finally, it was possible to opt for the quiet 14
... Bg6 (1 point), after which 15 f3? is bad,
since 15 ... Nxd2 16 Qxd2 (16 Bxg6 Nxf3+ is
worse) 16 ... Bxd3 17 Qxd3 Qh4 leaves White
in a difficult position: 18 h3 allows 18 ... Qg3,
while 18 g3? Bxg3! gives Black a decisive
attack.
14 ... Ndf6
“Now the e4-knight is definitely secure, and
the build up of black pieces against White’s
poorly defended kingside has become
ominous.” (Nunn)
15 h3
It is easy to criticize this move, which
controls the g4-square but presents Black
with a target. Suggesting something better is
a more difficult task.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
White rejected 15 Nd2 due to 15 ... Ng4, gxf6 21 Bh7+ Kg7 22 Qf5 Qxf5 23 Bxf5 Nd5
when he has to play 16 Nf3 or 16 Nf1, and Black prospects are slightly better; the
because after 16 g3?!, Black has the typical f5-bishop is strong, but “a pawn is a pawn”.
combination 16 ... Nxh2! 17 Bxe4 dxe4 18 Instead, after 16 Ne5 (0 points), how would
Kxh2 Qh4+ 19 Kg2 Qh3+ 20 Kg1 Bxg3 21 fxg3 you continue?
Qxg3+ 22 Kh1 Qh3+! 23 Kg1 Re6, and Black
will soon recover the sacrificed material with
advantage.

– Your Move – (after 16 Ne5)

Answer: Naturally with the exchange sacrifice

– Your Move – 16 ... Rxe5! (2 points) to keep the initiative.
After 17 dxe5 Bxe5 18 Ne2, the simple 18 ...
15 ... Qd7! Bxa1 19 Rxa1 Bh7 is good for Black, though
4 points. Showing that 15 h3 offered Black he could also try the less practical but strong
some new possibilities. His well-placed move 18 ... Bxh3!.
pieces enable him to maintain the tension.
For a comfortable game it was sufficient to – Your Move –
play, for example, 15 ... Nxc3 16 Bxf5 Nfe4
etc, but this doesn’t gain any points. 16 ... Bxh3!
2 points. Of course! The white king is almost
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 16 defenceless against the ensuing attack.
Nd2, 16 Ne2, and 16 Ne5. 17 Ne5
This is forced, since capturing on h3 loses.
16 Ne2? After 17 gxh3 Qxh3 and then:
A serious miscalculation. White
underestimates the concentration of black
forces on the kingside; if you chose this,
deduct 2 points.
16 Nd2 (3 points) was best, to which Black
could simply reply 16 ... Rad8, bringing his
last inactive piece into the game with the
better prospects.
Alternatively, Black could go in for great
complications with 16 ... Bxh3!?. One of the
lines indicated by Kramnik runs 17 Ncxe4
dxe4 18 Nxe4 Nd5 19 gxh3 Nxb4 20 Nf6+

130
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
a) 18 Ne5 is met simply by 18 ... Bxe5 19
dxe5 Rxe5 with a winning attack.
b) 18 Ng3 Nxg3 19 fxg3 Bxg3, attacking the
rook on e1 and threatening to play ... Ng4.
The attack is unstoppable; for example, 20
Bf1 Qh5 (20 ... Qg4 is also strong) 21 Ne5
Bxe5 22 dxe5 Rxe5 23 Bg2 Rae8 24 Bf2 Ng4
etc.
c) 18 Bxe4 Rxe4 19 Ng3 and now there are
three attractive continuations: 19 ... Rg4 20
Nh2 Rg6, 19 ... Rae8, and 19 ... Bxg3 20 fxg3
Rg4, any of which gives Black a decisive
advantage.
17 ... Bxe5
It was even possible to play more flashily
with 17 ... Rxe5!? 18 dxe5 Bxe5 (this position
could have been reached via 16 Ne5 Rxe5 17
dxe5 Bxe5 18 Ne2 Bxh3 above) 19 f3 (19
Rad1? fails to 19 ... Qg4) 19 ... Bxa1 20 Rxa1
Ng5 and then, for example, 21 Bxg5 hxg5 22
gxh3 Qxh3 23 Nd4 Qg3+ 24 Qg2 Qf4 25 Nc2
Re8 with three pawns for the bishop, a weak
white king, and better coordinated black
pieces.
However, from the practical point of view it
is better to keep things as simple as possible,
since the ‘natural’ course of the game
favours Black in any case.
18 dxe5 Rxe5 19 f3
How would you answer 19 Nd4 - ?
– Your Move – (after 19 Nd4)
Answer: With 19 ... Bxg2! (2 points) and wins;
for example, 20 Kxg2 Qg4+ 21 Kf1 Rh5, and
131
mate in a few moves. 20 f4 Rh5 21 Qxg2 is
more tenacious but not really any better. The
most precise continuation is 21 ... Rh4!; e.g.
22 Kf1 Rg4 23 Qh2 Ng3+ 24 Kg1 Re8 with a
decisive attack.
– Your Move – Choose between 19 ... Bxg2, 19
... Ng5, and 19 ... Rae8.
19 ... Rae8!
4 points. Throwing more wood on the fire! All
the black pieces are in play and harmoniously
deployed, which is one of the usual
characteristics of Kramnik’s style.
The most direct route isn’t always the best.
Here 19 ... Bxg2?! (deduct 2 points) isn’t as
strong as in earlier lines we examined; for
instance, after 20 Kxg2 Ng5 21 Ng1, White’s
defensive task less onerous.
19 ... Ng5?! is also inaccurate (deduct 1 point)
– how you regroup as White?
– Your Move – (as White; after 19 ... Ng5)
Answer: White should play 20 Bf4! to drive
away the black rook; e.g. 20 ... Ree8 21 Bxg5!
hxg5 22 gxh3 Qxh3 23 Nd4 Qg3+ 24 Kf1 and
the worst is over for White (3 points).
20 Bf4
After 20 fxe4 dxe4 21 Bc4 Bxg2! 22 Kxg2, the
simplest route to advantage is 22 ... Qg4+ 23
Ng3 Qf3+ 24 Kg1 Qxg3+ with four pawns for
the piece; although 22 ... Rh5 23 Ng3 Qh3+
24 Kg1 Qxg3+ 25 Qg2 Qxg2+ 26 Kxg2 Nd5 is
good too.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
20 ... Rh5
Here 20 ... Bxg2!? 21 Kxg2 Ng5 22 Rh1 Ng4!,
followed by ... Ne3+, leads to favourable
complications in which all the black pieces
are very active; but once again, there is no
need to complicate matters.
– Your Move – (as White)
21 fxe4?!
This hastens the end and loses 1 point.
21 Nd4 (2 points) was necessary, even
though Black’s offensive is tremendous; for
instance, 21 ... Rh4! (the simple 21 ... Ng5 is
also promising) 22 Bh2 Ng4! 23 Bxe4 (or 23
fxg4 Bxg2! with a decisive attack) 23 ... dxe4
24 Bd6 Ne5! (probably the strongest of
several possibilities) 25 gxh3 Qxh3 26 Qg2
Nxf3+ 27 Nxf3 Rg4 etc.
21 ... dxe4 22 Bc4
– Your Move –
22 ... Bxg2!
4 points. How beautiful chess can be when
it’s played well! Don’t you agree?
If it was best previously not to go in for
unnecessary complications, now this sacrifice
is compulsory. Continuing ‘quietly’ with 22 ...
Qg4? (deduct 2 points) fails to 23 Ng3! Qxf4
(or 23 ... Rh4? 24 Rf1) 24 Bxf7+! Kxf7 25
Nxh5, when 25 ... Qh4 (25 ... Nxh5? loses to
26 Rf1) 26 Nxf6 gxf6 27 Re3, for example, is
unclear.
23 Ng3
132
23 Kxg2 leads to mate in four: 23 ... Qh3+ 24
Kg1 Qh1+ 25 Kf2 Qf3+ 26 Kg1 Rh1 mate.
– Your Move –
23 ... Bf3!
2 points. This bishop has tremendous power.
23 ... Rh4 (1 point) was also good enough.
24 Qb3
If 24 Nxh5, despite being a rook down, Black
has a winning attack after 24 ... Nxh5,
followed by 25 ... Qg4+.
– Your Move –
24 ... Rh4
1 point. This is easily sufficient to win, but a
faster solution was 24 ... Qh3! (2 points) 25
Bxf7+ Kh7 26 Qc2 Qxg3+! and mate in three
moves.
25 Bd6 Qh3! 26 Bxf7+ Kh7 27 Qb2
– Your Move –
27 ... Ng4 0-1
1 point. Mate in six is good enough, even if
27 ... Qxg3+! (2 points) would have halved
that.
Arkadij Naiditsch vs. Vladimir Kramnik,
Dortmund 2009.
Some lessons from this game:
1. Any change to the pawn structure, such as
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
releasing the tension in the centre, requires
careful analysis. (10 c5?)
2. Even in a very favourable position, it is
vital not to underestimate the opponent’s
defensive resources. (19 ... Ng5?!, 19 ...
Bxg2?!)
3. “Chess is a team game” to quote Seirawan;
i.e. all the pieces should work together. (19
... Rae8!)
4. Accurate calculation is essential to
transform a positional advantage into
something tangible. (22 ... Bxg2!, 23 ... Bf3!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 48 points)
More than 43 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 38 and 43 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 37 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 29 points: You played almost
like Kramnik in this game!
Between 10 and 20 points: You handled the
initiative quite well!
Less than 10 points: Try harder next game!
133
Game 21
White: You
Black: Master
Réti Opening [A13]
1 c4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 d4 5 0-0 c5 6
e3 Nc6 7 exd4 cxd4 8 d3 Be7
– Your Move –
9 Re1
1 point. White occupies the half-open file,
postponing the decision about where to
deploy his queenside pieces.
We’ve now reached a Modern Benoni
position with colours reversed, and with
White having one or even two extra tempi (if
Black plays ... e5 in two moves).
Black can reach a decent position as long as
he doesn’t go in for complications too soon,
since in that case the extra tempi could well
make themselves felt. On the other hand, if
the struggle continues along positional lines,
Black’s advantages, such as his central pawn
majority and space advantage, could begin to
weigh more heavily.
9 ... 0-0 10 Na3
– Your Move – (as Black)
10 ... Ne8
2 points. In a ‘normal’ Benoni position, the
most logical move would be 10 ... Nd7 (1
point), heading for c5; but here if 11 Nc2, the
d4-pawn would be attacked, and White is
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
ready to make the thematic break with b2-b4
after either 11 ... Nc5 or 11 ... e5 (12 b4 Nb4
13 Nxe5 etc).
Black is adapting to the situation, keeping the
d4-pawn defended. On e8 the knight is less
passive than it might appear since it can go
to c7, supporting a possible ... b7-b5; this is a
typical manoeuvre to restrain White’s
queenside majority after he has played b2-
b4.
11 Nc2
– Your Move – (as Black)
11 ... f6!
1 point. Continuing with his plan, which is to
strengthen his position in the centre with ...
f7-f6 and ... e6-e5.
12 Bd2 a5
– Your Move –
13 a3
2 points. A logical move; White is trying to
expand on the queenside.
Another option was 13 b3 (2 points) with the
plan of 14 a3 and then b3-b4; for example,
13 ... e5 14 a3 Nc7 15 b4 Kh8 16 Nh4 etc.
What would you play after 13 ... Nc7 14 a3 Rb8
-?
– Your Move – (after 14 ... Rb8)
Answer: If immediately 15 b4 (1 point) Black
can play 15 ... b5 (or 15 ... axb4 16 axb4 b5)
134
with a decent position, since after 16 cxb5
Nxb5, the advance 17 a4, to create a passed
pawn with b5, is answered by 17 ... Nc3!. On
the other hand, if White tries to take
advantage of the fact that the c6-knight is
loose with 16 Ng5, then 16 ... Ne5 is
satisfactory.
White does better to play a waiting move,
such as 15 Qe2! (2 points) and only after 15
... e5 play 16 b4, when the inclusion of the
last two moves means that White can answer
16 ... b5 with the unpleasant 17 Nh4.
With a similar idea, 15 Nh4 (2 points) is
interesting too.
– Your Move – (as Black)
13 ... a4!
2 points. Hindering White’s pawn break by
controlling b3, at the cost of giving up
control of b4, which is now accessible to the
white minor pieces.
The plan of 13 ... Rb8 14 b4 b5 is now
inappropriate – why?
– Your Move – (after 14 ... b5)
Answer: Because this time 15 cxb5 Rxb5 16
a4 is strong, followed by b4-b5 with a clear
advantage to White (2 points).
14 Nb4
The knight on c2 had nothing to do, and
jumps at the chance of becoming active.
(Now 14 ... Nxb4? would be bad, since after
15 axb4, the a4-pawn is lost.) In the process,
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
the knight defends d3, which might be useful
in some lines where White plays Nh4 and the
black knight goes to e5. This might seem
quite abstract at this point, but we’ll come
back to it later.
14 ... Nc7 15 Rb1
In this phase of the game, several flexible
moves are available. The possibilities are
numerous and of similar strength, so
deciding between them isn’t simple. The
winner mentions the alternatives 15 Nh4, 15
Qe2, and 15 Nxc6 bxc6 16 Nh4, which would
all lead to equally complicated play.
With his apparently strange rook move,
White is anticipating a possible ... Na5-b3.
15 ... Bd7
Preparing 16 ... Na5. The winner indicated
that after 15 ... e5 16 Nh4 Nxb4 17 Bxb4
Bxb4 18 axb4 a3 19 bxa3 Rxa3 20 Be4
(threatening 21 Qh5) 21 ... g6 21 Qd2, White
has the advantage; his pieces have greater
harmony and are more active.
– Your Move –
16 Nh4!
3 points. There are no useful waiting moves
left. Black threatens to infiltrate on b3, so
“something must be done”.
16 ... Na5?!
White thought that “this logical move is the
cause of Black’s subsequent problems”.
The absence of the knight will soon make
itself felt. Naturally Black was aware that
moving a piece away from the centre entails
135
some risk, but there is no obvious drawback
to this move; the position is closed and it
seems there is nothing immediate to fear.
White’s own rather provocative move could
be answered by 16 ... g5 17 Nf3, but the
knight’s expulsion comes at a cost: Black’s
kingside is weakened. Now 17 ... g4? would
be bad, in view of 18 Nxd4! Nxd4 19 Qxg4+
etc. Instead, 17 ... e5 would be better, but
after 18 h4!, Black’s kingside would be
opened up even more.
As we can see, among its other virtues, the
knight jump to h4 gives more possibilities of
activity to both the g2-bishop and the white
queen.
– Your Move –
17 f4
2 points. This is the third positive side of 16
Nh4. With reversed colours, it’s a typical
Benoni move, and of course it’s valid here
too.
Going back one move, after 16 ... Qe8, White
could play 17 f4 Qf7 18 f5! with the idea of
occupying the d5-square.
17 ... g6?!
What could be more logical than to prevent
18 Qh5 (as well as 18 f5) - ? But advancing
the g-pawn is again weakening. The course of
the game suggests that it was better to admit
the failure of 16 ... Na5?! and go back, so 17
... Nc6 was better (allowing 18 Qh5), but this
is a very hard decision to make in practice.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move –

18 f5!?
3 points. This elegant pawn sacrifice tries to
overwhelm the opposing defences by
conquering the d5-square or weakening
Black’s castled position.
Is this the best move? That’s difficult to
answer. However, what can be safely said is
that it has some very good practical points; it
isn’t easy to recover one’s composure after
the violent change in the position that this
move initiates. – Your Move – (as Black)
If we disregard the competitive element, the
‘normal’ move would be the simple 18 Nc2 19 ... f4?
(3 points) and after 18 ... Nc6 19 Nf3 Bc5 20 A logical response, trying to keep the g-file
Qe2, White retains a slight advantage, as the closed, but in the mass of variations there is
winner pointed out. The computer prefers 18 a flaw. This move loses 1 point.
... Bc6, when White’s advantage is also The illogical and apparently suicidal reply 19 ...
minimal. fxg4! (4 points), opening lines, is the correct
18 ... gxf5 reply, as tactical factors will come Black’s aid.
The alternative was 18 ... exf5 19 Nd5 and, After 20 Qxg4+ Kh8, what would you play
objectively, the chances are about equal. now?

– Your Move – – Your Move – (after 20 ... Kh8)

19 g4!? Answer: White should play the prosaic 21

3 points. This was the idea of the previous
sacrifice, to play a sort of Benko Gambit on
the kingside, opening lines and seeking to
exploit the weakness of the black king and
the shortage of defenders.
The winner wrote: “It was remarked in the
press that this continuation doesn’t give any
advantage. However, the problems it poses
for Black are so difficult that the logic of the
struggle and the competitive element must
be taken in account.”
‘Normal’ moves such as 19 Bh6, 19 Qf3, and
19 Qh5 receive 1 point.
Qxd4 (3 points) with the possible
continuation 21 ... Nb3 22 Qf2 Nxd2 23 Qxd2
Rg8 24 Kh1 Rg4 25 Re4, “retaining counter-
chances” (according to the winner).
Interposing 21 Bh6 (0 points) isn’t to White’s
advantage; Black improves his position with
21 ... Rg8 22 Qxd4 Nc6 and stands better, as
it is now the white pieces which appear to be
scattered haphazardly.
What happens after the tempting move 21
Ng6+ - ?

136
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move – (as Black; after 21 Ng6+)
Decide whether
White’s sacrifice leads to: (a) a winning
attack, (b) only draws,
or (c) loses. Indicate the main line to
demonstrate this.
Answer: After 21 ... hxg6 22 Qxg6, the
sacrifice turns out to be unsound, so if you
chose option c) you gain 3 points.
Then 22 ... Qe8? isn’t a good defence, since
White can win with 23 Qh6+ Kg8 24 Be4 f5
25 Kh1!. Instead, White probably has no
more than a draw after 22 ... f5, threatening
... Rf6.
However, Black has the surprising defence 22
... Rf7!! (5 points), when the attack is halted
and Black should win, since 23 Qxf7? loses to
23 ... Be8 and the queen is trapped!
20 Bxf4 Na6?
The idea is a good one (trying to reach c5)
but in fact this is a mistake, which White is
able to exploit. Black is moving another piece
away from the focus of the struggle, and two
absent pieces are more than his position can
stand, since the position is no longer closed.
A safer option was something like 20 ... Rf7,
to defend the g-file. Nevertheless, after
regrouping his pieces with, for instance, 21
Rf1 Nc6 22 Qe2, followed by Bh6, Nf3 etc,
White has the better chances.
137
– Your Move –
21 Nd5!!
5 points. Another magnificent example of the
fertile imagination of the winner, and a huge
surprise to Black. This sudden strike is
overwhelming; White sacrifices a knight, but
“practically all the remaining white pieces
attack the black king”.
21 ... exd5
Forced; such a knight is too strong to
tolerate. After 21 ... Bc5?!, for example, the
attack continues with 22 g5! fxg5 23 Qg4!
exd5 (the endgame arising from 23 ... e5 24
Qxg5+ Qxg5 25 Bxg5 is very difficult for
Black) 24 Bxd5+ Kg7 25 Be5+ Kh6 26 Be6
Bxe6 27 Qxe6+ Kh5 28 Nf5 Rxf5 29 Qxf5 and
the black king is defenceless.
22 Bxd5+ Kg7
22 ... Kh8 isn’t very different: the white
pieces come flooding into the attack, each
with a threat. White plays 23 Qf3,
threatening 24 Ng6+, and if 23 ... Qe8 then
24 Re2!; while 23 ... Be8 is no better, since
the attack continues with 24 Nf5 Bc5 25 Bh6
etc.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move –
23 Kh1!
3 points. Played with the idea of vacating g1
for the rook, once the g-file is opened after
Nf5 and ... g6xf5.
The engines point out 23 Qf3! (4 points) as
another strong continuation, when the
queen heads for h3 with multiple threats;
e.g. 23 ... Nc6 24 Qh3! and there is no
defence. Another possible line is 23 ... Rg8 24
Bxg8 Kxg8 25 Qd5+ Kg7 26 Re2 Nc6 27 Rbe1
Kh8 28 g5 Bh3 29 Qf7 and wins, as noted by
the winner; while if 23 ... f5, the attack
culminates with 24 Be5+ Bf6 25 g5! Bxe5 26
Qh5 etc.
23 ... Re8?!
This hastens Black’s defeat. 23 ... Nc6 was
more stubborn, but then 24 Qf3 is promising,
while the winner gave the complex line 24
Nf5+ Kh8 25 Bh6 Rg8 26 Bxg8 Kxg8 27 Qf3,
“and although Black has two pieces for a
rook, his position is still difficult”.
If instead 23 ... Bc5, then 24 g5! wins; for
example, 24 ... Bc6 25 gxf6+ Rxf6 26 Be5
Bxd5+ 27 cxd5 Qxd5+ 28 Re4 and the pin on
the black rook is decisive.
And after 23 ... Kh8, White has 24 g5! Be8 25
g6! with a winning attack; e.g. 25 ... Bxg6 26
Rg1 Rg8 27 Qe1 Rg7 28 Bh6 etc.
138
– Your Move –
24 g5!
3 points. We’ve already seen this decisive
breakthrough in a similar position; the main
threat is 25 Qh5.
24 Qf3 (1 point), threatening Qh3, is also
strong.
24 ... Kh8
After 24 ... Bc6, there are several ways to
win, such as 25 Bxc6 Nxc6 26 Qh5 etc, or 25
Rxe7+! Rxe7 26 gxf6+ Kxf6?! 27 Qh5 Bxd5+
28 cxd5 and there is no defence – it’s mate in
seven, according to Houdini.
24 ... fxg5 fails to 25 Qh5, and there is a
forced mate after 25 ... gxf4 26 Rxe7+! or 26
Rg1+ Kh8 27 Ng6+ etc.
– Your Move –
25 Qh5
1 point. There are already several ways to
win, according to the computer. Black’s
defence is no match for White’s attacking
force – just look at Black’s knights!
25 ... Rg8 26 Bxg8
Or 26 Rxe7 Qxe7 27 gxf6 Qc5 28 Be5 etc.
26 ... Kxg8
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
5. Vassily Ivanchuk’s style is so elegant that it
is little wonder he has so many fans.
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 51 point)
More than 44 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 38 and 44 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 37 points: International
Master.
27 g6! Between 21 and 29 points: You are a very
This the quickest, though 27 gxf6 Bc6+ 28 imaginative player!
Between 10 and 20 points: You are a true fan
Re4 also wins.
of the Benoni!
27 ... Bc6+ 28 Re4!
Less than 10 points: Keep improving, that’s the
28 Kg1 hxg6 29 Qxg6+ Kh8 30 Bh6! was
way.
equally fast.
28 ... Bxe4+ 29 dxe4 hxg6 30 Qxg6+ Kh8 31
Qh5+ 1-0
The finish would be 31 ... Kg7 32 Rg1+ Kf8 33
Bh6 mate.

Vassily Ivanchuk vs. Evgeny Alekseev, FIDE

Grand Prix, Jermuk 2009.

Some lessons from this game:

1. Playing an opening with reversed colours
and an extra tempo doesn’t necessarily bring
any advantage, as long as Black doesn’t enter
complications prematurely and can adapt to
the changed situation. (10 ... Ne8!, 10 ...
Nd7?)
2. “If one piece stands badly, the whole
position is bad.” This is even more the case if
two pieces stand badly. (16 ... Na5?, 20 ...
Na6?)
3. That has to be demonstrated of course,
and if the misplacement of the piece(s) isn’t
punished at the right moment, the maxim
doesn’t apply. (21 Nd5!!)
4. Pay attention to the importance of the
competitive factor, mentioned by the winner
at move 19.

139
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Game 22
White: You
Black: Master
Petroff Defence [C42]
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Nxe5 d6 4 Nf3 Nxe4 5 d4
d5 6 Bd3 Nc6 7 0-0 Be7 8 c4 Nb4 9 Be2 0-0 10
Nc3 Bf5 11 a3 Nxc3 12 bxc3 Nc6 13 Re1 Re8 14
cxd5 Qxd5 15 Bf4 Rac8
This position from the Petroff Defence is very
popular, thanks especially to Kramnik and
Anand (with both colours) and, among others,
Gelfand and Adams, who have played it and
constantly introduced new ideas.
Black’s pawn structure is superior, since it is
made up of only two ‘islands’ of pawns to
White’s three; in return White controls more
space, thanks to his pawns at c3 and d4.
Part of the opening struggle is likely to focus
on whether White’s centre pawns can
advance and seize even more space, or
whether Black will manage to restrain them.
Before we get too involved in the present
game, let’s briefly recall another example
which provides a further illustration of one of
the main ideas in the position. V.Anand-
V.Kramnik, Sofia 2005, continued 16 Qc1, and
Black replied 16 ... Na5. (Instead, 16 ... Bf6 has
been suggested, to answer 17 Bg5 with 17 ...
Bxg5 18 Qxg5 Be4 with good play.) What
would you play for White now?
– Your Move – (after 16 ... Na5)
140
Answer: 17 c4 (1 point) is the most
economical way of defending against the
fork at b3. Then after 17 ... Qd8, White
would play 18 Qc3, and as well as defending
against Nb3, White has improved his pawn
structure. Instead, Black blundered with 17 ...
Qe4?? and the game ended abruptly. How
would you refute this?
– Your Move – (after 17 ... Qe4)
White played 18 Bd1! (2 points) when,
surprisingly, he wins material, exploiting the
fact that Black will have two loose pieces. The
game continued 18 ... Qd3 – and what now?
– Your Move – (after 18 ... Qd3)
Answer: 19 Re3! (2 points; the bishop on f5 will
lose its defender) 19 ... Qxc4 20 Re5 and Black
resigned.
16 h3
In the light of what we’ve just seen, it’s natural
to wonder why White doesn’t play 16 c4
immediately. However, matters are not so
clear then. 16 c4 is playable and for a time this
was the main move, but White will have to
keep advancing his pawns, and determining
the pawn structure so soon, without gaining
any clear advantage, isn’t to everyone’s taste.
An important example is G.Kasparov-
Mi.Adams, Linares 2002, which continued 16 ...
Qe4 (with the possible idea of Qc2, exchanging
queens) 17 Be3 Bf6 18 Ra2 b6! 19 h3 (or 19
Rd2 Na5 20 Bd3 Qg4 21 Rde2 Bxd3 22 Qxd3 h6
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
with a complicated game, according to
Kasparov) 19 ... Na5 20 g4 Bg6 21 g5 Be7 22
Ne5 Bd6! 23 Nxg6 hxg6 24 c5! Bf8! 25 Bg4
Rcd8 26 Rae2 Qd5 (26 ... Qc6!) 27 Bf4! Rxe2 28
Qxe2, and here 28 ... Qc6! was the right move,
as Kasparov pointed out, with an equal game
after 29 Qe5 bxc5 30 dxc5 Bxc5 31 Qxc7 Qb6!.
The interested reader can consult Kasparov’s
splendid analysis of this game in Chess
Informant #84.
Other possible moves are 16 Bd3, 16 Bg3, 16
Nd2 etc.
– Your Move – (as Black)
16 ... Be4
2 points. We are still at the start of the theory
of this deeply investigated line. Another logical
move is 16 ... Bf6 (0 points), but then White
can play 17 Nh2! (here we see another
advantage of 16 h3) – as, for instance, in
Kramnik-Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2003, where
White gained unpleasant pressure after 17 ...
Qa5 18 Bd2 Rcd8 19 Bf3 h6 20 Ng4 Bxg4 21
hxg4 etc.
With the text move Black ‘prevents’ the knight
from moving from f3.
17 Qc1
The most popular moves here are 17 Be3 and,
surprisingly, 17 Nd2, which looked impossible
because of the loss of the g2-pawn. However,
the position after 17 ... Bxg2 18 Bg4 Bh1 19 f3
Bh4 etc has been the subject of critical debate
– as, for instance, in P.Leko-V.Anand, FIDE
World Championship, San Luis 2005, and later
A.Shirov-V.Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2010.
141
17 ... Na5
Another typical move, which we have already
encountered. Other options include the logical
17 ... Bf6 and 17 ... Bd6.
18 Qe3 Bf8?!
The winner thought that Black had forgotten
his preparation and “instead of wading into
some sharp line he went for the most passive
set-up, which is to pull the bishop back and
give me my space, and settle for something
solid.”
18 ... Bd6 and 18 ... Bf5 are alternative options.
– Your Move –
19 c4!
2 points. White is able to advance his pawns in
favourable circumstances. The black queen has
to retreat, since 19 ... Nxc4? loses to 20 Bxc4
Qxc4 21 Nd2, and if 21 ... Qd5 22 Nxe4 f5 then
23 Nc3, or 21 ... Qa6 22 Nxe4 f5 23 Qb3+ etc.
19 ... Qd8 20 Ne5 Bf5
– Your Move –
21 Qc3
1 point. In the press conference afterwards,
the winner said that this is almost the
maximum White can obtain in this opening.
Note that, unlike in the Kasparov-Adams game,
White isn’t forced to make any aggressive
pawn advances yet.
21 ... b6
Black is reluctant to play 21 ... c5 because it
would give White a passed pawn after 22 d5,
so he decides to defend his knight with ... b7-
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
b6 instead. Is this any better? As we shall see,
Black avoids one evil but has to allow another
– as the saying goes, “you can’t have
everything!”
such as d6. In addition, the bishop on e2 can
go to b5 or a6. Added together, these factors
give White quite an edge.
We can recall similar moves to 22 c5! in
classical games, such as: 12 f5! in Em.Lasker-
J.R.Capablanca, St Petersburg 1914; 14 f5! in
R.J.Fischer-W.Unzicker, Siegen Olympiad 1970;
and 17 c5! in A.Karpov-A.Adorjan, World Team
Championship, Lucerne 1989.

– Your Move – (as Black)

22 ... Qf6
1 point. As we mentioned before, Black
normally welcomes simplification, so it would
have been useful to play 22 ... f6! (3 points)
and then try to exchange bishops with ... Bd6.
– Your Move –
Indeed, after 23 Ng4 Bd6 24 Bxd6 cxd6 25 Ne3
Be6, the position is about equal, in the opinion
22 Rad1
of the winner; his intention was to play 23
1 point. This is a logical move, bringing the
Nd3, retaining some advantage.
rook into the game. It can be difficult to decide
when it’s the right moment to strengthen the
position, as White does here, and when it’s
time to play something out of the ordinary and
‘burn your bridges’, either in search of an
advantage, or to reach equality. This game
seems to belong to the first category.
Nevertheless, 22 c5! (5 points) was very strong.
It has the obvious drawback of conceding the
d5-square to a black piece – the bishop is best
suited for deployment on that square – but, as
we know, one well-placed piece on its own
doesn’t usually compensate adequately for
multiple other defects in a position, which is – Your Move –
the case here. The bishop can’t really achieve
much after, for example, 22 ... Be6 23 Ba6 Ra8 23 Qg3
24 Bb5 Re7 25 Rad1 Bd5, when White plays 26 1 point. Again neglecting the opportunity for
Bd3 “threatening Re3, with a fairly safe the strong advance 23 c5! (4 points), with the
advantage”. possible continuation 23 ... Be6 24 Qg3 and
Najdorf used to say: “To get something, you advantage to White.
have to give something, old chap!” – the d5- With 23 Qg3, White neutralizes the threat of ...
square in this case. White considered 22 c5 of Bxh3 – which raises the question of why Black
course, but he wasn’t sure about the couldn’t respond to 23 c5! with 23 ... Bxh3.
consequences.
As we saw in the previous line, the advantages – Your Move – (after 23 ... Bxh3)
that White gains with the c4-c5 advance are
more space and control of certain key squares,

142
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Answer: It’s possible to play simply 24 Qxh3
Qxf4 25 Bd3 g6 26 Re4 (1 point) with
reasonable compensation for the pawn.
However, 24 Qg3! (3 points) is stronger,
increasing the pressure against the black
kingside. The bishop is hanging and the black
queen is in danger; for instance, 24 ... Bf5 25
Bg5! Qe6 26 Bh5! Bg6 (if 26 ... g6 then 27 d5
wins), 27 Bg4! Qd5 (27 ... Bf5 is again met by
28 d5) 28 Bxc8 Rxc8 29 Nxg6 with a decisive
advantage.
24 Qd2 (2 points) is good too, with similar
ideas to Qg3, while also defending e1, so that
the knight gains more freedom or more
striking power after an eventual ... Qe6.
23 ... Nc6
On 23 ... Bd6, White can again continue with
24 c5! and after, for instance, 24 ... bxc5 25
Bb5! c6 26 Ba6 Ra8 27 dxc5 Bxc5 28 Bg5 Qe6
29 Qc3, White dominates the whole board.
If Black tries 23 ... c5 24 d5 Bd6, a possible line
is 25 Bh5 g6 26 Re3, and now entering
complications with 26 ... Bc2 27 Rde1 Nxc4
sees White emerge on top after 28 Nd7! Qxf4
29 Rxe8+ Rxe8 30 Rxe8+ Kg7 31 Qc3+ etc.
Instead of this, the exchange sacrifice 26 ...
Bxe5 27 Bxe5 Rxe5 28 Rxe5 Nxc4, followed by
... Nd6, looks quite a good idea – but is it?
– Your Move – (after 28 ... Nxc4)
Answer: Positionally the idea is excellent –
after the retreat of the white rook the knight
could become a superb blockading piece on
d6. But an idea has to be sound tactically and
here the answer is that, no, it’s not a good
143
sacrifice. The refutation is 29 Rxf5! Qxf5 30
Bg4 Qc2 31 d6! (3 points) and the passed pawn
wins material.
24 Ng4 Qg6 25 d5
The alternative was 25 Bxc7, which, if you
analyse it calmly with the help of the
computer, seems to maintain White’s
advantage; but after the game the then World
Champion admitted that this was not entirely
clear to him, which is an indication of the
complexity of the position.
Objectively, 25 Bxc7 does appear to be best,
because the move played in the game offered
Black a good possibility (as we will see). Let’s
look at the main line: 25 ... Re4 26 d5 (26 Bf3
Rxe1+ 27 Rxe1 h5! gives Black counterplay; but
not 27 ... Nxd4?! 28 Bb7!) 26 ... Nd4 27 Bf1
Bxg4 28 Rxe4 Qxe4 29 hxg4 Ne2+ 30 Bxe2
Qxe2 31 Rf1 Re8!? 32 Qf3 Qxc4 33 d6 Qb5 34
Rd1 with advantage to White, as indicated by
the winner in New in Chess 2010/2.
25 ... Na5 26 Bxc7
– Your Move – (as Black)
26 ... Bc2?
The position seems to ‘cry out for’ this move,
followed by the knight jumping in to b3; but, as
will soon become apparent, this isn’t the best.
Choosing this tempting move loses 1 point. It is
easy to conclude that we have reached a
critical moment in the game.
As both players noticed afterwards, the
computer points out the calm 26 ... Bc5! (4
points), planning 27 ... h5, and after, for
example, 27 Bf1 h5 28 Rxe8+ (or 28 Ne3 Qxg3
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
29 Bxg3 Bd7) 28 ... Rxe8 29 Ne3 Qxg3 30 Bxg3
Bd7, “Black has full compensation. With his
weaknesses on the queenside it is very difficult
for White to take advantage of his extra
pawn”, according to the winner (who also
made the subsequent comments given in
quote marks below).
27 Rc1 Nb3

– Your Move –

– Your Move –
28 Rxc2!
3 points. “A nice exchange sacrifice, but in fact
White’s play has been leading up to this, and
the next few moves are fairly logical.”
Going back to move 25, after 25 ... Bc2 26 Rd2
Na5, White would have continued in a similar
manner: 27 Rxc2 Qxc2 28 Nh6+ Kh8 29 Nxf7+
Kg8 30 Ne5 etc with full compensation, while
28 Be5!, threatening Bd3, might be even
better.
28 ... Qxc2 29 Nh6+ Kh8 30 Nxf7+ Kg8 31 Nh6+
Kh8 32 Nf7+ Kg8 33 Nh6+
This is only the second repetition of moves,
not the third – when White played 29 Nh6+ for
the first time, there was a pawn on f7.
33 ... Kh8
34 Be5!
3 points. “And in fact White is simply much
better here. The problem for Black is that his
king is really weak. The light squares,
potentially a bishop going to e6 or h5, there
are just so many weaknesses around the king.
Plus the pawn on d5 is badly restricting his
rook.”
After the complications, the main sufferer is
the black king, who has very few defenders – in
particular, the knight isn’t playing any relevant
part in the game – while, in contrast, White
can add still more attackers.
34 ... Qg6
Why does 34 ... Qd2 lose?
– Your Move – (after 34 ... Qd2)
Answer: Because, apart from anything else,
White can play 35 Nf7+ Kg8 36 Bc3! Qc2 37
Nd6 etc, remaining two pawns up.

144
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
1 point. “This move doesn’t spoil anything; it
simply requires a little bit more calculation.”
Instead, after 39 Qe3! (3 points), “the game
would be basically over, because 39 ... Qxh6
(or 39 ... gxh6) is met by 40 f4, and otherwise
Black can’t do very much.”
39 ... Bxe5 40 fxe5 gxh6
“The trickiest line would have been 40 ... Qe4”
(this isn’t good enough to save the game, but it
would pose more practical difficulties), “but
the queen sacrifice idea 41 d6! Qf4+ 42 Qg3
Rh1+ 43 Kxh1 Qxg3 44 Nf7+ isn’t difficult to
find, once you work out that the knight on f7
– Your Move –
takes away a lot of key checking squares such
as e5 and d6.”
35 Bg4!
We can add that the knight also controls d8,
3 points. “It’s better to keep the queens on, as
facilitating the promotion of the pawn. The line
the win after 35 Qxg6 hxg6 36 d6 Rxe5 37 Nf7+
given by the winner runs 44 ... Kg8 45 e6 (here
Kg8 38 Nxe5 Bxd6 39 Nxg6 would take more
45 d7 Qe1+ 46 Kh2 Kxf7 47 d8Q Qxe5+ 48 g3
time.” Thus 35 Qxg6 receives just 1 point.
Qb2+ 49 Kg1 Qxa3 50 Qd5+ also wins, but far
On the other hand, the computer move 35
less cleanly) 45 ... Qe1+ 46 Kh2 Qc1 47 d7 Qf4+
Qf4! (3 points), defending the knight, is equally
48 Kg1 Qc1+ 49 Kf2 Qd2+ 50 Be2 Qf4+ 51 Bf3
strong, since it threatens h3-h4-h5 and retains
Qd4+ 52 Kg3 and the checks are over, so White
the idea of Bg4.
wins.
35 ... Rxc4
Do you agree with the winner’s assertion that
If 35 ... Rcd8, the simplest is 36 Nf5, with two
the idea of the queen sacrifice “isn’t difficult to
pawns for the exchange and the much more
find”? Of course it isn’t – for him!
dynamic position. Alternatively, 36 Qxb3 Qxh6
(or 36 ... Bd6 37 Be6) 37 Be6 etc would be
– Your Move –
good too.
36 Qxb3 Rxe5 37 Rxe5 Rc1+ 38 Kh2 Bd6
41 Qe3!
2 points. “This is a good precaution to stop ...
Qg5 or any checks coming via f4 or e5”.
This is the last important move – the pawns
are now unstoppable.
41 d6 (1 point) wins as well, but it’s not a
‘human’ move.
41 ... Qb1 42 d6 Rh1+ 43 Kg3 Re1 44 Qf4 Rf1 45
Bf3 1-0

Viswanathan Anand vs. Vladimir Kramnik, Wijk

aan Zee 2010.

– Your Move – Some lessons from this game:

1. It can be difficult to decide when you should
39 f4 carry on playing quietly and when you should
take decisive action; the opportunity to

145
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
improve your position might not come again.
(22 c5!, 22 ... f6!, 23 c5!, 26 ... Bc5!)
2. A well-placed piece is an important trump,
but one well-placed piece on its own doesn’t
usually compensate adequately for multiple
defects in a position. (22 c5!, 23 c5!)
3. A knowledge of the classics can provide us
with ‘fresh’ ideas in the position; Lasker-
Capablanca, St Petersburg 1914, for instance,
and other games quoted, not forgetting
Najdorf’s dictum: “To get something, you have
to give something, old chap!”
4. “Which piece would it benefit me to
exchange?” is a question that you should be
constantly asking yourself, and provides a
theme that runs right through this section of
the book. (22 ... f6!, 35 Bg4!, 35 Qxg6?)
5. Positional evaluation is very important, but
it’s vital for it to be backed up by tactics. (29
Rxf5! in the note to Black’s 23rd move)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 50 point)
More than 44 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 38 and 44 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 37 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 29 points: You are familiar
with many key ideas in the Petroff!
Between 10 and 20 points: Very well played!
Less than 10 points: The former World
Champion gave you a very useful lesson!
146
Game 23
White: Master
Black: You
French Defence [C11]
1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e5 Nfd7 5 f4 c5 6
Nf3 Nc6 7 Be3 Be7 8 Qd2 0-0 9 Be2 a6 10 0-0
b5 11 Kh1
The most popular moves here are 11 a3, in
order to maintain the knight on c3, and 11
Nd1, anticipating the knight’s expulsion and
sending it off on a tour, while also allowing the
centre to be supported by c2-c3.
In general, Black’s plans are based (possibly
after exchanging on d4) on the advance of the
queenside pawns with a timely ... b5-b4 and ...
a6-a5, to try to exchange the ‘bad’ light-
squared bishop with ... Ba6.
In the light of this helpful information, how
would you respond to White’s unusual move?
– Your Move – Choose between 11 ... b4, 11 ...
Bb7, and 11 ... Qc7.
11 ... Qc7!
3 points. Black imitates his opponent and also
chooses a useful waiting move.
The other suggested moves are playable, but
to a certain degree would fall in with White’s
idea:
After 11 ... b4 (1 point), the knight isn’t forced
to go to d1; instead, White would play 12 Na4.
After 11 ... Bb7 (0 points) 12 Nd1, the bishop
move would constitute a loss of time if Black
then decided to return to his usual plan against
11 Nd1 of playing ... Ba6.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
12 a3 Bb7 13 Rad1 Rac8 14 Qe1 It is noteworthy that the engines see almost no
difference between these two moves.

– Your Move –

17 ... Bxd4!
2 points. The first part of the plan.
18 Rxd4

– Your Move –

14 ... cxd4
2 points. Since White intended an eventual
attack on the kingside, Black “decided to start
counterplay in the centre immediately”, said
the winner. There are no clearly useful waiting
moves left. – Your Move –
The computer likes almost any developing
move, such as 14 ... Rfe8 (0 points), but Black 18 ... f6!
has other, more concrete, ideas. 3 points. Black guarantees himself good
15 Nxd4 Nxd4 16 Bxd4 counterplay, opening the game precisely
where White thought it was his right to attack.
– Your Move – 19 Bd3
This is consistent with the idea of 17 Qh4 but,
16 ... Bc5 as we shall see, it discoordinates his pieces,
2 points. Black continues to exchange pieces, especially the rook on d4, which is now short
taking advantage of the fact that White can’t of moves and will have to justify its awkward
easily bring his remaining knight to d4. position tactically.
Instead, 19 f5? would just be bad. After 19 ...
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 17 fxe5 20 Rg4 exf5 or 20 ... Nf6, there is no play
Qh4 and 17 Qf2. against Black king.
White was unwilling to play 19 exf6 Rxf6 20
17 Qh4? Qh3 either, since there is now no trace of his
Your moves should be dictated by what the aggressive intentions initiated with 17 Qh4,
position demands, not what you want to do. It and Black is fine after 20 ... Rcf8.
is tempting to start an attack, but here it is the
wrong plan. There will be no attack on Black’s
kingside, and the queen will be missed in the
centre. Choosing this move loses 2 points.
The other suggestion, 17 Qf2 (1 point), was
preferable, as “the queen needs to have more
influence in the centre” after what Black
intends to play.

147
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
– Your Move – Choose between 19 ... h6, 19 ...
g6, and 19 ... f5.
19 ... h6
1 point. Of course; the dangers along the b1-h7
diagonal are minimal.
19 ... g6 (0 points) is less flexible. And there’s
no reason to release the tension, so 19 ... f5
isn’t at all justified (deduct 1 point)
20 exf6
A sort of capitulation, but there is no way to
maintain the initiative. 20 Qg4 can be met by
20 ... Nc5, or else 20 ... Qb6, when 21 exf6
Nxf6 wins a tempo. 20 Qh3 Nc5 21 exf6 Rxf6 is
similar; and 20 f5? fxe5 21 Rg4 Nf6, or even 21
... e4, is simply bad.
20 ... Rxf6
The winner writes: “Now it is clear that
something has gone wrong for White. The rook
on d4 is exposed, f4 is weak, and he will be
facing tactical problems with ... e6-e5 quite
soon. The ‘bad’ bishop on b7 is certainly no
worse than the white knight, which has
dominated it in many textbook games.”
We can add that this is because the white
knight is on c3, restricted by the black pawns;
if it were on d4, instead of the rook, it would of
course be a different matter.
21 f5
Consistent, but the increased tension isn’t
something that Black, with his active pieces,
needs to fear.
After 21 Rg1 (escaping from the pin on the f-
file) 21 ... Rcf8 22 Ne2, what would you play?
148
– Your Move – (after 22 Ne2)
Answer: As the winner indicated, this ““would
not have been much of a relief” for White.
After the natural pawn break 22 ... e5! (2
points) 23 fxe5 Nxe5, “the black pieces are just
so much more active than their white
counterparts here.”
Alternatively, after 21 Qg3 Rcf8 22 Rf3, how
would you continue?
– Your Move – (after 22 Rf3)
Answer: With the strong manoeuvre 22 ... Nb8!
(2 points), threatening ... Nc6, which “leaves
White on the brink of disaster”, to quote the
winner.
We can see that if White decides just to play
‘normally’, he finds himself with too many
things to deal with, such as ... Nb8, ... Nc5 and
the ... e6-e5 break.
– Your Move –
21 ... Rcf8
1 point. Of course – thanks to pin on the f-file,
another piece reaches the critical zone.
22 Rg1
An awkward place for the rook, but after a
more harmonious-looking move, such as 22
Re1, Black plays 22 ... Nc5, when 23 fxe6? is
impossible owing to 23 ... Nxd3, with the
threat of 24 ... Rf1+ and mates.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack

– Your Move – – Your Move – (after 27 c3)

22 ... Nc5! Answer: Because after 27 ... Nxd3 28 Rxd3,

4 points. It was tempting to play 22 ... e5 (1 Black wins with 28 ... Qxg1+! 29 Kxg1 Rf1 mate
point). Why did Black reject this apparently (2 points).
very strong alternative? 24 ... Nf4 25 Qg3

– Your Move – (as White; after 22 ... e5)

Answer: Because although Black wins the

exchange following 23 Nxd5 Bxd5 24 Rxd5
Nb6, since the centralized rook is trapped,
after 25 Qe4 Nxd5 26 Qxd5+ Kh8 27 Re1 (4
points), White gains very good compensation
and drawing chances, thanks to his strong grip
on the light squares and the fact that there are
no open files for Black’s rooks.
23 fxe6 Nxe6 24 Rg4
The tactics are not in White’s favour after 24 – Your Move –
Rxd5, which only opens the diagonal for the
black bishop. In fact after 24 ... Nf4! 25 Rd4 25 ... Qe7!
Qc5, White is lost. 4 points. “The last key move”, according to the
Similarly, after 24 Nxd5 Bxd5 25 Rxd5 Nf4 26 winner. Black controls the vital square e2, so as
Rd4 Qc5, White has nothing better than to give to be able to play ... d5-d4 without the white
up the exchange with 27 Rxf4, and in worse knight having e2 available as a retreat square.
circumstances than in the previous note. This move is justified by some not very
Instead, 27 c3 is no good – why not? complex tactics.
26 Rxf4
The best practical chance. After 26 h3 d4 27
Re1, what is the tactical justification
mentioned above?

– Your Move – (after 27 Re1)

149
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
Answer: Black gains a decisive material
advantage with the queen ‘sacrifice’ 27 ...
Qxe1+! 28 Qxe1 Nxd3 etc (1 point).
How would you refute the retreat 27 Ne2 - ?
– Your Move – (after 27 Ne2)
Answer: Black wins material by playing 27 ...
Nxe2 28 Bxe2 Bc8! etc. (2 points).
Finally, as the winner pointed out, 27 Nd1 is
answered by 27 ... Bc8 28 Re1 Qf7 29 Rh4 Bb7
30 Rg1 Nxg2! (the prosaic 30 ... g5! is good
too) 31 Rxg2 Rf3 32 Qg4 Re8!, when White is
surprisingly powerless against the threat of ...
Re1. If 33 Kh2, Black can again play 33 ... Re1,
or else 33 ... Qc7+ and then 34 ... Re1.
26 ... Rxf4 27 Ne2
27 Qg6 isn’t to be feared; after R8f6 28 Qh7+
Kf7, White’s threats evaporate.
27 ... Rf1
Another try was 27 ... Rh4, to which the winner
expected the reply 28 c3, but not 28 Qg6 –
why not?
– Your Move – (after 28 Qg6)
Answer: Because of 28 ... Rxh2+! 29 Kxh2 Qh4
mate (1 point).
28 Nd4 Rxg1+ 29 Kxg1
– Your Move –
29 ... Re8!
4 points. According to the winner, “With
queens on the board White could perhaps
have hoped to resist, but without queens the
150
extra exchange is bound to count, even though
the knight on d4 is holding the position
together for the moment.”
The rest is simple, though we still have two
questions.
30 h4 Qe1+ 31 Kh2 Qxg3+ 32 Kxg3 Kf7!
“The king is a strong piece”. Instead of the
manoeuvre 32 ... Re1 and ... Rb1, which would
allow considerable freedom to White’s king
(i.e. 33 Kf4 Rb1 34 b3 with Ke5 to follow), Black
first improves the position of his own king.
33 Kf2 Kf6 34 g3 Bc8!
The bishop moves to a better position.
35 c3 Bg4 36 Bc2 g5!
Opening a second front. Once the g- or the h-
file is cleared, White will have too many open
lines to defend.
37 hxg5+ hxg5 38 Bb3 Ke5 39 Bc2
– Your Move –
39 ... Rf8+!
3 points. The white king is forced to decide
which flank to protect. If 40 Ke1, Black plays 40
... Rh8!.
40 Kg2 Bd7!
The bishop retreats, with a new idea.
41 Nf3+ Kf6 42 Bb3 g4 43 Nd4 Ke5 44 Bc2
– Your Move –
44 ... a5!
1 point. This is why Black played 41 ... Bd7.
With the white king cut off, there is no good
way to prevent ... b5-b4.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Two - Attack, Defence and Counter-Attack
45 Bd1 Ke4 0-1

Sergey Karjakin vs. Magnus Carlsen, Wijk aan

Zee 2010.

Some lessons from this game:

1. There is a saying “Things are as they are,
not as we’d like them to be” which, when
applied to chess, could be expressed as “Let
your moves be dictated by what the position
demands, not what you want to do. (17 Qh4?)
2. We should consider whether the reputation
of a generally ‘bad’ piece (in this case Black’s
light-squared bishop in the French Defence) is
really justified, or merely prejudice. After move
20 in this game, it was clear that this bishop
was by no means inferior to the white knight.
3. “What is my opponent planning?” or “What
defence does he have?” are questions which,
as we know, we should continually ask
ourselves, since they can guide us towards
choosing the best move. (25 ... Qe7!, 39 ...
Rf8+!)
4. “Which piece would it suit me to
exchange?” is another question which should
be asked frequently, as readers of this section
know well by now. (29 ... Re8!)
5. “Don’t hurry!” – in this game Black gradually
improves the position of all his pieces before
taking decisive action. (32 ... Kf7!, 34 ... Bc8!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 45 points)
More than 39 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 34 and 38 points: Grandmaster.
Between 28 and 33 points: International
Master.
Between 20 and 27 points: You combined
attack and counter-attack
very well!
Between 10 and 19 points: A true French
Defence player!
Less than 10 points: You need to be more
careful next time!

151
 Part Three

Positional Play and Pawn

Structures

152
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Game 24
White: You
Black: Master
Nimzo-Indian Defence [E44]
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3 b6 5 Ne2 Bb7
6 a3 Be7
Instead, 6 ... Bxc3+ 7 Nxc3 d5 was frequently
played many years ago, but not now. On the
other hand, 6 ... Bd6 has been quite popular
recently.
– Your Move –
7 d5
2 points. This is the most ambitious
continuation, seeking to blunt the b7-bishop.
Also playable are 7 Ng3 (1 point) and 7 Nf4 (1
point), continuing with development, to which
Black replies 7 ... d5 with freer play than in the
game.
7 b4 (1 point) has been seen occasionally too.
7 ... 0-0 8 Ng3 d6 9 Be2 c6 10 e4
White continues with his idea of restricting the
mobility of the black bishop. Fifty-one years
after this game, Ivan Sokolov chose another
plan: 10 dxe6 fxe6, trying to show that Black’s
structure has become weak. I.Sokolov-
C.Ionescu, European Cup, Neum 2000,
continued 11 0-0 Nbd7 12 b4 Re8 13 e4 with a
slight advantage to White.
10 ... Na6
10 ... Nbd7 looks more natural; instead, Black
decides to deploy his knight at c7.
11 0-0
153
White sticks to his initial idea, which is to
impede the bishop on b7.
Alternatively, 11 dxc6 Bxc6 12 b4 leads to a
‘Hedgehog’ set-up but with knights in unusual
positions at g3 and a6; it’s hard to say which
side this favours.
11 ... Nc7
– Your Move –
12 Re1
2 points. The d5-pawn isn’t really under threat
yet, because if 12 ... cxd5 13 exd5 exd5, then
14 Bf3 regains the pawn; so it’s a question of
finding the most useful move, which happens
to be this one, bringing another piece into
play.
This seems better than committing the bishop
straight away by 12 Bf3 (0 points), when Black
could reply with, among other things, the
manoeuvre 12 ... Nd7 and ... Ne5.
Naturally it was also possible to play 12 dxc6 (1
point) or 12 dxe6 (1 point), abandoning the
original idea.
12 ... Qd7 13 Bf3
White has run out of other useful moves;
besides, Black can no longer play ... Nd7.
13 ... cxd5
Black decides to stabilize the situation in the
centre. Another move to have been suggested
here is 13 ... Rab8, maintaining the tension.
On the other hand, would it be such a bad idea
to play the undermining 13 ... b5 - ?
– Your Move – (after 13 ... b5)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Answer: Yes, because White has the simple
riposte 14 e5! (2 points), winning material after
14 ... dxe5 with 15 dxc6 Bxc6 16 Qxd7 Bxd7 17
Bxa8 etc.
Also strong is 14 c5! (1 point); e.g. 14 ... e5 (not
14 ... dxc5? 15 d6, winning a piece) 15 cxd6
Bxd6 16 Bg5 etc.
14 exd5 exd5 15 cxd5 Rfe8
– Your Move –
16 Bg5
2 points. This hinders the regrouping move 16
... Bf8, provokes a weakness in Black’s castled
position, and offers a pawn sacrifice. In
contrast, 16 Bf4 (1 point) led, many years later,
to quieter play after 16 ... Bf8 17 Qd2 Rxe1+ 18
Rxe1 Re8 etc in K.Lerner-V.Gavrikov, Beltsy
1981.
16 ... h6
It’s ‘mission accomplished’ for White. But why
would it have been bad to accept the sacrifice
with 16 ... Ncxd5 - ?
– Your Move – (after 16 ... Ncxd5)
Answer: Because of 17 Rxe7! (2 points) 17 ...
Nxe7 18 Bxb7 Qxb7 19 Bxf6 gxf6 20 Nce4,
when White will at the very least regain the
sacrificed material, having broken up Black’s
castled position.
Similarly, 16 ... Nfxd5? 17 Rxe7 also wins.
17 Be3 Bf8
154
– Your Move –
18 Qd4!
2 points. “Centralizing all the pieces, and
threatening 19 Bxh6”, as the winner said.
18 ... Nb5
Black could also have defended against the
threat with 18 ... Re5. What would have been
White’s best response in that case?
– Your Move – (after 18 ... Re5) Choose
between 19 Red1, 19 Rad1, and 19 Bf4.
Answer: White would have to be content with
a slight advantage after 19 Bf4! Rxe1+ 20 Rxe1,
answering 20 ... Re8 with 21 Rd1, for example
(2 points). Admittedly, the exchange of a pair
of rooks relieves Black’s cramped position, but
not as much as exchanging all four would do.
The two rook moves 19 Rad1?! and 19 Red1?!
are both worse; if you chose either of these,
deduct 1 point.
After 19 Rad1, Black could capture on d5, since
White has no threat, or simply play 19 ...
Rae8!, when the onus is on White to try to
justify the weakness of his centre pawn.
With 19 Red1 White threatens to play 20 Bf4
without allowing an exchange of rooks, but
then 19 ... Nfxd5 is possible. One commentator
wrote that White could gain the advantage
with 20 Bxd5 Nxd5 21 Bf4 Nxf4 22 Qxe5, but
this is not the case; there are even two
refutations – what are they?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 22 Qxe5)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Answer: Black is in good shape after 22 Qxe5
dxe5 23 Rxd7 Bc6! 24 Rdd1 Bxg2, with two
pawns for the exchange. (2 points)
Even stronger is 21 ... Nxc3! on the previous
move, with a healthy extra pawn for Black
after 22 Qxc3 (forced, in view of the threat of
... Ne2+) 22 ... Rc5 etc (2 points).
19 Nxb5 Qxb5
– Your Move –
20 a4!
2 points. “Black is given no respite,” said the
winner. White wants to drive the black queen
away from attacking the d5-pawn.
This is more ambitious than 20 Bxh6 (1 point),
when 20 ... Bxd5 would follow.
20 ... Qc5
To prevent 21 Bxh6, which would work after
the passive 20 ... Qd7; for example, 21 Bxh6!
Nxd5 22 Bxd5 Bxd5 23 Qxd5 gxh6 and the
black king is exposed. White could continue
with 24 b3 or 24 Nh5 with a clear advantage.
– Your Move –
21 Qd2
1 point. Of course there is no need to
exchange queens, and on d2 the white queen
prevents her counterpart from coming to c2.
21 ... Qc7
– Your Move –
22 Rec1!
155
2 points. White continues to harass the black
queen, driving it into a passive position. We
shall expand on this remark further down.
22 ... Qd7
– Your Move –
23 a5!
2 points. “Activating the last piece that was not
yet in play [i.e. the a1-rook], and exploiting
Black’s queenside weaknesses.” (Najdorf)
Going back, it was possible to play White’s
moves in a different order. If you chose 22 a5!,
intending to answer 22 ... bxa5 with 23 Rec1!
and then taking on a5, you can award yourself
4 points here.
23 ... bxa5
Otherwise White plays 23 a6!.
24 Rxa5 a6
– Your Move –
25 b4!
2 points. White’s advantage is only minimal –
he’s just slightly more active, largely due to the
pawn on d5. White needs to make something
of his activity, as once this dissipates, the d5-
pawn will become a weakness.
Moves such as 25 Bd4 (0 points) merely help
Black, who can reply with 25 ... Be7, for
instance.
25 ... Rc8 26 Rca1 Qc7
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
34 ... Nd7 35 h3
Defence must not be neglected; before going
in for complications it’s useful to give the king
some luft.
35 ... Nc5
If 35 ... Ne5 then 36 Be4.

– Your Move –

27 b5
1 point. Of course – this is why White played
25 b4.
27 ... axb5 28 Rxb5 Ra8
– Your Move –
– Your Move –
36 Nh5!
29 Rc1 3 points. “Black has removed his knight from
1 point. “Given Black’s constricted position, the kingside, and the final assault begins,” said
White must avoid exchanges.” (Najdorf) Najdorf. The accumulation of forces around
29 ... Qd7 30 Rcb1 Ba6 the black king is enormous; 37 Bxg7 Bxg7 38
Rg4 is threatened.
The tempting alternative was 36 Nf5 (2 points)
with the possible continuation 36 ... Bd3 37
Rxa8 Qxa8 38 Qf4 Qd8, when Black has an
inferior but tenable position.

– Your Move –

31 R5b4
1 point. The best retreat, as it stops 31 ... Ng4.
31 ... Qd8 32 Bb6 Qd7 33 Bd4 Qd8 34 Ra1
“Positional play. Black’s position is inferior, but – Your Move – (as Black) Choose between
there are no pawn breaks. The poor strategic 36 ... Ne4, 36 ... Nd3, 36 ... Qg5, 36 ... Bd3, and
placing of his pieces has to be exploited.” 36 ... f5.
(Najdorf)

156
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
36 ... f5?
This move, further weakening Black’s castled
position, which is already feeling the absence
of the knight and the light-squared bishop,
loses 1 point.
Also unsatisfactory are:
a) 36 ... Ne4?, owing to, among other things,
37 Bxe4 Rxe4 38 Rxa6 Rxa6 39 Bxg7 Bxg7 40
Rxe4 with an extra pawn and a winning
position.
b) 36 ... Nd3?, because of 37 Bxg7 Nxb4 (or 37
... Bxg7 38 Rg4) 38 Qxh6 etc.
c) 36 ... Bd3? 37 Rxa8 Qxa8 38 Qc3, when g7 is
– Your Move –
defenceless.
If you chose one of these unsuccessful
38 h4!
defensive tries, deduct 2 points.
3 points. This type of pawn sacrifice to increase
The best defence was to bolster the castled
the activity of his pieces was characteristic of
position with 36 ... Qg5! (4 points), with the
the player with White in this game, for whom
possible continuation 37 Qc3 (with the now
the priority was always the initiative. The point
familiar threat against g7; e.g. 38 Nxg7 Bxg7 39
is to unpin the knight and misplace the black
bxg7 Qxg7 40 Rg4 etc; or even 38 Bf6, followed
queen, to gain greater activity.
by Rg4), and here Black should play 37 ... Rec8
A different approach was possible: the
or 37 ... Ne4 with a slight advantage to White
unexpected 38 Bxc5 (1 point) was strong, since
and a long struggle ahead.
Black has difficulties after 38 ... dxc5 39 d6!;
In a French publication it was claimed that 37
for example, 39 ... cxb4 40 Bxa8 Rxa8 41 Qd5+
... Nd3? would fail to 38 Bf6!! gxf6 39 Rg4.
Kh7 42 Qxa8 etc.
Point out the flaw in this analysis.
The quiet 38 g3 (1 point) was also strong,
defending the f4-knight and intending to
– Your Move – (as Black)
continue with 39 Rb6; Black’s position remains
difficult.
Answer: Black can trade blows with 38 ... Rec8!
38 ... Qxh4 39 Ne6 Qe7
(3 points), which refutes the attractive move
“39 ... Nxe6 40 dxe6 would be disastrous, while
38 Bf6?; for example, 39 Bxg5 Rxc3 40 Rb6
39 ... Ne4 would lose to 40 Bxe4 fxe4 41 Nc7.”
(there is nothing better) 40 ... hxg5 41 Rbxa6
(Najdorf).
Rxa6 42 Rxa6 Rc1+ 43 Kh2 Nxf2 etc.
But instead of 38 Bf6?, the simple 38 Rb6 is
decisive.

– Your Move –

37 Nf4
1 point. The knight has accomplished its
mission on h5 and its objective is now the
weak e6-square.
37 ... Qg5

157
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move –
40 Bxc5!
3 points. The position is ripe for decisive
action.
40 Rb6 (1 point), threatening to take on c5 and
a6, was less advantageous. After the possible
continuation 40 ... Bc4, Black is prepared to
put up stubborn resistance; for instance, 41
Rxa8 Rxa8 42 Nxf8 Qxf8 43 Qf4 Nd3.
40 ... dxc5
– Your Move –
41 d6! 1-0
2 points. No longer a surprise.
Miguel Najdorf vs. Reuben Fine, New York (4th
matchgame) 1949.
Black’s position is really bad now and material
losses are inevitable; nevertheless, his
resignation was somewhat premature.
41 ... Qxd6? loses easily to 42 Qxd6 Bxd6 43
Bxa8 Rxa8 44 Rb6 etc, or 43 ... cxb4 44 Rxa6
Rxe6 45 Bd5 etc. But Black could set more
practical problems with 41 ... Qxe6, when
White would need to choose between two
very attractive continuations:
a) 42 Bd5 cxb4 43 Bxe6+ Rxe6 44 Qd5 Bc4! 45
Qxa8 Rxd6, when Black can hope to set up a
‘fortress’.
b) 42 Bxa8 Rxa8 43 Rb6 Qc4 44 d7! (not 44
Qa2? Rd8, when the endgame should be
158
tenable) 44 ... Be7 45 Qe3 Kf7 46 Qf3! etc
seems clearer, as indicated by Kmoch.
There was another defensive try based on
giving up the queen to set up a fortress: 43 ...
Bb7 44 Rxa8 Bxa8 45 d7 Qxb6 46 d8Q Qxd8 47
Qxd8 Be4 (or 47 ... Bc6 48 Qc8) 48 f3 and if 48
... Bc2? (it’s better to go back to c6, although
with the black king so exposed it’s difficult to
construct a secure defensive position) then 49
Qd5+ Kh8 50 Qc4! Bd1 (or 50 ... Bb1 51 Qb3)
51 Qf7 Bd6 52 Qd7 wins, as indicated by
Edward Lasker.
“A game in the true positional manner. I
hope you will find it highly instructive.”
(Najdorf)
Some lessons from this game:
1. “Which piece should I exchange? Which
one should I keep?” Responding correctly to
these questions can determine the course of
the struggle. (21 Qd2!, 29 Rca1!, 29 Rc1!, 40
Bxc5! etc)
2. “The player who holds the advantage is
forced to attack.” (23 a5!, 25 b4!, 27 b5! on
the queenside; and 36 Nh5!, 38 h4! on the
kingside).
3. “Maximum resistance!” “Keep fighting!”
Even if you are in a very bad position, you
should make the opponent’s task as difficult
as possible. (36 ... f5?, 36 ... Qg5!, 41 ...
Qxe6!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 47 points)
More than 42 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 37 and 42 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 36 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 29 points: You play extremely
well!
Between 10 and 20 points: You understood
several important positional details.
Less than 10 points: “Never give up!”
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Game 25
White: You
Black: Master
Nimzo-Indian Defence [E57]
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3 0-0 5 Bd3 c5 6
Nf3 d5 7 0-0 Nc6 8 a3 dxc4 9 Bxc4 cxd4 10 exd4
Be7 11 Re1 b6
We’ve reached a typical Isolated Queen’s Pawn
(IQP) position.
12 Bf4
This isn’t the most popular move, but one of its
virtues is that it prevents (after 12 ... Bb7) the
manoeuvre ... Qd6, followed by ... Rd8.
Instead, 12 Bg5, 12 Bd3, 12 d5, and 12 Qd3 are
more common.
Similar positions are often reached by
transposition. White often plays a set-up with
Qd3 and then Bc2 or (after developing the a1-
rook) Bb1. Logically, in this scheme the
queen’s bishop is best placed on g5, indirectly
threatening h7.
Twenty-two years later, the same White player
chose 12 Qd3 and the game continued along
‘normal’ paths: 12 ... Bb7 13 Ba2 Rc8 14 Bg5
Rc7 (this is a typical manoeuvre, as employed
in W.Uhlmann-A.Karpov, Leningrad Interzonal
1973, for example) 15 Rad1 Rd7 16 Bb1 g6 17
Bh6 Re8 18 Ba2 Ng4 19 Be3 and now, how
should Black play?
159
– Your Move – (as Black; after 19 Be3)
Answer: 19 ... Nce5? (trading pieces isn’t
usually bad for Black, but in this position White
benefits more from the exchange; instead,
with 19 ... Bf6! (2 points), continuing to apply
pressure on d4, Black would have a good
position) 20 Nxe5 Nxe5 21 Qe2 Nc6, and now
what?
– Your Move – (after 21 ... Nc6)
22 d5! (1 point) is correct – this move is very
strong here. All the white pieces are posted
menacingly: 22 ... exd5 23 Nxd5? (23 Bh6! at
once was correct; but in an unpleasant
situation, Black just collapses) 23 ... Nb8? 24
Bh6! Bxd5 25 Qe5! f6 26 Bxd5+ Kh8 27 Qe6 1-0
M.Najdorf-S.Giardelli, Argentine
Championship, Buenos Aires 1975.
12 ... Bb7 13 Ba2 Rc8
Euwe indicated 13 ... Nd5, but his
recommendation failed to attract any
followers. Blockading d5 when Black will be
obliged to recapture with a pawn is sometimes
a ‘necessary evil’ to prevent the d4-d5 advance
(how dangerous this can be is clear from
Najdorf-Giardelli above), but then the black
position usually remains slightly worse, as the
b7-bishop is inactive and there’s no longer any
pressure on d4.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move – Choose between 14 Qd3 and
14 d5.
14 Qd3
1 point. White continues with the mobilization
of his forces.
The breakthrough 14 d5 (0 points), if made too
soon (for instance, when White is playing
without his a1-rook, as in this case), tends to
lead to no more than a nominal edge for
White. Here 14 ... exd5 15 Nxd5 Nxd5 16 Bxd5
Bf6?! would allow White a dangerous attack
with the forcing line 17 Bd6 Re8 18 Bxf7+!?
Kxf7 19 Qb3+ Kg6 20 Qd3+ Kf7 21 Qc4+ Kg6 22
Rxe8 Qxe8 23 Qg4+ Kf7 24 Re1 Ne7 25 Ng5+
Kg8 26 h4! etc; but after 16 ... h6, followed by
... Bf6, White’s advantage is insignificant.
14 ... Qd7 15 Rad1
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 15 ...
Rfd8, 15 ... Rfe8, and 15 ... Nd5.
15 ... Nd5
2 points. The “necessary evil”, given the
inclusion of the previous moves.
If 15 ... Rfd8 (0 points), then 16 d5! would
definitely be unpleasant; White is better after,
for instance, 16 ... exd5 17 Nxd5 Nxd5 18 Bxd5
Bf6 19 Ng5 etc.
The other suggested move, 15 ... Rfe8?!
(deduct 1 point), is the worst – why?
– Your Move – (after 15 ... Rfe8)
160
Answer: This time 16 d5 (0 points) doesn’t
work, since 16 ... exd5 17 Nxd5 Nxd5 18 Bxd5
Bf6 19 Ng5 can now be answered by 19 ...
Bxg5! and White doesn’t achieve anything
after 20 Bxg5 Ne5 etc.
However, since Black isn’t applying pressure to
d4, the direct 16 Ng5! (3 points) is strong,
when e6 and f7 are under threat. After, for
example, 16 ... Nd8 17 Be5! g6 18 Qh3 Nh5
and then 19 d5!, White’s initiative cannot be
parried.
– Your Move –
16 Bb1
1 point. A difficult decision; White sticks to his
original plan and, faithful to his aggressive
style, plays for the attack.
Nevertheless, 16 Nxd5! (2 points) was
attractive, and after 16 ... exd5 17 b4, followed
by a timely Ne5, White’s position is the more
comfortable. Before playing Ne5, he can
strengthen his position with h2-h3, Re3 etc, or
Bb1, followed by b4-b5 and Ne5.
16 ... g6 17 Bh6 Rfe8
– Your Move –
18 Ne4
1 point. Having forced the weakening move ...
g7-g6, White will try to take advantage of the
resulting holes at h6 and f6. At the same time,
if possible, he wants to avoid unfavourable
piece exchanges.
18 ... Bf8
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
The position is one of dynamic equilibrium,
and there are several moves of equal worth
here. Also playable was 18 ... Nf6 19 Ne5 Nxe5
20 Nxf6+ Bxf6 21 dxe5 Qxd3 22 Rxd3 Bd8 with
a position that is slightly uncomfortable but
close to equality.
There’s another recipe to consider, based on
18 ... f5 (for which it’s useful to have the rook
on e8) and if 19 Neg5 then 19 ... Bf6 etc.
Finally, we should mention 18 ... f6, with the
possible continuation 19 h4 Nd8 20 h5 Nf7 21
Bd2 and now, under better conditions, 21 ...
f5!.
19 Bxf8 Rxf8
– Your Move –
20 Ne5
2 points. White activates his knight ‘for free’,
given that it would be bad for Black to play 20
... Nxe5?! 21 dxe5 on account of the serious
weakness of f6.
Other possibilities were 20 Qd2 (1 point), to
control the dark squares; and 20 Ba2 (1 point),
a standard move once ... g7-g6 has been
provoked.
20 ... Qe7
– Your Move –
21 Qg3!
2 points. Another move made possible by the
previous knight move. Once again, 21 Ba2 was
also playable (1 point).
21 ... Rcd8
161
– Your Move –
22 Ng5!
3 points. The game is reaching a critical phase.
White’s concentration of forces against Black’s
kingside is increasing all the time. This knight
move was prepared by White’s previous two
moves. Among other things, it threatens 23
Nxh7! Kxh7 24 Nxg6! fxg6 25 Qxg6+ Kh8 26
Qh6+ Kg8 27 Rd3 and wins.
Alternatively, there was 22 Ba2! again, which
this time receives 2 points.
22 ... Nf6
– Your Move –
23 Qh4
1 point. White increases the pressure,
although now was perhaps the moment to
take concrete measures.
It was probably better to play 23 Nexf7! (4
points) and after 23 ... Rxf7 24 Ba2!, White
threatens to take on e6 with greater effect. If
then 24 ... Bc8?!, a good continuation is 25
Nxe6 Re8 26 h3! (intending Ng5) 26 ... Nh5 27
Qc3 (27 Qb3 is good too) 27 ... Bxe6 28 Qxc6
Bxa2 29 Qxe8+ Qxe8 30 Rxe8+ Kg7 31 d5 etc
with advantage.
But how should White overcome the strongest
defence, 24 ... Nxd4 - ?
– Your Move – (after 24 ... Nxd4)
Answer: The best answer is 25 Rxd4! Rxd4 26
Bxe6 Re4! (the only move) 27 Bxf7+ Qxf7 28
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Nxe4 Nxe4!, when White is only a little better
in the ending with rook and pawn vs. bishop
and knight arising after 29 Qb8+ Qf8 30 Qxf8+
Kxf8 31 f3 etc (2 points).
– Your Move – (as Black)
23 ... Nxe5!
2 points. Eliminating the threat of 24 Nxc6
Bxc6 25 Nxh7!. In principle, with the superior
pawn structure, any such simplification should
favour Black, However, White often finds
compensation elsewhere, such as the
weakness of f6 (provided that this is
exploitable), mentioned above.
– Your Move –
24 Rxe5
1 point. In this case control of f6 gives White
nothing after 24 dxe5 (0 points), owing to the
counter-attack 24 ... Rxd1 25 Rxd1 Rd8! 26 Re1
Nh5 27 Qg4 (not 27 g4? because of 27 ... Rd4)
27 ... Qc5 or 27 ... Rd2.
By exchanging two minor pieces, Black has
improved his position. White still has the
isolated pawn which Black has firmly under
restraint, and although the black kingside has
been weakened, it can be adequately
defended.
24 ... Qd6
– Your Move –
25 Re3
1 point. It’s essential for White to maintain his
initiative, such as it is. White avoids the trick of
162
... Qxe5, and with the threat of 26 Nxh7 Nxh7
27 Rh3 and wins.
25 ... Kg7
– Your Move –
26 Rh3
1 point. 26 Nxh7? (deduct 2 points) doesn’t
work now – why not?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 26 Nxh7)
Answer: Because Black can defend and emerge
with a decisive material advantage after 26 ...
Nxh7 27 Rh3 Rh8 28 Qh6+ Kf6! (2 points).
26 ... Rh8
Black parries the attack at the cost of allowing
his rook to be incarcerated, but he is banking
on this being only of short duration, since he
has the move ... Qf8 available.
The engines consider the weakening move 26
... h5 to be playable as well. White would
respond with 27 Rg3, with the idea of playing
Nxf7 at an opportune moment. The position is
unclear.
On the other hand, 26 ... Qd5? would be bad –
why?
– Your Move – (after 26 ... Qd5)
Answer: White can win in various ways, such as
27 Qh6+ Kg8 and now 28 Be4!, or 28 Ne4! Kh8
29 f3, or even just 28 f3! (1 point).
27 Qh6+ Kg8
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move –
28 Ba2
1 point. There’s no longer anything to be
achieved along the b1-h7 diagonal, so the
bishop seeks new targets.
Another idea was 28 Rc3 (1 point), redeploying
the rook to the queenside, but White isn’t yet
ready to abandon the attack.
28 ... Qf8
In the absence of any direct threat, several
moves are playable here, such as 28 ... Qc6.
– Your Move –
29 Qh4
1 point. This maintains the tension. Another
possibility was once again to bring about a
slightly favourable endgame with 29 Nxe6!
Qxh6 30 Nxd8 (3 points), when the black
queen has no escape. After 30 ... Qf8 31 Bxf7+
Qxf7 32 Nxf7 Kxf7, White has a rook and two
pawns for two minor pieces, although his
advantage is minimal.
163
– Your Move – (as Black)
29 ... Kg7?
A serious blunder, which ruins all his previous
defensive work, and loses 3 points.
There were two satisfactory moves: 29 ... Qe7
(1 point), bolstering e6, although this would be
a tacit offer of a draw, since White could well
play 30 Qh6.
More ambitious was 29 ... Bd5 (2 points),
virtually forcing further simplification. After 30
Bxd5 Rxd5 31 Rf3, how should Black defend?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 31 Rf3)
Choose between 31 ... Rf5, 31 ... Kg7, and 31 ...
Qd8.
Answer: The best move is 31 ... Rf5! (3 points);
even though Black’s pawns are doubled after
32 Rxf5 exf5, his pieces can emerge from their
passivity with amazing speed and the game will
quickly level out.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
White has several alternative tries, such as 32
d5 (when 32 ... Rxf3?! loses to the zwischenzug
33 dxe6!), but there’s little for him in the rook
ending arising from 32 ... Nxd5 33 Rxf5 gxf5 34
Qg3 f4! 35 Nxe6+ fxg3 36 Nxf8 gxh2+ 37 Kxh2
Kxf8 38 Rxd5 Ke7 etc.
On the other hand, 31 ... Qd8? is bad (deduct 1
point), owing to 32 Nxe6! fxe6 33 Qxf6 Qxf6 34
Rxf6 e5 35 Re6 exd4 36 Re7 with a decisive
advantage.
31 ... Kg7?! is bad too – why?
– Your Move – (after 31 ... Kg7)
Answer: 32 Rxf6? is ineffective (deduct 1 point),
as after 32 ... Kxf6, none of the possible
discoveries justifies the sacrifice.
However, 32 Rc1!! (4 points) is very strong,
when the extra rook in play makes its presence
felt after, for example, 32 ... Qd8 33 Nxf7! Kxf7
34 Qxf6+ Qxf6 35 Rc7+ Ke8 36 Rxf6 Rxd4 and
now, among other things, 37 h4 etc.
– Your Move –
30 Bxe6!
1 point. This wins a pawn and all the white
pieces become active. If you chose any other
move, deduct 2 points.
30 ... Bd5 31 Bxd5 Rxd5 32 Qh6+ Kg8 33 Qh4
Kg7
Reshevsky was very likely in severe time
trouble (he nearly always was), and didn’t
want to take any decision with his kingside and
didn’t mind repeating moves either.
164
Nevertheless, it was probably better to play 33
... h6.
34 Qh6+ Kg8 35 Qh4 Kg7 36 Nf3
After gaining time on the clock by repeating
moves, White regroups his pieces.
36 ... Qd6
– Your Move –
37 Qh6+
1 point. This ensures the continued
incarceration of the rook on h8.
37 ... Kg8 38 Re1 Qf8 39 Qf4 Nh5
After 39 ... Qd6 40 Qc1 Kg7, White would
continue to improve his pieces with, for
example, 41 Qh6+ Kg8 42 Rh4 or (even better)
42 Ne5, not fearing 42 ... Rxd4 because of 43
Rc3 Qd8 44 Qc1!, threatening both Rc8 and
Nc6.
40 Qc7 Kg7
– Your Move –
41 Re7!
1 point. The engines suggest various
alternative moves here, but these are
somewhat ‘inhuman’ and gain no points. The
activity of the major pieces is the priority here.
41 ... Kg8
Not the most active defence to the threat of
42 Ne5, but there’s nothing clearly better.
42 Rh4
On this move there was definite room for
improvement – for example, 42 Rxh5! Rxh5 (or
42 ... gxh5 43 Qg3+) 43 Rd7 etc – but the text
move spoils nothing.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
42 ... Rd8 43 g3 Nf6 44 Qe5
Or 44 Rxf7 Qxf7 45 Qxd8+ Kg7 46 Qd6 with
two extra pawns.
44 ... Nd7 45 Qe2 h6 46 Rhe4 Nf6
– Your Move –
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 50 points)
More than 44 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 39 and 44 points: Grandmaster.
Between 31 and 38 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 30 points: You have an
attacking style!
Between 10 and 20 points: Good tactical
vision!
Less than 10 points: I’m sure you’ve learnt a
few things about isolated queen’s pawns!

47 R4e6!
1 point. There are other good moves, but this
is the strongest. After regrouping, White
finishes the game with a few powerful blows.
The rest requires no comment.
47 ... Nd5 48 Rxa7 Rh7 49 Rc6 f6 50 Qe6+ Kh8
51 Nh4 Rg7 52 Qg4 g5 53 Rxg7 Qxg7 54 Nf5
Qg6 55 Qe4 h5 56 Qe6 Qg8 57 Rxb6! 1-0

Miguel Najdorf vs. Samuel Reshevsky, Buenos

Aires (2nd matchgame) 1953

Some lessons from this game:

1. It’s important to be familiar with the
typical manoeuvres in each of the main pawn
structures, in this case the Isolated Queen’s
Pawn. (22 d5! in Najdorf-Giardelli, 14 Qd3!,
16 Bb1!, 28 Ba2!)
2. “When to continue manoeuvring?” “When
to take concrete steps? It’s not always easy
to decide. (23 Qh4!?, 23 Nexf7!)
3. Don’t neglect to ask: “what is my
opponent threatening, or planning?” (29 ...
Kg7?)
4. It’s important to remain on the lookout for
‘tactical weaknesses’ in both your own and
the opponent’s camp. (29 ... Kg7?, 30 Bxe6!,
41 Re7!, 47 R4e6!)

165
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Game 26
White: You
Black: Master
Nimzo-Indian Defence [E43]
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3 b6 5 Bd3 Bb7 6
Nf3 c5
Paul Keres played this line many times, and
usually with success. It often leads to positions
featuring an Isolated Queen’s Pawn (IQP). It
goes without saying that Keres handled both
sides (for or against the IQP) with great skill.
7 0-0 0-0 8 Bd2
The main alternative is 8 Na4.
8 ... cxd4 9 exd4 d5 10 cxd5 Nxd5
We’ve now reached another fairly typical IQP
position, where White has a variety of options.
We’re going to analyse the move chosen in the
game and also some other examples, involving
critical positions, so this will constitute a lesson
on the theme of the IQP.
– Your Move – Choose between 11 Rc1, 11
Re1, 11 Qe2, and 11 Nxd5.
11 Qe2
1 point. White postpones a decision about
where to deploy his rooks; one idea of this
move is to vacate the d1-square for the
queen’s rook.
Alternatively, 11 Rc1 (1 point) is perfectly
logical here, occupying the open file. Many
years later, there was another very important
and spectacular game which featured this
move. In his candidates match with Ivanchuk,
166
Yusupov (as White) needed to win the eighth
and final game to equalize the score. The game
continued 11 ... Nc6 12 Re1 Rc8 13 Re4
(Black’s kingside is poorly defended and White
attacks with everything he has; this rook
manoeuvre along the fourth rank is very
original – usually it takes place along the third
rank) 13 ... Nce7 14 Nxd5 Nxd5 15 Rh4 g6 16
Rxc8 Qxc8 17 Ng5 Be7 18 Qg4 Ba6 19 Qh3 h5
20 Rxh5! gxh5 21 Bh7+ Kg7 22 Qxh5.
White is a rook down here, but the black king
is very exposed. The threat is 23 Nxf7.
In this tricky position Black failed to discover
the best defence. Can you find it?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 22 Qxh5)
Choose between 22 ... Nf6, 22 ... Be2, 22 ...
Bb4, and 22 ... Bxg5.
Answer: The best move is the counter-attack
with 22 ... Bb4! (4 points), suggested by
Hübner. Black can then repel the attack,
thanks to the weakness of White’s back rank.
White is forced to keep complicating matters,
since 23 Nxe6+ Qxe6 24 Bf5 fails to 24 ... Bxd2
and Black has too much material for the
queen.
The only way to keep up the pressure is with
23 Nxf7! Rxf7 24 Qh6+ (there’s no time for 24
Bg5 because of, for example, 24 ... Rf6 25
Bxf6+ Kxf6 26 Qh6+ Ke7 and the attack comes
to a halt) 24 ... Kh8 25 Bf5+ Kg8 and White
should now content himself with a draw with
26 Qg6+ etc, since 26 Bxe6 is dubious on
account of 26 ... Qc2!, when Black is the one
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
who can, if he wishes, play for a win after 27
Bxf7+ Kxf7 28 Qh5+ Ke7 29 Qe5+ Kd7 30
Qxd5+ Bd6.
Instead, 22 ... Bxg5? is bad (if you chose this,
deduct 1 point) because of 23 Bxg5 f6 24 Be4!
Rh8 (or 24 ... f5 25 Bh6+ Kf6 26 Qg5+ Kf7 27
Qg7+ and wins) 25 Qg6+ Kf8 26 Bxd5 exd5 27
Qxf6+ Kg8 28 Qg6+ Kf8 29 Bd2! Qc4 30 h3,
intending a2-a3 and wins, as indicated by
Nunn; for example, 30 ... Bb5 31 a3 Qf1+ 32
Kh2 and now 32 ... a5 loses to 33 Bf4.
22 ... Be2? is also a mistake (if you chose this,
deduct 1 point) in view of 23 Nf3! (threatening
24 Qh6+ and mates; 23 f3 is less clear on
account of 23 ... Bf6!), and after 23 ... Nf6 24
Qh6+ Kh8 25 Bb1+ Kg8, one way to win is with
26 Bg5, when there’s no good defence against
27 Bxf6.
Ivanchuk played 22 ... Nf6? (if you chose this,
deduct 1 point) – why was this a bad move?
– Your Move – (after 22 ... Nf6)
Answer: White struck the decisive blow 23
Nxe6+! (4 points), and after 23 ... fxe6 24 Qh6+
Kh8 25 Bf5+ Kg8 26 Qg5+ Kh8 27 Qh4+ Kg8 28
Qg5+ Kh8 29 Qh4+ Kg8 30 Qg3+ Kh8 31 Qh3+
Kg7 32 Qg3+ (repeating moves to gain time on
the clock) 32 ... Kh8 33 Qh3+ Kg7, Yusupov
played 34 Bxe6 with a double threat, forcing
34 ... Qxe6 35 Qxe6 and White won,
A.Yusupov-V.Ivanchuk, Brussels (8th
matchgame) 1991.
Returning to the position after 10 ... Nxd5,
another possibility is to occupy the half-open
e-file with 11 Re1 (1 point), as Bolbochán
167
played in the first round of his ‘mini-match’
against Keres, which formed part of the
friendly team match between Argentina and
the USSR in 1954. The game followed the
typical pattern for this pawn structure; i.e.
White gains attacking chances on the kingside
in return for concessions on the other wing.
Let’s follow the play for a while: 11 ... Nd7 12
Qe2 Bd6 13 Rad1 Rc8 14 Qe4 N7f6 15 Qh4 Be7
16 Bb1 g6 17 Qh3 Nxc3 18 bxc3 Nd5 19 Rc1 b5
20 Qh6 Bf6 21 Ng5 Bxg5 22 Bxg5 Qd7 23 Bd2
Rc7 24 h4 and the game was eventually drawn.
Finally, Keres didn’t experience any difficulties
after 11 Nxd5 (the only move to receive 0
points) 11 ... Bxd2 12 Qxd2 Bxd5 13 Ne5 Nd7,
which is harmless. Logically, the IQP needs
more pieces on the board, if it’s not to change
from being a strength into a weakness. The
next move was 14 Ba6?.
This praiseworthy attempt to prevent ... Rc8
has a tactical flaw. Can you see what it is?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 14 Ba6)
Answer: Black can exploit the fact that the
white queen is loose by playing 14 ... Bxg2! (3
points), based on the point that if 15 Kxg2 then
15 ... Nxe5, while after 15 Nxf7 Rxf7 16 Kxg2
Ne5!, there are just too many loose white
pieces. Black’s advantage isn’t material but
positional, and is sufficient to win. The white
king is particularly weak and the end came
quickly after 17 f3 Qd5 18 Qc3 Ng6 19 Rae1?
Nh4+ 20 Kh3 Nxf3 0-1 L.Maslov-P.Keres, USSR
Team Championship 1967.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
11 ... Nd7
To defend the kingside from f6. Later, Keres
opted for the riskier but, at the same time,
more ambitious development of the knight to
c6, putting immediate pressure on the vital
white centre pawn: 11 ... Nc6 12 Nxd5
(instead, 12 Rfd1 Be7 13 Rac1 Rc8 14 Qe4 Nf6
15 Qf4 Nb4 16 Bb1 Nbd5 17 Qg3 Nxc3 18 bxc3
Ne4 19 Qh3 g6 20 Bxe4 Bxe4 was played in
G.Kluger-P.Keres, Hastings 1957/58; this is
wonderful for Black, since he has no serious
problems with his king, and in the subsequent
manoeuvring struggle Keres prevailed by
infiltrating the queenside) 12 ... Qxd5 13 Be4
Qa5 14 Bxb4 Qxb4 15 Rac1 Rac8 16 Rc4? Ba6!
17 Bxh7+ Kh8! (not 17 ... Kxh7?? 18 Qe4+) 18
Ne5! (the exclamation mark was awarded by
Yudovich), with the idea of Qh5, and in M.Tal-
P.Keres, USSR Team Championship 1968, the
players agreed to a draw.
But neither Fritz nor, I hope, you believe in
ghosts, so after 18 Ne5 Bxc4 19 Qh5, can you
find a good defence for Black?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 19 Qh5)
Answer: Black can in fact hold the position with
19 ... Qd2! (3 points), intending ... Qh6, and
should emerge with a decisive material
advantage; for example, 20 Ng4 (controlling
h6) 20 ... Be2! 21 f3 (if 21 Bd3+ then 21 ... Qh6!
wins) and now there’s time for the king to
escape with 21 ... Rfd8 22 Bg6+ Kg8 23 Bxf7+
(or 23 Nf6+ Kf8!) 23 ... Kf8 24 Bxe6 Rc7 25
Qf5+ Ke7 and the king survives! Of course with
Fritz or Rybka on our side, it’s easy to be brave.
168
12 Qe4
Once again White uses the e4-square as a
springboard to the kingside, this time with his
queen (instead of a rook, as Yusupov did in the
earlier note).
It’s amazing that the chess engines don’t even
consider this move among their top five
choices, even preferring moves such as 12 h3
or 12 a4.
12 ... N7f6 13 Qh4 Be7 14 Ne5 g6
‘Blunting’ the d3-bishop.
15 Bh6 Re8
– Your Move – Choose between 16 Rad1 and
16 Qh3.
16 Qh3
1 point. This is a standard square for the
queen, putting pressure on e6 and indirectly
on f7 too. All White needs now is a rook on e1
to complete his ideal scenario.
Even so, you might wonder what’s wrong with
a developing move such as 16 Rad1 (if you
chose this, deduct 1 point), overprotecting d4.
Then Black can continue in the normal fashion,
for example with 16 ... Rc8, but he can also
exploit the fact that the white queen is still on
the h4-d8 diagonal with 16 ... Nxc3 17 bxc3
Nd7, followed by exchanging on e5; or, thanks
to his earlier 14 ... g6, he can play 16 ... Nh5
and answer 17 Qh3?! with 17 ... Ndf4!, gaining
the advantage.
16 ... Nxc3 17 bxc3 Qc7 18 Rac1 Bf8
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
The d-pawn is no longer isolated and a new
typical pawn structure has arisen, which will
perhaps evolve into ‘hanging pawns’ (at c4 and
d4). What should White do now? Exchange the
bishops, or not?
– Your Move –
19 Bf4!
3 points. It’s true that Black’s kingside will be
slightly weak if the bishops are exchanged, as
we saw in Najdorf-Reshevsky (Game 25), but
this would also reduce the attacking force,
leaving White with only a few actively posted
pieces; in particular, he is missing the aid of his
rooks. So White prefers to retain this strong
bishop, which for now is more active than its
black counterpart.
19 ... Bd6 20 Rfe1 a6
Black prevents Bb5 and at the same time
threatens 21 ... b5.
– Your Move –
169
21 c4
1 point. This prevents Black from advancing
with ... b6-b5, at the cost of weakening White’s
pawn structure. However, White’s chosen set-
up is positionally risky anyway, and the priority
is activity.
Even so, examining the position concretely, 21
Bg5! (3 points) was strong here, since 21 ...
Nd7?? can be answered by 22 Nxf7!, while if
21 ... Nd5 then 22 c4 comes with tempo, and
after 22 ... Nb4, White has a choice between
23 Bb1 and the sharper moves 23 Bf6 and 23
Ng4.
21 ... Nh5 22 Bd2 Rad8 23 Qh4
This defends d4, in order to be able to
recapture on e5 with the rook in the event of
23 ... Bxe5, but it’s noteworthy that Black has
brought his rook into play while White has
been manoeuvring with his queen.
23 ... Be7 24 Qg4
– Your Move – (as Black)
24 ... f5!
3 points. Risky, but logical, in view of Black’s
active pieces. He weakens his structure in
order to be able to strike at the white centre,
confident that he can defend himself on the
kingside.
25 Qe2
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 25 ...
Rxd4, 25 ... Ba3, and 25 ... Bf6.
25 ... Bf6
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
1 point. This defends e6 and maintains the
pressure on d4. This will very probably lead to
Black winning material, but we shouldn’t
forget that his king position has been
weakened as a result of the advance ... f7-f5,
and the h5-knight is in danger of remaining out
of play.
If 25 ... Rxd4 (0 points), since e6 is undefended,
White can play 26 Nxg6!, when the game
becomes so complicated that, even with the
aid of a computer, it’s hard to figure out what’s
going on.
However, with 25 ... Ba3! (3 points) Black could
have set immediate problems, since as well as
attacking the rook, this move defends e6,
which means that ... Rxd4 becomes a real
threat. Probably White would have to sacrifice
the exchange, since if 26 Rc3 then Black can
play 26 ... Bb2 or 26 ... Bb4.
– Your Move –
26 c5!
3 points. White sounds the charge! And in fact,
this is virtually the only move to keep White in
the game.
26 ... Rxd4
The most principled decision; Black wins a
pawn and it’s up to White to prove
compensation.
White would indeed gain good compensation
if Black chose the other way to go a pawn up:
after 26 ... Bxe5 27 dxe5 Qc6 28 f3 bxc5?! 29
Bc4, White’s dark-squared bishop is strong and
White’s pieces are active, while the safety of
the black king has been compromised.
170
Another idea was 26 ... bxc5 27 Rxc5 Qd6.
– Your Move –
27 c6
1 point. The passed pawn gives good practical
chances at least.
27 ... Bc8
Black retains his extra pawn this way, but with
an enemy passed pawn on his third rank, he
can’t afford to relax.
The alternative was 27 ... Bxe5 28 cxb7, when
Black’s best line is 28 ... Qxb7 (28 ... Bxh2+? 29
Kh1 Qxb7 30 Kxh2 Qd5 31 Rc3 Rd8 32 Bg5
would be inferior) 29 Bxa6 Qb8, although after
30 g3, the weakness of Black’s kingside and the
strength of White’s light-squared bishop
compensate for the pawn.
28 Nf3 Ra4
This is the most active move, but Black’s pieces
are starting to become discoordinated and he
needs to play very precisely over the next
moves. 28 ... Rd6 would be more prudent.
29 Bc4
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 29
... b5, 29 ... Qxc6, and 29 ... Kg7.
29 ... Kg7?
An inaccuracy, which loses 2 points.
29 ... Qxc6? (deduct 3 points) was even worse,
on account of 30 Bb3 Qe4 31 Bxa4 Qxa4 32
Rxc8! Rxc8 33 Qxe6+ and wins.
29 ... b5! (4 points) was better, preventing the
further damage to his pawn structure that
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
occurs in the game; if 30 Bb3 then Black can
play either 30 ... Nf4 or 30 ... Re4.
– Your Move –
30 Qd1!
3 points. Now White’s initiative gives him the
advantage.
30 ... b5 31 Bb3 Re4?!
This is logical enough; exchanging this rook
was one of the points of keeping it on the fifth
rank. Instead, the engines prefer 31 ... Rf4 or
31 ... Rg4 32 h3 Rf4. In the latter case, White
keeps the initiative with 33 Re3! (planning
Qe1), and if 33 ... e5, then 34 g3 is strong.
– Your Move –
32 Rxe4!
2 points. Now e6 is no longer such a weakness,
but Black’s structure is seriously damaged,
White’s pieces become very active, and the
missing white pawn is irrelevant.
32 ... fxe4 33 Ng5 Qe5 34 Qg4 Bxg5??
A gross blunder, probably played in time
trouble, which hastens the end. Nevertheless,
after 34 ... Qf5 35 Qxe4, White’s advantage
would be unquestionable, in view of his passed
pawn and more active pieces.
171
– Your Move –
35 Bc3
1 point. The rest requires no comment.
35 ... Qxc3 36 Rxc3 Bd2 37 Rc2 e3 38 Rxd2
exd2 39 Qd4+ Nf6 40 Qxd2 Ng8 41 h4 1-0
Julio Bolbochán vs. Paul Keres, Argentina-
USSR match, Buenos Aires 1954.
Some lessons from this game:
1. It’s worth noting that White gained no
advantage from the opening, yet he
managed to keep up the pressure by playing
actively and setting the opponent problems,
so that his task wasn’t straightforward. (19
Bf4!, 26 c5!. 29 Bc4! etc)
2. Black’s play was impeccable for much of
the game. 14 ... g6! solved the problems of
h7, while after 22 ... Rad8! and 24 ... f5!, the
white centre began to look very shaky.
3. A well-conducted defence can be ruined
by a single bad move. (29 ... Kg7?, 29 ... b5!)
4. Loose pieces are ‘tactical weaknesses’. (30
Qd1!)
5. Simplifying when you are material down
isn’t usually advisable, but each position has
its own rules. (32 Rxe4!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 42 points)
More than 38 points: Super-Grandmaster.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Between 33 and 37 points: Grandmaster. Game 27
Between 27 and 32 points: International White: You
Master. Black: Master
Between 20 and 26 points: You’re becoming an Semi-Tarrasch Defence [D41]
expert on Isolated Queen’s Pawn positions!
Between 10 and 19 points: Not bad at all. 1 c4 Nf6 2 Nc3 e6 3 Nf3 d5 4 d4 c5 5 cxd5 Nxd5
Less than 10 points: Not great, but ... still 6 e3 Nc6 7 Bc4 cxd4 8 exd4 Be7 9 0-0 0-0 10
learning. Re1

– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 10

... Nxc3, 10 ... b6, and 10 ... a6.

10 ... Nxc3
1 point. This is one of the playable
continuations, changing the pawn structure;
the other suggestion of similar worth is 10 ...
a6 (1 point).
On the other hand, it’s well known that it’s
inappropriate here to try to maintain options
with 10 ... b6?! (if you chose this move, deduct
1 point). Let’s put your knowledge and/or skill
to the test – how would you punish Black?

– Your Move – (after 10 ... b6)

Answer: The attempt to fianchetto the bishop

with 10 ... b6?!, without exchanging on c3 first,
was punished by 11 Nxd5! exd5 12 Bb5 (3
points) in the classic game M.Botvinnik-
A.Alekhine, AVRO Tournament, Holland 1938,
which continued 12 ... Bd7? (12 ... Bb7 is
better) 13 Qa4! and Black’s queenside was full
of holes. After 13 ... Nb8 (retreating like this
isn’t something you want to do, but after 13 ...
Rc8 14 Bf4 and Rac1, Black’s position would be

172
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
unpleasant) 14 Bf4 Bxb5 15 Qxb5 a6 16 Qa4,
White went on to win a model game.
11 bxc3 b6 12 Bd3 Bb7
– Your Move –
13 Qc2
2 points. Provoking a weakness in Black’s
castled position. This was the usual procedure
at the time.
Later, Razuvaev discovered that 13 h4! is
playable (3 points), intending Ng5, followed by
Qh5 or Qg4. The stem game continued 13 ...
Na5 (if 13 ... Bxh4, then 14 Nxh4 Qxh4 15 Re3
or 15 Re4 and White gains a strong initiative)
14 Ng5 h6 15 Qh5 (introducing the latent
possibilities of Nxe6 or Rxe6, followed by Qg6)
15 ... Bd5 16 Nh7 Re8 17 Bxh6! gxh6 18 Qxh6
(threatening the typical mate with 19 Nf6+
Bxf6 20 Bh7+ Kh8 21 Bg6+ etc) 18 ... f5 19 Re3
Bxh4 20 Rg3+! Bxg3 21 Qg6+ Kh8 22 Nf6
Bh2+!? 23 Kh1! Qxf6 24 Qxf6+ Kg8 25 Kxh2
Rac8 26 Rh1! Rc7 27 Qg6+ Kf8 28 Kg1 Rf7 29
Qg5 Rg7 30 Rh8+ Kf7 31 Qh5+ 1-0 Y.Razuvaev-
I.Farago, Dubna 1979.
Later still, the game V.Anand-J.Timman,
Moscow 1992, went 13 ... Qd5 14 Rb1 Rac8 15
Rb5 Qd6, and now Anand suggests 16 Ng5.
13 ... g6
The standard reply; why is 13 ... h6?
inaccurate?
– Your Move – (after 13 ... h6)
173
Answer: Because of 14 Qe2 (1 point) with the
strong threat of 15 Qe4, or if 14 ... Na5 then 15
Ne5.
14 Bh6 Re8 15 Qd2
With Black’s kingside now weakened, the
queen has accomplished all it can on the c2-
square and so heads for the kingside.
Here the tactics don’t work for White after 15
h4 Bxh4 16 d5?! – why not?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 16 d5)
Answer: 16 ... Na5? is no good because of 17
Bb5, but 16 ... Qxd5! 17 Nxh4 Qh5 regains the
piece (3 points), although White has still a
draw with 18 Qc1 Qxh4 19 Bg5 Qg4 20 f3 Qg3
21 Bf4 Qh4 22 Bg5 etc; while after 20 ... Qh5
21 Kf2! f6 (forced, due to the threat of Rh1) 22
Bxf6 Qc5+ 23 Qe3, the open lines and two
bishops, added to the weakness of e6, give
White full compensation for the pawn.
15 ... Rc8
Creating a weakness on c3 is one of the points
of 10 ... Nxc3, so Black’s move is very logical.
Another reasonable move is 15 ... Bf6, to which
White might reply 16 Qf4. Now 16 ... Bg7?! is
over-cautious, even if 17 Rad1 Qf6 18 Qe3
Bxh6 19 Qxh6 Rac8 gave Black satisfactory play
in O.Neikirkh-R.Fuchs, Sofía 1957. Your task
now is to find a better idea than 17 Rad1,
which didn’t really achieve anything.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move – (after 16 ... Bg7)
Answer: 17 Ng5 (1 point) was suggested by Tal,
and the engines confirm that this is strong, in
view of White’s control of d6 after 17 ... Qf6 18
Ne4 Qxf4 19 Bxf4 etc.
Even stronger, though, is to pursue the
offensive with 17 Bxg7 Kxg7 18 Ng5! (2 points),
attacking f7 and preparing Re3, when 18 ...
Rf8? loses to 19 Rxe6! fxe6 20 Qh4. This is
perhaps the continuation Tal would have
chosen, if he’d reached this position in a game.
– Your Move –
16 Rac1
2 points. 16 Qf4 (0 points) is unpromising with
the bishop on e7, since Black can still play 16 ...
Bd6, and if 17 Qg4 then 17 ... Ne7 strengthens
Black’s kingside and attacks c3 in the process.
So White makes a prophylactic move, designed
to overprotect the pawn and free the queen.
The advance 16 h4 (2 points) is familiar to us
and is the main alternative. Accepting the
pawn with 16 ... Bxh4 17 Nxh4 Qxh4 18 Bg5
gives White a dangerous initiative, as is evident
after 18 ... Qg4 19 Re4 Qf5 20 Rh4 Qd5 21 Be4
Qd6 22 Bf6 and Houdini sees no defence for
Black, as his kingside is too weak.
Instead, 16 ... Na5 17 Ng5 Bf8 18 Bxf8 Rxf8 19
h5 Nc4 was played in M.Najdorf-M.Tal, USSR-
Rest of the World match, Belgrade 1970; the
game ended in a victory for White after an
exciting struggle. I can recommend playing
174
through this game, which was annotated by
Kasparov in My Great Predecessors, Volume 4.
Later, Black gained a reasonable position with
17 ... Bxg5 18 Bxg5 f6 19 Bf4 Qd7 20 Rac1 Bd5
in L.Van Wely-J.Piket, Wijk aan Zee 1998.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 16
... Bf6, 16 ... Qc7, and 16 ... Na5.
16 ... Qc7?!
Black prevents 17 Qf4, but 16 ... Qc7 is a
passive move, as we’ll see, and of questionable
usefulness; if you chose this move deduct 1
point.
16 ... Na5 (0 points) isn’t completely convincing
either, since it gives up control of e5 too early
and allows 17 Ne5.
Black needs to maintain a delicate balance
between defending his kingside (and the
centre!) and exploiting White’s queenside
weaknesses.
The natural 16 ... Bf6! (3 points) was
preferable, not fearing 17 Qf4 because of 17 ...
Bg7 18 Bxg7 (18 Ng5 is now harmless due to
18 ... Rc7) 18 ... Kxg7 19 Ng5 Qc7 with equal
chances, L.Pachman-J.Kozma, Czechoslovakian
Championship, Bratislava 1959.
On the other hand, 17 ... Na5?! again looks
bad, as it gives up control of e5 for no
apparent compensation. Hence 18 Ne5! Nc6,
when, unfortunately for Black, the white knight
isn’t obliged to return to f3 but can remain
active: 19 Ng4 Bh4 20 g3 Be7 – and now what?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
advantageously with 18 Ne5, since 18 ... Bxh4
19 Qf4 would grant White a dangerous
initiative; for example, 19 ... Qe7 20 Nxf7 Bxf2+
(not 20 ... Rf8? because of 21 Bxf8 Rxf8 22 g3!
etc) 21 Qxf2 Qxf7 22 Qg3, followed by Rf1 etc.

– Your Move –

18 h5
1 point. Of course.
18 ... e5?!
“Black’s position is already difficult. In an
attempt to play actively, he makes it worse
– Your Move –
still.” (Najdorf)
It’s difficult to suggest a promising
21 Bc4! (3 points) is the clearest way; there’s
continuation. The line 18 ... Ne7 19 Ne5 Nf5 20
no defence (in fact the chess engines say that
Ng4 Bh8 21 Bg5 was equally unpleasant; while
almost any other white move is winning too).
after 18 ... Bg7, in addition to 19 Bxg7,
After 21 ... Rc7? (on 21 ... Bf8, the advance 22
followed by Ng5, White can also consider 19
d5! is crushing; while 21 ... Bd6 loses to 22
Nh2, heading for g4 another way.
Nf6+ Kh8 23 Qh4 etc; and 21 ... Na5 receives
the same punishment as 21 ... Rc7)

– Your Move – (after 21 ... Rc7)

White has 22 Qxf7+! (1 point) 22 ... Kxf7 23

Bxe6 mate, as in Ju.Bolbochán-L.Pachman,
Moscow Olympiad 1956.

– Your Move –

19 d5
1 point. This obvious advance gives White
space and the necessary time for stepping up
his attack.
19 ... Ne7
19 ... Na5 would also be met by 20 c4, since
– Your Move –
the sequence 20 ... e4 21 Rxe4 Rxe4 22 Bxe4
Nxc4 23 Qd3 clearly favours White, who
17 h4!
threatens 24 hxg6 hxg6 25 Bxg6! etc.
2 points. This move now seems “as natural as a
20 c4 Rcd8
baby’s smile”, as Fine would say. 17 ... Bf6
We already know that 17 ... Na5 does nothing
– Your Move –
to halt the offensive; White can continue
21 Ng5!

175
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
2 points. Heading for e4.
21 ... Nf5
– Your Move – Choose between 22 Bxf5, 22
Ne4, and 22 hxg6.
22 Ne4
2 points. The planned follow-up to 21 Ng5 is
still logical. Alternatively, 22 Bxf5 gxf5 23 Rc3
(2 points) was good too.
The third suggestion 22 hxg6 (deduct 1 point)
is inferior – why?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 22 hxg6)
Answer: Black can (and must) safely play 22 ...
Nxh6! (2 points) and he can parry the attack
after, for example, 23 Nxh7 Bg7 24 Nf6+ Bxf6
25 Qxh6 fxg6 26 Bxg6 Rf8, followed by ... Qg7,
if necessary.
Any other move loses 1 point.
22 ... Be7
Now 22 ... Bg7 can be met by 23 Bg5! Rc8 24
Nf6+ Bxf6 25 Bxf6, threatening 26 Bxf5 and
Qh6, winning.
– Your Move –
23 Bg5
2 points. Of course f6 is the key square.
It’s worth noting how White has maintained
the ‘favourable tension’ between the pawns;
he is in no hurry to exchange on g6, weakening
Black’s castled position, since he can do this at
any moment, whereas Black can’t really
exchange on h5.
176
23 ... Kg7
– Your Move –
24 h6+!
3 points. And 1 point extra if you can honestly
say “of course this is why I never exchanged on
g6!”.
24 ... Kh8
If 24 ... Kg8, then 25 Nf6+ Bxf6 26 Bxf6 with a
double threat: against the d8-rook and to play
27 Bxf5.
25 Nf6 Rf8
– Your Move –
26 Bxf5
3 points. In connection with what follows, this
is the quickest way. There are others, but this
is the best, and the only move to gain any
points.
26 ... gxf5 27 Qc3 1-0
Miguel Najdorf vs. Bogdan Sliwa, Alekhine
Memorial, Moscow 1956.
Black resigned, since there’s no good way to
defend e5. If 27 ... Bd6 then, among other
things, White can win with 28 Ne8! intending
29 Bf6+ and 30 Qg3+.
The alternative 27 ... Rg8 can be refuted in
many ways, the most elegant being 28 Rxe5
Rxg5 29 Nd7 etc.
Some lessons from this game:
1. It’s important to be familiar with some
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
model games featuring the chosen pawn
structure. (10 ... b6?)
2. It’s also essential to know the typical plans.
(13 h4!, 16 h4!, 17 h4!)
3. “The side that has the advantage is obliged
to attack.” (17 h4!, 21 Ng5!)
4. It’s important keep in mind the principle of
‘favourable tension’. (21 Ng5!, 23 Bg5!, 24
h6+!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 40 points)
More than 35 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 32 and 35 points: Grandmaster.
Between 27 and 31 points: International
Master.
Between 20 and 26 points: You handled the
IQP position almost as well as Najdorf!
Between 10 and 19 points: You’re a dangerous
player!
Less than 10 points: Next time you’ll do better.
177
Game 28
White: You
Black: Master
French Defence [C13]
1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 Bg5 dxe4 5 Nxe4
Nbd7 6 Nf3 Be7 7 Nxf6+ Bxf6 8 Bxf6 Qxf6
9 Bd3
We are still in the opening, with a lot of issues
to be resolved. Let’s consider a few ideas.
The main decision for White concerns the
future of the monarch; his last move suggests
that he is probably going to castle on the
kingside.
9 Qd2 was possible, intending to castle
queenside, which Black might answer with 9 ...
0-0 10 0-0-0 e5 etc.
An idea to impede a quick ... e6-e5 is 9 Bc4,
with the plan of Qe2 and again castling
queenside.
9 ... 0-0 10 0-0 e5
Opening the diagonal of the ‘bad’ bishop; the
alternative was 10 ... c5.
11 Re1 exd4 12 Nxd4
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 12 ...
Nc5, 12 ... Nb6, and 12 ... g6.
12 ... g6
1 point. Unfortunately, 12 ... Nc5? is not yet
possible (if you chose this deduct 1 point at the
end of the test) because of 13 Bxh7+ Kxh7 14
Qh5+ and 15 Qxc5.
Neither is 12 ... Nb6 (0 points) advisable. Even
if Tarrasch was perhaps exaggerating
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
somewhat when he wrote that a knight on b6 vacating both the d-file (to play Qd6) as well as
or b3 “always stands badly”, in many cases this the third rank (to play Rb1-b3). If then 16 ...
is correct. In this position b6 is not the best Nb6 17 Rb1 Qc3 18 Re3!, Black is forced to
square for the knight; play might continue, for play the sad move 18 ... Qh8, leaving White
example, with 13 c3 Bd7 14 Be4 c6 15 a4 etc. with a big advantage after 19 Qd6.
Is 18 ... Qh8 really forced, though? If 18 ... Qa5
then 19 Qd4 wins, but 18 ... Qc5 is another
possibility.

– Your Move –

13 Nb5
2 points. “Seize the initiative, old chap!”, as – Your Move – (after 18 ... Qc5)
Don Miguel used to say. Black is on the verge
of completing his development, so it’s Answer: Unfortunately, the white queen can
essential to create some pressure before his take advantage of Black’s weakened dark
pieces can start to work together – as, for squares on the kingside by playing 19 Rxb6! (3
example, after 13 c3 Ne5 14 Be4 Bd7 etc. points) 19 ... axb6 20 Qa1! f6 21 Nxf6+ Kf7 22
Ne4, when the light squares are weak as well
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 13 ... and, with the threat of Bc4+, White is winning.
Qb6, 13 ... Qd8, 13 ... Qxb2, and 13 ... c6. The move order 19 Nf6+ followed by 20 Rxb6
is also effective (2 points).
13 ... Qb6
1 point. 13 ... Qd8 (0 points) is not better, as
White’s development is clearly superior after
14 Qf3 Nc5 15 Rad1. And 13 ... Qxb2? (deduct
2 points) is certainly worse, as after 14 c3 and
15 Re2, the queen is trapped.
The most accurate way to neutralize White’s
opening advantage was with 13 ... c6! (2
points). Black is able to relieve the pressure
after 14 Nc7 Rb8 15 Ne8 Qg5, followed by 16
... Nf6 or 16 ... Ne5, depending on what White
plays. White is slightly better in this line too,
but his initiative is not so annoying or so – Your Move –
dangerous as in the game.
It is worth noting that in this line 15 ... Qxb2? 14 a4!
would not be good, because White’s pressure
is simply too great after, for example, 16 Bf1!,

178
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
2 points. Najdorf’s comment applies here too;
there is no guarantee of success, but it’s
necessary to keep creating difficulties for the
opponent.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 14 ...
a6, 14 ... c6, 14 ... a5, and 14 ... Nc5.
14 ... Nc5?!
A natural move, but it does nothing to impede
White’s growing initiative, so it loses 1 point;
and 14 ... a5 (deduct 1 point) 15 Re7 is no
better.
Now 14 ... c6 (0 points) is less attractive, since
the d6-square is not under control and after 15
a5 Qc5 (worse is 15 ... Qd8?! 16 Nd6 Nc5 17
Bc4 with unpleasant pressure) 16 Nc3 Ne5 17
Ne4 Qe7 (or 17 ... Qd4 18 Bf1 Qxd1 19 Raxd1
and 20 Nd6 with advantage to White) 18 Bf1,
White plans to continue with Qd2-f4, again
exploiting the weakened dark squares.
It was best to expel the knight with 14 ... a6! (3
points) 15 a5 Qc5 16 Nc3 Ne5, and now if 17
Ne4, Black can play 17 ... Qd4 under more
favourable conditions, so that after 18 Bf1
Qxd1 19 Raxd1 Kg7, he is only slightly worse.
15 a5 Qc6
– Your Move –
16 Bc4
1 point. Of course; White puts pressure on f7
and hinders the development of the black
bishop, since 16 ... Be6? runs into 17 Nd4 Qd6
18 Nxe6 etc.
16 ... a6
179
– Your Move –
17 Nc3
2 points. This controls d5 and is much more
productive than ‘gaining a tempo’ with 17 Nd4
(0 points).
17 ... Be6
– Your Move –
18 Bd5!
2 points. Better than 18 Nd5 (0 points) 18 ...
Bxd5 19 Bxd5 Qb5, followed by ... c7-c6, and
White’s pressure has been reduced. Retaining
the knight is likely to be more profitable, to try
to exploit the weak dark squares on Black’s
kingside.
18 ... Bxd5
This brings the white knight to a strong
position on d5. How would you reply to 18 ...
Qd6 instead?
– Your Move – (after 18 ... Qd6)
Answer: White has 19 b4! (1 point) and after
19 ... Nd7, there are two strong moves that
lead to a clear advantage: 20 Bxb7, which
seems to be the best, and 20 Bxe6 fxe6 21
Qxd6 cxd6 22 Rxe6 etc.
19 Nxd5 Qd6
– Your Move –
20 Qd4
1 point. What could be more obvious? It
threatens 21 Ne7+ (or possibly Nf6+) and
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
prepares Rad1. How could one possible resist 1 point. But not 23 Nxh7? (deduct 1 point),
playing such a promising move? which fails to 23 ... Qd8!.
It’s a good move alright, but it’s not the
strongest! Black’s position would already be in
serious jeopardy after 20 Qf3! (5 points), when
the arrival of the rook on d1 will have a much
greater impact. For example: 20 ... Rad8 21
Rad1 Kg7 22 Qc3+! (the best of several
tempting moves) 22 ... f6 23 b4! and Black’s
position is on the brink of collapse. Similarly if
20 ... Kg7 21 Rad1 Rfe8, then 22 Qc3+ f6 23 b4,
or here 23 Ne7 etc.
20 ... Ne6 21 Nf6+ Kh8
Of course not 21 ... Kg7? 22 Ne8+.
– Your Move – (as Black)
– Your Move –
23 ... h5!
22 Qh4
3 points. This is better than the counter-attack
1 point. Consistent, and very tempting, but
23 ... Qf4 which is answered by 24 Re4!
objectively the outcome of the attack should
(stronger than 24 Ra4, when Black has the
have been less advantageous than the
resource 24 ... Nd4! 25 c3 Rfe8! and he is back
alternative 22 Qxd6! (3 points), when White
in the game; similarly if 24 g3 then 24 ... Nd4!)
has the superior structure for the ending.
24 ... Qf5 (or 24 ... Qg5 25 Qg3) 25 Qh6+ Kg8
26 Qe3 and Black’s problems on the kingside
– Your Move – (as Black)
dark squares persist.
The passive 23 ... Qd8?! allows 24 Qh6+ Kg8 25
22 ... Kg7!
Rad1 Qg5 26 Qxg5 Nxg5 27 Rd7 etc.
2 points. After 22 ... h5 (0 points), White has 23
None of these moves receives any points.
Rad1, when Black must choose between
24 Qf6+ Kh7 25 Rad1
several evils: 23 ... Qc5? loses to 24 Rxe6! fxe6
25 Rd7 and mates; 23 ... Qc6 defends e6, but
– Your Move – (as Black)
White’s initiative is persistent after, for
example, 24 Nd7 Rfd8 25 Qf6+ Kg8 26 Ne5
25 ... Qf4
Qe8 27 g4!; while 23 ... Qf4, trying to release
1 point. Forced; after 25 ... Qc5? (deduct 1
the pressure by exchanging queens, leads to a
point) there are several strong moves, such as
difficult ending after 24 Qxf4 Nxf4 25 g3 (or 25
26 Re5!, planning to answer 26 ... Qb4 with 27
Rd4) 25 ... Ne6 (25 ... Nh3+ 26 Kg2 Ng5 27 h4
Rxh5+! and mates; or 26 Rxe6 hxg4 (not 26 ...
Nh7 28 Nxh7 Kxh7 29 Rd7 Rac8 30 Ree7 is
fxe6? 27 Rd7+ Kg8 28 Qg7 mate) 27 Rd7.
similarly unpromising for Black) 26 Rd7. The
threat is 27 Rxe6! fxe6 28 Rh7 mate, and the
– Your Move –
insertion of 25 g3 Ne6 enables White to
answer 26 ... Kg7? with 27 Rxe6! as well.
26 Rxe6
Once again the most energetic move; the
– Your Move –
points score will be revealed below.
It must have been difficult for White to
23 Ng4
content himself with the slightly superior

180
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
endgame arising from 26 Qxf4 Nxf4 27 Rd4 (1
point).
– Your Move – (as Black)
26 ... Qxg4?
This time “appearances are deceptive” and this
move isn’t forced. If you chose it, deduct 3
points.
Of course 26 ... fxe6?? fails to 27 Rd7+ again,
followed by mate.
But Black has the fantastic resource 26 ...
Rad8!! (5 points) 27 Ree1 (not 27 Rde1? fxe6
since, with the d-file under Black’s control,
there is no mate) 27 ... Rxd1 28 Rxd1 Qxg4 etc
and the game is levelling out.
So, going back, 26 Rxe6 wasn’t objectively
better than exchanging the queens, and so it
receives no points.
– Your Move –
27 Rd7!
1 point. The strength of White’s initiative is
now palpable.
27 ... Kg8 28 Ree7 Rae8
181
– Your Move –
29 h3!
1 point. Essential luft; of course not 29 Rxe8?
on account of 29 ... Qxd7.
29 ... Rxe7
Forced, in order to reduce the pressure of
White’s heavy pieces.
After 29 ... Qc4?, the c7-pawn is undefended,
but more importantly, White can play 30
Qxg6+! fxg6 31 Rg7+ Kh8 32 Rh7+ Kg8 33 Rdg7
mate.
30 hxg4 Rxd7 31 gxh5 Rd1+
This intermediate check leaves the f2-pawn
unprotected which might just help in the case
of an eventual ... Rd2, for example, attacking
both c2 and f2. Anyway, it’s clearly better than
31 ... gxh5?? 32 Qg5+ Kh8 33 Qxh5+ Kg7 34
Qg4+ etc.
32 Kh2 Rd6
This time 32 ... gxh5?? loses to 33 Qg5+ Kh8 34
Qxh5+.
33 Qe7
– Your Move – (as Black)
33 ... gxh5?!
This pawn is unimportant and will be a
weakness; if you chose this move, deduct 1
point.
Black could offer greater resistance by
preserving more pawns on the queenside with
33 ... Rfd8 34 hxg6 fxg6 35 Qxc7 R8d7 (1 point).
34 Qxc7 Rfd8
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Possibly 34 ... Rc6 35 Qxb7 Rxc2 36 Qxa6 Rxb2
was more tenacious, but White would have a
material advantage and the initiative, providing
excellent winning chances after, for example,
37 Qf6 Rb5 38 a6 Ra8 39 Qc6 Rbb8 40 Qc7 Rc8
41 Qg3+ Kh7 42 Qe5 Kg6 43 a7 etc.
35 Qxb7 Rg6
2. “Which piece should I exchange? Which one
should I keep?” Answering these questions
appropriately almost always clarifies the way
forward. (18 Bd5!)
3. “Mistrust natural-looking moves” – Réti. (20
Qf3!, 26 ... Qxg4?, 26 ... Rad8!!)
4. As always, it’s necessary to be alert for
‘tactical weaknesses’, both your own and your
opponent’s. (26 ... Rad8!!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 44 points)
More than 39 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 35 and 39 points: Grandmaster.
Between 29 and 34 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 28 points: Very well played!
– Your Move –
Between 10 and 20 points: You found several
very good moves!
36 b4
Less than 10 points: You need to be more
1 point. Preparing to advance with c2-c4 and
careful next time!
b4-b5; this is the quickest way to win. 36 c4 (0
points) was also good, but slightly less precise.
36 ... Kg7
Of course if 36 ... Rdd6, White has time to play
37 c4 Kg7 38 b5 etc.
37 b5
Here we can appreciate why 36 b4 was more
accurate than 36 c4; now if 37 ... axb5 then 38
a6 Re6 39 a7 Ree8 40 Qxb5, followed by the
advance of the c-pawn and the entry of the
white king.
37 ... Rdd6 38 b6 Rd2 39 Qe4 Re6 40 Qf4 Rd7
41 c4 Kf8 42 c5 1-0

Herman Pilnik vs. Gideon Stahlberg,

Beverwijk 1963.

Some lessons from this game:

1. “Seize the initiative, old chap!”, as Najdorf
used to say. Even when success cannot be
guaranteed, from the practical point of view,
it’s a different matter. (13 Nb5!, 14 a4!)

182
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Game 29
White: You
Black: Master
Queen’s Indian Defence [E14]
1 d4 Nf6 2 Nf3 e6 3 e3 b6 4 Bd3 Bb7 5 0-0 c5 6
c4
This line can also arise from the Rubinstein
Variation (4 e3) of the Queen’s Indian. Black
has not yet determined the destiny of his d-
pawn, which can go to d6 or d5.
6 ... Be7 7 b3
This move order lets White postpone the
decision about where to develop his queen’s
knight.
7 ... cxd4 8 exd4 0-0 9 Qe2
A curious choice. It ends up simply transposing,
but it’s hard to understand why White decides
so soon where to place his queen – e2 is one
of its usual squares, but it’s not compulsory. It
was more natural to develop the queen’s
bishop first.
9 ... d5 10 Bb2 Nc6 11 Nbd2
White opts to develop the knight on d2. The
alternative is 11 Nc3, seen in numerous games.
I myself watched the player of the white pieces
venture both of these moves in countless blitz
games at the Club Argentino de Ajedrez in
Buenos Aires.
It’s possible for the position to be transformed
into the structure known as ‘hanging pawns’ (if
Black takes on c4), when the plans are similar,
irrespective of the location of the knight, but
there are some differences too. On c3 the
knight acts more directly upon the centre,
183
while on d2 it provides a more solid defence
for the c-pawn, and also has greater mobility.
Paul Keres even formulated a rule of thumb
about where this knight should go. He
recommended waiting to develop it until Black
develops his b8-knight: if it goes to c6, then
White should play Nbd2, prophylactically
defending the c4-pawn, which can become a
target after ... Na5; on the other hand, if the
knight goes to d7, it’s fine to play more actively
with Nc3.
11 ... Rc8
There are several possible moves and move
orders here.
11 ... Nb4 is playable, before White can move
his rook from a1, in order to leave it blocked in
after 12 Bb1 Rc8. Trifunovic (in Chess
Informant #15) suggests 13 a3 Nc6 14 Bd3 Na5
with complex play, while Karpov (in a much
later edition) recommends leaving the knight
on b4 and playing 13 Rd1 Re8 14 Ne5.
Another playable move is 11 ... Re8, with the
idea of ... Bf8 and ... g7-g6, fortifying the
kingside, blunting the d3-bishop, and planning
to put pressure on White’s centre with a timely
... Bg7. Both rook moves (11 ... Rc8 and 11 ...
Re8) are good, and could well lead to the same
position. Let’s explore further: after 12 Rac1
Bf8 13 Rfd1 dxc4 (13 ... Rc8 would transpose to
the main game) 14 bxc4 g6, what would you
play?
– Your Move – (after 14 ... g6)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Answer: There are several ‘normal’ moves
here, such as 15 Ne4 (1 point), but let’s not
forget that White needs to be careful about
exchanging pieces, which in principle isn’t in
his favour. Instead, 15 Nf1 (2 points) has more
venom, heading for e3, from where it bolsters
the c-pawn and supports a timely advance with
d4-d5, reaching a complex position after 15 ...
Bg7 16 Ne3 Rc8 etc.
12 Rac1
Another important decision; it’s rarely easy to
know what is the most appropriate
arrangement of the rooks. White decides to
place them on c1 and d1.
White’s early decision about where to put his
queen has meant that placing the rooks on c1
and e1 makes less sense. The third possibility is
to put one rook on d1 and leave the other on
f1 to support a timely Ne5 and f2-f4.
In Najdorf’s games there are several instructive
examples in which he tried out these different
plans.
12 ... Re8 13 Rfd1 Bf8
– Your Move –
14 Ne5
1 point. There are at least five reasonable
moves here.
One standard idea is 14 Qe3, overprotecting
the d-pawn, to be able to play a timely Ne5,
while also controlling the c1-h6 diagonal; or
similarly, 14 h3 followed by Qe3. Both moves
gain 2 points.
After 14 Qe3, a possible continuation is 14 ...
g6 15 h3 (it’s important to control g4; the
184
immediate 15 Ne5 allows 15 ... dxc4 16 bxc4
Nxe5 17 dxe5 Bc5 18 Qh3 Ng4! etc; instead, 16
Nxc6 is playable, but it’s not a good idea to
play the knight to e5 merely to exchange it) 15
... Bg7 16 Ne5, as in V.Smyslov-Z.Ribli, London
(1st matchgame) 1983. An earlier example saw
15 ... Nh5 16 Nf1 Qd6 17 N1h2 Bg7 18 Ne5
dxc4 19 bxc4 Nxe5 20 dxe5 Qc5 21 Bd4 Qc6 22
Bf1 Red8 23 Ng4 Rd7 24 Rd2 Rcd8 25 Rcd1
Qe4 26 Qc3! Qc6 27 Be3 Bf8 28 Bg5 with a
slight advantage in P.Keres-M.Taimanov,
Tallinn 1975, which White converted after a
long fight, where the weakness of Black’s dark
squares was a key factor.
As we know, redeploying the knight with 14
Nf1 (2 points) is playable, with the possible
continuation 14 ... g6 15 Ne3 Bg7, when the
most common move is 16 Bb1. Instead, in a
modern example, L.Le Quang-V.Kramnik,
Dortmund 2011, White tried 16 c5. This is
another standard idea when the queen’s
knight is developed to d2; the plan is to create
a pawn majority with c4-c5 and b2-b4. The
game continued 16 ... Nd7 (16 ... bxc5 17 dxc5
e5?! is unattractive, owing to 18 Bb5! and the
black pawns are weak) 17 Bb5 a6 18 Bxc6 Bxc6
19 b4 with a complex position.
An earlier game saw 14 a3 (2 points), with the
same idea as in Le Quang-Kramnik. After 14 ...
g6 15 h3 Bg7, White crystallized his plan with
16 c5 bxc5 17 dxc5 e5 18 Bb5 Nd7 19 Nf1 d4
20 b4 etc, L.Portisch-K.Helmers, Malta
Olympiad 1980.
The final possibility is the flexible 14 Bb1 (2
points), played by Najdorf with success against
W.Unzicker at the 1962 Varna Olympiad.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 14
... Nb4, 14 ... dxc4, and 14 ... g6.
14 ... Nb4?!
A strange decision; the knight doesn’t stand
better on b4 than on c6, and the subsequent
retreat of the white bishop creates no
difficulties for White, since he has already
developed his queen’s rook. The negative side
of Black’s move is that it leaves the strong
white knight on e5 in a more stable situation; if
you chose this move, deduct 1 point.
It would be more useful to continue with the
plan initiated with 12 ... Re8 and play 14 ... g6
(1 point).
Finally, as we have seen, when Ne5 is ventured
without d4 being well protected, 14 ... dxc4! (3
points) should be considered. Here 15 Nxc6? is
unplayable since 15 ... cxd3 wins for Black, so
White is forced to recapture on c4 with a
piece, thus losing control of d5.
15 Bb1 g6
185
– Your Move –
16 Qe3
2 points. The queen is activated, controlling
the c1-h6 diagonal, thus preventing ... Bh6,
and without determining the pawn structure
yet.
Nevertheless, 16 f4 (1 point) was playable too.
16 ... dxc4
An important decision, after which hanging
pawns appear, with all that this implies. The
white pawns are now exposed to attack, but
the bishop on b2 welcomes the increased
chance of activity following the disappearance
of the black pawn that was obstructing White’s
d4-pawn. This arrangement of bishops, on
adjacent diagonals aiming at the enemy king, is
sometimes known as ‘Horwitz Bishops’.
The alternative was to continue with 16 ... Bg7.
Black probably wanted to prevent 17 c5, but
the familiar recipe, 17 ... Nd7, would then give
Black a good game.
17 bxc4 Bg7
– Your Move –
18 Ndf3
2 points. This is another advantage of
developing the knight on d2. As well as going
to f1 and e3 (as we’ve seen), after Ne5 the
queen’s knight can step into the place vacated
by the other steed.
Again, 18 f4 first is also playable (1 point).
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 18 ...
Rc7, 18 ... Nd7, and 18 ... h6.
18 ... Rc7?!
This provides extra protection for the kingside
and prepares a timely ... Qa8, but as we’ll soon
see, it’s very passive; if you chose this move,
deduct 1 point.
Weakening the kingside with 18 ... h6 (0
points) isn’t convincing either.
The most appropriate course of action was to
seek exchanges with 18 ... Nd7! (3 points), in
order to reduce the pressure.
– Your Move –
19 Ng5
1 point. Of course this was one of the ideas of
White’s previous move, seeking to increase the
pressure on f7 and h7.
19 ... Nh5?!
Black would like to repel the annoying invaders
with ... f7-f6 at an appropriate point, but this is
very optimistic, since, in the face of some
many white pieces, such a weakening advance
could only be made after a great deal of
calculation.
– Your Move –
20 g4
3 points. ‘Charge!’ The weakness on the long
diagonal is justified by the time gained and the
acceleration of the attack.
Another idea is first, before taking any active
measures, to worsen the position of the knight
186
on b4 with 20 Bc3! (2 points); then if 20 ... Na6,
the aim has been achieved, and it’s decision
time once again.
But it’s logical to wonder why the knight can’t
go to the c6-square, which is a much better
one.
– Your Move – (after 20 ... Nc6)
Answer: There are several options, but the
opportunity should not be missed of gaining a
very strong attack with 21 Ngxf7! (3 points;
and the same for 21 Nexf7!, which transposes)
21 ... Rxf7 22 Nxf7 Kxf7 and now the fantastic
centralization 23 Be4!, which threatens to win
with Qf3+ and also lends more force to the
advance d4-d5. A possible continuation is 23 ...
Nf6 24 Qf3 Qc7 25 d5 Nd8 26 g4! h6 (White
has provoked this weakening of g6, in order to
make the subsequent opening of lines more
powerful) 27 d6 Qd7 28 Bxf6 Bxf6 29 c5 etc.
White could also play 20 a3 (1 point) with the
same idea, but it’s worth noting that Bc3
places the bishop on a defended square,
whereas leaving it loose on b2 means that,
after 20 ... Nc6, the complications (such as the
sacrifice on f7) are less favourable to White,
and he would have to be content with 21 Be4,
with the idea of playing d4-d5 when
appropriate, for example.
20 ... Nf6
– Your Move –
21 Qh3
1 point. The complement to White’s last move;
the g5-knight isn’t attacked yet, so the queen
can reach an ideal position, putting pressure
on h7, e6, and the entire black kingside in fact.
21 ... h6
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move –
22 Ngxf7!
2 points. A relatively easy decision, given the
lines we’ve previously been analysing. Black’s
kingside is weakened, and there’s certainly
enough compensation, though the game is still
far from won.
22 ... Rxf7
– Your Move –
23 Bxg6
1 point. The most natural move, regaining
almost all the material and leaving the black
king weak.
Nevertheless, there were alternatives. It was
still possible to continue trying to open lines
with 23 a3 and if 23 ... Nc6?! then 24 Nxf7 Kxf7
25 d5! (1 point) with compensation for the
sacrificed material.
23 ... Rff8
187
– Your Move –
24 a3
2 points. It’s true that, to some extent, this
merely drives the black knight to a better
square, but the immediate 24 f4 (0 points) is
weaker on account of 24 ... Ne4 (e.g. 25 Qe3
Bxe5 26 dxe5 Qh4 and the position no longer
favours White) or, even stronger, 24 ... Nfd5!.
24 ... Nc6
It’s difficult to decide to play the decentralizing
24 ... Na6 voluntarily, but it’s worth
considering, since it keeps the light-squared
bishop’s diagonal open.
– Your Move –
25 f4
1 point. This is the move that White wanted to
play.
25 ... Ne7 26 Bxe8 Nxe8
– Your Move – Choose between 27 Rf1, 27
Qe3, and 27 d5.
27 Qe3?
The queen no longer has anything to do on h3
and so White centralizes it, defending f4, but ...
this isn’t a good move; if you chose it, deduct 2
points.
The strongest move, for tactical reasons, was
27 Rf1! (3 points) with the better prospects,
albeit still with a long struggle ahead.
The somewhat optimistic 27 d5 (0 points) has
also been suggested, planning 27 ... exd5 28
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
g5, supposedly with a slight advantage to
White. Can you show that this isn’t the case?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 28 g5)
Answer: Black defends e6 and h6 with 28 ...
Qd6! (2 points) and has no reason to complain
about his position.
– Your Move – (as Black)
27 ... b5?
The idea is a good one, to seize control of d5,
but there’s a snag; if you chose this move,
deduct 1 point.
Black could gain sufficient counterplay to draw
with 27 ... Nd5! (4 points), which takes
advantage of White’s queen move. After the
forced sequence 28 cxd5 Qxd5 29 Rd2 (not 29
Qg3? Rxf4!) 29 ... Bxe5 30 dxe5 Qh1+ 31 Kf2
Qxh2+ 32 Ke1 Qh1+ 33 Ke2 Ba6+ 34 Kf2 Qh2+,
the game would have ended in a draw.
– Your Move –
28 d5!
2 points. Of course; all the white pieces are
activated, and the enemy’s counterplay is
suppressed. If you chose anything else, deduct
1 point.
– Your Move – (as Black)
28 ... exd5?
This hands the advantage to White, and it loses
1 point.
188
It was much better to play 28 ... bxc4! (2
points), when the position remains complex
with chances for both sides. A possible
continuation is 29 Nxc4 Bxd5 30 Qxe6+ Bxe6
31 Rxd8 Bxb2 32 Nxb2 Bxg4 etc.
29 cxb5 d4
Seeking to activate his pieces. The exchange of
queens with 29 ... Qb6?! 30 Qxb6 axb6 31 f5
would leave Black almost paralysed.
30 Qxd4
– Your Move – (as Black)
30 ... Nd5?!
Another weak move (deduct 1 point), and now
the position is beyond saving.
Black was not attracted by the prospect of
defending the inferior endgame arising after
30 ... Qxd4+! (2 points) 31 Rxd4 Nd5 32 h4
Nxf4 33 Rd2 etc, but the middlegame will
prove to be much worse.
– Your Move –
31 Qxa7
1 point. Capturing the pawn with tempo –
what more can one ask?
31 ... Nd6
If 31 ... Ba8, one of White’s most secure
winning lines is 32 b6, when Black has nothing
better than to enter a virtually lost endgame
with 32 ... Qxb6+ 33 Qxb6 Nxb6 34 Rd8 etc.
It has been suggested that 32 Nc6 is strong
too; e.g. 32 ... Bxc6?! 33 Bxg7 (33 Rxc6 is
better) 33 ... Nxg7 34 bxc6 and wins, which is
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
true of the final position, but Black has an
earlier improvement.
– Your Move – (as Black; after 33 Bxg7)
Answer: Black has 33 ... Qh4! (3 points) with
serious threats against the undefended white
monarch. Then White would need to find the
only way to draw – which is?
– Your Move – (after 33 ... Qh4)
Answer: The only defence is to eliminate the
rook with 34 Bxf8! (2 points), when both sides
must acquiesce to the draw by perpetual check
after 34 ... Qxg4+ 35 Kf2 Qh4+ 36 Kg1 Qg4+
etc, since 36 Kf1? or 36 Ke2? would allow the
attack to intensify with 36 ... Bxb5+.
– Your Move –
32 Rxd5!
2 points. This gains a decisive material
advantage, exploiting the active position of the
189
white queen, whose influence even extends as
far as the kingside.
32 ... Bxd5 33 Nc6 Bxb2
If 33 ... Rf7 then 34 Qxf7+ is decisive; e.g. 34 ...
Nxf7 35 Nxd8 Bxb2 36 Rd1 Bb3 37 Rd3 Bc4 38
Rd7 with a winning endgame.
34 Nxd8 Bxc1 35 Qc5 Rxd8 36 Qxd5+ Nf7 37
Qf3 Rd4 38 b6! Bxf4
Now if 38 ... Rxf4, one way to win is 39 Qa8+
Kg7 40 b7 Rxg4+ 41 Kf1 Bf4 42 Qa4! h5 43 h3
Rh4 44 b8Q etc.
39 Qxf4! Rxf4 40 b7 Rxg4+ 41 Kh1 1-0
Miguel Najdorf vs. Kick Langeweg, Wijk aan
Zee 1973.
Some lessons from this game:
1. In a certain sense, it’s not just the pawns
that ‘can’t go backwards’. Pieces can do so,
but only at the cost of losing tempi, so when
a piece has more than one development
option available, careful consideration is
necessary. (9 Qe2, 11 Nbd2, 11 Nc3, 14 Ne5,
14 Nf1!, 14 ... Nb4?)
2. Naturally, decisions about the pawn
structure are the most relevant in the long
term. (14 ... dxc4!, 16 ... dxc4?, 20 g4)
3. When the position ‘demands’ it, to avoid
losing ground, it’s necessary to give up
material, whether to attack (22 Ngxf7!) or
obtain counterplay (27 ... Nd5!).
4. However tricky the position, it’s essential
to stay focused, since no-one is immune to
making errors. (27 Qe3?, 27 ... Nd5!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 50 points)
More than 44 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 39 and 44 points: Grandmaster.
Between 31 and 38 points: International
Master.
Between 22 and 30 points: You know a lot
about the ‘Horwitz Bishops’!
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Between 10 and 21 points: Najdorf would be Game 30
proud of you. White: You
Less than 10 points: Next time you’ll do better. Black: Master
Nimzo-Indian Defence [E54]

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Bb4 4 e3 0-0 5 Bd3 c5 6

Nf3 cxd4 7 exd4 d5 8 0-0 dxc4 9 Bxc4 a6

As Ivan Sokolov notes in his book, The Strategic

Nimzo-Indian, in this IQP position it looks as if
Black is trying to play a hybrid between the
Nimzo-Indian and the Queen’s Gambit
Accepted.
10 Ne5
The knight occupies an active position and
vacates f3, to create the possibility of playing
Qf3, or Be2-f3 (in the event of 10 ... b5).
Other possibilities mentioned by Sokolov are:
a) 10 Bg5, a natural developing move, but after
the natural reply 10 ... b5, neither 11 Bd3 nor
11 Bb3 seems to lead to anything special for
White, according to Sokolov.
b) 10 a4 is also possible. Here the parallels with
the Queen’s Gambit Accepted are obvious; a
similar position can be reached via 1 d4 d5 2 c4
dxc4 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 e6 5 Bxc4 c5 6 0-0 a6 7 a4
cxd4 8 exd4 Be7 9 Nc3 0-0.

190
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
The difference is that the black bishop is on b4,
though if it retreats to e7 we have the same
position, since White lost a tempo recapturing
on c4.
However, there’s no necessity to retreat right
away. For example, a playable alternative is 10
... Bd7 11 Be3 Bc6 12 Ne5 Nbd7 13 Nxc6 bxc6
(as in similar positions, the weakness at c6 isn’t
serious for Black, the most well-known classic
example with this structure being Em.Lasker-
J.R.Capablanca, 10th matchgame, Havana
1921) 14 Qe2 a5 15 Rfc1 Nb6 16 Bd3 Qd7 17
Rc2 Nbd5 etc, M.Sadler-S.Shipov, Hastings
1998/99.
c) 10 a3 seems the most promising option,
when complex positions arise after 10 ... Bxc3
11 bxc3 Qc7 or 11 ... b5 12 Bd3 Bb7 13 a4.
On the other hand, the immediate retreat with
10 ... Be7, followed by 11 Ba2 b5?!, isn’t
considered to be very sensible – why not?
– Your Move – (after 11 ... b5)
191
Answer: Because White can execute the
thematic breakthrough 12 d5! (2 points), and
the white pieces are more actively placed after
12 ... exd5 13 Nxd5 Nxd5 14 Bxd5 Ra7 15 Ne5!
Bd6 16 Re1 etc, with a slight edge.
– Your Move – (as Black)
10 ... b5
1 point. This is the standard idea, of course;
and if there’s no clear refutation, it’s the best
move.
11 Qf3
Another possibility is 11 Be2 Bb7 12 Bg5 Be7
13 Bf3 – how would you respond in that case?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 13 Bf3)
Answer: It’s not appropriate to aid White’s
development with 13 ... Bxf3 (0 points) 14 Qxf3
and here 14 ... Nbd7?! (14 ... Ra7 is better),
abandoning the c6-square, runs into 15 Nc6
Qe8 16 d5! with advantage to White after, for
example, 16 ... b4 17 dxe6 fxe6 18 Ne4 etc.
13 ... Ra7! (2 points) is an improvement; for
example, 14 Bxb7 Rxb7 15 Qf3 Rc7 16 Rfd1 b4
17 Na4?! (here White could create
complications with 17 Bxf6!? gxf6 18 d5 – the
only good move – although Black can resist
after 18 ... fxe5 19 dxe6 Nd7! 20 Nd5 fxe6,
which could lead to a draw by repetition with
21 Qg4+ Kh8 22 Qxe6 Rc2 23 Ne3 Rc7 24 Nd5
etc) 17 ... Qd5 (or 17 ... Nd5) and Black
emerges with some advantage from the
struggle against the IQP, M.Krakops-R.Dautov,
European Team Championship, Batumi 1999.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
If 14 a3 (instead of 14 Bxb7), Black can lift the
pressure with 14 ... Nd5!, and after 15 Bxe7
Nxe7 16 Bxb7 Rxb7 17 Qf3 Rc7 18 Rad1 Nbc6
19 Rfe1 Nxe5 20 dxe5 Rd7, Black had no
problems in Z.Lanka-P.Schlosser, German
League 1998.
– Your Move – (as Black)
11 ... Ra7
Thus we reach a standard IQP position, in
which White has gained two useful moves, Ne5
and Qf3, which should grant him a slight
advantage.
It was better to sacrifice the exchange with 11
... Qxd4! (3 points), when Black has good play
after 12 Qxa8 Qxe5 13 Be2 Bxc3 14 bxc3 Qxe2
15 Qxb8 Qc4!. Sokolov noted that “Black has
excellent positional control (16 ... Nd5 will be
his next move) and a better positional pawn
structure. White has to be careful to preserve
the balance here.”
– Your Move – Choose between 12 Be2, 12
Bd3, and 12 Bb3.
12 Bd3
2 points. Aiming at Black’s castled position,
since it’s in that sector of the board that
White’s quick Ne5 and Qf3 can come in useful.
The other two bishop retreats have less ‘bite’
and thus receive no points.
12 ... Rc7
Bringing the rook into play, with pressure on
c3, before developing the c8-bishop.
192
After 12 ... Bb7 13 Qh3 Bxc3 (if 13 ... Qxd4, in
addition to the obvious and good 14 Be3,
White can play the more complex 14 Bg5,
which is equally strong) 14 bxc3 Be4, Black is
able to exchange some pieces, which generally
favours the side fighting against an IQP or
‘Isolated Pawn Couple’ (pawns at d4 and c3),
but here it fails to solve all Black’s problems –
why?
– Your Move – (after 14 ... Be4)
Answer: Because of the unpleasant pin 15 Bg5!
(2 points), and after 15 ... Bxd3 16 Qxd3 Rc7,
for example, White can profit from the
exchange of light-squared bishops, and exploit
the fact that his rook is still on a1, by probing
Black’s queenside with 17 a4!, which is an idea
worth remembering. Instead, in I.Ibragimov-
S.Zagrebelny, St Petersburg 1997, Black tried
16 ... Qd5, but this is an important concession,
and after 17 Bxf6 gxf6 18 Ng4 Nd7 19 a4,
White held the advantage.
– Your Move – Choose between 13 Bg5, 13
Bd2, 13 Qg3, and 13 Rd1.
13 Bg5
1 point. On general grounds alone, this would
clearly be the best move, continuing with
development, pinning the knight on f6, and
preparing to bring the queen’s rook into play.
But this is only part of the story; tactical factors
and concrete analysis trump logic.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
The passive 13 Bd2?! (deduct 1 point) allows
13 ... Qxd4, when White’s compensation is
questionable.
More promising, for concrete reasons, is 13
Qg3 (3 points), which deters 13 ... Qxd4? in
view of 14 Be3 Qd6 15 Rad1 etc. We should
note that it’s important to have the knight on
e5 defended, in order to be able to develop
the other pieces with tempi. Instead, 13 ... Nc6
would be better, when White can try 14 Rd1
(as well as the simple, though less ambitious,
14 Nxc6 Rxc6 15 a4) and 14 ... Nxd4 is once
again risky, on account of the X-ray pressure of
the d1-rook on the black queen; while if 14 ...
Bb7, White can play 15 a4.
13 Rd1 (2 points) is also interesting. It’s a bit
scary playing without the a1-rook, but we
already know that a quick a2-a4 can be very
effective in such positions. In the event of 13 ...
Bb7 14 Qg3 Nc6, it would indeed be a good
moment to play 15 a4 (as in the 13 Qg3 line
above), so 14 ... Bxc3 15 bxc3 Ne4!? looks
more appropriate.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 13
... Qxd4, 13 ... h6, 13 ... Be7, and 13 ... Bb7.
13 ... Be7
1 point. A ‘normal’ and good move; the bishop
returns to its natural square.
On the other hand, 13 ... h6?! is too ambitious
(deduct 1 point), since after 14 Bxf6 Qxf6 15
Qe4 g6 and now, for example, 16 Rac1, White
is more active and retains a slight advantage.
Surprisingly, there was now no reason to reject
13 ... Qxd4 (2 points), since 14 Qh3 can be met
193
by 14 ... Nbd7!, taking advantage of the fact
that the d3-bishop is loose, and after 15 Nxd7
Rxd7 16 Rad1 Qg4 17 Bxh7+ Kh8, forcing the
exchange of queens, White’s advantage is tiny
at best.
However, 13 ... Bb7?! (deduct 1 point) isn’t
advisable, since it merely drives the white
queen where it want to go. Then after 14 Qh3
h6, what would you play for White?
– Your Move – (after 14 ... h6)
Answer: The immediate 15 Bxh6 (0 points) is
ineffective, as after 15 ... gxh6 16 Qxh6 Re8,
intending 17 ... Bf8, White doesn’t have
enough pieces available to mount a mating
attack.
On the other hand, 15 Ng4! (4 points) is
devastating. After the forced 15 ... Be7, White
has the tempting sacrifices 16 Nxh6+ and 16
Bxh6, both of which seem to be advantageous,
but only after amazing complications. Instead,
White has a simpler way, which is good
enough: the strong intermediate 16 Bf4!
(misplacing the black rook) 16 ... Rd7 and now
17 Nxh6+! gxh6 18 Qxh6, when Black is
paralyzed. White still needs the help of one
rook to succeed, so a precise order of moves is
required; for example, 18 ... Re8 19 Qg5+! (the
immediate 19 Be5 allows 19 ... Bf8, reaching
“only” a worse ending a pawn down after 20
Qxf6 Qxf6 21 Bxf6 Bg7) 19 ... Kh8 20 Be5 Nc6
21 Rae1 Nxe5 22 Qh6+! (not 22 Rxe5? Ng8!
and Black defends) 22 ... Kg8 23 Rxe5 etc.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Instead of 14 ... h6?, Black would have to play 1 point. This was the idea; the inactive queen’s
14 ... g6, when White could gain some rook comes into play.
advantage with our familiar idea, 15 a4. 16 ... Nc6
14 Qh3 g6
How would you reply to 14 ... h6 this time?

– Your Move –

– Your Move – (after 14 ... h6) 17 Rfe1

Answer: Here the sacrifice 15 Bxh6! (4 points)
wins. After 15 ... gxh6 16 Qxh6 Re8 the key
move is 17 Ne4! (1 point extra if you planned
this before sacrificing on h6), and if 17 ... Nd5
then 18 Ng3 is decisive; for example, 18 ... Bg5
19 Qh7+ Kf8 20 Qh8+ Ke7 21 Qg7 and wins.
17 ... Nxe4 doesn’t help either, as after 18
Bxe4 Bf6, for instance, White has 19 Bh7+ Kh8
20 Bg6+ Kg8 21 Qh7+ Kf8 22 Rac1! (better than
22 Bxf7 Bxe5 23 Qg8+ Ke7 24 Bxe8 Bxd4,
though White is probably winning here too) 22
... Rb7 and here 23 Rc3! is strong, or now 23
Bxf7 Bxe5 24 Qg8+ Ke7 25 Bxe8 Qxe8 26
Qxe8+ Kxe8 27 dxe5 with a decisive material
advantage.
15 Bh6
1 point. White’s last inactive piece enters the
fray.
17 ... Nb4
Logically, Black rejects 17 ... Nxd4?, which
would land him in a dangerous pin, and instead
carries out a standard blockading manoeuvre.
18 Bb1 Nbd5 19 Ne4
We are in a typical IQP position, offering
chances to both sides. White has the more
active play in the middlegame, but with each
exchange Black’s position becomes stronger.
The outcome will depend on who plays his
trumps more skilfully.
19 ... Nxe4 20 Bxe4

– Your Move – (as Black)

15 ... Re8
2 points. As is usually the case, the most
natural move is the best. It was also possible,
though not necessary, to sacrifice the
exchange for a pawn with 15 ... Qxd4 (1 point).

– Your Move –
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 20
... Bb4, 20 ... Bb7, 20 ... Bg5, and 20 ... Bf8.
16 Rad1

194
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
20 ... Bb7?
The most natural move is usually the best –
usually, but not always! In this case it’s a bad
move! If you chose it, deduct 3 points. This is
the only bad move of the four suggested.
Instead, Black has a decent game after 20 ...
Bb4! (3 points), and if 21 Re2 then 21 ... Bb7
becomes playable, as we’ll soon appreciate.
20 ... Bf8 (1 point) and 20 ... Bg5 (1 point) were
playable too, as the exchange of pieces
generally favours the side playing against the
isolated pawn; although in this case the
disappearance of the dark-squared bishops
leaves several weaknesses in Black’s camp, and
White stands quite well after, for example, 20
... Bxg5 21 Bxg5 Qxg5 22 Qa3 Bb7 23 Nd3 etc,
even if he has no appreciable advantage.
– Your Move –
21 Nxf7!
3 points. This is why the bishop needed to
move from e7, so that f7 is defended laterally
by the c7-rook.
21 ... Kxf7
– Your Move –
22 Bxg6+!
1 point. Complementing the previous sacrifice.
22 ... Kxg6
– Your Move –
23 Re5!!
195
4 points. The key follow-up to the two
sacrifices. Any other move helps Black and
loses 2 points. Now Black has to defend against
the threat of mate in three, starting with 24
Qh5+.
– Your Move – (as Black)
23 ... Bh4?
Here the most tenacious defence was 23 ...
Bg5! (2 points), trying to defend stubbornly
after 24 Rxg5+ Qxg5 25 Bxg5 Kxg5 26 Re1! Kg6!
27 Rxe6+ Rxe6 28 Qxe6+ Nf6, although it
would not save Black in the long run.
– Your Move –
24 Qg4+!
3 points. The only accurate continuation. Any
other move loses 2 points.
24 ... Kf6 25 Rd3
There are now several ways to win, including
the text; though the strongest move according
to the engines was 25 Rde1!.
Instead, after the obvious 25 Qxh4+, Black
plays 25 ... Kf7 – what’s White’s best move
then?
– Your Move – (after 25 ... Kf7)
Answer: 26 Rg5! (2 points), threatening 27
Rg7+ and preventing the king from escaping to
g8; for example, 26 ... Qf6 27 Qh5+! Ke7 28
Rxd5! Bxd5 29 Bg5 and wins.
25 ... Nb4
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
26 Rg3
“Chess is easy again”, as Najdorf used to say in
such positions. There were several other ways
to win, including the most obvious move 26
Qxh4+.
26 ... Rc1+ 27 Bxc1 Bxg3 28 Bg5+ Kf7 29 Qh5+
Kf8 30 Qh6+ Kg8 31 Bxd8 1-0
Raúl Sanguineti vs. Elías Miana, Argentine
Championship, Buenos Aires 1975.
Some lessons from this game:
1. It’s essential to be acquainted with the
typical plans in any given pawn structure. (14
Qh3, 17 ... Nb4!)
2. It’s also important not to forget the typical
tactical ideas. (20 ... Bb7?, 20 ... Bb4!, 21
Nxf7!)
3. Sometimes it only requires a single
blunder for a good position to fall apart. (20
... Bb7?)
4. Punishing a mistake can require sacrifices
and absolute accuracy in calculation. (21
Nxf7!, 22 Bxg6+, 23 Re5!, 24 Qg4+!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 46 points)
More than 40 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 36 and 40 points: Grandmaster.
Between 29 and 35 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 28 points: You have a good
feel for IQP positions!
Between 10 and 20 points: Good attacking
play!
Less than 10 points: You need to practice your
tactical skills.
196
Game 31
White: You
Black: Master
Catalan Opening [E09]
1 Nf3 Nf6 2 c4 e6 3 g3 d5 4 Bg2 Be7 5 0-0 0-0 6
d4 c6 7 Qc2 b6 8 b3 Ba6 9 Bb2 Nbd7 10 Nbd2
Rc8 11 e4
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 11
... Nxe4, 11 ... c5, and 11 ... Qc7.
11 ... Nxe4
This move concedes a slight but stable space
advantage in the centre.
Since Black has less space, leaving the position
in the centre untouched with 11 ... Qc7 favours
White, who will find it easier to continue
improving the positions of his pieces. Nor is it
appropriate to allow White to activate his
rooks and then be the one to decide what to
do about the tension in the centre. So neither
of these moves gains any points.
Black’s best option is to exploit the X-ray
pressure exerted by the c8-rook on the white
queen and strike a blow against the white
centre with 11 ... c5! (2 points), to which White
usually replies 12 exd5 exd5 13 Qf5.
12 Nxe4 dxe4 13 Qxe4 b5
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
3 points. White wants to open the a-file, but
first he gives his pieces greater flexibility and
retreats the queen, in anticipation of ... Nf6.
16 ... Rb8

– Your Move –

17 a3
1 point. Of course; this is the complement to
his previous move.
If earlier you chose 16 a3 you gain 2 points.
17 ... bxa3 18 Rxa3
Since the d1-rook is defended, White is able to
– Your Move –
recapture on a3 in the most favourable way. In
contrast, after 16 a3 bxa3, he would have had
14 c5!
to take with the bishop, since 17 Rxa3 could be
4 points. A typical move in such positions; in
answered by 17 ... Nxc5!.
this case the decision is made easier by the
18 ... Rb7
fact that there is no convenient way to support
the pawn on c4.
In situations like this, both Fischer and Najdorf
used to say “you have to give squares to get
squares”. White hands the d5-square over to
Black but, in return, he gains space, rules out
the ... c6-c5 pawn break and fixes the
weakness at c6.
The reader will note the similarity to a game
mentioned previously, Karpov-Adorjan,
Lucerne 1989 (see the notes to Game 22).
14 ... b4 15 Rfd1 Bb5

– Your Move –

19 Bc1!
3 points. The bishop has nothing to do on b2,
so White moves it to a better diagonal. Of
course it’s also possible to play 19 Rda1 first (1
point), but White decides to postpone this,
since it can easily be played later, if he judges it
appropriate.
Going back, if you preferred to postpone 17 a3
for a while and first play 17 Bc1, planning Bf4
and then a2-a3, you gain 2 points.
– Your Move –
19 ... Nf6
16 Qe1!
– Your Move –

20 Bg5!

197
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
2 points. Preparing the favourable exchange of – Your Move –
this bishop. There are many other playable
moves, but 20 Ne5 is the only one to receive 1 24 Bxh7+!
point. 3 points. A tempting sacrifice of a piece for
20 ... Nd5 three pawns, added to which the black king
If 20 ... h6, the logical response is 21 Bxf6, will be vulnerable. Furthermore, there is the
while almost any other move would be practical aspect that the black position is
answered by 21 Ne5. unpleasant, whereas White’s position ‘plays
21 Bxe7 Nxe7 itself’.
It is noteworthy that the engines don’t regard
– Your Move – this as a good decision and prefer other
moves, all of which are worthy of
22 Ne5 consideration by human players too. These
1 point. Of course; there is no longer any include the familiar idea of 24 Nc4 (2 points),
reason to delay this move. while another typical idea is gain space with 24
22 ... Qc7 h4 (2 points), intending h4-h5 and even h5-h6
at the right moment, if permitted.
– Your Move – 24 ... Kxh7 25 Nxf7 Rd5 26 Qxe6 Qd7

23 Be4!
3 points. The white bishop seeks new horizons;
the c6-pawn is adequately defended by the b5-
bishop, but that piece is a long way from the
kingside ...
Another interesting idea was 23 Nc4 (1 point),
heading for d6, and 23 ... Bxc4 24 bxc4
wouldn’t be at all favourable to Black, since his
knight would lose access to the d5-square and
might become passive. However, this
possibility is unlikely to run away.
23 ... Rd8
– Your Move –
23 ... Nd5 would have been more prudent,
although White would still have retained some
27 Qe4+
advantage, since all his pieces are occupying
2 points. Of course not 27 Qxd7? or 27 Re1?
very good positions.
(both lose 1 point) because the three pawns
are not so strong in this precise position. There
is no passed pawn yet, and the black king
would be out of danger.
27 ... Qf5
After 27 ... Kg8 28 Nd6, White has good
compensation for the piece.

– Your Move –

28 f3!
2 points. Discouraging the exchange on e4,
which would give White a dangerous central

198
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
pawn mass. On the other hand, 28 Qh4+ (0
points) 28 ... Qh5 achieves nothing.

– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 28 ...

Nc8 and 28 ... Rbd7.

28 ... Nc8?!
Black doesn’t want to allow the knight to settle
on d6, but the cure is worse than the disease,
as we’ll see. If you chose this move, deduct 1
point.
28 ... Rbd7! (2 points) was better, intending to
answer 29 Nd6 with 29 ... Qg6.
– Your Move –

32 b4
2 points. There are many possible moves here,
but this is the only one that is justified
concretely and deserves points, since it
increases the scope of the rook along the third
rank.
32 ... Kg8 33 Rh3

– Your Move – (as Black)

– Your Move –
29 g4!
3 points. The creation of a white central pawn
mass is now forced, which is an undoubted
plus for White. Black can’t avoid this with 29 ...
Qg6, because of 30 Ne5.
29 ... Qxe4 30 fxe4 Rdd7
Seeking simplification by returning some
material with 30 ... Rxf7 31 exd5 cxd5 is no
solution, as after 32 b4, the rooks have a lot of
open lines. Then 32 ... Be2? 33 Rh3+ Kg8 34
Re1 Bxg4?! wouldn’t work – why not?
33 ... Re7
This activates the rook, but it isn’t the most
effective move and it gains no points. 33 ...
Ne7! (2 points) was better, restraining White’s
initiative.
– Your Move –
34 Ng6
1 point. The knight dodges away from the
threat of 34 ... Rxe5 and defends the e4-pawn
indirectly, while also causing the black
monarch some discomfort.
34 ... Ree8

– Your Move – (after 34 ... Bxg4)

Answer: Owing to 35 Re8+ Rf8 36 Rh8+! Kxh8

37 Rxf8+ Kh7 38 b5 and wins (1 point).
31 Ne5 Rd8

199
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move – Choose between 35 Rd2 and 35
Kf2.
35 Rd2!
3 points. Threatening 36 Rf2 and Rh8 mate,
while preparing a good antidote to 35 ... Kf7.
On the other hand, ‘centralizing the king’ with
35 Kf2? (deduct 2 points) would allow 35 ...
Kf7, and the e4-pawn is lost.
35 ... Kf7 36 Ne5+ Rxe5
36 ... Kg8 would also be met by 37 Rf2, when
37 ... Rxd4? fails to 38 Ng6, while after 37 ...
Rf8 38 Rxf8+ Rxf8 39 Ng6 Rf1+ 40 Kg2 Kf7! 41
Ne5+ Kg8 42 Rf3 Rd1 43 Rf7 Rxd4 44 Rc7 Rd8
45 h4, followed by centralizing the king and
capturing on c6 at an appropriate moment,
White would have the advantage, despite the
unfavourable material balance, since Black’s
knight is really badly placed on c8.
37 Rf2+ Ke6 38 dxe5 Ne7?!
By sacrificing the exchange Black has spoiled
White’s structure and is counting on picking off
some of the weak pawns, but the white rooks
have also seen their scope increase.
With the knight move Black wanted to bring all
his pieces into action. Nevertheless, 38 ... Rd1+
39 Kg2 Bd3 was more active and seems to be
preferable, although both white rooks are very
active too after, for example, 40 Kf3 Re1 41
Ra2 Bxe4+ 42 Kf2 Rb1 43 Rh8 Ne7 44 Rxa7 etc.
– Your Move –
39 Rh7
200
2 points. ‘Activity, activity!’ The white rooks
must exploit their new-found scope to keep
the opponent passive. No other move gains
any points.
39 ... Rg8
– Your Move –
40 Rd2!
2 points. Now it’s the other rook’s turn.
40 ... a6
– Your Move –
41 Kf2
2 points. Centralizing the king is nearly always
good; we assume that the monarch will, in
complete security, help deliver the decisive
blow. This is a ‘human’ move.
However, the engines think that the position is
already so favourable for White that he can
abandon his ‘superfluous’ pawns and quickly
create a passed one with 41 h4! (3 points).
After 41 ... Kxe5 42 h5 Nc8 (or 42 ... Kxe4 43
h6) 43 Rd7 Kf6, for example, White wins with
44 Rhxg7! Rxg7 45 e5+ etc.
41 ... Kxe5
This was accompanied by a draw offer, which
White naturally turned down.
42 Ke3
This was the sealed move. In the tournament
book 42 Rd7 is also given as winning.
42 ... Kf6
How would you respond to 42 ... Bc4, trying to
bring the bishop into play?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move – (after 42 ... Bc4)
Answer: There is no reason to postpone 43 h4!
(3 points), since if 43 ... Be6 then 44 h5! Bxg4
45 Rg2 etc is decisive.
43 Rd6+ Kf7
– Your Move –
44 Rh3!
3 points. “This is the key move which surprised
the Armenian grandmaster. Now the rook will
do the decisive work,” says the tournament
book.
The rook has done its job on h7 and now
moves to a better square, to enable the pawns
to advance under more favourable conditions.
44 ... Rb8 45 g5 Bc4
– Your Move –
46 g6+!
1 point. The pawn advances ‘with tempo’,
creating problems for the black monarch; the
pawn is taboo, on account of 47 Rf3+.
Take 1 point, too, for 46 Rf3+ and then g5-g6.
46 ... Ke8 47 Rf3! Bb3
47 ... Nc8 was more tenacious, but the position
is still untenable after 48 Rh3!, followed by
Rh8; e.g. 48 ... Ne7 49 Rh8+ Bg8 50 Kf4 Rxb4
51 Re6!, leading to a winning rook endgame.
What’s to stop Black from taking the b4-pawn?
201
– Your Move – (after 47 ... Rxb4)
Answer: White mates with 48 Rf8+! (1 point).
48 h4 Bd1?
Black blunders, but he was losing anyway.
49 Rxd1 1-0
Miguel Ángel Quinteros vs. Tigran V.
Petrosian, Buenos Aires 1979.
Some lessons from this game:
1. “You have to give squares to get squares.”
(14 c5!)
2. “Which piece can I improve?” is a question
that you should keep asking yourself. (19
Bc1!, 23 Be4!, 23 Nc4!, 32 b4!, 44 Rh3!)
3. “Which piece should I exchange? Which
one should I keep?” Answering these
questions appropriately almost always
clarifies the way forward. (11 ... Nxe4?, 20
Bg5!, 28 ... Nc8?, 29 g4!)
4. Loose pieces are ‘tactical weaknesses’. (35
Kf2?)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 55 points)
More than 48 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 41 and 48 points: Grandmaster.
Between 32 and 40 points: International
Master.
Between 22 and 31 points: You found most of
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
the difficult moves! Game 32
Between 10 and 21 points: Your handling of White: You
the Catalan Opening is remarkable! Black: Master
Less than 10 points: You’ll do better next time. Semi-Slav Defence [D30]

1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 e3 e6 5 b3 Nbd7

6 Bb2 b6 7 Bd3 Bb7 8 0-0 Bd6

– Your Move –

9 Nbd2
1 point. The knight needs to be developed,
but isn’t 9 Nc3 (1 point) better, applying
more pressure on the centre?
In fact, both moves are of similar worth. It all
depends on whether there’s a plan that will
justify the deceptively ‘passive’ development
of the knight to d2. The structure is the same
in both cases, but the knight’s position
determines White’s future plans to some
extent.
9 ... 0-0

– Your Move –

10 Ne5
2 points. This is one of the virtues of 9 Nbd2.
With the b2-bishop unobstructed, White
commands the e5-square and can install the
f3-knight there.
Breaking in the centre is another logical idea;
10 e4 (0 points) isn’t a bad move, but it
doesn’t achieve much here. After, for
example, 10 ... dxe4 11 Nxe4 Nxe4 12 Bxe4

202
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Nf6 13 Bc2, Black can free his position with
13 ... c5 with good play.
It’s also possible to wait with 10 Qe2 (1
point), vacating d1 for one of the rooks and
maintaining the tension. This is more
ambitious than 10 e4, but it contains less
venom than the text move, as we’ll see.
– Your Move – (as Black)
10 ... Qe7
1 point. Black still doesn’t want to play ... c6-
c5 (1 point), which, nevertheless, is the most
common response, and many games have
continued with the sequence 10 ... c5 11
cxd5 exd5 12 f4 etc.
– Your Move –
11 Qf3
2 points. This idea is very interesting; usually
White bolsters the e5-knight with f2-f4, to be
able to recapture with f4xe5, opening the f-
file. Here 11 f4 gains 2 points.
11 ... Rfd8
The winner indicated a way to get rid of the
strong e5-knight: 11 ... Bb4 (so that the
bishop won’t be under attack after an
exchange on e5) 12 Rad1 Nxe5 13 dxe5 Nd7,
though after 14 Qh3 h6 15 f4 Nc5 16 Bc2,
the white pieces are pointed dangerously
towards the unprotected black kingside.
– Your Move –
12 Qh3
203
2 points. This was the idea of the previous
queen move. From h3 the queen puts
pressure on the black position, most
obviously on the kingside and especially h7,
but also along the h3-c8 diagonal.
The alternative is, once again, to break in the
centre with 12 e4 (0 points), but this is less
appropriate with the queen on f3, on
account of the X-ray pressure from the
bishop on b7; Black could either take on e4
or counter-attack with 12 ... Bb4.
12 ... h6
– Your Move –
13 f4
1 point. At this point there are no significant
alternatives, so for any other move deduct 1
point.
The position is typical of the Stonewall Dutch
with reversed colours. The plan (in the
Queen’s Gambit) of Ne5, followed by f2-f4,
was one of the important contributions to
theory by the great Harry Nelson Pillsbury,
with which he gained some brilliant victories.
– Your Move – (as Black)
13 ... Bb4?!
This move seeks to control e4, to be able to
play ... Ne4, but it will prove unsuccessful
and it gains no points. This will be a further
example of how hard it is to justify paying a
significant price, or making concessions, just
for the purpose of having one well-placed
piece.
One badly-placed piece can spoil the
position, but a single well-placed piece rarely
transforms a bad position into a good one. In
this case, the concession is to decentralize
the bishop without diverting White from his
plans.
The correct idea is create some tension in
the centre, before it’s too late, with 13 ... c5!
(3 points), so that White’s options are
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
restricted. After that there are several
possibilities.

– Your Move – (as Black; after 15 Rg3)

– Your Move – (after 13 ... c5) Choose Answer: Fearlessly, with 15 ... cxd3! (3
between 14 cxd5, 14 Rad1, and 14 Rf3. points), and if 16 Nxd7. Black can reach an
excellent position by returning the piece in
Answer: The most ‘normal’ move would be to various ways. The best seems to be 16 ...
bring the inactive rook to the centre with 14 Kh7!, or perhaps 16 ... Qxd7 17 dxc5 Kh7,
Rad1 (1 point), postponing any major with an extra pawn and all White’s pieces left
decisions until all the pieces are in good uncoordinated. The winner indicated that, in
positions. the event of 16 Qxh6, Black can defend with
It’s difficult to decide whether this is the best 16 ... Ne8! 17 Nxd7 Qxd7 18 dxc5 Bf8, when
moment to alter the pawn structure with 14 White has no compensation for the piece.
cxd5 (1 point) – how would you recapture? 14 Ndf3
Isn’t it a concession on White’s part to give
– Your Move – (as Black; after 14 cxd5) up the e4-square? Not at all; this knight will
do an excellent job itself, which will prove to
Answer: If 14 ... Bxd5 White can play 15 e4, be more important.
while if 14 ... exd5 Black must reckon with 14 ... Ne4
the manoeuvre Ndf3, followed by Nh4-f5, so
neither of these moves gains any points.
By process of elimination, we can ascertain
that the best move is 14 ... Nxd5! (2 points),
probably to be followed by ... c5xd4, and
White can’t easily continue his offensive.
Going for all-out attack with 14 Rf3?! (if you
chose this, deduct 1 point), burning White’s
bridges and relying on the b2-bishop and the
concentration of major pieces, is more open to
criticism. After 14 ... dxc4 15 Rg3. how exactly
does Black repulse the attack?
– Your Move –

15 Nxd7

204
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
2 points. With a concrete idea in mind; White
gets rid of his ‘superfluous piece’. Only one
knight is needed to take advantage of the
strong e5-square.
15 f5 (1 point), with more aggressive
intentions (to open the f-file) and avoiding
simplification, was playable. The winner
suggests the following continuation: 15 ...
exf5 16 Qxf5 Ndf6 17 Nh4, intending a
subsequent Nf5, although Black seems to
have a reasonable position after 17 ... Rf8!,
overprotecting f7, so that if White plays
Bxe4, Black doesn’t have to recapture with – Your Move – (after 18 ... f6)
the pawn, which would be unfavourable.
15 ... Rxd7 16 Ne5 Answer: White can ignore the attack on the
knight and play 19 fxe6! (2 points), as after
19 ... fxe5 20 Rf7 Qg5 21 Rxb7, the rook on
the seventh rank is strong, besides which
White has an extra pawn.
If Black plays 19 ... Re8, all the white pieces
‘come to life’; for example, 20 Ng4 Qxe6 21
d5!, and the black kingside is indefensible
after 21 ... cxd5 22 Nxf6+ gxf6 23 Qg3+ with
a winning attack.

– Your Move –

– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 16 17 Bxe4!

... Rc7 and 16 ... Rdd8. 3 points. The second part of the idea initiated
by 15 Nxd7.
16 ... Rc7?! Another possibility, although less effective,
Very natural, clearing the back rank to allow was our familiar 17 f5 (1 point).
the queen’s rook to come to the centre, but 17 ... dxe4
there’s a tactical flaw, so if you chose this
move, deduct 1 point.
16 ... Rdd8! (2 points) was better, according
to the winner, who indicated 17 Bxe4 dxe4
18 f5, and here the best line is 18 ... exf5 19
Qxf5 f6 20 Ng4 Bc8 21 Qg6 Bxg4 22 Qxg4
with a slight advantage to White.
On the other hand, 18 ... f6 is less advisable –
why?

205
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move –

18 c5!
4 points. This pawn sacrifice, designed to
maximize the power of the b2-bishop, is the
key to the whole manoeuvre. White
threatens 19 a3 and 20 b4, winning a piece.
As can easily be seen, if there were a black
rook on d8, ready to penetrate on the d-file,
this idea would not work. Moreover, on c7,
the rook blocks the bishop’s escape route
after 19 ... Ba5 20 dxc5.
The black position is now in danger, but – Your Move – Choose between 20 Nc4 and 20
there’s still a struggle ahead. dxc5.

– Your Move – (as Black) 20 dxc5

18 ... bxc5?!
It’s better to block the long dark-squared
diagonal with 18 ... f6! (2 points). Then after
19 Nc4 Ba6 20 Rfc1, for example, White has
some advantage, but the position isn’t an
easy one. Play might continue 20 ... bxc5 21
a3 Bxc4 22 Rxc4 Ba5 23 dxc5, and if the
threat against the e4-pawn persuades Black
into 23 ... f5, reopening the long diagonal,
then White could play 24 b4 Rb7 25 g4!, but
instead Black could seek counterplay with 23
... Rd7!.
– Your Move –
2 points. The most logical and the strongest,
threatening 21 b4. On the other hand, 20
Nc4? (deduct 1 point) achieves nothing, since
20 ... Bb6 just improves Black’s position.
20 ... Qxc5
Accepting the challenge. How would you
respond to the retreat 20 ... Rcc8 - ?
– Your Move – (after 20 ... Rcc8)
Answer: Logically, with the strong advance 21
f5 (1 point).
Deduct 1 point for any other move, however
good it might be.
21 b4 Qb5

19 a3
1 point. The black bishop is turning into a
tactical weakness.
19 ... Ba5

– Your Move –
22 Qg3

206
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
2 points. The g7-pawn continues to be an
important target. The whole point of White’s
pawn sacrifice was to open the long diagonal
for his bishop.
White has several other attractive
continuations, thanks to the fact that there
are too many black pieces ‘on the wrong side
of the board’.
The advance 22 f5! (3 points) was even
stronger, after which a possible line is 22 ...
f6 23 Ng4 e5 24 Qg3 (or the immediate 24
Bxe5) 24 ... Kh8 25 Bxe5 fxe5 26 bxa5, when
the black kingside is even weaker, and f5-f6
is coming.
On the other hand, 22 Ng4 (0 points) was
inferior – how should Black defend against this
move?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 22 Ng4)
Answer: Not by 22 ... f5?, since White wins
with one of his deadly threats: 23 Nxh6+!
gxh6 24 Qxh6 Bb6 25 Bf6! etc.
But Black could resist by playing 22 ... h5!! (4
points), so that after 23 Nf6+ gxf6 24 Bxf6,
the queen can come to the rescue with 24 ...
Qf5! and Black can still put up a hard fight.
22 ... Bb6?!
This gives White a free hand. Black has to try
to hold an inferior position in any case, but
22 ... f6 or 22 ... f5 would have made White’s
task more complicated. Neither of those
moves really improves Black’s prospects, but
White would have been forced to work
harder.
After 22 ... f6, the following line was given by
the winner: 23 Ng4 Kh7 24 Rfb1 Bb6 25 a4
Qxb4 26 a5, gaining material.
22 ... f5 looks very bad too, leaving White’s
bishop and knight ideally placed. Apart from
anything else, White now has the strong
move 23 Qg6, forcing the black rook to a bad
position where it becomes a ‘tactical
weakness’; for instance, after 23 ... Re7 24 a4
Qb6, White can win material with 25 Nc4
Qxb4 26 Ba3 Qxc4 27 Bxe7 etc.
207
– Your Move –
23 Nd7
1 point. The defence of g7 forces the
creation of further weaknesses, to a point
where the black position can no longer be
defended.
Our familiar idea of 23 f5 (1 point) was
equally strong.
23 ... g6
If 23 ... f6 then 24 Nxf6+ Kf8 and now, among
other things, White can play 25 f5 (25 Nxe4
Qe2 26 Bd4!, as given by the winner, and 25
Be5 gxf6 26 Qg6! are also deadly) 25 ... exf5
26 Nh5 and Black’s position can’t be
defended.
How would you reply to the capture on e3?
– Your Move – (after 23 ... Bxe3+)
Answer: With the only, but winning, move 24
Kh1 (1 point).
– Your Move –
24 Nf6+
1 point. White’s attack, which includes his
queen, bishop and knight, will be
unstoppable.
Another, equally effective, way was to open
the f-file with 24 Nxb6 Qxb6 (to defend the
rook on c7) 25 f5! (1 point), and if 25 ... exf5
then 26 Rxf5, with threats of Qe5, Rh5 etc.
24 ... Kf8 25 Be5
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Once more 25 f5! would win as well; e.g. 25
... exf5 26 Qd6+ Re7 27 Nh7+ Ke8 28 Bf6 Re6
29 Qf8+ etc.
25 ... Rcc8
4. When you stand worse it’s important to
maintain the tension, forcing the opponent
to ‘prove it’, instead of leaving him with an
easy technical task. (22 ... Bb6?, 22 ... f6!)
5. Provoking ‘tactical weaknesses’ in the
enemy camp is an important way to improve
your own prospects. 19 a3! served the
purpose of forcing the enemy bishop out of
play and leaving it exposed, while 23 Qg6! (in
the note to Black’s 22nd move) worsened
the position of the black rook.
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

How did you do?

– Your Move –
26 Qh4!
2 points. Not fearing 26 ... Bxe3+, in view of
27 Kh1 c5 28 Bd6+ Kg7 29 Ng4, mating
quickly.
There are several ways to win, but the text
move and, yet again, 26 f5! (2 points) are the
strongest.
26 ... h5 27 Nh7+ Ke8 28 Bd6 Rc7 29 Rfd1 1-0
Giving greater force to the threat of 30 Nf6+.
(Maximum score: 48 points)
More than 42 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 37 and 42 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 36 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 29 points: Kramnik is one of
your favourite players, right?
Between 10 and 20 points: You found several
key moves.
Less than 10 points: You received a good
lesson about the Horwitz Bishops!

Vladimir Kramnik vs. Loek Van Wely,

Dortmund 2008.

Some lessons from this game:

1. It’s important to be familiar with classic
games featuring your chosen set-up; in this
case starting with Pillsbury’s games, and later
studying the contributions of Keres, Najdorf
and many others. (10 Ne5, 13 f4!)
2. Attacking ‘at all costs’, simply relying on
having a lot of pieces on the kingside, isn’t to
be recommended. (14 Rf3?)
3. “If one piece is bad, the whole position is
bad”. In this game it wasn’t just one piece;
the b4-bishop, the b7-bishop, the rook on
Rc7, and in the final stages even the black
queen – all of these proved to be badly
placed.

208
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Game 33
White: You
Black: Master
Chigorin Defence [D07]
1 d4 Nc6 2 Nf3 d5 3 c4 Bg4 4 Nc3 e6 5 cxd5
exd5 6 Bf4 Bd6
Since there are no concrete threats, both
sides are free to deploy their pieces in
several different ways and to change the
structure. 6 ... Nf6 and 6 ... Bxf3 are also
played here.
– Your Move –
7 Bg3
1 point. For the moment the best course is to
maintain the tension, since the exchange on
g3, opening the h-file, isn’t to be feared.
7 ... Nge7 8 e3 Qd7
– Your Move –
9 a3
2 points. A multipurpose move, which is
more useful than it might appear at first
sight. It controls b4, to restrict the
manoeuvres of the c6-knight, and prepares
an eventual advance with b2-b4, launching a
‘minority attack’ which is typical in this pawn
structure. The quiet 9 Be2 receives 1 point.
The more ‘active’ 9 Bd3 (0 points) is not bad,
but it allows Black to improve the only
negative aspect of his position with 9 ...
Nb4!?, and after 10 Bb1 (or 10 Be2 a5!?) 10
209
... c6 11 a3 Na6, the knight can go to c7 and
e6.
9 ... 0-0
– Your Move –
10 Bd3
1 point. Now we can see another of the
points of 9 a3; since there is no black knight
on f6, the h7-square is not well protected,
and in the future the move Qc2 will force
Black to make a concession.
10 ... a6
– Your Move –
11 Bxd6!
3 points. With the aid of tactics, White
decides to release the tension and is able to
simplify the position in his favour.
11 ... Bxf3
Why can’t Black maintain the pin by playing 11
... Qxd6 - ?
– Your Move – (after 11 ... Qxd6)
Answer: Because of the tactical shot 12
Bxh7+!, (1 point), winning a pawn for nothing
after 12 ... Kxh7 13 Ng5+ Kg6 14 Qxg4 f5 15
Qf4 Qxf4 16 exf4 etc.
12 Qxf3 Qxd6
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move –
13 Qg3!
5 points. ‘Prophylactic thinking’; White
threatens to capture on d6, and is not afraid
of Black taking on g3, since that would open
the h-file to his advantage, and in the
endgame he would then have the benefits of
a centralized king and a strong bishop.
This is clearly better than the normally useful
moves 13 0-0 (1 point) or 13 Rc1 (1 point).
For instance, if White castles on the kingside,
what would be Black’s best move?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 13 0-0)
Answer: This would allow Black to regroup by
improving his worst-placed piece with 13 ...
Nd8! (3 points), planning ... Ne6 and a timely
... c7-c6, which would then grant greater
mobility to the e7-knight by freeing it from
the defence of d5.
13 ... Rfd8
White was intending to answer 13 ... Qd7
with 14 Na4, forcing Black to weaken his
pawn structure with 14 ... b6, and leaving
White with a slight advantage after 15 Nc3
Nd8 16 0-0 Ne6 17 Rfd1. Black would be
saddled with rather weak pawns, whether he
played actively with ... c7-c5 or not.
– Your Move –
14 b4
210
2 points. White continues to delay castling
and makes another useful move instead.
14 ... g6
This move limits the scope of White’s bishop,
controls the square f5, and enables Black to
exchange queens on g3 at some point
without having to waste a tempo defending
h7.
15 Na4
– Your Move – (as Black)
15 ... Nc8!
2 points. Black would like to regroup in such
a way as to neutralize White’s pressure along
the c-file; i.e. on the c7-pawn and the c5-
square.
He resists the temptation to play 15 ... b6 (0
points), since White could then occupy the c-
file advantageously with 16 Rc1 and, as
before, there would be a new weakness on
a6.
– Your Move –
16 Rc1!
3 points. Once again White hinders Black’s
regrouping.
In the event of 16 0-0 (0 points), Black could
play 16 ... Qxg3 17 hxg3 Nb8! (enabling ... c7-
c6) 18 Nc5 Nd6 19 Rfc1 c6 with a sound
position.
Something similar would take place after 16
Nc5 Qxg3 17 hxg3 Nd6 etc.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Going back, 14 Rc1 (instead of 14 b4) also
receives 2 points.
16 ... Ra7
Black defends b7 in advance, to be able to
manoeuvre more easily in the event of Nc5.
How would you respond to the idea of
occupying the c4-square after 16 ... b5 17 Nc5
Qxg3 18 hxg3 Nd6 - ?
– Your Move – (after 18 ... Nd6)
Answer: As the winner pointed out, White
can prevent the knight from reaching c4 by
playing 19 Ne6! fxe6 20 Rxc6 etc (1 point).
Black would then have to spend a lot of
tempi moving his knight to keep c7 and e6
protected. Meanwhile White could increase
the pressure with, for example, 21 Ke2 and
Rhc1 etc.
Perhaps White’s advantage in this case is not
very big, but this would be the only way to
create problems for Black.
17 0-0
There are no prophylactic moves left. The
winner gave 17 Nc5 as an alternative, with a
slight advantage.
– Your Move – (as Black)
17 ... b5?!
This move is based on the idea we’ve already
considered: the occupation of c4 with a
knight. But if Black doesn’t manage to
complete this manoeuvre, he will just be left
with a weakened pawn structure.
211
Probably Black miscalculated here; as we
know, tactical factors trump any general
considerations.
It was better to play 17 ... Qxg3 18 hxg3 Nd6
(2 points), even though White would retain a
slight advantage. Actually, this is an
instructive moment: how should White
continue?
– Your Move – (after 18 ... Nd6)
Answer: White can carry out a manoeuvre
which is typical in such cases, making use of
his doubled pawn with 19 g4! (2 points) to
restrict Black’s play; if Black could achieve ...
f7-f5 he would improve his position, but now
this advance would weaken his pawn
structure.
Also good is 19 Rc5, followed by 20 g4 (2
points).
– Your Move –
18 Qxd6
1 point. The black rook will be badly placed
on d6, as we’ll see.
18 ... Rxd6
– Your Move –
19 Nc3!
4 points. A far from obvious move; White
rejects the natural 19 Nc5 (0 points) on
tactical grounds. Possibly Black was counting
on White playing that move when he carried
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
out the weakening advance 17 ... b5. Then
Black could complicate the game, obtaining
good prospects with 19 ... Nb6! 20 Nxa6 Nc4
21 a4 bxa4 22 Bxc4 dxc4 23 b5 Ne7 24 Rxc4
c6 etc, as the winner pointed out.
19 ... N6e7
– Your Move –
20 Bxb5!
4 points. In the endgame, a rook and a pawn
are generally worth as much as (or more
than) two minor pieces, and here White is
winning two pawns. The same combination
would have followed 19 ... Nd8.
Another favourable possibility would be to
increase the tension on the a-file with 20 a4
c6 21 Ra1 etc (1 point). This is not as strong
as the game continuation, but it would
probably have been the most appropriate,
were it not for the ‘tactical weakness’
created by the position of the black rooks.
20 ... axb5 21 Nxb5 Rda6 22 Nxa7 Rxa7
212
– Your Move –
23 Rc5!
3 points. “The most active rook move”
(Timman).
White finds the most effective way to deploy
his rooks, keeping in mind that the main idea
is to mobilize the a-pawn.
If 23 Ra1, then 23 ... Nb6 and White cannot
achieve much; whereas after 23 Rc5!, the
exchange of pawns with 23 ... Rxa3 24 Rxc7 is
not to be feared, since White would have a
passed pawn and both rooks active.
23 ... Nb6
– Your Move –
24 Ra1
1 point. The point of White’s play.
24 ... Kf8
– Your Move –
25 a4
1 point. And this is the culmination of the
plan begun with 23 Rc5!. Now 25 ... Nxa4?
loses 26 Rc2.
The computer prefers 25 Ra5 (1 point)
before playing a3-a4, but it’s more ‘human’
to leave the path of the a-pawn
unobstructed. On the other hand, after 25
Ra5, the rook would also be more active.
25 ... Ke8 26 a5 Nc4
– Your Move –
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
27 Ra2
1 point. White is planning e3-e4; the
immediate 27 e4? would be met by the
annoying move 27 ... Nd2!.
White doesn’t want to advance his
queenside pawns yet with either 27 a6 (1
point) or 27 b5 (1 point), though these moves
are also playable.
– Your Move – (as Black)
27 ... f5!
3 points. The note to Black’s 17th move
remains valid.
Going back, 27 g4! gained 3 points.
– Your Move –
28 Kf1
1 point. White must adapt to the new
situation. First of all he needs to centralize
his king. Once again, 28 a6 (1 point) and 28
b5 (1 point) are playable too.
28 ... Kd7 29 Ke2 Nd6
Here 29 ... c6 looks more tenacious. The
winner commented that, since his e-pawn is
now protected, White would play 30 f3,
ready to advance with e3-e4.
– Your Move –
30 b5
1 point. There is no reason to allow Black to
obstruct the pawn’s advance with 30 ... c6. If
213
Black plays that move now, White would
have to choose between setting up two
connected (but blockaded) passed pawns
with 31 b6, or opening the file with 31 bxc6+.
In either case White would continue along
similar lines to the game (see move 34), since
his queenside pluses will not be enough to
win the game on their own.
30 ... Nc4 31 Ra4 Kd8
Black can’t take the a-pawn, since 31 ...
Nxa5? loses to 32 Rc2, and 31 ... Rxa5? to 32
Rcxc4.
32 a6
There is no point in delaying this advance any
longer.
32 ... Nb6 33 Ra1 Nec8
– Your Move –
34 h3!
4 points. White wants to open a second front
at the right moment with g2-g4. Black has his
pieces quite well positioned to restrain the
passed a-pawn and support the weakness at
d5, but he won’t find it at all easy to defend
if the struggle flares up in another sector.
34 ... h5?!
This is not a good idea.
In answer to 34 ... Nd7, as well as the quiet
35 Rc3 or 35 Rc2, retaining all his trumps, the
winner considered that the sacrifice 35 Kd3
Nxc5+ 36 dxc5 etc would be advantageous.
– Your Move –
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
35 g4!
3 points. After the opening of the kingside,
Black will find it very difficult to hold the
position.
35 ... hxg4 36 hxg4 fxg4 37 Rg1
Another way was 37 Rh1 Ne7 38 Rh8+ Kd7
39 Rb8 Kd6, and now the winner gave 40
Rb7! Rxb7 41 axb7 Nd7 42 Rc1, intending
Ra1-a8 and wins.
37 ... Ne7 38 Rxg4 Na4 39 Rh4!
Not the only method, but the most elegant.
39 ... c6
If 39 ... Nxc5 then 40 Rh8+ Kd7 41 dxc5 Ke6
42 Kd3 and Black is defenceless; White could
bring his king to a5, for example.
40 Rh8+ Kc7 41 Rc2 Nb6
How would you refute the line 41 ... Kd6 42
Rd8+ Kc7 43 Re8 Kd6 - ?
– Your Move – (after 43 ... Kd6)
Answer: With the sacrifice 44 Rxe7! Kxe7 45
Rxc6 (2 points); for example, 45 ... Ra8 46 b6
and the pawns can’t be stopped.
42 Rh7 Kb8 43 bxc6
Although White’s passed queenside pawns
are not sufficient to win the game on their
own, they greatly hinder Black’s mobility, so
the rest is simple.
43 ... Rc7 44 Kf3 Ka7 45 Ra2 Nbc8 46 Rb2 Kxa6
This makes White’s task simpler, but the rook
ending after 46 ... Rxc6 47 Rb7+ Kxa6 48
Rbxe7 Nxe7 49 Rxe7 would offer Black little
hope, a pawn down and with two
214
weaknesses. 46 ... Nb6 47 Kg4 Kxa6 48 Kg5
would be equally hopeless, as Black can
hardly move.
– Your Move –
47 Rh1 1-0
1 point. There is no good defence against the
threat of mate.
Vladimir Kramnik vs. Nigel Short, Dresden
Olympiad 2008.
Some lessons from this game:
1. We should keep in mind the principle of
‘improve the worst-placed piece’; i.e. your
position can improve significantly if a piece
that is badly placed can be relocated to a
better square. This usually benefits the
whole position – all the pieces tend to
become more active. (13 ... Nd8! in the event
of 13 0-0?)
2. Just as important as making progress with
your own plans is hindering the opponent’s,
using so-called ‘prophylactic thinking’. The
ideal is to combine both approaches. (13
Qg3!, 16 Rc1!, 27 g4!)
3. “Mistrust natural-looking moves!” (Réti).
White rejected two opportunities to castle in
order to play moves that the position
demanded. Similarly, he played 19 Nc3!
instead of 19 Nc5?, which was what Black
was expecting.
4. ‘The principle of the second weakness’ is
an important one to bear in mind. The
defending side might be able to cope with a
single weakness successfully – for example,
restraining a passed pawn – but he will
generally have difficulties if a second front is
opened up, creating new invasion routes. (34
h3!, 35 g4!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
How did you do? Game 34
(Maximum score: 58 points) White: You
More than 50 points: Super-Grandmaster. Black: Master
Between 44 and 50 points: Grandmaster. Semi-Slav Defence [D43]
Between 35 and 43 points: International
Master. 1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 e6 5 Bg5 h6 6
Between 25 and 34 points: You played almost Bxf6
like Kramnik! The sharp line 6 Bh4 dxc4 7 e4 g5 8 Bg3 b5 is
Between 10 and 24 points: You grasped the main alternative.
several important details of this game. 6 ... Qxf6 7 e3 Nd7 8 Bd3
Less than 10 points: Kramnik is always a very
good teacher, isn’t he?

8 ... dxc4
Black opens the long light diagonal. Later, the
activation of his c8-bishop will be one of the
‘mini-battles’ of the position; after ... Bb7,
Black will try to play ... c6-c5, freeing his
bishop – if he succeeds, he will obtain a good
position.
9 Bxc4 g6 10 0-0 Bg7

– Your Move –

11 e4
1 point. Black’s, for the moment, inactive
bishop pair does not discourage White from
occupying the centre and gaining more
space.
11 ... 0-0
Another, quieter, option was 11 ... e5 12 d5
Nb6. The text move usually leads to a more
complicated game, so it’s not surprising that
the dynamic player with the black pieces
chose it.
12 e5 Qe7

215
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures

– Your Move – Choose between 13 Re1, 13 – Your Move – (after 15 ... c5) Choose
Qe2, and 13 Ne4. between 16 Rac1 and 16 Be4.

13 Qe2 Answer: The sequence 16 Be4 Rb8 17 Nxc5

2 points. Overprotecting e5, in order to be
able answer an eventual ... c6-c5 with d4-d5
without worrying about the defence of the e-
pawn.
The alternative, which is also popular, is 13
Re1 (2 points).
However, trying to take immediate advantage
of the outpost square d6 would be hasty – why
is 13 Ne4 (deduct 1 point) inaccurate?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 13 Ne4)
Nxc5 18 dxc5 Qxc5 19 Rfc1 gains no points,
as 19 ... Qa5 is fine for Black.
Rather than simplify, it is to increase the
pressure by bringing more pieces into play
with 16 Rac1! (3 points). Then after 16 ...
cxd4 17 Qe4 Nb6 (or 17 ... Rb8 18 Rc7 with a
promising initiative) 18 Nc5 (18 Nxb6 Bb7 19
Nxa8 Bxe4 20 Bxe4 d3 is less clear) 18 ... Rd8
19 Rc2, followed by Rfc1, White has more
space, the g7-bishop is blocked in, and the
d4-pawn will fall at any moment.

Answer: Because Black counter-attacks at

once with 13 ... c5!, when 14 d5? fails to 14
... Nxe5 (2 points).
13 ... b5
Now 13 ... c5?! is inappropriate, since White
can respond with 14 d5; probably Black then
needs to sacrifice a piece with 14 ... Nxe5,
but it doesn’t look sound. (14 Rad1 cxd4 15
Rxd4 Qc5 etc is less clear.)
The text move is not the most popular. As
the winner said, “Black usually takes a more
restrained approach by playing ... b7-b6”, – Your Move – Choose between 15 Be4, 15
although Black’s active choice “is probably Ne4, and 15 Rac1.
not bad either”.
14 Bd3 Bb7 15 Be4!
There was an ambitious but risky alternative in 2 points. The struggle around the ... c6-c5
14 ... b4 15 Na4 c5 – how should White advance continues.
continue?

216
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Again, 15 Ne4?! (deduct 1 point) was less
effective because of 15 ... c5! 16 Bxb5 cxd4
and Black, with active play, has no problems.
15 Rac1 (0 points) is also answered by 15 ...
c5, when the e5-pawn is undermined and ...
Bxf3 is ‘in the air’.
– Your Move – (as Black)
15 ... Rfd8?!
This move will turn out to be a loss of tempo,
as the rook will soon be needed on c8, and it
loses 1 point.
The immediate 15 ... Rab8! (2 points) was
better, defending the bishop in order to
prepare ... c6-c5.
– Your Move –
16 Rac1
2 points. White increases the pressure on c6.
Trying to exploit the pin on the long diagonal
with 16 Nxb5?! fails to 16 ... Nxe5!.
16 ... Rab8 17 Rfd1 a6
Now Black has completed all the necessary
preparations for playing ... c6-c5. What
should White do?
– Your Move –
18 h4
2 points. Since he can’t make any further
progress on the queenside, White seeks to
217
open another front, trying to create
weaknesses in Black’s castled position.
Instead, it is notable that Fritz agreed with
the winner that it was better to keep trying
to restrain ... c6-c5. The right way to do this
consists of improving the position of the c3-
knight, starting with 18 Nb1! (4 points),
which “with the obvious idea of Nd2-b3 is a
common plan in this structure.” A possible
continuation is 18 ... Rdc8 19 Nbd2 Ba8 and
now what should White play?
– Your Move – (after 19 ... Ba8)
Answer: The natural 20 Nb3 (0 points) allows
Black to play 20 ... c5 21 Bxa8 Rxa8 with
equality, since he has successfully carried out
his freeing move. This is what discouraged
White from playing 18 Nb1.
However, 20 Qe3!! (4 points) is better,
described by the winner as a “great
preparatory move, shown by the engines.”
Then if 20 ... c5 21 Bxa8 Rxa8 22 Ne4, White
has a clear advantage, since e5 is well
defended and the d6-square is weak, while
after 22 ... cxd4 23 Qxd4, White’s major
pieces would also be superior to the
opponent’s.
18 ... Ba8
Black prefers to wait a while longer, because
he was not convinced by 18 ... c5 19 Bxb7
Rxb7 20 d5, or perhaps 20 h5 g5 21 d5,
carrying out the central advance under more
favourable conditions.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move –
19 Rc2
1 point. White sets his sights on the queen’s
wing once more.
Nevertheless, continuing with the plan
launched on the previous move by playing 19
h5! (3 points) 19 ... g5 20 Nh2 “with the idea
of putting the knight on the excellent square
g4, was more consistent”, according to the
winner.
19 a3 (1 point) is another interesting idea,
planning b2-b4 to prevent ... c6-c5 ‘forever’.
Then after 19 ... c5 20 Bxa8 Rxa8 21 d5 c4 22
d6 Qe8 23 Qe3, White would be a little better.
19 ... Rdc8
Here 19 ... c5 is unattractive, because of 20
Bxa8 Rxa8 21 d5 c4 (not 21 ... exd5? 22 Nxd5,
when 22 ... Qe6 loses to 23 Nc7, while if 22 ...
Qf8 then 23 e6! is strong) 22 d6 etc.
20 Rdc1
– Your Move – (as Black)
20 ... Qf8!
3 points. The winner described this as a
“good prophylactic move, which Topalov
made immediately. The idea can clearly be
seen in the line 20 ... c5 21 Bxa8 Rxa8 22 Ne4
when the pin on the c-file causes Black
problems.”
Instead, 20 ... Rc7 21 a3 Rbc8 would be a bad
idea, since White can play 22 b4! Nb6 23 h5!
and, as well as having prevented the freeing
218
move ... c6-c5, he has the initiative on the
kingside.
– Your Move – Choose between 21 a4, 21 Qe3,
and 21 h5.
21 a4?!
White was not sure what to do here, and
“decided to try and disturb his queenside
play a little.” It is not a good move and loses
2 points.
Inserting 21 h5 (1 point) must constantly be
considered. Here, after 21 ... g5 (it’s not
worth grabbing the pawn with 21 ... gxh5?!,
which merely weakens Black’s structure), if
Black manages to play ... c6-c5, before
responding with d4-d5 White will have to
take into account a possible ... g5-g4, when
the e5-pawn would lose its protection.
21 Qe3! (2 points) was again worth
considering, since after 21 ... c5 22 Bxa8 Rxa8
(not 22 ... cxd4?? 23 Qxd4 and the black
knight is attacked) 23 d5, White has the sort
of advantage we’ve seen in previous notes.
– Your Move – (as Black)
21 ... c5?!
This is a point when Black could clearly have
played better. This pawn break is not the
best move and loses 1 point.
Black could have solved his problems by
inserting 21 ... b4! (3 points) 22 Nb1 (22 Nd1
is similar) and only now playing 22 ... c5; for
example, 23 Bxa8 Rxa8 24 dxc5 Rxc5 25
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Nbd2 Rxc2 26 Rxc2 Rc8 when, as the winner
noted, “Black even has a slight initiative,
thanks to the weaknesses on e5 and a4. It’s
hard to explain why both players missed
this.”
22 axb5
This is the obvious snag with not having
played 21 ... b4. The winner pointed out that
22 Bxa8 Rxa8 23 d5 was interesting too; for
example, 23 ... b4 24 dxe6 fxe6 25 Ne4 Nxe5
26 Nxe5 Bxe5 27 Nxc5 etc.
22 ... cxd4
Not 22 ... axb5? 23 Bxa8 Rxa8 (or 23 ... cxd4
24 Nxb5) 24 Nxb5 cxd4 25 Nbxd4 Rxc2 26
Rxc2 and White is a pawn up for nothing.
– Your Move –
23 Nxd4
2 points. If White inserts 23 Bxa8 (0 points) 23
... Rxa8 24 Nxd4 then 24 ... Nxe5 25 bxa6 Qd6,
regaining the pawn, gives Black an excellent
game; once the e5-pawn has been removed,
the bishop is strong.
– Your Move – (as Black)
23 ... Bxe4?
The winner declared this to be “a huge
mistake, probably based on a tactical
oversight.” Now the white knight is deflected
from covering b5, but it becomes even more
active and will have a decisive influence on
the kingside. If you chose this move, deduct 2
points.
219
It was better to play 23 ... axb5 (2 points) 24
Bxa8 Rxa8, which would have kept White out
of c6 for the time being, and retained decent
chances of counterplay in the event of 25 f4 –
how?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 25 f4)
Answer: By playing 25 ... Qd8!, with ideas of
... Nxe5 or ... g6-g5 (2 points).
24 Nxe4 Rxc2
Not now 24 ... axb5? because of 25 Nc6 and
Ne7+, winning.
25 Rxc2 axb5
Eliminating the centre pawn with 25 ... Bxe5,
after which the bishop is again a strong
piece, was possibly what Black had planned
to play here. What’s wrong with it?
– Your Move – (after 25 ... Bxe5)
Answer: White can respond with either 26
Rd2 (1 point) or 26 Nc6 Rxb5 27 Rd2 (1
point), winning material in either case; for
example, if 27 ... Qe8 then 28 f4! Bxf4 29
Rxd7 is one way to win.
– Your Move –
26 Nc6
1 point. An ‘ugly’ square, but e5 needed
defending.
If now 26 ... Ra8, White just plays 27 Qxb5;
while sacrificing the exchange with 26 ...
Nxe5 27 Nxb8 Qxb8 “loses in the long run”.
26 ... Rb6
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move –
27 f4
1 point. The passivity of Black’s pieces is now
serious.
27 ... Qa8
After 27 ... Nb8, White has 28 Na7! which,
according to the winner, “is aesthetically
pleasing and more or less decisive.” It
threatens both Rc8 and the capture of the b-
pawn.
28 Ne7+ Kh7
Forced, as otherwise White has 29 Rc8+.
– Your Move –
29 h5
1 point. The threat that’s been hanging over
Black is finally carried out at the ideal
moment for White; the weakness that now
appears at g6 will be decisive.
29 ... Ra6
“The only active move Black has”, as the
winner noted.
29 ... Qd8 loses without a fight to 30 hxg6+
fxg6 31 Nxg6! Kxg6 32 Qd3 Kf7 33 Rd2 Ke8
(or 33 ... Rb7 34 Nd6+) 34 Nc5 etc.
30 hxg6+ fxg6
220
– Your Move –
31 Rc7!
2 points. “A very pleasing move, after which
Black is finished,” wrote the winner. The rook
‘sweeps’ the seventh rank, with X-ray
pressure on the black monarch. The game is
virtually decided – or, at least, should be.
31 ... Ra1+
31 ... Nxe5? fails to the simple 32 fxe5 Ra1+
33 Kf2 etc; or even better, 32 Nf6+! Bxf6 33
Nd5+ Bg7 34 Qxe5 etc.
– Your Move –
32 Kf2?!
1 point. “But now there is some excitement
again.”
The natural 32 Kh2! (2 points) was better,
even though 32 ... Qd8 attacks two pieces,
and if the Ne7 moves then ... Qh4 (mate!)
turns the tables. However, the weakness of
Black’s own king means that White has
nothing to fear. He can play 33 Qd3! Qxe7
(it’s mate in four after 33 ... Qxc7 34 Ng5+
hxg5 35 Qxg6+ Kh8 36 Qh5+ etc or 34 ... Kh8
35 Nf7+ Kh7 36 Qxg6 mate) 34 Nf6+ Bxf6 35
exf6 and wins.
Another possibility is 32 ... Ra7 33 Qd3! Rxc7
34 Ng5+ etc; while 32 ... Ra4 loses to 33 Nf6+
Nxf6 34 exf6 Bxf6 35 Nc8+ Kh8 36 Qxe6 and
mate soon follows.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
The move 32 ... Nxe5, feared by the winner
at the board, does not provide enough
counterplay – why not?
– Your Move – (after 32 ... Nxe5)
Answer: White has a forced win with 33
Nf6+! Bxf6 34 Nd5+ Bg7 35 Qxe5 Qf8 36
Rxg7+ Qxg7 37 Nf6+ (2 points).
32 ... Qd8?!
It was possible to keep fighting with 32 ... Ra4!,
but White still retains a huge advantage after
33 Nc6 (with the king on f2, 33 Nf6+? fails to
33 ... Nxf6 34 exf6 Rxf4+ etc) 33 ... Kh8 34 Kg3!,
threatening Nd6 etc.
– Your Move –
33 Qd3!
3 points. This is the decisive blow, exploiting
the extreme weakness of the black king, or,
as the winner put it: “This is the trick”.
33 ... Qxe7
221
We have already seen that 33 ... Qxc7 loses
to 34 Ng5+! hxg5 35 Qxg6+ Kh8 36 Qh5+ and
mate next.
34 Rxd7
34 Nf6+ is also strong.
34 ... Qh4+ 35 Kf3 Qh5+
If 35 ... Kh8 then 36 Rxg7 Kxg7 37 Nf6 Ra7 38
Qd8 wins.
36 Kg3 1-0
As the winner noted: “Black has no more
checks, and his king has no protection.”
Magnus Carlsen vs. Veselin Topalov, Sofia
2009.
Some lessons from this game:
1. “If one piece is bad, the whole position is
bad.” In this game a large part of the struggle
revolved round the activation of Black’s light-
squared bishop. (21 ... c5?, 21 ... b4!
followed by 22 ... c5!)
2. ‘Prophylactic thinking’; i.e. anticipating the
opponent’s ideas. Keep asking yourself
“What is he threatening?” (20 Qe3!, or 20 ...
Qf8! which partly neutralized the pressure
on the c-file).
3. “Which piece should I exchange? Which
one should I keep?” The answers to these
questions can tip the balance of the game in
favour of one side or the other. (23 ... Bxe4?)
4. Creating ‘tactical weaknesses’ in the
enemy camp is an important idea for making
progress. (29 h5! seriously weakened Black’s
castled position)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 52 points)
More than 45 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 40 and 45 points: Grandmaster.
Between 32 and 39 points: International
Master.
Between 22 and 31 points: Your positional
understanding is very good.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Between 10 and 21 points: Good positional Game 35
qualities. White: You
Less than 10 points: You have received a lesson Black: Master
from the World Champion! Queen’s Gambit Declined [D31]

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 Nc3 Be7
Since the g1-knight is still undeveloped, Black
plays a useful move, waiting for Nf3 and
meanwhile preventing Bg5. This move order is
designed to avoid what is generally regarded
as White’s most dangerous set-up in the
Exchange Variation, based on the sequence
c4xd5, Bg5, e2-e3, Bd3 and Nge2.
4 cxd5 exd5
With the exchange on d5 we reach a typical
pawn structure, known as the Carlsbad,
which was a dangerous weapon in the hands
of Botvinnik and Kasparov, among others.

– Your Move –

5 Bf4
1 point. White has this alternative set-up
available; the bishop occupies a good
diagonal. Naturally, other moves are
possible, but they receive no points, since
they didn’t require White to exchange on d5.
5 ... c6 6 Qc2 Bd6
This is a small concession to White, as Black
has now lost a tempo with this bishop.
In this pawn structure, exchanging the light-
squared bishops is one of Black’s typical plans
to reduce White’s pressure. For a long time it
was thought that the 6 Qc2 line was harmless,
in view of 6 ... g6 7 e3 Bf5, but then this
evaluation changed – why?

222
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move – (after 7 ... Bf5)
Answer: 8 Bd3 (0 points) would represent a
minor failure for White.
The move that revitalized the line was 8 Qd2!
(2 points), an idea of Petrosian’s. The tempo
loss with Qc2-d2 will be recovered by attacking
the f5-bishop. As Kasparov explains, “Black’s
main problem is the development of his minor
pieces, which can be driven back after f2-f3
and e3-e4-e5, or g2-g4.” So, in order to reduce
the effectiveness of White’s pawn offensive,
Black decided to delay the development of his
king’s knight, and after 8 ... Nd7 9 f3 Nb6?! 10
e4 Be6, a critical position was reached in
A.Karpov-G.Kasparov, London/Leningrad (7th
matchgame) 1986.
– Your Move – (after 10 ... Be6)
Without any hesitation Karpov played 11 e5 (1
point), the move most feared by Kasparov,
since “the move is fully in his style. White
223
relieves the ‘uneasy’ tension in the centre,
seizes space and restricts the knight on g8”
(Kasparov). The game continued 11 ... h5
(preparing ... Bf5) 12 Bd3 Qd7 13 b3 Bh4+!? 14
g3 Be7. Black has prevented the move Nh3,
but then 15 Kf2 Bf5 16 Bf1!, again avoiding the
exchange of bishops and planning h2-h3 and
g3-g4, led to better position for White.
Both great players and their analysts later
found that 11 Bd3! (2 points), neutralizing the
idea of 9 ... Nb6, was actually possible, since
the d-pawn is not really hanging; 11 ... dxe4?!
12 fxe4 Qxd4? is bad because of 13 Nb5!.
7 Bxd6 Qxd6 8 e3 Ne7
An idea that replaced the old line 8 ... Nf6 9
Bd3.
9 Bd3
9 ... b6
As we have seen, Black is always seeking to
exchange his light-squared bishop for its
annoying white counterpart on d3. This way of
doing it weakens c6, but a later ... c6-c5 by
Black should not be ruled out.
This move was suggested by Kasparov in one
of his books on his matches with Karpov;
curiously, in the later rapidplay match
between them in Valencia in 2009, Karpov
tried 9 ... Nd7 instead. How would you
respond?
– Your Move – (after 9 ... Nd7)
Answer: 10 Nge2! (2 points; “A flexible
continuation typical of the given pawn
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
structure, which enables White to carry out
Botvinnik’s classical plan with f2-f3 and e3-
e4.” – Kasparov) 10 ... h6 (if 10 ... Nf6, White
continues with his idea: 11 f3! 0-0 12 0-0 Bd7
13 e4 dxe4 14 Nxe4 Nxe4 15 fxe4, which is
also good for White, since his centre pawns
give him more space and mobility, A.Vaisser-
A.Kharitonov, European Cup, Novosibirsk
1989) 11 0-0 0-0 12 a3 (Kasparov
commented that “12 f3 was good, but for
the moment I did not want to force events.”)
12 ... a5 (after 12 ... Nf6, the move 13 f3!
would gain in strength, since the
counterblow ... c6-c5 requires more
preparation) 13 Rad1 b6?! (intending to
answer 14 f3 with 14 ... Ba6, but the
weakening of the pawn chain and the c6-
square allows White to launch an immediate
attack in the centre, exploiting the fact that
Black is somewhat behind in development)
14 e4! dxe4 15 Nxe4 Qb8 (15 ... Qc7,
suggested by Shipov, was possibly more
tenacious; though after 16 Bc4, Black would
have been unable to exchange bishops in
view of 16 ... Ba6? 17 Bxa6 Rxa6 18 d5 and
wins) 16 N2c3 Ba6 17 Bxa6 Rxa6 18 d5! and
White’s initiative rapidly snowballs,
G.Kasparov-A.Karpov, Valencia (rapid match;
2nd game) 2009.
In a later game from the same 2009 match,
Karpov tried 9 ... g6. How would you respond
in that case?
– Your Move – (after 9 ... g6)
Answer: White best answer is 10 f3! (2
points) because, as we know, 10 Nge2 (0
points) would allow 10 ... Bf5. The game
continued 10 ... Nd7 11 Nge2 0-0 12 0-0,
when Black played 12 ... c5 (“A typical
defence against e3-e4, but now Black’s d5-
pawn is chronically weak” – Kasparov) and
after 13 Qd2!? a6 14 Rad1 cxd4 15 exd4 Nf6
16 g4, Kasparov commented that “White has
a small but enduring advantage – which is
224
what I was aiming for in this game”,
G.Kasparov-A.Karpov, Valencia (rapid match;
4th game) 2009.
10 Nf3 Ba6
– Your Move – Choose between 11 Bxa6 and
11 0-0.
11 0-0
1 point. Any exchange which misplaces an
enemy piece is worth considering, so in this
case White could consider 11 Bxa6 (0 points),
but is the temporary displacement of the
knight on a6 actually beneficial to White
here? The answer is no; the knight can go to
c7, defending d5, or to e6 later, putting
pressure on d4 and supporting the pawn
break ... c6-c5, which is constantly up for
consideration.
11 ... Bxd3 12 Qxd3
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 12
... Nd7 and 12 ... 0-0.
12 ... Nd7?!
In general, it’s not a bad idea to postpone
castling in favour of a more useful move, but
here, for specific reasons, it’s not advisable.
Choosing this move loses 1 point. As White
demonstrates, it was better to castle (1
point).
– Your Move –
13 e4!
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
4 points. This pawn break takes place at the pawn structure, for example with 15 ... f6!?
most awkward moment for Black, and (2 points).
‘punishes’ him for his last move.
13 ... 0-0
Under normal conditions, the d4-pawn
would be left weak – after, for example, 13 ...
dxe4 14 Nxe4 Qd5, which would suit Black,
so why did he reject this line?

– Your Move –

– Your Move – (after 14 ... Qd5)
Answer: Because 15 Qa3! (2 points) is very
strong, since the black king is stuck in the
centre, and 15 ... Qxe4? loses to 16
Rfe1/Rae1.
– Your Move –
14 e5
1 point. Of course; White gains space with
tempo.
14 ... Qe6 15 Rae1
– Your Move – (as Black)
15 ... Rfe8?!
(0 points) The best arrangement of the
black’s rooks is not clear. This move is a bit
passive, relying on the solidity of the black
position. Perhaps the idea was to improve
the inactive d7-knight with ... Nf8 and ... Ne6,
but White will show that there isn’t time for
that.
Since the ‘normal’ course of events is not in
his favour, perhaps it was time to alter the
16 Nh4!
3 points. With his previous move White had
already revealed his intentions, which are to
exploit his pawn majority in the centre and
on the kingside to launch an attack, based on
f2-f4-f5.
– Your Move – (as Black)
16 ... Ng6
1 point. “Something must be done about it.”
The e7-knight was performing a useful
function supporting the d-pawn, and by
moving it Black gives up the possibility of
breaking with ... c6-c5, but the immediate 16
... c5 (0 points) would be answered by the
nasty 17 Nb5!.
After abandoning the f-file it was very hard
to play 16 ... f6! (2 points), but this was
probably still a good idea.
17 Nxg6 Qxg6
Other recaptures would be answered by 18
f4.

225
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move –
18 Qd2
1 point. Naturally, White avoids the exchange
of queens; as we know, the plan is to play f2-
f4-f5.
18 ... Nf8
18 ... f6?! was not advisable now, because of
19 e6.
19 f4
– Your Move – (as Black)
19 ... Qf5?!
This move tries to prevent the advance f4-f5
by tactical means, but it merely delays the
implementation of White’s plan. If you chose
this move, deduct 1 point.
It was essential to take more radical
measures with 19 ... f5! (2 points), when
White would have to change his plan and
prepare the pawn break g2-g4.
226
– Your Move –
20 Nd1!
3 points. The knight has nothing more to do
on the queenside and will now join in the
fight on the other wing.
20 ... f6
White commented that his opponent was
possibly intending to continue actively with
20 ... Ne6, basing his defence on the
pressure on d4, but there is a way to
demonstrate a flaw in this idea.
– Your Move – (after 20 ... Ne6)
Answer: White can play 21 Ne3 Qe4 22 Nc2!
Qf5 and now, after protecting either the d4-
pawn with 23 Rd1! or the queen with 23
Rf2!, there is no good defence against the
threat of 24 Ne3 again, followed by 25 f5 (2
points).
21 Ne3 Qd7
– Your Move –
22 Qd3!
2 points. After driving off the black queen,
White continues to seize important squares;
the threat of Nf5 is awkward for Black.
22 ... fxe5
In the event of 22 ... Ne6, what would be the
best continuation?
– Your Move – (after 22 ... Ne6)
Answer: Black can’t defend all his
weaknesses after 23 exf6! (better than 23
f5?! Ng5 or 23 Nf5 Rf8) 23 ... gxf6 24 Ng4! (2
points), followed by 25 Qf5 (if 24 ... Qg7) or
25 Qg3, and the black position is almost
untenable.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
– Your Move –
23 dxe5!
2 points. Better than 23 fxe5 (0 points),
which may give White a slight advantage, but
then 23 ... Ne6 is stronger than in the game.
With 23 dxe5 White hasn’t ruled out the idea
of playing Nf5-d6, and he also creates a
mobile pawn majority which could
overwhelm Black on the kingside.
23 ... Ne6
– Your Move –
24 f5!
2 points. The pawns begin to roll forward. In
contrast, after 24 Nf5 (0 points) 24 ... Nc5 25
Qc2 (or 25 Qh3 Rad8) 25 ... Ne4, Black has
noticeably improved his position, in the
absence of any serious threats.
24 ... Nc5
– Your Move –
25 Qd4
1 point. Of course this central square is ideal,
and Black now needs to worry about both
e5-e6 and f5-f6.
25 ... Ne4
227
The knight reaches a good position, but the
absence of the a8-rook will soon make itself
felt.
– Your Move –
26 Nxd5!
2 points. A combination which is not as
simple as it looks.
White’s position is so good that both 26 e6 (1
point) and 26 f6 (1 point) were strong as well.
– Your Move – (as Black)
26 ... Qxd5?
If you chose either this move or 26 ... cxd5
(which allows 27 Rxe4), deduct 1 point.
The most tenacious reply was 26 ... Nc5! (3
points), which forces White to find a difficult
way to maintain the advantage – what is
White’s best response?
– Your Move – (after 26 ... Nc5)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
Answer: The strongest move, and the only
one that gains any points, is 27 f6! (2 points),
threatening to win with 28 f7+. After 27 ...
Red8, there are several continuations, the
most promising being 28 f7+ Kf8 29 Qh4
Qxd5 30 e6! (a beautiful sacrifice to open
lines for the white rooks and prevent a
blockade with ... Ne6) 30 ... Nxe6 31 Qxh7
and, despite his temporary advantage in
material, Black is in trouble since his pieces
are paralysed.
One idea for White is to prevent ... Qd4+, to
be able to play Qxg7 without exchanging
queens; White can therefore continue with
32 Kh1 or 32 Rf2, threatening, among other
things, 33 Qg8+ and Qxg7.
Black can fight on with the surprising 31 ...
Ke7!, since the queen ending arising from 32
f8Q+ Rxf8 33 Qxg7+ Kd6 34 Rxe6+ Qxe6 35
Rxf8 Rxf8 36 Qxf8+ is not so advantageous, but
White is still better after 32 Qh4+! Kf8 and
now, among others, 33 Rf2, renewing the
aforementioned threats with the same
scenario.
So perhaps 26 ... Nc5 wasn’t enough to save
Black, but it would at least have set White a
more difficult task than he has after the
game continuation.
27 Qxe4
Now White has an extra pawn and will
demonstrate good technique in making it
count.
27 ... Rad8 28 e6 Qxe4 29 Rxe4
228
– Your Move – (as Black)
29 ... Rd6?!
This does not complicate White’s task. Black
could have created more difficulties with 29
... Rd2 (1 point), when White’s ‘problem’ is
that he is spoiled for choice of attractive
continuations, and it’s not easy to decide
which is the strongest. The best might be 30
b4 Rxa2 31 Rc1 etc; whereas after 30 g4
Rxb2 31 g5 Rb5 32 h4 Kf8 33 f6 Rd5, White is
still better, but it’s hard to see a way
through.
30 g4
Now White only needs to worry about
finding the correct way to advance his
pawns.
30 ... Kf8 31 g5 Ke7 32 Kg2
Not hurrying; the immediate 32 f6+ was also
good.
32 ... Rd5
Black can’t hold up the advance with 32 ... Rf8
since White plays it anyway: 33 f6+! gxf6 34
gxf6+ and 34 ... Rxf6? loses to 35 Rxf6 Kxf6 36
e7 etc.
33 Kg3 Kd6 34 h4 c5 35 f6! gxf6 36 gxf6 Rd3+
37 Kh2 Rd2+ 38 Kh1 1-0
Magnus Carlsen vs. Dmitry Jakovenko,
Nanjing 2009.
Some lessons from this game:
1. It is useful to ‘refine’ your move order in
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Three - Positional Play and Pawn Structures
the opening, so as to avoid lines that you
consider unpleasant. (3 ... Be7!)
2. In fact the order of your moves, even in
the opening, is rarely a trivial matter. (12 ...
Nd7?, 12 ... 0-0!)
3. “What is my opponent threatening or
planning?” is a question which you should
ask yourself before determining your own
plan. (15 ... Rfe8?, 15 ... f6!, 15 ... f5!)
4. “Keep fighting!” It is important to offer
maximum resistance, even when objectively
the position is losing, since in practical play
winning positions are not always won! (26 ...
Qxd5?, 26 ... Nc5!, 29 ... Rd2!)
229
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 49 points)
More than 43 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 38 and 43 points: Grandmaster.
Between 30 and 37 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 29 points: You really
understand the Carlsbad structure!
Between 10 and 20 points: You have a good
positional ´feel´.
Less than 10 points: You must keep learning!
PART FOUR

ENDINGS

230
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
Game 36
White: You
Black: Master
Grünfeld Defence [D75]
1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 g3 Bg7 4 Bg2 d5 5 cxd5 Nxd5
6 Nf3 0-0 7 0-0 c5 8 dxc5 Na6
At the time of this game the usual moves were:
9 Qa4, which Najdorf played with both colours
(even though after 9 ... Nxc5 10 Qh4 e6!,
M.Najdorf-S.Gligoric, Amsterdam 1950, “White
has nothing”); and 9 c6, which, although
played by success by Botvinnik, is “equally
ineffective” according to Najdorf, who instead
opted for “a new move analysed in Argentinian
chess circles.”
9 Ng5
“A move recommended by Najdorf.”
(Botvinnik)
At present this is regarded as the most
promising continuation, and it was later played
by Larsen, Korchnoi, Geller, Vaganian, and
others.
9 ... Ndb4
– Your Move – Choose between 10 Qb3 and 10
Nc3.
10 Nc3
2 points. There is no reason to avoid the
exchange of queens.
After 10 Qb3?! (deduct 1 point), Black gains a
good position with 10 ... h6!; for example, 11
Ne4 (after 11 a3 Nc6 or 11 Bd2 hxg5 12 Bxb4
Be6 13 Qa3 Nxb4 14 Qxb4 Qd4, Black has a
231
pleasant game in either case) 11 ... Be6 12 Qa4
Bd7 13 Qd1 Bc6, D.Gormally-D.Howell,
Newport 2004.
Instead, 10 ... Qa5?! 11 Bd2 h6 12 a3 Nxc5 13
Qc4 and then 13 ... Nca6, as was indicated, is
strongly answered by 14 Ra2! and Black is
forced to retreat.
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 10
... Nxc5, 10 ... Qxd1, and 10 ... h6.
10 ... Qxd1
1 point. This was criticized by Najdorf.
Nevertheless, even though this is perhaps not
the most accurate move order, the move itself
doesn’t seem to be an error.
The least convincing of the moves suggested is
10 ... Nxc5?! (deduct 1 point), since after 11
Be3 Nca6 12 Qb3, followed by Rfd1, the white
queen once again is more active; exchanging
queens with 11 ... Qxd1 12 Raxd1 Ne6 13 Nb5
is not very pleasant for Black either.
Since the exchange Qxd8, giving Black the d-
file, was not to be feared, it was more accurate
to play 10 ... h6! (2 points), putting the
question to White’s knight. After 11 Nf3, Black
can choose between 11 ... Bf5 or 11 ... Qxd1 12
Rxd1 Be6 with good play, as practice has
demonstrated.
Alternatively, if 11 Nge4, what would you play?
– Your Move – (as Black; after 11 Nge4) Choose
between 11 ... f5 and 11 ... Qxd1 12 Rxd1 f5.
Answer: The immediate 11 ... f5 (0 points),
without first exchanging queens, is inaccurate,
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
because the white queen is again the more
active of the two after 12 Qb3+ Kh7 13 Nd2
Nc6 14 Qc4 Na5 and now, for example, 15 Qa4
Nxc5 16 Qa3, followed by Rd1 with a slight
advantage.
In contrast, after 11 ... Qxd1 (2 points) 12 Rxd1
f5 13 Nd2 Nxc5, as played in N.Andrianov-
V.Bagirov, USSR Team Championship 1988, it’s
the black pieces that benefit from the
exchange of queens.
11 Rxd1
– Your Move – (as Black)
11 ... Nxc5?!
This gives White more options, so if you chose
it, deduct 1 point. Instead, with 11 ... h6! (2
points), Black could transpose to the lines
given in the note to the previous move.
– Your Move –
12 Be3
1 point. Of course it’s always nice to develop a
piece with gain of time.
12 ... Nca6
– Your Move –
13 Rac1
2 points. White judges that it’s more important
to occupy the c-file than to increase his control
of the d-file with 13 Rd2 (1 point).
There is no reason to fear 13 ... Bxc3 14 bxc3
Nxa2? because it loses to 15 Rc2; while after
232
14 ... Nc6 15 Rb1, Black’s position is
uncomfortable.
13 ... h6
– Your Move –
14 Nge4!
2 points. Now in the event of 14 ... f5, the
knight is ready to invade the queenside with 15
Nc5. The natural 14 Nf3 (1 point) also
guarantees White a slight advantage.
14 ... Nc6
– Your Move –
15 a3!
4 points. Let’s see how Najdorf explains his
decision: “Black sees that I’m intending to play
15 a3, which is strong, and he hopes that if he
retreats his knight to c6 first I’ll do something
else ... I reasoned something like this: if the
move is so strong that Black needs to
anticipate it, why shouldn’t I play it just the
same?”
There were some attractive-looking
alternatives which clarify the situation rather
prematurely. Of these, 15 Nc5 receives 1 point,
but the rest are all inferior to the text and gain
no points.
15 ... Nc7
– Your Move –
16 b4!
2 points. Black ‘anticipated’ (to use Najdorf’s
expression) 16 b4 by retreating his knight to
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
c7, so White reasons in the same manner as on
the previous move, which remains valid.
Black responds by ruling out b4-b5.
16 ... a6

– Your Move – (after 17 ... Nb5)

Answer: White could win a pawn

– Your Move –
17 Nc5!
4 points. “ ... it amounts to a question of
thinking logically,” commented Najdorf, who
was looking for ways to infiltrate with his
knights. He assessed that 17 Nd5 Nxd5 didn’t
give White much, and he was equally
unconvinced by 17 Na4 (we’ll expand on this
later), so he began to consider the text move,
to neutralize the manoeuvre ... Nc7-e6. Then
came the calculation phase; he had to analyse
whether 17 ... Nb5 was a good reply or not.
Najdorf’s intuition was fantastic; today’s
engines confirm that what Najdorf chose was
the best.
It’s true that 17 Nd5 (1 point) 17 ... Nxd5 18
Rxd5 Bb2 doesn’t achieve much. After, for
example, 19 Rb1 Be6 20 b5 axb5 21 Rxb5 Bg7
22 Rxb7 Nd4, the position has simplified and
White’s small advantage is evaporating; there’s
a line in which he can reach a rook ending with
4 pawns against 3 on the kingside, but this is a
theoretical draw.
The second option 17 Na4 (2 points) is a good
move, although not as strong as the move
played, and after 17 ... Ne6 18 Nb6 Rb8 19
Nc5, White maintains the initiative.
17 ... Ne6
Why wasn’t Najdorf afraid of 17 ... Nb5 - ?
advantageously with 18 Nxb5 axb5 19 Nxb7
Bxb7 20 Bxc6 Bxc6 21 Rxc6 Rxa3 22 Rb6 (1
point), but 18 Nd5! (3 points) was even better,
with an initiative that promises even greater
gains. Here are two sample lines: 18 ... Nxa3?!
19 Nb6 Rb8 20 Bxc6 bxc6 21 Nbd7, and 18 ...
Bb2 19 Rb1 Bxa3 20 Bxh6 Re8 21 Rb3 etc.
– Your Move –
18 Nd5
1 point. Now there is no alternative, as
Najdorf’s reasoning told him.
18 ... Nxc5 19 Bxc5 Bg4 20 Kf1
White is after more than he could achieve by
20 Nxe7+ Nxe7 21 Bxe7 Rfe8, but there were
other moves that were slightly stronger, as we
will see later.
20 ... Rfd8
How would you respond if Black defended his
e-pawn with 20 ... Rae8 - ?
– Your Move – (after 20 ... Rae8)
Answer: 21 a4! (1 point) is very strong.

233
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings

– Your Move – – Your Move – (after 24 ... Nd4)

21 a4! Answer: White plays the decisive 25 Nc7 (1

4 points. “The best move of the game”, point), and the b7-pawn falls in a few moves.
according to Najdorf. He rejected 21 Nxe7+ (1 25 Bxd5 Nd4 26 Bxb7 Rab8 27 Ba6 Nb3 28
point) in view of 21 ... Nxe7 22 Bxe7 Rxd1+ 23 Rxd8+ Rxd8 29 Be7 Rd7 30 Rc8+ Kh7
Rxd1 Re8 24 Rd8 Rxd8 25 Bxd8 b5 26 Bb7 and
now 26 ... Bb2! “with a draw”, he said, which is
perhaps a bit of an exaggeration; “very difficult
to win” would be a more accurate evaluation.
The uncomfortable position of the black pieces
can also be exploited by 21 Bb6 Rd7 22 h3 (1
point).
21 ... e5
21 ... e6? loses to 22 Ne3 Bf5 23 g4, among
other things.
22 h3 Be6

– Your Move – – Your Move –

23 b5
1 point. Consistent, although 23 Bb6 (1 point)
and 23 Nc7 (1 point) were strong as well.
23 ... axb5 24 axb5 Bxd5
“A serious concession: Black must grant White
two very strong bishops.” (Najdorf)
What would happen after 24 ... Nd4 - ?
31 b6!
2 points. It’s clear that White is going to win
the exchange. He could have played differently
over the last few moves, but there was no
reason not to continue in the most direct
manner, and no other moves gain any points.
Black was relying on the fact that, with all the
remaining pawns being on the same wing, the
endgame might not be easy for White to win,
but there’s a detail that has not escaped
White’s attention ...
31 ... Rxe7 32 b7 Rxb7 33 Bxb7 Nd4

– Your Move –

234
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
34 Bd5 3. “The threat is stronger than the execution!”
1 point. The tactical detail is the unsafe (20 Kf1!, 21 a4!)
position of the black knight. 4. It’s important to watch out for ‘tactical
34 ... f6 weaknesses’ in either camp. This is a point I
want to emphasize throughout this book.
– Your Move – 5. A potentially long and complex technical
task can sometimes be simplified by paying
35 Bg8+ attention to tactical details. (34 Bd5!, 36 g4!)
1 point. The second part of the winning plan. Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
35 ... Kh8 actually played.

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 40 points)
More than 36 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 33 and 36 points: Grandmaster.
Between 27 and 32 points: International
Master.
Between 20 and 26 points: You played this
ending very well!
Between 10 and 19 points: Good handling of
the initiative in the ending.
Less than 10 points: You are learning how to
– Your Move –
play without queens on the board.
36 g4! 1-0
2 points. Controlling f5 and completing the
cordon around Black’s knight. The threat is
now 37 e3, followed by capturing the knight
with a discovered check by the bishop; while
after 36 ... e4 37 Ra8, Black is in zugzwang and
will lose at least two pawns.

Miguel Najdorf vs. Ludek Pachman,

Amsterdam Olympiad 1954.

Some lessons from this game:

1. “Which piece should I exchange? Which
one should I keep?” This is a question that we
need to keep asking ourselves. Regarding the
exchange of queens, Alekhine wrote that even
the strongest masters were sometimes
careless in this respect. (10 Qb3?, 10 ... Qxd1?,
and 11 ... f5?, 11 ... Qxd1! in the note to Black’s
10th move)
2. The concept of ‘anticipatory play’
mentioned by Najdorf is interesting, and
applicable to other situations. (15 a3!, 16 b4!)

235
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
Game 37
White: Master
Black: You
Semi-Slav Defence [D47]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 Nc3 Nf6 4 e3 e6 5 Nf3 Nbd7
6 Bd3 dxc4 7 Bxc4 b5 8 Bd3 Bd6 9 0-0 0-0 10 b3
White plays a quiet line; 10 e4 e5 11 Bg5 etc
is more common.
10 ... Bb7 11 Bb2
– Your Move –
11 ... a6
1 point. This is a typical way to try solve the
problem of the passive b7-bishop. Once b5 is
defended, Black is ready to bring his bishop
to life with ... c6-c5.
Another option is 11 ... b4, and after 12 Ne4
Nxe4 13 Bxe4 Nf6 14 Bd3, Black can play 14
... c5 (2 points).
12 Ne4 Nxe4 13 Bxe4
– Your Move – Choose between 13 ... Nf6, 13
... f5, and 13 ... Qc7.
13 ... Nf6
1 point. Driving the bishop away in order to
be able to play the freeing move ... c6-c5.
With the same idea, Zvjaginsev played 13 ...
f5 (1 point), which is more radical than the
text move, but equally good.
The problem with 13 ... Qc7 (0 points),
defending the b7-bishop with the same idea
of playing ... c6-c5, is that White can reply 14
236
Rc1, exerting unpleasant X-ray pressure
down the c-file.
14 Bc2
This is more accurate than the retreat to d3 –
why?
– Your Move – (after 14 Bd3) Indicate the
main difference between the two moves.
Answer: Because after 14 Bd3 c5 15 dxc5
Bxc5, the sally 16 Ng5, putting pressure on
the kingside, is harmless owing to 16 ... Qd5!
(2 points).
– Your Move – Choose between 14 ... Qe7, 14
... Rc8, and 14 ... c5.
14 ... c5
1 point. Black has now solved his opening
problems and the position is balanced.
14 ... Rc8 (1 point) was playable (if
unnecessary), intending ... c6-c5 next move.
The rook is in a useful position and after, for
example, 15 e4 Be7 16 a4 bxa4 17 Rxa4 c5,
Black has no problems.
However, 14 ... Qe7?! is less advisable
(deduct 1 point) since White responds with
15 e4!, and if 15 ... Bf4 then 16 Qd3!,
virtually forcing 16 ... g6.
15 dxc5 Bxc5 16 Ng5
This was the main idea. Of course White can
continue in various ways, such as 16 Qe2,
followed by Rfd1.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
– Your Move –
16 ... Qxd1!
3 points. Concrete play. Black concedes the
d-file, which is normally not such a great
idea, but here he has nothing better.
Defending the h7-pawn with 16 ... h6? is bad
because of 17 Bxf6!, followed by Nh7,
winning material.
– Your Move – (as White)
17 Raxd1?!
The eternal question: ‘which rook?’
0 points. This is not the best recapture; 17
Rfxd1 (2 points) was better. Although 17
Raxd1 is not really bad, it’s a strange
decision; a rook on a1 has more prospects
here than a rook on f1, since from a1 the
rook might go to the c-file, which is an open
file, or it can support a2-a4 – but of course
the White player is aware of all this.
237
– Your Move –
17 ... Kh8!
4 points. An elegant move which puts a stop
to all the threats; this move was overlooked
by White, according a comment by Carlsen
on his now defunct blog.
It was inferior to defend the pawn with 17 ...
h6 (0 points) Why?
– Your Move – (as White; after 17 ... h6)
Answer: Because of 18 Bxf6! gxf6 19 Nh7
again, and Black loses a pawn without
compensation after, for example, 19 ... Rfd8
(or 19 ... Rfc8) 20 Nxf6+ Kg7 21 Be4 or just 20
Be4! (2 points).
– Your Move – (as White)
Choose between 18 Bxf6 gxf6 19 Nxh7, or 18
Bxf6 gxf6 19 Ne4, or 18 Bxf6 gxf6 19 Be4, or
18 g3.
18 g3?!
An ambitious move, but a strange one. In
reality there is no threat to take on h7, so
this move is not especially useful and gains
no points.
It was bad to capture the pawn with 18 Bxf6
gxf6 19 Nxh7? (deduct 2 points), owing to 19
... Rg8 20 g3 Kg7!, trapping the knight.
Instead, White could play 19 Ne4 (1 point) or
19 Be4 (1 point) with a balanced endgame,
but of course this was not White’s idea. 19
Rd7 is also adequate.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 21
Rd7 and 21 Rc1.

21 Rc1!
2 points. A difficult move to make, virtually
admitting that 17 Raxd1 was a slight mistake.
White prepares to exchange the rooks on the
c-file.
The seemingly more active 21 Rd7?! (0
points) could lead to difficulties after 21 ...
Bc6 or 21 ... Bf3, followed by bringing a rook
to d8.
– Your Move –
– Your Move –
18 ... h6
2 points. Forcing White to clarify matters and 21 ... Rfd8
solving all Black’s problems. 1 point. There is nothing else; it’s essential to
19 Bxf6 occupy the central file and try to infiltrate
along it.
– Your Move – 22 Rfd1

19 ... hxg5 – Your Move –

1 point. Of course this is playable; whereas
19 ... gxf6 (0 points) 20 Nh7 was inferior. 22 ... Bf3
20 Bb2 1 point. The complement to his previous
White accompanied this move with a draw move. Objectively, this represents no more
offer, which was understandably rejected. than a microscopic success, but from the
It’s true that the position is equal, but Black practical point of view it’s more significant.
has nothing to fear and can play on. 23 Rxd8+ Rxd8
Obviously 20 Bxg5? f6, trapping the bishop,
would make White regret having played 18
g3.
20 ... Rac8

– Your Move – (as White)

24 a3!
3 points. A good defensive move. In contrast,
24 Kf1 (0 points) would run into the

238
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
unpleasant 24 ... Bb4!, increasing White’s
discomfort. Black could then bring his king to
the centre and begin to advance his kingside
pawns; if 25 a3 then 25 ... Bd2 and White’s
position would be even more uncomfortable.
– Your Move –
24 ... b4!
2 points. This prevents b3-b4, leaving the c2-
bishop passive, without access to b3.
25 a4
Black would benefit from the opening of lines
after 25 axb4?! Bxb4, with the threat of
penetrating at d2 with his rook. Note that 26
Bd4? would lose to 26 ... Rc8!, and the pin is
deadly.
– Your Move –
25 ... f5!
3 points. This isn’t objectively better than
other ‘normal’ moves such as 25 ... g4 (1
point) or 25 ... Kg8 (1 point), but it’s definitely
the most unpleasant to face from the
practical point of view, as we’ll see.
26 Kf1
– Your Move –
26 ... f4!
3 points. Once again, it’s true that objectively
this violent advance gives Black no advantage
and Anand knew this, but he considered that
239
increasing the tension was his best practical
chance, and it had a decisive effect.
In truth, Black’s advantage is minimal. White
just needs to play Ke1 to reduce it to zero;
for example, 26 ... g4 (0 points) 27 Ke1 Bd6
28 Bd1! Bb7 29 Be2, followed by Rd1, with a
draw becoming more and more likely.
Occupying the seventh rank gives no
advantage either. If 26 ... Rd2 (0 points) then
27 Ke1 Re2+ 28 Kf1 g4 29 Ba1, followed by
Bd3 etc, and White easily repulses the attack.
Now ‘the ball is in White’s court’ and he has
to find the correct way to defend.
– Your Move – (as White)
27 Be4?
If you opted for this incorrect attempt to
simplify the game, deduct 2 points.
The correct defence is 27 gxf4! gxf4 28 exf4!,
which looks dangerous at first sight, since
Black appears to have a decisive attack after
28 ... Rd2, but with 29 Bg6! (which White
overlooked) it can be shown that Black’s own
back rank weaknesses are no less important.
The outcome appears to be a forced draw
after 29 ... Rxf2+ (or 29 ... Kg8 30 Be5! Kf8 31
Ke1 etc) 30 Ke1 Re2+ 31 Kf1 Rf2+ etc.
The winner pointed out the equivalent line:
27 exf4! Rd2 28 Bg6! gxf4 29 gxf4, which just
transposes. 4 points if you chose either of
these defences based on the move Bg6!.
27 ... Bxe4 28 Rxc5
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
– Your Move –
28 ... Rd1+!
3 points. Not only do the opposite-coloured
bishops not help the defence, they actually
make it more difficult, on account of the
weakness at b3 and along White’s second
rank.
Although 28 ... Rd3 (1 point) is also
unpleasant for White, it’s actually less
effective on account of 29 Be5, and White
can counter-attack on g7 at an appropriate
moment.
29 Ke2 Rb1 30 Bc1
Now keeping the bishop on the long diagonal
(e.g. with 30 Bd4) is not the best course for
White – why not?
– Your Move – (after 30 Bd4)
Answer: Because of 30 ... f3+ and after 31
Kd2, Black has 31 ... Rf1! (3 points) with a
decisive advantage; for example, 32 Rxg5
Rxf2+ 33 Kd1 Ra2 34 Rxg7 f2! and wins.
240
– Your Move –
30 ... f3+
1 point. Of course; the white monarch is now
incarcerated.
31 Kd1
Anand indicated that after 31 Kd2, Black
could either play 31 ... Rxb3 or continue to
improve his position with 31 ... Ra1,
threatening 32 ... Ra2+. In the latter case, the
only move is 32 Rc2!, when Black can
continue to make progress with 32 ... Kh7 33
Kd1 Bd5 34 Kd2 a5 etc, and White is almost
in zugzwang.
31 ... Rxb3
Black’s passed pawn is now a decisive factor,
and other weak white pawns will soon fall.
32 Rc4 Bd3 33 Rc8+ Kh7 34 e4 Rb1 35 Kd2
Bxe4 36 Ke3 Bd5 37 Bd2 Rb3+ 38 Kd4 Rb2 39
Be3 Re2 40 Rc1
If 40 Rb8, Black has a simple win with 40 ...
b3, followed by ... b3-b2 and ... Ba2.
40 ... Ba2! 0-1
Magnus Carlsen vs. Viswanathan Anand,
Morelia/Linares 2007.
Some lessons from this game:
1. Even though you are hoping to win, you
have to follow the dictates of the position;
and if there is nothing better, you have to
play balanced positions and not take risks
beyond what is prudent. (11 ... a6!, 14 ... c5!,
14 ... Qe7?)
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
2. A balanced position doesn’t necessarily
mean that the game will be drawn without a
fight, as long as you maintain the tension. (25
... f5!, 26 ... f4!)
3. You have to admire the tenacity with
which Anand plays for a win. His opponent
learnt this lesson very well, since now he is
well known for winning a lot of games like
this one, the normal result of which would be
a draw.
4. Opposite-coloured bishops, far from being
drawish, make a draw less likely when there
are other pieces on the board and one side
has the initiative. (27 Be4?)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 46 points)
More than 41 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 36 and 41 points: Grandmaster.
Between 29 and 35 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 28 points: You play endings
really well!
Between 10 and 20 points: Good
understanding of the key moments of the
ending.
Less than 10 points: You’ve been given a useful
lesson from a World Champion.
241
Game 38
White: You
Black: Master
Slav Defence [D17]
1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6
If this defence had been invented in the 21st
century, or at the end of the 20th, it would
surely be named the ‘Chinese Defence’, in
recognition of the large number of Chinese
masters who employ it.
3 Nf3 Nf6 4 Nc3 dxc4 5 a4 Bf5 6 Ne5 Nbd7 7
Nxc4 Nb6 8 Ne5 a5
This line has been popular for several years
and was even used by Kasparov.
9 f3
A logical idea; with e2-e4 White wants to
drive out of play Black’s pride and joy in the
Slav – the queen’s bishop developed outside
the pawn chain.
9 ... Nfd7 10 e4 Nxe5
10 ... Bg6 has been abandoned in practice.
After 11 Be3 e6?! (but 11 ... Nxe5 12 dxe5
Qxd1+ 13 Rxd1 Nd7 14 h4 h5 15 e6! fxe6 is
also more pleasant for White, who can
choose between 16 Kf2, with a possible 17
Nb5, or 16 g3!?, planning 17 Rh2) 12 h4! f6
13 Nxg6 hxg6 14 Qb3, White gained an
advantage in S.Lputian-I.Sokolov, Bled
Olympiad 2002.
– Your Move –
11 dxe5
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
2 points. This virtually grants Black an extra
pawn in any ending. Does this give Black the
better, or at least more pleasant, game? This
would indeed be the case if it were the only
important factor in the position, but it isn’t.
White has more space and greater mobility,
while Black will need to spend several tempi
developing his kingside pieces.
On the other hand, 11 exf5 Ned7, followed
by 12 ... g6, has given Black satisfactory
results; 11 ... Nec4 is good too.
11 ... Qxd1+ 12 Kxd1 Be6 13 Kc2 f6
Black is already renouncing his theoretically
superior pawn structure because, without
the removal of the e5-pawn, there is no way
to develop his kingside.
A very young Magnus Carlsen once tried 13
... Bc4 here in an under-12 tournament!
– Your Move –
14 Rb1!
5 points. Kasparov described this as “a
brilliant move”. White refuses to ‘cooperate’
by taking on f6 and helping to develop the
f8-bishop. Instead, he seeks to open up the
other wing to try to exploit Black’s lack of
development.
– Your Move – (as Black)
14 ... Nd7?!
A novelty at the time or, more precisely, an
improvisation at the board, as the winner
thought. It had been suggested by Robert
242
Hübner in ChessBase Magazine. However,
it’s not the solution and it gains no points.
Kasparov played the weaker 14 ... fxe5?! (0
points) and was left with a useless extra
pawn and a ‘dry’ position. In F.Vallejo Pons-
G.Kasparov, Linares 2003, White continued
15 b4 Nc4 16 Bxc4, which helped Black’s
development. Instead, Volokitin and
Grabinsky, in their book Perfect Your Chess,
suggest 16 bxa5 Nxa5 17 Be3 or 16 Be2 with
full compensation for the pawn, mainly in
view of Black’s undeveloped kingside.
Later, the defence 14 ... Nc4! (2 points) was
found; the difference between this move and
the one played in our game will soon be
clear.
– Your Move –
15 b4!
2 points. White continues with his idea,
opening up the queenside before Black can
bring his pieces into play.
It would make no sense for White to play 15
exf6? exf6, since then b2-b4 would be
impossible; if you chose this move, deduct 2
points.
With Black’s knight on c4 (i.e. after 14 ...
Nc4!) 15 b4 could be answered by 15 ... axb4
16 Rxb4 Na5, probably followed by ... Kf7, ...
Bc8 and finally ... e7-e6.
15 ... Nxe5
After 15 ... axb4 16 Rxb4 0-0-0 (16 ... Nxe5 17
Rxb7 Bc8 18 Rb6 e6 19 Be3 Bd6 20 Be2 Bc7
21 Rb2 is slightly worse for Black) 17 Be3!
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
(since White hasn’t played f3-f4, he can leave
his kingside untouched, thus limiting the
mobility of Black’s light-squared bishop, and
indeed his dark-squared bishop too) 17 ...
Nxe5 18 Be2, followed by Rhb1 and a4-a5,
White would have an unpleasant initiative on
the queenside; White’s loss of a pawn would
be less noticeable than the immobility of
Black’s kingside pieces.
16 bxa5 Bc8
Now if 16 ... 0-0-0? then 17 a6! would be
decisive, and 16 ... Rxa5?! 17 Rxb7 would be
a worse version for Black of what we’ve
already seen in the previous note.
– Your Move –
17 a6!
3 points. “A typical pawn sacrifice that
destroys Black’s pawn structure and makes
his pieces passive,” said Topalov, who
recalled using this motif in a similar situation
against I.Cheparinov in Sofia 2008.
Any move that allows 17 ... Rxa5 loses 1
point.
17 ... bxa6
– Your Move –
18 a5!
2 points. White fixes the a6-pawn, and
prepares the manoeuvre Na4-b6.
18 ... Nd7 19 Na4
“There is nothing new under the sun.” This
move hadn’t been played before, but had
243
been suggested in the aforementioned book
by Volokitin and Grabinsky; their assessment
that White has compensation is quite
correct.
19 ... e5
An interesting moment; White’s position is
very attractive, but concretely, what should
he do next? Is it better to prevent 20 ... Bc5
or develop the h1-rook?
– Your Move –
20 Bc4!
4 points. 20 Be3 (2 points) was natural, but
White came to the conclusion that it was
unnecessary to prevent ... Bc5-d4.
20 ... Bc5
If Black declines the invitation and plays 20 ...
Bd6, the continuation might be 21 Rd1 Ke7
22 Be3 (an immediate 22 Rb3 is the
alternative) 22 ... Rd8 23 Rb3 Rb8 24 Rbd3
Bb4 25 Nc5 and White maintains the
initiative, with the threat of infiltrating with
26 Ne6.
Nevertheless, Topalov believed that 20 ...
Bd6 was the right way to defend for Black,
“as the king has a secure place on the e7-
square.”
– Your Move –
21 Rd1
2 points. White activates the rook, with the
threat of 22 Rxd7.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
Topalov is trying for more than could be
achieved by 21 Nxc5 (1 point) 21 ... Nxc5 22
Rb6 Be6 23 Be2 Kf7 24 Be3 Nd7 25 Rb7 (25
Rxc6? Rhc8 is ineffective, since the black
pieces become active) 25 ... Rhb8 26 Rhb1
etc.
21 ... Bd4
Why did Topalov (and you) allow the bishop
to settle on d4, shutting off the central file,
controlling b6, etc?
– Your Move –
22 Ba3!
2 points. This is why; the two white bishops
make life horribly uncomfortable for the
black king, and prevent Black from
developing smoothly. 20 ... Bd6 would have
allowed it to be better placed.
22 ... c5
This move is necessary if Black wants to play
... Ke7 and connect his rooks; the drawback is
that the d5-square is now accessible to
White.
If Black tried to ‘pass’ with a move such as 22
... h5, White would play 23 Bd6, followed by
f3-f4-f5.
– Your Move –
23 Rb3!
2 points. The time has come to double rooks
on the b-file.
Topalov hesitated between this move and
the plan of activating his other forces with 23
244
Bd5 Ra7 24 Kd3 and Kc4 (2 points), which
was also tempting.
– Your Move – (as Black)
23 ... h5!
2 points. Seeking counterplay with ... h5-h4
and ... Rh6-g6.
Paradoxically, Black has ‘forced’ White to
double rooks and abandon the d-file.
If Black played the immediate 23 ... Ke7, how
would you respond?
– Your Move – (after 23 ... Ke7)
Answer: If you’ve grasped the spirit of
Topalov’s play, you wouldn’t hesitate over 24
Rxd4! exd4 25 Nxc5 with a powerful initiative
(3 points).
It’s also possible to play more quietly with 24
Nb6 (1 point), and if 24 ... Nxb6 then 25
Rxb6, when the sacrifice Rxd4 remains ‘in the
air’, for example after 25 ... Rd8 26 Rxd4!
exd4 27 Bxc5+ Ke8 28 Bd5 Ra7 29 Kd3 with
total domination of the position.
24 Rdb1
– Your Move – (as Black) Choose between 24 ...
Ke7 and 24 ... Rh6.
24 ... Ke7?!
The king is not well placed now on e7, since
it becomes a typical ‘tactical weakness’, to
use Emanuel Lasker’s expression. It doesn’t
lose immediately, but its position allows a lot
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
of tactical possibilities and the movement of pawn, as after 27 axb6 Rd7, White doesn’t
Black’s pieces is hampered (this move loses 1 have a forced win:
point).
Black had to play 24 ... Rh6 (1 point), “trying
to create problems for White” (Topalov).

– Your Move –

25 Bd5
2 points. With a clear idea in mind. Instead,
the engines are attracted by the regrouping
manoeuvre 25 Nc3 and Nd5 (2 points).
25 ... Ra7

a) 28 Bxc5+ Bxc5 29 Nxc5 Rxd5! 30 exd5 Bf5+

– Your Move –
26 Rb6!
4 points. Here we have Topalov’s ‘trade
mark’, the exchange sacrifice.
In the past this ‘trade mark’ was the property
of Tigran Petrosian, who bequeathed many
beautiful examples to us. However, there are
differences between them; generally
Petrosian’s exchange sacrifices were
positional in nature, whereas Topalov’s are
more dynamic and aggressive.
31 Ne4 Rb8 32 Kc3 Bxe4 33 fxe4 Kd6 34 Kc4
h4 and it’s not easy for White to improve his
position; although Topalov thought the
position had to be winning.
b) 28 Nxc5 is no better, as after 28 ... Rxd5!
(forced) 29 exd5 Bxc5 30 Bxc5+ Kf7! (not 30
... Kd7?? 31 b7) 31 Kc3 (31 b7? fails to 31 ...
Bf5+) 31 ... Bb7 32 Kc4 Rd8 33 Rd1, it’s very
difficult to penetrate Black’s position.
c) 28 b7 leads nowhere either: 28 ... Bxb7 29
Bxb7 Rb8 30 Bc6 (not 30 Nxc5? Rc7) 30 ...
Rxb1 31 Kxb1 Rc7 etc.
– Your Move –
27 Re6+
1 point. “Now the black position is totally
shorn of its defences.” (Topalov)
27 ... Kd8
If 27 ... Kf8 then 28 Bc4!, attacking a6 and
vacating d5 for a possible Nc3-d5.

– Your Move – (as Black)

26 ... Rc7?
Objective analysis and the engines both lead
us to the conclusion that the “inhuman”
move 26 ... Nxb6! (4 points) was better,
despite giving White a tremendous passed

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
1 point. This was the idea, threatening to win
with 32 Rxc8.
31 ... Rd7
After 31 ... Kd8 32 Bxc5 Bxc5 33 Rxc5 Rb8 34
Rd1 (or 34 Rc7) 34 ... Ke8 35 Rc7 Bd7 36 Bb3
Bb5 37 b7, the passed pawn concludes
matters.
32 Re6+ Kf7 33 b7 1-0
After 33 ... Bxb7, the clearest win is with 34
Rd6+ Ke7 35 Rxd7+ Kxd7 36 Rxb7+ etc.

Veselin Topalov vs. Wang Yue, Sofia 2009.

– Your Move –
Some lessons from this game:
28 Nb6! 1. “Which piece should I exchange? Which
2 points. Black’s best defender, the knight, is one should I keep?” is something you should
eliminated. always ask yourself when presented with an
28 ... Nxb6?! option. (11 dxe5!)
This accelerates Black’s demise, although 28 2. Even though you should be familiar by
... Ra7 (defending against the threat of Nxc8 now with the concept of ‘tactical weakness’,
and Rxa6) would not have saved him either, it’s worth highlighting it once again. (24 ...
owing to 29 Rd6, followed by Be6. Ke7?)
29 axb6 Rb7 3. Have you got used to Topalov’s patent
exchange sacrifices yet? (26 Rb6!, 24 Rxd4!)
– Your Move – 4. The great Emanuel Lasker wrote words to
the effect that “any position, however bad it
30 Rd6+! looks, contains defensive resources”. (26 ...
2 points. Driving the black king to a worse Rc7?, 26 ... Nxb6!)
square. 5. Learn from the games of the masters as
30 ... Ke7 well as from your own games. (17 a6!)
6. Never stop studying your pet lines! Wang
Yue (an expert in this variation) attributed
the main reason for his defeat to ‘a bad
opening’. (14 ... Nd7?)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.

How did you do?

(Maximum score: 47 points)
More than 42 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 37 and 42 points: Grandmaster.
– Your Move – Between 30 and 36 points: International
Master.
31 Rc6 Between 21 and 29 points: You played the
ending almost as well as Topalov!

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
Between 10 and 20 points: Not bad at all. Game 39
Less than 10 points: You’ve learned a lot about White: Master
dynamism in the ending, haven’t you? Black: You
Grünfeld Defence [D85]

1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 d5 4 cxd5 Nxd5 5 Bd2

Bg7 6 e4 Nb6 7 Be3 0-0 8 Bb5

A move which seems to present Black with a

free tempo, but White considers it a ‘poisoned’
tempo since, in the event of ... a7-a6, the
knight on b6 would be slightly less secure (on
the next move we’ll see an example where this
is noticeable), while ... c7-c6 would deprive the
b8-knight of its natural square. Finally, playing
... Nc6 would allow White to damage Black’s
pawn structure.
Nevertheless, something feels ‘not quite right’
about putting the bishop on b5, and Black will
try to discover its drawback.
8 ... Be6
With the idea of playing a timely ... Nc4, or
even ... Bc4.
Let’s look at an example of how playing ... a7-
a6 can create problems for Black: 8 ... a6 9 Be2
Nc6 10 d5 Ne5 11 Bd4 c5 12 Bxc5 Nec4 13
Qb3, and if the pawn were back on a7, Black
could play 13 ... Nxb2 14 Qxb2 Na4.
But here White can respond with 14 Bxb6
Bxc3+ 15 Kf1! and Black’s endangered pieces
count for more than White’s loss of castling
rights, so after 15 ... Qd6, White has several
attractive options, such as 16 Be3, or 16 Rb1
Qf6 17 Nf3, or 16 Rc1 Bg7 17 Bc7 Qd7 18 Nf3
etc.

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
– Your Move – (as White) will seek to put pressure on the white centre,
which is the main idea of the Grünfeld.
9 Nge2 13 Qd2
1 point. The main alternative is 9 Nf3 (1 point). Planning Bh6 at an opportune moment, to
9 d5 (0 points) is somewhat inconsistent; it eliminate a key piece in Black’s set-up.
radically prevents ... Nc4, but presents Black 13 ... Qa5 14 Rfd1
with the pawn breaks ... e7-e6 and ... c7-c6,
and opens the long diagonal for the g7-bishop.
After 9 ... Bd7 10 Be2 e6! 11 Nf3 exd5 12 exd5
Bg4, Black is able to develop in total comfort
and has good play.

– Your Move –

14 ... Rad8
2 points. It’s clear that a rook should go to d8;
it’s less clear which rook it should be.
– Your Move – This is often quite a difficult decision. There is a
saying, attributed to Capablanca, that what
9 ... c6! you should do is have a long think, choose
2 points. Before playing ... Nc4 Black drives the which rook to move, reflect upon the reason
bishop to an awkward square. for your choice, and then ... move the other
If 9 ... Nc4 (1 point) at once, White can play 10 rook instead.
Bc1 c6 11 Ba4, which has been seen a few The advantage of leaving the other rook on f8
times. is that it will lend support to a timely ... f7-f5;
Less attractive is 9 ... Bc4 (0 points) 10 0-0 Bxb5 while the benefit of 14 ... Rfd8 (2 points) is that
11 Nxb5, when White has a solid centre and Black can respond to Bh6 by retreating the
the more comfortable game. bishop to h8.
10 Bd3 Which is the better move? Perhaps a
categorical response is impossible, and in this
– Your Move – case both moves are of equal merit.

10 ... Nc4
2 points. Since 11 Bc1? isn’t possible now
owing to 11 ... Bxd4, Black forces the exchange
on c4 and gains space for his pieces.
11 Bxc4 Bxc4 12 0-0 Nd7
And so Black has elegantly negotiated all the
problems set by 8 Bb5 and completed his
development satisfactorily. Now, with his pair
of bishops and a well-timed pawn break, Black

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
– Your Move – (as White) Choose between
15 Qc2, 15 Bh6, 15 b3 Ba6 16 Bh6, and 15 Nd5.
15 Bh6
(0 points) This exchange generally suits White;
in this case it seeks to relieve the pressure on
d4, but it also deprives the white centre of
some support. So, who benefits more from the
exchange of bishops in this position?
It was interesting to insert the moves 15 b3
Ba6 before playing 16 Bh6 (1 point), given that
with b2-b3 White controls c4; this might not
seem relevant just now, but later we shall
appreciate its importance.
15 Nd5? (deduct 2 points) is inferior, since
after 15 ... Qxd2 16 Nxe7+ Kh8 17 Rxd2 Rfe8,
the knight is trapped.
The best course for White seems to be to do
nothing drastic and just improve his position,
by removing his queen from the X-ray pressure
of the d8-rook with 15 Qc2 (2 points).
15 ... Bxe2
– Your Move – (as White)
16 Nxe2?!
(0 points) It’s possible that White felt unhappy
with the outcome of his opening and believed
that, after the exchange of queens, he would
have no problems in holding the ending. The
course of the game will show that it was
preferable to keep the queens on and continue
with the plan of eliminating the g7-bishop by
16 Bxg7 (1 point), and after either 16 ... Kxg7
249
17 Qxe2 or 16 ... Bxd1 17 Bxf8, the position is
equal.
16 ... Qxd2 17 Bxd2
– Your Move –
17 ... Nb6
1 point. This uncovers an attack on the d4-
pawn and threatens ... Nc4. Now we can see
how useful it would have been to have the
pawn on b3.
18 Bc3
– Your Move –
18 ... Rd7
2 points. Black’s position is an ideal one; his
advantage is only small but the position ‘plays
itself’. With this move it’s clear that his plans
include the doubling of rooks on the d-file,
followed by looking for ways to increase the
pressure on the weakness at d4.
19 b3
– Your Move –
19 ... f5
1 point. Justifying the decision to leave the
king’s rook on f8. With this move he is planning
a manoeuvre that will saddle White with an
isolated pawn on e4.
Nevertheless, leaving the pawn on f7 was
attractive too. After 19 ... Rfd8 (2 points) 20
Re1, how would you continue?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
– Your Move – (after 20 Re1)
Answer: Black can increase the pressure on
the centre, using his only inactive piece: after
20 ... Na8! (2 points), planning ... Nc7-b5 or
Nc7-e6 and then, for instance, 21 Rac1 Nc7,
White has some difficulties. In all probability
he would feel forced to play e4-e5, since
other defences don’t seem very reliable; for
example, 22 Ba5 b6 23 Bc3 Nb5 and the
endgame with four rooks arising from 24 Ba1
Nxd4 25 Nxd4 Bxd4 26 Bxd4 Rxd4 27 Rxc6
Rd2 28 a4 R8d3 29 Rc7 Re2! is very
unpleasant for White.
Instead, White could try 22 f4, which solves his
back rank problems, but then it would be
interesting to play 22 ... e6 with the plan of ...
f7-f5; or if 22 f3 then 22 ... Ne6 is strong.
20 f3
20 exf5 Rxf5 or 20 ... gxf5 is also unpleasant.
20 ... Rfd8
Threatening 21 ... e5 or 21 ... fxe4 22 fxe4 e5.
21 Re1 fxe4 22 fxe4
250
– Your Move –
22 ... e5!
2 points. Anyway! With this energetic pawn
break, Black takes the initiative.
The absence of the pawn from f7 makes itself
felt, in that 22 ... Na8 is no longer
advantageous – why not?
– Your Move – (after 22 ... Na8)
Answer: Because of 23 d5! (2 points), exploiting
the weakness of the e6-square. After 23 ...
cxd5 24 Bxg7 Kxg7 25 Nf4 Nc7 26 exd5, White
doesn’t stand worse.
23 dxe5
– Your Move –
23 ... Rd3
2 points. The inactive black knight wants to
come into play with 24 ... Nd7 and ... Nxe5.
Therefore the rook needs to vacate d7 and
goes to d3 in order to stay active. 23 ... Re8 (1
point) was also possible.
White’s position is uncomfortable but not yet
significantly worse. How should he defend?
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings

– Your Move – (as White) Choose between 24 – Your Move –

Bb2 and 24 g3.
24 ... Nd7!
24 g3? 2 points. Natural and strong.
A strange decision, which unnecessarily 25 e6 Bxc3 26 Nxc3 Ne5
creates a new weakness (deduct 1 point). Making White regret having played 24 g3.
Simply 24 Bb2! (2 points) would have been 27 Red1
better, since if 24 ... Nd7?!, White could play
25 Nf4 Nxe5 26 Nxd3 Nxd3 27 Bxg7 Nxe1 28 – Your Move –
Bh6 (or 28 Bf6) 28 ... Nc2 29 Rf1 with equality.
Admittedly, 24 ... Rd2 25 Bc3 Rc2 would still be 27 ... Kf8
unpleasant, but less so than the game 1 point. And now all the black pieces are better
continuation, and White might be able to get than their white counterparts.
away with 26 Rac1!? (the alternative, 26 a4, 28 Rac1 Ke7 29 Rxd3 Rxd3 30 Rc2
would allow Black to keep up the pressure with
26 ... Bh6) since, after 26 ... Rxa2 27 Ra1 Rxa1
28 Rxa1 Ra8 29 Bd4 Nd7 30 Rxa7 Rxa7 31 Bxa7
Bxe5, Black has only a small edge.
Theoretically, this shouldn’t be a serious
problem for White, but from the practical
point of view it’s clear that his task would not
be easy. Carlsen has won many endings with
less advantage than this.

– Your Move –

30 ... Nf3+!
3 points. Improving the position of the knight.
This is better than 30 ... Kxe6 (0 points) 31 Na4!
b6 32 Kf2 etc.
However, 30 ... Ng4! (3 points) was equally
good, after which 31 ... Kxe6 would be much

251
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
stronger, because 32 Na4? would lose to 32 ...
Rd1+ 33 Kg2 Ne3+ etc. In fact, an eventual ...
Ne3(+) creates unpleasant problems for White
in many lines; for example, 31 Kf1 Rxg3! etc.
31 Kf1 Nd4 32 Rc1

– Your Move –

32 ... Kxe6
1 point. Finally, after improving the position of
his knight. Now c6 is defended, so 33 Na4? can
be answered by 33 ... b6, and Black can start to
make progress after 34 Kf2 Ke5 etc.
– Your Move –
33 Rd1
36 ... Rh5!
2 points. The best way to neutralize the threat
of 37 Rb4.
37 b4
After 37 a6 b6, there is no time to go after the
a7-pawn, since if 38 Rd8 then 38 ... Ra5.

– Your Move –

37 ... Rh2
2 points. In accordance with the motto “don’t
rush”. The white king is now out of the game
– Your Move – again. There are several other good moves,
such as 37 ... a6 (1 point), preparing ... c6-c5;
33 ... Rxc3 the immediate 37 ... c5 (0 points) is less
1 point. This exchange is very advantageous to accurate because of 38 bxc5 Rxc5 39 Rb4, but
Black; his rook is much more active than with the pawn on a6 it would be possible to
White’s, and with the stronger king as well, his answer this with ... Rb5.
advantage should be decisive. 38 a6
33 ... Rf3+! (2 points) was perhaps even better,
as after 34 Ke1 (or 34 Kg2 Rxc3 35 Rxd4 Rc2+
etc) 34 ... Ke5 35 Rc1 Rf7, threatening 36 ...
Nf3+, White would be in zugzwang.
The knight endgame after 33 ... Rxd1+ (1 point)
34 Nxd1 Ke5 35 Nf2 Nf3 is also winning for
Black.
34 Rxd4 Rc2 35 a4
In the event of 35 Ra4 a6 36 h4 Ke5, White has
no useful move. He has to prevent the black
rook from coming to either g2 or e2 and, at the
same time, defend the pawns at a2 and e4.
35 ... Rxh2 36 a5
– Your Move –

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
38 ... b5!
1 point. Not allowing 39 Rc4. Since 39 ... Ra2
can’t be prevented, Black has no need to
damage his own pawn structure with 38 ...
bxa6.
39 e5
39 Rd8 leads to similar play: 39 ... Ra2 40 Re8+
Kd6 41 e5+ Kd5 42 e6 Rxa6 43 e7 Ke6 etc, with
two extra pawns and a simple win.
– Your Move –
39 ... Ra2
1 point. After the simplifications, Black’s
stronger king and extra pawn will give him an
easy win.
40 Rd6+ Kxe5 41 Rxc6 Kf5 42 Rc7 Rxa6 43 Rxh7
Kg4 44 Kf2 Ra2+ 45 Ke3
– Your Move –
45 ... g5
1 point. Only 45 ... Kxg3? (deduct 1 point) 46
Rg7 would allow White unnecessary chances of
salvation.
46 Rg7 Rb2 47 Rxa7 Kxg3 0-1
Wang Yue vs. Magnus Carlsen, Medias 2010.
Some lessons from this game:
1. “When you find a good move, look for a
better one” – Em.Lasker. (9 ... c6!, instead of
9 ... Nc4)
253
2. “Which piece should I exchange? Which
one should I keep?” When you find the right
answers, you’ll also find also the best move.
(16 Nxe2?, 16 Bxg7!)
3. In an inferior position it’s better to think
twice before creating a new weakness; the
drawbacks might outweigh the benefits. (24
g3?)
4. “Don’t rush”. (30 ... Nf3+!, 36 ... Rh5!, 37 ...
Rh2!, 38 ... b5!)
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
actually played.
How did you do?
(Maximum score: 41 points)
More than 36 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Between 33 and 36 points: Grandmaster.
Between 28 and 32 points: International
Master.
Between 21 and 27 points: At many stages you
played the ending just like Carlsen!
Between 10 and 20 points: You handled the
ending well.
Less than 10 points: Your endgame technique
requires some refinement.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
Game 40
White: You
Black: Master
French Defence [C00]
1 e4 e6 2 d3 d5 3 Nd2 Nf6 4 Ngf3 Nc6 5 c3 Bd6
Black postpones the decision to play ... e6-e5
and, as Carlsen explained, leaves that square
available for ... Ne5 in response to a possible
b2-b4-b5.
The advance b2-b4 is generally a positional
threat in the Philidor Defence or the Pirc,
which is essentially what we’ll have here (with
colours reversed) once Black plays ... e6-e5.
How would you continue White’s
development?
2 points. As we’ve already mentioned, after 7
b4 (1 point) it’s possible to play 7 ... dxe4 8
dxe4 a5 9 b5 Ne5 “and White has gained some
space, but also weakened some squares, so
Black should be doing fine.”
7 ... a5
If 7 ... e5, White would have an ideal version of
the Philidor Defence, with two extra tempi
after 8 b4. On the other hand, “whether that
would be sufficient for an advantage though, is
quite unclear”, commented Carlsen.
After 7 ... Re8 8 Re1, the great French Defence
expert, John Watson, suggested 8 ... h6 (8 ... a5
9 Bf1 e5 10 exd5 Nxd5 11 Nc4 transposes to
the game), intending 9 Bf1 e5 10 exd5 Nxd5 11
Nc4 and now 11 ... Bf5!, “when the bishop has
a pleasant retreat on h7.”
8 Re1 e5

– Your Move –
– Your Move –
6 Be2
1 point. 6 g3 is another option (1 point). 9 exd5
There is no clear answer to where the bishop 2 points. It was possible to play ‘normal’
should be developed. The winner explained Philidor moves, such as 9 b3 (1 point) and 9 Bf1
that he chose e2 because Black still retains the (1 point) without releasing the central tension,
possibility of playing ... d5xe4, followed by ... but White preferred to fix the pawn structure.
e6-e5, in which case the bishop will be more 9 ... Nxd5 10 Nc4 Re8 11 Bf1 Bg4 12 h3 Bh5
active on e2 than on g2, and “besides, this one
seemed to fit better with ideas of pushing b2-
b4.”
6 ... 0-0

– Your Move –

7 0-0

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
position after 14 Bg2 f6, but this doesn’t mean
a great deal, since the position has so many
‘Indian’ features that it’s difficult for engines to
assess it properly.
14 Nxb6 cxb6 15 Bg2

– Your Move – (as Black)

15 ... b5?!
A questionable move that loses 1 point.
Instead, 15 ... a4 (1 point) would have retained
equal chances.
– Your Move –

13 g3
2 points. “Once the e4-pawn is not there to
obstruct it, the bishop is re-deployed to the
long diagonal”, commented Carlsen.
The line suggested by the engines is to try and
exploit the absence of the black bishop with 13
g4 Bg6 14 Qb3 (1 point), but this seemed too
risky to Carlsen, who described it as a “coffee-
house” idea, though he might have played it
on another day, when he felt in more of a
gambling mood. How would you highlight the drawbacks of
In fact, given more time, the engines begin to Black’s pawn advance?
lose their enthusiasm for the queen raid on the
‘poisoned pawn’ at b7; i.e. after 14 ... h5 15 – Your Move –
Qxb7 hxg4 or 14 ... Nb6 15 Bg5 Qd7 16 Nxb6
cxb6 17 Qxb6 Bc7! 18 Qb5 (not 18 Qxb7? e4! 16 a4!
19 Bf4 Ra7 etc, and 19 dxe4? Bh2+ is even 2 points. White is able to undermine his
worse) 18 ... a4, intending ... Ra5. structure. Black must now choose between
13 ... Nb6 capturing on a4, which would activate the
A radical decision, to eliminate the annoying white pieces, or advancing, leaving some weak
pressure exerted by the knight on c4. Black squares behind.
allows his pawn structure to be damaged, but Carlsen emphasized that it is in White’s favour
it isn’t easy to exploit this weakness, and he to fix the black pawns on dark squares.
hopes to benefit from the space he gains. 16 ... b4
Nevertheless, we should note that, after the 16 ... bxa4 17 Qxa4 is also pleasant for White,
exchange on b6, White gains some superiority with ideas such as Be3 and/or Nd2-c4.
in the centre as well. 17 Be3
This was played after a long think, which shows
that both players were now out of their – Your Move – (as Black)
preparation, or having to “use their own little
heads”, as Don Miguel Najdorf used to say. 17 ... Bc7?!
The typical move 13 ... a4 is the preference of This attack on d3 doesn’t impede the progress
the Houdini 3 engine, and it likes Black’s of the white pieces. It was better to play 17 ...

255
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
f6! (2 points), when White would have to come neat riposte 20 ... Qd8! 21 Nf5 Bg6 and “it’s
up with a different plan. not entirely clear what White has achieved” –
‘very little’, according to the engines. Instead,
20 d4, exploiting the disappearance of the
pawn from c7, is more attractive.
19 Qc4 is Houdini 3’s second choice.
19 ... bxc3
The opening of the b-file naturally favours
White, but Black’s idea is to simplify the game,
and this exchange is almost inevitable.
20 bxc3 e4
Carlsen considered that, without this
simplification, Black couldn’t withstand the
pressure on his queenside.
– Your Move –

18 Qb3!
2 points. Suddenly all White’s pieces are
coming to life; he has ideas of Nd2-e4, Ng5-e4,
or Nd2-c4.
18 ... h6
Carlsen commented that it’s not easy to find a
useful move for Black here.
18 ... Qxd3? was unplayable in view of 19 Rad1
Qa6 (or 19 ... Qe4 20 Nh4 Bxd1 21 Rxd1 etc) 20
g4 Bg6 21 Bf1, winning.
In order to win the pawn, Black would have to – Your Move –
insert 18 ... Bxf3 19 Bxf3 and only then 19 ...
Qxd3, but handing over complete control of 21 dxe4
the light squares to the opponent is hardly a 1 point. Carlsen commented in graphic terms
convincing strategy. After 20 Rad1 Qf5 (20 ... on the great pleasure he felt to be able to
Qg6 gives White greater freedom, who can transpose into a slightly better ending: “I
continue, for example, with 21 Qd5 e4 22 Bh5 couldn’t wait to get to torture him in the
Qe6 23 Qxe6 Rxe6 24 Rd7 Re7 25 Rxe7 Nxe7 endgame.”
26 cxb4 axb4 27 Bc5 Nc6 28 Rxe4 etc, or 21 ... However, 21 Nd4 (2 points) is even stronger, as
Rad8 22 Qb5 with very active pieces and more after 21 ... exd3 22 Qxd3, the white pieces are
than enough compensation) 21 Bg4 Qg6 22 much more active.
Rd7 Rac8, Carlsen pointed out 23 Be2!, with Carlsen admitted that he hadn’t noticed that,
the threat of 24 Rxf7 and 25 Bc4. following 21 ... Ne5 22 Qb5, it isn’t possible to
19 Qc4 play 22 ... Nxd3? on account of 23 Qxh5.
The engines show a slight preference for 19 21 ... Bxf3 22 Bxf3 Ne5 23 Qe2 Nxf3+ 24 Qxf3
Nh4, when 19 ... Qxd3? fails to 20 Rad1! Bxd1 Qd3
21 Rxd1 Qh7 (if 21 ... Qa6 then, as we’ve
already seen, 22 Bf1) 22 Rd7 Re7 23 Bxc6,
winning material.
Carlsen was bothered by 19 ... Qc8, preventing
Nf5, and not fearing 20 g4 on account of the

256
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
This simplified position was foreseen by
Carlsen several moves earlier and he
considered that Black is a long way from
achieving a draw.
What should White play now?
– Your Move –
25 Kg2!
4 points. “Much stronger than 25 Rab1”,
according to Carlsen.
The engines prefer 25 Rab1 (1 point), and here
we can see one of the advantages that human
knowledge and thought have over the
machines. Carlsen rejected this in view of 25 ...
Qxe4 26 Qxe4 Rxe4 27 Rxb7 Be5, “when Black
is pretty close to a draw”; for example, 28 Bd2
Rxe1+ 29 Bxe1 Rc8 30 Rb5 Bxc3 31 Bxc3 Rxc3
32 Rxa5 Ra3 with a theoretically drawn
endgame.
25 ... Qxe4 26 Bd4 Qxf3+
Instead, 26 ... Qc6 27 Qxc6 bxc6 28 Rxe8+ Rxe8
29 Rb1 is very unpleasant, since Black can’t
contest the b-file with 29 ... Rb8? on account
of 30 Rxb8+ Bxb8 31 Bb6 etc.
27 Kxf3 b6
The engines consider this position to be either
equal or with an insignificant edge to White –
whereas, to a top grandmaster like Carlsen, or
an endgame expert such as Karsten Müller,
White’s advantage is clear.
White has the better king and the more active
pieces, and he even has the ‘better’ weakness,
since the isolated c3-pawn serves to support
his strong bishop on d4, while the backward
257
b6-pawn merely ‘serves’ as a weakness
requiring defence.
28 Rab1 Rac8
– Your Move –
29 Re4!
3 points. “White’s activity is extremely difficult
to deal with, as Black has no real counterplay”
(Karsten Müller). With this move White keeps
the rook defended and plans to play Rb5 at
some point, when the threat to the b6-pawn
would become real. Furthermore, thanks to his
greater mobility, White can expand on the
kingside, seeking to open lines on that wing at
some point in the future.
29 ... g6
If 29 ... h5, removing the pawn from a dark
square and trying to restrain White’s
expansion, then 30 Rb5 g6 31 g4 (the engines
prefer 31 Rxe8+ Rxe8 32 c4, followed by an
attack on the b6-pawn, which, if successful,
would be under more favourable conditions
than after 25 Rb1, in view of the better
position of the white king) 31 ... hxg4+ 32 hxg4
and the appearance of a white rook on the h-
file is yet another factor to add to Black’s
woes.
The most solid move is 29 ... f6, but this would
do nothing to restrain White’s pawns.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
36 ... Rd6+ 37 Kc4 Rc6+
After the game, Caruana suggested 37 ... f5 as
a possible improvement. Carlsen intended to
maintain the tension with 38 f3, and if 38 ...
fxg4 39 fxg4 gxh5 40 gxh5, despite the
exchange of two pairs of pawns, it “is still a
long way from a draw”.
38 Kd5 Re6
Of course not 38 ... Rxc3?? 39 Bd4+.
39 Bd4+ Kf8

– Your Move –

30 g4!
3 points. Fixing the pawn on h6 and making it
more difficult for Black to advance any of his
kingside pawns, since weaknesses would just
be created.
30 ... Kf8 31 h4! Rxe4
Black simplifies, enabling his remaining rook to
defend the b6-pawn from a more active
square. – Your Move –
32 Kxe4 Re8+ 33 Kd3 Re6 34 Be3 Kg7 35 Rb5
Bd8 40 f4
2 points. Planning to advance with f4-f5.
Carlsen considered that he already had a
winning advantage, because “White just gains
more and more ground, and eventually Black
cannot hold on to everything.”
40 ... Bc7
“Without his king Black cannot oppose the
invasion of the white king,” commented
Müller, who suggested 40 ... Ke7, while
admitting that if White uses the same ideas as
in the game (a timely f4-f5 or c3-c4-c5), Black
will still have a difficult, and in the end
probably futile, defensive task.
– Your Move –
– Your Move –
36 h5!
3 points. Carlsen doesn’t comment on this
41 f5!
advance; Müller remarks that this is “a typical
2 points. The gaining of “more and more
lever to undermine Black’s structure.”
ground”, of which Carlsen spoke, makes itself
It’s also a typical situation of ‘favourable
felt, in that the black rook no longer has the
tension’ for White, as neither ... g6-g5, nor ...
use of the e6-square.
g6xh5, is advisable for Black.
41 ... Rd6+ 42 Ke4 Rc6

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 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
Black has a weakness on b6, but this is rarely
decisive on its own; White needs to create a
‘second weakness’ – how?
– Your Move –
43 Rb1!
4 points. The rook is more mobile on the back
rank.
43 ... Ke8
Now a white victory seems to be merely a
question of mathematics, but it’s very difficult
to suggest anything better.
If 43 ... g5, it’s true that the kingside would be
closed off, but the weakness at h6 would be
more serious, the black king would have
mobility problems, while the white monarch
would, in contrast, remain the master of the
centre and the queenside. After 44 Kd5 Rd6+
45 Kc4 Ke7 46 Kb5 Kd7 47 Ka6 Rc6 (in the
event of 47 ... Kc6 48 Bxb6 Rd8 49 Rb5 Ra8+ 50
Ba7, White can’t easily escape from the pin,
but he can solve the problem tactically by
means of c3-c4-c5 and Rb6+! at the right
moment) 48 Kb7 Rc4
259
49 Bg7! (two weaknesses! – yes, White has
weaknesses of his own at a4, c3 and g4, but
thanks to his spatial advantage and superior
pieces, these are less important; once White
captures the h-pawn, he will have another
passed pawn on h5) 49 ... Bd6 (or 49 ... Rxg4
50 Rd1+ Bd6 51 Be5 etc) 50 Bxh6 Rxg4 51 Bg7
Rh4 52 Rd1! Ke7 53 Kc6! Rc4+ (53 ... Bg3 also
loses after, for example, 54 Rd7+ Ke8 55 Bf6
Rc4+ 56 Kb5 Rc8 57 Rd3 etc) 54 Kxb6 Rxa4 55
Rh1 and wins.
If instead 43 ... gxh5 44 gxh5 Rc4, Carlsen gives
45 Ra1 (threatening 46 Kd5; the immediate 45
Kd5 also works, as after 45 ... Rxa4 46 Kc6 Bb8
47 Kd7, White has decisive pressure on the
weaknesses at b6 and h6, and the black king
itself is in danger; there are threats of 48 Re1,
48 Rg1 followed by mate with Bf6-e7, as well
as simply capturing the b-pawn) 45 ... Rc6 46
Rg1 Rd6 (46 ... Rc4 “allows White to finish in
style”, commented Carlsen, with the elegant
line 47 Kd5 Rxa4 48 Rg4!, threatening checks
at c5 and g7; for example, 48 ... Ra1 49 Kc6
Bh2 50 Bg7+ Ke8 51 Re4+ Kd8 52 Bf6+ and
mate next move, or 48 ... Ke8 49 Kc6 Rc4+ 50
Kb5 or 49 ... Bh2 50 Re4+ and wins) 47 Be5! (to
be able to play Rg7 without ‘undesirable side-
effects’; the immediate 47 Rg7?? would lose to
47 ... Rxd4+) 47 ... Rc6 48 Bg7+ Ke7 49 Bd4 Kf8
50 Rg7 “and the rook penetrates with decisive
effect.” (Carlsen)
– Your Move –
44 hxg6!
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
3 points. Carlsen is aware that with every
exchange the risk of a draw increases, but he
had already worked out “a more or less forced
win”.
44 ... fxg6
– Your Move –
45 Rh1!
2 points. “Typical play on two wings. The
defender has more problems to bring his
forces to the other front than the attacker.”
(Müller)
45 ... Kf7?!
The variation 45 ... gxf5+ 46 gxf5 Bd8 “was
certainly the most tenacious defence, and the
line I had spent the most time calculating” (in
the event of 46 ... Rc4 47 Kd5 Rxa4 48 Rxh6,
White wins easily, since Black’s passive pieces
are no match for the three coordinated white
pieces and the pawn on f5). Carlsen had
envisaged a win with 47 f6! Bxf6 48 Rxh6
Rxc3!? (forced) 49 Bxf6! (the engines evaluate
49 Bxc3?? Bxc3 50 Rxb6 as winning, but the
six-piece tablebase at shredderchess.com
indicates that it’s a draw) 49 ... Ra3 (the win is
easier after 49 ... Rc4+ 50 Kd5 Rxa4 51 Ke6
Re4+ 52 Be5 etc) 50 Rh7! (incarcerating the
black king; 50 Kd5? allows Black to escape
from the mating net with 50 ... Kf7!) 50 ...
Rxa4+ 51 Kd5 Ra2 52 Ke6 Re2+ 53 Be5 Rf2 54
Rb7 Rd2 55 Rxb6 and it’s mate in 23 moves,
according to the tablebase. “In fact, the win is
quite simple as soon as White captures the
pawn, as was shown many times, for instance
260
in the recent game Grischuk-Kamsky from the
[2012 Istanbul] Olympiad.” (Carlsen)
46 Kd5 Rd6+ 47 Kc4 gxf5
Played after a long think, but nothing can save
Black now.
After 47 ... g5, there are two weaknesses (on
h6 and b6) which, allied to White’s
tremendous space advantage, add up to a
White win. For example, 48 Kb5 Bd8 and here
Carlsen pointed out another artistic finish: 49
Ka6 Rc6 50 Rh3! (better than the immediate 50
Kb7 Rc7+) 50 ... Rd6 (if either 50 ... Kg8 or 50 ...
Ke8 then 51 f6! wins) 51 Kb7 Ke8 52 Rh1 Kf7
53 Kc8 and we’ve reached a striking zugzwang
position; Black cannot cope with all the threats
of Bg7, Re1-e6, Kc7 etc, and wherever he
moves he must lose something.
48 gxf5 Bd8
– Your Move –
49 f6!
3 points. “This breaks the lines of
communication in Black’s camp. Now it’s over,
as Black’s king is too far away from the
queenside” (Müller). Nevertheless, in practice,
accurate calculation is still required. Carlsen
commented that he played this move
immediately, but only because he had double-
and triple-checked the lines while Caruana was
thinking.
49 ... Bxf6
There is nothing to be gained by delaying this
capture: after 49 ... Kg6 50 Rg1+ Kf7 51 Rg7+
Ke8 (or 51 ... Ke6 52 Rh7) 52 Rg6, threatening
both 53 f7+ and 53 Rxh6, there is no defence.
 TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings
50 Rxh6 Be7 Some lessons from this game:
Of course 50 ... Ke7 51 Bxf6+ Rxf6 52 Rxf6 Kxf6 1. “Where should this piece go?” There’s not
53 Kb5 is a trivial win. always an easy answer. (6 Be2!, 9 exd5!)
51 Rxd6 Bxd6 52 Kb5 Ke6 53 Bxb6 Kd7 54 c4 2. Sometimes a theoretical advantage for a
Kc8 55 Bxa5 computer is not enough for a human. (25
The endgame is a win, as long as White takes Kg2!)
care not to allow Black to sacrifice his bishop 3. Which pawns should be exchanged?
for the c-pawn, in which case the position Which ones should advance? General
would be a draw, with rook’s pawn and considerations helped in the choice of 30
‘wrong’ bishop. Carlsen commented that he g4!, 40 f4! and 41 f5!, while tactical vision
knew the winning method from the famous
suggested 44 hxg6! and 49 f6!.
game R.J.Fischer-P.Keres, Zürich 1959.
4. When you have one advantage, play on
In that game the action was on the kingside
two wings! (43 Rb1!, 45 Rh1!)
and the pawns were on the f- and h-files. In a
5. Never relax! (56 c5??)
position similar to this one, Fischer had to play
Italics refer to variations, as opposed to moves
76 Bh5! in order to follow up with Bg4 and f4-
actually played.
f5.
How did you do? (Maximum score: 45 points)
Fischer – Keres
More than 40 points: Super-Grandmaster.
Zurich 1959.
Between 36 and 40 points: Grandmaster.
Between 29 and 35 points: International
Position after 76.
Master.
Bh5!
Between 21 and 28 points: You really know
how to manoeuvre!
Between 10 and 20 points: Your endgame skills
are quite good.
Less than 10 points: You’ve received a
marvellous lesson in endgame technique!
55 ... Kb7 56 Bb4
Here, for example, not 56 c5?? since 56 ... Bxc5
draws.
56 ... Bf4 57 c5 Ka7 58 c6 Kb8 59 a5 Ka7 60 a6
Ka8 61 Bc5 Bb8 62 Kc4 Bc7 63 Kd5 Bd8 64 Ke6
Bc7 65 Kd7 Ba5 66 Be7 1-0
There’s no defence against 67 Bd8, followed
by c6-c7 etc.

Magnus Carlsen vs. Fabiano Caruana, Sao

Paulo/Bilbao 2012.

261
TEST YOUR CHESS: Part Four - Endings

262
 TEST YOUR CHESS

Index of Games

Part 1

Mikhail Tal vs. Semen Furman, Riga 1955

Mikhail Tal vs. Istvan Bilek, Miskolc 1963
Mikhail Tal vs. Bukhuti Gurgenidze, USSR Championship, Alma Ata 1968
Mikhail Tal vs., Boris Spassky Tilburg 1980
Boris Spassky vs. Yasser Seirawan, Zürich 1984
Peter Leko vs. Rustam Kasimdzhanov, FIDE World Championship, San Luis 2005
Peter Svidler vs. Sergey Karjakin, Wijk aan Zee 2007
Peter Leko vs. Boris Gelfand, FIDE Grand Prix, Nalchik 2009
Sergey Karjakin vs. Boris Gelfand, FIDE World Cup, Khanty-Mansiysk 2009
Teimour Radjabov vs. Boris Gelfand, Medias 2010
Zenón Franco Ocampos vs. Julio Granda Zúñiga, Mexico City 2010

Part 2

Julio Bolbochán vs. Miguel Najdorf, Argentine Ch’ship (Game 3), Buenos Aires 1949
Oscar Panno vs. Héctor Rossetto, Rio de Janeiro Zonal 1957
Mikhail Tal vs. Klaus Darga, USSR-West Germany match, Hamburg 1960
Oscar Panno vs. Miguel Najdorf, Buenos Aires 1965
Herman Pilnik vs. Leonid Stein, Mar del Plata 1966
Milan Matulovic vs. Robert Fischer, Vinkovci 1968
Magnus Carlsen vs. Alexander Grischuk, Linares 2009
Levon Aronian vs. Peter Leko, FIDE Grand Prix, Nalchik 2009
Arkadij Naiditsch vs. Vladimir Kramnik, Dortmund 2009
Vassily Ivanchuk vs. Evgeny Alekseev, FIDE Grand Prix, Jermuk 2009
Viswanathan Anand vs. Vladimir Kramnik, Wijk aan Zee 2010
Sergey Karjakin vs. Magnus Carlsen, Wijk aan Zee 2010

Part 3

Miguel Najdorf vs. Reuben Fine, New York (4th matchgame) 1949
Miguel Najdorf vs. Samuel Reshevsky, Buenos Aires (2nd matchgame) 1953
Julio Bolbochán vs. Paul Keres, Argentina-USSR match, Buenos Aires 1954
Miguel Najdorf vs. Bogdan Sliwa, Alekhine Memorial, Moscow 1956
Herman Pilnik vs. Gideon Stahlberg, Beverwijk 1963
Miguel Najdorf vs. Kick Langeweg, Wijk aan Zee 1973
Raúl Sanguineti vs. Elías Miana, Argentine Championship, Buenos Aires 1975
Miguel Ángel Quinteros vs. Tigran V. Petrosian, Buenos Aires 1979
 TEST YOUR CHESS
Vladimir Kramnik vs. Loek Van Wely, Dortmund 2008
Vladimir Kramnik vs. Nigel Short, Dresden Olympiad 2008
Magnus Carlsen vs. Veselin Topalov, Sofia 2009
Magnus Carlsen vs. Dmitry Jakovenko, Nanjing 2009

Part 4

Miguel Najdorf vs. Ludek Pachman, Amsterdam Olympiad 1954

Magnus Carlsen vs. Viswanathan Anand, Morelia/Linares 2007
Veselin Topalov vs. Wang Yue, Sofia 2009
Wang Yue vs. Magnus Carlsen, Medias 2010
Magnus Carlsen vs. Fabiano Caruana, Sao Paulo/Bilbao 2012