Many games show a struggle for the centre.

Centre play consists of building a strong centre, putting pressure on the strategic
squares of the opponent. Often this pressure is aimed at <24>.
In the diagram the attack at <24> is possible with help of the so called power block.
In several games of pupils of mine the power block was used with success to blow up
the opponents position! Sometimes position were reached in games that were
exactly the same positions as the practiced positions at the training. This means you
can profit a lot from studying key positions.
In this section we discuss:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Centre play (general)

The power block
The strong piece at <21>
The left wing attack
The piece at <17>
Cannon play

Usually laying 27 21 is a weak move, but well learn that sometimes the piece at
<21> - especially if put in between black pieces at 26 and 17 - can be very strong.
Attacking at the left wing is another strategy when having a strong centre.
The attack sometimes is continued via <17> which can get quite exciting.
Cannon play is very popular at modern times and is the start of several strategies.
Therefore we discuss the canon play in detail.
After having studied this section you will have insight in the strategies connected with
centre play. Games of grandmasters will give you a hint at how to perform these
plans in your own games.

S2. Centre play

81

1.Centre play
Centre play is aimed at taking strategic
squares under control.

K. Thijssen - H. Borgman
Dutch club competition 2008
1.33 29 19 24 2.39 33 14 19
3.44 39 20 25 4.29 x 20 25 x 14
5.50 44 15 20 6.32 28 10 15
7.37 32 17 22 8.28 x 17 12 x 21
9.41 37 21 26

White takes centre square 28 and builds a

central pyramid. Dirod goes to + 4.
22.32 28! 23 x 32 23.37 x 28 7 12
24.41 37 5 10 25.38 32 13 18
26.43 38 14 19

The DiroD is 0. Black changed back (losing 2

temps) and changed forwards 17 22 x 21
(gaining 2 temps).
27.34 29!

10.35 30!
In the game of a grandmaster against a
weaker player the former wants to complicate
matters, but black refuses to play the most
principal move, 20 25. Black likes to keep
things simple, but white gets rid of a inactive
piece at <35> now.

White takes the other centre square 29.

Although black takes square 24 under control
white has the opportunity to build strong
formations to chase black away from 24 again.
27 19 24 28.29 x 20 15 x 24
29.40 34 9 13 30.49 44 13 19
31.36 31 8 13 32.31 27 18 23
33.48 43 10 14 34.44 40 4 9

10 7 12 11.30 25 11 17
12.34 29!
Without a piece at <35> the chance of a
successful attack at piece 24 after 20 24 x 24
will grow.
12 17 21 13.39 34 21 27
14.31 x 22 18 x 27 15.32 x 21 26 x 17
Black wants to change a lot of pieces. It costs
him 4 temps. White is taking 31 x 22 18 x 27
because exchanging piece 18 weakens blacks
centre a bit.
16.37 32 1 7 17.44 39 19 23
18.29 x 18 12 x 23 19.46 41 14 19
20.25 x 14 19 x 10 21.42 37 10 14

White took square 27 and built strong

formations in the centre and at his right wing.
The 34 / 40 / 45 tail is ready to remove the
opponents piece 24.

S2. Centre play

81

35.34 29! 23 x 34 36.40 x 20 14 x 25

37.39 34
Tactics refrain white from playing 33 29? as it
is punished by a coup Philippe.
37 2 8 38.45 40 19 24
History repeats itself. Black takes 24 again and
is chased away by white once more.
46 22 28 47.33 x 22 16 21
48.27 x 16 18 x 36 49.32 28
White has much more space to play now. He is
only three temps ahead but piece 36 rated 7
temps is isolated from the rest of blacks
pieces.
49 12 18 50.35 30 3 8
51.30 25 8 12
39.40 35!
White prepares the 34 29 move. An
immediate 39.34 29 could have been
answered by 24 30 and white cant attack
piece 30 by 40 35 because 12 18 17 22
18 23 13 x 42 follows.
39 13 18 40.34 29 9 13?
A severe mistake. Black should have changed
40 17 22 preventing white from taking
control over square 24.

52.24 20
White could also have tried 52.38 32 and
black has to defend very precisely.

41.29 x 20 25 x 14

52... 6 11 53.20 x 9 13 x 4
54.16 x 7 12 x 1 55.25 20 4 9?
Badly defended. After 55 4 10! black keeps
control over square 15 which is essential here:
55 4 10! 56.38 33 1 7 57.33 29 7
11! and attacking 28 23 can be answered by
10 15 23 x 12 15 x 33 now.
After 55 4 10 56.38 32 1 7 57.32 27
7 11 58.27 21 11 16 there are two
variations:
42.28 23! 18 x 29 43.33 x 24
White reaches his goal. He now controls <24>.
His lead in development is + 5, which is fine in
an attacking position.

1) 59.20 15 16 x 27 60.15 x 4 and both 27

31 and 36 41 lead to a draw.
2) 59.21 17 18 22 60.28 23 22 x 11 61.23
19 21 27 62.20 15 and again a split:

43 13 18 44.38 33 17 22
45.37 31 8 13 46.43 38

S2. Centre play

82

2.1) 62 27 32? 63.4 15 32 37 64.19

14 37 42 65.47 x 38 36 41 66.14 10 etc.
W+
2.2) 62 11 17! 63.4 x 31 36 x 27 64.19
14 27 32 65.47 42 17 22 66.14 10 22
28 67.10 5 28 33 68.5 x 41 33 39 and
black escapes.
56.38 33 1 7 57.33 29 7 11
58.28 23 18 22 59.23 19 22 27
60.19 14 9 13 61.14 10 27 32
62.10 4 36 41 63. 4 x 6 41 46
64. 6 17!

White has developed his left wing perfectly

already. Pieces 46 en 41 have been
centralized.
10 17 22 11.28 x 17 12 x 21
12.44 39 2 7 13.50 44 7 12
14.33 28 18 23 15.38 33 10 15
16.42 38 5 10 17.47 42 1 7

Putting pressure on <24> is the

beginning of a successful centre play.

Black surrendered because white will become

dominant after 64 32 38 65.17 21 or
64 32 37 65.17 26. After 64 46 37
65.17 26! blacks king will be captured at the
next move.

White built a compact position with a lot of

formations. Whites position doesnt contain
any weaknesses. Black also tries to keep
controlling squares 23 and 24. The next phase
of the game shows a fight for control over
square 23 and especially square 24.

I. Kuperman E. Aman
World championship 1994
1.32 28 18 23 2.33 29 23 x 32
3.37 x 28 20 24 4.29 x 20 15 x 24
5.41 37 12 18 6.39 33 7 12
7.37 32 17 21 8.46 41 21 26
9.31 27

18.34 29! 23 x 34 19.40 x 20 15 x 24

20.39 34 12 18 21.43 39 7 11
22.49 43 8 12 23.44 40 18 23

A well known opening trick is 9 26 31?

10.27 22! 18 x 27 11.32 x 21 16 x 27 12.33
29 24 x 22 13.38 32 27 x 38 14.36 x 16 W+1.

At 23 10 15 white could play the interesting

Ghestem-lock 24.28 22!
After 23 12 17 24.37 31 26 x 37 25.42 x
31 black cant play 21 26 (27 21!) and
therefore is locked by 31 26. Such a lock is
usually hard to play, although in this case black
could have allowed it.

9 11 17 10.41 37

S2. Centre play

83

24.34 29 23 x 34 25.40 x 20 14 x 25
26.45 40 10 14 27.40 34 14 20
Still all whites pieces are working together.
White takes square 29 pushing back black.
28.34 29 20 24 29.29 x 20 25 x 14
30.39 34 14 20 31.43 39 3 8
32.34 29 9 14

39.33 29!!
Very well played! White uses tactics to perform
his plan. Black cant play either 39 26 31?
40.37 x 17 11 x 24 41.34 29! 19 x 37 42.29 x
7 W+ nor 39 25 30 40.34 x 25 26 31
41.37 x 17 11 x 24 42.25 20! 19 x 37 43.20 x
7 W+.
If black changes back 14 19 x 9 white takes
square 24 by playing 29 24.

Black could have chosen 20 24 29 x 20 19

23 28 x 19 13 x 15 39 34 and the position is
still defendable.
33.39 34 20 25

39 13 18 40.27 22! 18 x 27
41.37 31 26 x 37 42.42 x 22 11 17
43.22 x 11 16 x 7 44.38 33 21 26
45.48 43 6 11 46.43 39

Black didnt lose control over 24 entirely. White

cant go there. Instead, he chooses to attack
through the centre.

White transported his golden piece to square

39, threatening 29 24 19 x 30 23 18 12 x
23 28 x 10 +. Black is driven back again.

34.29 23! 4 10 35.35 30 10 15

36.34 29 25 x 34 37.29 x 40 15 20
38.40 34 20 25

46 14 20 47.23 x 14 20 x 9
48.28 23 11 16 49.29 24

38 20 24 is answered by 39.34 29! 24

30 40.29 24 30 35 41.23 18! 13 x 31
42.24 x 2 W+.

It took a while, but after a hard struggle white

finally has occupied square 24

S2. Centre play

49 16 21 50.34 29

84

At 32 4 9 white strengthens his centre:

33.33 28! 8 12 34.30 24 19 x 30 35.35 x
24 2 8!
Black wants to be able to change a piece at
23.
36.28 23 12 18! 37.23 x 12 8 x 17 38.32
28 14 19 39.40 35 19 x 30 40.35 x 24 9
14 41.28 23!
White is just in time to guard his outpost.
41 13 18 42.23 x 12 17 x 8 43.24 19 14 x
23 44.29 x 18 with a big advantage for white.
50 7 11?
Black should have activated his 8 / 12 / 17 tail
By playing 50 21 27! 51.32 x 21 26 x 17
being able to change a piece at <19>.

If black plays 32 3 9 white should prepare

going to 24 by playing 33.32 28! because
33.33 28? is punished by 19 24 30 x 10 9
14 10 x 19 13 x 44 B+.
33.30 24! 19 x 30
34.35 x 24 21 26

51.23 19!

34. 14 19? wasnt possible because of

35.29 23! 20 x 27 36.23 x 5 W+.

Black cant stop a breakthrough now

51 25 30 52.24 x 35 11 16
53.29 24 21 27 54.32 x 21 16 x 27
55.24 20 27 32 56.19 14 32 37
57.14 x 3 37 42 58.20 14 8 13
59. 3 x 17 13 18 60.17 3 18 22
61.14 10 42 47 62.10 4 47 x 29
63. 4 x 27 26 31 64.27 32

35.32 28!

Black surrendered.

Black cant still attack the outpost: 35 14

19? 36.29 23! 20 x 18 37.28 22 18 x 27
38.37 32 27 x 29 39.34 x 5 and white has a
good endgame.
35 13 19
36.24 x 13 8 x 19
I. Koeperman P. Chmiel
White has a good centre position with a lead in
development of +4. His goal is to conquer
square 24, launching a right wing attack. White
cant change to 24 immediately because the
outpost is attacked and gets lost. So white
prepares the 30 24 x 24 exchange.
32.45 40! 4 10?

Blacks dangling piece at 10 looks terrible.

Black doesnt have any active formation.
Whites advantage is enormous.
37.43 38 3 9
38.29 23!
White doesnt allow black to play 20 24 x 24
and attacks. Now his goal is to get a new
outpost at 22.

If black plays 4 9 white shouldnt go to 24

yet: 32 4 9 33.30 24? 19 x 30 34.35 x 24
14 19! 35.40 35 19 x 30 36.35 x 24 9 14
and back conquers the outpost.

S2. Centre play

38 2 8
39.36 31 20 24
40.31 27 9 13
41.27 22 16 21

85

42.23 18 15 20
43.18 x 9 14 x 3
44.22 18!
White surrendered already. The end of the
game could have been: 44.. 8 13 45.18 x 9 3
x 14 46.40 35 10 15
At 21 27 white doesnt play 28 23 but takes
a coup Weiss to 4.
47.34 29 21 27 48.39 34 27 31 49.29
23 31 x 42 50.38 x 47 26 31 51.34 29
31 37 52.49 44 25 30 53.44 39 +.

We will scrutinize the most logical move after

37.43 39: 2 7.
Since base piece 2 has been played white can
change back preparing the 28 23! move.
With no piece at 2 anymore black cant attack
piece 23 by 13 19.
38.37 31! 26 x 37 39.32 x 41 12 17
39 7 11 40.28 23 results in the same
position.
39 13 19 40.28 23 19 x 28 41.33 x 11 24
x 42 42.41 37! 42 x 22 43.11 6 leads to a
bad endgame for black.
40.28 23! 7 12 41.41 36

K. Thijssen R. Zodroviak
White has a centre position with active
formations. He occupies both central squares
28 and 29 and also strategic square 27.
Blacks position is clearly much weaker. He
holds a semi-fork but with pieces 10 / 14 this is
rarely good. Black also misses a piece at <9>,
making the position more vulnerable. Black
has little space. He can only play piece 2, if we
eliminate the awful 13 19 move.
White has a difficult choice to make. Not
possible is 28 23 because of 13 19! (32
28 16 21 27 x 16 18 22 etc.) B+.
Changing 37 31 x 41 gives black extra
space, so white should play 34 30 or 43 39.

Black is lost:
1) 41 17 21 42.27 22 18 x 27 43.23 19
14 x 23 44.29 x 7 W+
2) 41 17 22 42.34 30 22 x 31 43.30 x 19
13 x 24 44.36 x 27 8 13 45.38 32 13 19
46.32 28 W+
3) 41 13 19 42.34 30! 19 x 28 43.33 x 2
24 x 42 44.30 25
Black cant go to king now.
12 18 45. 2 8! And white will win quickly.
In the game black didnt take profit from whites
tactical mistake.
37 2 7?
38.30 x 19 14 x 34
39.40 x 29 20 24
40.29 x 20 15 x 24
41.43 39

37.34 30?
In his calculation the Dutch grandmaster must
have missed the 37 14 19! 38.30 25? 26
31!! kingshot for black. Strong defender 38 is
removed in this combination!
Because 37 14 19 38.37 31* gives white
nothing, he should have considered (in the
diagram!) 37.43 39!
The answer 37 13 19 gives black a weak
position with a lack of formations at his right
wing. White takes advantage by playing 38.28
22 8 13 39.34 30 for example 12 17
40.22 x 11 16 x 7 41.27 22! 18 x 27 42.32 x
21 26 x 17 43.29 23 19 x 28 44.30 x 8 2 x 13
45.29 23 19 x 28 46.33 x 2 W+.

Black cant play 13 19 now because of 35

30 24 x 35 28 23 W+.
Blacks best defence is 41 10 14! 42.39
34 14 19 43.34 29 7 11 44.29 x 20 19
23 45.28 x 19 13 x 15.

S2. Centre play

41 7 11? 42.45 40

86

1) 4.34 29 23 x 34 5.39 x 30 The Chizhov

exchange
2) 5.35 30 The Roozenburg variation
3) 5.32 28 23 x 32 6.37 x 28 Groninger
variation (see section 2 of the third course)
5 17 22! 6.28 x 17 11 x 22

This time 42 13 19 is punished by 43.28

22! 18 23 (8 13 27 21! +) 44.22 18! W+.
Defending 10 14 43.40 34 14 19 doesnt
work now. 44.34 29 11 17 45.29 x 20 19
23 46.28 x 19 13 x 15 gives white the 37 31
kingshot.
After 42 11 17 43.40 34 black has two
possibilities:

Black played the most active move.

5 17 21 6.31 27 would have given white
an easy classical game (7 5 10 fails due to
the arch shot as we learned in part I of this
course).
7.31 27 22 x 31 8.36 x 27 5 10
White takes square 27. Black is building a
compact position with formations aimed at
square 27.
9.39 33 10 14 10.33 28 6 11
11.44 39 11 17 12.39 33 1 6
13.46 41 7 11 14.41 36 2 7

1) 43 17 22 44.28 x 17 12 x 21 45.34 29!

10 15 46.29 x 20 15 x 24 47.39 34 18 23*
48.27 22! 13 19 (8 12 22 17! +) 49.22
18! 23 x 12 50.34 29 with a winning
breakthrough for white.
2) 43 17 21`44.34 30 and black has
similar problems to the game.
As what black plays loses too 41 7 11
turns out to be the decisive mistake.
42 10 15
43.40 34 11 17
44.34 30!
White is aiming his arrows at strong defender
piece 13! 44 17 22 45.28 x 17 12 x 21
46.30 x 19 13 x 24 is followed by 47.37 31!
26 x 28 48.33 x 2 21 x 34 49.2 x 43 +.
44 17 21
45.30 x 19 13 x 24
46.27 22 18 x 27
47.28 22 27 x 18
48.37 31 26 x 28
49.33 x 2

White cant play 15.50 44? due to 17 22 28

x 17 11 x 31 36 x 27 23 29! B+.
Whites most natural move is 15.49 44.
15.34 30 17 22 16.28 x 17 11 x 31
17.36 x 27 20 25! 18.40 34 7 11
19.34 29 25 x 34 20.29 x 40 12 17
While white changes back to break the right
wing lock black continues to build a formation
against 27.
21.47 41 17 22 22.41 36 22 x 31
23.36 x 27

White performed a coup Weiss and won the

game.
M. van Gelderen A. Gantwarg
1.32 28 19 23 2.28 x 19 14 x 23
3.37 32 10 14 4.41 37 14 19
5.33 28

It is better to take 37 x 26, keeping a piece at

36 which gives control over 27.
23 8 12 24.49 44 12 17
25.44 39 15 20 26.50 44 3 8
27.40 34

This is a frequently played opening. White has

more active options like:

S2. Centre play

87

Piece 27 is attacked again.

27 17 22! 28.34 29
Its better to play 37 31 first and then 34 29
x 30.

Whites position is a mess. 41.31 26 is

punished by 22 27 42.32 x 12 23 x 41 43.12
x 23 19 x 48 30 x 8 44.48 x 2 +.
41.33 29 24 x 33 42.28 x 39 can be met by
23 29 +.
41.43 39
43.33 x 24
45.49 43
47.30 25
49.26 21

28 23 x 34 29.39 x 30 22 x 31
30.37 x 26 16 21! 31.26 x 17 11 x 22
Taking centre square 22. Playing 32.32 28
22 27 33.30 24 20 x 29 34.33 x 24 19 x 30
35.35 x 24 is dangerous because of whites
weakened left wing.

10 15 42.31 26 24 29!
22 x 44 44.40 x 49 14 20
20 x 40 46.35 x 44 15 20
23 28! 48.25 x 21 16 x 40
40 44 50.21 17 28 32
51.37 x 28 44 50

Exercise 1.1 1.4 What would you play in the

next four positions? White is to play.

32.44 39 8 12
33.42 37 6 11 34.32 28 12 17

1.1
White played 32 28 taking centre square 28
at last. Black provoked this scenario. Whites
centre is not so strong and black can surround
it.
35.48 42 20 24 36.45 40 4 10
37.37 31 11 16 38.42 37?
Weakening square 42 40 34 gave a better
defence.
38 18 23! 39.38 32 13 18

1.2

White is chain-locked.
40.39 34 9 13

S2. Centre play

88

11111
The same position emerged in the game Tj.
Goedemoed H. Dijkstra 1997 in which 27 8
12 was played. 28.34 29 23 x 34 29.40 x
20 15 x 24 30.27 22 18 x 27 31.37 31! 26 x
37 32.42 x 22 then gave white a huge
advantage (12 18 is met by 28 23 W+).
28.34 29 23 x 34
29.40 x 20 15 x 24
30.27 22 18 x 27
31.45 40

1.3

An important idea to remember when playing

with the power block. White sacrifices 27 22
in order to be able to attack piece 24 again. Of
course black cant play 13 18.
31 27 31
32.36 x 27 13 18
33.28 23! 19 x 39
34.30 x 10 18 22
35.27 x 18 9 13
36.18 x 9 3 x 5
37.40 34 39 x 30
38.35 x 24

1.4

2.The power block

The power block consists of pieces 25 / 30

/ 34 / 35 / 40 / 45. With the power block
you can put pressure on <24>.
A strong attack for white at the right wing
remains.
Black
cant
stop
a
future
breakthrough.
38 8 13
39.25 20 21 27
40.32 x 21 16 x 27
41.38 33
Neutralizing the 27 31 attempt to break
through.

A. Chizhov A. Berot
Black to move
White has built the power block putting
pressure on piece 24.
27 6 11

S2. Centre play

41 11 17
42.20 14 2 8
43.42 38 17 21
44.48 43 27 31
45.24 19 31 x 42
46.38 x 47 13 x 24
47.14 - 9 8 13
48. 9 x 18 26 31
49.18 12 31 37

89

50.12 7 24 30
51.43 39 5 10
52. 7 2
White won after 52 30 35 53.39 34 10
14 54.34 30 35 x 24 55. 2 x 30 21 26
56.30 48 W+.

40 12 17
41.35 30 16 21
42.45 40 6 11
43.40 35 21 26
44.30 24 17 21
45.13 36 28 37
White is building a catching construction for the
black king.

T. Goedemoed W. Winsemius

46.25 20 11 16
47.20 15 3 8
48.48 43 8 12
49.43 38

This position (2003) was also reached in

Goedemoed Klein 1997. The opened <2>
gives white the possibility to blow up the
position. Huisman had already shown this
winning plan against Navarro during the world
championships in 1956.

Black resigned.

29.34 29 23 x 34
30.40 x 20 15 x 24
31.28 23 19 x 39
32.30 x 10
Black cant play 39 44 because of 37 31!
26 x 28 10 5 21 x 43 5 x 40 W+.
32 9 14
33.10 x 19 13 x 24
34.37 31 26 x 28
35.38 33 21 x 32
36.33 x 2 39 44
37. 2 x 30 44 50

B. Zwart G. Jansen
22.47 42? 14 20!

White cant play 30 19? 27 32 B+. Black

gets the main diagonal in possession, but
white can build a catching construction,
chasing blacks king away.

Before building the power block black activates

the 15 / 20 / 24 tail aimed at <29>.

38.42 37 32 x 41
39.36 x 47 50 28
40.30 13!

23.30 25 9 14
24.40 34 12 17

Blacks pieces cant get active since white

possesses the 4 / 36 diagonal.

S2. Centre play

90

23 17 22
24.28 x 17 11 x 31
25.36 x 27 24 29
26.33 x 24 19 x 30

In spite of the inactive piece at 5 black has a

great position because of the overwhelming
pressure at <27>. 25.34 29 23 x 34 26.39 x
30 is answered by 17 22 28 x 17 11 x 31 36
x 27 24 29 33 x 24 20 x 29 45 40 6 11 43
39 11 17 and only the poor 27 22 18 x 27
39 33 remains for white.
25.34 30
26.28 x 17
27.36 x 27
28.33 x 24

The problem for white is that 27.38 33 23

28 28.32 x 12 21 x 41 results in a bad
endgame for white. Piece 5 is suddenly active
in constructions catching the king!
The best move for white is 29.42 37 41 x 32
30.12 7 30 35! and white cant go to king
and white cant go to king.
In the game white played 27.34 29? 23 x 34
28.40 x 29 30 35 29.38 33 and after 18
23 30.29 x 18 13 x 31 black won a piece and
the game.

17 22
11 x 31
24 29
20 x 29

After 29.39 33 black sacrifices the piece

attacking <27> by 6 11 17.
29.39 34 29 x 40
30.45 x 34 6 11
G. Salom M. Coenegracht
31.38 33 is met by 23 28 32 x 12 21 x 41,
so piece 27 is lost. White resigned.
Knowing blacks plan it isnt hard to understand
why white had to play 22.48 42! His left wing
is protected against an attack. Black has to
play 12 17 and 17 22 at some moment
after which whites left wing is developed and
he reaches a good classical position.

28.42 38
With this move white weakens his left flank.
White could also have played 43 38.
In the game black will put pressure on whites
left wing by building the power block. But white
still has enough defence left.
28 12 17
29.47 42 8 12
30.41 36 21 26
31.49 44 17 21
White should have played 32.44 39 12 17
1) 33.28 22? 17 x 28 34.33 x 22 23 29!
35.39 33 18 23 36.33 28 3 8 and the
necessary 37.43 39 is met by a coup
Philippe 11 17 22 x 11 16 x 7 27 x 16 7 11
16 x 7 8 12 7 x 18 13 x 44 B+.

T. van Adrichem T. Goedemoed

The black-player studied the plan of G. Jansen
with the power block the day before this game
was played. 17 22 28 x 17 11 x 31 36 x 26 6
11 33 28 will not yield any positive result.
So black has to eliminate piece 33 first.

2) 33.39 34? 17 22 34.28 x 17 11 x 31

35.36 x 27 23 28! 36.32 x 12 21 x 41 37.42
37 41 x 32 38.38 x 27 14 20 39.25 x 23 13
18 40.30 x 19 18 x 49 with a bad endgame for
white.

S2. Centre play

91

3) 33.27 22! 18 x 27 34.37 31 26 x 37

35.42 x 22 and now 21 26 can be strongly
met by 36.22 18! 13 x 22
36 23 x 12 37.28 23 19 x 37 38.30 x 10
gives white a better endgame.
37.36 31 26 x 37 38.32 x 41 23 x 32 39.38 x
18 with serious advantage for white.
32.43 39? 12 17
33.48 43
V. Kolesnik A. Gantwarg
Black has a huge weakness: the dangling
piece at 9. White proved that the power block
isnt dangerous at all in this situation.
36.27 22 18 x 27
37.37 31 26 x 37
38.42 x 22 21 26
39.48 42!
33 17 22
34.28 x 17 11 x 31
35.36 x 27 23 29!

Black has no good response at the 22 18

threat. 39 24 29 40.42 37 17 21 41.40
34 29 x 40 42.45 x 34 and black has no good
move left (check this yourself!).

Threatening to go to <34>, so whites reply is

forced.

39 17 21
40.22 18 13 x 33
41.38 x 20

36.44 40 18 22
36 6 11 37.33 28 18 23 had also been
a very strong reaction.
37.27 x 18 13 x 22
38.32 28
Only playing 38.25 20 14 x 45 39.35 30 24
x 35 40.33 x 4 45 50 41.4 x 36 50 x 11 42.38
33 11 x 48 43.42 38 48 x 31 44.36 x 18
white could keep on fighting.

Black cant play 21 27 x 27 now because of

36 31! +.
White won after 41 23 28 42.32 x 23 19 x
28 43.20 15 21 27 44.25 20 14 x 25
45.15 10 11 17 46.35 30 25 x 34 47.40 x
29 17 22 48.29 24 28 33 49.24 19 6
11 50.10 5 22 28 51.42 38 33 x 42 52.19
14 9 x 20 53.5 x 48 and black resigned.

38 21 27
39.28 x 17 26 31
40.37 x 26 27 32
41.38 x 27 29 x 47
And black won.

W. Wesselink B. Derkx
It looks like white can force a win.
37.34 29 23 x 34
38.40 x 20 15 x 24

S2. Centre play

92

39.28 23 19 x 39
40.30 x 17 21 x 12
41.45 40 18 23
42.35 30!

A. van Berkel W. Wesselink

Ex 2.4 How did white play to neutralize the
power block?
Threatening 40 34 39 44 34 29 23 x 34
30 x 50 +. Black didnt find the possible
defence and lost.
Ex 2.1 What should black have played?

Ex 2.5 Can black take a winning king shot after

41 36?

Ex 2.2 White forces a nice shot!

R. van der Pal H. Vermeulen

A. Chizhov E. Skliarow

Ex 2.6 White performed a king shot!

Ex 2.3 White can perform a very strong plan

putting pressure on blacks left wing. Can you
find the plan?

S2. Centre play

93

3.The strong piece at <21>

Usually it is not advisable to go to 21 if you
have a piece at 27.

43.28 23 18 x 29 44.33 x 15 9 14 45.38

33 13 18 46.33 28 and black is frozen out.
You can see that the pieces at <21> & <27>
keep three black pieces busy.

Black has a huge weakness at <13>.

27 21? 16 x 27 32 x 21 has two
disadvantages:
-

White loses control over <27>

Black gains more control over the centre.

Ex 3.1 How can white exploit the weakness

forcing a win? Give the first three moves.

J. v.d. Borst P. Tuik

35.27 21 16 x 27
36.32 x 21 18 22

S. Huitema H. Clasquin
White has a strong centre, but also a
weakness at 36. Allowing black to play 17 22
28 x 17 12 x 21 leaves piece 36 inactive.
Whites next move, putting a piece on <21>,
gives piece 36 space to play again. Moreover,
piece 21 is annoying for black, both for
positional and tactical reasons.

369 14 37.40 35
White cant take the 28 22 37 31 33 x 2
kingshot because the king is caught by 13 19
losing a piece.
37 14 19 is met by the shot 28 22 18 x
16 37 31 38 32 33 x 2 W+.
Now white points his arrows at <12>.

37.27 21 16 x 27
38.32 x 21 8 13
The best defence is 38 14 19 39.34 29 9
13 40.29 x 20 19 23 41.28 x 19 13 x 15.
39.48 43 13 19
39 18 22 fails due to 37 31 26 x 37 43
39 17 x 26 28 x 10 W+.
39 6 11 40.36 31 11 16? 41.31 27 is
also losing: 41 14 20 42.34 30 24 x 35

37.28 23 13 18
38.36 31 18 x 29
39.34 x 23 7 11
Black comes up with the best defence. 39 9
14 loses after 40.40 34! 7 11
At 14 20 34 29! is played with the lethal
threat of 23 18 W+.
41.23 18!! 22 x 13 42.21 26 13 18 43.16
x 7 12 x 1 44.37 32 26 x 28 45.33 x 2 W+.

S2. Centre play

94

40.21 16 22 27
41.16 x 18 27 x 36

44.20 x 9 13 x 4 45.33 29 black is frozen out

completely.

42.18 12 8 13 43.12 x 21 26 x 17 44.33

28 17 21 45.38 33 21 26 46.23 18 13 x
22 47.28 x 17 26 31 48.37 x 26 36 41
49.17 11 41 46 50.11 7 46 32 51.40
35 32 x 49 52.7 1 49 32?
Black could have forced a draw playing 52
24 30 53.35 x 24 49 35 etc.
White could have won playing 53.33 29! 24 x
44 54.35 30 25 x 34 55.1 x 4 W+.

39 17 22
40.28 x 17 8 13
41.17 x 8 3 x 12
42.30 24 19 x 30
43.35 x 24 26 x 17
44.34 29
White takes control over <24> and <27>. 44
17 22 is met by 45.29 23! W+.
44. 6 11
45.39 34 17 22
46.37 31 11 17
47.42 37!

N. Mitsjanski A. Chizhov
34.27 22 18 x 27
35.32 x 21 23 x 32
36.38 x 27 11 16
Black has forced moves and will be frozen out.
The lock isnt economic at all. Five pieces are
locking only pieces 21 & 27
37.39 33 20 25
38.43 39 13 18?

47 22 28
48.31 26 17 22
49.37 31 12 17
50.41 36

Black should have taken the centre playing

38 19 23 39.33 29 13 18 40.39 33 8
13 41.33 28 23 x 32 42.37 x 28 26 31
43.27 x 36 16 x 27 =.

White won after 50 13 19 51.24 x 13 18 x 9

52.27 x 18 16 21 53.29 24 28 33 54.24
19 33 38 55.19 13 9 14 56.13 8 38 42
57.34 30! 25 x 34 58.8 3 W+.

39.33 28!

Blacks space to play is reduced seriously,

while white has taken control over <24>.
After 39 8 13 40.30 24 19 x 30 41.35 x
24 3 9 42.39 33 9 14 43.24 20! 6 11

A. Chizhov A. Shwarzman
In this position, we again see some pressure
on <24>. However, it is not entirely clear how
white should profit. Chizhov however shows us

S2. Centre play

95

what he is made of, and calculates that

conquering <21> gives him the best prospects.
24.31 27! 11 16*
A forced move: at 24... 1 7? white manages
to make a quick win: 25.27 21!! 18 23
(what else?) 26.32 28! 23 x 32 27.37 x 28
and the threat 28 23 cant be met.
25.27 21!!
Chizhov causes big trouble for the current
World Champion with this move, which is
considered as passive in millions of other
situations. However, here the circumstances
are perfect: black has little space left due to all
kinds of tactics.

While Schwarzman seems to have managed to

get hold of a strong position when we analyze
it at surface level, big trouble is lurking
underneath. Again, his next move is forced due
to the 37 32 threat. The reply 28... 7 11
would be answered by 29.21 16 and 29... 13
18 then of course is no relief.

25... 16 x 27
26.32 x 21 1 7?

28... 6 11
29.41 36 23 29!

This already is the losing move. Black could

still have fled via 26... 6 11 27.33 28! 24
29 (clearly the best move, as the following
three variations show:
1) 27... 11 16? 28.43 39 16 x 27 29.37 31
26x37 30.42 x 11 18 23 31.38 33 23 x 32
32.41 37 32 x 41 33.46 x 37 and white is
obviously better.
2) 27... 18 23?? 28.21 16! 23 x 32 29.16 x
18 13 x 22 30.38 x 18 W+.
3) 27... 1 6?? 28.21 16! and black has
zugzwang: he must make a move, but each
one would worsen his position.)
28.28 23 19 x 28 29.37 31 26 x 37 30.41 x
34 17 x 26 and black awaits a long defence of
his severely weakened left wing.
26... 18 23 would not really improve the
situation, since after 27.33 28! 23 x 32 28.37
x 28 black is forced to play to the graveyard,
since 28... 13 18 fails due to 36 31!, 41 x
32 and 28 23 with a breakthrough.

The best defence, because after 29... 14 20?

30.25 x 14 9 x 20 31.30 25!! black is again in
zugzwang, check this for yourself!
30.33 28! 29 34
31.39 33! 13 18
It looks like black can save his piece by playing
31... 34 40 32.35 x 44 24 x 35, but then he is
frozen out magnificently: 33.33 29! 13 18
34.38 33 8 13 (at 18 22 always 29 23!)
35.42 38 3 8 36.48 43 and black has no
sensible moves left!
32.30 x 39 18 23
33.38 32
And Chizhov was able to win this brilliant
game, albeit with some complications later on,
because black does have some compensation
for his lost piece.
(The Chizhov Schwarzman game was
covered by Martijn van der Klis.)

27.43 39 18 23
The alternation 27... 6 11? is met by a nice
kingshot: 28.39 34! 18 23 (what else?)
29.33 29! 24 x 33 30.38 x 18 13 x 22 31.30
24 19 x 39 32.48 43 39 x 48 33.42 38 48 x
31 34.36 x 18 12 x 23 35.21 x 1 W+
28.36 31!!

S2. Centre play

96

4.The left wing attack

Black, a gifted and well-known composer, was

hoping for 38.31 27? 18 23! Now:
A. Chizhov V. Swizinski
White built a strong centre position containing
lots of formations. He built his right wing
playing the central 45 40 instead of 44 40.
This means he cant use the Olympic formation
anymore to push 24 away. White wants to get
more space at the left wing. Thats why he
changes to <21>.
26.27 21
27.32 x 21
28.21 16
29.16 x 7
30.37 32
31.31 27

16 x 27
10 15
24 30
12 x 1
2 7
30 35

1) 39.38 32? 23 29 40.34 x 14 13 19

41.14 x 23 12 17 42.21 x 12 7 x 40 B+
2) 39.27 22? 23 x 32 40.38 x 27 24 29
41.34 x 14 13 18 42.22 x 13 35 40 43.44 x
35 25 30 44.35 x 24 12 17 45.21 x 12 7 x
47 B+
3) 39.28 22 24 29 40.33 x 24 19 x 30 with
advantage for black.
White however launches an attack at <17>.
38.21 17 12 x 21
39.26 x 17 18 23?
A more modest reply like 7 12 17 x 8 3 x 12
was needed.
40.34 30! 23 x 32
41.38 x 27 25 x 34
42.39 x 30
The trapped piece 30 (in between 24 and 35)
implies tactical merits like 42 13 18? 43.33
29 24 x 33 44.17 12 35 x 24 45.12 x 14 W+
or 42 3 9 43.31 26 9 14? 44.33 29 24
x 33 45.43 38 35 x 24 46.38 x 18 W+.

White will attack again at blacks right wing.

32.27 22 18 x 27
33.32 x 21 20 24
34.36 31 8 12
One would expect black to play 24 30 with an
arrow-lock. White has great compensation
having control over the centre. Piece 15 is not
active in the lock. With his next move white
eliminates the possibility to be locked.
35.34 29 13 18
36.29 x 20 15 x 24
37.40 34 9 13

After black eliminates piece <17> white again

attacks at the left wing.

S2. Centre play

97

42 7 12
43.17 x 8 13 x 2
44.27 22 1 7
45.31 27 6 11
46.33 29 24 x 33
47.43 38 35 x 24
48.38 x 20 3 9
49.27 21

2) 39 18 23 is followed by a breakthrough
(check that yourself!)
3) 39 12 17 40.32 27 8 12 is punished
by 41.28 23! 19 x 28* 42.33 x 22 17 x 28
43.34 30 25 x 34 44.39 x 6 W+.
4) After 39 9 14 40.34 30! 25 x 34 41.40
x 29 black is frozen out.
39.28 22 24 30
40.35 x 24 20 x 29
41.33 x 24 19 x 30
42.34 29 23 x 34
43.40 x 29 9 14
44.38 33 14 19
45.32 28

White is attacking at both wings. Black cant

escape anymore.
49 7 12
50.21 16 12 17
51.16 x 7 2 x 11
52.20 15 11 x 22
53.15 10
White won after 53 9 14 54.10 4 19 24
55.4 13 14 19 56.13 2 11 17 57.44 39
17 22 58.39 34 19 23 59.2 x 30 28 33
60.30 25 and black resigned.

White has gained space. Black cant play 12

18 because of the kingshot 21 17 26 21 17
11 28 23 33 x 2 W+.
45 19 24
46.29 x 20 15 x 24
46 25 x 14 gives a longer defence, but will
also lose. White immediately goes on to take
<23> in his possession. The 21 / 22 / 23 front
is very strong.
47.28 23 30 35
48.45 40 35 x 44
49.39 x 50 25 30
50.43 39 30 35
51.50 44

M. Coenegracht L. Koops
Black resigned at the right moment.
White is starting a strong attack at the left
wing.
38.27 21 18 23
38 6 11 39.21 16 leaves black with no
good move:
1) 39 11 17 is followed by a kingshot (look
yourself!)

S2. Centre play

98

51 18 x 27 52.32 x 21 6 11 53.38 32
53.21 16 13 18 54.16 x 7 12 x 1 55.38 32
18 23 B+
53 11 16 54.32 27 13 18 55.27 22 18
x 27 56.21 x 32 12 18 57.32 27 18 23 is
winning for black.
47.44 39 11 17 48.27 22 etc. will lead to
the game. At 48.27 21 18 22 follows
threatening 24 29 B+.
47.27 22 18 x 27
48.32 x 21 11 17

Baba Sy T. Sijbrands
Black shows that an attack at whites right wing
can be very dangerous. The aim of this
minority attack is not breaking through but
freezing out the opponent by limiting his
space.

48 34 40 is wrong because of 43 39! 40

x 49 21 16 49 x 23 16 x 20 W+.
49.44 39 13 18

42 23 29!
From a psychological point of view it is hard to
play 43.39 34 19 23 44.28 x 30 13 18
45.34 x 23 25 x 45 46.23 19 although its a
draw after 46 45 50 47.19 13 =.
43.39 33 25 30
44.40 35?
Giving black too much space is a lethal
mistake. White should have fixed pieces 29
and 30 by playing 43 39.
44 12 18
45.36 31 8 12
46.31 26

White is lost. 50.21 16 6 11 51.16 x 7 12 x

1 52.38 32 18 23 53.43 38 34 x 43 44.38
x 49 30 34 leads to a quick freeze out for
white.
Exercise 4.1 How did black win after 50.38
32 ?

Better would have been 46.28 22. Now black

forces a win.
Baba Sy M. Verleene

46 29 34!
After 47.43 39 34 x 43 48.38 x 49 30 34
49.44 39 34 x 43 50.49 x 38 11 17 51.27
22
51.27 21 is met by 18 22 with the decisive
24 29 threat.

An interesting variation in this position is: 1.21

17 19 24 2.39 33 14 19 .
Exercise 4.2 How can white surprisingly
secure a win?

S2. Centre play

99

A. Dibman R. Letsjinski
White has a strong central and compact
position with good formations and no edge
piece at <35>. White begins taking control over
the left wing.
23.37 31
24.42 x 31
25.48 42
26.42 37

26 x 37
6 11
11 17
17 21

White still has the compact centre, while his

opponent is chased away from <23> and <24>.
White has space to launch an attack at the left
wing.
36.28 22 3 8
37.22 17 12 x 21
38.27 x 16 1 7
Black doesnt allow white to go to <11>. At 1
6 white breaks through with 16 11 6 x 17 37
31 26 x 28 33 x 11.
39.40 34 19 23
40.32 27 14 19
41.27 22 20 24

27.27 22 18 x 27
28.31 x 22
White can take more space helped by the
tactical variation 28 12 18? 29.34 29! 23
x 34 30.40 x 29 18 x 27 31.29 23 10 14
32.23 18 13 x 22 33.28 x 26 and white wins
piece 27.
After 28 21 26 29.22 18 13 x 22 30.28 x
8 3 x 12 31.36 31 blacks position is
weakened, having many gaps.

42.37 32!
An excellent move! White can leave the piece
at <26> alone for one move time and
transports the piece to a much better location
at <27>. In the meanwhile centre piece <23> is
eliminated.

28 12 17
29.22 x 11 16 x 7
30.36 31 21 26
31.31 27 7 12

42 10 14
43.32 28 23 x 32
44.38 x 27 8 12

Its time to use the 34 / 40 / 45 tail now putting

pressure on the centre.
32.34 29
33.40 x 29
34.29 x 20
35.45 40

White can play 45.33 28 threatening 27 21

W+, but after 45 12 18 46.43 38 but he
forces a breakthrough in an even smarter way.

23 x 34
20 25
25 x 14
15 20

S2. Centre play

100

45.43 38! 14 20

Baba Sy H. Laros

43 19 23 44.38 32 14 19 45.33 28
Threatening 27 21 W+.
45 12 18 46.22 17! leads to a winning
breakthrough for white.

White uses the little space available at the left

wing to launch an attack.

46.38 32 20 25
47.34 29 24 30
48.33 28 12 18

Exercise 4.3 Black replied 38 11 17.

Which kingshot did white take?

38.26 21!

It is interesting to analyse the position when

black plays the normal move 43. 11 16.
White then plays 44.28 22! 7 11 45.34
30 20 25 46.48 43 25 x 34 47.39 x 30

White has forced a breakthrough. Whites king

will be caught but white breaks through again.
49.29 23 18 x 29
50.27 21 26 x 17
51.22 x 2 19 24
42.2 x 19 24 x 13
53.16 11

1) 47 11 17 48.22 x 11 16 x 7 49.33 28 7
11 50.28 22 11 16 52.38 33 4 9 53.33
28 23 29 54.43 38 18 23 55.45 40 9
14 56.30 25 12 18 57.21 17 with a
wonderful winning position: W+.

After 53 13 18 54.11 7 9 14 55.32 27

14 20 56.27 21 30 34 57.39 x 30 25 x 34
58.21 16 18 22 59.28 x 17 34 39 60.7 1
34 39 61.1 40 39 43 62.40 44 33 38
63.44 49 20 25 64.17 11 25 30 65.11
6 30 34 66.6 1 43 48 67.49 x 32 black
resigned at last.

2) 47 23 29 48.45 40 18 23 49.43 39
4 10 50.39 34! 10 14 51.33 28 11 17
52.22 x 11 16 x 7 53.28 22! 23 28 54.32 x
23! 19 x 26 55.30 x 10 W+.
We didnt review all possibilities, but we
wanted to show some important variations for
this kind of play.

S2. Centre play

101

5.The piece at <17>

Black has taken <24> but white builds the 33 /

38 / 42 tail to conquer control over <24>.

We saw Sijbrands going to <34> while

attacking with black. A piece at <17> or <34>
can be very strong. If you attack the left wing
you sometimes can get control over <17>
which often helps to freeze the opponent out.

M. Korchov W. Giljarov
You wouldnt expect white to get control over
<17> from such a quiet closed classical
position
24.34 29 23 x 34
25.39 x 30 18 23
26.36 31 21 26

36.43 38 9 14
37.48 42 7 11
38.26 21 3 8
39.21 17 4 10

White has conquered <17>. With the next

exchange white gains more space. 33 29 x
29 would allow 16 21 =.
40.33 29 24 x 33
41.28 x 39 10 15
41 14 20 could have been met by 32 28!
23 x 12 34 29 18 x 27 30 24 19 x 30 35 x 4
+.

Playing 26 1 7 27.31 26 7 11 28.26 x

17 11 x 31 29.37 x 26 13 18 would have
prevented whites future attack.

White can choose how to win now. He can

play, for example: 42.39 33:

27.27 22 1 7
28.31 27 8 12

1) 42 15 20 43.33 29 20 25 44.29 24
and its over (8 12 17 x 8 13 x 2 22 x 13 19 x
8 24 20 etc. W+).

White is going to take the left wing under

control now.
29.37 31
30.42 x 31
31.33 x 24
32.40 34
33.45 x 34
34.38 33
35.31 26

26 x 37
24 29
20 x 29
29 x 40
15 20
12 18
20 24

2) 42 14 20 43.27 21! (43.30 25 is also

good enough, but we show the most special
way to win) 18 x 27
43 16 x 27 44.32 x 21 18 x 16 45.33 29 11
x 22 29 x 9 W+
44.33 28 11 x 33 45.38 x 9 27 x 47 46.34
29! 16 x 27 47.9 3 47 x 24 48.3 x 25 and
blacks king is caught at the next move.
42.30 24 19 x 30
43.35 x 24 14 19
43 14 20 44.34 30 20 x 29 45.39 33 29
34 46.30 x 39 15 20 47.39 34 20 24
48.42 37 is winning for white.
44.34 30 8 12
45.17 x 8 13 x 2
46.22 x 13 19 x 8
47.39 33 8 13
48.30 25 23 29

S2. Centre play

102

Otherwise 33 28 would follow.

49.42 37 29 x 20
50.25 x 14 11 17
51.37 31
And white won the endgame.

42.42 38?
The correct way to play had been 42.29 24 6
11 43.24 20 3 9 44.20 15 11 17 45.22
x 11 16 x 7 46.42 37 7 11 47.21 16 11
17 48.37 31 etc. W+.
42 14 20
43.38 33 3 8?

G. Kolk P. Meurs
Black played 41 15 20 in this complex
situation.
Exercise 5.1 How could white have won now?

After 43 3 9! 44.21 17 20 24 45.29 x 20

25 x 14 46.30 25 19 24 47.35 30 24 x 35
48.33 28 14 19 49.25 20 6 11 50.17 x 6
16 21 51.27 x 16 18 x 38 black escapes.
44.21 17 20 24
45.29 x 20 25 x 14
46.33 29

T. Goedemoed S. Doller
Whites pieces surround the black centre. He is
going to gain more space.
36.28 22 20 25
37.43 38 7 11
38.26 21 11 16
38 11 17 39.21 x 12 18 x 7 40.48 42 4
9 41.33 29 24 x 33 42.38 x 18 3 8 43.42
38 8 12 44.38 33 12 x 23 45.27 21! 7
12 46.33 29 12 18 47.22 17 is winning for
white.

Black is lost. He eventually did after 14 20

47.30 25 20 24 48.29 x 20 6 11 49.17
x 6 16 21 50.27 x 16 18 x 38 51. 6 1 38
43 52. 1 x 29 19 - 24 53.29 - 33 24 x 15
54.33 - 44 15 20 55.25 x 14 43 48 56.44
39 48 37 57.39 22 37 x 5 58.22 x 9 5
28 59. 9 18 28 14 60.34 30 14 28
61.30 25 28 33 62.18 23 8 13
63.23 5 W+.

39.48 42 4 10
40.33 29 24 x 33
41.38 x 29 10 14

S2. Centre play

103

M. Dolfing A. Scholma

A. Baliakin N. Samb

White could have played 22 17! After which

black cant play 12 18 because of 44 40 21
x 12 28 22 18 x 27 38 32 27 x 29 34 x 5.

Black just played 13 18 giving his opponent

the opportunity to make the Ghestem-lock (see
the section about classics).

Exercise 5.2 How does white win after 1.22

17! 25 30 34 x 25 12 18 ?

36.28 22 9 13?
Because white has a winning plan now, black
should have played 8 13 in order to be able
to remove a piece at <17>.
37.33 28 1 6
38.22 17!

T. Goedemoed P. Tuik
White has to take care about 16 21. Usually
he can go 17 11 6 x 17 36 31 26 x 28 33 x
11 then. But if you look closer black can
prevent a breakthrough and thereby getting an
advantage.

Black has no defence

threatening 37 31.

left

against

the

38 23 29
39.37 31 26 x 37
40.17 x 26

Exercise 5.3 What is the best move for white,

eliminating the 16 21 possibility?

Black resigned.

S2. Centre play

104

6.Cannon play
To be successful playing in the centre you
need strong formations. A strong construction
that is often used is the so called Chizhov
cannon.

White has gained space. He controls <27> and

<28> while black has inactive pieces at the
edge of the board. Pieces 6 / 11 / 16 / 16 will
not become active in the game. Black probably
didnt play 10 15 because he was afraid of
the attack 29 23 x 23 and piece 15 stays
inactive.
A. Chzihov G. van Aalten
Wch 1990
The cannon consists of pieces 27 / 31 / 32 / 36
/ 37 / 38 / 42. Sometimes the cannon is played
without 42, but this pieces gives more
opportunities like playing 33 29 x 29. White
can also change 27 22 x 22 if he wishes, but
white rather plays towards the centre first.

38 8 13
39.31 27 10 14
40.43 38 20 25?
Black should have played 13 18! 32 28 12
17! = White could have prevented this
drawing variation by 41.35 30! Blacks
defence, changing back, is very poor. White is
going to control all strategic squares.

34.33 28 18 23
35.38 33 21 26

41.32 28 14 20
42.38 32 20 24
43.29 x 20 25 x 14
44.34 29!

More logical is playing 12 18 preventing

white from taking the 33 29 x 27 exchange.
35.40 35
White waits for better conditions to make the
33 29 exchange, breaking the classical
structure. Actually 33 29 would have been
the most correct move leading to an advantage
for white.
35 15 20?
36.48 43
Now 36 12 18 isnt good anymore. White
responds 37.34 30! 5 10 38.42 38 10
14 39.30 25 8 13 40.43 39 11 17 41.39
34 17 21
41 6 11 is punished by 34 29 23 x 34 27
21 16 x 27 32 x 23 W+
42.27 22! 18 x 27 43.31 x 22 and because
the only sensible move left 6 11 is met by 34
29 23 x 34 22 18 13 x 22 28 x 6 black is
lost.

45. 14 20 will result in a winning attack:

46.28 23 19 x 28 47.32 x 23 11 17 48.35
30 20 25 49.30 24 17 21 50.37 32! 6
11 51.23 19! 11 17 52.19 x 8 12 x 3 53.42
37 3 9 54.29 23 9 13 55.23 19 13
18 56.36 31! 17 22 57.19 13 18 x 9 58.27
x 18 9 14 59.31 27 14 20 60.24 x 15 25
30 and going to <5> will give the 37 31 shot,
winning the game.
44 12 17
45.36 31!

36 5 10
37.33 29! 24 x 22
38.27 x 29

S2. Centre play

105

Blacks only formation is worthless now.

45 17 21 46.35 30
Black surrendered. 46 11 17 47.29 24 6
11 48.42 38 is a horror scenario.

H. Wiersma A. Der
24.39 33 20 25

M. Sivtsev A. Chizhov
White has many pieces at the edge of the
board. His centre is weak. He doesnt control
any of the strategic squares and has a
weakness at <42>. Black has nice formations
in the centre and a cannon a his left wing.
Black will attack at whites right wing.
31 24 30!
32.35 x 24 20 x 29
37.33 x 24 19 x 30
38.39 33 14 19
39.31 27 15 20
40.43 39 20 24
41.49 43 23 29!

41.49 43? created a weak piece at 43, it isnt

active. Black has a beautiful construction.
Whites space is limited severely.
42.27 21 1 7
43.36 31 18 22!
Whites position is entirely blocked. 32 27 13
18 is a dead track. 32 28 isnt possible
because of 30 34 etc. W+. Therefore white
gave a piece playing 44.31 27 and lost.

24 20 24 is answered by 25.33 29! 24 x

22 26.27 x 29 with white taking more control
over the centre. If black changes to 24 after
this by 19 24 27.29 x 20 15 x 24 white builds
the 33 / 38 / 42 tail to put pressure on 24. We
will give an example, so you learn what you
have to do with white: 28.38 33 4 10 29.43
38 13 19 30.34 29 10 15 31.29 x 20 15
x 24 32.33 29 24 x 33 33.38 x 29 19 23
34.29 x 18 12 x 23 35.35 30
Piece 23 stands alone, so white can surround
it.
7 12 36.30 24 8 13 37.50 44 3 9
38.24 20 13 19 39.44 40 12 18 40.40
34 21 26 41.42 38 11 17 42.31 27 17
21 43.38 33 6 11 44.33 28 11 17 45.48
42 17 22 46.28 x 17 21 x 12 47.42 38

It is a long way to get the position wanted.

Black to move is lost. At 12 17 white takes
the 34 29 27 21 kingshot.
47.. 9 13 is answered by 34 30 (preventing
the 23 28 13 19 shot) followed by a
breakthrough of piece 20.
25.43 39 15 20
26.50 44 3 9
White was ready to meet 20 24 by 33 29
24 x 22 27 x 29 again. Black plays with his
golden piece, which is weakening his
defensive position. In order to force a decision

S2. Centre play

106

on his opponent white himself waits, playing

his golden piece himself.
27.48 43
We will show you another long term strategy
for white after black plays 27 4 10 28.28
22! 12 18 29.31 26 7 12 30.26 x 17 12 x
21 31.22 17 11 x 31 32.37 x 17 8 12 33.17
x 8 13 x 2 34.32 27 9 13 35.38 32 6 11
36.36 31 11 17 37.33 28 20 24 38.31
26 10 14 39.34 30 25 x 34 40.39 x 30 2 8
41.30 25

30.28 22! 23 29
White was threatening 22 18, while 12 18
would have been punished by the 33 29 27
21 32 x 1 kingshot.
31.33 28! 4 10
31 12 18 32.28 23 19 x 17 33.30 x 19 13
x 24 34.27 21 16 x 27 35.32 x 14 W+.
After 31 12 17 there are multiple ways to
win.
32.44 40 10 14
33.30 25

White has a classical position controlling both

wings. We will show three variations:
1) If black tries to break the classical structure,
playing 41 24 29, hoping for 14 20 x 10 x
24, white plays 42.43 38! and 29 34 27
22 leads to a bad endgame for black.

Black doesnt have any good move left. He

played 33 12 17 34.35 30 24 x 44 and
surrendered without waiting for his execution:
25 20 14 x 25 43 39 44 x 33 28 x 39 17 x
28 32 x 1 W+.

2) 41 8 12 42.44 40 24 29 43.35 30
is lost: 16 21 27 x 16 18 22 is punished by
32 27! W+
3) 41 23 29 42.44 40 8 12 43.42 38
18 23 (the Dussaut sacrifice 16 21 27 x 16
18 22 fails to the 25 20! stick move.)
44.43 39 12 18 45.40 34! 29 x 40 46.35 x
44 24 29 47.39 33 29 34 48.44 39 34 x
43 49.38 x 49 W+
27 21 26
28.34 30 25 x 34
29.39 x 30 20 24

W. van der Kooij G. Jansen

39.30 25 9 14!

White forces a win now. Black should have

defended his position with 29 4 10.

Building the cannon.

40.31 26 17 22
41.32 28 23 x 32
42.38 x 27 22 x 31
43.26 x 37
40.40 34 would have been a better defence.
Whites change back is very passive. Black
gains a lot of space.

S2. Centre play

107

P. Oudshoorn H. Wiersma

Black could have forced a positional win by

43 18 22!

Exercise 6.2 Answer the questions!

1) 44.37 31 24 30! 45.25 x 34 22 27
46.31 x 22 13 18 47.22 x 24 20 x 49 B+.

A) How is 46.38 32 13 18 47.43 38

punished?

2) 44.37 32 19 23 45.43 38 13 19 B+.

46.38 33 13 18!
3) 44.43 38 22 27! 45.33 28 13 18!
46.28 22 27 31! 47.37 x 26 18 x 27 48.39
33 19 23 49.40 34 24 29! 50.33 x 24 20 x
40 51.45 x 34 23 28 breaking through.
In the game black played 43 19 23? 44.43
38 18 22 45.40 34
White should have played 37 31 preventing
22 27.
45 22 27! 46.34 30 13 19 47.39 34
23 29 48.34 x 23 19 x 39 49.30 x 10 15 x 4
50.25 x 14 39 44 B+.

B) How is 47.40 34 punished?

47.43 38 17 22
48.40 34 22 x 31
49.26 x 37
C) How does black win after 48.38 32 22 x31
49.26 x 37 ?
49 18 22
50.34 30?
The best defence would have been 50.37 31.
D) Which strong move does black play now?

A. Domchev W. Milshin
Exercise 6.1 Black to move built a cannon.
What is the strongest move for black? Can you
think of a variation that is winning for black?

Cosmos Protein 04
Position from a blitz game at Kurnik, a Polish
online draughts server.
Exercise 6.3 How does white force a win?
Use tactical weapons!

S2. Centre play

108

37.32 x 23 19 x 28 38.34 30 and black is in

trouble. Still he should have chosen this
variation, because the game is even worse.
35.31 26
36.29 x 18
37.36 x 27
38.27 x 18

18 23
13 x 31
17 22
12 x 23

T. Harmsma J.E. de Vries

The conditions for cannon play are good.
1) Black has inactive pieces, a fork, at his right
wing.
2) White has developed his position
completely.
3) White has enough formations to act at the
other wing.
26.48 43!
A psychologically very strong move. White
wants his opponent to make an important
decision. After the immediate 33 29 x 29 he
is chased back by 19 23. However after the
change back form black the exchange to 29
becomes much stronger.
26 14 20?

39.33 29!
The only temp black has got to make the 2 x 2
exchange is 19 24 which leads to a lethal
arrow lock: 19 24 40.29 x 18 16 21 41.26 x
17 11 x 13 42.34 30 13 19 43.32 28 W+.
39 11 17
40.29 x 18 7 11
41.26 21!
Black surrendered after this last tactical move.

26 17 22 would have been more active.

27.25 x 14 19 x 10
28.30 25 10 14
29.33 29! 23 x 34
30.40 x 29 13 19
31.45 40 2 7?
A big mistake. Black builds a tail he cant use
at the next move, and by this weakening his
defence at <2>. White could already have
played 29 24 x 24 strongly now.
J. Krajenbrink L. Sekongo

32.40 34 3 9
32 18 23 33.29 x 18 12 x 23 is punished by
the 27 22 38 33 shot.

White built two pyramids. A cannon and a right

wing pyramid.
36.40 35 20 25
37.29 x 20 15 x 24
38.34 29! 21 26
39.29 x 20 25 x 14
40.33 29! 11 17
41.39 34!

33.43 39 8 13
34.39 33 15 20?
Moves that dont look good usually arent good.
34 18 23 35.29 x 18 12 x 23 can be
strongly met by 36.33 29! 23 28
Obliged, for 13 18 is answered by 27 22 17
x 28 34 30W +

White allows black to lock his left wing. The

attack at the right wing continues anyway.

S2. Centre play

109

41 17 21
42.29 24! 12 17
43.38 33 6 11
44.34 30! 18 22
44 17 22 would have been punished by
45.32 28! W+
45.27 x 18 13 x 22
46.32 28 8 13
47.30 25 13 18
48.43 38 9 13
49.24 20 14 19
50.20 15 22 27
51.31 x 22 18 x 27
52.37 32 26 31
53.33 29!

Exercise 6.5 White can win using a silent

move. Which move is winning and why?

White won.

H. Jansen H. Wiersma

A. Chizhov A. Keisels
Black has many pieces at the edge of the
board. Centre piece 23 is not supported by a
very strong centre due to a lack of formations.
We also spot a weakness at <9>.
On the contrary white has strong formations at
his right wing and is going to build the cannon
at his left wing.

Black has strong formations. White hasnt any

base piece left. Moreover he cant play the
natural 37 32 move because of the 17 22
24 29 kingshot.
27.34 29 21 26
28.37 32 17 22
29.28 x 17 12 x 21

36.48 42!
36 13 19 37.33 28 leads to a very good
classical position for white: 20 24 38.39 33
8 13 40.43 39 21 26 41.42 37 11 17
42.50 44 6 11 43.44 40 35 x 44 44.39 x
50 17 21 45.27 22 18 x 27 46.31 x 22 11
17 47.22 x 11 16 x 7 48.36 31 7 11 49.31
27 11 16 50.27 22 W+.
36 8 12
37.42 37 12 17
Exercise 6.4 How did white force a win now?
We examine the position after black plays the
logical 37 21 26

After 30.32 28 black forces a win by 30 18

22 (or 21 27 first) 31.28 x 17 11 x 22
Threatening 22 28 followed by 21 27
32.41 37 21 27! with a winning position for
black.
After 30.42 37 black again wins playing 30
18 22 31.40 34 21 27! 32.32 x 21 26 x 17

S2. Centre play

110

33.38 32 22 28! 34.32 x 23 19 x 28 35.33 x

22 17 x 28 winning a piece.
Whites best move is 30.41 37
30.40 34? 11 16
31.42 37 21 27
32.32 x 21 16 x 27
33.37 32 19 23
34.32 x 21 26 x 17
White is getting chain-locked.
35.38 32 6 11

J. Krajenbrink H. Vermin

35 17 21 would have been better, but

white makes a big mistake.

Exercise 6.8 White has a very nice plan

forcing a break through by making a sacrifice.
Try to find the winning manoeuvre.

36.36 31?

White is chain-locked and has too many gaps.

A. Chizhov A. van Prinsenbeek
Exercise 6.6 With which move did black force
a win?

Exercise 6.7 Black has a cannon. In Borkowa

Luteijn white missed the opportunity to
perform a nice shot. Try to find it.

Exercise 6.9 What strong move did white

play?

10-fold world champion Chizhov from Russia

posing near his famous cannon.

S2. Centre play

111

A cannon in the opening

In the opening of a game you often can build a
cannon already. We will give some examples
of typical openings for cannon play.

If black plays 9 14 white should weaken

blacks centre a bit and try to get active at the
right wing. Usually he plays 50 45 4 9 34
29 x 30. The 34 29 x 30 exchange is typical
for cannon play. White can make a double
exchange in another way here.

1.34 29 19 23 2.40 34 14 19
3.45 40 10 14 4.32 28 23 x 32
5.37 x 28

13 9 14
14.34 30 20 25

Black can choose from many continuations

now.

Black wants to develop his wing to activate

piece 5. He can also choose 14 4 9 15.30
25 20 24.

5 18 23
6.29 x 18 12 x 32
7.38 x 27 7 12

15.50 45 25 x 34
16.40 x 29 23 x 34
17.39 x 30 19 23
With a more or less equal play.
We give another examples of opening play
with the canon:
1.32 28 18 22 2.37 32 12 18 3.41 37
7 12 4.46 41 1 7 5.31 26 19 23 6.33
28 22 x 33 7.39 x 19 13 x 24 8.44 39

White can begin building Chizhovs cannon

now. We show a normal play in which white is
going to build the cannon.
8.41 37 12 18
At 8 17 21 white can choose from 46 41
21 x 32 37 x 28 with centre play or developing
37 32 21 26 33 28 2 x 37 42 x 31 with the
possibility of building a cannon.
9.42 38 1 7
10.46 41 7 12
11.37 32 19 23
12.41 37 14 19
13.47 42

Black is going to build the cannon playing 10

14 / 5 10 / 9 13 / 14 19 / 10 14. If white
has occupied 28 in the meantime black will
continue playing the typical 17 22 x 21
gaining space (4 temps).

Black cant develop his left wing immediately

by playing 5 10? Because of a Harlem shot.

S2. Centre play

112

Solutions section 2:
Lesson 1: Centre play
1.1 33 29 24 x 22 27 x 29 breaking the
classical structure and getting control over
wings and centre.
1.2 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 15 x 24 39 34
attacking <24>.
1.3 27 22 18 x 27 31 x 22 removing piece 18
such that after 11 17 22 x 11 16 x 7 23 29
23 x 34 40 x 20 15 x 24 39 34 the attack at
<24> succeeds: the black piece at 18
otherwise could go to 23 preventing the next
attack.
1.4 48 43 is even better than 49 43 having
more power at the right wing. The next move
will be 34 29.
Lesson 2: The powerblock
2.1 12 18! 40 34 18 22! 27 x 29 39 44
=.
2.2 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 19 23 28 x 19 13
x 15 25 20 14 x 34 33 29 34 x 23 37 31
26 x 28 27 22 18 x 27 38 32 27 x 38 42 x 4
W+
2.3 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 15 x 24 45 40 13
18 40 34 4 10 34 29 10 15 29 x 20 15
x 24 27 22! 18 x 27 33 28
Black cant play 24 29 now because of 28
22 27 x 18 38 33 29 x 27 37 31 26 x 37 42
x 4 W+.
27 31 36 x 27 24 29 38 33 29 x 38 42 x
33 9 13 47 41 13 18 28 22 18 23 30
24 19 x 30 35 x 24 W+
2.4 37 31! 26 x 37 42 x 31 and because 21
26 is answered by the 27 21 bomb shot white
locks his opponent at the next move playing 31
26.
2.5 41 36?! 17 22 28 x 17 11 x 31 36 x 27
26 3? 37 x 17 23 28 32 x 12 13 18?
Black can escape by giving one piece more by
24 30 =.
12 x 23 19 x 50 17 12! 8 x 17 27 22 17 x
28 43 39 50 x 33 38 x 9 3 x 14 W+1.
2.6 34 29 23 x 34 40 x 20 15 x 24 28 23 19
x 39 30 x 10 4 x 15 37 31 26 x 28 38 33 21
x 32 33 x 4 W+

3.1 34 29 14 20 (6 11 29 x 20 14 x 25
37 31 26 x 37 43 39 17 x 26 28 23 W+)
43 39 9 13 39 34
18 22 can be met by 37 31 26 x 37 38
32 17 x 26 28 x 8 37 x 30 8 3 24 x 33 3 x 14
W+
20 25 29 x 20 25 x 14 34 29 6 11 (after
18 22 white can neglect the 29 24 37 31
breakthrough and play 45 40 etc. +) 36 31
11 16 31 27 W+
Lesson 4: The left wing attack
4.1 19 23 28 x 19 24 x 13 35 x 24 17 22 39
x 30 22 28 choice 18 x 49 B+
4.2 3.17 11 7 x 16 4.22 17 (8 12 17 x 8
13 x 2 25 20) W+
4.3 34 29 23 x 43 48 x 39 17 x 26 27 22 18
x 27 32 x 21 26 x 17 35 30 (preventing the
king to be caught) 24 x 35 28 23 19 x 28 33 x
2 W+
Lesson 5: The piece at <17>
5.1 22 18 13 x 11 28 23 29 x 18* 36 31
26 x 37 38 32 37 x 28 33 x 4 W+
5.2 22 17 25 30 34 x 25 12 18 44 40 21
x 12 28 22 18 x 27 38 32 27 x 29 37 31
26 x 37 48 42 37 x 48 39 34 48 x 30 25 x 5
W+
5.3 45 40! 16 21? 17 11 6 x 17 36 31
26 x 28 33 x 11 15 20 25 x 12 18 x 16 35
30 24 x 33 38 x 9 W+.
Lesson 6: Canon play
6.1 24 29! 33 x 24 20 x 29
1) 31 26 18 23! 43 38 17 21 26 x 17 29
33 38 x 18 13 x 31 with good chances to win.
2) 43 38 17 21! 31 26 29 33! (even
better than 18 23 & 29 33) 38 x 29 19 23
26 x 17 23 x 43 35 30 18 23!! with good
winning chances after 40 35 23 28 32 x 23
43 49 etc.
3) 43 38 17 21 35 30 19 23 31 26 14
19! 26 x 17 19 24 30 x 28 18 22 27 x 18
13 x 42 W+
6.2 A) 18 22 27 x 29 24 x 42
B) 18 22 27 x 29 19 23 29 x 18 24 30 35
x 24 20 x 49 (19 13 49 35 B+)
C) 23 29 33 28 29 33 28 23 18 x 29 39
x 28 29 34 40 x 29 24 x 22 B+
D) 22 27!

Lesson 3: The strong piece at <21>

S2. Centre play

113

6.3 31 26! 22 x 31 36 x 27 threatening a

coup Philippe with 27 22 etc. At 7 11 white
can neglect the shot and play 33 28 with
positional win. At 17 22 white plays 33 28!
22 x 44 27 22 18 x 27 32 x 21 16 x 27 43
39 44 x 33 38 x 29 W+
6.4 33 28 13 18 38 33 threatening 28
22 while 20 24 is met by 28 22 17 x 28 33 x
13 19 x 8 34 30 25 x 34 39 x 28 W+
6.5 38.50 45! At 11 17 or 12 17 white has
33 28. If white starts with 1.50 44? black
would have the stick move 35 40. The only
other move 38 13 19 is punished by 39.32
28!! 23 x 21 (23 x 41 36 x 47 26 x 37 38 32
+) 40.37 32 26 x 28 41.33 x 15 W+.
6.6 8 12! Threatening 23 28 32 x 23 20
25 + while 32 27 is punished by 23 28 33 x
22 24 x 33 39 x 28 17 21 B+
6.7 29 23! 18 x 29 35 30 24 x 44 33 x 24
44 x 31 36 x 18 13 x 33 24 x 4 W+
6.8 31 26! 22 x 31 36 x 27 17 22 38 3! 22
x 31 32 28!! 23 x 41 26 x 46 followed by the
24 20 x 20 breakthrough.
6.9 45 40! followed by a double attack at
piece 24.

Persian draughts players

S2. Centre play

114