Attack And Defence In Modern Chess Tactics 0710073739, 9780710073730

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· Ludek Pachman Translated by P. H. 01rke

First published in England by Rootl,dg, fl# Kegan Paul Ltd Broadway Houte, 68-74 Carter Lane Landon EC4V 5El 1973 Reprinted 1973 First publuhed as a pa_perhack 1974 Printed in Great Britain by Redwood Press limited Trowbridge, Wiltshire English translation© P. H. Clarke 1.973 Original Czech titlL Taktika Modemiho Sachu

Firit published 1964 by Sportovnl a Turisticki NalWJk Clunnpiq,uhip, z953) White to

"'°""

3 Q-R6ll Now the threat is 4 Q-R8 chi, BxQ; 5 RxB ch, K- Kt2; 6 R- R7 mate, and therefore Black must take the Queen. 3 ... , B xQ ch; 4R xB. White threatens the same mate again, and 4 . . . , K- B1 is impossible in view of 5 R-R8 ch, Kt- Kt1; 6 R x Kt ch, K x R; 7 R-R8 mate. In the game play continued 4 . .. , PKt4; 5 R- R8 ch, K- Kta; 6 QR-R7 ch, K-Kt3; 7 B-Q3 ch, and Black rtsigne,1(7 ... , Q- K5; 8 B x Q ch, KtxQ; 9 R-Kt7 mate). The mating set-up which occurred in the well-known game 43

The Attack on the King Alekhinc-Colle {see Diagram 76) has been called the 'strait jacket' by K. Richter: I QxR!, R xQ; z R- K8 ch, K- Rz; 3 QRB8, and Black can prevent the threatened + R- R8 mate only by giving up his Queen(... , Q-B8 ch or ... , Q x P ch).

AhkhiM•Colk

(Pri, z925) Whiteto1Mf!t

Pillsbury decided his game against Mar6czy (see Diagram 77) by a surprising frontal mate: I Q-R6, Q x KP; z Q x P chi, K x Q; 3 K- Kta mau. A discovered mate by the King does not occur all that often. 77

Pillsbury-Martkzy (Pari,, I9()0) Wlritetoffl()f)e

Trafojer-Kdi,er (Bo/J:"1lQ, z912) Whiu to moue

The Attack on the King In the position shown in Diagram 78 there followea r R-B4!, Q x P; 2 Q x Pch!, P xQ; 3 R-Kt7 ch, K-Rr; 4R-R4 matt. Naturally, the co-operation of Queen and Rooks also makes a range of other mating patterns possible.

79

Mo,phy-Ma11rian (New, Orleans, r857) White to mow

ln the position in Diagram 79 White wins by r Rx B ch!, Kt x R; 2 B-R6 ch!, Q xB; 3 Q-B7 mau. MATES WITH VARIOUS COMBI NATIONS OF PIECES

The active participation of a greater number of pieces obviously makes possible such a quantity of mating patterns and the combinat.ions leading up to them tbat it cannot be surveyed. An important element of the great majority of these mating combinations is the maximum co-ordination of the attacking side'• pieces. In the following two positions it is the co-ordinated play of a Rook and two minor pieces that is rewarded. Duras announced a mate in five moves in the position shown in Diagram 80: I ... , Q-K6 ch; z B-Qz, QxB ch!; 3 RxQ, R-B8 ch; 4 R-Qr, Kt- Kt6 chi; 5 P x Kt, Bx P mate. In the position in Diagram St there followed r Q-Kt8 ch!, Kt xQ; z PxKt = Q ch, KxQ; 3 Kt- K7 ch, K-Ktz; 4 R-B7 ch, K -R3 (or 4 ... , K-Rt; 5 R-B8 ch, K- Kt2; 6 R-Kt8 ch, K-R3; 45

Tiu Attaek "" the King 8o

S/Jrensen-Wagntr

Vi'tdl,k-Du,as (Prati", r900} Bkuktomow

(r938} Whi'te u, move

7 B-Kt5 mate); 5 R- B6 ch, K- Ktz; 6 R- Kt6 ch, K- Rr; 7 R- Kt8 malt.

The mating set-up in the next example results from the cooperation of two Rooks with minor pieces, while in the position in the last diagram Rook, Queen and minor piece take part in the mate. In the position shown in Diagram 82 play went on r Kt-Kt5!,

82

O' Kelly-Evard (Paris, r 946)

White to move

PxKt; z R x RI, P x Q; 3 RxP ch, K-K1r; 4 R-K14 ch, K-Br;

46

Tire Attack on tlte King

s B-R6 ch, Kt- Kt.2; 6 R(K14) x Kt. Black has no satisfactory defence against the threatened mate. After the continuation in the game White gains a crushing material advantage: 6 ... , Q-B4 ch; 7 K- Rr, K-Kr; 8 R-Kt8 ch, B-Br; 9 BX B, Q X B; ro B- Kt6 ch, and Blat:k retig,ud.

Tyfur- fVinter

(Hastings, 1933) Whit• tomot11

In the position in Diagram 83 White won by I Q-R7 ch, K-Br; z Q-R8 ch; K-Kz; 3 Kt- Bs ch!, PxKt; 4 B-Bs malt. PAWNS IN MATINO ATTACKS

It is noteworthy that pawns, in spite of their low mobility, comparatively often perform the move which mates. The grounds for this are principally to be found in the fact that the pawns are mostly employed as battering rams to destroy the opponent's castled position (see Section V of this chapter), and in the process they frequently reach the immediate vicinity of the enemy King. A pawn quite often administers mate when co-operating with two Bishops. In the position shown in Diagram 8+ there followed IQ x Kt!, PxQ; z R-Kts ch!, BxR (or 2 ••• , K- R1; 3 B x B mate); 3 P- R7 mate.

Another common pawn mate is that occurring when the promotion of a pawn is at the same time combined with a mating

47

The Attack on tht King

a.

z.,.,ch-X. (KierJ, r902) White to move

opention. We have already concerned ourselves with this in Modern Chess Tocua, Chapter 6. I therefore submit just one example here, which, is on the whole stnightforward but above all notable for its eccentric starting position (see Oiagnm 85). Black forced mate by means of the following moves: r ... , Q x P 85

Tchigorin-Bla,kh•mt ( Vienna, r8¢) Blad, to move

ch; a R-R2, Q-K8 chi; 3 Kt x Q, P-B8 = R matt. Sometimes the King is driven into the enemy camp in the

course of the mating combination and so may become the victim

48

The Attack on the King of a hostile pawn that at the beginning of the combination still stood on its original square. Such combinations arc effective precisely because of the inconspicuousness of the mating man. In the position shown in Diagram 86 play continued r Q X B

86

Blaclwurne-Gif!"'d (r874) Whitt to nwve

chi/, KxQ; 2 K t-K5 ch, K-84; 3 Kt-Q3 ch, K- Q5; 4 K-Qz!, and Black resigned, since next move comes S P- 83 matt. It appears in the position in Diagram 87 that capturing the pawn by r Q x P amounts only to an exchange, since the pawn

Moore-Henley (Plymouth, r9S8) White to mooe

49

The Attack on the King

at OKt2 is also unprotected. However, r ... , Q x P1 was answered by a QxR ch!, KxQ; 3 R-B8 ch, k-Kz; 4P-Q6 mau. But much more often the pawns participate in the mating operation by protecting the piece that mates, cuning off the flight of the enemy King or drawing it within the range of the attacking pieces by sacrificing themselves. I give here a typical example, in which the pawns play an important role in closing the mating net. In the position shown in Diagram 88 play continued r Q x P 88

Andnssen-Zukntart

(Barmnr, r869) Whitt to'mow

ch!, KxQ; 2 P- B6 chi (but not z R- R3 ch on account of 2 .. . , Q-R3}, K- Ktr; 3 B- R7 chi, K x B; 4 R- RJ ch, K-Ktr; 5 R-R8 mate. IV The CllJIOSed King Strictly, the order in which we are handling our analysis of the questions concemed with the attack on the enemy King is back to front; for so far we have occupied ourselves with the concluding phase-the enforcement of mate. In all eases where mating combinations arise the balance has been disturbed considerably in favour of the attacker and, above all, the enemy King is in a dangerous, exposed position.'We now take a closer look at the tactical oonduct of the attack in those cases where one side's

so

Tire Attaek on

w Kine

King is exposed. The different forms of exposure are as follows: (a) King in the middle of the board; (b) King without pawn cover; (c) Broken castled position; (d) Weakened castled position; (e) King threatened by major pieces on open files or the seventh (second) rank; (f) Other cases of exposed King positions. KING IN THE MIDDLE OP THE BOARD

One of the finit pieces of advice given to the beginner sa:y9: Make use of the finit opportunity to castle I Castling is an important developing move, which not only brings the Rook into play but also contributes substantially towards securing the King against enemy attack. Almost without exception, therefore, can we describe as exposed a King which has lost the right to castle or cannot castle in good time because of the backward development of the pieces on one wing (mostly the King's). In the initial phase of the game both sides' Kings are very often faced with grave threats. The respective KB2 points are the Achilles heels of their positions. White obtained a strong attack in the position shown in Diagram 89 by means of the Knight sacrifice on KB7, after which the

Bartim-Adam, (Hastings, x950-51) White to

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black King rapidly found itself in an extremely exposed poeition: I Kt x BP!, K x Kt; 2 Q-B3 t.h, K- K3; 3 Q-K4, B-Bx; 4 o-o,

51

The Attack on the King

Kt-K2; 5 P-B4, P- B3; 6 BPxP, K-Q2; 7 B-K2, K-KI; 8 P-B4, Kt- B2; 9 Kt-B3, B-K3; ro B-Kt5, Q-Q2; I I QR-QJ, and Black no longer had any defence against the breakthrough by P- Q5. In many positions of this nature, which chiefly occur in the classical open games, it is usual for the piece sacrifice on KB7 to involve preventing the opponent's castling and keeping his King in the middle of the board for a long time. Black had likewise neglected his development in the game Boleslavsky-Steiner (see Diagram 90), and White decided the game by a Rook sacrifice on KB7: r R x Pl Now neither I . • . , K x R; 2 Q x KP ch, K- B, (or z . .. , K- Kx; 3 Kt--06 ch); 3 RB I ch nor 1 •.• , Kt x P; 2. Kt-Q6 ch etc. helps Black. The game

&hs/m;sky-Sttriur (lnttr,rona/ Toumament, rl)f8) White. to mow

continued as follows: I ..• , Q-Q4; 2 R x B chi, K x R; 3 Q-R4 ch, K- B2 (or 3 ... , K-B,; 4 R- B, ch, K-Kt,; 5 Q-K7, R- KBr; 6 R x R ch, Kt x R; 7 Kt- B6 mate); 4 Kt-Q6 ch, K-Kta (or 4 ... , K- KII; s Q-K7, R-KBx; 6 Kt x KP, Q x P; 7 Q x R ch, Kt x Q; 8 R x Q) ; 5 Q-K7 ch, K - R3;6R-K3, and B/acknsigMd. It often happens that one King is forced to remain in the middle of the board for a long time, even when in other respects both sides have already completed their development, because the way to safety is cut off by enemy men. In many opening gambits material is sacrificed above all to hinder the opponent from castling.

52

The Attack on 1k King Black is a pawn up in the Position shown in Diagram 91 and threatens to win a piece by the move . .. , P-QKt4. If White continues, for example, with 1 Q-Kt3, then after 1 . . . , o-o he is

91

C11TTa-Landini (Bologna, z946) White to mooe

left with no prospects of a successful attack. He therefore prevented castling by the typical move I B-R3! There followed I ... , P-QK14; 2 BxP, PxB; 3 Q x Pch, Kt- Qz (in this way Black protects his KP, but he would have obtained better prospects with 3 ... , B-Q2; 4 Q x P ch, B-K3); 4 R- QI, R- QKtr; 5 Q-R4, BKtz; 6 Kt-Qz. Black's Position has already become very difficult, and one cannot see how he could reach equality even with the best continuation, e.g. 6 ... , B-B2; 7 Kt- B4, P-K~; 8 R-Q61, RR3; 9 R x R, PxR; 10 R-Q,. The game went on 6 ... , B xBP?; 7 Kt- B4! (threatening 8 Kt-Q6 ch, winning the Queen with a discovered check), Q-B2; 8 Kt-Q6 ch, K-Qr; 9 Kt x P ch, K- Br; IO QR-Br, and White won quickly. Another very common example of the King's detention in the centre occurs when it has lost the right to castle by retreating from a check. In the position in Diagram 92 Black has a lead in development for the sacrificed pawn, but White could still have defended him· self after the correct move 1 P-B3. Instead, be committed the error of continuing I P-KJ?, Kt x Kt; 2 BPxKt, and after 2 ... , KtK5; 3 Q-Bz, Q-R4 eh his King found itself in a very unpleasant

53

Tk Attack on tk King 92

Rul>insttin-Yid""" (Btrlin, I9I8) Wlritetomow

situation. If it retreats to Q ,, then 4 ... , B-)4; s B-Q3, Kt x P chi is decisive. The game went on as follows: 4 K- K2, R xBI (this opens the file on which the white King stands, thereby promoting a decisive assault by all the black pieces); 5 P x R, B-B4; 6 QKt2, R- K.I; 7 K- B3, Kt-Q? ch (also possible was the immediate 93

I>obi4J-TMlm (Pr"C"', z940) WlritelOtnlJW

7 ... , P-14; 8 P- KR3, P-Rs, when White can prevent the threat of ... , Kt-Q7chonly by giving up material, e.g. 9 R-Q1, Kt-K4

54

The Attaclt on the Ki,,g

chi; 10 P x Kt, B-K5 ch; 11 K- K3-or II K-K14, Q-B4 ch; 1:2 K xf, Q- Bs ch; 13 P-K4, K - Bz etc.- , B xP ch etc.); 8 K- Kt3, Kt-K5 ch; 9 K-R41 (after 9 K-B3 Black would have won by the method already mentioned; the King's attempt at flight merely hastens defeat), R-KJ; to B-Ka, R-RJ ch; rt B-Rs, RxB ch; t2 K x R, B-KtJ ch, and it is mate next move. A very common means of keeping the King in the centre is by pinning a piece. White cannot castle short in the position in Diagram 93, since after I o-o, Bx Kt he would lose a piece (:2 KR-Qr, B- R6 or 2 B x B, Q x B; 3 KR-Q,, Q- K4). The position of his King is not even improved by 1 -0-0, e.g. 1 . •• , Q x P; 2 Q- R8 ch, K-Bz; 3 Q x R, B x Kt; 4 P x B, B- B4 etc. T he game wenton t R- KKtI, B x PII (now :21), x B fails against :2 . .. , Kt-Q5 ch, while after 2 R x P the continuation 2 . . . , B x Kt ch; 3 B x B, Q-RS ch!; 4 K X B, Kt-Q5 ch etc. would be decisive); 2 Q-RB ch, K-Q2; 3 Q x R, Q-Q6!I In spite of his great material superiority White is lost ; for he has no satisfactory defence against the threatened ... , B-KB6, e.g. 4 R-Kt3, B-Kl4; 5 P- B3, Q x B ch etc. Play con· tinucd 4 QxRP, QxQ ; 5 K x B,Kt- K4!; 6 QR-QBt, Q-Q6ch; 7 K-Qt, B x Kt(Qz); 8 B x B, Kt- B6, and Black won quickly. At other times castling is hindered by the fact that a pawn on the K side is attacked by enemy pieces. Black's position in Diagram 94 gives the impression of being

Szab6-TartJUlOfJer

(Vmitt, 1940) Wllite to

"'°""

55

Tht Attack 01t tht King consolidated, but after r Kt- K,µ, Kt x Kt; a Bx Kt he had to forego castling. He has no time for 2 . . . , P-R3 (or 2 . . . , PKKt3) on account of 3 BxPI, R x B; 4 Q-!4 ch etc. T here followed a ... , B-B3; 3 P-B5!, B x B; 4 R x B th, and by this check castling is finally prevented. Despite the reduced material Szab6 went on to exploit his positional superiority by accurate play: 4 . . . , K-BJ; 5 R-QI, Q-QB3; 6 R(K4')-Q4, R- Kr (or 6 ... , P- KKt3; 7 R-Q7, K- Kt2; 8 Q-B3 ch, Q- B3; 9 Q x Q ch, K x Q; 10 R x P etc.); 7 R-Q7 (but not 7 R-QS?, K-K21, and the black Rook at KR, becomes active), P-KKt3; 8 Q-B3!, R-KKtJ (the game would have come to a quick end after 8 ... , P-B3?; 9 R(Q,}-Q61 etc.); 9 R-Q8. Insufficient now were both the best defence, 9 ... , Q-K3; 10 Rx R ch, K x R; 11 R-Q3, Q-B1; 12 Q-B6, P-KJ4; 13 R- KB3 I, Q-Q2; 14 R- K3 ch, K- B1; 15 RQ3, when White wins, and also the continuation 11 ••• , Q- B4; 12 Q- Kt4 I, Q-B1; 13 P- B6 etc. In the game the end came even faster: 9 .. . , R- Kta; ro R xR ch, Q x R; JI Q-B6, and Blatk ruigntd. Neglecting the development of the K side and omitting to castle in good time can be very dangerous even in positions of a closed character.

95

Frtymon-Akkhiff• (St Ptter,burg, z9r4)

Black to mOtJt

In the position shown in Diagram 95 play went on QK14!;

2

Q-Q3 (but not

2

PRPxP?, RP x P, winning a Rook),

56

I ... ,

The Attack on the King P- B5; 3 Q-KII, B-K~I Now White should have played 4 P- K 3, though even then Black would have had prospects of exploiting his advantage on the Q side after 4 ..• , Q- Kt3. The acceptance of the pawn sacrifice, however, is very dangerous, since Black gains the time to launch an attack on the white King : 4 P x P, P x P;

5 Kt x P, B- Kt5 ch; 6 Kt- B3, P- K14; 7 B-KtJ, Kt-K5; 8 Q-BI , Kt-KtJ (threatening ... , Kt- R5, after which White's QB3 point cannot be defended); 9 R x R, Q x R; IO Kt-Q2, Kt x KKt; rr K x Kt, Q-R7! (again .. . , Kt- Rs is threatened; it is no longer possible for \Vhite to develop his K side); I2 K-QI, Q-Kt6 ch; r3 Q-B2, Bx Kt; r4 P x B, B-K5! A pretty finish. Black enforces the promotion of a passed pawn. r5 Q x Q, P x Q; I6 P- K3 (or 16 K-B1, Kt-B5), P- K17, and White rtsigntd. As long as the opponent's King remains, regardless of the reason, on its original square the opening of the K file is a very important factor in most of the attacking operations carried out against it . A typical combination serving to achieve this objective is the sacrifice of a Knight on Os . In the position shown in Diagram C)6 the continuation was r Kt-Q5!, PxKt; 2 P x P, B x P; 3 Kt-B5, Kt-K4 (or 3 ... , 13--

Lyuhlmsky-N/JfJOUlnov (Stmi-Fina~ 20th U.S.S.R. Champumship)

WlntewmlYQt K3I; 4 R x Bl); 4 PxKt, QP x P. By returning the piece Black has managed to close the K file again, but his position is very much worse because the white Knight has reached the attacking

S7

Tht Attack on 1M King postatKB5. Therefollowed5P- B3,R- QKtI (or 5 ... , Bx RP; 6 K-Ktt !, BxQKtP; 7 QxBP); 6 QxRP, B-Qr; 7 B-K4, B-KJ; 8 Kt-Kt7 ch, K.:k2; 9 Kt x B, K x Kt (or 9 . . . , P xKt ; 10 13-Kt6! R- KII ; 11 Q-R7 ch, K- B1; rz R X B ch I, and White wins); IO Q x R, and Black resigned. In the position in Diagram 97 White played r Kt-Q5!, P x Kt 97

A-, Kt- B4; 15 B-KB4, B-Kt2; 16 R-Kr, R-Qr In the given openil\g system Black always has certain difficulties owing to the exposed position of his King. He can easily accomplish castling, e.g. 16 ... , Kt x B; 17 Q x Kt, B x Kt; 18 Q x B, o-o, but the weakened King's wing also does not offer the King a safe refuge. This was shown by the game Szab6-Foltys (Budapest, 1948), which continued as follows: 19 QR- B1 , QR- B1 (or 19 ... , R x P; 20 Q-KKt3, K- R1; 21 B-Q6, R- K1; 22 BR3); 20 Q-KKt3, K-R1; 21 P- K~!. KR-K1; 22 P- Rs, P- R3; 23 B-Ks, P-B3; 24 B- B4, P- K4; 25 Q-Kt61, and White won. Relatively the best continuation here is 16 ... , B-Q4. Black then foregoes castling and aims to exert pressure on the KK17 point by ... , R- KKu and ... , Q- Kt2. 17 QR- BI, R- Q4; I8 B- K5!

The exchange of the Bishop at KKt2 is an important ingredient in White's attacking plan. 18 ... , B x B? After this error Black's difficulties with regard to the placing of his King take a decisive form. Only the fearless move 18 ... , o-ol still offered a possibility of defence. Then 19 Kt- Kt5? would not be good in view of 19 . . . , R x BI, and Black secures his defences, e.g. 20 R x R, Bx R; 21 Q-R5, K- Kt2; 22 Q x RP ch, K- B3 etc. According to the analyses of Keres and Bondarcvsky not even the sacrifice on KR7 leads to a clear result: 19 B x P ch!?, K x B ; 20 R x Kt, R x R; 21 Q-Q3 ch, P- B4; 22 Kt- Kt5 ch, K-Kt3; 23

96

TM Attack on tht King B x B, K x B; 24 Q-KKt3, P-K,41 Of course, White may continue quietly with 19 B x B, K x B; 20 Kt- K5, Kt x B; 21 Q x Kt, though here too Black has better defensive possibilities than in the

game. r9 R x B, R x R; 20 Kt x R, Kt x B; 2r Q x Kt, P-B3 The white Knight could not be permitted to remain in its domineering position for long. 21 .. . , R-Kn would be followed by 22 Q x RPI, R x P ch; 23 K- B1 and 21 ... , K-K2 by 22 Q- KKt3. R-QB,; 23 Q-Kt5 ch etc.

22

Q-KKt3!

A textbook illustration of the fact that an undeveloped Rook is also one of the grave consequences of failure to castle. The Queen's invasion at KKt7 cannot be prevented.

zz ... , P x Kt; 23 Q-Kt7, R- Br; 24 R- B7, Q x R Or24 ... , Q-Q3; 25 R x B, P-Q6; 26 R- R7, Q- Q1; 27 Q x RP and 28 Q-R5 ch.

25 Q x Q, B-Q4; z6 Q x KP White's material superiority makes the finish a simple matter.

26 . .. , P-Q6; 27 Q-K3, B-B5; 28 P- QKt3, R- Ba; 29 P- B3, R- Q2; 30 Q-Q2, P- K4; JI P x B, P x P; 32 K- Bz, K - Ba; 33 K- K:J, K- K3; 34 Q- Kt4, R- QB2; 35 K-Q2, R- BJ; J6 P-QR4, Resigns. Raflinsky-Panov

Moscow Champions/up, r947 Sicilian Defence

I P- K4, P-QB4; 2 Kt-KB3, P-K3; 3 P-Q4, P x P; 4 KtxP,

97

Tiu Attack on tlu King

Kt-KB3; 5 Kt-QB3, P- Q3; 6 P-KKt3, Kt- B3; 7 B-K12, B-Q2; 8 o-c, P- QRJ; 9 B-K3, R- Br; ro Q-K2, P-QKt4; II P-QR3, Kt-K4{1) An action on the Q side is very tempting, but it has the funda-

mental disadvantage of causing the development of the King's wing to be delayed. 11 ... , B-Kz followed by ... , o-o would lead to 'Sicilian' positions of a normal type.

r2 QR-Qr, Kt-B5; I3 B-Br, KtxRP(?) It is obvious that Black underestimated the latent danger that threatens bis King while it remains in the middle of the board. It was high time he completed his development-by I J .•. , B-Kz; 14 P- Kt3, Kt- Kt3 I (but not 14 ... , Kt x RP on account of 15 Kt- R2 !, when White stands better).

r4 P-1(5!, P xP; r5 Kt-B6, Q-B2; 16 KtxKP, Kt-85 The pawn grab cost two tempi, and now Black misses them.

r7 KtxB, KtxKt; r8 Kt-Q5, Q-R2 18 ... , Q-K+ seems more natural, but after 19 Q-K4, threatening both 20 B--B+ and 20 KR- K1, White has an equally violent attack.

19 Kt-B4! A sacrifice on K6 is now the threat. Black should have guarded against that by 19 ... , Q-Kt3 l After 20 P- Kt3, QKt-K+?, 21 B-Kt2 White would indeed have an ideal attacking position, but after the better 20 • •. , Kt- R6 I Black would have some counterplay in the form of pressure against the QB7 point.

19 ... , QKt-K4f

zo R xKtl! The prelude to a beautiful combination. By sacrificing a whole

98

The Attack on the King

Rook White destroys the black King's pawn cover and obtains an irresistible attack down the open K file.

zo .. . , Kt xR; zr Kt xP!, P x Kt; zz QxP ch, B-Kz An at.tempt by the King to flee to the Queen's wing would end in a pretty mate: 22 ... , K-Q,; 23 B-Kt5 ch, K- B2; ;4 Q-B6 ch, K- Kti; 25 B- B+ ch, R-B2; 26 B x R ch, Q xB ; 27 Q-R.8 mate.

23 R-Kr, Q-B4 This is practically forced, since after 23 ... , Kt- Kt3 White quickly settles matters by 24 B-Kt5, e.g. 24 ... , R- B2; 25 B-B6 ch, K- B1; :i.6 R- K3 followed by z7 R- B3 ch.

24 P-QKt4! A fine move, based on the diversion of the black Queen. 24 ... , Q xKtP would be followed by 25 B- Kt5, Q x R chi;

26 QxQ, Kt-B3; 27 Q-K6, R xP ; :28 B- B6 ch, K- B,; 29 Q- B8 ch, K-B2; 30 Q x R, R x B; 31 BxKt, Bx B; 32 Q x P ; then White must still overcome considerable technical difficulties, even though objectively the ending is a win. Black, however, made a further mistake, enabling White to bring the game to a rapid conclusion by mearis of yet another sacrificial combination.

24 ... , Kt-Br?; a5 Q- K4!, Q- B6 The same stroke would come after 25 ... , Q-B2 as well, i.e. z6 RxB chi and, if 26 ... , Q x R, then :27 Q x R ch, K- B:2; ,8 B-Q5 ch, K- B3; 29 Q-B3 chi, K-Kt3 (or 29 ... , Q-)4; 30 BKt5 chi K-B4; 31 P-K4 ch i etc.); 30 Q-Q3 ch, K-B3; 31 B-Kt2 ch.

26 R xB th!! 99

The Attatk on tht King By this new exchange sacrifice the black King is drawn into the crossfire of White's Queen and two Bishops. 26 ... , K x R; 27 B-Kt5 ch, K-QJ Or 27 ... , K-K1; :28 Q- K2 ch, K- B2; 29 B-05 ch, K- Kt3; 30 Q- K+ ch!, K x B; 31 Q-B4 ch, K- R4; 32 B-B7 ch, P-Kt3 ; 33 Q- R4 mate. 28 Q- QI ch, Resigns

A lekhine-Junge Prague, r942 Catalan System

r P-Q4, P-Q4; z P-QB4, P- K3; 3 Kt- KB3, Kt- KB3; 4 PKK13, P x P; 5 Q-/?4 ch, QKt-Q2; 6 B-Ktz, P- QRJ; 7 Q x BP, P-QKt4; 8 Q-B6, R-QKtr; 9 o-o, B-Ktz; IO Q-Bz, P- 84; I I P-QR4!? According to the present state of theory the system chosen by Alekbine gives Black complete equality. The text move is a very interesting pawn sacrifice, which leads to considerable complications. Black could decline it by 1t . • . , Q-Kt3.

II ... , 8 x Kt!?; rz B x 8, BP x P; IJ P x P, P x P; r4 R-QI, Q-Kt3 Stronger here was 14 ... , P- K+ !, after which the correctness of Alekhinc's sacrifice is open to doubt. White would then have played 15 P-K3, intending to open a file and exploit the two Bishops.

rs Kt-Qz, P-K4 Black could have obtained a completely equal game here by 15 ... , Kt- K.f; 16 Kt- Kt3, Kt x B ch; 17 P x Kt, B-Q3 I (but not 17 ... , P- K+; 18 P- B4 nor 17 ... , R- Q1; 18 Kt x P, R x Ktl; 19 R- R8 ch, K- K2; 20 D- K3, R x R ch; :u Q x R, when White wins).

I6 Kt- Kt3, Kt- 84(?) Here we encounter another example of an error with which we are already familiar-neglecting to prepare castling in good time. After 16 ... , B- K2l; 17 P- K3, P x P; 18 B x P, Q-K3; 19 KtR5, o-o; 20 Kt- B6, QR- B1; 21 Kt x B ch, Q x Kt Black could have defended himself in spite of certain difficulties.

r7 Kt x Kt, B x Kt? 100

The Atta.h tm the King And this mistake is already decisive. After 17 ... , Q x Kt; 18 B- B6 ch, K-Q,; 19 QxQ, B x Q; 20 R- Rs White would have recovered the pawn with some positional advantage.

Given one more move, Black would castle, after which he could exploit his extra pawn. Alekhine, however, prevented castling by means of a further fine combination and then con· ducted the attack on the exposed enemy King in splendid style.

18 R-R6!!, QxR; 19 Q x B The principal threat is 20 Q x KP ch, K-Q2; 21 Rx P ch. If 19 ... , R-Qt, then 20 B-B6 ch, Kt-Q2; 21 Q xP ch, K-B1; 22 Q-Q6 ch, K-Ktt; 23 Q-K7 etc. would be decisive.

19 . .. , Q-K3; 20 B-B6 ch, Kt-Q2 Or 20 ... , K-Q,; 21 B- Q2! (with a threat of 22 B-Rs ch), P- Kt5; 22 R-Ril, threatening 23 B x P, R x B; 24 R- R8 ch. 22 ... , R-QB1 is decisively answered by 23 Q-Kt6 ch, K- K.2; 24 BxP ch and 22 . .. , Kt-Q2 by 23 B x Kt, QxB; 24 R- R7. 21

BxKtch, K xB

Obviously not 21 ... , Q x B?; 22 QxP ch.

22 Q-R7 ch, K- B3 After 22 ... , K- B1; 23 B-Q2! Black had no defence against 24 R-B1 ch. 23 B-Qz!, KR-QB1; 24 P-K4/ A very pretty move, closing the ring around the black King. The threat is 25 R-B1 ch, K-Q3; 26 B-K4 ch. 24 ... , Q-Kt6; 25 R-RI!, P-Kt5; z6 R-R6 th, K - Kt4; 27 R- R5 ch, K -B3; 28 Q-B5 ch, K-Qz; 29 R-R7 ch, Resigns 101

The Attack on the King Rubinstein-Hromadka Moravskd Ostrava, I929

King's Gambit Declined

I P- 14, P- 14; a P- KB4, B-B4; 3 Kt-KB3, P-Q3; 4 Kt- B3, Kt- KB3; 5 B-B4, Kt- B3; 6 P-Q3, B-KK15; 7 P-KR3, B x Kt; 8 Q x B, Kt-Qs 8 ... , P x P is better.

9 Q-Kt3!, Q-Ka If 9 ... , KtxP ch; 10 K-Q1, Kt x R, then 11 QxP, K-Q2; 12 PxP, P x P; 13 B-Kt5, B- K2; 1+ R- B1, and White has the upper hand.

IO P x P, PxP; II K-QI I, P- B3; I2 P-QR4! This is above all directed against the move ... , P-QK4, but at the same time White takes an initial step towasds his future attack on the black King, which he expects to castle on the Q side. Castling short is highly dangerous owing to the possibility of B-KKts followed by R- KB1.

Ia . .. , R- KKtI; I3 R-BI, P-KR3? A loss of time, which makes Black's defence very difficult. He should have played 13 ... , 0-0-0 at once, since 1+ B-KKt5 was not to be feared in view of 14 ... , P- KR3.

I4 Kt-Ka, -O And here it would have been better to exchange first on K7.

IS Kt x Kt, B x Kt; r6 P-B3, B- KtJ

I7 P-R5/ This drives the black Bishop off the important diagonal and simultaneously creates an important operational point at QKt6 for the combinative invasion of the pieces (see the 25th move!). 102

The Attack n the King

17 . .. , B-B2; 18 B-K3, K-Ku Obviously not 18 ... , Kt x PI on accow,t of 19 Q-K4 ch etc. z9 K-B:z, K-RI; 20 R-B3 White prepares to double heavy pieces by 21 Q- B2 and continue later with the thrust P- KJ, CH>; 8 R-Kr, R-QKtr; 9 P-K5, Kt- Qa; IO Kt-Br, P-QKl4

11

P-KR4!

This pawn thrust has several points here. White wishes to devolop his Queen's Bishop at KB4 and prevents an eventual ... , P-K4 followed by . .. , P- KKt5, winning the pawn at K5. The KRP can also advance to R6 at a favourable moment and in doing so weaken Black's castled position. In addition, the way is opened for a white Knight to go to KK.4 ma KR2. 121

The Attack on the King

II ...• B- RJ Black needs to counter-attack on the Q side. Better here, however, was 11 ... , P--0~ followed by .. . , P-Rs, ... , PQKt5 and eventually ... , P-Kt6.

I2 QKt-R2, P-Kt5; IJ B-B4, B- QKt4; I4 B- R3 From here the Bishop above all hinders the freeing move ... , P- B3.

I4 ... , P-B5 By playing this Black only makes it easier for White to attack, since the white pieces are relieved of the defence of the Ks point.

I5 P-Q4, Q-Kt3; I6 B-KJ, KR- BI; I7 Kt- Kt5! A very strong sortie by the Knight. A Knight sacrifice at KB7 is already threatened (18 Kt x BP, K xKt; 19 Q- Rs ch followed by 20 B x P), and it is still possible after 17 . .. , P- KR3. Exchanging by ... , B x Kt would open the KR file for White after 18 P x B, while 17 ... , P- Kt3 likewise enables White to open this file after 18 P- QB3 and r9 P-R5.

r7 ... , Kt-BI; I8 P-B4, Kt-QI Black must try to prevent his castled position from being weakened. After 18 ... , P-KR3; 19 KKt-B3, Kt--01; 20 P- Bs a Bishop or Knight sacrifice on KR6 would soon be decisive.

I9 P- B5, P x P; 20 BxP, QKt- K3; az Q-B3!, Kt x Kt Otherwise it is impossible to defend b-Oth the KB2 and Q4 points at the same time. But now the opening of the KR file substantially eases White's task.

22 P x Kt, R- QI; a3 Kt-K/4 From this moment onward.s the piece sacrifice Kt-B6 ch is always in the air. Botvinnik first prepares for it by doubling Rooks on the KR file.

Position after 28 . . . , Kt-BI

122

The Atuuk on th, King

z3 ... , Kt-Kt3; z4 K-Ktz, B- Qz; a5 B xB, RxB; a6 R-RI, Q-K3; 27 R-R5, R- Kt3; z8QR- RI, Kt- BI(seediagram, p. 122) z9 Kt-B6 ch! A temporary piece sacriliec, whereby White manages to breach the opponent's castled position. 29 ... , PxKt; JO KtPxP, B x P Retreating the Bishop to Q, lost quickly, e.g. 30 ... , B-Q1; 31 R-B5!, P- Kt6; 32 Q-R5, threatening both 33 Q-R6 and 33 R- Kt5 ch followed by 3+ R- Kt7.

3r P xB, Q-Ks Not even the exchange of Queens brings any relief for Black, whose position exhibits various pawn weaknesses. 31 ... , QxP would have been followed by 32 R- Kt5 ch and then either 32 ... , Kt- Kt3; 33 Q- Rs, Q-Kt2; 3+ R x P or 32 .. . , K-Rt?; 33 Q-Kt+, Kt- Kt3; 3+ Q x R, and \Vhite wins. 32 Q x Q, P x Q; 33 R- Kt5 ch, Kt-Kt3; 34 R- QB5, R x BP; 35 R-B8 ch, Kt- Br; 36 R- R4! This is stronger than 36 B- R6, R x B; 37 R x R, R x P. Black must now lose both the KP and the QBP. Although this game does not end with a mating linish, it is nevertheless clear that the decision came a.s a consequence of the attack on the King and the breaching of the castled position. 36 ... , K-Ktz; 37 Rx KP, R-QR3; 38 RxP, R-Ktz; 39 P-Q5, R x P; 40 R x P, R x P'I; 4I B-Q4 ch, Resignr

Tolush-Kouw

I4th U.S.S.R. Championship Sicilian Defence

I P- Jy, P-QB4; z Kt- KB3, P- K,3; 3 P-Q4-, PxP; 4 Kt x P, Kt- KB3; 5 Kt-QB3, P-Q3; 6 P-KKt3, Kt-B3; 7 B-Ktz, B-Qz; 8 KKt- Ka, P-QRJ; 9 o-o, P-QKt4; IO P-QRJ, Q-Bz; II P-R3, B-Kz; I2 K-RI, 0-0; I3 P-KKJ4 The advance of the KKtP is typical of many variations of the Sicilian Defence. On the one hand, White thereby launches a pawn a.ssault on the K side, intending to weaken or break up his opponent's castled position; on the other, this move serves a.s a preparation for driving the enemy Knight from K.B3, thus 123

Tiu Attack on tJie King

making it more difficult for Black to carry out the freeing move ... • P-Q4. r3 . . . , K- RI This frees for the Knight the KKt1 square, where it will be employed in the defence of the King's wing. However, Kt proves a far more favourable square for the King's Knight in such positions; there it protects not only tne weak point KKt2 but also the weak pawn at Q3. In order not to interrupt the communication of the Rooks Black should therefore have played 13 ... , KR-Q1; 14 P- Kt5, Kt-Ki. r4 Kt-Kt3, P-Kt5; r5 P x P, QKtxP; r6 P-Kt5, Kt-KII; r7 P-B4, B-QB3? Though Black pursues the right plan here-the execution of . .. , P- Q4- , he loses too much time, which White uses to regroup his pieces for the offensive. Far more promising was the pawn sacrifice 17 ... , P-Q4!; 18 PxP, P x P; 19 Kt x P, Kt x Kt; 20 Q xKt, B-K4; 21 R- K1, QR-Q i. The position would then be completely opened up and it would be White who had difficulties owing to his exposed King-but, of course, he would be a pawn up.

r8 QKt-Ka! Threatening Bi2ck with 19 P- B3 and the loss of a piece. r8 . .. , B-Kt4; r9 B-Q:z!, P-Q4 The QBP clearly could not be taken: 19 .. . , Kt x P; 20 R- B1, QR-B1; 21 B-QB3, Kt- K6; 22 Q-Q4, winning a piece. 20 B-Q.83, P x P; ar Kt-R5 124

t

The Attack on the King

Now it is apparent how useful for Black a Knight at K1 would he. The attack on the KKu point forces a weakness, after which 'l'olush wrecl move

Q-B1; 8 R x B on account of 8 ... , B-B4); 7 P- K6!, P x P (after 7 ... , B x R; 8 B x B, P x P; 9 P xP, Q-K2; 10 Q-Q4 there is no defence against the threat of II R-B7); 8 P x P, Q-Ka (or 8 ... , B x R; 9 Q-B7 ch, K-R1; 10 B x B, R-Kz; 11 Q-B5, K-Ktl; 12 B- K4, P- KKt3; 13 Q-B7 ch! etc.); 9 Q-B7 ch, K-RI;

roQR-KBs, Q x Q;II P x Q,R-K7; rz QR- B2,R x R; r3RxR, 139

Ti,ne a11d Spaet

P- Q4; I4 B-Q4! Not even the exchange of Queens could lessen the force of \Vhite's attack; now 15 P-R5 followed by 16 P- R6 is threatened. Play continued r4 . .. , P-KR4; IS P- Kt6 (threatening 16 R- 85), B-Q2; z6 R- Kz, B- QJ; z7 B- l?JI, B- Kt4; r8 R- K6, and Black ruigned(18 ... , B- 82; 19 B-QB5, B-Kt3; 20 Bx B, P x B; 21 R-Ks etc.). In a game against consulting opponents Alekhine sacrificed a pawn and did not get sufficient counterplay for it. In the position shown in Diagram 152 he chose the interesting continuation

Alekhine-AUies (Antw,,p, I923) White to m()t}e

P- Q5! This move is a second pawn sacrifice, and after its acceptance \Vhite obtained a great advantage in space: r .. . , P-K5? (1 ... , B-K2 followed by . .. , P- KB4 was correct); 2 R x P, R x R; 3 Q x R, B x P; 4 R-QBr!, B x P; 5 B- K12. Now the pawn at Q5 restricts the mobility of the black pieces, and after the forced . .. , P- KB3 White gets a strong outpost at K6; the chief threat is 6 Kt-Kt5 followed by 7 Q- K~. Play went on 5 . .. , R-Kz; 6 Q-KR4, P-KB3; 7 Kt- Q4, K-Ba (in order after 8 Kt- K6 to sacrifice the exchange for a third pawn); 8 R-B4!, R- K4; 9 Kt- K6/, R-R4 (9 .. . , R x Kt did not work now on account of 10 P x R ch, Q x P; 11 R- K4, Q-B4; 1:2 Bx P !, when White wins, while 9 .. . , R x P; 10 Kt x KtPI etc. was also unplayable for Black); ro Q-K4, Q-Ka (not 10 . . . , R x QP?; 11 Kt- QS ch!, Q x Kt; 12Q x Rch, and \Vhitewins);rr Q-Q3, I

Time and Spact

8-Kt3; 12 R- K4, Q-Qz; 13 P-Kt4, R- RI; 14 R-KB4! (threatening several things at once: 15 B x P, 15 Kt XKtP and 15 P- Kt5},

R-KI; 15 B x PI, P x B; I6 R x P ch!, K x R; I7 Q- QB3 cit, and Black resigned. I V Opening up the game

In some positions, where there are open files and diagonals on the board, the pieces and pawns enjoy full freedom of movement. Such positions we describe as open. In other cases, where the pawns are blocked and the pieces limited in mobility by conAicting pawn chains, we speak of closed positiolls. Often our plan calls for the transition from a closed position to an open one. In principle the game needs to be opened up whenever it is a question of exploiting an advantage already obtained or intensifying the attack. If we have a material or positional superiority (e.g. our pieces are more effective or the opponent's Kin.g is exposed), we endeavour to open up the game in order to clear the way for our pieces to reach the weak points in the enemy position. This object ive is as a rule attained by means of one of the following three tactical devices: The pawn breakthrough. 2. The pawn breakthrough with the sacrifice of a pawn (pawns). 3. The piece sacrifice. 1.

1.

Tlte pawn breakthrough

In the position shown in Diagram 1 53 it is difficult to tell where \Vhite should undertake an action. But by means of a pawn breakthrough he succeeded in opening up the game on the Q side and exposing the black King: r R-Ktr!, P- B3; 2 P- Kt4, Kt-B2; 3 P-QR4, B x Kt; 4 R x B, P-QKt3 (not even this attempt to keep the game closed helps Black); 5 P- Kt5, BP x P; 6 P x P, P-QR4; 7 Kt- Q5, Q-B4; 8 P-B4! (White's plan consists in Q-B3 followed by P-04 and the breakthrough P-QB5), Kt- Kt4; 9 R-B2, Kt- KJ; ro Q-B3, R- Q2; I I R-QI, K-Ktz (even n . .. , K - Ku, though better, w.is unsatisfactory); IZ P- Q4, Q-QJ; IJ R- 82!, P xP; 14 P x P, Kt-B5; 15 P-B5. The breakthrough is now combined with winning a Rook, and after 15 ... , 141

Time and Sp~t 153

Capah/anea-Janowski (St Petersburg,

r9r4)

White to mor,e

KtxKt; r6 PxKt, QxQP; r7 P-B6 ch, K - Ktr; z8 P xR QxQP; I9 P-Q5, R-KI; ao P-Q6, P x P; ZI Q-B6 Black rtsigned. Even more conunon than the breakthrough on the Rank is the pawn breakthrough which opens up the game in the centre of the board. In the position in Diagram , 54 Rubinstein had a distinct positional superiority (spatial advantage, Bishop pair), which he converted into a win as follows: I P- Q5!, KPxP; 1 54

Rubinstein-Schlethter

(Ber/iJt, r9r8) IVhiu to mov,

Time mid Spaee z P x P, Q-Kt3(aiter 2 ••• , P x P?; 3 Kt x P both3 ... , KtxKt ; 4 B x Kt followed by 5 Bx KtP and 3 .. . , Q-R4; 4 Kt-B7 etc. are bad for Black); 3 P-Q6, B-Qr; 4 P-KK14! With his preceding moves "\Vhite created a strong passed pawn and broke the link between the black Rooks. Now he prepares to drive the Knight from KB3 and attack Black's KB1 point. Tnus 4 ... , Q x P docs not work on\ account of s P-Kt5 (5 QR- Kt, is of course also strong), Kt(B3}-Q.; 6 B x P chi, K xBI; 7 B-B1 ch, winning the Queen. Black defended the KB2 point by 4 .. . , Kt-K:J, but there followed 5 P-Q7!, R- Ka; 6 B- Q6!, R x P; 7 Bx Kt, P x B; 8 P- Kt5. This is decisive, since the Knight dare not move away owing to 9 Q- BS mate. Play continued 8 , . , , R x B; 9 R xR, Q-B,i1; ro R x B ch, R x R; I I PxKt, and a few moves later Black resigmd. 1.

The patDn brtakthrqug/1 with the sacrifet of a pawn

In the position shown in Diagram 155 \Vhite has a great lead in development and Black's castled position is seriously weakened. In order to exploit his advantage "\Vhite needs to open up the game. Preparation of the breakthrough P- KK4-Kt5, however, 155

would take up too much time and give Black the opportunity for counterplay by ... , Kt-Q2- K,i and ... , B- R3. The game went on r P-K5!, QPx P (after 1 ••• , Q x P; 1 Q- Kt6 White has the 143

Time and Space two threats R x P and R- 1