Modern Chess Magazine - 16

ISSUE 16
MODERN CHESS
MAGAZINE
Typical Attacking Ideas

Learn How to Use the
Dangerous f-Pawn
You Don't Know?
So, Dig Deeper!
Part 2
Master the French

Structures
Benoni Structures :
Methods of Playing
Endgame Series 16
CONTENTS
3
3
Master the French Structures (IM Renier Castellanos)
Oll,Lembit (2610) - Muhutdinov,Marat (2485) / Moscow PCA-Intel qual (9) 1995

5 Kasparov,Garry (2815) - Short,Nigel (2665) / D London rapid m (3) 1993
6 Korneev,Oleg (2619) - Giaccio,Alfredo Gustavo (2505) / Orense op 9th (6) 13.07.2000
8 Hebden,Mark (2505) - Sutovsky,Emil (2609) / Monarch Assurance 09th (3) 16.10.2000
10 Bartel,Mat (2646) - Anton Guijarro,D (2630) / 42nd Olympiad 2016 (11.10) 13.09.2016
11 Castellanos Rodriguez,Renier (2487) - Michna,Christian (2248) / IV Open internacional LLucmajor 2015
13 Castellanos,R (2504) Barbero,A (2345) / Open Balaguer 2013 (5) 19.07.2013
14 Castellanos,Renier (2486) - Hamilton,Robert (2309) / Carnival Quebec (3) 25.02.2012
16 Castellanos,Renier (2486) - Sambuev,Bator (2555) / Montreal 2010 (4)
21 Khamrakulov,Ibragim S (2545) - Suba,Mihai (2537) / La Roda op 34th (5) 06.04.2007
22 Petrosian,Tigran - L Toufighi,Homayoon / Dubai op 9th (5) 2007
Endgame Series 16 - Strategies in Endgames with Same - Colored Bishops

24 (GM Davorin Kuljasevic)
24 Sveshnikov,Evgeny (2545) - Kasparov,Garry (2545) / URS-ch47 Minsk (2) 12.1979
29 Paichadze,L (2556) - Kasimdzhanov,R (2712) / Nakhchivan Open 2015 (9.5) 10.05.2015
35 Rezan,S (2423) - Kozul,Z (2602) / Zadar Open A 2015 (2.4) 14.12.2015
40 Vidit,Santosh Gujrathi (2644) - Karavade,Eesha (2379) / Qatar Masters op (7) 27.12.2015
42 Ehlvest,Jaan (2587) - Christiansen,Larry Mark (2544) / New York Generation (5) 28.04.2003
Typical Attacking Ideas - Learn How to Use the Dangerous f-Pawn

47 (GM Nikolai Ninov)
47 Jakobsen,Ole (2440) - Csom,Istvan (2500) / Politiken Cup GM (8) 1983
48 Naiditsch,Arkadij (2654) - Gustafsson,Jan (2588) / EU-ch 8th Dresden (8) 11.04.2007
49 Carlsen,M (2822) - Bu Xiangzhi (2710) / FIDE World Cup 2017 (3.1) 09.09.2017
51 Aronian,L (2780) - Rapport,R (2702) / 79th Tata Steel GpA (10.3) 25.01.2017
55 Ziska,H (2545) - Radjabov,T (2742) / FIDE World Cup 2017 (1.2) 04.09.2017
58 Test 1 - 5
You don't know? So dig deeper! - Part 2 (GM John van der Wiel)
61
61 Introduction
62 EXERCISE 1 - 6
Methods of Playing in Benoni Structures (GM Mihail Marin)

70
70 Rodshtein,Maxim (2623) - Gashimov,Vugar (2740) / EU-Cup 25th Ohrid (5.2) 08.10.2009
71 Hernandez Onna,Roman (2370) - Velimirovic,Dragoljub (2490) Capablanca Memorial (1) 1971
72 Beliavsky,Alexander G (2630) - Portisch,Lajos (2615) / Szirak Interzonal (14) 1987
74 Adamski,Jan - Matulovic,Milan (2525) / Lugano ol (Men) qual-C (2) 19.10.1968
76 Furman,Semen Abramovich - Khasin,Abram / URS-ch sf Kiev (14) 1957
77 Cuellar Gacharna,Miguel - Fischer,Robert James / Sousse Interzonal+ (4) 1967
78 Spraggett,Kevin (2545) - Marin,Mihail (2525) / Paris-ch op 1992
78 Furman,Semen Abramovich - Podgaets,Mikhail / Gori 1971
79 Straka,Josef Jr (2360) - Abbasov,Amil Habil Oglu (2209) / EU-ch U18 Prague (9) 25.08.2012
80 Csom,Istvan (2505) - Sax,Gyula (2575) / HUN-ch Hungary (9) 1984
Modern Chess Magazine 5
defenders I have ever met. So simple

Master the French and yet, lethal. I hope you enjoy these
Structures games and they serve you as a
complementary material to the repertoire
Database.
Oll,Lembit 2610
Muhutdinov,Marat 2485
Moscow PCA-Intel qual (9) 1995
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
This article is a follow-up to my 3 3

theoretical database on the French with
2 2
3.Nd2. In the following games you will
find how to play in different scenarios 1 1
that could arise from this line. Games a b c d e f g h
1-9 deal with the blocked center
structure, d4-e5 vs d5-e6. Sometimes
In this position Black has just played Ba6
with the inclusion of pawns on a4 and a5
''solving'' the problem of his French
and sometimes without these. I also
bishop. Now, what should White do here?
added a few commented games of my
There are two options, keep the light
own where all the ideas are put into
square bishop or allow the trade and play
practice. For example the game against
on the weakened light squares. Lembit
Grandmaster Sambuev shows two
Oll chose the second one which seems to
important plans: one, you must open a
be more effective 12.Bb5!?
front of attack on the queenside with b3
and two the h4-h5 push followed by [ 12.Bb1!? is also possible. These
Nh2-Ng4, a recurrent idea. In the last positions are double-edged. White
two games, I add two games that made keeps his bishop but also allows Black
a good impression on me, especially to have an active piece on a6. The plan
Khamrakulov-Suba 2007 since it was for White would be Re1-Ng3 and attack
played just a few meters away from my on the kingside meanwhile Black would
table. I was very impressed by white’s keep his king in the center and start
attack against one of the greatest counterplay on the queenside by
www.modern-chess.com
means of b6-b5 and Nb6 ] [ 16...Qc7! and White does not have
[ 12.Bxa6 is a third possibility here a good way to meet Qc4 on the next
Rxa6 13.Nc3 0-0 14.Nb5 Ra8 White move ]
is slightly better in any case ] 17.Bf4 Re8
12...Bxb5 13.axb5 Nb4 One of the [ 17...Qc7 is now met with 18.Rfd1
particularities of this structure is that the Qc4 19.Qd2 and White has a
black knights do not have useful dangerous initiative here ]
squares. The knight on d7 is a 18.Rac1
spectator and the knight on b4 is hitting a b c d e f g h
on empty squares. White can live with
8 8
this and use his space advantage
14.Nc3 0-0 15.Qe2 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 f5? This move only helps White but it's

1 1 hard to suggest anything at all. Black
should have just waited
a b c d e f g h
[ 18...Rc7 with the idea of Qa8
followed by Rec8 19.Bd2 Qa8
If you have read my theoretical article on
20.Ne1 Rec8 21.f4 and White is
the French defense, you would recognize
just much better once f5 comes in ]
this setup from Michael Adams games.
19.exf6 Bxf6 20.Na4 Qe7 21.Bc7
The idea to consolidate the queenside,
[ 21.Rc3!? ]
Bd2-Rc1-Na4 and then start action on
21...Na2 22.Rc6 Nb4 23.Bd6 Qf7
the kingside for example with h4 Rc8
24.Bxb4 axb4 25.Re1 Black is full of
16.g3 Preparing h4 but this is careless
weaknesses. Rxc6 26.bxc6 Nb8
[ 16.Bd2 Qc7 17.b3 is the right way
27.Rc1
to go! ]
[ 27.Qb5! Rf8 ( 27...Rc8 28.Nxb6
16...h6?! What's the idea of this move?
Rxc6 29.Nxd5 the knight hangs on
Black wants to rule out a plan like h4-Bg5
b8 ) 28.c7 Qxc7 29.Rxe6 Qf7
trading White's ''bad'' bishop for the good
30.Re2! ]
one on e7 so he plays this move.
However, this not correct here.
27...Rc8 28.c7 Rxc7 29.Rxc7 Qxc7 16...Na6 17.Qb3 Rc8 18.Rc3 Nc7
30.Qxe6+ Qf7? 19.Bd3
[ 30...Kf8 was more stubborn 31.Nxb6
a b c d e f g h
Qc6 32.Qxc6 Nxc6 33.Nxd5 Nxd4
and some chances to make a draw ] 8 8
31.Qxb6+- Qe8 32.Qxb4 Kh7 33.Nc3
7 7
Nc6 34.Qb5 Qh5 35.Qxc6 Qxf3
36.Qxd5 Qxd5 37.Nxd5 Bxd4 38.b3 6 6
Kg6 39.Kf1 Kf5 5 5
1-0
4 4
Kasparov,Garry 2815
3 3
Short,Nigel D 2665
London rapid m (3) 1993 2 2
a b c d e f g h
1 1
8 8 a b c d e f g h
7 7
Bb4?
6 6 [ 19...Na6 20.Rfc1 Nb4 21.Bb5
5 5
leaves black in a passive position but
was the correct way to go Ba6
4 4 22.Bxa6 Rxc3 23.Rxc3 Nxa6
3 3 24.Qb5 ]
20.Bxh7+!
2 2
a b c d e f g h
1 1
8 8
a b c d e f g h
7 7
This position is considered highly
inferior for Black. He has big problems 6 6
with space and the knight on d7 is quite
5 5
passive. Kasparov continued with the
natural 15.Rc1 15.Rc1 Nb8 4 4
[ 15...Ba6 was possible but after
3 3
16.Bxa6 ( 16.Ne1 comes in
consideration too with idea of Qg4- 2 2
Nd3-f4 ) 16...Rxa6 17.Qe2 Ra7 1 1
18.Rc2 White has an edge ]
a b c d e f g h
16.Bb5
[ 16.Bb1!? Ba6 ( 16...Nc6? 17.Rxc6 Of course, this idea is always present in
Bxc6 18.Qc2 wins ) 17.Re1 this structure Kxh7 21.Ng5+ Kg8
and Black has no constructive plan at all] 22.Rh3 Black has no defense Re8
23.Qf3 Qd7 24.Qh5 Kf8 25.Nh7+ Ke7 a b c d e f g h

26.Bg5+ f6 27.Nxf6
8 8
1-0
7 7
6 6
Korneev,Oleg 2619 5 5
Giaccio,Alfredo Gustavo 2505
4 4
Orense op 9th (6) 13.07.2000
3 3
2 2
a b c d e f g h
8 8 1 1
a b c d e f g h
7 7
6 6
simple. It may look like the square b4
5 5 can be useful for black but practice
4 4 shows otherwise. White also secures the
b5 square and by placing a bishop or a
3 3 knight there he will lock the queenside
2 2 in his favor. Qd8
[ 12...Nb4 13.Bb5 is similar to the
1 1
game ( 13.Bb1 Qd8 14.Re3 b6
a b c d e f g h 15.Ne1 Ba6 16.Qg4 g6 17.Rc3
nd White enjoys some pressure here
Black has not played the opening well with very little risk. )]
and a player with experience on the 13.Bb5 Nb4 14.Nc5!? Korneev goes
White side should feel very comfortable for a direct move improving his knight
here. Now the main question is should immediately
White go for Nb3? to defend d4 or should [ 14.Re3 was a decent alternative 0-0
he try to gambit? We will see here that 15.Bd2 followed by Ne1 ]
going for Nb3 is correct and there no 14...b6 15.Nd3 0-0 16.Nxb4
need to fear the a5 advance. 11.Nb3 a5 Reaching the typical position in
This is supposed to be the only problem which Black has a bad knight on d7
for White but he has an easy way to deal Bxb4
with it 12.a4
a b c d e f g h Such positions are so difficult to play

8 8
with Black, not much counterplay and a
mistake can make things very bad
7 7
Nb8?!
6 6 [ 20...Ba6 21.Bxa6 Rxa6 22.Rc7
5 5 Qd8 23.Rc3 ( 23.Qc2? Nc5! )
23...Ra8 24.Qe2 Rc8 25.Rec1 Rxc3
4 4
26.Rxc3 Qb8 27.Qb5 ( 27.Qc2!?
3 3 Rd8 28.g4 ) 27...Qb7 28.Rc6 Rc8
2 2 29.Rd6 Rc7 30.h5 White can start
making progress on the kingside now ]
1 1
21.Re3
a b c d e f g h
[ 21.g4!? comes in consideration as
17.Bg5 well ]
[ 17.Bd2 ] 21...Bb7 22.Rec3 Na6 23.Qe2
[ 17.Re2 is very interesting. In such Practical move. Hard to see what Black
positions White tries to combine can do
[ 23.g4 with the idea of g5 is worth
kingside play with play along the c-file
consideration here again f5 24.exf6
Nb8 ( 17...Ba6 18.Bxa6 Rxa6
Qxf6 25.Qe2 Nb4 26.Re1 Qf4
19.Qd3 Ra8 20.Ng5! is a common
27.Qxe6+ Kh8 28.Qg6 ]
idea worth knowing. Now Black is
simply lost g6 21.Qh3 h5 22.g4 this 23...Rfc8 Probably played with the
attack is probably decisive ) intention freeing himself at the cost of
18.Rc2 Ba6 19.Be3 Bxb5 20.axb5 some material 24.Rxc8+ Bxc8
Qd7 21.Qd3 Rc8 22.Rac1 Rxc2
23.Qxc2 and White is better ]
a b c d e f g h
17...Be7 18.h4 h6 19.Bxe7 Qxe7
20.Rc1 8 8
7 7
a b c d e f g h
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
25.Rxc8+ White could have refused the Hebden,Mark 2505

offer Sutovsky,Emil 2609
[ 25.Rc6! Nb4 26.Rxb6 a pawn and a Monarch Assurance 09th (3) 16.10.2000
superior position should be enough ] a b c d e f g h
25...Rxc8 26.Bxa6 Rc1+ 27.Kh2 Qb4
8 8
28.Bb5 Qb3?
[ 28...Rb1! 29.Qc2 Rxb2 30.Qc8+ 7 7
Qf8 31.Qc7 Rxf2 was more stubborn.
6 6
Black is worse but it is far from clear
if white can win. ] 5 5
29.Ne1! Qd1 30.Qxd1 Rxd1 31.Nd3 4 4
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
In this example we are going to look at
5 5
the recurrent technique of breaking the
4 4 kingside by advancing the H pawn and
taking the square g4 then. The position
3 3
did not come from the French Defence
2 2 but the structure is similar. 14.h4!with
1 1
Black's pawn on g6 the threat of h5 is
strong so Black usually reacts the only
a b c d e f g h
way he can to keep the h-file closed
h6 15.h5! g5 16.Nh2
White secures all his weaknesses and
a b c d e f g h
the rest is not too difficult Kf8 32.h5
Ke7 33.g4 Rd2 34.Kg3 Rd1 35.b4 8 8
axb4 36.Nxb4 Kd8 37.f4 Rb1
7 7
38.Nc6+ Kc7 39.f5 exf5 40.gxf5 Rh1
41.Ne7 6 6
1-0
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
This is it. If White manages to play Ng4 a b c d e f g h

followed by f4 then everything is over, 8 8
Black should collapse. c5 17.c3 Nc6
18.0-0 Getting ready for f4 cxd4 7 7
19.cxd4 f5 6 6
[ 19...Qb6 20.Rad1 and then f4 the
5 5
queen is too far from the kingside.
This benefits White ] 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
31.fxe3?!
4 4 [ 31.Nxe3 Rd2 32.Neg4! Rxb2
3 3
33.Re1 White can still play for an
attack and the pawn on h5 is actually
2 2 a potential passed pawn ]
1 1
31...Rd2=
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
8 8
This is a typical reaction against White's
plan. As we shall see, it does not solve 7 7
all the problems even if he gets some
6 6
activity, it's actually just an optical
illusion. 20.exf6+ Qxf6 21.Rad1 5 5
Qf4?!
4 4
[ 21...Rae8 is better 22.Qd3 Kh8
23.a4! ] 3 3
22.Qc2! Gaining a tempo forcing Black's 2 2
next move Ne7 23.Qe2 e5 Otherwise
Ng4 comes 24.dxe5 Nxe5 25.Rfe1 1 1
N7c6 26.Rxd5 Rae8 27.Rf1?! a b c d e f g h
[ 27.Ne4 ]
27...Rd8 28.Rxd8 The rest of the game isn't really relevant,
[ 28.Rfd1 ] Black is back in the game but in the end
28...Rxd8 29.Qe3? this let's Black get he lost which was the fair result anyway.
back in the game 32.Rb1 Nb4 33.Nf1 Rc2 34.Nd4 Rc7
[ 29.Rd1 keeps the advantage ] 35.a3 Nbd3 36.b3 Rf7 37.Rd1 Nf2
29...Qxe3 30.Nf5+ Kh7 38.Rc1 Ne4 39.Rc8 Ng4 40.Rc6 Rf6
41.Rc7+ Kg8 42.Re7 Nc3 43.Nh2 Kf8 15.h5 g5 16.Nh2 The plan. Now Ng4
44.Re6 Kf7 45.Nxg4 Rxe6 46.Nxe6 and f4 will destroy the black king Nc6
Kxe6 47.Nxh6 a5 48.Ng4 a4 49.bxa4 17.Bb1! White defends d4 in a good way
bxa4 50.Nf2 Nb5 51.Nd3 Nxa3 Kg7
52.Nc5+ Kf6 53.Kf2 g4 54.Nxa4 Kg5 [ 17...Nxd4 18.Qd3 Nf5 19.g4 wins ]
55.Kg3 Nc2 56.h6 Kxh6 57.Kf4 Ne1 18.Qd3 Rh8 19.f4+- Black is in a
58.g3 Ng2+ 59.Ke4 Kg5 60.Nc3 Ne1 hopless position Qd7 20.Ng4 Rac8
61.Kd5 Nc2 62.Nd1 Nb4+ 63.Kd6 Nd3
a b c d e f g h
64.Nc3 Nb2 65.Kd5 Nd3 66.e4 Kf6
67.Kd6 Kf7 68.e5 Ke8 69.e6 Nf2 8 8
70.e7
7 7
1-0
6 6
Bartel,Mat 2646 5 5
Anton Guijarro,D 2630
4 4
42nd Olympiad 2016 (11.10) 13.09.2016
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
21.Rc3
5 5
[ 21.Nf6! Bxf6 22.exf6+ Kg8
4 4 ( 22...Kf8 23.Qa3+ Ke8 24.f5 )
23.fxg5 hxg5 24.Qg3 Kf8 25.h6
3 3
would have been the end of the
2 2 game ]
1 1
21...Kf8 22.fxg5 Bxg5 23.Nf6
[ 23.Nf3 Be7 24.Qe3 and take on h6
a b c d e f g h
soon. Really simple ]
23...Qe7 24.Nf3 Bxf6 25.exf6 Qxf6
White can play this position in two ways, 26.Rxc6 Bxc6 27.Ne5 Qg7 28.Qa3+
he can play it slower in a positional way Kg8
by simply doubling his rooks on the open
C file, or he can play for a kingside
rupture with h4 given that Black's
kingside castled is already weak. 14.h4!
Bb7
[ 14...Bxh4? 15.Rxc8 Qxc8
16.Nxh4+- ]
a b c d e f g h 47.Qb1+ Kg5 48.Kd2 e5 49.g4 Kxg4

8 8 50.Qg6+ Kf4 51.Qxh6+ Kf5 52.Qh3+
Kf4 53.Qf1+ Ke4 54.Qd3+ Kf4
7 7 55.Qe3+ Kf5 56.dxe5 fxe5 57.Qh3+
6 6 Kf4 58.Qh4+ Kf5 59.Qxa4 Rd6
60.Qe8 e4 61.Qh5+ Ke6 62.Ke3 d4+
5 5
63.Kxe4 Kd7 64.Qf7+ Kc8 65.Kd3
4 4 Rd7 66.Qe6 Kc7 67.a4 Rd6 68.Qe7+
Rd7 69.Qe8 Rd5 70.Qf7+ Rd7
3 3
71.Qf4+ Kb7 72.Qe5 Kc8 73.Qe4 Kc7
2 2 74.Qa8 Rd6 75.Qa6 Rd8
76.Qc4+ Kb7 77.Qb3 Kc7 78.Qc4+
1 1
Kb7 79.a5 bxa5 80.Qb5+ Kc7
a b c d e f g h 81.Qxa5+ Kc8 82.Qc5+ Kb7 83.Qe7+
Kc8 84.Kc4 d3 85.Kc5 Rd7 86.Qe8+
29.Rf3 Kc7 87.Qe5+ Kb7 88.Qf6 Kc7
[ 29.Rxf7 also wins Qxf7 30.Nxf7 89.Qb6+ Kc8 90.Qa6+ Kc7 91.Qa5+
Kxf7 31.Qxa7+ Kf6 32.Qxb6 ] Kb7 92.Qd2 Kc7 93.Kb5 Rd6
29...Be8 30.Kh2 Rc1 31.Qe7 Rxb1 94.Qc3+ Kd7 95.Qg7+ Kc8 96.Qe5
32.Ng4 Kh7 33.Nf6+ Qxf6 34.Rxf6 Kd7 97.Kc5 Rc6+ 98.Kd5 d2
Rg8 35.Rg6 Rxg6 36.hxg6+ Kxg6
99.Qg7+ Ke8 100.Qg8+ Ke7
37.Qxe8 101.Qh7+ Kf8 102.Qd3 Rc8 103.Ke6
a b c d e f g h Rc6+ 104.Kd7 Rf6 105.Qxd2 Kf7
106.Qd5+ Kg6 107.Ke7 Rf5 108.Qd3
8 8
Kg5 109.Ke6 Rf6+ 110.Ke5 Rf8
7 7 111.Qg3+ Kh5 112.Ke6 Kh6
6 6
113.Qh4+ Kg6 114.Qg4+ Kh7
115.Ke7 Rg8 116.Qh5+ Kg7 117.Qh3
5 5 Kg6 118.Qh4 Rg7+ 119.Ke6
4 4
1-0
3 3
Castellanos Rodriguez,Renier 2487
2 2
Michna,Christian 2248
1 1 IV Open internacional LLucmajor 2015
a b c d e f g h (2.11)
The rest is pure technique, Black doesn't 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7
really have a chance. Rxb2 38.Qa4 a5 5.Bd3 c5 6.c3 Nc6 7.Ngf3 Be7 8.0-0
39.Qa3 Rb4 40.Qg3+ Kf6 41.Qf2+ a5 9.Re1
Kg6 42.a3 Rc4 43.Qb2 Rc6 44.Kg1 [ 9.a4 is the line I recommended in the
Kf5 45.Kf2 a4 46.Ke3 f6 theoretical database but at this time
I couldn't remember the lines so I went 13.Nxc4 bxc4 14.h4!

for a logical move. ] a b c d e f g h
9...c4?! I considered this a bad plan but I
8 8
have faced it several times, even by
Grandmasters. 7 7
[ 9...cxd4 10.cxd4 Qb6 11.Nb1 is
6 6
the critical line which I think Black
might be doing OK ] 5 5
10.Bc2 b5
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 This needs no preparation Bd7

3 3 [ 14...Bxh4 15.Nxh4 Qxh4 16.Re3 is
horrible for Black. Next Rg3-Bg5
2 2
ideas ]
1 1 [ 14...h6 15.Re3 with idea of h5-Nh2
a b c d e f g h
and start an attack on this flank ]
15.a4 Not bad, White has a large
So this is the idea: Not only Black wants advantage anyway but not the strongest
to attack on the queenside but also he move
will try to keep his king on this flank. Say [ 15.Ng5! is a killer Bxg5 ( 15...h6
something like Nb6-Kd7-Kc7. Therefore 16.Qh5+- ) 16.Bxg5 Qc7 17.h5 h6
White should open both wings, attack on 18.Bc1 followed by Qg4-Ba3 Black
the kingside with the H pawn but also, can resign with a clear conscience ]
open the B file as soon as 15...Bxh4 Desperation
possible. I learned this from my games [ 15...h6 ]
against GM Bator Sambuev 11.b3!
Now, as soon as possible Nb6 12.bxc4
Nxc4
[ 12...bxc4 leaves the knight on b6
rather useless ]
[ 12...dxc4 13.Ne4 Nd5 14.a3
also favors white ]
16.Nxh4 Qxh4 17.Re3 Qd8 18.Rg3 Castellanos,R 2504

[ 18.Qg4+- ] Barbero,A 2345
Open Balaguer 2013 (5) 19.07.2013
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
This diagram is from another of my

Any attacking move should be good here
games. Here we have the same
18...g6 19.Bg5 Ne7 20.Qc1 h5
structure as in my game with Michna but
21.Qa3 Bc6 22.Qc5 Rc8 23.Rb1 Ba8
also the kingside is weakened by the
24.Qa3 Bc6 25.Bf6
moves g6-h6. At the moment Black is
[ 25.Rb6 was a nice move too ]
attacking the pawn on c3 so I went
25...Rg8 26.Rb6 Qd7 27.Re3 g5
16.Qd2! keeping the eye on h6 so Black
28.Re1 g4 29.Reb1 Rg6 30.Rb8 Rxf6
can't castle Rb8 17.Rab1
31.exf6 Ng8 32.Rxc8+ Qxc8 33.Qd6
Bb7 34.Qe5 h4 35.Bh7 Nh6 36.Qg5
a b c d e f g h
1-0
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Rxb1 The game is now over gxf4 22.Bxf4

[ 17...Qxa2? 18.Ra1 Qb2 19.Rfb1 Bd7 23.Ng4 Na4 24.Ne2 White can
wins the queen ] take on h6 but there is no rush Ng8
18.Bxb1 Ne7 and now the thematic 25.Bg3 with idea of Qf4 Qd8 26.Rxf7!
19.h5 g5 20.Nh2 Kxf7 27.Bg6+ Kf8 28.Qf4+ Bf6
29.Bh4
a b c d e f g h
1-0
8 8
7 7
Castellanos,Renier 2486
6 6 Hamilton,Robert 2309
Carnival Quebec (3) 25.02.2012
5 5
4 4
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 Be7 4.Ngf3
3 3
Nf6 5.e5 Nfd7 6.Bd3 b6 7.0-0 Ba6
2 2 8.Ne1 This is a common line that I
1 1
recommended in the theoretical work c5
9.c3 Bxd3 10.Nxd3 Nc6 11.Qg4 g6
a b c d e f g h
12.Nf3 The idea is now to exploit the
Nb6 After this Black is lost. As we have weakness of the dark squares on the
seen before, the only way for Black to kingside. c4?!
deal with this plan is to play f5 himself a b c d e f g h
[ 20...f5 21.exf6 Nxf6 22.Nf3
8 8
White's position is better because
of the weak black king and superior 7 7
structure too. ]
6 6
21.f4!
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
This is rarely a good idea, the closed
3 3
queenside gives white a free hand on
2 2 the kingside with nothing to worry about.
Why close it then? Well, Black certainly
1 1
gains some security for his king with the
a b c d e f g h position locked up. 13.Nf4 b5
a b c d e f g h The second front idea, very important to

8 8 remember Kc7 17.Bd2 a5 18.Rfb1
Qd7 19.Nh3 Time to attack f7-h7 Rab8
7 7
20.Nhg5
6 6 [ 20.bxc4 Nxc4 21.Bh6 Ba3 22.Bc1!
Bf8 23.Nf4 going to d3 Black's
5 5
position begins to become unsafe ]
4 4 20...Nd8
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
14.h4 standard play 5 5

[ 14.Nxe6! is an interesting idea fxe6
4 4
15.Qxe6 Qc7 16.Bg5 Rf8 17.Qxd5
Nb6 18.Qe4 Qd7 19.Rae1 ] 3 3
[ 14.b3!? ]
2 2
14...Nb6
[ 14...h5 15.Qh3! ( 15.Qg3 Nb6 1 1
16.Nh3 with the idea of Bg5 ) 15...Nb6 a b c d e f g h
this may be not so good now because
16.Nxg6 fxg6 17.Qxe6 Qd7
21.g3 Perhaps this is too slow. I wanted
18.Qxg6+ Kd8 19.Ng5 with a clear
to have Kg2-Rh1 available.
advantage ]
15.h5 Kd7 16.b3! [ 21.h6 comes in serious consideration
since White will be playing ''up a rook''
a b c d e f g h
for the rest of the game ]
8 8 21...h6 22.Nh3 g5 23.Nh2
The standard formula, a knight to g4
7 7
cxb3 this makes it easier
6 6 [ 23...Nc6 24.Qe2 followed by Ng4.
5 5
Black seems to be holding but long
term I prefer White's chances ]
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
24.axb3 a4 30.Rbb1 b3 31.Qxf7

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
1 1
2 2
a b c d e f g h
1 1
Bd8?
a b c d e f g h [ 31...Rbf8 32.Qg6 Rfg8 33.Qd3
Rb8 ]
32.Qg6! the h6 pawn falls Kc8 33.Nxh6
25.Qf3 Again too slow
b2 34.Bxb2 Rxh6 35.Qxh6 Nd2
[ 25.f4! immediately was much better
36.Bc1 Nxb1 37.Bxg5 Nxc3 38.Rc1
for White gxf4 26.Qxf4 axb3 27.Rxb3
Qc6 39.Bd2 Rb3 40.Nf4
Nc4 28.Bc1 Nc6 29.Ng4 ]
1-0
25...axb3 26.Rxb3 Nc4 27.Bc1 Nc6
28.Ng4 b4 29.Kg2 Castellanos,Renier 2486
a b c d e f g h Sambuev,Bator 2555
8 8 Montreal 2010 (4) 29.12.2010
7 7 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 Nf6
5.e5 Nfd7 6.c3 Nc6 7.Bd3 c4 This is a
6 6 rare line, not covered in the theoretical
5 5
database for Modern Chess 8.Bc2 b5
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
2 2
N6a5?!
[ 29...Qe8! with the idea of Qh7 1 1
gives Black excellent chances ] a b c d e f g h
9.0-0 I would recommend the immediate [ Also interesting was 14.Ng3 h5

[ 9.b3 b4 if Black wants to avoid bxc4 ( 14...g6? 15.Bh6 Bc6 16.Qc1!
opening the B file he must play with play on the dark squares )
10.bxc4 bxc3 11.Nb1 dxc4 12.Nxc3 15.h4! Bxh4 16.Nxh4 Qxh4
Nb4 13.Be4 Nd3+ 14.Bxd3 cxd3 17.Be3
15.Qxd3 Qa5 16.0-0 Ba6 17.Qe4
The pawn is not really important in
Rc8 18.Ne2 Black has some
compensation but I'd still take white ]
this position. White has plenty of
9...Nb6 10.b3?! Perhaps it was not the compensation and I would say his
best time to get b3 done. position is already better, for
[ 10.Re1 with the idea of Nf1 and h4 example Nc6 18.Qc1 Qd8 19.Bg5
seems good ] Ne7 20.Qd1 g6 21.Bf6 Rg8
10...Be7?! After this move I get the 22.Rb1 ]
exact position I wanted after 10.b3 14...h6 15.Ng3 now Nh5 is the
[ 10...b4! was critical and no doubt threat g6?! Black tries to keep
Black should have given it more everything under control and keep
consideration 11.Bb2 ( 11.bxc4 bxc3 the knight away from h5 but I'm not
12.Nb1 Nxc4 13.Nxc3 Qa5 sure here this is the best idea.
Black has too much counterplay here,
Rb8 and Ba6 coming next ) 11...Ba6 [ 15...Bc6 16.Nh5
12.bxc4 ( 12.Re1 Rc8 ) 12...Nxc4 A) 16...g6 and now a thematic
13.Nxc4 Bxc4 14.Re1 Rc8 sacrifice 17.Nf6+! ( 17.Nf4 )
15.Re3!? this is playable for both 17...Bxf6 18.exf6 Qxf6 for a pawn
sides ] White has full control of the dark
11.Re1 Confident that if my opponent squares and the nice outpost on
didn't play 10...b4 he wouldn't play it now. e5 for his knight. 19.Be3 with
However, I should have ruled out that
idea of Qc1 next;
possibility with 11.bxc4
[ 11.bxc4 bxc4 12.Re1 ]
B) 16...Bf8 is better and now
11...Bd7?! Again he had a second 17.Rb1 Qd7 18.Re2 Ba4
chance to sharpen things up with 11..b4. ( 18...0-0-0 19.Qd2 planning to
In this case, I don't think White can opt for put pressure on Black's kingside
any advantage with Qf4 next ) 19.Ne1 Bxc2
[ 11...b4 12.Bb2 ( 12.bxc4 bxc3 20.Rxc2 Nc6 21.Qg4 Rh7 22.g3
13.Nb1 Nxc4 14.Nxc3 Bb4 ) White is better but nothing too
12...Ba6 13.Nf1 0-0 14.Ne3 bxc3 serious. At some point a possible
15.Bxc3 Nb4 ] plan is Ng2-Ne3 and maybe f4-
12.bxc4 bxc4
f5 ]
[ 12...Nxc4!? 13.Nxc4 bxc4 14.h4!
looks good for White ]
13.Nf1 Na5 14.h4! with the idea of
Knight g5 next
16.h5! g5 17.Nh2 19...0-0-0?!

a b c d e f g h
[ 19...Nb3!? Was critical 20.Bxb3
cxb3 21.Qxb3 Bxa4 22.Qa2 I
8 8
think White is still better after he
7 7 plays Ba3 ]
20.Nf1!? The plan now was to bring this
6 6
knight to b1 in order to play Ba3 and
5 5 seize control of the square f6
[ More natural was 20.Ba3 Bxa3
4 4
21.Rxa3 Kb7 22.Qf3 Qe7 23.Raa1
3 3 Ka8 24.Reb1 ]
20...Kb7 21.Nd2 Ka8 22.Re3
2 2
With idea of Rf3
1 1 [ White also had a good alternative
a b c d e f g h with 22.Qf3 Rb8 23.Ba3 Bxa3
24.Rxa3 Qe7 25.Raa1 Nd7 26.Reb1
As shown in many examples. White's Rxb1+ 27.Rxb1 Qa3 28.Nf1 ]
position is already clearly better. The 22...Rb8 23.Rf3 Qe8
plan with Ng4 followed by f2-f4 is
difficult to meet Bc6 18.Ng4 Qd7 a b c d e f g h
[ 18...Nd7 does not help 19.f4 gxf4 8 8
20.Bxf4 Bg5 21.Qd2 Rg8 22.Rf1
I would say winning ] 7 7
19.a4?! At this point I didn't understand 6 6

that Ba4 was not really a threat and it
was more important to me start attacking 5 5
the h6 pawn already. The problem with 4 4

a4 is that it weakens the square b3
3 3
[ 19.f4! gxf4 ( 19...Ba4 20.fxg5 )
20.Bxf4 Ba4 21.Nxh6 ] 2 2
[ 19.Ba3! now, Black could try Ba4
1 1
( 19...Bxa3 20.Nf6+ Ke7 21.Nxd7
Kxd7 22.Nf1 Black does not have a b c d e f g h
enough compensation here ) 20.Bxe7
Bxc2 21.Qxc2 Qxe7 22.Nf6+ Kf8 24.Nf6?!
23.Rab1 ( 23.Rf1 Nd7 24.Nxd7+ [ 24.Ba3 Bxa3 25.Rxa3 Nd7 26.Ra1
Qxd7 25.f4 this looks simple, and Qe7 27.Rb1 In general if White
good ) 23...Kg7 24.Rf1 followed by f4 secures the queenside and stops
White must be winning. It's worth Black's counterplay he is better
noticing how the rook on h8 can't because of Black's permanent weak
play ] h6 pawn. ]
24...Qf8 29.Ba3! Finally! the trade of the dark

squares bishop clearly favors White Bb5
a b c d e f g h
30.Bxe7 Qxe7 31.Na3! Bc4 32.Qc2!
8 8 Note how the weakness on h7 plays an
7 7
important role here Rc8 33.Ng4 Ba6
[ 33...Rh8 34.Rf6 Qf8 35.Nxc4
6 6 Nxc4 36.Qc1!? ( 36.Ne3 Nxe3
5 5 37.fxe3  c4 )]
34.Re3 Here White could have won
4 4
already by simply taking the h6 pawn
3 3 [ 34.Nxh6! Qe8 ( 34...Rh8 35.Nxf7
Rxh5 36.Qg6+- ) 35.Rh3 Na4
2 2
36.Ng4 Rb2 37.Qc1+- g5 will fall too
1 1 but more importantly, h6-h7is next ]
a b c d e f g h 34...Qf8 35.Nf6 Rc6 36.Qh7
[ 36.Kh2 was a useful and waiting
25.Nb1? This is just bad move Rbc7 37.Rf3 Black is tied up ]
[ 25.Ra2 Nd7 26.Ng4 ] 36...Na4 37.Nc2
25...Nb3 [ 37.Nb1 Bb5 38.Rg3  Kh2 y f4
[ 25...Nd7 26.Ng4 Nb3 27.Ra2 Nxc1 ( 38.Qc2 Nb6 39.Nd2 )]
28.Qxc1 ] 37...Bb5
26.Bxb3 cxb3 27.Qxb3 Bxa4?!
a b c d e f g h
Poor play here by my opponent who
could have eliminated now the 8 8
dangerous knight on f6 7 7
[ 27...Bxf6! 28.exf6 ( 28.Rxf6? Nd7 )
28...Qd8 29.Na3 Bxa4 30.Qa2 Qc7= 6 6
and White has lost all of his 5 5
advantage ]
28.Qa2 Rb7 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
38.Ra3?!
4 4
[ Winning is not smple but I missed a
3 3 strong move here 38.c4!?
2 2 A) 38...dxc4 39.Rea3 Ra6
y ahora: 40.d5 ( 40.Qg8 Qxg8
1 1
a b c d e f g h
41.Nxg8 c3 42.Nxh6 Bd3 43.Ne1 B) 43.Rxb3 Bxc6 44.Qc2 Rc8

Be4 44.Rc1 Rd7 45.Rcxc3 Nxc3 45.Rc3 Bb7 46.Rxc8+ Qxc8
46.Rxa6 ) 40...exd5 41.Nd4 Qb8 47.Qh7 Qc4= 48.Qxh6 Qf4+= ]
( 41...Be8 42.Qf5 Rb8 43.e6 fxe6 43.Rxb5?! This was just a practical
44.Nxe6 Qd6 45.Qxd5+ Qxd5 decision but definitely not the best
46.Nxd5+- ) 42.Nxb5 Rxb5 [ 43.Nd7! Qd8 ( 43...Qe8 44.Rb4 )
43.Ng4!; 44.Rb4! Rc4 ( 44...g4 45.Nf6+- )
B) 38...Rxc4 39.Na3 Rxd4 45.Rxc4 dxc4 ( 45...Bxc4 46.Qxf7 )
40.Nxb5 Rxb5 41.Rea3 Rbb4 46.Qe4+ Nc6 47.Nf6 ]
( 41...Rd1+ does not work 42.Rxd1 [ 43.Rbc3 Bc4 44.Re1 this looks
Qxa3 43.Qxf7 is clearly better for complex to win, but nevertheless
White ) 42.g3! with the beautiful White keeps control of the position
idea of Qg8 ] and eventually should win the full
38...Rbc7 39.Rb3! Nxc3 40.Nb4! point Nf5 45.Rb1 Rc8 46.Rc2 Rd8
a nice resource to keep the initiative 47.Rcb2 Bd3 48.Rd1 Bc4 49.Kg1 ]
Ne2+ 43...Nxb5 44.Ng4
[ 40...Rc4 41.Nbxd5! exd5 42.Rexc3
a b c d e f g h
Rxc3 43.Rxb5 this is the point, White
stands better ] 8 8
41.Kh2 Nxd4 42.Nxc6 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
Qb4
1 1 [ 44...Rc8! 45.Qxh6 Qxh6 46.Nxh6
a b c d e f g h
Rh8 47.Nxf7 Rxh5+ 48.Kg3 Nd4
49.Rd3 looks equal Nc6 50.Rc3 Kb7
Rxc6? too optimistic 51.Kg4 Rh7 52.Nd6+ Kb6 53.Kxg5
[ 42...Nxb3! could have saved the day Nxe5 54.Kf6 Ng4+ 55.Kxe6 Nxf2
A) 43.Nxa7 Qb4! ( 43...Kxa7 56.Kxd5 Rh5+= ]
44.Rxb3 Ba6 45.Ng4 ) 44.Nxb5 45.Qg8+ Kb7 46.Qxf7+ Kb6
Qh4+ 45.Rh3 Qf4+ 46.Rg3 Qh4 [ 46...Nc7 47.Qf3 with the Rb3 idea
+=; is dangerous for Black ]
[ 46...Rc7 47.Qxe6 ]
47.Nxh6 d4?! [ 56.Qxc5+ Kxf6 57.Qf8+ Kg6

[ 47...Qf4+ 48.Qxf4 gxf4 49.Rf3 a5 58.Qg7+ Kf5 59.Rb5+ Ke4
50.Rxf4 d4 51.Rf8 a4 52.Nf7!+- 60.Qg6+! ]
White is in time as he promotes his H 56...Kf5 57.Qd3+
pawn and keeps a winning attack ] 1-0
[ 47...a5 48.Qf6 Qh4+ ( 48...Qf4+
49.g3! ) 49.Rh3 Qf4+ 50.Rg3= Khamrakulov,Ibragim S 2545
( 50.g3 Qd4 )] Suba,Mihai 2537
48.Rf3 Qe1 49.Ng4 La Roda op 34th (5) 06.04.2007
a b c d e f g h
8 8
An attacking idea in the Fort Knox 1.e4
7 7 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bd7
6 6
5.Nf3 Bc6 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.0-0 Ngf6
8.Ng3 Be7 9.Re1 0-0 10.c3
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
Nc3?? Black missed a better move 3 3

but
2 2
the position is not easy at all
[ 49...Qe4 50.Rg3 d3 51.h6 1 1
( 51.Qg6?! Qxg6 52.hxg6 Rc7!! ) a b c d e f g h
51...d2 52.h7 ( 52.Qd7 Nd4
53.Qd8+! Kb5 54.Ra3 Ra6! 55.Qd7+
Kb4 56.Qe7+ Kb5= ) 52...Qxh7+ This continuation is not covered in my
53.Qxh7 d1Q 54.Qg8 a5 55.Ne3 ] theory database because Black can force
50.h6+- Ne2 51.Rb3+ Kc5 52.Qxa7+ White to play 11.c4 anyway with
The rest is just very simple Kc4 10...Bd5. However, if he does not do this,
[ 52...Kd5 53.Nf6+! ( 53.Qd7+ Kc4 White has some interesting attacking
54.Qxc6+ Kxb3 55.Qxe6++- ) ideas as shown in this game. Re8
53...Kxe5 54.Rb5+ Kf4 55.Qb8+ ] [ I believe 10...Bd5 threatening c5
53.Qa4+ Kd5 54.Qb5+ Rc5 55.Nf6+ 11.c4 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 c6 13.Bf4 ]
Kxe5 56.Nd7+
11.Bc2 Bf8 12.Bg5! simply provoking the game is basically over, White will play
some weaknesses on Black's kingside f5 and win Nf8 22.Rg2 Qd6 23.f5 exf5
h6 13.Bf4 g6 14.Qd2! [ 23...e5 24.Rd1+- ]
a b c d e f g h 24.Bf4 Qf6 25.exf5 a4 26.Be5 Qd8
27.fxg6 fxg6 Black resigned without
8 8
waiting for Qf4
7 7 1-0
6 6
5 5
Petrosian,Tigran L
4 4
Toufighi,Homayoon
3 3 Dubai op 9th (5) 2007
2 2
1 1 Black plays 10...b6 in the FortKnox 1.e4

a b c d e f g h e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bd7
5.Nf3 Bc6 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.0-0 Ngf6
I was playing close to this table so I was 8.Ng3 Be7 9.Re1 0-0 10.c3 b6!?
kind of surprised by GM Kharakulov how This is a very logical move, the idea is
he just allowed the capture on f3 Bxf3 Bb7 followed by c5
15.gxf3 h5 16.Bg5 Qb8 17.Ne4 Bg7 [ 10...Bd5! ]
18.Kh1! 11.Bf4!? this looks like the best setup,
a b c d e f g h we want Qe2 and then Ne5
[ 11.Ne5?! Nxe5 12.dxe5 Qd5
8 8
is not what we want! ]
7 7 11...Bb7
[ 11...Bd6 12.Ne5 Nxe5 13.dxe5
6 6
Nd5 14.Bd2 Be7 15.Qg4
5 5 Paramos Dominguez,R-Teran
Alvarez,I/Oropesa del Mar 1996 ]
4 4
12.Qe2 c5
3 3 [ 12...Nd5 13.Bd2 Bd6 14.Qe4 N7f6
15.Qh4 Ne7 16.Nh5 Ng6 17.Qh3
2 2
Nxh5 18.Qxh5 Bxf3 19.Qxf3 c5
1 1 20.dxc5 1/2-1/2 Anagnostopoulos,
a b c d e f g h D-Hodgson, J/Eastbourne 1991 ]
and this is the point. The attack along
the G file is quite strong and not easy to
do something active in the center c6
19.Rg1 Nxe4 20.fxe4 a5 21.f4+-
13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Bc2 Qc8 15.c4 Rd8

16.Ne5
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
Ncd7?? This is a big blunder

[ 16...Qc7 17.Rad1
is some advantage for White due to his
queenside majority. There is plenty of
game ahead ]
17.Nxf7!+- Qc6 Black was counting on
this but now 18.Be4! Nxe4 19.Nxd8
attacks the queen Nxg3 20.Nxc6
Nxe2+ 21.Rxe2
[ 21.Rxe2 Bxc6 22.Rxe6 ]
1-0
Endgame Series 16 - another important endgame strategy.

More often than not, it is useful for the
Strategies in Endgames with weaker side to keep more pieces on
Same - Colored Bishops board in order to compensate for its
structural weaknesses. As we will see
soon, same-colored bishop endgames
that defy Capablanca's rule (i.e pawns
are on the same color as defender's
bishop) are difficult to hold, even if they
seem drawish on the surface, so it is
better for the defender to avoid them by
keeping more pieces on the board, if
possible.
The first example we will see is the final
part of the game Sveshnikov-
Kasparov, 1979., in which the young
future world champion showed good
(although not flawless!) technique in
the typical "good vs bad bishop"
scenario:
Hello, Dear chess friends!
We continue our examination of Sveshnikov,Evgeny 2545
important endgame strategies. In this Kasparov,Garry 2545
and the upcoming issue we will analyze URS-ch47 Minsk (2) 12.1979
strategies in the common type of a b c d e f g h
endgame with same-colored bishops. In 8 8
this issue our focus will be on those
endgames where the weaker side is 7 7
saddled with an unfavorable pawn 6 6

structure (pawn chains).
The well-known Capablanca's rule says: 5 5
When you have one bishop left on the 4 4

board, place your pawns on the
opposite colored squares to your 3 3
bishop. In the majority of examples we 2 2

will see, the defending side hardly has a
choice in the choice of the pawn 1 1
structure (the pawns ended up on the a b c d e f g h

same color as the remaining bishop in Kasparov, naturally, starts by bringing
the opening or middlegame); however his king to the center: 28...Kc6
they do have a choice which pieces to 29.f4?!This straightforward move is, in
exchange and which not, which is the fact, not the most accurate
[ since White could have already ( The alternatives are: 32...g5 33.h4!
forced a drawn pawn endgame by gxf4 34.gxf4 h5 35.a3 a5 36.a4
activating his own king first: 29.Kd3 Kc5 37.Kc3=; 32...f6 33.exf6 gxf6
White uses the fact that Kd5 is 34.g4 e5 35.Ke3=; and 32...h6 33.h3
impossible due to b6 pawn hanging h5 34.a3 g6 35.h4= in this line, we
and he plans to go Ke4, preventing saw how white has just enough saved
black king from coming to d5. Bc5 pawn tempi. ) 33.Kc3 Kb5
This is Black's only chance. ( 29...b5 ( Another try is 33...a5 34.a4 b5
30.Ke4= 35.axb5 Kxb5 36.Kd3 Kb4 37.Kc2=
leaves Black with no chances to play and black can not make progress on
for win. ) 30.Bxc5 Kxc5 either side of the board. ) 34.a3 Kc5
35.a4 h6 36.h3 h5 37.h4 b5
a b c d e f g h
8 8 a b c d e f g h
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
a b c d e f g h 1 1
a b c d e f g h
On the surface, this endgame might
look very risky for White as black king 38.a5! Probably the only precise move
is more active, but it is important to White has to make in this endgame.
also, notice that White has enough ( 38.axb5?? would lead to the
saved pawn tempi to avoid getting unwanted consequences after axb5
into zugzwang position where his king 39.b4+ Kd5 40.Kd3 because Black
would have to give way to black king. would have used his last saved pawn
The following variations confirm this tempo: g6!-+ and white is in
assessment: 31.f4 Kd5 zugzwang. ) 38...b4+ 39.Kd3
( The queenside play 31...b5 32.Kc3 and if black tries to win the pawn with
a5 is also insufficient after 33.b3 b4+ Kb5 ( 39...Kd5 40.Ke3= ) 40.Kd4 g6
34.Kd3 Kd5 35.Ke3= ) 32.b3 41.Kd3 Kxa5 42.Kc4 Kb6 43.Kxb4=
By no means the only way to draw, we have a drawn position again. ]
but good enough. Kc5 Trying to use
the weakness of b4 and a3 squares.
29...b5 30.Kd3 Kd5 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
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 "fixing" of the pawn chain is the

standard and the most dangerous
1 1
method in such positions. Nothing is
a b c d e f g h achieved by exchanges on g3 and f4.
35.Ke3
Now, in addition to white's pawn chain
A) Alternatively 35...gxf4+ 36.gxf4
being on the same color as his bishop,
Bh4 with the idea Bg3 is met by
black king has assumed a wonderful
( The pawn endgame after
central position on d5. But the key
36...Bc5+ 37.Bxc5 Kxc5 38.a3 a5
question is - is that enough to win the
39.Kd3 a4 40.bxa4 bxa4 41.Kc3=
game? The answer is - no. With best
is just drawn. ) 37.Kf3 Be1
play white can hold up a fortress. When
38.Be3= and White has created a
we look at a similar example from the
defensive setup where black king
game Paichadze - Kasmidzhanov, we
can not break through.;
will see how the presence of a second
B) 35...g4 36.Kd3 and now Back's
weakness in White's position makes a only winning attempt is connected
substantial difference in assessment of with the following pawn breaks: f6
this endgame. 31.h4? However, GM 37.exf6 Bxf6 38.Be3 e5 39.fxe5
Sveshnikov makes a great mistake with Bxe5
this move.
a b c d e f g h
[ Undoubtedly, the great opening
8 8
expert played 31.h4 wanting to
prevent the following plan for Black: 7 7
31.Bd4 g5 32.Be3 h5 33.Bb6 h4 6 6
34.b3 h3 5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
There is a threat of Bxg3, but White [ Stronger would have been to create a
parries it easily with 40.Bf2 Bd6 passed pawn with 33...f6 34.exf6
41.Bg1 and Black can not win the gxf6 (which is why the pawn needed
bishops endgame based on one to be on g7, not g6) 35.Be3 e5
weakness only. If he goes for the and Black's position looks like it should
pawn endgame with Bc5 42.Bxc5 be winning. The central pawn-
Kxc5 then simply 43.Kc3= ] breaks have opened yet another route
31...h5 Black fixes the g3 weakness, for black king: e6-f5-g4. ]
which is easier to get to than h2. 32.Bf2 [ But, in fact, another - more
Bb4! Exactly the point! White can not straightforward win existed: 33...Bc5!
move his bishop from f2 because of Be1.
It becomes clear that 31.h4 was a big, a b c d e f g h
perhaps, a losing mistake. 33.b3
8 8
[ It would make little sense to put
another pawn on the dark square for 7 7
the sake of a tempo: 33.a3
6 6
as Black can simply retreat Be7
when we would get something 5 5
similar to the endgame from 4 4
Paichadze -Kasmidzhanov. ]
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 A) The bishops endgame after

34.Be1 Bd4 35.Ke2 Ke4 36.Bb4
4 4 is lost due to f6! 37.exf6 gxf6
3 3 38.Be7 e5! 39.fxe5 ( 39.Bxf6 exf4
40.Bxd4 Kxd4 41.gxf4 Ke4 42.f5
2 2
Kxf5 43.Kf3 b4-+ ) 39...fxe5-+;
1 1 B) 34.Bxc5 Kxc5 35.Kc3 a5
a b c d e f g h
36.a3 Kd5 37.Kd3 a4 38.bxa4
( Here is another reason why it is
33...g6? An unusual mistake for good to keep a move like g7-g6 in
Kasparov, although one has to keep in reserve. Now after 38.b4 Black has
mind that he was only 16 at the time. g6!-+ ) 38...bxa4 39.Kc3 Ke4
This move does put White in 40.Kb4 Kf3 41.Kxa4 Kxg3 42.Kb5
zugzwang, but it also takes away a lot Kxf4 43.a4
of flexibility from Black's pawn chain.
a b c d e f g h missed by the white player.

8 8 [ However, had White played 35.Be1
instead, after Ke4 36.Ba5
7 7
it is not easy for Black to make real
6 6 progress. For instance, the plan with
f7-f6: Be7 is much less effective now
5 5
exactly because the pawn is not on
4 4 g7! ( Needless to say, the direct
attempt to attack White's only
3 3
weakness 36...Bg1 37.Bb4 Bh2 fails
2 2 to 38.Kf2 and the bishop is trapped! )
37.Bb6 f6 38.exf6 Bxf6 39.Ba5 Bd4
1 1
40.Bc7 and here I could not find
a b c d e f g h anything better for Black than to go for
and now the key move is g5!when the following pawn endgame: e5
White is forced to go 44.a5 41.Bxe5 Bxe5 42.fxe5 Kxe5 Diagram
( 44.hxg5? h4-+ ) 44...g4-+
etc. with a queens endgame that a b c d e f g h
should be easily won for Black. ] 8 8
34.Ke2 Before going to e4 with the king,
Kasparov tries his luck with Bc5 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
1 1
However, White can hold a draw quite
comfortably with 43.Kf3 a5 ( 43...Kf5
a b c d e f g h
44.b4=; 43...Kd4 44.Kf4 Kc3 45.Kg5
and Sveshnikov falls for it: 35.Bxc5?? Kb2 46.Kxg6 Kxa2 47.Kxh5 Kxb3
This time around the pawn endgame is 48.g4 b4= should end in a drawn
lost (you can compare it with the pawn queens endgame. ) 44.Ke3 b4
endgame analyzed after 29.Kd3). Black 45.Kd3 Kf5 46.Ke3 Kg4 47.Kf2 g5
king infiltrates a3 square by force, when 48.hxg5 Kxg5 49.Kf3 Kf5 50.Ke3
he has a winning plan that was clearly Ke5 51.Kd3= ]
35...Kxc5 36.Kd3 Kb4 37.Kc2 Ka3 a b c d e f g h

38.Kb1 a5 The only way forward for
Black. 39.Ka1 a4 40.bxa4 Diagram 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
a b c d e f g h
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h In this example, there is even more to learn

for a young player from Sveshnikov's
mistakes than Kasparov's moves.
Kxa4! This is the retort than Sveshnikov Black king picks up all white pawns.
probably missed. Black king steps back 0-1
for a second, only to return to a3 in a
few moves, when the pawn push b5-b4-
b3 will inevitably lead to the exchange of
all queenside pawns and a winning Paichadze,L 2556
position for Black because of superior Kasimdzhanov,R 2712
king's position. Nakhchivan Open 2015 (9.5) 10.05.2015
[ In case of 40...bxa4 White can
organize defense with 41.Kb1 Kb4 a b c d e f g h
42.Kc2 Kc4 43.a3 Kd4 44.Kd2= ] 8 8
41.Kb1
7 7
[ Nothing is changed by 41.Kb2 b4
and White is in zugzwang - he has to 6 6
let black king to a3 square. 42.Kb1
5 5
Ka3 43.Ka1 b3-+ ]
41...Ka3 42.Ka1 b4 43.Kb1 b3 4 4
and White resigned since after 44.axb3
3 3
Kxb3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Our second example will reach virtually White has everything under control
the same endgame position as in since the greedy Nxa3?! allows
Sveshnikov-Kasparov with an essential, 29.Rd7 with serious counterplay. ]
yet subtle, difference in the position of 26...Rxd1 27.Rxc8+?!
White's a-pawn. However, you should Another inaccuracy.
also pay attention to White's strategic [ Some subtlety was needed, namely:
mistakes leading up to this position. 27.Rxd1 and now if Black forces the
Black's positional advantage here looks rook exchange with Rc2+ ( 27...Nc4
academic and White should not have 28.Bd4 Bc5 29.Bc3 is perhaps only
problems holding this position with slightly worse for White. ) 28.Rd2
accurate play. Kasmidzhanov plays a Rxd2+ 29.Nxd2
good move: 25...Nb6 looking to bring
his knight to c4. From here on, though,
a b c d e f g h
White's treatment of the endgame is
poor: 26.Be3? Inviting the exchange of 8 8
both pairs of rooks is clearly in Black's 7 7
favor. One only needs to be aware of
the classic game Sveshnikov-Kasparov 6 6
to avoid getting into such a position 5 5
with White.
4 4
[ Instead, White should have traded
only one pair of rooks 26.Rxc8+ 3 3
Rxc8 and then 27.Ne1! preventing
2 2
Rc2 and improving the knight (it can
go to d3 later). If Nc4 28.Bc3 1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8
White has a much better version of the
7 7 game as Nc4 is not possible any more
and the king is placed much better on
6 6
e2 than d1. ]
5 5 27...Kxc8 28.Kxd1 Nc4 29.Bd4
Kd7
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
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
30.Nd2? White continues with the wrong
policy of automatically exchanging the Black is clearly better, but with
pieces, heading straight for an knights on the board, White has a
unfavorable bishops endgame. chance of active defense, which
[ While 30.a4 Kc6 31.b3 does not was not the case in the game. ]
work due to Na5! 32.Kc2 Kd5 30...Nxd2 31.Kxd2 Kc6 32.Kd3
33.Bc3 Nc6 34.Kd3 Bc5
Kd5 White probably thought he
winning Black a pawn, ]
[ white could have put up more fight
should hold this endgame, but what
with the familiar knight maneuver: he failed to appreciate is that in
30.Ne1 Kc6 31.Nd3 Now after Kd5 addition to his kingside, also his
32.Bc3 Bd8! 33.Nb4+! Ke4 34.Ke2 queenside pawns are on the dark
Kf5 ( 34...Nxe5?? is obviously wrong squares (as his bishop). Precisely this
because of 35.f3+ Kf5 36.g4+ ) fact (compared to Sveshnikov-
35.Nd3 Bc7 36.f3 h5 Kasparov where the pawn was on a2)
a b c d e f g h makes his position lost instead of
8 8 drawn! Let us see how: 33.f4
7 7
[ White is not in time to get rid of
the dark-squared weakness with
6 6
33.a4 since Black can play simply
5 5 Bc5
4 4 34.Bxc5 Kxc5 35.Kc3 g5! 36.g3
g4-+ cutting off the e5 pawn from
3 3
the rest of the forces. ]
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
33...b5! A strong move that prevents becomes visible. 40.Bc1 Bd4 41.Be3
White from going a3-a4. Now we have a Bb2 Here white has a fighting chance
bishops endgame that is basically the with 42.Bd2!
same as Sveshnikov-Kasparov, with the a b c d e f g h
key difference in the position of White's
8 8
a-pawn. 34.g3
[ Another possibility for White was 7 7
34.b4 in order to stop White from fixing
6 6
the b2 pawn with a5-a4. However, this
also leaves a weakness on a3, which 5 5
gives Black another target. After the
4 4
standard plan to fix the h2 pawn: g5
35.g3 h5 36.Be3 g4 37.Bd4 Black 3 3
has a fine waiting move Bd8!Diagram
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
A) Taking the pawn 42...Bxa3 gives
6 6 White chances to survive:
5 5 43.Kc3 a5 ( 43...Ke4 44.Kb3 Kd3
45.f5! exf5 46.Bf4= does not work
4 4 for Black. ) 44.bxa5 Bc5 45.Kd3
3 3 Bg1 46.Ke2! Now the king is ready
to trap black bishop on the other side
2 2
of the board! Kc5 47.Kf1 Bd4
1 1 48.Ke2 with good drawing chances
a b c d e f g h
for White.;
B) However, Black still has an ace
up his sleeve: 42...e5! 43.fxe5
when White is in a kind of a zugzwang Bxe5 The key difference after the
because his bishop is placed perfectly exchange of e-pawns is the
on d4 and now it has to move. 38.Be3 following variation: 44.Be3 Bb2
( 38.Bc3 allows Bb6 followed by Bg1, 45.Bd2 Bd4!
etc. ) 38...f6 39.exf6 Bxf6
and now the weakness of a3 pawn
a b c d e f g h
but we have seen that this move does
more harm than good to White.
8 8
( Passive defense with 35.Bb6 a4
7 7 36.Be3 is also insufficient: g5 37.Bd2
6 6
h5 38.Be3 h4 39.Bd2 h3 40.Be3
gxf4 41.gxf4 f6 42.Bd4 fxe5 43.fxe5
5 5 Bh4-+ and White can not meet Bg3 in
4 4 a proper way. ) After 35...h5 36.Be3
a4 37.Bd4 the simplest is b4!
3 3
38.axb4 Bxb4 39.Bf2 g6 which also
2 2 reminds very much of Kasparov's
1 1
treatment of this endgame. With an
additional dark-squared pawn on b2,
a b c d e f g h
White is lost. 40.Ke2 Ke4 41.Bb6
and now White can not stop Bg1 ( On 41.Be3 Be1! decides the
with issue. ) 41...Bc3!
46.Be3 because the pawn endgame
after Bxe3 47.Kxe3 Kc4-+ is clearly a b c d e f g h
lost for him. With the pawns on f4 8 8

and e6, this is not the case because
7 7
White is much faster with Ke3-e4-
e5-xe6 and pushing the f-pawn. ] 6 6
34...g5 A useful move, no doubt.
5 5
[ However, I also see nothing
wrong with 34...a5 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 - a beautiful tactical motive worth

remembering. 42.bxc3 a3 43.Bd4 a2
3 3
and the pawn is unstoppable. ]
2 2 35.h3?! White was concerned about
1 1 Black continuing g5-g4, so he decides
a b c d e f g h
to prevent it. However, with this move
he also weakens his pawn chain and it
intending to fix white pawns on b2 and is pretty clear that after h5-h4 the e5
a3. Maybe Kasimdzhanov did not pawn will eventually fall.
want to allow "Sveshnikov's" 35.h4 [ I looked at several alternatives:
35.fxg5 hxg5 36.g4 with the intention a b c d e f g h

to fix g5 pawn. However, after Bd8
8 8
37.h3 Bc7 38.Be3 Bxe5 39.Bxg5
Bxb2 White wins a pawn, which should 7 7
yield him a decisive edge after 40.Be7
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 40.Ke3 ( 40.b4 Be7 41.Bd4 Bd8!

with another zugzwang. Bb6 or f6 is
2 2
coming once the bishop moves from
1 1 d4.; 40.Bd4 a5 followed by a5-a4
a b c d e f g h and further strengthening of Black's
position. ) 40...a5! The key tactical
motive. White will either have to allow
f5! 41.gxf5 ( 41.g5 e5 42.h4 e4+ a5-a4 or continue 41.Bxa5 Bc5+
43.Ke3 Be5 44.h5 f4+ 45.Kd2 A) 42.Kd3 Bf2! ( but not 42...Bg1?
Ke6-+ ) 41...exf5 42.h4 Ke6 43.Bc5 43.Be1!= ) 43.Ke2 Bxg3-+
Kf6 44.Kc2 Be5-+ ] and White's pawn chain falls apart. ;
[ 35.b4 would transpose to the B) 42.Ke2 Kc4-+
analysis of 34.b4 after g4 ]
a b c d e f g h
[ 35.Bb6 looks like the most stubborn
attempt as it stops a5-a4. Black 8 8
continues h5 ( or 35...g4 followed by
7 7
the h-pawn march. ) 36.Bc7 h4
37.Bb6 h3 38.Ke3 g4 39.Kd3 6 6
and now Bf8! surprisingly puts
5 5
White in zugzwang. ( 39...f6
40.exf6 Bxf6 is inaccurate as it 4 4
allows White to improve the pawn
3 3
structure with 41.b3 )
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
and this position is, perhaps, the a b c d e f g h

best illustration of the concept we 8 8
are talking about. White is a pawn
up and is to move, but his position 7 7
is hopeless as all of his pawns are 6 6
on the color of his bishop, while all
Black pawns are on the opposite 5 5
color. ] 4 4
35...h5 36.Be3 a5! Black is not in a
3 3
hurry and slowly improves his position.
37.fxg5 Clearly inadequate, but the 2 2
alternatives would lead to the same
1 1
result anyway. White made the crucial
mistakes much earlier in the endgame. a b c d e f g h
[ For example: 37.Bd2 a4 38.Be3 h4
39.gxh4 gxf4 40.Bxf4 Bxh4
Black is essentially up a pawn here, so
a b c d e f g h
the conversion of advantage should be
straightforward. 40.Bc1 a4 41.Be3
8 8
Bd6 42.Bd4 Be5 43.Bxe5 Kxe5
7 7 44.Kc3 Kf4 and White resigned.
0-1
6 6
5 5
Rezan,S 2423
4 4
Kozul,Z 2602
3 3 Zadar Open A 2015 (2.4) 14.12.2015
2 2
a b c d e f g h
1 1
8 8
a b c d e f g h
7 7
6 6
and now Black just needs to bring his
bishop around to attack the e5 pawn. 5 5
41.Bh2 Bf2 42.Bf4 Bd4 43.h4
4 4
Bxe5-+ ]
37...Kxe5 38.g4 hxg4 39.hxg4 3 3
Kd5
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
In our next example, white player does Apparently illogical as Bxf6 would have
exactly the same strategic mistake as opened up the bishop immediately.
Paichadze did in the previous example. However, in that case it would be nearly
Mind you, these are GMs and IMs impossible to chase away white king
making such great errors of judgement in from e4, while now Black can do that with
the endgame. In addition, it is instructive f6-f5. 28.Kd3?! A somewhat mysterious
to see the flawless endgame technique of prophylactic move.
GM Kozul with black pieces in the typical
good vs bad bishop scenario. a b c d e f g h
We see a common pattern here - a lot
8 8
of white pawns are on the "wrong" color.
Still, White is well-centralized and Black 7 7
basically plays without the bishop, which 6 6
makes draw the most likely outcome of
the game. White continued: 23.Qd3 5 5
Ke8! Of course, Black will exchange 4 4
queens on his own terms, bringing the
king closer to the center. 24.Qxd7+ 3 3
Kxd7 25.Kd3 Ke6 26.Ke4 f6 27.exf6 2 2
exf6
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7 f5+ 30.Kd3 Bxd4 31.Kxd4=

when White has got rid of the
6 6 "bad" bishop. ]
5 5 28...Ne7 29.Ne3?! The first step in the
wrong direction.
4 4
[ It was still possible to play 29.Bd4
3 3 Nd5 30.g3 Kf5 31.Nf2 Nb4+ 32.Kc4
Nxa2 33.b4 when black knight is in
2 2
off-side. ]
1 1 [ But the most clear-cut way to
a b c d e f g h
equality was 29.Nc3! Nd5 ( or
29...Kf5 30.Ne2 ) 30.Ne2!
[ There was nothing wrong with 28.g3
when after Ne7 ( Equally harmless is
28...g5 29.fxg5 fxg5 30.b3= )
The key positional idea is 29.Bd4!
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
with the idea to "bury" the g7 bishop. Black

The perfect square for the knight. Now keeps the advantage with Nf4+
if f5 ( 30...Nb4+ 31.Kc4 Nxa2??
32.Ke3 Ng6 ( 32...Nxg2+??
32.Kb3+- ) White achieves the
33.Kf3+- ) 33.Nd4+ Ke5 but things
favorable bishops exchange: 31.Bd4=
are far from decided. ]
with complete equality. ]
30...Kxd5 31.Bd4
29...Nd5 30.Nxd5? As in the game
[ A similar idea as mentioned in the
Paichadze - Kasimdzhanov and
previous move's commentary is worth
Sveshnikov - Kasparov, we see how
trying here as well: 31.f5 gxf5 32.Be3
the eagerness to trade pieces is
Diagram
detrimental to the side with long-term
static weaknesses. Here White has more a b c d e f g h
than one weakness on the same color as 8 8

his bishop and the bishops endgame is
7 7
therefore difficult, if not impossible, to
hold. 6 6
[ Perhaps the last attempt to avoid the
5 5
"slow death" in the same-colored
bishops endgame was the pawn- 4 4
sacrifice: 30.f5+!? gxf5 31.Nc2
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
However, Black returns the "favor" by followed by Ba3 wins the c5 pawn. ]
sacrificing the pawn back: f4! 33.Bxf4 [ 32.Bxf6 Bxf4 33.h3 a6! This quiet
( 33.Bd4 Bf8 34.b4 a5 35.a3 Be7 move is the most precise as it limits
should gradually be winning for Black White's options. ( The greedy
as well. For example: 36.h3 f5 33...Kxc5?! would allow counterplay
37.Bc3 Bh4 38.Bb2 Bd8 39.Bc3 Bc7 after 34.Bd4+ Kb5 35.Ke4 Bd6 36.Be5!
40.Bb2 Be5 41.Bc1 a4-+ ) 33...f5  etc. ) 34.Bd4 Bg5 35.a3 Bf4! and
and his bishop finally sees the light of White is bound to run out of useful
day. After 34.b4 a5 35.bxa5 Kxc5 moves, after which it will not be difficult
36.Bc7 Kd5 Black should be winning to engulf the c5 pawn (or simply win
with the "extra" pawn, similar to what any of the pawns is a3-b4-c5 pawn
happened in Paichadze- chain). ]
Kasimdzhanov. ] 32...f5 33.b4
[ White is not in time with 33.h4 due to
31...Bh6! Unpinning with a tempo - a5 34.a3 a4-+ followed by Bf8. ]
this is the key move for Black. 32.g3 33...h4! Diagram
[ The alternatives are not any more
successful: 32.f5 gxf5 33.Bxf6 a b c d e f g h
Bf4!Diagram 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
Grandmaster Kozul uses the standard
A very strong intermezzo. 34.g3 ( If procedure to create the second
34.h3 then Black can take the c5 pawn weakness in White's pawn chain.
for free Kxc5 because 35.Bd4+ Kb5 34.Bf6?! A pointless move. Black was
36.Bxa7 b6-+ traps the bishop now going to play h4-h3 anyway.
that black bishop is on f4! ) [ Maybe the last active try for White
34...Bc1 35.Bd4 f4! Another reason was 34.a4 hxg3 ( In case of 34...a5
why it was important to play 33...Bf4. 35.b5 Bf8 36.bxc6 bxc6 White's idea
36.gxf4 Bxf4 37.Bg1 ( 37.h3 transpires: 37.Bc3 Bxc5 38.Bxa5 h3
runs into Bd2! ) 37...Be5 38.b3 Bb2! 39.Be1 Bg1 40.a5 c5 41.Ke2
and, similar, to one of the lines in a b c d e f g h

Paichadze-Kasimdzhanom, White
8 8
obtains certain counterplay with the a-
pawn. ) 35.hxg3 g5! 36.fxg5 ( 36.Be5 7 7
fails to gxf4 37.gxf4 a5! 38.bxa5
6 6
Kxc5-+ ) 36...Bxg5 37.a5 Diagram
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
etc. ]
3 3
34...h3 35.a3
2 2 a b c d e f g h
1 1 8 8
a b c d e f g h
7 7
6 6
This was basically White's idea - not
5 5
allowing Black to destroy his pawn
chain with a7-a5. However, this does 4 4
not save him as Black can use a
3 3
familiar tactical idea: Bd2! 38.Kxd2
Kxd4 which leads to a winning queens 2 2
(!) endgame after 39.Ke2 Kc4
1 1
40.Ke3 Kxb4 41.Kf4 Kxa5 42.Kxf5
a b c d e f g h
Kb4 43.g4 a5 44.g5 a4 45.g6 a3
46.g7 a2 47.g8Q a1Q-+
Now that all of white's pawns are
on the dark squares, Black should
have an easy job converting his
advantage: Bf8 36.Bc3 Be7
37.Bd4 a5 38.bxa5 Equal to
resignation.
[ On the other hand, also after 38.Bc3
there would be no defense as Black
would open up another front: g5!
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
39.Be5 gxf4 40.Bxf4 ( or 40.gxf4

axb4 41.axb4 Bh4-+ followed by
White has a huge positional advantage
Bg3, as we have seen in similar
here, but it still takes some work to
positions before. ) 40...Bf6-+
convert it. Vidit decides to centralize his
freeing the bishop with a decisive
king first, which is, of course, a sound
advantage. ]
idea. 30.Kf1 b6?! This weakening of
38...Bxc5
the pawn structure was uncalled for.
0-1
[ More stubborn was 30...Qc7 31.Ke2
Ba7 setting up a small trap. If 32.f3?!
Our last two examples will show how a b c d e f g h

prior knowledge of the evaluation and
8 8
typical strategies in same-colored
bishops endgame can help us make the 7 7
correct decision when converting the
6 6
advantage (Vidit - Karavade) or even in
the middlegame (Ehlvest - 5 5
Christiansen).
4 4
3 3
Vidit,Santosh Gujrathi 2644
Karavade,Eesha 2379 2 2
Qatar Masters op (7) 27.12.2015 1 1
a b c d e f g h
b5! followed by Qb6 suddenly gives Qxf7 37.gxf7 Kxf7 38.Be1 As the f5
Black counterplay. Of course, White bishop dominates the knight completely,
can avoid this, but when defending, there is no escaping from the same-
one should always try to set up such colored bishops endgame. Ne6
practical problems in conversion for 39.Bxe6+ Kxe6 40.Bd2 Bf8 41.Be3
his opponent. ] c5 Putting all of the pawns on the dark-
31.Ke2 Qc7 32.f3 Qe7 33.Qc4 g6 squares,
Black could not handle playing without [ but the alternative 41...b5
her king anymore. Now she intends to would leave the a5 pawn without
play Kg7 and recover the pawn with protection. White wins after 42.Kd3
Nxg6. Kd7 43.Bb6 Bb4 44.c3+- ]
[ However, good advice is already 42.Kd3 Kd6 43.Kc4 Kc6
difficult to come by as passive a b c d e f g h
defense with 33...Qd6 34.Be1 Qe7
8 8
is bound to be broken with 35.c3
b4 etc. ] 7 7
34.hxg6 Kg7 35.b3 Qe8
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
Black has created a solid position and
1 1 hopes to hold it as he has only one
a b c d e f g h serious weakness - the h6 pawn.
However, White proceeds to create the
second weakness on the queenside:
36.Qf7+! The reason why I chose this 44.Bc1! Bg7 45.Bd2 Bf8 46.c3 Bg7
simple example is precisely because of 47.b4 White used a cunning bishop
this move. Out of several promising maneuver so that he can play this move
ways of converting the advantage, Vidit when black bishop is on g7 and not f8.
chooses the one which he knows by Bf8
intuition should be winning because [ 47...cxb4 48.cxb4 axb4 49.Bxb4
White gets the typical good vs. bad leads to a funny bishop trapping: Bh8
bishop scenario with the potential to 50.Bf8!+-
play against several pawn weaknesses.
a b c d e f g h In this roughly balanced middlegame

position, Black undertakes a suspicious
8 8
operation with the intention to gain more
7 7 space for his pieces: 19...c5?
GM Evgeny Postny annotated this game
6 6
for Chessbase and he did a good job of
5 5 pointing out critical moments of the
4 4
game. I will, therefore, leave his
annotations and add my observations at
3 3 certain points.
2 2 [ The right plan was 19...f5 with an
approximately equal chances
1 1 (Postny). ]
a b c d e f g h 20.dxc6 Bxc6 21.Qxd6 Qxd6 22.Rxd6
Bxe4?! It's very hard to blame this
when black king finally has to step obvious move, but considering the
away from c6. ] continuation of the game, this is
48.bxa5 bxa5 and after creating the probably the last critical moment in this
second weakness on c5, White encounter...(Postny)
simply put black in zugzwang with [ 22...a4 This move could give Black
49.Be3 forcing her resignation. better chances to survive (Postny).
1-0 What Postny had in mind is that,
considering what happened in the
game, Black should not allow White to
Ehlvest,Jaan 2587 fix his pawn structure with a2-a4 and
Christiansen,Larry Mark 2544 thus 22...a4 is the logical
New York Generation (5) 28.04.2003 recommendation. White should
continue 23.b4! ( 23.f3? is passive
a b c d e f g h and does not really keep the extra
pawn anyway after axb3 24.axb3
8 8
f5= ) 23...Bxe4 24.Bxe4 Rxe4
7 7 25.Rd7 Rc4 26.Rxb7 Rc2 27.a3
Rc3 and Black obtains counterplay
6 6
against the a-pawn. Truth be told,
5 5 this would hardly be enough to save
4 4
the game if white finds: 28.Rd1 Rxa3
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
29.Ra7! evaluate it correctly, while Christiansen

has probably underestimated the danger
a b c d e f g h in this endgame (Postny). This
8 8
observation is spot-on. It is not difficult
to calculate the lines leading to this
7 7 position, but what is important is how to
6 6 evaluate the arising endgame. The
apparent symmetry is deceiving - this
5 5 position is far from equal. White's rooks
4 4 are more active and his pawn structure
on the queenside is superior (after a2-
3 3 a4!), which gives him a clear edge. The
2 2 importance of such "details" often
increases exponentially in simple,
1 1
symmetrical positions.
a b c d e f g h Having such knowledge beforehand
helps us make the right decision even in
placing the rook behind the passed the middlegame, as in this game on
pawn with a tempo. Rb8 move 19. Had Christiansen been aware
( 29...Rxa7?? 30.Rd8+ Bf8 of this, he would have probably gone for
31.Bh6+- ) 30.Rdd7+- etc. ] 19...f5 rather than 19...c5?. Re7
23.Bxe4 Rxe4 24.Rc1 Protecting the seventh rank.
[ Black has no time for 24...a4 due to
a b c d e f g h
25.Rd7 axb3 26.axb3 Rb4
27.Rcc7 with deadly infiltration of the
8 8 seventh rank with both rooks.
7 7 A) 27...Rxb3 28.Rxf7 Be5
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
It looks like both players went for this
1 1
position. However, Ehlvest managed to
understand this position deeper and a b c d e f g h
29.Rcd7! An instructive moment. Black is not able to defend both a5 pawn

White does everything to keep both and 7th rank. (Postny) h5
his rooks on the seventh rank. [ Black can also try to protect the a5
( 29.Rxb7?! Rxb7 30.Rxb7 pawn in the following way: 25...Bb2
does win a pawn, but 3 against 2 26.Rc2 Ba3 27.Rd5 Bb4 but then
on the same flank gives very good White has 28.Bg5! Re1+ 29.Kg2 Rb1
drawing chances to the weaker 30.Rc7+- and the rooks reach the
side. ) 29...h5 30.Rfe7 Bf6 31.Re6 seventh rank anyway. After Rxb3
Rf8 32.Bc5+-; 31.Rdd7 Bf8 32.Bf6! ( 32.Rxf7?!
B) 27...Be5 28.Rxb7 Rxb7 Rc8! ) 32...Ra6 33.Rxf7 Rc6 34.Rcd7
29.Rxb7 and I believe that White h5 35.Be5! Re6 36.f4
should be winning here. His b-
pawn can easily reach b6 and that a b c d e f g h
should be enough. ] 8 8
25.a4!
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 does not have a good way of
1 1
preventing Rh7 and Rh8 checkmate. ]
a b c d e f g h 26.Rd5 Eyeing the a5 weakness. Bf8?!
A poor defense.
Fixing the a5 pawn as a weakness. It's [ Postny also gives 26...Ra6 27.Rcc5
very instructive, that this endgame is b6 28.Rc6 and Black's queenside
very tough for Black. White's rooks has pawns are falling (Postny). ]
occupied the open "c" and "d" files and [ However, the most stubborn one was
26...Re5 27.Rxe5 Bxe5 28.Rc5 Bd6
29.Rb5 Bb4 30.Rxb7
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
when White would still have work to

do; for example after the following Black's queenside pawns are doomed to
logical sequence: Rd8 31.Rb5 Rd3 fall (Postny). Rc8 30.Bxa5 Rc1+
32.Bb6 Kf8 33.Bxa5 Bxa5 34.Rxa5 31.Kg2 Rc2 32.Bb6 Bg7 33.Rd8+
Rxb3 The loss of b7 pawn is inevitable and
after this White's "a" pawn is unstoppable.
a b c d e f g h
Therefore Black resigned (Postny).
8 8 We have seen a lot of winning and
defensive strategies in the typical same-
7 7
colored bishops endgame with pawns on
6 6 the same color as the defender's bishop.
I believe that we can formulate several
5 5
conclusions about such endgames from
4 4 the material we have seen:
3 3
1. Only one weakness may not be
enough for victory.
2 2 2. Two or more weaknesses (especially)
1 1
on opposite flanks should be enough for
victory.
a b c d e f g h
3. Endgames with more pieces on the
we would reach a theoretical board, as a rule, offer more chances for
endgame where Black still has the weaker side. Trading pieces should,
chances to fight for half a point if he therefore, usually be avoided by the
creates counterplay on the kingside in weaker side.
time. ] 4. It is good for the weaker side to trade
27.Bb6 Bh6 28.Rc7! The quickest way off the "bad" bishop unless it leads to a
to the victory. (Postny) Rxc7 29.Bxc7 lost pawn endgame.
5. A possible defensive strategy for the

side with "bad" bishop is to transpose
into a worse, yet different type of
endgame (pawn, rook, knight…) to
increase drawing chances.
6. Sometimes it is possible for the
stronger side to transform an advantage
of a certain type (positional, material)
into the standard "good vs bad" bishop
endgame where he can take advantage
of multiple pawn weaknesses.
I hope that studying this material will be
helpful to further your understanding of
endgames, Dear reader. In the next
issue, we will also deal with same-
colored bishop endgames, only in a
slightly different setting.
1-0
Typical Attacking Ideas - a b c d e f g h
Learn How to Use the

8 8
7 7
Dangerous f-Pawn
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
22.Nd5!?
[ He had at his disposal the less
straightforward, but quite promising
22.f5 at once or after the preliminary
22.a4. ]
22...exd5 23.Bxg7!! dxe4!!
We have already had articles dealing [ Excellent judgement by both
with piece sacrifices near the short- opponents - after 23...Kxg7?
castled king, commenting on the a b c d e f g h
attacking and defending opportunities 8 8
for both sides according to the
7 7
involved pieces. Here I will emphasize
on the role of the f-pawn as a 6 6
supporting force. One of the leading 5 5

games in my last material was
4 4
Jacobsen - Csom. Let me return to
the sub-variation, which actually 3 3
inspired me to start a new research: 2 2

White has concentrated nearly all his
1 1
army on the kingside. A strike is in the
a b c d e f g h
air.
24.f5! the attack must prevail, e.g.
Jakobsen,Ole 2440 24... f6 ( 24...Kh8 25.f6 Bxf6
Csom,Istvan 2500 26.gxf6 Rxe4 27.Qg5 ) 25.Qh6+ Kf7
Politiken Cup GM (8) 1983 26.Rg3! fxg5 27.f6! Bxf6 28.Qxf6+
Kg8 29.Rxg5+ Ng6 30.Rxg6+ hxg6
31.Qxg6+ Kh8 32.Rf7 , mating. ]
24.f5!! e3!! Great play by the will be examined with the marching f-
experienced Hungarian GM! Black is pawn as a destroyer or opening the file/
doing his best to initiate counterplay! freeing the way to the kingside for its own
1/2 rook from f1/f8, all after sufficient
mobilization of our forces.
Indeed, it is not an exception a player to
Naiditsch,Arkadij 2654 find himself in a favourable situation very
Gustafsson,Jan 2588 early in a game, as this can happen in the
EU-ch 8th Dresden (8) 11.04.2007 following tricky line from the Philidor:
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nd7 4.Bc4 c6 5.
The push of the f-pawn deserves 0-0 Be7 6.d:e5 d:e5 7.Ng5 Nh6?! 8.Ne6!
special attention for it is a popular option f:e6 9.B:h6 Nb6 10.Qh5, where 10...Kf8
on the very first moves. It is is known to be more than risky in the
characterizing the romantic King's view of 11.f4! Here 11...Qd4 12.Kh1
gambit, besides it we have the Dutch Q:c4 is losing to 13.Nd2 with 14.f:e5
Defence, the Austrian Attack against the coming next, while 11...Bc5 12.Kh1 Kg8
Pirc, also the pretentiously sounding allows, amongst all, a real breakthrough
Grand-Prix attack. All of them can be - 13.f5!? N:c4 14.f6!, blasting the shaky
described as clear demonstration of shelter of the enemy king.
aggressive intentions, based on its I cannot resist the temptation to include
subsequent advance. Note that Magnus one of the most beautiful miniatures
Carlsen has recently started some of his ever: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6
games with 1.f4! 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5
However, the pawns cannot move back. 7.Bb3 0-0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5
Let us return for a while to an instructive 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.Re1
example from Nimzowitsch's My System: Bd6 13.g3 Bf5 14.d4 Qd7 15.Be3
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.d3 Nc6 5. Rae8 16.Nd2 Bg4 17.Qb1 Bf5 18.Bc2
f4 d6 [ 18.Qd1 Bg4= ]
The author adorned 6.f5 with two question
a b c d e f g h
marks! Here is his instructive explanation:
"White's last move does not only contribute 8 8
at all in a sense of center control, but is
7 7
also an unfounded turn towards the flank.
Such wrong strategical decisions must be 6 6
always rejected, at any cost.
5 5
The natural move in this case is 6.Nf3. In
reply to the text Black obtains excellent 4 4
play in the center (and on the queenside as
3 3
well) with 6...Nd4, followed by c7-c6, b7-
b5, a7-a5, Qb6 and d6-d5 at a proper 2 2
moment."
Having this advice in mind, in this article 1 1
positions with mutual castling to the short a b c d e f g h
(it is likely that this move has gone to An amazing combination! It might have
the archive straight after this game, but been entirely prepared at home, but this
White had apparently trusted his idea should be not the main item after such
two moves later) 18...Bxc2 19.Qxc2 an exceptional beauty has been
a b c d e f g h
displayed on the chessboard.
0-1
8 8
7 7
Carlsen,M 2822
6 6 Bu Xiangzhi 2710
FIDE World Cup 2017 (3.1) 09.09.2017
5 5
4 4
The chess treasury is constantly
3 3 enriched with new and new
2 2 masterpieces. Many supertournaments
took place during this year with the
1 1
World Cup knockout being the biggest
a b c d e f g h
individual event. The World Champion
f5! 20.c4 bxc4 21.Nxc4 f4 22.Bd2 f3 was himself heading it and just a few
23.Qd3 Re2!! 24.Rxe2 Qh3 25.Ne3 players from top 40 were missing. Of
Rf4!! course, there were both brilliances and
a b c d e f g h mistakes, a lot of drama and surprises.
Everything was going well for the
8 8
World Champion - with a perfect 4/4
7 7 score -till that first game from round 3.
6 6
5 5
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d3 Nc6 4.Nf3
4 4 Be7 5.0-0 0-0 6.Bb3 d6 7.c3 Be6
8.Re1 Qd7 9.Nbd2 Rab8 10.Bc2
3 3
d5!?11.h3 h6 12.exd5 Nxd5
2 2 13.Nxe5 Nxe5 14.Rxe5 Bd6 15.Re1
1 1 Bxh3 16.gxh3 Qxh3 17.Nf1 Rbe8
a b c d e f g h
18.d4 f5 19.Bb3 c6
Two exclamation marks to one of the
most spectacular moves in chess history
are definitely not enough, but I wonder if
its value can be measured with their
number.
a b c d e f g h 25...Rxd4 26.cxd4 Bxh2+ 27.Kxh2

8 8 Re2+ 28.Kg3 Rxd2 29.Kxg4 Rxd4+
30.Kf3 Rd2;
7 7 B) 21...Bxf4 22.Rxe8 Rxe8
6 6 23.Bxd5 Bxc1 24.Bg2 Be3+
25.Nxe3 Qxe3+ 26.Kh1;
5 5
C) 21...Qg4+ 22.Rg2 Qxd1
4 4 23.Bxd1 (this is the opportunity
Carlsen was lacking in the game)
3 3
23... Bxf4 24.Bxf4 Nxf4 25.Rg3
2 2 Re1 26.Re3 Re8 27.Rxe8 Rxe8
28.Bc2 Re2 29.Bxf5+ g6 30.Bc8
1 1
Rxb2 31.Re1 Ne2+ 32.Kh1 Kg7
a b c d e f g h 33.Bxb7 Nxd4 34.cxd4 Rxb7
20.f4 Correctly blocking the dangerous 35.Re6 Rb4 36.Rxc6 Rxd4
pawn. 37.Rc7+ Kf6 38.Rxa7 ]
[ 20.Re3? Rxe3 21.fxe3 is nicely 21...cxd5
refuted by 21... Qh4!! (taking f2- a b c d e f g h
square away from the king) 22.Qf3 8 8
Rf6-+ ]
7 7
20...Kh7
[ Perhaps 20...g5 would have led to a 6 6
slightly better version of the game after 5 5

the precise 21.Re2! Qg4+
4 4
22.Rg2 Qxd1 23.Bxd1 Bxf4 24.Re2
Kh7 25.Kf2 Kg6 26.Rxe8 Rxe8 3 3
27.Bb3 Bxc1 28.Rxc1 Nf4 29.Bc2 ] 2 2
21.Bxd5?! It is difficult to blame Carlsen 1 1
for the text - all of us are taught to
a b c d e f g h
exchange pieces in positions with material
advantage. And he took a centralized 22.Re3?!
knight, which had just created a threat to [ Once again 22.Re2 was White's best,
his f4-pawn. Sometimes it is impossible though 22.... Qg4+ would prevent the
to find the logic in a contemporary game rook lift - 23.Kf2 g5! 24.fxg5
of chess, but it looks like the table turned Re4!? 25.Qd3 Rfe8 ]
exactly here. [ dubious is 22.Bd2?! Rf6! 23.Kf2
[ The engines are indicating 21.Re2! Qh4+ 24.Ng3 Rxe1 25.Qxe1 Rg6
as the only move to preserve some 26.Kg2 Bxf4 27.Bxf4 Qxf4 28.Qf2
advantage: Qe4+ 29.Kf1 Qh4 30.Qxf5 Qxg3-+ ]
A) 21...Nxf4 22.Rh2 Qg4+ [ there is no time to complete the
23.Qxg4 fxg4 24.Bxf4 Rxf4 development - 22.Be3?! g5! 23.Re2
25.Nd2 ( 25.Bc2+ g6 26.Rf2 ) Rg8 24.Rh2 gxf4+ 25.Kh1 Rxe3!-+ ]
The game continuation did not differ his flashy attack from the first 2017
much. supertournament.
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7
22...Rxe3 23.Bxe3 g5!!
5.Bg2 Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Nc3 Ne4
a b c d e f g h 8.Bd2 Bf6
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
The decisive blow - a second pawn will
appear on f4 with a devastating effect.
24.Kf2 gxf4 25.Qf3 fxe3+ 26.Nxe3
9.Be1
Qh2+ 27.Kf1 Rg8 28.Qxf5+ Rg6
[ The Hungarian GM Richard Rapport
29.Ke1 h5
is deservedly popular for his
[ 29...Kg7 30.Qd7+ Kh8 ]
uncompromising and highly original
30.Kd1 Kh6 31.Nc2 h4 32.Ne1 h3
style. However, this opening system
33.Nf3 Qg2 34.Ne1 Qg4+ 35.Qxg4
does not entirely fit to it. He was very
Rxg4 36.Nf3 Rg1+
successful at the World Cup as well
0-1
until .... he gave it a new try: 9.Re1
a6 10.Ne5 Nxc3 11.Bxc3 Bxg2
Aronian,L 2780 12.Kxg2 d6?! (advancing this pawn
Rapport,R 2702 further had to be preferred; Black did
79th Tata Steel GpA (10.3) 25.01.2017 realize his plan to play on light
squares from the wing, but gave a free
hand in the center to his opponent)
Today is easy to observe this year as 13.Ng4 Be7 14.e4 b5 15.Qe2
Aronian's. The Armenian GM was ( =15.d5 with a probable
victorious in many major events, winning transposition ) 15...bxc4 16.d5 Qc8
the World Cup knockout event being A) , although it is not easy to give a
probably the most important, as it meant good advice to him after the simple
a ticket for the 2018 Candidates. From 17.Qxc4 c6 ( 17...e5?! 18.Ne3
the many spectacular wins let us enjoy means a strategical failure ) 18.f4!
cxd5?! 19.Qxc8 Rxc8 20.exd5; gxf6 21.Bxd4 Nc6 22.Qxf6

B) 17.e5! the most vigorous way to Nxd4 23.Qxd4 Qc6+ 24.Kg1
test Black's lame strategy Rfe8 25.Qg4+ Kf8 26.Qh4
17.... exd5 18.exd6 cxd6 Kg8 27.Qg5+ Kh8 28.Qf6+
( 18...Bxd6 leaves f6-square Kg8 29.h4
without control and White can make is also advantageous (true, the
use with the strong preliminary material is equal) for White
move 19.Qf3! Nc6 20.Bxg7! h5 due to the insecure enemy
21.Qxd5 Qxg4 22.Bxf8 Rxf8 king. Such type of positions
23.Qxc6+- ) 19.Qxe7 will most probably be the
B1) 19...Qxg4?! 20.f3! subject of a future article,
( objectively 20.Qb7 Nd7 21.h3 dedicated to the supporting
Qg5 22.Qxd7 d4 23.Bb4 Qd5+ power of the h-pawn.;
24.Kg1 must result in an easy B2c) 20.Qe4! Qc6
win for White, but the text is even ( 20...dxc3?! 21.Qxa8 cxb2
more convincing ) 20...Qf5 21.g4! 22.Rab1 c3 23.Ne3 Qc5
and, as 21... Qd7 fails to 24.Qd5+- ) 21.Bxd4 f5
22.Qg5! f5 23.Re7 22.Qxc6 Nxc6 23.Ne3 Nxd4
, then Black cannot avoid the 24.Rad1 f4 25.Rxd4 fxe3
loss of material after Qe7-b7.; 26.Rxe3 Rab8 27.Re2
B2) 19...d4 (the best practical The smoke has cleared and,
chance) as usual, a complicated
B2a) 20.Bxd4 Qxg4 21.Qxd6 position is resulting in an
is a positional approach - the ending. White is finally ready
difference between the minor to pick up a pawn. 27.... c3?
pieces is apparent. An attempt ( Black survived the attack, but
to reduce the tension by has not adjusted to his new
exchanges will soon or later task. 27...d5 28.Rxd5 Rb7
result in a loss of a pawn, e.g. with doubling the rooks was
21... Qd7 ( or 21...Nc6 necessary ) 28.bxc3 Rb6
22.Bxg7 Qxg7 23.Qxc6 ) 29.Rb4! Rxb4 ( an unpleasant
22.Qxd7 Nxd7 23.Rac1 Rfc8 concession, but 29...Rc6
24.Re2 Rab8 25.Rec2 Nb6 30.Rb7 Kh8 31.Ree7 Rg8
26.Bxb6 Rxb6 27.Rxc4 Rxc4 32.Rec7 would have left little
28.Rxc4 , followed by 29.b3 hope either ) 30.cxb4 Rb8
with big advantage. For 31.Rb2+- Kf7 32.Kf3 Ke6
instance, the game Z. Almasi - 33.Ke4 d5+ 34.Kd3 Kd6
H. Stevic from the recent 35.a4 Rb7 36.f4 h5 37.b5
European team championship axb5 38.axb5 Kc5 39.Rc2+
is a good example of how to Kxb5 40.Kd4 Rf7 41.Kxd5
handle this type of ending.; and 1-0 in Ding Liren -
B2b) the tempting 20.Nf6+ Rapport. A remarkable
demonstration of sharp and hxg5?! Taking the bull by the

very precise calculation! The horns, but Rapport has probably
Chinese GM went on to the missed or underestimated White's
final in Tbilisi. ] brilliant continuation on move 21.
9...Re8 10.Qc2 d5?!
[ A serious inaccuracy. The text had to [ In reply to 19...exf5 one can
be preceded by 10...Nxc3 11.Bxc3 expect that Aronian would keep (or
d5 12.Rad1 Qc8 ( 12...dxc4? at least considering this option) in a
13.Ng5! Bxg2 14.Qxh7+ Kf8 sacrificial mode by
15.Bb4+ c5 16.dxc5 ) 13.cxd5 exd5 A) in case of 20.Nh3 Qe4
14.Ne5 c5 ] White had to find 21.Qb3!
11.Nxe4! dxe4 12.Nd2 Bxd4 13.Rd1 Na6
Qc8 14.Nxe4 Bc5
22.Rfe1 Qc6 23.c5+ Kh7
[ 14...Bf6?! 15.Nxf6+ gxf6 16.Bxb7
and to foresee that his opponent
Qxb7 17.Bc3 e5 18.Qf5 Qc6
will be unable to defend his f5-
19.f4+- ]
15.Ng5
pawn after 24.cxb6 axb6
[ White could simply claim a lasting ( 24...cxb6 25.Qf7 Qg6 26.Qc4 )
edge after 15.Nxc5 bxc5 16.Be4 h6 25.Nf4 Rxe1+ 26.Rxe1 Re8
17.f3 Nc6 18.Bf2 Nb4 19.Qb1 27.Rxe8 Qxe8 28.Qd5;
Bxe4 20.Qxe4 Nxa2 21.Bxc5 B) 20.Rfe1! Rxe1+ 21.Rxe1 hxg5
, but, to our delight, Aronian took a 22.Qxf5 c6 23.Re8 White stays on
much more dynamic decision. ] top after an almost forced
15...f5 16.Bxb7 Qxb7 17.Bc3 Bf8 sequence - 23... Qf7 24.Qe4 Qd7
18.e4! Such a central thrust is normally a (Kf7) 25.Bb4! Na6 26.Rxa8 Nxb4
sign of a strategical success against a 27.a3 Nd3 28.Qf3 Qd6 29.Rxf8+
Dutch set-up. Here it is a prelude to an Qxf8 30.Qxd3 Qf6
unforgettable assault. 31.b4 /+- ]
18.... h6 19.exf5! 20.f6! c5
a b c d e f g h [ 20...c6 was worth a try, keeping a
8 8 possibility to check from c5, although
7 7
nothing could stop White from
executing his main idea - 21.f4! g4
6 6 22.fxg7 Bc5+ 23.Kh1 Bb4!? 24.f5!
5 5 Bxc3 25.f6! Bxf6 26.Rxf6 Nd7
4 4
27.Rh6 c5+ 28.Kg1 Nf6 29.Rxf6
Re7 30.Rf8+! Rxf8 31.gxf8Q+ Kxf8
3 3
32.Qg6!+- Qc7 33.Qxg4 Qe5
2 2 and here 34.Rd8+ Re8 35.Qf4+
1 1
Qxf4 36.Rxe8+ Kxe8 37.gxf4
is the simplest way to seal the win. ]
a b c d e f g h
21.f4!! g4 22.f5 gxf6 23.fxe6 and now regaining the piece is good
a b c d e f g h
enough, but, using that any king
retreat to h8 will be punished by
8 8
d1-d5, inserting of several checks
7 7 is decisive, e.g. 28.Qe6+! Qf7
6 6 29.Qxg4+! Qg7 30.Qe6+ Qf7
5 5
31.Qxc6 Re8 32.Qd5+- ) 24...Qe4
25.Qxe4 Rxe4 26.Bxf6
4 4
( even stronger than 26.Rxf6 Nd7
3 3
27.Rxd7+- ) 26...Re3 27.Bg5 Rf3
2 2 28.Rxf3 gxf3 29.Bh6+- ]
1 1 24.Qg2 Na6 25.Rd7 Qh5
a b c d e f g h 26.Rxf6 Rad8 27.Rxf8+ Kxf8
28.Qf1+
Three more powerful pawn moves and
Black is in deep trouble. Note his
a b c d e f g h
undeveloped queenside and compare it
with the position after move 19 in the 8 8
abovementioned Ding Liren - Rapport. 7 7
23... Qh7
[ In case of 23...Rxe6 I would bet that 6 6
Aronian's choice was going to be the 5 5

human 24.Rd8 ( rather than the
computer subtlety 24.Qg6+ Qg7 4 4
25.Qf5 Kf7 26.Rfe1 Rxe1+ 3 3

27.Rxe1 Qg5 28.Qe4+-; also, a very
practical solution is 24.Rxf6 Rxf6 2 2
25.Bxf6 Nc6 26.Qg6+ Bg7 27.Bxg7 1 1

Qxg7 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8 With mate to follow, so Black
7 7 resigned. In 2016 Rapport got the
recognition for playing the move of the
6 6
year for his rook sacrifice against
5 5
Aronian, but the latter needed just a
4 4 couple of months to take his revenge
3 3 in great style!
2 2 1-0
1 1
a b c d e f g h
22.b4 Qf5! ) 22...Qxd4 23.Bxd4 Nc5

Ziska,H 2545 ( 23...Ne5 24.Bb6 Nf3+ 25.Kh1
Radjabov,T 2742 Nh4+ 26.Kh2 Nf3+= ) 24.Rb1 Be7
FIDE World Cup 2017 (1.2) 04.09.2017 ( 24...Nb3 25.Bb6 Rd7 26.Bg2 Rc8
27.Be4! ) 25.b4 Na4 26.Nxa4
( 26.Rbc1?! Nb2 ) 26...Bxa4 27.Rd2
Back to the World Cup. One of the Bg5 28.f4 Bf6 29.Be3 Rxd2
rating favourites had to reconcile 30.Bxd2 Bd4+ 31.Kh2 Rd8 32.Bg2
himself with a draw as White in his first Rd7 ]
game. Was he going to take a risk or 21.Qb3
rely on his abilities in rapid chess? [ Once again 21.Qd4 looked more to
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 e6 4.0-0 the point - 21... Qf5 22.Bg2 Be5
Nge7 5.Re1 a6 6.Bf1 d5 7.exd5 23.Qd1 Bxg2 24.Kxg2 Rac8
Nxd5 8.d4 Nf6 9.Be3 Nd5 10.Bc1 25.Qe2 ]
Nf6 11.Be3 cxd4 [ 21.Qc5?! Nd7 22.Qxe5 Nxe5
Thanks, no repetition yet! 23.Be2 Nf3+ 24.Bxf3 Bxf3 25.Bf4
12.Nxd4 Bd7 13.c4 Qc7 14.Nc3 Bxf4 26.gxf4 Rfd8
Be7 15.h3 0-0 16.Rc1 Nxd4 is not recommendable ]
21...Ne4! Black is grabbing every offered
17.Qxd4 Bc6 18.Qb6 Qe5 19.a3?!
chance.
[ More natural was 19.Qd4, [ 21...Qf5 22.Bg2 was most probably
questioning once again opponent's the idea behind White'a previous
move. ]
will. Radjabov could decline with 19....
22.Bg2
Qa5 ( or 19...Qh5 20.Rcd1 Rfd8 [ too obliging is 22.f4 Qf5 23.g4 Qf6
21.Qf4 ) 20.Qb6 ( 20.Rcd1 Rad8 24.Bg2 Nxc3 25.Qxc3 Qh4 26.Qc2
21.Qb6 Qf5 22.Qc7 ) 20...Qf5 f5 and White is already in trouble with
, even though the position his kingside ]
remains quite balanced after [ Black will win material after 22.Bb6?!
21.Qc7 Rfe8 Nd2! 23.Rxe5 Nxb3 24.Bxc7 Nxc1
22.Rcd1 Rac8 23.Qf4 ] 25.Bb6 Nb3 26.Re3 e5 ]
19...Bd6 20.g3 Bc7 [ a hidden tactical resource is revealed
[ A plausible alternative was after 22.Ne2?! Nxf2! 23.Kxf2
( 23.Bd4 Qf5 24.Bxf2 Qe4 25.Bb6
20...Nd7 21.Qd4 Rfd8 , when the
Qh1+ 26.Kf2 Qh2+ 27.Ke3 Bxg3 )
knight is ready to jump to the just
23...Qf6+ 24.Bf4 g5 ]
weakened squares f3 and b3.
Therefore White must be extremely
careful - 22.Red1 ( 22.Qd2 Qf5
23.f4 Nc5 24.Qc2 Qxc2 25.Rxc2
Nb3 26.Bb6 Rd7;
22...Nxg3 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
23.fxg3? This natural capture (often and Black has probably no more than
automatically played) appeared to be a the perpetual, e.g. 29... Qg4+ 30.Kf1
grave mistake. Qf3+ 31.Kg1 Kh8 32.Qxe6, disabling
[ The insertion of exchanges (as we the intended f8-f6;
will see, White will never get another 28...Rab8 allows 29.Qc2; after
chance) of bishops was obligatory - 28...Qg4+ the king must once again
23.Bxc6 bxc6 24.Bb6! Qf4 retreat to the f-file - 29.Kf1 ) 29.Rcd1
( insufficient is 24...Qg5?! 25.Bxc7 Qg4+ 30.Kh1 ( 30.Kf1 Qf5+ 31.Kg2
Ne2+ 26.Kh2 Nxc1 27.Qc2 Rac8 Rb8 32.Qa2 Qg4+ ) 30...Qh5+
28.Bg3 Rcd8 29.Ne4! ) 25.Bxc7 31.Kg1 Qg6+ 32.Kh1 Rb8! 33.Qa2
Qxc7 26.fxg3 Qxg3+ 27.Kh1 Qxh3+ Qh5+ 34.Kg1 Qg4+
28.Kg1 Rad8 (Black has already A) 35.Kh1? f5! 36.c5 ( 36.Rxe6
enough for the piece with perpetual in f4 ) 36...Rf6 37.Rxe6 Qh5+
his pocket and can safely continue - 38.Kg2 Qg6+ shows why the king
his queen is needing assistance) must avoid staying on h-file;
( The alternatives to the text seem to B) 35.Kf2 Qf4+ 36.Kg2 Rfd8
promise less - for instance, the 37.b4 Qg4+ 38.Kf2 a5 and Black
thematic push 28...f5 has the upper hand, but he has still
is well countered by 29.c5! to work hard, for example 39.b5
Rd4 40.Rxd4 Qxd4+ 41.Re3 cxb5
42.cxb5 Qf4+ ( 42...Rxb5!?
43.Nxb5 Qf4+ 44.Kg2 Qxe3 )
43.Rf3 Qh2+ 44.Ke3 Qxa2
45.Nxa2 Rxb5 , winning fourth
pawn for the piece. ]
23...Qxg3 24.Qc2 f5!! 26.Qf2

a b c d e f g h [ 26.Bxf8?! f3! is completely
8 8 hopeless. ]
26...Qg6! Yet another great move!
7 7
27.Bxf8?! A desperation, but White
6 6 could hardly save his other bishop:
5 5 [ Relatively the best chance to resist
4 4
was offered by 27.Qe2 Rf6 28.Ne4
Bxe4 29.Qxe4 f3 30.Qxg6 Rxg6
3 3 31.Rc2 Rd8 32.Rf1 Rxg2+ 33.Rxg2
2 2 fxg2 34.Kxg2 Be5 35.b3 Bf6 ]
[ 27.Ne4?! f3 28.Bxf8 Rxf8 29.Rc3
1 1
Bxe4! ( 29...fxg2 30.Qxg2 Qh5 )
a b c d e f g h 30.Rxe4 Qxe4 31.Rxf3 Bf4!
Here is our thematic thrust! At this point and Black will soon decide the game
White must have regretted for some of along the dark squares ]
his last moves. [ the witty 27.Nd5!? does not stop
25.Bc5 Black's main threat - 27... exd5
[ 25.Bd4 Rad8 ] 28.cxd5 f3 29.dxc6 Bg3! 30.Qc2 f2
a b c d e f g h
+ 31.Bxf2 Bxf2+ 32.Kh1 Qxc2
33.Rxc2 Bxe1 34.Bd5+ Kh8 35.c7
8 8
Rac8 36.Bxb7 Bg3 37.Bxc8 Rxc8
7 7 38.Kg2 Bf4-+ ]
6 6 27...Rxf8-+ 28.Qe2
[ 28.Kh1 f3 29.Bf1 Bb6!-+
5 5
30.Nd5!? Bxd5! 31.Qxb6 f2+
4 4 32.cxd5 Qg1# ]
3 3
[ 28.Qc2 Rf5! ]
28...Bb6+ 29.Kh1 f3 30.Qxe6+
2 2
Qxe6 31.Rxe6 fxg2+ 32.Kh2 Rf1
1 1 A full triumph for the brave pawn!
a b c d e f g h 0-1
25...f4!! Fantastic concept!
[ the lift 25...Rf6 would lead to a better
endgame after 26.Qf2 Qh2+ 27.Kf1
Bg3 28.Qg1 Qxg1+ 29.Bxg1 Bxg2+
30.Kxg2 Bxe1 31.Rxe1 Rd8, but
Radjabov was absolutely right in his
decision to keep the queens on the
board! ]
Test 1 Test 2
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
Black has just played 8...g5. Do you Our hero has just been exchanged on g6,
agree with his impatience to get rid of cleaning the file both for the rook and
the pin rather than 8....d6 or 8....Qe7? the bishop. Try to finish the attack.
9.f4!! Nxe4 24.Be6! Kg7 25.Bh6+! Kxh6 26.Nf5+!
[ 9...gxf4?! is neatly refuted by gxf5
10.Rxf4! ] [ After 26...Kh7 the shortest way to the
[ 9...d5 10.exd5 Bg4 is Black's best win is the transfer of the queen to h6
bet, but he will hardly equalize after like 27.Qc1 Kg8 28.Qh6 Ne5
the precise 11.Qe1! ] 29.Rh3 fxe6 30.Qh7+ Kf8 31.Nh6
10.fxe5 Ne6 11.Qf3 Qe7 12.Qxe4 , mating on the next move. ]
gxh4 13.Nc3 White's advantage is 27.Qd2+
indisputable. It is a pleasure to follow [ 27.Qc1+ Bg5 28.Rh3+ Kg6
the aesthetic course of the game till its 29.Bxf5+ ]
end. 27...Bg5 28.Rh3+ Kg6 29.Bxf5+
13.... With mate to follow.
Test 3 Test 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
The sharp battle had reached its The f-pawn is like a thorn in Black's
culmination. Black decided to force camp, but he has not yet given up his
some exchanges by playing 25...Rxc4, hope to eliminate it. How should White
expecting 26.Q:c4 Nf3 27.R:f3 B:f3 with make use of it? 31.Bxg6! Our f-pawn is
a probable draw due to the opposite- going to give a lethal check from f7,
coloured bishops. Did he miss anything which has forced Black's resignation, for
in his calculations? example
26.f6!+- This important intermezzo puts [ 31.Bxg6! hxg6 32.Rxg6+ fxg6
an end to all Black'shopes. 33.f7+ ]
Kg8 The position is already beyond 31...hxg6 32.Rxg6+ fxg6 33.f7+
salvation, as shown by: with mate to follow.
[ 26...gxf6 27.Rxf6 Rxf6 28.Bxf6+
Kg8 29.Qxc4+ Bd5 30.Bxg5 Nf3+
31.Kf2 ]
[ 26...Rxc3 27.fxg7+ Qxg7 28.Rxf8# ]
27.Qxc4+ White is winning.
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
Black has just played 13...Ne3. Can you

find the drawback of his demanding
operation? 14.f5!! Nxc4
[ 14...Nxf1 15.fxg6 with an irresistable
attack. Here is a beautiful line, in
which another pawn is rapidly
advancing and thus deciding the
game - 15.... d5 16.Qh4 fxg6
17.exd5 Re8 18.d6+ Be6 19.d7!+- ]
15.f6!! with 16.Qh4 to follow. Black is
helpless.
These game exercises are designed to

You don't know? So dig improve your calculation skills as well as
deeper! - Part 2 your ability to take over the board
decisions in complicated situations.
I wish you a good luck!
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5

5.Nge2 cxd4
[ 5...d5 6.a3 Bxc3+ 7.Nxc3 cxd4
8.exd4 dxc4 9.Bxc4 is considered to
be somewhat difficult for Black ever
since the Korchnoi - Karpov
matches. ]
6.exd4 d5
[ Another big line is 6...0-0 7.a3 Be7
with a choice for White between 8.
d5!? and the less interesting 8.Nf4. ]
7.c5
Introduction [ 7.a3 Be7 8.c5 is doing rather
well for Black, who is in no danger
Last time we started exercising in-depth of losing his best bishop and has
analysis and calculation of sharp ways of creating counterplay (with
unusual positions. This is meant to b7-b6 and often a7-a5). ]
increase our skills and confidence,
when deciding whether or not to embark 7...Ne4 8.Bd2 Nxd2 9.Qxd2 Qf6!?
on a risky course. Remember, sharp There are several reasonable moves,
unusual positions are not only difficult but all the others tend to keep Black's
for you. There is a (hopefully) human game a little passive. The old main
opponent opposite you and when you are line 9...a5. 10. a3 Bxc3+. 11. Nxc3 a4
well-trained in these things... Let's watch blocks White's majority, but still
another example, where the risky choices doesn't give Black an easy life. Other
are rewarded. moves are 9...b6, 9...0-0 and
In this article, I feature the game I. Sokolov
- Van der Wiel, Dutch championship 1996.
9...Qd7. The latter was a novelty in
We will try to analyze this game in a very 1988, with the idea of preserving
interactive way. At certain moments, I will Black's bishop pair. I didn't really like
stop and ask you a question which will Black's positions with the queen on
require right evaluation and deep d7. A little cramped for the minor
calculations. When you finish your analysis, pieces, but it did give me the idea for
you can proceed with the game and the more active text, which I then
compare your ideas to my annotations. developed. 10.a3 Ba5
EXERCISE 1: 11. b4 to be the best move. There is one

a b c d e f g h
general drawback to it: Black's
counterplay often starts with b7-b6 and
8 8
with the bishop still on a5, that is not
7 7 available!
Two other moves demand attention. Not
6 6
so much 11. Qe3, slowish after 11...0-0,
5 5 but: A) 11. f4 (freezes the centre and
blocks the road to f3) and B) 11. g3(!)
4 4
which is my favourite, even though White
3 3 loses the right to go 0-0.
Let's take a deeper look at these
2 2
suggestions:
1 1 [ 11.f4 0-0 12.b4 ( 12.g3 Bd8!? )
a b c d e f g h 12...Bd8 13.g3 b6 14.Bg2 bxc5
15.dxc5 Ba6 16.Rc1
In this article I also want to show some
a b c d e f g h
of the theoretical intricacies of this
variation. After some study, what do 8 8
you judge to be White's best move? 7 7
6 6
Exercise 1 - Answer
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
Nc6! This is the most precise
3 3 continuation. ( 16...Bc4? 17.Ne4!
dxe4 18.Rxc4 Nc6 19.Bxe4 Rc8
2 2
20.0-0 Be7 21.Qc2 , 1-0 Gavrikov -
1 1 Shishkov, Tallinn 1998, ) 17.0-0
a b c d e f g h ( Now 17.b5 Na5 18.bxa6 Nb3
19.Qd1 Nxc1 20.Qxc1 Rc8
11.b4 This doesn't allow the bishop its would give Black enough
more active square c7 (12. Nb5) and compensation due to the difference in
may be necessary for Ivan's new plan pawn structures. ) 17...Rb8 18.Rb1
with Ne2-g1. And yet I don't consider a draw was agreed in Babula - Van
der Wiel, European championship is a decent alternative. After Nc6

for countries, 1999. If Black doesn't like 16.Rb1 Black should play a6!
these complications, there is also an as indicated by Sokolov. If Black
option to play with 13...Nc6, 14...g6, doesn't take the b5 square from
15...Qg7 and 16...Bf6; ] White's pieces, he will have problems.
[ 11.g3! is my favourite, even though 17.0-0 Bc7 ( or also 17...g5 followed
White loses the right to go 0-0. Qf3 by 18...g4 or ...Qg7, fighting for the
12.Rg1 Now Knaak - Van der Wiel, initiative. ) ]
Palma de Mallorca 1989, continued
Nc6 13.b4 ( 13.Nf4 Bxc3 ) 13...Bc7! 15...Nc6 16.0-0
14.Bg2 Qf6 15.f4 0-0 16.Rf1 Ne7 [ Certainly not 16.b5? Ba5 17.Rc1 d4
17.Rc1 According to Knaak's analyses 0-1, Paschall (2285!) - Oll, Chicago
1997. ]
chances were equal, but I am not so
16...Bc7 17.b5!? Plenty choices in this
sure. I think I prefer White, as Black
finds it hard to become active phase. Besides the straightforward text,
(although the plan initiated in the 17. g3, 17. Rfd1 and 17. Rab1 are all
game with...Bd7, ...Qh6, ...Kh8, ...f5, reasonable alternatives. Ne5
...Ng8 and ...Nf6 is reasonable). [ Now 17...Ba5?! 18.Rac1 would be
To avoid Ba5-c7 the East-german tactically wrong, in view of d4 ( or
GM recommended 11. b4, but here I 18...Ne5 19.Nxd5! ) 19.Ne4 ]
certainly don't agree with Rainer: 18.Nd4
after 11...Bd8. 12. g3 Qf3. 13. Rg1
Qh5! 14. h4 0-0 and soon b7-b6
Black has good counterplay. If you,
like me, don't fancy Black's game
position, we might consider 12... EXERCISE 2 - What should Black play
Qh5!? (instead of ...Nc6) 13. h4 Nc6 here?
(here 13...0-0. 14. Qg5! is unpleasant,
a b c d e f g h
so Black puts pressure on d4). 14. Nf4
Qh6. 15. Bb5!? Bc7. 16. Nfe2 with 8 8
possibly a very small advantage for 7 7
White. So in my opinion 11. g3 is
the strongest, with 11. b4 and 11. f4 6 6
sharing second place.] ] 5 5
11...Bd8 12.Ng1!? An original prepared 4 4

idea by Sokolov. Time-consuming but
otherwise healthy. 0-0 13.Nf3 b6 3 3
14.Be2 bxc5 15.dxc5 2 2

[ After serious thought. It seems 1 1
strange to reduce the proud majority
a b c d e f g h
on the queenside, but 15.bxc5
Exercise 2 - Answer EXERCISE 3:
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
18...Nd7! The game is sharpening. White intends

[ 18...Nc4 may look tempting, but it is to win it on the queenside, Black on the
at the expense of Black's structure: kingside. Now which move meets the
19.Bxc4 dxc4 20.Qe3! stops Black's requirements of the position best?
tactical ideas, e.g. Qe5 21.Qxe5
Bxe5 22.Rad1 and White is better. ] Exercise 3 - Answer
[ On 18...Rd8 White replies 19.Rad1
and Black's rook is not that great. ] a b c d e f g h
19.Na4! 8 8
[ The strength of 18...Nd7 is not only
being ahead of f2-f4 but also the point 7 7
19.c6?! Bf4! 20.Qd1 Be5 21.cxd7 6 6

Bxd7 with an advantage for Black. ]
5 5
19...Bf4 20.Qb4 e5 21.Nb3 White had
to be careful. Below are some possible 4 4
lines.
3 3
[ 21.g3? exd4 22.gxf4 Qg6+ 23.Kh1
Qe4+ loses a piece. ] 2 2
[ 21.Nc6?! Bb7 22.Na5 Qh6 23.g3
1 1
Bd2!-+ ]
[ 21.Nf3 e4 gives Black dangerous a b c d e f g h
attacking chances. ]
22.g3!
21...Qg6
[ 22.b6? axb6 just loses the pawn. ]
[ 22.c6?! Nf6 helps Black. ]
[ But there is no hurry: as long as Nd7 EXERCISE 4: What would you play
doesn't move, Black has no real here as Black?
attack. The question is: which move
leaves White best prepared for the a b c d e f g h
sharp future? It is mainly between the 8 8
prophylactic 22. g3 and 22. Kh1. Let's
7 7
study the latter: 22.Kh1 Nf6
A) Instead of 23. b6 White may try 6 6
23.g3 a double prophylaxis, if you like).
Then Bh3 24.Bf3 ( 24.Rg1 Ng4! ) 5 5
24...e4 25.Bg2 Qh5 4 4
sees Black attacking, whereas White
hasn't made progress.; 3 3
B) 23.b6 Ne4! ( 23...Qh6 24.g3 Ng4
2 2
25.h4! is unclear. ) 24.b7 ( 24.Bf3 Ba6!
25.Bxe4 dxe4 1 1
with a promising initiative for Black.;
a b c d e f g h
24.g3 After this move, Black can play
24...Bh3 or even consider 24...Bg4!?. )
24...Qh6 25.g3 Nxg3+ 26.fxg3 Bxg3 [ White could still prefer a more
27.Rf2 ( or 27.h4 Bxh4 Black has a prudent course with
mighty attack. ) 27...Bxf2 28.bxa8Q 23.Bf3 Black has quite a bit of choice:
( After 23...Bh3, 23...e4, 23...h5, none of
28.bxc8Q White will not be mated, but which allows a definitive judgment
Raxc8 simply leaves Black much other than 'chances for both sides. ]
better. ) 28...Bg3 29.h4 Bxh4! and the
attack will not be stopped, as can be
seen from Exercise 4 - Answer
30.Kg2 ( or 30.Rf1 Bg3+ 31.Kg2 Qh3
+!; 30.Qxc8 Bg3+ 31.Kg2 Qh2+
a b c d e f g h
32.Kf3 Qf2+-+ ) 30...Qg5+ 31.Kh1
Bg3 So 22. Kh1 doesn't do White much 8 8
good, often due to
7 7
the vulnerability on the dark squares.
With 22. g3! White tries to bolster them 6 6
in a more robust way. ]
5 5
22...Nf6 It is hard to delay this move,
that leaves the queenside unguarded. 4 4
[ White would be happy with 22...h5?!
3 3
23.Kh1 ]
[ The best alternative would be 22...e4, 2 2
even though it gives White the d4-
1 1
square.]
23.b6!? a b c d e f g h
23...Bh3!? It is slightly insane to allow From now on, with such pawns,
White 2 strong passed pawns like this. White will be happy to give up
[ What could happen after the an exchange, when that means
"healthier" 23...axb6 ? a dangerous black attacking
A) 24.Nxb6 Rb8 25.Nxc8 ( 25.a4 piece leaves the board.
Bh3 26.a5 h5 will be too much
attack ) 25...Rfxc8 26.Bb5 After the bold 23...Bh3 (of course you
Black has some advantage and a wisely chose 23...ab6), how does
pleasant choice between 26...e4 Black continue now? Attack, defence
and 26...Ne4!?; or some mixture?
B) 24.cxb6! Bh3 25.b7 Rab8
( 25...Rxa4 26.Qxf8+! ) 26.Nac5!
this is the only disadvantage of 23... Exercise 5 - Answer
ab6: White's knight can reach this
good square immediately h5! a b c d e f g h
with huge complications. If White 8 8
reacts well, chances will still be
7 7
about equal. I will spare you the
main lines this time, that begin with 6 6
27. Kh1 h4 and now 28. Ra2 or 28.
5 5
Nd3 or 28. a4!? If you really want to
see some extensive analysis, I refer 4 4
you to Informant 67, game nr. 627. ]
3 3
24.b7 Rab8 25.c6
2 2
EXERCISE 5: 1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
8 8
25...h5!? A good universal attacking
move (even creating a square for
7 7 Black's king), albeit less swift than Nf6-
6 6
e4.
[ Bad is 25...Ne8? because of 26.Bf3!
5 5 Qxc6 27.Na5 with either 28. gf4 or 28.
4 4
Bxd5, to White's advantage ]
[ 25...e4 stops the c-pawn, but
3 3 26.Nac5 heading for a6, poses new
2 2
problems. ]
[ 25...d4 26.Nac5 This move which
1 1 takes the e4-square under control is
a b c d e f g h very promising for White. ]
[ I think that the best alternative to the Exercise 6 - Answer

text move is 25...Ne4!? 26.c7 Rxb7!
( 26...Nxg3 27.fxg3 Bxg3 28.Bg4! a b c d e f g h
blocking the g-file and gaining time for
8 8
the defence, for instance: Bf4 29.Rxf4
exf4 30.Qxf8+!? Rxf8 7 7
31.c8Q Bxg4 32.Qxf8+ Kxf8
6 6
33.b8Q++- ) 27.Qxb7 Bxg3 28.fxg3
( 28.Bf3 Bxh2+! followed by 29...Qh6 5 5
with attack. ) 28...Nxg3 29.Kf2 Nxe2 4 4
30.Kxe2 ( 30.Qxd5 Nf4 ) 30...Qg2+
31.Kd3 ( 31.Rf2 Bg4+ 3 3
is dangerous. ) 31...Qe4+ 32.Kd2 2 2
Qg2+! and Black makes a draw, as
33.Kc3? d4+ would lose the queen. 1 1
Quite difficult to find over the board. I a b c d e f g h
couldn't.
26.c7??
[ We will select 3 candidate moves -
EXERCISE 6: A) 26. Bf3; B) 26. Kh1 and C) 26.
Nac5. 26.Bf3 Perhaps the most solid.
a b c d e f g h h4 ( 26...e4 27.Bg2 Bxg2 28.Kxg2
8 8
h4 is slightly better for White. )
A) Slower is not safer here: 27.Bg2
7 7 Bxg2 28.Kxg2 Ne4! 29.c7
6 6 ( 29.Ra2 Qxc6! ) 29...hxg3 30.fxg3
Nxg3 31.Rxf4 exf4 32.Qxf8+
5 5 ( 32.cxb8Q Ne4+ means good
4 4 compensation ) 32...Rxf8 33.c8Q
Ne4+ 34.Kf3 ( 34.Kf1 Qa6+ )
3 3
34...Qh5+ with sufficient initiative
2 2 for Black. Most likely it will be a
draw.;
1 1
B) 27.c7 hxg3 28.fxg3 Bxg3
a b c d e f g h 29.cxb8Q Rxb8 30.hxg3 Qxg3+
31.Kh1 Bxf1 32.Rxf1 e4
Determine the candidate moves for The verdict is: equal chances. May
White (not too many), then dig deep. sound surprising, White being two
Try to find as much as you can. Can pieces up, but since moves like
you predict the most likely result? And 33.Bg2? ( and 33.Qe1 Qh3+
yes, this will be very complicated. ] 34.Kg1 exf3 are too dangerous,
White must find a way to force a C3) 28.c7! Nxh2 ( If 28...Rbe8?! ,

perpetual.; After 33.Be2 Qh3+ then 29.Nd3 , or also 29.
34.Kg1 Qg3+ the battle reaches a c8=Q!; After 28...Rxb7 29.Nxb7
logical result. ) 33...Ng4 ] Nxh2 30.Rg1! hxg3 31.Rxg3 Bxg3
[ 26.Kh1 h4 27.Bf3?! ( 27.Rg1?! Ne4 32.fxg3 Qxg3 33.Rg1
with attack.; 27.c7? Rxb7!; 27.Nac5! I can't see anything satisfactory
This move transposes to 26.Nac5. ) for Black. ) 29.cxb8Q Rxb8
27...e4 28.Bg2 Bxg2+ 29.Kxg2 Nh5 ( 29...hxg3 30.Qxf8+
and Black has a powerful attack. ] doesn't work for Black. After Kh7
[ 26.Nac5 h4 27.Kh1! and now things a nice way to stop the attack is
are getting difficult. I will treat no less 31.Qxf4 exf4 32.Qh8+! Kxh8
than 4 options:
33.b8Q+ Kh7 34.Qxf4 ) 30.Nd3!
A) 27...Nh5 28.Rg1! ( 28.Bxh5
and White is much better.
Qxh5; 28.g4 Bxg4 29.Rg1 Ng3+! )
Important is, that he need not fear
28...hxg3 29.fxg3 ( 29.hxg3?! Qh6
( Not 30.g4 Nxg4! )
30.Rg2 Bg4! would be very
powerful for Black. ) 29...Qxc6 30...Rxb7 31.Qxb7 Qe4+ 32.f3
30.Na5! Qh6 31.gxf4 Nxf4 32.Bf1 Qxe2 33.Rf2 and the onslaught is
and White has the upper hand.; rebuffed.;
B) 27...hxg3 28.fxg3 Qc2 29.Qb5 D) 27...e4!? In this position, we
and possibly Qb5-d3. There's not have a two-way split - 28.Rg1 and
enough attack and Bf4 doesn't 28.Nd4. 28.Nd4! ( We don't like
function so well anymore.; 28.Na6 Ng4 with a fierce attack.;
C) 27...Ng4 The move 28.Qc3 is not better
C1) after 28.gxf4? Ne3! either. Rbe8!; 28.Rg1 Ng4!
Black wins.; 29.Bxg4 Bxg4 30.Nd4 Be5
C2) 28.Nd7 hxg3 29.fxg3 Nxh2 This looks like too much horror for
Threatens 30...Bg2+!. 30.Rxf4! exf4 White. Even the all-defending
( 30...Bxd7 31.Rh4 favours White. ) 31.Ncb3 Qh5 doesn't stop the
31.Qxf4 threats. ) 28...e3! ( This time
( A worthy alternative is 31.Nxf8 If 28...Rbe8 29.Rg1 hxg3 30.Rxg3!
the following variation is correct, a is to White's advantage. ) 29.Nf3
draw is the most likely outcome: ( 29.fxe3 looks very risky and Bd6!
Qxg3 32.Rg1 Qh4 33.Qe1 Qh6 should punish it. ) 29...hxg3 30.fxg3
34.Qf2 Nf3! 35.Bxf3 Bg4+ 36.Qh2 Bd6 31.Qc3 ( Is there any other
Bxf3+ 37.Rg2 Qxc6 38.Qh7+ Kxf8 move? Not 31.Qd4 which loses to
39.Qh8+ Ke7 40.Qxb8 Bxg2+ With Qc2! 32.Qh4 Bxf1 can't be justified,
perpetual to follow. ) either. ) 31...Bxc5! Black must be
31...Bxd7 32.cxd7 Rxb7 33.Nd4 quick, before White's pawns
( 33.Nc5 Rb2 ) 33...Rxd7 dominate the scene. 32.Qxc5 Ne4!
34.Kxh2 and chances are about 33.Qc1! ( 33.Qxe3 Bxf1-+;
equal.; 33.Qxd5 Nc3-+ ) 33...Qf6!
It keeps raining difficult moves.

( One would expect 33...Bxf1
34.Bxf1 Qf6 (attacks Nf3 and plans
35...Nc3) to be very strong, but
White plays 35.c7! ignoring the
threat. The pawns are so powerful,
that Black doesn't even seem to
have a road to equality. Even now
he has to keep the Bh3 in order to
control the c8 square. ) 34.Re1
What else? ( 34.Nh4 Bxf1 35.c7
Nf2+ 36.Kg1 Nh3+ 37.Kh1 Bxe2-+;
34.c7 Rxb7 35.Nh4 Nf2+
36.Kg1 d4-+ ) 34...Nc3 35.Qxe3
Nxe2 36.Qxe2 Qxc6 Black wins
the b-pawn and has the
advantage.
Concluding, this last line is
objectively good for Black, which
makes the Nac5 + Kh1 section
dubious. But with so many pitfalls,
who knows what would have
happened in real life? 26. Bf3
deserves to be called the best
move, with equal chances, but
Black has to be pretty inventive
there. So from move 23 to 25 most
optimal lines are draw(ish).
Surprising, perhaps, in such a
sharp position! ]
26...Rxb7! In this position, White
resigned because of the following line:
27.Qxb7
[ 27.Qc3 Rxc7 ]
27...Qe4 28.f3 Qxe2 29.Rf2 Be3
it's all over.
That was a dreadful blunder, of course,
but as I said earlier: fortunately the
opponent is only human and sometimes
your daring play is over-rewarded.
Methods of Playing in Rodshtein,Maxim

Gashimov,Vugar
2623
2740
Benoni Structures EU-Cup 25th Ohrid (5.2) 08.10.2009
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 d6

5.Nc3 exd5 6.cxd5 g6 7.g3 Bg7 8.Bg2
0-0 9.0-0 Re8 10.Bf4 a6 11.a4
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
Dear Reader, 2 2
After my Gruenfeld series, this is the 1 1

start of a new string of articles, strategic
a b c d e f g h
and theoretical ones, dedicated to the
Benoni defence. Unlike in the Gruenfeld,
there is not such a wide variety of b6!? A relatively rare move. Black
structures in the Benoni. It mainly prevents a4-a5, a typical way of
depends on such issues as whether disrupting the queenside structure
White consolidates his e4-pawn with f2- flexibility. 12.Re1 Nh5 13.Bg5 Qc7
f3, or prepares to launch it forward with f2-
14.e4 Nd7 15.Rc1 h6 16.Bd2 Qb8
f4 etc. But the main issue is the same: 17.Bf1 Returning to the initial diagonal in
White has a mobile majority in the centre, order to slow down ...b6-b5. Ra7 18.b3
while Black has the same on the Nf8 19.h3 Rae7 20.Qc2 g5!?
queenside. Black plays for space on both wings. The
last move clears the g6-square for
the knight. 21.Kg2 Ng6 22.Bd3 Nf6
***Obviously, White's most daring dream is 23.Rh1 Qb7 24.Rce1 Bd7 Black has
carrying out a queenside expansion, reached a perfect regrouping using the
involving ...b7-b5 followed, according to communication between the opposite
the circumstances, by ...c5-c4 or ...b5-b4. wings along the 7th and 8th ranks and ...
Here is an example in which this plan was b6-b5 cannot be stopped anymore.
consequently carried out: 25.Bc1 b5 26.axb5 axb5 27.Bb2
a b c d e f g h 29...Bxh3+! Everything is prepared now

8 8 for this combination. 30.Kg1
7 7
[ With the bishop on c4 30.Rxh3
loses to g4 31.Rhh1?! gxf3+
6 6
32.Kxf3? Ne5+ ]
5 5 [ 30.Kxh3 is no better: g4+ 31.Kh2
4 4 gxf3 with a decisive attack. ]
30...Rc8 The pin along the c-file and
3 3
the pressure on c3 is very annoying for
2 2 White. 31.Ba2?
1 1 [ This loses by force, but 31.Nd2
a b c d e f g h
is not rosy either: Ne5 32.Be2 Bg4
33.Kg2 Bxe2 34.Rxe2 Qa6
After achieving the first major queenside with strong initiative on light squares. ]
success, Black needs a plan for making 31...Nxe4 32.Rxh3 Nxc3 33.Rxe7
further progress. Gashimov found an Nxe7 34.Bxc3 Rxc3 35.Qe4 g4
interesting tactical idea involving both Not the only winning move. Black
wings. c4! deflects the queen from the defence of
[ The same combination as in the the b1-square in order to trap the
game does not work as well as in the bishop. 36.Qxg4 Qa6
game without the prior pawn sacrifice: 0-1
27...Bxh3+ 28.Rxh3 g4 29.Rhh1
gxf3+ 30.Kxf3 c4 31.bxc4 bxc4
32.Bf1 Ne5+ 33.Kg2 Nd3 34.Bxd3 cxd3
Hernandez Onna,Roman 2370
35.Qd2 and White still hold. ]
Velimirovic,Dragoljub 2490
28.bxc4 bxc4 29.Bxc4?!
Capablanca Memorial (1) 1971
[ This adds wood on the fire as it
exposes White along the c-file and
the bishop as well, 29.Bf1!?
White's pressure along the f1-a6 diagonal
was more cautious. ]
sometimes requires from Black changing
a b c d e f g h
the move order when advancing his
8 8 queenside pawns. More
7 7 specifically, ...c5-c4 is a typical way of
6 6
preparing ...b5. Here is a typical example
involving some tactical nuances: 1.Nf3
5 5 Nf6 2.d4 g6 3.c4 Bg7 4.Nc3 c5 5.d5
4 4 d6 6.e4 0-0 7.Be2 e6 8.0-0 exd5
3 3
9.cxd5 Re8 10.Nd2 a6 11.a4 b6
12.Qc2 Nbd7 13.f4 Rb8 14.Rb1
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h 22.Bxa6 ( 22.hxg4 b3 23.Qe2 Bxd3

8 8 24.Qxd3 Qxa4∓ wins the e4-pawn
soon. ) 22...Qxa6 23.Bd2 Ngf6
7 7
24.Rfe1 Rbc8 followed by ...xe4
6 6 with overwhelming activity. ]
5 5 [ 15.b4 does not work out too well
either: cxb3 16.Rxb3 Nc5 17.Rb4
4 4
Bd7 followed by ...b6-b5 soon. ]
3 3 15...b5
2 2 a b c d e f g h
1 1 8 8
a b c d e f g h 7 7
With the actual piece placement Black 6 6

cannot increase his control over b5. The 5 5
manoeuvre ...e8-c7 would require too
4 4
much time as the e8-square is not
available yet, allowing White to take over 3 3
the initiative with either e4-e5 or b2-b4. 2 2
But the Benoni virtuoso Velimirovic found
1 1
a very effective way of continuing his
a b c d e f g h
queenside plan. c4!
15.Kh1 This neutral move does not With devastating initiative already.
prevent Black's plan in any way, but 16.axb5 axb5 17.b4 cxb3 18.Rxb3
there was no effective antidote available: b4 19.Nb5 Nc5 20.Rxb4 Nxd5
[ 15.Nxc4 weakens the defence of e4, 21.exd5 Rxe2 22.Qc4 Re7 23.Nxd6
causing White stability problems after Ba6 24.Nb5 Qb6 25.d6 Reb7 26.Ba3
Nc5 16.e5!? ( 16.Bf3 b5 17.Nd2 b4 Ne6 27.Rfb1 Qf2 28.Ne4 Qxf4
18.Ne2 a5 leaves White with too 29.Bc1 Qf5 30.Ng3 Qf2 31.Nf1 Bd4
many passive pieces. ) 16...Bf5 0-1
17.Qd1 dxe5 18.Ra1 ( 18.fxe5
Nxd5! ) 18...exf4 19.Bxf4 Nfe4 Beliavsky,Alexander G 2630
20.Bxb8 Qxb8 21.Nxe4 Rxe4 Portisch,Lajos 2615
Black will soon win the d5-pawn Szirak Interzonal (14) 1987
with overwhelming compensation for
the exchange. ] White's most typical antidote to the
[ 15.Bxc4 leaves the g4-square queenside expansion is meeting ...b7-b5
undefended allowing Ng4! 16.Nf3 b5! with b2-b4. However, this is an
As always, combining threats on both operation with multilateral strategic and
wings is very effective. 17.axb5 axb5 tactical implications. Here is a typical
18.Bd3 b4 19.Na4 Qa5 planning... a6 positional example: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6
20.h3 Qa7+ 21.Kh1 Ba6! 3.Nf3 c5 4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.Nc3
g6 7.e4 Bg7 8.Be2 0-0 9.0-0 Na6 intrusion along the a-file after 19.Bd3
10.Nd2 Re8 11.f3 Nc7 With the white c4 20.Bc2 Ra3 with strong
king's bishop on its initial diagonal and counterplay. ]
the e4-pawn safely defended, Black 18...c4 19.Bc2 Black's passed pawn is
needs using the queen's knight for safely blocked and the immediate
supporting the b-pawn. The main strategic plot gravitates around a
question is whether after carrying out different issue. Should White be allowed
the initial plan the knight will be able playing a4-a5, the c7-knight may stay
finding new horizons or will stay passive passive until the end of the game. But
on c7. 12.a4 b6 13.Nc4 Ba6 Portisch was just in time avoiding that.
Preparing to exchange the c4-knight bxa4! 20.Bxa4 Nb5 21.Kh1 Qb7
after the threatened f4. 14.Bg5 22.Bxb5 White needs keeping the knight,
In vain hoping to provoke ...h7-h6, of course, in order to block the c4-pawn.
when White would later gain a tempo axb5
with d2. Qd7 15.Rb1 After evacuating a b c d e f g h
the long diagonal, White makes the
8 8
threat b2-b3 real, when ... xc4 would
be answered with bxc4, yielding him a 7 7
crushing space advantage. Bxc4!
6 6
16.Bxc4 a6
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
23.Be3 Even after Black's previous
2 2
successes, White would only need to
1 1 secure the dark squares with d4, in
a b c d e f g h order to retain some small but lasting
pressure. Unfortunately, there is a small
tactical flaw to his intended regrouping.
Black's ...b6-b5 with gain of time is [ True, he would not be in time
inevitable, but White had his antidote preparing the manoeuvre with 23.Qd2
prepared. 17.b4 b5 18.Bd3 due to Ra3 24.Be3 Rxc3! 25.Qxc3
[ Inserting the pawn exchange 18.axb5 Nxe4 26.Qa3 Nc3 27.Rbe1 Nxd5
axb5 would avoid the c7-knight's 28.Bd2 Ra8 29.Qc1 Qc6
activation, but allow the nasty rook followed by ...c4-c3 with
overwhelming compensation for the In this position with major pieces the
exchange. ] strong passed c-pawn will have a decisive
[ 23.Qc1 looks more subtle by influence. 28.Qc3 Qe7 29.Ra1 Rxa1
preventing ...a3 but Black could 30.Qxa1 Rc8 31.Rc1 Qc7
switch plans with Nd7! followed by ... 32.Qc3 Ra8 It appears that White cannot
e5-d3 with a gain of time. ] keep the c-pawn under control and
23...Ng4! 24.Bd4 defend the a-file at the same time.
a b c d e f g h 33.f4 This counterplay is ineffective, as
8 8
White is weak along the second and
back ranks. Qa7! 34.Qd2 Qa2 35.Qe1
7 7
Qb2 36.Rb1 c3! 37.h3 Ra2 38.Qf1
6 6 c2! 39.Rc1 Qxb4 40.e5 Rb2 41.Qf2
5 5 Qe4 42.Kh2 Qxd5
0-1
4 4
3 3
2 2
Adamski,Jan
1 1
Matulovic,Milan 2525
a b c d e f g h
Lugano ol (Men) qual-C (2) 19.10.1968
Beliavsky had of course foreseen
Black's previous move, but probably not Sometimes fighting for queenside space
the next one: Ne3! implies parting with the pride of Black's
[ Finally exchanging the perfect blocker position, his g7-bishop. This can be
on c3. If 24...Ne5 25.f4 Nd3 26.Bxg7 successful only if the queenside events are
Kxg7 27.Qd2 followed by f5-f6 White intense enough to keep White busy without
would retain attacking chances. ] allowing him starting a kingside attack. Here
25.Bxe3 Bxc3 26.Bd4 Bxd4 27.Qxd4 is such an example:
Qa7!
a b c d e f g h 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 g6 4.Nc3 d6
8 8
5.e4 Bg7 6.Be2 0-0 7.Nf3 e6 8.0-0
exd5 9.cxd5 Re8 10.Nd2 Na6 11.f3 Nc7
7 7
12.a4 b6 13.Nc4 Ba6 14.Rb1
6 6
5 5
White not only speeds up his queenside
play with respect to the previous game but
4 4
also prepares to defend the c3-knight with
3 3 his bishop, instead of setting up the sterile
2 2
pin of the f6-knight.
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Bxc4 15.Bxc4 Nd7 16.Bd2 a6 17.b4 play. Even though his bishop occupies
cxb4 18.Rxb4 Qe7 19.Kh1 Rec8 the attacking diagonal, White is not in
20.Qe2 time to create any threats. 24.Rb3 Nac5
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
a b c d e f g h
1 1
a b c d e f g h
25.Rxb5?! Too ambitious.
[ White should have accepted a draw
White has considerable space advantage by repetition with 25.Rb4 Na6= ]
and an apparently solid position. If allowed 25...Nxe4! White must have thought that
completing his regrouping with fb1 his this is placing the knight under a pin,
advantage would be indisputable but without noticing the threat ... g3!+. This
Black can strike first. b5! 21.axb5 Bxc3! means he has no time saving his c3-
22.Bxc3 axb5 Suddenly it is not easy bishop from the exchange in order to
finding a good square for the bishop. The keep attacking chances. 26.fxe4
point is that Black's apparently passive [ 26.Bc4 looks like the lesser evil: Ng3
knights have a lot of hidden energy. + 27.hxg3 Qxe2 28.Bxe2 Rxc3 ]
23.Ba2 26...Rxc3 Black's central structure is
The best move. awful and his bishop does not make his
[ The main alternative is 23.Bd3 Nxd5 position better. 27.Rb7 Qe8 28.Qb5
24.exd5 Qxe2 25.Bxe2 Rxc3 Nc5
offering Black a pleasant ending with [ 28...Ne5!? ]
a dominating knight over the bishop. ] 29.Qxe8+ Rxe8 30.Rbxf7 Nxe4
[ 23.Bxb5? Nxb5-+ leaves the c3- 31.Ra7 Rec8 32.Rb7 Rc2 33.Ra7
bishop hanging. ] Rb2 34.Re1 Nf2+ 35.Kg1 Nd3 36.Rf1
[ 23.Bb3 Na6-+ does the same. ] Rcc2
23...Na6 The point of Black's previous 0-1
competing for the d7-square. 13.Qc2

Furman,Semen Abramovich Qe7 14.Be2 Nc7 15.Rfe1 Rfe8 16.Bf1
Khasin,Abram Rab8 17.a4 a6 18.Qd2 Be5 19.Bh6
URS-ch sf Kiev (14) 1957 b5 20.axb5 axb5 21.Ra7 Qd8
a b c d e f g h
8 8
The most difficult game are those in
which the mutual queenside play 7 7
involves complicated tactical nuances,
6 6
as in the following example. 1.d4 Nf6
2.c4 c5 3.d5 d6 4.Nc3 g6 5.e4 Bg7 5 5
6.Be2 0-0 7.Nf3 e6 8.0-0 exd5
4 4
9.cxd5 Bg4 10.h3 Bxf3 11.Bxf3
Nbd7 12.Bf4 Ne8 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 Black has achieved his first goal, but his

needs advancing his queenside pawns
4 4
farther in order to activate the knights,
3 3 which are temporarily placed under the
rook's pressure. White's next move
2 2
aimes at preventing Black's activity.
1 1 22.b4! cxb4 23.Na2! A typical
a b c d e f g h manoeuvre. The knight is heading
straight to c6. Ra8? This looks like
premature panicking. Black hurries
We are familiar with the early exchange evacuating the squares exposed to c6.
of the bishop for a knight, only that this [ But he should not have given away
time this operation takes place on a what could have become one of his
different square. Generally speaking, main trumps, the queenside extra
the exchange of one minor piece (with pawn: 23...b3! 24.Nb4 Ra8
exception of the g7-bishop, of course) ( The point. If 24...Rc8 25.Nc6 Qf6
more or less solves Black's problems of 26.Nxe5 Black's position is more
coordination. In the previous examples than just unpleasant. ) 25.Nc6
the exchange was only a way of ( Inserting the exchange on a8 just
preparing ...b6-b5, but more typically (as helps Black activating his play:
in this game) it avoids the situation 25.Rxa8 Qxa8 26.Nc6 Qa2 )
when two or more minor pieces are 25...Rxa7! ( The point of the whole
manoeuvre. 25...Qc8? 26.Rxa8 White is in complete control now. Qa5

Qxa8 27.Nxe5 is simply awful. ) 26.Nc6 Qxd2 27.Bxd2 Bg7 28.Ba5
26.Nxd8 Rxd8 Black has enough Wins a pawn and, after a long fight, the
material compensation for the queen. game. Na6 29.Bxb5 Nac5 30.f3 Ra8
The only open question remains 31.Bc7 Bf8 32.e5 dxe5 33.Nxe5
whether he can maintain his stability Nxe5 34.Rxe5 Nb7 35.Re2 Bc5+
in the centre in order to create 36.Kh2 Bd6+ 37.Bxd6 Nxd6 38.Bc6
queenside threats with the help of his Rd8 39.Kg3 Kf8 40.Kf4 Nf5 41.Ra2
extra pawn. 27.Bf4 ( The typical Ke7 42.g4 Nh4 43.Ra7+ Kf6 44.g5+
operation 27.f4 Bh8 28.e5 dxe5 Kg7 45.Ke4 Nf5 46.Bd7 h6 47.f4
29.f5 about which we will talk more in a hxg5 48.fxg5 Nd6+ 49.Ke5 Nc4+
future article leads to unclear 50.Kd4 Nd2 51.Ke3 Nc4+ 52.Ke4
consequences after e4 30.d6 Ne8 ) Nd6+ 53.Kd4 Kf8 54.Rc7 Rb8 55.Ke5
27...Ra2 28.Qe3 Bxf4 29.Qxf4 Nc5 Ne8 56.Ra7 Ng7 57.d6 Nh5 58.Rc7
30.Qf6 Rd7 The stable c5-knight Ra8 59.Bc6 Rd8 60.Bd5 Re8+
offers the pawn a reliable support and 61.Kd4
the apparently passive c7-knight not 1-0
only defends b5 but also inhibits e4-e5
by attacking d5. White's only chance
for activity is advancing his h-pawn:
Cuellar Gacharna,Miguel
31.h4 Rc2 32.h5 b2 33.Rb1 ( 33.h6?
Fischer,Robert James
Ne8!-+ defends g7 and gains a
Sousse Interzonal+ (4) 1967
decisive tempo. The threat is ...c1
and if 34.Qf4 Ra7 followed by ...a1 is
the end. ) 33...Nxe4 34.Qd4 Nxf2 a b c d e f g h
35.Rxb2 Rxb2 36.Qxb2 Ng4With
8 8
entirely adequate compensation for the
queen and a probable draw. ] 7 7
24.Rxa8 Qxa8 25.Nxb4
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
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Black sacrificed a pawn in the spirit of Black played 16...Ba6 yielding him a
the Volga/Benko gambit: 13...b5 solid but somewhat passive position and
14.Bxb5 Qa5 15.Ng3 White seems to eventually lost.
have a normal coordination and in the [ He trained from 16...cxb4
long run he may hope to invade the f5- in view of the familiar 17.Na2
square. Can you spot Black's positional Was he right in doing so?
idea? c4! Indeed, this cuts the bishop ***No he was not! Nxd5!!
off the rest of its army, allowing the This resource was highlighted by my
annoying knight's intrusion to d3. opponent right after the game.
Black's initiative at least compensates 18.exd5 Qc4= 19.Bf4 Qxa2 20.Bxd6
for the pawn. 16.0-0 Rb8 17.Qa4 Rb6 ]
Qxa4 18.Bxa4 Nd3 19.Bb5 Ng4 1-0
20.Nge2 Nxc1 21.Raxc1 Ne5 22.b3
cxb3 23.axb3 a6 24.Ba4 Nd3 25.Rc2
f5 26.Ng3 f4 27.Nge2 f3 28.Ng3 fxg2
29.Kxg2 Bg4 30.Nf5 Nf4+ 31.Kg3 Furman,Semen Abramovich
Bxf5 32.exf5 Bxc3 33.Kf3 Be5 34.Ke4 Podgaets,Mikhail
Rb4+ 35.Rc4 Rfb8 36.f6 Kf7 37.Kf5 Gori 1971
Rxc4 38.bxc4 Ne2 39.Re1 Nd4+
40.Kg4 h5+ 41.Kh3 Kxf6 a b c d e f g h
0-1 8 8
7 7
Spraggett,Kevin 2545
6 6
Marin,Mihail 2525
Paris-ch op 1992 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
White needs playing fb1 or c1 for
4 4 consolidating and eventually winning the
3 3 b5-pawn. However, he is temporarily
hanging. Is there a way Black could put
2 2 all his pieces to work (including the h5-
1 1 knight) in order to get counterplay?
20...Rec8?! This is too neutral to bother
a b c d e f g h
White.
[ 20...Qc5! was the right move, Straka,Josef Jr 2360

causing White problems on dark Abbasov,Amil Habil Oglu 2209
squares: 21.Rfb1 ( 21.Qb3 EU-ch U18 Prague (9) 25.08.2012
is somewhat similar: Nxg3! 22.fxg3
Rxe3 23.Bxe3 Qxe3+ 24.Kh2 Qxc3 a b c d e f g h
with great compensation for the 8 8
exchange. ) 21...Nxg3! 22.fxg3
( 22.Rxb5 loses to the intermediate 7 7
Ne2+! 23.Kf1 Nxc3 24.Rxc5 Rxb1+ 6 6

25.Be1 Nxc5-+ with decisive material
advantage and a continuing attack. ) 5 5
22...Rxe3 23.Bxe3 ( 23.Kh2? Rxc3 4 4

24.Bxc3 Bxc3 followed by ...b5-b4
3 3
leaves White very passive. )
23...Qxe3+ 24.Kh2 Qxc3 2 2
( Better than 24...Bxc3 25.R1b3 Rc8
1 1
26.Re4 ) 25.Qxc3 Bxc3 26.Rxb5
Rd8!? Black temporarily defends the a b c d e f g h
knight, preparing ...g7 and
eventually ...e5 after some mor White carried out the thematic b2-b4
preparing, so as not to allow the rook with incomplete development and
exchange too soon. Generally, Black's somewhat exposed major pieces. How
position is a perfect fortress. ] would you punish that? 16...c4?!
21.Rc1 Ne5 22.Qb1 Nc4 23.Be1 After this cooperative move White stays
with perfect white coordination. With the in control.
h5-knight far from the important areas, [ 16...Nfxd5! is the thematic and
the b5-pawn is doomed. strongest answer. 17.Nxd5 ( Or if
1-0 17.exd5 Bf5 18.Nce4 Nxd5
19.bxc5 Nc3! with deadly pins and
double attacks. ) 17...Nxd5 18.exd5
Bf5 19.Qa2 Bxb1 20.Nxb1
( 20.Qxb1 bxa4 pins and wins the
b4-pawn. ) 20...cxb4 21.axb5 Bd4!
22.Rd1 ( 22.bxa6 offers Black a
decisive attack after Qh4 23.Rf1 b3
24.Qd2 b2-+ ) 22...b3 23.Qa4 Qb6
24.Bf1 ( 24.Qxd4 Qxd4 25.Rxd4
Rxe2 leaves White's minor pieces
desperately hanging: 26.Kf1 Ra2
27.Ba3 Rxb5 ) 24...b2 25.Bh6 Bxf2+
26.Kh1 axb5-+ Material is about
equal but White is very passive and [ If 18.fxg3 Bxc3 19.Bxc3 Qe3+
the b2-pawn should decide the 20.Kh2 Qxc3 simply wins a pawn. ]
game. ] 18...Rxb5 19.fxg3 cxb4
[ 16...Ncxd5 17.exd5 Bf5 [ 19...Ba6 might have been even
more or less transposes ] stronger. ]
[ The tempting 16...cxb4 17.Rxb4 a5 20.Bxb4 Ba6 with better structure and
runs into the strong exchange sacrifice the initiative for Black.
18.Rxb5! Nxb5 19.Nxb5with perfect 0-1
stability on light squares and
considerable space advantage. ]
17.Bb2 Bd7 18.a5 With a stable
advantage for White who went on
winning.
1-0
Csom,Istvan 2505
Sax,Gyula 2575
HUN-ch Hungary (9) 1984
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
Do you share my feeling that White is

hanging a bit?! 17...Nxg3! Right!
18.Nxb5

Modern Chess Magazine - 16

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ISSUE 16

Typical Attacking Ideas

Master the French

Oll,Lembit (2610) - Muhutdinov,Marat (2485) / Moscow PCA-Intel qual (9) 1995

Endgame Series 16 - Strategies in Endgames with Same - Colored Bishops

Typical Attacking Ideas - Learn How to Use the Dangerous f-Pawn

Methods of Playing in Benoni Structures (GM Mihail Marin)

defenders I have ever met. So simple

This article is a follow-up to my 3 3

2 2 f5? This move only helps White but it's

23.Qf3 Qd7 24.Qh5 Kf8 25.Nh7+ Ke7 a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h Such positions are so difficult to play

25.Rxc8+ White could have refused the Hebden,Mark 2505

This is it. If White manages to play Ng4 a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h 47.Qb1+ Kg5 48.Kd2 e5 49.g4 Kxg4

I couldn't remember the lines so I went 13.Nxc4 bxc4 14.h4!

4 4 This needs no preparation Bd7

16.Nxh4 Qxh4 17.Re3 Qd8 18.Rg3 Castellanos,R 2504

This diagram is from another of my

Rxb1 The game is now over gxf4 22.Bxf4

a b c d e f g h The second front idea, very important to

14.h4 standard play 5 5

24.axb3 a4 30.Rbb1 b3 31.Qxf7

9.0-0 I would recommend the immediate [ Also interesting was 14.Ng3 h5

16.h5! g5 17.Nh2 19...0-0-0?!

19.a4?! At this point I didn't understand 6 6

the h6 pawn already. The problem with 4 4

24...Qf8 29.Ba3! Finally! the trade of the dark

41.Nxg8 c3 42.Nxh6 Bd3 43.Ne1 B) 43.Rxb3 Bxc6 44.Qc2 Rc8

47.Nxh6 d4?! [ 56.Qxc5+ Kxf6 57.Qf8+ Kg6

Nc3?? Black missed a better move 3 3

1 1 Black plays 10...b6 in the FortKnox 1.e4

13.dxc5 Nxc5 14.Bc2 Qc8 15.c4 Rd8

Ncd7?? This is a big blunder

Endgame Series 16 - another important endgame strategy.

saddled with an unfavorable pawn 6 6

When you have one bishop left on the 4 4

bishop. In the majority of examples we 2 2

structure (the pawns ended up on the a b c d e f g h

29...b5 30.Kd3 Kd5 a b c d e f g h

2 2 This "fixing" of the pawn chain is the

5 5 A) The bishops endgame after

a b c d e f g h missed by the white player.

35...Kxc5 36.Kd3 Kb4 37.Kc2 Ka3 a b c d e f g h

a b c d e f g h In this example, there is even more to learn

lost for him. With the pawns on f4 8 8

4 4 - a beautiful tactical motive worth

35.fxg5 hxg5 36.g4 with the intention a b c d e f g h

3 3 40.Ke3 ( 40.b4 Be7 41.Bd4 Bd8!

and this position is, perhaps, the a b c d e f g h

7 7 f5+ 30.Kd3 Bxd4 31.Kxd4=

with the idea to "bury" the g7 bishop. Black

than one weakness on the same color as 8 8

and, similar, to one of the lines in a b c d e f g h

39.Be5 gxf4 40.Bxf4 ( or 40.gxf4

Our last two examples will show how a b c d e f g h

Qatar Masters op (7) 27.12.2015 1 1

a b c d e f g h In this roughly balanced middlegame

29.Ra7! evaluate it correctly, while Christiansen

29.Rcd7! An instructive moment. Black is not able to defend both a5 pawn

when White would still have work to

5. A possible defensive strategy for the

Typical Attacking Ideas - a b c d e f g h

Learn How to Use the