Excelling at Chess Calculation- Jacob Aagard 2...Kh7 3.Rxf6 Nxd6 4.Rfg6 Rxg6 5.Bxg6+ Kh6 6.f3 Nb5 7.
fg6 Rxg6 5.Bxg6+ Kh6 6.f3 Nb5 7.Bf7 Nd6
(5) Krajina,D - Kozul,Z [B71]
Vinkovci, 1989
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.f4 g6 7.Nxc6 bxc6
8.e5 Ng8 9.Qf3 d5 10.Be3 h5 11.h3 Bf5 12.0–0–0 e6 13.Ba6 Ba3!! [What
makes this move most fantastic is that there is no immediate threat. Black
simply undermines White's defence on the queenside.]
14.bxa3 [Stronger perhaps was 14.Qe2 Qa5 15.Nb5! with unclear play.]
14...Qa5 15.g4 hxg4 16.hxg4 Rxh1 17.Rxh1 Bxg4 18.Qxg4 Qxc3 19.Bg1
[19.Qh3! would have kept White alive.]
19...Qxa3+ 20.Kd1 Qxa6 21.Rh8 0–0–0 22.Rh7 d4 23.Rxf7 Qc4 24.Rxa7
Kb8 25.Ra3 Ne7 26.Qh3 Nd5
0–1
(6) Resika,N - Lund,E
Budapest, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.Bh5! [A nice tactical move that wins the exchange,]
[because of 1.Bh5 Nxd6 2.Bxg6 Kxg6 3.Rg1+ Kh7 4.Rh4# .Black could
resign here, but instead he played...]
1...Rf6 2.Rg1+? [This is sufficient to win,]
[but the computer comes up with 2.Rg4+! which wins a lot more than a
rook.]
8.Bg8 Nf5 9.Ke2 Nh4 10.Bf7 Nf5 11.Rg6+ Kh7 12.Rg1 Nd6 13.Bg8+ Kh6
14.Rh1+ Kg7 15.Rh7+ Kxg8 16.Rxd7 Nb5 17.Kd2 Nxa3 18.Rxa7 Nb1+
19.Ke3 Nxc3 20.Re7 b5 21.Rxe6 b4 22.Rb6 Na2 23.Kd2 Kf7 24.Ra6 b3
25.cxb3?? [25.Ra7+! wins immediately; and 25.c3 would also win in the
long run. Now it goes the other way.]
25...c3+! [What White had imagined would happen here is hard to guess, but
this game was played with FIDE-time (where both players get an extra 30
seconds after each move) and White still had about a minute left, so should
have smelt the trap. Possibly the stress of prolonged time trouble was getting
to him.]
26.Kd3?? [26.Ke3 c2 27.Rc6 c1Q+ 28.Rxc1 Nxc1 29.b4 would still draw
since the knight cannot escape the attentions of the white king; e.g. 29...Na2
(or 29...Nb3 30.Kd3) 30.b5 Ke7 (30...Nc3?? 31.b6 wins) 31.Kd2 etc.]
26...Nb4+ 27.Kxc3 Nxa6 28.b4 Nc7 29.Kd3 Kf6 30.Ke3 Kf5
0–1
(7) Nijboer,F - Acs,P [B67]
Wijk aan Zee, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
22.Qxe4!? Qxe4 23.Bb5+ Qc6 [Now White obtains a better endgame.]
[If instead 23...Kf7 24.Ng5+ wins; or 23...Rc6 24.Nd4! Kf7 (24...0–0
25.Bxc6 d5 26.Nf5 wins) 25.Bxc6 Qe5 26.Rfe1 Qh5 27.Bf3! with a strong,
probably winning attack.]
24.Bxc6+ Rxc6 25.Nf4 Kf7 26.Nd5 Rg8 27.g3 Rg4 28.b3 axb3 29.cxb3
Bd8 30.Rf4 Rxf4 31.Nxf4 Bb6 32.Nd5 Bc5 33.Rf1 Ke6 34.Nxf6 d5
35.Nxh7 Be7 36.g4 d4 37.g5 d3 38.g6 d2 39.g7 Rc1+ 40.Rxc1 dxc1Q+
41.Kxc1 Kf7 42.Nf8 Kxg7 43.Nd7 Kf7 44.Kc2 Ke6 45.Nb6 Bc5 46.Na4
Bf2 47.Kd3 Kd5 48.Nb2 [.All very convincing. But in fact White could have
done better at the beginning!.(press F10 to continue)]
 extremely nice, but there is a small problem in one of the lines....(press F10
1–0 to continue)]

(8) analysis Nijboer-Acs ½–½

[Jacob Aagaard]
(10) analysis Afek #1 pt.1
[If he had played] [Jacob Aagaard]

22.Bb5+! [instead of 22.Qxe4!? , then Black would not have been able to
reach an endgame in which he had some chances of survival.]
[After something like]
22...Bc6 23.Bxc6+ Rxc6 24.Rd4! [Black is completely outplayed and it is
not easy to see how he should improve on this. The method which could
have helped Nijboer to find this is changing the move order of the
combination, as explained in Chapter Four.]
+–
(9) Afek #1
Chess in Israel, 1999
[Jacob Aagaard]
[The following analysis was given in the Study Database 2000 and probably
comes from Afek.]
[After]
1.b6 Bf2 2.Bd1 Bxb6+ 3.Nxb6 [Black can play]
3...f2! [, changing the move order,]
[instead of 3...Rxa7+]
4.Be2 [No better is 4.Bf3+ Kxa7 5.Bg2 Rg8 6.Bh3 Rg5+ and Black wins
first the knight and then the bishop.]
4...Rxa7+ 5.Kb5 Ra2 6.Bf3+ Ka7!! 7.Bg2 Rb2+ [and Black wins.One of
the points of the study was meant to be that White could force the black king
away from the knight, and thereby be in time to stop the f-pawn. After 2 Bd1
this is no longer the case.So what would we do if we reached this position in
a game?.(press F10 to continue)]
–+

1.b6! Rxa7+ [1...Bd8? If 2.Nc5+ Kc8 3.Bd7#; or 1...Bf2 2.Bd1 Bxb6+ (11) analysis Afek #1 pt.2
3.Nxb6 Rxa7+ 4.Kb5 f2 5.Bf3+ (5.Be2? Ra2 6.Bf3+ Ka7!) 5...Kc7 6.Nd5+ [Jacob Aagaard]
Kd6 7.Ne3 and Black cannot win.]
[Well,]
2.bxa7 Be1+ 3.Kb5 f2 4.a8Q+! Kxa8 5.Ka6! [To allow a promotion with
check is always attractive.] 1.b6 [is the only move that does not lose very quickly.]

[If instead 5.Kb6? Ba5+!! and Black wins.] [For instance 1.Nc5+ Kxa7 2.b6+ Kb8+ 3.Na6+ Kb7 4.Bb5 Be1+ and Black
wins without a fight is easy to calculate. With 1 b6 we would at least have a
5...f1Q+ 6.Bb5 Qf3 7.Bc6+! Qxc6+ 8.Nb6+ Kb8 [Stalemate.All of this is little counterplay.]
[So after]
1...Bf2! [we would again stand at a crossroads.Here we would try to set up
our candidates. Besides 2 Bd1 we also have 2 Bc2 and 2 Bb3, all of which
send the bishop in the direction of the f1–square. From our calculation of 2
Bd1 (which is the most forcing move and therefore the first one we should
analyse) we discovered that the undefended bishop became a problem.
Therefore it is better to keep the bishop closer to the king. Of course this is
an abstract conclusion which it would be impossible to reach without
calculation. In such a complex position as this experience will only help so
far, while general rules and guidelines will not help not at all. What we need
to do is to analyse the moves carefully. Actually, when we get to the bottom
of it, there are not that many variations:]
2.-- [2.Bd1 Bxb6+ 3.Nxb6 --
a) 3...Rxa7+ 4.Kb5 f2 5.Bf3+! (5.Be2? Ra2 6.Bf3+ Ka7!) 5...Kc7 6.Nd5+
Kd6 7.Ne3 and Black cannot win.;
b) 3...f2! 4.Be2 (or 4.Bf3+ Kxa7 5.Bg2 Rg8 6.Bh3 Rg5+ and wins) 4...Rxa7+
5.Kb5 Ra2 6.Bf3+ Ka7!! 7.Bg2 Rb2+ and Black wins.;
; 2.Bc2 Bxb6+ 3.Nxb6 --
a) 3...Rxa7+ 4.Kb5 f2 (or 4...Ra2 5.Be4+ Ka7 6.Bxf3) 5.Be4+ Kc7 6.Nd5+
Kd6 7.Ne3 Ke5 8.Bg2 Rg7 9.Bf1 Rg1 10.Kc5!! Ke4 11.Nc4! and it appears
that Black cannot win.;
b) 3...f2! 4.Be4+ Kxa7 5.Bd3 Rd8! 6.Be2 Re8 and Black wins.;
; 2.Bb3! --
a) 2...Bxb6+ 3.Nxb6 Rxa7+ (this time 3...f2 4.Bc4 Rxa7+ 5.Kb5 is a little
different!) 4.Kb5 f2 5.Bc4 Kc7 6.Nd5+ Kd6 7.Ne3 Rb7+ 8.Ka6 Rb1 9.Bd3
Re1 10.Nf1 Kc6 11.Ka5 Kc5 12.Ka4 Kd4 13.Bb5 Rb1 14.Ng3 Ke3 15.Nf1+
Kf4 and it does not seem possible for Black to make progress.;
b) 2...Kc6 is an extra option, but after 3.Nb8+ Kc5 4.Na6+ Kc6 5.Bd5+! (we
do not even need to see this since we are happy with a draw) 5...Kxd5 6.b7
and White even wins.(Thanks to John Shaw for his help with analysing this
study.)Of course it is difficult to calculate all this, and I imagine that an
average grandmaster between 2500 and 2600 would take 10–15 minutes to
make the right choice, and occasionally fail. But is it impossible to learn how
to calculate it all? No. First of all, let us look at what really needs to be
seen:The difference between 3...f2 and 3...Rxa7+ is important. In two out of
three lines everything becomes clear very quickly, so they can be disregarded
altogether as invalid. Just as easily we would not be able to refute 2 Bb3!
which, in a game, would alone be enough to inspire us to play it, leaving the
accurate calculation to the opponent.;
]
½–½
(13) Nohr,F - Nielsen,M
Taastrup, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
19.-- [In this position White was soon lost after 19.Ng5? exd6 20.Ne6? ,
since Black, had he been trained in looking for candidates, could have used
the unprotected rook on the first rank to eliminate the unpleasant knight by
the odd-looking 20...Qe8! , pinning the knight and preparing ...Bxe6, thus
securing the king and his material advantage. (The more natural 20...Qc6! ,
forcing an endgame with two minor pieces against a rook, should also have
won quite easily.) ; Instead of 19 Ng5?, White has two equally interesting
opportunities, both leading to sufficient compensation for the piece. But
before we turn to the concrete options, let us linger a second to consider the
abstract objectives in the position. White has sacrificed a piece in order to
attack. He needs either to regain his material, or equivalent material, or
deliver mate in order to justify his actions. There is no doubt that he has the
initiative, but in order to take advantage of that he needs to bring all his
pieces into play as quickly as possible, to gain a majority at the scene of
action, in order to fulfil his objectives. Less abstractly, this means that he
needs to get his finger out and get the queenside into play! This is what we
would expect a grandmaster would most likely try to achieve.The first of the
two relevant candidates is the following: 19.dxe7!? Qxe7 20.Bg5! . This is
the most logical and simple way of mobilizing the queenside: f6 is under
attack and White develops the bishop with tempo. Soon the rook will enter
the action and White will have a move or two to start a direct assault on the
black kingside, before Black is able to develop his own pieces from the
queenside. Quick analysis shows that Black should probably respond with
20...Qb4!. 20...--
a) . After 20...Qd7 21.Bf6!! Black cannot defend himself. 21...Qf5 (or
21...Kh8 22.Qc3 Nh6 23.Qc5 Rg8 24.Rad1 Bxf6 25.Nxf6 and White wins)
22.Qc3 Bh6 23.Nd6 Qh5 24.Nxf7 Rxf7 25.Re8+ Bf8 26.Rxf8+ Kxf8
27.Qb4+ and Black is mated.;
b) 20...Qc7 21.Rac1 Qd7 22.Bf6 is similar. It is not easy to imagine a line
where the rook is worse on c1 than it was on a1.;
c) . After 20...Qb4 , if he has nothing better, White has 21.Bd2 Qe7 22.Bg5
with repetition, (though 22.Ng5!? looks far more tempting now than it did
earlier. Sometimes it is enough to know you have a definite draw in order to
go for a line, especially if that line includes the sacrifice of a minor piece, a
rook or even more.All this is not so surprising. That White went for 19 Ng5
in the game should be accredited to a lack of attacking technique (Finn Nøhr
is mainly a positional player) rather than an inability to calculate variations.)
; e1) 23...Bg4 24.fxe5 Bxd1 25.e6+ Kh6 26.e7 Qd7 27.Qd2+ Kg7 28.Qd4+
; However, some unimpressed youngsters and the equally unimpressed Fritz
7 came up with: 19.Bh6!! . 19...--
a) . The main idea is not so hard to spot. If Black plays 19...Bxh6 then
20.dxe7 and White wins a lot of material due to 20...Qxe7 21.Nf6+ and
Black has to give up his queen for insufficient compensation. But Black of
course needs to respond.;
b) . He cannot play 19...exd6 because of 20.Nf6+;
c) ; nor can he play 19...Qf5 (an attempt to free the queenside and relieve the
pressure on the king by exchanging queens) since after 20.dxe7 Qxf3
21.exf8Q+ Bxf8 22.gxf3 Bxh6 23.Nd6 the pin costs Black a piece and he
ends up the exchange down.;
d) . But what is White really threatening? Nothing in particular; his next
move would be 20 Rad1, after which he does start to have a lot of threats, but
mainly 19 Bh6! is about domination. Black cannot get out of this with 19...e6
since after 20.Bxg7 Kxg7 21.Qf6+ Kg8 (21...Kh6 22.Re3 (or 22.Ng5
illustrates the need to see little other than candidates) ) 22.Qd4 White has a
very strong, probably decisive attack.;
e) . Black's only move is to force White to exchange on g7 without
relinquishing his weak, but still existing control of f6. 19...Kh8! is therefore
the only defensive option that gives Black any hope of surviving. White
should now proceed with 20.Bxg7+ Kxg7 21.Rad1! bringing the rook into
play as described in the abstract objectives above. As yet we have not
managed to find a defence here for Black, and most likely there isn't one.
One attempt starts 21...Qd8 but then 22.Qc3+ e5 (Black has no choice here
as after 22...Kh6 23.dxe7 Qxe7 24.Nd6! he is under heavy artillery fire,
unable to find cover anywhere) , White has time and active pieces enough for
launch a deadly attack on the dark squares, weakened by the exchange of the
bishops. Best is 23.f4! and Black seems to be quite lost. The variations go
something like this: 23...--
Kh6 29.Rxd1!;
e2) 23...Nd7 24.Bxf7 Kxf7 (or 24...Rxf7 25.fxe5 Qb6+ 26.Kh1 Qc6 27.e6+
Qxc3 28.Nxc3 Rf5 29.e7 Nf6 30.e8Q Nxe8 31.Rxe8 Rf8 32.d7 and White has
not yet finished cashing in) 25.Ng5+ Kg8 26.Qc4+ Kh8 27.Nf7+ Rxf7
28.Qxf7 and White has a winning attack without having invested any serious
material in the process.So the conclusion to this exercise is that White wins
after 19 Bh6!! – truly a stunning move that neither of the players considered
during the game, nor any of the spectators. The tactics following this move
are not so hard for a strong player with sufficient knowledge of attacking
technique to find, but simply seeing the first move is difficult. It is probably
no surprise to the reader that it was Fritz 7 which originally discovered this
possibility. Strong chess-playing programs have transformed the way we
think by showing us corridors between our logic and our eyes that previously
were dark and hazy, if not completely closed to us. Though a computer
makes a lousy chess teacher it can be a useful tool in the hands of the serious
chess player and chess trainer, by pointing out different alleyways and
possibilities. But more about that later.; ;
] British Chess Magazine, 1939
+–
(14) Liburkin,M
64 magazine, 1939
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.Nf5! [Using the other knight, e.g. by 1.Ne6 g2 2.Ng5 fails to 2...a4+! 3.Ka3
(if 3.Kc3 a3 etc) 3...g1Q 4.Nf3+ Kd1 5.Nxg1 Kxc2 with a book draw.]
1...g2 2.Nh4 g1Q [2...g1N is of course also possible, but it will not make a
draw in the long run, so we stop there after a few general observations, such
as that the knight cannot immediately catch the c-pawn and force the
undesired endgame.]
3.Nf3+ Kd1! [This is again the idea.]
[After 3...Kf1 4.Nxg1 Kxg1 the c-pawn cruises down to the eighth rank.]
4.Nxg1 a4+! [An important thing to remember when one calculates is that
the opponent is playing according to his plans, and not according to yours. If
you tried to solve the study, this was the main thing you should have spotted,
and what can be done about it.]
5.Kc3! [Retaining the pawn is non-negotiable.]
5...a3 6.Nd5 a2 7.Ne3+ Kc1 [Or 7...Ke1 8.Kb2 and wins.]
8.Ne2+ Kb1 9.Kd2! [Setting up the cage where Black will be smothered to
death.]
9...a1Q 10.Nc3+ Kb2 11.Nc4#
1–0
(15) O'Donovan,J
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.-- [White cannot win after the tempting zugzwang operation 1.Rxg8+ Nxg8
2.Qf7 as Black has the stalemate defence 2...Qf8!! . So White needs to find
another way to proceed. There is hardly any methodology that can be used
for solving this study that you could take with you into a practical game. The
only thing is open eyes to additional opportunities, i.e. the conscious
incompetence as a chess player that gives you the right to look at all
possibilities afresh.Here that might assist you to find:; 1.Qxg8+! Nxg8 2.Rf7!
and White wins, as the stalemate trick is gone, e.g. 2...Nf6 3.gxf6 Qxc5
4.Rh7+ Kg8 5.f7+ Kf8 6.Rh8+ Kg7 7.Rg8+ Kh6 8.f8Q+ and so on.]
1–0
(17) Karpov,A - Serper,G
Dortmund, 1993
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Many candidates can be selected for White in this position, but the move 23
Nf5 would not make sense unless you see the idea behind the knight
sacrifice. Most experienced players would spot the idea of sacrificing the
knight first and only afterwards find the reasoning behind it. Abstract ideas
like overloading and the weakness of the back rank would not matter, but a
quick scan over all possible meaningful moves would pick up on the knight
sacrifice immediately, and the consequences of it would soon become
apparent – and once these consequences are clear, it is hard to imagine that
White should play any other move, so probably Karpov played it rather
quickly and focused his energy on the resulting endgame.]

23.Nf5! [Black cannot allow the knight to come to d6, so the following
endgame cannot be avoided.]
23...exf5 24.Qxe7 Rxe7 25.Bxb7 Rf8 26.Ba6! [The tactics are now over and
White has a clear advantage. With his last move White keeps control over the
c-file and the promoting square for his c-pawn. So now, with a strong bishop
vs. knight, with more active rooks and an extra pawn on the queenside,
White had no problems converting his advantage into a full point.]
26...g6 27.c5 bxc5 28.bxc5 Rc7 29.Rc1 Re8 30.c6 Kg7 31.Kf1 Re5 32.Bb7
Ra5 33.Rcd1 Re5 34.Rd7 Re7 35.Rxc7 Rxc7 36.Rd8 Re7 37.f3 g5 38.Ra8
g4 39.fxg4 fxg4 40.Rxa7 Nd5 41.Ra4 Ne3+ 42.Kg1 Kf6 43.Rf4+
1–0
(18) Breder,D - Aagaard,J
Budapest, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.Qa8+? [There are of course many ways to solve this position, but the
simplest is to list candidates. In the game the critical position is that after
1.Qa8+ Qd8 2.Qxd8+ Rxd8 3.Rf3 , when the opponent's counter-chances
should be taken into consideration. But first we should do our job of
selecting candidates for calculation, as this often saves us time compared
with analysing one line deeply first.; The second (and better) idea in the
position is to play 1.Rf8+ Kg7 2.Rb8! . This move escaped my opponent's
attention completely. (He only calculated at the tempting 2.Qf6+ , but did not
see any purpose to it. Had he taken the time to look for other possibilities I
am sure he would have found 2 Rb8!) . The deadly threat of 3 Rb7 is so
terrible that Black will have to hurry into a rook endgame with 2...Qg4+
3.Qxg4 Rxg4+ 4.Kf1 .We now have two candidates which can be calculated,
but actually we do not need to. It is obvious that White is worse off with a
passive rook on f3 in the 1 Qa8+ line, than with an active rook on b8 in the
second line. This kind of comparison can often save us time in evaluation
and calculation. No matter whether White is winning or not, it is obvious that
the second line is preferable to the first, and for the practical player that is all
the information required. Actually White is probably going to win without
too much difficulty.But, as said, in the game White played 1 Qa8+.]
1...Qd8 2.Qxd8+ Rxd8 3.Rf3 b3! [I am not sure if White had overlooked
this move. He probably did, which is just another reason why he should have
focused on the starting position and found the solution to the problem.]
4.axb3 cxb3 5.cxb3? [5.c3!? was worth considering, although after 5...a5
6.d4 a4 7.Re3 Rc8 Black should have sufficient counterplay. Now the next
move secures an active black rook and thereby a draw.]
5...Rd4! 6.Re3 Kf7 7.Kf1 Rb4 8.Re2 Rxb3 9.Rd2 a5 10.Ke2 a4 [Black has
a very active rook vs. a passive rook. The extra pawn does not matter much
anymore.]
11.Ke3 Ke6 12.Kd4 g5 13.Ke4 h6 14.f3 Rb4+ 15.d4 Rb3 16.Rf2 Kd6
17.Rc2 Rb8 18.h3 Re8+ 19.Kd3 Rf8 20.Ke3 Re8+ 21.Kd3 Rf8 22.Ke3
Re8+ 23.Kf2 Rb8 24.Ke3
½–½
(19) Nunn,J - Meyer,E
World Student Team Ch., Teesside, 1974
[Jacob Aagaard]
28.Ra7! [It is tempting to start calculating the different lines after 28.Qf1
Ne1+ 29.Nfg2 Nxc2 30.Nxc2 Rxc2 31.Bd4 Rbc6 32.f4 and the attack is
repelled, though some play still exists. Actually this might be what you
would end up playing no matter whether you picked all the candidates or not.
But Nunn is and always has been a very aggressive player and here he came
up with a nice combination.]
28...Qb8 29.Rxf7! [Nunn gives this an '?' in his book, unjustly, as we shall
see below. Here we are really talking about candidate ideas. White could
either have come up with this highly original rook sacrifice,]
[or he could have foreseen the opportunity to exploit the back rank with the
following sequence: 29.Rda1! Rxc4 30.Nxc4 and White is winning. Black
cannot defend his back rank so he is simply a piece down in the resulting
endgame after he loses his own queen. One line could go 30...d5 31.Nxb6
Qxb6 32.R1a6 and wins.It is not really fair to talk about 29 Rxf7 and 29
Rda1 as candidate moves. They both include certain ideas and just seeing the
moves themselves proves little. If you do not spot the idea behind 29 Rda1,
which is the simplest win in the position, then you have no chance of actually
including it in your list of candidates. You simply see that 29...Rxc4 wins
your queen and you move on. Actually, you probably would not see 29 Rda1
at all, unless you are well trained in finding surprising candidate moves.]
29...Ne5 [This seems forced, even though it is objectively no better than
alternatives;]
[e.g. 29...Rxc4 30.Rxg7+ Kh8 (if 30...Kf8 31.Nxe6+ Ke8 32.Nxc4 and
White's position is completely overwhelming – the threats are so many that it
seems they can hardly be counted!) 31.Rb7+ Rc3 32.Rxb8+ Rxb8 33.Nxe6
and White is a few pawns up.]
30.Rxg7+! [White of course had this in mind.]
30...Kxg7 [30...Kh8 31.Rxg5 Rxc4 32.Nxc4 and Black's position is
collapsing.]
31.Nxe6+? [Don't think, feel! – Bruce Lee.It is easy to see the knight fork
and then start to calculate the complex lines after 31 Nxe6 Kg8!. But if Nunn
had stopped for a moment and actually just looked at the position, he would
undoubtedly have spotted a far stronger continuation.]
[31.Qxe6! is more or less winning on the spot. There is no way for Black to
defend his king against all the intruding white pieces. In the position White is
threatening Nf5+, Qg4, Bxe5+ and Rxd6. Against so many threats there can
be no defence, as analysis of the position proves: 31...Re8 (or 31...Qb7+
32.Nfg2 Kf8 33.Rxd6 Rxd6 34.Qxd6+ Qe7 35.Bxe5 and wins; actually it is a
more a slaughter house than a chess game here) 32.Bxe5+ (the most human
approach; 32.Qf5; , and 32.Qg4 also win easily) 32...dxe5 33.Rd7+ and
White wins, as after 33...Kh8 there is a simple combination with 34.Ng6+
hxg6 35.Qh3+ and mate follows.Why did Nunn overlook this both in the
game and in his later analysis? In the game there could have been all kinds of
reasons: time pressure, assumptions, bad form, or whatever. In the
preparation of the book it is another matter. No computer program would
miss this move for the world, and yet Nunn still does not include it in his
book (and Nunn is very famous for his use of computers in his writing). The
reason is that he did not stop to think here (or check the computer's choice in
the position). Instead, the text move is so obvious that it is easy to play it
without thinking. It is a check, a fork even. By comparison the queen is not
doing anything directly on e6, there is no immediate threat to the black king
or queen. But if you do stop to think for a moment, then you will quickly see
all these great threats and start to calculate. And before we can calculate, we
must realize whether we have a choice or not.]
31...Kf6? [This is just reckless.]
[Black needs to get his king into safety and this can only be done with
31...Kg8! , when the king and queen might be on the same line, but White
cannot exploit it. After 32.Qe2 Bxe3 33.fxe3 Qb7+ 34.e4 Qd7 Black is only
slightly worse. The reason for Black's mistake is likely to be time trouble,
though Nunn does not mention anything thereof in his book.]
32.Bxe5+! [It seems that Black somehow missed this,]
[but even so 32.Nc7!? is also a winning move. The attack is simply too
strong.]
32...dxe5 33.Nd5+ [33.Ng4+ Ke7 34.Qd5 Rxe6 35.Qd7+ would also have
won.]
33...Kxe6 34.Qg4+ Kf7 35.Nxb6 Rd8 36.Qf5+ Ke8 37.Qe6+ Be7
38.Rxd8+ Qxd8 39.Nd5
1–0
(20) Danielsen,Hei - Aagaard,J
Taastrup, 1999
[Jacob Aagaard]
29...d2! [A neat idea. It always feels good to sacrifice the queen, and even
better to under-promote a pawn in the process. But to be honest the
combination is so simple that it is really no combination at all.]
30.d6+ Kh8 [Here White used a good deal of time before realizing that he
had nothing better than to take the queen and hope for a swindle in the
endgame a piece down, but with an active queen.]
31.Qxc3 [31.Qe7 Qd4+ 32.Kg3 Qg4+ 33.Kf2 Qf4+ 34.Ke2 Bg4+ and mates
is one line that Heini was forced to analyse.; 31.Qb6 d1N+ 32.Kf1 Ne3+
33.Kf2 Qd2+ 34.Kf3 Qxg2+ 35.Kxe3 Qg1+ was another possible line. All in
all nothing looks alright for White.]
31...d1N+ [The rest is simple.]
32.Ke2 Nxc3+ 33.Kd3 b4 34.Kd4 g5 35.Kc5 Ne4+ 36.Kb6 f5 37.Bd5
Nxd6 38.Kc7 Ne8+ 39.Kxd7 Nf6+ 40.Ke6 Nxd5 41.Kxd5 Kg7 42.Kc4 a5
43.a3 bxa3 44.Kb3 f4 45.c4 g4 46.c5 Kf7
0–1
(21) Webb,S - Aagaard,J
Swedish League, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
[White should start with]
28.Nxf7!! [This is the only serious candidate. The method of elimination
should make this clear. Webb played this with only five minutes left on his
clock,]
[seeing lines like: 28.Nxf7 Qxe2 (or 28...Rxf7 29.Qxe6 just wins; the tricky
29...Qf4!? is best refuted by 30.Rxf7 Qxf7 31.Qxd5 when it is all about the
three extra pawns) 29.Qe5! and White will enter the endgame a full pawn up
with no doubt about the result, e.g. 29...Qxe5 30.Nxe5 Rf5 31.Nd7 and Black
is out of ideas.What is the only defence to this kind of aggression?]
28...Rae8! [This is the chess equivalent to turning the other cheek. It is
clearly the only move, as the alternatives all lose directly. For a practical
player this is a nice move to find. Under pressure, losing another pawn and
clearly close to complete failure, he finds a move that at least keeps the
engine running for a while. Now White simply panicked and was not able to
use his limited time to find a playable continuation. But still, giving up the
rook gives no chance at all of a playable position, and the practical chances
are also close to nil. So it would have been better to choose one of the
alternatives and then see if anything turned up.]
29.Rxd5?? Qxd5+ [From here on the game is over.]
30.Qxd5 exd5 31.Ng5 Rxe2 32.Nf3 Rxa2 33.Rd7 Rb2 34.Rxd5 Rxb3
35.Ng5 Ra8 36.Ne6 Rb6 37.Nc7 Rc8 38.Nb5 a4 39.Nd4 Ra8 40.Rd7 a3
41.Nf5 a2 42.Rxg7+ Kh8 [.How should White have continued after
18...Rae8 - ?.(press F10 to continue)]
0–1
(22) analysis Webb-Aagaard
[Jacob Aagaard]
[This is a truly complicated situation and it takes some time to calculate all
the possibilities. I have personally listed three candidates beyond the move
Simon played in the game: 29 Qe5, 29 Rcc7 and 29 Qd7. The right thing, I
believe, is to calculate them one at a time and come to conclusions as quickly
as possible. Remember, we calculate not to indulge ourselves in variations,
but to find the best move as quickly and as reliably as possible. Pseudo-
thinking with concepts and ideas will bring you little satisfaction here. You
need to be concrete and to find the relevant variations.It should not take too
long to find the right first move.]
29.Qd7! [Not too relevant is the piece sacrifice 29.Qe5? Rxf7 30.Rxf7 Kxf7
31.e4 when it is hard to believe in the white attack, and for this reason alone
it is possible to disregard it as a serious candidate. The combination also has
an easy tactical refutation in 31...Qe2! 32.Qd4 Nf6 and Black is close to
winning.; More persistent is 29.Rcc7!? Qxe2 30.Nh6+ (but not 30.Qe5 Qxe5
31.Nxe5 Nxc7 32.Rxc7 Rc8 and Black is winning) 30...Kh8 . This position
could easily have been foreseen as well. A closer look would have revealed
that White is actually in trouble! However, there is a nice resource in
31.Qxf8+!! (if he plays 31.Nf7+? then 31...Rxf7 wins on the spot) 31...Rxf8
32.Nf7+ and White has perpetual check because of the various rook mates.]
29...Qd4!? [Black's best defence.]
[He has to be careful, as after 29...Re7 White will surely answer 30.Rxd5!!
Rxd7 31.Rdxd7 Qxe2 32.Nh6+ Kh8 . Afterwards, when I was showing the
game to a few friends, GM Djurhuus suggested that White would be able to
make a draw like this, but actually he is more or less winning instantly with
the defensive/aggressive move 33.Rf7! which leaves Black in serious
trouble. Black will be able to offer resistance after this move, but it should
not be too difficult to work out that he will be running around like a wounded
animal for the rest of the game, if White plays correctly.]
[After 29...Qd4 White needs to find his candidates again. But first things
first. Should White have predicted this move? I am not sure. He should have
seen it, but also that he would have a wide choice afterwards and that Black
has not solved his problems immediately. If we compare this with the
previous variations it is obvious that only after 29 Qd7 can White play for a
win, and once we have assured ourselves that Black does not have an easy
way to neutralize the initiative, we can play the move without wasting time.
Here I have analysed two continuations:]
30.Nh6+! [Stronger than 30.Rc4 Qf6 , when it is all about finding the right
path out of the jungle! 31.Qb5 (if instead 31.Qa4 Ra8 32.e4 Ne7 33.Ne5
Qxf2+ 34.Kh3 Qf1+ 35.Kh4 Qg2 36.Rxe7 Qxh2+ 37.Kg4 h5+ 38.Kg5
Qxg3+ 39.Kxh5 Qxe5+ and Black wins) 31...Rd8 32.Nxd8 Qxf2+ 33.Kh3
Rxd8 34.Rg4 Qf1+ 35.Kh4 Qf6+ 36.Kh3 with a draw. So 30 Rc4 does not
provide us with any advantage.]
30...Kh8 31.f3! [If 31.Nf5 Qe4+ 32.Kg1 Qb1+ with a draw.; After 31.Kh3!?
Qf6 32.Ng4 Qg6 33.f3 White remains a pawn up with good chances. Or so it
seems, but in fact Black has a fantastic route to equality: 33...Rd8 34.Qc6 h5
35.Nf2 Qf5+ 36.Kg2 Ne3+ 37.Kg1 and now 37...Qh3!! 38.Nxh3 Rd1+
39.Kf2 Ng4+ etc. An amazing and original drawing combination!]
31...Qb2 [After the forcing 31...Ne3+ 32.Kh3 Qf6 33.Ng4 Nxg4 then
34.Kxg4! and White wins.]
32.Kh3! Qa1! [If 32...Qf6 33.Ng4 wins.]
33.Nf7+! [If 33.Rc1 Qf6 34.Ng4 Qg5 35.Kg2 Rd8 36.Qc6 h5 37.Nf2 Qd2;
while 33.Rxd5 exd5 34.Nf7+ Kg8 35.Qxd5 Qf6 36.Ng5+ only leaves White
with a clear advantage, but at least now we have choices.]
33...Kg8 34.Rxa5 Qf1+ 35.Kh4 Qa1 36.Raa7 Qf6+ 37.Kh3 Ne3 38.Qd3
Rxf7 39.Qxe3 [and White will win.]
+–
(23) Marshall,F - Lasker,Em
New York, 1924
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Here Marshall did not see Black's threat and went for]
44.Qxe6? [There are other continuations that prove insufficient for White on
similar accounts; e.g. 44.Rh2+? Kg7 45.Qxe6?! Rxf1+ 46.Kxf1 Bb5+ and
Black escapes with a draw once again.; Even worse is 44.Nh6? , when
44...Rxf1+ 45.Kxf1 Bb5+ is terrible for White: after 46.Kg1 (and 46.Ke1 Bf4
47.Qxe6 Qc1+ 48.Kf2 Qf1# is not exactly an improvement) 46...Bf4 Black is
winning.]
[, which was brutally met by]
44...Rxf1+! 45.Kxf1 Bb5+ 46.Re2 [There is nothing better; after 46.Kf2
Qc2+ Black makes a draw.]
46...Bxe2+ 47.Qxe2 Qf7+ 48.Qf2 Kg7 [. This endgame is still nominally
better for White with the extra pawn, but it is not that easy to make progress,
and Lasker eventually drew it without too many problems.]
49.Ne3 Bf4 50.Ke2 Qc7 51.Qg2+ Kf8 52.Nxd5 Qc2+ 53.Kf3 Bd2 54.Qf1
Qxb3+ 55.Ke2+ Ke8 56.Qf5 Qc4+ 57.Kxd2 Qxd4+ 58.Ke2 Qc4+ 59.Kf2
Qc5+ 60.Kg2 Qd6 61.Kf3 Kd8 62.Ke4 Qe6+
½–½
(24) analysis Marshall-Lasker pt.1
[Jacob Aagaard]
44.Bd3! [This move has a double function. First of all it pre-empts the tactics
with 44...Rxf1+! which the kids got really tired of looking at. Secondly, it
sets up a serious threat of 45 Qh3+, which Black simply cannot allow. So his
response is forced.]
44...Bh5 45.Nh6 [The natural way to proceed. Black has no counterplay, so
White threatens with 46 Rg8 mate and thereby forces Black's next reply.]
45...Rf8 [. Here it is important to calculate slowly in order to grasp the
finesses in the position. Training in finding candidate moves is also very
important.]
[Byron continues with 45...Rf8 46.Qg5 , writing "White suddenly has the
attractive threats of 47 Qg8+ and 47 Qf6+ as well as the more mundane 47
Qxh5. Black has no good reply. Not a difficult continuation to find, but tricky
enough to cause Marshall to lose his way." And then he continues with the
next position.I would like to mention that I have not been able to find any
other mistakes in Byron's book from the examples I have been working with.
But here we shall see what 12–year old Alex Hansen decided to play before
we do anything else, as it impressed me quite a bit.]
46.Nf7+! [This is certainly more forceful, and Black cannot do anything to
defend himself.]
46...Rxf7 47.Qh6+ Rh7 48.Bxh7 Qxh7 49.Qf6+ [and mates.This was done
in a training session where the two other boys found 46 Qg5 and were
praised therefore. But when I went home and had a second look at the
position, I began to have doubts about the correctness of Byron's explanation
above. Maybe it was not as simple as I thought, and maybe Alex's win was
not just an alternative way to do it, as I had explained him, but actually the
only safe way to decide the game in White's favour.]
+–
(25) Korchnoi,V - Vaganian,R
Skelleftea, 1989
[Jacob Aagaard]
35...b6!! 36.Qxc6 Ne3+ 37.Rxe3 Qf1+ 38.Kxf1 [and stalemate.]
½–½
(26) analysis Marshall-Lasker pt.2
[Jacob Aagaard]
46.Qg5?! [is met by a very unexpected counter-strike:]
46...Bg6!! [.How should White continue here?]
47.-- [47.Bxg6 Bf4 48.Nf7+ Kg7 49.Qh4! (49.Qh5 allows Black an
immediate draw with 49...Qc1+ 50.Kf2 Qe3+) 49...Qc1+ 50.Kf2 Qd2+
51.Kf3 (the only way still to play for the full point; 51.Kf1 Qd1+ 52.Qe1
Qf3+ 53.Kg1 Be3+ is another draw) 51...Qe3+ 52.Kg4 Kxg6 53.Nh8+ Rxh8
54.Qxh8 Kf7 55.Qh7+ Kf8 56.Qg6 Bd6 57.Qf6+ Ke8 58.Rf2 Be7 59.Qf4
Qxb3 and despite the extra exchange it is not obvious that White has serious
winning chances. The position is obviously better for White, but whether the
advantage is decisive or not hard to estimate.; 47.Rc2 (I like this move more,
but White is still not winning as easily as before) 47...Qg7! 48.Qxg6
(48.Bxg6 Bf4 49.Nf7+ Rxf7 50.Qh5+ Kg8 51.Qg4 is only slightly better for
White) 48...Qxg6+ 49.Bxg6 Kg7 50.Nf7 Bf4 51.Rg2 Be3+ 52.Kf1 Bxd4
53.Bh5+ Kf6 54.Nh6 and White has a piece more in the endgame. But with
only one pawn left, who knows? There are many drawn endgames which can
arise out of the blue.]
½–½
(28) Aagaard,J - Ostergaard,J [B01]
Helsingor, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 d5 [Jens said after the game that he suddenly got the impulse to try
something new. I can understand that – but the Scandinavian Defence...?]
2.exd5 Nf6 [2...Qxd5 is the best move here according to theory and also
according to my own practical experience.]
3.d4 Nxd5 4.Nf3 [This is rather harmless but still gives White a good chance
of getting a better game. When confronted with a sideline (such as the
Scandinavian Defence) even strong players often play too cautiously and
therefore do not get all the advantage they could; but on the other hand they
avoid walking into nasty traps and snowstorms of blurring tactics, while still
securing just as good chances for an advantage as they would have in a
normal opening system.]
4...g6 5.Be2 [5.c4 was objectively stronger.]
5...Bg7 6.0–0 0–0 7.c4 Nb6 8.Nc3 c6!? [This move is actually not as bad as I
initially thought when Jens played it, but Black should utilize its advantages
creatively.]
[Theory recommends 8...Nc6 9.d5 Ne5 10.Nxe5 Bxe5 11.Bh6 Re8 12.Qd2
e6 13.Rfe1 exd5 14.cxd5 when White is a little bit better, though it is nothing
special.; During the game I also considered 8...Bg4 , but afterwards quickly
found what looks to be a positional refutation: 9.h3 Bxf3 10.Bxf3 Nc6 (the
critical moment) 11.c5! Nd7 12.Be3 e5 13.Bxc6! (a surprise, but the black
queenside is completely ruined and ...Nxd4 is prevented) 13...bxc6 14.d5
cxd5 15.Qxd5 with a clear advantage to White, e.g. 15...Qe7 16.Qc6 Nf6
17.Bg5 .]
9.h3 [With his last move Black defended the diagonal f3–b7 and after ...Bg4
would be attacking both c4 and d4. Therefore 9 h3 is a natural reaction. Now
comes the first critical moment in the game. What should Black play here?]
9...N8d7? [A specious move. A badly placed piece is en route to a more
active square (f6), as Black slowly completes his development. But in fact
9...N8d7 is the more or less the decisive mistake. The knight has no real
function on f6; the only plan available is connected to ...Bf5 and ...Ne4 in
order to relieve some of the pressure through exchanges. But White can
easily prevent this, and does so in the game. Instead it was necessary to find
real work for the black pieces, and not just let the fingers do the talking.
Black needed to perform a correct evaluation of the position and a discovery
of White's plan (though not so easy to predict, this was the task Black had put
before himself by choosing a passive formation with 8...c6).]
[The correct move was 9...Be6! in order to force White to decide upon his
queenside set-up straight away. White has two possible ways to meet this:
10.--
a) 10.Qb3!? is tempting when one sees how the game continues, but here
Black has a strong reaction in 10...a5! 11.a4 Na6! , when the knight finds an
active square on b4 from which it is truly restricting White's options, as well
as preventing any problems down the b-file. I find it hard to believe that
White has a real advantage here. His co-ordination is simply not good
enough.;
b) 10.b3 is the most natural move. Now Black can either develop slowly and
be somewhat worse, or enter the more complicated variation 10...c5 11.Be3
Nc6 12.d5! Bxc3 13.Rc1! (Black looks fine after 13.dxe6 Bxa1 14.Qxa1 f6
15.Bxc5 Qc8 16.Re1 Qxe6 – White has the two bishops, but I doubt they are
sufficient for an advantage or even for equality) 13...Bxd5 14.Rxc3 Bxf3
15.Bxf3 Qc7 16.Bxc5 Qe5 17.Bxc6 Qxc3 18.Bxb7 Rab8 19.Qf3 and White
is better as here the bishops and the pawn are more than enough for the
exchange. Of course Black has other choices, but White seems to be able to
prove an opening advantage.;
; A pupil of mine suggested 9...Bf5 , but as the idea of ...Ne4 will not happen,
there is no function for the bishop on f5, and the move is hardly an
improvement on the game.]
10.Bf4 [The natural post for the bishop in any case, and while it might look
as if the bishop is shooting into thin air, it actually has some important
prophylactic functions. The black queen has only two available squares on
the 7th rank (c7, d7) and none on the 6th. White can severely disturb Black's
development by not allowing the queen access to these two squares. The
bishop takes control over c7, as well as preventing the only active possibility
behind 9...N8d7, i.e. 10...e5. The knight can always jump to e5 later and
disturb the queen, so Black has no easy way to develop his pieces, as the
queen will always be in the way of the rooks.]
10...Nf6 [The problem with a move like this is that White now has complete
control over e5, and Black cannot do anything against the white pawns on c4
an d4.This is the first critical moment for White in the game. He has three
pieces yet to be developed. It is natural to think that White will play Qd2,
Rad1, Rfe1 and Bf1 when his pieces are in harmony and he has more space.
But although this gives White a slight advantage there is nowhere particular
to go afterwards. White could play Bh6 and exchange the right set of
bishops, but Black has no real weaknesses. Instead, what I did was to
approach the position prophylactically – as Mark Dvoretsky has advised in
all his books and told me to do on every occasion we have met. So I started
to look for Black's plans and found two.The first involves 11...Bf5 with the
idea of 12...Ne4. The knight is a bit stupid on f6 and the bishop has no good
square either. The exchange of knights on c3 would give some breathing
room and maybe indicate ...Bf5–e4, which White cannot really allow as the
pawn on d4 would come under attack.]
[So my first thought was to play 10...Nf6 11.Re1 in order to meet 11...Bf5
with the natural and desirable 12.Bf1 . Not a great plan, but at least
something that develops my pieces, as well as preventing ...Ne4.
Nevertheless, I was not filled with a feeling of ease by this. It seemed that I
was not exploiting the full potential of my position, but rather making a
specious operation of my own.; Also, Black has a different plan: he can play
10...Nf6 11.Re1 Be6 12.b3 a5 , when after 13.a4 I have more space and some
problems persist for Black, but he has forced me to fix my queenside pawns
and therefore lose flexibility. I did not like that much either. I evaluated the
position after 13...h6 to be better for White, but besides completing my
development I did not see how to improve my position. So perhaps White's
advantage is not so large after all?; What I needed was a way to combat both
11...Be6 and 11...Bf5. I quickly came up with 10...Nf6 11.Bd3 Be6 12.Qe2 ,
avoiding 12 b3. But after 12...Qc8 13.Rad1 Bf5! Black succeeds in getting
rid of his most troublesome piece for my potentially best piece, and at the
same time solves some of the problems with his queen. Note that after
14.Qxe7 Bxd3 15.Rxd3 Qf5 White suddenly has three unprotected pieces,
and all of them are threatened. So it appears there is no way to prevent ...Be6.
However, this is not the point of prophylaxis. The point is to ensure that the
opponent's every desirable operation comes at a high cost. So I started to go
through my shortlist of positional factors to check when in doubt about my
future operations. One of these factors is weaknesses. My weakness is
obviously c4; Black's potential weaknesses are e7 and, to my surprise, b7.
After the light-squared bishop moves away b7 is not easy to guard. So the
move played in the game entered my mind with a strong sense of clarity and
I quickly decided upon it.]
11.a4!? [It was a great surprise to my opponent that his position after 11 a4 is
close to being strategically lost. But to me it felt logical. He had played a
passive opening system and wasted two moves on an operation of cosmetic
character. Beyond the aesthetic nature of the knight manoeuvre to f6 there is
nothing: no function of the move, no nothing. As I wrote earlier, some people
say that the move you think of first is the one you play in 75% of cases –
which may be true, but how many of these moves are theoretical moves,
recaptures, exchanges or mistakes? Chess is a game with great potential for
depth, both in calculation and in strategic thinking. The solution to this
position was a move that White at first thought Black wanted to provoke, but
actually it turns out to be the other way round. Neither intuition nor
calculation can help much in solving such a problem. The longest variation
was four moves long and hardly anything more than an illustration of why
White was moving in the wrong direction. With this kind of positional
thinking a strong player can outplay a weaker player virtually every time.
Unfortunately for me it is seldom that I can muster that kind of concentration
and clarity. But if we go through the games of great players, we will find this
depth of though all the time if we look for it – especially if we go through the
games of Capablanca, Alekhine, Lasker and all the other old guys, who were
clearly better than their opponents. So when they found a strong plan the
opponents usually did not see them and hence did not prevent them.]
[Incidentally, in case it seems seem that the first move that came into my
head was the right one, I should add that in fact it was not so. I did not want
to waste your time with 11.Qd2?! Bf5 and Black is more or less OK, even
though White has 12.Qe3! preventing ...Nf6–e4.]
11...Be6 [Black has no good moves anymore.]
[After 11...a5 12.Re1! Bf5 13.Bf1 White will continue with 14 Qb3 and 15
Rad1. It is not easy to see how Black will continue. My team-mate Michael
Jørgensen noticed that 15 Be3 with the idea 16 d5 was also possible. But I
would not try to capitalize on my opponent's problems in such a fashion. Not
because I am a nice guy, but because I do not see how he can improve his
position. When I have the chance to improve my position more than my
opponent has the chance to improve his, I would rather complete my
mobilization and only then strike. We shall return to this interesting idea at
move 16.; 11...Bf5 was perhaps the objectively strongest move. White would
then continue 12.a5 Nc8 (not 12...Nbd7? 13.g4! and the bishop is trapped) ,
and either 13.Ne5 (or 13.a6 with a very large positional advantage in both
cases. Nevertheless, White is forced to undertake active operations before he
has finished his development and Black should therefore have more chances
of survival. Actually this is why I have come to the conclusion that, although
I was enormously proud about my decision in the game, and had the feeling
that I penetrated to the heart of the problem completely, this was not in fact
the case. I was so close and yet so far.The correct move order was 11 Re1!
Be6 12 Qb3 followed by 13 a4 and White is strategically winning beyond
any doubt. There is nothing to regret about 11 a4!? as White still has a clear
advantage; but the absolutely prophylactic 11 Re1 would not have allowed
even the feeble try for counterplay with 11...Bf5. I must say that I am unsure
whether anybody (except a true chess genius on a good day) could solve this
problem in all its details at the board. Sometimes true depth is only possible
through long and hard analysis repeated many times. Because honestly, who
would refuse a position such as that after 13 a6 when he saw the possibility
of it arising with his opponent's best play?I discussed these considerations
with Mark. At first I showed him 11 a4 as if it was the solution to the
position, but when I found the refinement and told him, he was not too
impressed. The difference between the two kinds of advantage is not so great
and Mark thinks this kind of problem is not that relevant for training or
writing, and completely clear examples create a stronger impression.
Actually I disagree a little. I believe that clearly explained examples create
the best impression, examples that give the core of a position and the reasons
behind different claims. But everybody has their own opinions.) ]
12.Qb3! [This was of course the idea.]
12...Qc8 13.Rfe1! [This is another important moment in this game. It is
tempting for White to play 13.a5 Nbd7 14.d5 with an initiative in the centre.
The question is whether this is too soon. It did not take me many seconds to
decide that it was. Black has no convincing way to prevent this advance later,
and meanwhile White can improve his position more than Black can improve
his. This special kind of consideration often exists when you have an
advantage.]
13...h6 14.Bh2 [The bishop was unguarded on f4 and a possible prey to
tactics when White eventually takes decisive action. Therefore it is better
placed on h2. Also, White now has a wide range of possible answers to
14...g5.]
14...Rd8 [Black cannot do much with his position;]
[trying to mess things up with 14...g5!? was possibly the best choice.]
15.Rac1 g5!? [This is less strong now that White has completed
development. The only move White might still want to play is Be2–f1 when
all pieces are ideally placed, but this is not so important, especially now
Black is considering some counterplay with ...g5–g4. Therefore it is logically
the right moment for White to take action. When the game changes in this
way, from the positional build-up where calculation is not really needed, to a
full fledged frontal attack, the way of thinking also needs to change. Both
players will have to calculate accurately and play the best moves, or the
evaluation of the position can alter very quickly.What I personally find most
difficult is to change from feeling the right way intuitively and evaluating it
by logic, to working with accuracy and calculation. I often mess up my
position in exactly this kind of situation because I am not playing with the
right frame of mind (although my logic often proves correct and I maintain
my playing level despite this obvious flaw in my thinking technique). In this
game I make such a mistake which I present to you as a pertinent example,
one that should not be ignored just because I win the game all the same (see
the Nataf game later on for a true failure).]
16.a5 [There is no reason now to hesitate in playing this move. I am clearly
better and have no obvious way of improving my position anymore. It is time
to fight.]
16...Nbd7 17.d5 [Again this just has to be right. While this 17 d5 was not
played blindfold, I did not see the need to calculate everything here, as Black
has only one move and White's play follows naturally.]
17...Bf5 18.Nd4 Nc5 [18...Bg6 was not an alternative: 19.a6! and the black
queenside falls apart.]
19.Qa3?! [So here it is – the miscalculation. Actually this position should not
be too difficult for an International Master such as myself. White has two
obvious moves and one of them could very well be better than the other. So
the thing to do is to calculate both and find the difference between them.
Here I did not really do so; instead I saw a short line and believed that I
would not have to think at all.]
[Correct was 19.Qb4! and now we have: 19...--
a) 19...Na6 – I did not like the look of this, but had I gone as far as 20.Qxe7
it would have been quite obvious that I was just being silly. White will
advance his extra pawn to d6 and enjoy life, having a clear advantage as
well.;
b) 19...Nd3 does not look good because of 20.Nxf5 Nxb4 (20...Qxf5 21.Bxd3
Qxd3 22.Qxb7 wins a pawn, since if 22...cxd5 23.cxd5 Nxd5? 24.Rcd1 and
White wins even more) 21.Nxe7+ Kf8 22.Nxc8 Raxc8 23.d6 Nd7 24.Red1
and White will win with his extra pawn.;
c) 19...Nfe4 20.Nxf5 Qxf5 21.Nxe4 Nxe4 22.Bf3 is the line I had prepared in
the game. Only here there is a big difference: Black does not have ...Nd2
with counterplay. Instead the game might continue 22...cxd5 23.cxd5 Nf6
24.Qxb7 Nxd5 25.Bg4 Qf6 26.Bc8! and Black loses the exchange.This is a
simple matter of comparison. Note that it was not that the position was too
difficult for me to calculate, but that I had problems changing my frame of
mind from logical thinking and positional play to calculation. Luckily I still
managed to win the game.;
]
19...Nfe4 [White is clearly better after 19...Nd3 20.Nxf5 (20.Bxd3 Bxd3
21.a6 Bxc4 22.Rxe7 b6 23.Nxc6 Nxd5 24.Rc7 Nxc7 25.Ne7+ Kh7 26.Nxc8
Raxc8 is probably good for White, but unnecessarily complicated) 20...Qxf5
21.Bxd3 Qxd3 22.dxc6 bxc6 23.Qxe7 Qxc4 24.Ne4 Qe6 25.Qxe6 fxe6
26.Nc5 and the endgame looks rather sad for Black.Now I had to really think
for the first time since my 11th move. I had clearly done my best to throw the
advantage away, but at least I had had my cold shower and now found it no
problem to concentrate on playing the best moves. After around 35 minutes
thought I came up with the right way to continue.]
20.Nxe4 Nxe4 21.Qe3! [It turns out that White can still put Black under a lot
of pressure, who has no easy way of getting out of this alive.]
[Instead 21.Nxf5? Qxf5 22.Bf3 cxd5 23.cxd5 Nd2! is not clear at all.]
21...Bg6 [If 21...Nd6 22.Be5! and the black kingside is enormously fragile. I
would consider White's position to be strategically winning, though it might
require a lot of work to prove it.; 21...e6 loses more or less by force to 22.Bf3
c5 23.Nxe6 fxe6 24.Bxe4 Bxb2 25.Rb1 Bd4 26.Bxf5 exf5 27.Qe6+ Qxe6
28.Rxe6 Rd7 29.Rxh6 with an extra pawn in the endgame.]
22.Bf3! [An accurate move. White wants to answer a later ...f5–f4 with Qd3
in order to target the g6–bishop. Suddenly he is playing chess again!]
22...c5 [22...f5 loses to several moves, but most clearly to 23.Ne6 Bxb2
24.Bxe4 fxe4 25.Rb1 Bf6 26.Nxd8 Qxd8 27.a6 bxa6 28.dxc6 with an extra
exchange and the plan c6–c7 and Rb8.]
23.Nb5 f5 24.g4! [Undermining e4. I want that e7–pawn!]
24...f4? [A result of time trouble and a bad position.]
25.Qd3 a6 26.Nc3?! [This works out OK, but again actual calculation would
have been helpful.]
[After 26.Na3! Bxb2 27.Bxe4 Bxc1 28.Bxg6 the win is even easier.]
26...Nxc3 27.Qxg6 Na4? [After 27...Rd6 White wins by 28.Qh5! Na2
29.Rxe7 Qf8 30.Rce1 and Black cannot defend himself. If nothing else then
31 h4 will free the h2–bishop and White will enjoy his material advantage.]
28.Rxe7 [There is no defence against mate.A lucky escape, even though it
might not seem so superficially.]
1–0
(29) Nielsen,PH - McShane,L [D86]
Copenhagen, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 5.e4 Nxc3 6.bxc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 c5
8.Ne2 Nc6 9.Be3 cxd4 10.cxd4 Qa5+ [This was the third main line Grünfeld
between the two players in just two months. For the second time McShane
deviates from the previous game – here with a speciality of Svidler's.]
11.Bd2 Qd8 12.d5 Ne5 13.Bc3 0–0 14.Bb3 Qb6 15.f4 Nd7 [In V.Kramnik-
P.Svidler, Dortmund 1998, White soon had a winning positional advantage
after 15...Ng4 16.Bd4 Qb4+ 17.Qd2 Qxd2+ 18.Kxd2 e5 19.h3 exd4
20.hxg4 . The forthcoming opposite-coloured bishops are of little
importance, compared with the strong d-pawn and the weakness of f7.]
16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Rc1 Rd8! [17...Nf6 18.e5 Qb4+ 19.Kf2 Ne4+ 20.Ke3 Nc5
21.Qd4 Qxd4+ 22.Nxd4 b6 23.Bd1 Bb7 24.Bf3 gave White a clear edge in
the endgame in S.Atalik-S.Berndt, European Club Cup, Chalkidiki 2002.]
[White to move. The opening is over. How should the pieces be organized?]
18.Rc4!! [A very fine move indeed. White is thinking about Qd4+, but
mainly he is reorganizing his pieces for entering the c-file. White's chances
for an advantage are still very much based on his lead in development.Peter
said in the commentary room that, although it appears that there are no other
constructive moves in the position, it took him 30 minutes before he even
started to consider this move. I think this is a great example of his two
greatest strengths in action. The first is thorough preparation; 17...Rd8 is a
novelty and Peter was aware of that. The second is his great feel for the
pieces. Being an intuitive player he mixes calculation with evaluation and
intuition constantly, and this way finds the right move using many criteria, as
he did here.]
18...e5 [This was the move Black wanted to play.]
19.Qa1 f6? [This weakens too many squares.]
[It was much better to keep the control over e5 with 19...Re8 when "it would
take a long time to come to any definite conclusions. But I would rather
show my tricks." – Nielsen in the commentary room.Actually Luke McShane
simply overlooked something later on (26 Rf8+!) and therefore saw nothing
wrong with 19...f6. So was it a positional or a tactical mistake? I would argue
both. A tactical mistake is an oversight and the game was decided partly
because of a blind spot in McShane's calculation (the first of its kind in three
years according to the man himself). My argument for it being a positional
mistake, and primarily a positional mistake, is that McShane allows an awful
lot, and lets the game go in a direction where his weakened position depends
on a minor finesse eight moves further on. Positional evaluation, or a player
with a stronger intuition, would not go so far down the wrong road but notice
the rook invading the seventh rank, indirectly attacking the king, the
weakness of f6 and e6, and the continued X-ray threat on the long diagonal.
All these danger signs are of a positional nature and, added together, are
decisive. Had no safer path existed for Black it would be hard to argue like
this, but it does. He does not have to weaken his position or create a route for
the white rooks and knight to enter the position.McShane, on the other hand,
who knows what he is talking about, saw 19...f6 as a purely tactical mistake.
He said he had not overlooked anything like this for the last year or two, and
still saw nothing wrong with his approach.So we disagree. It would be easy
for the reader to take the point of view that McShane is right, simply because
he is a much better player than me. But if this was true then Dorfman's two
books should be masterpieces, simply because he is very strong. Life is not
that simple.McShane explains how he plays chess and I explain how I would
make a decision in this position. That McShane does better with his method
than I do with mine is irrelevant, since I am sure he would do better with
mine as well. I think the right thing is to look at his opponent, Peter Heine
Nielsen (who is of the same strength as McShane), and realize that Peter does
not solve his problems through calculation alone, but also through a strong
intuition. Obviously there is the matter of style and personality here. I am
sceptical of relying too much on calculation, and fear that this practice might
be a roadblock in the development of Luke McShane's enormous chess
talent. But I believe that, for the reader, the lesson should be obvious. If you
can calculate very well, you should of course use this ability to your
advantage; if you cannot, do not feel any pressure to play as if you can, but
use your intuition and other facets of your chess ability in order to find your
own balance.]
20.Qc3 exf4 [Black executes his plan. Now it is also virtually impossible to
turn back.]
21.Nxf4 Ne5 22.Rc7+ [White calculated the position accurately in order to
allow his rook to enter the lion's den.]
22...Kh8 23.Rf1! [Bringing the last piece into play.]
23...Bd7?! [After this the win is straightforward as Black loses a tempo.]
[Nielsen gave the following winning line in the commentary room: 23...Re8
24.h3!! (a fine waiting move) 24...Bd7 25.Ne6 Bxe6 26.Rxf6 Qg1+ 27.Rf1
Qh2 28.dxe6 followed by g2–g3 and Black's control over e5 is broken. Here
it is very useful that the h-pawn has advanced since there is no check on
h4.Now White calculates the position sufficiently to make the correct
decision.]
24.Ne6! Rdc8 [When he got home after the game Nielsen found an email
sent by an internet spectator, with the following winning line: 24...Bxe6
25.Rxf6 Qg1+ 26.Rf1 Qxh2 27.g3 Qh5 28.Bd1 Qg5 29.Rf5! gxf5 30.Qxe5+
Kg8 31.Qxe6+ Kh8 32.Qe5+ Kg8 33.d6 Qe3+ 34.Kf1 Qd3+ 35.Kf2 Qd2+
36.Be2 and Black will be mated.]
25.Rxf6 Rxc7 26.Rf8+! [McShane had simply overlooked this. Now he is
mated.]
26...Rxf8 27.Qxe5+
1–0
(30) Murshed,N - Dorfman,J [A21]
Palma de Mallorca, 1989
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.d4 d6 2.c4 e5 3.Nc3 exd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Qd2 g6 6.b3 Bg7 7.Bb2 Nf6 8.g3
0–0 9.Nh3 ["Here on White's part one can contemplate evolution by Nf4,
Bg2 and 0–0. Nothing similar exists for Black. This means that White has a
static advantage. Therefore Black went in for vigorous measures, and a
double-edged situation after:"]
9...a5!? [However, it is difficult to understand why Black does not have
every chance to equalize with 9...Bf5 10.Bg2 Qd7 11.Nf4 Rae8 completing
his development.]
10.Nf4 a4 11.Nxa4 Ne4 12.Qc1 Nd4 13.Bg2 Re8 14.0–0 Bg4 15.f3 g5 [Here
Dorfman turns to his next example. The game finished:]
16.e3 Nxf3+ 17.Bxf3 Bxf3 18.Rxf3 gxf4 19.Bxg7 Kxg7 20.Qb2+ Qf6
21.Qxf6+ Kxf6 22.Re1 d5 23.cxd5 b5 24.Nb2 Kg7 25.Rxf4 Rxa2 26.Nd3
Rd2 27.Rg4+ Kh8 28.Nf4 f5 29.Rh4 Ng5 30.Rf1 Rxe3 31.Rh5 Nf3+
32.Kh1 Rxb3 33.Ra1 Rbb2 34.Ra8+ Kg7 35.Ne6+ Kf6 36.Rf8+ Ke7
0–1
(31) Carlsen,M - Kasparov,G [D52]
Reykjavik (rapid), 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Qa5 7.Nd2 Bb4
8.Qc2 0–0 9.Be2 e5 10.0–0 exd4 11.Nb3 Qb6 [I don't much like this move,
but that is a question of opening theory and not a subject for this book.]
12.exd4 dxc4 13.Bxc4 a5 14.a4 Qc7 15.Rae1! [Amazingly this natural
move is a novelty.]
[Previously the feeble 15.Nd2 was played in S.Kishnev-S.Smagin, German
League 1999. With the text move the Norwegian junior develops his rook to
take over the only fully open file in the position and prepares for the
middlegame. Now Black has some serious problems with continuing his
development. He cannot easily mobilize the queenside without removing the
protection of the knight on f6.]
15...h6 16.Bh4 Bd6 17.h3! Nb6?! [17...b6 was the quiet move here. After
something natural like 18.Re2 White would be slightly better. Instead
Kasparov, in characteristic fashion, tries to solve his problems tactically,
though this seems to violate the inherent principles of the position. Black is
in no way ready for a full frontal confrontation, and he comes out of it in a
very bad way.]
18.Bxf6! [The critical test. White is obviously ready for a fight.]
18...Nxc4 19.Ne4! [Hitting the knight and indirectly protecting the bishop;]
[the point was to avoid playing 19.Bh4?! .]
19...Bh2+ [19...Nb6?? 20.Nxd6 gives White a great advantage as Black's
only move is 20...gxf6 with a ruin.; 19...gxf6?? leads to immediate mate by
20.Nxf6+ Kg7 21.Qh7+ Kxf6 22.Qxh6+ Kf5 23.g4# .; 19...Bb4? is met
strongly by 20.Qxc4! with a branching of the ways: 20...--
a) 20...Be6 21.Qd3 Bxe1 (or 21...Bxb3 22.Be5 Qe7 23.Qg3 f6 24.Nxf6+ Rxf6
25.Bxf6 Qf7 26.Bxg7 Kh7 27.Bxh6 Bxe1 28.Rxe1 Kxh6 29.Re4 and White
wins) 22.Be5 Qb6 23.Qg3 f6 24.Nxf6+ Kf7 25.Nd7! Bxd7 26.Qxg7+ Ke8
27.Bd6! and Black is mated.;
b) 20...Bxe1 21.Be5! (if 21.Rxe1 gxf6 22.Nxf6+ Kg7 23.Ne8+ Rxe8 24.Rxe8
Be6 25.Rxe6 fxe6 26.Qxe6 Rf8) 21...Qb6 (the only move) 22.Qd3!! (a
cunning move with the twin threats of 23 Qg3 and 23 Rxe1; after 22.Rxe1
Be6 Black is OK) 22...Bb4 23.Qg3 (the attack with 23.Nf6+ gxf6 24.Bxf6
does not really work after 24...Qc7 25.Qe3 Be7 , though White should still
make a draw) 23...f6 24.Nxf6+ Kf7 25.Ne4 and White has a winning attack;
e.g. 25...g5 (or 25...Rg8 26.Qf3+ Ke7 27.Nbc5 Qd8 28.Bxg7 and Black's
position collapses) 26.f4 g4 27.Nbc5 Bxc5 28.dxc5 Qb4 29.Nd6+ Kg6
30.Nxc8 and White wins.;
]
20.Kh1 Nd6? [Kasparov still tries to solve his problems tactically, but again
his position is not ready for it. ]
[Necessary was 20...Nb6! after which White can respond in two ways: 21.--
a) 21.f4!? Bxf4 22.g3 Bg5 (22...Bxg3? 23.Qg2 is not advisable) 23.Bxg5
hxg5 24.Nxg5 f5 and Black is OK.;
b) 21.g3 Bxh3 22.Be5! (compare this with 22.Kxh2 Bxf1 23.Be5 when Black
has an extra option in 23...Qd7! 24.Rxf1 Nxa4 and the position is less clear)
22...Qd8 23.Kxh2 Bxf1 24.Rxf1 Nd5 (24...Nxa4?! 25.Ra1 Nb6 26.Nd6 is
particularly unpleasant for Black) 25.Nbc5 b6 26.Nd3 Qd7 and Black is only
a little bit worse. White's best now is 27.Nc3! to eliminate the strong knight
on d5.;
]
21.Kxh2 Nxe4+ 22.Be5 Nd6 23.Qc5 [23.d5!? Rd8 24.Nd4 is also strong, but
after 24...Qd7 White does not have anything better than 25.Qc5 transposing
below.]
23...Rd8 24.d5 Qd7 25.Nd4!! [This move is particularly tasty. Black is not
given a chance to develop.]
25...Nf5 [Black is in a terrible state. If 25...b6 26.Qxc6 Ba6 27.Rg1 and
White has an extra pawn; or 25...cxd5 26.Qxd6 Qxd6 27.Bxd6 Rxd6
28.Re8+ Kh7 29.Rc1 and the resulting endgame with an extra piece should
win easily for White, although Kasparov would probably make hell hot for
the little boy and fight to the absolute end.]
26.dxc6 bxc6 27.Nxc6 Re8 [The queen is exposed on d7, so in principle it
was better to play 27...Qd5!? , although 28.Qxd5! (keeping it simple;
28.Qb6!? Re8 29.Qb5 is also strong) 28...Rxd5 29.Rd1 Rc5 30.Rc1 Rxc1
31.Rxc1 Bd7 32.Bc7! Rc8 33.Nxa5 Bxa4 34.b4 gives White a winning
endgame.]
28.Rd1 Qe6 [If 28...Qb7 29.Nxa5 Qe4 30.Rfe1 Qxa4 31.b4 and White has
an extra pawn for nothing.]
29.Rfe1? [The critical moment. White makes a natural move, but after this
Black is able to develop some counterplay.]
[The correct move was 29.Bc7! which is pure prophylaxis against the Black's
coming development. The bishop is aiming at a5 and is no longer in trouble
on e5. But most importantly, Black no longer controls the g5–square, which
is very important in the lines after ...Bb7 (as can be seen by comparison).
After 29 Bc7! we have: 29...--
a) 29...Qb3 30.Qb5 Qc2 (or 30...Be6 31.Nxa5 Qxb5 32.axb5 Ra7 33.Rc1
Nd4 34.Bb6 Rxa5 35.Bxa5 Nb3 36.Bc7 Nxc1 37.Rxc1 and wins) 31.Rc1 Qd2
32.Nb8 Qe2 33.Qxe2 Rxe2 34.Rfe1 Rxe1 35.Rxe1 Be6 36.Re5 and White
wins.;
b) 29...Bb7 30.Nxa5 wins. Here 30...Bxg2 does not work: 31.Kxg2 Nh4+
32.Kg3 Qe2 (after 32...Qg6+ 33.Kxh4 the white queen controls g5) 33.Qd5
and Black's attack has been refuted (but not here 33.Kxh4?? Qf3! and Black
wins.) ;
c) 29...Qf6 30.b3 Ba6 31.Rfe1 and Black is a pawn down without
counterplay.;
d) 29...Bd7 30.Nb8!! Bxa4 (if 30...Raxb8 31.Bxb8 Rxb8 32.Qc7 and White
ends the exchange up) 31.Rfe1! (the right rook; after 31.Rde1 Qc8! Black
survives, at least for the time being) 31...Bxd1 (31...Qc8 32.Rxe8+ Bxe8
33.Rd8 leads to a winning endgame for White, since if 33...Qe6 34.Qb5! Nd6
35.Qc6! wins the house) 32.Rxe6 fxe6 33.Qc6! (a nice fork) 33...Raxb8
34.Bxb8 Rxb8 35.Qxe6+ Kh8 36.Qxf5 a4 (if 36...Rxb2 37.Qc8+ Kh7
38.Qc1 wins; Black does not have a fortress since White can return the queen
at the right moment and enter a winning pawn endgame) 37.Qe5 and White
has a winning endgame, although it would still take some converting.;
]
29...Bb7 30.Nd4!? [Putting on the brakes.]
[After 30.Nxa5 Black has a nice tactical idea in 30...Bxg2! 31.--
a) , and if 31.Kxg2? Nh4+ 32.Kh2 (32.Kg3?? loses here to 32...Qg6+!)
32...Nf3+ 33.Kg3 Ng5! 34.f4 (34.Rh1?? Ne4+ wins the queen) 34...Qxh3+
with a strong attack.;
b) . However, White could reply in similar fashion: 31.Bxg7! (this would
need to be found before playing 30 Nxa5) 31...Qg6 32.Rxe8+ Rxe8 33.Re1
(33.Qb5? Nxg7 34.Rg1 Qe4! gives Black the initiative, as 35.Rxg2? loses to
35...Qf4+ 36.Kh1 Re1+ 37.Rg1 Qf3+ 38.Kh2 Qxf2+ 39.Rg2 Qf4+ 40.Rg3
Re3) 33...Rd8 34.Rd1 with a draw by repetition. These lines are not
conclusive, but at least show that Black has good counterplay.;
]
30...Nxd4 31.Qxd4 Qg6 32.Qg4!? [White is nominally better in this
endgame but has no real winning chances.]
[32.f3 was a bit more ambitious, though Black should be able to make it by
now.]
32...Qxg4 33.hxg4 Bc6 34.b3 f6 35.Bc3 Rxe1 36.Rxe1 Bd5 37.Rb1 Kf7
38.Kg3 Rb8 39.b4 axb4 40.Bxb4 Bc4 41.a5 Ba6 42.f3 Kg6 43.Kf4 h5
44.gxh5+ Kxh5 45.Rh1+ Kg6 46.Bc5 Rb2 47.Kg3 Ra2 48.Bb6 Kf7 49.Rc1
g5 50.Rc7+ Kg6 51.Rc6 Bf1 52.Bf2
½–½
(32) Nataf,I - Aagaard,J [B33]
Stockholm, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e5 6.Ndb5 d6 7.Nd5 Nxd5
8.exd5 Nb8 9.a4 Be7 10.Be2 0–0 11.0–0 Bf5?! [I had only prepared for 9 c4
and did not know the theory of 11...f5 (which I was and am convinced is the
best move). I had seen that Illescas Cordoba had played 11...Bf5 against 9 c4
(although that could have been a mistake in the database!), so I decided to
play like this to depart from theory as soon as possible. My opponent is well
known for his hard work on the opening, so this approach made good
practical sense. But usually I do not like to deviate from my opening
repertoire and play inferior moves, as this often means ending up in a bad
position. I would rather risk meeting my opponent's opening repertoire head
on, as experience tells me that they are not perfectly prepared either, and I
might improve on their analysis or on other people's play in similar
positions.]
12.f4 [This move is not really very good. Nataf decided upon it within five
minutes, and at first I thought it was very strong as the white knight gains the
d4 square. Later I decided that this square was not so important.]
[After the game, when I was falling apart with fatigue and Nataf had awoken
fully, he found the following convincing way to gain an advantage: 12.c4! a6
13.Nc3 --
a) 13...Nd7 14.a5 and White is better.;
b) . My attempt to create a blockade on the queenside dark squares with
13...a5 was eliminated by 14.c5! dxc5 15.f4! e4! (Black has to play this since
15...exf4? 16.Bxf4 Bg6 17.Qb3 gives White a decisive positional advantage)
16.g4 Bd7 17.Nxe4 f5 18.gxf5 Bxf5 19.Ng3 and Black is in trouble.;
]
12...exf4 13.Bxf4 Bg6 14.a5?! [As I said, White was not at his best.]
[Later we quickly agreed that White is better after 14.Qd2! a6 15.Na3 Nd7
16.Nc4 with a standard position for this variation. With the text move he
loses the chance of going to a3.]
14...a6 15.Nd4 Nd7 16.c4 Re8 [Another critical moment. On a normal day
Nataf would have realized which way the tide was moving and used a lot of
time at this critical moment to find the right way. Instead he played a very
suspect move.]
17.Bh5?! [In principle this should be a good exchange for White, as it is his
'bad' bishop for my 'good' bishop. But actually this is a naive understanding
of the position. The important question is where the pieces are going and
where they would like to go: to give them a definite function and avoid
specious moves, as described above in Aagaard-Østergaard.Here the
exchange on g6 is completely in Black's favour. The knight manoeuvre
...Nd7–c5–e4 is now much more pleasant, while the d4–knight becomes
somewhat lost in space with no prospects, despite its central position; its only
dream was of the f5–square, which will now evaporate. Black's dark-squared
bishop is in no way bad either: after ...Be7–f6 the bishop will become a
monster with strong influence on the centre; the white bishop on f4 has
nothing similar in its crystal ball. Finally, White no longer guards the d3–
square very well and will have some problems with his pawns on the light
squares, which were better off with the protection of his light-squared
bishop.]
[White's position was not easy, but moves like 17.Kh1; or even 17.Bd3
would have served him better.]
17...Qc7! [I used some 10 minutes to picture the organization of the black
pieces. To be honest, it was not very difficult and I could have done it faster,
but I had enough time.]
18.Bxg6 hxg6 19.b3 Bf6 [It is easy for Black to find the right move order
once he has decided where his pieces belong. He just needs to find the move
order that grants him the greatest flexibility and his opponent the greatest
inconvenience, if only from a practical viewpoint. If the opponent has to
attend to a lot of tactical threats all the time, if nothing else he will have to
invest time in avoiding them.]
20.Bg3?! [This logical move is actually rather bad as from here on it is hard
for White to organize his pieces effectively.]
[The natural move 20.Qd2!? was better. Black has a pleasant game with
20...Re4 (20...Nc5!?) 21.Be3 Rae8 22.Bf2 Nc5 23.Ra3 R4e7 , but White can
still defend with 24.Qc2! , and if 24...Ne4? (instead Black should probably
continue with 24...Qc8! , bringing the least active piece into the game)
25.Ne6! White is definitely back in business. Attention to such small tricks is
an important part of the defence.]
20...Nc5 [Again an easy move to play, as the natural move is assisted by the
threat of winning the exchange.]
21.Rf3 [Things are no fun for White.]
[If 21.Bf2 Ne4 22.Be3 (22.Qd3!? is probably necessary and Black is clearly
better) 22...Nc3 23.Qd2 Ne2+! 24.Nxe2 Bxa1 25.Rxa1 Qe7 26.Bf4 Qxe2
27.Qxe2 Rxe2 28.Bxd6 Rae8 and Black should win the endgame, though
White still has some counterplay.]
21...Ne4 22.Be1 [Allowing the exchange of knight for bishop would leave
White permanently and unpleasantly worse.]
22...Re7! [Making room for the other rook to enter the game. Everything is
still easy for Black.]
[22...b5!? was also possible, but with 22...Re7 I had an simple way of
improving my position and bringing all the pieces into play before seeking a
direct confrontation.]
23.Bb4 Rae8 24.Rc1?! [After this move I am sure White's position simply
cannot be saved with best play by Black.]
[24.Qd3 was necessary in order to bring the rook quickly to d1, and after
24...Nc5 25.Qd2 Black is clearly better, but nothing immediately conclusive
strikes the eye.]
24...Qb8! [Neither to me nor my opponent was this move anything special.
The queen is the worst placed piece and activating it via a7 is a standard
manoeuvre in these kind of structures.]
25.Qd3 [At first my computer program believes that White should try
25.Ne2 , but quickly realizes its mistake. Suddenly Black has an extra option
in 25...b5! which is very uncomfortable for White. He is completely
disorganized and Black is ready to increase the pressure. One possible line to
show what White can expect is 26.Rc2 bxc4 27.Rxc4 Rb7! 28.Nd4!? (if
28.Be1 Ng5 29.Rd3 Rbe7 30.Rc2 Ne4 with enormous pressure) 28...Bxd4+!
29.Qxd4 Nf6 30.Bc3 Rxb3 31.Rxf6 gxf6 32.Qxf6 Rxc3 33.Qxc3 Qb1+
34.Kf2 (34.Qc1?? Re1+!) 34...Qf5+ 35.Qf3 Qe5 and White has enormous
problems with his king and pawns, which cannot all be saved.]
25...Qa7 26.Rd1 [Now Black can no longer improve his position and must
strike before White has a chance to get out of trouble. The first move is not
difficult.]
26...Nc5 27.Qd2 [This looks strange, but it is understandable if we try to
follow the grandmaster's line of thought.]
[27.Qc3 loses to 27...Nxb3 28.Qxb3 Bxd4+ 29.Kh1 Bc5 and White has no
compensation for the pawn; while after 27.Bxc5 Qxc5 he has no defence on
the dark squares. Having eliminated these possible candidates, White played
the text move.]
27...Re2 [This looks logical.]
[An interesting alternative was 27...Re4!? (found by Alexander Rosenkilde),
when White is more or less forced to give up the exchange on f6, as 28.Bxc5
(and 28.Qf2 loses to 28...Bxd4 29.Rxd4 Re2 30.Qh4 Nxb3 31.Rxb3 g5
32.Qg4 R2e4 and White's position collapses) 28...Qxc5 is horrible.]
28.Qc3 ["Sometimes, now is not tomorrow." – Esben Lund.]
28...Bxd4+!! [Quite a surprising and paradoxical move. Black gives up his
powerful bishop for the weak and pinned knight. All in the name of tactics of
course.]
[I also calculated a long variation with 28...Nxb3 29.Qxb3 Bxd4+ 30.Kh1
Bc5 (30...Qb8! was an important move I missed, but I would still have
rejected the line since Black is not well coordinated and White has
counterplay against d6 and b7) 31.Bxc5 Qxc5 when, compared with 27 Qc3,
White has an extra option in 32.Qxb7 Re1+ (32...f5 leaves Black with a
structural advantage, but this is less than I was bargaining for) 33.Rf1 . At
first I thought I could win with 33...Qf2!? , but instead of ending my analysis
here, I looked for the opponent's move at the end of the variation and found
34.Rdxe1! Rxe1 35.Qc8+ Kh7 36.Qh3+ with perpetual check.]
29.Qxd4 R8e4 [Winning the queen.]
30.Bxc5 Rxd4 31.Bxd4 Qb8 32.Re3! [White needs to exchange the rook in
order to protect his second rank.]
[32.Rdf1 Qe8 33.Rxf7 Qxf7 34.Rxf7 Kxf7 is not an endgame White can
survive.]
32...Rxe3 [There is no choice.]
[If 32...Ra2? 33.Rde1 Kf8 34.Re8+! Qxe8 35.Bxg7+ Kxg7 36.Rxe8 and
Black has made trouble for himself.]
33.Bxe3 Qe8 34.Bf4! [My opponent was fully awake now and started to
display some of his enormous strength. At this point I had 25 minutes
remaining to reach move 40 and should have been cruising. My simple chess
had won the queen for insufficient material and with just a little accuracy I
should win. However, I was now getting tired and losing focus. So instead of
sensing the critical moment, I decided on a long-term plan. This was a great
psychological and practical mistake, no matter the objective value of my
long-term planning. If I want to make things easier for myself, it is better to
expend some energy in calculating the win at the appropriate moment, rather
than delaying it for a later occasion.]
34...Qe7?! [Thus I played a horrible, unambitious move. There are no real
excuses though one can be produced.]
[After the game Nataf showed me the following winning line: 34...Qe2 35.--
a) 35.Rf1 Qa2 36.Rf3 (36.Bxd6 Qxa5 also wins) 36...Qxa5 37.Bxd6 Qe1+
38.Rf1 Qe3+ 39.Kh1 Qxb3 and Black wins.;
b) . I had in fact seen all of this, but simply overlooked that 35.Rd2 is met
strongly by 35...Qe1# .;
; I did not spend much additional time on this position before writing this
book, and as I partly expected it is actually much worse for White than it
looks. Besides 34...Qe2 Black has other ways to terminate the game to his
advantage; for instance 34...Qd8 35.Ra1 Qf6 36.Rf1 Qc3 37.Bxd6 Qxb3 and
Black wins.; But best of all I like 34...g5!? 35.Bxd6 Qe3+ 36.Kh1 Qxb3
37.Rc1 Qb2 38.Rg1 Qa2 and White is completely finished.So Black has at
least three directly winning lines, which could easily have been calculated
accurately had I invested some energy in doing so. The problem was that I
was getting tired and, facing a little resistance in the most promising line,
chose not to make a real effort calculating it. Not so strange, then, that things
went as they did.]
35.h4! [I was still under the impression that I just had to bring the king to d7,
then the black queen would enter the white position and some pawn would
drop off. This kind of thinking will be dealt with under the heading
"assumptions" in the next chapter.]
35...Kf8 36.g3 Ke8 [Even now after 36...Qe2!? 37.Bxd6+ Ke8 38.Rb1 Qe4
39.Rf1 Qe3+ 40.Kg2 Qxb3 Black is doing well.]
37.Kf2 Qc7 38.Re1+ Kd7 39.Bg5 f6 40.Bd2 Qc5+ 41.Re3 Qd4 [Having
reached the time control, I suddenly realized that things are not as easy as I
had expected.]
42.Bc3 Qg4 43.Bd2 Qd1 44.Bb4 Qc2+ 45.Ke1 Qb1+ 46.Ke2 Qc2+ [.The
position is still winning, but I could not see how and, with no fighting energy
left, decided to end the game here. Nataf was very surprised when I offered
him a draw, as he considered his position lost, but previous experiences have
taught me not to burn the bridge I am crossing when I am tired, as everything
is happening in a very slow tempo and I might not get off the bridge before it
falls apart.After the game Nataf and I did not find it easy to find a winning
plan, which states something about how tired we both were. The next day I
did not find it difficult to see that Black needs to play ...b7–b6, take it with
the queen, get his pawn to a4 to undermine the c4–pawn and then Black will
win a pawn. Later he will be bring his king to h5 and push the g-pawn and in
the end White will not be able to resist. But Nataf would probably not have
allowed me to do all of this without a fight...]
½–½
(34) Doroshkievich,V - Tukmakov,V [A27]
USSR Championship, Riga, 1970
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nf3 f5 4.d4 e4 5.Bg5 Nf6 [Up to this point everything
looks normal and had White now played 6 Nd2 probably no one would
remember this game. However, White decided to play actively and enter a
mass exchange, which he expected to lead to a superiority in the centre.
Unfortunately, what he did was to calculate only the most obvious moves in
his head, forgetting that the opponent is not a passive collaborator but the
antagonist, who will try to crush us if we give him the chance. Here White
completely forgot that his opponent would look seriously at every move and
be more than happy to find a mistake in his calculation.]
6.d5? exf3 7.dxc6 fxg2 8.cxd7+ Nxd7! [It is so easy to think that Black is
forced to recapture with the queen or bishop, as the knight is pinned. But
once we start really to look at the position and think about the moves, instead
of assuming anything, we will be able to avoid these kind of mistakes. This is
why I say, first of all, calculate wide, not deep. The point is that whatever
happens in the long run is not important, if you drop something here and
now. First be sure that you know what is going on right in front of your nose,
before you run away in long variations. This is best achieved by lowering the
tempo at which we calculate.In the game White must have felt completely
exposed to the public in all his stupidity, just as we all have over and over
again. He resigned.]
0–1
(35) Ziegler,A - Aschauer,G
Aschach, 1999
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Sometimes surprises can throw us off balance and then it is important to
stay alert. It is easy to lose balance when something surprising happens on
the board. It seems fairly definite that Black had not anticipated...]
10.Nf7?! [This move is not very good, but it wins the game almost
immediately. If Black had been able to keep his cool he would have seen
through White's bluff and not taken him on his word.]
[Correct was 10.0–0! , after which Black would not have enough for his
pawn.]
10...Qe7? [Black should of course play 10...Kxf7! 11.dxe6+ dxe6 12.Bxb7
(not 12.Qxd8?? Bxg2!! and Black ends with a lot of material for the queen)
12...Qxd1+ 13.Kxd1 Rd8+ 14.Nd2 (14.Ke2 Nc5 15.Bc6 hxg3 16.fxg3 Nfe4 is
also very tasty for Black) 14...Nc5 15.Bg2 hxg3 16.fxg3 Nfe4 and Black has
taken over the initiative.]
11.Nxh8 Qg7 [Black had probably counted on winning back the knight now
and thereby gaining compensation, but he was in for a cruel shock.]
12.Nf7! [If it works once, it can work again!]
12...Nc5 13.Ne5 [and White managed to win the game a rook up.]
1–0
(36) Anand,V - Benjamin,J [B63]
Wijk aan Zee, 1989
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 Be7
8.0–0–0 0–0 9.Nb3 Qb6 10.f3 Rd8 11.Kb1 d5 12.Bxf6 dxe4?? [This
mistake is due to assumptions. If Black had investigated the lines properly he
would have realized his mistake in advance.]
[Theory seems otherwise to offer Black reasonable chances here. For
example, 12...Bxf6 13.exd5 Bxc3 14.Qxc3 exd5 15.Qc5 d4! gave Black an
acceptable game in F.Handke-A.Kveinys, German League 2001.]
13.Bxe7! Rxd2 14.Nxd2! [It is not hard to guess that this move was
somehow overlooked by Benjamin, or at least the consequences of it were.
Or it might have been that he did not analyse the line all the way to the end –
a form of mistake we will discuss in the next chapter.]
14...exf3 [If 14...Nxe7 15.Nc4 Qc7 16.Nb5 and White wins.]
15.gxf3?! [Here White should have played 15.Nc4! Qc7 (if 15...Qf2
16.Ne4!) 16.Bd6! after which there is no defence to be found for Black.
Instead the rest of the game was a collection of errors.]
15...e5 16.Bh4? Be6 17.Nde4 Nd4 18.Bg2? Rc8 19.Bf2 f5! 20.f4! fxe4
21.fxe5 Rc4 22.Rhe1? Rb4? 23.Kc1! Bg4? 24.Nd5 Qc5 25.Nxb4 Bxd1
26.Kxd1! e3 27.Rxe3 Nf5 28.Bd5+ Kf8 29.Rf3 Qxb4 30.Rxf5+ Ke8 31.e6
1–0
(37) Miezis,N - Manievich,V
Zuerich, 1999
[Jacob Aagaard]
13...gxf5 14.Bxf6 Bxf6 15.Nd5! [This move might surprise some people, but
it is very natural indeed. White exchanges the black knight and in this way
achieves superiority on the light squares. The next move is of course the real
point.]
15...Nxd5 16.Rxf5!? [16.cxd5 would give Black the chance to contemplate
16...f4!? , which Miezis decided there was no reason to allow. White will win
his piece back next move and keep his strong pressure down the f-file.]
16...Bg7 [Now White has a good knight vs. a bad bishop as well,]
[so Black should have considered 16...Ne7 to keep his own knight, though
his position remains untenable nevertheless.]
17.cxd5 Qa4 18.Nc3 Qb4 19.Raf1 f6 20.R1f2 c6 21.Qe2 Rf7 22.Qg4 Raf8
23.Qh5 Qb6 24.R5f3 Qd8 25.g4 Qd7 26.Rg3 a6 27.Rf5 Qe8 28.Qh4 Qd7
29.Kh1 Bh8 30.Qh3 Bg7 31.Qf1 c5 32.Rff3 Bh8 33.h3 Re8 34.Kh2
1–0
(38) De Firmian,N - Ehlvest,J [B82]
Reggio Emilia, 1989
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6 6.f4 Be7 7.Qf3 0–0 8.Be3
e5 9.Nf5 Bxf5 10.exf5 Qa5 11.g4? [This does not look sound.]
11...e4! 12.Qd1 d5 13.g5 [A threat to the knight?!]
13...Nc6! [Another interesting way to play the position was with the more
forcing 13...d4!? 14.Qxd4 Ng4 15.Qxe4 Nc6 16.0–0–0 (not 16.Be2?! Rfe8!
17.Bxg4 Bf6 18.Qd3 Nb4 19.Qd2 Bxc3 20.bxc3 Nd5 and White is torn apart)
16...Rae8 which gives Black good counterplay as well: while White has
gained two pawns Black has mobilized all his forces.; 13...Ba3?! is also
thinking outside the box, with the idea 14.bxa3? (but after 14.Bc1! there is no
obvious way to proceed) 14...Qxc3+ 15.Bd2 Qxa3 16.gxf6 e3 17.fxg7 Re8
and Black gets a very strong attack against the uncastled white king.]
14.gxf6? [14.Bd2 is met by the archetypal 14...e3!! and White cannot keep
the centre closed. After 15.Bxe3 (White cannot be unforcing himself as
Black will not buy it: if 15.gxf6 Bxf6! 16.Bxe3 Rfe8 17.Qd2 d4 18.Ne2 Nb4!
and White is outplayed) 15...Rfe8! (all Black cares about is development at
this stage) 16.Bd2 (16.gxf6 Bxf6 transposes to the previous bracket)
16...Bc5+ 17.Be2 Ng4 18.Ne4 (or 18.Rf1 Qb6 and it will soon be all over)
18...Bb4! 19.c3 Rxe4 20.cxb4 Qb6 and Black wins.; White would do better
to develop some pieces of his own and try to combat Black's plan instead of
fighting his individual pieces. 14.Bb5! was the best chance, even though
White still appears to be in trouble. Fritz comes up with the wonderful
14...Ba3!? as a possible refutation. The main idea is 15.bxa3 (White should
probably try something calm like 15.Bc1!? and there might still be hope;
suddenly it will be possible to take on f6!) 15...Ng4! (again an unforcing
move) when White cannot play 16.Qxg4?! Qxc3+ 17.Kf2 d4 as his position
is torn to pieces.]
14...Bxf6 15.Qd2 [White tries to unpin the knight. Now 15...d4 is perfectly
playable but Black was looking for something more.]
[My computer is so fed up with the white position that it suggests 15.Ke2!? ,
but this is not a real option as after 15...d4 16.Nxe4 Rae8 the white king is
wide open and Black wins easily; e.g. 17.Bg2 Qxf5 18.Bd2 Rxe4+ 19.Bxe4
Qxe4+ 20.Kf2 Bh4+ 21.Kg1 Re8 22.Qh5 Re6 23.f5 g6 and it is about time to
resign.]
15...Bh4+ 16.Kd1 [If 16.Bf2 e3! 17.Qxe3 Rfe8 and Black wins the queen;
while 16.Ke2 d4 17.Nxe4 Qxf5 looks no better than the game.]
16...d4! [This now comes with greater force.]
17.Nxe4 [17.Bxd4 should also be analysed. Then Black has a very clear
advantage after 17...Rad8 18.Nxe4 Rxd4 19.Bd3 Qxf5 20.Qe3 Rfd8 and it is
a miracle that White has not lost any material yet. But do not worry – he
soon will!]
17...Qxf5 18.Ng3 [After 18.Bd3 dxe3 19.Qxe3 Nb4 White will have similar
problems to those in the previous note.]
18...Bxg3 19.hxg3 dxe3 20.Bd3 Rad8! [Black is still awake and does not
feel at all forced to exchange queens on White's terms.]
21.Qc3 [If 21.Qxe3 Nb4 22.Kd2 Qd5 and White will not survive the attack.]
21...Qe4 [Black has many ways to win here; e.g. 21...Ne5!? 22.Qxe5 Rxd3+
23.Ke1 Qxe5 24.fxe5 Rd2 with a winning rook endgame; or 21...Rxd3+
22.cxd3 Rd8 23.Kc1 Rxd3 24.Qc4 Nd4 25.Re1 Rd2 and White loses the
queen.]
22.Rg1 Rxd3+! [Time to wrap up the game.]
23.cxd3 Rd8 24.Kc2 Rxd3 25.Qxd3 Nb4+ 26.Kc3 Nxd3
0–1
(39) Rinck,H
Deutsche Schachzeitung, 1902
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.Be4+ Nb7 2.Kc8 [The first two moves had to be played, otherwise White
had no counterplay, but what happens after...]
2...Qa6 3.Bd5! [Again the only move, but after...]
3...b4 [...it is easy to stop here and search in another direction. But White still
has one possible move.]

4.Bc6! [Now it is zugzwang. Black has no alternative to taking the bishop.]
4...Qxc6 [stalemate.]
½–½
(40) Velicka,P - Jansa,V
Czech Championship, Zlin, 1997
[Jacob Aagaard]
[White uses the three piece rule to crack Black's defence: one piece to
sacrifice, one to protect and one to deliver mate.]
21.Bxg7!? Kxg7 22.Nh5+ Kg6! [Not 22...Kh8? 23.Qh6 and mates.]
23.Qf4! [With the idea of Qg4+.]
23...Kxh5?! [Maybe not the best defence,]
[but if 23...h6 24.Qg4+ Bg5 25.hxg5 hxg5 26.axb3 and White has a strong
attack for nothing. One line could go 26...Nh7 27.f4 Qe7 28.f5+ Kh6 29.Qh3
g4 30.Qh1 Rh8 31.Nf4+ Kg7 32.e5 Bxg2 33.f6+ Nxf6 34.exf6+ Qxf6
35.Qxg2]
24.Qxf7+ Kh6 25.g4! [It looks as if Black should be able to survive, but
surprisingly it is not so.]
25...Ra7 26.g5+ Bxg5 27.hxg5+ Kxg5 28.f4+ Kg4 [Or 28...Kh6 29.Qf6+
Ng6 30.Re3 with mate next move.]
29.Bh3+! [Black resigned because of 29.Bh3+ Kxh3 30.Qh5+ Kg3 31.Qg5+
Kf3 32.Rd3# .At first sight this looks like a nice combination by White,
which wins at least a piece. But closer inspection shows that Black should
not follow these natural and seemingly forced lines. When defending it is
especially important to step out from the most obvious variations, as these
are usually the justification for the attacker's aggression. Of course these
lines should be checked and mistakes in them exploited, but often we need to
think out of the box.In the example above, had he decided not to fall in with
White's logic of hunter and prey, but instead taken up the challenge fully,
Black might have spotted some extra resources which would have kept the
game very unclear indeed:.(press F10 to continue)]
1–0
(41) analysis Velicka-Jansa [B80]
[Jacob Aagaard]
21.Bxg7!? Rxa2! [instead of 21...Kxg7]
22.Qe3 [This seems to make little difference. 22.Qe3 Kxg7? still loses to
23.Nh5+ Kg6 24.Qf4 Kxh5 25.Qxf7+ Kh6 26.g4 Qd7 27.g5+ Bxg5
28.hxg5+ Kxg5 29.f4+ Kh6 30.Qf6+ Ng6 31.Re3 e5 32.f5 and wins.]
[But Fritz wants to try the subtle]
22...Rb8!! [and there is no easy way for White to create a quick mate. For
example:]
23.Nh5 [Black needs to defend the king, but how?]
23...f6! [If 23...Nd7 24.Qh6 Qd8 25.Bh3 b2 26.Bxe6 and Black will soon
find the attack irresistible.]
24.Qh6 Ng6 [Not 24...b2? 25.e5! Bxg2 26.exd6 Bxd6 27.Nxf6+ Kf7
28.Bxf8 Rxf8 29.Kxg2 and Black is in deep trouble.]
25.Bh3 Qd7 26.Bh8 [Incidentally, you cannot expect a computer instantly to
give you the right answers. It is just another tool to help you improve your
thinking. Here it takes the computer a long time to understand that White is
not cruising towards a full point, but is actually on his way into trouble.]
26...Bf8! 27.Nxf6+ Kxh8 28.Nxd7 Bxh6 29.Nxb8 Ba4 30.Rxd6! [White
needs to fight for a draw here;]
 to beat Garry Kasparov.]
[if 30.Rb1?! Ne5 31.Kg2 Nxc4 and Black has a strong initiative.]
0–1
30...b2 31.Rb6 Bc2 32.Nd7 Ra1 33.Rf1 Rxf1+ 34.Kxf1 b1Q+ 35.Rxb1
Bxb1 36.Bxe6 Bxe4 37.Nxc5 [and the endgame should be a draw.I do not (43) Liberzon,V - Dlugy,M
present this as in any way conclusive analysis to the position, but at least this Palma de Mallorca, 1989
approach would have offered Black a much better chance of survival.] [Jacob Aagaard]

= 35.c4? [Here White could have kept his position alive with 35.Qd5! Nxc5
36.c4!! when Black has no way to win the game straight away, albeit several
(42) Miles,A - Deep Thought,COMP [D20] ways to keep the advantage, one of which is 36...Qb6 (36...Qe8 37.bxc5!? is
Long Beach, 1989 not completely clear) 37.Qa8+ Qd8 38.Qxd8+ Bxd8 39.bxc5 Ne8 and Black
[Jacob Aagaard] looks better, but how much?Instead of this the game ended quickly.]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.e4 Nf6 4.Nc3 e5 5.Nf3 exd4 6.Qxd4 Bd6 7.Bxc4 0–0
8.Bg5 Nc6 9.Qd2 h6 10.Bh4 Bg4 11.0–0–0 Bxf3 12.gxf3 Nxe4! [Exploiting
the unprotected bishop on h4.]
13.Bxd8 [Actually White could still have saved the position after 13.Qxh6!! ,
when it appears that White keeps the skin on his teeth: 13...gxh6 14.Bxd8
Nxf2 (or 14...Rfxd8 15.fxe4 with a roughly equal position.) 15.Rhg1+ Kh7
16.Bf6 Bf4+ 17.Kc2 Bg5 18.Nd5 Nxd1 19.Bd3+ Kg8 20.Bxg5 hxg5
21.Rxg5+ Kh8 22.Rh5+ Kg8 with a draw.]
35...Qxb4!! [This desperado wins the game instantly.]
[The alternatives cannot compete: 35...Qxa5? 36.bxa5 Nxf5 37.a6 and White
wins.; 35...Qxc5 36.Qxc5 Nxc5 37.bxc5 with a slight edge for Black.;
35...Qxc4 36.Bxd6 Qc1 37.Qf1 Qxd1 38.Qxd1 Nf2+ 39.Kg1 Nxd1 with
unclear consequences.]
36.Bxb4 Nxf5! [White is lost. The twin threats of ...Nxb4 and ...Nf2+ decide
the game.]

13...Nxd2 14.Bxc7 Bxh2!! [A wonderful desperado – the bishop sells itself 37.g4 Nd4
for a pawn, as the white bishop will continue to hang on c4.]
0–1
[Instead if 14...Bxc7 15.Kxd2 and White is only very slightly worse and will
probably escape with a draw.] (44) Skovgaard,T - Haubro,S [C66]
Copenhagen (rapid), 1998
15.Bxh2 Nxc4 [The resulting endgame holds no real hope for White.] [Jacob Aagaard]

16.Rd7 b6 17.f4 Rad8 18.Rhd1 Rfe8 19.b3 Rxd7 20.Rxd7 Re1+ 21.Nd1
N4a5 22.Kd2 Rh1 23.Bg3 h5 24.f5 h4 25.Bf4 Nb4 26.a3 Nbc6 27.Rd3 Nd4
28.b4 Nac6 29.f6 gxf6 30.Nc3 Ne6 31.Nd5 Kg7 32.Bd6 Ng5 33.Ke2 h3
34.Rd1 Rxd1 35.Kxd1 Ne5 36.Ne3 h2 37.Nf5+ Kg6 38.Ng3 Ne4 [.A very
impressive win from the computer program, whose descendent later went on
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 [Not a very theoretical opening, but
with the next move we return to normal lines.]
5.Bb5 [5.Nc3 was probably better, in order to organize queenside castling
after Be3, f2–f3 and Qd2.]
5...Bd7 6.Bxc6 bxc6 7.Nc3 Nf6 8.0–0 Be7 9.Re1 0–0 10.Bg5 [10.b3 is (45) Topko,L
another way to develop the bishop.] Ceskoslovensky Sach, 1999
[Jacob Aagaard]
10...Rb8 11.b3 Ng4? [Spot the desperado!]
1.Rd6+ Kc8 [There is no choice.]
12.Nxc6!! [Only like this. The idea is to remove the protection of the knight
on g4 and simply grab a pawn.] [If 1...Ke7 2.Nf5+ wins.]

[If White had changed the move order, it would have been Black who
stepped out of the desperado scenario: 12.Bxe7 Qxe7 13.Nxc6?? is met
strongly by 13...Qf6! winning material, since after 14.Nxb8 Qxf2+ 15.Kh1
Qh4 White has to give up the queen by 16.Qxg4 (as 16.Kg1 Qxh2+ 17.Kf1
Qh1+ 18.Ke2 Qxg2+ 19.Kd3 Qg3+ 20.Kc4 Ne5+ leads to mate.) ]
12...Bxc6 13.Bxe7 Nxf2 [Otherwise White just won a pawn. This is a true
desperado scenario. Both players have pieces hanging and they are trying to
sell themselves as dearly as possible.]
2.Ne6 Rb3+ [Again Black has little choice. Notice that the threat of mate or
a threat to the queen is often as useful as a check when calculating variations,
as the opponent is no less limited in his options.]
3.Kc6 Kb8 4.Rd8+ Ka7 5.Rd7+! [White keeps the black king under
control.]
5...Kb8 [If 5...Ka6 6.Nxc5+ wins the rook; or 5...Ka8 6.Nc7+ Ka7 7.Nb5+
and mate next move.]

14.Bxd8 Nxd1 [So what was the point of all of this?]
15.Nd5!! [The white knight removes itself from the possibility of being
captured and indicates a check on e7. The idea behind the move, and the
entire combination, is that the knight is better lost on d5, where the bishop
will be hanging later, than on c3, where the knight can capture it on its way
out.]
6.Nc7! [Threatening 7 Rd8+ leading to mate. Black again has only one
move.]
6...Kc8 7.Re7! [Not 7.Rh7? Kd8 8.Rh8+? allowing the king to escape to e7;
(instead 8.Rd7+ would repeat moves and still win the game.) ]
7...Rd3 [Again forced.]

15...Rbxd8? [After this White wins the exchange.]
[The only move was 15...Bxd5 16.Bxc7 Rbc8 17.Bxd6 Rfe8 18.Raxd1 Bxe4
19.c4 and White has excellent winning chances with his extra pawn in the
endgame.]
8.Nd5 [White could also prevent ...Rd8 by 8.Ne6 Kb8 9.Re8+ Ka7 10.Nc7
which wins as well.]
8...Kd8 9.Rd7+ [White wins the black rook with a knight check on the next
move.]

16.Ne7+ Kh8 17.Nxc6 Nc3 18.Nxd8 Rxd8 19.Re3 Nb5 20.e5 Nd4 21.exd6 1–0
cxd6 [and White won.]
(46) Leko,P - Bareev,E
1–0 Dortmund Candidates, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
35...Nf4 36.Ne7+ Kh7 37.Nc6 Rb3 38.Ne5! a5 [38...Ne2+ 39.Kf1 Nc3 does
not win the exchange, since White has 40.Rc1! when he remains a piece up.]
39.g3 Nd5 40.Nc4 Nb6 41.Nd2 Rb4 42.Bc3 Rxb1+ 43.Nxb1 a4 44.Na3
Nd5 45.Bb2 g5 46.Nc4 h5 47.Ne5 Nb4 48.Kf1 Nc2 49.Ke2 Kh6 [If 49...a3
50.Kd2 axb2 51.Kxc2 Kg7 52.Kxb2 Kf6 53.Nf3 Kf5 54.Nh2! Ke4 55.Kc2
and White wins.]
50.Kd3 Nb4+ 51.Kc4 Nd5 52.Bc1 Nf6 53.Kd3! [Leko is well known for his
superb endgame technique.]
[Here, instead of winning a pawn with 53.Nf7+ Kg6 54.Nxg5 , he removes
all hints of counterplay.]
53...Nh7 54.Ke2 Kg7 55.Nd7 Kg6 56.Nc5 Kf5 57.Kf3 Nf6 58.Nxa4 h4
59.gxh4 gxh4 60.Nc3 Ng4 61.Ne2 Ne5+ 62.Kg2 Nd3 63.Be3 Kg4 64.f3+
Kf5 65.Nc3 e5 66.Ne4 Ne1+ 67.Kf2 Nc2 68.Ke2 Nd4+ 69.Bxd4 exd4
70.Kf2 Ke5 71.Nc5 Kd5 72.Nd3 Kc4 73.Ne5+ Kc5 [If 73...Kd5 74.Ng6
wins.]
74.Kg2 Kd5 75.Ng6 d3 76.Kf2 d2 77.Ke2 Kd4 78.Nxh4 [.All this is very
well, but as Leko writes in his annotations, Bareev had a good chance of
keeping White in the unpleasant pin by dominating the white knight with:.
(press F10 to continue)]
1–0
(47) analysis Leko-Bareev [B19]
[Jacob Aagaard]
35...Rb7!! [Now Black has serious threats like ...a7–a5–a4–a3 and ...Nh5–
f4–d3, in both cases regaining the piece. If White wants to avoid this, he can
try to escape with the knight.]
36.Nd6 [Now 37 Nc4 is coming, after which White will be able to untangle
himself and proceed to exploit the extra piece. But Black can continue his
domination of the knight with the amazing:]
36...Rb4!! [The knight has nowhere to go, and the pin is still very much a
reality, so the outcome would probably be a draw by repetition of moves:]
37.Nc8 Rb7 38.Nd6 Rb4 [etc.]
=
(48) Timman,J - Unzicker,W
Haifa Olympiad, 1976
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Black has a combination, but its consequences are not completely clear.]
20...Ne3! 21.Bd4! [Candidates! Did you anticipate this response?]
[If instead 21.fxe3 Qxe3+ 22.Kh1 Qe4! 23.Rg1 Qxc4 and the pressure down
the long diagonal is very uncomfortable for White, besides which there is the
small problem of the pawn. I think it is dubious whether or not White can
keep his position together.; But notice how this little line is again a matter of
candidates, e.g. 21.fxe3 Qxe3+ 22.Kh1 Qh3? 23.Nf4! (Jonathan Faydi)
23...Rxf4 24.Bxe6+! and White is better. So once more, by calculating more
slowly and seeing 22...Qe4 we actually save time!]
21...Nxd1 22.Bxb6 [Here Black would like to play 22.Bxb6 axb6 .
Unfortunately White would simply respond 23.Rfxd1 (rather than 23.Bxe6
Nb2 and Black ends up with two pieces for a rook with solid control over the
c5–square). Therefore Black decided to force White to take on e6 by
recapturing with the knight.) ]
22...Nxb6 [Now the game faded to a draw. But why don't you reverse the
move order?]
[22...Nb2!! was Esben's improvement. By reversing the move order Black
gets his desired position with the advantage after 23.Bxe6 axb6 .]

23.Bxe6 Nb2 24.Rfc1 Bd5 25.Bxf7+ Bxf7 26.Nd4 N2a4 27.h3 a6 28.bxa6
Rxa6 29.Rab1 Ra7 30.Rb4 Kh7 31.Nb5 Ra5 32.Rc7 Be8 33.Nd6 Bg6
34.Rc6 Nd7 35.Rc7 Nab6 36.Nc4 Nxc4 37.Rbxc4 Nf6 38.Rc3 Be8 39.Rb3
h5 40.Rbb7 Bd7 41.Ra7 Rd5 42.a4 Rd1+ 43.Kh2 Rd2 44.f3 Ra2 45.h4
Kg8 46.a5 Kf8 47.Rc5 Kf7 48.Re5 Kf8 49.Kg3 Be8 50.Ra8 Kf7 51.Ra7+
Kf8 52.Rb7 Nd7 53.Rg5 g6 54.Rb4 Bf7 55.Kf4 Nf6 56.Rd4 Ke7 57.g3
Nd7 58.Rb5 Nf8 59.Re4+ Ne6+ 60.Ke3 Ra3+ 61.Kf2 Ra2+ 62.Ke3 Ra3+
63.Ke2 Ra2+ 64.Kd3 Kd6 65.Rc4 Be8 66.Rb6+ Kd5 67.Rc8 Bd7 68.Rg8
½–½
(49) Hansen,LB - Campora,D
Biel, 1991
[Jacob Aagaard]
28.Ne8+! [Here the natural continuation is 28.d5 followed by 29 Ne8+
winning, but Black can defend against this with 28...Qxf6 and wins. So
White decides to change the move order.]
28...Kg8 [28...Rxe8 29.d5+ is no improvement for Black. After 29...Qf6
30.Qxf6+ Kxf6 31.Rxe8 he has no chance of saving the endgame.]
29.d5 [This double threat decides the game.]
29...Qxe8 30.Rxe8+ Rxe8 31.d6 Rd8 32.Qf6 Rd7 33.a4 Be6 34.Qd4 Rb7
35.h3 a5 36.Kh2 h5 37.Qe5 Rd7 38.Kg3 Kh7 39.f3 Bb3 40.Qb5 Be6
41.Qe5 Bb3 42.Qxa5 Rxd6 43.Qb4 Rd3 44.Qb5 h4+ 45.Kh2 Re3 46.a5
Be6 47.a6 Ra3 48.Qb7 Rb3 49.Qe7 Rb5 50.a7 Ra5 51.Qxh4+
1–0
(50) Leko,P - Kasparov,G
Bled Olympiad, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
[With little time left on his clock Peter Leko failed in slaying the giant
(physically Kasparov is small of course, but mentally...!). The game
concluded:]
53.Ne5?? [The line 53.c7 Kd7 54.Nf8+ only leads to a draw after 54...Kc8! .;
But reversing the moves prevents this defensive manoeuvre and White wins
by 53.Nf8+! Kd6 54.c7 Kxc7 55.Ne6+ and the bishop is lost.]
53...Bd8 54.Nc4 Kd5 [.Later Leko was not too bothered about missing the
win, as he felt that it was just luck that he had the chance in the first place.]
½–½
(51) Tetenkina,I - Aagaard,J
Stockholm, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
24...Qxc6?? [Had I played 24...Rxc6 25.Nf6+ Rxf6 26.Qxf6 Qe7 27.Qxa6
Qe4+ 28.Kg1 Qf3 29.Rf1 Qf5 , I would never have been able to lose the
game. Instead I swam like an axe, as the Russians say.]
25.Nf6+ Kxg7 26.Qxc6! [This simple move is easy to overlook. When you
can take a rook with check why would you want to exchange queens?!]
26...Rxc6 27.Nxe8+ Kf8 28.Nd6 Rc2 29.a4 bxa4 30.Ra1 Ke7 31.Ne4 Rc4
32.Kf3 f5 33.Nd2 Rc3+ 34.Ke2 a3 35.Ra2
1–0
(52) Blundell,D
Diagrammes, 1994
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.Na1! [The white king needs the c4–square in order to win the game,]
[as can be seen in the analysis of the alternative: 1.Na3? f3 2.Nc4 Kh4!
(Black needs only to avoid the mined square g4 in order to make the draw;
2...Kg5!? 3.Kc2 Kg4 4.Kd3 f2 5.Nd2 Kf4 is also sufficient, transposing
below) , and now: 3.--
a) 3.Kc1 Kg3 4.Kd2 f2 5.Ne3 Kf3 6.Kd3 Kg3 and White cannot win.;
b) 3.Kc2 Kg4 4.Kd3 Kf4 5.Nd2 f2 6.Ke2 f1Q+ 7.Kxf1 Ke3 and White
cannot win.;
c) 3.Kb2 Kh3 4.Kc3 (or 4.Kb3 Kg2 5.Kc2 f2 6.Ne3+ Kf3 7.Kd3 Kg3 and
White cannot win) 4...Kg3! and White is in zugzwang. Had the knight been
on b3 here, then 5 Kc4! would win without any resistance, as can be seen
after 1 Na1.;
] 30.fxg4 f3+ 31.Bxf3 Nxf3 32.Qh6+ Kf7 33.Kxf3 (33.Qh7+ Bg7 makes no
1...f3 2.Nb3 Kg4 3.Kc2 Kg3 [If 3...Kf4 4.Kd3 Kg3 5.Ke3 Kg2 6.Nd2 f2
7.Ke2 Kg3 8.Kf1 wins.]
4.Kc3 Kg4 5.Kc4 Kg3 6.Kd5 Kf4 7.Nd2 f2 8.Nf1 [and White wins.]
1–0
(53) Ponomariov,R - Al Modiahki,M
FIDE World Ch., Las Vegas (analysis), 1999
[Jacob Aagaard]
31...Bb8! [The right square, as the following line shows:]
32.Rd1 Ba7 33.h3 [Forced.]
33...gxh3 34.Qd3 [If 34.Bf3 Ne5 35.Rd8+ Kg7 and White has no defence
against ...Nxf3 followed by ...g2+.]
34...hxg2+ 35.Kxg2 Rh2+ 36.Kxg3 Bb8+! [Had the bishop been at c5, there
would be no check on d6. These kind of things cannot be predicted easily,
but can be understood using the method of comparison simultaneously with
accurate calculation. Now Black wins after:]
37.e5 Bxe5+ 38.Kg4 Bxc3! [And White has no defence; e.g.]
39.Qxc3 e5+ 40.Kg5 Kg7! 41.Rd6 h6+ 42.Rxh6 Rxh6 [and Black should
win the endgame without too much trouble.]
1–0
(54) Karpov,A - Kasparov,G
Skelleftea, 1989
[Jacob Aagaard]
29.Rh2! [No matter which White plays, Black will consider 29.-- hxg4
difference) 33...Rh8 . When you see this plan it should be possible to find the
difference between the two white rook moves and avoid losing instantly –
White's primary ambition here.; If 29.Rh1? hxg4 30.fxg4 (30.Bh4 gxf3+
31.Bxf3 Nxf3 32.Bxf6+ Qxf6 33.Kxf3 g5 gives Black a strong attack
according to Kasparov) 30...f3+! 31.Bxf3 Nxf3 32.Qh6+ Kf7 33.Kxf3 Rh8!
skewering queen and rook and winning the game.]
29...hxg4 30.fxg4 Rh8 [Now the line is less appealing: 30...f3+ 31.Bxf3
Nxf3 32.Qh6+ Kf7 33.Kxf3 Rh8 34.Qd2! is the subtle difference. With the
rook on h2 White can defend it with this retreat. Now he quite possibly
stands better, e.g. 34...Bg5 35.Qg2 Qf6+ 36.Ke2 Rxh2 37.Qxh2 Bxg4+
38.Kd3 Qf1+ 39.Kc2 Qxe1 40.Qh7+ and the best Black can hope to achieve
is the perpetual check after 40...Kf8 41.Qxc7 Qf2+ 42.Kb1 Qf1+ 43.Kb2
Qf2+ , though White can still go for a full point with 44.Ka3!? Qa7+ 45.Na4!
– here we see why the king needed to go to f8 and not f6; an act of
comparison again – Black's only move is 45...Be7! defending the d-pawn,
and keeping the position afloat for now.]
31.Bh4 f3+! 32.Bxf3 Nxf3 33.Bxf6+ Qxf6 34.Rxh8 Kxh8 35.Kg3 g5? [As
Kasparov showed later, 35...Kg8! 36.Qe3 Nd4 was the correct winning
sequence, when White has: 37.--
a) 37.g5 Qh8!! and Black wins (Kasparov).;
b) 37.Ne2 Nxe2+ 38.Qxe2 Qf4+ and Black has a very serious advantage.
One idea is 39.Kh4 Qh6+! 40.Kg3 g5! and Black will win the g-pawn and
the game.;
c) 37.Nd2!? was suggested by someone at ChessBase as OK for White, but
this is not the case: 37...Nc2 38.Qf3 Qg5! (an improvement from Fritz on
38...Qxf3+ 39.Nxf3 Nxb4) 39.Nf1 Ne1 40.Qe2 Qf4+ 41.Kh3 Nf3 42.Qg2
Ng5+ 43.Kh4 Nh7 44.Ne2 Qg5+ and Black wins a pawn and presumably
also the game.;
]
36.Ne2 Kg7 [Not 36...Kh7?? 37.Qf1! and White wins.]
37.Qh1 [Now 37.Qf1 is answered by 37...Bxg4! 38.Qh1 Nh2! and Black
wins (Kasparov).]
37...Nd4? [37...Nh4! would still have kept White under pressure, according
to Kasparov.]
38.Nbxd4 exd4 39.Qd1! Qe5+ 40.Kf3 Qf6+ 41.Kg3 Qe5+ 42.Kf3 Qf6+
½–½
(55) Afek #2
Pfeiter JT, 1981
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.g7+ [All other legal moves can quickly be disregarded: 1.Kf7 Rg7+; 1.Ke6
Kg7; 1.a8Q Rxa8 2.g7+ Kg8! and in all cases Black wins without a fight. 1
g7+ at least needs a few moves of calculation.]
1...Kh7 2.g6+ [Same story. If 2.a8Q Rxa8 3.g6+ Kg8! and Black wins. This
could be eliminated simply because it gives the opponent more
opportunities.]
2...Kh6 3.a8Q [Again the only move.]
3...Rxa8 4.Kf7 [And again.]
4...Ra7+ [You should have made it this far just by eliminating the
alternatives.]
5.Kg8! [This idea needs to be seen. But as you could easily calculate this far
without any chance to find any alternatives on the way, this is no longer so
hard to find. And here again elimination would be sufficient to solve the
problem, even if you used elimination from all legal moves.]
5...Rxg7+ [5...Kxg6 6.Kh8 is little different.]
6.Kh8 Ra7 7.g7 Rxg7 [stalemate.]
½–½
(56) Afek #3
Schach-Herold, 1983
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.f6+ [No other moves make much sense,]
[although 1.Nf6 should be calculated: 1...Rh2 2.Ne8+ Kh6 3.f6 Re2+ 4.Kf8
Kh7 5.f7 Re3 and there is no way for White to make progress. If he ever gets
his knight to e7 and king to e8, then ...Kg7 will easily stop all the fun.]
1...Kg6 2.f7 [Again White does not have a serious alternative.]
[If 2.Ke6 Rh1 3.Ne7+ Kh7 4.Kf5!? (or 4.f7 Kg7 5.Nf5+ Kf8 and White can
never hope to win) 4...Kh6! and Black makes a draw. So this line can be
eliminated.]
2...Rh7 3.Nh6 [Again the only move that makes any sense,]
[as 3.Ke6 Rxf7 4.Ne7+ Kg7 5.Nf5+ Kg6 is only a draw.]
3...Kxh6 4.Ke8 [Again no alternatives.]
4...Rh8+ [If 4...Kg6 5.f8N+! and White wins (but not 5.f8Q? Rh8!! with a
draw: 6.Ke7 Rxf8 7.Kxf8 Kf6 .) ]
5.f8R! [Once again a question of elimination.]
[Not 5.f8Q+? Kg6! and White cannot win.]
5...Rh7 [If 5...Rxf8+ 6.Kxf8 Kg6 7.Ke7 Kg7 8.Ke6 Kg6 9.Ke5 and White
wins the pawn ending.]
6.Rf6+ [Forcing the winning pawn ending.]
6...Kg7 7.Rf7+ [and White wins.]
1–0
(57) Gurevich,M - Mikhalevski,V
Antwerp, 1999
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Black was in time trouble and lost the game immediately. What he should
have done, had he had the time, was to perform an elimination of the
different possibilities. Here Black could select from a long line of
possibilities:]
28...-- [28...Rh8 29.Qg4 Bd7 30.Qe4 Re8 31.Qxb7 Rxe3 (31...Kg8 looks
better for White, but is not completely clear, so we remember this for later) ,
when White needs to find 32.b4! (and so does Black of course) and now after
32...Qb6 33.Qxb6 Rxb6 34.b5 White has the advantage.; 28...Bd7 is met
strongly by 29.f4! when Black has only 29...Rxe3 30.Qxg5+ Qxg5 31.fxg5
Kg6 (otherwise Nf5+) 32.Bxb7 Bg4 33.Rd2 Kxg5 34.Bg2 and since it is not
possible to find something clear for Black here, probably White simply has
three pawns for the exchange and hence excellent chances of winning the
game.; 28...Rxe3 looks bad because of 29.Nf5+ Qxf5 (Black can quickly
eliminate 29...Kf6 30.Qh6+ Kxf5 31.Bh3+ Ke5 32.Qxg5#) 30.Rxd6 Re1+
31.Kf2 . This does not look too good for Black, but he can come up with
31...Qc2+!! 32.Kxe1 Qc1+ 33.Kf2 (33.Rd1? Qe3+ 34.Kf1 Bb5+ and mates)
33...Qc5+ and Black has perpetual check. While this is not so easy to
determine, it is clear that of the three this is the line Black should go for.;
However, there is a fourth line which could quickly have been eliminated
from the list of candidates. 28...Rh6? This loses in one move: 29.Qg4 (the
bishop on a4 is hanging, and White threatens 30 Nf5+ as well) 29...Bd7?!
30.Qxd7+ 1–0]
1–0
(58) Solak,D - Kozamernik,J
Ljubljana, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
23.Qa4!? [This queen sacrifice obviously cannot be accepted.]
23...-- [If 23...Bxa4? 24.Nxf7+ Kd7 25.Bf5+ wins.Instead Black has a large
number of moves. Many of them can be rejected immediately because they
do not pay attention to White's main threat (supposing Black sees what that
is!), but there are some that need to be calculated.; 23...Qxb2+? 24.Rc2!
Bxa4 (24...Qxc2+ 25.Qxc2!) 25.Nxf7+ Kd7 26.Bf5# .; 23...Qe6? 24.Qb3
(24.Bb5!? is also strong) 24...Rb8 25.Nc6+! and White is clearly better.; But
Black has two good moves at hand. Both are very complicated, so it makes
sense to try to refute them, when it will quickly become apparent which one
offers Black the best chances: 23...Bc5!? 24.Nxf7+! (this combination is the
reason for eliminating this line) 24...Bxf7 25.Bf5 Qc6! (Black needs to return
the piece; if 25...d3+? 26.Kg2 Qxb2+ 27.Kh1 b5 28.Qa5+ Bb6 29.Qa6 and
Black will have to part with his queen to prevent mate on c8) 26.Qxc6 bxc6
27.Rxc5 Bg6 28.g4 Rf8 29.Re5 Bxf5 30.gxf5 Kd7 and the endgame is
roughly even.; 23...Be7! forces White to retreat with 24.Qd1 , after which the
position is at least no worse for Black. (It is important that 24.Nxf7+ Bxf7
25.Bf5 no longer works due to 25...Be8! . This is the major difference to
23...Bc5, and why 23...Be7 is stronger. We do not need to see anything
further to appreciate that 23...Be7 is clearly the better of the options at hand.)
; However, in the game Black was oblivious to White's main threat: 23...h6??
24.Qd7+! 1–0]

1–0
(59) Alexander - Marshall
Cambridge, 1928
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.-- [The natural first try is 1.Rf4 exf4 2.gxf4 , but Black can defend himself
with 2...dxc3 . This line can now be improved upon.; One try is 1.Nd5 , but
after 1...cxd5 2.Rf4 exf4 3.gxf4 Kh8 the black queen suddenly protects f6.;
So the right move is: 1.Na4! and White wins because of 1...bxa4 2.Rf4 exf4
3.gxf4 and Black has no defence; e.g. 3...Ne6 4.Rg1+ Ng5 5.Rxg5+ fxg5 6.f6
etc.That White should also win after the more modest 1 Nd1 or 1 Qxf6 is not
important.]
1–0
(60) Naes,F - Raetsky,A
Taastrup, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
38...-- [On 38...Ne4!? White has prepared a fortress with 39.Rxe4 fxe4
40.Kd2 . The idea is that Black cannot easily get the king into play, but if he
is able to sacrifice the exchange on c4, then he will have a won pawn ending,
because of the extra move ...e6–e5. White would therefore try to get his
bishop to d1 in order to secure the draw.Black could try to calculate the lines
to the end to see if it is possible for White to establish a fortress or not – and
actually it isn't: 40...Rb1 41.Kc2 (if 41.Ke2 Rc1! wins, because Bc4–e2 is not
possible) 41...Ra1 42.Kd2 (if 42.Be2 Ra2+ 43.Kd1 Rb2 wins) 42...Ra2+
43.Ke1 Rb2 44.Kf1 Kf6 (the black king moves to protect all the pawns
before the final manoeuvring) 45.Ke1 Kf5 46.Kf1 Rb1+ 47.Kg2 (if 47.Ke2
Rc1! wins) 47...Rc1 48.Be2 Kg5 and White is now in zugzwang. If he moves
the bishop then 49...Rc3 wins more or less on the spot, or if 49.Kh2 then
49...Rc2 and it is all over.However, as Raetsky correctly pointed out after the
game, this is too much calculation for any human to do in the five minutes he
had left on the clock. So to avoid that he made a simple move which he was
still very upset with after the game:; 38...Rb1?? 39.Rd1! (because of this
Black's last move could have been eliminated from the calculation)
39...Rb2+ 40.Rd2 Rb1 41.Rd1 Rb2+ 42.Rd2 Rxd2+ 43.Kxd2 Kd6 44.Ke2
Ke5 45.Kd2 Kf6 46.Ke2 Kg5 47.Kd2 Ne4+ 48.Ke1 e5 49.Bd5 Nc5 50.Ke2
f4 51.e4 Kf6 52.Kd2 Ke7 53.Ke2 Kd6 54.Kd2 Nd7 55.Kd3 Nf6 56.Bf7 Kc5
57.Bg6 fxg3 58.fxg3 Ng8 59.Bf5 Nf6 60.Ke3 Kd6 61.Kd3 Nh5 62.Bxg4
Nxg3 63.Bf3 Kc5 64.Ke3 Nf1+ 65.Kd3 Ng3 66.Ke3 ½–½; Raetsky's
approach was correct, but wrongly executed. He eliminated 38...Ne4 because
of the possibility of the fortress, and he was unsure whether or not he would
be able to break it down. Remember it is one thing to work this out in
analysis, it is quite another to do so over the board.We can argue that he
should have eliminated 38...Rb1 quickly because of 39 Rd1 (which he
obviously missed) and instead played 38...Ne4, because then at least there
was a chance of winning (at no risk), while after 38...Rb1 the game is quite
obviously going to be a draw.However, as Raetsky himself pointed out after
the game, Black had a much stronger move, which can probably only be
found after seeing the faults in 38...Rb1 and 38...Ne4; that is 38...Rc1! which
will win the game without too much counterplay. Had Raetsky looked for
new ideas in the position before making his move, and not after the
opponent's reply, he would have found this. On the other hand, he would not
have played 38...Rb1 had he not overlooked 39 Rd1, but instead used more
of his precious remaining minutes on finding the best move in the position.]
½–½
(61) Raetsky,A - Jakobsen,O [A32]
Taastrup, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nf3 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6 5.Nc3 e6 6.g3 Qc7 7.Bg2 Qxc4
8.Bf4 Nc6 9.Nb3 Qb4 10.0–0 d5 11.Re1!? Be7 12.e4 d4 [12...dxe4
13.Bc7!? e3 14.Rxe3 0–0 15.h3 Na7 16.Rc1 Nb5 17.a3 Nxc3 18.Rcxc3 with
an attack in G.Kasparov-V.Kramnik, Moscow (blitz match) 2001.]
13.Nd5! [This was White's intention. Usually when we think our opponents
are playing bad moves, but we cannot pick up on their ideas, it is because we
ourselves are left in the dark. Black was surprised by this move, which he
himself would have found instantly, had he been given the chance.]

[Black seems to have prepared for something like: 13.a3 Qb6 14.Na4 Qa7
15.Bc7?! (15.Rc1!? e5 16.Rxc6 bxc6 17.Bxe5 with compensation is possible)
15...b5 16.Nb6 Qxc7 17.Nxa8 Qb7 with a clear advantage for Black.; 13.e5
dxc3 14.bxc3 Qb6 15.exf6 with unclear play.]
13...exd5 [If 13...Nxd5 14.exd5 exd5 15.Bxd5 Be6 16.Bxe6 fxe6 17.Qh5+
g6 18.Qg4 and White would be a little better.]
14.exd5 Nd8? [Black is drifting. This is actually a form of forcing thinking:
because Black intuitively wants to hang on to his extra piece he analyses the
wrong moves.]
[Instead after 14...Bg4 15.Qd3 Nxd5 16.Bxd5 Be6 (if 16...Rd8 17.Qe4 with
an attack) 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.Rxe6 0–0 19.Rc1 White is only a little bit better.]
15.d6 [Even the weird 15.Qxd4 was possible: after 15...0–0 16.d6 Bxd6
17.Bxd6 Qxd4 18.Nxd4 Re8 19.Be7 White has a clear advantage.]
15...Ne6 16.dxe7 Qb6 [If 16...Qxe7 17.Nxd4 0–0 18.Nxe6 Bxe6 19.Bd6
wins; or 16...Nxf4 17.gxf4 Ng8 18.Nxd4 Nxe7? 19.Nc6! and White wins.]
17.Rc1 [17.Be5!? Kxe7 18.Bxd4 also wins.]
17...Kxe7 18.Bc7 Qa7 19.Nxd4 Kf8 20.Nxe6+ Bxe6 21.Qd6+ Kg8 22.Rxe6
1–0
(62) Beliavsky,A - Brondum,E
Copenhagen, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
30.Re5!! [By preventing Black's defensive idea White's attack immediately
becomes decisive.]
30...Bd7 [There is nothing Black can do to defend himself.]
[After 30...Bxe5 31.dxe5 Ra1+ 32.Kh2 f5 33.Nf6+ Kf7 34.Qh4 Qa8
35.Qh7+ Ke6 36.Nh5 the attack on the dark squares will be decisive.]
31.Nf6+ Kf8 32.Re1! [Black cannot answer the threat of Qd6 mate in a
satisfactory manner, and therefore decided to call it a day.]
1–0
(64) test position 8
Inside the Chess Mind, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
1...-- [."The last moves must have been ...d4 and e5, so let me see. White is
one pawn down. He has three minor pieces in play. Black has just one, the
knight on f6.What does Black want?There are some problems in the position.
For instance: If the d-file opens, then Bxf7+ could be a problem at some
point. If the knight on f6 moves, then Nh4 is hanging.White is close to
castling, while Black needs one more move. So it should probably be one of
Black's objectives: to get the king into safety. But let me first check the
candidate moves. Obviously both knights are hanging.]
[1...dxc3 is one move.; Another candidate is 1...Bb4 .; One more is 1...Qa5 ,
but I am not sure if this is any good.; 1...Qe7 seems a bit odd after 2.0–0 .
Then 2...dxc3 3.exf6 leaves White fully developed.; Let us start by looking at
1...dxc3 .; There might be other candidates like 1...Qb6 , but let us first look
at the normal moves.; 1...dxc3 2.Bxf7+ Kxf7 3.Qxd8 cxb2 , threatening
...Bb4+. Okay...; 1...dxc3 2.Bxf7+ Ke7 3.exf6+ and something nasty, I
suppose. Okay.; 1...dxc3 2.Bxf7+ Kxf7 3.Qxd8 cxb2 – (oh 3...Bb4 straight
away) . No, I think I will take on b2. Take, take, take. If 4.Bxb2 Bb4+ then
5.Qd2 and 5...Bxd2+ and it is ok. This is probably not what you want to do.
White will take on f6 and Black has a horrible pawn structure, so it is
probably not good. (JA: It is not clear to me exactly what line Ivo was
looking at here. Maybe 2 Qxd8+ – see the following.)So White has the
advantage in both 2 Bxf7+ and the 2 Qxd8+ line.; So do you want to play
1...Bb4 ? This is interesting. At least there is no more threat of Bxf7+ if I take
on c3. So Black cannot escape the pin. Now he can take on f6, he can castle,
he can play Qb3. If 2.Qb3 then even 2...Nd5 3.Bxd5 Bxc3+ and then both d5
and h4 are hanging, and I can castle. So 2 Qb3 is not so dangerous.; What
you probably do is 1...Bb4 2.0–0 dxc3 3.exf6 0–0 and then you cannot...
Well, you can play 4.fxg7 , well, it is a bad position.; 1...Bb4 . Okay, let us
say that you play 2.0–0 and I play 2...0–0 3.exf6 . Okay not very...; 1...Bb4
2.0–0 dxc3 threatening to exchange queens. 3.Qxd8+ Kxd8 4.exf6 . And then
I can play... Hmm. I will just go back again.; 1...Bb4 2.0–0 dxc3 3.Qxd8+
Kxd8 4.exf6 . I might play 4...gxf6 in this line. (Or 4...Be6 , but White is still
better in this line.) ; So what I would like to do is to play something more
active like 1...Ng4 , possibly. Okay, the knight is hanging on h4. So what do
you do after 1...Ng4? You save the knight on h4, not by playing in to f5. You
can play 2.Qf3 , threatening... Because then 2...Qxh4 is not possible –
3.Qxf7+ .; 1...Ng4 2.Qf3 Qxh4 3.Qxf7+ Kd8 . Okay, try again.; 1...Ng4 .
Okay, if he plays 2.Nf3 or something, I will play 2...Bb4 and I castle, without
problems. (Or maybe I will play 2...Bc5 .) ; 1...Ng4 2.Ne4 Bb4+ , and you
got a pretty normal position. Black is still a pawn up, so...; 1...Ng4 . The
critical line is maybe 2.Qf3 Qxh4 3.Qxf7+ Kd8 and maybe 4.h3 (or 4.e6; , or
4.Ne4 . Black should be able to hold this position. If the knight goes away
from c3 you got a check on b4. And ...Rf8 is coming up.) ; So 1...Ng4 .;
Okay, so 1...dxc3 is not working.; 1...Bb4 gives a bad position.; 1...Ng4
seems ok, very sharp, but you can probably survive the attack. As White
cannot castle directly, you can always sacrifice a piece back with ...Qxf2+ if
you do not like it. Black can probably survive this position. Are there other
candidates that I have missed?; 1...Be7 is also interesting. Missed that one.;
1...Be7 with the idea 2.exf6 Bxf6 and both knights are hanging.If you play
3.Nf3 then 3...dxc3 .; If 1...Be7 2.exf6 Bxf6 3.Qe2+ then 3...Kf8 you can
always escape via g8 and h7.; If 1...Be7 2.Ne4 Nxe4 .; If 1...Be7 2.0–0 then
2...0–0 as well without ruining your pawn chain. Yes, I like that move.; Let
me just check if it does not fail tactically. 1...Be7 2.exf6 Bxf6 3.Ne4 Bxh4
then 4.Bf4 is coming, maybe with Nd6+, but you simply play 4...0–0 and you
are out of harm's way. Let me just check.; 1...Be7 2.exf6 Bxf6 . Another idea
is to play 3.Qf3 because f7 is hanging, but you play 3...0–0 . Okay, 4.Ne4
Bxh4 5.Qh5 . It is possible that it gives some initiative. But I can always
play...Okay – time up.; 1...Be7 is my first choice; and my second choice is
1...Ng4 .".]
Line
(65) Lilja,R - Aagaard,J [B03]
Copenhagen, 1989
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.f4 dxe5 5.fxe5 Nc6 6.Bb5 Bd7 7.Bxc6?! Bxc6
8.c4? [White's operation looked promising: after the black knight moves
White is looking forward to 9 d5. Unfortunately Black had an active
defence.]
8...Ne3! 9.Bxe3 Bxg2 10.Ne2 Bxh1 11.Ng3 Bc6 12.d5 Bd7 13.e6 fxe6
14.Qh5+ g6 15.Qe5 Rg8 16.dxe6 [White's compensation for the exchange is
coming to an end. I could pretend that both players in this game were playing
really deep chess, and that White had overestimated his compensation here.
But that was not the case: he simply overlooked 8...Ne3 and tried to make the
most of it.But let us turn to the theme in focus here: stepping-stones. In the
following there are a lot of moves that are obviously forced, which can be
found quickly by going through the variations and identifying the correct
ideas at each stop.Whether or not you tried to analyse my move (16...Bg7),
try now to follow the rest of the game in your head and create clear focus at
the stepping-stone positions.]
16...Bg7!? [The easiest way to play for Black was something like 16...Bc8
17.Nc3 Bg7 18.Qe4 Bxc3+ 19.bxc3 Qd6 which would have won the game
without too much difficulty, but the text move is also very strong. Black
gives up a piece and in return wins the b2–pawn and, I thought, the a1–rook.]
17.exd7+ Qxd7 [Time for the first stepping-stone position. By fixing this
position in your mind you will be able to continue your calculation from here
in several directions, and return to this position instead of the original
position with 16...Bg7. Sometimes, especially when you first start to use this
technique, you will find it necessary to update the stepping-stone position
from time to time, because your visualization of the position is not very
clear.Here you have to look around in order to find a response to Black's
piece sacrifice. Only one move gives White any chance of resistance.]
18.Qe4! [Only a threat to the b7–pawn gives White any hope of not just
being two exchanges down. Of course 18 Qe4 would have to be found, and
being a move for the opponent, this is not so easy.]
18...Bxb2! [Without this Black's combination starting with 16...Bg7!? does
not make any sense. So this is not really a stepping-stone position as such. To
look for a strong move on every move does not in itself require a stepping-
stone position to be visualized in our heads. But once we begin to calculate
variations they are necessary.]
19.Qxb7 Rd8 [Again the only moves that make sense from both players.]
20.Qxb2 Qd1+ 21.Kf2 Rf8+ 22.Kg2 Qf3+ 23.Kh3 [Not 23.Kg1?? Rd1+
and mates.; Here there would be no need to calculate much further: after
23.Kh3 Qxe3 Black regains his piece with a very clear advantage. This could
be enough to decide upon this line rather than 16...Bc8 – subjectively it
depends whether Black prefers to keep the initiative or defend with more
material. But objectively, it should be a matter of which lines are most
reliable. As 16...Bc8! does not take much calculation, it should therefore be
preferred. If it was less clear, then this would be where we would end our
calculation of 16...Bg7.Now, however, we have a new position for
calculation, where we would not necessarily go for the simple 23...Qxe3,
even though we had previously ended our calculation with this move. Now it
is time for an improvement to the variation.]
23...Rf5! [The immediate threat of ...Rh5 mate forces White to look for a
defence. Again this position could be a useful stepping-stone. White only has
one chance.]
24.Qh8+ Kd7 25.Qd4+ Kc8 26.Qg4 Qxe3 [Black now regains one of his
sacrificed pieces and White cannot defend. This would be the moment for
another stepping-stone in our calculation at move 23. White now has several
possibilities and it would be necessary to calculate them all in order to
choose between 23...Qxe3 or 23...Rf5. Here we shall only concentrate on the
game continuation.]
27.a4 [White tries to get his rook into play.]
[The alternatives also needed to be checked to make sure they did not save
White: 27.Qe2 Re5! 28.Qxe3 Rxe3 and White cannot develop his queenside
without losing a piece, after which Black will win easily with his material
advantage.; 27.Qe4 Re5! 28.Qa8+ Kd7 29.Qh1 Rf8 and Black has a winning
attack.]
27...Rd4 28.Qe2 [Not 28.Ra3 Qh6+ .]
28...Rh4+!! [A nice sacrifice which drags the white king further into the
open.]
29.Kxh4 [If 29.Kg2 Rf2+ 30.Qxf2 Rxh2+ 31.Kxh2 Qxf2+ 32.Kh3 Qb2 and
Black wins decisive material.]
29...Qh6+ 30.Nh5 [Or 30.Kg4 Rf4# .]
30...Rxh5+ 31.Kg4 Rh4+ 32.Kg3 Qg5+ 33.Kf2 Rxh2+ 34.Ke1 Rxe2+
[More precise was 34...Qc1+ 35.Qd1 Qe3+ with mate next move. But Black
won easily anyway.]
35.Kxe2 Qe5+ [and White resigned after a few more moves.]
0–1
(66) Hebden,M - Aagaard,J
Port Erin, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
16...0–0? [This was simply a matter of being unable to maintain the
stepping-stone position in my head.]
[16...Nb6 was much stronger and would have prevented White's subsequent
counterplay. After something like 17.Na5 Ba8 18.Qd2 0–0 19.e5 dxe5
20.fxe5 Nfd5 21.Bxe7 Qxe7 Black is close to winning. Now White can
escape the worst by means of a small combination involving an exchange
sacrifice.]
17.e5 dxe5 18.fxe5 Nd5 19.Bxh7+ Kxh7 20.Rxd5 [I had seen this position
but failed to evaluate it correctly.]
20...Bxd5 [Had I been in reasonable form and able to fix the position in my
head while searching for candidates here, I would have seen that my intended
20...Bxg5 is useless because of 21.Qd3+ and White wins. So I had to accept
a position with opposite-coloured bishops and roughly even chances, where
my grandmaster opponent outplayed me in mutual time trouble.]
21.Bxe7 Re8 22.Bb4 Kg8 23.Qe3 f6 24.Bd6 Qc4 25.exf6 Nxf6 26.h3 a5
27.g4 Rc8 28.Be5 Nd7 29.Bd4 Qc7 30.Qg5 e5 31.Nc1 exd4 32.Qxd5+ Kf8
33.Qf5+ Nf6 34.g5 d3 35.gxf6
1–0
(67) Brynell,S - Hellborg,T
Swedish League, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
49.Rxd7+? Kxd7 50.Nb6+ Kc7 51.Nxc8 Kxc8 52.Kd5 [All of this was
indeed forced. White's move was the only one that made sense and now it
looks as if he is just winning.By taking this position as a stepping-stone,
White would have been able to see that Black has one, and only one idea that
gives him counterplay. Looking at the diagram you should probably be able
to see the breakthrough pretty quickly. So if you imagine that with stepping-
stones you would be able to look for possibilities as easily as if you were
looking at a diagram, you'll have a good idea about how useful stepping-
stones are.]
52...f5! [The pawn ending is lost. White cannot prevent the h-pawn from
queening.]
53.f4!? [A nice try.]
[After 53.Kxe5 g4 54.fxg4 fxg4 55.Kf4 gxh3 56.Kf3 Kc7 White will soon
run out of moves.]
53...exf4 54.Ke5 g4 55.hxg4 h3! [The pawn cannot be stopped.]
[White was pinning his last hopes on 55...fxg4 56.Kxf4 h3 57.Kg3 Kc7 58.f3
and draws.So in fact White could not improve his position and should have
been content with a draw. Using stepping-stones was one way of finding that
out.]
0–1
(68) Riazantsev,A - Arbakov,V [D27]
Voronezh, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 e6 5.Bxc4 c5 6.0–0 a6 7.Bd3 Nc6 8.Nc3
cxd4 9.exd4 Be7 10.Bg5 0–0 11.Rc1 b6 12.Re1 Bb7 13.Bb1 Rc8 14.a3 Re8
15.Qd3 g6 16.Bh6 Rc7 17.Ba2 Rd7 18.Rcd1 b5 19.b4 Bf8 20.Bg5 Be7
21.d5!? [A natural reaction. However, even in his annotations in Informator,
Riazantsev does not give an accurate picture of the position.]
[21.Qe3! , with the plan of 22 Qf4, was better, as it is not easy to see how
Black can improve his position.After the text Black should start by selecting
his candidates. There are two that immediately spring to mind: the two
different captures on d5, with the knight and with the pawn. But we should
also look outside the box for extra opportunities, to see the position as it
really is and not through the mirror of our preconceptions. Arbakov failed to
do so during the game, and Riazantsev does not seem to have paid attention
to these extra possibilities in his annotations.]
21...Nxd5?! [It is easy to understand why Riazantsev believes this to be the
right move. But now, let us look at the position from the eyes of a Black
defender.]
[There are a few lines that needs to be calculated: 21...exd5? can be quickly
disregarded as White has a standard reaction, well known to both players:
22.Rxe7! Qxe7 23.Nxd5 Rxd5 24.Bxd5 . This is forced, and we have the first
stepping-stone. It is possible to evaluate this position as dangerous for Black
and simply look for alternatives and save time. But we could also investigate
this a bit further... 24...--

a) . Analysis of unforcing options (such as 24...Rd8 25.Qb1 Na5 26.Re1 Qd6
27.Qa1 and White is much better) quickly convinces us that Black needs to
look at something more direct.;
b) . However, 24...Ne5 is answered by 25.Nxe5 Bxd5 26.Re1 and it is easy to
see that White has the initiative. Riazantsev gives the following line to show
the dangers of the position for Black: 26...Bb7 27.Qf1 Kg7 28.Re3 Qe6
29.Qa1 Qf5 30.Bh6+! Kxh6 (if 30...Kg8 31.h3! with the irresistible threat of
32 Ng4!) 31.Nxf7+ Kg7 32.Nd6 and White wins. We would not need to see
all this during the game to get the impression that Black is under pressure.
Rather it is something we should analyse afterwards to improve our feeling
for the position and to learn from our mistakes. (Then we would discover
that, although Black is uncomfortable, 26...Bb7 is by no means forced and
Black does not have to sink like a stone.);
; With 21...exd5 out of the picture, it could be easy to analyse 21...Nxd5 a
little and play it as soon as we see that it is at least no worse (elimination). If
no other options existed, then yes. But we should take a fresh look at the
position and decide if we are really forced to enter these lines initiated by
White. For there is a pin down the d-file to the white queen, and although
this should not be overestimated, it is still an important feature of the
position.; In his annotations Riazantsev did not mention a move I consider to
be a serious alternative. Black could have avoided a lot of problems if he had
stepped out of the threat of dxe6 and exf7+ with 21...Kg7! when White has
no easy way to continue the attack. 22.--
a) 22.Bxf6+ Bxf6 23.Ne4 does not seem to give White anything. After
23...exd5 24.Nc5 Rxe1+ 25.Rxe1 Rc7 26.Nxb7 Rxb7 Black is equal, as
27.Bxd5?? Rd7! would lose at least a pawn.;
b) 22.Qe3 exd5! (but not 22...Nxd5? 23.Nxd5 exd5 24.Bh6+ Kg8 25.Ng5!
when the threat of 26 Nxf7! forces Black to give up the exchange with
25...Rf8) 23.Bxf6+ Bxf6 24.Qxe8 Bxc3 25.Re2 d4 and here Black has fine
compensation for the exchange.;
c) 22.Qd2 exd5 will transpose in most lines.To see all of this we would first
have to think up 21...Kg7 and see that Black indeed can improve his position
in a lot of lines. This is by no means easy, but as we shall see later, this was
forced sooner or later in order to save the game.However, the game is still
not completely lost for Black.;
]
22.Nxd5 Bxg5 [22...exd5 23.Bxd5 --
a) 23...Bxg5 24.Rxe8+ Qxe8 25.Nxg5 Ne5 26.Qh3 transposes to the game.;
b) . On the funny 23...Nb8 all we need to see is 24.Bxf7+! Kxf7 25.Ne5+ and
it is hard to believe that Black will survive. We just have to look a little at
Black's options, before quickly realizing that this is much more difficult than
the game continuation. For example: 25...Kg8 26.Nxd7 Bxg5 27.Qb3+ Kg7
28.Qc3+ and White wins in a large number of ways, such as 28...Kh6
29.Ne5! Qc8 30.Nf7+ Kh5 31.Qg7! with a winning attack. (31.--) ;
]
23.Nxg5 [23.Nf6+?! Bxf6 24.Qxd7 Qb8! would give Black decent
compensation for the exchange. We needed to see this when we chose the
22...Bxg5 move order.]
23...exd5 [Another easy decision.]
[We should of course look for alternatives, but it is easy to eliminate them:
23...Qxg5 24.Nf6+ and Black does not have enough for the exchange.;
23...Nb8!? (again we quickly find that Black should avoid this) 24.Nxf7!
Kxf7 (if 24...Rxf7 25.Nf4! and White has a great structural advantage)
25.Qf3+ Kg8 (or 25...Kg7 26.Qc3+ Kf7 27.Ne3 and White is clearly better)
26.Nf6+ Kh8 , and now we need only see simple lines like 27.Rxd7!?
(though I quite like Riazantsev's 27.Bd5! with a clear advantage, based on
27...Bxd5? 28.Qc3 and White wins) 27...Nxd7 (27...Bxf3 28.Rxh7#) 28.Qxb7
Nxf6 29.Qf3 to convince ourselves that this is bad for Black.]
24.Rxe8+ Qxe8 25.Bxd5 [We have reached another critical position. Black
needs to list his candidates and think outside the box as usual; but first, why
not just analyse the most obvious move in the position?]
25...Ne5 [This forces White's reply.]
26.Qh3 [26.Qb3? Bxd5 27.Rxd5 Nc4! 28.Rd1 Qe2 29.Rf1 Qxf1+ and Black
wins should not be difficult to calculate. But actually, after 27...Nc4! Black
does not need to see any further: it is obvious that he will not be worse off.]
26...h5 [Forced.]
[If 26...Rxd5 27.Qxh7+ Kf8 28.Rxd5 Nf3+ 29.Nxf3 Bxd5 30.Qh8+ Ke7
31.Qe5+ and White is a clear pawn up and on his way to win the
endgame.But before heading into this variation it was important that we
stopped and really looked for the opponent's opportunities here. If we had
done that we would have seen that White has a strong continuation.]
27.Qxd7!! [Not really a queen sacrifice, but rather flashy all the same.]
27...Qxd7 28.Bxf7+ Qxf7 29.Nxf7 Nxf7 [If 29...Kxf7? 30.f4 and White
wins.]
30.Rd7 Bc8 31.Rc7 Bf5 32.Rc6 [White was able to win this endgame
comfortably. This could and should have been calculated accurately by
Black. Unfortunately Arbakov is not really interested in calculation. His main
strength is natural talent and, therefore, rapid chess, in which he does not
need to display any discipline. In normal chess he has been able to reach, on
talent alone, the level of a normal grandmaster, but not beyond that. Here
talent was not enough and his opponent simply out-calculated him.]
32...Kg7 33.Rxa6 Bc2 34.f4 Nh6 35.Kf2 Ng4+ 36.Kg3 Ne3 37.Rb6 Bd3
38.Kf2 Nd5 39.Rd6 Bc4 40.Kf3 Nc3 41.Ke3 Nb1 42.Ra6 Bb3 43.Kd3 Kf7
44.Kd4 Ba4 45.Ke5 Kg7 46.Ra7+ Kh6 47.Kf6 Nxa3 48.Ra8 Kh7 49.Kg5
Nc2 50.Ra7+ Kg8 51.Kxg6 Kf8 52.f5 Bb3 53.Ra8+ Ke7 54.f6+ Kd7
55.Rb8 Kc6 56.Rc8+ Kd6 57.Rc3 [.So 25...Ne5?! was a mistake. Probably
this is the first thing we would see in our calculation, even before we listed
all the candidates, and this should not have taken more than a few minutes.
But as explained above, it is not likely that Arbakov used even this amount of
time on his move.At some point Black would have to list the candidates..
(press F10 to continue)]
1–0
(69) analysis Riazantsev-Arbakov
[Jacob Aagaard]
25.Bxd5 -- [25...Nxb4? does not work because of 26.Qh3 h5 (26...Kg7
27.Qxh7+ Kf6 28.Qh6) 27.Bxf7+!; 25...Kg7? is another idea, the point of
which is to avoid Bxf7+ by stepping onto a dark square. However, it should
be easy to spot a strong continuation for White: 26.Qc3+ Qe5 (if 26...Ne5
27.Nxf7! wins a pawn) 27.Qh3! Nb8! (often we would just cave in here and
not even see this extra resource; but this is a good day, so we see 27...Nb8!
and, hopefully, the opponent's chances too) 28.Qxh7+ Kf8 29.Qh6+! Qg7
(unfortunately forced, as after 29...Kg8 30.Bxf7+ Rxf7 31.Rd8+ leads to
mate; , or if 29...Ke7 30.Nf3! Rxd5 31.Re1 wins) 30.Qxg7+ Kxg7 31.Bb3
and White is a pawn up.So 25...Kg7 is very tempting, but simple calculation
will quickly determine that this move is no good. However, it would
probably have helped us to get a new idea, a move far out of the box which
would have saved the game:; 25...Kf8! . This is in fact the only move. Black
avoids the two uncomfortable checks (at f7 or c3) and all the forcing lines
which lead to trouble. 26.--
a) . Of course White can take the h-pawn, but this is not as tempting as it
seems. After 26.Nxh7+ Kg7 27.Ng5 Ne5 Black has basically played both
25...Ne5 and 25...Kg7 (at the cost of a meaningless pawn) and White is in
trouble, e.g. 28.Qe4 (or 28.Qh3 Bxd5 29.Qh7+ Kf6 30.Qh6 Ke7 31.Qh4 f6)
28...f6 29.f4 fxg5 30.fxe5 Qd8 wins a piece.;
b) . Therefore White might play something careful like 26.Qb1 which can be
answered with 26...Qe7 and Black should be OK.;
c) . Actually the most dangerous move is 26.f4! with strong threats. In
analysis it might eventually work out that Black's position cannot be saved
after all; for instance there might be a win in the endgame after 26...Qd8
27.Nxh7+ Kg7 28.Ng5 Nxb4 29.Qc3+ Qf6 30.Qxf6+ Kxf6 31.Ne4+ Ke7
32.axb4 Rxd5 33.Rxd5 Bxd5 . But at least it is difficult for White to get the
job done. As it was Black lost without much of a fight really.;
] b) 15...Nxd4 16.exd4 and then: 16...--
1–0
(70) Aagaard,J - Andersen,Ib [D32]
Copenhagen, 1991
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.cxd5 cxd4?! [This gambit is not good, even
though it can at times lead to interesting games.]
5.Qa4+ Bd7 6.Qxd4 exd5 7.Qxd5 Nc6 8.e3 Nf6 9.Qb3 Bc5 10.Nf3 Qe7
11.Be2 0–0–0 12.Bd2 Bf5 13.0–0 g5 14.Rfd1 g4 15.Nd4! [This is what
White was aiming at. By returning the pawn he opens up the black king's
position and should be able to prove an advantage. Now it is time to list the
candidates. As 15...Bd7 does not make much sense, there are only the three
ways of capturing the knight to consider. All need to be calculated accurately
once this has been established.The most important thing to do in such a
critical moment is to organize the moves that need to be calculated in the
right order. It is logical to take the most obvious move first, since if this
works, it might be possible to eliminate the alternatives quickly, without
calculating them too deeply.]
[15.Nd4 --
a) 15...Bxd4? 16.exd4 Nxd4 is probably the most obvious line to look at
first. But this can be eliminated from the candidates rather quickly, as after
17.Qc4+ Qc7 (or 17...Nc6 18.Nb5! and Black lacks a good response)
18.Qxc7+ Kxc7 19.Bf4+ Kc8 20.Rxd4! Rxd4 21.Be5 and White wins
material. This line is not too difficult, and when calculated carefully enough,
it should be apparent after two minutes that there is nothing to search for
here. Because it is such an obvious option, it could be tempting to return to it
again and again. However, while it might make sense to return to it once
later, it is now time to move on and calculate the other two options.
Depending on your style, personality and taste, you will choose either the
exchange sacrifice or the more passive line first.;
b1) 16...Bxd4? fails to a brilliant combination: 17.Nb5!! (not 17.Qc4+?
Qc5! and Black survives) 17...Qxe2 (if 17...Bc5 18.Qc4 wins) 18.Nxd4 Rxd4
19.Qc3+ Qc4 20.Rdc1!! and White wins, as after 20...Qxc3 21 Bxc3! the
skewer wins at least a rook. 20...Qxc3 21.Bxc3! the skewer wins at least a
rook.;
b2) 16...Rxd4! 17.Rac1 Kb8 (if 17...Rhd8? 18.Be3 Rxd1+ 19.Nxd1! wins)
18.Nb5 Rxd2 19.Qg3+ Bd6 20.Nxd6 Rxd1+ 21.Rxd1 Ka8 and Black at least
does not lose instantly. By calculating all three candidates in order, you
would probably come to a conclusion – and that should be that this is the best
one possible. In the game Black went for the exchange sacrifice.; ;
]
15...Rxd4?! 16.exd4 Nxd4 17.Qc4 b5!? [This was Black's idea behind the
sacrifice. White now has no choice.]
18.Nxb5 Nxe2+ [18...Be6 19.Qd3 Bf5 does not force a draw, though it might
not be objectively weaker than the text move. White has either to sacrifice
his queen with 20.Qxd4 (which is quite strong) (or find the combination
20.Nxa7+ Qxa7 21.Qa6+ Qxa6 22.Bxa6+ Kb8 23.Bf4+ Ka7 24.Be5 and
wins.) ]
19.Kf1? [Always, when moves seem to be too obvious, we should pause.
Here White throws a winning position away without even pausing for a
second.]
[Instead after 19.Kh1! Kb7 20.Re1 Black is completely lost, whereas now he
has strong counterplay. Equally, this is the variation Black would have
needed to see in order to discard 15...Rxd4.]
19...g3! [Without this move Black has nothing, but now it becomes apparent
that the white king is far from comfortable on f1. So what now for White?]
20.Bf4 [It appears that both 20 Bf4 and 20 hxg3 should objectively lead to a
draw, but in the game Black needs to prove it, which makes White's choice
clearly preferable.]
[Instead 20.hxg3 is strongly met by 20...Ng4! 21.Qxe2 Qxe2+ 22.Kxe2 Re8+
and then:
a) 22...Re8+ 23.Kf1? Bd3+ 24.Kg1 Bxf2+ 25.Kh1 Re5 and Black wins.;
b) 22...Re8+ 23.Kf3 Ne5+ 24.Kf4 Bd7! 25.a4 a6 26.Nc3 Ng6+ 27.Kg5 Re5+
28.Kf6 Bd4 29.Kg7 Rh5+ 30.Kg8 Ne7+ 31.Kf8 (not 31.Kxf7?? Rf5+
32.Kxe7 Bc5#) 31...Ng6+ with perpetual check.;
c) 22...Re8+ 23.Be3!? Nxe3 24.fxe3 Rxe3+ 25.Kd2 Rxg3 gives Black
excellent compensation for the exchange. There is no obvious reason why he
should lose the coming endgame. Still, this is the only place White can seek
for an advantage.;
; Actually I rejected 20.hxg3 because of 20...Nxg3+ 21.fxg3 Ng4 which I
believed was winning for Black, but 22.Nd4!! (found by Thomas Ernst) wins
easily for White. This kind of defensive tactic later came in handy, as can be
seen below in my game against Hofmann.]
20...Nxf4 21.Nd6+ [21.Qxf4 Bg4 22.f3 Re8! gives Black the initiative. It
does not take much calculation to dislike White's position. One line goes
23.Re1 gxh2 24.Qxh2 Be6 25.Rxe6 fxe6 26.Rc1 Kb7 27.b4 Ng4! 28.Qg3
Ne3+ 29.Ke2 Nf5 30.Qe5 Bd6 31.Nxd6+ Nxd6 and Black should win
eventually.]
21...Kb8? [Black misses his chance by thinking inside the box. It appears
that no other moves exist, but as so often before it is the seemingly simple
moves that are the mistakes.]
[During the game I saw no way to win against 21...Qxd6!! 22.Rxd6 gxh2
23.Qxc5+ Kb8 and, indeed, perpetual check is all there is.]
22.Nxf5! [22.Qxf4? looks dangerous, but Black has 22...Bg4! 23.f3 (or if
23.Nf5+ Qc7! and all the white pieces are hanging – remember the threat
of ...gxh2) 23...Nh5!! 24.Qxg4 Qe3 25.Ne4 Nf4 and Black wins.]
22...Qe4 23.Qxe4 Nxe4 24.hxg3 [Now White can relax. The resulting
endgame is better for him.]
24...Ne6 25.f3 Nf6 26.b4 Bb6 27.Rac1 h5 28.a4 a6 29.a5 [29.Nd6! was
even stronger.]
29...Ba7 30.Ne7 [. Here Black lost on time. His position is worse, but not yet
without some chances of survival.]
1–0
(71) Aagaard,J - Hofmann,M
Budapest, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
29.Nd7! Bxb2+!? [Since 29...Bxg7 30.Nf6+ is nice for White, Black decides
to go for the sacrifice, but White is fully prepared.]
30.Kxb2 Qc3+ 31.Kb1 b3 [Black obviously thought that this muddy
position would give him a better chance than being an exchange down with
limited counterplay.]
32.Nf6+! [An important in-between move, otherwise ...Bg4+ is possible.]
[Not 32.axb3? Qxb3+ 33.Kc1 Qa3+ with perpetual check, since 34.Kd1
Bg4+ 35.Re2 Bxe2+ 36.Qxe2 Rd8 gives Black a clear advantage. By
interposing the check on f6, White avoids all this.]
32...Kxg7 33.axb3 Rb8!? [I am quite pleased at having anticipated this
idea.]
[If instead 33...Qxb3+ 34.Kc1 Qa2 35.Qd4! (35.Kd1 Bxc2+ 36.Ke2 Qc4+
37.Ke1 Bg6 38.Qe3 also wins) 35...Rxc2+ 36.Kd1 and White wins.]
34.Ne4!? [This move, which I found easily because I remembered the
analysis to Aagaard-Andersen above, is probably the simplest.]
[The computer came up with the much more complex 34.Ka2 Rb5 35.Nh5+
(35.Rd4 should also win, but I did not like this – it seemed as if my king
would be a little exposed, and the win therefore less certain) 35...Kg6
36.Nf4+ Kxg5 37.Rg1+ Bg4 38.Nxe6+ fxe6 39.h4+ Kh5 40.Qf7+ Kh6
41.Qf4+ and White wins. It is probably a matter of character which way you
want to win, i.e. by long calculation or in a clearly winning endgame.
Usually I would go for calculation, were the endgame not so easy.]
34...Rxb3+!? [Desperation;]
[but after 34...Bxe4 35.Qxf7+ Kh8 36.Qf6+ Qxf6 37.gxf6 the endgame is
easily won for White.]
35.cxb3 Qxb3+ 36.Ka1 Qa4+ 37.Ra2 Qxe4 38.Re1
1–0
(72) Botvinnik,M - Sorokin,N
USSR Championship, Moscow, 1931
[Jacob Aagaard]
15.Bxe7! [As explanation for his decision he gave the following line:
15.Ne5?! Bxh4 16.Qxh5 Qe7 17.Nxd7 Bxd7 18.Rxd7 Bxf2+! 19.Kxf2 Qxd7
20.Rd1 and White is only slightly better. I am sure that many a young man
would be really proud of himself if he had performed such a tactical
operation, gaining bishop and knight for rook. But the fact is that, although
White is better, his advantage is not greater than after the simple exchange.]
15...Qxe7 16.Rd2! [Black has no easy way of freeing himself while White
adds pressure.]
16...Nb6 17.Rad1 Qc5 [White was planning Rd2–d6.]
[If instead 17...Bd7 18.Ne5 Nf6 19.a5 Nxc4 20.Rxd7 Nxd7 21.Rxd7 and this
time White is very close to winning.; 17...Qb4 18.Rd4! would not have
brought Black relief either.]
18.Ba2 Nf6 19.e4 e5 20.Qe3! [A famous decision. White now has a very
large positional advantage.]
20...Qxe3 21.fxe3 Bg4 22.a5 Nc8 23.Rc1 Bxf3 24.gxf3 Ne7 25.Nd5 Nc6?!
26.Nxf6+ gxf6 27.Rd7 Rab8 28.Kf2! Nxa5 29.Rcc7 Rbc8 30.Rxf7 Rxc7
31.Rxc7+ Kh8 32.Bd5 b5 33.b3 Rd8 34.Kg3 f5 35.Kh4 fxe4 36.fxe4 Rd6
37.Kh5 Rf6 38.h3 Rd6 39.h4 Rb6 40.Kg4 Rf6 41.Ra7 Rb6 42.Re7 Rd6
43.Rc7 Rf6 44.Ra7 Rb6 45.Rc7 Rf6 46.Kh5 Rd6 47.Bf7! Rf6 48.Bg6
Nxb3 49.Kxh6 Rf8 50.Rh7+ Kg8 51.Rg7+ Kh8 52.Bf7 Rxf7 53.Rxf7 Kg8
54.Kg6 Nd2 55.Rd7
1–0
(73) Tunik,G - Shumiakina,T
Pardubice, 1994
[Jacob Aagaard]
15...Nf5! [This is the first move in a longer forced sequence.]
[Black could also try the very original idea of 15...Ng8?! , but unfortunately
it does not work out after 16.Bxh8 Rd8 17.Bd3! (not 17.Qe5 Qc2+ 18.Ke3
Qc1+ 19.Kf3 Qd1+ 20.Ke4 Qe1+ with perpetual check) 17...Qxg2 18.Qg3
Qxh1 19.Qxg8+ (19.Nxe6 is again only a draw because of 19...Rxd3+!! (but
not 19...fxe6? 20.Qxg8+ Kd7 21.Qxh7+ Kc8 22.Be5! with a decisive attack)
20.Kxd3 Qd1+ etc) 19...Kd7 20.Qxh7 and now: 20...--
a) 20...Kc8 21.Nxe6 fxe6 22.Be5 and White has a decisive attack.;
b) 20...Bg4 21.Bf5+ Bxf5 22.Qxf5+ Kc7 23.Be5+ Kb6 24.Qxf7 Rc8 25.Ne6
and the black position is beyond salvation.;
c) 20...Qg2 21.Qh4 Kc8 (21...Rxh8 22.Qxh8 Qxf2+ 23.Ne2 does not look
promising either) 22.Bf6 Rg8 23.Nf5 Bxf5 24.Bxf5+ Kb8 25.b3 and White is
close to winning.;
d) 20...Qg1 21.Qh4 Kc8 (or 21...Bg4 22.f3 Re8 23.Qxg4+ (23.Be5!? is also
possible) 23...Qxg4 24.fxg4 Rxh8 25.Nf3 Rh3 26.Be4 and White has the
advantage) 22.Bf6 Rg8 23.Ne2! would be less clear. (23.Nxe6 fxe6) ;
] 1–0
16.Nxf5 Bxf5 17.f3 Qe6 [Not 17...Qc2+? 18.Ke1 Qc1+ 19.Kf2 Qc2+ 20.Kg1
and Black has no defence against mate.]
18.Qxe6+ fxe6 19.Bxh8 0–0–0+ 20.Kc3 [All this was forced. It is tempting
to continue with the forcing lines, but first you should make sure that they
are absolutely forced, and that they are in your favour. Here that is not the
case.]
20...Rxh8? [This leads to an inferior endgame.]
[20...Nc2! was much stronger, when White has problems with his
development; e.g. 21.Be5 Rd1 22.Bf4 (otherwise ...Ne3; here 22.g4?! Bg6
23.Bg2 does not work because of 23...Ne1! with a strong attack against the
white king) 22...c5 when, in my opinion, Black has sufficient compensation
for the exchange. This would be the starting point for the game. White has
many moves at his disposal here. One fantasy line goes 23.g4 Bg6 24.h4 Nd4
25.h5 Bb1 26.Be3 Nxf3 27.g5 Nd4 28.g6 hxg6 29.h6 Ne2+ 30.Kb3 g5
31.Bxc5 Ng3 32.h7 Bxh7 33.Rxh7 Rxf1 with even chances.]
21.Bd3 Bxd3 22.Kxd3 Rg8 23.g3 Rf8 24.f4 e5 25.fxe5 Rf2 26.Rxa1 Kd7?!
[More natural perhaps was 26...Rxb2 27.Rf1 Rxh2 28.e6 Kd8 29.Rf7 Rxa2
30.Rxb7 h5 31.Ke4 (not 31.Kd4 Re2!) 31...Ra5 32.Kd4 and White is also
close to winning, though Black might have chances for a draw, plus this line
is not forced of course.]
27.Rd1 [27.Kc3 Rxh2 28.Rf1! Ke6 29.Rf6+ Kxe5 30.Rf7 was also
interesting.]
27...Rxh2 28.Kc3+ [Also strong was 28.Ke4+!? Ke7 29.b4 h5 (if 29...Rxa2
30.Rh1 and White probably wins) 30.a3 with a very large advantage.]
28...Ke7 29.Rd4! Rg2 30.Rg4 Ke6 31.Rg7 Kxe5 32.Rxb7 Rxg3+ 33.Kb4
Rg2 34.Kc5 h5 35.a3 a5 36.b4 axb4 37.axb4 Rg5 38.Rh7 Ke4+ 39.Kxc6
Kd4 40.c5 Kc4 41.Kb7 Kxb4 42.c6 Rb5+ 43.Kc8 Ka5 44.c7
(74) Hermansson,E - Nolsoe,E
Taastrup, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
29...Qe7? [Now Black is in serious difficulties.]
[Instead 29...Qc3!! was the correct move. Probably Black did not see that
after 30.Qa8+ Ke7 31.Qb7+ Ke8!! White cannot improve his position. It is
easy to ignore a move like 31...Ke8, since White has a tempting check on f7,
but we need to be concrete and then we discover that 32.Qxf7+ Kd8 33.Ne6+
Kc8 34.Kc1 does not give White anything after another subtle king move:
34...Kb8!! preventing 35.Qa7+ , when it is not clear that White should have
any advantage.Actually 29...Qe7 could easily be eliminated and 29...Qc3
found on the basic grounds that Black has no other possibility that does not
stink.]
30.Nc6 Qe6 [30...Qb7 was better, but after 31.Qf3! (threatening 32 Nxe5)
White has a very strong ongoing attack.]
31.Nxe5 Qxe5 32.Qa8+ Ke7 33.Qb7+ Kd8 34.Rxf7 Qe1+ 35.Kb2 Qe5+
36.c3
1–0
(75) Kosikov,A - Bezman,V
USSR, 1986
[Jacob Aagaard]

50.Rf2!? [This was the suggested solution;]
[but in fact the strongest continuation was 50.Rc2! Rxf7 51.Rc6 and Black is
still under some pressure. Now Black should find White's idea and defend
himself against it, which is actually not so difficult.]
50...Rxb3? [This is not the right way! Now White wins easily.]
[Instead 50...Re7+! 51.Kd2 Re6 was the correct manoeuvre. Now ...Rxh6 is
threatened, so White seems to have no choice: 52.Rg2 (52.Rh2 Rf6 is no
improvement) 52...Rg6 53.Rxg6 hxg6 54.Nd4 Kh7 55.Nb5 Kxh6 56.Nc7
Kg7 57.Nxa6 Ne6 and Black is at least no worse.]
51.Rg2 Rb1+ 52.Kf2 Rb2+ 53.Kg1 Rxg2+ 54.Kxg2 [Now White is
winning. It was not too difficult for Black to see this, so why did he play like
this? The best guess I can give is that Black went along with the forced line
because it seemed natural. Instead he should have been looking out for his
own interests.]
54...Ne6 55.Kf2 Nf8 56.Ke3 Ne6 57.Kd3 d5 58.Ke3 [. White wins first the
d-pawn and then the a-pawn.]
1–0
(76) Neukirch,D - Radulov,I
European Team Ch., Sinaia, 1964
[Jacob Aagaard]
15...Bc5!! [Not 15...h6? 16.Bxe7 Qe8 17.Qxe8+ Rxe8 18.Bb4 and Black
does not have serious compensation for his pawn. The main problem is that
the a7–bishop is out of play, and White will have time to consolidate before it
is activated via b8 with ...c7–c6. (Notice that 18.Bh4?! is less strong because
of the tactical trick 18...e3 19.fxe3 Rxe3 20.Kf2? (White is forced to play
20.Nd2 Re2 21.Rd1 Bf5 22.Rf1 Rxd2 23.Rxf5 Rxb2 with a draw.) 20...Re4
21.Bg3 Rxd4! and Black has a clear advantage.) ]
16.dxc5 [When you make this sort of silent sacrifice, it is not enough to have
an idea for their acceptance. It is just as important to have a defence against
moves where the opponent ignores our generous offer, and proceeds
unhindered with his own plans. For instance: 16.Nd2!? h6! (the only move;
not 16...Bd6?? 17.Nxe4 and wins; , while 16...e3 17.Ne4 exf2+ 18.Qxf2 Bb6
19.Qh4 Bc6 20.Bxe7 Qd5 21.Re1 leaves White with a clear advantage)
17.Nxe4 and now: 17...--
a) 17...hxg5?! (I dislike this as now it is Black who has to prove something)
18.Nxc5! (not 18.Nxg5 Qe8; , or 18.Qh5+ Kg8 19.Nxg5 Qe8 20.Qh7+ Kf8
21.dxc5 Qg6 and Black is better) 18...Be8 (Black does not have time for
18...b6? because of 19.Nxd7 Qxd7 20.Re1 Re8 21.Re3 and there is no
defence, e.g. 21...g4 22.h3! g3 23.Re4 wins) 19.Qf8+ Ng8 20.Ne6 Qf6
21.Qxf6 gxf6 22.Nxc7 Rc8 23.Nxe8 Rxe8 24.Kf1 with an unclear endgame
ahead. But if anyone is better here, it would probably be White.;
b) 17...Bb6!! is a fantastic move, which would be easy to find had we not
just played 15...Bc5. Why try to sacrifice the bishop and then, after White
develops his knight, retreat it again? The short answer is tactics. 18.--
b1) 18.Bxe7? Qe8 and Black is clearly better.;
b2) 18.Bxh6 Qf8 19.Qxf8+ Rxf8 20.Bg5 Re8 and Black is better again.;
b3) 18.Re1?! Qe8 (18...hxg5 19.Nf6) 19.Qxe7 hxg5 20.Nxg5 Qxe7 21.Rxe7
Re8 with a clear edge for Black.;
b4) 18.Nf6 Ng8! (simplest; if 18...Bf5 19.Nh5! Qg8! 20.Qxe7 hxg5 21.Qxg5
Bh7 22.Re1 and I do not like this for Black as his pieces are out of play, and
while the correct evaluation might be a draw, White is in the driving seat)
19.Nxd7 Qxg5 20.Nxb6 cxb6 21.Qxb7 Re8 22.Qxb6 Qd2 23.Rf1 Re2
24.Qxa6 Qxb2 and the best White can hope for is a draw. Even the endgames
do not seem comfortable for him.; ;
]
16...Be6! [Was this move a shock for White? Apparently so, since he
completely lost his marbles and then the game without a hint of defence.]
17.Qh5 Qd5 18.Nd2? [Here White simply blunders and Black wins a piece.
Was this a matter of lacking training in finding candidates?]
[Clearly better was 18.c4! Qf5 19.Qh4 Ng6 20.Qg3 Bxc4 21.Be3 Qe5
22.Qxe5 Nxe5 with a level endgame.]
18...h6 19.Nxe4 Bf7 20.Qg4 [Or 20.Qh4 Ng6 21.Qg4 Re8 and Black gets the
piece all the same. It still should not be an easy win, but clearly White was
not on top form this day.]
20...hxg5 21.Nxg5 Rd8 22.Qh4+ Kg8 23.Qh7+ Kf8 24.Qh8+ Bg8 25.h4
Ng6 26.Qh5 Qxg2+!
0–1
(77) Polugaevsky,L - Parma,B
USSR vs. Yugoslavia, 1965
[Jacob Aagaard]
60...-- [Here Black resigned, having overlooked his defence on move 63. The
problem was that he saw a natural way to play the position, but then saw an
idea for White which countered it. This made him resign prematurely.]
[Of course he cannot play 60...Kg8 61.h6! gxh6 62.Rb7 and White wins; but
the natural 60...Ra4! should have been fine. After 61.Ra8+ Kf7 62.a7 Ra1
Black was evidently afraid of 63.h6! --
a) , with the idea of 63...gxh6 64.Rh8! and White wins. (64.--) ;
b) . But Black has a counter idea, which makes use of the fact that all moves
have disadvantages. Here the h-pawn has given up control of an important
square, and after 63...Kg6! Black cannot lose.;
] opponent's defences.Now let us look at the rest of the game.]
1–0
(78) Nijboer,F - Stellwagen,D [C11]
Groningen, 2002
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nxd4
Bc5 9.Qd2 0–0 10.0–0–0 a6 11.Nb3!? Be7 [11...b6 12.Kb1!? (Fogarasi
correctly points out that after 12.Ne2 a5! Black has no problems) 12...a5
13.Bb5! gave White a slightly better game in J.Aagaard-J.Kraai, Budapest
2003.]
12.Bd3 b5 13.Qe2 Nb4 14.Bd4 Nxd3+ 15.Rxd3 a5!? [Black does not want
to allow 15...b4 16.Na4 when a battle for the queenside dark squares
commences.]
16.Rg3 a4 17.Nd2 b4 [Contrary to Tibor, I find this idea wildly inspiring and
very deep indeed.]
18.Qh5!! [This is it. Can Black take the piece?]
[18.Nd1 with unclear play was the obvious alternative.]
18...Kh8! [I do not believe that Black could have played 18...bxc3? 19.Qh6
Bg5 20.Rxg5 cxd2+ 21.Kd1 g6 (when Fogarasi says that Black wins) since
White's attack is not over. In fact Black has no defence on the dark squares
after 22.h4! a3 (or 22...Qe7 23.h5 Ra6 24.f5! exf5 25.e6 f6 26.hxg6 and wins)
23.h5 axb2 24.Bxb2 Qe7 25.f5! exf5 26.hxg6 fxg6 27.e6 Rf6 28.Rxg6+
Rxg6 29.Qxg6+ Kf8 30.Rxh7 and White wins.It is often the case, when
calculating a line, that you see a defence against your primary idea and then
abandon it. But we should not do so since, quite often, the defence against
one line is far from being the conclusion. It is similar to boxing when fending
off one punch often opens up for another. The same happens in chess: every
move will leave at least one square less well protected than it was before.
Therefore we should always look to see if new openings appear in our

19.f5 exf5? [Here Black was forced to take on c3 in order to stay alive. The
defence will cost him material. 19...bxc3! 20.Nf3! (not 20.f6? cxd2+ 21.Kd1
Nxf6! 22.exf6 Bxf6 and wins) 20...cxb2+ 21.Kb1 Rg8! (Black needs to
defend his king; if 21...exf5 22.e6! Nf6 23.Qg5 g6 24.Rh3 Rg8 25.Ne5 Rg7
26.exf7 f4 27.g4 and White wins after 27...fxg3 (or 27...Bxg4 28.Qxg4 Bc5
29.Qxf4 g5 30.Qe3 Bxd4 31.Qxd4) 28.Rxh7+ Rxh7 29.Nxg6+ Kg7
30.Nxe7+ Kxf7 31.Qxf6+ Ke8 32.Qc6+ Qd7 33.Qg6+ Rf7 34.Nxc8 Rxc8
35.Re1+ Kd8 36.Bb6+ Rc7 37.Qg8+) 22.-- and now White has many tries,
but only one that works:
a) 22.Qxh7+ Kxh7 23.Rh3+ Bh4 24.Nxh4 fails to 24...g5! and Black wins
(but not 24...exf5 25.Nf3+ Kg6 26.Rg3+ Kh5 27.Rh3+ with a draw.) ;
b) 22.Rh3 Nf8 23.f6 gxf6 24.exf6 Bd6 25.Ng5 Rxg5 26.Qxg5 Ng6 wins.;
c) 22.Qxf7 Qf8! wins.;
d) 22.f6! gxf6 23.Qxf7 Bc5 24.Bxc5 Nxc5 25.Rxg8+! (not 25.exf6 Ne4
26.Ne5 Nd2+ 27.Kxb2 Nc4+! 28.Nxc4 dxc4 29.Rg7 Qd4+! 30.Kc1 Qe3+
and Black wins) 25...Qxg8 26.Qxf6+ and White has perpetual check.There is
another important lesson in these variations: just because you cannot play a
particular move at one moment, does not mean that you should not consider
it again on the next. When we involve ourselves in concrete tactics, we
should do so with a truly open mind.;
]
20.Nxd5 f6 21.Nf3 Nxe5 22.Nxe5 fxe5 23.Bxe5 Bf6 24.Rh3?! [Quicker was
24.Bxf6 gxf6 25.Nf4 Rg8 26.Qf7! intending 27 Rh3 Rg7 28 Ng6+ mates, or
if 26...Rg7 27.Ng6+ immediately.]
24...h6 [If 24...Bg5+ 25.Bf4 h6 (or 25...Bxf4+ 26.Nxf4 h6 27.Rd1 Qe8
28.Ng6+ Kg8 29.Nxf8) 26.Qxg5 Qxd5 27.Rxh6+ Kg8 28.Qh5 gxh6 29.Qg6+
Kh8 30.Qxh6+ Kg8 31.Qg6+ Kh8 32.Re1 wins.]
25.Nxf6 Rxf6 26.Rd1 Qf8 27.Bxf6 Qxf6 28.Qe8+ Kh7 29.Rd8 b3 30.Qg8+
[Here 30.Rg3! mates.]
30...Kg6 31.Rg3+ Kh5 32.Qe8+
1–0
(80) Aagaard,J - Brynell,S [C11]
Stockholm, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.e5 Nfd7 5.f4 c5 6.Nf3 Nc6 7.Be3 cxd4 8.Nxd4
Bc5 9.Qd2 0–0 10.0–0–0 a6 11.Qf2!? [Kramnik's idea, which lately has
given Black some headaches.]
[I have previously played the interesting 11.Nb3 here – a move championed
by Nijboer – but I thought Brynell might have prepared for this, so I chose
another sideline that I felt comfortable with.; The reason is that the main line
11.h4 Nxd4 12.Bxd4 b5 13.Rh3 b4 14.Na4 Bxd4 15.Qxd4 a5 has been
analysed to death and gives Black an even game. I like the general play in
these positions, but only when it is between the players present at the board.]
11...Nxd4 12.Bxd4 Qc7 13.Bd3 Bxd4 14.Qxd4 b5 [14...Qc5 has also been
played. I am not sure that White is better after 15.Ne2 b6 16.Rhe1 , but it is a
position it would be hard for White to lose, and Black has very few winning
chances. Part of my pre-match tactics was to allow for Brynell to stray from
these passive positions, as a draw would do him no good either.]
15.Rhe1! [I was out of book here, but this move, preparing both Re1–e3–h3
and overprotecting the e5–pawn in order to play f4–f5, seems logical and
correct to me.]
[Also possible was 15.Qf2 in order to keep the queens on, but then Black has
15...b4 16.Ne2 a5 followed by ...Bc8–a6 exchanging his problem bishop.
Though White cannot prevent this idea forever, it is useful for him to
postpone it for as long as possible.]
15...Nc5? [Stellan said that he had had this position once before, where he
played the preferable 15...Qc5 leaving White slightly better. Black has hardly
any winning chances in the resulting endgame. Whether or not White's
chances are that great is hard to say, but I had some strategic ideas from the
games O.Korneev-J.Kraai, Zalakaros 2003, and A.Grischuk-A.Iljushin,
Russian Ch., Krasnoyarsk 2003, both of which White won, so at least I was
not running blind.]
16.f5! [Having being allowed to play this I hesitated for a few minutes to
make sure that I was not rushing it. I have noticed that if you start playing
real moves quickly (not calculating recaptures or already worked-out moves)
you can suddenly find yourself moving too fast in positions where you had a
definite choice and, afterwards, would have preferred to spend some
time.The move itself is obvious. White has a strong attack and also a good
structure. It is important to notice that White does not need to play fxe6, but
will focus on f5–f6, threatening the black king and keeping Black's pawns on
light squaresStellan now thought for about 50 minutes looking puzzled as to
what had happened to him. He later explained that he had mixed up the
theoretical variations, and that if ...Bc8–b7 and Kc1–b1 had been included,
then it would have been a known position in which Black should be OK.
Now, however, he is very far from being OK.]
16...exf5 [There is really no choice. Black cannot allow f5–f6 with an
attack;]
[even after 16...Nxd3+ 17.Rxd3 Qc4 18.f6! I evaluated White's position as
winning. The rooks will do a fine job attacking the black king and, as if this
was not bad enough, White also has a wonderful endgame coming with
knight vs. bad bishop. These things are less clear with two set of rooks on the
board, as attacks against the king still play a part in the game, but here it
seems that White's attack will be much stronger.; My little German friend
thinks that desperate measures are necessary here, and that Black should
consider 16...b4 , but after 17.Qxb4 Rb8 18.Qh4 Qb7 19.f6 it begins to
understand the enormous power of two heavy pieces and a far advanced
pawn against a naked king. For those interested in theoretical issues, it
should be said that a pawn this far advanced in attack can more or less be
considered as worth a piece. This even works with the famous three piece
rule, which says that you often need three pieces to conclude a mating attack
(to begin it you usually need an army), one to sacrifice itself to open lines,
one to protect and one to mate.; Incidentally, as some commentators
observed, it is simpler to play 16...b4 17.f6! gxf6 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 19.Qh4+
with a mating attack.]
17.Nxd5 Nxd3+ [Stellan refrained from 17...Qa7 because of 18.Qf4! . Black
would then have to take on d3 anyway, or lose a pawn without solving any of
his positional problems. The threat of Nf6+ with a mating attack is also still
present.]
18.Rxd3 Qa5?! [Stellan had probably already accepted his defeat here. It
must have been strange for him to play this game, in which only two results
made sense, and draw was not one of them!]
[However, his reasons for not playing 18...Qc4 (the only move) was that the
endgame was hopeless. Most likely I would have counted on my limited
endgame technique to do the job after 19.Qxc4 (though I considered
answering with 19.Qf2!? , as the attack is still very strong) 19...bxc4 20.Rd4
Be6 and then: 21.--
a) . I actually rejected 21.Nb6?! because of 21...Rab8 (instead 21...Rad8!
22.Red1 Rde8! is a fine line by Fritz) 22.Nxc4 Rb4 when White is a pawn up
but has four isolated pawns two of which are doubled, although White is still
better of course.;
b) 21.Nc7! (I had not seen this at the time, but it is not hard to find, so I am
sure I would have spotted it) 21...Ra7 (if 21...Rac8 22.Nxe6 and White will
win) 22.Nxe6 fxe6 23.Rxc4 and White has excellent winning chances in the
rook endgame. I would place on rook on c6 and the other on the d-file. Black
might dream of exchanging the e5–pawn for the a-pawn, but even then the
white king would be closer to Black's passed pawns and should therefore
decide the game easily.;
; Returning to 18...Qa5 – When you have such an enormous lead in
development and four pieces ready to attack the enemy king (I include the
e5–pawn rather than the e1–rook in this number), you begin to look for
something you can calculate all the way to the end. In fact White would like
to find a forced win now, and logic encouraged me to think it was
possible.Obviously I have to pay attention to 19...Qxe1+ so that limits my
possibilities. 19.--
a) . One move that springs to mind immediately is 19.Qh4 with the idea of
20 Ne7+ Kh8 21 Qxh7+ Kxh7 22 Rh3 mate. But of course my grandmaster
opponent would not fall for such a cheap trick and would come up with some
sort of defence. 19...Kh8 was the first move I thought of, and then after
20.Nf6 h6! saves the day, at least for the time being. Nothing decisive comes
to me immediately, so before I continue to calculate these lines, I choose to
look for other moves. (20...--) ;
b) . One move I did not consider at the time was 19.Ree3!? as suggested after
the game by Stellan. Instead I quite quickly found a very tempting move,
which I decided to investigate first. If it did not work out I would always be
able to return to this position again.The point was that I had only used 20
minutes so far, and as I deemed it very unlikely that the game would last
until move 40, I had no reason to be careful with my time here. The time we
use in calculation should be reasonable according to where we think the
game is going. We need to be able to spend a lot of time at the critical
moments. Because I had somehow learned this over the years, I did not
spend much time thinking about either 15 Rhe1 or 16 f5. As these moves
were possible why should I not play them? (Although I did stop for a minute
or two at 18 Rxd3, just to make sure I did not overlook some additional
possibility.)Anyway, I had spotted such a tempting move here, first of all
because it was forcing, that I decided to forget about all other moves for the
time being. Remember: The most natural move to calculate first in this kind
of critical moment is the most forcing move. And the most forcing move here
is:;
] 22.Qh4 with threats, but here my lack of training in calculation started to set
19.b4 [The point of such a move is not difficult to figure out.]
[Black has a very limited choice now, as 19.b4 Qa4 (and 19...Qd8 20.Nf6+)
20.Nb6 both mean that the game is over immediately. So, out of his double
attack (against e1 and a2), Black is forced to execute the least disturbing of
the two, after which he no longer has any threats, and White can continue
with his war effort undisturbed.Though this logic seems sound, it should be
remembered that White has just sacrificed a pawn and exposed his king
madly. So although 19 b4 was found by strong intuition, it is necessary to
calculate the consequences of such a move accurately before we execute it.
In this position that means calculating it all the way to the end.]
19...Qxa2 20.Nf6+ [As a human it is very difficult to play moves (or rather,
it is very easy, but not so easy to do it well). We need to play ideas in the
shape of moves. White's last move was an idea – it is easy to see that
something forceful has to follow the pawn sacrifice and Nf6+ is the only one.
But in practice it actually works the other way around. First you notice the
idea of Nf6+ with an attack, and then you try to make it work. I had seen the
variation 19 Nf6+ gxf6 20 Rg3+ Kh8 21 Qh4 Qxe1 mate (Black's last move
is his only defence, but it is quite a defence!), so I intuitively started to
improve this line in my head, as well as looking for other candidates, and the
result was 19 b4.]
[Now after 20.Nf6+ Black has a choice. Here I had to calculate two moves:
the obvious 20...gxf6 and the other remaining legal move, 20...Kh8. I chose
to start with the latter as I felt that I would certainly have a winning attack
after the former. After 20...Kh8 21.Qh4 h6 I could not see a way to proceed.;
Here the method of candidates comes in handy. I used a little time and found
another idea which did not seem to offer Black any defence: 20.Nf6+ Kh8
21.Rh3 h6 22.Qf4 and after 22...Qa1+ 23.Kd2 Rd8+ 24.Ke2 I will be
allowed to play the winning 25 Rxh6+ next move, if Black doesn't resign on
me first.; But experience has taught me that when positions become muddy
like this, you should always calculate very accurately. Just because Black
plays 20.Nf6+ Kh8 does not mean he will never take the knight, so after
21.Rh3 then 21...gxf6 needs to be calculated as well. I realized that I had
in. The position was no longer clear in my mind's eye and the consequences
of 22...Qa1+ were not immediately obvious to me. So, for practical reasons I
noted this line and decided to compare it with the main line, as the only
difference is the position of the white rook after...]
20...gxf6 21.Rg3+ Kh8 22.Qh4 [This is a matter of comparison. Instead of
calculating the two long lines independently (which is of course possible,
although time consuming), I can simply check the line after 20...gxf6 and
shift the rook between h3 and g3 whenever it seems there is a difference
between the two.]
[I quickly came to the conclusion that in some variations I would play Rg3–
h3 with an unstoppable threat of mate (e.g. 22.Qh4 Qe6 23.Rh3 with mate).
So the rook would be better placed on h3 in most lines. Of course I have to
keep my eyes open for the one case when it is not, but in this game there are
none.Now Black has no other way to prevent mate than delivering a few
checks.]
22...Qa1+ 23.Kd2 Rd8+ 24.Ke2 [When calculating the lines I actually
believed that this was the winning move and that I would now either win the
queen or mate my poor opponent. But having all the time in the world I
started looking, simply searching the board for possibilities. After some time
I managed to see Black's next move, which is rather obvious if you have the
position physically in front of you, but as I did not, finding the move took me
more time.]
24...Qxe5+ 25.Kf1 [I needed to check if I had a choice here, but I simply
noted that 25.Kf2 was possible (25 Re3 does not make sense). I did not see
25...Rd2+ (or that Black can play 25...Qd4+ if the rook is on h3, but simply
that 25 Kf2 was possible, and that if anything was wrong with the most
cautious move, 25 Kf1, I could always return to this position.) ; This position
after 25.Kf1 then becomes another stepping-stone to me. I stopped here to
search the board carefully. I looked for checks and defensive moves., the first
being something that solved both of Black's problems, the trouble facing his
queen and king. Black needs both to defend f6 and move the queen. 25...--
a) 25...Qd4 is met by 26.Qxd4! Rxd4 27.Re8#;
b) , and 25...Qd6 is met by 26.Rh3! and the black king is mated. (Here again
I checked the difference between 20...gxf6 and 20...Kh8 and noticed that
they are not important here and that 20...gxf6 still appeared to be the toughest
defence.);
c) . There are no other squares from which the queen can solve both tasks, so
I started looking for other moves. One that came up was 25...Qxg3 , but
never mind that White must be better if I just captured the queen, I took the
time to see that I could also win immediately with 26.Qxf6+! and the rook is
picked up for free as well. (Here I also assured myself for the sixth time or so
that the c8–bishop cannot deliver any checks.) So eventually I came up with
the only move that seemed at all playable for Black. (26.--) ;
]
25...Rd1 26.Rxd1 [Of course I need to look for other moves as well, but as
White is still threatening a lot of things this natural move should be the first
to be seriously investigated. I did briefly check for alternatives, but could not
find any.Now White is threatening mate on the back rank, as well as 27 Qh6
and 27 Rh3. Black should be lost. But as the material situation was still
unclear and I had plenty of time on my clock, I checked his possibilities. In
the game he played:]
26...Be6 [I had also seen 26...Bb7 27.--
a) , which could be tried as the last resort trick of 27.Rh3? Bxg2+!;
b) , but I had seen 27.Qh6 , which wins on the spot.;
c) . Later it turned out that 27.Rd4!? also wins easily: the main threat is 28
Qxh7+ and 29 Rh4 mate, while after the only defence 27...Be4 then 28.Qh6
wins again. But of course this is nothing but delaying the winning idea for
one move. (28.--) ;
]
27.Qh6 [27.Rh3 was also possible.]
27...Bc4+ [On the evening after the game (which was kind of important to
me, as I was playing for a GM norm), I wrote the following in my personal
notes: "Here something very interesting happened. I had played the last nine
moves relatively quickly, but here I stopped to think. I thought both king
moves won on the spot, but when I came home and inserted the game into
my computer I realized that 27...Bc4+ 28.Kf2?? loses to 28...Qe2+ with mate
in four moves. This experience was quite surreal and made me consider if it
is such with chess and luck, that if you play enough, then you will eventually
have such large amounts of it in a random tournament, that more or less
everything works? Still, that would hardly have been this tournament.
Anyway, out of sheer luck and a sense of danger, consciously developed over
the last few years, I played 28 Kg1."Later I came to the conclusion that,
because of a strange experience when I was 18 where I had a basic mate in
one in a rapid game, but instead tried to play another mate in one which
surprisingly was not there (how does a 2350 player miscalculate mate in
one?!), I had learned my lesson and have since relied on the most simple
move in situations where I did not feel perfectly in control. Though there
were 30 spectators to this game I did not seriously consider showing off or
anything like that. The problem was that, this being the game for my first
GM-norm, I was enormously excited and had been from the moment I had
finished calculating 19 b4.]
28.Kg1 [After I made this move Stellan offered his hand in defeat and
congratulation at the same time.I had seen the rest of the game when I played
19 b4, as well as having checked it again once I had finished it. I had the
time, so why not? The game would be over if I was right. And if I was wrong
it would be nice to know in advance.Nevertheless, I like the alternative win
found by Fritz more than my own. It goes like this:.(press F10 to continue)]
1–0
(81) analysis Aagaard-Brynell
[Jacob Aagaard]
19.b4 Qxa2 20.Nf6+ gxf6 21.Qh4!? [instead of 21.Rg3+]
21...f4 22.exf6 Kh8 23.Qh6 Rg8 [I had actually seen that such positions
could arise and that I had 23...Rg8 24.Re8! winning, but much more
beautiful are the full festivities with...]
24.Qg7+!! Rxg7 25.Re8+ Rg8 26.Rxg8+ Kxg8 27.Rd8#
1–0
(82) Aagaard,J - Ong,K [B00]
Swedish League, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Be7 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3
0–0 9.h3 Na5 10.Bc2 c5 11.d4 Qc7 12.Nbd2 cxd4 13.cxd4 Bb7 14.Nf1
Rac8 15.Bb1 [15.Re2! is the better choice according to ECO.]
15...exd4 16.Nxd4 Rfe8 17.Ng3 d5 [Here I sank into thought.]
[17...d5 18.--
a) . When playing 17 Ng3 a bit too quickly, I had overlooked a very simply
point: that after 18.e5 Black would not have to play the pawn-losing 18...Ne4
(but would instead reply with the vicious 18...Bb4! winning my e-pawn.) ;
b) . At first I thought I would have to play 18.exd5 with equality, but then I
realized that 18...Nxd5 followed by 19...Bf6 would be by no means equal.
Black would have two wonderful bishops on the long diagonals, while my
pieces are packed into the corner and I would surely have trouble facing my
team-mates after the game (as so often before, I started speculating about
leaving the playing hall unseen but decided, for the hundredth time or more,
that it would be very suspicious if I put on my jacket and made my way to
the door).;
c) . So I started looking for alternatives. I found lines like 18.e5 Bb4 19.Re2
Rxe5 20.Bf4 Rxe2 21.Bxc7 Re1+ 22.Qxe1 Bxe1 23.Be5 Bb4 24.Bxf6 gxf6
25.Bf5 Re8 , but could not really make them work.After perhaps thirty
minutes thinking I decided it would not make any sense to look for a
playable position after anything but 18 e5, as all other moves would hand
over the initiative for free. This did not mean that I instantly played the
move, but rather that I only analysed 18 e5 Bb4 after this. Some might argue
that I should then instantly play 18 e5 and only consider my position after
18...Bb4, but there are some arguments against this: firstly, that my opponent
might think in this position as well, and might be considering other moves
than 18 e5, while he has no alternatives at all to 18 e5 Bb4; secondly, it is a
safety mechanism. I had decided on mainly general grounds that the solution
to my problem would start with 18 e5, but these might not be correct. If we
could decide everything on general grounds, we would not need to calculate
at all. Abstract thinking is very useful in helping us with what we need to
calculate, but it is not a method which can substitute for calculation
itself.Anyway, after some 48 minutes I discovered the move I eventually
played in the game. I used the next 5 or 6 minutes to check the variations
before executing my moves.;
] not worry about the 55 minutes I had spent finding this idea, as I was sure
18.e5 [Played after 55 minutes I now had 45 minutes for the rest of the
game.]
18...Bb4 19.Bf5!! [This move is not obvious at all. If I started making a list
of candidates on the previous move, or even here, I am not sure I would be
able to find it within the first 10 minutes. Firstly I needed to get the idea of
allowing ...Bxe1 in order to prevent ...Rxe1+; then I needed to find a move,
any move, which would work well as a waiting move.]
[Obviously it could not be 19.Bg5 because of 19...Rxe5 and I am just a pawn
down.The main reason behind the bishop move is actually to threaten the
rook on c8 and nothing else. It looks counter-intuitive, as f5 is the natural
square for the knights. But sometimes intuition and abstract thinking cannot
solve our problems. We need to be very concrete and look for ideas.]
19...Bxe1? [My opponent used only 10 minutes on deciding take the rook. I
was secretly hoping for this move, which I considered completely worthless.
He had played his first 18 moves instantly and should now have fallen into
deep thought.]
[I had investigated the move 19...Rcd8 when White has two ways to proceed:
20.--
a) 20.Bg5 Rxe5 21.Rxe5 Qxe5 22.Nh5 Nxh5 23.Bxd8 Nf4 "with
compensation" for Black is given in ECO. I think Black might have even
more than that; e.g. 24.Bxa5 (or 24.Bb6 Nc4 25.Ba7 g6 and Black looks
better to me) 24...Bxa5 25.Nb3 Bb6 26.Qe1 Ne2+ 27.Kf1 Ng3+ 28.Kg1 Ne4
and Black has an attack.;
b) . My idea, however, was just to play my previous line, now improved by
the clearing of the first rank, i.e. 20.Re2!? Ne4 (not 20...Rxe5? 21.Bf4)
21.Bf4 Bc5 22.Nb3 Nxg3 23.Bxg3 Nxb3 24.Qxb3 and the position is
level.As you can see my solution to the problems I was facing does not
provide me with an advantage. But it does look as if it is the only way to
avoid being worse in this position, so it can be called a definite success. I did
that my opponent now would have to face real problems. When the
difference between two moves are minimal, it makes no sense to use a lot of
time on deciding between them. But in every game there are critical
moments where it is necessary to calculate. It is for those we store time, and
when we face them we should not be afraid of using the time necessary to
make a sound decision.Some players (such as Nunn and Larsen) have written
that whenever they have used more than 20 minutes for a move, usually they
have wasted this time or even committed blunders. Personally I have a
different experience and have often seen absolute top players think for a long
time over a single move. Probably it is a matter of taste as much as anything.
But note that the purpose of using a long time on a move is not to gain
control over each and every variation, but to make a decision. Here I did not
need to spend a long time once I had discovered 19 Bf5, but I still wanted to
check a few lines in order to make sure that everything was OK.My
opponent taking just 10 minutes to capture on e1 is not so easy to understand.
I have a feeling that he did not fully scan for candidates and perhaps only
calculated for some time on taking the rook and then felt obliged to do so.
Anyway, White was now pleased to have a pawn near the black king.;
]
20.exf6! Qb6 [This was the move I expected, but I did manage to calculate
some of his other possible replies (though not in detail).]
[Here is an updated version of these analyses: 20...Rcd8 21.Bxh7+ Kxh7
22.Qh5+ Kg8 23.Qg5 and White wins.; 20...Bb4 21.Bxh7+ (21.Bd2!? Bxd2
22.Qxd2 Qe5 23.Nh5 h6 24.fxg7 should also win for White, though this line
is a little strange) 21...Kxh7 22.Qh5+ Kg8 23.fxg7 f6 (if 23...Re1+ 24.Kh2 f6
25.Qh8+ Kf7 26.Qh7 Rg8 27.Ndf5 wins) 24.Qh8+ (or 24.Ndf5 Re1+ 25.Kh2
Rxc1 26.Qh8+ Kf7 27.Qh7 and wins) 24...Kf7 25.Qh7 Rg8 26.Qh5+ Ke7 (if
26...Kxg7 27.Ngf5+ Kf8 28.Ne6# and Black is mated) 27.Ngf5+ Kd8
28.Ne6+ Kd7 29.Qf7+ Kc6 30.Nfd4+ Kb6 (or 30...Kd6 31.Bf4#) 31.Nxc7
and White wins.It is not necessary in practice to work out the details of these
lines before taking the decision to refrain from regaining the exchange. All I
had to do was see that a clear majority of variations seemed favourable for
me. Often complicated calculation should be replaced with an intuitive
decision. If you calculate everything in a game in order to stay in control, the
only thing you can be certain of is that you will lose on time.]
21.Be3! [This brings the bishop into play and protects the first rank and f2 at
the same time. There are not really any alternatives.]
21...Rxe3 [After 21...Rc4 22.Bxh7+ Kxh7 23.Qh5+ Kg8 24.fxg7 White has a
winning attack.]
22.fxe3! [This move might not look anything special,]
[but in my opponent's time I had quickly worked out the following line,
which showed that the tempting bishop sacrifice should be avoided:
22.Bxh7+? Kh8!! 23.fxg7+ (possible is 23.Qh5 Qxf6 24.Ngf5 Rxh3! 25.Qxh3
Bd2 but Black is not worse) 23...Kxh7!! (not 23...Kxg7 24.Ngf5+ Kxh7
25.Qh5+ Kg8 26.fxe3! and White has a winning attack) 24.Qh5+ Qh6 and
Black is better. This kind of variation is not difficult for the experienced
player to work out. That Black does not want to take the bishop on the first
move in no way means that he will be shy to take it on the next. Awareness to
such details will certainly win you games.]
22...Bxg3 23.Qg4 Bf2+ 24.Kh1 Qxf6 25.Bxc8 [ECO gives this as winning
for White in the game I.Kapic-S.Busemann, correspondence 1990. The next
day I tried to convince my team-mates that it was all theory and that I had
been in full control, but they remembered very well my painstaking face
from the day before.]
25...h5 26.Qd7 Bxc8 [This loses immediately, but Black is lost anyway.]
[If 26...Bxe3 27.Bxb7 Bxd4 28.Bxd5 Bxb2 (or 28...Nc4 29.Bxc4 bxc4
30.Qc8+ Kh7 31.Qxc4 Bxb2 32.Rf1) 29.Re1 Ba3 30.Re8+ Bf8 31.Qc7 Nc4
32.Bxc4 bxc4 33.Qb8 and the game would be over all the same.]
27.Qxc8+ Kh7 28.Qc2+ g6 29.Rf1
1–0
(83) Aagaard,J - Eriksson,J [B80]
Swedish League, 2000
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be3 e6 7.f3 b5 8.Qd2
Bb7 9.g4 h6 10.0–0–0 Nbd7 11.h4 b4 12.Na4 Qa5 13.b3 Nc5 14.a3 Nxa4
15.axb4 Qc7 16.bxa4 d5 17.e5 Nd7 18.f4 Nb6 19.f5 Nxa4 20.fxe6 Nc3
21.exf7+ Kxf7 22.Bd3 Bxb4 23.Rdf1+ Ke8? [This was the first new move
of the game and, to my good fortune, it is a bad one.]
[23...Kg8 had been played in some previous games I had analysed. My
opponent, on the other hand, was in trouble as 19 f5 was new to him.I now
used 50 minutes to calculate the position to the end. A lot of this time was
spent in vain as I simply did not realize that the bishop on b7 was hanging,
but once I did, it was enough to win the game.]
24.Qf2! [The natural move. Black is now under heavy attack and cannot save
the position.]
24...Qa5 [This looked at first to be the most intimidating continuation, but
the game is pretty clear-cut.]
[No better were alternatives such as 24...Ba3+ 25.Kd2 Ne4+ 26.Bxe4 dxe4
27.Qf5 Bd5 28.e6 and White is close to winning; or 24...Rf8 25.Qxf8+! Bxf8
26.Bg6+ and White wins a piece – if 26...Kd7 27.e6+ Kd6 28.Bf4+ .]
25.Qf7+ Kd8 26.Qxb7! [A move that can easily be missed.]
26...Qa1+ [26...Ne2+ 27.Kd1! was the first point to find.]
27.Kd2 Nb5+ 28.Ke2 Nxd4+ 29.Bxd4 Qxd4 30.Qxa8+ Ke7 31.Qb7+ Ke8
32.Bf5 [32.Qc8+ Ke7 33.Qc7+ Ke8 34.Bg6# was stronger, but being a rook
up can make some people a little careless.]
32...Qxe5+ 33.Kf3 Qd6 34.Qc8+
1–0
(85) Sasikiran,K - Skytte,R
Copenhagen, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Sasikiran now turns a complicated, though not particularly interesting
middlegame into a memorable game with a series of 'trick shots'. White has
won a pawn, but only at the cost of advancing his d-pawn so far that it cannot
survive. However, Black needs a few moves to round it up, and White would
still have a small edge with his passed c-pawn. White now tries to provoke
some weaknesses in the black camp which can be used later.]
29.h4!? [The idea of this move is far from obvious.]
29...Rb2?! [An ill-conceived plan.]
[Sasikiran felt that Black would have been better off playing 29...Ke7 to
liquidate the d-pawn, after which the scenario would be rather quiet.]
30.h5! [If you want to set yourself a difficult task, then try to guess the
moves to come from the Indian grandmaster. I was following the game live,
and though I was able to win his position against myself, I was only able to
guess Sasikiran's most obvious moves.]
30...Rxe2? [Objectively better was 30...g5 but Skytte did not see White's
32nd move. After 30...g5 White would be better but not decisively.]
31.hxg6+ Ke7 [If 31...Kf6 32.Rd6 and White wins fairly easily.]
32.Rd5!! [A move which is easy to miss. There are many ways to create this
kind of imagination. One if them is by solving studies, another is by
analysing with Fritz from time to time. Even though we should be careful not
to let the computer think for us, we should still pay respect to the tactical
awareness it can teach us.]
32...Qb4 [White wins in all variations from here on.]
[If 32...Qb6 33.Qa3+ Kf6 34.g7! (34.Rd6? Rxa2 35.Rxe6+ Qxe6 36.Qxa2 is
less clear) 34...Kf7 (or 34...Kxg7 35.Qe7+ followed by 36 Rd6 and wins)
35.Qf8+! Rxf8 36.gxf8Q+ Kxf8 37.d8Q+ Qxd8 38.Rxd8+ Ke7 39.Rh8 and
wins.; The aesthetic point of the combination was 32...Bxd5 33.cxd5 with the
threat of Qe6+, or if 33...Qxd5 34.Qxe2 with Qh5 to follow. Black cannot
survive, even if he materially looks alright for the moment.]
33.c5 [Threatening Qd6+ and the rook on e2.]
33...Re1 34.Rxe5!? [Again far from the obvious choice. Later Sasikiran
explained that his opponent was in time trouble and he wanted to avoid
giving him obvious moves. Normally this sounds like a sound strategy, but
when you have simple winning lines at your disposal, then the logic needs
some discussion. Personally I think that once you have this competitive
mindset, it is difficult to switch around easily and be completely pragmatic.
If you have this attitude towards playing in time trouble, you have it no
matter what. And I am certain that Sasikiran knew what he was doing, even
though he did not feel completely sure afterwards.]
[White could also have won with the more straightforward 34.Qd6+ Kf6
35.Qxe5+ Kg5 (35...Ke7 36.Qg7+) 36.Qxe6 Rxf1+ 37.Kxf1 Qb1+ 38.Ke2
Qxa2+ 39.Ke1 and there is no perpetual check. Sasikiran demonstrated this
afterwards in the commentary room, so he had seen it! Instead he chose to be
as creative as possible.]
34...Rxf1+ 35.Kh2! [The point.]

35...Kxd7 [The only move. Now try to see if you are able to guess White's
next move.]
[If 35...Rxd7 36.Qxe6+ Kd8 37.g7 and White wins on the spot.]
36.g7!! [Simply brilliant! This move leads more or less to forced mate. And
again it is not easy for Black to find his way.]
[In the commentary room we went for the materialistic approach with
36.Qxe6+ Kc7 37.Qe7+ (37.g7 also wins – Sasikiran) 37...Rd7 38.g7! Qb8
(this was the move that Sasikiran did not like; instead 38...Rxe7 39.Rxe7+
Kd8 40.Rf7! Qb8+ 41.g3 Rxf2+ 42.Kh3 and White wins was for some reason
obvious to him!) 39.Qf8 Rd8 40.Rxf5 Kc6+ 41.Kh3 Rh1+ 42.Kg4 h5+
43.Kg5 Rh2 44.g3 and White has a winning endgame on the way.]
36...Bg8 [If 36...Bc4 (or 36...Bf7) 37.Qd6+ Kc8 38.Qc6+ Kb8 39.Re7 Rc8
40.Qd7 and Black is mated. (Sasikiran did not see 40 Qd7 and was instead
planning 40.g8Q Bxg8 41.Qa6 which looks very much like the game.) ]
37.Qd6+ [Finally Sasikiran finishes the game with obvious moves.]
37...Kc8 38.Qc6+ Kb8 39.Re7 Rc8 40.Qa6 [To have been aiming for this
position is what we understand about being creative.]
40...Rxc5 [40...Rc7 41.Re8+ mates.]
41.Qxa7+
1–0
(86) Vescovi,G - Miton,K [B17]
Aeroflot Open, Moscow, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Ng5 Ngf6 6.Bd3 e6 7.N1f3 Bd6
8.Qe2 h6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Qc7 11.0–0 b6 12.Qg4 Kf8 [12...g5 lost all
credibility after V.Anand-V.Bologan, Dortmund 2003.]
13.b3 c5 14.dxc5 Nxc5 15.Bb2 e5 16.Bf5 h5 17.Qh3 Ne6! [This is the end
of the opening and Black has equalized.]
[17...Bxf5 18.Qxf5 Re8 is Fritz's choice, but White should be better here.]
18.Bxe6 Bxe6 19.Qg3 f6 [Also interesting was 19...h4!? 20.Nxh4 Qxc2
21.Rad1! Qxb2 22.Rxd6 Re8 23.Nf3 Qxa2 24.Nxe5 Kg8 and Black does not
look worse.]
20.Nh4 Qxc2!? [Definitely an adventure.]
[Also possible was 20...Kg8 and it is hard to see any reason why Black
should stand worse.]
21.Rad1 Bc5 [Now 21...Bc5 22.Ng6+ Kf7 23.Nxh8+ Rxh8 would give
Black decent compensation for the exchange, so White comes up with a truly
inventive blow!]
22.Bxe5!? [!? What an imaginative move! The main point is simply to trap
the black king in the centre and then take things as they come. Very often in
Vescovi's games we see a readiness to take wild chances, with the belief that
he will out-calculate his opponent in the resulting complications. In this
game the combination can be defined as correct, since White did not have
any advantage otherwise, but the important thing is the difficulties Black is
suddenly facing in how to defend against all kinds of threats. It is safe to say
that Black did not foresee White's idea, so he must suddenly have felt a bit
uneasy, for what is next?]
22...fxe5 23.Qf3+ Ke7 24.Rd3! [This was the idea. Now 25 Ng6+ winning a
rook or two is threatened.]
24...Rhd8! [Black is walking a thin line. This – and only this – move was
necessary, as the alternatives show:]
[24...Raf8 25.Ng6+ Ke8 26.Qc6+ Kf7 27.Nxe5+ Kf6 28.b4! Rc8 29.Qf3+
Bf5 30.bxc5 and White has a winning attack.; 24...Bd4 25.Ng6+ Kd6
26.Nxe5! Qc5 (not 26...Kxe5? 27.Re1+ Kd6 28.Rxd4+ Ke7 29.Qb7+ Kf6
30.Rxe6+ Kxe6 31.Qd7+ Kf6 32.Rd6+ Ke5 33.Qe6+ Kf4 34.Rd4+ Kg5
35.h4#) 27.Qe3! (simplest; 27.Ng6!? Rhd8 28.Rxd4+ Qxd4 29.Rd1 Qxd1+
30.Qxd1+ Kc7 31.Qxh5 also looks promising; , but 27.Rfd1?! Kxe5 28.Re1+
Kd6 29.Qe3 Rh6 is not clear at all) 27...Qxe5 28.Rxd4+ Bd5 29.Rfd1 Rad8
30.Re4! Qf6 31.Qg3+ Kd7 32.Rxd5+ Kc6 33.Rde5 Rd1+ 34.Re1 Rhd8 35.h4
and White should win with his extra pawn.; 24...Rhc8? 25.Ng6+ Ke8
26.Nxe5 and White wins as he has managed to defend the rook and can now
go on a rampage with his queen, starting with 27 Qxh5+.]
25.Ng6+ Ke8 26.Qc6+ Bd7?? [Black simply blunders, which is very easy to
do when exposed to such creativity.]
[The correct line was 26...Kf7! 27.Nxe5+ (if 27.b4 Bc4 28.Nxe5+ Kg8 and
Black made it home safe) 27...Ke7!! (perhaps the move Black overlooked;
not 27...Kf6? 28.Rf3+ Kxe5 29.Re1+ Kd4 30.Qxe6 and the black king should
not survive, though after 30...Bd6 31.Qe3+ Kd5 32.Rc1 Bc5 33.Rxc2 Bxe3
34.fxe3 White only has a winning rook endgame) . Now White has three
tries, but only one is OK: 28.Qc7+ (the only way to continue, when the game
ends in a draw; instead 28.Qb7+ Kf6 29.Rf3+ Kxe5 is no longer dangerous
for Black; , while after 28.Rf3 Rac8 29.Qb7+ Ke8 30.Qxg7 Rd1 31.Qh8+
Ke7 32.Qf6+ Kd6 33.Nc4+ Kd7 the black king dances away) 28...Ke8
29.Qc6+ Ke7 30.Qc7+ with perpetual check.]
27.Qd5! [Suddenly it is all over.]
27...Bf8 28.Nxe5
1–0
(87) Petrosian,TL - Galkin,A [B17]
Aeroflot Open, Moscow, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.e4 [Incidentally, Tigran Petrosian is rated 2477 and is not the former World
Champion, though he may well have been named after him.]
1...c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7 5.Ng5 Ngf6 6.Bd3 e6 7.N1f3 Bd6
8.Qe2 h6 9.Ne4 Nxe4 10.Qxe4 Qc7 11.Qg4 Kf8 12.0–0 b6 13.Re1 Bb7
14.c3 c5 15.Qh3 [This is the end of the opening. Now Black has to think for
himself.]
15...Bf4?? [A terrible blunder.]
[Black should play something like 15...Rd8!?; or 15...Re8!? , though White
seems a little better after 16.Nd2!? with the idea of 17 Nc4.]
16.Ne5 Bxc1 [After 16...Bxe5 17.dxe5 White is much better, since if
17...Nxe5 18.Bf4 f6 19.Rad1 Rd8 20.Bxe5 fxe5 21.Qxe6 and Black's
position is horrible. Nevertheless Black should have tried 16...Bxe5 and lived
with his ruin of a position, since now there is no chance to save the game.]
17.Nxf7! [The move Black must have overlooked. The sacrifice is
completely decisive.]
17...Kxf7 [Forced;]
[as 17...Bxb2 18.Nxh8 Bxa1 19.Qxe6 wins for White.]
18.Qxe6+ Kf8 19.Qe7+ Kg8 20.Raxc1 Rc8 [Or 20...Bd5 21.Bf5 Rd8
22.dxc5 Rh7!? 23.Bg6! and Black has no defence.]
21.Bc4+ Kh7 22.Bd3+ Kg8 23.Bf5 Nf6 24.Be6+ Kh7 25.Bf5+ Kg8
26.Bxc8 Qxc8 27.Re6! [I like this move for reasons of principle,]
[though Fritz prefers 27.dxc5!? bxc5 28.Re5 Nd5 29.Qh4 Qc6 30.Rce1 Nf4
31.f3 Ng6 32.Qc4+ Kh7 33.Rxc5 and White should win without much
effort.]
27...Ba8?! [This passive move gives White the extra tempo needed for his
attack to achieve full force.]
[The best chance was to look for an endgame with 27...Nd5! when White
would have to be careful: 28.--
a) 28.Qd6? Nf4! (but not time wasting moves like 28...cxd4? 29.Rce1 Kh7
30.Qg3! when White has a winning attack) 29.Re7 Qg4 30.Qb8+ Bc8 31.g3
Nh3+ 32.Kg2 Kh7 33.f3 Qg5 when Black is in the game again and even has
the initiative.;
b) 28.Qe8+! Qxe8 29.Rxe8+ Kh7 30.Rxh8+ Kxh8 31.dxc5 bxc5 32.Re1 Kg8
33.Re4 Kf7 34.Rc4 Ke6 35.Rxc5 Kd6 and although White should win this
endgame, Black has at least activated his king and thereby created some
chances for White to go astray.;
]
28.Rce1 cxd4 29.cxd4 Bd5 30.Rd6 [With the threat of Rd8+, so Black has to
move the queen.]
30...Qc4 31.Qe5! [Forcing Black's next move.]
31...Kf7 [If 31...b5 32.Rd8+ Kh7 33.Qf5+ g6 34.Rd7+! Nxd7 35.Re7+ Kg8
36.Qxg6+ Kf8 37.Qg7#; or 31...Bf7 32.Rd8+ Kh7 33.Qf5+ and wins.]
32.b3! [The black queen was defending the king by indirectly guarding the
f7–square (i.e. after 32.Rxf6+ gxf6 33.Qh5+ Kg7 34.Re7+ Bf7 ). Now the
attack cannot be stopped.]
32...Qb5 33.Qe7+ Kg6 [If 33...Kg8 34.Rxf6! gxf6 35.Re3 and the absence
of ...Qc1+ is also felt.]
34.Re3! Rc8 35.Rg3+ Kh5 36.Qe5+ g5 37.Rh3+ [Black is mated.]
1–0
(88) Rublevsky,S - Filippov,V
Aeroflot Open, Moscow, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
29...a5!! [This pawn is definitely an asset. But this move has more to do with
the coming manoeuvre with the king.]
30.Re2 [White pushes his luck, but it is not with him today.]
[If instead 30.Ne6?! Ka7 31.Nxd8 Rxd8 32.d6 a4 and Black has a very
promising endgame. The a-pawn is very dangerous, much more dangerous
than the d-pawn. After the text move with accurate play White should still be
able to make a draw.]
30...Bxd5 31.Rd2 [It looks as if Black is in deep trouble, but he comes up
with a fantastic solution.]
31...Ka7!! [The pin is resolved and the king comes to help from the side.]
32.Bxd6 [If 32.Rcd1 Re6! 33.Bc7 Rde8 34.Nxe6 fxe6 35.Bxa5 b5 and Black
has a promising endgame, as the bishops are very strong.]
32...Rxd6 33.Rcd1 [White was planning this of course, but Black is
prepared.]
33...Kb6 34.Rxd5 Rxd5 35.Rxd5 Kc6 [A highly unusual situation. White is
a rook up, but his position can only just be saved.]
36.Rd7! [36.Nd7 Kxd5 37.Nxf6+ Kd4! dominates the knight and the running
a-pawn wins for Black.]
36...Kxc5 37.Rxb7 a4 38.Kf1? [White loses his grip in time trouble.]
[He could probably still have made a draw in the following fashion: 38.Rxf7
Bc3! (with the idea of ...Ba5 is the most ambitious try; 38...Bd4 does not
work since after 39.Rxh7 Kc4 40.Rc7+ Bc5 41.Rc6 a3 42.Rxg6 a2 43.Ra6
White makes a draw) 39.Rxh7 a3 40.Ra7 Bb4 (or 40...Kb4 41.Ra6 Kb3
42.Rxg6 Ka4 43.Ra6+ Ba5 44.Rd6 draws) 41.g4! (ensuring that enough
pawns are exchanged on the kingside) 41...Kb5!? 42.gxf5 gxf5 43.Kg2! (the
f5–pawn is the target; not 43.h4? Ba5 44.Rd7 a2 45.Rd1 Bc3 46.Kg2 a1Q
47.Rxa1 Bxa1 48.Kf3 Be5 49.h5 Kc5 50.h6 Kd5 51.h7 Ke6 and wins)
43...Ba5 44.Rd7 a2 45.Rd1 Bc3 46.Kf3 (just in time; now 47 Kf4 is
threatened) 46...Be5 47.h4 Kc4 48.h5 Kb3 49.h6 Kb2 50.h7 a1Q 51.Rxa1
Kxa1 52.h8Q Bxh8 53.Kf4 with a draw.]
38...a3 [Now it is all over as White will lose the rook eventually. The black
king can hide on b1 using the bishop as a shield.]
39.Ra7 Kb4 40.Ke2 Kb3 41.Kd3 a2 42.Rb7+ Ka3 43.Ra7+ Kb2 44.Rb7+
Kc1 45.Rc7+ Kd1
0–1
(89) Khenkin,I - Rublevsky,S [D21]
Aeroflot Open, Moscow, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 e6 3.c4 dxc4 4.Qa4+!? [This is a creative move, but I dislike
this kind of creativity which is not based on sound principles. Of course this
move is playable, but now White continues very ambitiously, which he
simply cannot do.]
4...Nd7 5.e4 c5! [With his last move White weakened his central dark
squares and Black instantly attacks them – sound opening play.]
6.Bxc4 cxd4 7.0–0?! [This pawn sacrifice does not look sound.]
[It was better to play 7.Nxd4 , albeit with no advantage at all.]
7...Bc5 8.b4 [White needs to play with great vigour.]
[After 8.Nbd2?! he does not win the pawn back, as Black has the beautiful
8...a6! 9.Nb3 Ba7 when he keeps the advantage because of ...b7–b5.]
8...Bd6 9.e5 [9.Bb2 e5 is just good for Black.; The same goes for 9.Nxd4
Qc7! and Black is a little better. Note that 10.Nb5? does not work because of
10...Bxh2+ 11.Kh1 Qxc4! .]
9...Bb8 10.Bb2 Ne7 11.Bxd4 [White has regained his pawn and it looks as if
he has a space advantage. But in reality his pawns are weak and he will need
to play accurately in order just to keep the position level.]
11...0–0 12.Re1! [White needs to reinforce e5.]
[After something like 12.Qb3 Nc6 13.Rd1 Qc7 he is in a bad way.]
12...Nf5 13.Bb2 Nb6 14.Qb3 Nxc4 15.Qxc4 Bd7 16.Nc3 [Here it was
interesting to try to restrict the black bishop by 16.b5! Qb6 17.a4 a6 18.Nc3
with a complex middlegame ahead.]
16...Bc6 17.Rad1 Qe7 18.Nd4 [White is clearly not happy with the threat
of ...Bxf3;]
[and 18.Ne4!? seems uncomfortable as Black can play 18...a6! 19.Nd4 Nxd4
20.Bxd4 Qh4 21.Bc5 Bxe5! 22.g3 Qh5 23.Bxf8 Rxf8 with excellent
compensation for the exchange.]
18...Nxd4 19.Rxd4 a6! 20.Rg4? [White is looking for active counterplay,
but his chances are not on the kingside.]
[He could still have kept the balance had he played 20.a4!? Ba7 21.Rd3 Rad8
22.b5 Rxd3 23.Qxd3 Rd8 24.Qe2 axb5 25.axb5 Bd5 26.Nxd5 Rxd5 27.Rd1
and, though Black has a more comfortable position, White should be able to
make a half point.]
20...Ba7 21.Bc1 [White is now ready to start his counterplay on the kingside
with Bc1–g5–f6. But Black is in full control of the position and he stops it
before it becomes unpleasant.]
21...f5!! [With this paradoxical move Black solves all his problems at a
stroke: he either clears the ranks for his pieces to defend the king or, as in the
game, he gives up a pawn and gets open files for his rooks.]
22.exf6 [If 22.Rg3 f4 (22...Qe8!? and 23...Rd8 is also very attractive) 23.Rg4
f3 24.g3 Kh8 and Black has the advantage.]

22...Qxf6 23.Rf4 Qg6 24.Qxe6+ Qxe6 25.Rxe6 Rfe8! [The f4–rook is badly
placed while the one on e6 is excellent. It is therefore easy to see which rook
Black should exchange.]
26.Rxe8+ Rxe8 27.Kf1 [The alternatives were: 27.Be3?! Bxe3 (27...Rxe3
28.fxe3 Bxe3+ 29.Rf2 Bd4 30.Ne2 Bxf2+ 31.Kxf2 Kf7 is better for Black, but
winning would not so easy) 28.fxe3 Rxe3 29.Rc4 Re1+ 30.Kf2 Rc1 and
Black should win without too much trouble.; 27.Bd2!? was possibly better,
even though 27...Bb8 looks similar to the game. (Instead 27...Rd8 28.Be3
Bxe3 29.fxe3 Rd3 30.Rc4 Rxe3 31.Kf2 gives White a fair chance for a draw.)
] play, if he is to break the 2700–barrier and join the absolute chess elite – a
27...Bb8 28.Rc4 [28.Rg4 Be5 29.Bd2 Rd8 also gives Black excellent
compensation for the pawn, but White should perhaps have played this way,
and now 30.Ke1 holding on.]
28...Rc8! [Threatening to win the exchange, or even a whole rook.]
29.Kg1 [29.Nd5 loses to 29...Bb5 30.Ne7+ Kf7 31.Nxc8 Bxc4+ 32.Ke1
Bxa2 and the endgame is hopeless.]
29...b5 [White has been under pressure for some time. Now he blunders the
exchange and loses the game without further resistance.]
30.Rd4? [If 30.Rg4? Bd7! wins.; 30.Rh4 was the only move, but after
30...Bd7 31.Bd2 Be5 followed by 32...Rc2 Black is very close to a winning
ending all the same.]
30...Be5! 31.Be3 [31.Rd3 Be4! was the point behind the last move – not a
difficult tactic, but sometimes it is hard to see what the opponent is
threatening.]
31...Bxd4 32.Bxd4 Rd8 33.Be5 Rd2 34.f3 Rb2 35.Bd6 Rc2 36.Be5 a5!
0–1
(90) Lautier,J - Vaganian,R [D31]
Aeroflot Open, Moscow, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.cxd5 exd5 5.Bf4 c6 6.e3 Bf5 7.Nge2 [7.g4!? is
the most aggressive option here. It seems that Lautier was badly prepared for
his experienced opponent and his attempts at being creative come at a price:
he plays less than perfect moves.]
7...Nd7 8.f3?! [This creates a lot of weaknesses and has no long-term
advantages. Moves like this certainly need to be eliminated from Lautier's
stated ambition of his.]
[8.Ng3!? was a possible improvement, and after 8...Be6 (though 8...Bg6
looks more natural) 9.Nh5 Bf8 10.Bg3 White would have an advantage.]
8...Bg6! [A strong prophylactic move which restricts White's ideas of
advancing the pawns on the kingside, as well as vacating the f5–square for
the g8–knight.]
9.Bg3 [If 9.Ng3 Nf8!; or 9.g4 h5! and in both cases the white pieces are not
really coordinated.]
9...Nh6! [This is a creative solution to the development of the black pieces.
The knight is of course thinking about going to f5.]
10.Bf2 [10.Nf4 Nf5 11.Bf2 Bd6 12.Nxg6 hxg6 does not do White any good,
as h2 is suddenly weak.]
10...Bd6! [Aimed against 11 Nf4. Now White has no easy way to develop
and this provokes him into trying to solve the problem once and for all.]
11.g4?! [11.Ng3 0–0 12.Bd3 was better, but Black's position is easier to
play.]
11...f5! [Black does not hesitate to provoke White to create further
weaknesses in his camp.]
12.h3 [If 12.gxf5 Nxf5 and Black is clearly better.]
12...0–0 13.Bg2 Qe7 14.0–0 fxg4 15.hxg4 [After 15.fxg4 Rae8 the
weaknesses at e4 and e3 will count eventually, e.g. following ...Nh6–f7–g5
and Nd7–f6–e4.]
15...Qg5 16.Qd2 [White cannot free himself. If 16.e4? dxe4 17.Nxe4 Bxe4
18.fxe4 Nxg4 19.Qb3+ Kh8 20.Bg3 Black wins with 20...Nc5! .]
16...Rae8 17.Rae1 [White is trying to get his pieces into the game, but Black
is already ready to deliver a lethal blow.]
[If 17.Nf4 Rxf4!? 18.exf4 Bxf4 19.Qd1 Nf7 20.Re1 Rf8 21.Qe2 Qh6 22.Qe7
Qh2+ 23.Kf1 Bd3+ 24.Ne2 Nf6 and Black has a lethal attack against the
poor white king.]
17...Rxf3! [With all his pieces ready, Black has no serious alternative to
beginning the attack. The exchange sacrifice is thematic: by ruining the white
structure Black is able to use all the remaining pieces, which are all well
placed.]
18.Bxf3 Nxg4 19.Bg3?! [It seems that White was forced into the very
uncomfortable 19.Bxg4 Qxg4+ 20.Bg3 (20.Ng3?! gives Black extra
possibilities such as 20...Qh3! to strengthen the attack) 20...Bxg3 21.Nxg3
Qxg3+ 22.Qg2 Qxg2+ (22...Rxe3 23.Qxg3 Rxg3+ 24.Kh1 is also possible,
but then White would have some counterplay with Re7) 23.Kxg2 Nf6 and
Black has a better endgame, though White can still fight.]
19...Nxe3 20.Kh1 [The endgame after 20.Bg2 Bxg3 21.Nxg3 Qxg3 22.Rf3
Qxg2+ 23.Qxg2 Nxg2 24.Rxe8+ Bxe8 25.Kxg2 gives White no serious
chances. But now another piece is introduced into the attack.]
20...Bh5! 21.Bxh5 [White has no hope of survival in the endgame after
21.Nf4 Nxf1 22.Rxf1 Qxg3 23.Nxh5 Qh3+ 24.Kg1 Ne5!! 25.Bd1 Nc4
26.Qg2 Qxg2+ 27.Kxg2 Ne3+ etc.]
21...Qxh5+ 22.Kg1 Qh3! [The double threat to g2 and g3 is decisive.]
23.Rf2 [If 23.Qxe3 Rxe3 24.Bxd6 Qg4+ 25.Kh1 Rh3+ 26.Bh2 Qh4 and
Black wins.]
23...Bxg3 24.Nxg3 Qxg3+ 25.Rg2 [Or 25.Kh1 Re6 26.Rh2 Qf3+ 27.Rg2
Nxg2 28.Rxe6 Nf4+ and wins.]
25...Nxg2 26.Rxe8+ Kf7 27.Rc8 Ne3+ 28.Kh1 Nf6 [There is no defence
against 29...Nfg4.]
0–1
(91) Carlsen,M - Dolmatov,S [A04]
Aeroflot Open, Moscow, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.Nf3 f5 2.d3!? [Carlsen is very well prepared for his games, so when I
heard he had won against Dolmatov in 19 moves, I was sure that it was a
matter of opening preparation. However, it should be clear from going
through the game that this was not the case. The idea of 2 d3!? in this
position was mentioned in the book 'SOS – Opening Surprises' by Jeroen
Bosch, but how well acquainted Carlsen was with this is hard to guess.The
point here is that Carlsen first plays something creative but sound, and then
simply plays his own game, something he does better than Dolmatov in this
game.]
2...d6 [2...Nf6 would allow 3.e4!? fxe4 4.dxe4 Nxe4 5.Bd3 Nf6 with a
reversed From's Gambit a tempo up for White. How dangerous this is is hard
to say, but Black certainly played a good move in the game.]
3.e4 e5 4.Nc3 Nc6?! [I really dislike this move, and in the game Black gets
into trouble.]
[The most natural move is 4...Nf6! to keep control over e4. Now White
correctly seizes the initiative and exploits the weakening of the black
kingside provided by the first move.]
5.exf5 Bxf5 [5...Nf6 would be no better as White has the advantage after
6.d4! .]
6.d4! [After this central thrust I have not managed to find anything
resembling equality for Black.]
6...Nxd4 [There is nothing better.]
[After 6...Nf6 7.Bb5! e4 8.d5 a6 9.Nd4 axb5 10.Nxf5 Ne7 11.Ng3 Black
suffers from the weak light squares on his kingside and problems concerning
the development of Bf8.; Even worse is 6...e4 , when White needs to find
7.d5! exf3 8.dxc6 fxg2 9.Bxg2 b6 10.0–0 with a wonderful position. The
lead in development combined with the open centre may very well seal
Black's fate.]
7.Nxd4 exd4 8.Qxd4 Nf6 9.Bc4 c6 [Black no doubt hoped to be able to
play ...d6–d5, and he needs to do so in order to get the king out of harms
way. As this turns out to be too slow, his position must be considered as close
to lost already.]
[Most experienced players would disregard a move like 9...Bxc2 on general
grounds. But sometimes it is nice to analyse it, to refresh and test our
intuition, as well as to present evidence for less experienced players. White
gains a very strong attack with 10.0–0 c6 11.Re1+ Be7 12.Bg5 Bg6 13.Re3
(there may be other ways, but this seems the most logical to me: all White's
pieces are introduced to the black king) 13...Kd7 14.Rae1 Re8 15.Bf4 Kc8
16.Be6+ Kc7 17.Qc5! (threatening Nb5+) 17...b6 (if 17...a6 18.Na4! and
Black is lost) 18.Qc4! and it is very difficult to believe that Black will hold
on for long. The weakness of the light squares has been transferred to the
queenside along with the black king.]
10.Bg5 b5!? [It is hard to understand why a grandmaster would play such a
move, as it seems that after the bishop retreats, Black will just have
weakened his position. But when we see serious people making seemingly
unserious moves, we need to ask ourselves why they do so, in order to fully
understand the game in front of us. Here Black wants simply to survive the
opening and castle queenside, but after ...0–0–0 the a-pawn would be
hanging. Therefore he tries to win a tempo now when White cannot ignore
the threat to the bishop.]
[Anyway, after 10...d5 11.0–0–0 Be7 12.Rhe1 Black has an equally slim
chance of survival, due to 12...0–0 13.Qe5 .]
11.Bb3 Be7 12.0–0–0 [This position is all about swift development. The
main reason for White to castle queenside instead of kingside is simply that
he gets a rook to the open file more quickly. Black is one move too late to
castle.]
12...Qd7 [Black cannot escape. After 12...h6 13.Bxf6 Bxf6 14.Rhe1+ Kf8
15.Qxd6+ Qxd6 16.Rxd6 Rc8 17.Be6 Bxe6 18.Rexe6 the endgame holds no
chances for him.]
13.Rhe1 Kd8 [This move looks silly,]
[but Dolmatov was probably saddened by prospect of 13...0–0–0 14.g4!
(14.Qf4 Bf8 15.Bxf6 gxf6 16.Ne4 Bxe4 17.Rxe4 d5 is less clear) 14...Bxg4
15.Rxe7 Qxe7 16.Qxg4+ and Black is near to losing. Now the game takes a
similar turn.]
14.Rxe7! [The annihilation of the defence on the dark squares is obvious in
this position where the pawns mainly cover the light squares. Now White can
do as he pleases. One instructive point is that the individual value of the
pieces does not matter much here, as we will not face an endgame. And no
piece on the board, no matter how powerful, can attack a square more than
once. In the attack, where battle is often confined to a limited number of
squares, the main thing is to have as many pieces participating as possible.
Therefore is hard to consider the exchange sacrifice as a real sacrifice. It is
too basic.]
14...Qxe7 15.Qf4 Bd7 [Necessary otherwise 16 Rxd6+ decides.]
16.Ne4 d5 [The natural 16...Rf8 loses to 17.Nxd6 h6 18.Qb4 a5 19.Qc5 Rb8
20.Qa7 and the knight's dominance becomes clear.]
17.Nxf6 h6 18.Bh4 g5 [If 18...Rf8 19.Nxd5! and wins.]
19.Qd4 [Indicating a threat to the rook on h8. Black had had enough.]
1–0
(92) Sokolov,I - Hillarp Persson,T [B06]
Koge, 1997
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.d4 g6 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6!? [This system is considered somewhat
offbeat even though it has been played by such players as Lautier, Radjabov,
Inarkiev, Khalifman, Gurevich, Bacrot, Piket, Azmaiparashvili, Svidler and
so on. There is no particular reason why it should be bad, though it is hard to
imagine that Black can achieve equality in the theoretical sense of the word.
But on the other hand – he is not looking for it! Instead he wishes for a game
based on individual ability and creativity, rather than defend a theoretical line
all the way to a draw. For this reason this system is good to play for a win,
and for exactly this it has been very useful to Hillarp Persson.As regards the
correctness of the system: in games between the 200 highest rated players
(who have played this position) in my database, the score is about 56–44% in
White's favour, which is very close to the 55/45 average for any opening.
Such statistics are of course always rather superficial, as they can indicate a
lot of things and at the same time say very little about the position. A modern
hazard is how many of the games were played by youngsters with artificially
boosted ratings on the Internet.]
5.Qd2 Nd7 6.h4!? [This is not the standard way of proceeding here, but
Sokolov was probably thinking that if Black could be creative, why not him
too?]
6...h5 7.Nh3 [The idea behind the last move was to locate the knight
permanently on g5.]
7...b5 8.Ng5 Bb7 9.a4 c6! [Tiger has a lot of experience with this system and
correctly avoids 9...b4?! 10.Bc4! e6 11.Ne2 when White has managed to
benefit from his development over the last few moves.]
10.Rd1 [This may just be a waste of time.]
10...Qc7 11.f4!? [This is a very aggressive decision which has good sides
and bad sides. On the good side it allows the f1–bishop to find a good square
on f3. On the bad side it clearly weakens the control over the light squares in
the centre, which could have been maintained by playing f2–f3 at some
point. Tiger immediately realizes the downside to his opponent's last move
and uses it to his advantage.]
11...Nh6!? [From here the knight can go to both g4 and f5 and, more
importantly, it allows the d7–knight to come to f6 and g4.]
[However, because of White's option on the next move, 11...Ndf6!? seems a
better way to execute the idea. Then White has nothing special after 12.e5
Ng4 13.e6 f5 and, as it can be very hard to find targets in the black position,
he should consider forcing a draw immediately by 14.Nf7 Rh7 15.Ng5 Rh8 ,
though he might hope to exploit the fact that Black can now no longer castle,
but will have to play slowly with ...d6–d5, ...Ng8–f6–e4, ...Bf6–g7 and Ke8–
f8–g7 before he can get his rook into the game.]
12.Be2?! [Usually in these kind of positions it is useful to restrict the black
knights as much as possible, which could have been done here with the
stronger 12.e5! . The main threat is to play e5–e6 to weaken the light
squares, while after 12...e6 (which seemingly grants Black has good play –
since White has given both f5 and d5 away with his last move and his bishop
on e3 is out of play), White can strike immediately with 13.axb5 axb5
14.Bxb5! and it looks as if White is better, although the position is still
hugely complicated.]
12...Nf6! [Now Black has no problems.]
13.Bf3 [Here 13.e5 Nfg4 14.e6 f6 15.Nf3 Qc8 would only be good for
Black.]

13...Nfg4 14.0–0 [Here the standard move would be to castle short and then
celebrate a decent outcome from the opening. But Tiger had a deep think and
identified the reality of the position: both black knights are aiming for the
same square (g4), so with his next move Tiger opens up for the h6–knight
and a general onslaught on the dark squares.]
14...d5!! [With this pawn sacrifice (and the coming further sacrifices) Black
manages to open the position and bring his pieces to life. This is the idea
behind being creative: the position is thrown off balance, and dynamic
advantages outbalance static advantages. The resulting position becomes
hard to evaluate, even in analysis after the game. Mikhail Tal was very
famous for this kind of chess.]
15.exd5 Nf5 [This was the idea.]
16.Bf2 Rd8 [Black continues being violently active, though this is no longer
a surprise. Black carries out his plan and then both players have to make their
choices. Here White has the first real choice.]
17.dxc6 [It is hard for White to decline the challenge.]
[If 17.axb5 cxb5 followed by ...b5–b4 and Black wins his pawn back with
good play.; An interesting and possibly better move was 17.Be4!? when the
position remains very complicated. As all the action is on the dark squares, it
makes sense for White at least to retain the possibility of exchanging the f5–
knight rather than the g4–knight (which would open the h-file for the rook
after ...hxg4). Now Black should probably play 17...b4 (as after 17...cxd5
18.Bxf5 gxf5 19.axb5 axb5 20.Nxb5 Qb6 21.Nc3 he might risk ending up
worse) 18.Na2 a5! with complications.]
17...Rxd4! [Of course Black had foreseen this move long ago, and it was no
secret to White either. Strong players have few problems foreseeing
exchange sacrifices since nothing is taboo to them.]
18.Nd5! [The strongest reaction, but still a move which was easy to overlook
if you do not have the awareness of the different possibilities in this kind of
muddy position.]
[Instead 18.Qe2? Nxf2 19.Nxb5!? (after 19.Qxf2 Bxc6 Black is just better –
Hillarp Persson) 19...axb5 20.cxb7 0–0 21.Qxf2 Rxf4 looks very dangerous
for White; while 18.Bxd4? Bxd4+ wins the queen due to 19.Kh1? Ng3# .]
18...Qxc6 19.Qa5 [The only good square for the queen. Now Nc7+ is
threatened and Black cannot castle because of Nxe7+. Hillarp Persson comes
up with a wonderful queen sacrifice.]
19...Qd6!! [Black would be ill advised to hand over the initiative to White
with 19...Qxc2? . First let's analyse a standard candidate and see if it works.
20.--
a) 20.Rc1?! Qxb2 (20...Qd2 21.Nc7+ Kf8 22.Qxd2 Rxd2 23.Bxb7 Nd6
24.Be1 Rxb2 25.Bxa6 bxa4 is only somewhat worse for White, but why
involve himself in something this dodgy?) 21.Nc7+ Kf8 and now we have:
22.--
a1) 22.Nce6+ fxe6 23.Bxb7 Bf6 24.Rc8+ Kg7 25.Nxe6+ Kf7 26.Nd8+
Rhxd8 27.Rxd8 Nxf2 28.Rxf2 Qc1+ 29.Kh2 Rxf4 with a winning attack.;
a2) 22.Bxb7 Bf6 23.Qxa6 Nxf2 24.Qxb5 Qxb5 25.Nxb5 Ng4 26.Rc8+ Kg7
with a clear advantage to Black.;
a3) 22.Nxb5 Bf6! (not 22...axb5?? 23.Qa8+!! Bxa8 24.Rc8+ and mates)
23.Nxd4 Bxd4 24.Qd8+ Kg7 25.Ne6+ fxe6 26.Bxd4+ Qxd4+ 27.Qxd4+
Nxd4 28.Bxb7 Ne2+ 29.Kh1 Nxc1 30.Rxc1 a5 with a better endgame for
Black.; ;
b) . The right move is also the most tempting one: 20.Nc7+! (White needs to
bring the black king into the middle, so intuitively this is the best decision,
but in such a complex position you also have to back it up with variations)
20...Kd7 (20...Kf8 loses instantly to a very nice mate: 21.Nce6+!! fxe6
22.Qd8+ etc) , and now White has two ways to win the game: 21.--
b1) 21.Nxa6 (the complicated way to do it) 21...Bxf3 (21...Nxf2 loses to
22.Rc1! Qxb2 23.Qc7+ Ke8 24.Bc6+ Bxc6 25.Qxc6+ Rd7 26.Nc7+ Kf8
27.Qa8+) 22.Rc1! Rxa4 23.Qxb5+ Bc6 24.Nc5+ Kc7 25.Nce6+!! Kd6
26.Qb6 and Black is toast.;
b2) 21.Rc1 Qd2 (or 21...Qxa4) 22.Qb6! Bxf3 23.Nd5 with a winning attack.;
; move can prove to be the killer.]
] [22...Rxd5 is weaker because of 23.Qc7! (23.Rxd5 Bxd5 24.Qxa6 0–0
20.Ne4? [White accepts the queen sacrifice, probably because he was unable
to find his way in all the tactics. It is very likely that he overlooked the
difference the knight sacrifice would make in all the main lines, simply
because he never thought in that direction. This is another example of how it
is possible to end up in a position where only very non-standard moves are
playable, and where we need to open our minds to a completely different
way of understanding chess.]
[Here 20.Nc7+! was much stronger, when Black has only one playable move:
20...Kf8 (20...Kd7? is foolhardy after 21.Nxb5! (the key move in all lines;
not 21.Nxf7?? Qxf4 and Black wins) 21...axb5 22.Nxf7 and White wins. The
difference can be seen after 22...Qxf4 23.Qxb5+ Ke6 24.Ng5+ Kf6
25.Bxd4+ Nxd4 26.Bxb7 and so on) 21.Nxb5!! axb5 22.Bxb7 and now
White has Qa8+ which prevents 22...Qxf4, so Black can only keep his
position together with 22...Qb8! 23.c3 (if 23.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 24.Rxd4 Nxd4
25.Kh1 (while 25.Bf3 Nxf3+ 26.gxf3 Nf6 gives good counterplay against f4
and h4) 25...Ne2 26.Qe1 Qxb7 27.Qxe2 bxa4 and Black is not worse)
23...Nxf2 24.Rxd4 Bxd4 25.cxd4 Ng4 and the position is still very difficult
to assess. Probably it is balanced in some weird way.; Instead 20.Bxd4
Bxd4+ 21.Rxd4 Nxd4 would have been preferable to Black. One main point
is that after the greedy 22.Nc7+? Kf8 23.Bxb7 White is mated by 23...Ne2+
24.Kh1 Ng3+ 25.Kg1 Qd4+ 26.Rf2 Qxf2# .]
20...Qxd5 [The idea behind Black's move, and really the only move in the
position, so it should not be any surprise.]
21.Nf6+ [Sokolov had to take an intuitive decision here.]
[21.Rxd4 Nxd4 22.Nf6+ Bxf6 23.Bxd5 Bxd5 looks very dangerous for
White as well.]
21...Bxf6 22.Bxd5 Nxf2! [Not the most obvious move. In these kind of
desperado positions it is important to look at everything, since virtually any
25.Qxb5 e6 is also less clear: Black obviously has a very dangerous attack,
but maybe White will be able to create a little counterplay with his pawns)
23...Nd6 (the only move) 24.Rxd5 Bxd5 25.Rd1 Nxf2 (or 25...Ba8 26.Bd4!
with roughly even chances) 26.Kxf2 Be4 27.Rxd6! exd6 28.Qxd6 Bg7
29.Qxa6 0–0 30.Qxb5 Bxc2 31.a5 and White has good counterplay.;
22...Bxd5? is just bad, since after 23.Bxd4 Bxd4+ 24.Rxd4 Nxd4 25.Qd2!
White wins (Hillarp Persson).]
23.Bxb7 Nxd1 24.axb5 0–0! [Black clings on to the initiative. Whatever
White is doing at the queenside does not interest him.]
[Instead if 24...axb5? 25.Qa8+ Kd7 26.Bc6+ Kd6 27.Qb7 and the black king
is in danger (Hillarp Persson).]
25.c3 [This is given "?" by Hillarp Persson, but in fact White could no longer
save the game.]
[He was concerned about the complications after 25.bxa6 , and now the
Danish grandmaster Lars Bo Hansen gave some long and interesting analysis
with 25...Rd7!? , which leaves White hanging on the ropes, but still
breathing: 26.--
a) 26.a7 Bd4+ 27.Kh2 Bxa7 28.Qxa7 Nde3 and White loses by force, e.g.
29.Rf3 (or 29.Re1 Ng4+ 30.Kg1 Nd6 and Black has a decisive material
advantage) 29...Ng4+ 30.Kh3 (if 30.Kg1 Nfe3!! wins) 30...Rd1 31.g3 Rfd8
32.Rf2 R8d2 33.Rxd2 Rxd2 34.Qg1 Nfe3 35.b4 Rd1 and Black should win
the endgame pretty easily a piece up.;
b) 26.c3! (preventing the black bishop from entering the game directly)
26...Nde3 27.a7 Rxb7 28.a8Q Rxb2! 29.Qf3 Rxg2+ 30.Qxg2 Nxg2 31.Kxg2
Ne3+ 32.Kg1 Nxf1 33.Kxf1 Rc8! 34.f5! and Black will have some
difficulties realizing his advantage as White will have a lot of checks.;
; But all this analysis could have been omitted if we had simply looked after
candidates to begin with. After 25.bxa6 Nxb2! followed by 26...Ra4 Black
has nothing to fear and will win without too much trouble.]
25...Nde3!! [Black treats the threat to his rook as an illusion. Now the attack
becomes truly irresistible.]
26.bxa6 [26.cxd4 Bxd4 leaves White with a heavy material advantage... and
no chance of saving the game. After 27.Rf2 Black wins by 27...Ng4 28.Kf1
Bxf2 29.Ke2 axb5 and now Black is actually a piece up. It is not really
possible to see any other moves which are playable for White. The threats are
simply too strong.]
26...Rd7!? [This gives White some extra options, though they hardly matter.]
[26...Rd2 would have been more natural, but then chess is difficult and this
has not been an easy game for Black to play either.]
27.Bc6?! [The best chance was 27.a7! Rxb7 28.a8Q Rxb2 29.Qf3
transposing to the 26 c3 line in the 25 bxa6 note above.; Instead 27.Qa4 loses
to 27...Rd2 28.a7 Bxh4 29.a8Q Nxf1 because of the brilliant tactic 30.Kxf1
Bf2!! and White is helpless to prevent the knight mate despite his two queens
vs. two rooks.]
27...Rd2! [Black now plays flawlessly in the finishing phase.]
28.Rb1 [28.a7 loses to 28...Bxh4! 29.a8Q (if 29.g4 hxg4 30.a8Q Bg3 31.Bg2
Nxf1 and Black has a winning advantage, mainly because of 32...Bf2+!
again) 29...Nxf1 (simplest) (though Black also wins after 29...Bf2+ 30.Kh2
(or 30.Rxf2 Rd1+ 31.Kh2 Ng4+ 32.Kh3 Rh1#) 30...Nxf1+ 31.Kh3 Rxa8
32.Qxa8+ Kg7) 30.Q8a7 N5e3 31.Bf3 Bf2+ 32.Kh1 Ng3+ 33.Kh2 Nef1+
34.Kh3 Bxa7 35.Qxa7 e5 and White is completely tangoed.]
28...Bxh4 29.Bf3 Bf2+ 30.Kh1 Ng4! [Threatening mate in one and thus
forcing White to open the h-file.]
31.Bxg4 hxg4 32.c4? [But 32.a7 loses to 32...Rdd8 33.Ra1 Ra8 34.Qe5 f6
35.Qe6+ Kg7 36.g3 Ne3 37.Qxe7+ Rf7 followed by ...Rh8+.]
32...Kg7! 33.Qe5+ f6
0–1
(93) Hellsten,J - Lopez Silva,H
Pinamar, 2004
[Jacob Aagaard]
22.d6! [Very thematic; White sees the possible pin on the c4–g8 diagonal and
pushes the pawn to open up for the bishop. Of course Black had seen this,
but he had not taken all facets of the move into account. Then again, his
position was not that hot anyway.]
22...Nxd6 [If 22...Qxd6 23.Bc4 and White wins the endgame easily.]
23.Qd5 Rd8 [23...Re8 24.Rxa6 Ne4 25.Bc4 also wins for White.]
24.Rxe5 [Black resigned because of 24.Rxe5 Qc7 25.Qxc5 when he has no
real chances of saving the endgame. Of course it was a bit early to resign, but
Black did not feel lucky.]
1–0
(94) Kirov,N - Hillarp Persson,T
Saragossa, 1995
[Jacob Aagaard]
24.f4 Rxg2+!! [It is hard to believe that Kirov did not consider this move,
but somehow he did not make the effort to really investigate it. Had he done
so, he would have spotted the follow-up.]
25.Kxg2 Bxh3+! [If you calculate this move you will most likely reach the
conclusion that it is very dangerous for White. For the practical player it
would have been enough to calculate a few lines and realize that the attack
holds only chances for Black, and then refrain from 24 f4? in favour of
something more cautious like 24 Re2.Now White panicked and lost like a
stone.]
26.Kg1?! [In order to decide on the double sacrifice, however, Black would
have also had to calculate 26.Kxh3! Rh8+ 27.Kg2 Ng4 . This is the critical
position. On calculating the sacrifice you would quickly realize this was the
place to stop and create your stepping-stone position. (26 Kg1 could
probably be calculated first – and quickly, since it is not too difficult to see
that White is in a crisis; the exact details are not important for the decision
making and could be disregarded.) White now has: 28.--
a) 28.Qa3 Rh2+ 29.Kf1 Qd4 and White has no defence.;
b) 28.Qf3 Rh2+ 29.Kf1 Ne5! 30.Qe3 (if 30.Qc3 gxf4 31.Nd7 Qe6 32.Re2
Rh1+ 33.Kf2 fxg3+ 34.Qxg3 Rxb1 and Black is winning) 30...gxf4 31.Qxf4
(if 31.gxf4 Ng4 32.Qg3 (or 32.Qf3 Qh4) 32...Qd4 wins) 31...Qd8!! 32.Kg1
Qh8 33.Nd7 Rh1+ 34.Kf2 Nd3+ 35.Ke3 Nxf4 36.Rxh1 Nh5 and the
endgame is very close to winning for Black, if not simply winning.;
c) 28.Qd3 Rh2+ 29.Kg1 and here it is actually enough to see that you have a
way out, that is an immediate draw with 29...Rh1+ 30.Kg2 Rh2+ . In the
starting position Black has no advantage if he doesn't sacrifice so, in order to
play it, all you need to know is that Black will not be worse afterwards.;
d) . But once you get here, of course, you can stop and calculate the
consequences of 28.Qd3 Rh2+ 29.Kg1 gxf4!? , when White has two ways of
continuing: 30.--
d1) 30.Rf1 Rh3 (or 30...g5 31.gxf4 gxf4 32.Rb3 Qg6 33.e5 Qg5 34.Qf3 dxe5
35.Qxg4 Qxg4+ 36.Kxh2 Qe2+ 37.Kg1 e4 38.Rh3 f3 and Black wins)
31.Rbd1 Ne5 32.Rxf4 (if 32.Qc3 f3 wins) 32...Qxf4 33.gxf4 Rxd3 34.Rxd3
Nxd3 and Black should be able to win the endgame.;
d2) 30.e5 Qg5! and if 31.Qf3 (while 31.Qe4 is met strongly by 31...f3!!
32.Qxf3 Qd2 and White is finished; e.g. 33.Rbd1 Rh1+!! 34.Qxh1 Qf2#)
31...Rf2 32.Qxg4 Qxg4 33.Kxf2 Qxg3+ 34.Kf1 dxe5 and Black has a
winning endgame.; ;
]
26...gxf4 27.gxf4 [27.Qxf4 Nf3+ would leave Black with an extra pawn in
the endgame and White has very few chances of survival.]
27...Qh4 [White resigned because the attack is lethal. He could perhaps have
played on a few moves, but the outcome would have been the same.]
0–1
(95) Sturua,Z - Xu Jun
Istanbul Olympiad, 2000
[Jacob Aagaard]
24.Bc3?! [The fastest way to win the game was with 24.Bg8!! . After
24...Kxg8 25.Nf6+ Kg7 26.dxe5 Nxe5 (if 26...Rxe5 27.f4 Bd6 28.fxe5 Nxe5
29.Rf1 wins) 27.f4 White is totally winning; e.g. 27...Bd6 (or 27...Kxf6
28.Bxe5+ Rxe5 29.g5+! and the black queen hangs) 28.Nxe8+ Qxe8 29.b6!?
(29.Rd2 is also strong; , or 29.fxe5 Bxe5 30.Rd8 Qxd8 31.Bxe5+ f6 32.Bd4
followed by 33 g5 or 33 Rf1 with a winning attack) 29...Ra6 30.fxe5 Bxa3
31.Rxa3 Bxd1 32.e6+ f6 33.Rd3 and White wins.Not an easy combination to
work out, and in the game Sturua missed it, not once, but twice!]
24...Nd6? [Black could have offered more resistance with 24...Bxd1!?
25.Rxd1 --
a) 25...Bxa3! 26.dxe5 Bb2 , trying to neutralize the terrible dark-squared
bishop, when White has to play accurately in order to win: 27.Rd7!! (but not
27.Qh4? Bxc3 28.Qf6+ Kh6 29.Qh4+ Kg7 with a draw – Ftacnik) 27...Qxd7
(or 27...Re6 28.g5 Kf8 29.Nf6 and wins) 28.e6+ Bxc3 29.exd7 Rd8 30.Nxc3
and White is winning as there is no defence against 31 g5.;
b) . Ftacnik also gave 25...Rd8 , but this does not work either because of
26.Bxg6!! (the idea was 26.Qh4 Be7! 27.g5 Kf8 28.Bxg6 fxg6 29.Qh8+ and a
draw by perpetual check) 26...fxg6 27.Ng5 with a winning attack; e.g.
27...Be7 28.Qh7+ Kf6 29.Ne4+ Ke6 30.d5+ Kd7 31.Nf6+ Kd6 32.Bb4+ and
so on.;
] pawn.This looks pretty convincing, but actually it is less so.Black could have
25.Nf6? [White again needed to find 25.Bg8! , which would have won fairly
easily after 25...Nxe4 (or 25...Kxg8 26.Nf6+ Kg7 and wins 27.dxe5) 26.Qh7+
Kf6 27.dxe5+ Ke7 (or 27...Rxe5 28.Qh8+ and wins) 28.Bb4+ Nd6 29.exd6+
cxd6 30.Rd4 and the attack is decisive.Reading Ftacnik's annotations it is
easy to believe that the text move should also win against the best defence,
but that is not the case.]
25...Nxb5 26.Bb2!? [If 26.Bxg6 fxg6 27.Qh7+ Kxf6 28.dxe5+ Rxe5 29.g5+
Ke6 and the position is quite unclear. Instead White played a quiet move.]
26...Kxf6? [Black fails to find his way in this very complicated position.]
[The miraculous defence was 26...Bxd1! 27.dxe5 Bxa3!! 28.Rxa3 Rd8
29.Bg8 Qe6! and White's attack seems to have been repelled. This is far from
being the only variation, but I have not found any obvious way to improve
the attack.Now White wins without too much effort.]
27.dxe5+ Ke6 28.g5+ Ke7 29.e6 fxe6 30.Bf6+
1–0
(96) Beliavsky,A - Houska,J
Copenhagen, 2003
[Jacob Aagaard]
[White won in convincing style after]
18.Bxe4!? dxe4 19.Ng5 h6!? [Black tries to find some kind of defence and
plays on a pawn down.]
[White's ideas were: 19...f5 20.Rxc8 Bxc8 21.Qh5 h6 22.Ngxe4 winning a
pawn.; 19...Rxc1+ 20.Rxc1 f5 21.Qh5 h6 22.Ngxe4 Qd5 23.Qg6! fxe4?
24.Rc7 and wins.]
20.Ngxe4 Bxe4 21.Nxe4 [and White won in 58 moves with his extra
saved her position with some combinational magic of her own..(press F10 to
continue)]
1–0
(97) analysis Beliavsky-Houska
[Jacob Aagaard]
19...Qd5! [This move can be thematically filed under X-ray threats. It is not
really a combination, but it requires a good feeling for the soft spots in the
opponent's position in order to see such a move. Now White has no way to
gain an advantage:]
20.-- [20.Ngxe4?? f5!; and 20.Ndxe4?? f6! both drop a piece, because of the
X-ray threat against g2.; 20.Qg4 Rxc1+ 21.Rxc1 Nb3 22.Nxb3 Qxb3 and
Black is not worse at all; in fact it is more likely that she is better.; 20.Rxc8
Rxc8 21.Qh5 Qf5 22.g4 Qg6 23.Qxg6 hxg6 24.Ndxe4 f6!? (or 24...Nb3
25.Rd1 Bxe4 26.Nxe4 Rc2 27.d5 exd5 28.Rxd5 f6 with approximate equality)
25.Nd6 fxg5 26.Nxc8 Bxc8 27.Rc1 Bb7 and the endgame is truly
complicated.]
=
(98) Afek,Y - Kogan,A
Israel, 1999
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.Bd2!! [This is creative thinking. White sees the possibility for a
combination and uses it to create this little masterpiece. Black now has the
choice of taking the knight or not. Maybe Kogan thought White's move was a
blunder, and if he believed there was a piece going for free, he should of
course take it.]
1...Nxd4? [Black had to say no to White's generous offer.]
[1...Qc7 2.Nf5! exf5 3.Nd5 Qd8 4.Bc3 with a strong attack. After 4...Ne5
5.Bxe5 dxe5 White continues with another combination: 6.Nf6+ Bxf6
7.Rxd7! Qb6! (the only move) 8.gxf6 Qxf6 9.Qxf5! (securing the rook on the
seventh rank) 9...Qxf5 10.exf5 Rfd8 11.Rgd1 Rxd7 12.Rxd7 Rb8 13.Re7 and
White has the advantage in the rook endgame. Black now has the
uncomfortable choice between 13...f6 and losing the e-pawn. In both cases
his chances of survival are meagre.; 1...Qd8! was probably the strongest
reaction, defending the key squares on the kingside and preventing all
White's tricks with Nf5 and Nd5.]
2.Nd5 Qd8 [Objectively stronger was 2...Qb5 , but of course this is a
computer move, and White still wins after 3.g6! fxg6 4.Nxe7+ Kf7 5.Qxh7!
with a decisive attack.]
3.Ba5!! [This is the point of White's play.]
[Now 3.Ba5 Qe8 is met by 4.Nf6+! and the black king cannot be defended.
Therefore Black will have to lose the queen in one way or the other; in the
game he allowed White to carry out his main idea.]
3...Qxa5 4.g6! [With the obvious threat of mate.]
4...fxg6 5.Nxe7+ Kf7 6.Qxa5
1–0
(100) Laveryd,P - Wikstrom,P
Umea, 1997
[Jacob Aagaard]
1...h5! [This is the right move.]
[Instead the game concluded: 1...h6? 2.h3?? (2.g4! would have won) 2...h5
3.h4 g5! 4.g3 (if 4.hxg5 h4 and it is White who has run out of moves) 4...g4
0–1.Now White has a lot of moves, but only one that works!]
2.h3! [2.h4? g5! and Black wins.; 2.f4? exf3 3.gxf3 h4 4.h3 f5 wins.; 2.g3?
f5 3.exf6 gxf6 4.h3 f5 5.h4 e5 and Black wins.]
2...f6! [Not 2...h4? 3.g3 g5 4.g4! and White wins.]
3.h4! [Not 3.exf6? gxf6 and Black wins.]
3...fxe5! [If 3...f5? 4.f4 (but not 4.f3?? f4 and Black wins) 4...exf3 5.gxf3 f4
6.exf4 g6 7.f5! gxf5 8.f4 and White wins.]
4.g4! g6 [Not 4...hxg4? 5.h5 and White wins.]
5.g5 Kb6!! 6.Kxb4 Kc6 7.c5 [If 7.Kb3 Kc5 8.Kc3 Kb6 9.Kb4 Kc6 and
White makes no progress.]
7...Kd5!! 8.Kb5 [with a draw.]
½–½
(101) Leko,P - Khalifman,A
FIDE World Ch., New Delhi, 2000
[Jacob Aagaard]
44.Rb1? a3! 45.Qxa3 Qxa3 46.bxa3 Rxb1+! 47.Kxb1 Rc4 48.Rxg5 Kxh7!
[48...Rxe4 49.Rh5 would give White very serious winning chances.]
49.Rg4?! [49.Rxe5 Kg6 50.Kb2! (if 50.Rxe6+ Kf7 51.Re5 Kf6 and White
will lose his e-pawn and all chances of winning the game) 50...Kf6 51.Kb3
Rd4 52.Rc5 Rxe4 53.a4 was White's last chance to play for a win. I think
Black should draw this endgame, but it is hard to be certain.]
49...Kh6 50.Kb2 Kh5 51.Kb3 Rd4 52.Rg2 Rxe4 53.a4 Rd4 54.a5 e4 55.a3
e5 [Now it is just a draw.]
 (106) solution 001
56.a4 e3 57.Re2 Kg4 58.Rxe3 Kf4 59.Rh3 e4 60.Rh8 Rd6 61.Re8 e3 [Jacob Aagaard]
62.Kb4 Kf3 63.Kb5 Rd5+ 64.Kb6 Rd4 [.In his analysis Leko came up with
this marvellous finish:.(press F10 to continue)] [K.Sasikiran-M.Venkatesh, Commonwealth Ch., Mumbai 2004
(variation)..White wins immediately with]
½–½
26.f7+! Kxf7 27.0–0 [and he ends a piece up..(press F10 for the next
(102) analysis Leko-Khalifman exercise)]
[Jacob Aagaard]
+–
44.Rxg5!! Rbxb2 [44...a3 45.Rg8+ Rxg8 46.hxg8Q+ Kxg8 47.Qg3+ Qg7
48.Qxa3 also leaves White with a winning position.] (107) exercise 002
[Jacob Aagaard]
45.Rg8+ [45.Rf8+? Qxf8 46.Rg8+ Qxg8 47.hxg8Q+ Kxg8 gives White a
draw at best.] [.White to play and win. (Note that the black king has already moved.).(press
F10 for the solution)]
45...Kxh7 46.Rb8!! [A fabulous resource.]
Line
46...Rxa2+ [If 46...Rxb8 47.Qh3+ Kg7 48.Rg1+ and White wins.]
(108) solution 002
47.Kb1 Rh2 48.Rf3!! [Now Black has no defence against the white attack.] [Jacob Aagaard]
[Not 48.Rff8?? Rhb2+ and Black is OK.] [E.Mednis-H.Westerinen, Szolnok 1975 (variation)..In his analysis Mednis
disregarded this position because he missed]
48...Rad2 49.Rh3+ Rxh3 [If 49...Kg7 50.Qh6+ and mates.]
1.Be4! [winning a piece and the game. It is important that the black king had
50.Qxh3+ Kg7 51.Qh8+ Kf7 52.Qg8+ Kf6 53.Rf8+ [and White wins.] previously moved (to e7 and back), otherwise 1 Be4 could be answered by
1...0–0–0!..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
+–
(105) exercise 001
[Jacob Aagaard] (109) exercise 003
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
Line
(110) solution 003 [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
[Jacob Aagaard]
Line
[S.Ovsejevitsch-J.Aagaard, Budapest 2003 (variation)..I had considered
entering this position but, as Ovsejevitsch pointed out, White has the strong (114) solution 005
desperado] [Jacob Aagaard]

22.Ba5!! Qe7 [22...Bxh3 23.Bxd8] [J.Aagaard-J.Østergaard, Helsingør 2003 (variation)..White should play]

23.Nxf6+ Qxf6 24.Qh4 [and White keeps the extra piece..(press F10 for the 26.Bc8! [and Black will lose the exchange..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
next exercise)]
+–
+–
(115) exercise 006
(111) exercise 004 [Jacob Aagaard]
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
Line
(116) solution 006
(112) solution 004 [Jacob Aagaard]
[Jacob Aagaard]
[L.Polugaevsky-Z.Azmaiparashvili, Reykjavik 1990..White needs to
[Y.Berthelot-E.Prie, Nantes 2003 (variation)..The black king needs to penetrate the black position without allowing ...Rcc2+. This is achieved by
decamp. The only way to do so is to create an escape hatch by] simple tactics.]

21...Rxc2+! 22.Bxc2 [or 22.Kxc2 axb3+ and Black can again escape via f7]
22...Kxg6 23.Rxh6+ Kxf7 [and the white attack does not seem that
dangerous..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
–+
27.Re6! [Probably the most difficult thing is to see the strength of this
move.]
27...Bxe6 [Black cannot defend. If 27...Kg6 28.Rd6! followed by 29 Raa6
with a winning advantage; or 27...Rc2+ 28.Nxc2 Bxe6 29.Rxa7+ and White
wins.]

(113) exercise 005 28.Nxe6+ Kg6 29.Nxc7 Rxc7 30.Ra5 Rd7 31.g4! [Curtailing Black's
[Jacob Aagaard] kingside counterplay, thus enabling White to win on the queenside. The game
concluded:]
(120) solution 008
31...h5 32.h3 h4 33.b4 Kf7 34.Ra6 Rc7 35.b5 d4 36.a4 Ke7 37.a5 Rb7 [Jacob Aagaard]
38.b6 axb6 39.Rxb6 Rc7 40.Rb3 [40.Rb4! was even stronger according to
Polugaevsky.] [V.Epishin-A.Volokitin, Copenhagen 2002..Here the two grandmasters
overlooked a simple winning move.]
40...f5 41.f3 Ke6 42.a6 Ra7 43.Ra3 Ke5 44.Kd3 Kf4 45.Kxd4 Kg3 46.gxf5
Kxh3 47.Kc5! g4 48.Kb6 Ra8 49.Kb7 Rf8 50.a7 g3 51.a8Q Rxa8 52.Rxa8 11.Bd3?! [This is also quite strong, so if this was your choice, you can take 3
g2 53.Rg8 [and Black resigned..(press F10 for the next exercise)] points as consolation.]

+– [But much better was 11.g4! winning a piece after 11...Bxg4 (or 11...Nxc3
12.Bxc3; , or if 11...Nxf2 12.Rxf2 Bxg4 13.d5 Nb4 14.Bf1 and Black has
(117) exercise 007 nothing) 12.Nxe4 .]
[Jacob Aagaard]
11...Nxc3 12.Bxc3 Qa3? [Preferable was 12...Qd8 with the better game for
[.Black to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)] White.]

Line 13.Bxf5 gxf5 14.Rc2! Rad8 15.d5 Nb4 16.Bxg7 Kxg7 17.Rd2 Qa5 18.e4
fxe4 19.Ng5 f5 20.Ne6+ Kh8 21.f3 Rf6 22.Nxd8 Qxd8 23.fxe4 fxe4
(118) solution 007 24.Rxf6 exf6 25.Qg4 [and White won..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
[Jacob Aagaard]
+–
[End of study by G.De Rossi, 2nd honorary mention, La Strategie 1912..]
(121) exercise 009
1...bxa1R! [threatens ...Kc2+ and mates. So White is forced to play] [Jacob Aagaard]

2.bxc8Q [and Black is stalemated (showing why 1...bxa1Q was no good).. [.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
(press F10 for the next exercise)]
Line
=
(122) solution 009
(119) exercise 008 [Jacob Aagaard]
[Jacob Aagaard]
[J.M.Degraeve-M.Palac, Montpellier 1997..The position arose after the
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] moves]

Line 1.e4 c5 2.c3 d5 3.exd5 Qxd5 4.d4 Nf6 5.Nf3 Bg4 6.Nbd2 Nc6 7.Bc4 Bxf3
8.Qa4 [. Unfortunately, this line was refuted by Murray Chandler, whose
Fritz computer found] (126) solution 011
[Jacob Aagaard]
8...Bd1!! [Here Adams had analysed 8...Qg5? 9.Nxf3! Qxg2 10.Ke2!! Qxh1
11.d5 with a dangerous attack for White.] [J.Timman-R.Hübner, Wijk aan Zee 1982..Although White has many strong
moves, he has only one which wins on the spot:]
9.Qxd1 Qxg2 [and White has no compensation for the pawn..(press F10 for
the next exercise)] 40.Ne6! [and Black must resign,]

–+ [since if 40.Ne6 Qxe6 41.Nf8# .; Also possible was 40.Nf6+ Bxf6 41.Nd5
winning the queen after 41...Qe6 42.Nxf6+ Qxf6 43.Qxe4+ Qg6 (since
(123) exercise 010 43...Kh8? 44.Qe8+ mates. If this was your choice take three points..(press
[Jacob Aagaard] F10 for the next exercise)) ]

[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] +–

Line (127) exercise 012

[Jacob Aagaard]
(124) solution 010
[Jacob Aagaard] [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

[Cu.Hansen-V.Akopian, Groningen 1991 (variation)..Here Black wins with a Line

simple tactic:]
(128) solution 012
14...Bf3!! 15.Qd3 [15.exf3?? Nxf3+ wins the queen.] [Jacob Aagaard]

15...Nxe2+ 16.Nxe2 Bxb2 [and Black is a pawn up for nothing..(press F10 [R.Filguth-A.De la Garza, World Student Team Ch., Mexico 1980..White
for the next exercise)] wins with the surprising]

–+ 1.Qh1!! [and Black resigned due to 1.Qh1 Qf6 2.Bg5! hxg5 3.hxg5 winning
the queen or mating..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
(125) exercise 011
[Jacob Aagaard] +–

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] (129) exercise 013
[Jacob Aagaard]
Line
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(130) solution 013
[Jacob Aagaard]
[P.H.Nielsen-V.Ivanchuk, Malmö 2003 (variation)..This position (after
...Rd8–c8) did not arise in the game as White would then have a very strong
move:]
17.Rf2! [Threatening 18 Bxa5 and the black knight cannot go to c4 because
the bishop on d7 is hanging.]
[White cannot win a piece immediately because of 17.Bxa5 Qc5+; while
after 17.Kh1 Nc4! 18.Bxc4 Qxc4 the knight on e2 would also be hanging.]
17...Bxc3 [The only move.]
18.Nxc3 Qxc3 19.Bf1 Be8 20.Rf3 Qc6 21.Rb4! [when the knight is trapped
out on the rim to be picked off by 22 Ra3 (for example).This is computer
analysis, but we can be certain that White knew and remembered it all. The
practical player would need to work out the lines himself. Of course
Ivanchuk knew all this as well and, instead of 16...Rdc8, played 16...Bg4!
eventually obtaining a draw from an inferior position..(press F10 for the next
exercise)]
+–
(131) exercise 014
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(132) solution 014
[Jacob Aagaard]
[A.Abreu Delgado-M.Podgaets, Havana 1999..]
30.g4!! [White would love to play 30.Nd6 , but Black has 30...Rxd7!
31.Nxc8 Rc7 32.Nb6 Be2! 33.Rc5 (not 33.Na8? Rc8 34.c7 Bc4 35.Rd1 Bd5
and Black wins) 33...b4! 34.axb4 Bb5 with a likely draw. But White can first
improve his position.; In the game White played 30.Rxc7 Rxc7 31.Nd6 Be2
32.Nb7 Kf8 33.f4 Bc4 34.Na5 with the advantage, but might not have won
had Black continued 34...Bd5 35.Kf2 Ke8 36.Ke3 Kd8 37.Kd4 Rc8 38.Kc5
Kc7 .]
30...Bxg4 [If 30...Rxd7 31.cxd7 Rxc1+ 32.Kg2 Rd1 33.Nd6; or 30...Bg6
31.Nd6! and White wins.]
31.Nd6 Kf8 [If 31...Rxd7 32.cxd7 Rd8 33.Rc8 and White wins.]
32.Nxc8 Rxc8 33.Ra7 [with a clearly won position..(press F10 for the next
exercise)]
+–
(133) exercise 015
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(134) solution 015
[Jacob Aagaard]
[J.Van der Wiel-N.Short, Biel Interzonal 1985..This legendary finish is one
of the greatest one move exercises I have ever seen:]
34.Rd6!! [threatening 35 Qa8 mate,]
[and Black resigned since if 34.Rd6 cxd6 35.Qc6# ..(press F10 for the next Line
exercise)]
(138) solution 017
+– [Jacob Aagaard]

(135) exercise 016 [Study by B.Gurgenidze, 1st prize, Polish Chess Federation TY 1985..This
[Jacob Aagaard] brilliant study is about stalemate:]

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] 1.Qe3+!! Kxe3+ 2.Rg3+! [and no matter what, White is stalemated on the
next move..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
Line
=
(136) solution 016
[Jacob Aagaard] (139) exercise 018
[Jacob Aagaard]
[P.Leko-D.Ruzele, European Team Ch., Debrecen 1992..White wins a pawn
with a stunning move:] [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

31.Ba6!! [After this White still needs to show some accuracy in order to gain Line
the full point, but the main work has been done.]
(140) solution 018
31...f6 [If 31...Nb8 32.Nxc6+ Rxc6 33.Bxb7 Rxc3 34.Rxc3 Kd7 35.Ka3 [Jacob Aagaard]
followed by b3–b4 and White wins – Leko.]
[Riga vs. Orel, Intercity correspondence game 1896–98..]
32.exf6+ Nxf6 33.Nxc6+ Rxc6 34.Bxb7 Rb6 35.Rc7+ Kd6 36.Rhc3 Ne4
37.R3c6+ Rxc6 38.Rxc6+ Kd7 39.Ra6! Kc7 40.Ba8 Rf8 41.c4! Rxf4 1.Bb2!! [intends 2 Qe7 and wins. The city of Orel decided to resign since
42.cxd5 e5 43.Rxa5 Rxh4 44.d6+! Nxd6 45.Rxe5 Kb8 46.Bd5 Rg4 47.a5 there is no defence;]
Rd4 48.Bf3 Nf5 49.Kc3 Rf4 50.Re4 Rh4 51.Rxh4 Nxh4 52.Be4 [and Black
resigned..(press F10 for the next exercise)] [for instance if 1.Bb2 h6 (1...Ne8 2.Qxe8+! Qxe8 3.Bxf6# is mate) 2.Qc4!
(threatening Qg8 mate) 2...Qxc4 3.Bxf6+ Kh7 4.Bxc4 wins a piece..(press
+– F10 for the next exercise)]

(137) exercise 017 +–

[Jacob Aagaard]
(141) exercise 019
[.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)] [Jacob Aagaard]
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] and therefore plays:]

Line 42.Ra3 [Now the second half of the exercise was to find:]

(142) solution 019 42...Qg5! [(5 points) White loses a piece no matter what.]
[Jacob Aagaard]
43.Re3 [If 43.Qxg5 Rxd1+; or 43.f4 Qc5+ 44.Re3 Rxd1+ .]
[M.Illescas Cordoba-A.Morozevich, Pamplona 1998..]
43...Ba4 44.Kh2 Qf4+ 45.g3 Rxd1 46.Qd8+ Rxd8 [and White
22...Bc8!! [After this White loses the exchange more or less for nothing and resigned.Thanks to Mark Dvoretsky for showing me this exercise..(press F10
therefore also the game.] for next exercise)]

[If instead 22...Bf5 23.Bc1 and White is fine.] –+

23.Nxd5 [Or 23.b4 Ba6 24.Qc6 Rc8 25.Qxd5 Bxf1 26.Rxf1 Ne6 and Black (145) exercise 021
wins.] [Jacob Aagaard]

23...Ba6 24.Qxb6 Bxf1 25.Rxf1 Rxa2 26.Qxd8 Rxd8 [and Black won.. [.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
(press F10 for the next exercise)]
Line
–+
(146) solution 021
(143) exercise 020 [Jacob Aagaard]
[Jacob Aagaard]
[K.Bolding-J.Aagaard, Danish Junior Championship 1992..Black has two
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] different ways of executing the combination, exploiting his great advantage
in mobility on the kingside.]
Line
24...Ng4! [24...fxg3!? 25.hxg3 Ng4! (8 points) 26.fxg4 Rf2+ etc (2 points) is
(144) solution 020 another way of executing the same combination. Neither variation is better
[Jacob Aagaard] than the other.]

[P.Leko-V.Bologan, Dortmund 2003..This brilliant finish by Bologan shows
his enormous strength. A computer will produce the solution almost
immediately but it is a hard line for a human to find.]
41...Qe5!! [(5 points) With the threat of 42...Qd5. White cannot allow this
25.fxg4 fxg3 [(8 points) was the finish in the game.]
[White resigned because of 25...fxg3 26.hxg3 Rf2+! (very thematic) 27.Kxf2
Qh2+ 28.Kf1 Rf8# (2 points).Maximum score for this exercise: 10 points.
You cannot have 20 points for seeing both routes to the same solution..(press
F10 for the next exercise)] in development and can now win the pawn back. However, there is a much
stronger continuation based on the black king trapped in the centre, the
–+ unprotected queen and a change of move order.]

(147) exercise 022 1.Rxe6+!! [(10 points)]

[Jacob Aagaard]
[1.Bxg6 Qxg3 2.Bxf7+ would just regain the pawn.]
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
1...dxe6 [Black cannot play 1...fxe6 because of 2.Bxg6+ and White wins the
Line queen (3 points).]

(148) solution 022 2.Be4! [(3 points)]

[Jacob Aagaard]
[L.Koerholz-L.H.Hansen, Taastrup 2002..The winning combination was]
26...Rxe5! [In a winning position Black blundered with 26...Rf2+?? losing
the game in one move to 27.Qxf2! (2 points).]
[Black resigned because of 2.Be4 Qxg3 (2...Qa5 3.Bc6+ Rxc6 4.Qb8+ also
leads to mate) 3.Bc6+! Rxc6 4.Rd8# .Maximum score: 16 points..(press F10
for the next exercise)]
+–

27.dxe5 Bg4 [(4 points)] (151) exercise 024

[Jacob Aagaard]
28.Rf1 Bf3+ 29.Rxf3 exf3+ 30.Kf1 Qxe3 [(4 points) and White has no
defence.Maximum score: 8 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)] [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

–+ Line

(149) exercise 023 (152) solution 024

[Jacob Aagaard] [Jacob Aagaard]

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] [C.Høi-C.Rossen, Copenhagen 2003..This is basic pattern training.]

Line 26.Nxd5! [(4 points)]

(150) solution 023 [Black resigned because of 26.Nxd5 Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Qxd5 28.Re8+ Kf7
[Jacob Aagaard] 29.Qf8# (4 points).Maximum score: 8 points..(press F10 for the next
exercise)]
[F.Gomez-Jos.Alvarez, Cuba 1998..White has invested a pawn to gain a lead
+– [Jacob Aagaard]

(153) exercise 025 [J.Egger-R.Dive, Istanbul Olympiad 2000..]

[Jacob Aagaard]
41.d7!! [41.Nxa8? h1Q 42.Rxh1 Qxh1 is very unsound; White should count
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] himself lucky that after 43.b4 cxb4 44.Qxb4 Qa1+ 45.Kb3 Qd1+ Black only
has perpetual check.]
Line
41...h1Q 42.Ne8+! [This is the point of the last move.]
(154) solution 025
[Jacob Aagaard] [42.Rxh1 Qxh1 43.Ne8+! transposes.]

[N.Castaneda-W.Browne, Philadelphia 1997..]
15.Rxh2! [(5 points) Actually the only move, but once you set this up as a
combination people can turn crazy. Here the point is of course to see the
White's 17th move. Clearly Black failed to do so when playing 14...Rxh2??.]
42...Kh8 43.Rxh1 Qxh1 44.Nxf6 [This position is absolutely winning for
White.]
44...Rd8 45.Qb2 [Many other moves wins as well here, but 45 Qb2 is the
most human solution.]

15...Qg1+ 16.Bf1 Qxh2 17.Qxd5! [(5 points) Winning a piece.]
17...exd5 18.Nf6+ Ke7 19.Ng4+ Ke6 20.Nxh2 [White has a winning
endgame. The game concluded:]
20...dxe5 21.Be2 f6 22.Bd2 Bd6 23.0–0–0 e4 24.Rh1 d4 25.Ng4 e3 26.Ba5
Bf4 27.Nxf6 [and Black resigned.Maximum score: 10 points..(press F10 for
the next exercise)]
45...Kg7 46.Qe5 [Here 46.Ne8+! Kf8 47.Qg7+ Ke7 48.Qf6+ Kf8 49.Qxd8
was simplest.]
46...Qd1 47.Ne4+ Kf8 48.Qxc5+ Kg7 49.Qe5+ Kf8 50.Nd6 Qd2+ 51.Ka3
Ra8 52.Qe8+ Kg7 53.Qxa8 Qxd6+ 54.Kb2 Qd2+ 55.Ka3 Qd6+ 56.b4
Qd3+ 57.Ka4 Qxd7+ 58.b5 Qd1+ 59.Kb4 Qd2+ 60.Kc5 Qe3+ 61.Kd6
Qxf4+ 62.Kd7 Qxc4 63.Qc6 [and White won.Maximum score: 10 points..
(press F10 for the next exercise)]

+– +–

(155) exercise 026 (157) exercise 027

[Jacob Aagaard] [Jacob Aagaard]

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

Line Line

(156) solution 026 (158) solution 027

[Jacob Aagaard] 4...Qxh5 5.Ne7+ Kh7 6.Rxh5# [.Taken from the excellent 'Art of Attack in
Chess' by Vukovic.Maximum score: 12 points..(press F10 for the next
[E.Lund-F.Frink, Budapest 2002 (variation)..From an analysis to the game. exercise)]
White avoided this position, overlooking that he wins instantly with:]
+–
1.Qxe8+!! Kxe8 2.g7 Nxd3 3.g8Q+ [(8 points)]
(161) exercise 029
3...Ke7 4.g6! [(4 points) This move should have been found in advance.] [Jacob Aagaard]

4...Kf6 [(2 points)] [.Black to play and win as clearly as possible..(press F10 for the solution)]

[The point is 4...fxg6 5.Qg7+ and White wins.] Line

5.gxf7 Qxf7 [does not defend because of] (162) solution 029
[Jacob Aagaard]
6.Qg5# [(2 points).Maximum score: 16 points..(press F10 for the next
exercise)] [P.E.Nielsen-J.Aagaard, Danish League 2003..In time trouble Black repeated
moves by]
+–
37...Qb2+?! 38.Kd1 Qa1+ 39.Ke2 Qb2+ 40.Kd1 Qb1+ 41.Ke2 Qc2+
(159) exercise 028 42.Ke3 Qc3+ 43.Ke2 [(the diagram position has arisen again), before falling
[Jacob Aagaard] into deep thought. The theme is the unprotected queen on f6.]

[.White to play and win as clearly as possible..(press F10 for the solution)] 43...Bxg4+!! [(8 points)]

Line 44.hxg4 [If 44.Kf2 Nd3+ and wins the queen (1 point).]

(160) solution 028 44...Qc2+ 45.Ke1 [Now if 45.Ke3 Nxg4+ wins the queen (1 point).]
[Jacob Aagaard]
45...Nf3# [(2 points).Maximum score: 12 points..(press F10 for the next
[Toth-Szigeti, Budapest 1946..White wins with a nice variation on the exercise)]
classical bishop sacrifice.]
–+
1.Bxh7+! Kxh7 2.Rh3+ Kg8 3.Qh5 [(8 points)]
(163) exercise 030
3...Qh6 4.Nf5! [(4 points) This is the point of course.] [Jacob Aagaard]
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] [Jacob Aagaard]

Line [R.Hübner-T.Luther, German Ch., Saarbrücken 2002..Black wins with a nice

tactical twist.]
(164) solution 030
[Jacob Aagaard] 17...Qxf1+! [(5 points)]

[S.Mohandesi-A.Barsov, Leuven 2002..The theme is similar to the classic 18.Bxf1 Nf3+ 19.Ke2 Nd4+ 20.Kd2 [20.Ke1 Nc2+ is even worse.]
Legall's mate. Here the consequences of the combination are less severe, but
still enough to decide the game in Black's favour.] 20...Nc6+ [(5 points)]

13...Nxe4!! [(2 points) This kind of sacrifice is thematic and should be 21.Qd6 Rxd6+ 22.Bxd6 Bxc4 [(2 points) Black is two pawns up and won
calculated by both White and Black.] the endgame.Maximum score: 12 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]

14.Bxd8 [Or 14.Nxe4 Qxh4+ with a winning position.] –+

14...Nxf3+ 15.Kf1 [If 15.gxf3 Bf2+ 16.Kf1 Bh3# (8 points).] (167) exercise 032
[Jacob Aagaard]
15...Ned2+ [It does not matter which knight Black uses, as after 15...Nfd2+
16.Ke1? Black has 16...Bf2# .] [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

16.Qxd2 Nxd2+ 17.Ke1 Nxb1 18.Ba5 Nxc3 19.Bxc3 Re8 [Black has won Line
the exchange and two pawns. The rest is easy.]
(168) solution 032
20.h3 b5 21.Kd1 b4 22.Bd4 Rxe2 23.Bxc5 Rxc2 [and White [Jacob Aagaard]
resigned.Maximum score: 10 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
[A.Karpov-V.Salov, Linares 1993..It is always interesting when a new
–+ combinational theme is found in a game. This example is very nice.]

(165) exercise 031 32.Nf7+ [(4 points)]

[Jacob Aagaard]
[White has more difficult wins including knight sacrifices on h7; e.g.
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] 32.Nxh7 Nxf4 (32...Kxh7 33.Qd3! Be7 34.Rg4) 33.Ng5 g6 (33...Nh5 34.Qd3
Nf6 35.Rxf6!) 34.Qxf4 Qc7 35.Qh4+ Kg8 36.Nce4 . But the simplest way
Line should be appreciated, so other wins give just 6 points.]

(166) solution 031 32...Kg8 33.Qxg6! [(2 points)]

 +–
[Black resigned as after 33.Qxg6 hxg6 34.Rh4 there is no defence against 35
Rh8 mate (6 points).Maximum score: 12 points..(press F10 for the next (171) exercise 034
exercise)] [Jacob Aagaard]

+– [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

(169) exercise 033 Line

[Jacob Aagaard]
(172) solution 034
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] [Jacob Aagaard]

Line [T.Luther-R.Dausch, German Ch., Höckendorf 2004..]

(170) solution 033 22.g4! [(4 points) The beginning of a not too difficult, but still elegant,
[Jacob Aagaard] manoeuvre.]

[S.Rublevsky-K.Asrian, Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2004..White wins with a 22...Ke6 [This is of course the only defence.]
double exchange sacrifice.]
23.Nf3! [(2 points) Other moves are also strong, but this wins the most
19.Rxf4! [(3 points) Wiping out Black's dark squared defence.] easily.]

19...Qxf4 20.Rf1 Qh6 [Black has nothing better.]
[If 20...Qc7 21.Rxf5! (2 points) 21...exf5 22.Nd6+ and White wins; e.g.
22...Kd8 23.Bxf5 Rf8 24.Qh4+ f6 25.Qd4 .; Also after 20...Qe5 21.Nd6+! it
is all over (2 points).]
23...Bg6 24.Bxe4 Bxe4 25.Ng5+ Ke5 26.Nf7+ [(2 points)followed by Nxh8
and Black had no compensation for the exchange.Maximum score: 8 points..
(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–

21.Rxf5 [(3 points)] (173) exercise 035

[Jacob Aagaard]
21...Qxh5 [If 21...exf5 22.Nd6+ Kd7 and now White wins in many ways,
one of them being 23.Qxf7+ Kd8 24.Nxf5 Qc1+ 25.Bf1 Qd1 26.Bd6 and [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Black must part with his queen as well as any hope of saving the game.]
Line
22.Nd6+ Kd7 23.Rxh5 [and White won convincingly.Maximum score: 10
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)] (174) solution 035
[Jacob Aagaard]

[V.Yemelin-A.Kharlov, Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2002..]
16.Bc1? [(2 points) This move looks a good candidate, but here White
misses a really strong combination:]
[16.Qxf6!! (6 points) 16...--
a) , and if 16...gxf6 17.Bc1+ Kh7 18.Bxb2 cxb5 19.Bxd4 Re6 20.Kd2 b6
21.Rg4 (6 points) followed by Rag1 and Rh4 mate.;
b) , or 16...Qxa1+ 17.Bc1 g6 18.Rg4 (3 points) and Black has no defence;
e.g. 18...Re6 19.Qd8+ Kg7 20.Rh4 with mate to come. (20.--) ;
]
16...Qxb5! [(3 points)]
[16...Qxa1? 17.Qxf6 g6 18.Rg4 transposes to the previous note.]
17.Qxf6 Qh5+ [Not 17...g6 18.Rg5 Qb4 19.Re5! Rxe5 20.Bh6 and White
wins.]
18.f3 g6 19.Rg5 Qh7? [Black could have made a draw here with 19...Qxh3
20.Rxg6+ fxg6 21.Qxg6+ Kf8 22.Ba3+ Re7 23.Qf6+ Kg8 24.Bxe7 Qf1+
25.Kd2 Qf2+ 26.Kc1 Qe1+ 27.Kb2 Qc3+ with perpetual check.]
20.Qxd4 [White now again has a very strong attack.]
20...Qg7 [Or 20...d5 21.Bb2 Bxh3 22.Kd2 Qh6 23.Rag1 dxe4 24.fxe4 with a
probably irresistible attack.]
21.Bb2 Qxd4 22.Bxd4 d6 [Objectively better was 22...b6 23.h4 c5 24.Bb2
Bb7 25.h5 Re6 26.Kd2 c4 27.Rag1 cxd3 28.cxd3 Rc8 29.hxg6 Rxg6
30.Rxg6+ fxg6 31.Rxg6+ , though the endgame greatly favours White.]
23.h4 Kf8 24.Kd2 Ke7 25.f4 c5 26.Bb2 Kd7 [If 26...b5 27.f5 gxf5 28.exf5
Bb7 29.h5 Bf3 30.Re1+ Kd7 31.h6 d5 32.Bf6 and White wins.]
27.f5 gxf5 28.h5! [The h-pawn wins the game.]
28...fxe4 29.h6 Kc6 [Or 29...e3+ 30.Ke2 b5 31.h7 Bb7 32.Rh5 and wins.]
30.h7 e3+ 31.Ke2 f6 [Or 31...Be6 32.Bf6 Rh8 33.Rh1 Rae8 34.Bxh8 Rxh8
35.Rg8 and it is all over.]
32.Bxf6 [Black cannot offer any more resistance.]
32...Be6 33.Rh1 Rh8 34.Bxh8 Rxh8 35.Kxe3 b5 36.a3 a5 37.Rh6 a4
38.Rxe6 Rxh7 39.Rgg6 [and Black resigned.Maximum score: 15 points..
(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(175) exercise 036
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(176) solution 036
[Jacob Aagaard]
[A.Anderssen-L.Kieseritzky, London 1851 (variation)..In his analysis of this
classic game Kasparov discovered:]
24.Bb6+!! [24.Qe3 does not work because of 24...Bxd5 25.Bb6+ Kc8! (3
points).]
24...axb6 25.Qe3 [and Black has no way to save the game;]
[e.g. 25.Qe3 Bxd5 26.Qxb6+ Kc8 27.Re8# .Maximum score: 13 points..
(press F10 for the next exercise)]
 25.Ng5? [25.Rxd8+ Kxd8 26.b4 Bd6 27.Ng5 Nc4 (4 points) is also tempting,
+– but still not conclusive!; The right way to proceed was 25.Nxe5! (6 points)
25...Rxd1+ 26.Rxd1 --
(177) exercise 037
[Jacob Aagaard] a) , and if 26...fxe5 27.Bg5 wins (3 points);

[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] b) , or 26...Qxe5 27.Bg7 and Black loses the rook and/or his self-respect (3
points). (27.--) ;
Line
]
(178) solution 037
[Jacob Aagaard] 25...Rxd1+ 26.Rxd1 Nc4! [(8 points)]

[R.Janssen-I.Sokolov, Dutch Ch., Leeuwarden 2002..Black decided the game 27.b4 Bb6 28.Bxc4 bxc4 29.Nf3 [and White offered a draw in this
with a killer blow.] advantageous position simply to avoid messing things up further.Maximum
score: 20 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
23...Rd2!! [(12 points)]
+–
[White resigned due to 23...Rd2 24.Rxd2 Bf3+ 25.Bxf3 (or 25.Kg1 Qg2#)
25...Qf1# .Maximum score: 12 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)] (181) exercise 039
[Jacob Aagaard]
–+
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
(179) exercise 038
[Jacob Aagaard] Line

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] (182) solution 039
[Jacob Aagaard]
Line
[T.Nyback-M.Matthiesen, Copenhagen 2003..Here Matthiesen surprised his
(180) solution 038 strong opponent with:]
[Jacob Aagaard]
31...h3+!! [(10 points) Black is after the king.]
[S.B.Hansen-T.Hillarp Persson, Malmö 2003..Here White saw the winning
combination, but for some reason believed that the alternative was just as 32.Kg1 [32.Kxh3 loses to 32...Ne3+ 33.Kh4 Ng2+! 34.Kg5 Qd5+ 35.Kxg6
strong.] Re6# (5 points).]
32...Qe1+ 33.Qf1 Nxg3! [(3 points) The cleanest.] 40.Rba2 [and Black resigned.Maximum score: 10 points..(press F10 for the
next exercise)]
[Also possible was 33...d3 34.Rd7 d2 and Black wins (2 points).; But not
33...Qd2?? when White has a counter-attack with 34.Qc4+ Kh8 35.Be5+! (1 +–
point) and it is Black who is mated.]
(185) exercise 041
34.fxg3 [If 34.hxg3 h2+ wins.] [Jacob Aagaard]

34...Qe3+ [White resigned because of 34...Qe3+ 35.Kh1 Qxf3+! 36.Kg1 Re1 [.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
(4 points).Maximum score: 20 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
Line
–+
(186) solution 041
(183) exercise 040 [Jacob Aagaard]
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Zhao Jun-Art.Minasian, Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2004..]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
26...Re8!! [(10 points)Let us see why White resigned.]
Line
27.-- [27.Qxe8 Bxf2+ 28.Kh1 (or 28.Kh2 Bg1+ 29.Kh1 Ng3#) 28...Ng3+
(184) solution 040 29.Kh2 Bg1+ 30.Kxg3 Qf2+ 31.Kg4 f5+ 32.Kg5 h6# (6 points).; 27.Qf1
[Jacob Aagaard] Bxf2+! (4 points) 28.Qxf2 (or 28.Kh2 Re1) 28...Re1+ and Black wins.;
27.Ne3 Bxe3 (2 points) 28.Ra1 Re5 (other moves win as well) 29.fxe3 Nxe3
[R.Vaganian-T.L.Petrosian, Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2004..White would be with a winning attack.Maximum score: 18 points..(press F10 for the next
worse were it not for a surprising mate.] exercise)]

35.Bxd5+!! [A wonderful shot which completely destroys Black's position.] –+

35...Kg7 [If 35...cxd5 36.Ra7+ Kf6 37.Rb6# . It is rare that we see mating (187) exercise 042
combinations in the endgame.] [Jacob Aagaard]

36.Bb3 Rb4 [There is no escape. If 36...Rdxd4 37.Bxa4 Rxa4 38.Rb6 Bb5 [.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
39.Rb7+ Kh6 40.Rh8 Ra2+ 41.Ke3 and White wins.]
Line
37.Rxa6 Rd3 38.Ra3 Rb7 39.Ke2 Rxd4 [Or 39...Rc3 40.Kd2 Rf3 41.Kc2
and White wins with his extra piece.] (188) solution 042
[Jacob Aagaard]
 31...Kxe5 [If 31...Ke7 32.Qf6#; or 31...Kg5 32.Bf6# .]
[R.Lilja-J.Aagaard, Copenhagen 1992..Black won a pawn with a nice
manoeuvre.] 32.Qxe4+! [(6 points) The simplest and cleanest win.]

16...fxe5 17.fxe5 Rf5! [(3 points)]
18.Nd6 Rxe5 19.Nxc8 Bg5! [(4 points) This was the point.]
20.Rxd7? [White should have played 20.Rc2 (3 points) with a lost endgame
after 20...Rxc8 ; instead he self-destructed.]
[32.Qxf7 is also decisive after 32...Rd8 33.f4+! Qxf4 34.Re1+ Qe4 35.Qc7+!
Bd6 36.Qg7+ Kf5 37.g4+ Qxg4+ 38.hxg4+ Kg5 39.Bd3 Bh2+ 40.Kxh2
Rxd3 41.Re5+ Nxe5 42.Qxe5+ etc. Give yourself a bonus 4 points if you
calculated it all the way to here. But it would be unnecessarily risky to
venture such a complicated variation in an actual game, when there is a
simple win available.]

20...Rxb2 [(2 points)] 32...Kxe4 33.Re1+ Kf5 34.Rxe8 [White is winning. Full points only if you
saw this position in your analysis.]
21.Rf1? Rexe2+ 22.Kd1 Rxg2 [and White resigned.Maximum score: 10
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)] 34...Be6 35.Rxf8 Bxa2 36.Rc8 [(2 points)Black resigned as his position is
hopeless after 37 Rc7.Maximum score: 18 points..(press F10 for the next
–+ exercise)]

(189) exercise 043 +–

[Jacob Aagaard]
(191) exercise 044
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] [Jacob Aagaard]

Line [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

(190) solution 043 Line

[Jacob Aagaard]
(192) solution 044
[A.Karpov-V.Topalov, Dos Hermanas 1994..Karpov decides the game with a [Jacob Aagaard]
nice magnet sacrifice (drawing the black king out).]
[J.C.Perez-J.M.Bravo, Cuba 1997..This combination is illustrative of several
30.Nf6!! [(8 points)] nice themes.]

30...Kxf6 [If 30...Qxf3? 31.Nxe8+ wins.] 1.Nxe5!! [(8 points) This prepares the removal of the important defender on
f8.]
31.Be5+! [(2 points)]
[1.Rfh3? achieves nothing after 1...g6! (2 points).]
 or if 30...Kg8? 31.Rxd6 wins (2 points).]
1...fxe5 [Declining the knight is no better: 1...Qe8 2.Rxh7+! (2 points)
2...Nxh7 (or 2...Kxh7 3.Rh3+) 3.Ng6+ etc.; 1...h6 2.Bxh6! (2 points) 2...gxh6 31.Qh4+ Qh5 [If 31...Kg8 32.Qxd8+ Rxd8 33.Rxd8+ Kh7 34.Rh3+! wins
3.Nf7+ Kh7 4.Rxh6# .; 1...g6 2.Nf7+ wins the queen.] (10 points).]

2.Rxf8! [(6 points)] 32.Qxd8+! Rxd8 33.Rxd8+ Kh7 34.Ree8 [and White wins the queen and
bishop to finish a rook up.Maximum score: 30 points..(press F10 for the next
2...Rxf8 [The main defence.] exercise)]

[If 2...Qxf8 3.Rxh7+! Kxh7 4.Qh5#; while 2...Qd6 loses to many different +–
moves, the strongest again being 3.Rxh7+! (otherwise 3.Qf5; 3.Qh3; 3.Rf7; ,
or 3.Rff5) 3...Kxh7 4.Rf7 (2 points) with forced mate.] (195) exercise 046
[Jacob Aagaard]
3.Qg6! [(2 points)]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
3...Kg8 [If 3...h6 4.Bxh6! and mates.]
Line
4.Rxh7 Rf7 5.Qh5 [and Black is mated.Maximum score: 24 points..(press
F10 for the next exercise)] (196) solution 046
[Jacob Aagaard]
+–
[E.Sedina-S.Tkeshelashvili, European Women's Ch., Istanbul 2003..White
(193) exercise 045 decided the game with a spectacular queen sacrifice.]
[Jacob Aagaard]
29.Qc7+!! [(4 points)]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
29...Rxc7 30.dxc7+ Ka8 31.Nb6+ Ka7 32.Rd8 [(6 points)]
Line
[Perhaps even simpler was 32.Rd5!? Qg6 33.Rd8 (10 points) and the
(194) solution 045 counterplay from the next note is prevented. But this is a computer variation
[Jacob Aagaard] of course.]

[S.Mamedyarov-A.Timofeev, Aeroflot Open, Moscow 2004..] 32...Qa5 [Black also loses after the more complex 32...Nd4 (3 points)
33.Rxd4 Rg8 34.Rd8 Rg1+ 35.Kb2 Qe5+ 36.Kc2 Qf5+ 37.Kb3 Qb1+
30.Ng6+!! [(8 points) The beginning of a wonderful combination.] 38.Ka3 etc (7 points).]

30...hxg6 [30...fxg6 31.Qxd6! Qxd6 32.Rxd6 wins the exchange (5 points); 33.Ra8+!! [A nice finish.]
33...Rxa8 34.Nc8# [(10 points).Maximum score: 30 points..(press F10 for ]
the next exercise)]
20.Kxf2 Bh4+ [If 20...Qxc7 21.Rh8+! Kxh8 22.Qh1+ Bh4+ 23.Qxh4+ Kg8
+– 24.Qh7+ Kf8 25.Qh8+ Ke7 26.Qxg7+ Kd8 (or 26...Kd6 27.c5#) 27.Qf8+
Kd7 28.Rh1 and mates.]
(197) exercise 047
[Jacob Aagaard] 21.Ke2 Qg5 22.Qg1! [(3 points)]

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] 22...e5 23.Qh2! [Trapping the bishop.]

Line 23...Bxg4+ 24.Kd2 exd4 25.cxd4 dxc4 [and Black resigned on noticing that
the c7–bishop prevents 26...Qa5+.Maximum score: 25 points..(press F10 for
(198) solution 047 the next exercise)]
[Jacob Aagaard]
+–
[J.Aagaard-S.K.Williams, Hampstead 1998..A classic theme in a new and
complex wrapping.] (199) exercise 048
[Jacob Aagaard]
16.Ng6+!! [(10 points)]
[.Black to play and win as clearly as possible..(press F10 for the solution)]
16...hxg6 17.hxg6+ Kg8 18.Qc1! Qd8 19.Bc7!! [(10 points) This is the
point.] Line

[19.Rh5? Bh4 20.Qh1 Qf6 21.Rxh4 Qxg6 is less clear.; However, 19.Rh8+ (200) solution 048
(15 points) works well. I just find my win more aesthetic.] [Jacob Aagaard]

19...Rxf2+? [(2 points) This makes things easy for White.] [N.N.-L.Nilsson, Denmark 2002..Black wins with a standard sacrifice,
though it requires some accurate calculation.]
[19...Bh4! (5 points) 20.Bxd8 Rxf2+ 21.Kd1 Bxd8 offered more resistance,
but then 22.Ke1 Rf3 23.Ke2 -- 1...Rxf3! [(5 points)]

a) 23...Bg5 24.Rh7 Bh6 (24...e5 25.Qh1) 25.Rxh6! gxh6 26.Qh1 Kg7 27.g5!
wins;
b) , or if 23...e5 24.Qg1 (threatening Qh2) 24...Bg5 25.Qh2 Rxe3+ 26.Kf2
Rf3+ 27.Kg2 Bh6 28.Qxe5 Bxg4 29.Qe7 Raf8 30.Rxh6 wins.;
2.Bxe7 Qxe7 3.gxf3 Ne5! [(5 points)]
4.Kg2 [Against 4.Kh1!? all you need to see is 4...Qh4! (2 points) and White
has no defence; e.g. 5.Ng1 (or 5.Kg1 Rf8 wins) 5...Nf4 (intending 6...Qg5)
6.Ne2 Rf8 wins.]

4...Nc4! [Instead Black continued with 4...Rf8? and the game got very
complicated.; 4...Qf7!? (2 points) was better; e.g. 5.f4 Qg6+ 6.Ng3 Nc4
7.Qc1 (if 7.Qd1 Nde3+ wins) 7...Rf8 8.b3 Nxf4+ 9.Kg1 Qc6 10.f3 Ne3 and
Black has a decisive advantage (2 points).But the text is even stronger.]
43...-- [It does not help to play 43...Re8 because we have the same theme
with 44.Nd8!; while 43...Rc8 of course loses to 44.Ne7+ etc.Maximum
score: 12 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–

5.Qd3 Qxe2! [(10 points)] (203) exercise 050

[Jacob Aagaard]
6.Qxe2 Nf4+ 7.Kh1 Nxe2 [when Black has two huge knights for a passive
white rook.Maximum score: 20 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)] [.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

–+ Line

(201) exercise 049 (204) solution 050

[Jacob Aagaard] [Jacob Aagaard]

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] [F.Fabri-P.Hardicsay, Hungary 1981..]

Line 1...Nh5+!! [(8 points) A fantastic move which drags the white queen away
from the defence of f2.]
(202) solution 049
[Jacob Aagaard] 2.Qxh5 [White has no choice.]

[F.Egeland-L.Eckhardt, Oslo 2003 (variation)..Here White wins with a nice [If 2.Kh4 Qd4+ 3.Qg4 Qf6+ 4.Kxh5 g6+ and mates (4 points).]
twist.]
2...Qf2+ [2...Rf2? does not work because of 3.Qf3! Rxf3+ 4.Rxf3 and Black
41.Rd1! [(3 points)] should not win against the best defence (4 points).]

[If 41.Rc1 Nb4 42.Nd7 Nd5 and Black is doing better.] 3.Kh2 [If 3.Kg4 Qf4# (4 points).]

41...Ne3 42.c7!! [(7 points) With the threat of 43 Rd8+.]
42...Nxd1 [42...Nd5 43.Rxd5 exd5 44.Nc6 is similar.]
43.Nc6 [(2 points) White is winning because of the threat of 44 Nb8! and the
c-pawn queens.]
3...Qe1!! [(10 points) The point! Black has switched his rook and queen
round on the back rank and mate is now inevitable.Thanks to Mark
Dvoretsky for showing me this exercise.Maximum score: 22 points..(press
F10 for the next exercise)]
–+
(205) exercise 051
[Jacob Aagaard] 24...Rd4!! [(10 points) Blocking off the bishop on b2 and saving the black
king from harassment.]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
25.h4 [Now 25.Qh5+ does nothing after 25...Kg7 .]
Line
25...Bf6 26.h5 Kh6? [Stronger was 26...Qf7! , after which White's attack
(206) solution 051 should be over.]
[Jacob Aagaard]
27.hxg6? [This loses all control White had over g6, the most dangerous
[N.De Firmian-A.Holst, Copenhagen 2003..A position that requires clarity of square near the black king.]
thought. De Firmian did not fully concentrate and played]
[27.Bc1! gave more counterplay, when White would still be able to cast
22.Nxh7?? [De Firmian must have missed Black's 24th move.] doubt on the result.]

[Instead 22.Rxg4!? fxg4 23.Qxg4 (5 points) gives White more than sufficient 27...Kg7 [Now the attack is finished.]
compensation for the exchange, but it is not strongest.; The computer
suggests another variation that wins on the spot: 22.Nxe6! (1 point) 22...-- 28.Kh2 Nd7 29.Bxd4 Bxd4 30.Kg3 Nf6 31.Qh3 e5 32.Kf3 exf4 33.Be4
Rxe4 [and White resigned.Maximum score: 27 points..(press F10 for the
a) , and then if 22...Bf6 23.Bxf5 (23.Qxg4 also works) 23...Bxb2 24.Qxg4 next exercise)]
wins.;
+–
b) . Black's best try is 22...Bh4 (3 points), when the true desperado
23.Qxg4!! (15 points) would have won the game (instead standard thinking (207) exercise 052
leads to something like 23.Nxc7? Rxe2 24.Rc3 Rdd2 (2 points) and Black [Jacob Aagaard]
wins) 23...fxg4 24.Nxc7 Re2 25.Rxg4 and White emerges with a decisive
material advantage.; [.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)]

] Line

22...Kxh7 [After 22...Nxh7? White wins in a nice fashion: 23.Rxg4! fxg4 (208) solution 052
24.Qxe6+ Kf8 25.Bg7+! (5 points) 25...Kxg7 26.Qxg6+ Kf8 27.Qh6+ Kf7 [Jacob Aagaard]
28.Qxh7+ Ke6 (28...Kf8 29.Qh6+ Kf7 30.Bg6+ Ke6 31.Bxe8+ Bf6 32.Re1+
also leads to mate) 29.Qf5+ Kd6 30.Qd5# .] [J.Aagaard, Opening analysis 1998..Analysing a variation of the Queen's
Indian Defence I found the following nice drawing line.]
23.Rxg4 fxg4 24.Qxg4 [Threatening 25 Qh5+ Kg8 26 Qh8+ and mates. But
Black has a resource to turn the tables.] 18.Rxe5+! [(4 points)]
 (211) exercise 054
18...Be7 19.Nd5!! [(10 points) The idea starts to unfold.] [Jacob Aagaard]

19...axb5 20.Rxe7+ Kf8 21.Rf7+!! [(10 points) Not so surprising now there [.White to play and win. Make sure you calculate all the way to a clearly
is nothing else. But earlier it could have been hard to see.] winning position..(press F10 for the solution)]

21...Nxf7 22.Ne6+ Ke8 [Not 22...Kg8? 23.Ne7# (4 points).] Line

23.Nxg7+ Kd8 24.Ne6+ Ke8 [with perpetual check (2 points).Maximum (212) solution 054
score: 30 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)] [Jacob Aagaard]
= [N.Short-A.Dreev, Reykjavik (rapid) 2004..White wins because of the theme
I called 'big pieces in trouble' in 'Excelling at Combinational Play', a theme
(209) exercise 053 we see more often than we might expect.]
[Jacob Aagaard]
34.Nf6+! [(2 points)]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
[In the game Short actually played 34.Qg2 , which was rather unclear. He
Line later won in a rook endgame.]

(210) solution 053 34...Nxf6 35.Rh4! [(8 points)]

[Jacob Aagaard]
35...Qxh4 36.gxh4 Rg8+ 37.Kh2! [(10 points)]
[M.Taimanov-Kuzmin, USSR 1950..This classic combination is one of my
favourites.] [37.Kf2? Ng4+ 38.Ke2 Nh2 (2 points) would make the win less obvious;
while 37.Kh1 Ne4 38.Rg1 gives Black the extra option of 38...Rh8!? (2
1.Ng6! [(8 points)] points) which White may as well prevent.]

[1.Bxe6? fxe6 is not clear.] 37...Ne4 38.Rg1 [(7 points) White has a winning endgame, but it should
have been seen that Black does not have a lot of counterplay here. The rooks
1...Nh7 [If 1...fxg6 2.Bxe6+ winning the queen.] are exchanged so that the h-pawn becomes as strong as possible.]

2.Rxe6! fxe6 3.Qxd8+! [Black resigned due to 3.Qxd8+ Qxd8 4.Bxe6# (20 38...Rxg1 [38...Rh8 would now be met simply by 39.Kh3 improving the
points).Maximum score: 28 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)] position.]

+– 39.Kxg1 b4 40.h5 bxa3 41.bxa3 Rb7 42.Qg2! [Both shielding the king and
assisting the passed pawn.]
42...Kf8 43.h6 [and White is winning.Maximum score: 27 points..(press F10 (216) solution 056
for the next exercise)] [Jacob Aagaard]

+– [M.Carlsen-H.Harestad, Copenhagen 2003..To see this combination all the

way to the end is not so simple. Hats off to anyone who has achieved this!]
(213) exercise 055
[Jacob Aagaard] 34.e5!? [(15 points) Opening the diagonal for the bishop on c2.]

[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] [Despite the obvious attractive nature of the combination, White actually had
a simpler winning move: 34.Be3! (35 points) intending 35 Bd4 and 36 Qxg5.
Line Seeing that Black has no satisfactory defence is sufficient to obtain full
points here.]
(214) solution 055
[Jacob Aagaard] 34...dxe5 [There is no alternative;]

[B.Martinez-F.De la Paz, Manikaragua 1998 (manipulated: the author has [if 34...Rf8 35.exf6+ Bxf6 36.Bxg5 and White wins (5 points).]
added a pawn at a3)..A standard but pretty mating combination.]
35.Nh5+!! [(10 points) The point of the combination.]
1...Qxb3!! [(10 points)]
35...gxh5 [If 35...Kh8 36.Nxf6 Bxf6 37.Rxf6 Qxf6 38.Bxg5 Ra1+ 39.Kh2
2.Qxb3 Ncxd4 3.exd4 Nxd4 [With the idea of 4...Ne2+ and 5...Rh8 mate (5 and Black will have to part with his queen (5 points).]
points).]
36.Qxg5+! [Now it is no longer so difficult.]
4.Qc2 Nf3+!! [(5 points)]
36...fxg5 37.Rf7+ Kxh6 38.Rxh7# [(5 points).Maximum score: 35 points..
[White resigned because of 4...Nf3+ 5.gxf3 Rg8+ 6.Kh2 Rh8+ 7.Kg3 (press F10 for the next exercise)]
Rdg8# .Maximum score: 20 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
–+
(217) exercise 057
(215) exercise 056 [Jacob Aagaard]
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
Line
(218) solution 057 [V.Kovalenko, Sachové Umenie 1979..This is the most surreal exercise in the
[Jacob Aagaard] book, but I think it is good fun, so I stepped away from my usual criterion
that positions should at least have the possibility of arising in an actual
[J.Urban, Sachové Umenie 1972..] game.]

1.Kd6! [(3 points) White has no other way to create counterplay.]
[1.Kxe6? e2! would be rather embarrassing; and 1.f7? Kg7 2.Kxe6 Kf8 is no
better.]
1...a2 [If 1...Kg8 2.Ke7 wins.]
2.f7 Kg7 3.Ke7 a1Q 4.f8Q+ Kg6 5.Qf7+!! [(6 points) This sneaky move is
the core of the solution.]
[If instead 5.Qg8+? Qg7+ and Black wins.]
1.Kg5! [(4 points) White's only chance of a successful defence is tied to the
advance of the h-pawns. The only question is where to put the queen.]
[The alternative 1.Kg6 does not work out as after 1...e2 2.h6 e1Q 3.h7 Qh4
4.h8Q+ Qxh8 5.h4 Qxh4 the remaining h-pawn can still move. White is
therefore required to lose a tempo, so that Black is forced to take one of the
h-pawns, thus giving rise to an unusual stalemate.]
1...e2 [White also draws after 1...Kxf7 2.h6 e2 3.h7 e1Q 4.h8Q , although
here it is more important that Black can draw. The quickest way is 4...Qg3+
5.hxg3 stalemate.]

5...Kg5 6.Qg8+ [Now the black queen cannot interpose, so the white queen 2.h6 e1Q 3.h7 Qe3+ [With 3...Qh4+ prevented by the white king, Black can
can roam freely.] only stop the h7–pawn by capturing the h3–pawn.]

6...Kf4 [If 6...Kh5 7.Qxg4# .] [Other checks do not improve Black's position:If 3...Qd2+ 4.Kh5 Qe2+
5.Kg5 Qg2+ 6.Kh4! Qe4+ 7.Kg5 Qe3+ 8.Kg6 and Black has made no
7.Qxg4+ Ke5 8.Qg7+ [(3 points) and White wins.Maximum score: 12 progress (2 points); while 3...Qg1+!? is best met by 4.Kh4! (2 points) (but
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)] not 4.Kh6?? Kxf7! 5.h8Q Qe3+! and Black wins.) ]

+– 4.Kg6 Qxh3 5.h8Q+ Qxh8 6.h4! [(2 points)]

(219) exercise 058 6...Qxh4 [stalemate.]

[Jacob Aagaard]
[If instead 6...Qxf6+ 7.Kxf6 and it is Black who is stalemated!Maximum
[.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)] score: 10 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]

Line =

(220) solution 058 (221) exercise 059

[Jacob Aagaard] [Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(222) solution 059
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Z.Jelinek, Ceskoslovensky Republika 1932..White needs to keep the black
king in a stalemate position and then promote his own h-pawn with
checkmate.]
1.Kc1! [(5 points)]
[Black would draw after all other moves; e.g. 1.g3 h5 (not 1...f4? 2.g4 f3
3.g5 h5 4.g6 h4 5.g7 h3 6.Kb3! Kb1 7.g8Q a1Q 8.Qg1#) 2.h4 (or 2.h3 h4)
2...f4 3.g4 f3! and Black is stalemated.]
1...f4 [1...h6 2.h3!; and 1...h5 2.h4! merely transpose and do not change
anything.]
2.Kc2! [White has now gained time so Black cannot avoid the inevitable.]
2...f3 [Or 2...h5 3.h4 transposing again.]
3.g4! [(3 points) Only this move wins.]
3...h6 [Or 3...h5 4.h4! and White wins as in the main line.]
4.h3! [Zugzwang.]
[Not 4.h4? h5 and White cannot win – and 5.Kc1?? would even lose.]
4...h5 5.h4! [(4 points) This was the zugzwang position White was aiming
for.]
5...hxg4 6.h5 g3 7.h6 g2 8.h7 g1Q 9.h8Q+ [and mate next move.Maximum
score: 12 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(223) exercise 060
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(224) solution 060
[Jacob Aagaard]
[V.Kovalenko, Schakend Nederland 1995..Another improbable position
leading to interesting play. White has only one way to proceed, so this
exercise is all about visualization and awareness of the opponent's counter-
chances.]
1.a5 e5 2.a6 e4 3.a7 e5! [Setting up a stalemate trap.]
4.a8R! [(3 points)]
[Promotion to queen (or bishop) creates a stalemate, and 4.a8N or king
moves lose. So this is the only way to play for a win.]
4...e3 [Intending 5...e2+.]
5.Ra4!! [(3 points) One of the really difficult moves in this exercise.]
5...e2+ 6.Kxe2 e4 [Or 6...Kg2 7.Rg4+ Kh1 8.Kf3! (the fastest win) 8...e4+
9.Rxe4 Kg1 10.Re1# .]
7.Kf1!! [(5 points) It is amazing that only this move wins here.]
7...e3 8.Re4! [(1 point)]
[Not 8.Rb4 e2+ 9.Kxe2 Kg2 10.Rg4+ Kh1 and White cannot make progress.]
 (228) solution 062
8...e2+ 9.Kf2! e1Q+ 10.Rxe1# [.Maximum score: 12 points..(press F10 for [Jacob Aagaard]
the next exercise)]
[J.Moravec, 28 Rijen 1925..This exercise can be solved either by calculating
+– all lines through to the end or simply by comparison.]

(225) exercise 061 1.Kd5!! [(10 points)This is the only square. White needs to approach the f-
[Jacob Aagaard] pawn to prevent Black from taking the h2–pawn first. So there are only three
candidates. 1 Kd5 is the only one which allows White to queen his pawn and
[.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)] to keep it afterwards.]

Line [The lines are rather simple: 1.Ke5 Kg2! 2.h4 Kxf2 3.h5 Kg2 4.h6 f2 5.h7
f1Q 6.h8Q Qa1+! and Black wins.; 1.Kf5 Kg2 2.h4 Kxf2 3.h5 Kg2 4.h6 f2
(226) solution 061 5.h7 f1Q+ 6.Kg6 Qf8 and Black wins.]
[Jacob Aagaard]
1...Kg2 2.h4 Kxf2 3.h5 Kg2 4.h6 f2 5.h7 f1Q 6.h8Q [with a
[F.Lazard, American Chess Bulletin 1916..] draw.Maximum score: 10 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]

1.Kd6! [(3 points) There are no credible alternatives.] =

1...Kd8 2.f5! [(3 points) It is important to keep the g-pawn under control.] (229) exercise 063
[Jacob Aagaard]
2...Ke8 3.c3!! [(4 points) This amazing time of loss creates the situation
White needs in order to save the game.] [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

3...Kd8 4.c4 Ke8 5.c5 Kd8 6.f6! gxf6 [stalemate.Maximum score: 10 Line
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
(230) solution 063
= [Jacob Aagaard]

(227) exercise 062 [E.Vlasak, Sachové Umenie 1974..]

[Jacob Aagaard]
1.Kc4! [(6 points)]
[.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)]
[1.Ka4? allows the black king to approach: 1...Kd2 2.Ka5 (if 2.b5 Kc3! and
Line White needs to think about making a draw, which he can do most simply by
3.b6! axb6 4.cxb6 cxb6 stalemate) 2...Kc3 3.Ka6 Kb3 4.Kb7 Kxa3 5.Kxc7
Kxb4 6.Kxc6 a5 and Black makes a draw.] [Jacob Aagaard]

1...a6 [If now 1...Kd2 White wins with 2.b5 cxb5+ (or 2...Ke3 3.bxc6 Ke4 [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
4.Kb5 Kd5 5.a4 and Black is in zugzwang) 3.Kxb5 Kc3 4.a4 (4.c6 also wins)
4...a5 (or 4...Kd4 5.a5 Kd5 6.Ka6 Kxc5 7.Kxa7 and White wins) 5.Kxa5 Line
(5.c6 still wins as well) 5...Kc4 6.c6! Kc5 7.Ka6 Kxc6 8.a5 and White wins
(3 points).After Black has weakened his queenside with his last move, White (232) solution 064
changes course and attacks via the a-file.] [Jacob Aagaard]

2.Kb3!! [(4 points)] [J.Aagaard, Original 2004..Based on two incorrect studies (I will not mention
the composers), this is a small composition of my own. It should not be so
[Black is in time after 2.Kd4 Kd2 3.Ke5 Kc3 4.Ke6 Kb3 5.Kd7 Kxa3 6.Kxc7 difficult to solve. The main agenda here is visualization and White's 6th
Kxb4 7.Kxc6 a5 with a draw.] move.]

2...Kd2 3.Ka4 Kc3 4.Ka5 Kb2! [An interesting defensive try.] 1.e6! [(2 points) This is obviously the only move.]

[After 4...Kb3 5.a4 Ka3 (5...Kc4 6.Kxa6 Kxb4 7.a5 Ka4 8.Kb7 Kxa5 9.Kxc7 [After 1.Kb2? Kf7 Black wins; e.g. 2.Ka3 Ke6 3.Kb2 Kd5 4.Ka3 Kc5 5.g6
Kb5 10.Kd6 wins as well) 6.b5 axb5 7.axb5 cxb5 8.Kxb5 Kb3 9.c6! White Kb5 6.Kb2 Kb4 7.e6 a3+ 8.Kb1 Kc3 9.e7 a2+ 10.Ka1 Kc2 11.e8Q b2+
wins as in the main line.] 12.Kxa2 b1Q+ 13.Ka3 Qb3# .]

5.Kxa6! [(4 points) The only winning move. It is all about comparison and 1...b2! [This is forced. Black cannot allow White to queen freely, so he is
the location of the black king.] playing for stalemate.]

[If instead 5.a4? Kb3! and White would be in zugzwang. The point is that 2.Kxb2 a3+ 3.Ka2! [(4 points)]
6.b5 axb5 7.axb5 cxb5 8.Kxb5 Kc3! no longer loses for Black, and after 9.c6
Kd4 White should be careful since if 10.Ka6?? Kc5! 11.Kb7 Kd6 and Black [Not 3.Kxa3? Kh5 4.e7 g6 with stalemate next move.]
wins.]
3...Kh5! [Black still needs to play for this defence.]
5...Kxa3 6.b5 cxb5 7.Kxb5 Kb3 8.c6 [(3 points) Now the black king cannot
make it to d6, and White wins easily with:] 4.e7 g6 5.Kb3! [(4 points) All other moves leads to stalemate again.]

8...Kc3 9.Ka6 Kd4 10.Kb7 [and so on.Maximum score: 20 points..(press 5...a2 6.e8N! [(5 points) Only this wins.]
F10 for the next exercise)]
[After 6.e8Q a1Q White does not have a winning check, and Black will
+– follow with something like 7...Qa2+! to make the draw imminent.]

(231) exercise 064 6...a1Q 7.Nf6+ Qxf6 8.gxf6 Kh6 9.Kc4 [Black cannot stop the f-pawn now.
White wins after:]
]
9...Kh7 10.Kd5 Kg8 11.Ke6 Kf8 12.f7 g5 [Or 12...Kg7 13.Ke7 .]
1...Kb3 [1...Kc3 now loses to 2.h4! c5 3.h5! c4 4.h6 Kb2 (if 4...Kb3 5.h7 c3
13.fxg5 f4 14.Kf6 f3 15.g6 f2 16.g7# [.Maximum score: 15 points..(press 6.h8Q c2 7.Qa1 wins; or 4...Kd2 5.h7 c3 6.h8Q c2 7.Qb2 Kd1 8.Kd3 and
F10 for the next exercise)] Black is soon mated, 8...c1Q 9.Qe2# is the most obvious) 5.h7 c3 6.h8Q and
this time the black pawn is pinned.; 1...c5 2.Kd5 Kc3 3.Kxc5! (not 3.h4? c4
+– and Black makes a draw) 3...Kd3 4.Kd5! (the white king is cutting off the
black king) 4...Ke3 5.Ke5 Kf3 6.Kf5 and White wins (5 points).]
(233) exercise 065
[Jacob Aagaard] 2.Kd4!! [(5 points) The only winning move.]

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] [After 2.Kd5? Black draws with 2...Kb4! 3.h4 (or 3.Kc6 Kc4 with a draw)
3...c5 and he is in time.]
Line
2...Kb4 3.h4 c5+ 4.Ke3!! [(8 points) This way White gains a tempo.]
(234) solution 065
[Jacob Aagaard] [If instead 4.Kd3? Kb3 5.Kd2 Kb2 and White cannot win.]

[N.Grigoriev, Shakmatnoe Tvorchestvo Grigorieva 1954..This simple 4...Kb3 5.h5 c4 6.h6 c3 7.h7 c2 8.Kd2! [Forcing Black into the check,
position is winning only through a very shrewd manoeuvre. But even after otherwise he loses his pawn.]
the manoeuvre has been found White must find the correct way to execute
it.] 8...Kb2 9.h8Q+ [and wins.Maximum score: 24 points..(press F10 for the
next exercise)]
1.Ke4! [(6 points)]
+–
[Planning to meet 1.Ke4 c5 with 2.Kd5! .; The pawn race with 1.h4? c5 2.h5
c4 3.h6 c3 4.h7 c2 5.h8Q+ Kb1 is a book draw.; 1.Ke5? looks similar, but (235) exercise 066
Black can use the Réti trick and move his king to the kingside with 1...Kc3!! [Jacob Aagaard]
2.--
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
a) , and then 2.Kd5 c6+ 3.Kxc6 Kd4 4.Kd6 Ke4 and White cannot win.
(4...--) ; Line

b) , while if 2.h4 c5 3.h5 c4 4.h6 Kb2 5.h7 c3 6.h8Q , because of the (236) solution 066
unhappy position of the white king on the long diagonal, Black can again [Jacob Aagaard]
reach the book draw after 6...c2 7.Kd5+ Kb1;
[N.Grigoriev, Unknown first publication 1933..This is one of my all time 7...Ke8 8.Ke5 f4 9.Kxf4 Kf7 10.Kg5 Kg7 11.g4 Kf7 12.Kh6 [and so
favourite studies. I like the simplicity of pawn endings and the feeling of on.Maximum score: 25 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
domination in general.]
+–
1.Ka6! [(5 points) Domination and opposition are the two themes of this
endgame. White wants to take the black f-pawn with Black having the (237) exercise 067
opposition. This is achieved through domination of the black king.] [Jacob Aagaard]

[Not 1.b6? Kb7! and Black makes an immediate draw.] [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

1...Kb8 2.g3! [(5 points) White needs to play this.] Line

[After 2.b6? Black draws by 2...Kc8!! (2 points) 3.b7+ Kb8 4.g3 c5 5.Kb5 (238) solution 067
Kxb7 6.Kxc5 Kc7 7.Kd5 f4! 8.gxf4 Kd7 and Black has the opposition.] [Jacob Aagaard]
2...Ka8! [2...Kc8 loses to 3.Ka7 Kd8 4.Kb8 Kd7 5.Kb7 Kd8 (or 5...Kd6 [G.Lolli, Osservazioni Teorico-Practiche sopra il Giuoco degli Scacchi
6.Kc8!) 6.Kc6 Kc8 7.Kd5 Kb7 8.Ke5 Kb6 9.Kxf5 Kxb5 10.g4 c5 11.g5 c4 1792..]
12.Ke4! (not 12.Kf4? c3 13.Ke3 Kb4 14.g6 Ka3!) 12...Kb4 13.g6 c3 14.Kd3
Kb3 15.g7 c2 16.g8Q+ etc.] 1.Rxe5! [(2 points)]
3.b6! [(3 points)] [Not 1.d7?? Rd5 2.Rd1 Kxd7 and Black wins easily.]
3...Kb8! [3...cxb6 loses without a fight.] 1...d2 2.Rd5!! [(6 points) Without this move White would lose.]
4.Kb5!! [(5 points) This time-wasting move is fantastic.] 2...Kxd5 3.d7 d1Q [3...Kd4 4.d8Q+ Kc3 does not work either. Only a lone
c-pawn and the a-pawn can occasionally draw (1 point).]
[Instead 4.b7? c5 5.Kb5 Kxb7 6.Kxc5 Kc7 7.Kd5 f4! is a draw again.]
4.d8Q+ [and wins.Maximum score: 9 points..(press F10 for the next
4...Kb7 5.bxc7! [(3 points)] exercise)]
5...Kxc7 6.Kc5 Kd8! [Black tries to get the opposition, but...] +–
7.Kd6!! [(2 points) White will not allow it.]
(239) exercise 068
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Not 7.Kd4? f4 8.gxf4 Ke8 9.Ke4 Kf8! and White cannot retain the distant
opposition. Now White wins easily.]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
1.Kb2 [With the threat of 2 Nc5 mate (4 points); this is the only serious
(240) solution 068 move.]
[Jacob Aagaard]
1...c5 [If 1...Qf8 2.Nxc7 b3 3.cxb3+ Kb4 4.Na6# .]
[J.Vesely-Antos, USSR 1968..The point of the exercise is that the white
knight will have to go to the queenside to stop the pawn. In order to win the 2.Bxe6! Qxa6 [Or 2...Qc6 3.Bd7! and White wins (but not 3.Nxc5+?? when
game White must first force the black king out of the corner. He has only one Black escapes with 3...Kb5 4.Bd7 Kxc5 and wins.) ]
way to do this:]
3.Bd7+ Qb5 4.e6! [(3 points) and White wins. Black cannot reach the passed
1.Kf7! [(6 points)] pawn.Maximum score: 9 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]

1...a4 [The only move.] +–

[1...Kh7 probably loses to all legal moves. The easiest way for White to win (243) exercise 070
is by 2.Ne6 a4 3.Nxg7 a3 4.Nf5 a2 5.g6+ Kh8 6.g7+ Kh7 7.g8Q# .] [Jacob Aagaard]

2.Ng6+! [(4 points)] [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]

2...Kh7 3.Ne5 a3 4.g6+ Kh6 [If 4...Kh8 5.Kf8 a2 6.Nf7# .] Line

5.Ng4+ Kg5 6.Ne3 [and White wins (3 points).Maximum score: 13 points.. (244) solution 070
(press F10 for the next exercise)] [Jacob Aagaard]

+– [P.Stamma, Essai sur le Jeu des Echecs 1792..]

(241) exercise 069 1.Re1+ Rb1 2.Rc1!! [(6 points) This move must be found to solve the
[Jacob Aagaard] exercise. Black is now in zugzwang.]

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] 2...Rxc1+ [2...h5 3.gxh5 just transposes.]

Line 3.Kxc1 [The position now resembles Exercise 59.]

(242) solution 069 3...h5 4.gxh5 g4 5.h6 g3 6.h7 g2 7.h8Q# [(2 points).Maximum score: 8
[Jacob Aagaard] points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]

[V.Platov & P.Bobrov, Shakmatno Obozrenji 1909..] +–

(245) exercise 071 1...Kf5 [If 1...Bd2 2.Bg7 Kf5 3.Nd4+! wins the black bishop, either for the
[Jacob Aagaard] pawn or with a knight fork on f3.]

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] 2.Nd4+ [(2 points)]

Line 2...Kg5 [If 2...Kf6 3.Nc6+ .]

(246) solution 071 3.Kb5!! [(7 points) The black bishop is trapped! This is the point of the
[Jacob Aagaard] study.]

[P.Stamma, Essai sur le Jeu des Echecs 1792..] 3...Bd8 [Similarly if 3...Bc7 4.Ne6+; 3...Bd2 4.Nf3+; or 3...Be1 4.Nf3+ .]

1.c8Q+! [(4 points) Only in this way can White win;] 4.Ne6+ [(1 point) and White wins.Maximum score: 12 points..(press F10 for
the next exercise)]
[although 1.c8R+! is just as good of course.; The exercise is all about seeing
the opponent's opportunities. Thus 1.Rb8? would lose to the brilliant +–
1...Rc8!! 2.Rxc8 a2 and Black wins (4 points).]
(249) exercise 073
1...Rxc8 2.Rc7+ [Now it is a walk in the park.Maximum score: 8 points.. [Jacob Aagaard]
(press F10 for the next exercise)]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
+–
Line
(247) exercise 072
[Jacob Aagaard] (250) solution 073
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
[M.Palmer, Iowa News 1917..White of course wants to queen his pawn
Line without allowing Black to sacrifice his rook for it. This is achieved through a
nice mutual zugzwang.]
(248) solution 072
[Jacob Aagaard] 1.e7! [(5 points)]

[A.Troitzky, Eskilstuna Kuriren 1917..] 1...Rd6+! [It was necessary to foresee this check in order to solve the
exercise, but maybe not in order to play 1 e7 in a practical game. This is the
1.gxh5 [(2 points) This is both the natural move and a pleasure to play.] problem with solving exercises in a book rather than working with a trainer
or an interactive computer program.]
[Other moves loses without a fight: 1...Re4 2.Ne6 Kd7 3.Nc5+ and White
wins; or 1...Rd8 2.Kf7! and Black is in zugzwang (3 points).]
2.Kg7!! [(8 points) Only this triangulation wins.]
[After 2.Kf7 Rd8! White is in zugzwang and cannot prevent both ...Re8
and ...Rd7 on the next move, after which Black makes a draw.]
2...Rd8 3.Kf7! [Now Black is in zugzwang.]
3...Kc7 4.Ne6+ [and White wins.Maximum score: 16 points..(press F10 for
the next exercise)]
+–
(251) exercise 074
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(252) solution 074
[Jacob Aagaard]
[E.Pogosiants, Shakhmaty v SSSR 1964..]
1.Qe5+! [(2 points)]
[Not 1.Kxg7? Qe7+ 2.Kg6 Qf7+ and Black makes a draw.]
1...Qe7 2.Qxe7+! [(4 points) Only this surprising exchange wins the game.]
[If instead 2.Qxg7? Qh4+ 3.Kg6 Qg4+ 4.Kf6 Qd4+ with perpetual check; or
2.cxd7+ Kd8!! 3.Qxg7 Qh4+ 4.Kg6 Qg4+ when Black either has perpetual
again or else wins the f-pawn and can safely exchange into a drawn pawn
ending.]
2...Rxe7 3.d6!! [(6 points) This magical move exploits the unhappy
placement of the black pieces. This is what studies are all about – that and
tactics...]
3...Rf7!? [(6 points) Did you see this defensive try? You should have.
Otherwise it was pure luck that you would win rather than lose a seemingly
drawn position.]
[If instead 3...cxd6 4.c7 wins easily; or 3...dxc6 4.dxe7 Kf7!? 5.e8Q+ Kxe8
6.Kg7 and White wins.]
4.dxc7 Rf6+ 5.Kg7 Rxc6 6.f6 [and one of the white pawns
queens.Maximum score: 18 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(253) exercise 075
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(254) solution 075
[Jacob Aagaard]
[E.Antohi, Revista de Romana de Sah 1954 (from move 4 in a study which
had a minor flaw in the beginning)..]
1.g8N+! [(3 points) Any other promotion and Black has 1...Rh4 mate.]
1...Kf7 [If 1...Kf5? 2.Kh5 Re1 3.Nh6+ wins.]
2.Nf6! [(4 points)]
 best moves for White here, it is not able to see that these draw. The reason is
2...Rh4+ [2...Kxf6 3.h8Q+ wins.] that the computer cannot work with concepts such as the wrong colour
bishop for the corner. White draws by means of a stalemate trap.]
3.Nh5 Rxh5+ 4.Kxh5 Kg7 5.Kg5! [(6 points) The white king shoulders off
the black king,] 1.Rd2!! [(8 points) Threatening a discovered check after Kf2 or Ke2.]

[and prevents the book draw which follows 5.h8Q+? Kxh8 6.Kg6 Kg8 7.Kf6 1...Qa8! [(2 points) Answering the threat by attacking the rook in the corner.
Kf8 8.Ke6 Ke8 9.Kd6 Kd8 10.Kxc6 Kc8 11.Kxb5 Kb7 .] But White is prepared for this.]

5...Kxh7 [On 5...c5 the composer wanted White to play the flashy 6.h8Q+
(but even simpler is 6.bxc5 b4 7.c6 b3 8.c7 b2 9.c8Q b1Q 10.h8Q+ Kf7
11.Qce8# , as White already queens first and therefore does not need the
check.) ]
6.Kf6! [(2 points)]
2.Kf2+! Qxh1 3.Rd1+! [(10 points)]
3...Kb2 [3...Qxd1 is stalemate.]
4.Rxh1 h2 5.Kg2 [and White sacrifices the rook for the d-pawn to leave a
book draw.Maximum score: 20 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]

6...Kh6 [After 6...c5 7.bxc5 b4 8.c6 b3 9.c7 b2 10.c8Q b1Q White mates by, =
for example, 11.Qd7+ Kh6 12.Qh3# .]
(257) exercise 077
7.Ke5! [(5 points) and wins.] [Jacob Aagaard]

[White could still throw it all away with 7.Ke6?? c5! and we have a [.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)]
draw.Maximum score: 20 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
Line
+–
(258) solution 077
(255) exercise 076 [Jacob Aagaard]
[Jacob Aagaard]
[V.Platov & M.Platov, Belgorodskaja Pravda 1911..White has a big problem
[.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)] in that he cannot stop the black h-pawn, whereas the black bishop prevents
his e-pawn from advancing. Therefore White needs to set up a spectacular
Line stalemate in order to save the game.]

(256) solution 076 1.Ng3 [(5 points) This should not be too difficult to find as all other
[Jacob Aagaard] candidate moves are without ideas.]

[H.Rinck, 150 Fins de Partie 1909..Though the computer is able to find the 1...Bxg3 2.e7! Bd6+ 3.Ka4!! [A fantastic move that secures the draw.]
 own. When White is able to force it away from the black king, the knight will
3...Bxe7 4.Bc4! h1Q 5.Bd5+! Qxd5 [stalemate (15 points).Maximum score: eventually be lost. Here is some analysis to back up this claim.]
20 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
8...Nd3 9.Ra4 [Not the only winning move, but probably the fastest.]
=
9...Kh2 [If 9...Ne5+ 10.Kg3 Kf1 11.Rf4+ wins; or 9...Nc5 10.Rc4 Nb3
(259) exercise 078 11.Ke2 Na5 12.Rc7 Kh2 13.Kd2 Nb3+ 14.Kc3 Nc1 15.Re7 Kg3 16.Re1
[Jacob Aagaard] Na2+ 17.Kc4 and White wins.]

[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)] 10.Re4 Kg1 [Or 10...Nc5 11.Re5 Nd3 12.Rd5 Nb4 13.Rd2+ Kh3 (or
13...Kg1 14.Rg2+ Kf1 15.Rb2) 14.Rd6 Kh2 15.Ke3 and the black knight is
Line cornered.]

(260) solution 078 11.Rd4 Nc5 12.Rd5 [The black knight is trapped no matter where it goes.]
[Jacob Aagaard]
12...Nb7 [12...Ne6 13.Kg3 Kf1 14.Rf5+ Kg1 15.Re5 wins.]
[J.Moravec, 10. prize, La Strategie 1912..]
13.Ke3 Kg2 14.Kd3 Kf3 15.Kc3! [The fastest way to win the knight. The
1.Kh7! [(10 points)] threat is 16 Kb4.]

[White needs to ignore the black g-pawn as after 1.Kxg7? h4 White cannot 15...Ke4 16.Kc4 [Zugzwang.]
stop the h-pawn from promoting. It seems that 1 Kh7 hardly makes any
difference, but there is a twist.] 16...Kf4 17.Kb4 Ke4 18.Rd7 [and White wins.Maximum score: 27 points..
(press F10 for the next exercise)]
1...h4 [Black cannot save himself with 1...g5 2.Kg6 g4 3.Kg5! g3 4.Kh4
(4.Kf4 also wins) 4...g2 5.Kh3 Kh1 6.Rxg2 as there is no stalemate.] +–

2.Kg6 h3 3.Kg5 h2 4.Kg4 g5! [The only try for a defence.] (261) exercise 079
[Jacob Aagaard]
[The point of 1 Kh7 is seen after 4...h1Q?! 5.Kg3! (5 points) and the threat of
6 Ra1+ is decisive. Had White played 1 Kxg7? then 5 Kg3? would fail to [.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)]
5...Qh8! covering a1, but here the g7–pawn blocks the long diagonal.;
4...h1N 5.Kf3! (2 points) holds no chances for Black. One possible finish is Line
5...g5 6.Rd2 g4+ 7.Kxg4 Nf2+ 8.Kf3 Nh3 9.Kg3 and Black loses the knight.]
(262) solution 079
5.Kg3 h1N+ 6.Kf3 g4+ 7.Kxg4 Nf2+ 8.Kf3! [(10 points) White is now [Jacob Aagaard]
winning. The main thing to remember is that the knight cannot survive on its
[G.Ling, Deutsche Schachzeitung 1912..White makes a draw through a nice
stalemate.] 2.Ng7!! [(12 points) Only this fantastic move wins.]

1.Bxf7+! [(10 points)] [2.Nf6 looks convincing; 2...--

1...Bxf7 [Otherwise Black can never win.] a) ; e.g. 2...Qf8 3.Re8;

2.Nf4+ Kh6 [2...Kg7 3.Rg3 transposes.] b) , or 2...Qg6 3.Re8+ Kg7 4.Rg8+ Kxf6 5.Rxg6+ hxg6 6.a5 and wins.;

3.Rh3+ Kg7 4.Rg3! Qxg3 [Black cannot win with bishop and pawn vs. c) . But there is a trap: 2...Qg1! 3.Re8+? (3.Nh5! Qg8 4.Ng7! would still win
knight here, so why bother.] of course, but you need to see the trap to understand it) 3...Kg7 4.Rg8+
Kh6!! 5.Rxg1 stalemate (5 points).;
5.Nh5+! [(10 points)]
]
5...Bxh5 [stalemate.Maximum score: 20 points..(press F10 for the next
exercise)] 2...h5 [If 2...Qxg7 3.Re8+ Qg8 4.Rxg8+ Kxg8 5.a5 wins; or 2...Kxg7 3.Rg2+
Kf8 4.Rxg8+ etc.]
=
3.Re8 Kxg7 4.Rxg8+ Kxg8 5.a5 [and White wins by one tempo (5
(263) exercise 080 points).Maximum score: 30 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
[Jacob Aagaard]
+–
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
(265) exercise 081
Line [Jacob Aagaard]

(264) solution 080 [.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)]
[Jacob Aagaard]
Line
[D.Przepiorka, Szachista Polski 1920..White wins the queen, but it is
necessary to spot Black's trap.] (266) solution 081
[Jacob Aagaard]
1.Re2 [(5 points)]
[L.Kubbel, Listok Shakhmatnogo Kruzhka Petrogubkomunni 1921..White
1...Qg8 [Easily the only move.] makes a draw by playing on different horses. Here pawn vs rook is a draw,
and the same goes for queen vs rook and bishop. So, with these two options
[If 1...h6 2.Re8+ Kh7 3.Nf6+ Kg6 4.Rg8+ wins (3 points).] ruled out for Black, White is able to manoeuvre himself into the corner.]

1.Be5! [(5 points)]
1...Rb4+ 2.Kd5 Rb5+ 3.Kc6!! [(10 points) Giving up the bishop is the only
way to succeed. Of course this had to be foreseen.]
4...Rg5+ 5.Kf7 Rf5+ 6.Ke7 Rxe5+ 7.Kd7 Rd5+ 8.Kc7 Rc5+ 9.Kb7 Rb5+
10.Kc6! [(8 points) Coming at last to sixth rank, now that the black rook
cannot go to the back.]
10...Rb6+ 11.Kc5! Ra6 [If 11...Rb5+ 12.Kc4 and the pawn promotes.]

3...Rxe5 4.d7 Re6+ 5.Kb7 Rd6 6.Kc8! [(10 points) Threatening to queen the 12.axb4# [(10 points) A very beautiful end.Maximum score: 30 points..(press
pawn.] F10 for the next exercise)]

6...Rc6+ 7.Kb7 Rc7+ 8.Ka8! Rxd7 [stalemate (5 points).Maximum score: +–

30 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
(269) exercise 083
= [Jacob Aagaard]

(267) exercise 082 [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
[Jacob Aagaard]
Line
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
(270) solution 083
Line [Jacob Aagaard]

(268) solution 082 [V.Kitsigin, Magyar Sakkelet 1978..White wins by a nice rook manoeuvre
[Jacob Aagaard] and sacrifice.]

[A.Selesniev, Tidskrift för Schack 1921..] 1.f5! [(5 points)]

1.cxb5! [(3 points)] 1...gxf5 [1...b2?! 2.fxg6 b1Q 3.g7+ Kh7 4.g8Q# .]

1...Kb6! [On all other moves the rook endgame is lost.] 2.Rd6 Kh7 [It seems as if White has achieved very little, but he wins with a
fantastic move.]
2.bxa6! [(7 points) A common trick in rook endings. Black cannot catch the
pawn.] 3.Rb6!! [(15 points)]

2...Kxa5 3.a7 Rh5+ 4.Kg7! [(2 points)] 3...axb6 [Ignoring the threat of 4 Rb7+ does not work for Black either: 3...f4
4.Rb7+ Kg6 5.Rxa7 b2 (5...f3 6.Rg7+) 6.Rb7 a3 7.a7 a2 8.a8Q b1Q 9.Rg7+
[Not 4.Kg6? Rh8 and draws.] Kf6 10.Qc6+ with a mating attack.]
4.a7 b2 5.a8Q b1Q [Or 5...Kg6 6.Qg2+ and 7 Qxb2 wins.]
6.Qa7+ Kg6 7.Qg7# [.Maximum score: 20 points..(press F10 for the next
exercise)]
+–
(271) exercise 084
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(272) solution 084
[Jacob Aagaard]
[G.Kasparian, 1st prize, Shakhmaty v SSSR 1939..]
1.Bg5! [(5 points) This move queens the pawn by force.]
[If instead 1.f7 Rf6 and Black makes a draw.; Or 1.Rf5? Rg1+ 2.Kc2 b3+
3.Kc3 b2 4.f7 Rc1+ 5.Kd4 Rc8 and it will be White who has to make a
draw.]
1...b3! [On 1...Rg8 2.Rd2+!! (5 points) (but not 2.f7? Rc8+ 3.Kd2 Rf8 4.Rd7
b3 and Black makes a draw) 2...Kb3 (the black king is now worse placed)
3.f7 Rf8 (or 3...Rc8+ 4.Kb1 a3 5.Rd3+ and 6 Rd8) 4.Rf2 a3 5.Kb1 and
White wins.]
2.Rd2+ Ka1 3.f7! [(5 points) The only way to win.]
[3.Be3? allows Black to make a draw with both 3...a3 (and 3...b2+!? 4.Rxb2
Rxf6 5.Bd4 Rf1+ 6.Kc2 a3!! 7.Rb1+ Ka2 8.Rxf1 stalemate.) ]
3...Rxg5 [3...a3 loses to 4.Rd1!! (5 points) when Black cannot do anything;
e.g. 4...Rd6 5.f8Q b2+ 6.Kc2+ Rxd1 7.Qxa3# .]
4.f8Q Rg1+ 5.Rd1 Rg2! [This amazing counterplay should have been
foreseen. Now White can win in only one way.]
6.Qa3+ Ra2 7.Rd2! [(10 points) The only way to win.]
[7.Qc5 does not achieve anything after 7...Rh2! (but not 7...Rg2? 8.Rd2!; , or
7...b2+? 8.Kd2+ b1Q+ 9.Ke1! and White wins.) ]
7...Rxa3 [Or 7...b2+ 8.Qxb2+ and White wins after 8...Rxb2 9.Rxb2 a3
10.Rb1+! Ka2 11.Rb8 Ka1 12.Kc2 a2 13.Kb3! Kb1 14.Rh8 a1N+ 15.Kc3!]
8.Rb2! [A nice zugzwang.]
8...Ra2 9.Rb1# [.Maximum score: 30 points..(press F10 for the next
exercise)]
+–
(273) exercise 085
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(274) solution 085
[Jacob Aagaard]
[A.Herbstmann, Achalgazdra Kommunisti 1954..This exercise is about
awareness of the opponent's counter-chances.]
1.Kb2!! [(10 points) Only this move wins.]
[If 1.Kxa2? f5!! (5 points) and White cannot prevent perpetual. The black
rook checks continually either on the e-file 2.Ra7 (or on the fifth rank 2.f8Q
Ra5+ etc) 2...Re5! 3.f8Q Re2+ etc.]

1...a1Q+ [If 1...Rb5+ 2.Ka1! and the perpetual is gone; or 1...Ra5 2.Ka1 Ra8
3.Re7 and Black cannot prevent both pawns from queening.]
2.Kxa1 Ra5+ [If now 2...f5 3.Ra7 Re5 4.Ra2+! and White wins.]
3.Kb2 Rb5+ [Or if 3...f5 4.Ra7!! Rxa7 5.f8Q Ra5 6.d7 Rb5+ 7.Kc3 Rc5+
8.Qxc5+ and wins (2 points).]
4.Kc3 Rc5+ 5.Kd4 f5 6.Ra7! [(5 points) Still the only winning move.]
6...Rd5+ 7.Kc3 Rc5+ 8.Kb2 Rb5+ 9.Ka1 Re5 10.Ra2+! [(6 points) and
wins. The perpetual check net is gone.Maximum score: 28 points..(press F10
for the next exercise)]
+–
(275) exercise 086
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(276) solution 086
[Jacob Aagaard]
[H.Rinck, Mecklenburgisches Neues Wochenblatt 1911..]
1.Nf7+ [(2 points) Clearly the only move.]
[1.c4+? Ke4!; and 1.Nc6+ Ke4 both win immediately for Black.]
1...Kd5 [If 1...Kf4 2.Bc1+ Kf3 3.Ng5+ Kg4 4.Be3 f4 5.Bg1 Kxg5 6.Kc4 Kf5
7.Kd3 and White wins; 1...Ke4 2.Ng5+ Kf4 3.Bc1+ Kg4 transposes.]
2.c4+ Kc5! [(3 points) The best try. If the king moves to a light square the
white knight gives a check and makes it back to cover g1 in time.]
3.Ng5 g1Q 4.Bd4+!! [(10 points) Without this White would be lost. Now he
is winning;]
[i.e. 4.Bd4+ Qxd4 (or 4...Kxd4 5.Nf3+) 5.Ne6+ etc.Maximum score: 15
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(277) exercise 087
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(278) solution 087
[Jacob Aagaard]
[E.Barca, Tidskrift för Schack 1916..]
1.Ke2!! [(10 points) White needs to step out of the checks.]
[1.d7? Bc7 2.c6? Bxa5+ wins.; 1.c6? Bxd6 2.cxb7 h4 3.a6 Bb8 4.d5 h3 5.d6
h2 and Black wins.; 1.d5? h4 2.d7 Bc7 3.a6 h3! 4.a7 h2 5.a8Q h1Q+ 6.Kd2
(or 6.Ke2 Qh5+) 6...Bf4+ 7.Kc2 Qc1+ 8.Kd3 Qe3+ 9.Kc4 Qe2+ 10.Kb3
Qb5+ wins.; 1.a6? bxa6 2.d5 h4 3.d7 Bc7 4.d6 Ba5+ 5.Ke2 h3 6.c6 h2 7.c7
h1Q 8.d8Q is more complicated, but certainly White is not going to win.]
1...h4 [As this is not the most useful move Black can play, White has now
improved his chances on the queenside and can make a swift breakthrough.]
2.d7 Bc7 3.c6! [(5 points)]
3...bxc6 [If 3...h3 4.cxb7 h2 5.b8Q Bxb8 6.d8Q h1Q 7.Qd5+ Kg1 8.Qxh1+
Kxh1 9.d5 and the bishop cannot hold both pawns; or 3...b5 4.a6 h3 5.a7 h2
6.d8Q! Bxd8 (6...h1Q 7.Qd5+) 7.c7 and White wins.]
4.a6 h3 5.a7 h2 6.a8Q h1Q 7.Qxc6+ Kg1 8.Qc1+! [(10 points)]
[After 8.Qxc7 Qe4+ it is not easy to escape the checks.]
8...Kg2 9.Qg5+ Kh3 [9...Kh2 10.Kf2! wins as below.]
10.Qh5+! Kg2 11.Qg4+ Kh2 [11...Bg3 12.Qf3+ wins.]
12.Kf2 [(2 points) Black cannot prevent mate for long.Maximum score: 27
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(279) exercise 088
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(280) solution 088
[Jacob Aagaard]
[F.Lazard, La Strategie 1921..White escapes from this endgame by means of
an original stalemate.]
1.Bxf6! [1.c6!? Nf4 2.Bxf6! works in the same way.]
1...Bxf6 2.c6 Nf4 [2...Ne3 3.c7 Nd5+ also transposes.]
3.c7 Nd5+ 4.Kc4!! [Here and only here. This is the beauty of stalemates.]
4...Nxc7 5.d8Q Bxd8 6.e7! Bxe7 [stalemate (25 points).Maximum score: 25
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
=
(281) exercise 089
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(282) solution 089
[Jacob Aagaard]
[I.Vandecasteele, Eclaireur de Nice 1999..White wins by queening his pawn,
but this by no means as easy as it looks. The first move is obvious, but then it
becomes complicated.]
1.f7 Bg2+ 2.Kb8! [(8 points) Only this wins.]
[Black is better after 2.Ka7? Nc6+ 3.Kb6 (or 3.Ka6 Bf1+! 4.Kb6 Ne5)
3...Ne5! 4.f8N . This endgame with B+N vs. N arises all the time in the
analysis. The main point is not whether it is winning for Black or drawn, but
that it is clearly undesirable for White.]
2...Nc6+ 3.Kc7! [(4 points)]
[Not 3.Kc8? Ne7+! and 4...Ng6.]
3...Nd4 4.Kd6! [(10 points) Domination again.]
[If 4.Kd7? Bh3+ and 5...Ne6 draws.]
4...Nf5+ 5.Kd7!! [(10 points) Only this move wins.]
[If 5.Kc5? Ng7!; or 5.Ke6? Bd5+!! 6.Kxd5 Ne7+ and 7...Ng6 draws; while if
5.Ke5? Ne7 6.Kf6 (6.Ke6 Bd5+ 7.Kxe7 Bxf7) 6...Nd5+ 7.Kg6 (7.Kg7 Nc7!)
7...Nf4+ 8.Kf5 Bh3+ and 9...Ne6 draws.]
5...Bc6+! [Did you anticipate this?]
6.Kd8!! [(5 points) Now White is able to dance around the black knight.]
[Instead 6.Kc7? Nd4! 7.Kd6 Nf5+ 8.Kc5 Ng7! draws.]
6...Nd4 7.Ke7 Nf5+ 8.Kf6 Nd6 9.f8Q [and White wins (8 points). The
endgame of Q v B+N is virtually always won for the queen.Maximum score:
35 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(283) exercise 090
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(284) solution 090
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Y.Afek, Pula Congress 1997..White wins in a most extraordinary fashion
with a series of pawn sacrifices.]
1.Rc3! [(5 points) Threatening 2 Rc8 and mates.]
[Instead 1.Rd3? Rd2 wins for Black; while 1.Rb3? Rf2 also gets White
nowhere.]
1...Rh1 [The best defence, which should have been anticipated. Now White
wins by opening a second line of attack.]
[Instead after 1...Rf2 2.Rc8 Rxf3+ 3.Ke7+ Black is mated; or if 1...Rd2
2.Rc8 Bg5 (2...Rd7 3.Ke8! wins because the black rook cannot remain on the
rank) 3.Kf7+ Bd8 4.h6 Rd7+ 5.Ke8 wins.]
2.g5!! [(10 points) This brilliant idea changes everything.]
[Not 2.Rc8? Rc1! 3.Rd8 Rc7 and White is lost.]
2...Bxg5 3.h6! [(5 points) The idea is to open the h-file, after which the white
rook can threaten mate from two directions.]
3...Bxh6 [The only move, otherwise 4 Kf7 or 4 hxg7 wins.]
4.f4!! [(10 points) The point. Now Black has no way to defend himself. Note
that this move prevents 4...Rc1 and therefore threatens 5 Kf7 strongly.]
4...Bxf4 [There is nothing better.]
[If 4...Rd1 5.Ke7 mates.]
5.Kf7! Rc1 6.Rh3+ Bh6 7.Rxh6+ gxh6 8.g7+ Kh7 9.g8Q# [.Maximum
score: 30 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(285) exercise 091
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(286) solution 091
[Jacob Aagaard]
[E.Lobron-J.Aagaard, Stockholm 2003..Though this position is not too easy,
I think it is the easiest of the positions in the set of calculation exercises. It is
from one of my own games – in which I displayed bad calculation technique,
by not looking for opportunities at the end of the variation.]
68...Bh4+? [The solution is 68...Rd2! (5 points). White only has 69.Rxe3
Bxe3 70.h7 Rd8 71.Bg8 , but now it looks as if Black has been swindled.
This is where I stopped anyway. However, Black wins with 71...Kf3! (15
points) 72.h8Q Bf2+ 73.Kf1 Rd1# . The lesson: always look for candidates at
the end of a forced line. There may be a final twist you need to attend to!]
69.Ke2 Bf2! [(5 points) Though I have obviously been stupid, I am still
playing with an idea. The point is that the black rook now can come to the h-
file.]
70.Rxe3! [Otherwise 70...Rd2 mate.]
70...Bxe3 71.h7?! [Surprisingly this loses a tempo. White can still draw, but
now it becomes rather more challenging. At first it even seems as if 71 h7
gains a tempo which allows White to eliminate the black a-pawn. I
considered this pawn as something of a meal ticket during the game.
However, Jonathan Tait has improved my analysis in the preparation of this
book, and he shows that the contrary is actually the case. The theme of the
best way for White to defend is domination.]
[White should have played 71.Kxe3! --
a) , and if 71...Rxb4 he can defend his advanced h-pawn by 72.Bc2 Kg3
73.h7 , which gives him sufficient counterplay. My line continued 73...Rh4
74.Bf5 Rh2 75.Ke4 Rh1 , but here Jonathan came up with 76.Kd5! Kf4
77.Ke6 Rh6 (or 77...Kg5 78.Bc2) 78.Bg6 Kg5 79.Kf7 f5 80.Bxf5 Kxf5
81.Kg7 with a draw.;
b) . If Black tries to transpose to the game with 71...Rh4 then White plays
instead 72.bxa5! Rh3+ (or 72...Rxh6 73.Bd5+ and 74 a6 etc) 73.Ke4 Rxb3
74.Kf5 Rh3 75.Kg6 and White draws after 75...Rg3+ (not 75...f5 76.h7 f4??
77.a6 and White wins) 76.Kxf6 Rh3 77.Kg7 Rg3+ etc.;
] [Jacob Aagaard]
71...Rh4 72.Kxe3 Rxh7 [72...f5 is no improvement: 73.Bd5+ Kg3 74.bxa5
f4+ 75.Kd3 Rxh7 76.Kc4! reaches a similar position to that after 74 bxa5
below but with an extra – and more advanced – a-pawn for White.]
73.Bd5+! [I had overlooked this simple move. I was looking forward to
73...Rh3+.]
73...Kg3 [Here my experienced opponent throws the draw away.]
74.b5?? [He should have played 74.bxa5 Ra7 75.Kd4 Rxa5 76.Bc6 f5
77.Kc4 f4 78.Kb4 Ra6 and now 79.Bh1 Rh6 (or if 79...f3 80.Bxf3! with a
book draw) 80.Be4! (only here) and Black cannot make progress.]
74...Rh4 [Not 74...f5? 75.b6 f4+ 76.Kd4 f3 77.b7! when Black has to be
careful: 77...Rh4+ (not 77...Rh8? 78.Kc5 f2 79.Bc4 Kg2 80.Kb6 f1Q
81.Bxf1+ Kxf1 82.Kxa5! and White wins) 78.Kc5 Rb4 79.Bc6! f2 80.Bb5
f1Q 81.b8Q+ Qf4 82.Qxf4+ Kxf4 83.Kb6 with a draw.]
75.Be4 f5 76.Bxf5 Rxa4 77.Kd2 Rb4 78.Bd3 Kf4 [78...a4! 79.Kc3 a3
80.Kxb4 a2 would have been slightly faster.]
79.Kc3 Ke5 80.Bc4 Kd6 81.Kd4 a4 82.Kc3 Kc5 83.Bf7 a3 84.Bb3 Rxb5
85.Kc2 Kd4 [and White resigned.Maximum score: 20 points..(press F10 for
the next exercise)]
–+
(287) exercise 092
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(288) solution 092
[L.Hansen-J.Aagaard, Taastrup 1999..The position arose in the Sicilian
Defence after]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be2 Bg7 7.Be3 Nc6
8.0–0 0–0 9.f4 Qb6 10.e5!? [. This gambit was unknown to me and
hopefully also to you. I managed to calculate the theoretical refutation at the
board. Did you?]
10...dxe5 11.fxe5 Nxe5 12.Nf5 Qxb2! [(5 points) Greedy and necessary.]
[12...Qe6 13.Nxg7 Kxg7 14.Qd2 Kg8 15.Rae1 gives White good play for the
pawn; while after 12...Qc7 13.Nb5! Qb8 14.Nxe7+ Kh8 15.Qd6! White is
even better.]
13.Nxe7+ Kh8 14.Bd4 [This was what White was preparing.]
[14.Nb5 Qb4! does not help White.]
14...Qb4!! [(10 points) This move had to be foreseen in order to capture on
b2.]
[After 14...Ng8 15.--
a) , White plays 15.Ned5! Rd8 16.Nb5 Nf3+ 17.Bxf3 Qxb5 18.Bxg7+ Kxg7
19.Qd4+ f6 20.c4 Qa6 21.Rae1 with strong compensation for the pawn.;
b) . The alternative 15.Nb5 is very complicated. I have analysed one line
which goes 15...Qb4 16.Nd5 Qa4 17.Rf4 g5 18.Re4 f6 19.Nbc7 Rb8 20.Bb5
Qa3 21.Re3 Qd6 22.Bxa7 Ng4 23.Rh3 b6 24.Qd3 Qc5+ 25.Ne3 f5 26.Bxb8
Nxe3 27.Rxe3 f4 and Black might be better, though it looked very suspicious
on the way. No matter what, White should not go for this, but for the simple
line with 15 Ned5 which offers good play. (27...--) ;
]
15.Bxe5 [15.Ncd5? Nxd5 16.Nxd5 is met by 16...Qxd4+! 17.Qxd4 Nf3+ and
Black wins.; One of the critical lines to see was 15.Nxc8 and then: 15...--
a) 15...Raxc8 16.Rb1 Qe7 17.Rb5! Ne8 18.Nd5 Qd7 19.Bxa7 with equality.;
b) 15...Rfxc8 16.Rb1 Qe7 17.Rb5 Nc6 18.Bxf6 Bxf6 19.Nd5 Bd4+ 20.Kh1
Qd7 21.Nf6 Qe7 22.Nd5 repeating moves.;
c) 15...Rd8!! (5 points) 16.Nb5 Raxc8 and White has little for his pawn.
(16...--) ;
]
15...Qxe7 16.Qd4 Nh5 [16...Ne8!? is equally good.]
17.Bxg7+ Nxg7 [Black has won a pawn and stands much better.]
18.Rae1 Be6 19.Nd5 Bxd5 20.Qxd5 Rad8 21.Qb3 b6 22.Kh1 Qc7 23.Rf3
Rde8 24.Rf2 f5 25.Rd1 Qc5 26.Rdf1 Re3 27.Bd3 Rfe8 28.Qf7 R3e7
29.Qb3 Nh5 30.Bb5 Nf6 31.Qb2 Rf8 32.Rd2 Qe5 33.Rd4 Kg7 34.Qb4 a5
35.Qa3 Rc7 36.Rc4 Rxc4 37.Bxc4 Ng4 38.Qh3 Rc8 39.Bd3 Rxc2! 40.Qh4
[If 40.Bxc2 Nf2+! 41.Rxf2 Qe1+ mates.]
40...Nf2+ 41.Rxf2 Qe1+ 42.Bf1 Rxf2 43.Qd4+ Kf7 44.Qd7+ Qe7 45.Bc4+
Kf8 46.Qd1 Qe4 47.Qd8+ Kg7 [and White resigned.Maximum score: 20
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
–+
(289) exercise 093
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(290) solution 093
[Jacob Aagaard]
[A.Shirov-C.Lutz, German League 2001..Black has entered a desperado.
Fortunately you have read that chapter and should be able to solve this
position without too much effort. Right?]
21.Bxg7! [(5 points) This is the only move.]
[21.Bd4? Bxb2 22.Nxb5 axb5 23.Bxb2 f5 gives Black a strong initiative.]
21...Bxb2 [After 21...Kxg7 22.bxa3 f5 23.Ref1! fxe4 24.Rxf8 Rxf8 25.Rxf8
Kxf8 26.Bxe4 White keeps his extra pawn for the endgame.]
22.Bxf8 Bxc3 23.Ref1! [(10 points) As so often before, the desperado is
decided by a surprisingly quiet move. White does not lose material because
all Black's minor pieces are hanging.]
[Not 23.Rd1? Kxf8! 24.Rf5 Re5 and Black wins.]
23...Rxf8 [23...Kxf8 loses to 24.Rxf7+ Kg8 25.R7f5 Ng3+ (or 25...Re5
26.Rxe5 Bxe5 27.Rf5 and wins) 26.hxg3 Bxe4 27.Rg5+ Bg7 28.Bxe4 Rxe4
29.Rf6! and Black can soon resign.]
24.Rf5! [(5 points) White regains the piece and ends an exchange up.]
24...Nf6 [24...Re8 25.Rc5 Bxe4 26.Rxc3 also wins for White.]
25.Rg5+ Kh8 26.Rc5 [White is winning. The black pawns on the queenside
are not passed pawns, but weaknesses.]
26...Bxe4 27.Rxc3 Re8 28.Kg1 Bxd3 29.cxd3 Re6 30.Ra3 Rd6 31.Rfa1
Kg7 32.Rxa6 Rxd3 33.Rb6 Rb3 34.Rf1 Ng4 35.Rb7 Ne5 36.h3 Kg6
37.Rb6+ Kg7 38.Rf5 f6 39.Rbxf6 [and Black resigned.Maximum score: 20
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(291) exercise 094
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.Calculate the consequences of 30...Bc6!? 31 Bxg6 from White's
perspective..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(292) solution 094
[Jacob Aagaard]
[J.Aagaard-Th.Johansson, Stockholm 2003 (variation)..]
30...Bc6! 31.Bxg6? [This was the move you had to calculate. Unfortunately
it is not very good – or perhaps fortunately, if you managed to calculate it to
the end.]
[Instead 31.Bxc6! Rxc6 32.Be3 with an extra pawn would have been better.]
31...Bxb7 [(1 point) Quite clearly the only move. Now White has two lanes
he can go down:]
32.-- [32.Bh7+ Kg7! (2 points) 33.Bh6+ (if 33.Bg8 f5! and Black wins – 1
point) 33...Kh8 34.Bxf8 (if 34.Bg8 Kxg8 35.Bxf8 Bh4! and there is no attack
– 3 points) 34...Rxa3!! (5 points) 35.Rxa3 (if 35.f3 Rxf3 and Black is better)
35...Bxa3 36.Bxa3 Qh4! (threatening ...Qxg4+; if instead 36...Qd5 37.Be4!
Qxe4 38.Qxe4 Bxe4 39.Bb2 and Black would have struggle a little bit for the
draw) 37.Kf1 (if 37.Bc1 Qh3! since the h7–bishop isn't going anywhere; , or
37.Be7!? Qxe7! 38.Be4 Bxe4 39.Qxe4 Qc5 with a drawn queen endgame)
37...Qh3+ 38.Ke1 Qxa3 (6 points) 39.Be4 Bxe4 40.Qxe4 c3 and despite his
extra pawn White needs to secure a draw quickly, although this should not be
a major problem after 41.Qc2 .; 32.Rh7!? (2 points) is an interesting and
surprising idea. Black must reply 32...f5! 33.exf6! (33.Bh6!? is less
dangerous; e.g. 33...Be4 34.Qc1 Bxa3 35.Qf1 Qh4 and the threats of ...Qxg4+
or ...Ra7 force White to take the perpetual; if 36.h3?? Black also has
36...Qg3+!! 37.fxg3 Bc5+ 38.Kh2 Ra2+ and wins) 33...Bxf6 34.Rxb7 Bd4!
(5 points). This position could be foreseen with some anticipation. Now
White needs to play 35.Bf5! to keep his head above water. Black can only
respond with 35...Qh4! (2 points) 36.Kh1 (not 36.Kg2? Rf7! 37.Rxf7 Kxf7
38.h3 Qxf2+ 39.Qxf2 Bxf2 40.Bxe6+ Rxe6 41.Kxf2 c3 and Black wins the
endgame easily) 36...Rf7 37.Rxf7 Kxf7 38.Qxc4 Qxf2 39.Qc7+ Kf6
40.Qd8+ Kf7 (or 40...Ke5 41.Qh8+) 41.Qd7+ Kf6 with a draw. The end of
this line is really difficult to calculate accurately. The main thing is not to
analyse everything completely, but to be able to calculate what can be
calculated and to evaluate correctly that which remains.So the conclusion of
the exercise is that 31 Bxg6, though very tempting is a mistake, and the clear
advantage a pawn up with 31 Bxc6 should be preferred.Maximum score: 30
points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
= and Black has no defence; e.g. 45...Qb1 46.Rd8+ Kg7 47.Rd7+ Kg8 48.b4!
(293) exercise 095
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.Black to play and draw..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(294) solution 095
[Jacob Aagaard]
[M.Tal-L.Ljubojevic, Wijk aan Zee 1973..Black has only one move, so this
exercise should not be too difficult.]
36...axb3! [Ljubojevic actually played 36...Kg7? and Tal won after 37.Bxe6
Qxb2+ 38.Kh3 Kxg6 39.Bxf7+ Kh6 40.Rd6+ Kg7 41.Rd7 b5 42.Be6+ Kg6
43.Rd8 c5? 44.Rg8+ Kh7 45.Ng5+ Kh6 46.Nf7+ Kh7 47.Rg5 (threatening
48 Bf5 mate) 1–0.]
37.Rxf7 Qd4! [(7 points) The only defence.]
38.axb3 [38.Nf6+? Qxf6 39.Rxf6 bxa2 was Black's main defensive
resource.]
38...Qxb2+ 39.Kh3 Qh8+! [(3 points) This check can also be difficult to
spot.]
40.Kg4 Qd4! [(3 points) Another important move. This is all you need to see
in order to play 36...axb3, perhaps not even this much.]
41.Kf4!? [The only winning attempt. Now Black still needs to play
accurately.]
41...b5 42.Re7 Qb2! [This move keeps the balance.]
[It was still possible to go wrong by 42...c5? 43.Rxe6 c4 44.Rd6 Qa1 45.Kf5!
Qc2 49.Rf7 Qd3 50.Ke6 Qe3 51.Kd5 Qd3+ 52.Kc6 and 53 Nf6+ wins.]
43.Rxe6 Qxb3 44.Rxc6 Kg7 [and only Black can possibly win, so White
needs to make his draw soon.Maximum score: 15 points..(press F10 for the
next exercise)]
=
(295) exercise 096
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.Calculate the consequences of 8 Nxd4?! from Black's perspective..(press
F10 for the solution)]
Line
(296) solution 096
[Jacob Aagaard]
[R.Lilja-S.Holm, Copenhagen 2002..You were asked to calculate the
consequences Richard Lilja's imaginative but incorrect sacrifice.]
8.Nxd4?! Bxd1 [This is of course the test.]
[Not 8...cxd4? 9.Bb5+ Ke7 10.Qxg4 dxc3 11.0–0 with a clear advantage to
White.]
9.Bb5+ Nd7? [Black decided he did not like the look of 9...Ke7! accepting
the challenge, which is a shame. If for no other reason, then out of principle
he should have attempted the king march to the centre: 10.Nf5+ (3 points – –+
obviously the idea; after 10.Nd5+ exd5 11.Nf5+ Ke6 White has no way to
continue the attack) 10...exf5 11.Nd5+ Ke6 12.Nf4+ Ke5 (5 points) 13.d4+! (297) exercise 097
(4 points – again this seems to be the only way to continue the attack; if [Jacob Aagaard]
instead 13.Kxd1 fxe4 14.dxe4 Qb6 15.Nd3+ Kxe4 16.Bc4 Kf5 .) ; So after
9...Ke7 10.Nf5+ exf5 11.Nd5+ Ke6 12.Nf4+ Ke5 13.d4+! Black has the [.White to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
following choices. Of course these could have been examined on arriving at
this position, but here in the test the requirements are higher if you want to Line
achieve full points!
(298) solution 097
a) 13.d4+ Kxe4 and then either 14.Rxd1 (or 14.Kxd1 Kxd4 15.c3+ Ke5 [Jacob Aagaard]
16.Re1+ Ne4 17.Nd3+ Ke6 18.Nf4+ gives White perpetual check) 14...cxd4
15.0–0 Ke5 16.Nd3+ Ke6 (not 16...Kd5? 17.c4+! dxc3 18.b4! and mates) [M.Paolozzi-M.Chandler, World Student Team Ch., Chicago 1983
17.Nf4+ (or if 17.Rfe1+ Ne4 18.Bxd8 Rxd8 19.f3 d5! 20.fxe4 dxe4 with three (variation)..]
pawns for the piece) 17...Ke5 18.Nd3+ with a draw as well.;
22.Ne7+ [The only move.]
b) 13.d4+ Kxd4 14.Rxd1+ Ke5 15.Nd3+ and now Black can even lose with
15...Kxe4? (instead 15...Ke6 16.Nf4+ Ke5 17.Nd3+ is also a draw) 16.f3+ [If 22.Ka1 Rb7! and it is not easy to suggest a way for White to proceed.]
Kd5 (or 16...Kd4 17.c3+) 17.c4+! Ke6 18.Nf4+ Ke7 19.Nd5+ Ke6 20.0–0 f4
21.Nxf4+ Kf5 22.h4! d5 (22...h5 23.Ba4! d5 24.Rfe1 and 25 Bc2+) 23.g4+ 22...Kh8 23.Qxf7 [(3 points) So far so good.]
Nxg4 24.fxg4+ Kxg4 25.Bxd8 Rxd8 26.Nxd5 and White wins.;
23...g6! [The right move order.]
c) 13.d4+ cxd4! (8 points) 14.Nd3+ Kxe4! (5 points) and Black wins because
he has ...f5–f4 giving the king an escape route, although it is still not that [After 23...Nxc3+ 24.Ka1 g6 White wins with 25.Rd8! Rxd8 26.Qf6+ Qg7
easy after 15.Kxd1! (if 15.0–0 Bxc2 16.Bc4 f4 and it is all over) 15...f4 (the 27.Nxg6+ hxg6 28.Qxd8+ Qg8 29.Qxb6! (2 points), the difference being that
threat was 15...-- 16.Re1+ Kd5 17.b4 and 18 Nf4 mate) 16.Nxf4 Kf5 17.h4 the rook is not hanging when the knight is still at a4.]
d5 18.Re1! (if 18.Bd3+ Ke5! and ...Kd6) 18...Qa5 19.Bd3+ Ne4 20.Nxd5
Qxd5 21.f3 Ke6 22.Bxe4 Qa5 23.Bxb7+ Kd7 24.Bxa8 Bb4 (only this tactic 24.Rd8!! [(5 points) This is the best way of freeing the queen.]
finally finishes White off) 25.Re4 Rxa8 and Black is a piece up.;
[White can also play 24.Rf1!? (a very original way of getting the queen out)
] 24...Nxc3+! (this should be played now; not 24...Rxf7? 25.Rd8+ Rf8
26.Rdxf8+ Qxf8 27.Rxf8+ Kg7 28.Rxc8 and White wins) 25.Ka1 Rxf7
10.Bxd8 cxd4 11.Kxd1 dxc3 12.Ba5 cxb2 13.Rb1 a6 14.Bxd7+ Kxd7 26.Rd8+ Rf8 27.Rdxf8+ (not 27.Rfxf8+?? Kg7 and Black wins) 27...Qxf8
15.Rxb2 [White is probably slightly better, but the players showed their true 28.Rxf8+ Kg7 29.Rg8+! (5 points – this manoeuvre needed to be anticipated
spirit by agreeing on a draw.Maximum score: 25 points..(press F10 for the in order to find a clear advantage for White in this line; instead 29.Rxc8 Nxe4
next exercise)] 30.Rc7 Kh8 is not so clear) 29...Kf7 30.Bxg6+ (the point! – White wins a
pawn) 30...hxg6 (if 30...Kxe7 31.Rxc8 hxg6 32.Rc7+ Kf8 33.Rxc3 and White
has excellent chances in the rook endgame) 31.Rxc8 (10 points) 31...Nd5 (if
31...b4 32.Rc7 Nb5 33.Nc8+ Nxc7 34.Nxb6 bxa3 35.c4 and the knight ending
is good for White with passed c- and h-pawns) 32.Nc6! and White has an
extra pawn in the endgame, as well as the more active pieces. So the
endgame after 24 Rf1 favours White, but it is not as strong as 24 Rd8!.]
24...Rxd8 25.Qf6+ Qg7 26.Nxg6+! [(8 points)]
26...hxg6 27.Qxd8+ Qg8 28.Qc7! [(10 points) Without this move White
would have nothing more than a draw. Now the threats are 29 Rd1 and 29 h5,
and it is very hard to find a defence for Black. It is a matter of complete
domination. A very original position indeed.]
28...Bb7! [(5 points)]
[If 28...Qf8!? 29.Rd1 Bd7! 30.Rxd7 Qf1+ 31.Ka2 Qc4+ 32.Qxc4 bxc4
33.Rb7 and White wins the endgame without too many troubles.; 28...Bd7
29.Qxd7 Nxc3+ 30.Kb2 Nxe4 (30...Na4+ 31.Ka2 Nc3+ 32.Kb3 only
improves the white king's position) 31.Rxe4 Qf8 (if 31...Rb8 32.Rd4! with
ideas of 33 Rd6; Black is under heavy pressure with no counterplay and has
already lost a pawn) 32.Qc7 Rb8 33.Qd6 and White will win without too
much effort; e.g. 33...Qe8 34.Rf4 Rd8 35.Qxa6 Rd5 36.Qa7 Kg8 37.Rf6
Rxe5 38.Rxg6+ Qxg6 39.Qb8+ Kh7 40.Qxe5 is one possible continuation.]
29.Bxb7 Qf8 [With the idea of 30...b4!.]
[e.g. 29...Qf8 30.h5 b4 31.axb4 Rxb4+ 32.Kc1 Qh6+ 33.Kd1 Rb1+ 34.Ke2
Rxe1+ 35.Kxe1 Qc1+ 36.Kf2 Qxc2+ 37.Kg3 Qxc3+ 38.Qxc3 Nxc3 39.Bxa6
gxh5 and Black will hold the endgame.]
30.Qc8! [(5 points)]
30...Qxc8 31.Bxc8 Nxc3+ 32.Kc1 [with a clearly better, probably winning
endgame for White.Maximum score: 30 points..(press F10 for the next
exercise)]
+–
(299) exercise 098
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.Calculate the consequences of 11...Nxd4 from Black's perspective..(press
F10 for the solution)]
Line
(300) solution 098
[Jacob Aagaard]
[W.Kluxen-J.R.Capablanca, Hamburg (simul) 1911..This is an important
theoretical position, arising after]
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.c3 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4 Bb4+ 7.Bd2
Bxd2+ 8.Nbxd2 d5 9.exd5 Nxd5 10.0–0 0–0 11.Ne5 [. Black can indeed
take the d-pawn, but he should be very careful regarding the following lines
as they contain a trap!]
11...Nxd4 12.Nb3 [(2 points) White's idea.]
12...Nxb3 13.Bxd5 [After 13.Qxb3 c6 14.Rad1 Qb6 15.Bxd5 cxd5 16.Qxd5
Be6 Black has slightly better prospects.]
13...Nxa1? [This might seem forced, but again we have a kind of desperado
scenario, similar to the Shirov-Lutz game above, where Black can save
himself from trouble by stepping outside the absolutely forcing lines.]
[13...Qf6! was the correct move (10 points). The forced line would now
continue 14.Bxf7+ (or 14.Qxb3 Qxe5 15.Bxf7+ Rxf7 transposing; , but not
14.Nxf7? Nxa1! when White has no compensation) 14...Rxf7 15.Qxb3 (not
15.Nxf7? Nxa1! and Black wins) 15...Qxe5 (4 points; weaker is 15...Be6?!
16.Qxb7 Rff8 17.Qxc7 and Black does not have enough for the pawn)
16.Rae1 (after 16.Rfe1 Be6 17.Rxe5 Bxb3 18.axb3 a6 White is left with a
worse pawn structure and pawn endings could be impossible for him to
defend) 16...Be6! (4 points; without this move Black was toast, but now the
position is even) 17.Qxe6 Qxe6 (perhaps Black could even try 17...Qxb2!?
18.Rb1 Qf6 19.Qxf6 gxf6! 20.Rxb7 c5 with an active position – still, White
should not lose with accurate play) 18.Rxe6 is known to be a draw.;
13...Qe7!? (8 points). White has the extra option of 14.Re1?! (otherwise
14.Qxb3 Qxe5 15.Bxf7+ Rxf7 transposes to the previous line) , but this does
not appear to be anything special: 14...Nxa1! 15.Bxf7+ (after 15.Nxf7 Qf6!
White cannot continue his attack in any meaningful way; e.g. 16.Qxa1 c6
17.Bc4 Bf5 and Black wins) 15...Rxf7 16.Nxf7 Be6! 17.Ne5 Bxa2 18.Qxa1
Be6 and it looks as if Black has just won a pawn.]
14.Bxf7+ Kh8 15.Qh5 Bf5? [This loses quite quickly.]
[Other options were: 15...g6 16.Qh6 Bf5 17.Bxg6 and White was a pawn up
in E.Oudshoorn-A.Hendriks, Dutch Junior Championship 1994.; 15...g5
16.Qh6 Bf5 17.Bg6 Bxg6 (or 17...Qe7 18.Bxf5 Rf6 19.Ng6+ Rxg6 20.Bxg6
and White will win the knight on a1) 18.Nxg6+ Kg8 19.Nxf8 Qxf8
20.Qxg5+ Qg7 21.Qd2 Qf6 22.Rxa1 and White should have won in
K.Pilgaard-M.Stoinev, Copenhagen 1989.; 15...h6! 16.Rxa1 Qd6 17.Ng6+ (if
17.Rd1 Bg4!! 18.Ng6+ Qxg6 19.Qxg6 Bxd1 with a level position) 17...Kh7
18.Nxf8+ Qxf8 19.Qf3! and White keeps the initiative, though nothing has
been decided.]
16.Qxf5 Qf6? [16...g6 17.Qe4 Qf6 18.Bxg6 Nc2 19.Bxh7 Rfe8 20.f4 is very
good for White but still not 100% conclusive, whereas now Capablanca is
just a piece down.]
17.Ng6+!! Qxg6 18.Bxg6 Rxf5 19.Bxf5 g6 20.Be4! [and Black
resigned.Maximum score: 20 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(301) exercise 099
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.White to play. Calculate all variations after 30 Rxf7!. Refute as many as
you can..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(302) solution 099
[Jacob Aagaard]
[R.J.Fischer-J.Sherwin, US Championship, New York 1957..]
30.Rxf7! [(5 points) Without this move there is no advantage for White.]
[Hopefully it did not take you long time to see that after 30.Bxf7+?! Kh8
White has won a pawn, but Black has all the play: none of the white pieces
serve any purpose anymore. White would have to be content with even
chances after 31.h3 or something similar.Now after 30 Rxf7! it is not likely
that you will be able to see all variations; therefore the sum of points
available in this exercise is greater than the maximum allowed score of 35
points. (31.Bd5? Qf4! and wins is just one example of the dangers in the
position.) ]
30...Rc1+?! [This is not the best defence. White did not need to work out
lines of play against all defences in order to decide upon 30 Rxf7!, but as this
is a bit of an artificial situation, in which ruminating over the position is
encouraged, there are points available for seeing various refutations.]
[30...Qxd5? 31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.Qf1+! and White wins.; 30...Qc1+? 31.Qf1!
wins (5 points).; 30...Rfc8? 31.Rc4! (simplest; 31.Qf1 also wins) 31...Rc1+
32.Qf1! and White wins.; 30...Rcc8?! 31.Ra8!! (8 points) 31...Rxa8 32.Rf5+
Kh8 33.Rxg5 Rac8 (if 33...Rab8 34.Bb3 is simplest) , and now the only clear
win is 34.Bc4! (4 points) 34...Ne5 35.Rxe5 dxe5 36.h3 with a decisive
material advantage for White.; 30...h5! (10 points) is the toughest defence.
White now has the following options: 31.--
a) 31.Qf1 is met by the cool 31...Kh7! (5 points; not 31...Rxf7? 32.Qxf7+
Kh7 33.Qg8+ Kh6 34.Qh8+ Kg6 35.Bf7+! Kxf7 36.Ra7+ Kf6 37.Qd8+ Kg6
38.Rxg7+ and White wins) 32.Rxf8 Rc1 and the position is unclear. If
33.Be6? Black wins with 33...Ne3! 34.Bf5+ Nxf5 35.Rxf5 Rxf1+ 36.Rxf1
Qb5! and White loses one of the rooks.;
b) 31.Rxf8+ Kxf8 32.Qf1+ Qf6 (if 32...Nf6 33.Rc4 and White has the
advantage) 33.Qxf6+ (or 33.Ra8+ Ke7 34.Ra7+ Kd8 35.Rf7 Qxf1+
(35...Nf2+ 36.Kg1 Qh6! is not completely clear either) 36.Rxf1 Ne3 and
Black is no worse) 33...Nxf6 34.h3 Nxd5 35.exd5 Rd3 36.Ra5 Kf7 and
Black should draw this endgame without any significant effort.;
c) 31.Rc4! (5 points) 31...Rxc4 (forced; after 31...Rxf7 32.Bxf7+ Kxf7 (or if
32...Kh7!? 33.Rxc3 Qe5 34.g3 Qxc3 35.Bxh5 and White wins) 33.Rxc3 Qe5
34.Rf3+ Ke7 35.g3 and Black's counterplay has been repulsed) 32.Qxc4 (not
32.Rxf8+?! Kxf8 33.Qxc4 Qe5! 34.Qf1+ Ke7 35.Qg1 Qf4! when White has
nothing better than perpetual check) 32...Rxf7 33.Bxf7+ Kh7 (if 33...Kf8
34.Be6 Qe5 35.Qc8+ Ke7 36.Qd7+ Kf6 37.Qf7+ Kg5 38.Qf5+ Qxf5 39.exf5
and the passed a-pawn gives White close to a winning position) 34.Qf1! with
a clear advantage to White. (34.Qc8 is less strong because of 34...Nh6!
35.Bd5 Qd2 36.h3 Qe1+ 37.Kh2 Ng4+! 38.hxg4 Qh4+ with perpetual
check.) ;
]
31.Qf1!! [(10 points) This was obviously the plan.]
[Not 31.Rf1+?? Kh8 and Black wins.]
31...h5!? [A last try.]
[If 31...Rxf1+ 32.Rxf1+ Qxd5 33.Rxf8+ Kxf8 34.exd5 and White wins.]
32.Qxc1! [(5 points) The only winning move.]
[Not 32.Rxf8+? Kh7 with an unclear position.]
32...Qh4 33.Rxf8+ Kh7 34.h3 Qg3 35.hxg4 h4 36.Be6 [and Black
resigned.Maximum score: 35 points..(press F10 for the next exercise)]
+–
(303) exercise 100
[Jacob Aagaard]
[.Black to play and win..(press F10 for the solution)]
Line
(304) solution 100
[Jacob Aagaard]
[Scemama-Baudry, New Delhi 2000 (variation)..]
12...Nxf2! [(8 points) Immediate action is required.]
[If 12...Bb6? 13.d3 (threatening 14 Bg5) 13...h6 14.Qe1 and it is hard to see
that Black is getting better; while 12...Nh2? is fancy but bad: 13.Kxh2! (not
13.Nxc5? Bxh3! (or 13...Nhf3+ 14.gxf3 Qxh3 and wins) ) 13...Qxe4 14.d3
Qg6 15.f4 and White is even preferable here.]
13.Nxf2 [On 13.Rxf2 , simplest is 13...Qxe4! (2 points) and White loses
material. Candidates!]
13...Bxh3! [(4 points) This shot is absolutely necessary for the attack.]
[Black does not achieve anything special with 13...Qg3? 14.Kh1 Nxb3
(14...Bxh3 15.Nxh3! would obviously be wrong now; so with this bad move
order Black loses the option of bringing the bishop into the attack) 15.axb3
(also interesting is 15.Ne4!? Qg6 16.axb3 Qxe4 17.Nc3 Qh4 18.Qe1 Qh5
19.d4!? Bxd4 20.Nxb5 with unclear play) 15...Bxf2 16.Qe2 Bb6 17.Rf3 Qg5
18.Nc3 and White is not worse.]
14.Nxh3 [Not 14.gxh3? Qg3+ 15.Kh1 Nf3 and Black wins; while 14.Re1?!
is easily refuted by 14...Qg3! (14...Nxb3 15.Rxe5+ Kf8 16.Re3 Nxa1 should
also win) 15.Rxe5+ Qxe5 and Black wins.; White's strongest defence is
14.d6!? (6 points), contemplating Bb3–d5.Now we have: 14...--
a) 14...0–0–0 (with the idea of ...Rxd6) looks tempting, but White can
defend: 15.c3! (not 15.Bd5? Rxd6 16.Nxh3 Qg3 17.Kh1 Rh6 and Black wins)
15...Nxb3 (if 15...Bg4 16.Qxg4+ Qxg4 17.Nxg4 Nxb3+ 18.d4 Nxa1 19.dxc5
and White is probably better!) 16.axb3 Qg3 17.Qf3 Qxf3 18.gxf3 Bxf1
19.Kxf1 and the endgame is better for Black, but still enormously messy.;

b) 14...f5! (with the idea of ...Bg4) and then: 15.--

b1) 15.Bd5? Bg4! and Black wins.;

b2) 15.Re1!? Bg4! (if 15...0–0–0 16.Re3 Bg4 17.Qe1 with a mess; , or
15...cxd6 16.Re3 Nxb3 17.axb3 Bg4 18.Nxg4 Qxg4 19.Qxg4 fxg4 and Black
is better, but not enough to impress the referee) 16.Rxe5+ Kd7 17.Qe1 cxd6
18.Re3 f4 19.Re4 Rae8 and White cannot survive against the entire black
army.;

b3) 15.Nxh3! (the only move) 15...Nxb3+ 16.Kh1 Nxa1 (5 points). This
position should not be deeply analysed, but simply evaluated, as there are
more complicated and important lines to calculate elsewhere. The position is
not 100% clear, but I can still analyse further of course: 17.dxc7 0–0!
(17...Qg4!? 18.b4! Qxd1 19.Rxd1 Bd6 20.Bb2 Nxc2 21.Rc1 Kd7 22.Rxc2
Rhc8 is a very good endgame for Black, though not enough to satisfy me
completely) 18.b3 and then one idea is 18...e4 19.Bb2 f4 20.Qe1! (if 20.Bxa1
f3! and the white king is in trouble) 20...Qxe1 21.Rxe1 Nxc2 22.Rc1 Rac8
23.Rxc2 Rxc7 24.Be5 Rcc8 25.Bxf4 g5! and Black ends the exchange up.; ;

14...Nxb3+ 15.Kh1 Nxa1 [(5 points) and Black is winning.As said before, a
position such as this cannot be analysed to a conclusion since White no
longer has any forcing options. Rather you should make the evaluation that
Black has a sea of pawns and a rook vs. two knights (maybe just one knight
if the one on a1 escapes). Looking at the position in this way Black is
obviously winning.Maximum score: 35 points..And that's it.]

–+