Chess Analytics: Training with a Grandmaster

Chess Analytics

Training with a Grandmaster

by

Efstratios Grivas

Foreword by Robert Zysk

2012

Russell Enterprises, Inc.

Milford, CT USA

Chess Analytics

Training with a Grandmaster

by Efstratios Grivas

© Copyright 2012 Efstratios Grivas

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be used, reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any manner or form whatsoever or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

ISBN: 978-1-936490-41-7

Published by:

Russell Enterprises, Inc.

PO Box 3131

Milford, CT 06460 USA

http://www.russell-enterprises.com

info@russell-enterprises.com

Cover design by Nicolas Sphicas with Janel Lowrance

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Foreword by Robert Zysk

The Middlegame

Pinning

Shattered Kingside Pawns

The Weak d5-square

The Important f5-square

Rook on the Run

Sacrifices for the Initiative

The Central Strike

Mate on the Back Rank

Dancing Knights

Doubled f-pawns

Queen Sac around the King

A King’s Golden Cage

The Useless Isolani

Driving Forces

Emptying the Queenside

False Guards

The Double Exchange Sacrifice

Losing a Queen

Twins

The f4 Break

Planning

Recipes from the Grandmaster’s Kitchen

Opening Diagonals

Small Advantages

The Endgame

Keep Your Rooks Active!

A Trapped Rook

Losing a Drawn Rook Ending

Technical Rook Endings

The Isolani in the Endgame

Knight and Three Pawns vs. Rook

Rook vs. the Bishop Pair

The Bishop Pair vs. the Exchange

Pawns on the Seventh Rank

A King’s March

Pawn Endings

Rook and Knight

Rook and Rook-pawn vs. Bishop & Rook-pawn

The Square

Queen vs. Rook

Miscellaneous

Critical Games

Strength of a Novelty

The a7 Forepost

David Bronstein (1924-2006)

Facing a Good Friend

FIDE World Cup 2007

Player Index

Opening Index

Bibliography

About the Author

Foreword

Why do we read a chess book? There are mainly two reasons: we seek entertainment and we want to improve our play.

While certainly entertaining, this book is clearly dedicated to the ambitious player who has reached a certain level and wants to improve even further.

You want to advance from a medium player to a stronger player, from a strong player to a master? Well, you have made an excellent choice.

Based on the analysis of high level games you will be presented with and have explained (this is something that your chess engine won’t do for you!) important middlegame and endgame patterns, winning strategic plans, and typical mistakes. Several personal remarks about the author’s and his students’ tournament practice add another dimension, as you get an idea about the emotions involved in a tournament game.

There is a broad range of the subjects which are covered. You will find well-known subjects like back rank mate combinations, chapters about isolated pawns, strong squares, etc., as well as less commonly presented patterns, such as the chapters False Guards or The King’s Golden Cage. The guiding principle of these themes is their practical value. This is particularly true in the endgame section where the author deals with structures which occur relatively often but are rarely presented in chess literature.

The structure of each chapter is clear and methodical. The concept is explained in a few lines and illustrated in carefully selected, annotated master games. A conclusion with practical hints rounds off each section.

Working through the book will increase your general understanding of chess. Thus your progress will be permanent and sustainable. Unlike opening theory which is subject to rather dramatic changes in a relatively short period, the principal rules of chess strategy have remained the same over time.

Personally, I particularly enjoyed the chapters about Dancing Knights and Decisive Games and the entire section about endings. Yes, sometimes you will need to go through a lot of analysis in this section but there is a good chance that this work will bring you the desired extra half-point in your tournament games.

Some remarks about your author. I have known and have been good friends with Efstratios (Stratos) Grivas now for 30 years. He is a grandmaster and by definition an excellent player. But more importantly for you he is one of the world’s leading chess trainers, one of those who can help you to become a grandmaster. (Well, I do admit that achieving that goal takes more than reading one book. It takes talent, time and tournament practice and... some luck!)

Having been brought up as a chessplayer by leading trainers of the Eastern European Chess School, he has devoted almost two decades of his life to chess training. Consequently he is now an executive member of the FIDE trainer’s commission. This position compels him to travel a lot, giving classes to future FIDE Trainers.

Bottom line: you are in the safe hands of a real expert who is dedicated to chess training. That’s the good news.

Now the bad news: buying Stratos’ book and even reading it is not enough. You have to work with it, you have to play through the games, follow the analyses and understand the concepts presented to reap the real benefits. This means that you will have to spend time and effort. And, of course, you will need to play some tournaments to put into practice what you learned.

On the other hand, if you make that effort, you are almost sure to improve your success at chess substantially. And that’s what you really want, right?

I sincerely wish to all of you that you will experience this effect!

International Master Robert Zysk

Germany

March 2012

The Middlegame

Pinning

Concept

The concept of pinning is a very simple one, as its definition is rather basic: the piece that is pinned cannot move either because it allows the opponent to win material or because it is simply forbidden to do so!

Pinning a piece is an everyday action during a chess game, but the question remains: how can we really benefit from a pin? Well, there are many ways but the most often met are:

(1) Instantly winning material;

(2) Long-term win of material;

(3) Disrupting the opponent’s camp; and

(4) Help an attack or a defense.

Here we are going to see some examples that mostly deal with the second concept. We shall start with the long-term pinned rook concept and the way to benefit from it. The first game is a clear case of our theme:

(1) Sulava – Kryvoruchko

Calvi 2007

Queen’s Gambit Declined [D41]

1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.g3 d5 5.d4 e6 6.c×d5 N×d5 7.Bg2 Be7 8.0-0 0-0 9.N×d5 e×d5 10.d×c5 B×c5 11.Bg5 f6 12.Bd2 Be6 13.e3 d4 14.e×d4 N×d4 15.Be3 N×f3+ 16.Q×f3 B×e3 17.Q×e3 Qd7 18.Rfd1 Qf7 19.B×b7 Rab8 20.Bf3 R×b2 21.Rd6 Rb6 (D)

Black seemed to have everything under control, but he had missed a detail:

22.Q×e6! Q×e6 23.R×e6 R×e6 24.Bd5 Rfe8

Or 24...Kf7 25.Re1 Rfe8.

25.Re1 Kf7 (D)

Of course Black had counted on that position, based on his ...f5 and ...Kf6 plan.

26.f4! f5

Or 26...g6 27.g4 f5 28.g5+−.

27.g4! g6

27...Kf6 28.g5+

28.g5

And now Black can never unpin his rook without losing a great deal of material.

28...h5 29.Re5! (D)

Preparing the white king’s journey on the queenside.

29...R8e7 30.Kf2 Re8 31.a4 R8e7 32.Ke3 Re8 33.Kd4 R8e7 34.Kc5 Rc7+ 35.Kb5 Rce7 36.B×e6+ R×e6 37.R×e6 K×e6 38.Ka6 Kd6 39.K×a7 Kc7 40.h4 Kc6 41.Kb8 1-0

Black resigned as he will get the white a-pawn but in the meantime his opponent’s king will penetrate on the kingside collecting the black pawns. Good chess games are divided in two main parts: the excellent and those which could be excellent if the most beautiful variations were actually played!

(2) Dautov – Krasenkow

Essen 2002

Dutch Defense [A84]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c6 4.e3 f5 5.g4 f×g4 6.Q×g4 Nf6 7.Qg2 c5 8.Nf3 Nc6 9.Bd2 Bd7 10.0-0-0 Qe7 11.Ne5 c×d4 12.e×d4 0-0-0 13.Bf4 Qe8 14.c×d5 e×d5 15.N×c6 B×c6 16.Qg3 b5 17.Be5 Kb7 18.Qd3 Ne4 19.N×e4 d×e4 20.Qb3 a6 (D)

21.Bc4?

The game continuation has nothing to do with our theme, which is well-hidden somewhere in the analysis. So, White should continue with 21.Kb1! Bd5 (21...e3 22.d5±) 22.Qe3 Bd6?! (perhaps 22...Qf7! 23.Bg2! B×a2+ 24.Ka1 Bd5 25.B×e4 B×e4 26.Q×e4+ Qd5 27.f3± is a better try for Black) 23.Bg2! B×e5 24.d×e5 Q×e5 (D)

Now it looks like Black is in no danger, but... 25.R×d5! R×d5 26.Q×e4 Q×e4+ 27.B×e4 Rhd8 28.Rd1 Kc6 29.b4 (D)

Black can only move his rook along the d-file, as he cannot break this nasty pin without losing material. White will bring his king to the kingside and advance his f- and h-pawns. At an appropriate moment the general exchange on d5 will liquidate into a winning pawn ending: 29...R8d7 30.Rd4 Rd8 31.Kc2 R8d7 32.Kd2 Rd8 33.Ke3 R8d7 34.f4 g6 35.h4 Rd8 36.h5 R8d7 37.a3 Rd8 38.Kf3 R8d7 39.Kg4 Rd8 40.R×d5 R×d5 41.B×d5+ K×d5 42.f5! and White wins the pawn ending.

21...e3! 22.Bf7?

Also bad is 22.d5? Bd7 23.Bc3 e×f2-+ but White could go on with 22.Rhe1! Bf3 (22...e×f2 23.Re2 Rc8 24.Kb1=) 23.R×e3 B×d1 24.K×d1∞/ =.

22...Be4!!

22...Qe7? 23.f×e3 B×h1 24.R×h1∞/=

23.Rd3

23.B×e8 Rc8+ 24.Qc3 R×c3+ 25.b×c3 Ba3#

23...Qe7 24.Rc3 B×h1 25.Rc7+ Q×c7+ 26.B×c7 e×f2 0-1

When you miss such a good chance you shouldn’t complain about your luck! In general pinned pieces are not usually rooks. Here the pinned piece is a bishop, but the main concept (exchange and penetrate with the king) remains the same:

(3) Polugaevsky – Kortschnoi

Evian 1977

Queen’s Indian Defense [E19]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Bb7 5.Bg2 Be7 6.0-0 0-0 7.Nc3 Ne4 8.Qc2 N×c3 9.Q×c3 f5 10.b3 Bf6 11.Bb2 Nc6 12.Rad1 Ne7 13.Ne1 B×g2 14.N×g2 g5 15.Qc2 Ng6 16.e4 f4 17.e5 Bg7 18.Qe4 Qe7 19.Rd3 Rad8 20.Re1 d5 21.e×d6 Q×d6 22.Red1 Qe7 23.Ne1 Qf6 24.R1d2 (D)

24...Qf5!

Black’s strategy is impressive and would make Nimzowitsch really proud in terms of minorities, majorities and blockading!

25.Q×f5 e×f5!

That’s the trick – Black’s kingside majority will prove more dangerous than White’s.

26.Ng2 g4 27.N×f4 N×f4 28.g×f4 Bh6 29.Re2 B×f4 30.Re6 Rfe8 31.Rf6 Re1+ 32.Kg2 Rf8!

Active pieces have to be exchanged!

33.R×f8+ K×f8 34.d5?!

This kills White’s pawns – the a2-b3-c4-d5 chain cannot move any farther.

34...Bd6 35.Bc3 Rc1 36.Bd2 Rc2 37.a4 f4

But the black pawns can – White is in trouble.

38.h3 f3+ 39.Kf1 h5 40.h×g4 h×g4 (D)

Time-trouble was over as the first time-control was reached. Here the game was adjourned and White sealed his move.

41.Ke1

It was still the era when adjournments were on the daily plate of every chessplayer along with the usual horror night of lengthy analysis was to follow. Nowadays, as a result of very strong analytical engines, adjournments are no longer useful since there is no need for human brain-work!

Returning to the game, when the extensive human analysis was quite convincing, Polugaevsky, seeing that he was easily lost after 41...Bc5 (zugzwang!) 42.b4 Bd6, resigned. But our theme could be seen better after the alternative 41.Rd4 Rb2 42.Be1 R×b3 43.R×g4 when Black can pin the white bishop with 43...Rb1 44.Re4 Bb4 45.Re6 (D)

...and then proceed with the king as usual, 45...Kf7 46.Re3 Kg6 47.Re6+ Kf5 48.Re3, liquating to a won pawn ending: 48...R×e1+ 49.R×e1 B×e1 50.K×e1 Ke4 0-1

Instances of various reciprocal pins are rare, but, here is a good example:

(4) Kritz – Kozul

Istanbul 2003

Sicilian Defense [B67]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 c×d4 4.N×d4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 9.f3 Rc8 10.N×c6 B×c6 11.Kb1 Be7 12.h4 0-0 13.Ne2 d5 14.e5 Nd7 15.f4 Nc5 16.Nd4 Re8 17.Bd3 Qb6 18.f5 N×d3 19.Q×d3 e×f5 20.B×e7 R×e7 21.N×f5 R×e5 22.Nh6+ Kf8 23.Q×h7 Bd7 24.Qg8+ Ke7 25.Q×f7+ Kd6 26.Qg6+ Kc7 27.Q×g7 Qe6 (D)

The hunt of the black king has resulted in a serious material advantage for White. But there are still some details to be taken care of.

28.Ng4! Re2 29.Nf6 Qf5 30.Rc1

30.Q×d7+? Q×d7 31.N×d7 K×d7 32.R×d5+ Ke6 33.Rd4 Rc×c2 34.Re4+ R×e4 35.K×c2 Re2+ 36.Kc3 R×g2 37.h5 Kf7 is not so convincing. 30.Ka1! is equally strong: 30...R×c2 31.N×d5+ Kb8 32.Ne3 and the double attack reveals the winner.

30...Rd8 31.Rhd1 Kb8 32.R×d5 (D)

32...R×c2!

An excellent trap in White’s serious time trouble. Although the text move also loses, it might shake White’s confidence as he might have been expecting Black’s resignation! The analysis is clear but in the real game anything could go wrong...

33.N×d7+

33.R×f5! also wins 33...B×f5 34.Ne4! B×e4 35.Qe5+. But with the text move we will be able to have on our plate more pins yet to come! Double attack and pins are the beauty of chess!

33...R×d7 34.Qg3+

Also good was 34.R×f5 R×c1+ 35.K×c1 R×g7 36.Rg5+−.

34...Rdc7 (D)

A bizarre position; almost all of the pieces are under attack, but the tension is resolved by a simple move:

35.Q×c7+! 1-0

An "only move, but a move that is convincing enough, forcing Black to resign.

A pin is nearly always hard to meet. It can cause lethal problems; just have a look at the following game, where White pins various minor black pieces:

(5) Shamkovich – Soltis

Pasadena 1978

Modern Defense [A42]

1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nc3 c6 5.Be3 a6 6.f4 b5 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.d5 c5 9.c×b5 Ngf6 10.Nd2 0-0 11.b×a6 Nb6 12.Be2 B×a6 13.B×a6 R×a6 14.0-0 Qd7 15.h3 Rfa8 16.Qc2 Ne8 17.a3 Nc7 18.Rab1 Na4 19.N×a4 Q×a4 20.Q×a4 R×a4 21.Rfc1 Rb8 22.b4 R×a3 23.Kf2 Na6 24.b×c5 R×b1 25.R×b1 (D)

25...d×c5?!

25...N×c5 26.Rb8+ Bf8 27.B×c5 d×c5 28.Nc4 would offer White a clear advantage, but it was still preferable than the text move.

26.Rb7 Bf8 27.Ra7

As now the usual pin is painful...

27...Ra4 28.Kf3 c4

Black decided to give up a pawn in order to break the pin. A waiting policy with 28...f6 29.g3 h5 30.e5 would not have been of any real help.

29.N×c4 R×c4 30.R×a6 Rc3 (D)

31.Ra8!

But now the bishop is pinned!

31...Rb3 32.e5 f5 33.e6 Rb7

Forced: 33...Rc3?! 34.d6+−.

34.Bd4 h6 35.h4 Rb3+ 36.Ke2 Rb7 37.Rc8

37.d6 e×d6 38.Bf6 would be equally strong.

37...Rb4?! 38.d6! 1-0

Conclusion

Pinned pieces are not our friends – we should try to avoid them as much as possible. Yes, there are exceptions but we usually only find out after the game – the risk is not justified!

Shattered Kingside Pawns

Concept

When the material gets quite limited and also it is restrained on one part of the board the draw gets nearer. But this is not the case when there are weak and shattered pawns. This fact, in combination with the king’s weakened position, could create insoluble problems for the weaker side; either he will lose material or just lose his king! In general, the weaker side should try to keep minor pieces on the board and avoid fighting against the major ones, especially against the combination of the queen and a rook – anything else is nearly acceptable. In this case of Q+R vs. Q+R, the stronger side has every possibility to prevail, as the weaker side is usually restricted in its available counterplay. But let’s examine a recent example:

(6) Topalov – Gashimov

Linares 2010

Slav Defense [D11]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 a6 5.Qc2 g6 6.Bd3 Bg7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Nbd2 Nbd7 9.c×d5 c×d5 10.b3 Nb8 11.Ba3 Nc6 12.Rac1 Be6 13.Qb2 Re8 14.h3 Rc8 15.Rc2 (D)

White stands a somewhat better but has nothing really concrete yet.

15...Bf5

The text move changes the position, as Black spoils his pawn structure a bit in return for control over the e4-square.

16.B×f5 g×f5 17.Ne1?!

17.Rfc1+= was more natural, but White wanted to transfer his knight to d3.

17...Ne4

Not bad, but Black could try 17...f4! 18.Nd3 (18.e×f4?! Nh5 19.Ndf3 N×f4=+) 18...Nh5∞. Also, 17...e5 looks very anti-positional, but Black gets very active piece play after 18.d×e5 N×e5.

18.Nd3

Now White wants to continue with Rfc1 and Nf3-e5, increasing the pressure down the c-file, so Black must show some activity...

18...e5! 19.N×e4 d×e4 20.N×e5 N×e5 21.d×e5 (D)

21...R×c2?!

This is the start of a wrong plan. Black thought that it would be good to exchange bishops but this is a wrong attitude – without bishops Black’s king will be vulnerable. Better was 21...B×e5 22.R×c8 Q×c8 23.Qe2 f4! and equality cannot be far away.

22.Q×c2 Qa5

22...B×e5 23.Bb2 B×b2 24.Q×b2 doesn’t change much.

23.Bd6! B×e5 24.b4 Qd8 25.B×e5 R×e5 26.Rc1 Rd5 (D)

Although his pawn structure on the kingside is not ideal, Black seems to stand satisfactorily, as his control over the d-file should give him enough activity to keep the balance. But White can still look to the future as he has a clear target – the black pawn formation on the kingside.

27.a4

White could also consider 27.g3 h5 28.h4, but he wanted to keep open the option of an eventual Kh2-g3. The nohurry policy should be a guide in such positions.

27...b5?!

This actually leads to a very difficult position. 27...h5!? with the idea of ...h4 looks quite alright – Black would then have perpetual check in all queen endings.

28.a×b5 R×b5

After 28...a×b5 29.g3 Black still has serious problems, as the b5- and f5-pawns are weak. With the text move, Black eliminates all queenside pawns and everything will be decided on the kingside.

29.Qa4 Qd6 30.Qa1!

Forcing the exchanges on the queenside, in view of the back rank threats.

30...Qe5 31.Q×a6 R×b4 (D)

So, Black has exchanged off the queenside, but still problems exist – the remaining pawns are weak but so is the black king’s position. By combining the threats on these two weaknesses, White can emerge with a material plus.

32.Qh6!

Now the f5-pawn is doomed and the e4-pawn will follow soon after.

32...Rb8

The alternative was 32...Qe6 33.Qg5+ Kf8 (33...Qg6 34.Qd8+ Kg7 35.Rc8 Qa6 36.h4!+−) 34.Rd1 Rb8 35.Qh4 h6 36.Qg3±.

33.g3 Qe6 34.Qf4 Rc8 35.Rd1

Probably more accurate was 35.Ra1 Qd5 36.Qg5+ Kf8 37.g4± but the text move should be also be sufficient.

35...Rc6 36.Rd8+ Kg7 (D)

37.Kg2!

Simply a useful move, the kind of move one makes automatically as Veselin Topalov has asserted. Black is short of useful moves anyway and White once more follows the nohurry policy.

37...h6

Black wants to hide his king on h7. A waiting move like 37...Rb6 loses to 38.Qg5+ Qg6 39.Qe7 Qf6 40.Qf8+ Kg6 41.h4! h5 and now White has to re-arrange his pieces: 42.Rd5 Kh7 43.Rd7 Kg6 44.Qc8 Rc6 45.Qg8+ Qg7 46.Qb8 Qf6 47.Rd8±.

38.Qb8 Qf6 (D)

Or 38...Qe7 39.Rh8! Kg6 40.g4! f×g4 41.Qg8+ Kf5 42.h×g4+ Ke5 43.Qb8+ Kd5 (43...Qc7 44.Qb2+ Kd5 45.Qd4+) 44.Rd8+ Kc5 45.Rd1+−.

39.Rd5?!

A very strange decision. After 39.Rh8! the game should have ended very quickly.

39...Re6

Black’s problems are not over, as his weaknesses are permanent – White has simply wasted some time, but this does not change the evaluation of the position. 39...Qe6 40.Re5 Qf6 41.Rb5± was another option.

40.h4?! (D)

40.Qf4 Kg6 41.h4± was more accurate – White is in a no-hurry position!

40...h5?

Black misses his last chance to try to survive in a difficult endgame after 40...f4! 41.Q×f4 Q×f4 42.g×f4. Now White again wins easily.

41.Rd8!

The rook goes to g5, after which Black’s defense will collapse.

41...Kh7 42.Rg8 f4

Or 42...Rb6 43.Qf8 Rb7 44.Rg5+−.

43.g×f4

43.Rg5! is a faster win.

43...Q×h4

43...Rd6 44.Rg5 Rd8 45.R×h5+ Kg6 46.Qb5+−

44.Rh8+ Kg6 45.Qg8+ Kf6 46.Qd8+ Re7 47.Rh6+ Kf5 48.Qd5+ 1-0 (D)

And Black resigned as 48...Kg4 will lead to mate in 9 after 49.f3+: 49...e×f3+ 50.Q×f3+ Kf5 51.Qd5+ Kg4 52.Qd1+ Kf5 53.Qc2+ Re4 (53...Kg4 54.Rg6+!) 54.Qc5+ Kg4 55.Rg6+! f×g6 56.Qc8+ Re6 57.Q×e6#.

Exactly a month later the following, very similar game, was played:

(7) Jobava – Almasi

Rijeka 2010

Queen’s Indian Defense [E12]

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.a3 Bb7 5.Nc3 d5 6.c×d5 N×d5 7.Bd2 Nd7 8.Qc2 c5 9.N×d5 e×d5 10.d×c5 B×c5 11.e3 0-0 12.Bd3 Nf6 13.0-0 Ne4 14.Bb4 Qe7 15.B×c5 b×c5 16.b4 c×b4 17.a×b4 Q×b4 18.Rfb1 Qe7 19.Nd4 g6 20.B×e4 d×e4 21.Qb3 Rfc8 22.h4 Rc7 23.h5 Qg5 24.Qd1 a6 25.Rb6 Bc8 26.Qb1 Bf5 27.h6 (D)

Black stands slightly worse, as the d4-knight is a much stronger piece than the black bishop.

27...Rac8?

But this is already a bad mistake. Black should opt for 27...Bd7 28.Q×e4 Re8 29.Qf4 Q×f4 30.e×f4 Bc8 when his chances to hold the game are very much increased.

28.N×f5 g×f5

Probably Black missed that he could not go in for 28...Q×f5?, as after 29.Qb2 Rc3 30.Rb8 Qc5 31.R×c8+ Q×c8 32.Ra3! Rc1+ 33.Kh2 f6 34.Rb3 White wins. But now his kingside pawn structure is shattered...

29.Qb2!

And not 29.Rb×a6?! f4!, when Black is fine.

29...Rd8 (D)

30.Rb×a6?

But here White goes astray! He should first play 30.g3! Rcd7 and only now 31.Ra×a6! Qg4 32.Rd6 R×d6 33.R×d6±, when reflections from the previous game are on the horizon...

30...Rcd7 31.g3 Qg4!

Well played – Black has counterplay now.

32.Qf6

There was nothing positive about 32.Re1 Rd1 33.Qc3 R×e1+ 34.Q×e1 f6 (34...Rd1?? 35.Ra8+) 35.Ra1 Kf7 and Black holds.

32...Rd1+

Now a forced line begins:

33.R×d1 Q×d1+ 34.Kh2 Qh5+ 35.Qh4 Q×h4+ 36.g×h4 (D)

The ending should be drawn – White also has weaknesses now...

36...f4?!

Not yet the decisive mistake but simpler was 36...Kf8 37.Kg3 Ke7=.

37.e×f4 Kf8 38.Kg3 Ke7 39.f5 Rd3+?

Black, in time trouble, missed the fine drawing line 39...Rd6 40.Ra7+ (40.R×d6 K×d6 41.Kf4 Kd5=) 40...Kf6 41.Kf4 e3! 42.f×e3 Rd4+! 43.Kg3 (43.e×d4 and 43.e4 R×e4+ 44.K×e4 are just stalemating options!) 43...Re4 44.h5 R×e3+ 45.Kf4 Re1 46.Ra6+ Ke7 47.f6+ Kd7 48.Ra7+ Ke6 49.Re7+ K×f6 50.R×e1 stalemate!

40.Kf4

Now White’s active king wins the ending.

40...Rf3+

40...Rd2 41.Ke5 is no different.

41.Ke5 R×f2 42.Ra7+! Ke8 43.Kf6 Kd8 (D)

44.Ra4!

Placing the rooks behind the passed pawn assures the win, as the white king will be allowed to attack the enemy pawns with effect (44.Re7?? R×f5+!−+).

44...e3 45.Re4 e2 46.Kg7! R×f5 47.R×e2 Rf4 48.K×h7 Rg4

Or 48...R×h4 49.Kg7 Rg4+ 50.K×f7 Rf4+ 51.Kg6 Rf1 52.Re5+−.

49.Re5 f6 50.Re6 Kd7 51.R×f6 Ke7 52.Rf5 R×h4

52...Ke6 53.Rg5

53.Kg6 1-0

Well, winning a pawn in our cases doesn’t guarantee an easy win, especially if these pawns are doubled. Here is another recent case, from the same tournament as the first example!

(8) Topalov – Gelfand

Linares 2010

Petroff Defense [C42]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.N×e5 d6 4.Nf3 N×e4 5.Nc3 N×c3 6.d×c3 Be7 7.Be3 0-0 8.Qd2 Nd7 9.0-0-0 Re8 10.h4 c6 11.h5 h6 12.Kb1 Nf6 13.Bd3 Bf8 14.Rdg1 Ng4 15.Bf4 Qf6 16.Nh2 N×h2 17.R×h2 Bf5 18.B×f5 Q×f5 19.g4 Qe4 20.g5 h×g5 21.B×g5 Qe2 22.Q×e2 R×e2 23.Be3 R×e3 24.f×e3 Re8 25.Rh3 Re6 26.c4 Be7 27.Rf3 Re5 28.Rgf1 R×h5 29.R×f7 Re5 30.R7f3 Bf6 31.c3 Re4 32.R×f6 g×f6 33.R×f6 R×e3 34.R×d6 (D)

White’s extra pawn is not significant, but of course Black has to be accurate.

34...Kf7 35.Kc2 Re2+ 36.Kb3 Ke7 37.Rd4 c5 38.Rd3 b6 39.Ka3 Rc2 40.Rd5

Black’s main problem is that his king is cut off and this causes his weakness.

40...a5!?

On one hand this move weakens Black’s position further, but probably he was not fond of 40...Ke6?! 41.Rd8 Rh2 42.b3 Rg2 43.Ra8 Rg7 44.Ka4± or 40...Ke8 41.Rh5, although in this line he can try 41...Re2 – I doubt that White can win the pawn ending arising after 42.Rh7 Re7 43.R×e7+ K×e7, for example, 44.Ka4 a6 45.Kb3 Kd6 46.Kc2 Ke5 47.Kd3 Kf4.

41.Rd3 Rh2 42.b3 Rc2 (D)

43.Ka4

After some quiet moves White now plays his last trump.

43...R×a2+ 44.Kb5 Rb2 45.K×b6 a4

45...R×b3+ is not bad either, as the position after 46.K×a5 Ke6 47.Ka4 Rb1 48.Rd5 Ke7 49.R×c5 Kd6 is also a theoretical draw.

46.K×c5 R×b3

46...a3! 47.Rd6 R×b3 48.Ra6 R×c3 was an easier draw.

47.Kc6 a3 48.c5 (D)

48...Ke8?!

This may not be the losing move, but it is definitely a step in the wrong direction. 48...a2 49.Rd7+ Ke6 50.Ra7 Rb2 (50...R×c3? 51.R×a2+−) 51.Kc7 (51.c4 Ke5 52.Ra4 Rc2 53.Kd7 Rd2+ 54.Kc7 Kd4 55.c6 Kc5=) 51...Kd5! 52.c6 Kc4= was the most accurate way to draw. Alternatively, 48...Ke6?! 49.Re3+ looks a bit odd, but 48...Kf6 was perfectly fine also.

49.Rh3! (D)

49...a2?

But now this is the losing move. Black had to opt for 49...Ke7! when White’s only chance is to sac the c3-pawn and push the other c-pawn. Black will then have to give up his rook, but by assisting his a-pawn with the king, he will save the day. A sample could be: 50.Rh8 R×c3 51.Ra8 Ke6 52.Ra5 Ke5 53.Kd7 Kd4 54.c6 Kc4 55.c7 Kb3=.

50.Rh8+ Ke7 51.Ra8 Rb2 (D)

Black cannot save himself anymore: 51...R×c3 52.R×a2 Kd8 53.Ra8+ Ke7 54.Rc8 is a well-known winning method.

52.Kc7 Rc2 53.c6 Rb2 54.c4 Rc2 55.Ra6 Rb2 56.c5 Ke6 57.Ra5! Rc2 58.Kb7 Rb2+

58...R×c5 59.R×a2+−

59.Kc8 Ke7 60.c7 Ke8 (D)

61.R×a2!

A nice finishing touch. After 61.c6? Ke7 62.Ra3!? Kd6! (62...Ke8? 63.R×a2 R×a2 64.Kb7 Rb2+ 65.Ka6 Ra2+ 66.Kb6 Rb2+ 67.Kc5 Rc2+ 68.Kd5 Rd2+ 69.Ke5 Re2+ [69...Rd8 70.c×d8Q+ K×d8 71.Kd6+−] 70.Kf4 Rf2+ 71.Ke3 and White wins. It is clear in this line why White inserted 62.Ra3!? Ke8? – with the black king on e7, Black could have played 71...Rf8! here) 63.Kd8 Rh2!= Black draws!

61...R×a2 62.Kb7 1-0 and Black resigned as the c-pawn queens.

Conclusion

So, it looks like that the defending side should avoid situations like this. Keeping a minor piece on the board, or exchanging queens seems to be a plan to defend and share the point. Of course, it would be even better to avoid shattered and weak pawns in general!

The Weak d5-square

Concept

The element of the strong square (outpost) is one of the most often met in practice. The creation and occupation of an outpost plays a significant role in the course of many chess games.

An outpost is a square where we can place one of our pieces without it being attacked by an enemy pawn. Naturally, an outpost gains in value if it is central, and even more so if it is situated inside the enemy camp. The importance of the outpost increases if the opponent does not have a bishop moving on squares of the same color. In most cases it is beneficial to be able to control the outpost with one of our pawns.

Another factor adding value to the outpost is its location on an open file. In that case we are able to double our rooks behind the piece occupying the outpost, and then open the file at the right moment. The piece we usually aim to place on an outpost is the knight, followed by the bishop, the rook and – in rare cases – the queen.

It follows from the above that a square representing an outpost for us is also a weakness for the opponent and may have seriously negative consequences for him.

In practice we encounter two different situations revolving around the outpost:

(1) The outpost has already been created. In this case our task is simple: control it and exploit it.

(2) The outpost has not yet been created. This case is clearly more demanding, as we first have to identify which square can serve as an outpost and then try to wrest control of it from the opponent. Methods often used in this case are the strengthening of our control of the outpost by pawns and the exchange of the opponent’s pieces which can control it.

Naturally, the possession of one or more outposts does not guarantee victory. The piece that will occupy the outpost will have to cooperate harmoniously with the rest of the army from its powerful position in order to further our aims.

We can conclude that knights love outposts – they just sit there and don’t bother moving at all, as they are able to control a fair amount of squares from behind and from a distance! The most usual case is the weak d5-square; we can see its exploitation in the next four examples:

(9) Smyslov – Rudakovsky

Moscow 1945

Sicilian Defense [B83]

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 c×d4 4.N×d4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.Be2 Be7 7.0-0 0-0 8.Be3 Nc6 9.f4 Qc7 10.Qe1 N×d4 11.B×d4 e5 12.Be3 Be6 13.f5 Bc4 14.B×c4 Q×c4 (D)

15.Bg5!

White prepares an ideal position for his knight. After the exchange on f6, it will be placed on the excellent d5-square, from where it will guide White’s forces to action all over the board. This is a typical method of creating a good knight vs. bad bishop theme.

15...Rfe8 16.B×f6 B×f6 17.Nd5 Bd8

Black could think of giving up the exchange with 17...Q×c2 18.Rf2 Qc5 (18...Qc6 19.Rc1 Qa4 20.b3±) 19.Rc1 Qd4 20.Nc7±. Although material is lost, I do not see what else he can do...

18.c3 (D)

White’s knight is ideally placed on the strong d5-outpost and dominates the whole board. If we add to this White’s superior pawn structure (the d6-pawn is backward and weak), we can easily understand that he should be holding a large plus. Black has no compensation for the strategic defects.

18...b5 19.b3 Qc5+ 20.Kh1 Rc8 21.Rf3

Preparing a kingside assault.

21...Kh8?!

Good or bad, Black had to play 21...f6. After 22.a4 (yes, White can play on both sides!) 22...a6 23.a×b5 a×b5 24.Rh3 White’s position is superior but Black is not losing yet.

22.f6!

Now White will quickly achieve victory by attacking the black monarch.

22...g×f6

22...g6 23.Qd2 Rg8 24.Qh6 g5 25.Rh3+− or 22...Rg8 23.Qh4+−.

23.Qh4 Rg8 24.N×f6 Rg7

24...B×f6 25.Q×f6+ Rg7 26.Rg3 is only a transposition.

25.Rg3! B×f6

Or 25...Be7 26.R×g7 K×g7 27.Q×h7+ K×f6 28.Qh6#.

26.Q×f6 Rcg8 27.Rd1!

And Black has no defense to White’s idea: R×d6, R×g7 and Rd8+.

27...d5 28.R×g7 1-0

(10) Anand – Kamsky

Sanghi Nagar 1994

Ruy Lopez [C92]

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0-0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 0-0 9.h3 Bb7 10.d4 Re8 11.Nbd2 Bf8 12.Bc2 g6 13.d5 Nb8 14.b3 c6 15.c4 a5 16.d×c6 B×c6 17.c×b5 B×b5 18.Nc4 Na6 19.Bg5 Nb4 20.Ne3 Be7 21.B×f6 B×f6 22.a3 N×c2 23.Q×c2 Bg7 24.Rad1 Qb8 25.a4 Rc8 26.Qb1 Ba6 27.Nd2 Rc3 28.Nd5 Bd3 29.Qa1 Rc2 30.Re3 Ba6 31.Rc3 R×c3 32.Q×c3 Bh6 33.Nc4 B×c4 34.Q×c4 Bg5 35.Rd3 Qb7 (D)

White enjoys the advantage of the better minor piece (knight vs. bishop) and the better pawn structure, as Black’s d6-pawn cannot be considered ideally placed. As for a plan, White can consider combining his excellently placed knight with the creation of a passed pawn on the queenside, and generally play on both sides of the board. Black has no active counterplay and is doomed to passivity.

36.Rc3 Rb8 37.Qd3 Kg7

White also stands better after 37...Bd8 38.Rc4 Rc8 (38...Kg7 39.b4 a×b4 40.R×b4 Qa7 41.R×b8 Q×b8±) 39.b4.

38.g3?!

Following the principle of not hurrying, White gradually improves his position. But 38.b4! a×b4 39.Rc7 Qa8 was critical, as then White would have the pleasant choice between two good moves:

(a) 40.Qb3 (40.Qf3 Rf8∞) 40...Qa5! 41.g3! (41.Nb6 Rf8 42.Rc6 h5∞ 43.Nc4? Qa8 44.R×d6 Q×e4 45.Rd1 Rd8-+) 41...Rf8 (41...Bd2? 42.Qf3 Rf8 43.Qf6+ Kh6 44.Ne7! or 41...Bd8 42.Rd7 are excellent for White, but perhaps Black’s best practical chance was 41...Ra8!? 42.h4 Bd8 43.Rd7 Q×a4 44.Q×a4 R×a4