Petrosian, Tigran V (2645) - Balashov, Yuri S (2540) [A30]

URS-ch43 Yerevan, 1975

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 c5 4.g3 b6

This is the starting point of the Hedgehog, a structure which has recently become quite
popular.

5.Bg2 Bb7 6.0–0 a6 7.Re1

This is considered the most promising idea. White prepares an “e4” advance. Sooner or
later, white has to advance “d4”. The point of delaying it is to keep all of the pieces on
the board. (This is a good idea since white has a big space advantage.)
The immediate 7.d4 is not as good since after 7…cxd4 8.Nxd4
Avoiding trades with 8.Qxd4 d6 9.Rd1 Be7 10.b3 Nbd7 11.e4 Qc7 leads to the
same type of position, but obviously the knight should be placed on “d4”.
8...Bxg2 9.Kxg2 Qc7 the position is considered roughly equal by theory.

7...d6 8.e4 Nbd7 9.b3

White decides to place his bishop on the long diagonal; this shows that he intends to head
for a central strategy combined with an attack on the kingside. The alternative was to
place the bishop on “e3”.
After 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Qc7 11.Be3 Be7 12.Rc1 he will play in the center and on the
queenside. (This time the bishop hits the queenside.)

9...Be7 10.d4 cxd4 11.Nxd4 Qc7 12.Bb2 0–0

This is the typical setup for Hedgehog. Black allows white to gain a space advantage and
control over the center. Black is restrained on three lines which gives little space for
maneuvering, but controls the 5th rank, has no weakness, and the position has some
inherent flexibility. Black’s future plan is quite simple: he will arrange his pieces on their
best squares and then wait and see how white intends to break through his defensive line.

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(Therefore such a line has to be played by patient players). His only active possibilities
are connected with “b5” and “d5” advances. The main drawback of this line is that if
white does nothing (that is, he only makes sure that black can achieve the already
mentioned advances), then black has zero chances in winning.
Although he has a huge space advantage, white has a hard time breaking through black’s
defense which is rock solid positionally. In general, he has two major plans: playing on
the queenside (by advancing the pawns trying to make a passed pawn or by weakening
black’s pawns) or on the kingside (based on an “e5” advance, but for this his bishops
need to be placed on the “h8-a1” and “b1-h7” diagonals). Note that pressing on “d6”
(which looks quite normal) doesn’t give anything since black can easily defend it. All of
these aspects lead to a long maneuvering game. (Sometimes it’s quite boring; mainly if
neither side wishes to start active operations).

13.h3
The direct 13.Rc1 leads, after 13…Rac8 14.h3 Rfe8, to the same type of position.

13...Rfe8
This is a typical move in this structure. Black defends the“e6” pawn in advance (if white
intends to apply pressure with a “f4-f5” advance), and makes room for the bishop. He
will play “Bf8” which has several scopes; he can place it on “g7” (where it is active) or
be prepared for an “e5” advance (if white plays “f4”) which allows him to increase the
pressure on the “e4” pawn.

14.Rc1
Also good was 14.Qd2 Rac8 15.Rad1 Bf8, but white has another plan in mind.

14...Bf8 15.Kh2 Rad8

Also good was 15...Rac8 16.Rc2 Qb8, but black wanted to be prepared if white headed
for an “e5” advance (after “f4”).

16.Rc2
This is why white prefers to leave his queen on the 1st rank; he will place his rook on the
2nd rank. (This allows him to overprotect the “e4” pawn or press the “d6” pawn.)

16…Qb8 17.Rce2
After 17.Rd2 Qa8 white is far from making real progress (as in the game too).

17...Nc5 18.Kg1 Qa8 19.Ba1 Qb8

Since all his pieces are well placed, black wisely starts to wait (since any other decision
only worsens his position) and see how white intends to gain the advantage.

20.Re3
After 20.Qd2 Qa8 21.Kh2 Qb8 22.Rd1 Qa8 black simply continues his wait. From now
on, both sides were making some unimportant waiting moves that are not improving their
position, but not worsening it either.

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20...Qc7 21.Qb1 Ncd7 22.Bb2 Ne5 23.Qc2 Ned7 24.Qe2 Rc8
There is some point to playing 24...g6 taking control over the “f5” square and preparing
“Bg7” (improving the bishop’s position a bit), but it seems that black doesn’t want to
weaken the long diagonal.

25.Kh1 Rcd8 26.Nc2 Rc8 27.f4 Nb8 28.Rc1 Red8 29.Ne1 h6 30.Nd3 Nbd7 31.Kh2
Be7 32.h4
White vacates the “h3” square, so that he can press on “e6”.

32…Nh7
Black is still waiting, but could have played 32...h5 (taking control over the “g4” square)
since after 33.Bh3 Bf8 34.f5 e5 35.Nb4 Qb8 white hasn’t improved his chances.

33.Nd1 Bf6 34.Nc3

Trading pieces with 34.Bxf6 Nhxf6 35.e5 Ne8 doesn’t help since black is well prepared
for this. Only black can hope for an advantage since he has the good”f5” square for his
knight while white’s king is slightly weak.

34...Bd4
Black loses his patience and starts active operations. Especially in this opening, this is a
mistake. White is well prepared for any active operations (his pieces are in the center and
well placed).
Black should have kept to his previous tactic and played 34...Be7 waiting to see how
white intends to increase the pressure.

35.Nd5
White doesn’t need a second invitation and starts sharp play.

35….exd5 36.Bxd4
White goes for the safest line that ensures an edge (although not a great one). He doesn’t
intend to head for a position where the material is unbalanced, probably because black
would get some active play of his own. Still, such a decision is understandable, since it
fits well in Petrosian’s style of overprotective play (minimizing risks) but it also makes
the win harder. (Generally speaking, with an opponent that is close to your strength it is
hard to win without taking any risks).
Slightly better would have been 36.cxd5 Qxc1
Bad is 36...Bc5 37.b4 Nhf6 38.bxc5 bxc5 39.Nf2 since white gets a large
positional advantage. Black lacks counter play and white can head for a kingside
attack based on a “g4-g5” advance. (If black plays “h5” then after “Bf3” white
either wins the pawn or weakens black’s long diagonal; this would be decisive).
37.Nxc1
Worse would be 37.Bxc1 since after 37…Nhf6 38.Rf3 Re8 39.Qd1 Nxe4 black has
enough compensation since all his pieces are well placed and he soon wins the
“d5” pawn.
37...Bxe3 38.Qxe3 Rc2 39.Nd3 and white has the advantage due to his strong center and
good attacking prospects.

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36...dxe4 37.Nf2
White doesn’t intend to give up his light squares bishop (after “Bxe4”) since this would
weaken the light squares and lose the advantage of the bishop pair.

37…Nhf6
This move is too passive and allows white to gain a long-term advantage by simple
means. Black probably intended to trade all the light pieces on “e4” (this considerably
eases his defense), but since this doesn’t work (we will see why) he should use the time
(that white needs to recover the pawn) for something more useful. The most logical idea
is to get rid of his weak “d6” pawn by advancing “d5” (this also activates his heavy
pieces) taking advantage of the pin along the “c” file.
After 37...d5 38.Rd1 dxc4 39.Nxe4 Bxe4 40.Rxe4 c3
Getting greedy is bad since after 40...cxb3 41.Re7 Qc2 (white has to trade queens
reducing white’s attacking strength).
Bad is 41...bxa2 42.Qxa2 since white has a devastating attack.
42.Rd2 Qc4 43.Qxc4 Rxc4 44.axb3 Rcc8 45.Bb7 Rb8 46.Bxa6 white has a large
advantage. He has the pair of bishops (in an open position) and active heavy
pieces, while black’s knights lack stable squares (making it hard to find an active
position for them) and black has a major weakness on “b6”.
41.Rc1 c2 42.Re3 white will recover the pawn (after “Rc3”) retaining the pair of bishops,
which gives him an edge. Still, the symmetrical position, black’s control over the “g4”
square (this combined with the presence of queens gives black some attacking chances
that keeps white from focusing only on the queenside) and active heavy pieces give black
enough to hold the game.
Note that the tempting 37...f5 (which defends the pawn) isn’t that great since after 38.Bh3
(hitting the pawn at once is white’s best play) 38…Rf8
Even worse would be 38...g6 39.h5 since black’s kingside would be left in ruins.
39.Qh5 Ndf6 40.Qxf5 white recovers the pawn leaving black with only weaknesses and
no counter play.

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38.Nxe4 Bxe4 39.Bxe4 Re8
Black probably intended to play 39...Nxe4 but this doesn’t work since after 40.Rxe4 d5
41.Re7 Qd6 (black defends against white’s deadly “Qg4” threat) 42.Rd1 Nf8 (taking on
“c4” is bad due to “Bxg7” and white has a large advantage) 43.Bf2 black loses the “a”
pawn by force after massive trades on “d5”.

40.Bf3
Of course, white is holding on to his bishop.

40…Rxe3 41.Qxe3 Re8 42.Qc3 Ne4

Now the main strategic struggle is clear: control of the “e4” square. If white manages to
drive black’s powerful knight back then he has a large advantage. If black is able to hold
on to the knight, the position is solid enough to hold with no particular difficulty.

43.Qb2
This is an inaccuracy (not at all obvious) that allows black to strengthen his defense by
increasing his control over the “e4” square (with the aid of a “f5” advance).
Better would have been 43.Qa1 Ndf6 44.Qb2 h5 45.Re1 and white gets a large advantage
since black has a hard time keeping his knight on “e4” due to pressure along the “a1-h8”
diagonal.

43...f5 44.Re1
The tempting 44.Bxg7 is bad since after 44…Ndc5 45.Bxh6 Nd3 (this is why white
should place his queen on “a1” on the 43rd move) 46.Qc2 Nxc1 47.Qxc1 Re6 although
white has good compensation for the exchange, black has nothing to fear.

44...Ndc5 45.Qc2 Qe7

This is an inaccuracy that allows white to increase his advantage (although in the game
he fails to do so).
Better would have been 45...Qc6 46.b4 Nd7 47.Qb3 and white has an edge but black is
able to keep the queenside under control and the knight on “e4”.

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46.Qd1
White is playing too soft moves, allowing black to fortify his position and balance the
game. (White’s advantage will be more theoretical in nature). Black manages to keep his
knight on “e4”, but for this he leaves the queenside undefended. Therefore, white should
find a way to take advantage of this. This can be easily achieved by advancing ‘b4”
which drives the knight back and makes room for the queen (in order to attack the
queenside pawns).
After 46.b4 Nd7 47.Qa4 a5 since the pawn is lost anyway (”Ra8” is simply met with
“Qc6”) at least black gains control over the “c5” square; 48.bxa5 bxa5 49.Qxa5 Ndc5
50.a4 white manages to win a pawn. Although winning is quite difficult (black’s “c5”
knight has good control over the advancing squares of the passed pawn) white’s
advantage is obvious. (Besides being a pawn down, black has no counter play).

46...Qe6 47.Re3 a5
After this good positional decision (black secures the “c5” square for the knight keeping
the game closed) white’s advantage is insignificant.

48.Kg2 Re7 49.Bb2

Here white can complicate the struggle by opening the kingside.
After 49.g4 fxg4 50.Bxg4 Qf7 51.f5 Nf6 52.Rxe7 Qxe7 53.Bf3 white has an edge, but it
is hard to believe that black cannot hold easily. (White’s king is too weak.)

49...Kh7 50.Be2 Qf7 51.a3 Nf6

Black trades the rooks, heading for a simple position were he has everything under
control.
A complicated struggle results after 51...a4 52.b4 Nb3, but from a general point of view,
black’s decision is sounder.

52.Rxe7 Qxe7 53.Bf3

This move helps black get rid of black’s bishop pair by force fully equalizing.
Better was 53.Qc2 Nfe4 54.h5 and white can still push forward (although without too
many chances, but at least black has to be careful).

53...Ng4 54.Bd4
Trying to muddy the waters with 54.Qb1 gives no advantage since after 54…Ne3+
But not 54...g6 55.Ba1 and the weakness along the “a1-h8” diagonal gives white a
large advantage with good attacking chances.
55.Kf2 Ng4+
Of course not 55...Nxb3 56.Qd3 and black loses a piece.
56.Bxg4 Ne4+ 57.Kg2 fxg4 the game is equal since both sides can generate dangerous
threats against the king (if one side gets too ambitious).

54...Ne3+ 55.Bxe3 Qxe3 56.Qd5

Taking the pawn is bad since after 56.Qxd6 Nd3 white is under a strong attack.

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56...Qe6
This is a little bit too soft and allows white to hold an edge in the upcoming endgame
(although holding isn’t that difficult). Heading for active play would have been better
since it forces white to make an immediate draw (with perpetual checks).
After 56...Nd3 57.Qxf5+ Kh8
Of course not 57...Kg8 58.Bd5+ and white is winning.
58.Qf8+
The queens endgame that arises after 58.Qe4 Ne1+ 59.Kh3 Qxf3 60.Qxe1 Qxb3
doesn’t give any advantage.
58...Kh7 59.Qf5+ white has nothing better than giving perpetual checks due to blacks
dangerous threats against the king.

57.Qxe6 Nxe6 58.h5 Nd4

Simpler was 58...g5 59.hxg6+ Kxg6 60.Kf2 Nc5 with an equal position, but black’s move
is good enough too.

59.Bd1 g5
Since white intends to lay siege to the “f5” pawn later (after bringing the king into play),
black solves the problem at once.

60.hxg6+
After 60.Kf2 gxf4 61.gxf4 Kg7 the game is equal since white cannot bring the king into
play since he has to defend the “f4” pawn.

60...Kxg6 61.Kf2 Kf6 62.Ke3 Ne6 63.Bc2 Ng7 64.Bd1

After 64.b4 axb4 65.axb4 Ke6 white makes no progress. (He cannot approach with the
king due to the threat of “Nh5”.)

64...Ne6 65.b4 axb4 66.axb4 Nc7

This is the best defensive position. Black’s king defends the kingside and the knight
defends entry points on the queenside (if white trades pawns with “c5”, the draw is
obvious), keeping the threat of playing “Na6” which would force white’s king to stay in
the center or on the queenside. With the knight that well placed, black can simply move
his king, keeping the “f” pawn defended. The position is a dead draw.

67.Kd4 Ke6 68.Bb3

After 68.Bc2 Na6 69.Kc3
After 69.b5 Nc5 white achieves nothing.
69...Nc7 and white cannot make further progress.

68...Kf6 69.Ba4 Ke6 70.Bc6 Ke7 71.Bb7 Kd7 72.Kd3 Ne6 73.Ke3 Kd8 74.Bg2 Ke7
75.Bd5 Nc7 76.Bb7 Kd7 77.Kf3 Ne6 78.Kg2
Finally white gets bored and agrees to the draw.

½–½