How Good Is Your Chess II

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How Good Is Your Chess II

Table of contents :
Front Cover......Page 1
Game 01 - Fernandez Vs Ricardi......Page 2
Game 02 - Kapnisis Vs Skembris......Page 12
Game 03 - Polgar Vs Svidler......Page 23
Game 04 - Unzicker Vs Keres......Page 32
Game 05 - Bellin Vs Goater......Page 44
Game 06 - Sunye Neto Vs Bruzon......Page 56
Back Cover......Page 67

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COMPILED BY SCORPIONCHESS

February 2016

How good is your chess? If your opponent plays one of those grovelly systems like the Caro-Kann or the Pirc / Modern where they seem to take a cowardly delight in cowering behind the first three ranks – beware. There is a tendency to take liberties that are unjustified. In those systems Black’s pieces are often elastically placed, ready to pounce on any inaccuracy in White’s opening play. Like in this game. The winner is a Grandmaster from Argentina. Cover the page with a card with a card or sheet of paper, lowering it gradually to reveal it a line at a time. Begin after the first diagram. Whenever White has moved, stop and try to guess Black’s reply which will be on the next line. Try to analyse as much as you would in a game – it could earn you bonus points. The article will test your standard of play or, if you prefer, just enjoy a fine game. J. Fernandez – P. Ricardi III Memorial Pereyra Puebla Mendoza, Argentina 2004 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.Be2 a6 6.a4 0–0 7.h3 b6 8.Bg5 Bb7 9.Nd2

9...Nc6 Four points. A provocative move from Black. The d-pawn is attacked: should White advance it, but open the diagonal for the bishop on g7? Or should he try to keep the two centre pawns together? Black’s attempt to pick a fight is certainly justified. So far White has faffed around. Why play 7 h3? Castling was required. And 8 Bg5 – is this really the best square for the bishop? Again, it was better to get castled and wait and see. It amazes me how even strong players are casual about basic opening rules.

Black could also attack the centre with a pawn. For example 9…e5 (three points) is a good move. If 10 dxe5 dxe5, Black stands well: there is pressure on the e4 pawn; the chance to play the knight on b8 to the d4 outpost; and Black might also gain pressure on the d-file with …Qe7 followed by …Rd8. White lags behind in development. He ought to react with 10 d5, keeping the position closed and so gaining time to complete his development. The position is unclear: Black will organise the usual counterplay on the kingside as in the King’s Indian. However, attacking the centre with 9...c5 (one point) does not appeal as much. White plays 10 d5; then after castling the knight looks good coming to c4. 9...Nbd7 (one point) is a solid alternative, but doesn’t put any pressure on White. 10.Nb3 I don’t like White’s knight on this square. It seems to me that two moves ago it was better placed on f3. I think White should have taken up the gauntlet and played 10.d5 Nd4. After 11 Bc4 White isn’t doing badly. 10...e5 Four points. While White’s king is still hanging around in the middle, Black should seize his chance to attack the centre. No points for other moves. 11.dxe5 Closing the centre with 11.d5 might have been more prudent, but after 11...Ne7! followed by …Ne8, and …f5, Black has the initiative on the kingside. I repeat, what is White’s knight doing on b3? 11...Nxe5 Two points. That keeps the pressure on White’s centre. 11...dxe5 would allow White to simplify: 12.Qxd8 Raxd8 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Nd5 Bg7 15.a5 gives White enough counterplay on the queenside to compensate for his lack of development. 12.f4 White is already in a spot of trouble – and this could make things worse. The king is exposed. However, the ‘normal’ move - 12.0–0 - runs into 12…h6. If 13 Bh4 g5 and the e-pawn drops. And if 13.Bxf6 Qxf6, then Black, with the two bishops, can already claim some advantage. 12...Ned7 One point. No real choice there. 13.Bf3

13...Qe8 Four points. This is a key move, breaking the pin and at the same time increasing the pressure on the e4 pawn. Incidentally this would have been the reply to 13 0-0. It is best to play the queen move straightaway, rather than prefacing it with 13...h6 14.Bh4. In the game, if Black is allowed to capture on e4 with the knight, then the bishop on g5 is en prise in some variations. This is not the case when the bishop is pushed back to h4. 14.Qe2 14...Nh5 Five points. Black has one chance to have a go at White before the king castles and a rook arrives at e1 to support the e-pawn. This knight move puts a huge spanner in the spokes. The same score for 14...h6, but only if it was your intention to meet 15.Bh4 with 15…Nh5. 15.Kf2 A big concession: White’s king is on the wander. Instead of this, how would you meet 15.Bxh5…? Black should just recapture 15…gxh5, and then he is ready to snaffle the e-pawn with …Bxc3+ and …Qxe4 – it isn’t any more complicated than that. Two points if you appreciated that. 15...h6 Two points. This was Black’s second threat. If the bishop retreats to h4, then the knight captures on f4.

The game move is very simple. It is also possible to play 15...f6, but it looks ugly by comparison. Why open a diagonal to your own king? 16.g4 White is attempting to confuse the issue. Instead, if 16.Bxh5, Black responds with 16… hxg5, then captures on f4.

16...Ng3 Four points. This is a clever move, ensuring that Black gets an attack – but not White. Instead, 16...hxg5 (one point) is not as good, as White gets a sniff of counterplay on the kingside: 17.gxh5 gxf4 18.Nd5, or 18 h4, preparing to capture on g6 and open up the g- and h-files. I am sure that Black is still better, but it is not quite as clear as one would wish. Compare with the game. Why take an unnecessary risk? 17.Kxg3 17…hxg5 One point. Black had to balance material. You can see the difference with the variation above. Black has managed to keep the files (and diagonals) in front of his king closed, but White’s king is still in the firing line. 18.f5 If White plays 18.fxg5, then Black recaptures the pawn with 18...Bxc3 19.bxc3 Qe5+ 20.Kg2 Qxg5, or the immediate 18…Qe5+. Afterwards, White’s e-pawn is in trouble. 18...Qe5+ Two points. Black could also play 18...Bxc3 19.bxc3 Qe5+ (two points), though, personally, I

would prefer to play as in the game: I would want to hang on to my dark-squared bishop for the time being. 18...Be5+ 19.Kg2 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Ne5 (two points) is an interesting continuation. By forcing the king back to g2, Black ensures that the bishop on f3 cannot slip away from the knight’s range. Because of this White’s e-pawn is permanently vulnerable. 19.Kg2 19…Rae8 Three points. The right rook. It is possible that the f-file will open, so keeping a rook on f8 is sensible, and there are certain circumstances when a switch to the semi-open h-file is a possibility. I would prefer to play the rook into the game before embarking on a plan. Mobilising one’s entire army – particularly if it means tying down your opponent’s pieces - is simply the right thing to do. For that reason, I am less impressed with 19...Qf4 (two points) even though the infiltration more or less forces White to exchange queens 20.Qd2 Qxd2+ 21.Nxd2, when Black has a big advantage in the ending. White’s e-pawn is too weak. Likewise 19...Nf6 (two points) putting more pressure on the e-pawn, is strong, but I don’t think Black should commit to a particular plan before completing development. 20.h4 An attempt at randomizing, but how can this ‘attack’ come to anything when Black is so powerfully placed in the centre? 20…gxf5 Three points. Black had lots of choice – in itself confusing – but that is really the only merit of White’s last move. Most of Black’s options are strong. 20...Qf4 (two points), exposing the full power of Black’s pieces against the e-pawn, is still good. 20...gxh4 (one point) is also good for Black, but it does give White a little hope on the h-file after 21.Rxh4, so it is best not to go down this route. 21.gxf5 21…Qf4 Two points. Black plays it safe: this leads to an ending where he has a winning advantage. However, if you wanted to continue the attack with 21…g4! (five points) – well done. With this move White is prevented from playing hxg5, so the h-file remains closed – that’s the first and obvious point. Next, the bishop is deflected from the long diagonal, and that gives Black the time to set up a deadly attack. Here’s a possible continuation: 22 Bxg4 d5! After this Black’s pieces explode into the position. The pawn is immune: 23 exd5 Qxe2+ 24 Nxe2 Bxd5+ wins the exchange, for example. On the next turn, Black can either capture on e4, or push on to d4,

depending on how White plays. Black may also turn the open files on the kingside to his advantage with …Kh8 and …Rg8. White’s king will not survive. 22.Qd2

22…Bxc3 Three points. Black cannot sensibly avoid the exchange of queens, but then again, the ending is very pleasant indeed. 23.Qxf4 Instead, 23 Qxc3 g4 wasn’t worth considering. 23…gxf4 One point. 24.bxc3 24…Bxe4 One point. After that transaction, the balance sheet shows that Black is a pawn up. You might say that the pawn on f4 isn’t a particularly healthy extra pawn, and I might agree with that. However, look at White’s pawns. Not one of them looks well – and this is actually why Black has a winning advantage. 25.Rag1 25…Kh7 Two points. Nicely done. Before going for this ending, Black would have appreciated that his king is completely safe on the h-file. This is a tidy move.

I suppose that Black could grab another pawn straightaway with 25...Bxc2 (one point), but when White’s weaknesses are chronic, I don’t see the point in rushing. Watch out for this trick: 26.Nd4!? Be4?? 27 Bxe4 Rxe4 28 Kf3+ winning the rook. Of course, Black could still play 26…Bxa4, and should win. 26.Kf2 26…Nf6 Three points. A chunky move, improving the position of the knight. There were several good moves at this point. I would have been tempted by 26…Bxf3 27 Kxf3 Re3+ 28 Kxf4 Rxc3 (four points if you got this far). Black remains a pawn up; the active rook is hassling White’s remaining (lame) pawns; White’s king has little cover and is about to be subjected to checks from the rook, and probably Black’s other pieces. Verdict: a successful liquidation that brings Black a step closer to the win. One point for 26...Bxc2 and also 26...Bxf5. 27.Nd2 27…Bxf5 Two points. With all his pieces in good positions, and because he may as well get the bishop away from the knight, Black finally scoffs a pawn. It was ripe enough for the picking. The same score for 27…Bxc2. 27…Bxf3 (one point) is strong, but not quite as good as on the last turn. This time White’s knight would at least come to a decent square after 28 Nxf3. I don’t like 27…d5, which looks solid, but actually allows White to liquidate one of his rotten pawns with 28 c4. 28.Rg5 28…Bxc2 One point. Now Black has the taste for it, he can’t stop eating. But why not? White cannot actually do anything in the meantime. Black could also simplify with 28…Ne4+ (one point) 29 Nxe4 Bxe4 30 Bxe4 Rxe4, when the rook and pawn ending shouldn’t present too many difficulties. 29.Rc1 29…Be4 One point. Not bad, but having started munching, I don’t think I would be able to resist continuing. I see nothing wrong with 29…Bxa4 (two points). By my reckoning Black is four pawns up.

29…Bd3 (two points) is also good, leaving the way clear for Black’s rook to leap down the e-file to e5 or e3. 30.Rcg1

30…Bxf3 One point. Over the last couple of moves Black has obviously decided that he has captured enough booty, and just wants to simplify. A reasonable and practical decision. I quite like 30...Kh6 (one point) because I can’t see what White is going to do next. And 30…d5 (one point) is also alright considering that White has only one c-pawn. After 31 c4 c6 Black is solid. 31.Kxf3 31…Re5 One point. Very sensible; activating and at the same time offering exchanges. 31…Rg8 is similar. 31…Kh6 (one point) is also a good move, just edging the king away from a check and seeing how White commits himself. Although we have reached the stage of the game where it looks like ‘everything is winning’, Black must still take care. For example, a continuation which earlier looked very promising for Black would now turn sour: 31…Re3+?! 32 Kxf4 Rxc3?? 33 Kf5. Black is close to being mated. The only way to survive is 33…Ng8, but it is at a cost: 34 Rh5+ Nh6 35 Kf6. King power! The only way to deal with the threat of Rg7+ is 35…Rg8, but then 36 Rxh6+ Kxh6 37 Rxg8 leaves White with a position that is probably winning.

32.Kxf4 32…Nh5+ One point. The same score for 32…Nd5+ followed by 33…Nxc3. 33.Kf3 33…Rfe8 One point. The same score for 33…Rxg5 34 Rxg5 Kh6, reducing the bits on the board. 34.Ne4

34…Kh6 One point. Everything is still under control, but this move was necessary as White was threatening to play Rxh5+ and Nf6+. 35.R1g4 35…d5 One point. Once the knight is driven back, the tricks disappear, and the exchanging starts. For White, two pawns down is too much. 0–1. Now add up your points. 53-60 Grandmaster 45-52 International Master 36-44 FIDE or National Master 28-35 County player

19-27 Strong club player 11-18 Average club player 0-10 Unlucky © Daniel King 2010

How good is your chess? If there is one thing I have learned from analysing these games, it is that even in situations that appear hopeless, miracle defences are often present. The top players in the world all have the ability to stay cool under pressure, finding resources either to save the game, or at least to put up maximum resistance to make their opponent really earn victory. Spectating games live from the top tournaments is a great way of appreciating this kind of ability. Sometimes one just cannot imagine a player getting up from the canvas, but then a defence is revealed before your eyes. In this month’s game, your defensive abilities and your nerves will be put to the test. White plays an incredibly aggressive opening, leaving his king in the middle of the board and launching an all out attack on Black’s king. How are you going to react? Cover the page with a card with a card or sheet of paper, lowering it gradually to reveal it a line at a time. Begin after the first diagram. Whenever White has moved, stop and try to guess Black’s reply which will be on the next line. Try to analyse as much as you would in a game – it could earn you bonus points. The article will test your standard of play or, if you prefer, just enjoy a fine game. S. Kapnisis – S. Skembris Greek Team Championship 2005 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bg5 Be7 5.e3 h6 6.Bxf6 Bxf6 7.Nf3 c6 8.Rc1 Nd7 9.Bd3 0–0 10.cxd5 exd5 11.h4

11…Re8 Four points. Having played a solid Queen’s Gambit, the player of the black pieces might be surprised to find himself under attack at such an early point in the game. Are White’s rumblings on

the kingside justified? Personally, I don’t think so, but that is more my gut feeling than anything else. What exactly has Black done to bring this on himself? Brought out some pieces, castled, achieved a healthy pawn structure. How can his play be faulted? It can’t be, but there is still some justification for White’s brazen attack. Black has a tiny weakness on his kingside – the pawn on h6. White may be able to open up lines if he can get his pawn to g5. There is also the weakness of the b1-h7 diagonal. Part of the reason for advancing the h-pawn is to ensure that Black’s …g6 can be met by h5, prising open lines. The usual method for countering a wing attack is to attack in the centre. That would certainly be a good idea with the king on e1, but for the moment White’s central pawn chain, f2-e3-d4, is solid enough. It takes too long for Black to organise a successful break with …c5; and the immediate 11…c5 - always worth considering can be met by 12 Nxd5 cxd4 13 Nxf6+ Nxf6 14 Nxd4. The knight in the middle holds the position together and gives White a pleasant advantage. 11…Re8 is a much cooler reaction to White’s aggression: the rook moves opposite the king and, if necessary, allows the knight to join the defence on the kingside by moving to f8. 11...Nb6 (two points) would be the other main move I would consider here. The knight clears the path for the bishop to develop, probably on g4. White could attack on the diagonal with 12 Bb1 and Qd3; or more positionally with 12 h5. 11...g6 (two points) is a bit fussy - I would prefer to keep developing - but is still reasonable for Black. However, the game Halkias-Ekstroem, Leon 2001 showed that White’s attack should not be underestimated: 12.h5 g5 13.Kf1 Bg7 14.e4 dxe4 (14…Nf6!?) 15.Nxe4 Nf6 16.Nexg5 - a gift that should not be accepted - and White’s aggression had paid off. 12.g4 White displays consistency at the very least. There can be no doubting that his intentions are blunt and dangerous. 12…Nf8 Three points. Black continues evenly, regrouping his pieces so that his army is better coordinated and has more freedom. The knight helps to defend the king and opens the line of the bishop on c8. 12...g6 (three points) is also a good defensive move. White should plough on: 13.g5 hxg5 14.hxg5, and now it is possible to take the pawn, but I prefer 14…Bg7, getting ready to counterattack with …c5. Although the h-file is open, Black’s king is safe enough as the knight can always retreat to f8 to cover. White is unable to convene a speedy attack as queenside castling is no longer possible. 12...Be7 (two points) is an interesting reaction, intending 13.g5 Bd6 14.gxh6 gxh6 15.Rg1+ Kf8, when the king is safe enough. In all these variations it is worth remembering that at some point White is going to have to think about the safety of his own king. 13.g5 13…hxg5

One point. Black has no alternative but to open lines. However, he has ensured that his pieces are well placed to deal with any attacks. It is too late for 13...Be7: 14.gxh6 gxh6 15.Rg1+ Kh8 16.Ne5 Be6 17.Qh5, for example, is crushing. 14.hxg5 14…Bxg5 One point. Don’t back down. We have done nothing wrong, so we can face the future with confidence! 15.Ne5

15…Qf6 Three points. This is good defensive strategy. Black’s queen can often neutralize the effect of its opposite number. That’s why I wouldn’t be convinced by 15...Bh6 - 16.Qf3! prevents Black’s queen from moving over. 15...g6 (one point) appears sensible as it blocks out the white-squared bishop. However, 16.Qf3 is still a good response: 16...Bf6 allows 17.Rh8+! Kg7 18.Qh1 with a blistering attack, and 16…Qf6 17 Qg3 leaves the bishop on g5 awkwardly placed. 16.f4 16...Bh6 Two points. I’m sure that blocking the h-file came as a relief to Black. But anyway, count how

many pieces White has in the attack, and then see how many of Black’s are defending. We can calm ourselves with common sense as well as calculation. 16...Bh4+ would not have been as good. While it might be tempting to dislodge the king, in fact it helps White with his plans: 17.Kd2 g6 18.Qg1. The heavy pieces are coordinated and Black faces a more difficult defensive task. 17.Qh5 White threatens Kd2, Rcg1 and Qxh6. You had better decide now on how best to defend. 17…Ng6 Three points. Exchanging off the knight is the only sound defence. 17...Nd7 (three points) also does the job, though I suspect that Skembris wanted to feint at playing …Nxf4, just to worry his opponent. Indeed, the supposed threat to sacrifice induces a slightly cautious move from White. 18.Ne2 18.Rc2 was actually possible as the sacrifice 18…Nxf4 19.exf4 Qxf4 doesn’t go anywhere after 20 Ne2. Instead, Black would still have had to exchange knights. 18...Nxe5 One point. White’s knight on e5 was too menacing to be left. 19.dxe5 19…Qe7 One point. The queen stays close to the kingside and looks towards counter-attacking on the queenside. 20.a3 This prevents …Qb4, but it feels more natural to play 20 Kf2, connecting the rooks. The king is just as safe on f2 as anywhere else in the position. Indeed, it is closer to most of his pieces.

20…Bd7 Two points. Black is playing sensibly, completing his development. White has no immediate threats, so it is best to leave the kingside alone. 21.Kd2 21…c5 Three points. The counter-attack begins. White’s king already looks vulnerable. 22.Rcg1 22…Kf8 One point. The king side-steps and saves the bishop on h6. The bishop isn’t a wonderful piece, locked out of the game by the central pawn clump, but it does hold the kingside, and so keeps White’s heavy pieces out of the game. In other words, it is a decent trade off. 23.Qf3

23...Qe6 Eight points. Defending the d-pawn in this manner does appear curious: I don’t like to see the queen stepping on the toes of the bishop on d7. However, it is the only move in the position. This has more to do with defending the bishop than the d-pawn. If Black instead plays 23...Bc6, then 24.Rxh6! gxh6 25.Qh5 Qd8 26.Bf5!, closing off the king’s escape route to the queenside, is devastating. 23...d4 24 Rxh6 gxh6 25 Qh5 is similarly powerful. 24.Ng3 As the heavy pieces have been unable to break through, White needs to bring more resources into the attack. But swinging over the knight leaves his king with less protection. 24…Qb6 Three points. The only sensible move. White had a clear threat of playing the knight into f5, and Black meets it by counter-attacking on the queenside, at the same time uncovering the bishop on d7, defending the f5 square. 25.Kc1 25…c4 Five points. As White’s pieces are massed on the kingside, it feels like the right moment to attack on the other side of the board, particularly when the king is in the firing line. Although White does not have any immediate threats, it would be a mistake for Black to relax. Seizing the initiative on the queenside ensures that White will never be able to return to his schemes on the other wing with any effect. 26.Bc2

26…c3 Three points. Onward! Don’t give White a chance to rest. 26...d4 (three points) is also an attractive move, bringing the bishop on h6 back into the game. 27.bxc3 Instead, if White tried 27.b3, how would you respond? Answer on the next line. White’s attempt to keep lines closed fails to 27…Qc5 28.b4 Qc4, threatening …Qa2. If 29.Kb1 a5 prises open the position. Two points bonus points if you saw the queen manoeuvre. 27...Rac8 Three points. Black’s queen has already done a lot, but it can’t do everything. Time to send for the reserves. 28.Ne2 Instead of this, if White had played 28 e4, how would you respond? 28…Rxe5 wins – this pin is a common theme in many tactical situations in this game, so I just wanted to be sure that you had spotted it! Take an extra point if you did. By the way, 28…d4 is also very strong. 28...Bb5 Two points. To break through on the c-file, Black needs to eliminate the knight. It is interesting to see how the initiative has completely swung round towards Black. White’s knight has been forced back on the defensive, an admission that the kingside attack has failed.

29.Nd4 Allowing the knight to be exchanged would give Black’s rooks a straightforward and crushing attack down the c-file, so White attempts to confuse the issue. As ever, when events do not run to plan, a little calculation is required. 29…Rxc3 Two points. That was the easy move, but I do hope you already have your response ready against… 30.Rxh6

30…Qxd4 Three points. Awarding points for this move is very difficult. Capturing on d4 leads to a favourable ending for Black, but I would be reluctant to say a ‘winning’ ending. On the other hand 30…gxh6 (four points) appears to leave Black with a winning position, but it is quite messy. Have a look at this variation: 31 Qg3 Ba4! 32 Qg7+ Ke7 33 e6 Rxc2+ 34 Nxc2 Rc8 35 Qxf7+ Kd6. Black’s king is safe, but White’s is about to get ripped apart. Obviously, there are many other variations to consider, but this line contains the essential story: White’s attack runs out of steam, but Black’s crashes through. The only thing that prevents me from giving a greater difference in points between 30…Qxd4 and 30…gxh6 is that heading for the ending is a good practical decision. I can imagine that time trouble might have been a factor at this point, so simplifying the position is sensible. In this kind of situation, even if a position is ‘completely winning’ a missed tactic can spoil everything. Anyway, one certainly cannot argue with the conclusion of the game. By the way, I should also mention 30…Qxh6 – but only briefly. White’s attack persists after 31 Rh1 Qa6 32 Qxd5! (Better than Rh8+).

31.exd4 31…Rxf3 One point. And there we have our ending. Black is doing very well: he has an extra pawn, White’s remaining pawns are vulnerable, and White’s king is also a little exposed. Does it add up to a win? 32.Rh7 After this, certainly, but 32 Rh8+ Ke7 33 Rxe8+ Bxe8 34 f5 Kf8 35 Kb2 would have been less clear. White has managed to stop the slide. Compare with the game. 32…Rxf4 Two points. This is the best move as the rook takes aim at the d-pawn. 32…g6 33 Rg4 is less clear. 33.Rgxg7 33…Ke7 Two points. Strong, though 33…Re7 (two points) with the crude threat of capturing on d4, was also good. 34.Kd2 34…Rf2+ Four points. Speculating on what players did or did not see is perhaps pointless, but I’m guessing that White overlooked this check. Other plausible continuations give White a chance. For example, 34…Rc8?! 35 Bg6 Be8 36 Ke3 Rf1 37 Ke2 Bb5+ 38 Kd2 and Black must return to the defence of the f7 pawn with either rook or bishop. And 34…Rxd4+? 35 Ke3, when f7 falls. By checking with the rook, the king is forced back and cannot hassle the rook on f2. 35.Kd1 35…Rc8 Three points. Black has enough time to bring his other rook into the attack. The game is effectively over. By the way, there was no point in giving another check: 35…Rf1+ 36 Kd2 only takes the king off the back rank; in that case Black should repeat the position to put it back there. 36.Bb3

36…Bd3 Four points. This would be my choice. The bishop moves into the attack, but at the same time knocks one of White’s rooks back, relieving the pressure on f7. 36…Rf4 (three points) threatening to take on d4, is also strong. However, 36…Rc3 37 Bxd5 does not have the desired effect. In spite of the heavy attacking units, Black does not have a forced win. 37.Rh6 37…Rb2 Five points. At some point in an ending, tactics need to be employed to finish the game quickly. If tactics aren’t used, then the game is prolonged, and the longer it goes on, the greater the likelihood of an accident occurring. So, 37…Be4 and 37…Bc4 are also good, but only one point for either move. The game continuation wins the bishop. 38.Bxd5 38…Be2+ One point.

Here White resigned in view of 39 Ke1 Rc1+ 40 Kf2 Bc4+, picking up the bishop. Now add up your points. 70-80 Grandmaster 60-69 International Master 50-59 FIDE or National Master 40-49 County player 30-39 Strong club player 11-29 Average club player 0-10 Unlucky © Daniel King 2010

How good is your chess?

I'm not giving away any secrets when I say that I invariably open the game with my e-pawn. Two squares. If my opponent replies in kind, then I generally play the Spanish; always have done. Anyone learning chess in the era of Bobby Fischer had to follow the great man. Anyway, this is classical chess at its best. I love the space advantage that White achieves in the main lines: there are options to attack on the kingside or queenside depending on circumstances. But there's a question that Fischer never answered satisfactorily: what should be done with the Marshall Gambit? 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Ba4 Nf6 5 0-0 Be7 6 Re1 b5 7 Bb3 0-0 8 c3 d5

Fischer last faced the Marshall in two games in the phenomenally strong Piatigorsky Cup, held in Santa Monica 1966, first against Donner, and then later against Spassky. Annotating the game in the official tournament book, Spassky himself writes ‘The Marshall Attack, in my view, is quite sound’. However, Boris wasn’t to risk it in Reykjavik. A pity. I am sure the theory of the variation would have been greatly enriched - and it might have saved a slob like me a lot of hard work trying to find a killer response. As it is, I tend to fall back on 'Anti-Marshall' variations such as 8 a4 (instead of 8 c3). Latterly the top players have favoured 8 h3 as a way of dodging the gambit (8…d5 doesn’t work when the c3 square is available for the knight). But, frankly, both these moves are a compromise. Establishing the pawn centre with c3 and d4 is what full-blooded Spanish torturers want to do. Why don't I like accepting the Marshall? For a mere pawn Black gets a long-term initiative. I don't like having to defend, at least, not with White. The number of leading players who are

comfortable playing the Marshall Gambit attests to its viability. But recently my eyes landed, magpie-like, on this jewel of an encounter. This is an idea I would like to use for myself. When pinching an idea, it is best to check it thoroughly (alright, so I will still have to do a bit of homework). But looking at who played the game already fills me with confidence: Judit Polgar is as sharp as they come, and Peter Svidler, on the receiving end, is certainly no slouch. The signs are promising. Marshall - where is thy sting? Cover the page with a card with a card or sheet of paper, lowering it gradually to reveal it a line at a time. Begin after the first diagram. Whenever White has moved, stop and try to guess Black’s reply which will be on the next line. Try to analyse as much as you would in a game – it could earn you bonus points. The article will test your standard of play or, if you prefer, just enjoy a fine game. J. Polgar – P. Svidler Wijk aan Zee 2005 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 0–0 8.c3 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.Nxe5 Nxe5 11.Rxe5 c6 12.g3 Bd6 13.Re1 Qd7 14.d3 Qh3 15.Re4 Nf6

16.Rh4 One point. We begin with a forced move that, through my generosity, still earns a point. If instead 16.Re1, Black’s attack breaks through: 16…Ng4, a little reminder of the ever-present danger lurking in Marshall positions. But what is the rook doing out on the h-file? If I hadn’t seen this position before, and I didn’t know the players, I would be castigating White’s play. However, as usual in chess, matters are not so simple. The rook may be temporarily offside, but we have to look at what Black’s queen is

doing. Her majesty took two moves to get to h3, and now has to retreat. And f5 is not the best square in the world, blocking the bishop on c8; further regrouping will be necessary, and that takes time – a precious commodity in the opening. 16...Qf5 17.Nd2 Six points. These early moves colour the whole game. Look at White’s pieces on the queenside: if they do not enter the game quickly, Black’s better coordinated pieces will build up a fierce attack. As usual, the first piece that should come into play is the knight. Why can’t Black’s queen capture the pawn? 17…Qxd3 would be met by 18 Rd4, winning the bishop on d6. The rook is not just an idle spectator. Take a look at what happens if White plays ‘more carefully’, protecting the d-pawn first: 17.Bc2 Qg6! (allowing the bishop to enter the game) 18.Nd2 Bg4! (provoking a weakness) 19.f3 Bf5 20.Ne4 Rad8. The rook really does look silly on e4, and the pawns in front of the king are shaky. In fact, 17 Bc2 is not a careful move, it is simply a careless move, overlooking a tactic that speeds up development. 17.Bf4 (one point) is better motivated, offering an exchange, but if Black finds 17…Be7, targeting the rook, then White has problems to solve. 17 d4 (one point) is also reasonable as the bishop can drop back to c2 with tempo. However, bringing the knight into the game is preferable! 17...Re8 For those of you taking the opening theory seriously, this is where I should mention some precedents. Black can take the game into more tactical territory with 17...g5. While this is obviously critical, it seems to damage Black’s kingside more than White’s: 18.Rh6 Ng4 19.Ne4 Nxh6 20.Nxd6 Qg6 21 Qd2 Qxd6 22 Qxg5+ Qg6 23 Qxg6 hxg6 24 Bxh6 Re8 25 Be3 Bf5, with an approximately equal ending, Leko-Grischuk, Dubai 2002. Then came the game Anand-Shirov Rapid Match, Mainz 2004, when the Indian sprung a novelty: 21.Ne4! Bg4 22.Qd2 Nf5 23.Qxg5 Bf3 24.Qf4 Bxe4 25.dxe4 Ng7 26.Be3 Rad8 27.a4 Rd7 28.axb5 axb5 29.Bd4. For the exchange White has two pawns, two excellent bishops, and a compact position. Anand kept control throughout and eventually won the ending by advancing his kingside pawns. 17…Re8 is Svidler’s improvement on all this. It does look more sensible than burning boats with …g5.

18.Ne4 Six points. A pragmatic decision, and I think an excellent one too. Polgar is happy to return the extra pawn, if it resolves her problems with development. More on that later. White could have kept the pawn in various ways, but none fully snuff out Black’s initiative. The danger is that the longer the rook stays where it is, the greater the chance of it remaining permanently offside. 18.Bc2 (two points) is probably the best of the bunch, then 18…Qg6 19.Ne4 Be7 20.Nxf6+ Bxf6 21.d4 Bf5 22.Bxf5 Qxf5 23.Rh5 Qg6 is playable for both sides. 18 Nf3 (one point) I don’t like quite as much as the rook has even less chance of returning to the fray. 18 Nf1 is just too casual: 18…g5 19 Rh6 Ng4 is decisive. 18...Nxe4 19.Rxe4 Two points. 19.dxe4 (one point) is not bad, but the whole point of playing Ne4 was to bring the rook back into play, so this rather defeats the purpose. Black replies 19…Qg6 (19...Rxe4? 20.Qxd6). And although White is secure, I don’t see that Black should have any difficulties: 20 Be3 Be7 21 Rf4 Be6 followed by occupying the d-file. The rook should be on the back-rank working together with its comrade. 19...Rxe4

20.dxe4 One point. 20…Qxe4 What has White achieved by giving back the pawn? Basically Polgar has managed to exchange off a couple of active black pieces (the rook on e8 and knight on f6) for two relatively inactive white pieces, the rook on h4 and knight on d2. That’s fair enough, but has too much been taken out of the position? Your challenge is to try to gain some advantage from this seemingly dry situation. Ask yourself, in what area of the game is White superior - a better pawn structure? A safer king? Or something else? 21.Bc2 Five points. The queen needs to be expelled. We should first clear up 21.Qxd6. Black could force a draw by perpetual check, but does better to go for 21…Bh3 forcing checkmate. 21.Bxf7+ Kxf7 22.Qxd6 improves the variation, but only leads to a draw: 22…Qe1+ (22…Bh3 23 Qf4+) 23.Kg2 Qe4+ is perpetual check. And there is more evidence that leaving the queen in its centralised position can be dangerous for White: 21.f3 Qe7 leaves White’s king exposed. Likewise 21.Bg5 Bh3 22.f3 Bc5+ 23.Kh1 Qf5. 21...Qe7 Black is very close to equalizing. In fact, I wonder if Svidler appreciated the danger at this point (I’m sure he did soon after). Defending a slightly worse position of this kind is difficult. At this moment, White has no direct threats, so Black has a choice of slightly worse positions to head for – but which one is the least bad? For example 21...Qe6 is possible, when 22.Bf4 Bf8 is solid. White has a little initiative, but it is hard work to achieve a tangible advantage. 21...Qd5 would have been a difficult move to play as 22.Qxd5 cxd5 damages the pawn structure. It is certainly a compromise. However, exchanging queens takes some sting out of the position, and White has difficulties in making significant progress in this ending. For example: 23.Be3 Be6 24.Rd1 h5 25.Bb3 Rd8 26.Bb6 Rd7 27.a3 g5 28.f3 (28.Bxd5? doesn’t win a pawn: 28…Bxa3 29.bxa3 Bxd5).

22.Bg5 Four points. The initiative develops. This is White’s advantage – time. 22...f6 Already a significant weakness has been provoked: Black’s king is exposed making tactics more likely. Instead, 22...Qxg5 23.Qxd6 Be6 24.Qxc6 Bd5 25.Qd6 would have left White a pawn up for not much. 23.Be3 Two points. 23 Bb3+ wouldn’t help matters: 23…Be6 exchanges pieces. The bishop on c2 is well placed, trained on the h7 pawn. 23…Be6 24.Qf3 Three points. Everything is done with threats so Black is not give a moment to consolidate. 24…Qd7 Defending the c-pawn is problematic. How would you deal with 24...Qc7…? And while we are at it, what about 24…Bd5…? 24…Qc7 would be met by 25.Qe4 hitting bishop and h-pawn; and 24...Bd5 would be met by 25.Bb3! Qf7 (25...Bxb3 26.Qxc6 wins at least one pawn) 26.Bxd5 Qxd5 27 Qxd5 cxd5 28 Rd1 wins the d-pawn. This variation shows how crucial it was to provoke …f6, opening the diagonal towards the king. An extra four points depending on how much of the above you managed to work out.

25.Rd1 Three points. Such an obvious pin is irresistible. All the elements are falling into place: White’s pieces are active, and Black has several weaknesses that cannot be easily remedied – the h7pawn, the c6 pawn, the pin on the d-file, a slightly exposed king. You can sense that a tactic is coming. 25…Rd8 I hope you spotted that 25...Bg4 failed to 26.Rxd6 Qxd6 27.Qxg4, with a winning position. Another two points if you did. 26.Be4 Two points. Another threat, and Black’s position is close to collapse. 26.Bf4? would not be terribly good. In this case the tactics after 26…Bg4 are in Black’s favour: 27.Rxd6 Bxf3 28.Rxd7 Rxd7 wins material. 26...Bxa2 This move loses by force – as I am sure you are about to demonstrate. Instead of this, how would you respond to 26...c5…? White has two strong moves 27 Bd5 and 27 Bf4. Two points if you got either. Let’s take a look at a couple of sample variations. After 27.Bd5 White has the simple threat of exchanging on e6 and capturing on c5. If Black tries 27…c4, White infiltrates: 28 Bxe6+ Qxe6 29 Qc6, and the pins are just too much to bear. Or 27 Bf4 Qe7 28 Bd5 causes similar difficulties. 27.Bb6

Six points. There are several tempting continuations for White, but this is the only one that actually wins material. 27 Bc5 does not have the same effect, for example: 27…Qc7 28 Qd3? Be7 is actually winning for Black. After 27.Bxc6, Black can hold on with 27…Qe6. The position is obviously still good for White, but Black is not yet lost. 27...Bb3 Black is improvising in an attempt to scrape out of trouble. The ‘normal’ move 27...Rc8 simply loses a piece to 28.Bc5. And 27…Re8 crashes to 28 Bxc6.

28.Rd4 Six points. Again, lots of tempting captures, but only one move that wins conclusively. Let’s examine the alternatives, beginning with 28.Rd2. Remarkably, Black can crawl out due to the unprotected bishop on e4 and a check on the back rank: 28…Re8! 29.Bc5 Qe6; or 29 Bxc6 Re1+ 30 Kg2 Qe6. Or 28 Bxd8 Bxd1 29 Qxd1 Qxd8 – and Black is fine. 28 Bxc6 is closer. Black must find a few only moves to survive: 28…Bxd1 29 Qd5+ Qf7 30 Bxd8 Qxd5 31 Bxd5+ Kf8 32 Bb7, and even then the ending is unpleasant. All very well, but the game continuation wins the game immediately! 28...c5 One of the points of 28 Rd4 is that it protects the bishop on e4 so that 28...Re8 is no longer a defence: 29.Bc5 Re6 30.Bf5 Re1+ 31.Kg2, wins a load of loot.

29.Bxc5 Three points. The same score for 29.Rd2. Now that d5 is available for a check, the tactics work in White’s favour: 29…Re8 30.Bd5+ Bxd5 31.Qxd5+ Re6 32 Bxc5. 29...Qe6 30.c4 Two points. Typically, Judit Polgar finishes with a witty, tactical flourish. If 30…Bxc4 31.Rxc4, followed by Bd5 pinning queen to king. Those of us with a more prosaic nature might have selected 30.Qd3 (two points) pinning and winning the bishop on d6.

Black resigned. Now add up your points. 53-60 Grandmaster 45-52 International Master 36-44 FIDE or National Master 28-35 County player 19-27 Strong club player 11-18 Average club player 0-10 Unlucky © Daniel King 2010

How good is your chess? Wolfgang Unzicker died on 20th April 2006, at the age of 80. He was the leading player in post-war Germany until around 1970, when Robert Huebner took over that mantle. Given the strong chess culture in Germany, 25 years at the top is an achievement in itself, but it is all the more remarkable considering that Unzicker was never a professional player: he studied law and became a judge. Unzicker was German champion on seven occasions between 1948 and 1965. He represented his country thirteen times in the Olympiad between 1950 and 1978. His tournament performances were consistently good. He tied first with Spassky in Sochi in 1965; he was 4th in the fantastically strong Piatigorsky Cup in Santa Monica 1966, to take just two examples. Unzicker never gave up playing. He represented his club, Tarrasch Munich, until his death. Wolfgang Unzicker was open, friendly, kind-hearted and decent; a true ambassador for a country attempting to recover its self-image after the war. In these articles I have occasionally made the link between character and chess-playing style: in my experience chess-players often express something of themselves when they play. That was certainly the case with Unzicker. He was above all straightforward. He was a classicist: he claimed the centre, and played by recognised positional principles; he was unafraid to attack. In 1956 Unzicker played a match against Keres in Hamburg. All eight games featured the Ruy Lopez – different variations admittedly – but it says something about both players that they remained true to their classical precepts. Unzicker did not come off well on that occasion: 4 losses and 4 draws over the 8 games. Earlier that year the two had faced each other in the heavyweight Alekhine Memorial, held in Moscow. Botvinnik and Smyslov shared first with 11/15. Unzicker scored a creditable 8/15. Propping up the tournament table we find England’s finest, Harry Golombek, with 2½/15. This was the golden era of Soviet chess, and it says much that Unzicker was able to hold his own in such company. Naturally, the opening of the game between Unzicker and Keres was a Ruy Lopez. And on this occasion, the German came out victor. Cover the page with a card with a card or sheet of paper, lowering it gradually to reveal it a line at a time. Begin after the first diagram. Whenever Black has moved, stop and try to guess Black’s reply which will be on the next line. Try to analyse as much as you would in a game – it could earn you bonus points. The article will test your standard of play or, if you prefer, just enjoy a fine game. W.Unzicker – P.Keres Alekhine memorial, Moscow 1956. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0–0 9.h3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 cxd4 13.cxd4 Nc6 14.Nb3 Bb7

15.Bg5 Three points. This is an unpretentious and straightforward developing move. A little more pressure is brought to bear on Black’s central position, and the way is prepared for a rook to come to the c-file to greet Black’s queen. That’s all very well, but having seen my opponent’s bishop move to b7 on the previous move, I think I would want to snap the centre shut as quickly as possible: 15.d5 (three points) appeals to me. The bishop should now be on the other diagonal – d7 is the correct square, but it takes time to get there. Keres repeated this system with the black pieces on a few occasions, and he had to face this very move three years after this game. After 15…Na5 16.Nxa5 Qxa5 17.a4 Rfc8 18.Bd3 Nd7 19.Bg5 White quickly won a pawn, although the Estonian managed to hold the draw in the end, Larsen-Keres, Zurich 1959. I don’t like 15.Be3 as much: it takes away some protection from the e-pawn. After 15…Nb4 16.Bb1 Rfc8 17.dxe5 dxe5 18.a3 Nc2 19.Bxc2 Qxc2, the game is already heading in the right direction for Black, Sievilainen-Nei, Kuopio 1990. 15.Bd2 (two points) strikes me as better motivated, controlling the b4 and a5 squares. 15.dxe5? would not cross my mind. Resolving the tension in the middle of the board is a huge mistake, throwing away White’s space advantage. Black puts the rooks on the c and d files and looks fine. 15...h6 16.Bh4 One point. There is no choice. Giving up the bishop pair with 16.Bxf6? Bxf6 is a positional mistake.

16...Nb4 Not long after this game, Keres attempted to improve his play with 16...Nh5, but still found himself under pressure after 17.d5 Nd8 18.Bxe7 Qxe7 19.Nfd4 Nf4 20.Nf5 Qf6 21.Re3 Kh7 22.a4 bxa4 23.Rxa4 (Bronstein-Keres, Amsterdam 1956). White has the classic Spanish space advantage, giving play on both sides of the board. However, the position is still complex, and Keres managed to turn the game around and win. 17.Bb1 One point. That bishop has to be kept too, even if it means blocking in the rook on a1 (temporarily). 17...Rac8

18.Re2 Three points. Preventing the knight from hopping into c2, although it is a pity to have to move the rook from the first rank. The move I would like to play is 18.Qd2, attacking the knight. However, if Black takes a deep breath and plunges with 18…Nc2! he is doing well: 19.Rc1 (19.Bxc2 Qxc2 is fine for Black) 19...Nxa1! (this is the point) 20.Rxc7 Nxb3 21.Qc2 Bxe4 22.Qxb3 Rxc7 23.Bxe4 Nxe4 24.Bxe7 Rxe7. Black has two rooks for the queen, and that should be enough to win. 18.Qe2 (one point) isn’t as bad, but I still think Black should be brave: 18…Nc2 19.Rc1 Nxa1 20.Rxc7 Rxc7 21.Na5 Ba8 22.Bd3 Rc1+ 23.Kh2. I’d rather not have a knight in the corner, but there is no way of getting at it, and one day it might emerge. Anything could happen. 18.a4!? (three points) is perhaps the most interesting of the alternatives. It is a standard strategy in the Spanish: chip away at the b5 pawn, and open up the a-file for the rook. If 18...Nc2 19.Bxc2 Qxc2 20.axb5 axb5 21 Ra7 is very uncomfortable. Instead, Black should probably just hang tough

with 18...Rfe8, preparing to put more pressure on the e4 pawn. 18...Nh5 19.a3 Four points. A precise and thoughtful move. The automatic exchange, 19 Bxe7 only allows Black to regroup: 19…Qxe7. If White attempts to trap the knight on b4 with 20 d5, Black seizes the initiative on the kingside: 20…Nf4 21 Rd2 f5, undermining the d5 pawn. This last variation highlights one of the drawbacks of the move 15 Bg5: Black can often force an exchange with …Nh5, getting rid of the hemmed in bishop on e7, and preparing to sit the knight on the superb f4 square. Without the dark-squared bishop, it is difficult to get rid of this knight. White must take care; but Unzicker does. 19…Nc6 Black cannot go in for an exchange: 19...Bxh4? loses material to 20.Nxh4 Nc6 21.d5 Na5 22.Rc2 – Black is stretched as the knight on h5 is en prise as well as the queen – 22…Qd8 (the only way of continuing the game) 23.Nxa5 Qxa5 24.b4 Qa4 25.Nf5, and Black is about to collapse completely. 20.d5 Four points. As is so often the case in the Spanish, Black’s queen’s knight has to make an awkward retreat. Exchanging on e7 still would not have brought White any gains. 20…Nb8 Instead of this, what would you play on 20...Nd8…? White can win a pawn with 21.Rc2 Qd7 22.Nxe5! dxe5 23 Qxh5. Take two bonus points if you spotted this. 21.Rc2 Two points. The rook is going to have to move once the Black knight arrives on f4, so it may as well move with tempo. For that reason 21.Bxe7 Qxe7, removing the queen from the c-file, is inaccurate. 21...Qd8

22.Na5 Four points. I like the way that Unzicker holds his nerve, maintaining the tension in the position. While a little more calculation might be involved for White, it is also more testing for Black. 22.Bxe7 Qxe7 23.Na5 (two points for this continuation) isn’t bad, but Black has an easier defensive task ahead. 22...Rxc2 Black must play like this. Let’s deal with some basic tactics: 22...Qxa5 23.Bxe7 Rfe8 24.Bxd6 wins; 22...Bxh4 23.Nxb7 Qe7 24.Nxh4 Qxh4 25.Rxc8 Rxc8 26.Nxd6 wins; as does 22...Ba8 23.Rxc8, etc. 23.Nxb7 Three points. Once again, not the easy move, but the most testing move for Black. Instead, White could satisfy himself with 23.Bxc2 (one point), and a nice positional advantage on the queenside, but Black finds counterplay on the kingside with 23…Bc8! (back to the right diagonal) 24.Bxe7 Qxe7, followed by …Nf4 and …Qf6. 23...Qc7 24.Qxc2 Two points. It appears odd to block the bishop in this way, but Unzicker has a clever idea in mind. The alternative recapture, 24.Bxc2 (one point), was tempting as White can attempt to win a pawn: 24...Qxb7 25.Nxe5!? – the knight on h5 is hanging – 25…Bxh4 26.Qxh5. Here Black has two decent responses: 26…Bxf2+ 27.Kxf2 dxe5 28.Qxe5 Qb6+ 29.Kf1 Rc8 30.Bd1 Nd7, gives Black reasonable compensation for the pawn in view of White’s slightly weak king and the fact that the

central pawns can be blockaded. Or if Black prefers, 26…Qc7 hangs on to the pawns: 27 Qxh4 Qxc2; once the knight moves, Black captures on b2. Chances are balanced. 24...Qxb7 25.Bxe7 One point. Finally White exchanges, but the conditions are now perfect. The idea is that after the recapture, 25...Qxe7, the queen is deflected, and so White succeeds in gaining control over the open file. White has two methods of increasing his grip over the queenside: 26.Ba2, with the idea Rc1; or 26.a4 bxa4 27.Rxa4, followed by swinging across to the b or c files. Black still has counterplay on the kingside with …Nf4 and …Qf6, but there is no doubt that White has the better chances. 25…Rc8 A crafty Zwischenzug…

26.Bxd6 Seven points. White does not play along. Let’s look instead at the standard 26.Qd2 (one consolation point). The boot would suddenly be on the other foot: 26…Qxe7 27.Bd3 Qc7. In this case it is Black who controls the open file, and White must take care. Actually, I would say that the position is roughly level – White has the entry points covered on the c-file. 28 g3! is a good move, preventing the knight reaching f4, and so maintaining the bishop on d3. It is interesting that Unzicker declines this safe continuation and plays an ambitious queen sacrifice. 26...Rxc2

27.Bxc2 One point. What does White have for the queen? A rook, bishop and pawn. Nominal material parity. Let’s look at the positional factors. First and foremost, there is the powerful protected passed pawn on d5; second, the bishop pair; third, Black’s knight on f4 is out on a limb; and fourth, White has a compact position. That’s important when playing against a queen. The queen needs targets, so struggles against a solid set-up. Does all of that add up to a win? No. Or perhaps I should say, not yet. Knight’s are difficult pieces to cope with – good at blockading, and good at being tricky. And if White makes a slip, the queen can do untold damage. But it is definitely White who is looking to press home the advantage. 27…f6 28.Bb3 Three points. The bishop points at Black’s king, and makes way for the rook to come to c1. That is indeed the main threat. If Black plays the natural 28...Nd7, he is already in serious trouble: 29.Rc1, followed by penetration. Instead, you might have been tempted to block out the knight from f4 with 28.g3. Deduct five points. Unfortunately for White, this allows some neat tactics: 28...Nxg3! 29 fxg3 Qb6+ 30 Kg2 Qxd6 wins a useful pawn and exchanges off a bishop. What about 29.Bxb8…? Black can turn the game round with 29…Ne2+ 30.Kf1 Nf4! 31.Bd6 Qd7, threatening the bishop and devastation with …Qxh3+. 28...Nf4 Here comes trouble. I wouldn’t move the rook to the c-file…

29.Rd1 Three points. Black’s knight is more or less cut out of the game, and the rook goes behind the

passed pawn. There was another way to make progress, one that to me looks tempting: 29.Bxb8 (three points) 29…Qxb8 30.d6+ Kf8 31.Rd1. The advantage of playing like this is clear: it is less complicated - the blockading knight is eliminated, and the d-pawn advances with the rook behind it. The disadvantage is also clear: Black’s task is simplified as the bishop pair has gone. Here’s a plausible continuation from this point: 31…Ke8! (The king needs to blockade the d-pawn. White’s challenge is how to bring his knight into the attack) 32.g3!? Ng6! (32...Nxh3+? 33.Kg2 Ng5 34.Nxg5 fxg5 35.Be6, followed by penetrating on c8 with the rook) 33.h4 (with the idea h4-h5 and Nh4) 33…h5 34 Ne1, with the idea Nc2-e3. The outcome remains open. However, keeping the bishop pair is the principled move. 29...Nd7 30.Rd2 Two points. A cool move. The rook cuts out a check on e2 and prepares to switch to the c-file again. 30...Nb6

31.Bc7 Two points. Clearly, the bishop needs to make way for the d-pawn, but is this the right spot? This is a seductive square: the bishop is immune from capture because of the discovered check, and the queening square is controlled. However, 31.Bb4 and 31 Bc5 both deserve three points: on these squares the bishop has more

influence over the kingside. 31...Nc4 32.d6 Two points. There is no need to exchange off bishop for knight. 32…Ne6 The d-pawn’s advance has allowed the knight back into the game. The position is getting more complex. 33.Ba5 Two points. The bishop was threatened and had to move. This highlights that White made an error on the 31st move: the bishop should have retreated in the other direction. However, the irony is this: I wonder if this inaccuracy tempted Keres to over-reach? His next move has the hallmark of a man who believes his moment has arrived. But it is the fatal mistake. I’m guessing that time pressure was a factor too: if he had had time to reflect, I’m sure he would have been able to restore his mental equilibrium. 33...Nc5 The correct move was 33...Qd7, forcing an exchange: 34.Bxc4 bxc4. In this case it is hard to imagine that White can win. For example: 35.Bb4 Nf4 - threatening …Nd3 -36.Ne1 Kf7. Black has the d-pawn under control. A draw is the most likely result.

34.Bb4 Six points. Easy to miss in the heat of battle. The knight is forced to retreat, and White resumes the initiative. Perhaps Keres had imagined that White had to play 34.Bxc4+ bxc4, when White must tread

carefully for a couple of moves, but a draw is the most likely result: 35.Rd5! Nd7 36.Bc3!, for example, is super solid. 34...Nd7 Instead, 34…Nxb3 35 d7 forces the pawn home with a decisive material advantage. 35.Rc2 Five points. If the rook can force itself through to c7, Black’s position will collapse. 35…a5 Desperate distraction. But let’s look at a couple of the alternatives. What about the straightforward move 35...Qc6, supporting the knight? White attacks the knight again: 36.Nd2, and Black bolsters the knight again: 36…Ndb6. What should White play now? 37.a4! (two bonus points) is the key that unlocks Black’s position. The pawn cannot be prevented from advancing to a5, and then the c4 point collapses. And what about 35...Qxe4…? How should White react? 36.Nd2 (one point) is the move, attacking the queen and the knight on c4. It is interesting that once White breaks through, it is Black’s king that suffers. For example: 36…Qd4 37.Nxc4 bxc4 38.Rxc4 Qxb2 39.Rc3+ Kh7 40.Bc2+ Kg8 41 Bg6! followed by Rc8 and mate; or 40…g6 41.Ba4 Nf8 42.Rc7+ Kg8 43.d7, and White forces the win of the knight. These variations demonstrate the potency of the bishops, probing away at Black’s king at long range; and incidentally fully vindicate Unzicker’s strategy. 36.Bxa5 One point. There is no reason to decline. 36…Qxe4

37.Nd2 One point. Ensuring the elimination of the knight. At first glance you might imagine that 37 a4 achieves the same, but Black has the resource 37…Kh7! and the fight goes on. 37…Qd3 Black is lost. Instead, 37...Qe1+ 38.Kh2 Qxf2 39.Nxc4 Qf4+ 40.g3 wins. 38.Rxc4 Three points. A satisfying way to conclude. 38…Kh7 39.Bc2 One point. And Black resigned. 1-0

Now add up your points. 68-73 Grandmaster 62-67 International Master 50-61 FIDE or National Master 40-49 County player 30-39 Strong club player 11-29 Average club player 0-10 Unlucky The most notable aspect of this game was Unzicker’s principled refusal to release the tension in the position at any stage. Playing moves that require less calculation is simpler, and these kind of moves can often be made quickly. However, this is a false economy of effort. Such half-best moves, like exchanging bishops on moves 19 or 20, would have made Black’s defensive task far easier. It should also be said that at no stage did Keres back down either. I’m thinking of his determination to fight for control of the c-file with 25…Rc8, provoking Unzicker into sacrificing his queen. If Keres had defended more coolly, he might not have lost. The players brought out the best in each other: a true heavyweight struggle.

How good is your chess? In chess terminology, I’m not entirely sure what defines a ‘miniature’. The Oxford Companion to Chess (the Bible when it comes to this kind of thing) gives a miniature as ‘a composition with seven or fewer men including kings’. Not what I was looking for. But you are also referred to ‘short game’ and ‘brevity’ found elsewhere in the book. Under ‘brevity’ we find ‘interesting game of a few moves’. Under ‘short game’ we find ‘a game completed in a small number of moves, say 20 or fewer, sometimes known as brevity or a miniature’; and so we go round in a circle again. All this by way of introducing this month’s game. There are a few more than 20 moves, but I would define this as a miniature as Black does not get out of the opening. There is a touch of the 19th century about this game. The opening, for one thing – it’s the Philidor Counter Gambit (perhaps I should say 18th century?); the sacrifices; and, dare I say it, the poor defensive play of the loser. The Philidor Counter Gambit (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d6 3 Bc4 f5 as here, or 3 d4 f5) is certainly a rare visitor at top-level chess. The last time it did visit, like a rogue meteor crashing into the earth, was through the hand of Jonathan Mestel. He employed the opening to win two games in the world junior championship in 1975, first against Paul van der Sterren from Holland, and then later against Peter Nurmi, the Canadian representative. After he had seen the opening of the game against van der Sterren, Nurmi apparently berated Mestel for playing ‘such rubbish’. A few rounds later he had to eat his own words. Nurmi - Mestel World U20 Tjentiste, 1975 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 f5 4.Bc4.

This is meant to be the refutation. The key line is 4...fxe4 5.Nxe5! and now

(A) 5...d5 6.Qh5+ g6 7.Nxg6 Nf6 8.Qe5+ Be7 9.Nxh8 dxc4 10.Nc3 Nc6 11.Qg5 Be6 12.0–0 Qd7 13.d5 with advantage to White - Steinitz (B) 5...dxe5 6.Qh5+ Kd7 7.Qf5+ Kc6 8.Qxe5 with a winning attack. Instead, Mestel chose… 4...exd4! 5.Ng5 Nh6 6.Nxh7? Ng4 7.Nxf8 Kxf8 8.exf5 Qe7+ 9.Kf1 Bxf5 10.Qxd4 Nxh2+ 11.Rxh2 Rxh2 12.Be3 Qe4 13.Qxe4 Rh1+ 14.Ke2 Bxe4 0–1 Those victories helped Mestel to win the bronze medal. A couple of years later he used it against the Hungarian grandmaster, Andras Adorjan but with less success. Instead of 6 Nxh7?, Adorjan improved with 6.0–0 Nc6 7.exf5 Bxf5 8.Re1+ Kd7 9.c3 Qf6 10.Qb3 Be7 11.Ne6 Rab8 12.cxd4 (Adorjan-Mestel, Moscow 1977). Black’s king never found total security, and he was finally ground down with Eastern European technical precision in a cheerless 84 moves. To my knowledge, Mestel never chanced the opening again. In this game, the winner, experienced International Master Robert Bellin, declines to play the ‘refutation’ (Nurmi-Mestel shows how easy it is to go wrong). Instead he opts for a comparatively modest but strong continuation (played by Adolf Anderssen, among others). His opponent, thrown back on his own resources, soon finds himself in difficulties. The game won the brilliancy prize at the recent Guernsey Open tournament. Cover the page with a card with a card or sheet of paper, lowering it gradually to reveal it a line at a time. Begin after the first diagram. Whenever Black has moved, stop and try to guess Black’s reply which will be on the next line. Try to analyse as much as you would in a game – it could earn you bonus points. The article will test your standard of play or, if you prefer, just enjoy a fine game. R. Bellin – K. Goater 31st Guernsey Open, 2005 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 f5 4.d3 f4

5.d4 Three points. I know that Philidor is supposed to have said that ‘pawns are the soul of chess’, but the player of the black pieces has taken this too far. He has played four pawn moves and developed no pieces. If Black were castled, had his pieces in play, and White’s king were on the kingside, then forming a pawn wedge as the prelude to an attack would have some point to it. But that is too many ‘ifs’. White’s response, breaking through in the centre, is a strong and classic reaction. Attacking the e5 pawn is better than 5 g3. In that case Black is, to some extent, let off the hook: 5…fxg3 6 hxg3 Bg4 or 6 fxg3 Nf6 are both playable. The difference between this line and the game continuation is that 5 d4 puts Black under immediate pressure. Once the threats start, Black can’t develop as he would wish. Remarkably, I have found a couple of precedents. Yes, 4…f4 has actually been played before. In Jukic-Mihalopoulos, Box Hill 2000, White attempted to exploit the open diagonals around Black’s king with the radical 5.Nxe5 dxe5 6.Qh5+ Kd7 7.Qxe5. Assessing this position is not easy, but if I were playing Black, I think I would be delighted to come out of this appalling opening with a half decent position. True, the f4 pawn is about to drop, and from White’s viewpoint three pawns and the chance to attack Black’s king is certainly attractive; but with an extra piece the game could swing round in Black’s favour. 5...Nc6 Before guessing the next move, I should give the other precedent I unearthed. Instead of this last move, 5...Qf6 was tried in Van der Blom-Knipscheer, Soest 2000. White responded with 6.Nc3 c6 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Bxg8 Rxg8 9.Qd3 Bg4 10.Bd2 Nd7 11.0–0–0 0–0–0 12.Qc4 Be6 13.Qe2 Nb6 14.Ne1 g5, and Black, with his bishop pair and space advantage went on to win quite smoothly. What should White have played instead on the 6th move? White could have won a pawn with 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.Bxg8 (7.Qd5 Bd6 isn’t as good) 7...Rxg8

8.Qd5. The rook must move and e5 drops. Two bonus points if you spotted this. 6.Bb5 Four points. The pressure intensifies on Black’s centre. If you were to reset the pieces to the start of the game, then play the moves 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 d6 4 d4, you would have the position here – with the exception that Black’s f-pawn is in a different position. What difference does that make? First, Black’s centre is more rigid: capturing on d4, as in the Spanish, simply isn’t possible because the f-pawn would drop. Second, with the f-pawn hurled up the board, Black’s king is significantly weaker. Look at all those open diagonals. White could also open the position: 6.dxe5 (two points) dxe5 (6...Nxe5? 7.Nxe5 dxe5 8.Qh5+ Kd7 9.Qxe5) 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.Ng5 Nh6, but now it is necessary to waste a move with 9.c3 to prevent …Nd4. Nevertheless, White stands better here. 6...Bd7

7.Nc3 Three points. Simple and strong development. After this, the e5 pawn is threatened. It is too early to cash in: 7.dxe5 dxe5 8.Bxc6 Bxc6 9.Qxd8+ Rxd8 10.Nxe5 Bxe4 is satisfactory for Black. 7...Nge7 Black defends the e-pawn, but in so doing, blocks in the bishop. 8.d5 Six points. Given that White has a lead in development, it might appear illogical to close the position; but Bellin has seen a clear line of attack. From here on, the situation gets worse and worse for Black.

8.0–0 (three points) is the best of the alternatives. White’s options are left open – the d-pawn might push or capture depending on circumstances – and Black’s development is far from straightforward. Two points for 8.dxe5 dxe5 followed by 9.0–0 or 9.Nd5. 8...Nb8 9.Bxd7+ One point. 9…Qxd7

10.g3 Four points. The kingside starts to break open. In this case, it suits White to have his king in the middle: the centre is closed, so there is no danger; and the rook, on its starting square, is ready to join the fight. 10...fxg3 11.hxg3 Two points. Please see the comments above! Therefore only one point for 11.fxg3. That is still good for White, but it takes longer to get the rook into play. 11...h6

12.Ng5 Five points. This would also have been strong on move 10 (take three points if you wanted to play it then). The knight heads for its dream square. By the way, Black’s last move, 11…h6, didn’t have much point given that the pawn is pinned. Black could have kept a little hope alive by playing 11…c6, followed by …Na6 to c7 or c5, trying to undermine White’s control over the e6 square. 12…Rg8 13.Ne6 Two points. Of course, we slam the knight in without thinking. Black’s king is well and truly caught in the middle. Here is a very Fritzy alternative: 13.Nh7!? No human would ever dream of playing such a move (please check your connection if you went for this). The point is that Black cannot prevent Bxh6 winning a pawn. 13...Na6

14.Qh5+ Three points. The simplest way to winkle open Black’s position. However, 14.f4 (three points) is also excellent: 14…exf4 15.gxf4 Nc5 16.f5 keeps Black in the box. 14...g6 15.Qe2 Four points. Almost any of the retreats are good for White. The real point of the check was to create a weakness on h6. But 15 Qe2 is particularly sneaky. The same score for 15.Qf3. It isn’t too difficult to breakthrough. For example: 15…h5 16.g4 hxg4 17.Qf6 Nb4 18.Rh8 will win. I also like 15 Qh4 (four points), as the queen gets in to f6 in a similar way. 15...h5

16.g4 Two points. White prepares the final attack. First the h-file is opened. Other moves such as 16.Be3 or 16.Bg5 are good, but lack the drive of 16 g4. 16...hxg4 After this Black is utterly lost. The only possible way out was to get rid of the knight on e6: 16...Nc5. And now the most straightforward continuation is 17 Nxc5 dxc5 18 gxh5, winning a pawn for nothing. If the king runs, 18…0-0-0, then White just plays 19 h6 followed by Bg5. Black’s position is still a complete tangle. 17.Rh7 Three points. 17…Nc5

18.Bg5 Three points. White’s pieces are pointing in the right direction. 17 Rh7 and 18 Bg5 could have been transposed. Balance your score if you did so. 18…Nxe6 19.dxe6 One point. 19…Qxe6 Declining the pawn would not have helped the situation: 19...Qc6 20.Bxe7 Bxe7 21.Nd5 is catastrophic.

20.Nd5 Six points. Black is lost. White had plenty of winning moves here, but this is the most effective. 20.Qb5+ (three points) is also strong: 20…Qd7 21.Bxe7! Bxe7 (21…Qxb5 22 Nxb5 Be7 23 Nxc7+ reaches a winning ending) 22.Qxb7 Qc8 23.Qc6+ Kf8 24.Nd5 and White has a winning attack. Three points if you chose this variation: 20.Bxe7 Bxe7 21.Nd5 Bd8 22.Rxc7! Once again, Black’s king has no security. 20...Nxd5 21.Qb5+ One point. Now we can see why the queen retreated to e2 on move 15. Black’s king is shot from both sides. Deduct five points if you played 21 exd5 instead. That lets Black off the hook. Simply 21…Qxd5 is a decent reply, and there is still a big fight ahead. 21…c6 22.Qxb7 One point. Check out the seventh rank. Yum. 22…Rc8 That is to defend against the mate on c6.

23.exd5 One point. 23…Qf5 Instead, 23...Qxd5 is met by 24.Qd7 mate; and 23...cxd5 leads to mate after 24.Qb5+. 24.Re7+ One point. Here Black resigned.

Incidentally, what is the quickest way to finish the game after 24…Kd8…?

Two bonus points if you spotted the mate in two: 25 Rd7+ Ke8 26 Qxc8 checkmate. Now add up your points. 53-60 Grandmaster 45-52 International Master 36-44 FIDE or National Master 28-35 County player 19-27 Strong club player 11-18 Average club player 0-10 Unlucky © Daniel King 2010

How good is your chess? In 2001, I annotated a game won by the Brazilian Grandmaster Jaime Sunye Neto from the American Continental Open held in Buenos Aires. Let me remind you.

Diaz-Sunye Neto, American Continental Open 2001. White resigned here. Black forces the exchange of queens, cruises in with the king, and eats everything in sight. Flicking through the games of this year’s tournament, I found Sunye Neto participating again - and playing a game that was remarkably similar to the one from four years ago. The only difference was that this time he was on the receiving end. Bizarre. The winner is the latest star to emerge from Cuba, Lazaro Bruzon Bautista: 23 years old, and with a current rating of 2677. By the way, a little word of advice: don’t review the game above and think you can follow the same strategy to victory. The beauty of Black’s position is that the space advantage gives him the chance to play as he wishes! Cover the page with a card with a card or sheet of paper, lowering it gradually to reveal it a line at a time. Begin after the first diagram. Whenever White has moved, stop and try to guess Black’s reply which will be on the next line. Try to analyse as much as you would in a game – it could earn you bonus points. The article will test your standard of play or, if you prefer, just enjoy a fine game. J. Sunye Neto – L. Bruzon Bautista American Continental, Buenos Aires, 08.08.2005 1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 d5 3.b3 Nf6 4.Bb2 Be7 5.g3 0–0 6.Bg2 b6 7.0–0 Bb7 8.e3 Nbd7 9.Nc3 c5 10.Qe2

Rc8 11.d3 a6 12.Rac1

12...Rc7 Three points. White’s system is difficult to get to grips with. He is not trying to rip apart your position from the start – this is not 1 e4 and tally-ho. Instead, Sunye has brought all his pieces into sensible positions, awaiting events. He has no weaknesses, and not a single pair of pawns has been exchanged. If I were to compare the game to a football match, White is playing a 4-5-1 formation, so beloved of the Chelsea manager, José Mourinho. For the first ten minutes the ball has been passed around the middle of the park, no shots on goal, with just the odd skirmish between the players. At this point the commentators usually say: ‘it’s a game of chess out there’. So here we are: it’s a game of football out there. 12…Rc7 is a good idea, making way for the queen to move out of the middle, and so starting the process of connecting the rooks. If the queen stays put, there is a chance she will come under fire from White’s rooks on the c and d files. In that respect, White is slightly ahead in development as the rooks are already connected, and the queen has a safe square on e2. For the reasons given above, 12...Qc7 (two points) is well motivated, but it puts the queen opposite the rook. I don’t think White can exploit this positioning (the queen drops back to b8 quickly if White attempts d4, for example), but I would prefer not to do it. You never know. Black does best to hold the tension. I don’t like 12...dxc4 for two reasons: if White plays 13.dxc4 the position is just dull; and if 13.bxc4 I prefer White’s structure to Black’s. He can choose whether to play on the queenside with a4 and press on the b-file; or advance pawns on the kingside and in the centre. In short, the extra centre pawn gives White options. By the way, I like the idea of creating a Maroczy bind with 12...e5, but unfortunately the bind does not last long: 13.cxd5 Nxd5 14.Nxd5 Bxd5 15.e4 Be6 16 Nxe5 wins a pawn.

13.Rfe1 White continues the waiting game. 13…Qb8 Two points. Black removes the queen from the centre, and so brings the rooks closer to connecting. The same score for 13...Qa8 – there isn’t much difference between the two moves. Patience is the key to the position at this stage. Black should complete his development before undertaking active operations. Keep that tension in the middle. 14.e4

14…d4 Four points. I think White made a fundamental mistake when he advanced his e-pawn. With this move, Black gains a pleasant space advantage. The situation is akin to a King’s Indian Defence (with colours reversed), except that White’s pieces are misplaced. For instance, the bishop on b2 should really stand on c1; and the rook should be on f1. Therefore, no credit for 14...dxe4 15.dxe4, for example. In that case I would like White’s position. The e-pawn could be pushed again and a kingside attack launched. 15.Nb1 15…e5 Two points. Essential. Black shoves up the e-pawn before White does. The central pawn structure is now the same as in Diaz-Sunye Neto.

16.Bh3

16…Ne8 Two points. You would like some action? Be patient. It is not that kind of position. Let’s get the pieces to their best squares first. And we also have to think how to squash our opponent’s plans too. One of the merits of 16…Ne8 is that Nh4 is discouraged. Those of you with hotter blood might have lashed out with 16...b5 (one point). Not bad, but White can hold the queenside quite comfortably with 17 Na3. 17.Rc2 White conducts his own regrouping. 17…Bf6 Three points. A necessary part of Black’s manoeuvres: the e-pawn had to be protected before going further. For example: 17...Nd6 18.Bxd7 Rxd7 19.Nxe5 wins a pawn – even if the situation is far from clear (Black’s light-squared bishop on the long diagonal gives him reasonable compensation). Still, I don’t think it is necessary for Black to sacrifice a pawn to get a good position. Defending the e-pawn with 17...f6 would not be right, as the bishop enters: 18.Be6+ Kh8. And then the knight: 19.Nh4. Black can defend, but why make such concessions? 17…g6 (one point) is reasonable, making room for the knight to come to g7, and so clearing the back rank. However, it would give White’s queen’s bishop a spot to head for: 18 Bc1! followed by Bh6. 18.Bc1

18…Nd6 Two points. Black completes his mini-manoeuvre. Result: his knight has arrived at a pivotal position, with key squares, f5, e4, c4 and b5 in its sights. 19.Nbd2 This is a passive move: I don’t see a plan for White. 19.Nfd2 would have been more testing, with the traditional King’s Indian f-pawn ready to advance. How would you react? Sketch out a plan for dealing with the move. 19...Bg5 (two points) is a good move, making way for the f-pawn. If 20 f4 exf4 21 Nf3 Bh6 22 gxf4, and now the important thrust, 22…f5, halting White’s advance, and looking to open the diagonal for the bishop on b7. 19...g6 (two points) is also sensible, preparing to drop the bishop back and so making way for the f-pawn. After 20.f4, Black can choose between 20…exf4 21.gxf4 Bh4 22.Rf1 f5 23.e5 Ne8, and eventually blockading the e-pawn with the knight on e6; or 20…Bg7 21 Nf3 Re8. There are lots of tactics based on the pins on the e-file and the superb position of the bishop on the long diagonal. For example: 22 Bxd7 Rxd7 23 fxe5 Nxe4 and Black stands better. Black is better prepared than White if the position should open, and that is chiefly because of the space advantage, allowing him to manoeuvre more easily. Look at the squash of White’s pieces. What duty is the knight performing on b1?

19...g6 Three points. White is not rushing into action, so Black can continue with his patient build up. 19...b5 would not have been as good: 20.cxb5 axb5 21.Bxd7 Rxd7 22.Rxc5 wins a pawn. And 20…Nxb5 21 Nc4 gives the knight a good square.

20.a3 20…Bg7 Two points. Continuing with the re-grouping. There is no need to prevent White’s queenside play with 20...a5, chiefly because b4 doesn’t achieve much. In fact, because the space advantage gives Black’s pieces greater freedom to manoeuvre, the opening of the queenside is probably only to Black’s advantage. 21.Bxd7 White’s position is cramped and difficult, but exchanging off bishop for knight is an odd decision. At the moment, in this blocked position, it might not seem very significant, but one day the bishop on b7 will turn into a mighty piece now that it’s chief opponent has been removed. 21…Rxd7 One point. 22.b4

22…Qc8 Two points. Black carefully steps away from the opening b-file and aims the queen at the weak light squares on the kingside. 22...Qc7 (two points) is also good. 22...Bc6 (two points) aiming the bishop at the a4 square, and making room for the rook to move to the b-file, is also good. I also see nothing wrong with 22…f5 (two points). 23.bxc5

23…bxc5 One point. There is no need to play 23...Qxc5 - that would only give White encouragement 24.Nb3 Qc7 25.a4, for example. 24.Nh4 24…f5 Four points. This move is almost overdue. It has been in the air since Black first began his manoeuvre …Nf6-e8-d6. Incidentally, this knight is in a superb position, putting pressure on e4 and c4. Black already threatens to capture on e4, isolating the c-pawn, and creating a huge passed pawn. 25.f3 In this way, White hopes to hold back the tide. But it is a vain hope. 25…Rdf7 Three points. Black proceeds with his harmonious build-up. Don’t release the tension yet by moving or capturing with the f-pawn – that would make White’s defensive task easier as he would know what he was dealing with. This way, he is kept guessing. 25...fxe4 would be a good move if White’s knight could be forced back: 26.fxe4 g5 27.Nhf3 h6 28.Rb2 Rdf7 is good for Black. But instead, White should play 27 Nf5! giving up a pawn, but at least gaining a square for the other knight: 27…Nxf5 28 exf5 g5 29 Nf5 Nxf5 30 exf5 Rxf5 31 Ne4. White has fighting chances. 26.Nb3

26…Qc7

Two points. More re-grouping. It looks to me as though it might have been more accurate to play this instead of …Qc8 a few moves ago. It isn’t feasible to play the queen into h3 as the c5 pawn needs looking after. Not to worry. Black can afford to take his time as his advantages (space and the two bishops) are permanent. 27.a4

27…Bc8 Three points. 28.Ba3 28…Nb7 Two points. Black completes another mini-operation allowing the queen’s knight to enter the attack. Fine, but instead I think this might have been the moment to open up the file with 28...fxe4 (three points) 29 fxe4, and only then 29…Nb7. The point is that White cannot challenge rooks on the file, so Black’s build up continues unchecked; and by exchanging, Black would cut out a defensive possibility. 29.Bc1 At this point, Sunye should have tried to mix it with 29 exf5. He is in trouble, there is no doubt about that, but at least he could cut across Black’s plans. The game continuation is just too smooth. 29…Bd7 Two points. Nice touch. White discovers that the opening of the queenside has rebounded: he is left with weaknesses.

30.Ra2

30…fxe4 Two points. The same score if you tried this on the last move. Incidentally, Black also gets a strong attack if he plays 30…f4. For example, 31 g4 Bf6 Bf6 32.Ng2 h5 33.h3 Rh7, and a breakthrough is inevitable. However, it seems more logical to open the position for the rooks and bishop straightaway. 31.fxe4 If 31.dxe4, Black plays 31...Be6 followed by 32…Nd6, targeting c4. White has too many weaknesses. 31...Bh3 Three points. Black sets up a familiar mating net. I’m sure that White was ruing his decision to get rid of his light-squared bishop. 32.Ng2

32…Nd8 Three points. Black is really enjoying himself, bringing all his pieces to their ultimate positions before making a breakthrough. 32...Rf3 (three points) with the idea …Qf7 and …Bg4, is also a strong plan. White does best to play 33.Nd2 Bxg2 34.Kxg2 Re3 35.Qd1 Rxd3, giving up a pawn, but at least getting rid of the deadly light-squared bishop. 32...Qd7 (three points) threatening …Bg4, is a good idea. 33.Bd2 33...Ne6 One point. With the knight positioned on e6, White must keep the bishop on the c1-h6 diagonal guarding the g5 square. That further restricts White’s pieces: he is almost in zugzwang. 34.Raa1 34...Rf2 Five points. Finally, Black enters. And because Bruzon has prepared the way so carefully, the move is immediately decisive. White resigned.

The queen has to go: 35.Qxf2 Rxf2 36.Kxf2, and now 36…Qf7+ 37.Kg1 (or the knight drops) 37…Qf3 38.Nh4 Qxd3 (threatening the knight on b3) 39.Rab1 g5 40.Nf5 Qf3, and …Qg2 mate. Game over. Comparing the two games again, Sunye Neto went for a queenside attack with ...b5, and broke through convincingly. Bruzon could have done the same here, but when presented with an opportunity to attack on the kingside, he would have been foolish to ignore it. Remarkably, he hardly employed any tactics in the game, simply manoeuvring his pieces to their best squares as the pawn structure changed. A majestic performance. Now add up your points. 53-60 Grandmaster 45-52 International Master 36-44 FIDE or National Master 28-35 County player 19-27 Strong club player 11-18 Average club player 0-10 Unlucky © Daniel King 2010

About Dan Daniel King is a chess grandmaster. He has been a professional chess-player for over 25 years representing his country on numerous occasions. In addition, he is a games consultant, television presenter, live commentator, freelance journalist, and an award-winning author of 15 books