Beat the Grandmaster

Citation preview

Foreword Beat the Grandmasters by Christian Kongsted is a tactics puzzle book with a very interesting concept. The • front cover has a picture ofa pawn with a whip, taking down an enemy king which is many times larger. In this book, Kongsted puts you Mv heartfelt thanks to ... in a position where you are playing ChessGod101 a grandmaster opponent, Everest and it is up to you to find Maestro CBF the winning move in the position. EinsteinUCI I think this is an excellent new idea. Immortal The book contains 351 puzzles with Onion C529797 full solutions. Ig2 **** It also include "a self-rating system Loot to assess your progress". Mackavalanche I've always done tactics books • 5asseville for the puzzles, to improve my Dr.Anon - C Kevin calculation, Nikel but the addition ofa 'rating chart' Dux is often interesting. Kongsted guarantees Muzio 1964 that the majority of the positions in the Jordan book have not appeared in chess puzzle Herbanmusic books before. It's difficult to criticise a Angeloudied Atik Yomin tactics/puzzle book as there is little room Hessman for mistakes, and indeed I have no criticism here.

-

I really wonder why it has not been scanned before? . - . .. Happy Chess training Indv. •

MB2 Telepat Thawra Rupelstiltskin silversurfer the - seeker

And many others.

eat t e

asters

The following positions should he seen as training he fore the real grandmaster challenges in the following chapters. This is the easiest part of the book. In this chapter you will he analysing positions in which you have to find a move that led to the defeat of a player of 'master level'. In this context, I consider players of an Elo of approximately 2200-2500 to be of master strength. In fact, most of the games feature players with the 1M-title and other players in the strong end of this spectrum. Basically, your aim is to find the move that wins the game. To make it a bit easier to start with, I have chosen 25 positions with hints. After this you will find 26 positions without hints. Good luck!

.

,•

01

II :~ ,I

.~.

,

I

Icj

1 White to play Black's last move was ... i.c3 threatening the white queen. Why was this move wrong? (Solution: see p. 22)

2 Black to play White seems to have some problems on the hack rank, but right now he has everything covered. What can Black do about this? (Solution: see p. 22)

9

BEAT THE MASTERS /

\

3 White to play

5 White to play

White cashed in too quickly with I bxc5. What was Black's response? (Solution: see p. 22)

White has a strong initiative. How can he exploit his advantage? (Solution: see p. 22)

4 Black to play Both sides are attacking, but Black was first to strike. How did he win the game? (Solution: see p. 22)

6 White to play White's pieces are aU in active positions and ready to strike. How should he proceed? (Solution: see p. 22)

10

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS •

5"

7 Black to play How should the black attack continue? (Solution: see p. 22)

9 White to play How can White exploit the fact that the black queen is not protected? (Solution: see p. 23)

.

"-= -- .

_.--

- . - - - -- -

8 Black to play Here Black played 1... • missing an opportunity to win the game immediately. What should Black have played instead? (Solution: see p. 22)

10 Black to play How can Black exploit the slightly awkward position of the white pieces? (Solution: see p. 23)

11

BEAT THE MASTERS

'7 .

,,

I

--

-- -------

--

------

-

''''-- -

-

11 White to play Should White exchange queens, or is there something better? (Solution: see p. 23) \

13 Black to play How can Black win quickly? (Solution: see p. 23)

..

._--- -= ;;-;;-----

",

- -

-

12 Black to play Black played I...Af7. How should White respond? (Solution: see p. 23)

_..

.

14 White to play Can White exploit the unsafe position of the black king? (Solution: see p. 23)

12

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

IS White to play The black queen seems to have too many duties. Can White take advantage of this? (Solution: see p. 23)

16 White to play On I i.xe7. Black played the zw;schenzug 1...tDxc3. How should White respond? (Solution: see p. 24)

17

to play Black has a tactical strike that wins a piece. Can you spot it? (Solution: see p. 24)

18 Black to play

White has just played I ~xd6, expecting to be a pawn up after 1... i.xd6 2 tDxd6+ ~e7 3 tDxb5. Does Black have a better response? (Solution: see p. 24)

BEAT THE MASTERS

19 White to play How can White win straight away? (Solution: see p. 24)

,----------

13

21 White to play How can White exploit the position of Black's king? (Solution: see p. 24)

---

20 to play Now Black played l...~e7 threatening the white bishop. What would you suggest for White? (Solution: see p. 24)

22 White to play Black has just played 1... i.d8, offering an exchange of bishops. What was White's reply? (Solution: see p. 25)

14

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

_0 _ _ _ _

23 White to play Does I lbxd6 win material? (Solution: see p. 25)

24

to play

White's last move was I ~f4, pinning the d6-knight. How should Black reply? (Solution: see p. 25)

2S White to play White played Ilbxd6. How should Black respond? (Solution: see p. 25)

15

BEAT THE MASTERS

Now follow 26 positions without hints. These puzzles in this section are slightly more difficult than the previous ones. The level of difficulty is 3-4, and the most complex puzzles appear towards the end.

------------ -- ---=

26 White to play

28 White to play

(Solution: see p. 25)

(Solution: see p. 25)

-

- ------

----

---

27 Black to play

29 Black to play

(Solution: see p. 25)

(Solution: see p. 26)

--"

16

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

30 White to play (Solution: see p. 26)

32 White to play (Solution: see p. 26)

to play 31 (Solution: see p. 26)

33 White to play (Solution: see p. 26)

BEAT THE MASTERS

34

to play

(Solution: see p. 27)

----

36 White to play (Solution: see p. 27)

--- ---.- ,-_.-

35 Black to play

37 Black to play

(Solution: see p. 27)

(Solution: see p. 27)

17

18

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

38 Black to play (Solution: see p. 28)

---

39 White to play (Solution: see p. 28)

40 Black to play (Solution: see p. 28)

-

- - ~---

-

41 White to play (Solution: see p. 28)

BEAT THE MASTERS

= , --- .

42 White to play (Solution: see p. 28)

44 White to play (Solution: see p. 29)

43 White to play (Solution: see p. 29)

45 Black to play (Solution: see p. 29)

19

20

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

46 White to play (Solution: see p. 29)

48 White to play (Solution: see p. 29)

47 White to play (Solution: see p. 29)

49 Black to play (Solution: see p. 30)

BEAT THE MASTERS

50 to play (Solution: see p. 30)

51 White to play (Solution: see p. 30)

21

22

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

Solutions for Beat the Masters 1)

If 3... 8 then 4lDe7+. and White 4I1xf8+ also wins a piece after 3... ~xf8 S fxeS 6 e6. 4 1Ixf8+ ~ 5 fxeS "xbS 6 ~2 and White won.

Gashimov - Skripchenko Dubai 2003 Black gets mated: 1 1-0 The queen sacrifice unpins the white rook on g2 to deliver mate: 1.. .'ihc3 2 IIxg8#.

6)

2)

7)

Vaulin - Kunin Russia Cup (Tula) 2001 1 i..xc6! i..xc6 2 IIxeS! White wins as he is material up and still has a strong attack.

Gluckman - Venkatesh

Van Riemsdijk - Valiente

Commonwealth Ch (Mumbai) 2004 1... 2 i..xc6 IIdl+ 0-1 It's mate next move.

sao Paulo 2004

3) B. Lengyel-

1. .. lIxf3! 2 i..xf3 lLle3+ 4 fxe3

3 ~n

0-1

8) Alexandrova - Skripchenko Lautier Yugoslav wom Cht (Kragujevac) 2000 l...J:lel +! ( D) wins immediately.

Budapest 2002 1•• .J:ldl+! 0-1 White gets mated: 2 IIxd I IIxd I + 3 I .

4) Andreev - Kornev Russia Cup (Tula) 2001 1... 0-1 Accepting the sacrifice will lead to mate in two moves: 2 bxa3 lid I + 3 ~a2 lIal#.

w

i.'

5) Avrukh - Vlasov Moscow 2003 1 IIxc8! IIxc8 2 lLlxfS lLleS 3 Ilxc8

After 2 ~f2 Black is a rook up.

3 IIxd4 IIxal

23

BEAT THE MASTERS

9)

12)

Hernandez - Espinosa Flores Merida 2000 1 :xf7+! ~xf7 2 i.g6+ ~xg6 3

and White won.

10)

Drabke - Ginsburg Griesheim 2004 1... i.dS! 2lhal Alternatively 2 exdS "iVxe2 or 2 S :xbl+. 2 .. J:[xal+ 3 liJxal i.xb3 4 liJxb3 0-1 11)

Hector - Gunnarsson Plovdiv Echt 2003 White won with: 1 %lh8+! ~xh8 (D) l...~g7 loses to 2 l:txf4 3 llxeS.

Strikovic - del Rey Burgas 2001 2 i.dS! i.xdS 2 ...:a2+ does not change anything, as Black soon runs out of checks: 3 ~f1 %lal + 4 ~e2 :a2+ slld2 :xd2+ 6~xd2 7 ~dl. 3%1c8+ 1-0 It is mate in a few moves.

13) Rathnakaran - Vijayalakshmi Commonwealth Ch (Mumbai) 2004 1. ..llxe4+! 2 ~d2 2 fxe4 runs into 2... 1+ 3 ~d2 liJxe4+ 4 ~e2liJxf2 S ~xf2, and Black is lost. 2 .. ':e2+ 3 liJxe2 4 :d7+ ~h6S~xe2

Black won 9 moves later.

14)

Fahrner - Kleissl Austrian Cht 200314 lliJxf4+! gxf42 1-0 Black has no defence. 2 ... ~f7 (or 2 .....gS 3 'ii'xd4 and White has the multiple threats of 'ii'xc4 and %lg I) 3 l:th7+ ~eS (if 3... ~e6 then 4 "iVg7 and the threat of llh6+ is decisive) 4 ~fS S g7+ 'it>eS 6 l:[hS+ and mate next move.

w

15) Timman - Lindberg 2l:thS++ 1-0 Black will be mated after 2 ... 'it>gS 3 f7 4 :h7#.

Malrn02oo3

1 i.xe5! I... will be met by 2 f6.

24

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

2WxdSe33 lDeS 5 l:td 1 1-0 S... e2 6 l:tel dangerous for White.

~xf8 4

7 ~f2 is not

White can pick up the b7-bishop after 4... (or 4 ... l:teS S l:txb7) S xeS+ l:txeS 6 l:txb7.

20) 16)

Bui Vinh - Kongsted Yandemirov - Egorov

Ru.r.ria Cup (Tillel) 2001 2 Wxe6! 1-0 Black is a piece down after 2 .. .fxe6 3 .i.xd8 l:txd8 4 bxc3.

Budllpest 2002 2~c5!

White sacrifices his bishop so that his king can enter the black position. and this proves decisive.

2...~xf7 3 86 (D) 17)

Ott - Gutman

I

German Ch (Hoeckelldorj) 2004

B

1..JbcS! White loses his queen after 2 l:txcS l:te I + 3 l:txe I Wxd3. In the game White tried 2 d7, but this was refuted by l:td4. 2 ... l:txdS 3

I

,

!~

I

.t.

,

18)

J. Ivanov - R. Perez Seville 2004

1....i.f8! This undevelopment of the bishop is quite unusual, but f8 is the best square for the bishop as it covers both g7 and e7 from here. The game concluded: 20-0-0 l:tcS 3 .i.g5 4 c3 .i.xd6 5 lDxd6+ ~e7 6 lDxc4 l:txc4 0-1

3...~e6 After 3 ... bxa6 the pawn endgame is lost for Black: 4 ~xc6 ~e6 S g4 as 6 ~bS a4 (or 6 ... ~d6 7 ~xaS ~c6 8 ~a6 ~c7 9 ~bS ~d6 10 ~b6 with a won position for White) 7 ~xa4 ~d7 8 ~bS ~d6 9 ~b6 winning for White.

487 White wins (e.g .• 4 ... ~d7 S ""b6!).

19)

Ehlvest - Lakdawala San Franci.rco 2000 1 l:td7! + Not I ... l:txd7? 2 2~h2 3 g3 14 b2+ 1-0

21)

Vasiesiu - M. Grunberg Romanian Ch (Targovi.rte) 2001 1 l:tcS+

25

BEAT THE MASTERS

This decides the game at once. 1..':xc8 2 c6 1-0 2... 3 cxd7+ ~bS 4 "'bS 6 (or 4 ... ~xcS 5 l:tdS+) 5 f4+ wins without problems for White.

22)

Bologan - Palo Skanderborg 2003

2 c3! White sets up a mating-net. 2... ~xa5 3 l:tb7 1-0 It is mate next move with 4 ~a4#.

1......a5+ 2 b4 If 2 ~f1 then White simply loses a piece after 2 ... ~xd6. Now the simple 2... ! (or 2... a2!) would have won. After 3 "'xb4lt'lxb4 4 It'lc4 llJc2+ 5 ~d I (or 5 ~f1 l:tbl+ 6 ~g2 l:tg6+ 7 ~f3 l:txhI. winning for Black) 5 ... l:tbl + 6 ~xc2 l:txh I Black is an exchange up. In the game I played 2 ... l:txb4??, which allowed White an immediate mate! 3 l:teS+ ~g7 4 l:tgl+ ~h6 5 It'lf5+! l:txf5 6 "'g7# (1-0).

26)

K.

23)

ler - Thinius

Pelletier - Deviatkin

Gelman Ch (Hoeckendoif) 2004

Moscow 2003

llt'lc40-0 Alternatively 1... ~e7 2 ~dS 3 "'xb7 wins a piece for White, and l...~c6 fails to 2 + ~xd7 3lt'lb6+ ~c7 4 ~xe4 ~xb6 5 l:txc6+ ~a5 6 l:txd6.

Yes, llt'lxd6 wins material. 1... 2 3 ~g5! In this way, White avoids perpetual. 3 •••"'xg5+ 4 ~h 1 1-0

2~xe4~c53

24)

G. Shahade - Novikov

and Black resigned four moves later.

New YlJrk Masters 2002

1••• lt'lb5! Black sets up a mate threat.

27)

Cebalo - Tkachev

2~c1

Rabac If 2003

Not 2 ~xbS ~b2+ 3 ~bl It'la3#. 2 .•. ~e7 3 ~b2 l:txb7 0-1 Black has won a piece.

25)

1.•• ~xf3 2 ~xf3 l:td2! 0-1 3 It'lxf3+ costs White his queen.

28)

Bromann - Kongsted

Burmakin - Sambuev

Farum 2003

Russia Cup (St Petersburg) 2003

In mutual time-trouble both players went wrong, but unfortunately I made the last mistake.

1 ~dl! l:tbl 2 ~xc2lt'lf3+ 2 ... l:txe 1+ 3 l:txe I It'lf3+ 4 ~f1 It'lxe I 5 ~xe I makes no difference.

26

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

3~1-0

31)

Cheparinov - Kr. Georgiev

White wins a piece.

Bulgarian Ch (Sofia) 2003

29)

Solleveld - Janssen Leeuwarden 200/

1.. ':h3! (D) Making room for the king to support the c-pawn. 1...:b3? 2 :xb3 ~xb3 3 h7 bl" 4 h8....e4+ 5 ~d2 "xf4+ is only a drawn endgame, although Black could play on if he is stubborn.

1... ~e41 2 ~b2 2 :xe4 loses to 2 ...:xc I + 3 ~b2 ~g7+ 4 ~a3 :a8+ 5 ~b3lbc5+ and White has to give up his queen. 2...~g7+ 0-1 White loses material after 3 ~a3 :a8+ 4 ~b3 ~d5+. 32)

Hector - E. Berg

w

2~d2

The pawn is of course taboo: 2 :xb2? :h2+. 2 .. ':h2+ 3 ~dl ~c3 4 :cS+ ~d3 5 ~e30-1

30)

Wisnewski - Bindrich German Ch (Hoeckendorj) 2004 1 lbbS! axbS 2 lbbS 3 ~xbS+ lbc6 4 ~b6 1-0 4... b6? allows 5 f7#, while if 4... then crashes through after 5 :xe5!.

Gothenburg 2004 1 ~xh6! gxh6 2 Black must now react quickly before White plays f4, :f3-g3+ and mate. White has a strong attack in all variations: a) 2 .. .f6 seems to be the best try for Black, but after 3 ~xc4 dxc4 4 :a3 f4 5 White has three pawns for the bishop and a strong attack against the naked black king. b) Another try is 2 ... cxd4 3 f4lbe3 to stop the attack by manoeuvring the knight to g4, but this also fails. 4 :f3 lbg4 5 l:lg3 and White can play h3 next move, winning back the piece and continuing the attack. c) In the game Black opted for 2.. .f4 3 ~h7+ ~hS 4 ~rs+ ~gS 5 'iPf8 6 ~xe6, but soon resigned as White is two pawns up.

33)

Korchnoi - Lukin Stockholm (Rilton Cup) 2004 1

27

BEAT THE MASTERS

Forcing the game into a king and pawn endgame that is won for White. I..."xf6 2 ext'6-+- ~xf6 3 ~4 The better position of the white king ensures the win. 3...~e6 Or 3... ~g7 4 ~e5! (getting ready to take control of the f6-square with decisive consequences) 4 .. .f6+ (or 4 ... ~g8 5 ~f6 ~f8 6 f4 ~e8 7 f5 gxf5 8 ~xf5 and Black loses the h-pawn) 5 ~e6 f5 6 f4 and White wins.

36)

Bastian - Bi German Ch (Hoeckendoif) 2004

1 ~c6 :c8 2 lbe6! lbc6 3 :e8! (D)

B

4~g5

White forces through f4-f5, which breaks up Black's pawn structure. 4...~e5 4 ... ~e7 can be met by 5 f3 ~e8 6 ~f6 ~f8 7 f4 ~g8 8 f5. 5 f3 ~e6 6 f4 1-0 Black loses the h-pawn after 6...~e7 7 f5 gxf5 8 ~xf5. 34)

Skripchenko - Krasenkow Wijk aan Zee 2002

1... ~xb2+! 2 ~b2 3 ~c2 Or 3 ~al 'ii'c3+ 4 ~bl :b5#. 3...11c5+ 4 ~d3 :c3 I 5 ~d2 Or 5 ~e2 6 ~d2 :c2#. 5... 0-1 Mate is near: 6 ~e I :e3+ 7

""2+

_

....... ........

_.

__ . __.

1-0 Black has no defence to the threats; e.g.: a) 3... 4 :xf8+ ~xf8 5 :el (threatening "h8#) 5... ~g8 6 :e8+ ~h7 7 . b) 3... allows a forced mate in four by 4 :xf8+ ~xf8 5 ~e7 6 :el+ ~d7 7 . c) 3...:xe84 + ~h8 5 ~h7 6 :f7+ ~h6 7 8+ ~g5 8

37)



Gormally - Plaskett 35)

Ha.~tings

Latner -

Zel~ic

Austrian Cht 200314

I ...:hl+ 2 :h2lLle2! 0-1 White cannot prevent mate: 3 :xh 1 lLlf4+ 4 ~h2 :g2#.

2000

I... + This is best. In the game Black played I ...:c8+? and later lost. 2~c2:c8+3 Or 3 ~c3 1.

28

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

4 ~cl l:txc3+ 5 i.xc3

3...

Or 6 ... cxd4 7 0.c7#. 7 0.c7 + ~a7 8 0.c6#

and Black wins.

40)

Palo - P.H. Nielsen

38)

Mamedov - Kurenkov

Skanderborg 2003

1.. .lla3+! 2 ~a3 0-1 It is mate in a few moves.

Baku}r 2001

1...i.xdS! 2 l:txdS? Better is 2 0.c I 0.xc3+ 3 l:txc3 4 0.d3. but Black still wins as he is a pawn up and his attack continues. 2...0.xc31 0-1 White gets mated after 3 0.xc3 4~al

41)

Iskusnykh - Kulichov Russia Cup (Tufa) 2001

1 l:txeS+ In the game White played the infe. I ?.. nor l...lbe8 2 • Black has no decent defence. If he moves the knight. White will take on f7.

,

39)

Czebe - Kustar Zafakaros 2001

1 l:[xb7! ~xb7 i.c73 If 1... l:txb7 then 2 i.a5. and White wins material. 2 'it'bS+ The game continuation 2 l:tb 1+ also •

WinS.

2...~aS Or 2 ...~c8 3 i.c7 (3 ... l:tc7 4 ~b7 5 l:tbl+ ~a6 6 "a4#) 4 "a8+ i.b8 5 l:tbl and mate in a few more moves is unavoidable. 3"xc6+l:tb7 Or 3 ... ~b8 4 l:tbl + and mate. 4 l:tbS 4 ... i.b8 5 0.c7+! llxc7 6 0.xd4+ l:tb7 7 i.xb7+ ~xb7 8 S0.xd4!! The most elegant continuation. The white attack continues even without the queen. S.. ':xeS 6 l:tbl! as

42)

Dominguez - Mortensen Copenhagen (Politiken Cup) 2002

1 i.xeS dxeS 2 l:th8+! ~xhS 3 (D)

B

3 ...gS

29

BEAT THE MASTERS

Black has no other reasonable way to defend against I:th 1#. 4 ~h7 5 I:td7 1-0

after 3 ... 4 xf6 the white attack is unstoppable. 4gxf6 White's attack is decisive.

43)

Xie Jun -

mova KazaniShenyang wom Weh (2) 1999 IliJc6+! ~a8 1... .t.xc6 is met by 2 ~xc6, when Black cannot take any of the white 3 'iWb6+ pieces: 2... (2... and mate next move) 3 1ka7#. 21:txd7! White can win in many different ways, but this is the fastest. 2." 3 liJb8+ 1-0 3...~xb8 41ib6+ leads to mate, and White also wins after 3... l:txg2 4liJxd7 ~a7 6lLJcS (the mating I:tcxc2 S threat on b7 decides the issue) 6 ...l:tb2+ 7 ~cl I:tbc2+ 8 ~dl I:tgd2+ 9 ~el 1:te2+ 10 1kxe2I:txe2+ II ~xe2.

44)

45)

Karr - Kouatly French ChI (Cliehy) 2004 Black missed the chance to play 1".l:txc8! 2 3 ~gll:te2 4 'licl + (41:tfl loses to 4 ... 1kd4+) 4".g5 and Black wins, as White must give up a lot of material to avoid mate.

46)

Peng Zhaoqin - E. Berg Bundesliga 200213 In the game White played the horrific I I:tc8?? and was mated immediately with l...l:tfl#. Instead 1 .t.xg2+ 2 ~gl wins for White because of Black's weak back rank: 2 ......f8 31:tcS ~dS 4 xf2.

Vufkovic - Mohota Gibraltar 2004

1 e5! g5 After 1... dxeS 2 fxeS I:txeS 3 ~xf6 (or 3... gxf6 4 I:thd I and Black 'iWd8 (4 ... ~e7 loses material) 4 S I:thd I and White wins) S ~xd8 61:thd I White wins a piece. 2 fxg5 dxe5 31:txd7! The game continuation 3 g6 also wms. 3... ~xd7 Or 3 ... liJxd7 4 ~xe6! fxe6 S 'ii'hS+ ~e7 6 g6+ liJf6 7 ~xf6+ ~xf6 8 'iWh4+ winning the black queen, and

47)

Tischbierek - Breutigam German Ch (Hoeekelldorj) 2004 Here White could have played 1 liJg5 h6 2 l:txe6! l:[cI + 3 ~h2 fxe6 4 liJf7+ ~h7 5 ~xf5+! and mate next move.

48)



Rabiega - Schebler German Ch (Hoeckendorj) 2004 1 l:tb5+! cxb5 2 1kd6+ ~a7 3 axb5

a4 Not 3 ... b6? 4

30

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

4"cS+~b8

4 ... b6 again allows S S"eS+ Faster than S "d6+, as played in the game. S...~a7 6 b61 ~xb6 If6 ...~a6then 7 b4! cxb3 (7 ...~xb6 8 "cS+ ~a6 9 8lilxa4+ ~b6 9 "c5t#. 7 "cS+ ~a6 8 b4! b6 Or 8... cxb3 91ha4#. 9 bS+ ~b7 10 lbd6+ ~b8 11 "xb6#

49)

Berescu - Cosma Romanian Ch (Targoviste) 2001 I ... Other moves lead to a draw: I ... 2 "f7 (or 2 ... ~ 3 ~f7 {3 .....f7 4lbg6+ ~g8 S lbe7+ ~f8 6 lbg6+} 4 ~f8) 3 :e8+ .i.f8 4 "g4+ S "c4+ 6 g4+ ~h7 7 "e4+ ~g7 8 "g4+ and Black cannot escape the checks, as 8 ... ~f6?? al~gS 10 + lows mate: 9 ~xh4 II "g3+ ~hS 12 "g4#. 2"c4+ 2 does not work: 2... .i.xeS 3 :xeS d2 and Black gets a new queen.

2...

3

Black defended and later won the game.

50)

Skripchenko - Ulybin Dubai 2003 1.. .l:txd4+! 2 cxd4 Or 2 ~xd4 "d6+ 3 ~e4 :e8+ matmg. •

2... 3~c3 3 ~e4 'ifxe2 leaves White's king defenceless in the middle of the board. For example, 4 dSlt)c2+ S ~xf4 ~d6+ 6 ~g4 lbe3+ 7 ~hS "xh2+ 8 g6+ 9 ~gS 'iWeS+ 10 ~h6 ~f8#. 3... This is faster than the game continuation of 3... Now White has to sacrifice her queen to avoid ... "c2#. If 4 lbc4 then White gets mated after S~d2"xd4+6~el.dl+ 4... 7 ~f2

#.

51) Felgaer - Giaccio Argentine Ch (Pinamar) 2002 1 ! .i.xe4 2 l:ta6 Or 2...:f8 3 ~el lilxf4 (3... gS? 4 lbe6+)4:xf4 (4 .....gSSh4 6 g4! and the black queen is trapped) S g4 (or S.....gS 6 h4) 6:f3 and Black loses his queen. :e6 4 .i.el 3 Or simply 4lbxe6+.

4... 5 :xf4 and Black resigned five moves later.

e es

as er urse

This is the first test out of ten in which you wiJl be able to assess your own Elo rating. Your aim is the same as in the previous chapter: you simply have to find the best continuation. During this test you wiJl get points if you find the right winning line. Note that it is often not enough just to suggest the right first move. This book is about calculation, so in some cases you have to be able to see the right sequence of moves. In these tests you also should be aware that you can get minus points for suggesting an obvious move that has a serious tactical drawback. For this reason, remember to calculate all lines to the end, otherwise you may fall into some of traps I have laid. Below you will find an approximate conversion table from points score to Elo rating. You can achieve a total of 36 points in each test. I recommend that you do not take the Elo figure too seriously after just one test, as the result will be much more meaningful if you go through a few more tests from Chapter 4, and take an average of your score. Be aware, though, that the result of such a test should only be viewed as a rough guideline. Playing a few tournaments is a much more precise way to measure your Elo. You can use as much time as you want to for these exercises, but generally I find that somewhere between I and 2 hours seems appropriate for solving the 12 positions in a test. Points

Elo

15-17

1800

()

1000 or lower

18-20

1900

I

1100

21-23

2000

2

1200

24-26

2100

3

1300

27-29

2200

4-5

1400

30-31

2300

6-8

1500

32

2400

9-11

1600

33

2500

12-14

1700

34-36

2600 or above

In case of a negative score, the result should be counted as O.

32

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

S2 to play (Solution: see p. 35)

54 Black to play (Solution: see p. 35)

S3 White to play (Solution: see p. 35)

SS Black to play (Solution: see p. 35)

THE MASTER CHAT.l.f:NGE - TEST YOURSELF

8 ~ - -

.-

56 White to play

58 Black to play

(Solution: see p. 35)

(Solution: see p. 36)

57 White to play

59 White to play

(Solution: see p. 35)

(Solution: see p. 36)

33

J4

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

60 White to play (Solution: see p. 36)

62 White to play (Solution: see p. 36)

61 White to play (Solution: see p. 36)

63 White to play (Solution: see p. 37)

THE MASTER CHAT.l.ENGE - TEST YOURSELF

Solutions for The Challenge

aster

52)

Molnar - Szymanski Prerove 2001 I... wins a knight. 1 poi1lt for I... .

35

Or 2 'iWxb5 axb5 3 dxc6 bxa4 and Black is a piece up. 2•.•'iWxa4 White fought on for another 14 moves, but the game was effectively over at this point. 2 points for I ... '1L:c6!.

55)

Van der Weide - Werle 53)

Ellers - Herndl Austrian Cht 200314 1 :dl! (D)

Gmningen 2001 1...'iWe31! 2 ~dl White cannot accept the sacrifice: 2 i.xe3 :e2+ 3 ~fl (or 3 ~d IlLlxe3+ 4 ~cl :c2#) 3 ... lLlxe3+ 4 ~gl :g2#.

2... 0-1 Now 3 :el is met by 3 ...lLld4 and the threat of mate by... decides the game. 3 points for 1...'iWe3+!.

B

56)

Kolev - Braga

The rook acts as a decoy to lure the black queen away from the defence of the black king. After I..JWxdl 2 Black gets mated. 2 point.r for 1 J1d 1!.

54) Hermansson - Lobron Stockholm (Rifton Cup) 2004 1...:xc6! Black wins a piece. 2dxc6

Mal/orca 2000 1 hxg6 hxg6 2 :xh6! 1-0 Now 2 ...:xh6 3 :xd7! is decisive: if 3... then 4 3 poi1lts for spotting 3 rL:d7!.

57)

Khenkin - Zagorskis Wei/burg 1995

1 ~xf6 Or l...~h62 ~g5 3 2 'iWf8+! 1-0 Now Black gets mated: 2 ... ~g5 (or 2 ... ~e5 3 "f4#) 3 ~h5 4 . Note that 2 ?? loses due to the knight fork on f3: 2 ... ~f7 3

36

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

llJf3+ 4 ~g2llJxd4 and Black is just a • pIece up. 3 points for .feeing 2 +!. Deduct

2 points for suggesting the losing 2 ?? • • •

1.•• ~d3 2:f8 ~e4 3 ~e6 f4 4 ~6

1-0 Black will lose the pawn soon; e.g., 4 ... f3 5 ~g5 ~e3 6 ~g4 f2 7 ~g3, winning for White. 3 points for 1 :e8+!.

58)

Matsuura - Lima Brazilian Ch 2000 1. •• llJh3+! 2 ~hl White gets mated if he accepts the sacrifice: 2 gxh3 3 ~f2 4 ~g2 :g6+ 5 ~h I 'iie4+ and mate next move. 2 .••llJf2+ 0-1 White loses material. 3 points for 1... llJh3 +!.

59)

Veingold - Candela Perez Burgo.f 2001 1 :e8+! (D)

B

This is the only move that wins for White. With this check, White gains an important tempo in the fight against the black pawn.

60)

Moldovan - Rainfray Creon 2001 In the game I c6? was played, but this move loses, as Black's pawns are more dangerous than White's. Instead IllJf6! wins. After 1.•• g3 2llJd7+ ~c7 3llJxe5 the white knight reaches 0 in time. 3 point.f for 1 llJf6!.

61) Kongsted - Aabling-Thomsen Vanlese 2003 Black is three pawns up, but the white attack is decisive. 1 .i.h7+ ~f8 2 .i.g6! .i.xgS 2 ... fxg6? fails to 3 :h8#. 3 .i.xgS f6 4 :d6+! gxf6 Other moves do not avoid mate: 4 ...~e7 5 :el+ ~d8 6llxe8#; 4 ... ~g8 5 .i.f7+ ~f8 6 :h8+ ~e7 7 d6+ cxd6 8 :n#. S.i.xf6 and Black will get mated by l:lh8#. 3 poillt.l' for 2 .i.g6!. and al/ additio"al poi", for 4 f1xj6+!. 62)

Smirin - Vragoteris Katerini 1992 1 .i.xfS! llJaS

THE MASTER CHAl.l.ENGE - TEST YOURSELF

Black probably thought that this move was sufficient to refute White's combination, but White had analysed deeper. 2 "xe6! (D)

37

Threatening with mate to follow. 3 ••. ~g8 3 .....d7 4 "'h6+ ~g8 transposes to the game, while 3... allows immediate mate after 4 "h6+ ~g8 5 7#. 4

(D)

B

w

1-0 The decisive blow. 2 ... ~xe6 fails to 3 ~xe6+ l:td7 4 ~xf7 l:lxf7, when White is two pawns up. And on 2 ... White wins with 3 lDg6! ~xe6 4 ~xe6+ ~b8 5 lDxf8 l:lhxf8 and once again White is two pawns up. 2 points for seeing 2 "xe6!, and 2 more for spotting the crucial 3 lDg6!.

63)

Kongsted Copenhagen (Politiken Cup) 2003 1 ~xcSlDxc5 2l:txh8+! ~xh8 3 g6

S~h3!

Exploiting the fact that the queen has to stay and protect mate threats at g7 and h7. 5 g7 also wins, but the move in the game is faster. s...lDd3+ 6 ~d2 l:txf6 7 ~xd7 and White won a few moves later. 4 points for seeing up to 3 g6. and an extra point for suggesting 5 ~h3! or 5 g7. which are the most precise winning lines.

ran

Now you should be ready for the first confrontations with the grandmasters. This is the main part of the book, and there are 140 puzzles in this chapter. The first part with 42 puzzles has hints and after that follow 98 puzzles without hints. Once again I have put the easiest exercises in the beginning of the chapter and depending on your strength, you may be able to solve the first ones just by looking at the diagrams, without setting up the pieces. The first few puzzles are level I, but the level quickly increases, and at the end of the chapter there are puzzles up to level 4. Now get ready for the main challenge - it's you against the grandmasters. Good luck.

64 Black to play How can Black exploit the position of the white queen and rook? (Solution: see p. 74)

65

to play

Black won a rook by force. How? (Solution: see p. 74)

BEA T THE GRANDMASTERS

66 White to play Here White played I i.f4. What was Black's response? (Solution: see p. 74)

67 White to play How can White force an immediate win? (Solution: see p. 74)

39

68 White to play Should White exchange the rooks or is there something better? (Solution: see p. 74)

69 White to play The black bishop attacks the white queen. How should White respond? (Solution: see p. 74)

40

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS --

70

to play

Black is an exchange down, but he has a strong move at his disposal. Can you spot it? (Solution: see p. 74)

71

to play

How can Black exploit the fact that several of White's pieces are not covered? (Solution: see p. 74)

----._-----------

-

-

----

--

--

--

-

--

--

72 White to play The black queen on d5 is undefended. Can White take advantage of · ? thIS. (Solution: see p. 75)

73 Black to play Black has just played ... b5. How should White respond? (Solution: see p. 75)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS -

~~~~

~

~

~.

.. ..

~

~

-

.

~

41

~

74 White to play

76 White to play

Don't forget the backward diagonals ... (Solution: see p. 75)

Black has just offered an exchange of queens with I... Should White accept? (Solution: see p. 75)

~! ,

7S White to play White played llt)xe5. Should Black recapture? (Solution: see p. 75)

77 White to play Is I .txh7+ a good idea here? (Solution: see p. 75)

42

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

78 Black to play White has just played I ~xg7. What should Black's response be? (Solution: see p. 75)

Black to play Black played Lltc7, trying to exchange one of the white rooks. How should White react to this? (Solution: see p. 76) = ----- --------- - - -- ------ - - --- --c,,'

79 Black to play Black is a rook up, but precise defence is needed to win the game. How should he proceed? (Solution: see p. 75)

81

to play

Can Black win back the pawn by playing 1...l:lxa2? (Solution: see p. 76)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

82 White to play Here White played I tDxd5. Was that a good idea? (Solution: see p. 76)

83 White to play White played I dxe6. What is the best answer for Black? (Solution: see p. 76)

43

84 Black to play Both the black queen and the e6rook are threatened. How should Black respond to this? (Solution: see p. 76)

85 Black to play White has just played I f5, threatening the knight on g6. What is Black's best answer to this? (Solution: see p. 76)

44

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

86 White to play How should White conclude the attack against the black king? (Solution: see p. 76)

87 White to play White played I l:txc7, and Black replied I ... l:tf8, which threatens both ... l:tfl # and .....xc7. What should White play? (Solution: see p. 77)

88 Black to play Here Black played I .. .lhh2. What happens if White takes one of the black rooks? (Solution: see p. 77)

89 White to play Black's last move was 1... l:tf7xf4. Why was this wrong? (Solution: see p. 77)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

90 White to play Black has just played 1...:f8, exploiting White's vulnerable back rank. White played 2 :gl and lost the game. Can you suggest a major improvement for White? (Solution: see p. 77)

92 Black to play Here Black played I ... f6. What opportunity did he miss? (Solution: see p. 77)

-----

91 to play Black captured White's bishop with 1. .. gxh4. How should White proceed? (Solution: see p. 77)

45

-

---

93 Black to play Black took the pawn on d4 with 1... cxd4. Should White recapture or is there something better? (Solution: see p. 78)

46

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

94 White to play Here White played I lie I. Why was this wrong? (Solution: see p. 78)

96 White to play Here White played I i.d4+ intending to take the black rook on f2. How should the game continue? (Solution: see p. 78) --- ---

95 Black to play Black sacrificed a rook with 1...lIg2. Should White take it or play something else? (Solution: see p. 78)

97 White to play Black has just played ... f4+. Where should the white king go? (Solution: see p. 78)

47

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

----.--

98 Black to play Black now played 1...gxh4, and White recaptured with his queen. But there was a much stronger possibility for White. Can you see it? (Solution: see p. 78)

White to play White played 1 i.f7 threatening the black queen. What is the response White had missed? (Solution: see p. 79)

- ---- -- - - - - - - - -

99 White to play Black has just played ... ~5, threatening the rook. However, White has a very strong reply. Can you spot it? (Solution: see p. 79)

_._--

--

,, .-

tOt White to play Black has just threatened White's d2-bishop by ... :a2. Should White move the bishop or is there another solution? (Solution: see p. 79)

48

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

102 White to play Here White initiated an attack with 1 i.xe5. How should Black respond to this? (Solution: see p. 79)

104 White to play White's queen is threatened. How should he respond? (Solution: p. 80)

103 White to play Here White forked the black queen and rook with I lDf4. Was this a good idea? (Solution: see p. 79)

105 White to play White sacrificed a rook here with 1 llxh7. What happens if Black accepts the rook sacrifice? (Solution: see p. 80)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

49

There now follow 98 positions without hints. The level of difficulty ranges from 2 to 4. The initial puzzles are the easiest, but the level gradually increases towards the end of this section.

106 White to play

108 White to play

(Solution: see p. 80)

(Solution: see p. 80)

r-"

...

107 Black to play

109 White to play

(Solution: see p. 80)

(Solution: see p. 81)

50

BEAT THE GRANDMASJ'ERS

,------; • •

'-----""~

,,---

-~=-----==.

-- ...

112 White to play

110 White to play (Solution: see p. 81)

(Solution: see p. 81)

I,

111 Black to play (Solution: see p. 81)

------=~~

113 White to play (Solution: see p. 81)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

114 White to play (Solution: see p. 81)

116 White to play (Solution: see p. 81)

115 Black to play (Solution: see p. 81)

117 White to play (Solution: see p. 82)

51

52

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

liS White to play (Solution: see p. 82)

120 White to play (Solution: see p. 82)

119 White to play (Solution: see p. 82)

121 White to play (Solution: see p. 82)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

122 White to play (Solution: see p. 82)

124 White to play (Solution: see p. 82)

..

~ 123 Black to play (Solution: see p. 82)

125 White to play (Solution: see p. 82)

53

54

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

-"'~"-'-'-------

126 Black to play (Solution: see p. 83)

--------- -

-

128 Black to play (Solution: see p. 83)

,-= -------------- ------- -- -- -

127 White to play (Solution: see p. 83)

129 to play (Solution: see p. 83)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

130 Black to play (Solution: see p. 84)

132 White to play (Solution: see p. 84)

131 Black to play (Solution: see p. 84)

133 Black to play (Solution: see p. 84)

55

56

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

134 Black to play (Solution: see p. 84)

136 White to play (Solution: see p. 84)

135 White to play

137 Black to play

(Solution: see p. 84)

(Solution: see p. 85)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

138 Black to play (Solution: see p. 85)

White to play (Solution: see p. 85)

139 White to play (Solution: see p. 85)

141 White to play (Solution: see p. 85)

57

58

BEAT THE GRANDMASfERS

142 White to play (Solution: see p. 85)

144 White to play (Solution: see p. 86)

143 Wbite to play (Solution: see p. 85)

145 White to play (Solution: see p. 86)

59

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

146 White to play (Solution: see p. 86)

148 to play (Solution: see p. 86)

'--- - -

147 White to play (Solution: see p. 86)

149 White to play (Solution: see p. 86)

60

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

150 White to play (Solution: see p. 86)

152 White to play (Solution: see p. 87)

151 White to play (Solution: see p. 86)

153 White to play (Solution: see p. 87)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

154 Black to play (Solution: see p. 87)

61

156 Black to play (Solution: see p. 87)

,-------------- ------- --- --- --,;",o,'------.w,'''"

155 Black to play (Solution: see p. 87)

157 Black to play (Solution: see p. 87)

62

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

158 White to play (Solution: see p. 87)

~- ..

160 White to play (Solution: see p. 88)

-

159 White to play (Solution: see p. 88)

161 White to play (Solution: see p. 88)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

63

--------

162 White to play (Solution: see p. 88)

164 Black to play (Solution: see p. 89)

163 to play (Solution: see p. 89)

165 Black to play (Solution: see p. 89)

64

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

.'"

1:1

.-

166 Black to play (Solution: see p. 89)

168 White to play (Solution: see p. 89)

,,

I 167 White to play (Solution: see p. 89)

169 White to play (Solution: see p. 89)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

170 White to play (Solution: see p. 90)

65

172 White to play (Solution: see p. 90)

__ . __ I

171 Black to play (Solution: see p. 90)

173 Black to play (Solution: see p. 90)

66

174 White to play

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

(Solution: see p. 90)

176 White to play (Solution: see p. 91)

175 Black to play

177 Black to play

(Solution: see p. 90)

(Solution: see p. 91)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

178 Black to play (Solution: see p. 91)

180 White to play (Solution: see p. 91)

179 to play (Solution: see p. 91)

181 White to play (Solution: see p. 91)

67

68

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

~I I

.~--

.. ---

-

-

--

-

182 Black to play (Solulion: see p. 91)

184 White to play (Solution: see p. 92)

,-------

i

------

_..

I

~'

. .- - - - .

--

--

183 White to play (Solution: see p. 92)

185 White to play (Solution: see p. 92)

69

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

I

186 Black to play (Solution: see p. 92)

188 White to play (Solution: see p. 93)

--. ----- -

-

- -

-- -

------ ._-

-

--.

: 187 White to play (Solution: see p. 92)

189 White to play (Solution: see p. 93)

.

.

.

70

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

190 Black to play (Solution: see p. 93)

192 White to play (Solution: see p. 94)

~

1:

- -----

191 Black to play (Solution: see p. 93)

-

193 Black to play (Solution: see p. 94)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

194 White to play (Solution: see p. 94)

--

~

196 White to play (Solution: see p. 94)

--

195 Black to play (Solution: see p. 94)

197 Black to play (Solution: see p. 95)

71

72

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

198 White to play (Solution: see p. 95)

200 White to play (Solution: see p. 96)

199 Black to play (Solution: see p. 95)

201 Black to play (Solution: see p. 96)

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

202 White to play

203 White to play

(Solution: see p. 96)

(Solution: see p. 96)

73

74

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

Solutions for Beat the Grandmasters

69)

Solozhenkin - Tiviakov Russian Ch (Elista) 1995 1 "e4 2 b51-0 White wins a piece.

64) Smagin - Damljanovic Sochi 1988 1...lba2

70)

Tal - Smyslov BiellZ 1976

Black wins the exchange.

65)

Jonkman - Vysochin Ta1lfa 2002 1••• lL'lh3+ 0-1 After 2 ~f1 i.b5+ Black wins a rook.

1•.•lL'lxe4! Now 2:a1 was played in the game, but this lost instantly to 2 .••lL'lc5 0-1. Other moves lose as well: 2 l:te3 lL'lxf2!, and 2 l:txf3 fails to 2 ... l:txf3 3 lL'lxf3 f2#. 71)

66)

Tal- Timman Bru.rsels (World Cup) 1988 1... 1 (D)

Korchnoi - Miles Tilburg 1985 I... 0-1 Black picks up a piece due to the knight fork on e3: 2 l:txf4lL'le3+.

w 67)

lonov - Popov St Petersburg Ch 2003 1 i.e7 1-0 I... 7 runs into 2 d6 and Black's queen cannot maintain its defence of h4.

i. ..

68)

Graf - Schmaltz Bundesliga 200213 1 l:txd7! 1-0 White ends a piece up in all variations: l...l:txc3 (or l...l:txd7 2 l:txc8+) 2 l:txd8+ e4 g4 8 b4 g3 9 'i>f3 'i>xe5 10 'i>xg3 'i>d4 is winning for Black. 2 .. ..:d3 I 3 'i>e2 exf4 4 llxbS l:te3 I 5 'i>r2 0-1

178)

Svirin - Skudnov USSR Cht (Naberezhnye Chelny) 19RR 1...lDxe3 2 :xcl 3 :xcl ~r4 Black wins material.

176)

A. Sokolov - Smyslov Montpellier Ct 1985 1 :e3! I... 2 :c2 3 :b3 also costs Black material. 2 :c21-0 Black loses material after 2 .....d5 3 :d3.

179)

A. Sokolov - S Saint John Ct rpd (12) 1988 Black played l...:xc3, which is a reasonable move, keeping an advantage. However, Black could have won instantly with 1....:reS 2 :el+! 3 Ibel (or 3 'i>g2 "xd6 4 :xd6 :xal)

177)

Ljubojevic Bru.rsels (SWIFT) 1986 1.. ..:bS! 2 "xa5 (D) Other moves end up the same as the line in the game: 2 "c7 :fc8 3 :xb2+ 4 'i>xb2 lDd3+; 2 :b7 3 :xb2+ 4 'i>xb2lDd3+.

B

180)

n - Dlugy New York 1988 IlDeS! 1-0 Black can do nothing about the multiple threats of :f7+ and ~g5+. After I.. .dxe5 2 ~g5+ lDf6 3 ~xf6+ 'i>e8 4 ~xh8 White has won a rook.

181)

.t.

Korchnoi - Agdestein

i

Haninge 1988 1 dS! ~xdS 2 "a7 g6 3 llxdS! and White won.

182) Am. Rodriguez - Dolmatov

2 .•.:xb2+! 3 'i>xb2lLld3+ 0-1 The white queen is lost.

Sochil988 In the game 1... b2 was played, but it is not clear if this move will lead to a black win with optimal play by White. Black could have won at once with:

91

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

1•• ':xc3! 2 llxc3 Or 2 ~xc3 "c4+ 3 ~d2 4 ~e2 5 ~e3 I and the black b-pawn is decisive. 2... 3 ~e2 3lld3 4~dl 5~el "xd3 is no beUer. 3.....xc3 Once again the b-pawn is too strong.

d) 2 ...~gS 3 llg7+ ~f8 4 dxe7+ ~eS 5 llxdS+ llxdS 6 and White wins as in line 'c'. 3 llxe7+ ~f8 4 .i.g7+ ~g8 5 llhl 1-0 Black has to give up his queen to stop llhS#. and 5 ... cxb2+ 6 .i.xb2 does not change anything.

186) 183)

Zakharstov - Lastin Ehlvest - Dlugy MClZarlall rpd 1988

,. ,"," ....

..

,)1 ,

·~:.. ,I

I

"'i"

'" ~' :1 I II'

I 'I ."

Ii, I

I ,I

I,I. , •

,

·, ",

II

I,

1"d3 White targets g6. d7 and c6. Black cannot avoid material loss. 1...lL\ge7 2 'ii'd7+ ~b8 3 "xe7! lL\xe74lL\d7+ White wins a piece and soon won the game as well.

184)

Ghaem Maghami - Kaiumov Hecht - Planinc

Wijk aall Zee 1974 The game continued 1 hxg6? llxg5

with a roughly equal position. Instead White could have continued 1 c4! as I... allows 2 hxg6.

185)

.,

Kogan - Arencibia

,I

HavwlCl (CClpClblallcCI mem) 2002

,

, "



I "

If 3 White has lost his queen. and the black attack continues. 3 ...lld2+ 4 ~fl 5 .i.c80-1 White will get mated.

187)

·,,,'

. . ," ,

Ru.uiall Ch (Kra.flloiClrsk) 2003 1. ..lL\xf2! 2 ~xf2 e5 3 "h7

1 ~xf7 2 Dxh7+ ~e8 Black is losing in all lines: a) 2 ... ~e6 3 fhe7#. b) 2 ... ~g6 3 llg7+ ~h5 4 llhl#. c) 2 ... f8 3 dxe7+ ~eS 4 exdS"+ llxdS 5 llxdS+ ~xdS 6 i..c7+ 77 llxc7 ~xc7 S g6.

TeherCIlI 2003

1 lld6! This is a very strong move which threatens lL\e7+ with a discovered attack on the queen. 1...~h8 l...~f8 2 . and Black must give up his queen to avoid getting mated immediately. 2lL\d8! 2... loses to the knight fork 3 lL\xf7+. 3lL\xf7+ ~g8 4lL\xh6+! ~h8 Or 4 ... gxh6 5 'ii'g6+ ~fS (5 ... ~hS 6 lld7 with mate) 6 'ii'f6+ ~gS 7 l:td7, also mating. 5 lL\f7+ ~g8 6lL\g5 ~f8 7 l:td7 1-0

93

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

l88}

4lDe71-0

Gelfand - Aronian Bastia rpd 2003

1 e4! liJc7 Alternatively: a) 1... b5 2 lDce5 lDb4 (if 2 ... lDb6 Black's queen gets caught after 3lDg4 "g6 4lDf4 "g5 5 h4) 3lDg4 4 lDde5 and Black will lose his queen as is met by 5lDf6+. 4... b) 1...dxe3 2 fxe3 "g6 3ll:Jce5 4lDxf7! 1:txf7 5 :xc8+:f8 (5 ... ~f8 6 Zlxf7 ~xf7 7 e4lDe3 8 "f3+ wins for White) 6 l:tfxf8+ ~xf8 7 e4 ltJe3 8 winning.

"f3

2~f4

Black cannot defend against the strong white attack. If 4 ... lDf4 then 5 g4 threatening lDf5#, which cannot be stopped without giving up a lot of material, and 4 ... bl is met by 5 ~h5 6 g4+ ~h4 7 lDf5#.

190} Timman - Piket Amsterdam (6) 1995 Here Black wrongly played 1... g2? and lost after 2 ~f8 3 However, 1...:0! would have won the game for him:

2:xn

2 lDb6 also wins the exchange, but the move played is stronger.

2... lDb5 3 e5 lDxa8

4 lDb6 liJc6 5

2 ~f8 3 "d3 g2 wins for I Black, and after 2 "d5 :xd I + 3 g2 Black gets a new queen.

2.....xn+ 3 ~b2

and White won.

3 ... g2 is less clear as it allows White to play 4 and start checking. The text-move keeps control.

189) Topalov - Peng Xiaomin

4~c3

Elista OL 1998

Or 5

1 :xr6+! ~xr6 2

~g7

2 ... ~g5 is answered by 3 h4+ ~h6 (3 ... ~h5 4 mates) 4 lDe7+ ~h5 (4 ... ~g7 5 f6+ ~h8 6 f7 with mate to follow) 5 + ~g4 (or 5 ... ~xh4 6 "xh7+ ~g5 7 ~h4 8 g3+ ~h3 9'ii'h5+~xg3 1O:f3#) 6 g7+~xh4 7 g3+ ~h3 8 ~xg3 9 "g5+ ~h3 10 :f3#.

5 6

8+ ~g7 7

+ ~f6. This line shows why the queen is better placed on f2: White has run out of checks. 5...~f8

White cannot stop Black from getting a new queen.

191) Tal - Ljubojevic

3f6+~h6 3 ... ~xg6 does not help Black: 4 f7+ rjjg7 5 ~f8 6 (or

1...lDxd3 2 lbd3 3 'ii'e2 ~a6 4 :fdl 'iWd5 5 h4 ~xd3 6 :xd3

6.....e77 ~g6 9

Black is two pawns up and later won the game.

7

:xf8 8 ~h5 10 g4#.

Mila" 1975

94

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

192) Geller - Korchnoi Moscow 1975

White could have decided the game immediately by: I lLlxg6! fxg6 If I ... hxg6 then 2 ~xg6 and now: a) 2...J:ldl 3 ~h7+ 'itJhS 4 ~f5+ ~gS 5 J:lxe6! and Black has to give up his queen to avoid immediate mate. h3 fxg6 (after b) 2... .i.h3+ 3 3... Black gets mated straight away: 4 J:leS+ ~g7 5 "'hS#) 4 J:le6 and once again Black will have to give up his queen to avoid mate. c) 2... lLlxd4 3 ~h7+ ~hS 4 ~d3+ ~e7 7 ~gS 5 .h7+ ~f8 6 and White is winning.

2 ~xg6 ~h3+!? Or: 2... 3 J:lxe6!; 2 ...J:la7 3 lhe6! 4 .i.xh7+ wins the black queen. 3 "'xg6 Or 3... hxg6 4 J:le6 with a decisive attack against the black king. 4 J:le6 .f7 S J:lxc6 White is two pawns up.

193) Larsen - Karpov Amsterdam (IBM) 1980 1.. ..i.xd4! 2 ~xd4 3 J:lel+ 0-1 Black loses a piece after 4 J:lxe I "'xel+5~f1 ~a6.

2 ... g5 loses a piece after 3 ~xdS gxf4 4 ~xf6. 3liJd7! 1-0 Black loses; e.g .• 3 ......xd7 4 xf6 mating. or 3 ... ~g5 4 'it'bS+. which also ends up in mate.

195)

I...

Timman - Spassky Hilversum (3) 1983 !2

2 does not work because of the zwischenZllg 2... J:lxd I +. and other will queen moves. such as 2

transpose to the game. 2.. .l:txdI3 I ~c6 0-1 White loses the knight on a4.

196) Polugaevsky - Torre Londoll 1984

I J:lxg6+! fxg6 2 'itJh8 Or 2 ...~fS 3 ~h6#. 3 3 + ~gS 4 ~h6! straight away leads to the same conclusion. but White decided to win the e-pawn before proceeding. ~h8 3 ••• ~g84 4 ... ~g7 5 'it'h6+ ~n 6 e6+ ~gS 7 J:la3 also wins for White. S "'h6+ 'itJg8 6 ~h8 7 "ii'hS+ ~g8 8~h6!

Threatening "'g6-g7#.

8... ~fS

194) Portisch - Christiansen London (Phillips & Drew) 1982

I ~xc4! bxc4 2 ~aS!

Or S... ~hS 9 ~f8+ ~gS \0 "'g6+ ~xfS II e6 12 9 "'g6+ ~h8 10 ~xfS J:lxfS II 'ilVh6+ ~g8 12 J:la3 1-0

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

The attack by the white queen and rook is decisive; e.g., 12 ... ~ 13 l:tf3+ ~e714

+~e6ISl:txf8andBlack

has to give up his queen to avoid mate.

197) Timman - Karpov London 1984 longS! 2 .i.xgS .i.b41 3 ~f2 3 lDh8 2 1-0 Black has no reasonable way to defend f6. and 2 .....xd6 allows 3 liJf7#. 3 points for 2

233)

Inarkiev - Kiriakov Russian Ch (Kra.tnoiarsk) 2003 Here Black played I ...d6. However. he had something much stronger: 1... liJxf3+! 2 gxf3 i.xf3 3 %lgl 4 l:tg5 h6 5 l:tg6 ¢>f7 White loses a rook. 2 points for I ... ltJxf3+!. and an additional point for seeing up to 4 ... h6.

234)

Glek - Rustemov Bundesliga 200314 1 Ilxd5! (D)

230)

Ye Jiangchuan - Xu Jun Yongchuan Z 2003

B

1 exf6! 1-0 Black loses his queen or gets mated after I .....xf4 2 hxg7#. 2 points for 1 exf6!.

231)

Hasangatin - Harikrishna Abu Dhabi 2003 I ...l:tal+ 2 ¢>g2 ¢>e4 0-1 The white rook has no squares. 2 points for seeing 2... ¢>c4.

1...exd5 I... ? fails to 2liJe7+. 2 liJe7 + ¢>f7

132

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

Other moves also lose: 2... ~f8 3 :e6 4 ~e8 5 /t)xd5+ ~d7 6 :f6+ ~e8 7 and mate next move; 2... ~h8 3 :e6 4 mating; 2 ... ~h7 3 :e6 4 and Black gets mated. 3 ~f8 Or 3... ~f6 4 "g6#. 4 "xe7 5 llxe7 ~e7 6 and White won. 3 point.v/or J l:txd5!.

~g8

6 :g7+ ~h8 7 then 5 .+ ~ 6 dxe6 mates next move. 4 points/or J iLg7!.

237)

Browne - Ribli SurakartalDenpasar J982 1 /t)xg6! (D)

B

235) Topalov - Ponomariov Leon 2003 In the game White played I :g4? and later lost. The right move is: 1 Ilxg6+! iLxg6 1... hxg62 also wins for White. 2 3dxeS and White wins. 3 points/or J l:txg6+!.

236) Movsesian - Belov Istanbul Ech 2003 1 iLg7! /t)c4 Black gets mated straight away if he accepts the sacrifice: 1... iLxg7 2 :xg7+ ~xg7 3 ~6+ ~f6 (3 ... ~f7 4 + ~f6 5 g5+ ~xg5 6 4 g5+ ~f7 5 7+ ~f8 6 "h8+ ~f7 7 :h7#. 2 iLxc4 iLxg7 2... loses to 3 iLxf6 exf6 4 :h8+ ~f7 5 :lh7#. 3 :xg7+ ~xg7 4 ltJe6+ 1-0 If 4 ... iLxe6 (4 ... ~g8 5 :h8+ ~xh8 6 ~g8 7 "g7#; 4 ... ~f7 5 :h7+

1...l:te8 Accepting the sacrifice is no better: 1... hxg6 2 ! (2 iLxg6? 3 "e6+ ~h8 4 5 '6'xh6+ iLxh6 6 iLxd4+ iLg7 and White should lose) 2...~h8 3 ~g8 4 iLxg6 :f6 5 'iWh7+ ~f8 6 iLxd4 and Black has no defence; for example, 6...:xfl + 7 :xfl+ ~e7 8 + ~d6 9 ~c6 (9 ... ~d7 IO :f7+ ~c6 II iLe4+ with mate to follow) 10 iLe4+ ~d7 II :f7+ and mate next move. 2 iLe4 3 iLxe4 :xe4 4 ..rs 1-0 White is threatening 'iff7#, and Black is lost; for example, 4... 5 :e6 (or 5.....e6 6 li:Je7+ winning material) 6 :de I :cc6 7 :xe6

SOLUTIONS FOR THE GRANDMASTER CHALLENGE

Axe6 (7... 8 "d8+ and Black is mated) 8 lbf4 and Black loses due to the pin on the rook. 4 points for seeing that 2 ! is the right move if Black accept.r the sacrifice. Deduct 2 points for the reflex 2 Lg6?, which lo.res the game.

5 ~d6 eS+ 6 ~c7

4...

7

~xc6

Or 7 ~b7 "c8#.

7...

(0-1)

4 points for 3...

+!.

239) Leko - Bologan Dortmund 2003

238) Izoria - Kupreichik I.rtanbul Ech 2003 Black has a mating attack.

1...

133

+2cM3lbeS+3~4(D)

B

This move threatens ...

21la3 Other moves also lose material: 2 Ad6 ~a4 or 2 J:la5 I. 2 ......gS! 3 Ae3 Black cannot avoid losing material: a) 3 ! 4 Ad3 (or 4 exd5 5 Ad3 ~a4) 4... 51:txd4 e5 6 AdS ~e7 7 Ad5 ~a4. b) 3 4 (or 4 Ad3 5 l:txd6 ~a4) 4 ... ~xe7 5 Ad3.ia4. c) 3 f4 "c5+ 4 Ae3l:txd I + 5 I •

3....ia4 4 ~h2 0-1 ! 4~xeS On 4 g4 5 ~xe5 0-0-0 White has to give up his queen to avoid ... f6#.

5 g3l:txdl 6

After 7 gxf4 White is a piece down. 4 points for 1.....e5! and an additional point for 2... g5!.

134

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

Solutions for Test 5

2 points for 1 points for 1 JLh3?

7!. Deduct two

240) Jenni - Renet

244) Cu. Hansen - McShane

Swiss Cht 2002

1 2d7~h73 with an easy win for White. 1 point for 1 ikxe6!.

241) Pavlovic - V. Georgiev Plovdiv Echt 2003 1 llxc5! bxc5 2 ike4+ 1-0 It's mate in a few moves; for example, 2... 3 + ~g8 4 ~f8S

2 points for 1 llxe5!.

242) Leko - Grishchuk

Esbjerg 2001 I..Jlxr2! 0-1 White resigned as he loses his queen after 2 ~xf2 l%b2+: 3 ~e3 llJdS+, 3 ~gl llJh3+ 4 lhh3 Wkg2# or 3 ~f1 1+ 4 llgl . 3 poiflts ft)r 1... llxj2!.

245) Berndt - Doettling Bundesliga 200112 1 JLxg6! hxg6 If I... then 2 ~xe8+ ~f8 3 llxdS ~lte8 and White easily wins the endgame. 211xg6+~(D) 2 ... ~h8 is met by 3

Cap d'Agde rpd 2003 1..•11Jh4+! 0-1 Black wins the white queen after 2 gxh4 llg6+ 3 ~f1 2 points for 1... llJh4+!.

llh6.

243)

w

'ifh7 4

Kempinski - Kozul Rethymnon ECC 2003 1 White wins a piece because of the threat of I ~h3?, on the other hand, leads to a losing endgame for White: after I... 1+2'ifxblllJxbI3JLxd7~xd7 Black is a pawn up, and he will also pick up the dS-pawn. 1..:.81+ 2 ~h2 ~b6 3 'ifxd7 and Black lost.

3

'ike7 Both 3... l:tee7 and 3... l:tce7 are met by 411f6.

SOLUTIONS FOR THE GRANDMASTER CHALLENGE

4

'ikf75 JU'6 with a won position for White. 3 points for 1 Lg6!.

135

and White resigned ten moves later. 2 points for l...a6! and a further 2 points for seeing 3... :117. as played in the game.

246)

H. Hunt - Yakovich

249)

Apicella - Bauer

Stockholm (Rilton Cup) 2002 1 l:txc3 2 fxe6 l:te7 3 llxb7! l:txb7 4 e7 White wins, since Black is a piece down after 4 ... ~f7 (or 4 ... l:txe7 5 .i.xd5+ winning) 5 .i.xd5++ ~xe7 6 l:tf7+ ~e8 711xb7. 3 points for seeing 3l:txb7!.

French Ch (Aix' les Bains) 2003 White opened lines on the kingside with the following beautiful idea: 1 .i.xgS! .i.xgS 2.f6+! 1-0 After 2 ... .i.xf6 3 l:tg3+ Black is mated in two more moves. 4 points for spoiling 2 ..I

247)

250)

Brynell - Popov

Yagupov - Tishin

Stockholm (Rifton Cup) 2002 1..JWc1+ 2 ~g211xr2+! 0-1 After 3 ~xf2lDd I + White loses his queen. 3 points for finding 2... l:txj2+!.

Donskoi 2000 1...lDf3+! (D)

w 248)

Fridman - Grishchuk Mainz 2003

1...a6! The white queen will be trapped in the middle of the board. 2 2 'ika5 lDd5 followed by ... l:tcS or ... .i.d8 will win the queen. 2... h6! 3 (or 4 'ikd4 eS win3 'ikh4 gS 4 ning the queen) 4 ... g4 S 'ikh4lDeS and White cannot stop ... lDg6 trapping the is still met by 3... lDds queen. 3 with the same ideas as before. 3 .. .l:th7 4 'ikxh7lDxh7

2~h1

2 l:txf3 'W'xe4! is very strong for ? then 3 ... l:td 1+ matBlack (if 3 ing). 2... This is the simplest move (though 2...'ifh6, as played in the game, wins as

136

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

well), threatening... I + or ... 'ii'h3 with mate to follow. White has no defence; e.g., 3lDbd2 mating. 4 points/or J...lDf3+!.

B

251) Gheorghiu - Ljubojevic Manila 1974

1...:xr2? (D)

White is temporarily two pawns down, but the power of the d-pawn is decisive. S•..~ Or S ...lDf6 6 d7 lDxd7 7 lDxd7 and White's extra piece will tell. 6lDd7+ ~e8 7 lDxc5 lDgT 8.i.xb7

w

lDe6 9.ic6+ White has a won endgame. ,

- -

-

---

-- - - -

-

--

-- .. _.

This looks tempting, but fails to ...

2

3lDxeS .irs

3...l:td2 4lDxd7lDxg3 SlDxcslDe2+ 6 ~h I lDf4 7 .if3lDxh3 SlDe4 is also good for White.

4 ~xf2 .ixbl S d6 (D)

10 rxe6 11 ~e3 eS 12 as .ic2 13 g4 gS 14 .ib7 ~d7 IS .ixa6 ~xd6 16 .id3 .ia4 17 a6 ~c7 18 ~e4 ~b6 19 ~xeS Black resigned a few moves later. 5 poin/s/or proposing l...b5!. which is the strongest move in the position. Deduct I point/or playing 1...1hj'2?

SOLUTIONS FOR THE GRANDMASTER CHALLENGE

Solutions for Test 6 252) Efimenko - Korobov Alushta 2002 1 i.c5! 1-0 Black loses material, as he cannot take the bishop: 1.•. l:txc5 2 I point for I i.c5!.

137

256) Czebe - Szeberenyi Budapest 2000 1...l:txd2+! Much stronger than 1... ttx6?, which was played in the game. 2 ~xd2 i.gS+ 3 ~d ll:td8+ 4 i.d3 lLlxd3 Black has a clear advantage. 3 points for 1...l:txd2+!.

253) Klimov - Solozhenkin St Petersburg Ch 2003 1 +! 1-0 1... 'Iii>xh7 2l:th4+ leads to mate next move. I point for l'ikxh7+!.

257)

254)

258)

v. Georgiev -

Cebalo Reggio Emilia 2002 ll:txg3! fxg3 2l:tn 1-0 Black has to give up his rook to avoid mate. 2 poi1lfs for I Ilxg3!. 255) T. Pihtz - Gabriel Bundes/iga 200 If2 In the game, White played ll:txc3?, but this continuation does not work: I...lLlxc3 2 lLle2+ 3 ~h I %lg8 4 i.a7 0-1. 1 would have won straight White away. After 1... i.xd4 2 is threatening both mate at g7 and Black's queen on b3. 2 poi1lfs for I . Deduct 2 poi1lfs for I l:txc3?

Quinn - Naumkin Padova 2000 1 e3 2lLles 1VhS 31Vxe4 1-0 White has won a piece. 3 points for I e3.

Leko - Anand Cap d'Agde rpd 2003 1... lLlg3+! 2 hxg3 'iWh3+ 3 ~gl 4 ~h 1 l:th4+! S lLlxh4 'ikxe3 and Black won. 3 points for finding 4.. .l:th4 +!. 259)

J. Polgar - Lautier Enghien les Bains 2003 1 i.g4! Or l...l:txg4 2 and Black loses both rooks. 21i>e1 e3 3 i.d7+ ~e7 4 i.fS+ 1-0 3 points for I i.g4!.

260) Carlsen - Gretarsson Rethymlloll ECC 2003

1

~f8

2

~f7

138

BEA T THE GRANDMASTERS

2 ... J:le7 3..ifS 4 ..ixd7 wins for White, as the pin on the rook is deci• stve. 3..ig6+! This move forces mate. 3 ..idS+ also wins. 3 .. .J:lxg6 Or 3 ... ~xg6 4 • 4 "e7#(1-0) 2 points for finding I +! and additionally 3 points for 3 ..ig6+! or 3 ..id5+.

After 6 l:tgJ l:txgJ+ 7 J White is unable to stop the decisive • ••

2 points for 1... f!xg2!. and a further 2 points for suggesting 3 ... J:l83. as played in the game.

263) Kogan - Bruzon Havana (Capablanca mem) 2002 l...a6! (D)

261) Bruzon - Nijboer Wijk aan Zee 2004 1 J:lxb6! axb6 2lDd5 lDxd5 3

w

3 ...lDf6 loses quickly to 4 J:lxf6! with mate on h7 to follow. 4 "xg5 lDf4 5 "xeS and White won. 2 points for I f!xb6! and 2 more for finding 3... lDf6 4 f!xf6!.

262) Ljubojevic - Gelfand Monaco (Amber rpd) 2002 1.. .J:lxg2! 2 "xg2 Or 2 ~xg2 J:lg8+ 3 ~h2 3+ 4 ~h J S + and Black mates. 2 .. .J:lg8 3 "h2ltg3 4 lDf2lDcxe3 5 ..ixe3 On S J:lgJ Black plays S... J:lxgl+ 6 J and the threat of ... "f3+ decides the game. 5 ...lDxe3 0-1

An excellent quiet move. 2lDc6 Or 2 f3 + 3 ~c4 bS+ 4 lDxbS axbS+ S J:lxbS +6~c3 and White is two pieces up. 4lDxd8 2 ...lDxe4+ 3 Or 4 l:txd8+ ~c7 S J:ld3 ~xc6 6 l:tdd J and Black wins. 4... b5 5 %:td3 ..ie7 6 J:lbdl? 6lDxf7 is stronger, but White is lost _ in any case: 6 ... "c4+ 7 ~b2 6... (0-1) • • 5 points for finding the wmnmg

1... a6!.

SOLU110NS FOR THE GRANDMASTER CHAl.l.ENGE

139

Solutions for Test 7

268)

264)

Vrbas 1977 1 i.xh6! gxh6 ( D) 1... l:ta7 2 i.e3 followed by h6 is also winning for White.

Barua - Wells Gibraltar 2004 1...llxd3! 0-1 Black wins easily as the white king is too far away to stop the black pawn; e.g., 2 cxd3 a5 3 ~2 a4 4 bxa4 b3 5 ~e2 b2. 1 point for 1...'lJxd3!.

Sax - Smejkal .

w

265)

Kostic - Antic Belgrade 2001 1 ! -.xe6 1.. .fxe6 2 is also winning for White. 2l:txc71-0 2 points for 1 fue6+!.

266)

Varga - Markus Budapest 2000 1..:6'c3! 0-1 White gets mated; for example, 2 ~dll:tal+ 3 ~e2l:tel +4 ~f2 5 ~g2l:tgl+ 6~h2 7 ~h3l:thl#. 2 points for I... 3!.

2 In the game White wrongly played 2 l:tg4?, which should have led to a stalemate draw with Black sacrificing all his major pieces: 2... 3 g3 l:td2+ 4 ~h3 l:th2+! 5 ~xh2 l:ta2+ 6 ~h3 l:th2+! 7 ~xh2 8 l:txg3 stalemate. 2... 3 e7 'ibh6 Or 3... l:ta8 4 e8'6'+ l:txe8 5 nxe8#.

4 267)

Grishchuk -

Hra~ek

Bundesliga 200213 1 i.c5! 1-0 This is the best move. as Black has no proper defence against After I i.a7 Black can still fight on with I...l:td I! 2l:txd I li)xa7. 2 points for 1 i.c5!.

~h7

Or 4... 5 l:te7#. Sl:te7+ 6 ~h87 3 points for 2 . Dedu(:t 1 point for suggesting 2 l:tg4?

269)

Nijboer - Granda Wijk aan Zee 2004 1l:tft'2!

140

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

Now the black queen can only escape by giving up material. 1....i.c6 I ... l:.ea8 2 l:.d4 l:.xb3 3 cxb3 l:.a 1+ 4 ~g2 I 5 I l:.xc I leaves White the exchange up. 2 l:.d4 f6 3 exf6 gxf6 4 gxhS 1-0 Black had seen enough. 3 points for 1 l:.ff2!.

1 ll'lxe6! lbdJ 2ll'lgS (D)

B "

270) - Vescovi Cap d'Agde rpd 1998 White exploited Black's weak back rank with: 1ll'lc6! Or I ... J:.dxc6 2 ihc6 l:.f8 (2 ...'ii'a8 3 'ii'xa8 l:.xa8 4 a7 and White wins the endgame) 3 l:.e8. White forces off the rooks, and with the passed a-pawn he will win the queen endgame easily. 2ll'le7+ 'ii'xe7 3 l:.xe7 l:.c1+ Or 3 ... l:.dl+ 4 'ii'f1 l:.xfl+ 5 ~xfl g6 6 l:.el ~f8 7 l:.al l:.a8 8 a7 winning for White. 4'ii'n l:.xn+S~xn ~f86a71-0 Black will have to give up his rook for the a-pawn or try to fight a rook vs queen endgame after 6 ... ~xe7 7 a8 . 6 ...l:.a6 7 l:.b7 is also an easy win for White. 3 points for 1 ll'lc6!.

271) Bates - Kosten British League (4NCL) 200314 In the game White played I ?, and did in fact go on to win. However, he could have won straight away:

2.....c7 Other moves do not save Black: + ~h8 4 a) 2 ... l:.xc3 3 ~g8 (4 ... g6 5 "f6+ ~g8 6 ~h8 7 "xh7#) 5 ~h8 6ll'lf7+ ~g8 7 ll'lh6+ ~h8 8 g8+ l:.xg8 9ll'lf7#. b) 2 ... l:.d7 3 ~f8 4 l:.el i.e3 5 'ii'xg7+ ~e8 6 ~e7 7 i.f6+ ~d6 8 ll'le4+ ~c7 (8 ... ~e6 9 'ii'h3#) 9 i.e5+ l:.d6 10 i.xd6+ ~d7 1\ f5 12 ~c8 13 ll'lf6 "d8 14 'ii'xf5+ and mate next move. 3'ii'xh7+~84

and White wins. 3 points for 1 fue6!.

272) Leko - Kasparov Bled OL2002 White missed an unexpected opportunity to win the game here. 1ll'lf8+! ~d6 2 c7! White wins, as the black bishop is lost. 2 ...1;xc7 3ll'le6 I ~d6 4 ll'lxgS

SOLUTIONS FOR THE GRANDMASTER CHAllENGE

and White will win the endgame. The game continuation was I lLle5 i..d8 2lLlc4 ~d5 Ih-1h. 4 points for spotting 2 c7!.

141

B

273) P.H. Nielsen - Rogozenko Bundesliga 200314

1 The fastest way to win the game. 1...~g7 2 'ii'e8! 1-0 A beautiful and decisive cross-pin. • picking up the 2... ~f6 fails to 3 rook on e7 or mating: 3... llf7 4 4 points for 2 'fIe8!.

274) - Fedorov Elista OL 1998 1...lLlxg4! 2lLlxr4 Accepting the sacrifice leads to a quick end for White: 2 fxg4 llxg3+! 3 -'-xg3 + 4 ~f2 lLlxe4+ 5 ~f3 (or 5 ~el i..d2+ 6 ~dl i..a4+ mating) 5... 6 ~g2 (or 6 ~xe4 -'-f5#) 6... 7 ~h I mating next move. 2 ...exr4 3 fxg4 fxg3 4 i..xg3 (D) 4 •. .llxg3+!? 4 ... i..c6! is another simple and very forceful solution. S~xg3 6~f2 Not 6 ~f4lLle6#. 6...lLlxe4 I 7 ~e1 Or 8 ~d I 'iWd2#.

8 ~n

8...lLld2+ 9 ~2 If 9 ~g2 then 9... i..c6+ 10 ~f2 "d4+ II ~g3 "e5+ 12 ~f2 "f4+ 13 ~ellLlxbl and Black is a piece up. 11 ~2 10 ~g3 12 ~e1 lLlxbl 13 0-1 White is a piece down without compensation. 2 points for 1... liJxg4!. and aful1her 2 points for seeing that 2 ... llxg3+! is the right follow-up if White accepts the sacrifice.

275) Navara - S.B. Hansen Bled OL 2002 Black played I... ? and lost. However. he could have won with l...hS+! 2 ~f4 llxr7+! 3 4 ~fS (or 4 ~g5 4.....g4#. 1 point for 1... h5+! and 4 points for 2 ... llxf7+!.

142

BEAT THE GRANDMASTERS

Solutions for Test 8

but resigned following 2 :fxf7 i.f5 3 :hg7+. 2 points/or I :h7+!.

276)

Chuchelov -

Fta~nik

280)

Arakhamia - Rowson

Hamburg 1995

1

1-0

White exploits the weak back rank. The double threat on e8 and a2 wins material. 1 point/or 1 'ike2!.

Gibraltar 2004 White tried I i.g7+? and soon lost. Instead 1 :tt4+ wins instantly: 1...~g6 2 + ~f7 3 l:.h7+ ~g8 4