Mastering The Middlegame by Dunnington Angus

masteri ng the
!!l !u�tg J e 9 a m e
EVERYMAN CHESS
Everyman Publishers plc www.everyman.uk.com
First published 2001 by Everyman Publishers plc, formerly Cadogan Books
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Copyright © 2001 Angus Dunnington
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C o nte nts
- Introduction 5
- 1. Attacking the King 7
- 2. Defending - Keep Calm! 40
- 3. Opening Lines 56
- 4. Using the Pieces 74
- 5. Using the Pawns 104
- 6. Further Ideas 122
- 7. Solutions to Exercises 139

In t rodu cti o n
This book is designed to help the student of the game sit at the board
with more confidence, armed with an appreciation of a number of im
portant practical aspects of the middlegame. Obviously the very con
straints of a book make it impossible to provide any kind of 'complete'
guide, not least because the middlegame is a mass of uncharted terri
tory. However, the same cannot be said of opening theory, for exam
ple, where we have the luxury of exact sequences of moves, while even
endings can be studied precisely, with many situations analysed ex
haustively.
The middle game, in fact, is a cruel sea that separates the relatively
safe, dry land of opening and ending. As soon as the pieces drift from
the posts allotted to them by theory they become our responsibility,
and we are more or less left to our own devices as to how to best treat
them.
With this in mind I have accumulated a selection of practical exam
ples that can be seen in tournament halls everywhere, with an em
phasis on how this or that factor might be applied in our own experi
ence . Rather than make an overview of general rules and advice I
have concentrated on mainly positive themes, ranging from outright
attack to strong defence. In other words, the areas of the middle game
we investigate might have positional, psychological and attacking sig
nificance or they could feature a specific piece, but they are all linked
by the common denominator that is a better understanding of the
game.
5
Chapter One
Attacki ng the Ki ng
• The King in the Centre
• Castling on Opposite Wings
• Eliminating Defenders
• Stay Alert
• Try it Yourself
Mastering the Middlegame
As this book is aimed at addressing some of the more crucial aspects

of the game, none is more important than the king. In this chapter we
concentrate on how strong players go about attacking the enemy king
when it is still in the centre (often a somewhat risky situation in the
middlegame!) and when one side castles long and the other castles
short. Both these scenarios arise from a host of openings and de
fences, so playing through the examples carefully should be of consid
erable use regardless of your repertoire. We will also discuss the im
portance of eliminating key defenders (a theme often overlooked at
club level), and the importance of staying alert to aggressive possibili
ties in ostensibly calm positions.
The King in the Centre

Game 1
o Kallai • Pinter
Balatonbereny 1 995
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
Can Black castl e kingside? Black's king is wide open
After earlier committing himself with . . . h7-h5 (to chase away White's
queen from g4) Black can no longer consider castling. Consequently
White prepares action in the centre .
16 c4 Qxd4
F aced with an unpleasant choice, Black accepts the hot d-pawn rather
than see it come to d5. The alternative 16 . . . h4 17 d5 h3 18 g3 0-0 19
Qe4 g6 20 Qg4 simply drops the h-pawn.
17 Rdl !
Taking up a threatening stance on another centre file and putting the
question to the queen.
8
Attacking the King
17...Qd7
After 17 . . . Qc5 18 Be3 (18 Rb3!?) 18 . . . Qc6 19 f3 0-0 Black castles but
the h5-pawn will still prove problematic and, in the meantime, White
can switch flanks with 20 c5! b5 2 1 a4 Qc8 22 axb5 axb5 23 Bxb5 Bc6
24 Rd6, when Black is under pressure.
18 Be4 Qc8
After 18 . . . Qc7 19 c5! Bxe4 20 Qxe4 Rb8 21 cxb6 Rxb6 22 Qa4+ Ke7
(22 . . . Qc6 23 Qxc6+ Rxc6 24 Rb8 Ke7 25 Ba3+) 23 Rxb6 Qxb6 24 Bg5+!
the game is over, while 19 . . . b5 20 a4! clearly favours White. Hoping to
alleviate the pressure with a queen sacrifice is futile: 1 8 . . . Qxd 1 + 19
Qxd 1 Bxe4 and now White continues the theme with 20 Qa4+! b5 2 1
cxb5 Bxb 1 22 b6+, e.g. 2 2 . . . Kf8 2 3 Qc6 Rb8 2 4 Qd6+, or 2 2. . . Ke 7 2 3
Ba3+ Kf6 2 4 b 7 Rb8 2 5 Qf4+ etc.
19 Ba3
By activating his final piece White reminds his opponent of his plight,
keeping Black's king stranded in the centre. Note that White threat
ens the deadly 20 Rxd8+! Kxd8 21 Qd2+ Ke8 22 Qd6.
19...Bxe4
19 . . . Bc7 fails to slow White down in view of 20 Qb2! f6 21 Qb4 etc.
Black can also eliminate the other bishop pair first with 19 . . . Be7,
when 20 Bxe 7 Kxe 7 2 1 Rxb6 Bxe4 22 Qxe4 Rb8 23 Rbd6 allows White
- who entertains ideas of 24 Qd4 or 24 Qh4 - to maintain the pres
sure.
20 Qxe4 f5 (Diagram 2) 21 Rxd8 + !
The beginning of the next phase - Black's king is suddenly friendless.
21...Kxd8 22 Qh4+ !
Not 22 Qd4+? Qd7 23 Qxb6+ Ke8 when Black's king returns to base
but enjoys considerable safety. Kallai's selection, on the other hand,
continues the flushing out process.
22...Kc7
Blocking with 22 . . . g5 rules out a second block after 23 Qd4+ because
the rook is hanging.
23 Qd4!!
Excellent control from White. How many players would rush into 2 3
Qe7+? Qd7 2 4 Bd6+ Kc8, when White's attack fizzles out?
WARNING: Beware of automatic checks when attacking the king
this might help the defender find a safe(r) haven.
23 ... b5
Black cannot avoid the loss of the b-pawn and the subsequent removal
9
o f the final layer o f defence. Other tries are 2 3 . . . Q d 7 2 4 Qxb6+ Kc8 2 5

Bd6, with the deadly threat of the check o n b8, and 2 3 . . . Rb8 2 4 Qd6+
Kb7 25 Rxb6+ Ka7 26 Bc5! Qxc5! 27 Rxa6+ Kb 7 28 Qxc5 Kxa6, which
is a brave attempt but leaves White in charge after 29 Qa3+ Kb6 30
Qd6+ Ka5 3 1 h4, thanks to the weaknesses on e6, g7 and h5.
24 cxb5 Qd7 25 b6+ Kd8 26 Be7+ ! (Diagram 3 )
Diagram 3 Diagram 4
The final attack begins It's all over
The final humiliation forces Black's king to limp back to e8, which is
where the troubles began!
26.. .Ke8
26 . . . Kxe7 27 Qxg7+.
27 Qxg7 Qd3
27 . . . Qxe 7 28 Qxh8+ Qf8 29 Qxh5+ is decisive.
28 Qxh8 + Kxe7 29 Qg7+ Kd6 3 0 ReI 1-0 (Diagram 4)

Black does not give his opponent the satisfaction of meeting 30 . . . Rc8
with 3 1 Qc7+! for another hit at Black's king.
Game 2
D Karpov • Timman
Jakarta 1993
This time the central king seems less of a problem because the posi
tion is reasonably closed, and there is the small matter of the legen
dary Karpov sitting on White's side of the board! However, a king in
the centre is a king in the centre, and we should always be alert for
the possibility of exploitation.
10
Attacking the King
Diagram 5 Diagram 6
White's king is n ot yet safe Black controls the e-fi l e !
19 ... d5!
If we were asked to suggest a n interesting move for Black in the dia
gram position the text would not be a difficult move to find. Whether
or not it is actually sound is another matter, but the trick is to recog
nise when such a possibility is appropriate.
TIP: With a king in the centre try to make yourself aware of how one
or more centre files can be opened.
20 cxd5 Bxd3 21 Qxd3
2 1 Rxd3 Rc l+ is rather awkward for White .
21...exd5 22 Kf2
Now 22 0-0 Rc3 23 Qxd5 Rexe3 sees Black net a pawn for no compen
sation. Anticipating exchanges, White prefers to have his king ready.
Unfortunately for Karpov, his king is not yet safe .
2 2...Rc3 23 Qxd5 Rcxe3 24 R d2 Qe7! (Diagram 6)
Lining up all the major pieces on a single file tends to cause the oppo
nent problems, and here Black threatens to push his rook to e L White
cannot do the same on the d-file in view of (25 Rhdl) 25 . . . Qh4+, hence
Karpov's next, desperate looking advance.
25 Kg3 Rxb3 ! 26 a4
26 Qxb3 Qg5+.
26...Rb4 27 Rd4 Rxd4 28 Qxd4 Qg5+ 29 Kh3 Re2
If 'good positions tend to play themselves', then poor positions often
become worse, and the latest blow is a fitting culmination of Black's
initial strike.
11
3 0 Rgl Qh5+ 31 Kg3 Qg5+

We can forgive Timman for repeating here!
3 2 Kh3 Rd2 33 Qc3 Ra2 34 Qd4 h6
Cruel.
3 5 Qc4 Qh5+ 3 6 Kg3 Qe5+ 3 7 Kh3 Rd2 3 8 Qh4 Qf5+ 39 Kg3
Trading queens leads to the loss of the a4-pawn and the game. The
text hastens the end.
39 ... g5 40 Qxh6 Qf4+ 0 -1
The sight of Karpov's king so utterly exposed only ten moves after an
ostensibly safe position should serve as a warning to us all.
TIP: In the middlegame stage, if your king is still in the centre for no
good reason, it might be time to consolidate.
Game 3
D Baburin • Saidy
Los Angeles 1997
Diagram 7 Diagram 8
Where should the black king go? Black has a decisive breakthrough
It is fair to say that Black looks threatening, with White's king

unlike its opposite number - stranded on e 1. The question is, can
Black exploit his opponent's rather cramped situation?
16... 0 -0 -0 !!
A t first glance this i s a n odd choice of lodging for Black's king com
pared with the kingside, the lack of available protection being the
most obvious factor. However, by castling long Black has a practically
'free' move in that the rook is brought directly to the d-file, thus rul
ing out the desired 17 Rd l ? in view of the fork after multiple trades
12
Attacking the King
on d 1 and . . . Nxf2+. Consequently Black exerts maximum pressure,

correctly j udging that his own king is quite secure on c8 - even after
the capture of the b 5-pawn - since White's forces are not appropri
ately positioned to benefit from the holes on the queenside.
TIP: Weigh up the 'pros' and 'cons' of an aggressive move when at
tacking the enemy king - if your opponent is placed under great
pressure at the cost of minor inconvenience, then don't be afraid to
bite the bullet.
17 Qxb5!?
Obviously Black is ready for this but taking the pawn looks like the
best practical chance for White . Instead 1 7 e3 Nxe3! 18 Qxd5 Nc2+!
cuts across White's hopes of simplification. An interesting variation is
17 Rc 1 a6! 18 g3 Rhe8 19 Bg2 Ne3 20 Qxd5 Nxg2+ 2 1 Kfl Ne3+! 22
fxe3 Bh3+ 23 Ke 1 Rxd5 when the queens are off but White's king con
tinues to be a burden.
17...Nxc3 18 bxc3 Nxe5
Black has designs on the e-file, too. Otherwise he might consider the
equally direct 18 . . . Nd2 19 Qb2 Nb3 20 c4 Qxc4 2 1 Ra2 Qd5, when 22
Nd2 Nxd2 23 Qxd2 Qxe5 24 Qb2 Qxb2 25 Rxb2 Rd6, with the simple
plan of reminding White that the king is still awkwardly placed on e l ,
favours Black.
19 Qb2 Rhe8 20 Nxe5 Rxe5 21 e3
21 c4!? deserves a try now that Black's queen is tied to the defence of
the rook.
21...c4! 22 Qa2 Be6 23 Rgl Qa5 24 Rcl Qc5! 25 Be2 (Diagram 8 )
Rxe3 !
Suddenly, thanks to the fork after 26 fxe3 Qxe3, Black has a rook on
each open, centre file, the latest capture introducing a decisive pin.
26 Qb2 Bg4! 27 Rc2
White's position is beginning to crumble now that the key e3-pawn
has fallen. After 27 f3 Rxf3 and 27 fxe3 Qxe3 28 Rfl Bxe2 the game is
over.
27... Re7 28 Rfl Bf5 29 Rd2 Rxd2 3 0 Kxd2 Rxe2+ ! 31 Kxe2 Bd3 +
3 2 Kf3
32 Ke 1 Qe5+.
3 2...Bxfl 0-1
While it is true that White could have defended better, the cold logic
behind the straightforward 16 . . . 0-0-0 is worth remembering. Black
was not prepared to let his opponent's king out of his sight and thus
found the most effective, ruthless means with which to bring both
rooks to the centre as quickly as possible.
13
Castling on Opposite Wings

Game 4
o Krasenkow . Barcenilla
Subic Bay 1998
Diagram 9 Diagram 10
Which attack wi l l be quicker? Black's king has been stripped
In Diagram 9 both sides look menacing indeed, with Black's pressure

on the b-file the most obvious feature . Meanwhile, on the other flank,
Black's king is not without support, but White is able to quickly alter
the circumstances and thus deflect attention away from the b2-pawn.
21 Ng6+ ! hxg6 22 Rh4+ Nh6 23 Bxh6 Rf5 24 d6!?
24 b3 is Krasenkov's suggestion, simply taking some of the sting out
of Black's queen and rook. With the text White is not concerned about
the b-pawn, opting instead to continue the assault.
24...cxd6 25 Rgl
Now that both d6 and d5 are available to the queen White brings his
final piece into the attack. Tempting but inaccurate is 25 Bxg7+ Kxg7
26 Qh6+ Kf7 27 Qh7+ KfS, e.g. 2S QhS+? Ke 7 29 Rh7+ Ke6 etc.
25...Bf6 26 Rxg6! Bxh4?
It is easier to miscalculate when an extra rook is involved! Black does
better to insert 26 . . . Qfl+, e.g. 27 Kc2 Bxh4 2S Bg7+ KgS and the pres
ence of the queen on fl is a vital difference to what happens in the
game: 29 Bf6+? Kf7 30 Rg7+ Ke6 3 1 Re7+ Kxf6 32 Qxd6+ Kg5 33
Rg7+ Kf4 34 Rg4+ (34 Qd2+ Ke4 35 Qe3+ Kd5) 34 ... Kf3 35 Qd5+ Kxf2
when White has nothing better than perpetual check. An improve
ment is 29 Bxe5+ 29 Kf7 30 Rg7+ KeS (30 . . . KfS 3 1 Qxd6+) 3 1 RgS+
. . .
RfS (3 1 . . .Kf7 32 Qd5+) 32 RxfS+ KxfS 33 Qxd6+ Kf7 34 Qd5+, since
14
Attacking the King
Black will ultimately suffer after 34 . . . Ke8 (34 . . . Kg6 35 Qe6+) 35 Bxb8
(35 Qc6+ Kf7 36 Qf3+) 35 . . .Qxf2+ (35 . . . Qe2+ 36 Qd2 Qc4+ 37 Kd 1) 36
Kb3 Bf6 3 7 Be5 Qe3+ (37 . . . c4+ 38 Ka4 Qc2+ 39 Kb5) 38 Bc3 Bxc3 39
bxc3 Qxh3 40 Kc4, or 34 . . . Kf8 35 Qf3+! Kg8 (35 . . . Ke7 36 Bxb8 Qc4+ 37
Qc3 Qe2+ 38 Qd2 Qc4+ 39 Kd1) 36 Bxb8 Qc4+ 3 7 Kd 1 Qd4+ (37 ... Qfl+
38 Kd2) 38 Ke 1 Qb4+ 39 Kf1 Qxb8 40 Qg4+ Kf8 41 Qxh4 Qxb2 42
Qc4, White having a winning ending in both cases.
27 Bg7+ Kg8 (Diagram 10 ) 28 Bf6+ !
In our initial position Black's king enjoyed considerable protection yet
now the closest pieces are white . However, with material invested and
the b2-pawn under fire, it is imperative that White is able to demon
strate that his opponent's king is indeed in his grasp.
28 ...Kf7 29 Rg7+ Ke6 3 0 Re7+ Kxf6 31 Qxd6+ Kg5 3 2 Rg7+ Kf4 3 3
Rg4+ Kf3 3 4 Qd5+ Ke2
If we compare the position after 34 . . .Kxf2 with the one reached in the
note to 26 . . . Qfl +, there the queen provided necessary help . Here
White has 35 Qg2+ Ke3 36 Re4+ followed by immediate mate .
3 5 Qdl + ! Kxf2 3 6 Qgl + Ke2 3 7 Re4+ Kf3 3 8 Qe3 + 1-0
38 . . . Kg2 39 Rg4+ Kh2 40 Qgl+ Kxh3 4 1 Qg2 is mate. White's relent
less endeavours to strip his opponent's king deserved to succeed.
TIP: With opposite sides castling try to stay in the driving seat, con
centrating on keeping up the momentum and therefore denying the
opponent the opportunity to strike back.
Game 5
D Lugovoi • Goloshchapov
Moscow 1998
How can White's king be opened up?? Black has good value for the queen !
15
As often happens once the kings go in different directions, each side

then rushes to open lines of attack, and here White has the b-file and
Black the g-file, while there is a stand-off on the h l-a8 diagonal! Not
surprisingly we may well have reached boiling point . . .
22...Qxh4!!
With both knights enjoying commanding posts in the centre, the pow
erful bishop on c6 and the g-file to use, Black is perfectly justified in
brutally stripping away his opponent's kingside defences. White has
no choice but to go along for the ride.
23 gxh4 Rxg2!
The consistent follow-up that suddenly sees the rest of Black's forces
grow dramatically in stature. Note that the rook is immune in the
heart of White's position in view of 24 Kxg2 Nf4+ with mate next
move.
24 f3
The long diagonal must be closed.
24...Re2! 25 Qdl Rg8 !
Now every piece but the king plays an important role in Black's at
tack, and White has no time to launch a counter.
26 Bg5
The alternative is to contest the g-file rather than block it: after 26
Rgl Rxg l+ 27 Kxgl Black has 27 . . . Rxd2!, while 27 Qxgl Rxd2 28
Qg8+ Kd7 29 Qf7+ Ne 7 sees White outnumbered.
26... h6! 27 Re1
27 Bxh6 Rgg2 is decisive (see the section on the 7th rank in Chapter
4).
27...Rxel + 28 Qxel Nxf3! 29 Qa5
White finally manages an aggressive move of his own. Instead the at
tempt to shore up the kingside with 29 Qg3 places the queen on an
awkward square, as 29 . . . Nxg5 30 hxg5 Nc3+ 3 1 Kg l Ne2+ demon
strates .
2 9... hxg5 3 0 h 5
Denying Black a n open g-file . Hoping for more i s futile, a s 30 Qxa7
Nc7 defends a8 and threatens to unleash the bishop .
3 0 ... a6 31 Rdl Rh8
Not forgetting the theme that he started, Black switches files in order
to renew the onslaught. It is interesting that White's rook is unable to
enter the game, while the queen also has nothing to aim at.
WARNING: The queen can be a lonely piece.
16
Attacking the King
32 Rd3 g4 33 e4 Ne7 (Diagram 12)

Black has twice as many pieces and an armada of pa wns, his king is
solid and the win is a matter of time.
34 Rdl Rxh5 35 Kg2 Rxh2+ 36 Kg3
Or 36 Kfl g3 with the threat of mate on f2.
3 6...Rh3 + 3 7 Kf2 f4 3 8 Ke2 Nd4+ ! 3 9 Kel Rhl + 0-1
Game 6
D 011 • Kharlov
New York 1997
The g6-pawn is useful White's attack has borne fruit
Black's pieces point to White's king and the f5-pawn harasses the
bishop, but White does have something to smile about in the form of
the well advanced g6-pawn, which is close enough to Black's king to
entertain ideas involving an offensive. Since material is one of a num
ber of factors we should take into account when evaluating complex
situations, our first thought does not necessarily have to be to retreat.
24 f4!
We have already seen how time plays such an important role, so here
White's eagerness to strike the first blow leads to the logical opening
of the queen's diagonal.
24... fxe4 25 Qxh5 Be7 26 f5! Bd5 27 Qh7+ KfS 28 Qh8 + Bg8 29 h5
For the piece White has a dangerous attack, and the fact that Black's
kingside is now the focus of attention is a sign of the success of
White's strategy. Not only is Black's extra piece pinned to the already
troubled king, but the marching pawns will soon reduce the other
pieces to passive defenders. Whether White has a forced win is an-
17
other matter - the initiative a n d the subsequent negative psychologi

cal effect on Black is sufficient.
TIP: When the kings are on either side of the board and are vulner
able to attack, a piece sacrifice may well provide the momentum to
put your opponent under pressure.
29 ...Bf6 3 0 h6 Ne7
Completing the withdrawal of forces . The alternative is 30 . . . Ke 7 3 1
h7, when both 3 1 . . .Bxb3 3 2 QxaS and 3 1 . . .QdS 3 2 Bg5! are final.
31 h7 Rd8 32 hxg8Q+ Nxg8 33 Qh3 (Diagram 14)
For the moment, at least, the queen has finished work on hS, so the
text brings the piece back into the fold, covering the e 3-square to acti
vate the bishop. The advantage White earned in attacking mode has
been converted to a decisive positional lead, with the e4-pawn a po
tential target to add to Black's continued worries on the back rank.
3 3 ...Qe6 3 4 Be3 Rd5
Heading for the b-file. If Black looks to the c-file for counterplay with
34 . . . RcS White simply drops the queen back to g2, simultaneously pro
tecting c2 and monitoring e4 in readiness of Nc5.
3 5 Nd2
Note that White's king has not even suffered so much as inconven
ience thus far. Black now tries to remedy this.
3 5...Be7
35 ... Rb5 36 c4 is excellent for White .
3 6 Nxe4 Rb5
Black's rook can no longer be hit as in the previous note, the knight is
attacked and the queen exerts pressure on the long diagonal. How
ever, using the same no-nonsense logic we encountered when we first
j oined the game, White once again changes gear.
3 7 f6!? gxf6
37 . . . Bxf6 3S Nxf6 gxf6 39 QhS does not help Black.
3 8 Bel !?
Not strictly necessary, perhaps, but this impudent move accentuates
the difference between the two sides - Black's king is practically de
fenceless and White's is safe . Apart from defending b2 the bishop also
covers the back rank .
3 8 ...Ke8
Obviously 3S . . . Qxe4 needs to be checked: 39 QcS+ Kg7 40 Rh7+ Kxg6
4 1 QxgS+ Kf5 4 1 Rh5 mate .
18
Attacking the King
3 9 Qh8 Qe6 40 Rh7 f5 41 Rxe7+

Also good is 41 Rg7 fxe4 42 Rxg8+ Kd7 43 g7! .
41...Kxe7 42 Qg7+ Kd8
42 . . . Ke8 runs into 43 Nd6+! Qxd6 44 Qxg8+ Qf8 (44 . . . Kd7 45 Qh7+
and 46 g7) 45 Qe6+, when White wins after either 45 . . . Qe7 46 Qc8+
Qd8 47 Qxd8+ Kxd8 48 g7 or 45 . . . Kd8 46 Bg5+ Kc7 47 Qf7 +.
43 Bg5+ Ke8
43 . . . Ne7 44 Qxe7+! Qxe 7 45 g7 and the g-pawn, which started the
whole process thanks to its proximity to Black's king, makes the final
contribution.
44 Qf7 Qd5
44 . . . Rb6 45 Nc5! Qxg6 46 Qf8+ Kc7 47 Qd8+ Kc6 48 Qd7+ Kxc5 49
Be3+ leads to forced mate .
45 Ne3 Qhl + 46 Bel 1-0
It is no coincidence that, with a few exceptions - most notably the in
structive use of the bishop - White's play was concentrated almost ex
clusively on the kingside from the very beginning.
Game 7
o Liss . Leko
Budapest 1993
Diagram 1 5 Diagram 16
Attacking with pawn advances How should White continue?
Now we turn to a more complicated example that requires more vig

orous measures in order to trouble the enemy king. On both wings
advancing pawns threaten to open up lines of attack, so there is little
room, if any, for error.
19
20 ... a4?
This is natural but merely pushes the knight to a more useful square,
from which c4, e4 and f3 are closely monitored. With his kingside
clearly under considerable pressure Black does better to redeploy his
knight with 20 . . . Nb8. Then 21 gxf6?! Bxf6 22 Rxg7 Bxg7 23 Rg 1 Nd7
is unclear because the knight and bishop work well to hold the king
side . Instead 21 Qh6! Nd7 22 gxf6 Rxg l+ 23 Rxg 1 Bxf6 is more awk
ward for Black, e.g. 24 Ng3 Qf8 25 Qe3 a4 26 Nd2 followed by Nh5
and Nf3-g5 etc.
21 Nd2 Nb8
Surprisingly Black fails to follow up with 2 1 . . .b3!?, when 22 a3! bxc2
23 Qh6 gives White the better prospects in a messy position.
22 gxf6 Bxf6 23 Rxg7 Bxg7 24 f6!
The beginning of an impressive plan designed to steer a path to
Black's king.
24...Bxf6 25 Rfl Qe7
25 . . . Nd7 26 Bb5! wins for White.
26 Nf4!
The point. White's latest consistent contribution to the cause - note
that Black is given no time for his own active operations - threatens
to jump into d5.
26... exf4
After 26 . . . Nd7 27 Nd5 Bxd5 28 exd5 Black does not have 28 . . . e4
thanks to the knight on d2. Forced is 28 . . . Nf8, when 29 Ne4 Bg7 30
Rxf7 spells the end.
27 e5 Kg8 (Diagram 16) 28 Rgl + ?
Perhaps the most obvious of the two choices, this is certainly inferior
to 28 Qxh7+ Kf8 29 exf6 Qxf6 30 Ne4 !, e . g. 30 . . . Qe5 3 1 Qh6+ Ke 7 32
Rxf4 Nd7 33 Rxf7+! Kxf7 34 Ng5+ Ke7 35 Qh7+ and wins, or
30 ... Bxe4 31 Qxe4 Ra7 32 Qxb4 Nd7 33 Rxf4 etc. Given that 33 Rxf7+!
is difficult to find, the text is quite natural, as the onus remains on
Black to keep his head above water.
28 ...Kf8 !
Not 28 . . . Bg7? when 29 Rxg7+! Kxg7 30 Qxh7+ forces mate.
29 Qh6+ Ke8 30 exf6 Qe3 !

Pinning the knight and hitting the rook can't be bad. The potential
problem is the que en's location on the e-file .
31 Qg7 Bd5! 3 2 Kdl (Diagram 17) 3 2... b3 !!
Perhaps White was expecting 32 . . . Kd8 now that the f7 -pawn is pro-
20
Attacking the King
tected. Instead the uncompromising advance of the b-pawn suddenly

draws our attention to White's king.
How can Black get counterplay? White must settle for a d raw
3 3 ReI
33 a3!? has been suggested, when 33 ... bxc2+ 34 Bxc2 Qd4 35 Re 1 +
Kd7 3 6 Re 7+ Kc6 checks the king t o the third rank but i s not clear.
3 3 ... bxa2
As one queen is about to leave the board another is ready to arrive!
34 Rxe3 + fxe3 35 Bb5+
35 Qg8+ Kd 7 36 Bf5+ Kc7 37 Qc8+ Kb6 38 Qd8+ Kc5 again sees the
king wander up the board, and this time Black can look forward to a
decisive material lead when White runs out of checks.
35...Kd8 3 6 Qf8 + Ke7 37 Qe7+ Ke8
Black is not interested in 37 . . . Kb6 38 Qxe3+ Kxb 5 39 Qa3 etc.
3 8 Qe8 + Ke7 39 Qe7+ %-% (Diagram 18 )
An instructive game in which White generated the necessary threats
but, at the critical moment, failed to appreciate a counterpunch.
WARNING: With opposite sides castling, always keep an eye on
your opponent's marching pawns while conducting your own
offensive on the other flank.
Game B
D Leko • Kramnik
Belgrade 1995
Despite the potentially vulnerable dark squares White's king enjoys
21
better protection than its counterpart. Add to this White's superior,

more aggressive looking forces, and it is clear to whom the advantage
belongs.
Whose king is safer? White opens up the black king
17...Qc7
Already Black must be alert. 1 7 . ..Ba6, for example, runs into IS
Nf6+! , when IS ... gxf6 19 exf6 Ba3+ 20 Kb l announces mate. Instead
after IS . . . KhS 19 Qe4 Bxd3 20 Rxd3 White also wins, e.g. 20 . . . g6 2 1
Rh3 Kg7 22 Rxh6 !, or 20 . . . gxf6 2 1 Qf4 Kh7 22 Rh3 .
1 8 Kbl !
White sensibly avoids the hasty IS Rhfl i n view of IS . . .f5! 19 exf6
Qxf4+ 20 Rxf4 gxf6 and the absence of queens drastically alters the
situation. Furthermore, with the king now on b l White need no
longer concern himself with any unpleasant checks. Meanwhile
Black's king side structure remains a problem, as we are about to see.
18 ...c5
Opening the as-hI diagonal for the bishop (e4 is a pivotal square for
White) and introducing the possibility of pushing to c4. Addressing
the problem of the f6-square by occupying it with IS .. . f6 prompts
White to look to the knight's other option: 19 Nd6! fxe 5 20 Qe4 Bxd6
2 1 Qh7+ Kf7 22 Bg6+ Ke7 23 Qxg7+ etc. Also worth consideration is
IS . . . RdS, when 19 Rhfl BfS 20 Nd6! is very good for White in view of
the check on h7 should Black take twice on d6. It is no coincidence in
these two variations that the d-file plays an important role.
CJ
NOTE: Whoever castles long tends to have more influence on the d
file which, in turn, can facilitate an attack on the kingside.
19 Nf6+ ! (Diagram 20 )
22
Attacking the King
This is j ust the kind of move we find in 'White to play and win' puz
zles, or are not surprised to see when playing through annotated
games in books and magazines. However, in a real-life situation we
tend to either concentrate on more sober options (Nd6, for example, in
this case) or consider and subsequently decline a move such as the
text. This is a pity because, in analysing our games later, we have a
feeling that this or that sacrifice would have been quite sound.
TIP: When there is little or no sign of your king coming under attack,
don't be afraid to exploit the weaknesses in front of your opponent's
king on the other flank - even at the cost of material.
In this case the acceptance of the piece opens Black up to a deadly
mating attack (see the next note) .
19 ...Kh8
Black calmly tries to ignore the knight - not an easy task! - rather
than compromise his pawns. The problem is, of course, that White is
allowed to continue to turn the screw while on the other wing there is
no sign of a counter.
TIP: Even when no obvious point of entry is available it is reassuring
to know that your solid king affords extra time in which to generate
play on the opposite flank.
Both captures on f6 must be examined. 19 . . . gxf6? is the first to check
and, not surprisingly, after 20 Qxh6 f5 White is able to break the
somewhat flimsy defensive shield with the straightforward 2 1 g4! , e . g.
2 1 . . . Qxe5 22 gxf5 Bf6 (even here Black manages to threaten immedi
ate mate) 23 Rhg l+ Bg7 24 f6! and the game is over. Perhaps the best
try for Black is 19 . . . Bxf6!? 20 Qe4 Rd8 21 Qh7+ Kf8 22 exf6 gxf6, al
though 23 Bg6! looks unpleasant.
20 Qe4 g6 21 h4!
B y now it should be pretty clear that White's general strategy in
volves the use of rather blunt threats to induce serious structural
compromises, making sure that Black is not given sufficient time to
drum up queenside counterplay . The latest thrust is guaranteed to
make further progress, whether a white or black pawn arrives on h5.
21...Bh 7 22 Qf4
Attention now switches to the newly deserted h6-pawn.
22...Kg7 23 Ng4 Rh8 !
Accurate defence from Kramnik. Lesser players (i . e . almost anyone
else) might hit out on the dark squares with 23 . . . g5? 24 hxg5 Bxg5 but
this leads to a forced mate for White thanks to a second piece landing
on f6: 25 Qf6+! (remember - material is one of many factors) 25 . . . Bxf6
26 exf6+ Kg8 (26 . . . Kh8 27 Rxh6+ Kg8 28 Rdh 1) 27 Nxh6+ Kh8 28
Ng4+ Kg8 29 Bh7+ Kh8 30 Bg6+! Kg8 31 Nh6+ Kh8 32 Nxf7+ Kg8 33
23
Rh8 mate .
NOTE: The more difficult defensive decisions you present your
opponent the more likely he is to make a (decisive) mistake.
24 Rdfl RbfS 25 Nf6 Qd8
Not 25 . . . Bxg2? 26 Ne8+! with a fitting finish. Notice how Black is too
busy offering support to his king to harbour hopes of mounting an of
fensive.
26 Qg3 h5
If Black dare venture into enemy territory with 26 . . . Qd4 White has 2 7
Nh5+ Kg8 (2 7 . . . Kh7 28 Rxf7+) 2 8 Bxg6! etc.
27 Qg5
As a student of the positional aspects of attacking play I am im
pressed by Leko's patient but ruthless treatment of the attack. How
ever, the suggested alternative 27 Nxh5+!? Rxh5 28 Rxf7+ Rxf7 29
Qxg6+ Kf8 30 Qxh5 also looks good, investing a piece to strip away
the defences and leave Black's king desperate for shelter. Indeed after
30 . . . Kg8 3 1 Qg6+ Kf8 32 Qh6+ Kg8 33 Rh3!? White seems to be doing
very well.
27...Rh7 28 Rf4 Kh8 29 Rhfl
Thanks to his focused, long-term aggression White has brought all his
pieces into the attack.
29 ...Bxf6 3 0 Rxf6 Rg8 31 g3 !
A cheeky reminder to Black whose pawn structure is superior in case
there is a transposition to an ending.
31...Qe7 3 2 Qf4 Rgg7 (Diagram 21)
Black's rooks are rather passive! Black's queenside is now the problem
24
Attacking the King
We need only be aware of how the pieces move to appreciate that

White's accumulation of pressure on the kingside has resulted in
completely tying up Black's rooks.
TIP: A decent advantage of any kind is the aim when generating an
attack against the king - this can be in the form of mate, material
gain, superior pawn structure, superior pieces etc.
In Diagram 21 White's obvious advantage allows him to create a new
front of attack now that Black's rooks have found the most embarrass
ing posts available!
33 Rf2 Bd5 34 Kb2 Bc6 35 Bc4 Bb7 36 Rd2!
All change!
3 6...Rg8 3 7 Rd6 Qe8 ? !
3 7 . . . Qc7 is a lesser evil, but White's domination is sure to lead to
something tangible.
38 Qf2 ! Be4 3 9 Qxc5 Qe7 40 Qd4 Bf5 (Diagram 22)
Bolstering the kingside and trapping the rook. Unfortunately for
Black it is the queen side that now needs help .
41 Rd7 Qe8 42 Qxa7 Rf8 43 a4 Kg8 44 a5 Qc8 45 a6 Qc6 46 Qc7
Qg2 47 Bxe6! Bxe6 48 Rxe6 1-0
Game 9
D Alvarez • Hernandez
Cuba 1996
Diagram 23 Diagram 24 (variation)

Which rook should come to d B? Black is holding the balance
25
Which rook? This is a conundrum at all levels and, here, with Black to
play, the decision is critical. Of course the presence of kings on oppo
site wings adds to the tension . . .
18 ...Rad8 ?
Perfectly natural, perhaps, but a crucial error. In Yemelin-Epishin, St
Petersburg 1996, Black (a strong GM) wisely opted for the other rook.
That game continued 1S . . . RfdS 19 dxc5 bxc5 20 Nh3!? Bxd2+ 2 1 Qxd2
and now with 2 1 . . .NeS! (2 1 . . .c4? runs into 22 Qc3) Black was able to
hold g7, monitor the d-file and plan a later activation of the queen's
rook. After 22 Qh6 Qe5 23 Rg5 f5 24 f4 Qe3+ 25 Kb 1 Rxd3! 26 cxd3
Bf3 the following position was reached (Diagram 24):
Thanks to the correct rook going to dS Black has been able to properly
defend his king while simultaneously infiltrating White's camp with
an exchange sacrifice. With 27 Rdg 1 White renewed the assault on g7
but 27 . . . Bg4 2S Nf2 RbS!! (2S . . . Qxf2? 29 Qxe6+) illustrated the differ
ence between the two available rook moves in the initial diagram po
sition. There followed 29 Qh4 Nf6 30 Qg3 Qd4 31 b3 Nh5 and now
White should have returned the exchange on h5 with the better game
for Black. Instead 32 Qh4 Nxf4 33 R5xg4 fxg4 34 Qxg4 a5! saw Black
finally assume the initiative. Returning to the position after
1S . . . RadS, redeploying to bS or cS will now involve a loss of a tempo,
while a closer look at the fS-rook reveals that it does not really con
tribute to the defence (g7 - not f7 is the main concern).
-
19 Nh7!!
A blow that exploits the fS-rook in that it is both a target and a hin
drance to the king, which now finds itself without a flight square.
19 ...Bxd2+
It seems from what follows that the result will be the same whether
or not Black inserts this capture, but at least White is the one who
must make an important decision here. After 19 . . . Nxh7 20 Bxh7+
Kxh7 21 Qh5+ Black is in trouble after either 2 1 . . .KgS 22 Rxg7+!
Kxg7 23 Qg4+ Kh7 24 Bxf4 or 2 1 . . . Bh6 22 Rxg7+! Kxg7 23 Qxh6+ KgS
24 Rgl+.
20 Qxd2!
CJ
NOTE: I n opposite sides castling situations in particular there is a
fine line between winning and drawing/losing, usually because the
attacking side has had to resort to a committal strategy in order to
break through, while the very nature of the struggle brings with it the
prospect of a quick counter on the other flank.
In this case White's choice of recapture on d2 is as important as which
rook came to dS. Indeed, White's desire to keep his queen in reach of
the h5-square leads only to a draw: 20 Rxd2? Nxh7 21 Bxh7+ Kxh7 22
Qh5+ KgS 23 Rxg7+ Kxg7 and White must take perpetual check.
26
Attacking the King
20 ...Nxh7 21 Bxh7+ Kh8 (Diagram 25)
The extra exchange is meaningless The open g- and h-files are decisive
Hoping to slow White down by using the bishop as a shield or threat

ening to take it later. In view of the continuation 2 1 . . .Kxh7 22 Rxg7+!
Kxg7 23 Qg5+ Kh7 24 Qh5+ Kg7 25 Rg l+ Kf6 26 Qg5 mate this is the
best policy.
22 Rxg7!!
The point! It is imperative that such sacrificial possibilities are taken
into consideration when evaluating the merits of a brutal attack on
the king, especially when there is the constant threat of similar ag
gression from the opponent on the other wing!
TIP: Include all possibilities in your calculations of critical variations
- often the key involves a sacrifice.
Taking the second arrival loses immediately, as we see in the next
note, so Black must look for other ways to stay in the game .
22...Qe5!?
22 . . . Kxg7 loses to 23 Qg5+ Kh8 (23 . . . Kxh7 transposes to 2 1 . . .Kxh7,
above) 24 Qh6. An obvious counter is 22 . . . Rxd4, when the calm 23
Bd3! simply leaves the rook on g7 (threatening to check on h7) . Then
23 . . . Qxh2 24 Rdg l Rh4 25 Qg5 produces an odd position in which
White's three major pieces embarrass the queen and rook on the h
file. Nor does the trade of queens with 23 . . . Qf4 offer Black any res
pite, as 24 Qxf4 Rxf4 25 Rh7+ Kg8 26 Rg l+ once again highlights the
plight of Black's king, trapped by its own hapless rook.
23 Rg5!
After so much hard work it is best to avoid the hoped-for 23 dxe5
Rxd2 24 Rxd2 Kxg7 25 Bd3 Bf3!, when White must restart a new
27
phase of the game . The text, on the other hand, keeps the fire well
and truly burning, accentuating the exposed nature of Black's king
side.
23 ...Qxd4 24 Bd3 Qh4
The fact that the queen has to help the king in this manner is a sign
that Black is in trouble.
25 Rdgl Rd5
25 . . . c4 26 R l g4 Qh3 27 Qc3+ f6 28 Rg8+ leads to mate.
26 R5g3 (Diagram 26) 26...c4 27 Qe3 Rh5
Black, to his credit, has the h-file covered in view of 27 . . . cxd3 28 Rh3 .
28 Rg4 Qxh2 29 Qd4+ e5 3 0 Qd6 1-0
�
TIP: When considering where to place the rooks in opposite sides
castling, try to find a balance between attack and defence.
Eliminating Defenders
This is a simple but neglected tool, the reason being that most players
tend to search for ways to increase pressure on a key pawn or square,
for example, by finding another piece to attack it. In fact removing the
opponent's defender is a better policy because this has the bonus of
taking away any other defensive - or, indeed, counterattacking - ca
pabilities this piece may have had.
Game 10
D Jusupov . P.Schlosser
Germany 1997
Black's kingside lacks cover Black's kingside has been deci mated
28
Attacking the King
White's rooks occupy good posts in the centre and both the queen and
the bishop point to Black's kingside. Unfortunately for Black the sole
defender is the knight and, given that the average Russian profes
sional makes decisions by counting attackers and defenders, Jusu
pov's next is fairly easy to predict.
17 Ne4! Nxe4
The stubborn 17 . . . Qe 7 fails to IS d6.
18 Bxe4
Simple and best - IS Rxe4 exd5 19 cxd5 Bf5 is fine for Black.
18 ...Bb7!
When in doubt, develop/improve a piece. The text connects the rooks,
thus strengthening the back rank, and offers much better chances
than the rash IS . . . Nxc4? 19 Qc2 exd5 20 Rxd5! Rxd5 2 1 Bxd5 and
White wins. The more plausible IS . . . exd5? runs into 19 Qe5! ! , when
both 19 . . . Nxc4 20 Bxh7+ Kxh7 21 Qh5+ KgS 22 Ng5 and 19 . . . B g4 20
Rxd5 Rxd5 21 Bxd5 Bxf3 22 BxaS BxaS 23 QbS+ QfS 24 ReS are final.
19 Ng5!
This time 19 Qe5 (threatening 20 Bxh7+) has less bite after 19 . . . h6,
while 19 dxe6? Rxd l 20 exf7+ rebounds on White thanks to 20 . . . KfS!
21 Rxd l Bxe4 etc.
19 ... h6
No doubt part of Black's sensible plan thus far, forcing White to com
mit if he is to inflict damage on the king side pawns which, since the
trade of knights, are particularly vulnerable. The forcing 19 . . . Nxc4 is
exactly that, giving White no choice but to begin working away at
Black's defences: 20 Bxh7+ KfS 21 Qe2!, e.g. 2 1 . . .Bxd5 22 Qh5 with a
menacing initiative, or 2 1 . . .Rxd5 22 Nxe6+! fxe6 23 Qxe6 with the
threat of mate on gS.
20 Bh7+
With this check comes the announcement that White intends to follow
the removal of the all-important knight with a further stripping away
of Black's protective shield of pa wns .
20 ...Kh8
Black cannot avoid the removal of another defender, even if he goes
the other way: 20 . . . KfS 2 1 Nxf7! Kxf7 22 Qe5 and Black's king has no
friends .
21 Nxr7+ Kxh7 22 Qc2+ !
The theme of this chapter is already an indication of what we are aim
ing to achieve with these attacks, so the latest check gives Black an
other decision to make regarding his king's survival. Otherwise the
29
automatic 22 Nxd8? Rxd8 23 Rxe6 Nxc4 sees Black fighting back in

view of his larger force, White's back rank and the a8-hl diagonal.
22...Kg8
The alternative is 22 . . . g6, when 23 Rxe6 Rg8 24 Ne 5 is one way to
keep White in the driving seat.
23 Nxh6+ ! gxh6 24 Qg6+ (Diagram 28 )
Black's once decent looking defences have been completely decimated
and there is no way of helping the king.
24...KfB 25 Qxh6+ Kg8

Or 25 . . . Kf7 26 Qh7+ Kf8 27 dxe6 and mate is inevitable.
26 Qg6+ KfB 27 Qf6+ Kg8 28 Re5 1-0
Game 1 1
D Z.Almasi • I.Sokolov
Wijk aan Zee (open) 1995
The h2-square is vuln erable How should White recapture?
This time it is Black, to move, who looks the most threatening, with
more space, well placed pieces and an advanced knight that teams up
with the queen to hit h2. And herein lies the clue to what Black
should be trying to achieve - eliminating the defender(s).
17...Rxf3!!
Unlike the previous game there is another knight to replace its part
ner, but Black has plans for this one, too.
18 Nxf3 Nce5
18 . . . Rf8?, with the intention of sacrificing a second exchange, fails to
30
Attacking the King
19 h3 Rxf3 20 hxg4! , White following the logic that it makes sense to

eliminate the attacker! The text has the advantage of both threaten
ing to remove the remaining defender with a like-for-like trade while
improving Black's knight, sending it nearer the kingside action.
19 Nd2
White, understandably, is in no mood to part with his only knight. In
deed after 19 Nxe5 Qxe5 White's king side is in need of help. Hoping
for aggressive defence with 20 f4? does not help in view of 20 . . . Qh5 2 1
h 3 Nxe3 2 2 Rxe3 Bc5 2 3 Qe l Bxh3!, while 20 h 3 Qh2+ 2 1 Kfl Rf8! is
very good for Black. This leaves 20 g3 Qh5 21 h4, when the fra gile
pawns are doomed: 2 1 . . .Bxh4! 22 gxh4 Qxh4, e . g. 23 Bf5 Qh2+ 24 Kfl
Nxe 3+ 25 Rxe3 (2 5 fxe 3 Rf8) 25 . . . Bxf5 26 Qxf5 Qh l+ 27 Ke2 Qxa l , or
23 Kfl Rf8 24 Ke2 Rxf2+! 25 Bxf2 Qxf2+ 26 Kd l Ne3+ 27 Rxe3 Bg4+
and mates.
TIP: When a piece that defends against mate can be challenged, this
is a sign that some sort of systematic dismantling of the defending
king's position might be a possibility.
19 ...Nc4
The harassment continues, but this time there is the added bonus for
Black (if White declines to exchange knights) that White's dark
squared bishop - another key defender - can be taken out of the equa
tion without parting with the g4-knight.
20 Nfl
Foolhardy is 20 Nf3? Rf8 21 h3 Ngxe3 22 fxe 3 as Black has the by now
predictable 22 . . . Rxf3! with continued - and heightened - pressure.
20 ...RfS
Taking up a menacing stance on the f-file, so that points on which to
focus are now h2 and f2, with additional emphasis on the related e3-
outpost. The immediate 20 ... Ncxe3 is another possibility.
21 Bdl
With his queen and bishop lined up on the b l-h7 diagonal to provide
White with his only threat, dropping back to dl is not the move White
wants to play, but the g4-knight is enormous. With this in mind there
is also 21 h3 Ncxe 3, when it is a matter of by how much can White
limit his opponent's lead. For example 22 fxe3?! Bh4! gives Black a
decisive advantage after either 23 hxg4 Bf2+ 24 Kh l Bxg4 25 Nh2
Rf6! or 23 Re2 Rxfl +! 24 Kxfl Qh2. Returning the exchange with 2 2
Rxe 3 Nxe3 clearly favours Black, so best i s 22 hxg4 Nxg4 when White
still has problems, particularly on the dark squares. Finally there is
2 1 g3 Nge5, the new hole on f3 causing fresh problems.
21...Ncxe3 (Diagram 3 0 ) 22 fxe3 ?
Accurate, albeit uncomfortable for White , is 22 Rxe3 Nxe 3 . In the dia-
31
gram position h2 is defended by the knight which, in turn, is in the

firing line of Black's rook . . .
2 2...Rxfl + !
A purely thematic exchange sacrifice which, like the opener, sees
White having to part company with a loyal defender.
23 Kxfl Qxh2 24 Bf3 Ne5 25 Qdl
The queen finally stirs. The alternative way to lose is 25 Ke2 Nxf3 26
Kxf3 h5, e . g. 27 Rg1 Bg4+ 28 Kf2 Bh4+ 29 Kfl Qe5! 30 g3 Qf6+ 3 1
Ke 1 Qf3 etc.
25...Bh4 26 Rcl Bg4! 0 -1
Black refused to take his foot off the pedal from the beginning, a se
ries of direct challenges resulting in a final breakthrough.
Game 1 2
D J.Herrera • Qvesada
Correspondence 1996
White's kingside is weak Black's queen breaks in
Here White's kingside pawns are already weak, and the d4-knight
protects the gaping hole on f3. White's queen, too, plays a defensive
role. Black's queen, meanwhile, is well placed on c7 (pointing to
White's kingside), his king's rook monitors f3 and his knight is ready
to j ump to action via g6. Imagine White being without the services of
both his queen and knight, and it is not difficult to see that the white
king would be worryingly exposed . . .
1...Rxa6!
Effectively eliminating the defender through deflection.
32
Attacking the King
2 Qxa6
Throwing in 2 Ne6 loses immediately: 2 . . . Qg3+ 3 Khl Qxh3+ 4 Kg l
Rf3 etc.
2... Rf3!
Exploiting the fact that the bishop stands on the same diagonal as
White's king. Note that Black's ambitions are realistic only because
the g4-pawn should be home on g2.
TIP: Advanced pawns in front of a castled king create holes, and

these require protection from pieces - look for ways to either re
move or deflect these pieces.
3 Nxf3
One of several options, none of which appear to help White. 3 Kg2
seems sensible, when 3 . . . Bxd4 4 cxd4 Ng6 overpowers White, as the
following variations demonstrate: 5 Rgl Nh4+ 6 Kfl Qh2 7 Ra2 e 3; 5
Ra2 Nh4+ 6 Kgl Rxh3 7 f4 exf3; 5 Rh l Nf4+ 6 Kfl Nd3 7 Ra2 Qg3; 5
Qb6 Nh4+ 6 Kg l Rg3+! etc. Rushing back with 3 Qe2 also meets with
3 . . . Ng6! , when 4 Nxf3 Qg3+ 5 Kh l Qxh3+ 6 Nh2 Nf4 wins , while 3
Ra2 runs into 3 . . . Rxh3 4 f4 exf3 etc.
3 ...Qg3 + (Diagram 3 2)
This is the very move Black needs in order for the strategy to succeed.
4 Kh1 Qxf3+ 5 Kg1
5 Kh2 Bd6+ 6 Kg l Qxh3 7 f4 Bc5+ 8 Rf2 Qg3+ comes to the same con
clusion.
5...Qg3 + 6 Kh1 Qxh3 + 7 Kg1 Qxg4+
This capture is not necessary, and I would be tempted to leave the g
pawn on the board to serve as a reminder to White of his suspect de
fensive barrier. 7 . . . Bd6 wins .
8 Kh2 Qf4+ 9 Kh1 Qf3+ 10 Kg1 Qg3 + 11 Kh1 Qh3 + 12 Kg1 Bd6 13
f4 Bc5+ 0-1
Stay Alert
The mere mention of the theme 'attacking the king' typically brings to
mind scenarios involving pawn storms, sacrifices on h7, g7 or f7 and
crushing combinations. However, the safety of the king is an impor
tant aspect throughout the game, and we should remember to be alert
to the possibility of launching an attack in all circumstances . A com
mon mistake is to not even entertain the existence of such an oppor
tunity, the exchange of queens in a 'normal' position often interpreted
as the beginning of a more sober phase of the game .
Here is a good example of how not ruling out very aggressive options
33
in such situations can prove effective.
Game 13
D 8adea • J.Pribyl
Schwabisch Gmund 1995
The queens are off - is Black safe? White's king joins the h u nt !
The diagram position looks quite sedate, with the queens n o longer i n
play, j ust the one open file and (already) a drawish symmetry. How
ever, White, to move, is able to exploit the ostensibly safe home of
Black's king.
1 Nb5+ ! exb5
Or 1 . . .Kb6 2 Bxe5, when 2 . . . cxb5 runs into 3 Bxf6 (3 . . . Bxf6 4 Rd6+).
2 Bxe5+ Ke6
Again 2 . . . Kb6 3 Bxf6 is winning for White .
3 exb5+ !
Forcing the k ing forward in view of the aforementioned capture on f6.
It is already becoming apparent that Black has problems, his king be
ing lured further away from its forces and closer to White's. It is also
important that within a couple of moves of the piece sacrifice White
has collected two pawns, as this makes it awkward for Black to relieve
the pressure with a sacrifice of his own, particularly in view of the
fact that we are merely a few trades from an ending.
3 ...Ke5 4 Bd4+ Kb4 5 Kb2! (Diagram 3 4)
Adding a sense of irony to the proceedings by giving one king a role in
the torment of the other. In fact the text introduces a nasty threat of 6
Bb6! with the intention of following 6 . . . axb6 (preventing 7 a3 mate)
with 7 Rd4+ and mate next move.
34
Attacking the King
5...Be6
After 5 . . . Rd8 White changes direction: 6 Bc3+! Kc5 7 h4+ Kb6 8 Rxd8
Bxd8 9 Rc 1 ! and Black loses thanks to the threat of 10 Bd4+.
6 Bc3 +
The point of Black's previous move is to meet 6 Bb6 with the spoiler
6 . . . Bc4.
6...Kc5 7 ReI! Kb6
Black's king is a liability wherever it goes, e.g. 7 . . . Kd6? 8 Rhd l+ etc.
Now White can practically wrap up the full point immediately with 8
a4! due to the unavoidable discovered check once Black's king is
forced to the c-file , e.g. 8 ...Rhc8 9 a5+ Kc7 10 Bxf6+ Kd7 11 Rhdl +
etc. White has two extra pawns a n d Black will be forced into further
passivity preventing the loss of a third.
TIP: The exchange of queens can be as significant a potential loss
for the defender as for the attacker - don't stop looking at aggres
sive possibilities in seemingly calm queenless middlegames.
Finally we turn to an example in which both sides have castled short
and both kings are under pressure .
Game 14
D Conquest . Shengelia
Agios Nikolaos 1 997
Both king positions have weaknesses White has g ot in
The removal of the g2 and h7 pawns has caused irreparable damage

to the respective kings' defensive barriers, and in such a situation it
pays to adopt a strategy that revolves around your opponent's key
weaknesses. This has the dual purpose of p utting him under maxi-
35
mum pressure while distracting him from the exploitation of your

own vulnerable king. In this case White, to move, has more pieces
pointing at the enemy king, thus affording him the power to create
brutal threats.
1 Qdl ! g6
Bailing out with 1 . . .Bf3 favours White whether he recaptures with the
queen or knight, e.g. 2 Nxf3 Bxd4 3 Bxd4 etc.
2 Bxg6!
If White is to make the most of having the first blow he must play
vigorously. It is bad enough for Black that 1 . . . g6 brought his king
closer to the now not so distant bishop on b2, but White's latest strips
away a second pawn and renews the attack on the stranded knight.
2...Bf3!
When embarking on his assault Conquest had to calculate 2 . . .fxg6 3
Nxg6+ Kg8 4 Qxh5 Bxd4 5 Ne7+ with forced mate.
3 Qd2!
Rather than give himself a chance to drift and Black a chance to find
something after 3 Nxf3 White prefers to continue with the forcing
theme.
TIP: Keeping up the momentum of an attack accentuates the oppo
nent's defensive responsibilities while reducing the likelihood of
counterplay which, in turn, means the possibility of a serious mis
take on your part is considerably reduced.
3 ... fxg6
After 3 . . . Kg7 4 Bxh5 Bxh5 5 Ng4! all four of White's attacking force
contribute to the win.
4 Qh6+ Kg8 5 Rd 7! (Diagram 3 6)
As we will see later (Chapter 4) a rook on the seventh rank is a force
to be reckoned with.
5...Bg7
5 . . . Ng7 6 Nxg6 is final.
6 Rxg7+ ! Nxg7 7 Nxg6! (Diagram 3 7)
White is a rook down but it is the respective safety of the kings that is
the deciding factor. It is interesting that each side is in control of a
long diagonal, with White's king ostensibly vulnerable. However, even
with the move and the extra rook Black is in trouble because he is de
fenceless on the dark squares, as we are about to witness. That Con
quest had envisaged at the point at which we joined the game is im
pressive indeed.
36
Attacking the King
The extra rook doesn't help Black The king has been driven to its doom
7...Nh5
Let us have a look at the alternatives.
a) 7 . . . Qb7 8 Qh8+ Kf7 9 Qxg7+ i s easy.
b) 7 . . . Ne6 8 Qh8+ Kf7 9 Qf6+ and Black is mated.
c) After 7 ... Nf5 8 Qh8+ Kf7 9 Qf6+ White picks up the rook and knight
(or the king).
8 Qh8 + Kf7 9 Qh7+ Ke6 10 Qe7+ Kd5
Or 1O . . . Kf5 1 1 Nh4+! with mate next move.
11 Qd7+ Ke4 12 Qe6+ Kd3 13 Qe3 + Kc2 14 Qc3 + Kb1
14 ... Kd 1 1 5 Qd3+ alters nothing.
15 Ba1!! (Diagram 3 8 ) 1-0
The king and bishop finally meet. Thanks to Conquest's energetic play
Black never had a chance.
37
Try it Yourself
Exercise 1 Exercise 2
E xercis e 1: How does Black exploit his opponent's poor development?

E xercis e 2: Black's kingside efforts have left his king in the centre -
a mistake that White is able to punish . . .
E xercis e 3: The push of White's h-pawn could well meet with the ad
vance of the c6-pawn, so White played 1 Bxh7+? Kxh7 2 Qh5+ Kg8 3
Bxg7 Kxg7 4 Qh6+ Kg8 5 g6 . Which of Black's two candidate moves
5 . . .Bf6 and 5 . . . Bg5 is best, and how might play continue in each case?
E xercis e 4: How can White, tied down by the unwelcome rooks,
strike the first blow?
38
Attacking the King
Summary
Open lines when the enemy king is in the centre
Look for sacrifices to generate/maintain an initiative
Keep up the momentum
Set your opponent awkward defensive tasks
Try to find a balance between attack and defence
Stay alert!
39
Chapter Two
D efe ndi ng - Kee p C a l m !
• Defence
• Counterattack
• The Knockout Blow
• Nobody's Perfect
Defending - Keep Calm!
There is more to chess than learning theory and studying combina

tions, pawn structures, endings and so on. We have to sit down at the
board and try to reproduce what we know and transfer what we un
derstand about the game under what can be nerve-wracking circum
stances, and with time running out! Some players adapt better than
others, and it is the ability to stay calm under pressure that ulti
mately determines our results.
Three of the most tense aspects of a competitive game are defending
in a tense situation, counterattacking and finishing off the opponent
at the critical moment. There is not a player in the world who has not
dropped points in these scenarios! Some players dislike defending so
much that they adopt the most aggressive opening repertoire possible
in the vain hope that such inconvenience will not befall them. When
the inevitable does happen they then crumble.
Unfortunately there is no magic remedy, but it is worth remembering
that as material is invested in an attack, and as the situation nears
the critical point, the attacker, too, treads the thin line between vic
tory and defeat (or a draw, of course).
Defence
Garne 1 5
D Gallagher • Kobalija
Biel (open) 1 997
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
Black's kingside is a little weak How does White conti nue?
White enjoys a development advantage and Black has compromised

his kingside slightly. Gallagher, the 200 1 British champion, rarely
needs much of an invitation to launch an offensive . . .
1 5 N d5!? exd5
41
Black accepts the challenge.

16 Qxf5 Qc6! 17 e6
Defending along the third rank allows Black to meet the plausible 1 7
h 3 with 1 7 . . . Qh6! I S hxg4 hxg4 1 9 g 3 B e 7 2 0 Kg2 d6! 2 1 Qd3 Bxh4,
e.g. 22 Rh l Qe6 23 exd6 (23 Rxh4 Rxh4 24 gxh4 dxe5 25 fxe5 Qxe5)
23 . . . Bb7!, when Black is still fighting, or 22 gxh4 dxe5 23 Qxd5 Ra7!
and Black's king's support, though distant, holds for the time being.
The text obstructs the queen and thus steps up the pressure against
Black's king.
17... dxe6 18 Qg6+ Kf8 19 f5
In the event of 19 Bxg4? Black has the calm 19 . . . Rh6! before recaptur
ing. This is the kind of move you should be aware of when conducting
the defence and, more importantly, such unexpected resources are
less likely to feature in the opponent's ambitious calculations.
TIP: Unexpected defensive resources can throw the attacker off
course.
19 ...Rh6!?
I like Black's mix of aggressive, uncompromising play - even if the ul
timate result is to share the point. The very nature of defending
means that at some point the attacker has decided to take on such a
role and, in doing so, controls the game to some extent. It would be
great to emerge from the complications with the full point but, if the
attack is reasonably sound, then accurate defence should lead to a
draw (i.e. avoiding defeat). 19 . . . KgS also seems okay for Black, but is
less active and brings with it more opportunity to go wrong, e.g. 20 f6
Ra7? 2 1 Bxg4 hxg4 22 f7+ Kf8 23 Bf6!! etc. However, 20 . . . Qc7! threat
ens mate in one and forces White to take a draw after 2 1 Bxg4 hxg4
22 QeS+ BfS 23 fxg7 Qxg7 24 RxfS+ Qxf8 25 Qg6+ Qg7.
Black's choice in the game both provides the king with a square in the
corner and attacks White's queen, thus denying White the luxury of
time and, therefore, choice .
20 fxe6+ Kg8 (Diagram 2)
We usually talk of calm, clinical attacking play but here these words
can be used to describe Black's reaction to suddenly finding himself on
the receiving end of a dangerous attack. In fact the onus is now on
White to j ustify his aggression.
21 Rf8 + !
White, too, is holding his nerves well. How many players, with the
clock ticking, would play the obvious 21 Qf7+? here? Then 2 1 . . .KhS 22
e7 Be6 23 Qf8+ BgS spells the end of White's fun and the beginning of
misery, since Black is winning. Now the game leads to a draw and,
once again, accurate defence is required from Black.
42
21...Bxf8 22 Qf7 + Kh8

22 . . . Kh7?? 23 Bd3+ leads to mate .
23 Qxf8 + Kh7 24 Bd3 + Rg6!
24 . . . g6? presents White with the choice of taking perpetual check or
bringing in more heavy artillery with 25 Re I!?, and I suspect that Joe
would take the latter option, and with it good winning chances.
Black's cool self-pin, however, is actually the forcing move.
25 Bxg6+
Not 25 e7? Bd7.
25...Kxg6 26 Qf7 + Kh7!
Black is yet to reach the end of the tunnel: 26 ... Kh6? 27 Qf5! g6 28
B g5+ Kg7 29 Qf7+ Kh8 30 Re I keeps the fire burning for White.
27 Qf5+
27 Qxh5+ Nh6.
27...Kg8 28 Qf7 + Kh7 29 Qf5+ Kg8 3 0 Qf7 + 'h-'h
Impressive treatment from both players with attack and defence bal
ancing each other out.
TIP: When defending a much harassed king try to find moves that
most inconvenience your opponent.
In an ideal world we would all have the tenacious defensive skills of
Petrosian and Korchnoi. Unfortunately this is not the case, but that
does not mean we should always avoid the capture of ostensibly 'poi
soned' or, to a lesser degree, unappetising pawns , for example. At all
levels of competition there are opportunities to grab a pawn and sub
sequently soak up pressure, but such a policy is not to everyone's
taste.
The next game is a good illustration of consolidation.
Game 16
o Beliavsky • Akopian
Pula 1 997
I would guess that Black has accepted a sacrificed pawn at some

point, resulting in the double attack on his bishop and b-pawn plus
the posting of his queen on the same diagonal as White's bishop .
Black's plan is simple, of course, namely exchange pieces and win the
ending! Alas White will be looking to make the most of his gambit, no
doubt with aspirations of a king side attack.
(Diagram 3 ) 16...Qe8 !
Bringing the queen back to the fold, defending the bishop and indi-
43
rectly defending the b-pawn with a single move. 16 . . . Qa1? plays into
White's hands: 17 Rxd7 Qxc l+ 18 Ne 1 Ne 5 19 Rxe7 Nd3 20 Kfl etc.
Diagram 3 Diagram 4
How can Black coordinate? Black to play - don't panic!
17 Qdl
Obviously not 17 Rxb5? Nd4.
17...Nb8 !
Backwards moves tend to be difficult to find but this prepares to con
solidate the queenside pawn majority, enabling Black to address the
coming kingside offensive.
18 Nd4 c6 19 Re5 Qd8 !
The queen has served its purpose on e8, and 19 . . . f6?! 20 Re4 Qf7 2 1
g4! gives White something to aim at. Furthermore, Black's intended
defensive set-up requires that the f8-square is available for the
bishop .
20 Qh5 g6 21 Qh6 (Diagram 4) 21...Re8
Black must be careful not to overplay his hand here. For example
2 1 . . . Bf6? runs into 22 Rh5! gxh5 23 Be4 with forced mate - undoubt
edly one of the ideas White has had in mind for a while. Instead, safe
in the knowledge that the hefty queen side majority is his trump card,
Black appreciates that holding the kingside together is tantamount to
a decisive advantage.
22 h4
This time 22 Rh5? gxh5 23 Be4 f5 wins for Black, e.g. 24 N e6 Bf8! etc.
22...BfB 23 Rxe8 Bxe8 24 Qf4
White is running out of steam, hence Black's next.
44
24...c5 25 Nf3 Qd6!

Forcing the exchange of queens in view of the threatened check on d l .
2 6 Qxd6 Bxd6 27 Nd2 Bc6
Black has a healthy extra pawn and eventually won the game . Unlike
the previous example, where Black was simply trying to survive, this
time Black's defensive task involved regrouping, consolidating, de
fending the king and, finally, neutralising the attack to emerge with a
modest but ultimately decisive material lead intact.
TIP: Don't sportingly wait to lose!
Garne 1 ?
D Notkin • Harlov
Russian Ch 1 994
Diagram 5 Diagram 6
White must attack White has good counterplay
We could be forgiven for believing that White , to move, is on the road

to a slow but sure defeat, with his e-pawn under fire and the a-pawn
free to race down the board. Passive defence is certainly not going to
alter the outcome. In fact the only worthwhile alternative to resigning
is to throw caution to the wind and generate a distraction in the area
in which White has most influence - With all but his d-pawn on the
kingside this decision is an easy one . . .
1 h4!
A good start, unlike 1 Rf3? Rfb8 2 h4 Rxe3! 3 Rxe3 Qxd4.
1...Rxe3
1 . . .Be7 2 h5 g5 3 h6! is sufficiently inconvenient for Black.
2 h5!
45
Onward. White has to be brutal in his conduct of the attack since con
cerning himself with who has how many pawns at this stage is futile
the a-pawn is simply too strong. What matters is engineering a situa
tion that affords White some kind of bargaining power.
2...Qxd4 3 hxg6 Rxe5 4 Qh4!

At the critical point of the game White hits upon the key feature of
the position. The similar looking 4 Qh3? fails to 4 . . .fxg6 5 Nxg6 Rxf2 6
Qh8+ Kf7 7 Nxe5+ Qxe5 8 Rxf2+ Kg6 9 Qe8+ Kh7, when Black, his a
pawn poised and with three pawns for the exchange, is firmly in
charge . The text introduces a crucial difference .
4... fxg6 5 Nxg6 (Diagram 6)

Now there is no time to take on f2 .
5...Qxh4 6 RxfS + Kh7 7 Nxh4 BxfS
7 . . . Bc5+ 8 Kh2 Rh5 9 Kg3.
8 RxfS
Knights are notoriously slow when chasing pawns in the ending, but
at least White has a rook to help, ensuring a draw.
8 ... a4 9 Ra8 Rel + 10 Kf2 Ral 11 Nf3 a3 ! 12 Ng5+ Kg6 13 Nxe6
Kf5! 14 Nd4+ Ke4 15 Nxc6 Kd5 16 Ne7+
Or 16 Nb4+ Kc4 17 Nc2 Ra2 18 Rxa3 Rxc2+.
16...Kc4 17 Nf5 a2 'h-'h
TIP: I n a 'hopeless' position it is worth trying to generate some kind
of counterplay - however futile it might seem - if the alternative is
nothing more than passively waiting for a mistake.
Counterattack
Occasionally, when we find ourselves suddenly under attack, the op
p ortunity arises to launch an immediate counter.
Game 18
D Franzen • 8aumbach
Correspondence 1 994
(Diagram 7) 24 Be6! Kg7!

24 . . .fxe6 is asking for trouble after 25 Qh6, e.g. 25 . . . Kf7 26 Qh7+.
25 Bxf7 ! Rh8 !
25 . . . Kxf7 26 Qh7+.
26 Qe1 Rxh2+ !
46
Diagram 7 Diagram 8
White is about to launch an attack The tables have turned
Turning the tables on White, whose own king is now exposed, albeit
at the cost of a rook. Again the bishop is safe in view of 26 . . . Kxf7 27
Qe6+ Ke8 (or 27 . . . Kf8 28 Rxf6+) 28 Rxf6 .
27 Kxh2 Rh8 + 28 Kg3 Qd4! (Diagram 8 )
Only a few moves ago White began an attack on his opponent's king,
yet now he is in danger of losing in embarrassing fashion. Is it time to
change course and find a decent defence?
29 Rdl !
In fact the stubborn 29 Qxe7 leads to an amusing draw after
29 . . . Ne4+ 30 Kf3 (30 Kf4? Ng5+! is mate in two, while 30 Kg4? Ng5+!
3 1 Rf4 Rh4+! 32 Kxh4 Qxf4+ 33 g4 Qh2+! leads to mate on h6)
30 . . . Qd3+ 3 1 Kf4 g5+ 32 Kf5 Nf6+ (Diagram 9)
Who is attacking? White activates the king for the endgame!
47
33 Ke6! (33 Kxg5?? Qg3+) 33 . . . Qe3+ 34 Kxd6 Qb6+ 35 Ke5 Qe3+ etc.
The text is preferable because it gives Black chances to slip.
29 ...Nh5+ ! 3 0 Kf3 Qf4+ 31 Ke2 Ng3 + 32 Kd3 (Diagram 10)
White prepares for the ending!
3 2...Nxfl 3 3 Qxfl
Perhaps 33 Bxg6!? is playable . Then 33 . . . Rh4!? 34 Be4 Ng3 35 Qc3+
KgS 36 Bf3 is not clear, but White does have a pawn to compensate
for his opponent's active pieces and control of the dark square s.
3 3 ...Qxf7
Not 33 . . . Qg3+? 34 Kc2 RfS 35 Rd3, or 33 . . . Qxfl+? 34 Rxfl RfS 35 Kc3
and White's king heads for a4.
3 4 Qxf7 + Kxf7
The smoke has cleared and the ending is level. The game ended as fol
lows: 3 5 Rfl + Ke8 ! (35 . . . Kg7? 36 Kc3) 3 6 Ke3 Rh2 3 7 Rf2 Rhl 3 8
Kb3 Rh4! (3S. . .Rc 1? 39 Rc2!) 3 9 Re2 b5! 40 a3 bxe4+ 41 Rxe4 Rh5
42 Rd4 Re5 43 Ka4 Re2 44 b3 Re3 45 Rd2 Re3 46 b4 'h-'h
WARNING: Beware counter-sacrifices.
Game 1 9
D Aronian • Sandler
Yerevan Olympiad 1 996
The pawn advances are double-edged Black also has attac king chances
As is often the case in the Sicilian Defence White has pushed the
pawns in front of his king in order to storm his opponent's defences .
This policy, of course, is not without risk, for if Black is able to open
48
lines for his pieces White's attack is in danger of rebounding. In the

diagram position 19 fxe6? fxe6 20 Nxe6 Rxf4 2 1 Nxc7 Rxg4+ is excel
lent for Black, so White, having already committed himself, tries an
even more direct approach.
19 f6!? gxf6 20 Qh6!?

20 exf6 Qxf4 21 Rxf4 Bc5 favours the bishops. By lodging the queen so
close to the target king White puts his opponent under maximum
pressure, in turn maximising the defender's chances to falter.
20 ...Rfd8 !
Active defence, bringing the rook to life and vacating f8 for the bishop
to evict the queen. Taking on e5 with queen or pawn invites the same
response: 20 . . . Qxe5? 21 Rf5!, or 20 .. .fxe5? 21 Rf5 ! , e . g. 2 1 . . .exd4
(2 1 . . .exf5 22 Nxf5; 2 1 . . . Rfd8 22 Rh5!) 22 Rg5+! Bxg5 23 Qxg5+ Kh8 24
Qf6+ Kg8 25 Bh6 etc.
21 exf6 BfS 22 Qh4 Rxd4!! 23 Bxd4 e3 ! (Diagram 12)
One black bishop defends the king while the other has a far more ag
gressive role in teaming up with the queen to threaten mate . White's
attack has come to a standstill, but he does have a 'points' lead.
24 Bxe3 Qxc2 25 Qh3 Rd8 26 Rael Qc6! 27 Re2 Rd3 28 Kf2 Bc5!
29 Rfe1 Qe4 3 0 Kgl
After 30 Kfl Black can steer the game to an ending with 30 . . . Bxe3 3 1
Rxe3 Rxe3 3 2 Rxe3 Qb l+ 3 3 Re I Qxb2, when White's more exposed
king and weak pawns give Black good winning chances.
3 0 ...Bd4
This time 30 . . . Rxe 3 31 Rxe3 Bxe3+ 32 Rxe3 Qb l+ is different because
White has 33 Qfl Qxb2 34 Qf2 etc.
31 g5 Qd5 3 2 Qg3 Be5 3 3 Qg2
In what are obviously difficult circumstances White finally succumbs
to the pressure. 33 Qh3 is dismissed by Sandler in view of 33 . . . Bf4,
but 34 Kf2 Qxg5? 35 Rgl Bxe3+ 36 Qxe3 Qxg l+ 3 7 Kxg l Rxe3 38
Rxe3 favours White. Instead Black should turn the screw, e.g. 34 . . . a5
3 5 b 3 Bc6, when White must find a 'passing' move such as 36 Rg l , al
though 36 . . . Qe5 37 Rge 1 Bxg5 looks good for Black since now the h2-
pawn is also under fire .
3 3 ...Qxg2+ 3 4 Rxg2 Bxg2 3 5 Kxg2 Bxh 2 3 6 Kf2 a5 3 7 Ke2 Rd5 3 8
h4 a4 3 9 Rh l Bc3 40 h5 h6! 41 g6 Rxh5 42 gxf7 + Kxf7 43 Kd3
Rh3 44 Ke4 h 3 45 axh 3 Rxe3 + ! 46 Kxe3 a3 0 -1
TIP: Confidence in the availability of general defensive resources
creates the confidence required to find counterattacking possibili
ties.
49
Game 20
D Lobron • Kramnik
Dortmund 1 995
Black can counterattack Black has strong counter play
The well-known golden rule that action on the flank should be coun
tered in the centre holds true in the diagram position. This time Black
has a knight on the back rank to help defend the king, but with
White's f-pawn ready to inflict some kind of damage it is imperative
that Black waste no time engineering an effective distraction.
20 ... d5! 21 cxd5
Changing direction with 2 1 f5 exf5 22 exd5 looks somewhat suspect
and invites 22 .. .f4!?
21...exd5 22 f5
Both 22 Bd4 dxe4 23 Nxe4 Nf5 and 22 e5 Nf5 permit Black to lodge
his knight on an excellent square, while (22 e5) 22 . . . d4!? 23 Bxd4
Bxg2 24 Kxg2 Nf5 is an interesting variation on the theme.
22...Qxc3 ?
22 . . . dxe4! 23 Rfl (23 f6 g6! and Black's knight comes to f5) 23 . . . Nd5 is
more accurate. For example 24 f6?! Nxe 3 25 fxg7 Nxfl favours Black
after either 26 Qh6 Qc5+ 27 Kh 1 Qf5 28 gxf8Q+ Rxf8 29 Nxfl e3!? or
26 gxf8 Q+ Kxf8 27 Qh6+ Ke8. Best is 24 Nxe4 Nxe3 25 Rxe3 with a
balanced game , Black enjoying more freedom here than in the initial
p osition.
23 Rf1?
23 Nb3!? dxe4 24 Bd4 Qc2 25 Rfl ! ? looks more active . It does seem,
however, that White is burning his bridges.
50
23 ... d4 (Diagram 14) 24 Bf4

24 f6 Neg6 25 fxg7 works after 25 . . . dxe3? 26 gxf8Q+ Kxf8 27 Rxf7+!
Kxf7 28 Qxh7+ Kf8 (28 . . . Qg7 29 Rf3+) 29 Rf3+, but 25 . . . Kxg7 26 Bf4
d3 is far from clear.
24... d3 25 Qh4
25 Kh l!? Qd4 26 Be3 Qd7 27 f6 Neg6 28 fxg 7 Kxg7 is complex and
Black appears to be holding firm. In fact since he originally broke
with the d-pawn Black has seen his position gradually improve, the
matter of defending against the kingside assault being more to do
with general principles (and decent nerves) than precise calculation.
25...Re8
25 . . . Qd4+!? 26 Be3 Qd7.
26 Qg3 Rad8 27 Rf2 ? !
Stepping off the g l-a7 diagonal with 27 Kh l is sensible, when Black
should play 27 . . . Qc6!?, switching to the long diagonal and intending
28 Be5 Nxf5!? 29 Rxf5 Qc l+ 30 Nfl (30 Rfl Qxd2) 30 . . . d2 etc.
27...Qal + 28 Rfl
28 Bfl Nc6!? with . . . . Nd4 to follow .
28 ...Qb2
28 . . . Qxa2.
29 Rf2 Qxa2 3 0 Be5 Nxf5!? 31 exf5 Bxg2 3 2 Kxg2?
32 g6 fxg6 33 fxg6 Nxg6 is no better but 32 Rxg2 improves , when both
32 . . . Qd5 33 Bc7 (33 Nf3 Rxe5!) 33 . . . Rc8 and 32. . . Rd5!? are good for
Black.
3 2...Qd5+ 3 3 Nf3 Rxe5! 3 4 Qxe5 Qxe5 3 5 Nxe5 d2 3 6 Rxd2 Rxd2+
and Black wins. Had Black not blasted open the position White would
have been free to patiently conduct his kingside attack, but the intro
duction of counterplay raised the stakes, upping the tempo to such a
degree that White's centre soon deteriorated and his queenside came
under fire. Finally the long light-squared diagonal also played an im
portant part in the proceedings, and the long-term hazards of pushing
the pawns in front of a castled king while an enemy bishop watches
from afar are worth remembering.
The Knockout Blow

The effort required to engineer a decisive advantage is considerable,
but the ability to make the win disappear before our eyes when the
opponent is on the ropes is a gift we all share! A common occurrence
is to arrive at a situation in which one killer theme is set to end the
game, the same knockout blow being the winner in more than one in-
51
stance. The following game is a good illustration of this 'sure thing'

scenario.
Game 2 1
D Ljubojevic • lIIescas
Groningen 1 993
The bishop is a good long-range piece White has run out of steam
Both kings are under pressure and, with three pieces all eyeing the
a 3-pawn, it seems that Black has the upper hand. However, White's
long-range bishop does a good job of both annoying Black's king and
covering key squares (a2 and b3) around White's own king. White's
queen, too, offers protection. The same cannot be said of Black, whose
king is pretty lonely. Hence White's next.
36 Rhl !
With the fairly simple threat of sacrificing on h7 followed b y swinging
the remaining rook over to deliver mate.
3 6... g6
Of course 36 . . . Rxa3+ 37 bxa3 Qxa3+ 38 Kb l Rxd3 had to be consid
ered: 39 Rxh7+! wins. Even in reply to 36 . . . g5, creating an escape
route for Black's king, White has . . . 37 Rxh7+! Kxh7 38 Rh l + Kg7 39
Qxg5+ wi th mate to follow.
3 7 Rxh7+ ? ?
Now the queen comes to h6 wi th devastating effect, surely?
3 7...Kxh7 3 8 Rhl + Kg7 3 9 Qh6+
39 e6 cuts the bishop's connection to a2 and b3 and therefore adds de
cisive punch to 39 . . . Nxa3! . After the text the result is a matter of
time . . .
52
3 9 ...Kxf7 40 Rfl + Ke6 41 Rf6+

4 1 Qxg6+ Kd7 42 Qf5+ Kc6 43 Qf6+ Kb 7 44 Qxd8 Nxa3
41...Kd5 (Diagram 16)
. . . Not much time, then, as White has run out of steam!
42 Qd2
On a par with 42 'resigns' but White must have been in shock by now.
42...Nc3 + 0-1
Returning to the position after 36 . . . g6 White has another way to
throw away the point: 37 Qh6?? Nc3+ 38 bxc3 (38 Ka l Rxa3+ 39 bxa3
Qxa3+) 38 ... Qxa3+ 39 Kb l Rb5+. However, rather than donate a rook
(or king) to Black's cause, White can win with the logical 37 Bxg6!
when, to add insult to injury, he is spoilt for choice - 37 . . . Rxa3+
(37 . . . Nxa3 38 Rxh7+ Kg8 39 Rh8+ Kxh8 40 Qh6+) 38 bxa3 Qxa3+ 39
Kb l , or the amusing 38 Kb l!? Nc3+ 39 bxc3 Qb5+ 40 Qb2 Rb3 4 1
Rxh7+ (that move again!) 4 1 . . .Kg8 4 2 Bf7+.
The irony here is the sheer efficacy of Rxh7+ - had this not been such
a threat White would have found the winning capture on g6.
Nobody is Perfect
Here is a game to cheer us all up - top players making inexplicable
blunders!
Game 22
D Ljubojevic • Anand
Buenos Aires 1 994
Black's king i s under extreme pressure Black to play and win
53
With too many pieces pointing at his king Black is in trouble, espe
cially after White's opener.
23 Ng4 Nxg4
Forced in view of the threatened mate in two.
24 Qxe7!
I promise that this is the only '!' you will see tagged on to a player's
move . 24 Qxg4 Qd7 is only clearly better for White, whereas the text
is much stronger.
24... e5 25 fxe5 dxe5 26 Bgl Nf6 27 Qxe5?
The first mistake, missing 27 Bxf7! Rgf8 28 B g6+! Kh8 29 Rg3 or 29
Qxb4.
27...N xe4 28 Qf5+ Kh8 ?
28 . . . Qg6! 29 Qxf7 Qxf7 30 Bxf7 Rgf8 seems to offer Black sufficient
compensation for the pawn.
29 Bd4 Red8 3 0 e3 ? ? (Diagram 18 ) 3 0 ...Nd2? ?
With a bishop and queen lined up against White's king we might be
forgiven - particularly after seeing similar examples - for thinking
that 30 . . . Nxc3! hits both g2 and the powerful d4-bishop!
31 Qg5?
This time White fails to spot a win on the h l-a8 diagonal: 31 Bd5!
WIns.
31...Rxd4 32 exd4 Nxb3 33 d5
At least White remembers that his rook 'defends' his queen so that 33
Rxb3 is ou t of the question.
3 3 ...Re8 ?
33 . . . Qa6 simply leaves Black with two decent minor pieces for a rook.
3 4 Rxe8 + ? ?
Losing, unlike 34 Qd8!! Then 34 . . . Rxd8 3 5 dxc6 Bxc6 36 Rxb 3 Rd2 37
Rgl Rd4! is a likely draw .
3 4...Qxe8 3 5 Qe3 Qa8
Guaran teeing the win.
3 6 Rxh6+ gxh6 3 7 Qxh6+ Kg8 3 8 Qg5+ KfS 39 Qh6+ Ke8 0 -1

And the moral is: We all make mistakes.
54
Summary
Look for 'surprise' defensive resources
Inconvenience your opponent
Don't be passive - keep fighting
Have confidence in counterattacking possibilities
55
Chapter Three
O p e n i ng L i nes
-
� Infiltration
.
- The Diagonal
�
�
- Try it Yourself
Opening Lines
Since we start the game with an assortment of pieces it makes sense

to provide all but the knights (and pawns) with sufficient room for
manoeuvre. Our opponents, of course, will be interested only in aiding
their own forces and, moreover, will endeavour to restrict our own.
The games in this chapter feature examples of infiltrating enemy
lines - which tends to use files - and making the most of diagonals.
Infi Itration
Game 23
D Beliavsky • Benjamin
Munich 1 994
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
White needs a pawn break White has broken through
A look at Diagram 1 suggests that we have a stand-off - the passed c

pawn is firmly blockaded, the passed b-pawn is going nowhere and
the d-pawn is safe . However, with a simple pawn break White is able
to force his way into Black's position.
41 e4!
A thematic thrust that immediately puts White in the driving seat,
since the d-pawn is protected by two pieces and attacked four times,
while the capture on e4 allows instant access to the back rank.
41... dxe4 42 Rd7! Re7 43 Rd8 + Kg7 44 Qd4+ £6
Also possible is 45 Rb8, but the direct text helps White accentuate his
influence on the eighth rank.
45 Nd5! Bxd5 46 Qxd5 Rf7 47 Qa8 ! (Diagram 2)
Thanks to the challenge in the centre White has been able to trans
form the game, bullying his way through w ha t seemed like a sound
57
defensive wall. Whether this is enough to win the game is another

matter, since the initial position offered little in the way of winning
prospects, whereas now the onus is on Black to make the correct deci
SIOns.
47... h5? !
4 7 . . . f5 48 Rg8+ Kf6 49 Qc6+ Ke5 50 Rd8 is decisive, but perhaps Black
should try his luck with 48 . . . Kh7 49 Rh8+ Kg7 50 Qg8+ Kf6 5 1 Rxh6
Rg7, e.g. 52 Qd5 c3.
48 Rg8 + Kh6 49 Qxe4 f5
After 49 . . . Rg7 50 Rh8+ Rh7 51 Qf4+! Kg7 52 Rb8 the party is over,
e.g. 52 . . . Qe7 53 Rc8 etc.
50 Qe6
White is winning.
50 ...Rg7 51 Rh8 + Rh7 52 Qe3 + Kg7 53 Qd4+ Kh6 54 b6 1-0
Black resigned in view of the coming 55 Qf4+ Kg7 56 Rxh7+ Kxh7 5 7
Qc7+ Kh6 58 b7. As I mentioned earlier, the improved practical
chances afforded to White after the infiltration are what matters (see
the section on Altered Circumstances in Chapter 6) .
TIP: A well timed break directed against a fixed pawn can result in
an effective infiltration.
Game 24
D Miezis • Atalik
New York 1 998
Diagram 3 Diagram 4
Black fi nds an interesting plan Black has useful outposts
Here we have a deceptively tense situation arising from a traditional
58
Opening Lines
variation of the King's Indian Attack. The very closed nature of the
position means that any capture might prove committal and allow the
opponent to get the better of resultant open lines . Nevertheless,
Black, to move, decided to change the pace of the struggle.
16...Bxb5!?
16 . . . Bc6 is enough for equality, but Black has seen an interesting pos
sibility.
17 axb5
17 cxb 5 hands relinquishes control of the important d5-square.
17... a4 18 bxa4 Nxa4 19 Ng5
Inviting Black to enter a bishops versus knights scenario. 19 Rfe l has
been suggested as an improvement, when 19 . . . Nc3?! 20 Bxc3 dxc3 2 1
Rxa8 Qxa8 22 Rxc3 Qa 1+ 23 Qe l Qb2 24 Qel Qxc 1+ 2 5 Rxe l Nxd3 26
Ra l sees the wrong player - from Black's point of view since he insti
gated the process - take control of the a-file . Instead 19 . . . Qd7 20 Qdl
Nc3 improves for Black, e . g. 2 1 Bxc3 dxc3 22 Rxc3 Rxa l 23 Qxa l
Nxd3, or 22 Rxa8 Rxa8 23 Rxc3 Ra2, when Black has succeeded in in
j ecting some activity into his position.
19 ...Bxg5 20 Bxb7 Ra5 21 fxg5 Nc3 22 Qf3 Qb6 (Diagram 4)
Black has achieved his aim of infiltrating the queenside in order to
unbalance the position. For the invested pawn Black has good out
posts for his pieces and the makings of an invasion down the board's
only open file .
TIP: In 'lifeless' situations investigate possibilities that lead t o a less
clear position in which you have one or more open lines and ad
vanced outposts.
23 g4?
White unjustifiably seeks to unsettle his opponent over on the king
side . A better way of doing this might be to return the pawn with 23
g6 hxg6 24 B g 5 , although 24 . . . Rb8 25 Bc6 Rxa l 26 Rxa l Q c 7 27 Kg2
Nxc6 28 Qxc6 Qxe5 seems to favour Black.
23 ...Rxal 24 Rxal fxg4 25 Qg2 Nxd3 !
Perhaps White had considered only 25 . . . Qc7 26 Be4! here, but the
positive text sees the knights stand side by side within striking dis
tance of the kingside .
26 Qc6
The point behind Black's previous move is that 26 Ra6 now loses to
26 . . . Qxb7! 27 Qxb7 Ne2+, e.g. 28 Kg2 Rf2+ 29 Kh l Rfl+ with mate
next move.
26...Qa5!! (Diagram 5)
59
After Black's brave endeavours to open the position this excellent

move deserves to win! Note that White's impatient attempt to demon
strate a similar desire on the kingside has served only to provide
Black with another open file .
Diagram 5 Diagram 6
A bri l l iant sacrifice White's pieces are far away
27 Qxe6+
The most stubborn defence is 27 Rfl ! , when Black continues 27 . . . Ne2+
28 Kg2 Nef4+! (28 . . . Ndf4+? 29 Rxf4 Nxf4+ 30 Bxf4) 29 Bxf4 Nxf4+ 30
Kh 1 Qd2, e.g. 3 1 Qe4 (3 1 Qxc5 Qe2) 3 L . Nh3 32 Rxf8+ Kxf8 33 Qb 1
d3 34 Qfl + Qf2 etc.
27...Kh8 28 Bxc3
This time 28 Rfl sees the game end 28 . . . Ne2+ 29 Kg2 Nef4+ 30 Bxf4
Nxf4+ 3 1 Rxf4 Qd2+, while 28 Rd 1 loses to 28 . . . Ne2+ 29 Kg2 Qxd2!
(30 Rxd2 Rf2+ mates).
28 ...Qxc3 29 Qa6 (Diagram 6)
Or 29 Rd1 Ne l .
29 ...Nc1 0 -1
As we have seen when the kings reside on opposite flanks, the most
effective plan tends to involve attacking your opponent's king! In our
latest example White, to move, can exploit Black's advanced queen
side pawns to seek an opening of lines and subsequent infiltration di
rected at the black king.
Game 25
o Lautier • Gelfand
Amsterdam 1 996
(Diagram 7) 19 a4!
60
Opening Lines
Almost an automatic choice given that the rook already occupies the
a-file. Black needs to hold the defensive lines the best he can, and his
next is more or less forced.
Diagram 7 Diagram 8
White wants to break Bl ack's pawn cover Mission accomplished
19 ... Nc5 20 axb5 axb5 21 b3 !

Again, once we are acquainted with the theme it seems easy to fall on
this move, which further undermines the fragile pawn chain that was
shielding Black's king. Just one of the three queenside files would be
enough to offer White something in terms of probing enemy lines, but
the text aims to gain access to more entry points.
21...cxb3
2 1 . . . Bd6 denies White's queen access to b5. Then 22 Bf5+! Kb8 23
bxc4 Rhf8 24 Bh3!? does actually shore u p the kingside for White a s
after 24 ... Bxf3 25 gxf3 Black will miss his bishop (Rfb l i s coming).
This leaves 24 . . . e4 25 Nd4 Bxh2+ 26 Kh l, when Black's days are
numbered.
22 Bf5+ Kb8 23 Qxb5 g6
Putting the question to the bishop before defending along the fourth
rank. The immediate 23 . . . Rd5 leads to at least a clear advantage to
White after 24 Bxc5! Bxc5 (24 . . . Rxc5? 25 Qe8+ Bc8 26 Be4! is worth
remembering) 25 Qxb 3, when we see that White's chipping away at
the queenside pawns has culminated in opening all the relevant files!
24 Bh3
Covering g2, j ust in case .
24...Rd5 25 Rfb l !
Threatening simply t o round u p the b3-pawn after Nd2 . This time 2 5
Bxc5 Bxc5 26 Qxb3 allows Black unnecessary counterplay with
61
26 . . . e4.
25...Qc6 26 Qc4 Be7 27 Nd2 Rhd8 28 Nxb3 (Diagram 8 )
Mission accomplished.
28 ...Qa4
No better is 28 . . . Nxb 3 29 Ba7+ Kc7 30 Qxb 3, e.g. 30 . . . Bc5 3 1 Rc 1! or
30 . . . Rd3 3 1 Qf7 etc.
29 Nxc5!
Note that White's bishop both defends g2 and covers the flight square
on c8 .
29 ...Rdl + 3 0 Rxd1 Rxdl +
30 . . . Qxc4 31 Rxd8+ Bxd8 32 Nd7+ Kc7 33 Rc l .
3 1 Rxd1 Qxc4 3 2 Nd7+ 1-0
White wins back the queen with interest.
WARNING: Pawn chains tend to make poor defensive walls when a
break is possible.
Game 26
D Psakhis • V.Milov
Israel 1 998
Black's rooks are dangerously poised A calm response is needed
In Game 24 White was confused by his opponent's queenside initia

tive only to see Black's forces ultimately find a way into his kingside.
Here Black, to move, already has the a-file and can consider coming to
the seventh rank at some point, but his other rook stands menacingly
on the h-file . . .
62
Opening Lines
21... hxg4 22 hxg4 Bxg4!

Milov prefers this to 22 . . . Rh4 23 Rh l Qh8 24 Qel Ra2 25 Rd l , which
he evaluates as unclear. Of course the text involves a piece sacrifice,
but the prospect of an invasion is no less significant.
23 fxg4 f3+ 24 Rxf3!

Accurate , active defence in a 50-50 situation. The alternative is too
pa ssive: 24 Bxf3 Rh2+ 25 Kg l Qh8 26 Bxg5 (26 Rf2 Bg3! 27 Bc3+ e5
28 B g2 Rf8! 29 Rxf8 Rh l+! 30 Bxh l Qh2+ is an instructive variation)
26 . . . Qh3 and Black wins, e.g. 27 Rf2 Qg3+ 28 Rg2 Rxg2+ 29 Bxg2 Rf8 ,
or 27 Qe l Nd4! 28 Nxd4 Rh l+! 29 Kf2 Bxd4+ 30 e3 Ra2+ 3 1 Qe2 Rh2+
32 Ke l Bc3+ 33 Kd l Qxfl+ 34 Qxfl Rhd2+ 35 Ke l Rdb2+ etc. By tak
ing with the rook White keeps in touch with the f7-square, thus re
minding Black that his own king is susceptible to attack.
NOTE: Open lines are important to defenders as well as attackers!
24...Rh2+ 25 Kgl Qh8 26 Rf7 +
26 Re3 Rh l+! 27 Bxh l Qh2+ 28 Kfl Qxh l+ 29 Kf2 Rf8+ 30 Rf3 Qh2+
31 Kfl Bg3 32 Bc3+ Nd4 33 Bxd4+ cxd4 and the more obvious 26 Rf2
Rxf2 27 Kxf2 Qh2+ win for Black.
26...Kg6 (Diagram 10 ) 27 e3 !!
Calm play indeed. Having seen Black engineer a situation in which he
has two major pieces on a file neighbouring White's king, White
wastes no time threatening to do exactly the same! In fact the onus is
now on Black, who has invested a piece in the attack, to accurately
follow up the infiltration.
27...Qh3 ? !
After 2 7 . . .Rh3 28 Rf2 Rg3+ 29 Bg2 and 28 ... Rf8 29 Rxf8 Qxf8 30 Qe2
Rg3+ 31 Bg2 White emerges with his kingside and material lead in
tact, while 27 . . . Ra2 28 Qf3 Raxd2 29 Be4+ Kh6 30 Qf5 turns the ta
bles completely. Black's best is 27 . . . Rh l+! 28 Bxh l Qh2+ 29 Kfl
Qxh l + 30 Ke2 Qg2+ 31 Rf2 Qxg4+, or 30 . . . Qxd l+ 3 1 Kxd l Kxf7 32
N c3 Bxc3 33 Bxc3 Ra3, with a level game in both cases.
28 Qf3 Qxf3 29 Rxf3 Rxd2 3 0 Rbfl Bf6 31 Ne7? !
Missing 31 Be4+! with a clear advantage to White, e.g. 3 1 . . .Kf7 32
Nd6+! Kg7 (32 . . . Kf8 33 Rf5) 33 Nf5+ Kf8 34 Nxe7 Kxe7 3 5 Rxf6 Ne5
36 Rb6, or 3 1 . . .Kg7 32 Nc7 . Now, with correct play, Black can draw.
3 1...Rh8
3 1 . . .Raa2 is tempting but favours White after 32 Be4+ Kf7 33 Rf5 . In
stead Black relies on the h-file once more.
3 2 Be4+ Kf7 33 Nd5 Rh6?
33 . . . Ne5! is sufficient to draw: 34 R3f2 Rxf2 35 Kxf2 Nxg4+ 36 Kg3
63
Ne5 37 Rb l etc.
3 4 Rf5?
Returning the favour. 34 Nxf6! Rxf6 (34 . . . exf6 35 Rf5) 35 Rf5 is diffi
cult for Black.
3 4...Rh3 ! 3 5 Nxf6 %-%

I believe 35 . . . Rg3+ 36 Kh l Rh3+ is a fitting draw.
The Diagonal
Game 27
D Z.Almasi • Khalifman
Ubeda 1 997
The long diagonal is useful for Black Exploiting the diagonal
Here we have a typical position from the Marshall Gambit of the Ruy
Lopez, a key feature being the h l-a8 diagonal, upon which stand
White's troubled king and pinned knight. Black, to move, can seek to
undermine the pin immediately with the direct 2 1 . . . Nxf2+! 22 Qxf2 f5
23 Qg2 (23 Qe2 c4! 24 dxc4 Bxe4+ 25 KgI Bb 7!?) 23 . . . c4! 24 Bc2 cxd3
25 Bxd3 fxe4 26 Bxe4 Rae8 27 Bd2 Rxe4! 28 Rxe4 Bc5 29 Bf4 Qd3 30
Rae I bxa4 and Black is slightly better. Instead Black's choice in the
game is equally thematic.
21...c4 22 dxc4? !
Given that Black's strategy is pretty clear - exploiting the long diago
nal - it seems too accommodating to take on c4. More sensible is 22
Bdl! with the idea of bolstering the position by transferring the
bishop to f3. For example 22 . . . cxd3 23 Bf3 Qf5 24 Kg2 sees White's
kingside adopt an air of respectability. Again Black has 22 . . . Nxf2+ 23
64
Opening Lines
Qxf2 f5, but now 24 Bf3 fxe4 25 dxe4 Rae8 is level.

22...Nxf2 + 23 Qxf2 f5 24 Qd4? !
24 cxb5? fxe4 25 Qe3 Rf3 26 Qd4 e3 illustrates the power of play on
diagonals, while 24 Bf4 fxe4 25 Qe3 Rxf4! 26 gxf4 Bxf4 27 Radl (27
Qxf4? e 3+ 28 Kg l Qc6) 27 . . . Qxd l 28 Bxd l Bxe3 29 Rxe3 bxc4 clearly
favours Black. However, with 24 Be3! Qe6 25 Bc2 fxe4 26 Qe2 bxc4
White is able to limit his opponent to an edge.
24... fxe4 25 Be3 Qh3 !
Homing in on White's king, the influence of the light-squared bishop
allowing Black to part with its partner. Nonetheless this bishop also
plays an important role, for example 26 Kg l Bxg3! 27 Re2 Rf3 28 Rg2
Rxe3!, or 26 Qd2 Bxg3 27 Qg2 Qxg2+ 28 Kxg2 Bxe 1 29 Rxe 1 bxc4 30
Bxc4 Rac8 31 b3 Rc6! etc.
26 Qxd6 Rf2 ! (Diagram 12)
TIP: When your opponent's king resides on the same 'closed' di
agonal as your bishop, look for ways to clear a path, usually through
a sacrifice/deflection.
27 Bxf2 e3 + 28 Qd5 Bxd5+ 29 cxd5 exf2 3 0 Rfl RfS
The f-pawn is strong a n d White's kingside remains weak.
31 axb5 Qg4
3 1 . . .h5 also looks good.
3 2 Kg2 Qf3+
Not 32 . . . Qe4+ 33 Kh3 Rf6? 34 Rxa6.
3 3 Kh3 Rf5 3 4 Ra4 Rh5+ 3 5 Rh4 Rxh4+ 3 6 Kxh4 Qe2 0 -1
Game 28
D Akesson • Speelman
Pula 1 997
Black, to move, has pieces on two diagonals. A natural move, such as

bringing a second rook to the d-file, for example, would merely invite
White to plant his pawn on e4, cementing the d5-pawn and effectively
closing out Black's queen and bishop simultaneously. Consequently
Black is practically steered to the appropriate continuation through
sheer necessity - not that Speelman needs any clues!
20 ... e4! (Diagram 13 )
Beating White to the punch, opening one long diagonal for the bishop
while reminding White that the other could now be a problem.
21 fxe4 Re8 22 Qc2 f5!
Thematic. The key to Black's opener is to clear lines and earn freedom
65
for his pieces, a much better prospect than allowing the fixed struc
ture mentioned in the first note.
Black must prevent White's e2-e4 The endgame is about level
TIP: Always strive to offer your forces maximum potential, even at

the cost of a pawn if the alternative is passivity.
23 exf5
White' s hopes of erecting a pawn chain on the h l-a8 diagonal disap
peared when a black pawn arrived on e4, so he might as well keep
taking pawns. Otherwise Black should emerge on top, e.g. 23 Rac 1
Rxe4 and after both kings are taken off a hazardous diagonal and file
respectively, with 24 Kg l Kb8 ! , play might continue 25 b3 Re5 26 Bd4
Rexd5 2 7 Bxg7 Rxg7! (not 2 7 . . . Rxdl+?? 28 Rxdl Rxg7 29 Rd8+), or 25
Rd3 Re5 26 d6 Rxd6 27 Rxd6 (27 Bd4 Rxe2 2 8 Qxe2 Bxd4+ 29 Rxd4
Rxd4) 27 . . . cxd6 (intending to meet 28 Bd4? with 28 . . . Rxe2!), with an
extra pa wn for Black in both cases.
23 ...Rxd5 24 Kgl gxf5
Black plans to use the e4-square in the coming ending. 24 . . . Rxf5 gives
the game a more complex character, e.g. 25 Rac 1 Re7 26 Qd3! Rf8 2 7
Qxg6 Bxb2 28 Qxh6 Rh8 29 Q g 5 (29 Qd6 Reh7) 29 . . . Qe4 30 Rc4 Qxc4
3 1 Qxe 7 Qxa2 with an interesting race in prospect.
After 25 Racl Rxd1 + 26 Rxdl Qe4 27 Rd2! Qxc2 28 Rxc2 Re4 29
Kg2 c5 3 0 Kf3 Kd7 (Diagram 14) Speelman went on to convert
what is currently a roughly level ending (as he has done many times).
By making use of the hl-a8 diagonal on his own terms - and denying
White the privilege - Black put his opponent under unexpected pres
sure to handle the ending.
TI P: The process of concentrating on a diagonal does not have to be
exclusively linked to attack.
66
Opening Lines
Game 29
D An.C.Hernandez • Moreno Ramon
Cuba 1 994
White has a fine attacking position White's pin is overwhelming
White's forces are primed for attack, and his next move immediately
asks difficult questions of Black.
1 f5!
Clearing the way for the hitherto dormant dark-squared bishop and
prising open Black's defence in order to increase the scope of its p art
ner on the a2-g8 diagonal.
1... exf5
1 . . .h6? deservedly runs into 2 Nxf7! , e.g. 2 . . . Rxf7 (or 2 . . . Kxf7 3 Bxe6+
Ke8 4 e 5) 3 Bxe6 gxf5 4 Bxh6. White ignores 1 . . . a4 and pushes: 2 f6
Bxf6 (2 . . . axb3 3 fxg7 Kxg7 4 Rxf7+) 3 Rxf6 axb3 4 axb3 followed by
Ren.
2 exf5 Nxf5 3 Rxf5! gxf5 4 Nxf7 ! Rxf7
For the moment White has parted with a rook for the cause, the result
being debilitating pins on the a2-g8 diagonal and the g-file.
TIP: A pin on a diagonal - particularly one that exerts pressure on
the enemy king - can be more effective than winning material.
5 Bg5! (Diagram 16)
A pinned piece has no power, so the text threatens to invade on e 7 . 5
Bh6? might look good but after 5 . . . Kh8! 6 Bxf7 Bxh6 7 Re8+ Qxe8 8
Bxe8 Rxe8 White's queen is outnumbered.
5...Qd4
67
5 . . . QbS 6 Bxf7+! Kxf7 7 Re7+ KfS S Rc7! spells trouble for Black.
6 c3 f4
In the game White played 7 Bxf4? and soon won after inaccurate play
from his opponent. However, 7 Bxf7 + ! Kxf7 8 Re7+ Kg8 9 Bxf4 Qf6
10 Rxb7 is a simple route to a near decisive advantage.
Game 30
D Lozakov • Barbulescu
Bucharest 1 993

Can White open the long diagonal? Black is s h redded on the diagonals
No prizes for guessing with which diagonal we are concerned here!

Quite simply the d5-pawn is in the way and, with both the king and
queen sharing the long diagonal with the bishop, it is worth taking
time to check if it is possible to blast a way through.
1 Nxd5! exd5 2 Ne3 !
One down, one to go.
2...Bb5
2 . . RcS 3 RxcS+ QxcS 4 Nxd5.
.
3 Nxd5 Bc6 4 Rxc6!

Control of the long diagonal is paramount since the rewards are con
siderable.
4...Nxc6 5 Nxe7 Ndxe5
At first it seems that Black might be able to hold out with 5 . . . NdbS 6
Nxc6 Nxc6 7 d5 NdS S d6 Nc6, but White then has 9 e6 (Diagram IS).
As in the previous example, the pin can be traded in for points.
68
Opening Lines
6 dxe5 Qxe7 7 Bxc6+ Ka7 8 Bf3 Qe6 9 Qe4

White has amply demonstrated the power of the diagonal!
9 Rb8 10 Qd5 1-0
...
Game 31
D Lagunov • B.Schneider
Berlin 1 994

White's major pieces need help White has blown the position open
The combined power of three major pieces on a single file is obvious,

bu t here White's maj or pieces need assistance if there is to be a break
through.
1 Bxc5!! dxc5
Taking with the queen abandons the b7 -pawn, while after L .b6 2 Be3
White threatens to progress by pushing the c-pawn, 2 ... Qxc4 Iosing to
3 Bxb6! axb6 4 Rxb6 etc.
2 e5 Bc8
Or 2 . . . Qc8 3 e6! with two possible continuations.
a) 3 . . . Ba4 4 Rxb7! Qxb7 (4 . . . Rxb 7 5 d6 Bc6 6 d7) 5 Qxb7+ (not 5 d6??
Qxg2+ 6 Kxg2 Rxb2) 5 . . . Rxb 7 6 d6 and Black has an extra rook and
knight yet, thanks mainly to the g2-bishop, is completely lost.
b) 3 . . . Be8 4 d6 Bc6 5 d7 Qc7 6 Rxb 7! (Diagram 20)
Mate is imminent: 6 . . . Rxb 7 7 Qxb7+ Bxb7 8 Bxb 7+ etc.
3 d6 exd6
3 . . . Qd7 4 e6! and Black cannot hang on to b 7 .
4 Qa3 ! 1-0
69
Mastering the M iddlegame
White still has a chance to go wrong here with 4 exd6? Qd7 5 Qa3
Qxd6 when Black's queen has access to a6. With 4 Q a 3 ! , however,
White threatens 5 Qxa7+! Kxa7 6 Ra3+ etc. (4 . . . a5 loses to 5 Rb6).
Game 32
o Tiviakov • Sherbakov
Russia Ch 1 994
Diagram 2 1 Diagram 2 2
Can Black get at the white king? Both kings are vulnerable
White has a decent passed pawn in the making on c6, well placed
rooks and considerable influence on the light squares. What can Black
do to avoid slipping into a poor position?
33 ... Qa8!!
Hopefully the examples in this book should inspire us to find such

imaginative moves in our games! The a8-hI diagonal is, in fact, a po
tential problem for White, whose king position looks all the more pre
carious with Black's rook keeping guard on the g-file.
34 Be6
34 f4!? bxc6!? 35 fxe5 cxd5! 36 Nd4 Rxc 1 37 Rxc1 Ne4 38 exd6 Qf8 39
Rfl Qxd6 is unclear.
34 ... Re8! 35 Qe3 bxc6!
It is not clear which of these strong GMs has seen further here, but
Black's idea is anyway very nice.
36 Qg5 Rxe6!
It is interesting that once a player has hit upon a specific - and far
from obvious - theme during a game, related ideas tend to spring to
mind. In this case Black's appreciation of the significance of the a8-h I
diagonal seems to present him with opportunities based on the theme.
70
Opening Lines
The point of the text, for example, is that 37 dxe6?? loses to 37 . . . c5+
this might be easy to spot at this stage, but much less so before the
queen arrived on the unlikely a8-square!
37 Qxh4 Rg7!
Clinical play. A mistake is 37 . . . Nxd5? in view of 38 Rxd5!, e . g .
38 . . . Rg7 3 9 Rd3 c 5 + 4 0 f3 e4 4 1 Re 3, or 38 . . . cxd5 3 9 Rxc7 d4+ 4 0 Kg1
Rg6+ 41 Kf1 Qhl+ 42 Ke2 d3+ 43 Kd2.
3 8 dxc6!
38 Rxc6? Nxd5! clears the diagonal in Black's favour.
3 8 ... d5 39 b5!? axb5 40 f3 Rxc6 41 Rxc6 Qxc6 42 ReI Qe6 43 Ral
(Diagram 22)
The transformation has resulted in Black having a modest material
lead and White a supported passed pawn. Meanwhile both kings are
susceptible to attack, a feature of the position to which Black now
turns.
43 ...Ne4!?
Designed to exploit White's cornered king and, ultimately, the long
diagonal once again. 43 . . . d4 is Sherbakov's proposal, e . g. 44 a6 Qc6!
45 Nd2 Qc3 46 Qe 1 Ra7 47 Rc 1 Qe3 .
44 fxe4
44 Rg1?? Qf6! and 44 Rc 1 Qh3!! help demonstrate the plight of
White's king.
44...Qg6 45 Qd8 + Rg8 46 Qxg8 + Qxg8

Not 46 . . . Kxg8?? 47 Rg l .
47 a 6 dxe4 48 a7 Qa8
Again. This time, however, Black's queen combines defence with a
long-range counter.
49 Kgl e3 50 Kfl Qf3+ 51 Kgl v"-v,,
Perhaps Black should play on here, leaving the queen on a8 and in
stead advancing the king.
o
NOTE: The queen can control a diagonal from the corner of the
board.
71
Try it Yourself
E xercis e 1: No prizes for spotting the theme upon which Black - to

move - should concentrate, but the subsequent variations are far from
obvious.
E xercis e 2: Can White find a way through to Black's shaky king?
E xercis e 3: A retreat of White's knight from d4 sees the advance of

the d5-pawn, opening one long diagonal (for Black) and closing the
other. How can White put his b2-bishop to very good use?
E xercis e 4: White (to move) has an obvious plan in 1 g5, but how
does he make use of the h-file?
72
Opening Lines
Summary
A fixed pawn is an ideal target for a pawn break
Open lines can help both defenders and attackers
Consider aggressive possibilities when a bishop occupies the same di

agonal as the opponent's king
A pin can be more effective than actually winning material
73
C h a pter F o u r
U s i n g t h e P i eces
• T h e Rook on the Seventh Ran k
• T h e Queen S acrifice
• B is h ops vers us Kn ig hts
• O p pos ite-Colo ured B i s h o ps
• T ry it Yo u rself
Using the Pieces
Different players have a particular fondness for certain pieces. As a

j unior I played through the games of the great Nimzowitsch and con
sequently began to give up my bishops for knights at the earliest op
portunity in the knowledge that my trusty horses would win the
game. Of course this phase eventually passed (fortunately), but my
appreciation of the unique quality of the knight has not diminished.
The examples in this chapter concentrate on specific characteristics of
the four 'play' pieces, or rather the special implications of the qualities
of a piece in specific situations that are commonly experienced in
practice . By playing through these games we can better appreciate
the significance of key moments and opportunities that arise in the
middlegame, thus adding to our armoury of practical resources.
The Rook on the Seventh Rank

We begin with a fairly simple but impressive example of the clinical
p ower of a rook on the seventh rank.
Game 33
D F.Ribeiro • Fandino
Cuba 1 995
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
Black's forces are scattered White has i nvaded
The presence of opposite-coloured bishops combined with Black's dis

tant queen and potentially vulnerable second rank all point to - at the
very least - a search for attacking possibilities .
1 Bxf6!
Black has no influence on the dark squares so this sacrifice is quite
j ustified.
1... gxf6
75
1 . . .Bg4 2 Rd7! and 1 . . .Bf7 2 Rd7! already demonstrate that the rook's
arrival on the seventh rank takes priority over albeit temporary ma
terial considerations.
2 Rd7!
All of a sudden Black's king begins to look rather lonely as White's
rook sets up mate threats.
2...Bf7
Obviously White had to check that 2 . . . Bxd7 3 Rxd7 does indeed lead
to a forced mate. With the text Black hopes to close out the rook, but
he is left tied up in any case .
3 Qxh6 Qe2
Ruling out Rxf7 and preparing to transfer to the kingside. In reply to
3 . . . Ra 7 White has the ruthless 4 R7d3! with the deadly swing to the g
file.
4 Qxf6 Qh5 5 Rl d3 Re6
5 . . . KfS 6 Rf3 .
6 Rg3 + Kf8 (Diagram 2) 7 Rxf7 + !
The problem for the defender when faced with an unwelcome visitor
on his second rank is that pieces used to lessen the influence of the
rook tend to become targets.
7...Qxf7 8 Qh8 + Ke7 9 Qxa8 1-0
Game 34
D Sagalchik • Akopian
New York 1 998

White's king is surprisingly vul nerable The rook is running riot
76
Using the Pieces
Black, to move, appears unable to profit from his well placed rook, but
the long-range queen points directly at h2 and the knights are menac
ingly close to White's king. Again the defender's king lacks support.
1...Ng5!
Homing in on the king and introducing immediate threats to put his
rook to good use.
2 £4
Closing the queen's diagonal. A simple mistake is 2 Rxa 7?, inviting
2 . . . Nxf3+ when Black's queen and rook team up. A more interesting
illustration of how the rook can prove troublesome is the following: 2
Q d l Nh3+! 3 Kh I Rf2! (Diagram 4)
TIP: The mere presence of a rook on the seventh rank can be in
credibly effective, assistance from other attacking pieces adding to
its influence.
Here the rook exerts pressure on g2 and - with the queen - h2, which
in turn has facilitated the arrival of the knight to the unlikely posting
on h3, thus making the f2-square another option. Furthermore, after
4 Qd3 Qb2 5 Ra2 Black has 5 . . . Rxg2! and the rook achieves the ulti
mate goal, e.g. 6 Ne2 Qxe2! etc. Another defensive try is to take
charge of the h2-b8 diagonal with 2 Bg3, when the rook is given a new
role: 2 . . . Rb l+! 3 Nxb l Qxb l+ 4 Kf2 Nge4+! 5 fxe4 Nxe4+ 6 Ke2 (6 Kf3
Qfl +) 6 . . . Nc3+ and Black wins.
2...Ng4!
Black insists on hitting h2, and the e3-pawn is also under fire . Notice
how Black's knights have accentuated the power of the rook.
3 Rb5
Certainly the most natural reaction to the mounting pressure on the
other flank, seeking to force the removal of Black's annoying rook. Be
fore seeing how Black reacts let us briefly investigate the alternatives:
a) 3 Nd l Rb l 4 Rxa7 Kg7! (calm) 5 Ra8 Qb2! threatens to come t o e2,

and 6 Qe8 Qf2+!! is very nice!
b) 3 Nxd5 Rxg2+! is typical. Then 4 Kxg2 Qb2+ 5 Kfl (5 Kg3 Qxh2+ 6
Kxg4 Qh3+ 7 Kxg5 h6+ and Black delivers mate on e6) 5 . . . Nxh2+ 6
KgI Ngf3+ 7 Kh I Qe2 is final.
c) 3 Rxa7 also meets with 3 . . . Rxg2+! 4 Kxg2 Qb2+ 5 Kg3 (5 KgI per
mits mate in two) 5 . . . Qxh2+ with the same eventual mate on e6.
3...Rxg2+ ! (Diagram 5)
This should come as no surprise after the previous note, but Black's
queen enters via a different route.
4 Kxg2 Nxe3 + 5 Kg3
n
Diagram 5 Diagram 6
White's pawn cover is blown away Black's queen forces her way in
5 Kf2 Qxf4+ 6 Ke2 Ng2!? is unpleasant for White, since after 7 Nxd5
Qe4+ 8 Kd 1 Qxe l+ 9 Kc2 Nf3 White is being swamped, while 7 Bg3
Qe3+ 8 Kfl (8 Kd 1 Qd3+) 8 ... Qf3+ 9 Bf2 Nf4 looks decisive.
5.. Nfl + ! (Diagram 6) 6 Kg2
.
Both 6 Kf2 Qxf4+ and 6 Kg4 Qc8+ lead to forced mate.

6...Qxf4 7 Bf2 Ne3 + 8 Bxe3 Qf3+ ! 0 -1
None of this would have been possible without the initial aggressive
posting of Black's rook.
Game 35
D Glek • Baklan
Berlin 1 997
Diagram 7 Diagram 8
White is itching to play a rook to c7 The doubled rooks are decisive
78
Using the Pieces
The diagram position is a good example of how occupation of the only

open file can be best exploited if the seventh rank is claimed. With
three enemy minor pieces to attack and a potential pin to enjoy,
White, to move, would like to extricate his knight from c7 and plant
his rook there. It is true that no square is available but, before looking
for an alternative plan, we should check all possibilities!
20 Nxe6! fxe6 21 Rc7
Notice how a single rook dominates the game.
21...Rd8
In response to 2 1 . . .Rc8 White simply places his back rook on a pro
tected square with 22 Rlc3!, enabling him to maintain control of the
seventh rank, and with it the game.
22 Ng5 Kg8 23 Rlc3 !
23 N xe6 Rc8 is less clear, so White makes sure to keep up the pres
sure . In fact, with Black completely tied up , White is sure to recoup
more than his initial material investment.
23 ...Nf5
23 . . . e 5 24 Ne6 exd4 25 exd4 Re8 26 Rxd7 Nc6 invites 27 Bxg6 ! , when
27 . . . hxg6 28 Rg7+ is mate, while 27 . . . Re 7 28 Rxe7 Nxe7 29 Bxh7+
Kxh7 30 Rc7 nets White three extra pawns.
24 Nxe6 Re8 25 Rxd7 Rxe6 26 Bxf5 gxf5 27 Rcc7 (Diagram 8 )
The bishop's days are numbered and White has already accumulated
two p awns, with another likely to fall soon. The doubled rooks on the
seventh cannot be stopped.
27...KfB 28 Rxh7 Kg8 29 Rxb7
Of course White can subj ect his opponent to a little torture before
cleaning up (29 g3, for example, is typically cruel), but there is noth
ing wrong with the text.
29 ...Rxb7 3 0 Rxb7 f4 31 Kfl fxe3 3 2 fxe3 Rxe3 3 3 Rxb6 Rd3 3 4
Rxa6 Rxd4 3 5 Rb6 Rd2 3 6 a4 d4
Black's passed pawn is easily handled.
3 7 a5 d3 3 8 Kel Rxg2 39 a6 Kf7 40 a7 Rgl + 41 Kd2 Ral 42 Rb7+
Kf6 43 Kxd3 1-0
TIP: If your own piece prevents your rook from landing on the sev
enth rank, look for forcing ways to engineer infiltration.
Game 36
D Motwani • Adams
Moscow Olympiad 1 994
79
White, to move, has more space, a preponderance of p awns in the cen

tre, superior development and a well placed king. Black, meanwhile,
is cramped, his rooks are yet to stir and his king cannot improve .
Consequently the position is ripe for a change of pace.
White is better developed Opening u p the seventh rank
18 Rcl !
White is guaranteed to make some sort of profit from his occupation of
the c-file unless Black creates a target of his own pawn with l8 . . . b4.
18 ... 0 -0
Facing facts and allowing the entry of White's rook, the alternative
l8 . . . Nb8 19 cxb5 axb5 running into 20 a6! Ra7 2 1 d5!, when Be3
forces a breakthrough.
19 cxb5 cxb5 20 Rc7 Rfd8 21 Racl KfS
Hoping to distract White from his seventh rank mission by p ushing
the (passed) b-pawn has little effect: 2 1 . . .h4 22 Rb7 Rab8 23 Rcc7 and
now 23 . . . b3 Ioses to 24 Rxd7! etc. By bringing his king closer to the
centre Black can defend his minor pieces and thus release the rooks.
With this in mind White now uses his presence in the centre to loosen
Black's defences before consolidation is possible.
22 d5!! exd5 23 e6! (Diagram 10 ) 23 ...Nf6
After 23 . . .fxe6 24 Nd4 White should emerge with the better game. For
example 24 . . . Bd6 25 Nxe6+ Ke7 26 Nxd8 Bxc7 27 B g5+! Nf6 28 Rxc7+
Kxd8 29 Rxg7 wins for White, while 24 . . . e5 25 Ne6+ Ke8 26 Rb7! is
awkward to meet. However, 24 . . . Kf7 25 Nc6 might be preferable to
the game continuation, with an edge for White .
24 Ng5! h6 (Diagram 11)
24 . . . Bd6 backfires since 25 exf7! Bxc7 26 Rxc7 forces 26 . . . Re8+ and
80
Using the Pieces
the subsequent loss of a piece because 26 . . . Rd6 27 Bb4 Rad8 sees

White deliver mate on e6.
White can crash throug h White's activity is overwh elming
25 Rxe7! hxg5
25 . . . Kxe7 26 Bh4+! Ke8 27 Rc7 ! and the second rook helps threaten
mate in one . Then 27 . . .fxe6 28 Re7+ (28 Nxe6? Rd7) 28 . . . Kf8 29 Nxe6+
Kg8 30 Rxg7+ Kh8 31 Rg6 is decisive.
26 Bb4
26 Rcc7! is strong, when after the forced 26 . . . Ne8 White then plays 2 7
Bh4!! (Diagram 12) .
A typical finish i s 27 . . . Nxc7 28 exf7 !! Re8 (28 . . . Ne8 29 Rd7+ mates) 29
Rxe8+ Kxf7 30 Re7+ etc.
26...Re8 27 Rxe8 + Kxe8 28 Re7 fxe6 29 Re7+ Kd8 3 0 Rxg7 Ne8
31 Rxg5 Ra7
Material is level but White is in the driving seat. The game ended as
follows: 3 2 Rg6 Rh7 (32 . . .Kd7 33 h4) 3 3 Rxe6 Rxh2 3 4 Kf3 Rh4 3 5
Bel ! Rh1 3 6 Bg3 Rd1? 3 7 Bh4+ Kd7 3 8 Re7+ Ke6 3 9 Rxe8 b4 40
Ke2 1-0
TIP: Once a rook is established on the seventh rank, look for ways
of preventing the opponent from consolidating.
We now turn to a couple of examples of how to defend against rooks
on the seventh rank.
Game 3 7
D Barlov • Dabetic
Yugoslavia 1 994
81
Black's daring c2-rook is safe for the moment because its partner is
ready to meet Rxc2 with a more deadly capture on e l . Consequently
White sets about dealing with the unwelcome guest by providing his
king with an escape square.
The extra exchange is meaningless The rooks are gone
21 h4! Ree2
Producing a bizarre stand-off with all four rooks simultaneously de
fended and attacked. The aggressive 2 1 . . .Bc5? backfires: 22 Rxe8+
Qxe8 23 Nf6+! . Then 23 . . . gxf6 24 Qg4+ Kh8 25 Rxc2 is simple, which
leaves 23 . . . Kh8 24 Rxc2 Qe l+ 25 Kh2 Bxd4 26 Rc8+, and 23 . . . Kf8 24
Nxh7+ Kg8 25 Nf6+ Kf8 26 Rxc2 Qe l+ 27 Kh2 Bxd4 28 Rc8+ Ke 7 29
Re8+ etc.
22 Kh2?
White voluntarily places his king on the same rank as two(!) enemy
rooks in order to concentrate on Black's vulnerable back rank. In fact
it seems that, rather than dominating the game, Black's rooks are
really containing White's! However, the text is - not surprisingly -
suspect, and the sober 22 Rxc2 Rxe l+ (22 . . . Rxc2 23 Ne7+) 23 Kh2
simply leaves White with a safe extra pawn.
WARNING: Double-check attractive looking variations when under
pressure, especially if a simple continuation guarantees the better
game.
22...Qc8 ?
Justifying White's audacious play. Others: 22 . . . Rxf2? 23 Rxc2 Rxc2 24
Ne7+ and 22 . . . Bc5? 23 Rxe2 Bxe2 (23 . . . Bxd4 24 Rexc2) 24 Nf6+! Qxf6
25 Qxf6 gxf6 26 Rxc2 are both winning for White. However, by insert
ing 22 . . . Rcd2! Black forces the queen away from the commanding d4-
square, after which the capture on f2 has more sting. But fortune fa-
82
Using the Pieces
vours the brave as well as the lucky, and Black's reaction redresses
the balance.
23 Qf4!?
White is still in complications mode when the sensible 23 Rxe2 Bxe2
24 Rxc2 Qxc2 simply leaves Black a pawn down for nothing.
23 ... h6
23 . . . Rxf2 24 Qxf2 Rxc 1 (24 . . .Rxf2 25 Rxc8) 25 Re7 and 23 . . . Rxe 1 24
Rxe l Rxb2 25 Re 7 are similarly favourable for White .
24 Rxe2 Bxe2
Again 24 . . . Rxc 1 25 Re7 is unpleasant for Black.
25 Rxc2 Qxc2 26 Qb8 ! (Diagram 14)
All four rooks have disappeared and, while Black now has a queen on
the seventh rank, White's queen wins the game .
26 ...Qc5 27 b4 Qd6 28 Qxb7
and White went on to win. An interesting game that illustrates how
quickly fortunes can change when so many rooks get involved!
Game 38
D Psakhis . Lev
Hertzliya 1 993
Where can White infiltrate? Whose rooks are more active now?
Both sides have aspirations to plant a rook on the seventh rank - or

achieve any kind of infiltration - but White, to move, is interested in
e7 instead of b7.
22 ReI!
83
Combined with the next move this facilitates the construction of a de
cent set-up .
22...Nc5 23 Bbl
From b l the bishop both defends the weakness on a2 and monitors
Black's kingside, a feature which, in conj unction with the all-seeing
queen and the subsequent doubling of rooks on the e-file , quickly puts
Black in trouble.
23 ...Ra4?
The c4-pawn is a natural target but this too slow. In such situations it
is imperative to make a stand: 23 ... e6! immediately puts a stop to
White's hopes of entering the position along the e-file, prompting the
search for an alternative plan. However, with White's pieces aimed at
Black's kingside, it is clear that this sector should provide the best
opportunity, namely 24 h4! , when Black must retreat. After 24 . . . Qd8
25 g3 (25 h5 Qh4) 25 . . . Qf8 26 h5 White's b2-rook is ready to swing
over to h2, and 26 . . . Qg7 27 hxg6 hxg6 28 dxe6 Nxe6 29 Qxg7+ Kxg7
30 Rxb7 sees an ironic change of direction that ensures White a clear
advantage.
24 f5!
Clamping down o n the e6-square and preparing t o undermine Black's
defences by taking on g6 .
24...Qd8
Protecting e7 in anticipation of sending the knight around to e5 to
close out the rook. The tricky variation 24 . . . Nd7? 25 Rxe7 Rxc4? 26
Rxd7 Qc8 is too tricky for Black after 27 Rd8+!.
25 Rbe2 N d7 (Diagram 16)
The point. Black can meet the capture on e7 with . . . . Ne5, cutting the
communication between the rooks. Unfortunately for Black the main
idea behind landing a rook on e7 is to deliver mate!
26 fxg6 hxg6 27 Bxg6! fxg6 28 Rxe7
With a sacrifice similar to the opener in Game 33, White has suc
ceeded in prefacing the arrival of the rook with a clearance of a key
strip of the seventh rank.
TIP: If a possible seventh rank entry point is in close proximity to the

king, see if it is possible to combine this with a mating attack.
28 ...Ne5 29 Rl xe5! dxe5 3 0 Qh4 Qb6+
30 . . . Qxe7 3 1 Qxe 7 Rxc4 32 d6 gives White a winning ending.
31 Kh2 KfS 3 2 Rd7 1-0
Notice how Black's rooks, which looked quite threatening when we
j oined the game , achieved nothing. A fitting end.
84
Using the Pieces
The Queen Sacrifice

Because the queen is the most powerful servant at our disposal we are
less inclined to part with this piece than is the case with all the oth
ers. Moreover, although we are all aware that material is merely one
of many factors in chess, it is only natural to allow matters of value
and 'points' to invade our thought processes - which are already suffi
ciently complex - during this or that phase of the game . The irony is,
however, that it is this very materialistic habit which often leads to
certain sacrificial possibilities being overlooked.
TIP: The manner in which the queen leaves the arena can be more
important than its role on the board.
Game 39
D Y.Perez • T.Martinez
Cuba 1 994
How can Black break through? Black is a whole q u een dow n !
In the diagram position Black is under considerable pressure on the

h-file, particularly in view of the fact that his knight is attacked. Over
on the queenside, meanwhile, White's king is by no means secure but,
being the player with the threat, this seems irrelevant.
1... axb3 !
The first of a series of uncompromising, brutal counterpunches from
Black, deflecting attention away from his own king.
2 cxb3
Not 2 gxf6? b2+ 3 Kb l Bxa2+ 4 Kxa2 Qa5+ etc.
2...Qa5
85
The threat of mate in two again forces White to postpone proceedings

on the other wing.
3 a4
No doubt part of White's calculations when conducting the kingside
attack that led to the diagram position. Despite his advanced p awns
Black seems to have come to a standstill, with the queen locked out
and even being obstructed by a friendly pawn after 3 . . . bxa 3, thus pre
senting White with time to snap up the knight. Nevertheless, Black
now demonstrates an admirable 'liberal' attitude - assuming, of
course, that it is all part of the grand plan.
3 ...Qxa4!!
Once again Black threatens mate, but he also loses a queen.
4 bxa4 b3 ! (Diagram 18 )
Not much has changed since we joined the game, but the situation is
no longer the same. Now White's king is under the greater pressure
(see the lines in the next note) and, once White has got over the shock
of seeing his (extra) queen suddenly denied the promised booty on h7,
what should he play?
5 Bc5
One of a number of tries, none of which stems the tide, e.g. 5 gxf6
Ba3+ 6 Kb l c2+ ; and 5 Kb l Ba3! 6 Bdl Rxd l+! 7 Rxd l c2+, with mate
in both cases. Another desperate plea for mercy is 5 Bd3 Rxd3 6 Bc5
Bxc5 7 Re2 to defend along the second rank, but then a quick points
update after 7 . . . Ba3+ 8 Kb l c2+ 9 Rxc2 bxc2+ 10 Qxc2 Rxc2 1 1 Kxc2
Rxf3 puts White in distant second place.
5...Bxc5 6 Bd1 Ba3 + 7 Kb1 Rxd1 + ! 8 Rxd1 c2+ 9 Qxc2 bxc2+ 1 0
Ka1 Rb8 !?
Cheeky.
11 Rb1 Rxbl + 12 Rxb1 cxb1Q+ 13 Kxb1 Nh5 0-1
(So the knight does move, eventually!). Definitely one to remember
Black's forces were able to create enough threats, and subsequently
finish off the game , without the help of the queen. However, only
through an appreciation of how the queen can be fully utilised is it
possible to find oneself in such a situation.
As I mentioned earlier (and elsewhere) there is more to chess than the
material aspect. Of equal - if not greater - importance is the harmony
of the pieces. What use is a queen, for example, if it does not combine
well with the rest of the workforce? And with this in mind, why not
part with the queen for a couple of your opponent's most promising
pieces if this in turn accentuates the influence of your own? Here is a
good illustration of this approach.
86
Using the Pieces
Game 40
D Bratchenko • Motylev
SI Pelersburg 1 997
Black's minor pieces now come to life Black's pieces are rampant
White is lagging behind in development but at least he is in posses

sion of a commanding knight in the centre to match its counterpart on
e5, which can be evicted by a timely push of the f-pawn.
21...Qxd4!
Not any more, he doesn't!
22 Bxd4 Nxf3+ 23 Kf2 Nxd4
Keeping an eye on the 'points' situation, for his queen Black has col
lected a strong knight, an important bishop and a pawn, so in terms of
the score White should have the better of the deal. However, Black's
dark-squared bishop can now operate unchallenged, his knight has a
more advanced posting, the e4-pawn lacks proper support and, cru
cially, White's army has lost three members compared to only one
from Black. The queen is a strong piece, but it is also a single piece .
As if to reiterate this fact White already finds his own queen under
fire .
24 Qb2 Nf6
Returning the knight to the fold and reminding White of his new re
sponsibility on e4.
25 Kg2? !
In view of what happens 25 Bd3 might be better, when Black can in
troduce his final piece into the game with 25 . . . Rad8, go for the c5-
pawn as in the game or plant a knight on the wonderful e5-square.
87
25...Nb3 26 ReI Nxc5

Adding to the collection. Note how White's forces lack that all
important harmony whereas Black's seem like close friends!
27 Qb4
Removing the queen from the firing line of Black's mighty bishop,
which grew in stature as soon as White's dark-squared bishop left the
board. White has not had time to influence any of the play since
Black's queen sacrifice, being obliged instead to find safe squares for
his queen and rook.
27...Nfxe4!
Thanks to the coming pin Black is able to further infiltrate White's
camp and grab another pawn in the process.
28 Nxe4 Nxe4 29 Rxe4
Not an easy choice to make, but 29 Bd3 Ng5 is terrible for White.
29 ...Bd5
Pin it and win it.
3 0 Bd3 f5 31 Rd1 Rad8 !? 3 2 Bc2 fxe4 3 3 Kgl
White has finally re grouped what pieces he has left, but there is noth
ing for him to attack - a problem that cannot be said of Black.
33 ... a5!? 34 Qxa5 e3 35 Bd3 Ra8 36 Qel
Or 36 Qb4 Ra4.
36...Rxa3 37 Qe2
3 7 Bxg6 e2! 38 Rxd5! cxd5 39 Bxe8 Ra l 40 Kf2 offers White drawing
chances, but 38 . . . Ra l! 39 Kf2 Rxe l 40 Bxe8 Ra l wins for Black.
3 7...Ra2 3 8 Bc2 Rxc2! 0-1 (Diagram 20 )
After 39 Qxc2 e2 40 Re I Black delivers mate on d4. White's queen
seemed no more than a liability from the moment its opposite number
stole the show.
Game 4 1
D Sakaev • Rublevsky
Russian Ch 1 998
This time White j udges that with the d5-bishop cemented in the mid
dle of the board his best practical chance of exploiting his superior
forces and the protected passed pawn involves a queen sacrifice.
(Diagram 21) 1 Qxd5!? exd5 2 Nxf5
Unlike the previous example Black has few weaknesses and White
has fewer pieces. Consequently the subsequent focus of the struggle is
88
Using the Pieces
easier for both sides to determine, a key feature being the untouch
able d6-pawn.
White activates the minor pieces . . . White's activity i s overwhelming
TIP: A major aim of a long-term queen sacrifice is to unsettle the

opponent, who often finds himself - thanks to reduced resources -
at a loss for a plan.
Of course inflicting this psychological blow is a decent bonus, and here
Black fails to address the invading pieces accurately.
2 Re8 ? !
...
The beginning of a faulty plan. The suggested improvement 2 . . . Qd7 3

Rxd5 f6 4 h3! (4 Re7 RfeS and White's back rank is a problem) 4 . . . RfeS
5 Ne7+ Kf7 is a little better for White after 6 Rc5, when the attempt
to break out and generate counterplay on the wing with 6 . . . a5? 7 bxa5
Rxa5 might be asking for trouble after S Rc7 etc.
3 Ne7+ Kf8 ?
Neither square looks appealing but this helps White . The lesser evil is
3 . . . KhS 4 Rxd5 Qd7 5 h3.
4 Rxd5 Qd7 5 h3 a6
5 . . .f6 6 Rc5 is easier to play for White. In fact this is generally the case
since Black has only major pieces, while White's assortment of pieces
- together with the enormous d-pawn (the b4-pawn is also useful)
offers much more versatility.
6 Rh5! £6
6 . . . h6 7 Rxh6! is not an easy one to spot!
7 Rxh7 Rad8
7 Kf7 S Bh6 .
. . .
89
8 Re3 (Diagram 22)

It is clear from a brief appraisal of this position that the 'schoolboy'
points value of the pieces by no means automatically translates to ac
tual value on the board. The knight is arguably the most influential
piece here, but an exchange sacrifice is out of the question because
this brings White's rook to the seventh rank.
8 ...Re8
What else?
9 Nxe8 Kg8
9 . . . Rxe3 10 Rh8+ leaves the queen in a hopeless situation, while
9 . . . Rxc8 10 Re 7 is final.
10 Nb6
The beginning of the end.
10 ...Qd8 11 Rxe8 + Qxe8 12 d7 Qd8 13 Rh5 g5
Hoping to close out the rook. Instead 13 . . . Qxb6 loses to 14 Rd5 Qd8 1 5
Bc7.
14 Be3 Kg7 15 h4 Kg6 16 Rxg5+ ! 1-0
Bishops versus Knig hts

We all know that knights have an advantage over bishops in blocked
positions and that bishops favour more open situations. However,
while the former is fairly simple to appreciate because knights can
hop about while poor bishops suffocate, making the most of bishops in
'normal' (i .e. not closed) positions can be problematic. This is because
the knights tend to be free to move around, too, if not to the same ex
tent as the bishop s. There is a tendency, as soon as we find ourselves
the proud owners of bishops against our opponents' lowly knights, to
immediately go active. However, a patient approach has a better
chance of success.
Let us see how Kasparov handled this situation against his future
nemesis Kramnik.
Game 42
D Kasparov • Kramnik
Linares 1 997
We j oin the game at a stage where the bishops are having a problem
making their presence felt, the symmetry and the d3-rook compound
ing White's efforts. Kasparov begins by evicting the rook.
(Diagram 23 ) 27 Rb4 Rxe3 28 Rxe4 Rxe4 29 Qxe4 Qb8 ?
The removal of the c-pawns has already changed the character of the
90
Using the Pieces
game a little by opening the queenside, and this prompts Black's first
error. In fact the direct 29 . . . Qxa5! 30 Qxc8+ Kh7 31 Rb 1 Rb6 pins and
wins the bishop in view of 32 Bd3 Rxb l+ 33 Bxb 1 Qe l+ etc. Instead
White should continue 32 Qf5+ Kg8 33 Qxe5 (33 Rc1 Qxb5 34 Rc8+
Ne8 35 Qxe 5 Qxe5 36 Bxe5 Re6) 33 . . . a6 34 Bh4 Rxb 5 35 Rxb5 axb5 36
Bxf6 gxf6 37 Qxf6, although 37 . . . Qe l+ 38 Kh2 Qxe4 39 Qxh6 b4 seems
to draw. This line, of course, is difficult to calculate during a game
even for the top players - and so Kramnik plays safe . The down side to
the game continuation is Black's gradual drift into passivity, but the
onus is still on White to demonstrate a worthwhile advantage.
Black is active but White has bishops White plays patiently
3 0 Qc5! Nd6 31 Bd3 Nd7

Gaining time on the queen to redeploy the knight on g6, thus monitor
ing the f4-square (and h4) in anticipation of White eventually drop
ping his bishop back to the more profitable g 1-a7 diagonal.
3 2 Qa3 NfS 33 Rh l Qc7 34 Rcl Qd8 35 a6!?
Fixing the pawn on a7, where it should prove a j uicy target. Notice
that White is in no rush to actually use his bishops yet, opting instead
to improve his queen and rook and sort out where he wants the
pawns.
3 5...Ng6 3 6 Qc5 Re7 3 7 f3 Ne8 3 8 Bfl Rc7 39 Qe3 Rd7
White is happy to trade rooks because he still has a bishop and queen
with which to attack a7, but Black's rook is a useful defender.
40 Kh2! (Diagram 24)
Another instructive move from Kasparov. It may not be necessary to
lodge the king on h2, but at least there is no need to worry about
inconvenient back rank checks in any variations, checks on the g 1-a7
diagonal (unlikely considering who has the bishop) or a knight check
91
on e2.
40 ...Re7 41 Re6
41 Rb l! is stronger, eyeing the entry point on b7. However, by con
ducting the game in such a patient fashion White, with no weak
nesses, should be able to re group and then induce the necessary con
cession on the queenside. Black is reduced to improving his pieces the
best he can while keeping guard over the a 7-pawn.
41...Kh7 42 Qel Ne7 43 Qe3 ! Qd7 44 Re5 Qd6 45 Bf2 (Diagram
25)
White targets the a7-pawn White is closing in
Finally! The long-range bishops, from the safety of home ground, both
defend and attack the relevant pawns.
45...Ne6 46 Rd5 Qb8 47 Rb5! Qd6 48 Rb7!
Now each of White's pieces is working at near maximum capacity.
48 ...Nd4 49 Qb4 Qf6
After the exchange of queens White simply returns the rook to b 7 .
5 0 Qe5 Ne6 51 Be3
Just in case Black wants to check on f4. Note that since White has
stepped up the pressure Black's options have been diminishing.
51...Re6 52 Be4 Re7 (Diagram 26) 53 Bd5
Also good is 53 Bxf7 Rxf7 54 Rxf7 Qxf7 55 Qxc6, e.g. 55 . . . Qb3 56 Qc5,
or 55 . . . Qa2 56 Qb5 Nh4 5 7 Qfl etc.
53...Nd4 54 Rxa7 Rxa7 55 Qxa7 Ne7 56 Be4 h5
56 . . . Qc6 57 Bxd4 exd4 58 Qxe7 Qxc4 59 a 7 Qa6 60 Qxf7 d3 61 Qf5+ is
another way to lose .
92
Using the Pieces
57 Qc5 1-0
TIP: Patience is paramount with bishops versus knights - concen
trate on the rest of your forces, too, with a view to ultimately creat
ing a multi-piece zugzwang.
Understanding the superiority of a 'good' knight versus 'bad' bishop is
not too taxing, but being alert to the possibilities of engineering such
a situation is another matter.
Game 43
D Mortensen • Petursson
Copenhagen 1 997
Which king is more exposed? e4 is a g reat square for White
One of our first thoughts on glancing at Diagram 27 might be a

slightly worrying one from White's side of the board: can the kingside
structure be exploited by Black? Another might concern the e-file,
namely the isolated e-pawn (long-term weakness), Black's king (short
term vulnerability) and the e4-knight, which must be evicted. In fact
White would like to establish a knight on e4, from where it could sur
vey both sides of the board and blockade the e-pawn.
17 Bg5!
Your opponent will not voluntarily exchange pieces in order to leave
himself with a bad bishop against a good knight. It is necessary to
bring about the situation yourself, and this can be achieved by antici
p ating an opportunity (for either side) to challenge or exchange pieces
with a view to removing the desired ones. Incidentally 17 Bd3 0-0 18
Bxe4?! Bxe4 19 Rxe4?? Bh2+ drops the queen.
17...Qd7
The obvious 17 ... Nxg5 18 Nxg5 0-0 (18 . . . Qxg5 19 Qxd6) 19 Nxe6 Qf6
93
20 Qxd6 Qxf2+ 21 Kh l simply loses Black a piece.

18 Bd3 Nxg5 19 Bxg6+
19 Nxg5?? Bxd3 20 Qxd3 Bh2+ is another way for White to lose his
queen.
19 ... hxg6
19 . . . Nf7?? 20 Bxf7+ Kxf7 21 Ne5+.
20 Nxg5 0 -0-0 21 Qe2
White is not interested - for the moment - in taking the e-pawn, pre
ferring to stamp his positional superiority on the game by concentrat
ing on the light squares.
21... e5 22 Kg2 (Diagram 28 )
This is exactly the set-up White was aiming for when he began the
initial minor piece exchange .
22...Be7
22 . . . Qc6+ is a waste of time since 23 Qe4 proposes a queen trade that
is favourable to White.
23 Ne4
Avoiding the disastrous 23 Nf7? Qd5+ 24 Qf3 Qxf3+ 25 Kxf3 Rhf8, but
23 Nf3!? Bf6 24 Radl Qc6 25 Rxd8+ Rxd8 26 Qe4 is very pleasant for
White. Nevertheless, it is simpler to post the knight on the more
natural e4-square, directly in front of the pawn (which is a permanent
weakness and can be targeted later) and monitoring c5, d6 and f6.
23 ...Qd3
23 . . . Qc6 24 Rad l .
24 Qxd3 Rxd3 25 Re3 !? Rxe3 26 fxe3
It might seem odd to accept an isolated pawn in this way, but now the
f4-square is protected and White also covers d4 in case it becomes ad
vantageous to push the c-pawn.
26...Kd7
26 . . . c4 prevents White's next but runs into 27 Rd l , e . g. 27 . . . Rd8 28
Rxd8+ Kxd8 29 Nd2 b5 30 Kf3 Kd7 31 Ke4 Ke6 32 Nf3 Bd6 33 Ng5+
Kf6 34 Kd5! etc.
27 c4! Ke6 28 a4 Rb8 29 Ra3 b5 3 0 Rb3 b4 31 Rd3 b3
Otherwise White will have all but the untouchable e 3-pawn on light
squares: 3 1 . . .Rc8 32 b3 Rc7 33 Rd5 Rc8 34 Nd2 Rf8 35 Nf3 Bd6 36
Ng5+ Ke7 37 Ne4 Rd8 38 Kf3 .
3 2 Nd2 Rb4 3 3 Kf3!
94
Using the Pieces
The b3-pawn is going nowhere and White wants to gain control of e4.
33 ...Rxa4 34 Rxb3 Rb4 35 Rxb4 cxb4 3 6 Nb3 Kd6 3 7 Ke4 Bd8
Now White could have crowned a well-played game with 3 8 Nd2 a5
39 b3 Bf6 40 Nf3, when both 40 ... a4 41 bxa4 b3 42 Nd2 b2 43 Kd3
Kc5 44 a5 and 40 ...Ke6 41 Nel Kd6 42 Nd3 are decisive.
In fact White played 38 Nc 1? a5 39 b3, allowing a draw after 39 . . . a4!
40 bxa4 Kc5 etc. (Black played 39 . . .Bh4? and went on to lose).
As soon as White was able to establish the good knight versus bad
bishop scenario the game became rather easy to play.
TIP: When contemplating exchange sequences be on the lookout for
the chance to emerge with the superior minor piece. Remember that
for most players it is natural to want bishop v. knight, and any posi
tional downside to this might become apparent once it is too late.
Opposite-Coloured Bishops
The very nature of opposite-coloured bishop middle games calls for ac
tive, alert play . Often the first player to generate an initiative holds a
sizeable advantage because the defender has difficulty contesting the
attacker's bishop. We tend to see a unique situation in which the
players seem to operate exclusively of each other, one concentrating
on the dark squares and the other on light squares - not surprisingly
this usually leads to a decision!
Game 44
D Leko • A.Rodriguez
Yopal 1 997
Who has the better bishop? White plans a kingside push
95
Even the pawns have got in on the act here, with the board bizarrely
split into two colour complexes. For the moment the material situa
tion takes a supporting role, with the initiative (i.e. generally creating
utmost inconvenience for the opponent) being paramount.
26 f6!
A good start. White guarantees either a closer presence to Black's
king or the opening of the f-file .
26...Bd6
26 . . . Bxf6 27 Rfl is exactly what White is looking for.
27 Qh6+ Ke8
Now 28 Qxh7 Qc3! is a typical stand-off that leads to a draw after ei
ther 29 Qxf7+ Kd8 30 Qxg8+ Kd7 31 Qh7+ Kc6 or 29 Rxe5+ Kd7 30
Qxf7+ Kc6 31 Qd5+ Kc7 32 Qa5+ Kd7 etc. Another wild line is 28
Rxd4 Qc3! 29 Rxe5+ Kd8! (29 . . . Bxe5 30 Bxf7+! Kxf7 31 Qxh7+ Kxf6 32
Qf5+ mates, and 29 . . . Kd7 30 Re7+ Kc6 31 Rc4+ wins for White) 30
Rxd6+ Kc7 31 Re7+ Kxd6 32 Qf4+ Kc6 with a messy position.
28 c4!!
Whatever happens next White no longer has to worry about the pros
pect of Black's queen coming to c3 with a nasty mate threat. Conse
quently White is free to continue his attack. Leko's thematic concen
tration of play on the light squares is instructive .
28 ... bxc3 29 Kc2 Kd8 3 0 Qxh7 RfS 31 g5!
Releasing the hitherto dormant bishop which, ironically, has played
no part in White's exclusive light square treatment.
3 1...Rb8 32 Bg4 Qc6 33 h4!
Without a single entry square available to Black's queen White sets
his pawns rolling, the simple threat now being their continued ad
vance .
3 3 ...Rb4
After 33 . . . Kc7 34 g6 the self-pin facilitates the march.
3 4 h5! (Diagram 3 0 ) 34... d3 + !?
A good practical try. Otherwise White simply p ushes on and trades in
a pawn for a rook.
3 5 Qxd3 Rd4
35 . . . Rxg4 36 Qxd6+ Qxd6 37 Rxd6+ Kc7 38 Rd5 Rxg5 39 Rdxe5 and
Whi te wins the ending.
3 6 Qf5 Rd2+
36 . . . Rxd 1 37 Kxd1 alters nothing.
96
Using the Pieces
3 7 Rexd2 cxd2+ 3 8 Kxd2 Kc7

38 . . . Qg2+ 39 Ke3 Qg3+ 40 Ke4 Qg2+ 4 1 Kd3 does not help Black, e . g .
4 1 . . . Qg3+ 42 Kc4.
3 9 Bf3 Bb4+ 40 Ke2 e4
Black, short of time and in an anyway hopeless situation, hopes for 4 1
Qxe4?? Re8 .
41 Bxe4 1-0
TIP: When the opposite-coloured bishops are the only minor pieces
left, make an effort to operate exclusively on 'your' colour complex.
Game 45
D Hector . Krasenkov
Malmo 1 995
Who will get active first? Black has a huge bi shop
Here we have a more sober layout of pawns, but the opposite-coloured

bishops eventually take the game into uncharted territory. As was
mentioned earlier, the side to first activate his bishop sets the p ace.
At the moment both bishops occupy the 'same' square, but Black has
the move and a nice incidental tactic to assume the advantage.
24...Be3 !
Exploiting White's vulnerable second rank to transform the bishop to
monster status. The immediate 24 . . . Rxb2 allows White to do the same
with 25 Rd7 ! , when the f7-pawn is as weak as its opposite number on
f2.
25 Rd7!
Fighting for activity of his own before the route is closed. Obviously
97
White should avoid 25 fxe3?? Rxb2 etc.

25...Bd4
As per plan. The flashy 25 . . . Rxb2? is deservedly punished after 26
Rxf7! when the tables are turned on Black.
26 Qc7 Rb3 !
Already we see how Black's newly arrived bishop plays the starring
role in the game. Apart from the obvious pressure on the f2-pawn
Black, through the pin on the g 1-a 7 diagonal, threatens the g3-pawn.
27 Khl ! Rf3!?
Black prefers to pursue the theme of play on the dark squares rather
than grab the e4-pawn, which leads to unclear play after 27 . . . Qxe4+
28 Bg2 Qf5 29 Rd8 g6 30 Rxf8+ Kxf8 31 Qxa5 Rxb2 32 f4! etc.
28 Bg2 Rxf2 29 Rxf2 Qxf2 3 0 Kh2 a4! (Diagram 3 2)
For good reason Black is not prepared to part with this pa wn, the
promotion square being on the same diagonal as the all-seeing bishop .
And herein lies the problem for White - the major difference between
the two sides is that of the bishops, Black's contributing to mate
threats and adding weight to the a-pawn while White's is a spectator.
31 Rd8 g6 32 RxfS + KxfS 33 Qb8 + ?
Yet another example of a careless check helping the opponent. Much
better is the immediate 33 c5 Qxb2 34 c6 Kg7 since Black's king
should leave the back rank in any case to rule out a tempo-gaining
check. Then 35 Qb7 a3 36 Qxb2 axb2 37 c7 b 1Q 38 c8Q gives Black an
extra pawn and the better pieces but at least it is preferable to what
happens in the game.
3 3 ... Kg7 3 4 c5 Qc2! 35 Qe8 Bxb2 36 c6 a3 (Diagram 3 3 )
Raci ng to p romote Black sti l l has the better bi shop
98
Using the Pieces
Prepare to be confused . . .
3 7 Qa8
37 Qd7 a2 38 c7 a 1Q 39 c8Q Qf2 wins for Black.
3 7... h5?
With both players doing their utmost to promote/hold back pawns, a
kingside distraction will be imperative - hence the text. However,
37 . . . Qc3! 38 Qa6 Bel! 39 Qa8 h5 is more accurate.
3 8 Qa6 Qc3 39 Qa8 ?
The best chance to hold is 39 Bfl !! Bel 40 Qc4! Qd2+ 4 1 Bg2 a2 42
Qa4!.
39 ...Bcl !
To be fair to White his opponent's kingside plan is difficult to spot.
40 Qb7
After 40 Qa6 g5! we see what Black has in mind: 4 1 hxg5 h4 42 c7
hxg3+ 43 Kh3 Qxc7 steals the c-pawn and with it White's hopes of
holding the game.
TIP: It might be necessary to use your greater influence on a par
ticular colour complex on one flank in order to push home an advan
tage on the other.
40 ... a2
Hector's proposed 40 . . . Bf4!? is worth investigating: 41 gxf4 exf4 42 c7
Qg3+ 4 3 Kh 1 f3 44 Bxf3 Qxf3+ 45 Kg 1 Qdl+ 46 Kf2 Qd2+ 4 7 Kf3 a2
48 Qa7 Qc3+ 49 Ke2 Qb2+ 50 Ke3 a 1 Q 51 Qxa 1 Qxa 1 52 c8Q Qe l +
a n d Black wins the queen ending.
41 c7 alQ 42 c8Q (Diagram 3 4)
Not the kind of position we see every day! Notice that, as if to empha
sise the theme, the queens all stand on the 'appropriate' colour com
plex. The golden rule that the first player to make a telling strike
holds all the cards still applies here, and Black, still with the (far)
superior bishop, has the move.
42...Qxg3 + !
How many queens does Black need to stamp his authority on the dark
squares? With White's so far away they could be in another game it
appears that one should be sufficient.
43 Kxg3 Bf4+ 44 Kf2
44 Kf3 Qdl+ transposes.
44...Qd4+ 45 Kfl Qdl + 46 Kf2 Qd2+ 47 Kfl
99
47 Kg1 Qe l+ 48 Bfl Qg3+ 49 Bg2 Be3+ 50 Kh 1 Qe l+ 5 1 Kh2 Bf4+

mates.
47...Bg3 !
Threatening mates on f2 and e 1 and therefore prompting desperate
measures from White. The game finished 48 Qxf7 + Kxf7 49 Qc4+
Kg7 50 Kgl Qel + 51 Qfl Bxh4 52 Qxel Bxel 53 Bf3 Kh6 0-1
A wonderful 'how to play' example.
By adding a pair of knights the nature of the game is not so intense,
the knights' versatility adding to the mix an opportunity to both ac
centuate the concentration on one colour complex and combine with
play on the other colour. Watch how Karpov transforms his bishop
and subsequently causes havoc on the light squares.
Game 46
D Karpov • J.Polgar
Dos Hermanas 1 997
How does White activate the bishop? White has powerful light-square play
26 d5! exd5 27 e5 Be7

27 . . . Re8 28 Qxb5 favours White since 28 . . . Bxe5? loses to 29 Qxc6 Nxc6
30 Bb5.
28 Nd4 Qd7
28 . . . Qe8 29 Qg4! is given by Karpov.
29 e6 fxe6 3 0 Bh3 (Diagram 3 6)
The double pawn sacrifice is only temporary and, when White re
dresses the material balance, the initiative created on the light
squares is difficult for Black to address. Note that White is helped in
1 00
Using the Pieces
his campaign by his superior knight, which monitors the key squares
b5, c6, e6 and f5.
3 0 ...Qe8 31 Qxe6+ Qf7 32 Qb6 Kh8 33 Qxb5 Ra8 !
Holding the a-pawn is preferable to the ineffectual 33 . . . Rf8 34 Rfl .
3 4 ReI Bf6 3 5 Nf5 QfB 3 6 Re6 d4 3 7 Bg4? !
White misses 3 7 Nd6! d3 38 Q h5! d2 39 Bf5, using his domination of
the light squares to generate threats against Black's king, e . g.
39 . . . Rd8 40 Kg2!, when Black's pawn is ready to queen and the d6-
knight is hanging, but her light squares are dismally lacking in de
fence. A sample line is 40 . . . Kg8 41 Qg6 Rxd6 42 Re8 Be7 (42 . . . d l Q 43
Qh7+ Kf7 44 Bg6 mate) 43 Be6+ Kh8 44 Rxf8+ Bxf8 45 Qf7 Rxe6 46
Qxf8+ Kh7 4 7 Qd8 . With the text Karpov uses his bishop - and, sub
sequently, his rook - to monitor the d-pawn rather than all-out at
tack, thus presenting his opponent with an opportunity to get back in
the game .
3 7... d3 3 8 Bh5 d2 39 Rd6 Rd8 40 Rxd8 Qxd8 41 Ne3
Not 41 Nd6? d l Q+.
41...Nd3 42 Ndl Ne5 43 Ne3
43 Be2?! meets with 43 . . . Qa8! followed by the check on f3.
43 ...Nd3 44 Qf5 Nb2 45 Ndl Nxdl 46 Bxdl Kg8
The game ended as follows: 47 Qe6+ KfB 48 Kg2 Qe7 49 Qc8 + Qd8
50 Qc5+ Kg8 51 Qc4+ Kh8 52 Qe4 Qe7 53 Qf5 Qd8 54 KO Qa8 55
Ke2 Qa6+ 56 Kxd2 Qd6+ 57 Kcl Qa3 + 58 Kd2 Qd6+ 59 Ke2 Qe5+
60 Qxe5 Bxe5 %-%
1 01
Try it Yourself
E xercis e 1: Black has a commanding position but how can his c2-
rook help net the full point?
E xercis e 2: Should Black accept the b4-pawn?
E xercis e 3: How can Black crown his domination of the light

squares?
E xercis e 4: 1 Qxe5 Qxe5 2 Bxe5 Rxf2 is not clear, but White has a
better try .
1 02
Using the Pieces
Summary
A rook on the seventh rank can be devastating
The queen's versatility allows for special sacrificial options unavail

able to other pieces
Patience is the key when holding bishops against knights
The initiative is paramount in opposite-coloured bishop middlegames
1 03
Chapter Five
U s i ng the Pawn s
� Structural Strengths and Weaknesses
� The Power of the d-pawn
� The Pawn B reak
� Sac rificing a Piece for Pawns

Using the Pawns
Pawns probably receive the least respect from most players, yet these
loyal foot soldiers deserve to be treated with care. In terms of move
ment pawns are severely restricted, yet they can be very useful in
deed, the task altering as the game progresses, with the ultimate re
ward to a respectful owner being the transformation to a new queen.
In this chapter we investigate several themes that are encountered
frequently in practice. First are two illustrations of the exploitation of
standard structural features.
Structural Strengths and Weaknesses

Game 4 7
D Moroz . G.Timoshenko
Enakievo 1 997
1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 d4 exd4 4 Nxd4 Bc5 5 Nxc6 Qf6 6 Qd2 dxc6

For decent development Black accepts doubled pawns, thus present
ing White with an early advantage in the form of an unhindered king
side pawn majority. Note that in this case, unlike the Exchange varia
tion of the Ruy Lopez (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bb5 a6 4 Bxc6 dxc6), White
has not had to part with a bishop for the privilege.
7 Nc3 Ne7 8 Qf4 Be6 9 Qxf6 gxf6
Again Black has invited the creation of doubled pawns in order to get
on with development. The f6-pawn can challenge the e4-pawn, but
Black will still have three pawn islands to White's two. Theoretically,
of course, this variation is not necessarily unsound for Black, but from
a practical viewpoint it is easy to drift into a poor position.
10 Na4!? Bb4+ 11 c3 Bd6 12 Be3 (Diagram 1)
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
Black's pawns are ragged White attacks the weaknesses
105
The exchanges have helped the game along to the early middlegame
phase. Now the struggle concentrates on the pawn structures.
12...£5
Contesting the centre before White consolidates, e.g. 1 2 . . . Rg8 13 f4
with a clear advantage to White.
13 Bd4 Rg8
After 13 . . .f6 14 Bxf6 Rf8 15 Bd4! fxe4 16 Nc5 Black's structure might
be even worse.
14 e5
Forcing an interesting mini-skirmish o f pawns from which Black
trades in one positional disadvantage for another.
14... b5 15 exd6 cxd6 16 Nc5 dxc5 17 Bxc5 a5 18 a4! (Diagram 2)
White continues to exert pressure on the enemy pawns before Black
pushes his own pawn to a4. The text is guaranteed to create further
weaknesses that White's bishop pair should later combine to exploit.
Note that, thus far, White has been careful not to commit his own
pawns - a completely contrasting approach to Black, who seems to
have few worries about their well-being.
18 ... bxa4
Black is stuck between a rock and a hard place! 18 . . . b4 19 cxb4 axb4
20 a5 releases the a-pawn and weakens the b-pawn. The text, mean
while, leaves Black with four pawn islands!
19 Rxa4 Rg4!? 20 Rxg4!?
White grants his opponent's wish to 'correct' the kingside pawns
rather than fix them with 20 f4 Nd5 21 g3 Kd7 , when Black is defi
nitely worse but is still in the game.
20 ...£ xg4 21 h3 ! gxh3
Now White played the incredulous 22 gxh3?, after which 22 . . . Rd8 23
Rgl Rd5 24 Be3 Nf5 allowed Black t o activate his pieces and subse
quently keep the disadvantage to a minimum, eventually earning a
draw. Having stressed the importance of the need to keep one's pawns
intact whenever possible, it makes sense for White to adhere to this
maxim - as he has done admirably thus far - and there is a means to
do j ust that.
22 g3 ! Rd8 23 Bxh3 leaves Black with very weak pawns, while
White's can be solidly protected. After 23 . . . Bd5 24 O-O!? White's rook is
ready to make its presence felt, although the h-file is a decent home,
too, as the h-pawn is a juicy target. Perhaps Black's best is 23 ...Rd5
24 Ba3 Rh5 25 Bg2 Rxh1 + 26 Bxhl. However, White has excellent
winning chances whether or not Black cancels out the bishop pair
with 26 . . . Bd5.
1 06
Using the Pawns
WARNING: Structural weaknesses in the opening have a nasty habit

of staying with you through the middlegame and into the ending!
Game 48
D Kramnik • Svidler
Dortmund 1 998
Diagram 3 Diagram 4
White gets the centre pawns going White keeps the pawns intact
Here we have another example of a game that quickly weaves

through the opening, middlegame and ending stages. Already with a
greater influence in the centre, Kramnik decides to put his faith in his
advanced pawns.
1 f4!
The first part of a forcing continuation that is designed to steer the
game into a queenless middlegame in which White's centre p awns
dominate.
1. .. Ng4 2 Bd4 Qa5+
2 . . . Bxd4 3 Qxd4 Qxd4 4 Nxd4 merely improves White's knight.
3 Qd2 Qxd2+ 4 Kxd2 e5? !
The circumspect 4 . . . Rd8 is superior to the text, which brings about an
alteration of the respective pawn structures that results in the accen
tuation of White's central presence.
5 h3 !
White both parts with his bishop and prepares a pawn sacrifice, j udg
ing that the pawns on the two centre files will be too strong.
5... exd4
No doubt part of the plan, although there is no choice anyway since
1 07
5 . . . Nf6 6 fxe 5 Nxe4+ 7 Ke3 is much worse, e.g. 7 . . . Bf5 (or 7 . . .f5 8 d6+
etc.) 8 g4 Bh6+ 9 Nf4.
6 hxg4 g5
6 . . . Bxg4 7 e5 Bxe2 8 Kxe2 is similar to the game, while 6 . . . d3 7 Nc3
Bxg4 8 Kxd3 Rac8 9 Rac 1 is very pleasant for White .
7 g3 ! (Diagram 4)
White consistently keeps his pawn mass intact.
7 Bxg4
...
White's armada of pawns is so impressive that he might consider an

swering 7 . . . d3 8 Nc3 Bxg4 9 Kxd3 Bf3 with 10 e5!? Bxhl 1 1 Rxh l ,
when the position i s b y n o means suitable for Black's rooks and the
g7 -bishop is closed out.
8 e5 Bxe2 9 Kxe2
With rooks and opposite-coloured bishops on the board White's win
ning chances increase and, while the b3-bishop will come to life once
the d-pawn clears the a2-g8 diagonal by advancing one step closer to
promotion, the prospects of Black's bishop, locked in by a wall of white
pawns, are poor.
9 Rfe8 10 Rad1 Re3 11 Rd3 Rae8
...
The immediate 1 1 . . . b5 100ks better because this rook ultimately has

tens the end.
12 d6 b5
12 . . . Rxd3 13 Kxd3 Rc3+ 14 Kxd4 Rxg3 15 d7 wins for White .
13 Rxe3 ! dxe3
Not 13 . . . Rxc3?? 14 d7.
14 e6!
This inevitable advance puts the key players side by side and guaran
tees White a decisive material gain.
14 Kf8
...
14 . . . Bf8 1 5 e7 Bxe 7 16 dxe 7 Re8 1 7 fxg5 Rxe 7+ 18 Kd3 wins easily for
White.
15 e7+ Ke8 16 Bxf7 + ! 1-0
A fitting finale, as one of the pawns upon which Kramnik based his
strategy will be crowned.
TIP: A broad centre (three or more pawns) can offer your pieces ex
cellent shelter, can close out the opponent's pieces and has the
long-term potential to later create dangerous promotion threats.
1 08
Using the Pawns
Game 49
D Leko • Zvjaginsev
Wijk aan Zee 1 995
Diagram 5 Diagram 6
Black's d6-pawn is weak Black still has weaknesses
This time the pawn structures are more or less defined, with the back
ward d-pawn a target and White enjoying a sort of mini (3-2) pawn
majority on the queenside. However, after 19 exf5?! Bxg2 20 Kxg2
Qxc4 21 Rac 1 Qb 5, for example, Black's chances are preferable. Fur
thermore, the pawns on d6 and e5 might later be transformed to an
attacking force. With this in mind White, to move, has the power to
drastically alter the terrain, forcing a favourable break-up of Black's
pawns.
19 Bh3 ! g6
Black opts to keep his light-squared bishop in the game. The variation
19 . . . Bd7 20 Bxf5 Bxf5 21 exf5 Qxc4 22 Rac 1 Qb5 23 Rc7 is crucially
different to the one in the previous note since White's rook stands on
the seventh rank.
20 exf5 gxf5 21 c5!
The point. Black's initially solid pawns are under severe pressure and,
suddenly, are in danger of parting company.
21...Qe6
Too accommodating is 2 1 . . . dxc5 22 Rxe5.
22 Bc7!
After 22 cxd6 Bxd6 23 Rad1 Bb8 Black's centre pawns remain intact.
22... dxc5 23 Rxe5!
1 09
23 Bxe5? Rd8! 2 4 Qf4 Qd5 i s a n unwelcome turnaround. The text,

however, practically forces simplification into a very promising ending
in which Black suffers from weak pawns.
TIP: Divide and conquer.
23 ...Qd7
23 . . . Qg6 24 Rae l Bg5 25 f4 is even worse .
24 Qxd7 Bxd7 25 Bg2! (Diagram 6)
Black simply has more weaknesses than his opponent, with b7, c5 and
f5 all liabilities. Again the defender's problems increase with the
number of pawn islands .
25...Bf6!
A nice try. 25 . . .Bc6? 26 Bxc6 bxc6 27 Rae l , on the other hand, ends
the game.
26 Rxe8 Rxe8 27 Bxb7 Bb5!
Black cannot let the a-pawn go, e.g. 27 . . . Bxb2 28 Rb l Bd4 29 Bxa6
etc.
28 ReI! Bg5!?
Again Black makes the most of his chances . 28 . . .Bxb2 29 Rxc5 Re 1 +
30 Kg2 Bfl + 31 Kf3 merely checks White's king up the board.
29 Bf4!
Everything has a price, and in this case White accepts structural
damage of his own rather than walk into 29 Rxc5? Re 1+ 30 Kg2 Bfl +
3 1 Kf3 Be2+ 32 Kg2 Bfl+ with a draw.
29...Bxf4 3 0 gxf4 e4 31 Bd5+ Kg7 32 Bxe4 Re8 33 b3 Re5 34 Kg2
Bxe4
34 . . . Bc6+ 35 Kg3 Rxa5 36 Re I! is easy for White .
3 5 bxe4
The ending is winning for White . The game ended as follows: 3 5...Kf7
(35 . . . Rxa5 36 c5 Rb5 37 c6 Rb8 38 c7 Rc8 39 Kg3 Kf7 40 Kh4 Ke7 4 1
Rc6 Kd7 4 2 Rxa6 Rxc7 4 3 Kg5) 3 6 Kg3 Rxa5 3 7 e 5 Ke7 3 8 Kh4! h6
3 9 Re4! (39 Kh5? Ra4 40 Kxh6 Rxf4) 3 9...Rb5 (39 . . . Kd7 40 c6+ Kc7
4 1 Kh5 Ra2 42 Kxh6 Rxf2 43 h4) 40 Kh5 a5 41 e6 Kd8 42 Kxh6 Rb4
43 Re2 a4 (43 . . . Rxf4 44 Kg5 Rf3 45 h4) 44 Kg5 a3 45 h4 Rb2 46 Re3
a2 47 Ra3 Ke7 48 Ra6 Rxf2 49 h5 Rh2 50 h6 1-0
It is no coincidence that White's endeavours to inflict structural p un
ishment on his opponent soon resulted in the makings of a decisive
advantage, all the play revolving around Black's vulnerable pawns.
WARNING: Every pawn move can potentially create weaknesses.
Advance them with care!
110
Using the Pawns
The Power of the d-pawn

The d-pawn - especially in White's hands - seems to have a mysteri
ous hidden power capable of leaving the opponent in terrible trouble.
Its mere presence can make life uncomfortable, yet even when it can
be captured the implications can be catastrophic for the defender . . .
Game 50
D Kramnik • Anand
Las Palmas 1 996
After the opening moves 1 Nf3 Nf6 2 e4 b6 3 g3 Bb7 4 Bg2 e6 5 0 -0

Be7 6 Ne3 0 -0 7 ReI d5 8 exd5 Nxd5 9 e4 Nxe3 10 bxe3 e5 11 d4
Nd7 12 Bf4 Nf6 13 Ne5! exd4 14 exd4 Bb4 15 Re3 Re8 the follow
ing position was reached:
Diagram 7 Diagram 8
White has an extra centre pawn White has a big d-pawn !
Both sides have decently posted pieces and a sound p awn structure.
Clearly White has ambitions to make something of his extra centre
pawn and, in fact, he sets about doing so immediately.
16 d5!
Normally this would simply lose a pawn but, having seen his rook
evicted from e l , White can afford the luxury of early middlegame ag
gression because this piece is ready to nudge to the d-file if necessary.
16... exd5
A couple of tries with the advanced bishop need to be checked. First
16 . . . Bc3 17 Nc6! Bxc6 18 Rxc3 exd5 19 exd5 cannot be met with
19 . . . Bxd5? 20 Rxc8 Qxc8 2 1 Bxd5 Rd8 because White replies 22 Re I ! ,
e . g. 2 2 . . . Q d 7 23 Bxf7+ Kxf7 2 4 Rc7 Qxc7 25 Qb3+ etc. Hitting the
other rook again with 16 . . . Bc5 1 7 Rd3 Ba6 18 Rd2 Bb4 leads to an ad-
111
vantage to White after 1 9 Nc6 Rxc6 2 0 dxc6 Bxd2 2 1 Qxd2, when

White has the bishop pair and the d-pawn has been promoted to a
passed c-pawn (a common occurrence in such situations).
17 exd5 Bd6
Sensible play from Anand. Foolhardy for Black is 17 . . . N xd5 18 Rd3
Nxf4 (18 . . . Rc5 19 Be3 Rb 5 20 a4 Ra5 21 Nc4) 19 gxf4 , e.g. 19 . . . Bxg2 20
Rxd8 Rfxd8 (20 . . . Rcxd8 21 Qb3) 21 Qb3 Bc3 22 Kxg2! Bxa l 23 Nxf7
Kf8 24 Ng5 Rd7 25 Qe6, or 19 . . . Qc7 20 Rd7 Rfd8 2 1 Rxc7 Rxd l+ 22
Rxd l Rxc7 23 Rd8+ Bf8 24 Bxb7 Rxb7 25 Nd7 Rxd7 26 Rxd7 a5 2 7
Rb 7 . Also poor i s 1 7 . . . Bxd5 18 Rd3 Bxg2 19 Rxd8 Rfxd8 (19 . . . Rcxd8 20
Qb3) 20 Qb 3 and Black is clearly worse, while 17 . . . Bc5 18 Rd3 Ba6 19
Rd2 Bb4 again runs into 20 Nc6.
These lines illustrate the problems Black can have when faced with a
rampant d-pawn in these positions.
18 Nc6 Bxc6 19 Bxd6
19 dxc6 Bxf4 20 gxf4 Qxd l+ 2 1 Rxdl Rc7 is equal.
19 ...Ba4
This time 19 . . . Qxd6 20 dxc6 Qxd l+ 21 Rxdl sees White, compared
with the previous note, keep his kingside pawns intact, enabling him
to create play on a second front, e . g. 22 f4 Rfc8 23 Bf3 Kf8 24 g4 h6 2 5
h4 etc. Instead Black i s happy t o slightly complicate matters.
20 Bxf8 !?
Not strictly necessary since 20 Qxa4 Qxd6 21 Qxa7 Nxd5 (2 1 . . .Ra8 22
Qe7) 22 Bxd5 Qxd5 23 Qxb6 nets White a safe pawn. Note that this
line is a great deal better than 22 Rd l??, which loses to 22 . . . Nxe 3, and
preferable to 22 Rd3, allowing 22 . . . Qe5. However, as a favour to us,
Kramnik opts instead to allow his d-pawn to take centre stage, even if
this means letting the queen leave the theatre altogether.
20 ...Bxdl 21 Be7 Qc7

2 1 . . . Nxd5? 22 Bxd8 (22 Rxd l? Qxe7) 22 . . . Nxe3 23 Bg5 Nxg2 24 Rxd l
would be an amusing finish.
22 Rxdl (Diagram 8 ) 22...Nd7 23 Bh3 h6 24 Bf5!?
Improving the bishop, monitoring the flight square on h7 and guard
ing the c2-square, but the chief merit of this move is to put the onus
on Black to find a decent reply with the three pieces he has left.
24... b5?
24 . . . Qb 7 25 Bb4!? is the lesser evil, when White's larger army - of
which the d-pawn is a key member - makes the game easier to con
duct for Kramnik.
25 Bb4! Rd8 26 Re7 Qc4
112
Using the Pawns
26 . . . g6 27 Be6!? (27 d6) 27 . . .fxe6 28 dxe6 wins for White , e . g . 28 . . . Qc2

29 Rdxd7 Qc 1 + (29 . . . Rxd7 30 exd7 Qdl + 31 Kg2 Qd5+ 32 f3 Qxa2+ 33
Kh3) 30 Kg2 Qc6+ 31 Kh3 (the seventh rank!), or the less exciting but
nonetheless dismal 28 . . . Nc5 29 Rxc7 Rxd l+ 30 Kg2 Nxe6 31 Rxa 7 .
2 7 Rxd7! Rxd7 28 Bxd7 Qxb4 2 9 d 6 (Diagram 9 )
The passed pawn i s well sup ported The passed pawn lands
A rook, bishop and protected, supported passed p awn versus a queen!

29 ...Qa4
29 . . . Qa5 30 Bc6 Kh7 31 d7 Qd8 fails anyway to 32 Re I Qc7 33 Re8 etc.
3 0 Rd3
Also possible is 30 Re I!?, e.g. 30 ... Qd4 31 Bf5 g6 32 d7.
3 0 ...Qe4
30 . . .Qxa2 31 Bf5 Qa5 32 d7 Qd8 33 Rc3, or 30 . . . Qc4 31 Bf5 Qc 1 + 32
Kg2 Qc6+ 33 f3 Qc2+ 34 Kh3 Qc5 35 Be4.
3 1 Bxb5 Qe1 + 3 2 Kg2 Qe4+ 3 3 Kgl Qe1 + 3 4 Kg2 Qe4+ 3 5 KO

Qhl + 3 6 Ke2 Qe4+ 3 7 KO Qhl + 3 8 Ke2 Qe4+ 3 9 Kdl ! Qg4+.
39 . . . Qhl+ 40 Kc2 Qal 4 1 d7 Qxa2+ 42 Kd l Qb l+ 43 Ke2 etc.
40 f3 Qh3
Or 40 . . . Qb4 4 1 d7 Qb l+ 42 Ke2 Qxa2+ 43 Rd2 Qe6+ 44 Kfl Qh3+ 45
Kg l .
41 d 7 1-0 (Diagram 10 )
D -pa wn power!
E arly queenside castling tends to make the d-pawn p articularly dan

gerous. In the next example White employs a pawn break to release
113
a n ambitious d5-pawn and subsequently create a n excellent outpost

on d5.
Game 5 1
D Khenkin • Rogers
Baden 1 998
White breaks through in the centre White's knight dominates
Black threatens to unpin his knight with . . KfB. after which he can
. .
take command of the e5-square .

15 e5!
Despite his apparent control of e5 Black is unable to capture the
pawn. since 1 5 . . . dxe5 16 d6 Qe6. for example. is awkward after 1 7
Ng5 . Exploiting the pin o n the e-file with 1 5 . . . KfB serves only t o invite
the pawn to come to e6. so Black's next is both desirable and forced.
15...N g4 16 Qd2 Ngxe5 17 Nxe5 dxe5 18 d6 Qe6 19 Nd5 (Dia
gram 12)
The point. The d-pawn not only cuts straight into Black's position but
also makes way for an 'octopus' knight, which already threatens the
fork on c7. Add to this the fact that the pawn is also passed and only
two moves from glory, and White clearly has compensation for the
sacrificed pa wn.
19 ...KfS
Unfortunately for Black the pawn is immune, as 19 . . . Qxd6? 20 Bxd7+
Bxd7 21 Qg5 10ses material.
20 Qg5! Rb8 !
Thus far Black is handling the pressure well, avoiding 20 . . .f6 21 Bxd7!
fxg5 22 Bxe6 Bxe6 23 Nc7 and 20 . . . Qxd6 2 1 Bxd7 Qxd7 22 Qf6! Rh5
114
Using the Pawns
23 Nc3 . However, the d-pawn is the harbinger of doom for Black, who
is no position to hold back the tide.
21 Ne7 Qf6
Tantamount to resignation. The outwardly aggressive 2 1 . . . Qa2 is not
enough to stave off defeat: 22 Bxd7 Bxd7 (22 . . . Qal+ 23 Kd2 Qxb2 24
Ne6+! Kg8 25 Bxc8) 23 Qe7+ Kg7 24 Qxd7 Rhd8 25 Qe7 Qal+ 26 Kd2
Qxb2 27 Ne6+ Kg8 28 Rb l , or 24 . . . Qa l+ 25 Kd2 Qxb2 26 Qb5! Qd4+
27 Kc 1 Qa l+ 28 Qb l Qxa4 29 Qb2! etc.
22 Qxf6 Nxf6 23 d7 and after 23 ...Bxd7 24 Bxd7 Rd8 25 Bh3 ! Kg7
26 Rxd8 ! Rxd8 27 Rd1
White went on to win the ending, the bishop being worth more than a
couple of pawns . . .
The Pawn Break

Many players shy away from this aspect of the game because pawn
breaks can be, by definition, rather complicated and difficult to an
ticipate, plan and, finally, evaluate.
Game 52
D Hjartarson • Danielsen
Akureyri 1 994
How should White react? The a5- and e5-pawns are weak
Too many club players would make sure that White's p awns remain
'intact' here and close the queenside with b4-b5. In fact there is an
opportunity to break open the position by instead pushing the c-pawn:
19 e5!
Ideally the base of a pawn chain is the best to undermine, but we will
115
settle for challenging both b 6 and d6, a policy that subsequently p uts
pressure on a5 and e5.
19 ... bxc5?
The thematic pawn break induces a mistake from Black. Equally poor
is 19 . . . dxc5? 20 bxc5 Qxc5 2 1 Qxc5 bxc5 22 Rab l Rab8 23 Rb7 , but
19 . . . axb4 20 cxd6 cxd6 is an improvement, although White enjoys the
better prospects after 21 Qb 3.
20 bxc5 Rfd8
20 . . . dxc5 21 Rac l Rfd8 22 Rxd8+ Rxd8 23 Qc3! exploits Black's broken
pawns.
21 cxd6 Rxd6 22 Rxd6 Qxd6 23 Rbl (Diagram 14)
By instigating a change in the respective structural layouts White has
earned himself a clear advantage thanks to his opponent's more vul
nerable pawns on a5 and e5.
TIP: (Long-range) Bishops tend to be superior t o knights when
working with major pieces to attack weaknesses.
23 ... h5 24 h3 e4
Closing out the bishop, but White is able to hold the c6-pawn, hit the
a5-pawn and snare the e4-pawn.
25 Qc3 Kh7
What else? White intends to step up a gear by planting his rook on b5,
and 25 . . .Ra6? fails to 26 Bxe4! , exploiting the weak back rank - some
thing Black now addresses.
26 Qc4 Qe7? !
26 ... Kg7 27 Bxe4 Nxe4 28 Qxe4 is the suggested improvement, when
Black is a pawn down for nothing.
27 Rb5 h4
Just as White begins to turn the screw Black gives ground, although
something is sure to give in this kind of position, with White being
able to improve and Black short of 'waiting' moves.
28 g4 Rd8 29 e3 Rdl + 3 0 Bfl Ne8 31 Rxa5 f5 3 2 Rd5 Nd6?
Another, more serious mistake, in a hopeless situation. Instead
32 . . . Rxd5 33 Qxd5 Nf6 34 Qc4 fxg4 35 a5 j ustifies White's initial
break.
3 3 Rxdl l -0
(33 . . . Nxc4 34 Rd7).
Because pawn breaks can radically alter the general framework of a

position the results tend to have long-term effects, the rest of the
116
Using the Pawns
game often revolving around new structural features. However, these

thematic pawn breaks are by their nature predictable in that, regard
less of how well we might evaluate them, we include them in our cal
culations (in varying degrees of detail), nonetheless .
The 'shock' pawn break, o n the other hand, is a different animal
again, as the example below demonstrates .
Game 53
D Dragomaretsky • M.M.lvanov
Moscow 1 995
Has White got control? White's king has been ripped open
Believing that his grip on the position is unshakeable White has j ust
castled long. Wrong!
14... fxe4 15 fxe4 d5!!
Actually seeing this move played out on a board - and playing
through the variations that follow - suggests that it is quite logical,
but I doubt many strong players would, in fact, have factored the
thrust into their calculations.
16 Bxb6
16 cxd5 Nxd5 17 exd5 Rc8+ is the main idea behind the break, open
ing lines of attack against White's king, e . g. 18 Nc3 e4, 18 Kd2 Qa5+
19 Nc3 e4 and 18 Kb l Bf5 . White's choice in the game removes the
knight but opens the a-file.
16... axb6 17 cxd5
17 exd5 Rxa2!, e.g. 18 dxe6 Qg5+ 19 Kb l (19 Rd2 Bh6) 19 . . . e4.
17...Rxa2! 18 dxe6
117
White's days are numbered after 18 Nc3 Qa8 19 Nxa2 Qxa2 20 Qe3
(20 Rd2 Bh6) 20 . . .Rc8+ 21 Bc4 Bf8 etc.
18 ...Qa8 !! (Diagram 16)
The '!!' are Ivanov's own, but he deserves considerable credit for the
brutal change of events. At the moment White is a mere piece up,
which amounts to less than the material about to be lost.
19 Qc3 Ral + ! 20 Kc2 Qa2+ 21 Qb2 Qxb2+ 22 Kxb2 Rxdl 23 e7
23 Ng3 Rf2+.
23 ...Re8
Black emerges with a clear exchange for no compensation.
24 Nc3 Rd2+ 25 Ka3
25 Kc 1 Bh6.
25...Bf6! 26 Bc4+ Kg7 27 g3 Ra8 + 28 Kb4 Bxe7+ 29 Kb5 Bc5 30 b4
Rb2! 0 -1
WARNING: Learn to always expect the unexpected - even from a
, lowly pawn!
X
Sacrificing a Piece for Pawns
Game 54
D R.Leyva • Moreno
Las Tunas 1 996
How much faith do you have in your centre pawns?
How can Black blow u p the centre? Black has strong mobile pawns
118
Using the Pawns
Looking at Diagram 1 7 I could also ask: How annoying are White's

centre pawns? Well, they close out the b 7-bishop and the rather oddly
placed queen, while their blockade of the pawns on d6 and e5 contrib
utes to the locking in of Black's other bishop. Usually Black would like
to challenge the d5-pawn with his c-pawn, but then the d6-pawn
would be left unprotected.
18 ...Nxe4!
An excellent idea that not only removes the cause of Black's discom
fort but also announces a kind of role reversal since White is about to
find himself under pressure.
19 Rxe4
19 Nxe4? Bxd5 20 Qd3 Bxe4 21 Rxe4 d5 22 Re I dxc4 23 Qxc4 is level,
but 20 . . . Rxb4! 21 Ncd2 f5 22 Nc3 Rd4 23 Qfl Bxg2! is clearly better
for Black.
19...Bxd5 20 Rg4 Be6 21 Rg3 d5 22 Na5 c5 23 Qc2 cxb4 24 Ndb3
Not 24 Nc6? Rb7 25 Nb3 Rc7 26 Nba5 Qxa5 .
2 4...Rc8 (Diagram 18 )
Black has two pawns for his piece but, more importantly, his mobile
centre pawns are ready to advance, the rook has a new open file and
the bishop pair looks impressive. Furthermore, White's rook, having
come to g3 to defend the g2-pawn, is doing very little, while the
knights also appear to be quite 'dim'. This does not necessarily mean
that Black has an advantage, rather that his prospects are healthy.
25 Qdl Qb8
Perhaps the most consistent treatment of the theme is to immediately
advance the now unfettered pawns, e.g. 25 . . . d4!? 26 Bd2 e4 27 Bxb4
d3 28 Ba3 Rc2 etc. Then Black might follow up by posting his bishop
on e5 and launching the f-pawn.
26 h4 h5 27 Bd2 d4 28 Qel Rc2 29 Bxb4 Rxb2 3 0 Ba3 Ra2 31 Qcl

Qb5!
Black's forces enjoy far more harmony than White's and there is the
constant threat to push the pawns. Note also that Black has no weak
nesses . It is safe to say, then, that Black now has an advantage.
32 Be7 Rxa5? !
The knights just look clumsy whereas Black's rook is strong, so this
trade must be wrong. In fact 32 . . . d3! is a fitting culmination of Black's
play thus far: 33 Qc5 Qxc5 34 Bxc5 e4 35 Bb4 Bxb3 36 Nxb3 Rb2 3 7
R e 3 f5 .
3 3 Nxa5 Qxa5 3 4 Ra3 Qd5 3 5 Qc7 Kh7 3 6 Qb8 Qe4? ?
Again the pawns offer the best chance, 36 . . . d3! 37 Ra8 f5 38 Bf6 Bxf6
119
39 Ra7+ Bg7 being different to the game continuation since 40 Qf8

can be met with 40 . . . Bd7, and in reply to 40 Qc7 Black has 40 . . . Bf7 4 1
Qxf7 Qxf7 4 2 Rxf7 e4, e.g. 4 3 Kf1 Kg8 4 4 Rd7 Bh6 with equality.
3 7 Ra8 f5 38 Bf6! Bxf6
38 . . . Qe l+ 39 Kh2 Qxf2 40 Qh8+! is a mate worth remembering!
3 9 Ra7+ Bg7 40 Qf8 1-0
1 20
Using the Pawns
Summary
Respect your pawns!
Structural weaknesses tend to have long-term significance
Consider the implications of pawn breaks
Don't be afraid to sacrifice a piece to release mobile, influential centre

pawns
1 21
Chapter Six
F u rthe r Ideas
• Creating and U sing Outposts
• The Colour Complex
• Piece Placement
• Complex Situations
Further Ideas
This chapter deals with several important issues, including where we

should and should not post our pieces, the price of an outpost, the spi
ralling complexity of multiple exchanges and adapting to new circum
stances. The games are intended to demonstrate the difficulty with
which strong players make decisions in this or that aspect of the mid
dlegame. For example, I have deliberately placed a game that centres
around the use of a single square in the same chapter as examples of
end-to-end action. This is because it is possible to create problems for
the opponent by various means and, equally, it is j ust as easy to find
yourself struggling against a 'dull' player as it is to be blown away by
the club hacker if you are ill prepared for the numerous directions a
game can take .
Creating and Using Outposts

Game 55
D M.Gurevich • Kazhgaleyev
Cappelle la Grande 1 996
Diagram 1 Diagram 2
How can White get hold of f5? White's control is worth a pawn
It does not take long to spot the weak square in Black's position - f5.
Remember that all pawn moves create potential weaknesses, and in
this case chasing White's bishop from g5 to h4 to g3 has resulted in a
hole on f5.
15 dxe5!?
A theoretical novelty, this idea seems preferable to 15 b4 f5! 16 dxe5
dxe5 17 e4 fxe4 18 Nxe4 Qxb4 19 Nd6 Bg4 20 Qe2 Nd5 21 cxd5 cxd5,
which has been assessed as unclear but looks good for Black. White
aims to make full use of f5, hoping to install a piece in the heart of
Black's king side .
1 23
15... dxe5 16 Bh7+

Not 16 b3 f5, when Black's united front of pawns secures an advan
tage .
16...Kh8 17 Bf5!
White j udges that the positional plus afforded him by control o f f5 i s
worth the price of the c-pawn.
17...Nxc4
In the event of 17 . . . Bxf5 18 Qxf5 Nxc4 White plays 19 Ne4 with the
intention of practically ending the game after 20 Nexg5. Therefore
Black might play 19 . . . Qe6 20 Qxe6 fxe6 21 b3 Nb6, although 22 Nc5
leaves White with the advantage.
18 Bxc8 Raxc8 19 Ne4 Nb6
19 . . . Qb4?! 20 a3 Qb5 2 1 Rc I .
2 0 g4! (Diagram 2)
Clamping down on f5 and paving the way for the knight to drop back
to g3. If White can conduct the game in such a way that his kingside
grip keeps Black under long-term pressure, then the pawn deficit will
be irrelevant.
20 ...Rcd8
Of course White is ready for 20 . . . Qe6? 21 Rd6! Qxg4 22 Rxh6+! Bxh6
23 Nf6 .
21 b3 !
Patient play, rather than the hasty 21 Ng3?! Qe6, hitting g4 and a2.
21...Rd5
Again 2 1 . . . Qe6? fails, this time to 22 Nexg5! hxg5 23 Nxg5 Qg6 24
Qxg6 fxg6 25 Rxd8 Rxd8 26 Nf7+ etc.
22 Ng3 ! Rfd8
By now Black might as well forget about putting his queen on e6,
since now 22 ... Qe6 meets with 23 e4! Rxdl 24 Rxdl Qxg4 2 5 Nf5, in
vesting a second pawn to leave Black's pieces severely lacking cohe
SIOn.
TIP: A positional sacrifice, being long-term in nature, can be confus
ing for the opponent to handle since there tends to be no specific
threats.
23 Nf5 Qd7
2 3 . . . Qe6 24 e4 Rxd l 25 Rxd l Rxdl+ 26 Qxd l Qd7 2 7 Qxd7 Nxd7 28
Nd6 is good for White , but 26 . . . Nd7 27 Qd6!? is less clear. The text
challenges the d-file but perhaps this is not an important factor in
1 24
Further Ideas
view of what happens in the game.

24 Rcl Qe6 25 e4 Rd3 26 Rfdl Qd7 27 ReI f6
2 7 . . . Nc8 28 Qe2 Ne 7 29 Ne3! Ng6 30 g3 seems like a long journey for
the knight with no entry point available, and White has the attractive
plan of Kg2 followed by bringing a rook to the h-file. Note that it is
the availability of the f5-square rather than its occupation that is im
portant to White .
28 Qe2!
Defending the knight in preparation for the g3, Kg2 and Rh 1 plan.
28 ... a5
Black gets to work on the queenside, the area of the board where he
has an extra pawn and where White is less able to defend, being busy
with the game-plan on the other flank.
29 g3 a4 3 0 Kg2!? (Diagram 3 )
Diagram 3 Diagram 4
The position is balanced White's pressure is overwhelming
3 0 ...Kh7
30 . . . axb3 3 1 axb3 Rxb3 32 Red 1 Rd3 33 Rh 1 Kh7 34 Rxh6+ Bxh6 35
Rh1 has been evaluated a s unclear b y Gurevich but 35 ... Qf7 36 Nxh6
Qc4 37 Nf7+ Kg7 38 Nxd8 R�d8 39 Qb2 Qb5 looks good for Black.
However, 34 Qa2, denying Black the g8-flight square, renews the
threat of Rxh6+.
31 Rhl Kg6 3 2 Qel !
Toying with ideas involving Rxh6+ and threatening Qb4.
3 2...Rh8
32 . . . axb3 Iets White have h is fun: 33 Rxh6+! Bxh6 34 Qh 1 Kf7 35
1 25
Nxe5+! fxe 5 36 Qh5+! Kg8 37 Qxh6 with Rh l to follow.

33 Qb4!Ne8 34 bxa4!?
A strange move, but White keeps his queen active and pushing the
new a-pawn might prove awkward for Black.
34...BfB 35 Qbl Rh7
Offering extra protection to the b-pawn (another reason why White
played 34 bxa4). Note how White's threats down the h-file and the
subsequent opening of a second front of attack on the queenside have
led to a certain untidiness among Black's pieces.
3 6 a5 Ba3 3 7 Redl Rxdl 3 8 Rxdl Qe6 3 9 Rd3 ! Be5 40 Qhl (Dia
gram 4)
None of this would be possible without the horse on f5!
40 ... h5 41 gxh5+ Kf7
4 1 . . .Rxh5 42 Qxh5+ Kxh5 43 Ng7+ is a nice justification of White's
strategy.
42 h6 Ne7 43 Qh5+ Ng6 44 Rb3 Qd7 45 N3 h4! gxh4 46 Nxh4 1-0
The Colour Complex

Often associated with opposite-coloured bishop scenarios, concentrat
ing exclusively on a colour complex is not so unusual, and the rewards
tend to be considerable .
Game 56
o Browne • Maloney
USA 1 997
Diagram 5 Diagram 6
B l ack looks strong on the dark squ ares Not any more!
1 26
Further Ideas
With Black's bishop sitting right in the middle of the board, supported
by a chain of pawns, it might be difficult to imagine that the dark
squares are to be Black's undoing!
17 Nb5!
And so we begin . . .
1 7...BxaI 18 Qxal Ne8 19 Nbxd6!!
White is concerned only with punishing his opponent on the dark
squares rather than the 'points' value of his pieces.
19...Nxd6 20 Qxe5 Nf7
20 ... NeS 21 b5 is interesting, e.g. 2 1 . . .Kf7 22 d6 NgS 23 Nb6! Be6 24
NxaS QxaS 25 d7, or 2 1 . . .Rf7 22 Bb2 Nf6 23 d6 Nf5 24 exf5 Bxf5 25
Nd2! threatening 26 Bc4. The general problem for Black is the con
tinued suffering on the dark squares after returning material - if only
because Black is so preoccupied shoring up the dark squares that he
is ill equipped to address other areas.
21 Qc3 Nf5 22 exf5 gxf5 23 Bb2 Qg5 (Diagram 6)
For the moment Black defends the terribly weak spots on g7 and hS,
but White's next prepares to bring support to the powerful queen and
bishop.
24 Rgl ! Rd8 25 g3 KfS 26 gxf4 Qh6 27 b5!
Not satisfied with one set of dark squares, White switches to another
with decisive effect. Black is unable to defend.
27...Rxd5 28 Ba3 + Ke8 29 Qb4
A nice finishing touch. White has dominated almost every dark
square since embarking on his instructive mission!
29 ...Qe6 3 0 QfS + Kd7 31 Rg7 1-0
Piece Placement
The sensible positioning of your pieces in a game is vitally important.
Just as you would not expect to see five or six members of a soccer
team tucked away in a corner of the playing field, and therefore un
able to make a worthwhile contribution to the game, nor does it make
sense to treat pieces (and pawns) in the same manner in a game of
chess! The biggest mistake is to neglect the king, but putting (or leav
ing) a piece in potential danger can be equally unwise.
Game 57
D Gligoric • Z.lIincic
Yugoslavia Ch 1 997
We have a reasonably normal position in which White has succeeded
1 27
in achieving the traditionally desirable control of the square in front

of the enemy isolated pawn. However, Black also has two pieces that
monitor the d4-square, and the fact this his rook stands on the same,
albeit closed file as White's queen affords the second player an
interesting possibility.
Diagram 7 Diagram 8
White seems to have control Now the situation is less clear!
25...Ne4!!
Forking the queen and bishop and therefore forcing White to walk
into an uncomfortable pin.
26 fxe4 dxe4 27 Rc4 Bxd4 28 Bxd4
28 Rxd4 leads to a rook ending that is very good for Black after
28 . . . Nxd4 29 Bxd4 Qe5 30 Bxe 5 (30 Rd l e3) 30 . . . Rxd2+ 3 1 Kh3 Rxe5
32 Nc4 Rdd5 33 Nxe5 Rxe5 etc.
28 ...Qe5! (Diagram 8 )
A nice move to make. Thanks to his king White continues to suffer
from awkwardly placed pieces.
29 Bxe5
Forced as 29 Rd l e3 is much worse, e.g. 30 Bxe5? Rxd2+ 31 Rxd2 exd2
and the pawn cannot be caught.
29 ...Rxd2+ 3 0 Kh3 Rxe5 31 Rcxe4
Not 31 gxh4 e3 32 a4 e2.
31...Rxe4 3 2 Rxe4 hxg3 3 3 hxg3 Rxa2 and Black eventually took

the full point.
WARNING: Beware an enemy rook on the same file as your queen!

When playing through the previous game you might have noticed that
128
Further Ideas
White's knight on b6 failed to contribute to the cause thanks to its dis

tant posting on b6.
TIP: An outpost in the opponent's half of the board is not always de
sirable.
This is demonstrated in the next game, when White fails to resist
temptation.
Game 58
D Golubovic • Sveshnikov
Bled 1 996
Where should the knight go? Black gains time
Black has just nudged his a-pawn forward, giving White two main
choices as to where to put the knight: the sensible d4-square or the
adventurous a 7.
17 Na7?
I must admit that there is a part of me that would spend an unrea
sonably long time weighing up the merits of this impudent move only
to decide it is unwise - and then play it anyway! This is all the more
impractical when the perfectly reasonable d4-square is available.
17...Rc5!
Whoop s! Taking the rook leaves the stranded knight deservedly un
protected, so White's next is forced.
18 Qb6 Rh5 19 g3 Bd8 !
Uncompromising play from Black that soon forces White to lose touch
with the knight.
20 Qd4
1 29
20 Qb4 b6 2 1 a4 Qxa7 22 a5 Qb 7 23 axb6 Ne5 is clearly better for

Black.
20 ... b6 21 Qg4 Re5!?
2 1 . . .Ra5 looks greedy but could be stronger, although the text guaran
tees Black a near decisive advantage .
22 £4 Rxe3 23 Rxe3 Qxa7

Every Russian schoolboy knows that two minor pieces beat a rook . . .
2 4 Rael b5 2 5 Khl h5! (Diagram 10 )
It is no coincidence that part of the price White paid for unwisely ven
turing into enemy territory and subsequently trying to hang on to the
wandering knight is the harassment of the queen. The latest gains
time to launch an attack on White's king which, incidentally, has be
come exposed as a result of White's initial mistake.
26 Qdl h4 27 £5 hxg3 ! 28 Rxg3 Qf2 0 -1
A nice finish is 29 Rg2 Bc6 30 fxg6 Rxh2+! 31 Kxh2 Qh4+ 32 Kgl
Bb6+.
WARNING: Don't lose touch with your pieces!
Game 59
D V.l.Ivanov . Rodin
Russia 1 994
Black's pieces have wandered away Black's pieces remain onlookers
TIP: Make a conscious effort to keep a minimum number of pieces

within defensive range of your king.
(Diagram 11) This is a good piece of advice with which Black is not
acquainted in the diagram position, the sole protector being the
1 30
Further Ideas
bishop . With the exception of this piece and the rook, Black's forces
are huddled on the queenside. Moreover, apart from possibilities on
the b-file, it is difficult to understand what Black has been trying to
achieve in the play leading up to the diagram position. As for White,
his centrally located pieces afford him the opportunity to exploit his
opponent's awkward placement.
1 Rxe6! fxe6 2 Na5! Qb6 3 Qxe6+ Kh8 4 Nc4!
Keeping Black's queen boxed in and preparing to send the knight to
e5.
4... Qb7
Offering to return the exchange with 4 . . . Rf6 leads to a good ending for
White after 5 Qxf6 gxf6 6 Nxb6 Rxb6 7 a5! Rb5 S Bxb4 Rxb4 9 Rxc6
Rxb2 (9 . . . Bxd4 10 Nxd4 Rxd4 1 1 g3) 10 g3.
5 Nce5!
Suddenly White threatens 6 Ng6+!! hxg6 7 Qh3+ KgS S Ng5 Rf5 9
Qh 7 + KfS 10 QhS+ Ke 7 1 1 Qxg7 + etc.
5... Rf6
Black might also challenge rather than attack the queen: 5 . . . QcS 6
Nf7+ Rxf7 (6 . . . KgS 7 Nh6+ KhS S QgS+) 7 Qxf7 Nd3 S Rxc6 Rxb2 and
now instead of the suggested 9 h3 White has 9 Rxc7 Rb 1+ 10 Ne l QgS
1 1 Qf5! etc.
6 Nf7 + Kg8
Or 6 . . . Rxf7 7 Qxf7 Nd3 S Qf5!! Nxc1 9 Ng5 Ne2+ 10 Kfl KgS 1 1
Qxh7+ KfS 1 2 QhS+ Ke7 1 3 Qxg7+ KdS 1 4 Qf6+ and White mates in
two.
7 Nh6+ Kh8
7 . . . KfS S QgS+.
8 Ng5!! 1-0 (Diagram 12)
Black's pieces remain rooted to the spot on the queen side and only the
rook is witness to the impressive finish. White threatens 9 QgS+! with
a smothered mate and S . . . QcS 9 Ngf7+ Rxf7 10 Nxf7+ KgS 1 1 Qc4!
gives White a decisive material advantage.
Complex Situations
I began m y chess writing career a t the age o f fifteen and this afforded
me the early privilege of sitting around press rooms at top chess
events, eating funny shaped sandwiches and occasionally watching
strong players carry out an exhaustive post-mortem. The beauty of
chess is that it can be simultaneously simple and complicated, and the
next three games fall into the latter category!
1 31
Game 60
D Marin • Giorgadze
Benasque 1 996
A tense position White is i n trouble
(Diagram 13 ) We have a standard position with decent development

for both sides. Notice that a number of pieces can either capture or be
captured, a feature that instigates a complex sequence of exchanges
that requires the utmost care from both players.
17 Nxb4
With the more sound pawn structure White is happy to trade, hoping
that his light-squared bishop and command of the c-file will prove ef
fective .
17 axb4
...
17 . . . Nxb4 18 Rfd l Qd6 19 Ne l and White unleashes the bishop and

prepares to attack the pinned knight.
18 Rfd1 Qd6
After 18 . . . bxa3 19 Rxc6 White's better pawns compensate for the
bishop pair.
19 Ne5!?
19 Bb2 Bb5 20 Ra l is about level but the text initiates complications
that leave little room for error. We are less concerned with the sound
ness of White's plan than the manner in which these strong GMs
handle the ensuing complexities. When playing through the following
variations try to imagine how clearly you would calculate them during
a game.
19 Nxd4
...
1 32
Further Ideas
Black is happy to oblige, and this may well be the best move.
19 . . . Bxe5 20 dxe5 Nxe5 21 Bxb4 c5 22 Bc3 Nd3 23 Rc2 d4 24 exd4
cxd4 25 Ba 1 100ks like White is being pushed back, but after sending
his queen to h6 and nudging his rook from c2 to d2 White has the
makings of an initiative. Sensible is 19 . . . Nxe5 20 Bxb4 c5 2 1 dxe5
Bxe5 22 Bc3 with chances for both sides.
20 Bxb4
20 exd4 bxa3 2 1 Rc6 Qd8 leaves Black with a safe extra pawn.
20 ...Ne2+ (Diagram 14)
White is in danger of regretting his offer to liven up the game. Black's
queen is attacked but this can be easily remedied by blocking with the
c-pawn (once White's king moves out of check), which would then
leave White's bishop under threat, along with his knight and rook!
Having three pieces attacked simultaneously is not ideal, so White
has little choice but to taste his own medicine.
21 Qxe2 Bxe2
White is happy to settle for the slight edge that follows 2 1 . . . Qxb4 22
N d3 Qd6 23 Qc2 etc.
22 Bxd6 Bxd1!
Stronger than 22 . . . cxd6 23 Rd2.
23 Nxf7 ! (Diagram 15)
White is stirring u p trouble A double-edged position
23 ...cxd6!?
23 . . . Kxf7 24 Bxd5+ Kf6 25 Rxd 1 cxd6 26 Bxa8 Rxa8 27 Rxd6+ Kf7 28
a4 is unclear.
24 Ng5!
1 33
24 Bxd5? runs into 24 . . . Bf3! with a decisive lead for Black.
24... Ra5
24 . . . B g4 2 5 Bxd5+ Kh8 (25 . . .Kf8 26 Rc7) 26 Nf7+ Kg8 27 Ng5+ is a
fair draw and 27 Nh6+ Kh8 28 Nxg4? Ra5! 29 Bc6 Rc8 30 b4 Rxa2 fa
vours Black, but 24 . . . Bxb3!? 25 axb3 needs analysing. 25 . . . Ra l 26
Bxd5+ Kf8 27 Nxh7+ Ke7 28 Rxa l Bxa l 29 Ng5 is fine for White, with
two pawns for the exchange and good pieces. This leaves 25 . . . Ra5 26
b4 Rb5 27 Bh3! Rxb4 28 Be6+. Now 28 . . . Kf8? 29 Rc7 spells trouble, so
perhaps Black should take the draw after 28 . . . Kh8 29 Nf7+ Kg8 30
Ng5+.
25 b4
Yet another threat! 25 Rxdl d4! loosens White up.
25...Rb5 26 Rxdl (Diagram 16) 26... h6
Here 26 . . . d4 27 Bc6 Rxg5 28 Bxe8 dxe3 29 f4 Rf5 30 Rxd6 cannot be
recommended for Black, but how should White respond to the latest
attack?
27 a3
Neither 27 Rb l?! hxg5 28 Bfl Rc5! 29 bxc5 bxc5 nor 28 a4! d4 29 axb5
dxe3 appeal, but 27 a4 hxg5 28 axb5 d4 29 exd4 (29 e4 Rc8) 29 . . . Re2
might prove difficult for Black. However, 27 Nh3! Rxb4 28 Bxd5+ Kh7
29 Nf4 makes a lot of sense, when 29 . . . g5? 30 Nd3 embarrasses the
rook in view of 30 . . . Ra4 3 1 Bc6.
27... hxg5 28 Bfl Rxb4 29 axb4 d4! 3 0 Bb5
In the event of 30 e4 Rxe4 (30 . . . Ra8!?) 31 Bd3 Re 7 32 Bxg6 Re2 the
situation is less clear.
3 0 ...Re7 31 exd4 Re4 3 2 Kg2 'h-'h
Considering the number of pieces attacked and captured, and at such
a rate, a draw is a fair result. It would have been easy for either
player to lose track of the 'score', miscalculate or make an incorrect
evaluation during the complicated sequences.
The previous game saw a normal middlegame position turn into a bi
zarre series of captures and threats, but tactics took second place to
ending considerations. Now we turn our attention to a super
heavyweight slugfest, featuring the world's number one and number
two players.
Game 61
D Kasparov • Kramnik
Novgorod 1 994
Both queens are attacked, hence White's opening salvo!
1 34
Further Ideas
Everything is en prise! White has a winning end game
27 h5!!
Of course.
27...Nxf4
27 . . . Rxg4 28 Qxg4 Rg8 29 Qxg8+ Kxg8 30 Rg3+ Kh8 31 Nd8! is nice,
while 27 . . . Rxe6 28 hxg6 wins for White after 28 . . .fxg6 29 Qh6, or
28 . . . Nxf4 29 Rxh7+ Kg8 30 gxf7+ Kf8 (30 . . . Kxh7 3 1 Rxb6) 3 1 Rh8+
Kxf7 32 Bxe6+ Nxe6 33 Rxb6 etc.
28 hxg6 Qxd6
If 28 . . . Rxe6 White replies 29 Rxh7+ and transposes to 27 . . . Rxe6 in the
previous note.
29 Rxh7+ Kg8 3 0 gxf7 + Kxh7 31 fxe8Q (Diagram 18 )
Amazingly, after the smoke from the fireworks has cleared, White
still has threats against Black's king that are enough to take the
game to a winning ending.
3 1...Nxe6 3 2 Bf5+ Kg7 3 3 Qg6+ KfS 3 4 Qxf6+ Ke8 3 5 Bxe6 QfS
After 35 . . . e3 36 fxe3 Bxg2 37 Bf7+ Kd7 38 Be8+ Kc7 39 Qg7+ Kd8 40
Qxg2 Kxe8 41 Qe4+! the queens are exchanged, while the alternative
continuation 35 . . . Bc6 36 Bf7+ Kd7 37 Be8+! leads to another decisive
pawn ending.
3 6 Bd7+ 1-0
TIP: Study the games collections of the great attacking players and
see how your analysis compares with theirs.
Finally a game in which White gets so clever he even confuses him
self. . .
1 35
Game 62
D Afek • M.Shrentzel
Tel Aviv 1 993
A quiet position? Not any more!
14...Rxfl !
Black parts with his rook in order to snare both enemy bishops. How
ever, White seems unconcerned with his opponent's plan.
15 Rhxfl Nxc4 16 Qf2 Nxe3
16 . . . Nf5!? closes the f-file but turns out to favour White after 17 Bd2
Nxd2 1 8 Qxd2 Nd4 19 Nf7 Qe7 20 Nh6+ Bxh6 21 Qxh6 etc.
17 Qf7 + ! Kh8 18 d6!?
Typical of IM Afek's tricky, gladiatorial style, this gives Black a couple
of other things to worry about in addition to his weak back rank and
ideas with Nf7+.
18 ...Ng8 !
The downsides to this might be that Black ignores the d -pa wn and
sets himself up to be the victim of a smothered mate(!), but the alter
natives are worse. 18 . . . Nc6 19 dxc7 wins for White, while 18 . . . cxd6 19
Rxd6! Bd7 20 Ne6 is awkward indeed, e.g. 20 ... Qg8 21 Rxd7 Nxfl 22
Qxe7 Bh6+ 23 Kb 1 , or 20 ... Bxe6 21 Rxd8+ Rxd8 22 Qxe7 Nxfl 23
Qxd8+ B g8 24 Ne4 etc.
19 Qf4 ? ? ! (Diagram 20 )
This entertaining but unsound try is also to be expected of White, but
the ostensibly sensible 19 Nce 4!! actually hides a spectacular threat.
19 . . . Nxd 1?, for example, walks right into 20 Qxg7+! Kxg7 21 Rf7+ and
mate next move. Meanwhile 19 . . . Nxfl 20 dxc7! Qxd l+ (20 . . . Qf8 2 1
1 36
Further Ideas
Rd8!) 2 1 Kxd 1 Ne3+ 22 Ke2 is good for White since 22 . . . Nf5? meets
with 23 Qxf5! and the smothered mate on f7 comes into play . Another
try is 19 . . . Nh6 20 dxc7 Qxd l+ 21 Rxd1 Nxf7, but then White has 22
Rd8+! etc.
Returning to the position after 19 Qf4??!, Black has a drastic way to
address the threat of 20 Nf7 mate.
19 ...Qxg5!! 20 Qxg5 Nxfl !
Suddenly White is faced with the loss of his own queen on the h6- cl
diagonal, and he has already invested material!
21 Rxfl (Diagram 21)
2 1 Kb 1 Bf5+ 22 Ka 1 Bh6 23 Qh4 Ne3 24 Rd2 cxd6 is unpleasant for
White, and 2 1 Kc2 Bf5+ 22 Kb3 Bh6 23 Qh4 Ne3 even worse - hence
the text.
Black has an obvious move . . . A final trick
21...Bh6?
It is precisely because this is difficult to resist that Black should in
vestigate alternatives! 'The threat is stronger than its execution', they
say, and this points to 2 1 . . .Bxh3!?, adding White's rook to the hit list.
Then 22 Kd 1 Bxfl 23 dxc7 Bh3 24 Nd5 Be6 25 Qd8 Rc8 26 Ne7 has
been assessed as good for White, but 26 . . . Rxd8+ 27 cxd8Q Bf6! picks
up the knight free of charge. ·
22 Qxh6 Nxh6 23 Rf8 + Kg7 24 d7! (Diagram 22)
The final 'trick' to take us to an ending.
24...Bxd7 25 Rxa8 Bxh3 26 Rxa7 Bg2 27 a4 Nf5 28 Ne2

This position is okay for Black, who has a good king side m aj ority, but
after inaccurate play White eventually won.
1 37
Summary
Look for influential outposts
Be aware of the implications of operating on a specific colour complex
Don't neglect your king
Avoid awkward/illogical piece placement
1 38
Chapter Seven
S o l u ti o n s to Exe rc i ses
Chapter 1
Exercise 1
D A.Gunnarson • Hjartarson
Oeildarkeppni 1 996
1...Nxf3+ ! 2 Bxf3 Nxe4 3 Bxe4 Rxe4+

So far so simple, but it gets more complex from here . . .
4 Ne3
4 Be3 meets with 4 . . . Qe 7!, e . g. 5 Kf2 Bb5 6 Re I Re8 and White is tied
up, or 5 Qxd7 Rxe3+ 6 Nxe3 Qxe3+ 7 Kfl Qf3+ etc. Running with 4
Kf2 Qf6+ 5 Kg l does not help in view of 5 . . . Qf3 6 Ne 3 Rxe3! 7 Rfl (7
Bxe3 Bc6) 7 . . . Re I! 8 Rxe 1 Bc6.
4...Qg5 5 Qd5
5 Qc1 Bb2! 6 Qxb2 Qxc5, or 5 Rc 1 Bf8! 6 Bxf8 Rxe3+ 7 Kf2 Qf5+! 8
Kg l (8 Kxe3 Re8+ 9 Kd4 c5+ with mate on e4) 8 . . . Qe4.
5...Rxe3 + ! 6 Kf2 Qf6+ ! 7 Kxe3 Re8 + 8 Kd3 Bb5+ 0-1
Exercise 2
D Pinski • Twardowski
Zagan 1 995
1 Bxb5+ ! axb5 2 Ndxb5 Qe7 3 Nxd6+ !

The point.
3 ...Qxd6 4 Qxf7 + Kd8 5 Rdl Bd2 6 Rxd2!
Not 6 Bxc5?? Qxh2 mate!
6...Qxd2 7 Bxe5! Ke8
7 . . . Qd7 8 Rdl Bd5 9 exd5!? Qxf7 10 dxe6+ leaves White with a bishop
and four(!) pawns for a rook.
8 Rdl Qxdl +
After 8 . . . Qh6 9 Qd7+ Kb8 10 Qd6+ Kc8 1 1 Bb6! Black cannot defend
both c7 and d8.
9 Nxdl Ra6 10 h3 ! and White emerges with a decisive material ad

vantage.
Exercise 3
D V.lvanov . Hermlin
Helsinki 1 996
B lack tried 5 . . . Bg5?, when 6 Qh7+! Kf8 7 Rd7!! won for White after
7 . . . Qxb3+ 8 axb3 a2+ 9 Kb2 Bf6+ 10 c3 Bg7 1 1 gxf7 Bxf7 12 Qd3! (de-
140
Solutions to Exercises
fending e2) 12 . . . b5 13 Qf3 Re 7 14 Rxe 7 Kxe 7 15 Qxc6 1-0.

The simpler 5...Bf6!? does more than hold for Black, e . g. 6 Rd7 Bg7 7
Qh7+ Kf8 8 gxf7 Bxd7 9 Qg8+ Ke7 10 fxe8Q+ Rxe8 1 1 Qxg7+ Kd8 1 2
Rdl Qc7. Instead 6 g7?? Qxb3+!! 7 cxb3 Bf5+ 8 Kc 1 Bb2+ 9 Kd2 Rad8+
leads to mate, while 6 Rhg l Qxb3+!! 7 cxb3 Bf5+ 8 Rd3 Bxd3+ 9 Kc 1
Bxg6 is final .
Exercise 4
D Gdanski • Wallace
Gothenburg 1 996
Major pieces sharing a reasonably open line require close attention,

and in this case Black is taken by surprise . . .
1 Rxf6!! gxf6 2 Bxf6+ ! Qxf6 3 Qg8 + ! Kxg8 4 Bd5+ 1-0
Chapter 3
Exercise 1
D Matveeva • Sziebert
Cappelle la Grande 1 997
1...Rxf3!! 2 Nxc5
After 2 gxf3 Nxf3 all White's tries run into the same move:
a) 3 Ng4 Rd2!! 4 Nxd2 Nxd2+ 5 Kg l Qxg4+.
b) 3 h3 Rd2!! 4 Nxd2 (4 Qf6 Qxh3+!) 4 . . . Qg3 etc.

c) 3 Kg2 Rd2!! 4 Qf6 (4 Qc 1 Qg4+ 5 Kh l Qh3!) 4 . . . Nxe l+ 5 Kgl Qxf6 6
Nxf6+ Kf7 7 N2e4 (7 N6e4 Nf3+) 7 . . . Rg2+! 8 Kh l Re2 9 Rf4 Nd3 10
Rh4 Bxe4+ 1 1 Nxe4 Rxe4! .
2... Rdf8 3 Ncd3
Or 3 Kg l Rg3! 4 Nfe4 (4 hxg3 Nf3+! 5 gxf3 Qxg3+) 4 . . . Nf3+ 5 Rxf3
Rgxf3!.
3...Rg3 4 RgI Nf3! 0-1
All this was made possible by Black's bishop.
Exercise 2
D Martinez • O.Martin
Havana 1 996
1 Bxe4! fxe4 2 f5!

Suddenly White's rooks come to life, the threat o f 3 f6 forcing Black's
next.
2...Nexf5 3 Rxf5+ !!
1 41
Not 3 Rxe4? Kg8! 4 Ref4 Qe3! 5 Nxd6 (5 Rxf5 Qe4+!) 5 . . . Ng3+ 6 Kg2
Nxfl .
3 ... Nxf5 4 Rxe4! Qc8 5 Re7+ ! 1-0
Exercise 3
D Serafimov • Dovramadjiev
Bulgaria 1 996
1 Bxf5! gxf5 2 Qg5+ Kh8

2 . . . Kf7 3 Nxf5 Rxe l+ 4 Rxe l .
3 Nxf5
3 Rxe8!? also looks strong, but the game choice provides a better illus
tration of the power of the diagonaL
3 ... d4 4 N3 xd4! Be5 5 Rxe5! Rxe5
5 . . .cxd4 6 Rxe8.
6 f4! Re7
Or 6 ... Ree8 7 Nc6! Qf7 (7 ... Re6 8 Nce 7!) 8 Ne5 Qg8 9 Nd7! .
7 Nf3 Re6 8 Ne5 Qc7 9 Ng4 Qf7 10 Nxf6 Rxf6 11 Rel l-0
Black resigned in view of 1 1 Re 1 Qg6 (or 1 1 . . .Bc6 12 Re6!) 12 Bxf6+
Qxf6 13 Qxf6+ Rxf6 14 Re8+.
Exercise 4
D P.Popovic • D.Kosic
Novi Sad 1 992
1 g5! hxg5 2 Ng6!!

Exploiting the open h-file by both threatening mate on h8 and ruling
out the blockading . . . Rh4.
2...Nh7
After 2 .. .fxg6 3 Qxe6+ Qf7 White has 4 Rh8+.
3 Rxh7! 1-0
Black resigned in view of 3 . . . Kxh7 4 Qh5+ or 3 . . .fxg6 4 Qxe6+ Kxh7
(4 . . . Qf7 5 Rh8+) 5 Qxg6+ Kg8 6 Re8+.
Chapter 4
Exercise 1
D Pisseaux • O.Garcia
Cuba 1 997
1... e3 !!
142
Solutions to Exercises
Most players would consider this move until noticing it leaves the
queen unprotected!
2 Qxd3
a) 2 Rxe3 Qxd l + 3 Rxdl Rxb 2.
b) 2 f3 Rd2! 3 Qc1 Qg6.
c) 2 Rfl Qg6.
d) 2 Kh l Bxg2+! 3 Kxg2 Rxf2+.
2... exf2+ 3 Kfl Bxg2+ !! 4 Kxg2 fxelN+ ! 0 -1
The mere presence of Black's rook is devastating.
Exercise 2
D Legky • David
France 1 997
Yes.
1...Qxb4! 2 Nb5 Qxc4!!
2 . . . Qa4? 3 Qxa4 Nxa4 4 Nxd6.
3 Qxc4 Bxb5 4 Qc3
4 Qc2 Nd3+ 5 Kdl Ba4! 6 Qxa4 Nh2+.
4...Nfxe4!
The mate on fl highlights White's plight on the light squares.
5 Qe3 Nd3 + 6 Kdl Ba4+ ! 7 Ke2 Nf4+ 0-1
Black's investment is about to reap great rewards.
Exercise 3
D Skatchkov • Mirkovic
Palic 1 995
1...Rg2! 2 Rxg2
After 2 Bd4 Reg8 Black brings the queen to g6 .
2... hxg2+ 3 Kxg2
3 Kgl Qh3 4 Qh2 Qxh2+ 5 Kxh2 Bxf3 and 3 Kh2 Rh8 4 Qh4 (4 Kxg2
Qg6+! 5 Qg3 Bxf3+!) 4 . . . Rh7! 5 Kg l Bg6 win for Black.
3 ...Qg6+ ! 4 Qg3
4 Kfl Qd3+ 5 Kg2 (5 Ke l Rg8 6 Qh2 Bxf3) 5 . . . Rg8+, or 4 Kh2 Bxf3! 5
Qxf3 Rh8+ 6 Qh3+ Rxh3+ 7 Kxh3 Qd3+ and the d-pawn advances .
4...Bxf3+ ! 0-1
5 Kxf3 allows instant mate, 5 Kfl Qd3+ 6 Kg l Rh8 merely takes longer.
1 43
Exercise 4
D Bezgodov • Berezjuk
Minsk 1 996
1 Qxg6+ !
Combining themes, White has the opportunity to dominate on the
dark squares.
1... hxg6 2 Bxe5 Qc6?
2 . . . ReS? 3 RhS+ Kf7 4 Rh7+ wins for White, while 2 . . . Qh7 3 Rxh7
Kxh7 4 Bd4 is an awful ending for Black. However, 2 . . . QcS! 3 RhS+
Kf7 4 Rh7+ Ke6 is Black's most accurate continuation, when 5 B g7+
Kd6 6 BxfS+ QxfS 7 Rxb 7 Qxf2 S Ra l favours White .
3 Rh8 + Kf7 4 Rh7+ Ke6
4 . . . KeS?? 5 Bf6+ is mate, and 4 . . .KgS?? 5 Rg7+ KhS 6 Rxb 7+ Rf6 fails
to 7 Bxf6+ Qxf6 S ReS+.
5 Bg7+ Kf5
5 Kf7 6 Bd4+ KgS 7 Rg7+ is simple, but 5 . . . Kd7 6 BxfS+ KcS 7 Bd6!
. . .
demonstrates the influence of White's bishop .

6 BxfS d4
6 . . . g5 7 Rf7+ Kg6 S Rg7+ Kf5 9 Ree7 takes longer to lose, so Black at
least gives his bishop a role.
7 Rf7 + Kg4 8 Re4+ ! Kh5 9 g4+ Kg5 10 Be7+ Kh6 11 g5+ 1- 0
1 44

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What are some of the themes discussed in the book?

What are some of the themes discussed in the book?

How does the author describe the middlegame?

How does the author describe the middlegame?

masteri ng the

Copyright © 2001 Angus Dunnington

The right of Angus Dunnington to be identified as the author of this work

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

ISBN 1 85744 228 8

All other sales enquiries should be directed to Everyman Chess, Gloucester

EVERYMAN CHESS SERIES (formerly Cadogan Chess)

Typeset and edited by First Rank Publishing, Brighton

- 1. Attacking the King 7

- 2. Defending - Keep Calm! 40

- 4. Using the Pieces 74

- 5. Using the Pawns 104

- 6. Further Ideas 122

- 7. Solutions to Exercises 139

• The King in the Centre

• Castling on Opposite Wings

As this book is aimed at addressing some of the more crucial aspects

The King in the Centre

o f the final layer o f defence. Other tries are 2 3 . . . Q d 7 2 4 Qxb6+ Kc8 2 5

28 Qxh8 + Kxe7 29 Qg7+ Kd6 3 0 ReI 1-0 (Diagram 4)

3 0 Rgl Qh5+ 31 Kg3 Qg5+

It is fair to say that Black looks threatening, with White's king­

on d 1 and . . . Nxf2+. Consequently Black exerts maximum pressure,

Castling on Opposite Wings

In Diagram 9 both sides look menacing indeed, with Black's pressure

RfS (3 1 . . .Kf7 32 Qd5+) 32 RxfS+ KxfS 33 Qxd6+ Kf7 34 Qd5+, since

As often happens once the kings go in different directions, each side

32 Rd3 g4 33 e4 Ne7 (Diagram 12)

other matter - the initiative a n d the subsequent negative psychologi­

3 9 Qh8 Qe6 40 Rh7 f5 41 Rxe7+

Now we turn to a more complicated example that requires more vig­

29 Qh6+ Ke8 30 exf6 Qe3 !

tected. Instead the uncompromising advance of the b-pawn suddenly

Despite the potentially vulnerable dark squares White's king enjoys

better protection than its counterpart. Add to this White's superior,

We need only be aware of how the pieces move to appreciate that

Diagram 23 Diagram 24 (variation)

20 ...Nxh7 21 Bxh7+ Kh8 (Diagram 25)

Hoping to slow White down by using the bishop as a shield or threat­

automatic 22 Nxd8? Rxd8 23 Rxe6 Nxc4 sees Black fighting back in

24...KfB 25 Qxh6+ Kg8

19 h3 Rxf3 20 hxg4! , White following the logic that it makes sense to

gram position h2 is defended by the knight which, in turn, is in the

TIP: Advanced pawns in front of a castled king create holes, and

in such situations can prove effective.

The removal of the g2 and h7 pawns has caused irreparable damage

mum pressure while distracting him from the exploitation of your

E xercis e 1: How does Black exploit his opponent's poor development?

Look for sacrifices to generate/maintain an initiative

Keep up the momentum

Set your opponent awkward defensive tasks

Try to find a balance between attack and defence

D efe ndi ng - Kee p C a l m !

• The Knockout Blow

It is fair to say that Black looks threatening, with White's king

other matter - the initiative a n d the subsequent negative psychologi

Now we turn to a more complicated example that requires more vig

Hoping to slow White down by using the bishop as a shield or threat

There is more to chess than learning theory and studying combina

A look at Diagram 1 suggests that we have a stand-off - the passed c

In Game 24 White was confused by his opponent's queenside initia

Consider aggressive possibilities when a bishop occupies the same di

The presence of opposite-coloured bishops combined with Black's dis

White, to move, has more space, a preponderance of p awns in the cen

White is lagging behind in development but at least he is in posses