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TACTICS
ΙΝ ΤΗΕ
••
GRUNFELD
GENNADY NESIS
Tactics ίn the Grίinfeld
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Tactics ίn the
Grίinfeld

GENNADY NESIS
with Professor Igor Blekhtsin
Trαnslαted by Μαlcolm Gesthuysen

Β. Τ. Batsford Ltd, London

First published 1992
© Gennady Nesis, Igor Blekhtsin 1992
ISBN Ο 7134 7005 4

Βήtίsh Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data. Α catalogue record

for this book is available from the Βήtίsh Library

ΑΙΙ ήghts reserved. Νο part of this book may be reproduced, by any

means, without Ρήοr permission of the publisher

Typeset by Lasertext Ltd, Stretford, Manchester

and Ρήnted ίη Great Βήtaίn by
Dotesios Ltd, Trowbridge, Wilts
for the publishers,
Β. Τ. Batsford Ltd, 4 Fitzhardinge Street,
London WIH ΟΑΗ

Α BATSFORD CHESS ΒΟΟΚ

Adviser: R. D. Keene GM, ΟΒΕ
Technical Editor: Andrew Kinsman
Contents

Preface 9
Introduction 11

1 The Ρίn 13
Game Νο. 1 - Wilder-Kudriπ, US Ch. 1988
Game Νο. 2 - Ehlvest-Erπst, Tallinn 1989
Game Νο. 3 - Α. Larseπ-Nesis, World Corr. Cup
1974-76
Game Νο. 4- Tal-Johaππesseπ, Riga 1959

2 Enticement 27
Game Νο. 5 - Yusupov-Timmaπ, Tilburg Ct (9)
1986
Game Νο. 6 - Korzov-Blekhtsiπ, Leningrad 1956
Game Νο. 7 - Spassky-Fischer, Siegen 01. 1970
Game Νο. 8 - ΜcCambήdge-Ηjartarsοπ, Grindavik
1984
Game Νο. 9 - Eiπgorπ-Gavrikov, Tallinn 1989
Game Νο. 10 - Botviππik-Yudovich, Leningrad 1933
Game Νο. 11 - Agzamov-Gulko, Sochi 1985
Game Νο. 12 - Vyzhmaπaviπ-Tukmakov,
Novosibirsk 1986
Game Νο. 13 - Lputiaπ-D. Roos, Athens 1983
3 Deflection 52
Game Νο. 14 - Glίgοήc-SmΥSlοv, Kiev 1959
Game Νο. 15 - Κhaιίfmaη-Gavήkοv, USSR Ch. 1988
Game Νο. 16 - Nesis-Konoval, USSR Corr. Ch.
1977-78
Game Νο. 17 - Novikov-Gavrikov, Tαllinn 1988
Game Νο. 18 - Furman-Jansa, Leningrαd 1970

4 Interference 67
Game Νο. 19 - Moskalenko-Ftacnik, Belgrαde 1988
Game Νο. 20 - Brenninkmeijer-Tukmakov, Lugαno
1989
Game Νο. 21 - Petrosian-Benko, Curα9tlo Ct 1962
Game Νο. 22 - Borisenko-Estrin, World Corr. Ch.
Finαl 1965-67

5 Demolition 79
Game Νο. 23 - Yusupov-Kasparov, USSR Ch. 1988
Game Νο. 24 - Rashkovsky-Anikaev, Sochi 1974
Game Νο. 25 - Naumkin-Vakhidov, USSR 1987
Game Νο. 26 - Vera-Vilela, Mαtαnzαs 1989
Game Νο. 27 - Khalifman-Lau, Rotterdαm 1988
Game Νο. 28 - Lengyel-Gipslis, Tαllinn 1975

6 Opening and Clearing Lines 96

Game Νο. 29 - Petran-Pinter, Budαpest 1972
Game Νο. 30 - Vaiser-Pein, Budαpest 1989
Game Νο. 31 - Levenfίsh-Smyslov, USSR Ch. 1949
Game Νο. 32 - Bartels-de Wit, Hollαnd 1988/89
Game Νο. 33 - Dreev-Epishin, Tαllinn 1986
Game Νο. 34 - Fang-Chiburdanidze, Phίladelphia
1989
Game Νο. 35 - Douven-Ghinda, Hamburg 1984
Game Νο. 36 - Miles-Korchnoi, Brussels 1986

7 Exploiting the Back Rank 120

Game Νο. 37 - Gligoric-Schmidt, Bath 1973
Game Νο. 38 - Razuvaev-Dvoiris, Krasnodar 1983
Game Νο. 39 - Khalifman-Khenkin, Leningrad 1989
Game Νο. 40 - Belyavsky-Kasparov, Belfort 1988

8 Combining Tactical Ideas 133

Game Νο. 41 - Furman-Smyslov, USSR Ch. 1949
Game Νο. 42 - Geller-Smyslov, Moscow 1965
Game Νο. 43 - Vyzhmanavin-Nikolenko, Moscow
1987
Game Νο. 44 - Komarov-Karasev, Leningrad 1989
Game Νο. 45 - Ubilava-Kengis, Kiev 1984
Game Νο. 46 - Karpov-Kasparov, World Ch.,
London (19) 1986
Game Νο. 47 - Petrosian-Fischer, Buenos Aires Ct
1971
Game Νο. 48 - Karpov-Kasparov, World Ch.,
Leningrad (J 1) 1986
Game Νο. 49 - Pinter-Allen, Thessaloniki οι 1988
Game Νο. 50 - Verat-Komljenovic, Lugano 1986
Game Νο. 51 - Anton-Nesis, World Corr. Cup Final
1978-80

Index of Variations 171

Preface

ΜΥ work as a trainer, coupled with many years of practical

experience of playing the same opening systems ίη major corr-
espondence competitions, has convinced me that when studying
modern openings ίι is extremely useful Ιο identify the tactical ideas
and methods which most characteήse each particular system. Αη
awareness of tactical possibilities can play a very important role
ίη learning an opening, since, besides greatly improving one's
perception of the opening phase, tactical play is more easily
grasped and much more creative than the relatively uninteresting
memοήsίηg of complex variations.
The first book ίη this series was devoted to tactics ίη the King's
Indian Defence. It is logical to continue this theme, new ίη chess
literature, by cοηsίdeήηg tactics aήsίηg from another closed
opening - the Grίinfeld Defence. The Grίinfeld differs from the
majority of closed games ίη that tactical operations frequently
unfold ήght from the start.
One tactical idea ίη the Grίinfeld was demonstrated as 10ng ago
as the game Alekhine-Grunfeld, Vienna 1922 - one of the first
times this opening was played:
1 d4 itιΙ6 2 c4 g6 3 itιc3 d5 4 .i.g5 itιe4 5 cd, as after 5 ... itιxg5
6 h4 White regains the piece. The founder of this opening chose
5 ••. itιxc3 6 bc 1Wxd5 7 itιΙ3 c5 8 e3 .i.g7 9 .i.b5+ .i.d7 10 c4
1We4 11 ο-ο .i.xb5! (an important preliminary exchange; if instead
11 ... ο-ο then 12 1Wbl 1We6 13 a4! .i.xb5 14 1Wxb5 b6 15 a5 with
advantage to White: Petrosian-Filip, Bucharest 1973) 12 cb itιd7
13 .l::tcl b6, with equality.
Ιη the variation 1 d4 itιΙ6 2 c4 g6 3 itιc3 d5 4 itιΙ3 .i.g7 5 .i.g5
itιe4 6 cd itιxι5 7 itιxι5 Black wins back the pawn by means of
a double attack: 7 ••• e6 8 1Wd2 ed 9 1We3+ ~Ι8 10 1Wf4 .i.f6 11
h4 c6 12 0-0-0 h6 13 itιΙ3 .i.e6, and gets a good game.
10 Preface

Α careless continuation ίη the Russian System can be punished

at once by tactical means: 1 d4 ~Ι6 2 c4 g6 3 ~c3 d5 4 ~Ι3 .t.g7
5 ... b3 c5? 6 cd cd 7 "'a4+!, and if 7 ... φf8 8 "'xd4 ~xd5?, then
9 .t.h6! (a diagonal ρίη), winning.
Lack of attention to tactical possibilities ίη the Grίinfeld Defence
has sometimes led to the downfall of very experienced players. We
quote two examples:
1 d4 ~f6 2 c4 g6 3 ~c3 d5 4 .ig5 ~e4 5 .t.h4 c5 6 e3 "'a5 7
"'b3! ~c6 8 ~f3 cd 9 ed .t.g7? 10 cd ~xc3 11 bc .ixd4 12 :cl
resigns (Gligoric-Langeweg, Amsterdam 1971).
1 d4 ~f6 2 c4 g6 3 ~c3 d5 4 .ig5 ~e4 5 .t.h4! c5 6 e3 "'a5 7
... b3 cd!? 8 ed .t.h6! 9 lΩf3? g5! 10 .t.g3 g4 11 lΩe5 .t.d2+ 12
φdΙ .t.xc3 13 bc f6, with a decisive advantage to Black (Yuferov-
Razuvaev, Chelyabinsk 1972). Α very interesting tactical idea.
Tactical blunders ίη the opening may even be encountered ίη
correspondence play:
1 d4 lΩf6 2 c4 g6 3 lΩc3 d5 4 lΩf3 .ig7 5 ... b3 dc 6 "'xc4 ο-ο
7 e4 lΩa6 8 .t.e2 c5 9 d5 e6 10 .ig5 h6 11 .t.xf6 .t.xf6 12 e5 ed
13 ~xd5 .t.g7 (or 13 ... "'a5+? 14 b4! resigns: Nesis-Meshkov,
corr. 1971-72) 14 0-0-0 φh8 15 ~f4 "'e7 16 .id3 .ig4? 17
lΩxg6+ fg 18 ... xg4 c4 19 ~h4 ... f7 20 ~xg6+ resigns (Nesis-
Luzganov, corr. 1971-72).
The transition from opening ιο middlegame ίη the Grίinfeld is
also full of tactical ideas. Here is another example from one of my
own games:
1 d4 lΩf6 2 c4 g6 3 ~c3 d5 4 ~f3 .t.g7 5 ... b3 dc 6 "'xc4 ο-ο
7 e4 .t.g4 8 .t.e3 ~fd7 9 0-0-0 ~c6 10 h3 .t.xf3 11 gf lΩb6 12
... cS e6 13 h4 f5 14 f4 fe 15 ~xe4 :f5 16 "'a3 ... d5 17 .t.d3 .t.f8
18 ... b3 ~M 19 .t.bl "'c6+ 20 ~c5 :Ιχc5+ 21 dc .t.xc5 22 "'c3
lΩa4 and White resigned (Ζveήη-Νesίs, corr. 1972).
Ιη the light ofthese instructive tactical examples, and considering
the enormous ΡΟΡuΙaήtΥ of the Grίinfeld Defence amongst players
of all strengths, this book should be very useful ίη helping the
reader to improve his ΟΓ her game.
Ι would lίke to thank my assistant οη this book, Professor Igor
Blekhtsin, Master of Sport and Doctor of Geographic Sciences.
G. Nesis
May 1992
Introduction

The study of chess tactics should begin with the simplest tactical
themes. Οη the other hand, the study of any opening has to
involve detailed knowledge of theoretical vaήatίοηs. How is it
possible to cater for both these approaches? The answer is to be
found ίη this book, the second volume ίη the Tactics seήes, which
is devoted to tactical solutions ίη the Grίinfeld Defence.
The main idea behind this defence is that Black gives his
opponent the opportunity to form a powerful pawn centre (most
notably ίη the Exchange Vaήatίοη) and then endeavours to tum
this centre into a target for his pieces and pawns to attack.
Depending οη the pawn structure, many Grίinfeld systems give
ήse to so-called half-open games. This makes for very sharp and
tense situations from a very early stage, and it is significant that
this opening has been an important weapon ίη the arsenal of
many great players renowned for their love of complications:
Botvinnik, Smyslov, Fischer, Korchnoi and, of course, Kasparov.
For ease ofstudy, the 51 analysed games have not been arranged
conventionally according to opening system (e.g., Exchange Vaή­
ation, Russian System, Closed Vaήatίοη, etc.), but by tactical
theme - i.e. the ρίη, enticement, deflection, interference, demolition,
the opening of lines, mate οη the back rank. It is important to
realise that this classification by tactical theme is rather artificial
when seen ίη the context of practical play, since ίη the course
of a complicated combination many of these themes may be
interwoven. Nevertheless, the classification adopted is the most
natural way to approach the study of tactics systematically. Ιη
addition. by analysing games illustrating a particular tactical
theme we have also pointed out characteήstίc features of vaήοus
schemes of development, making it possible for the reader to study
specific vaήatίοηs of this very topical modem opening.
12 Ι ntroduction

Who is this book aimed at? Let us answer this question inthe
words ofthe leading authοήtΥ, the chess legend Mikhail Botvinnik:
''One may recommend the GrίίnfeΙd Defence to players who like
to calculate variations. Anyone who studies the basic ideas of this
opening should be able to keep afloat ίη the stormy sea of
vaήatίοns which nowadays are part of the GrίίnfeΙd System."
1 The Ρίn
The ρίη is extremely common ίη any game of chess. Its
exploitation as a tactical device aήses as a result of the total or
partial immobilisation of the pinned piece (1).

~akogoηov-4:hekhover
Tbilisi 1937

1
Β

Ι :Ι8!
2 :d8 1Wh4+!
and Black wins the white queen.
Οη the other hand, many combinations show the ρίη Ιο be
illusory (2):

SiIakov-Blekhtsin
Leningrad 1962
31 :xc4!
32 bc ~d4
33 .i.xcS
14 The Pin

2
W

There appears to be ηο way out of a ρίη like this! But ...

33 :el+!
34 Φι2 :gl+!
White resigned
After 35 :xgl ιt::Ixf3 36 ΦΧf3 'iνf6+ White also loses the bishop.

Game Νο. 1
Wίlder-Κυdήn
US Ch. 1988
1 d4 ιt::IΙ6
2 c4 g6
3 ιt::Ic3 d5
4 cd
This exchange, played with the aim of occupying the central
squares with white pawns, is a natural reaction to Black's last
move and characterises the so-cal1ed Exchange Vaήatίοη.
4 ιt::IxdS
5 e4 ιt::Ixc3
The retreat of the knight to b6 is rarely seen, as this dooms
Black to passive defence: 5 ... ~b6 6 J.e3 J.g7 7 h3 0-0 8 ιt::If3
c6 9 J.e2 J.e6 10 ο-ο J.c4 11 1Ifd2 ιt::I8d7 12 J.h6 (Portisch-
Szabo, Hungarian Ch. 1959).
6 bc J.g7 '
7 J.c4
It would appear that 7 J.a3 would be a strong move here,
preventing the immediate stήke at the centre 7 ... c5. But by
continuing 7 ... ιt::Id7! 8 ~f3 c5 9 'iνb3 ο-ο 10 J.d3 'iνc7 Black
obtains the better chances, since it turns out that the bishop οη
a3 is out of play. The continuation 7 ~f3, first played ίη a
 The Ρί" 15

game Rubinstein-Alekb.ine, 1924, was for a 10ng time considered

insufficient Ιο gain an advantage. Nevertheless, ίη recent years a
formation for the white pieces with tZlf3, J:lbl and .te2, often
involving the sacήfice of the pawn οη a2, has become very
fashionable (see Games 8, 15,20,27,30,39 and 44).
7 ε5
The move 7 ... b6 has a poor reputation, and this was confirmed
by the match Yusupov-Timman, Tilburg 1986 (see Game 5).
8 ttJe2
This move was suggested ίη 1924 by Alekhine. The idea is to
prevent the unpleasant ρίη 8 ... .tg4 (which can now be met by
9 f3).
8 ο-ο
This is more flexible than the immediate 8 ... cd. Black reserves
the option of maintaining his pawn structure.
9 ο-ο ttJc6
10 .t.e3 .tg4
11 (3 ttJa5!?
12 .td3
The assessment of this position has also changed. It used Ιο be
accepted that ίη the event of 12 .txf7 + (either ίη this position or
without pawns οη the c-file if Black exchanges them first) White
gets a position offering few prospects, which his extra pawn cannot
compensate him for, particularly since it is doubled (see Game 6:
Korzov-Blekhtsin).
After the Karpov-Kasparov match for the World Champion-
ship ίη Seville (1987), caΡtuήηg the pawn became rather popular,
as Black does certainly not always succeed ίη getting sufficient
counterplay.
12 cd
13 cd .t.e6
14 :cl
Α crucial ροίηΙ ίη the game. White refrains from playing 14 d5!?
(a move suggested by Sokolsky), which leads to a very sharp and
complicated strugg1e. Many years of practicaI eΧΡeήence have
shown that White gets plenty of attacking opportunities, but that
Black's defensive resources are also considerable. After 14 ...
.t.xal 15 1Wxal f6 16 .J:Ibl .td7 17 .t.h6 J:lf7 18 e5 e6!? 19 tiJf4
fe 20 1Wxe5 ed, then even 21 ttJxg6 iνί6 22 .t.g5 1Wg7 23 1Wxg7+
Φχg7 24 ttJe5 .t.f5 25 lΔxf7 .txd3 26 rωι 'iPxf7 27 J:lxd3 'iPe6
16 The Pin

28 f4 leads to a small advantage for White (Hovde-Slekys, corr.

1988).
14 .i.xa2
IfBlack declines to capture the pawn, he gets an inferior position
without any compensation.
15 1Ifa4 .i.e6
16 d5 .i.d7
17 1Ifb4 e6
18 ιt.Ίc3
The alternative is 18 .l:Σ.fd1, considered ίη Game 23 (Yusupov-
Kasparov).
18 ed
Spassky-Dueball, Dortmund 1973, continued: 18 ... b6 19 .i.a6
1Iff6 20 f4 ed 21 ιt.Ίxd5 with good prospects for White.
19 ιt.Ίxd5 .i.e6
20 .Ι:Σ. fdl .i.xd5
21 ed
Bareev-Lputian, Sochi 1987, continued: 21 .i.f1? ιt.Ίc6 22 1Ifc5
ιt.Ίe7 23 ed b6 24 1Ifc4 ιt.Ίf5 with a clear advantage to Black.
21 1Ifxd5?! (3)

3
W

Bold but careless. The quiet 21 ... .l:Σ.e8 22 .i.f2 .i.f8 23 1Ifa4
.i.d6 would have given Black pretty good defensive chances.
22 .i.e4!
The tempting 22 .l:Σ.c5 (or 22 .i.xg6) would give White nothing,
ίη view of 22 ... 1Ifb3. Οη 22 .i.c5 there could have followed 22
... .l:Σ.fc8 23 1Ifxa5 .l:Σ.xc5! and 24 ... .i.d4+.
22 1Ifb3
23 .i.d2!
 The Pin 17

More accurate than 23 ..tc5, as ίη this case Black would get

counterplay: 23 ... IHd8! 24 .Ω.Χd8+ 25 "xa5 .Ω.dΙ+ 26 'iPf2!
..td4+ (ηοΙ 26 ... .Ω.χcΙ, because of 27 "d8+, mating) 27 'iPe2
..txc5! 28 "xc5 (after 28 .Ω.χdΙ it is mate ίη two: 28 ... "e3+) 28
... .Ω.χcΙ 29 "xcl b5.
23 b6
24 ..txa8 .Ω.χa8
25 "e7
White has to play very actively to profit from his small
advantage.
25 ltJc4
26 ..tf4 h5
27 "e4 .Ω.c8
28 .Ω.d7 .. b5
The threat was 29 "d5.
29 .Ω.χa7 "c6
30 "e7 "c5+ (4)

4
W

31 ..te3!
White ingeniously exploits the ρίη along the file and prevents
Black from consolidating his forces.
31 "xe7
32 .Ω.χe7 .Ω.ΟΟ
Νο good either was 32 ... b5, because of the simple 33 .Ω. b7.
E.g. 33 ... ..tb2 34 .Ω.c2 .Ω.a8 35 .Ω.χb5 ltJxe3 36 .Ω.cχb2 .Ω.aΙ+ 37
.Ω.b1.
33 ..txb6!
Again making use of the ρίη.
33 ..th6
18 The Pin

34 tte8+ φh7
35 Ji.d4 Ι6
36 ~xΙ6! Black resigned

Game Νο. 2
Ehlvest-Ernst
Tallinn 1989
Ι d4 ll)f6
2 ιt:IΙ3 g6
3 c4 ~g7
4 ιt:Ic3 d5
5 "iFb3
This early queen sortie characterises the Russian System and
was first played ίη the game Ragozin-Romanovsky, Leningrad
1932.
5 dc
6 "iFxc4 ο-ο
The immediate attempt to exploit the rather unfortunate pos-
ίιίοη of the white queen with 6 ... ~e6 leads to the loss of a pawn
after 7 "iFb5+ ll)c6 8 "iFxb7 ~d7 9 "iFb3.
7 e4 ~g4
This move of Smyslov's is the usual continuation ίη this position.
Weaker is 7 ... ll)c6 8 ~e2 ~g4 9 d5 ~xf3 10 gf ll)e5 11 'ifb3
c6 12 f4 ll)ed7 13 dc bc 14 e5 ll)d5 15 ll)xd5 cd 16 "iFxd5 e6 17
'ifd6 llIb6 18 'ifxd8 J:l.axd8 19 ο-ο ll)d5 20 J:l.d1! with advantage
Ιο White (Timman-Korchnoi, Reykjavik 1988).
8 ~e3 ll)fd7
9 'l'b3
The most natural continuation. White's queen is transferred to
a convenient square from where ίι can attack the pawn οη b7.
9 ll)b6
Another possibίlity is the sharp 9 ... c5, with immediate
counterplay.
10 :dl
Preventing the freeing move ... c5.
10 ~c6
ιι d5 ~e5
12 J.e2 ~xΙ3+
13 gf J.h5 (5)
 The Pin 19

This is considered stronger than 13 ... -*.h3, as after 14 ngl

the black bishop will have to retreat. But now we have reached a
very well-known position.

5
W

14 84
More usual continuations here are: 14 ngl 1Wd7 15 .l:g3; or 14
h4 1Wd7 15 a4 a5 16 lΔb5; or 14 f4 ..i.xe2 15 Φχe2 (see Game 31:
Levenfish-Smyslov).
14 1Wd7
15 .l:gl
Of course it would be more consistent to play 15 a5, but this
would lead Ιο some advantage for Black after 15 ... lΔc8 16 1Wxb7
lΔd6 17 1Wc6 1Wh3.
15 1Wh3
16 f4 1Wxh2
17 Φd2 -*.xe2
18 iί:Ixe2 c6
19 85 lΔd7
20 lΔg3!
Black would have had quite good prospects after either 20 a6
b6 21 dc lΔc5!, or 20 1Wxb7 iί:If6.
20 cd?!
Α more attractive line for Black appears to be 20 ... iί:If6 21
:hl1Wg2.
21 nhl 1Wg2
22 Φe2! (6)
Black's queen has unexpectedly fallen ίηΙο a trap, and (ο save
ίι Black now has to sacrifice his knight.
22 de
20 The Pin

6
Β

23 J:xd7 e5
24 f5 'tWf3+
If 24 ... gf then 25 .*.c5 would be very nasty.
25 ΦeΙ gf
26 J:gl! (7)
Α very strong move. It turns out that, despite getting four pawns
for his piece and a strong centre, Black's position is rather difficult,
mainly due to the ρίη οη the g-file. The threat now is 27 /ί:Ixf5
and 28 .*.h6.

7
Β

26 f4
27 /ί:If5 fe
28 'tWxe3! 'tWxf5
29 'tWh6 'tWg6
Alas, Black has to gίve υρ his queen.
30 J:xg6 hg
31 'tWh4.
 The Pin 21

More accurate was 31 W'e3 b6 32 a6 .J:Σ.fd8 33 .J:Σ.b7.

31 b6
32 a6 e3!
33 fe e4?
Black's position is difficult, but more stubborn was 33 ... .J:Σ.fe8,
although here too after 34 W'c4 and 35 W'c7 White would complete
his regrouping of major pieces along the seventh rank ίη order to
attack the pawn οη a7.
34 b3 b5
35 ~e2 .i.c3
36 W'e7
Now everything is clear.
36 .i.a5
37 :xa7 :ae8
38 W'a3 .i.c3
39 W'cS b4
40 :e7 :c8
41 W'd5 Black resigned

Game Νο. 3
Α.Larsen-Nesis
World Corr. Cup 1974-76
1 d4 ~Ι6
2 c4 g6
3 ~c3 dS
4 .i.f4 .i.g7
S e3
5 ~f3 is considered Ιο be a stronger continuation.
S ο-ο!
Black boldly sacrifices a pawn, getting a dangerous initiative ίη
return.
6 cd lLIxdS
7 ~xdS W'xdS
8 .i.xc7 .i.fS
Α relatively new continuation, practically as strong as the more
thoroughly analysed 8 ... lLIa6 or 8 ... ~c6.
9 ~Ι3
Considerably stronger is 9 ~e2, as the knight can then head
either for c3, strengthening the queenside, or for f4.
9 ~c6
22 The Pin

10 .a4
White is already ίη some trouble; even the quiet 10 .te2 is ηοΙ
playable, because of 10 ... .l:tac8 11 .tg3 'iFa5+ 12 /ί)d2 /ί)b4 13
0-0 .tc2! 14 'iFel /ί)d3! and Black wins the exchange (Jimenez-
Simagin, Moscow 1963).
10 .l:tac8
AIso ηοΙ bad is 10 ... 'iFd7 11 .ta5 /ί)Χd4! 12 'iFxd7 /ί)Χf3+ 13
gf .txd7 with a better ending for Black (Dietze-Keres, Prague
1943).
11 .tg3 (8)

8
Β

11 eS
Black is fully developed and so plays a freeing continuation.
12 .i.c4 'iFa5+
13 'iFxa5 /ί)χa5
14 .te2
Νο better is 14 .tb5 a6 15 .ta4 b5 16 .tb3 ed 17 /ί)Χd4 .txd4
18 ed .l:tfe8+ 19 ~fl .i.c2! with advantage Ιο Black (Budo-
Aronin, USSR 1949).
14 ed
15 /ί)χd4 .i.xd4
16 ed .l:tfe8
Α very unpleasant ρίη.
17 .i.e5 .l:tc2 (9)
The threat is 18 ... f6, and 18 .i.dl .l:txb2 19 ο-ο leads to an
advantage for Black, because of 19 ... .td3 20 .l:tel f6 21 .l:te3 fe
22 .I:t xd3 ed 23 ..if3 /ί)c6 24 .i.xc6 bc 25 .I:t xd4 .I:t xa2!
18 .i.b5 .l:te6
19 b4 Ι6
 The Pin 23

9
W

20 ba fe
21 ο-ο (10)
Ιη playing this move, White supposed that the pawn οη d4
could ΩΟΙ be captured, since Black would lose the exchange.
Stronger was either 21 ..td7 .l:l.e7 22 ..txf5 gf 23 ο-ο, or 21 d5
.l:!.d6 22 ο-ο.

10
Β

21 ώ!
22 ..ta4 .l:l.a6!
This is the ροίηι: the active black rook offers itself up, and its
place is taken by the bishop, supported by a pawn.
23 ..txc2 ..txc2
24 .l:l.fel 'l:l'xa5
White is defenceless.
25 .l:l.e2 d3
26 .l:l.d2 b5
White resigned
 24 The Pin

Game Νο. 4
Tal-Johannessen
Rigα 1959
1 d4 tl:Jf6
2 c4 c6
3 ~c3 g6
4 tl:Jf3 d5
S if4 ig7
This is a mixture of the system with if4 and the Schlechter
variation. Black's set-up offers a rather solid position, but his
possibilities for active play are limited.
6 e3 ο-ο
7 .i.e2
White stakes ηο claim to obtaining an early advantage. Α more
promising move is considered to be 7 1Wb3, although also ίη this
case after 7 ... "'a5! 8 tl:Jd2 tl:Jbd7 9 .i.e2 J:l.e8 Black gets a
comfortable game.
7 c5
It looks more logical to play 7 ... dc! 8 .i.xc4 tl:Jbd7, and now
if 9 h3 then 9 ... c5.
8 dc 1WaS
9 ο-ο
"Modesty is a virtue," is Tal's comment οη this move. The point
is that after 9 cd Black would be able to exploit the ρίη and get
an advantage by opening up the long diagonal, which is a typical
manoeuvre ίη such positions: 9 ... tl:Jxd5 10 1Wxd5 ixc3+ 11
Φf1 ixb2.
9 dc
10 .i.xc4 1WxcS
11 tl:JeS tl:Jbd7?! (11)
Black has refrained from playing the natural move 11 ... tl:Jc6,
fearing 12 tl:Ja4 1Wa5 13 tl:Jxc6 bc with an isolated pawn. But this
was certainly the continuation he should have chosen, as ίη this
case he would have had plenty of play for his pieces. It appeared
that 11 ... tl:Jbd7 would force the exchange of White's active
knight, after which Black would have had a quite excellent position.
It was hard to imagine that White would capture οη f7.
12 .i.xf7+!
Αη intuitive but entirely correct sacήfice. It is justified to a large
.extent by the position of the black knight οη d7, which hampers
 The Pin 25

II
W

the deνelopment of Black's queenside.

12 J:[xf7
13 ltJxf7 ΦχΙ7
14 1Wb3+ ΦΙ8
15 J:[acl
Ιι turns out that Black has considerable problems, as the white
knight threatens ιο carry out a raid (ltJc3-b5-c7-e6). So Black's
reply looks natural.
15 a6
16 J:[fdl 1Wa5
17 1Wc4!
Α νery important moνe. White once again highlights the
extremely unfortunate position of the knight stuck οη d7. Black
cannot play 17 ... ιtlc5 because of 18 b4, and after 17 ... ιtI b6
White wins with 18 J:[d8+.
17 1Wf5
18 h3
White is calmly ΡreΡaήng to play g2-g4.
18 ιtle8
19 ιtld5 1We6
10 1Wb4 b5 (12)
Black takes away the square c4 from the white rook, so that ίι
cannot be transferred ιο e4.
21 J:[c6!
Deflection of the queen. Οη 21 ... 1Wxc6 there would follow 22
1Wxe7+ Φg8 23 1Wxe8+ and 24 ltJe7+.
21 1Wf7
22 ιtlc7 ιtI xc7
23 J:[ xc7 1W e6
26 The Pin

12
W

24 .l:tdcl /ί)Μ (13)

And now the black queen is enticed into a ρίη.

13
W

25 .l:txe7! /ί)d5
26 .l:txe6+ /ί)χΜ

27 -*.d6+ Black resigned

2 Enticement
The procedure ίη combinations of this type is clear: by means
of a sacrifice the active side forces an opposing piece to occupy
an unfavourable position (Koblenz).
Enticement is encountered ίη practice very frequently. Here is
a very simple example (ίη its purest form) (14):

Ditzler-Petursson
Lugano 1989

14
Β

37 :f1+!
And Black won (38 Φχf1 ~e3+).

Game Νο. 5
Yusupov-Timman
Tilburg Ct (9) 1986
1 d4 ~Ι6
2 c4 g6
3 ~c3 d5
4 cd ~xd5
5 e4 ~xc3
28 Enticement

6 bc jlg7
7 jlc4 b6?
Strange as ίι may seem, this was the move οη which Timman
placed his hopes ίη his last two games with Black ίη this Candidates
Semi-Final, but both times he suffered total disaster.
8 Wf3!
Simple and convincing. Now Black essentially has οηlΥ one
move, since 8 ... e6 would lead Ιο a very unpleasant position for
him after 9 e5 c6 10 .1a3 (or 10 h4).
8 ο-ο
9 tDe2
Ιη the 7th game of the match Yusupov played 9 e5, and after
the ingenious 9 ... .1a6 didn't even consider accepting the
exchange sacrifice, but replίed 10 .1d5! There followed: 10 ... c6
11 .1b3 Wc7 12 h4 c5 13 h5 cd 14 cd gh 15 .l:l.xh5! .1b7 16 Wd3
.l:l.d8 17 1IVxh7+ Φf8 18 tDe2 .l:l.xd4 19 .1h6 resigns - mate is
unavoidable.
This continuation would appear to be so strong that it is hardly
necessary for White Ιο look for anything better. But, fearing some
prepared improvement from his opponent, Yusupov decided to
try another track.
9 tDc6
10 h4
White boldly goes ίη for complίcations, but objectively stronger
was 10 .1g5.
10 .!i)a5
11 .1d3 e5
12 .1a3 .l:l.e8
13 h5 1IVd7!
Black has solved his opening problems satίsfactοήlΥ, getting
quite good counterplay.
14 .l:l.dl 1IVa4?!
Of course, more sound was 14 ... 1IVg4 with an equal ending,
but the position ίη the match oblίged Timman Ιο play for a win.
15 .1cl ό?
Α quite incomprehensible move. If Black wished Ιο take the
pawn οη a2 with his queen, he should have done so at once and
then quickly retreated after 16 d5.
16 d5 1IVxa2? (15)
 Enticement 29

Black has become complacent and has overlooked his

opponent's very interesting tactical riposte.

15
W

17 .th6!
The black bishop is enticed onto the h-file, which is about Ιο
be opened up.
17 .th8
It would have been better for Black Ιο play 17 ... .txh6,
although after 18 hg fg 19 :ι.Χh6 :ι.f8 20 "'g3 his position would
ηοΙ have been easy.
18 .tb5 :ι.d8
19 .tg5 ... b3
Played ίη the hope of buying himself out of trouble at the cost
of at least the exchange, but now ίι is time for a spectacular
conclusion.
20 hg fg (16)

16
W
30 Enticement

21 : xh7! wxh7
22 Wf7+ J.g7
23 J.f6 :g8
24 J.e8! Black resigned
Mate is inevitable. Black could ηοΙ even save himself with 24
... J.f5, as White would then play 25 ef :axe8 26 Wxg6+ wh8
27 Wh6 mate.

GameNo.6
Korzov-Blekhtsin
Leningrαd 1956
1 d4 ltJf6
2 c4 g6
3 ltJc3 d5
4 cd ltJxd5
5 e4 ltJxc3
6 bc J.g7
7 J.c4 c5
8 ltJe2 cd
Practice has shown that Black should ηοΙ hurry Ιο exchange
pawns.
9 cd ltJc6
10 J.e3 ο-ο
11 0-0 J.g4
12 f3 ltJa5
13 J.xf7+ :xf7
14 fg (17)

17
Β

Over thirty years ago, when this game was played, theory
assessed this position unequivocally as better for Black. Βυι the
 Enticement 31

1987 Karpov-Kasparov match ίη Seville changed this assessment.

Now fortunes vary (with or without pawns οη the c-file), but
White more and more often manages to exploit the advantages
of his position. E.g. (without the exchange of c-pawns) 13 ...
':xf1 + 14 ΦΧf1 .d6 15 e5 .d5 16 .*.f2 :d8 17 .c2 .c4 18
"iνb2 ..th6 19 h4 :f8 20 g5 .d3 21 .bl! "e3 22 "el ..tg7 23
~g1 "e4 24 tQg3! "xh4 25 tQe4 with a winning position for
White (Karpov-Timman, Rotterdam 1989).
14 :xfi+
15 φχπ
Worse is 15 "xf1 tQc4 16 .f3 .. b6 17 ..tf2 .. b2 with a clear
advantage Ιο Black.
15 .. d7
16 h3 b5
Firmly taking control of the c4-square.
17 .d3 :d8
18 :el tQc4
19 ..tf2 ..txd4!
Black makes use of a ρίη οη the d-file and intends to get a
SUΡeήοr position after 20 tQxd4 e5 21 :d1 .. f7 22 .. f3 ed. But
the different move order adopted by White turns out to be
disastrous.
20 :dl (18)

18
Β

20 ..txf2!!
21 .xd7 lί)e3+!
Enticing the white king into another check.
22 φχί2 lί)xdl+
23 .xdl :xdl
Whi te resigned
 32 Enticement

Game Νο. 7
Spassky-Fischer
Siegen 01. 1970
1 d4 lίIΙ6
2 c4 g6
3 lίIc3 d5
4 cd lίIxd5
5 e4 lίIxc3
6 bc .t.g7
7 ic4 c5
8 lίIe2 lίIOO
9 .t.e3 0-0
10 ο-ο flc7
11 :cl
Nothing is to be gained from playing 11 dc, because of 11 ...
lίIe5 12 .t.b3 lίIg4! '13 .t.f4 flxc5 14 fld5 flxd5 15 ed lίIe5 with
an excellent position for Black.
11 IΣd8
12 h3
Just one of the numerous possible lines. The most common
continuation is 12 f4, which often leads to great complications.
E.g. 12 ... .t.g4 13 f5 gf 14 h3 cd 15 cd .t.h5 16 g4! fg 17 lίIf4
.t.g6 18 flxg4 with an attack for White. The point of White's
move ίη the game is that he prevents ... .t.g4 prior to playing
f2-f4. However, this does show his plan to be rather slow.
12 b6
13 Ι4 e6
14 flel lίIa5
14 ... .t.b7 occurred ίη Gligοήc-SmΥSlοv (Game 14).
15.id3 Ι5
16 g4!? (19)
With this move White begins an immediate attack against the
pawn οη f5 - even at the cost of substantially weakening his
kingside.
16 fe
Stronger was 16 ... .t.b7! 17 lίIg3 fld7! 18 gf cd 19 fe flxe6 20
. f5 fld6 with aπ excellent game for Black.
17 .ixe4 .ib7
18 lίIK3 lίIc4
19 .ixb7
 Enticement 33

19
Β

Forced. Retreating the bishop would haνe led to a clear

adνantage for Black: 19 if2 ixe4 20 'it'xe4 lί:\d2 21 'it'xe6+
φh8 22 :fd1 lbf3+.
19 'it'xb7
20 .tf2 'it'c6
21 'it'e2 cd
It appears more accurate was 21 .. , b5 at once.
22 cd b5
23 lbe4!
Λη ingenious pawn sacrifice, which eνidently Black should ηοΙ
haνe accepted.
23 .txd4
More accurate was 23 ... :f8 24 lbc5 rΣae8 25 ie3 'it'd5, with
pressure οη the light squares.
24 lbg5 (20)

20
Β

24 -'.xf2+?
The resultant weakening of Black's kingside is Ιοο high a price
34 Enticement

Ιο pay for retaining his extra pawn. The continuation 24 ... ,i,f6
25 .xe6+ .xe6 26 tLJxe6 :d2 would have led to an equal ending.
25 :xf2 :d6
26 :el 'iWb6
It was still ηοΙ too late to play 26 ... :d2, with mass exchanges.
27 tLJe4 :d4
28 tLJf6+ φh8
29 .xe6 :d6 (21)

21
W

Very annoying for Black here was the fact that the tactical
operation 29 ... :dl!? would not have worked, because of 30
.f7!! E.g. 30 .. , :xel + 31 φg2 tLJe3+ 32 φf3 (but ηοΙ 32 φg3,
as then Black would have 32 ... tLJf5+! 33 gf 'iWe3+ and 34 ...
'iWe7).
Instead of the move played, Black should have exchanged
queens and gone into a somewhat ίηfeήοr ending.
3O.e4 :f8
Black would have had greater chances of saving the game after
30 ... :ad8 31 g5 :d2 32 :e2 :xe2 33 .xe2 .e3! 34 .xe3
: d 1+ 35 Φ g2 tLJxe3 + 36 φf3 tLJf5.
31 g5 :d2
32:α .c7
33 : xd2 tLJxd2
34 'iWd4 :d8
The threat was 35 tLJe8+, winning the queen.
35 tLJd5+ Φι8
36 :f2 tLJc4
37 :e2 :d6
Νο better was 37 .... b6 because of 38 :e8+, deflecting the
rook.
 Enticement 35

38 :e8+ ~Ι7 (22)

22
W

39 :Ι8+ Black resigned

The king is enticed onto f8, and after 40 1Ifh8+ Black loses his
queen.

Game Νο. 8
McCambridge-Hjartarson
Grindαvik 1984
1 d4 lί:\Ι6
2 c4 g6
3 lί:\c3 d5
4 cd lί:\xd5
5 lί:\Ι3 .tg7
6 e4 lί:\xc3
7 bc c5
8 :bl ο-ο
9 .te2 lί:\c6
Ιη recent years a rather fashionable continuation has been 9 ...
cd 10 cd 1Ifa5+ (see Games 15, 30 and 44).
10 d5 lί:\e5
The dubious 10 ... .txc3+ is considered ϊη Game 20 (Brennink-
meijer-Tukmakov).
11 liJxe5 .txe5
12 1Ifd2 e6
13 Ι4 .th8
Why such a long retreat for the bishop? This became clear after
Black's 15th move. 13 ... .tg7 is analysed ϊη Game 39 (Khalifman-
Khenkin).
36 Enticement

14 c4 :e8
15 e5 Ι6 (23)

23
W

ΙΙ Black's bishop were now οη g7 instead of h8, an extremely

effective continuation for White would be 16 d6 fe 17 j,b2! ef 18
j,xg7 φχg7 19 ο-ο, and now 19 ... e5 is ηο good because of 20
d7! 1rxd7 21 1rxd7 j,xd7 22 .l:Σxb7, when the ρίη along the
seventh rank is decisive.
But now ίη the analogous vaήatίοn 16 d6? fe 17 j,b2 ef 18
j,xh8 ΦΧh8 19 ο-ο Black could calmly reply 19 ... e5.
But the position of the bishop οη h8 does have its defects, and
this is underlίned by White's bήl1ίant next move.
16 IS!!
Αη astonishing position: the opposing pawns have got involved
ίη hand-to-hand fighting.
Black now played the best move; ίη the event of 16 ... ef or 16
... ed, then 17 e6 would have led to a clear advantage for White,
and 16 ... fe 17 fe would be rather bad for Black.
16 gf
17 .l:Σb3!
Now the position of Black's king gives him seήοus cause for
concern.
17 'Ae7
18 d6 Άι7
19 ef 'iVxf6
20 j,b2
White's active play has led to Black's pieces being placed very
awkwardly.
20 e5 (24)
 Enticement 37

24
W

21 .i.xe5!
Enticement of the queen onto the e-file.
21 1Ii'xeS
22 .ι:te3! 1Ii'e6
Οη 22 ... 1Ii'al + there follows 23 Φf2 1Ii'xhl 24 .ι:te8+ Φf7 25
J.h5+ .ι:tg6 26 J.xg6+ hg 27 .ι:txh8, and Black is defenceless.
23 .ι:t xe6 J.xe6
24 1Ii'e3 .ι:te8
2S 1Ii'xCS .ι:txι2! (25)

25
W

26 d7! ΙΣ xe2+
Not 26 ... J.xd7, because of 27 1Ii'd5+ and 28 1Wxg2.
27 φχe2 .i.xd7 +
28 φd2 .i.e6
29 Wlc7 .i.d4
30 ΙΣ bl .i.b6
31 Wlg3+ Φf7
32 Wlh4
38 Enticement

White has transferred his queen Ιο the kingside, and now he

proceeds Ιο achieve a decisive advantage.
32 '::d8+
33 Φc2 .::d4
34 W'xh7+ φΙ6
35 W'h8+ φΙ7
36 W'h7+ φΙ6
37 '::xb6!
White has finally decided Ιο get rid of the strong bishop, and
now the rest ίΒ clear.
37 '::xc4+
38 Φd3 ab
39 h4 '::a4
40 W'h6+ ΦΙ7
41 h5 Ι4
42 W'g6+ Φe7
43 h6
And White won. This game was awarded the distinction of 'Best
Theoretical Novelty' ίη InjΌrmαtοr 37.

Game Νο. 9
Eingorn-Gavrikov
Tallinn 1989
1d4 ~Ι6
2c4 ι6
3 ~c3 d5
4 ~Ι3 ~ι7
5 W'b3 dc
6 W'xc4 ο-ο
7 ~Ι4 ~a6
The idea behind this move is Ιο prepare to undermine White's
centre with 8 ... c5.
8 e4 c5
9 dc!
More usual ίΒ 9 d5.
9 W'a5 (26)
The strongest move here is considered Ιο be the gambit
continuation 9 ... ~e6. Krasenkov-Mikhalchishin, Moscow 1989,
continued: 10 W'b5 ~d7?! (more promising ίΒ 10 ... '::c8 1Ι .::dl
W'e8 12 W'xb7 lQxc5 13 W'xa7 lΔfxe4 14 ~xe4 ~xe4 with definite
 Enticement 39

compensation for the pawn) 11 'iWxb7 ~xc5 12 'iWb4 nc8 13 e5 a5

14 'iWa3! with an unquestionable advantage for White.

10 e5!
The tame 10 'iWb5 led Ιο a quick draw ίη the game Sosonko-
Korchnoi, Haninge 1988: 10 ... 'iWxb5 11 ~xb5 llJxc5 12 e5 ~fe4
13 ~xe4.
10 ~d7
11 a3! 'iWxc5
12 ~d5 ne8
13 nd1 h6
14 h3 g5?! (27)

27
w

Black's premature activity is logically refuted.

15 'iWxc5! lLIdxc5
16 ~e3 e6
17 llJf6+ iLxf6
18 ef tUe4
19 h4!
40 Enticement

This move casts doubt οη Black's whole strategy. The reply 19

... g4 would not help Black, because of 20 lί:Ie5 lί:Ixf6 21 .i.b5
J: f8 22 .i.xh6 and he loses the exchange.
19 lί:IxΙ6
20 hg lί:Iι4
The natural 20 ... hg would not be any better: 21 .i.xg5 lί:Id5
22 .i.b5 J:f8 23 .i.xa6 ba 24 J:xd5! f6 (οη 24 ... ed there would
follow 25 .i.f6 with mate) 25 J:c5 fg 26 J:xg5+ Φf7 27 lί:Ie5+
Φf6 28 f4, winning quickly.
21 gh lί:Ixe3
22 fe f6
23 g4 lί:IcS
24 gS ΦΙ7
2S b4 lί:Ie4 (28)

28
W

26 g6+!
Enticing the black king onto g6 ϊη order to ρϊη the active knight
οη e4 and then exchange it - this is the shortest route to victory.
It is cuήοus that so many pieces are still οη their initial squares!
26 Φχι6
27 .i.d3 fS
28 .i.xe4 fe
29 h7 J:h8
30 lί:IeS+ Φf6
31 J:hS aS
32 bS b6
33 Φe2
The white king has finally moved, and the threat is 34 J:f1+.
33 :Ιχh7
34 :ι n + Black resigned
 Enticement 41

Game Νο. 10
Botvinnik-Yudovich
Leningrad 1933
1 c4 ι!ϊ:ΙΙ6
2 d4 g6
3 ι!ϊ:Ic3 d5
4 ι!ϊ:ΙΙ3 J.g7
5 1Wb3 c6
This continuation is considered Ιο be passive, but White needs
Ιο play very forcefully to get an advantage.
6 cd ι!ϊ:Ixd5
After 6 ... cd the continuation 7 J.g5! e6 8 e3 ο-ο 9 J.d3 ι!ϊ:Ic6
10 h3 b6 11 ι!ϊ:Ie5 leads to a lasting initiative for White.
7 J.d2
Also ηοΙ bad is 7 e4 ι!ϊ:Ixc3 8 bc.
7 ο-ο
8 e4 ι!ϊ:Ib6?
Ιη this position the retreat Ιο b6 - characteήstίc of many
Grίinfeld vaήatίοns - is unsuccessful, as the knight will be unable
to take an active part ίη the game. More natural is 8 ... ι!ϊ:Ixc3.
9 :dl!
Αη indirect defence: Black loses after 9 ... J.xd4, because of
10 J.h6 J.xc3+ 11 1Wxc3.
9 ι!ϊ:I8d7
With the hope of playing 10 ... e5. ΒυΙ now Black has lost the
possibility of exchanging his light-squared bishop for its active
counterpart. This could have been achieved with the manoeuvre
... J.e6-c4.
10 84 a5
Unfortunately Black has to play this, otherwise the knight ση
b6 would have ηο retreat-squares after 11 a5.
11 J.e3
Highlighting the unfortunate position ofthe knight ση b6, owing
to which Black's entire queenside is congealed.
11 Wic7
Ι2 J.e2 Wid6
Ι3 ι!ϊ:Ia2!
Preventing the queen from coming Ιο b4.
Ι3 e6
Ι4 ο-ο h6 (29)
42 Enticement

29
W

The idea behind Black's last move is quite understandable: to

prepare Ιο play ... f5, ίη order Ιο get ήd of the white pawn οη e4
and give the ill-fated knight οη b6 a comfortable post ίη the centre
οη the square d5. After an immediate 14 ... f5 there would have
followed 15 lί:\g5 :e8 16 f3!, maintaining the pawn οη e4.
15 :cl
Ιη his notes Ιο this game Botvinnik expressed great disappoint-
ment that he hadn't played 15 lί:\e5!!, when the black pieces would
have been completely paralysed.
15 Ι5
16 lί:\c3
Now 16 lί:\e5 was ηο good, because of 16 ... f4.
16 Φh7
17 :fdl fe
The threat was 18 d5 cd 19 e5! (an excellent example of
deflection), when the knight οη b6 is lost.
18 lί:\xe4 ΊlfM?
This activity is rather untimely. The modest retreat of the queen
Ιο e7 would have left Black with chances of organising a defence.
19 Ίlfc2 Ίlfxa4
20 b3 Ίlfa3
21 lί:\h4! Ίlfe7
But now it is too late.
22 lZ)xg6!
The first enticement. Also good was 22 lί:\g5+ hg 23 lί:\xg6.
22 φχg6
23 .i.h5+!! (30) Black resigned
This enticement leads to mate: 23 ... ΦΧh5 (23 ... φh7 24
lί:\f6+ + and 25 Ίlfh7 mate) 24 lZ)g3+ Φh4 25 Ίlfe4+.
 Enticement 43

30
Β

Game Νο. 11
Agzamov-Gulko
Sochi 1985
1 d4 ~f6
2 c4 g6
3 ~c3 d5
4 .tf4 .tg7
5 e3 c5
6 dc .a5
7 J:[cl ~e4
8 cd ~xc3
9 1fd2 1fxa2
10 bc 1fa5
ιι .tc4 ~d7
12 ~Ι3
Ιη a later chapter we shall discuss Petrosian-Fischer (Game
47), which continued: 12 lDe2 ~e5 13 .ta2, and now 13 ...• xc5
would have led to equality.
12 ι!Lιxc5 (31)
Ιη our ορίηίοη 12 '" 1fxc5 is preferable.
13 .te5 ο-ο!
The first inaccuracy. Better was 13 ... f6 14 .td4 e5 15 de
.txe6 16 J.xe6 ι!Lιxe6 17 ο-ο ο-ο, when the game is practically
level.
14 0-0 f6?
Α very careless move. Black should simply have exchanged
bishops with 14 ... .txe5 and, after 15 /ί:}χe5 ι!Lιe4 16 1fd4 ~d6
44 Enticement

31
W

17 :al f/c7, obtained a slightly inferior but perfectly acceptable

position.
15 :.1 f/d8 (32)

32
W

16 -tc7!
Αη excellent example of enticement into a discovered check!
Black cannot play 16 ... f/xc7 because of 17 d6+.
16 f/d7
17 d6+
But not 17 f/d4? lbe6! 18 de f/xc7.
17 e6
18 lbd4 f/f7
PIaying 18 ... Φh8 would not have helped, because of the
continuation 19 :a5 lbe420 f/c2.
19 :.5 b6 (33)
20 :xc5!
White avoids another Httle trap: 20 .t.xb6? lbe4!
20 bc
 Enticement 45

21 It!b3 lrd7
22 lrd3
Ιη order, after 22 ... lrc6, Ιο play 23 .tb5 lrd5 24 lrxd5 ed 25
It!xc5.
22 :d8
23 1re4 Black resigned

Game Νο. 12
Vyzhmanavin-Tukmakov
Novosibirsk 1986
1 d4 It!f6
2 c4 g6
3 It!c3 d5
4 .tg5
White is trying ιο get his opponent to concede the centre. This
move was first played ίη the game Alekhine-Grίinfeld, Vienna
1922, ίη which Black found the strongest reply: 4 ... lt!e4!
4 1t!e4
5 .tf4
White cannot reckon οη getting an advantage with a move like
this. The strongest move is considered to be Taimanov's 5 .th4!,
which makes it difficult for Black to move his e-pawn.
5 It!xc3
6 bc dc
More often 6 ... .tg7 is played here, with a possible continu-
ation: 7 e3 c5 8 It!f3 ο-ο 9 cd lrxd5 10 .te2 cd 11 cd .a5+,
giving a position with equal chances.
7 e3
46 Enticement

Κ. Grigorian-Tukmakov, USSR Ch. 1971, continued: 7 g3

Ji.e6 8 J:I. bl b6 9 ι!LJf3 Ji.g7 10 h4 h6 11 e4 ι!LJd7 12 'ifa4 with an
equal game.
7 Ji.e6
8 J:l.bl b6
8 ι!LJΙ3 Ji.g7 (34)

34
W

10 ι!LJg5?!
Preferable was 1Ο ι!LJe5.
10 Ji.d5
11 e4 h6!
Οη 11 ... Ji.b7 White gets the advantage after 12 Ji.xc4 e6 13
Ji.xe6! fe 14 ι!LJxe6; very good for White here would be 12 ...
ο-ο 13 h4 h6 14 h5! hg 15 hg e6 16 'ifh5 fg 17 Ji.xe6+ J:l.f7 18
'ifxg6 'iff6 19 Ji.xf7+ 'ifxf7 20 J:l.h8+!
12 ed hg
13 Ji.e5 Ji.xe5
14 de ι!LJd7 (35)

35
W
 Enticement 47

15 e6?!
Instead of this active and natura1 move White should have
preferred the modest 15 1We2 (but ηοΙ 15 1Ifd4 :h4! 16 g4 f6 17
ef ef).
15
16 ..ιχc4
This move is a consequence of White's having assessed the
position inaccurately. Correct was 16 ef+ llJxf7 17 1Ifd4.
16 llJxc4
17 1Ifa4+ φΙ8
18 1Ifxc4 :h4
19 1Ifd3 1Ifd6
20 ef :d8
21 :dl 1Ife5+
22 ΦΠ 1Ife4
Ιι turns out that, although material is equal and both sides have
weak pawns, Black has a definite advantage, thanks to the
considerably greater activity of his pieces.
23 1Ifd2 :Ι4?
More effective was 23 ... c6 24 1Ifxg5 1Ifc4+ 25 φgΙ :xd5 26
1Ifcl11fxc3.
24 h4!? gh
Οη 24 ... :xh4 there would follow 25 :xh4 gh 26 1:el!, when
White is quite aΙήght.
25 ΦgΙ g5
26 :h3 c6
27 c4
More stubborn was 27 J:Σd3.
27 1IFxc4
28 1Ifb2 ΦχΙ7
29 :c3 :xd5!
30 :el
With a three-pawn deficit White is attempting to get at least
some sort of counterplay.
30 1IFd4
31 1IFe2?! 1IFxc3
32 1IFxe7+ Φg8
33 :e6
Hoping for a rniracle - e.g.: 33 ... :f7 35 :g6+ :g7 35 :xg7+
1IFxg7 36 1IFe8+ φh7 37 1Wh5+ with perpetual check. But now
comes an exceptionally beautiful tactical finish.
48 Enticement

33 :dl+
34 φh2 (36)

36
Β

34
White resigned
If the white king is enticed onto h3, then it is 35 ... :hl mate,
and ίη the event of 35 gh White is mated οη the second rank: 35
... :xf2 mate.

Game Νο. 13
Lputian-D. Roos
Athens 1983
Ι d4 ~f6
2 c4 g6
3 ~c3 d5
4 ~Ι3 J..g7
5 J..g5
Αη interesting continuation, although one which has a repu-
tation for being harmless.
5 ~e4
6 cd
White also gets ηο advantage after 6 J..h4 ~xc3 7 bc c5 8 e3
~c6.
6 ~xg5
7 ~xg5 e6
8 ίwd2 ed
Seemingly more accurate is 8 ... h6, when after 9 ~h3 ed
White does not succeed ίη getting an advantage. Οη 10 ~f4 there
fol1ows 10 ... ο-ο! 11 g3 ~c6 12 e3 ~e7 with equal chances, and
 Enticement 49

ίη the event of 10 'iVe3+ φf8 11 lt!f4 Black has the strong reply
11 ... c5!, with rather better prospects.
9 1I'e3+ φΙ8
10 1Ι'Ι4 .Η6
11 h4 Φι7?! (37)

37
W

Α sound continuation here is considered Ιο be 11 ... c6 12

0-0-0 h6 13 lt!f3 .i.e6 with an equal position. After 11 ... h6 a
temporary Ρίece-sacήfice is possible: 12 lt!xd5?! .i.xg5 13 \i'e5
:h7 14 hg lt!c6 15 1I'e4, but after 15 ... .i.f5 16 1I'f3 lt!xd4 17
1I'a3+ φg7 White's initiative evaporates.
12 e4! de
13 0-0-0
This idea was first adopted ίη the game Dίinhaupt-Post,
corr. 1967. AIso interesting is 13 .i.c4!? (see Game 34: Fang-
Chiburdanidze).
13 h6
14 lt!gxe4 .i.e6
15 d5 .i.f5
16 lt!xf6 'iVxf6
17 g4
Of course, ηοΙ 17 1I'xc7 lt!a6 18 1I'xb7 :hc8, with a strong
attack for Black.
17 .i.d7
18 1I'g3 :e8
19 g5 'iVe5
20 gh+ ΦΧh6
21 Ι4
50 Enticement

Despite his poor pawn structure, White does not fear the
exchange of queens, having foreseen a continuation of his attack
οη the enemy king.
21 "l'e3+
22 .xe3 :xe3
23 h5 tLJa6?
One should never respond to an attack so quietly. Better was
23 ... gh 24 .i.e2 :h3 25 :xh3 .i.xh3 26 :hl .i.d7 27 J:[xh5+
ςj;;g7.
24 hg+ ~xg6
25 .i.d3+ φΙ6 (38)

38
W

26 d6!
The threat is 27 tLJd5+.
26 tLlb4
27 tLle4+ ςj;;Ι5 (39)
Black has ηο choice: if 27 ... ςj;;g7 then 28 :dgl + 'iPf8 29
:h8 mate, and if 27 ... cRe6 then 28 :h6+ and White wins the
bishop οη d7.

39
W
 Enticement 51

28 :h5+
The black king is enticed ίηΙο more checks.
28 ΦχΙ4
29 :0+ :(3
30 :h4+ φe3
31 :el+!
One more enticement: after 31 '" φχd3 White has the very
pretty 32 ltJc5 mate.
31 Φd4
32 lLId2+ Φc5
33 ]% c4+ Black resigned
After 33 ... Φχd6 the decisive finish would be 34 :d4+ Φc5
35 lLIb3+ φc6 36 J.e4+.
3 Deflection
Deflection is an extremely common tactical device. Deflection
sacrifices are usually employed when it is essential to divert an
enemy piece (more rarely severa1 pieces) or pawn, and it is not
possible to do this by 'peaceful' means.
Αη instructive example of a deflection sacήfice is the conclusion
of the following game (40):

Miken8s-Bronstein
USSR Ch. 1965

24 .ι:ΣΧ83!!
Α move of rare beauty! It is because of wondrous moves like
this that we love chess!
Black puts his rook three times en prise, but any capture leads
to mate. Οη 2 .l:Σxa3 or 2 1Wxa3 there follows 2 ... 1Wel+ with
mate next move. And 2 ba offers ηο escape, because of 2 ... 1Wxal +
3 .l:Σbl .l:Σel+! (the so-called 'X-ray', when a piece exerts its
influence 'through' an opposing piece).
Here the idea of deflection is combined with the tactical motif
of exploiting the weakness of the back rank.
 Deflection 53

Deflection is also frequently combined with a tactical motif that

is already familiar - enticement.

Game Νο. 14
Glίgοήc-SmΥSlοv
Kiev 1959
1 d4 it:\f6
2 c4 g6
3 it:\c3 d5
4 cd it:\xd5
5 e4 it:\xc3
6 Ικ: J.g7
7 J.c4 cS
8 it:\e2 ο-ο
9 ο-ο it:\c6
10 J.e3 'fIc7
Another very common continuation is 10 . " it:\a5 11 J.d3 b6.
11 :cl :d8
12 h3 b6
13 Ι4 e6
14 'fIel J.b7
More often 14 ... it:\a5 is played here (see Game 7: Spassky-
Fischer).
15 'fIf2
Interesting complications would arise after 15 Ι5 it:\a5 16 ,td3
(16 fe it:\xc4 17 :xf7 'fIc8) 16 ... ef 17 ef :e8, and now not 18
'fIf2 because οΙ 18 ... c4 19 J.bl 'fie7, winning a piece.
15 it:\a5
16 J.d3 Ι5!
With this thematic move Black deprives White's centre οΙ
mobility, and he attempts to take control οΙ the Hght squares.
17 eS?
It is strange that such a brilliant strategίst as Glίgoric should
fall ίη with Black's plan. More logical was 17 ~g3 or 17 'fif3.
17 c4 (41)
18 J.c2 it:\c6!
The knight is heading for d5.
19 g4 fΔe7
20 ~h2 'fic6
54 Deftection

41
W

21 ~ι3 b5
22 a4 a6
23 :bl :.b8!
ΡreΡaήng to seize the b-file.
24 ... d2 b.
25 :al
It would seem that White's idea has finally succeeded, but Black
has seen more deeply into the position.
25 "'a8!
26 "'xa4 "c7
27 :.2 :b6
28 gf ef
29 "'cl ~d5
30 ~e2 a5
31 "'c2 (42)

42
Β

31 :b3!
Αη excellent exchange sacrifice, which fits naturally into Black's
strategy of occupying the light squares with his pieces.
32 "'xb3 cb
 De.flection 55

33 :a4 .tf8
Nothing was to be gained from 33 ... lΔxc3, because of 34 .!ί:\χc3
1W xc3 35 .td2. Now, however, it turns out that White has ηο
useful moves.
34 .tb2 .!ί:\e3!
Α spectacularly effective thrust. If White were to capture the
knight, the white queen would be deflected from the g2-square
and Black would play the double attack 35 ... "c6, threatening
mate and the rook οη a4.
35 :faI .!ί:\c4
36 .!ί:\g3
Hardly any better was 36 .Ω.χc4 "xc4 37 :xa5, because of 37
... .te7 with the threat of another deflection - 38 ... .th4!
36 .te7
37.!ί:\fΙ "c6 (43)

43
W

38 .Ω.χc4
Hoping for 38 ... "xc4 39 .!ί:\e3 "c7 40 c4, when White has
chances of saving the game. But it is already too late.
38 "hl+
39 lt:Ig3 h5
White resigned
The threat is 40 ... h4 mate. Οη 40 "l'h2 there follows 40 ...
.. f3 mate, and οη 40 "e2 then 40 ... "iVg1+ with mate next move.

Game Νο. 15
Khalifman-Gavrikov
USSR Ch. 1988
1 d4 lL!f6
56 Deflection

2 c4 g6
3 ltJc3 dS
4 ltJf3 ~g7
5 cd ltJxdS
6 e4 ltJxc3
7 bc c5
8 Abl 0-0
9 ~e2 cd
Α popular alternative is 9 ... b6 (see Game 27: Khalίfman­
Lau).
10 cd "a5+
11 ~d2 "xa2
12 ο-ο ltJd7
Α rare continuation. The main move here is 12 ... b6; Khalif-
man-Epishin, Vilnius 1988, continued: 13 "cl ~b7 14 ~c4 "a4
15 ~b5 "a2 16 Ael! Ac8 17 .. dl e6 18 "e2 ltJc6 19 "e3 e5 20
d5 ltJd4 21 ltJxd4 ed 22 ..f4 and White obtained a promising
position. Another possibility is the immediate retreat ofthe queen-
12 ... "e6 (see Game 44: Komarov-Karasev). Α controversial
continuation is 12 ... ~g4; after 13 ~g5 "e6 14 d5 "xe4 15
.. d2 f6 the position is sharp and unclear (Sakaev-Bukhman,
USSR 1989); apparently more accurate here is simply 13 Axb7.
13 ~M ltJb6 (44)

44
W

14 "d3!?
Making use of the fact that the black queen is out of play,
White continues to turn the screw. Another possible move, 14
;'xe7, forces events ίη the centre but does not gίve White any
 Deflection 57

advantage: 14 ... ':e8 15 .*.c5 ':xe4 16 -*.d3 .:e8 17 ':al 1Wb2

18 .:bl .a2.
Riemersma-Conquest, Dordrecht 1988, continued instead: 14
-*.b5 -*.d7 15 -*.xd7 ILIxd7 with an equal game.
14 .:e8
Ιη a later game Τukmakοv-Gavήkοv, Moscow 1989, Gavήkοv
chose 14 ... .te6; White played IS d5? (instead of the natural IS
':al) and after 15 ... ILIxd5! 16 ed -*.f5 17 .e3 .t.xbl Black won
quickly.
15 ILIg5!
Exploiting the unfortunate position of the enemy queen, White
creates the threat of 16 ':a1. The tactical basis of this move can
be seen ίη the following variation: 15 ... .txd4 16 .tdl! .:d8 (16
... -*.e6 17 .xd4 .xbl 18 ILIxe6 fe 19 -*.c3, or 16 ...• c4 17
.f3 and 18 -*.b3) 17 -*.b3 -*.xf2+ (if 17 ...•xf2+ then 18
~hl!) 18 ~hl ':xd3 19 -*.xa2, winning.
15 .te6
16 d5 -*.d7
Black was unable to exploit the position of the white queen οη
the d-file with 16 ... ':ad8, ίη view of 17 de f6 18 .h3 fg 19 -*.b5.
17 .f3 f5!
This looks very ήskΥ, but ίη fact it is the οηlΥ possible defence.
The more 'accurate' 17 ... .tf6 would have led to immediate
defeat after 18 -*.xe7!; also bad was 17 ... f6 18 .:al .c2 19 ':fcl
.b220 -*.c3 .b3 21 ':cbl .c2 22 ':b2.
18 -*.d3 .*.f6
Provoking White to sacrifice a piece. Mter other continuations,
such as 18 ... h6 19 lLIe6! -*.xe6 20 de .xe6 21 ef, or 18 ... .:f8
19 -*.xe7 fe 20 .xe4 -*.f5 21 .f3, White would get an advantage
'free of charge'.
19 ef! .*.xg5
20 fg .xd5
Black chooses the correct move for the umpteenth time ίη this
game. Weaker was 20 ... .:f8? 21 .h5 h6 22 h4! .t.f4 (22 ...
• xd5 23 hg .xg5 24 .xg5 hg 25 .t.xe7) 23 .*.xe7 "l'xd5 24.xd5
llIxd5 25 -*.xf8, followed by 26 ':xb7.
21 -*.e4 1We6 (45)
22 .td2!!
Α bήlΙίant and totally unexpected move. White clears the b-file
with tempo so as to allow his rook Ιο get ήd of the knight οη b6.
58 Deflection

45
W

Οη the other hand, 22 "h5?! h6 23 (4 "xe4 24 fg would not have

worked, because of 24 .....e3+.
22 hg!
After 22 ... J.xd2 23 ':xb6 ab 24 J.d5 J.h6 25 "f5! Black
would have lost. But now the game continues along relatively
quiet lines.
23 J.xg5 J.c6
24 J.xc6 "xc6
25 .. h3 ..d5
26 J.e3?
Stronger was 26 .. h6 .. f7 27 J.e3 when White regains the
pawn, retaining a significant advantage. Ιη this case it would have
been very hard for Black to hold ουΙ
26 lLJc4
27 .. g4 Φg7!
This is the point: Black has solved his defensive problems
satίsfactοήlΥ, and therefore οη the next move the players agreed
to a draw.
28 J.d4+ Drawagreed
Game Νο. 16
Nesis-KoDoval
USSR Corr. Ch. 1977-78
1 d4 lLJf6
2 c4 g6
3 lLJc3 d5
4 lLJf3 J.g7
5 .. b3 dc
6 "xc4 ο-ο
7 e4 a6
 Deflection 59

Α continuation worked out by a group of Hungarian players.

8 1I'b3
The strongest reply. The natural response would be 8 a4, but
this doesn't prevent the continuation 8 ... b5; after 9 1I'b3 (9 ab??
ab) there follows 9 '" c5! 10 dc .te6 11 1I'a3 b4! 11 "l'xb4 tZlc6
with a dangerous initiative for the sacrificed pawns; e.g. 13 1I'a3
.:ι b8 14 .ib5 ab 15 ab 1I'd3! 16 .td2 tDxe4 17 bc tZlxc3 and Black
wins (Pyzhkov-Lukin, Leningrad 1969).
Black also does ηοΙ hesitate Ιο make sacrifices ίη the event of
8 .1f4. Ivkov-Ree, Wijk aan Zee 1971, continued: 8 ... b5! 9
1I'xc7 1I'xc7 10 .ixc7 .ib7 11 e5 tDd5 12 tDxd5 .ixd5 13 .1e2
.:ιc8 14 .ia5 tDc6 15 .1c3 b4 16 .td2 f6, and Black had enough
compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
8 b5
9 .1e2
The most testing continuation is 9 e5, when 9 ... .1e6 is bad
because of 10 ef! .1xb3 11 fg Φχg7 12 ab tZlc6 13 .1e3, and
White's three minor pieces are stronger than Black's queen.
9 c5
10 dc .1b7
This move has a good reputation. Weaker is 10 ... 1I'c7 11 .1e3
tDbd7 12 ο-ο .1b7, because of 13 lIacl tZlxc5 14 11'b4 tZle6 15
tZld5, when White has a considerable advantage (Barczay-Gipslis,
Dubna 1976).
ιι e5 tZld7 (46)
12 .1e3! e6

46
W

It turns out that after the natural capture 12 ... lL!xe5 13 tDxe5
.txe5 White plays the simple 14 .:ιdΙ with a clear advantage.
60 Deftection

13 a4 li:Ic6!
Black has successfully developed his pieces, and now White has
to play very accurately.
14 ab ab
15 :dl!
The natural 15 :xa8 .xa8 16 li:Ixb5 would have led, after 16
... ιtΊxe5, to a position οffeήng Black quite good counter-chances.
15 b4?
More accurate was 15 ... Ίle7 at once.
16 ο-ο! Ίle7
17 -*.g5 ιtΊxc5 (47)

47
W

It appears that Black's position iS quite ίη order: οη 18 -*.xe7

ιtΊxb3 19 -*.xf8 there follows 19 ... bc 20 -*.xg7 c2!, after which
ίι turns out that White cannot play 21 :cl ιtΊxcl 22 :xcl φχg7
23 :xc2 :al+ 24 -*.rι, because of 24 ... -*.a6 25 ιtΊd2 ιtΊd4.
Here too, the idea of deflection can be seen.
18 Ίlxb4! Ίlxg5
Quite unpleasant for Black was 18 ... ιtΊxb4 19 -*.xe7 :fc8 20
ιtΊb5.
19 Ίlxc5 ΊιΙ5
20 -*.d3 Ίlh5
21 :fel :a5
22 -*.b5
It turns out that Black's advantage of the two bishops is
illusory, and he has ηο compensation for the 10ss of the pawn,
since his pieces are so badly coordinated.
22 ιtΊa7
23 Μ! :a3
 Dejlection 61

24 -*.e2! .l:ιc8
25 Wie7 .*.xeS?
Ιη an already difficult position Black overlooks the white
knight's retreat.
26 ~xe5 'iWxe5
27 ~bl! Black resigned

Game Νο. 17
Νοvίkοv-Gavήkοv
Tallinn 1988
1 d4 llIf6
2 c4 g6
3 ~c3 d5
4 -*.Ι4 -*.g7
5 e3 c6
6 ~Ι3 0-0
7 -*.d3
This move is chosen quite often, as are 7 1Irb3, 7 .l:ιcl, 7 h3 and
7 -*.e2.
7 .*.e6
It is doubtful whether this continuation is any stronger than 7
... .*.g4, or 7 ... dc 8 -*.xc4 llId5.
8 c5?
This is definitely ηοΙ ίη the spirit of the position. The natural
move is 8 llIg5, when White has a solid advantage.
8 -*.g4
9 IIfb3 -*.xf3
10 IIfxb7 -*.xg2? (48)

48
W
62 Deftection

More logical was 10 ... ~ bd7 11 gf e5!, and Black seizes the
initiative after either 12 .i.xe5 lbxe5 13 de ~d7!, or 12 .i.g3 : b8.
11 :g11
Α courtesy ίη reply. Correct was 11 1Wxa8 .i.xhl 12 1Wxa7 with
winning chances for White.
11 ~M7
Returning Ιο the correct plan.
12 :xg2 e5!
13 .i.g3
It would be bad Ιο play 13 .i.xe5 ~xe5 14 de, because of 14
... ~d7, but 13 .i.g5 was worth cοηsίdeήηg.
13 ~h5
Black is prepared Ιο lose time ίη order to get ήd of his 'Indian'
bishop's opponent!
14 1Wxc6 ~xι3
15 hg?
Common sense would suggest that ίι was essential Ιο play 15
:xg3. The move played improves White's pawn structure, but
this cannot possibly compensate him for vοluηtaήlΥ shutting his
rook out of the game, as subsequent events prove.
15 ed
16 ed .i.xd4
17 1Wxd5 ~xc5
18 .i.c4 (49)

49
Β

18 ~d3+!!
It tums out that the black knight cannot be captured, since the
white bishop dare ηοΙ abandon its queen: ίη this case the other
 Deflection 63

defender of the queen - the knight οη c3 - would be eliminated

with check.
19 φΠ l2Jxb2
20 l2Jb5 l2Jxc4
21 "'xd4 l2Jd2+! (50)

50
W

Oh dear, that miserable rook οη g2! What's more, White cannot

play 22 φgΙ because of 22 ... l2Jf3+, after which the white king
will be hunted down.
22 Φe2 .l:Σe8+
23 ΦΧd2 "'a5+
White resigned
Οη 24 l2Jc3 there follows 24 ... .l:Σad8 25 "'xd8 .l:Σxd8+ 26 φc2
.l:Σc8.

Game Νο. 18
Furman-Jansa
Leningrαd 1970
1 d4 lLIf6
2 c4 g6
3 g3
This system involving the fianchetto of White's king's bishop is
not considered dangerous for Black, but he needs to play extremely
energetically.
3 Lg7
4 ~ι2 d5
5 cd ιt:Ixd5
6 l2Jf3
64 Deflection

The most solid move. Other frequeot possibilίties are 6 e4 aod

6 ItIc3.
6 ο-ο
7 0-0 lQb6
Also worthy of coosideratioo is 7 ... c5, which was fashiooable
ίο the 1950s aod 1960s. However, after 8 dc ltIa6 9 ItIg5 (Najdorf's
move) 9 ... ItIdb4 10 ItIc3 Black has oot always maoaged to
achieve equalίty.
8 1tIc3 lQc6
9 e3
The immediate 9 d5 does oot give White aoy advaotage after
9 ... ltIa5 10 e4 c6 11 .Ω.eΙ .Ω.e8! 12 .*.g5 h6 13 .*.f4 cd 14 ed
ltIac4 15 1Ircl g5 with an excellent game for Black.
9 .Ω.e8
Play becomes sharp after 9 ... e5. Vaganian-Kasparov, Barce-
lona 1989, contioued: 10 d5 ltIa5 (possibly 10 ... ltIe7 is better) 11
e4 c6 12 .*.g5! f6 13 .*.e3 cd 14 ed .*.g4 15 .*.c5 with a better
position for White.
10 ltIel
Worth cοnsίdeήοg is the modest cootiouation 10 1Ire2. But 10
d5 can hardly lead to ao advantage for White; e.g. 10 ... ltIa5 11
ItId4 .*.d7 12 b3 c5 13 dc ItIxc6 14 ItIxc6 .*.xc6 15 .*.xc6 'it'xdl
16 .Ω.χdΙ bc 17 .*.b2 a5 with a draw (Ljubojevic-Kasparov,
Barcelona 1989).
10 eS
11 dS ltIaS
12 e4 c6 (51)
Α more attractive line for Black appears to be 12 ... ltIac4 13
b3 ItId6 14 ItIc2 f5.

51
W
 De.flection 65

13 lZIc2 cd
14 ed lZIac4
15 b3 lZId6
16 ~b2
White has finally completed his development. His trump card
is the passed pawn οη d5, supported by his minor pieces.
16 e4
This active move also has its negative side, as ίι weakens Black's
central squares rather too much. Quieter was 16 ... ~d7.
17 .l:Σbl lZId7
18 lZIe3 (5
19 lZIe2!
The exchange of dark-squared bishops is a major strategic
achievement for White.
19 ~xb2
20 .Ι:Σ xb2 lZIe5
21 .l:Σc2 ~d7
22 lZIf4 iff6
23 ifd2 g5? (52)
Again, activity that is quite unjustified!

52
W

24 ltJe6
It tums out that Black cannot play 24 ... ixe6 25 de ifxe6
because of the simple 26 ltJd5, threatening 27 lΔc7 and 27 W'xg5+.
24 (4
25 1IVb4 lΔdf7
26 gf gf (53)
27 ixe4!
This move flows logically from all of White's previous play.
66 Deflection

53
W

27 fe
28 fe "e7
29 %Σι2+ φh8
30 1Wd4
Α quite hοrήfic ρίη: the threat is 31 %Σχf7 followed by mate;
and 30 ... .i.xe6 31 de 1Wxe6 does not help, because of 32 .i.d5.
Black has only one move.
30 .ΙΗ8!
31 lίJxf8 %Σχf8
32 %Σι3
Evading the threat of 32 ... .i.h3.
32 %Σe8 (54)

54
Β

33 .i.xh7! ΦΧh7
34 %Σχf7+!
Black is now faced with an unpleasant choice: either his queen
will be deflected away from the h4-square, or his knight will be
removed from the diagonal, opening a path for the white queen
to go to g7. Ιη either case there would be a mating finish. So,
Black resigned.
4 Interference

Combinations οη the theme of interference are played ίη order

to disrupt the interaction of the opposing pieces or to deΡήve
them of the possibility of controlling certain squares.
The aim is to break the physical connection between the enerny
pieces. Quite often this is done ίη order to cut pieces off frorn the
defence of their king.
Αη exampIe is a vaήatίοη from the foIlowing game (55):

Κ. Grigorian-Belyavsky
Vilnius 1975

55
W

Οη 22 1Ifb1 Black wouId play 22 ... nc4!!

[η practice, interference is frequently encountered together with

the idea of deflection (56):
68 1nterJerence

Κhaήtοnοv-Ρetrushίn

56
W

40 :d8+ Black resigned

Game Νο. 19
Moskalenko-Ftacnik
Belgrade 1988
1 d4 lLJf6
2 c4 g6
3 lLJc3 dS
4 cd lLJxdS
S .i.d2
White can scarcely hope to gain an opening advantage with a
move Iike this, but a certain degree of accuracy is required from
Black.
S .i.g7
6 e4 lLJb6
Also not bad is 6 ... lLJxc3 7 .i.xc3 ο-ο.
7 .i.e3 ο-ο
8 ί4
White gains nothing from 8 lLJf3 .i.g4 (Simagin-Zagorovsky,
USSR 1954); and after 8 h3 one possibility is 8 ... f5! 9 ef .i.xf5
10 lLJf3 lLJc6 11 1Wb3?! + φh8 120-0-0 a5 13 lLJe5 a4 (Anastasian-
Neverov, Tbilisi 1989), so that after 14lLJf7+ .l:l.xf7 15 1Wxf7 Black
can play 15 ... 9d7 16 a3 (preparing Ιο retreat the queen Ιο a2)
16 ... lLJa5, with the threat of 17 ... lLJ b3 +.
8 lt\c6
It doesn't look bad for Black Ιο continue 8 ... a5 9 h4 a4 10
 lnterJerence 69

:cl lbc6 11 d5 lba5 12 .td4 .txd4 13 .xd4 c6, when he has

counterplay (Moskalenko-Rogulj, Belgrade 1988).
9 d5 lba5
10 .td4 (57)

57
Β

10 e5!
11 .txe5 .txe5
12 fe .h4+
Βήηgίηg about a weakening of White's pawn structure.
13 g3 .e7
14 .d4 :d8
With the threat of .,. lΔc6.
15 b4 (58)
With this move White not οηlΥ attacks the knight οη a5 but
also covers the square c5. Consequently 15 ... lΔc6 is bad for
Black, because of 16 'Wc5. But Black can now take the opportunity
Ιο play an interference move.

58
Β
70Interference

15 ~ac4
16 -*.xc4
Black would get a good position after 16 ~f3 -*.g4 17 -*.xc4
.i.xf3 18 ο-ο irxb4 19 .ι:txf3 'ilt'xc4 20 ire3 ~d7 21 irf4 'ilt'd4+
22 ~hl .ι:tf8 (Moskalenko-Zakic, Belgrade 1988).
16 irxM
17 ~e2 irxc4
18 0-0 'ilt'xd4+
19 ~xd4 c6!
Storιn clouds are gatheήng over White's position.
20 e6! fe
21 ~xOO .i.xe6
22 de .ι:td3
23 .ι:tacl
It looked tempting to play 23 .ι:tf7, ίη order οη 23 ... .ι:txc3 to
play 24 :'af1 followed by 25 e7, but Black would reply 23 ... .ι:tf8!
23 .ι:tΙ8
24 a4 .ι:td6
Οη 24 ... .ι:txf1+ White would reply 25 .ι:txf1! (but not 25 ~xf1
~c4) 25 ... ~c8 (the knight cannot be captured, because of 26 e7)
26 ~e2 and White has somewhat better chances.
25 :'xf8+ φχΙ8
26 .ι:tbl .ι:txOO
27 a5 ~c4
28 :'xb7 ~xa5
29 :'xa7 ~c4
30 .ι:txh7 ~d2!
Alas, White does not have the move 31 :'Μ, because of 31 ...
~f3+.
31 .ι:tc7 Drawagreed

Game Νο. 20
Brenninkmeijer-Tukmakov
Lugαno 1989
1 d4 ~Ι6
2 c4 g6
3 ~c3 d5
4 ~Ι3 .i.g7
5 cd ~xd5
6 e4 ~xc3
 Ι nterference 71

7 bc c5
8 :bl 0-0
9 J.e2 .!l)c6
10 d5 -*.xc3+?!
There aren't many daredeνils prepared to risk taking this
poisoned pawn. Usually Black plays 10 ... .!l)e5 (see Games 8 and
39).
BrenninkmeUer-Ftacnik, Groningen 1988, continued: 11 ιtJxe5
-*.xe5 12 lΙΜ2 -*.g7 (ηοι allowing White Ιο play f4 with tempo,
as occurred ίη the games mentioned above) 13 ο-ο b6 14 Ι4 e6 15
d6 e5 16 fe -*.b7 17 1IVd3?! (evidently 17 1IVf4 is stronger) 17 ...
-*.xe5 18 J.f4 1IVf6! 19 "'g3 -*.xf4 20 :xf4, and now 20 ... 1IVe6!
leads Ιο a sharp position with somewhat better chances for Black.
11 -*.d2 -*.xd2+
12 1IVxd2 .!l)a5
13 h4
W orth considering was 13 1IVh6.
13 f6?!
Better was 13 ... J.g4 14 1IVh6 -*.xf3 (but not 14 ... Ι6 because
of 15 .!l)g5!).
14 h5 g5 (59)

59
W

IS ιtJxι5 e5
The knight cannot be taken: 15 ... fg 16 1IVxg5+ φh8 (Black
can also ηοΙ survive after 16 ... ΦΙ7, because of 17 h6 φe8 18
-*.b5+ -*.d7 19 1IVh5+ :f7 20 e5!) 17 h6 :η 18 -*.h5 1IVg8 19
1IVe5+ :Ι6 20 g4 .!l)c4 21 1IVc3 .!l)d6 22 f3, followed by 23 e5.
16 lΔf3 b6
17 lΔh4! :f7 (60)
721nterJerence

60
W

If Black had attempted Ιο get the knight οη a5 ίηΙο play with

17 ... lΔb7, White would have transferred his rook οη bl to the
kingside, getting a very strong attack: 18 .l:b3 .l:f7 19 .l:g3+ .l:g7
20 "iWe3 "iWe7 21 lΔg6! "iWf7 22 lΔxe5 fe 23 h6 .l:xg3 24 "iWxg3+ φf8
25 "iWxe5.
18 f4 .. d6
Οη 18 ... lΔb7 White would have played 19 f5! lΔd6 20 "iWe3,
followed by the breakthrough g2-g4-g5.
19 ο-ο ε4
20 "e3 .i.d7
21 h6!
With the threat of 22 .. g3+ φh8 23 fe.
21 .l:e7
22 .l:f2
White prepares Ιο double rooks οη the f-file.
22 ef
23 .l:xf4 .l:e5
24 .Ι: bfl "xd5
Playing 24 ... .l:f8 would be ηο better, ίη view of 25 .i.g4
.i.xg4 26 .l:xg4+ φh8 27 .. g3, followed by 28 .l:g7 and 29
.l:xh7+ (or 29 lΔg6+).
25 .Ι: xf6 1Vc5
The οηlΥ move.
26 "iWxc5 :xc5
27 .l:f7 .i.e6
28 .l:e7 :c6 (61)
29 .i.h5!
With a whole batch of threats: 30 .i.e8, 30 :xe6 and 30 .i.g6.
 Interference 73

61
W

29 φh8!
30 .i.e8
Interference οη the back rank.
30 ..t.g8
31 .i.xc6
Sufficient Ιο win, but more effective was 31 .lΣf8! .lΣxh6 32 lZ\f5
.lΣg6 33 .lΣxh7+ ΦΧh7 34 .i.xg6+ φχg6 35 .lΣxa8.
31 lZ\xc6
32 .lΣc7 lZ\d4
33 lZ\f5 lZ\b5
34 .lΣe7 c3
35 a4 lZ\a3
36 lZ\d6 c2
37 .lΣc7 .i.e6
38 .ΙΣ c3 .ΙΣ d8
39 e5 Black resigned

Game Νο. 21
Petrosίan-Benko
Curacao Ct 1962
1 d4 lZ\f6
2 c4 g6
3 lZ\c3 d5
4 ..t.f4 ..i.g7
5 lOf3
White refraίns from playing e2-e3 for the time being, ίη order
Ιο have the opportunity ίη some vaήatίοηs of occupying the
central square d4 with his king's knight without delay, and also
74 Ιnterference

so as not to cut off his dark-squared bishop from the defence of

his queenside.
5 ο-ο
Αη interesting continuation is 5 ... c5!? (see Game 33: Dreev-
Epishin).
6 :cl
White does not accept the pawn sacrifice - 6 cd lίJxd5 7 lίJxd5
1Wxd5 8 .t.xc7 - which after 8 ... lίJc6 9 e3 .t.g4 leads Ιο a sharp
position not without some advantage for Black.
6 cS
7 dc dc
More common is 7 .. , .t.e6, a move introduced into practice
by Botvinnik; all the same, after 8 lίJd4 lίJc6 9 lίJxe6 fe 10 e3 1Wa5
11 .t.e2 White's position is Ιο be preferred. The continuation 7
... .t.e6 8 lίJg5 is considered ίη Game 22 (Βοrίsenkο-Εstήη).
8 e4
This move leads Ιο very interesting complications. Α solid but
minimal advantage to White results after 8 1Wxd8 .ΙΣ xd8 9 e3 lίJa6
10 c6! bc 11 .t.xc4.
8 1WaS
White also has somewhat better chances ίη the event of 8 ...
1Wxdl+ 9 .lΣxdl lίJa6 10 c6!
9 e5 .lΣd8!
Οη 9 ... lίJh5 White would play 10 .t.e3 and maintain his pawn
οη c5.
10 .t.d2
The continuation 10 1Wa4 1Wxa4 11 lίJxa4 lίJd5 12 .t.g3 b5
would give Black the better chances.
10 lίJg4
11 .t.xc4 1WxcS
CaΡtuήηg with 11 ... lίJxe5 would be bad for Black, because of
12 lίJxe5 .t.xe5 13 lίJd5 1Wxc5 14 .t.b3 1Wd6 15 .t.b4 with
advantage to White, and οη 11 ... lίJxf2? 12 ΦΧf2 1Wxc5+ White
would win with 13 .t.e3!
12 lίJe4 1Wb6 (62)
13 .t.xf7+!
Αη unexpected tactical blow which is the prelude Ιο an interest-
ing combination.
13 ΦχΙ7
14 .lΣxc8 :xc8
 Interference 75

62
W

15 ιt:IΙι5+ ~ι8
16 1IVxg4 1IVc6 (63)

63
W

And finally, one more tactical blow οη the theme of interference.

17 ιt:Id6!
Now Black cannot take the knight with 17 ... ed, because of
the vaήatίοη 18 1Ife6+ ~h8 19 ιt:If7+ φg8 20 ιt:Ih6+ φh8 21
1IVg8+ .J:I.xg8 22 ιt:If7 mate - a classical smothered mate. Neverthe-
less, this whole seήes of tactical operations was unable to secure
vic~ory for White, as Black had sufficient defensive resources.
17 1IVd7!
18 1IVxd7
Οη 1811fh4 h6 19 ιt:Ixc8 hg 20 1IVc4+ Black has the strong move
20 ... e6! (he would lose after 20 ... Φ h8, because of 21 h4 g4 22
h5, and 00 20 ... φf8 there would follow 21 ιt:Ixe7! φχe7 22
.i.b4+ φd8 23 e6 and 24 e7+) and after 21 ιt:Id6 ~c6 Black
maintaios the equilibrium.
76 Interference

18 ltIxd7
19 ltIxc8 ':xc8
20 Ι4 ':c2 (64)

64
W

It turns out that Black has obtained entirely adequate compen-

sation for the pawn.
21 Φe2
Α cunning lίttle move: after 21 ... J:l.xb2 White would occupY
the open file with 22 J:l.cl and get attacking chances.
21 J.h6!
22 lίJΙ3 J:I. xb2
But not 22 ... J.xf4 23 Φd3.
23 g3 gS!
Drawagreed
Α short game, but full of interest.

Game Νο. 22
Βοrίseπkο-Εstήπ
World Corr. Ch. Finαl 1965-67
1 d4 lίJΙ6
2 c4 g6
3 lίJc3 dS
4 lίJΙ3 J.g7
S J.f4 ο-ο
6 J:l.cl cS
7 dc J.e6!?
AIso played here is 7 ... dc (see Game 21: Petrosian-Benko).
8 lίJg5?
 Interference 77

The strongest continuation is 8 lt!d4!, when 8 ... ΙOc6 9 i2:1xe6

fe 10 e3 1Ira5 11 .i.e2leads to an advantage for White. Botvinnik-
Gιίgοήc, Tel Ανίν 1964, saw lt!g5 played one move later: 8 e3
lt!c6 9 lt!g5, but after 9 ... .i.g4! 10 f3 e5! 11 .i.g3 d4 12 fg dc 13
1Irxd8 .!Σ fxd8 14 .!Σ xc3 h6 15 lί:\f3 ΙOe4 Black had the better chances.
8 d4!
Black takes advantage of the white knight's departure from the
centre.
9 lt!b5 lt!h5!
Ιη this way Black Ρarήes the threat of lt!c7.
10 ΙOxe6 fe
11 .i.c7 1Irc8
12 g4!? (65)

65
Β

As Botvinnik observed, White is making heroic efforts to try to

rescue his position. As a result of the opening of the f-file the
square f2 became vulnerable, and therefore White takes steps to
retain his dark-squared bishop by providing a retreat-square for
it οη g3. But White does not succeed ίη solving his main problem -
his king is stuck ίη the centre.
12 a6
But not 12 ... ΙOf6, because of 13 .i.e5!
13 gb ab
14 .i.g3 1Irc6!
White is ίη a dilemma: should he deΡήνe himself of the
opportunity to castle, or weaken his positίon with the move 15
f3?
15 .!ΣιΙ bc
16 .!Σχc4 .!ΣΧθ2
78 Interference

17 Lh3 ':xb2
18 hg ι!ί:Ja6!
Instead of the natural 18 ... hg Black brings yet another piece
into play.
19 gh+ φh8
20 ':c2
Alas, White could not play 20 ':xd4 because of 20 ... 1Fxc5! 21
':d71Fb4+.
20 ':xc2
21 1Fxc2 ι!ί:Jxc5
22 1Fg6 (66)

66
Β

Αη amazing position! Material is completely level and White

has the advantage of the two bishops; White also threatens the
tactical trick 23 Le5. Yet White did not even manage to make
one more move ίη this game!
22 ι!ί:Je4!
White resigned
Black has covered the diagonal bl-h7. White would lose after
23 Φf1, ίη view of 23 ... ι!ί:Jd2+ with mate next move, and οη 23
Lf4 there would follow 23 ... 1Fc3+ 24 φf1 1Fxh3+ 25 ':g2
1Fxh7 with a decisive advantage for Black.
5 Demolition
This tactical device is encountered most often when it is essential
to deΡήve the enemy king of its pawn cover, or to seize control
of an important square ίη the heart of the opponent's position.
Ιη order to destroy the defence, sacrifices of pieces or pawns
may be empIoyed:

Lieb-Kunsztowicz
West Germany 1974

67
W

22 ~xι6! hg 23 ιtJxι6 .. f6 24 .. h5! "xal + 25 <i>g2 ..f6 (if

25 ..... g7 then 26 lQxe7+ <i>f8 27 "f3+) 26 ιtJe5+ <i>f8, and
now White was abIe to conclude his 'sacrificial symphony' by
playing 27 "h7!! "xg5 28 ιtJd7+ ~xd7 29 .. f7 mate.

Game Νο. 23
Yusupov-Kasparov
USSR Ch. 1988
Ι d4 ιtJΙ6
2 c4 ι6
80 Demolition

3 lΔε3 dS
4 cd lΔxdS
5 e4 lΔxε3
6 bc ~'i1
7 ~c4 cS
8 lΔe2 lΔOO
9 ~e3 0-0
10 ο-ο ~g4
11 (3 ltJaS
12 ~d3
Yusupov declines the invitation Ιο play 12 ~xf7+, which leads
Ιο a variation which ίη 1987 was thoroughly investigated ίη the
Karpov-Kasparov World Championship Match ίη Seville. The
theoretical battle ίη that match showed some advantage for White
overall, and it would be interesting to know what Kasparov had
prepared for this game. But Yusupov chose a different path.
12 cd
13 cd ~e6
14 :cl
Α well-known and ίη recent years fashionable variation.
14 .txa2
15 9ι4 .te6
16 d5 .td7
17 9Μ e6
18 :fdl
Ιη Game 1 (Wi1der-Kudrin) White played 18 ltJc3.
18 ed
19 ed :e8
20 .tf2 (68)

68
Β
 Demolition 81

Α critical position. White has deveIoped his pieces successfuIly

and is ready Ιο proceed Ιο active operations ίη the centre and οη
the queenside. But BIack decided to seize the initiative, disregarding
the weakening of his position.
20 b5!?
21 lDd4 lDc4
22 lDc6!?
Here White couId have won back the pawn with 22 .txc4, but
then he wouId have lost any chances of gaining an advantage.
22 .txc6
23 dc (69)

69
Β

23 lDb2!
This makes the game even sharper.
24 .txb5 lDxd1
25 c7 'it'd5!?
Yet another bold move. The vaήatίοη 25 ... 'it'c8 26 .txe8 lDc3
27 .: xc3 .txc3 28 .txf7 + 'itxf7 29 'it'xc3 did ηοΙ suit Black,
since the insecure position of his king would have caused him
problems.
26 .txe8 lDxf2
27 c8('it') ':xc8
28 ':xc8 (70)
It would seem that White has achieved everything he wanted,
but Black has a surprise ίη store for him.
28 lDh3+!
This knight really deserves a medal. Having covered virtually
the whole board, eliminating White's rook and bishop οη the way,
ίι finally sacrifices itself at the most critical moment. White has Ιο
82 Demo/ition

70
Β

take ίι, ίη view of the follbwing beautiful variation: 29 Φf1 'ifd3+

30 ΦeΙ 'ife3+ 31 ΦdΙ lί:If2+ 32 Φc2 'ifd3+ 33 ΦcΙ 'ifdl mate.
29 gh 'ifdl+
30 Φg2 'ife2+
32 φιι Draw agreed
The white king is unable to shield itself from perpetual check.

Game Νο. 24
Rashkovsky-Anikaev
Sochi 1974
Ι d4 lί:IΙ6
2 c4 g6
3 lί:Ic3 dS
4 cd lί:IxdS
5 e4 lί:Ixc3
6 bc cS
7 .*.c4 .*.g7
8 lί:Ie2 lί:Ic6
9 .ie3 ο-ο
10 ο-ο flc7
11 :cl :d8
12 fld2
This continuation, introduced into practice by Vaganian, has
become rather popular. White prepares Ιο exert piece pressure οη
the kingside, while at the same time taking care Ιο stabilise his
centre. With this plan White does not weaken the position of his
king, and so Black is deΡήved of counterplay οη that side of the
board. Now Black's thoughts will involve play ίη the centre and
 Demolition 83

οη the queenside, although of course he will first wish to counter

White's plans οη the other front.
12 'iWaS
The most usual reply. Black intends, after playing ... 00, Ιο
bring about an exchange of queens and so insure himself against
various unpleasant threats οη the kingside, which would be
possible with queens οη the board.
Other continuations do ηοΙ promise Black anything better. E.g.
12 '" a6 13 j,h6 .i.h8 14 a4 .!LIa5 15 j,a2! j,d7 16 .!LIf4 e6 17
e5 (Rashkovsky-Kupreichik, Moscow 1974), or 12 ... ~e5 13
j,b3 ~g4 14 j,f4 e5 15 j,g3 j,h6 16 j,xe5 'iWxe5 17 'iWxh6
'iWxe4 18 j,xf7+! with a decisive attack for White (Muratov-
Kremenetsky, Moscow Ch. 1974).
13 'iWb2
White declines Ιο exchange queens and shifts the battle Ιο the
queenside. Αη alternative is the most popular continuation - 13
J:ιfdl - ίη which White continues Ιο concentrate his forces ίη the
centre but does not give up the possibίlity of active play οη the
kingside.
13 b6
Black would be ίη trouble after 13 ... 'iWb6? because of 14 'iWa3!
14 dc
White would achieve nothing after 14 j,d5 j,b7 15 J:l.fdl e6
16 j,b3 cd 17 cd J:l.ac8, or 14 j,b5 .i.d7 15 dc bc 16 .txc5 .!LIe5
17 .txd7 J:I. xd7 18 j,b4 'iWc7! And ίη the event of the active
continuation 14 f4 Black has the better chances after 14 ... j,a6
15 'iWb3 j,xc4 16 'iWxc4 'iWa3! 17 dc .!LIa5 (Muratov-Balashov,
Moscow Ch. 1974).
14 bc (71)

71
W
84 Demolition

Stronger is 14 ... /ί}e5! 15 .*.d5 :xd5 16 ed /ί}d3 17 .. b3 /ί}χcΙ

18 :xcl bc 19 d6 ed 20 .. d5 :b8 21 "xd6 :b2! and Black takes
the initiative (Podtserov-Vitolins, USSR 1976).
15 .. b5! .*.d7
16 "xc5 "c7
Better, perhaps, was 16 ... "xc5 17 .*.xc5 :ac8.
17 :fdl e6
18 .*.Ι4 .*.e5
19 .*.xe5 "xe5
20 "e3!
It now becomes clear that Black has ηο compensation for the
loss of the pawn.
20 "c7
21 /ί}d4 /ί}a5
22 .*.b3 /ί}b7
23 /ί}Ι3 /ί}c5
24 .. h6!
Having successfulIy regrouped his pieces, White chooses a
tactical continuation to capitalise οη his advantage.
24 /ί}Χe4
25 : d4! .*.c6
26 :c4
The threat is 27 .*.a4 or 27 /ί}d4; if 26 ..... b7 then 27 /ί}e5 is
unpleasant.
.. b6 (72)

72
W

27 :xe4! .*.xe4
28 /ί}ι5 .. b7
29 /ί}Χh7 "e7
30 ιt:Ip .. b7 (73)
 Demolition 85

73
W

It iS interesting to observe how White has, lίterally within a few

moves, totally destroyed Black's kingside.
31 lί:JxOO! Black resigned.

Game Νο. 25
Ν aumkin-Vakhidov
USSR 1987
1 d4 lί:Jf6
2 ε4 g6
3 lί:Jε) d5
4 cd lί:Jxd5
5 e4 lί:Jxε3
6 bc ;'g7
7 ;'c4 c5
8 lί:Je2 lί:Jc6
9 ;'e3 ο-ο
10 ο-ο 'WIc7
11 %ΣεΙ %Σd8
12 ;.f4
The idea behind this move is that Black's queen is oblίged to
move aside, since after 12 ... e5 White would reply 13 ~g5 and
then 14 d5, with an advantage.
12 'WId7
13 d5
White gets ηο advantage after 13 dc .e8 14 ;.dS ;'d7. But
an alternative worth considering is 13 ;'b5; after 13 ... a6 14
;'xc6 .xc6 15 d5 .e8 16 c4 White has more space. Game 29
(Petran-Pinter) developed roughly along these lίnes (after 13 'WIb3
'WIe8, and only then 14 ~b5).
 86 Demolition

13 ~a5
14 .i.d3 b5 (74)
The nature of the game would be rather different ίη the event
of 14 ... e5 15 .i.e3 c4 16 .tc2 'IIe7 17 1Μ2, with a complicated
position. More rarely seen is 14 ... b6 (see Game 43: Vyzhmanavin-
Nikolenko).

74
W

15 .i.g5
White gets ηο advantage after 15 :bl a6 16 1fcl e5 17 .i.g5
f6 18 .i.e3 c4 19 .i.c2 lLIb7 (Hort-Adorjan, Wijk aan Zee 1972).
15 {6
16.i.e3 e6
17 lLIf4 ed
18 ed .i.b7
19 :c2!?
At first sight a rather strange move, associated with the transfer
of the rook to d2. Of course, White cannot play 19 .i.xc5 because
of 19 ... .i.h6! 20 .i.e3 .i.xf4 21 .i.xf4 1It'xd5, winning a piece.
The most 10gίca1 move, 19 : bl, would lead to a good game for
Black after 19 ... a6 20 c4!? lLIxc4 21 .i.xc4 bc. White would gain
nothing by playing 19 .i.e4?! ίη view of 19 ... :ac8!, when ίη'
reply to 20 lLIe6? Black can play 20 ... "xe6! 21 de :xdl 22
:fxdl .i.xe4 23 .i.xc5 lLIc6 (but not 23 ... :xc5 24 :d8+ and
25 e7).
19 .l:tac8
It would not be good for Black to play 19 ... g5?, because of
20 .h5! gf 21 .i.xh7+ ~f8 22 ..txc5+; also bad was 19 ...
.i.xd5 20 :d2!
 Demolition 87

20 .ι:d2 fS
21 'ilt'c2 .te5
22 .ι:fdl 'ilt'd6
The pawn οη d5 cannot be taken: if 22 ... .txf4 23 .i.xf4
.txd5 then 24 .tg5 is unpleasant, and ίη the event of 23 ... 'ilt'xd5
White wins with 24 .tfl!
23.!iJe6 f4?! (75)
This abrupt attempt to make the game still sharper comes υρ
against an interesting refutation.

75
W

24 .txc5 .: xc5
25 .*.xg6!! .:d7?
More stubborn was 25 ... 'ilt'd7, although even ίη this case White
would maintain a big advantage after 26 .!iJxd8 'ilt'xd8 27 d6 'ilt'g5
28 .te4. Totally bad for Black would be 25 .,. hg 26 'ilt'xg6+
Φh8 27 .ι:d3.
26 .!iJxc5 'ii'xc5
27 'ii'f5 'ii'd6
28 .*.e8 ':e7
29 .*.xb5 .*.xc3
30 ':e2
White's lead ίη material is not great, but the awkward positions
of Black's pieces - ίη particular, the insecure position of his king -
gίve White quite a straightforward opportunity Ιο turn his
advantage into a win.
30 ':xe2
31 ..t.xe2 ..t.e5 (76)
88 Demolition

76
W

32 J.d3! .xdS
33 .xb7+ Φf8
34 .b6+ Φe7
35 .g5+ J.f6
36 .l:tel+ φd7
37 J.f5+ Φc7
38 .xf4+ Black resigned

Game Νο. 26
Vera-Vilela
Mαtαnzαs 1989
1 d4 /ί:If6
2 c4 g6
3 /ί:Ic3 dS
4 cd /ί:Ixd5
5 e4 /ί:Ixc3
6 bcJ.g7
7 J.c4 cS
8 /ί:Ie2 /ί:ιΟΟ
9 J.e3 ο-ο
10 .l:tcl!?
The normal and natural move is 10 ο-ο. Sometimes 10 .I:t bl is
played, when Black can equalise most simply with 10 ... /ί:Ia5 11
J.d3 cd 12 cd b6 13 ο-ο e6 14 .a4 J.b7 15 .l:tfdl .l:tc8 (Korchnoi-
Kasparov, Reykjavik 1988).
10 cd
11 cd .a5+
12 ΦΠ .l:td8!? (77)
 Demolition 89

Α move which had ηοι been played previously. Usually 12 ...

.i.d7 13 h4 leads Ιο tense positions. E.g. 13 ... :. ac8 14 h5 e5 15
hg hg 16 d5; or 13 ... h5 14 iίJf4 φh7 15 .ί.e2 :'ac8 16 g4 e5 17
iίJh3 ed 18 .ί.d2 "xa2 (Balogh-Honfi, Hungary 1966); also
interesting is 13 ... :'fc8 14 h5 ~d8 15 hg hg 16 .i.d2 "a4 17
.i.b3 "a6 (Nogueiras-Ljubojevic, Barcelona 1989).

77
W

13 h4 h6
Stronger, evidently, is 13 ... h5.
14 .. b3 e6
15 e5!?
White gains nothing from 15 d5 iίJe5 16 de iίJxc4 17 ef+ ΦΧf7
18 'ifxc4+ .i.e6 19 'ifc7+ 'ifxc720 :'xc7+ Φg8.
15 'ifb4
16 'ifc2 .i.d7
After 16 ... iίJa5 17 .i.d3 .i.d7 18 :'bl! "a3 19 'ifd2 White
would succeed ίη creating unpleasant threats οη the kingside.
17 h5 g5
18 'ife4 iίJe7
19 .i.d3 iίJf5 (78)

78
W
90 Demolition

20 .i.xg5! bg
21 h6 .tr8?
From severa1 possible moves Black chooses by πο means the
best. Also weak was 21 ... .i.c6, because of 22 .Ω.χc6 bc 23 hg
Φχg7 24 g4; but a better option was the simple 21 ... IΩxh6,
when after 22 .Ω.χh6 -*.xh6 23 .h7+ Φf8 24 1IIxh6+ Φe8 2S
1IIxg5 1IIe7 Black has sufficient defensive resources. Also interesting
was 21 ... 1IId2!? 22 hg .i.c6 23 .g4 (if 23 .Ω.χc6 then 23 ... 1IIdl
mate) 23 ... .Ω.χd424 1IIhS Φχg7 25 1IIh7+ Φf8 26 1IIh8+ Φe7
27 1IIf6+ Φd7 28 1IIf7 + lΩe7 with aπ unclear position.
22 g4 :ac8
23 ':xc8 .Ω.χc8
24 gf ef
Ιπ the event of 24 ... .i.c6 White would have concluded his
mating attack: 25 1IIg4 .i.xhl 26 1IIxg5+ Φh8 27 1IIf6+ Φg8 28
h7+.
25 1IIe3 .i.e7 (79)
If 2S ... 1IIe7 then 26 .Ω.h5.

79
W

26 e6! -*.c6
Νο better was 26 ... fe, because of 27 1IIe5 Φf7 28 1IIg7+ Φe8
29 h7.
{6
Black resigned

GameNo.27
Khalifman-Lau
Rotterdαm 1988
1 d4 ~f6
2 c4 ι6
 Demolition 91

3 ltιc3 d5
4 ltιΙ3 J.g7
5 cd ltιxd5
6 e4 ltιxc3
7 bc c5
8 :bl 0-0
9 J.e2 b6
10 ο-ο J.b7
11 1Wd3 J.a6
12 1We3 1Wc8
Salov-1. Sokolov, Haifa 1989, continued: 12 ... cd 13 cd 1Ird7
14 d5 (worth cοnsίdeήng is 14 ..ta3!? :e8 15 :fcl J.xe2 16
1Wxe2 1Wa4 17 1Wd3 ltιc6 18 d5 ltιe5 19 ltιxe5 ..txe5 20 g3! :ad8
21 :b4 'ifa5 22 :bc4 f5?! 23 1Wb3! ..td6 24 J.b2 fe 25 :xe4 with
serious tactical threats: Nesis-Soltau, 10th corr. 01. 1988/91) 14
... ..txe2 15 1Wxe2 1Wa4 16 ..tg5 :e8 17 :fcl with a marked
advantage Ιο White.
13 dS! J.xe2
14 'iνxe2 J.xc3? (80)

80
W

Theory recommends 14 ... c4, which, however, is hardly

sufficient Ιο equalise. But with the move played Black vοluntaήlΥ
shuts his bishop ουΙ οί the game. Απ extra pawn is very little
compensation for this.
15 e5 1Irf5
16 :b3 J.aS
Of course, 16 ... J.d4 was better. How pecu1iar that Black
should tum his celebrated 'Indian' bishop ίηιο a big pawn!
17 lLIh4 1Ird7 (81)
92 Demolition

81
W

18 ..,h6 '-xd5
Capitulation, but after 18 ... :d8 19 e6 '-xd5 20 ef+ '-xf7 21
:f3, or 19 ... .-d6 20 ef+ Φχf7 21 J:ιf3+ Φg8 22 '-b2, it is
time for Black to resign.
19 "'xf8 ιlί>xf8
20 :d3 .-b7
21 :d8+ Φι7 (82)

82
W

22 ~f5+!
The most forceful method - White destroys the black king's
pawn cover.
22 gf
23.-e3 '-c6
24 '-g5+ '-16
26 .xe7 Black resigned
There is ηο satisfactory defence against 26 .f8 mate.
 Demolition 93

Game Νο. 28
Lengyel-Gipslis
Tαllinn 1975
1 ιtJΙ3 ιtJΙ6
2 c4 g6
3 g3 ~g7
4 ~g2 ο-ο
5 0-0 d5
6 d4
White sets Black greater problems by first playing 6 cd (see
Game 18: Furman-Jansa).
6 dc
7 ιtJa3 c3
Black also gets quite a good game after 7 ... ιtJc6.
8 bc c5
9 ιtJc4
More accurate is 9 ιtJe5, preventing the black knight from
coming ιο c6.
9 ιtJOO
10 ~b2 ~oo
11 ιtJfe5 ιtJxe5
Worthy of consideration was 11 ... ~d5!, immediately occupy-
ing the light squares.
12 ιtJxe5 ~d5
13 ~xd5 Vxd5
14 c4 vd6 (83)
15 d5?
Such activity is ηοι justified. It would have been more prudent
ιο play 15 e3. Βυι now Black easily takes control of the central
files.

83
W
94 Demolition

15 e6!
16 de 'Ixe6
17 1IVc2 Afe8!
18 Φg2 Ae7
19 .J:I.fe1 Aae8
20 f3?
Αη unjustified weakening of the kingside.
20 ~h5!
The tempting 20 ... llId7 would have led to an equal position
after 21 t'Δxd7! 1IVxe2+ 22 "xe2 .J:I.xe2+ 23 Φf1! .J:I.xe1+ 24 .J:I.xe1
.J:I.xe1+ 25 ΦχeΙ -*.xb2 26 llIxc5.
21 f4'
The only move, since 21ll1d3 10ses to 21 ... 1IVxe2+.
21 f6
22 llId3 .. c6+?
Stronger was 22 ... 1IVg4 23 Φf2 (if 23 llIf2 then 23 ... .J:I.xe2)
23 ... 1IVh3 when White's position would be difficult.
23 Φf2 ne3
24 .tc1 %Σ 3e4
25 e3 1IVe6 (84)

84
W

26 llIe5!
White makes use of the tactical idea of interference ίη order to
transfer his knight ιο the kingside. He could not play 26 llIb2
because of 26 ..... h3 27 ΦgΙ llIxg3 28 hg 1IVxg3+ 29 φf1
.J:I.xf4+!
26 'iff5
With the extremely unpleasant threat of 27 ... .J:I.xf4+.
 Demolition 95

27 ι!L!f3 g5
28 'it'b3 'it'h3
29 J:ιKl g4
Chasing away the main defender. Now οη 30 ι!L!h4 there would
follow 30 ... ~xf4 31 gf 'it'xh4+ (or 31 ef J:ιe2 mate).
30 ι!L!el f5
Finally the dark-squared bishop is also brought into the attack.
31 J:ιbl .td4!
If White takes the bishop it is mate ίη one.
32 ι!L!c2 (85)

85
Β

32 ι!L!xf4!
33 gf
And, not waiting for his opponent's reply,
White resigned
There could have followed: 33 ... 'it'xh2+ 34 Φf1 J:ιxf4+ 35 ef
'iνf2 mate.
6 Opening and Clearing Lines
Situations frequently arise during a game when it is essential to
open a file, a rank, ΟΓ a diagonal. But this procedure may be
hindered either by enemy pieces (or pawns) ΟΓ one's own. Ιη such
cases the attacker should 'make every effort to clear the lines ίη
question, and he should not hesitate to make sacrifices ίη the
process (86):

Radevich-Donskikh
USSR 1972

86
W

White has two bishops, but his position looks alarming becau~e
of the passive positions of his light-squared bishop and rook. H~
would lose after 1 .*.c2, because of 1 ... :a2 2 :cl (or 2 .*.dl
:d2) 2 ... lLJe2. The only chance to save the game consists ίη
opening a diagonal ίη order to make use of the power of the two
bishops:
1 .*.xe4! :xn 2 .*.f5!! and a draw was agreed, since after the
rook moves away from f1 White will give perpetual check οη the
squares e6 and f5.
 Opening and Clearing Lines 97

GameNO.29
Petr8n-Pinter
Budapest 1972
1 d4 lΔΙ6
2 c4 g6
3 lΔc3 d5
4 cd lΔxd5
5 e4 lΔxc3
6 bc c5
7 ~c4 ~g7
8 lΔe2 lΔc6
9 ~e3 0-0
10 ο-ο 'fIc7
11 .l:l.cl .l:l.d8
12 ~Ι4
Just one ofthe numerous continuations adopted ίη this position
(others include 'fId2, 'fIel, f4, h3 and 'fIa4). The idea is that Black's
queen is now forced to move, since after 12 ... e5 White would
play 13 ~g5 and 14 d5.
12 'fId7
13 'fIb3
Here too, White has quite a number of possibilities. Worthy of
consideration is 13 d5 lΔa5 14 ~d3 e5 15 ~e3. Another move
frequently played is 13 dc, although ίη this case Black generally
equalίses easily or even obtains a better position. E.g. 13 ... 'fIe8
14 ~d5 ~d7 15 -.d2 e6 16 ~b3 lΔe5! 17 ~xe5 ~xe5 18 f4
~b5 19 'fIe3 .tg7 20 .l:l.fdl 'fIc6!
With his move ίη the game (exploiting the weakness of the f7-
square) White tries to strengthen his position ίη the centre and
obtain a spatial advantage, which must make Black's defence more
difficult.
13 'fIe8 (87)
Also ίη this position 13 ... e5 is bad, becuase of 14 ~g5! Οη
the other hand, the simple 13 ... .l:l.f8 is possible.
14 ~b5! 86?
Better was 14 ... ~d7, and also worthy of consideration was
14 ... cd 15 cd ~xd4. Ιη the complications arising after 16 ~c7
~e6! (16 ... .l:l.d7? 17 1:txc6! bc 18 ~xc6) 17 'fIa4 ~b2! 18 .l:l.c2
(18 .l:l.xc6 bc 19 ~xc6 .td7!) 18 ... .l:l.dc8 19 ~g3 ~g7 Black
has sufficient defensive resources.
98 Opening and Clearing Lines

87
W

15 ixc6 Ί'χc6
16 d5 Ί'b5
17 c4! Ί'χb3
18 ab .td7
19 ι!L!c3
Black's theoretical advantage of the two bishops is not relevant
ίη this particular situation. After 19 ... b5 White would play 20
e5 and Black's dark-squared bishop would be shut out of the
game.
19 ixc3
20 ':xc3 aS
21 ih6 .:dc8
22 Ι4
There are ηο queens οη the board and few pieces remain.
Nevertheless, White launches a pawn-storm.
22 a4
23 ba ':xa4
24 fS bS? (88)

88
W
 Opening αΜ Cleαring Lines 99

Black does ηοΙ sense the danger. More accurate was 24 ... f6,
although here Ιοο 25 e5 fe (ηοΙ 25 ... .i.xf5 because οΙ 26 JΣ xf5!
gf 27 .l:tg3+ φh8 28 d6 ed 29 ef) 26 Ι6 ef 27 JΣxf6 would be rather
unpleasant.
25 e5!
The pawn οη Ι5 cannot be taken; οη 25 ... ..t.xf5 there could
follow: 26 JΣxΙ5 gf 27 .l:tg3+ φh8 28 d6! ed 29 ed JΣal + 30 φf2
.J:I.dl 31 Ag7+ φg8 32 ..t.d4+ ~Ι8 33 d7 JΣd8 34 ..t.xc5+.
25 .l:txc4
26 .l:txc4 bc
27 e6 ..t.e8
Νοι 27 ... ..t.b5 or 27 ... ..t.a4, because οΙ 28 fg fg 29 JΣΙ7 JΣe8
30 ..t.g7 and 31 ..t.c3.
28 Ιδ! JΣc7
Better was 28 ... ef 29 JΣxΙ6 c3 30 e7 JΣc7.
29 JΣal! fe (89)

89
W

30 f7+!! Black resigned

Black would now be forced either Ιο 'open υρ' the back rank
or Ιο venture οηΙο the open f-file with his king. Ιη either case,
mate would be inevitable.

Game Νο. 30
Vaiser-Pein
Budαpest 1989
1 d4 lLJfδ
2 c4 ιδ
3 lLJc3 d5
4 cd lLJxd5
 100 Opening αnd Cleαring Lines

5 e4 ~xc3
6 bc .tg7
7 ~Ι3 c5
8 :bl ο-ο
9 .te2 cd
10 cd 'iνa5+
11 .td2 'iνxa2
12 ο-ο b6
Here we should also note such continuations as 12 .. , ~d7
(Game 15: Khalifman-Gavrikov) and 12 ... 'iνe6 (Game 44:
Komarov-Karasev).
13 'iνcl 'iνe6 (90)

90
W

14 .tc4! 'iνxe4
If 14 ... 'iνd7 then 15 ~e5 is unpleasant: Black cannot play 15
... 'iνxd4 because of 16 ~xf7.
15 .l:tel 'iνb7
16.tb4 .te6
After 16 ... ~c6 there would follow 17 .td5 .td7 18 .l:txe7.
17 .l:txe6! fe
18 ~g5 ~c6
More stubborn was 18 ... Φh8 19 'iνe3 ~c6. But then White
would have the very effective 20 ~xh7!, initiating interesti~g
tactics: 20 ... 'iPxh7 (but not 20 ... ~xd4 because of 21 ~g5) 21
'iνh3+ .i.h6 22 .i.d2 g5 23 .txg5 1:tf6 24 .td3+ 'iPg7 25 .txf6+
ef 26 'iνxe6 "iWc8! 27 'iνd5! ~e7 28 "e4 'iPf8 29 .l:tel 'iνe8 30 .tb5
'iνd8 31 "iWe6 .tg7 32 .tc4 1i'e8 33 h4 with the idea of advancing
the h-pawn still further (Pein-Michaelsen, Ramat Hasharon 1988).
19 lbxe6 'ith8
20 -*.c3 .i.f6
21 'iνh6 .l:tg8 (91)
 Opening and Cleαring Lines 101

91
W

22 :el!
White brings yet another piece into the attack: the threat is 23
1:ιe3 and 24 1t'xh7+.
22 :g7
It would not have helped to play 22 ... b5, because of 23 :e3
:g7 24 :h3 :ag8 25 ~f4 when there is ηο defence against 26
0xg6+.
23 g4!
It turns out that the bishop οη (6 is also rather uncomfortable.
23 ~a5
24 .td3
White avoids a trap: 24 .txa5 ba 25 g5 1t'b4!
24 1t'c6
25 .taI :(7
26 g5 .tg7 (92)
Played ίη the hope of 27 ~xg7 1t'f3, but with his last few moves
White has been preparing for a decisive opening of diagonals.

92
W
102 Opening αnd C1eαring Lines

27 d5! 'l'xd5
28 .txg7+ Φχ8
29 .txg6 Black resigned

Gaιne Νο. 31
Leven6sh-Smyslov
USSR Ch. 1949
1 d4 ιtιΙ6
2 c4 χ6
3 ~c3 d5
4 ιtιΙ3 .tg7
5 'l'b3 dc
6 'l'xc4 0-0
7 e4 ιtιfd7
Subsequently it was acknowledged that the most correct move
order is first 7 ... .tg4 and οηlΥ then 8 ... ιtιfd7, since ίι is ηοι
essential ίη all vaήatίοηs Ιο transfer the knight ιο b6.
8 .te3 ιtιb6
9 'l'b3 ιΩΟΟ
10 :dl
Worthy of consideration is the immediate 10 d5, when after 10
... lDe5 11 lDxe5 .i.xe5 12 :dl it is not easy for Black to get an
active game.
10 .tg4
Now the game has transposed Ιο the most popular continuation
ίη the Smyslov Vaήatίοη.
11 d5 lDe5
12 .t.e2 lDxf3+
13 gf .th5 (93)
The best retreat for the bishop. If 13 ... .td7 then 14 h4, and
after 13 ... .th3 White plays 14 .l:g1, with the following possible
continuations: 14 ... 'l'd6 15 f4 c6 16 a4! .tc8 17 a5 lDd7 18 do
'l'xc6 19 lDd5! with a clear advantage to White (Szabo-KotoY,
Moscow vs Budapest 1949), or 14 ... Ίt'c8 15 f4 .td7 16 f5 c6 17
d6 ed 18 :xd6 with a strong attack for White.
14 f4!
Now White's strategίc plan is becoming clear. Having left his
king ίη the centre, he is begίnning a pawn-storm οη the kingside
and ΡreΡaήηg Ιο transfer his major pieces across. AIso of interest
is the continuation 14 .l:g1; after 14 ... 'l'd7 15 :g3 c6 16 dc
 Opening αnd Cleαring Lines 103

93
W

1Iνxc6 17 ιt:\b5! ιt:\c8 18 :d5 White's advantage takes οη very real

proportions (Portisch-Gheorghiu, Manila 1974).
The continuation 14 h411νd7 15 a4 is associated with the sacrifice
of a pawn. As Levenfish pointed out, after 15 .,. ixc3+ 16
1Iνxc3 ιt:\xa4 17 1Iνd4 f6 18 f4 ixe2 19 Φχe2 ιt:\b6 20 h5! the
position is double-edged, wίth chances for both sides.
14 a4 was dealt with ίη Game 2 (Ehlvest-Ernst).
14 ixe2
15 ιt:\xe2 1Iνc8
Worth considering was a pawn-sacrίfice: 15 ... c6!? 16 dc 1Iνc7
17 cb 1Iνxb7 18 ιt:\c3 1Iνa6!
16 :c1
This is a loss of time. Stronger was 16 f5 at once.
16 c6
17 Ι5! ιt:\d7?
Α passive reply. Black should have decided οη the double-edged
17 ... gf 18 id4 ixd4 19 ιt:\xd4 fe 20 dc bc, with chances of
defending successfully.
18 :g1
With the unpleasant threat of 19 fg hg 20 J:Σxg6! fg 21 dc+ and
22 cb, when White wins mateήal. Therefore the black king moves
off the dangerous diagonal.
18 φh8
19 fg hg
Οη 19 ... fg White would play the manoeuvre tί)e2-f4-e6, with
οι deCΊsive advantage.
20 id4
White is ΡrίmaήΙΥ aiming to get rίd of the bishop οη g7 - the
only piece guarding the enemy king.
104 Opening and Clearing Lines

20 ~Ι6
21 .l:tc3
ΒΥ sacrifiCΊng a pawn and then a rook, White buίlds υρ an
irresistible attack.
21 ~xe4 (94)

94
W

22 .l:txg6!
Ιη this way White opens a diagonal.
22 fg
23 .l:th3+ ~ι8
24 dc+ e6
2S cb 1Ifc6
26 ba(1If) .l:txa8
27 J-xg7 ~xι7
28 1Ife3!
As a result of a11 this, White has not οηlΥ regained his sacήficed
mateήaΙ but has won a pawn, and his dangerous attack continues.
Black cannot reply 28 ... .l:th8, because of 29 1Ifd4+. 80 Black's
reply is forced.
28 lbf6
29 lLJd4 1Ifhl+
30 Φe2 1fdS
31 lLJxe6+ ~ι8 (95)
If 31 ... ~f7 then 32 lLJg5+ φg8 33 1Ifb3, resulting ίη a won
ending. But now comes a spectacular finale!
32 .l:th8+!
If the black king is enticed onto h8, it is mate ίη two (33 1Ifh6+).
 Opening and Clearing Lines 105

95
W

32 ΦΙ7
33 Φι5+ Φg7
34 1:1. xa8 Black resigned
After 34 ... "iWxa8 there follows 35 "iWe7 + and 36 "iWxf6.

Game Νο. 32
Bartels-de Wit
Holland 1988/89
1 d4 ~Ι6
2 c4 ι6
3 ~c3 d5
4 .i.f4 .i.g7
5 e3 ο-ο
6 I:I.cl
Α move first played ίη the game Capablanca-Reshevsky, AVRO
1938.
6 c5
7 dc ~a6!?
After 7 ... dc? 8 "iWxd8 I:I.xd8 9 .i.xc4 Black loses a pawn; ίη
Game 49: Pinter-Allen, Black played 7 ... 1i'a5!? Worthy of
consideration is 7 ... -te6 8 ~f3 ~c6 9 .i.e2 ~e4.
8 cd ~xc5
9 -te5?!
This move had not been played before; a more sound continu-
ation is eνidently 9 .i.c4 ~fe4 10 lLιge2 "iWb6 11 ο-ο.
9 .i.f5
Weaker is 9 ... 'iWb6 10 .1d4!
10 Ι3?
Such lack of attention to development cannot go unpunished.
106 Opening and Clearing Lines

10
Black is ready to open diagonals and files!
Now 11 .i.d4 ηο 10nger has any effect, ίη view of 11 ... :fd8;
οη 12 e4 there follows 12 ... /l:jxd5! 13 /l:jxd5 :xd5 14 ed .i.xd4
when if White takes the bishop he 10ses his queen - 15 'irxd4
/l:jd3+. Νο better is 13 .i.xc5 .i.xc3+ 14 :xc3, ίη view of 14 ...
/l:jxc3! 15 .i.xb6 JΣxd1+ 16 ciIf2 ab.
11 e4 (96)

96
Β

11 /l:jcxe4!
12 fe?
Stronger was 12 /l:jxe4 /l:jxe4 (if 12 ... .i.xe4 then 13 fe /l:jxe4 is
bad for White, but he can save himself with 13 .i.d4!) 13 fe .i.xe5
14 ef and White retains defensive resources, a1though Black's
attack is extremely powerful - e.g. 14 ... .i.d4 or 14 ... :ac8.
12 /l:jxe4
But not 12 ." /l:jg4 13 .i.g3.
13 /l:jxe4 .i.xeS
White's small mateήaΙ advantage can ίη ηο way compensate
for his colossallack of development.
14 'ire2
White would lose at once after 14 .i.d3 'ire3+.
14 .i.xb2
IS :c4 (97)
15 :ac8!
16 lΔd2 :xc4
17 lΔxc4
It would have been very bad Ιο play 17 'irxc4 JΣc8 18 'irb3
JΣcl+ 19 ciIe2 'ira6+ 20 cke3 JΣc3+ 21 'irxc3 'irb6+!
 Opening and Clearing Lines 107

97
Β

17 ..tc3+
18 lLId2
If 18 Φd1 then 18 ..... b1 mate.
18 :d8!
Α picturesque position. Black brings one more piece ίnΙο the
attack and prepares Ιο inflict a decisive blow.
19 lLIf3 :xd5
20 "xe7 (98)
Black was threatening to advance his e-pawn.

98
Β

20 ..te6!
Now the white queen is cut off behind enemy lines.
21 ..te2 1fe3
Whi te resigned
Loss of material is inevitable. E.g. 22 φf1 ..txd2 23 ..tc4 J:[ f5
24 ..txe6 :xf3+.
108 Opening and C/earing Lines

Game Νο. 33
Dreev-Epishin
Tallinn 1986
1 d4 l2Jf6
2 lί:If3 g6
3 c4 ~ι7
4 lί:Ic3 dS
5 .tf4 cS!?
This move was for many years considered premature, but it was
rehabilίtated ίη the game Κ. Gήgοήaη-Tseshkovsky, USSR Ch.
1977.
6 dc .a5
7 cd l2Jxd5
After 7 ... lί:Ie4 White should play 8 .td2! (but not 8 '-a4+?
'-xa4 9 lί:Ixa4, because of 9 ... .td7!) 8 .,. lί:Ixd2 9 '-xd2 '-xc5
10 J:tcl.
8 '-xd5 ~xc3+
9 .td2 (99)

99
Β

Now the natural 9 ... .txd2+ 10 '-xd2 '-xc5 leads to a clear

advantage for White after 11 J:tcl .-f5 12 l2Jd4! .-d7 13 .-h6 lί:Ic6
14 lί:Ixc6 bc 15 '-g7 (Timman-J. Littlewood, Hol1and vs England
1969), but Tseshkovsky's move from the game mentioned above
significantly changed the assessment of this variation.
9 .te6!
10 '-xb7
Ιη the event of 10 ~xc3 '-xc3+ 11 .-d2 '-xc5 White cannot
reckon οη an opening advantage.
10 .txd2+
 Opening αnd Cleαring Lines 109

11 ιt)xd2 ο-ο!
Now not 12 'irxa8 because of 12 ... .l:Σd8 13 .l:Σdl .ί.d5.
12 e4 (100)
Κ. Gήgοήan-ΤseshkοvskΥ continued: 12 b4 'ira4 13 e4 (13
lWxa8 lDc6!) 13 ... lDd7 14 'irb5 lWa3 15 c6 lDf6 16 .ί.e2 and now,
according to analysis by Belyavsky, Black could have got a
dangerous initiative by playing 16 ... 'irc3 17 .l:Σdl .l:Σfd8 18 f3 a5!
Ιη playing 12 e4 White has figuήng ίη the event of 12 ... lDd7
to continue 13 c6 lDb6 (or 13 ... lDf6 14 lWb5) 14 lWa6. But Black
finds an excellent reply.

Ι()()

12 lDc6!!
It turns out that after 13 lWxc6 there would follow 13 ... .l:Σad8
14 .l:Σdl .l:Σxd2 15 .l:Σxd2 .l:Σd8.
13 lWa6 lWxc5
14 'irb5 lWd6
IS lDc4 lWd4
16 ,i,e2
The black knight can still not be captured. After 16 'irxc6 there
could follow 16 ... 1:tac8 17 lWa6 .l:Σxc4 18 ,i,xc4 ,i,xc4 19 lWa3
1Wxe4+ 20 lWe3 lWxg2.
16 .l:Σfca
Black does not hurry to regain his pawn. The point is that 16
... lWxe4 17 ιt)d2! would lead Ιο simplification.
17 ο-ο .l:Σab8
18 lWa4 1W"e4
The time has finally come for the pawn οη e4 to go.
19 1:tfel lDd4!
110 Opening αnd Cleαring Lines

Black declίnes to win two pieces for a rook by playing 19 ...

:b4 20 .a6 :xc4 21 .i.xc4 .xc4 22 .xc4 .i.xc4, feelίng, not
without reason, that he can extract more from this position.
20.i.n .f4!! (lOl)

101
W

Α picturesque position. After this quiet and very 'economical'

move White is defenceless.
21 b3 :c5
22 .xa7 :h5
23 b3 (102)
And now comes the decisive blow.

102
Β

23 :xh3!
Οη the immediate 24 gh there follows 24 ... ~f3+ 25 ~g2
.i.xh3+ 26 ~xh3 .h4+ 27 <kg2 .g4+ 28 ~hl .gl mate.
24 .xb8+ .xb8
25 gh ~Ι3+
26 <kg2 .i.d5
White resigned
 Opening αnd Cleαring Lines 111

Game Νο. 34
Fang-Chiburdanidze
Philadelphia 1989
1 d4 ~Ι6
2 c4 g6
3 ~c3 dS
4 ~Ι3 j.g7
5 j.gS ~e4
6 cd ~xp
7 ~xι5 e6
Interesting here is Korchnoi's idea - 7 ... c6 (see Game 50:
Verat-Komljenovic). After 8 dc ο-ο 9 ~f3 (9 cb j.xb7 10 e3 is
dangerous for White, because of 10 ... e5!) 9 ... ltIxc6 10 e3 .a5
a complicated position is reached ίη which Black has definite
compensation for the pawn.
8 .d2 ed (103)

103
W

Αη interesting variation is 8 ... j.h6!? 9 f4 (it is difficult to

assess the position after 9 h4 f6 10 de fg 11 d5) 9 ... ed 10 .e3+
Φf8 11 .e5! (White achieves nothing with 11 g3 c6 12 j.h3
j.xh3 13 ~xh3 ~d7 140-0-0 ltIb6 15 .f3 .e7: Smyslov-Gulko,
Hastings 1988/89) 11 '" f6 12 ~e6+ (12 .xd5 .xd5 13 ~xd5 fg
14 ltIxc7 ~a6 15 ~xa8 gf leads to aπ unclear position) 12 ...
-txe6 13 .xe6 c6 14 g3 .e7 15 .xe7+ Φχe7 16 e4! de 17 ~xe4
~d7 18 j.g2 f5 19 ~c3 with advantage to White (Dieks-Olthof,
Holland 1987).
9 .e3+ ΦΙ8
10 .14
112 Opening αnd Cleαring Lines

Bilek-Banas, Tmava 1989, cootinued: 10 lt!f3 c6 11 .. d2 "e7

12 e3 Le6 13 .i.e2 lt!d7 14 ο-ο f5 15 lt!el .i.f6 16 f4 φg7 17
lt!f3 with a draw; sharp play aήses after 10 h4!? c6 11 0-0-0 lt!d7
12 h5 h6 13 lt!f3 g5 14 g3 b5 15 lΔe5 lt!xe5 16 de (Stempin-
Thorsteins, Polanica Zdroj 1987).
10 .i.f6
AIso possible is 10 .. , ..f6 11 'iFxf6 .i.xf6 12 lt!f3 (but not 12
lt!xd5? .i.xg5 13 lt!xc7 lt!c6! 14 lt!xa8 lt!xd4 15 φdΙ ~g7! with
a very strong attack for Black) 12 ... .i.e6 13 :ι.cΙ c6 14 e3 lt!d7
15 .i.e2 φg7 16 ο-ο with a small advantage to White.
11 h4 Φι7?! (104)

104
W

It seems odd, but this move is encountered quite often, despite

the fact that other moves give Black a sound positioo. E.g. 11 ...
c6 12 0-0-0 h6 13 lt!f3 .i.e6 14 e4 lt!bd7, or 11 ... h6 12 lt!f3
(White gains nothing from 12 lt!xd5, because of 12 ... .i.xg5 13
"e5 :ι.h7 14 hg lt!c6 15 "e4 .i.f5 16 .. f3 lt!xd4 17 .. a3+ φg7!)
12 .. , ~g7.
12 e4! de
It would oot be good to play 12 ... h6, ίο view of 13 lt!xf7!
~xf7 14 e5.
13 .i.c4!?
Beginning with the game Dunhaupt-Post, corr. 1967, White
has achieved a number of vίctοήes with the move 13 0-0-0. E.g.
13 ... h6 14 lt!gxe4 .i.e6 15 d5 .i.f5 16 lt!xf6 1Ifxf6 17 g4 (Game
13: Lputyan-D. Roos). But Black can play 13 ... "d6!, and after
14 "xd6 cd 15 lt!gxe4 lt!c6 (Hort-Miles, Mootilla Μοήles 1978)
it is oot easy for White to demonstrate any advantage.
13 :fS
 Opening αnd CΙeαring Lines 113

Taking the pawn with 13 ... "tWxd4 leads Ιο an ίηfeήοr ending:

14 h5! h6 15 "tWxc7 ~d7 16 :dl ':'c8 17 'ifxc8 1fxdl+ 18 lί:Ixdl
.txc8 19 lί:Ixf7 gh 20 lί:Id6 (Murshed-Conquest, Blackpool 1988).
14 0-0-0 lί:Id7
15 lί:Icxe4 h6 (105)
Better was 15 ... c6, although here too Black's position is ηοΙ
easyafter 16 g4.

105
W

16 g4!
It turns ουΙ that White's knight οη g5 cannot be taken: 16 ...
hg 17 hg .te7 18 ':'h2, followed by doubling rooks οη the h-file.
16 lί:IM
17 lί:Ixί7 lί:Ixc4
18 lί:Ixd8 ~ι5
19 lί:Ixι5 Black resigned
After 19 ... ':'xf4 20 lί:Ige6+ Black loses a rook.

Game Νο. 25
Douven-Ghinda
Ηamburg 1984
1 d4 lί:IΙ6
2 lί:Iί3 g6
3 c4 ~ι7
4 lί:Ic3 d5
5 ~g5 lί:Ie4
6 ~M
Α move which does ηοΙ allow White Ιο reckon οη an opening
advantage.
114 Opening and Clearing Lines

6 .!ί:Ixc3
The usual continuation. AIso possible is the immedίate 6 ... c5
7 cd .!ί:Ixc3 8 bc 1Wxd5 9 e3 cd 10 cd .!ί:Ic6 11 -*.e2 ο-ο 12 ο-ο e5
13 de 1Wa5 with a good game for Black (Ftacnik-Adorjan, Sochi
1977).
7 bc dc
8 e3 bS!?
9 84 c6
10 -*.e2
Black gets a better position after 10 ab cb 11 .!ί:Ie5 -*.b7 12 1Wbl
1Wb6 13 1Wb4 Ι6 14 .l:l.a5 .!ί:Ic6 15 .!ί:Ixc6 -*.xc6 16 d5 -*.xd5 17
.l:l.xb5 a5! (Pytel-Smejkal, Dortmund 1977).
10 86
11 .!ί:Id2 ο-ο
12 -*.r3 .1:1.87
13 ο-ο h6 (106)

106
W

14 1Wcl
Worthy οί consideration was 14 .!ί:Ie4, with a possible 14 ...
.!ί:Id7 15 ab cb 16 .!ί:Id6 g5 17 .!ί:Ixb5 ab 18 .l:l.xa7 gh 19 1Wal b420
1Wa4 bc 21 1Wxc4 1Wb6 22 .l:l.a3 e5 23 .l:l.fal ed and approximate
equality (analysis by Gu1l.<:o and Ghinda).
14 f5
15 .l:l.dl .l:l.d7?
The natural 15 ... -*.e6!, followed by 16 ... -*.d5, looks good.
16 -*.g3 -*.b7
17 1Wb2?
Stronger was simply 17 ab! ab (not 17 ... cb, because οί 18 -*.xb7
IΣxb7 19 -*.xb8 1Wxb8 20 .l:l.xa6) 18 1Wa3 and now after the thematic
 Opening αnd Clearing Lines 115

18 ... e5 there follows 19 J.xe5 .ixe5 20·de :xd2 21 :xd2 ... xd2
22 :dl 1Wc223 'ifb6! when it is not clear how Black can defend.
17 1Wc8
18 Wb4 (107)
It looked better to play 18 h4.

107
Β

18 c5!
19 Wbl
Οη 19 dc there would follow 19 ... J.xf3 20 lΔxf3 lΔc621 'ifa3
b4.
19 cd
20 cd J.xf3
21 lΔxf3 :b7
22 ab ab
23 'ifb4 φh7
24 :dcl lΔOO
25 'ifcS (108)
White overlooks his opponent's elegant tactical tήck, involving
the opening of one more diagonal.

108
Β
116 Opening αΜ Clearing Lines

25 lbxd4!
26 ed "'xcS
27 dc .i.xal
Now οπ 28 :xal Black plays 28 ... f4, and so, having played
28 c6, White resigned, ηοΙ waiting for his opponent's reply.

Game Νο. 36
Miles-Korchnoi
Brussels 1986
Ι d4 lbf6
2 c4 g6
3 lbc3 d5
4 lbf3 .i.g7
5 e3 ο-ο
6 b4
Αη idea introduced ίηΙο practice by Makogonov ίη 1951. With
this move White not only aims to prevent the pawn thrust ... c5
but also prepares an offensive οπ the queenside. But advancing a
flank pawn at such an early stage - with development still
incomplete - allows Black Ιο create active counterplay.
6 b6!
This is considered the strongest continuation, but also qώte
good is 6 ... ιtJe4, which allows Black Ιο equalίse without difficulty:
7 .i.b2 c6 8 .i.e2 ιtJxc3 9 .i.xc3 .i.g4 10 ... b3 dc 11 "'xc4 ιtJbd7.
7 .i.b2
Other continuations also do ηοΙ cause Black any trouble. E.g.
7 .i.a3 c5 8 bc bc 9 .i.xc5 ιtJa6 10 .i.a3 1I'a5 11 .i.b2 :b8 and
Black gets a strong attack for the sacrificed pawn; or 7 ... b3 c5 8
cd cb 9 "'xb4 ιtJxd5 10 ιtJxd5 "'xd5 11 "'xe7 ιtJc6 12 ... g5 .i.f5
with a menacing initiative for Black.
7 cS
8 bc bc
9 dc?
Α move with a dubious reputation; the best continuation is 9
:cl!, when 9 ... cd 10 lt!xd4 .i.b7 11 1I'b3 ιtJc6 12 "'xb7 ιtJxd4
leads ιο equality. White gains nothing from 9 ιtJxd5 lbxd5 10 cd
"'xd5 11 .i.e2 lbc6 12 ο-ο (Kholmov-Savon, USSR Ch. 1966/67),
ίη view ο! the strong reply 12 ., . .: b8!
9 ιtJa6
 Opening and Cleαring Lines 117

AIso quite good for Black is 9 ... lί:Ie4, or 9 ...•a5 10 cd lilxd5

11 .lΣc1 lbxc3 12 .. d2 .:d8 13 ιϊ:Id4 "xa2.
10 c6 (109)
Bad was 10 lί:Ixd5? ιϊ:Ixd5 11 -*.xg7, because of 11 ... lί:Ixe3! 12
fe .. a5+!

109
Β

10 lί:Ie4
11 lί:Id4
White has greater difficulties after 11 .lΣc1 .ΙΣ b8 12 -*.a1 lί:Ixc3
13 .t.xc3 .t.xc3+ 14 .lΣxc3 "a5.
11 .lΣb8
12 "cl "a5
13 Ι3 lί:Iac5
14 lί:Ib3
White atternpts to exchange rninor pieces ίη order at least to
reduce the pressure. The tempting 14 φf2 (avoiding 14 ... lί:Ia4)
would not help, because of 14 ... lί:IM 15 .. d2 lί:Ibd3+ 16 .t.xd3
1:1xb2!
14 .. b4
15 φf2 lί:Ixb3
16 ab "xb3
17 1:1a2
Α rnove like this is only played through necessity.
17 d4!
Α decisive opening of diagonals.
18 ed .t.xd4+
19 φg3 (J 10)
Ιη the event of 19 Φe1 then 19 ... lί:IM is decisive.
118 Opening αnd Cleαring Lines

110
Β

19 .i.e5+!
It turns out that after 20 Ι4 the ρίη 00 the third rank is decisive:
20 ... .i.xc3 21 "xc3 "xc3 22 .i.xc3 J:tb3 23 J:tc2 1Db4 24 J:tcl
lDa2; ηο better was 20 ΦΙ2, because of 20 ... "xa2! 21 lDxa2
J:txb2+ 22 .i.e2 .i.d4+ 23 φf1 J:txa2.
20 Φh4 f6
It is hard Ιο believe that this game could last for another 20
moves!
21 .. d2 lDc7
22 .i.al 1De6
23 lDd5 gS+
24 Φh5 lDg7+
25 φh6 lDf5+
26 Φh5 .. bl (111)
Threatening mate ίη two: 27 ... lDg7+ (or 27 ... lDg3+) and
28 ... "g6 mate.

111
W
 Opening αnd Cleαring Lines 119

27 ..i.d3! 'iWxhl
28 ..i.xe5 fe
29 h3 ~ι7+
30 Φχι5
Οη 30 Φh6 Black would play 30 .. , ..i.xh3.
30 'iWh2
31 'iWel .ι:tf6!
The win is not easy, even with an extra rook!
Now after 32 ιQxf6+ Black would take the knight also with
check - 31 ... gf+, and then the following vaήatίοη would even
be possible: 33 Φχf6 .f4+ 34 Φe7 ..f8 mate.
32 .txh7 + ΦΧb7
33 'iWh4+ Φι8
34 lLIxf6+ ef+
Black's big lead ίηmaterial does eventually tell.
35 Φι6 ..i.f5+
36 <i'xf6 .ι:tf8+
37 Φe7 'iWgl
38 'iWf2 'iWcl
39 Φd6 'iWxc4
40 c7 .ι:tf6+
White resigned
7 Exploiting the Back Rank
The main motif revolving around mating combinations οη the
back rank is its vulnerabίlity. This usually shows υρ when the.
king has ηο escape-hole and when the back rank is inadequately
defended - as a result either of backward development or of the
defenders being too remote from the theatre of operations. Αη
additional factor ίη tactics οη the back rank is often the presence
of a well-advanced pawn with the potential to promote into a
piece (112):
Alekhine-Nestor
Trinidad 1939

112
W

1 :tc8! :txc8
Νοι 1 ... 'iVxd7, because of 2 'iVf8+! - the 'X-ray"
2 'iVe7!! Black resigned
There is ηο defence against 3 1Wxe6 or 3 d8('iV)+.

Game Νο. 37
Gligoric-Schmidt
Bath 1973
1 d4 ltJf6
2 c4 g6
 Exploiting the Back Rank 121

3 ltJc3 d5
4 cd ltJxd5
5 e4 ltJxc3
6 bc ~ι7
7 ..tc4 c5
8 ltJe2 0-0
9 ο-ο ltJc6
10 ~e3 cd
11 cd ltJa5?!
Α retum to an old line? Black declίnes to play the usual
intermediate manoeuvre 11 ... ..tg4, introduced into practice by
Tolush as long ago as 1944.
12 ~d3 ltJc6
Of course, after 12 ... ~e6 13 d5! ~xal 14 1Wxal White has
a very strong attack. E.g. 14 ... f6 15 ~h6 :e8 16 lLIf4 ~d7 17
e5 a6 18 e6 ..tb5 19 ..txg6! hg 20 1Wbl Ι5 21 1Wal, leading to
mate. The idea of the move played is to provoke 13 d5, after which
Black gets an excellent position with 13 ... ltJe5!
13 ..tb5!
But this is the point: White gains a tempo.
13 ~ι4
14 f3 ~d7
15 :bl lLIa5
16 ~d3
White's fourth move with this bishop, and again a good one:
the black knight remains out of play.
16 :c8
17 d5 b6
18 ~θ6 :c7
19 1Wd3
Taking away the square c4 from the black knight.
19 ltJb7
20 ..tf4 ltJd6
21 e5?!
The prelude to a bold queen sacrifice; but this whole combination
was far from necessary. The quiet 21 : bcl would have guaranteed
White a lasting advantage, as ίι would have been very difficult for
Black Ιο get any counterplay.
21 ..tf5 (113)
122 Exploiting the Bαck Rαnk

113
W

22 ed
Otherwise Black may seize the initiative, as, for example, after
22 1Wb3 ~b7!
22 .i.xd3
23 dc 1Wxd5
24 .i.xd3
Νοι 24 :bdl because of 24 ... 1Wc5+.
24 1Wxd3 (114)

114
W

25 :bdl!
White does ηοΙ mind giving up his knight as well, ίη order Ιο
ρenetrate onto the eighth rank.
25 1Wxe2
26 :td8
As Gligoric himself later observed, at the cost of great 10ss of
mateήal White has obtained as much as he possibly can, but he
still does not have a winning position. Such are the consequences
of his impulsive 21st move.
 Exploiting the Back Rαnk 123

26 e5?
The very first mistake ίη this new situation tums out to be
decisive. Black vοluntaήlΥ shuts his bishop out οί the game.
Instead he should have played 26 ... _c4 27 :cl 8'xf428 :xf8+
(28 c8(8') .*.d4+) 28 ... .*.xf8 29 c8(_) _d6, when he would have
had excellent drawing chances.
27 .*.d2
Now it becomes clear that Black has merely facilitated the
transfer of the white bishop to a good position.
27 _a6
28.*.Μ _c4 (115)

115
W

Now White does not have the move :cl, but there are other
possibilities.
29 .*.xf8 _xc7
30 .*.xe7+!
The white bishop is performing miracles.
30 :t.f8
31 :xf8+ Φι?
32 :e8!
The interaction of the white pieces is quite superb.
32 _d7
33 .*.f8+ ΦΙ6
34 :a8 _d4+
35 ΦhΙ vd3
36 :gl
Whi1e's big lead ίη mateήaΙ must tell.
36 _a6
37 83 _b7
124 Exploiting the Back Rank

38 :d8 hS
39 :gdl φgS
40 :8d7 .. c6
41 :xa7 ί6, and Black resigned

Game Νο. 38
Razuvaev-Dvoiris
Krasnodar 1983
Ι d4 ltJf6
2 c4 g6
3 ltJc3 dS
4 cd ltJxdS
5 e4 ltJxc3
6 bc J..g7
7 ltJf3 cS
8 J..e3
Α quiet developing move. White is, as it were, inviting Black to
go into an ending after 8 '" "a5 9 .. d2 cd 10 cd .. xd2+.
8 "aS
9 .. d2 ltJc6
The transition Ιο an ending would ηοΙ present Black with any
particular difficulties. Οη the other hand, the move ίο the game
leads Ιο sharp complίcations.
10 :bl ο-ο
Black is ready Ιο sacrifice his queen.
11 :bS cd (116)

116
W
 Exploiting the Back Rank 125

12 'l:xa5 de
13 'ifxe3 lDxa5
Many theoreticians and commentators have supposed that
Black has sufficient compensation for his sacήficed mateήal. But
even SO, a queen is a queen!
14 lDd4 b6
15 .*.e2 .*.b7
16 ο-ο
White develops his pieces ίη the simplest fashion.
16 .l:fc8
One of Black's trumps is the half-open c-file.
17 Ι4 .l:c5
Of course, stronger was 17 ... lDc4, after which ίι would have
been entirely possible Ιο repeat moves: 18 'ifd3 lDb2 19 'ifd2 lDc4
20 'ifd3 lDb2.
18 e5 .l:ac8
19 .l:cl lDc4
Now this manoeuvre is ηοΙ so effective, since the white queen
has greater freedom of movement.
20 1Wh3 e6 (117)

117
W

21 lDxe6!
White seizes the initiative and forces Black οηΙο the defensive.
21 fe
22 'ifxe6+ φh8
23 .l:dl lDe3
24 .l:d7 .*.d5
25 'ife7 lDf5
126 Exploiting the Bαck Rank

It would seem that Black has done everything correctly: he has

successfully deployed his minor pieces, taking away squares οη
the sixth and seventh ranks from the white queen. But he has not
managed to prevent the occupation of the eighth rank.
26 :d8+ .tg8
27 "ire8! (118)

118
Β

The black bishops are completely tied υρ and unable to take

an active part ίη the game.
27 :xd8
28 "irxd8 :d5
29 "ire8 g5
This loses by force, but Black's position was already very
difficult: οη 29 ... liJh6 White would have played 30 h4!, depriving
the black pieces of useful moves.
30 .tc4 :dl+
31 φΙ2 fΔe7
32 Ι5 fΔd5
33 g4 Black resigned
His pieces are paralysed and he is ίη Zugzwαng.

Game Νο. 39
Khalifman-Khenkίn
Leningrad 1989
1 d4 lί:IΙ6
2 c4 ι6
3 fΔΙ3 .tg7
4 liJc3 d5
5 cd lί:Ixd5
6 e4 lί:Ixc3
 Exploiting the Bαck Rαnk 127

7 bc c5
8.l:tbl ο-ο
9-'.e2
Αι the time when this game was played, this formation for
White was making the most seήοus claim Ιο be a refutation of
the GrϋnfeΙd Defence.
9 ~c6
10 d5 ~e5
There aren't many players who would wish Ιο capture the pawn
οη c3 (even with check!). After 10 ... -'.xc3+ 11 -'.d2 -'.xd2+
12 'ifxd2 ~a5 13 h4 Black has very ροοτ prospects (see Game 20:
Brenninkmeijer-Tukmakov).
11 ~xe5 -'.xe5
12 'ifd2 b6
13 Ι4 -'.g7
Ιη Game 8 (ΜcCambήdge-Ηjartarsοη) Black played 13 ...
-'.h8.
14 c4 e6
Νοι long before this game was played Ftacnik had chosen 14
. .. e5 ίη two encounters, but without managing Ιο equalise:
Epishin-Ftacnik, Belgrade 1988, continued: 15 ο-ο ef 16 'ifxf4
-'.d4+ 17 -'.e3 -'.xe3+ 18 'ifxe3 'ife7 19 'iff4 (a still stronger
continuation was pointed out by Epishin: 19 e5! .l:te8 20 e6 fe 21
-'.f3) 19 .,. f6 20 a4! with better play for White; the game Gelfand-
Ftacnik, Debrecen 1989, also favoured White: 15 ο-ο f5 16 -'.b2
'ifd6 17 'ifc3 1:e8.
15 -'.b2 -'.xb2
16 1:xb2 1:e8
17 e5 ..tb7
18 ο-ο ed
19 ..tf3 Ι6
20 1:el fe (119)
Kudzhma-Khenkin, Kramatorsk 1988, continued 21 .l:txe5?!
'iff6, leading Ιο a position where it is White who may have
problems.
21 fe! 'ifc7
22 ..txd5+ ..txc15
23 'ifxcl5+ ~g7
24 e6 J:Σad8
25 1IFf3 J:Σe7
128 Exploiting the Bαck Rαnk

119
W

Black had the opportunity of blockading the pawn with 25 ...

iie7, but this would not have changed the overall situation: after
26 : be2 White's position would undoubtedly be superior.
26 :f2 iid6
27 iif6+ Φι8
28 iig5!
This very precise move casts doubt οη Black's formation. The
point is that the immediate 28 h4 :de8 would compel White to
content himself with a draw: 29 iif7+ φh8 30 iif6+. But now
οη 28 ... :de8 White would play 29 iid5!

28 <t;g7
29 iif6+ <t;g8
30 iig5 <t;g7
31 h4!
Having repeated moves ίη time-trouble, White launches a
strong offensive.
31 :de8
32 iid5 :d8
33 iig5 :de8
34:d2 iic6?
Allowing the white queen to get an excellent position, and giving
White the opportunity to prepare a very powerful tactical blow.
Black should have played 34 ... iic7, when 35 h5 :Ιχe6 36 :xe6
:xe6 37 h6+ <t;f8 38 :d8+ <t;f7 39 iid5 iig3 wouId have led
to an unclear position.
35 iie5+ Φι8 (120)
 Exploiting the Bαck Rαnk 129

120
W

36 nd7!
Now Black's pieces are completely tied down and the game will
be over ίη a few more moves. It would be bad for Black Ιο play
36 ... nxd7 37 ed nd8, ίη view of 38 'ife8+.
36 bS
37 cb 'ifxbS
38 hS 'ifb6
39 nxe7 nxe7
40 h6!
This robs the black king of an important square.
40 c4+
41 ΦhΙ 'ifd8
42 J:ιbl nc7 (121)

121
W

43 'iff4!
White is ηο longer bearing down οη the g7-square, but he
creates the irresistible threat of e6-e7. Ιη attempting Ιο eliminate
this danger, Black allows another elegant blow.
130 Exploiting the Back Rank

The spectacular 43 1Wd5 was tempting, but after 43 ... :c8

Black would have repelled the main threats.
43 gS
44 1WxgS+ Black resigned
After the black queen is deflected from the defence of the back
rank, it will be mate.

Game Νο. 40
Belyavsky-Kasparov
Belfort 1988
1 d4 iί:If6
2 c4 g6
3 ι!i)c3 dS
4 ι!i)Ι3 j.g7
5 1Wb3 dc
6 1Wxc4 0-0
7 e4 iί:Ia6
For notes οη this variation, see Game 46: Karpov-Kasparov.
8 j.e2 cS
9 d5 e6
10 j.gS
Usually White plays 10 ο-ο here (as ίη Karpov-Kasparov). The
tempting 10 d6 achieves nothing, because of 10 ... e5! 11 ι!i)xe5
1Wxd6.
10 ed
Frequently seen ίη practice is 10 ... h6. After 11 j.xf6 j.xf6
12 e5 ed 13 ι!i)xd5 j.g7 14 :dl Black must play accurately ίη
order to maintaίn the equilibrium: 14 ... 1Wa5+ 15 φf1 j.e6 16
ι!i)e7+ 'iPh7 17 1We4 1Wb4! 18 j.d3 1Wxe4 19 j.xe4 :ad8. It is
curious that the natural move 17 ... :fd8 leads to immediate
disaster: 18 ι!i)g5+!! hg 19 h4 g4 20 h5 ':xdl+ 21 j.xdl j.h6
22 hg+ 'iPg7 23 :xh6! <ϊPxh6 24 1Wf4+! (Evenatov-Gurvic, corr.
1969-70).
11 ι!i)xd5 ie6
12 0-6-0
Weaker is 12 :dl, since Black can reply 12 ... 1Wa5+, and then
repetition is possible: 13 id2 W'd8 14 j.g5 1Wa5+ etc.
12 ixdS
13 :xd5 (122)
White also maintains some advantage after 13 ed. The central
 Exploiting the Bαck Rαnk 131

passed pawn. supported by the rook and two bishops, would pose
serious problems for Black.

122
Β

13 .. b6
14 ~xf6 "xf6
Black has decided to take advantage of the opportunity to
transfer his queen to a better square.
15 e5 .. f5
16 ~d3 "c8
17 J:(dl?
Analysis later showed that White could have achieved a con-
siderable advantage with 17 J:(d6! E.g. 17 .,' ιtJb4 18 ~e4 J:(b8
19 a3 ιtJc6 20 e6; or 17 ... b5 18 .. h4 c4 19 ~e4,
17 b5
18 .. h4 ιtJM (123)

123
W

White had been aiming for this position. having the following
tactical operation ίη mind.
19 ~xι6?! fg
132 Exploiting the Bαck Rank

It wou1d be bad for Black Ιο play 19 ... hg, ίη view οί 20 ιt:Ig5

':e821 ':d7.
20 .:d7
One gets the impression that White's tactical play has been
entirely correct. After the natural 20 ... ιt:Ic6 there would follow
21 .: ld6 .: b8 22 ιt:Ig5 h6 23 1Ifxh6!! .i.xh6 24 ':xg6+ φh8 25
.:h7 mate. Black would achieve nothing by sacήficίηg theexchange
with 20 ... ':xf3. Nevertheless Black does have a bήΙΙίaηt
refutation.
20 'i'e8!
21 ':e7 .i.h6+!
The οηlΥ move, but one which, οη first impression, seems οηlΥ
Ιο aggravate Black's position.
22 φbl (124)

124
Β

22 ':d8!
23 .:d6 1Ifc6!!
This is the point: the weakness οί White's back rank is decisive
nonetheless.
24 a3 ':xd6
25 ed 'ifxd6
26 ab cb
27 1Ife4 b3!
White resigned
Οη 28 1Ife6+ 1Ifxe6 29 ':xe6 there follows simply 29 ... ':c8
(again threatening mate) 30 ':el %Σc2 31 ιt:Id4 ':xf2 32 ιt:Ixb3 .i.g7
and White loses a lot οί pawns.
8 Combining Tactical Ideas
Ιη practical play one only rarely comes across examples where
one tactical idea is seen ίη isolation from all the others. More
often than ηοΙ, the struggle over the board throws up positions
where the vaήοus tactical motifs which we have discussed are seen
simultaneously. Ιη this chapter we consider these cases.

Game Νο. 41
Furman-Smyslov
USSR Ch. 1949
1 d4 lί)Ι6
2 c4 g6
3 lί)c3 d5
4 cd lί)xd5
5 e4 lί)xc3
6 bc c5
7 ~c4 ~g7
8 lί)e2 cd
9 cd lί)c6
10 ~e3 ο-ο
11 ο-ο Μ?!
Α move which is rarely adopted, but White needs to play very
forcefully to refute ίι
12 %lcl .tb7
13 .tb5!
Αη excellent manoeuvre: White wishes to oust the black knight
from the square c6, so that Black cannot play .,. lί)e5 ίη reply to
d5.
13 %lc8
14 1Wa4 lί)a5
The knight has Ιο move away, since οη 14 ... 'iWd6 there would
follow 15 e5 1Wd7 16 d5! 1Wxd5 17 lί)f4! 1Wd7 18 :fdl "ti'e8 19 lί)d5
134 Combining Tαcticαl ldeαs

~h8 20 IίJb4,
when White wins a piece.
15 d5
White has carried ουΙ his plan and now controls the key central
squares.
15 'i'd6
16 .td2!
White prevents the undermining move 16 ... e6, which could
now be met by 17 .t b4.
16 J:l.xcl
17 J:[xcl Ι5
18 .td7! 'i'e5 (125)

125
W

19 .tc3!
Α far from obvious pawn sacrifice, thanks Ιο which White
succeeds ηοΙ only ίη weakening Black's kingside but also ίη
nipping all Black's activity ίη the bud.
19 "ii'xe4
20 .te6+ ~h8
21 .txg7+ <otxg7
22 .a3. "ii'h4
23 J:[c7 <oth8
Playing 23 ... J:[e8 would ηοΙ help, because of 24 g3 "ii'f6 25
IίJf4 ~h8 26 h4, when Black has ηο useful moves.
24 ':xe7 .f6
25 J:[ c7 .ta6
26 IίJΙ4
With the most unpleasant threat of 27 IίJxg6+ hg (27 ...• xg6
28 .xf8+) 28 .h3+.
26 "iVa)+
27 J:[cl "iVg7
28 J:[c3
 Combining Tacticαl ldeαs 135

Again the threat is 29 ltJxg6+ hg 30 .l:h3+.

28 .l:d8
29 "it"b2!! (126)

126
Β

Α brilliant move. The white queen lurks ready to attack. and

again the threat is 30 ltJxg6+. but this time with other ideas: οη
30 ... "it"xg6 there would now follow 31 .l:c7+ (or 31 .l:c8+).
29 ltJc4
The οηlΥ defence.
30 ltJxg6+
This move has finally happened.
30 "it"xg6
31 .l:xc4+ 'iig7
32 "it"xg7+ φχg7
33 .l:c7+ φf6
34 f4 .td3
35 .l:xa7 .te4
36 h3 h5
37 .l:a6
As a result of his spectacular attack White has reached an
endgame with two extra pawns, and he won ση move 55.
This game was awarded a brilliancy prize and was published
ίη all the chess journals.

Game Νο. 42
Geller-Smyslov
Moscow Ct 1965
1 d4 ltJf6
2 c4 g6
/36 Combining Tactίcal ldeas

3 llΊc3 d5
4 cd llΊxd5
5 e4 llΊxc3
6 bc J.g7
7 J.c4 c5
8 llΊe2 ο-ο
9 ο-ο llΊc6
10 .te3 'fic7
11 .:ιcΙ .:ιd8
12 (4 e6
Theoretically the most sound reply is 12 ... J.g4, when 13 f5
gf 14 h3 leads Ιο interesting compHcations; the curious sacrifice
14 .txf7+?! has also been played, but Black gets an advantage
after 14 ... ΦΧf7 15 'fib3+ e6 16 llΊf4 'fid7 17 ef llΊa5 18 'fixe6+
(ίι would be a mistake Ιο play 18 fe+ J.xe6 19 llΊxe6, because of
19 ... Φg8, when White remains a piece down) 18 ... 'fixe6 19
llΊxe6 cd! 20 llΊxd8+ .:ιΧd8 21 cd llΊc6!
13 φhΙ
White achieves nothing with 13 g4; by continuing 13 ... b6 14
'fiel llΊa5 15 J.d3 f5 16 gf ef 17 ef gf 18 'fih4 J.b7 Black gets an
excellent game (Toth-Riblί, 1967). White cannot hope for an
advantage either after 13 .:ιf3 llΊa5 14 .td3 c4 15 .tc2 f5! 16 1IVel
'fie7! (preventing 17 'fih4).
13 b6? (127)
Of course, ίι is extremely risky for Black Ιο allow the white
f-pawn Ιο advance. More natural and logical was 13 ... llΊa5 14
J.d3 f5, οη the lines of Game 14: Gligoric-Smysloν.

127
W

14 (5 llΊa5
 Combining Tactical Ideas 137

It turns out that 14 ... ef 15 -*.g5 .Ι:Η8 16 d5, followed by 17

d6, is unpIeasant for Black.
15 -*.d3 ef
16 ef .t.b7
17 1Wd2
Less promising for White is 17 -*.g5 .l:!.e8 18 ιDf4 cd 19 cd 'i'd6
20 'i'g4, because of 20 ... :tac8 21 :tcel 'i'xd4 22 fg hg 23 h4
ltJc4 (Razuvaev-Haag, Polanica Zdroj 1972).
17 :te8
18 ltJg3 1Wc6
19 :tf2 :tad8
The tempting 19 ... .l:!.xe3 20 1Wxe3 cd 21 1Wf4 (but not 21 cd
.i.xd4!) 21 ... dc would lead to an advantage for White after 22
f6 -*.f8 23 ltJf5! (with the unpleasant threat of 24 ltJh6+).
20 -*.h6 .t.h8
21 1Wf4 :td7
22 ltJe4 c4
Αη unfortunate move; Black removes the pawn tension ίη the
centre and also deprives the miserable knight οη a5 of its last
chance to get into the game. More promising was 22 ... 1Wc7 23
.l:!.e1 -*.xe4 (but not 23 ... 1Wxf4 because of 24 ltJf6+) 24 :txe4
:txe4 25 1Wxe4 :td8.
23 -*.c2 :tde7
24 .l:!.cfl!
The prelude to a beautiful attack; not so clear was 24 fg hg 25
-*.g5 f5 26 -*.xe7 :txe7 27 1Wb8+ Φg7.
24 :txe4 (128)

128
W

25 fg!!
138 Combining Tactical Ideas

Α bήΙΙίaηt combination. Οη 25 ... :xf4 White plays 26 gh

mate, and if 25 ... 'ifxg6 then 26 'ifxf7+ "xf7 27 :xf7 with the
threat of 28 1:ιf8+, and the οηlΥ defence 27 ... :e1 allows the
immediate 28 .txh7 mate.
25 f6 (129)

129
W

26 1Wg5!!
Another bήΙΙίaηt move. The threat is 27 g7, and Black cannot
play 26 ... fg because of 27 :f8+ :xf828 :xf8 mate.
26 'ifd7
27 φgΙ
Taking advantage ofthe fact that Black is totally helpless, White
eliminates any possibility of being mated οη the back rank.
27 .tg7
28 :xf6 J:tg4
Νο better was 28 ... .txf6 29 'ifxf6 hg 30 'ifxg6+ φh8 31
.tg5 :4e6 32 .tf6+ :xf6 33 :xf6.
29 gh+ ~h8
30 .txg7 + W'xg7
31 'ifxg4! Black resigned
Οη 31 ... 'ifxg4 there would follow 32 :f8+ :xf8 33 :xf8+
φg7 34 h8('if) mate.

Game Νο. 43
Vyzhmanavin-Nikolenko
Moscow 1987
1 d4 ι!ίΊΙ6
2 c4 g6
 Combining Tactical Ι deαs 139

3 lί:Ic3 dS
4 cd lί:Ixd5
5 e4 lί:Ixc3
6 bc ~g7
7 ~c4 c5
8 lί:Ie2 ο-ο
9 ο-ο lί:Ic6
10 ~e3 'fic7
11 :cI J:rd8
12 ~f4
Ιη recent years this move has become the most popular (see
Game 25: Naumkin-Vakhidov).
12 'fid7
13 d5 lί:IB5
14 -*.d3 b6
14 ... b5 occurred ίη Game 25 (Naumkin-Vakhidov).
15 -*.g5!?
Another way of fighting for the advantage is 15 c4 e5 16 -*.d2
lί:Ib7 17 a4 lί:Id6 18 lί:Ic3.
15 h6
16 ~e3 e6
Ιη the event of 16 ... e5 White plays 17 c4 ~a6 18 'fid2 ~h7
19 f4 with attacking chances.
17 c4 -*.a6
18 lί:If4
White is 'insisting' that Black move his e-pawn.
18 e5
19 lί:Ie2 lί:Ib7
20 'fid2 h5
21 -*.h6
Worthy of consideration was 21 f4.
21 -*.f6?
After 21 ... f6 22 -*.xg7 ~xg7 23 f4 iIe7 Black would have
maintained the equilίbrium.
22 (4 lί:Id6
23 (5 iIe7
24 fg fg (130)
25 J:rxf6! 'fixf6
26 :0 'fih4
140 Combining Tαcticαlldeαs

130
W

Οη 26 ... "W/e7 White plays 27 .tg5 "W/h7 (if 27 ... lIg7 then 28
.tf6) 28 .txd8 :xd8 29 "W/g5 with a considerable advantage.
27 lίIg3?
White wrongly rejects the forced variation 27 .tg5 lίIxe4 28
.txd8! "W/xh2+! 29 ΦΧh2 lίIxd2 30 J:td1 e4 31 .tc2 lίIxc4 32
.tg5 lίIa3 33 .txe4! .txe2 34 :e1, as a result of which he would
have had good winning chances, despite his two-pawn deficit.
27 lίIΙ7?! (131)
And now Black misses a draw: 27 ... .txc4! 28 .tg5 "W/g4
29 :f6 .txd3 30 .ι:ι.χg6+ φf7 31 ':f6+ φg8, when White has
nothing more than perpetual check.

131
W

28 .ι:ι. χΙ7! φχΙ7

29 .tgS "W/g4
30 .te2 "W/d7
31 "W/c3! :e8 (132)
The impression is that White's attack has been stifled. So he
decides not to confine himself just to a double eχchange-sacήfice
 Combining Tαcticalldeas 141

and, ίη order to keep the fire of the attack going, throws another
piece into it!

132
W

32 .txh5!! gh
33 'iVf3+ Φg8
34 lί::Ixh5 :Ι8
35 'iVg3 Φh7
If 35 ... Φf7 then 36 'iVxe5 is unpleasant.
36 'iV h4 Φ g6?
Better was 36 ... Φg8, when after 37 'iVg3 Φh7 38 lί::If6+ .l:ιxf6
39 .txf6 'iVf7 the game ends ίη perpetual check.
37 .te7! ΔΙ7
It would appear that Black's game is now quite ίη order and
that White has nothing better than 38 'iVg5+ Φh7 39 lί::If6+ Δχf6
40 .txf6 'iVf7 41 .h4+ with perpetual check. But Black is ίη for
a horrible surprise.
38 lί::IΙ6!! (l33)Black resigned

133
Β
142 Combining Tacticαl Ideαs

Α quite brilliant finish! The following variation is exceptionally

beautiful: 38 ... 'fIxe7 39 'fIh5+ ΦΧf6 (or 39 ... Φg7 40 'fIh7+)
40 'fIh6 mate. It would be ηο better to play 38 ... .I:1xf6, because
of 39 Wxf6+ Φh7 40 'fIf7+ Φh641 h4.

Game Νο. 44
Komarov-Karasev
Leningrαd 1989
1 d4 lLIf6
2 c4 g6
3 lLIc3 d5
4 cd lLIxd5
5 e4 lLIxc3
6 bc .*.g7
7 lLIf3 c5
8 .I:1bl ο-ο
9 .*.e2 cd
10 cd 'W'a5+
For comments οη this fashionable gambit continuation see the
notes to Games 15 and 30.
11 .*.d2 'fIxa2
12 ο-ο 'fIe6
13 'fIc2
This looks more solid than 13 ΙOg5.
13 'W'c6
14 'fId3!
Α move suggested by Khalifman and adopted for the first time
ίη this game.
14 b6
15 d5 'fId7
Ιη the first fifteen moves Black has made five with his queen!
16 .I:1fcl1
Α much more unpleasant move for Black seems to be 16 'fIa3!,
threatening 17 .I:1xb6 and also taking aim at the pawn οη e7.
Besides, this continuation would not have allowed the freeing
move 16 ... .*.a6.
16 .*.a6
17 'ife3 .*.xe2
18 Wxe2 a5?! (134)
 Combining Tactical 1deαs 143

Having exchanged his 'weak' bishop, Black has gained ίη

confidence and is ready Ιο force the action. Now after the natural
19 J:txb6 Black plays 19 ... a4, and if 20 i.c3 then 20 ... ':c8!'
But, as subsequent events show, a stronger continuation was 18
... 1Vb7 19 i.f4 ~a6, when White would not have adequate
compensation for the pawn.

134
W

19 .i.c3 .i.xc3
20 ':xc3 a4
21 1Ve3! ':c8 (135)

/35
W

22 W'h6!
It tums out that 22 . " J:txc3 would be bad, because of 23 ll\g5
e624 .. x:h7+ ~f8 25 1i'h8+ φe7 26 1Vx:c3 with attacking chances
for White.
22 (6
23 .1:1. xc8+ 'iFxc8
24 ~d4 1V(8
144 Combining Tactical Ideas

Ιι is unlikely that 24 ... Φh8 25 lLIe6 W'g8 was any better, as

after 26 W'f4 a very complicated position would have arisen.
25 W'cl W'e8
Νοι 25 ... a3? 26 lLIe6 'iFe8 27 lLIc7; Black would get a difficult
endgame after 25 ... lLId7 26 lLIe6 :'c8 (ηο better would be 26 ...
W'f7 27 W'c6 :'a7 28 W'c8+ lLIf8 29 :'xb6) 27 lLIxf8 :'xcl+ 28
:'xcl ΦΧf8 29 f3.
26 .!be6 lLIa6
27 :'xb6 a3!
28 'ifh6
After 28 W'xa3 Black would have the reply 28 ... lLIc5, practically
equalising by exploiting the fact that the back rank is undefended.
28 W'f7
29 1Wcl
Α reρetition of moves ιο gain time.
29 W'e8
Black would lose after 29 ... a2, because of 30 :'xa6 :'xa6 31
W'c8+.
30 :'bl! :.b8
Ιη the event of 30 ... a2 31 :al tι\b4 32 tι\c7 W'c8 33 lLIxa8
W'xcl+ 34 :'xcllL1c2 35 f4 al(W') 36 %lxal tι\xal 37 Φf2 White's
advantage is decisive.
31 :'al W'a4? (136)
Perhaps the best line for Black was 31 ... W'b5 32 :'xa3 W'bl
33 :'al, when he would have had to go ίηΙΟ a rather unattractive
ending. With his move ίη the game Black defends the pawn οη a3
(οη 32 :'xa3 he can play 32 ... 1Wxa3), but he overlooks an
elementary tactical trick.

136
W
 Combining Tαcticalldeαs 145

32 'it'h6 rJ;f7
33 'it'xh7+ rJ;e8
34 'it'g8+ rJ;d7
35 'iFxb8! Black resigned

Game Νο. 45
Ubilava-Kengis
Kiev 1984
Ι d4 tZIf6
2 c4 g6
3 tZIc3 d5
4 tZIf3 ;'g7
5 'it'a4+
The main idea behind this move is that after 5 ... c6 or 5 '"
tZIc6 it is difficult for Black to play the freeing advance of his
c-pawn which is so characteήstίc of the GrϋηfeΙd Defence.
5 ;.d7!
The best continuation, after which Black gets good chances Ιο
create counterplay. Now Black can transpose to the main lines of
the Russian System, ίη some cases exploiting his extra tempo.
6 'it'b3 dc
W orthy of consideration is 6 ... ;'c6, which prevents the central
e4-advance but gives White a freer game: 7 ;.f4 dc 8 'it'xc4 ο-ο
9 e3 tZIbd7 10 ;'e2 e6 11 ο-ο tZIb6 12 'iFb3.
7 'it'xc4
It would be bad to play 7 'it'xb7 because of 7 ... tZIc6!; after 8
;.f4 :b8 9 'it'xc'} 'it'xc7 10 ;'xc7 :xb2 11 e3 ο-ο 12 .l:l.c1 :c8
13 ;'g3 tZIb4 Black has an undoubted advantage.
7 ο-ο
8 ε4 (137)

137
Β
146 Combining Tαcticαl Ideαs

8 b5!?
Α fundamental decision: by playing 8 ... .1g4 Black could havc
transposed Ιο the Smyslov ν ariation, but he attempts Ιο make
use of the tempo gained when he moved his bishop Ιο d7.
9 1Wb3
White has decided ηοΙ to take ήsks, since ίη the event of 9
lDxb5 lfjxe4 10 lDxc7 lDc6 11 lDxa8 'l'a5+ 12 .1d2 lDxd2 13 lDxd2
lDxd4 Black's initiative is Ιοο dangerous.
9 c5!
10 dc
Here too the capture of the pawn οη b5 would not be very
promising for White: 10 .1xb5 .txb5 11 lDxb5 (11 'l'xb5 cd 12
1Wb7 dc 13 1Wxa8 'l'b6 would be quite bad) 11 ... lDxe4 12 ο-ο cd
13 1Wc4 llId6 14 'l'd5 llId7 15 lDbxd4 lDb6 16 1Wb3 lDbc4 17 .Ω.dΙ
'l'd7 (Anikaev-Malishauskas, Klaipeda 1983). Another possibility
is 10 e5?!, when 10 ... lDg4 11 .txb5 cd 12 lDxd4 .1xb5 13 lDdxb5
a6 14 lDa3 1Wd4! leads Ιο an advantage for Black (Hίibner­
Kasparov, Brussels 1986).
10 lDa6
11 e5 lDg4!
Moiseev-Honfi, Moscow 1970, continued: 11 ... lDxc5 12 'l'b4
lDa6 13 ... d4 with an inferior position for Black.
12 h3
Tempting was 12 e6?!, but 12 ... .txe6! 13 "'xb5 lDc7 would
lead to an advantage for Black.
12 lDxe5
13 lL!xe5 .txe5
14 .te3
Again 14 .txb5 would not be good, as Black would play 14 ...
.1xc3+ 15 bc lDxc5 16 1Wc4 .txb5, after which the white king
gets stuck ίη the centre.
14 .Ω.c8
15 .Ω.dΙ lL!xc5
16 "'a3?! (138)
It was necessary Ιο play 16 ... d5 .td6 17 .1xb5 .txb5 18
.1xc5 (but ηοΙ 18 lL!xb5 1Wa5+ 19 lbc3 ... a6) 18 ... .Ω.χc5 19 "'xc5
.txc5 20 .Ω.Χd8 .Ω.χd8 21 lL!xb5 .tb4+ 22 lL!c3 with equality.
16 lL!a4!
17 lL!xb5
Interesting play could have aήsen ίη the event of 17 .1xb5:
 Combining Tacticalldeas 147

138
Β

either the 'quiet' 17 ... ~xc3 18 J:l.xd7 ~xb5 19 JΣ.xd8 ~xa3 20

J:l.xc8 JΣ.xc8 21 ba J:l.c2 with a better ending for Black, οι an
enterprising queen sacήfice: 17 ... ..txc3+!? 18 bc ..txb5 19 J:l.xd8
J:I. fxd8 20 ..td4 a6!, resulting ίη a position ίη which ίι is ηοΙ clear
how White can repel the threat of 21 ... J:l.xd4 and 22 ... :Ιc3.
17 ~xb2
18 J:l.d5 (139)

139
Β

18 J:l.c2!
This threatens 19 ... ..txb5, with a real threat of mate οη dl;
after 19 .,b3 rather unpleasant for White would be 19 ... "a5+
20 ..td2 J:l.xd2! 21 J:l.xd2 ..tf422 "irxb2 J.xb5 with a big advantage
for Black.
19 ~d4 ..txd4
20 J:l.xd4 "c7
21 ..te2?
Αη oversight ίη an inferior position. Only with the following
sequence ofmoves could White have staved offimmediate defeat:
21 ..ta6! e5 22 ..th6! J:l.e8 23 J:l.xd7 1i'xd7 24 ο-ο.
148 Combining Tαcticαl 1deαs

21 e5
22 1:td6
Practically forced.
22 J:txe2+!
23 ""xe2 .i.b5+
24 ""f3 ll\c4
25 1i'c5 (140)

140
Β

25 e4+!
Whi te resigned
If 26 <bxe4 or 26 <be2 then 26 ... ll\xd6+, and if 26 <bg3 or
26 <bf4, then 26 ... 1i'xd6+. Νο use either was 26 <bg4, because
of 26 ... ll\xe3+ 27 1i'xe3 1i'xd6.

Game Νο. 46
Karpov-Kasparov
World Ch., Leningrαd (19) 1986
1 d4 li)f6
2 c4 g6
3 li)c3 d5
4 li)f3 .i.g7
5 1Wb3 dc
6 1i'xc4 ο-ο
7 e4 li)a6
This move was introduced ίηΙο practice by Ragozin ίη 1935.
The main idea is to prepare to undermine Whίte's pawn centre
with ... c5, but the principaI defect is the awkward position of the
knight οη a6.
 Combining Tαcticalldeas 149

8 .t.e2 c5
9 d5
AIso quite good is 9 dc.
9 e6
10 ο-ο ed
ιι ed .i.f5
12 .t.f4 :te8
13 :tadl lί:Ie4 (141)

141
W

Α νery interesting position, foreshadowing sharp piece play

where much will depend οη whether White can make use of his
trump - his central passed pawn. Practice has shown that if White
plays passiνely then Black can easily seize the initiatiνe. E.g. 14
J.e3 tί)d6 15 'iVa4 tί)c7 16 .i.d3 J.xd3 17 :'xd3 b5 (Dubinin-
Smrcka, corr. 1970/72).
14 tί)b5!
Ιη order to secure control of the square d6 White sacrifices his
pawn οη b2, which, howeνer, Black sensibly declines Ιο capture,
as 15 d6 would hardly be νery pleasant for him.
14 'iVf6
15 J.d3 tί)M?!
Black rejects the quiet 15 ... .i.d7 16 .i.e5 1Ifb6 17 1Ifxe4 .txb5
18 .i.xb5 1Ifxb5 19 d6, with a roughly equal position, and instead
hurls himself ίπΙο an abyss of endless complίcations.
16 tί)c7 tί)xd3
17 tί)xe8 :t xe8
18 1Ifxd3!
Οη 18 :txd3 Black had prepared 18 ... lί:Ixf2! 19 :Ιχf2 .txd3
20 1Ifxd3 1Ifxf4, with an adνantage.
150 Combining Tαcticαl Ideαs

18 'i'xb2 (142)
The impression is that Black has completely seized the initiative:
his active bishops, supported by his other pieces, control virtually
the entire board. He threatens both 19 ... ~c3 and 19 ... ~g3,
and the pawn οη a2 is hanging.

142
W

19 JΣde1!!
Α completely unexpected move, based primarily οη the pinning
motif. Ιη his notes Ιο this game Gufeld even gives this move three
exclamation marks!
19 "ifb4
After 19 ~f6 20 JΣxe8+ ~xe8 21 "ife3 Black has real
problems.
20 ~d2 "ifa4
The black queen now defends the rook οπ e8, and so the knight
οη e4 is free Ιο move.
21 "ifc4!
The tempting 21 ~xe4 JΣxe4 22 JΣxe4 ..txe4 23 "ifd2 would
have led Ιο a complicated position after 23 ... c4.
21 "ifxc4
22 ~xc4 ..tc3
23 ~d2!
At first sight this move could be taken for a blunder.
23 ..txd2
24 ..txd2 ..td7! (143)
What is White Ιο do now? The bishop is hanging and, moreover,
there is the threat οί 25 ... ..tb5. Surely this means that Black's
idea has succeeded?
 Combining Tαcticalldeαs 151

143
W

2S .i.f4!
This is the ροίηι It transpires that after the 'planned' 25 '"
.i.b5 26 f3 .ixfl 27 φχη ιtJf6 28 J:Σxe8+ ιtJxe8 White can play
29 .i.e5!!, and the d-pawn cannot be held back: 29 ... f6 would
ηοΙ help, because of 30 d6 fe 31 d7.
2S .i.bS
26 f3 gS!
Black finds one more interesting tactical possibility, with the
aim of driving the white bishop away from the diagonal h2-b8.
27 .i.xg5! .i.xfl
It turns out that after 27 ... ιtJxg5 White can play 28 J:Σxe8+
.ixe8 29 h4!, when the black knight has ηο retreat-squares.
28 φχπ ιtJd6
29 .i.e7 ιtJc8
Νο use either was 29 .,. ιtJc4 30 d6 ιtJb6 31 J:Σbl! (with the
threat of 32 J:Σxb6) 31 ... ιtJd7 32 J:Σxb7.
30 .i.xc5 J:Σd8
31 J:Σe5 f6
32:fS b6
33 .id4 ιtJe7
34 .i.xf6 J:Σ xdS
3S J:Σg5+!
Even ίη this winning position White has to play very accurately.
Instead of exchanging οη d5 and allowing the black knight Ιο
attack the bishop οη (6 with gain of tempo, White forces Black
Ιο lose a tempo by exchanging οη g5 himself (he cannot play 35
. " φf7 because of 36 .ixe7).
35 J:Σxg5
36 .ixg5 ιtJcti
152 Combining Tαcticαlldeαs

37 Φe2 Ι;;ΙΙ7
38 Φd3 Ι;;ΙΟΟ
39 Φc4 ~e5+
40 Φd4 ~c6+
41 ~c4 Black resigned
Αη exceptionally interesting game, full of the most varied tactical
ideas.
Game Νο. 47
Petrosian-Fischer
Buenos Aires Ct 1971
1 d4 ~Ι6
2 c4 g6
3 lί:!c3 d5
4 .*.f4 j,g7
5 e3
More precise is 5 lί:!f3 (see Game 21: Petrosian-Benko).
5 c5
The move 5 ... ο-ο is associated with a well-analysed sacrifice
of the pawn οη c7, ίη return for which Black as a rule gets a
dangerous initiative, see Game 3 (Α. Larsen-Nesis).
6 dc
Winning a pawn with 6 .*.xb8 J:txb8 7 'ifa4+ .td7 8 'ifxa7 is
hardly worth considering. After 8 ... cd 9 'ifxd4 ο-ο! 10 cd 'ifa5!
11 'ifd2 b5 12 .*.d3 b4 13 lί:!ce2 1Ifxd5 Black gets more than
adequate compensation (Donner-Gheorghiu, Amsterdam 1969).
6 'ii'a5
7 :cl
Α manoeuvre which is typical of such positions. White defends
his knight οη c3 and prepares ιο attack Black's queen after it
captures the pawn οη c5. White has πο better move: 7 'ifb3 dc 8
j,xc4 ο-ο 9 lί:!f3 ~e4 leads Ιο an equal middlegame; after 7
'ifa4+ 'ifxa4 8 lί:!xa4 lί:!e4 Black has quite good prospects ίη the
endgame. The continuation 7 cd lί:!xd5 8 'ifxd5 .txc3+ 9 bc
'ifxc3+ 10 ~e2 'ifxal 11 .*.e5 'ifbl! 12 .txh8 .*.e6 13 'ifd3
'ifxa2+ leads to wild complications.
7 lZΊe4!
The strongest reply. Ιπ the event of 7 ... ο-ο 8 cd :d8 White
obtains an advantage with 9 j,c4!; an alternative is 7 ... dc 8
.txc4 ο-ο 9 lί:!f3 ~c6 or 9 ... 'i'xc5 (see Game 48: Karpov-
Kasparov).
 Combining Tαcticαl Ideαs 153

8 cd tbxc3
9 1Wd2 'iFxa2
10 bc 'iFa5!
The exchange of queens (10 ... 'iFxd2+ 11 ΦΧd2) would lead
after 11 ... ιt)d7 12 .tb5 Ιο a difficult position for Black.
11 J.c4
The continuation 11 e4 1Wxc5 12 .te3 and 13 .td4 appears
strong, but Black has the reply 11 ... ιt)d7!
11 tbd7
12 .!l:Ie2
12 ιt)f3 was considered ίη Game 11 (Agzamov-Gulko).
12 .!l:Ie5
Better is 12 ... 1Wxc5. AIso worth cοηsίdeήηg is 12 ... ιt)xc5.
The telex game van Scheltinga-Mikhalchishin, 1978, continued:
13 f3 b5 14 .ta2 ο-ο 15 ο-ο, and after 15 ... e5 16 .tg5 f6 17
.th4 .td7 18 e4 :ac8 19 .tf2 :fd8 Black got a good game.
13 .ta2 .tf5?
Α strange move for Fischer to play, since ίι is totally unnecessary.
He should have played simply 13 ... 1Wxc5.
14 .txe5!
Ιη this particular situation such an exchange is very strong.
14 .txe5
15 .!l:Id4!
Now Black is ίη an unpleasant dilemma: either to remain a
pawn down, or Ιο allow the doubling of his pawns οη the f-file.
15 1Wxc5
This is what comes of dithering - Black could have taken this
pawn three moves ago.
16 ιt)xΙ5 gf
17 ο-ο
It turns out that the black king stuck ίη the centre is rather
uncomfortable; besides, the pawn οη f5 is weak.
17 1Wa5?! (144)
Another strange move; Black voluntarίly shifts his queen from
its excellent position ίη the centre Ιο the edge of the board. Worth
considering was 17 ... f4!, when after 18 ef .td6 Black could have
castled queenside.
18 1Wc2! Ι4
19 c4!
The correct reaction Ιο Black's 17th move.
154 Combining Tαcticαl 1deαs

144
W

19 fe
20 c5!
The key move ofthe whole game: White begins a forceful attack.
20 'ifd2
Bad for Black would be 20 ... ef+ 21 'ifxf2 ο-ο 22 .ibl.
21 'ifa4+ Φf8
22 ':cdl
White is ready Ιο sacrifice the exchange: 22 ... e2 23 ':xd2
.ixh2+ 24 wxh2 ef('if), after which he would get a decisive
attack with 25 d6. Also quite good would be the quiet 25 ':c2.
22 'ife2 (145)

145
W

23 d6!?
Afterwards Petrosian recommended 23 g3!, totally depriving
Black of any counterplay. Βυι now he had ιο contend with the
possibility of 23 ... .ixh2+ 24 ΦΧh2 'ifh5+ 25 ΦgΙ e2 26 de+
Φg7. After 27 ':d5! (ηοι 27 .:d3 because of 27 '" 'ilfhl+!! 28
ΦΧhΙ ef('iIf)+) White would have had a strong attack, but there
would stilI have been a long struggle ahead.
 Combining Tactical Ι deas 155

23 1Ii'h5
24 (4! e2
Black has to go ίη for winning the exchange, since 24 ... .tf6
25 :td5 would be utterly hopeless.
25 fe ed(W)
26 :txdl 1Ii'xe5
27 :tf1! (6
Somewhat better was 27 ... f5, although ίη this case the variation
28 1Ii'b3 e6 29 1Ii'xb7 'iWxc5+ 30 'iPhl J:te8 31 d7 J:td8 32 .txe6
would ηοΙ have offered Black many chances.
28 'iWb3 φg7
Black would also have 10st after 28 ... e6, because of the simple
29 'iWxb7.
29 'iWf7 + 'ith6
30 de (146)

146
Β

30 (5
There was already ηο way to save the game. E.g. 30 ... :t hg8
31 .tbl :tg6 32 .txg6 hg 33 1Ii'f8+, or 30 ... :tag8 31 .tbl,
threatening 32 .!:ιχf6.
31 J:txf5 'ifd4+
32 φhΙ Black resigned

Game Νο. 48
Karpov-Kasparov
World Ch., London (J 1) 1986
1 d4 tΔf6
2 c4 g6
3 tΔc3 d5
4 .tf4 .tg7
156 Combining Tαcticαl ldeαs

5 e3 c5
6 dc 'ifa5
7 Itcl dc
8 .i.xc4 0-0
9 lZIf3 'ifxc5
Some theoretical opening manuals say that 9 ... lZIc6 is more
accurate, and that only after 10 ο-ο should Black play 10 ...
'iWxc5. This different move order allows Black to avoid the
variations involving 10 lZIb5 - if White had played this οη his next
move, he would have threatened both 11 .i.xf7 + and 11 lZIc7.
Βυι Black can ίη fact repel both threats with 10 ... 'ifb4+ 11 'ifd2
'ifxd2+ 12 lZIxd2 lZIa6 13 .te5 .i.d7 14 ο-ο .tfc8 (de Castro-
Gligoric, Manίla 1973).
10 .tb3 lZIc6
11 ο-ο 'ifa5
The outwardly more active 1 Ι ... 'iWh5 has also been played.
After 12 h3 e5 13 .i.h2 .l:Σd8 14 lZId2 White gets a small advantage
(Larsen-Tal, Cand. match 1965).
12 h3
As Vasyukov observes, this is a move prompted by more than
one consideration. Firstly, White secures a firm base οη h2 for his
bishop ίη case Black launches a pawn offensive ίη the centre with
... e5; secondly, this is a useful move to prevent the possible ...
.tg4, which would be extremely unpleasant ίη some variations.
12 .i.f5
13 'iWe2
Ιη the 9th game of this match Karpov played 13 lZId4, but after
13 ... .td7 he did ηοΙ obtain any advantage.
13 lZIe4
14 lZId5
Αη energetic move, creating the threat of 15 .i.c7. After an
exchange ofknights Black would have had ηο difficulties: 14lZ1xe4
.i.xe4 15 lZId2 .i.d5 16 .txd5 'iWxd5.
14 e5 (147)
15 .l:Σxc6!
Α move which had ηοΙ been played before - previously White
had usually chosen 15 .i.h2 here, achieving very little after 15 ...
.l:Σfe8 16 .l:Σfel J:ad8. If Black were ιο capture the rook here, a
very unclear position would result after 15 ... bc 16 lZIe7+ ~h8
17 lZIxc6 .te6! Kasparov chooses ιο capture the bishop instead.
 Combining Tαcticαl Ι deαs 157

147
W

15 ef
16 'JJ.c7 .i.e6!
Αη essential move. Black safeguards his bishop against exchange
ίη many variations and also reduces the pressure against the pawn
οη f7. The natural 16 ... fe would have led to serious difficulties
for Black after 17 "ifxe3 J.xb2 18 'JJ.xb7.
17 "ife1!?
Αη unexpected and, more importantly, very unpleasant move.
Now after the exchange of queens (17 ... 1Wxe1 18 'JJ.xe1) Black
would have very little with which ιο defend himself, and after the
retreat of the black queen from a5, the rook οη c7 would ηο
longer be attacked. Much weaker was 17 'JJ.xb7, because of 17 ...
lί:Id6 (but not 17 ... J.xd5 18 'JJ.b5) 18 lί:Ie7+ ~h8 19 lί:Ic6 "ifc5
20 'JJ.c7 "ifb6, but Karpov gives 17 lί:Ie7+ ~h8 18 'JJ.fcl! as better
for White.
17 "ifb5
18 tDe7+ ~h8
19 J.xe6 fe (148)
Worse was 19 ... "ifb6, when White could have continued 20
lί:Id5 "ifxe6 21 tDxf4 _xa2 22 _b4 with a considerable advantage.

148
W
158 Combining Tαctical Ideas

20 9bl!
White transfers his queen onto the diagonal bl-h7 ίη order Ιο
create threats against the black king, and at the same time he
drives the knight away from the centre.
20 ~gS!
21 ~M
The g6-square is under tremendous pressure.
21 ~xh3+
Black now initiates great complications, but worth considering
was 21 ... fe. Ιη this case White would have had perpetual check
with 22 ~hxg6+ hg 23 ~xg6+ 'itg8 24 ~e7 +, but he could not
have been certain of anything better.
22 'ith2!
The only move. White would be mated after 22 gh 9g5+ 23
~g2 f3.
22 9hS (149)

149
W

Αη exceptionally interesting position. The time has come to

sacήfice one of the knights οη g6 - but which one?
23 lί:\exg6+?!
The alternative would have been more promising: 23 lί:\hxg6+
hg 24 9xg6, and now after 24 ... ge5 good for White would be
either 25 9g4 or the simple 25 'ίPxh3; ίη the event of 24 ... J:tf5
White would have transposed to an ending with winning chances:
25 9xh5 :xh5 26 ~g6+ φh7 27 gh φχg6 28 :gl+. Best for
Black was 24 ...• h7! (pointed out by Polugayevsky), with an
unclear position after the following possible variation: 25 9xh7+
'iPxh7 26 'ίPxh3 fe 27 :hl :f6.
 Combining Tαcticαlldeαs 159

23 hg
24 1IVxg6 1IVe5!
The impression is that ίι is White who has the greater dίfficώties:
his rook οη c7 is en prise and he is a piece down. Nevertheless,
his defensive resources are not exhausted.
25 :Ι7! :xf7
26 1IVxf7 lt:\g5!
Now Black forces a slίghtly better ending, whereas 26 ... fe+
27 f4 would ha ve led Ιο an advantage for White.
27 lt:\g6+ Φh7
28 lt:\xe5 lt:\xf7
29 lt:\xf7 Φι6
Black forces 30 lt:\d6.
30 lt:\d6 fe
31 lt:\c4
Because of the threat of 31 ... ~e5+ White cannot reply 31 fe.
31 ef
32 :xf2 b5
33 lt:\e3 a5
34 Φι3 a4
35 :c2 :Ι8
Black has a slightly better position, but ίι is οοι so good that
he cao have serious thoughts of wiooiog.
36 Φι4 ~d4
37 :e2 ~xe3
38 :xe3 :Ι2
39 b3
The simplest. Now a draw is inevitable.
39 :xg2+
40 ΦΙ3 :xa2
41 ba Draw agreed

Game Νο. 49
Pinter-Allen
Thessαloniki 01. 1988
1 d4 lt:\f6
2 c4 g6
3 lt:\c3 d5
4 ~Ι4 ~g7
5 e3 ο-ο
160 Combining Tαcticαl ldeαs

6 J:tcl c5
7 dc .a5!?
Interesting is 7 ... ~a6 (see Game 32: Bartels-de Wit). As we
have already observed ίη notes to other positions, the move 7 ...
.te6 gives Black an excellent game. The bad reputation of the
move 7 ... dc was confirmed by the game Pinter-A. Schneider,
Budapest 1979: 8 .xd8 J:txd8 9 .txc4 ι!ί:Ifd7 10 .tc7! J:te8 11
ι!ί:Ia4 .te5 12 .txe5 ι!ί:Ixe5 13 ι!ί:If3 ~xc4 14 J:l.xc4 .te6 15 J:I. b4
.td5 16 ~c3 .tc6 17 J:tc4 with a technically won position for
White.
8 cd J:td8
The continuation 8 ... ι!ί:Ie4 is not good enough, because of 9
.c2! ι!ί:Ixc5 10 e4 ι!ί:Iba6 11 ι!ί:If3 b5 12 ι!ί:Id2 f5 13 e5 .tb7 14 .te2
b4 15 ι!ί:Ic4, and now 15 ...•d8 16 ι!ί:Ia4 .txd5 17 ι!ί:Ixc5 ι!ί:Ixc5 18
ι!ί:Ie3 .te6 19 ο-ο leads to a considerable advantage for White
(Portisch-Sax, Budapest 1972).
9 .tc4
The best move. Ιη the event of 9 .d2 ι!ί:Ixd5 10 .tc7 .xc7 11
ι!ί:Ixd5 J:txd5! 12 W"xd5 .te6 13 W"d2 ι!ί:Ic6 Black has a very strong
attack (Tolush-Botvinnik, Leningrad 1939).
9 .te6
10 e4!
Theoretical manuals recommend 10 b4, which after 10 ...• xb4
11 .b3 .xb3 12 .txb3 leads to a somewhat better ending for
White (Black cannot play 12 ... ι!ί:Ixd5 13 ι!ί:Ixd5 .txd5, because
of 14 J:tdl e6 15 e4 when he would lose a piece).
Interesting is Botvinnik's suggestion 10 we2!? After 10 ... 9xc5
11 .tb3 .tg4+ (οη 11 ... b5 12 ι!ί:If3 b4 White plays 13 de!) 12
ι!ί:If3 e6 13 h3 .txf3+ 14 wxf3 White keeps his extra pawn.
Instead of 13 h3, worth cοnsίdeήng is the queen-sacrifice 13 de!
J:txdl 14 ef+ φf8 15 J:thxdl with a strong attack.
10 ι!ί:Ixe4
11 ι!ί:Ie2 (150)
11 ι!ί:Ixf2?!
Αη interesting move, which had not been adopted Ρήοr to this
game. Preferable was 11 ... ι!ί:Ixc5 12 ο-ο .td7 13 .tg5 b5 14
.td3 J:te8.
12 9a4!1
Of course, 12 wxf2 W"xc5+ was bad for White, but worth
cοnsίdeήng was 12 9b3 ι!ί:Ixhl 13 de .xc5 14 ef+ φh8 15 ι!ί:Ie4!
 Combining Tαcticαl 1deαs 161

150
Β

12 1i'xa4
White would gain an advantage after either 12 ... ~xc3+ 13
lbxc3 1i'xc5 14 1i'b5! 1i'xb5 15 lbxb5 lbxhl 16 de, ΟΓ 12 ... 1i'xc5
13 de lbxhl 14 ef+ 'όPf8 15 lbe4!
13 lbxa4 lbxhl
14 de fe?!
Stronger was 14 '" lbc6 15 ef+ Φf8 16 Φf1 lbd4 17 'όPgl
lbxe2+ 18 ~xe2 .CI.d4, although here too after 19 .CI.c4 .CI.ad8 20
g3! .CI.xc4 21 ~xc4 .CI.d4 22 b3 .CI.dl+ 23 'όPg2 .i.d4 24 c6! bc 25
lbc5! ~g7 (Black cannot take the knight, because of 26 ~h6
mate) 26 .te6 Black would have a tough time ahead.
15 φο! .CI.f8
16 ΦgΙ lbf2! (151)

151
W

17 ~e3!
This is the point: the black knight cannot go anywhere from
f2; e.g. 17 '" lbg4 18 .txe6+, ΟΓ 17 ... lbe4 18 .txe6+ Φh8 19
.td5.
162 Combining Tαcticαl Ideαs

17 .*.e5
18 .*.xf2 .*.xh2+
19 ΦΧh2 :xf2
20 Φι3!
Now the game has reached the stage where White can set about
tuming his advantage ίηΙο a win.
20 :Ι6
21 lί:Iac3 Φι7
22 lί:IΙ4 lί:IOO
23 lί:IxOO+ φh8
24 lί:Ie4 :Ι5
25 :hl lί:Id8
Black attempts Ιο chase the enemy knight away.
26 lί:Id4 :Ι8
27 lί:Iι5 h5
28 :el e6
29 .*.xe6 lί:IxOO
30 lί:Idxe6 : ae8
31 :dl :Ι6
32 :d6 h4+
33 ΦΧh4 :Ι2
Α desperate attempt Ιο free himself, but it is already too late.
White has a mating attack.
34 :d7 :xg2
35 :h7+ Φι8
36 :g7+ φh8
37 lί:IΙ7 mate.

Game Νο. 50
Verat-Komljenovic
Lugαno 1986
1 d4 lί:IΙ6
2 c4 g6
3 lί:IΙ3 .*.g7
4 lί:Ic3 d5
5 .*.g5 lί:Ie4
6 cd lί:Ixι5
7 lί:Ixι5 c6!? (152)
Αη idea of Korchnoi's which leads to a sharp and interesting
contest. The traditional 7 ... e6 was encountered ίη Games 13
and 34.
 Combining Tαcticalldeαs 163

152
W

8 dc
Black has ηο difficulties after 8 llIf3 cd 9 e3 ο-ο 10 ie2 .!lIc6
11 ο-ο e6 12 J:tcl ile7 (Petrosian-Korchnoi, USSR Ch. 1973).
8 llIxc6
Black cannot take the pawn οη d4 either with the queen or
with the bishop, because of 9 "iWb3 with a double attack against
b7 and f7, but worthy of consideration is 8 ... ο-ο, when 9 cb
ixb7 10 e3 is dangerous ίη view of 10 ... e5! with a very promising
position for Black.
9 e3
Οη 9 d5 Black plays 9 ... e6! nevertheless, and after 10 dc ilxg5
11 cb ixb7 he gets a dangerous initiative.
9 eS
10 dS ilxgS
11 dc ο-ο
12 h4
White attempts Ιο exploit the unfortunate position of the black
queen.
12 "iWe7
13 llIdS ild6
14 c7 (153)
14 e4?
Black hurries ιο open the diagonal for his bishop, but ίι would
have been more ίη the spirit of this position for Black Ιο have
prepared the move ... ie6 with 14 ... φh8! (οη the immediate
14 ... i.e6 Black loses his queen after 15 llIf6+), when play could
have developed as follows: 15 e4 i.e6 16 :cl i.xd5 17 ed (but
ηοΙ 17 "iWxd5? 'l'b4+) 17 ... .l:Σac8, or 15 ic4 .ie6 16 .l:Σcl .l:Σac8
17 ο-ο ixd5 18 ixd5 .l:Σxc7 - ίη both cases with equality.
164 Combining Tαcticαl Ideαs

153
Β

15 .i.c4 .i.xb2
After 15 ... 'iWc5 16 'iWc2 b5 17 .i.b3 'iWxc2 18 .i.xc2 :e8 19
0-0-0 .i.b7 20 φbΙ :ac8 21 h5! :e5 22 .i.b3 .i.xd5 23 :xd5
:xc7 24 IIxe5 .i.xe5 25 :h4 White wins a pawn (Hίibner­
Ftacnik, Biel 1984).
16 :bl .i.e5
17 ο-ο b6
18 'iWc2 .i.g4
Α position has arisen ίη which Black is unable to utilise the
advantage of the two bishops. Ιη fact he has serious problems ίη
developing his light-squared bishop: after 18 ... .i.b7 an
unpleasant reply is 19 :fdl!
19 :bcl :ae8
20 .i.b3 .i.g7
Αη attempt by Black to develop activity with 20 ... .i.h2+ 21
φhΙ 'iWe5 would be stopped by 22 f4! ef 23 gf.
21 'iWc6 'iWe5
22 lLIf4 g5?
23 hg 'iWxg5 (154)

154
W
 Combining Tαct:icαl Ideαs 165

24 .txf7+!!
With the help of a tactical trick White entices the black king
into the centre of the board.
24 <j;xf7
25 1Fc4+ Φί6
26 JHdl!
The rook οη d 1 could not be captured, because of the very
simple deflection 27 c8(1F)! 11xc8 28 .e6 mate.
27 1Fa6 .a5
28 :d6+ Φe7
29 1Fb7 (155)

155
Β

29 ΦΧd6?
Better was 29 ... .ic8, although also ίη this case Black's position
after 30 1Fc6 would have been very difficult.
30 11c6+ <j;e5
31 c8(1F) : xc8
32 .xg7+ <j;f5
33 .xh7+ <j;e5
34 1i'g7+ <j;f5
35 1i'g6+ cote5
36 1: 00+ Black resigned
It is mate next move.

Game Νο. 51
Anton-Nesis
World Corr. Cup Finαl 1978-80
1 d4 ~ί6
2 c4 g6
166 Combining Tαcticαl Ideαs

3 lί:Ic3 d5
4 lί:Iί3 ~ι7
5 e3 ο-ο
6 -*.e2 dc
7 -*.xc4 c5
8 d5 lί:Ie8
This move is recommended by many authors, but it is extremely
rare ίη practice. Transferring the knight to the square d6 deserves
greater attention, particularly since the usual 8 ... e6 does not
give Black full equality after 9 de 'ifxdl + 10 ΦΧdΙ -*.xe6 11
-*.e6 fe 12 Φe2. E.g. 12 ... lί:Ic6 (better is 12 ... lί:Id5) 13 J:tdl
J:tad8 14 J:txd8 J:txd8 15 lί:Ig5 J:te8 16 lί:Ige4 with advantage to
White (Petrosian-Botvinnik, World Ch. 1963).
9 e4
The most natural reaction. AIso played here is 9 ο-ο lί:Id6 10
-*.e2. The Encyclopαediα of Chess Openings recommendation 10
-*.b3 needs to be tested further ίη practice; Nesis-Remenyuk,
corr. 1974, continued: 10 ... b5! 11 e4 -*.g4 12 h3 -*.xf3 13 'ifxf3
lί:Id7 14 'ife2 'ifb6! 15 -*.c2 b4 16 lί:Idl c4 17 -*.e3 -*.d4 and Black
seized the initiative.
9 lί:Id6
10 -*.d3 e5
11 ο-ο
The capture 11 de gives Black a comfortable game: 11 ... -*.xe6
12 ο-ο lί:Ic6 13 -*.g5 'ifd7 14 'ifd2 lί:Id4 (Nask-Nesis, corr. 1976).
11 c4
12 -*.c2 b5
13 a3 lί:Id7
14 -*.e3 a5
Black's initiative οη the queenside is becoming menacing. His
light-squared bishop is hoping to threaten an attack from the
square a6, thereby ΡreΡaήng the breakthrough ... b4.
14 a4
This looks entirely logical. White's plans include the exchange
of his opponent's strong blockading knight. However, as the
course of the game shows, it was essential for White to stop the
black pawns by playing 15 b4.
15 b4
16 lί:Ib5 1ί:Jb6!
Α difficult move to find. The cornerstone of Black's position is
 Combining Tαcticαl Ideαs 167

the pawn οη c4, and he has to maintain it at any cost.

17 'iVe2
Black's positional exchange-sacrifice would have been entirely
justified: 17 ~c5 lί:Ixb5 18 -*.xf8 .t.xf8 19 ab .t.g4 20 h3 "'xf3
21 'iVxf3 ~c5 followed by 22 ... .t.d4, when it would have been
difficult for White to oppose the surge of the black pawn arrnada
οη the queenside. So White declines to win material and takes
aim against the pawn οη c4, around which decisive events unfold.
17 .t.a6
18 lί:Id2 (156)
Continuing his strategy. After 18 ~c5 -*.xb5 19 ab the exchange-
sacrifice would still be possible: 19 ... lί:Ixb5 20 -*.xf8 'iVxf8, when
Black's grouping of pieces οη the queenside looks very threatening.

156
Β

18 -*.xb5
Α critical point ίη the game. Here Black had many moves to
choose from. E.g. 18 ... 'iVb8 (with the idea of .I:Hc8) 19 .t.xb6
'iVxb6 20 lί:Ixc4 lί:Ixc4 21 'iVxc4 :fc8 22 'iVd3 -*.f8,or 18 ... b3 19
.tdl c3 20 bc (20 lί:Ixb3 lί:Ixa4!) 20 ... lί:Ixa4 (20 ... b2 21 :bl)
21 c4 lί:Ixb5 (if 21 ... ~xb5 then 22 -*.xb3!) 22 :xa4 (Black gets
the advantage after 22 cb lί:Ic3 23 'iVd3 b2) 22 ... lί:Ic3 23 'iVd3
lί:Ixa4 24 'iVxb3 'iVc7 25 'iVxa4 :fc8 26 c5! (here it is White who
sacrifices the exchange; after the slower 26 -*.b3 Black would
manage to blockade the dangerous enemy pawns with 26 ... .tf8)
26 ... .txfl 27 φχη -*.f8 28 d6, and despite Black's big lead ίη
material it is not easy to assess this very unusual position.
19 ab :c8!
Black can οηlΥ fight for an advantage by maintaining his pawn
οη c4. After the natural 19 ... lί:Ixb5 20 lί:Ixc4 (weaker would be
168 Combining Tαcticαlldeαs

20 J.xb6 .. xb6 21 iί:Jxc4 "c5, and Black establίshes a knight οη

d4) 20 ... ιQxc4 21 "xc4 his initiative evaporates.
20 IΣxa5 lt)xd5
The tempting 20 ... c3 would be refuted by 21 lΣa6!
21 lΣa4 lt)xe3
22 fe b3
23 J.bl
After 23 ~d1 Black would have had an interesting opportunity
Ιο maintain his pawn οη c4: 23 ... "c7 24 b6 "c5 25 b7 IΣc7,
since the whit-e b-pawn is doomed anyway. But after the move
played the bishop is out of play for a long time.
23 .. b6
24 lΣa6 .. c5
25 IΣxd6
This sacήfice of the exchange for a pawn looks like the best
practical chance. Otherwise White would simply be a pawn down,
and the attempt Ιο eliminate the c-pawn with a ρίη would ηοΙ
work: 25 IΣc1 IΣfd8 26 lί:Ixb3 "xb5.
25 "xd6
26 lί:Ixc4 "c5
27 lί:IB5
This is the move οη which White had been pinning his hopes.
The pawn οη b3 is attacked, and after 27 ..... b4 White plays 28
lί:Ic6, when ίι is ηοΙ clear how Black can decline Ιο repeat moves
(by 28 ... "c5 29 lί:Ia5) whilst still retaining any advantage.
27 .ib6
28 lΣel lΣa8!
Only with this move was ίι possible Ιο refute White's idea.
Inadequate was 28 ... IΣfd8, ίη view of 29 lί:Ic6 IΣd7 30 .id3 lΣa8
31 .ic4 lΣa4 32 .id5, when the white pieces unexpectedly become
very active. Now, however, ίι turns out that even winning the
pawn οη b3 does ηοΙ put an end Ιο White's troubles. E.g. 29 lί:Ixb3
.. b4 30 lί:Icl (with the idea of transferring the knight via the route
lί:Icl-a2-c3) 30 '" lΣa5! 31 lί:Ia2 "xb5 32 "xb5 IΣxb5.
29 lί:IOO lΣal
30 ..d3
The pawn οη b3 is again under threat, but the white queen is
performing Ιοο many duties at once, and this overloading is
decisive.
30 .ixe3+ (157)
 Combining Tactical Ideαs 169

White now has a choice of four possibilities, συΙ none of these

is very pleasant. E.g. 31 :xe3 %txb1 + 32 Wxb1 "'xe3+ 33 ~f1
f5 34 lt)e7+ ~f7 35 lΔd5 1Wxe4 and Black wins. Or 31 1Wxe3
"'xe3+ 32 :xe3 :xb1+ 33 Φf2 :xb2+ 34 ~g3 f6 (with the
threat of ... :f7-b7, taking away White's only hope) 35 :c3 (after
35 b6 the black pawn gets there first: 35 ... : c2! 36 lΔa5 b2 37
: b3 :Ιc3+; this is a rare situation when the passed pawns, having
as it were passed each other by, hurry towards their goal along
the same file) 35 ... :f7 36 lt)a5 :a7 37 lΔc6 (37 lΔxb3 :a3) 37
... : b7 and Black wins. Ιη this variation the other retreat of the
king does not help, as the black pawn again reaches the finishing-
line first: 34 ~f1 [5 35 b6 fe+ 36 c;Pe1 :bl+ 37 ~d2 b2 38
:b3 :cl 39 b7 b1(1W).
White chooses what appears to be a more reliable continuation,
but he is ίη for a surprise.

157
W

31 ~hl 1Wc2!
The decisive blow is οη the theme of 'the weakness of the back
rank"
32 1Wxe3
If 32 lΔxe5 then 'all roads lead to Rome" E.g. 32 ... :e8 33
1Wxe3 :xb1 (33 ... "'xb1 also wins) 34 lΔf3 :xe4!, or 34 lΔd3
1Wxd3.
32 :xbl
33 h3 :xel+
34 "'xel "Wxb2
35 ~h2 "Wc2
36 lΔe7+ ~g7
37 ... h4
170 Combining Tαcticαl Ideαs

Α final trap: 37 ... b2? 38 ~f5+! gf 39 .g5+ with perpetual

check.
37 (6
38 .g4 b2
39 .d7 :f7
Now an attempt Ιο win the rook leads Ιο mate: 40 .d8 .xe4
41 .g8+ Φh6 42 .xf7 .f4+. so White resigned.
Index of Variations
(Numbers refer Ιο pαge numbers)

1) Exchange Variation
1 d4 t'Δf6 2 c4 g6 3 t'Δc3 d5 4 cd t'Δxd5

5 .i.d2 68
5 e4 t'Δxc3 6 bc .i.g7

a) 7 t'Δf3 c5 8 .i.e3 124

8 .: b 1 ο-ο 9 .i.e2 t'Δc6 10 d5 t'Δe5 11 t'Δxe5 .i.xe5
12 1i'd2 b6 13 f4 .i.h8 35
13 ο ο ο .i.g7 126
10 ο ο ο .i.xc3+ 70
9000b690
9 ο ο ο cd 10 cd 1i'a5+ 11 .i.d2 1i'xa2
12 ο-ο t'Δd7 55
12 ο ο ο b6 99
12ooo1i'e6 142

b) 7 .i.c4
7 000 b6 27
7 ο ο ο c5 8 t'Δe2 t'Δc6 9 .i.e3 ο-ο 10 ':cl 88
10 .1e3 cd 11 cd t'Δa5 120
11000 b6 133
11 ο ο ο .i.g4 12 f3 t'Δa5
13 .i.xf7 + 30
10 ο ο ο 1i'c7 11 ':cl :d8 12 h3 b6
13 f4 e6 14 "i'el t'Δa5 32
13 f4 e6 14 ο ο ο .1b7 53
121i'd2 82
12 f4 136
12 .i.f4 1i'd7
 172lndex

13 d5 lί)a5
14 .*.d3 b5 85
14 ... b6 139
13 'ifb3 97
10 ... .*.g4 11 f3 lLIa5 12 .i.d3 cd 13 cd .*.e6 14 :cl
.*.xa2 15 'ifa4 .*.e6 16 d5 .i.d7 17'ifb4 e618lί)c3 14
18 :fdl 79

2) RUSSΊan System
1 d4 lLIf6 2 c4 g6 3 lLIc3 d5 4 lLIf3 .*.g7 5 'ifb3

5 ... c6 41
5 ... dc 6 'ifxc4 ο-ο 7 .*.f4 lLIa6 38
7 e4 a6 8 'ifb3 b5 9 .i.e2 c5 58
7 ... lLIa6 8 .*.e2 c5 9 d5 e6 10 .*.g5 130
10 ο-ο 148
7 ... .*.g4 8 .*.e3 lί)fd7 9 'ifb3 lί)b6 10 :dl lLIc6
11 d5 lLIe5 12 .*.e2 lLIxf3+ 13 gf .*.h5 14 a4 18
14 f4 102

3) 4 .i.f4 Systems
Ι d4 lί)f6 2 c4 g6 3 lLIc3 d5 4 .*.f4 .*.g7 5 e3

5 ... c5 6 dc 'ifa5 7 :cl dc 155

7 ... lLIe4 8 cd lLIxc3 9 'ifd2 'ifxa2 10 bc 'ifa5
1Ι .*.c4 lί)d7 12 lί)e2 43
12 lLIf3 152
5 ... ο-ο 6 :cl c5 7 dc lί)a6 105
7 ... 'ifa5 159
6 cd lί)xd5 7 lLIxd5 'ifxd5 8 .*.xc7 .i.f5 21

4) 5 .*.Ι4 Systems
Ι d4 lί)f6 2 c4 g6 3 lί)c3 d5 4 lί)f3 .i.g7 5 .*.f4

5 ... c6 6 e3 ο-ο 7 .*.e2 24

7.*.d3 17
5 ... c5 108
5 ... ο-ο 6 :cl c5 7 dc dc 73
7 ... .i.e6 76
 Index 173

5) 5 .*.g5 SY5tems
Ι d4 lί'}f6 2 c4 g6 3 llJc3 d5 4 llJf3 .*.g7 5 .tg5 ~e4

6.*.h4 113
6 cd lί'}xg5 7 llJxg5 c6 162
7 ... e6 8 lΙΜ2 ed 9 'i'e3+ φf8 10 _f4 .tf6 11 h4 rJJg7
Ι 2 e4 de 13 0-0-0 48
13 .tc4 111

6) Fianchetto System
Ι d4 llJf6 2 c4 g6 3 g3 .tg7 4 .*.g2 d5

5 llJf3 ο-ο 6 ο-ο dc 93

5 cd llJxd5 6 llJf3 ο-ο 7 ο-ο lί'}b6 8 lί'}c3 llJc6 9 e3 IΣe8 63

7) Other Systems
Ι d4 llJf6 2 c4 g6 3 llJc3 d5

4.*.g5 45
4 llJf3.*.g7 5 1Va4+ 145
5 e3 ο-ο 6 b4 116
6 .*.e2 165
 Tactics in the Grίinfeld

The Grίinfeld Defence is an excellent choice for counter·

attacking players, whether they be club standard or
World Champions. This innovative book οη one of Gary
Κasparov's and Bobby Fischer's favourite openings will
help you to:
• Carry out successful mating attacks
• Recognise tactical opportunities
• Dcvclop an initiative
• Sacrifιce to win!
Gennady Nesis is a former joint World Champion at
correspondence chess. He is one ofthe most active chess
theoreticians ίη the Soviet υnίοn, where chess training is
developed to the highest level. Nesis is also the author of
Exchanging to Win in the Endgame, Tactical Chess
Exchanges, and Tactics in the King's Indian, aIl available
from Batsford.

Exchanging to Win in the Endgame, Gennady Nesis' first

book, was enthusiastically received by the chess press:
Άη original and highly perceptive contribution to chess
thinking' Daily Telegraph
'This is the most entertaining book οη chess Ι have come
across ίη years' Doncaster Free Press

ISBN 0-7

111
9 78071