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Trailovic - Every Move Explained The Ideas Behind Chess Moves
Trailovic - Every Move Explained The Ideas Behind Chess Moves
Move Explained
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Table of contents
Introduction
Chess Notation
Alekhine – Tartakower
Botvinnik – Portisch
Kamsky – Nakamura
Steinitz – Blackburne
Korchnoi – Byvshev
Sclechter – Perlis
Shulman – Khalifman
Thompson – Morphy
Karpov – Kamsky
Chigorin – Steinitz
Fleissig – Sclechter
Introduction
This book attempts to explain the moves played in chosen master games by
using a simple
language accessible to readers of all playing levels. You will not find a lot of
long variations here explaining al the possibilities, but rather words that describe
the ideas behind the chess moves.
It is often the case that lower rated players are struggling with why a certain
move is played
and the best method to overcome that problem is by familiarizing with the chess
heritage from
the master games. In many books the problem is that not all of the moves are
explained
because those books are geared towards experienced players. So actually that is
not a
problem for those players who already have the ability to deduct the conclusions
themselves
about those moves that are given without comments. But when a player rated bel
ow 2000
reads those books he or she often struggles with those strings of moves that are
given
That is where this books comes in. It is written for players who want to know
ideas behind
every chess move. Also this book will not overwhelm the reader with long
variations but rather
just essential moves and when needed some forced lines or examples of what
would happen
All the games are analyzed by author and in complex positions an engine was
used to secure
than proposed but the goal of this book was not to give the best move for each
position in the
games chosen, but to provide the explanations of moves played and suggest
logical moves
It was assumed that the reader is familiar with chess notation, but if you are not,
don't worry.
There is a brief chapter on chess notation and anyone can learn it in a matter of
minutes.
The first several moves of each games are given until the end of the page and
then each next
page of that game starts with a diagram with a current position fol owed by next
few moves. In
this manner we secured that even an inexperienced reader can read the book
without the
chess board. This is also a great tool for practicing calculation and imagination.
Of course, if the reader prefers to move the pieces on the real board that is OK
too. The chosen layout just
Chess Notation
In this book we used algebraic notation and English symbols for pieces. This is
pretty simple
and we will explain it here. The board has coordinates, horizontal y letters a-h
and vertical y
numbers 1-8. In this manner each square has a name for example the square on
which there
is a white king in a starting position of any chess game is cal ed “e1”, because
it's coordinates are e, 1.
K – King x – capture
Q – Queen + - check
R – Rook # - Checkmate
We will describe this by showing some examples of how it is done. There is long
notation and
short notation. Long notation was used for moves actually played in the game
and short one
In the long notation we mark the piece , its starting square and landing square:
1. Kh1-g2 it means that the king goes form the h1 square to the g2 square. In
short
notation we would just write the symbol for the piece and the landing square, so
the same
When pawn moves are being written the symbol for pawn is omitted, so 1. a2-a4
means that
If two of the same pieces can go to a certain square we note which piece we are
talking about
in this manner 1. Nge2, meaning that the knight from the g file is going to e2.
This of course
doesn't influence the long notation since there the starting square is always
written.
If you see something like this 1... Rc8 it means that it is black's who plays that
move (the 3
1. e2-e4
Control ing the d5 square and establishing the presence in the center.
1. … e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3
Developing the knight and attacking the e5 pawn at the same time.
2. … Nb8-c6
Developing the knight and defending the e5 pawn at the same time.
3. Bf1-c4
Developing the bishop and eying the f7 square.
3. … Bf8-c5
Black says, you didn't attack anything in my camp, so I will use this opportunity
to develop
4. b2-b4
This is what we call “The Evans Gambit”. White is giving up a pawn, but don't
worry he didn't
go crazy. He has something in mind. That is, for the pawn that he is giving he is
hoping to
4. … Bc5xb4
It only makes sense to take this pawn, since it is offered already. Taking with the
knight is
5. c2-c3
White is thinking - “Now I will make this move with a tempo, since black will
have to move his
5. … Bb4-c5
Black had several options here : 5...Ba5, 5...Bc5, 5...Be7 or even 5... Bd6. But he
probably
thought, that since his original idea was to go to c5 he might as well go back. It
looks like a good square anyway. If nothing else, white has developed his bishop
in a similar style.
6. d2-d4
White is proceeding with his plan, gaining more time by attacking the black
bishop again and
6. … e5xd4
Black could also just retreat again, either to b6 or d6, but in those days this was
the only logical reply and also this is the best reply. Why leave the e5 pawn
hanging when you can get rid of it by exchanging on d4.
7. c3xd4
Just look at this beautiful center formed by d4 and e4 pawns. They control so
many central squares and restrict black's play and therefore compensate for the
material minus.
7. … Bc5-b6
Black decides to go to this safe square and keep the pressure in white's center
from there. He
could also go 7...Bb4+ where white has two pleasant choices. To block with the
bishop or to
go 8.Kf1!? and if black would make a natural move like 8...d6? He would be al
of the sudden
lost because of 9.d5! And if the knight moves away white goes Qa4+ picking up
the bishop on
b4. Black could try 9...Qf6, but after 10.Qc2!, Qxa1 11.Bb2 black's queen is
trapped. That is
why black cannot play 8...d6, but he has to continue in some other manner and
the game is
still on.
8. 0-0
Placing the king into the safety and bringing the rook closer to the action.
8. … Nc6-a5
Black doesn't like the fact that the c4 bishop is targeting the f7 square so he
wants to chase him away form the a2-g8 diagonal.
9. Bc4-d3
Looking further ahead, white places his bishop on potentially good diagonal. At
one point black might castle king side and then this bishop is going to be
targeting h7 square.
9.Bxf7+, Kxf7 10.Ne5+, Kf8 11. Qh5, Qf6 12. Bg5, Qe6 would be a bad idea
9. … Ng8-e7
Develops the knight and getting one step closer to castling. It would not be such
a great idea
10. Nb1-c3
Normal developing move. In the end we want to play with all of our pieces if
possible. This
square is much better than d2 because it puts more control over d5 square and
doesn't block the c1 bishop.
10. … 0-0
Putting the King to a more safe position and finishing his king side development.
11. Bc1-a3
Pinning the knight on e7 against the rook, so it cannot move freely. This might
come in handy in the future, when white starts pressuring the black's king side,
so black should remove this
pin. Instead 11.d5, d6 12.Ne2, Ng6 13.Bb2 leads to a more standard Evans
Gambit position
where white has a good attacking chances on the king side thanks to his central
control and
open a1-h8 diagonal and slight lead in development, but he is a pawn down so it
would be kind of balanced position.
11. … d7-d6
Removing the pin on the a3-f8 diagonal and opening the path for his light
squared bishop 12. e4-e5
Opening the diagonal for d3 bishop and freeing the e4 square for the c3 knight,
so he can join the attack.
12. … Bc8-f5
Immediately neutralizing the opponents bishop. This was not necessary but it
looks like that is
black's style of play - to stop every plan of white immediately. Note, that white
was not
threatening the “Greek gift” sac on h7 because at the end black could always go
to f5 with his bishop and defend. For example, 12...Nc6 13.Bxh7?, Kxh7
14.Ng5+, Kg8 15.Qh5, Bf5!
13. e5xd6
14. Nc3-e4
knight into the attack, attacks the d6 pawn and sets up a little trap if black plays
…
14. … d7-d5
Fal ing right into the trap. It was better to exchange the dangerous knight with
14...Bxe4
15.Bxe4, Rc8
15. Ne4-f6+!
The knight had to be taken, if 15...Kh8 16.Bxf5, Nxf5 17.Bxf8 Now we see why
white
developed his bishop on a3 on move 11. This bishop will have a role in the game
continuation
16. Ba3xe7
That is the role, to be able to exchange itself at the right time. The exchange
serves the
purpose of removing the defender of f5 bishop. After this white will dominate
the light squares around black king.
16. … Qd8xe7
17. Bd3xf5
Take a look at the bishop on f5. It is not so easy to oppose him now when his
colleague is gone form the board. Imagine if white could put his queen on h5.
How would then black
prevent a disaster on h7? That is why black should now play 17... Rfe8 to free
the f8 square for the queen so she can go via f8 to g7 to protect the h7.
17. … Na5-c4?
Wel , black didn't realize how fast white attack can be. He was thinking logical y
though. He is trying to get with his knight to d6 and to try to exchange the f5
bishop, but that is to slow.
Fortunately, white didn't realize how fast his attack can be either...
18. Rf1-e1?
It looks good because the rook is joining the attack with a tempo, but it is not
good because
we don't need a rook for this attack, we just need to put the queen on h5 and
deliver the mate on h7 if possible. Therefore 18.Nh4! opening the way for our
queen towards h5 was the way to go. 18...Nd6 19.Qh5, Nxf5 20.Qg4+!, Ng7
21.Nf5 and mate on g7 on the next move. If
black would go 20...Kh8 then 21.Nxf5, threatening mate on g7, so black has to
cover with
21...Rg8, but then 22.Qxg8+, Rxg8 23.Nxe7 and white is up a whole rook.
18. … Qe7-d6
19. Nf3-e5?
Right idea but wrong execution. White was thinking along the lines of blocking
the path for the
queen to get to f4, but in the process of doing so he sacrificed a piece, so it was
to high a price. Instead he could go 19.Nd2!, Qf4 (If 19...Nxd2 20.Qh5 with
mate) 20.Qh5, h6 21.Nxc4,
dxc4 22.Re4 bringing more forces to the attack 22...Qd2 (she has to stay on c1-
h6 diagonal to protect h6 and if 22...Qg5 23.Rg4 wins the queen) 23.Rg4+, Kh8
24.Rg6!, fxg6 25.Qxg6 with checkmate soon
19. … f6xe5
This has to be taken since whites attack is too strong with this knight on the
board.
20. Qd1-g4+
If immediately 20.Qh5? Than black can make the escape though f8 via 20...Rfe8
making the route clear for his king, therefore white gives this check to force the
black king into the corner first.
20. … Kg8-h8
21. Qg4-h5
Threatening checkmate
21. … Kh8-g7
22. Qh5-g5+
Preventing black form escaping via f6. 22.Qxh7 would be bad, because it would
al ow black king to escape as planned
22. … Kg7-h8
What else?
23. Qg5-h5
Renewing the mate threat and hoping that black will repeat position three times
23. … h7-h6
Declining the repetition and removing the threat of checkmate. Black had an
even better
move 23...Qg6!! 24.Bxg6, fxg6 25.Qh4, Bxd4 attacking both the a1 and f2
where even without the queen, black stands better.
24. Re1xe5??
This move should cost white the game. It was much better to take on e5 with the
pawn and black cannot recapture 24.dxe5! , Nxe5? 25.Rxe5 and if Qxe5? Then
26.Qxh6+ and mate
next move.
24. … Nc4xe5
Trying to take all the material that he can for free. In those days when the game
was played
most people accepted almost every sacrifice, like there was a rule stating that
you have to
accept a sac. Even though this is winning also, it was much simpler to go
24...Qf6 and keep
everything under control. Now the queen will not have access to f6 square.
25. d4xe5
25. … Qd6-c6
Black has to keep an eye on h6 pawn with his queen, so 25...Qxe5?? 26.Qxh6+,
Kg8
27.Qh7#
26. e5-e6
Cutting the defense along the 6th rank, so now the h6 pawn is undefended.
26. … Kh8-g7
27. g2-g4
Rushing forward with the g pawn trying to open black's position with g4-g5
thrust 27. … Qc6-c3
Since the queen cannot defend along the 6th rank anymore it is trying to get to
defense on f6
square via c3. It also attacks the rook on a1. There was an easier approach
though, 27...Rae8 intending to give some material back with Rxe6 and
completely stop white's attack.
For example 28.g5, Rxe6! 29.Bxe6, Qxe6 and h6 is well protected and white has
run out of
attacking pieces
28. g4-g5
Act of desperation in trying to pry open black king's position. But white doesn't
have any
alternative, if the rook moves than 28...Qf6 and the attack is over
28. … Qc3xa1
29. Kg1-g2
29. … Qa1-f6?
Probably black didn't notice that he can go back with his king and free the g7
square for his king, 29...Kg8! 30.Qxh6, Qg7 and everything is covered. Since he
didn't see this he probably
30. g5xf6+
White probably got tired of giving the material so started to take some instead.
All joking
30. … Kg7xf6
31. … Rf8xf7
If he doesn't take this pawn now, he will never take it after 32.Bg6
32. Qh5-g6+
Sending the king on a short journey at the end of which it will position himself
in some danger
32. … Kf6-e7
33. Qg6-e6+
has to go there, if 33...Kd8 34. Qxf7, thank you, again for the free rook
34. Qe6xh6+
Picking up the pawn with check, so that white h pawn can soon start marching
down the
board unopposed. This will decide the game in the end as we will see later.
Passed pawns
34. … Rf7-g7+
It looks tempting to block the check with a check, but this time it was not the
best move. It was better to go back with the king to e7 where white would still
be much better , but at least the king would be safer there and black rook would
not be stuck as it will be here
35. Bf5-g6?
Blocking the check and preparing to help the h pawn advance, when the bishop
and the pawn will support each other. All this is logical, but actually 35.Kf3 was
much better when the bishop would be free to move and create more threats, e.g.
35...Re8 36.Be6! With a threat of
37.Qf6+ winning
35. … Kf8-g8!
36. h2-h4
Going to support the bishop on g6 and dreaming of going down the board all the
way to cause havoc in blacks camp. You will soon see how this small pawn is
going to decide the game
It looks logical to push the passed pawn, but the rook was needed in defense of
black's king
37. h4-h5
White just carries his own plans mentioned in the comment to his previous move
37. … d4-d3?
This was the last chance to bring the other rook to defense/attack by 37...Rf8, but
black
probably thought that he can make a queen soon. Wel , he might do so, but if in
the meantime
38. Qh6-g5
Now that the white pawn has reached h5 square, queen is removing herself so he
can go
even further
38. … Ra8-d8
39. h5-h6
Going for the queen, but alternatives are not that great, 39...Rxg6 40.Qxg6+, Kf8
41.Qg7+,
If the g7 rook moves along the 7th rank than white can go 40.Bxd3+ if nothing
else
40. Qg5-f6
This wins, but white had also 40.Bh7+!, Kxh7 41.Qxg7# if 40...Kf7 41.Qxg7,
Ke6 42.Bg8, Kf5
43.h7, d1Q 44. h8Q and black doesn't have a good check with his queen so he is
lost.
40. … Rg7-d7
Removing the mate in 1 threat. If black would try Rdd7 then 41.hxg7, Rxg7
42.Qe6+, Kh8 43.
41. Bg6-f5!
The idea of this move is not to take the rook on d7, but to switch the bishop to e6
and construct a mating net. For this white will also need a help of his h pawn,
but he is already there just waiting for the final order form his general
41. … d2-d1Q
If 41...Rf8 42. Be6+, Rf7 43. Qg7# or 42...Kh7 43. Qxf8, d1Q 44. Bf5#
42. h6-h7+!
It is important to give this check in order to take the h7 square form the black
king. It would lead to nowhere if instead 42.Be6+, because of 42...Kh7
42. … Rd7xh7
The only legal move. Now black's replies are forced so there is no need for
commenting
43. Bf5-e6+ Rh7-f7
46. Qg6-h6#
Bilbao 2012
1. e2-e4
1. … , e7-e6
2. d2-d4
2. … , d7-d5
Attacking the e4 pawn and giving white a choice between pushing, protecting or
exchanging
3. Nb1-c3
3. … , Bf8-b4
Pinning the c3 knight against the king. This is the so called Winawer variation
4. e4xd5
The more standard move is 4.e5, but the world champion prefers slightly
“boring” positions so
4. … , e6xd5
This is preferred over 4... Qxd5, because now black's light squared bishop has an
exit to the
king side
5. Bf1-d3
Developing the bishop and looking at the h7 square which might be the target in
the future if
5. … , Ng8-f6
Normal developing move, al owing castling on the next move. The alternative
was 5... Ne7
with the idea of neutralizing white's bishop on d3 with Bf5 in the future
6. Ng1-e2
White developed this knight here rather than on f3 in order to avoid the pin 6...
Bg4. Now if
black plays that move, white has the option of playing 7.f2-f3 breaking the pin
and winning the
tempo. Pawn to f3 is useful to white for another reason as well – it covers the e4
square.
6. … , Bc8-g4
Black went that way regardless. Maybe he estimated that f3 will weaken white's
position a
7. 0-0
White decided to postpone f2-f3 for one move, since it doesn't really make a
difference
7. … , 0-0
You can't play with the king in the center when the e-file is open, so castling is
very logical
8. f2-f3
9. Ne2-f4!
This move will make the difference when black bishop goes to g6. It will allow
white to take on
g6 with the knight instead of with the bishop, which will give him the bishop
pair advantage.
9. … , Bh5-g6
10. Nf4xg6
After this exchange white will have the pair of bishops against black's bishop
and knight (plus
one knight each). In the hands of a great positional player that is a dangerous
weapon.
10. … , h7xg6
Usual y it is better to capture towards the center (that means with the h pawn
instead of with
the f pawn). It is the case here as well, since there is no clear benefit of opening
the f file for black.
11. Nc3-e2
Swinging the knight to the king side and leaving the black's bishop stare at the
empty point
11. … , Rf8-e8
Placing a rook on the open file is a good idea most of the time
12. Bc1-g5
Developing the bishop on a nice square form which it pins the black knight
12. … , Bb4-e7
Since bishop is doing nothing on b4 after the white knight left black decides to
use it to break the pin on h4-d8 diagonal
13. Ne2-g3
From this square the knight can support the advance of the f pawn towards f5
13. … , Nb8-d7
From here the knight can go to f8 and aid in defense of the king. Had it been
developed on
14. f3-f4
White has a simple plan. Push the f pawn to f5, open the f file for his rook, get
the f5 square
for his knight and extend the diagonal for his d3 bishop. This is very dangerous,
so black has
14. … , Nf6-h7
This move works only while there is a pawn on f4, because g5 bishop cannot
retreat via c1-h6
diagonal
15. Qd1-f3
15. f5 is not possible because then the g5 bishop drops. If white tries to exchange
it first then we have 15. Bxe7, Qxe7 16. f5?! , Qe3+ and g6-g5 on the next move
and white attack has
been stopped
15. … , c7-c6
Black had the option of going 15... Bxg5 16 fxg5, Nxg5 where white is slightly
better due to
Now black can take on g5 only once and after that the pawn will appear there
and it will
cramp black
16. … , Nd7-f8
16... f6 trapping the bishop is not so great as it looks 17. Bxg6, fxg5 18. fxg5,
Rf8 19. Qh5 and black is in trouble
17. Ra1-e1
Bringing the rook into play. Now all of white's pieces are aimed at the black's
king side
17...f6 is not good here as well 18.h5!, fxg5 19. hxg6, Nf6 20. fxg5
17. … , Qd8-c7
18. … , Re8xe7
19. Re1-e5
This rook looks so mighty here, if black ever takes it a pawn will appear on e5
which would
19. … , f7-f6?
This move weakens the king side and blocks the f6 square which is sometimes
needed for
20. Re5xe7
There was no value in going back to e1 since black would force this exchange
with 20... Rae8
20. … , Qc7xe7
Forced, obviously
21. h4-h5
How do you pry open the king's position? Usually with the pawns. It is the case
here as well.
The purpose of this move is to extend the diagonal for light squared bishop
21. … , g6xh5
If black tries to avoid opening of the position with 21... g5 white will be
persistent 22. h6, g6
22. Qf3xh5
White is now threatening Kf2 and Rh1 with disaster on the h file
22. … , Qe7-f7
23. Qh5-g4
Of course , white would lose his advantage by exchanging queens, since he is the
one having
23. … , g7-g6
Again trying to close the diagonal and cover some squares (f5 and h5), but are
they really
covered?
24. Ng3-f5
Thanks to the pin on g file this move is possible. There is a threat of 25. Nh6+
forking the king and queen
24. … , Kg8-h8
25. Nf5-h4
Threatening to take on g6
25. … , f6-f5
Defending against the mentioned threat, but weakening the g5 and e5 squares
and staying
26. Qg4-h3
black's king, so the h7 knight can't move, it also allows the rook lift Rf1-f3-h3 if
needed
26. … , Qf7-e6
27. Kg1-f2
27. Rf3 was possible but white decided to bring that rook behind the queen
hence this move
27. … , Ra8-e8
Now that the e3 squared is covered by the king this move has less poison, but it
is still useful in case white allows black to penetrate down the e file
28. Nh4-f3
28. … , Re8-e7
28...Qe3+ would be a waste of time because after 29. Kg3 there is a threat of
trapping the
black queen with 30. Re1 , so she would need to go back form where she came
from
29. Nf3-e5
What a mighty knight! Blocking the e file and stopping all black's counter-play
there and at the same time attacking g6 pawn
29. … , Nf8-d7
This knight would like to get to e4 via f6 , but it is not possible, because when it
steps on f6 it will break the defense of g6 pawn along the sixth rank. So the best
it can do is to exchange
30. … , Nd7xe5
31. d4xe5
What a mighty pawn! White had a rook than a knight and final y a pawn on that
spot and they
31. … , c6-c5
32. b2-b3
Even though the material is reduced white stil has a great position. Here he had
other
options, the crazy 32. g4 and the solid 33. c3 .Both are in his favor but let's see
his idea in
action
32. … , c5-c4
Trying to open the position in the center and remove white's bishop form the b1-
h7 diagonal
33. b3xc4
White wanted to create a weakness in black's camp for a possible ending, but
maybe it was
33. … , d5xc4
34. Bd3-e2
Where else?
34. … , g6-g5!
Black is real y kicking. We have too give him credit for that. With this move he
is trying to
open the position even more because white king is in the center. If white now
plays 35. fxg5??
then after 35... Qxe5 we lost our “mighty pawn” and the queen is threatening on
e2 , f4 , and
35. g2-g3
Securing the e5 pawn by securing the f4 pawn... but blocking the third rank and
preventing
35. … , Qe6-b6+
Since the queen cannot block anymore, the king had to move
36. … , Qb6-e3
Taking advantage of the move 35.g3 , because the e3 square is now unguarded.
Black could
have tried 36... Qc6+ and if 37. Bf3 then Qxf3+! 38. Kxf3 , g4+ 39. Qxg4, fxg4
40. Kxg4 with
escape for black, but white has 37. Kf1 keeping the advantage
37. Kg2-f1
37. … , Re7-f7?
Black probably had an idea to meet 38. g5 with 38... f4 39. g6, fxg3+ 40. gxf7,
Qf2#
but he overlooked white's next move.
Had he tried 37... gxf4 then 38. Qxf5 would follow with a threat of 39. Qf8#
His best was probably 37... Qe4 with a lost but “less lost position”
38. Qh3-h5
Attacking the rook and providing support for fxg5 with g5-g6 to follow
For example if the rook goes back 38... Rf7 39, fxg5 with g5-g6 coming and
winning
38. … , Qe3xg3
This just gives a rook, hoping for a perpetual check, but... there is none …
39. Qh5xf7
Taking the rook. The rest of the game is just black trying to give perpetual check,
but that is
There are no more checks so black resigned since aside from being material
down he has
Alekhine – Tartakower
Kecskemet 1927
1. e2-e4
Opening the lines for the queen and bishop and taking some control over the
center
1. ... c7-c6
instead letting the white has his fun there... but only temporary.
2. d2-d4
White takes the opportunity immediately. What is better than one pawn in the
center? Two
2. ... d7-d5
This was black's plan al along. To let white take the center and than try to attack
it.
3. Nb1-c3
The pawn on e4 was hanging, so something had to be done about it. Other good
options
3. ... d5xe4
Continuing with the plan. It looks like black would prefer no center for anyone
4. Nc3xe4
Apart form regaining the pawn, this move places the knight into an excellent
place. From e4 it looks at so many squares at once.
4. ... Ng8-f6
Black appreciates the power of e4 knight and wants to deal with it at once. It is
slightly better to prepare this move with 4...Nd7 or to go against monster knight
with the bishop 4...Bf5.
5. Ne4-g3
It is established that best move here is 5.Nxf6. I am not sure what was the
fashion at the time, but this looks more like a psychological decision. Alekhine
being the incredible player and
positions to arise and increase the chances of his opponents going wrong
somewhere. This is
5. ... e7-e5
It looks like black is attacking everything that white puts in the center of the
board. He is
6. Ng1-f3
It would be real y bad to play 6.dxe5?, Qxd1+, 7.Kxd1, Ng4 and both f2 and e5
pawns are hanging, black regains material and disrupts harmony in white's camp
6. ... e5xd4
After the white's last move there was a threat 7.Nxe5, so black gets rid of the
threatened
7. Nf3xd4
This is much better than 7.Qxd4, Qxd4 8.Nxd4 because it keeps more pieces on
the board
and therefore the game more complex. If white exchanges the queens with the
pawns so
symmetrically placed, it would be very hard to find advantage for white
7. ... Bf8-c5
Black develops his bishop and attacks white's knight. Still, 7...Be7 looks more
solid, because
8. Qd1-e2+
The d4 knight was attacked and had he moved a disaster would follow 8.Nb3??,
Bxf2+! 9.Ke2
after 8...Bxf2+ white is losing at least a pawn. So the d4 knight can't move right
now. Should we support him?
Let's see 8.c3? , Bxd4 9.cxd4, 0-0 and we are stuck with an isolated pawn and
behind in
development. How about 8.Be3, that looks good, if black tries to disturb us with
a typical strike 8...Ng4? We have 9.Nxc6! and if 9...Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1, Nxe3
11.Rd8# out of a blue sky! In all
other variations black loses a pawn at least after 9.Nxc6!, so 8.Be3 is good?
The problem is that black has 8...Nd5 and white is in trouble, because his dark
squared
bishop doesn't have a good square and if he stays where he is, black knight will
just take it
very soon, leaving black with a bishop pair advantage, since the position is open
8. ... Bc5-e7
That check had to be blocked and only sane alternative was 8...Qe7 9.Qxe7+,
Bxe7 10.Ngf5
and white has small advantage, but it will probably be permanent since black
will have to give
up his bishop pair very soon or play a terrible looking move 10...Bf8
9. Bc1-e3
Now this move is possible since the d4 knight is attacked only once. Also this
move prepares long castle
9. ... c6-c5?
Black is hoping that after the white knight moves form the d-file, white will have
hard time
castling queen side, because d1 square will be under control of black queen. In
truth, he is just pushing this knight where he wants to go anyway and also
creates a target on c5 which will help undeveloped white pieces to develop with
tempi. It was much better to just castle
10. Nd4-f5
This knight was attacked so it moved away... more correctly, moved forward
Eventual y black had to remove his king from the center. With this move he also
defends the
g7 pawn
11. Qe2-c4
When white gave a check on move 8, he blocked his light squared bishop, now
he is making
room for it to get out. But it is important that he chose this moment and attacked
the c5 pawn at the same time, so black will lose some time on defense if he
wants to keep that pawn.
11. ... Rf8-e8
Black defends his c5 pawn tactically by putting his rook on the same line with
the white's king.
12. Bf1-d3
Bringing the last minor piece into the game, al white needs now is a rook or two
in the game
and he is fully developed. What had black done in the meantime? It is not that
clear but his
Black maybe heard the comment in the paragraph above and started thinking
about his
queen side. Probably he wanted to secure his c5 pawn and with this move he
opened up
some possibilities for his light squared bishop. Had he knew what is coming he
would
13. 0-0-0
The white king is now safe, the rook is in play and he doesn't even need the h1
rook maybe 13. ... Bc8-a6?
Black thought that with this move he will exchange at least the d3 bishop and
lower the number of attackers in his opponent's army. But white had it all
calculated already. Imagine if
you could give a check with the light squared bishop now, wouldn't that be a
discovered
attack on the black's queen by white's rook? But how can we arrange that to
happen? Knight
on f5 is in the way and also white's queen is hanging. We need to combine al this
info and find the winning combination. By the way, black's best was to go
13...Bxf5 14.Bxf5, Qc7
14. Nf5-h6+!
Clearing the diagonal for the d3 bishop and shattering black's fortress. This is the
begging of a long combination in which the hardest move to find is the last one
and the hardest part is to
Black doesn't have a choice. If he doesn't take the knight he will get checkmated.
14...Kf8
15.Qxf7# and if 14...Kh8 15.Nxf7+, Kg8 16.Nh6++, Kh8 17.Qg8+, Rxg8 (or
Nxg8) 18.Nf7#
15. Bxh7+!
Discovered attack on the queen by a rook and at the same time a check to the
black king
16. Qc4-g4+
Before white captures black's queen he has to remove his own lady from the
danger, since
17. Rd1xd8
If we count the material now we can come to a conclusion that black got a rook a
bishop and
a knight for a queen and a pawn, which is quite a lot, but ...
18. Qg4-e4
This is the point of the whole combination! White is getting some of the
sacrificed material
back because of the weakness of the h1-a8 diagonal. If black wants to save the
rook he has to give one of his light pieces and white will emerge material ahead.
The mastery is in seeing
this move when you play 13.0-0-0, or about five moves ago
Black chose to give the knight and save his bishop combo, although that will not
help him
either
19. Qe4xc6
Avoiding the trap 20.Bxh6?, Rac8! and queen has to move but doesn't have a
square from
which it can protect the h6 bishop and al of the sudden white would be lost!
Bringing the bishop into play, but this will not help much, it will just look nice
on d5
21. Be3xh6
Now white can take this pawn, because besides queen, the knight is guarding the
bishop too
In the next few moves black attacks white queen and she dodges the attacks
Now white's bishop is attacked but the coordination of blacks pieces is gone and
game is over
24. Bh6xf8
25. Qf4-e5+
Protecting d5
26.Nf5-d6
1-0
With his last move white cuts the rook from defending the f6 knight and if king
comes to aid then 26...Kg7 27.Qg5+ winning the knight instead of the bishop
Botvinnik – Portisch
1. c2-c4
Taking control over d5 square and keeping a lot of flexibility. This is the English
opening,
although if white plays d4 in the future it might transpose to some other opening.
1. … , e7-e5
Now it will most probably stay in the waters of English opening. This is the
principle reply
against 1.c4. Black is accepting the chal enge and taking some central control
with his pawn
2. Nb1-c3
Developing the knight and taking even more control over d5, white wants to play
g2-g3 and
Bg2 on his next moves and influence the center In that manner
2. … , Ng8-f6
Black is fighting for the d5 square as well. He is planning to push d7-d5 and play
a Sicilian
3. g2-g3
Black uses the opportunity to play this move. Had he waited one more move,
white will play 4.
Bg2 and it will be harder to push the d pawn two squares up (although it is still
possible but
4. c4xd5
White is reasoning in the following manner : “1.e4, c5 2. Nf3, Nc6 3.d4, cxd4 4.
Nxd4, g6 is a
line that can be played by black and here in the game we have the same position
with colors
4. … , Nf6xd5
Black is reasoning: “ OK, I am a tempo down here compered to the Sicilian with
colors
reversed and if I play some aggressive line, that tempo might count and I can get
in trouble.
But I will play modest and everything will be fine and that tempo won't come
into play.”
5. Bf1-g2
This is a great spot for this bishop, particularly because there are no pawns on d5
or e4
5. … , Bc8-e6
Black is protecting the knight on d5 and developing his light squared bishop on a
nice square
6. Ng1-f3
Developing and attacking at the same time. Black has to do something about e5
pawn now
6. … , Nb8-c6
7. 0-0
7. … , Nd5-b6
White was ready to play 8.d4 and 7...Nb6 is intended against that. Now that the
knight is no
longer on d5, the queen is exerting pressure on d4 and preventing white from
playing the
pawn there.
8. d2-d3
White can't play d2-d4 so he goes d2-d3. This move has many benefits. It
controls c4 and e4
squares and it opens the window for the c1 bishop (most natural square for that
bishop in this
position is e3). Also the rook belongs on c1 and if white could place a knight on
c5 he would
be very happy
8. … , Bf8-e7
9. a2-a3
9. … , a7-a5
Black is making sure that white doesn't advance his b pawn to far. Few decades
later it was
determined that it is OK to allow the b pawn to advance and that 9...0-0 is the
best move.
10. Bc1-e3
10. … , 0-0
11. Nc3-a4
Offering the exchange of knights which would improve the white's queen
position. At the same
11. … , Nb6xa4
Black can't let white take on b6 and damage his pawns and if he removes the
knight let's say
on d5 then white can continue with 12. Bc5 with some advantage, but as it turns
out that was
12. Qd1xa4
After this the white rooks are connected and he is ready to double on the c file
and put
pressure on c6 and c7
12. … , Be6-d5
Black is trying to bargain. If white decides to reposition his f3 knight the price
will be the
exchange of light squared bishops. And ever since the beginning of the game
white had high
13. Rf1-c1
Taking the half open file. Since white intends to play on the queen side he places
the f1 rook
there, This was an easy decision since there are no threats against f2 pawn so he
doesn't
need extra cover there. Also if white doubles on c file he will have to move this
rook anyway
13. … , Rf8-e8
Black would like to remove his knight from c6 and put the pawn there in order to
blunt the
white rook on c1, but that knight is protecting the e5 pawn and can't move at the
moment, so
maybe black is planning to place a bishop on f8 and then the rook will guard the
pawn so the
14. Rc1-c2
Going for the doubling, now we realize that on the previous move either rook
could go to c1
14. … , Be7-f8
Now the e5 pawn has extra protection and the knight is ready to move away
15. Ra1-c1
All according to the plan. Since it looks bad to take on c7 because of 16...Bc6
trapping the
rook, black is going to play c7-c6 on his next move. Or is he going to get that
chance at all?
16. Rc2xc7!
The white queen is attacked and the rook on c7 is hanging, black succeeded or so
he thought
17. Rc1xc6!
The light squared bishop was an important defender of black's position so with
this move
white destroys it. It will become clear after the next move
17. … , b7xc6
If 17... Nxc6 then after 18. Rxb7 white has excellent position, he has two pawns
for the
exchange, a rook on the seventh rank and monster bishops raking across the
board
18. Rc7xf7!
18. … , h7-h6
If black takes the rook then white has a lot of fun: 18...Kxf7 20. Qc4+ and now
both Re6 and
Qd5 are met with 21. Ng5+ with a disaster to follow. If the king moves then on
20...Kf6 21.
Bg5+ the black queen is lost and after 20... Kg6 21. Qg4+, Kf7 22. Ng5+, Kg8
23. Qc4+, Kh8
24. Nf7+, Kh8 25. Nh6++, Kh8 26. Qg8# is one possible way to finish the game.
19. Rf7-b7
Now that the h6 pawn is protecting the g5 square, this rook was hanging
(because in a lot of
lines when black takes the rook on f7 white needs the g5 square), hence it moved
away
19. … , Qd8-c8
The rook on the seventh rank is a real nuisance, so black is trying to force him
out of there
20. Qa4-c4+
After the previous moves, black's king's position is weakened and white takes
advantage of
that
20. … , Kg8-h8
Black didn't want to lose another pawn with 20...Qe6 21. Nxe5 nor did he want
to invite
white's bishop into the game with 20...Kh7 21. Be4+, so he played Kh8, but...
21. Nf3-h4
White doesn't care for his rook on b7, because he calculated the finishing attack
21. … , Qc8xb7
If black doesn't take here, white will have al the benefits like in the game, plus a
rook on b7
22. Nh4-g6+
22. … , Kg8-h7
23. Bg2-e4
23. … , Bf8-d6
Opening the 8th rank for the e8 rook to defend against mentioned threat
24. Ng6xe5+
Now that the 24. Ne7 is defended against white switches to other option
24. … , g7-g6
24...Kh8 25. Nf7+, Kg8 26. Nxd6+ picking up the queen at least
25. Be4xg6+
25. … , Kg8-g7
25... Kh8 26. Nf7+, Kg7 27. Nxd6 with a winning position
If black takes 26...Kxh6 then 27. Qh4+, Kg7 28. Qh7+, Kf6 29. Qxb7 and if the
king goes to
Kamsky – Nakamura
Thessaloniki 2013
1. e2-e4
Opens up the diagonals for queen and bishop and takes control over d5 square.
1. ... e7-e6
2. d2-d4
Taking the center completely. Most of the time it is a good idea to take the center
2. ... d7-d5
Now we are completely sure that this is a French defense (because have black
played 2...c5
it could be a Sicilian)
3. Nb1-d2
This is called the Tarrasch variation. The idea is to sidestep a pin which is
possible in 3.Nc3, Bb4 the Winawer variation. Both systems are good but they
lead to different types of positions
3. ... Bf8-e7
Tricky move. Black is avoiding the classical 3...c5 4. exd5, exd5 5. Nf3, Nc6 6.
dxc5, Bxc5 7.
Bb5 where he usual y plays with an isolated pawn on d5. With 3... Be7 he is not
opening his
4. c2-c3
4. ... c7-c5
5. e4-e5
Somewhat blocking the center and taking some space as well as f6 square from
the g8
knight.
5. ... Nb8-c6
Normal developing move. Knight stands much better on this square than on d7,
because from
here it attacks d4 as well. It is looking on b4 square at the same time so in some
scenarios it
6. Bf1-d3
White wants his g1 knight to be developed on e2 because he would like his other
knight to go
to f3. For those reasons he first develops the bishop so it doesn't get stuck on f1
(after the
Ng1-e2 move)
6. ... c5xd4
7. c3xd4
It looks like it was not a free pawn at all! Had black captured on d4, Qg4 would
follow with
8. Nd2-f3
White continues with his plan mentioned after his sixth move
8. ... f7-f6
structure. More standard is 8...Nf5 9. 0-0, Bd7 10. Bxf5, exf5 11.Nf4, Be6 with
the idea of
castling long and then starting pushing the pawns on the king side
9. Bc1xh6
White goes after black's pawn structure with this move
9. ... g7xh6
10. Ng1-e2
11. 0-0
Usual y castling puts the king to safety, but here it goes on the semi open g- file
so we cannot really say that the white king is safe there.
It would be very risky to take the pawn(s) 11... Qxb2 12. Rb1, Qxa2 13. Qc1
white will get one
pawn back and black doesn't have a future for his king. It looks like a good deal
for white
12. b2-b4!
Instead of preparing this move with 12.a3 white saves time by pushing it
immediately. The
problem is that the b4 square is attacked three times. But can black capture?
Played against b4-b5, but let's see why black didn't capture on b4.
12... Qxb4 13. Rb1 and 14. Rxb7 with excel ent position
12... Nxb4 13. Rb1 (threatening 14. a3) Qa5 14. Qd2
13. Qd1-d2
Attacking the h6 pawn and connecting the rooks. White is not scared of black
taking on d4
Black was probably tired of constantly having to think about his f6 pawn so he
exchanges it
14. d4xe5
Recapturing the pawn and clearing the d4 square for the knight. If knight could
establish itself on d4 in the future it would be an excel ent position
This is essential y a pawn exchange – h6 for b4. It looks good for black, he gave
one of his
doubled pawns for a nice pawn on b4. The things are not that easy to estimate,
with his next
15. Qd2xh6
Black had to cover the g6 square (we will soon see why) with the move 15...
Qg4 and after
16.h3, Qg8 he could soon castle bring his other rook to the king side and it
would be
anybody's game. With 15... Qa3? He is just giving white a free hand
16. Bd3-g6+
With this move white makes sure that black king will forever stay in the center
17. Bg6-f7
Attacking the e6 pawn. If that pawn fal s then all of the sudden black king is not
anymore
covered so well, because e6 pawn bolsters d5 pawn and keeps black king safe
from white
rooks
18. Bf7xe6
Principled reply. White calculated everything and realizes that he can take this
pawn and
It is the only way to try to survive. If black just sits there white will checkmate
him soon since the holder of the black's safety (the e6 pawn) is gone.
19. g2xf3
Getting some material back and bringing the queen closer to the white's king
20. Ne2-g3
The knight was hanging so white removes it. At the same time the knight is
placed on g3
Getting some more material back and placing a knight on a beautiful square
21. Ra1-e1
though he is material down. We could say that he is choosing the lesser evil,
because both
with queens on the board and without them black is lost, only now white will
have harder time
converting
22. Qh6xf6
23. Be6xd5
With taking this pawn white also defends against 23...Nf3+ forking the king and
rook, but
allows
No, he is not. Thanks to this move the rook on f1 is untouchable 24... Bxf1 25.
Bxb7+
25. Rd1-c1+
26. Rf1-d1
Making room for the rook to enter through the d file if needed
28. Rd1-d7
Giving some extra cover to the b7 pawn, so the knight can move if needed
29. Re1-b1
A prophylactic move covering the f3 square and getting out of g1-a7 diagonal in
case white
Waiting move with not much sense. Better was 30... Ka4 going to attack the a2
pawn
31. Rd7-h7
32. a2-a3
even when he gets there what will he do after that? Or maybe he wants to use
this knight as a
33. Rh7xb7
This guy is more important then the h guy. Even though white had intentions of
picking the h6
guy is a goner anyway and this b7 pawn can be taken now but maybe not in a
few moves
34. Be4xb7
Bringing the knight into the center since white's king doesn't need any cover
anymore
36. Ne4-c5
White's pieces are now real y surrounding black's king. It "smells" on checkmate
There was a threat of Rb3# so this move frees the a2 square for the king
37. Rb1-b3+
Black's move was forced. Now black cannot play 38... Bxa6 because of 39.
Rb8!, Be6 40.
Since that bishop cannot be taken white is just an exchange and a pawn ahead
and he forced
Steinitz – Blackburne
London 1876
1. e2-e4
1. … , e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3
Wel , maybe 2.f4 was more popular, but people started to realize how good a
move is 2. Nf3
2. … , Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-b5
Entering the Ryu Lopez game. White is putting more pressure on e5 pawn by
pressuring its
defender
3. … , a7-a6
This move was popularized by Morphy some twenty years before this game
4. Bb5-a4
Saving the bishop and keeping the pressure on. The alternative is 4. Bxc6, dxc6
the so cal ed
exchange variation which was thought of being harmless until Fischer revitalized
it.
4. … , Ng8-f6
5. d2-d3
This modest move is actually popular again after around 140 years! The idea is
to keep the
position closed and make sure that the e4 pawn survives. This will be the basis
around which
white will try to organize eventual king side attack. The main move here is 5.0-0,
but this can
5. … , d7-d6
Black decides to fortify his e5 pawn, in order to stop 6.Bxc6 fol owed by
7.Nxe5. He could also
Making space for the a4 bishop (c2 square). Sooner or later black will play b7-
b5 and white
6. … , Bf8-e7
This is the only available square for this bishop now that the pawn is on d6. Stil
there is
another way to develop it by playing g7-g6 and then Bg7. Both choices are
perfectly sound
7. h2-h3
Not only to prevent Bg4, but also to support g2-g4 advance as a preparation for
king side
attack. This was a favorite maneuver of Steinitz
7. … , 0-0
In vast majority of games played in the Ryu Lopez defense black castles on the
king side.
Since in the beginning of the game he often moves a7-a6, white would have easy
time
organizing pawn storm on that side. Also many times black has to play b7-b5 in
this opening
8. Qd1-e2
Giving even more support to e4 pawn. This move also reveals that white is
maybe thinking
8. … , Nf6-e8
Given the structure of black's central pawns it is logical to make a pawn break
with f7-f5. The
9. g2-g4
Stopping f7-f5 and completely revealing white's plan (king side attack). Now it
is clear that he will probably stay with the king in the center or castle long, since
he wants to open the
position on the king side and king would not be so safe there
9. … , b7-b5
Black realizes that f7-f5 is no longer possible, since the only way to achieve it
would be by
playing g7-g6 first, but since white has a pawn on g4, that would be suicidal
(because the
position would open in front of black's king whereas white can stil quickly
escape with his king to the safety of the queen side)
In the light of this analysis he decides that he no longer needs his bishop on c8-
h3 diagonal
Now we see the point of 6.c3. The bishop immediately goes to this favorable
square. This is a
long term move. Sometime in the far future the position might open and this
bishop will be
excellently placed for assistance in king side attack. Placing this bishop on b3 is
bad because
the f7 square is really well covered and also on b3 bishop will be a target for
black in the
future
10. … , Bc8-b7
11. Nb1-d2
11. … , Qd8-d7
The knight on c6 is not doing much, because of the c3 pawn and white's decision
not to push
his d pawn all the way to d4, so black wants to reposition it to e6. From there it
will aid black's defense and also will be looking at the f4 square. In order to get
there he needs the d8 square
12. Nd2-f1
12. … , Nc6-d8
Almost there
13. … , Nd8-e6
Already there, although his journey has less mileage then white knight's one
14. Ne3-f5
Finally there
14. … , g7-g6
You can't live with the opponents knight on f5, so black banishes it. In the
process of doing so he makes slight weakening of his king side position and
parts with his dark squared bishop at
the same time. He recuperates for those deficits by having the ability to place
one of his
Black had the option of trading some time for his king safety by playing
14...Bd8 (avoiding
exchange of this bishop) and then 15...g6 fol owed by Bd8-f6-g7. This would
provide more
cover for his king and f6-g7-h6-h8 complex of squares, because he would stil
have the dark
squared bishop
15. Nf5xe7+
Getting rid of the dark squared bishop which would be of lot of help in the
defense of those
15. … , Qd7xe7
Forced
16. Bc1-e3
Getting ready to castle queen side. White realizes that the bishop is better placed
on e3 (from
where it can support the d3-d4 thrust if needed) than on h6. Even though h6
looks tempting,
black can just put the knight on g7 and that bishop is doing nothing there
16. … , Ne8-g7
Black had to cover those holes in front of his king. Now he is ready to meet
17.h4 with 17...h5
slowing down white's attack enough that he can start operating on the queen side
17. 0-0-0
Connecting the rooks and getting ready for some operations in the center
17. … , c7-c5
Since the white king is now on the queen side it is time to push the pawns there
in order to
18. d3-d4
With this move white is pressuring the e5 pawn and if he is given a chance he
wants to play
d4-d5 in order to hinder b7 bishop and the transfer of black's queen to the queen
side.
18. … , e5xd4
19. c3xd4
19. … , c5-c4?!
This is a dubious move in a strategical sense. Black should have two general
goals in mind,
to open the queen side and prevent white form playing d4-d5. This move is
making it harder
It was much better to play 19...d5 where at the same time white is stopped form
playing the
move he wants and at the same time the queen side will inevitably open.
20. d4-d5
20. … , Ne6-c7
c5 square looks nice but after 20...Nc5 21. Bxc5, dxc5 22. Qe3 white is ready to
push his h
pawn and thanks to his central control it is hard for his opponent to swing his
pieces to the
queen side.
21. Qe2-d2
White wants to play Bd4, but playing that move now would be a mistake – 21.
Bd4?, Nxd5
taking advantage of the pin along the e file, so 21.Qd2 removes that possibility
and al ows the
21. … , a6-a5
It is obvious that white's attack on the king side is going to develop stronger and
stronger so
22. Be3-d4
This is a mighty diagonal for this bishop when his counterpart is off the board
(15. Nxe7)
22. … , f7-f6
Closing the long diagonal. White was threatening Qh6 followed by Ng5
23. Qd2-h6
Getting closer to the black's king. White wants to push g4-g5 to reopen the a1-h8
diagonal
and possible make the g5 available for his knight. At the same time he will open
the g file
23. … , b5-b4
Logical, but with that white pawn on d5 it is so much harder to organize attack
on the white
24. g4-g5
This break is a natural way to fol ow up the previous play. It is faster than
pushing the h pawn and it has multiple purposes: opening the long diagonal,
gaining the g5 square for the f3
knight, and opening the g file
24. … , f7-f5?
Black had to play 24...Nge8 to cover the f6 square. With the move played he is
giving white
the f6 square for his bishop and also making alive the c2 bishop in some lines
25. Bd4-f6
Cutting the defense of the f5 pawn (Rook was one of its defenders)
25. … , Qe7-f7
Giving up the exchange doesn't help 25...Rxf6 26. gxf6, Qxf6 27. Ng5 and h7 is
defenseless
26. e4xf5
Now that the f5 pawn is defended only by the knight and the pawn, white can
breakthrough
26. … , g6xf5
If 26...Nxf5 27. Bxf5, gxf5 28. g6!, hxg6 29. Qh8# or 28...Qxf6 29. Qxh7# and
the best
27. … , Qf7xg6
What else? 27...Qxf6 28. Qxh7# and 27...hxg6 28. Ng5 attacks both the queen
and threatens
mate on h7
28. Bf6xg7
28. … , Qg6xh6+
Black can't play 28...Qxg7 in view of 29. Rhg1 winning the queen
29. Bg7xh6
30. Rh1-g1+
30. … , Rf6-g6
The alternatives are sad 30...Kf7 31. Rg7+ or even worse 30...Kh8 31. Bg7+
31. Bc2xf5
31. … , Kg8-f7
If black were to play the normal 31...Rxg1 then after 32. Rxg1+, Kf7 33. Rg7+,
Kf6 34. Rxc7,
Kxf5 35. Rxb7 he is two pieces down. In the game continuation he ends up a
rook down. It is
hard to say which is worse
32. Bf5xg6+
Black could resign here with clear conscience, but they played these moves first
32...h7xg6
Korchnoi – Byvshev
Kiev 1954
1. c2-c4
Flexible approach, white is control ing the d5 square with this move, but he is
not committing
1. … , Ng8-f6
Black is also taking the flexible approach, with this move we don't know yet is
he going for the setup with the pawn on d5 or some King's Indian defense or
maybe even Grunfeld type of
position
2. g2-g3
2. … , c7-c6
Now we are getting some clues about black's plans. Most probably he will play
d7-d5 and he
wants to maintain a pawn there in case white exchanges with c4xd5, therefore he
is placing a
can't take advantage of that. He could also play normal 3. Bg2 and play 4.b3,the
order was
3. … , d7-d5
The fol ow up of the previous move. Now it will be really hard for white to
remove black's
pawn from d5
4. Bc1-b2
If you play b2-b3 then the most optimal square for dark squared bishop becomes
the b2
4. … , Qd8-b6
This move is not so poison-less as it looks. If white would play a simple move
like 5.Nc3?
Then after 5...dxc4 white can't retake because the b2 bishop is loose and if 6.
Na4, Qb4 and it
Dealing with the threat that black made on the previous move, but decreasing the
tension in
the center.
5. … , Nf6-e4
All of the sudden there is a threat of checkmate in one! Black wasn't expecting
that white will
miss this, but he had played this move to provoke e2-e3 and usually g3 and e3
don't go well
6.e2-e3
There were only to sensible ways to stop 6...Qxf2#, this and 6.d4, but placing the
d pawn on
d4 doesn't make much sense, since white already developed a bishop on b2 and
that move
6. … , c6xd5
7. Nb1-c3
7. … , Ne4xc3
Going back with the knight would lose a lot of time and you can't really defend it
with 7...Bf5, because the d5 pawn is hanging and tactics there favor white:
8.Nxd5, Qc6 and if the d5
knight moves then black can make a discovered attack by removing his e4
knight, but 9.Bb5!,
Qxb5 10. Nc7+ wins the queen
8. d2xc3
By capturing in this unusual manner white is transferring his d pawn to the c file
and enabling
the use of that pawn as a sapping tool later against d5 pawn. If he would
recapture with
8. … , e7-e6
Securing the d5 pawn and opening the way for the f8 bishop. At the same time
blocking the
c8 bishop, but black judged that that bishop is more useful on the queen side
9. Bf1-g2
Finishing the job that was started on move two, but postponed a little
9. … , Nb8-d7
It is more logical to develop this knight on c6, but maybe black wanted the
knight to be able to come to c5 form where it could be looking at d3 square in
conjunction with Qa6 move
10. Ng1-f3
10. … , Qb6-a6
11. Qd1-d4
And this prevents black form developing the f8 bishop since then the g7 pawn
would hang
11. … , Qa6-b6
It is not clear how can black continue his development while the white queen is
on d4, so he
offers this exchange. The f8 bishop was tied to defense of g7 and if 11...Nf6 12.
Ne5 white
White estimates that he will benefit from keeping the queens on the board. It is
hard to say
what is better here, since even letting black exchange queens would leave some
advantage
for white thanks to the difference between light squared bishops and the
possibility of c3-c4
for white
12. … , Nd7-f6
Since the placement of this knight on d3 is not possible, black gives him another
task – to
defend d5 and control e4 and to give some cover for the king
13. 0-0
14. c3-c4
14. … , 0-0
Black could take 14...dxc4, but after something like 15. Bd4, Qb5 16. Ne5
white's pieces are
dominating the board. Even simple 15.bxc4 would lead to a similar result
without sacrificing
the pawn. Black's problem is that he is having hard time developing the c8
bishop In many
15. Qd2-c2
From here the queen looks at the h7 square. At the moment that square is safely
guarded, but
15. … , d5xc4
Black realizes that white's pieces are more dominant so he is at least trying to
create some
Now that the b file is open, white has more possibilities. If we can imagine a
rook on b1, the
16. … , Bc8-d7
Black is trying to finish his development. Maybe it was better to preempt 17.
Ng5 with ugly
looking move 16...Nd7, but then the c8 bishop will wait for quite some time
before he could
17. Nf3-g5
Now it is clear why the queen was placed on c2 few moves ago. White is
threatening 18. Bxf6
Deflection of the queen. Black could go 17...g6 but after 18.Rab1, Qa5 19. Bxf6,
Bxf6 20.
Ne4, Be5 21. Rxb7 white wins the pawn. In a game that same pawn is also lost,
but maybe in
this line after 17...g6 at least black would have two bishops and white would
have to play very
18. Qc2xa4
18. … , Qb6xb2
Black staved off the king side attack, but now his queen position allows white to
place a rook
on b1 with a tempo
19. Ra1-b1
19. … , Qb2-e5
Black doesn't have many options with his queen, so he attacks the knight hoping
that it will
move, when he can save the loss of material 20. Nf3?, Qc7
20. Rb1xb7
20. … , Be7-c5
21. Ng5-f3
21. … , Qe5-h5
If 21...Qf5 then 22. Nd4 comes with the tempo and 21...Qd6 is even worse,
because 22.Rd1
22. Rb7-b5
Pinning the c5 bishop. In some lines this piece can be lost. On top of that the
rook on a8 is
targeted by g2 bishop and the f3 knight can jump into the action with a
discovered attack
22. … , Ra8-b8
Evading the sniper on g2 and chal enging the b5 rook which annoys black
because of the pin
it makes
23. Nf3-d4
23. … , Rb8xb5
In order not to lose material black has to get rid of the b5 rook, any other move
would not
accomplish that
24. Qa4xb5
The queen takes rook's place and is making a different pin. If black moves his
bishop
anytime, the exchange of queens will occur and that endgame would be easily
won by white
thanks to his extra pawn and central control
24. … , Qh5-e5
There was a threat of forcing the exchange of queens by means of 25. Nb3
because black
can't play Rc8 26. Bb7, Rc7 27. Bc6 with double threat : To take on c5 or to play
Qb8+
winning a rook. Now in that line the rook will be defended, but...
25. Nd4-b3
25. … , Rf8-c8
26. Bg2-b7
27. Bb7-c6
Cutting the c file and therefore increasing pressure on c5 bishop, now it has no
choice but to
move
27. … , Bc5-d6
Black can't play Qd6 with the idea of 28. Qxc5, Qxc6 (where he is also lost, but
saves the
28. Qb5-b8+
28. … , Bd6-f8
Any other move just loses material on the spot, although the material will be lost
here as well, the only difference being the number of moves needed
29. Rf1-d1
29. … , g7-g6
30. Rd1-d8
30. … , Kg8-g7
31. Rd8xf8
Black's problem is that his rook is pinned against his queen, so he can't take the
c6 bishop
31. … , Qe5-d6
Now the c6 bishop hangs
32. Bc6-f3
Right on time! White is a clear piece ahead, so black stopped the resistance and
resigned
1-0
Sclechter – Perlis
Carlsbad 1911
1. d2-d4
1. … , d7-d5
Played for similar reasons as white's first move, only here black controls the e4
square
2. c2-c4
2. … , c7-c6
Entering the Slav defense. Black wants to give support to his d pawn. In doing
so with his c
pawn he leaves the path open for his c8 bishop, which often has developing
problems in lines
3. Ng1-f3
Good developing move. It gives some support to the d4 pawn and controls the e5
square
even more
3. … , Ng8-f6
Develops the knight and gives more protection to the d5 pawn. Of course,
controls the e4
square as well
4. e2-e3
4. … , Bc8-f5
Black can play this move because there is no knight on c3. Let's imagine that
white played 4.
Nc3 (instead of 4.e3) then 4...Bf5 would be met by 5.cxd5, cxd5 6. Qb3 and
6...Qb6 would
defending it, for example 6...Qd7 7. Ne5, so he would probably have to go back
6...Bc8
5. Qd1-b3
Defending and offering queen trade. If white plays 6. Qxb6, axb6 7.cd5, Nxd5
even though
black has doubled pawns they form a compact mass (b7,b6,c6) which controls a
lot of
squares and it is hard to break. On the other hand black's a8 rook would activate
without even
making a move.
6. c4xd5
White doesn't want to take on b6 for the reasons in the previous comment
6. … , Qb6xb3
Black is attracted by the idea of doubling white's pawns and this makes more
sense here
7. … , Bf5xb1?
Black wanted to eliminate this knight while it is still on b1, maybe he didn't like
the idea of that knight joining the action after 7...cxd5 8. Nc3 with the idea of
9.Nb5, but in reality that was not so dangerous for him
8. d5xc6!
White makes this in between move that should win him a pawn in some line like
this 8...Nxc6
9. Rxb1
8. … , Bb1-e4?
Black didn't want to lose a pawn so he played here, saving the bishop and
defending against
9.cxb7 and if white plays 9.c7 instead then after 9...Nc6 the rook is stopping the
c pawn from
queening, but...
9. Ra1xa7!
Deflecting the rook form the 8th rank, so the c pawn can run to become a queen
9. … , Ra8xa7
Black saved the rook, but as we said no one is protecting the 8th rank now
White is threatening to promote to a queen in two ways 11. cxb8Q and 11. c8Q,
since black
Shulman – Khalifman
1. d2-d4
1. … , Ng8-f6
Developing the knight and controlling d5 and e4. With this move black keeps his
cards closed
2. c2-c4
Making a nice pawn duo in the center which controls many squares
2. … , c7-c5
This space gaining move is principal way to play for an advantage (although it
doesn't
guarantee getting it )
3. … , b7-b5
Entering the Benko gambit. Black is ready to give up a pawn in order to get open
lines and
4. c4xb5
4. … , a7-a6
With this move black wants to develop his bishop on a6 (after the exchange of
pawns)
5. b5xa6
5. … , g7-g6
Black waits for white to develop his knight on c3. Essentially he is trying to
avoid a line in
6. Nb1-c3
6. … , Bc8xa6
development as he will have to spend some moves on tucking his king away
7. e2-e4
7. … , Ba6xf1
8. Ke1xf1
White has lost the right to castle now, but he is a pawn ahead
8. … , d7-d6
9. Ng1-e2
the alternative was 9.Nf3. With the move played white wants to give extra
support to the c3
9. … , Bf8-g7
The bishop comes to the natural square when g7-g6 is played. It is one of the
best black's
10. h2-h3
Making a square on h2 for the king. White will now march with the king through
the route f1-
g1-h2. The other way to castle “by hand” was 10.g3 and 11. Kg2, but King is
safer on h2, so
10. … , 0-0
11. … , Nb8-d7
12. Kg1-h2
12. … , Qd8-a5
In Benko gambit queen usually gets developed here or on b6, black preferred
this move in
order to leave the b6 square available for the knight probably. Now the f8 rook
can join the
13. Qd1-c2
This is often a good square for the white queen in this and similar positions,
because form c2
13. … , Nd7-b6
Black wants to exchange one pair of knights, since the e2-c3 knight combo is
blocking the g7
14. Ra1-b1
White is dreaming of going a2-a3 and b2-b4, but that is hard to achieve with al
the pressure
14. … , Nb6-a4
From here the bishop should give good support to the c3 knight
15. … , Na4xc3
16. Ne2xc3
Taking with the bishop just gives back the pawn and doesn't lessen the pressure
that black
16. … , Rf8-b8
Now al the heavy pieces of black's are exerting great pressure on the queen side,
but white
17. Rh1-e1
White gives some support to the e4 pawn and maybe prepares e4-e5, but here
defense was
17. … , Nf6-d7
Stopping e4-e5
18. Bd2-g5
18. … , Kg8-f8
The best way to defend this pawn by far. Going back with the rook to e8 or
playing f7-f6 would
19. Qc2-d2
This gives back the pawn. White could keep it for now with 20. Re2, but for
some reason he
19. … , Bg7xc3
Beginning the series of exchanges at the end of which black will regain the
pawn. For this he
will have to give his powerful bishop for the knight, but you can't have
everything
20. b2xc3
White has to keep the queens on the board and try to generate some activity
against black
king, because most endgames in this structure are so good for black
20. … , Rb8xb1
21. Re1xb1
Forced
21. … , Qa4xa2
Now the material is equal but black has some initiative because of better heavy
piece
22. Rb1-b2
22. … , Qa2-c4
A great square for the queen, form here she attacks both c3 and e4 pawns
23. Rb2-b7
23. … , Kf8-e8
24. Qd2-f4
This is a good move and it should lead to a draw. We will soon see how
24. … , Qc4xc3
25. Qf4-h4?
White could force a draw here by playing 25. Bxe7, Kxe7 26. Rxd7+, Kxd7 27.
Qxf7+, Kc8 28.
Qe8+, Kb7 29. Qc6+ with a perpetual check, but with the move played he enters
a bad
position
25. … , h7-h5
Saving the h7 pawn and with it the invasion of the white queen through h file
26. Bg5-e3
It looks natural for white to try to open the h file with 26. g4, but after 26...Qe5+
it would be his king who would be in trouble
26. … , Qc3-e5+
This will pin the g pawn and help win the e4 pawn
27. g2-g3
If the king goes to the 1st rank, then 28. Ra1+ is deadly
27. … , Ra8-a4
28. … , Ke8-d8
29. Rc7-c6
29. … , Ra4xe4
30. Be3-d2
30. … , f7-f6
Had black played 30... Rxh4?? after 31. Ba5+, Ke8 32. Rc8# he would be mated
Now black is lost and after these moves he resigned 31. Bf4, Qxd5 32. Ra6, Re1
0-1 With unstoppable checkmate on h1 in few moves
Thompson – Morphy
1. e2-e4
Opening the diagonals for the queen and bishop and controlling d5 square
1. … , e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3
The practice has determined that this is the best move in this position
2. … , Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-c4
Developing the bishop and pressuring f7 pawn, the weakest pawn in the starting
position for
3. … , Bf8-c5
Good developing move, with similar ideas in mind that white had when playing
his 3rd move
4. d2-d3
4. … , Ng8-f6
Develops another piece and puts some pressure on e4 and gains some control
over d5
square
5. Nb1-c3
This is not coherent with white's previous move. It made more sense to play c2-
c3 and
5. … , h7-h6
Now that white knight is on c3, the Bc1-g5 move would gain strength because of
possibility to
6. Nc3-e2
Start of a dubious plan. Obviously white wants to play c2-c3 and d3-d4, but then
the e4 pawn
will be hanging, so he will probably have to waste another tempo to defend that
pawn first.
This is all very time consuming. It was better just to castle and then decide what
to do with
this knight
6. … , d7-d6
Strengthening the e5 pawn. The other approach would be 6...d5 7.exd5, Nxd5 8.
Bb5, Bd6
7. … , 0-0
Black finishes his king side development and now 8. d4 is not good for white,
because of
8. h2-h3
White wants to control the g4 square, since it looks attractive for c8 bishop
8. … , Kg8-h8
Given the pawn structure in the center black should break with either d6-d5 or
f7-f5. With his
last move he reveals that he will use the f pawn for the break, since he is
removing his king
form the pin along the a2-g8 diagonal
9. Ne2-g3
9. … , Nf6-h7
Removing the obstacle in front of the f7 pawn ( the obstacle was of course the f6
knight)
10. Qd1-c2
Giving some extra support to the e4 pawn, which he doesn't real y need. It was
more logical
to castle
10. … , f7-f5
Finally the pawn break. Black wants to deflect the e4 pawn form controlling the
d5 square and
to open the f file, since white was hesitant to castle and his king is a bit
vulnerable
11. e4xf5
Now it was not possible to castle 11. 0-0?, f5xe4 12. Nxe4, Bxh3 13. gxh3, Rxf3
and on top
of being a pawn down, white has to worry about the safety of his king as long as
queens are
on the board and it is not apparent how will white exchange queens
11. … , d6-d5
There is no more pawn on the e4 square, hence this move is possible, now black
has a
mighty center
12. Bc4-b3
It made more sense to play 12. Bb5 (with the idea of 13.Bxc6 and 14. Nxe5) but
after 12...Qf6
This was move made on good logic, but it is not correct. The logic is that the
white king is still in the center so black wants to open the position, but the
problem is that white can block the e file thanks to his pawn on f5. Better was
simple 12...Bxf5 13. Nxf5, Rxf5 with a good position
for black
13. d3xe4
If white just moves the f3 knight then black's plan works just fine. Foe example
13. Nd2,
e4xd3 14. Qxd3, Re8+ and white can't block on e6 because the d5 pawn is
preventing the b3
13. … , d5xe4
This is a mistake. White should have played 14. Qxe4, Re8 15. Be6! Blocking
the e file, after
15...Nf8 16. 0-0 white king finds shelter and even though black can only regain
one pawn,
black's bishop pair and better piece placement will somewhat compensate for the
material
14. … , Nc6-e5
15. Bc1-e3
Defending f2 pawn
15. … , Ne5-d3+
Now the white king is stuck in the center forever
16. Ke1-e2
After 16. Kf1, Bxe3 17. fxe3, Qg5 the game is almost over since overwhelming
forces are
16. … , Bc5xe3
17. f2xe3
It doesn't help to send the king for a walk 17. Kxe3, Bxf5 18. Nxf5, Qg5+ 19.
Ke2, Rxf5 20. f3,
Qxg2+
17. … , Qd8-h4
18. … , Qh4xe4
Even though this doesn't win the knight (because black will lose his knight on
d3) from here
the queen is ready to gobble the g2 pawn and finish black off soon
19. Qc2xd3
19. … , Qe4xg2+
This forces white king on the first rank. All black needs to do now is to place a
rook on f1 or
20. Ke2-d1
20. … , Bc8xf5
Morphy was always trying to make al his pieces play therefore he chose this
move. He could
21. Bb3-d5
Attacking the g2 queen and defending the h1 rook at the same time. Did white
get away?
Black resigned, since he will at least lose a queen after 22. hxg4, Rf1+ or get
checkmated in
Karpov – Kamsky
1. d2-d4
1. … , Ng8-f6
2. c2-c4
Taking some control over d5 square and lining up with the d4 pawn. These two
pawns look
2. … , g7-g6
3. Ng1-f3
Developing the knight and taking firm control over e5 square. This moves also
protects the d4
pawn which is not needed now but it is in general a good idea to have your
central pawns
protected
3. … , Bf8-g7
White wants to place his light squared bishop on the long diagonal, similar to
blacks idea
4. … , c7-c6
able to recapture on d5 with the pawn instead of with the knight, hence this
move. 4...d5 5.
5. Bf1-g2
5. … , d7-d5
Now the h1-a8 diagonal is shortened for the time being , so black is hoping that
the g2 bishop
6. c4xd5
White is avoiding complex positions that involve pawn sacrifice. For example 6.
Nc3, dxc4 is
6. … , c6xd5
Fol owing up with the plan form the previous move. Now g2 bishop is somewhat
hindered by
d5 pawn
7. Nb1-c3
Developing the knight and exerting some pressure over d5 pawn and e4 squares.
That is the
main difference between developing the knight on d2 and c3 squares. From both
squares the
7. … , 0-0
Finishing his king side development and putting the king to safety. That is real y
a nice fortress in front of black king
8. Nf3-e5
Preventing normal developing move 8... Nc6 when black would have some weak
pawns on
8. … , e7-e6
Black wants to play Nfd7 to trade knights, but at the moment that is not so great
since it would leave the d5 pawn hanging, so he protects it to al ow the
mentioned move
The downside of this move is that it closes the path for the c8 bishop and makes
it harder for
9. 0-0
The king has to be placed into safety and we might need the h1 rook in the game
soon, so
9. … , Nf6-d7
Continuing with his plan from the previous move, now black threatens to take
twice on e5
10. f2-f4
Protecting e5 and making 10... Nxe5 look silly because after 11. fxe5 black
position would be
cramped by e5 pawn which at the same time provides great outpost on d6 for
white's knight
10. … , Nb8-c6
This move makes much more sense now than on 8th move because after 11.
Nxc6, bxc6
black is ready to push c6-c5 on the next move (thanks to the knight on d7) and
get rid of the
weakness on c6
11. Bc1-e3
e2-e4
11. … , Nd7-b6
12. Be3-f2
It is sad for black that this is as far as this bishop can go, but he does what he
can. At least with this move he is letting the rook come to an open c file
13. e2-e4
White would like to open the position since his bishops are better placed than his
opponent's
13. … , Nc6-e7
Black defends d5. Taking on e4 is not a good idea because after 14. Nxe4 white's
knight
would be much more dominant than black's and black can basically never take
on e5,
because d pawn would come there then, again providing the outpost on d6 and
blunting the
g7 bishop.
14. Ne5xd7
A counter intuitive move at first sight. White is giving a great knight for a not so
great bishop, but in the end he will get the bishop pair advantage and he will be
able to gain space with e4-e5.
14. … , Qd8xd7
This is more logical than 14... Nb6xd7 because the knight has no prospects on d7
(after
15.e5) and by recapturing with the queen black connects his rooks
15. e4-e5
wonderful outpost on d5
15. … , Ra8-c8
Placing the rook on an open file
16. Ra1-c1
16. … , a7-a6
17. b2-b3
Taking some squares from the knight on b6. In general, whenever there is a
knight on b6 it is
17. … , Rc8-c7
18. Qd1-d2
The c3 knight will need extra protection once black doubles on the c file
18. … , Rf8-c8
Now that he secured the queen side white is ready for active measures on the
king side since
19. … , Bg7-f8
Black wants to get with this bishop to b4 or a3 and cause some disharmony in
white's camp.
This plan is possible due to b pawn being moved form his original square
20. Qd2-e3
White for sees that the bishop might get to b4 and doesn't want his knight to be
pinned to the
queen if that happens. Also from e3 the queen might move fast along the 3rd
rank if needed
Opening the f8-a3 diagonal for the bishop and looking at b4 square
21. f4-f5
This type of break is typical for structures with white pawn on e5 and black
pawn on e6
21. … , Bf8-a3
Going after the c file. 21... exf5 22. gxf5. Qxf5 would lose the exchange after 23.
Bh3
22. Rc1-d1
The c file had to be conceded, because 22. Rc2 would run into 22... Nb4 winning
for black
22. … , Nc6-b4
Releasing the powerful rooks on the c file. White's knight is attacked and if it
moves black can just win the a pawn or invade along the c- file
23. Qe3-h6
Preventing 23... Rxc3 because if that is played then after 24. f6 black can't stop
the
checkmate on g7
23. … , Qd7-e8
In order to be ready to meet 24. f6 with 24... Qf8 and completely stop white's
attack
24. Nc3-b1
f5-f6 would be a mistake now that the black queen is ready to defend g7, so
something had to
be done with the c3 knight. Placing it on b1 has the merit of forcing the black
bishop to b2
24. … , Ba3-b2
The only square. If 24... Nc2 25. Nxa3, Nxa3 26. Be1, Nc2 27. Ba5 and black is
in big trouble,
25. … , Nb4-c2
The only way to save a piece, but now the knight is blocking the entry square for
the black
rooks
26. Kg1-h1
Freeing the g1 square for the bishop, because that bishop is in the way of the
rook on f1
26. … , Qe8-e7
Looking at the b4 square
27. Bf2-g1
27. … , Nb6-d7
28. Rf1-f3
Getting ready to switch along the 3rd rank to help generate the attack on the
black king
28. … , Qe7-b4
Offering the queen trade, which would be immensely beneficial for black (it
would turn the
tables actual y
29. Qd2-h6
Of course white mustn't al ow trade of queens
29. … , Qb4-f8
30. Qh6-g5
30. … , Qf8-g7
The black queen cannot stay on f8 because of 31.fxe6 taking advantage of that,
so black
avoids that
31. Qg5-d2
Pinning the c2 knight and taking advantage of the fact that black queen can't get
back to the
game via f8 because of fxe6, so at the moment white has extra queen on the
queen side. This
move also protects d4 pawn, so the d1 rook can go to f1 (if it would go there
before Qd2 , the
32. Rd1-f1
Now white has doubled on the f file at the end of which is proximity of black
king. On the other side black is dominant on the c-file, but can't use it because of
knight on c2 blocking his own
heavy pieces
32. … , a6-a5
Control ing the b4 square to allow the trick on the next move
33. h2-h4
White might need to open the h file in the future with h4-h5, so he prepares for
that
33. … , Nc2-b4
This is the mentioned trick. If white takes 34. Qxb2? Then after 34... Rc2 the
queen is trapped
on the next move (35. Qa3, Rxa2 or 35. Qa1, Rxa2). At the same time black has
finally freed
34. a2-a3
34. … , Rc7-c2
35. Qd2-f4
35. … , Nb4-c6
36. … , Nc6-d8
37. Bg1-e3
White's attack on the king side is temporarily stopped by black's activity on the
other side of
the board, so white is taking measures to neutralize that activity. With this move
he controls
the c1 square
37. … , b6-b5
Black is hoping that b5-b4 would help him gain more control on the queen side,
but will it be
enough?
38. Rf3-f2
If white would manage to exchange all the rooks and play Qd2 then, all of the
sudden the b2
39. a3xb4
39. … , a5xb4
Now black has secured a3 and c3 squares for his bishop, but can he ever exit
somewhere
else?
40. Rf2xc2
40. … , Rc8xc2
41. … , Rc2xf2
Forced because the rook is attacked and if it moves the b2 bishop drops
42. Qf4xf2
42. … , Bb2-a3
43. Qf2-c2
White didn't win the bishop, but managed to lock it and he is now playing
essentially with a
piece up. Also he turned the tables on the queen side by exchanging all the
rooks. His king
side attack was repelled, but at a dear cost
43. … , Nd7xe5
White was threatening to win a knight by 44. Qc7 and even thought that could be
prevented
he still has an extra bishop practically so black decides to mud the waters
44. d4xe5
The sacrifice had to be accepted, otherwise black would untangle for free
44. … , Qg7xe5
Black threatens the e3 bishop now and is hoping to generate play with some
checks, but …
45. Qc2-c8
White calculates that he can stop black counter play and goes for the d8 knight
45. … , Qe5-e4+
Choosing to take the b1 knight instead of e3 bishop
46. Bh3- g2
46. … , Qe4xb1+
Regaining a piece
47. Kh1-h2
47. … , Ba3-b2
Covering the f6 square. As you can see, black managed to get his dark squared
bishop back
48. Qc8xd8+
48. … , Kg8-g7
Starting the execution. With this move white will force black king into a mating
net
49. … , Bb2xf6
50. Be3-h6+
The point! Now black king will be stuck at the edge of the board and soon he
will meet his fate
there.
50. … , Kg7xh6
51. Qd8xf6
White is closing in. the threat is 52. g5+, Kh5 53. Bf3+, Kxh4 54. Qf4#
51. … , Qb1-c2
52. g4-g5+
Anyway
52. … , Kh6-h5
53. Kh2-g3
queen can come to f5 with the check 53... Qf5+ 54. Qxf5, gxf5 with a probable
draw
53. … , Qc2-c7+
Chigorin – Steinitz
1. e2-e4
Control ing some central squares and opening diagonals for queen and bishop
1. … , e7-e5
2. Ng1-f3
2. … , Nb8-c6
3. Bf1-c4
Developing and looking at the f7 square, also gaining some control over d5
square
3. … , Bf8-c5
4. b2-b4
The Evans gambit, for a pawn white intends to gain a lead in development and
take over the
central squares
4. … , Bc5xb4
Black is playing the principled way. Steinitz thought that Evans gambit was not
correct and he
5. c2-c3
5. … , Bb4-a5
The alternatives were 5... Bc5 or 5...Be7, all three moves can be played (not at
the same time
though)
6. 0-0
6. … , Qd8-f6
Black wants to give extra protection to the e5 pawn with his queen, still 6... Nf6
is better,
because this queen will soon become object of an attack and help white develop
his pieces
faster
7.d2-d4
Now white center looks pretty hefty and with this move he opens the window for
his c1 bishop
7. … , Ng8-h6
Black had praised publicly this move and white had criticized it, so this match
was organized
8. Bc1-g5
Developing the bishop and asking the queen about her intentions
8. … , Qf6-d6
This is the only square for a queen to retreat and protect the e5 pawn as well.
9. d4-d5
It looks counter intuitive to close the position when attacking, but there is an
explanation. The position will not be completely closed after this move and the
benefit is much greater,
because this pawn will cramp black's position so much that he will hardly have
where to move
his pieces
9. … , Nc6-d8
Going back to b8 didn't look appealing to black, so he chose to go to d8, but that
looks like a
bad long term square since it is not real y clear where will this knight go form
there. If black ever pushes f6 then white can take on h6 and make a great outpost
on f5 for his knight.
10. Qd1-a4
White is forcing the black bishop to go to b6 and once it goes there it will hinder
black's queen side development, because it will block the b pawn, so black will
not be able to free the b7
10. … , Ba5-b6
Had black played b7-b6 he would free his king side but he would leave his black
squared
11. Nb1-a3
Now that the black bishop is no longer attacking the c3 pawn this knight can
develop. It wants
11. … , c7-c6
Black realizes white's knight's intentions and is preparing to kick him out from
c4 once it gets there. He wants to play his bishop to c7 and make it possible for
the b pawn to go to b5.
12. Bc4-e2
12. … , Bb6-c7
Black is proceeding with his plan , this also gives some extra cover to the e5
pawn
13. Na3-c4
13. … , Qd6-f8
If 13... Qc5 14. d6, b5?? 15. dxc7, bxa4 16. cxd8Q# 14... Bb8 15. Be3, Qb5 16.
Qc2 and
black queen feels very uncomfortable in view of the threats 17. Ncxe5 or 17.
Rb1
If she tries 13... Qg6 then the simple 14. Bxd8, Bxd8 15. Nfxe5, Qf6 16. Qa3
and if black tries
to block the diagonal to enable castling 16... Be7? 17. d6! cramps black totally
14. d5-d6!
White is giving another pawn for a decisive break, the idea is to deflect the
bishop form
Black had to take here, if instead 14... Bb8 15. Be7 embarrasses black queen. Or
14... b5 15.
dxc7, Nb7 16. Qd1, bxc4 17. Bxh6, gxh6 18. Nxe5 completely winning
15. Nc4-b6
Now that the b6 square is unguarded, the knight can hop in to cause disharmony
in black's
camp
15. … , Ra8-b8
Of course, 15... axb6 is not possible because of the prosaic 16. Qxa8
16. Qa4xa7
Now the black rook is sort of trapped. It can't be won yet but it can't go
anywhere either. The
only thing that saves this rook for now is bishop on d6 and this bishop has only
one more
square from which it can protect the rook – c7 square. If he ever goes there
though he will be
attacked by Nb6-a8
16. … , Nd8-e6
Suddenly this knight has gotten an exit square (thanks to the operation white
undertook with
the d pawn), but this exit won't bring him much joy. The only thing white needs
to take care is
17. Bg5-c1!
Saving the bishop and preparing to go 18. Ba3 in order to try to win the rook on
b8
17. … , Nh6-g8
Black has in plan playing c6-c5 to block the a3-f8 diagonal and when he makes
that move the
is a long route...
18. Bc1-a3
18. … , c6-c5
19. Ra1-d1
Preventing 19...Ne7 with the idea of 20. Rxd6, Nc6 and even though white's
rook and queen
are attacked black is lost because of 21. Rxc6 followed by 22. Qxb8
19. … , Ng8-f6
square at least
20. Be2-c4
White is just improving his position while black can't do much. Now this bishop
controls the d5
square and if needed it can be exchanged for the e6 knight as a tactical operation.
For
example 20... Qe7 21. Bxe6, fxe6 22. Nc4, Bc7 23. Bxc5 with a disaster for
black
20. … , Bd6-c7
If 20... Nxe4 21. Nxc8, Rxc8 22. Qxb7 (attacking both a rook and a knight), Rc6
23. Nxe5 and
21. Nb6-d5
We mentioned earlier that if black bishop ever goes to c7 white will play Nb6-
a8, but now the
d5 square is available (since black moved his pawn from c6) so white takes
advantage of that
21. … , Bc7-d6
If 21... Nf6xd5 then 22. exd5, Nf4 23. d6!, Bxd6 24. Bxc5, Bxc5 25. Qxb8
22. Nf3-h4
Going to the f5 square to finally destroy the bishop on d6 (the defender of the b8
rook)
White could also play 22. Nxf6, gxf6 and then either 23. Nh4 or 23. Bxe6, fxe6
24. Bxc5, Bxc5
25. Qxb8
22. … , Nf6xd5
Black would like to get rid of most of whites pieces, but since this the only one
he can
23. Nh4-f5
Soon there will be no bishop on d6. This is not a sacrifice since black extra
knight on d5 is
pinned
23. … , g7-g6
If d5 knight moved then 24. Nxd6+ would end the game
24. Nf5xd6
Finally.
24. … , Qf8xd6
Now the queen has become the guardian of the b8 rook, but it is a task she can't
handle for
long
25. Bc4xd5
With this move white is threatening 26. Bxd5 opening the d file and attacking
the queen,
where she wouldn't be able to recapture on e6 because the rook would drop
25. … , Qd6-c7
26. … , f7xe6
Black takes with the f pawn in hopes of making his central pawn mass some
kind of an
27. Ba3xc5
27. … , Rb8-a8
The only way not to lose the whole rook. With this move black makes it possible
to at least
28. Qa7xa8
28. … , Qc7xc5
From here the queen will support the rook infiltration along the b file and also
controls the c2
29. … , Ke8-d8
29... Qxc3 is not possible because of 30. Rc1 winning the c8 bishop, so black
protects it with
the king
30. Rd1-d2
Now we see why white covered the c2 square, he want to be able to place the
rook there if
30. … , Kd8-c7
If 30... Qxc3 then 31. Rc2, Qd4 32. Rxc8+, Kxc8 33. Qa8+ and Qxh8
31. Rf1-b1
31. … , Rh8-d8
Again 31... Qc3 is not good because of simple 31. Rc2 winning the queen
32. Rb1-b5
32. … , Qc5-c6
If 32... Qe7 33. Qa7 with the threat of 34. Rc5+ followed by 35. Qb6#, so black
would have to
go 33... d6 34. Qb6+, Kd7 35. Rc5 and white gets with his rook to the seventh
rank
33. Qa4-b4
taking control of the c5 square, and intending 34. Rc5 winning the queen
33. … , d7-d6
34. a2-a4
This prevents b7-b6 for example 34... b6 35.a5, bxa5 36. Qxa5+, Kd7 37. Rb6,
Qc7 38.
34. … , Qc6-e8
If black would try to develop his bishop with 34... Bd7 then 35. Rxd6, Qxd6 36.
Rxb7+ winning
the queen
35. Rb5-b6
Increasing the pressure. Now the d6 pawn is attacked three times and defended
only twice
35. … , Qe8-f8
36. Qb4-a5
36. … , d6-d5
Preventing 36. Rd6+ which would now be a blunder due to 36... Kxd6
37. e4xd5
Black parried the last threat with d6-d5, but opened up new possibilities for
white with that
move
37. … , Kc7-b8
37... Rxd5 38. Rxd5 , exd5 39. Rf6+ winning the queen. 37... exd5 was not
possible either
It is interesting that white started his attack with the move 15. d5-d6 and then
finished the
Fleissig – Schlechter
Vienna 1893
1. b2-b4
The Sokolsky opening. It doesn't have a great reputation. The idea is to place the
bishop on
b2 while at the same time having b pawn advanced for some queen side
operations, but the b
pawn often becomes a target. The better version is 1.b3 where the b pawn is
completely safe
1. … , e7-e6
2. Bc1-b2
2. … , Ng8-f6
Good developing move which at the same time attacks b4 (because the g7 pawn
is not
3. a2-a3
3. … , c7-c5
Putting more pressure on b4. Black is reasoning that if white takes on c5 he will
help black
develop (4...Bxc5) and if he pushes his b pawn instead, then the c5 pawn will
stay there and
control the center with possible d7-d5 in the future. So whatever white does it
should benefit
White decided not to help black develop by taking on c5 and to gain some space
on the
4. … , d7-d5
taking advantage of the last white's move and forming a nice central pawn duo
5. d2-d4?
This weakens the e1-a5 diagonal and let black take over the initiative. It was
much better to
keep that pawn on d2 until the king side is fully developed. So 5.e3 with the idea
of Nf3, Be2,
5. … , Qd8-a5+
Immediately taking advantage of the weakened diagonal. Now since the b5 pawn
is hanging,
Any other move would let black play 6...Qxb5 with an extra pawn
6. … , Nf6-e4
This is possible thanks to the pin on e1-h5 diagonal. There is a simple threat of
taking on c3
7. Qd1-d3?
At first glance this is the only way to save the knight , but that is not true. White
should have played 7.e3 and if 7...Nxc3? 8.Qd2 regaining the piece. Black of
course can play differently 7.
7. … , c5xd4
Luring the white queen to d4 where she will be exposed to further attacks and
help black
8. … , Bf8-c5!
This move is the logical follow up of the previous move, now this bishop will
destroy f2 point
9. Qd4xg7
some damage to his opponent and slow him down a little bit
9. … , Bc5xf2+
Denying white the right to castle and securing that he will probably stay in the
middle of the
board praying to survive the onslaught of black pieces
10. Ke1-d1
10. … , d5-d4
According to the engine, better was a simple move 10...Rf8 where black has all
the benefits of
the attack, but is not heavy material down. But the move played in the game is
first of all
immensely beautiful and secondly it gives white such a hard task. Even though
objectively he
11. Qg7xh8+
There is nothing wrong with taking a whole rook and on top of that giving a
check. It was not
11. … , Ke8-e7
King needs to go exactly here to allow for later blockade of the 7th rank with
Nd7 (when white
queen ends up on b7) and in some lines the rook might join the attack through d8
and black
12. Qh8xc8?
White got greedy, but who can blame him, it looks safe to take more material
and threaten a
check on b7. Instead, he should play 12. Nf3, Nxc3+ 13. Bxc3, Qxc3 and the
only move that
saves the game is 14. Rb1, but this would be hard to find even for the strongest
players in the
world today
12. … , d4xc3
Opening the d file and attacking the b2 bishop. If white allows that bishop to be
taken then al
off the sudden black queen would threaten two checkmates – one on d2 and the
other one on
e1
13. Bb2-c1
If 13. Qxb7+, Kf6 14. Qxe4, cxb2 15. Qf4+, Ke7 16. Qg5+, Kf8 white has no
defense against
both of black threats – the checkmate on e1 and taking a rook with promotion to
a queen
13. … , Nb8-d7
The idea of this move is to lure the black queen away for the battlefield and then
take
advantage of that fact . It is al very logical, but it fails because white doesn't need
to take the rook. He can instead play 14. Qxb7!, defending the b5 pawn and by
doing so preventing the
black queen from easily transferring to the d file and pinning the d7 knight so it
can't join the attack
That is why black was suppose to play 13...Qxb5 with a deadly check on d5 to
follow
14. Qc8xa8?
White just likes material I guess, whatever you offer him he will take. Instead he
could save
14. … , Qa5xb5
This has nothing to do with taking the pawn, it just looks like that. The point of
this move is to gain access to d5 square and give a deadly check form there
15. Bc1-f4
15. … , Qb5-d5+
16. Kd1-c1
16. … , Bf2-e3+!
Black wants to deflect the f4 bishop form the c1-h6 diagonal so he can enter on
d2 with the
17. Bf4xe3
17. … , Ne4-f2!
17. Be3xf2
There was a mate threat on d1 and if 17. Kb1 (trying to escape) then 17...Qb5+
and Qb2#
There is nothing white can do to prevent checkmate 18. Kb1, Qd1+ 19. Ka2,
Qxc2#
Document Outline
Table of contents
Introduction
Chess Notation
Paul Morphy – A. Morphy
Carlsen – Vallejo Pons
Alekhine – Tartakower
Botvinnik – Portisch
Kamsky – Nakamura
Steinitz – Blackburne
Korchnoi – Byvshev
Sclechter – Perlis
Shulman – Khalifman
Thompson – Morphy
Karpov – Kamsky
Chigorin – Steinitz
Fleissig – Sclechter
Introduction
Chess Notation
Paul Morphy – A. Morphy
Carlsen – Vallejo Pons
Alekhine – Tartakower
Botvinnik – Portisch
Kamsky – Nakamura
Steinitz – Blackburne
Korchnoi – Byvshev
Sclechter – Perlis
Shulman – Khalifman
Thompson – Morphy
Karpov – Kamsky
Chigorin – Steinitz
Fleissig – Schlechter