Modern Chess Magazine - 12

ISSUE 12
MODERN CHESS
MAGAZINE
Typical Tactical Ideas -

Bishop Sacrifice
on "h6"
Alert Defence -
Part 2
Endgame Series -
Part 12
Master the Grunfeld
Structure - Part 3
King's Indian Structures - Black

Releases the Tension in the Centre - Part 2
Table of contents
4 Alert Defence - Part 2 (GM John van der Wiel)
7 Exercise 1 2
7 Karpov,A. Van der Wiel / SWIFT Brussels 1986
11 Training example 1 2
14 Typical Tactical Ideas - Bishop Sacrifice on "h6" (GM Nikolai Ninov)
14 Jobava,Ba (2665) Ponomariov,R (2709) / 42nd Olympiad 2016 (8.2) 10.09.2016
15 Karjakin,Sergey 2772 Carlsen,M 2853 / WCh 2016 New York USA (4) 15.11.2016
16 Karjakin,Sergey (2785) Ivanchuk,V (2747) / World Blitz 2016 (17.2) 30.12.2016
17 Perez Ponsa,F (2585) Ivanchuk,V (2747) / World Rapid 2016 (1.10) 26.12.2016
18 1) A queen on the hfile
18 Zelcic,R (2548) Froewis,G (2455) / TChAUT 2nd West 201415 (6.5) 23.1.15
20 Djuric,P (2236) Grbic,Br (2004) / TChBelgrade Premier liga 2013 (5.4)
20 2) A target on f7
20 Anand,V (2773) McShane,L (2684) / 5th Classic GpA 2013 (4.1) 12.12.2013
23 Kovacevic,Bl (2449) Sribar,P (2047) / 19th Bosnjaci Open 2014 (3.8) 04.01.14
25 3) Eyeing at g6
25 Postny,E (2619) Mareco,S (2606) / 42nd Olympiad 2016 (7.22) 09.09.2016
26 Ramos Libon,Jean Piere 1947 Meylan,A 2193 / WYCC U18 Open 2013 (10.40) 27.12.13
28 4) Queen on the c1h6 diagonal
28 De Jong,M 2347 Ypma,P 2179 / 51st Groningen Open A 2013 (9.23)
29 Mathe,Ga (2352) Abramovic,Da (2109) / TChCRO Final 2014 (1.9) 14.05.2014
30 Fercec,N (2473) Burovic,Rijad (1949) / 19th Bosnjaci Open 2014 (1.5) 03.01.2014
31 Pacher,M (2446) Zwardon,V (2383) / TChCZE Vychod 201314 (3.1) 24.11.13
32 Ipatov,Alexander 2625 Panjwani,R 2422 / SPICE Cup Open 2013 (5.2) 17.10.2013
32 Test 15
34 Master the Grunfeld Structure - Part 3 (GM Mihail Marin)
34 Karpov,Anatoly (2730) Kasparov,Garry (2800) / World Championship 35thKK5 (17)
36 Shaked,Tal (2500) Kasparov,Garry (2820) / Tilburg 1997
37 Timman,Jan H (2620) Ivanchuk,Vassily (2720) / Linares 1992
38 Polugaevsky,L T Timman,Jan H / Tilburg 40/582, 1985
39 Ehlvest,Jaan (2660) De la Villa Garcia,Jesus Maria (2525) / San Roque (3) 1996
41 Endgame Series - Part 12 (GM Davorin Kuljasevic)
41 Example 1 6
47 Example 7 Instructive pawn endgame
54 Exercise 1 6
King's Indian Structures - Black Releases the Tension in the Centre - Part 2
56 (GM Petar G. Arnaudov)
56 Introduction and preview
57 Gustafsson,Jan (2629) Kramnik,Vladimir (2799) / Dortmund SuperGM 40th (2) 14.07.2012
58 Lakdawala,Cyrus (2560) Yermolinsky,Alex (2695) / National op Las Vegas (3) 1997
60 Tilicheev,Viacheslav (2336) V Vorobiov,Evgeny E (2558) / Moscowch sf (6) 22.03.2011
61 Michalik,Peter (2509) Zherebukh,Yaroslav (2594) / Groningen opA 48th (3) 23.12.2011
62 Smirnov,Artem (2425) Matlakov,Maxim (2663) / St Petersburg Botvinnik Memorial op (7)
63 Fier,Alexandr (2571) Bologan,Viktor (2693) / Moscow Aeroflot opA 10th (8) 15.02.11
64 Gelfand,Boris (2738) Radjabov,Teimour (2788) / Wch Blitz 6th (23) 10.07.2012
65 Ragger,Markus (2644) Sadorra,Julio Catalino (2590) / Tromsoe ol (Men) 41st (6.1) 2014
68 Gelfand,Boris (2753) Amonatov,Farrukh (2590) / Tromsoe ol (Men) 41st (2.1) 03.08.2014
69 Test 15
Modern Chess Magazine 4
Alert Defence - Part 2 The position after 21.hxg3 is not as simple

as it might look. Can you
demonstrate your defensive skills as
Black?
This may look drawish to you, but if
White controls the d-file, chases the
Nc5 and invades on d7, we'll speak
again. How should Black avoid such a
future? Candidate moves are ...f6, ...Bd5,
...Rfd8, ...Rad8. Let's see:
1...Rad8
[ 1...Bd5 2.c4 f6 3.cxd5 ( 3.Ng4!? )
3...fxe5 4.Rd2 is possible, but
certainly not equal ]
[ 1...f6 2.Nd7 Nxd7 ( 2...e5 3.Bc4+
In Episode 1 we started working on certain Kh8 4.Nxc5!; 2...Rfd8 3.Rfd1 Bd5
defensive skills. These entailed finding the 4.Nxf6+ gxf6 5.c4 only make things
way to stay out of 'trouble for the rest of the worse. ) 3.Rxd7 Rf7 4.Rd6! Re7
game' in difficult positions. Unfortunately
5.Bc4
there is no easy recipe to pinpoint these
a b c d e f g h
moments or positions in the game. In
general: whenever you see or feel trouble 8 8
lurking at the horizon and the position 7 7
offers various choices or options, most
probably this is such a moment!As 6 6
advocated earlier: you then try to go for an
5 5
active solution, if possible. Almost always
this requires precise calculation. 4 4
I still owe you solutions to 2 exercises from
3 3
the first article. Let's start with them.
Solution to Test 3 from Part 1 2 2
a b c d e f g h
1 1
8 8
a b c d e f g h
7 7
gives White everlasting pressure and
6 6
winning chances; ]
5 5 [ 1...Rfd8 looks like the natural move.
4 4 2.Rfd1
A) Unfortunately, 2...Rd5 runs into
3 3
3.c4!
2 2 A1) 3...Rxd4 4.Rxd4
1 1 A1a) 4...f6 5.Ng4 ( 5.Nd3
a b c d e f g h are difficult for Black and
www.modern-chess.com
even ); isolated pawn is of little relevance, as he

A1b) 4...Kf8 5.b4 f6 6.Nd7+ also has the positional threat of 4...Na4
Nxd7 7.Rxd7 Bc6 8.Rc7 (which would still follow on 4. Nd3 4.Bb5
a b c d e f g h
[ And parrying with 4.b3 Re8 5.f4 f6
6.Bb5 doesn't lose yet, but it hands
8 8
over the beautiful e4 square. ]
7 7 4...f6 5.Nd7 Rd8 6.Nxc5 bxc5
a b c d e f g h
6 6
8 8
5 5
7 7
4 4
6 6
3 3
5 5
2 2
4 4
1 1
a b c d e f g h 3 3
2 2
and Black is still in trouble. But 1 1

one element of this line may a b c d e f g h
lead you to the right idea...;
A2) 3...Rxe5?? 4.Rd8+; White's edge was so minuscule, that a
B) 2...Rxd4 ] draw was agreed upon 10 moves later.
2.Rfd1 Rd5 3.Rxd5 exd5
a b c d e f g h Solution to Test 4 from Part 1
8 8
a b c d e f g h
7 7
8 8
6 6
7 7
5 5
6 6
4 4
5 5
3 3
4 4
2 2
3 3
1 1
2 2
a b c d e f g h
1 1
Black has sealed the d-file and his a b c d e f g h
Black may not be in serious trouble, but [ 3...b5 , to save the bishop, is also
un unpleasant future is a realistic possible 4.Rxa6 ( 4.cxb5 c4 5.Bc2
scenario. Can Black alter that? with counterplay Bxc2 ) 4...bxc4
White may not have much, but he 5.Nxd6 cxd3+ 6.Rxd3 Rxd3 looks
intends to force some decisions by like White's best option, but is not
attacking the Bd6. 1...Bxa2! entirely clear. The text is most
[ If Black defends quietly with 1...Be5 reliable for Black, though ]
4.Ne7
2.Bb1 [ 4.Ra3 Rxd3 5.Kxd3 Rd8+
is obviously good for Black, but this
a b c d e f g h
last white trump also had to be
8 8 foreseen ]
7 7 4...Rge8 5.Nd5+ Rxd5! 6.cxd5 Bxd5
6 6 7.Rc1
5 5
[ 7.Bb5 axb5 8.Rxd5 Bxb2 9.Rb1
Rxe4+ 10.Kf3 Re5 doesn't quite work
4 4 for White.] ]
3 3 7...Bd6 To protect both c5 and f4.
2 2
8.Kf3?!
[ Quite wrong is 8.b4 Bxe4 9.bxc5
1 1
f3+! ]
a b c d e f g h [ +!, but the best option would be 8.f3!
intending 29. Bc4 (or Bb5) when
and often 23. Kf3, there will be chances should be about equal ]
knight manoeuvres (Nf4-h4-g2 or Nf5- 8...Bc6 Now White didn't like that
e7-d5). And taking on f5 doesn't queenside majority and went for 9.b4
guarantee an easy future: Black has cxb4 10.Bxa6 But Black had another
several weak pawns and White's alert reaction b3! which prompted White
bishop and king will be active. Time to soon enter a rook ending, that was
to start calculating the active slightly better for Black! 1/2 - 1/2 in 77
solution! ] moves, Van der Wiel - Nikolic, Malta
2.c4 Olympiad 1980.
Having seen these exercises and the
[ not 2.Bxa6 Bb3 ] previous article, you may ask: "Only
2...Bb3 3.Ra1 Be5! games by the author, is this a big ego-
trip?" Sure, if you will, but the main 2
reasons for this are: A) it is easier this
way to select material, knowing for sure
that it fits into the theme; B) (even more
practical) chances are much better, that
readers or trainees haven't already seen Exercise 2

these positions in mainstream books.
In this episode, too, I'll
give you one whole game with a couple a b c d e f g h
of questions, followed by an exercise
8 8
diagram from a completely differet n
encounter. 7 7
6 6
Exercise 1 5 5
Now I would like to bring to yourattention 4 4
two exercises which are takenfrom one of
my games against Anatoly-Karpov. 3 3
Before examining my commentsto the 2 2

game, you are invited to think abit on
some of the critical moments. 1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8 So now Black sealed a move. Which one,

7 7
why and what result do you expect?
6 6
5 5
Karpov,A.
4 4 Van der Wiel
3 3 SWIFT Brussels 1986
2 2
1 1 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4

a b c d e f g h
Nc6 I was intent on following the
Kasparov line with the famous novelty
from their Moscow World Championship
* In this case White already has a big match, 1985. Probably very unwise, but
advantage. But what is Black's best who can suppress curiosity? 5.Nb5 d6
chance of hopefully reducing that in the 6.c4 Nf6 7.N1c3 a6 8.Na3 d5
future? There it is, in this game not an
exclamation mark anymore.] 9.cxd5
exd5 10.exd5 Nb4 11.Be2 Bc5?!
[ Still in Kasparov's footsteps, but a
better move would be 11...Be7
Nevertheless, the variation would lose drive away the Qb4.] ) 19...Bd7 ]
most of its attraction, see for instance [ 13...Bd7 14.Qxb4 The normal move, but
12.0-0 Bf5 13.Nc4 Nfxd5 ( 13...Nc2 with hindsight I like Qb6
14.Ne3! ) 14.Bf3 Be6 15.Ne3 ( 14...Bxf2+ ) 15.Qxb6 Bxb6 16.Nc4 Bd4
and White is better. ] ( or 16...Bc5 17.Bf3 ) 17.Rd1 is an endgame
12.Be3! in which Karpov's technique and the value of
[ In the aforementioned match game the d-pawn will be hard to overcome; ]
(their 16th) Black had good 14.Qxb4 The normal move, but with
compensation after: hindsight I like
12.0-0 0-0 13.Bf3 Bf5
a b c d e f g h [ 14.fxe3 at least as much. There may
8 8 follow:
7 7 A) 14...Qh4+ 15.g3 Qe7 16.Rd1!
6 6 threatens d5-d6 a5 17.Nc4 0-0
18.Rd4 a good multi-purpose move,
5 5
vacating d1 for the queen in case of
4 4 ...Nc5 Here Black will choose
3 3 between Nc5 ( and the even more
2 2 dynamic 18...b5 !? Still, he needs
to find great activity to counterweigh
1 1
the bleak future of his Nb4. At least
a b c d e f g h
these positions become so tricky,
leading to Kasparov's masterpiece. As that Karpov didn't want them. A
it turns out, the Karpov team had small bonus for 13...Nd7 ?] );
found this (not even so difficult) B) 14...Qb6 15.Nc4 Qc5 16.Ne4
refutation during the match, but not in b5 only move 17.Nxc5 bxa4
time to employ it anymore. Ah well, 18.Nxd7! Bxd7 19.Rd1 and White
there's always tournaments... ] keeps his advantage ]
12...Bxe3 13.Qa4+ 14...Bc5 15.Qe4+ Kf8!?
Nd7 a b c d e f g h
[ 13...b5 14.Qxb4 ( 14.Naxb5 axb5 ) 8 8
14...Bb6 would be more desirable, but
can Black chase the annoying Qb4 in 7 7
time? 15.0-0 Ba5 16.Bxb5+ axb5 6 6

17.Rfe1+ Kd7 18.Qxb5+ Kc7
5 5
and now what? After 19.Nc4 ( or
19.Rac1 Qd7; but 19.d6+! is a killer 4 4
Qxd6 20.Rac1 and Black is lost. 3 3

Typically a variation that the Karpov
2 2
team might have worked out already!
With the text Black hopes to keep the 1 1
bishop pair, avoid most endings and a b c d e f g h
[Objectively perhaps not better than 15... 29...Bb6 30.Rb3 Bh3 31.Bg2 Bg4
Qe7 with some hope in the endgame 32.Bf3 Bh3 33.Bg2 Bg4 34.Qc3
(although 16. Nc4 looks good), but in Qd6?! Black is close to having equal
general: when you are clearly worse, try
to chances, but with time-trouble beginning,
make your opponent's task more I ruin the game in two moves! There
complicated! On the next phase of the was nothing wrong with
game, less important for our theme (or [ 34...Qxc3 35.bxc3 ( 35.Rxc3 Re2 )
opening theory) I will not comment so 35...Bc5 ( 35...Kg7!? ) 36.Nb4 Bc8 ]
much. 16.0-0 b5 17.Nc2 Nf6 18.Qd3 35.Re1! Rxe1+? A horrible loss of
g6 19.Bf3 tempo.
[ 19.Nd4 would have been stronger. ] [ 35...Kh7 36.h3 Be2 37.Qd2
19...Bf5 20.Qd2 h5! 21.Nd4! Bg4 Black was still OK Bc4 ]
22.Nc6! Qd6 23.Ne4 Nxe4 24.Bxe4 36.Qxe1 Qf6 37.h3 Bd7 38.Rf3
White has maintained his advantage. White is already winning Qd6 39.Qc3
Kg8 Bf5 40.h4 Kh7 41.Bh3 Karpov played
[ On 24...Kg7 is unpleasant 25.Qc3+ ] this move quickly, probably expecting
[ If 24...Re8 White plays 25.Qd3 Black's position to fall apart and not
, intending a2-a4. ] wanting to seal a move for adjournment
25.Rac1 After this Black gets better co- himself.
ordinated. Not easy to see, but the e-file
and kingside were more important here. a b c d e f g h
[ 25.b4 Bb6 26.a4 bxa4 27.Rxa4 8 8
Kh7 followed by he8 would give
7 7
Black counterplay. ]
[ 25.Rfe1! Bd7 ( If 25...Re8 26.b4 6 6
Bb6 27.a4 and White is better; If 5 5
25...Kh7 then 26.Ne5! ) 26.Qg5
had kept Black unhappy. ] 4 4
25...Re8 26.Qd3 Bb6 27.Bf3 Bc7! 3 3

28.g3 Qf6 White is presented with a
2 2
difficult choice. 29.Rc3
better winning chances, although it is 1 1
difficult. Not when he follows up with a b c d e f g h
A) 30.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 31.Rxe1 Rh5!;
B) 30.Nb4! Bb6 41.Nd4! would have left Black
B1) not 31.Rc6 Bxf2+ 32.Kg2? without much realistic hope ]
( 32.Rxf2 Re1+ should lead to [ even 41.Rxf5!? was interesting ]
equality ) 32...Rxh2+! 33.Kxh2 41...b4! The saving grace, not so difficult
Qh8+ And White is mated; to find. The hard part is the correct
B2) 31.Qc3 Bd4 32.Qc6; evaluation of all the resulting positions.
C) 30.Nd4 Bb6! ] But anyway, there was no choice at this
[ 29.Bxg4 hxg4 would have given point. Anything else would lose such as:
a b c d e f g h 48.Ne7+! Black is suddenly in grave

8 8 danger. ) This secures a healthy
future for Black, a vital point being
7 7
46.d6?! ( 46.Nxg6 Rh6 47.Nf4
6 6 Bg4 is also fine for him; 46.Nd3
looks like White's best option )
5 5
46...Bxd6 47.Nf7 Bc8! and Black is
4 4 much better;
C) 45.Rf6 Bd4 46.Rxg6+ Kf8
3 3
Black will be fine with his powerful
2 2 bishops; ( 46...Kh7 47.Rg5 )]
1 1 [ 42.Nxb4 Rc8 ( but not 42...Ba5
43.Bxf5 Bxb4 44.Bxg6+ and White
a b c d e f g h
wins ) 43.Nc6 Qxd5 44.Rxf5 gxf5
[41...Bxh3 42.Rxf7+ ] 45.Bg2 and here Black can choose
[ or 41...Qxd5 42.Bxf5 gxf5 43.Ne7 between Qc5 ( 45...Qe6 with a more
etc... ] complicated future. ) 46.Qf6 Rxc6
42.Qe1 Not what I expected the most, 47.Qxc6 Qxf2+ 48.Kh2 Qxb2
but it turns out that most things are which leads to a draw ]
drawish. White has to choose between 42...Qxd5 43.Bg2
playing an ending a piece down and [ 43.Rxf5 gxf5 44.Ne7 Re8! ]
many pawns up, or keeping equal 43...Qe6
material without serious winning chances. [ 43...Be4 44.Ne7 Qe6 45.Qxe4
A 'random' queen move that doesn't Qxe4 46.Rxf7+ ]
control g7, e8 or g3 could be disastrous, [ 43...Bc5 indicated by Seirawan, )
see: when the main line runs: 44.Nxb4
[ 42.Qd2? Bxh3 43.Rxf7+ Kg8 Bxb4 45.Qxb4 Be4 46.Qxe4 Qxe4
44.Rb7? Qxg3+ and wins. ] 47.Rxf7+ Kg8 48.Bxe4 Kxf7
[ 42.Qxb4?! Qxb4 ( 42...Qxd5? WIth a drawn ending ]
43.Rxf5! ) 43.Nxb4 Bxh3 44.Rxf7+
Kh6 is the lesser endgame version for 44.Qxb4
White, as Black can quickly activate [ 44.Qxe6 A clear way to a draw were
his rook, gaining at least equal Bxe6 45.Nxb4 a5 46.Nc6 Bxa2
chances ] 47.Nxa5 Bxa5 48.Ra3 Be6 49.Rxa5
[ 42.Qe5 Qxe5 43.Nxe5 Bxh3 Rb8 But Karpov wants to try. Of
44.Rxf7+ Kg8 forced here, because course.] ]
( 44...Kh6 45.Rb7 would lose more 44...Qxc6 45.Rxf5 Qc1+ 46.Kh2 gxf5
material ) 47.Qxb6 Qh6! Good use of the h-file!
A) 45.d6 Rh7; Black is now safe, especially if his
B) 45.Rb7 Bc5 very important queen reaches f6. 48.Qd4 Re8 49.Bh3
( 45...Bd4 46.Nc6 Bf6 may look f4 50.gxf4 Kg8 51.b4 Qg7
natural, but then after 47.d6 Rh7 Stupid move
[ Much better was: 51...Qc6! 4.Rd3

after which you might prefer Black. ] [ 4.Qd3 Nf4 5.Bxf4 ( 5.Qd1 Ne2+!;
52.Qd7 Re1 53.Qd8+ Kh7 54.Bf5+ 5.Qc4+ Kg6 ) 5...gxf4 there is mainly
Kh6 55.Qg5+ Qxg5 56.fxg5+ Kg7 danger for him ]
52.Qd7 Re1 53.Qd8+ Kh7 54.Bf5+ 4...Rc7 5.Qd2 dxe3 6.Rxe3
Kh6 55.Qg5+ Qxg5 56.fxg5+ Kg7 [ Obviously 6.Rd7+? Ke8 loses ]
57.Bd3 Ra1 58.Bc4 Rb1 59.a3 [ but what about 6.Qxe3 We analyze:
[ 59.Bb3 Doesn't help White ] Rc1+ 7.Kg2 ( 7.Kf2 Rc2+ 8.Ke1
59...Ra1 60.Bxa6 Rxa3 61.Be2 Ra2 Qxe3+ 9.Rxe3 Nf4 10.Bxf4 gxf4
and draw was agreed, which is obvious 11.Rd3 is slightly better for White, but
after: 62.Bxh5 Rxf2+ 63.Kg3 Rb2 Black can also choose 35...Qc6!?
64.Bf3 Rxb4 with complications that White might
1/2 not welcome. ) 7...Rc2+ 8.Kh3 Qxe3
Alert Defence 9.Rxe3 Nf4+ 10.Bxf4 gxf4 11.Re4
Training example 1 g5 And Black is not worse at all ]
a b c d e f g h 6...Rc2 7.Qxc2 Qxe3+ 8.Kg2 Qxf3+!
8 8 [In mutual mild time-trouble the game
remains correct.
7 7
[ 8...Nd4?! 9.Qc7+ Kg6 10.Qxb7
6 6
with the defensive resources f2 and
5 5 e4 would be much better for White. ]
4 4 9.Kxf3 Nd4+ 10.Ke4 Nxc2 11.a4
Ke6 Black still had to be a little exact in the
3 3
endgame (which he wasn't at first), but a
2 2 draw was reached at move 61 in Seirawan -
1 1 Van der Wiel, Wijk aan Zee 1991.
a b c d e f g h
Alert Defence
On the previous move, with the pawn on Training example 2
a2, White wouldn't have reaped any
rewards from 28. Bc7 Qb4! 29. Ba5 Qa3, a b c d e f g h
but now 29. Bc7 Qa6. 30. Ra5 is a threat. 8 8
Black can ward it off in a few ways, but 7 7
usually he remains passive and clearly
6 6
slightly worse, e.g. after 28...Qa6. 29.
a4 However, you naturally spotted the 5 5
alert 1...e5 2.dxe5 Ne6 3.Rc3 d4 4 4
Black's counterplay is well under way.
3 3
Based on sharp calculation, of course.
Don't give pawns for something vague 2 2
that you can't see through! Now 1 1
complicated
a b c d e f g h
The final exercise. Were you wide [ 5.Bxe6+ Nxe6 and the attack is
awake? failed ]
1...Ng6! Now White has no trace of [ after 5.Qxf4 Rd5! ]
compensation, unless he gets what he 5...Rd5 6.Nxd5 Qg6+!
was hoping for. a b c d e f g h
[ In analysys 1...g5 is a good move.
8 8
After: 2.hxg5 hxg5 Correct is 3.Be5
7 7
( if White decides to sacrifice some
more with 6 6
3.Ne4 Qxb2 normally he won't be 5 5
able to prove it. ) 3...Qxf3 4.Rxf3 Bg4
4 4
5.Rd3 Rxd3 6.Bxd3 Rd8 7.Bc4 Ng6
3 3
a b c d e f g h
2 2
8 8
7 7 1 1
a b c d e f g h
6 6
5 5
The ultimate point of 23...Ng6. 7.Kh2
a cxd5 8.Qxd5+ Kf8
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
8 8
2 2
7 7
1 1
a b c d e f g h 6 6
and at least the bishop has nowhere to 5 5
go. But Black doen't win a piece and 4 4

there is nothing easy about winning the
3 3
game after Kg2 or a4. So should Black
play the weakening pawn move, which is 2 2
also a little risky in a practical sense? 1 1
Only when there is no convincing
a b c d e f g h
alternative. There is one, though! ]
2.Rxe6? Even this was important. After 31. Qg8+
Ke7 it's all over.
[ 2.Qe4 Rd4 ]
So here Black was not worse, but his
[ 2.Bxg6 Qxg6 ] defensive task was to find a good reply to
[ 2.Ne4 Qxb2 ] potential aggression of the opponent.
2...fxe6 3.Rxe6 Qxe6 4.Bb3 Nxf4! Concluding: as a rule it is better to conduct
[Had you foreseen this, combined with an active defence, if possible,
the next two moves? than staying passive. For that you need
[ 4...Rd5 5.Nxd5 Qe1+ 6.Kg2 Nxf4+ very good calculation, because normally
7.Nxf4+ and White has at least draw ] your opponent has also seen the active
5.gxf4 option. Then again, remember that he is not
Then again, remember that he is not than staying passive. For that you need
God, Allah or even Carlsen. Ergo, it is still very good calculation, because normally
possible to outcalculate him! your opponent has also seen the active
option. Then again, remember that he is
5...Rd5 6.Nxd5 Qg6+! not God, Allah or even Carlsen. Ergo, it
a b c d e f g h is still possible to outcalculate him!
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
The ultimate point of 23...Ng6. 7.Kh2

cxd5 8.Qxd5+ Kf8
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Even this was important. After 31. Qg8+
Ke7 it's all over.
So here Black was not worse, but his
defensive task was to find a good reply
to potential aggression of the opponent.
Concluding: as a rule it is better to
conduct an active defence, if possible,
Typical Tactical Ideas - Jobava,Ba 2665

Ponomariov,R 2709
Bishop Sacrifice on "h6" 42nd Olympiad 2016 (8.2) 10.09.2016
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
Dear Reader,
The current article is designed to a b c d e f g h
improve your attacking skills. More The position on the diagram is taken
precisely, we are going to focus on the from the game Jobava - Ponomariov.
attack against the opponent's castle. Black had concentrated most of his
As the reader probably remembers, In forces on the queenside, which gave a
issue 9 of Modern Chess Magazine, GM signal for targetting the g7-pawn by
Grigor Grigorov published an article means of 15.Nf5! exf5 Black is
concerning the bishop sacrifice on "h7". suddenly in a need for a good advice:
In order to further develop topic related
to the bishop sacrifices on the kingside, I [ even 15...Bf8 does not stop White
have decided to examine the sacrifice on from eliminating it with the unusual
the h6-square. In general terms, the idea strike 16.Nh6+!! gxh6 17.Bxh6 Kh8
is the same - we are trying to destroy our 18.Qf4 Bxh6 19.Qxh6 Qd8 20.Re3
opponent's pawn shelter on the kingside. and there is no way to meet 21.g3 ]
Nevertheless, there are some specific [ 15...Bd8 is strongly met by a direct
ideas that you should know in order to sacrifice 16.Nxg7! Kxg7 17.Bh6+
sacrifice your bishop on the h6-square. Kh8 18.Qg5 Ne8 19.Qh5 Kg8
Before diving into different thematic 20.Nxd5! Qc6 ( 20...exd5 allows a
ideas, I would like you to show you some beautiful finish - 21.Qg4+! Qg6
fresh examples in which top players 22.Bxg6 hxg6 23.Qxd7+- ) 21.Re3
sacrifice a bishop on "h6". The last exd5 22.Rg3+ Qg6 23.Bxg6 hxg6
Chess Olympiad had its new heroes. 24.Re1 Kh7 25.Qxd5 Kxh6 26.Qxf7
One of them was the Georgian GM Rc6 27.Qxd7+- ]
Baadur Jobava, who won the gold medal 16.Rxe7 Be6 The rook seems trapped,
on the top board. but
17.Bh6!!
a b c d e f g h Perhaps this brilliant miniature in the end

8 8
of the Olympiad deprived the Ukrainian
team of a fully deserved title, but in the
7 7 last quarter of 2016 mainly players from
6 6 Ukraine were coming into the limelight.
1-0
5 5
4 4 Of course, during November the attention

3 3 of the chess fans was entirely directed
towards the World Championship match.
2 2
The 4th game was the first, in which one of
1 1 the players had reasonable winning
a b c d e f g h chances. The
critical point of the game was closely
This spectacular sacrifice must have connected with out theme:
come as a shock for Black - his
resistence lasted for only a few moves.
Karjakin,Sergey 2772
17.... gxh6 18.Qxh6 Rxc3
Carlsen,M 2853
[ his position is beyond salvation even
WCh 2016 New York USA (4) 15.11.2016
after the most stubborn defence
18...Bd7 19.Qg5+ Kf8 20.Rde1! a b c d e f g h
, preparing the typical rook lift to g3
8 8
with a decisive effect, e.g. 20... Nc4
( in case of 20...Qxd4 White has a 7 7
stunning little combination to force
6 6
the queen back to the vulnerable b6-
square - 21.Qh6+ Kg8 22.Nxb5! 5 5
axb5 23.c3 Qb6 24.R1e3 Rc6 4 4
25.Rg3+ Ng4 26.Rxg4+ Rg6
27.Rxf7 Kxf7 28.Qxh7+; 20...Re8 3 3
21.Qh6+! Kg8 22.R1e3 Rxe7 2 2
23.Rg3+ Ng4 24.Qxb6 ) 21.Qh6+
Kg8 22.Bxc4 dxc4 23.R1e3 Rc6 1 1
24.Rg3+ Ng4 25.Qf4 , regaining the a b c d e f g h
piece with a continuing attack. ]
19.Qg5+! Kf8 20.Qxf6 Rxd3 15.Qf3 White created a threat of
[ 20...Rc6 21.Bxf5 would be hopeless capturing the h6-pawn. However, the
as well ] World Champion demonstrated that
21.cxd3 A very impressive attack by GM taking in chess is not always obligatory.
Jobava! Indeed, in most of the games 15... Na5! 16.Ba2 dxe4 17.dxe4 Nc4
the pawn has already moved to h6 and is and the intended 18.Bxh6 was strongly
turning into a target. countered by 18.... Qc6! , winning the
central pawn in return and thus taking 16.... Nxe5

over the initiative. [ 16...Bxc3
1/2
a b c d e f g h
The former Ukrainian lost the match, but 8 8
took his revenge in the very last 7 7

competition for the year by obtaining the
World title in blitz. The following flashy 6 6
victory contributed a lot to his overall 5 5

success:
4 4
Karjakin,Sergey 2785 3 3
Ivanchuk,V 2747
World Blitz 2016 (17.2) 30.12.2016 2 2
1 1
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4
Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 a b c d e f g h
7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 h6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 17.bxc3 Nxe5 ( 17...f5 18.Rd3 f4

10.Bf4 d5 11.Qe3 Bb4 12.Be2 0-0 19.Qxe6+ Kg7 20.Qxd5 Ra7 21.e6 )
13.e5 Nd7 14.h4 c5?! 18.Rh3 Bd7 ( 18...Ra7 transposes to
a b c d e f g h the game ) 19.Rdh1!? ( White could
8 8 bring a rook to g3, while keeping te
other one onh-file, also by 19.Rdd3 )
7 7
19...f5 ( 19...Qe7 20.Rg3+ Ng6
6 6 21.h5 ) 20.Rg3+ Ng4 21.Bxg4 Kf7
22.Bh5+ Ke7 23.c4 d4 24.Re1+- ]
5 5
[ 16...f5 17.Rh3 f4 18.Qxe6+ Kg7
4 4 19.Qg4+ Kh8 20.Qh5+ Kg7 21.Nxd5
a b c d e f g h
3 3
8 8
2 2
7 7
1 1
a b c d e f g h 6 6
[ The dangerous piece sacrifice had to 5 5

be anticipated and 14...f6! 4 4
looked as the best way to proceed. ]
3 3
15.Bxh6! gxh6?
[ here too 15...f6 had to be preferred. ] 2 2
16.Qxh6+- Natural and strong, although 1 1
White could choose 16.h3 with the
a b c d e f g h
same devastating effect.
and the attack is irresistable even 12.a3 Ba5 13.f3 0-0 14.e5 Nh5
without the queens, for example 21..... 15.Bxh6 gxh6 16.Qxh6 Ng7 17.Bd3
Qe8 22.Qg5+ Qg6 23.Bd3 Qxg5 [ 17.Ne4 could be nicely refuted by
24.hxg5 Rf7 ( 24...Rh8 25.Rxh8 17.... Nf5 18.Nf6+ Qxf6! ]
Kxh8 26.e6 Ne5 27.Rh1+ Kg8 17...f5 18.g4 the diagonal had just been
28.Nf6+ Kf8 29.Rh7 c4 30.g6 ) blocked, so opening a file was a logical
25.Rh7+ Kf8 26.Rxf7+ Kxf7 27.e6+ idea.
Kxe6 28.Nc7+ Kf7 29.Nxa8+- ] 18.... Bxc3?!
[ 16...Qc7 17.Qg5+ Kh8 18.Rd3
a b c d e f g h
Qxe5 19.Qh6+ Kg8 20.Rhh3! f5
21.Rhg3+ Kf7 22.Rde3+- ] 8 8
[ 16...Re8?! 17.Rh3 Nxe5 18.Ne4+- ]
7 7
17.Rh3 Bxc3 18.bxc3 Ra7 19.Rg3+
Ng6 20.h5 6 6
[ or the immediate 20.Bd3+- ]
5 5
20...Qh4 21.Rg4 Qh2 22.Bd3
1-0 4 4
3 3
Ivanchuk must be himself happy with his
2 2
own triumph in the rapid event. Several
days earlier he was lucky to survive in a 1 1
similar position from the same opening. a b c d e f g h
Perez Ponsa,F 2585 [ Once the jump to e4 was no longer a

Ivanchuk,V 2747 threat, then Black could keep the
World Rapid 2016 (1.10) 26.12.2016 bishop for controlling the g1-square -
18...Bb6! 19.gxf5 exf5 20.Qxc6 Be6
a b c d e f g h with a promising position.
8 8
7 7 19.bxc3 Ra7 20.Rhg1 Qa5 21.gxf5

6 6
exf5 22.Kd2 Rd8 23.Rg5
[ 23.Rg3 d4 24.Bc4+ Rd5 25.Qxc6
5 5 Qxc3+ 26.Ke2+- ]
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
23...d4 24.Bc4+ Rd5 25.Qxc6?? Zelcic,R 2548

Froewis,G 2455
a b c d e f g h
TCh-AUT 2nd West 2014-15 (6.5) 23.1.15
8 8 Even the examples that we have seen
7 7
so far are enough to lead us to the
conclusion that the appearance of her
6 6 Majesty so close to the enemy king can
5 5 lead to a mate only when at least two
more pieces are supporting the attack.
4 4
Now it's time to examine different
3 3 thematic ideas which will enable us to
attack better in such kind of positions.
2 2
1 1
1) A queen on the h-file
Very often the queen founds itself on h5
a b c d e f g h
in the early stage of the game, such as in
many variations of the French Winawer,
some Sicilians, etc. We have just seen
[ 25.Bxd5+ cxd5 26.Qc6 with clear two typical rook(s) lifts (h2-h4, followed
advantage. ] by Rh1-h3-g3) in Karjakin -Ivanchuk and
(or directing it to g3 with kingside pawns
A heavy mistake. 25...Qxc3+ 26.Ke2 staying on their initial squares ) in the
Qe3+ 27.Kf1 Qxf3+ 28.Ke1 Qe3+ annotations to Jobava -Ponomariov.
29.Kf1 Qf4+ 30.Kg2 Qxg5+ 31.Kh1 It is worth mentioning that on its way to
Bb7 32.Bxd5+ Kh7 33.Qc5 Bxd5+ the h-file the queen can also support the
34.Qxd5 Rc7 35.Rg1 Qf4 36.Qd6 threat of taking the pawn on h6. Thus
Qe4+ 37.Rg2 Rc6 from f3 a hanging position of a piece
0-1 (the motif with Nf6 from Karjakin -
Carlsen) can be used, while from g3 it
usually creates a direct pin.
Here are some more examples from the
latest tournament practice:
a b c d e f g h with an inevitable mate ]

8 8 17.Qxh6 f5 18.Qg6+ Kh8 19.Nh5
7 7
a b c d e f g h
6 6
8 8
5 5
7 7
4 4
3 3 6 6
2 2 5 5
1 1 4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
The diagram position is taken from the
game Zelcic,R - Froewis,G played in 2 2
2015. 1 1
In the game, the move 13...c5
a b c d e f g h
was met by 14.d5! Nxd5?
[ The gift had to be declined with
14...Ne5 , aimed at eliminating one of [ Perhaps the more forcing 19.Bxf5!
the most dangerous enemy pieces. ] exf5 20.Rxd5 would have been the
15.Nxd5 Bxd5 16.Bxh6! most convincing and fastest way to
a b c d e f g h the win ]
8 8
[ strong is also the insertion of
19.Rhe1 Rf6 20.Qh5+ Kg8 21.Bxf5
7 7 Qe8 22.Qh7+ Kf8 23.Nh5 Qf7
6 6
24.Qh8+ Qg8 25.Qxg8+ Kxg8
26.Nxf6+ Nxf6 27.Bxe6+ Bxe6
5 5 28.Rxe6 and the connected passed
4 4 pawns must decide the game ]
3 3
19...Bf6 20.Bxf5 exf5 21.Rxd5 Qc6
2 2
22.Nf4 Qb5 23.b3 Ne5 24.Qxf5 Rae8
1 1 25.Ng6+!+- Kg7 26.Nxf8 Qa5 27.Rxe5
a b c d e f g h
[ 27.Nh7!?+- ]
27...Bxe5 28.Ne6+ Rxe6 29.Qxe6 Qc3
gxh6
30.Qg4+ Kf6 31.Qf3+
[ 16...c4 17.Bxg7! Bg5+ 18.f4! Bxf4+
1-0
19.Kb1 Kxg7 20.Nh5+ ]
[ the same crushing idea needs a
small preparation after 16...Nf6
17.Qh4! Re8 18.Bxg7 Kxg7
19.Qg5+ Kf8 20.Qh6+ Kg8 21.Nh5
a b c d e f g h
Djuric,P 2236
8 8
Grbic,Br 2004
TCh-Belgrade Premier liga 2013 (5.4) 7 7
6 6
a b c d e f g h 5 5
8 8 4 4
7 7 3 3
6 6 2 2
5 5 1 1
a b c d e f g h
4 4
3 3
22...Kh7 23.fxe6 Qxe6
2 2
[ 23...Ne5 24.exf7 Rf8 25.Qf5+ Kh8
1 1 26.Qxf6+ Qxf6 27.Rxf6+- ]
a b c d e f g h 24.Nd5 Bg7 25.Rxf7 Rg8 26.Nf6+
Qxf6 27.Rxf6 Bxf6 28.Qf5+
1-0
Here we have another typical example in

which the queen supports all the ideas
connected with a bishop sacrifice on h6. Anand,V 2773
The game went 21.Bxh6! gxh6 McShane,L 2684
5th Classic GpA 2013 (4.1) 12.12.2013
22.Rg3+!
[ White is winning after the simple 2) A target on f7
Usually a bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal
is the most dangerous supporting piece.
22.Qxh6 Bg7 23.Rg3 ( even stronger
We have just seen a case, in which it
than 23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.f6 Qxf6 has already been exchanged. Before
25.Rxf6 Bxf6 26.Rf3 ) 23...f6 24.fxe6 illustrating how powerful this bishop is,
is also based on weakening the d5- let us follow two more games, in which
square - Black can defend it only by White did not take on h6, but attacked
moving his knight, but then nothing instead the weakened by the sacrifice
can stop the manoeuvre b3-d4-f5. ] squares/pawns on g6 and f7.
Here is an exhibition at the highest level: [ 25...Rc7 26.Rf3 Nb6 27.Rxf7! Rxf7
28. Qg6+ Kh8 29.Qxf7 Qd3 30.Nf6
a b c d e f g h ( 30.Rc1 Bg7 31.Qxe6 Rf8⇆ )
8 8 30...Bg7 31.Ne8 Qh7 32.Qxe6 Qg8
7 7 33.Nxg7 Qxg7 34.Rc1
6 6 a b c d e f g h
8 8
5 5
7 7
4 4
6 6
3 3
5 5
2 2
4 4
1 1
a b c d e f g h 3 3
This position was seen in the game 2 2
Anand,V - McShane, L played in 2013. 1 1

The e5-pawn gives White a space a b c d e f g h
advantage on the kingside but it is not
easy to create an attack. Maybe the
- the knight is restricted and White has
reader had already noticed that since
a simple plan with b3, followed by a2-
Black has a pawn on h6, a bishop
sacrifice is possible. Of course, further a4-a5, which will most probably result
preparations are needed. in winning the d5-pawn. ]
Step one - a transfer of the queen to the [ 25...Qb6? 26.Rf3 Qxb2 27.Rxf7!
kingside: Qxa1+ 28.Kh2 Qb1 29.Rxd7+- ]
20.Qe2 Qa6 21.Qg4 Kh8 22.Qh5 [ 25...Re8? 26.Rf3 Re7 27.Rf6 Nxf6
Kg8 23.Bxh6! gxh6 24.Ng4 Bf8 28.exf6 Qd3 29.fxe7 Bg7 30.Nxh6+
It is now time for the rook lift: Bxh6 31.Qxh6 Qxd4 32.Rc1+- ]
25.Re3! Rc4! [ 25...Bg7?! 26.Rf3 Qe2 ( 26...Rf8
a b c d e f g h
27.Rf6! ) 27.Nxh6+ Bxh6 28.Qxf7+
Kh8 29.Qh5 Qxf3 30.Qxf3 Kg8
8 8
31.Qg4+ Kf7 32.f4 Rc6 33.f5 ]
7 7
The best practical opportunity compared
6 6 to: 26.Rd1!
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
33.Nf6+ Kf8 34.Nh5+- ]
8 8 [ 26...Re8?! 27.Rf3 Re7 28.Rf6!+- ]
7 7
[ the best chance lay in 26...Rc2
, when
6 6 A) 27.Rf3 Qe2! 28.Qxf7+ Kh8
5 5 29.Rf1 Bg7! ( the attempt for an
active counterplay 29...Rac8?!
4 4 30.Kg2 Rc1 31.Rxc1 Rxc1
3 3 does not succeed because of
32.Nh2 (the only, but sufficient
2 2 move - from now on White can pick
1 1 up the fruits of his work) 32... Rc7
a b c d e f g h
33.Qxe6 Bg7 34.Qd6 Qc2
35.Rf7+- Qe4+ 36.Nf3 Nxe5
[ Instead, a complicated computer line 37.Rf4 ) 30.Nxh6 Rf8! 31.Qh5
is 26.Rf3 Rxd4 27.Nxh6+ Bxh6 Rxf3 32.Nf5+ Kg8 33.Ne7+ Kf8
28.Qxf7+! Kh8 29.Qh5 Rg4! 34.Ng6+ Kg8=;
(only thanks to this incredible B) White had to come up with the
resource Black is able to stay in the subtle prophylactic move 27.Kg2!
game) 30.Ra3 Qb6 31.Rb3 Qc6 a b c d e f g h
32.Qxg4 Rf8 33.Qg6 Bg7 34.f4
8 8
Nc5 /? ]
A good human and practical decision. 7 7
The more the engines are delving into it
6 6
the more they seem to approve it! Many
games of Anand are leaving a deep 5 5
aesthetic impression, for his pieces are
4 4
arriving one after another at their best
locations. Here we can enjoy one more 3 3
of them! 26...Qb6?! A forced mistake.
2 2
Black insisted on pressing the central
pawn, anyway the position was already 1 1
extremely difficult for him, as shown by: a b c d e f g h
[ 26...Rac8?! 27.Rf3 Rc1 28.Rxf7!
Rxd1+ 29.Kh2 Qd3 30.Rxd7 Kh8
Bg7 28.Nxh6+ Bxh6 29.Qxh6 Nf8
31.Nxh6+- ]
30.Rf3 Qe2 31.Qg5+ Ng6 32.Rh1
[ 26...Bg7?! 27.Rf3 Rf8 28.Rf6! Bxf6
Qd2 33.Rf4 Kf8 34.Qxg6 Qxf4
29.exf6 Nxf6 30.Nxf6+ Kg7
35.Qxc2 Qxd4 36.Re1 Kg7
31.Ng4 Rh8?! 32.Qe5+ Kg8
37.Re3 /+-, preparing a new
transfer of the queen to the
kingside. ]
a b c d e f g h
27.Rf3! Rxd4 28.Rxd4 Qxd4
29.Rxf7+- Qd1+ 30.Kg2 Qxg4 8 8
31.Rxf8+ Rxf8 32.Qxg4+ Kf7 33.Qa4
7 7
Rd8 34.h5 Nf8 35.Qf4+ Ke8 36.Qxh6
d4 37.Kf1 Rd5 38.Qf6 6 6
1-0 5 5
Kovacevic,Bl 2449 4 4
Sribar,P 2047
19th Bosnjaci Open 2014 (3.8) 04.01.14 3 3
2 2
a b c d e f g h 1 1
8 8 a b c d e f g h
7 7
[ 18.Qh5! Rf8 19.Bxh6 , when 19....
6 6 Qc7 is refuted by 20.Bxg7! Kxg7
5 5 21.Rd4 Nf6 22.Qg5+ Kh8 23.Nd7
(the most powerful of the many
4 4
attractive options) 23... Rg8 24.Rh4+
3 3 Nh7 25.Rxh7+! (even stronger than
immediately snatching the bishop)
2 2
25... Kxh7 26.Qxe7 Qd8 27.Qxf7+
1 1 Kh6 28.Be4+- ]
a b c d e f g h
A tempting sacrifice, but White should
have reversed the move order and start
with 18...gxh6?
[ Black had a clever intermediate move
Black had apparently misplayed in the
18...Qc7! 19.Bd2 ( here 19.Qh5
opening and found himself in trouble as
can be met by 19.... Bxc5 ) 19...Bxc5
soon as on move 15.
20.Nc4 Rad8 21.Rac1 Bd4 ]
16.c5 A typical positional approach, but
19.Qh5 Rf8 20.Qxh6 f5
White had a concrete idea like
[ An entertaining illustrative line is
[ 16.Qf3! Bd6 and the familiar strike
20...Bxc5 21.Rac1 Be7?! 22.Rc4 f5
17.Bxh6! /+- ]
23.Qg6+ Kh8 24.Rdd4 Qd8
16...bxc5 17.dxc5 Nd5 18.Bxh6!?
25.Qh6+ Kg8 26.Rg4+! fxg4
27.Rxg4+ Bg5 28.Rxg5+ Qxg5
29.Qxg5+ ]
21.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Re1!!+-

a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6
5 5 5 5
4 4 4 4
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
How to continue the attack? White came One more brilliant decision, once again
up with an instructive concept! Many confirming that the threat (Nf7) is
players may even not consider parting stronger than its execution!
with the bishop, but 22.Bxd5!! exd5 23.... Bf6
[ 22...cxd5 might be the better of the [ 23...Qe8 24.Qh6+ Kg8 25.Ng6 ]
two options, but White is still on the [ 23...Bxc5 24.Nf7+ ( 24.Qh6+ Kg8
top, as shown by: 25.Qg5+ Kh7 26.Rac1 ) 24...Rxf7
A) 23.Re1 Qe8 24.Qh6+ Kg8 25.Qxf7 and the rook will penetrate
25.Qxe6+ Kg7 26.Nd7 Rf7 27.c6 with decisive effect - 25... Bf8
Bc8 28.Qe5+ Kh7 29.Nf6+ ( 25...Rb8 26.Re6 ) 26.Re6 Bg7
( 29.Qxd5 Bxd7 30.cxd7 Qf8 27.Rae1!+- Qg8 28.Re8 Bf8
31.Rad1 Rd8 32.Re6 ) 29...Rxf6 29.Qxb7 Rxe8 30.Rxe8 ]
30.Qxf6 Bxf6 31.Rxe8 Bxb2 24.Nf7+ Rxf7 25.Qxf7 Qf8 26.Qxb7
32.Rae1; 1-0
B) 23.c6 Ba6 24.Nf7+ Rxf7
25.Qxf7 Bc5 26.Rac1 Bb6
27.Qf6+ ( 27.Re1 Qg8 28.Qxe6
Qxe6 29.Rxe6 Kg7 30.Rd6 d4
31.a4 Be2 32.c7 Rc8 33.Rcc6
d3 34.Rd7+ Kf8 35.Rxb6 )
27...Kg8 28.Re1 ]
3) Eyeing at g6 a b c d e f g h
Sometimes White has a Qc2+Bd3 8 8

battery and might be able to exploit
7 7
(when the f7-pawn is no longer at its
initial place) the vulnerable g6-square. 6 6
Here are two attractive examples, in
5 5
which a mirror bishop sacrifice was the
key to the position. 4 4
3 3
Postny,E 2619
2 2
Mareco,S 2606
42nd Olympiad 2016 (7.22) 09.09.2016 1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8 Qc4 ( 20...c5 21.Qxd7 Qe6 22.Qd2

Qxe5 23.Qxh6 Qg7 24.Qh5 )
7 7 21.Qxh6 f5 22.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Qh6+= ]
6 6 18...b5 19.e6!?
5 5 a b c d e f g h
4 4 8 8
3 3 7 7
2 2 6 6
1 1 5 5
a b c d e f g h 4 4
3 3
The diagram position was seen in the
game Postny,E - Mareco,S. White went 2 2
for 18.Bd3 1 1
a b c d e f g h
[ an interesting version of our theme
can be seen in 18.Bxh6!? gxh6
19.Rxd7 Bxd7 20.Qd2 A very instructive moment. Before
sacrificing his bishop on h6, GM Postny
wants to weaken the g6-square. fxe6
20.Bxh6 gxh6 21.Bxb5!
8 8 8 8
7 7 7 7
6 6 6 6
5 5 5 5
4 4 4 4
3 3 3 3
2 2 2 2
1 1 1 1
This is the key idea! Now the queen (5), although, in spite of his exposed
reaches the g6-square. cxb5 22.Qg6+ king, Black can initiate counterplay
Kh8 23.Qxh6+ Kg8 24.Qg6+ Kh8 by bringing his bishop to the big
25.Qh6+ diagonal. One can understand why
White (especially in a team match)
a b c d e f g h
avoided such potential risk. ]
8 8 25...Kg8 26.Qg6+ Kh8 27.Qh6+ Kg8
7 7 1/2
6 6
5 5
Ramos Libon,Jean Piere 1947
Meylan,A 2193
4 4 WYCC U18 Open 2013 (10.40) 27.12.13
3 3 a b c d e f g h
8 8
2 2
7 7
1 1
a b c d e f g h 6 6
5 5
[ Perhaps White should have tried
4 4
25. Rd4 △Rf5 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Rg4+ 3 3

Rg5 28.Rxg5+ Bxg5 29.Qxg5+ Kf7
2 2
30.Rd1 Qc6 31.Nxb5 Ra6
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Black has just met the aggressive thrust [ The incredibly beautiful (how often
can we see symetrical sacrifices like
11.h4 with the testing 11... f6
these two?) strike 14.Ba6!!
However, after the uncompromising reply
12.Qc2!? he succumbed to the sudden a b c d e f g h
pressure - 12... h6? 8 8
[ Instead, he could take over the
7 7
initiaive with the vigorous 12...Rc8!
13.Bxh7+ Kh8 14.Qb1 Nxd4! 6 6
(the tactical justification!) 15.Rxc8
5 5
Nxf3+ 16.Nxf3 Qxc8 17.Bg6 Ba6
( 17...Bd6!? 18.e4 Ne7 )] 4 4
[ 12...fxg5 could have resulted in a
3 3
forced draw after 13.Bxh7+ Kh8
14.hxg5 Bxg5 15.Bg8+ Kxg8 2 2
16.Qh7+ Kf7 17.Qh5+ Ke7
1 1
18.Qxg5+ Kf7 ( 18...Nf6 19.e4 )
19.Qh5+ Ke7= ] a b c d e f g h
13.Bxh6!
was the right way to realize the idea -
14.... Bxa6 15.Qg6+ Kh8 16.Qxh6+
Kg8 17.Qg6+ Kh8 18.Ng5!+- Bd3
a b c d e f g h
19.e4 Bxe4 20.Ndxe4 Bb4+ 21.axb4
8 8 Qe7 22.Rh3 Qg7 23.Qh5+ Kg8
7 7 24.Nxe6! dxe6 25.Rg3 ]
14...Kh8 15.Qg6 Bb4??
6 6 a b c d e f g h
5 5 8 8
4 4 7 7
3 3 6 6
2 2 5 5
1 1 4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
2 2
gxh6 14.Bh7+
1 1
a b c d e f g h
[ Correct was 15...Rg8 16.Bxg8 Qxg8

17.Qxh6+ Qh7 18.Qxh7+ Kxh7
with mutual chances. ]
Losing on the spot. 16.Qxh6+- Bxd2+ a b c d e f g h

17.Kxd2 Qe7 18.Bb1+ Kg8 19.Rh3! 8 8
Rf7 20.Rg3+ Rg7 21.Qh7+
7 7
1-0
6 6
4) Queen on the c1-h6 diagonal
This battery is a regular guest in the 5 5
tournaments. Let us start with a game,
in 4 4
which White developed a decisive
attack straight from the opening. 3 3
The most unfavourable case for the 2 2

defensive side is when the f-pawn
cannot move. 1 1
Let's see two illustrative examples: a b c d e f g h
De Jong,M 2347 A characteristic situation, in which for

Ypma,P 2179 the defender is unlikely to survive. True,
51st Groningen Open A 2013 (9.23) the typical rook lift via e3 is impossible,
but it is waiting for its moment, while
a b c d e f g h White has already 3 other pieces close
8 8 to the king.
19.... Rc7 20.Bh7+ Kh8 21.Bf5+
7 7
6 6 a b c d e f g h
5 5 8 8
4 4 7 7
3 3 6 6
2 2 5 5
1 1 4 4
a b c d e f g h 3 3
2 2
16.Qf4! White transfers his queen to the
kingside in the right moment. h6 1 1
17.Bxh6! gxh6 18.Qxh6 Re8 19.Ng5 a b c d e f g h
[ 21.Nxd5!! Nxd5 22.Bf5+ Kg8

23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Qh8+ Ke7
25.Rxe6+ fxe6 26.Qg7+ Kd6
27.Ne4# ]
a b c d e f g h Mathe,Ga 2352
Abramovic,Da 2109
8 8
TCh-CRO Final 2014 (1.9) 14.05.2014
7 7 a b c d e f g h
6 6 8 8
5 5 7 7
4 4 6 6
3 3 5 5
2 2 4 4
1 1 3 3
a b c d e f g h 2 2
This materialistic approach did not let 1 1

the win go, but White could finish in a b c d e f g h
style by means of 21...Kg8 22.Nxe6
fxe6 23.Bxe6+ Rxe6 24.Rxe6 Rf7 Here is a highly complicated example:
25.Qg6+ Kf8 26.Rae1! 18.Bxh6!? gxh6
[ 18...Bxe5 19.dxe5 gxh6 20.exf6
a b c d e f g h Nxf6 21.Qd2 Ne8! Not an easy move
8 8 to be foreseen, especially when the
alternatives ( 21...Nxh5 22.Qxh6
7 7
f5; and 21...Ng4!? 22.Qe2
6 6
are both looking risky ) 22.Rd1 Qd5
5 5 23.f3 Qg5 ]
19.Qd2 Ng4 20.Re4 Nf4?
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
8 8
2 2
7 7
1 1
6 6
a b c d e f g h
5 5
The best and precisely calculated
4 4
continuation - taking on d5 is in the air
again! 3 3
26... Bxf2+ 27.Kxf2 Qb6+ 28.R6e3!
2 2
d4 29.Qh6+ Kg8 30.Rg3+ Ng4+
31.Ke2 d3+ 32.Kd1! dxc2+ 33.Kc1 1 1
1-0 a b c d e f g h
[ 20...Nde3!? 21.Rxe3 Qh4!? 22.h3 The featured typical bishop sacrifice is

Nxe3 23.Qxe3 Qg5 24.f4 Qh4!? not always aimed at mating the king. In
( 24...Qe7 25.Ne4 Bxe4! 26.Qxe4 f5 order to protect it the f7-pawn must often
27. Qe2 Kh8 with mutual chances ) move ahead and then White picks up the
25.Be4 Bxe4 26.Nxe4 Be7 27.g4= undefended e6-pawn and even more
Kh8 ] [ 20...f5!? 21.Rxg4+ ( 21.Rxe6 material with interest. We have already
Bb4 ) 21...fxg4 22.Qxh6 Rf7 and perpetual seen similar lines in the annotations to
is in the air - 23.Qxe6 Bxg3 24.Qg6+ Kf8 Karjakin - Ivanchuk and Anand -
25.Qh6+ Kg8= ] McShane. The same could happen in the
[ the same goes for 20...Ndf6
next game, had Black accepted the
21.Nxf6+ Nxf6 22.Qxh6 Bxe4
sacrifice:
23.Nxe4 Ng4 24.Nf6+ Nxf6 25.Qg5+ Kh8
26.Qh6+ Kg8= ]
Fercec,N 2473
a b c d e f g h
Burovic,Rijad 1949
19th Bosnjaci Open 2014 (1.5) 03.01.2014
8 8
7 7 a b c d e f g h
6 6 8 8
5 5 7 7
4 4 6 6
3 3 5 5
2 2 4 4
1 1 3 3
a b c d e f g h
2 2
Black cracks under the pressure,= 1 1

choosing the worst of the 3 possible= a b c d e f g h
jumps: 21.Rxf4 Bxf4 22.Qxf4 Qg5?
[ 22...f5 23.h3 Qd5 24.Bf1 Nf6
25.Qxh6 Nxh5 26.Nxh5 ] White has just played 17.Qd2
A blunder in a difficult position. with the strategical threat Be3-g5 in
23.Qxg4+- f5 24.Qxg5+ hxg5 25.f4 order to establish his dominant
Rfd8 26.Ne2 g4 27.Nhg3 Bd5 28.Nf1 centralized knight. Black decided to
Bc4 29.Bxc4 Rxc4 30.Ne3 Rc7 oppose it by
31.Kf2 Kf7 32.Rd1 Kf6 33.Kg3 b5 17.... h6 , but this invited the thematic
34.d5 Rcd7 35.Nd4 exd5 36.Nexf5 18.Bxh6! Rxc2 19.Rxc2 gxh6
Rh8 37.Ne3 Rg7 38.Rc1 Rh3+
39.gxh3
1-0
[ in the game Black went for 19...Nc8?! 18.Bxh6! b3

and found himself in a lost situation [ 18...Nxd4 19.cxd4 b3 20.Qg5 Ne8
after the intended 20.Bg5 ] 21.Bxg7 Nxg7 22.Nh5 f5 23.exf5 ]
20.Qxh6 Rf7 21.Nxe6 Bxe6 22.Qxe6 19.Bxg7 Nh7 20.Bf6!!+-
Nd7 23.Qg6+ Rg7 24.Qxf5 and White
would have left with 4 pawns for the a b c d e f g h
piece and every chance to win.
8 8
So far we have examined the most 7 7
common attacking methods at White's
disposal, paying at the same time attention 6 6
to some possible defensive measures as 5 5

well. In the second part we are going to
4 4
analyse how the second player can react to
this thematic sacrifice. But, as all of us 3 3
must be still in an aggressive mood and
2 2
after having a real brilliancy like Jobava -
Ponomariov at 1 1
the start of the article, let me provide a b c d e f g h
you with two more tactical masterpieces:
A radical solution of great beauty! Black
is defendless.
Pacher,M 2446
20.... bxc2
Zwardon,V 2383
[ 20...Ne7 21.Nh5! ]
TCh-CZE Vychod 2013-14 (3.1) 24.11.13
a b c d e f g h
[ 20...b2 21.Qh6 Nxf6 22.Rae1!
with 23.e5 coming next is probably the
8 8
most picturesque demonstration of
7 7 White's attacking potential. ]
6 6 21.Nh5! Rd6 22.Qh6
1-0
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
13.e4 h6 14.Ng3 Qb6 15.Kh1 Ra7 16.Bf4

Rd8 17.Qc1 b4 Both sides have used their
majorities, but it is
White who strikes first.
Ipatov,Alexander 2625 [ 22...Kxg7 23.Qg4+ Kf7 ( 23...Kh8

Panjwani,R 2422 24.Nf6 Rg7 25.Qxe6 Rg6 26.Rd1 )
SPICE Cup Open 2013 (5.2) 17.10.2013 24.Rd1!! Qxa2 25.Qf4+ Kg6 26.Qf6+=
Kh5 27.f4! h6 28.g4+ Kxg4
a b c d e f g h
29.Qg6+ Kxf4 30.Rf1+ Ke3
31.Qd3# ]
8 8
[ 22...Rxd7 23.Qxe6+ Kxg7
7 7 24.Qxd7+ Kf8 25.e4 b5 26.Re3 ]
[ 22...Rxg7 23.Qxe6+ Rf7 24.Nf6+=Kg7
6 6
25.Rd1! b5 26.Nh5+ Kf8
5 5 27.Qh6+ Ke8 28.Nf6+ Rxf6 29.Qxf6 ]
Any of the 3 possible captures cannot==
4 4
help as well: 23.Qf4 Rf7 24.Qg5 Rf5
3 3 25.Qxd8+ Kxg7 26.Qe7+ Rf7
2 2
27.Qg5+ Kh8 28.Ne5 Rg7 29.Qd8+
Rg8 30.Qf6+ Rg7 31.Nf7+
1 1 1-0
a b c d e f g h
Test 1
a b c d e f g h
Once again many Black pieces have= 8 8
found themselves on the queenside, so
7 7
21.Bh6!! Re7
22.Bxg7!!Nd8 6 6
5 5
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
8 8
2 2
7 7
1 1
6 6
a b c d e f g h
5 5
4 4
White has a space advantage and
enjoys considerable chances to create
3 3 a kingside attack. How to start?
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Test 2 Test 4
a b c d e f g h
8 8 a b c d e f g h
7 7 8 8
6 6 7 7
5 5 6 6
4 4 5 5
3 3 4 4
2 2 3 3
1 1 2 2
a b c d e f g h 1 1
a b c d e f g h
In positions with opposite castles, every
single tempo is very important. How White's pieces are directed to the
should White proceed with his kingside kingside. How to keep the attack going?
attack?
Test 3 Test 5
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8
8 8
7 7
7 7
6 6
6 6
5 5
5 5
4 4
4 4
3 3
3 3
2 2
2 2
1 1
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Despite the fact that Black is doomed to In the popular Winaver variation in
passivity, White should be very precise in French defence, instead of the usual 9...
order to keep the momentum. How to Ng6, Black played 9...h6. How to refute
proceed? this move?
Master the Grunfeld a b c d e f g h
Structure - Part 3 8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
White has managed keeping his centre

Dear Reader, intact for a long time so Black's main
Welcome to the third article of our series source of counterplay is his control over
concerning the Grunfeld structures. In the c4-square. The next move is aimed
the previous article, we were dealing with to strengthen his outpost but after a later
White's idea to create a central passed inaccuracy the weakening of the c6-
pawn by playing d4-d5. We have seen square will be decisive. b5 18.Bg5 The
that such a central pawn has a number of bishop moves out of the knight's range
advantages and drawbacks. causing Black some mini-problems with
This time, however, we are going to his e7-pawn. a6 19.Rbc1
examine some situations when White Bxd3 20.Rxc8 Qxc8 21.Qxd3 Re8?
goes for d4-d5 without creating a passed
pawn. As I have pointed out in the
a b c d e f g h
previous article, such an idea could
seriously restrict Black's active options. 8 8
For once, we will see Kasparov unable to 7 7

deal with the critical situation
6 6
Karpov,Anatoly 2730
Kasparov,Garry 2800 5 5
World Championship 35th-KK5 (17) 4 4
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 3 3

Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Be3
2 2
c5 8.Qd2 0-0 9.Nf3 Bg4 10.Ng5!?
cxd4 11.cxd4 Nc6 12.h3 Bd7 13.Rb1 1 1
Rc8 14.Nf3 Na5 15.Bd3 Be6 16.0-0 a b c d e f g h
Bc4 17.Rfd1
[ 21...e6!? Now is a good moment to After a long phase of subtle

take this type of measures aganst d4- maneouvring, White finally reveals his
d5. 22.d5 ( Unlike in the game, secret card: the invasion of the c6-
22.Rc1 can be safely met with Nc4 square. Nc4
since 23.Nd2 runs into Nb2! [ A few moves later the back rank
In the similar position which could weakness will play an important part.
have arised after Kasparov's last But 23...h6 would drive the bishop on
move the e8-rook would be hanging. ) another active diagonal: 24.Bf4! Nc4
22...Nc4! ( An interesting moment. 25.Nd2 with the idea of Nxd2
Inserting 22...exd5 23.exd5 26.Rc7! ]
would conceal White the d5-square
24.Nd2 Nxd2?!
and the open e-file: Nc4 24.d6 Qd7
He could play 25.Qe4 planning Qe7 a b c d e f g h
since Re8? 26.Qxe8+! wins. ) 23.d6 8 8
Qd7 The pawns looks threatening but
White's major pieces do not have 7 7
enough space to unblock it. 24.Be7 6 6
Rc8 ( 24...Nb2? 25.Qc2 Nxd1
allows Nxe5! ] 5 5
4 4
This is the main cause for Black's future
problems. Many alternatives have been 3 3
suggested but I will only mention one
2 2
which as far as I know have escaped
the commentators' attention, but which 1 1
is has the tightest connection with our a b c d e f g h
main theme and the previous examples.
22.Rc1 Qb7 23.d5! [ Botvinnik once wrote: if you have
a b c d e f g h weaknesses, try keeping a knight.
This applies here perfectly as 24...Ne5
8 8
would have offered some chances to
7 7 keep the fight double-edged even
though the knight is obviously
6 6
unstable and White would retain
5 5 pressure with, say, 25.Qa3
Black could strike with f5 preparing
4 4
the knight's retreat to f7 in case of
3 3 emergency, and facing White with
2 2
some problems converting his
strategic advantage. ]
1 1
a b c d e f g h
25.Bxd2! Rc8 26.Rc6! Shaked,Tal 2500

Kasparov,Garry 2820
a b c d e f g h Tilburg 1997
8 8 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5
Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Be3 c5
7 7
8.Qd2 Qa5 9.Rb1 b6 10.Bb5+ Bd7
6 6 11.Be2 Bc6 12.Bd3 Nd7 13.Ne2
a b c d e f g h
5 5
8 8
4 4
7 7
3 3
6 6
2 2
5 5
1 1
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
2 2
Kasparov confesses he had overlooked
this simple move crowning White's 1 1
previous play. Be5 Symptomatically, the a b c d e f g h
bishop was not doing much on the long White has chosen a contorted way of
diagonal so Kasparov decides using it developing, aimed at preventing the knight
for queenside defence. from reaching c6. Rd8!
[ Black needs living with the rook on c6 At that time a novelty, not only anticipating
since 26...Rxc6 27.dxc6 leads to a d4-d5 but also creating the potential threat
quick defeat: Qc7 ( 27...Qxc6? Nd7-e5. 14.f3 0-0 15.h4 h5 16.Bg5
28.Qd8+ Bf8 29.Bh6 mates. ) 28.Qd7 Rfe8 17.Rc1 White keeps wasting time
Be5 29.Bb4 Busy with blocking the while Black is fully mobilized already. Bb7!
far advanced pawn, Black is helpless
a b c d e f g h
against the simple kingside threats
(for instance Bxe7, Qe8-f8 mate) ] 8 8
27.Bc3 Bb8 7 7
[ The queen ending after 27...Bxc3
6 6
28.Qxc3 Rxc6 29.dxc6 is hopeless in
the long run since the pawn paralyzes 5 5
Black. ] 4 4
28.Qd4 f6 29.Ba5 White is in complete
3 3
control of the position and won eleven
moves later. 2 2
1-0 1 1
a b c d e f g h
A subtle move yielding Black's [ True, White's position would be

position perfect harmony. The critical after other retreats, too, for
bishop steps out of the d-pawn's instance: 20.Qd1 e6!? 21.Bxd8
range while keeping the possibility Rxd8 winning the central pawn with
of switching to the f1-a6 diagonal. overwhelming initiative for the
18.d5? exchange or ]
[ This is one of the least favorable [ 20.Qd3 Ba6 21.0-0 Rd7
situations for this thematic advance. ( Even stronger than 21...Na3 22.Qd2
True, natural moves would not spare Nxb1 23.Rxb1 Bxe2 24.Qxe2 Qxc3
White problems already: 18.0-0 Ne5! winning a less important pawn than
19.Bb1 ( 19.dxe5 runs into c4 the central one. ) 22.Rfe1 e6-+ ]
retrieving the piece and retaining the "In bad positions all moves are bad"
bishops pair and the better structure. ) (Tarrasch) True, but this is the worst
19...Ba6 ] thinkable of! 20...Be5 The second piece
18...Ne5 The first moment when a black lands on this square trapping the queen.
minor piece uses the concealed e5- 0-1
square. The immediate threat is ...Rd7
Timman,Jan H 2620
followed by ...e7-e6, winning the d5-
Ivanchuk,Vassily 2720
pawn. 19.Bb1 Abandoning the control of
Linares 1992
the c4-square looks strange, but White
hoped to consolidate his centre with c3-
c4.
[ 19.c4? is impossible due to Nxd3+ ] a b c d e f g h
[ or if 19.0-0 Rd7 20.c4 Qxd2 8 8
21.Bxd2 Nxd3 winning the bishop in
7 7
both cases. ]
19...Nc4 20.Qf4?? 6 6
a b c d e f g h
5 5
8 8
4 4
7 7
3 3
6 6
2 2
5 5
1 1
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
2 2 White has prematurely played d4-d5 but

in order to punish him Black needs
1 1
finding the best way of defending the c-
a b c d e f g h
pawn. 12...c4!
[ In the game Black played 12...Nd7?! 19.e7

allowing White strengthening his [ In vain trying to slow down Black's
centre with 13.c4 , leading to unclear initiative, but 19.exf7+ Rxf7 20.Rb1
play. ] Rd8 is also hopeless. ]
13.Rb4 Bxf3 14.gxf3 Qa3 This is one 19...Rfe8 20.Rb1 Ne5 21.Be2 Rxe7
of those cases when White cannot Black will soon occupy the d-file and
ignore the threat on c3. 15.Bd4 Bxd4 invade the d3-square with his knight.
16.Qxd4 Instead of any shadow of counterplay,
[ 16.cxd4? strengthens the centre White has only weaknesses on the other
but... loses a rook to c3! ] wing.
16...0-0 17.Qd2 A necessary waste of 1/2
time since a2 was hanging.
***Over the previous phase, Black has Polugaevsky,L
won a developing tempo (castling). Now T Timman,Jan H
is a good moment to break the centre. Tilburg 40/582 1985
e6! 18.dxe6 Otherwise the pawn would
be doomed, for instance: a b c d e f g h
[ 18.d6 Nc6 19.Rb1 Ne5 20.Be2
8 8
Rad8 or ]
[ 18.Be2 exd5 19.exd5 Rd8 20.0-0 7 7
Nc6 followed by ...e7. ]
6 6
18...Nc6!
5 5
a b c d e f g h
4 4
8 8
3 3
7 7
2 2
6 6
1 1
5 5
a b c d e f g h
4 4
White's d-pawn looks strong but his
3 3
coordination is imperfect as some of his
2 2 pieces stand in eachother's way. Black
rightly initiated his queenside
1 1
counterplay: 22...b5 23.axb5 Na3
a b c d e f g h 24.Rd1 The question is how to proceed
now in order to keep the d5-pawn under
[ There is nothing wrong with control and the c3-pawn under pressure.
18...fxe6 clearing the f-file for c4!
attacking White's chronic weaknesses,
but developing is the highest priority. ]
[ This is much stronger than Timman's [ 29.Nf4 a5! reveals another merit of
natural 24...axb5?! leading to unclear placing the knight on b5: the pawn will
play after 25.d6 Nc4 26.Ng3 Qc6 be absolutely safe on a3. ]
27.Ne4 h6 28.g4! Black's position is 29...f5 30.Ne2 Re8 31.Nf4
doubtlessly harmonious but White has [ There is no time for preparing f4
also improved his coordination while with all the comfort by playing 31.h4
his d-pawn is well defended. ] due to Re3 attacking c3. ]
25.Qd2 Nxb5! 31...g5! 32.Ne2
a b c d e f g h [ 32.Nh3 Re3 33.Nxg5 Nxc3
offers Black a winning initiative. ]
8 8
32...h6 Unlike in the game, White is as
7 7 poorly coordinated as in the test position
while Black clearly dominates the centre.
6 6
0-1
5 5
Ehlvest,Jaan 2660
4 4 De la Villa Garcia,Jesus Maria 2525
San Roque (3) 1996
3 3
2 2 As we know already, d4-d5 frequently implies

sacrificing some material. In the last example
1 1 we will examine a slightly unusual situation:
a b c d e f g h White advanced his pawn without investing
material but several moves later had to
The point of the previous move. The sacrifice a pawn in order to neutralize Black's
knight not inhibits the d-pawn's advance counterplay. 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 Bg7
but also puts pressure on c3, tying up 4.Nc3 d5 5.cxd5 Nxd5 6.e4 Nxc3
his white colleague to its defence. 7.bxc3 c5 8.Be3 Qa5 9.Qd2
26.Bh6 The best chance, reducing the 0-0 10.Rc1 cxd4 11.cxd4 Qxd2+
pressure on c3. 12.Nxd2 Nc6 13.d5 Nb4 14.Bc4
[ A neutral move such as 26.Rff1 a b c d e f g h
is answered with Ra7 followed by ... 8 8
Rad7. ]
7 7
[ 26.d6? simply does not work: Nxd6!
27.Bxd6 Bf8 winning a pawn for 6 6
nothing. ] 5 5
26...Bxh6 27.Qxh6 Qc5
Black immediately invades the black 4 4
squares which were weakened after the 3 3

bishops exchange. 28.Qd2 Rd6 29.Ng3
2 2
Forcing the slight weakening of Black's
kingside. 1 1
a b c d e f g h
Black's knight faces the perspective of advantage is temporary. b6 26.Rc1

landing on the passive a6-square so he Bb7 27.Bb3 Rac8 28.Rbc2 Rxc2
tried to make use of the available 29.Rxc2 Rc8 30.Rxc8+ Bxc8 31.e5
diagonal to include his bishop into play: Bd7 32.Bd1 retrieving the pawn with
Bb2 15.Rb1 Nc2+ 16.Ke2 Nxe3 excellent winning chances. ]
17.Rxb2!! [ 22...Kg7 23.Rg1 f6 is relatively best
[ A great move, sacrificing the g2-pawn, even though White keeps excellent
but not a difficult to decide upon since compensation with, say 24.Rc1 . ]
after 17.Kxe3 Ba3 only Black can be 23.Rg1 Bb7 24.fxg5 Rac8 25.Bb3
better due to his bishops pair. ] Rc3+ 26.Kf4 Kh7 27.gxh6 Kxh6
17...Nxg2 18.Kf3 28.Rbg2 Diagram
[ Improving over 18.Rc1 as played in
Portisch-Adorjan, Hungary 1981. a b c d e f g h
***Ehlvest's idea was getting the 8 8
maximum out of the errant knight's
misplacing. ] 7 7
18...Nh4+ 19.Kg3 g5 20.f4 h6 21.Nf3! 6 6

a b c d e f g h
5 5
8 8
4 4
7 7
3 3
6 6
2 2
5 5
1 1
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
2 2 This is the worst situation for Black. The

material is equal, his king unsafe and
1 1
the white centre threatening. Ba6
a b c d e f g h 29.Rg3 Rxg3 30.Rxg3 f6 31.Bd1 Bc4
After reaching his first goals (gaining 32.Kf5 Rc8 33.Bb3 b5 34.Bxc4?!
space and weakening Black's kingside) [ 34.e5! planning to meet fxe5 with
White exchanges the knight which was 35.Rg6+ Kh7 36.Rc6 ]
threatening to set up a blockade with ... [ or 34.Ke6 Rc7 35.Rg8 are more
Ng6. Nxf3 22.Kxf3 b6?! accurate.]
Black chooses his priorities wrongly.
Developing is important but the king's 34...bxc4 35.Rc3 Rc7 36.a4 Kg7
safety even more. 37.e5 fxe5 38.Kxe5 Rc8 39.Ke6 Rc7
[ True, 22...Kh8 does not solve all 40.a5 I assume that Black lost on time
problems: 23.fxg5 hxg5 24.h4 g4+ since resigning surely looks premature.
25.Kf4 As we will see, Black's material 1-0
Endgame Series - Part 12 certainly a useful guideline that helps us

adopt the right mentality in endgames, we
will also see how important it can be in
practical sense. For example, in the
following position white wins only if his
pawn is in its initial square:
Example 1
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
Hello Dear chess friends! 4 4
There are only several more "basic" 3 3

endgame topics we are about to cover in 2 2
the Endgame series before we move on
1 1
to more complex strategies. One of them
is saved (or reserved) pawn tempo, a b c d e f g h
which we will discuss in the first part of Black holds the opposition, but white has
this issue. In the second part, I would an ace up his sleeve: 1.c3!
like to share analysis of an "endgame [ Wrong is 1.c4? because black king
tragicomedy" - a training game between steps inside the square of c-pawn
two of my beginner level students, which after Kg6 2.c5 ( 2.Kg4 Kf6 3.Kf4
in my opinion holds instructive value Ke6 4.Ke4 Kd6 5.Kd4 Kc6=
even for experienced players. shows another bad side of playing c4
Saved pawn tempo too early - now white king can not go
There are certain situations in endgames, to c4. ) 2...Kf6 3.c6 Ke6= ]
especially pawn endgames, when a
a b c d e f g h
small pawn move decides the fate of the
8 8
game. One of the main tenets of the
classic endgame work by Shereshevski - 7 7
"Endgame strategy", is "do not hurry". 6 6
Apart from certain psychological aspects,
5 5
this principle can be applied with regard to
pushing pawns in the endgame. For 4 4
example, in positions when we can push 3 3
a pawn one or two squares forward
2 2
Shereshevski recommends we "push it
only one square, look around, then 1 1
cautiously push it one more". While this is a b c d e f g h

[ 1.Kg4 ] You might remember from the previous

1...Kg6 2.Kg4 Thanks to the saved issue that the corresponding squares in
pawn tempo c2-c3 white takes the this position are f6 and g3 and therefore
winning opposition. Kf6 3.Kf4 Ke6 white should play 2.Kg3! introducing the
second threat: h2-h4.
4.Ke4 Kd6 5.Kd4 Kc6 6.Kc4 Diagram
[ but not 2.Kf3 due to Ke5 3.Ke3 Kd5
a b c d e f g h
and there is no passage for his king
8 8 just yet. ]
7 7
Black's most stubborn defence is 2...Kf7
6 6
[ In case of 2...Ke5
5 5
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
8 8
2 2
7 7
1 1
6 6
a b c d e f g h
5 5
and he is winning in the simplest
possible pawn endgame. 4 4
This basic example illustrates the point 3 3

of a saved pawn tempo sufficiently 2 2
well, but let us see several more
applications. One of them has already 1 1
been discussed in the previous issue. a b c d e f g h
Example 2
a b c d e f g h 3.h4! gxh4+ 4.Kxh4 Kf6 5.Kh5
8 8 white takes control over the key
squares first. ]
7 7
6 6
3.Kf3 but now white can reach e4
square: Kf6 4.Ke4 Ke6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
second weakness - f7, therefore: 1.Ke5
[ Instead, the straight-forward 1.d4?
8 8
is wrong because of Kc7 and now it
7 7 becomes clear that white can not win
as he can not outflank the black king
6 6
via e6 - because of the f7 pawn! 2.Kc5
5 5 Kd7 3.d5 Kc7 4.d6+ Kd7 5.Kd5
Kd8 6.Kc6 Kc8= and the presence of
4 4
f-pawns does not change the outcome
3 3 of this position. ]
1...Kc6 2.Kf5 Kd5 3.Kg5 Ke5
2 2
This is black's best defensive effort.
1 1 White can not go to h6 directly, but the
a b c d e f g h saved pawn tempo comes in handy.
[ In case of 3...Ke6 4.d4! puts black in
when the saved pawn tempo 5.h3! zugzwang, just like in the main line
is decisive as it puts black in zugzwang. after the fifth move. ]
Kf6 6.Kd5+- 4.d3! Diagram "Do not hurry!"
[ Instead, 4.d4+? is premature due to
Kxd4 5.Kh6 Ke5 and black is in time
Example 3 to reach a well-known position. White
a b c d e f g h
should bail with 6.Kg5 ( as otherwise
6.Kg7?? Ke6-+ loses. ) 6...Ke6 7.Kg4
8 8
Kxf6 8.Kf4= ]
7 7
a b c d e f g h
6 6
8 8
5 5
7 7
4 4
6 6
3 3
5 5
2 2
4 4
1 1
a b c d e f g h 3 3
2 2
In the study by Salvioli from 1887. below 1 1

white has a narrow path to victory based a b c d e f g h
on the saved pawn tempo:
Diagram
The right winning plan is to attack black's 4...Ke6
[ or 4...Kd4 5.Kh6 Kxd3 6.Kg7+- ] a b c d e f g h

5.d4 now black has to step away from f6 8 8
pawn, which means that he is in
zugzwang. Kd5 6.Kh6 Kd6 The most 7 7
stubborn, but insufficient. 6 6

[ 6...Kxd4 7.Kg7+- 7.Kg7
] Ke6
5 5
a b c d e f g h 4 4
8 8 3 3
7 7 2 2
6 6 1 1
5 5 a b c d e f g h
4 4 [ On the other hand, 1.Ke3?

loses because after Kd5
3 3 A) The pawn sacrifice 2.c6
2 2 does not work now due to Kxc6!
( but not 2...dxc6? 3.Kd3= ) 3.Kd4
1 1
Kd6-+ and black achieves the
a b c d e f g h opposition first.;
and white finally breaks black's defence B) 2.Kd3 Kxc5 3.Kc3
with another d-pawn move: 8.d5+! Kxd5
a b c d e f g h
9.Kxf7+-
8 8
7 7
Example 4
6 6
Being aware of the importance of saved
5 5
pawn tempo can help us in defense of
difficult positions. A case in point is the 4 4
following endgame: 3 3
It is clear that white is losing the c-pawn,
but the question is can he save the game 2 2
by reaching the opposition. The 1 1

answer is - yes, he can, by "stealing" a b c d e f g h
black's extra pawn tempo with a cunning
pawn sacrifice. 1.c6! black has a pawn tempo in reserve:
d6! 4.Kd3 Kd5 5.Kc3 Ke4+- ]
1...dxc6 2.Ke3 Kd5 3.Kd3=
Example 5 3...exd4 4.Kxd4 and white wins.;

Sometimes your opponent has several B) 2...Ke7 3.Ke5 Kf7 Now white
pawn tempi at his disposal and it is a starts using his pawn tempi to force
good strategy to restrict them, just like in the favorable opposition: 4.f4 Ke7
the following position: 5.d4! ( 5.f5? exf5 6.Kxf5 Kd6= )
a b c d e f g h
5...Kf7 6.f5 exf5 7.Kxf5+- ]
8 8
2.Ke4
7 7
[ 2.f4 is another attempt, which does
6 6 not work after exf4+ 3.Kxf4 Kd6
5 5 4.Ke4 Ke6= ]
4 4 2...Ke6=
3 3
a b c d e f g h
2 2
8 8
1 1
a b c d e f g h 7 7
6 6
It is essential to take away white's extra
pawn tempi f3-f4 and d3-d4 with the 5 5
move 1...e5!
4 4
[ 1...Kd6 would be losing in the
following manner: 2.Ke4 3 3
A) Now it's too late for 2...e5
2 2
since white forces the opposition
with 3.d4! ( We should know from 1 1
the chapter on opposition that a b c d e f g h
3.Kf5? only draws due to Kd5 4.Kf6
Kd6! 5.Kf7 Kd7!= ) and here white can not achieve the
a b c d e f g h opposition. Which ever pawn he pushes
8 8
forward, black takes the key squares in
front of his pawn. For example: 3.f4
7 7
exf4 4.Kxf4 Kd5 etc.
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Example 6 a b c d e f g h
8 8
a b c d e f g h
7 7
8 8
6 6
7 7
5 5
6 6
4 4
5 5
3 3
4 4 2 2
3 3 1 1
2 2 a b c d e f g h
1 1
White loses which ever pawn he
pushes. 4.h3 a6-+ ]
a b c d e f g h
2.a4
[ In case of 2.h3 the most principled
Now let's see a practical example where continuation is h6!-+ which will put
pawn tempi were critical for the outcome white in zugzwang within two moves. ]
of the game: 2...a5! Fixing the a-pawns is principled
Diagram and precise.
The kings are clinched in the position of [ On the other hand, the sloppy
mutual zugzwang and the one who lets 2...h6?? allows 3.a5!+-
go first loses. Both sides have pawn
a b c d e f g h
tempi in reserve, which means that the
8 8
one who has the last pawn tempo wins.
Black to move wins with: 1...a6! 7 7
This is the correct method. We should
6 6
use our pawn tempi with restraint.
[ It would be principally wrong to push 5 5
the pawn two squares forward 4 4
1...a5?? (or 1...h5??) as it wastes the
3 3
crucial tempo. 2.a4 h6! 3.h3 h5
4.h4+- ] 2 2
[ Just as good as the text move is 1 1
1...h6!? 2.a4 and now the only
a b c d e f g h
winning move is h5! ( This time
2...a6?? loses because of 3.a5! h5 when suddenly white has more saved
4.h4+-; as well as 2...a5?? 3.h3! h5 tempi (h2-h3 and h2-h4) than black
4.h4+- ) 3.a5 h4! Diagram (only h6-h5). ]
3.h3 h6 4.h4 h5-+ and white finally has to
let go off his central pawn.
The principle of saved pawn tempo is In this rook endgame with equal material
quite self-explanatory and it just takes black looks slightly better thanks to more
some practice to recognize positions active rook and king and a somewhat
when it becomes important. In the better pawn structure. Ra4-a1, followed
"Exercises" section, you can find several by attack on white's kingside pawns could
examples (some of them tricky!),where be unpleasant for white.
you can check your understanding of this
Therefore, his next move makes a lot of
topic.
sense: 1.Ra3! An invitation to a pawn
Now, I would like to share with you a nice
endgame. Should black accept? In the
practical example of a pawn endgame in
game he did, Rxa3+ but let us look at
which we will see at work many of the
the alternative.
topics and principles discussed in the
[ In case that black keeps the rook on
previous issues, such as outside and
the board 1...Rb4 white can activate
defended passed pawn, connected
his own rook with 2.Ra6+ Ke7
pawns, common square of two pawns,
3.Ra7+ which gives him sufficient
zugzwang, and mined squares. Since this
drawing chances. For example: Kf8
game was played between two beginner
4.Kc3 Re4 5.Kd3 Rb4= ]
players, it should come as no surprise
2.bxa3
that there were some silly mistakes on
both sides. Nevertheless, such imprecise a b c d e f g h
play lead me to discover some interesting 8 8
analytical possibilities for both sides
(extending to a queen endgame!) that I 7 7
hope you will find instructive. 6 6
5 5
Example 7
Instructive pawn endgame 4 4
a b c d e f g h 3 3
8 8 2 2
7 7 1 1
a b c d e f g h
6 6
Now we have a double-edged pawn
5 5
endgame on the board. The reason why
4 4 is say it is double-edged is because
both sides have a passed pawn. Which
3 3
one is stronger - white's outside passed
2 2 pawn or black's defended passed pawn?
Or do they cancel each other out, so the
1 1
position is drawn (for more on these
a b c d e f g h topics, see the fifth issue of Endgame
series. Let's see: c4+ a b c d e f g h

Black immediately creates a defended 8 8
passed pawn. 7 7
[ But what happens if he plays 2...Kc6? 6 6

intending to block and maybe even 5 5
win the a-pawn after Kb5-Ka4 etc.?
4 4
Actually, this move loses to 3.e4!
3 3
a b c d e f g h 2 2
8 8 1 1
a b c d e f g h
7 7
6 6 This is an important moment. Which

pawn should white capture? 5.Kxe4
5 5 This is correct. Now we have a simple
4 4 outside passed pawn (a-) vs. inner
passed pawn (c-) situation. ( 5.Kxc4??
3 3 even loses because black can create a
2 2 defended passed pawn on e4 with h5!
6.gxh5 f5 White can fend off black king
1 1
for a while: 7.Kb4 Kb6
a b c d e f g h 8.a4 Ka6 9.Kc3 Ka5 10.Kb3
but then black can deflect him with his
White wants to break up the "hanging passed pawn: e3! 11.Kc3 Kxa4
pawns" duo. c4+ ( Black can keep his 12.Kd3 Kb4 13.Kxe3 Kc4-+
connected pawns together with 3...d4 and this endgame is winning for
however, after 4.a4! we get an black despite current material deficit
interesting battle: connected versus because white can not prevent him from
two passed pawns. White is winning raiding his kingside. ) 5...Kc5 6.f5
because he can block the connected That's a good waiting move. Black will
pair with his king, while black can not get into zugzwang eventually and white
do the same because the common king will get to the c-pawn. h6 7.h5
square of white's passed pawns Kb5 ( or 7...c3 8.Kd3+- ) 8.Kd4 Ka4
reaches the eight rank. This makes 9.Kxc4 Kxa3 10.Kd5+- ]
white's position winning by default (as 3.Kc3?! This is obviously inaccurate.
we discussed in the third issue of [ It was more natural to advance the
Endgame Series). The game could king to 3.Kd4 e3-e4 is still the threat,
continue: Kb6 5.Kc4 Kc6 6.a5 Kd6 so black needs to find a way to
7.e5++- with a pawn promotion. ) prevent it. Fortunately, there is a way:
4.Kd4 dxe4 A) 3...g6? is too slow. 4.e4! dxe4
5.Kxe4 Kc5 6.f5 gxf5+ 7.gxf5 h5
and now the patient 8.Ke3! wins 4.gxh5 f5= The extra h-pawn is of
( while the impatient 8.a4?? no significance. It is important that
lets black king close to his passed white can not push e3-e4 any more,
pawn Kb4 and even loses. 9.Kd4 so the position is drawn. 5.Kc3 Kc5
c3-+ ) 8...Kd5 9.Kd2 Ke5 10.a4!+- 6.Kb2 Kb5 7.Kc2 Ka4 8.Kb2 Ka5
9.Kc2 Kb5 10.Kc3= etc. ]
a b c d e f g h
3...Kc5 Now e3-e4 is not even a threat.
8 8 However, the position is still objectively
7 7
drawn with precise play. 4.g5
[ Simpler was 4.f5 Kb5 5.h5 h6
6 6
and here white should avoid the
5 5 mined square b2 by playing 6.Kc2!
4 4
first. ( 6.Kb2?? Ka4 7.Ka2 c3-+ )]
4...fxg5!? This is the practically best
3 3 solution.
2 2
[ 4...f5 was, of course, just equal. ]
5.fxg5 The correct recapture.
1 1 [ On the other hand, 5.hxg5?!would
a b c d e f g h be too risky in the view of h5!
6.gxh6 gxh6
This defends the f-pawn indirectly,
a b c d e f g h
while also creating a decoy for black
king. After more or less forced: Kd5 8 8
11.Kc3 Kc5 12.a5 Kb5 13.a6 Kxa6 7 7

14.Kxc4 Kb6 15.Kd5 white is faster
and picks up kingside pawns first.; 6 6
B) 3...h5! 5 5
a b c d e f g h
4 4
8 8
3 3
7 7
2 2
6 6
1 1
5 5
a b c d e f g h
4 4
and now we get an exciting pawn race
3 3 (topic that was covered in the second
2 2
issue of Endgame Series). It turns out
that white must play much more
1 1 precisely than black who just needs to
a b c d e f g h push his h-pawn down the board.
A) The problem in the line 7.f5 h5 It seems like white will escape with a
8.f6 is that black king can step into draw in queen endgame after
pawn's square: Kd6 9.a4 simultaneous pawn promotion, but
( while white king can not black has a nasty surprise: d4+!
succesfully do the same after 9.Kd2 15.Kxd4 h1Q-+;
h4 10.Ke2 h3 11.Kf3 because of B) 7.a4! Strangely enough, white
can draw only if he pushes his less
a b c d e f g h advanced pawn first. h5 8.a5 h4
8 8 9.a6 Kb6 Black king is in the
square again, but in this line there
7 7
are no tricks with d5-d4+. 10.f5 h3
6 6 B1) Instead, 11.f6 h2 12.f7
h1Q 13.f8Q Qc1+ 14.Kd4
5 5
Qd2+ 15.Ke5 Kxa6
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
8 8
2 2
7 7
1 1
6 6
a b c d e f g h
5 5
c3-+ ) 9...h4 10.f7 Ke7 11.a5 h3 4 4

12.f8Q+ Kxf8 13.a6 h2 14.a7
3 3
2 2
a b c d e f g h
1 1
8 8
a b c d e f g h
7 7
leads to a most likely lost
6 6 endgame for white. For example,
5 5
if he gives checks: 16.Qa8+ Kb5
17.Qb7+ we can perform zig-zag
4 4 with the king in order to hide
3 3 behind the queen and pawns.
Ka4 18.Qc6+ Kb3 19.Qb5+
2 2 ( The problem is that 19.Qxd5
1 1 never works due to Qxd5+
a b c d e f g h
20.Kxd5 c3-+ ) 19...Kc3
20.Qa5+ Kc2 21.Qa2+ Kd3-+
etc.;
B2) 11.a7! That's an extremely B) 8...Ka5!

important detail. White forces
a b c d e f g h
black king on a7 to improve his
drawing chances in the pawn 8 8
down queens endgame. Kxa7 7 7
12.f6 h2 13.f7 h1Q 14.f8Q
Qc1+ 15.Kd4 Qd2+ This time, 6 6
white has 16.Kc5! which was the 5 5

point of deflecting black king
4 4
away from b6. Qxe3+
17.Kxd5= ] 3 3
5...h5 6.g6 Does not spoil anything yet,
2 2
but far from a necessary move.
[ Simpler was either 6.Kc2 Kb5 1 1
( 6...d4?? would be a terrible mistake a b c d e f g h
as after 7.exd4+ Kxd4 8.a4+-
the c-pawn would not be defended by 9.Kc3 Kb5 10.Kc2! Ka4 11.Kb2
the pawn any more.; 6...g6 7.Kc3= ) Ka5! 12.Kc3 Kb5= with a likely
7.Kc3= ] draw by three-fold repetition. ]
6...Kb5 7.Kd4?! White does not sense [ Equally imprecise is 7.Kb2?!
the potential danger from the c4-pawn. since after Ka4 white can not keep
[ Much more prudent was 7.Kc2 Ka4 the a-pawn with 8.Ka2? ( Fortunately,
8.Kb2 when black even has to be 8.Kc3 Kxa3 9.e4!= is a saving grace,
careful not to step on a mined square as we will see in the following
(Endgame series, Issue 11), which in commentary. ) due to 8...c3-+ ]
this case is b5. 7...Ka4
A) 8...Kb5?? looks innocent, but a b c d e f g h
loses because after 9.Kc3
8 8
black is in zugzwang. He would
either have to leave the c4 pawn 7 7
with Ka4 ( 9...Kc5 or allow 10.a4
6 6
when he has to move away from c4
anyway... Kc6 11.e4!+- ) 10.e4! 5 5
dxe4 11.Kxc4 Kxa3 12.Kd4 Kb4
4 4
13.Kxe4 Kc5 and here white wins
the kings' race with 14.Ke5+- 3 3
closing down on g7 pawn.; 2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
8.e4?? This is a tragedy in the making. was the right move, forcing the
[ White could actually still save himself promotion of c-pawn. 9.e5!
by blocking the c-pawn: 8.Kc3! Kxa3 This is the only way to keep the game
9.e4 dxe4 10.Kxc4 e3! It is important going. ( 9.exd5? loses on the spot
for black to clear some space for the after c3 10.d6 c2 11.d7 c1Q
return of his king. 11.Kd3 Kb4 12.d8Q and now the classic skewer:
12.Kxe3 Kc5 13.Ke4 Kd6 Qd1+-+ wins the queen and the
a b c d e f g h game. ) 9...c3 10.e6 c2 11.e7 c1Q
8 8 12.e8Q
7 7
a b c d e f g h
6 6 8 8
5 5 7 7
4 4
6 6
3 3
5 5
2 2
4 4
1 1
3 3
a b c d e f g h
2 2
and black is just in time to protect the
way to his g7 pawn. The weakness of 1 1
h5 pawn will prove to be irrelevant. a b c d e f g h
14.Kf5 Kd5 15.Kg5 Ke5 16.Kxh5
Kf5= Stalemate! ]
The material is equal, but the black
8...dxe4?? No endgame tragicomedy is
can advance his passed pawn quickly
complete without a mutual blunder.
with: Qc4+ 13.Ke3 d4+ 14.Kf2
[ 8...Kb3!
Qc2+ 15.Ke1 Qc1+ 16.Kf2
a b c d e f g h
( In case of 16.Ke2 black pushes the
8 8 pawn anyway: d3+! 17.Kxd3 Qd1+
7 7
18.Ke4 Qe2+-+ ) 16...Qd2+ 17.Kg1
d3-+ and black should be faster.
6 6 White can not save the game even by
5 5 taking the g-pawn: 18.Qf7+ Kc2
19.Qxg7 because of Qe3+ 20.Kg2
4 4
Qe4+ 21.Kg3 Qg4+ 22.Kf2 Qf4+!
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h should have gone for the one on g7.

8 8 12.Ke5+- Kc4 13.Ke6 Kd4 14.Kf7
Ke5 15.Kxg7 and white wins. ]
7 7
12...Kd6 13.Kg5 Ke5 14.Kxh5 Kf6
6 6 There was no need for that
[ as black could force a draw
5 5
immediately by stalemating white:
4 4 14...Kf5
a b c d e f g h
3 3
8 8
2 2
7 7
1 1
6 6
a b c d e f g h
23.Kg2 d2-+ there are no checks with 5 5
black queen on f4, therefore white can 4 4

resign. ]
3 3
9.Kxc4 Kxa3 10.Kd4 Kb4 11.Kxe4
Kc5 2 2
a b c d e f g h
1 1
8 8
a b c d e f g h
7 7 15.Kg4 Kxg6 16.h5+ Kh6 17.Kh4 g6
6 6 18.hxg6 Kxg6
a b c d e f g h
5 5
8 8
4 4
7 7
3 3
6 6
2 2
5 5
1 1
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
All the pawns have been exchanged, but
white has the edge because black king 2 2
wasted time collecting the outside 1 1

passed pawn. This is the last critical
a b c d e f g h
moment of the endgame and... 12.Kf5??
white fails to appreciate the difference Lone kings. A fair result in a well-fought
between the g- and h- pawn. game, although with a plenty of
[ Instead of going for the h5-pawn, he instructive mistakes!
Exercise 1 Exercise 3
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8
8 8
7 7
7 7
6 6
6 6
5 5
5 5
4 4
4 4
3 3
3 3
2 2
2 2 1 1
1 1 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h White to move and win. 1.g3

[ 1.g4? Kh8 2.g5 Kg8 3.g6 hxg6
White to move and win. 1.g3! 4.hxg6 Kh8 5.g7+ Kg8 6.Kg6 ]
[ 1.g4?? g5-+ ] 1...Kh8 2.g4 Kg8 3.g5 Kh8 4.g6
1...g5 2.g4+- hxg6 5.hxg6 Kg8 6.g7 Kf7 7.Kh7+-
Exercise 2 Exercise 4
8 8 8 8
7 7
7 7
6 6
6 6
5 5
5 5
4 4
4 4
3 3
3 3
2 2
2 2
1 1
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
White to move and win. 1.g4!
White to move and win. 1.Kg6! [ 1.f3?? g5-+ ]
[ 1.a3? a6 2.Kg6 a5 3.Kf6 a4= ] [ 1.g3?? f3! 2.g4 g5-+ ]
1...a6 1...fxg3
[ 1...a5 2.Kf6 a4 3.a3+- ]
[ 1...f3 2.g5+- ]
2.Kf6 a5 3.a4+-
[ 1...g5 2.f3+- ]
2.fxg3 g5 3.g4+-
Exercise 5 [ 1.Kd3 Kd6 2.Kc4 g6-+ ]

a b c d e f g h
1...f6!
[ 1...fxg6 2.Kc4 ( 2.g5? Kc7!= )
8 8 2...Kd6 3.g5+- ]
7 7 2.Kd3!
[ 2.Kc4? Kd6-+ ]
6 6 2...Kc7!
5 5 [ 2...Kd6? 3.Kc4+- ]
3.Kc3 Kd7=
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
White to move and win. 1.Ke7!

[ 1.Ke6?? Kg5 2.a3 a6 3.a4 a5-+ ]
[ 1.Kc6? Kg5 2.Kb7 a5 3.a4 Kxf5
4.Kb6 Ke5 5.Kxa5 f5 6.Kb6 f4
7.a5= ]
1...Kg5 2.Ke6 a6 3.a3 a5 4.a4+-
Exercise 6
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
White to move and draw. 1.g6!

[ 1.Kc4 Kd6 2.g6 f6!-+ ]
King's Indian Structures - I will try to explain all the details

Black Releases the Tension in concerning this position. The most
important thing that you should notice is
the Centre - Part 2 that White has a space advantage and
should try to avoid exchanges. Now, let's
see the main ideas for both sides.
White's ideas: 1) Avoiding exchanges. 2)
Put pressure on d6 3) Try to win space
and restrict Black's pieces by playing b2-
b4 or g2-g4 4) Try to prevent the d6-d5
break 5) If it is not possible to win the pawn
on d6, then prepare c4-c5 break. In this
way he wants to deflect the d6-pawn and
later on occupy the centre by means of f3-
f4 followed by e4-e5. Black's ideas: 1)
exchange minor pieces. especially knights
Introduction and preview 2) d6-d5 is Black's main idea and should
be considered even when this is a
Dear readers of Modern chess, sacrifice. 3) Playing on the dark squares -
As I have promised you in my previous article, Be5, Nh5, Qh4, sometimes f7-f5-f4 4)
we will continue our investigation of the KID Provoking f3-f4 and then attack the e4-
structures. In this issue, you will find the open
pawn. 5) Use c5 and e5-squares for the
centre positions when Black takes on d4 and
then play c7-c6, instead of Nc6 which was knights. 6) Attacking the c4-pawn. This is
covered in the previous article. The main very important since Black wants to
position of my survey arises after the moves provoke the b2-b3 advance after which he
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 could play a5-a4 in order to open the a-file.
5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 exd4 8.Nxd4 Now we will discuss all the main moves
Re8 9.f3 c6 here. 10.Kh1 By far the most popular
a b c d e f g h move. White avoids all the tricks on the
dark-squares.
8 8
[ 10.Be3 allows d6-d5, Gustafsson -
7 7 Kramnik ]
6 6
[ 10.Nb3 is discussed in Yermolinsky -
Landawala Black seems to be fine after
5 5 the natural 10...a5 ]
4 4
[ 10.Nc2 With the same idea as 10. Nb3 -
to stop 10... Nd7, but Black continues
3 3 with 10...Na6 followed by d6-d5. Tilicheev
2 2
- Vorobiov ]
[ 10.Re1?! is simply a lose of time and
1 1 Black has an easy game after: 10... Nh5 -
a b c d e f g h see Michalik - Zherebuh ]
10...Nh5 a b c d e f g h
[ 10...Nbd7 8 8
A) 11.Bf4 Nh5 Ragger - Saddora,
with a very interesting game. 7 7
( 11...Ne5 is the safer option ); 6 6

B) 11.Bg5 Is the old main line
which is discussed in Fier - 5 5
Bologan ] 4 4
11.g4 The main line in which Black is in
trouble 3 3
[ 11.Be3 See Smirnov - Matlakov ] 2 2

11...Nf6 12.Bf4
1 1
[ 12.Be3!? Gelfand - Radjabov ]
12...h5 13.Nf5!! See Gelfand - a b c d e f g h
Amonatov You can try the test positions
on the website to test your Black exchanges his weakness on d6 and
understanding of the arising positions. attacks White's centre immediately. Note
Conclusion: The variation is completely that the e3-bishop is hanging
playable for both sides. There are some which increases the power of this move.
forced lines, but as always, the side that 11.cxd5 Nxd5! Typical idea - Black opens
has a better understanding of the arising his dark-squared bishop and exchanges a
positions has an advantage. I hope that pair of knights. 12.Nxd5 cxd5 Critical
you will have a lot of wins with both sides. position. Black tries to develop as quickly
Enjoy reading! as possible and eventually to put
pressure on White's centre. White is trying
to use his temporary lead in development
and to create some threats on the d-file or
Gustafsson,Jan 2629 against the f7-pawn after dxe4 - fxe4...
Kramnik,Vladimir 2799 13.Rc1 Aiming against 13...Nc6
Dortmund SuperGM 40th (2) 14.07.2012 [ 13.Qb3!? The main move in this
positon. The idea is perfectly
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 illustrated after: dxe4 ( better is:
5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.Be3 c6 8.0-0 13...Nc6 14.Rad1 Nxd4 15.Bxd4
exd4 9.Nxd4 Re8 10.f3 Bxd4+ 16.Rxd4 Qf6 With counter
With a different move order we reach one play 0-1 (44) Shulman,Y (2542)-Wen,
of the main positions in our line. Here we Y (2593) Ningbo 2013 ) 14.Rad1 Qe7
can see how Black executes his main idea 15.fxe4 Rf8 16.Bc4 White has a
in this variation - d6-d5. d5! weak pawn on e4, but his active
pieces compensate this with benefits.
1-0 (43) Kharitonov,A (2520)-Lautier,
J (2450) Moscow 1989 ]
13...a5 Clever move! Black wins some invented them over the board, but
space on the queenside thus preparing Black's play in this game is very
Na6. At the same time he is ready to met impressive. He eliminates the strong
Qb3 with a4. It is not obvious what bishop and clears his knight's road to a2
White can do. Despite the fact that 13.. 19.Nxe3 Nb4 My engine claims that
a5 is aiming to met 14.Qb3 with a4, White can hold here, but in an actual
Gustafsson decided to play this. game Black's position seems very easy
[ 13...Nc6 was tried in couple of to play. In the meantime, it is hard to
occasions, but it seems to me that offer a constructive idea for White.
White is slightly better after: 14.Nxc6 20.Rc4 Nxa2 21.Ra4 Rxa4 22.bxa4
bxc6 15.Rxc6 Bb7 16.Rc1 dxe4 Bd4 23.Kf2 Nb4 24.Rc1 This loses
17.Qxd8 Rexd8 18.f4 1-0 (23) immediately.
Shankland,S (2599)-Zhou,W (2616) [ 24.Rd1 was better, but still lost Nc2
Ningbo 2013 ] 25.Rxd4 Nxd4 ]
14.Qb3 a4 15.Qxd5 Qxd5 16.exd5 24...a2!
White temporary wins a pawn - the a b c d e f g h
bishop on e3 is untouchable, because 8 8
the c8-bishop is also hanging. a3! 7 7
The point of 13...a5. If now White takes
on a4, then the rook on a8 becomes 6 6
very active and White most probably will 5 5

lose material. 17.b3 The a3-pawn is 4 4
very powerful. Nc6!
3 3
a b c d e f g h
2 2
8 8
1 1
7 7 a b c d e f g h
6 6 Black kindly offers his c8-bishop but the

a2-pawn is much more powerful than
5 5
White's rook. 25.Rxc8+ Kg7 26.Rc1
4 4 Nxd5 27.Rd1 Nxe3 Beautiful game and
a triumph of Black's strategy.
3 3
0-1
2 2
1 1 Lakdawala,Cyrus 2560
Yermolinsky,Alex 2695
a b c d e f g h
National op Las Vegas (3) 1997
Very beautiful move. 18.Nc2 the only
way to keep the material balance Rxe3! 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4
Diagram # I do not know If Kramnik had d6 5.d4 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 exd4
prepared all these moves at home or he 8.Nxd4 Re8 9.f3 c6 10.Nb3
a b c d e f g h
If Black manages to play Rad8, his
position will be very comfortable. ]
8 8
15...Qc7 16.Bf1 Rad8 17.Rc1 Nd7
7 7 18.Nd5!?
a b c d e f g h
6 6
8 8
5 5
7 7
4 4
6 6
3 3
5 5
2 2
4 4
1 1
a b c d e f g h 3 3
2 2
This move is aiming to stop Nbd7 but 1 1

has some drawbacks. The knight goes a b c d e f g h
away from the centre and it is easy for
Black to attack it with a5-a4. a5!
Remember this move! This is a typical White's hopes are based on this pseudo
way to play against a knight which is sacrifice, but Black achieves a good
placed on b3. 11.a4 This move weakens position by simple play. Bxd5 19.cxd5
the b4-square and Black's knight Nc5 20.Qd1 Nxa4 21.dxc6 bxc6
immediately takes this wonderful square. 22.Ra1 Nc5 23.Nxa5
[ 11.Na4 d5 0-1 (43) Medvedev, E [ Better was to ruin Black's centre with
(2112)-Rykov,I (2263) Novokuznetsk 23.Nxc5! dxc5 24.Qa4 ]
2010 ] 23...d5 Now Black is already better.
11...Be6 Another drawback of 10. Nb3 is 24.Qd2 Ne6
that the c4 - pawn can't be defended by [ Black missed a nice tactic after:
the natural b2-b3. 12.Be3 24...Ncd3 25.Bxd3 dxe4
[ 12.Bf4 allows d5! With comfortable with a winning position. ]
play for Black For example: 13.cxd5 25.Qc1 d4 The d-pawn will be an issue.
Qb6+ 14.Kh1 cxd5 15.exd5 Nxd5 26.Bd2 d3 27.Nb3 Nc2 28.Ra5 Qb6
16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Qxd5 Rxe2 29.Na1 Bc5
is good for Black ] [ was simpler 29...Ned4 ]
12...Na6 13.Qd2 Nb4 30.Rxc5 Qxc5 31.Nb3 Qb5 32.Na5
[ 13...Nc5!? 14.Nxc5 dxc5 15.Qxd8 Ned4 33.Kh1 c5 34.Bc3 Ne2 35.Qd2
Raxd8 16.Bxc5 Rd2 ] Nxc3 36.Qxc3 Ne3 Very nice positional
14.Rad1 Bf8 15.Rf2 win by GM Alex Yermolinsky who shows
[ 15.Nd4 Bd7 With the idea Qc7 and us most of the ideas in this variation.
Rad8. The rule in this position is that 0-1
Tilicheev,Viacheslav 2336 a b c d e f g h
V Vorobiov,Evgeny E 2558
8 8
Moscow-ch sf (6) 22.03.2011
7 7
6 6
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6
5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 exd4 5 5
8.Nxd4 Re8 9.f3 c6 10.Nc2!? 4 4
3 3
a b c d e f g h 2 2
8 8 1 1
7 7 a b c d e f g h
6 6
I didn't like this move. White wins a
5 5 pawn but Blacks pair of bishops
becomes a decisive factor in the
4 4
position. 14...bxa6 15.Nxd5 Nxd5
3 3 16.Qxd5 Ba4 17.Qxd8 Raxd8 18.Rf2
2 2
f5
[ Of course, Black can win the material
1 1 back immediately. 18...Bxb2
a b c d e f g h but the text is stronger ]
19.Rb1 fxe4 20.fxe4 Bc6 21.Bxa7
Bxe4
This move, which is the strongest idea a b c d e f g h
against 9.. . Nc6, is not very dangerous 8 8

here. Na6 This is a good square for the
7 7
knight since he can join the battle via c5,
b4 or even c7-squares. 11.Be3 d5 6 6
12.cxd5 cxd5 13.Bb5 Bd7 14.Bxa6
5 5
[ Probably better is: 14.Bxd7 Qxd7
15.exd5 Nb4!? ( or 15...Rad8!? ) 4 4
16.Nxb4 Rxe3 With full compensation
3 3
to the sacrificing pawn, but probably
not more than that. ] 2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Black's bishops supported by the rooks

in the centre absolutely dominate the a b c d e f g h

position. It is very hard to suggest
8 8
something for White and Tilicheev lost
quickly after: 22.b4? Rf8 23.Rxf8+ 7 7
Bxf8 24.Rc1 Rc8 The trimph of Blacks
6 6
strategy
0-1 5 5
4 4
3 3
Michalik,Peter 2509
2 2
Zherebukh,Yaroslav 2594
Groningen op-A 48th (3) 23.12.2011 1 1
a b c d e f g h
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6

5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 exd4 You should be already familiar with this
8.Nxd4 Re8 9.f3 c6 10.Re1?! tactical motif from my previous article. In
this position, this move is even much
a b c d e f g h stronger. 12.gxh5
8 8
[ 12.Bf1 Qh4 13.Re2 Nf4 14.Rf2
h5 Black has a very promising
7 7 position, but the game is still on ]
6 6 12...Qh4!
[ 12...Bxh2+ leads only to a draw ]
5 5 13.f4 The only way to avoid mate.
4 4 Bxd4+ The point of Black's combination.
14.Qxd4 Qxe1+ White has no
3 3 compensation for the missing exchange
2 2 and Black converts his advantage
without much efforts. 15.Kg2 Qh4
1 1
16.Be3 Bg4 17.h6 f6 18.Bxg4 Qxg4+
a b c d e f g h 19.Kf2 Nd7 20.Qxd6 Ne5!?
Nice fines.
Natural move, but not good in this [ but the simple 20...Rad8-+
position. White loses a valuable time. was also good enough ]
Also, in some lines the rook stands 21.fxe5 Rad8 22.Qc5 This move allows
much better on the f1-square. Nh5 Black to activate his e8-rook with tempo
11.g4 White plays like in the main line, [ 22.Qa3 was better, but still Black
but this move is a serious mistake! wins after fxe5 23.Ke1 Rd3-+ ]
[ 11.Be3 f5 ] 22...Rxe5 23.Qxa7 Rh5 24.Rh1 Rh3
11...Be5! 25.Bd4 Qf3+??
[ 25...Qf4+! was not so easy to This is by far the most popular move in the
calculate as Black is hopeless after position. Now, Black should be extremely
26.Kg1 ( and 26.Kg2 Rd3 ) 26...Rf3 ] creative in order to generate some
26.Kg1 Suddenly White survived and the counterplay. Nh5
position is equal Rh4 27.h3??
White missed his chance. [ 10...d5? is very dangerous for Black
[ After the simple 27.Bf2 the position
11.cxd5 cxd5 12.Bg5! 1-0 (32) Tal,
is about equal, mainly because of the
M (2615)-Spassky,B (2640) Montreal
vulnerable position of Black's king.
1979 ]
White creates his own counterplay.
For example, Rg4+ 28.Bg3 Rxe4
29.Qf2 Black is forced to exchange 11.Be3 White do not play g4 and allows
queens and White is out of danger. ] f7-f5 f5 12.Qd2
27...Qg3+ 28.Kf1 Qd3+ 29.Kg2 Rxd4
a b c d e f g h
game over 30.Qxb7 Qd2+ 31.Kg1
Qe1+ 8 8
0-1
7 7
6 6
Smirnov,Artem 2425
Matlakov,Maxim 2663 5 5
St Petersburg Botvinnik Memorial op (7) 4 4
3 3
1.c4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6
5.d4 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 exd4 2 2
8.Nxd4 Re8 9.f3 c6 10.Kh1
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8
What to do know. It is not a good idea to
open the position by taking on e4, so
7 7 Black close the position by playing f5-f4
6 6
and then try to organize an attack by
Be5, Qg5, Ng3. f4 13.Bf2 Be5
5 5 14.Rad1
4 4 [ 14.Rfd1 was better Ng3+ 15.Kg1
Nd7 16.c5! And it is not easy for
3 3 Black to defend ]
2 2 14...Ng3+!
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
Qd4+ 28.Nf2 Bxf1 29.Kxf1 Qc3
30.Qxc3 Bxc3 31.Ne2 Be5
8 8
0-1
7 7
6 6 Fier,Alexandr 2571
5 5
Bologan,Viktor 2693
Moscow Aeroflot op-A 10th (8) 15.02.11
4 4
3 3
1.d4 d6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.c4 g6 4.Nc3 Bg7
5.e4 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 exd4
2 2 8.Nxd4 Re8 9.f3 c6 10.Kh1 Nbd7
1 1 11.Bg5 This used to be the main line for a
very long time. Qb6 Black immediately
a b c d e f g h
tries to attack the knight on d4.
[ 11...h6!? 12.Bh4 ( 12.Be3 allows d5
Nice move - the knight is untouchable 0-1 (61) Ioseliani,N (2445) -Matveeva,
because of the Qh4-threat. 15.Kg1 Nxf1 S (2425) Belgrade 1992 13.cxd5
Nxd5 14.Nxd5 cxd5 15.Nb5 dxe4!
a b c d e f g h 16.Nd6 exf3 17.Rxf3 Ne5 18.Nxe8
Qxe8 With compensation for the
8 8
exchange. ) 12...a5 13.Qc2 Nc5
7 7 14.Rad1 Looks simply better for White.
6 6
1/2 (47) Karjakin,S (2732) -Radjabov,
T (2751) Dagomys 2008 ]
5 5 12.Nb3 a5! 13.Qd2 a4 14.Be3
4 4
Qd8 15.Nd4 Nc5
3 3 a b c d e f g h
2 2 8 8
1 1 7 7
a b c d e f g h 6 6
5 5
White is an exchange up but Black's
position is just winning. He managed to 4 4
convert his advantage without much
3 3
difficulties after 16 moves. 16.Bxf1 Nd7
17.Nde2 Qf6 18.Nc1 Nc5 19.N3e2 a5 2 2
20.Bxc5 dxc5 21.Nd3 Rd8 22.Qc2
1 1
Be6 23.Nxc5 Rxd1 24.Qxd1 Rd8
a b c d e f g h
25.Nd3 Bxc4 26.Nec1 Bxb2 27.Qc2
We achieve almost by force our main Very nice move by Bologan, now Black
position. White stabilizes the position in the took full control on the dark squares.
centre, but Black wins some space on the The game finished in a draw after some
queenside and installs his knight on the c5-
adventures.
square. What can be the plan for both
sides now. Black tries to provoke f3-f4 by 1/2
playing Nfd7 and Be5, while White is trying
to push b2-b4.
16.Rfd1 Nfd7 17.Rab1
[ 17.Nc2 is not winning material, Gelfand,Boris 2738
because of: Be5! ] Radjabov,Teimour 2788
17...Be5 18.f4 Wch Blitz 6th (23) 10.07.2012
[ 18.b4?! is premature due to axb3
19.axb3 Qh4! 20.f4 Bg7 21.Bf3 Nf6
And Black is better. ] 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6
[ 18.g3 deserves some attention ] 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 exd4
18...Bg7 19.Bf3 Qe7 20.Re1 Qf8 8.Nxd4 Re8 9.f3 c6 10.Kh1 Nh5
queen is perfectly placed on f8 21.b4 11.g4 Nf6 12.Be3 Boris Gelfand in his
axb3 22.axb3 Ra3 next game in this variation choose the
[ 22...Nf6 was good enough. ] strongest 12.Bf4 followed by 13.Nf5!! h5!
23.b4 Nb6!? Very interesting sacrifice. a b c d e f g h
[ 23...Rxc3! was much better 24.Qxc3 8 8
Nxe4 ]
24.bxc5 Nxc4 25.Qd3 7 7
[ 25.Qc1 White could have questioned 6 6

Blacks idea, by playing Nxe3 26.Qxa3
Bxd4 27.Qc1 Ng4 28.Bxg4 ] 5 5
25...Nxe3 26.Qxe3 dxc5 27.Nde2 4 4

c4 Black definitely has compensation
3 3
for the piece. 28.Qc1 g5!!
a b c d e f g h 2 2
8 8
1 1
7 7
a b c d e f g h
6 6
Provoking g4-g5 after which the pawn will
5 5
be hanging there in some variations and
4 4 also itwill be much harder for White to
3 3 organize an attack on the kingside.
2 2
13.g5
1 1 [ 13.Nf5? is simply not working here.
a b c d e f g h gxf5 14.gxf5 Bxf5-+ ]
13...Nfd7 14.Qd2 Qe7 15.Rad1 27.Bf1 Bd7 28.Rb3 Nf5 29.Bb5 Bxb5
White puts a strong pressure on the d6- 30.axb5 Bf8 31.Kg2 Bd6 32.Bc1 Bc5
pawn but Black has a lot of resources 33.Bd2 Nd4 34.Rc3 Nxb5 35.Rc4
Nb6 Tricky move, Black is preparing d6- Nd6 36.Rcc1 Nf5 37.b4 Bd6 38.Rc4
d5 16.a4?! d5! Just in time. 17.cxd5 e3 39.Bc3 b5 40.Rc6 Bxf4 41.Bf6
Nxd5 As you already know it is much Nh4+ 42.Kf1 Nf3 43.Re2 Nxg5
stronger to take with the knight on d5, if 44.Bxg5 Bxg5 45.Rc5 Bf4 46.Rxb5
we have a chance. 18.Nxd5 cxd5 Kg7 47.Rb7 a6 48.Rc2 Re6 49.Ke2
19.Nb5 As usual, White makes use of Bxh2 50.Rc4 Bg3 51.Rd4 h4
the b5-square in order to create some 52.Rdd7 Rf6 53.Kxe3 h3 54.Rd1 h2
counterplay. Bh3 Blacks moves are very 55.Rh1 Bf2+ 56.Ke2 Bg1
natural. 20.Rfe1 dxe4 21.Nd6 Nc6! 0-1
a b c d e f g h
8 8 Ragger,Markus 2644
7 7
Sadorra,Julio Catalino 2590
Tromsoe ol (Men) 41st (6.1) 08.08.2014
6 6
5 5
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6
5.d4 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 exd4
4 4 8.Nxd4 Re8 9.f3 c6 10.Kh1 Nbd7
3 3
a b c d e f g h
2 2
8 8
1 1
7 7
a b c d e f g h
6 6
Of course, Radjabov sacrifices an 5 5
exchange. He already has a pawn for it,
combined with the threats against the 4 4
weakened White's king and fully 3 3

mobilized pieces, Black has more than
enough compensation for the sacrificed 2 2
material 22.Nxe8 Rxe8 23.f4 Qe6 1 1

[ I like more 23...Rd8 24.Qc1 Nd4 a b c d e f g h
but this is a blitz game ]
24.Qd5 Qxd5 25.Rxd5 Ne7 26.Rb5
b6 Black managed to win this double- This move become more popular
edged endgame. I'll leave the rest of recently, mainly because of the strong
the game without comments, because piece sacrifice in the line 10...Nh5
it is irrelevant for our topic.
11.Bf4 Nh5 a b c d e f g h
[ 11...Ne5 12.Qd2 8 8
A) 12...a5! Looks like the best try
for Black. 13.b3 Nfd7 14.Bg5 f6 7 7
15.Bh6 ( 15.Be3!? Nc5 6 6
Black seems to be OK here since
he has the wonderful f7-square for 5 5
his knight. ) 15...Bxh6 16.Qxh6 4 4

Nc5 17.Rad1 Black holds without
much trouble in the game 1/2 (56) 3 3
Cheparinov, I (2709) -Baklan,V 2 2

(2609) Reykjavik 2013;
1 1
a b c d e f g h
B) 12...a6 the beginning of a wrong
plan. 13.Rad1 c5? Black has no
compensation for the weak d5- Very interesting idea advocated by my
square. 14.Nb3 Nh5 15.Bg5 good friend - GM Dejan Bojkov in his
Typical reaction, White wins an wonderful book Modernized King's
important tempo or provokes f7-f6 f6 Indian Defense. Black sacrifices the d6-
16.Be3+- Bacrot won easily after pawn for a quick development. 12.Bxd6
only 10 moves. 1-0 (26) Bacrot,E Qf6 13.Nb3
(2712) -Iskandarov,M (2379) [ 13.Nc2 is another try Nf4 14.c5?!
Nakhchivan 2015; ( 14.Bxf4 after this move Black always
has compensation for the pawn due to
C) 12...Be6 The recent try, but this his domination of the dark squares.
Qxf4 ) 14...Nxc5! very nice tactic.
looks wrong to me. 13.Nxe6 Rxe6 15.Bxc5 Qg5 16.g3 Nxe2 17.Be3
14.Rfd1 Qf8 15.Rac1 Nh5 16.Be3 Nxc3 18.bxc3 Qe7 After this forced
f5 17.b4 f4 18.Bf2 g5 line Black has a pair of bishops and
Without light-squared bishop this better pawn structure. 0-1 (41)
attack is not dangerous and White Premnath,R (2260)-Kokarev,D (2612)
easily breaks after: 19.c5 Mumbai 2010 ]
1-0 (49) Lysyj,I (2663) -Gabrielian,A [ 13.e5 Nxe5 14.Ne4 Qd8
(2520) Kolomna 2016 ] Black is fine in 1/2 (29) Bromberger,
S (2491)-Johannesson, I (2291) Saint
Vincent 2005 ]
13...Nf4 14.c5 Freeing the c4 square for
the bishop. a5 15.Bxf4!?
[ 15.a4 Ne5 16.g3 Nxe2 17.Qxe2 [ 20.Rf3! is a strong intermediate

Qe6N attacking b3- knight and move after which Black is in real
preparing Qc4 ( 17...Bh3 1-0 (35) danger. ]
Petran, P (2410) -Borge,N (2340) 20...Nf6 21.Bxf7+!?
Gyor 1990 ) 18.Nd4 Qc4 19.Bxe5 [ 21.Qb3?! Rxe4 22.Bxf7+ Kg7
Qxe2 20.Ndxe2 Rxe5 Black is 23.Qxg3 Rxd4 24.Bb3 Bf5 25.Nb6
better. ] is double-edged Ne4 ]
21...Kxf7 22.Qb3+ Kg7 23.Qxg3
Rxe4?!
a b c d e f g h
[ 23...Nxe4 was stronger. 24.Qe3 Qc7
8 8 25.Nb6 Rb8 26.Kg1 Qf7 ]
7 7
24.Qc3 Bg4 25.Nb6 Qd8 26.Nxa8
Rxd4 27.Rae1
6 6
a b c d e f g h
5 5
8 8
4 4
7 7
3 3
6 6
2 2
5 5
1 1
4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
2 2
Obviously, a home preparation . White
1 1
has some reasons to exchange the
bishop for the knight, mainly because of a b c d e f g h
the fact that Black already weakened his

queenside. 15...Qxf4 16.Na4 Qb8
Black's king is unsafe and White
17.Qc2 Be5 18.Bc4! Diagram # Very
converted his advantage without much
strong idea, which questioned Black's
trouble. Kh6 28.Qg3 Rd3 29.Qh4+
strategy Bxh2 19.f4 Bg3
Nh5 30.Qxg4 Rg3 31.Qe2 Rh3+
[ If 19...Bxf4 20.g3! With beautiful
32.Kg1 Ng3 33.Qe5 Rh5 34.f5 Rh1+
triple pawn sacrifice, White is
35.Kf2 Nxf1 36.Qf4+ Kh5 37.g4+ Kh4
winning. ]
38.Qh6+
20.Nd4
1-0
Gelfand,Boris 2753 [ After the slow 14...Kh7 Black is

Amonatov,Farrukh 2590 helpless against Whites threats.
Tromsoe ol (Men) 41st (2.1) 03.08.2014 15.Rg1 Rg8 16.Qd2 Nbd7 17.Qxd6
Bf8 18.Qd2 Bc5 19.Rxg8 Qxg8
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 20.e5! Nxe5 21.Bxe5 Bxf5 22.Bxf6
5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 exd4 Qg6 23.Qg5 Rg8 24.h4 1-0 (24)
8.Nxd4 Re8 9.f3 c6 10.Kh1 Nh5 Ftacnik,L (2566)-Manik,M (2394)
11.g4 Nf6 12.Bf4 The best square for the Prievidza 2014 ]
bishop. From that position he not only [ 14...Bf8 Was tried once, but White
attacks the d6-pawn, but also prepares to organizes a crushing attack after:
answer d6-d5 with e4-e5. h5!? Black is 15.Rg1+ Kh7 16.Qe1 Bh6 17.Bxh6
trying to create counter play on the Kxh6 18.Qh4 Nfd7 19.Qg3 Qf6
kingside. 13.Nf5! 20.Rad1 1-0 (20) Sjugirov,S (2653)-
Prizant,J (2534) Yerevan 2014 ]
a b c d e f g h [ 14...Nbd7 looks like a logical
8 8 alternative to 14...d5 15.Rg1
( 15.Qxd6 Qe7 16.Qd2 ) 15...Kh8
7 7 16.Qe1 Ne5 17.Qh4 Nh7 18.Qxh5
6 6 Qe7 19.Rg3+- 1-0 (35) Shomoev,A
(2557)-Ganguly,S (2626) Moscow
5 5
2013 ]
4 4 15.cxd5 cxd5 16.Rg1 Kh8
[ 16...dxe4 17.Nxe4 Qxd1 18.Nxf6+
3 3
Kh8 19.Raxd1 Bxf6 20.Rd6
2 2 The only move but a sufficient one.
Suddenly, Black's king is in danger.
1 1
Nd7 21.Bb5 Rg8 22.Re1 ]
a b c d e f g h 17.Rxg7! Kxg7 18.Qg1+ Kh8 19.Bg5
[ 19.Qg5! Nh7 20.Qxh5 Nd7
Amazing piece sacrifice which almost 21.Rg1 ]
closes the variation with 10...Nh5 The 19...Bxf5
idea is obvious. White ruins Black's [ Probably better was 19...Qd6!?
kingside and organizes an attack on the 20.Qd4 Nbd7 21.Nxd5 Re5 22.Rd1
g-file. Also, the pawn on d6 is hanging Rxd5 23.exd5 Kh7 24.Qh4 ]
and the pawn on h5 is very weak too. 20.Nxd5 Nbd7 21.Rd1 Rg8 22.Nxf6
Black has dificulties to complete the Rxg5 23.Qxg5 Qxf6 24.Qxh5+ Kg7
development since the c8-bishop has no 25.exf5+- White is two pawns up and
squares. The position is really hard for has an attack. Nb6 26.Qg4+ Kf8
Black and can be saved with enormous 27.Qb4+ Qe7 28.Qc3 f6 29.Rg1 Rc8
efforts. gxf5 14.gxf5 Black has tried a 30.Qd2
number of moves in this position but 1-0
none of them solves the problems. d5!?
Test 1 14...Nfxe4! 15.Nxe4 Nxe4 16.fxe4

Bxd4+ 17.Qxd4 Qxg5 Black is a healthy
a b c d e f g h
pawn up.
8 8
7 7
Test 3
6 6 a b c d e f g h
5 5 8 8
4 4 7 7
3 3 6 6
2 2 5 5
1 1 4 4
a b c d e f g h
3 3
How Black should continue here? 2 2
12...Nc6! Of course! We should always
be ready to sacrifice a pawn in order to 1 1
overtake the initiative. 13.Nxd5 Nxd5 a b c d e f g h
14.Qxd5 Qxd5 15.exd5 Nb4! 16.Nxb4
Rxe3 Black is better due to the powerful
pair of bishops. How Black should continue here?
19...Qh4! provoking f3-f4 20.f4 Bg7
21.Bf3 Nf6! 22.Bf2 Qh6 Black is better
Test 2 since the pressure against the e4-pawn
a b c d e f g h
is enormous.
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Black could make use of a typical

tactical motif. Could you find it?
Test 4 White opens the position and creates a

weakness on f5. Rxe1 23.Rxe1 gxf5
a b c d e f g h
24.Qc2! White is better
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
How should White continue here?

24.Bxc5! Forcing an exchange of the
dark squared bishops bxc5 25.f4! Bxc3
26.Nxc3 Black's position is very difficult.
The e4-pawn is well protected since the
d6-pawn is a terrible weakness.
Test 5
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
What to do with White. 22.exf5!

Modern Chess Magazine - 12

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ISSUE 12

Typical Tactical Ideas -

King's Indian Structures - Black

14 Typical Tactical Ideas - Bishop Sacrifice on "h6" (GM Nikolai Ninov)

34 Master the Grunfeld Structure - Part 3 (GM Mihail Marin)

Alert Defence - Part 2 The position after 21.hxg3 is not as simple

even ); isolated pawn is of little relevance, as he

and Black is still in trouble. But 1 1

Black has sealed the d-file and his a b c d e f g h

readers or trainees haven't already seen Exercise 2

Before examining my commentsto the 2 2

8 8 So now Black sealed a move. Which one,

1 1 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4

time? 15.0-0 Ba5 16.Bxb5+ axb5 6 6

Qxd6 20.Rac1 and Black is lost. 3 3

25...Re8 26.Qd3 Bb6 27.Bf3 Bc7! 3 3

a b c d e f g h 48.Ne7+! Black is suddenly in grave

[ Much better was: 51...Qc6! 4.Rd3

and at least the bishop has nowhere to 5 5

go. But Black doen't win a piece and 4 4

The ultimate point of 23...Ng6. 7.Kh2

Typical Tactical Ideas - Jobava,Ba 2665

a b c d e f g h Perhaps this brilliant miniature in the end

4 4 Of course, during November the attention

central pawn in return and thus taking 16.... Nxe5

The former Ukrainian lost the match, but 8 8

took his revenge in the very last 7 7

victory contributed a lot to his overall 5 5

7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 h6 9.Nxc6 bxc6 17.bxc3 Nxe5 ( 17...f5 18.Rd3 f4

[ The dangerous piece sacrifice had to 5 5

Perez Ponsa,F 2585 [ Once the jump to e4 was no longer a

7 7 19.bxc3 Ra7 20.Rhg1 Qa5 21.gxf5

23...d4 24.Bc4+ Rd5 25.Qxc6?? Zelcic,R 2548

a b c d e f g h with an inevitable mate ]

Here we have another typical example in

This position was seen in the game 2 2

Anand,V - McShane, L played in 2013. 1 1

21.Qg6+ Kh8 23.Re1!!+-

Sometimes White has a Qc2+Bd3 8 8

8 8 Qc4 ( 20...c5 21.Qxd7 Qe6 22.Qd2

25. Rd4 △Rf5 26.Qh6+ Kg8 27.Rg4+ 3 3

[ Correct was 15...Rg8 16.Bxg8 Qxg8

Losing on the spot. 16.Qxh6+- Bxd2+ a b c d e f g h

The most unfavourable case for the 2 2

Let's see two illustrative examples: a b c d e f g h

De Jong,M 2347 A characteristic situation, in which for

[ 21.Nxd5!! Nxd5 22.Bf5+ Kg8

This materialistic approach did not let 1 1

[ 20...Nde3!? 21.Rxe3 Qh4!? 22.h3 The featured typical bishop sacrifice is

Black cracks under the pressure,= 1 1

[ in the game Black went for 19...Nc8?! 18.Bxh6! b3

to some possible defensive measures as 5 5

13.e4 h6 14.Ng3 Qb6 15.Kh1 Ra7 16.Bf4

Ipatov,Alexander 2625 [ 22...Kxg7 23.Qg4+ Kf7 ( 23...Kh8

Master the Grunfeld a b c d e f g h

White has managed keeping his centre

For once, we will see Kasparov unable to 7 7

World Championship 35th-KK5 (17) 4 4

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 3 3

[ 21...e6!? Now is a good moment to After a long phase of subtle

25.Bxd2! Rc8 26.Rc6! Shaked,Tal 2500

A subtle move yielding Black's [ True, White's position would be

2 2 White has prematurely played d4-d5 but

[ In the game Black played 12...Nd7?! 19.e7