Grand Strategy

John Beasley gently improved the English grammar.

STES-41
ISBN 90-74827-41-1
Margraten 2000
 Grand Strategy

Jan van Reek

supported by Boris Spassky

Dedicated to the memory of Max Euwe

List of Japanese prints

Cover:

Taiso Yoshitoshi:
The late warlord Shingen sits on a golden cloud and plans
the prophylactic strategy for a campaign on Mount Fuji

Ando Hiroshige:
Snowy alley in Edo

Page 14:

Taiso Yoshitoshi:
Moonlight patrol

Page 130:

Ando Hiroshige:
Boris watches a rice field
 Contents

1. Introduction 7

2. Struggle 15

A. Attack in the centre 16

B. Attack on the king 38
C. Flank attack 57
D. Encirclement 65

3. Prophylaxis 79

A. Restraint 81
B. Consolidation 101
C. Counterattack 114

4. Pocket strategies 131

5. Biographic Appendix 144

 1. Introduction

Spassky's games illuminate a theory of strategy

oris started as a solid positional player in the style of Capablanca. His

great talent was trained in the Soviet school of chess. Zak made him
familiar with some sharp openings. Spassky's preference for the King's
Gambit stems from this time. Later Tolush sharpened the tactical wit in
attack and counterattack. An intuitive approach to the game
'--�:l.....:�"'' blossomed out. Boris the Bold carried out great attacks in accurate

games.
When Boris failed for the second time in a crucial tournament, Bondarevsky
became his trainer. His home analysis of adjourned positions became more adequate
and his endgame technique was improved. When an elegant victory could not be
achieved, the game became a heavy and long drawn-out battle. Boris the Fighter
defeated Petrosian in a match.
The world championship became a turning point. Spassky never had the
intention of defeating everybody everywhere every time. He was only motivated by
important matches and tournaments. Otherwise, he preferred tennis to chess. The
great importance of chess for Soviet propaganda did not interest him at all. When he
lost his title to Fischer, the communist authorities started to bother him. In a process
lasting several years, he migrated to France. He was a top-ten player from 1955-
1985. Spassky has now been active as a professional player for half a century.

The Soviet school of chess

The Soviet school did not start from fascination by the game itself, but it was
founded as an instrument for Stalinist propaganda. Victories in tournaments and
matches were the aim. Privileges were the rewards for players. State professionalism
came into being.
Botvinnik developed training programs and analytical methods of a high
standard. An important purpose is to let the opponent play poorly. The trick is to lure
him into an unfamiliar position of direct combat, which the professional has studied
thoroughly during home analysis. Later Kasparov refined the technique by the use of
computers. Although the method is rational, it lacks scientific depth. The
understanding of hypermodern play is limited. Only Boleslavsky differed.
A captivation by chess leads to intuitive understanding. The pioneer is
Chigorin. He gives his opponent a fighting chance in a real struggle. it seems that an
intuitive player simply knows what to do. 'Hand' Smyslov is a great example, because
he ·only has to reach out and a good move is made'. He is able to play hypermodern
chess, although he cannot rationalise its principles.
8 Grand Strategy

However, the intuitive approach is far from irrational. Tactical calculations and
evaluations of positional features are important during a game, and planning is based
on reasoning.
In Spassky's intuitive approach, there are two key stages during a game of
chess: plan and crisis. A plan (or conception) has to be developed after the opening.
Play continues ('the fruit ripens') until the crisis (crucial moment or critical position) is
reached. Only one solution leads to the planned aim or the escape from doom.

Euwe's scientific approach will be used for a further rationalised description of

this process. Spassky's games often show seemingly simple strategic plans. Fifty
suitable and spectacular examples are included in this book.
Dutch science and Russian intuition are sides of one coin. Before complicated
strategies and games are presented, we go back to the origins of chess theory.

Grand Strategy

William Cluley wrote about the main principle of chess strategy in 1857: "If we
consider the two parties at the onset of a game, we see an exact balance of power,
position, territory, and liberty of action. The first player usually threatens a destruction
of this balance, while the second constantly seeks to maintain it, neither party gaining
an advantage as long as it is conserved. Thus we recognise the Law of Equality, or
of drawn game. All legitimate play, how long a game may be extended, or however
varied, must end in a draw."

He distinguished three strategic phases in a game of chess:

1. An important aim of the development of pawns and pieces is fortification
(protection of territory and mutual support of chessmen). If the opportunity is
presented, a successful march into the enemy's dominions is prepared.
2. The first player makes preparations for an attack. The second player strives
for a weakening of the initiative by exchange.
3. Counteraction by the second player neutralizes the advantage of the first
player. Correct play leads to mutual blockade and draw.

The crisis and Cluley's theory are

elucidated by four sections from
the game Spassky - Hans Ree,
Beverwijk 1967.
(1. e4 e5 2. tt:lf3 tt:lc6 3. �b5 a6 4.
�a4 tt:lf6 5. 0-0 �e7 6. l:!.e1 b5 7.
�b3 d6 8. c3 0-0 9. h3 tt:la5 10. �c2
c5 11. d4 tt:ld7 12. tt:lbd2 cxd4 13.
cxd4 tt:lc6 14. d5 tt:lb4 15. ..tbl a5
16. tt:lfl tt:la6)
 Introduction 9

Both sides protect their territory

after the opening moves of a
Closed Ruy Lopez. White's plan is
to take the initiative on the king's
side. Black will try his luck on the
queen's side.
(17. tt:lg3 ::te8 18. tt:lf5 �f8 19. �g5
f6 20. �d2 tt:lac5 21. tt:l3h4 tt:lb6 22.
::te3 tt:lc4 23. ::tg3 ::ta7 24. .tcl
.txf5? 25. tt:lxf5 �h8 26. b3 tt:lb6 27.
.i.c2 't!kd7 28. �.d2 ::tc8 29. h4)

A semi-crisis has been reached. The

last chance is 35. .. cuxe4!? 36. ::txc7
cuxg3 37. ::txd7 tt:lxf5 38. ::txf7
cuxh4 39. �g4 f5 40. �h3. White
still has a won game, but Black has
managed to decrease the advantage
by counter-play.
(35. .. cub6 36. .tg4 ::tb8 37. cug6t
�g8 38. 't!kf3 ::te8 39. �f5 tt:lc8 40.
't!kg4 tt:la7)

Chessmen have steadily been

manoeuvred to good squares. It
was not necessary to search for the
best move each time. A proper
move within the selected plan was
sufficient. Now Black should have
tried to weaken White's initiative
by exchange: 29. .. a4! 30. ::tcl!
axb3 31. axb3 n ca8, and Black has
slightly better chances to survive
the Spanish torture.
(29. .. 't!kb7 30. h5 �d7 31. 't!kf3 't!kf7 All preparations have been carried
32. ildl tt:lbd7 33. ::tcl b4 34. cuh4 out. The white pieces have moved
::tac7 35. W¥f5?) to good squares. Note the
Black has remained passively, while movement of the king's bishop b1-
his adversary has marched into his c2-d1-g4-f5. A refined combination
dominion. The last move should ends the game.
have been prepared by 35. ::tc2. A (41. h6! hxg6 42. �g6 't!ke7 43.
strong counteraction could have �h5 nb8 44. hxg7 ng7 45. ffh7t
been started. �f8 46. �h6 1-0)

When Cluley's 'The philosophy of chess' was published, Staunton criticised

the book heavily. The outraged author died within a week. Steinitz published similar
theoretical thoughts in 1889, as 'leading ideas of the modern school'. Although
10 Grand Strategy

Steinitz only applied the ideas brilliantly, Lasker attributed the theory to him. Ken
Whyld corrected this mistake.
Theory about chess strategy made a leap forward in 1927, when Euwe wrote
sagacious articles about pawns in the centre and the attack on the king (§ 2A-B), and
Nimzowitsch published his system of prophylaxis (chapter 3). Van Reek completed
(§ 2A, § 2C-D and chapter 4), clarified (chapter 3) and combined these approaches
into a general theory for human and computer chess in 1997.
The general movement of chessmen is described by strategy. Principles of
strategy are easy to understand and difficult to apply, like the rules of chess for the
specific movement of a chessman.
Strategy typifies how the two opposing lines move forward. 1) Chessmen
move directly forward during an attack in the centre or an attack on the king. 2)
Movement is indirectly forward in a flank attack or encirclement. 3) The opponent's
scope is restricted, before forward movement begins during restraint. 4) Control over
one's own territory is the aim of consolidation; forward movement might be restricted
to a sortie. 5) Both sides move forward during a counterattack.
The application of strategic concepts has substantial restrictions:
the description consists of an inexact interpretation;
there have to be two opposing lines; therefore, strategy does not apply to a
middlegame melee or to some endings with few chessmen;
long-term movement only might occur in the mind of by a player; the response
of the opponent may limit the implementation of a plan to one ply on the board.
Before we present the theory of strategy, two cases of steamrollering are
shown. Sometimes an unprepared attack decides the game immediately.

Steamrollering
When a professional plays with an amateur, the game often ends in a quick
mate. lt looks to the master as if the beginner helps by playing weakening moves.
The fool's mate (1. g4 e5 2. (3 ¥*'h4#) ends the game in the quickest way. A mate
on the seventh rank occurs more often (1. e4 e5 2. iic4 <8c6 3. 'tWhS liJf6 4. '&xf7#;
the scholar's mate). Quick losses are rare in tournament play, but sometimes the
defender is steamrolled easily. We give two examples.

1.1. Bent Larsen - Spassky 10 .ilxf6 '&xf6 11. li:Jc3 or 10. li:Jc3.
.

Belgrade 1970
10. f2-f4??

l. b2-b3 e7-e5
2.. �.cl-b2 li:Jb8-c6
3. c2-c4 li:Jg8-f6
4. li:Jg1-f3 e5-e4
5. li:Jf3-d4 .¥Lf8-c5
Spassky plays naturally against the
slight provocation.
6. li:Jd4xc6 d7xc6
7. e2-e3 �.c8-f5
8. "i!Yd1-c2 �d8-e7
9. �fl-e2 0-0-0
Proper development continues with
 Introduction 11

The king's side is opened for the A knight and rook have been
entrance of Black's pieces. sacrificed in order to make a move
10. ...... tLJf6-g4! similar to the fool's mate.
11. g2-g3 17. we1-d1 g2xfl�t
Less resistance is offered by 11. White resigns, because Black can
0-0 .!:txd2! (even better than 11. .. deliver mate in three.
'+Wh4) 12. tiJxd2 tiJxe3. 0-1
1 1. ...... h7-h5
12. h2-h3 This game shows Spassky at his
The normal continuation 12. tiJc3 is best. Play in the middle game is
punished by 12. .. .!:txd2! 13. '+Wxd2 razor-sharp. A great combination
he3. concludes the game at once.
12. ...... h5-h4!
13. h3xg4
A beautiful variation is 13. bg4 1.2. Spassky - Klaus Darga
.b:g4 14. hxg4 hxg3 15. .!:tg1 .!:th1! Varna 1962
16. .!:txh1 g2 17. .!:tgl 'Y!¥h4t 18. rJ.;>e2
(18. rJ.;>d1 'Y!¥f2) 18. .. �xg4t 19. rJ.;>f2 1. e2-e4 c7-c5
'l!Vf3t 20. we1 �e7! 2. tLJg 1-f3 tiJb8-c6
13. ...... h4xg3 3. d2-d4 c5xd4
14. nh1-g1 4. tiJf3xd4 e7-e6
5. tiJb1-c3 'i¥r'd8-c7
6. ii.c1-e3 a7-a6
7. a2-a3 b7-b5
8. �fl-e2 ii.c8-b 7
9. f2-f4 tiJg8-f6
10. �e2-f3 d7-d6
11. 0-0 tLJc6-a5?!
12. 'i!Yd1-e2 tiJa5-c4?
Black has chosen the Taimanov.
The knight's manouevre is known
from the Scheveningen variation
(with a bishop on d7). This should
be preceded by 12. .. ii.e7 and 13. ..
Four white pieces are clustered on
0-0, or 12. .. .!:tc8.
the queen's side. Black can take
advantage of the dislocation with
14. .. �h4.
14. ...... .!:th8-h1!
This sacrifice is even stronger and
decides the game immediately. A
major piece is sacrificed for the
opening of a diagonal.
15. .!:tg1xh1 g3-g2
16. .!:th1-fl
The continuation 16. .!:tg1 'i!Yh4t 17.
wd1 'Y!¥h1 is hopeless too.
16. ...... �e7-h4t
12 Grand Strategy

White opens the centre. A vigorous The continuation 22. .. <;t>e7 23.
attack begins. '!Wh4t <;t>e8 24. 'lWg4 'lWc6 25. 'lWxg7
13. e4-e5! tt:lc4xe3 transposes to the game.
Euwe mentions the tactical point 23. 'lWa4-g4 'lWb5-c6
13. .. dxe5? 14. tt:ldxb5! axb5 15. 24. 'lWg4xg7
tt:lxb5 'lWc8 16. hb7 'lWxb7 17. The invasion of the seventh rank is
'lWxc4. decisive.
14. 'lWe2xe3 d6xe5 24. ...... .l:l:h8-f8
15. f4xe5 tt:lf6-d7 25. .l:l:flxf8t �c5xf8
16. �f3xb7 'iWc7xb7 26. 'iWg7xh7
17. 'lWe3-f4 tt:ld7-b6 Black is helpless.
18. na1-d1 26. ...... .l:l:a8-c8
A quiet move intensifies White's 27. 'flfh7-g6t
influence in the centre. l-0
18. ...... tt:lb6-a4 ?! There might follow 27. .. we? 28.
Black has to reorganise his defence .:td6 'flfc4 29. 'lWh7t we8 30. 'lWd7
with 18 . .. nd8 19. tt:le4 tt:lc4 20. b3 mate.
tt:lxa3 21. c3 1:1: d7, but his position
remains poor.
19. tt:lc3xa4 b5xa4
20. <;t>g1-h1
The last preparatory move is made.
20. ...... �f8-c5

diagram of analysis

The strong grandmaster Darga

resigned, because the game ends in
a beginner's mate on the seventh
rank, if Black does not give up
material. This seemingly simple
Black threatens to complete his game shows Spassky as the great
development. White has to strike master of the middle game. A
immediately. mistake by the opponent at the end
21. tt:ld4xe6! of a well-known opening allows
A sacrifice starts a direct assault in him to develop a solid plan. When
the centre. the crucial position is reached, he
21. ...... f7xe6 decides the game with a lightning
22. 'lWf4xa4t 'lWb7-b5 combination.
 Introduction 13

Preparation

Jan van Reek has been working with computers since 1966. He has written
150 publications about mortality, smoking behaviour and heart diseases. In chess, he
is known as a composer of endgame studies. His rating is 2325. Three times he has
been Dutch champion in war games. During the 1990's, he wrote chess books about
studies, over-the-board endings and strategy.
He regards the moves of a game as the tip of the iceberg. Many tactical
calculations, positional evaluations and considerations lie underneath. Although
chess is a mainly tactical game, it is useful when someone looks into its strategy
seriously every seventy years. After he had demonstrated that computers are able to
calculate the key moves of a chess strategy, he searched for a way to popularise the
general theory, as a labour of love for chess.
When Van Reek had studied Spassky's style thoroughly, he found the games
highly suitable as examples of strategy. Great educational value can be found in the
relatively simple plans, wonderful combinations and stubborn defence. Fifty wins,
draws and losses by Spassky were selected. As a result, the great playing strength
of Tal, Petrosian, Fischer, Karpov and Kasparov could also be demonstrated over a
long period of time. Furthermore, an thorough book about Spassky's games was
lacking. The first meeting was arranged by the diplomacy of Geurt Gijssen. At the
end of 1998 Boris and Jan decided to cooperate.
Previous publications about the selected games were collected, including
analyses by Spassky (kept unchanged for game 3.19). Boris added unpublished
analyses for the games 2.19, 2.24 and 3.11 and new research on a Spassky-Portisch
endgame (of 2.25). Arend Booij did the literature search in the Royal Library of The
Hague. All previous analyses were corrected and rewritten. In the most severe test,
HIARCS 7 got ten minutes per ply on a 500 MHz Pentium Ill (the strength is
comparable to a 2700 rated player who gets three minutes per ply). Tactics were
checked with Fritz 5 and hypermodern ideas were examined with MChessPro 8. The
combined effort of a literature search, calculations by three programs and two
analysts led to a six-brain-system. A human is still able to add new analyses. For
instance, 28. it:lh5! in the Santa Monica gem (game 2. 2) was found by Van Reek.
Earlier analyses by Euwe, Keres, Fischer, Botvinnik, Bondarevsky, Karpov,
Kasparov and Spassky were valuable but needed correction. Most other analyses
were useless. This critical attitude was appreciated by Boris.
Some matters were treated by correspondence. Many analytical corrections
were seriously investigated during a long weekend in Margraten. Boris showed great
tactical wit. Jan taught him computer analysis.
Three different types of analyses have been applied: tactical bursts of critical
positions, long technical calculations in the endgame and strategic descriptions.
Texts and moves were checked by Rogier van Egmond and Jacques
Vermeulen. John Beasley gently improved the English grammar.
A biographic appendix was added to the second edition.
 Struggle 15

2. Struggle

Russian intuition and Dutch science are two sides of one coin

trug g l e is the credo of L asker. Ste i n itz h as the same i ncli nati o n. A n
attack is prepared b y forcing weaknesses and acquiring strengths.
Positional weaknesses are , e. g . weak p awn s , a p assive k n i g h t , bad
bis h op and weake ned ki ng' s side. Positional stre ngths are , e.g .
p assed p aw n s , stro ng pawn centre , p awn maj o rity o n t h e q ueen' s
side, c o n t r o l o v e r op e n f i l e s , ranks and d i ag o n a l s , p a i r of bishop s and a stro ng ki n g .
W h e n e n o u g h advantages are acc u m u lated , the attack is started .
T h e di rection of move ment d u r i n g the attack is s i mp l e: straig htfo rward o r
ro u n d a corner - t h r o u g h the centre or by the flanks . Fam i l iar t e r m s f o r the sp ecific
strategi es are attack i n the centre and attack on the ki ng (di rect attacks ) , flank attack
and e n ci rc l e me n t ( i n d i rect attacks) :
A. Uti l iz ati o n of the central positi o n is the goal of an attack in the centre. T h e
assault is led by p awns. Hosti le forces a r e sp l i t i n two sides b y central
manoeuvri ng. Thereafter each side i s defeated piece meal .
B. C o ntrol of the centre i s us ually the fi rst aim o f an attack on the king. W h e n t h i s
g o a l i s achieved , the orie ntation re mains strai g h t forward , o r bears off towards
the real target : the king.
C. If t h e centre and king are wel l-p rotected, the weakest p oi n t of t h e opp o n e nt
may l i e on a flank, us ually the q ueen' s side. I n this cas e , the attacker has to
c h oose an i n d i rect app roach in stead of a fruitless attack on t h e ki ng. A flank
attack w i l l beg i n.
D. A d o u b l e flank attack or encirclement is a favou rite m i l itary strategy. Famous
examp les are the envelop m e n t of the Romans at C a n nce by H an n i bal's troop s
and the ri ng around Stal i ng rad by Marshal Z h u kov' s R u ssians. A n attack o n
both wi ngs i s comparab le i n chess.

G e n e ral u nd e rstandi ng of strug g l e and all -aro u n d knowledge of positi o n a l

featu res a r e i n s u fficient for a p erf ect app licati o n . lt is i mpossi b l e e v e n for a comp uter
to calc u l ate and eval uate all poss i b i l ities. A p layer needs R ussian i ntuition at the
board and D utch science d u ri ng the analysi s. We cannot j udge the q u ality of thi s
app roach, b ut we have no seri o u s alternative.
16 Grand Strategy

A. Attack in the centre

P ieces i n the m i d d l e of the board can exert a stro ng press u re on t h e

oppone nt. l t i s attractive, t h erefore, to control the central area of s i x t e e n sq uares, a n d
especial l y t h e centre of fo u r sq uares . The aim of an attack i n t h e centre i s to split t h e
host i l e forces i n t w o and defeat the parts piece meal .
An advance of pawns is a m a i n feat u re i n the attack u s u a l l y . We w i l l i l l u m i nate
the central attack by means of t h ree d i fferent pawn centres: the broad, isolated and
van i s hed pawn centre .
E uwe p u b l i s hed some l ittle-known articles about broad pawn centres in t h e
' roaring twenties' of chess. H e disti n g u i s h es three types of broad centre:
I. The invulnerable broad centre. A l l centre pawns are suffi ciently p rotected . Two
paw n s are stan d i n g on the fou rt h rank.
11. The vulnerable broad centre. The diff e rence from type I is an i n adeq u ate
protect i o n of the centre paw n s .
Ill. The closed centre. Both sides h ave two i m m o b i l e co n nected pawns i n t h e
centre . O n e pawn i s pl aced o n the fifth ran k.

A no t h e r i m portant theoretical study is g iven by Euwe on the stati c and

dynamic characte ristics of pawn centres . Now we will treat the static featu res and
g ive an exam p l e. Later the dynamic d i spositions will be described .
A pawn centre has fou r static featu res:
1. A means to control important squares
2. A shelter for the captured area
3. A group of pawns requiring protection
4. An obstacle to the player's own long-range pieces (bishop, rook and queen).

The static p ower of an invulnerable 9 . f2 -f4 .�.f8- e 7

broad centre is demonstrated. 1 0. ttJd4-f3 b 7·b 5
1 1 . e4-e 5 b 5 -b4
2. 1 . Alexander Belyavsky 1 2 . e 5 xf6 b4xc 3
Spas sky 1 3 . Wi d 2xc3 g 7xf6
41" USSR Championship 1 4. f4-f5 ? !
Moscow 1 9 7 3 The modest 1 4 . j_h4 is usual.
14. ...... d6-d5
l. e 2 -e4 c7-c5 1 5 . f5xe6 f7xe6
2. ttJg 1 -f3 ttJb8-c6 1 6 . ttJf3-d4?
3. d 2 -d4 c 5 xd4 A more solid move is 16. �d 2 .
4. ttJf3xd4 ttJg8-f6 1 6. ...... 't:id8-a 5 !
5. ttJb 1 -c 3 d 7-d6 The alternative is the risky win o f a
6 ..�.c 1 -g 5 e 7-e6 piece by 16 . . . ttJb4 ! ? 1 7. wb 1 �c8
7 . 't:fc1-d 2 a7-a6 1 8 . �f3 fxg 5 1 9 . � h 5 t wf8 .
8. 0- 0- 0 il.c8-d7 1 7. �c3xa5 ttJc6xa5
 Struggle
1 8 . �g 5 -h4? !
Better chances a r e provided b y 1 8.
�d 2 lL\c6 1 9 . �e 2 !
Black's exchange o f queens has led
to a great positional advantage in
the endgame .
1 8. ...... e6-e 5 !
A n attack begins with the advance
of a centre pawn. The first key
move shapes the broad centre.
1 9 . tLld4-b3 lLla5xb 3 t
2 0 . a2xb 3 �d 7-e6!
A second key move supports the
centre. Insufficient white s trength
makes the centre invulnerable. A
strategic plan of centre building
has been carried out with two
positional key moves.
The static power of the pawn
structure d 5 - e 5 -f6 can be described
in terms of the four features
mentioned earlier.
17
1 . The broad centre controls the
central squares c4-d4-e4-f4 . These
valuable square s are inaccessible to
White's pieces. An additional
advantage is the potential of these
squares as outposts.
2 . The captured area comprises the
squares d6, e6, d7, e 7 , f7, g7, h7
and squares of the eighth rank.
White can contest control of d6, e 6 ,
d 7 and f7 b y t h e diagonal activity
of a bishop, and d6 and d 7 by the
vertical activity of a rook. The
mobility of Black's pieces is greatly
improved by this feature. The
manoeuvres can take place behind
a pawn shield. The centre operates
as a bridge between the flanks. We
appraise the significance of the
centre as a safe haven.
3. The owner of a centre is obliged
to protect it. Pawn dS has to be
supported in particular. The pawn
needs to be defended. Exchange
and forced advance have to be
avoided. If White would succeed to
advance the c-pawn to the fourth
rank, and force the exchange or
advance of the d-pawn, the features
1 and 2 will vanish. An advance
leads to the pawn structure d4-e 5 -
f6. Black gets less protection, and
the squares dS and fS might be
captured by the opponent.
4 . Pawn centres are often obstacles
to friendly pieces. In this case the
bishop on e6 is barred by pawn d S ,
and the other one is blocked by
pawn f6. The difference between
good and the bad bishops is made
irrelevant by a broad pawn centre,
because bishops of both colours
are blocked by the central pawns.
The static facet of a broad centre
has two bright and two dark sides.
The bright aspects dominate in an
invulnerable centre.
18 Grand Strategy
2 1 . �f l -e 2 0-0
2 2 . ::t h l -f l a6-a5
23 . .te 2 -b 5
The bishop forestalls . . a4 .
2 3 . ...... .!::!. a8-c8
24. �b 5 - d 3 ::t c8-c6
2 5 . �d3 -f5
White blockades a pawn. Kotov
prefers 2 5 . �d2 as preparation of
::t a l . However, a promising answer
is .. e4 and .. d4. Black's position is
easy to handle due to the large
positional advantage.
2 5 . ...... �e6xf5
2 6 . ::t f l xfS ::t f8-c8!
Double occupation of an open file
is even stronger than protection of
the d-pawn.
27 . .!::!. d l -d2
Black has kept the centre intact for
eight moves . This time has been
used to prepare the attack.
2 7. . . . . . . d 5 -d4!
He threatens to go a step further
with .. d 3 .
2 8 . �c l -d l ::t c8-b8
2 9 . g2 -g4 h7-h6
30 . .!::!. d 2 -f2 .!::!. b8-b6
3 1 . � d l -d2
If pawn b2 is protected by 3 1 . �c 1 ,
Black plays 3 1 . . . d3!
3 1 . ...... a 5 -a4 !
3 2 . b 3 xa4 .!::!. b6xb 2
3 3 . � d 2 - d 3 �g8 -g7
3 4 . ::t f5xe 5 !?
Otherwise, White has no chance at
all.
34. . ..... f6xe 5
3 5 . .th4xe 7 .!::!. c6-c 3 t
3 6 . �d3 -e4 d4- d 3 ?
The winning line is 3 6 . . . .!::!. e 3 t 3 7.
� d S d3 3 8 . �e6 dxc 2 , and White
has no perpetual check.
A number of coincidences allow a
marvellous escape.
3 7. �e7-f6 t ?
The first surprise is 3 7. �d6! 'it>g6!
An easy draw is the result of 3 7 . . .
dxc2 3 8 . be S t 'it>g6 3 9 . .\b(c 3 cl Wf
40. bb 2 . The second surprise is
38. ::tf6 t ! ! wxf6 3 9 ..ltxe S t '>t>g S 40.
i.xc 3 ::txc2 4 1 . wxd3 ::txh2 4 2 . a S
w xg4 . This subtle endgame is ju s t
drawn: 4 3 . �c4 hS 4 4 . a6 h 4 4 5 .
�bS ::te2 . The first point of White's
defence is 45 . . . .!::!. a 2 4 6 . .taS. 46.
a7 .!::!.e 8 4 7. �c6 h3. The second
point is 48. il.e S ! Everything will be
exchanged
3 7. . . . . . . wg7-g8
38 . .tf6xe 5 .!::!. b 2 -b4 t
3 9 . we4-d5 .!::!. c 3xc 2
40 . .!::!. f2 -fl d3-d2
4 1 . ::t f l -d l ::t b4xg4
4 2 . a4 -a5 .!::!. g4-a4
4 3 . a 5 -a6! wg8-h 7!
Kotov mentions the blunder 4 3 . . .
::t xa6? 44. �f4 ! .!::!. aa2 4 5 . li.xh6
=.
44. �e 5 -b8 .!::!. a4-a l !
Spas sky chooses an elegant win.
 Struggle 19

4 5 . a6-a7 .!:!.a 1 xd 1
4 6 . a7-a8'i!¥ .!:!.d 1 -e 1
0- 1
The advance of the d-pawn has
become a complete success.

Ideas about the importance of a

strong pawn centre have a history
of two centurie s. The last stage of
the former game reminds of the
triumphal pawn avalanches in the
games by Philidor.

The dynamic featu res of a pawn centre are, accord i ng to Euwe :

1 . A means to weaken host i l e barricades
2. Loopholes for lo ng- range pi eces
3. A means to captu re te rritory.
The fo l lowing game s h ows the dynamic featu res of a v u l nerable broad pawn centre.

2.2. Spassky - Bobby Fischer White was allowed to build a broad

Santa Monica 1 966 centre on the fifth move . The
vulnerability of pawn d4 provides
1 . d2 -d4 Qlg8-f6 compensation for Black.
2. c2 -c4 g 7-g6 1 2 . 't!'r'd 1 -e 1
3. tLJb 1 -c 3 d 7-d 5 Spassky approaches Black' s pawn
4 . c4xd 5 tLJf6xd 5 structure somewhat skeptically
5 . e2 -e4 tLJd5xc 3 since it gives the pawn centre to
6 . b 2 xc 3 �f8-g7 White. He had had a favourable
7 ..H 1 -c4 c 7-c 5 result with 1 2 . f4 . This time he is
8 . Qlg 1 -e 2 tLJb8-c6 sure Fischer has a remedy for this
9 . .1id-e3 0-0 energetic move. So he is forced to
1 0 . 0-0 �d8-c7 begin searching for a new path.
1 1 . .!:!.a 1 -c 1 .!:!.f8-d8 Such is the fruit of fifteen minutes
of contemplation on 1 2 . �e l .
1 2. ...... e 7-e6?!
Of course, the 'win' of a pawn by
1 2 . . . cxd4 1 3 . cxd4 8xd4, is not
pos sible because of 1 4 . 1i.xf7 t . In
the line 1 2 . . . �a5 1 3 . .!:!. d 1 cxd4 1 4 .
cxd4 �xe 1 1 5 . .!:!.fxe 1 , Cluley' s
principle of exchange towards
equality is applied.
1 3 . f2-f4 tt:Jc6-a5
Now 1 3 . . . cxd4 1 4 . cxd4 tt:Jxd4
looks tempting. White will continue
20 Grand Strategy
with 15. .txe6 , offering the
following possibilities:
A) 1 5 . .. tt:Jc6 1 6 . ..td 5 , and White's
chances are preferable;
B) 1 5 . . . � e 7 1 6 . ..txc8 tt:Jxe 2 t 1 7.
�xe 2 .!:!. dxc8 1 8 . .!:!. xc 8 t .!:!. xc8 1 9 .
ii.xa 7 , and the White have an extra
pawn.
14 . ..tc4-d3 f7-f5
Both centre pawns have become
very vulnerable.
1 5 . .!:!. c 1 -d 1 b 7-b6
1 6 . "tl¥ e 1 -f2 c 5 xd4
After the game Fischer stated that
a stronger move would have been
1 6 . .. .tf8 . In that case Spassky
would have played 1 7. g4, leading
to sharp play.
1 7 . ..te3xd4 ..tg 7xd4
18. c 3 xd4 ..tc8-b 7
1 9 . tt:J e 2 -g 3 1!fc 7-f7
20. d4-d 5 !
This enterprising breakthrough in
the centre will confirm White's
advantage. The unstable king' s
position and the s a d placement o f
t h e knight on a 5 are the basic
shortcomings of Black's game.
Dynamic features of the centre are:
1 . The pawn b arricade e6-f5 is
attacked;
2 . Loopholes for ..td3 and .!:!. d 1 are
in the making;
3 . White wants to control the
central territory.
20. . . . . . . f5 xe4
2 1 . d 5 xe6 � f7xe6
2 2 . f4-f5 "t!Ve6-f7
22 . . . gxf5 2 3 . tt:Jxf5 �f6 would be
bad because of 24. �e 3 , and
White's attack is irresistible.
23 . ..td3xe4 .!:!. d8xd 1
2 4 . .!:!. f l xd 1 .!:!. a8-f8 !
Fischer i s defending i n a precise
manner. If 2 4 . . . ..txe4 2 5 . tt:Jxe4
�xf5 ( 2 5 . . . gxf5 26 . .!:!. d 7 ! ) 2 6 .
tt:Jf6 t ! � g 7 2 7. .!:!. d 7 t �xf6 2 8 .
1Wh4 t g 5 2 9 . ..W h 6 t '@g6 3 0 . .!:!.d6 t ,
White wins.
25 . ..te4-b 1 !
White has time to avoid exchanges
beneficial to the defence.
2 5 . ...... � f7-f6
2 6 . �f2 -c2 �g8-h8
If 26 . . . �g7, then 2 7. fxg6 hxg6 28.
tt:Jh5 t will follow.
The creative 26 . . . b5 2 7. fxg6 � b 6 t
2 8 . �h 1 hxg6 2 9 . �xg6 t "+!Yxg6 3 0 .
.bg6 .!:!. f2 fails due to 3 1 . <L\f5 !
Black can avoid the text with 2 6 . . .
.!:!. c8 2 7. "t!Ve2 .!:!. f8 2 8 . gxf6 hxg6 2 9 .
� c 2 � h 7 . I n that case White wins
by 3 0 . tt:Jh5 � g 5 ! ? 2 9 . � c 7 t �h6
3 0 . "t!Vg 7 t ! �xh 5 3 1 . � h 7 t �h6 3 2 .
g4 t �g5 3 3 . h4 t !
2 7. f5xg6 h 7xg6
The crucial position of the attack.
2 8 . "t!Vc2 - d 2 ? !
White avoids 2 8 . "tl¥xg6?? � f 2 t and
mate. The critical line is 28. tt:Jh5!
 Struggle
Passive defence 2 8 . . . 't\Yf7 is beaten
by 29. "ii!V c 3 t �h7 30. �g3 �c8 !
(plans 3 1 . tt:Jf4 �f5 ) 3 1 . n c l !
diagram of analysis
The new threat is 3 2 . n e ? �d7 3 3 .
tt:Jf4 .
A) 3 1 . . ..�td7 3 2 . �d3 n c8 3 3 . nn
Jt.f5 34. \W g 5 n c 5 3 5 . tt:Jg3
B) 3 1 . . . tZJc4 3 2 . �d3 b5 3 3 . n n
�f5 3 4 . i.xf5 gxf5 3 5 . n xf 5 .
The defence is crushed twice.
Black can escape to an inferior
endgame by 28. . . �e4! 29. tt:Jxf6
�xc2 30. nd 7 nxf6 3 1 . �xc 2 . The
white rook and bishop are active.
28. ...... wh8-g 7
2 9 . .!l d l -f l Wr'f6-e 7
3 0 . � d 2 -d4 t n f8-f6
Fischer is defending well. In case of
30 . . . �h7 3 1 . n xf8 'i!fxf8 3 2 . h4 ,
White's threats would continue to
grow.
3 1 . tt:Jg3-e4
This leads into an endgame in
which the bishop is stronger than
the knight.
3 1 . ...... �b 7xe4
3 2 . �b l xe4 'ife 7-c 5
3 3 . Wr'd4xc 5 n f6xf l t ? !
The move 3 3 . . . bxc 5 gives the best
chances for a draw. If White plays
3 4 . n xf6 c;t>xf6 3 5 . h4 , Black can
equalise by means of 3 5 . . . tt:Jc4 3 6 .
c;t>f2 tt:J d 6 3 7. w f 3 tt:J f 5 3 8 . � 5
gxf5 ! 3 9 . g 3 c;t> g 6 , and t h e black
21
king will get to g4 with a draw.
After the game Fischer stated that
he avoided 3 3 . . . bxc 5 in view of 3 4 .
n c l , believing that White's plus
was sufficient to win. However,
Black preserves chances for a draw
with 34 . . . c4 3 5 . n c 3 n e6 3 6 . �f3
�f6 3 7. �f2 g 5 .
3 4 . �g l xf l b6xc 5
In the resulting endgame White has
a pawn maj ority on the king' s side
and the superiority of a bishop
over a knight. Moreover, the white
king has the possibility of moving
to the black king' s side. All this
speaks for the clear positional
superiority of White.
3 5 . h2 -h4 !
This move fixes Black' s pawn on
the same colour as the bishop , and
thus fetters the movement of the
enemy king.
3 5 . ....... tt:Ja5 -c4
36 . ..t<f l -e 2 ? !
N o w Black can exchange h i s weak
pawn. C orrect is 3 6 . �f2 !
36. ...... tt:Jc4-e 5 ? !
Averbakh prefers 3 6 . . . �h6 ! After
3 7. g4 tt:Je5 White cannot protect
the pawn with the king. The line
3 8 . �f3 g 5 ! 39. h5 c4 40. �e3 c 3 is
drawn. Therefore, White has to
allow . . g 5 , followed by exchange .
3 7. �e2-e3 �g7-f6
3 8 . c;t>e3 -f4 tt:Je 5 -f7
22 Grand Strategy

3 9 . w f4-e 3 ? !
3 9 . �d 5 is more persistent, without
fear of 39 . . . g 5 t 40. hxg 5 t l£Jxg 5
4 1 . .tg8 ! , and Black is unable to
prevent a breakthrough of White's
king to the queen's side.

The basic threat posed by White

consists in a king advance to the
pawn at a?, a manoeuvre which
Black cannot prevent.
44. . . . . . . l£Jh6-g8
4 5 . a4 -a5 l£Jg8-h6
39. . . . . . . g6-g 5 ? ! 4 6 . .ta8-e4 g4-g3
Whi te ' s t a s k i s now easier since he 4 7. �c4-b 5 l£Jh6-g8
obtains a passed pawn. Stiffer 4 8 . .te4-b l l£Jg8-h6
resistance is offered by 39 . . . l£Jd6. 49. 'it>b 5 -a6 wd6-c6
A good answer is 40. g4 . 50. �b l -a2
Very strong is GligoriC' s move 3 9 . . . l -0
l£Jh6! We continue with 40. wd3
l£Jf5 4 1 . wc4 we 5 ! 4 2 . .txf5 wxf 5 , Despite the vulnerability of his
and the pawn ending is drawn. broad centre, Spassky was able to
40. h4-h5 l£Jf7-h6?! make good use of the dynamic
It i s too late for 40 . . . l£Jd6 due to feature s. At the supreme moment
the passed h-pawn. The last chance he missed the best line , and some
is 40 . . . �e 5 ! White plays 4 1 . �g6 temporary advantages disappeared
l£Jh6 4 2 . wd3 in order to prevent . . by exchange. The positional plus
c4. Then 4 2 . . . l£Jg4 hinders the became sufficient for a win when
passage of the white king. After 4 3 . Fischer made small errors in the
.te8 �e6 4 4 . .ta4 , Black is in endgame .
zugzwang. See 44 . . . � f6 4 5 . �e4,
44 . . . a6 4 5 . g3, and 44 . . . � e 5 45 .
.td 7 l£Jf6 4 6 . h6. After the text the 2 . 3 . Spassky- Bobby Fischer
knight is chained to the passed Olympiad
pawn. Siegen 1 9 70
4 1 . � e 3 -d 3
White h a s a n easy win after the 1. d2 -d4 l£Jg8-f6
time control. 2. c 2 -c4 g 7-g6
4 1 . ...... �f6-e 5 3. l£Jb l -c 3 d7-d5
4 2 . .te4-a8 � e 5 -d6 4. c4xd 5 l£Jf6xd 5
43. �d 3 -c4 g 5 -g4 5. e 2 -e4 l£Jd5xc3
44. a 2 - a4 6. b 2xc 3 .H8-g7
 Struggle
7 . ..tf l-c4 c 7-c 5
8 . tt:Jg l -e 2 tt:Jb8-c6
9 ..�c l -e 3 0-0
10. 0-0 �d8-c7
l l . :t a l -c l :t f8-d8
The moves are identical to the last
game. Spassky starts to think for
twenty minutes, because he wants
to find an interesting plan.
12. h 2-h3
He sees that 12. h3 and 13. f4 will
hardly refute the strategy of the
opponent. Nevertheless, he makes
the move reluctantly, because he
has no better idea, and the chess
clock keeps on running.
12. . . . . . . b 7-b6
1 3 . f2-f4 e 7-e6
14. � d1-e l tt:Jc6-a5
15. �c4-d3 f7-f5 !
It is crucial to block the pawn
centre and restrict bishop e 3 . Black
has solved the opening problems.
16. g2-g4
The struggle for the initiative has
reached a climax. White has a
bulwark of four pawns. Both centre
pawns are under attack.
1 6. ...... f5xe4
Fischer chooses a simple, clear and
promising path. A very interesting
pawn sacrifice is made by 16. . .
�b 7 . If White accepts with 17. exf5
exf5 18. gxf5 , the dangerous attack
1 8 . . . :t e8 19. �g3 �c6 begins.
23
Therefore, Spas sky had planned
the answer 17. tt:Jg 3 . After the
plausible 1 7 . . . cxd4 18. cxd4 � d 7 ,
the position becomes very tactical.
17. �d 3xe4 �c8-b 7
18. tt:Je2-g3 tt:J a 5 -c4
This part of the game is played
accurately by Fischer, and White
already has to think o f defence .
The best move is 19. �f2, an d the
exchange on b 7 becomes related to
a capture of pawn e6. Black only
has a small plus.
19. �e4xb 7? ! � c 7xb 7
The immediate exchange has saved
a tempo for Black.
20. �e3 -f2 �b 7-c6
21. � e1-e2 c 5 xd4
22. c 3xd4 b6-b 5
Weaklings on d4 and f4 are all that
is left of the great bastion. Spassky
decides to complicate matters and
sacrifice the centre pawn.
2 3 . tt:Jg3-e4 ! ?
After the game Naj dorf commented
that Fischer should not capture the
pawn, but simply play 23 . . . :t f8 .
Spassky has calculated 24 . tt:J c 5
n a e 8 , and Black keeps a positional
advantage. Still, he expects that
Fischer will capture pawn d4,
because the American grandmaster
likes an extra pawn. Actually, White
can spring a surprise in this line
with 2 5 . a4 a6 26. tt:Jxa6! �xa6 2 7 .
24 Grand Strategy
axb 5 'i¥xb 5 2 8 . 'iWxc4 �xc4 2 9 .
n xc4 n xf4 drawn.
2 3 . ...... �g 7xd4 ! ?
Spassky's plan works. Black takes
the pawn immediately.
24. tt:Je4-g 5
The battle becomes complicated.
White's pieces have become active.
Fischer senses no danger and plays
straightforwardly for a win.
24. ...... �d4xf2 t
2 5 . ::t f l xf2 ::t d8-d6?!
A minor inaccuracy. Stronger is 2 5 .
. . nes.
2 6 . ::t c l -e l 'iWc6-b6
2 7. tt:J g 5 -e4 ! ::t d6-d4?
The right move is 27 . . . ::t c6 . Pawn
e6 needs its protection. Fischer is
out of touch with reality and makes
one mistake after another.
2 8 . tt:Je4-f6 t 'it>g8-h8
When Spas sky gets in trouble, he is
able to make problems. Ob stinacy
is a crucial aspect of Spassky' s
play. H i s timing for counteraction
is perfect in chess and tennis.
29. �e2xe 6 !
Spassky h a s h i s finest moment of
intuition.
29. . . . . . . ::t d4-d6
Possibly the American grandmaster
left the rook on the d-file two
moves ago in order to play 29 . . .
nd l , and noticed the answer 3 0 .
� f 7 ! ! at the last moment.
Boris relies on his intuition and
does not calculate deeply. Vasiukov
and Speelman analyse 30 . . . n xe l t
31. wg2 tt:J e 3 t
A) A great trap is 3 2 . w g 3 ? tt:J f l t !
3 3 . 'it>h4 (the trick i s 3 3 . ::t xf l �e 3 t
and 3 4 . . . � e 7 ) 3 3 . . . 't!¥xf2 t 3 4 . w g 5
:t e S t ! 3 5 . fxe 5 � e 3 t 3 6 . w h 4 'i¥h6 t
3 7. tt:Jh5 g 5 mate.
B) White has to play 3 2. 'lt>f3 ! �c6 t
3 3 . wg3 ::t g l t 3 4 . 'it>h4 ::t xg4 t 3 5 .
hxg4 'i!Nh l t 3 6 . wg5 tt:Jxg4 3 7 . wxg4
't!Vg l t 3 8 . wf3 't!Vhi t 3 9 . wg3 nds
with a material plus .
3 0 . 't!¥e6-e4 ! na8-f8 ? !
After 3 0 . . . n ad8 3 1 . g 5 n d2, the
chances are even.
31. g4-g 5 n d6-d2
3 2 . ::t e l -f l 'Wb6-c 7?
Black makes a grave mistake. The
turn in the game seems to confuse
Fischer completely. White threatens
't!¥e 7 . A strong defence is 32 . . . wg7!
33. f5 ! nxf2 3 4 . nxf2 'i¥e3 with a
fierce battle.
3 3 . ::t f2xd2 tt:Jc4xd2
34. 'iW e4-d4 ! n f8-d8?
An exchange of queens by 34. ..
'i!¥b6 3 5 . 'i¥xb6 axb6 is the last
chance. White plays 36. nd l ! ::t d8
3 7. 'it>g2 ::t d4 3 8 . n e l ! and has fine
winning chance s due to the threat
of mate on the seventh rank.
3 5 . tt:J f6-d 5 t l.tt h 8-g8
3 6. n f l -f2 tt:Jd2 -c4
3 7. nf2-e2 n d8-d6
An immediate end follows 37 . . .
'i!¥b6 3 8 . neSt !
3 8 . ne 2 - e 8 t wg8-f7
39. n e8-f8 t !
Black will lose a queen. Further
resistance is pointless. Robert
Fischer stops the clock and shakes
Spassky's hand.
1-0
The knockout was greeted with a
roar of applause.
 Struggle 25

A broad centre is positioned on the 12. �4-g3 l2Jf6-h5

fourth rank, according to Euwe ' s 1 3 . �b 5 -d3 l2J h 5 xg 3
definition. If th e two centre pawns 14 . l2Je2xg3 l2Jg6-e 5
are placed on the fifth rank, we call 1 5 . �d3-e2 �b4xc 3
the pawn structure 'an advanced 1 6 . b 2 xc3 l\Vd8-h4
broad cen tre'. An example follows. 17. f2 -f4 l2J e 5 -g4
18 . ..te2xg4 ..tc8xg4
19.l\Vd1-a4
2 . 4 . Spassky - Vasily Smyslov In the two games against Fischer,
Bucharest 19 5 3 both sides were battling for control
over the centre. A search for the
l. d 2 -d4 l2Jg8-f6 right move by accurate analysis is
2. c2 -c4 e 7-e6 necessary during a confrontation.
3. l2Jb1-c 3 �f8-b4 This time the contacts between the
4. �c1-g 5 h7-h6 lines are loose. Then good move s
5. �g 5 -h4 c 7-c 5 are good enough. Random move s
6. d4-d5 d 7-d6 are not. A move has to support the
7. e 2 -e 3 e6xd 5 player's own aim or frustrate the
8. c4xd 5 l2Jb8-d7 opponent's goal. Long analysis will
9. �f l -b 5 make a scientific impression, but
reasoning is needed.
An equivalent alternative is 19.
l\Vb 3 in this case. The selected
move threatens 20. f5 and 21. lH4 .
19. . . . . . . �g4-c8 !?
Good choices are the solid 19. . .
l\V e 7 and aggressive 19 . . . lHe 8 .
Black selects a radical solution for
the threat to his bishop.
20. e 3 -e4

Spassky' s choice of the Leningrad

Variation avoids quiet lines of the
Nimzo-Indian. His strategy is an
advance in the centre.
10. . . . . . . 0-0
Black can become active on the
queen's side by 9 . . . nc3 t 10. bxc3
a6 11. nd 7 t nd7, but he has
another plan.
10. l2Jg1-e2 l2Jd7-e 5
11. 0-0 l2Je 5 -g6 White has a pawn maj ority in the
Black ignore s an advance on the centre. His bishop pawns act as
queen's side by 11. .. a6 1 2 . �d3 helpers.
b 5 . He takes the initiative on the 20. . . . . . . l\Vh4-g4
king' s side. 21. l\Va4-c2 h6-h5
26 Grand Strategy
2 2 . l:!. f l-f2 b7-b 5
A strategy o f encirclement begins.
2 3 . e4-e 5
The advanced broad centre is
established. This does not lead
automatically to an advantage. A
further advance is inopportune at
the moment.
2 3 . ...... h 5 -h4
2 4 . tl:Jg 3 - f l
White wants to keep his centre
intact. The inappropriate 2 4 . tl:Je4
dxe 5 2 5 . fxe 5 l:!. e8 2 6 . tl:Jxc 5 l:!. xe 5
changes the proud duo into a loner.
24. . . . . . . Jt.c8-f5
2 5 . '@'c 2 - d 2 d6xe 5 ?
Smyslov has the nickname 'hand' .
When h e reaches ou t , a g o o d move
is made intuitively. However, this
time he burns his fingers.
Part of a strategy of encirclement is
to confine the tip of the centre. The
exchange creates a hole. Black had
a pleasant choice between 2 5 . . .
l:!. ad 8 , 2 5 . . . c4 , 2 5 . . . �g6 and 2 5 . . .
2.d 7. Hereafter, he will have no
moor good moves .
2 6 . f4xe 5 �f5 -g6
27. l:!. a l-e l h4-h3
28. d 5 -d6 Jt.g6-e4
29. tl:Jfl-e3 � g4-e6?!
Keres sugge sts 29 . . . � g 5 3 0 . tl:Jd 5
'1Wxd 2 31. l:!. xd 2 .txg2 . We continue
with 3 2 . tl:J c 7 l:!. ad8 3 3 . l:!. b l, and
White has a favourable ending.
30. 1:!. f2 -f4 ! �e4xg 2
3 1 . tl:Je3 -f5
Ample space behind the pawn
screen is available as a safe haven
for the manoeuvring of pieces to
the central area. The immediate
threat is 3 2 . tl:Je 7 t .
3 1 . ...... 1:!. f8-e8?!
After the advance of the d-pawn,
Black had to move his queen to a
defensive position. Will he be able
to defend the centre and king's
side? The best effort is 3 1 . .. l:!. ae8!?
Now the f-pawn remains protected
by a rook. Black hopes for 3 2 . tl:Je 7 t
l:!. xe 7 . 3 2 . l:!. e 3 ! g 6 3 3 . �f2 ! �d S
34. ft'h4 !
A. 34 . . . l:!. xe 5 3 5 . tl:Jh6 t wg7 3 6 .
'i!Yf6 t wxh6 3 7. l:!. xe 5 � d1 t 3 8 . wf2
�n t 3 9 . wg3 � d 3 t 40. wh4 wh7
41. .:tg4 wg8 4 2 . .:th5
B. 3 4 . . . "tlfd l t 3 5 . l:!. e l '1Wd2 3 5 .
tl:Je 7 t l:!. xe 7 3 6 . dxe 7 l:!. e8 3 7. l:!.xf7!
The king's side attack is decisive in
both line s.
3 2 . l:!. e 1 -e 3 l:!. a8-d8
After 32 . . . g6 3 3 . tl:Jh6 t , the f-pawn
has insufficient protection.
3 3 . tl:Jf5xg 7 ! l:!. d8xd6
The alternative 3 3 . . . wxg 7 3 4 .
l:!. g 3 t wf8 3 5 . .:txf7t leads to mate.
34. tl:Jg 7xe6
1 -0
A beautiful finale is 3 5 . . . l:!. xd 2 3 5 .
l:!. g3 t wh7 3 6 . .:th4 mate.
 Struggle 27

So far the broad centre has been playing 12. �e4 J:!. xf4 13 . tt:ld3 !
the winner in the example s . This bf2t 14 . J:!. xf2 J:!. xf2 1 5 . ii..x h 7 t .
shows Spas sky as a noble fighter in 12. tt:le 5 xc6 �d 7xc6
the middle game . Usually a broad 1 3 . '1W d1-e2 '1Wd8-e 7
centre is difficult to maintain. If Speelman's move 13 . . . tt:le4 is more
the opponent succeeds in breaking aggressive.
up the centre by an exchange or a 14. J:!. a1-e1 J:!. a8-e8
forced advance, drastic weakening Quiet play has resulted in equality.
is likely. 1 5 . �f4-g3 a 7-a6
The vulnerability of a broad centre 16. a2-a3 '1We 7-f7
is shown in the next game. 17. b2-b4 �c 5 -d4
18. �g3 - e 5
The battle for the centre continues.
2. 5. Spassky- Tigran Petrosian 18. . . . . . �d4xe 5
1 gth game World Championship 19. '1W e2xe 5 tt:lf6-d7
Moscow 1966 2 0 . 'iW e 5 -g3 e6-e 5 !
Black has achieved a slight
l. e2-e4 e 7-e6 advantage, because he might stage
2. d2-d4 d7-d5 a king's side attack.
3. tt:lb 1-c3 tt:lg8-f6 2 1 . f2-f3 '1Wf7-f4 ? !
4 . e4-e 5 tt:lf6-d7 A useful move in t h e safe haven is
5 . tt:lg1-f3 c 7- c 5 21. . . J:!. e6 .
6 . d4xc 5 tt:lb8-c6 2 2 . '1Wg3xf4 J:!. f8xf4
7.�c1-f4 .itf8xc 5
8 . �f l -d 3 f7-f6
9 . e 5 xf6 tt:ld 7xf6
10. 0-0 0-0

The broad pawn centre is 'hanging ' :

Black' s central pawns do not
au tomatically mean an advantage.
11. tt:lf3 -e 5
White puts a blockader on e 5 . Black
will eventually be able to remove
the blockaders by exchange.
11 . . . . . . . �c8-d 7 !
Ljuboj oviC refuted 11. . . tt:le4? by
no bishop pawns a r e available as
helpers. After the exchange of
queens, Black can no longer
prepare a king 's side attack. His
worry is the maintenance of the
centre . White cannot do very much
either. So a phase of manoeuvring
starts, in which White tries to lure a
centre pawn forward.
2 3 . J:!. f l -f2 g 7-g6
24. J:!. f2 -d2 tt:ld7-b6
28
2 5 . n d2 - e 2 cub6-d7
Black proceeds pas sively. A more
active choice is 2 5 . . . cuc4 2 6 . a4 b 5 .
2 6 . cu c 3 - d1 b 7-b 5
2 7. c 2 - c 3 .l:lf4-f7?!
Unfavourable aspects of this move
are its pas sivity and the positioning
of the rook on the diagonal a2-g8.
The immediate 27 . . . �g7 is better.
Spassky refuses a draw, because
his position has become good, and
he is trailing a point in the match.
28. �d3 - c 2 ..t>g8-g7
2 9 . �c 2 -b 3 h7-h5
Square g4 is first made inaccessible
to the knight.
30. cud1-e3 cud 7-b6
31. cu e 3 - c 2 cub6-d7?!
A more useful moves is 31 . . . ..t>f6 :
t h e rooks a n d king protect e 5 ,
knight and bishop secure d 5 , and
the knight controls c4 and a4 .
3 2 . n e 2 - e 3 ! h 5 -h4
3 3 . h2-h3 .l:lf7-f6
3 4 . cuc2-d4! Ac6-b 7
3 5 . a 3 -a4 .l:le8-d8
36. cud4-e2 b 5 xa4
If Black plays 36 . . . g5 or 36 . . . 'it>h6,
the b-pawn is exchanged and b 5
becomes a weakness.
3 7. �b 3 xa4 cud 7-b6
3 8 . �a4-b 3
The advice of the Japanese warlord
"Immovable Mountain" for defence
was "Don't move " . After his death,
Grand Strategy
a son ignored his advice, moved his
cavalry into the open, and was
slaughtered by musketeers.
38. . . . . . . e 5 -e4?
"The mountain move s ! " Instead,
Black should maintain his broad
centre with 38 . . . .l:lf5 ! and 3 9 . g4
hxg 3 e.p. 40. cuxg 3 n f7 ! 41. n xe 5
cuc4! 4 2 . �c4 dxc4 4 3 . cue4 �e4
44. n 5xe4 n xf3 4 5 . n xc4 .l:lg3 t 46.
Kf2 .l:lxh3 leads to a minor plus.
39. cue2 -d4 ..t>g7-h6
40 . .l:le 1 -d 1
White threatens 41. fxe4 dxe4 4 2 .
cuf5 t .
40. ...... n d8-c8?!
Petrosian makes a doubtful move
in a bad position. Later he suggests
40 . . . 'it>h7. An alternative is 4 0 . . .
.!:Id?. Then White can increase the
pres sure with 41. .l:la1 and 4 2 . na 5 .
41. f3xe4
The aim of the sealed move is to
prevent an exchange on f3 .
41. . . . . . . d 5 xe4
The broad centre has been reduced
to a weakling.
Spas sky makes his first move after
the adj ournment.
4 2 . cud4-e6?
White seems to take advantage
from the absent black rook on the
d-file. The aim is to cause chaos
among the enemy pieces by playing
4 3 . cue S . Even so, a wiser plan is to
 Struggle 29

play the manoeuvre l:!. a l ! , l:!. a 5 and 4 5 . .�::t d l -a l wh6-g 5

.!::t e 5 initially, and continue with 46 . .!::t a l -a S !
tt:lb 3 and tt:lc 5 . Bondarevsky refutes 4 6 . tt:lxa6 by
42. ...... tt:lb6-c4? 4 6 . . . �a6 47 . .!::tx a6 .!::t d 7 !
The assembled grandmasters in the 46. . . . . . . wg5 -f4
press room inve stigate 42 . .. a S ! 4 7 . wg l -f2
A) A point of t h e pawn sacrifice i s
4 3 . bxa 5 tt:lc4 44. �c4 l:!.xc4 4 5 .
tt:ld4 .!::t a 4 ! Black can defend himself
easily.
B) 4 3 . tt:lc 5 .ta8 44. tt:lxe4 2.xe4 45 .
.!::tx e4 .!::t x c 3 ! (not 4 5 . . . axb4?) 4 5 .
.!::tx h4 t wg7. Again the loss of a
pawn poses no problem.
C ) 43 . .!::td 6! The press continues
with .. tt:lc4 and White wins. Later
the forced line 43. .. a4! 44. �a2
tt:lc4 45. �xc4 .!::txc4 46. tt:ld8! .!::txd6
4 7. tt:lf?t >t>hS 48. tt:lxd6 is found.
White threatens 4 8 . tt:le6 mate.
47. . . . . . . �b 7-d5
4 8 . tt:lc 5 -b 3 ! wf4-e 5 t
An ineffective move i s 4 8 . . . �b 7 ,
due t o 4 9 . tt:l d 4 a n d 5 0 . tt:l e 2 mate.
49. wf2 -e2 .!::t c 4-c6
50. tt:lb 3 -d2
N o w t h e threats ar e 51. c4 an d 51 .
.!::tx e4 t .
50. ...... w e 5 -e6
51. tt:ld2xe4
The centre is conquered after a
diagram o f analysis long siege.
51. . . . . . . �d 5 -c4 t
The conclusion of the analysis is 5 2 . we2-d2 .�::t f 7-d 7 t
'better for White ' . We continue with 5 3 . wd2-c2
48 . .. .!::tc 7 49. tt:lxb7 .!::tx b7 50. .!::tx e4. The rest is simple .
An escape brings 50 . .. .!::tc 7! 5 1 . c4 5 3 . ...... we6-f7
a3 52 . cS a2 53 . .!::te l .!::tb 7 54. .!::ta l 54. n a 5 - e 5 wf7 -g7
.!::txb4 55. .!::tx a2 .!::tc 4. The rook 5 5 . tt:le4-d2 �c4-b 5
arrives behind the passed pawn in 5 6 . tt:ld2 -f3 .tb 5 -a4 t
time . 5 7. w c 2 -b 2 .�::t d 7-d l
4 3 . �b 3 xc4 .!::t c 8xc4 5 8 . .!::t e 5 -e4 .!::t d l -f l
44. tt:le6-c 5 5 9 . .!::t e 3 - e l .!::t f l xe l
Strong pressure is exerted by the 6 0 . .!::t e 4xe l .!::t c 6-f6
knight. 61. .!::t e l -e4 g6-g5
44. . . . . . . .!::t f6-f7 62. tt:lf3xg 5 .!::t f 6-f2 t
The alternative 44 . . . �c6 45 . .!::t a l 6 3 . wb 2-a3 �a4-c6
�b 5 i s met b y 4 6 . .!::t a e l ! 64 . .!::t e 4xh4 �c6xg2
30 Grand Strategy

65. Ci:lg 5 -e4 n f2-e2 Spassky achieved a great victory by

66. Ci:Je4-c 5 .tg 2 - f l beating Petrosian in the endgame.
6 7. .ll h4 -f4 J:: e 2 -el It started with pinpoint attacks on
68. h 3 -h4 a broad centre and was decided by
1 -0 a siege of an isolated centre pawn.

In a closed pawn centre both sides have two i m m o b i l e co n nected pawns i n the
centre . One pawn i s placed o n the fifth ran k .
E u w e descri bes the fo u r static fu nctions of the closed centre. H e uses the
pawn structu re d4 -e5 vers u s d5 -e6 as example.
1. A means to control important squares. The disadvantage of a closed centre for
W h ite i s the lack of control of an i m po rtant sq uare o n the fifth ran k ( B l ack
holds sq uare f5).
2. A shelter for the captured area. Safe havens fu nction exce l l ently i n closed
posit i o n s, because tempi are of no g reat i m po rtance. S u fficient space is
essential fo r manoeuvri ng the pi eces to the most desirable sq uare s . The
avai lab i l ity of the t h i rd rank in the next exam ple is most usefu l. lt can be used
for ai m i ng pi eces at the hosti le k i n g ' s or q u een's side.
3. A group of pawns requiring protection. The pote ntial attack on t h e weakness
d4 is l i m ited by the closed centre .
4. An obstacle to the player's the own pieces (especially the bishop}. The
obstructive effect o n b i s hops is man ifest i n closed pawn centres . I f a bishop
had re mained on c8, it would not have been able to partici pate i n the game.

W h e n we study the dynamic fu nction of the closed centre, we have to bear i n

m i nd its i m mo b i l ity. From t h i s point o f view, o n e tends t o draw t h e faulty concl u s i o n ,
t h at a closed centre is u ndynam ic. This ig nores the fact that the i m movable centre
pawns are u s u a l l y flan ked by m o b i l e bishop pawns.
The d y n a m i c f u ncti o n of the closed centre is restricted to an advance of the
b i s h o p pawns. The aim of t h i s acti o n is twofo ld :
1. To weaken the hosti le centre by exchange.
2. To open a fi l e .

2 . 6. Spassky - Yasser Seirawan

London 1 98 2

1 . e 2 -e4 c 7-c6
2. d 2 -d4 d7-d5
3. e4-e 5 .tc8-f5
4. h 2 -h4 h7-h5
5. c 2 -c4 .tf5xb 1
6 . .ll a 1 xb l e 7-e6
Black loses the queen by 6 . . . �a S t
7 . lii. d2 \Wxa 2 8 . .ll h 3 ! \Wa6 (8 . e6 9 .
. . .

c5) 9 . .ll a 3 \Wb6 1 0 . �a s .

 Struggle
White has a slight advantage due to
the closed centre.
7. a2-a3 ll:lb8-d7
8 . ll:lg 1 -f3 g 7-g6?
Black should break up the centre
by 8 . . . dxc4 9. bc4 ll:lb6 and move
a blockader to d 5 .
9 . �c 1 -g 5 �f8-e7
l O. c4xd 5 ! c6xd 5
The alternative 1 0 . . . exd 5 ? allows a
strong attack 1 1 . e 6 ! fxe6 1 2 . �d 3
ll:lf8 1 3 . 'f!Vc2 .
1 1 . �f l -d 3 .!: a8-c8
1 2 . 0-0
White controls more space in the
centre and on the king's side. Black
holds the c-file. In order to respond
in the centre, he should play . . f6.
This move is only possible after
long preparation, due to the
weakne ss of pawn g6 and the
potential strength of square e 5 .
1 2. ...... �e8-f8 ? !
Bla ck ca n develop h i s forces faster
by 1 2 . . . bg 5 1 3 . ll:lxg 5 ll:le7.
1 3 . .!:tb 1 -c 1
Taking the initiative at both wings
by 1 3 . '1Wa4 a6 14 . .!:tfc 1 is even
stronger.
1 3 . ...... .!:tc8xc 1
1 4 . � d 1 xc 1 >t>f8-g7
1 5 . � c 1 -f4 .te 7xg 5
1 6. ll:lf3xg 5 ll:lg8- h6
1 7. n f l -c 1
White takes control o f the c-file.
31
1 7. ...... '1Wd8-b6
1 8 . b 2 -b4 .!:th8-e8
1 9 . .!:tc 1 -c 3
Static functions of the closed pawn
centre are useful to both sides:
l. Black controls f 5 .
2 . A white rook a n d bishop make
good use of the shelter on the third
rank.
3. Black can attack the weakness of
pawn d4.
1 9. ...... .!:te8-e 7?
Control over the eighth rank is
needlessly given up. The correct
continuation of the strategy is 1 9 . . .
ll:lf5! The central pawn d4 is
threatened. After 20. ll:lf3 a6, White
cannot make progress on the king' s
side and has to shift his attack t o
the c-file.
20 . .!:tc3 -c8 ll:lh6-g8??
The defence collapses completely.
After 2 0 . . . ll:lf5 , Black has some
pretence at a fortress.
2 1 . g 2 -g4
Kholmov mentions the spectacular
piece sacrifices 2 1 . bg6! fxg6 2 2 .
.!:te8! Spassky offers pawns instead.
2 1 . ...... h 5 xg4
2 2 . h4-h 5 ! f7-f5
Tactical points are the simple 22 . . .
gxh 5 2 3 . ll:lxf7 and more intricate
22 . . . ll:lh6 2 3 . ll:lxf7! ll:lxf7 24. h6 t
ll:lxh6 2 5 . � g 5 .
2 3 . e 5 xf6 t ll:ld 7xf6
32 Grand Strategy

24 . Wff4-e 5 g4-g3 2 9 . �g6-f6 t

2 5. It c8xg 8 t c,t;>g 7xg8 1 -0
26. � e 5 xf6 g3xf2 t White was allowed to demonstrate
2 7. wg 1 -g2 'ilfb6-c7 the great strength of a closed pawn
28. � f6xg6 t wg8-f8 centre by the lack of resistance.

E uwe's theory abo ut t h e broad pawn centre is very usefu l for o u r perception of
an attack i n t h e centre . We broaden the app roach by exam i n i ng pawn structu res wit h
o n e o r n o n e centre pawns:
I. The invulnerable centre pawn
11. The vulnerable centre pawn
Ill. The vanished pawn centre.

I. O n e p l ayer h as a centre pawn and the opponent h as n o n e . A bishop's pawn i s

avai lable as s u pport t o the i nv u l nerable centre paw n . The static advantag es of pawn
e4 in the second d i ag ram of game 2.7 are : pawn f2 i s avai lable for its defe nce, and
the e-pawn contro l s sq uare d5 . This seco nd feat u re keeps the weak pawn d6 in its
p l ace . A static d i sadvantage i s B lack's control over e5 . When the f-pawn advances,
B l ack's pos ition weake n s , and territory is captu red .
11. The v u l n e rable centre pawn is isolated or not s u ppo rted by t h e n ei g h b o u r i n g
b i s h o p ' s paw n . A n isolated centre pawn is often weak, because it c a n eas i l y b e
b l ockaded o r attacked . E v e n then, the pawn is usefu l , because it contro l s i m p o rtant
sq u ares and can be used as a she lter for pieces. In game 2 .8 the iso lated d- pawn i s
a w i n n er, because it advances u nstoppable towards victory.
Ill. An i nterest i n g aspect of the van i s h ed centre i s its pre l u d e of d isappeari ng
paw n s . Byrne panics i n game 2 . 9 , when a nu mber of centre pawns are exchanged
and t h e centre opens comp letely.

2 . 7. Spas sky Yuri Averbakh

-

Semi Final USSR Championship

Kharkov 1 96 3

l . e 2 -e4 e 7-e 5
2. lLlg 1 -f3 cob 8-c6
3. �f l -b 5 a7-a6
4 . �b 5 -a4 cog8-f6
5 . 0-0 .tf8-e7
6 . It f l -e 1 b7-b 5
7 . �a4-b3 0-0
8. c2-c3 d7-d6
9. h 2 -h3 coc6-a5 The usual move in this variation of
1 0. �b 3 - c 2 c7-c5 the Closed Ruy Lopez is 1 3 . . . Wfc7.
1 1 . d 2 -d4 lLlf6-d7 1 3 . ...... e 5 xd4? !
1 2 . cob 1 -d 2 c 5xd4 Black opens u p the centre, and
1 3 . c 3 xd4 thus weakens his d-pawn.
 Struggle 33

1 4 . ttJ d 2 -b 3 ! 2 6 . J:td 1 -c 1 n f8-d8

The simple 1 4 . ttJxd4 i s fine too. 2 7. ltJe 2 -c 3 �a4-c6
14. . . . . . . ll.e 7-f6 28. J:tc 1 -d 1 h7-h6
1 5 . ttJb 3xa5 't\fd8xa 5 29. 'i!Vd 2 -e 3 n c8-b8
1 6.Jl.c 1 -g 5 't\fa 5 -d8 30. J:te 1 -e2 J:tb8-c8
Black accepts a passive game. After 3 1 . J:td 1 -d4 ! .tc6-b 7
the try 1 6 . . . d 3 ? ! 1 7. 'i!Vxd3 nb 2 If Black plays more actively 3 1 . . .
1 8 . e 5 ! g6 1 9 . exd6 na 1 2 0 . J:txa 1 , ff e 6 3 2 . n ed2 f5 3 3 . e 5 d 5 3 4 . 'Wf3 ,
White has ample compensation for White keeps a great advantage in
the exchange. The continuation 1 6. the centre .
. . �e 5 1 7. ttJxd4 �b4 1 8 . ltJc6 'i!Vxb 2 3 2 . J:te2-d2 �f6-e7
1 9 . ltJxe 5 �xe 5 2 0 . � d 2 leads to a 3 3 . 'i!Ve 3 -g 3 ! ..t>g8-f8
White attack in the centre. 3 4 . f4-f5 J:td8-e8
1 7. �g 5 xf6 'iW d8xf6 3 5 . J:td4xd6
1 8 . ttJf3xd4
An invulnerable centre pawn and a
weak d-pawn are the results of the
exchanges.
1 8. ...... ttJd7-e 5
1 9 . �c 2 -b 3 �c8-d7
20. J:ta 1 -c 1 J:ta8-c8
2 1 . � d 1 -d2 ttJ e 5 -g 6 ! ?
Th e immediate 2 1 . . . ltJ c 4 2 2 . nc4
bxc4 2 3 . f3 leaves the centre pawn
invulnerable.
2 2 . J:tc 1 -d 1 ltJg6-e 5
C lever manoeuvres have led to a
successful siege of pawn d6. Black
has aimed his troops at the
vulnerable centre pawn.
3 5 . ...... 'illf e 7-e 5 ? !
The only practical chance gives 3 5 .
. . ne4 3 6 . f6 ! \\Ya 7 t 3 7. J:t 2d4 .tg6 .
3 6 . 'i!fg3xe 5 J:te8xe 5
Now White has a positional and a
material advantage.
3 7. J:td2-d4 a6-a5
38. J:td6-b6 .tb 7-a8
White ' s pieces are ideally placed 39. J:tb6-a6 ..t>f8-e8
for the next advance. 40. 'lt>g 1 -f2 ..t>e8-f8
2 3 . f2 -f4 ! ltJe 5 -c4 ! 4 1 . wf2 - e 3 J:te 5 - c 5
2 4 . �b 3 xc4 b 5 xc4 4 2 . J:td4-d7 .ta8-c6
2 5 . ttJd4-e2 4 3 . J:td7-a7 a 5 -a4
The siege of pawn d6 begins. Pawn 44. w e 3 -d4 .tc6-e8
e4 has become a target for counter­ 4 5 . J:ta6-b6
action. A capture on a4 would give Black
2 5 . ...... .td7-a4 some activity. White continues to
34 Grand Strategy

improve the position of his pieces, 7. b2xc3 c 5xd4

before the action starts. 8. c3 xd4 �f8-b4 t
45. ...... h6-h5 9. �c 1 -d2 Ab4xd 2 t
46. g 2 -g4 h 5 -h4 The exchanges 9 . . . '&a S 1 0. Ilbl
4 7 . J::!.b 6-b 7 J::!. c 5 -c6 .b:d 2 t 1 1 . �xd2 '&xd2 t 1 2 . �xd 2
48 . lLlc 3 - d 5 J::!. c 8-d8 lead to near equality.
49. g4- g 5 l::!. c 6-d6 1 0. 'i!!V d 1 xd2 0-0
50. �d4xc4 J::!. d 6-c6 t 1 1 . �fl -c4 lLlb 8-c6
5 1 . �c4-d4 J::!. c 6-c2 1 2 . 0-0 b 7-b6
52. <;t>d4-e 5 J::!. c 2 -c4

In February 1 96 9 , Spassky was

All preparations for the final attack preparing for his Petrosian match,
are made: White has placed two and Polugaevsky was getting ready
rooks on the seventh rank and for his Zaitsev match. They decided
three chessmen in the centre. The to "j oin forces". The diagrammed
centre pawn shelters the king. position occurred in Zaitsev's
5 3 . g 5 -g 6 ! f7-f6 t game s in which he played White.
5 4 . lLl d 5 xf6 g 7xf6 t However, theory evaluates this
5 5 . � e 5 xf6 l::!. c 4-c6 t po sition as not dangerous for
5 6 . �f6-g5 Black, but it appeared difficult to
White' s threat of 5 7. J::!. h 7 �g8 5 8 . find a suitable solution. Spassky
rtag 7 t wf8 5 9 . wh6 and 6 0 . J::!. h 8 suggested playing this variation
mate is fatal. from the White side.
1 -0 1 3 . l::!. a 1 -d 1 ! �c8-b 7
1 4 . J::!. f l -e 1 J::!. a 8-c8
White is happy with his broad
2 . 8 . Spassky - Tigran Petrosian centre. Black has a queen's side
S'h game World Championship maj ority and pressure on the
Moscow 1 96 9 centre.
1 5 . d4-d 5 ! e6xd 5 ? !
1. c 2 -c4 lLlg8-f6 Bondarevsky analyses 1 5 . . . lLla S !
2. lLlb 1 -c 3 e 7-e6 After 1 6 . dxe6 '&xd 2 ! 1 7. exf7 t
3. lLlg 1 -f3 d7-d5 �h8 1 8 . lLlxd2 lLlxc4 1 9 . lLlxc4 J::!. x c4
4. d 2 -d4 c 7- c 5 2 0 . eS �c8 2 1 . e6 �e6 2 2 . J::!. x e6
S. c4xd 5 lLlf6xd5 g6! 2 3 . J::!. e 7 l::!. a 4 24. J::!. d d7 a6 Black
6. e 2 -e4! lLld5xc 3 escapes. If White wants to play for
 Struggle 35

a win, he has to choose the risky found. White can play 2 3 . t2Jd4 t2Jb 7
line 1 6. �d 3 exd 5 1 7. e 5 ! ? 2 4 . � e 5 t2Jc 5 2 5 . h3 and the attack
1 6 . �c4xd 5 ! goes on.
White has an invulnerable centre 2 1 . d 5 -d6!
pawn. The home analysis is left, The centre pawn is unstoppable.
and the struggle begins in earnest. 2 1 . ...... � c8-d8
1 6. ...... t2Jc6-a 5 ? 2 2 . d6-d7 'i!fa2 -c4
Euwe played i n a similar position 2 3 . 'tlrf4-f5 h 7-h6
against Alekhine [The Hague 1 9 3 7 An assault on h7 is prevented.
( 1 8)]: 1 6 . . . � e 7 1 7. 'i!ff4 � fe 8 . Black 2 4 . � d 1 -c 1 �c4-a6
survived a difficult defence. 2 5 . � c 1 -c 7 b 6-b 5
1 7. � d 2 - f4 'i!Vd8-c 7 2 6 . t2Jf3 -d4 �a6-b6
1 8 . � f4-f5 ! 2 7. � c 7-c8 !
Petrosian smells a rat and starts to
think.
1 8. ...... ..tb 7xd 5
1 9 . e4xd 5

As a last resort, the eighth rank is

heavily defended. It is conquered
by forcing play.
2 7. . . . . . . t2J a 5 - b 7
The pawn centre has changed Other losing variations are:
again. This time White has a strong A. The instant loss by 27 . . . �xd4
isolated pawn. 2 8 . :txd8 � xd8 2 9 . neS t and mate
1 9. ...... � c 7-c2 B. A brilliant spectacle is given by
Tigran tries to escape by making 27 . . . b4 2 8 . � e8 ! �xd4 29. nxf8 t
exchanges. More suitable seems to nxf8 3 0 . � xf8 t wxf8 3 1 . � e S t !
be 1 9 . . . t2Jc4 2 0 . t2Jg 5 g6 2 1 . �h3 C . Longer resistance i s allowed by
h 5 2 2 . t2Je4 t2Jd6, and the passed 2 7 . . . g6 2 8 . � xd8 �xd8 2 9 . �xb 5 .
pawn is blockaded. Bondarevsky 2 8 . t2Jd4-c6 ttJb 7 -d6
continues, however, with 2 3 . t2Jf6 t 29. t2Jc6xd8!
'it>g 7 2 4 . �g3 ! and White has a A temporary queen sacrifice ends
strong attack. the game .
2 0 . � f 5 -f4 ! ? 29. ...... t2Jd6xf5
The simple 2 0 . �xc2 � xc2 2 1 . �e7! 30. t2Jd8-c6
leads to a won ending. After 30 . . . t2Jd6 3 1 . l:t xf8 t wxf8 3 2 .
20. . . . . . . � c 2 xa2 ? dB� t , the centre pawn has gained
Later t h e l a s t chance 2 0 . . . �ce8! a complete victory.
2 1 . �d6 � xe 1 t 22 . .l:!.xe 1 � d 3 ! was l -0
36 Grand Strategy

2 . 9 . Robert Byrne- Spassky White can further increase the

3'd game Quarter Final Candida tes tension in the centre by 1 7. �g 5 ! ?
San juan 1 9 74 Black responds with 1 7 . . . bxa4 1 8 .
.!l xa4 c 5 , or 1 7 . . . h6 1 8 . .1l.x.f6 fNxf6
1 . e 2 -e4 e 7-e 5 and the consequences are unclear.
2 . ttJg 1 -f3 tL:lb8-c6 1 7. . . . . . . tL:lf6xe4
3. �f l -b 5 a7-a6 1 8 . �c2xe4 ? !
4 . �b 5 -a4 tL:lg8-f6 A prominent defender disappears
5 . 0-0 .tf8 - e 7 by exchange. The solid line is 1 8 .
6 . .!l f l -e 1 b 7-b 5 tL:lxe4 dxe4 1 9 . it.g 5 ! Now 1 9 . . . exf3
7 . .ta4-b 3 d7-d6 fails. Black has a choice between
8. c2-c3 0-0 two approaches:
9. h2 -h3 ttJc6-b8 A. 1 9 . .. 'i!Vc8 2 0 . .txe4 tL:lxe 5 2 1 .
1 0. d 2 -d4 tL:lb8-d7 .txb 7 Wfxb 7 starts a large number
1 1 . tUb 1 -d2 .tc8 -b 7 of exchanges leading to an equal
1 2 . .tb 3-c2 .!l f8-e8 position.
1 3 . ttJd2-fl .te 7-f8 B . The game will remain lively after
1 4 . tL:lfl -g3 g7-g6 1 9 . . . f6 20. exf6 .txf6 2 1 . .txf6
1 5 . b 2 -b 3 .tf8-g7 tL:lxf6 2 2 . tL:lh2 .
1 6 . a2 -a4 1 8. ...... d 5 xe4
1 9 . �c 1 -g 5
White expects 1 9. . . f6 2 0 . exf6
�f6 2 1 . .txf6 tL:lxf6 2 2 . tL:ld2 with a
struggle in an open position, but
Boris has invented of incredible
move.
1 9. ...... e4xf3 ! !

Both sides have manoeuvred their

pieces to good posts in the rear.
White has a slight advantage in
space. The expected quiet line goes
1 6 . . . exd4 1 7. cxd4 c5 1 8 . JJ4 .
1 6. ...... d6-d 5 !
Fianchetto bishops support the
pawn advance in the centre. This The positional compensation for
provocation is Spassky's pet move the queen sacrifice seems vague.
in the Breyer. 2 0 . �g 5xd8 .!la8xd8
1 7. d4xe 5 2 1 . a4xb 5 ?
The attempt to simplify by 1 7. Byrne goes on grabbing, when cool
ttJxe 5 ? ! ttJxe4 1 8 . tL:lxe4 dxe4 1 9 . play is needed: 2 1 . e6! tL:le5! 2 2 .
tL:lxd 7 fNxd 7 leads to a threatened exf7t >t>xf7 2 3 . '+Wc 1 fxg2 2 4 . '+Wf4 t
centre due to . . b4. >t>g8 2 5 . .!l ed 1 ! The defence has
 Struggle
been reorganised in time. 2 5 .
.l:lxd l t 2 6 . .l:lxd l
diagram of analysis
The black pieces are ready for an
attack. However, the forced line 2 6 .
.. tt:lf3 t 2 7. �xg 2 t2Jd2 t 2 8 . �g l
t2Jf3 t 2 9 . � f l t2Jh2 t only brings a
perpetual check.
2 1 . ...... t2Jd 7xe 5
Pawns have vanished in the centre.
The compensation for the sacrifice
has become evident. A knight
occupies the centre and four black
pieces control it.
2 2 . b 5 xa6?
Byrne panics. Far more resistance
is offered in two lines:
Strateg ic movement is s i mp l e d u ri ng an attack i n the centre . P awns go strai ght
forw a rd t h ro u g h the m i d d l e of the board . Someti mes victory looks easy too. I n g a m e
2.8 a passage is a l l owed to the d-pawn, l i ke the Red S e a ope n i ng u p for Moses. B u t
t h e t r i c k i s well known.
37
A. Repetition of the previous idea
with 2 2 . 'i!Vc l fxg2 23 . .l:led l .l:lxd l t
2 4 . 'i!Vxd l is less favourable due to
2 4 . . . axb 5 .
B . Aggression o n the queen's side
by 2 2 . �c2 fxg2 23 . .l:lxe 5 �e 5 2 4 .
bxa6 is m e t b y 2 4 . .. �f3 ! 2 5 . a ? h 5
2 6 . h 4 �f6
diagram of analysis
Again four long-range pieces
control the vanished centre. Also,
the king's side is threatened.
2 2 . ...... .l:ld8xd l
2 3 . .l:le l xd l �b 7-a8
24. g2xf3 t2Je 5 xf3 t
2 5 . �g l -fl .¥t.g 7xc 3
The rest is simple: 2 6 . .l:lac l t2Jd2 t
2 7. wg l �a 5 2 8 . b4 tt:lf3 t 2 9 . �fl
t2Jh2 t 3 0 . �g l t2Jf3 t 3 1 . � f l �b6
3 2 . ll c2 t2Jh2 t 3 3 . wg l tt:lf3 t 3 4 .
�fl �f8 3 5 . t2J e 2 t2Jh2 t 3 6 . wg l
t2Jf3 t 3 7. � f l �e4 3 8 . .:!a2 t2Jh2 t
3 9. wg l tt:lf3 t 40. �n tt:lh4 4 1 . tt:lf4
$.f3 4 2 . ll d3 g 5 4 3 . t2Je2 �g 2 t 44.
we l t2Jf3 t 45. wd l t2Je 5 4 6 . llc3
�d 5 4 7. ll d2 �c4 48. lla3 ll a8 49.
f4 gxf4 50. t2Jxf4 ll xa6 5 1 . llxa6
�a6 5 2 . t2Jd5 �c4 5 3 . t2Jxb6 cxb6
5 4 . ll d6 b 5 5 5 . wd2 tt:lg6 5 6 . we3
h 5 0- 1
38 Grand Strategy

B. Attack on the king

Freedom of choice varies widely in a game. D u ri ng the ope n i n g a player can

decide upon the aim of action. When a chess strugg le beg i n s , the attacker chooses
t h e target. At t h e beg i n n i ng of a middle game the a i m i s al ready obvious o r has to be
decided u p o n. A plan i s developed i n o rder to ach i eve the goal. At fi rst a player can
choose between d i fferent moves that fit i n plan . I f confrontati o n i ncreases, choice
decreases. Accu rate cal cu lation beco mes necessary at the critical poi nt.
These strateg ic phases are usually s h o rt and brisk d u ri ng an attack on the
k i n g . I f a ste a m ro l l ering i s i m poss i b l e , a pre l i m i nary strugg le for t h e centre will be
n ecessar y. W h e n the centre i s control led o r closed, the host i l e king beco mes the
a i m. The d i rection of the action r e m a i n s straightforward or veers off, depe n d i n g on
t h e king's positi o n . C hessmen are aimed at and move towards the king. A s a final
preparati o n, weaknesses are inflicted i n the king's defence. P recise calculation of
co m b i n at i o n s i s needed at the crucial mome nt. Ti m i ng i s essential in an attack o n the
k i n g , because the obj ect m i g h t disappear by f l i g h t o r the positional advantages may
be tem porari l y . Therefo re, the strategy is s i m p l e , but the process i s compl ex.
The s h arp and beautifu l variations of a final attack on t h e k i n g are hig h l i g hted
by a study.

Oleg Pervakov and jan van Reek 3 . lth2-h5 t!

2"ct-srh price Kralin-55 2000 White uses strong means.
3 . ...... wg 5xh5
4. rtf7-f5 t! wh5 -g4
A nice mate concludes the line 4 . ..
�xf5 5. '1Wh7t 'it> g 5 6 . '*f'h4#.
5. '*J'g7-d4 t wg4xf5
6. '&d4-f4#
The mate uses two self-blocks.

Black to move; White wins

Capture of the rook loses at once.

Black has to strive for perpetual
check.
l. . . .. . . 'f\l' h 5 -g4 t
2. wc8-d8
The queen can be activated in two
ways. B. 2. . . . . . . �g4xg 3
A. 2. ..... . 'i-Wg4-e6 3. r:.h2-h5 t!
 Struggle 39

Again measures are taken. 2 . 1 0 . Spassky - Jan Timman

3. . . . . . . ..t>g 5xh5 3'd game Elsevier match
4 . .!:U7-f5 t l::!. g 6-g5 Amsterdam 1 9 7 7
White cannot deliver mate straight
away. 1. d 2 - d4 lLJg8-f6
5. llf5-e 5 ! ! 2. c2 -c4 g 7-g6
3. tLJb 1 -c 3 d7-d5
4. c4xd 5 tLJf6xd 5
5. e 2-e4 tLJ d 5 xc 3
6. b 2xc 3 �f8-g7
7. i.fl -c4 0-0
8. lLJg 1 -e 2 b 7-b6 ! ?

The mutual zugzwang shows

perfect timing. Black loses in all
variations:
A. 5 . . . d4 6. 'i!¥h 7 t wg4 7. l::!. e 4 t
B. 5 . . . 'i!¥xg 2 6 . 'i!¥h 7 t ..t>g4 7. l::!. xg5 t
c. 5 . . . 'i!¥f4 6. �f7t ..t>g4 7. 'i!¥h3#
D. 5 . . . �h4 6 . �f7t c;t>g4 7. 'i!¥f3#.
5. . . . . . . 'W!'g3xe 5
6. 'i!¥g 7-h7t wh5 -g4
7. �h7-h 3 t wg4 -f4
8 . "iWh3-f3#
The mate with two self-blocks is
given on squares of the opposite
colour: an echo-chameleon mate.
An elementary example of strategy
follows .
Black d o e s not challenge t h e centre
immediately. This gives White time
to launch a king 's side attack.
9. h2-h4 !
The advance of a pawn weakens
the defence and opens a file .
9. ...... tLJb8-c6
1 0. �c4-d 5 !
Black's most active piece i s pinned.
1 0. . . . . . . "if d8-d 7
1 1 . h4-h5 �c8-a6?
A great disadvantage of Timman's
risky approach becomes apparent:
the game is lost after a slight error.
Instant retribution by 1 1 . . . e6! is
needed. 12. �b3 followed in two
later games:
A. 1 2 . .. � a 6 1 3 . hxg6 hxg6 1 4 .
tLJf4 l::!. fd8? (the right move is 14 . . .
l::!.f e8; again a small mistake is fatal)
1 5 . euxe6! fxe6 1 6. "ifg4 �c 8 1 7.
"iWxg6 euxd4 ( 1 7 . . . 'iif f 7? 1 8 . n h8 t ! )
1 8. n h3! euxb 3 1 9. 'i!¥h7t >ttfB 20.
40 Grand Strategy

nf3 t 'fWf7 2 1. ..lth6! and a quick win 1 5 . ...... f7xe6

in C ramling - Kindermann, Ham­ 1 6 . �g4xg6
burg 1 99 1 ; The pawns on the king 's side are
B . 12 . .. e5 13. hxg6 hxg6 14 . . �,h6 removed and the potential attack in
.0.xh6 15. :txh6 �g7 16. 'i\l'd2 .�.a6 the centre is prevented .
17. cug3 'i\l'g4 18. � d5 ..�tb 7 19. 1 6. ...... �a6-c4
nh5! The daredevil that handled Other inadequate defences are 1 6 .
the black pieces collapsed . . 'i\l'f7 1 7. :t h8 t ! and 16 . . . cu e ? 1 7 .
eventually in Finegold - De Boer, '+!Vh?t �f? 1 8 . cuh5 ng8 1 9 . �h6
Wijk aan Zee 1 99 2 . '+!Vb 5 20. o-o-o naf8 2 1 . nd 2 .
1 2 . h 5 xg6 h7xg6 1 7. �g6-h 7 t �g8-f7
1 3 . cu e 2 - f4 e 7-e6 1 8 . cuf4-h5 nd8-g8
14. 'fWd 1 -g4 ! 1 9 . :t h l -h 3 ! na8-f8
Spas sky' s timing is wonderful. 2 0 . 4Jh 5 xg 7 :tg8-h8
14. ...... nf8-d8 The point is 2 0 . . . nxg ? 21. nf3 t
�e8 2 2 . nxf8 t �xf8 2 3 . ..lth6.
2 1 . llh3-f3 t �f7-e7
2 2 . i.c 1 -a3 t 4Jc6-b4
2 3 . �a3xb4 t c 7-c 5

White's centre has been protected

by a pawn shelter. Now d 5 is
threatened by a pawn and d4 by a
knight sacrifice. Exact calculation
of the decisive combination is This allows a pretty finish.
required. 2 4 . d4xc 5 ! :t h8xh 7
15. �d5xe6! 2 5 . c 5 xb6 t
The wrong piece is sacrificed by 1 5 . Black avoids the humiliation 2 5 . . .
cuxe6?! ne8 ! 1 6 . �a3 fxe6 . After 1 7 . '!Wd6 2 6 .. �.xd6 t wxd6 2 7 . 0-0-0 t .
n h 3 ! cuxd4 ! 1 8 . cxd4 2.e 2 ! ! 1 9 . 1 -0
�xe 2 '+!Vb 5 t 2 0 . :t d 3 exd 5 2 1 . e 5 , After one error, Black was crushed
White ' s advantage i s small. merciles sly crushed.

Th e last game shows two phases i n an attack on the k i n g : a stru g g l e for the
centre and a charge at the o bjective. H e reafter, we turn our attention to E uwe' s
thoug hts a b o u t the positional means.
The s u ccess of an attack on the king is dete r m i ned by the stre ngth of the
p rotecti n g pawns and the abi lities of defe n d i ng and attacking pieces. M o b i l ity i s h i g h l y
i m portant f o r the defe n d i n g pi ece s . This feat u re depends o n the positi o n of othe r
chessmen, a n d especially u p o n the place of hosti le pawns. I mportant facets f o r t h e
 Struggle 41

attac kers are t h e avai lab i l ity of open files (for rooks ) , open d i agonals (for bishops)
and stro ng sq uares close to the obj ective (for knights and q uee n ) .
E uwe s u m m arises h i s ideas about t h e attack o n t h e king i n fou r positional
facto rs:
a. P rotect i o n of t h e th reatened king by pawns (for the defence)
b. Availabi l ity of useful sq u ares (fo r defend i n g p i eces)
c. O p e n files and d i agonals (fo r attacking pi eces ) .
d. Availabil ity of sq uares n e a r the target ( f o r t h e attackers)
These factors are i l l u strated by means of two games.

2. 1 1 . Spassky - Efim Geller 1 0. ...... a 7-a 5

6rh game quarter final 1 1 . �c 1 -e 3 b 5 -b4
Sukhurni 1 968 1 2 . a3xb4 a 5 xb4
1 3 . i2Jc 3 -e 2 �c8-b 7
1. e 2 -e4 c7-c5 1 4 . b 2 -b 3 ! ?
2. ttJb 1 -c 3 d 7-d6 White opts for a solid position and
3 . g 2 -g3 ttJb8-c6 avoids an exchange of rooks on the
4 ..tfl-g2 g 7-g6 next move.
5. d 2 - d 3 �f8-g7 14. ...... J:!. b 8-a8
6 . f2-f4 i2Jg8-f6 1 5 . l:!. a 1 -c 1 J:!. a8-a2
7. i2Jg 1 -f3 0-0
8 . 0-0 l:!. a8-b8
9. h2 -h3 b 7-b 5

The attack on the king is started,

White controls more space in the
centre and at the king's side in a
Closed Sicilian. An attack on the
king will encounter a firm defence
line , consisting of the pawns f7, g6
and h7 (factor a), knight f6 and
bishop g7 (factor b). Black has the
initiative on the queen's side.
1 0. a2-a3 ! ?
Consolidation of t h e queen's side
precedes the attack.
after conce ssions have been made
on the queen's side.
1 6. g 3 -g4 ! 1/Vd8-a8?!
Black occupies the a-file, might
control the long diagonal a 1 -h8,
and exerts pressure on the second
rank. Van Wely's moves 16 . . . Wt'a5
and 1 7 . . . J:!. a8 would increase the
tension.
1 7. Wt'd 1 -e 1 Wt'a8-a6
1 8 . Wt'e 1 -f2
The trap 1 8 . ffh4? i2Jxe4 1 9 . '+'Hxe4
Wt'xe2 is avoided.
42 Grand Strategy

1 8 . ...... tt:Jc6-a7?! 2 5 . ...... l:t a2xc2

A lengthy knight manoeuvre starts. A critical line goes 25 . . . wxf7 2 6 .
Better moves are 1 8 . . . J:t a8 and 1 9 . .th6 ! l:t g8 2 7. tt:Jf4 l:t xc2 2 8 . l:t f l !
.. tt:Jd7.
1 9 . f4-f5 tt:Ja 7-b 5
2 0 . f5xg6
This exchange lessens the number
of protecting pawns by one.
20. . . . . . . h 7xg6?
Black organises a tougher defence
by the surprising capture 20. ..
fxg6 ! After 2 1 . tt:Jf4 tt:Jc7 2 2 . tt:Jg5
�c8 , the king ' s rook can stay at his
side as defender.
2 1 . tt:Jf3 -g5 tt:Jb 5 -a 3 diagram of analysis
2 2 . '1W f2 -h4 J:tf8-c8
A threat of mate in two forces the Four white pieces are aimed at the
rook away from the king' s side. king. Black will not survive the raid.
A tactical point is 28. . . wf8 29 .
.txg 7 t l:t xg7 3 0 . tt:Je6 t .
2 6 . �e 3 -h6 l:t c 2xc 1 t
2 7. tt:Je2xc 1 'itt f 8xf7
2 8 . '1Wh7xg 7 t 'itt f 7-e8

The critical position has been

reached. White's strategy changed
from a consolidation of the queen's
side to an attack on the king. Black
spent much time on the besiege of
pawn c2. White controls the f-file All defenders in front of the king
with a rook and the c 1 -h6 diagonal have vanished, but White has
with a bishop (factor c). insufficient troops at the front for
2 3 . J:t f l xf6 ! an instant kill.
Although this sacrifice does not 2 9 . g4-g 5
lead to mate, it is still made, A similar win begins with 2 9 . e 5 d 5
because the queen and knight gain 3 0 . 't\Vxg6 t .
control over square h7 (factor d). 29. ...... f6-f5
23. ...... e 7xf6 30. VW g 7xg6 t 'itt e 8-d7
2 4 . \W h4-h7 t 'itt g 8-f8 An elegant final is 3 0 . . . wd8 3 1 .
2 5 . tt:Jg 5xf7! '1Wh7 l:t c 7 3 2 . g6.
Another defender disappears. 3 1 . \Wg6-f7t wd 7-c6
 Struggle 43

3 2 . e4xf5 t in a previous round.

The king has fled. White wins by 1 2 . e4-e 5 !
exchanging pieces and advancing Boris unleashes the united power
his passed pawns. of two pawns and seven pieces in
1-0 towards the king, despite the firm
defence line.
2. 1 2. Spassky - 1 2 . ...... d6xe 5
Nukhim Rashkovsky 1 3 . f4xe 5 'Llf6-d5
4 1 '1 USSR Championship 14. �g 5xe 7? !
Moscow 1 9 7 3 Spassky had prepared 1 4 . 'Llxe 6 !
A. Geller g o e s on with 1 4 . . . fxe6
1 . e 2-e4 c 7- c 5 1 5 . 'i/!Y h 5 t . In that case, 1 5 . . . g6 1 6 .
2. 'Llg 1 -f3 d 7-d6 �xg6 t , and 1 5 . . . ..t>d8 1 6 . 'Llxd 5
3. d 2 -d4 c 5 xd4 �xd 5 1 7. i.xe 7 t ..t>xe 7 18. 'i!i' h4 t
4 . 'Llf3xd4 'Llg8-f6 \t>e8 1 9 . $.g6 t are lost for Black.
5 . 'Llb l -c 3 a 7-a6 B. Keres analyses 1 4 . . . jl.xg 5 t !
6 . . il.c 1 -g 5 e 7-e6 1 5 . 'Llxg 5 'Llxc 3 1 6 . bxc 3 'i!i'xc 3
7. f2-f4 'i/!Y d8-c 7
8. .� f l - d 3 ! ?
Spas sky chooses a very aggressive
variation of the Naj dorf.
8. . . . . . . cub8-d7?!
Later Rashkovsky finds the proper
order of moves 8 . . . b 5 ! 9 . 'i!i'e2 b4!
1 0 . 'Lld 1 'Llbd 7.
9 . 'i'!V d 1 -e 2 b 7-b 5
1 0 . 0-0-0 ii.c8-b 7
Now 1 0 . . . b4?! can be answered by
1 1 . 'Lld 5 ! exd 5 1 2 . exd 5 t � e 7 1 3 . diagram of analysis
.t:!. he 1 with a strong attack.
1 1 . .t:!. h 1 -e 1 �f8-e7 I. He continues with 1 7. 'i/!Yg4 !
Spassky has found for the second
edition of this book 1 7 . . . 'Llc 5 ! 1 8 .
n e 3 ! 'i!i' a 3 t 1 9 . wd2 ! � a 3 t 2 0 . w e 2
and White wins.
11. Boris has found 1 7. ttJxf7 at
home. The tactical point is 1 7 . . .
o-O? 18. �xh7t wxh7 1 9. 'i!fh 5 t
..t>g8 2 0 . cuh6 t gxh6 2 1 . 'i!fg6 t wh8
2 2 . '1Wxh6 t wg8 2 3 . 'i!i'g 5 t wh8 2 4 .
'i!i' h 4 t wg8 2 5 . J:!.xd 7 . N o w he starts
to check the variation 1 7. . . !Wa3 t
1 8. >t>d2 Wfa5t 1 9. we3 Wfb6t 20.
The barrier in front of the black >Pf4 0-0! 2 1 . e6 Wfc7t 22. wg4. Now
king consists of three pawns Black can e qualise by 2 2 . .. 'Llc 5 . At
(factor a) and three pieces (factor the board Spassky worries about
b). Savon chose the quiet 1 2 . c;t;b 1 22 . ll'fxh2. He decides not to play
. .
44 Grand Strategy
his novelty. Later analysis reveals
23 . �xh 7t �xh 7 24. exd 7 11ad8 2S.
. consolidated. Black has kept a
<8g5! ( 2 5 . ttJxd8 'f&'g6 t draws) 2 5. . .
'IJ' fS t 26. w h4 'iJ!f4 t 2 1. g4.
Ill. A fine move is 1 7. e6!? A
critical position in the attack on the
king is reached. The e-file will be
opened ( factor c), and square f7 is
available for the knight (factor d).
Black tries to give perpetual check:
1 7 . . . fH a 3 t 1 8 . wd2 'f&' a 5 t . We
differ from Keres and play 1 9 . w e 3 !
't/!Y b 6 t 2 0 . wf4 � c 7 t 2 1 . wg4 ttJf6 t
2 2 . 'it> h 3 0-0 2 3 . ttJxf7. The reward
of the king' s march is one pawn up!
1 4. ...... ttJd 5xc3
1 5 . W! e 2 -g4!
White keeps on sacrificing. Kere s '
suggestion 1 5 . bxc 3 wxe 7 1 6 . �g4
is less favourable due to 1 6 . . . � d 5 .
1 5. ...... ttJc3xd 1
1 6 . ttJd4xe 6 !
A firestorm blazes.
1 6. . . . . . . � c 7-c6?
The great adventure ends abruptly.
Much better is 16 . . . fxe6. Black has
to keep on grabbing. His aim is to
destroy as many attacking pieces
as possible. 17. �d6. The direct
attempt 1 7. �xe6? .�d 5 ! 1 8 . �xd 5
wxe 7 fails . 17 . .. �b6!
A. Geller analyses 1 8 . � g 5 ? !
'iWd8? 1 9 . 'iWg6 t ! and mate. Correct
play goes 1 8 . . . ttJf6 ! 1 9. exf6 'iWxd6!
2 0 . fxg 7 J::!. g8 2 1 . �xh7 :txg7 2 2 .
'i'l¥xg 7 0-0-0! The position has been
material advantage.
B. Keres continues with the
better choice 18. �xe6t wd8 19.
.111 J 5 . Pressure is maximised in the
centre. 19 . .. �c6 20. � e 7 t weB 2 1.
'flt'xg 7. His sugge stion 2 1 . e6? is too
hasty, due to 2 1 . . . :t d 8 ! 2 2 . J::!. xd 1
ttJf6 2 3 . �xd 8 t wxd8 24 . �e S t w e ?
.
2 5 . �xb6t wxb6. Black sacrifices
two pieces and keeps a material
plus! 2 1. .. J:!. d8 22. J:!. xd l . Now 2 3 .
e 6 has become a threat. 2 2 . . � e 3 t
.
A t l a s t Black becomes active. 2 3 .
Kb 1 � e2 . Keres finds this counter­
attack annoying. 24. n c 1
diagram of analysis
The exchange to equality 2 4 . . .
"*Vxg2? 2 5 . 'iWxg 2 ! �xg2 misfires due
to 2 6 . e6 ttJf6 2 7. e ? t :t d 7 2 8 . c4.
Black plays 2 4 . .. �d2 2 5. �xh7
with a dynamic balance.
1 7 . ttJe6xg 7 t we8xe 7
1 8 . �g4-g 5 t f7-f6
Equally unpleasant is 1 8 . . . 'it>f8 1 9 .
ttJf5 .
1 9. e 5 xf6 t we 7-d8
20. f6-f7t <>t>d8-c7
Or 2 0 . . . � f6 2 2 . n e s t .
2 1 . � g 5 -f4 t
After 2 1 . . . ..t>b6 2 2 . :t e 6 and 2 1 . . .
'iWd6 2 2 . ttJe6 t , t h e black queen i s
lost.
1 -0
 Struggle 45

So far we have looked into the aim and means of an attack on the king.
Now we turn our attention to the techniques. There are two types of attack:
a. the pieces go in fron t
b. t h e pawns avalanche.
If the opponent has a weakness on the king' s side, an attack can be
carried out with pieces only. This seems to be very simple, but the
application of this idea can be most difficult. Three brilliant examples follow.

2 . 1 3 . Spassky - David Bronstein Boris has no intere st in the e-pawn,

2 1h USSR Championsh ip but he starts a sneaky manoeuvre
Leningrad 1 960 behind the screens. The battery of
li:Je4 and �d3 will be strengthened
1 . e 2 -e4 e 7- e S with the queen.
2 . f2 -f4 e S xf4 1 3 . �d 3 -c 2 ! J:!. f8-e8
3 . li:Jg 1 -f3 d7-d5 Simplification has an adverse
4. e4xd S c�f8-d6 effect: the exchange 1 3 . . . li:Jf6? ! 1 4 .
Black plays a novelty. The answer � d 3 li:Jxe4 1 S . �xe4 g6 1 6 . �xe 3
is quiet. 'lt>g7 weakens the position. The wild
5. li:Jb l -c 3 li:Jg8- e 7 continuation 1 3 . . . fS ! ? 1 4 . li:Jc 3 ( g 3 )
6. d 2 -d4 0-0 li:Jxc 5 1 S . dxc 5 �xd 1 1 6 . J:!. ad 1
7. �f l -d 3 li:Jb8-d7 �c 5 leads t o an exciting endgame.
8 . 0-0 h7-h6? ! 1 4 . f!Vd 1 -d3 e 3 - e 2 ? !
Bronstein wants to prevent lUg S . Spassky prefers 1 4 . . . li:Jf8 ! He has
The result i s a weakne ss. Spassky calculated 1 S . lUeS .te6 1 6 . J:!. ae l . It
prefers 8 . . . li:Jf6 9. lUeS li:Jxd S 1 0. is too late for 14 . . . f S ? due to 1 S .
li:Jxd S li:Jxd S 1 1 . � h S g6 1 2 . � h6 li:Jg3 li:Jxc S 1 6 . dxc S �xd3 1 7. �d3
� f6 with an even game. �c 5 1 8 . J:!. fc l ! �b6 1 9. li:Jxf5 .
9 . li:Jc3-e4! li:Je 7xd S 1 S . li:Je4-d6 ! !
1 0. c 2 -c4 li:J d S - e 3
1 1 . �c 1 xe 3 f4xe 3
1 2 . c4-c S �d6-e 7
An error is 1 2 . . . �f4? due to 1 3 . g3
a. 1 3 . . . �.g 5 1 4 . li:Jfxg S hxg S 1 5 .
�hS , or
b. 1 3 . . . fS 14. li:Jh4 ! g S 1 S . fV h 5 !

The battery opens fire o n the weak

square h7. White threatens mate in
two. The quiet 1 5 . J:!. f2 li:Jf8 ! 1 6 .
li:Je 5 �e6 gives Black the time to
reorganise his defence.
1 S . ....... li:Jd 7-f8?
Bronstein has to make twenty-five
46 Grand Strategy
move s in twenty minutes. Pre ssed
for time, he blunders. Spas sky
expects 15. .. exf1 �t 16 . .l:!. xf 1
�xd6! 1 7 . 'ilf h 7 t >t>f8 18. cxd6
A. His calculations continue
with 1 8 . . . cxd6 1 9 . 'ilfh8 t we7 20 .
.l:!. e 1 t <Lie S 2 1 . Wkxg7 .l:!. g8 ! 2 2 . 'ilfxh6
'&b6! 2 3 . �h 1 ..te6 2 4 . dxe S . The
finale 2 4 . . . '/W f2 2 S . exd 6 t �xd6 2 6 .
'ilf f4 t � e 7 2 7. '/Wb4 t <it>f6 ends in
perpetual check
B. An error is 18 . .. <Llf6? 19.
"i\Vh8t <Lig8 20. <Li e S f6 2 1. �h7 �e6
diagram of analysis
2 2 . d7! .l:!. e 7?! 2 3 . �xg8 �xg8 24.
.l:!. xf6t gxf6 2 5. �xf6t �f7 26.
<Lig6t >t>g8 2 7. 'ilfh8, and the two
pieces in front deliver mate.
1 6 . <Lid6xf7 ! !
Pawn f 7 i s the second weakness.
1 6 . ...... e 2xf l Wkt
1 7 . .l:!. a 1 xf l
Two creative persons play a n open
and romantic game . A rook and a
knight are sacrificed.
1 7. . . . . . . . �c8-fS
If Black captures the knight, it ends
like a I 7 1 h century game by Greco
from Calabria: 1 7 . . . >t>xf7 1 8 . <Lle S t .
The second battery opens fire . 1 8 .
. . � g 8 1 9 . 'ilfh 7 t ! <Llxh 7 2 0 . �.b 3 t
�h8 2 1 . <Lig6 mate.
diagram of analysis
Insufficient defence is offered by
1 7 . . . 'ilf d S !? due to 1 8 . �b 3 !
A. A long technical win i s 1 8 . . .
'iW h S 1 9 . <tJxh6t wh8 2 0 . <tJf7t �g8
2 1 . <tJ 7g S t wh8 2 2 . �J7 'l!\'r'g4 23 .
�e8 �fS 2 4 . '1W c 3 .l:!. xe8 2 S . <Lie S !
The last effort i s 2 S . . . ng S 2 6 .
<Llxg4 �g4 2 7. 'l!\'r'g 3 �e 3 t 2 8 . �h 1
�e2 2 9 . .!:!. e 1 �d2 3 0 . 'Wr'h3 t �g8
3 1 . 'iWb 3 t wh8 3 2 . � f7 and White
gains material.
B. 1 8 . . . 'l!\'r'xf7 1 9 . �f7 t wxf7
2 0 . � c4 t >t>g6 2 1 . '/W g 8! Black
succumb s to the threats 2 2 . <Lie S t
and 2 2 . <Lih4 t . See 2 1 . . . �f6 2 2 .
<Lih4 t
1. 2 2 . . . �gs 2 3 . � d s t wxh4 2 4 .
.l:!. f4 t �g4 2 s . g 3 t wh3 2 6 . WHg2#
n. 22 . . . �4 2 3 . WHf7t wh7 2 4 .
�xe8 and wins.
1 8 . 'YW d 3 xfS '1Wd8-d7
1 9 . YWfS -f4 �e7-f6
2 0 . <Llf3 - e S '/W d7-e 7
 Struggle 47

The alternative is 2 0 . . . .b:e 5 2 1 .

tt:Jxe 5 'i!V e 7 2 2 . 'i!Ve4 . White threatens
2 3 . :t xg6 t . After 2 3 . .. g6 2 3 . �b3 t
wh8 2 4 . 'i!V d 3 ! the threat i s renewed
and becomes fatal.
2 1 . �c 2 -b 3 .tf6xe 5
2 2 . tt:Jf7xe 5 t wg8-h7
2 3 . '1W f4-e4 t
Black avoids 2 3 . . . wh8 2 4 . :t xf8 t
and mate in three.
1 -0
The grand final hunt of the king
became a scene in the film "From
Russia with love". Black has forceful counter-play,
because 1 3 . .txh6? b4 1 4 . tt:Jd l
tt:Jxe4, and 1 3 . axb 5 ? ! tt:Jxb 5 ! are
2 . 1 4 . Spassky - Lothar Schmid unfavourable.
Olympiad 1 3 . e4-e 5 !
Varna 1 9 62 The central advance i s a well­
known theme in this variation.
1 . d2 -d4 c 7- c 5 1 3 . ...... d6xe 5
2 . d4- d 5 d 7-d6 1 4 . �f4xe 5 b 5 -b4
3. e 2 -e4 g 7-g6 1 5 . .te 5xf6
4 . tt:Jg l -f3 .tf8-g7 This surprising exchange has been
5. �f l -e 2 tt:Jg8-f6 calculated at the l 2 1 h move . The
6. tt:Jb l -c 3 tt:Jb8-a6 tactical justification is 1 5 . . . exf6?!
7. 0-0 tt:Ja6-c7 1 6 . tt:Je4 fS 1 7. llJxc S ..txb 2 1 8 .
Schmid has a preference for this :t ad l �c 3 1 9 . '1Wxh6 .txe l ? 2 0 . llJgS
development in the Old Benoni. and wins .
8 . a2 -a4 0-0 1 5 . ...... .tg 7xf6
9 . :t f l -e l 1 6. tt:Jc3 -e4 ..l¥.f6-g7?
This novelty provides a retreat A crucial decision has been made.
square for the king's bishop. Later Is the capture of pawn b 2 a better
the rook will support the advance choice? Spassky has planned 1 6 . . .
of the c-pawn. nb 2 1 7. 't!Vxh6 �g 7 (forced) 1 8 .
9. . . . . . . a 7-a6 '1Wh4 :t e8 1 9. tt:Jfg S . The short way
1 0. �c l -g 5 h7-h6?! to equality leads through the
This weaknes s will become a target exchanges 1 9 . . . .HS ! 2 0 . :t ad l
for the white pieces. Black should �e4 2 1 . 'i!Vxe4 .H6 ! 2 2 . '1Wh4 �g 5
only have played on the queen's 2 3 . 'i!fxg 5 e6 2 4 . 't'fxd8 :t exd8.
side. Boris had planned 1 0 . . . :t b8 1 7. tt:Je4xc 5 .tg 7xb 2
1 1 . a 5 .td 7 1 2 . .tf l . Black has diverted the queen's
1 1 . ..\¥.g 5 -f4 .tc8-d7 knight, before he captures the b-
1 2 . '1W d l -d2 b 7-b 5 pawn.
48 Grand Strategy

fxe6 2 4 . n xd 3 exd 5 2 5 . � h 7 t >t>f8

2 6 . n f3 t � f6 2 7. �xg6.
2 3 . �d 3xf5
White threatens 2 3 . �g6 fxg6 2 4 .
� h 7 t >to f 8 2 5 . �xg6.
2 3 . ...... tt:Jc 7xd 5
Or 2 3 . . . gxf5 2 4. � h 7 t and � h 5 .
2 4 . �f5 -e6!
1 -0

2 . 1 5 . Spassky - Tigran Petrosian

1 8 . n a 1 -d 1 1 gth game World Championship
White overprotects the d-pawn, Moscow 1 969
because its restriction plays an
important role in the attack. l. e 2 -e4 c 7-c 5
1 8. ...... �d7-f5 2 . tt:Jg l -f3 d7-d6
Black strive s for counter-play in the 3. d2 -d4 c 5 xd4
centre. 4. tt:Jf3xd4 tt:Jg8-f6
1 9 . � d 2 xh6 �b 2 -g 7 5 . tt:Jb 1 -c 3 a 7-a6
2 0 . � h6-h4 �d8-d6?! 6 . �c 1 -g 5 tt:Jb8-d7
Longer resistance is offered by 2 0 . 7. �f l -c4 �d8-a5
. . �f6 2 1 . �xb4 � c 2 2 2 . n d 2 �f5 The variation 7 . . . h6?! 8. bf6 tt:Jxf6
2 3 . �c4. White has consolidated 9. � e 2 ! g6 1 0. 0-0-0 was played in
his extra pawn. Bagirov- Spassky, Leningrad 1 96 3 .
2 1 . tt:Jf3 -g5 .�!.f8-e8 Boris found i t difficult t o obtain
2 2 . �e 2 -d 3 ! counter-play in that game.
The position has to be opened up 8 . � d 1 -d2 h7-h6?!
first. 2 2 . tt:Jce6? fxe6 is not clear. Black developed faster by 8 . . . e6 9.
0-0-0 b 5 1 0 . �.b 7 �b 7 in Spas sky­
Polugaevsky, Riga 1 9 5 8 . At this
moment Boris remembers his game
against B agirov.
9. �g 5 xf6 ! tt:Jd 7xf6
1 0. 0-0-0 e 7-e6
1 1 . n h 1 -e 1 Ji,f8-e7?1
White has an advantage in time. So,
Black must play accurately. During
the game, Boris examines the line
1 1 . .. b 5 ? 1 2 . e 5 ! The position has
become critical already: 1 2 . . . bxc4
The attack is decisive. ( 1 2 . . . dxe 5 1 3 . tt:Jdxb 5 ! ) 1 3 . exf6
22. ...... � d6xc 5 gxf6 1 4 . '12V e 2 gives White a strong
Other moves also lose: 2 2 . . . � f6 attack. A safe development is 1 1 . . .
2 3 . n e6 ! tt:Jxe6 2 4 . � h 7 t >t>f8 2 5 . �d 7! 1 2 . f4 0-0-0.
tt:J d 7 mate, o r 2 2 . .. �d3 2 3 . tt:Jce 6 ! 1 2 . f2 -f4 0-0
 Struggle 49

1 5 . ...... tLlf6xg4
Active play in the centre gives 1 5 . . .
e 5 ! ? 1 6. tLlf5 exf4 ! ? 1 7. �xf4 � e 5
1 8 . J:!. f l . However, Petrosian avoids
moves which weaken his position.
1 6 . 'lfl d 2 -g2
Spassky calculates for twenty
minutes before he moves . The
outcome is normally known, when
a sacrifice is made. Now he doubts
and notices 1 6 . J:!. g 1 ?! 'lfl h 5 ! 1 7.
'ilt'g2? tLle6.
1 6. ...... tLlg4 -f6
H6 will become a target. Both sides
In this case 1 6 . .. 'lfl h 5 ? ! is not so
make two consolidating moves
good due to 1 7. J:!. d3 and 1 7 . . . e 5 ?
before the action begins.
1 8 . J:!. h3 tLle6 1 9 . J:!. exe 3 fail s.
1 3 . �c4-b 3 J:!. f8-e8
1 7. J:!. e 1 -g 1 !
1 4 . >t>c 1 -b 1 �e 7-f8
White calmly improves the position
of his pieces .
1 7. . . . . . . �c8-d7
1 8 . f4-f5 �g8-h8 !
The king has to leave the diagonal
a2-g8. See the lines 1 8 . .. J:!. ac8? 1 9 .
fxe6 fxe6 2 0 . tLlf5 ! and 1 8 . . . exf 5 ? !
1 9. exf5 b 5 2 0 . � g 6 !
1 9 . J:!. d 1 -f l

Now Spassky can exchange by 1 5 .

tLl d 5 �xd2 1 6 . tLlxf6 t gxf6 1 7.
J:!. xd 2 to a slightly better endgame.
But only one point ahead, he is not
thinking of a draw. The brutal fight
of the Sicilian suits him well!
1 5 . g 2 -g4 !
White's position is so good that he
can give a display. The text is more
energetic than the standard 1 5 . e 5 . A crucial position i n t h e match!
B y sacrificing a pawn, White opens 1 9. . . . . . . 'lfl a 5 -d8?
the g-file for his major pieces. The correct defence begins with 1 9 .
So far the game is nearly identical . . 'lfl e 5 ! 2 0 . tLlf3 � c 5 . Now 2 1 . tLlh4
to Parma-BogdanoviC, Novi Sad 'lfl e 5 2 2 . tLlf3 repeats a position.
1 9 6 5 , but the players didn't know 20. f5xe6 f7xe6
of it. This was usual in the days, There is little j oy for Black in 20 . . .
before chess games were filed in be6 2 1 . t2Jxe6 fxe6 2 2 . 'i!Vg6 'lfl e 7
computer databases. 2 3 . �c4 !
50 Grand Strategy

2 1 . e4-e 5 ! d6xe 5 Suddenly the Tiger is in dire straits.

2 2 . tt:Jc 3-e4 ! cuf6-h5 2 3 . ...... e 5 xd4
Errors like 22 . . . tt:Jxe4? 2 3 . :t xf8 t , Geller refutes the desired 2 3 . . . ti:Jf4
and 2 2 . . . exd4? 2 3 . :t xf6 are by 2 4 . :t xf4 ! exf4 2 5 . cuf3 "iWb6 2 6 .
obvious. Tigran expects 2 3 . cuf3 :!. g 5 ! ! �c6 2 7. cuf6 �e4 2 8 . Wt'xh6 t
cuf4. He steals on the stage of the and mate.
Es traden Theatre quietly. 24. cue4-g 5
2 3 . � g 2 -g6! After 2 4 . . . hxg 5 2 5 . 'f!l'xh 5 t 'i.t>g8 2 6 .
� f 7 t c;i;> h 7 2 7. :t f3 g 4 2 8 . :t xg4, all
major pieces are available for
mating.
1 -0

The pressure is increased, until the

opponent makes a fatal error. This
allows a phenomenal and decisive
combination.

Sometimes an attack o n the king starts with an avalanche of pawns. When the
k i n g i s well p rotected i n a fortress, an advance of pawns can create weaknesses .
The positional obj ectives of a pawn avalanche can be characterised by fo u r facto rs :
a. Open files and diagonals for attackers
b. D i s lodge defenders or control t h e i r vital sq uares
c. S u pport attacking pieces
d. E l i m i nate p rotecti ng paw n s .

W h e n t h e pawns advance , the protection of t h e player's own k i n g m ay

decreas e . I n t h at case, the a i m for a cou nte rattack is created . The refo re, o n l y o n e
p a w n u s u a l l y advances . I n the fol l owing examples, t w o pawns advance close to t h e i r
o w n ki ng . G reat adventu res beg i n.

2 . 1 6 . Spassky - Lev Polugaevsky If White exchanges bishops , this

281h USSR Championship variation of the Queen's Indian
Moscow 1 96 1 becomes very quiet.
8. ...... 0-0
1. d2-d4 tt:Jg8-f6 9. �fl-d3 �e 7-b4 t ? !
2. c2 -c4 e 7-e6 This loses time . A n immediate
3. tt:Jg 1 -f3 b 7-b6 exchange is wiser.
4. cub 1 -c 3 �c8-b 7 1 0. c;f;>e l -f l
5. �c 1 -g 5 �f8-e 7 A n excellent alternative is 1 0. c;f;> e 2
6. e2-e3 cuf6-e4 ..ltxf3 t ! ? 1 1 . gxf3 .
7. tt:Jc3xe4 �b 7xe4 1 0. . . . . . . �e4xd 3 t
8. .ig 5-f4 1 1 . � d 1 xd 3 �b4-e 7
 Struggle 51

A useful move is 2 0 . . . '1Wc6.

2 1 . h 5 -h6!

A quick draw seems imminent, but

Spassky starts a violent plan.
1 2 . h2 -h4 ! Courage is rewarded! Two pawns
Although the black king' s side has have advanced, although White's
no weaknesses, an attack is started. own king lacks enough protection.
The first step is the creation of an 2 1 . ...... J::!. f8-f5
advanced post for the knight on g 5 Black closes one of the queen's
(factor c). diagonals. Fireworks follow:
1 2 . ...... f7 -f5 ? ! A. 2 1 . .. c4 2 2 . �xh 7 t ! wxh7 2 3 .
Slightly better a r e 1 2 . . . d 5 1 3 . tiJ g 5 hxg 7 t c;t>g8 2 4. gxf8'1W t wxf8 2 5 .
g6, a n d 1 2 . . . c 5 1 3 . tiJg5 f5 . Black J::!. h 8 t wf7 2 6 . tiJe 5 t
responds in the centre. B. 2 1 . . . g6 2 2 . J::!.x g6 t ! A queen
1 3 . wf1 -e2 ! d7-d6 on e8 would protect the pawn. 22 .
1 4 . g2 -g4 ! . . hxg6 2 3 . ffxg 6 t wh8 2 4 . lUe S ! A
The advance of a second pawn will pawn on d6 would prevent this
open a file and a diagonal (factor move. 2 4 . . . 'i!Vd5 2 5 . J::!. g 1 , and the
a). threat 2 6 . tiJf7t is decisive.
14. . . . . . . tiJb8-d7 2 2 . M4- e 5 c 5 -c4?!
Disaster brings 14 . . . fxg4? 1 5 . tiJg 5 Avoids 22 . . . g6? 2 3 . J: xg6 t ! The
ng 5 1 6 . hxg 5 g6 1 7. '1We4. aggre ssive 22 . . . '1W d 5 ! ? 2 3 . e4 J::!. x e 5
1 5 . J::!. a 1 -g 1 f5xg4 2 4 . dxe 5 ..Wxd3 t 2 5 . wxd 3 g6 leads
1 6 . J::!.g 1 xg4 tiJd7-f6 to a poor ending.
1 7. J::!. g4-g 5 ! 2 3 . 'i¥ d 3 -e4 '1W d 7-d5
The blockade o f the h-pawn by 1 7. 2 4 . 'i¥e4-g4 c 4-c 3
.. tiJh5 is forestalled. 2 5 . b 2 -b 3 ! b 5 -b4
1 7. . . . . . . 'i!Vd8-d7?! 2 6 . e 3 -e4 � d 5 -b 5 t
A better square for the queen is e8. 2 7 . ..t>e 2 -e 3 J::!. f 5 -f7
1 8 . h4-h5 tiJf6-e8 2 8 . h6xg 7
1 9. J::!. g 5 -g2 b6-b 5 ! ? A protector is eliminated (factor d).
1 9 . . . c 5 challenges the centre. 28. . . . . . . tiJe8-f6
20. c4-c 5 ! ? 2 9 . �e 5xf6 ! ? !
White does not allow counter-play Spassky starts a forcing variation
by 2 0 . cxb 5 J::!.b 8 2 1 . a4 a6, and sets in his opponent' s time pre s sure .
a tremendous trap. Later he prefers the quiet 2 9 . � h 3 .
20. . . . . . . d6xc 5 ? 29. ...... J::!. f 7xf6
52
30. 1:!. h l xh 7 ! l:!. f6xf3 t !
3 1 . 'it> e3xf3
The king has to start marching. An
awful blunder is 3 1 . 'i!t'xf3?? �g 5 t .
3 1 . ...... "it'b 5 -d 3 t
3 2 . 'it>f3-f4 �e 7-d6 t
Another brilliant king' s march goes
32 . . . 'i!Vd 2 t 3 3 . 'it>e5 (a retreat to g3
is correct, but unthematic) 33 . . .
it.d6 t 3 4 . wxe6 l:!. e8 t 3 5 . 'it>d7 l:!. e 7 t
3 6 . 'it>d8.
3 3 . <itof4-g5 'it>g8xh 7
Spassky finds the win by 3 4 . 'it>f6 !
�xd4 t 3 5 . <ito f 7 i n two moves. This
manoeuvre crowns the sublime
king' s march forward. Suddenly he
notices a win in one !
3 4 . 'it>g 5 - h 5 ??
As though a vat of cold water has
overturned him, Boris sees the
lightning-like answer.
34. . . . . . . 'i!t' d 3 -b 5 t !
H e plays o n with his mind i n a fog . .
3 5 . w h 5 -h4?!
Panic strikes . A stronger variation
is 3 5 . eS! 'i!Ye8t 36. 'it>h4 �e7t 3 7.
'itoh3 'i!t'f7. Two black moves can be
exchanged by 3 7 . . . wg8. 38. 'it>h2 !
'itog8 39. �h3 ..Wf4 t 40. 'it>g l .
Avoids 4 0. 'it>h l ? ? �h4! 40 . l:!. c l t
..
and a perpetual check.
3 5 . ...... �d6-e 7 t
3 6 . wh4-h3 'i!Vb 5 -g 5 !
3 7 . ..Wg4xg 5 �e 7xg 5
Grand Strategy
3 8 . l:!. g 2xg 5 l:!. a8-d8
The rook ending is bad for White,
despite the material advantage of a
pawn.
3 9 . f2 -f4?
Moiseev suggests 39. 'it>g 3 ! 'it>g8 40.
l:!. c 5 . We inve stigate 40 . . . J::!. xd4 .
Now 4 1 . l:!. xc7? l:!. xe4 4 2 . l:!. xa7?
l:!. c4 ! is fatal. The safe way to a
draw goes 4 1 . wf4 ! l:!. d2 4 2 . l:!. xc 7
l:!. xf2 t 4 3 . 'it>e S l:!. xa2 44. 'it>xe6 l:!. g 2
4 5 . l:!. xa7.
39. ...... 'it>h7-g8
40. l:!. g 5 - c 5 l:!. d8xd4
4 1 . l:!. c 5 xc 7 l:!. d4xe4
The game is adj ourned.
4 2 . wh3 -g4
A blunder is 4 2 . l:!. xa7? due to 42 . . .
c2 4 3 . l:!. c 7 l:!. e 3 t 44. 'it>g4 l:!. c 3 .
42. ...... e6-e 5
4 3 . a2-a3
43. wf5 l:!. xf4 t leads to variations
similar to the game.
43. ...... l:!. e4xf4 t
44. 'it>g4-g5 a7-a5
4 5 . wg 5 -g6 l:!. f4-g4 t
46. 'it>g6-f6
A subtle line is 46. 'itoh6 e4 4 7 .
l:!. c8 t 'it> f 7 4 8 . l:!. f8 t we6 4 9 . g8'i!t' t
l:!. xg8 5 0 . l:!. xg8 e 3 ! 5 1 . l:!. e8 t 'ito d 5
5 2 . l:!. xe 3 . The protected passed
pawn has greater value than a rook.
52 . . . c 2 5 3 . l:!. e l 'it>d4 and wins.
46. . . . . . . 'it>g8-h7!
 Struggle 53

1 3 . ...... 0-0-0
14. 0-0-0 "tl¥ d 7- e 7
1 5 . tLld4-b 3 �c 5 -b6
1 6. g 2 -g4 J:!. d8xd 1 t
1 7. J:!. h 1 xd 1 h7-h5
1 8 . h2-h3 h 5 xg4
1 9 . h3xg4 J:!. h8-h2
Boris occupies his favourite central
position. Tigran lurks at a distance .
2 0 . tLlb 3 -d4 a 7-a6
2 1 . J:!. d 1 -d2 J:!. h2 -h8

Poor Boris does not even draw.

4 7 . g 7 - g8� t
The crucial variation is 4 7 . axb4
axb4 4 8 . \t>xe 5 J:!. xg 7 49. J:!. c4 l:!. g 1 !
5 0 . w d 5 J:!. b l . White i s too late.
47. . . . . . . 'it>h7xg8
4 8 . <>t>f6xe 5 l:!. g4-g 1
4 9 . \t>e 5 -f6 J:!. g 1 -f l t
5 0 . <>t>f6-e 5 l:!. f l -b 1
0- 1
Courage was not rewarded.
White has the initiative.
2 2 . b 2 -b4
2 . 1 7. Spas sky - Tigran Petrosian The advance of a pawn creates a
Spartakiad new domain for king and knight on
Moscow 1 96 7 the queen's side.
2 2 . ...... wc8-b8
l . e 2 -e4 e 7-e6 Black can simplify by means of 2 2 .
2. d 2 - d4 d 7-d5 . . J:!. d 8 , but there i s n o urgent need.
3 . tLlb 1 -c 3 ttJg8-f6 2 3 . ttJd4-b 3 J:!. h8-c8
4. �c 1 -g 5 d 5 xe4 24. wc 1 -b 2 J:!. c8 -c4
5. ttJc3xe4 ttJb8-d7 2 5 . a2 -a4 e6-e 5 !?
6 . t2Je4xf6 t tLld 7xf6
7. ttJg 1 -f3 c7 - c 5
8 . �fl -b 5 t �c8-d7
9 . �b 5 xd 7 t "tW d8xd 7
1 0 . �g 5 xf6 g 7xf6
In a quiet variation of the French,
play is similar to the Caro-Kann.
1 1 . c2-c3 c 5xd4
1 2 . ttJf3xd4 �f8-c5
Petrosian offers a draw in vain.
1 3 . � d 1 -f3 !
White gains a minimal advantage
by a novelty.
54 Grand Strategy

White maintains a small advantage flank by 34 . . . ll f4 3 5 . cj;a3 J:t f 3 !

with 2 6. 'i!!V d l , but he seeks a major The tactical engagement 3 6 . 'e' h 7 ! ?
confrontation. (threatens 3 7. 'i\Yh8) 3 6 . . . � e 5 !
2 6. a4-a 5 ! ? (threatens 3 7 . . . �c l t ) 3 7. n c8 �g S
The advance of a pawn chases 3 8 . '1We4 J.c l t 3 9 . tLlxc l 'lWxc l t 40.
away a hostile piece (factor b). �b3 �dl t 4 1 . 'i!!V c 2 draws.
26. . . . . . . i,b6-a7 3 5 . tLlb 3-d4!
Black restricts himself to keeping White benefits from the missing
square c5 unaccessible. The active bishop on the diagonal a7-g l .
2 6 . . . l:H4? ! accepts the challenge. A 3 5 . ...... �g 5 - e 3
very sharp battle begins with 2 7. A similar variation is 3 5 . . . n e 3 3 6 .
't'H d 3 ! ? �f2 2 8 . b 5 axb 5 2 9 . �xb 5 b 5 ! axb S 3 7. tLlxb S t w a 6 3 8 . .!l a8#.
cj;c7 3 0 . a6.
2 7. � f3 - d 3 ! ?
Again the solid 2 7. � d l i s avoided.
2 7. . . . . . . J:tc4-f4?!
During practical play, it is hardly
pos sible to evaluate 2 7 . . . n xg4 ! 2 8 .
b 5 ! axb 5 2 9 . 'ii!Y xb 5 � e 6 !
A. The cutthroat 3 0 . J:td8 t cj; c 7
3 1 . J:ta 8 � 2 3 2 . a6 �b6 3 3 . axb 7
J:tg2 t 34. cj;b l J:tg l t draws
B. After the positional 3 0 . tLl c 5
�c 5 3 1 . 'i!!V x c 5 J:tg8 3 2 . J:t d 6 J:tc8 !
3 3 . �b4 'fic4, White exchanges to
Black's choice of active counter­
an equal rook endgame.
play has become fatal.
2 8 . f2 -f3 e 5 -e4
36. b4-b 5 ! ii.e 3xd4
2 9. f3xe4 J:tf4xe4
3 7. 'Wi d 3 xd4 t
30 . .tt d 2 -h 2 !
Black notices 3 7 . . . n xd4 3 8 . b6
The pawn structure and control o f
mate.
the board have become favourable
for White.
30. . . . . . . �a 7-e 3 !
An active defence i s continued, and
the king gets a square.
3 1 . "41!V d 3 - d 5 J:te4-e 5
3 2 . J:th2 -h8 t �b8-a7
33. f!V d 5 -d 3 ? !
More pressure on Black results
from 3 3 . 't!fc4 'i!Wd7 34 . .tt f8 .
3 3 . ...... n e 5 -e4
34. J:th8-g8 ! J.e 3 - g 5 ?
In time trouble, an incorrect plan is diagram o f analysis
selected. Black did not capture the
g-pawn when it was unprotected. An avalanche of pawns overwhelms
Now he attacks it. The right choice the king.
is a counterattack on the other 1 -0
 Struggle 55

2 . 1 8 . Efim Geller - Spassky has an advantage.

Zonal tournament of seven B. 1 5 . f4 tt:Jxd 2 1 6 . WHxd2 Ae4
Moscow 1 964 1 7. :t ad l c6. Boleslavsky goes on
with 1 8 . f5 in his enthusiasm for
1 . e 2 -e4 e 7- e 5 the pawn avalanche. 1 8 . Ac 2 is a
2. cug l -f3 tt:Jb8-c6 more solid move.
3. J/.f l -b 5 a 7-a6 1 3 . ...... tt:Jf6xe4
4 . �b 5 -a4 d 7-d6 1 4 . tt:J d 2 -b l
5 . 0-0 Jj,c8-g4 Black's centre pawn is doomed.
6. h 2 -h 3 �g4-h5 1 4. ...... � d8-c8?
7 . c 2 -c 3 tt:Jg8 -f6 The wrong square is selected. Black
8 . d 2 -d4 b 7-b 5 should play 14 . . . � e 8 ! 1 5 . bd 5
9. �a4-b 3 Jj,f8-e7 :t ad8 1 6 . bc6 '/Wxc6 1 7 . tt:Jd4 "+!I' d ? .
1 0. Jj,c l -e 3 0-0 A n attack will follow.
1 1 . tt:Jb l -d 2 1 5 . tt:Jf3-d4?
Spassky uses his special approach Another wrong choice is 1 6 . �xd 5 ?
to the Closed Ruy Lopez: the d­ tt:J a 5 1 6 . 'ilt' d l h 5 . White can win the
pawn makes a second step. centre pawn by 1 5 . �d 5 ! :t fd8 1 6 .
1 1 . ...... d6-d 5 !? a4 ! :t b8 1 7. axb 5 axb 5 1 8 . '/W b 3 .
1 5 . ...... cuc6xe 5
1 6 . f2 -f4

A great asset of this move is the

psychological element of surprise.
The game changes from lengthy Pawns seem to overwhelm piece s.
manoeuvring to tactics in the open. 1 6. ...... c 7-c 5
1 2 . g2 -g4 1 7. f4xe 5
Geller is not a shy player. He plays The effort to win a piece by I 7.
for a quick win. tt:J e 2 ? miserably fails due to 1 7 . . .
1 2 . ...... �h 5 -g6 tt:Jxg4 1 8 . hxg4 '/Wxg4 t 1 9 . wh2 11.f5 .
1 3 . d4xe 5 ? ! 1 7. . . . . . . c 5 xd4
After a n hour of contemplation 1 8 . c 3 xd4 '/Wc8-d7
over the last two moves, the A slightly better square is e6.
sharpest choice is made. Analysts 1 9. tt:Jb l -d2
prefer the po sitional line 1 3 . tt:Jxe 5 Tactical errors have cost time.
tt:Jxe 5 1 4 . dxe 5 tt:Jxe4 1 9. ...... f7-f6
A. Bondarevsky proceeds with 2 0 . :t a l -c l wg8-h8
1 5 . cuxe4 dxe4 1 6 . �d 5 , and White 2 1 . Ae 3-f4?
56 Grand Strategy
White has to accept a small minus
with 2 1 . cuxe4 .txe4.
2 1 . ...... f6xe 5
2 2 . Af4xe 5 .,te7-g 5 !
A surprise i s prepared.
23 . .l:t c l -c 7
I f the queen moves, White takes g 7 .
23. . . . . . . � d 7xc 7 !
2 4 . �e 5xc7 Ag 5 - e 3 t
Black takes over the attack.
2 5 . <it;g l -g2 cue4xd2
2 6 . .l:t fl xf8 t .l:t a8xf8
The king has little protection. A
serious threat is 2 7 . . . Ae4 t .
2 7 . .,tb 3xd5 .l:t f8-f2 t
2 8 . wg2-g3 cud2-fl t
2 9 . wg3 -h4 h 7-h6
Black plans mate in one.
30. �c 7-d8 It f2 · f8
Mate or material loss cannot be
avoided.
0- 1
The nightmare scenario of a pawn
avalanche has come true: the
player's own king is hounded.
 Struggle 57

C. Flank attack

S o m etimes king and centre are wel l - p rotected . I n that cas e , a d i rect attack i s
doomed . I f a weakness is spotted o n the f l a n k , the attacker has fou nd a d iffe rent
target. Strateg i sts call t h i s approach the indirect attack.
T h e paradox 'many battles are won by marching ' describes t h e fi rst stage of a
f l a n k attack . Fo rward move ment veers off towards the weakness . E m pty territory i s
occ u p i ed with l ittle effo rt . M a o ' s g u id e l i n e 'hit the enemy a s hard a s possible a t the
weakest place !' descri bes the second stage of a flank attack. W h e n the assault
succeed s , the final stage wi l l consist of a m o p - u p .
Th ree types of flank attack w i l l be i l l u strated by means of exam ples :
I. I n a minority attack, pawns open u p a flank for pieces ( game 2 . 1 9 )
11 . I n a majority attack, the s u rp l u s of pawns is uti l i sed as a strength (game 2 . 20 )
Ill. I n Fischer 's strategy for White, the defender experiences g reat d ifficu lties o n
the attacked f l a n k . When Black's cou nter-play beg i n s , the aim of attack changes t o
the centre . T h i s s u b l i m e strategy is applied i n the g a m e s 2 . 2 1 a n d 2 . 2 2 .

2 . 1 9 . Viktor Korchnoi - Spassky White begins an attack on the

7h game of final queen's side.
Belgrade 1 9 7 7 1 1 . b 2 -b4!
Hart suggested this move during
1 . c 2 -c4 e 7-e6 preparation for the match. The
2. 'Llb l-c3 d7-d5 intention is to weaken the c-pawn.
3 . d 2 -d4 JLf8-e7 1 1 . .....
. c 7-c6
4. 'Llg l-f3 'Llg8-f6 Spassky chooses a solid answer. An
5. �c l -g 5 0-0 excellent alternative is 1 1 . .. c 5 .
6. e2-e3 h 7-h6 1 2 . .Hl -e2 lt:lb8-d 7
7 . . iit.g 5 -h4 b 7-b6 1 3 . 0-0 a7-a5
8. !'t a l-c l �c8-b 7 14. b4-b 5
9 . . \th4xf6 Jl.e 7xf6 The minority attack is carried out.
1 0. c4xd 5 e6xd 5 1 4. ...... c6-c5
1 5 . d4xc 5 'Lld 7xc 5
Black has equalised easily. The
disadvantage of an isolated pawn is
compensated by a greater control
over the board.
1 6 . lt:lf3 -d4 � d8-d6
1 7 . .te 2 -g4 !?
White tries to regain the initiative.
1 7. . . . . . . J:H8-d8
1 8 . n f l -e l 'Ll c 5 -e6?
The duo, Keene and Stean, fails to
find the manoeuvre 1 8 . . . g6 and
58 Grand Strategy

1 9 . . . h 5 . Black increases his control

and keeps the initiative.
1 9 . �g4xe6 f7xe6
20. l2Jd4-c6 !
White revives his attack o n the
queen's side.
20. ...... �b 7xc6
2 1 . b 5xc6

The position has become highly

complicated. Spassky sets a great
trap .
3 0 . h2-h3 !
A blunder is 30. 'I!Hb7? due to 30 . ..
'!Wa4! 3 1 . '1Wxc8t wh7. Keene goes
on with 3 2 . '1W h8 t ? �xh8 3 3 . c8Wi t
wh7 3 4 . l:!. c 2 Wi a 1 ! and Black wins
A pawn has been sacrificed. wonderfully. Actually 3 2 . h3! Wixc6
2 1 . ...... �f6xc 3 ? ! 3 3 . l:!. xd2! '�Wc l t 34. wh2 '*l'xd2
I t is wiser to accept: 2 1 . . . '1Wxc 6! ? 3 5 . '!Wb8 draws superbly.
2 2 . l2Je4! '!W b 7 23. l2Jxf6 t gxf6 . 30. . . . . . . '/W a 2 -a4?!
Korchnoi has planned 2 4 . '/Wg4 t , A charming defence is 3 0 . . . �h8!
but 2 4 . .. w f 7 2 5 . '/W h 5 t will lead to 3 1 . '/W b7 '/Wg8 3 2 . '/Wa6! Black will
perpetual check. A stronger choice lose a pawn, but he keeps fighting
is 2 4 . '!Wf3 Wi e 7 2 5 . l:!. c6 wh7 2 6 . chances.
.!::!. ec 1 and the attack continues. The 3 1 . l:!. d lxd2 !
alternative 2 1 . .. 'tlJ'b4 ? ! is answered White can make this temporary
by 2 2 . '!Wb 3 ! l:!. dc8 2 3 . l2Jb 5 with an sacrifice, because his king has an
advantage . escape square.
2 2 . l:!. c 1 xc 3 � a8-c8 3 1 . ...... .!::!. d 7xd2
2 3 . '/W d 1 -c 2 e6-e 5 3 2 . '/Wb 6-b 7 l:!. d2-d8
Boris finds 2 3 . . . '/W e ? and 2 3 . . . l:!. c 7 3 3 . c 7xd8'1W t l:!. c8xd8
too pas sive .
2 4 . c6-c7 � d8-d7
2 5 . l:!. e l-c l d 5 -d4!
A counterattack is started in the
centre.
26. l:!. c 3 -c6 '!Wd6-d5
2 7. '!W c 2 -b l !
White completely disregards the
advancing pawn.
2 7. . . . . . . d4-d3
28. 'tlJ'b lxb6 d3-d2
2 9 . l:!. c l-d l Wi d 5xa2
 Struggle
Impres sive tactics have ruined the
black pawn structure.
3 4 . n c6-c7
The mopping-up begins.
34. . . . . . . 'iWa4-a 1 t
Pawn g7 can only be defended in
an artificial manner.
3 5. �g 1 -h2 e 5 -e4
3 6 . 'iWb 7xe4 'i!f a 1 -f6
3 7. f2-f4 "tW f6-f8
3 8 . .ll c7-a7 � f8 - c 5
3 9 . �e4-b 7 � c 5 -c 3
4 0 . �b7-e7 .ll d8-f8
4 1 . e 3 -e4 'iW c 3 -d4
4 2 . f4-f5 h6-h5
Another simple win is 4 2 . . . a4 4 3 .
.ll d 7 'i!f f6 4 4 . "tWxf6 gxf6 4 5 . .!l a ?.
43 . .ll a7xa 5 �d4-d2
44. � e 7-e 5 't¥1' d 2 -g 5
4 5 . .ll a 5 -a6 .ll f8-f7
4 6 . .ll a6-g6 � g 5 -d8
47. f5 -f6 h 5 -h4
4 8 . f6xg 7
1 -0
Korchnoi had little success during
the first stage of the attack on the
queen's side. A smart combination
brought him in the second stage.
When both sides advanced a
passed pawn, a slugfest began.
During the mop-up, the scattered
defenders were annihilated.
Spas sky prefers to apply the direct
method. In the next example, he
changes to a flank attack, when
direct confrontation is avoided.
2 . 2 0 . Spassky - Lev Polugaevsky
2rJh USSR championship
Baku 1 9 6 1
1 . d 2 -d4 1Llg8-f6
2. c 2 -c4 e 7-e6
3. 1Llg 1 -f3 b 7-b6
4. 1Llb 1 -c 3 i.c8-b 7
59
5 . i.c 1 -g 5 i.f8-b4
6. e2-e3 h 7-h6
7. i.g 5 -h4 g7-g5
8 . i.h4-g3 lt:Jf6-e4
9 . � d 1 -c 2 i.b4xc 3 t
1 0. b2xc3 d 7-d6
1 1 . i.f l-d3 lt:Je4xg3
1 2 . f2xg3
This new move fits in the Russian
school of dynamic chess. Weakness
(a doubled pawn) is accepted for
strength (an open central file).
Some trainers call this approach a
strategy. That is nonsense, because
the method concerns positional
means instead of strategic goals. It
is an excellent pragmatism for the
over-the-board player.
1 2. ...... g 5 -g4
Quiet development of the queen's
side is continued by 1 2 . . . lt:Jd7.
1 3 . lt:Jf3-h4 �d8-g5
Protection of the e-pawn seems to
be the obvious choice.
1 4 . 0-0!?
Another feature of the Russian
school is the pursuit of an active
game by tactics.
1 4. ...... 'llk g 5 xe 3 t
1 5 . �g 1 -h 1 lt:Jb8 - d 7 !
Long casting is prepared.
1 6 . .ll f l-f4 .ll h8-g8
1 7 . .ll a 1 -fl 0-0-0!
Avoids 1 7 . . . .ll g7? 1 8 . 'iW d l !
1 8 . .ll f l -f2 't!f e 3 -e 1 t
60 Grand Strategy
1 9. ll f2 - f l � e l-e 3
20. ll f4xf7
Now 20. 'tiH d l ?, as preparation for
ll e l, fails due to 20 . . . lUe S ! , as
Soltis mentions.
20. . . . . . . ll d8-f8
Black applies a third principle of
the Russian school. Capturing and
sacrificing a pawn shows f7exible
play.
2 1 . � c 2 - e 2 'i!¥ e 3xe 2
2 2 . .ltd 3xe2 h6-h5
23 . ..t>h l-g l .ltb 7-e4
24. n f7xf8 t liJd 7xf8 !?
Another way to equality is 2 4 . . .
n xf8 2 5 . n xf8 t liJxf8 2 6 . h3 c S !
A fourth rule o f the Russian school
can be explained. Weaknesses are
irrelevant, whe n they cannot be
attacked. White's doubled pawns
are defensible. The doubled pawns
on the king' s side can even be
converted into an active maiority.
2 5 . ..t>g l -f2 liJf8-g6
26 . ..t>f2 - e 3 .te4-c6
2 7. n f l-f6 tUg6xh4
2 8 . g3xh4 g4-g 3 ! ?
The simple 2 8 . . . ng2 is correct a s
well.
2 9 . h2xg3 ll g8xg 3 t
3 0 . �e3 -f4 !
Unconsciously Spassky applies the
Schlieffenplan. On his deathbed,
Marshal Count von Schlieffen said:
" Keep the right wing strong ! " He
referred to a future attack by the
right flank of the German army
through Belgium to France.
30. ...... ll g 3xg2
The alternative 30. . . n xc 3 3 1 .
n xe6 �g2 is all right.
3 1 . i.e 2xh 5 ll g2xa2
3 2 . l:: f6xe6
White has no opposition on the
right wing.
3 2 . ...... a7-a 5 ? !
Unconsciously Polugaevsky carries
out the second part of Schlieffen's
plan. An important aim was to
draw the French army in a futile
counterattack on the left flank.
Black battles on the queen's side,
although the action lacks time and
coordination. An easy way out i s
3 2 . . . n f2 t 3 3 . �g s n g2 t 3 4 . wf4 .
3 3 . j�>h 5 -g4 >t>c8-d8
3 4 . h4 -h5 n a 2-h2?
An exchange of moves becomes
fatal. After 3 4 . . . .ltd 7 34. ll g6 �..xg4
3 5 . >t>xg4 ll h2 3 6 . h6 a4, Black will
survive.
3 5 . h 5 -h6 jl,c6-d7
Le ss spectacular goes 35 . . . a4 3 6 .
..t>g3 ! ll g 2 t ( 3 6 . . . ll h l 3 7. �h3 ) 3 7 .
wh4 ll h2 t 3 8 . �h3 .tg 2 3 9 . n e 3 ,
and White queens first.
36. wf4-g 3 ! !
A great manoeuvre unfolds.
36. . . . . . . ll h2 - h l
3 7. i,g4 -f3 !
 Struggle 61

4 . ttJb 1 -c 3 ll.f8 - e 7
5 . ll.c 1 -g 5 0-0
6. e 2 - e 3 h7-h6
7 . .tg 5 -h4 b 7-b6
8. c4xd 5 ttJf6xd 5
9 . ..th4xe 7 ft'd8xe7
1 0. ttJc3xd 5 e6xd 5
1 1 . .!:!. a 1 -c 1
In the Tartakower, White directs his
pieces to the queen's side.
1 1 . ...... �c8-e6
1 2 . 'iW d 1 -a4 c7-c 5
1 3 . "t\fa4-a3 .!:!. f8-c8
An endgame study composer will
comment: 'The rook is dominated
on the h-file'.
3 7. ...... .!:!. h 1 -g 1 t
In the line 3 7 . . . .txe6 3 8 . .txh 1
.tg8 3 9 . �e4 a 4 40. h 7 .txh 7 4 1 .
..txh 7 a 3 4 2 . ll.b 1 , White i s just in
time .
3 8 . �f3 -g2 !
Again the rook i s dominated.
38. ...... .!:!. g 1 -c 1
3 9 . h6-h7 .!:!. c 1 xc 3 t
40. 'it>g3-h2 ll.d 7xe6
4 1 . h 7-h8� t Fischer follows the game Furman­
The pawn maj ority queens. Geller, Moscow 1 9 70 .
4 1 . ...... 'it>d8-e 7 1 4 . �f l -b 5 ! ? a 7-a6?!
4 2 . d4- d 5 Black' s pawn structure is slightly
1 -0 weakened. Later Geller played 14 . . .
When the black king castled on the 1Wb 7 ! ? Timman found out that his
queen's side, White started a flank recommendation 1 5 . dxc 5 bxc 5 1 6 .
attack with the pawns in front of .!:!. xc 5 ? .!:!. xc 5 1 7. �xc 5 was refuted
his king. by 1 7 . . . ttJa6! 1 8 . �a6 1!¥xa6 in
Hilversum 1 9 7 3 .
1 5 . d4xc 5 b6xc 5
2 . 2 1 . Bobby Fischer - Spassky 1 6 . 0-0 .!:!. a8-a7?!
61h game World Championship This leads to passivity. Donner
Reykj avik 1 9 7 2 advises 1 6 . . . ttJc6! Timman tries to
refute this by 1 7 . .txc6 .!:!. xc6 1 8 .
1 . c2 -c4 ttJ e 5 .!:!. c 7 1 9. ttJd3 , but Black can
The first move is an enormous play 1 9 . . . .!:!. ac 8 ! with a secure
surprise. Long Rus sian preparation position.
is avoided. 1 7. �b 5 - e 2
1 . ...... e 7-e6 White switches h i s strategy from
2 . ttJg 1 -f3 d 7- d 5 an attack on the queen's side to an
3. d2 -d4 ttJg8-f6 action in the centre .
62 Grand Strategy

1 7. . . . . . . ct:Jb8-d 7
Geller played 1 7. .. a 5 in 1 9 70.
Furman gained a large advantage
by 1 8 . l:t c 3 .
1 8 . ct:Jf3 -d4 ! '1W e 7-f8
A better choice than passivity is
lacking.
1 9 . ct:Jd4xe6 f7xe6
20. e 3 -e4! d 5 -d4?
It would have been better to
continue pas sively with 2 0 . .. ct:Jf6.
The opponent is allowed to make a
positive change of strategy. 26. f4-f5 ! e6xf5
2 7. J:t f l xf5 ct:Jf8-h7
28. J:t c 1 -f l � e 7-d8
29. '1Wh3 -g3 l:t a 7-e 7
3 0 . h2 -h4 J:t b8-b 7
3 1 . e 5 -e6 J:t b 7-c 7
32 . '1Wg3-e 5 '1Wd8-e 8
Black' s helplessness allows active
consolidation. White is able to
strengthen his position, before the
attack begins.
3 3 . a2 -a4 '1We8-d8
3 4 . J:t f l -f2 "i!V d8-e8
White takes the opportunity to 3 5 . n f2-f3 '!We8-d8
restrain the centre. The hinterland is protected. As a
2 1 . f2 -f4 ! '1Wf8-e7 consequence, the attack on the
2 2 . e4-e 5 J:t c8-b8 king can begin.
2 3 . �e 2 -c4 36 . .te 2 - d 3 ! '!Wd8-e8
Blockade of the backward c-pawn 3 7. '!W e 5 -e4
by the bishop is an important Threatens 38 . .l:!. f8 t .
element of the restraint. 3 7. . . . . . . ct:Jh7-f6
2 3 . ...... ..t>g8-h8
24 . '1W a 3 -h 3 ct:Jd7-f8
Tal mentions 2 4 . . . l:t xb 2 . The
answer can be a capture on e6 by
the queen or bishop, with a big
advantage in both cases.
2 5 . b 2 -b 3
Black's centre is immobilised and
the blockader is protected.
2 5 . ...... a6-a5
Now White ' s strategy changes to an
attack on the king's side.
 Struggle 63

The game in grand style.

3 8 . :t f5 xf6 ! g 7xf6
3 9 . :!. f3 xf6 'it>h8-g8
40. �d3 -c4 �g8-h8
4 1 . �e4-f4
1 -0
This game is of an exceptional level
due to the changes in strategy.
Fischer had prepared an opening
that gave him a small advantage as
White. Each time Spas sky nullified
the current strategy, he met a
shrewd change to another strategy.
Many theoretical move s have been
The strategies applied were attack
made in the Breyer.
on the queen's side, attack in the
1 9. b 2 -b4
centre, restraint and attack on the At last a new move is made.
king. Fischer was the greatest 1 9. ...... l2Jf6-h7?
player of all times through h ! s
The active 1 9 . . . cxb 3 20. 1Lxb 3 l2J c 5
incredible ability for strategic
2 1 . c 4 is better. A closed position
change during a game.
favours the white attack on the
queen' s side.
20. �d 2 -e 3 h6-h5
2 . 2 2 . Bobby Fischer - Spassky
2 l . � d 1 -d2 :t e8-f8
1 '1 match game 2 2 . :t a 1 -a3 l2Jd 7-f6
Sveti Stefan 1 99 2 Nikitin analyses 2 2 . . . h4 2 3 . lL:lfl
f 5 . A s trong answer is 2 4 . exf5 gxf5
l . e 2 -e4 e 7-e 5 2 5 . .li.h6 . Spas sky prefers to wait.
2 . l2Jg 1 -f3 l2Jb8-c6 2 3 . :t e 1 -a 1 'i\Vd8- d7
3. �f l -b 5 a7-a6 2 4 . :t a 1 -a2 :t f8-c8
4 . 2.b 5 -a4 l2Jg8-f6
2 5 . f:f d 2 -c 1 Jt.g 7-f8
5 . 0-0 ii.f8-e7
2 6 . 'ii c 1 -a 1 'ir d 7-e8
6 . n f l -e 1 b 7-b 5
2 7. l2J g 3 -f l ! �f8 - e 7
7. ii.a4 -b 3 d7-d6
2 8 . l2J f l -d2 �g8-g7
8 . c 2 -c3 0- 0
29. l2J d2 -b 1
9 . h 2 -h3 l2Jc6-b8
1 0 . d2 -d4 l2Jb8-d7
1 l . l2Jb 1 -d 2 �c8-b 7
1 2 . .ltb 3 -c2 :t f8-e8
1 3 . l2J d 2 -f l
Fischer played 1 3 . b4 in Reykj avik
twenty years ago.
1 3. ...... �e 7-f8
1 4 . l2Jfl -g3 g7 -g6
1 5 . �c 1 -g 5 h 7-h6
1 6 . �g 5 -d2 �f8-g7
1 7. a2 -a4 c 7-c 5
1 8 . d4- d 5 c 5 -c4
64 Grand Strategy

White pieces are massed on the A naive continuation is 3 8 . . . fxg4

queen's side. The plan is to open 3 9 . cuh2 'tWc 8 40. cue4 t .
the a-file, exchange all heavy pieces 3 9 . �e3xf4 !
and play ll:Ja3 . Black can lengthen An attack in the centre begins.
his suffering with 29 . . . ll:Jg8 and a Chandler regards 3 9 . �b6 'f!Yc8 as
limited exchange. Instead Spassky less promising.
delivers his favourite outburst of 39. ...... e 5 xf4
desperation. 40. cuf3 -h4 ! �d 5 -f7
29. . . . . . . ll:Jf6xe4! 4 1 . 'f!Ya 7-d4 t wf6-e6
A knight is sacrificed for two MatanoviC mentions the alternative
centre pawns. The timing is right , 4 1 . .. wg5 4 2 . 'tWg7 i<xh4 4 3 . 'Wr'h6t
because several white pieces are wxg4 44. f3 t wg3 4 5 . '/Wh2 mate.
clustered in a corner. 4 2 . cuh4-f5 !
30. �c2xe4 f7-f5
Even stronger is 3 0 . . . ll:Jf6 ! 3 1 . �c2
cuxd 5 3 2 . �d2 cue? 3 3 . �d l , and
White's pieces are less active than
in the game.
3 1 . �e4-c2 �b 7xd 5
3 2 . a4xb 5 a6xb 5
3 3 . .l:t a 3 - a 7 ! wg7-f6
3 4 . cub l -d 2 .l:t a8xa 7
3 5 . :t a 2xa7 :t c8-a8

White pieces invade the centre and

threaten the king. The formidable
knight threatens a fork and cannot
be captured due to mate in one.
42. ...... �e 7-f8
4 3 . �d4xf4 we6-d7
44. cuf5 -d4 'f!Ye8-e 1 t
The second desperate action has
less effect.
4 5 . wg l -g2 �f7-d 5 t
Black plans to neutralise the attack 46. i.c 2 -e4 i.d 5 xe4 t
on the queen's side by exchanges 4 7 . cud2xe4 i.f8-e7
and to follow up with an advance 48. cud4xb 5 cuh7 -f8
of the central pawns. 49. cub 5xd6 cuf8-e6
3 6 . g 2 -g4 ! 50. '!W f4-e 5
Fischer applies centralisation. The 1 -0
opponent' s control over the central
area is challenged. Again Fischer showed his superior
36. . . . . . . h 5 xg4 chess intelligence by a magnificent
3 7. h 3 xg4 :t a8xa 7 change from indirect to direct
3 8 . "if a l xa 7 f5-f4 attack.
 Struggle 65

D. Encirclement

A p l ayer can start an e n c i rclement when he has a g reater control and m o b i l ity
o n both flanks, and l ittle activity i s possible i n the centre . The balance between t h e
wing attacks is d i ffic u lt t o determ i n e . I n t h e examples, the centre i s closed .

2 . 2 3 . Spas sky Pia Cramling

· 20. cud3 -f4 �b 5 xe 2 ?
London 1 996 This further exchange is bad.
Hansen suggests 20 . . . 'i¥d7 2 1 .
1 . e 2 -e4 c7 - c 5 � b 5 cuc6.
2. 'Llg 1 -f3 e 7-e6 2 1 . �fl xe 2 �e 7-g 5
3. g 2 -g3 cub8-c6 2 2 . �g 1 -f2 �g 5 xf4
4 . ..tf l -g2 'Llg8-f6 2 3 . �e 3xf4
5 . � d 1 -e 2 d 7-d6 Greater control over the board is
6. 0 - 0 �f8-e7 advantageous in the endgame.
7. c 2 -c3 0-0 2 3 . ...... .l:!. c8xc 1 ? !
8 . d 2 -d4 d6-d5 C ontrol over a file is given away.
9 . e4-e 5 cuf6-e4 2 4 . �f4xc 1 ? !
1 0 . n fl -d 1 �c8-d7 White plays too subtly. Similar t o
1 1 . cuf3 - e 1 c 5 xd4 the game is 2 4 . n xc 1 cu c 6 2 5 . .te 3 .
1 2 . c 3xd4 � d8-b6 2 4 . ...... .l:!. f8-c8
1 3 . Jt.c 1 -e 3 f7-f5
1 4 . f2-f3 'Lle4-g 5
1 5 . cub 1 -c3 cuc6-a5
1 6 . cue 1 -d 3

Two bishops are stronger than two

The lady becomes worried about
her cramped position.
1 6. ...... �d7-b 5 ? !
I t is wiser to defend with 1 6 . . . 'Llc4
1 7. �f2 n ac8 1 8 . n ac 1 .l:!. fd8.
knights, because the bishops can
control a lot of space, and the
knights can hardly find suitable
square s.
2 5 . �c 1 -d2 cu a 5 -c6?
Hereafter Black will be cramped on
the queen's side. The last chance is
25 . . 'Llc4 ! 2 6 . .!:!. c l .l:!. c6 !
.

1 7. 'Llc3xb 5 "it'b6xb 5 2 6 . �f2 -e 3 ! �g8-f8

1 8 . .l:!. a 1 -c 1 .l:!. a8-c8 2 7. b 2 -b4 !
1 9. �g2 - f l 'Llg 5 -f7 Restraint of the knights begins.
66 Grand Strategy
2 7. . . . . . . ttJc6-b8
Black has no suitable counter to
the avalanche of white pawns: his
queen's side will be weakened if his
pawns move forward.
2 8 . a2 -a4 ttJb8-d7
2 9 . a4-a5 ttJf7-d8
30. b4-b 5 ttJd8-f7
The action switches to the king' s
side. Adj acent or Horwitz bishops
exert great power.
3 1 . �e2 - d 3
White prepares 3 2 . g4 .
3 1 . ...... g7-g 5
Black intends to play 3 2 . g4 f4 t .
3 2 . h 2 -h4
A new target is attacked.
32. ...... h 7-h6
3 3 . J:!. d l -h l >t>f8-g7
3 4 . >t>e3-e2 ttJd7 -f8
3 5 . �d2 -b4 ttJf8-d7
3 6 . \t> e 2 - d 2 l:!. c8-c7
The encirclement is in full swing.
Note the support of the rook to the
h-pawn. White is able to force a
weaknes s .
3 7. h4xg 5 ttJf7xg 5 !
After 3 7 . . . hxg 5 , White controls the
open h-file. Hansen analyses 3 8 . g4
fxg4 3 9 . fxg4 >t>g8 40. �d6 ! l:!. c8
(40 . . . ttJxd6 4 1 . exd6 l:!. c8 4 2 . J:!. h 7
and wins). W e continue with 4 1 .
J:!. h 5 ttJf6 4 2 . exf6 ttJxd6 4 3 . J:!. h7 !
ttJ f 7 44. �g6 , and t h e king' s side i s
conquered.
38. >t>d2-e2 J:!. c 7-c8
39. �b4-d2 ttJd 7-f8
40. J:!. h l -g l ttJf8-g6
4 1 . J:!. g l -b l ttJg6-f8
A nice j oke is 4 1 . .. ttJe4 ! ? 4 2 . �.e l ,
but 4 2 . . . ttJc3 t ? 4 3 . �c 3 l:!. xc 3
fails due t o 44. b6 a6 4 5 . �a6.
4 2 . �d2 -b4 ttJf8-d7
43. w e 2 - e 3 >t>g7-g8
If Black tries to prevent a future g 3 -
g 4 with 4 3 . . . h 5 , White answers 4 4 .
J:!. h l >t> g 6 4 5 . wf4 and 4 6 . g 4 is very
strong because of the pin.
44. J:!. b l -h l \t>g8-g7
4 5 . \t>e3 -f4
White becomes active after some
quiet moves. His plan consists of
three phases:
a. 46. g4 fxg4 47. wxg4
b. 4 8 . �d2 chases away ttJg5
c. f3 -f4-f5 will create a passed
e-pawn.
 Struggle 67

4 5 . ...... 'Lld7 -f8 ! 5 3 . J:!. c8-e8 wh6-g6

4 6 . g4 is prevented by 4 6 . . . 'Llg6 t , 54. we3 -f2 !
but now the king i s overburdened. The king moves to the h-file.
46 . .tb4xf8 t ! .l:t c8xf8 54. ...... wg6-h6
Capture by the king loses pawn h6. 5 5 . .te 2 -f3 wh6-g6
47 . .!:t h l -c l 56. wf2 -g2
The action switches from one flank White can play .txd 5 immediately,
to the other. White has given up but he prefers to tighten the ring
the pair of bishops in order to as a preparation.
control the open c-file. He has kept 56. ...... h 5 -h4
one rook on the chessboard for After 56 . . . wh6 5 7. wh3 wg6 5 8 .
vertical pressure. wh4 , the h-pawn is lost anyway.
4 7. . . . . . . b 7-b6 5 7. g3xh4 wg6-g7
48. a 5 -a6 .l:t f8-f7 58. h4-h5 wg7-h6
49 . wf4-e3 h6-h5 59. wg2-h3 wh6-g7
If Black gives no extra protection to 60. wh3 -h4 wg7-h6
square g4, the variation becomes 6 1 . �f3xd 5
49 . . . .l:t e 7 50 . .l:t c8 wf7 5 1 . .l:t b 8 .l:t e8 The continuation 6 1 . .. exd 5 6 2 . e6
5 2 . .!:t b 7 t .l:t e 7 5 3 . g4 ! fxg4 5 4 . fxg4 leads to a won rook ending.
and the white pieces will penetrate 1 -0
the king ' s side. The encirclement has been carried
50. J:!. c 1 -c8 'Llg 5 -h 7 out with great skill.
A pawn is l o s t by 5 0 . . . J:!. f8 5 1 .
J:!. c6. Black can leave the knight on
g5 in order to play .. 'Lle4 if the f­ 2 . 2 4 . Anatoly Karpov - Spassky
pawn advance s. In that case, the 3rd game sem i final
line will be 50 . . . J:!. e 7 5 1 . J:!. b 8 wh6 Leningrad 1 9 7 4
5 2 . l:!. b 7 l:!. g 7 5 3 . �e 2 ! wh7 5 4 . f4
'Lle4 5 5 . nh 5 'Llxg3 5 6 . .tf7 and 1 . d 2 - d4 'Llg8-f6
White has prevailed. 2 . c 2 -c4 g 7-g6
5 1 . f3-f4 'Llh7-f8 3. 'Llb l -c 3 �f8-g7
5 2 . .td3 -e2 wg 7-h6 4 . e 2 -e4 d 7-d6
5. 'Llg l -f3 0-0
6 . �f l -e 2 c7-c 5
7. 0-0 �c8-g4
De spite his lead in the match,
Spassky chooses a sharp variation
of the King's Indian.
8. d4- d 5
H i s young opponent is satisfied
with an advantage in space.
8. ...... 'Llb8 - d 7
9 . .tc l -g 5 a 7-a6
1 0 . a 2 - a4
The encirclement has succeeded on White prevents an advance on the
the flanks. Hereafter, the circle will queen's side.
shrink. 1 0. . . . . . . 't!!' d8-c7
68 Grand Strategy

1 1 . 'ii!V d 1 -d 2 � a8-e8 2 3 . ...... � h4xe l

1 2 . h2-h3 �g4xf3 2 4 . � f l xe l h7-h6
1 3 . $.e 2xf3 e 7-e6 2 5 . h 3 -h4
1 4. b 2 -b 3
A solid move o n a flank suffices
for the youngs ter.
1 4. . . . . . . >t>g8-h8
1 5 . �g 5 - e 3 lt:lf6-g8
1 6. �f3 -e2
Both sides retreat pieces in order
to advance pawns.
1 6. . . . . . . e6-e 5 ? !
The centre is closed.
1 7. g 2 -g4 !
An advance on the king's side is
prevented.
Black continues his response on
1 7. . . . . . . � c 7-d8
the king ' s side.
1 8. >t>g 1 -g 2 �d8-h4
2 5 . ...... h6xg 5 ?
Here things g o completely wrong.
Correct is 2 5 . . . � a8 ! The defence
of the queen' s side is the first
priority. 2 6 . � eb l . Exchanges on h6
will lessen the pres sure. 26 . . . � fb8
2 7. b4 �f8 2 8 . bxc 5 lt:lxc 5 . Black
has reorganised his forces on the
queen's side.
26. h4xg 5 lt:lg8-c 7
2 7. a4-a5 f7-f6?!
One step further is better. The two­
step pawn manoeuvre weakens the
Black has taken the initiative on the king's side.
king's side. The tactical point is 1 9 . 28. � e l -b 1 f6xg 5 ? !
il..g 5 $11 6 . 2 9 . b 3 -b4!
1 9 . f2-f3 �g 7-h6?
Tal, Keres and Botvinnik condemn
this provocative move and suggest
1 9 . . . f5 2 0 . �g 5 �6.
2 0 . g4-g 5 �h6-g7
2 1 . �e 3 -f2 �h4-f4
2 2 . il.. f 2 - e 3 'ii!V f4-h4
The queen cannot be caught.
2 3 . �d2-e l 1
A clever decision is made. The
exchange of queens brings about a
better endgame.

Without much effort, Karpov has
reached a winning position. White's
pieces are ideally placed for the
encirclement. The centre is closed,
black pawns can be attacked on
both flanks, Horwitz bishops exert
pre s sure on the wings, and rooks
move effectively on the first rank.
If Black defends passively, he will
be defeated by siege.
29. . . . . . . lt:le 7-f5 ! ?
The black pieces
desperate action in the central
area. Keres analyses 3 0 . exf5 e4!
3 1 . Ji.d2 exf3 t 3 2 . Ji.xf3 gxf5 with
counterplay.
3 0 . Ji.e 3 xg 5 !
N o opportunities are given t o the
opponent. When Karpov was a sick
weakling as a boy, he learned the
hard les son: 'The big boys shall get
no chance to hurt little Tolya'.
30. ...... lt:lf5 -d4
3 1 . b4xc 5 lt:ld7xc 5
3 2 . .!:!. b l -b6
Pawn d6 cannot be defended due
to a lack of coordination of the
black pieces.
3 2 . ...... �g 7-f6
After 3 3 . n xd6 'it>g7! Black is back
in the game.
33 . .!:!. a l -h l t !
Karpov strikes swiftly, when h e has
a winning advantage. The attack
rages on both wings.
Struggle 69
3 3 . ...... 'it>h8-g7
'One petite combinaison' is 33 . . .
'it>g8 3 4 . .!:!. xd6, and White wins two
pawns.
34. �g 5 -h6 t 'it>g 7-g8
3 5 . �6xf8 .!:!. e8xf8
36 . .!:!. b 6xd6 'it>g8-g7
support a
White is pawn and exchange up,
but he still has to play accurately.
3 7. �e2 - d l �f6-e7
Tal mentions 37 . . . Ji.d8 38. lt:la4
Ji.c 7 3 9 . lt:lxc 5 nd6 40. lt:lxb 7, 4 1 .
c 5 , and White wins.
3 8 . .!:!. d6-b6 �e 7-d8
39 . .!:!. b6-b l .!:!. f8-f7
40. lt:lc3 -a4 lt:lc 5 - d 3 ! ?
Exchange will lose more quickly.
4 1 . lt:la4-b6 g6-g5
42. lt:lb6-c8 lt:l d 3 -c 5
4 3 . lt:lc8-d6 n f7-d7
44. lt:ld6-f5 t lt:ld4xf5
4 5 . e4xf5 e 5 -e4
46. f3xe4 lt:lc 5 xe4
47. �d l -a4 .!:!. d 7-e7
4 8 . .!:!. b l -e l lt:le4-c 5
49 . .!:!. e l xe 7 t �d8xe 7
5 0 . Ji.a4-c2 Ji.e 7-d8
5 1 . .!:!. h l -a l 'it>g7-f6
5 2 . d 5 -d6 lt:lc 5 - d 7
5 3 . l:!. a l -b l <it>f6-e 5
5 4 . l:!. b l -d l 'it> e 5 -f4
5 5 . .!:!. d l -e l
1 -0
'It's fun for little Tolya to torture a
big boy' .
70 Grand Strategy

2 . 2 5 . Spassky - Lajos Portisch 2 2 . l:!. a 1 -a2 .!:l: e 7-c 7

3rd game semi final 2 3 . a4xb 5 a6xb 5
Geneva 1 9 7 7 2 4 . 'il!l' d 2 - d 1 tt:lf6-d7
2 5 . h3 -h4?!
1 . e 2 -e4 e 7-e 5 White wants to start an enveloping
2 . tt:lg 1 -f3 tt:lb8-c6 manoeuvre on the wings. However,
3 . .ltf l -b 5 a7-a6 the advance on the king 's side is
4. �b 5 -a4 tt:lg8-f6 not supported by major pieces. So
5 . 0-0 �f8-e7 the opening o f a file has no point.
6 . .!:l: f l -e 1 b 7-b 5 2 5 . ...... it.b 7-c8
7. �a4-b 3 d7-d6 26. h4-h 5 ? !
8. c2-c3 0-0 The diminished control over g 5
9. h 2 - h 3 tt:lc6-b8 allows a future exchange.
1 0. d 2 -d4 tt:lb8-d7 26. . . . . . . tt:ld7-f6
1 1 . tt:lb 1 -d 2 �c8-b 7 2 7. tt:lf1-h2 l:!. c 7-b 7
1 2 . �b 3 - c 2 .!:l: f8-e8 2 8 . .te 3 -d2 ii.f8-g7
1 3 . tt:ld2-fl �e 7-f8 2 9 . 'il!l' d 1 -e 2 tt:lf6-g8
1 4 . tt:l f l -g3 g 7 -g6 30. l:!. a3 -a8 it.c8-d7
1 5 . a2 -a4 c7- c 5 3 1 . l:!. a8-a3 .tg7-f6
1 6. d4-d 5 c 5 -c4 So far Black could do little. Now he
1 7. �c 1 -g 5 h7-h6 is able to lessen White' s grip.
1 8 . it.g 5 - e 3 tt:ld7-c 5 3 2 . �d 2 - e 3 �f6-g 5
1 9 . 'il!l' d 1 -d 2 wg8-h7 3 3 . tt:lh2-f3 .ltg 5xe3
3 4 . 'il!l'e2xe3 'il!l' d8-b6
3 5 . tt:lf3 -d2 tt:lg8-f6
3 6 . �c 2 - d 1 wh7-g7
3 7. �d 1 -e 2 l:!. b8-c8
38. l:!. a2 -a 1 tt:lc 5 -a4
The exchanges continue.
3 9 . 'i!({ e 3xb6 l:!. b 7xb6
40. l:!. a 1 -a2

In the Breyer, White can develop an

attack on both flanks.
2 0 . .!:l: a 1 -a3
White begins an attack on the
queen's side. In the 9 1 h match game,
Spassky started a successful attack
on the king's side with 20. tt:lh2
.tg 7 2 1 . .!:l: f l .
20. ..... .!:l: a8-b8 White h as a certain advantage. H is
2 1 . .!:l: e 1 -a 1 .!:l: e8-e7 plan is to play 4 1 . hxg6 fxg6 and
A novel manoeuvre transfers a tt:lg3-f l -e 3 , resulting in two threats:
rook to the queen's side. l:!. xa4, and a piece sacrifice on c4.
 Struggle 71

40. . . . . . . ttJf6xh 5 ? ! the black king is uncomfortable,

A safer idea is . . >t>f8-e7, protecting and White' s pieces are more active .
pawn d6. The threat is 4 5 . l:!. xa4 . Black has
4 1 . ttJg3xh 5 t g6xh 5 the proper defence: 44 . . . 11cb8 4 5.
4 2 . �e 2 xh 5 f7-f5 ! ? exf5. Now 4 5 . . . .txf5 46. c4 ttJ c 5 4 7 .
Again . . w f 8 is more solid. l:!. a ? t fails . 4 5. . . €Jc5! If rook b 3
moves , 4 6 . . . .txf5 has become
playable. The solid 4 6. 11a 7 116b 7
equalises.
43. . . . . . . f 5-f4??
This move would only be good if
Black was able to save his knight
from exchange.
44 . .lili 5 -d l ! >t>g7-f6

4 3 . b 2 -b4!
This strong move changes the
course of the game :
1. It brings c 5 under control, a
key square for Black
2. The queen's side closes and
Black can no longer play b 5 -b4
3. Suddenly black pieces are
badly placed. "This is a crucial point, because my
This shows how important it is to position needs the best conception.
consider 43 . . . cxb 3 44. l:!. xb 3 When Laj o s made his mistake, I
noticed the winning advantage
immediately. But I could not calm
down my excitement and lost a
sense of reality.
Let's look at some features of the
position in order to develop a plan.
The king's side is a vulnerable part
of my army. Black can double the
rooks on the g-file, his only
potential activity. If I redeploy one
rook on the h-file, I can use it for
defensive and active functions. The
diagram of analysis rest of my army (knight and second
rook) are on Black's broken up
Black does not like it. A capture on queen's side. The main action
c3 costs a piece (44. .. l:!. xc 3 4 5 . starts where I am stronger. Now we
l:!. xc 3 ttJxc 3 4 6 . l:!. a ? o r 4 4 . . . ttJxc3 can easily find the correct plan: 4 5 .
4 5 . J:!. a 7). In an opened-up position, Ji.xa4 bxa4 46. f3 ! ! Let ' s play che s s :
72
46 . . . �b 5 4 7 . 'lt>f2 : g8 4 8 . : a l
: b 7 4 9 . : h l : g6 5 0 . : aa l : bg 7
5 1 . : h2 'lt> e 7 5 2 . tt:Jb l ! 'it>d8 5 3 . tt:J a 3
�e8 5 4 . : b l
diagram of analysis
White dominates the board! After
b5 and : b4 , the crop i s ready for
the harve st. This plan is supported
by the following features of the
position:
1 . Weaknesses on the king' s side
have been consolidated
2. The b- and h-files are powerful
fronts for the white army
3. The black pawn islands a4, c4
and h6 are vulnerable
4 . tt:Ja3 exerts great strength as a
blockader
5. The interaction and coordination
of White's pieces are wonderful!
Black can do nothing to prevent the
fulfilment of White's plan! Thi s
missed plan h as persecuted m e for
many years . . . "
4 5 . g 2 -g 3 ??
" I make this move with a heavy
sense that something is completely
wrong. My nerves cracked. Chess is
like life. If you are on the wrong
track, you make the wrong moves. I
lose my advantage and exhausted
by infirmity, I drift into time
pressure . "
45. ..... : b6-b8
Grand Strategy
46. 'lt>g l -h 2 ?
"The appropriate move is 4 6 . 'lt>g2 ,
because I need the h-file for a rook,
f.e . 4 6 . . . : c 7 47 . .txa4 bxa4 4 8 .
: a l : g8 49. : h l with a better
game for White . "
4 6. . . . . . . : c8-c7
4 7. g3xf4? !
"My king g e t s unsafe. After 4 7 . � g 2
: g8 4 8 . ha4 bxa4 49. : a l fxg3
5 0 . f3 ! It is possible to eliminate
black activity.
diagram o f analysis
The line 50 . . . h5 5 1 . : h l : g 5 5 2 .
: aa l leads t o a white advantage . "
4 7. . . . . . . e 5 xf4
4 8 . i.d l xa4?!
This exchange is made far too late.
Now the bishop could have been
useful in the defence of the e-pawn:
48. �c 2 : g8 (the point is 48 . . . �e 5
4 9 . tt:Jf3 t ) 49. : a l : g 5 5 0 . � g l
: h 5 t ends in a repetition of
moves.
48 . . . . . . . b 5 xa4
In this position the passed a-pawn
is stronger than the b-pawn.
49. : a2 -a l : b8-g8
5 0. tt:Jd2-f3?!
The immediate 5 0 . : g l is much
better. It avoids an attack on the
king.
50. ...... �d 7-g4
5 1 . : a l -g l : c 7-g7
 Struggle
"Due to my mistakes, Black's pieces
could accomplish an excellent
coordination and bring my king in
trouble. At this difficult moment I
have two reasonable moves for my
knight: 5 2 . tt:Jd4?! and 5 2 . tt:Jd2 !
After the active 52. <8d4 ?! Black
continues his attack with 52. . . JigS
53. J:g2 (3! 54. J:g3 >t;e5! The king
is the most active piece in the
army! 55. J:xa4. The exchanges 5 5 .
tt:Jxf3 t .txf3 5 6 . ::t xf3 �xe4 5 7.
::t e 3 t \t>xd 5 5 8 . ::t xa4 ::t h S t 5 9 .
::t h3 ::t xh 3 t 6 0 . �xh 3 �e4 6 1 . b 5
d 5 lead t o a black win. 5 5. . . >l;xe4
56. b5 <J;d3! This raid in the
hinterland is highly annoying. A
counterattack starts 5 7. b6 >t;xc3
58. <8b5t >t;b3 ( 5 8 . tt:Jc6 ::t e8 ! ) 59.
J:a l c3 60. J:bl t >t;c2 61 . fla3 t
<J;d3 62. b 7
diagram of analysis
73
Instead of the passive move 6 2 . . .
::t b 8 , Black plays 62. .. >t;e2 63. bB'I!f
( 6 3 . �g l MS 64. ::t xg 5 l:!. xg 5 t 6 5 .
�h2 'it>xf2 6 6 . l:t fl t 'lt>xfl 6 7 . b8�
::t h S t 6 8 . �g3 f2 ) 6 3 . . . J:xbB 64.
J:xbB >Pxf2 65. J:h3 bh3 66. <J;xh3
J:xd5. Four pawns will conquer the
knight. White is defeated in a long
and hard battle.
The retreat 52. <8d2! is answered by
52. .. JigS 53. J:g2 �dl ! 54. J:xg5
hxg5
diagram of analysis
White suffers from a gruelling
strangulation. Only 55. <;t;g l ! has
good prospects for survival. Three
alternatives are dangerous :
A. 5 5 . 'it>g2? g4 ! 5 6 . tt:Jxc4 �f3 t
B. 5 5 . f3? �b 3 56. �g2 �e5 5 7.
::t a l g4. Black has a strong attack
C. 5 5 . ::t a l ?! �b 3 5 6 . f3 ::t a8 !
5 7. ::t a 3 . White's rook has become
passive again. 57 . . . g4 ! 58. fxg4
�g5 5 9 . �g2 �xg4 60. ::t a l ! ::t h8
6 1 . tt:Jf3 �c2 . Pressure on the white
position mounts .
Black c an proceed h is encirclement
in two ways:
A. 5 5 . . . g4 ! ? 56. tt:Jxc4 f3 5 7.
tt:Jxd6 g3 5 8 . tt:Jf5 gxf2 t 5 9 . \t>xf2
::t g 2 t 60. �e l ::t g l t and perpetual
check. Preservation of the attack by
60 . . . f2 t ? 6 1 . <it>fl ::t h2 6 2 . tt:Je3 will
lose.
74 Grand Strategy

B. The natural continuation is

55. . . �b3 56. {3 g4 5 7. {xg4 11xg4 t
58. >f?{2 >f?e 5. The counterattack 59.
b5! 11gB 60. 11a l starts in time . "
5 2 . 'Llf3 -h4?
"Black's harmonic position and
scary attack made me panic. Now
the knight is out of play and I am
lost."
52. ...... ::t g 7-g 5 !
5 3 . f2-f3 �g4-d7
The easiest win is 53 . . . ::t h 5 , but
the text is fine too.
A t last the encirclement becomes
5 4 . ::t g 1 xg 5
successful. The natural move 6 2 .
O r 5 4 . ::t g2 ::t g 3 ! with the mortal
::t xc4 fails due t o 6 2 . . . ::t b 2 t 6 3 .
threat of 5 5 . . . ::t h3 t .
� f l �f3 , and a n attack o n the king
54. . . . . . . h6xg 5 quickly wins the game .
5 5 . 'Llh4-f5
6 3 . �f2 -e 1 f4 -f3
5 5 . tLJg2 �e5 and .. g4 i s lost too.
64. ::t a4-a8 ::t b 2 -e 2 t
5 5 . ...... �d 7xf5 6 5 . �e 1 -f l ::t e2 - d 2
5 6 . e4xf5 ::t g8-a8
66. ::t a8-g8 t �g4-f4
5 7. b4-b 5 �f6xf5
6 7 . ::t g8-f8 t �f4-e4
5 8 . b 5 -b6 g 5 -g4
0- 1
5 9 . f3xg4 t
5 9 . �g2 g3 is no defence.
59. ...... �f5xg4 "He needed a lot of patience, but
60. w h 2 -g2 ::t a8-b8 finally Laj o s could do to me, what
6 1 . ::t a 3 xa4 ::t b 8xb6 Hannibal did to the Romans in
6 2 . �g2 -f2 ::t b6-b 2 t Cannce. "
 Prophylaxis 79

3. Prophylaxis

imzowitsch considers prophylaxis as the strategy for the prevention of

undesired opposing possibilities. He recognises the opponent's hostile
intentions and takes all necessary preventive measures.
In a Western view, the preparation of a battle in any way is regarded
as unchivalrous. The Japanese say: 'A samurai fights after the battle is
won'. These views clashed at Pearl Harbor 1941.
A great historical example of a prophylactic planner is the sixteenth-century
leader Shingen. He ruled by imprisoning his father and killing a son. His preparation
of a military campaign consisted of plotting and bribing. During this phase he stayed
in his mountainous territory and made no move at all. lt gave him the nickname
'immovable mountain'. When the preparations were finished, his cavalry moved 'fast
as the wind, calm as the wood, fierce as the fire and firm as the alp'.
In the following study a subtle prophylactic plan is hidden. The white king plays
the role of samurai.

Vasily Dolgov The samurai avoids the thematic

1 '' prize Shakhmaty v SSSR 1966 try 2. wc2? �b2t! 3. wd3? nb3t!
followed by 4. .. �g3, and Black
wins. A long-lasting preparation is
required.
2. ...... �bl-alt
3. wa4-b5 l'dal-blt
4. wb5-a6 �bl-a1 t
5. wa6-b7 l'Xal-b1t
6. wb7-a71
Hitherto the dark squares had to be
avoided, because the black bishop
should not be centralised.
White begins and wins 6. ...... �,h2-gl t
Simple is 6. .. l'dalt 7..�a6t.
l. g6-g7 7. wa7-a8 l'db1-alt
It will take a surprisingly long time 8. wa8-b8 &.g1-h2t
until the passed pawn is able to The samurai has escaped from the
queen. checks after 8. .. l'd b1 t 9. .t!.b7
l. ...... �al-b1t �.h2t 10. wc8 nclt 11. wd8 ndlt
2. wb3-a4! 12. we7 neit 13. wf7.
80 Grand Strategy

A nearly identical position was

reached after the first move.
15. >t>b3-c2!
Now this is the right direction. 15.
'it>a2? is wrong due to 15. .. l::!.b2t
16. wa3 �d6t 17. >t>a4 na2t 18.
'it>b5 l::!.b2t 19. 'it>c6 nc2t drawn.
15. ...... l::!.b1-b2t
16. .t>c2-d3
The samurai strikes fast as the
wind, calm as the wood, fierce as
the fire and firm as the alp.
16. ...... nb2-b3t
An escape to the right is prevented.
17. .t>d3-e4
9. g2-g3!!
Why??
9. ...... �h2xg3t
10. wb8-b7 l::!.a1-b1t
11. wb7-a6 l::!.b1-a1t
12. wa6-b5 lla1-b1t
13. 'i.t>b5-a4 l::!.b 1-a1t
14. wa4-b3 na1-b1t

At last we know the answer: square

g3 is no longer available for the
rook.
17. ...... l::!.b3-b4t
18. we4-f5
1-0

In the example, the positional feature of the prophylactic plan is decreased

mobility by a self-block.
The strategic aim of prophylaxis is control over the board. Three strategies
can be distinguished:
A. Restraint: control over hostile territory
B. Consolidation: control over a player's own territory
C. Counterattack: emergency action when control is lost.
 Prophylaxis 81

A. Restraint

Nimzowitsch warns against the misconception that each move should achieve
something special. Some players are constantly seeking for threats. That approach is
completely wrong. Positional moves usually involve no threats or defences against
threats. They are useful improvements of the position in a higher sense.
An essential principle is to strive the player's own pieces to have unrestricted
influence on important squares. The beneficial effect might be the prevention of an
adverse attack. Restraint has the aim of restricting the opponent's abilities. lt is easy
to define and hard to apply. We mention two reasons:
1. Usually restraint begins when the game is even and no target for strategic
movement is apparent.
2. The strategy of restraint has two phases. During the first phase, the
opponent's mobility is restricted. The intention is to start an attack when the enemy is
paralysed. In this case, restraint becomes a postponed movement forwards. If the
restraint is insufficiently successful, the strategy changes to consolidation.
Complete control over the board is the final goal of restraint. According to
Berliner in his book The System, board control is an immensely important criterion,
immediately after material and king safety, and before pawn structure and mobility.
Philidor applied the most aggressive type of restraint. He sacrificed pieces in
order to demolish obstacles for steamrolling pawns. A splendid application of this
idea follows.

3 . 1 . Spassky - Tigran Petrosian A safer continuation i s 1 1 . ii..x e 7

7h game World Championship '1Wxe 7 1 2 . f4 .
Moscow 1 966 1 1 . ...... '1Wd8 - c 7
The immediate 1 1 . . . g 5 ! is more
l . d 2 -d4 lLlg8-f6 violent.
2 . lLlg 1 -f3 e 7-e6 1 2 . lLld2 -f3
3 .. �c 1 -g 5 d7-d5 World champions do not play 1 2 .
4. lLl b 1 -d 2 �f8-e 7 '1W g4 g 5 1 3 . �g 5 ll g8 1 4 . h4 h6.
5. e 2 - e 3 lLlb8 - d 7
6 . . <Hl -d3 c7-c5
7. c2-c3 b 7-b6
8 . 0-0 i.c8-b 7
Whi te's purpose in the Colle is to
follow up a quiet development by a
swift king ' s side attack. The second
part cannot be carried out, because
Black does not castle short .
9. "Llf3 -e5 "Lld 7xe5
1 0. d4xe5 lLlf6-d7
1 1 . Lii.g5 -f4 ! ?
82 Grand Strategy
Black starts an attack on the king's
side.
1 2. . . . . . . h7-h6!
1 3 . b2-b 4 ! g7-g 5 !
The p awn sacrifice i s ignored.
14. it.f4-g 3 h6-h5
1 5 . h2-h4?! g 5 xh4? !
B o t h sides choose a n aggressive
move instead of the positional 1 5 .
h3 and 1 5 . . . g4 .
1 6 . it.g3 - f4
After 1 6 . tLJxh4 hh4 1 7 . .,txh4 ,
pawn e 5 has lost its protection.
1 6. ...... 0-0-0
1 7 . a2-a4? !
A serious alternative i s 1 7 . bxc 5
bxc S . Tal regards �b8-a8 and tLJb6
as favourable for Black.
1 7. . . . . . . c 5 -c4 !
The s trategy of restraint begins
with a paradox: closing the queen's
side allows a blockade on d4.
1 8 . �d3 - e 2 a7-a6
For both sides, the queen's side has
become impregnable.
1 9 . wg 1 -h 1 rtd8-g8
2 0 . .i'tf l -g 1 l1g8-g4
2 1 . 'f'Hd 1 -d2 r!. h8-g8
22. a4 -a5 b6-b 5
23 . rta 1 -d 1 .lie 7-f8
The centralisation by .\ig 7 will
support the siege of pawn e 5 .
2 4 . tLJf3 -h2!?
A more solid line seems to be 24 .
'f'Hd4 �g 7 2 5 . rtdel �h8 2 6 . rtdl,
but Black will play wb8-a8, '&c8,
and . . f6 with advantage . The text
allows an immediate gain of
control over the centre.
24. . . . . . . tLJd 7xe 5 !
Philidor lives again! Matter is
sacrificed to create a steamroller.
2 5 . tLJh2xg4 h 5 xg4
The Black pawns are reconnected.
26. e 3 -e4?!
More prudent is 26. �d4 .i;,d6 27.
�b6, but Spas sky plays for a win.
26. . . . . . . .tf8-d6
A grave blunder is 2 6 . . . dxe4? due
to 27 .. �xe 5 �xe 5 ? and mate.
2 7 . Wt"d2-e 3
The expected continuation is 2 7.
.�e 3 tLJd 7 .
2 7. . . . . . . tLJc 5 -d 7 ? !
B l a c k is able to w i n b y 2 7 . . . dxe4 .
Polugaevsky and Tal try to refute
this move by 28 . r!.d4 .>M S 29 .
r!.xe4 .�xe4 3 0 . �xe4 , but 30 . . . �b 8
will triumph. The consensus in the
press room about the second win
by 2 7 . . . g 3 is right.
28 .. U4xd6 'B'c 7xd6
Pres sure on the white position has
been lessened by the exchange.
29 . .i'td 1 -d4 ! ?
Boris has gained confidence from
Black's 271h move. He lure s the
steamroller forwards.
A better defence seems to be the
modest 29. nd 2 . After 29 . . . 'fli'e 5 ,
 Prophylaxis 83

White can exchange with 30. exd5 36. k'!:gl-el h4-h3

'&xe3 3 1 . fxe3, but Black wins the 37. �e 2 - fl .!lg8-h8
endgame by 3 1 . .. ct:Jf6 ! 32 . dxe6 38. g2 xh3 il.c8xh3
<Ue4 33 . .�g4 f5 ! 34. nf5 ct:Jxd 2 . 39. whl-gl
Tal mentions 2 9 . f4 as a second 39 . il.xh3 't!i'd 7 ! loses straightaway.
potential defence. After 2 9 . . . f5 , 39. ...... �.h3xfl
the position can be closed by 30. 40. wglxfl e 5 -e4
e5. Black can proceed the attack 41. '&b l -d l
with 29 . . . gxf3 , and 30 . gxf3 llg3,
or 30. �f3 �g 3 31. exd 5 h3.
29. ...... e6-e5!
30. lld4-d2 f7-f5 !
31. e4xd 5
Tal regards 3 1 . exf5 as lost, but his
variation 31. . . ct:Jf6 32 . f3 ct:Jh 5
allows 33. '&b6 ! If Black plays 31. . .
'&f6 3 2 . l'!.gdl h3, h i s attack will
triumph.
3 1 . ...... f 5 - f4 !
3 2 . '&e3-e4 ct:Jd 7-f6
33. '&e4-f5 t >t>c8-b8
The game i s adj ourned. White has
34 . f2-f3
no defence against the pawn
Square e4 and the long diagonal
avalanche. Petrosian takes his time
get extra protection. The quiet 34 .
over the sealed move .
.L!.gd1 h3 3 5 . g3 ct:Jxd 5 36. >t>h2
4 1 . ...... ct:Jf6-g4 !
fxg 3 t 37. fxg3 l:H8! loses elegantly.
He has selected the most beautiful
34. . . . . . . it.b 7-c8
way to win. Again a sacrifice is
35. '&f5 -bl
made to free the advance .
4 2 . f3xg4 f4 -f3
The steamroller has reached the
sixth rank. Mate in one threatens.
43. ll d2-g2 f3xg2t
0- 1
Great pawn play begins with
Philidor. His prophylactic sacrifices
are s till remarkable. In the 1 8th
century he was very successful as a
player, because he had a strategic
plan: pushing pawns forward with
pieces in support. When other
The steamroller approache s the players developed new strategies in
king. Black can play 35 . . . h3 in the 1 9th century, Philidor' s ideas
order to open the king's side hardly survived. Anderssen's great
completely. sacrifices and Morphy' s swift
35. ...... g4-g3 development crushed slow pawn
This is even better. Only the h-file pushing. This rehabilitation by
will be opened. Petrosian is wonderful.
84
When a strategy of restraint is
carried out all the way, it can be
regarded as a postponed movement
forward. First the opponent is
paralysed. Thereafter an attack
begins. Often the change to an
attack is very difficult. A strategic
stalemate might develop. This will
be fru strating for the player who
has the advantage. In the next
game Spassky has to manoeuvre
patiently until Korchnoi makes a
strategic error, and the decisive
attack can begin.
3 . 2 . Viktor Korchnoi - Spassky
4rh game of candidates ' final
Kiev 1 968
l . c 2 -c4 e 7-e 5
2. ciJb 1 -c 3 'i:Jb 8-c6
3 . li:lg 1 -f3 f7-f5
4. d 2 -d4 e 5 -e4
5. li:lf3-d2 <'Llg8-f6
6. e 2 - e 3 g7-g6
7. a 2 -a3 ! ?
White starts a slow action on the
queen's side. Tal proposes the
entirely different plan 7 ..1t,e2 .1t,g 7
8 . 0-0 0-0 9. f4 , and the small
opening advantage remains.
7. . . . . . . �f8-g7
8 . b 2 -b4 0-0
9. g2-g3?!
Grand Strategy
Square f4 needs n o additional
protection. The king's side gets a
hole.
9. ...... d 7-d61
Spassky does not commit himself
until he is fully developed. The
much weaker 9 . . . d5 was played in
Korchnoi-Aronin, Moscow 1 9 5 9 .
1 0. li:ld 2 -b 3 �d8-e 7
1 1 . '&d 1 -c 2 <'Llc6-d8 !
1 2 . a3 -a4 li:ld 8-f7
1 3 . �c 1 -a3 1Lc8-d 7
1 4 . 0-0-0 ! ? c 7 -c6!
1 5 . h 2 - h 3 ?1
White continues his provocation on
the flanks. This approach weakens
his position.
1 5 . ...... b 7-b6
1 6 . &Jl-e 2 a 7-a5
The struggle on the queen's side
begins after a proper preparation.
1 7. b4xa5
A sound alternative is 1 7. b5 cxb5
1 8 . ttJxb 5 , but White wants to open
the b-file.
1 7. ...... b6xa 5
1 8 . wc 1 -b 1 I!f8-b8
1 9 . wb 1 -a 2 li:lf7 -g5
2 0 . .l!d 1 -b 1
Although White plays ambitiously,
Black has achieved more control
over the board. He can further
improve his position by 20 . . ..;;;. e6
and 2 1 . . . Wlc 7. But it is not clear
how real progre ss can be made.
 Prophylaxis 85

20 . . . . . . . .!:t b8-b4 ! ? ! 3 1 . ...... �b6-d8

Improvement of t h e pawn structure Tal analyses 31. . . tt:Jd3! 32 . .!'ldfl
and restraint of the queen's side cuxd 5 ! The tactical j u stification is
are the aims o f this sacrifice. Boris 3 3 . cxd 5 '*fxb 5 ! 3 4 . axb 5 .!'la 3 t 3 5 .
does not play an encirclement as wc4 tt:Je 5#. After 3 3 . tt:Jxe4 cuxf2 3 4 .
quietly as Tolya does. His answer .!:txf2 tt:Jxe 3 , White will also lose.
to provocation is aggressive. Therefore, the exchange 32. Jlxd3
2 1 . tt:Jb 3 - d2 exd3 is necessary, and the black
The thoughtless 2 1 . hb4? axb4 advantage has increased.
22 . tt:Jd 1 .!'lxa4 t 23 . 'it>b2 c 5 opens 3 2 . .!:td 1 -a 1 .!:ta8- a 5
the queen's side. The queen's side a n d centre are
21 . .....
. c6-c 5 closed artificially. Black restrains
22 . d4- d 5 the white position with three minor
The centre is closed. Again capture pieces and three pawns i n the
is untimely: 22. �b4? axb4 23 . central area.
tt:Jb 5 � f7 ! 33 . .!:ta 1 -a2 �d8-e 7
22 . . . . . . . h7-h5 3 4 . tt:Jd2-fl tt:J e 5 -f3
2 3 . tt:Jc 3 -b 5 tt:Jg 5 -f7 3 5 . .!'lg 1 -h 1 tt:Jf6-h5
2 4 . .!'lb 1 -d 1 tt:Jf7-e 5 36. � c2-c 1 �g 7-e 5
2 5 . tt:Jd2 -bl 3 7. cufl-d2 wg8-g7
At last the rook can be captured 38. i.,e2-d 1 wg7-f7
safely, but White is in no hurry. 39. �dl-c 2 1l,e5-g 7
2 5 . ...... � e 7-d8
26 . .!:thl-gl �d8-b6
2 7 . g 3 -g4?
A foolish pawn push is made.
27. . . . . . . h 5 xg4?!
The captures 2 7 . . . fxg4 28. hxg4
tt:Jfxg4 are stronger.
28 . h3xg4 f5xg4?!
An obvious choice is 28 . . . tt:Jfxg4.
29. tt:Jb 1 -d2 �d7-f5
30. �a3xb4 a 5 xb4
3 1 . wa2-b3
Both sides try to make quiet moves
in order to reach the time control,
but a blunder i s made under time
pressure. The protection of d6 is
neglected.
4 0 . .tc2-b l ?
White misses the win 40. tt:Jxe 4 !
.!:t xb 5 (the best try) 4 1 . tt:Jxd6 t !
�xd6 4 2 . axb 5 tt:J f6 4 3 . .!:ta6 .
40. . . . . . . wf7-f8
The game is adj ourned. Although
Black has a distinct advantage, it is
Black's knights can make a charge. difficult to begin an attack, because
86 Grand Strategy
some black pieces are dormant. In
particular �a S and .>:IJS function as
super pawns.
4 1 . �b l -c 2 ? !
T h e exchange 4 1 . lt:Jxf3 gxf3 4 2 .
'& d 2 lightens White ' s defence.
4 1 . ...... lt:Jf3 -g5
Minor pieces are redeployed in the
centre.
42 .. &.c 2 - d 1 lt:Jg 5 -f7
43 ..il!.d 1 -e 2 lt:Jf7-e 5
44. �c 1 -g 1 .!::!. a 5 -a6
Protection o f pawn d6 becomes an
additional task for the rook.
4 5 . a4-a 5 ? !
White reduces t h e cohesion of his
defence line.
45. . . . . . . lt:Jh 5 -f6
4 6 . �g 1 -b 1 wf8-g8
4 7. wb 3 -c2?!
A wrong stratagem. The king leaves
his safe haven and useful task as
blockader. A proper waiting move
is 4 7. lt:Jfl .
47. ...... lt:Je 5-d3
48 . .!::!. h 1 -f l �.g 7-h6
The bishop zigzags downwards.
49. �b l -b 3 ?
It is a grave error to degrade the
queen to a super pawn. The guard
can be restored by 49 . .txd3 exd3t
50. 'it>c2-b3. The intended 50 . . . g3
5 1 . fxg3 �e 3 fails due to 5 2 . :txf5 !
gxf5 5 3 . �xd 3 . Better choices are
50. .. 'iWd8, attacking the weakened
pawn, and 50 . .. Wid7, threatening
a sacrifice on d 5 .
4 9 . . . . . .. .�.h6-g 5
5 0 . >t>c 2-b 1 1l.g 5 -h4
5 1 .. il.e 2xd3
Korchnoi misses the counterattack
5 1 . f3 ! gxf3 5 2. .\txd3 exd3 53 .
.!lxf3 . The aim is 5 4 . .!::!.x f5 ! gxf5 55.
�xd3 . Black starts the combination
5 3 . . . lt:Je4 ! 5 4 . .!lxf5! lt:Jxd 2 t 55.
.!lxd 2 �xe3!
diagram of analysis
A temporary rook sacrifice has
scattered the white pieces. 56.
l:txd 3 �e 1 t 5 7. :td 1 �e4 t 5 8 . '&c2!
The last chance is a simplification
to the endgame. 5 8 . .. �xf5 5 9 .
�xf5 gxf5 . White can regain a
pawn. 60. n f l �f6 6 1 . :txf 5 -�e 5 .
Black wins the a-pawn. 6 2 . .!::!. f 2 !
.!::!.x a 5 6 3 . n a 2 . After the exchange
of rooks, White has a fortre s s .
5 1 . ...... e4xd 3
5 2 . wb 1 -c l .th4-g 5
5 3 . .!lf l -g 1 lt:Jf6-e4
54. lt:Jd 2xe4 '&e 7xe4
5 5 . l:tg 1 -g 3
Poor consolidation h a s disrupted
the strategic stalemate. An attempt
to reorganise the defence with 5 5 .
wd2 i s refuted by 5 5 . . . '&f3 56.
we 1 .th4 ! and 57. . . �xe 3 t
5 5 . ...... 1l.g 5 -h4 !
Spas sky strikes swiftly.
5 6 . lt:Jb 5 - c 7
 Prophylaxis 87

The rook meets an honourable

death as blockader.
5 7. . . . .. . ii.g 3 xf2 !
5 8 . na2xf2 '&e4xe 3 t
After 5 9 . J:!.d2 g 3 , the g-pawn can
not be stopped.
0- 1
During the first session Tal made
interesting comments in Kiev and
Bo tvinnik explained the game in
Moscow's Central Chess Club . Few
reflections about the resumption
were published, although the win
Black continues the po stponed
was not clear. Probably the press
movement forward.
rooms remained empty during the
56. ...... .lft.h4xg 3 !
second session.
5 7. l2lc 7xa6

Nimzowitsch's book 'Die Praxis meines Systems' contains a chapter

'Hemmung und Blockade'. He seems to give an identical meaning to both words, the
meaning that we give to restraint. The solution of this ambiguity is to translate
'Hemmung' by 'restraint'. Blockade gets the meaning that Nimzowitsch originally
gave it in his book 'Blockade'.
Nimzowitsch defines blockade as mechanical stopping by a piece on the
square in front of a pawn. He mentions five possible advantages of the blockader's
position: stopping a pawn, a hiding place for a frontal attack, restraint of hostile
chessmen, potential support to an outpost on an open file and mobility of the
blockader. A blockader plays the main role in a strategy of restraint in the next game.

3.3 . Spassky - Mark Taimanov 1 1 . �c l -b 1 !

23rd USSR Championship After long thought a lasting
Leningrad 1 95 6 initiative i s taken. The immediate
1 1 . e 5 dxe 5 1 2 . fxe 5 iUd 5 1 3 . iUxd 5
1 . e 2 -e4 c 7 -c 5 exd 5 1 4 . .�e 7 �xe 7 ! draws ( 1 5.
2 . tUg 1 -f3 i2lb8-c6 'li¥xd 5 ? iUb4 is bad).
3. d 2 -d4 c 5xd4 1 1 . ...... � d8-c 7
4. i2lf3xd4 i2lg8-f6 The active 1 1 . . . b 5 ? 1 2 . e 5 dxe 5 1 3 .
5 . iUb 1 -c 3 d 7-d6 fxe 5 iUd 5 1 4 . i2lxd 5 exd 5 1 5 . '5'xd 5
6 .. �,c 1 -g5 e 7-e6 costs a pawn.
7.'&dl-d 2 a 7-a6 1 2. e4-e 5 d6xe 5
8. 0-0-0 ii,c8-d 7 1 3 . f4xe 5 i2lf6-d 5
9. f2 -f4 �f8-e 7 1 4 . i2lc3xd 5 e6xd 5
1 0 . iUd4-f3 l:!. a8-c 8 ! ? 1 5 . $.g 5xe7
Taimanov h a s prepared a novelty. Avoids 1 5 . '&xd5? iUb4 .
The usual move in the Rauser is 1 0. 15. ...... i2lc6xe 7
. . b5. 1 6 .. H 1 -d3 0-0
88 Grand Strategy
1 7. 'Wid2 -g 5 ! li.d 7-b 5 !?
Other good moves are 1 7. tt:Jg6
and 1 7 . . . .!:!.fe 8 , but Black wants to
exchange the powerful bishop right
away.
1 8 . �d 3 xb 5 a6xb 5
The blunder 1 8 . . . ..Wxc 2 t ? costs a
piece.
1 9 . tt:Jf3 -d4 tt:Je 7-g6
20. c2-c3
In t h e centre t h e knight functions
strongly as a blockader. A pawn is
stopped, the knight i s hidden
against frontal attacks and several
squares in the central area are
controlled.
20. . . . . . . b 5 -b4
Simagin' s suggestion 20. . . ..Wxe S
2 1 . ..Wxe 5 tt:Jxe 5 2 2 . tt:Jxb 5 .!:!.fd8
leads to a difficult endgame.
2 1 . c 3 xb4 tt:Jg6xe 5
Now the exchange 2 1 . . . ..Wxe 5 ? 2 2 .
..Wxe 5 tt:Jxe 5 2 3 . tt:Jf5 is even weaker.
22 . .!:!.d 1 -c 1 tt:Je 5 -c4
The passive 2 2 . . . �b8 2 3 . h4 leaves
the initiative to White.
2 3 . b2-b3 h 7-h6
24 . ..Wg 5 -g4
The greedy 2 4 . '&xd 5 ? ! allows
counter-play by 24 . . . tt:Jd 2 t 2 5 . ..t>b 2
..We 7 . Playing 2 4 . � f 5 is more
vigorous, but White has another
plan.
24. . . . . . . tt:Jc4-d 2 t
2 5 . ..t>b 1 -b 2 ..Wc 7-b8
26 . ..Wg4-g 3 !
Spas sky shows great tru s t in
Nimzowitsch's dogma. The pawn
structure is ruined for a powerful
blockade in the endgame.
26. ...... ..Wb8xg3
2 7. h2xg3
White wants to utilise his maj ority
on the queen's side. He has chosen
a highly risky strategy.
2 7. . . . . . . .!:!.f8-d8
A more suitable approach is 27. ..
tt:Je4!? 28.tt:Jf5! ..t>h7! White has two
plans.
A. Conquer the isolated passed
pawn: 29 . .!:!.xc8 .!:!.xc8 30. rtdl l:'!d8
3 1 . .!:!.d4 wg6! 3 2 . tt:Je 3 wf6 3 3 .
.!:!.xd 5 .!:!.xd 5 3 4 . tt:Jxd 5 t ..t>e 5 . Black
will regain the material loss by 3 5 .
. . tt:Jxg 3 , and achieve a slightly
better position.
B. Penetrate the queen's side:
29. tt:Je7 !'tcd8! The ambitious 2 9 . . .
nxc 1 3 0 . J:Xxc l .!:!.d8 3 1 . .!:!.c 7 d4 3 2 .
n xb 7 d 3 3 3 . tt:Jf5 d 2 will win the
knight and lose the game. 30 . .!":.c7
d4 31. nxb7 d3 32. r!.d l tt:Jf2 33.
1ld2 tt:Je4 ends in a repetition of
moves .
2 8 . b4-b 5
The blockader protects the advance
on the queen's side.
28. . . . . . . tt:Jd2-e4
29 . .!:!.h 1 -e 1 g 7-g6
30. a2-a4 ..t>g8-f8
 Prophylaxis 89

Black has to keep on the defensive, blockader plays a vital defensive

because 30 . . . tt:Jxg3 3 1 . .!:t xc8 nxc8 role in the next game.
32 . .!:te 7 n b 8 33. a5 will lose.
31. b5·b6
3 .4 . Tigran Petrosian - Spassky
Candidates' tournament
Amsterdam 1 9 5 6

1 . tt:Jg 1 -f3 tt:Jg8-f6

2. c 2 -c4 g 7-g6
3. g 2 -g3 �f8-g7
4 . �.f l -g 2 0-0
5. 0-0 d 7-d6
6. tt:Jb I-c 3 tt:Jb8-c6
7. d2-d3 a7-a6 ! ?
Black' s prophylactic intention i s t o
enfeeble the future advance b4-b 5 .
Difficulties are mounting for Black.
The usual move 7 . . . e 5 was played
He has to continue with his passive
in Lisitsin-Spassky, Moscow 1 9 5 5 .
defence.
3 1 . ...... Another choice i s the remarkable 7 .
.!:tc8-a8?
. . tt:Jh 5 8 . d4 i n Petrosian-Fischer
Far better choices are 3 1 . . . nxc I '
Portoro z 1 9 5 8 .
3 2 . nxc i n d 7 , and 3 1 . . . <fJe 7 3 2 .
8. tt:Jf3 -d2 .!:t a8-b8
nc 7 t .!:t xc 7 3 3 . bxc 7 .!:t c8 3 4 . tt:Jb 5
Protection of b7 increases the
f5. The text is based on a tactical
mobility of tt:Jc6 and supports .. b 5 .
miscalculation.
9. a2-a3 tt:Jf6-e8
3 2 . .!:t c 1 -c 7 nd8-d6
1 0. e2-e3
3 3 . l:te 1 -fl !
T o prepare next move.
A harder way to win is 3 3 . nxb 7
1 0. ...... �c8 - d 7
c2Jc 5 34 . .!:t a 7 ! .!:t xa 7 3 5 . bxa 7 n a6
1 1 . �d 1 -c 2
3 6 . nh 1 !
B o t h s i d e s develop their forces
3 3 . ...... f7-f5
very quietly.
34. nc 7xb 7 tt:Je4 - c 5
1 1 . ...... f7-f5
3 5 . n b 7- a 7 !
1 2 . b 2 -b4 e7-e5
Black h a d m i s s e d t h i s move.
1 3 . �c 1 -b 2
3 5 . ...... na8-e8
36. a4 - a 5 .!:t e8-e4
3 7. n fl -d I <fJf8-e8
38. b6-b 7 .!:t d6-d8
39. tt:Jd4-c6
The blockader becomes mobile.
39. . . . . . . .!:t e4-e 2 t
40. <fJb 2 -a3 n e 2 -e 3
4 1 . tt:Jc6xd8
I-0

In the last game, a blockading

knight supported the attack. The
90 Grand Strategy

Pe trosian applies the hypermodern exchange 22 . . . gxf4 2 3 . gxf4 ( 2 3 .

method of centralisation as a exf4 e4) 2 3 . . . exf4 2 4 . exf4 '!Wg 7.
restraint of the centre, because his 2 3 . f4xe 5 d6xe 5
chessmen do not occupy the 2 4 . d 3 -d4 !
centre, but s trongly control. The attack on the centre becomes
1 3. ...... g6-g 5 ? ! decisive.
Black commits himself, and White 24. . . . . . . e 5 -e4
takes advantage . The solid move is No pressure is relieved by 2 4 . . .
1 3 . . . 4:Jf6 . exd4 2 5 . 1Llxd4 .
1 4 . 4:Jc 3-d 5 2 5 . 4:Jf3 - e 5 �f6xe5
White can play 1 4 . f4 right away. 2 6 . d4xe 5 �d 7-e6
1 4. . . . . . . 4:Jc6-e7 2 7. g 3 -g4 !
Euwe prefers 14 . . . f4 1 5 . l:!.ae l �.g4 The centre pawn e4 is weakened.
1 6 . f3 �d7 1 7. exf4 exf4 . We 2 7. ...... f!fg 7-g6
continue with 1 8 . 4:Je4 , and White 2 8 . f!fb 2-b 1 �e6-d 5
keeps a small plus. 2 9 . g4xf5 l:!. f8xf5
1 5 . 4:Jd 5 xe 7 t 'f:o¥d8xe 7 30. l:!.fl xf5 f!fg6xf5
1 6 . f2-f4 ! 4:Je8-f6 3 1 . '*k'b 1 -d 1 "+Wf5-e6
The kamikaze 1 6 . . . exf4 1 7. exf4 3 2 . '&d 1 -h 5 l:!.e8-e 7
Ji..x b 2 1 8 . 'f:o¥xb 2 f,f'e 3 t 1 9 . >t>h l 3 3 . tl..g 2-h3
Wt'xd 3 2 0 . �d 5 t fails decisively. Centralisation i s applied brilliantly.
1 7. J:!. a l -e l h 7-h6 Ches smen circle around the centre
1 8 . tt:Jd2-f3 tt:Jf6-h7 in narrowing rings.
1 9 . .tb 2-c3 l:!. b8-e8 3 3 . ...... g 5 -g4!
2 0 . '&c 2 -b 2 �g 7-f6 Devastation by 33 . . . "+Wb6 34. e 6 ! is
2 1 . b4-b 5 avoided.
A threat is prepared. 34 . .�.h 3xg4 l:!.e 7-g 7
2 1 . ...... a6xb 5 3 5 . h2 -h3 '&e6-e 7
2 2 . c4xb 5 3 6 . �c 3 -b4?!
White overlooks a win of the
exchange by 36. e 6 ! l:!.g 5 3 7. �b4 !
36. ...... 'f:o¥e 7-d 7

White intends to win the exchange

by 23. fxe 5 dxe 5 2 4 . �b4 .
22. . . .
. . '&e 7-g 7?
.

The exchange has decreased the A forced win is missed for the
pressure on the centre. Black can second time.
utilise this change by the further 3 7. 'lt>g l -h l ?
 Prophylaxis 91

White triumphs by 37 . .r!.d l ! march. Tolush' sugge stion 4 3 . b6 is

A. The tactical point i s 3 7 . . . refuted by 4 3 . .. c 5 . Not fierce
'I!\Ve6 3 8 . .l::!.x d 5 '1!\Vxd S 3 9 . '�WeS t enough is 4 3 . wh4 wh7 44. a4 b 6 !
B. Black also loses after 3 7 . . . c6 4 5 . .!::!. c l lH3 4 6 . a S tt:J g 5 4 7 . .l::!.h l
38. bxc6 bxc6 39. wh2 . bxa 5 48. Axa 5 .l::!.xe 3 .
3 7. . . . . . . �d 5 -e6 43. ...... h6xg 5
3 8 . .t!.e l -dl Jt.e6xg4 Another way to draw is 4 3 . . .
3 9 . �h 5xg4 'I!\Vd 7xg4 tt:Jxg S t 4 4 . wg4 wg 7 4 5 . b 6 ! wg6 !
40. h3xg4 46. bxc 7 h S t .
Black seems to be lost, because 4 4 . wh3 -g4 b 7-b6
White keeps the extra pawn and The fortress is strengthened.
controls open files. 4 5 . a3 -a4
40. . . . . . . tt::lh 7-g5 Euwe regards the continuation 4 5 .
This knight will function as the wh S a s favourable for White. We
blockader of two pawns! play the sharp variation 45 . . . nf3 !
4 1 . wh l -g 2 46. n d 7 .l::!.x e 3 4 7 . .r!.e 7 nh3 t
A very strong move seems to be 4 1 . A. White has to avoid 48. wg4
n d8 t . The excellent response is 4 1 . .l::!.h4 t 49. wfs e 3 ! so. wxe6? nxb 4 !
. . wf7! 4 2 . .!::!. f8 t . If the rooks are B. 4 8 . w g 6 tt:Jf4 t 4 9 . <;t;>xg 5 tt:J d 5
exchanged, Black has a secure 5 0 . .l::!. d 7 tt:Jxb4 5 1 . e 6 ! <;t;>f8 ! 5 2 . axb4
fortress. 42 . . . 'it> e 6 ! 43 . .l::!. f6 t 'it> d 5 e3 drawn.
44. �f8 .l::!. g 8 4 5 . bh 6 tt:Jf3 . A draw 45. ...... wg8-g 7?!
has been reached by energetic The active 45 . . . n f3 i s stronger.
counter-play.
4 1 . .. . . . . tt:J g 5 -e6

White can play for a win by 4 6 .

.!::!. c l ! .l::!. f 3 4 7 . l:!. c 3 l:!.f2 4 8 . aS bxa S
The omnipotent knight has many 4 9 . ha S llb 2 5 0 . i;xc 7 .l::!.xb S .
merits: the passed pawn has Exchange o f the minor pieces will
become almost worthle ss, a frontal cost a pawn. 5 1 . 1i.d6 ! The blockade
attack is impossible, square d8 is is weakened by the opening up of
protected, and square g 5 can be the position.
used for a leap. 46. \t>g4-h 5 ? !
4 2 . wg2-h3 .t!.g 7-f7! Black seems to be i n zugzwang.
The rook i s activated. Euwe warns against 4 6 . . . wh7? 47 .
43. g4-g 5 ! .!::!. c 1 wg 7? 4 8 . .!::!. c6. Black has a
Space i s made available for a king glorious reply.
92 Grand Strategy
46. ...... g 5 -g4 !
The difficulty is solved with great
vigour.
47. � h 5 xg4 �g7-g6
4 8 . a4 -a5 b6xa 5
49. il..b4xa 5 lH7-f2 !
5 0 . .ta 5 x c 7 ! ?
Violence is applied.
50. . . . . . . tLle6xc 7
5 1 . J:rdl -d6t �g6-g7
5 2 . b 5 -b 6 tLlc 7-e8
5 3 . J:rd6-d8 J:rf2 -b 2
5 4 . n d8xe8 n b 2 xb6
The endgame is drawn. Hereafter
Tigran tests B oris' knowledge.
5 5 . <ot>g4-f5 �g7-f7
56. J:re8-a8 �f7-e7
Avoids the trap 56 . . . nb4?? 5 7.
x:ta 7 t >t>e8 5 8 . �f6.
5 7. J:ra8- a 7 t �e 7-e8
58. �f5xe4
A theoretical draw remains.
58. ...... J:rb6-b4 t
5 9 . �e4-f5 J:rb4-b 6 !
60. x:ta 7-g7 x:tb6-b3
6 1 . e 3 -e4 >t>e8-f8
6 2 . x:tg 7-a7 J:rb 3 -b 6
6 3 . J:ra 7-d 7 >t>f8-e8
64. J:rd 7-d6 J:rb6-b4
6 5 . J:rd6-h6 J:rb4-a4
66. n h6-b6 'it>e8-e 7
6 7 . J:rb6-b 7 t 'lt>e 7-e8
68. <.t>f5 - f6 J:ra4xe4
69. <.t>f6-e6 <.t>e8-f8
The king goes to the ' short side ' .
70. J:rb 7-b 8 t �f8-g7
7 1 . �e6-d6
After 7 1 . J::te 8 J:ra4 ! the rook arrives
at the 'long side' .
7 1 . ...... <J<g 7-f7
In the darkest hour the blockading
knight saved the day.
Restraint is often similar to an
indirect attack. Preparation will last
longer, like in the next game.
3 . 5 . Svetozar GligoriC - Spassky
Jnterzonal tournament
Amsterdam 1 964
1. e 2 -e4 e 7 -e 5
2. tLlg 1 -f3 tLlb8-c6
3. il.. f l -b 5 il..f8 - c 5
4. c2-c3 f7-f5
5. d2 -d4 f5xe4
Spas sky has chosen an aggre s sive
line of the Cordel Defence, because
he wants to win. Actually this will
become number three in a winning
streak of eight games .
6. d4xc 5 ! ?
GligoriC plays a new move . Theory
is 6. j:xc6 . An example is 6 . . . dxc6
7. tLlxe 5 .�d6 8 . Wlh 5 t g6 9. '&e 2
Wlh4 1 0 . h3 �e5 1 1 . dxe 5 �e6 1 2 .
�,e 3 0-0-0 1 3 . tLld2 h6?! 1 4 . 0-0-0
 Prophylaxis
n h 7? 1 S . coxe4 ! �,d S os . . . n xd 1 t
1 6 . n xd 1 �xe4 1 7 . .ltg S ! ) 1 6. lUe S
ne8 1 7 . coxb 7 ! � a4 1 8 . lUe S �xa2
1 9 . � g4 t 'it>b8 20. �b4 t 1 -0
(Spas sky - Niedermaier, Bundesliga
1 986).
6. .....
. e4xf3
7. � d 1 xf3 'i!:Vd8-e 7
8. � f3 -h5 t g 7-g6
9 . � h S -e 2 d 7-d6
Acceptation of the pawn sacrifice
by 9 . . . �xc S 1 0. 0-0 cof6 1 1 . �6 is
too risky.
1 0. o-o cog8-f6
1 1 . .ltc 1 -g S 0-0
1 2 . cob 1 -d 2 ? !
This move should be preceded by
1 2 . cxd 6 .
1 2. ...... d6-d S !
The threat 1 3 . Pe4 i s prevented.
1 3 . �b Sxc6?!
White begins to play inertly.
1 3 . ...... b 7xc6
1 4 . cod2 -f3 e S -e4
1 S . cof3 -d4 � e 7xc S
1 6 . f2 -f3 a 7-a S ? !
A better preparation of the threat . .
�a6 i s 1 6 . . . �b6. After 1 7. � f2
. i1i.a6 1 8 . J:Ife 1 c S Black is better.
1 7. � e 2 -f2 'i!V c S -d6
Now 1 7 . . . .\ta6 1 8 . coe6 loses the
exchange.
1 8 . f3xe4 cof6xe4
1 9. � f2xf8 t 'f!Vd6xf8
20 . .!H 1 xf8 t 'it>g8xf8
93
White temporarily has a pawn less.
2 l .J:Ia 1 -f l t
This move is more elegant than the
direct recapture by 2 1 . .lth6 t we8
2 2 . coxc6.
2 1 . ...... <it>f8-g7
2 2 . �g S - f4 �c8-d 7 !
The continuation 2 2 . . . c S gives
White time to s tart an attack.
2 3 . �f4xc 7 a S -a4
24. a 2 - a 3 ?
Pawn b 2 becomes weak. In order t o
prevent . . a 3 , Bondarevsky advises
the passive 2 4 . coc 2 . We regard 24.
cof3 as more aggressive (the point
is 2 4 . .. a 3 24. b4 and the c-pawn is
protected indirectly) 2 4 . . . n f8 2 s .
coe6 n xf l t 2 6 . 'it>xf l �e8 , and
Black's advantage remains small.
24. . . . . . . c6-c S
Here the strategy of restraint
begins.
2 s . cod4-f3 �d7-b S !
2 6 . n f l -d 1 kb S -c4
The bishop blockades the c-pawn
and fixes the b-pawn.
2 7. �c 7-f4?!
Analysts recommend the active 27 .
lUe S . A subtle choice is 2 7. tLld 2 !
�e 2 2 8 . n e 1 �d3 2 9 . n e 3 �c 2
diagram of analysis
If White exchanges, Black captures
with the pawn. The next move
forces a favourable exchange or a
repetition of moves . 3 0 . n e 2 ! nc8
94 Grand Strategy

( 3 0 . . . .1l.d 3 3 1 . n e 3 ) 3 1 . l0xe4 ixe4 3 6 . 'it>g l -f2 Z'Ib 7-f7

3 2 . �f4 . The dominant knight has 3 7. 'it>f2 -g3 1H7-b 7
been exchanged. Hereafter, White
puts the bishop on e 3 and the rook
on d2, and the advance d 5 -d4 is
prevented.
2 7. ...... 'it>g7-f6
28. h2 -h4 ! ?
Bondarevsky suggests 2 8 . l0d 2 . It i s
the last opportunity to play this
move.
2 7. . . . . . . 'it>f6-f5
2 9 . �f4-c l n a8-b8
3 0 . .!:td l -e l h7-h6
3 1 . l0f3 -h2 h6-h 5
Again Spas sky makes a waiting
3 2 . l0h2 -f3 n b8-b 7
move , because progre ss is difficult
to achieve.
3 8 . ne l -e8?!
Again GligoriC makes an error after
a provocation. The quiet 3 8 . wf2
has to be played.
38. ...... .tc4- e 6 !
T h e r o o k is temporarily c u t off.
3 9 . 'it>g 3 - f3 .1l.e6-d 5 t
40. <it>f3 -f2 ? !
Suffering c a n be prolonged by 4 0 .
wg3 n b 3 t 4 1 . 'it>f2 !'!.b 5 4 2 . .!'X c 8
n b 7 ! The black king or r o o k will
Black has improved the position of penetrate.
his bishop, king and rook, 40. . . . . . . n b 7-c 7 !
compared to the start of the ending 4 1 . .�c l -d2 nc7-c2
twelve moves ago. His occupation 42. 'it>f2 -e2 11,d 5 -c4 t
of the centre remains favourable. 4 3 . 'it>e2 -dl llc2xb2
White has been forced into After the win of material the rest is
passeness by restraint. simple.
3 3 . l0f3 - g 5 ? 44. n e8-f8 t 'it>f5 -e4
Black's l a s t move w a s a waiting 4 5 . Z'If8 -f4 t 'it>e4-d 5
move. White has a similar move in 4 6 . n f4-f6 �c4-d3
3 3 . wh2 . I t will be difficult to break 4 7. g 2 -g3 !'!.b 2 -a2
the s trategic stalemate. 48 . ..td 2 -c I ..td 3 -f5
3 3 . ...... l0e4xg 5 49. nf6-b6 na 2 -g 2
3 4 . h4xg 5 5 0 . .\tc l -f4 'it>d 5 -e4
White has lost control over square 5 1 . .H4-d6 d4 -d3
d4 due to a blunder. 5 2 . Z'Ib6-b4 t 'it>e4- d 5
34. . . . . . . d 5 -d4 ! 5 3 . .td6-f4 .1l.f5 -g4 t
A passed p awn is created. 5 4 . wd l -c l !'!.g2 -c 2 t
3 5 . c 3 xd4 c 5 xd4 5 5 . 'it>c l -b l ltg4 -f5
 Prophylaxis 95

5 6 . � b4-b 5 t 'it>d 5 -e4 White has reinforced the centre in

5 7. �f4-d6 'it>e4-f3
0 1
- restricted.
The defender was slowly restricted.
Errors allowed attacks in the centre
and on the queen's side.
Three phases can be found in the
proce ss of restraint: reinforcement,
paralysis and suffocation. The next
game gives a clarification.
such a manner that black activity is
1 5 . �c 1 -d2 .!:ta8-c8
1 6 . � d 1 -b 3 � c8 - c 7
1 7. nb 1 -c l .�:tf8-c8
1 8 . b4-b 5 n c 7xc 1
1 9 . .!:tf 1 xc l .!:tc8xc l t
2 0 .. \ii. d 2xc l 'l'Hd 7 - c 7
2 1 . �b3 -c4 � c 7xc4
2 2 . d 3 xc4

3.6. Spassky- Robert Byrne

6'h game quarter final
San Juan 1 9 74

1 . e 2 -e4 c7 - c 5
2 .ct:lgl-f3 d 7-d6
3 .. �f l -b 5 t .tc8-d7
4 . ..ib 5xd 7 t �d8xd 7
5 . c 2 -c4 e7-e5
A I though S p a s sky leads in the
During the exchanges, White has
match, Byrne opens the game
reinforced the queen's side. He can
without ambition.
undertake very little, despite his
6 .ct:lb 1 -c 3 ct:lb8-c6 good b ishop.
7 . d 2 -d 3 g 7-g6
22. ...... f7-f6
8. a 2 - a 3 .�f8-g7 Black chases a passive defence . He
9 . lla 1 -b 1 ct:lg8-e7 could have played 22 . . . f5, because
1 0 . b 2 -b4 b 7-b6
2 3 . exf5 gxf5 2 4 ..�"g 5 'it>f7 2 5 . .0-.d8
1 1 . 0-0 0-0
e4 is favourable for him.
1 2 . ct:lc 3 - d 5 ct:le 7xd 5
2 3 . 'it>g l -f l �g 7-f8
1 3 . c4xd 5 ct:lc6-d4 �f8 - e 7
2 4 . a3 -a4
1 4. ct:lf3xd4 c 5 xd4 2 5 . >t>f l -e2 >t>g8-f7
26 . .�c 1 -d2 f6- f 5 ?
A continuation of t h e pas sive
consolidation draws without any
difficulty. Byrne ' saw' 26 . . . g S , .. h 5
and 'it>g6 . Later h e cannot explain t o
Kavalek why h e d i d n o t play i t . The
error allows a phase of p aralysi s .
2 7. e4xf5 ! g6xf5
2 8 . w e 2 - d 3 .�e 7-f6
2 9 . f2-f3 ! h7-h5
3 0 . a4-a5 'it>f7-e8
3 1 . a 5 -a6! we8-d7
96 Grand Strategy
3 2 . g 2 -g 3 wd7-c7
3 3 . h2 -h3 wc7-d7
34. �d 2 - a 5 wd7-c8
3 5 . �a 5 -e 1 wc8 - d 7
3 6 ..lte 1 -f2 wd 7-e8
3 7 ..&J2 -e 1
White has made some progress. At
this moment moves are repeated in
order to reach the time control .
3 7. . . . . . . we8-f7?
The retreat 3 7 . . . wd7 is correct. In
that case a draw can be achieved by
great effort.
A. A quiet positional approach
is 3 8 . �d2 we8 ! 3 9 . g4 hxg4 40.
hxg4 fxg4! Why 40 . . . e4 t ? fails will
be explained in variation B. 4 1 .
fxg4 wf7 4 2 . we4 wg6 and the
opening is closed.
B. A fine introduction is 3 8 .
1l.a 5 ! $.d8 3 9. � d 2 �f6 4 0 . g 4 . Now
the black king is one square further
away from the g-pawn. 40 . . . hxg4
4 1 . hxg4 e 4 t ' After 4 1 . .. fxg4 the
white king cannot be stopped from
penetrating. 4 2 . fxe4 fxg4 4 3 . �f4 .
White threatens $. g 3 a n d �f2 . 4 2 . . .
�e 5 ! 44. he 5 dxe 5 4 5 . c 5 g3 46.
cxb6 g2 4 7. bxa 7 g 1 � 4 8 . a8�.
This approach fails in the last
variation, because the black king is
placed on e8. 47 . . . � e 3 t 49. w c 2 .
The queen delivers perpetual check
on the third rank.
The variations can be seen as
twins. A move is correct in one
case and is refuted in the other.
38. �e 1 -b4 .H6- e 7
3 9 . f3-f4 !
White threatens to break through
with 40. fxe 5 dxe 5 4 1 . .\he 7 wxe 7
42. c5.
3 9 . .... . . e 5 xf4
Byrne notices a shock of surprise.
Spassky did not expect the sacrifice
of the passed pawn. Another
baffling variation is 39 . .. h4 ! ? 40.
gxh4 e4 t 4 1 . wxd4 wg6! Black has
sacrificed two pawns for a new
passed pawn. He has a new fort.
White can blow a hole by 4 2 . we 3 !
wh 5 4 3 . c 5 ! ! dxc 5 44. �c3 and 4 5 .
�e 5 . Probably his advantage is
winning.
40. g3xf4 wf7-e8
4 1 . w d 3 xd4 we8-d 7
4 2 . wd4-d3
White adjourns one pawn up. An
hour before the resumption,
Bondarevsky and Spassky find a
piquant way to suffocate Black.
4 2 . . . . .. . wd7-c7
4 3 . wd3 -e3 �e 7-f6
44. we 3 -f3 h 5 -h4
This weakening can be postponed
two moves: 44 . . ..�g7 4 5 . wg3 stf6
4 6 . �a 3 and zugzwang. Kavalek
mentions the alternatives:
46 . . . wd7 4 7. c 5 ,
4 6 . . . �g 7 4 7 . wh4 ,
 Prophylaxis 97

46 . . ..�e 7 47. �-b 2 (and �g 7-h6-g 5 ) ,

and 4 6 . . . h4 t .
4 5 . <>t>f3 -e3 .H6-g7
4 6 . we3-d3 �g 7-f6
4 7. �.b4-d2 '>t>c 7-d 7
4 8 . �d2 - e 3 >t>d7-c7
49. �e 3 -f2 !
Black is in zugzwang.
49. . . . . . . >t>c 7-c8
Kavalek analyses 4 9 . . . �d8 . Even
though the white bishop can
penetrate, the win remains hard to
achieve . 5 0 . �d4 ct>d 7 5 1 . �g 7 we8
White has reached the prepared
5 2 . Jth6 �e 7 5 3 . 2.g 5 >t>f7 54. >t>d4
position.
�f6 t ! The threat 5 5 . c5 has been
5 0. c4-c 5 ! ! d6xc 5
met by clever manoeuvring. 5 5 .
The other choice is 50. .. bxc5!
we3 ! ite 7 5 6 . wd3 �f6 5 7. c 5 ! dxc 5
Belyavsky and Mikhalchiskin
5 8 . <>t>c4 �e 7 5 9 . d 6 ! �,Xd6 60. �d8
analyse 5 1 . �e 1 Jtd8 5 2 . wc4 and
�b8 6 1 . w d 5
52 . . . wd7 5 3 . �4 ! 2.xh4 54. b 6 or
52 . . . wc7 5 3 . 1l.a 5 t wc8 54. Jtxd8 .
W e try t o keep the bastion intact by
52. .. wb8! A breach for the king is
made by the second p awn sacrifice
53. b6 axb6 54. Jtc3 wa7 55. wb5
.�e7 56. �g7. The bishops set o ff
for a z igzag. 56. .. �d8 57. �f8
Jtc7 58. �e7

diagram of analysis

White has paid two pawns as an

entrance fee . 6 1 . . . wg6 (an easier
line is 6 1 . .. we8 6 2 . �4 .ru.:f4 6 3 .
we6 c 4 6 4 . 2.e l ) 6 2 . wc6 c 4 6 3 .
. lli,Xh4 .ru.:f4 64. �e 1
A. Kavalek ends his survey with
64 . . . 2.b8 6 5 . wb 7 f4 66. wxb8 f3
6 7 . wxa7 c3 68. wxb6 c2 69. a 7 diagram of analysis
c 1 Wi 7 0 . a 8 'tW Wixe 1 7 1 . '1Wxf3 and
Whi te wins Black has been outmanoeuvred. 58.
B. The alternative 64 . . . 2.e 3 6 5 . .. c4 59. �f6 Jtb8. A funny win i s
wb 7 f4 6 6 . >t>xa 7 f 3 6 7 . wb 7 c 3 6 8 . 60. �c3 �c7 61. iLd4 2.d8 62. wc6
a 7 c 2 69. a 8 '1W c 1 Wi 70. 'l'!Yg8 t wf6 ..te7 63. �.g7 wxa6 64. w d7 and ,

7 1 . 2.c 3 t leads to a s trong attack. White dominate s the bishop.

98 Grand Strategy

5 1 . d 5 -d 6 ! 7. CiJd4 -b 3
An entry is forced. The prudent 7. a3 was played in
5 1 . ...... wc8-d7 Spassky-Darga, Varna 1 9 6 2 (game
52. �f2xc 5 �f6-d8 1 .2).
53 . .itc 5 -b4 �d7-e6 7.· ·· · · · liJg8 -f6
5 4 . �d3 -c4 �d8-f6 8. f2 -f4 jJ8 -b4
5 5 . �b4-c 5 �f6-d8 9. �f l -d 3 0-0
56. �.c 5 -d4 1 0. 0-0
Black has to move ! A successful struggle consists of
56. ...... we6xd6 three stages: a) development, b)
5 7. �d4-e 5 t wd6-e6 weakening and c) destruction. At
58 . .ite 5 -b8 �e6-d7 this point the first phase transfers
59. �c4-d 5 into the second.
1 0. ...... .�b4xc 3
1 1 . b2xc3
The defender has weakened the
attacker. Therefore Spassky has to
go all out on the king's side.
1 1 . ...... d 7-d6
1 2 . nf 1 -f3 e6-e 5
1 3 . f4 -f5 d6- d 5

The suffocation is completed. 5 9 . . .

weB 60. �a 7 wins easily.
1 -0
An impregnable fortress has been
brilliantly be sieged.

In the following game, Spas sky has

to switch from an attack on the Suetin plays a novelty.
king's side to restraint. 1 4 . n f3 - g 3 ?
White is t o o hasty. He should make
a choice between 1 4. exd 5 and 1 4 .
3. 7. Spassky - Alexey Suetin 4Jd2 .
Spartakiad 1 4. ...... wgB-hB?
Moscow 1 96 7 Home analysis lacks solidity. Black
should make the capture 1 4 . ..
l. e 2 -e4 c 7-c 5 dxe4 ! The calculations, though
2. liJg 1 -f3 CiJb8-c6 wild, can be accurately calculated:
3. CiJb 1 -c 3 e 7-e6 A. 1 5 . .th6 ! ? exd 3 1 6 . bg 7
4. d 2 -d4 c 5 xd4 �b6 t ! 1 7. 4Jd4 ! ? �f5 1 8 . �f6 t
5. liJf3xd4 �d8-c7 .tg6 1 9 . n b 1 dxc 2 2 0 . �xc 2 liJxd4
6. .itc 1 -e 3 a 7-a6 and wins.
 Prophylaxis 99

B. 15 . .ili.gS! 1Lle 7 ! 1 6 . �f6 1Llxf5 2 3 . �c 5 - e 7 !

1 7 . \llx g 7 1Llxg3 1 8 . hf8 wxf8 1 9 . The bishop is untouchable: 2 3 . . .
hxg 3 exd 3 , and Black holds a great �xe7? 2 4 . n xh 7 t .
positional advantage. 23. ...... � c 7-c6
1 5 . e4xd 5 1Llc6-e7 It is wiser to protect the knight
The natural 1 5 . . . 1Llxd 5 ?' 1 6 . � h 5 ! indirectly by 2 3 . . . b 5 ! The attack
lt:lf6' 1 7. � h4 leads to a stronger 24. l H2 'li¥b6 2 5 . �h4 h6 26. Jtxf6
attack on the king's side. �xf6 2 7. 'l<l\'xf6 gxf6 2 8 . .!!x h6 t <±>g 7
1 6 . �e 3 - c 5 1Llf6xd 5 2 9 . ll h3 leads to a difficult ending.
1 7. � d 1 -g4 .!H8-g8 24. n h3 -h6
1 8 . ll g 3 - h 3
White threatens to exploit Black's
cramped formation by 1 9 . n xh 7 t
and mate.
1 8. . . . . . . lt:l d 5 -f6
1 9. '&g4 -g 5 1Lle 7-d 5
2 0 . .!! a 1 -f l !?
Boris does not like 2 0 . c4 lt:lf4 2 1 .
h!. h4 and sets a trap.
20. . . . . . . b 7-b6
Black avoids the nasty 2 0 . . . lt:lf4'?
21. J't:xf4 ! exf4 2 2 . n h6' � e s 2 3 .
. Z.d4 gxh6 2 4 . � h4' The simple 2 0 .
Boris has pushed chessmen to the
. . /Llxc 3 2 1 . .!! e 1 ! ? b 6 ! 2 2 . �e 7 1Llcd 5
king' s side in a grand style. The
2 3 . . ;;; x f6 1Llxf6 wins a pawn.
destruction 2 5 . l!xf6 is imminent.
2 1 . �d3-e4! tt:lf6-e4
24. . . . . . .
During a game it is hard to find the
retreat 24 . . . 'li¥c 7 ! In that case the
riposte 2 5 . l"!.f2' will restore the
status quo. Instead Black swi tches
to another strategy.
2 5. h!. h6xc6 tt:le4xg 5
2 6 . .!! c6-d6! �d 5 xb 3
This unfavourable exchange has t o
be made.
2 7. a2xb3 1Llg 5 -e4
2 8 . n d6xb6 1Lle4xc 3
White exerts greater control over
Spas sky moves his pieces forward the board.
in a highly aggres sive manner. He 2 9 . f5 -f6 ll g8-e8
seems to lose a piece. Closer study 2 9 . . . i'Lld S 30. l!b 7 is surprisingly
reveals a tactical justification. weak.
2 1 . ...... �c8-b 7 3 0 . f6xg 7 t <±>h8xg 7
Charming lines are 2 1 . .. /Llxe4 ?? 3 1 . l"!.b6-b7
2 2 . l!xh 7 t , and 2 1 . .. bxc S 2 2 . Pawn f7 has become the object of
.�"'dS i'LlxdS?? 2 3 . l"!.xh 7 t . restraint.
2 2 . .t.e4xdS .&.b 7xdS 3 1 . ...... i'Llc 3 -e 2 t
1 00 Grand Strategy

3 2 . wgl -hl lLle2 - f4

The f-file is closed and reopened.
3 3 . g2-g3 lLlf4-g6
Playing 33 . . . lt:ld 5 34. �4 l H8 3 5 .
c 4 lt:le 3 3 6 . l:!. f3 lLlg4 3 7. h 3 leads to
positional disaster.
34. �e7-d6 lt:lg6-h8

Exquisite suffocation occurs after

46 . .. lt:lf7 47. l:!. xe 6 t 'it>g 5 48. wg3
lLlxe 5 49. h4 mate.
46. . . . . . . h7-h5
47. %:!.b6xe 6 t \tg6-f7
48. %:!. e6-b6 h 5 xg4
49. h3xg4 �f7-e7
Black has saved pawn f7, but his 50. �e 5 xh8
position is paralysed. The knight A second pawn is won after this
will remain cornered until it is put exchange.
out of its misery. 50. ...... l:!. c8xh8
3 5 . c 2 -c4 \tg 7-g6 5 1 . l:!. b6xb4 we 7 -e6
36. g 3 -g4 ! 5 2 . l:!. b4-c4 we6-d 5
Part of the s trategy is to restrict 5 3 . l:!. c4-cl l:!. h8-g8
the advance o f the f-pawn. 54. 'it>g2 -g 3 'it> d 5 -c6
36. ...... l:!. e8-e6 5 5 . \tg 3 - f4
3 7. c4-c 5 >t>g6-g 5 Black can be put in zugzwang by
Pieces can be redeployed by 3 7 . . . 5 5 . l:!. c 2 . After 5 5 . . . l:!.g 7 5 6 . �f4 ,
e4 3 8 . %:!.b6 h 5 3 9 . gxh 5 t wxh 5 40. the king's advance is easier. B u t the
�f4 lt:lg6 4 1 . �e 3 , but the black time for subtleties has passed. The
position will be too chaotic for rook endgame is easy.
organised defence . 5 5 . . .. . . . l:!. g8-f8 t
3 8 . h2-h3 e 5 -e4 5 6 . 'it>f4-g 5 l:!. f8-g8 t
39. �hl -g2 e4-e3 5 7. \tg 5 -f5 l:!. g8-f8 t
40 . ..td6-f4 t \tg 5 -g6 5 8 . wf5-e6 l:!. f8-g8
4 1 . l:!. b 7-b6 ! e 3 - e 2 59. l:!.c l -g l
4 2 . l:!.fl -e l l:!. a8-c8 l -0
43. b 3 -b4 a6-a5
44. l:!. el xe 2 a 5 xb4 Spas sky set out for an attack on
4 5 . l:!. e 2xe6 t f7xe6 the king, but he applied restraint
46. �f4-e 5 ! perfectly when needed.
 Prophylaxis 101

B. Consolidation

The aim of consolidation is a good contact between one's chessmen and

squares in the own territory. We distinguish two types:
passive consolidation has a purely defensive aspiration;
active consolidation prepares for an attack or counterattack.
In the endgame of the following example, Black wants to set up a fortress, the
model for passive consolidation. White could have breached the bastion.

3.8. Spassky- Michail Tal exchanges . White plays for a win.

251h USSR Championship 1 1 . ...... �a6xc4
Riga 1 9 5 8 Acceptation of the pawn sacrifice
by 1 1 . .. exf3 !? 1 2 . '&xf3 .-txc4 1 3 .
1 . d 2 -d4 tt:lg8 -f6 euf5 0-0 is very risky.
2. c 2 -c4 e 7-e6 1 2 . tiJg3 -f5 0-0
3. tt:lb 1 -c 3 �f8 -b4 1 3 . tt:lf5 -d6 �c4-d3
4. a2-a3 �b4xc 3 t 14. �b 1 xd 3 e4xd3
5 . b 2 xc 3 c 7-c 5 1 5 . '& d 1 xd3 c 5xd4
6. e2-e3 tt:lb8-c6 1 6. c 3 xd4 tt:lf6- e 8 !
7 . �.f 1 -d 3 e6-e5 Exchange s a r e followed by a
8 . tt:lg 1 -e 2 consolidating manoeuvre.
Both sides play aggre ssively in the 1 7. eud6-f5 d 7 - d 5
Nimzo-Indian. 1 8 . a3 -a4 tiJe8-d6
8. ...... e 5-e4 1 9. euf5xd6
9. �d 3 -b l b 7-b6 The greedy 1 9 . �a3 ? ! euxf 5 2 0 .
1 0. tt:le2-g3 �c8-a6 .-txf8? is m e t with 2 0 . . . � h4 t 2 1 .
wd 1 euxe 3 t ! 2 2 . �xe 3 wxf8.
1 9. ...... '& d8xd6
20. �d -a3 euc6-b4
2 1 . '& d 3 -b 3 a 7 - a 5
22. 0-0 .!H8-c8
2 3 . kta 1 -c 1 �d6-e6?!

How should White continue with

the struggle for the centre?
1 1 . f2-f3
The alternative 1 1 . euxe4 euxe4 1 2 .
.-txe4 .-txc4 will involve more
1 02 Grand Strategy
Tal has consolidated the position
in a clever way. His last move
allows action in the centre.
24. �a3 xb4
The advance 24. e4! seems to fail
due to 24 . . . dxe4 2 5 . '&xe6 fxe6 2 6 .
fxe4 l/Jd 3 ! ? B u t White continues t o
move forward with 2 7 . .l::!. xc8 t .l::!.x c8
2 8 . d 5 ! exd 5 2 9 . exd 5 . Black
reorganises by 29 . . . l/Jc 5 30 . .l::!. c l
�f7 and will able to defend himself
in the endgame .
24. ...... a 5 xb4
2 5 . wg l -f2 '&e6-d6
26. h 2 -h 3 wg8-f8
2 7 . .l::!. c l -c 2 �c8xc 2 t
2 8 . �b3xc2 g 7-g6
29 . .l::!. f l -c l ftYd6-d7
3 0 . � c 2 -c 6 � d 7xc6
3 1 . .l::!. c l xc6
At last, after many exchanges,
White has made progress in the
struggle for the centre.
3 1 . ...... J:!. a8-a6?
Tal chooses the wrong tactics .
Analyst s mention 3 1 . . . .l::!.x a4 3 2 .
.!:!: xb6 we 7 and Black will survive.
An enj oyable surprise is 3 1 . . . b5!
3 2 . axb 5 .tl:b8 and a small plus.
3 2 . a4-a 5 ! b4-b 3 1
A s trong counteraction begins.
3 3 . a 5 xb6 b 3 -b 2
3 4 . b6-b 7 b 2 -b l 't"¥
3 5 . .l::!. c 6-c8t wf8-g 7
3 6 . b7-b8't'H .l::!. a 6-a2 t
3 7. �f2-g3 �b l -e l t
3 8 . wg3-h2 � e l xe 3
If Black plays 3 8 . . . J:!. xg 2 t ? , the
result will not be perpetual check.
Instead he restores the material
equality.
3 9 . llc8-g8 t
The initiative has passed to White.
Black's king seems to be in dire
straits.
39. ...... �g7-f6?
A beautiful escape is 39 . . . wh61 40.
�f8 t wh5 4 1 . '&xf7 .tl:xg 2 t l 4 2 .
wxg2 'l*'d2 t and a perpetual.
40. 'ii'!'b 8-d6t '1W e 3 -e6
4 1 . 'ii'!' d 6-f4 t '1We6-f5
4 2 . 't"'!'f4-d6 t '1Wf5 -e6
4 3 . 'l!fd6-g3
The conquest of a pawn 4 3 . �d8
'lo\l'xd 6 t 44. n xd 6 t w-e 7 4 5 . nxd 5 is
met by 45 . . . J':i.d 2 . Attempts to win
by 46. wg3 <>t>e6 47 . .!::!. e S t w d 7 4 8 .
1::!. e 4 f5 are futile.
43. ...... �e6 - e 3
44. h 3 ·h4 !
The influence of the ou tpost g 5 \Vill
become apparent later on.
44. . . . . . . .l::!. a 2 - e 2
It is difficult to determine whether
44 . . . lla6 !? is stronger. After 4 5 .
'l!Vb 8 '1Wxd4 4 6 . 'l!fd8 t we5 4 7 . '&g5t !
w-d6 48 . .l::!. d 8 t wc6 4 9 . '�'!¥c l t. the
king is hunted into the open. But
can a fatal blow be executed?
4 5 . 'l'!¥g 3 - d 6 t '&e 3 -e6
 Prophylaxis
In the adj ourned position, Black is
unable to consolidate against the
attack by maj or pieces. The other
king i s save in a little fortres s .
4 6 . � d6-f4 t
White avoids 4 6 . � d 8 t � e 7 4 7 .
�xd 5 .!::txg 2 t ! and a perpetual.
46. . . . . . . �e6-f5
47. �f4-h6 wf6-e7
The benefit o f controlling g 5 is
clear from 47 . . . �xf3 48. � g 5 t .
4 8 . �h6-f8 t we 7-f6
4 9 . � f8-g 7 t wf6 - e 7
5 0 . .!::tg 8-a8 !
White brings new life to his attack.
50. ...... �f5-d7
The checks 5 0 . . . � f4 t 5 1 . 'it> h 3
�f5 t 5 2 . 'it>g3 a r e no good.
5 1 . �g7-f8 t we 7-f6
5 2 . .!::t a 8-a6 t .!::t e 2 -e6
5 3 . 't!f f8-h 8 t wf6-e 7
5 4 . .!::t a 6-a8 .!::t e 6-e l ? !
A return to the second rank is
preferable. Now White can improve
his position.
5 5 . w h 2 -g 3 ! h7-h 5 !
Tal analyses 5 5 . . . � c 7 t 5 6 . wf2
� c 2 t 5 7. wxe l � c l t 5 8 . wf2 't!fd2 t
5 9 . wg3 't!f e l t 60. wg4 f5 t 6 1 . wg5
� e 3 t 62. f4 � g 3 t 63. 'it>h6 �xh4 t
64. w g 7 � f6 t 6 5 . wxh 7 � h4 t 6 6 .
wg8 , a n d White's king h a s escaped
from perpetual check.
5 6. \t>g3 -f2 .ld.e l -e6
57 . .!::t a 8-c 8 ! n e6-d6
1 03
All preparations have been made
for the decisive action.
5 8 . �h8-f8 t ? !
Chechover found 5 8 . g 4 (threatens
g 5 ) hxg4 5 9 . \Wf8 t w f6 60. fxg4
A. 60 . . . n e6 6 1 . n c 3 ! n e4 6 2 .
n f3 t we6 6 3 . g 5 , or
B. 60 . . . .!::t c 6 6 1 . n e8 ! n c 2 t 6 2 .
wf3 n c 3 t 6 3 . wf4 \Wc 7 t 6 4 . n e s ,
and the encirclement i s completed.
58. . . . . . . we 7-f6
5 9 . n c8-e8 .!::t d 6-e6
60. � f8-h8 t wf6-f5
6 1 . \Wh8-h6 ..t>f5 -f6
6 2 . \Wh6-h8 t 'it>f6-f5
6 3 . n e8-d8?
Correct play proceeds with 6 3 . �h6
wf6 64. n g8 ! w e 7 6 5 . �g 5 t n f6 66.
n a8 ! � b 7 67. n a2 � c 6 6 8 . �e S t
w f8 6 9 . .!::t a 5 . White wins a p awn
and keeps the initiative .
63. ...... � d 7-c6
64 . .!::t d 8-c8 �c6-a6
1 04 Grand Strategy

Black is ready to counterattack. 72 . . . '+lfc8! 7 3 . '+lfb 3 �c4 74. �d 1

6 5 . >t>f2 - g 3 ? �a2 t ! 7 5 . wh3 W/a3 76. wg2 "+¥t'b 2 t .
White puts h i s king i n danger. The 69. . . . . . . �d6-e6
game ends peacefully after 6 5 . '*l'd8 70. n c 2 -f2 ? !
'*f'e 2 t 66. \t>g 3 . After 70. ft' c 8 we4 ! 7 1 . �xe6 t fxe6 ,
65. ...... ft'a6-d6 t the rook ending will b e won.
6 6 . \t>g 3 -h 3 70. . . . . . . n e 1 -h 1 t
6 6 . >t> f 2 � f4 l o s e s quickly. 7 1 . wh3-g2 �e6-e4 t
66. . . . . . . n e6-e 1 7 2 . n f2-f3 >t>f5 -g4
67. g2-g3 n e l -g l ? 7 3 . �h8-c 8 t f7-f5
Black can break through by 6 7 . . . The final 74. "t\l'c3 n:fl shows
�a6 ! 68. g4 t >t>f4 69. �h6t wxf3 White's poor consolidation.
70. n c3 t we4. 0- 1
68. f3 -f4 .l:t g l -e 1
69. n c8 - c 2 ? ! Tal is the champion. Godde ss
A n interesting example of passive Caissa has been cruel to Boris. He
consolidation is given by 69 . .l:t e8 ! does not qualify for the interzonal,
n xe8 7 0 . �xe8 �e6 7 1 . '+lfa4 \t>e4 t sits like a statue on the stage, goes
7 2 . wg2 . Black makes progre ss by to the street and weep s .

The mechanism o f overprotection consists o f support t o a point i n one's own

position by friendly pieces. As important examples of overprotection, Nimzowitsch
cites support of an advanced pawn in order to preserve a space advantage, support
of a central pawn in order to prevent an attack on the king, and support of a
blockader. He cherishes a potentially mobile career for overprotectors. Therefore
these pieces should be positioned actively. In the next game overprotection is applied
for the consolidation of a space advantage.

3.9. Spassky - Paul Keres 8. ...... tt:lb 8 - d 7

3rd game quarter final �b4 - a 5
9. a2-a3
Riga 1 9 6 5 Keres t o o h a s another idea.
1 0. � d 1 -c2 0-0
1 . d 2 -d4 tt:lg8-f6 1 1 . tt:Je 2 - c l '?!
2. c 2 -c4 e 7-e6
3. tt:lb 1 -c 3 �f8-b4
4 . �c 1 -g 5 h 7-h6
5. �g 5 -h4 c 7-c 5
6 . d4- d 5 d 7-d6
7. e2-e3 e6-e5
8 . tt:lg 1 -e 2
The Leningrad Variation gives a lot
of action. In Moscow 1 9 5 7 the
players chose 8 . '&c 2 tt:lbd 7 9. tt:lge 2
tt:l f 8 1 0 . a 3 �c 3 t 1 1 . tt:lxc 3 . This
time Spassky re-orders the moves .
 Prophylaxis 1 05

White makes a dubious move. The closed position has opened up

1 1 . ...... l:H8-e8?! a little by the exchanges. White
Black should play 1 1 . .. .txc 3 t 1 2 . controls more space.
'i!Wxc 3 cuxd 5 ! 1 3 . .txd8 cuxc 3 1 4. 2 6 . d 5 -d6!
.ic 7 ! cue4 1 5 . �d3 cuef6 1 6 . �d6 White increases his advantage in an
J::t e 8 1 7. b4 ! amusing way.
1 2 . cuc 1 -a 2 ! 26. ...... 'iW e 7-e6
Now the knight manoeuvre i s good. 2 7. J::ta 1 -d 1 ..tc8 - d 7
1 2 . ...... 'i!t'd8 -e7 Blockade forestalls t h e immediate
1 3 . f2-f3 e 5 -e4 disaster.
1 4 . f3 -f4 g7-g5 28 . .te 1 -g3 f7-f5
1 5 . �h4-g3 cu f6-h5 29. cu c 3 - b 5
1 6 . ..tfl -e2 cuh5-g7
Keres avoids violent play. He is
ahead in the match and rej ects the
bold 1 6 . . . gxf4 !?
1 7. o-o cug7-f5
1 8 . '*fc2 - d 2 cud 7-f6
1 9. f4xg 5 h6xg 5
2 0 . �g3 -e 1 cuf5-g 7?
This retreat serve s no purpose.
Useful moves are the development
20 . . . ..td 7 and advance 2 1 . . . 'llf e 5 .
2 1 . b 2 -b 4 !
White makes use of the initiative
Four overprotectors support the
and carries out a centralisation of
advanced pawn. Notice the great
his ches smen.
mobility and coordination o f cu d 5 ,
2 1 . ...... �a 5 -b6?!
'llf d 2 , J::t d 1 and ii.g 3 . Although Boris
The bishop should withdraw to dB
is not familiar with Nimzowitsch'
in one move.
concept, he applies it wonderfully.
2 2 . cuc3 -a4 cuf6-d7?!
Chess can be so easy.
2 2 . . . ..tg4 eases the pressure.
29. ...... ::t e8-f8
2 3 . cu a 2 - c 3 ii.b6-d8
A reshuffle poses a slight threat on
24. b4xc 5 cud 7xc 5
the king's side.
2 5 . cua4xc 5 d6xc 5
30. 'llf d 2 - c 1 't\'r'e6-f6
3 1 . cub 5 - c 7 J::ta 8-c8
Exchange is the other poor choice.
3 2 . cuc 7-d5 'i'Nf6-e6
3 3 . 'i!fc 1 -b2 ..td 7-a4
34. J::t d 1 -c 1 J::t f 8-f7
3 5 . �.g 3 - e 5
All the overprotectors have moved !
3 5. ...... 'iW e6-g6
After 3 5 . . . ..tc6 36. g4 ! ..txd 5 ? ! 3 7.
cxd 5 'iWxd 5 ? 3 8 . .tc4 , the white
queen' s rook gives support.
36. g 2 -g4 !
1 06 Grand Strategy

3 7. g4xf5 t2Jg7xf5
38. �.e 2 -g4 $.c6-d 7
3 9 . �b2xb 7 .il. d 7-e6
40. �b 7-b l t2Jf5xd6
4 1 . .il.g4xe6 � g6xe6
42 . .\ll . e 5 xd6 � e 6xd6
4 3 . '*fb l xe4 l:i c8-b8
44. l:i f l xf7 wg8xf7
4 5 . �e4-h 7 t wf7-e8
46. l:i c l -f l '*f d6-e6
47. h2-h3 l:ib8-c8
4 8 . 'I!Vh7-g7 �. d8-e 7
4 9 . l:i f l -f 5 ! .�.e 7-d6
The black position is divided in two
50. 1:l. f5 -f6
camps by the white forces. A
Keres faces 50 . . . � e 5 5 1 . J:t f8 t .
mopping-up begins.
1 -0
36. . . . . . . i. a4-c6

When Fischer prepared for the 1 972 match, he faced two great problems:
A. The world champion had beaten him tactically, and played at the same level
positionally. Spassky had defeated him in the brilliant style of Morphy (a quick
development aims at control of the centre, the next target is the hostile king , and a
combination in a crucial position decides the game). " Bobby has less sense of the
critical position", Boris explained to Jan.
B. An eminent Soviet team of opening experts researched Fischer's opening
repertoire thoroughly and worked on novelties.
Usually Fischer applied Boleslavsky's strategic approach. As White, he tried to
achieve a small advantage with 1 . e4 . As Black, he frequently applied prophylaxis by
playing the Sicilian, GrOnfeld (games 2. 2 and 2 3 ) and King's Indian Defence. This
.

time he applied a similar approach with different openings. As White, he strived for a
plus with 1 . c4 (game 2. 1 2). As Black, he chose the Benoni, closed Nimzo-lndian,
Alekhine and Pirc. His scores were 3 points out of 4 games for 1 . c4 as White, 4 out
of 5 for prophylaxis as Black, and S V2 out of 1 2 for the other games. So it was highly
rewarding to apply the general approach in a different way.

During the match preparation of nine months the ' Russians' made two errors :
A. They did not recognise Fischer's knowledge of prophylaxis. Even Petrosian
did not mention it in his letter to comrades Baturinsky and Averbakh (published in
'Russians versus Fischer ) . This notion can be reconstructed from analytical notes in
'My sixty memorable games' and articles on the match Steinitz- Dubois 1 862 in Chess
Life 1 964. Bobby writes about blockade (in the meaning of restraint), overprotection
and consolidation. When he analyses the game Larsen- Fischer, Monaco 1 967, he
even mentions Nimzowitsch by name. This ' Russian' blunder shows a great defect in
the Soviet school : the abstract properties of prophylaxis are not understood.
B. They did not even notice the strong similarity between Boleslavsky's and
Fischer's strategic approach. Tal, Keres, Smyslov and Bondarevsky failed to mention
this in their letters (published in the book 'Russians versus Fischer ) .
 Prophylaxis 1 07

In a highly interesting game, Fischer applies consolidation with special effects.

His pieces move forward on a mission. He moves them back to a consolidated
position when the mission is accomplished. The accordion confuses Spassky.

3. 1 0. Spassky - Bobby Fischer 1 2 . � d 1 -e2 � d 8 - e 8 !

1 31h game World Championship 1 3 . 4Jd2 -e4 li:Jb6xa4
Reykj avik 1 9 7 2 1 4 . �b 3 xa4 4J c 5 xa4
Mission accomplishe d !
1 . e 2 -e4 1 5 . n f l -e 1 4Ja4-b6
Breyer wrote: "White's game is in 1 6. �c 1 -d2 a 5 -a4
its last throe s " . 1 7. �d2-g5 h7-h6
1 . . ....
. li:Jg8 -f6 1 8 . �g 5 -h4 .tc8-f5 ! ?
At once the weakness is attacked. 1 9 . g 2 -g4!?
2. e4-e 5 li:Jf6 - d 5 White' s courageous advance starts
3 . d2 -d4 d 7-d6 a new harmonica.
4 . li:Jg 1 -f3 g 7-g6 1 9. ...... .H5 -e6
5. �f l -c4 li:J d 5 -b6 2 0 . li:Jf3 -d4 �e6-c4 !
The knight move s back, after White 2 1 . � e 2 -d2 YW e 8 - d 7? !
has been lured forward. So far Fischer h a s played t h e game
6 . �c4-b 3 .tf8-g7 with great strategic superiority.
7. li:Jb 1 -d 2 Now he fails to find the simple
Spassky leaves t h e theory of the tactic 2 1 . .. ,ID{e 5 ! 2 2 . �xh6 <�g 7 .
Alekhine with a quiet move . T h e spurned centre pawn will
7. . . . . . . 0-0 become very strong.
8. h2-h3?! 2 2 . n a 1 -d 1 n f8-e8!
He continues too passively. 2 3 . f2-f4 .tc4- d 5
8. ...... a7-a 5 ! 2 4 . li:Je4-c 5 � d 7-c8
9 . a 2 -a4? 2 5 . � d 2 -c 3
Stronger move s are 9 . a3 and 9 . c 3 . Analysts praise 2 5 . e6 li:J c 4 2 6 . � e 2
9. ...... d6xe 5 li:Jxb2 2 7. 4Jf5 . The intention i s 2 7.
1 0 . d4xe 5 4Jb8-a6 ! . . �c4? 2 8 . exf7t >t>xf7 2 9 . �xe 7 t ! ,
but Black can play 2 7 . . . ttJxd l .
2 5 . ...... e 7- e 6 !
2 6 . >t>g 1 -h2 4Jb6-d 7 !

The a-pawn becomes the target of

another accordion.
1 1 . 0-0 4Ja6-c 5
1 08
Some pressure remains after 2 7 .
tLlb 5 tLJxc 5 2 8 . 'ilfxc 5 .!::!. a S .
2 7. tLJc 5 -d 3 ? ! c 7-c 5 !
2 8 . tLld4-b 5 �c8-c6
2 9 . tLlb 5 -d6 'i!Vc6xd6
30. e 5xd6 �g 7xc 3
3 1 . b 2xc3
A lesson in prophylaxis has cost
Spas sky a pawn.
3 1 . ...... f7-f6
3 2 . g4-g 5 h6xg 5 ? !
Fischer misses a direct win i n the
endgame. J6hansson and O lafsson
analyse 32 . . . c4 3 3 . tLJb4 hxg 5 3 4 .
fxg 5 f5 a n d wins .
3 3 . f4xg 5 f6-f5
Now it i s too late for . . c4, because
the knight can go to f4 .
3 4 . �h4-g3 wg8-f7?!
Again Black plays feebly. Smyslov
give s 3 4 . . . a 3 ! 3 5 . tLJ e 5 tLJxe 5 3 6 .
�e 5 r! de 8 3 7 . .!::!. f l .!::!. a4 ! White
cannot develop counter-play on the
fourth rank and loses.
3 5 . tLJ d 3 -e 5 t tLld 7xe 5
3 6 . �g3 xe 5 b 7-b 5
Black prepares the defence 3 7. �.f6
.!::!. a 7 .
3 7 . .!::!. e l -f l !
An incredible rescue begins
the threat n f4-h4-h 7 t .
3 7. . . . . . . .!::!. e8-h8?
Black makes a great error.
correct and quiet variation is
n a 7 (or 3 7 . . . n ed8) 3 8 . .!::!. f4
Grand Strategy
3 9 . r! h4 r! g8 4 0 . .!::!. h 7 t '1t>e8. Black
conducts an active consolidation. It
is completed when his king arrive s
on the queen's side.
38. �e 5 -f6 !
White avoids 3 8 . .!::!. f4? .!::!. h 7 ! Now d 7
becomes a maj o r threat.
38. . . . . . . a4-a3
39 . .: f l -f4 a 3 - a 2
40. c 3 -c4 �d 5 xc4
4 1 . d6-d 7 �c4 - d 5
The game i s adj ourned in a n
exciting position.
4 2 . wh2 -g3 !
White's sealed move prepares 4 3 . . .
.!::!. h4.
42. ...... n a8-a 3 t
According to Enklaar, 4 2 . . . e 5 4 3 .
�e 5 we6 4 4 . $xh8 .!::!. xh8 4 5 . I Hf l
.!::!. dB 4 6 . .!::!. fe l t wd6 4 7 . c 4 bxc4 4 8 .
.!::!. e 2 is drawn. Timman' s suggestion
4 8 . . . n xd 7 4 9 . .!::!. xa2 .!::!. e 7 ? loses a
pawn due to 5 0 . .!::!. a6 t .
4 3 . c2-c3
Spassky carrie s o u t a glorious
counterattack.
43. ...... .!::!. h8-a8
The escape i s crowned by the
combination 43 . . . al 't\f!? 44. n x a l
with n xa l 4 5 . .!::!. h4 ! n aa8 (a slight
chance i s offered by 45 . . . f4 t 4 6 .
w f 2 .!::!. xh4 4 7. d 8 'ilf n a 7) 4 6 . .-�txh8 !
The .!::!. d8 4 7 . �f6 .!::!. xd7 48 . .!::!. h 7 t , and
3 7. .. White delivers perpetual check.
.!::!. d 7 44 . .!::!. f4-h4 e6-e 5 !
 Prophylaxis 1 09

4 5 . ll h4-h7t >t>f7-e6 6 4 . wc2-c3 h 2 -h l 'tl¥ !

46. ll h 7-e 7 t we6-d6
4 7. ll e 7xe 5 ll a3xc 3 t
4 8 . wg3 - f2 n c 3 -c 2 t
4 9 . 'it>f2-e l wd6xd 7
5 0 . ll e 5xd 5 t 'it>d7-c6
5 1 . ll d 5 -d 6 t 'it>c6-b 7
5 2 . ll d6-d 7 t 'it>b7-a6
At the edge the king has found a
shelter.
5 3 . l:!. d 7- d 2 l:!. c2xd2
54. 'it>e l xd 2
After 6 4 . . . f4 6 5 . l:!. d6 t 'it> c 7 6 6 .
l:!. d l , t h e black king stands offside.
He enters White's territory at the
cost of a pawn.
6 5 . l:!. d l xh l w c 6 - d 5
6 6 . wc 3 -b 2 f 5 - f4
6 7 . l:!. h l -d l t w d 5 -e4
68. l:!. d l -c l we4-d3

White can achieve a complicated

draw, after he has conducted a
superb passive consolidation.
White's faces b eing crushed by a 6 9 . l:!. c l -d l t ?
pawn avalanche. He gives the wrong check! C orrect
54. ...... b 5 -b4 i s 69. l:!. c 3 t wd4 70. l:!. f3 c 3 t 7 1 .
5 5 . h 3 -h4 ! wa6-b 5 wa l ! c 2 7 2 . l:txf4 t w c 3 7 3 . n f3 t
5 6 . h4-h5 wd2 74. �a3 ! The last fortre s s . 74.
A counterattack i s started on the . . l:Xg 7 7 5 . l:!. xb 3 l:!. c 7 7 6 . $.b 2 .
king' s side for the second time. Bobby peeks through his fingers
56. ...... c 5 -c4! and sees the horror on Boris' face.
The threat i s . . c 3 t . 69. ...... >t> d 3 - e 2
5 7. l:!. d l -a l ! 70. l:!. d l -c l f4-f3
Now 5 7 . . . c 3 t fails due to 5 8 . 'it> d 3 . 7 1 . �f8 - c 5 l:!. g8xg 7
5 7. . . . . . . g6xh 5 7 2 . l:!. c l xc4 l:!. g 7 - d 7
5 8 . g 5 -g6 h 5 -h4 7 3 . l:!. c4-e4 t w e 2 - f l
5 9 . g6-g7 h4-h3 7 4 . i..c 5 -d4 f3 -f2
60. �f6-e 7 %:!. a8-g8 The win 7 5 . l H4 l:!. xd4 76. l:!. xd4
6 1 . �e7-f8! we2 is elementary.
Black' s rook is imprisoned. His 0- 1
colleague fights against five p awns.
6 1 . ...... h3 -h2 Firstly Fischer carries out an active
6 2 . w d 2 - c 2 >t>b 5 -c 6 consolidation with accordions.
6 3 . l:!. a l -d l ! Later Spas sky grabs the chance to
The black king i s penned in. build a fortress. Finally he loses by
63. ...... b4-b 3 t a blunder.
110 Grand Strategy

Active consolidation is a principal After a further exchange, White will

strategy in Karpov' s game s . In the control the centre.
next game he has to deal with an 24. d 5 -d 6 !
advanced pawn. He strengthens his No pawn is w o n by 2 4 . iUxe 5 .
posi tion until the strong pawn has 2 4 . ...... .lll .e 7-f6
become a helpless weakling.

3 . 1 1 . Spassky - Anatoly Karpov

5rh game semi final
Leningrad 1 9 74

1 . e 2 -e4 c 7-c6
2. d 2 -d4 d 7- d 5
3 . iUb 1 -c 3 d 5 xe4
4 . iU c 3 xe4 .ii.c8-f5
5. iUe4-g3 �f5-g6
6. iUg 1 -f3 iUb8 - d 7
7. �f l -d 3 e 7-e6 White has a superior position by
8 . 0-0 iUg8-f6 virtue of his space advantage and
9. c 2 -c4 �f8-d6 advanced passed pawn.
1 0. b 2 -b 3 2 5 . iUf3 - d 2 ?
Spas sky centralises in a quiet line More active is 2 5 . 't!Vb 5 b 6 2 6 . iUd2 .
of the C aro-Kann. 2 5 . ...... 'llf g 4xe 2
1 0. ...... 0-0 2 6 . J:. e 1 xe 2 l:t d8 - c 8 !
1 1 . �c 1 -b 2 't!Vd8-c7 Black faces no difficulties in the
Karpov e qualised with 1 1 . . . c 5 in endgame.
the 2 n d game. 2 7. iUd2 -e4
1 2 . �d 3 xg6 h 7xg6 2 7. iUc4 $.g 5 ! 28. a4 f6 is similar.
1 3 . 't!V d l -e 2 .!H8-e8 2 7. . . . . . . �f6-d8
1 4 . iUg3 -e4 iUf6xe4 28. g 2 -g4
1 5 . 't!V e 2 xe4 �d6-e 7 ! The f-pawn is restricted.
Black reorganises his defence line. 28. . . . . . . f7-f6
1 6. l:. a 1 -d 1 J:. a8-d8 Active consolidation begins.
1 7. J:. fl -e l � c 7-a 5 ! ? 29. �g 1 -g2 c;;. g 8-f7
The natural continuation o f Black's 30. J:. d 1 -c 1 �d8-b6
plan is 1 7 . . . �f6 or 1 7 . . . iUf6. 3 1 . J:. e 2 - c 2 l:. c8xc2
1 8 . a2-a3 � a 5 -f5 3 2 . J:. c 1 xc 2 wf7-e6
1 9 . �e4-e2 g6-g5 Black pieces quietly move to good
2 0 . h2 -h3 squares .
White neutralises the advance on 3 3 . a 3 -a4 a7-a5
the king's side. 3 4 . �b 2 - a 3
20. . . . . . . g 5 -g4 The p a s s e d p awn i s overprotected.
2 1 . h 3 xg4 � f 5 xg4 34. . . . . . . l:. e8-b8!
2 2 . d4-d 5 ! Preparation of an advance by the b ­
Both sides play for a win. pawn i s t h e next step.
22. ...... c6xd 5 3 5 . J:. c 2 -c4 �b6-d4
2 3 . c4xd 5 e6-e 5 ! 36. f2 -f4 ! g 7-g6
 Prophylaxis Ill

4 1 . �a3-b2 b 7-b6
4 2 . �b 2 -d4?
Botvinnik advises the remarkable
escape 42 . .l:!. c 3 .l:!. xc 3 t 43 . .txc 3
A. 43. 00 wxd6 4 4 . b 4 ! b 5 ! ? 4 5 .
bxa 5 bxa4 4 6 . ..tb4 t wc6 4 7. wf3
wb 5 48. �e 7 c;t>xa 5 49. 'itt e 4 'itt b 5 5 0 .
wds
B. 43. 00 tO e S 4 4 . <>t>f3 coxb 3 4 5 .
d 7 ! <>t>xd 7 4 6 . .txf6
Karpov suggests 4 2 . .l:!. h8 , but this
00

offers few chance s to win.

42. n c8-c6
Black has made all preparations.
000000

4 3 . .\!l,d4-c3 n c6-c 5
3 7. 'Lle4-g 3 !
A less promising continuation is 44. 'itt g 3 -g2 .l:!. c 5 -c 8 !
The knight threatens to jump into
3 7 . fxe 5 .txe 5 38 . .l:!. c 7 b6! due to
action.
the threat 38 . . . .l:!. h8 .
3 7. . . . . . . 4 5 . wg2-g3?!
e 5 xf4 ! ?
After 4 5 . �e l tO e S 4 6 . .l:!. d4 .l:!. c6 4 7.
Karpov analyses 3 7. 00 b 5 3 8 . fS t
�f2 'itt d 7 ! or 4 5 . wf3 'Ll c 5 4 6 . .t:�. d l
gxf5 3 9 . gxfS t <t> d 5 40 . .l:!. c 7 b4 4 1 .
.t:!. d8 White's position has become
.\11x b4 .l:!. xb4 4 2 . .l:!. xd 7 .l:!. xb 3 . Black
precarious .
seems to have very good chances,
45. cod7-e 5 !
but White escapes by 43. coh5 ! e4
000000

4 6 . �c 3xe 5 f6xe 5
44 . .l:!. e 7 and continued exchanges.
Active consolidation has changed
38 . .l:!. c4xd4 f4xg3
to an attack in the centre.
A favourable exchange has brought
47. b 3 -b 4 ! ?
new life to the game.
White chooses a desperate defence .
3 9 . <>t>g2xg3 .l:!. b8-c8
The natural move is 4 7. w f 3 1:l. d8
4 0 . 1:!. d4-d3 g6-g5
A. If White plays 4 8 . c;te4 n xd6
4 9 . .l:!. xd 6 t c;t>xd6 50. wf5 w d 5 5 1 .
<t>xg 5 e4 5 2 . wf4 wd4, the pawn
ending is lost, as White will finally
lose his queen.
B. Analysts praise 48. b4, but it
is refuted by 4 8 . 00 axb4 ! 4 9 . .t:!. b 3
n fS t ! s o . w e 2 n f4 .
Interesting counter-play starts with
4 7 . wf2 ! n d8 48 . .l:!. f3 . Black wins a
pawn by 4 8 . 00 .l:!. xd6 49 . .l:!. f5 :t d 3
5 0 . .l:!. xg 5 .l:!. xb 3 . After 5 1 . .l:!. g6 t
The adj ourned position is difficult w d 5 5 2 . g 5 the battle will become
for White. His precious pawn has fierce.
become the focus point o f the few 4 7. .oooo• e 5 -e 4 !
remaining pieces . A decisive tempo is gained.
1 12 Grand Strategy

g 5 'it> d 5 6 2 . '>t>f6 wd6, and White is

one tempo short.
48. . . . . . . <>t>e6-e 5
4 9 . ll d4-d 1 a 5 xb4
5 0. ll d 1 -b 1 ll c8 -c 3 t
5 1 . >t>g3 -f2 ll c 3 - d 3
52. d6-d7 ll d 3xd7
5 3 . ll b 1 xb4 ll d 7-d6
At last the pawn has been won.
5 4 . >t>f2 -e3 ll d6-d3 t
5 5 . <>t> e 3 - e 2 ll d 3 - a 3
There is n o defence against . . <>t>f4 .
White can organise a stubborn 0- 1
defence .
4 8 . ll d 3 -d4? A type of heroic defence develops,
when the queen make s a raid for
This concedes a tempo. White has
loot and returns to a consolidated
to try 48. ll d l ! ll d8. Black avoids
position.
4 8 . . . axb4 ? 4 9 . ll d4 . 49. bxa5 bxa5
50. ll e l ! This is stronger than 5 0 .
3 . 1 2 . Spassky - Jose Nogueiras
ll f l ll xd6 5 1 . ll f8 ll d4 5 2 . ll f5 ll d 5
5 3 . ll f8 ll e 5 . 50. .. >t>e5 5 l . ll f l Candidates ' tournament
Montpellier 1 9 8 5

l . e2 -e4 e 7-e6
2. d2 -d4 d 7-d 5
3 . l2Jb 1 -c 3 Jl.f8-b4
4 . e4-e 5 c 7-c 5
5 . a2-a3 Ji.b4xc 3 t
6 . b2xc3 l2Jg8 - e 7
7 . 'tlf d 1 -g4
The queen makes a sortie in the
Winawer.
7. ...... 'tlfd8-c7
diagram of analysis 8 . 'tl¥g4xg 7 ll h8-g8
9. 'tl¥g 7xh 7 c 5xd4
Black has to respond aggressively:
51. .. e3! 52. ll f5t. 5 2 . >t>f3 ll f8 t
leads to a l o s t p awn ending. 52.
>t>e4 53. ll xg5 ll xd6 .
A. 5 4 . ll g8 .ll d 1 5 5 . ll e8 t >t>d3
56. ll d8 t >t> c 2 5 7. ll c8 t >t>d2 5 8 .
.ll d8 t '>t>e 1 5 9 . ll a8 e2 60. ll xa 5
.ll d 3 t ! 6 1 . >t>f4 <>t>f2 6 2 . ll e 5 ll f3 t
6 3 . <>t>g5 ll e 3 and wins
B. 5 4 . ll xa 5 ll d 1 5 5 . ll a8 e 2 5 6 .
ll e8 t >t>d3 5 7. n xe 2 wxe 2 5 8 . wf4
>t> d 3 5 9 . 'it> e 5 ll g 1 60. wf5 wd4 6 1 .
 Prophylaxis
Black counterattacks in the centre.
White cannot recapture the pawn
for an obvious reason.
1 0. cug 1 -e 2 cub8-c6
1 1 . f2 -f4 d4xc 3
1 2 . �h7-d3 �c8-d7
1 3 . � d 3xc3 0-0-0
Five moves by the queen have
resulted in the gain of a pawn.
White's position i s solid because he
completely controls the first three
ranks and his advanced pawn
hinders invaders.
1 4 . cue2-g3
Spassky plays a novelty. The usual
moves are 1 4 . J:t b 1 and 1 4. J:t g l .
1 4. ...... J:t g8-h8
Black has no obvious plan. He
chooses to become active on the
flanks.
1 5 . �c 1 -d 2 J:t d8-g8
1 6 . 0-0-0
A good alternative is 1 6 . J:t b 1 , but
Spas sky wants to continue his
development.
1 6. . . . . . . wc8-b8
1 7. �f l -d 3 cue 7-c8 ! ?
The action on t h e other flank
begins.
1 8 . J:t d 1 -g 1
A more energetic move i s 1 8 . � c 5 ,
but Boris s ticks to his plan.
1 8. ...... cuc8-b 6
1 9. � c 3 -b 3 J:t g8-c8
20. cug3 - e 2 cub6-a4 !
1 13
At last Black has started an attack.
2 1 . .td 2 -b4
Noguieras analyses 2 1 . �xa4 tLlxe 5
2 2 . �b3 cuxd 3 t 2 3 . �xd3 �b 5 2 4 .
� c 3 ne 2 2 5 . �xc 7 t =.
2 1 . ...... cuc6xb4
2 2 . 'i!Vb 3xb4 cua4-c 5
2 3 . wc 1 -d2 a 7-a6?
Black wastes time and misses 23 . . .
cue4 t 2 4 . �.xe4 dxe4 2 5 . we3 W«xc 2
2 6 . � d 6 t wa8 2 7. W«xd7 : hd8 2 8 .
� b 5 J:t d 3 t 2 9 . >t>f2 . The sacrifice
29 . . . �xe 2 t 3 0 . wxe 2 J:t c 2 t secures
the draw.
2 4 . J:[ g 1 -b 1 d 5 -d4
2 5 . cue2xd4 J:t h8-d8
26. 'i!Vb4-b6 cuc 5xd3
2 7. c2xd3 �d7-a4
2 8 . w d 2 - e 3 � c 7xb6
2 9 . J:t b 1 xb 6 J:t c8-c3
3 0 . J:t h 1 -b 1 �a4-b 5
3 1 . cud4xb 5 J:t d8xd 3 t
3 2 . w e 3 - e 2 a6xb 5
3 3 . J:t b6xb 5 J:t d 3 - d 7
3 4 . J:t b 5 -b 3 J:t c 3 - c 2 t
3 5 . we2 -f3 J:t d 7-d2
36. J:t b 3xb 7 t >t>b8-c8
3 7. g 2 -g3
1 -0
A sortie from a fortre ss gained a
pawn. Black had some pres sure
and staged an attack. White played
solid moves . The game was over
when Black wasted a tempo in a
critical position.
1 14 Grand Strategy

C. Counterattack

The second player has t o react when the first player threatens t o achieve a
substantial advantage. Cluley mentions counteraction as a method to maintain the
balance. In a strategy of struggle, the result is a fierce battle. A leading example is
the reciprocal attack on the king after castling on opposite sides .
When the second player is unable to consolidate the position, the reason for
counteraction is prophylactic. A counteraction is started as the last resort. The best­
known examples in warfare are the frontal cavalry charge and the human wave or
banzai to honourable death. Successful strategies are less courageous and more
subtle. A weak point in the attacker's rear is charged. .
When Spassky opens the game too optimistically, his position can become
indefensible. He hates losing and the Russian bear awakens . In the next examples
he is lost on one side of the board and starts an attack on the other.

3 . 1 3 . Vasily Smyslov - Spassky At last White becomes active on the

Candidates tournament fourth rank.
Amsterdam 1 9 5 6 1 9. ...... tt:Jc6xd4
2 0 . .1i.c 3xd4 l:t b6-a6
1 . c 2 -c4 e 7-e6 2 1 . b 3 -b4
2 . g2-g3 f7-f5
3 . .H 1 -g2 tt:Jg8-f6
4 . tt:Jg 1 -f3 �f8 - e 7
5 . 0-0 0-0
6. b 2 -b 3 d7-d5
7. �c l -b 2 2.c8-d7
The usual move is 7 . . . c6, but Black
can choose another plan in a slow­
motion version of the Dutch.
8. d2-d3 ..ltd7-e8
9. tt:Jb l -d 2 tt:Jb8-c6
1 0 . a 2 -a 3 a7-a5
1 1 . '& d l -c 2 � d 8 - d 7
White starts an attack on the
1 2 . c4xd 5 e6xd 5
queen's side.
1 3 . e 2 -e 3 ..\te8-h5
2 1 . ...... b 7-b6?
14. �b 2 - c 3 �e 7-d6
Black's reply assists the attack.
1 5 . � c 2 -b 2 l:t a8-a6
After the exchanges 2 1 . . . axb4 2 2 .
A more natural continuation is 1 5 .
axb4 n xa 1 2 3 . l:!. xa 1 , the white
. . n ae8, but the text is playable.
advantage remains small.
1 6 . n f l -c 1 >t>g8-h8
2 2 . b4-b 5 ! n a6-a8
1 7 . ..\tg 2 - f l l:t a6-b6
2 3 . tt:Jd2 -f3 ! ?
1 8 . .1i.fl -g2 � d 7-e6
When White wins a pawn b y 2 3 .
1 9. tt:Jf3-d4
� b 3 n ad8 2 4 . nf6, his opponent
 Prophylaxis
has positional compensation.
2 3 . ...... �h5xf3 ? !
I t is wiser to prevent t h e threat 2 4 .
tt:l e 5 by 2 3 . . . .l::!. ae8. In this case
White has the pleasant choice
between doubling the rooks on the
c-file and the manoeuvre tt:lg 5 - h 3 -
f4 .
2 4 . �g2xf3 .l::!. a8-e8
2 5 . .l::!. c l -c6 .l::!. e8-e7
26. a 3 -a4 h 7-h6
2 7. 'iW b 2 -b 3 �h8-h7
28 . .l::!. a l -c l g7-g5
29 . .l::!. c6-c 2 ? !
All preparations have been made. A
pawn can be won by 2 9 . nf6 '1Wxf6
3 0 . nd 5 . The opposite colour of
the bishops has little relevance in
the middle game.
29. . . . . . . 'iWe6-f7
30. �g l -h l ? ! f5 -f4 !
Black starts a counterattack i n the
extra time that White allowed him.
3 1 . g 3xf4 ? !
Again White chooses t h e wrong
plan. He should have grabbed the
d-pawn.
3 1 . ...... g 5 xf4
3 2 . .l::!. c l -g l f4xe3
3 3 . f2xe 3 tt:lf6-e4 ! !
Whi te's s trategic movement o n the
queen's side and in the centre is
countered by an operation on the
king's side. A kamikaze knight
disturbs line s of communication.
115
3 4 . .l::!. g l -g 7 t
Exchanges draw. The alternative
3 4 . .Ue4 t dxe4 3 5 . .l::!. g 7 t 'iWxg 7 3 6 .
�g7 .l::!. xg 7 3 7. '�Wb l gains material,
but it will be difficult to gain the
initiative and break the defence.
34. . . . . . . � f7xg 7
3 5 . �d4xg 7 .l::!. f8xf3 !
3 6 . '1Wb3xd5
Kramer proposes 36. dxe4 . After
36 . . . .l::!. xg 7 3 7. '1Wd3 .�c 5 38. exd 5 t
�h8 3 9 . .!::!. c l .l::!. xe 3 a white win i s
far from obvious .
36. ...... tt:le4-g 5 !
The desperado has become a fierce
attacker. Black bene fits from the
opening of the king's side by White.
3 7. �g 7-d4 .l::!. e 7-f7
38. � h l -g2 ?
Matters go wrong in time trouble.
Another error is 38. nb6? .l::!. f l t
3 9 . wg2 .l::!. l f5 ! White should play
38. 'Wr'c4! (protects pawn d 3 ) . An
active defence is 38 . . . .l::!. h3 3 9 . e 4 !
.l::!. f l t 4 0 . .tg l .l::!. d l 4 1 . d4 tt:lf3 4 2 .
'1Wf7t wh8 4 3 . � f6 t �h7 4 4 . wg2 !
tt:lxg l 4 5 . '1W f 7 t wh8 4 6 . e 5 , and
White wins.
38. ...... .l::!. f3-f5 !
3 9 . � d 5 -a8? tt:lg5 -f3?
The blunder can be exploited by
39 . . . n f8 ! 40. '1W b 7 .l:I g8 4 1 . wh l
n n t 4 2 . �g2 n f7 4 3 . w h l tt:lh3 4 4 .
'1W e 4 t .l::!. g6 and wins.
40. '1Wa8-h8t wh 7-g6
1 16 Grand Strategy

Black has a s trong attack on the Even a future world champion does
king. Smyslov thinks about his not like to play 48 . .l:t e 1 �h2 t 4 9 .
sealed move for forty-five minutes. wh 1 .l:t f3 5 0 . e 5 ! .l:t xd 3 !? 5 1 . e 6 !
4 1 . .l:t c 2 -c 1 n xd4 5 2 . e 7 under time pressure.
Other choices are the peaceful 4 1 . 48. . . . . . . ii.d6xe 5
%!Vg8 t 'i1<h5 4 2 . 'i1<h3 tt:Jg 5 t 4 3 . 'i1<g2 49 . .td4xe 5 ti:Jg4xe 5
tt:Jf3 , and the violent 4 1 . 'i1<h 1 tt:Je 1 5 0 . 'i!V g 2 -e 2 t ? !
4 2 . .l:t g2 t tt:Jxg2 4 3 . e4 ! 5 0 . � d 5 is more active.
4 1 . ...... .l:t f7-f8 50. . . . . . . tt:J e 5 -f3 t
Black does not wish to e qualise by The move 5 0 . . . tt:Jg4 would give
4 1 . . . tt:Jxd4 . winning chances.
4 2 . 'tlfh8-g 7 t 'i1<g6-h 5 5 1 . wg 1 -h 1 ? !
4 3 . wg2-h 1 tt:Jf3 -g 5 ? ! White prefers passive defence
The queen i s threatened. A more instead of 5 1 . 'i1<g2 .
prom1smg continuation of the 5 1 . ...... .l:t f7-g 7
attack on the king' s side i s 43 . . .
n g 5 44. 'tlf d 7 tt:Jxd4 4 5 . exd4 n f2
4 6 . 'tlfh3 t wg6 4 7. n c6 'i1<h7.
44. h2 -h4 ! tt:Jg 5 -h3
Again Black avoids exchanges: 44 . . .
.l:t 5 f7 4 5 . hxg 5 hxg 5 draws.
4 5 . e 3 -e4 .l:t f5 -f7
Tactics are incredibly difficult for
over-the-board analysis. A mean
trick i s 4 5 . . . .l:t f4 ! ?
A. The trap i s 46 . .te 3 ? .!:t xh4
4 7. 'tlfxh6 t 'i1<g4 4 8 . 'i!V g ? t wf3
B. White has to play 46. e 5 Tired players make inaccurate
n xh4 4 7. exd6 tt:Jg 5 t 4 8 . 'i1<g2 .l:t g4 t move s . A far stronger move i s 5 1 . . .
and a repetition of moves .
.l:t f4 .
4 6 . 'i!Vg7-g2 tt:Jh3 -f2 t
5 2 . 1!V e 2 -f2?
4 7 . <ot>h l -g 1 tt:Jf2 -g4
A blunder costs the game. The
right move is 5 2 . .l:t f l !
A. 5 2 . . . .!:t g3 5 3 . 'tl¥e4 tt:Jg5 5 4 .
.!:t f5 ! is slightly better for White
B. 5 2 . . . .l:t gf7 5 3 . \W e 6 ! Both
sides have chances after 53 . . . .l:t f4
5 4 . d4.
5 2 . ...... n f8-f4 !
5 3 . .l:t c 1 -c4 .l:t f4xc4
5 4 . 'fkf2xf3 t
Exchanges by 5 4 . dxc4 .l:t g 1 t ! lead
to a lost ending.
54. ...... .l:t c4-g4
The black b ishop threatens to hunt 5 5 . wh 1 -h2 wh 5 xh4
the king. 5 6 . 'i!Vf3 -f6 t wh4-h5
48. e4-e 5 !? 5 7. 'fk f6-f3
 Prophylaxis 117

White has n o repetition o f moves: 7 . .,tf l -b 5 t tZJb8-c6

5 7 . � f 5 t : 7g 5 ! 58. "tlf f 7 t l: g6 5 9 . 8 . �g 5xf6 g 7xf6
�f5 t 'it>h4 60. � f2 t 'it>g 5 . 9. 'Llg 1 -e2 a 7-a6
5 7. . . . . . . 'it> h 5 - g 5 1 0. �b 5xc 6 t b 7xc6
T h e 'Hobbits' proceed on their way. 1 1 . 0-0
5 8 . � f 3 -e 3 t w g 5 - f 5
5 9 . � e 3 -f3 t wf5-e 5
6 0 . d 3 -d4 t ? ! w e 5 xd4
6 1 . "tlf f3 -d 1 t w d4-c3
62. wh2-h3 w c 3 -b4
6 3 . '@'f d 1 -c2 l: g4-g3 t
64. wh3 -h4 : g 7-g4 t
6 5 . wh4-h5 n g4-c4
66. � c 2 - d 1 l: g 3 - c 3

White has ruined the black pawn

structure.
1 1 . ...... J: h8-g8!?
A vague threat on the king i s made.
1 2 . 'it>g 1 -h 1 ! ?
The reaction is extremely quiet.
1 2. ...... f6-f5
1 3 . d4xc 5 �f8xc 5
1 4 . 'Lle2 -f4
Finally Black decides t h e game on A blockade forestalls black activity
the queen's side. on the king's side.
0- 1 14. ...... �c 5 -d6
Despite the tactical errors, this is a 1 5 . 'Llc 3 -e 2 !
fantastic game. The strategic The blockade i s kept up. Playing
movements are remarkable. 1 5 . � h 5 �f4 1 6 . exf4 �f6, or 1 5 .
'Llxe6 fxe6 1 6 . '@'f h 5 t l: g6 1 7. 't!kxh 7
't!kg5 is less opportune.
3 . 1 4 . Semen Furman- Spassky 1 5. ...... � d8-b6
2srh USSR Championship 1 6 . l: a 1 -c 1 we8-d7!
Riga 1 9 5 8 A line o f communication i s opened.
The monarch supports the defence
1 . d2 -d4 'Llg8-f6 of the centre.
2 . c 2 -c4 e 7-e6 1 7. � d 1 -c 2 J: g8-c8
3. 'Llb 1 -c 3 d7-d5 1 8 . n f 1 -d 1 n a8-b8
4 . c4xd 5 e 6xd 5 1 9 . l: d 1 -d 2
5 . .tc 1 -g 5 .,tc8-e6?! A slightly better move is 1 9 . b 3 . It
Solid development continues with threatens 2 0 . 'Llg3 .
5 . . . �e 7 . 1 9. . . . . . . .td6-b4
6. e2-e3 c 7-c 5 ? ! 20. l: d2 - d 3 .,tb4-d6
The move 6 . . . �e 7 i s still good. 2 1 . n d 3-b3 �b6-a7
1 18 Grand Strategy
2 2 . .l:t b 3 - d 3 'i/!¥ a 7-b6
2 3 . b 2 -b 3 a6-a5
2 4 . n d 3 -d4 �b6-d8
25 . .!l c l -d l n b8-b4
26. �h l -g l !?
2 6 . cud3 c 5 2 7. n xb4 cxb 4 ! 2 8 . '1Wb2
'&h4 give s counter-play.
26. . . . . . . 'i!!¥ d8-f6
2 7 . .!:t d4-d2 a 5 -a4
28 . .!l d l -c l
The positional sacrifice 2 8 . bxa4?!
n c4 2 9 . 'i/!¥xc4?! dxc4 3 0 . n xd6t
� c 7 brings too little advantage.
28. . . . . . . a4xb 3
2 9 . a 2 xb 3 <;t;>d7-e8
3 0 . cu f4-d3 n b4-g4?!
Boris hopes to start a counter­
attack.
3 1 . cu d 3 -f4 ! h7-h 5 ! ?
3 2 . h2-h3 I!. g4-g 5
3 3 . 'i!!¥ c 2 - d l h 5 -h4
34. n d 2 - c 2 �e8-d7
The position has become critical.
3 5 . cu e 2 -d4
White can strike with 3 5 . b4! A
diagonal is opened for the queen.
A. Tactics continue with 3 5 . . .
�b4 3 6 . n xc 6 ! n xc6 3 7. '1W a4
B. The exchanges 3 5 . . . .l:t gg8
36. b 5 ! cxb 5 3 7. cuxd 5 nd 5 3 8 .
'&xd 5 n xc 2 3 9 . 'tWxb 5 t lead to a lost
position.
3 5 . ...... n c8-g8!
At last the attack on the king can
begin.
36. f2-f3 ? !
Preferable lines are 3 6 . � h l !? .l!ixf4
3 7. exf4 J:X xg2 3 8 . cuxc6 n g l t ! , and
3 6 . �f3 �f4 3 7. Wt'xf4 n xg 2 t 3 8 .
� h l '!W g 5 .
36. ...... 'i!!¥ f6-g7
3 7. cu d4xe6 f7xe6
3 8 . 'iW d l -f l ?!
More resistance i s put by 3 8 . g4.
38. ...... 'il!¥g7-e 5 ? !
A p awn can b e won by 3 8 . . . �f4
3 9 . exf4 't\V d4 t 4 0 . wh 1 'il!¥xf4 4 1 .
'Wa6! ::t c8 ! due to 4 2 . n xc6? 'iWxc l t !
3 9 . n c l -e l d 5 -d4
40. '1W f l -a6 n g8-c8
More confusion follows 4 0 . . . �e 7
4 1 . 'i!!¥ b 7 t wf7 4 2 . WH h 7 .
4 1 . n c 2 -c4
The game has become a slugfest
from both side s .
4 1 . ...... c6-c5
4 2 . <;t;>g l -f2 n c8-g8
4 3 . 't\Va6-b 7 t .ii. d 6-c 7
44. g2 -g4 f5xg4
4 5 . h3xg4 ::!. g8-b8
4 6 . '1Wb 7-a6 .l:t b8-b6
4 7. '& a6-a2 h4-h3
48. 'i!!V a 2 - c 2 h 3 -h2
49. �f2-g2 h 2 - h l 'W t ? !
5 0 . �g2xh l ? !
Capture b y t h e rook give s a slight
advantage .
50. ...... ::!. b6-b8
5 1 . wh l -g2 n bs-hs
5 2 . b 3 -b 4 ! WH e 5 -g 7
 Prophylaxis 1 19

The second time control is near. 5 7 . . . .l:!. d 2 ) 5 7 . .l:!. d 1 � h 6 !

Black threatens 54 . . . J:!. xg4 t . 5 5 . ...... '@' g 7-b 2 t
5 3 . J:!. e 1 -g 1 White could have tried 56. YJJ'f2 in
White goes o n the defensive. order to set the trap 56 . . . .l:!. d 2 ? 5 7 .
A. The active 5 3 . �a4 t we? 5 4 . .l:!. d 1 ! But 56
. .. J:h2f! is obvious.
�c6 J:!. xg4 t 5 5 . fxg4 't!rxg4 t 5 6 . wfl 0- 1
�f4 gives no advantage
B. Both sides combine attack Spassky suffered under an attack
and defence in 5 3 . �e4 J:!. e 5 in the centre for dozens of move s ,
a . exchange by 5 4 . �g6 �xg6 5 5 . b u t t h e counterattack on t h e king ' s
�g6 .!l xe 3 ! will draw side eventually w o n t h e game.
b. the spectacular 5 4 . �b7 �h6 5 5 .
�h 5 .!l xh 5 ! 5 6 . gxh5 �xh 5 5 7.
�xc 7 t ! wxc 7 5 8 . .l:!. xc 5 t will draw
as well. 3.15. Spassky - Mikhail Tal
5 3 . ...... d4xe 3 Spartakiad
54. �c2-d3 t? Moscow 1 9 5 9
White c a n j u s t escape b y 5 4 . w f l !
A. 5 4 . . . � a 1 t 5 5 . wg2 � g 7 only l . e 2 -e4 e7-e5
repeats moves 2 . ttJg 1 -f3 ttJb8-c6
B. 54 . . . 't!r f6 5 5 . bxc 5 it.xf4 5 6 . 3. �fl -b 5 a 7-a6
� a4 t wi l l draw eventually 4 . .ii.b 5 -a4 ttJg8-f6
C. 54 . . . .l:!. h2 ! 5 5 . �a4 t ! If White 5 . 0-0 �f8-e 7
captures the rook, Black will play 6 . .l:!. f l -e 1 b 7-b 5
n c4 with an advantage. 5 5 . . . we ? 7 . .ta4-b 3 0-0
5 6 . � a 7 weB 5 7 . � a 8 t wf7 5 8 . � a 7 8. c2-c3 d7-d6
w g 8 5 9 . �a8 t w h 7 60. �e4 t and 9 . h2 -h3 ttJf6 - d 7
White survive s . 1 0. d2 -d4 ttJd 7-b6
54. ...... .l:!. g 5 -d 5 ! 1 1 . ttJb 1 -d 2 e 5 xd4
1 2 . c 3 xd4 d 6 - d 5
T h e opening changes from the
Closed to the Open Ruy Lope z .
1 3 . ..tb 3 - c 2 �c8-e6
1 4 . e4-e 5 �d8-d7
1 5 . ttJd2-b3

Suddenly the game concludes with

a 'petite combinaison'.
5 5 . � d 3xe3
White notices 5 5 . hd 5 .l:!. h 2 t 56.
w f l 'iW a 1 t. A subtle finish is 5 5 .
� e 2 nf4 5 6 . .l:!. xf4 w e ? ! (threatens
1 20 Grand Strategy

A classical struggle begins in the 2 2. ...... .r:!. a8-f8

middlegame. White will attack on
the king ' s side. Black starts an
indirect attack on the rear. His
pieces are placed actively. A great
handicap i s his lack of control over
s quare c 5 .
I 5. ...... ..te6-f5
Tal prevents I 6 . 'i!V d 3 .
I 6 . �c i -g 5
Spas sky wants t o exchange the
bishops on the black s quares in
order to control c5 for his knight.
The immediate I 6 . ti:Jc5 i s s trongly
answered by I 6 . . . � c 8 .
I 6. . . . . . . ..te 7-b4
The exchange i s avoided.
I 7 . .r:!. e i -e 2 .r:!. f8-e8
The intention i s to answer I 8 . a3
by I 8 . . . �f8 , and thus keep cS
under control.
I 8 . .r:!. a i -c l
Threatens to win a piece.
I 8. ...... ti:Jb6-c4
I 9 . ti:Jb 3 - a I ! ?
White wishes to play b 3 and chase
away lt]c4 .
I 9. ...... �f5xc2
Avoids 1 9 . . . ti:Jxb 2 ? 20. �"'f 5 .
2 0 . � d i xc 2
A n e qual alternative i s 2 0 . J:t exc2
l:! e6 !
20. ...... .r:!. e8-e6!?
Black safeguards the queen's side
as preparation for activity on the
king' s side.
2 1 . � c 2 -f5
This move prevents 2 1 . . . .r:!. g6 .
Nevertheless, Black is able to begin
a s trong counteraction.
2 1 . ...... h 7-h6
2 2 . Jtg 5 -f4
The b ishop would be somewhat out
o f play after 2 2 . �h4 . However, the
text allows a counteraction on the
f-file. Black immediately takes the
opportunity.
2 3 . b 2 -b 3 f7-f6
The activities on the flanks has led
to a major confrontation o f attack
and defence.
24. �f5 -g4
Now the queen no longer supports
the queen's side, but the alternative
24. bxc4 fxe 5 is worse.
24. . . . . . . f6-f5 !
The queen is forced to an even less
favourable square.
2 5 . �g4-h 5 ? !
This allows a combination. The
solid 2 5. �g3 ti:Ja3 2 6 . ti:Jc2 is safer.
2 5. . . . . . . ti:Jc4-d6!
Tal plays this phase admirably
well. The tactical justification is 2 6 .
n xc6 dxc6 2 7. n c2 � e 8 !
2 6 . ti:Ja i -c2
Black has a positional advantage
after 2 6 . exd6?! n xe 2 2 7. tt.Je5 n xe S
2 8 . dxe 5 cxd6 2 9 . exd6 .r:!. f7 !
26. ....... ti:Jd6-e4
The knight has reached a dominant
position, and threatens 2 7 . . . ti:J c 3 .
2 7. ti:Jc2xb4 ti:Jc6xb4
2 8 . ti:Jf3-e I
White has prevented 2 8 . . . ti:J d 3 and
threatens 2 9 . f3 . Black seems to be
in trouble.
28. . . . . . . c 7-c 5 !
Again Tal finds a n excellent tactical
answer.
 Prophylaxis 121

B l a c k h a s taken t h e initiative . 34. ...... WV c 3 xb 2 ?

2 9 . l:!. e 2 - b 2 ? ! A miracle happens! Black should
This pas sive move prevents 2 9 . have captured not the rook but the
. . c4. T h e violent 2 9 . f 3 ? cxd4 ! 3 0 . pawn: 3 4 . . . dxe4 ! ! 3 5 . l:!. f2 ! d 3 ! ( 3 5 .
fxe4 dxe4 is even worse. . . 'Ll d 5 ? ! 3 6 . l:!. c 2 ) 3 6 . l:!. xf5 d 2 3 7.
White should have tried 29. dxc 5 ! l:!. f l �g7! 3 8 . a3 'iW d4 t 3 9 . �h i
d4 3 0 . a 3 d 3 3 1 . axb4 dxe 2 3 2 . dxe l W/ 40. W/xe l 'Lld 3 ! Black has a
�xe2 'iW d4 3 3 . 'Llc2 �b2 3 4 . l:!. e l considerable advantage.
with chances for both sides. 3 5 . e4xf5 l:!. e6-c6
29. . . . . . . c 5 xd4 36. �h2 -g 3 !
3 0 . W/ h 5 -d l ? ! White plays a prophylactic move
White again plays t o o passively. for a win! An escape square is
The exchanges 3 0 . a3 'Llc6 3 1 . l:!. bc2 opened for the king. A draw is the
.:Uxe 5 3 2 . be 5 l:!. xe 5 3 3 . 'Llf3 'iWe8 immediate result of 36 . ..Wh5 � c 3 !
3 4 . W/xe8 l:!. exe8 3 5 . 'Llxd4 f4 3 6 . a4 36. ...... d4- d 3 ?
lead to survival chances in the Black c a n e scape i n two ways:
endgame. 1. 3 6 . . . 'Llc2 3 7. �h5 'Llxe l 3 8 .
30. . . . . . . g 7-g 5 WV e 8 t � h 7 ! 3 9 . � e 7 t 'it>g8 4 0 . �e l
The bishop is put out of p lay. � c l ! 4 1 . f6 ! �xe l t 4 2 . �h2 l:!. xf6 !
3 1 . �f4-h2 l:!. f8-c8 4 3 . W/xf6 � e 4 ! drawn
3 2 . l:!. c l xc 8 t � d 7xc8 2. 3 6 . . . � c 3 3 7. �h2 d3 3 8 .
Control over the c-file should be a ..W h 5 d 2 (threatens 3 9 . .. � xg 3 t ) ,
decisive advantage. and White gives perpetual check.
3 3 . f2-f3 3 7. W/ d l -h 5 d 3 - d 2
Euwe analyse s 3 3 . �xd4 � c l ! Other ways to l o s e a r e : 3 7 . . . l:!. c 7
A. 3 4 . � f l tLld3 ! ! 3 5 . l:!. e 2 'Lld2 t 3 8 . � e 8 t >t>h7 3 9 . 't!f g 6 t �h8 4 0 .
3 6 . wg l 'Llxe l f6 ! , a n d 3 7 . . . � d 4 t 3 8 . �h2 �f8
B. 3 4 . l:!. e 2 'Llc 3 ! 3 5 . l:!. e 3 'Llcxa2 3 9 . f6 ! Black's fate is sad.
and wins. 38. � h 5 - e 8 t �g8-g7
3 3 . ...... 'iWc8-c 3 ? ! 39. �e8-e 7 t 'it;1g 7-h8
A premature move puts the win in 40. f5 -f6
danger. After 3 3 . . . 'Llc3 3 4 . �xd4 The game is over.
'Llcxa 2 , Black will triumph in the 40. . . . . . . d 2 xe 1 Wt t
long run. 4 1 . �g3xe l
34. f3xe4 ! 1 -0
1 22 Grand Strategy

Spas sky told Ten Geuzendam: "If 1 1 . l::!. a 1 -a 3 !

you have an idea, just play it. You Black's attack is stopped b y this
should trust yourself" . Boris did move, because 1 1 . . . axb S will be
not stick to his plan in this game, refuted, and a raid by the black
retreated from the king's side and queen has become ineffective.
nearly lost. When Tal neglected the 1 1 . ...... it.c8-b 7
defence, a desperate counterattack 1 2 . 'Llg 1 -f3 a6xb 5
met no resistance. 1 3 . �e 2xb 5 'i'll' a 5 - c 7
14. 0-0 'Llf6-g4 ? !
Black c a n do little on t h e king's
3 . 1 6. Gary Kasparov - Spassky side. The thrust in the centre 14 . . .
Tilburg 1 98 1 e6?! 1 5 . dxe6 ! fxe6 1 6 . ltJ g S creates
a weaknes s , as Kasparov shows.
1 . d 2 -d4 ltJg8-f6 Strengthening the queen's side by
2 . c 2 -c4 c 7- c 5 14 . . . 1::1. fb8 makes more sense.
3 . d4- d 5 g 7-g6 1 5 . $.d2 - g 5
4 . lt:lb 1 -c 3 d 7-d6 A more subtle move than 1 5 . a 5 .
5. e 2 -e4 �f8-g7 1 5. ...... ltJg4-f6
6. �f l -e 2 0-0 The natural 1 5 . . . lt:lde 5 1 6 . ltJxe 5
7. �c 1 -g 5 b 7-b 5 ? ! ltJxe 5 1 7. f4 is pleasant for White.
Spas sky plays a n engaging answer 1 6 . lt:lf3 - d 2 e 7-e6
to the Averbakh Attack of the 1 7. lt:ld2 -c4
King's Indian. The initiative on the queen's side
8 . c4xb 5 a 7-a6 has been gained by prudent
9 . a 2 -a4 � d8-a 5 !? positional play.
As Black, Kasparov tried 9 . . . h6 in 1 7. ...... e6xd 5
a later game, but the disadvantage 1 8 . e4xd 5 l::!. a8-d8
remained. 1 9 . a4- a 5 h7-h6
1 0 . i..g 5 -d 2 2 0 . �g 5 -h4 lt:ld7-e 5
2 1 . a 5 -a6 �b 7-a8 !?

Normal development is continued

with the next move .
1 0. . . . . . . lt:lb8-d 7?!
Actually the opening is a choice for
daredevils who are willing to play
1 0 . . . �b4 ! ? 1 1 . f3 c4.
ti.a8 exerts some pressure on d 5 .
2 2 . l::!. f l -e l ? !
Exchanges by 2 2 . ltJxe 5 dxe 5 2 3 .
.�f6 �f6 2 4 . �c4 consolidate the
white advantage.
 Prophylaxis
2 2 . ...... g6-g5
2 3 . �h4 -g3 tLlf6-d7
2 4 . a6- a 7 ! ?
T h e young grandmaster s e e k s the
attack.
24. . . . . . . f7-f5 !
2 5 . .tg3xe 5 tLld 7xe 5
2 6 . tLlc4xe 5 d6xe 5 ! ? !
This is a notable psychological
moment. Actually, 2 6 . .. ue 5 is
stronger, but 2 7. 'iWhS will give a
little counter-play.
2 7. n a3 -a6 e 5 -e4
2 8 . �b 5 -c4 'iW c 7-f7
29. tLl c 3 -b 5 ! ?
White seeks complications. A solid
prophylactic move i s 2 9 . 'i!Y e 2 . It
protects b 2 and .tc4 , and prepares
30. d6.
29. . . . . . . wg8-h7
30. n a6-e6 'i!!V f7-b 7 !
3 1 . "t\f d l - h 5 ! ?
Gary plays with great aggre ssion.
3 1 . ...... n f8-f6
3 2 . n e6xf6 �g 7xf6
3 3 . g 2 -g4 ! ?
The long diagonal i s partly opened.
33. ...... f5 -f4
3 4 . h 2 - h4 ! wh7-g7
Flat-out attack by 3 5 . d6! e 3 36. f3 !
n d 7 3 7 . �d3 will lead to complete
succ e s s .
3 5 . tLlb 5 -c 3 ?
A retreat gives momentum to the
counterattack.
1 23
3 5 . ...... e4-e 3 !
After 3 6 . fxe 3 'iWxb 2 3 7. tLle4 f3 ! the
opening of the second rank i s fatal.
36 . .tc4-d3 e 3 xf2 t !
3 7. wg l xf2 'ii!Y b 7xb 2 t
3 8 . n e l -e 2 ?
T h e knight i s thrown away. The
advantage is kept by 3 8 . tLle2 �d4 t
( Gary' s 3 8 . . . n xd 5 ? fail s due to 3 9 .
n b l ! ) 3 9 . w f l f 3 4 0 . 'i!Y g 6 t wfs 4 1 .
�f5 t wg8 4 2 . 'iWxf3 .
38. ...... �b2xc3
39. � h s -g 6 t wg7-f8
40. 'iW g6xh6 t .tf6-g 7
4 1 . � h6xg 5
In time pressure, the experienced
player has handled the adrenaline
sorge better.
4 1 . ...... 'i!Y c 3 -f6?!
Kasparov prefers 4 1 . .. � d4 t ! 4 2 .
wfl � f6 . The endgame will be
difficult to win after 43. n e4 ! �xg 5
44. hxg S .
4 2 . 'i!Yg 5xf6 t ? !
A better defence is offered b y 4 2 .
�c4 ! �xg 5 4 3 . hxg 5 .
4 2 . ...... �g 7xf6
Black has a material advantage in
the endgame.
43 . .�d3-c4?!
Kasparov's variation 4 3 . g 5 ! ? j,d4 t
4 4 . �f3 .bd 5 t 4 5 . il.e4! .axe4 t 4 6 .
�xe4 Xt.e 3 4 7. n a2 n aB 4 8 . n a4
offers excellent chance s of survival.
43. ...... ilf6xh4 t
1 24 Grand Strategy

44. wf2-f3 .l:!: d8-d7 60. . . . . . . �e4-c6

45 . .l:!: e 2 -a 2 6 1 . w c 3 -b4 �f2 -b6
T h e critical line is 4 5 . .l:!: h2 ! ? �f6
4 6 . g 5 ! �e 5 4 7 . we4 .l:!: e 7 4 8 . wf5 .

Gary's counterattack eventually

diagram of analysis misfires.
62. �c4-b 3
Kasparov continues the analysis After 6 2 . �b 5 .11-x b s 6 3 . wxb s wf7
with 48. . . f3? 49. d6! �2 5 0 . 64. �xb6 f3 , the last black p awn
dxe 7 t wxe 7 5 1 . g 6 drawn. Black decides the game .
should play 48 . . . �d4 ! 49. d6 .!:!. xa 7 62. ...... �c6-d7
5 0 . wxf4 � c 6 with a technical win. 63. �b 3 - d 5 �d7-e8
45. ...... �h4-g5 64. �d 5 -c4 f4 -f3
46. wf3-e4 .!:!. d 7-f7 6 5 . �c4-d 3 t wg6xg 5
47 . .!:!. a2 - a 5 wf8-g7! 6 6 . �d 3 -b 5 f3 -f2
4 8 . .!:!. a 5xc 5 wg 7-f6 0- 1
It is pos sible to capture the a-pawn
instead. After Kasparov had won the battle
4 9 . .!:!. c 5 -c8 on the queen's side, Spas sky gained
Gary does not like the passivene ss a piece in a counterattack on the
of 4 9 . .!:!: a S . king.
49. ...... .!:!. f7xa 7
5 0 . .!:!. c8-f8 t �f6-g7
5 1 . .!:!. f8-c8 wg7-f6 3 . 1 7. Tal Shaked - Spassky
5 2 . .l:!: c8-f8 t �f6-g7 juniors - Seniors
After 52 . . . we7? 53 . .!:!. f5 .!:!. a4 5 4 . Canne s 1 99 8
w d 4 ! Black l o s e s his l a s t p awn.
5 3 . .!:!. f8-c8 �a8-b 7 ! l . e 2 -e4 e 7-e 5
54 . .!:!. c8 - c 7 t wg7-f6 2 . ttJg 1 -f3 ttJb8-c6
5 5 . we4-d4 �g 5 -h4 ! 3. d2 -d4 e 5 xd4
5 6 . d 5 -d6 �4-f2 t 4. ttJf3xd4 ttJc6xd4
5 7. wd4-c3 �b 7-e4 5. � d 1 xd4 ttJg8-e 7
Both sides play the ending neatly. 6. ttJb l -c 3 ttJe 7 -c6
58 . .!:!. c 7-e7 ::. a 7xe 7 7. �d4-e3 g7-g6
5 9 . g4-g 5 t wf6-g6 Spassky plays a new move in the
60. d6xe 7 Scotch. After 7 . . . �b4 . the bishop
A passed pawn is created . can be attacked by a future ttJ d 5 .
 Prophylaxis 1 25

8 . �c l -d 2 �f8-g7
9 . 0-0-0 � d8-f6 ! ?
1 0. f2-f4 0-0!?
Play is more quiet after 10 . . . d6!
1 1 . e4-e 5 � f6-e6
1 2 . 'tl¥ e 3 -e4 d 7-d6
1 3 . �f l -c4
The aggressive 1 3 . lt:JdS dxe S 1 4 .
COxc 7 'iWxa2 misfires completely.
1 3. ...... �e6-e8
Mikhalevski prefers 1 3 . . . \'t'fS 1 4 .
'WixfS �fS 1 5 . exd6 cxd6 1 6 . COb S
COd4 and White has a minimal diagram of analysis
advantage in the endgame.
1 4 . lt:J c 3 -d 5 ? ! The black attack is decisive. An
1 4 . exd6 ! cxd6 causes a weakne s s . aggressive continuation is 2 0 . �c 3
1 4. ...... �c8-f5 bxc4 2 1 . �d4 cxb 3 ! 2 2 . lt:J c 7 bxc2
1 5 . �e4-e3 2 3 . J::!. d 2 ? ! 'tl¥ b 7 !
B. 1 8 . �d3 ! ? give s insufficient
protection: 1 8. .. lt:Jxc 2 ! 1 9 . �fS
lt:Jxe 3 t 20. bc8 J::!. xc8 t 2 1 . �c 3
COxd l 2 2 . .!:t xd 1 exf4 ! Black has a
slight advantage in the endgame .
1 7. . . . . . . .!:t f8-e8
Square e 7 gets extra protection.
1 8. �d2 -c 3 lt:Jc6-d4!
1 9 . f4xe 5 ? !
Simplification b y 1 9 . � d 3 � d 3 2 0 .
'iWxd3 � c S ! 2 1 . fxe S �xd S 2 2 . wb l !
�e S 2 3 . �d4 �xg2 costs a p awn.
1 9. . . . . . . �c8xc4
White has developed an attack in
2 0 . 'iW e 3 xd4 'Wi c4xa2
the centre. He expects the passive
2 1 . "it'd4-h4
1 5 . . . J::!. c 8 . B oris becomes irritated
and starts a counterattack.
1 5 . ...... d6xe 5 !
1 6 . lt:Jd 5 xc 7 �e8-c8
1 7. CO c 7-d 5 ?
His name is Tal, but h e does not
play like Tal. The obvious choice
for an entertainer is 1 7. taxaB. The
answer 1 7. . . tad4 ! aims at c 2 .
A. Wild complications start with
1 8 . b 3 ? ! exf4 ! 1 9. � e 7 . Avoids 1 9.
'tl¥xf4?? lt:Je 2 t 2 0 . jv{e2 'tl¥xc2 mate.
The attack on the c-file is reopened
by 1 9 . . . b 5 !
1 26 Grand Strategy

Black has to avoid the last trap . 1 6. ...... a6-a5

2 1 . ...... h7-h5 1 7. a2-a3 a 5 xb4
I f Black plays 2 1 . . . .!:!. adS? 2 2 . lLl e 7 t 1 8. c 3 xb4 h 7-h6
�h8, h e will l o s e b y 2 3 . lLlxg6 t ! 1 9. lLlg3-f5 ! ?
ng6 2 4 . .!:!. xd8 t .
2 2 . � h4-g 5 ? !
Longer resistance is p u t u p 2 2 . lLl e 3
1i.h6 ! 2 3 . .!:!. he l .
2 2 . ...... .!:!. a8-d8
2 3 . lLl d 5 - e 7 t
Avoids 2 3 . b 3 '1Wxc2 mate.
23. ...... �g8-h7
Square h7 was opened for the king.
Mate and . . 1i.h6 are threatened.
0- 1
The counterattack on the king met
little hindrance.
Tal ' s target is t h e king!
1 9. . . . . . . d6-d 5 !
A counterattack i n the centre is
3. 1 8. Mikhail Tal- Spassky
started immediately. The natural
1 1 rh game final Candidates
advance g4 i s made unattractive.
Tbilisi 1 96 5
20. lLlf3 -h4 ?!
This odd move boosts the attack.
l . e 2 -e4 e7-e 5
20. . . . . . . c 7-c 5 ! ?
2. lLlg 1 -f3 4Jb8-c6
The greedy 2 0 . . . 1i.xb4 2 1 . .!:!. e 3 .�JS
3. 1i.f l -b 5 a7-a6
assists White's strategy.
4 . �b 5 -a4 lLlg8-f6
2 1 . ::t e 1 -e 3 ? !
5 . 0-0 1i.f8 - e 7
The forward movement proceeds.
6 . n f l -e l b7-b5
2 2 . ...... c 5 -c4
7 . 1i.a4 -b 3 0 - 0
An important diagonal is closed.
8. h2 -h3
22 . .!:!. e 3 -g 3 wg8-h 7
T a l h a d to win this game in order
Avoids 2 2 . . . cxb 3 ? 2 3 . lLlxh6 t .
to prolong the match. The Marshall
2 3 . 1i.b 3 - c 2 d 5 -d4
(8. c3 d 5 ) led to three draws. So he
24. 'W/ d l -f3 .l'l a8-a6!
tries another variation.
8. ...... �c8-b 7
9. d 2 - d 3 d 7-d6
1 0. c2-c3 lLlc6-b8
Spas sky plays a quiet Breyer.
1 1 . lLlb l -d 2 4Jb8 - d 7
1 2 . lLl d 2 - f l lLld7-c 5
1 3 . 1i.b 3 - c 2 .!:!. f8-e8
1 4 . lLlfl -g3 �e 7-f8
1 5 . b 2 -b4 lLl c 5 - d 7
1 6 . 1i.c 2 -b 3 !?
An initiative in the centre results
from 1 6 . d4, but Tal wants more.
 Prophylaxis 1 27

Bori s ' s p sychological prophylaxis 4 1 . .ll a 1 -c 1

continue s. If Tal wishes to make Spassky wanted t o seal the move
any progre ss, he has to sacrifice. 4 1 . .. ttJxf2 t . An easy win is 4 2 .
The pale Spassky waits. �xf2 � d 7 ! Before the envelope was
2 5 . ttJf5xh6 ! ? closed, Tal spoke: "Well, in this
A sacrifice on g 7 is even less position I have no winning chanc e s
attractive . left. I resign a n d congratulate you . "
2 5 . ...... g 7xh6 Boris h a d become t h e challenger.
2 6 . ttJh4-f5 't'!¥d8-a8 ! ? 0- 1
O n e d o e s not like to play t h e subtle
defence 26 . . . h 5 2 7. � g 5 h4 over­
the-board. Pawn e4 is threatened in 3 . 1 9 . Spassky - Dragoljub Cirie
order to force simplification. Marianske Lazne 1 96 2
2 7. ttJ f 5 xh6 .lif8xh6
2 8 . � f3 - f 5 t <iti>h7-h8 1 . e 2 -e4 c7-c5
2 9 . �c 1 xh6 � e8-g8 2. ttJg 1 -f3 ttJg8-f6
30. �6-g 5 'i!Va8-e8 ! 3. e4 - e 5 ttJf6-d 5
The defence 3 1 . �f6 t � xf6 is 4 . tLJb 1 -c 3 e 7-e6
prepared. 5 . ttJc3xd 5 e6xd 5
3 1 . f2-f4?! 6. d 2 -d4 ttJb8-c6
Again the attack has to be 7 . d4xc 5 �f8xc 5
continued by a strange move . 8 . � d 1 xd 5
3 1 . ...... ttJf6-h7 Spassky wrote in Soviet Life: " Ciric
3 2 . �g 5 - h4 � g8xg3 is a cool-headed che ss player who
3 3 . �4xg3 .ll a6-f6 ! usually employs reputable and
dependable opening systems. His
selection of such a sharp variant
caught me ' flat-footed ' . I felt that
he had prepared a surprise, but it
was too late to retreat. "
8. ...... 'i!V d8-b6
9 . ..tfl -c4 �c 5 xf2 t
1 0. we 1 -e 2 0-0
1 1 . n h 1 -f l .�J2 - c 5
1 2 . ttJf3 -g 5 ttJc6xe 5 ? !

An important p henomenon occurs.

Black counterattacks directly
against the white attack.
34. 'i!ff5 -g4 � f6-g6
3 5 . Wfg4-h4 e 5 xf4
3 6 . 'i!f h4xf4 f7-f6
3 7. �g3 -f2 c4xd3
38 . ..tc 2xd3 ttJd 7-e 5
3 9 . �d3 - f l ttJh7-g5
4 0 . wg 1 -h 1 ttJ g 5 xe4
1 28 Grand Strategy
"This is a surprise indeed! Black
u sually plays 1 2 . . . tt:Jd4 t , with the
obj ect of moving the knight to e6.
Instead of this natural manoeuver,
he now sacrifices a piece.
Needless to say, I was far from a
state of tranquillity. It isn't much
o f a pleasure coping with a special
analysis, carefully thought out in a
calm atmosphere at home. Even if
this analysis has a slight
inaccuracy, finding the latter
during a vital game, where time for
thinking over moves is limited,
isn't easy at all. No wonder I
pondered over my reply for exactly
an hour before finally making up
my mind . "
1 3 . '1W d 5 xe 5 !
"This was unquestionably the most
crucial moment of the game. By
accep ting the sacrifice I, thereby,
had to live up to this bold
challenge . A continuation of 1 3 .
tt:Jxf7 tt:Jxf7 1 4 . n xf7 '1W e 6 t 1 5 . '1Wxe6
(the sharp 1 5 . �e 3 also merits
attention) gave me a somewhat
better ending and a guarantee
against all unpleasantne s s . "
" I accepted t h e Yugoslav's player
challenge not so much because I
had figured out all variants, but
more because my intuition told me
that I was right. This confidence
helped me overcome the obstacle
encountered in this game . "
1 3. ...... d7-d5
" T h e i d e a behind this sacrifice of a
piece is that Black swiftly mobilises
his forces and attacks the rival king
stranded in the middle of the
boar d . "
1 4 . 't!:Y e 5 x d 5
" Studying t h e variants arising after
1 4 . �d 5 took up most of my time.
It was clear to me that Black's reply
would be 1 4 . . . �g4 t .
How should White play then?
In the beginning, I regarded the
pos sibility of moving my king back
to e 1 . The main variant 1 5 . \t>e 1
J:t ae8 1 6 . .Uf7 t \t>h8 1 7 . �e8 (I
rej ected 1 7. '1Wxe8 in view of 1 7 . . .
l:t xe 8 t 1 8 . �e8 'Wi c 7 as, in spite o f
his material advantage, White has
to prove that he has real chance s of
winning) 1 7 . . . '1W a 5 t ! convinced me
that, in this event, the picture looks
sad for White. Indeed, the side
queen check i s fatal for him. If, for
instance, 1 8 . c 3 , the reply can be
1 8 . .. Jl.f2 t , whereas a decisive
continuation to 1 8 . 'l/li c 3 can be 1 8 .
.. l:t xe 8 t 1 9. wd2 �b4 .
Instead of making the retreat 1 5 .
�e 1 , I began s tu dying 1 5 . J:t f3 , but
I did not like 1 5 . . . 'i!Vb 5 t 1 6 . c4
J:t ae 8 ! In the event o f 1 7. tt:Je6, the
continuation can b e 1 7 . . . fxe6 1 8 .
he6 t �e6 1 9 . n xf8 t Jixf8 2 0 .
'Wixb 5 �c4 t a n d Black wins.
Giving up 1 5 . 1:1 f3 , I concentrated
my thoughts on variants springing
up in case of 1 5 . �d3 . But here,
too, after 1 5 . . . J:t fe8 1 6 . �f7 t wh8
1 7. �e8 J:t d8 t , a lost posi tion
would arise. And lastly, I did not
consider 1 5 . wd2 at all, because I
realised that it would also permit
Black to build up unpleasant
threats.
Therefore, 1 4 . 1i.xd 5 did not seem
convincing to me, and I switched
my attention to 1 4 . �xd 5 . Studying
the variants, I did not discover any
particular danger for Whi t e ,
because, in t h e event of 1 4 . . . ..\tg4 t ,
White had an excellent reply o f 1 5 .
J:t f3 . Should Black now continue
with 1 5 . . . �g 1 , the next moves
would be 1 6 . wfl hf3 1 7. '1Wxf3 ,
and White fends o ff the attack and
retains his material advantage. A
continuation of 1 5 . . . n adS 1 6 . '1W e4
 Prophylaxis 1 29

hf3 t 1 7. gxf3 g6 would be a little 1 7. ld f l -f4 !

better for Black, but this would
give him only practical chance s .
It truly i s remarkable t h e way a
chess player's brain works during a
game! I arrived at 1 4 . 'i!Wxd 5 , having
rej ected .11.x d 5 . Did I s tudy 1 4 .
Jixd 5 first, because it looked like a
more natural reply than 1 4 . �xd 5 ? "
1 4. ...... l H8-e 8 t
" Evidently, this riposte was
overlooked by my rival in the
analysis he made at home. He,
probably, only reckoned on 1 7.
.tf4 , after which 1 7 . . . .!::!. e 3 t would
bring him a victory . "
1 7. . . . . . . .tc8-e6
"It i s impossible to see how Black
can keep the dying flame of attack,
because the danger to the f7 spot
is most unpleasant."
1 8 . t2lg 5 xe6 .!::!. e8xe6

1 5 . w e 2 -f3
"This i s a stronger reply than 1 5 .
t2le4 . A pos sible continuation could
b e 1 5 . . . .te6 1 6. �xc 5 �xc 5 1 7. 1 9 . f!V d 5xd6!
t2lxc 5 .txc4 t 1 8 . wf2 il.xf l 1 9 . <;t>xf1 "This i s the decisive blow, which
ld ac8, with Black's position not will most rapidly lead to a win . "
being worse than his rival. " 1 9. . . . . . . 'lif f6-g6t
1 5 . ...... �b6-f6 t 2 0 . .!::!. f4-g4 J::r e6-e 3 t
1 6 . wf3-g3 2 1 . �c 1 xe 3 '1W g6xd6 t
"It would be wrong to play 1 6 . .tf4, 2 2 . wg3 -f2 J::r a8-e8
in view of 1 6 . . . J:t e 3 t . " 2 3 . J::r g4-f4 J::r e 8 - e 7
1 6. . . . . . . .tc 5 - d 6 t 2 4 . .tc4-b 3 � d6-e 5
2 5 . J::r a 1 -e 1 g 7 - g 5
2 6 . :r f4 -f3 wg8-g7
2 7. J::1 e 1 -d 1 f7-f6
28. wf2 -g 1 g 5 -g4
29 . .te 3 -d4
1 -0
The aim of the novelty is to force a
premature crucial position: Black
sacrifices a piece for a strong
attack in the centre. White returns
less material for a direct and
decisive counterattack.
 Pocket strategies 131

4. Pocket Strategies

o m plicated med i u m -term plan n i ng can be called 'pocket strategy ' . If a

chessman spends extra time on restraint or consolidati o n , we call it a
prophylactic manoeuvre. Matter is sacrificed for time i n the
development sacrifice. The positional sacrifice g ives m atter for a
favou rable positi o n . 'Pocket' strategy is shown by the fol lowi ng
examples.

become 1 2 . . . 8c8 1 3 . f4 !
1 2 . ...... 8b 6-c4
A. Prophylactic manoeuvre 1 3 . b 2 -b 3 ! ?
A quiet alternative i s 1 3 . �f4 , b u t
Boris grab s his l a s t fighting chance
4. 1 . Spassky - Bobby Fischer in the match.
1 gth game World Championship 1 3. ...... 8c4xe 3
Reykj avik 1 972

1 . e 2 -e4 8g8-f6
2 . e4-e5 8f6 - d 5
3 . d 2 -d4 d7-d6
4 . 8g 1 -f3 �c8-g4
Al though Fischer leads in the
match, he cho o s e s a hypermodern
opening.
5 .o>:L. f l - e 2 e7-e6
6 . 0-0 �f8-e7
7. h 2 -h 3 �g4 - h 5
8 . c 2 -c4 8d 5 -b 6 A prophylactic manoeuvre o f five
9 . tLlb 1 -c 3 0-0 knight moves causes a doub l e d
1 0 . ..tc 1 -e 3 d 6 - d 5 p awn, while Black ' s o w n p o s i t i o n
T h e d-pawn m a k e s a s e c o n d step i n remains consolidated.
o r d e r to lure t h e c-pawn forwards. 1 4 . f2xe 3 b7-b 6
1 1 . c4-c 5 Petrosian' s proposal 1 4 . . . 8c6 is a
S p a s s ky accepts the challenge. fine move, but Fischer s e e k s a
1 1 . ...... iili 5 xf3 direct confrontation in the centre.
1 2 . �,e 2 xf3 1 5 . e 3 -e4!
Keres mentions 1 2 . gxf3 . Nowadays T h e attack in the c e n t r e begins .
the main line o f the Alekhine has 1 5 . ...... c7-c6
1 32
A protective move is made.
16. b3-b4 b6xc5
Pressure can be relieved by 16. .. aS
17. a3 axb4 18. axb4 .l:!.xa1 19.
ffxa1 itg5. Timman's move 20. .l:!.e1
is met by 20. .. itd2 21. 1:1. e2 'tlrg5!
22. wh1 bs .
17. b4xc5
Black's queen starts a prophylactic
manoeuvre. The purpose is to
fortify the position.
17. ...... ffd8-a5
18. lLJc3xd5!?!
Spassky wants to see blood. After
6lafsson's proposal 18. 'i!Ve1, Black
has good choices in 18. .. �g5 and
18. .. .txc5. A solid move is 18.
'tl!fd2! Play will continue with 18.
. .�g5?! 19. 'Wxg5 Y!fxc3 20. J:ad1 or
. A.
18... <8a6 19. exd5 exd5 20. Dad1.
White has developed two major
pieces and threatens 21. <8xd5!
18. ...... �e7-g5!
If Black captures the piece, White's
attack becomes irresistible.
19. itf3-h5!
Purdy analyses 19. ffd3?! exd5! 20.
exd5 tLla6 21. dxc6 .l:!.ad8! and Black
has taken over the initiative.
19. ...... c6xd5
Capture with the wrong pawn 19. ..
exd5? is punished by 20. itxf?t
.l:!.xf7 21. .l:!.xf7 ite3t 22. 'it>h1 'it>xf7
23. Wih5t 'it>e7 24. e6! The vacated
square e6 is utilised at the end.
Grand Strategy
20. ith5xf7t !
Timman prefers 20. exd5 exd5 21.
.txf?t nxf7 22. .l:!.xf7. His analysis
goes on with 22. ... 'i!Vd2 and 22. ..
tLJc6. The correct line is 22. .. 'i!Vc3!
23. 'it>h2 lLJc6! White has to equalise
by 24. ffh5 �xa1 25. .l:!.xg?t wxg?
26. �xg5t and a perpetual check.
20. ...... .l:!.f8xf7
21. nflxf7
The critical position has been
reached. Capturing the rook loses
immediately.
21. ...... 'iWa5-d2
Black continues the prophylactic
manoeuvre. The aim is Cluley's
exchange to equality. Three other
choices are:
21. .. �e3t? 22. ..t>h2 wxf7
23. 'i!Vh5t we? 24. nfl wd8 25.
Wif7, and White wins.
B. 6lafsson analyses 21. .. �c3
22. .l:!.fl! lLJc6 23. 'I\!Vg4! 'I\!Vxd4t 24.
'it>h1 iVxe5 25. exd5. We proceed
with 25. .. tLJd4! (threatens 25. ..
tLJe2!) 26. l:tae1 �xd5 27. :::td1 .lte3
28. .l:!.f3 �e5 29. .l:!.xe3. Exchanges
lead to an equal endgame.
C. Development is continued by
21. .. lLJc6! White can pursue his
attack in two ways:
a. 22. �g4. Keres and Timman go
on with 22. .. wxf7? 23. .l:!.fl t. Much
better is 22. .. lLJxd4! 23. l:tafl
Wixc5! White draws by 24. l:txg?t.
 Pocket strategies
b. J6hansson and Olafsson prefer
22. 'i!fh5. We start the counter­
attack 22. .. �e3t! 23. 'itthl b:d4!
White has to strike with 24. J:!.xg?t!
(no real threat is posed by 24. 'ifg4
wxf7 25. J:!.flt ..t>g8) 24. .. 'iftxg7 25.
'i!fg5t wh8 26. 'i!Vf6t 'iftg8 27. 'i!Vxe6t
'itth8 28. f!Yf6t >ftg8 29. ft'xc6
diagram of analysis
29. . . J:!.dB loses precious time. A
stronger defence is 29. .. nal 30.
'i!fxa8t 'iftg? 31. 'tWb?t 'ittf8 32. 'tWxd5
'i!Velt 33. 'itth2 'iffl. Black survives.
22. 'i!Vdlxd2
The subtle 22. J:!.c?! �a6 23. 'ifxd2
�d2 24. J:!.c6 �e3t 25. 'itthl �b4
26. J:!.xe6 dxe4 27. J:!.d6 leads to a
slight advantage.
22. ...... �g5xd2
An even endgame is the result of
the prophylactic manoeuvre.
23. J:!.al-fl �b8-c6
133
24. e4xd5
A tempting move is 24. 11c7.
A. The natural 24. .. �xd4? 25.
J:!.ff7 �6 26. exd5 exd5 27. J:!.xa7
leads to chances for White
B. J6hansson and Olafsson give
the manoeuvre 24. .. dxe4! 25. 11xc6
e3. Timman loses a tempo with 26.
J:!.f4. We play 26. 11xe6 e2 27. >!?{2
ex{l '1/#f 28. >!?x{l J:dB! Black has to
counterattack at once. 29. J:d6. A
pawn is lost by 29. c6?! 'it>f7! 30. c?
J:!.c8. 29. .. 11xd6 30. exd6. An
advance of the c-pawn threatens.
30. .. >!?{7 31. >!?e2. Gain of a tempo
saves the game. 31. .. .Jta5!
diagram of analysis
Black has set the trap 32. d5? �b4!
33. d7 we? 34. c6 �as 35. wd3
'ittd6 36. wc4 a6, and he will
eventually win the centre pawns.
Correct is 32. >!?d3! >!le6 33. >!?e4.
Avoids 33. 'it>c4 a6. 33 . .. �e1 34.
d5t >!?d7 35. 'it>d4 .J.{2t 36. 'it>c4 a6
37. >!?b4. White has made zugzwang
impossible. He therefore keeps his
pawns and draws.
24. ...... e6xd5
25. J:!.f7-d7 �d2-e3t
26. 'iftgl-hl �e3xd4
27. e5-e6 �d4-e5
28. J:!.d7xd5 J:!.a8-e8
29. J:!.fl-el J:!.e8xe6
30. J:!.d5-d6!
1 34 Grand Strategy

B. Development sacrifice

4.2. Spassky - Aron Reshko

32nd Leningrad Championship
Leningrad 1959

1. e2-e4 c7-c6
2. ti:Jbl-c3 d7-d5
3. ti:Jgl-f3 �c8-g4
Spassky continues to play for a win 4. h2-h3 .lli.g4xf3
by an attack in the centre. 5. '1Wd1xf3 ti:Jg8-f6
30. ...... <t>g8-f7 6. e4-e5!?
Keres does not like 30. .. :�::txd6 31. The standard move in this variation
cxd6 '>t>f7 32. l::tcl, because White is of the Caro-Kann is 6. d3.
able to attack the a-pawn. 6. ...... ti:Jf6-d7
31. J::td6xc6 J::te6xc6 7. '1Wf3-g3!?
32. J::te1xe5 <t>f7-f6 Pressure on g7 and the advance of
33. J::te5-d5 wf6-e6 the f-pawn is preferred to the usual
34. J::td5-h5 h7-h6 7. d4.
35. '.t>hl-h2 J::tc6-a6 7. ...... e7-e6
36. c5-c6! 8..�fl-e2 �d8-c7?!
At last Boris has to steer toward a The natural development is 8. .. cS
draw. 9. f4 ti:Jc6.
36. ..... . J::ta6xc6 9. f2-f4 a7-a6
37. J::th5-a5 a7-a6 Black avoids 9. .. c5 10. ti:Jb5, and
38. wh2-g3 we6-f6 prepares the advance of the c­
39. wg3-f3 J::tc6-c3t pawn.
40. <>ttf3-f2 J::tc3-c2t 10. b2-b4!?

The great confrontation between

struggle and prophylaxis ends
peacefully.

According to Cluley in 1857, the

second player can maintain the
balance by three classes of
operation: fortification (we should
say consolidation), exchange and
counteraction. The resemblance of
this approach to the concept of Prevention of .. c5 seems to be the
prophylaxis is striking. In the aim of this third provocative move.
former example, two manoeuvres 10. ...... c6-c5
kept equality by exchange. Nevertheless, Black carries out his
 Pocket strategies 1 35

intended move. Instead he could Greed reigns. Material returns 16. ..

have made a development sacrifice
with 10. .. ..\b{b4!? 11. Wt'xg7 .!H8 12.
�xh7 c5. Thereafter, Black will play
.. tiJc6 and 0-0-0, and the game
becomes similar to a wild Winawer.
Another option is 10. .. f6. The
intention is 11. e5xf6 tiJxf6, and
Black can develop his qucen's side.
11. b4-b5!
Exchange of the c-pawn was not the
plan.
11. ...... c5-c4!
12.l::!.a1-b1!?
Normal development proceeds with
12. �b2, but Spassky has a special
fighting spirit.
12. ...... d5-d4
13. tiJc3-e4 a6xb5
cxd3 17..�c2 dxc2
A. The subtle 18. l::!. b2? fails due
to 18. .. Wt'c4! Black intends 19. l::!. f2
d3, and desperate play by 20. tiJd6t
�,Xd6 21. '+Wxg7 �c5! 22. Wt'xh8t
tiJf8 is insufficient
B. White has to grab two pawns
by 18. l::!.xb5 '+Wc6 19. '+Wd3 tiJa6 20.
l::!.b2 tiJdc5 21. tiJxc5 tiJxc5 22. Wt'xc2,
and chances are equal.
17. f4-f5!
An attack in the centre begins.
17. ...... tiJd7xe5
18. f5xe6 f7-f6
After 18. .. fxe6 19. �f4 tiJbd7 20.
l::!.xb5 l::!.a5 21. dxc4, the pin is fatal.

Most players would automatically

make the move 19.l::!.b5.
White seems to have a problem. A 19. l::!.flxf6!! g7xf6
piece is lost by 14.l::!.xb5? Wt'c6, and 20. tiJe4xf6t �e8-d8
the violent 14. tiJd6t �d6 15. exd6 21. tiJf6-d5
�xd6 16. '+Wxg7 leads to confusion.
14. 0-0!
Boris prefers the clarity of a
development sacrifice.
14. ...... l::!.a8xa2!?
Black gets carried away by the
prospect of winning three pawns.
The solid 14. .. tiJc6 will be met by
15. d3 with sharp play.
15. d2-d3 .l:!.a2xc2!?
16. .te2-d1
White wants to gain another tempo.
16. ...... l::!.c2-a2?
1 36 Grand Strategy

A rook sacrifice has smashed the 'it>xd7 26. 'i\Yg4t 'i!fe6 27. tt::lb6t 'it>d6
defence line. 28. tt::lxc4t !
21. ...... �c7-d6 24. e6-e7 �f8xe7
During the preparation of the 25. 'i!Vg3xg4t tt::lb8-d7
manuscript we looked at 21. .. 26. tt::ld5xe7t 'it>c8-c7?!
tt::lf3t ! 22. "tWxf3 'i!Ve5. Black has Black misses his best chance. 26. ..
started a counterattack. Bacrot 'it>b8 27. �f4 li:Je5 28. 't'Nf5 ne2 29.
found the win 23. l!Vf7! �d6 24. nxb5 'iWxe7 would be a spectacular
�f4 l\Ve1t 25. 'it>h2 l:H8 26. Jxd6 climax.
nxf7 27. exf7 nxg2t! (27. .. tt::ld7
28. �g4) 28. 'it>xg2 'iWd2t A clear
way to win is 29. 'it>fl! �xd3t 30.
'it>e1 l!Ve4t 31. <it>d2 tt::ld7 32. n a1
�g2t 33. 'it>c1 and White takes over
the attack.
22. ..tc1-g5t 'it>d8-c8
A spectacular finish is 22. .. 'it>e8
23. l!Vxe5 l\Vxe5 24. it.h5 mate.
23. �d1-g4

diagram of analysis

White has won the pin-fight, and

makes the only good move 30.
nxe5! The rook-bishop battery
decides the game.
27. �g5-f4 tt::ld7-e5
28. 'i\Yg4-g7 'it>c7-b6
Now 28. .. li:Jf3t 29. gxf3 l!Vxf4 fails
due to a discovered check. If the
king had gone to b8, this line
Suddenly several pieces are aimed would have been a trap.
at the king. Black pieces stand 29. �f4xe5 'i!Vd6-e6
uselessly on the edge. White 30. .te5xd4t
threatens 24. e7t . 1-0
23. ...... tt::le5xg4 Black did not make a development
After 23. .. �g7 24. tt::le7t ! 'it>c7 25. sacrifice, but accepted several such
tt::lf5, White captures the bishop and offers. When he missed two
wins. Another drastic finish is 23. .. favourable chances to return
tt::lbd7 24. exd7t li:Jxd7 25. .txd7t material, disaster followed.
 Pocket strategies 1 37

fxe6 27. bxc3 't\Yxc3 28. .l:!.d2 .l:!.c4

fails tactically. After 25. l!fel d5!
C. Positional sacrifice 26. l!xe6 fxe6, Black has a
positional advantage.
25. l2la4-b6 1:!. c8-e8
Giving up material for a better 26. ttJb6-d5
pawn structure has been known The trip to d5 took three moves
since Philidor. This can be called a instead of one.
static positional sacrifice. Material is 26. ...... 'l!!Yc7-c5
given for blockades in the example. 27. ttJd5-f4 �g7-d4
28. Wlf2-h4?!
Difficulties are avoided by 28. '&f3!
4.3. Spassky - 28. ...... �d4-e51
Samuil Zhukhovitsky 29. g2-g3
Semi-final 25rh Soviet Championship A piece is lost by 29. �xh6'? .l:!.h8
Leningrad 1957 30. 'i!Yg5 �f4.
29. ...... a6-a5?!
1. e4 c5 2. l2lf3 ttJc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. The simplification 29. .. �f4 30.
it:lxd4 l2lf6 5. l2lc3 d6 6. �g5 e6 7. �xf4 'l!!Yg1! 31. 'li!Yd8t! .l:!.xd8 32.
�d2 a6 8. 0-0-0 �d7 9. f4 �e7 10. .l:!.xg1 .l:!.xf4 33. gxf4 .l:!.e8 34. wc1
it:lf3 h6 11. �6 gxf6 12. f5 Wlc7 .l:!.e2 results in a better endgame.
13. wb1 o-o-o 14. �c4 �b8 15. 30. a2-a4
�b3 .l:!.c8 16. l2le2 exf5 17. exf5 White notices 34. 'l!!Yxh6? 1:!. h8 31.
i¥xf5 18. ttJc3 �f8 19. ttJd4 ttJxd4 �g5 a4 32. l2lxg6 axb3! 33. axb3
20. �xd4 .l:!.g8 21. 't!Vxf6 �g6 22. .l:!.xh2.
�f2 �g7 30. ...... .l:!.e4-b4?
The subtle 30. .. 1:!. c8! and 31. ttJxg6
.l:!.xh4 32. l2lxh4 Wlb4! 33. .l:!.xf7 b5,
or 31. l2ld3 .l:!.xh4 32. l2Jxc5 .l:!.xh2
favours Black.
31. ttJf4xg6'
White has to make a favourable
positional sacrifice.
31.0 0 0 000 .l:!.b4xh4
32. l2lg6xh4 f7-f6

Pawn d6 is a weakness in the black

position.
23. l2lc3-a4?
The blockade 23. l2ld5 Wlc5 24.
.l:!.hfl keeps the slight plus.
23. ...... .l:!.g8-e8
24. .l:!.h1-fl .l:!.e8-e4'?!
A nice surprise is given by 24. ..

lie6! Now 25. l2lc37 �c3! 26. ne6

1 38 Grand Strategy

The positional costs of the material A pawn is won after 44. ii.e6t wb8
gain are high: bS, dS and fS are 45. l:td7? �xd7 46. 1/xd?, but the
strong squares for White. ending 46. .. we? 47. �e8 h4 will be
33. l2lh4-f5 h6-h5? drawn.
Black should have played 33. .. 44. ...... 'iiid8-e8
�b4! (threatens .. bS) 34. �dS �c8 The point of the combination is 44.
35. �fdl �cS and a fierce battle .. 2.c7 45. �e6t . If Black plays 44. ..
will be fought. 'llif6 45. l:t7xb6 'lliflt 46. �a2 l't xc2
34. �dl-dS 47. l:!.xaS, the white advantage is
Now the black position is paralysed decisive.
by blockaders. 45. l:tb5xb6 �e8-elt
34. ...... 'llic5-c7 46. wbl-a2 l:!.h2xc2
35. �dS-bS b7-b6 47. l:tb6-a6 l:tc2-c7
36. tt:lf5-e3 �e5-d4 Black can sacrifice a pawn by 47...
37. ltJe3-d5 �dB 48. l:txd6t wc8, but White
The blockaders have moved to bS wins by 49. l:ta6 l:tc7 50. �b8t!
and dS. wd7 51. l:th8, as in the game.
37. ...... �c7-d8
38. �fl-f4 �d4-c5
Pawn b6 will be captured after 38.
.. �es 39. �c4.
39. �f4xf6 :de8-e2
40. l:!.f6-f7 l:!.e2-f2
41. l:!.f7-h7 l:!.f2xh2

The attack on the queen's side

gains new momentum.
48. l:tb7-b8t!
Again the blockader offers great
support from a distance.
48. ...... wc8-d7
Mate in one is avoided.
Again the field is ripe for drastic 49. l:tb8-f8 'iWel-b4
action. 49. .. �eS 50. l:txaS offers little
42. ttJd5xb6! chance.
The obvious continuation 42. ttJe7 so. .�:f8-f7t wd7-d8
l:!.hlt 43. �a2 'llie8 44. �dS l:!.el 51. Z':.f7-f4 �b4-d2
45. ttJc6t ..t>c8 is less convincing. 52. Z':.f4-f8t
42. ...... �c5xb6 The win 52. .. �d7 53. l:tf7t wd8
43. �b3-d5 wb8-c8 54. l:txd6t is clear.
44. l:th7-b7! 1-0
 Pocket strategies 1 39

The aim of a dynam ic positional

sacrifice is to give material for
temporary advantage. Therefore it
is a means for courageous or
desperate attackers.

4.4. Paul Keres - Spassky

1(jh game quarter final
Riga 1965

l . d2-d4 lt:lg8-f6
2. c2-c4 g7-g6
A dynamic positional sacrifice
3. lt:lb1-c3 �f8-g7
follows.
4. e2-e4 d7-d6
14. ...... .l:!.f8xf4!
5. f2-f4
15. 'ilrd1-d5!
Keres chooses a risky opening,
Threatens to capture a rook or play
because he has to win the game in
16. e7t .
order to equalise the match.
15. ...... �g8-h8
5. ...... c7-c5
If Black returns the piece by 15. ..
6. d4-d5 0-0
�b7, his position will be horrible.
7. lt:lg1-f3 e7-e6
16. 'ilrd5xa8 lt:ld7-b6
8. �fl -e2 e6xd5
17. 'iWa8xa7
9. c4xd5 b7-b5
After 17. 'ilrb8?! lt:le3! 17. �f2 lt:lg4t
Boris worries about Paul's fine
White has to accept a repetition of
endgame technique and seeks
moves by 18. we1, because 18.
complexity in the middle game.
wg3? .l:!.xf3t! loses.
10. e4-e5
17. ...... �c8xe6
The justification of the last move
lies in Pachman's 10. .txb5 lt:lxe4!
11. lt:lxe4 'ilra5t 12. Kf2 "f!Hxb5 13.
lt:lxd6 'i!Yb6 14. lt:lc4 �a6 15. 'ilre2
�d7, when Black has a good game.
10. ...... d6xe5
11. f4xe5 lt:lf6-g4
12. �c1-f4
Keres plays a novelty. Familiar
lines are 12. .txb5 lt:lxe5 and 12.
�g5 'i!Yb6.
12. ...... lt:lb8-d7
13. e5-e6 f7xe6?!
A more solid move is 13. .. lt:lb6 The sacrifice of the exchange has
and 14. exf7t .l:!.xf7 or 14. .txb5 gained control over the centre, a
fxe6. lead in development, two bishops
14. d5xe6 and a displaced white queen.
Both players have achieved their 18. 0-0
aim of wild complications. A more promising variation seems
140 Grand Strategy

to be 18. l:!.d1! ..td4 19. ttJxbS ttJe3 ..t xb2. White replies 26. "tlfb8 t �g7
20. ttJbxd4 (later played in Pelikan­ 27. nn
Quinteros, Buenos Aires 1966).
Now the least evil is 20. .. cxd4 21.
�f2 ttJxd1t 22. l:!.xdl.
18. ...... tLlg4-e3
19. l:!.fl-f2
Some commentators regard 19.
bbS ttJxfl 20. l:!.xfl as winning,
but 20. .. ttJc4! will give Black active
piece play.
19. ...... b5-b4

diagram of analysis

Keres could have reached a better

endgame, Spassky's nightmare.
20. ..... l:!.f4-f7!
The queen is imprisoned. White's
queen's knight obstructs her path
to freedom.
21. 'ii!Va7-a5 �d8-b8!
22. l:!.a1-e1 ..te6-d5

The decisive moment of the match

has been reached.
20. ttJc3-b5?
A knight is placed offside. Flohr
suggests 20. tLldl. There might
follow 20. .. l:!.f7 21. 'ifaS ttJg4 22.
�xcS! ttJxf2 23. lLlxf2 ..txb2 24.
nd1. White returns the exchange
and obtains a positional advantage.
Keres worries about 20. .. ttJg4! and
misses the great strength of the
answer 21. tLJgS! l:!.xf2 (21. .. 'lj'xgS?
22. �b8t) 22. ttJxf2! The tempting When we were looking at this
22. ttJxe6? l:!.xg2t! 23. �xg2 'i!VdSt position, Spassky pointed out: "My
24. �g3 ..WeSt! 25. tLlf4 gS 26. �t;xg4 forces are active. Paul's pieces are
..Wxf4t 27. �h3 ..teS 28. �g2 only passive!"
suffices for perpetual check. 22. .. 23. ..te2-fl?!
't!Vxg5 23. ..txg4. Play continued This allows the exchange of an
with 23. .. ttJc8? 24. 'i!Va4 �b2 25. important defender. The variation
..txe6 �a1 26. "tlfe8t �g7 27. 'i!Vf7t 23. �d3 ttJec4 24. 'i!Va6 ttJxb2 leads
in Bartis-Szmetan (Argentina 1970). to a troublesome defence.
Instead Black should try 23. ..
23. ...... ttJe3xfl
..txg4 24. ttJ xg4 ..Wxg4 25. 'i!Vx b 6 24. l:!.f2xfl ttJb6-c4
 Pocket strategies 141

25. 'i/Ha5-a6 Itf7-f6 · Keres overstepped the time limit in

26. Wfa6-a4 cuc4xb2 a lost position.
0-1
It was Paul's last game in the battle
for the world championship.

Exciting positional sacrifices are

made at various times in the
following game.

Yuri Averbakh - Spas sky

Time trouble has started.
27. �a4-c2?!
Keres blunders. He can save a piece
by 27. 'tlWa5 nf7! 28. a4 �c4 28. lH2
cud3, but the result is awful.
Playoff 23'd Soviet Championship
Leningrad 1956
1. c4 cuf6 2. cuc3 g6 3. e4 d6 4. d4
�g7 5. �e2 0-0 6. �g5 c5 7. d5
Wfa5 8. �d2 a6 9. a4 e5? (9. .. e6)
10. g4 cues 11. h4 f5 12. h5 f4 13.
g5 '!Wd8 14. 1Lg4 cuc7 15. �.xc8
'!Wxc8 16. cuf3

diagram of analysis

The white forces are split in two.

27. ...... Wfb8xb5
Square e8 remains protected. Averbakh plays the moves of his
28. l:le1-e7 system effortlessly. After 16. .. cud?
White has to accept the loss of a 17. cuh4 Wfe8 18. 'l!;'(g4, White has a
piece, because 28. VWxb2 cuxf3 leads great attack.
to disaster. Boris had blundered in the last
28. ...... cub2-d3 round. Now a losing defence is his
29. \\l'!'c2-e2 c5-c4 curse. He rebels against fate.
30. J:l:e7-e8t l:lf6-f8 16. ...... cub8-c6!?!
31. ne8xf8t �g7xf8 A knight is sacrificed for a pawn
32. cuf3-g5 �f8-c5t and the initiative in the centre.
33. wg1-h1 't'Hb5-d7 17. d5xc6
34. 'tlWe2-d2 �d7-e7 The players are exhausted by
35. cug5-f3 �e7-e3 eighteen previous championship
142 Grand Strategy
games. Yuri is flabbergasted by the
positional sacrifice. It is one hour
before he captures the knight.
17. ...... b7xc6
18. tt:Jf3-h4?!
Averbakh chooses the wrong plan,
the continuation of the attack on
the king's side. Analysis in his
biography start with 18. aS?! An
attack on the queen's side is a
second doubtful plan. The right
idea is consolidation of the centre
by 18. hxg6 hxg6 19. na3! tt:Je6 20.
tt:Je2 "tiVd8 21. nd3. Prophylaxis in
the centre has the first priority. A
flank attack can follow later.
18. .. �e8 19. hxg6 hxg6 20. '+Wg4
nb8 21. .:Ud1 tt:Je6 22. na3 tt:Jd4 23.
nah3 '+Wf7 24. �c3 J:He8 25. n3h2
"tiVxc4?! (25. .. d5!) 26. tt:Jxg6 J:le6?!
Black's last moves are too risky.
27.. lli.c3xd4?
A long combination would decide
the game. 27. J:1h8t! �xh8 28.
nxh8t wg7 29. l:lxb8. Now the
fight really begins. 29. .. f3! 30.
tt:Jf4! exf4 31. "tiVxf3! �d5! 32. '+Wh5!
'+Wxe4t 33. 'it>fl "tiVd3t 34. c;t>g2 �e4t
35. f3 '+We2t 36. tt:Jf2. At last the
black counterattack is stopped.
White will soon deliver mate.
27. ...... J:le6xg6
28. 'i:<Wg4-f5 "tiVc4-e6
29. "tiVf5xe6t J:lg6xe6
After the exchange of queens Black
regains the initiative in the centre.
30. .tc3 d5 31. f3 J:Ib3 32. nh3 c4
33. 'it>d2 J:lg6 34. J:lg1 d4 35. .17i.a5
�f8 36. l:lg4 nd6 37. 'it>c2 J:Id7 38.
g6 ndb7 39. 2.e1 c5 40. ngh4 .�.g7
41. .�a5 c3 42. bxc3 J:la3 43. cxd4
exd4 44. nxf4 na2t 45. wd3 l:lb1
46. nh1 nxa4 47. wc2 nb5
Although White is a piece up, he is
lost. If the bishop moves, 48 . .. c4
is decisive.
48. e4-e5!?
Now Averbakh is bluffing with a
positional sacrifice in this poker
game.
48. ...... d4-d3t?
It works again! A capture of the
bishop by 48. .. nbxa5 49.e6 c4 50.
e7 d3t 51. c;t>d2 na2t wins directly.
49. c;t>xd3 J:lxf4 50. 2.c3? (50. oe3)
50. .. l:lxf3t 51. c;t>e4 �g3 52. c;t>f4
nxg6 53. tt:Je3 J:Ib8 54. tt:Jf5 J:If8 55.
nh5 .He8 56. we4 l:lg1 57. .Hh3 .H8
58. c;t>d5 nd1t 59. we4 nc1 60.
c;t>d5 nd1t 61. we4 nd7?! 62.
tt:Jh6t! .�.xh6 63. J:1xh6 l'l.h7?! 64.
J:lg6t c;t>f7 65. x:tf6t oe7 66. .Hc6
c;t>d7 67. nxc5 J:Ih6 68. c;t>d5 fib6
69.. �a5 nb5 70. nxb5 axb5 71.
e6t! nxe6 72. wc5 ne5t 73. wb6
112·112
The positional sacrifices are good,
but don't take jokes seriously!
 Pocket strategies 143

Jan van Reek A grotesque shows a remarkable

Mention Shakhmaty v USSR 1969 positional manoeuvre. Two pawns
zigzag forward by exchange.

l. d2xe3 f7xe6
2. e3xd4 e6xf5
3. d4xe5 f5xe4
4. e5xd6 e4xf3
5. d6xe7 f3xe2
6. e7-e8'*'

The board has been cleared. White

has a happy ending.
White begins and wins
144 Grand Strategy

5. Biographical Appendix

A. My life unti11970

was born i n Len i n g rad i n 1 937. My father, Spassky Vasilij Vlad i m i rovich ( 1 906-

D
1 976 ) , was a building engineer by profession . He came from a fam i l y of
O rthodox priests i n the small town of Tim in the Kursk reg ion . My ancestors are
mentioned in the church arch ives from the end of the eig hteenth century.
My mother, Petrova Ekaterina Petrovna ( 1 905- 1 995) , was of peasant
stock. Her mother, lvanova Darja lvanovna, came from the vil lage of Rjad nevo ,
Pskov reg i o n . Her father, Kuprijanov And rej Kuprijanovich , was a rich man with a
huge fam i ly i n Pskov. According to the laws of I m perial Russia, my mother was an
i l leg itimate c h i l d . She received her name and patronymic ( P etrova, Petrovna) from
her godfather, Piotr Vassi l iev, a relative of her mother Darja. My mother was brought
u p i n his house at this village of Rjadnevo. My mother considered Piotr's childre n as
her brothers and sisters .
My parents married i n Len ingrad i n 1 93 2 . They had th ree children : Georg ij
( 1 934) , myself ( 1 937) and l raida ( 1 944 ) . During the war, my brother and I were
evacu ated from Leningrad to the Ki rov district. I learned the rules of chess at the age
of five , when I watched the games of older kids in the chi ldren's h o m e . In the
beg i n n i ng of 1 943, our parents escaped from besieged Len ingrad . At that time I was
dying from starvatio n . Their arrival probably saved m e . That was a crucial point in the
Opening of my life. From 1 943 until 1 946 our family l ived in Sverd lovka, 40 km from
M oscow . My parents divorced i n 1 944. D u ring the s u m mer of 1 946, the fam i l y of a
mother and three children retu rned to Len ingrad .
One day I was i n the park on the Kirov Islands, where I found a chess pavilion
with a Black Knight on top. lt bathed i n beautiful s u n l i g ht, leaves sti rred lang uorously
i n a breeze wafting from the Fin nish Bay , and had verandas contai n i ng glass-covered
chess tables. And no peopl e ! What a silent fai ry world ! I was completely hypnotised
by its beauty ! After that discovery I spent every day at the pav i l i o n . I had 1 5 kopecks
per day for travel expenses and one glass of water with syru p . I used to go home
with the last, overcrowded streetcar. Soldier's boots were my worst enemies. I n that
s u m mer my brother and I had no shoes. I stood beside the tables watc h i ng how the
visito rs played . Long queen moves fascinated me. I fel l i n love with the wh ite queen .
She was covered by new lacquer and smel led wonderfu lly. I dreamed about
caressi ng her i n my pocket, but I did not dare to steal her. Chess is pure for me. The
wondrous world can not accept such trivial ities .
Many days I watched the others play . I was very shy. Once my brother
entered me i n a bl itz tou rnament. I was mated on f7 i m med i ately and bu rst i nto tears .
The wondrous world had shown its real face . . . But my shyness had disappeared and
I had to play every day !
 Biographical appendix 145

The chess pavi lion was closed in September. I became desperate and
searched a chess club all over the city, l i ke a hungry dog . I even wanted my mother
to help me, but had no luck! My mother had her own severe tro u bles. She was
digging potatoes and carrying heavy 40 kg sacks i n Pargolovo , 1 5 km from
Leningrad . She earned a few pounds of potatoes for this job. One day her back was
i nj u red and she was desperate : "Now I am an i nval id and cannot work anymore". She
even visited the famous saintly monk Serap h i m of Vi ritza, and asked for his s upport .
T h e old m a n looked a t my mother and said : " B e cal m , very soon everyt h i ng w i l l b e all
right !"
At the beg i n n i ng of November, I borrowed my mother's soldier's boots . They
nearly reached to my bel ly. I had no shoes for wet weather and no overcoat either.
But I was proud 'to joi n ' the chess section. Trembl i n g , I put a lot of docu ments i nto a
narrow wi ndow. H u rrah , I was listed in the section !
The Palace of Pio neers , formerly Anitchkov Palace, residence of Alexandre I l l ,
always looked terrific. The pleasant chambe rs with marble p i l lars , music, various
games, everything created the hol iday atmosphere. The chess c l u b was one of the
best i n the cou ntry . Famous players were i nvited , such as Botvi n n i k , Bronste i n ,
Bondarevsky a n d Levenfish . All Len i ng rad masters were there. Some of them
became g rand maste r, e . g . Tai manov, Tol u s h , Furman . I remember one particular
lectu re by Levenfi s h . By the way, Gregory Jakovlevich Levenfish was the g reatest
authority for many Len i n g raders, higher than Botvinnik. Levenfish was treated as a
man of Russian culture and i ntelligence. Botvi n n i k was regarded as a representative
of Komsomo l , a 30's man of Soviet culture . The lectu re was held in a new chess
room, the former Cabinet of Alexander I l l . As youngsters , we were watc h i n g the
game Alekh i n e-Yates, Hasti ng 1 925/26. A pawn majority attack, start i n g with b2-b4,
was very i nstructive.

The 33-years-old , Vlad i m i r Grigorjevich Zak became my g uardian and tutor.

This handsome man had an u n usual Sem itic appearance . If he had put o n a white
tu rban , he could have been an I ndian faki r. His behaviour was simple and d i g n ified .
He d ressed well and was restrained. One could easily feel the i ntellect of a well­
educated perso n . H e often i nvited me to his home, fed me and showed d ifferent
opening variations. His salary was miserable , but he treated me very generously.
Somet i m es he looked at me with ad m i ration , as if I was a m i racle o r a boy prod igy.
From Zak I borrowed some systems for my ope n i ng repertoire, such as the Ki ng's
Gambit and the Len i n g rad Variation of the N i mzo- l ndian .
I n the chess section I was the youngest. My chess mates were 5 to 6 years
older. This created a problem for me, because they did not l i ke to lose to the
youngest. Zak took care of m e . I n 1 947 he sent me to the All-Union Pioneer Camp
'Artek' o n the Kri m . This had been the property of the Tzar too ! I was most
i m pressed , not by the mou ntai n s , cypresses or b u rn i n g s u n , but by the abundant
supply of wh ite bread i n the d i n i ng-room .
I q u ickly got my fi rst successes i n the Palace o f Pioneers . A t t h e age o f ten I
reached the second rank, getti ng to first ran k during the next year. People treated m e
a s a prodigy. A t the age o f eleven I gave a s i m u l a t t h e M i nsk H o u s e o f Officers . I
played at fifteen boards. I n one game my opponent, an officer, made an error and
was m ated. H e asked me could he take back his move. Generously I ag reed , but
then m ade a m i stake myself and was m ated . My opponent shouted and exu lted . H ow
146 Grand Strategy

u nfai r ! I bu rst into tears and play was suspended on 'techn ical grounds' for fifteen
minutes. This incident ended my career as a prodigy. lt taught me to refuse take­
backs. The reward for my sufferi ngs was a fee for which I bought my fi rst winter
overcoat. I n M i nsk I became j u n i o r champion of the Al l-U nion Club 'Trudovye
Reservy' ( Labo u r Forces) in November 1 948.
Thanks to Zak and G .J. Levenfish I was given a scholars h i p of 1 200 roubles
per month i n 1 948/49 ! That was a tremendous su pport to o u r fam i ly. Recently I was
pleased to learn that the Russian Tzar, N icholas 11, gave scholars h i ps to the most
talented young people ( e . g . a pupil of I . E . Repin, K u l i kov, a painter who became a
winner at the international exhibition i n Liege, 1 903) .
Zak tried to give h i s pupils an all-round educati o n . So I joined the swim m i n g
and skating sections. H i g h j u mping started later, n o t a t the Palace o f Pio neers . W e
visited the operas Carmen b y Bizet a n d Delibes' Lakme. Z a k reco m m e nded me
chess books. I did not l i ke My system by N i mzowitsch because of the obscu rity of his
com ments. I preferred Alekhine. His thoug hts about chess were always sharp and
clear. My second favou rite was Chigori n . The depth of his concepts and his i nteg rity
were very attractive to m e . Both of them had a tragic life . They are i ncluded in my ex­
l i bris ( reproduced on page 4 ) . I also liked the textbooks of Lasker, Capablanca and
Euwe.
D u ring this period I played positional chess by col lecting small advantages .
Tactics bothered m e . I was too reflective. Once a spectator said: "This boy plays like
an old man", but I did not care . My play was natural and reflected who I was.
At the end of 1 95 1 , Zak and I played in the quarter final of the Soviet
champio n s h i p . Suddenly I got an irrepressible sense for the initiative and tactics ! This
breakthrough i n side of me happened natu ral ly, without any provocatio n . My res u lt in
the tournament was moderate ( + 5 , -3, =7) , but the new quality of play was most
i m po rtant. Zak worried about it. He was afraid that I could lose my natu ral basis !
Soon he realised that I needed a strong player as a coach and went looking
for G .J. Levenfish . I did n't mind, but fate gave me A . K . Tol u s h . Poor Zak was mortal ly
i nsu lted , because he was against Tol u s h . After several years our relations were
restored and we remained on friendly terms.
When I g rew u p , Zak gave me all that he could offer. The years between 1 0
and 1 7 are a formative period for a young man . He gave me a good general di rection
and a financial , o rganisational and personal support . As a coach he supplied me with
a very effective opening weapo n . I chose the King's Gam bit from a good menu of
openings. In the hands of Tolus h , I started to use it like a sharp bayon et. I have
played forty King's Gam bits and never lost a single game ! I have used it against the
strongest players in the world . When 1 . e4 e5 occu rs in s i m u ltaneous exh ibitions, I
o n l y play 2 . f4 ! This led to thousands of gambits . Zak was paying attention to m e ,
besides h i s pri ncipal duties a s a s e n i o r coach of t h e Palace of Pio neers . H e behaved
like a kind father. When I left my cou ntry via Lening rad , my last visit was to Zak.

'Just expenses'
This is how A . K . Tolush (K.) Difi ned our alliance from the beg i n ning . He made
a remark about no payment, 'just expenses' and trouble for eight years . And he was
rig ht. At that time K. was 42 years old. He had a Slav appearance from a Russian
mother and Lith uanian father, was of med i u m heig ht, looked q u ite solid , was always
 Biographical appendix 147

well d ressed , spoke with a deep baritone, was very accu rate and h ad l ively eyes .
Once a waite r brought h i m a cold, u n pleasant-looking ch icke n . He watched h i m : "Did
it die of old age , ha?" The last ' ha' was witheri ng .
K . had someth i ng of an old Russian barin (landlord ) and was offended by h i s
fate . H e l i ked alcohol but knew when t o stop. When depressed he someti mes started :
"How deep . . " followed by silence. One might add " . . the cou ntry has s u n k" . K . knew
the story about the C o m m u n i st terror and executions by the fi rst Revolutionary
Government in St. Petersbu rg . He never mentioned it, because political talks were
absol utely excluded d u ring our period of eight years.
H e gambled in games like cards, billiard and races. Chess s howed the
richness of his nature. H i s general approach was: a good result m u st be the
conseq uence of sound strategic play. "Never play for t h e chance, damaging your
position. . Never take a hundred to n i l that you can beat a person who cannot play
.

chess. Leave one for chance . . . " D u ri ng the war K. left a covered trench to u ri nate .
One m i n ute later a d i rect hit of a missile kil led all his friends. For chess players aged
30, 40, 50, 60, there was the wel l-known call "A pauper does not fear the fire, forward
Kasimirovich!"The fi rst part d isappeared , but the last piece s u rvived for decades.
I n m y view K 's main strength was his ability t o take t h e initiative a n d create an
attack in positions without a distinct character. An attack on the king was h i s
speciality. The main problem was t h e preparatio n . I n order t o g e t attacki ng positi o n s ,
one h a s to make positional a n d material concessions. K. knew h o w to take a risk.
When he created an attack, he never made a fuss. He was prudent and patient, but
brave and bold at the same time. I watched with delight how K. mobil ised rese rves ,
manoeuvred and created th reats . He knew how to find or create a weakness i n the
defence or to mobilize superior fo rces on a certain part of a front. H e sensed when
the position was ready for a decisive blow. H i s tactical i nsight was excellent. K . was a
strateg ist of the attack. I would rank h i m among masters of the attack l i ke Marshal!,
Spee l m a n , Alekh i n e , Geller, Tal and Kasparov.
But K. had an 'Ac h i l les hee l ' , just l i ke E . Geller. While prepari ng an attack he
could not stop a counterattack. I often watched with trembling heart, how K. was
attacked when the kings were castled on opposite sides. His own king was in m o rtal
danger, but K. took his papi rosa (cigarette) , moved it i nto the tube, coughed and
conti n ued his assault as if noth ing was wrong. The opponent's attack was stronger
and K . was dying . I had a sense of u ndescribable so rrow, but ad m i red h i m at the
same time. He preferred to be kil led rather than to give way to his opponent. H e
freely accepted t h e m o rtal blows. I d i d n o t have s u c h cou rage a n d K . gave me a n
excel lent example.
K. became my perso nal coac h . So he started to educate me, 'fu ndamentally' .
At the age of 15, I was absentm inded, forgetful and i naccurate . A small excuse is that
my fam i l y was living i n one roo m , a shared apartment of 14 m2. I could never prepare
my homework for schoo l , but spent my time at schoo l , sports, the Palace of Pioneers
(4-9 pm) and came home at about 1 0 p m . K. taught me how to eat with knife and
fo rk, how to knot and wear a tie, how to use a handkerchief and serviette , things l i ke
that. U nfortunately, he had no pedagog ical talent. He reproved me reg u larly, without
effect .
U s u ally o u r trai n i ng sessions were held i n K's new, two-room apartment. lt
was a reward from the city for his fi rst place i n the i nternational chess tou rnament of
Bucharest 1953 . We analysed the modern openings and played bl itz games to check
148 Grand Strategy

ideas. One day K. lost five games i n a row. "See you tomorrow". He did n't want
revenge ! ? This is a quality of a great player. In the analysis we l i ked to e njoy life,
sacrificing material and making jokes. K's ope n i ng repertoi re was of l ittle use to me. 1t
was too specialized ! But I used the Alekh ine attack in the G rOnfeld I nd i a n , which
gave m e victories over Fischer i n Santa Mon ica 1 966 and Siegen 1 970 (games 2 . 2
a n d 2 . 3 ) . O u r analyses o f adjou rned games were often i naccu rate . I could n o t trust
them . Good concentratio n d u ri ng the resumption helped me a lot, when I applied the
analytical ideas. So K. was not an analyst by nature but an i m p roviser. That was
exactly what I needed!
K. l i ked old chess books and players from the past. He ad m i red Alekhine and
paid personal respect to P. Keres, G. Levenfish and later Tal . He did not l i ke
Botv i n n i k or his ideological activity for the Komsomol or his style. He never told me
about it, trying to be loyal to a g reat player.
Our fi rst com m o n tou rnament was Bucharest 1 953. That was a festival for m e ,
l i ke the first b a l l f o r 1 6-year-old Natasha Rostov ! I looked with ad m i ration a t Smyslov,
Petrosian , Boleslavsky , Stoltz , Szab6, O'Kelly, Golombek, Filip, Ciocaltea,
Opocensky and M i lev. Later M i lev and Ciocaltea became good friends. lt was a l ittle
strange for a 1 6-year-o ld boy, when our Commissar Georgij Ga vrilovich Meshersky
read a te leg ram from the Soviet Sport Comm ittee d u ring a meeti ng of the Soviet
players : "Stop fighting each other, make draws , stop Szab6". At that time Szab6 was
lead i n g with 5 112 out of 6! Fortu nately I had al ready beaten Smyslov. This order
g uaranteed me d raws agai nst the other Soviet crocodi les ! The tou rnament brought K.
h i s g reatest success: fi rst prize and the title of i nternational g rand master. I finished
o n 41h-6th place with Boleslavsky and Szab6 and became an i nternational maste r.
1954 I won the All U n i o n Tournament of Masters and Candidate Masters ( + 1 0 , -0 ,
=5) and ach ieved 4'h place i n the sem i-fi nal of the 22"d Soviet Championship ( + 6 , -2 ,
= 1 2) . I entered the final !
1955 was a successful chess year for m e . I n the 22"d Soviet Championship I e nded
o n 3'd-6th place and qual ified for the l nterzo nal ! In April the Soviet student team took
1 ., place in Lyon . In August I won the Youth World Championsh i p in Antwerpen with a
score of +7, -0 , =2 i n the final . I n September I got the 71h-9th place i n the l nterzonal ,
Goteborg 1 955. I entered the Candidates tou rnament !
I n Apri l K. broke his leg and had to spend a long ti me i n hospital . My coach
joi ned me later in the i nterzonal Goteborg 1 955. The absence of K. had a very bad
consequences. D u ri ng the Youth Championship i n Antwerpe n , I asked com m i ssar
E . P . Soloviev : "Did Com rade Len i n suffer from sy p h i l i s ?" The eyes of my apparatchik
g l ittered dangerously. The consequence of my cu riosity was a severe i n q u i ry by the
deputy- m i n ister of the Soviet Sport Comm ittee, D.V. Postn i kov, i n the autu m n of
1 955. I was u nder th reat of beco m i ng "pol itically u n rel iable", which is worse i n a
Co m m u nist state than being a simple killer. Poor K ! He was i n n ocent but responsible
for my pol itical educatio n . The same person , D.V. Postnikov, saved m e . H e refused
to push my "po l itical case" to the Komso m o l , in spite of the very pol ite
reco m m e ndations by the secretary of the USSR Chess Federatio n , L.J. Abramov. If
Komsomo l , the C o m m u n istic Youth Organisati o n , had analysed my "case", I would
have had l ittle chance of s u rvival . D . V . Postn i kov was my g u ard ian ang e l . Fro m that
t i m e , I was always u nder s u rveil lance by the KG B and K. became a bad political
mentor. This ideological accident was the second crucial point in my life.
 Biographical appendix 149

1956 My 3 'd -7 th place i n the 1 956 Candidates' Tournament was a big success. I
entered the world chess el ite . lt seemed that noth ing could stop my prog ress. I n
real ity there were ten years full o f u p and downs u ntil m y match agai nst T. Petrosian
i n 1 966.
People are probably condem n ed to com m it the majority of their stupidities in
his l ife between the age of 1 6 and 22. That is what happened to m e . K . played an
outstanding ro le i n secu ring me from many troubles. H e prepared my way to the
Olympus, but my tro u bles and problems rui ned and exhausted h i m.
But let's get back to my chess activities. From 1 955 I partici pated i n the Soviet
Championship ten times in a row! These tou rnaments were not the ideological but
the real Soviet Chess School . Even more: the Soviet C hess Academy ! The best
players of the cou ntry participated . Each championship was the strongest tou rnament
i n the world that year ! I recol lect all partici pants with deep gratitude.

Year No. Place Prize Notes

1 955 22 Moscow 3-6 Entered the lnterzonal!

1 956 23 Len i ng rad 1 -3 P lay-off: 1 . Tai manov, 2 . Averbakh , 3. Spassky
1 957 24 Moscow 4-5
1 958 25 Rig a 5-6 Did not e nter the l nterzonal
1 959 26 Tbi lisi 2-3
1 960 27 Len i n g rad 9-1 0
1 96 1 28 Moscow 5-6 Did not enter the l nterzonal
1 96 1 29 Baku 1
1 962 30 Erevan 5
1 963 31 Len i ngrad 1 -3 E ntered the Zonal tou rnament of seven players

Between 1 955 and 1 960, I was a student in the Department of Jou rnalism of
the Language Facu lty of Len i n g rad University . The six championships I played at that
time had fou r special featu res:
1. They were played i n Janu ary , the worst time for my health .
2 They coincided with my U n iversity exams.
3. I played u nder the s u rvei llance of K.
4. A t t h e e n d o f each championsh i p , I had tonsilitis, ru n n i ng a temperatu re o f
40°C .
My next and last championship would be after ten years i n 1 97 3 . I would take
1 st place ! In 1 976 I would leave my cou ntry for twenty years . . .
K . and I played together i n the championships of 1 956, 1 957 and 1 958. I n the
last rou n d of 1957, K . was Black against M. Tal. lt was the last chance for K . to
beco me a champion of the USSR. K. lost. I met him when he was drunk. H e said
halti ng ly: "Borja, a genius player has appeared . .. " That was a big compli ment to
Misha Tal . A g reat player showed his ad m i ration for another great player, losing his
last ch ance to beco me USSR Champion . . .
M y chess resu lts were unstable d u ring m y student' years. I lost to Misha Tal i n
t h e last ro u nd o f t h e 251h championship, Riga 1 958, and d ropped o u t o f t h e world
championship race for th ree years. During the same tou rnament, in my game agai nst
Sueti n , I decided to win at any cost. My opponent was u nder time-pressure and I
decided to set a trap.
150 Grand Strategy

Spassky - Alexey Suetin If he had played 40 . . .. ii.g 7 , I could

Riga 1 9 5 8 have been in troub l e . After the
blunder I won the game (41. '*f'h 7
i;._f8 4 2. il.xgSt ! wxg 5 4 3 . '¥.-\'g 8 t
wh6 4 4 . '11Hx f8 t wh 7 4 5 . �e 7 t wh8
4 6 . 'tl¥xe 5 t wg 8 4 7 . -&g 5 t wh8 4 8 .
� d 8 t wg 7 4 9 . 'ffi'e 7 t w h 8 5 0 . g 5
�c 8 51. 'ff f 6 t ..t>g8 5 2 . f\\'g 6 t ..t>h8
5 3 . '!l¥h6 t 1 - 0 ) .
During t h e game I s a w t h e variation
39. tiJe 7 t kxe 7 4 0 . �g8 t wh6 4 1 .
dxe 7 '*f'c6 . White is better, but
Black can probably hold the
position. Instead I violated K's rule:
Su etin fell into the trap 39. ti:Jxf6? " N ever play for the chance,
wxf6 40. 'Rg8 .z. h6? damaging your posi tion!"

I had s i n ned and would be punished. Tal was my headman . A young chess
player must have solid principles in chess as well as life. In chess, this pri nciple i s :
look for the best mo ve in the position. T h i s is a compass i n a stormy sea. Without this
com pass any chess player is lost. At the age of twenty-one I was sti l l a child. The
trials and m i sfortu nes would bri ng matu rity later on. In Bucharest 1 953 , the 60-year­
old m aster fro m Czechoslovakia, Karel Opocensky, consoled me after a loss by
sayi ng: "You ngster, a man is being born i n a fight. . . "
Three years later I led the zonal tou rnament, t h e 28' h Soviet Champions h i p ,
M oscow 1 96 1 , a n d played bri l l i antly agai nst Polugaevsky . I saw a w i n i n two moves,
but changed m y m i nd at the decisive moment and made an i ncredible b l u nder! I lost
a w i n n i ng game and my nerves col lapsed . I could sti l l fight agai nst Leonid Stei n i n the
last ro u n d . The game was adjourned after forty moves i n a lost position for m e . I
resigned the game without res u m i n g . Again I lost three years! What had happened ?
This needs an explanatio n .
I n 1 956 t h e fam i l y ( m y mother and three chi ldre n ) had moved fro m a room of
1 4 m2 to a two-room apartment (28 m2) , from a s l u m to a palace . At that time one
could only i m p rove one's residence through the m u n ici pality . Cooperative housing or
rental apartments did not exist. lt is easy to u nderstand the long waiti ng list in the
mu nici pal ity! So we got a new apartment th anks to my chess successes.
I n 1 959 I married a student of the phi lological faculty, Nadejda Latyntzeva,
who was the same age as me. Our daughter Tanya was born in 1 960. Soon I
realized that our marriage had no future . We were bishops of opposite colo u rs. I
offered a d raw to my wife, a divorce. She objected and a war started. The only
solution was to find an exchange for the new apartment, where six people were living
o n 28 m2. I was stalemated . There was no solutio n . This was t h e third crucial point in
my life. The solution came from Cherkes Mikhail Jurjevich ( 1 909- 1 972 ) . H e was the
ch ief of the October Railway i n Leningrad and a great chess Maecenas . H e arranged
a one room apartment from the Sport club "Locomotive". My martial ex-wife moved to
the new place and peace was restored . This historical event took place in the
s u m mer of 1 96 1 . I will be g ratefu l to M i khail Ju rjevich till the last day of my life!
 Biographical appendix 151

The previous year, 1 960, was also difficult for m e . I got kidney stones, a poor
add ition to tonsi litis.
I g rad uated from u n iversity. The subject of my paper was 'Shakhmatny Listok
1859-63, the first Russian chess magazine. ' U nexpected ly, it s haped my pol itical
educati o n . For this work I had to read jou rnals from the 1 860's . I saw the Russian
culture at that time. What a beautifu l city St . Petersburg was ! I was completely
shocked . When I left the N ational Library , I found myself i n the sleepy, d readfu l ,
provincial town o f Leni ngrad . What a n abyss when Russia collapsed !
During the s u m mer I played fi rst board for the Soviet student team . I n the
decisive m atch against the Americans, I lost to Bill Lombardy and the American team
took first place ! My personal result was okay (+9, - 1 , =2) , but that gave me l ittle
consolatio n .
A t the 271h championship o f t h e USSR , I scored my worst performance (place
9-1 0 ) . That year I played a lot: a shared fi rst place with Fischer i n Mar del Plata 1 960
(+ 1 2 , -0, =3) and fi rst place i n the championship of 'Trud' (+8, -0, =7) .
My problem was an i n secu re base , due to the divorce from my wife and split
from Kasimirovich.
I n Riga 1 958 K. was very upset with my fai l u re for the i nterzonal . He did not
like the g i rl I chose. H e even found me a bride in Riga! Poor good m a n , poor K! He
was right. His pred iction about me, "Ju nior will drop this g i rl", was correct. His general
concl usion was right as wel l! "Ju n ior is wanderi ng on the left ! " ( i nstead of being on
the right) . He was really suffe ring from my problems , which I created with each step.
During 1 952-60 K. was i nvolved i n my affai rs with the KGB, school , u n iversity, militia,
chess federation of Len i n g rad , chess federation of the USSR and finally my cou rt
affair. He was a powe rful shield, but h i s patience was l i mited . He slowly left m e ,
co mplai n i ng that I had become an ungu ided missile . H e became exhausted .
We met each other frequ ently later, but never touched o u r relationship d u ri ng
the period of 1 952-60 . I was waiting for it, but K. remained silent. His friendly
relations with Bondarevsky were broken off. Every time I met K., I felt that he was
i n s u lted , but did not l i ke to show it. During my match agai nst Petrosian in 1 966, I met
K. on the stai rs of the Estrada Theatre in Moscow. He was pale and breathing heavily
and h ad j ust su rvived a heart attack. Walking down he uttered: "The missi les
explode, closer and closer."
Thanks to K. my play became active over the whole board . My i magi nati o n ,
i ntuiti o n , sacrifices a n d tactics i m p roved . I had al most reached my g reatest strength ,
staying cool d u ring the crisis. Later ( i n the period of 1 963-70) this m ade me the
strongest middle game player. Yugoslav chess magazi nes gave me the flattering
name of "Shahovsky Pushkin", because of my harmonic and elegant style, I ass u m e .
The spirit o f i n itiative a n d enterprise played an important ro le i n my victory over
Petrosian i n 1 969. In the sacrificial 1 91 h game (2. 1 5 ) , 'K's can non roared ' , as E. Geller
wrote . K. died fo u r months before I became World Champi o n . At his fu neral h i s
widow, Valentina lvanovna, told me that he knew when he was g o i n g t o die. During
his last hours , he arranged everyt h i ng to do with his debts and other m atters . He left
this world courageously, without fuss, 'fu ndamentally', just as he used to attack over
the whole board .
K. was a complete , proud and independent person, un aristocrat de /'esprit. I
re member h i m with g reat tenderness and cherish his memory .
1 52 Grand Strategy

Father (F.)
I n the beg i n n i ng of 1 96 1 I started to cooperate with g rand m aster lgor
Zakharovich Bondarevsky ( 1 9 1 3-1 979) . I called h i m 'father'. D u ring the civil war, the
U krai nian i n s u rgent peasants gave their leader and hero Nestor Makhno this name.
The years 1 96 1 -69 were the best i n my life. F. became my friend, clever adviser,
excellent coac h , a good psychologist and , to a certain deg ree , my father. The age
difference of 24 years gave me respect. M i raculously, we found a sense of m utual
confidence. When I did someth i ng stu pid , F . never lectu red me, but remained silent. I
i m m ed iately realised what I had done. That was a pedagog ical talent and gift of God .
He did not pressu rize m e . I felt comfortable with F. He got me when I was 24.
K. watched over me at the worst age of 1 5 to 23, when a young man shapes
his personality. His qual ities were top leve l , but he could not find the right approach
to me. He was an i nteger person , but i nflexible. K. could not find an excuse for other
people's defects , because he did not have these fau lts h i mself. This i nteresti ng
observation was made by m aster Dmitrij Rovner ( 1 908- 1 986) .
F. was m o re flexible. Thanks to h i m , I always had a sense of g reat moral
support.
At the end of the 281h Championsh i p , Moscow 1 96 1 , F . had j ust retu rned from
the 1 960/6 1 H asti ngs tournament. My second i n the tournament was K . A . Klaman .
During the analysis of my adjou rned game against L. Ste i n , the three of us decided to
resign it. I started a new life.
At that time I was homeless ( M .J. Cherkes would save me d u ring the s u m mer
of 1 96 1 ) . F . gave me a home and food . He had a th ree-room apartment i n Leni ngrad .
H i s salary was m iserable. So we wrote some theoretical articles about ope n i ngs
(to u rnament s u rveys ) , which brought us small amou nts of money.
F . knew very well what I needed to make my character harder: endurance,
persistence and d isci pline. I got the o rder to play ti l l the last paw n . In order to
i m p rove my tech nique, F . collected typical endgame positions, gathered studies and
switched on the clock. He wanted to improve the rapidity and quality of my play. Here
fol l ows some of the fru its of o u r exercises .

Nikolai Grigoriev
Shakhmaty v SSSR 1 9 32
F. set up the position and switched
on the clock. After twenty minutes
I pointed to the g2 square. "Oho!
Bravo!" he said.

The main variation is:

1. wf5! we3 2. w e 5 c6 3. a4 \t>d3 4.
a 5 c 5 5 . a6 c4 6. a 7 c3 7. a8� c2 8.
�d 5 t ! we 3 ! 9. Wt'g2 ! ! and White
wins.

White begins and wins

 Biographical appendix 1 53

We analysed middle game positions, mostly from his correspondence

tournaments. He did not l i ke to analyse openi ngs. During the Candidates' m atches,
the openings were my choice . He let me make i ndependent decisio n s , inspired m e
a n d p u l led me o u t o f my lazi ness. lt was really i mportant that F. never gave m e well­
prepared chess food - that one only needs to open one's mouth and swallow. He
knew how to stimulate me and make me work. That was his secret.
But h i s analyses were excel lent when I had an adjou rned game. That was my
highly sec u re bas i s . lt gave me fantastic moral and practical support . I had the best
computer in the worl d , called . . . I .Z. Bondarevsky !
lgor Zakharovich Bondarevsky had descended from the Don Cossacks . H i s
n ickname 'Cossack o f t h e Don' was used b y his colleagues i n the 1 940-50-60's. H e
had a handsome Turkish appearance ( h i s grandmother was a Tu rk) . H e would have
been an ideal G regory Melekhov for the film 'The Qu iet Don' by M i khail Sholokhov.
H i s movements were smooth and his g lance was penetrati ng . H i s solid behavio u r
suggested a clever a n d balanced m a n . A t public meeti ngs he presented hi mself a s a
dign ified and modest person . H i s natu ral gifts were g reat, but he did not brag about
the m . H e had a sharp, lively, inquisitive and observational i ntellect and an explosive
temperament. Ambition and van ity made it i m possible for him to forg ive the sins of
others . In 1 969, Botvi n n i k asked me to offer peace to F . U nfortunately, F . refused.
Bronste i n did the same. F . refused to recog nise his m istakes due to his i nfal l i b i l ity­
complex .
He knew how to hide his feelings, how to dodge. He had a good sense of
danger. When he was afraid of someth i n g , he always put on a martial , brave face .
Women l i ked h i m . He l i ked alcohol and drank l i ke a Cossack, lifting his right elbow.
The young F . had d reamed of beco m i ng a m athematicia n . H e was a student
of the mathematical facu lty of Rostov Pedagog ical I n stitute. Student agitation,
fo llowed by arrests i n the i n stitute, changed his fate . H e became a professional chess
player. His fantastic combi national talent brought him the title of g randmaster in
1 94 0 , when he shared fi rst prize with Lilienthal i n the Soviet Championsh i p . H i s
nervous system w a s damaged i n t h e World War 11. The ambition transformed from
over-the-board playing i nto authorship and coach i n g . His last tou rnament was the
3 1 'h Soviet Championship, Leningrad 1 963, where we played together. His previous
experience as a coach was : P . Keres ( 1 948 ) , E . Geller ( 1 952-56) and V. Smyslov
( 1 957) .
I n 1 96 1 F. was a sick man. His weight was 96 kg ! A rthritis of the legs was h i s
disease. lt seemed that his l e g s would have to b e amputated . The head s u rgeon o f
the Medical M i l itary Academy, Shapiro Leonid Osipovich (a candidate chess m aster)
looked after F . Drinking and smoking were forbidden for h i m , but he did not fol low
docto r's orders . I often accompanied F . to the hospita l . Even then he was a g reat
e n i g m a to me, and his health improved ! Anyway , our new al liance i nspired both of
us. In November 1 96 1 , I won the Soviet Champions h i p ! My second was i nternational
master Lev Aron i n , a nice and good person .
This victory showed w e were on the right track! M y base was protected ,
because my fam i ly got separated from my martial ex-wife . I had time u ntil 1 963 for
the new qual ification cycle , and could enjoy my life without responsibi l ity.
But while my life was getting better, F's was on a downward curve. His fam ily
l ife with Anto n i n a Stepanovna, a very n ice perso n , was over. H e was at a crucial
point i n h i s l ife . . .
1 54 Grand Strategy

F. made a new plan . I n the beg i n n i n g of 1 963 he sai d : "The KGB is too curious
about you. Move to Moscow ! " I loved my native city, but it was time to leave and I did.
Thanks to "Locomotive" I got a 20 m2 studio ( room and kitchen) at Fabrichnaya
Statio n , 40 km from Moscow. When this happened, in 1 964 , I was happy ! Nobody
d i stu rbed me in my castle ! lt was 1 5 m from the statio n . When trai ns passed , my
castle trembled ( l i ke an asp leave , as the Russian saying has it) , but it did not disturb
me ! My climb of the Olympus started i n my castle at Fabrichnaya Statio n !

M y climb o f the Olympus

In 1 966 a publishing house i n Kaluga, a small town near Moscow, published a
book by F. "Spassky storms the Olympus". F. describes o u r way to the championship
m atch agai nst Petrosian , i n which I played 98 qualification games. I l i ke this book, but
find the title too pretentious. We passed seven stages : Soviet semi -fi nal, Soviet final,
Zonal , l nterzonal and th ree Candidates' matches. F . was always with m e ! The most
d ifficu lt step was the l nterzo nal, Amsterdam 1 964. Acco rdi ng to the F I D E rules , only
three out of five Soviet grand masters could qual ify. This meant that the fou rth Soviet
player i n fifth place did not qual ify, but the foreigner in eighth place d i d . How u nfai r !
T h e d a i l y t i m e sched ule of t h e tournament was hard : five hours o f play, a two-hour
break with a bad d i nner, and two hours for the adjou rned games. I had many
adjou rned games ! I n ro und one, I lost to Darga. F . gave me the order to w i n nine
games i n a row ! I scored 8V2 out of 9 and joi ned the lead i ng group. At the end of the
tournament, I lost an equal position of an adjou rned game against Larsen . I thought I
failed to qual ify for the third time, after Riga 1 958 and Moscow 1 96 1 . Suddenly I
heard F . 's word s : "Don't worry , you have qualified . " F. was a fantastic coach d u ring
these seven stages. I have no doubt : He made the most of his coach ing !

I tease the Tiger

After Petrosian's victo ry over Botvi n n i k i n 1 963 , P. reig ned but he did not rule.
H e was not the strongest chess player i n the world . Th ree g rand m aste rs , Fischer,
Larsen and myself were no weaker, probably even better. As the officlal World
Champion, P. had a serious advantage. He was wel l protected, socially as well as
pol itical ly. H e had the powerf u l support from the top of the com m u n i stic pyramid and
a strong position as editor- i n -chief of the leading chess magazine "64 ". H e was
treated as a national hero by the Armenian people. His su pport ranged from the
leader of the Armenian C h u rch to the common Armenian citizen . And he deserved it.
Who was I? A poor student. Thanks to ' Locomotive' , I 'castled' from
Fabrich naya to a tiny apartment, opposite the famous Butryrskaya Priso n . The high
wall I saw from my wi ndow did not fi l l me with joy. I was not married and did not have
enough money. Nevertheless, I was a happy man ! I was not a C o m m u n i st, so I had
no obligati o n s . Chess was all I had ! I n this position I could solve any problem fast. I
was not overloaded with opening analyses . Computers did not exist for chess. I could
only re ly on myself and F! He gave me tremendous moral and practical support .
Between 1 963 a n d 6 6 , w e l ived a s 'travel l i ng musicians' . F . was homeless. Later h e
moved t o Piatigorsk, where his new young wife, Valentina Kozlovskaya, lived .
Before the match we had no serious preparatio n . We spent two m o nths i n a
sanatorium i n Sotc h i . The difficult qual ification had been exhausti n g , and I played
other sports to restore my physical conditi o n . Now, many decades later, I think, F.
understood very well that we wo u ld not be able to take the castle that was Petrosian .
 Biographical appendix 155

D u ring the match we lived i n one room of ' Moskva' Hote l . For l u nc h , I had to
queue for a buffet located on the same floor. In front of the buffet, there was a
strange slogan . ' Donneur is the best friend of patients . ' The mean ing of this bizarre
poster is sti ll an enigma to me. The boring atmosphere was depressive, but the
match for the world championship should be a festival of chess ! When Smyslov's
fam i l y offered me to l u nch with them, I was happy. Because of Nadejda Andreevna's
fine meals I was asleep d u ring the fi rst two hours of the game. I woke up somewhere
in the middle game. After twelve games of the matc h , my score was m i n u s two (5-7) .
I had equal ised after the n i n eteenth game (8V2-8Y2) . I was full of enthusiasm and
decided that I would win the m atch ! In reality I was i n mortal danger. The wou nded
Tiger was ready to kill or die !
We spent the free day together with V. Smyslov on a boat i n the s u n s h i n e . lt
was a hot Spring day . The next day I was bright red . F . asked me to take a timeout.
Although I had th ree ti meouts i n reserve , I refu sed . That was stupid ! P . won the 20'h
game eas i l y ! And the match . . .
At the banquet i n honour of P . , I respectfully said : " Before the m atch I
regarded the chess world as a democracy. Now I see it is a monarchy, and the king
is sitting near me" . . .
The effects o f the match were very positive and educational :
1. I got a fantastic experience
2. I got al most th ree years of free life without responsibilities or obl igations
3. I preserved my health and strength
4. I gai ned weight, j u mping from 72 to 78 kilos, which was not g reat
5. Such a match needs a professional organ isation
6. Such a m atch needs good ope n i ng preparation
7. Such a m atch needs mental preparatio n as wel l .
A challenger must fanatically believe in the inevitability o f his victory. I didn't
know this then .
Two months after the matc h , I won the g reatest tournament of my life, Santa
M o n ica 1 966. Fischer was second, Larsen third , U n zicker fou rt h and P. fift h . I won
$5000 and could pay my seconds. P . was reigning, I was ru l i ng . I was a good Soviet
citize n . The Soviet leaders could sleep qu ietly, because the monster Fischer had not
woken u p yet. During the whole year of 1 967, I was trave l l i n g , playing and enjoying
life.
The fol lowing year, 1 968, I entered the Candidates' matches di rectly, as a
final ist. I won them with relative ease :
the quarter-fi nal versus Geller: + 3 , -0, =5,
the semi-final versus Larsen : + 4 , - 1 , =3, and
the final versus Korch noi : +4, - 1 , =5.
Larsen called h i mself the n u mber one player i n the world at that time. For my
win over h i m , the g rateful Soviet authorities gave me the Badge of Merit. In 1 955 I
got a medal for 'valorous labour'. That's all I got.

I m pressions of the 1969 match

In 1 967 Bobby Fischer d ropped from the i nterzonal tou rnament i n Sousse.
Oth e rwise we could have met him i n the Candidates' final . it's hard to say whether
that m atch could have been arranged . When Bobby lacked confidence, he used to
1 56 Grand Strategy

start the fight outside the chess board , mostly agai nst the organizers. At that time I
felt stro nger than Fischer. I played better i n the middle game, and was more stable
psycholog ical ly. My nerves were in good shape.
In 1 969 I am an experienced match player. For three months I had done a
special preparation with F. and my new second, grand master N . Krog i u s . Thanks to
F. the o rganisational preparation was on a professional leve l . Our headquarters was
a rented house, 35 km from Moscow. My new wife , Larissa Spassky ( Soloviev) joi ned
us to m ake our l ife comfortable. We had married i n 1 966. We even had a car d river,
E. Lindgre n , who d rove us back and forth from the house to the playi ng hal l . My
fighting spi rit was prepared for a battle to the last pawn ! I will deal with the cou rse of
the m atch i n fou r parts :
1. Games 1 -9 , m y sprint and fatigue
2. Games 1 0 - 1 3 , I am a punch bag
3. Games 1 4- 1 7 , the turning point
4. Games 1 8-23, my final offensive .

1 . Games 1 -9, my sprint and fatigue

Full of energy and enthusias m , I rushed forward . The fi rst game was nervous
and tense. I n the adjou rned position I had to fight for a d raw . F . fou nd it! But
someth i ng h appened .

Spassky - Tigran Petrosian 49. wf3 b2 50. �a2 gxh 5 5 1 . n xh 5

1 '1 game World Championship neI
Moscow 1 969

This position had been analysed at

The adjourned game was resumed.
4 1 . .. ttJe4 4 2 . n d 7t wf6 4 3 . n xh 7
ne It 44. w g 2 ttJc 5 4 5 . �f7! b3 46.
g 5 t ! wxg 5 4 7. h4t wf6 48. h5
nc2t?
Boleslavsky considers 48. .. g5! 49.
$..g6! b2 50. n f7t we6 51. :t g7 as
drawn, but 51. .. we5! 52. n e ?t ttJe6
53. n b7 ttJf4t 54. wg3 ttJxg6 seems
to win for Black (JvR).
home.
5 2 . n h6t??
F. found 52. we3! ttJa4 53. J::!. h4 ttJc3
54. l:t b4 n al 55. wd3 drawn.
52 . .. w e 5 5 3 . .t: b6 ttJa4 54. ::t e6 t
w d 4 5 5 . n e4 t w c 5 56. n xa4 nal
5 7. ::t c4 t wb 5 58 . .t: c 8 n xa2 0-1
It's a pity that I did not eat F's fine
fruit and it upset him greatly.
Actually, my fault had a non-chess
 Biographical appendix 157

reason. I was five minu tes late for According to the analyses o f Jan
the fi rst game and deserved van Reek, my adj ourned game i s
punishment. This persecuted me. It p robably l o s t . But F's 'chess n o s e '
happened eventually. predicted a practical e s c a p e .

I n game 2 and 3 , I pressed P . and ach ieved two d raws . I won game 4 and 5 ,
g a m e 6 a n d 7 were d raws . I n t h e game 8 P . blu ndered i n t h e middle g a m e a n d lost.
D u ri ng the fi rst eight games, I pressu red P . and held him i n tension. Both of us
considered game 4 game as my best ach ievement. P . writes about it: " I consider it
his best, because it was most typical of the strategy plan ned and rigorously carried
out by Spassky i n this matc h . What it entailed - active piece play, caref u l l y
mai ntained throughout the entire session - is n o t simple, si nce piece play is a
'perishable product' . Spassky displayed rare ski l l i n mai ntai ning the tension i n the
positio n , constantly finding ways to keep his opponent on edge" (The games of
Tigran Petrosian , vol u m e 2, pages 1 24 - 1 25) .

In the 9 ' h game P. gave me a fight. I target so close, I got t e rrib ly tired .
accepted it, although I fe lt already No doubt t h e match doctor would
very tire d . P. had missed his best have given me a certificate for a
chances i n a sharp fight, when we timeout.
reached the following p o s ition. To become World Champion,
should have u s e d a timeout for
Spassky - Tigran Petrosian analysing the winning position. I
9" game World Championship found this humiliating and rej e c t e d
M o s cow 1 96 9 t h e idea. During the analys e s I fel t
ill a n d w a s not confident a b o u t m y
succ e s s . I c o u l d not sleep well.
The game was resumed. I p l ayed
like a somnambulant.
4 1 . liJc4 liJh7 4 2 . �g2 �f8 43. J::t a2
J::t b7 44. 'it>c2 �.e 7 45. J::t b l �b8 46.
n ab2 liJaB 4 7. ::t a2 ?
T h e win is forced by 4 7 . a S ! J::t a 7
4 8 . ::t a 2 � d 8 4 9 . w d 3 ! � d 7 so.
axb6 nxa2 5 1 . �xa2 liJxb6 5 2 .
�.xc 5 ! liJxc4 5 3 . �xc4 dxc 5 5 4 . d 6 t .
4 7 . .. ..lil.dB! 48. wd3 �d7 49. n ba l
P. wro t e : " W h e n t h e g a m e was tUfB SO. wc2 .�e8 5 I . '@'e2 J;,c 7 5 2 .
adj ourned, i t was time for me to J::t fl .il.d8 5 3 . ::t aa l liJh7 5 4 . J::t g l
resign. As chess wits would say: tUfB S S . i..d2 4Jh7 56. J::t a3 liJfB 5 7.
"Black was the exchange down, but J::t ga l 4Jh7 5 8 . a S ? ! bxa S 59. liJxa S
he had a bad position to .�.xa S 60. J::t xa S liJc 7 6 1 . n b l 4Jf8
compensate . " 62 . . �e3 tUd 7 6 3 . � f2 wg7 64. wd3
I f I could w i n t h e game, t h e match wgB 6 5 . �a2 liJb6 'k '/2
would be over. The score o f + 3 and I n a better position, I o ffered a
my moral boost would have draw, which P. accepted. If P. had
overcome my fatigue . With the declined, I would not have survived
1 58 Grand Strategy

because I fe lt dead. F. invi ted h i s Armenian friends and

P. wro t e : ... I strongly sensed that
" gave an evening party at our house.
after game 9 Spas s ky was in a state I regarded his friends as s p i e s from
which i s best characteri sed by the the opponent's camp. Their
boxing term 'groggy ' . " presence at our headquarters
After game 9 I t o o k a timeout . shocked me.

In game 9 I fai led to destroy my wou nded opponent and win the m atch ! lt
strongly affected me. F's action damaged me as wel l . I was exhausted physical ly and
m ental ly. My fighting spi rit was broke n . I needed time for recovery . At the other side
P . felt my weakness, recovered and was ready to fig ht! I was s i n king i nto a black
hole . . . My +2 score was not so i m po rtant as the moral factor.
I started a marathon as a sprint and nearly won the m atch as a ' B l itzkrieg ' . If
you can not develop and successfu lly fi nish the assau lt, everything goes against you !
T h i n k of the German army near Moscow i n 1 94 1 .
After game 9 I was handicapped , because I had made P . come to life !
F . was proud o f m y two-point lead . H e could not ( o r did not l i ke to) realize the
situati o n . This caused a distance i n our relations. This was the first critical moment o f
the match. And I could only rely on myself, a g reat pity !

2. Games 10-1 3, I am a punch bag

I lost game 1 0 and 1 1 game without resistance . P had a solid advantage in
game 1 2 but let me escape. That was an i mportant moral victory for me. H aving
Wh ite I d rew i n game 1 3 . I was ready to fight agai n .

3 . Games 14-17, the turn ing point

Eventually I came back from the 'black hole' . At the end of the fi rst session of
game 1 4 , I played 43 . . . we4 ? ? a tempo, i nstead of seal i n g a move. H appy, P. sealed
his move. Fortunately I learned about my b l u nder the next morn i n g , so I could sleep
wel l . Strangely enough , it amused m e . My coaches F . and Krog ius had d iscovered
my blu nder at 2 o'clock in the morn i n g . This collective bli ndness is a rare
phenomeno n . Fortu nately I took it i n a good spirit at a d ifficult moment !

Tigran Petrosian - Spassky 4 3 . . . we4?? 4 4 . f3 t !

1 41h game World Cha mpionship
M o s c ow 19 6 9
P. h a s sealed t h e right move.
44 . .. wxe 3 4 5 . rt d2 ! .l::l. b 3 t 46.
ttJxb 3 cxb 3 4 7. n d ? h5 48. n a 7
�fl ! 49. f4 h 4 5 0 . gxh4 wxf4 5 1 .
l: xa 5 we4 5 2 . wxb3??
P. misses the win 5 2 . na8 f4 5 3 .
n e s t w f3 5 4 . rt e 6 !
5 2 . . . f4 5 3 . n g 5 f 3 5 4 . n xg6 �.h3!
55 . .l::l. g l f2 56 . .!::!. c l 1k 1/2
P. wrote: . . . I fu lly settled u p \Vi th
"

Spas sky for game 9 : I fai l e d to win

the adj ourned position in game 14
where I was the exchange u p . "
 Biographical appendix 159

If P . had won the game, I would have been i n a hard psychological situati o n .
That was t h e second critical point i n t h e match !
After d raws i n game 1 5 and 1 6 , we reached the decisive game 1 7 . The score
was equal at 8-8. My spirit and physical shape were good , but my base was dubious.
This needs an explanati o n . After my catastrophe i n game 9, I decided to be alone
more freq uently. I started to use my small apartment opposite the Butryrkaya Prison
and l isten to my favou rite music. I also didn't l i ke the hour of fast d rivi ng over 35 km
from our headquarter i n Krasnaya Pachre to the playing hall i n the ' E strada Theatre ' .
F . regarded i t a s a caprice. He d rew t h e concl usion that I was u ng ratefu l for
h i s organisational work i n our rental house. Two hours before the 1 71 h game, he
decided to clear u p the situation and declared his u ltimatu m : "You m u st follow my
reco m me ndations o r I will leave you". I can say to his credit that h e had never m ade
such strong moves before , but always took care of m e . Obviously, h e was worried
about the outcome of the matc h . His nerves collapsed . My response was : " F . , I w i l l
fol low the way that I co nsider a s t h e right o n e " . "Okay , it is up t o you !" So I lost my
coach before the game had started .
Now, let us look at the other side of the decisive battle. A word from P . : " I t h i n k
I lost the m atch i n g a m e 1 7 , a t t h e p o i n t w h e n I offered a draw. My position a t that
point was slig htly more pleasant, yet when I offered a d raw I was s u re that Spassky
wo u ld decl i n e . But the rejection of a draw usually i m poses certai n obligati o n s , and I
had reason to expect that Spassky would overreach h i mself".

Spassky - Tigran Petrosian have had to regret his rej ection of

1 7h game World Cha mpionship the draw. But alas, I did no t " .
Mos cow 1 96 9 P . means t h e move 2 3 . . . CL:l d 5 ! The
relatively best answer is 2 4 . n xd 5 !
exd 5 2 5 . n x e 7 dxc4 2 6 . h 4 ! ( 2 6 .
n xf7 nxg2 t ! ) 2 6 . . . 1'l. g4 2 7 . f3 ! 1'l. g6
2 8 . bxc 4 .
24 . .iRxf6 gxf6 2 5 . n d 7 n cs 26.
'*l'b7 '@'xb 7 2 7. n xb 7 >t>f8 2 8 . a4
. ;;; .b4 29. n e 3 n ds 30. g3 rt d l t 3 1 .
>t>g2 n c 5 3 2 . n f3 f5?

" A n d i n d e e d , t w o move s l a t e r , with

a nervous movement o f his hand,
S p a s sky ' flung' his qu een into my
p o s i t ion. My expectation had been
corre c t " .
2 3 . '&c 7?!
2 3 . '& f3 n: fs repeats the p o s i tion.
2 3 . .. r:. e 8?!
" S p a s sky overreached himself, and
had I played correctly, he would
160 Grand Strategy

" Angry with myself, I l o s t a level �g7 45 . .!1 6h 5 f3 t 46. �g3 ll xh S

endgame without a struggl e " .
3 3 . g 4 ! ll d4 34. gxfS exfS 3 5 .
ll b 8 t <t; e ? 3 6 . n e 3 t <.t>f6 3 7 . .t�. b6t
w g 7 38. n g 3 t wf8 39. n b s t we?
40. ne3t � f6 4 1 . n b6 t wg7 4 2 .
n g 3 t wfs 4 3 . .t:. xh6 f 4 4 4 . n gh3!
4 7. n xhs n d 3 4 8 . tZJxa S �g6 49.
nbs j,xa S so. n xa S n xb 3 5 1 . n aB !
n a 3 5 2 . a s w f s 5 3 . a 6 w g 6 54. a ?
wg7 s s . h 4 wh7 56. h s wg7 5 7.
h6t wh7 ss. wf4 1 - o

F. did not leave me after the victory . During the game I was strongly convinced
that h e was on P . 's side, trying to punish m e ! I knew h i m very wel l , his strong and
weak sides and accepted h i m as he was . My respect for h i m was g reat and I don't
think I have the right to reproach h i m about anyth i ng !

5. Games 18-23, my final offensive

P. wrote about the last part of the matc h : "The disaster i n this game also
explains the stupid choice of opening i n the 1 91 h and 2 1 51 games. With his belief i n his
powers restored , Spassky cond ucted these games l i ke a Champion . The last game
i n the m atch - the 23 'd - was adjourned i n a hopeless position for me".

Spassky - Tigran Petrosian Spassky had sealed 4 1 . c6 .

23rd game World Championship
M o scow 1 9 6 9 P. wrote : "On the day the game was
due to be resumed, the day before my
b i rthday, at 1 1 o'clock the Match
Arbiter O ' Kelly phoned m e :
'Spassky h a s offered a d raw . '
'We l l , if Spassky wants t o have 1 2112
poi nts rather than 1 3 , that is his
busi ness. I was i nten d i ng to resi g n the
game, but if he wishes to give me a
present of half a point, I am not so
proud as to decl i n e . '
That was t h e formal end o f the m atc h . "

Boris Spassky
 Biographical appendix 161

B . Elegant attacks

Spassky is famous for his bri l liant attacks . His short wins are ideal material for
chess jou rnalists. Six examples from the period u ntil 1 970 are s hown in this sectio n .
H i s development was sti m u l ated b y h i s trai ner Tolu s h , w h o l i ked t o attack i n h i s own
games. In the fi rst example he beats a future software tycoon o n the way to his fi rst
world title.

6 . 1. Spassky - joop van Oosterom King ' s Gambit, a d i s sident opening

Youth ' World Championship
Antwerp 1 9 5 5
1 . d4 tZJf6 2 . c4 g6 3 . lZJc 3 .� g 7 4 . e4
d6 5. f3 0-0 6. 1;:,e3 e5 7 . ..':Uge2 lZJc6
8. 'M'd2 ..':Lid?!? 9. 0-0-0 a6?
Black is wast ing valuable time. 9 . . .
tZJb6 1 0 . b 3 exd4 1 1 . lZJxd4 a S
would have given him counter-p lay.
1 0. d 5 ! lZJa 7 1 1 . g4! b5 1 2 . lZJg3
bxc4 1 3 . h4 f6?! 14. h 5 W/e7 1 5 .
hxg6 hxg6 1 6. '& h2 \t>f7
i n dialectic materiali s m .
6 . 2 . Spassky - Semen Furman
Sem i-final Sovie t Championship
Tallinn 1 9 5 9
1 . e 4 e 5 2 . f4 exf4 3 . lZJc 3 ! ? �h4t
4. we2 d 5 5 . iLlxd 5 �d6 6. d4 �g4t
7. tZJf3 lZJc6 8. e5!? 0-0-0!? 9 . . �.xf4
White avoids 9. exd6 J::t xd6 10. c4
.txf3 t 1 1 . gxf3 lZJf6.
9 . .. lZJge 7 1 0. c4 tZJf5
A wild figh t follows after 1 0 . ..
�.b4 ! 1 1 . a 3 .�. a s 1 2 . . �.g 3 � g 5 ! 1 3 .
b4 .�. b 6 .
1 1 . exd6

The s t orm o n the kingside changes

into a tornado.
1 7. tZJf5 ! gxf5
The point is 1 7 . . . � e 8 1 8 . lZJxg 7
wxg 7 1 9 . '& h 7#. Spassky fights with his king in the
1 8. -& h 5 t wg8 1 9. gxf5 I H7 20. grand style o f Steini t z .
.;;.,e 2 ..':Uc 5 1 1 . .. lZJfxd4 t??
Black l o s e s l e s s quickly in 20 . . . '>t> f8 Black captures the piece with 11 . . .

2 1 . I'!. dg 1 '& e 8 2 2 . � h 7 . lZJcxd4 t ! 1 2 . w d 3 �xf3 1 3 . gxf3 c 6 !

2 l . l'X dg 1 '@' d 7 2 2 . � h 8 mate. 1 4 . '!W e 1 'tlf h 5 1 5 . 'tlf f2 cxd 5 .
1 2 . wd3 'Wh5 1 3 . .�.e2 lZJe6 1 4.
S p a s s ky has a preference for the $.g3 cxd6 1 5 . b4 J::t he8 1 6. J::t e 1
1 62
tiJc 7 1 7. <>t> c 3
T h e k i n g fl e e s to t h e queenside.
1 7 . . . -& h6 1 8. � c l euxd S t 1 9.
cxd S H e 3 t 20. �d3 -& f6 t 2 1 . wc2
n xe l 22. il..xe l �xf3 23. dxc6
� .xc6 24. Jl.c 3 'i!-\'f2 t 2 S . �d2 .�a4t
26. wb2 -& h4 27 . . �,xg 7 wb8 28. g3
Wg4 2 9 . ..&J6 .!':l c8 30. n c l J:I e8 3 1 .
b S 1 -0
6.3. Spassky - Bobby Fischer
Mar del Plata 1 9 60
1. e4 e S 2 . f4 exf4 3 . I'Llf3 g S 4. h4
g4 s. �e s .:2Jf6 6. d4 d6 7. ttJd3
t2Jxe4 8. ·* xf4 .� g 7 9. ttJc 3?
Solid theory in the Berlin Defence
o f the Kieseritzky Gamb i t i s 9. c 3 .
9 . .. euxc 3 1 0. bxc 3 c s 1 1 . �e2
cxd4 1 2 . 0-0!? I'Llc6 1 3 . �xg4 0-0
14 . .t,xc8 n xc8 I S . '&g4 fs 1 6. �g3
dxc 3 17 . .!':l ae l !?
Opp ortunism keeps him alive.
1 7 . .. wh8 1 8. <>t> h l n g8 1 9. �xd6
.H8 ! 20 . . �e s t euxe s 2 1 . �xe s t
H g 7! 2 2 . :t xfS '15'xh4 t 2 3 . '>t>g l �g4
During the p o s t -mortem, Spassky
showed 2 3 . . . '& g 3 ! 2 4 . 'flt' xg 3 .!'t xg 3
w i t h a di fficult endgame.
24. ll f2 .�.e 7 2 S . n e4 '*VgS 2 6. -&d4
.l'l. f8??
B l a c k can p l ay 26 . . . b6, because 2 7 .
J:. e 5 ? fai l s to 2 7 . . . .H6 .
Fischer is hoping for 2 7 . t2Je 5 ? l::. xf2
2 8 . '*Vxf2 .ltc 5 ! 2 9 . '&xc 5 'fqxg2#.
Grand Strategy
2 7. H e S ! l'!. d8
The points are 2 7 . . . ...t f6 2 8 . '*V d 6 !
a n d 2 7 . . . '& g 6 2 8 . n xe 7 !
2 8 . � e 4 �h4 2 9 . .!':l f4 1 - 0
Black loses a piece.
Spas s ky demonstrated his tactical
superiority to Fischer three times
before their match in 1 9 7 2 .
6.4. Spassky - Larry Evans
Olympiad
Varna 1 9 6 2
1 . d 4 I'Llf6 2. c 4 g 6 3 . t2Jc 3 il..g 7 4. e4
d6 S . f3 c6 6. �.e3 a6 7. '¥i'd2 b S 8.
0-0-0!? bxc4?
Evans p anic s . A nice variation i s 8 .
. . � a S ! 9 . e 5 b4 I 0. exf6 bxc 3 1 1 .
fxg 7 cxd2 t 1 2 . .� .xd2 � x d 2 t 1 3 .
.r!xd2 J:l g 8 ( Sherwin R. Byrne, New
-
York 1 9 6 2 ) .
9 . . �xc4 0-0 1 0. h 4 d S !? 1 1 . .Z;.b 3
dxe4
Simple human beings play 1 2 . fxe4 .
1 2 . h S ! exf3
Black avoids 1 2 . . . I'Llxh 5 1 3 . g 4 !
1 3 . hxg6 hxg6 1 4 . �h6! fxg2 1 5 .
- J:l h4 ! ltJg4 1 6 . jxg7 wxg 7 1 7. 'f1xg2
l2lh6 1 8. ltJf3 ltJfS 1 9. l'!. h2 %¥d6
Too few defenders guard the open
kingside. Black also loses in the
variation 19 . . . e 6 20. l'!. dh 1 .!':lg8 2 1 .
l'!. h 7 t w f8 2 2 . ltJe4 n a 7 2 3 . n h 8 !
 Biographical appendix
20. c/Je 5 :Ud7 2 1 . :Ue4 'f!fc7 2 2 .
n dh 1 l=!. g8 2 3 . l'1 h 7t c;t;>f8 24. n xf7t
we8
The final is drastic.
2 5 . '&xg6! �1Jxe 5 26. 11 f8 t 1 - 0
White mates in one.
When Bond arevsky became his
trainer, Spas sky continued to play
attractively, like in the above game.
More demanding play was needed
in the Candidat e s ' matche s .
6.5. Spassky - Bent Larsen
1 '1 game of Candida tes ' se mi final
Malmo 1 9 6 8
1 . d 4 .:tJf6 2 . t"tJf3 d 5 3 . c4 c6 4.
cxd 5 cxd 5 5 . �f4 ti:Jc6 6. ti:Jc 3 c\H5
7. e 3 e6 8 . . &.b 5 tLJd 7 9. 0-0 .il.e 7 1 0.
n c 1 o-o 1 1 . h3 n c8 1 2 . . �d3 $.xd3
1 3 . '&xd3 .:tJb6 1 4. �e2 a6 1 5 . ti:Je 1
:Uc4 1 6. 0.d 3 :Ub4 1 7. b3 �d3 1 8.
'M'xd3 tLJb6 1 9. f3 .�.d6 20. 1'Lle2
'&e7 2 1 . $.xd6 'i'Wxd6 2 2 . '&d2
S p a s sky starts the match qu ietly.
Larsen loses his patience and
chooses a bad plan.
2 2 . . . -&a3? 23. ttJf4 ! n xc 1 24. n xc 1
n c 8 2 5 . n xc 8 t 1'Llxc8 26. '/1Wc2
White controls the open fil e .
2 6 . . . rue ? 2 7. 'f!J c 7 g6
Black escapes with 2 7 . . . h 6 ! 2 8 .
163
� d 8 t o h 7 2 9 . � f8 � c l t ! 3 0 . o h 2
ti:J f 5 3 1 . �xf7 ti:Jxe 3 3 2 . ti:Jxe6 ttJ f l t
3 3 . wg l ti:Jg3 t ! 3 4 . w f2 ti:lh l t .
28. ttJd3 ttJf5 29. g4! ti:Jh6 30. ti:Je 5
'&b4?
A last stand is 30 . . . '&xa2 3 1 . ttJ d 7 !
'& a 3 ! 3 2 . '!W xb 7 o g 7 .
3 1 . .:tJd7!
Black has to chase the White king
forward s .
3 1 . . . '& e l t 3 2 . w g 2 '!W e 2 t 3 3 . o g 3
ttJf5 t 34. gxf5 '*Ye 1 t 3 5 . wf4 '*Y h4 t
3 6 . we 5 'l!H g 3 t 3 7. f4! 'fHxe 3 t 3 8 .
wf6 '!Wxd4 t 39. ti:Je 5 1 - 0
Black is mated.
6.6. Spassky - Victor Korchnoi
7h game of the Candida tes ' final
Kiev 1 9 6 8
1 . d 4 ti:Jf6 2 . c 4 g 6 3 . ttJc 3 � g 7 4 . e4
d6 5. f3 0-0 6. $,e 3 ti:Jc6 7. ti:Jge2 a6
8. ttJc 1 e5 9. d 5 ti:Jd4 1 0. ti:Jb 3 �b 3
1 1 . '&xb 3 !
T h i s improves on 1 1 . axb 3 c 5 =
(Minev - Tal, Varna 1 9 6 2 ).
1 1 . .. c 5 1 2 . dxc6 bxc6 1 3 . 0-0-0
�.e6?!
Stronger i s 1 3 . . . '!W e ? ! (Timman -
Kasp arov, Mos cow 1 9 8 1 ) .
1 4 . 't\lt'a3 ti:Je8 1 5 . h4 f6?
Pawn d6 gets extra protection with
1 5 . . . � f6 1 6 . g 3 .t e 7 .
1 6. c 5 ! ll f7
164 Grand Strategy

1 6 . . . d S ? 1 7 . cxd S exd S 1 8 . :� .c4

c o s t s a pawn.
1 7. 'f\'l'a4! '!l#c7 1 8. kc4 c&oxc4 1 9.
'&xc4 �f8 20. h 5 ! dxc 5 2 1 . hxg6
hxg6 2 2 . '&e6! .H d8 2 3 . .!l. xd8 'Jl{(xd8
24. l':'! d 1 Wie7 2 5 . '&xc6 f1Jc 7 26.
'iWb6 <>t>g7
White wins in 26 . . . c4 2 7 . f1Jd5
f1Jxd 5 28. n xd S c 3 29. bxc 3 '& a 3 t
3 0 . ff b 2 l':'! b 7 3 1 . '&xa3 �xa 3 t 3 2 .
w d 1 n b 1 t 3 3 . we 2 .
2 7. f1Jd5 �e6 2 8 . �xc 5 �xc 5 29.
'O'xc 5 f1Jb 5 30. \W e 3 'tlfc6t 3 1 . <>t>b 1 At last Korchnoi can be treated like
f1Jd4 3 2 . 1l c 1 '&b 5 3 3 . f1Jc 7 '&e2? Evans in game 6 . 4 .
34. f1Je6t ! <;t>h?? 3 5 . '&h6 t ! l - 0
 Biographical appendix 1 65

C. Boris descends the Olympus

When Spassky defeated Fischer i n 1 970, he was at the turn i ng point of h i s

chess career. H i s s u rplus o f energy began t o leave h i m .
T h e media had a n i ncredible i nterest i n t h e ' m atch o f t h e centu ry' between
Spassky and Fischer i n 1 972. lt was pictu red as a clash between the 'free west' and
the 'co m m i es ' . Bobby began to behave strangely. Many efforts were made to let h i m
play . Kissinger u rged h i m b y phone t o play. Finally, he d i d arrive i n Reykjavik.
Boris could have claimed the matc h . I n a telephone conversation with M oscow
Boris was 'ordered' to do so. The long talk consisted of many ' no's' from one side
and 'yes' from the other. The match began. Bobby made a ridiculous move i n game
one and forfeited game two . The third game started with an i ncident. Lothar Sch m i d
pers u aded t h e players t o conti n u e . Bobby began t o play great chess and Boris
cru mbled . lt wasn 't u ntil game eleven til Spassky could show his famous tactical wit.

G.7. Spassky - Bobby Fischer 1 6. exd 5 ttJe 7 1 7. c 4 ! ttJf5 1 8. 't!H d 3 !

J l 'h game World Cha mpionship
Reykj avik 1 9 7 2
1 . e 4 c 5 2 . ;'Llf3 d 6 3 . d 4 cxd4 4 .
;'2Jxd4 it:lf6 5 . it:lc 3 a 6 6 . .!.g5 e6 7.
f4 �b6 8 . � d2 �xb2 9. ttJb 3 '*¥a3
1 0 . >id3 was p l ayed in game 7 . A
.
h4?
After 1 8 . . . exd 5 1 9 . cxd 5 h4 ! Black
really threatens . . ttJ g 3 t .
1 9. �g4! ttJd6 20. ttJ 1 d2 f5 2 1 . a 3 !
'i!H b 6 2 2 . c 5 'i!Hb5 2 3 . 'i!Hc3 fxg4 2 4 .
a4

new line has been prepare d .

1 0 . . .:. xf6 gxf6 1 1 . . il . e 2 h 5 1 2 . 0-0
:Llc6 1 3 . <>t> h 1 .� .d7 1 4. tub 1 !

This happens to a que e n that takes

H e finds a great move a t the board.
1 4 . . . '&b4 1 5 . '& e 3 d5?!
A more stubborn defence is 1 5 . . .
ttJ c 7! I G . c4 f5 1 7 . a 3 '*¥ a4 1 8 . ttJc3
"& c 6 1 9 . ttJd4 '&c5 ( Qi Jingxuan -
Karpov, Hannover 1 9 8 3 ) .
a poisoned pawn!
2 4 . .. h3 2 5 . axb 5 hxg2 t 2 6. <>t>xg2
.l:. h3 2 7. 't!Hf6 ttJf5 28. c6 �c8 2 9 .
dxe6 fxe6 30 . .lHe 1 .te 7 3 1 . n xe6
1 -0
Fi scher scored the deci sive seventh
win in g ame twenty-one.
1 66 Grand Strategy

After Taimanov, Petrosian and Spassky were beaten by Fischer, the

apparatchiks openly criticised them. Spassky lost his stipend and was not al lowed to
play, but he could l ive well on his match earn i ngs.
Co m m u n ists l i ke 'black colonel' Batu ri nsky wanted to open a tin of new chess
g e n i uses. The showdown became Moscow 1 973, the 4 1 51 Soviet Champion s h i p . This
super tou rnament was won by Spassky. Only Karpov presented h i mself as a new
talent.
Spassky q ualified automatically for the 1 974 Candidates' m atches. He
defeated Byrne easily, despite Robert's special chess board s h i rt. Karpov became his
opponent i n the semi f i n a l . Boris began with a w i n . Eventually, he h ad no answer to
Karpov's prophylactic play.

Spassky , the i ndependent spi rit of the Kh rushchev era became a n u isance for
the apparatc h i ks agai n . H e writes about his love sto ry :
"In November 1974 I met Marina Scherbatcheff in Moscow at an e vening party in the
apartment of a French diplomat. At that time I was a free man, living alone since
A ugust 1974. We started to live together in Marina 's apartment at the end of 1974.
Her residence was under the surveillance of the Soviet police. The Soviet authorities
did not like our lo ve affair and wanted Marina to lea ve the country. She worked in the
commercial office of the French Embassy and received the order through the French
authorities. She refused to lea ve and we decided to get married. Our lo ve story
became famous in the press. In 1974 Brezjne v L . l. had signed an agreement in
Helsinki. lt allowed more room to Soviet citizens in their contacts with Western
people, but our situation was quite unclear. Fortunately, the summit of Brezjne v and
Giscard d 'Estaing was planned for the autumn of 1975. The Soviet authorities
whished to a void any complications and 'generously ' ga ve us 'carte blanche ' to set a
date for our marriage. lt took place on the 3Cih of September 1975. A fter a lot of
formalities, I got a multiple visa within a year. We left the USSR in September 1976. "

Spassky did not qualify for the next Candidates' matches i n the l nterzonal
M a n i l l a 1 976. H e did participate anyway when he could take Fischer's place .
Hort was his opponent i n Reykjavik 1 977. The 1 2-game m atch was twice
extended by two games. Boris won game fifteen and the matc h .
Later he played Portisch i n Geneva. Agai n Spassky ended superiorly.
Althou g h he l ived i n France, Boris played as the hero of the Soviet- U n ion in
the Candidates' final , because his adversary was the ' renegade' Korch noi . V i ktor was
s u perior in the beg i n n i ng and won despite the turmo i l d u ring the remainder of the
m atc h .

In a German tourname nt, Spas sky l. d4 ti:Jf6 2 . c4 e6 3 . ti:Jc 3 .1i.b4 4. e 3

.

attacked like Tolush. b 6 5 . ti:Jge2 �a6 6. <i:J g3 0-0 7. e 4

�iJc6 8 . i t d 3 e 5 9. d 5 ti:Ja 5 ! ?
.

6 . 8 . Spassky - Robert H iibner 9 . . . Jtxc 3 t l 0 . bxc 3 ci:J e 7 is l e s s

Mi.inchen 1 9 79 risky.
 Biographical appendix 167

1 0. 'O e 2 .:. xc 3 t 1 1 . bxc 3 c6 1 2 . Spassky played a fine ending i n a

�L:lf5 •L:le8? television game of two hour s .
Black should exchange by 1 2 . . . d6
1 3 . � g 5 .>:..c8 1 4 . '& f3 ..t.xf5 1 5 . 6.9. Spassky - Eugenio Torre
'Oxf5 '& c 8 . End of rapid game on television
1 3 . f4! '& c 7? 1 4 . fxe 5 'ff xe 5 1 5 . Hamburg 1 9 8 2
0-0! f6 1 6 . . \-.l.f4! �xc 3 1 7. n ac 1
'M'a3 1 8. d6! cub ? 1 9. cue 7t whs 20.
e5 fxe 5 2 1 . ,t xe 5 cuf6

Boris a i s p a s s e d pawn u p , but his

rook i s on the wrong end o f i t .
42 . . . f6?
The p awn should not have moved .
Many black p i e c e s are faraway.
4 3 . a6 w g 6 4 4 . a 7 ! wh7 4 5 . w h 2
2 2 . . ·� .xh 7! "Llxd6
n a 1 4 6 . g3 n a 2 t 4 7. wg 1 >t>g6?
The bishop cannot be taken: 2 2 . . .
Probably 47 . . . g 5 ! will draw.
wxh 7 2 3 . .rt c 3 ! 'M' c 5 t 2 4 . wh 1 or 2 2 .
48. f4 ! wf7
. . "Llxh 7 2 3 . ,,;,xg 7 t ! wxg 7 2 4 . 'O' g4 t
I f the f-p awn had remained on the
wh8 2 5 . tLlg6 t w g 7 26. c'Llxf8 t .
seventh rank, Black could have
2 3 . '&f2?
p l ayed 48 . . . exf4 . Now this move
White misses the win 2 3 . .�. d 3 !
fails to the advance o f the e - p awn.
� ae 8 2 4 . '& e 3 ! n x e 7 2 5 . � h 3 t r.t g8
49. fxe 5 fxe 5 50. w f l .!::!. a 1 t 5 1 .
26 . . .:. . h 7 t ! cuxh7 2 7 . W xa 3 .
wf2 n a 3 5 2 . we2 wg6 5 3 . wd2 n a4
2 3 . . . cug4 2 4 . 'fll' d4 -& e 3 t ?
54. w c 3 n a 1 5 5 . wc4 wf7 5 6 . w d 5
B l a c k can e s c a p e w i t h 2 4 . . . cuxe 5 !
n a 5 t 5 7. w d 6 w g 6 5 8 . w e 6 n a 1
2 5 . 'O xe 5 cu f 7 ! 2 6 . l*' e4 � e S t 27.
Loss o f a p awn i s only p o s t p oned
w h 1 .:L:l g 5 28. 'f\¥ h4 ct:Jxf7 29. �g6 t
by ss . . . w h 7 59. w f s g6t 6 0 . wf6.
w g 8 3 0 . . ,J; . h 7 t and perpetual check.
59. wxe 5 wf7 60. wf5 n a 5 t 6 1 . e5
2 5 . 'M'xe3 J"t xf l t 26. rt xf 1 ti:Jxe 3
g6t 62. we4 1 - 0
2 7. 1'!. f3 tL:lC8 2 8 . . Z! . g 6 ! 1 - 0
6 2 . . . w g 7 6 3 . e6 makes for a quick
The game ends with 2 8 . . . "Llxe 7 2 9 .
end .
. ti f 7 ! a n d mate in two.
B oris p articipated in the world
The last time S p a s s ky ' s played in a championship cycle for the l a s t
C an d i d a t e s ' match was in 1 9 8 0 . t i m e in Montpellier 1 9 8 5 . When
Although his s c o r e in the quarter­ young players wanted to d e fe a t
final versus Portisch was 7 - 7 ( + 1 , him, he be came i n s p i r e d . In the l a s t
= 1 2 , - 1 ) , Laj o s qualified, because he r o u n d , an endgame blunder against
had won game one as Black. Belyavsky fi nished his aspirations.
1 68 Grand Strategy
H i s reputation for laziness i s
wrong, b e c a u s e he l i k e s to be active
as a handyman.
When S p a s s ky plays a tournament
o r match at full strength, he uses
much energy. Although he is no
innovator in the opening, he has to
p l ay for an advantage immediately,
because his ab ility lies in the
middle game. This demands deep
concentration. A long chess event
will exhau s t him.
As a profe s sional he played in the
Bundesliga. The last example i s an
evergree n .
6 . 1 0 . Gilles Andruet - Spassky
Bundesliga 1 9 8 8
l . d 4 tLJf6 2 . c 4 e6 3 . tLJf3 �b4 t 4 .
�.d2 �xd 2 t 5 . \Wxd2 d S 6. tLlc 3 0-0
7. e3 '¥# e 7 8. n c 1 n d8 9. �c2 tLJbd 7
S p a s s ky u s e d to play 9 . . . dxc4 . The
text shows more ambition.
1 0. cxd S exd S 1 1 . �d3 tLJf8 1 2 .
o-o zug6 1 3 . lue2 c 6 1 4 . tLJg3 n e 8
1 5 . � C S 'f¥d8!?
A quick draw i s avo ided.
1 6. tLJd2 tLlh4!? 1 7. b4 a6 1 8. a4
j.,d7 1 9. nb1 tLJg4 !? 20. '&c2 g6 2 1 .
b S axb S 2 2 . axb S h S 2 3 . bxc6
bxc6 24. n fe 1 "r9 f6 2 5 . tLJdf l ?
White c a n cont inue t h e minority
attack with 2 5 . tLJb 3 ! tLJxg 2 ! 2 6 .
wxg 2 h 4 2 7 . cu c 5 ! hxg3 2 8 . hxg 3 ,
and keep a slight advantage.
25 . .. na3 26. n e2 cS! 2 7. dxc S ?
T h e pressure c a n b e relieved with
2 7 . h 3 ! c4 2 8 . �xc4 dxc4 29. hxg4
�xg4 3 0 . f3 .
2 7 . .. tLJe S ! 2 8 . �b S Wr'f3!! 0- 1
White resigned due to 2 9 . gxf3
tLlexf3 t 30. wh l �h3 and .. � g 2 # .
S p a s sky h a d debts in 1 9 9 2 . When
he could play a rematch with his
friend B obby Fischer for a l o t o f
money, he grabbed t h e opportunity
with both hand s . Again B obby ' s
be haviou r c au s e d a g r e a t stir.
Contrary to the Reykj avik match,
the first two games were heroic;
the rest was l e s s interesting.
Then he battled with the young
Judit Polgar in 1 9 9 3 . Again public
interest was great. Thereafter, he
p layed as a senior against j uniors
and a s a veteran in the dance
tournaments against the l a d ie s .
 Biographical appendix 1 69

D. Selected tournaments and matches

Year Event Score Prize

1 948 S e m i - f i n a l Youth C h a m p i o n s h i p of R S F S R 6 V:d9 11

Youth C h a m p i o n s h i p of "Trudvye Reservy" , M i n s k 7/1 0 1-11
1 949 School boys C h a m p i o n s h i p of Len i n g rad 1 1 V:?/ 1 5 1-11
Team ' s Youth C h a m p i o n s h i p o f U S S R ( L e n i n g rad 1 51)
1 950 Team's Youth C h a m p i o n s h i p of U S S R 7/9
1 95 1 Q u a rter- f i n a l Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , R i g a 8 V:d 1 5 V I I -V I I I
Team ' s Youth C h a m p i o n s h i p of U S S R (2nd board ) 8 V:d9 I
1 952 Le n i n g rad C h a m p i o n s h i p 9 V:d1 3 11
1 953 B u c h a rest 1 2/ 1 9 IV-V
1 954 A l l - U n i o n C h a m p i o n s h i p of Young masters, Le n i n g rad 1 2 V:d 1 5 I
Tea m ' s Youth C h a m p i o n s h i p of U S S R ( 1 51 board ) 7 V:d9
S e m i - f i n a l Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Le n i ng rad 1 2/20 IV
1 955 Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , M oscow 1 1 V:d 1 9 I l l-VI
World Student's Team C h a m p i o n s h i p , Lyon 7 V:d8
Youth World C h am p i o n s h i p , A n twerpen 1 4/ 1 6 I
l nterzonal tournament, Goteborg 1 1 /20 VII-IX
1 956 Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Le n i n g rad 1 1 V:d 1 7 I-II I
P l ayoff Soviet C h a m p i o ns h i p , Len i n g rad V:?/4 Ill
C a n d i d ates' tournament, A m sterdam 9 V:d 1 8 I I I-VI I I
S e m i - f i n a l Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Le n i n g rad 1 1 V:d 1 9 1-V
1 957 Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Moscow 1 3/2 1 IV-V
S e m i - f i n a l Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Le n i ng rad 1 2 V:d 1 9 1-11
1 958 Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Riga 1 O V:?/ 1 8 V-VI
S e m i - f i n a l S o v i e t C h a m p i o n s h i p , Rostov 1 0/1 5 1-11
1 959 Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Tbi l i s i 1 2 V:d 1 9 1 11 1 1 1
C e ntral C h e s s C l u b , Moscow 7/1 1 1-111
C h a m p i o n s h i p o f Len i ng rad 1 4/ 1 7 I
S e m i - f i n a l Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Tal l i n n 1 1 V:?/ 1 5 1-11
Riga 1 1 V:?/ 1 3 I
1 960 Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Le n i n g rad 1 0/1 9 IX-X
M a r d e l P l ata 1 3 V:d 1 5 111 1
C h a m p i o n s h i p of "Tru d " , K i s lovodsk 1 1 V:?/ 1 5 I
World Team C h a m p i o n s h i p 1 0/ 1 2 11
S e m i - f i n a l Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Rostov 1 2/ 1 7 I
1 96 1 Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , M oscow 1 1 /1 9 V-VI
M atch Le n i ng rad - B u d apest (2nd board v s . P o rti sch) 3 V:d4
C h a m p i o n s h i p of Le n i n g rad ( s e m i f i n a l Soviet c h a m p . ) 1 3/ 1 8 1-11
Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Baku 1 4 V:d20 I
1 962 H avana 1 6/2 1 1 11 1 1 1
World Student's Team C h a m p i o n s h i p , Marianske- Laz n e 7 V:d9
O l y m p i ad , Varna 1 1 /1 4
Team C h a m p i o n s h i p of U S S R , Len i n g rad 6/8 I
Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , E revan 1 2 V:d 1 9 V
1 963 Spartakiad of Le n i n g rad ( 1 '' board of Loco motive) 5 V:d6
Spartakiad of U S S R , M oscow 3'd board) 5 V:d8
170 Grand Strategy

Year Event Score Prize

S e m i -fi n a l , S o v i e t C h a m p i o n s h i p , K h a rkov 1 0 '/21 1 5 11

Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Le n i ng rad 1 2/ 1 9 1-111
1 964 P l ayoff Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , Le n i ng rad 2/4 11
Zonal tournament o f Seve n , Moscow 7/1 2 I
l nterzo n a l tournament, Am sterdam 1 7/23 I-IV
C h i g o r i n M e m o ri a l , S o c h i 1 0 '121 1 5 IV
O l y m p i ad , Tei-Aviv 1 1 /1 4
Belg rade 1 3/ 1 7
1 965 Q u a rter final of C a n d i d ates, Spassky - Keres , Riga 6-4
S e m i final of C a n d i d ates, Spassky - Geller, Riga 5 '12-2 '12
Chigorin Memorial , Sochi 1 0 '121 1 5 1-11
F i n a l o f C a n d i d ates, Spassky - Tal , Tbi l i s i 7-4
Hasti ngs 7 '1219 1-11
1 966 World C h a m p i o n s h i p , Spassky - Petro s i a n , Moscow 1 1 '12- 1 2 '12
C h i g o r i n M e m o ri a l , Sochi 9 '/21 1 3 V-VI
Santa M o n i c a 1 1 '121 1 8 I
O l y m p i ad , H avana 1 0/ 1 5
1 96 7 Beverwijk 1 1 /1 5 I
C h i g o r i n M e m o ri a l , Sochi 1 0/ 1 5 1-V
W i n n i peg 5 '1219 I l l- IV
1 968 Quart e r - f i n a l of C a n d i d ates , Spassky - Geller, S u k h u m i 5 '12- 2 '12
S e m i f i n a l of C a n d i d ates, Spassky - Larse n , M a l m o 5 '12-2 1/2
F i n a l of C a n d i d ates, Spassky - Korch n o i , Kiev 6 '12-3'12
O l y m p i ad , Lugano 1 0/ 1 4
P a l m a de M a l l o rca 1 3/ 1 7 11-111
1 969 World C h a m p i o n s h i p , Spassky - Petro s i a n , Moscow 1 2 '12- 1 0'12
San J u a n 1 1 '121 1 5 I
Pal m a de M a l l o rca 1 0/ 1 7 V
1 970 Soviet- U n i o n - Rest of t h e World , Belg rade 1 '12- 1 '12
Matc h - t o u r n a m e n t , Lei d e n 7/1 2 I
Amsterdam 1 1 '121 1 5 1-11
O l y m p i ad , S i e g e n 9 '121 1 2
1 97 1 Goteborg 8/ 1 1 Ill
C a n ad i a n Ope n , Vancouver 9/ 1 1 1-11
Alekh i n e M e m o r i a l , Moscow 9 '121 1 7 VI-VI I
1 972 World C h a m p i o n s h i p , Spassky - Fischer, Reykjavik 8 '12- 1 2 1/2
1 973 Tal l i n n 9/1 5 I l l-VI
D o rt m u nd 9 1/21 1 5 I-III
Amsterdam 9/1 5 IV
C h i g o r i n M e m o ri a l , Sochi 1 0/ 1 5 11
Soviet C h a m p i o n s h i p , M oscow 1 1 '/21 1 7 I
1 974 Quarter-fi n a l of C a n d i d ates, Spassky - Byrne, San J u a n 4 '12- 1 '12
Se m i -f i n a l of C a n d i d ates , Spassky - Karpov, L e n i n g rad 4-7
Solingen 8 1/21 1 4 I I I-lV
Olympiad, Nice 1 1 /1 5
1 975 Tal l i n n 9 '121 1 5 11-111
Alekh i n e M e m o ri a l , Moscow 1 0/ 1 5 11
1 976 l nterz o n a l tournament, M a n i l l a 1 0/ 1 9 X-XI I I
1 97 7 Quarter-f i n a l of C a n d i d ates, Spassky - H o rt , Reykjavik 8 '12- 7 '12
 Biographical appendix 171

Year Event Score Prize

Semi-final of Cand idate s , Spassky - P o rtisch , Geneva 8'!2- 6 V2

F i n a l of C a n d i d ates, Spassky - Korc h n o i , Belgrade 7 V2- 1 O V2
1 978 Bugojno 1 0/ 1 5 1-11
Manti l l a M o r i l e s 6 V219 I
T i l b u rg 5V21 1 0 VI-VI I I
O l y m p i ad , B u e n o s A i re s 7/1 1
1 979 M u nchen 8 V21 1 3 I-IV
M o ntreal 8 V21 1 8 V-VI
T i l b u rg 5V21 1 1 V-VI I I
1 980 Bad K i s s i n g e n 3/6 11-111
Q u a rter-f i n a l o f C a n d idate s , Spassky - Porti sch , M e x i co 7-7
T i l b u rg 5/ 1 1 IV-V
B a de n 1 O V21 1 5 1-11
1 98 1 L i n ares 6/ 1 1 V-VI
T i l b u rg 5 V21 1 1 VI-VI I I
1 982 Bugojno 7 V21 1 3 IV-V
T o l u ca 8/1 3 Ill
1 983 L i n ares 6V211 0 I
N i ks i c 8/1 4 I l l -IV
1 984 London 7/9 1-V
Z u ri c h 5 V218 1 1 -V I I
O l y m p i ad , Thessal o n i ki 8/1 4
1 985 Reykjav i k 7/1 1 11-11 1
L i n ares 6/ 1 1 V
C a n d i d ates' t o u r n a m e n t , Montpe l l i e r 8/1 5 VI-VI I
Brussels 1 O V21 1 3 11
1 986 Vienna Open 6/9 I l l- IX
London 7/ 1 3 VI-VI I I
Bogojno 7/1 4 IV-VI
O l y m piad , D u bai 9/1 4
1 987 Cannes 5/9 III-lV
N e w York Open 7 V219 I I I-VI I I
1 988 World Cup, Belfort 8/ 1 5 I V -V I I
World C u p , Reykjavik 7/ 1 7 XV-XVI
O l y m p i ad , Thessal o n i k i 6V21 1 1
1 989 World C u p , Barce l o n a 7 V21 1 6 V I I I -X I I
1 990 L i n ares 4/1 1 IX-XI
1 99 1 Salamanca 9 V21 1 5 11
1 992 R e m atch Spassky - Fischer, Sveti Stefan and Belg rade 1 2 V2- 1 7 '!2
1 993 Spassky - J ud i t Polgar, B u d apest 4 V2-5V2
1 994 P a l l ad i e n n e t o u r n a m e n t , M o n aco 6/ 1 2
1 995 Polka t o u r n a m e n t , Prag u e 5/1 0
1 996 Foxtrot t o u r n a m e n t , London 5 V21 1 0
1 997 H o std a n s tournament, C o pe n h agen 4V211 0
1 998 Veterans - J u n i o r s , C a n n e s 5/8
Can Can tournament, Roquebrune 7 V21 1 2
VAM H oogeveen 2 V216 Ill
1 999 F l a m enco t o u r n a m e n t , M arbe l l a 5V211 0
200 1 Korc h n o i knockout. Z u r i c h 4 V219 V
176 Grand Strategy

Index of Spassky's opponents

(bold: Boris has Black)

Andruet 6.10 Larsen 1.1, 6.5

Averbakh 2.7, (page 141)
Nogueiras 3.12
Byrne 2.9, 3.6
Belyavsky 2.1 v. Oosterom 6.1
Bronstein 2.13
Petrosian 2.5, 2.8, 2.15, 2.17, 3.1,
Ciric 3.19 3.4, (pages 156-160)
Cramling 2.23 Polugaevsky 2.16, 2.20
Portisch 2.25
Darga 1.2
Rashkovsky 2.12
Evans 6.4 Ree (page 1)
Reshko 4.2
Fischer 2.2, 2.3, 2.21' 2.22, 3.10,
4.1' 6.3, 6.7 Seirawan 2.6
Furman 3.14, 6.2 Schmid 2.14
Shaked 3.17
Geller 2.11' 2.18 Smyslov 2,4, 3.13
Gligoric 3.5 Suetin 3.7, (page 150)

HObner 6.8 Taimanov 3.3

Tal 3.8, 3.15, 3.18
Karpov 2.24, 3.11 Timman 2.10
Kasparov 3.16 Torre 6.9
Keres 3.9, 4.4
Korchnoi 2.19, 3.2, 6.6 Zhukhovitsky 4.3

Studies by Dolgov, Grigoriev, Pervakov and Van Reek