Understanding pawn play in chess 9781901983319, 1901983315

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Understanding Pawn Play in Chess

Drazen Marovic

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Fi rst published in the UK by Gambit Publications Ltd 2000 Copyright © Drazen Marovic 2000 The right of Drazen Marovic to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyrights, Designs and Patents Act 1988. A ll rights reserved. This book is sold subject to the condition that i t shall not, by way of trade or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hi red out or otherwise circulated in any form of binding or cover other than thatin which it is published and without a similar condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent pur­ chaser. A copy of the B ritish Library Cataloguing in Publication data is available from the British Library. ISBN 1 901983 31 5 DISTRIBUTION:

Worldwide (except USA ): Central Books Ltd, 99 Wallis Rd, London E9 5 LN. Tel +44 (0)20 8986 4854 Fax +44 (0)20 8533 5821. E-mail: [email protected] USA: BHB International, Inc., 41 Monroe Turnpike, Trumbull, CT 06611, USA. For all other enquiries (including a full list of all Gambit Chess titles) p lease contact the publishers, Gambit Publications Ltd, 69 Masbro Rd, Kensington, London W 14 OLS. Fax +44 (0)20 7371 1477. E-mail [email protected] Or visit the GAMBIT web site at http://ww w.gambitbooks .com Edited by Graham Burgess Typeset by John Nunn Printed in Great Britain by Redwood Books, Trowbridge, Wilts.

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Gambit Publications Ltd

Managing Director: GM Murray Chandler Chess Director: GM John Nunn Editorial Director: FM Graham Burgess German Editor: WFM Petra Nunn

Contents

Symbols

4

Introduction

5

1

Isolated Pawns

2

Isolated Pawn Couples and Hanging Pawns

48

3

Passed Pawns

74

4

Doubled Pawns

102

5

Backward Pawns

130

6

Pawn-Chains

170

7

Pawn-Islands

191

9

Index of Players

207

Index of Openings

208

Symbols

+ ++

#

!! !? ?! ? ?? Ch 1-0

1h-1h 0-1

(D)

check double chec k checkmate bri lliant move good move interesting move dubious move bad move blunder championship the game ends in a win for White the game ends in a draw the game ends in a win for B lack see next diagram

Introduction

"[Pawns] are the very Life of this Game: They alone form the Attack and the De­ fence. . .". Many a contemporary chess enthusiast must have been amazed to read this solemn statement by Philidor, bestowing such honours on the modest pawns, of which Philidor's famous predecessors, Greco and the Italian chess school, thought so little. Philidor's small booklet was published in London in 17 4 9 and is remembered under the title of its first edition - "L'analyze des echecs". A long time was to pass before the ideas expressed by Philidor were under­ stood properly, but the famous French musician and chess-p layer saw the role of pawns from an unconventional angle and much ahead of his time. Insisting on harmonious relations between pawns and p ieces, Philidor cast new light on de­ velopment and the centre. Philidor practised what he preached: pawn-formations were well-known char­ acteristics of his style. Contrary to the Italian school of thought, which enjoyed the play of the pieces, he understood those deeply-hidden relations between pawns and pieces that condition any serious plan on the board. Neither impres­ sive nor elegant, yet above Greco's t raps and false analyses, it was a style which, by elevating the standards of defence, announced that elaborate but unj ustified attacks lose ground. As a consequence, owing primari ly to the significance of pawns, the game took on new traits - of balance and restraint - those same characteristics that the 18th century valued so much. All the underlying currents of intellectual and ar­ tistic life of the century in France were imbued by common sense and restraint. Looking back at the man, his play and his teachings, we can recognize the pre­ vailing tendency of the times towards the clear and simple, the regular and har­ monious. Not many players followed in Philidor's footsteps. One must advance well into the next century to s ee another great player, Howard S taunton, exploring such niceties as the restrained engagement of pawns, p lay against doubled pawns or blockade. He broadened Philidor's views of pawn-formations, formulating ideas that Aron Nimzowitsch and Richard Reti were to extend over half a century later. Of course, Philidor's age had its shortcomings too. The philosophy of order and discipline had been developed since the end of the 1 7th century. It left a deep trace in fine arts and literature, but was essentially as non-dynamic as it was ra­ tional. On the chessboard, the period showed a tendency to reduce its interests to

6

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PLAY IN CHESS

static positional values. It d oes not come as a surprise, therefore, that the period of chess romanticism that followed did not build on these premises. The epoch of Adolf Anderssen and Paul Morphy nourished some other con­ victions. Putting it most concisely, theirs was an age marked by a strong move­ ment from an intellectual to a new, emotional culture, in which the aim of art in general was not to teach but to excite, which preferred freedom to discipline, per­ sonal taste to stereotypes. The leading chess-players, sharing the spiritual cli­ mate, did not try to formulate a frame of general maxims in the good tradition of common sense like Philidor. They relied on their feeling, their intuition. A game of chess was primarily a fruit of personal taste, an individual creation. Since it was not conditioned by severe rules, the chess style of the period was free and dy­ namic. Chess combination as the symbol of the period was a matter of faith, of optimism, we could say ofhea rt, certainly not of common sense. Pawns lost their meaning and importance in the construction of the game. It was no longer the pawns that shaped attack and defence. The centre often disintegrated, games be­ came an open battle, with pawns cannon-fodder, and the rational build-up of cen­ tral formations was gone. It is not difficult to recognize in these traits the hidden relation between chess and other forms in which romanticism expressed itself when it rolled over Europe as an enormous wave. In chess it came with the usual delay, but it came with foroe and in complete harmony with general tendencies of the movement as they were expressed in literature, arts and above all in music, its most natural expression. However, the end of the 19th century, not surprisingly, b rought a new turn. In the foundations of the 19th century there was a stressed tendency to formulate systematically the mass of existing knowledge and thus to express general laws of development. It is not by chance that Wilhelm Steinitz belongs to that epoch. He came as a lawgiver and the core of his teaching was the law of balance. Ac­ co rding to Steinitz, a game of chess runs equal until some blunder, or a series of small errors, disturbs the balance and tips the scale to one or the other side. This general law took the form of practical advice and various maxims. Steinitz insisted on the building of positions, and therefore on the elements on which positional advantages are built. Together with weak squares, open files, the bishop-pair, etc., etc., there was again talk of pawns. Pawns were resu rrected. In order to keep the balance one had to fight for the centre, to occupy it, to share it. 1 d4 was met by 1. . .d5, the strong points in the centre were held as long as no rmal development was possible behind the central pawn-structure, which became significant. It was firm, symmetrical, sharing influence on the vital central squares. The Queen's Gambit and related systems became the fashion of the day and pawns got a new lease of !ife. However, changes started to take place characterizing the play of a group of great players and theo reticians in the first decades of the 20th century. They

/NIRO DUCT/ON

7

called themselves 'hypermoderns' and revolted against the dominant dry and somewhat dogmatic style of Steinitz's followers. Aron Nimzowitsch and Rich­ ard Reti, the founders of the school, published masterworks of what may be called a chess revolution. The former wrote My System, and the latter New Ideas in Chess. Rising against rules and routine, the hypermodems warned, "there are no general, constantly valid rules". "We are interested in exceptions, not rules", declares the motto of the movement. Looking behind the mass of notions and as­ sertions expressed by Nimzowitsch, we find that the core of the new teaching lies in the new concept of the centre and pawn-structures. While classical chess in­ sisted on pawn symmetry, the hypermoderns introduced the concept of control by pieces. The restricted engagement of pawns in the early phase of the game led to a number of new opening systems. Simultaneously, for the first time in the his­ tory of chess, all sorts of pawn-formations were studied in all the phases of the game. What we know today we owe in great part to Aron Nimzowitsch. In My Sys tem pawns lived their days of glory. The new teaching about the centre fo­ cused on them and their subtle interrel ation with pieces. However, ironically, Nimzowitsch's philosophy of the centre was the begin­ ning of a marked process in the foundations of modern chess - the disintegration of classical pawn-structures and asymmetry of modern pawn-formations. Typically, and in harmony with general artistic and intellectual trends, the pro­ cess became stronger towards the middle of the 20th centu ry. After the Second World War, this tendency manifested itself in modem opening systems li ke the Sicilian and Benoni. As a matter of fact, as early as the 1940s and 1950s, David Bronstein and Isaa k Boleslavsky went further than Nimzowitsch, expressing the conviction that Black shouJd neither seek symmetry in the centre nor try to control it. One should cede the centre, they proclaimed, finish basic development as soon as possible, and then try to fix and undermine the opponent's centre by side-blows. The key was to fix the centre, which meant to provoke a blockade, and sap the centre of its dynamic potential. They relied on the simple, universal truth that whatever is fixed, immobile, has a tendency to grow weaker. It was exactly on these new propositions that new, modern opening systems were introduced, with the King's Indian Defence conspicuous among them. So we reach the second part of the 20th century aware of the constant flow and change of two dominant trends, exploring in turn attacking and defensive possi­ bilities. It is interesting in comparison that the history of art follows the same pat­ tern. There is a constant repetition of the typical process from the severe to the free, from the simple to the complex, from the closed to the open, from the static to the dynamic. In the constant change of chess vogue, of static and dynamic factors, I see the inner logic of chess development. Each of the epochs we analysed in passing

8

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PL4.Y IN CHESS

bore the germ of the coming period, and each of them was dominated by one style, one understanding. In that sense, however, the 20th century was essentially different. Just like 20th century art, modern chess is characterized by a mixture of different styles. At the same time, in the same place, strong stylistic currents run side by side - a complex tapestry of ideas and attitudes. The destiny of pawns in chess, their rise and fall, is interwoven into the pat­ terns of change. The periods that discarded them were fo llowed by those in which rational play was based on them. Our time has finally absorbed the experi­ ence of previous centuries, understood fully the pawns' intrinsic values and the varied roles they can play in a game of chess. Today we are aware indeed that they form the backbone of opening systems, that it really is the pawns that shape in a unique way attack and defence! The intention of your author is to explore the nature of pawns and the basic forms in which they appear. My aim is not to dwell on every single aspect of dif­ ferent pawn-formations in innumerable examples o f master practice, and so to tell the reader what to do in any single case. There are no rules that would fully define the complex life of a chess pawn, or offer secure, constantly valid advice. Besides, I am afraid that examining too many cases might just mystify things. What I am trying to do is to reveal the changeable, ambiguous nature of pawns, always depending on the surroundings in which they are called upon to fulfil their duty. Understanding fully that relation will help us to choose the right path in our own games. We shall learn from games remarkable for their clarity and simplicity of thought. First we shall analyse them, see how the pawns fare in the circumstances and then draw some valuable conclusions. I believe it is indispensable to analyse the phenomenon of pawn-structures, especially those in the centre, on the central files, on the basis of whole games, because only then is the whole process in front of us: we see how the structures are brought about and what becomes of them, and the causes behind the process. The result is inevitably rewarding: we can grasp the general lesson on the subject. I attach great importance to general understanding. If well understood and stored in our mind, it will always help us to choose the right plan, even when we do not know concrete lines and theoretical novelties, and although we are not conscious of the mental processes behind our decisions. If we are able to formu­ late general plans relying on general knowledge, calculating concrete possibili­ ties will be easier and mo re fruitful. We should never fo rget that only by understanding deeply the general laws which govern the game of chess can we attain that high level of skill and intuition which makes it possible to break the rules and see beyond them.

1 Isolated Pawns

It is proper to start our survey of cen­ tral pawn-formations with isolated pawns, if for no other reason than be­ cause they are such a common feature in modem systems. We find them in a surprising number of important lines and amazingly different mov e-orders, from the Orthodox Queen's Gambit to the Caro-Kann, from the Queen's Gam­ bit Accepted to the French D efence, from the English Opening to the Nimzo-Indian, from the Sicilian to the Tarrasch, etc., etc. However, in spite of the fa ct that the positions I mention are reached by various roads and hide some peculiarities, they remain in tr in­ sically determined by the very exis­ tence and nature of the central isolated pawns. And that nature is so fi ckle that it has always represented a specifi c problem.

Our diagram is the most common case of an isolated pawn in the centre. Each time we are confronted with this type of position there is that latent, un­ avoidable question: do we have some­ thing to worry about or a hidden weapon of attack? I could remark from my own experience that we pl ay such positions with a sense of unease, no matter which side we take. We learn early on in our chess practice what a menace they represent to the opponent, but also how vulnerable they arc and what a small step separates a promis­ ing situation in the centre from a des­ perately passive one. The fact that the isolated pawn can move forward at any moment is in itself frightening. On the other side, having no companion on the n eighbouring fi les, isolated pawns, like lonely people, are lonely creatures and therefore vulnerable. In order to distinguish clearly whether we have an asset in the centre on which to build our play or a reason for an uncertain future, we must learn from the rich existin g experience. I shall start our survey with a game that was a turning point in my own educa­ tion. I had always fe lt an isolated pawn as an unpleasant burden; to me it was a regular source of anxiety, until one day I saw its other, hidden face in a game by Alexander Alekhine. . .

10

UNDERSTAND/NG PAWN PL4.Y IN CHESS

Euwe - Alekhine World Ch match (game 25) The Hague 1937

10... d4! ,

Nimzo-Indian Defence

1 d4 ll:\f6 2 c4 e6 3 ll:\c3 .i.b4 4 e3 0-0 5 ll:\e2 In the Rubinstein Nimzo-Indian, the knight can be somewhat passive on e2, as it offers restricted possibilities. However, it has its positive side too: White looks after his pawn-structure, avoiding doubled pawns on the c-file.

5 ...d5 6 a3 .i.e7 7 cxd5 exd5 8 ll:\g3 c5 9 dxc5 .i.xc5 10 b4 (D)

Having isolated Black's pawn in the centre, White's intention was to take full control of the d4-square, which would be possible after the withdrawal of the bishop. Analysing the game years ago, and I still remember it viv­ idly, my reaction was the same: my hand was quicker than my mind and I grabbed the bishop to retreat it. A glance at the text surprised me as much as it must have surprised Dr Euwe dur­ ing the game ...

A splendid tactical blow! Now it is not difficult to conclude that 11 ll:\ce4 does not work after 11 ...ll:\xe4 12 ll:\xe4 .t b6. If White had relied on 11 ll:\a4 ?, then he had to face rude realities 1 l. ..dxe3 12 'i!fxd8? loses quickly to 12 ...exf2+ 13 r;!i>e2 .i.g4+. Therefore ...

1 1 bxc5 dxc3 12 'ii c2?! We witness here a metamorphosis quite common in similar situations: a central thrust has transformed an iso­ lated pawn into a passed pawn, a pawn of higher quality, more mobile and consequently more dangerous. In our game White does not realize how vi­ cious the pawn has become; otherwise he would have followed Alekhine's advice and played 12 'fkxd8 nxd8, and then 13 ll:\e2 ll:\e4 14 f3 ll:\xc5 15 ll:\xc3, although Black still maintains the advantage. In a more recent game, Agdamus-Ra.Garcia, Buenos Aires 1972, I found 13 a4 .i.d7 14 na3 c2 15 .t b5 a6, which was again good for Black. However, with the queens on the board it will be more difficult. 12...'iia5 13 nhl In case of direct attack by 13 ll:\e2 there is 13 ...ll:\d5 14 e4 ll:\b4 15 'fkbl ll:\4a6.

13... .i.d7 It is not so easy to capture the passed pawn as it may appear. Black threatens 14 ....i.a4, which can be use­ fully prevented neither by 14 .i.c4 .i.a4 15 .i.b3 .i.b5 nor by 14 nM be­ cause of 14 ...ll:\a6 15 .i.xa6 'iixa6; in both cases White is prevented from castling. White tries to escape in an­ other way...

ISOLATED PA WNS

14 nh3 ..ta4 15 'i!fxc3 'i!fd8 Since the rook cannot move due to mate on d l , an exchange is lost. So the mobility of the isolated pawn was transformed into a passed pawn, which was then transformed into a material advantage. It all happened after a se­ ries of tactical strokes, a common re­ sult of a breakthrough in the centre. What follows is just the usual techni­ cal problem. 16 ..tc4 ll:la6 This is the strongest move. Black evaluates correctly that White's passed pawn on the c-file won't be dangerous and that realizing the material advan­ tage will be easier without White's bishop. 17 ..txa6 bxa6 18 0-0 ..txb3 19 'i!fxb3 nh8 20 'i!fc2 'i!fdS 21 e4 'i!fb3 22 'ilf e2 'i!fbS 23 'i!ff3 'i!fxcS 24 lLlfS nht 25 'i!fr4 If 25 'i!fg3, then 25 . . . g6 26 'ltg5 ll:lxe4 27 ll:le7+ 'it>h8. 25... ll:lxe4 26 h4 ne8 27 l:.el 'i!fc3 28 ndt ll:ld2 A clever move, disrupting the coor­ dination of White's pieces in order to simplify the posi tion. 29 nxd2 nxcl+ 30 'it>h2 'i!fc7 31 nd6 ncs 32 g3 The last trap, if we can call it so, be­ cause after 3 2 . . . nxf5 the intended 3 3 ne6 is not enough in view of 3 3 . . .fxe6 3 4 'i!fxc7 nxf2+, etc. Alekhine, how­ ever, prefers to avoid it, leading his ship in this important game into calmer wa­ ters . . . 32.. .nr8 33 g4 r6 34 'it>h3 h S 35 'i!fd2 hxg4+ 36 'it>xg4 'ilff7 37 hS nxrs 38 'it>xrs 'i!fxh5+ 39 'it>r4 'ilfh4+ 40 e4 ne8+ 42 'it>dS �3+ 43 'it>d4 'i!fxa3 0-1 Since I saw this game, each time I faced a position characterized by an isolated pawn in the centre, I asked myself the same question: can the pawn move forward or not? It is the basic, crucial question one should ask on every move. The second lesson we learn from Alekhine's victory is as simple and important: a successful central thrust may promote isolated pawns into passed pawns, increasing in the pro­ cess all sorts of tactical threats. The following games will confirm our first impressions ... Kasparov - Short

Brussels 1986 Queen's Gambit 1 d4 e6 2 ll:lf3 tllf6 3 c4 dS 4 ll:lc3..te7 5..tgS h6 6 ..txf6 ..txf6 7 e3 0-0 8 net c6 9..td3 The continuation employed by White is a way to avoid the main lines of the Tartakower. White cedes the bishop-pair, but in a closed position in which black bishops can hardly play an important role. 9...ll:ld7 10 0-0 dxc4 l l ..txc4 es In Kasparov-Karpov, World Ch match (game 12), London 1986, Black played 1 l . . . c5, trying to open the posi­ tion and awaken his bishops, but after 12 'i!fe2 a6 1 3 nfd l cxd4 14 ll:lxd 4 he did not achieve his aim. The text-move was played with the same idea. 12 h3 exd4 13 exd4 ll:lb6 14 ..tb3 ..trs 15 l:.el ..tgS?! (DJ

12

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLA Y IN CHESS

This was meant as an improvement, because the ex change on g5 simplifies the situation on the board. In t wo world championship games against Kaspa­ rov, Karpov defended by opposing his rook on the e-file, which after l:tx e8+ 'ifx e8 made possible the manoeuvre 'ifd2-f4, whic h gave White an initia­ tive on the kingside. In both cases, however, note that Black's basic prob­ lems remain the same. White's light­ squared bishop is a mighty piece on a diagonal on which Black has no means to oppose it. White is, consequently, stronger on the key square d5 and can advance his pawn at any moment. Our isolated pawn is very healthy indeed ! 16 lial! It takes patience to choose this move ! Let the q ueen stay on d8, while l:te5 is threatened. 16 ...llld7 A passive reaction, but sometimes there is no appealing option; at least now the e5-square is controlled. Un­ fortunately for Black, what was hang­ ing in the air since the early phase of the game now comes by f orce .. .

17 d5 The right time to advance in the centre. 17...licS? Since 17 . . . cx d5 is obviously out of the question and 1 7 . . .lll c5 would be met by 1 8 Jl c2 Jl x c2 1 9 'ifx c2 cx d5 20li adl with advantage, Black, as of­ ten happens in such circumstances, takes the most perilous path. 18 llld4 Jlg6 19llle6! One of the tactical motifs arising after the pawn-thrust is the penetration of the knight in its footsteps. Using the vacated square as a springboard, White forces events to his advantage . 19 ... fxe6 2 0 dxe6 'it>h7 2 1 'ifxd7 'i!fb6 The ex change of queens would just make things easier for Whi te. With queens on, there is some dim hop e of counterplay. However, nothing can change the crucial fact: like in Ale­ khine's game, the isolated pawn has turn ed into a far-advanced passed pawn that will co st Black dearly. 22 e7 life8 22 . . . l:txf2 loses to 23 lll a4, while 22 . . .'Wxf2 + 23 'it> h lli fe8 24 lll e4 looks rather desperate. . 23 'i!f g4! White finds an ex cellent tactical solution. 23 ... 'ifc5 Kasparov explained he had in mind 23 . .li . c7 24 h4 li cx e7 25 l:tx e7 Jlx e7 26 h5 Jl d3 27li d 1 Jl d6 28 Jl f7. How­ ever, with a passed pawn on the seventh rank there is always some solution. 24llle4 ! 'ifxe7 (D) 25 Jlc2!

ISOLATED PA WNS

Not everybody would see this hid­ den possibility, emphasizing th at Black is vulnerable on the bl -h7 diagonal and there is little he can do about it. 25 ...�fS 26 g3 ! 26 h4 .i.xh4 27 tl:i g3 'tWg5 28 .i.xg6+ wins as well but the quiet tex t-move accentuates Black' s helplessness. 26 ...'ifdS 27 Itadl 'i!fa5 28 h4 .i.e7 29 tl:ic3! The last subtle point: the rooks pen­ etrate to the seventh rank. The game is d ecided. 29. .. .i.xc2 30 �xe7 Itg8 31 �dd7 .i.f5 32 Itxg7+ 'it>h8 33 'i!fd4 1-0 The same ominous metamorphosis ! The vigorous isolated pawn turned into a passed pawn causing havoc on the seventh rank.

13

which many players would rather avoid by playing 5 . . .tl:ix c3 followed by . . . g6. As a matter of fact, we have tr ansposed into the Caro-Kann, Panov Attack. 7.. ..i.e7 8 .i.d3 0-0 9 0-0 tl:ic6 10 �el tl:if6 A frequent alternative here has been 10 ....i.f6 . There is not much logic in the retreat from the centre, since White's nex t move thwarts the planned . .. tl:i b4, which would impose f ull control on the isolated pawn. 11 a3 There is an additional meaning be­ hind this move. It makes possible the standard manoeuvre .i.c2 and 'i!f d3, causing difficulties to Black's king. 11. .. b6 12 .i.c2 .i.b7 13 'ifd3 Itc8? (D)

Smyslov - Karpov USSR Ch, Le ningrad 1971 English Opening

1 c4 c5 2 tl:if3 tl:if6 3 tl:ic3 d5 4 cxd5 tl:ixd5 5 e3 e6 6 d4 cxd4 7 exd4 This time we have a case of an iso­ l ated pawn in the English Opening,

It is somewhat strange that these two great players only noticed the consequences of this error in analysis afterwards. Now, so early in the game, the decisive breakthrough in the cen­ tre was possible: 14 d5 when 14 . . . ex dS is punished by 15 .i.g5 g6 1 6 Itx e7,

14

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

while 14 . . . l2Ja5 meets with 15 J.g5 g6 1 6 d6. As you see, if not block aded, an isolated pawn is a Sword of D amocles, ready to strike at any moment. Evi­ dently 1 3 . . . g6 was indispensable. 14 J.g5? g6 15 l:tadl l2Jd5 16 J.h6 l:te8 17 J.a4 a6 17 ... l2Jxc3 18 bx c3 J.xa3 would be highly risky due to 1 9 c4 J.f8 20 J.g5 or 20 'W e3 . 18 l2Jxd5 'ifxd5?! Better is 1 8 . . . exdS, but wishing to keep the diagonal of his light-squared bishop open, Karpov forgets the dan­ ger. 19 'ife3 J.f6? This is a serious mistake. Dr Euwe proposed 19 . . . '!1¥ h5, while Korchnoi thought of 1 9 ... l:ted8. The punishment comes at once . . . 20 J.b3 'ifh5 ?! (D) 20. . . 'i!f d8 21 l2Je5 is favourable for White.

21 d5 l2Jd8 22 d6 Again the same metamorphosis with the same brutal consequences.

The appearance of the far- advanced passed pawn repr esents a victor y in it­ self. 22 ... l:tc5 23 d7 l:te7 24 'iff4 J.g7 25 'i!fb8 'fixh6 26 'ifxd8+ J.rs 27 Ite3 J.c6 28 'ifxf8+ 'ifxf8 29 dS'i!f 1-0 Such a crushing defeat must have left a strong impression on Karpov. However, a couple of years later he was again to find himself suffering. With the isolated pawn one can never be cautious enough.

Portisch - Karpov Milan 1975 Nimzo-l ndian D efence

1 c4 l2Jf6 2 l2Jc3 e6 3 d4 J.b4 4 e3 c5 5 J.d3 0-0 6 l2Jf3 d5 7 0-0 cxd4 8 exd4 dxc4 9 J.xc4 b6 From another sequence we reach the same pawn-formation in the centre, but with the pieces in different posi­ tions. Karpov plans a queen's fian­ chetto to establish control over the d5-square. 10 Itel J.b7 11 J.d3 The bishop is needed on the more important diagonal. 11 ... l2Jc6 The experience of recent decades seems to show that Black's defence is sounder if based on . . .l2Jbd7. On c6, the knight is awkward as it blocks its own bishop. Positions with an isolated pawn i n the centr e ar e as a r ule very sensitive and req uire full har mony of pieces and pawns. Some seemingly unimportant detail may make a crucial difference. 12 a3 J.e7 13 J.c2 l:te8 14 'ifd3 (D)

ISOLATED PA WNS

15

Instead, Portisch complicates matters and Black manages to save a draw . . 20 lladl? 'ifc7 21 J.xg6 fxg6 22 'ifc4+ xf 7 23 J.h6 'W d6 24 'ifc4+. Instead, Karpov weakens his kingside at once. D id he know about B alashov's defeat and could it be possible that he considered the text-move an improvement? Hardly so, because in reply 20 J.b3 would have created unsolvable diffi culties. •.•

Kramnik - Anand Dos Hermanas 1999 Queen's Gambit Accepted

1 d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4 3 ll:Jf3 e6 4 e3 ll:Jr6 5 J.xc4 c5 6 0-0 a6 7 J.b3 This continuation, resurrected by Kasparov, attracted much attention in the 1 990s. It is a quiet manner of thwarting Black's expansion on the queenside, since 7 . . . b5 would be un­ dermined at once by the unpleasant 8 a4.

16

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

7 ...lLic6 8 lLic3 cxd4 9 exd4 i.e7 10 Itel 0-0 1 1 a3 In Kasparov-Anand, Wijk aan Zee 1 999, Kasparov chose 1 1 i.f4 lLia5 12 i. c2 b5 1 3 d5, demonstrating that the central thrust does not need to be sup­ ported directly by the bishop, which is more useful on the other diagonal. In case of 1 3 . . . lLixd5 there i s 14 lLix d5 ex d5 1 5 'ifd3 g6 1 6 i. h6 It e8 (or 16 . . . i. f5 17 'ii e2 i.x c2 18 Wx c2) 17 '!W c3 f6 18 lLi d4 with strong pressure. Anand replied more str ongly: 1 3 . . . ex d5 14 'ii d3 lLic6 ( 14 ... g6 asks for trouble after 1 5 i. g5), when 1 5 i. c7 'ii d7 1 6 lLie5 lLix e5 1 7 i.xc 5 g6 1 8 i.x f6 i.x f6 19 lLixd5 i. g7 led to a balanced posi­ tion. 11...lLia5 A connoisseur of these positions will remember at once that in case of 1 l. . .b5 we have on the board a position from the Nimzo-Indian D efence but with one difference - there the light­ squared bishop is on a2 and White can punish Black's ex pansion by 1 2 d5 lLix d5 1 3 lLix d5 ex d5 14 'iix d5 i. b7 1 5 'ii h5, moving the queen into an ag­ gressive position. In our game, how­ ever, the bishop is on b3 and after 1 l. . . b5 1 2 d5 lLix d5 1 3 lLixd5 ex d5 14 'l!fx d5 Bl ack has at his disposal 14 . . .lLia5 offering White a choice be­ tween 1 5 '!Wx a8 lLix b3 1 6 It a2 i. e6 17 'ifxd8 Itxd8 (or perhaps more precise 1 7 . . . i.xd8) and 1 5 '!Wx d 8 i.x d8 1 6 i.a2 i. b7. The i dea occurred to me while analysing the game Kasparov­ Anand, in which t he quick retr eat of the knight to c6 played a crucial role in the defence.

12 i.c2 b5 13 d5! (D)

All at once it becomes clear that the move a3 is more useful than Kaspa­ rov's i. f4. It is clear also that the fight against d5 is more diffi cult. 13...l:teS An improvement over Kasparov­ Ivanchuk, Linares 1 999 (to be analysed later), wher e 1 3 . . . lLic4?! was played. Apart from 1 3 . . .lLix d5, the alternative 1 3 . . .ex d5 had to be ex amined. 14 '1W d3 g6 ( 14 ... lLic6 does not threaten . . . lLib4, and so the simple 15 i.g5 g6 1 6 Itx e7 decides the game in White's favour) 1 5 i. g5 i. f5 16 '!W e2 i.x c2 17 'l!fx c2, for instance, creates serious threats (Itx e7). 14 i.g5 h6 14 ... lLixd5 1 5 lLix d5 i.x g5 16 lLix g5 cannot be recommended, and 14 . . .exd5 1 5 '!W d3 g6 1 6 l:txe7 even less. Some commentators proposed l4 . . .lLic4, but then the ill-omened 1 5 lLid4 enhances White's pressure. 15 i.h4 lLixd5 1 5 . . . g5 invites repressive measures in the for m of 1 6 lLix g5 hx g5 17 i.x g5

/SOUJED PA WNS

with perilous consequences. If 15 ...tllc4 then 16 ll'ld4 again looks strong. 16 tllxdS exdS 17 'i!fd3 g6 18 'i!fe3 .1e6 18 . . . ll'lc6 19 'ilfxh6 is advantageous to White as well, while 18 ... g5 19 tlld4 looks desperate for Black. 19 'ilfxh6 .1xh4 20 .1xg6 'ilff6 21 .1h7+ 'it>h8 22 .1g6+ 'it>g8 23 'ilfh7+ 'it>f8 24 tllxh4 'i!fg7 Black could keep the material bal­ ance by 24 . .. 'ft'xb2 but then he could not force the exchange of queens. His king is naked and he decides to fight for his life in a difficult endgame rather than expose the king to an all­ out attack. 2S 'tWxg7+ 'it>xg7 26 .1d3 tllc4 27 b4

Unnecessary. 27 l:te2 is the natural move. 27...tllb2 28 .1n d4 29 m J:tad8 30 .:ebl ll'lc4 31 .:dl .1g4 32 l:td3 tllb2 33 l:txd4 .1xf3 34 l:txd8 l:txd8 3S gxf3 l:tc8 36 l:ta2 Played to invalidate 36 . . . nc2 by 37 a4. 36...tlla4 37 l:td2 l:tc6 38 f4 ll'lb6 39 'it>g2 tllc4 40 l:td3 tll b2 40 . . . .:g6+ 4 1 .:g3 tllxa3 loses to 42 .1 d 3 and the knight cannot come out. 41 �g3+ 'it>h8 42 .1e2 �c2 43 .1hS l:tc7 44 rs? ! A strange move, to put it mildly. 44 ...'it>h7 4S .1e2 'it>h6 46 h4 �c2 47 .1f3 ll'lc4 48 .1dS ll'ld6 49 l:td3 'it>g7 SO .1f3 tllxfS Sl .1b7 tllxh4+ S2 'it>gl l:te2 S3 .1xa6 l:teS S4 l:tc3 llJrS SS l:tcS l:txcS S6 bxcS ll'ld4 S7 c6 tllxc6 S8 .1xbS ll'las S9 'it>g2 'it>f6 60 'it>f3 'it>eS 61 'it>e3 tllb7 62 .1c4 f6 63

17

a4 tllaS 64 .1f7 tll c6 6S 'it>d3 'it>d6 66 'it>e4 tlle7 67 aS 'it>cS 68 a6 tll c8 69 .1hS 'it>d6 70 .1f3 1-0 The endgame play featured some errors, and does not impress, but our interest in this game is of a different nature. Complex and exciting from the early opening, i t contains all that such positions can offer: there is the usual suspense about the pawn advance in the centre, a series of tactical threats on the diagonals towards Black's king­ side, dubious endgames hanging over Black's head, the strong knight in the centre with additional threats and mo­ tifs. An instructive game indeed! Like Karpov, Anand succumbed to the threats made possible by an unex­ pected and seemingly insufficiently supported breakthrough in the centre. Unfortunately for Black, the b l -h7 di­ agonal is not the only route of White's attack. The following games warn that the a2-g8 diagonal plays an equal role in his plans . . . Botvinnik - Vidmar

No ttingham 1936 Queen's Gambi t 1 c4 e6 2 ll'lf3 dS 3 d4 llJr6 4 tllc3 .1e7 S .1gS 0-0 6 e3 tllbd7 7 .1d3 Although it allows Black an early . . . c5, Botvinnik was happy to play this move. 7 ... cS 8 0-0 cxd4 A good alternative is 8 ... dxc4 9 .1xc4 a6. 9 exd4 dxc4 10 .1xc4 tllb6 Again 10 . . . a6 seems more precise, provoking a4. Vidmar, however, was

18

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

so intent on blockading the central pawn that he could not wait. 11 .li.b3 .li.d7 ?! We are entering a delicate phase of the game. Black has blockaded the isolated pawn successfully, but is un­ aware of another threat. It is true that in case of 1 1 ... tllbd5 1 2 tlle5 White keeps a spatial advantage, but l 1 . . . tllfd5, at­ tempting to simpl ify through ex ­ changes, definitely l ooks better. 12 'i!fd3 lLibd5 ? ! Once more 12 ... tllfd5 was recom­ mended. Vidmar misses his chance to defuse White's pressure. He forgets the golden rule that isolated pawns in general l ose their strength when pieces are ex changed. 13 tt:le5 .li.c6 14 Itadl tt:lb4 A nother attempt at simplifi cation in the form of 14 ... tt:l h5 would b e met by 15 tt:lx c6 bx c6 16 .li. c 1 . With his que en's rook already de ve lope d on.d 1, the retreat to c l comes naturally. 15 'ifh3 .li.d5 It was too late for 1 5 . . . lLi fdS, which would now be met by 1 6 Ji. c l . Vidmar, therefore, tries to reduce the pressure by giving up his light-squared bishop. 16 tt:lxd5 tt:lbxd5 (D) For the third time in the game, Vid­ mar plays with the wr ong kni ght. He underrates the oncoming attack. 17 f4 :cs Now that f4 has been played, it is apparent why 16 . . .tllfx d5 would have been better: Black would now be able to meet the pawn advance by 17 . . .f5. We should also note that 17 . . .g6 fails to 1 8 .li. h6 Ite8 1 9 .li. a4. In case of 1 7 . . . tt:l e4, Botvinnik demonstr ated a

devastating tactical blow - 1 8 tllx f7 g8 25 .ixd5 nd7 26 .ixc6 bxc6 27 tt:le5 l:tdd8 28 'it>f1 h5 29 l:tel l:td5 30 tt:lxc6 1-0 The lesson is simple: when facing an isolated pawn in the centre, you cannot ignore the vital issue of its po­ tential advance. Y ou must either pre­ vent it for good or be ready for it. Grandmaster Pomar did neither. However, the threat of a central thr ust and its conseq uences are not al­ ways so dramatic. What the advance in the centre often brings is a better endgame or a dominant centr alized piece at the end of exchanges, posi­ tional advantages one should learn to fear as much as the violent at tacks we have seen. A couple of instructive games will help the reader to stay awar e of it.

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4 tt:lf6 5 tt:lc3 e6 6 tllf3 .ie7 7 cxd5 tt:lxd5 8 .id3 tt:lc6 9 0-0 0-0 This time we reach our pawn­ structur e from the Caro-Kann, Panov Attack; numerous roads lead to the same place. 10.l:tel .if6 It is not in vain to repeat that in case of 10 ... tt:l f6, with the idea of establish­ ing a firm blockade on d5 by a subse­ quent ... tt:l b4, White's best reaction is 11 a3, which pr events the manoeuvre and at the same time makes possible .ic2 and 'i!f d3, building pressure on Black's ki ngside. 11 .ie4 tt:lce7 We see now the idea behind the move ... .i f6 : Black holds fir m in the centre. 12 tt:le5 Probably the most unpleasant for Black. Supported by White' s d4 -pawn, the dominant knight squeezes Black, whose further development is rather limited. In such a situation 'i!f d3, with threats on the b l -h7 diagonal, as well as the possible tt:l g4 , may be quite an­ noying for Black. 12....id7 ?! Note that aft er 1 2 ....!bxc3 followed by ....ix e5 Black remains weak on the dark squares, but the tex t-move is also considered inferior. Several theoreti­ cians proposed 1 2 ...g6. 13 'i!fd3 g6 14 .ih6 .ig7 15 .ixg7 'it>xg7 16 liJxd5 liJxd5 ?!

]SOLA.TED PA WNS

On 16 ... ex dS White must have had in mind 17 tlix d7 °Bxd7 ( 1 7 . . .dx e4 fails to 1 8 °B b5) 18 .tB with a favour­ able endgame. The d5-pawn will re­ main under pressure, which can be in­ creased by It e5 or Itc l -c5, doubling the rooks at the same time and captur­ ing one of the open files, or a pawn ad­ vance on both wings. The tex t-move, however, encounters other problems. 17 Jtxd5 exd5 18 'i!Vb3! (D)

21

A pawn down and with his king's defences compromised, Black has paid the price for his inadequate treatment of the opening phase involving an iso­ lated pawn. White now succeeds in demonstrating how diffi cult it is to de­ fend such positions. 23...'i!Va5 24 h3 Itb4 25 b3 'i!Vb6 26 Itdl a5 27 'i!Ve3 a4 28 Itd3 axb3 29 axb3 Itb7 30 'i!Ve8 Itxb3 31 l:.xb3 'i!Vxb3 32 Ite7+ Itxe7 33 'i!Vxe7+ �g8 34 'i!Vxf6 'i!Vbl + 35 �h2 'i!Vb8+ 36 f4 'i!Ve8 37 'i!Ve5 'i!Vf7 38 g4 h6 39 f5 gxf5 40 gxf5 �h7 41 �g3 'i!Vb7 42 �4 'i!Vc6 43 'i!Ve7+ �h8 44 �e5 'i!Vcl 45 f6 'i!Ve3+ 46 �d6 'i!Va3+ 47 'it>e6 'i!Vxh3+ 48 �f7 1-0

Karpov - Uhl mann Madrid 1973 French Defence

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 tlid2 c5 4 exd5 exd5 5 tligf3 tlic6 6 Jtb5 Jtd6 7 dxc5 .ixc5 8 0-0 tlige7 9 tlib3 Jtd6 10 Jtg5 (D) This time the isolated pawn was successfully blockaded, but behind it, White has obtained active piece-play, and can force a better endgame. 18 ...f6 1 8 ...Jt c6 19 It ac l is hardly more inviting. Of course, the tex t-move per­ manently weakens Black' s king posi­ tion, so major-piece endgames will involve additional diffi culties. 19 tlid3 .trs It is too late for 1 9 . ..Jt c6 because 20 tlic5 wins mat erial. Bl ack must give up a pawn. 20 'i!Vxb7+ Itf7 21 'i!Va6 Itb8 22 Ite2 Jtxd3 23 'i!Vxd3

This position from the Fre nch Tarrasch is one of the most instruc tive

22

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

for a student of our topic. The d5-pawn is well protected by numerous black pieces and weakening it is a subtle task. The continuation Karpov used to apply in the 1970s is in keeping with the general strategic plan. We shall yet speak of it, but let us mention in pass­ ing that ex changes slowly undermine the stability of an isolated pawn. What Karpov has in mind is the manoeuvre .i. g5-h4-g3, in order to ex change the dark- squared bishops, which will be to the detriment of the d5-pawn. This is perfectly logical, although la ter expe­ rience warned that the intended ma­ noeuvre is somewhat slow and the alternative follow-up 1 1 Itel prevaile d. 10 ... 0-0 11 .i.h4 .i.g4 1 1 . . . 'i!V b6 comes into consideration, but the tex t-move is logical as well. 12 .i.e2 .i.h5 As lon g as so many piec es stan d behind the d5-pawn it is a healthy pawn, and White's pressure on it is barely perceptible. However, just one wrong step can change the picture significantly. Although, for instance, 1 2 . . .'i!V b6 looks natural, it would have brought a serie s of unwanted ex ­ changes, leading to an endgame in which the d5-pawn starts to fu el shaky: 1 3 .i.x e7 CiJxe7 14 °B d4 'i!Vxd4 1 5 CiJ fxd4 . Instead, 1 2 . . .Ite8 1 3 Itel 'i!V b6 is satisfa ctory. In that case, 14 .i.x e7 would be met by 14 ... Itx e7 1 5 °Bxd5 CiJ b4. 13 Itel 'i!Vb6 14 CiJfd4 .i.g6 Considering constantly the nature of the isolated pawn, we see that these are logical reactions by both sides:

White is looking for ex changes, and Black avoids them. 15 c3 Another logical step. The square in front of the isolated pawn is White's strong square; he wants to control it fully. 15 ...m'eS 16 .tn .i.e4 17 .i.g3 .i.xg3 18 hxg3 a5?! (D)

We are discussing here a very deli­ cate position in which even impercep­ tibly wrong steps can turn the tables. Uhlmann's last move is a blank shot. It turns out that it offers a weak square, b5, for nothing. We shall see why. 19 a4! CiJxd4 20 CiJxd4 CiJc6 We see now that 20 . . . 'i!Vxb2 does not work due to 2 1 CiJ b5 or 2 1 .i. b5 , followed by f3, winning material. 1 8 . . . aS was intended to exert pressure on d4, but it missed its target. White will now use the b5-square to seize the initiative. 21 .i.b5 Ited8 Black obstinately continues to fo­ cus on the firm white point at d4, but perhaps it was premature to leave the

]SOLA.TED PA WNS

e-file. 21. . ..ig6 cam e into consider­ ation. 22 g4 tlixd4 While undoubtedly consistent with the previous play, this is one of those ' obvious' possibilities players should think twice before adopting. 23 'i!Vxd4 'ikxd4 24 cxd4 Itac8 24 . . �f'8 looks more natural in or­ der to prevent the penetr ation of the seventh rank, but i t is not clear what Black can do against the doubling of rooks on the e-file. 25 f3 Jtg6 26 Ite7 b6 26 ... .l:tc2 comes into consideration. 27 J:.ael h6 The immediate 27 ... h5 is better. 28 .l:tb7 .l:td6 29 .l:tee7 White's pair of rooks on the seventh rank is paralysing. Black's position is critical. 29 ... h5 30 gxh5 .ixh5 31 g4 Jtg6 32 f4 (D) .

That's it. The plan started by 25 f3 has been carried ou t perfectly. 32 ...Itcl+ 33 �f2 .l:tc2+ 34 �e3 .ie4

23

34 . . lt e6+ 35 Itxe6 fxe6 36 l:t.xb6 Itxb2 37 Itx e6 is no better. 35 .l:txf7 Itg6 36 g5 �h7 37 l:t.fe7 l:t.xb2 38 .ie8 .l:tb3+ 39 �2 l:.b2+ 40 �el .l:td6 41.l:txg7+ �h8 42 .l:tge7 1-0 One of the best games Karpov ever played. I remember watchi ng a group of grandmasters analysing it. For a long time, they could not grasp the reason for Black's loss. In the battle against the isolated pawn, White achieved an advantageous endgame by ex ploiting small, barely perceptible errors by his opponent. To parry an immediate cen­ tral thrust is not enough. Looming be­ hind the intr icacies of the opening there are always endgames whose nature and destiny are often decided in the most sensitive phase when opening turns into middlegame. In our game, Black was not up to his difficult task.

Rubinstein - Ta rtakower Marienbad 1925 Queen's Gambit Accepted

1 d4 e6 2 tlif3 d5 3 c4 tlif6 4 tlic3 dxc4 5 e3 a6 6 a4 c5 7 .ixc4 !Lic6 8 0-0 cxd4 9 tlixd4 tlixd4 ?! 10 exd4 .ie7 Without discussing the niceties of the opening phase, let us just note that a somewhat u nusual course of events has led to the well-known position with one difference: a pair of knights has been ex changed, making possible a rather uncommon, early breakthrough i n the centre ... 11 d5 exd5 12 tlixd5 tlixd5 13 .ixd5 (D) This time the advance of the mobile pawn has brought abou t a position

24

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLA Y IN CHESS

characterized by a str ong, dominant bishop on d5, targeting both the oppo­ nent' s wings: since White is always half a step in front of his adversary, such an advantage cannot be taken lightly. 13 ...0-0 14 'ikf3 Jtd6 By aiming at h2, Blac k indirec tly defends the b7-pawn. 15 :tel Probably ex pecting 15 ... 'i'b6, Ru­ binstein prepares 1 6 J:te8. White is better: his development is superior, and his pressure against the b7- and f7-pawns grants him an initiative. 15 ...'ikh4 16 h3 'ikb4 Tart akower was not a patient man, ready to defend his material balance tenaciously. The active sally by his queen prepares to parry 17 It e8 by 1 7 ... Jte6, now viable because White's first rank is not defended. However, it also ex poses the queen. 17 .l:tdl .l:tb8 18 b3 Jte6 The type of clever answer one could expect from Tartakower. He ignores the threatened 19 Jta3, which he can meet by 19 ...'ik b6 20 a5 'ik c7, hoping that a

major-piece endgame will offer draw­ ing chances. However, Rubinstein sets his opponent a more diffi cult task ... 19 Jtxe6 fxe6 20 'ike2 Jtc5 Black hopes to ex tricate himself fr om his predicament by gaining counter-pressure against f2 in return for the e6-pawn. 21 'ikxe6+ 'it>h8 22 Jta3 Not 22 Jte3 .l:t be8, etc. 22...'ika5 23 Itd5 Jtxf2+ 24 'it>hl 'ikc3 25 :tel 'ikf6 26 'ikxf6 Itxf6 So in spite of his imaginative de­ fence, Tarta kower fa ces a difficult end­ game. The g7-pawn is ex posed and the seventh rank defenceless. 27 Itd7 Jte3? This makes things easier for White. However, either 27 . . ..l:t b6 28 Jtb2 or 27 ... b6 28 Jtb2 l:t g6 29 Itcc7 It g8 will sooner or later le ad to c ollapse. 28 Itxb7 Itb6 29 .l:txb6 Jtxb6 30 J:tc6 h5 31 Jtd6 .l:tb7 32 b4 a5 33 b5 'it>h7 34 g4 hxg435 hxg4 'it>g8 36 �g2 'it>f7 37 'it>f3 Jtd8 38 'it>e4 'it>e8 39 'it>d5 g5 40 'it>e6 Jtb6 41 J:tc8+ Jtd8 42 Jtc5 Itb8 43 Itc6 Itb7 44 b6 :tbs 45 Itc7 Jtxc7 46 bxc7 Itc8 47 Jtb6 J:ta8 48 .ta7 1-0 This game, played with Rubin­ stein's inimitable simplicity, is highly instructive. We see how an isolated pawn, when poorly restrained by the opponent, breaks through, and enables White to tr ansform his initiative into a dominant strategic piece on a central square. The outcome is a superior end­ game for White. Strong pieces on the central squares are yet another conse­ quence of the mobile central pawn that one should fear.

ISOLATED PA WNS

Spassky - Avtonomov Le ningrad 1949 Queen's Gambit Accepted

1 d4 dS 2 c4 dxc4 3 tlif3tlif6 4 e3 cS S .lii.xc4 e6 6 0-0 a6 7 'i!Ve2 The eternal question is whether to prevent Black's ex pansion on the queenside or to allow it. The fa shion changes, but the question remains. 7...bS 8 1'.b3 tlic6?! I have a personal preference for the lines based on . . . tlibd7. 9 tlic3 In case of 9 .l:t d l there is the well­ known 9 ... c4 10 1'.c2 tlib4 and the bishop will be beheaded. 9 ..cxd4 Better is 9 . . . .lii.e7. 10 .l:tdl 1'.b7 11 exd4 tlib4 (D) .

25

The fact that he lost time developing his queenside and delaying the natural development of the kingside proves fa­ tal. White's pieces are ideally posted to support the following bolt from the blue. 12 dS! tlibxdS If 12 ... tlifx d5?, then 1 3 a3 decides. 13 ii.gs ii.e7 14 ii.xf6 gxf6 lS tlixdS .lii.xdS 16 .lii.xdS exdS 17 tlid4 Like in the Tartakower game, the central thrust is followed by the ap­ pearance of a powerful piece in the centre. The white knight dominates the board. This fact in itself, coupled with Black's shattered pawn-formation, de­ fines our position as totally lost for Black. And so it was ... 17...�fS 18 tlifS hS 19 .l:txdS 'ikxdS 20 'i!Vxe7+ �g8 21 'ikxf6 1-0 White's knight entered the battle via the vacant square in the wake of the break. It is a common motif to keep the initiative and crown what the isolated pawn started.

Steinitz - von Ba rdeleben Hastings 1895 G iuoco Piano

Black must have been quite satis­ fied with his position. He controls the seemingly strong square in fr ont of the isolated pawn and needs just a tempo before he can castle, when he will have achieved an ideal position. How­ ever, appearances can be deceptive.

1 e4 es 2 tlif3 tlic6 3 .lii.c4 ii.cs 4 c3 tlif6 S d4 exd4 6 cxd4 1'.b4+ 7 tlic3 dS?! Later ex perience confirmed that 7 ... tlixe4 8 0-0 .lii.x c3 is correct. 8 exdS tlixdS 9 0-0 ii.e6 From the days ofGioacchino Greco we know that 9 ... tlix c3 10 bx c3 .lii.x c3 loses to 1 1 'ikb3 .lii.x al 12 1'.x f7+ �f8 1 3 .lii.a3+ tlie7 14 1'.h5 g6 15 tlig5 'ike8 16 :t e l , etc. Black, therefore, closes

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLA Y IN CHESS

26

the open file and tries to finish his de­ velopment as quickly as possible. 10 .ig5 i.e7 White is better developed and seeks to preserve an initiative via exchanges. 11 i.xd5 i.xd5 12 0ixd5 'fixd5 13 i.xe7 0ixe7 14 l:tel Now Black will be unable to castle - the king must try to survive in the centr e. 14 ... f6 15 'fie2 Probably planned and ex ecuted quickly; otherwise White might have considered 1 5 'i:W a4+ cj;f7 ( 1 5 ... 'i:W d7 loses to 1 6 ti' b4 , while 15 . .. c6 loses to 16 ir'a3 '& d7 17 Itx e7+, etc.) 16 0i e5+! fxe5 1 7 l:tx e5 '& d6 18 'tli' c4+ cj; f8 1 9 Itael with tremendous pressure against Black's uncoordinated pieces. 15 'iWd7 (D) ..•

16 l:tacl This position attr acted the atten­ tion of numerous commentators . They discussed 16 d5 cj; f7 17 nad l , when l 7 ...0ix d5 loses to 18 0ig5+, but there is the stronger 1 7 . . .nad8. Paul Ke res indicated 1 6 'i:We4 c6 17 l:te2 cj; f7 1 8

l:tael 0id5 1 9 °iW h4 . There is also 1 6 l:tadl cj; f7 ( l 6. . .c6 1 7 d5) 1 7 'i:W c4+, when 17 .. .0id5 loses to 1 8 0ie5+ fxe5 19 dx e5. Fine, but I am happy that Steinitz played ex actly as he did. 16 c6 Black was hoping for some sort of artificial castling and perhaps a com­ fortable endgame due to the potentially weak d4 -pawn. Perhaps he considered what was later proposed as the saving move - 1 6 ...cj; f7, but it would not have been so easy to evaluate what happens after 17 0ig5+ fx g5 18 'iWf3+, e.g. cj; g 8 19 '&xb7 'iifd5 20 l:tx c7. Even the apparently simple 1 8 ...0if5 19 g4 leads to positions in which White keeps the initiative ( 1 9 ...l:thf8 20 Wb3+ cj; g6? 21 lt e6+ lt f6 22 gx f5+ cj;xf5 23 'i!fh3+ winning; 19 ... l:tae8 20 gx f5 or 20 lt e5; 1 9 ... c6 20 l:tc5; 19 ... lt hd8 20 gxf5 or 20 Wb3+). In comparison with all that confusion, the tex t-move must have seemed consistent and to promise se­ curity; vain hopes... 17 d5! This strong move has two main aims : to open another fi le for his rook and to vacate the d4- square for the kni ght. Like a battering-ram, the iso­ lated pawn opens the gate, v ia which the cavalry attacks. 17 ... cxd5 18 0id4 cj;f7 19 0ie6 Ithc8 19 ... lt ac8 loses to 20 ti' g4 g6 21 0i g5+ cj;e8 22 l:tx c8+, etc. 20 'iWg4 g6 (D) The scene is set for one of the un­ forgettable combinations of chess his­ tory. 21 0ig5+ cj;eS 22 l:txe7+! cj;fS •..

]SOLA.TED PA WNS

22 .. .'i;xe7 loses to 23 lt.el + 'lt>d6 24 'i!Vb4+ 'i;c7 25 l2Je6+, etc . , but Black continues to find clever answers based on the weakness of White' s back rank. Unfortunately for him, they were just temporary solutions ... 23 l1f7+ 'it>g8 24 l:tg7+ 'it>h8 25 l1xh7+ 1-0 Here von Bardeleben effectively re­ signed by leaving the hall and not re­ turning, leaving Steinitz to show the finish of the combination: 25 ... 'it>g8 26 l:tg7+ 'it>h8 27 '& h4+ 'lt>xg7 28 'ilih7+ 'it>f8' 29 'i!V h8+ 'it>e7 30 'SWg7 + 'lt>e8 3 1 'ir"g8+ 'lt>e7 3 2 'fi"f7+ 'it>d8 33 'i'f8+ 'i!fe8 34 lLif7+ 'lt>d7 35 'iWd6#. The breakthrough d5 did not yield immediate results but opened the way for a strong initiative based on the knight manoeuvre. This proved fatal for Black .

Kasparov - lvanchuk Linares 1999 Queen's Gambit Accepted

1 d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4 3 lLif3 e6 4 e3 c5 5 .lii.xc4 a6 6 0-0 lLif6 7 1'.b3 l2Jc6 8 l2Jc3

27

cxd4 9 exd4 .lii.e7 10 l:tel 0-0 11 a3 l2Ja5 12 ii.c2 b5 13 d5! We have seen this sequence of moves in the game Kramnik-Anand, annotated above. Krarnnik-Anand was played later and Black was in a better situation than Ivanchuk in Linares, facing a position he had not been able to consider in the peace of his home. As we saw, Anand came up with an improvement - l 3 . . .l1e8; Ivanchuk had to find an answer at the board. . . 13...l2Jc4 ?! The d5 advance is worrying Black and it is not a big secret why he plays this move: expecting 1 4 .lii.g 5, he plans in reply 14 . . . l2Jb6, when 15 'i!fd3 can be met by 15 ...lLibxd5. 14 'i!Vd3! Played also with deep consider­ ation for the d5 advance. 14 ... lLib6 is ex cluded by the strong reply 1 5 l2Jd4 and the tension is kept 14 ...lt.eS 15 a4 Black is ready to meet 1 5 l2Jg5 cold-bloodedly by 1 5 ... exd5 1 6 lLixh7 g6, but I imagine he did not foresee this stab on the queenside. 15 ...exd5 16 axb5 a5 17 b3 l2Jd6 18 l2Jd4 1'.b7 19 f3 (D) In a couple of moves the position has been thoroughly changed. Instead of the threats to Black's king, which distinguished Kramnik's victory over Anand, our position is characterized by a number of static features. The first thing to notice is that the situa­ tion in the centre has been turned up­ side down. Now it is Black with an isolated pawn or, we should now say, burdened with an isolated pawn; it is

28

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PIAY IN CHESS Ivanchuk sets a nice trap which White passes by calmly. 24 Ite2! After 24 J:txe8? 'ii'xe8 25 .lii.xf6 1'.b4, 26 'ikc1 .lii.a 3 leads to a repetition of moves. Kasparov demonstrated 26 'ilkf2? ii.el 27 'ikfl 'ike3+ 28 'it>hl 1'.h4 ! , when Black turns the tables. 24 .. .lii. b4 25 'ike3 .l:tc7 26 ii.d3 (D) .

well protected at the moment, but blockaded beyond hope of getting back its mobility. Together with the pawn there is the light-squared bishop on b7 also blocked by its own d5-pawn. Apart from that, there is another weak spot in Black's camp - the a5-pawn, defended well enough for the moment but potentially shaky. In comparison, White' s doubled pawns on the b-file do their duty: the b3-pawn controls the c4-square, and the b5-pawn squeezes B lack. The f3-pawn denies the black knights the coveted e4-square. All that White needs now is to improve the po­ sition of his bishops, which have lost their primary targets on the kingside and are looking for a better view. 19 ....l:tc8 20 tlia4 Cautious and logical: by control­ ling c5 and b6 White increases his spatial advantage as well as avoiding any inconveniences on the gl-a7 diag­ onal. 20....lii.fS 21 .lii. g5 g6 22 'ii'd2 The light-squared bishop must be taken care of; i t needs the d3-square. 22 ...l:txel+ 23 .l:txel tllde8

All very consistently played. Hav­ ing decided that any minor-piece end­ game is in his favour, White happily agrees to the exchanges. 26 ... .l:te7 27 'ikcl Itxe2 28 .lii.xe2 'ike7 29 'ike3 'ikxe3+ 30 .lii.xe3 The truth about endgames begins with pawns. Once you damaged your pawn-structure you have to live with it. In our game they are a limiting fac­ tor for Black. 30 ...tlld7 31 tll c6 .lii.xc6 32 bxc6 tllb8 32 ... tlle5 33 1'.b6 or 32 . . . tll f8 33 tllc5 would not offer any more hope for Black. 33 ii. b6 ii.d6 34 tlic3 .lii.c7 (D) 35 ii.fl?

ISOLATED PA WNS

29

the advance of the central pawn is often seen early in the opening. Against a cautious and well-prepared opponent that task is as a rule difficult to carry out successfully. I offer for the reader' s attention two games by Grandmaster Gligoric, where he demonstrates his expertise in the delicate positions of the Queen's Gambit Accepted.

Gligoric - Portisch Yugoslavia - Hungary, Pula 1971 Queen's Gambit Accepted At the very end, after a long series of brilliant positional solutions, White stumbles. At first it's not easy to no­ tice it and Ivanchuk misses a con­ cealed point. This serves as a reminder that a game of chess is not finished un­ til the scoresheets are signed. If White had played 35 ...i c5 then resignation would have been Black's only reasonable option. 35 ...d4 36 0id5 1-0 However, just at the moment when Ivanchuk gave up he could continue 36 ...0ixc6 37 ...ib 5 0ib4 38 0ixb4 0id6, regaining his piece with chances to save his skin, as Jan Timman pointed out in detailed analysis. To us it mat­ ters little. The fine points we were looking for in the search for truth about the isolated pawn are all there in the imaginatively played opening and deep transition into the middle­ game, relying on motifs and ideas which emphasize the most instructive elements of the characteristic posi­ tion. In Kasparov-Ivanchuk as well as most of the games we have analysed,

1 d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4 3 0if3 0if6 4 e3 e6 5 ...ixc4 c5 6 0-0 a6 7 a4 No doubt consistent, because it em­ phasizes Black's basic problem - the development of his queen's bishop. Still, in view of the pawn-formation which will arise in the centre in a few moves, when the breakthrough will be definitely thwarted by the obvious manoeuvre ... 0ib8-c6-b4, it is under­ standable that the continuation is not so popular today. 7 ...0ic6 8 °i!Ve2 cxd4 9 ndl ...ie7 10 exd4 0-0 11 0ic3 As 11 ...ig5 0id5 leads to unwanted simplifications, it is better to postpone the development of the queen's bishop. 11. 0id5 The alternative was l l ... 0ib4 again with intention of meeting 12 ...ig5 by 1 2 ... 0ifd5. Of course, White would proceed with the stronger 12 0ie5, keeping some pressure. 12 ...id3 The bishop will be more useful on the bl-h7 diagonal. 12 0icb4 13 ...i bl b6 •.

.•.

30

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

1 3 ... tlif6 is possible, but less good is 1 3 ....id7, which allows 14 'i!Ve4 g6 15 tlie5 with pressure in the centre and on the kingside. For example: 15 ... .if6 16 'ii'f3 Jtg7 17 '1i'g 3 followed by h4 gives White the initiative, as shown by a number of games. 14 a5 A couple of days earlier in the same match Gligoric chose 14 tlie5, but after 14 ... .ib7 1 5 l!a3 l!c8 1 6 tlixd5 'i!fxd5 1 7 l!g3 f5 Black slammed shut the gates to his king. The text-move was the fruit of home analysis. 14 ....id7?! (D) While preventing tlia4, Black for­ gets that b7 is the natural place for his bishop. Correct is 14 ... bxa5 1 5 tlie5 .ib7 with a good game.

It is instructive to watch the sensi­ tive relationships between pawns and pieces. As long as they stay in har­ mony, the effects are positive. As soon as disharmony between them is inad­ vertently caused, the position suffers. We sense at once that the bishop is out of place on d7.

15 tlie5 bxa5 16 l:ta3 With the bishops blocking normal coordination on the first rank, the third rank becomes a natural exit. In the type of positions we arc analysing, the rook manoeuvre on the third rank is often used to good effect. The a3-rook is eyeing the kingside, and White al­ ready threatens .ixh7+, provoking the following weakening. 16 ...f5 17 tlixd5 tlixd5 18 tlixd7 'ii'xd7 19 l!xa5 tlic7 20 .ia2 There is always the other diagonal . White begins strong, lasting pressure on Black's weaknesses. His bishop­ pair begins to be felt. Note also that all the time, together with the other pieces, the d4-pawn takes part .in the events. Quietly, al­ most unnoticed, it controls key central squares and supports an important central piece, offering White a spatial advantage, but first and foremost it is the opponent's constant worry. 20 .. Ji.d6 21 .ic4 'it>h8 22 '1i'f3 Jtb4 23 llal a5 Black defends well and gets rid of one of his weak points, but at the same time White succeeds in moving his pieces forward into dominant posi­ tions. 24 Jtf4 tlid5 25 .ie5 llfc8 26 'i!Ve2 '1i'b7 27 h3 l:tc6 28 l!acl l:tac8 29 .ixd5! The correct decision. Exchanges do not make things easier for Black, due to his lasting weaknesses. 29...exd5 30 l!xc6 '1i'xc6 31 l!d3 Again the third rank is a convenient route for White's rooks. 31. ..'1i'd7

ISOLATED PAWNS

Note that the thoughtless 31...'i!fc2 would be punished by 32 �xg7+.

32 l::g3 �f8 33 b3 Preventing ... a4, a useful measure in the endgame.

33 ... l::a8 34 'i!fc2 ltc8 35 'i!fd2 l::a8 36 'i!fg5 'it>g8 37 :r3 (D)

31

surprise was possible. The threatened penetration of the kingside combined with the passed pawn now decides quickly.

58 ... l::el 59 l::c2+ 'it>b6 60 'it>d5 l::e3 61 l::c6+ 'it> b5 If 61...'it>b7 then 62 :e6.

62 l::c7 h5 63 l::b7+ 'it>a4 64 'it>c4 'it>a3 65 l::a7+ 'it>b2 66 l::g7 1-0 Gl igoric - Szabo European Team Ch, Hamburg 1965 Queen's Gambit Accepted

1 d4 d5 2 c4 dxc4 3 lllf 3 lllf6 4 e3 e6 5 �xc4 c5 6 0-0 a6 7 a4

Forcing a further weakening.

37 ... g6 38 l::c3 'ii'd8 39 'i!fcl �d6 40 'ii'f4 �xe5 41 'i!fxe5 l::a7 42 l::c 5 This was the sealed move.

42 .. �e7 Black will eventually lose a pawn. 42 . ..l::d 7 43 :bs 'it>n is best met by the quiet 44 g3, since 44 l:i.b8 'i!fc7 puts up resistance.

43 l::xd5 'i!fc7 44 'i!fxc7 l:i.xc7 45 l::xa5 :b7 46 :a3 l:i.b4 47 d5 'it>g7 48 WO 'it>f6 49 'it>e2 'it>e5 50 'it>d3 'it>xd5 51 'it>c3 l::e4 52 l::a4 l::e2 53 l::d4+ 'it>c5 54 b4+ 'it>b5 55 l::d5+ 'it>c6 56 :d2 l::el 57 f3 l::gl 58 'it>d4 It was important for White to win this game. I remember we analysed in two groups exchanging information, because the time was limited. All the small details were taken care of and no

I already spoke of the hole on b4, facilitating the blockade of the iso­ lated pawn later on. It cannot be em­ phasized enough that whatever you do on the wings has repercussions in the centre.

7 ...l2Jc6 8 'i!fe2 cxd4 9 l:: d l �e7 10 exd4 0-0 11 lllcJ �d7?! One prefers Portisch's move from the previous game, 11. ..llld5, or even 11 . .. lllb4, with the idea of preventing �d3, as well as the obvious motive of controlling the d5-square. In both lines Black should aim to develop his queen's bishop on b7, its natural posi­ tion against the d4-pawn.

12 �4! One of the key questions in our variation is the development of the dark-squared bish op. In general, it be­ longs on g5, but here simplifying ideas like ... li:Jd5, or even ...l2Jh5 at a proper moment, dissuaded White and he started to resort to Gligoric's continu­ ation. White's decision is based on

32

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

the state of the central pawn and its fu­ ture. 12 ... lllb4 13 llle5 1 3 d5 is possible, but after a series of exchanges Black would simply play . . .�e8, dissipating White's pressure. 13...�eS After 1 3 . .. �c6 1 4 lll xc6 bxc6 15 a5 White keeps the better chances. De­ spite that, it seems to me the right way for Black to play, because sooner or later the bishop will have to leave its shelter. 14 �g5 (D)

Despite the loss of tempo, this move is now good. It is to Gligoric's credit that he discovered this subtle nuance. 14 ... lllfd5 15 �xd5 lllx d5 16 lllxd5 �xg5 16 ...exd5 i s a dubious reaction in view of 1 7 �xe7 �xe7 1 8 �f3, re­ minding us of GligoriC's game versus Eliskases: the knight would be supe­ rior to the bishop. 17 lllc3 Relying on his centralized knight, White plans d5, opening the position

to his advantage. In chess, that which cannot be done directly, sometimes can be done with a loss of time. One should remain open to such possibili­ ties. 17 ...�c6 18 lllxc6 bxc6 19 a5 So finally Black could not avoid the passive position with pawns on a6 and c6, but in a somewhat worse situa­ tion. 19...�e7 20 �c4 �d6 21 llla4 nt'd8 22 l:tacl 22 lllb6 l:ta7 23 1:1'.acl brings about the same position as in the game, while avoiding the possibility in the next note. 22...�b4 Black could play 22 .. .�f6, when 23 lllb6 can be met by 23 ... l:tab8 and 23 lllc5 by 23 . . .'i't'd5. 23 lllb6 l:ta7 24 �xc6 �xa5 24 . . . �xb2? loses to 25 lllc 8. 25 d5 (D)

Finally comes this thrust, but with great strength, because the black forces have lost their normal coordination. 25 ...exd5 26 lllxd5

33

ISOLATED PA WNS

The basic threat is a'. al, which must be parried very precisely. 26 ...'it>f8? 26 .. J lb8 is essential. At first glance it seems that White should also have a forced win here, but after 27 'Ii'c8+? l:txc8 28 tllxe7+ 'itif8 29 tllxc8, there is 29 ... a'. b7, when 30 l:tc5? loses to 30 . . .a'.d7 ! . The planned 27 a'.al yields only a draw after 27 .. .'f/c5 28 l:txa6 nxa6 29 'ii'xa6 l:txb2 30 'li'c8+ �.f8. It takes some time to realize that White should tum to exerting positional pres­ sure. In this respect, 27 tllc7 appears good, cutting the a7-rook out of play, denying Black's queen the important b5-square and preparing a'.d7 followed by a'.cd l , with play against f7 and Black's back rank. Then the cautious 27 . . .� f8 seems appropriate (27 . . . 'f/b6 28 a'.d8+ �f8 29 'i!r'xb6 a'.xb6 30 tlld5 is unpleasant, while 27 . . .�f6 28 b 4 causes other problems). 27 b4 l-O If 27 . . . 'i!r'b5, then 28 tllxe7, etc. An impressive game, played con­ sistently through all the complications and keeping in mind unequivocally what is good for the isolated pawn and what increases its potential. The games we have analysed so far represent the isolated pawn at its best. Mobile and aggressive, in full har­ mony with other pieces, it has been a symbol of initiative and action. Unfor­ tunately, as I hinted in the prologue, pawns live double lives, isolated pawns particularly so. To understand fully what they really are, we shall watch them in less fortunate circumstances.

Regedzinski - Ru binstein

Lodz 1917 Queen's Gambit 1 d4 dS 2 tllf3 ll:lr6 3 c4 e6 4 �gs tllbd7 S tllc3 �e7 6 e3 0-0 7 �d3 An experienced modern master would more likely continue 7 'ii'c2, 7 nc 1 or 7 cxd5 followed by � d3. 7 ...dxc4 8 �xc4 a6 9 0-0 bS 10 �d3 �b7 11 'li'e2 cS 12 a'.adl cxd4 13 exd4 tllb6 Owing to White's superficial play, Black has achieved all that he can hope for in this variation. He was allowed to expand on the queenside, develop his minor pieces on their optimal squares and blockade the isolated pawn firmly. The d5-square is Black's strong square to be used at will by his pieces. 14 tlle4? Of course, the move to make was 1 4 tlle5, trying to compensate for White's superficial development and to acti­ vate his pieces in such a manner that the potential weakness at d4 is less ex­ posed. The text-move is a very instruc­ tive error of the sort I alluded to earlier in the book. In order to play an active role, isolated pawns need good sup­ port fro m pieces. Without them, their isolation is accentuated. Regedzinski does not understand the nature of his d4-pawn and chooses exactly the path he should avoid. 14 ... tllxe4 lS �xe7 'li'xe7 16 �xe4 a:cd8 17 a'.d3 Another pointless move. 17...�xe4 18 'li'xe4 l:tac8 The exchanges have visibly weak­ ened the d 4-pawn. As if that were not

34

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

enough, Black' s dominance on the open file predicts a very difficult end­ game for White. 19 ltfdl ttJd5 20 l:t3d2 White has settled for the most pas­ sive defence. 20 ... tbr6 21 �e3 'il'b7 22 h3 h6 23 l:te2 �d5 24 b3 �d6 I have always admired Rubinstein's simplicity of thought. First he chased White's queen from the centre in order to provoke a further weakening by ...'i!l'd5 . Now he vacates the d5-square again, this time for his knight. The value of such strong squares lies ex­ actly in the fact that one can use them for different pieces and different pur­ poses. 25 Itel tlJd5 26 'i!l'd2 'il'f4! (D)

What White did not understand, Black docs: the further into the end­ game, the more difficult White's posi­ tion will become. 27 l:!:e2 'il'xd2 28 l:texd2 nxe2 29 nxe2 tbb4 30 l:tb2 l:te8 The penetration of the rook on the only open file will prove decisive.

31 'it>fl Itel+ 32 'it>e2 a'.al 33 'it>d2 nxa2 34 nxa2 tbxa2 Material is won. Only some atten­ tion is now needed. 35 tbe5 ttJb4 36 tbd7 f6 37 g3 'it>f7 38 tbb6 'it>e7 39 'it>e3 a5 0-1 The lesson is crystal clear: when you own an isolated pawn in the cen­ tre, do not exchange pieces ! The game we have just examined is a perfect ex­ ample of what should not be done. For teaching purposes, such games are precious.

Botvinn i k - Zagoriansky Sverdlovsk 1943 English Opening 1 e4 e5 2 tlJf3 tlJf6 3 tbe3 e6 4 e3 11..e7 5 b3 0-0 6 11.. b 2 d5 7 exd5 tbxd5 8 tbxd5 exd5 ?! One would expect 8 ... 'l!r'xd5 . 9 d4 exd4 In case of 9 ...�a5+ or 9 ...11..f6 White continues 10 'i!l'd2 playing in both lines to create a potentially weak pawn on d5 . 10 'l!r'xd4 Looking forward to the exchange of bishops, White provokes . . .11.. f6. 10 ...11..f6 1 1 �d2 tbe6 12 11..e2 11..e6 13 0-0 11..xb2 14 �xb2 'i!l'a5 15 l:!:fd l The plan in similar situations is quite simple: first, build maximum pressure on the isolated pawn, tying the opponent's forces to passive defence. 15 ...l:!:fd8 16 l:td2 l:td7 17 l:tadl l:Iad8 18 h3 h6 19 tbe5 Again crystal clear: the fewer pieces there are on the board, the more ex­ posed the d5-pawn will be.

35

ISOLATED PA WNS 19... lllxe5 20 'Wxe5 'Wc5 21 .Jif3 b6 22 'i!fb2 .:cs 23 'We5 IlcdS 24 l:[d4 Following the old recommendation that a pawn weakness should be im­ mobilized. Besides, the rook on the fourth rank can be put to good use on the wings. 24. .a5 25 g4! (D) .

A move to remember, played at an important moment. The position is highly instructive for the method ap­ plied against a blockaded isolated pawn. At the moment when all Black's forces are tied to the defence of the lame d5-pawn, White opens another front on the kingside. Attacks of this kind are in principle very dangerous because they are undertaken when the passive position of the defender's pieces diminishes his prospects of putting up resistance. 25 ...'ikc6 Note that Black cannot oppose the attack by 25 ... 'i!fd6? because after the exchange of queens, e4 wins material - another reason why the d5-pawn must be blockaded.

26 g5 hxg5 Somebody suggested that Black should play 26 . . .'ikc2, trying to bring at least one piece back to defend the kingside. It may be so, but only tem­ porarily. That which is in principle bad, says an old Latin proverb, by the passage of time cannot be improved. 27 'Wxg5 f6 With the g-file open, Black's castled position can only be temporarily de­ fended. 2S 'ikg6 .Jif7 29 'ikg3 f5 This will only help White, but it is difficult to recommend anything sub­ stantially better against the pressure exerted on the g-file. 30 'ikg5 'We6 31 'iii> h l 'We5 32 :Igl .:rs 33 'Wh6 .:bs 34 l:[h4 'i!i>rs 35 'ikhS+ .JigS 36 l:[f4 l:[bb7 37 l:[g5 l:[f7 38 'ikh5 'ikal + 39 'iii>h2 g6 40 'ikxg6 .Jih7 41 'ikd6+ l:[fe7 42 'i!fdS+ 1-0

Korc hnoi - Karpov World Ch match (game 9), Merana 1981 Queen's Gambit 1 c4 e6 2 lllc3 d5 3 d4 .Jie7 4 lllf3 lllf6 5 .Jig5 h6 6 .Jih4 0-0 7 l:[cl Grandmaster Uhlmann used this move-order so as to meet the Tarta­ kower Variation, 7 ... b6, with 8 cxd5 lllxd5 9 .Jixe7 'W xe7 10 lllxd5 exd5 1 1 g3 .Jie6 1 2 .Jig2, when the fianchettoed bishop is well placed against Black's pawn-centre. Later Black countered his idea by postponing . . . .Jie6 and keeping at his disposal ... .Jia6. Karpov, however, came up with a simpler idea. . .

36

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PIAY IN CHESS

7 ...dxc4 8 e3 On 8 e4 Beliavsky demonstrated 8 ... lLlc6 9 .ixc4 lLlxe4. 8 ...c5 9 .ixc4 cxd4 10 exd4 tl:ic6 11 0-0 lLlh5! (D)

One of those simple reactions typi­ cal of Karpov's play and implying a deep understanding of the position in the centre. Although unwilling to do so, White has no choice but to ex­ change the dark-squared bishops, lim­ iting significantly his chances of active play in the middlegame. 12 .ixe7 0ixe7 13 .ib3?! This is too tame to satisfy the ur­ gent needs of the position. When we see the whole game and look back at it, we must come to the conclusion that White's initial advantage is gone and his wisest course is 1 3 d5, leading to exchanges and a draw. With the white pieces, one is naturally reluctant to seek a draw at such an early stage of the game, but objective evaluation of the position should prevail over emotions. If White decides to continue fight­ ing, then the text-move is certainly not

the one on which he should pin his hopes. 1 3 l:rel has been tried, but it does not convince me. I am sure that a realist like Tigran Petrosian would not hesitate to offer a draw. We shall soon see why. 13 ... tl:if6 14 tl:ie5 .id7 15 �e2 .:tc8 16 tl:ie4? Black has blockaded the isolated pawn just as in the lines of the Queen 's Gambit Accepted, but with one crucial difference: the dark-squared bishops have been exchanged, a fact which fa­ vours Black. Further exchanges are just grist to Black's mill. Instead of the natural 16 .:tcd l , White himself is looking for exchanges and the conse­ quences will be all too plain to see. 16...tl:ixe4 17 'ill'xe4 .ic6 18 tl:ixc6 .:txc6 19 l:rc3 Korchnoi's last move was also criti­ cized and 1 9 l:rxc6 suggested as better, but I doubt this very much, because 1 9 ... bxc6 would isolate the d4-pawn for good. We have known since the 1921 Lasker-Capablanca match (see the next game) what an impossible task the defence of such a pawn and such a position represent. 19... 'ill'd6 20 g3 There is no meaningful job for the rook on the kingside. 20 ... .:tdS 21 .:tdl l:tb6 So as to make it possible for Black to play ... 'i!l'd7 and . . . l:rd6, exerting maximum pressure on the d4-pawn. 22 �el �d7 23 l:rcd3 .:td6 24 �e4 �c6 25 'i!l'f4 tl:id5 26 'ill'd2 �b6 27 .ixd5?! Played again against principles. As I have emphasized many times : the

ISOLATED PA WNS

fewer pieces there are on the board, the lonelier isolated pawns become. 27 a3 is not appealing, but what must be done must be done. It is a wrong conviction, refuted many times, that a major-piece endgame offers the best saving chances. On the contrary, it is the simplest route to debacle. 27 ..J:txd5 2S l:[b3 �c6 29 �c3 �d7 30 f4 (D)

In order to prevent ... e5 White must weaken his castled position and that is the beginning of the end. Karpov plays with great precision and although we could criticize some of Korchnoi's following moves, we cannot propose anything substantially better. 30 ... b6 31 l:[b4 b5 32 a4 bxa4 33 'Wa3 a5 34 l:[xa4 �b5 35 .l:td2 e5! This advance was sooner or later unavoidable. The position opens up and the white king remains unpro­ tected. 36 fxe5 l:[xe5 37 �al �es 3S dxe5 l:[xd2 39 l:[xa5 �c6 40 .:as+ 'it>h7 41 �bl+ g6 42 'Wfl �c5+ 43 'it>hl �d5+ 0-1

37

A game of mas terful moves and conspicuous errors, but all of them highly instructive !

Lasker - Capablanca World Ch match (game JO), Havana 1921 Queen's Gambit 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 lllc3 lllf6 4 �g5 �e7 5 e3 0-0 6 lllf3 lllbd7 7 �c2 This is Rubinstein's move, which often intends queenside castling and kingside action. 7 ...c5 S l:[dl Confronted by an energetic reply in the centre, White changes his plan. As a matter of fact, the consistent 8 0-0-0 is more dangerous for Black. s.�.�a5 Black does not fear 9 cxd5 lllxd5 10 �xe7 lllxe7 1 1 �d3 lllf6, as this gives Black good play. The exchange of the dark-squared bishops favours him. Besides, 8 . . . cxd4 seems premature in view of 9 lllxd4. 9 �d3 h6 10 �h4 cxd4 Commentators later pointed out that after 10 ... dxc4 1 1 �xc4 lllb6 White's bishop would have to be satisfied with the uglier view from e2. 11 exd4 dxc4 12 �xc4 lllb 6 13 �b3 �d7 14 0-0 .:acS The impatient 14 ... �c6 is insuffi­ cient because of 15 llle5 �d5 16 lllxd5 lllbxd5 1 7 '&e2 l:[ac8 1 8 f4, threaten­ ing f5 with promising activity. 15 llle5 With Black's reply in mind, we can say that the alternative 1 5 'iife2 was better.

38

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

15 ....Jib5 16 nrel lllbd5 The game has developed into a complex struggle around the central squares and the isolated pawn. Black has succeeded in restraining the d4pa wn, by establishing a firm point on dS . This position inspired numerous commentators in those days and one of them, the famous Hungarian player Gyula Breyer, recommended the fol­ lowing variation: 17 .Jixf6 .Jixf6 (not 17 . . .lllx f6 due to 18 lllg6) 18 .JixdS exdS 1 9 lllg4 (Lasker's 1 9 'WfS also proves insufficient in view of 1 9 ... .Jic6 20 lll g4 .Jigs 2 1 f4 g6) 1 9 ... .Jigs 20 f4 and now 20 . . . .Jixf4 2 1 'WfS .Jic7 22 lllx dS 'it>h8 23 lllxh6 gxh6 24 lllf6 'it>g7 2S lllh S+. Years were to pass until another dedicated analyst came up with improvements introduced by 20 ... .Jih4. I quote these analyses because they are essential for the understanding of the complex relationships in the cen­ tre. 17 .Jixd5 lllxd5 18 .Jixe7 lllxe7 19 �b3 .Jic6 20 lllxc6 bxc6! (D)

A most interesting endgame is in front of us. Both sides are burdened with isolated pawns, but the thought­ ful analyst will soon come to the con­ clusion that it is White who will have to fight an uphill struggle. The reason: his central isolated pawn is weaker than the c6-pawn. Besides, Black has a semi-open file at his disposal on which additional pressures can be built. 21 l:!'.e5 �b6 22 'ilkc2?! nrdS 23 lll e2?! Lasker's last two moves were criti­ cized as too passive, especially 23 llle2, where 23 llla4 was suggested. It is true, by positioning his knight on a4 White would thwart a later minority attack, but on the other hand his d4pawn would be weaker. The fact is that the position is much easier to play for Black, because his plan is clear. White, on the contrary, must sit and wait. 23 ...nds 24 nxd5 This is a hasty decision; the ex­ change in principle favours Black. In our case there is an additional consid­ eration: Black gets rid of his isolated pawn, while the d4-pawn remains sub­ ject to pressure. 24... cxd5 25 'ilkd2 lllf5 26 b3 h5 Many commentators noted that this move should have been prepared by 26 ... g6, as White could now cause in­ convenience, though not alleviate his difficulties entirely, by 27 lllg 3. 27 h3 h4 Now White 's kingside is blocked, the d4-pawn in constant need of de­ fence, and the open file is dominated by Black's major pieces - just to sum up the visible inconveniences.

39

ISOLATED PAWNS 28 �d3 l:k6 29 'it>fl g6 30 �bl �b4 31 'it>gl a5 (D)

44 'it>e2? l:!:xb3 45 'it>e3 l:tb4 46 tl'ie3 tl'ie7 47 tl'ie2 tl'if5+ 48 'it>f2 g5 49 g4 tl'id6 50 tl'igl tl'ie4+ 51 'it>fl l:!:bl+ 52 'it>g2 l:!:b2+ 53 'it>fl l:tf2+ 54 'it>el l:ta2 55 'it>fl 'it>g7 56 l:te3 'it>g6 57 l:!:d3 f6 58 l:!:e3 'it>f7 59 l:td3 'it>e7 60 l:te3 'it>d6 61 l:td3 l:!:f2+ 62 'it>el l:!:g2 63 'it>fl l:ta2 64 l:te3 e5 65 l:!:d3 exd4 66 l:txd4 'it>e5 67 l:!:dl d4 68 Itel+ 'it>d5 . . . and the hopeless resistance was finally broken. 0-1

Karpov - Vagan ian Skopje 1976 French Defence We have seen this method before. When the maximum pressure has been built on a weak point and opponent's forces tied to its defence, it is usually necessary to open another front. Play­ ing against Zagoriansky, as we saw, Botvinnik attacked on the kingside. Capablanca starts a minority attack which will sooner or later result in an­ other weak point in White 's camp. To hold a position with two weak points will be twice as difficult- simple logic. 32 '1Wb2 a4 33 �d2 �xd2 34 �d2 axb3 35 axb3 :b6 36 l:td3 l:ta6 Rooks are always attracted by open files and the chance to break through to their seventh rank. Here Black's rook is offered both incentives. 37 g4 hxg3 38 fxg3 l:ta2 39 tl'ie3 l:te2 40 tl'idl tl'ie7 41 tl'ie3 Itel+ 42 'i!tf2 tl'ie6 43 tl'idl l:!:bl One can never be too careful : after 4 3 ... tl'ib4 44 l:!:d2 l:!:bl 45 tl'ib2 l:txb2 46 l:txb2 tl'id3+ 47 'it>e2 tl'ixb2 48 'it>d2 the knight is trapped.

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 tl'id2 e5 4 exd5 exd5 5 tl'igf3 a6 6 dxe5 �xe5 7 tl'ib3 �b6 When Black withdraws the bishop on this diagonal, its refuge is usually a7 (i.e. 7 . . .�a7). Then 8 �g5 is met by 8 ... tl'if6 9 tl'ifd4 0-0 10 �e2 �d6, getting rid of the pin, when the d5pawn feels well. 8 �d3 tl'ie7 8 ...'i!l'e7+ seems to me logical. 9 0-0 tl'ibe6 10 Itel The standard procedure against Black's dark-squared bishop. White prepares �e3, a thematic exchange of pieces and a small step towards the de­ sired endgame. 10 ...�g4 l l e3 First, block the pawn! 11. ..h6 12 h3 �h5 13 �e3 0-0 Black is unable to avoid the exchange by playing l 3 . . . �c7 because then 14 g4 is too strong. 14 �xb6 �xb6 15 'i'e2 l:tfd8 16 l:tadl a5 (D)

40

UNDERSTANDING PA WN Pl.AY IN CHESS

a chance to switch to action on the wings. The weaker side, concentrating on the defence of the pawn, is often left defenceless on the wing. 22 ...a'.d7 23 .i.f5! (D) 23 l:te3 is too slow due to 23 . . .'i!l'a3, when the queen retreats in time, but the text-move is a killer leaving Black no hope.

At first glance the text-move causes some inconvenience, but the impres­ sion is false. 17 .i.bl It is not difficult to see the idea be­ hind the withdrawal of the bishop. 17 .. a4 can now be met by 1 8 tll bd4 tt::lxd4 1 9 nxd4, when 19 ... tll c6 fails to 20 l:i.xd5, Black's back rank being vul­ nerable. Of course, the aim is to con­ trol the strong square d4. 17 ... .i.xf3 18 �xf3 a4 19 tt::ld4 'Wxb2 Black could not resist the temptation of the b2-pawn or perhaps the feeling that something is dubious about his position made him to look for some compensation. As a consequence his king falls under attack. 20 tllxc6 tt::lxc6 21 'i'f5 g6 22 'ill'f6 White threatens .i.xg6, and 22 ... ne8 is not enough to parry the threat be­ cause 23 .i.xg6 fxg6 24 'i!l'xg6+ 'it>f8 25 'Wf6+ 'it>g8 26 a'.e6 decides. With Black's queen astray, it is impossible for him to defend his naked king. Note that when an isolated pawn is successfully blocked, as a rule there is .

23 ...l:i.e7 2 3 . . . gxf5 fails to 24 l:i.d3 f4 25 'i!l'xf4, etc. 24 Axe7 tt::lxe7 25 .i.d3 tllf5 26 .i.xf5 gxf5 27 :tel 'Wxa2 28 �xh6! Vaganian had set a refined trap, which Karpov evidently saw through. After 28 l:i.e3 f4 29 'Wxf4 'ill'b l + 30 'it>h2 a3 3 1 :g3+ there is 3 1 . . .�g6 and the passed pawn will save Black. 28 ..a3 29 'iWg5+ 'it>f8 30 �f6 'it>g8 31 'Wxf5 'ill'd2 32 l:i.e7 nr8 33 'iWg4+ 'it>h7 34 l:te5 'i'h6 35 :its l:ta8 36 �f5+ 'it>g7 37 a'.xh6 'it>xh6 38 'ill'f6+ 'it>h7 39 'iWxf7+ 'it>h8 40 �xb7 1·0 A number of the games we have analysed emphasized the significance of the opponent's strong square in .

ISOLATED PA WNS

41

front of the isolated pawn. Very often the measure of one's influence on it makes the difference between success and failure. In that sense the games played in the French Tarrasch are par­ ticularly revealing and deserve our at­ tention.

Karpov - Korchnoi Candidates match (game 4), Moscow 1 974 French Defence 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 tlld2 c5 4 exd5 exd5 5 tllgf3 tllc6 6 .1b5 .td6 7 dxc5 .1xc5 8 0-0 tlle7 9 tllb3 .1d6 10 c3 One of the logical possibilities ap­ plied by Karpov in his matches against Korchnoi. White bases his strategy in the opening phase on achieving full control of his strong square d4. 10 ....tg4 A natural reaction. By pinning the knight, ready to exchange it at any mo­ ment, Black starts his battle for coun­ ter-pressure on the same d4-square. 11 tllbd4 0-0 12 .1e2 In later games of the same match Karpov gave preference to 1 2 'ii'a4 but 1 2....1h5 1 3 .1e3 'ii'c7 14 h3 tll a5, planning . . .tll c 4, kept the balance. 12 ...l:te8 13 l:tel a6 14 .1g5 h6 15 .1h4 'Ci'b6 (D) Having developed harmoniously, Korchnoi takes a correct decision to throw all his weight on the point d4. 16 'ii'b3 .1c5 17 'iixb6 bb6 18 .td3 It is already clear that there is no way for White to keep the stronghold at d4.

18 ... 'it>f8 19 a3 tllxd4 20 tllxd4 .1xd4 21 cxd4 tllf5 22 f3 tllxh4 23 fxg4 tllg6 The scene is clearer now. Black has succeeded in nullifying White's pres­ sure in the centre without making other concessions (compare the game Kar­ pov-Uhlmann, Madrid 1 973). 24 g3 Playing White, players often in­ dulge in a false sense of security that often leads to the abyss. Instead of se­ curing a draw by 24 .1xg6, Karpov strangely enters an endgame that is ad­ vantageous to his opponent. 24 ... tlle7 25 .tfl tllc6 26 .1g2 l:txel + 27 l:txel l:td8 28 'it>f2 l:td6 29 l:tdl 'it>e7 30 b4 l:td8 31 'it>e3 'it>d6 32 l:tfl f6 33 l:tcl l:tc8 34 l:tc5 tlle7 35 .tfl?! This is a serious error. 35 l:txc8 fol­ lowed by a4 was called for. 35 ... l:teS 36 'it>d2 f5 37 .1e2 37 gxf5 tllxf5 activates the knight, which then threatens to enter the game via c3. 37.. .fxg4 38 .1xg4 l:tf8 39 l:tc2 g6 40 'it>e3 h5 41 .1h3 tllc6 42 l:td2 b5?!

42

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PL4.Y IN CHESS

If Black prepares . . . l:te8+ by 42 ... gS, then White 's defence is not so easy. 43 .1g2 a5 44 h4 axb4 45 axb4 l:te8+ 1h.-1h White intended 46 'i!tf4 tllxb4 47 'it>g5 l:te3 48 g4, etc. Sometimes the strong square in front of the isolated pawn belongs completely to one's opponent. One can just watch him parading his minor and major pieces as it pleases him. When possible, however, the pressure ex­ erted on it repays itself in the form of positional equality, or even more, if circumstances allow it. . .

L. Sch mid - Portisch Olympiad, Nice 1974 French Defence 1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 tlld2 c5 4 tllgf3 tllc6 5 exd5 exd5 6 .1b5 .1d6 7 dxc5 .txc5 8 0-0 tlle7 9 tllb3 .1d6 10 .1g5 0-0 11 .th4 We have seen already this sequence of moves. The idea is the exchange of dark-squared bishops by .1g3. 11 ....tg4 12 .1e2 l:te8 (D)

An improvement in comparison with the game Karpov-Uhlmann, Ma­ drid 1 973, which we discussed earlier in this book. 13 l:tel 1 3 .1g3 would finally accomplish White's planned manoeuvre, but then 1 3 . . . .1xg3 14 hxg3 'itb6, with ... l:tad8 and ...tllf5 to follow, gives Black satis­ factory play. 13 ...'Wb6 14 tllfd4 14 c3 is met by 14 ... tllfS with full control of the d4-square, while 14 .1xe7 backfires in view of 1 4 ... l:txe7 1 5 'Wxd5 tllb4. 14 ....1xe2 15 l:txe2 .1e5 This too has been made possible by 12 . . . l:te8. The pressure exerted on d4 will force White to give up the block­ ade. Portisch has succeeded in solving the thematic problem of the central squares. 16 tllxc6 tllxc6 17 c3 a5 Here, in somewhat different circum­ stances, this move seizes the initiative, because 18 a4 loses to 18 ....1xh2+. 18 l:tbl a4 19 tlld2 'Wb5 20 .1g3 .tf6 Black has managed to tum the ta­ bles: now it is he who is in command of the centre. 21 l:txe8+ l:txe8 22 'Wn 'Wc5 23 l:tel l:td8 One does not voluntarily exchange active pieces. 24 a3 h6 25 'Wd3 'Wb6 26 'Wc2 'Wb5 27 .tc7?! 27 tllf3 is more natural. 27....l:tcS 28 .tf4? 28 .1g3 was indispensable. The text-move loses a pawn.

I SOIATED PA WNS

28 ... l2Jd4 29 �dl ttJe6 30 �g4 hS

31 �rs l:te8 32 tUr3 �xb2 33 i.eS i.xeS 34 tUxeS tUd8 3S h3 g6 36 �d7 ltxeS 37 �xd8+ 'itig7 38 l:txeS �cl+ 39 'itih2 �r4+ 40 g3 �xeS 41 �aS h4 42 �cs hxg3+ 0-1 In view of 43 fxg3 b6, etc. Portisch demonstrated masterfully yet another motif in the attempt to control the isolated pawn and keep the positional balance. Quite often, how­ ever, the side playing against an iso­ lated pawn can resort to tactical solutions, thwarting the standard plans of his adversary and compromising the array of his forces. It is worthwhile giving some thought to the events characterizing the following games ... Botvinnik

-

Euwe

Hastings 193415 Caro-Kann Defence 1 c4 c6 2 e4 dS 3 exdS cxdS 4 d4 tUf6 S tUc3 l2Jc6 6 i.gS e6 7 tUr3 dxc4 In a few moves the play transposes from one opening to ano ther. One must be constantly alert to such possi­ bilities. We shall see in what measure Euwe's decision was correct. 8 i.xc4 i.e7 9 0-0 0-0 10 l:tcl Decades of grandmaster prac tice has taught us that on c l the rook is of little use to White. Today one would continue 10 a3, preparing 'itd3, l:tadl and Itfel . Besides, in the Queen's Gambit Accepted the bishop on g5 is in the wrong place. It should be at e3, making possible tUe5 . In transposing from one variation to another, Black was more cunning.

43

10...a6 A good reply. The planned ... b5 fol­ lowed by the fianchetto of the queen's bishop corresponds to the general strategy of blockade in the centre. 1 1 i.d3 h6 White's previous move did not pre­ vent 1 1 . . .b5 because after 1 2 tlixb5 axb5 1 3 l:txc6 i.b7 Black takes on a2. Therefore, that was Black's simplest choice. 12 i.e3 We have reached a critical phase of the game. White could choose 12 i.h4, intending to create threats by i.bl and '&d3, as we have seen in a number of games. 12 ... tlib4 13 i.hl bS 14 tlies i.h7 lS �d2 l:te8 The opening phase is over, and Black has achieved his strategic aims. He dominates d5, and the d4-pawn has become a potential weakness. 16 r4? ! Since i n comparison with Botvin­ nik's win over Vidmar the chances of attack are significantly reduced, the more moderate 16 f3 was a healthier choice. 16 ...lUbdS 17 lUxdS �xdS 18 rs i.d6! (D) Very strong indeed! The point e5 is shaky. 19 rxe6 l:txe6 20 i.rs White cannot contemplate 20 l2Jf3 l:tae8 or 20 i.f4 i.xe5. 20 ...l:te7 21 i.h3 i.xeS 22 dxeS 'i"xeS 23 i.r4 �dS 24 �xdS If in his previous calculations White considered the sacrifice 24 i.xh6 gxh6 25 'itxh6, he now had to give up the

44

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PUY IN CHESS

'it>g6 53 'it>e2 r;tir5 54 'it>e3 'it>g4 55 .tc7 tllf3 56 'it>f2 f5 0-1 The health of the centralized knight at e5 depends on the d4-pawn and vice versa. They succeed or fall together. Another game from the 1930s is also a small lesson on tactical play in the same variation ...

Hasenfuss

-

Floh r

Kemeri 1937 Caro-Kann Defence idea because of the counterattack with 25 ...l:t.e2. 24 ... tllxd5 25 .td2 nae8 26 b3 l:t.e2 Black has won the theoretical duel and starts to convert his material ad­ vantage into victory. 27 l:t.f2 tllf6 28 .1a5 l:t.xf2 29 'it>xf2 tlle4+ 30 'it>n tllg5 31 .td7 3 1 .1g4 offers more resistance. 31 ...l:t.e7 32 .tf5 l:t.e5 33 .tbl .te4 Eu we makes use of his advantage in exemplary fashion. Note the ma­ noeu vre ... tllf6-e4-g5 ! 34 .1xe4 tllxe4 35 l:t.c6 More precise was 35 l:t.c8+ followed by .tel in order to thwart the penetra­ tion of the rook. 35 ...l:t.f5+ 36 '>t>el l:t.f2 37 a4 l:t.xg2 38 nxa6 After 3 8 .1c7 some concentration is still needed: correct is 3 8 ... l:t.b2, but not 3 8 ... bxa4 39 bxa4 l:t.a2 40 a5 (not 40 nxa6? l:t.al +). 38 ...bxa4 39 bxa4 l:t.xh2 40 nas+ 'it>h7 41 .tb6 na2 42 a5 h5 43 a6 h4 44 a7 h3 45 .tgl tllf6 46 'it>dl tllg4 47 l:t.e8 h2 48 .txh2 nxa7 49 .tbs nas 50 l:t.d8 tlle5 51 .1c7 l:t.xd8+ 52 .1xd8

1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5 3 exd5 cxd5 4 c4 tllf6 5 tllc3 tllc6 6 .1g5 e6 7 tllf3 dxc4 8 .txc4 .1e7 9 0-0 0-0 10 l:t.cl a6 11 a3 The famous Radio Erevan would say: White played well; the only prob­ lem is that he put his pieces in the wrong place and at the wrong time. 1 1 ...b5 12 .ta2 .1b7 13 'ii'd3 tlld5 (D)

14 tlle4? White would like to exploit the in­ viting weakness at c5. He did not like 14 .1xe7 tllcxe7 15 tlle4 because of 15 ...tllf4. On the other hand 14 tllxd5

ISOLATED PA WNS ..txg5 or 1 4 ..tbl f5, when the attrac­ tive e4-square is out of reach, did not appeal to him. These considerations must have pushed Hasenfuss into an erroneous step. Looking at the position objectively, 14 ..txd5 appears logical; an advantage is there or it is not there, but it cannot be forced upon the posi­ tion. The punishment follows at once ... 14. ..tll cb4! 15 'ii'bl Taking on b4 would j ust cost a pawn. 15 tllxa2 16 'ill'xa2..txg5 17 tllexg5 h6 18 tlle4 tllr4 19 .l:kel ..td5 20 b3 f5 21 llled2 'ii'f6 22 'it> hl Played in order to meet . . .rt'g6. 22 .l:tacS 23 'ii'b l 23 .l:tcl was not at White's disposal due to 23 . . .'i'g6 24 g3 'ii'g4. 23 tllxg2 24 'it>xg2 'i'g5+ 25 'it>hl 'i'xd2 26 .l:e3 'i'xd4 0-1

45

At this point it seems better to de­ velop the queenside. 14... g6 15 ..tg5 (D) One would prefer 15 ..th6.

•..

•..

•..

Szabo - Petros ian Bamberg 1968 Nimzo-lndian Defence 1 d4 tllr6 2 c4 e6 3 lllc3 ..tb4 4 e3 0-0 5 ..td3 d5 6 lllf3 c5 7 0-0 tllc6 8 a3 cxd4 9 exd4 dxc4 10 ..txc4 ..te7 Having been confronted with 8 a3, Petrosian has entered a risky continua­ tion for Black. We have already exam­ ined similar positions in a few games and the comparison will be useful to the reader. 11 .l:tel ..td7 12 ..ta2 A logical retreat. On a2 the bishop cannot be attacked by ... tlla5 and it can switch immediately to the other im­ portant diagonal, namely b l-h7. 12 ... .l:tcS 13 'ii'd3 .l:te8 14 tlJe5

15 ... tllh5 ! Black chooses the proper moment for this move. White was finishing his preparations for the breakthrough in the centre, but Black succeeds in di­ minishing the pressure. His move re­ minds us of Karpov's reaction in one of his match games versus Korchnoi (p.36). This simplifying move is char­ acteristic of many positions in the Queen's Gambit and it is useful to re­ member it. 16 ..txe7 'i'xe7 17 tllc4 In case of 17 d5 there is 17 ... tllxe5 1 8 .l:txe5 'ii'd 6 with level play but 1 7 .l:tadl makes a better impression than the somewhat unnatural text-move. 17 b5! Since 18 tllxb5 is well answered by 18 ... tll b4, the sudden advance of the b-pawn thwarts the imminent danger of the breakthrough. 18 llle3 b4 19 tlle4 l2Jf6 •••

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

46

Petrosian does not miss a single chance: the exchange of knights would alleviate difficulties in the centre. 20 tlJc4 l:tcd8 21 tUxf6+? 2 1 tlJed6 would be more unpleasant for Black. In general, exchanges help the side lacking space and air. 21...tr'xf6 22 tUd6 l:te7 This will keep the rook in play. 23 l:r.adl i.e8 24 tUxe8 24 tlJe4 is not better, in view of 24 ... '1Jkg7 . 24 .l:texeS The fog has lifted: the isolated pawn remains under pressure and it cannot move. 25 '1ia6 tUxd4 26 '1ixa7 26 axb4 tlJc2 27 l:r.xd8 l:r.xd8 28 l:tf! tlJxb4 29 'itxa7 '1ixb2 30 i.c4 l:tc8 does not bring White relief. 26 b3 27 i.bl tUc2 28 l:txd8 l:txd8 29 nn '1ixb2 By skilfully defending a passive position and making use of White's little inconsistencies, Petrosian has slowly turned the position to his ad­ vantage. The far-advanced passed pawn guarantees victory. 30 '1ib6 l:td5 31 a4 '1ic3 32 h3 'itig7 33 g3 l:taS 34 h4 l:txa4 35 h5 gxh5 36 '1id8 h6 0-1 The skill demonstrated by Petros­ ian in defence is worth analysing in detail. ...

...

Some General O bservations Studying this short selection of games we have learnt what an uncertain life an isolated pawn leads. The centre char­ acterized by such a pawn-formation,

therefore, requires sober evaluation and most careful treatment. The posi­ tion is so sensitive that even small er­ rors, which may be imperceptible to an inexperienced eye, cause grave dif­ ficulties. At the same time the reader must have become aware of the fact that each of these central situations, no matter how similar they may seem, is different. A pawn advance on the wing or one piece placed at a different position can change everything. Strict, constantly valid rules how to play these positions remain, therefore, out of reach, no matter how many exam­ ples we examine. However, the reader must also have noticed that some general guidance can be applied, covering a very large number of possible cases. These gen­ eral maxims are the only directions we can depend upon. If we absorb them by studying typical cases, if they are a fruit of our analytical work, all the better. So in order to formulate some general advice we can trust, we start from our simple, practical observa­ tions. Studying our topic we are soon aware that there exist two types of central isolated pawns: one movable,_ aggres­ sive; the other immovable, controlled and blockaded. These cases result in utterly different situations. If the breakthrough is possible, as a rule, it releases a remarkable amount of energy, which is manifested in sev­ eral typical cases: a) Attack on the opponent's castled position, carried out after direct, com­ bined threats on the diagonals bl-h7

!SOL.A. TED PA WNS

and a2-g8, and often supported by threats on the open e-file; b) Penetration of the king's knight in the footsteps of advancing isolated pawn; c) Transformation of the initiative into a strong, active centralized piece; d) Transformation of the initiative into a better endgame. In all these cases, and the record does not le(lve room for any doubt, the side which successfully prepares and carries out a central thrust achieves a very high percentage of wins. The conclusion is self-evident: a central isolated pawn must be blockaded. We have seen that it takes patience, precision in the choice of the move­ order and sometimes cunning, too, if we wish to be successful. The counter­ measures against an isolated pawn are concen trated on the full domination over the square in front of the pawn. If such a balance of power is reached in the centre, the side with the isolated pawn will create activity based on his mobile pieces: in the first place a dom­ inant centralized knight, supported by the isolated pawn, or a rook ma­ noeuvre o n the third rank, coupled with bishops exerting pressure on the diagonals towards the opponent's cas­ tled position. Note, however, that such activity does not come of itself. As a rule, it is a fruit of better development, a spatial advantage and actively posted pieces. The side fighting against an iso­ lated pawn, on the. contrary, must try

47

to simplify the position through ex­ changes, constantly watching that no central thrust is possible . Unquestion­ able authority over the square in front of the pawn is an imperative. Taking all this into consideration, one can never emphasize enough two crucial maxims: 1) As the side with the isolated pawn, save your pieces; do not ex­ change them lightly, because an iso­ lated pawn needs company badly. At the same time stay alert to all the pos­ sible tactical blows inspired by the breakthrough, even at the cost of mak­ ing a sacrifice. 2) When playing against the iso­ lated pawn, try to blockade the iso­ lated pawn, concentrating your effort on the strong square in front of it, re­ duce material (most exchanges are welcome) and try to reach an end­ game, because it is not a natural habi­ tat for an isolated pawn and because in endgames, as a rule, i t becomes a lame duck, an immovable target. And finally, White or Black, when playing a position characterized by an isolated pawn in the centre, should af­ ter each move ask the essential ques­ tion: can the pawn advance or not? And the next question: what can I do to prepare the breakthrough? Or vice versa: what can I do to stop it for good or make it innocuous? During a game much will depend o n how seriously you ask these ques­ tions and how responsible your an­ swers are.

2 I solated Pawn Cou ples and Hanging Pawns Having discussed isolated pawns in the centre, we reach a new subject. We shall now discuss a pair of central pawns unsupported by other pawns on the neighbouring files. They appear usually as the consequence of two pawn exchanges in the centre or, very often, as descendants of an isolated pawn, after an exchange on the neigh­ bouring file. It takes just a move from an isolated pawn to reach an isolated pair of pawns (called an 'isolated pawn couple') and one step further to what we call hanging pawns, a pair of pawns on the fourth rank (or if Black on the fifth rank). Being such close relatives, they inherit and share some strikingly similar qualities. Let us first pay atten­ tion to an isolated pawn couple.

Here we have one of the typical cases of an isolated pawn couple. An isolated pawn lived on d5 and an ex­ change on c6 united them for common action and destiny. What we notice first in the diagram is the hole on c5 and an experienced eye associates it at once with a potential weakness. On the contrary, if the c6-pawn steps forward to c5, we have the posi­ tion of the next diagram.

The difference is small, just a detail in Black's pawn-formation, and yet we associate it at once with aggressive advance in the centre. The following grandmaster games will confirm our first impressions and offer some basic answers.

!SOUTED PAWN COUPLES AND HANGING PA WNS

49

Rubinstein - Salwe Lodz 1908 Queen's Gambit 1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 lLic3 c5 4 cxd5 exd5 5 W l2Jc6 6 g3 l2Jf6 7 .1g2 Due primarily to the enthusiasm of its inventor, Dr Tarrasch, some crucial problems of this sensitive variation were solved at the beginning of the 20th century, but many nuances re­ mained to be understood at the time when our game was played. The pres­ sure on the d5-pawn caused by the fianchetto of the light-squared bishop is evidently a major factor in the posi­ tion. Today we know it and deal with it cautiously. The modern main line con­ tinues 7 ... .te7 8 0-0 0-0 9 .1g5 and only then docs Black cede in the cen­ tre by 9 . . cxd4. Salwe cedes at the wrong moment... 7 cxd4 ? ! 8 l2Jxd4 'iib6 By exerting pressure on d4 at a mo­ ment when White cannot fortify it, Black provokes l2Jxc6, when his d­ pawn will no longer be isolated. It seems a logical decision, but we shall soon see how costly it really was. 9 l2Jxc6 bxc6 10 0-0 .1e7 11 l2Ja4! (D) Black has managed to unite his pawns, but at the cost of time and de­ velopment - he is yet to castle, and the c5-square is weak. It is toward that square that White directs his forces. On a4, the knight controls c5 and de­ fends the b2-pawn, making possible further pressure on c5 by i.e3 and along the c-file. 11 ...'ii b5 12 .te3 0-0 13 Itel .tg4 .

•.•

At first glance this is a normal de­ veloping move. Still, after further con­ sideration we notice that it allows quick, concentrated pressure on the c-file. 14 f3 An ugly move, but only until we discover its true purpose. Already here Rubinstein had in mind the ma­ noeuvre llf2-c2, which will definitely fix the isolated pawn couple c6-d5 in all their passivity. 14 ....te6 15 .1c5 When we are stronger on some square, it is useful to exchange the pieces that defend it. Such exchanges make the weakness evident. 15 ...l:tfe8 16 l:tf2 l2Jd7 17 .1xe7 l:txe7 18 'fid4 With the dark-squared bishops ex­ changed, Black tries to use his knight to cover his weakness, but the domi­ nant, centralized queen reinforces White's dominance over the critical c5-square. 18... l:tee8 In case of 1 8 ... l:tc8 White, naturally, would not greedily grab the pawn by

50

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PL4.Y IN CHESS

1 9 'fixa7 because 1 9... c5 changes the scene to his detriment. Instead, the quiet 1 9 tllc5 would thwart any attempt at freeing Black' s game. 19 .tfl l:tec8 20 e3 'iib7 21 tllc5 tllxc5 22 l:txc5 S o the minor pieces have disap­ peared from the board and the blockade on the dark squares grows stronger move by move. 22 ...l:tc7 23 l:tfc2 'iib6 24 b4 (D)

27 ... 'fixc6 28 'fixa7 l:ta8 29 'iic5 'iib7 30 'it>f2 h5 31 .1e2 g6 32 'iid6 'fic8 33 l:tc5 'iib7 34 h4 a5 35 l:tc7 'iib 8 36 b5 a4 37 b6 l:ta5 38 b7 1-0 In its simplicity a magnificent game to analyse and learn from. An isolated pawn couple, if caught unawares and firmly blockaded, demonstrates the same weakness we discovered in iso­ lated pawns when they could not ad­ vance and died slowly in desperate passivity in the resulting endgames.

Balashov - D reev Russia Cup, Samara 1998 Caro-Kann Defence

The threat of b5 will provoke an­ other weakness after 24 ... a6. This of­ fers another important lesson: the pawns around weak squares become weak and shaky as time passes and weaknesses multiply. It is exactly to that relentless process that we owe nu­ merous victories on the basis of weak squares. 24 ...a6 25 l:ta5 l:tb8 After the exchange on d4 a pawn would fall. 26 a3 l:ta7 27 l:txc6 Finally White's spatial advantage is transformed into a tangible material advantage.

1 c4 c6 2 e4 d5 3 exd5 tLf6 4 tllc3 cxd5 5 cxd5 tllxd5 6 tllf3 lllxc3 7 bxc3 g6 8 d4 Here we have the pawn-formation from the previous game as if seen in a mirror. Our isolated pawn couple is on c3 and d4, while Black's pressure comes from the dark-squared bishop and on the semi-open c-file. 8 ....tg7 9 .1d3 tllc6 10 0-0 0-0 11 .te4 In a couple of moves this bishop will return to d3, giving the impres­ sion of aimless play. 1 1 l:tel was a le­ gitimate alternative, but little can change some basic facts: the pressure on the pawn couple remains strong and it is difficult to imagine how their status could be improved. At the same time Black's plan is self-evident, and Grandmaster Dreev carries it out smoothly in the next few moves ... 11....td7 12 l:tel l:tc8 13 .1g5 l:te8 (D)

]SOIATED PA WN COUPLES AND HANGING PAWNS

51

easy to recommend. We can just note that the text-move is an obvious error losing material. 20 lllc5 .l:tc4 2 1 f3 continues resistance in adverse cir­ cumstances.

14 :tel ?! A critical moment. White sounds the retreat with bleak prospects ahead in an endgame burdened with three pawn-islands of which the central is­ land will remain under constant pres­ sure. One would prefer the more active 14 d5 llla5 15 d6 although after 15 ...�f6 1 6 �xf6 exf6 White's passed pawn is well blockaded. Then 17 �d5 would give some meaning to White's previous play. 14 llla 5 15 �d3 lllc4 16 111'b3 White continues to watch the slow degradation of his position. It is true, 16 'ilke2 is not appealing in view of 16 ... �e6, but 16 �xc4 .l:txc4 17 llle5 seems indispensable. The text-move allows Dreev to continue stifling his opponent. 16 ... b5 17 �xc4 .l:txc4 18 llld2 Now 1 8 llle5 �xe5 1 9 dxe5 exposes White's king to attack after the reply 19 . . ..l:tg4. 18 ....l:ta4 19 llle4 �c6 20 J:tcdl? (D) The disease has spread on the light squares and a meaningful plan is not •..

20 ...�d5! 21 'ilkbl 2 1 111'xb5 loses to 2 1 . .. .l:ta5 . 21. .. .l:txa2 A loss of material is the punishment for White's passive set-up in the centre and visible lack of initiative. 22 lllc5 a6 23 ll:Jd3 J:ta4 24 lllb4 �b7 25 f3 'i!kc7 26 111' b3 e6 27 .l:tal .l:tc8 28 �d2 .l:txal 29 .l:txal 'ilkd6 30 �e3 e5 31 .l:tdl exd4 32 �xd4 �xd4+ 33 .l:txd4 'i!kc5 34 llla2 .l:te8 35 'ilkdl a5 36 'ilkd2 c:J;g! 37 lll c l �d5 38 ll:Jd3 111'b6 39 h4 h5 40 c:J;h2 �c4 41 lllf4 a4 42 'ilkf2 'ilkf6 0-1 It is not a rare situation for the side with the isolated pawn couple to fall into a disadvantageous position be­ cause of the latent pawn weakness. However, much depends on whether the backward pawn can advance and tum the couple into hanging pawns,

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PU Y IN CHESS

52

acquiring mobility and strength. Have a look at the following game. . .

Reshevs ky - D onner Santa Monica 1966 Nimzo-Indian Defence 1 d4 lllf6 2 c4 e6 3 lllc3 1'.b4 4 e3 c5 5 ii.d3 d5 6 lllf3 0-0 7 0-0 dxc4 8 .lii.xc4 lllbd7 In those days 8 . . . lllc6 9 a3 ii.as was also explored with passion, but the feeling prevailed that the position of the knight on d7 was sounder. 9 .lii. d3 In case of 9 a3 cxd4 1 0 exd4 .lii.xc3 followed by ... 'ikc7 Black would have pressure on the c-file, which the text­ move avoids. In later years, however, 9 'ike2 followed by �dl became more popular. 9...b6 If 9 ... a6, then 1 0 a3 ii.as 1 1 'ike2 and White can meet 1 1 ... bS by 1 2 b4. 10 a3 cxd4 After 10 ... .lii. x c3 1 1 bxc3 1'.b7 1 2 �el .lii.e4 White avoids the exchange by 1 3 ii.fl, planning llld2. 11 exd4 .lii.xc3 12 bxc3 1'.b7 13 �el 'ikc7 14 ii.d2 (D) Before he plays c4 Reshevsky wants to prepare it cautiously. The opening phase by both players is characterized by attention to the quality of the iso­ lated pawn couple. 14 �feS 15 'ike2 �ac8 16 �acl ii.d5 Since it will be difficult to organize any meaningful pressure on the hang­ ing pawns, provoking their appear­ ance is a loss of time. •..

17 c4 1'.b7 When playing 1 6 . . . .lii.dS perhaps Donner intended 1 7 . . ..lii. xf3 1 8 'ikxf3 eS 1 9 dS lll cS, but then understood that 20 ii.fS followed by �c3 and ii.gs is unpleasant for Black. Whatever the case, Reshevsky has achieved what Salwe and Balashov could only dream of. Well supported by numerous pieces, White's bishop-pair conspicu­ ous among them, the lame isolated pawn couple has metamorphosed into aggressive hanging pawns. From now on Black will have a constant worry in his mind: just like their father, the iso­ lated pawn, this couple on the fourth rank is ready to strike at any moment. Apart from the real threats they pose, they are psychological burden, too. 18 a4 'ikc6 One would expect the natural move 1 8 ...h6. The idea of taking the a4-pawn is bizarre. 19 .lii.f4 'ikxa4 20 �al 'ikc6 21 l:txa7 �a8 22 �xa8 �xa8 23 h3 A useful little move. Black should reply by taking the same measure, i.e. 23 ...h6. Instead he decides to play

[SOU. TED PA WN COUPLES AND HANGING PA WNS 'actively ' and falls under a strong at­ tack. 23 l:ta3? (D) .•.

24 d5! White's motive for the breakthrough is Black's weakened back rank. Now decisive things happen, while the a3rook can only watch. One should never disregard the constant menace, when­ ever confronted by two bad boys on the fourth rank. 24...exd5 25 cxd5 'i!fxd5 25 ... lt:Jxd5? loses at once to 26 J.b5 or 26 'i!fe8+ lt:Jf8 27 J.xh7+. Remem­ ber: when the position opens there are, as a rule, some diagonals via which the more active side can attack. 26 J.c4 'i!fc5 27 J.xf7+! rj;xf7 28 'i!fe6+ 'it>g6 29 J.d6 White has a substantially simpler win by 29 lt:Jh4+ rj;h5 30 l:te5+! 1!r'xe5 3 1 J.xe5 'it>xh4 32 J.xf6+ lt:Jxf6 3 3 '"iie7. 29 'i!fa5 ?! Black can put up a better fight by 29 ... 'ifc3, though White still wins by very precise play. After 30 lt:Jh4+ 'it>h5 •.•

53

3 1 tl:lf5 (threatening 32 'i"f7+ g6 33 g4+ lt:Jxg4 34 'ii'xh7+, mating) Black has to play 3 1 . . . l:ta4, when he is a whole piece up, but his king is astray in enemy territory. Then : a) 32 lt:Jxg7+ 'it>g6 33 'iff5+ (33 l:te3 'ifxe3 does not change much) is a direct attempt to finish Black off rap­ idly, which works after 33 . . . 'it>xg7 34 'ii'g5+ 'it>h8 35 l:te7 lt:Jg8 36 J.e5+, but Black can reply 33 ... 'it>h6, when 34 l:te5 is insufficient due to 34 . .. 'l!r'c 1 + 35 'it>h2 'iff4+. It is certainly consoling that 34 lt:Je6 is possible, when Black has nothing better than 34 ... 'ifxel+ 35 'it>h2 'ifxe6 (not, of course, 35 . . .l:ta5 ?? allowing 36 J.f4#), with a dubious po­ sition in spite of his enviable material reserves. However, having caught the black king in such a delicate situation, one is not ready to let him escape. . . b ) 3 2 l:te3 ! appears to win easily, but 32 . . .'ifc l+ 33 'it>h2 g6 puts up new barriers. 34 f3 is parried by 34 ... 'ifc2, 34 J.e7 by 34 ... 'i!fc6, and 34 f4 'iWc2 (not 34 ...J.xg2?? 35 lt:Jg3+ 'it>h4 36 J.e7 'i!fc6 37 'l!r'g4#) is far from clear. Fortunately, 34 lt:Jg3+ 'it>h4 (34 ... 'it>g5 loses to 35 f4+ 'it>h4 36 lt:Jf5+, and 34 ... 'it>h6 to 35 J.f8+ lt:Jxf8 36 'ifxf6) 35 l:te5 keeps the king stranded. Then 35 ... lt:Jxe5 (35 . . . 'ilfc6 36 lt:Je4 forces mate; 35 ... l:tal loses to 36 lt:Jfl ) gives White a choice of wins: 36 J.xe5 lt:Jd5 37 J.d6 !, threatening J.e7+ and lt:Je4, or 36 'i'fxf6+ 'ii'g 5 37 '"iig7, when the threats can no longer be parried. 30 lt:Je5+ lt:Jxe5 31 l:txe5 l:tal+ 32 'it>h2 'ifa8 33 'iff5+ 'it>f7 34 l:te7+ 'it>g8 35 J.e5

UNDERSTANDING PA WN Pl.AY IN CHESS

54

After an impressive sequence of forcing moves, Black is pushed into a corner without an exit. If 35 . . .'ii'f8 White wins by 36 'i!ke6+ 'itih8 37 1Lxf6, etc. 35 ...l:tel 36 l:txg7+ 1-0 The game is a striking lesson on the difference between the isolated pawn couple and their close relatives, hang­ ing pawns. The following games will strengthen the first impressions.

1 3 ... lLig4 obviously fails against 14 1Lxh7+, so Black must settle for rou­ tine developing moves. 14 l:tel l:tac8 15 h3 l:tfd8 16 l:te3 lLih5? (D) In the first game of the same match Keres played 1 6 ... h6, no doubt a use­ ful and appropriate move in such posi­ tions. This time Black was not cautious enough.

Gl igoric - Keres Yugoslavia USSR, Zagreb 1948 Nimzo-lndian Defence -

1 d4 lLif6 2 c4 e6 3 lLic3 iLb4 4 e3 c5 5 1Ld3 b6 6 lLif3 1Lb7 7 0-0 0-0 8 1Ld2 There is little sense in 8 a3 in view of the simple 8 ...1Lxc3 9 bxc3 1Le4. The text-move takes into consider­ ation the attempt at simplification by 8 ... 1Lxc3 9 1Lxc3 lLie4, when Gligoric had in mind 1 0 1Lxe4 1Lxe4 1 1 dxc5 bxc5 1 2 Wd6. However, Black has at his disposal better answers, so in later years 8 lLia4 gained preference. 8 ...cxd4 8 . . .d6 is a serious alternative. 9 exd4 d5 10 cxd5 1Lxc3?! 10 ... lLixd5 is possible, also keeping open the long hl -a8 diagonal, because 1 1 lLixd5 1Lxd2 12 lLixb6 axb6 is obvi­ ously not good for White. 11 bxc3 'i!kxd5 1 l ... exd5 1 2 1Lg5 has its drawbacks for Black, but the text-move brings about the standard case of an isolated pawn couple which is converted into hanging pawns at once. 12 c4 'i!kd6 13 iLc3 lLibd7

17 d5! White is able to strike before the knight reaches the f4-square. The tac­ tical stroke is based on 17 ... exd5 18 lLid4, when the knight attacks in the footsteps of the advancing pawn (the motif so often repeated in positions with an isolated pawn). At the same time the tremendous power of White's bishops is unleashed towards the black king, creating all sorts of threats. 17 ... lLic5 18 lLig5 g6 19 1Le2 lLig7 20 'i!kd4 Now it is the queen's turn to make use of the strong d4-square. The de­ fence of the king, based on the pair of knights on d7 and f6, has been thrown

ISOLATED PA WN COUPLES AND HANGING PA WNS

55

into disorder. White's domination of the a l -h8 diagonal foreshadows a quick collapse . . . 20... 'ilkfS 21 111'h4 h5 22 .lii.g4! One would think it was Keres at­ tacking. 22 ...f5 23 lllxe6 lllgxe6 24 dxe6 .l:te8 25 1'.xh5 111'h6 26 'ilkf6 f4 27 'i'f7# (1-0) This was again a successful case of an isolated pawn couple advancing into battle array before the blocking pressure could be organized and ex­ erted on them. In most cases, however, the hanging pawns appear as the result of a double pawn exchange in the cen­ tre.

al-h8 diagonal are still in the realm of dreams. 12...g6 13 lllhf3 .l:tad8 14 dxc5? bxc5 (D)

Nimzowitsch - Ta rrasch

So at the moment when opening passes into middlegame, a pair of hanging pawns have appeared on the fifth rank. We can say that in principle the creation of such pawns makes sense only when one is able to build pressure on them in such a way that their dynamic potential cannot bear fruit. In our game Nimzowitsch has not brought about these conditions and his strategy in the opening must be considered faulty. 14 dxc5 was a most senous error. 15 1'.b5 llle4 16 .lii.xc6 .lii.xc6 17 'ilkc2 tt:Jxd2 18 lllxd2 Perhaps White nourished some illu­ sions about making use of the long a l-h8 diagonal, but the dramatic course of the game renders his conception a disaster. 18...d4! (D) While closing the diagonal of the b2-bishop, Black opens diagonals for

St Pe tersburg 1914 Queen's Gambit 1 d4 d5 2 tt:Jf3 c5 3 c4 e6 4 e3 tt:Jf6 5 ii.d3 This is rather an unusual move­ order, which Black could exploit by 5 ... dxc4, with a tempo-up version of a Queen's Gambit Accepted. 5... tt:Jc6 6 0-0 ii.d6 7 b3 0-0 8 1'.b2 b6 9 lllbd2 1'.b7 10 .!:tel The position is reminiscent of a Queen's Indian line with the differ­ ences that the black knight is posted more actively on c6 instead of d7, and that the dark-squared bishop is in the proper place, making .. .'iie7 possible. 10 ... 'iie7 11 cxd5 exd5 12 tlJh4 White invests time provoking a weakening of Black's kingside: a costly investment in our case because the prospects of any action on the

56

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

The last desperate attempt. 25 l:txfl obviously loses the queen, while 25 tt::\f6+ �f8 26 tt::\xe8 l:txe8 achieves nothing. 25 ...f5 26 'il'c3 'ii'g2+ 27 �e3 l:txe4+ The final blow. 28 fxe4 f4+ 29 �xf4 l:tf8+ 30 �e5 'il'h2+ 31 �e6 l:te8+ 32 �d7 1'.b5# (0-1) Mate of a refugee.

Kasparov - Portisch his own mighty bishops; we witness the typical moment when the mecha­ nism of the hanging pawns is put into action. 19 exd4? Natural caution suggests 1 9 e4, but White decided wrongly to accept the challenge. 19 ... ii.xh2+! 1 9 ... ii.xg2 20 �xg2 'Ill'g5+ is also effective. 20 �xh2 'il'h4+ 21 �gl ii.xg2! The connoisseurs must have said "dejil vu", thinking of Lasker's combi­ nation produced a quarter of a century earlier, but of course there are always some new details. 22 f3 22 �xg2 does not work due to 22 ...'ii'g4+ 23 �h2 l:td5 24 'lll'xc5 l:th5+ 25 'il'xh5 'il'xh5+ 26 �g2 'il'g5+, when the knight falls. 22...l:tfeS Black indirectly defends the bishop and threatens ... l:te2, which cannot be parried by 23 'il'd3 due to 2 3...'il'g3 24 tt::\e4 l:txe4. 23 tt::\e4 'il'hl+ 24 �f2 ii.xfl 25 d5

Nik.Sic 1 983 Queen's Indian Defence 1 d4 tt::\f6 2 c4 e6 3 tt::\f3 b6 4 tt::\c3 1'.b7 5 a3 d5 6 cxd5 tt::\xd5 7 e3 tt::\xc3 8 bxc3 ii.e7 9 1'.b5+ c6 10 ii.d3 c5 11 0-0 tt::\c6 12 1'.b2 The b2-square is a natural position for the dark-squared bishop. Its even­ tual target is Black's kingside, but in the meantime it is there to support the advance in the centre: White's hang­ ing pawns, when they arise, will need full protection and support. 12...l:tcS 13 'lll'e2 0-0 14 l:tadl 'il'c7 14 . . . cxd4 1 5 exd4 keeps on the board d- and c-pawns. 15 c4! This is clearly stronger than 15 e4, which can be countered by the natural 1 5 ... tt::\a5. 15...cxd4 Note that 15 ...ii.f6 fails to 1 6 d5; the strength of the b2-bishop is already felt across the board. 16 exd4 tt::\a5 (D) Portisch was counting on his coun­ terplay against the c4-pawn. However,

]SOLA.TED PA WN COUPLES AND HANGING PA WNS

the exposed black kingside remains at the mercy of the white bishops. A sac­ rificial thrust in the centre is in the air and an experienced player will smell such occasions at once. 17 d5! As usual in the circumstances, the breakthrough is based on tactical lines: 17 . . .ll:ixc4 would be punished by 18 'ife4 g 6 1 9 .ixc4 'i!Vxc4 20 'ife5 f6 2 1 'i!r'xe6+ l:tf7 22 l:tc 1 'i!r'a6 23 d6 with a large advantage for White; the far­ advanced passed pawn must decide. We have in front of us an excellent ex­ ample of the damage done by hanging pawns - Black's whole kingside is un­ der devastating attack. 17...exd5 18 cxd5 .ixd5 19 .ixh7+! 'it>xh7 20 l:txd5 'it>g8 21 .ixg7! 'it>xg7 22 ll:ie5 Motifs repeat; sacrifices remind us of older games whose wisdom we are trying to absorb. How to defend a na­ ked king? 22 ... f5 23 nd7 makes things worse. 22 ... 'ifc2 fails to the shrewd 23 'ikg4+ 'it>h7 24 l:td3 l:tc3 25 'ikf5+ (or simply 25 °ifh3+) 25 . . . 'it>g7 26 l:tg3+. The more stubborn 22 ... l:th8 is refuted

57

by 23 'ifg4+ 'it>f8 24 'ilff5 f6 25 ne 1 . Therefore . . . 22 ... l:tfd8 23 'i!fg4+ 'it>f8 24 'i!r'f5 f6 24 . . .J.d6 is met by 25 'i!r'f6 . If Black plays 24 . . .J.xa3, then 25 nd7 nxd7 26 ll:ixd7+ 'it>e7 27 l:te 1 + 'it>d8 28 ll:ie5. 25 ll:id7+ nxd7 26 l:txd7 'i!r'c5 27 �h7 l:tc7 White was threatening l:txe 7. Black not only parries the threat but also sets a hidden trap : 28 l:td3 ? would allow the frightening 28 ... 'i'i'xf2+. One can never be cautious enough! 28 'i!r'h8+ 'it>f7 29 l:td3 ll:ic4 30 l:tfdl ll:ie5? After 30. . . J.d6 (best) 3 1 l:th3 Black has serious problems. 31 'ilfh7+ 'it>e6 32 'i!fg8+ 'it>f5 33 g4+ 'it>f4 34 l:td4+ 'it>f3 35 'i!r'b3+ 1-0 Exciting chess, yet it is the rational building of the position, White's har­ monious development and full coop­ eration of pieces and pawns, that makes it possible and even look so simple.

Korchnoi - Karpov World Ch match (game 1), Merana 1981 Queen's Gambit 1 c4 e6 2 ll:ic3 d5 3 d4 .ie7 4 ll:if3 ll:if6 5 .ig5 h6 6 .ih4 0-0 7 e3 b6 8 II.cl .ib7 9 .ie2 ll:ibd7 10 cxd5 exd5 1 1 0-0 c5 12 dxc5? In Hort-Karpov, Amsterdam 198 1 , White played 1 2 'i!fc2, which is cer­ tainly better. Korchnoi commits the same error we encountered in the game Nimzowitsch-Tarrasch. To put it concisely, one should never create hanging pawns if the conditions do not

58

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PL4. Y IN CHESS

exist to expose them to strong pressure and thus to control them. 12 ... bxc5 (D)

A useful comparison occurs to me. In the game Yusupov-Ljubojevic, Til­ burg 1987, this position occurred with one, seemingly unimportant, differ­ ence: White's bishop was on f4 and . . .h6 had not been played. Owing to the position of the bishop on f4, White was able to continue 12 tl'ie5, prepar­ ing .lif3 and offering an advantageous exchange of knights. The pressure was there. In our game Black's central pawns are strongly supported by pieces and all of a sudden they repre­ sent an imminent danger. 13 'ilkc2 l:tc8 14 l:tfdl 111'b6 When the pressure on the pawns is feeble, their owner, as a rule, can move his pieces to active positions. He com­ mands more space. 15 'ilkbl The beginning of a rather artificial manoeuvre, convincing us that there is something basically wrong with the white position.

15...l:tfdS 16 l:tc2 'i!ke6 17 .lig3 17 l:tcd2 would be met by 1 7 . . .tl'ie4. 17 ... tl'ih5 18 l:tcd2 tl'ixg3 19 hxg3 tl'if6 Now that White's dark-squared bishop has been eliminated, Black can comfortably sit and wait for the proper moment to take action in the centre. 20 'i!fc2 g6 21 'i!fa4 a6 22 .lid3 White has spent quite a lot of time manoeuvring his queen to a4, where, as we shall find out, it stands badly. This move is the beginning of another ma noeuvre, by which White brings the bishop to a2 in order to increase the pressure on the d5-pawn. 22...rj;g7 23 .libl 'ilkb6 24 a3 (D)

Korchnoi, of course, is well aware that the hanging pawns are extremely dangerous if set in motion, but he evi­ dently believes they cannot advance. Karpov proves the opposite: 24 d4! One is somewhat sceptical about this move at first glance. It seems that White can grab the pawn, but 25 exd4 does not work due to a tremendous •.•

ISOL4.TED PAWN CO UPLES AND HANGING PAWNS response 25 ... 1Lc6. Since 26 dxc5 fails to 26 ... 1Lxa4, to be followed by ...iLxd 1 , the queen must move. 26 'it'c2 loses to 26 ...1Lxf3 27 gxf3 (or 27 dxc5 iLxd l ) 27 ... cxd4 28 tt:'ia4 'i!r'b5, while 26 'it'c4 loses to 26 . . . cxd4 27 tt:'ia4 'i!fb5. In my opinion White overlooked the intermediary . . . 1Lc6 and when he saw it, it was too late. White had no choice but to enter an ugly situation. 25 tt:'ie2 dxe3 26 fxe3 c4 27 tt:'ied4 'it'c7 28 tt:'ih4 'it'e5 29 'it>hl 'it>g8 Black's spatial advantage combined with White's undefended pawn-islands make it a routine job. 30 tt:'idf3 'it'xg3 31 l:txd8+ 1Lxd8 32 'it'b4 1Le4 33 1Lxe4 tt:'ixe4 34 l:.d4 tt:'if2+ 35 'it>gl tt:'id3 36 'it'b7 l:tb8 37 'it'd7 1Lc7 38 'it>hl l:txb2 39 l:.xd3 cxd3 40 'iWxd3 'i!t'd6 41 'it'e4 'it'd!+ 42 g7 20 l:td4 l:.h8 21 l:.g4+ 'it>f8 .

60

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

Naturally, allowing the exchange of the light-squared bishop on d3 dimin­ ishes White's attacking potential while his central pawns lose the lion's share of their support. We can, therefore, conclude that 12 'ife2 was an error of which, as we shall see, Taimanov did not take advantage. 12 ... l:teS?! 13 l:tfdl l:tc8 14 l:tacl 'ifd6 Black seeks more living space by moving his queen to f4. After 14. . .tt:lb4 1 5 iLbl 1Lxf3 White can continue 1 6 gxf3. It is a better version than above, but White's kingside is damaged for good. So it was still a better choice. 15 iLbl 'iWf4 16 d5! The time has come in spite of the possible inconveniences on the e-file. We enter a chaotic battle, of the type which Keres liked from his young days and played with stunning cold­ bloodedness. 16... exd5 (D)

17 cxd5 Keres thought for a long time con­ sidering the consequences of 17 tt:lxd5

tt:lxd5 (he rightly dismissed 17 ... 'ii'h6 1 8 l:tel ) 1 8 cxd5 1Lf6 1 9 dxc6 l:txe2 20 cxb7. lt is worth putting down what he saw and why at the end of long cal­ culation he gave it up and settled for a more secure route to advantage. Here is what Keres himself wrote: "a) 20. . . l:txcl 2 1 l:txcl iL.d8 (or 2 1 . . .nes 22 l:tc8 'Wa4 23 g3 'ifd7 24 1Lf5 winning) 22 :cs 'ifd6 23 g3 l:txb2 24 1Le4 winning. "b) 20 ... l:tce8 21 1Lxf6 (not 2 1 l:tc8? 1Lxb2 22 l:tdd8 [we may add that White still wins by 22 i.d3 and 23 1Lb5J 22 ... 'ifc 1 + 23 nxct l:txd8 24 l:tc8 l:tee8) 2 l . .. gxf6 ( 2 1 . . .'if xf6 22 l:tc8 'ife6 23 :cd8 or 2 1 . . .'ifb8 22 tt:ld4 !) 22 l:tc8 rl;g7 23 b8il' (23 l:tdcl 'ifd4 !) 23 ... 'iWxb8 24 l:txb8 l:txb8 25 g3 with a won endgame. "c) 20... l:tb8 2 1 1Le5 ! l::txe5 22 tllxe5 g6 (or 22 . . . 'ifxe5 23 l:tc8+ 'ife8 24 l:.dc 1 1Le5 25 l:txe8+ l:txe8 26 l:tel winning) 23 0xJ7 (not 23 l:tc8+ rl;g7 24 l:txb8 1Lxe5 with dangerous counter­ play) 23 . . . l:txb7 24 g3 'iWf3 25 1Le4 ! . "d) 20. . . l:tf8 2 1 1La3 (21 1Lxf6 'if xf6 22 l:tc8 l:tee8 and then 23 b8'if l:txc8 24 'ifxa7 'iWb2 or 23 l:tdcl We6 with good chances to save the game) 2 1 . . .1Le7 22 1Lxe7 (not 22 l:tc8 1Lxa3 23 l:tdd8 °itcl + ! ) 22 ...l:txe7 23 l:tc8 g6 24 b8'iW °i!r'xb8 25 l:txb8 l:txb8 and White's advantage in the endgame may prove inadequate." After 17 tt:lxd5 tt:lxd5 18 cxd5 1Lf6 Keres put in brackets the alternative 1 9 'ifc2 1Lxb2 20 dxc6 iLxc l ! . How­ ever, Nunn later found 2 1 °itxh7+ rl;f8 22 cxb7 l:tcd8 23 'if h8+ rl;e7 24 l:te 1 + rl;d7 25 1Lf5+ 'ifxf5 26 l:txe8 l:txe8 27

/SOL4.TED PA WN COUPLES AND HANGING PA WNS

�xe8+ 'it>xe8 28 b8'1W+ and the pawns on a7 and b6 fall. This is an impressive list of mind­ spinning lines. I cite Keres because I would like the reader to be fully aware of the stunning amount of energy re­ leased by a breakthrough in the centre. 17 ... tt:\b8 1 7 . .. tt:\b4 ! ? can be met by 1 8 nd4 ( 1 8 a3? .1c5 !) 1 8 ... '1Wb8 19 '1Wd2 ncd8 20 tt:\h4, with attacking chances. 18 nd4 '1Wd6 19 ncdl .1f8 The central thrust has transformed White's more active pieces and spatial advantage into another form of advan­ tage: a passed pawn on the d-file, mo­ bile, squeezing and well supported. At the same time White's bish op-pair ex­ erts obvious pressure on Black's king­ side. Con sidering that, 19 ...tt:\bd7 was essential for the king's protection. 20 tt:\e4 tt:\xe4 21 nxe4 nxe4 22 '1Wxe4 '1Wh6 After 22 . . .g6 23 tt:\g5 White would also keep attacking chances. 23 tt:\g5 .1d6 24 h4 tt:\d7 25 '1Wr5 tt:\r6 26 .1xf6 26 tt:\xf7 is simpler. 26...gxf6 27 tt:\xf7 'i!t'cl 28 '1Wxh7+ 'it>f8 29 tt:\xd6 'i!t'xdl + 30 'it>h2 'i!t'xdS 31 tt:\xb7 "i!feS+ 32 g3 nc7 33 '1Wh8+ 'it>f7 34 h5 ltxb7 35 '1Wh7+ 'it>e6 36 '1Wxb7 '1Wxh5+ 37 'it>g2 1-0 Keres's win over Taimanov repeats the standard themes of previous games, and throws light on the preconditions for the breakthrough, on the attacking motifs on the diagonals, the strength of bishops unleashed by the thrust, and the transformation of an advan­ tage into other forms.

61

However, the hanging pawns do not always have enough support to succeed in their primary mission. They can be used in a quieter manner, emphasizing their positional values. The following games offer informa­ tion on the subject... Korchnoi - lvkov

Interzonal tournament, Sousse 1967 Boga-Indian Defence 1 d4 tt:\f6 2 c4 e6 3 tt:\f3 .1b4+ 4 tt:\bd2 d5 5 a3 �e7 6 e3 0-0 7 .1d3 b6 The fianchetto is Black's natural way to develop, while also preparing ... c5. 7 . . .tt:\bd7 has the same idea in mind, and if 8 b4 then 8 . . . a5 . 8 b3 .1b7 9 .1b2 cS 10 0-0 cxd4 11 exd4 tt:\bd7 12 .l:tel When the pawn-structure in the centre takes this shape, '1We2 is a good choice for White, leaving the squares el and d I for the rooks in support of the central pawns. 12 ...ne8 13 tt:\e5 dxc4 White has a spatial advantage, which encourages Black to seek ex­ changes. As a rule, a responsible deci­ sion, but lvkov evidently hopes he will be able to control the dynamic force of the central pawns. 14 bxc4 tt:\xe5 15 nxe5 .1f8 (D) Black evaluates correctly that his kingside may fall under attack. He therefore prepares to fianchetto his dark-squared bishop, which would bring not only more security to the king, but also counter-pressure against the d4-pawn. 16 a4

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PLAY IN CHESS

62

21. .. f5?! 22 tt:\g3 tt:\xg3 23 hxg3 bxa5?! Two poor decisions i n three moves will make Black's life harder. 2 1 . . .f5 weakens the position, while 23 . . . bxa5 exposes the a-pawns for good. 24 l:t.edl 'C!r'c7 25 c5 l:t.b8 26 'ilr'a2 'C!r'c6 27 i.c3 l:t.e7 28 'C!r'xa5 (D)

It is difficult to imagine White car­ rying out a central thrust under reason­ able conditions. The pawns, therefore, will be used to control the central space, while action takes place on the wings. The minority attack on the queenside should create a pawn weak­ ness in Black's camp. 16 ... g6 17 a5 i.g7 18 l:t.el There is little point in 18 l:.b5. 18 tt:\h5?! An alluring move, seeking to attack d4 as well as g2. However, although commentators passed by this move in silence, we have reached a critical mo­ ment of the game. The further course of events shows beyond doubt that the pressure on White's hanging pawns must be prepared more carefully. In my opinion 1 8 ...'ilr'c7 was the proper choice. Black's knight is destined for d7, not h5. 19 i.e4 i.xe4 20 tt:\xe4 !tc8 21 'C!r'b3! Very good: in case of 21 ...i.xd4 22 i.xd4 'C!r'xd4 23 !tadl 'il'xc4 24 'C!r'xc4 ltxc4 25 tt:\d6 ltec8 (or 25 . . . l:.cc8) 26 a6 White wins. .•.

Material equality has been restored, while White has maintained a health­ ier paw n-structure. Notice how his central pawns, well protected all the time, played the role of watchful guard, while action was successfully taken on the wing. The result is White's passed pawn on the c-file and Black's isolated a7-paw n. 28 . l:t.d7 29 'Cir'a6 l:Ic8 30 'C!r'c4 'i!r'd5 31 'C!r'xd5 l:t.xd5 32 f4 32 l:t.xa7 would not be met by 3 2... l:t.cxc5 because of 3 3 !txg7+, but the simple 32 ... e5 would suffice. What follows is Korchnoi's usual skilful play in the endgame, and is worth pe­ rusing closely. 32...!td7 33 � !tc6 34 'it>e2 i.f6 35 !ta4 g5 36 ltdal gxf4 37 gxf4 .

.

ISOLA TED PAWN COUPl.ES AND HANGING PA WNS

J:tcc7 38 l:tbl J:tc8 39 g3 h5 40 l:i.ab4 rJ;;f7 41 l:tb7 rJi;eS 42 rJi;d3 ii.d8 43 rJ;;c4 aS 44 l:tb8 l:i.xb8 4S l:i.xb8 rJi;e7 45 ... l:i.a7 would invite an amusing end: 46 c6 a4 47 ii.as. 46 !ta8 l:tb7 47 c6 l:tbl 48 l:i.a7+ rJi;d6 49 !td7+ rJi;xc6 SO l:i.xd8 l:tgl Sl dS+ exdS+ S2 l:i.xdS !txg3 S3 l:i.xaS h4 S4 l:txfS l:i.f3 SS ii.es l:i.a3 S6 !thS h3 S7 l:i.h6+ rJi;d7 SS �dS l:tf3 S9 . l:th7+ rJi;dS 60 �e6 1-0

0. Bernstein - Capablanca Exhibition game, Moscow 1914 Queen's Gambit

·

1 d4 dS 2 c4 e6 3 tt:lf3 tt:lf6 4 tt:lc3 ii.e7 S ii.gs 0-0 6 e3 tt:lbd7 7 :tel b6 The introductory move of the so­ called 'Orthodox Fianchetto' . Black intends to solve his basic development problem - that of his queen's bishop. Comparing the position with similar situations in the opening phase, we shall notice that the early development of the queen's knight left a hole on c6 - a motif to make use of. 8 cxdS exdS 9 'ii'a4 It is interesting that earlier, in Capablanca-Teichmann, Berlin 1 9 1 3 , Capablanca himself produced the strong 9 ii.b5 1'.b7 1 0 0-0, and after 1 O... a6 1 1 ii.a4, it became clear that the intended 1 l. . .c5 would be met by 12 ii.xd7 'ii'xd7 13 dxc5 bxc5 14 tt:la4. Equally, in case of 10 ... c5, 1 1 ii.xd7 'ii'xd7 1 2 dxc5 bxc5 1 3 ii.xf6 ii.xf6 14 tt:le4 refutes Black's play. What Capa­ blanca knew the others did not know. The strong players were luckier then, because there were no 'Informators '

63

and discs to teach their opponents what to play. 9 ...ii.b7 In Capablanca-Lasker, World Ch match (game 5), Buenos Aires 1 9 2 1 , Lasker chose 9 ...c5 1 0 'il'c6 l:tb8 1 1 tt:lxd5 ii.b7 1 2 tt:lxe7+ 'ii'xe7 with com­ pensation in his active position and chances to equalize. 10 ii.a6 A logical move weakening the com­ plex of light squares. 10 ii.xa6 11 'ii'xa6 cS Black could choose the more placid l 1 . . . c6 12 0-0 'ii'c 8, but he had no peaceful intentions in this game. 12 ii.xf6 Not necessary at this moment. 1 2 0-0 should be preferred. 12 ...tt:lxf6 13 dxcS bxcS 14 0-0 'ii'b6 IS 'ii'e2 c4! (D) •••

Powerful logic stands behind this simple move. Hitherto we have ana­ lysed classic cases of breakthrough. In our position Black's standard task of preparing ... d4 is impossible with his dark-squared bishop posted passively

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PLA Y IN CHESS

64

at e7. B lack therefore evaluates his position realistically . Since he can ex­ ert pressure on the semi-open b-file, emphasizing the backwardness of the b2-pawn, Black moves his c-pawn and creates the preconditions for squeez­ ing further his opponent in defence. At the same time the move, ceding the d4-square to White, implies an excep­ tional psychological effect. In normal circumstances it is only after success­ ful pressure that hanging pawns can be blockaded. Bernstein has got it for free and he is happy to land his knight on d4 and formulate his plan on the basis of it. Thus, as we shall see, he continues in the wrong direction. 16 l:t.fdl ?! Although the hanging pawns are bl ocked, they are dangerous, because they offer Black an obvious spatial ad­ vantage, and a lot of manoeuvring space. If White had evaluated his posi­ tion correctly he would have chosen 16 e4 to break up the couple and seek equality in a sequence of exchanges. 16 . :t.fdS 17 tbd4 Bernstein again has a chance to play 17 e4, but he evidently thought he was standing better. 17 J.b4 Owing to the move ... c4 Black's passive bishop gets an active role. 18 b3 1 8 'ii'c 2 came into consideration, but 18 . . .l:t.ab8 maintains the pressure. B ernstein finally must have fel t that things were getting out of control and he tried to simplify through exchanges. 18 nac8 19 bxc4 dxc4 20 l:t.c2 J.xc3 .

The passed pawn is a major hope for Black. Its road must be cleared. 21 ltxc3 tbd5 22 ltc2 c3 23 ltdcl ncs 24 lbb3 l:t.c6 25 tiJd4 :C7 26 lbb5 White becomes greedy. Many com­ mentators proposed 26 'ii'e l J:1dc8 27 tbe2 as correct. Black has time to re­ ply unperturbed 27 ... l:t.c4, but even 27 . .'l!t'a5 28 e4 lbb4 29 nxc3 tbxa2 still keeps some advantage. 26...J:tcS 27 tbxc3? There was still time to go back humbly to d4. 27...tbxc3 28 D.xc3 ltxc3 29 ltxc3 (D) .

.

••.

•.•

29...'il'b2! 0-1 White resigned, struck by a thun­ derbolt.

Bertok

-

Fischer

lnterzonal tournament, Stockholm 1 962 Queen's Gambit 1 d4 dS 2 c4 e6 3 tbc3 J.e7 4 tbf3 tbf6 5 Ji.gs 0-0 6 e3 h6 7 J.h4 b6 8 cxd5

]SOLA.TED PA WN COUPLES AND HANGING PA WNS

tt:\xd5 9 i.xe7 t:kxe7 10 tt:\xd5 exd5 11 i.e2 i.e6 12 0-0 c5 13 dxc5? My club-mate Mario Bertok was clearly playing for a draw against a su­ perior opponent. However, as often happens in such circumstances, he does i t in the wrong way. He could ap­ ply the routine manoeuvre against Black's hanging pawns, based on the pin after 'ii'a4-a3 or he could choose 12 tt:\e5 or 1 3 tt:\e5 as well. The text­ move is a definite error. The exchange on c5 is premature. It leaves a larger choice to his opponent and Fischer does not miss his chance to avoid the standard positions and switch to a more promising continuation. 13 ... bxc5 14 t:ka4 'ii b7! (D)

Before the knight takes its place on d7, Fischer was allowed to move his queen to a more active place. Missing the correct move-order, Bertok, in­ stead of forcing the black queen to stay passively on e7, allowed a move which is a part of Black's strategic plan. The backward b2-pawn and the semi-open b-file dictate future events.

65

15 'ii'a3 tt:\d7 16 tt:\el White is already in difficulties. 1 6 l:tacl l:tfb8 17 l:tc2 i.f5 18 l:td2 tt:\f6 favours Black, but the text-move is in­ effective as well. 16...a5 17 tt:\d3 c4 Like Capablanca, Fischer had that rare ability to find simple, straightfor­ ward moves, which, as a rule, are part of equally simple and straightforward plans. Since he was able to move the queen to b7, the subsequent course of action has all been self-explanatory. 18 tt:\f4 l:tfb8 19 l:tabl At first glance, the consistent course seems to be 19 i.f3 tt:\f6 20 l:tfd I . Having invested several tempi to bring the knight to f4, White had a chance to exert counter-pressure on the d5pawn. Unfortunately, the b2-pawn is more valuable and the bargain after 20. . .'il'xb2 2 1 'il'xb2 l:txb2 and the fol­ lowing exchanges on d5 cannot please White: the passed pawn on the c-file runs towards promotion with dire con­ sequences. Fischer was of the opinion that 1 9 tt:\xe6 fxe6 20 i.g4 was White's best option. 19 ... i.f5 20 l:tbdl tt:\f6 21 l:td2 After 21 i.f3 Fischer considered 2 1 . . . 'itxb2 22 'ii'xb2 l:txb2 23 tt:\xd5 tt:\xd5 24 i.xd5 (or 24 l:txd5 i.e6 25 l:tc5 l:tc8) 24 . . . l:tc8 25 e4 i.e6 26 i.xe6 fxe6 27 a4 c3, etc., as well as the alternative 2 1 . .. i.e4 22 i.xe4 tt:\xe4. 21...g5 Simple but decisive. White's pas­ sivity will be exposed fully once the pressure on the d5-pawn is removed. 22 tt:\xd5

66

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLA.Y IN CHESS

Giving up a piece for little compen­ sation is quite desperate, but 22 tll h5 tlle4 23 :c2 'ifb4, threatening . . . tll g3, would be of little help to White. 22 ... tllxd5 23 .lii.xc4 ii.e6 24 l::tfdl tllxe3 25 'ii'xe3 .lii.xc4 26 h4 :es 27 'ii'g3 'ii'e7 28 b3 ii.e6 29 f4 g4 30 h5 'ii'c5+ 31 l:tf2 ii.rs 0-1 We are taught again that the timing of the birth of hanging pawns is of great importance. If at the moment of their origin it is not possible to exert some meaningful pressure on them, we can be quite certain that we missed the right time. Some preconditions must be ful­ filled in order to control their dynamic options. We shall throw some light on the subject in the following games. In order to give as credible a message as possible, let us stay with the same variati on used by Bertok, but now in the hands of two great champions.

Spassky - Pac hman Capablanca memorial, Havana 1962 Queen's Gambit 1 d4 tllf6 2 c4 e6 3 tllf3 d5 4 tllc3 .lii.e7 5 .lii.g5 0-0 6 e3 h6 7 1'.h4 b6 8 cxd5 tllxd5 9 .lii.xe7 'ii'xe7 10 tllxd5 exd5 1 1 ii.e2 ii.e6 12 tlle5 c5 13 0-0 (D) Comparing with the game Bertok­ Fischer, we conclude beyond any doubt that by playing tlle5 White causes more difficulties to his opponent. 13 ... l:tdS?! This will make his further develop­ ment difficult. 1 3 ...tlld7 seems natural. Instead, 13 . . . c4 is met by 14 b3, when 14 ... b5 fails to 1 5 a4 and 1 4 . . .tlld7 to

1 5 tll xd7 'i!t'xd7 1 6 bxc4 dxc4 1 7 e4, in both cases with advantage to White. 14 llcl f6?! This is grist to White's mill, but note that 14 . . .c4 fails again, this time to 1 5 ii.f3 b5 1 6 b3. 15 tllg6 'i!t'd6 16 dxc5 Having accumulated Black's small mistakes, White finally exchanges at c5, but at a moment when, thanks to his better development, he can exert maximum pressure on the pawns. 15 ...bxc5 17 tllf4 .lii.f7 18 'ii'c2 tlld7 19 l:tfdl d4 If Black parries the obvious threat ­ tllxd5 - by 1 9 . . . '1t>h8, then there is no answer to 20 ii.f3 . Pachman achieves the breakthrough, but under adverse circumstances. 20 .lii.c4 .lii.xc4 21 'ii'xc4+ 'lt>h7 Or 2 l . ..�h8 22 tllg6+ '1t>h7 23 'ifd3. 22 b4! (D) Exposed to pressure, Black's central pawns were first forced to advance and now they will fall apart. 22...nacS 22 . . . cxb4 loses material after 23 l:txd4.

]SOLA.TED PAWN COUPLES AND HANGING PA WNS

23 lDe6 Possible because the black king is exposed to checks on h7. 23 ... lbe5 24 'fic2+ d3 25 lbxd8 'fixd8 26 'ii'b2 c4 27 h3 'ii'b6 28 a4 g5 29 'it>fl 'it>g7 30 'ii'd4 c3 If 30... 'fixb4, then 3 1 f4 followed by l:txd3. 31 l:txd3 lDxd3 32 'fid7+ 1-0 After 32 ... 'it>g6 33 'fixd3+ f5 34 g4 White wins easily.

67

meantime he will look for ways to ex­ ert pressure on them. 13 ... ncs 14 i.b5 (DJ A provocative move fou nd by Fur­ man. Instead the quiet 14 i.e2 would be best met by 14 ... a5. In Szilly-Mar­ ovic, Wijk aan Zee 1 972, after 1 5 0-0 'fia7 1 6 dxc5 bxc5 17 l:tc3 lbd7 18 :fc l ltcb8 (preventing lDd4 and justi­ fying the positioning of the queen on a7 by the planned ... 'fib7 or ... 'ii'b6) 1 9 lbel a4 20 lbd3 c4 2 1 lbf4 lbf6 22 i.f3 'ii'b6 Black stood better. Capablanca's play against Bernstein was known to me and preparing for the game I found ...'ita7 and the subsequent plan in 5 minutes.

Fischer - Spassky World Ch match (game 6), Reykjavik J 972 Queen's Gambit 1 c4 e6 2 lDf3 d5 3 d4 lDf6 4 lbc3 i.e7 5 i.g5 0-0 6 e3 h6 7 i.h4 b6 8 cxd5 lbxd5 9 i.xe7 'fixe7 10 lbxd5 exd5 11 Itel i.e6 It is hardly necessary to mention that 1 1 ... 'ii'b4+ 1 2 'fid2 leads to a fa­ vourable endgame for White. 12 'fia4 c5 13 'ii'a3 Resorting to the old queen ma­ noeuvre, White waits for a better mo­ ment to create hanging pawns. In the

14... a6?! This will prove inadequate. Later, in Timman-Gell er, Hilversum 197 3, Geller played the strong 1 4 ... 'fib7, sacrificing a pawn for the initiative. After 1 5 dxc5 bxc5 16 ltxc5 l:txc5 17 'fixc5 lba6 18 i.xa6 'iikxa6 19 'fia3 'ii'c4 20 'it>d2 'ii'g4 2 1 l:tgl d4 Timman was in deep trouble. 15 dxc5 bxc5 16 0-0 l:ta7

68

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

This is as unnatural as it looks. 16 ... 'ii'b7 was preferable. 17 ii.e2 tt:\d7 18 tt:\d4 Comparing the text with Bertok's play, the importance of the proper time for exchanges is self-evident. Fischer is able to use the central squares to his advantage, exerting pressure on the newly born couple. 18 ... 'ii'fS 1 8 ... tllf6 was unanimously accepted as more logical. 19 tt:\xe6 fxe6 20 e4! (D)

White has succeeded in building up pressure on the hanging pawns. Now 20 ... tt:\f6 would come too late, as 2 1 e5 tt:\d7 22 f4 gives White a clear advan­ tage. 20...d4? Wiser after the event, many com­ mentators were of the opinion that 20 . . . c4 was better, when Fischer had in mind 21 �h3 with the initiative. After the text-move, White achieves what he strives for in general when trying to tame the hanging pawns. B eing in firm control of the squares in front of them,

White has sapped their aggressive po­ tential. Apart from that, there is the in­ viting c4-square for the light-squared bishop. 21 f4 'fie7 22 e5 Again the best: fix the weakness on e6 ! 22 .. J:tb8 23 ii.c4 �h8 24 'fih3 tt:\f8 If Spassky calculated that he would be able to control the strong e4-square with his knight, he missed the point. He was given no peace until his knight was pushed back to defend his weak e6-pawn. The bishop on c4 is the czar of the position. 25 b3 a5 26 f5 The beginning of the end : Black's king is not in a safe refuge any more. Having won the battle against the hanging pawns, Fischer has achieved an overwhelming strategic advantage. 26...exf5 27 l:txf5 tt:\h7 28 l:tcfl 'ii'd8 29 'fig3 l:te7 30 h4 l:tbb7 31 e6 l:tbc7 32 'ii'e5 'ii'e8 33 a4 'ii'd8 34 l:tlf2 'fie8 35 l:t2f3 'fid8 36 ii.d3 'fie8 37 'fie4 tt:\f6 38 l:txf6 gxf6 39 lhf6 �g8 40 ii.c4 �h8 41 'fif4 1-0 Although the hanging pawns made a part of the scene for a short period of the game and soon became a larger unit, it is their destiny which sticks in the memory after a brilliant lesson given by Fischer. The very moment Spassky's central pawns were blocked and their energy drained away by the loss of mobility, White won his battle. The basic themes of this encounter are of importance for the full understand­ ing of the hanging pawns and we shall continue our discussion in the next game...

]SOL4.TED PA WN COUPLES AND HANGING PA WNS

Romanishin - Psakhis USSR Ch, Moscow 1983 Queen's Indian Defence

1 tt:\f3 tt:\f6 2 c4 b6 3 d4 e6 4 g3 ii.a6 5 tt:\bd2 d5 6 .lii.g2 .lii.e7 7 0-0 0-0 8 tt:\e5

69

easily. For instance, had Black contin­ ued 12 . . . tt:\bd7, White could have played 13 tt:\dc4, making use of the pin to activate all his forces. Notice that the pin is frequently used against such central formations.

c5

8 . . .1'.b7 is the alternative, but not feari ng the pressure on the long light­ square diagonal, Black carries out the routine . . . cS at an earl y phase of the game. The passive position of White's queen's knight on d2 must have had something to do with Psakhis's deci­ sion.

9 dxc5 Years ago my attention was drawn to the game Sosonko-Portisch, Tilburg 1981. Sosonko continued 9 tt:\b3, which complicates Black's development. Af­ ter 9 ... 1'.b7 10 dxcS bxcS 1 1 cxdS Por­ tisch had to accept an isolated pawn in the centre and play 1 1 . .. .lii. x dS. If he had chosen 1 1 . .. exdS then 1 2 ii. gs would have caused serious problems. The hanging pawns are under heavy fire, and there is no good solution.

9.. bxc5 .

In a number oflater games I noticed Black choosing 9 ....lii. xcS 10 cxdS exd5, when 1 1 tt:\df3, followed by b3 and 1'.b2, comes into consideration.

10 b3 1'.b7 This is necessary in order to com­ plete development; besides, there is no job for the bishop at a6.

11 cxd5 exd5 12 1'.b2 a5 (D) So we have again one of the innu­ merable positions featuring hanging pawns in the centre. This time they are under pressure which might increase

13 e4! ? d4 We have already concluded that hanging pawns are mobile and dan­ gerous by their nature, but if they are blockaded, they become weak. If Black accepts the pawn by 13 ...tt:\xe4 then 14 tt:\xe4 dxe4 l S 'ifc2 fS 16 l:tadl 'Clke8 17 �c3 gives White the initiative.

14 tt:\ec4 That is what we talked about. The dynamic potential of the central pawns has gone.

14 ... tt:\fd7 15 Itel tt:\b6 16 tt:\xb6 'ifxb6 17 tt:\c4 'i!fd8 18 ii.cl! It is very important to improve the position of the dark-squared bishop. Its proper place is now d2, from where it thwarts the expected manoeuvre . . . tt:\d7-b6, securing a dominant posi­ tion for his knight and keeping an eye on the aS-pawn.

70

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PU Y IN CHESS

18 ... tt:\d7 19 ii.d2 l:i.a6

It is not easy to find a good plan for Black. He vacates a8 for his queen, probably with a later . . . f5 in mind.

20 a4 Again: fix the potential weakness !

20 ... 'ii'a8 21 'ii'c2 (D)

Only now is everything ready for the decisive steps.

38...ii.f3 39 l:i.f2 ii.dS 40 rs gxfS 41 l:i.xfS l:i.h6 42 'ii'd2 ii.cs 43 l:i.f6 l:i.hS 44 'ii'f4 ii.e6 4S g4 1-0 Once the battle against the hanging pawns was won, the rest was a routine technical job carried out well by Rom­ anishin with some nice little points in­ structive for our topic.

Korc hnoi - Geller Candidates match (game 5), Moscow 1971 Queen's Gambit

1 d4 dS 2 c4 e6 3 tt:\c3 .lii.e7 4 tt:\f3 tt:\f6 s ii.gs 0-0 6 e3 h6 7 1'.h4 b6 8 ii.e2 1'.b7 9 .lii.xf6 .lii.xf6 10 cxdS exdS 11 0-0 'ii'e7 21...ii.d8 21 . . .f5 does not work due to 22 tt:\xa5 l:i.xa5 23 .lii.xa5 'ii'xa5 24 exf5 .lii.x g2 25 l:txe7, which explains Black's bishop move.

22 .lii.f4 Taming Black. 22 . . .f5 would now be met by 23 tt:\d6.

22 ..ie7 23 ii.fl The final solution against . . . f5.

23 ...'ii'c8 24 f3 'ir'd8 2S ii.d2 Avoiding . . ..lii. g 5.

2s ...l:i.a8 26 ii.d3 g6 27 l:i.e2 tt:\b8 28 nn tt:\c6 29 r4 The fruit of White's good strategy is a pawn-majority on the kingsidc.

29 ...tt:\b4 30 .lii.xb4 cxb4 31 'ii'd l l:i.c8 32 l:i.d2 ii.cs 33 l:i.el l:i.e8 34 l:i.de2 rj;g7 3S h3 l:i.c6 36 rj;h2 l:i.ce6 37 'ilr'c2 ii.87 38 eS

White has ceded the bishop-pair to his opponent early on, relying on his pawn-formation to keep the diagonals closed. Black, on the contrary, wants to open those same diagonals for his bishops. 1 1 . . c5 is too presumptuous and can be met energetically by 12 dxc5 bxc5 13 'ilib3; the pressure on the central pawns is already there . .

12 'ii'b3 In expectation of . . . c5 White's queen takes an active position, at the same time vacating the d l -square for his rook. It is clear that in a couple of moves the game will be characterized by Black's hanging pawns on the fifth rank. It is of great importance to meet them properly developed.

12 ... l:i.d8 Another necessary move in support of . . . c5.

]SOLA. TED PA WN CO UPLES AND HANGING PA WNS

71

13 l:tadl c5 Grandmaster Sue tin proposed 13 ...c6 14 .i.d3 llld7 1 5 l:tfel lllf8 with a pas­ sive but firm position, but Geller was a fearless player, ready to accept any challenge.

14 dxc5 1Lxc3 15 'ifxc3 bxc5 16 l:tcl Both players have achieved what they wanted. Black has carried out . . . c5, while White is ready to exert maximum pressure on the central pawns. The further course of the game will demonstrate whether the pawns represent a liability for Black or a menace to White. 16 ... llld7 17 l:tc2 A useful move in similar positions. White will be able to double rooks on either the c- or the d-file at will.

17 ...l:tabS?! Rooks seek open and semi-open files by their nature. We have seen in similar positions that counter-pressure could be built on the backward b2pawn. Here, however, there is no such possibility. Besides, the rook can be useful on the a-file, supporting a later . . . a5. At the same time, since the d5pawn is well protected and can be fur­ ther supported by . . . lllf6, all the atten­ tion should be given to the c5-pawn. Therefore one could expect Black to play 17 . . .l:tdc8. 18 b3 'i!fe6 19 l:tdl 'i!fb6?! (D) Now 1 9 . . . l:tbc8 was logical: there is no target on the b-file. Black probably had in mind ... a5 , missing his oppo­ nent's continuation, which is of ex­ traordinary strength . . .

20 lll e l! Having aimed his heavy artillery to­ wards the hanging pawns, White takes the opportunity to engage all his forces against the couple stuck in the centre. White threatens 1Lg4, trying to remove the vital defender on d7. At the same time the knight is moved to d3, where it will act in full harmony with the other white pieces.

20.. l:tbcS .

The support comes too late, as sev­ eral tempi have been lost, and it comes at the wrong moment, when the bishop is expected at g4. 21 1Lg4 'i!fg6 22 1Lh3 l:tc7 22 . . . d4 fails to 23 exd4 cxd4 24 'i!f g3, when White's pressure is stron­ ger than Black's support. 23 llld3 lllf6 24 'ifa5 llle8 25 l:txc5

l:txc5 26 lllxc5 1-0 Simple and impressive ! Korchnoi played consistently all the game, fully concentrating on the central pawns. First he restricted their movement, then engaging literally all his forces built maximum pressure on the unfor­ tunate couple, after which he could

72

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLA Y IN CHESS

just gather the fruits of his work. Note also the instructive errors committed by Geller, who failed to provide the proper protection and support the hanging pawns always require.

Some General Observations Our analysis of hanging pawns leads to unequivocal conclusions, which do not differ much from those we reached about isolated pawns. They share the same origin and they share some basic characteristics. Both are weapons of attack if actively assisted, and both are helpless targets when the protection is inadequate and assistance fails; both feel well accompanied by numerous pieces and both show signs of exhaus­ tion when material is reduced. The games we have analysed teach us very clearly that the dynamic en­ ergy hidden in hanging pawns is very great. Whenever they can advance in the centre with full support, the posi­ tion opens up and the pieces assisting the breakthrough, especially bishops, become extremely active and quite of­ ten the opponent's king is within their long reach. In most cases on such oc­ casions some concealed tactical possi­ bilities spring up and then any reaction in general comes too late to prevent the harm their advance causes. One must be fully aware of their damaging potential and evaluate very carefully when to create such pawns in the cen­ tre and when to preserve a healthy dose of caution and to avoid them. I shall always remember a scene in the press-room of the Banj a Luka

tournament in 1979. Two players were stubbornly defending a dubious position against two potent white pawns on the fourth rank but whatever they tried, it failed. Tigran Petrosian was quietly watching the proceedings and one of the analysts finally turned to him for help: "What would you do in this position?". Petrosian replied, "I would never accept such a position !" And, indeed, i f some preconditions are not fulfilled, if the pressure one is able to put on the hanging pawns is light, then, as Petrosian put it simply, do not enter such a position. On the other hand, if one can develop actively and, by putting pressure on the pawns, force their advance or turn them by ex­ change into an isolated pawn, con­ trolled and blockaded, all the negative sides of the pawn-formation become apparent. Naturally, the success of such a plan depends primarily on the activity of our pieces and the amount of pres­ sure we manage to put on the hanging pawns as soon as they appear in the centre. In most cases some late defen­ sive measures won't do. The central pawn-unit's ability to pierce defences surpasses by far that of an isolated pawn at its best. In comparison with isolated pawns, hanging pawns offer some other ad­ vantages, too. They transform more easily into mobile passed pawns; also, when a central thrust is not possible, their influence and control of the cen­ tral squares is greater, which makes it possible to take action on the wings. The side possessing hanging pawns

/SOU. TED PA WN CO UPLES AND HANGING PA WNS

often uses the neighbouring semi-open files to put pressure on the backward pawns which occur regularly on them. On such occasions one of the hanging pawns may advance in order to squeeze the backward pawn to the maximum, even at the cost of the strong square offered to the opponent. In general we can say that hanging pawns are associated with a spatial advantage and that strong counter­ measures against such a mobile, ag­ gressive unit are not very often at the opponent's disposal. Naturally, when we succeed in forc­ ing their advance and, using strong squares in front of them, halt their ac­ tion, they get stuck and the menace they represent is gone. The frontal pressure combined with the pin on the diagonal proves to be the best means to achieve an advantageous position. The characteristic, instructive games presented to the reader point to a terse warning: fear the dynamic potential of

73

the hanging pawns and be aware of their static weakness. The story of the isolated pawn cou­ ple is not quite the same. An isolated pair of pawns does not represent an immediate danger to your opponent. On the contrary, the weak square asso­ ciated with their appearance is more often than not a sign of potentially lasting weakness. When accepting such a couple as one's central pawn­ structure, one takes on a serious re­ sponsibility. There is a crucial ques­ tion one should ask at the moment they arise on the board: can the isolated pawn couple be successfully converted into hanging pawns or must the pawn-unit withstand the pressure in its present lame form? If the latter is the case, then I could repeat with Tigran Petrosian: do not accept such a posi­ tion ! In a conspicuously large number of cases its passive immobility leads to a dubious middlegame and quite com­ monly to a compromised endgame.

3 Passed Pawns

On a number of occasions in the previ­ ous two chapters we encountered in­ triguing cases of metamorphosis, in which isolated and hanging pawns, ac­ quiring mobility and strength, were transformed into a new species. We call them passed pawns.

Our diagram represents a typical example of a passed pawn on a central file. It illustrates the basic definition: passed pawns have no opposing pawns in front of them on their own or neigh­ bouring files. That is the key to under­ standing the power of passed pawns: their freedom of movement is the cause and explanation of the serious menace they pose. With no barriers to their advance, they run down the file towards the promotion square. In or­ der to stop a passed pawn it takes at

least a piece, which, tied to its passive duty, is missing in the battle waged on other parts of the board. Apart from that, we can easily imagine our d5-pawn in the diagram penetrating into Black's camp, to d6 or d7, and we can imagine the cramping effect on Black's forces. We can reach these straightforward conclusions by pure speculation, look­ ing at the diagram and foreseeing the probable events, but if we want to know the virtues and shortcomings of a passed pawn, it will take more than that. We shall turn again to a selection of good grandmaster games for help. Our aim is to watch the passed pawn in the complex battles of the middle­ game, when its best qualities come to the fore, but before we do so we shall sec it in action in a couple of games re­ membered for outstanding endgames. It is in the elementary conditions of an endg ame that the fundamental values of a piece are revealed. Our passed pawn is no exception.

Euwe - Alekhine World Ch match (game 8) Amsterdam 1935

,

Semi-Slav Defence

1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 lLif3 lLif6 4 e3 e6 5 ll:ic3 a6

PASSED PA WNS

75

Once upon a time this variation was in vogue as a sort of accelerated Meran in which Black prepares . . . dxc4 fol­ lowed by . . . b5 and ... c5. White's next move was a theoreti­ cal novelty at the time.

6 c5 b6? A couple of games later Alekhine improved with the natural 6 ...ll'ibd7. He understood that 6 . . . b6 was prema­ ture and caused serious troubles.

7 cxb6 ll'ibd7 8 ll'ia4 ll'ixb6 9 �d2 ll'ixa4 In later years Najdorf tried to im­ prove on this by 9 ... ll'ibd7, but then 10 :tel �b7 1 1 a3 �d6 12 �b4 leaves holes in Black's camp.

10 'i!r'xa4 'i!r'b6 1 1 :tel �d7 12 ll'ie5 'i!r'xb2 13 ll'ixd7 ll'ixd7 14 �d3! While he was an excellent tactician, Euwe also knew how to play simply, and this game is a brilliant example of his rare skill. 14 'i!r'xc6 would be met by the strong 14 ... �b4, while 14 .l:txc6 fails to 14 . . .� a3, when Black is pre­ pared to castle or continue by ... 'ti'bl +. Therefore, for now he develops and will retake the pawn later.

them, which implies a passive defen­ sive posture. a7 is not an attractive place for a bishop, but no alternative is available.

24 .l:tb5 24 �c6 .l:tc8 gives White nothing.

24... �a7 25 dxc5 ll'ixc5 26 �b4 'i!td6 27 a5 �c7 28 �xc5 The advantage of a bishop-pair consists in the possibility of exchang­ ing one of them at will. Here 2 8 a6 ll'id7 29 �c3 .l:tg8 30 �d4 is met by the cold-blooded 30 ... �b6.

28 ... �xc5 29 �xd5 �d6

16 .l:txc6 J:txc6 17 ltb l , as proposed by Alckhine, is also good.

29 . . . exd5 30 .l:txc5+ �d6 3 1 .l:tc2, intending .l:ta2, leads to a lost rook end­ game for Black. The opposite-coloured bishops offer more hope.

16... 'i!r'a3 17 'i!r'xa3 �xa3 18 .l:txb6 ll'ixb6 19 .l:tbl ll'id7 20 �xa6 �e7 21 .l:tb3 (D)

30 �b7 �a7 31 a6 .l:td8 32 .l:tb2 .l:td7 33 .l:td2+ �e7 34 .l:tc2 .l:td6 35 .l:tc7+ .l:td7 36 .l:tc2 .l:td6 37 f 4 f5

2 1 �b7 .l:tb8 22 .l:tb3 �d6 would not pay. White has created an outside passed pawn and with the text-move he opens its way.

It is not easy to say how Black should best wait, but there is no doubt that black pawns on light squares, the same as White's bishop, represent an additional burden. Note that 37 ... .l:td8 loses to 38 �c8 and that 37 ... f6 38 h4 would not make things easier.

14 ....l:tb8 15 �e2 .l:tb6 16 .l:tbl

21 ... �d6 22 �b7 c5 23 a4 �b8 The unpleasant thing about passed pawns is that you have to blockade

76

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLA Y IN CHESS

38 J:tc8 .l:td8 39 .l:tc7+ .l:td7 «> J:tc3 .l:td6 41 .l:tc7+ .l:td7 42 J:tc3 .l:td6 43 h4 (D)

'it>e7 65 .l:td5 J:ta4+ 66 'itf5 Sii.g3 67 .l:td7+ 'it>f8 68 a7 Iii.fl 69 Sii.86 1-0 Shackled by White's distant passed pawn, Black's resistance was hope­ less.

Kurajica - Karpov Skopje 1976 Ruy Lopez

1 e4 e5 2 tll f3 lllc6 3 Sii. b5 a6 4 Sii.a 4 lllf6 5 Sii.xc6 dxc6 6 lll c3 Sii.d6 7 d4 Sii.b4 7 . . . Sii.g4 is also quite good, but Kar­ pov wants more.

8 lllxe5 lbxe4 9 0-0 Sii.xc3 10 bxc3 0-0 11 Sii.a3 tlld6 12 c4 f6 43 ...g6 After a couple of waiting moves, White's play becomes consistent, aiming for zugzwang. 43 ... .l:td8 fails again to 44 Sii. c 8, 43 . . . 'it>d7 to 44 .l:tc8, 43 . . . Sii. b 8 to 44 .l:tc8 .l:td 8 45 .l:txb8, and 43 ... Sii. b6 to 44 .l:tc8 .l:td8 45 .l:tc6 Sii. a7 46 Sii.c 8.

44 .l:tc2 h5 45 J:tc3 A good alternative is 45 .l:tc8 .l:td8 46 .l:txd8 'it>xd8 4 7 e4, followed by exf5 and Sii. d 5. The constant threats to black pawns would make it possible for White's king to penetrate to b7.

45 ....l:tb6 46 .l:tc7+ 'it>d6 47 .l:tg7 .l:tb2+ 48 'it>d3 .l:ta2 49 .l:txg6 .l:ta3+ 50 'it>c4 Sii.xe3 51 Sii.d5 Sii.xf4 52 .l:txe6+ 'it>c7 53 J:tc6+ 'it>b8 54 .l:tg6 54 .l:tb6+ 'it>a7 55 'it>b5 fails to 55 . . ..l:t a5+.

54 ...Sii.c7 55 Sii.b 7 'it>a7 56 .l:tg5 Sii. d8 57 l:txh5 Sii.xh4 58 .l:txf5 'it>b6 59 l:tb5+ 'it>c7 60 .l:tb3 J:ta5 61 'it>d4 Iii.fl+ 62 'it>e4 'it>d6 63 .l:td3+ 'it>e6 64 Iii.cs+

White has treated the opening phase clumsily. Already Black's position is somewhat easier to play.

13 lllg4 1 3 llld 3 or 1 3 tllf3 .l:te8 is obviously to Black's advantage.

13 ... J:teS 14 llle3 lllf5 In order to win a game of chess

Black first must equalize. An experi­ enced player in the quest for victory will not be discouraged by the pres­ ence of the opposite-coloured bishops, if at least some minimal advantage can be squeezed from the position.

15 lllxf5 Sii.xf5 16 'ilkd2 Sii.e6 17 'ilkc3 'ilkd7 18 :tfel 'ilkf7 19 'ilkb2 White cannot afford to continue 19 c5 Sii. x a2. A distant passed pawn on the a-file would become his lasting nightmare.

19...b6 20 c5 b5 20. . .Sii.d5 2 1 c4 would lead to simplifications of the type Black is trying to avoid.

PASSED PA WNS

ll 1'.b4 a5 ll ii.dl .lii.d5 l3 f3 l:t.xel+ 24 l:t.xel b4 25 a4 bxa3 l6 'ifxa3 a4 l7 1'.b4 (D)

77

'it>g5 and he did not like it because he has to give up the d3-pawn or allow . . . 'it>h4-g3. He missed what Karpov demonstrated after the game: 45 'it>e3 f4+ 46 gxf4 g4 47 f5 . Having over­ looked that possibility, White con­ cluded he could simply give up his d3-pawn, a worthless pawn just need­ ing protection. It was a wrong judge­ ment.

44 ...cxd5 45 d4 (D)

The queen is too valuable to be used as a blockader, so its place will be taken by the bishop. Owing to the op­ posite-coloured bishops the game is still in the balance, but the a4-pawn is the first sign of danger. From now on the dark-squared bishop will have to watch carefully.

l7...'i!fg6 lS 'ifc3 h5 l9 .lii.a3 l:t.e8 30 l:t.xe8+ 'ifxe8 31 'it>f2 'i!fg6 3l 'i!fd3 'ifxd3 33 cxd3 h4 34 g3 'it>f7 35 'it>e3 f5 36 'it>f4 �g6 37 'it>e3 If 37 gxh4, then 37 . . .'it>h5 38 'it>g3 g6 and White's situation becomes slippery.

37...'it>h5 38 1'.b4 g5 39 �f2 ii.al 40 ii.a3 ii.bl 41 �el ii.al 4l ii.cl ii.e6 43 'it>f2 ii.cs 44 d5? From the beginning of the game White has been playing for a draw. Despite passive play he has kept the balance, but now he loses patience. After 44 'it>e2 .lii. a6 he saw 45 1'.b2 hxg3 46 hxg3 f4 47 gxf4 gxf4 48 ii.cl

The difficulties White is facing de­ rive from the factthat his bishop is riv­ eted to the c l -a3 diagonal. In spite of that it seems that Black cannot im­ prove his position because his king cannot penetrate White's position. Karpov, however, finds a hidden nar­ row path to victory. . .

45 ...f4! Black threatens . . . fxg3+ followed by ... h3, when the two passed pawns tie down both white pieces and the black king will just have a pleasant walk to b 1 . Since 46 g4+ fails to 46 ... .lii. xg4 47 fxg4+ 'it>xg4, etc., White is given no choice.

78

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLA Y IN CHESS he removes his king for no obvious reason. A simpler solution was to play 1 9. . J�xcl 20 l:txcl l:tc8 or 19 . . . .il.g4 eliminating the f3-knight.

46 gxf4 g4 47 'it>g2 .il.f5 48 'itf2 gxf3 49 'it>xf3 .il.e4+ 50 'itf2 'it>g4 51 .il.b2 To give up the h2-pawn is even worse.

20 h3 h6 21 'ilt'd2 !! (D)

51... 'it>xf4 52 .il.cl+ 'it>g4 53 .ib2 c6 54 .il.cl 'it>h3 55 'it>gl .il.g6 56 'it>hl .il.h5 57 'it>gl .il.dl 0-1 Karpov's king will move to e4 and there is nothing White can do about it. The power of the passed pawn is impressive. Sometimes it looks as if it guarantees the win by its mere exis­ tence.

Alekh ine - Capa blanca World Ch match (game 34), Buenos Aires 1927 Queen's Gambit Black got rid of the feeling of inse­ curity caused by the a2-bishop, but he presented his opponent with a tempo, which he puts to use with an extraordi­ nary move. Alekhine himself was proud of this quiet, subtle move which discovers almost imperceptible weak­ nesses. 'fka5 is threatened, causing tensions in the seemingly peaceful waters . Sudden changes are always in some measure shocking and it is not strange that even the great Capablanca does not find the proper reply.

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 lt"Jc3 ltJr6 4 .il.g5 lt"Jbd7 5 e3 c6 6 a3 White avoids the Cambridge Springs

Variation, but it is now easier for Black to achieve the freeing . . . c5 advance.

6....il.e7 7 lLif3 0-0 8 .il.d3 dxc4 9 .il.xc4 lt"Jd5 10 .il.xe7 'fixe7 11 lt"Je4 ltJsf6 12 lt"Jg3 c5 In his book on Alekhine, Grand­ master Kotov considered this move a serious mistake, because it postpones the development of the queen's bishop, and proposed 12 . .. b6. The fianchetto has its logic, but Capablanca's move is also logical and good.

21....il.e6?!

13 0-0 lt"Jb6 14 .il.a2 cxd4 15 lt"Jxd4 g6 16 l:t.cl .il.d7 17 'ilt'e2 l:tac8 18 e4 e5 19 lt"Jf3 'it>g7?! In fear eyes are large, says a prov­ erb. Black is subconsciously afraid of the pressure on the a2-g8 diagonal and

•

An alternative is 2 1 . .. .il.c6, with a counterattack on the e4-pawn, but White has conjured up a brilliant tacti­ cal threat - 22 lLih4, when 22 ...lt"Jxe4? is met by 23 lLihf5+ gxf5 24 lt"Jxf5+ 'it>g6 25 'fkxh6+ and mate next move, while 22 . . . .il.xe4 23 'ir'e3 l:t xc 1 24 l:txcl l:td8 25 lt"Jxe4 lt"Jxe4 26 �xe4

PASSED PA WNS

l:r.d4 27 ll:ixg6 is worse for Black than the game continuation. It was Lasker who showed the cor­ rect defence - 21 . . . ll:ia4.

22 .lii.xe6 'ifxe6 23 'i!fa5 ll:ic4 24 �xa7 ll:ixb2 25 .l:txc8 .l:txc8 26 'ifxb7 ll:ic4 27 'i!fb4 (D)

79

'only' moves reach a major-piece end­ game, hoping to blockade the passed pawn. Unfortunately for him, it is a daunting task.

35 ... .l:tbS 36 .l:te2 Act one: put the rook behind the pawn to force Black into passivity.

36....l:taS 37 .l:ta2 J:ta5 38 'ifc7 (D)

So at the end of complications we have the position we are interested in, characterized by an outside passed pawn on the a-file. From now on all Black's efforts will be concentrated on the attempt to stop that pawn.

27 ... .l:taS 28 .l:tal 'ifc6 29 a4 ll:ixe4 30 ll:ixe5! Black is persistent in his defence and diabolically inventive. In case of 30 ll:ixe4 'ifxe4 3 1 :tel .l:tc8 32 ll:ixe5?? Capablanca had in mind 32 ... ll:ie3 33 �xe4 J:txc 1 + 34 'it>h2 ll:ifl + and the queen falls.

30...'i!i'd6 Again the best.

31 'ifxc4 'ifxe5 32 :tel ll:id6 33 'ifcl 'iff6 34 ll:ie4 ll:ixe4 35 .l:txe4 Excellent defence has helped Black to avoid the worst and by a series of

Act two: gain control of the long dark-square diagonal, because only by combining threats against the king and to advance the pawn can White suc­ ceed.

38 ...'i!fa6 39 'ifc3+ 'it>h7 40 .l:td2 The threat of .l:td8 indirectly de­ fends the pawn.

40...'i!fb6 41 .l:td7 'ifbl+ We should notice that 4 1 . .. l:ta7 is out of the question: the queen end­ game is easily lost.

42 �h2 'ifbS+ 43 g3 :tr5 Act three: advance the pawn con­ stantly threatening mates.

44 'i!fd4 The queen has found a dominant position controlling all the board.

44 ...'ifeS 45 .l:td5 .l:tf3

80

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLA Y IN CHESS

The exchange of rooks is again out of the question, because with the white queen on the long light-square diago­ nal the king is well protected and the promotion of the pawn unstoppable. 46 h4 Threatening h5 exacts new conces­ sions. Note also another hidden trap : 46 'itig2 is met by 46 . .. na3 47 nds (47 a5 'i'c6) 47 . . ..l:txa4 48 'i'f6 na6. 46... 'i'h8 47 'i'b6! In principle the exchange of queens suits White, but not at the moment when the black rook can attack the passed pawn from behind. Naturally, if Black now continued 47 . . . 'i'f6, White would exchange queens and bring about the ideal position by nd2-a2. 47 ... 'i'al 48 'itig2 .l:tf6 49 'i'd4 Act four: White reaches a won rook endgame. 49 ...'i'xd4 so .l:txd4 'itig7 Sl as .l:ta6 S2 .l:tdS .l:tf6 S3 .l:td4 .l:ta6 S4 .l:ta4 'it>f6 ss 'itif3 'ities S6 'itie3 hS S7 'itid3 'itidS S8 'itic3 'iticS S9 na2 'it1bS 60 'itib3 'iticS 61 'itic3 'itibS 62 'itid4 .l:td6+ Black manages to free his rook, but the penetration of the white king will be decisive. 63 'itieS .l:te6+ 64 'it>f4 'itia6 6S 'itigS .l:teS+ 66 'itih6 .l:tf'S 67 f4 .:cs 68 .l:ta3 .l:tc7 69 'itig7 .l:td7 70 rs gxrs 71 'it>f6 f4 12 gxf4 nds 73 'itig7 .:rs 74 .l:ta4 'itibs 7S .l:te4 'itia6 76 'itih6 .l:txaS 77 .l:teS .l:tal 78 'itixhS .l:tgl 79 .l:tgS .l:thl 80 nrs 'itib6 81 lhf7 'itic6 82 .l:te7 1-0 This battle of giants is another les­ son on the vitality of a passed pawn. Even when attacked by superior forces it survives; threats on both wings keep it going unperturbed.

Naturally, there are no sacred rules that are always valid. Even in the end­ game their value changes according to circumstances. We can say that in gen­ eral a central passed pawn is less dan­ gerous than a distant one, which is easily explained. Its blockader is not lost on the edge of the board, and so can fulfil other functions as well. Sometimes the passed central pawn is itself in danger and an example will help us to remember this fact. Gipslis

-

Korchnoi

USSR Ch, Riga 1970

French Defence 1 e4 e6 2 d4 dS 3 lt'id2 cS 4 exdS exdS S lt'igf3 lt'ic6 6 ..1bS ..1d6 7 0-0 cxd4 8 lt'ib3 lt'ie7 9 lt'ibxd4 0-0 10 b3 ..1g4 11 ..1b2 'ii'b6 12 ..1e2 .l:tad8 13 h3 ..1h5 14 'i'd2 .l:tfe8 lS .l:tadl ..1g6 16 .l:tfel ..1cS 17 ..1fl ..1e4 18 a3 llixd4 19 llixd4 'i!Vg6 Black has neutralized White's at­ tempts to create pressure on the iso­ lated pawn by skilful counterplay with his pieces and counter-pressure on d4. By switching the queen to g6, he va­ cates b6 for the bishop and finds a new target on c2 . 20 .l:te3 ..1xd4 21 ..1xd4 tllrs 22 .l:tc3 b6 23 a4 h6 23 . . . lt'ixd4 is erroneous in view of 24 'i!Vxd4 ..1xc2 25 .l:tg3 'l'th6 26 .l:tcl ..1xb3 27 .l:tc6. 24 .l:tcl 'i'gS 2S .l:tdl .l:tc8 26 f3 tbxd4 27 'i!VxgS hxgS 28 ltxc8 .l:txc8 29 fxe4 llixc2 30 exdS? (D) Played under the spell of the passed pawn and its excellent endgame record.

PASSED PAWNS

It would all be fine if the following ex­ change could be avoided and the bishop survived. Correct is 30 l:txd5 tl:ie3 3 1 l:td3 with level play.

81

down, is the perilous situation of his b-pawn.

44 ... l:tb5 45 l:te8+ 'it>d6 46 l:td8+ 'it>e6 47 l:td4 l:te5+ 48 'it>f3 b5! Precise play. White will not be able to keep his rook on the fourth rank, which means that the b4-pawn is also lost.

49 l:td8 49 g3 f5 threatens 50 ... l:td5, while 49 g4 :tel has no reply (50 'it>t2 'it>e5, etc.).

49 ... l:tf5+ 50 'it>e3 l:tf4 51 l:te8+ 'it>d7 52 l:tg8 'it>e7 White will win the g6-pawn, but at the cost of the rook becoming an out­ cast on the h-file. After the text-move, the pawn is ex­ posed because its support is weak. IL is obvious that the black king will block­ ade it, and this keeps the black rook mobile. When you combine these facts you easily conclude that the passed pawn is in mortal danger.

30 ...tl:ie3 31 l:td3 tl:ixfl 32 'it>xfl 'it>f8 33 d6 Otherwise 33 . . .'it>e7 followed by . . . 'it>d6 would lead to the quick loss of the pawn.

33 ...l:td8 34 a5 f6 35 'it>e2 'it>f7 The pawn is doomed.

36 l:tc3 'it>e6 37 axb6 axb6 38 l:tc7 l:td7 39 l:tc6 l:txd6 40 l:tc7 g6 41 'it>e3

53 l:txg6 'it>f7 54 l:th6 'it>g7 55 l:th5 l:txb4 56 g3 l:tb3+ 57 'it>f2 b4 58 h4 l:tb2+ 59 'it>f3 l:th2 0-1 White resigned in this hopeless sit­ uation. The passed pawn, the pride of the position in so many endgames, failed here. Its king was far away and it fell prey to the active black king and rook. This serves as an excellent warning against prejudice of any kind. We must keep in mind that there are no sa­ cred rules and that each case of the passed pawn must be seen as a unique case.

Pillsbury - Gunsberg

4 1 l:tg7 would be met by 4 1 ... l:td4 42 l:txg6 'it>f7 43 l:th6 'it>g7 44 l:th5 l:tb4.

Hastings 1 895

41 ...'it>f5 42 l:tc4 'it>e5 43 l:tc8 l:td5 44 b4

1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 e3 g6 4 tl:ic3 i4.g7 5 tl:if3 tl:if6 6 i4.d3 0-0 7 tl:ie5

Black threatened 44 . . . l:tc5. White's problem, apart from being a pawn

White avoids 7 0-0 due to 7 . . .i4.g4, but for no good reason. Although the

Slav Defence

82

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PLAY IN CHESS

play is closed, sooner or later White ' s two bishops will find their diagonals. After 7 0-0, 7 . . . �e6 is more appeal­ ing; the same reply could also be ap­ plied against the text-move.

7 ...dxc4 8 �xc4 tlld5 9 f4 �e6 10 'ii'b3 b5 11 �xd5 �xd5 12 tllxd5 'ii'xd5 13 'ii'xd5 cxd5 14 tlld3 tlld7 15 �d2 .l:tfc8 16 �e2 e6 17 .l:thcl �f8 18 .l:txc8 .l:txc8 19 :tel .l:txcl 20 �xcl �d6 White has achieved a minimal ad­ vantage based on the potentially strong c5-square. Of course, it is too little, but Black helps to undermine his own position in the following moves . . . 21 �d2 �rs 22 �b4 �e7 23 �c5

impenetrable position, but White is to move and he strikes first. ..

27 f5! All of a sudden the d5-pawn be­ comes shaky. The threat comes from f4 and b4 and there is no way to parry both threats: 27 . . . exf5 28 gxf5 g5 29 tllb4 and 27 . . . tllc6 28 tllf4 both lead to the same unhappy situation.

27 ... g5 28 tllb4 a5 29 c6! It is at the critical point that our passed pawn moves on decisively.

29...�d6 30 fxe6 tllxc6 31 tllxc6 �xc6 32 e4! (D)

a6?! 24 b4 f6 25 g4 �xc5 26 bxc5 tllb8? (D) Black could have played better at several points in this sequence of moves: 22 ...�xb4, 23 .. a5 or 24. . .tllxc5 and even now 26 . . . a5 would avoid the following catastrophe. .

The final point! The e6-pawn gets company, while White's king can cope with the black passed pawns.

32... dxe4 33 d5+ �d6 34 �e3 b4 35 �xe4 a4 36 �d4 h5

It is true that it's very easy to miss White's concealed tactical idea. Black was hoping to play . . . tllc6 with an

Stronger resistance is offered by 36. . . �e7 37 �c4 b3 38 axb3 a3 39 �c3 f5 40 gxf5 h5 41 b4 a2 42 �b2 al 'Ii'+ 43 �xal g4 44 b5 h4 45 b6 g3 46 hxg3 hxg3 47 d6+ �xd6 48 b7 �c7 49 b8'ii'+ �xb8 50 e7, etc.

37 gxh5 a3 38 �c4 f5 39 h6 f4 40 h7 1-0

PASSED PA WNS

The tactical prowess of the passed pawn set in motion by Pillsbury is not a rare example. Combinative ideas are quite often connected with passed pawns, when their strength is fully ac­ centuated. We shall take a look at an­ other example.

83

19...1'..e5 20 .l:.xf7 exd5 21 f4 1'..g7 22 f5 dxe4? (D) Romanishin misses 22 ... gxf5 23 h3 1'.. h5 24 l:r.xg7+ �xg7 25 ltJe6+ �f6 26 exf5 .l:.e8 27 g4 .l:.xe6+ 28 fxe6 1'.. g 6. However, he sees a distant light at the end of the tunnel, placing his last hopes in his passed pawn.

Kasparov - Roman ishin USSR national teams competition 1981 Griinfeld Defence

1 d4 tLJf6 2 c4 g6 3 tllc3 d5 4 cxd5 tllxd5 5 e4 tllxc3 6 bxc3 1'..g7 7 tllf3 c5 8 1'..e3 "ii'a5 9 'i'd2 tllc6 10 .l:.cl cxd4 11 cxd4 'i'xd2+ 12 �xd2 0-0 13 d5 .l:.d8 14 �el tlla5 This is a well-explored variation of the Griinfeld Defence. Let us just mention that 14 . . .tllb4 15 1'..d 2 is unattractive, as is 14 . . .tlle5 15 tllxe5 1'..xe5 1 6 f4 1'..g 7 1 7 �t2.

15 1'..g5 1'..f6 Exactly what White wanted to pro­ voke: by enticing the bishop to f6, he prevents Black from attacking his pawn-centre by . . .f5 or ... e6. Later, hard-working analysts recommended 15 . . . 1'..d7 16 1'..d3 f5 17 e5 1'..e8 1 8 d6 .l:.dc8.

16 1'..d2 b6 17 .l:.c7 1'..g4 18 1'..a6 e6 19 tllg 5! It is true that White has not fully re­ solved his development, but Black's a8-rook and a5-knight are out of play as well. The text-move is made possi­ ble by White's well-posted pieces and a little tactical trick we should not miss: 19 ... exd5 20 tll xf7 .l:.d7 loses to 21 tllh6+ �g7 22 .l:.c8.

23 1'..xa5 bxa5 24 1'..c4 1'..c3+ 25 �f2 e3+ There is still hope: if 26 �xe3 then 26 . . .1'..d 2+.

26 �g3 1'..e5+ 27 �xg4 27 �h4 would be met by the same reply.

27... .l:.d4+ 28 �h3 .l:.xc4 29 f6 This will cost Black a whole piece, because 29. . ..l:.c7 does not work due to 30 l:r.xc7 1'..xc7 3 1 f7+ �h8 32 tlle6 1'..d 6 33 .l:.el .

29...1'..xf6 30 .l:.xf6 .l:.e8 31 .l:.el e2 32 �g3 .l:.a4 33 �f2 .l:.xa2 34 tlle6 a4 35 .l:.bl? 35 ltJd4 should suffice for victory but White wants to weave a mating net.

35...a3 36 .l:.b7 el'ii'++

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

84

36 ... .l:tal 37 �xe2 a2 is also suffi­ cient to draw.

37 �xel .l:txg2 38 .l:tg7+ �h8 39 .l:tgf7 Mate is threatened and it seems un­ avoidable, but two passed pawns are a vicious weapon one should never un­ derrate.

39 h5 .•.

We shall see that 39 ... h6 was safer, not ceding the h6-square to the white rook. 40 �fl .l:txh2? The final mistake just at the mo­ ment when he was safe. 40 . . . a2 4 1 .l:txa7 .l:txh2 holds the draw.

41 .l:txg6 .l:txe6 42 .l:txe6 �g8 43 .l:txa7 1-0 ·

Although Romanishin missed his chance, we should not miss the mes­ sage of this exciting battle: beware of passed pawns ! Either through the par­ alysing effect of the far-advanced and distant passed pawns or through com­ bin ative vitality, endgames represent a credible mirror of their natural quali­ ties. However, it is the centre of the board which is the proper stage for a mobile, powerful passed pawn. We shall test now its values in more com­ plex circumstances.

and some other Swedish masters and named the Swedish Variation after them. However, there is a slight differ­ ence in Korchnoi's move-order, which amounts to significant difference on the board. Having delayed the devel­ opment of the queen' s knight, White is able to undermine the unit d5-c4 . . .

8 b 3 cxb3 9 'fixb3 tllge7 10 ii.a3 Commentators pointed out that 10 ii.d2 ii.xd2 1 1 tllb xd2 was also fa­ vourable to White.

10...ii.xa3 1 1 'fixa3 0-0 12 tllc3 .trs 13 tllh4 The idea is not only to deny the bishop its active post at f5 , but also to prepare e4. 13 ...ii.e6 14 .l:tabl b6 15 .l:tfdl tlla5

16 e4 (D)

Korchnoi - M i kenas USSR Ch, Riga I 970 Queen's Gambit

1 d4 d5 2 c4 e6 3 tbf3 c5 4 cxd5 exd5 5 g3 tllc6 6 .lii.g2 c4 7 0-0 1'.b4 In the normal move-order, with tbc3 played instead of 0-0, this is the varia­ tion played and analysed by Stahlberg

This advance was prepared by 13 tbh4 and is carried out in harmony with the needs of White's position. White is playing for a passed pawn on a central file. Black cannot thwart White's expectations but the question is whether he will be able to hold firm the point d5, blockading the d4-pawn.

PASSED PA WNS

16 ...dxe4 17 .1xe4 tt:\dS 18 l:tbcl l:tc8? Who would believe that this natu­ ral-looking move is in fact a crucial er­ ror? 19 .1xd5! .1xd5 20 tLirs tl\c4 The first hidden point lies in the fact that 20. . . c;t>h8 is refuted by 21 tt:\xd5 'i'xd5 22 tt:\e7 l:txcl 23 tt:\g6+, win­ ning the exchange. 21 'i'b4 The second point: by provoking ... a5, White prevents . . . tt:\a5. 21 ...aS 22 tt:\e7+ c;t>h8 23 'i'b3 Now 23 . . . 'i'xe7 loses a piece and there is no 23 ... tt:\a5 any more. Black is forced to follow on the conceived path of Korchnoi's combination. 23 ...tt:\d2 24 'i'xdS 'i'xe7 25 l:txd2 l:txc3 26 l:txc3 'i'el+ 27 c;t>g2 'i'xd2 28 'i'xf7 The third and final point. Black loses material and, what is more, he cannot afford to play 28 .. . l:td8 because of 29 'llt'd5, again playing on the weak­ ness of the back rank. The position in the centre is cleared up, and the passed pawn has only minor obstacles to overcome. 28 ... l:tg8 29 l:te3 Defending the d4-pawn by the threat l:te8 and improving the position of the rook. 29...h6 30 l:te4 'i'c2 30 . . . b5 puts more resistance. The d4-pawn should be stopped as long as possible. 31 l:te6 bS This time 3 1 . . .'i'd2 was better be­ cause now the quick passed pawn de­ nies Black any chances.

85

32 dS 'i'xa2 33 d6 'i'dS+ 34 c;t>h3 'i'c4 35 d7 'i'rl+ 36 c;t>h4 gS+ 37 c;t>g4 hS+ 38 'i'xhS+ 1-0 Korchnoi's combination was based on the existence of a passed pawn, which triumphs in the end. It is not by chance that tactical fireworks proved justified. The very existence of a cen­ tral passed pawn is regularly based on tactical motifs . The following games will confirm that elementary lesson. Szabo - Timman

Amsterdam 1 975 King's Indian Defence 1 c4 g6 2 tt:\c3 .1g7 3 d4 d6 4 e4 tLlf6 5 f4 cS 6 dS e6 7 tt:\f3 0-0 8 .1e2 exdS 9 cxdS l:te8 The Four Pawns Attack against the King's Indian is characterized by White's attempts to execute a central breakthrough. However, many tempi have been invested in the idea, leav­ ing Black a wide choice. Sharp play­ ers may also opt for 9 ... b5, while those who are attracted by quiet play can choose 9 . . . .1g4 , thwarting the planned e5 advance indefinitely. 10 e5 (D) Correct judgement. This pawn sac­ rifice will bring White the open f-file, quicken his development and, more importantly, create a dangerous passed pawn on the d-file. 10...dxeS 11 fxeS tt:\g4 12 .1g5 12 e6 fxe6 13 d6 .1d7 14 0-0 .1c6 1 5 tt:\g5 tt:\e5 proved better for Black in Udov�ic-Marovic, Yugoslav Ch 1964. 12 0-0 tt:\xe5 1 3 .1f4 .1f5, fol­ lowed by . . . tt:\bd7, also favours Black.

86

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PLA Y IN CHESS 20 d6 (D)

In both cases the passed pawn is suc­ cessfully blockaded, so White loses the initiative.

12 ...f6 12 . . . 'ilt'b6 leads to sharper play: 13 0-0 tll xe5 (or 13 . . . c4+ 14 'it>h l , when 14 . . . tl\f2+? 1 5 l:txf2 'ii'xf2 1 6 tlle4 'ii'b6 17 tlld 6 l:tf8 1 8 1'.. e7 tlld7 19 tll xc4 gives White overwhelming power in the centre) 14 d6, when the far-advanced passed pawn represents obvious compensation for an insignif­ icant material sacrifice.

13 exf6 1'..xf6 14 'ii'd2 1'..f5 Black's queenside is undeveloped and there is no time to lose. 14 . . . tlld7 15 0-0 tllde5 16 1'.. xf6 'ii'xf6 17 tllg5 and 14 ...1'..xg5 15 'ii'xg5 tlle3 16 'ii' xd8 l:txd8 17 'it>f2 are dubious for Black.

15 0-0 1'..xg5 16 'ii'xg5 tlld7 17 h3 tlle3 18 'ii'h6! ? White sacrifices an exchange, en­ tering complications in which the passed pawn has a prominent role. 18 ... tl\xfl 19 tllg5 'ii'e7 After 19 . . .l:te7 20 d6 the threat comes in the form of 1'..c4+, when 20 . . . tll e 3 2 1 dxe7 'ii'xe7 22 l:tel favours White.

The pawn becomes troublesome.

20 ... 'ii'e3+ 21 'it>xfl tllf8 22 l:tdl l:te5 Black has ideas of . . . l:tf5+.

23 d7 l:td8? Black had a fine choice of moves instead of the losing text-move. One is first attracted by 23 . . .'ti°f4+ (denying White the check from c4) 24 1'..f3 (or 24 'it>el l:td8 25 tlld 5 'ii'c4) 24 . . . l:td8 25 tll e 2 �e3, when Black is much better. 23 . . . 1'..x d7 is also legitimate, e.g. 24 l:txd7 l:tf5+ 25 1'..f3 tll xd7 26 'ii'xh7+ 'it>f8 and whatever I tried Black was OK. I was quite astonished to notice that 23 . . . 1'..xh3 comes into consideration too. 24 'ii' xh3 'ii'xg5 controls the d8-square, while 24 d8'ii' loses to 24 . . . l:tf5+. However, with a passed pawn on the seventh rank one should always be extra alert. In his quest of victory, Black underrated the d7-pawn.

24 1'..c4+ 1'..e6 25 tllxe6! l:tf5+ 25 . . . 'ii'xh6 loses to 26 tllxd8+ 'it>g7 27 tlle6+ tll xe6 28 1'.. xe6.

PASSED PAWNS

87

26 tllf4+ �h8 27 tlld5 'ii'e4 28 ii.el tlle6 29 ii.f3 'ii'c4+ 30 �gl tllxf4 31 tlle3 'ii'e6 32 tllxf5 'ii'xf5 33 llel tlle6 34 1'.g4 1-0 The passed pawn could be held up in this game, but its advance intro­ duced rich tactical play in which one could easily lose the thread. Note also that at the moment when the passed pawn appeared on the d-file, Black still had to develop his queenside. White had a spatial advantage and could initiate play on the kingside.

Kasparov

-

J . Pribyl

European Team Ch, Skara 1980 Griinfeld Defence

1 d4 tllf6 2 c4 g6 3 tllc3 d5 4 cxd5 tllxd5 5 e4 tllxc3 6 bxc3 1'.g7 7 tllf3 b6

White threatens 1'.e7 winning ma­ terial. The fruits of the breakthrough which resulted in the passed pawn are very obvious. Black's pieces have lost their coordination and are unable to oppose the advance of the pawn.

19 ...f6 20 d7!

A serious alternative is 12 1'.g5, with 'ilt'd2 and lladl in mind. Black's errant knight justifies such a concen­ tration of forces in the centre.

Believing in the value of his passed pawn, White is ready to sacrifice a whole piece. Refusing to take it does not help, because 20. . . llad8 2 1 'ii'c4+ 'itih8 22 tlle5 fxe5 23 ii.xd8 llxd8 24 'ii'e6 'ilt'b8 25 llb3 leads to disaster. Whatever he does, Black's problem remains the same. He has no way to organize a meaningful defence, as his forces are split in two by the ominous presence of the passed pawn on d7.

12 ... 'ii'c8 13 ii.gs 'ii'b7 14 llfel e6 15 llabl c5 16 d5 (D)

20...fxg5 21 'ii'c4+ �h8 22 tllxg5 ii.f6 23 tlle6 tllc7

At the cost of a pawn White creates his passed pawn. The coordinated sup­ port of his pieces justifies the decision. We see now why the queen's rook moved to b l : it stops the advance of the b-pawn.

23 . . . tll b4 does not extricate Black from his predicament, as 24 'ii'f4 tllc6 25 tllxf8 llxf8 26 d8'ti' makes use of the pin to win material.

Of course, 7 . . . c5 is well known and consistent with the king's fianchetto. If the text-move comes into consider­ ation it is certainly not now.

8 1'.b5+ c6 9 1'.c4 0-0 10 0-0 ii.a6 1 1 ii.xa6 tllxa6 12 'ii'a4

16...ii.xc3 17 lledl exd5 18 exd5 1'.g7 19 d6

24 tllxf8 llxf8 25 lld6 ii.e7 (D) After 25 . . . ii.d8 there is 26 h4 'ii'a6 27 'ii'c3+ 'itig8 28 'ii'c2, when :xg6+ is already in the air.

88

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

White could continue solidly by 7 l:tel, but he had in mind some earlier experiences. It was well-known that Planinc played this line.

7 ...tllxd4 8 tllxd4 exd4 9 e5 tlle4 10 c3 d3

Unfortunately for Black, the text­ move allows the pawn to deal the final blow: 26 d8'ii'! Unexpected and beautiful. Since 26 ... l:txd8 loses to 27 l:txd8+ 1'.xd8 2 8 'ii'f7, there i s no choice . . . 2 6...1'.xdS 27 'ii'c3+ 'iii>g8 28 l:td7

1'.f6 29 'ii'c4+ �h8 30 'ii'f4 White wins back the material, but Black, tired and confused, overlooks mate.

30 ... 'ii'a6? 31 'ii'h6 1-0 The passed pawn caused havoc. The explanation lies in the excellent positioning of the supporting pieces, and in the power of the passed pawn to cut the opponent's army in two, thereby making it possible for White to manoeuvre easily against the ex­ posed enemy king.

Min ic - Plan inc 'Zagreb 1975 Ruy Lopez

1 e4 e5 2 l2Jf3 tllc6 3 1'.b5 a6 4 1'.a4 tllf6 5 0-0 b5 6 1'.b3 1'.b7 7 d4

Both players considered that after 10. . .dxc3 1 1 'ii'f3, 1 1 . . . "ii'e7 12 tllxc3 is lost for Black, and I think they were right. Theory recommends 1 l . . .d5 12 exd6 (at the time Minic was of opinion that 12 tllxc3 yields good compensa­ tion for the pawn) 1 2 ... "ii'f6, but Black does not wish to develop his opponent, all the more so since he can meet 1 1 'ii'xd3 by 1 1 . . . tllc5 and eliminate the b3-bishop - he had previously played this with success.

1 1 'ii'f3 This was what Minic had prepared at home, preventing 1 1 . . .d5 due to 12 exd6 tll xd6 13 1'.xt7+, etc.

1 1 ...'ii'e7 12 tlld2 0-0-0!? With Planinc i t was always aut Caesar aut nihil. After the game he did not wish even to see 12 . . . tllc5 13 1'.d5 1'.xd5 ( 1 3 . . . c6 14 ll:ie4) 14 'ii'xd5 c6 1 5 'ii'd4, which offers better chances to White and promises Black just passive defence.

13 l2Jxe4 'ii'xe5 14 l:tel f5 15 'ii'g3 "ii'e8 (D) It was never easy to predict Plan­ inc's moves. The idea of sacrificing the queen is not at all obvious. Judging from the time he spent on the opening phase, Planinc thought it up at the board. His daring, resolute decision, let us not forget, is based on the almost forgotten passed pawn, which has sur­ vived deep inside White's camp.

PASSED PA WNS

16 tlid6+ 1'.xd6 17 l:Lxe8 l:Lhxe8 18 1'.f4? It was only a day later that Minic thought of the unappealing but corTect 1 8 f4 1'.c5+ 19 �fl l:.e2 20 1'.d 1 giv­ ing back material and reaching an ad­ vantageous endgame.

18... d2! The nearer to the promotion square, the nastier the tricks become. Pro­ tected by the pin of the f4-bishop, the pawn threatens mate. At this moment White still had illusions of winning the game. If he had understood that things were getting out of hand, he would have probably looked for rescue. 1 9 �fl l:Le4 20 1'.xd6 l:Lde8 2 1 f3 :el+ 22 nxel dxel'iW+ 23 'ti'xel l:.xe l+ 24 �xel cxd6 was the wise thing to do. Minic chose instead what seemed an easy win. 19 nn l:.el 20 1'.xd6 l:.de8 21 f3 2 1 'ii'd3 l:.xfl + 22 'i'xfl cxd6 23 f3 :te l 24 �f2 l:.xfl + 25 �xfl 1'.d5 fa­ vours Black and forces White's choice.

21. ..1'.d5! (D)

How to survive after this hammer­ blow? Minic does not manage it, which

89

is not surprising. Each move is a little shock for White and each revolves around the passed pawn. The idea, of course, is to weaken the defence of the promotion square, d 1 . To make things worse it is not only . . .1'.xb3 that is threatened but . . .1'.c4 as well.

22 'i7f4 Finally White understands that his life is at stake and that the d2-pawn is the crux of the situation. The d2-pawn must be eliminated, but in trying to do so with his queen, White relinquishes his control of another vital square el. 22 1'.f4, therefore, was the safest move, when Black can force a repeti­ tion of moves by 22 . . . l:Lxfl + 23 �xfl 1'.c4+ 24 �f2 l:Le2+, etc. He can try for more by 22 ... 1'.c4, when it is White's turn to produce a fine defensive ma­ noeuvre: 23 1'.xc4 d 1 'i1 24 1'.d3 and the hanging bishop keeps the position together.

22... 1'.c4 23 h4 All he can do now is to run away, but there is still hope.

23 ... :Lxfl+ 24 �h2 l:Le2

90

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PL4.Y IN CHESS

Black is not prepared to give up his precious pawn any more.

25 1'.xc7 :t'f2 (D)

After the game, Minic was of the opinion that 25 . . . l:tgl is not enough for victory, and he was right: 26 'it>xgl 1'.xb3 27 1'.a5 d l'ii'+ 2 8 'it>h2 d6 29 'ii'g5 leaves the black king exposed.

26...l:txg2+ 27 'it>h3 l:th2+ 28 'it>g3 l:teg2+ 29 'it>f4 l:txh4+ 30 'it>xf5 l:th6 0-1 This was a superb game. Hanging over White's destiny like the Sword of Damocles, the black passed pawn was a source of inspiration. Now it is much easier to understand what Aron Nim­ zowitsch meant when he said that the passed pawn was a criminal that had to be put in j ail, because mild measures would not do.

Spassky - Petrosian World Ch march (game 5), Moscow 1969 Queen's Gambit

1 c4 tlif6 2 tlic3 e6 3 tlif3 d5 4 d4 c5 5 cxd5 tlixd5 6 e4 tlixc3 7 bxc3 cxd4 8 cxd4 1'.b4+ 9 1'.d2 1'.xd2+ 26 'ii'd6? Both pl ayers were entering time­ trouble when White collapsed. As a matter of fact, the possibilities have not been exhausted and 26 1'.d 1 ! con­ tinues resistance. After 26 .. . l:txg2+, 27 'it>h3? loses at once to 27 . . . 1'.e6 !, which paralyses the white queen by the constant threat . . . f4+. However, 27 'it>h l is not that simple. 27 . . .l:tgf2 28 'it>gl leads nowhere, hence 27 . . . 1'.d5, threatening . . .l:tgf2, but 28 1'.b6 l:th2+ 29 'ilt'xh2 1'.xf3+ 30 'it> g 1 l:txh2 3 1 'it>xh2 (but not 3 1 1'.xf3 l:txh4 3 2 1'.e3 l:th3 or 32 . . . l:te4, etc.) 3 1 . .. 1'.xdl 32 1'.e3 leads to a position where it is not clear how Black can win, even though 32 . . .1'.b3 33 1'.xd2 1'.xa2 gives him three extra pawns.

It is good to compare the course of this game with a famous old game, Rubinstein-Schlechter, San Sebastian 1 9 1 2, which continued 9 . . .'ilt'a5 10 l:tbl 1'.xd2+ 1 1 'i!i'xd2 'ilt'xd2+ 12 'it>xd2 0-0, when Rubinstei n's excellent 1 3 1'.b5, thwarting normal development and preparing to capture the open c­ file, led to an obvious advantage, en­ hanced by the active position of White' s king in the centre.

10 �xd2 0-0 11 1'.c4 This is the most active position for the light-squared bishop. From here it supports the advance in the centre. It is the first warning of future events.

11...tlic6 1 1 . . . tlid7 is in many ways more flexible. It leaves open the a8-hl diag­ onal for the black bishop, while the

PASSED PAWNS

knight can increase the pressure on the central pawns by ...lllf6, or defend the king by ... lllf8, serve as a blockader against the advance of the d4-pawn, but it is passive. 1 2 0-0 b6 1 3 a4 .i.b7 1 4 l:tfe 1 l:tc8 15 ..td3 (as in Petrosian­ Tal, USSR Team Ch, Moscow 1972), intending a5 with lasting pressure, emphasizes that quality.

12 0-0 b6 13 l:tadl When the central thrust is planned, the white rooks are most naturally placed on d l and e l .

13.....tb7 In another famous game played later that same year, after 1 3 ... llla5 14 .i.d3 .i.b7 15 l:tfe l l:tc8, 16 d5 ! struck Black all the same. The further 1 6 . . . exd5 1 7 e5 lllc4 1 8 "i!ff4 lll b2 1 9 ..txh7+! �xh7 20 lll g 5+ �g6 2 1 h4 ! put Black's king in a most difficult sit­ uation in Polugaevsky-Tal, USSR Ch, Moscow 1969.

14 l:tfel l:tc8 15 d5 (D)

Everything is ready for White to create a passed pawn on the d-file.

15 ...exd5

91

If Black reacts by 1 5 . .. lll a5 , then 16 dxe6 "i!fxd2 17 exf7+ �h8 1 8 lllxd2 lllxc4 19 lllxc4 :xc4 20 e5 ..tc8 brings nothing, but simply 1 6 ..td3 trans­ poses to Polugaevsky-Tal in the note to Black's 1 3th move.

16 ..txd5 lba5? ! A pin always causes a sense of un­ ease, and players are inclined_ to get rid of it as soon as possible. However, the question occurs at once: what will the black knight d o on the edge of the board? The quiet 16 . . . "i!fe7 was supe­ nor.

17 "i!ff4 "i!fc7?! Exchanging bishops means accept­ ing a strong, well-supported passed pawn on the d-file, but 17 ... "i!fe7 was again better.

18 "i!ff5! Although somewhat surprising, this move is natural and strong. By threat­ ening lllg5 , White provokes the reac­ tion which follows. 18.....txd5 19 exd5 "i!fc2 Between two fires, direct threats to his king and the passed pawn ready to advance, Black decides that the for­ mer is his priority. He cannot solve both problems. 1 9 ... lll c4, trying to achieve the ideal blockading position on d6, fails to 20 lllg5 g6 2 1 "i!fh3 h5 22 lll e4 lll d6 23 lllf6+ �g7 24 "ii'g3 followed by "i!fe5 and complete paral­ ysis. The alternative defence of the kingside by 1 9 . . ."i!fd6 20 lllg5 °&g6 fails after 2 1 "i!fxg6 hxg6 22 d6, and now it is the far-advanced pawn which will paralyse Black. Spassky demon­ strated 22 . . . lllb7 23 d7 l:tcd8 24 :e7 lllc5 25 l:td6 lllb7 (or 25 .. .f6 26 llle6

92

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLA Y IN CHESS

lbxe6 27 l:tdxe6, and so on) 26 l:tc6 lbc5 27 l:tc7 f6 28 J:txc5, etc. Follow­ ing the logic of this continuation, the text-move could be punished in the same way: 20 'ii'xc2 J:txc2 2 1 l:te7 and the pawn cannot be stopped success­ fully. 20 'ii'f4 ?! 'ii'xa2?! The 20th move is characterized by a sudden lapse in concentration by both players, as they underrate the strength of the passed pawn. With Black it is psychologically more understandable. "Since I cannot stop the pawn, I shall at least grab some material" - the common reasoning in such situations. The a2-pawn is worthless and Black should have concentrated on the d­ pawn. His only chance was 20 .. . l:t.ce8 2 1 d6 l:txel + 22 J:txel 'ii'd3. 21 d6 l:tcd8 22 d7 The paralysing effect of the passed pawn announces the end. As a rule, when it advances far into the enemy camp, no coordinated defence is pos­ sible. 22...'ii'c4 23 'ii'f5 h6 24 l:tcl 'ii'a6 25 l:tc7 b5? 25 ... ltJb3 is better in as much as it avoids the devastating reply 26 l:te8 (see the next note), but after 26 g3 Black remains in trouble. 26 ltJd4? White complicates things by miss­ ing the simple 26 l:te8. 26...'ii'b6 Spassky's trainer, Igor Bondarev­ sky, showed that 26 .. . 'ii'd6 27 lbxb5 'ii'd2 28 l:.fl ltJb3 29 l:txa7 ltJd4, di­ minishing the pressure by exchanging knights, was more tenacious.

27 l:tc8 ltJb7 If 27 ... b4, then 28 l:te8 'ii'xd4 29 l:txf8+ l:txf8 30 l:t.xf8+ cJi>xf8 3 1 'ii'c5+ - a nice little point again made possi­ ble by the far-advanced pawn . 28 ltJc6 ltJd6 29 ltJxd8 lbxr5 30 ltJc6 1-0 Spassky's win reminds me of the following game played some years earlier and characterized by the same typical difficulties the defending side must overcome when confronted by the passed pawn. Keres - Geller

Candidates playoff match (game 8), Mosco w 1962 Queen's Gambit 1 d4 ltJf6 2 c4 e6 3 ltJf3 d5 4 ltJc3 c5 5 cxd5 ltJxd5 6 e3 ltJc6 7 ..ltc4 lbxc3 8 bxc3 ..lte7 9 0-0 0-0 10 e4 By taking on c3 Black strengthened White's pawn-centre, which, using tennis terms, was probably an unforced error. Helping his opponent to build a full pawn-centre was the beginning of his problems. 10 ...b6 11 ..ltb2 ..ltb7 12 'ii'e2 ltJa5 The central thrust is already in the air: d5 exd5, ..ltxd5 suits White per­ fectly. 13 ..ltd3 l:t.c8 14 l:tadl cxd4 Not an easy decision to take. The exchange enhances the strength of the b2-bishop and, in combination with the obvious breakthrough in the cen­ tre, accentuates the aggressive stance of White's bishops, which target the exposed black kingside. 15 cxd4 ..ltb4?! (D)

PASSED PA WNS

93

This move features a nice idea, but it is a tempo short of working. Geller's intention is 16 . . . .i.c3, which is a natu­ ral way to defend the castled position. 15 . . ..i.f6 was the only way to try to parry the massive attack the black king is facing.

16 d5 exd5 17 exd5 ike7 17 ....i.xd5 helps White to switch his queen into direct attack by the obvious 1 8 'ite5 f6 1 9 'ith5, while 17 . . . l:te8 1 8 tbe5 multiplies the threats. It i s proba­ ble that Geller had in mind 17 . . ..i.c3, but had to abandon the idea because of 18 .i.f5, after which the black rook has no place on the c-file.

18 tl'ie5! f6 Keres pointed out 1 8 ....i.d6 1 9 ikh5 g6 20 tbg4. It is no surprise that there are no longer any useful moves for Black. White's central thrust has di­ vided his forces and all the minor pieces are cut off on the queenside, when White opened the front on the other wing.

19 ikh5 g6 (D) 20 tbxg6 hxg6 21 .i.xg6

The king's defences are destroyed and the final blow comes on the third rank. 22 l:td3 is threatened and there is little Black can do against it. 2 1 . . . .i.a6 prevents it, but is refuted by 22 .i.f5 or 22 d6 .i.xd6 23 l:tfe 1 . The other defen­ sive try consists of moving the rook to g7, but 2 1 . . . .l:tc7 also fails to 22 d6 .i.xd6 23 l:tfe1 ikd8 24 l:td4, when l:.h4 cannot be parried.

21. .. ikg7 2 1 . . . l:tc4 loses to 22 l:td3.

22 l:.d3 .i.d6 23 f4 ikh8 24 ikg4 .i.c5+ 25 'it>hl l:tc7 26 3'.h7++ 'it>f7 27 ike6+ 'it>g7 28 l:tg3+ 1-0 The striking similarity of this game and the last is not fortuitous. They share common situations, character­ ized essentially by the unstoppable advance in the centre and its conse­ quences: either the king remains ex­ posed to attack or the passed pawn advances . towards the promotion square with paralysing effect on the defensive forces. In a large number of cases the cen­ tral thrust is carried out in the early phase of the game and the fruits are

94

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

reaped in the middlegame. However, it is not so rare to come across games in which a passed pawn is created in the centre in the opening, but it is blockaded by pieces and only late in the game, when material is reduced, does it acquire new importance and becomes a decisive factor. Such a passed pawn is mostly the wedge of a pawn-chain or a pawn-unit. We speak of protected passed pawns and they are the theme of our next game.

Botvinn i k

-

12 i.b3 i.b7 13 0-0-0 (D) In later years White tried to improve on this by 1 3 .l:tcl provoking the ex­ change and succeeded after 1 3 . . . cxd5 14 .l:tc7 lld7? 15 l:txb7, etc., as well as after 1 3 . . . l:td7 14 tLle2 cxd5 15 i.xd5, but 1 3 . . . a5, keeping the tension and seizing space, proved good for Black.

Tai

World Ch match (game J 3) Moscow 1961

,

King's Indian Defence

1 d4 lLlf6 2 c4 g6 3 lLic3 i.g7 4 e4 d6 5 f3 0-0 6 i.e3 e5 7 dxe5 dxe5 8 'ilt'xd8 l:txd8 9 tLld5 Having created a hole in his pawn­ strueture of his own free will, White must justify it, and this is the only way to do so.

9...tLlxd5 10 cxd5 c6 11 i.c4 b5 Black seizes the opportunity to ex­ pand on the queenside, at the same time increasing the pressure on the d5pawn by the fianchetto of the light­ squared bishop - a logical reaction in the circumstances. Later David Bron­ stein pointed out an alternative based on tactical counterchances: 1 1 . . . cxd5 1 2 i.xd5 lLic6 1 3 0-0-0 tLld4. Then 1 4 i.xd4 exd4 1 5 lLie2 is met by 1 5 . . .i.f5, when 16 tLixd4? loses to 1 6 ... i.h6+ 17 �bl l:txd5. Equally hidden and nice is 16 �d2 l:tac8 17 l:tcl? i.h6+ 18 f4 l:txcl 19 l:txcl d3 20 �xd3 .l:txd5+ 21 �e3 l:te5 !, keeping an extra piece.

13...c5?! Making use of the possible pin on the c-file, Black creates a queenside majority, forgetting the precious price he pays for it in the form of the strong, protected passed pawn on d5. In com­ parison with other passed pawns we have examined, this one is immobile, but as it is well defended, it can wait for better days. Again, 13 . . . a5 was the move to choose, keeping the pressure and other options. 14 i.c2 tLld7 15 tLie2 i.f8 16 lLic3

a6?! It is rather strange that Tai did not try a sharper line at some point. On the previous move there was 15 . . .c4, while here he could try 16 . . . b4 17 tLia4

PASSED PA WNS c4. Instead he settled for an apparently secure road.

17 b3! l:tac8 18 �d3! tl'ib6 19 �e2 What looked so good and solid a couple of moves earlier, is now an im­ mobile mass of pawns with a couple of pieces behind it with no role in immi­ nent events. Three masterful moves were enough for White to block any action on the queenside. It was the first step of his strategy. .

19 ... l:td6 20 'it>b2 f5

Black admits that his queenside preparations were in vain. Having de­ fended the b6-knight he can finally move the pawns, but to his detriment only. After 20. . . b4, 21 tl'ibl c4 22 bxc4 tl'ixc4+ 23 �xc4 l:.xc4 24 l:tc l ex­ poses the bad position of the rook on d6. Black's idea with the text-move is to prepare ...b4 by first playing .. .fxe4, but White's reply nullifies it by mak­ ing sure that after a subsequent . . . b4 the c4-square will be fully covered.

21 l:tcl l:tf6 22 a4! (D)

Having immobilized the mass of black pawns, White's last few moves

95

have prepared the final blow, which undermines the black rampart by open­ ing a breach in it.

22...bxa4 23 bxa4 a5 24 'it>c2 c4 25 l:tbl i. b4 26 tl'ia2 i.c5 27 i.xc5 l:txc5 28 tl'ic3 Some commentators pointed out that 28 f4 worked, but with 28 tl'ic3 at his disposal, why should White look for other moves? It belongs perfectly to the general strategy started with 17 b3. The penetration o n the b-file is the next step. Note also that the d5-pawn is waiting its time.

28 ... �c8 29 l:tb2 �d7 30 l:thbl �xa4+ 31 tl'ixa4 tl'ixa4 32 l:tb8+ 'it>g7 32 ... l:tf8 loses to 33 f4.

33 l:tlb7+ l:tf7 34 d6 The moment has finally arrived. As material is reduced, potential blockad­ ing pieces are removed from the board. The passed pawn, which watched the middlegame complications from its protected central position, advances triumphantly at last.

34 ...l:txb7 35 l:txb7+ 'it>f6 36 l:txh7 l:tc8 37 d7 l:td8 38 �xc4 tl'ic5 39 l:tf7+ 'it>g5 40 �b5 fxe4 41 fxe4 1-0

The game is a first-class lesson on protected passed pawns. Botvinnik's d-pawn had been waiting in ambush since the opening to be able to crown White's strategy at the very end. It succeeded because there was no blockader to stop it. Thinking of all the games with a passed pawn we al­ ways come to that same essential point. In practical terms it is difficult to imagine a successful fight against a passed pawn without there being a re­ liable blockader. The following games

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

96

devoted to the indivisible destiny of passed pawns and their blockaders. are

14... bxc5 15 bxc5 (D)

Petrosian - Fischer USSR - Rest of World, Belgrade 1970 English Opening

1 c4 g6 2 0ic3 c5 3 g3 ,j_g7 4 ,j_g2 tl'ic6 5 tl'if3 e6 6 0-0 tl'ige7 7 d3 0-0 The move-order in the English Opening is of great importance. The order chosen by Petrosian allows Black a very flexible structure characterized by the strong fianchettoed bishop.

8 ,j_d2 d5 9 a3 b6 10 l:tbl ,j_b7 1 1 b4 Played in harmony with the prepa­ ratory moves ,j_d2 and l:tbl, the text­ move is an apparently natural attempt at seizing space and initiative on the queenside. However, on closer exami­ nation this is precisely the moment when White begins to stray from firm ground.

11...cxb4 12 axb4 dxc4 13 dxc4 l:tc8 This is the first sign that the c4pawn is vulnerable, but White was still looking optimistically at the position, as his next move confirms.

14 c5? It is quite obvious that 14 'i!fb3 or 1 4 'fia4, the moves which somehow belong to this type of position, would be met by 14 . . .tl'id4 and in case of 1 4 tl'ie4 Fischer demonstrated 14. . .tl'ia5. After the game Petrosian saw the events in it from another angle and proposed the far more cautious 14 tl'ib5 in order to protect the c-pawn by tl'ia3.

. Just at the moment when White felt that the open b-file and advanced passed pawn constituted elements of advantage, Black now demonstrates the opposite by a brilliant positional manoeuvre:

15... tl'ia5! 16 tl'ia4 ,j_c6! The bishop takes on the duty of blockader, while the knight will take its place at b7, starting to exert pres­ sure on the pawn. Notice also the nicely coordinated activity of the black minor pieces, especially the bishops.

17 'i!fc2 tl'ib7 18 l:tfcl 'fid7 19 tl'iel Played in order to meet 19 . . . ,j_xa4 by 20 l:txb7.

19...tl'id5 20 tl'ib2 ,j_b5 Fischer's lesson is impressively sim­ ple: first, blockade the passed pawn; second, exert pressure on it! And the pressure does get strong, calling for 2 1 tl'ibd3, which seems best here.

21 tl'ied3 ,j_d4 The culmination of Black's strategy against the passed pawn: the pawn is doomed.

PASSED PA WNS 22 'i!fb3 lLlxc5 23 lLlxc5 .l:txc5 24 .l:txc5 �xc5 25 lLld3 25 �xd5 fails to 25 . . . 'i!fxd5.

25 ... �xd3 26 'fixd3 .l:td8 27 �f3 'fic7 28 �g5 �e7 29 �xe7 'fixe7 30 'fid4 Exchanging the dark-squared bish­ ops does not seem the wisest thing White could do because the exchange favours Black. 30 �xd5 would also be good for Black, reminding us of the 34th match-game between Alekhine and Capablanca. However, 30 .l:tal should b e given a chance.

30...e5 (D)

97

41 ...lLle8 42 'fid7 'fixd7 43 .l:txd7 lLlf6 43 . . .lLlc7 is even stronger.

44 .l:ta7 lLlg4+ 45 'it>gl :tel+ 46 �fl .l:tal 47 e4 a4 48 'it>g2 .l:ta2 49 .l:txf7+ A losing move, but there is no way out any more. On 49 'it>gl Black wins by 49 . . .lLlxf2 (49 . . . J:txf2 is met by 50 �h3) 50 �c4 lLlh3+ 5 1 'it>hl .l:tf2 52 �e6 a3 5 3 �xh3 a2, etc.

49... 'it>xf7 50 �c4+ 'it>e7 51 �xa2 a3 52 'it>f3 lLlf6 53 'it>e3 'it>d6 54 f4 l2Jd7 55 �bl lLlc5 56 f5 lLla6 5'T g4 lLlb4 58 fxg6 hxg6 59 h5 gxh5 60 gxh5 'it>e6 61 'it>d2 'it>f6 62 'it>c3 a2 63 �xa2 lLlxa2+ 64 'it>b2 lLlb4 65 'it>c3 lLlc6 66 'it>c4 l2Jd4 0-1 The blockade of the passed pawn exposed its static weakness, remind­ ing us of the same fate suffered by iso­ lated pawns in similar circumstances.

Bondarevsky - Smyslov USSR Ch 1946 Ruy Lopez

1 e4 e5 2 l2Jf3 lLlc6 3 �b5 a6 4 �a4 lLlf6 5 0-0 �e7 6 �xc6 dxc6 7 :tel Seeking his chances on both wings is definitely a better policy than rely­ ing just on the a7-pawn.

31 'i!fc4 lLlb6 32 'fic2 l:t.c8 33 'i!fd3 l:t.c4 34 �g2 'i!fc7 35 'fia3 J:tc3 36 'fia5 .l:tc5 37 'fia3 a5 38 h4 lLlc4 39 'fid3 l2Jd6 40 'it>h2 'it>g7 41 .l:tdl Black has significantly improved the position of his pieces and the idea of exchanging queens will not bring relief. 4 1 h5 might at least give Black some uneasy moments.

Having decided to enter this peace­ ful line, White usually continues 7 lLlc3 or 7 'i!fe l in order to avoid the pin by . . . �g4, which comes into consider­ ation after the text-move.

7...lLld7 8 d4 exd4 9 'fixd4 0-0 10 �f4 lLlc5 11 'i!fxd8 �xd8 12 lLlc3 f5 13 e5? (D) White has just committed a posi­ tional error worth analysing and re­ membering. Black has preserved his bishop-pair and naturally tries to open the position for his bishops. White

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

98

refuses to give in, relying on his cen­ tral passed pawn, at the moment well protected and supported. However, the further course of the game shows that Bondarevsky should have been more careful, and kept the balance by playing 1 3 ..tg5.

16 ..tc3 b5 17 b3 ..tb7 Here we start to feel another phe­ nomenon typical for pawn blockade: an efficient blockader is a source of active counterplay. Black has seized a spatial advantage and stands better.

18 tLlg3 g4 19 tl'id2 !i..e7 20 tl'ih5 'it.of7 21 4::if1 'it>g6 22 tDt'6 l:tad8 Having activated his king, Black could also continue 22 . . . tLld4, but the simplifying process he provokes on the d-file favours him completely.

23 liadl l:txdl 24 l:txdl l:td8 25 l:txd8 ..txd8 26 4::le3 Facing the double threat of ... 4::lf4 and . . . 4::ld4, White should try 26 .i.b2. The tex t-move worsens his position. 26 . .f4 .

Slowly but surely the passed pawn becomes shaky. At the same time the position of white pieces deteriorates.

13 tLle6! •..

Obvious and natural, but so strong that it deserves an exclamation mark. Black could play 1 3 . . ...te6, but after 14 b4 followed by 15 tLld4 White would destroy the blockader. The knight, on the contrary, is much more powerful at e6. White cannot attack it or exchange it, which justifies the conclusion that the square of such a blockader is a strong square. It is protected from frontal attack. At the same time we cannot fail to see that the e6-knight not only blockades the e5-pawn, but that other neighbouring squares come un­ der Black's efficient control.

14 ..td2 g5 15 tLle2 c5 Again simple and precise; Black's last two moves secure the privileged position of the blockader.

27 4::id l 27 tt:Jed5 and 27 tl'iexg4 lose a piece, while 27 tt:Jn ..txf6 28 exf6 ..te4 is hopeless as well.

27.....txf6 28 exf6 ..te4 Black's positional advantage has been transformed into a material ad­ vantage. The consequences of the powerful blockader on e6, which liter­ ally pushed into passivity and para­ lysed the white pieces, has become obvious.

29 ..tb2 b4 29 . . . ..txc2 30 tLlc3 would change the scene significantly. The c2-pawn is doomed and Black will take it when convenient to him.

30 f3 ..txc2 31 4::if2 gxf3 32 gxf3 ii.bl 33 tt:Je4 ..txa2 34 4::id2 a5 35 �f2 lt:id4 36 ..txd4 cxd4 37 'it>e2 'it.oxf6

PASSED PA WNS Finally, the passed pawn meets its destiny.

38 'it>d3 'it>e5 39 'it>c2 a4 40 bxa4 c5 41 a5 c4 42 a6 d3+ 0-1 The lesson we draw is obvious: a mighty blockader is a fatal enemy of passed pawns. The reason is equally obvious: the strength of a passed pawn is in its mobility and when it loses that vital quality, it is doomed to a slow death in the endgame. The success or failure of passed pawns depends largely on the support of other pieces and the coordination of their activity. In closed positions the support they can muster is more lim­ ited, and the success of their mission in doubt. The passed pawn in such cir­ cumstances often ends up as a sacrifi­ cial lamb; the only question is what compensation we can obtained. Prac­ tical comparison will help again.

Marovic - Stupica Yugoslav Ch, Zagreb 1 961 King's Indian Defence

99

11 tl'ig5 tl'ic5? l l . .. tl'if6 ! ? 12 exf5 gxf5 is correct; then 1 3 tLle6 i.xe6 14 dxe6 c6 15 "i!f b3 "i!fc8 leaves the passed pawn in the en­ emy camp in danger.

12 i.xc5 dxc5 13 lLle6 i.xe6 14 dxe6 (D)

Surrounded behind Black's lines, the passed pawn runs a great risk again. Before entering this position, White had to evaluate clearly what he could get for it.

14 ... c6 15 "i!fd7 ! 1 d4 lLlf6 2 c4 g6 3 l2Jc3 i.g7 4 tl'if3 0-0 5 g3 d6 6 i.g2 l2Jc6 7 0-0 e5 8 d5 l2Je7 9 e4 l2Jd7 10 i.e3 More consistent is 10 b4, seeking action on the queenside, the natural field of White's activity. The text­ move was prepared for my opponent, who had misplayed this variation in a previous encounter.

10...f5 This thematic side-blow is some­ times prepared by 10 ... h6, but 1 1 "i!fd2 'it>h7 12 l:tadl f5 1 3 exf5 gxf5 14 lLlh4 tl'if6 15 'ii'c2 reveals its darker side.

My opponent had missed this move. The exchange of queens will make it more difficult for Black to win the pawn, offering White plenty of time to look for additional motifs, using the open file, the light-square diagonals and his knight.

15...'fixd7 16 exd7 l:.ad8 17 l:tadl l:tf7 18 l:ld3 By doubling his rooks, White satis­ fies his pawn's need for defence, but at the same time he has in mind a later l:ta3, using the third rank to penetrate the closed position.

UNDERSTANDING PAWN Pl.AY IN CHESS

JOO

18 'lt>f8 19 nfdl tl:ig8 20 tl:ia4 b6 21 exf5 gxf5 22 �xc6 e4 23 J:Ia3 tl:if6 24 tl:ic3 lLixd7 25 nxa7 The collateral action on the a-file came in time. 25 �d4 26 �xd7 nfxd7 27 l:Ixd7 l:Ixd7 28 b3 The knight is free; the material ad­ vantage is decisive. 28 ...'lt>f7 29 a4 e3 30 fxe3 �xe3+ 31 'lt>g2 J:Ixdl 32 tl:ixdl �d4 33 tl:if2 �e5 34 tl:id3 �c7 35 'lt>f3 �d6 36 tl:if4 �xf4 37 'lt>xf4 'lt>f6 38 'lt>e3 'lt>e5 39 'lt>d3 h6 40 'lt>e3 'lt>e6 41 'lt>f4 1-0 •••

•••

Some General Observations In trying to understand the nature o f the passed pawn, we watched it in characteristic situations that reveal its best qualities as well as its drawbacks. Studying its role in the endgame we understood that, contrary to its ances­ tors, isolated and hanging pawns, the passed pawn is characterized by an es­ sential difference: its power increases in the endgame. We can go so far as to say that the side possessing a passed pawn, especially a distant one, has created the preconditions for victory. When the number of pieces is re­ duced, it is increasingly difficult to hold up a passed pawn far on the wing, requiring constant watch of a block­ ader. We could see for ourselves that no 'extenuating circumstances ' , nei­ ther opposite-coloured bishops nor major pieces, helped the weaker side against a distant passed pawn. No mat­ ter which piece was given the duty of the blockader, it was at least partly

absorbed by it and so was lost to the rest of the board. Each time it hap­ pened, the balance of power was up­ set. To make things worse for its adver­ saries, the passed pawn often takes part in tactical complications. Its posi­ tion on the seventh rank has inspired numerous clever combinations, add­ ing to its notoriety as a trouble-maker. Notwithstanding its excellent end­ game record, we often associate the passed pawn in our mind with its role played in the centre of the board, where its mobility comes to the fore. Living in more favourable circum­ stances, not opposed by the enemy'� infantrymen, the passed pawn is a privileged descendant of isolated and hanging pawns. Its strength originates from its mobility and grows through its movement forward. The further it advances, the stronger it gets, accu­ mulating power by its sheer move­ ment. When it reaches the sixth or seventh rank, it is reminiscent of a sharp wedge splitting the board and enemy pieces in two disoriented parts, which lose coordination and the abil­ ity to perform. Its movement is accompanied by tactical surprises of all kinds. The Ii t­ tle, modest pawn turns into a nasty monster. On most occasions it takes much more than routine play to stop it. After each step it makes, its pos­ sessor's . manoeuvring space widens, while the defender's breathing space gets reduced and the coordination of his pieces feebler. We can say without exaggeration that a far-advanced pawn

PASSED PA WNS

is like a bone stuck in the throat. Its ad­ vance forces passive resistance at best, and in a very large percentage of cases it breaks any meaningful coun­ terplay. The very existence of the passed pawn in the centre has wider connota­ tions - of spatial advantage, initiative, freedom of manoeuvre and action. Naturally, its active role would not be possible without the active support of other pieces; usually the support of major pieces, propelling the pawn down the file, and minor pieces, which clear its way through exchanges. That support is of critical importance. The moment it fails, the moment the blockading forces overcome its ki­ netic energy, chances are reversed. A

101

mighty blockader, generally a knight or bishop, can tip the balance of power to its advantage and turn the tables. When that happens, the road to the endgame is a slow process of weaken­ ing, regularly irreversible and fatal. Considering all that, the passed pawn lives an exciting life, but often a highly risky one. Often the by-product of a sacrifice, burdened by high expec­ tations, it has to survive in adverse cir­ cumstances. It depends, therefore, on clear judgement and precise calcula­ tion and, contrary to other types of pawn situations, one can rely less on general maxims. Each situation, more and deeper than with other central for­ mations, is a specific case to be evalu­ ated on its own merits.

4 Doubled Pawns

The diagram before us represents the pawn-structure of a well-known open­ ing variation.

Speculating further, we could con­ clude as well that the chances of im­ proving the pawn-structure are not realistic. Besides, the exchange on c6 left a potentially weak isolated pawn at a7, which, as we can easily imagine, may be exposed to attack These are simple thoughts inspired by the diagram position. We shall proceed now to find out how far mas­ ter practice supports our preliminary views and . speculations. Chess wis­ dom is in chess practice.

Capablanca - Ja nowski St Petersburg 1914 It is characterized by the doubled black pawns on the c-file. A glance at the pawn-formation will give away its little secrets. On the positive side of the scales we notice that the c6-pawn remains a use­ ful part of the structure by covering the central d5-squarc, which otherwise would be a strong square for White. We notice also that by retaking at c6 Black has opened the b-file and can use it for counter-pressure on the queenside. On the negative side, we conclude at once that the block of pawns on c7, c6 and d6, which contains the doubled pawns, can hardly move forward with­ out weakening the squares around it.

Ruy Lopez

1 e4 e5 2 qjf3 qjc6 3 .i.bS a6 4 .i.xc6 dxc6 5 qjc3 .i.cS 6 d3 .i.g4 7 .i.e3 .i.xe3?! 8 fxe3 (D)

DOUBLED PA WNS

We are very early in the opening, which, seen from the point of view of modern theory, looks somewhat odd. Black's fifth move was quite ambi­ tious and resulted in the exchange on e3. Commentators condemned the ex­ change, pointing out that it serves White and suggested as better 7 . . . �e7. In order to judge objectively, we have to notice the changes in the position and evaluate them. We notice that the e3-pawn stands well, covering the squares d4 and f4, which before the exchange were potentially weak. We also notice that the f-file has been opened, and that it is only White who will be able to make use of it. We can, therefore, concur with the critics and favour 7 . . .'iie7. We shall notice immediately that apart from the doubled e-pawns, there is a pair of doubled pawns in Black's camp. Like the e3-pawn, the c6-pawn has its significance in covering the d5-square. The importance of both pairs of doubled pawns is based on their static value.

8 ...'ike7 9 0-0 0-0-0?! In spite of the semi-open f-file, the kingside is a healthier place for Black's king. Either here or on the previous move, a solid plan was to prepare . . . 0-0 by . . .f6 and . . . lLih6-f7.

10 'ikel tLlh6 1 1 l:tbl ! Secure in his refuge on gl, White's king can comfortably order an attack on the other wing. The text-move pre­ pares a pawn assault on Black's cas­ tled position. At this moment we notice a shortcoming characterizing doubled pawns. When they move, they

103

leave holes around them, which the opponent can exploit. 1 1 . . .c5 would be quite a useful reply, preventing b4 , were i t not for the hole on d5 .

11. ..f6 12 b4 tLlf7 13 a4 .i.xf3 14 l:txf3 b6 Capablanca was right in indicating the text-move as a grave error and pointing out that 14 . . . b5 was the only move that could stop the imminent de­ terioration of Black's position.

15 b5 cxbS 16 axb5 aS 17 tLldS (D)

The fact that Black could not hold his ground at c6 influences signifi­ cantly the course of the game. Do not consider thatit happens by chance. The doubled pawns, when they make up part of a larger pawn-mass, can be strong and statically useful, but as soon as they advance they in general be­ come weaker, while new weaknesses arise around them. The d5-square has become an impregnable white strong­ hold, enabling him to launch an imme­ diate assault.

17...'ikcS 18 c4 lLig5 19 l:tf2 lLie6 20 'ii'c3 l:td7 21 l:tdl 'i!tb7 22 d4

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104

Having protected White's vital dark squares in the centre for a large part of the game, the e3-pawn now supports the final pawn-storm.

22... 'iVd6 23 l:.c2 exd4 24 exd4 llJf4 25 c5 lllxd5 26 exd5 '\txd5 27 c6+ 'i!tb8 28 cxd7 '\txd7 29 d5 :te8 30 d6 cxd6 3 1 '\!kc6 1-0 The following game and our dis­ cussion of it will corroborate our first impressions about doubled pawns.

Polugaevsky

-

A. Za itsev

USSR Ch playoff match (game 2 ) Vladimir 1969

,

Ruy Lopez

1 e4 e5 2 llJf3 lllc6 3 lllc3 d6 4 d4 exd4 5 lllxd4 lllf6 6 i.b5 i.d7 7 0-0 i.e7 8 i.xc6 bxc6 (D)

After the initial moves Black has re­ mained with doubled pawns on the c­ file, ceding a spatial advantage to his opponent. The c6-pawn, however, is well defended and, besides, usefully placed, keeping the d5-square under

control. The problem with the black constellation lies in its limited mobil­ ity: when you advance either . . .c5 or . . . d5, holes are created in the black po­ sition.

9 '\!f'f3 White flirts with the idea of playing e5, which is the only way to increase the pressure on the c6-pawn. More in vogue over the decades has been 9 b3 0-0 10 i.b2, when we reach a delicate situation which must be played with patience. 1 o... l:.e8 1 1 l:.el if8 12 '\td3 g6 1 3 l:.adl i.g7 14 f3 '\tb8, opposing the fianchettoed bishop on b2 and ready to seek counterplay by . . . a5-a4, offers Black a good game. Compare this cautious approach, recommended by Dr Lasker, with the impatient reac­ tion started by 1 0. . .d5 1 1 e5 llle 8 1 2 'iVd2 c5 1 3 lllde2 c6, when Black has moved his pawns a rank up the board, gaining some space. Closer inspec­ tion, however, will reveal that the pawns are weaker now than in their initial position. It was difficult to at­ tack the c6-pawn, while the c5-pawn, on the contrary is more vulnerable. Bilkat-0.Bernstein, Ostend 1907 con­ tinued 14 l:.adl '\tc7 15 lllf4 '\tb7 (16 lllxd5 was threatened) 16 llla4 (threat­ ening ia3) 1 6 . . . c4 17 i.d4, when nei­ ther 17 . . . '\tb5 1 8 'iWe3 nor 17 . . .cxb3 1 8 cxb3 could satisfy Black. Moving the pawns forward lost their initial, natu­ ral tenacity.

9 ... 0-0 10 l:.el 10 e5 is not such a threat after all. 10. . . lllg4 1 1 exd6 i.xd6 12 if4 (or 1 2 g 3 lllxh2) 1 2 . . . lllx h2 would be quite unpleasant for White.

DO UBLED PA WNS

105

10 ...c5 11 tbf5 1'.xf5 12 'iVxf5 12 exf5 just yields space to Black after 12 . . . d5 1 3 1'.g5 c6.

12 ...lt:Jd7 13 lt:Jd5 lt:Jb6 Black's 10th move ceded the d5square to White, but only temporarily. The manoeuvre . . . lt:Jd7-b6 takes back what was given. The exchange on d5 would solve all Black's potential diffi­ culties.

14 lt:Je3 'iVc8 15 e5? ! Impatiently played, trying to find advantage where there is none.

15 ...d5 16 'iVxc8 l:tfxc8 17 a4 d4 This time the pawn advance is logi­ cal - their movement does not leave weaknesses behind.

18 tbf5 1'.f8 1 9 b3 l:td8 20 a5? ! Polugaevsky himself criticized this move - rightly so, as White chases the knight to a better place and the a5pawn becomes potentially endangered. 20 1'.d2 was correct, when 20. . . d3 could be met by 2 1 c4, leaving the passed pawn well blockaded and the d5-square denied to the b6-knight. 20 ... lt:Jd5 21 1'.d2 l:tab8 22 l:tabl Now White had to take into consid­ eration . . . d 3 , because his b3-pawn would be vulnerable.

22 ...l:tb5! (D) An excellent reaction. If White in­ tended 23 e6 fxe6 24 l:txe6, he had to change his mind because of24 . . . lt:Jb4.

23 l:te4 g6 24 lt:Jh4? An unfortunate decision. 24 lt:Jg3 lt:Jb4 25 c3 still keeps White in the game.

24 .. lt:Jb4 25 c3 dxc3 26 1'.xc3 l:td3 27 l:tc4 lt:Jd5 28 1'.el l:tbxb3 29 l:tbcl 1'.h6 30 l:tal l:td4 31 l:taa4 .

There are no good solutions. 3 1 l:txc5 loses to 3 l . .. 1'.f8, while 3 1 l:txd4 cxd4 opens the way for the c-pawns, which are finally set free. The text­ move irremediably weakens the first rank.

3 1 ... l:tbl 32 lt:Jf3 1'.d2 33 'i!tfl 1'.xel 34 lt:Jxd4 cxd4 35 .l:i.xd4 1'.c3+ 36 'i!te2 1'.xd4 37 l:txd4 :tb5 0-1 The lesson of this game is simple. The doubled pawn is statically strong and useful in its initial position. There­ fore, its hasty advance, causing side­ weaknesses, may be perilous and needs thorough preparation.

Sutovsky - Morozevich Pamplona 199819 French Defence

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 lt:Jc3 tbf6 4 1'.g5 dxe4 5 tt:Jxe4 1'.e7 6 1'.xf6 gxf6 7 tbf3 Here we have another typical case of doubled pawns. The exchange on f6 weakened Black's kingside, but Black sees compensation in the open g-file, while the well-defended f6-pawn per­ forms the useful duty of controlling the

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PLAY IN CHESS

106

e5-square and denying it knight.

to

the f3-

7 . .a6 .

A cautious approach is needed here. 7 . . .f5 8 tl'ic3 ..tf6 9 'it°d2 just weakens Black, and does nothing for his devel­ opment. On the contrary, White is ready to castle queenside and to make a central thrust.

8 'it°d2 b5 9 'iVh6 One would prefer normal develop­ ment, but it is intriguing to see what can be done against the debilitated kingside. Sutovsky evidently felt the same inquisitive urge.

the best way out, although it is quite pleasant for Black. The retreat is an admission of failure for the whole concept.

13... tt:Jf6 14 '\!t'e5? Tempted by the seemingly strong pin, White returns to the quagmire from which he withdrew just a move earlier. Rather than playing for tricks, it was time to think how to save his skin, e.g. 14 tl'ixf6+ '\!t'xf6 1 5 'iWe2 0-0-0 1 6 0-0-0.

14 . tl'ixh5 15 'it'xh8 ..txf3 16 gxf3 tt:Jf6 (D) .

.

9.....tb7 10 ..td3 Here 10 �g7 l:tf8 1 1 'ii'xh7 wins a pawn, but after 1 1 . . . f5 12 tl'ied2 ( 12 tl'ig3? loses after 12 ... ..txf3 ! 13 gxf3 'it'xd4) 12 . . . ..tf6 the scene is domi­ nated by the bishop-pair.

10 ...tl'id7 11 tl'ig3 Two thoughts are behind this move: ..te4, in order to diminish the pressure on the long light-square diagonal, and tl'ih5, to realize some concrete threats and give some meaning to the early queen sally. It is useful to notice that 1 1 0-0-0 could be met by 1 l . . . f5 12 tl'ieg5 ..txg5+ 13 tl'ixg5 'i!r'f6. After thorough preparation the doubled pawn moves forward without negative consequences.

11 . f5 ..

At the proper moment Black's f6pawn advances. It facilitates the de­ fence and at the same time threatens 12 . . . ..txf3.

12 tl'ih5 ..tf8 13 'it'e3?! 1 3 tl'ig7+ ..txg7 14 'ii'xg7 tkf6 15 tkxf6 tl'ixf6 1 6 ..te2 was objectively

The result of White's faulty strategy is obvious in the diagram. The queen is not only out of play but in danger of never returning: 17 . . . 'i;;e7 followed by 18 . . .'\!t'd5 is an obvious threat, while the clever 17 d5 finds a good response in 17 . . .'i!r'e7, threatening . . .0-0-0. If we complete the picture with the dam­ aged pawn-formation and weak light­ squared bishop, we can say without exaggeration that White is lost. There follow merely desperate attempts to extricate the queen.

DO UBLED PA WNS

17 l:tgl 'itxd4 18 l:tg8 '3;e7 19 '3;fl 1'..g7 20 'itxg7 l:txg8 21 'ith6 'itxb2 22 l:tel 'itc3 23 'ith4 c5 24 l:tdl c4 25 1'..xf5 'itxf3 26 'itd4 lbd5 0-1 27 1'..e4 is punished by 27 ... lbe3+. Doubled pawns preserve their static stability and firmness and if not thoughtlessly pushed forward are not an easy prey; nor can the side-weak­ nesses they leave around them be ex­ ploited by violent means. We shall consider several cases characterized by the typical constellation of doubled pawns, in which they play an active, positive role.

Spassky

-

Korchnoi

107

pressure he can exert on the b-file and the long light-square diagonal, and also in the compact and flexible central pawn-mass.

8 .. c5 9 d3 lbc6 10 lbd2 .

The pawns cover important central squares and can be used very flexibly, depending on the circumstances. Later on Spassky will carry out d4, but lbc4-e3 and c4, creating a grip on d5, is also possible.

10...l't'd7 1 1 'itf3 Played to prevent 1 l. .. b6. The g2bishop is stronger if not opposed by a black fianchettoed bishop at b7. 11... 'itc7 12 lbe4 1'..e7 13 1'..e3 c4

14 d4 1'..e6

Candidates match (game 14), Belgrade 1 978

14 . . . f5 fails to 1 5 lbc5, and then 1 5 . . . 1'..xc5 16 'it'd5+ or 1 5 ... e4 1 6 'ite2.

Vienna Game

15 l:tfdl l:tad8 16 'ii'e2 1'..d5 17 l:tabl exd4 18 cxd4

1 e4 e5 2 lbc3 qjf6 3 g3 d5 4 exd5 �d5 5 1'..g2 lbxc3 6 bxc3 1'..d6 7 lLif3 0-0 8 0-0 (D)

The doubled pawn has been advan­ tageously transformed into a passed pawn on a central file.

18 ...l:tfeS 19 lbc3 (D)

White has accepted doubled c­ pawns, finding full compensation for the damaged pawn-structure in the

As w e have already learnt, the blockaders of the passed pawn should

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

108

be removed. Simultaneously the c4pawn will be weakened, forcing the black knight to the edge of the board.

19 ... .i.xg2 20 'i!txg2 qja5 21 '\!f'f3 qjc6 22 '\!t'e2 tDa5 23 a4 b6 24 '\!f'f3 '\!t'd7 25 l:tb5 qjb7 26 j_f4 qjd6 27 .i.xd6 .i.xd6 28 qje4 .i.e7 29 c3 The passed pawn has now become a protected passed pawn, a valuable as­ set for the endgame.

29 g6 30 g4! •••

Thwarti ng counterplay by ... f5 .

30 l:tf8 31 l:tdbl •••

White intends a5 .

31...a6? This is bad, but 3 l ...f5 32 gxf5 l:txf5 3 3 l:txf5 'iWxf5 34 '\!t'xf5 gxf5 fails to 35 qjg3 l:tf8 36 l1b5 f4 37 qjf5, etc.

32 l:txb6 f5 33 gxf5 :Xf5 34 '\!t'e2 '\!t'xa4 35 l:tb7 l:te8 36 l:tc7 .i.d6 37 :txc4 l:txe4

Keres - Reshevsky Los Angeles I 963 Ruy Lopez

1 e4 e5 2 qjf3 qjc6 3 .i.b5 a6 4 .i.a4 ttJf6 5 0-0 .i.e7 6 l:tel d6 7 .ixc6+ bxc6 We find doubled pawns most often on c3, c6, f3 and f6, as it is on these squares that bishops are traded for knights. Such pawns form part of the pawn-mass, so they are not considered weak.

8 d4 qjd7 (D) After 8 . . . exd4 9 qjxd4 .i.d7 10 qjc3 0-0, 1 1 .i.f4 seems most natural. With l:tel already played, notice that 1 1 b3 can be met by 1 1 . . .d 5 12 e5 ib4. One should be ready to exploit such possi­ bilities. Although they look clumsy, doubled pawns are mobile and it is good to keep this in mind.

Black starts to play weakly in time­ trouble. 38 l:tc8+ 'i!tg7 39 '\!t'xe4 '\!t'a2 40 l:tfl

'\!f'f7 This move makes it easy. Better was 40 . . . l:r.g5+ 41 'i!thl l:r.h5 .

41 f4 l:th5 4 1 . . .ixf4 42 'i!thl is also hopeless.

42 l:te8 '\!t'b3 43 l:te6 '\!t'b2+ 44 '\!t'e2 '\!t'b8 45 '\!t'e4 '\!t'b2+ 46 '\!t'e2 '\!t'b8 47 l:te4 l:tb5 48 l:tf2 '\!t'b7 49 '\!f'f3 '\!t'c8 50 h3 a5 51 l:te5 .i.xe5 52 fxe5 '\!f'f5 53 c4 l:tb4 54 '\!t'e3 '\!t'c8 55 e6 :Xc4 56 '\!t'e5+ 'i!th6 57 '\!t'f4+ 'i!tg7 58 'iWf6+ 'i!th6 59 '\!t'h4+ 1-0 The metamorphosis of a doubled pawn into a passed pawn does not oc­ cur often, but one should be open to such possibilities and make use of them.

9 qjbd2 f6 10 qjc4 qjb6

In expectation of qja5, 10 .. ,qJf8 and . . . qje6 seems a better choice.

1 1 qja5 id7 12 '\!t'd3?! The idea to harass the c6-pawn was a good one, but the a5-knight should

DO UBLED PA WNS

be supported by 1 2 c4, exploiting the position of the knight on b6. Now we see why the manoeuvre ... �8-e6 was preferable: c4 could be met by . . . c5. The text-move looks like rather a mild measure against the black pawn-mass.

12 ... 0-0 13 .i.e3 'i!th8 14 l:tadl exd4 15 qjxd4 c5

109

White missed the point: now 26 bxc4 is met by 26 ....i.b4, while 26 'i!r'c3 cxb3 27 cxb3 d4 is also good for Black.

26 '\td2 cxb3 27 cxb3 d4 The doubled pawns have produced a rare fruit - a passed pawn on a cen­ tral file.

28 b4 .i.b3

Black decides to step forward, fight­ ing for space, but he can afford 16 qjdc6 '\!ke8.

It is useful to diminish the pressure on the passed pawn and remove the pieces standing in its way.

16 lbf5 l:te8 17 b3 .i.f8 18 1'.c1 .i.e6 19 qje3 '\td7 20 a4 c6

29 l:tbl li'f7 30 .i.c7 '\txc7 31 l:txb3

After a couple of hesitant moves by White, Black seizes his opportunity and his doubled, backward pawns ad­ vance in the centre, well supported by all the black pieces.

21 qjac4 qjxc4 22 qjxc4 l:tad8 23 qjb6 'l!kb7 24 a5 d5 25 .i.f4? (D) Slowly and clumsily the black pawns have advanced, seizing space and initiative. The text-move misses the threat and the pawns now become vicious. 25 .i.a3 was in order to pre­ vent the worst...

f5 Together with the passed pawn, and we know it already, tactical chances anse. 32 'i!r'd3 32 exf5 does not work because of 32. . . li'f4 3 3 'l!kd l l:l.xel+ 34 'i!r'xel d3, when the pawn penetrates too far.

32 ...fxe4 33 nxe4 nxe4 34 -.Wxe4 c5 35 bxc5 '\txc5 36 g3 36 '\tel does not save the pawn in view of 3 6 . . . d3 37 l:tb2 '\tc2 ! . The pawn advance has thoroughly changed the situation. Black's material advan­ tage and active pieces will prevail.

36 ... llr'xa5 37 '\td3 '\tel+ 38 'i!tg2 a5 39 '\tf3 '\te6 40 l:tb5 .i.b4 40... d3 41 qjd5 d2 42 ttxa5 'Wel also wins. Pushing the passed pawn as far as possible is usually the best method, but the last few moves were played in time-pressure.

41 qjd5 '\td7 42 '\td3 '\tc6 43 f3 .i.d2 44 qje7 'ike8 45 qjc15

25...c4!

45 qjf5 .i.b4 46 qjxd4 h6 will cost White the pinned knight. 45 ... a4 46 l:tc5 .i.e3 47 '\tf5 d3 A good defence against the threat­ ened qjf6.

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

110

48 l:tc3 .i.d4 49 Itxd3 'ite2+ 50 'i!th3 g6 51 'ite4 'itxe4 52 fxe4 .i.b2 53 qjb4 l:txd3 54 qjxd3 'i!tg7 In spite of Keres's tenacious resis­ tance, Black prevails by fine play. Some little fine points are worth seeing in the minor-piece endgame, in which the black bishop is vastly superior, owing to the outside passed pawn.

55 'i!tg4 'i!tf6 56 'i!tf3 a3 57 qjb4 'i!te5 58 'i!te3 .i.d4+ 59 'i!td3 .i.c5 60 qja2 .i.gl 61 h3 h5 62 qjb4 .i.c5 63 qja2 .i.f2 64 g4 h4 65 qjb4 .i.c5 66 qja2 g5 67 qjc3 .i.a7 68 qja2 'i!tf4 69 qjc3 .i.b8 70 'i!tc2 .i.e5 71 qjd5+ 'i!tg3 72 'i!tb3 'i!txh3 73 qje3 'i!tg3 0-1 It is rare indeed for doubled pawns to yield a passed pawn, but we encoun­ ter active doubled pawns more often.

Spassky

Gligoric Baden-Baden 1980 -

Vienna Game

1 e4 e5 2 qjc3 qjf6 3 g3 .i.c5 4 .i.g2 qjc6 At first glance it seems that Black can build a full pawn-centre by 4 . . . c6, but after 5 qjge2 d5 6 exd5 cxd5 7 d4 exd4 8 qjxd4 Black is burdened with a shaky isolated pawn.

5 d3 d6?! Black was off his guard. 5 . . . a6 should come first in order to preserve the well-posted bishop.

6 qja4 .i.g4 6 . . . .i.b4+ 7 c3 .i.a5 8 b4 is also to White's advantage.

7 f3 .i.xgl? (D)

A hasty decision. It was much better to retreat to e6 and allow doubled

pawns on the c-file without doubling the white g-pawns. The reason will soon be apparent...

8 fxg4 .i.c5 9 qjxc5 dxc5 10 g5 We have an instructive example of strong doubled pawns which can be used aggressively. Together with them goes the semi-open f-filc and pressure along it. Black probably entered this passive position counting on the fact that the pawn-structure is closed to White's bishop-pair. That was also a wrong evaluation.

10.. ,qjd7 11 .i.e3 'ite7 12 0-0 qjf8 13 h4 A natural advance before the bishop takes its place at h3.

1 3 .. ,qje6 14 .i.h3 0-0-0 15 'i!Vh5 l:tdf8 16 l:tf2 'i!tb8 17 l:tan qjcd8 18 'i!th2 b6 19 a3! (D) An excellent strategy: having pressed Black to the maximum, tying all his forces to defence, it is time to switch to the other wing and open the position .

19 ... a5 20 c3 'itd6 21 'itdt l:te8 22 b4 axb4 23 axb4 cxb4 24 cxb4 qjd4

24 ... 'itxb4 fails to 25 l:ta2 followed by 26 'ii'a l .

DO UBLED PA WNS

111

5 'iWb3?! 'iWb6 6 'iWxb6?! 6 c5 is better.

6...axb6 7 cxd5 lt:Jxd5 8 lt:Jxd5 cxd5 9 e3 lt:Jc6 10 il.d2 il.d7 ! ! (D)

25 l:ta2 'i!fc6 2 6 il.xd4 exd4 27 'ifal l:te7 28 l:ta7 'ilfc2+ 29 'i!thl 'ilfxd3 30 l:tcl lt:Jc6 31 l:.a8+ 'i!tb7 32 l:txh8 lt:Jb8 33 il.c8# (1-0) Do not fail to notice that all this was made possible by the exchange fxg4 and the advance g5. By enabling White to squeeze Black in defence of his major weakness at f7 , it changed the situation completely. What fol­ lowed was conditioned by the favour­ able pawn-structure dominated by the doubled pawn on g5. Its very existence directed the course of the struggle.

Janowski - Capablanca New York 1916 Slav Defence

1 d4 d5 2 c4 c6 3 lt:Jf3 lt:Jf6 4 lt:Jc3 il.f5?! Today w e know that the early de­ velopment of the queen's bishop is not so good if the knight is already devel­ oped on c3. The reason lies in 5 cxd5 cxd5 (or 5 . . . lt:Jxd5 6 lt:Jd2) 6 'iWb3 win­ ning a pawn or forcing the f5-bishop back to c8.

A deep, extraordinary idea. Black withdraws the well-placed bishop to an apparently passive position, but, as we shall see, he has in mind a brilliant strategic plan on the queenside.

11 il.e2 If White understood what was in the making, he would have continued 1 1 id3 or 1 1 ib5, followed later by 'i!te2.

1 1...e6 12 0-0 il.d6 13 l:tfcl 'i!te7 14 il.c3 l:thc8 15 a3 If it is not necessary, never move your pawns !

15...lt:JaS 16 lt:Jd2 f5 Before he carries out his idea, Black thwarts the possible e4, which would activate White.

17 g3 b5 The seemingly useless doubled pawns on the b-fil e take the roles of important actors on the queenside.

18 f3 lt:Jc4 19 il.xc4

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PIAY IN CHESS

112

It is better to take with the knight. However, in any case the modest dou­ bled pawn has played its part in bring­ ing about a promising pawn-structure. 19 ... bxc4

20 e4 xh7 ..ihS 46 ..ifl b4 47 ..ig2 xaS 47 . . . xc4 loses to 48 ..ixb7 b5 49 h6 xa5 50 g 5 b6 5 1 ..ixa6 xa6 52 h3, etc.

48 ..ixb7 b6 49 ..ic8 as so ..id7 cs Sl h3 ..if3 S2 xg6 ..ic6 S3 ..ixfS a4 S4 ..ibl a3 SS fS ..ie4 S6 ..ia2 ..id3 S7 h4 d4 S8 hS es S9 g4 'it>f4 60 g7 1-0 Even in endgames, doubled pawns are not as helpless as it is popularly be­ lieved. With harmonious minor-piece activity, and, of course, in the hands of a strong player, doubled pawns can

1 14

UNDERSTANDING PA WN Pl.A Y IN CHESS

fully participate in general strategy. In this game the c2- and c3-pawns cov­ ered important central squares, and the c5-pawn supported a knight invasion on d6, which thwarted any counter­ play. Like Spassky 's g5-pawn in his game versus Gligoric, Smyslov' s oddly-arranged infantrymen dictated the course of the battle. However, we have to be aware that such pawns are not so common in the endgame and that negative examples largely prevail; but we shall speak on the subject later in the text. Having analysed the doubled pawn in favour­ able circumstances, we shall pay now attention to its drawbacks.

Tarrasch - Rubinstein Miihrisch Ostrau 1923 Four Knights Game

1 e4 es 2 ltJ£3 .!Lic6 3 .!Lic3 .!Lif6 4 ..i b5 ..ib4 5 0-0 0-0 6 d3 d6 7 ..ig5 ..ixc3 8 bxc3 We7 9 l:tel .!Lid8 10 d4 ..ig4 This is a well-known theoretical position, played and explored thor­ oughly in the first few decades of the 20th century. The recommended con­ tinuation is 1 o. . . .!Lie6 1 1 .tel c5, con­ fronting White in the centre and keeping the position closed and unfa­ vourable to the white bishops. This re­ sponse is possible because 1 2 dxe5 dxe5 1 3 .!Lixe5 would lose to 13 . . . .!Lic7.

11 h3 ..ih5 12 g4 .tg6 13 d5 (D) 13 ...c6 14 ..ic4?

In conjunction with this move, the blockade by 1 3 d5 loses its sense. As a consequence the doubled pawns on the c-file remain isolated while the

d8-knight is presented with the exit e6. White's play can be justified only if the knight is kept out of play, and 14 ..id3 is correct. Spassky-Gligoric, Sarajevo 1986 continued 14 . . . cxd5 15 exd5 e4 1 6 .txe4 (16 .tfl i s inade­ quate in view of 1 6 . . . .!Lie6) 16 . . . .txe4 17 •d4 .!Lie6 18 1!i'xe4 and Black was lost. Gligoric concluded that taking at d5 was dubious and that Black could safely keep the position closed ; after 14 ...h6 15 .th4, he could play 15 ...l:tc8 1 6 c4 l:te8. It is even possible to ex­ change on d5 here: 15 . . . cxd5 16 exd5 l:tc8 17 c4 e4 1 8 .txe4 .txe4 19 Wd4 g5 (if 19 . . . l:te8 then 20 .!Lid2) 20 .tg3 .!Lie6 21 dxe6 .txf3 22 .txd6 l:tfd8 23 .txe7 l:txd4 24 .txf6 l:tf4 25 e7 l:te8, etc.

14...l:tcS 15 dxc6 bxc6 There was no solution other than to exchange pawns on c6, but the present pawn-structure is worse for White than the previous one. The doubled isolated pawns are significantly weaker than the doubled pawns that constituted part of the central pawn-mass. At move 8 , immediately after the exchange on

DOUBLED PAWNS c3, we had a compact pawn-mass, not so mobile, but firm. By playing 10 d4, White sought the initiative in the cen­ tre. His pawn-formation was not so solid any more, but the doubled pawns were still together and their clumsi­ ness could not be exploited in any foreseeable way. At that moment they were still playing an active role, sup­ porting the tension in the centre. After the exchange at c6 they have no role whatever, apart from the passive fight for existence.

16 ..id3 l2Je6 17 ..icl ltJc5 18 ltJd2 18 .ta3 fails to 1 8 . . .l2Jcxe4 19 .txe4 l2Jxe4 20 l:txe4 ..ixe4 2 1 ..ixd6 'l'i'd8 22 .txf8 'ir'xdl + 23 l:txdl .txf3, etc.

18...h5 While White is engaged in passive defence of his pawns, Black strikes at the white king's weakened defence s.

19 ..ia3 ltJe6 20 ltJc4 c5 White's bishops have no luck in their search for good diagonals : the pawn-structure continues to tell against them. ·

21 ..icl hxg4 22 hxg4 ltJh7 23 'it>g2 ltJhg5 24 f3 l:tc�8 25 ltJb2 d5! (D)

115

White is given no time to play the intended .tc4. Black opens the game, which is in full harmony with the fact that his pieces are more active.

26 exd5 l:txd5 27 c4 l:td4 28 ..ie3 28 l:txe5 does not work due to 28 . . . 11i'f6 29 l:tel lLif4+ 30 .txf4 l:txf4, etc.

28...l:td6 29 'l!i'e2 e4 The breakthrough in the centre at move 25 yielded a pawn-majority on the kingside, which is now used to shatter the last protection of the white king.

30 fxe4 l2Jxe4 31 °*f3 ltJ4g5 32 °*g3 °*h7 + 33 'it>n l:tb6 34 l2Ja4 ..ixd3+ 35 cxd3 f5 36 ..ixg5 fxg4+ 37 'it>gl l2Jxg5 38 ltJxb6 l2Jf3+ 39 'it>f2 ltJxel + 0-1 White's nightmare began with 14 .tc4?. Unless well prepared and in specific favourable circumstances, the advance of the doubled pawns is regularly ac­ companied by risks. As we could wit­ ness in the previous example, moving forward debilitates the squares around them, sometimes even the whole files. On the second and third rank such pawns are less exposed to pressure. A doubled pawn at c3 or f6 , for instance, is more secure and stable than a dou­ bled pawn on the fourth or fifth rank. The following games will give us a chance to compare.

Portisch - Fischer Santa Monica 1966 Nimzo-Indian Defence

1 d4 ltJf6 2 c4 e6 3 ltJc3 ..ib4 4 e3 b6 5 ltJe2 ..ia6

116

UNDERSTA.lVDING PA WN Pl.A Y IN CHESS

Bron stein 's move, or more pre­ cisely, the move David Bronstein liked and popularized.

6 ll:lg3?!

This is inconsistent. After the natu­ ral move 6 a3, 6...i.xc3+ 7 ll:lxc3 keeps White's pawn-structure healthy, while 6 . . .i.e7 is met by 7 t'li4 d5 8 cxd5 i.xfl 9 'iti>xfl exd5 10 g4 seizing space and the initiative, as in the well-known game B otvinn ik-Smyslov, World Ch match (game 2), Moscow 1954.

9...dxe4 10 �xe4 �xe4 11 Wxe4 '\i'd7! A little, subtle point which proba­ bly escaped White's attentio n . By be­ ing ready to trade his rooks for the white queen, Black makes possible the active ... tt:Jc6.

12 i.a3 l:te8 13 i.d3 fS 14 'i'xa8 �c6 1 5 'i'xe8+ 'i'xe8 16 0-0 �as (D)

6 ... i.xc3+ 7 bxc3 dS (D)

White's 6 lt:Jg3 has been countered correctly : having damaged White's pawn-formation, Black now provokes the c4-pawn into exchanging on d5, which should lead to a balanced posi­ tion due to White's loss of castling rights. White, however, wants more.

8 'i'f3 0-0 9 e4 Portisch expects too much of this advance. That he is ready to sacrifice the c4-pawn is understandable, given the full pawn-centre and tactical threats he would get in return, but he under­ rates the line played in the game . . .

A t the end of complications Black returns to the c4-pawn. The trouble with pawn weaknesses lies in the fact that they remain weak through all the vicissitudes of the game and in the end are doomed. Their weakness is last­ ing. White's pawn-structure was dam­ aged on move 6 and after just ten more moves, when the complications have passed, the handicapped c4-pawn is about to fall.

17 l:tael i.xc4 17 ...ti'a4 is even stronger. Then 1 8 i.b4 i.xc4 19 i.xc4 ll:lxc4 20 l:txe6 a5 2 1 i.e7 lDd2 22 Afel ll:le4 is most un­ pleasant for White.

18 i.xc4 �xc4 19 i.cl cS 20 dxcS bxcS 21 i.f4 h6

DOUBLED PA WNS The decisive counter-action comes on the kingside.

22 l:te2 White cannot thwart the pawn ad­ vance by 22 h4 due to 22. . . e5 23 .txe5 lt:Jxe5 24 f4 lt:Jf3+ 25 gxf3 'i'a4, etc.

22...g5 23 ..ie5 °*d8 24 l:tfel In case of 24 f4 there is 24... lt:Jd2 followed by 25 ... lt:Je4.

24...'it>f7 25 h3 f4 26 'it>h2 a6 27 l:te4 'li'd5 28 h4 lt:Je3 The final solution.

29 l:t4xe3 fxe3 30 l:txe3 '*xa2 31 l:tf3+ 'it>e8 32 ..ig7 '*c4 33 hxg5 hxg5 34 l:tf8+ �d7 35 l:ta8 'it>c6 0-1

117

weakness of doubled pawns on the c­ file. His next decision was to offer a pawn sacrifice, which White rejected on principle. Having designated the c5-pawn as its future target, he ma­ noeuvres his knight to a4 at once.

10 .. ...id6 1 1 lt:Ja4 ..ie5 Black believes that the reduction of material will ease his burden. As a matter of fact, his conception begun by 8 . . 'li'c7 is a result of some basic misunderstanding. In general, all pawn weaknesses, doubled pawns included, become more serious with the reduc­ tion of material. .

12 ..ixe5 '*xe5 13 0-0 llJd7 14 'i'e2!

Nimzowitsch - H . J ohner Bern 1931 Nimzowitsch's Opening

1 lt:Jf3 lt:Jf6 2 b3 d5 3 .tb2 c5 4 e3 lt:Jc6?! 5 ..ib5 ..ig4 6 ..ixc6+ bxc6 7 h3 ..ixf3 8 °*xf3 °*c7 9 d3 e6 10 l2Jc3 (D)

A subtle move. The idea is not to free the f2-pawn for action, but to move the queen to the other wing, in­ creasing the pressure on the c5-pawn. Its final destination is a5 .

14...0-0 15 °*d2 f5 In view of White's threat, this move seems rather careless, but Johner be­ lieved he had a tactical solution in de­ fence of the c5-pawn.

16 °ifa5 l:ttb8 (D ) This does not defend the pawn as Black hoped, but, it is true, 1 6 . . . 'l'i'd6 also leaves Black in a passive, unsatis­ factory position.

17 lt:Jxc5! l:tb5 18 lllxd7 'ifxal This was meant as punishment, but Nimzowitsch had looked a little farther.

19 °*c7 'iic3 20 a4 A subtle, decisive point based on the loss of coordination of the black rooks. Black has played the opening phase superficially. By developing his queen's knight too early, he allowed the lasting

20...:b4 If 20. . . l:ta5, then 21 °*d6 l:te8 22 lt:Je5.

118

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PL4.Y IN CHESS Black's pawn-structure has suffered early damage, without any compen­ sating factors. The early development of the queen's knight cannot be rec­ ommended. Today, more conscious of opening nuances, every good player would prefer 2 . . .lLlf6 or 2 ... g6, avoid­ ing the pin by i.b5. Of course, 4 . . . a6 is a serious error, losing time and inviting long-term problems with the pawn­ formation.

6 0-0 e6 7 c4! (D) 21 l2Je5 l:tf8?! 22 l2Jxc6 'it>h8 23 °*d6 1-0 A nice short game, based entirely on the weakness of the doubled pawns. A black doubled pawn on the fifth rank is quite an easy target and there­ fore vulnerable. The fact that doubled pawns lose their natural strength when they ad­ vance tempts us to conclude that a good strategy against doubled pawns should be based on provoking their advance. And indeed, sometimes that strategy works well. However, it is not the only method that yields results against doubled pawns. Many a time we have to do just the opposite - to blockade the pawns, immobilize them and make use of their weakness later on when the circumstances allow it.

Staunton - Bristol Chess Club Correspondence game 1844-5 Bird's Opening

1 f4 d5 2 lLlf3 c5 3 e3 l2Jc6 4 i.b5 a6? 5 i.xc6+ bxc6

Some 80 years later Nimzowitsch was to recommend that one blockade doubled pawns before attacking them. It is to Staunto n 's credit that he under­ stood the position fully and found this natural move.

7 ...l2Jh6 Expecting b3 and i.b2, Black se­ lects this extravagant move, planning a later . . . f6. Natural was 7 ... l2Jf6 fol­ lowed by . . . l2Jd7.

8 "11'e 2 i.d6 9 l2Jc3 We7 10 b3 Introducing not only the fianchetto, but also the typical manoeuvre i.a3 and lLla4, if the opportunity presents itself.

DO UBLED PA WNS

119

10...f6 11 d3 0-0 12 e4 dxe4? Annotating on this game in his book on Staunton, Raymond Keene was perfectly right: "A positional blunder which removes all the flexibility from Black's pawn-structure. Just as bad would have been 1 2. . . d4 1 3 tlJa4, eye­ ing the front c-pawn. The only play­ able move at this point is 12 . . . .tb7 !, holding firm in the centre, but such po­ sitional necessities were not generally understood until Nimzowitsch ex­ plained them in his books My System and Chess Praxis." I could only warn of the well-known fact that the doubled pawns are much more vulnerable if they are cut off from the pawn-mass and isolated.

13 dxe4 es 14 fS Not only closing the way out to the light-squared bishop, but opening at­ tacking prospects on the kingside.

14 tt:Jf7 lS tlJh4 ...

For the time being White leaves the doubled pawns in peace. He could in­ crease the pressure on them by ..ie3, °*f2 and tlJa4, but Black would move his knight to b7 and hold out. The prospects on the kingside are bright, while the c5-pawn cannot escape simple, logical reasoning !

1S ..id7 16 l:tf3 llfd8 17 ..ie3 ..ie8 18 l:tafl tlJgS 19 :g3 h6 20 1i'g4 l:td7 21 tlJf3 .•.

White has finally found the key to Black's lock.

21. ¢18 22 lUxgS hxgS 23 h4 (D) 23 ... ..tf7 ..

This will lose without a fight. Ana­ lysing, I was attracted by the follow­ ing variation: 23 ... gxh4 24 '\i'xh4 'it>g8

(or 24. . ...if7 25 1i'h8+ ..ig8 26 ..ih6) 25 :h3 °*f8 26 tlJa4 l:tad8 27 °*f2 and the c5-pawn falls. That such possibili­ ties arise cannot be ascribed to chance. Certain types of weaknesses grow ripe in the course of the game and after some time you just have to pick them. It is typical of doubled pawns, too.

24 hxgS 'it>e8 2S g6 ..ig8 26 l:th3 'it>d8 27 °*e2 b7 30 g4 '\i'c7 3 1 ..ixcS ..ixcS 32 lLlxcS + 'it>c8 33 l:td3 l:txd3 34 lUxd3 1i'd6 3S l:tdl 'it>c7 36 l:td2 1i'd4 37 1i'xd4 exd4 38 'it>f2 l:td8 39 'it>f3 After a couple more moves Black resigned. Stuck at c5, the pawn was eventually lost.

Geller - Smyslov Candidates tournament, Zurich/Neuhausen 1953 Nimzo-Indian Defence

1 d4 lLlf6 2 c4 e6 3 tlJc3 ..ib4 4 e3 cS S ..id3 0-0 6 a3 ..ixc3+ 7 bxc3 tt:Jc6 8 tlJe2 b6 9 0-0 ..ia6 The Samisch Variation of the Nimzo-Indian is characterized by the

120

UNDERSTANDING PAWN PIAY IN CHESS

early exchange and doubled pawns on the c-file. As soon as they are block­ aded, Black prepares to exert as much pressure on them as possible.

10 e4 tl:ie8 Before proceeding with the con­ ceived plan, Black must make sure he can thwart White's action on the kingside. Now 1 1 f4 would be met by 1 l .. .f5. However, it looks a more logi­ cal continuation than the one chosen by Geller.

11 "\i'a4?! 'ifc8 ! A good defensive solution: 12 dxc5 would now be punished by 1 2. . . tl:ie5. At the same time the pressure exerted on c4 grows.

12 ..ie3 d6 13 l:tadl tl:ia5 14 dxc5 dxc5 (D)

Confronted with a difficult choice, White has chosen to accept a pair of doubled isolated pawns, whose future is dubious. The lesson of our next game is that a blockaded position has other drawbacks for the player with the doubled pawns, but generally speak­ ing it is a better option than allowing

the pawns to become isolated. For the time being White gets rid of the direct pressure on the c4-pawn, but it is a temporary solution, which will be called into question sooner or later.

15 es 'i't'c6 16 •c2 f5 17 'i't'a2? This is desperately passive. White should have sought his chances in the continuation 17 exf6 tt:::ixf6 1 8 .tg5, although 18 . . ..txc4 19 .txf6 .txd3 20 l:txd3 l:txf6 21 l:tfdl '*e8 is in Black's favour. 17 '*a4 18 tl:if4 tl:ic7 19 ..ic2 'ife8 The unnecessary 19 ... 'iWxc4 would just complicate things. Black leaves the pawns in their predicament, preparing to open a new front on the kingside. ...

20 ..ib3 g5 2 1 tt:lli.3 h6 22 f3 'iie7 23 t:Df2 l:tad8 24 tl:id3 °ifg7 25 f4 l:td7 26 tl:icl l:tfd8 27 l:txd7 l:txd7 28 °*e2 (D)

White has had to spend many tempi with his knight in order to free his queen, but in the struggle to maintain the material balance, he has hopelessly lost the coordination of his pieces. As if that were not enough, Black now

DOUBLED PAWNS

uses the pin on the a6-fl diagonal to bring his reserves onto the battlefield: 28 ....'bdS 29 i.d2 .'bxf4 30 i.xf4 gxf4 31 l:txf4 �gs 32 g3 'it>h7 33 'it>f2 �d8 34 �hS l:tg7 3S �e2 l:td7 36 �hS �gs 37 �e8 �e7 38 �xe7 + l:txe7 39 i.a2 l:td7 40 'it>e2 i.b7 The players were now out of time­ trouble, during which White did not manage to improve his situation. Noth­ ing can be done about the shattered pawn-formation and the sick pawn on c4. 41 i.bl 'it>g8 42 g4 fxg4 43 l:txg4+ l:tg7 44 l:th4 l:tgl 4S 'it>d2 'it>g7 46 i.d3 i.f3 47 l:tf4 i.hS 48 .'be2 l:tg2 49 'it>e3 l:tgS SO h4 l:txeS+ Sl 'it>d2 .'bb3+ S2 'it>dl l:te3 S3 'it>c2 es S4 l:tf2 e4 0-1 It is curious that three years later, again in the Candidates tournament, the same players met and Geller had to endure the same hard lesson. Geller - Smyslov

Candidates tournament, Amsterdam 1956 Nimzo-Indian Defence 1 d4 .'bf6 2 c4 e6 3 .'bc3 i.b4 4 a3 i.xc3+ S bxc3 cS 6 e3 b6 A logical reaction: the potentially vulnerable c4-pawn is blocked, which will enable Black to exert some pres­ sure on it later. At the same time, the light-squared bishop is developed nat­ urally. 7 .'be2 The great Candidates tournament of 1953 was not lucky for Geller's Samisch Variation. As we have seen,

121

he lost without a fight against Smys­ lov, and also suffered a famous loss against Eu we, which continued 7 i.d3 i.b7 8 f3 .'bc6 9 .'be2 0-0 10 0-0 lba5 1 1 e4 .'be8 12 .'bg3 cxd4 1 3 cxd4 l:tc8 and White was facing material loss very early in the game (14 �a4 would be met by 14 ... i.a6), for which he did not quite achieve enough compensa­ tion. 7....'bc6 8 .'bg3 0-0 The manoeuvre .'be2-g3 is not much of an improvement in comparison with the previous game. By castling imme­ diately, Black is ready to meet the threat of e4 by ... .'be8 with a balanced position. 9 i.d3 i.a6 10 e4 .'be8 Black could not grab the pawn to his advantage by 10 ...cxd4 1 1 cxd4 .'bxd4 because 1 2 i.b2 yields a strong initiative. 1 1 i.e3 Black evaluated correctly that after 1 1 d5 lba5 12 �e2 neither 12 ... �h4 1 3 0--0 .'bd6 14 e5 .'bdxc4 15 lbe4 nor 12 ....'bd6 1 3 e5 l:te8 14 exd6 exd5 15 i.e3 d4 16 �h5 would satisfy him; in­ stead he planned to continue 12 ... f6, fol lowed by 1 3 ... .'bd6 with better play. 11 ... lbas 12 �e2 l:tc8! (D) A typical procedure: after the block­ ade comes the pressure. Note that after 12 ... lbd6 1 3 e5 .'bdxc4 14 �h5 g6 15 �h6 (with the devastating threat 16 .'bh5) 15 .. .f5 16 i.g5 White has a dan­ gerous attack. 13 dS The pressure Black is exerting forces White to parry the immediate threats by blocking the centre. At first,

122

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PL4.Y IN CHESS

22...'ilt'xb7 23 tl'ixf5 l:tce8 24 'ilt'g4 'it>h8 25 tl'ig3 tl'ixg3 26 hxg3 'ilff7 27 'ilfh4 h6 28 ..id3 'iif6 29 'ilfh5 l:td8 30 ..ie2 'iif5 31 'ilfh4 'iif6 32 'ilt'h5 tl'ic6 33 g4 'iif7 34 'ilfh4 tl'ie7 35 'ilt'h3 tl'ig6 36 'ilfh2 36 g5 would be met by 36 . . . tl'if4, and 36 g 3 by 36 . . .'it>g8.

36... tl'if4 37 ..if3 'ilt'xc4

commentators believed that White should have kept tension by 1 3 Ite l, but Grandmaster Taimanov looked fur­ ther and proposed 1 3 ...tl'id6 14 e5 cxd4 15 cxd4 (if 1 5 .txd4 then 1 5 ... tl'if5) 15 . . . tl'idxc4 1 6 il'h5 g6 17 il'h6 tl'ixc3 1 8 tl'ih5 l:txc l + 19 'it>d2 tl'if5 20 .t xf5 tl'ib3+ 2 1 'it>e3 l:tc3+ 22 'it>f4 'ii'h4+, winning. Geller 's choice annuls the tension, but his central pawn-mass be­ comes less flexible and mobile.

With the threats to his king re­ moved, the time has come to capture the pawn. It took a lot of patience and practical wisdom to wait for this mo­ ment.

38 g5 l:td6 39 Itel l:tg6 40 gxh6 l:txh6 41 'ilt'g3 'ilt'e4!! (D)

13 ...'ilt'h4 14 0-0 tl'id6 15 l:tadl f5! An instructive moment. Smyslov knows well that the immobile c4pawn will remain as weak as it is now and he does not hurry to capture it. Be­ fore that Black finds it urgent to limit the activity of the bishop-pair and thwart any initiative on the kingside.

16 dxe6 dxe6 17 exf5 exf5 18 'ilt'f3 ..ib7 19 'ilff4 'iif6 20 ..ibl tl'ie4 21 l:td7 After 21 tl'ixe4 fxe4 22 'iixf6 l:txf6 23 l:td7 l:tf7 24 nfd 1 .tc6 the end­ game remains characterized by the un­ happy doubled pawns.

21...'ilt'c6 22 l1xb7 Or 22 l:te7 tl'ixc3, etc.

Simple, logical and beautiful! By threatening 42 ... 'ilt'h7, Black forces ex­ changes, and this simplifies his task.

42 ..ixf4 After 42 'ii g4 'ilt'h7 43 g3 Black wins by 43 ... tl'ie2+.

42...'ilfxf4 43 'ilfxf4 l:txf4 44 Itel l:ta4 45 l:te8+ 'it>h7 46 ..ie4+ g6 47 g4 l:txa3 48 l:te6 l:txc3 49 'it>g2 b5 50 f3 b4 51 g5 l:th4 52 ..ixg6+ 'it>g7 53 'it>g3 l:td4 54 ..ie8 b3 55 g6 l:td8 0-1

DO UBLED PA WNS White overstepped the time-limit. In spite of their positive values, doubled pawns are more often than not a liability. There is a type of dou­ bled pawns which is a critical case of the species. I refer to doubled isolated pawns, such as those by which Geller's position was burdened. A couple of il­ lustrative games will help the reader to see clearly the reasons behind their weakness in various circumstances.

Rukavina - Karpov Inter zonal tournament, Leningrad 1973 English Opening

123

White continued 8 'ii'd 3 tbc6 9 ..ia3 , sticking to his initial idea. After 9 ...b6 10 ..id6 he even obtained an advan­ tage, stifling realistic counterchances, but the correct 9 . . . d5 10 e3 e5, with the idea of l 1 ... ..ie6, would have offered Black good play.

8...0-0 9 e3 b6 10 ..ie2 J.b7 11 0-0 l:tc8 It is already obvious that White has no compensation for his weaknesses on the c-file.

12 f3 l2Jc6 13 'ii'b3 'ii'e5 14 l2Jxc6 :xc6 15 ..id2 White is compelled to defend pas­ sively.

15...'ii'c7 16 'ii'a4 a5 17 l:tfbl ..ia6 1 c4 lLlf6 2 tLlc3 e6 3 l2Jf3 c5 4 d4 cxd4 5 l2Jxd4 ..ib4 6 tLlc2 ..ixc3+ 7 bxc3 (D)

We are hardly out of the opening and the doubled pawn is lost.

18 l:tb2 ..ixc4 19 ..ixc4 l:txc4 20 'ii'b 5 l:tc6 21 e4 d6 Black finds the simplest and most convincing way to realize his material advantage. The f6-knight travels via d7 and e5 to c4, its unassailable stronghold, from where it controls all the important squares around.

22 'ii'g 5 l2Jd7 23 'ii'e7 l2Je5 24 'ir'xc7 l:txc7 25 l:tb5 l2Jc4 26 ..icl l:tac8 27 l:tabl l:.c5 We can now use the famous for­ mula: further comment is not neces­ sary. White has accepted doubled iso­ lated pawns on the c-file, relying on the strength of his dark-squared bishop, which is ready to take its place on a3.

7...'ii'a5 8 l2Jb4? Inconsistent and unnatural. In the game Ivkov-Fischer, Vinkovci 1968,

28 'it>n 'it>f8 29 'it>e2 'it>e7 30 l:t5b3 'it>d7 31 a4 'it>c7 32 ..if4 'it>b7 33 ..ie3 l:t5c6 34 ..id4 f6 35 l:.dl l:td8 36 f4 d5 37 ..if2 l:tcd6 38 ..ic5 l:tc6 39 ..if2 l:tdd6 40 exd5 l:txd5 41 l:txd5 exd5 42 l:tb5 l:te6+ 43 'it>d3 'it>c6 44 g3 l:te7 45 l:tbl l:tb7 46 l:tb5 tbd6 47 l:tb2 b5 48 axb5+ l1xb5 0-1

124

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

It is true that this is one of the worst scenarios that can befall doubled iso­ lated pawns, but it is a reality they are often forced to endure. The very fact that due to their immobility they are especially endangered in the endgame is a relevant fact about doubled pawns of which one should never lose sight. The following game is an impressive warning.

cxd5 cxd5 17 c4 fixe5 18 ..if4 'iWc3 19 cxd5 fixf3 20 gxf3 tLlr6 21 ..ixc7 tt:\xd5 22 ..ig3 nrc8 ( D)

Boleslavsky - Smyslov USSR Team Ch 1948 Ruy Lopez

1 e4 e5 2 tt:\f3 tt:\c6 3 ..i b5 a6 4 ..ia4 d6 5 c4 ..ig4 6 tt:\c3 tt:\f6 7 h3 ..ixf3 8 W'xf3 ..ie7 9 tt:\e2 0-0 10 ..ixc6 bxc6 11 d4 (D)

After a practically forced series of moves we enter this simple endgame. White's pawn-structure is lastingly damaged, but with reduced material it does not seem relevant. However, it is indeed relevant!

23 nrdl l:tc5 24 l:Id2 h6 The most precise. 24 ... f6 opens the seventh rank, which is not wise when all the rooks are on the board. 24 . . . g6 is even less recommendable in view of the existence of the dark-squared bishop.

25 net nac8 26 ..id6?!

In the continuation characterized by 5 c4, which Duras popularized, White succeeds in carrying out d4, but at an unfortunate moment - when his king is still in the centre. Smyslov's reply will be energetic ...

ll ...d5! 12 dxe5 ..ib4+ 13 tt:\c3 tt:\xe4 14 0-0 ..ixc3 15 bxc3 fie7 16

White underrates the potential dan­ ger. It is preferable to keep both rooks; Black's chances increase when one pair of rooks is exchanged. 26 'lt>g2 was better.

26 ... l:Icl 27 nxcl nxcl+ 28 'lt>g2 tt:\b6 29 ..ig3 l:Ic6 30 'it-fl? While the exchange of one pair of rooks favoured Black, the exchange of all the rooks diminishes Black's active

DOUBLED PA WNS possibilities. In Smyslov' s opinion, 30 l:td6 was better. 30...f6 31 e2 f'l 32 d3 l:tc5 The rook moves to a5, where it stands actively in view of the backward a2-pawn and its free movement on the a-file.

33 l:tb2 l2Jd7 34 d4 l:ta5 35 l:tc2 e6 36 l:c6+ f5 37 l:tc7 l2Je5 38 l:tc5 If 3 8 l:txg7, then Black wins mate­ rial by 3 8 ... l2Jxf3+ 39 e3 l:ta3+ 40 e2 l2Jd4+, etc. With the text-move, in expectation of 38 ... l:ta4+, White has in mind 39 c3 l:ta3+ 40 b4 l:txf3 4 1 a4 with chances on the queenside. However, Black has other ideas . . . 38

•.•

125

40 ...fxe5+ 41 d3 l:txa2 42 l:tg4 g5 0-1 In the end it is the immobile dou­ bled isolated pawns which become the prey. Boleslavsky's loss is dishearten­ ing indeed ! The trouble with such a passive, isolated unit is connected with their in­ ability to transform into more favour­ able pawn-formations. Even when that happens, it is an inferior endgame in the best of cases.

Spassky - Petrosian World Ch match (game 23) Moscow 1966

,

French Defence

1 e4 e6 2 d4 d5 3 l2Jc3 l2Jf6 4 ..ig5 dxe4 5 l2Jxe4 ..ie7 6 ..ixf6 J.xf6 7 l2Jf3 ..id7?!

l:ta3! (DJ

Petrosian probably had in mind 8 ..id3 ..ic6 9 c3 .!i:Jd7 1 0 '&'e2 ..ie7 with satisfactory play. That, however, is not White's only option.

8 'itd2 ..ic6 9 l2Jxf6+ 'itxf6 9 . . . gxf6 10 'ir°f4 is also advanta­ geous to White, but recapturing with the pawn would deny White the e5square, which the white knight occu­ pies at once.

10 l2Je5 0-0 11 0-0-0 A cunning reply. By threatening mate, Black forces his opponent into a difficult rook ending.

39 ..ixe5 l:ta4+ 40 :c4

·

40 e3 offers better resistance, al­ though after 40. . . fxe5 4 1 l:tc2 l:ta3+ 42 e2 a5 43 l:td2 g6 44 l:tc2 h5 45 l:tb2 l:tc3, the threat . . . f4 wins a pawn.

Long castling keeps active options on the kingside.

11. .. l2Jd7

In case of 1 1 . .. l:td8, with the idea of 1 2. . . ..ic8 and ... l2Jc6, White reacts by 1 2 h4.

1 2 l2Jxc6 bxc6 Black allowed the damage to his pawn-structure in view of White's

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PL4.Y IN CHESS

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inability to prevent . . . c5, getting rid of the doubled c-pawn. He must have taken into consideration as well that the open b-file can be used for coun­ ter-pressure on the b2-pawn.

13 h4! The quickest way to activate the king's rook. On the third rank it can be used against Black's pawn weaknesses.

13 ... l:tabS 14 l:th3 c5 Saddled by the doubled pawn, one naturally tries to get rid of it. Unfortu­ nately for Black, although the text­ move seems to be a perfect way to do so, he will have to pay high price in the process.

15 'ifg5! (D)

pawns. To make things worse, White's rooks are more active and his long­ range bishop is superior to the black knight.

17 l:tb7 •••

Petrosian thought later that 17 . . . c5 was more tenacious. It may be so, but it would not change the essential char­ acteristics of the position .

18 l:tb3 With his superior pawn-structure, it is useful for White to exchange a pair of rooks. Black would do best to reply 1 8 . . . l:tb6, avoiding it.

18 ... l:txb3 19 axb3 l:ta8 20 l:tc4 l2Je8 21 l:ta4 In view of the plan of 22 g 3 and 2 3 .tg2, the a7-pawn cannot be defended.

21. l2Jd6 22 g3 'it>f8 23 ..ig2 l:tc8 24 l:txa7 'it>e7 25 'it>d2 h6 26 c4 g5 27 hxg5 hxg5 28 'it>c3 'it>d7 29 b4 :rbs 30 b5 l:th2 31 ..ic6+ 'it>d8 1-0 ••

Not waiting for the obvious 32 c5. The doubled pawns left behind a hopeless endgame. The trouble is that the doubled pawn is not the only weak­ ness in the position. The pawns around them are debilitated at the same time and represent a lasting weakness.

Petrosian - W. Schmidt An extraordinary move.

15 cxd4 •••

Since 15 . . .'Wxf2?? loses to 16 l:tf3, Black must accept the exchange of queens and together with it a difficult endgame.

16 1Wxf6 l2Jxf6 17 l:txd4 Doubled pawns are no longer a con­ cern for Black, but the consequences remain in the form of two isolated

Olympiad, Skopje 1972 English Opening

1 c4 l2Jf6 2 l2Jc3 d5 3 cxd5 l2Jxd5 4 g3 g6 5 ..ig2 l2Jb6 6 d3 ..ig7 7 J.e3 l2Jc6?! (D) As a witty grandmaster noted, mis­ takes are waiting in ambush to be committed and when playing chess we can commit them as early as this.

DO UBLED PAWNS

8 ..ixc6+!? bxc6 9 'Sikel White's fianchettoed light-squared bishop is a strong piece on the impor­ tant diagonal and many players would hesitate to exchange it for a piece of lesser importance. Pctrosian, however, knows that bishops are strong among other reasons exactly because they can often be exchanged favourably. Hav­ ing broken Black's pawn-structure, White prepares to meet 9 . .0-0 with 1 0 ..ih6, denying Black the bishop-pair. .

127

general weakness on the c-file. Note also that the central pawn-formation favours knight plus bishop versus Black's two bishops.

16 ...l:tbS?! Commentators proposed as stron­ ger 1 6 . . .h5 17 'it>f2 e5 . The text-move docs little to generate compensation for the inferior pawn-structure and pas­ sive bishops.

17 'it>f2 h5 18 ..if4 es 19 dxe5 ..ixe5 20 'llke3 f6 21 'llkxa7 ( D)

9 ... h6 This move has been criticized. The h6-pawn is under attack, but on the other hand 9 .. h5 allows a later tt:'ig5, which does not suit Black, who is planning . . . ..ih3. .

10 tt:'if3 ..ih3 11 l:tgl ..ig4 Chasing the knight to a better place.

12 tt:'id2 tt:'id5 13 tt:'ixd5 cxd5 14 tt:'ib3 'i!kd6 15 f3 ..id7 16 d4 (D) Black has been successful in getting rid of the doubled c6-pawri through exchanges (just like Petrosian was against Spassky), but is soon obliged to enter an inferior endgame charac­ terized by the backward c7-pawn and

The typical process is at the end: the weakness of the doubled pawns

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PLAY IN CHESS

128

has been transformed into a lastingly damaged queenside pawn-formation. Now White's positional advantage be­ comes a material advantage. 21. 0-0 22 l:tacl l:tfe8 23 .ixeS 'i!t'xeS 24 l:tgel l:ta8 25 'i!t'xc7 'i!t'e3+ 26 'it>g2 l:ta7 27 'i1r°d6 h4 28 gxh4 .ie6 29 l:tc3 'ilfh6 30 a3 l:td7 31 'i!t'g3 d4 32 l:td3 .ixb3 33 .l:txb3 'i!t'd2 34 'it>n 'it>h7 35 l:tb8 l:tes 36 'i!t'g4 rs 37 'i!t'gs l:te3 38 'i!t'f6 1-0 What is fundamentally wrong, says an old Latin proverb, by passage of time cannot be rectified. When weak doubled pawns are transformed into some other formation, their weakness stays with it. ••

Some Genera l Observations As our survey demonstrates, doubled pawns are of two natures, sharing that intriguing, relative quality with other types of pawns we have studied. De­ pending on the circumstances, they are either useful stones on which the pawn rampart is built or, when irrevocably damaged, a sick part of its tissue. As mentioned earlier, c3, c6, f3 and f6 are the most common places for the birth of doubled pawns for the obvious reason that in numerous opening vari­ ations bishops are exchanged for knights on these squares. Respecting the principle of recapturing towards the centre, on such occasions the b­ and g-files are opened for counterplay, while the doubled pawns become part of the central pawn-mass, doing their duty in covering the all-important squares in the centre.

We have seen that in their initial po­ sition doubled pawns cannot in gen­ eral be successfully attacked and that they fulfil their duties in cooperation with the other pawns to which they are attached. In certain situations, cau­ tiously and after thorough preparation, they can even play an active part in the overall plans. However, we have also learnt that when moving forward they weaken squares around them and themselves become more exposed to pressure. We have to keep in mind that only on rare occasions can doubled pawns be trans­ formed into more positive formations and that it is even rarer for them to pro­ duce a passed pawn. Therefore, gener­ ally speaking, the further they advance, the more sensitive their situation gets. When a doubled pawn reaches its fourth rank, its destiny already be­ comes very uncertain, simply because the pawns are so easily attacked . On such occasions they tie other pieces to their defence, often leading to a gen­ eral passivity and a lack of activity. The most critical type of doubled pawns arises when the pair is isolated from other pawns, losing all flexibility and hope of improvement. Then they are weak indeed ! As a rule, the possi­ bilities of defence of doubled isolated pawns get reduced in parallel with the reduction of material on the board, of­ ten culminating in the simplest end­ games. The characteristics we have traced suggest how to deal with doubled pawns. Quite often good results are achieved by provoking their advance,

DOUBLED PA WNS

which is in harmony with their dy­ namic weakness. In majority of cases, however, success is achieved by means of blockade. Sometimes it is a precon­ dition for early middlegame pressure, but more often for a long-term, slow process of reducing the means of de­ fence. When possessing doubled pawns, unless we are talking of some unusual

129

circumstances, one should stick to two golden rules: a) Do not advance doubled pawns thoughtlessly, without a specific rea­ son and a good plan; b) Take care not to isolate doubled pawns from the pawn-mass. For their strength is of a static nature, coming to the fore in the compact pawn­ structures of which they make part.

5 Backward Pawns

Backward pawns are either isolated pawns or the last pawns in a chain of pawns. We generally find them on their second rank or just a square for­ ward on their third rank. It is their po­ sition on the board which tells against them and their very name implies a positional weakness.

part of the board, causing passivity and lack of counterplay. In general, that is the negative image of backward pawns we come across so often, but we shall learn that backward pawns in harmony with minor pieces can play a useful, positive role. It is our aim to see its face and the reverse. In order to understand and distinguish between their drawbacks and their qualities we shall consider examples from the rich master experience.

Karpov - Andersson Madrid l973 Bogo-Indian Defence

1 d4 l2Jf6 2 c4 e6 3 l2Jf3 b6 4 g3 Ji. b4+ 5 l2Jbd2 ..ii.b7 6 ..il..g2 0-0 7 0-0 c5?! 8 a3 ..ii.xd2 9 ..il..xd2 cxd4 10 ..il..b4 l:te8 1 1 ..ii.d6 (D) Our diagram represents a typical case of a backward pawn. Placed at d6, it is under pressure. It cannot ad­ vance and it cannot be sacrificed for some counterplay. Therefore it must be defended. The defence ties Black's forces in the passive effort to keep the material balance. An additional short­ coming is the weak d5-square, White's strong square, a regular occurrence with backward pawns. So all the black forces are tied in defence on a narrow

BACKWARD PA WNS

131

Black's opening is not an example of good play. B y ceding the bishop­ pair and capturing on d4 he made pos­ sible the manoeuvre il.b4-d6. The dark-squared bishop blocks the d7pawn in its initial position, preventing Black from freeing his game. The d7pawn will remain backward as long as the blockade on d6 exists.

11 ...lt:le4? ! 12 'it'xd4 lt:la6 13 b4 l:tc8 14 l:tacl lt:lxd6 15 'it'xd6 In entering this continuation, Black probably relied on the possibility of removing the bishop from d6, but a new blockader has taken the bishop's place at d6. It is true that the queen in most cases is too valuable to be used as a blockader, but combined with the subsequent l:tfdl its role on the d-file is natural.

15... lt:lc7 Black could continue 15 ... 'it'c7, but then his knight would remain out of play. The d7-pawn is threatened and Andersson, an excellent master of de­ fence, conjures up a hidden defence: the knight moves to e8 in order to chase the queen and get some breath­ ing space. The trouble with backward pawns is often not just their own weakness, but the lack of room to ma­ noeuvre that is a consequence of their position on the board.

16 l:tfdl l:te7 17 °it'd3 il.xf3 l 7 . . . d5 does not work because of 1 8 e4, while 1 8 lt:lg5 hangs in the air. Black is forced to enter an endgame in which White's bishop will be superior to Black's passive knight.

18 il.xf3 lt:le8 19 il.b7 l:tc7 20 il.a6! (D}

Not many players would find this deep manoeuvre. If Black had been counting on playing . . . d6, then he now had to think again, as il.b5 would win the backward pawn. He will be forced to live in a very restricted space.

20...l:tc6 21 °it'b3 'iWb8 22 'C!Va4 l:tc7 The threat was 23 il.xd7. 23 °it'b5 lt:lf6 24 f3 d5

Black finally manages to advance his backward pawn, but only to face other serious problems. The ma­ noeuvre il.b7-a6, coupled with a deep strategic decision to transfer the queen to b5, will produce a pawn-majority on the queenside . . .

25 c5 h5 26 a 4 l:te8 27 cxb6 axb6 28 a5 The queenside pawn-maj ority is now transformed into a passed pawn, which proves to be White 's decisive weapon. 28.. ltxcl 29 l:txcl 'it'eS Since 29 . . . bxa5 30 'it'xb8 l:txb8 3 1 bxa5 l:ta8 3 2 l:tc8+ and other types of endgame are lost as well, Black tries to improvise counterplay on the king­ side, which is futile and soon fails ...

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PL4.Y IN CHESS

132

30 'C!Vxb6 d4 31 'iti>hl 'C!Ve3 32 nn e5 33 ..id3 h4 34 gxh4 'C!Vf4 35 l:tgl 'a'xh4 36 a6 g6 37 a7 'iti>g7 38 ..ixg6 1-0 38 ... fxg6 39 a8'a' leaves no hope. The entire course of the game was influenced by the backward pawn at d7, and its blockade. The consequences for Black were a lack of manoeuvring space and general passivity.

Karpov - Svidler Dos Hermanas 1999 Gri.infeld Defence

1 d4 ll:if6 2 c4 g6 3 ltJc3 d5 4 liJf3 ..ig7 5 'C!Vb3 dxc4 6 'C!Vxc4 0-0 7 e4 a6 8 e5 b5 9 'C!Vb3 liJfd7 10 e6 fxe6 1 1 ..ie3! White has damaged his opponent's pawn-structure, but with no intention of trying to make use of it at once by 1 1 'a'xe6+ or 1 1 ltJg5, continuations which had failed in earlier games to produce positive results in the face of Black's strong counterplay.

11. liJf6

The alternative was 1 3 . . . liJdS, intend­ ing to meet 14 ..ic4 by 14 ... c6, pinning his hopes to his firm albeit passive po­ sition. However, that move does little to develop the queenside and also ex­ poses Black's kingside to attack by h4-h5.

14 ..ic4 l:tb8 15 ..ixe6+ 'iti>h8 16 'C!Vc4 ..ixe6 17 'C!Vxe6 'C!Vd6 This is how Black hoped to settle the issue: after 1 8 'C!Vxd6 the weak a6pawn would be balanced by the weak b2-pawn.

18 ltJg5 l:txb2 19 0-0

.•

Earlier, in Wijk aan Zee 1 999, Svid­ ler defended this same position against Kasparov and continued l I . . liJb6, when 12 h4 ltJc6 13 h5 led to an attack for White. .

12 a4 bxa4 13 l:txa4 (D} 13 ...ltJc6 Svidler has accepted the pawn sac­ rifice, but at the cost of a lastingly dam­ aged pawn-formation: broken pawn­ islands containing several backward pawns. In order to compensate for the weaknesses, he hopes to use the b-file and to generate counter-pressure on it.

Black was not afraid of 19 liJf7+, when he had a strong reply in 19 ...l:txf7 20 'it'xf7 e5. With the text-move, White finishes his development and renews the threat l:txa6, which forces further events.

19 ltJd8 20 'C!Vh3 °it'd7 ••.

Threatened by 21 ltJce4, Black en­ ters an endgame in which material bal­ ance is maintained, but Black remains burdened by two backward pawns on c7 and e7.

21 'it'xd7 ltJxd7 22 l:txa6 liJb6 23 h4 l:tc2

BACKWARD PA WNS On 23 ...ltJc4 there is 24 ltJd5. 24 ltJce4 h6 25 ttJf3 ltJc6 26 J:taal ! (D)

133

30 l:td6 31 ltJb7 l:tf6 3 1 . .. l:td7 obviously loses to 32 ltJe5, and 3 1 . .. l:te6 32 liJd8 l:te4 33 l:tc6 'it>h7 34 ltJe6 is hopeless. 32 ttJes 'it>h7 33 g3 :rs 34 ltJcS :as 35 l:tc2 White is in no hurry, as the pawn weaknesses are lasting ; Black cannot get rid of them. So White can afford a tempo to cover his second rank against the intended 35 ... l:ta2. 35 J:tdS 36 'it>g2 .ixe5 When a player resorts to such ex­ changes, then his position must be desperate indeed. Of course, the ques­ tion is what else there is to do. 37 dxe5 tlJd7 38 ltJxd7 l:txd7 39 l:tc6 tiJb6 40 .icl l:td5 41 l:te6 ltJc8 Or 4 1 . . . l:td7 42 h5. 42 h5 gxh5 43 l:txh6+ 'it>g7 44 l:txh5 c5 45 'it>f3 c4 46 ..te3 e6 47 l:h4 ltJe7 48 l:txc4 ltJg6 49 .id4 1-0 The backward pawns on the sev­ enth rank proved very sensitive, espe­ cially when exposed to the perfect technique of a great positional player like Karpov. The lack of space made an organized defence difficult. .•.

.••

Simple and strong. White plans to exchange a pair of rooks, when he will be able to press more strongly against the backward c7-pawn, the more ex­ posed of the two passive black pawns. 26 ... ltJb4 27 ru'cl J:txcl + 28 J:txcl ltJ4d5 29 ltJcS l:tf6 The difficulties Black has been experiencing in the game are the con­ sequence of two b ackward pawns 'adorning' his pawn-structure. The c7-pawn and the e7-pawn are in need of constant defence. Besides, do not fail to notice that the squares in front of them, c6 and e6, are weak and can be exploited by white pieces, which is quite a common case with backward pawns. 30 .id2 The pressure on d4 is feeble and does not require the bishop to remain on e3 . White will now be able to in­ crease the pressure on the e-file by l:tel at any moment.

Euwe

-

Capablanca

Amsterdam AVRO 1938 Queen 's Indian Defence 1 d4 tiJf6 2 c4 e6 3 ttJf3 b6 4 g3 .ib7 5 .ig2 .ie7 6 0-0 0-0 7 ttJc3 d5 8 ttJes ttJe4?! On 8 ... tiJbd7 the c6-square remains weakened after 9 cxd5 exd5 I 0 'ilia4, which causes unpleasant difficulties to Black. 8 . . . c6 9 e4 is rather passive and since the text-move also fails, it seems

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PL4.Y IN CHESS

134

that the patient 8 ... 'i!Vc8 was the best choice. 9 cxd5 exd5 10 l2Jxe4 dxe4 11 'it'c2! (D)

An excellent continuation. Exclud­ ing l l. . f6 b y 1 2 i. xe4 and l l . . 'ii'xd4 by 1 2 'i!Vxc7, the queen makes it diffi­ cult for Black to develop his queenside in a normal manner, while targeting the backward c7-pawn. 11...f5 12 i.e3 l2Ja6 In view of the pressure on the c-file, Black's development has become ques­ tionable, and he must resort to unnatu­ ral solutions. On a6, the knight defends the c7-pawn, but the c6- square is now available to White's knight. 13 J:tacl 'ii'd5 14 l2Jc6 By provoking exchanges, White ac­ centuates the weakness of the back­ ward pawn and the c6-square in front of it; this is a typical phenomenon for pawn weaknesses in general. 14 ... 1'.xc6 15 'i!Vxc6 'i!Vxc6 16 .l:txc6 .l:tf6 17 .l:tfcl .l:txc6 18 .l:txc6 1'.d6 19 a3 By placing the b4-square under control, White keeps the a6-knight out .

.

of play. In defence of backward pawns, pieces are often forced into unnatural positions, when coordination between them is disrupted. 19 ... J:te8 20 .tr4 The exchange of the dark-squared bishops will remove the key defender of the c7-pawn. At first glance it seems questionable because the bishop is shut in on g2, but it is easy to foresee its liberation. 20...1'.xf4?! On 20... .l:td8 White intended 2 1 e3 followed b y 22 f3. Stronger resistance was offered by 20 .. .lD b8 2 1 .l:tc3 i. xf4 22 gxf4 c6 although again 23 e3 and 24 f3 keeps an advantage. 21 gxf4 'i;f7 22 e3 .l:te6 23 .l:tc4 The trouble with backward pawns lies in their immobil ity. Now 23 ... c5 would lose to 24 .l:ta4 b5 25 .l:ta5 cxd4 26 exd4, when the threat 27 i.fl is fa­ tal. So, threatened by 24 .l:ta4, Black must weaken his pawn-formation further. . . 23 ...b5 24 .l:tc3 c6 25 f3 g6 25 . . . exf3 26 i. xf3 l2Jb8 loses to 27 d5. 26 fxe4 fxe4 27 a4! This is lethal. 27 ...bxa4 27 . . . b4 28 .l:tb3 opens the way for 29 1'.fl , while 27 ... l2Jc7 28 axb5 l2Jxb5 29 .l:tc5 threatens 30 i. h3, whereupon Black's position, with several pawn­ islands and weak pawns, cannot be held. 28 .l:tc4 'i;f6 29 .l:txa4 c5 30 1'.fl The move has been hanging in the air for some time. The advantage accu­ mulated by the constant, concentrated

BACKWARD PA WNS pressure on the backward pawn has been transformed into a superior end­ game of bishop versus knight, which soon yields a material advantage and victory. 30...cxd4 31 Itxa6 dxe3 32 Itxe6+ �xe6 33 .i.h3+ �d5 34 �n �c4 35 �e2 �b3 36 .i.e6+ �xb2 37 .i.g8 a5 38 .ixh7 a4 39 .i.xg6 1-0 Analysing this game we find it was shaped by the same positional charac­ teristics which we saw in the two vic­ tories by Karpov: a backward pawn on its second rank, a weak square in front of it, lasting pressure on the file, and an inferior endgame as the result. We could feel that pawns on their second rank are in an exceptionally difficult situation because no coordinated de­ fensive effort is possible due to the shortage of space . A pair of backward pawns, on their second and third ranks, is susceptible to the same worries.

Tai

-

Kupreichik

Sochi 1970 Sicilian Defence

1 e4 c5 2 ll:if3 g6 3 d4 cxd4 4 ll:ixd4 .i.g7 5 c4 ll:ic6 6 .i.e3 ll:ib6?! 7 .i.e2 d6 8 ll:ic3 0-0 9 0-0 f5? ! The Maroczy Bind i s characterized by White's powerful centre. Since his superiority in that sector thwarts any serious counterplay, Black prepares and carries out side-blows. 10 exf5 ll:ixd4 11 .i.xd4 .i.xd4 12 'i'xd4 ll:ixf5 13 'ii'd2 (D) Black has succeeded in simplifying the position through a series of ex­ changes but White has kept his spatial

135

advantage. The d5-square is an impor­ tant square which can be used by mi­ nor pieces, while the central files will be used to exert powerful pressure on the pair of pawns on d6 and e7. The pair is linked in its passive inability to advance. If the e7-pawn advances, then the d6-pawn becomes backward. Besides, there are the usual weak squares in front of them - d5 and e6. These factors all aggravate Black's defence. 13 ....i.d7 14 .i.f3 .i.c6 15 .i.d5+! The strong squares are there to be used at will. 15 ...�g7 After 1 5 ....i.xdS 1 6 cxd5, Black's poor e7-pawn remains tragically de­ bilitated. 16 Itfel e5 The d6-pawn is now potentially weak, argues Black, but a subsequent ... ll:id4 will cover it sufficiently. How­ ever, with such shaky pawns one should always consider tactical blows. 17 c5! dxc5 18 Itxe5 Ite8 19 Itael 'i'd6 20 Ite6 Itxe6 21 Itxe6 'ii'd7 22 'ilkf4

136

UNDERSTANDING PA WN PL4.Y IN CHESS

It is as simple as that, in spite of

White 's weak back rank. The unpro­ tected black king makes it possible. 22... i.xd5 23 'ii'e5+ rj;f7 If 23 ... rj;h6 then 24 tt:Jxd5 nd8 25 lt:Je3. 24 nf6+ rj;gS 25 lt:Jxd5 'ii'a4 25 ... nd8 and 25 ... ne8 both lose to 26 nxg6+! hxg6 27 t2Jf6+, etc. 26 h3 nds? 21 nxrs 1-0

to seize the initiative. Here White is threatening 1 8 iLf3 and the intended 1 7 ...tt:Jd4 would fail to 1 8 iLxd4 exd4 19 nxd4. 11 f4 i.d7 1 1 . .. 'i'b6 had also been tried, but then 1 2 lt:Jxf5 'ii'xb2 1 3 lt:Jxh6+ i.xh6 14 lt:Jd5 is advantageous to White. Larsen, therefore, decides to avoid ex­ changes. 12 'i'd2 lt:Jg4 ( D)

Szabo - Larsen Vinkovci 1 970 Sicilian Defence

1 lt:Jf3 c5 2 c4 tt:Jc6 3 d4 cxd4 4 lbxd4 g6 5 e4 f;_g7 6 i.e3 d6 7 tt:Jc3 t2Jb6?! Black intends ... f5. He can try this idea in various different sequences, but it has regularly failed to provide Black with satisfactory results. Either the temporary tactical complications pass, leaving behind a prospectless pawn-structure, or the pawn-formation proves vulnerable to tactics. One idea is for Black to play, on his previous move, 6 ... tt:Jh6 7 lt:Jc3 0-0 8 i.e2 f5 9 exf5, and then to continue 9 ...i.xd4 1 0 i.xh6 nxf5 1 1 0-0 'iiib 6, but this ne­ glects his development. After 12 lt:Jd5 i.xf2+ 13