Judgment and ala ate} in Chess ey Written by the former Champion Chess Style and other books, and Joint author of the epic two-volume ‘Middle Game, this book has a its basis an entirely new idea which il help players over a very rea aificulty Many books have been written the openings, some kn ich is essential ‘ playing it fifteen moves Concerned with the game from then studies @ number of rhodox openings and position: here the opening ed, shows why one br the other side stands better, and gives a thoroughly practical demon: Stration of the means by which the game can be brought Cambridge Review: 'A vintage the chess connoisseur Hi to suggest gambits which vert typically advantage postions into victorious then illustrate by referer positions Show how cortain inher permanent characteristics of sition make it generally pr to another. Literary Supplement with all the expository po Which the world ex-chamo famous. No better tuition desired i sessing the possiblities ition for ata land deJUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS DR. MAX EUWE Translated and edited by J. pv MONT. F LONDON G, BELL AND SONS LTD 1973,‘THIS BOOK 18 DEDICATED IN FRIENDSIIIP TO MR, AND MRS. 1 NAPIER (OF LELANT, CORNWALL Fist published 1953 Reprinted 1984, 1985, 1957, 1962, 1957, 1970, 1973 ISBN 0 7135 0429 3 Printed in Great Brin by Wii Clones & Son, Limited, London, Beles and Colchester AUTHOR'S PREFACE ‘Dunixe the Plymouth Congress in August 1948 I met Mr. J. ‘du Mont, then editor of the British Chess Magazine, who suggested that I should write a book on the lines of the present volume. His idea was to give the practical player some guidance as to how to proceed in a game from the point where the books ‘on opening theory leave off. The result isthe present volume, and Iam grateful to Mr. du Mont for giving me the oppor- tunity of carrying out his idea and suggestions. ME, March 1953 ‘TRANSLATOR'S NOTE Twist to express my thanks fo Leonard Barden, Daniel Castello and Eric Leyns who read the proofs. 1am,CONTENTS Introduction 1 First Sups in Judging and Planning 1 Pawo Majority onthe Queen's side 1m The Queen's side Attack 1 Knight against bad’ Bishop Weakening the King's side ‘The Attack on the King's field va Weak Pawns vm ‘Strong Square? 1% Open Files X_ Mustrative Games 100 119 “1 162INTRODUCTION (Orta when a player has a fair understanding of the principles of chess and can make quite pretty combinations, two or three moves deep and occasionally, in simple positions, even four, he suddenly notices, as he meets stronger players, that his development seems to have come to standstil. He loses games without being able to assess the cause. He works out a series of moves as far ahead as he possibly can and then notices that his opponent has planned and thought in an entirely different direction; n short, he loses the grip on the game which hhe had possessed at a previous stage. He learns opening variations by heart without accurately knowing why just these moves are played, with the result that he finds himself in (otally unfamiliar positions —positions which may well be favourable though he has neither any idea why they are so nor knowledge as to how to turn them t0 his advantage, ‘Anew element enters the chess battle at this stage—namely, ‘positional understanding” It does not grow of itself but must be developed by the process of drawing conclusions in practical play. It represents the increasing ability to form a judgment on any position Whatever without going into the details of exact calculation Just like the doctor, who first has to gain a clear picture of the Aiseased condition in order afterwards to plan the process of the eure diagnosis, reatment—the chess player must make a plan on the basis (of such characteristics as he has found in the examination of a given position. Steinitz’ axiom that the plan to be made must be in keep- ing with the characteristics of the position appears sel-evident to us, for itis the logical outcome of our present method of taking eflective action, though sixty years ago Steinitz’ stipulation created a very revolution in chess thought. Tudging and planning. Coming back to our remarks on opening variations, we find thatthe theoretical work judges for us, generally by means of such symbols as + — =, ete. But this judgment in ise is ‘ot enough: we have to know not only which of the two players stands better, bt also why. And with this the first step is taken, on the basis, of Steinitz’ axiom, towards the making of a plan. The forming of a Judgment, and the making of a plan, ae the topics to be dralt wit this book. They form for the beginner, the bridge, that takes him ‘across to those higher regions where not impulse but reason determines the choice of a move without, however, minimising the significance of ‘what we eall intuition.” ix(CHAPTER 1 FIRST STEPS IN JUDGING AND PLANNING “Tw task is so vast and varied, that we must deal with it step by step, starting with the most elementary examples before approaching more ificult and complicated problems. ‘We shall frst examine positions which require nothing more than a knowledge of the relative value of the pieces and no other ability than that of checking the accuracy of a series of forced moves. The posi- tions we shall now proceed to illustrate are the outcome of fairly well- ‘known opening variations in which one side has a forced mate or a winning advantage in material. 1. P—K4, P—K4; 2. Kt—KB3, Kt—QB3; 3. BBS, BBA; 4. P— PP; 6. PxP, B—KtS ch; 7. Kt—B3, Kt KI i 9. P--Q8, Kt—Ka 10. PxB, KtxB; 11. Q—Q4, Kt (BS)—Q5; 12. QxKtP, Q—B3; 13. QxQ, KtxQ: 14, ROK! ch, mae ex Maew 2 el tidieiny ak wows asa wf 2 oa a A aA ae 7 7 K—BI; 15. BR6 ch, K—Ktl; 16. ROKS, Kt (Q3)—KS; 17. Kt— (No. ‘White has an easily won game, for neither Kaight can move because of mate by the Rook either at K8 or KtS. Butif 17. .... P—Q318. Ktckt, PxR; 19, KtcKt mate. ‘There are no variations, no problems. More simple sili the situation after: 1. PKs, P—K4; 2. Kt-KB3, Kt—QB3; 3. BB4, B_B4: 4, P— QKis, BXP; 5, P—B3, BRA; 6. PQS, PP; 7. Castles, Kt—B3, 8. BRS, P_Q4; 9, PKS, PP; 10, Q—Kt3, Q—Q2; 11. R—KI, PAKS; 12. QKt—Q2, BP; 13. KIxKP, BxKR; 14, RxB, K—Qlj 15. QKt—K4s, Kt—QR4 16. Kt—K5, KtxQ (Wo. 2).2 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS White mates in four: 17. K(KS)xPch QxKt 19. B-KtSch_ PBB 18, KtxQch K-Q2 20. R-K7mate ‘The next will not cause the reader any headache: 1. P—Ka, P—K4; 2. P-KB4, PxP; 3, Kt—KB3, P_KKts 4. B— B4, PKtS; 5, Castes, PxKt; 6. QxP, Q—B3; 7, P—O3, Ki—B3; 8, BxP, BK; 9. Kt~B3, Kt—Q5; 10. Q—B2, P-Q3; 11. Kt—-Q5, QQ; 12, PKS, P—QB3; 13. BOKKGS, Q~Q2; 14. Kt—B7 ch, QxKt; 15. BxP ch, K—-Q2 (No. 3). ‘White mates in two by— 16. Q-BSch_ KexQ More complicated is the next examp! 1. P-K4, P-K4; 2. KtKB3, Kt—QB3; 3. B_B4, BBA; 4. P— QKis, BXP; 5, P—B3, B—R4; 6. PQs, PxP; 7. Castes, Kt—B3; 8. BRS, KexP; 9. Q—KE, PQs; 10. BxP, Kt—Q3; 11. BXP 17, P-K6mate ch, K—BI; 12, R-KI, BQ 13. QKt_Q2, BxP; 14. Kt—B4, KCRG 15. KtxKt, Boke, 16. Kt-KS, Bx; 17. RxB, B—B3, 18, B—RS, Q—B3; 19. KtxB, P-KKU; 20. R-K6, Q—B4; 21. Kt, QP, QxB Wo. 4. White now mates in 14 22. BxKtch PXB {cis instructive to note how far the mate can be accelerated by deviating, from the main variation, eg. 22. .... KK; 23. R—K7 ch, K—R3; 24, BBA ch, P—Ktd 25. Kt—B5 ch, K—K13; 26, Q—B? mate. Ttis ‘ot of paramount importance, whether the loser runs into a mate or suffers decisive material loss, but, for our purposes and for the cultiva- FIRST STEPS IN JUDGING AND PLANNING 3, tion of combinative powers, it is of real importance to make a sharp distinction between the two forms of decisive advantage—the oppor tunity to mate or great material superiority 2. RB6ch -K—Ki2 {It would lead too far to give a complete analysis of the position, and ‘we shall therefore confine ourselves to the main variation, but we would urge our readers thoroughly to examine all the possible ramifications. 24. R—B7 ch, K—R3; 25. Q—K3 ch, Q—Ktd 26. Kt—BS ch, Px Kt, 27. R—BO ch, K—R4 28. Q—R3 ch, QRS; 29. QxP ch, Q—Kd: 30. Q—R3 chy Q—R5; 31. P—Ktb ch, K Kes; 32. R-BS ch, KK; 53, QxQ, POKRI, 4. QRS ch, K—R2; 35, Q-B7 mate, ‘The illustrations given so far have one thing in common: the posi- tion in every case led to a forced mate, so that our theme may here be described briefly thus: Assessment: White (0F Black) wins. Plan: the appropriate mating. ‘continuation We shall now give a few examples in which the mai variation like- wise leads to a mate, but where the losing side has one or two oppor fuites to escape with some substantial material loss which depeives the illustration ofits forced character, ‘An important variation of the so-called [Ry @ LG Meo ‘Vienna Variation is as follows: me P—Qt, POs; 2P-OB4, PK; (ART TURE 3. KtOKB3, Kt_KB3; 4. B—Kkts, B— |) KGS chs 5, Kt—83, PoP 6. PKG, P— las @ 7. BP, PP, 8, KexP, Q—R4; 9 ‘ : Bea, Dx Kt oh 10. Pod, Ox chy age 8 BAW HRI, Qy Beh; 12. KK, Castles, || 1 Q-KU Wo. 5) Itis now of the greatest importance, [5 _ Mill in assewing the value of the Vienna Variation asa whole, to ascertain whether this variation does indeed ead to a decisive advantage. Here it would ‘ot do to dismis the postion with a remark that "White has attacking hance" when he can indeed oree mae of loss of Quen. Thee 13. Foreed, P-KKG4 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 16. Q-BA | KEQ2 IS PLKS KIB. 16, PxKt Mate is still threatened by 17. Q—RG, ete. 16... K-RI 17, R-QBI ‘An important intermediary manazuvre, intended in the first place to ‘safeguard the Rook from attack by the Queen. 17. ve Other moves are worse. 18. Q-R6 ROKK 19. Kt_B3 “Threatens 20, Kt--K1S, and mate; to be sure, Black could at any time exchange his Queen for the Knight, but he would remain at a great, wwe may say a devsive, disadvantage in material. eg 1,19, .... P—KKt4; 20, PKR, RKO (he has nothing better 31, Q—BS ch, R—KtI; 22. QxP (now 23. KtxP, or 23. PxP, are threatened), 22. .... Q—Q2; 23. Kt—KS (Black cannot exchange Queens because 24. Kt%Q would be mate, and other moves by the ‘Queen lead to a similar result) 23. .... Q-Q7;24. QxPech, KxQ 25, PP mate, oF J. (a) 20. ..... PKG (preparing B—B4, protecting the Pawn on KR2); 21. RBI, QR xR; 22. Ktx Kt, R—-BE eh (Black cannot protect KR2 without abandoning KB2), 23. K—R2, R>R ch; 24 KxR, R%Kt (he has nothing better), 25. PxR, and there is no defence against the mate on KO2. 219, QUKRS; 20. Kt—Kts, again a surprise sacrifice. Black ean parry the mate only by giving up his Queen for the Knight. 1, P-Q4, P42. P_QBS, P—K3; 3. Kt—QB3, Kt KB3;4. B—K15,QKt— 2; 5. PK3, BOK2; 6. Kt—B3, PH QKi3% 7. PP, PXP, 8 BOKIS, Be K02; 9. Kt—K5, Castles; 10. B~B6, Bx B11. KtxB, Q-KI; 12. KtxB ch, Qx Kt; 13. KexP, Q-KS; 14. Ktx Kt ch, PXKE; 15. B-R6, QxKIP (the Pitts burgh Variation) (No. 6). ‘White now obtains a decisive advantage with the surprising move— 16. Q—B3 for if 16. .».. QXQ5 there is a mate after 17, R—Ktl ch, K—RI: FIRST STEPS IN JUDGING AND PLANNING 5 18, B-Kt7 ch, K—Ktl; 19. BxP dis. ch, etc, while after 16. Q-KU; 17. BXR, RxB; 18. Castles, White has won the exchange ‘and bas a strong attack (No. 7), ‘From a consideration of this position there arises perhaps the ques- tion: what should be my plan, how can I convert my material advantage into a win? It would be a colossal as well asa thankless task to write 4 book dealing with the various methods of bringing material advan- tage to fruition. ‘There nearly always are so many ways to win that in general no real problem arises. I fancy too that few beginners would have the patience to wade through such a huge work; in the course of ther studies they would make such progress that they would no longer be interested in problems which would, by then, have become obvious. ‘Nevertheless, it wil be useful to make a few remarks on this subject. 1. Ifyou have an advantage in material, the guiding line isto simplify ‘the position by exchanges with certain reservations as follows! (@ do not exchange automatically, for there ate positions in which exchanges cause your material superiority to lose its effect; @ inend games R and By. R, Rand Kt y, R, and Ry. Bor Rv. Kt are mostly drawn, though there are some few exceptions. “The sim- plication in such cases must therefore not be allowed to go too fat. ‘But as long as a single Pawn is left on the board, itis nearly always sufficient to ensure a win, 2, Do not think that the win will come by itself, either here or at any time. If you wish to derive the full benefit of Your advantage in material, you must ‘makeit work for you. A Rook is more valuable than a Bishop only as long as proper uses made ofits powers. Don’t {0 out ofthe way of complications as a matter of course unless they are risky. Tt happens frequently enough that the player who has an advantage in material i inclined to play passively, wating evens, ‘This is the worst posible attitude and has been fata ‘many, 3.Only attack can exploit material advantage. Therefore play Aggressively, though, of course, not recklessly. Once you have the initiative the potentialities of voluntary exchanges become greater (Gee No. 1). In this connection we shall now revert in greater detail to the varia- tion we have just examined. (See Diag. 7.) After 18 Castles, we continue:6 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 18... K-RI “More or less forced because ofthe threat 19, R—KtI, ‘Now White must playa Rook to Kt, but which one? The King's Rook because, aller 19. QR—Ktt, the black Queen can move to Q6? ‘The wrong afgument. “Don't take things for granted, for after the black Queen's sortie, 20. Q—Krd, wins the Knight because of the mating threat.” And thus, ss it-makes litle diflerence which Rook moves, White plays 19. QR-K_ Q—R3 ‘And what does White do now? He has several lines of pay to choose from: 1,20. Q—B6, winning a Pawn, 2. 20. RKB, followed by 21. KR—KU, continuing the King’s side attack, the best, but not— 3,20. Q—B4, exchanging Queens. The pawa formation on White’s King side would be ruined and the win made much more difficult (an example of ‘exchange at all cost’). 4.20. R-Kts, followed by 21. Q—B4, so that now the exchange of ‘Queens does not imply a deterioration of White's pawn formation. ‘This being said, White's best continuation is: 20, R—Kt3, with, as a likely sequel, 20. .... P—QB4; 21. KR—KtL, with the threat 22. RRS, and the black Queen is cornered. But even now Black has 4 resource with 21. .... PxP; 22. R—-R3, R—BI ch; 23. K—Ktl, Q—BI; but White forces the win with 247 Q—BS. An alternative after 21. KR—Ktl, would be 21. .... R—BI; but White wins by 22. Q—B6, Even in positions in which one side has achieved material superiority, combinations are possible, one might even say, particularly 50, FIRST STEPS IN JUDGING AND PLANNING 7 ‘We now give a number of positions in which there is no question of mate but only of a preponderance in material. By this we mean an ‘advantage of two pawns or the exchange or perhaps a piece with a minority of one oF two pawns. ‘When the.excess material is represented by a Rook or Queea, the position may be abnormal: 1. P—Q4, P—Q4; 2, P—QB4, P—K3; 3, Kt—QB3, Kt—KB3; 4, Kt—B3, PBs; SB Ks, PxQP; 6. KKIXP, P_K4; 7. Kt (Qd— Kt5, P-QR3; 8, KtxP, PXKt; 9. Kt Kt ch (Wo. 8). ‘A wellknown trap by which White appears to win the exchange after 9. .... PXKt; 10. QxQ ch, KxQ; Il, BxP ch, ‘But Black had a stronger line in— 9... QxKt 10. BxQ — B-Kiseh and Black remains a piece up. 1, PQs, PO4; 2. PQBS, P—K3; 3. Kt—QB3, PQBE; 4. Px QP, KPXP; 5, Kt—B3, Kt—QB3; 6. PKK, Kt—B3; 7. B-KO, BK2; 8. Casiles, Castles; 9. B—KUS, PBS; 10. Kt-KS, Q-KGy MI, BXKt, BxB; 12. KtxQP, Qx QP? (No. 9). ‘White wins a piece: 1. QQ? BxQeh RKxB | PxXB 13, KexBeh PxKt 15. Kt-K7ch K-RI KXKE QxQ_ 16. QRxQ A well-known manguvre which occurs in various ther postions, foriestnce, (TE e ay a a i the folowing [a tee es Wee gh Pos 2, Pops, Pos: [RR Fk 3, Kt—QB3, P—QB4; 4, PxQP-KPXP: | MRI I 5. KiB Ki-OBH, 6 PORK, P| Be 7 BURO, BOK, B Casey, [gl | KKt—k2% 9, PKS, Castles 0. KUP, Kookie Pkt QxP, 12,P—ORs [ll Ol (Go tee KY for the white Krish), b— [2 OO! MUTE ae Rex |e el | Q 15. Kt—K7 ch, K—RI; 16. RxQ, Ba 2 Sedspan While us wou ns in 1, P—QB4, Kt—KBS; 2. Kt—QB3, P_K3; 3. PK, PB; 4, P. KKI3, P—Q4; 5, PKS, PQS; 6. Px Kt, Px Kt; 7. KIPXP, Qx Ps Pe PAB 9, PP, BRS ch 10, BD Qu Ps ML. BXB, QEKS ch; 12. B-K2, QxR; 13. Q—Q6, Kt—BS (No. White wins with a combinative idea which required exact caleula- ton:8 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 14, B-KB3 — QxKteh 15. K—K2 and wins because 15. .°.. QxR fails afler 16. Bx Ke ch, and mate next move, 1, P—Q4, P—Q4; 2. P_QB4, P—K3; 3. Kt—KB3, Kt—KB3; 4, Kt—B3, BK2; 5.'P—K3, Castles; 6. P—QKE3, P—B4; 7. B—3, POKI3; 8, Castles, B—KO2;9. BK, Kt—B3; 10. R "t an ae lee, awe ie mia ol Ge ee 2m oe | AR Ew 8 we eee | : eee gay oe ‘an ingirect attack, a common fault in this type of opening, which bere receives short shrift, eS a 15, Kt-Q5 QB 16, BxKt and now: 1.16. .... BXB; 17. Q—K4, and wins, 2.16, 0... PxB; 17, Q—Kis ch, KRI; 18, Q-R4, PBS; 19. KIxB, ete. 1. P_Q4, PQs; 2. P_QB4, P-QBS; 3. Kt-KB3, Kt—B3; 4 Kt—B3, PxP; 5. PQR4, PKG; 6, PKs, B-KUS, 7, PKS, Kt— KS; 8. Q—B2, Q—Q4; 9. B_K2, PQB4; 10. Castles, KtxKty Il. PXKE, Px; 12. PxP, P—B6; 13. B~Q2, QA; 1d. BxP, BxB, 15, ROR3, B—Q2; 16. RxB, BXP (No. 12). Another example of steed punished. White wins surprisingly with— 17, BARS ch and now: 1,17, .... QxB; 18. RBS ch, K-K2; 19. Q—B7 eb, Kt—Q2; 20, 6 mate GF19. 02; 20, QBS cand nate ext FIRST STEPS IN JUDGING AND PLANNING 9 2.17, «1+ BXB; 18, RBS ch, K—Q2; 19. RR, and wins, for 19. |... BXR; 20. Q—B8 ch, and mate to follow, 1, P—K4, P_QB3: 2. PQ4, P—Q4; 3. PxP, PxP: 4. P—QB4, KtKB 5. Kt—QB3, Kt—B3; 6 BKUS, PxP; 7. P—Q5, Kt— QRS; 8. P—OKt4, PxP ep; 9. PxP, PK3; 10. B—KtsS ch (No. 13). @ BN White obtains the advantage after 10. QKP; 12. QxQ ch, KxQ 1B. Rx Kt If Black plays 10. ....B—Q2 (instead of K—K2) the sequel is 11. BxKt, with the following two alternative continuations: (a) 11. QxB; 12. BxB ch, KB; 13, PxP db ch, or (8) I... PXB: 12, BoB ch, Q>B; 13. KKt—K2, with a favourable game for White, ‘who threatens Rx Kt,—not on move 13, because of 13. R Kt (instead of KKt—K2), B—KiS—while the black King is in a precarious situation K—K2; 11. P-Q6 ch, 1, PK, P-QBR: 2, PQ4, P—Q4; 3. Kt—QD3, PP; 4. KtxP, Kt—B3; 5. KtKt3, PKR4: 6. B-KKES, PRS; 7. Bx kt, Px Kt 8. B—KS, Q—R4 ch; 9. P—B3, RxP (No. 14). White has allowed the capture at KR2, because the Bishop is controlling that critical square. He therefore plays 10. RXR, with full confidence, But his confidence is rudely shattered by the surprise mancuvre: 10. ..... QxB 1 PxQ, PxR; and aller queening his pawn Black remains a Piece ahead, Let us finish this chapter with a more complicated example. 1. PK, P—QB3; 2, P_Q4, P—Q4; 3. Kt—QB3, PP; 4, KtxP, KiB); 5. Kt—KU, P-K4; 6. Kt—B3, PxP; 7. KtxP, BOB, §) Q—K2 ch, B—K2; 9. B—K3, P—B4; 10. Kt (Q4—BS, Castles; 11, QB, R-K1; 12. B-Q3, POKES; 13. Castles QR, B—R3 (No. 15) Black has let his Queen exposed to the Rook’on the open Q10 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS file, secure in the thought that White's Queen is en prise. He has overlooked the point, however, as the following variations will show: 14, Kt-R6 ch, PxKt; 15. BxP cb, and now: 1.15... KxB: 16. QxP eh, KR; 17. RQ, BxR; 18. KtRS. 2.15, 0... KBs 16. Q—Kt4 ch, K— RE IT_RxQ. (@) 17... RR; 18. Q-KA, IT BR 18. Q—B3. 4.15, 0... KORI (the least evil: 16, RxQ, BQ, 17. RxR ch, Kx; 18, BOK4, Ki—QB3; 19. Boke, and White will be two important pawns ahead, as Black's KR Pawn must fall In all the examples in this chapter, we have only touched the fringe ‘of our main subject, judging and planning in chess. We had, however, to pay due attention to such positions in which possibilities of either ‘mating or of extensive material gain were present. The problem in cath case depended for its solution on some measure of tactical skill father than positional judgment. Such possibilities are moreover easly overlooked by a player to0 intent on positional considerations, The big problems have, however, still to be tackled CHAPTER I PAWN MAJORITY ON THE QUEEN'S SIDE OTVINNIK—KMOCH, Leningrad, 1934 1, P—K4, P—QB3; 2. PO4, PQé 3. PP, PP; 4. PBA, Kt— KB; 5. Kt—QB3, Kt—B3; 6, B—KUS, PK; 7. PBS, B—K2; 8, B_Kts, Castles; 9. Kt—B3, Kt—KS; 10. BxB, KexB; 11. R-QBI, Ki-Kt; 12, Castle, BQ2; 13, B-Q3, PBA; 14. P_QKtd (19). “The comment of the ‘theory’ on this typical example is: “White has the superior positio “The average playet may well ask, why is White's position superior? ‘The material is equal, each side has a Queen, v0 Rooks, two Knights, a Bishop and seven pawns. “It cannot be said that ‘White has progressed further than Black; fon the contrary, Black's Knight, well established in White's half of the board, Tooks particularly threatening. The pieces ‘on either side enjoy approximately equal mobility, one piece a litle more, one Piece a litle less, but no considerable disparity can be noticed. Neither King hhas to feat a diect attack, and the reader will again ask, why is White's position better, why can his advantage be called a winning one? No douibt many chess players could give the correct answer straight away, but to not a few oF these the answer would be a stereotyped hrase devoid of real meaning: White stands better because he has a ‘pawn majority on the Queen's side. ‘Let us first examine this dictum in detail. Both White and Black hhave seven pawns but, and tha is the crucial point, they are not evenly distributed over their respective fronts. If we divide the board into three sections by drawing two vertical lines between the QB and Q files and between the KB and K files respectively, as in No. 17, Section Y represents the Q side, Section IK the centre, and Section Ill the K side, Tn positions such as that in No. 16 which is under discussion, both sides have castled on the K side and we note that White has more pawns fon the Q side than Black—three to two—while the position is reversed2 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS {in the centre where Black has two pawns to one. On the K side White and Black have an equal number of pawns. ‘This is, of course, a particularly clear-cut case. The white pawn at QBS has nothing more to do with the black pawas on the right, which Would not be the case were it standing say at QB3. We can speak of 4 positive Q side majority for White, while all the remaining pawns can bbe summarised as K-side pawns. In other words, in No, 16, White bhas a majority of 3-2 on the Q side, and Black a majority of $-4 on the K side. The front pawn on White's majority wing has passed the back K pawn, and thus the pawn chains on opposite wings are inde- ppendent of each other. But the cardinal point is that White is able to force a passed pawn on his majority wing, while Black, with his majority of 5-4 on the K side, will normally be unable to do so, It is, of course, not exclusively a question of arithmetic. Easy and dificult positions must be taken’ into account, with or without doubled pawns, Wherein itis not always a simple matter to obtain a passed pawn, and in which it may become necessary to sacrifice in order to achieve this end. For example, the white pawns may be at QR2, QKtG and QBS against black pawns at White's ‘QKtd and QBS, o White at QR2, OK and QK¢3 against Black at White's QR7 and QK¢7. This is ‘not the case in the postion under review. If there are no. com: plications, White will always be able to force P—QKtS, with or without a preliminary P—QRS, so that he can at all times be sure of securing a passed pawn. Let us, however, for the sake of argument, assume that White and Black have equal chances of securing a passed pawa, even then the pawn majority on the Q side must be looked upon as an advantage. ‘And here ar, in brief, some of the reasons why this i so: ” 1. The pased pawn onthe Q sides a a ret distance from the enemy king, who ists unable to ares its pogress~something ofthe Kind hapyes with dtant passed pans n pawn enings 2. Arse pon the Kes more if ofc ough and this often necessitates the advance of pwns, whowe proper anton is to guard their King. i case While possessing this knowledge, however, itis wise not to make a fetish oft for there isthe danger of treating the whole subject by rote, PAWN MAJORITY ON THE QUEEN'S SIDE 13 ‘A pawn majority onthe Q side bet even of 10 is worth at 0 much ‘ie player i abe to make of Let us now get a litle closer tthe substance of our task of judging and planing. “The fist partis not dificut—White or Black has the advantage tpecause of @ pawn majority on the Queen's side. But we eannot be ontent with mere generalities. In deciding on our plan we must eare- fully ascertain whether the other side may aot have compensating advantages, whether there are no factors in the enemy formation which counteract our positional advantage of a Q-side pawn majority. ‘We have now reached the next step in our disguisition, namely, how to exploit the advantage of a pawn majority on the Q side. To this fend we shall again refer to No. 16 1 BUKI 1s. PKS By preventing 9. .... KL—BS or RS, the textmove slows down a possible Ksid atack by Black 15. R-BL 16, R-KE Q-B3 17. P-QR3 ‘White takes it calmly 1. Kt-K2 Not best, as it frees KS for White's KKt. ‘The better continuation is 17... KtxKty 18, Rx Kt, P—BS, with counter-chances on the KB fil. 18. Kt-KS Q-R3 19, P-BB_Kt—B7 Interesting, If White captures the Knight there is a perpetual check by 20. Kx Kt, QxP eh; 21. K—K3, PBS ch; 22. PP, QxP ch; 23. K—K2, Q—R7 ch, ete 2. Q-K2 KteR6ch_ 21, K-Kt2 22, Kt-KtS“BxKt He cannot allow the Knight to reach Q6 where it would occupy a ‘commanding position. PKK 23.BXB RKB} 24. B_Q7 ‘The final preparation for the advance on the Q side (No. 18). 24, RQ 25, P-KIS_ QURS As Black can in no way prevent the execution of White's plan, he ‘makes a last and desperate attempt to achieve some positive result on the K side,4 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 26. P—B6 RRS With the threst 27. .... Kt—BS ch, followed by .... QxRP ch, Which White, however, parses simply by protecting his R’ pawn, 2. K-R1 Black reg for be syowerss aunt the advance of Whit’s pred ae DP Pe Re oe Pe Re sk Eb wt ike doo het of SBP ch or Book iBone by Rete I ul carat Whit ved ses tis avn mot on tneide but tinned hchadtevork ore Hebod mua ee Sasa aey imis Orang eee sear PP fee ey ste a ee nn er war) i move to withstand Black's K-side attack “I aw wl 05. PKK, 20. 0-2, and 27K c 8 42, 4 I} moves preparatory to his Q-ede advance Ri, He had to tine with prsion the Bie MW ne Pons, Te, Keeks 22 Ree QKtS, and 24, B—Q7), without which the. Sarance of hs Qae paws would bane boon premature Anda the nota Course of operations whch eat Be sure frase as lows 1, Assess and analyse your opponent's counter-chances.. 2 Thoroughly prepare your own action. We could expatiate on this subject by reverting to the various types ‘of complications which can influence the course of events. But these will become clear when we examine the illustrations given hereafter, ‘One point, however, we wish to emphasise, which refers to the eulmina tion of White’s efforts to turn his pawn majority into a. winning advantage, In the position shown in No. 16 zero hour will strike when White, after much manceuvring comprising defensive and offensive measures, thinks the time ripe to play the decisive P—BE, Will this pawn, a that precise moment, have suficient support from his own forces, to overcome any possible defensive measures, direct ot indirect, which the opponent can then bring into operation? However, a method in chess which solves all problems and eliminates all complications has (luckily) not yet been found, and we must be content with indicating guiding principles, ideas, and suggestions, to help the player's own judgment and imagination. We shall now exainine a number of examples illustrating various forms of the pawn majority on the Q side. PAWN MAJORITY ON THE QUEEN'S SIDE 15 ‘They will be shown in less detail and serve the double purpose of — 1, Elucidating still further the ideas already set out; and 2 Showing other forms of a pawn majority and their charac teristics. DOTVINNIK—KONSTANTINOPOLSKY, Sverdlovsk, 1943, 1, P—K4, P—QB3; 2. P-Q4, P_O4: 3. PxP, PP; 4, P—QB4, Kt_KBR; $. Kt—QB3, Kt_B3; 6, BIKES, P—K3; 7. Kt-B3, B— K2;8. RBI, Castles; 9. PBS, Kt—K5, 10. BXB, QB; 11, B—K2, B—Q2; 12 P—OR3 (Wo. 19) ‘The position shows great similarity with the preceding one. Here, too, White has a pawn majority on the Q side ‘against which Black's Knight at KS is ‘ot a sufficient compensation. Again ‘White's plan comprises: securing his pawn formation on the Q side, obtaining com= ‘mand of the square QB6 and if possible QB7as well, and the advance P—QB6, after P—OK'S. During these operstions White's KS acquires a special significance, for a Knight posted there adds to White's command of QB6, ‘After these remarks, the further course ofthe game is easy to under- stand, 2, Pons Fine rightly criticises this move as weakening Black's K4 and thus playing into his opponent's hand. Correct was: 12. .... P—B3; 13, POKt4, Ko Kt; 14. Rc Kt, P-QR3; 15, Castles, QR—QI; with the object eventually to obtain a passed K pawn as a compensation for White's Q-side pawn majority. 13, BLKts It is often essential to act quickly. The text-move threatens 14. Bx Kt, followed by 15. Kt—KS, and a gradual exploitation of his Iajority, as Black is practically powerless because of the solid position ‘of White's Knight at KS, Be. Kika ‘This cuts across White's intentions—occupying KS with a Knight, but at the cost of submitting to another drawback.16 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 14. BxKt KtxKtch 16 QBS QR-KI 15. QxKt PB 17, Castles PK ‘The only way in which Black can get rid of his backward pawn, 18. QxKP QxQ 19. PxQ_ —-RXP (No. 20) ‘The fight has assumed an entirely different character, To be sure, ‘White's pawn majority is still in being, but Black's supported Q pawn is no less valuable an asset. However, White has secured a fresh advantage—he has a good Knight against Black's bad Bishop. The Bishop is bad because the black pawas stand on the same colour, and its mobility is thereby strictly limited. The Knight is strong because sooner or later it will be able to reach Q4, where it wil be secure from both the adverse pawns and the Bishop. ‘The treatment oF this type of position will be shown in Chapter 1V, where we shall again refer to the position of No. 20. 1. P—K4, P—K4; 2. Kt—KB3, Kt—QB3; 3. B_KtS, P_QR3; 4, BER4, Kt—B3; 5, Castles, KtxP; 6. P_Q4, P_QKt; 7, B-KG, P—Q4; 8. PxP, B_K3; 9. P—B3, B_K2; 10. R—KI, Castles; 11, (QKt—Q2, Kis; 12. BB2, P—Q5; 13, PP, KtxQP; 14, Ktx Kt, Qx Ket (No, 20, ‘The "book? formerly found fault with Black's position on several counts. Tt was wrongly assumed that, with the Queens still on the ‘board, White's postion was entirely satisfactory with good chances of 1 K-side attack. Furthermore, after the exchange of Queens, White was still thought to have a satisfactory game because of his greater ‘command of space and the favourable disposition of his forces In this last conclusion, the real meaning of the pawn majority on the Q side was completely lft out ofthe reckoning. ‘As a double proof of this contention we give here two examples of the treatment of this positon in actual play. PAWN MAJORITY ON THE QUEEN'S SIDE 17 DR. LASKER—DR. TARRASCH, St. Petersburg, 1914 15, Kt—Kt3; the best in the circumstances. White is not afraid of getting a doubied pawn as his pieces will more rapidly get into play. ‘Moreover, when it comes to stopping the advance of a pawn majority, a doubled pawn is an advantage rather than otherwise. 1S. KtxKt; 16. PxKt, QxQ 17. RxQ, PQBA: 18. B_Q2, KR—Qi; 19, BRS, RxR ch; 20. RxR, P—B3; 21, BB3, PP! 22. BXP, R—Ql; Black plays strongly. He forces the exchange of Rooks be- ‘cause, with only Bishops on the board, the doubled pawn becomes & ‘weakness. ‘The sequel demonstrates this fact 23, RXRch BXR 30, B~Q5 BX KKIP 24,P-Bd | K~B20 ML BXRP— K—K3 25. K-82 BBS K-94 26. B-Q6 B-Q5eh BB3ch 2.K—B3 BQteh 4 K-KI6 | B_KSch 2K-Ku KOK} 35, POBS| | -K—K$ 2. BBS KOB2 36. BXKIP BXPeh. 37. K_BT (No. 22) Black could now have obtained a de- cisive advantage by: 37. ..... B~K3 ch; 38, K BS, Bx Bch; 39. KB, BxP. He chose the inferior continuation — after which White secured the draw by fun @ 0) El the problemlike move 41. K—Ki6, as (2) 9 ii = ‘One thing stands out clearly from this example: the pawn majority fn the Q side ean, inthe later stages ofthe end-game, assume the same characteristics which obtain in the case of the ‘distant passed pawa.” HH, JOHNER—DR. M. ELWB, Zirich, 1934 From No. 21— 15.Q-K2 KR-QI_ 17, QQ. BQ 16. Ke-B3 Q-QBS 18. B-K318 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS (Ia a game Joss-Euwe from the same tournament, there followed 18, BOKtS, BxB; 19, KtxB, B-Q6; 20. BxB, RxB; 21, R-K2, R— (Q4; equally to Black's advantage.) 18... Kt-K320.BxB 0 RXB I BKs BQe KRG QR-QL 2RXR RXR (Wo. 23) I is already clea that Black's pawn majority on the Q side represents 4 solid advantage, while there is no method at all by which White's K-side majority ean come into its own, Indeed, White's pawn at KS can be looked upon as a definite weakness, a the necessity of defending it brings an additional strain on White's resources. 2K-BI KB 24, RBI A loss of a tempo which leaves White entirely without prospects. Move PQS 26 R-QI_ R&R 25. KK2 KOKI 2 KXR K—Q2 28. Kt-Q2 P-Kud Stopping White's P—B4, protecting the K pawn. ‘The ret is no longer \ificult, 29, P—B3, KB; 30, P—KKQ3, K—Q4; 31, PBS, PP; 32, PxP, Kt-QS; 33. Kt_BI, K—KS; 34, K—Q2, Kt Bd; 35, Kt— K03 ch, Kt Kt; 36, Px Kt, K—B6, 37, K—Q3, KP; 38, PBS, PAKRé4; 39. B-R6, PRS; 40. P—B6, B_QI: 41, P_K6, PxP 42, P—B7, B-K2; 43. PBS (Q), BXQ; 44. BXB, PRG; 43, BXP, Poké; White resigns. LISKASES—FLOR, Semimering, 1937 1. PQs, Kt—KB3; 2, PQB4, PKKU3; 3. Kt—QB3, P—Q4; 4. BBs, B-K12; 5. PKS, Castles; 6. Kt—B3, PB4; 7, PXQP, PAWN MAJORITY ON THE QUEEN'S SIDE 19 KUxP; 8 BOKS, KexKt; 9. PxKt, PP; 10, BxB, KxB; 1 BPXP, Q—R4 ch; 12. Q—Q2, Kt—B3; 13, B—K2, R—QI (No. 24) ‘The assessment of this postion by the theory is: Black stands better. By now the student will have progressed sufficiently to recognise the reason for this conclusion; Black has two pawns to one on the Q side. But it requires considerable discernment to realise that this advantage, in spite of White's clear-cut majority in the centre is in fact of import ance. Special technical attainments are needed, not indeed to force ‘a win, but even to extract some rel winning chances from the situation, ‘An inexperienced player will make a blind rush, like the proverbial “bull ina china shop." He pushes forwatd and forces a pawn through, which becomes isolated and is promply lost Let us examine the further course of the game: 14. QQ More or less compulsory because 14, Castles KR, QQ; 15. KtxQ, PAKS; loses a pawn; 4 KtxQ 15. Castles KR On the whole itis unwise 10 castle the King away from the hostile pawn majority. He should be at hand when help is needed to stop a potential passed pawn. Instead ofthe move in the text, he should have played 15. K—Q2 and 16, KR—QBI. 18. B-K3 16, PKs ‘As is understandable, White tries to expioit his pawn majority in the centre, but to lite effect, as will be seen. 16... BK ‘An indirect attack on the Q pawn, 17. KR-Ql_ P—K3 In order to isolate a prospective white passed pawn. 18, K—BI ‘The King, evidently sorry to have casted, gots on his way in the right Girection 18, BxKt 19. BxB_ QR—BI ‘An important subsidiary part of Black's strategy in such eases: accupy- ing the QB file. He threatens in the fist place 20. .... R—B?. 20. R—Q2 Not 20. QR—BI, RxR; 21. RXR, RxP.2 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 2... | PKA 21, PQs Not 21, QR~QI, Kt—BS; 22. R-Q3, Kt—KU7. ates KBs 25. B-KI2 R-BSch 2. ROK2 — Kt-Q3 6 RXR RXReb BOROK RBS R-KI_—RXRoh 24. PKG —-R(QH—QBI 28. KXR (No. 25) Black has made use ofthe QB file to force the exchange of Rooks in forder to secure a favourable Knight y. Bishop ending (see No. 20, Botvinnik-Konstantinopolsky). The treatment of this ending will be elaborated later ‘The role played here by Black's Q-side pawn majority was in the ‘main a passive one. Black was in fact chiefly concerned with the question of making White's central majority harmless. But it must, bbe conceded that Black had to thank his Q-side pewn majority for the ability to effect this object. Tn this type of position the QB file will always fall under Black's domination, at least whea—as here—the ‘white King fails to reach Q2 in good time (we note once more the damaging effect of Whites eastling on move 13). I must be added that even before the general exchange which takes place in this example, Black isin & position to make use of the QB file for an attack on White's isolated QR pawn. This we shall see in the next example: Kostic—oRiNrELD, Teplitz-Schinaw, 1922 1, PQ4, Kt—KB3; 2. P_QB4, P—KKt3; 3, Kt—QB3, P 4. Px, KteP; 5. PKG, KoxKt; 6 PxKt, P-OB4, 7. Kt_B3, B-K12; §. BK&S ch, BQ; 9, BB ch, QB; 10, Castles, PP! 11, Px, Kt—B3; 12. BK3, Castles KR (No. 25). ‘This position is declared by the theory t0 be in favour of Black, PAWN MAJORITY ON THE QUEEN'S SIDE 21 We give, without notes, the further course of the game which will ‘throw more light on our subject. BRAK Kt-R¢ 2. PxP | RURG 14 P-QS KR-B 33, RQ? K—KD 15 BQ’ BxB 34 PBS K—B3 16. QxB PKG 358, RK PKK I. KtKS QQ} 36. PxPch KP. Is KK Q°BS 37. KK K—Bt 19, Kt-K3. RBS 38, K—B3 (No, 27) 20. QR—BI QR—QBI DLRXR RXR 22 PBS PRG 23. PKB Q—B2 2 PKS Kt_Bs 2S. KixKt Rx Ke 26.Q-K3- R—B6 27. Q—Q4 RBS 28. Q-K3 | ROB? 20.P-K6 = Q-B4 30. QxQ_ RQ BL R-QL | PXP Here again Black made himself master of the QB file with his Knight at QR4, an effective post in connection with the jump to QBS. Black now again played for simplification in order to take advantage of the weaknesses which White has created for himself in the centre. In No, 27 White has two pawns which requite support and sooner or later White gts in Zugznang and loses one of his pawns and the game. 28. RORGch 47, K-B3 PKs 3 Kk RORG 48 POR4 | KS 40.K-R3 0 RORS 49. PK ROKt6ch, 4 ROK KxP 50.K—KS PRG 42 ROK RMP SL. R-R6ch K—-KD QRxP | ROQK 2K BS PKS 4 RRS PCRS SL RORT RBG ch 45.K—Kth PORS 54, K-K$ RBI. 46. RRS = ROKSch 55. K-K3. R—-QKIT White resigns. We have shown that in trying to tura a Q-side pawn majority to ‘advantage the timing of the advance ofthe Q-side pawns requires great care, ‘This actual advance has frequently to be held over while the ‘necessary preparations are being made, and these, together with the ‘exploitation of incidental advantages (eg. open lines, take priorityCHAPTER IIL THE QUEEN’S SIDE ATTACK Turns i close ainity between the subject of our lst arte and the ‘attack om the Queens side although, in scl, the exploiting of 2 ‘Queens side majority doesnot, properly speaking, constitute an iach, For the atack which weare about io examine ais at definite object pio whereas nthe other cathe puro to ec reak-through of atleast pave, while frequently the fal stvggle ‘rages on other fronts, i ‘steatly "The Queen's sie aitack is loeal and in the nature of things fr more violent. A practical example wil state the ies beter than Words BOGOLIUBOW—CAPARLANCA, New York, 1924 1, PQs, Kt—KB3; 2. Kt—KB3, P—Q4; 3, P—K3, P_K3; 4, B—Q3, PBS; 5. P—QKU3, Kt—B3, 6, Castles, B—OX 7. BOK, Castes; 8. QKt—Q3, Q—K2; 9. Kt—KS, [Ril ll Wena) PxP to. Pep, B7Re: 11: Bxp, gx a a. B; 12, QKt—BS, B-Q2; 13, KtxKt, Bal oxi. BARA TGR) Here the “took says: Black stands Bw] eeter vo. 29. ‘yp)| Equal pawns, equal pieces, and approx: int ta oth "Tran the Back AHA | Queen is posted on white territory, but, WATE 8 Ge it necessary she can be driven off oF exchanged by QI ‘Why, then is Black's game preferable? 2 Answer: because he has attacking chances aoe a the Quen sie yn White's Queen's wing the three pawns at QR2, QK3, and QB2 are slid and well protected; where then ae he chaos of ace Let it be sad that Black's atack eanaot depend on single, unrelated ‘moves, but rather on a broad, accurately desiged plan, Whites QB pawn is weak, or, to be more accurate, can become weak, At reset it is adequately guarded by the Bishop, but this piece might be exchanged fact, the Black Bishop can force lis exchange, after which this pawn wil have to be protected by other, perhaps es reliable means The pawn will then be attacked on the open file by a Rook or two Rooks, by the Queen, and possibly stl futher by the black eight, THE QUEEN'S SIDE ATTACK B {tis then an open question whether White can, at the right moment, find adequate defensive measures. This does not appear to be so dificult when White has equal forces at his disposal, but the problem is not as simple as it appears. While ‘White's pieces are tied 0 the defence of the QB pawn, Black will in all probability, and without relaxing bis grip, threaten other parts of the front and present White with additional problems which he may be tunable to solve. Let us examine the real reason of White's difficulties and the basis of Black's attacking chances. The open QB file isnot the main factor, but the fact that White has played P—QKt3. If this pawn were still fn its original square at QK12, White could play P--QB3, and he ‘would have litle to fear, ‘Was, therefore, White's fit move, PQK13, already faulty? No, for if we could come to such a drastic conclusion, we could hardly dare to make any move at all, The real mistake occurred wheo, at a later stage, White exchanged his Q Bishop on the eleventh move, for this exchange created “holes’ in White's Queen's side position (QKY2, and more particularly QB3), and these ‘holes’ gave Black the oppor tunity to exploit the open QB file It is therefore usval to play 8. P—QR3 (instead of 8. QKt-Q2), thus definitely preventing Black's manguvre ..... B—QR6. Note well that White could not defer P—QR3, even for one move, without risking further damage: eg. if in the gime under review he had played 9. P—QR3 (instead of 9. Kt—KS), Black, with 9. -K4, would have obtained a majority in the centre as well as the freer game. ‘The assessment ofthe position in No. 28 therefore reads: Black stands a little better, because he can initiate an attack on White's Q side along the open QB file, which attack will be helped by the fact that there are ‘holes’ at White's QK12 and QB3. ‘The plan: before enlarging on this, let us frst study the course of the game: 14. QQ? ‘Here are some alternative ideas: 1.14, PBA, in order to free the weak brother without delay. He threatens 15. PBS, establishing a Q-side pawn majority, and so Black fas no option but to exchange pawns: 14, .... PP; 15. PxP. Now ‘how do matters stand with regard to White's pawn formation; has it improved of deteriorated? It is definitely worse, for after 15. KR—QI, White's Q pawn has clearly become weak. After, e.. 16. Kt—K5, BRS (aot 16. .,., RP: 17. BxP eh); 17. Q-Q2, Q-Q3; 18, Kt—B3, B—B3, ics clear that White will not get off seot-ire.4 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS Conclusion: with P—QB4, now or later, White transfers the weak ness on the QB file to the Q file without otherwise strengthening bi position. 2. 14. Kt—KS, QR—BI; 15. KtxB, RxKt, White has eliminatec Black’s Bishop, so that now the remaining white Bishop can well be expected to provide reliable protection for the QB pawn. But this does not cover the whole question; there is not only a wesk pawn at QB2, but also a weak square at QB3. Sooner or later a Rook will settle down on that square and keep the whole of White's Q side under restraint. This again will afford the Knight full freedom of action and, once the Bishop is exchanged, Black will conquer White's OB2, ‘which in turn will lead to further successes. It would lead too Tar to 420 into greater detail, but one fact stands out: Black ean overcome \ifficultes, Black has the initiative, 3.14. Q—BI._ This would seem to be the best continuation, for if the attacker decides to accept the offer and exchanges Queens, he is Geprived of his best attacking piece, which is another way of saying his ataek has become far less dangerous. Ia addition, the white King, ‘once the Queens are off the board, can play an important part in the defence of his Q side. At the same time White, with 14. Q- BI, aban dons any idea of assuming the initiative and confesses that, as fist player, he has failed to maintain his birthright, a confession not easy to make at any time, 14... QR-BI 15, PB} P-QR3 Preparing for the next move: 16. Ki-KS_— BLK ‘An important intermediary part of Black's strategy. In order to increase the pressure on White's QB3, Black submits to his QK¢ pawn. being doubled. ‘This he does the more readily as his pawn at OKtd will help the attack by preveating White's P—QB4 17. PBs Let us examine 17. BxB, PXB(I7, .... Kt—-K5; 18. Q—BI, QxQ; 19. KRXQ, PxB; 20. P-QB4 only leads to similar turns); and now J. 18. KR—BI, Kt—K5; 19. Q—K3 (not 19. Q-Q3, Q-KU7, or even 19. .... KtxQBP), 19, .... R—B2, with the following cone tinuations: (@) 20. P—QB4, KiP xP; 21. PxP, QxQ; 22, PxQ, P—B3, winning 2 pawa; or @ 20. P—B3, Kt—Q3; 21. R—B2, KR—BI; 22, QR-QBI, P— tS, again winning a pawn because 23, P—QB4 fails after 23, PXP, because the white Queen is unguarded. THE QUEEN'S SIDE ATTACK 2s , PB}, RMD; 19, KRBL, KRM; 2. RMB, KIKI; 2,fMoR Oni KUO}, and black hs potent the advance of he {QB pawn and exercises strong pressure on White's position. ine BxB 19. QR—BL KR—BI 18 KB RBZ 20, R-QR2_Kt—KI 2 RRB KOE Won) forces on either side have occupied the appropriate squares: Blue's Rooks theten the QB pavo, the Hack Kat commands White’: QB4, while the white Rooks guard their Q side, and White's Knight fas an option on KS and QBS. 22, Kt-KS ‘An unlucky throw. He should play 22, Kt—B5, so a to be able to bring the Kaight to QR4, should it become necessary to reinforce the defence of the ‘weak QB pawn. ‘After 22. Kt—B5, Black can play 22, .... PKA; but in that case, too, io plas 23, KU_R6, and Backs rae hn only weakone his onion and even the white Queen hanes of stack He core! development of Blac’s aac after 2. Ki—BS i 22. ars POKIS, 33, Kies, R-BD (aot on any acount 23. P kit: 24 KBs, Kt—Ktd 25. POKES, when Black would achieve othing, ypc siaton; Whites wesknes at QDS fr scled of 24. QQ}, RR, protecting the QR pawn and intending 25, Ki Kel Gontoling White's QU), with the further threats of 26 cos BOK and JF». QR-QBl; and Black resumes bis attack In the meantime White wil hve played RI, to gourd the R paws, wc compion a: the Koel nl te cl ako QR Al Us eaves White no chance of achieving aything We perceive that onc this type of attack is well and uly launched, its very tenacious and sts the defender & ficult, a ies almest hhopeless, task. Take care not to leave yourself open to such an attack. Gatton ceded when paying 8. Ke—02, ext alow TO. Br ORS. 2, ars ‘The time has come to let the Queen take a direct part in the attack, ‘and now 23... Kt—Kt4 is threatened, after which four pieces would bear on Whites vulnerable QB3.26 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 2. Pons With the twofold object of preventing 23... KE—Kt4, and of carting out the following maneuvre: the white Knights i seach QBS va Q3. Then P~OKtsand POR’ would seal Whe ones ss, ery much as shown in preceding ns Back need not permit thst happen and he can forestall White's intention with soe dace Bon, Tnsead of 23, FQN, White should have played 23. Kt-Q) 23. Kt—Kté, and now White plays— ae oe Not () 24. KICK, cae of A. KEORG, 25, RK, Qe KE 26.Pi Kt, Q—Kdy and ‘Wins (22. P—B$, BX Ki). One perceives why Black, afew moves back, Provoked 16. P—B3. A check at QS can be handy at times, THE QUEEN'S SIDE ATTACK » 1B, ORK R—RI (Ho. 33) [Now White's second weak pot i under fre, and he can no longer avoid the loss ofa pawn. To be sure ths is not So seriou fe, after feiss peo td as ot el hein the by Bg the pawn, hope to improve bie postion, es, for instance fet BPLOKG, KeR6, 21 OR Bl Be ke 32 BoB, KEK oe BLK, RiP: 24 R-KU, and White asa very good game, and hs hop has 4 most elective range, ip fac 20. P-OKIS ie Whites best move, Black, however, need sat gin forthe cotiauation sven above. He bss a'stonger ie in Bo... KUBY OX KY and now— Not (I) 21. .... BXKt; 22. QB, and Black does not recover his pawn, as his QB pawn is unguarded; : still Fess (2) 212... Q—K4; 22. KE-R4, and White's position is Dut () 21. .... R-RG; and now Black can capture the QR pawn at his leisure by driving away the Knight (22. KR—K1, Q—K4; 23. R—K3?, BR3), Black will still have to find the best moves, even though his Bishop is stronger than White's Knight 20. P—OR4 This move can be good only if it ean be followed up at once by P—QKU3. But that is not the ease in this postion. 20, KtxB 21. QxKt QBS Hitting the nail on the head. White is tied up, he can no longer Play P—QKt3, his QR pawn is doomed, and his QKIP also stands 4 poor chance 22. KR-QI : 22, 93, Q—B4 ch brings no relief, 2, KR—Kit on i Note the extreme care with which Black sets about the recovery o his pawn and, in particular, avoids a premature exchange at White's QB3. 23. Q-K3 Black's threat was 23. himself a pawa to the good. RXKIP; 24, RXR, BXKt, coming ovt 23 R-KS ‘Threatening 24. .... B—QS.30 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 24. Q-KIS B-QSch 25. K-RI- QR-KH (No. 34) White's game now collapses like @ house of cards, He is threatened with the loss ofa piece by 26. .... BXKt, If he moves the Q Rook, his QKt pavn falls as well as the QB pawn without staekening of the attack. ‘The white Knight has no move! 26. RXB ‘With this move White can put up the longest resistance. In view of this possiblity it seems that it would have been better for Black to withhold the check 24. .... B—Q5 ch, and to play 24... QR—KiL first. But it does not signify, the game is won for Black in any event. ‘There followed: 26... . QxR; 27. R-Ql, Q—BS;28.P—Ra, Rs KP, 29. Q—Q2, Q—B4; 30, R—KI, Q—KR; 31, R—RI, QuP ch; 32 K—Ku, Q—R¢; 33. PRS, RORI: 34. P_R6, Q—Bd hs 38, K. RI, QBS; 36. PRI, Q—BE: 37, PKS, Qx KP; 38, RRS Q— Ra ch; 39. K—KtI, Q~B4 ch; 40, K--R2, P—Qé; 41. R—R4, R= RP, White resigns. Impressive and convincing as was the last example, our Queen's side attack need by no means be aimed exclusively at opposing pawns. The objective can also be, and frequently is, to obtain command of vital squares in the hostile position and concurrently to: hamstring. the opponent's normal development, ec. ‘This is well illustrated by the following example ELISKASES LANDAU, Noordwijk, 1938 1 PQs, P-O4; 2. POBS, P_K3: 3. Kt—QB3, Kt—KR3; 4 B—Kts, BLK2; 5, P—K3, Castes; 6. Kt—B3, QKt—Q2; 7. Q—B2, PBS;'8. R—QI, P—QR3; 9. P-QR3, R—KI; 10, B-Q3, PxPy THE QUEEN'S SIDE ATTACK 31 11, BXP, Kt—Q4; 12. BxB, Qx Bs 13, Kt—K4, Ke (Q)—BY; 14, BQ3, Ktx Ki; 15, BxKt, P—R3; 16. Castles (No. 35). White stands better according to Fine. ‘The first impression is that there is not much to choose between the two camps. Black is not fully developed, but his postion gives a solid {mpression, But on closer examination, matters do not appear to be too easy for Black, particularly as faras the development of his Q Bishop js concerned, An ingenious conception of what constitutes develop- tment will not suffice here: ‘Black plays .... Kt—B3, followed by BQ2, and all is well!” The fact is that the Bishop is well placed, ‘but not mobilised. The course of the game will make this line of ‘thought clear. 16. P_op4 ‘The idea underlying this move is: when presently the Bishop reaches Q2, there will be an outlet inthe direction of QRS. RBI PxP 18, xP KI-B3 19, Kt-KS White need not fear the exchange at his KS because it would not solve for Black the problem of his Q Bishop. 1... ROK With the unmistakable determination to bring his Bishop coite-que-coite into play. nam me 3. G05 (Wo a9 ‘An excl move preventing Blak trom cocying the’ 8A wh his Rooks heh woud iy lad Sra. Irnow aie OR 2 M9, 0" dad Whew Spaces Fuibrmorg, the wahang of Qsns would be to White's fdantgs, for after 2, -— Qx0s 22, PQ, White hs the famed Gate mejor Gie sje af sur bmeniog ard), wh ete ould Se prtoulayeccve beau hs welponte K Bishop. a, B-Kis 22. KR-QI_ K—BI With an eye on the fast approaching end-game stage, Black plays his King nearer to the entre. Preferable, however, would be 22. Ql, followed by 23. .... R—K2, with a congested but solid Position for Black,2 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS nee oKS lack Bishop, having barely tasted the joy of eodom, ig alread Ureatened with enecelement. After, PQRS, ther 9 mathe oes else but 24, .... B—Q2. Tt would not be so bad now if Black cout s0 bad now if Black could clear his K1, but he would not escape scotree: 23. .... KR-—-Ql; 24 Q% Qh, Kx; 25. RB ch cost atleast pawn. In this connee- ion, we would point to the preceding note(....Q—Ql and... Re. K2), according to which KI would now be available to the Bishop ‘and Black would have to contend with far fewer difficulties 23 PoKs Creating weakness, but he has nothing better. sincdt, BY (Ne. 37) ck is in dificult. For instane, if he continues, a8 inten withthe last move, 24. BORG Bowed rage eae order to withdraw the Bishop to R3, White would exchange Queens Parveen ay jt a wae ey eee aa (sel wa a ae and play Kt—B6, winning the exchange: nor would 4 35, @xQ, KS 26 RROHL bg ay el he Soa finuation (24... KR—BI) leads to an entirely dierent pe of gone in which White also has the better chances, The Queens side attack has ths been Successful. To rec the main points in the attack were: as 4 Mastering the QD te, . Hindering the development of Black's Q Bishop thro ind m i's Q Bishop through pressure 4. Command, and eventually occupation, ‘hostile position (Q7, QBS, and QB7). 4. Chasing the black Bishop (P—QKO, and P—QRE), of important points in the THE QUEEN'S SIDE ATTACK 3 ‘There followed: 2. KR-BI 25. QxRch_ RxQ 26. RxRch B-KI ‘Asa general rule two Rooks are stronger than a Queen, and especially so when, as here, a hostile piece can be pinned. The defence incurs Iibilities which put serious limitations on the Queen's mobility; and just this mobility on which the defence has to rey as a compensa tion for the massive strength of the two Rooks. 27, P-QKts POR 28. PxP | PXP 29, P—QR4__-Q3 “The Queen wanders abroad, which quickly proves fatal. Essential was 29, ,... P—Ktd; providing the King with a fight square 30, B-B6 | K-K2 31, ROK QxP. 32. BXBQ—KS 32, ...- KU Kt, and White has an extra pawn and must win Black's O side pawns as well. 19. RK Equally insufficient, 20. PP, R—-Ktd: 21, Q—B7, Kt—Kt3; 22, P_R7, B_R6 (a last attempt} 23. KR—Kt1, RR ch; 24, RR, P—B4; 25. BBS, Pe BS; 26. PX, resigns. ‘And finally, the second example, in which once more the Queen plays the vital part and in which White, sacrificing two pawns, succeeds tn hhemming in a whole luster of hostile units. It was again Capablanca ‘Who produced this work of art. ‘CAPABLANCA—vIDMAR, London, 1922 1. P—Q4, Qt; 2. Kt—KB3, Kt—KB3; 3, P_B4, P_K3; 4. Kt— B3, B—K2; 5, BKtS, QKt—Q; 6, P—K3, Castles: 7, RBI, PB 8. Q—B2, PXP; 9. BXP, Kt—Q4; 10, BxB, QxB; 11. Castles Pe QKI3 (vo. 4, Bilguer sightly remarks that the development of the Q Bishop in THE QUEEN'S SIDE ATTACK ” i's QB3, But afer chet ans the exchange of Knights at White's QB2, But he eve and" Whites Teply, Whe obtain a8 overwbeining potion. 12. KtxKt Now White exchanges Knights, and this exchange is particularly strong, because— . 1. The white long diagonal will be closed so that Black's last move fails in its purpose and, infact, creates a serious weakening of the White squares in Black's Q side 2, The QB file is opened, which White will soon occupy with Queen ‘and Rooks, so that he will speedily break into Blsck’s position. ‘We shall observe again and again the great effect these two factors will have on the course of the game. 2, BPxKt Black must recapture with the QB pawn, as otherwise he would lose a pawn after 13. B—Q3, 13.B-Q3}_ PKR oe. Black refrains from playing 13. ..... Kt—B3, as he wishes, for the time being, to use the Knight for the defence of his Q side. After 13. « Kt~B3 there might have followed 14. Q—B7, and now— 1.14, -... QxQ; 15. RXQ, P—QRA (15. .... B—Q2; 16. KtK5,) 16. KR—BI, B_R3; 17, BxB, RxB; 18 R (B1)—B6, with 19. R—Ki7 to follow, winning a pave. 2.14. .... BQ, 15. B-R6, QKIS; 16. Kt—K5, B—Kt; 17. P—QR3, QRS; 18. BxB, QxB; 19. R-B2, trebling major pieces fon the QB file 3.14. ..2. QUKIS; 15. P_QR3, with much the same sequel as in the game. 14, Q—B7 “The white Queen invades enemy territory and occupies an advanced bbut entirely secure post. There she completely frustrates all Black's attempts at development He QUKIS As Black is quite unable to develop his forces along normal ines, he tries, with this sally by the Queea, to obtain some counterplay—an ‘attempt which the frst player refutes in exemplary fashion,38 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 15, P—QR3 (No, 42) A very fine move—White offers one or two pawns in order to win the Queen or, filing that, a Q side piece. Let us investigate some of the contingencies: 11S... QocKIP; 16. R-KU, Q% RP; 17, B—KtS, and now— (0.17 oo KIB; 18. RORY, Q-KES; 19, KROKG, winning © Queee, 17. «2, Q-K2; 18, BB, R-Kul; 19. Kt—KS, R-QI (19. QQ; 20, QKRP, KexKe 21, PXKE, ete); 20. Bx Kt, 21. KtB6, and wins, 2.15, .-.. Q—KI6: 16, R—B3, QxKUP; 17, R-KU, Q—R7: 18, R (B3)—BI, Kt—B3 (18... QP; 19. B—KES, ete). 9. B_KIS, ‘again threatening 20, R-R1 and 21. KR—Kt1, winning the Queen oF 20. B—B6, winning a piece. iste QRS 16, P_R3 (Wo. 43) ‘Again an excellent move, and not merely intended to safeguard kis King. For if we examine the position more closely, we find that Black ‘can no longer proceed with his proper development, e416... Re Keb 17. KE-KS, R-KI2 (17, .... Kt Kty I8, BBY, followed by 19. QxR}, 18. Q—B6, QxQ (otherwise 19. KtxKe, RK 20 Qx By 19. Kt, KARI; 20. Kt—K7, R-QKt; 21 Kt BOR Kt 22, B—R6, and White must win the ending, thanks to the command of the only open file which Black ean no longer wrest [rom him. "This variation clearly shows the far-reaching consequences of the weaken ing move 11. .... P=QKU. Even at this stage it has made it possible for White to secure possession of the QB file by 22. B—-Ré! White's last move ensures that Black will not long be able to with- stand his opponent’s severe positional pressure. THE QUEEN'S SIDE ATTACK 39 We KB oe A naics a heros ‘atenpt to complete hi dslopent, co wnt tanye Ahn sy srs DOREY 17 ReoB3, Back Would Sulhave to goin fo he arian shown the pressing note 17. Kt-KS—B-Q2 17. vse BRS: 18, P—QK13, Q—R4; 19. Kt—B6 would also cost ‘apiece. Black lieraly has no move, 18. BB? Q-Kt#_ 19. P-QRS Decisive; Black must leave his Bishop to its fate. 19... QxKP 20. KtxB Stronger sill would have been, frst, 20. R—KtI, Q—R7; 21. KtxB, QR—BI; 22, Kex Ke ch, Px Ki; 23. Q—KE ch, and as the Bishop can move freely, White remains a piece ahead. As itis, White only Wins the exchange, but this also Capablanca speedily and soundly turns into @ win, as follows: 0...) QR—BI; 21. Q—KA7, Kix Kt; 22. BRT ch, KocB; 23, RXR, RR; 24. QR, Kt—B3; 25. RBI, Q—Kt5; 26. Q—B2 ch, K—KU; 27. Q—B6, Q—R6; 28. Q—RS eh, K—R2; 29. R—BT (He have seen in our frst article, how to take advantage of a superiority herent ofa sucess atk, Here this speioniy com sists in the exchange only, but with the Rook on the seventh ra taking a powerful part in the atack on Black’s pawns, the ascendeney of Rook over Knight in an ending is well illustrated), 29... Qx RP; 30, Rx BP, Q—O8 ch; 31. K—-R2, Q—R4; 32. QRP, Q—KUG: 33. RBS, QA; 34, R-BT, Q—KU; 35. R-KU7, KK} 36. Q—R2, POKG! 37, QuP, PP; 38. R—KIs, Kt_ BE 39. QP, Q—BA; 40, RXP, QxP; Al, Q—Q3 ch, K-Ktly 42, R—KUS ch, resigns.CHAPTER IV KNIGHT AGAINST ‘BAD’ BISHOP War discussing the game Bovnnk-Kontantnopasky (ee p15 ve came fo the postion shown in No.4, which posion we andercok {Cinvenignte on a subscuen occasions We bavealrendy stated that White has the beter game, without, however, acusing very elosely the renons on Whi We base out Rane Peirnc Geen emg heeS KNIGHT AGAINST ‘BAD' BISHOP 4 their respective squares, Tn this case it means that .... P—KBS and “7” P--QS must be prevented, ‘We shall now give the further course of the game, from which we shall be able to derive additional directives. 20, P—BS In the light of what we have said before, the object of this move is quite obvious. Black's KB pawn is now blocked, and the Bishop's ‘mobility permanently crippled in this direction 20, ROK? He cannot play 20, ..., R—K6; for after 21. K—B2, PQS leads to the loss of a pawn after 22. KR—QL. 21. KR—KI. [As a rule, an exchange of Rooks increases the superiority of the Knight over the “bad Bishop.” a. KR-KI He cannot give up the open fle without a fight, as his opponent would penetrate into the heart of his position. BLRKR RXR 28, K—B2(No. 45) Inder to exchange the second Rook aswel after which the ending Knight Bishop would be-won for White. Its important frst of all toexamine this statement Let vs assume that Black, inthis postion, plays =. B-BI-RSBS, where its obsruction by pawns would Be less—mch les—taking ital in all) sound plan The game can develop ea fs follows 23... BBL; 4 ROKI, ‘a RoR (practically forced); 25. KR, ; B-R3, 46. P-OKU (preventing 6. BBS) 26... K—B2; 27. K-Q2, K— K3, 28, K-K3, BBG; 29. PROS, P— KG; 30. K-94. We have now reached the position shown in No. 46 Up to now the moves on either side were by no means forced, and it would lead too far to undertake a detailed inves- tigation of the tangle of possible complications. Our main object is first to give an idea of existing winning chances without paying over- ‘much attention to fnessing and deta ‘The black pawa-position is now fixed, mainly on account of thea JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS strong position of White’s King, but the Bishop has escaped outside its own pawn-chains and is not hindered by them to the same extent as before. “The drawback of the "bad Bishop’ is now indirect, and is ‘based on the fact that all the black pawns as well as the Bishop occupy White squares, so that the black squares are vulnerable and easily fall into White's control, ‘The important square at Qs is already occupied by White, and Black's King must keep guard over White's KS. Black cannot undertake anything, and must remain on the defensive. On the other hand, what is there for White to do? More than appears at first sight, From OK the white Knight can attack the QB pawn, which cannot be defended by .... B—Ktd because of White's P—-QR4. On the other hand, if the King guards the pawn by .... K—Q2, the way to Black's K-side pawns is free via KS, KBS, KKAT.. It follows that Black, reasonably enough, tries to prevent White’s Kt—QKt4 by... P ‘QR; but then White has the opportunity of obtaining a passed R pawn by P—QKtd ete. We perceive how much care is requited in the hand. ling of such an ending An early advance of P—QKt, in itself quite a normal move, never- theless reduces Whites chances to & minimum. [Let us work out the above by means of two illustrative variations: (A) 30... BARB 31. Kt—R2, B—K7, 32. Kt-Kt4, KQQ 33, K—KS, B—Q8; 34. K—B6, Bx, 35. K—KUT, P—QR4: 36, KtQ3, K—K3; 37. KIKS, PQS; 38. Kc BP, K—G4, 39, Ktx QP, Kx Kt 40, P-B6, P_RS; 41, P_B7, B-K3; 42. KxP, KB, 43, KxP, K-Kt6; 44. PRG, KxP; 45. PRS, K—KiG; 46. P—R6, PRE, 47, PRT, P—R7; 48. PRB (Q), and wins (8) 30. 2... PORS; 31. Kt—R2, B—K7; 32, P_QKt4, PP; (22. BBS; 33. PxP, winning, but if 32."... PRS, then quite simply 33. Kt—B3,) 33. KtxP, B—Ked; 34, KtR2, BBS; 35. Kt— B3, B—R3; 36. P—OR4, B_BB; 37, Ki—R2, BBS, 38. Kt—Ktd, K-02; 39. K—KS, K—B2; 40. K—B6, P—Q5; 41. K—KU7, P-Q6; 42. KtXQP, Bx Kt; 43. PRG, (not 43. KxP, P—Ktd); 43, |... B— BS: 44. Kx'P, B—B2; 45. KKt7, B—KI; 46, KB8, K—Qi; 47. P—ORS, ete. ‘These were, in truth, break-neck excursions by which the win was finally secured, and we can well imagine that the reader may not be entirely convinced of the forced nature of the variations shown, But this does not really afect our point, The chief thing is (1) That it was seen that Black could not, on the whole, undertake ‘anything so that it was infact established that the Krnight isto be pre- ferred to a "bad Bishop.” (2) That a general idea was given ofthe way in which attempts should ‘be made in order to win the game: a combination of the Knight- KNIGHT AGAINST “BADY BISHOP “ mranczves Kt QND--R2—Kis (attacking QBS), KL—R2, and P— ‘Gkeis ovciog through © passed pawn) and K--KS (penevation by Kin 1H revert 0 No, 45 in order to comin our dissin ofthe fic ia question has now Become clear tht Black has to avoid Giexchange of Rooks, at least in present ciecumstances. There fatowed: x. km cunning ove! Should White nesertheles play for an exchange of Roots, failure avait him afer 24 R-KI, Re R.28. KR, P= Osis ROK KS, 27, Kis Pb, KOS and Back wis bock his pawn with a satisfactory position: ‘the blockade is lifted and all Gsnger Is past. Generally speaking, it can be stated that Blak ean ser the same if be ean pay PQS without immediatly fal eon Segbences 24, R-Qt Forcing the black pavns to remain on white squares. x R-KI . is impose to bring te Bishop ino the ope without ma some etalon sommesion 28. 0 Be Biss Ke-K2, PRU BerRCQt, RB and nw the Rook i mobiles 25. R-Q2 Guarding the QKt pawn and preparing the exchange of Rooks. 25, PHKR3 26, RK? R-OKtl If instead, 26, .... RHER ch; 27, KExR, and White controls the square Q4, which is the key to winning the game, 2. KKS More vious 7. Kbit ae et ft i) after exchanging Rooks eventaly, White can ho longer pay oa kta ands more important al, beat fhe oppo ity of obtain pated pwn NG) Black ean starts counteraction with 27... P-QRA. 2. RK ‘This fixes White's Queen's sie, but at best only temporarily. 28. K-04 ‘The King has reached the desited strong poiat and already threatens K-K5~—Q6, ete.“4 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 2B. KB KR? RUKH After 29. .... PQR4 there follows 30. Kt—BI, R—Ktl; 31 P—QKt3, when’ P—QKt4 must follow sooner or later; the text move is preferable, even though White can sil force a pase pana ough. 30. P—QKts (No. 47) ‘The crucial moment, for with this move White forgoes th b ite forgoes the oppor- tunity to carry out the mancuvre indicated before (Kt—R2—Kt), 30 that the ending Knight v. Bishop assumes a different aspect. Let us investigate: 30, deserves consideration), 31, fails against 32. POKt5, and now— ROKI; 31 RXR GL. ROKS ako Bx R; 32. P_ORA (32. P_KIS PRP; 33. KP, B-B2ch), 32. ..., PRE 33. 1.33, .... RPXP; 34, PRS, B—Q2; 35, PR6, B—BI; 36. Kt— Ket, KK3, 37. P-R7, B—K12, 38, Kt—R6, K-Q2; 39. KK, P—Kt3; 40, K--B6, and once again White has the whip hand, 2.33... BPxP; 34, PRS, K—K3; 35, Kt—Kt4, and wins. If ‘Black omits 32. .... P—R3; and substitutes 32. .... K—-K3 (after 30. .... R—KI; 31. RXR, BxR; 32. P—QR4); White likewise has excellent prospects after 33. PRS, B—QQ; 34. P—KiS, Px geciat Q2; 34. PRIS, PxPy 35, 30. PAKS Here 30. .... P—QR¢ would play into White's hand: 31. PxP, R—Kt6; 32. Kt—B3, RxP; 33, R—R2, of 31. ss. R-QR1; 32, Kt—B3, RxP; 33. PORG, In either case White has a strong passed awa, KNIGHT AGAINST ‘BAD’ BISHOP 45 SL PHKB PxP 3. PxP PRB 33. KiB} ROKt} Black decides to leave the Rooks on the board, which, in fact, is his best chance. 34 P-QR4 RAK 35, R-KBD Now the white Rook fills the task of safeguarding the King's side. ‘Meanwhile the remaining white forces carry out the winning plan on the opposite wing (No. 48) "There is an interesting Winning continuation here, should Black try 35. .0-1 BKI; eg. 36. P—KUS, RPXP; 37. PP, PxP; 38, KtxP ch, KK3 G8, |... K—B2; 39. KtK3, winning a pawn); 39. R-K2 ch, K—B2;, 40, R&B, KXR; 41. KtB6 ch, K-K2; 42. KR, Puck, 43. P—BS, P—R4; 44. PBS, P-RS; 45. P—B7, and White ‘queens first. ae BK3 36, PLKIS ‘The break-through, which has been impending for some time. 36 RPxP 38. KtxP_ RKB 3 PXP 0 PXP. 39. Kt—B3 First safeguarding the position before he can reap the benefit of his break-through. ». K—B2 ‘An indirect defence of bis Q4 (40, KtxP, R—QB ch). 40, R-QK R-KBS 41. Kt—K2 Alternatively, 41. K—KS, R—K8 ch; 42, Kt—K2 (as in the game), but not 42, K—Q6, because of 42. .-.. PQS. White must still exercise care before lifting the blockade of Black's Q pawn. aes R-KS 42, K-KS_ PQS Giving up the pawn is Black's best chance. If 42. .... K—K2, the following line is conclusive: 43. P--B6, P—QS; 44. R—Kt7 ch, K—Ql; 45. K—Q6, R= Kt; 46, R—Ki8 ch, BB; 47, P—B7 ch, ete 4. KXP. White's strategy has resulted in the gain of a pawn, and the rest is no longer of interest as far as our subject is concerned. "There followed 48.000 K—Kth 44, Kt—B3, K—R4: 45. R-K2, RXR; 46. KOR, KK¢5; 47, K-KS, BB; 48, Kt—Q4, P_R4: 49, KtxP, B—Q24 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS (0019, -.. BXKU; 50, PRS cy $0. KIAKE, BRS 1. PI K—Ktd; 52. Kt—K6 ch, resigns. ilies) Let usm vn shor te concsons deed fom hs example sesoment. White hs the beter sume becstne Black ae ead Bishop” and White isin a postion to Bx the hose pute Ww obstruct the Bishop. : aan se “lon 1, Fite obtratng pans (20. PKB and 24. ROD ecupy the Bocksding square, for preference By fe King oe 1B Sa pr by the King (28. 43, Sum tip the various posses of a break-through, and try to cones these (analysis of No. 46), 7 : Unassuming moves may Reve inportantconsequenees, e. 30, P_QKi4, which, fora well-defined period of time, prevents a niembey of possibilities. ie oa * 5 Chleulteacurtely whe oi the Blockade and tow the hostile assed pate to advance In suh sunions the le ba) make athe erence between ni ands Ise Oar ext example ilstates a Knight. Bishop ening a which the Rooks have already been exchanged (No, 49). . = ae seh nother poston fom Chapter Ty ots Ba tem wc tain aut, the pan meoey on the Side, pays a sbordnaty pat "Ths istration ato i stuntvealhoush we mighe even sy because, both pager tre ply of some inches Hee dain ne have Right ain tad Bishop" The: Rooks hive alety sie Appeared. Whites pawns at Ke and QS Hinde thir own Bishop, and te Se fuardel Kp ts the isp forte time being 0 KBD, KK or KE ‘The red on the postion Black fas the Be ae et sw be seena win cannot be forced aga bat ol ‘The pln consists apn ina combination ef possible continuations 1, Advance of the Q-side pawns, 2. March ofthe black King to QB4, Q5, etc, 43. Establishing and reinforcing the pressure on White's KA, Let us examine the sequel. KNIGHT AGAINST ‘BAD’ BISHOP a 8 .. PBs Black loses no time in increasing his pressure on White's K4. In ‘addition he need no longer be anxious about White's P—BS, which ‘hight be the reply to the text-move if played later, At the moment 39. P—-B4 would be satisfactorily met by 29. .... K—B3. 2. PBB ‘A ifficult decision for White. Another system consists in 29. PxB fail against 25. Kt—B7 ch, and 24. .... QxB against 25. Bx, Px By 26. KExKi, ete, 25.BxP R-K2 1f 25. .... PxB, there follows 26. KtxKt, QxKt; 27. Q—KS eh, with mate to follow. Thus the exchange at QS had the object of pret venting Black's Knight from settling at KB3, 26.B-Q2— KtxKt Else Black loses at least another pawn after 27. R-K, 2 PxKt = QKG 28. BK3.— QUR4 29. R—O4 ‘White must win, for he bas a sound extra pawn and can continue his attack with undiminished energy. 2. RBs 1629... BBA; 30. Q—RS, K—Ku; 31, RRS, and wins, 30.R-R¢ QB? ‘Threatening 32. Q—Kt6, 31. Q-Kts es KK 32, BLK R(K2)—B? 33. BBS Sac P-R3 34. PRS Q_Q? Black no longer has any adequate moves at his disposal. For instance: 34. .... R-Q2; 35. K—R2, P-Q5; 36. R-R6, P-Q6; 37. ERS, and wins 35.R-R6 K-RI_— 36, Q-Kt6__Resigns ‘So far we have examined weakened King’s positions only in which the King had castled KR. If we widen our field of observation, We ‘can include positions in which the King is stil in the centre, when be WEAKENING THE KING'S SIDE 18 exposed to attack, This occurs chiefly when the attacker has by a ded in confining the opposing King to his original some means SUCCE Position this can be achieved only by means of sacrifioes, Thus it ‘aetist the pro- Nofes neces fo igh up the mateal sacrificed aginst become the resulting attack, and straightaway the assessment of the spetiion becomes complicated, The plan depends on the degree of eoury of the hostile postion. Jess illstated fn the following two characteristic examples. ou from esting KR na lt, the attacker prevents the opponent fom eal tn teal QRS KBE nthe sony he efx this BY means of AR open Ka he cost of much mati senanasra.r, Kemer, 1939 (KOS, KIDS, 4 08, P08 2. P-OBs, P-OBI; 3, KIKI, KIDD; RIBS PLP. § PGs, Dobie G RE-KS PAT PDB See Ree oR OH 8, BOR ORS ch 10. PRD, QxQP; 11. P—K3, Q—B3; 12, P—K4, Ktx Kt 13. Q-Kt3, Ktx KP; See ie. 75 rea | aan ame | mse ial = A Baw. ave is coring to theory White ha a wining stack we ask ou scvs why thy attack should bea waning one, the answer ot 30 fs) to find, for we are in the midst of 4 combination which White fas lite with hs 13th move. Lt lok at wba flows 4. 9-95 . Black has no option but to fall in with White's combination, If 14.2. Kt Kt 15. P—R4, wins a piece. IS. PxKt — QxPch 16, K-B2_ QR (Wo. 79)6 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS ‘The combination has run its course, and we notice that, at the cost of the exchange and three pawns, White has succeeded in keeping the hostile King in the centre. ‘What is even more important, all the white pieces without exception are so placed that the final assault can be launched at once. On the other hand, Black has no pieces available for the defence; his most important unit, the Queen, is eut off and in danger of being trepped ‘When assessing positions’ of this type, it is essential to take into account the potentialities of attack and defence, 17. Kt-Q6eh ‘The beginning of the hunt, V. K—Q2 Black bas little choice. if 17. .... K—K2, of 17, .... K—BI, there follows, of course, 18. Kt B dis ch, and 17... K—QI is refuted, a8 Follows: 17... K—QI; 18. KtxB, PxKt; 19, R-QI ch, K-BI (19... K—KI; 20, BOKQ, and 21. Q—K3 mate, unless Black gives up his Queen}; 20. B~K12, QxP; 21. QP, and now 421, so. P—QKU3} 22. B-QS, Kt—Q2; 23. BBS, R-Ql; 24 Q—K6, and wins. 2,21. «1. R—Ql; 22. RXR ch, KXR; 23, Q—K7 ch, K—BI 24, B—Q6, and mate next move. 18. KtxB RI IF18. .... PXKt, we again have the variations given above. 19. BLKT ‘With a two-fold attack on the Rook and the QKt pavn, 19. KtR3_ 20, QxKtPch Kt—B2 21. R—Ql ch Resigns After 21. .... K-KI; 22. Q> Kt, leading to mate 1, P-Q4, P-Q4; 2. P—QB4, Px; 3. KtKB3, Kt_KB3, 4. Q— R4 ch, QKt—O2; 5, Kt—B3, P_K3, 6, P_K4, P—Bd; 7. PQS, PXP; 8, PKS, POKts; 9. Qx KIP, R—QKU; 10, Q—R4, POS: U Px Ke, PxKG 12. BxP, BPxP (better 12..... R-KtS), 13. BxP. oh, KxB; 14, Q—B4 ch, K—KI; 15. P—B7 ch, K—K2, 16 BP, Rx Br 17. Castles KR (No. 80) (Keres' analysis). White has a strong attack, so avers the ‘theory.’ But in this ease, unlike the preceding example, it is not lear that the attack is neces. WEAKENING THE KING'S SIDE n «wining om, Ines ltiough Whites atack very da stl anes yn pace, exoptonal Tal of promis re ec py shoal me Back out sate ee ow vaitions whieh throw a light on Whit’ attacking eS Soe posits of Mocks dence is: i, Poo Ron Kb 2 QRS Bo Gah ak quash ces ate, and Whe win G18. ae, KRU, 20. Q—K4 ch $2. RioKE, Qo KEKE 3 Kink QB, and Black ean iid ou Pine Q—KE ea QR-KL ‘1 Se. Be ey oan tn, Kes oh, K—B2 21, RE (tes ctr and Whites BoB, and White stack bas come toa standti ny, show how very These few variations, slested from a great many, show how very dificult iti to judge a position in which it is necessary t u ‘elative values of material against attacking chances.CHAPTER VI THE ATTACK ON THE KING'S FIELD ‘Tins chapter is closely connected with the preceding one, in which it was shown how advantage can be taken of weaknesses in the hostile King’s field, In order to exploit such weaknesses it bocomes necessary to start a King’s side attack, and so the subject of this chapter has already been touched upon in what has gone before. We shall there- fore in the main examine attacks on positions as yet unweakened, and in order clearly to define the field of our investigations, let us begin with the following typical example: Marca, RUBINSTAN—TEICHMANN, 1908 After 1. P—Q4, P—Q4; 2. PQB4, P_K3; 3. Kt—QB3, Kt—KB3; 4. BOK6S, BK2; 5, P—K3, QKt—Q2; 6, Kt B3, Castles: 7. Q—B2, P—QKt3; 8. PxP, Px; 9. B—Q3, B-K12; 10, Castles QR, PBA; 11, PKR, PBS; 12, BBS, R-KI (better, 12, «+. PKS): 1. BXKKt, KB; 14, PKKt4, B-Q3; 15, PKUs, Kt-K5; 16 PERS, Q—K2; 17. QR—KI, P—QR3. (No. 80, White has a great advantage in space ‘on the King’s side; most of his pieces are aimed directly or indirectly at Black's King’s position, with the advanced KKt and KR pawns as a speathead. How- ever—and here is the difference from the examples of the preceding chapter—on the black K side the pawn formatio intact; his pawns there are on their original squares, and Black's powers of defence are greatly increased. For instance, against 18. P—R6 Black replies simply 18. .... P—K3, while 18. P—Kts is answered by 18. .... BPP: 19. PP, P-R3. In either case the avenues of attack against ‘the black King's position are closed, and it has become extremely difficult to carry fon the attack, The precept advocated in analogous conditions against 4 weakened King’s side—advance of the pawns in order to open lines of attack—does not work automatically in this case, and we ‘must look for other and more trenchant methods. But at the same time greater responsibilities will be incurted which will demand more THE ATTACK ON THE KING'S FIELD p inteicate and accurate calculation: as a rule an unweakened King's field {tun be overcome only by means of sacrifices. This makes both assess Inent and plan more dificult, White stands better because he has a ‘preponderance on the K side but, is his preponderance so great that fe can force a decision without offering a sacrifice? The answer to this question is of particular importance whenever the defender has vme compensation of some sort in another field. ‘Thus in No. 81, for instance, Black bas & pawn majority on the Q side which would play fan important and perhaps decisive part, should White fail to force his attack home Tail soon,” In many ofthese cases, i is « question fof weighing up the pros and cons, forthe expert in combinative play, {2 question of intuition, He knows whether his attack will just succeed fr just ful However, in the present position this knowledge is no longer im- portant; the die has already been east on the 10th move, when White, By casting on the Q side, challenged his opponent t0 the race on ‘opposite wings. From that moment only the plan came in question White has brought his border pawns forward (the exchange at KS, making room for the KKt pawn, is worthy of special notice). Allis Feady for the climax, the Rooks behind the pawns, the Bishop at KBS fully active, the Queen ready in the background, and the Knights pre pared to iniervene. " ‘Rubinstein has made all preparations for the decisive combination Which now follows. 18, BxPeh ‘The same general idea was shown in the preceding chapter, but here itcosts material so that the consequences must be calculated toa nicety. i eee 19, P—Kt6eh ‘The logical continuation, but one may perhaps ask whether, after 19. .... PXP; 20, PxP ch, K—KtI, the open R file is really worth ‘a piece. Patience! Rubinstein did the combining for us, but his plans Were rather different: after 19. .... PP he intended to win quickly by 20. KtxKt, Px Kt, 21. KEK ch, and now: fess K KU; 22. QXP chy ete 1 KARI; 22, PXP dis ch, ete K—R3; 22. Kt—B7 ch, ete 1s. K-Ktl 20. KtxKt PxKt Not 20, (21) Qx Kt; 21. PXP ch, KxP; 22. Kt—Kt5 eh, ete. 21, P—R6 (No. 82) ‘This is the ertical position on which the success of White's attack depends. Itis one of the situations which White had visualised a few80 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS ‘moves before and on which he passed judgment, party after calcula tion and partly intuitively. Most great players rely on instinct when they play, though they do’ analyse one of two variations as a kind of control. We will now attempt to outline the basis of this intuition; a ae ‘stat here war sold grounds forthe a a ae reat master’s, possibly. subconscious, is a z te 2 Kt, Black threatens to immobilise White’s game by is, |... BK, obtaining the mastery over White's KBS. White must play 18. P—B4, and after 18. .... PxP; 19, BXP, B—B3, Black controls White's KS, 2, Also unsatisfactory for White is 17. Kt—BS, B—Kud, as shown in game v. d. Bostl-Kmoch, Baarn, 1941 (18. K—Ki2, BxB; 16, RB, there is a mate on by 16. ..., QxP. But White has a more subile version of the Same theme: T4, Bx P ch, K xB; 15, RB, Ktx; 16. Bx B, followed by 17. Q—Q3 ch. And so White remains a pawn ahead. This what occurred in the game: 14, Bx ch, Ktx Bs 15. Bx B, B—Ktd; 16. P—B4, KR—KI; 17, B~Q6, B--B3; 18. B—K5, and White won, ‘An attack by pieces only i illustrated in the following game: SPIELMANN—HONLINGER, Vienna, 1929 1, P—K4, P—QB3; 2, P_Q4, PO 3, Kt_QB3, Px Ps 4. KbxP, Kt—B3; 5. KOKO, PKS; 6, Ki—B3, PB 7. B—Q3, Kt—B3; 8. PxP, BXP; 9. P— QR3, Castles; 10. Castles, P—QKE3; 1. BUKY, QB? (No. 96), White has a considerable advantage: the Bishops are aimed at Black's K sides the Knights are ready to co-operate. ‘There Followed: 13, PAKS He wishes to secure KS for his Knight.96 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS ines KOR 14 Kt—-KS BLK 15, KtKet Entirely logical; he wants to get Black’s best defensive — bel Black’s best defensive piece out of 1s. a The best defence. Any other move would lead to a weakening of Black’s King's field, eg: 1.18. ... KUxKE; 16. QxKt, PKB, 2.15.00. Kt—Q4; 16, KRG ch. 3.1500. Q—KBS; 16. KeocKt ch, BX Kt; 17. KtRS, ends RICKS euler pow mice souter. Exchanges at Black's KB3 tead nothing afer 16. Kt= Kt ch, By Kt 17. Q—RY PKG. With the textmove White resins a shoe of coninvaiens. NWR vel K-04 ey cares Blak sould neve of his ova fe wl a ‘drawn this Knight from the defence. ate wo eaGaBS PKG fote that 17... P=KR3 fils afer 18, Bx anges P-KR3 fail after 18, BxP, K xB; 19. Kt(K3)— ‘A well-known turn: Black cannot capture the Queen xd gebino t capture the Queen because 19, nee BKB3 After I8.°-... P-B3 White sacrifices at his KKt6, and after THE ATTACK ON THE KING'S FIELD ” 18, ..-. Kt-KB3 White wins by 19. Q—KS, K—K12; 20, Kt—RS eh, PxKt; 21, Q-KES ch, 19, KtxBeh_KtxKt 20. Q-R6 ‘Stronger here than 20. Q—K5, which would be answered by Q—Q4, Now that Black has had to weaken his King’s field and moreover no longer has a K Bishop to guard the black squares, the win for White is @ question of only a few though, of course, strong moves. oe RBI 21, QR-QL_ Q—K2 22, KR-KI (No. 98) ‘The effective disposition of the pieces is now all that is required. He threatens 23. Kt—B5 (23. .... Px Kt; 24. Q—KUS ch, te.) Wie KEK 2 KLBS QUBE 023. .... KP Kt; 24. BxP. KS B-Q$_ 25. Kt_K7ch Black resigns, because mate in three follows: 25. .... Qe Kt; 26. Qu RP ch, KxQ; 27. RRS ch, K—KU; 28. RORS mate It is difficult to give general directions on the conduct of a King’s side attack without the help of pawns, Its always a case ofthe pieces achieving the greatest possible mobility and accursey in combining. In addition its essential to be conversant with known stratagems. ‘The following therefore holds good for the position in No. 96 “Assessment: White has attacking chances because he has a great advantage in space, and further because he has command of a great number of good squares for his pieces. ‘Plan: Effective deployment of pieces and sound combinations. To conclude, here is an example in which the King’s side attack becomes possible because an advanced centre pawn hinders the most effective disposition of the defending forces, incidentally a frequently recurring situation. DR, EUWE—noGoLTUROFF, 6th Match Game, 1928 1, PQS, Kt—KB3; 2. P—QB4, P—K3; 3. Kt_QB3, P—O4; B-KtS, QKt—Q2; 5, P_K3, BK2; 6. Ki—B3, Castles; 7. RBI, PLBH's, BQ}, P-QR3, 9. PxP, BPxP; 10. Castles, P—-Ked, M, KtKS, Kis Kt; 12. Px Kt, Kt-Q2; 13. B-KBS, BUKW; 14, Kt_K2, Q”KtI; 15. Kt—0¢ (Wo. 9). ‘White has the greater freedom of movement on the K side, thanks98 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS to the position of his pawn at KS, which prevents a black Knight or Bishop from moving to Bisck’s KB3. In addition White's Knight i. firmly posted at Q4, which again is due to the pawn at KS, 1s, PK ‘A compulsory weakening of the King’s field, intended to intercept the action of White's K Bishop. 16, B-R6 RBI IT. RxRch QKR 8, PBs The K pawn is now solidly guarded. 18. Kt-B¢ 9, PokKts ‘The intention isto play P—BS, After the opening of the KB fle the Knight at Q4 and Bishop at KR6 will reach their maximum efficiency, Bw .. Kx 2.Q-Q2 BK 2.QxKt — QuBS 22, Q—KB2 Q-Q6 23. PBS (No, 100) 23. OKs Oo KE After 24, Px KP, QxP ch; 25. K—RI, Q—KS ch; White ean avoid Perpetual check only by the exchange of Queens, 2m KPxP 26.BxB RXB 25.PxP BKB 97. PB. With the threat of 28, Q—KtS and 29, Q-R6, 2, POKRS 28. Q-KIS_Q_KtSeh Or 28. .... K—R2; 29. Kt—BS, However, the exchange of Queens does not ease the situation, ‘THE ATTACK ON THE KING'S FIELD 9 B.QxQ_PxQ_ PKG ‘he pi ht Black not ae this pa Be 20. pam keane 2 ends Rage, Pot ch veg KORE ROBE KRS Becky ROR Ricks Bact rene we Ret pace, gn EreCHAPTER Vit WEAK PAWNS KAN—BONDAREYSKY, ifs, 1937 Armen 1. P—K4, PK3; 2. P_Q4, PQ; 3. Kt—Q2, PBA; 4 Px QP, KPxP; 5. B—KIS ch, B~Q2; 6, Q-K2 ch, Q—K2; 7. BXB ch, Kt B; 8. PP, Qx Qch:9. KOxQ, BXP; 10, K¢t—QK83, B—Kt3; 11. OKt—Q4, KKt—B3; 12. B_KIS, Castles KR; 13. Castles QR (Wo. 101). Fine assesses the position as being in White's favour, which will surprise nobody, for it is common knowledge that an isolated pawn constitutes a weakness. White hs six united pawns, Black has five, plus one lone pawn at Q4. Has Black some compensation in space’? Seateely; at most can it be said that he has @ promise of possible bet ‘things in the fact that his K Knight can get to KS, where it can hardly be driven off by P—KB3, because this move may pechaps spell a ‘weakening of White's position. But this line of play, depending as it does om a ‘perhaps,’ is of great importance. ‘Thus Black has 2 weak Q pawn, which is held fast, But White ‘must not imagine that the ultimate capture of this pawn is a mere matter of technique and accuracy. On the contrary, in practice itis seen that in nine cases out of ten the isolated pawn holds out. In view of this, the isolated pawn would not appear 10 constitute such a setious weakness. This conclusion is, however, equally fallacious; the rawback of the isolated pawn lies not so much in the danger of its boeing lost as in the commitments which it entails and the constant thought and attention required, The units which are necessary for the defence of the pawn will not as a rule be lest i number than those concerned in the attack, but while the attacker can at any time switch over and concentrate on some other object, the defender has rho such discretion; he is wholly dependent on his opponent's course of action. ‘Thus, although in most eases the defence of the weak iso- lated pawn will be successful, it will usually be impossible to avoid damage on other fronts Let us first continue the game from the position given in No. 101. ‘There followed: 1B. KeKs He prefers the textemove to 13. .... Kt—KS, the dilference being that the Knight, which can be maintained neither at KtS nor at KS, ‘can now retire via Black's K4 instead of Q3. There is little to choose between the two methods. The text-move results from the following WEAK PAWNS 101 ‘considerations, Black's Q pawn is dificult to defend as long as he fesa Knight at Q2, nor can this Knight move away at present, because BxKt would give Black an awkward doubled pawn, Clearly there {8 nothing else to do than fist to move the K Knight. Black, on Bee MABow ss] a nae a3 101 account of his weak Q pawn, is acting under slight but continuous pressure 14. B-R¢—-B-QL : Black takes advantage of the opportunity to vacate his QK'3 for bis Q Knight. The textemove gains a fempo, as White's Bishop must keep guard over his KB2. 15. BKB BBS 16, Kt_KB3 ‘The first of a series of moves which gradually force Black into a less favourable situation. The Q pawn is now attacked by the Rook; the Knight at KB3 commands KS, with the result that the black K Knight's retreat through that square is no longer feasible. 16... Kt-KG 17, PKR} Kt-R3 18, Kt—Bs- KR—QI ‘Attack and riposte. 19, R-Q3_- R-Q2 [A characteristic part of the action against the isolated pawn. White ‘prepares for the doubling of his Rooks, and Black, nolens volens, must do the sme 20. KR—Q1_QR-QI (No. 102 Tarce stacked and thrice dfende. For the time being Whites anable fo increase the pressure and must now think out someting fhe. Let us sex what at Be done102 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 21, KtRS, B—K2; 22. Kt—K5, RQ3 (22. .... R-B2 does not work because of 23.” KtxBP); 23. Kt—Kis, R—QB3 (to prevent B_BM); 24. Kt—B4, B—Ke4, and White has achieved nothing. No advantage is to be gained for White from this line of play, but it is important for the attacker carefully to check any sequence of moves, provided it appears to have a forcing character as this one certainly does. Such a forcing character is mostly present when a threat occurs to a defending unit, such as 22. Kt—K5, attacking a black Rook. Burdened with the anxious task of protecting that problem child, his (Q pawn, Black finds his freedom of action much restricted. 21, BR? Excelletly thought out. Now White threatens the advance of the KKt pawn, creating fresh disturbances in the enemy lines, not so much ‘because of the threat itself, but because once White obtains command of hs KBS, Blak’ Knighton the KR ile wil be completely in a1, KES Undoubtedly better is 21. .... Kt—B4, freeing the Knight in the nick of time from its confined position, It is true that—according to the Russian Tournament book—the Knight has no great future ater 21. .... Kt—B4; 22. P_KKt4, Kt—KRS; 23. Kt—RS, B—K2; 24 K¢t"Q4, but in the game itself the Knight suffers a worse fate 22.P-KKY B-KO 23, BLK PBS With the idea of giving the Knight a new lease of life via KB2, but there is now a fresh weakness at his K3, and this is more than the position can stand. It is difficult, however, to think of another move which Black could have tried. The Knight at QK(3 and both his Rooks are tied up, the Knight at KR3 is locked in, and the Bishop practically so. The alter native therefore must be a! move by the King or a pawn. Now 23. K—Bl (instead of 23. .... P-B3) fails against 24, B—R4, P— 'B3; 25. Kt—K6ch, and 23, |. PQS loses a pawn after 24. Kt—K2, Black therefore must try 23. .... K—RI or 23. .... P—R3, neither ‘of which is at all attractive, “itis easy to see that Black can hardly undertake anything, and this has a damaging psychological effect, ‘which results from the pressing commitments imposed by the presence of the weak isolated pawa, 24, Kt—Q4 (No. 103) With obvious threats. White wishes to drive away one of the de- fending Rooks by 25. Kt (Q4)—KG, after which Black’s Q pawn is one WEAK PAWNS, 103 guard short. As a matter of course, playing the other Knight 10 K6 would not work, as this Knight is wanted for the attack on the Q awa. aes Kt-B2 Black thinks that he has found an active defence in .... Kt—K4; Dut the result is that he stil loses a pawn, although it is not the weak brother at Q4, Let us examine whether there is, after all, a method by which Black could avoid the oss of a pav: 1.24, .... R—QBI; 25. Kt (Q4)—K6, dnd the Q pawa falls 25. ...- R—B3, then first 26. KtxB). 2.24, .... R-KI; 35. Kt (QH)—K6, (25. 11.. PKUd; 26. KExB, PIKE; Wem Bs Os ERI (ee ther follows eae Gt 25... B 26, KtxB and 27. Ktx QP); 26. Kt— BS, R—QB2; 27. Kt_KB, ete. PBA; 25. Kt (Q)—K6, 6. KtxB, 2 KXKE 27. KExQP, KUxKt; 28. Rx Kt RXR; 29, RXR, PXP; 30, R-Q7 ch ete, 103 (26... Rx Kt; 27, PxP, KexP; 28. KtxQP. 4.28, PKs; 25. Ke (B4)—K6, (@ 25. 1... RKI; 26. Kt—QBS, R (Q2—K2; 27. Kt-K1s, PORG, 28. Kt—B7, ete. (6) 25... R-QBI; 26. Kt—Kt5, P-R3; 27, Kt—B3. In every case White wins a pawa with an excellent position; Black's weak pawn cannot be defended. 25. Kt(QQ—K6 Kt-K4 27. KtxKt RX 26KtxXR —-KtxReh 28. Kt—BS ‘The QKt pawn must fal This particular case is of course acci- ‘dental, But the Bight inthe open depends on such accidental happenings, Which ‘are bound to occur in this type of position. When they do ‘occur, the defender who is faced with a host of difficulties always Dears the cost. ‘Let us revert to the original position in No. 101. The assessment, as can easily be seea, must be: White has the advantage, because Black has an isolated pawn. ‘The attacker's plan, based on this consideration, comprises the following elements:101 JUDGMENT AND PLANNING IN CHESS 4. Ditect threats to the Q pawn, eg. by 18, Kt—1 by doubling the Rooks on the Q fle. 2. Indirect attacks on the weak pawn by threats to the defending Pieces (ee, for instance, 25. Kt (Q4)—K6, and in addition various other contingencies shown in the analysis fo Black's 24th move), 43. Subsidiary operations on fields away from the weak pawn. Of ‘course only a limited numberof pieces takes part in these operations, in this particular case three white against two black pieces. It is to be noted that Black's Knight at his QK13 takes no part in these manauvres, while White's Kaight at his KB4 is active both in the attack on QS and in the subsidiary action, and more so A plan for the defender is difficult to devise, He depends entirely ‘on the measures taken by his opponent, and he can generally do nothing else but adopt a patient waiting policy, hoping for a period of rest and calculating exactly when and where the blow is going to fall. This ‘compulsory and rather unpromising suspense has a depressing effect fon the defender, who more often than not decides on some violent ‘counter-action which leaves the situation for him rather worse than better. That, however, the attacker must keep an eye on the possie bilities of such counter-play is self-understood. At the beginning of this chapter it was said that, although a weak isolated pawn is a source of worry to its owner because of the various ‘commitments it implies, it by no means follows that its loss is moze or less force. [Let us examine this question in connection with the simple position in No. 104. Black's QB pawn is isolated and weak. Two white Rooks are attacking it, and it is defended by two black Rooks. White cannot in any way strengthen the attack, o that there is no question of capturing ‘the pavin by direct means. Therefore if White stil wishes to play for ‘2 win, he will have to find some indirect means of taking advantage of the constrained position of the black Rooks. For instance, White ‘moves his pawa up to KRS in order to fix Black's K side pawas. If then Black plays .... P—Kt3, White exchanges pawns and obtains a passed K pawn. If at some time or other Black plays .... P—B3, then White should be able to move his King to KBS and, with the help of a Zugzwang, force his way through to K—-Kt6. If, however, Black plays neither’... P—Kt3 nor .... P—B3, White can try t© force him to play one of these moves by attacking the Kt pawn and playing a Rook to KKt4, All this is rather vague, and there is little

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