ow well do i play chess, open games chess stars.2007

VSEVOLOD KOSTROV

HOW WELL DO I PLAY CHESS TEST GAMES

OPEN GAMES

Chess Stars www.chess-stars.com

How Well Do I Play Chess

Open Games

Copyright Vsevolod Kostrov 2007

Chess Stars, Sofia

Translation by GM Evgeny Ermenkov Cover design by Semko Semkov

Printed in Bulgaria by "Simolini 94" - Sofia ISBN13: 978-954-8782-57-9

Contents

Introduction for Parents and Coaches Are you a strong chess player? Would you like to organize a competition?! Open Games

Game 1. Capablanca- Steiner, Los Angeles 1933 Four Knights Opening (C 49) Game 2 . Instructive Game The Two Knights Defence Game 3. Instructive Game Italian Game (C 50) Game 4. Mac:iuski - Kolisch, Paris 1864 Scotch Game ( C 45) Game 5. Janowski- Marshall, Biarritz 1912 Petroff Defence (C 42) Game 6. Adams- Torre Repetto, New Orleans 1920 The Philidor Defence (C 41) Game 7. Chigorin Schlechter, London 1899 King's Gambit (C 33) Game 8. Hamppe- Meitner, Vienna 1873 Vienna Game (C 25) Game 9. Kirilov- Furman, Vilnius 1949 Ruy Lopez ( C77) Game 10. Spassky - Bronstein, Leningrad 1960 King's Gambit (C 36)

4 5 6 8

9

16

25

35

40

48

56

62

72

80

Introduction for Parents and Coaches

Children often ask their coaches, or their parents "How well do I play chess?" We will help young players answer that question themselves and we will improve their level of play in the process.

I would like to mention the following points: 1) This book has been written mostly for children and their assis

tant-coaches. There are certain chess topics, which make young players feel bored and they make them even yawn. For example if you wish to tease your pupil quickly, then maybe the best way to do that is to start explaining to him in one of your sessions the numerous lines of some complicated opening system. I can tell you for sure that every child will get up bored from his chair in about fifteen minutes, without having remembered or understood anything.

Let us try to turn the lesson into a COMPETITION. Whoever guesses correctly the greatest number of moves- he becomes the champion! I believe that every coach will manage to increase the interest of his pupils towards the chess lesson in that fashion.

Meanwhile, in that competition, you can share with your pupils the basic ideas of the opening and you can turn their attention to the most typical opening blunders. It becomes quite amazing, but they will understand and remember the material quite easily in that way.

2) After you have analyzed the results of the competition in the test games you can make (naturally, the coach should know quite well the strong sides and the weaknesses of his own pupils) the correct assumption about the strength and the knowledge of your students. You'll be able to decide then whether to work on the opening theory, or perhaps the young players might be not so good in calculating variations or in positional play.

If your child has not attended yet any chess training sessions, then you can use that book quite effectively at home. Parents who would like to deflect their children from the TV-set, or from the computer games, might try to attract their attention upon this chess test-book.

You can challenge your child to a competition - "Who is better?" The only things you will need for that is a chess-set, a pen and sheet

of paper. The latter should be with the idea to conceal the text, so that the pupil may not be tempted to look at the page; otherwise, he would know the answer outright.

4

Are you a strong chess player?

How can you know for sure what your real chess strength is? You will need to calculate the number of points you have scored, while you have been playing through the test games.

There are 50 points up for grabs in each game.

If you have scored: 35- 50 points. You are likely to become a GRANDMAS

TER soon; meanwhile you can consider yourself to be a player with a rating above 1900. You have deserved that truly, unless you have been glancing at the book at some moments!

20 - 34 points. You will surely become a MASTER some day, while presently your rating is about 1800. It might be better if you have a look at that same game after a while ...

10 - 19 points. Your strength at the moment should be around 1600. Still, you should better read the chess textbook again and you should solve chess problems; otherwise, you will hardly ever improve ...

o and 9 points. Presently, you are no better than eighth domestic category and you are likely to remain just a NOVICE for a while ... The conclusion is obvious - you have either never had a good chess-textbook, or you have lost it somewhere. Maybe your mother uses it to put her tea-kettle on it in the kitchen. Start working on chess urgently!

It is essential that you score the greatest number of points in you class at school or in your group for chess lessons. Whoever has the highest score- he is the CHAMPION! You might have only 2-3 points. It is important that your friends and rivals might have scored even less ...

5

Would you like to organize a competition?!

You need to take a sheet of paper and to draw a crosstable like that. Your coach will play the game through on the demonstration board, while you will score your results in the crosstable.

N My move Correct move Points 1 2

3 4 5 6

7 8

9 10

Points scored:

If My move (that is the move you have chosen!) and the Correct move (the underlined move) coincide, then you score points and you write them down in the column Points, if not then you can mark that with" - ". Sum up at the end of the game - how many points you have collected.

So, whoever has scored the highest number of points - he becomes THE CHAMPION! ! !

6

Let us begin

Take a PIECE OF PAPER and cover the text below the diagram. Now, move slowly the sheet of paper DOWNWARDS, until you see

the mark ? ? ?

Attention! Move down the paper one centimeter until you see the mark

It is left there so that you can write down "My move" - that is the move you would like to play in that position.

Write down. the move you would play.

Move down then the sheet of paper and see whether your move coincides with the correct move.

? ? ?

4.'Wh5xf7#

Amazing! You got it right!

7

Open Games

Open games are practically the most ancient opening systems. They begin with the moves 1.e2-e4 e7-e5. They have appeared more than 500 years ago and they have been the most popular until the present century. Nowadays, the Open Games are not forgotten either. Try to remember your first games . Most probably, your chess youth was under the spell of the first moves with the king's pawns. How many games did you begin like that ! ?

World Champions often play Open Games too . There i s not a single champion who has not tried Open Games ! Steinitz, Emanuel Lasker, Alekhine, Fischer, Karpov, Kasparov, Kramnik have played the Ruy Lopez. Steinitz and Alekhine have tried the Vienna Game. The Scotch Game has been played by Lasker, Alekhine and Kasparov; the Italian Game has been a favourite weapon of Garry Kasparov and he even played the Evans Gambit against Vishy Anand. Lasker, Karpov and Kramnik have tried the Petroff Defence while Tal and Spassky were excellent specialists of the King's Gambit. Botvinnik used to play the Four Knights Opening.

What is typical for the Open Games and what attracts the players who are their avid fans? This is mostly the sharp tactical play, the rapid mobilization of forces and the attack against the center, or against the opponent's king.

8

Game 1 Capablanca - Steiner

Los Angeles 1933 Four Knights Opening (C 49)

l.e2-e4 2 .ltlgl-f3 3 .ltlbl-c3

e7-e5 ltlb8-c6 lt:lg8-f6

g

All chess coaches teach their pupils to develop first the knights in the opening. It is advisable to centralize them and not to place them at the edge of the board as it often happens in the games of the beginners . These several moves are often played not only by weak players. The Four Knights Opening has been tried numerous times by World Champions like Lasker, Capablanca, Botvinnik, Tal, Spassky etc. There are other players who have contributed to its development too, like Petroff, Paulsen, Rubinstein, Marshall, Bogoljubow etc.

The Four Knights Opening is one of the most ancient ways to start the game. It was mentioned in the manuscript of G. Polerio in the XVI century. The main idea of that opening for both sides is to develop the pieces quickly, while the game remains relatively calm in the centre. The opponents delay the real conflict for the middlegame.

4 . .ifl-b5 This is the main line of the Four Knights Opening. It is often called

the Spanish variation, because of the development of the bishop to the bS-square. In fact White has less chances to obtain an advantage here in comparison to the Ruy Lopez. In some systems Black can simplify the game considerably, reaching positions which are nearly drawish. Therefore, the Four Knights Opening is only seldom played nowadays .

9

Game l

White's other moves lead to a better game for Black - 4 . .ifl-c4 4Jf6xe4! 5.4Jc3xe4 d7-d5, or they transpose to other openings- 4 d2-d4 e5xd4 5.4Jf3xd4 - the Scotch Game; while after 4.d2-d4 e5xd4 5.4Jc3xd5- there arises the Belgrade Gambit.

4. . . .tf8-b4 That symmetrical variation is presently rarely played, because of the

possible Marshall-Rubinstein counterattack- 4 ... 4Jc6-d4 5 . .ib5-a4 (or 5 . .ib5-c4 .if8-c5 6.4Jf3xe5 W/d8-e7) 5 ... .if8-c5 6.4Jf3xe5 0-0.

5. 0 - 0 0 - 0 6.d2-d3 d7-d6 7.Acl-g5 J.b4xc3

Black has been just repeating his opponent's moves until now. If he continues doing that however, he loses after: 7 ... i.c8-g4 8.4Jc3-d5 4Jc6-d4 9.4Jd5xb4 4Jd4xb5 10.4Jb4-d5 4Jb5-d4 1l.W/dl-d2 Wd8-d712 . .ig5xf6 i.g4xf3 13.4Jd5-e7+ g8-h8 14.i.f6xg7+ h8xg7 15.Wd2-g5+ g7-h8 16.Wg5-f6#

8.b2xc3 l0c6-e7 Theory had developed and it is considered that the best line for Black

is the Megger variation: 8 ... Wd8-e7 9Jfl-ell0c6-d8 10.d3-d4 4Jd8-e6; 8 ... h7-h6 is bad due to 9.i.g5-h4 .ic8-g4 10.h2-h3 i.g4xf3 1l.Wdlxf3.

We do not plan to criticize Capablanca and his partner. Opening lines were not so thoroughly analyzed at those times and it was considered that it had been essential just to obtain an acceptable position after the opening. Probably Steiner wished to transfer his knight to the kingside - 8 ... 4Jc6-e7, since he saw no good prospects for it on the opposite wing - the b4 and d4-squares were controlled by White's c3-pawn.

? ? ?

9.f3-h4 (If your move coincides with the underlined move, you get 3 points) Capablanca is bringing additional forces for his decisive offen

sive. It was also good for White to play the simple line 9.i.g5xf6 g7xf6 10.4Jf3-h4

9 . . . c7-c6 Black had better complete his maneuver - redeploying the knight

with 9 ... 4Je7-g6.

10

Capablanca - Steiner

1 0 .b5-c4 c8-e6? Capablanca's opponent wants to simplify the game, but that line

leads to a bad position for Black. He had to try instead: 10 ... d6-d5 ll.ilg5xf6 (or ll.ilc4-b3 '1Wd8-d6) g7xf6.

? ? ?

11.

1l.,ig5xf6 (2 points) g7xf6 Capablanca exchanges pieces quite correctly (It would have been

worse for him to play: ll.ilc4xe6? f7xe6 12.ilg5xf6 f8xf6) in order to open his opponent's king position.

It turned out that the "golden rule" was in favour of Capablanca in that position - the side having an advantage in development should start attacking.

12.c4xe6 f7xe6

? ? ?

13.

13 .'1Wd1-g4+ (2 points) White's queen has joined in the attack, eyeing the e6-pawn too;

therefore Black's move is forced. 13 . . . Wg8-f7

11

Game 1

? ? ?

14.

14.f2-f4 (5 points)

g

Black's king and White's rook are placed on the same file, so the f4-pawn speeds up their meeting ...

14. . . gf8-g8? Steiner overestimates his position. The game course showes that

his attempt at counterattacking failes. However 14 ... e5xf4 is not easy either: 15J'\flxf4! (15.g4xf4 tt:Je7-g6), 15 ... tt:Je7-g6 16.g4-h5 @f7-g7 17JU4-g4 d8-e8 18.l"\al-fl threatening l"\fl-f3-g3.

15.1!Mg4-h5+ @f7-g7 It becomes clear now that the move 14 ... l"\f8-g8? is too slow. Black's

king is now forced to go back to the g-file, impeding his own rook. It is bad for Black to try 15 ... tt:Je7-g6? 16.f4-f5!, since he loses a piece, while after 15 ... f7-f8 16.f4xe5! White's attack is rapidly victorious.

16.f4xe5 d6xe5 Capablanca thus destroys his opponent's powerful pawn centre.

Black would have lost immediately after 16 .. .f6xe5? 17.l"\fl-f7+ g7-h8 18.h5xh7#

12

? ? ?

17.

17J''\flxf6 (10 points)


The pawn shelter of Black's king has been shattered completely. 17 . . . Eig8-f8 fails to the simple 18.Eif6xf8 Wd8xf8 19 Ja1-f1, so h e must accept the rook sacrifice, because White is threatening a checkmate in two. Black can prevent being checkmated indeed, but he loses then too many pawns.

17

? ? ?

9

g7xf6

18.

18.ga1-fl+ (2 points) Now all White's pieces participate in the attack. He brings the sec

ond rook to replace the sacrificed one. It is very active on the open file. 18. . . ti)e7-f5

? ? ?

19.

19.ti)h4xf5 ! (1.0 points) Naturally, White wins too after: 19.e4xf5 Wf6-e7 20.Wh5xh7+ We7-

d6 2l.f5xe6, but then he must still go after his opponent's king. 19. . . e6xf5

? ? ?

13

Game l

2 0 .

2 0 .:gflxf5+ (2 points) White is coming even closer to the enemy's king. Black's extra rook

cannot help in the defence . 2 0 . . . li?f6-e7 21.W/h5-f7+

White does not give any respite to Black's king in order to prevent his heavy pieces to join in the defence.

21. . . li?e7-d6 Black's king is trying to find a safe haven behind his pawn chain.

22 .:gf5-f6+ li?d6-c5 Stein er could have prolonged his agony by giving up his queen for a

rook, but naturally that would not have saved the day. After 22 . . . W/d8xf6 23.W/f7xf6+ li?d6-d7 24.Wf6-f7+ d7-d6 25.Wf7xb7

White remains with to many extra pawns. Black is simply obsessed with the idea to take his king to safety be

hind the pawns . . .

14

? ? ?

23.

23.W/f7xb7 (4 points)

g

White is threatening to checkmate from two sides - c6 and b4.


23 . . . d8-b6 Black's queen has protected both squares, but . . .

? ? ?

24.

24.l3f6xc6+ ! (10 points)

g

The sacrifice of the other rook leads to a problem-like checkmate. 24. . . b6xc6

Black thus gets checkmated immediately. Indeed after 24 . . . c;t>c5-b5+ 25J'k6xb6+ a7xb6 26 .b7-d5+ his resistance would have been futile.

25.b7-b4# Checkmate !

15

Game 2 Instructive Game

The Two Knights Defence

l.e2-e4 2 .ltJgl-fJ 3.i.fl-c4

e7 - e5 ltJbS - c6 ltJgS - f6

g

This is the Two Knights Defence. The first attempts to analyze that opening were made in the XVIth century in the manuscript of G. Pole-rio. The masters of the past were attracted by the fact that the game was tremendously sharp in that opening. Both sides were not deterred by sacrifices of material . White is trying to exploit immediately the vulnerability of the 7-square, which is so close to the enemy king, while Black intends to seize the initiative by attacking the e4-pawn.

This opening was among the most popular for several centuries. It was successfully used by Morphy, Steinitz, Lasker and Alekhine. Still, M. Chigorin contributed the most to its development. His counterattacking system, including a pawn sacrifice, is considered to be the best for Black nowadays as well.

The variety of possible variations makes that defence quite popular even presently. Some of the leading grandmasters like Timman, Belyavsky and Spassky play it successfully.

? ? ?

4.

16


4)t:\J-g5 (2 points) Black has shown that he was not afraid of the attack against the f7-

square with light pieces, so White's move is principled and purposeful. White's other possibility is 4 .d2-d4. In that line, the fight is focused

on the domination in the centre and the central (d and e) files. Many positions are still not so thoroughly analyzed and the theoreticians are reluctant to give a definite evaluation - 4 .. . e5xd4 5.0-0 f8-c5 ! ?. That is the beginning of the Max-Lange attack - 6.e4-e5 d7-d5 7.e5xf6 d5xc4 8.fl-el+ c8-e6 9.ltlf3-g5 (Indeed, Black can choose a much calmer line here : 5 ... ltlf6xe4 6.fl-el d7-d5 7.c4xd5 (or 7.ltlbl-c3 ! ?) 7 ... Wd8xd5 8.4Jbl-c3. ).

After 4.ltlbl-c3 ltlf6xe4, there arises the Vienna Game, while following 4.ltlbl-c3 f8-c5 - it is the Italian Game.

Black's reply is almost forced ... ? ? ?

4 ...

4... d7-d5 (3 points) He can also choose the Tracksler Attack 4 ... f8-c5?! Indeed, Black can

obtain a prdmising position only in case of 5.4Jg5xf7? c5xf2+ 6. @elxf2 ltlf6xe4+ 7.@f2-gl Wd8-h4 8.g2-g3ltle4xg3 9.h2xg3 Wh4xg3+ lO.@glfl h8-f8 ll.Wdl-hS d7-d5 12.c4xd5 4Jc6-b4 13.d5-b3 4Jb4xc2.

In case White plays calmly 5.c4xf7+ @e8-e7 6.f7-b3 i!h8-f8 7.0-0, he obtains a better position.

5.e4xd5 How would you play as Black?

? ? ?

5 ...

5... l0f6xd5? According to theory, the best line for Black is 5 ... ltlc6-a5! (3 points)

6.c4-b5+ c7-c6 7.d5xc6 b7xc6 8.b5-e2 h7-h6. White's attack has been repelled and Black has the initiative for the sacrificed pawn.

White's strategy in the Two Knights defence is based on the use of

17

Game 2

the pin along the a2-g8 diagonal. In case Black had entered the variation with the pawn sacrifice on his move 5, he would have emphasized that White's play was too straightforward. It is hardly ever possible to overcome the defence of the opponent with only two or three pieces, unless he makes a grave blunder. The task of the defender is not to lose his composure and to find the proper counter-strike.

g

Here, after Black's mistake, White has excellent possibilities to begin a powerful attack. ..

? ? ?

6.

6.d2-d4 (4 points) White opens the centre in order to continue with his attack. The assault, beginning with the move 6.tt:lg5xf7, was already known

even in the XVIth century. It seems quite correct. Black should capture - 6 ... @e8xf7. How do you plan to continue White's attack?

? ? ?

7.

7.dl-f3+ (2 points) White's strongest piece is joining in the attack. He is attacking both

the king and the knight. Black has an only defence ... ? ? ?

18


7 . . .

7. . . f7 - e6 (2 points) The king goes forward in order to save the knight. The beginners

often crack under the tension of the fight and try to evacuate the king deep inside their own camp, but that leads to terrible consequences for Black here : 7 . . . f7-g8?? 8.ic4xd5 ic8-e6 9.id5xe6# ; 7 . . . f7-e8?? 8.ic4xd5+- White is threatening 9.Wif3-f7# , or 9.id5xc6. It is also bad for Black to play: 7 .. . Wid8-f6 8.ic4xd5+ ic8-e6 9.id5xc6 (or 9.id5xe6 f7xe6 10.Wif3-b3+ with a great advantage for White) b7xc6 10.Wif3xc6 if8-d6 11.ltJb1-c3. White has introduced his pieces into the action and remains with a couple of extra pawns.

? ? ?

8.

8.tt:Jb1 -c3 (2 points) White increases the pressure against the pinned enemy knight and

Black is forced to find new defensive resources.

8 . . . tt:Jc6 - b4 It is worse for Black to play 8 ... tt:Jc6-e7, since that move is too passive

- his bishop and queen are impeded in their actions. In that line after 9.d2-d4 c7-c6 10.dxe5 ! ? (10.icl-g5 h7-h6 1l.ig5xe7 if8xe7 12.0-0-0

19

Game 2

h8-f8 13.f3-e4 il.e7-g5+! 14.cl-bl f8-f4), 10 ... e6-d7 ll.il.cl-g5 d7-c712.il.c4xd5 cxd5 13.tt:Jc3-b5+ c7-c6 14.c2-c4 il.c8-e6 15.al-cl Black will soon have to resign.

White has a very sharp variation at his disposal, which is an ancient recommendation of Polerio of more than 400 years ago: 9.a2-a3!? tt:Jb4xc2+ lO.el-dl.

White sacrifices a rook for a very powerful attack. I would like to give an advice to the beginners- do not choose in your games Polerio's line unless you have spent days analyzing the.numerous complex variations.

See how quickly White's attack could become victorious after: 10 ... tt:Jc2xal ll.tt:Jc3xd5 e6-d6 12.d2-d4 il.c8-e6 (12 ... c7-c6 13.il.cl

f4 exf4 14.f3xf4+ d6-d7 15.hl-el) 13.hl-el d6-d7 (13 ... c7-c6 14.gelxe5 i.e6xd5 15.e5xd5+ cxd5 16.Wf3xd5+ d6-c7 17.il.cl-f4+ i.f8-d6 18.Wd5-c5+ ci>c7-d7 19.Wc5xd6+ ci>d7-e8 20.Wd6-e6+ d8-e7 2l.ic4-b5+ e8-f8 22.i.f4-d6; 17 ... Wd8-d618.d5-c5+ c7-d719.ic4-b5+ d7-e6 20.Wlc5-c4+ e6-f6 2l.if4-e5+!)

20


14 .lLld5-b6+ ! cxb6 (14 .. . axb6 15.c4xe6+ d7xe6 16 .1"\e1xe5+ e7-d7 17.'\Wf3-f5+ d7-c6 18 .d4-d5+) 15.'\Wf3xb7+ d7-d6 16.1"\e1xe5 e6xc4 17.c1-f4 c4-b3+ 18 .e1+-.

Let us go back to the game now. 6... e5xd4?

After 6 ... i.c8-e6 7.lLlg5xe6 f7xe6 8.d4xe5 lLlc6xe5 9.\Wd1-h5+ lLle5-f7 10.0-0, White maintains a great positional advantage. Black's isolated e6-pawn is weak and his position is difficult.

It is pointless for Black to try 6 ... .!f8-b4+ 7.c2-c3 ib4-e7 8.lLlg5xf7 @e8xf7 9.\Wd1-f3+ f7-e6 since after 10.0-0! White's attack is very dangerous.

6 ... i.f8-e7 also allows 7.lLlg5xf7 with a ferocious attack: 7 ... e8xf7 8.\Wd1-f3+ f7-e6 (It is also bad for Black to play 7 ... f7-e8 9.c4xd5 ltJc6xd4 10.\Wf3-h5+ e8-d7 ll.i.d5-e4.) 9.ltJb1-c3 ltJc6-b4 10.'1Wf3-e4 c7-c6 ll.a2-a3 ltJb4-a6 12.We4xe5 e6-f7 13.ltJc3xd5 cxdS 14.i.c4xd5+ @f7-f8 15.\WeS-hS \Wd8-e8 16.Wh5-f3+ .ie7-f6+ 17 . .icl-e3

White maintains good chances to continue with his attack, since his development has been completed and he has three pawns for the knight as a good compensation.

? ? ?

7.

7.0-0! (4 points) This is an open position and tempi are very important. White has

21

Game 2

already castled and now he can direct all his forces into the attack, ignoring the possible material sacrifices .

7. . . f8-e7

g

Black's plan is understandable. He wishes to repel White's knight on g5 and to castle ! It looks like Black will manage to complete his development, but . . .

? ? ?

8 .

8 .li:Jg5xf7! (7 points) 'it>e8xf7 This combination is already familiar to us. There follows a double

attack and Black's king will be forced to go forward.

22

? ? ?

9 .

9.1Wdl-f3 (2 points) 'it>t7-e6

? ? ?

1 0 .


lO.gfl-el+ (2 points) White's attack on the e-file is quite dangerous and Black has an only

defence. 1 0 . . . tt:\c6-e5

g h

This is the only move. Now the battle is focused around the knight on eS . White's urgent task is to bring all his forces into the offensive, attacking that knight in the process. This position demonstrates convincingly how dangerous it might be to have your king roaming in the centre of the board at the beginning of the game.

? ? ?

11.

11.ii,cl-f4 (2 points) e7-f6 Black's moves are forced. He must defend against numerous pins .

23

Game 2

? ? ?

12.

12.tDbl-c3!! (15 points) White includes the al-rook into the attack with tempo. Now every

sensible move, for instance 12 . . . d4xc3, will be met by 13J!elxe5 f6xe5 14J!al-el with a quick checkmate, e.g. 14 . . . c7-c6 15.:8.elxe5 i'e6-d7 16 .'Wf3-h3 + i'd7-c7 17.:8.e5xd5+ c7-b6 18.'Wh3-e3+ c6-c5 19.'We3xc5 .

By the way, the less spectacular move 12.lt:ibl-d2 is also very efficient and should lead to a victory. If you prefered it, you get 5 points .

g

In that case the game could continue with 12 ... c7-c6 13.:8.elxe5+ f6xe514.:8.al-el+- or 12 ... .'d8-d613.f4xe5 i.f6xe514.tt:ld2-e4! Wd6-f8 15.lt:ie4-g5!+-.

24

Game 3 Instructive Game Italian Game (C 5 0)

l.e2-e4 2.gl-f3 3.fl-c4

e7-e5 b8-c6 f8-c5

This is the Italian Game and all young players must be well familiar with that opening. They will learn the importance of tempi and they will understand the possible punishment iomeone plays too many moves with one and the same piece in the opening.

7

5

g

6

5

It is interesting to mention that the Italian Game is not an opening only for the young players. In fact, it is one of the most ancient openings in chess theory. You can find it in the Gottingen manuscript at the end of the XVth century. The first serious analyses of it were made by the Italian masters G. Polerio and G. Greco during the middle of the XVIth century. There were plenty of very sharp variations so it attracted the attention of the masters in the past to become quite popular in the middle of the century. At the end of the XIXth century, there were found some reliable methods of defence and the Italian Game started losing its tremendous popularity.

Lately, the interest towards the Italian Game increased again thanks to the discoveries of the Russian grandmasters Lutikov, Jussupov and Dolmatov. It has been played often by Kortchnoi, Short, Timman, Nunn, Salov. Not so long ago a very sharp line of the Italian Game was tested by Kasparov in his game against Anand.

In the Italian Game, White usually tries to form a powerful pawn centre with c2-c3 and d2-d4. His bishop on c4 is eyeing the f7-pawn.

25

Game3

Black's position is not so bad. In fact, theoreticians have established that he can counter his opponent's plans with the moves 4 ... lUg8-f6, or 4 ... d8-e7.

4.c2-c3 White is trying to occupy the centre and he is preparing S.d2-d4.

Black should not comply with that, therefore he must look for active counterplay.

After 4.d2-d3, or 4.lUb1-c3, there arises a system with a patient and methodical development of forces with approximately equal chances. These lines were named in the ancient Italian books as Giocco Pianissimo - the quiter game.

Still, there are storms sometimes even in calm waters. That quite opening was dramatically changed in the year 1824 by the British sea captain Evans with the move 4.b2-b4!?. That line became tremendously popular in the 19th century.

? ? ?

4 ...

4... g8-f6 (3 points) This counter-attacking move is best for Black. It leads to double

edged positions. Black might prefer 4 ... d7-d6 S.d2-d4 e5xd4 6.c3xd4 ic5-b6 7.lUb1-

c3 lUg8-f6 8.0-0 0-0, but then White occupies the centre with a better position.

5.d2-d4 e5xd4 After S ... ic5-b6? 6.d4xe5 lUf6xe4 7.d1-d5, Black loses a piece: 7 ...

ib6xf2 8.e1-e2. 6.c3xd4 ic5-b4+

? ? ?

7.

7.bl-c3 (4 points) This gambit line was introduced by the Italian player Greco as early

as the 16th century. The line7.ic1-d2 ib4xd2+ 8.lUblxd2 leads to a quite

26

Italian Game

positional game. Still, Black must play a precise move here. Find it !

? ? ?

8 . . .

8 . . . d7-d5! (2 points) This active counter strike is necessary, because it destroys White's

centre : 9 .e4xd5 ttJf6xd5 lO.Wfdl-b3 ttJc6-e7 11 .0-0 0-0 12J!fl-el c7-c6 with equality.

7. . . tilf6xe4 The counter-strike 7 . . . d7-d5 is too risky. After 8 .e4xd5 ttJf6xd5 9 . 0-0

.ic8-e6 10.hd5 .ie6xd5 ll .l'!el-fl+ .if8-e7 12 .ttJf3-e6 White's initiative is quite dangerous, for example: 12 . . . .id5-e6 13.d4-d5 ttJc6xe5 14.l'!elxe5 .ie6-d7 15.Wfdl-e2 or 12 . . . . ttJc6xe5 13.l'!elxe5 c6 14.ttJc3xd5 cxd5 15.Wfdle2 f7-f6 16.l'!e5-e6 @e8-f7 17 . .iel-d2 l'!h8-e8 18 .l'!al-el.

27

Game 3

By exploiting the pin of the c3-knight, Black grabs White's central pawn.

? ? ?

8.

8. 0 - 0 (5 points) White gets rid of the pin and Black's possible attack in the centre.

Meanwhile, Black's king has not been evacuated from the e-file yet and White can start an attack now.

8 . . . tDe4xc3 Contemporary opening theory considers as more reliable line for

Black here 8 . . . ib4xc3 and if 9 .d4-d5 ! , then 9 . . . ic3-f6 ! The position is ripe with tactical possibilities. 10 J%fl-el lt'lc6-e7 1l .l'%elxe4 d7-d6 12 .iclg5 if6xg5 13 .lt'lf3xg5 h7-h6. White has a powerful initiative for the sacrificed pawn.

In the game Barcza - Portisch, Budapest 1969, after: 14.ic4-b5+ (or 14.Wdl-e2 h6xg5 15 .l'%al-el ic8-e6 16.d5xe6 f7-f6 17.l'%e4-e3 c7-c6 18.l'%e3-h3 l'%h8xh3 19.g2xh3 g7-g6) ic8-d7 15 .Wdl-e2 id7xb5 16.We2xb5+ Wd8-d7 17.Wb5-e2 e8-f8 18.lt'lg5xf7 'it>f8xf7 19 .l'%al-el l0e7-g8 2 0 .l'%e4-e6 f7-f8 !, Black managed to parry White's attack, preserving the material advantage.

4

9.b2xc3 Ab4xc3?

g

Black accepts all sacrifices ignoring his development. In case of 9 . . . d7-d5 10.c3xb4 d5xc4 ll .l'%flxel+ lt'lc6-e7 12 .'\Mldl-e2 , White forces his opponent to protect his knight on e7 with the king and he has excellent

28

Italian Game

winning chances. After 12 . . . c8-e6, there follows 13 .cl-g5 ! , preparing the decisive strike d4-d5.

? ? ?

1 0 .

1 0 .'dl-b3 (6 points) Here, according to the analysis of P. Keres, White can play even

stronger: lO .,icl-a3 ! (6 points), depriving Black's king of its castling rights. After 10 . . . d7-d6, White follows with 1U%al-cl c3-a5 12 .Wdl-a4 a? -a6 13.c4-d5 a5-b6 14 .clxc6 c8-d7 15.fl-el + e8-f8 16.c6xd6 ! c7xd6 17.a3xd6+ f8xg8 18.Wa4-b3, winning.

Black would not equalize with 12 . . . c8-g4 13.c4-d5 a5-b6 14.ml-el+ e8-f8 15.ttJf3-e5 ttJc6xe5 (or 15 . . . Wd8-g5 16J'klxc6 b7xc6 17.Wa-4xc6 a8-d8 lS.ttJe5xf7 Wg5-d2 19.el-fl) 16 .d4xe5 Wd8-d7 17.Wa4xd7 g4xd7 18 .exd6 c7-c6 19 .el-e7 cxd5 20 .e7xd7.

In the variation 10 .cl-a3 ! d7-d5 ll .c4-b5 c3xa1 12 .fl-el+ c8-e6 13.Wdl-a4 ! , Encyclopedia of Chess Openings asserts that White wins. We'll prolong that variation a little bit with 13 . . . Wd8-d7 (13 . . . a8-b8? loses t o 14.ltJf3-e5+-, but it might b e interesting for Black to try 13 . . . Wd8-b8 or 13 . . . a8-c8) 14.ltJf3-e5 ltJc6xe5 15.b5xd7+ ttJe5xd7 16.flxal e8-d8 :

g

In the diagram position we challenge our readers to try to penetrate into Black's camp. Maybe White should try to do that on the dark squares. He is better, of course, but still Black's rook, knight and two pawns present him with some chances of defending successfully.

29

Game 3

1 0 . . . J.c3xa1? It is better for Black to opt for 10 . .. d7-d5 ll .J.c4xd5 0-0. Now, de

spite the extra rook, Black's army is helpless to assist in the defence of the king .

? ? ?

11.

11.i,c4xf7+ (1 point) \t>e8-f8 White's battery has worked perfectly and he has penetrated his op

ponent's camp. Black's king has failed to castle due to the greediness of his army.

? ? ?

12.

12 .i,c1-g5 (4 points) White gains some time for the preparation ofhis offensive by attack

ing the enemy queen.

g

12 . . . lDc6-e7 Black's queen has no retreat squares and he must interpose with

his knight . After 12 . . . tLlc6-e7 all his pieces, with the exception of his bishop on al , (which can be immediately captured) are deployed on the seventh and eighth rank, without even having entered the action.

30

Italian Game

Did Black have another move in that pathetic situation for him - as a last chance to mess things up a bit?

? ? ?

12 . . .

12 . . . ltlc6xd4 ! (6 points)

g

This is an excellent practical chance for Black! He should not only adhere to passive defence, but try to fight for a win in the complications.

13.Wb3-a3+ f8xf7. Now we must analyze two variations -14.ig5xd8 and 14.lt:lf3-e5+ .

The position i s roughly equal after 14.ig5xd8 l:'%h8xd8 15.l:'%flxa1 lt:Jd4-e6 16.ltlf3-e5+ f7-g8 17.Wa3-e7 d7-d6 18.l:'%a1-d1 l:'%d8-f8 19 .ltle5-f3l:'%f8-f7:

31

Game 3

White can try to improve with 18.f2-f4 ! ? d6xe5 19 .f4-f5 l':!d8-d6 (or 19 . . . l':!d8-d7? 2 0 .We7xe6+ l':!d7-f7 2l .e6-e8+ E!f7-f8 2 2 .We8xe5 i.c8xf5 23 .l':!al-fl) 2 0 .f5xe6 he6 2UWe7xc7 l':!d6-d2 2 2 .Wc7-a5 l':!a8-d8.

Naturally Black has great problems to mobilize his forces, but he is not obliged to lose immediately at all .

The sharp line 14.4.Jf3-e5+ seems to provide White with an advantage after 14 . . . f7:-e6 (Black's king is forced to remain in the centre of the board, because it cannot find a safe haven in its own camp: 14 . . . 'it>f7-g8 15.i.g5xd8 4.Jd4-e2+ 16.'it>gl-hl i.alxe5 17.Wa3-e7 h7-h6 18.We7xe5) 15.i.g5xd8 ltJd4-e2+ 16 .gl-hl i.alxe5 17.Wa3-e7+ .

17 . . . e6-d5 (17 .. . e6-f5 18.g2-g4+ f5-f4 19 .We7-f7+ 'it>f4-e4 2 0 .Wf7-c4+ i.e5-d4 2 l .f2-f3+) 18.l':!fl-dl+ ltJe2-d4 19 .We7-f7+ d5-c5 2 0 .i.d8xc7! i.e5xc7 2 l .Wf7xg7+-.

Let us go back to the game after 12 .i.cl-g5 ltJc6-e7:

? ? ?

13.

13.ti:Jf3-e5! (7 points) The inclusion of White's knight into the attack proves to be decisive .

Now Black's bishop can attempt to help in the defence of the king. 13 . . . i.a1xd4

Black would not have saved the day with: 13 . . . d7-d5 14.Wb3-f3 ! i.c8-f5 15 .i.f7-e6 ! and White's attack is crushing.

? ? ?

32

Italian Game

14.

14.,if7-g6 ! (5 points)

g h

This is a very beautiful move ! White frees the f7-square for his queen. Black would very much like to capture two pieces at the same time. Separately none of it works : 14 ... h7xg6, or 14 ... j,d4xe5, because of l5.Wb3-f7# .

14 . . . d7-d5 This move covers the diagonal of White's queen, but ...

? ? ?

15.

15.Wb3-f3+ (1 point) j,c8-f5 Now White continues his attack along the f-file. Black cannot cover

it without material losses. ? ? ?

16.

16.,ig6:xf5 (3 points) White opens the way for his queen.

33

Game 3

16 . . . .id4xe5

? ? ?

17.

17 . .id7-e6+ (2 points) .ie5-f6 After the discovered check, the f7-square is again controlled by

White's pieces. ? ? ?

18.

18.,tg5xf6 (1 point) g7xf6 Black is helpless against the checkmate now.

19.Yf3xf6+ f8-e8 20.Yf6-f7#

g h

So, at first the fight in the opening is focused mainly in the centre. It is essential to lead in development at the beginning of the game. It is tremendously dangerous to go after winning material, ignoring the quick development.

34

Game 4 Maczuski - Kolisch

Paris 1864 Scotch Game ( C 45)

l.e2-e4 2 .lLlgl-f3 3.d2-d4

a b c

e7-e5 lLlb8-c6

g h

The opponents have entered the Scotch Game. This ancient opening was played for the first time in 1824 by the Scottish players in their correspondence game between London and Edinburgh.

The Scotch Game is just one of the possibilities for White to fight for the centre in the opening. Here Black cannot preserve his pawn on the e5-square. After the trade of pawns however, he obtains numerous tactical possibilities and he can control the central squares with his light pieces.

As a rule, he manages to free his position with the help of the move d7-d5 and the prospects for both sides after that are about equal . It is not so promising for White to reduce the pawn tension in the centre so early in the game after all .

3 . . . 4.lLlf3xd4

e5xd4 d8-h4? !

Black's last move is rather dubious . His active queen will come unavoidably under attack and White will acquire a lead in development because of that. It is preferable for Black to develop his light pieces first, for example: 4 . . . cug8-f6, or 4 . . . f8-c5 and he can even inflict a counterstrike in the centre outright by 4 . . . d7-d5 .

35

Game 4

5.c!l:lbl-c3? That is a bit too slow and Black's idea might be justified after that.

White could have tried to punish his opponent immediately for his premature activity. Find a better move !

? ? ?

5 .

5.l2Jc3-b5 (2 points) h4xe4+ 6 .!cl-e3 e8-d8 (or 6 . . . e4-e5 7.dl-e2 ! with a dangerous initiative for White) 7.lLlbl-c3 !f8-b4 8 .a2-a3 ib4xc3 9 .lLlb5xc3 e4-g6 10.ifl-d3 g6xg2 ll .!d3-e4 g2-h3 12 .dl-d5 h3-e6 13.d5-g5+ l2Jg8-f6 14.!e4xc6, followed by castling long and a dangerous attack. Black's attempt to gobble the e4-pawn proves to be a too risky attempt to disrupt the balance. White's pieces act like an uncoiling spring and they have taken an immediate control over the situation.

5 . . . !f8-b4

? ? ?

6.

6.dl-d3 (3 points) White prepares castling long.

6 . . . 7.tl:ld4xc6 8.!c1-d2

l2Jg8-f6 d7xc6

ib4xc3 White has managed to protect indirectly his pawn. The not so experi

enced players tend to exchange with pleasure their bishops for knights, but the bishop is stronger than the knight in open positions. Still, this exchange is justified in that position due to some concrete variations.

9.id2xc3 lLlf6xe4 It would have been better to play 9 . . . 0-0, when White fails to castle

long, because his f2-pawn remains defenceless. In general, in open positions the extra tempo for development is often more valuable than an extra pawn.

36

? ? ?

1 0 .

1 0 .WI'd3-d4 (5 points)

Maczuski - Kolisch

Black's knight has been pinned and his g7-pawn has been attacked. He v.rill need to retreat v.rith his queen.

1 0 . . . Wl'h4-e7 That is the only move protecting the knight on e4.

11. 0 - 0 - 0 Wl'e7-g5?? Black makes the decisive mistake here. He could have exchanged

pieces and enter an endgame: ll . . .e4xc3! ? 12 .Wd4xg7 c3xdl 13 .Wg7xh8+ We7-f8 14.WI'h8xf8+ me8xf8 15.mclxdl and the endgame is only slightly better for White. Perhaps it was worth taking a risk and capturing a pawn by 12 . . . c3xa2+ 13.mcl-bl )jh8-f8 14.mblxa2 c8-d7.

37

Game 4

? ? ?

12.

12.f2-f4! (15 points) Black relied only on the line 12 .@cl-bl tt:le4xc3+ 13.d4xc3 0-0 and

his position would have been quite acceptable . Still , chess logic does not allow his several moves with the queen in the opening to go unpunished. His king remains stranded in the centre and White finds a spectacular tactical strike emphasizing the vulnerability of his opponent's position.

38

12 . . . Wg5xf4+ ? ? ?

13.

13.i,c3-d2 (5 points) 13. . . Wf4 - g4

Black is forced to protect his knight.

7

6

5

4

3

? ? ?

14.

14.'Wd4-d8 + ! (15 points) @e8xd8

? ? ?

15.

15.!d2-g5+ + (5 points)

g

Maczuski - Kolisch

This is a typical combination with a deadly double check. 15. . . d8-e8 16.gd1-d8#

This game illustrates brilliantly the importance of time in the open games. One should strive to develop his pieces as quickly as possible. It is also advisable to castle quickly. The attempt to decide the game with only several pieces usually leads to disaster.

39

Game 5 Janowski - Marshall

Biarritz 1912 Petroff Defence (C 42)

l.e2-e4 2 .til gl-f3

e7-e5 c!Llg8-f6

g

The Petroff Defence has been played for more than a century and it has gone a long way towards due acknowledgment. It was first analyzed by the Russian masters A. Petroff and L. J aenish and so it was named.

It soon became a part of the opening repertoire of Em. Lasker, Capablanca, Pillsbury, Marshall etc. Still, White always preserved some advantage in symmetrical positions and Black had some problems. Therefore, that opening went soon into oblivion. During the 2 0th century Tigran Petrosian managed to hold Black's position in his encounters against Boris Spassky. It acquired new popularity and that was also due to the analyses of Makarichev and Jussupov.

Presently, the Petroff Defence is tremendously fashionable. It is often played by some of the world's top-players like Kramnik, Topalov, Anand, Adams and Morozevich .. .

Black does not wish to fortify his e5-pawn and he counterattacks in his stead White's e4-pawn. We have to mention that both sides develop their pieces rather quickly in the Petroff Defence. It is well-known that the symmetrical positions are not necessarily drawish and they tend to be dangerous for the player who only repeats his opponent's moves. Still, Black's defensive resources are considerable.

3.c!Llf3xe5

40

J anowski - Marshall

During the second part of the XXth century, White tried to rehabilitate Steinitz's line - 3.d2-d4 . After 3 . . . e5xd4 4 .e4-e5 tt:Jf6-e4 5.d1xd4 d7-d5 6 .e5xd6 l2le4xd6, the position is better for White . Black found an improvement as well - 3 . . . tt:Jf6xe4 4.i.f1-d3 d7-d5 5 .tt:Jf3xe5 i.f8-d6 (or 5 . . . tt:Jb8-d7) .

White players, who are reluctant to enter the Petroff Defence, can choose instead the Four Knights Opening - 3.l2lb1-c3 tt:Jb8-c6 .

3. . . d7-d6 Some beginner might fall here into the trap : 3 . . . tt:Jf6xe4? 4.d1-e2

l/Je4-f6?? ? ? ?

5.

5.tt:Je5-c6+ (1 point) and White wins the queen. 4)iJe5-f3

In case White wishes to avoid playing positionally, he can enter the sharp Cochran Gambit, known since the year 1840, with 4 .l/Je5xf7? !

7

5

4

4. . . tlJf6xe4 5.d2-d4 d6-d5 6.i.fl-d3 i.f8-d6

g

Presently in the Petroff Defence, Black plays much more often the line 6 . . . i.f8-e7 7. 0-0 l/Jb8-c6 8Jf1-e1 i.c8-g4.

Now White must play very precisely in order not to become even worse .

7.c2-c4

41

GameS

White plays actively without having castled beforehand. It is preferable to start with 7.0-0 and leave c2-c4 for the next move (7 . . . 0-0 8 .c2-c4) .

? ? ?

7 ...

7. . . 0-0 (2 points) Black had also the promising check 7 . . . b4+ (2 points) .

8.c4xd5? White loses a tempo and that enables Black to seize the initiative.

He had to play instead 8 .0-0 . This time Black punishes his opponent for his imprecision . . .

? ? ?

8 . . .

8. . . ,td6-b4+ (1 point) I hope you found easily that move.

7

6

5

4

3

9. el-fl? ! In case of 9 .lUb1-d2 lUe4xd2 10 .clxd2 gf8-e8+ 1l .d3-e2 b4xd2 +

12 .1/:!id1xd2 i'Iid8-d5 (After 12 . . . 1/:!id8-e7 White follows with 13 .1/:!id2-e3 and manages to develop his pieces) 13 .0-0 lUb8-c6 White has an isolated pawn and an inferior position, but still that would have been the lesser evil.

42


9 . . . '!Wd8xd5 1 0 .'!Wd1-c2

? ? ?

1 0 ...

1 0 . . . l3f8-e8 (3 points)

5

9

Suddenly Black is threatening to checkmate on the first rank. 11.ti]b1-c3?

White does not take care of the protection of his first rank. He had to, though . . . Find how!

? ? ?

11.

. . . Instead, he had to repel immediately Black's bishop, which was controlling the important el-square with ll .a2-a3 ! (3 points) .!b4-d6 (Black does not have sufficent forces for a successful attack: ll . . . tt:Je4-g5? ! 12 . .!clxg5 '\Wd5xf3 13.a3xb4 .!c8-h3 14J'%hl-gl and his attack loses its momentum.) 12 .tt:lbl-c3 tt:Je4xc3 13.Wc2xc3. White's position is worse, but it is still defensible.

11. . . tt:Je4xc3 12.b2xc3

Look carefully at that position ! ? ? ?

43

GameS

12 ...

12 . . . %Yd5xf3!! (10 points) This is a jolt from the blue ! The coordination of White's pieces on

the first rank has been destroyed.

13.c3xb4 White cannot capture the queen - 13.g2xf3, because of 13 . . . i.c8-h3+

14.fl-gl e8-el# 13 . . . tDb8-c6

Black's assault becomes even more effective now and White is already beyond salvation.

14.ic1-b2 If 14.i.cl-e3, then 14 . . . i.c8-h3 ! 15.hl-gl e8xe3 and Black wins.

? ? ?

14 ...

14. . . tDc6xb4 (2 points) This forces the game and White can only comply with his opponent's

conditions . However it is more precise to insert the moves 14 . . . i.c8-h3! (5 points) 15Jhl-gl and only then 15 . . . tDc6xb4. In that case White should think about resining : 16.i.d3xh7

Janowski - Marshall

1s.d3xh7+ mgs-hs The course of the game would have been more or less the same after

15.g2xf3 . 16.g2xf3

? ? ?

16 ...

16. . . ,ic8-h3+ ! (3 points) White's king is forced to go to the corner.

17.mfl-g1

e f g h

White's rook on hl is under arrest. It is so misplaced that not only it cannot move, but it deprives its own king of the only possible square for retreat at the edge of the board.

17. . . o:!Llb4xc2 18.h7xc2

White has an extra bishop indeed, but he is unable to protect the vulnerable first rank anymore.

? ? ?

18 ...

18. . . ge8-e2 ! ( 5 points)

45

GameS

g

White must protect not only the first rank, but the second as well. 19,ga1-c1

White could have given back the extra piece with 19 .i.c2-d3 ge2xb2 20 .i.d3-fl i.h3-e6 and he could have prolonged his resistance. He cannot save the game though.

? ? ?

19 . . .

19. . . ges-es ( 2 points) It is even stronger for Black to play: 19 .. J;%e2xc2 20 .l"k lxc2 a8-e8

21 .c2-cl e8-e6 . Every Black piece acts with maximal activity. 2 0 .i.b2-c3

? ? ?

2 0 . . .

2 0 . . . ge8-e3!! (10 points) That is the culmination of Black's attack.

21 . .ic3-b4 How should White protect his first rank? After 21 .f2xe3, Black

grinds down eeverything along the second rank: 2l . . .e2-g2+ 22 .c;t>glfl e2xc2 + with a victory.

46


2 1 . . . 2 2 .J.c2-dl

? ? ?

2 2 ...

2 2 . . . U3-f6 ! (5 points) White resigned - he has no defence against the checkmate with the

rook from the g6-square. After 23.J.dl-c2 Black follows with the simple move - 23 .. J!e2xc2, with the same threat. This illustrates perfectly that you must mobilize your forces and castle quickly. The moment you slow down - your opponent might seize the initiative.

47

Game 6 Adams - Torre Repetto

New Orleans 1920 The Philidor Defence (C 41)

l.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.tt'lgl-fJ d7-d6

That opening started being played at the end of the X:Vth century. It was first mentioned in the Gottingen manuscript in the year 1490 and also in the book of Lucena. It became really popular only in the XVIth century after it was analyzed and played expertly by Philidor.

g

He considered the move 2 . . . d7-d6 to be the best in answer to the development of White king's knight. He thought the move 2 . . . tt'lb8-c6 was weaker, because the knight was standing in the way of the c-pawn. According to his school about pawn-chains, the pawns were to go forward and the pieces were only to be the additional force behind the pawns. Philidor usually connected the move 2 . . . d7-d6 with the further advance of the f-pawn - f7-f5.

His opinion was not corroborated by theory, although the theoreticians tried to improve Black's play. Alexander Alekhine wrote "I have played the Philidor Defence numerous times, but I came to the conclusion that it was not completely sound, in case White plays logically and soundly." Presently, the Philidor Defence is considered to be a difficult opening, which leads to a cramped position for Black and it is only seldom played. Still, it has some adherents among the famous grandmasters like Kuzmin, Chiburdanidze and Piket.

In the Philidor Defence Black's position is solid, but he lacks space.

48

Adams - Torre Repetto

He must be especially careful about his e5-pawn. Instead, White has a large scope of actions and an active play.

3. d2-d4 White attacks the centre immediately. In the event of 3.fl-c4 the

beginners should be aware of some typical opening blunders : 3 . . . f8-e7 4.d2-d4 e5xd4 5.lt:Jf3xd4 lt:Jb8-d7?? (5 . . . . lt:Jg8-f6 is correct)

? ? ?

6.

6.ic4xf7+ ! (3 points) e8xf7 The Black king is forced to go forward.

? ? ?

7.

7.lt:Jd4-e6 ! ! (3 points)

That is one more way to drag the king into the centre . Naturally, Black cannot capture the knight : 7 . . . f7xe6 8 .Wdl-d5+ e6-f6 9 .Wd5-f5#, but even after 7 . . . Wd8-e8 8 .lt:Je6xc7 Black loses quickly.

Do not forget that the famous Legal checkmate comes from a line in the Philidor Defence : l .e2-e4 e7-e5 2 .lt:Jgl-f3 d7-d6 3.fl-c4 c8-g4 4.tt:lbl-c3 g7-g6 5.lt:Jf3xe5 g4xdl 6 .c4xf7+ e8-e7 7.lt:Jc3-d5#.

Let us go back to our game.

49

Game6

3. . . e5xd4 Here, the other possible moves for Black are: 3 . . . lt:lb8-d7; 3 . . . lt:lg8-

f6 ; 3 . . . t7-f5 . The move of Hanham 3 . . . lt:lb8-d7, with the idea to fortify the eS

pawn, can be countered by White with 4.i.fl-c4 c7-c6 5 .0-0 i.f8-e7 6 .a2-a4 lt:lg8-f6 7.lt:lbl-c3 Wi'd8-c7 8 .Wi'dl-e2 0-0 9 .h2-h3 h7-h6 10 .i.c4-a2 . Black's position is cramped, but he has no obvious weaknesses.

The idea of Nimzovic's move 3 . . . lt:lg8-f6 is to gain an important tempo for the development of the kingside by counter-attacking White's e4-pawn: 4 .lt:lbl-c3 lt:lb8-d7 5 .ifl-c4 if8-e7.

Philidor's move 3 . . . t7-f5 has already lost its popularity, because after 4.ifl-c4 f5xe4 5.lt:lf3xe5 d6-d5 (or 5 . . . d6xe5 6 .Wdl-h5+ i'e8-d7 7.Wi'h5-f5+ d7-c6 8.Wi'f5xe5) 6 .Wi'dl-h5+ g7-g6 7.lt:le5xg6 lt:lg8-f6 8 .Wh5-e5+ i.f8-e7 9 .i.c4-b5+ c7-c6 10 .lt:lg6xe7 Wd8xe7 1l.We5xe7+ i>e8xe7 12 .ib5-e2 White preserves his material advantage.

4.ti'dlxd4 b8-c6 5.J.fl-b5 .ic8-d7 6 . .ib5xc6 .id7xc6 7.bl-c3

White has presented his opponent with the bishop pair advantage, but he has occupied reliably the centre.

50

7. . . g8-f6 8 . 0 - 0

I t might b e better for White t o play 8.ic1-g5 .if8-e7 9 . 0-0-0. 8 . . . .if8-e7

? ? ?


9 .

9.tbc3-d5 (1 point) .ixd5 1 0 .e4xd5 0 - 0 ll . .ic1-g5 c7-c6

? ? ?

12.

12.c2-c4 (1 point) Adams is planning to occupy the centre indefinitely. His other pos

sibility was to seize the open file in the centre with his rooks : 12 .d5xc6 (1 point) b7xc6 13J'l:fl-el Ei:f8-e8 14.Ei:al-dl.

12 . . . c6xd5 Black should have concede to play a slightly inferior position af

ter 12 . . .

Game 6

This is the correct choice for White. It is essential for him to find Black's most vulnerable point for an attack.

g

15. . . a8-c8? Black makes a mistake. He had to play 15 ... h7-h6, opening a "luft"

for his king. Now comes the punishment ... ? ? ?

16.

16.a1-e1 (1 point) Black is faced with difficult problems. He must find a way to unpin

along the e-file. 16 ... i.e7-f8?? loses at once to 17Je2xe8. It is too late for him to play 16 ... h7-h617.i.g5xf6 g7xf618.%Vd4-g4+ @g8-h719.%Vg4-h5 @h7-g7, when many paths lead to the victory, for instance 20.g3!? intending 21.tt::lh4 (the immediate 20.tt::lh4 is not so efficient since after 20 ... Ae7-f8 21J"e2xe8 %Vd8xe8 White cannot capture the queen due to the checkmate on the first rank) ; neither can he fortify his position after 16 .. Jk8-c717.ig5xf6 g7xf6 18.Wd4-g4+ 'itg8-h8 19.Wg4-f4 with the threat of tt::lf3-d4-f5.

52

16 . . . Wd8-d7 This move would not help Black either.

? ? ?

17.

17.ig5xf6 (1 point) i.e7xf6


That is the beginning of a combination. White opens the e-file, prior to his decisive actions.

? ? ?

18.

18.'d4-g4 ! ! (10 points) White exploits Black's weak eighth rank. The combination is based

on the theme of deflection. 18. . . \Wd7-b5

That is the only square for the retreat of Black's queen. He is still defending somehow the e8-square. All other variations lose immediately for him : 18 . . . "Wd7xg4 19J'!e2xe8+ c8xe8 20 .elxe8# ; 18 . . . "Wd7-d8 19.Wg4xc8 e8xe2 20 ."Wc8xd8+ if6xd8 2 l .elxe2 ; 18 . . . e8xe2 19 .Wg4xd7 e2xel+ 20 .lt:Jf3xel.

? ? ?

19.

19.'\Wg4-c4! (5 points) White sacrifices a rook as well. Naturally, Black cannot accept that

gift either. He must retreat again in order to protect the vital rook on e8 .

19 . . . \Wb5-d7 ? ? ?

53

Game 6

2 0 .

2 0 .c4-c7!! (10 points)

9 h

White's queen penetrates deeply into his opponent's camp. Black can take neither the rook, nor the queen, since his rook on e8 must be protected twice as before.

2 0 . . . d7-b5 ? ? ?

21.

21.a2-a4 (5 points) Black's queen is deflected now by a white pawn. White could have

blundered to be checkmated himself: 2l .c7xb7?? b5xe2 ! 22 Jelxe2 l'k8-cl + 23.l"\e2-el l"\clxel + 24.lt:Jf3xel l"\e8xel#

21. . . b5xa4 Black's queen was deflected from White's rook on e2 and there fol

lowed . . .

54

? ? ?

22 .

22Je2-e4 ( 4 points)


The queen is again under attack, this time by the rook. It must go back to the b5-square again. It is bad for Black to play: 22 .. .'a4xe4 23 Jelxe4.

22 . . . 'a4-b5 Black's queen is forced to make only moves all the time.

? ? ?

23.

23.'c7xb7 (3 points)

g

All the squares along the a4-e8 diagonal are controlled by White's pieces and Black can avoid being checkmated only at the price of giving up his queen. He cannot save the game with only partial losses : 23 . . . :ge8xe4 24.V9b7xc8+ V9b5-e8 25.V9c8xe8+ :ge4xe8 26 .:gelxe8#

That is the sixth ( ! ) deflection in a row and that achievement is worthy of entering the Guinness Book of Records in a way!

55

Game 7 Chigorin - Schlechter

London 1899 King's Gambit (C 33)

We call gambit an opening in which one of the sides sacrifices a pawn, or even a piece with the idea to acquire a lead in development and to organize an attack against the king.

Gambits are old opening variations . They were invented more than 400 years ago. The King's Gambit was first mentioned in the books of the already familiar authors - Lopez, Greco and Polerio. Gambits were quite popular to the end of the XIXth century. They were played successfully by Anderssen, Zuckertort, Steinitz, Morphy, Chigorin etc.

The development of the principles of positional play and the perfecting of the defensive technique led to almost complete disappearance of the gambits in tournament practice, since the best way of countering them was found. That is not to hold on to the extra material by all means, but to give it back at an opportune moment with the idea of seizing the initiative, or of simplifying the position.

Contemporary players accept gambits, but they usually play in a po-sitional style, without being too eager to attack or to sacrifice early.

l.e2-e4 e7-e5 2 .f2-f4 e5xf4 3.fl-c4 g8-f6

Naturally, Black could have deprived his opponent of castling with 3 . . . 1.Wd8-h4+, but after 4.

Chigorin - Schlechter

White has occupied the centre. Black should not comply with that so easily.

9 .h2-h3 1 0 . .iclxe3 11.c!Zlc3-d5

.!Llg4xe3 f4xe3

White's initiative is dangerous . Black must play very carefully. ? ? ?

11 . . .

11. . . .ib4-a5? The bishop goes to the edge of the board and it will not take part

in the fight to the end of the game. Black's best possibilities here were ll . . . tc8-e6 (2 points) and 1l. . .d6xe5 (2 points) .

White wins nicely after the careless ll . . . .ib4-d2 12 .lt'lf3xd2 e3xd2

? ? ?

13.

13 .lt'ld5-f6 + ! ! (10 points) 13 . . . gxf6 (13 . . . mg8-h8 14.lt'lf6xh7! mh8xh7 15.d1-h5+ mh7-g8 16J!f1xf7+-) 14.exf6 @g8-h8 (14 . . . Wd8-e8 15.d1xd2 We8-e4 16J%f1-f4 e4-g6 17 . .ic4-d3 g6-h5 18 .Wd2-e1 Wh5-g5 19 .e1-e4 Wg5-h6 2 0 .Eif4-h4 .ic8-f5 21 .Eih4xh6 .if5xe4 22 . .id3xe4+) 15.d1-h5 lt'lc6-b4 (White was threatening .ic4-d3) 16 .a2-a3 .ic8-e6 17.Eif1-f4 d8-e8 (or 17 . . . .ie6xc4 18.Eif4-h4; 17 . . . Eif8-e8 18 .Eia1-f1 .ie6xc4 19.Eif4-h4) 18 .mg1-h2 ! intending Eif4-h4. (The immediate 18 .Eif4-h4 would fail to 18 . . . .ie6-f5 19.h5xf5 e8-el.)

57

Game 7

7

6

5

4

12.e5xd6 ? ? ?

13 .

12 . . . YlYd8xd6?

8

6

5

4

2

White still had the chance to save the day with 12 . . . cxd6 (3 points) or 12 . . . .ic8-e6 (3 points) .

Let us analyse 12 . . . ic8-e6. ? ? ?

13.

In that case White should answer 13 .lt:ld5xe3 (2 points) with a small edge. 13.d6xc7? ! is much worse :

? ? ?

13 . . .

13 . . . .ia5xc7 (1 point) 14.lt:ld5xe3 ? ? ?

14 . . .

58

14 . . . ic7-f4 ! (3 points) . Let us return to the game now:

? ? ?

13 .

13.tt'lf3-g5! ( 4 points)


Now Black must watch out for his f7 and h7-squares. White has a powerful attack. Can Black defend that position?

? ? ?

13 . . .

13 . . . 'Wd6-g6? Black could have resisted much more tenaciously after 13 . . . h7-

h6 14.Ei:flxf7! Ei:f8xf7 (the other options are clearly inferior: 14 . . . hxg5 15.lt'l d5-f6 + ! gxf6 16 .Wdl-h5 f8xf7 17.Wh5xf7+ g8-h8 18.Wf7-g8# or 14 . . . g8-h8 15.f7xf8 + Wd6xf8 16 .Wdl-h5+-) 15.ct.'lg5xf7 g8xf7! (15 . . . Wd6-g3 16.Wdl-h5 Wg3-f2 + 17.gl-h2 Wf2xf7 18 .'Lld5-f6+- ; 16 . . . ic8-e6 17.'Lld5-f6+ gxf6 18 .ic4xe6 ; 17 . . . f7-f8 18.ct.'lf6-e4 Wg3-f4 19.ic4xe6 Wf4xe4 2 0 . 'Llg5+-) 16 .ct.'ld5xc7+ f7-e7 (16 . . . f7-g6 17.ct.'lc7xa8) 17.ct.'lc7xa8 ic8xh3 18 .c3 !

59

Game ?

2

g

White is an exchange up, but Black would still be in the game, whereas after his mistake, Chigorin could demonstrate his tactical vigilance:

? ? ?

14.

14.tiJg5xf7? ! White let himself relax in anticipation of a quick conclusion of the

game. Otherwise the Russian champion would have found the right way to victory: 14Jflxf7! (10 points) 14 ... \Wg6xg5 (14 .. J''1f8xf7 15.lt:ld5-e7+ lt:lc6xe7 16 . .tc4xf7+ is too easy) 15.lt:ld5-e7+ \Wg5xe7 (15 ... lt:lc6xe7?? 16.!!f8-f5+! ic8-e6 17 . .tc4xe6+


14 . . .

14 gf8xf7? Black's position is not to be envied, but it is still early to resign . . .

14 . . . i.c8-e6 ! (5 points) 15 .i.c4-d3 (15.llJd5-f4 ie6xc4 16 .llJf4xg6 e3-e2 ; 15 .llJf7-e5 \Wg6-g5 16.llJe5-f3 f8xf3 17.\Wd1xf3 e3-e2) 15 . . . \Wg6xg2+ (15 . . . i,e6xd5 16.i.d3xg6 hxg6 17.llJt7-e5 llJc6xe5 18 .dxe5 id5-c4 19.f1-xf8+ a8xf8 20 .\Wd1-d4; 15 . . . Wg6xt7 16.flxt7 !!f8xt7 17.llJd5xe3) 16.g1xg2 ie6xd5+ 17.g2-g1 i.d5xt7 18.c2-c3, and White still has to prove the superiority of his queen against Black's rook and bishop.

? ? ?

15.

15.llJd5-e7 +! ( 4 points) llJc6xe7 A beautiful way for White to open the diagonal for his bishop.

16.ic4xf7+ Y!Yg6xf7 17.!!flxf7 g8xf7

? ? ?

18.

18.\Wd1-h5+ (1 point) This double-attack settles the issue.

61

Game S Hamppe - Meitner

Vienna 1873 Vienna Game (C 25)

l.e2-e4 2.tLlbl-c3

e7-e5

This variation was analyzed as early as in the year 1842 by K. Jaenish. Later the Vienna chess fans, together with master K. Hamppe, worked hard on the new opening. Its ideas more or less coincide with these behind the King's Gambit. In 1901 R. Teichmann published a theoretical study on the "Vienna Game" and so it was named.

The basic idea of the move tt:lb1-c3 is to protect the e4-pawn as well as the d5-square and to prepare the gambit move - f2-f4 . Still, after correct play, Black manages to accomplish the counter strike d7-d5 and to obtain a good position. Therefore the Vienna Game in its original conception is played only seldom in contemporary practice. Nowadays White carries out f2-f4 after the bishop had been already deployed to c4, for instance with the following move order: l .e2-e4 e7-e5 2 .i.f1-c4 tt:lg8-f6 3 .d2-d3 tt:lb8-c6 4.tt:lb1-c3 i.f8-c5 5.f2-f4 or l .e2 -e4 e7-e5 2 . tLlb1-c3 tt:lg8-f6 3.i.f1-c4 (provided that White ignores . . . tt:lf6xe4) tt:lb8-c6 4.d2-d3 i.f8-c5 5.f2-f4.

At the beginning of the century grandmaster Spielmann was a great master of the attack in that opening. Later the Vienna Game with the move g2-g3 has been played by Bent Larsen and Boris Spassky. These great players have won numerous beautiful games in that opening.

2 . . . i.f8-c5?! This is not the best line for Black since White can follow with 3 .f2-

f4, transposing to a line from the King's Gambit Deferred. It is bad for Black to play 3 . . . c5xg1 4Jh1xg1 e5xf4 5 .d2-d4 1Wd8-h4+ 6 .g2-g3 and White has an active position for the pawn.

Black's most energetic line is 2 . . . tt:lg8-f6 . White's last move seems to be a bit slow and Black is trying to play actively. After 3 .f2 -f4 Black seizes the initiative with the move 3 . . . d7-d5 ! Another option is 3 .i.f1-c4, when Black has the pseudo-sacrifice : 3 . . . tt:lf6xe4. Then 4.tt:lc3xe4 d7-d5 5.1Wd1-h5 d5xc4 6 .Wh5xe5+ i.c8-e6 is about equal while the line 4 .c4xf7+ cj;Je8xf7 5 .tt:lc3xe4 d7-d5, is in favour of Black who he has a bishop pair and a wonderful pawn centre .

Still things are not that murky for the Vienna Game adherents .

62

Hamppe - Meitner

They could try 4.'Wdl-h5 ! tt:Jd6 (the alternatives are worse: 4 . . . Wd8-e7? 5 .tt:lc3xe4, when d7-d5 is impossible ; 4 . . . tt:Je4-g5 5 .d2-d4 li:Jg5-e6 6 .d4xe5) 5 .c4-b3 and now follows a deep theory: 5 . . . tt:Jb8-c6 6 .tt:lc3-b5 g7-g6 7.Wh5-f3 f7-f5 8.Wf3-d5 Wd8-e7 9 .li:Jd5xc7+ e8-d8 10 .li:Jc7xa8 b7-b6 . Black is going to eat the aB-knight to emerge with the exchange down for a strong initiative in compensation. Some players prefer White's side, others take Black.

The symmetrical move 2 . . . tt:lb8-c6 leaves the choice of opening to White. After 3 .tt:lgl-f3 tt:lg8-f6 there arises the Four Knights Opening. White's most active line is 3.f2-f4 which is a branch of the King's gambit. The game could continue with 3 . . . e5xf4 4 .li:Jgl-f3 (In the Steinitz's Gambit, White's king remains in the centre but that is compensated amply by his powerful pawn-centre after: 4 .d2-d4 'Wd8-h4+ 5 .el-e2 . ) 4 . . . g7-g5 5 .d2-d4 g5-g4 6.fl-c4 g4xf3 7. 0-0 d7-d5 8 .e4xd5 c8-g4.

3.tt:lc3-a4? ! White was tempted to attack Black's bishop. His opponent's reply

came as a big surprise for him. ? ? ?

3 . . .

3. . . i,c5xf2 + (5 points) White has ignored a basic opening principle - not to make too many

moves with one and a same piece. The punishment comes immediately. Black's bishop forces White's king to begin a precarious journey in the middle of the board.

4.c;t?elxf2

63

Game S

? ? ?

4 .

4 . . . '%Vd8-h4+ ( 2 points) 5.i>f2-e3

Black starts chasing his opponent's king. ? ? ?

5 . . .

5 . . . '%Vh4-f4+ (2 points)

7

5

4

6.i>e3-d3

a b c g h

It looks at first sight that White's king might manage to find a safe haven behind the pawns on e4 and e5 .

? ? ?

6 . . .

6 . . . 7.i>d3-c3

d7-d5 (1 point)

The game remains unclear after the line 7.1.Wel-el tt'lg8-f6 ! (7 . . . dxe4+ 8.\f;>d3-c3 e4-e3 is worse due to 9 .\f;>c3-b3) . White must be very careful since 8 .c2-c4 would stumble into 8 . . . j,c8-f5 ! 9 .exf5?? f4xc4+ lO .\f;>d3-e3 \Wc4-e4+ ll.\f;>e3-f2 tt'lf6-g4+ 12 .\f;>f2-g3 e4xel-+ .

64

Hamppe - Meitner

? ? ?

7 . . .

7. . . f4xe4 ( 2 points) Sometimes chess players get confused when they have so many pos

sibilities to conduct an attack. My advice is - choose a clearcut plan. If you play inconsistently, you

might lose your advantage altogether. ? ? ?

8 .

8.cj;lc3-b3 (2 points) 8 .d4 ! ? ( 5 points) tt.Jc6 leads t o hazy complications, (8 . . . exd4+? ! los

es the initiative after 9 .WI'dlxd4, with the following illustrative variation: 9 . . . WI'e4-el+ 10 .cl-d2 Welxal ll.tt::lgl-f3 tt.Jb8-c6 12 .Wd4xg7 c8-e6 13.cl-g5 d5-d4+ 14.cj;lc3-d2 15.Wg7xh8 f7-f6 16 .g5xf6 Wa2xa4 17.fl-d3) 9.fl-b5 exd4+ 1Q .cj;lc3-b3 tt.Jg8-e7 11 .tt::lgl-f3 0-0 or 9 .tt::lgl-f3 exd4+ 10 .tt::lf3xd4 tt.Jg8-f6 ll . .!fl-b5 We4-e5 12 J'!al-el tt.Jf6-e4+ 13 .1t;>c3-b3 0-0 .

? ? ?

8 . . .

8 . . . ttlb8-a6

65

Game S

8 . . . CZJb8-c6 (2 points) 9 .c2 -c3 d2-d4 10 .1Wdl-f3 maintains the tension . Instead Black puts his knight to the edge of the board, probably intending to centralize it from the cS-square, or maybe he wanted to push c7-c5-c4 and to attack with his c8-bishop .

? ? ?

9.

9.a2-a3 White's king dreams about completing his journey in the centre of

the board and to come to safety behind the queenside pawns. Analysis shows that White had better play 9 .d2-d4 ! (5 points) e5xd4

10.fl-d3 1We4xg2 11 .1Wdl-e2 + , coming with his king behind the enemy pawns with the idea to trade queens and thus to facilitate his defence .

? ? ?

9 . . .

9 . . . 1We4xa4+ !? (10 points)

g h

8

6

5

This is a nasty surprise for White's king ! He fails to complete an artificial long castling via the third rank to the bl-square.

? ? ?

1 0 .

66

1 0 .'it>b3xa4 (2 points)

Hamppe - Meitner

What else can White do? It is too bad not to accept the queen sacrifice, because after 10 .'it>b3-a2 Black remains with two extra pawns and a powerful pawn centre .

? ? ?

1 0 . . .

1 0 ... lt::la6-c5 + (2 points)

? ? ?

11 . . .

11.a4-b4 (1 point) But not 1l .'it>a4-a5?? b7-b6+ 12 .'it>a5-b4 a7-a5+ 13.'it>b4-c3 d5-d4+

14.'it>c3-c4 c7-c6 15.b2-b4 c8-e6#

8

7

g h

There is no going back with White's king. His pieces are incapable to help in its defence.

Following 1l .'it>a4-b5 (1 point) ltJg8-e7 White should better come to his senses and transpose to the game by 12 .\t>bSxcS aS ! 13.b5+ 'it>d8 = . Conversely, 12 .c2-c4? i s bad since the light-squared bishop would be unable to rescue his king : 12 . . . d5-d4 13. \t>bSxcS a7-a5 ! 14.d1-a4+ cJ:?e8-f8 15.a4-b3 b7-b6+ 16 .b3xb6 cxb6+ 17.\t>cS-bS c8d7-+ ; 17.'it>c5xb6 f7-f6 18.li:J g1-f3 'it>e8-f7 19 .f1-d3 :ga8-b8+ 20 .'it>b6xa5 CUe7-

67

Game S

c6+ 2l .a5-a4 c8-d7-+ . ? ? ?

11 . . .

11. . . a7-a5+ (2 points) 12.\t>b4xc5

There are interesting variations arising after: 12 .\t>b4-c3 ! ? . Naturally, it is bad for Black to play: 12 . . . lt:Jc5-e4+

13.\t>c3-b3 lt:Je4-f2 14.\Wdl-e2 lt:Jf2xh1 15.\We2xe5+ . It is understandable that White maintains excellent winning chances, since now Black's pieces are not developed and in addition White has a material advantage.

Black's best chance is 12 . . . d5-d4+ and White must work hard to find a satisfactory defence, since his king perishes in numerous variations :

13.\t>c3-c4 b7-b6 !

68

Hamppe - Meitner

There is no retreat for White's king. 14.\t>c4-d5 f7-f6 15.b2-b4? is too bad due to 15 . . . ct:lg8-e7+ 16.\t>d5-c4

c8-a6+ 17.b4-b5 a6-c8 18 .Wd1-h5+ g7-g6 19.Wh5-h3 f6-f5 2 0 .Wh3-f3 c8-e6+ 2 l .f3-d5 e6xd5# , while 15.Wf3-h5+ g7-g6 16 .f1-b5+ lt>e8-f7 17.Wh5xe5 c8-b7+ 18 .b5-c6 ga8-d8+ 19 .Wd5-c4 b7-a6+ 2 0 .c6-b5 a6xb5+ 2l .Wc4xb5 fxe5-+ is not much better.

The attempt to bring the knight into play also loses : 14.ct:lg1-f3 c8-e6+ 15 .Wc4-b5 e6-d7+ 16 .b5-c4 d7-e6+ 17.Wc4-b5 a5-a4 ! 16 .ct:lf3xd4 ga8-a5+ 17.Wb5-b4 exd4 18 .Wd1-h5 ct:lg8-f6 19 .h5-e5 (19 . Wh5-g5 h7-h6 2 0 .g5-e5 ct:lc5-d3+ 2l .f1xd3 ga5xe5) 19 . . . ct:lc5-d3+ 2 0 .f1xd3 ga5xe5-+.

Perhaps the most solid defence is 14.b2-b4 and the game should end in a draw by perpetual after 14 . . . c8-e6+ 15 .Wc4-b5 e6-d7+ .

White could also keep the battle going by 14.d1-f3 . After 14 . . . c8-e6+ White is forced to give up his queen by 15.Wf3-d5, because the line 15. c4-b5 might lead to a checkmate after 15 . . . e6-d7+ 16 .Wd5-c6 ct:lg8-e7 17.Wc6xd7+ We8xd7 18 .b2-b4 a5xb4 19 .a3-a4 ga7-a5+ 2 0 .Wb5-c4 Wd7-d6 2l .tt'lg1-f3 b6-b5+ 22 . a4xb5 (or 2 2 .c4xb4 ct:le7-d5+ 23 .Wb4-a3 ga8xa4+ 24.Wa3-b2 ga4-b4+ 25 .Wb2-a2 gh8-a8+ 26 .cl-a3 tt'lc5-e4 2 7.fl-d3 ct:le4-c3+ 28 .d2xc3 tt'ld5xc3#) 15 . . . e6xd5+ 16.Wc4xd5 f7-f6 .

g

White has managed to avoid being checkmated, but Black has compensation for the piece.

Let us go back to what happened in the game. ? ? ?

12 . . .

69

Game S

12. . . ltJg8-e7 (2 points) 13 .j,fl-b5 +

White's knight cannot help in the defence of the king : 13 .tt:lgl-f3 b7-b6+ 14.c5-b5 j,c8-d7#

7

6

5

4

? ? ?

13 . . .

13 . . .

? ? ?

e8-d8 (1 point)

14.

14.!b5-c6 (2 points) White gets checkmated swiftly after 14.b5-d3 b7-b6+ 15.c5-b5

c8-d7# 14 . . . 15 .@c5-b5

b7-b6+ ttJe7xc6

? ? ?

16.

16. @b5xc6 (2 points) White's king cannot run away: 16.b5-a4 tt:lc6-d4 17.b2-b4 (or

17.W/dl-fl c8-d7+ 18.W/fl-b5 d7xb5#) 17 . . . b6-b5#

70

Hamppe - Meitner

a b c d e f

? ? ?

16 . . .

16. . . .ic8-b7+ (2 points) 17.c6-b5

White cannot capture the bishop : 17.'c6xb7?? d8-d7! 18 .Wdl-g4+ d7-d6 with mate in two.

17. . . .ib7-a6+ 18.b5-c6 .ic8-b7+

That seems to be the most prudent decision for both sides. The game ends in a draw.

71

Garne 9 Kirilov - Furrnan

Vilnius 1949 Ruy Lopez (C77)

l.e2-e4 2 .logt-f3 3.i.fl-b5

e7-e5 b8-c6

The opponents have entered the Ruy Lopez. We will organize a competition for the fans of this opening. What variations for Black do you know here? Write down all that you are familiar with and you will score a point for each one of them.

? ? ?

3 . . .

You can score up to 6 points - 1 point for every line : 3 . . . lt:Jg8-f6 - the Berlin Defence; 3 . . . .!f8-c5 - the Cordell Defence;

3 . . . f7-f5 - the Jaenish Gambit; 3 . . . lt:Jc6-d4 - the Bird Defence; 3 . . . d7-d6 - the Steinitz Defence, 3 . . . a7-a6.

Furman preferred the classical line for Black. 3. . . a7-a6 (1 point)

g

White is faced with a choice here. He can enter the Exchange variation after 4 . .ib5xc6, or he can retreat with his bishop to a4 .

4 . .!b5-a4 Players with "technical style", like the world champions Emanuel

Lasker and Robert Fischer, liked to play here 4 . .!b5xc6 .

72

4 . . . ltJg8-f6

Kirilov - Furman

Black has again several possibilities and you can study them if you have a look at the specialised opening books .

5 .1Midl-e2 The idea of that move is to protect the e4-pawn with the queen and

to free the dl-square for the king's rook in the process. Players who like sharp opening variations usually choose here 5 . 0-0

and they do not worry about the e4-pawn. After 5 . . . li:Jf6xe4 6 .d2-d4, there arises the so-called Open variation, in which White ends up with a slight advantage .

5 . . . 6 .a4-b3 7.a2-a4!?

b7-b5 if8-e7

White had better start here with castling first : 7 .0-0, for example, 8 . c2-c3 d7-d6 9 .l'i:fl-dl ! ? li:Jc6-a5 10 .b3-c2 c7-c5 ll .d2-d4 Wd8-c7 12 .d4-d5 (or 12 .h2-h3) . His other possible plan here is 7.c2-c3 0-0 8 .d2-d4 d7-d6 9 . 0 - 0 .

7. . . b5-b4

? ? ?

8 .

8.b3-d5?! White did not need to go after a dubious pawn win. I t was again bet

ter for him to castle first - 8 . 0-0 (1 point) . 8 . . . ltJf6xd5 9 .e4xd5 ttJc6-d4

73

Game 9

1 0 .f3xd4 e5xd4 Black obtains a very active position as a compensation for his dis

rupted pawn chain. 11. 0 - 0 0 - 0

? ? ?

12.

12.We2-c4? ! It was advisable for White to complete his development instead of

trying to grab pawns: 12 .d2-d3 (1 point) .

? ? ?

12 . . . .

12 . . . c7-c5 (3 points) This move is played with the strategical idea to prepare opening of

diagonals for Black's long-range bishops. After 12 . . . ie7-f6 13 .Wc4xb4, Black would be only slightly better.

13.d5xc6 White could have stopped his campaign here and continue with

his development - 13 .d2-d3, but after 13 . . . a6-a5 14.icl-f4 ic8-a6, his queen would remain out of action.

13 . . . 14.Wc4xc6 15.Wc6-f3

74

d7xc6 E:a8-a7

? ? ?

15 .

15. . . )"ga7-c7 ( 3 points)

Kirilov - Furman

You will also score 3 points if you have found 15 . . . d4-d3 ! ? - an interesting blocking move, 16.iWf3xd3 (or 16.c2-c3 a6-a5) 16 .. .'\l{id8xd3 17.c2xd3 a7-d7.

? ? ?

16.

16.d2-d3 White's position is gradually becoming worse and almost pathetic

and he should have tried instead 16.c2-c4 ! ? (2 points) 16 . . . J'k7xc4 17.d2-d3 !"\c4-c7 (or 17 . . . !"\c4-c2 18.'f3-dl Wd8-c7 19 .cl-f4 Wc7-c6 2 0 .'2lbl-d2) 18.'2lbl-d2 .

? ? ?

16 . . .

16. . . i.c8-b7 (2 points) Black could have won a pawn here - 16 . . . !"\c7xc2 (1 point) 17.'2lbl-d2

c8-e6, but he wished to organize an attack. 17.Wf3-d1

? ? ?

17 . . .

17. . . i,e7-d6 (2 points) Black's long-range artillery has already been deployed for action. It

was also interesting for him to try 17 . . . Wd8-c8 - you score 2 points for that move. 18.cl-f4 )"gc7xc2 19 .'2lbl-d2 .

He should not go after a second pawn by 19 . . . !"\xb2? (The best move for Black here is 19 . . . Ei:f8-e8.) 2 0 .'2ld2-c4.

75

Game 9

18.tilb1-d2

? ? ?

18 . . .

18. . . gf8-e8 (3 points) Black brings all his forces into action. It is also good for him to play

18 . . . '\Wd8-h4 ! ? (3 points) 19.h2-h3 Wl'h4-f4 20 .ltld2-f3 Wl'f4-f6 . He should however refrain from the line 18 . . . .id6xh2+? 19 .glxh2

Wl'd8-h4+ 20 .h2-gl ib7xg2 2l .glxg2 l:%c7-c6 2 2 .ltld2-e4+- and White would manage to repel the attack, remaining with extra pieces.

19.tild2-c4? White had better give up a knight and a pawn for a bishop : 19.ltld2-

e4 ! ?, neutralizing partially the power of Black's forces in order to reduce the attacking potential of his opponent: 19 . . . ib7xe4 20 .d3xe4 l:%e8xe4 2l .WI'dl-d3 l:%e8-e6 22 .icl-d2 .

? ? ?

19 . . .

19. . . .id6xh2+! (8 points) All Black's army units are on the right squares and it is time for de

cisive actions against the enemy king. Black had another path to victory here, and it is even more convinc

ing: 19 . . . l:%c7xc4 ! (8 points) 20 .d3xc4 'W'd8-h4 2l .g2-g3 'W'h4-h3 22 .f2-f3 id6xg3 23 .'W'dl-d2 (or 23 .h2xg3 'W'h3xg3+ 24.gl-hl l:%e8-e5)

76

Kirilov - Furman

23 . . . .ib7xf3 24J'!flxf3 e8-el+ 25 .''d2xel Wh3xh2+ 26 .\tJgl-fl Wh2-hl+ 27.\t>fl-e2 Whlxel+ 28 .\t>e2-d3 Wel-dl+ 29 .\t>d3-e4 Wdl-e2 + .

2 0 . g1xh2 Wd8-h4+ 21. h2-g1

? ? ?

21

21. . . i,b7xg2 ! (6 points) This is the right decision. White's basic forces are still on the queen

side and they cannot assist in the defence of the king. Black should not slow down, because after 2l . . .e8-e6 White can

still defend successfully with the move 2 2 .f2-f3 .

22.\t>glxg2 ? ? ?

22

22. . . gc7-c6 ! ! (5 points) Black's bishops have been sacrificed, freeing the way for his heavy

artillery. This rook must be deployed to the kingside, since it is doing nothing on the c7-square anyway, while the other one should stay on the e-file.

After 22 . . . e8-e6, White would have saved the day with the line

77

Game 9

23.icl-f4 Wh4xf4 24.Elfl-hl Ele6-f6 25.Elhl-h3 Wf4xf2 + 26 .g2-hl. 23.icl-f4

White is trying to deflect Black's queen from the h-file. His best chance, however, was to bring his queen into the defence :

23 .Wdl-f3 Elc6-g6+ 24.Wf3-g3 Ele8-e2 25.Wg3xg6 f7xg6 2 6 .icl-d2

8

a b c d e f g h

26 . . . Ele2xd2 (or 26 . . . Wh4-g4+ 27.@g2-h2 Ele2xd2 28 .tt::lc4xd2 Wg4-f4+ 29 .@h2-g2 Wf4xd2 30 .Elal-cl) 27.tt::lc4xd2 Wh4-g5+ 28 .c;t>g2-f3 Wg5xd2 29 .Elal-cl g6-g5 30 .@f3-e4 Wd2-f4+ 3l .c;t>e4-d5 h7-h5 . Still , Black's advantage in that variation is quite noticeable as well.

23. . . 'Wh4xf4 24.fl-hl

Black would counter 24.Elfl-gl with the move 24 . . . Elc6-f6 .

? ? ?

24 . . . .

24 . . . 25.hl-h2

c6-f6 ! (3 points)

You can see in that variation how useful Black's rook on e8 is: 25 .Elhl-h3 'Wf4xf2 + 26 .@g2-hl Ele8-e2 ! 27.'%Ydl-gl Wf2-f5.

The other defensive possibilities would not help Black either: 25 .'Wdl-d2 Wf4-f3+ 26 .@g2-h2 Elf6-g6-+ ; 25.f2-f3 Elf6-g6+ 26 .c;t>g2-fl Wf4-g3-+ . All these variations end with a checkmate.

78

25. . . :Bf6-g6+ 26. @g2-hl

Kirilov - Furman

? ? ?

26 . . .

2 6 . . . E:e8-el + ! ! (3 points) The end is near, still, this deflecting sacrifice is quite exquisite !

White resigned. 27.dlxel f4-f3 + .

79

Game to Spassky - Bronstein, Leningrad 196 0

King's Gambit (C 36) l.e2-e4 e7-e5 2.f2-f4 e5xf4

Naturally, you can encounter only very seldom the King's Gambit at a really high level nowadays . The future world champion, however, played it often in his games .

3.tbgl-f3 White can also play here the moves 3 .d2-d4; 3 .ifl-c4 ; 3 .ifl-e2 ;

3 .lDbl-c3 . 3 . . 4.e4xd5

d7-d5 M8-d6

g

Bronstein had prepared that line especially for his game with Spassky. Black should better not try here 4 . . .'1'lid8xd5? 5 .lDbl-c3 Wd5-e6+ 6 .'it>el-f2 We6-b6+ 7.d2-d4, since White ends up with an advantage in development.

5)bbl-c3 Spassky saw that after the line 5 .d2-d4 lDg8-e7 6.c2-c4, White would

have powerful pawn mass in the centre, but he was reluctant to try it, since he was afraid that his opponent had prepared something surprising against it.

80

5 . . . 6.d2-d4 7.ifl-d3 8. 0 - 0

g8-e7 0 - 0

b8-d7 h7-h6?

This move loses time and it weakens the pawn shelter of Black's

Spassky - Bronstein

king. He could have equalized by playing 8 . . . lt:le7-g6 9 .lt:lc3-e4 lt:ld7-f6 10 .lt:le4xd6 d8xd6; or 8 . . . lt:ld7-f6 9 .lt:lf3-e5 lt:le7xd5 10 .lt:lc3xd5 lt:lf6xd5 ll .i.c1xf4 lt:ld5xf4 12 .1"mxf4 i.d6xe5 13 .d4xe5 d8-g5.

? ? ?

9 .

9.lL! c3-e4! (3 points) White fortifies his knight in the centre. In contrast, Black's knights

have no good squares anywhere on the board. 9 . . . ltJe7xd5

? ? ?

1 0 .

1 0 .c2-c4 (1 point) lLld5-e3 ll . .iclxe3 f4xe3 12 .c4-c5 !

g

Spassky repels Black's centralized pieces by marching with this pawn forward.

12 . . . .id6-e7 ? ? ?

13 .

81

Game lO

13 .i,d3-c2 ! (3 points) Spassky creates an attacking battery. Black fails to exchange the

knights after 13 . . . ltld7-f6 14.dl-d3 f8-e8 lS.al-el and White has a powerful attack.

The move 13 .dl-e2? is not good for White, because Black can either trade the knights successfully, or he can occupy the powerful dSoutpost with his knight : 13 . . . ltld7-f6 ! 14.e2xe3 (or 14.ltle4xf6+ ie7xf6 15 .e2xe3 f8-e8) 14 . . . ltlf6-d5 .

13 . . . f8-e8 ? ? ?

14.

14.d1-d3 (2 points) e3-e2 White has already built his attacking battery. Black is trying to de

flect White's queen with that move and to gain some time. ? ? ?

15.

15.c!Lie4-d6!? ( 4 points)

g

8

7

6

3

2

Naturally, every grandmaster would have played here the calm move 15.fl-f2 (5 points), maintaining his positional advantage, but Spassky's opponent was in a time-trouble and he chose a fantastic idea. This sacrifice reminds us of the "good old times" of the masters of the

82

Spassky - Bronstein

past - Morphy and Anderssen. It is practically impossible to find out whether that sacrifice is cor

rect, particularly in a time-trouble. There are so many possibilities for both sides.

? ? ?

15 . . .

15. . . c!Lld7-f8? Black's best defensive chances were in the line 15 . . . e7xd6! (5 points)

The variation 15 . . . e2xf1Wf+ 16J'l:alxfl xd6 (5 points ) 17.Wfd3-h7+ i>g8-f8 18 .c5xd6 by transposition leads to the same situation. 16.Wfd3-h7+ i>g8-f8 17.c5xd6 e2xf1Wf+ 18Jl:alxfl .

White is threatening to checkmate. How can Black defend? He can possibly save the day by opening a leeway for his king - 18 . . .

c7xd6 ! ? ( 2 points) 19.Wfh7-h8+ i>f8-e7 2 0 Jl:fl-el+ c!Lld7-e5 2 1.Wfh8xg7 !%e8-g8 2 2 .Wfg7xh6 Wfd8-b6 23 .i>gl-hl c8-e6 24.d4xe5 d6-d5 25 .Wfh6-f6+ 'it>e7-d7.

Black's other option : 18 . . . c!Lld7-f6? 19 .Wh7-h8+ c!Llf6-g8 leads to beautiful combinations.

? ? ?

2 0 .

2 0 .0J3-e5 ! ! ( 3 points)

83

Game 10

After 2 0 .c2-h7? ! Black can neutralize his opponent's pressure : 20 . . . Wd8xd6 21 .Wh8xg8+ cj{f8-e7 22 J:'\fl-el+ c8-e6. White is threatening to checkmate after the knight's sortie.

20 . . . f7-f6 (or 20 . . . c8-e6? 2l .lt:'le5-g6#) 2l .c2-h7! c8-e6. ? ? ?

22 .

22 .d6-d7 ! ! (4 points)

g

White's pawn move destroys Black's defensive plans. It deflects some pieces and it forces some others to occupy unfavourable squares.

Black would not save the game by giving up his rook after 22 . . . e6xa2 23.d7xe8!:'1+ Wd8xe8 24.ih7xg8 ia2xg8

? ? ?

84

Spassky - Bronstein

25.

25J'1flxf6+ ! ! (4 points) g7xf6 26 .Wlh8xf6+ g8-f7 27.ltJe5-g6+ f8-g8 28 .Wlf6-h 8 # ;

There arise similar variations after the retreat o f the rook: 22 . . J'1e8-e7? 23.h7xg8 e6xg8 24.flxf6+ g7xf6 25 .Wlh8xf6+ g8-f7 26 .ltJe5-g6+ f8-g8 27.Wlf6-h8# .

Let us go back to the game. Bronstein retreated his knight to a wrong square : l .e4 e5 2 .f4 exf 3 .ltJf3 d5 4 .exd5 d6 5 .ltJc3 ttJe7 6.d4 0-0 7.d3 ltJ d7 8 .0-0 h6 9 .ltJe4 ttJxd5 10.c4 ltJe3 ll .i.xe3 fe 12 .c5 e7 13 .c2 e8 14.Wld3 e2 15.ltJd6 ltJf8?

? ? ?

16.

16.tLld6xf7! ! (7 points) Spassky sacrifices a piece and he opens the way for his pieces to pe

netrate his opponent's camp. 16. . . e2xf1Wl+ 17.alxfl c8-f5

Black is forced to give up his bishop, so that his queen obtains a square to be exchanged. Naturally, he was reluctant to go forward with his king: 17 . . . g8xf7 18.tLlf3-e5+ f7-g8 19 .Wld3-h7+ tLlf8xh7 2 0 .c2-b3+ ! and White checkmates quickly.

Black would not save the game with the line 17 . . . W!d8-d5 18 .c2-b3 Wld5xf7 19.b3xf7 g8xf7 20.Wld3-c4+ f7-g6 2 1 .Wlc4-g8 ! and White wins. Black also loses quickly in case of 17 . . . Wld8-d7? 18 .ltJf3-eS Wld7-d5 19.c2-b3+- .

18.ti'd3xf5 ti'd8-d7 ? ? ?

19.

19.Y;lff5-f4 (2 points)

85

Game 10

e f g

White is not in a hurry to trade queens . After 19 .ic2-b3 ! ? Wd7xf5 2 0 .lt:Jf7xh6+ mg8-h7 21 .lt:Jh6xf5, his win

would be more difficult. Meanwhile, in case of l9.Wf5-d3 (2 points) ie7xc5 2 0 .ic2-b3, White

preserves excellent winning chances. 19. . . ie7-f6

Black can hardly find any good defensive line here. He is not out of the woods after 19 . . . lt:Jf8-e6? ! 2 0 .Wf4-e4 ! ! lt:Je6-f8 21 .lt:Jf7-e5 ie7xc5 2 2 .d4xc5 Wd7-e7 23 .lt:Jf3-d4 We7xe5 24.ic2-b3+ mg8-h8 25 .flxf8+ e8xf8 26 .'We4xe5;

He cannot help anything with his strongest piece : 19 . . . Wd7-c6 2 0 .ic2-b3 mg8-h7 2 1 .lt:Jf7-e5 lt:Jf8-g6 2 2 .'Wf4-g4 Wc6-f6 23.ib3-c2+-.

? ? ?

2 0 .

2 0 .lt:Jf3-e5 (2 points) White could maintain a huge advantage too with the variation -

20 .lt:Jf7xh6+ (2 points) g7xh6 2l .'Wf4xf6 Wd7-g7 2 2 .ic2-b3+ mg8-h7 23.ib3-c2 + mh7-g8 24.lt:Jf3-e5 'Wg7xf6 25 .flxf6 .

86

2 0 . . . Wd7-e7 Or 20 . . . if6xe5 21 .lt:Jf7xe5 e8xe5 22 .d4xe5+-.

? ? ?

21.

Spassky - Bronstein

21.,ic2-b3! (2 points) White wins as well after 2l .ll:Jf7xh6+ (2 points) g7xh6 2 2.1Mf f4xh6

if6xe5 23 .ic2-b3+ ll:Jf8-e6 24.ib3xe6+ We7xe6 25 .l"m-f8+ e8xf8 2 6 .Wh6xe6+ f8-f7 27.d4xe5.

2 1. . . if6xe5 White must regroup his forces for the decisive attack against his

opponent's king. ? ? ?

22 .

22)Df7xe5+ (3 points) The discovered check helps in the accomplishment of his task.

2 2 . . . 'it>g8-h7 23.Y;Yf4-e4+

Bronstein resigned here. 23 . . . 'it>h7-h8

? ? ?

24.

24J!flxf8+ (3 points) White eliminates the defender of the g6-square.

24. . . Y;Ye7xf8 25.tl:\e5-g6+ 'kt>h8-h7 26.tl:\g6 X fS+ 't!i>h7-h8 27.Y;Ye4-h7#

There follows the same variation if Black captures on f8 with his rook. 24 . . . e8xf8 25 .l2Je5-g6+ 'it>h8-h7 26 .l2Jg6xf8+ @h7-h8 27.We4-h7# .

This game was awarded the beauty prize at the tournament.

87

ContentsIntroduction for Parents and CoachesAre you a strong chess player?Would you like to organize a competition?!Let us beginOpen GamesGame 1: Capablanca - SteinerGame 2: Instructive GameGame 3: Instructive GameGame 4: Maczuski - KolischGame 5: Janowski - MarshallGame 6: Adams - Torre RepettoGame 7: Chigorin - SchlechterGame 8: Hamppe - MeitnerGame 9: Kirilov - FurrnanGame 10: Spassky - Bronstein

ow well do i play chess, open games chess stars.2007

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