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How Good Is Your Chess?
How Good Is Your Chess?
RATE YOUR SKILL AND IMPROVE YOUR STRATEGY
BY PARTICIPATING IN 35 MASTER GAMES

LEONARD BARDEN
Former British Chess Champion and
England International, Chess Correspondent,
The Guardian, The Field, Financial Times,
and London Evening Standard

Dover Publications, Inc., New York

 Copyright © 1957 by Leonard Barden.
All rights reserved under Pan American and
International Copyright Conventions.

Published in Canada by General Publishing

Company, Ltd., 30 Lesmill Road, Don Mills,
Toronto, Ontario.
Published in the United Kingdom by Constable
and Company, Ltd.

This Dover edition, first published in 1976, is an

unabridged republication of the work originally
published by Routledge and Kcgan Paul, London,
in 1957.

International Standard Book Number: 0-486-23294-8

Ubrary of Congress Catalog Card Number: 75-28848

Manufactured in the United States of America

Dover Publications, Inc.
180 Varick Street
New York, N.Y. 10014
 TO

JONATHAN, PETER, AND RAAPHY

 Author's Note
I would like to express my warmest thanks
to my friend Daniel Castello for his kindness
and care in reading the proofs.

VI
 CONT E N TS

Page

INTRODUCTION xi

I. CENTRE CONTROL
1. Botvinnik-Grob, Zurich 1956
Irregu lar Openi ng
2. Mangini-Kotov, Mar de l Plata 1957
Sicilian Defence 4

II. SUPERIOR DE VELOPMENT

3. Green-Barden, Bognor 1956
King's I ndian Defence 8

III. POSITIONAL PLAY

4. U nzic ker-S anc hez, Sa lt sjobaden 1952
Ruy Lopez. 11
5. Idigoras-Bolboc han, Mar del Pl ata 1956
Ki ng �s Indian De fence 14
6. Moni l aux-Suetin, Lyons 1955
Sicilian Defence 17
7. Moore-Pope !, Hastings 1955-6
Q.P., Bogo lyubov Variation 20
8. Filip-Se fc, Marian ske La zn e 1956
Cat alan Opening 23
9. Barden-Rossolimo , Hastings 1950- 1
Sicilian Defence 26
10. Szabo-Pil ni k, Mar del Plata 1955
King's Indian De fence 29
1 1. Prim aver a-Carva lh o, Hel sin ki 1952
Q.G.D. (Tarrasch Defence) 32
vi i
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS?

Page
12. Bronstein-Golombek, Moscow 1956
Nimzo-Indian Defence 36
13. Turner-Reshevsky, New York 1956
Nimzo-Indian Defence 39
14. Spassky-Keres, Moscow 1957
Nimzo-Indian Defence 43

I V. ATTACK/NG PLAY
15. E uwe-Nestler, Lenzerheide 1956
Q.P., Old Indian Defence 47
16. Korchnoi-Durasevic, Belgrade 1956
Nimzo-Indian Defence 51
17. Rejfir-Lokvenc, Czechoslovakia v. Austria 1956
King's Indian Defence 53
18. Persitz-Galula, Uppsala 1956
Sicilian Defence 56
19. Larsen-Olafsson, match 1956
Dutch Defence 59
20. Kotov-Bastrikov, Erevan 1954
Modern Benoni De fence 62
21. Clarke-Toran, Hastings 1956-7
Sicilian De fence 65
22. Tolush-Antos hin, Moscow 1957
French Defence 68

V. THE ART OF DEFENCE

23. Schmid-Bart h, Dresden 1947
Ruy Lopez 71
24. Alster-Flohr, Ma rianske Lazne 1956
Sicilian De fence 74

VI. COMBINATIONS
25. Richter-Vogel, Berlin 1952
Pirc Defence 77
26. Uhlmann-Puc, Krynica 1956
Nimzo-Indian De fence 80
27. Szukszta-Tal, Uppsala 1956
King's Indian Defence 84

viii
 CONTENTS

Page
28. Enej-Kapu, Budapest 1953
Sicilian De fence 86
29. Barden-Wise, Twickenham 1956
Alekhine's De fence 89
30. Gurgenidse-Tal, Moscow 1957
Modern Benoni De fence 92

VII. CONSTRICTION TECHNIQUE

3 1. Flohr-Frydman, Ujpest 1934
Queen's Indian De fence 94

VIII. THE ENDING

32. Sergeant-Keres, Margate 1939
Ruy Lopez 98
33. Wade-Czerniak, Venice 1950
Irregular Opening 102
34. Barden-Broadbent, London 1956
French De fence 106
35. Lehmann-Fuderer, Munich 1954
Sicilian De fence 1 10

ix
 HOW TO RATE YOUR SCORE
Average score U.S., British,
on eight games or international rating What this rating means

45-50 2400(225) up Ma ster or grandma ster

strength ; good enough to
qua li fy for the U.S.
cham pion ship or do well
in the Briti sh cham pion ­
ship ; con sider turning
pro fe ssional !

40-44 2300(212)-2399(224) High score i n U.S. O pen,

Br it ish champion shi p, or
m a jo r i n t e r n a t i o n a l
open s.

35-39 2200(200)-2299(211) Briti sh c h a m p i o n sh i p

standard ; winner local
weekend open s; c lu b or
state champion.

30-34 2100(187)-2199(199) Strong club pla yer ; 50

percent scorer in na ­
tiona l open s; po ssible
U.S. Amateur cham pion.

25-29 2000(175)-2099(186) Upper board club pla yer ;

50 percent on a good
week in nationa l o pen s;
i f aged under 16, poten ­
tia l junior inte rnational
pla yer.

15-24 1800(150)-1999(174) Ab o v e -a v e r a g e club

pla yer.

8-14 1400(100)-1799(149) Home or o c c a si o n al

pla yer up to moderate
club pla yer.

0-7 Below 1400(100) Beginner or near -begin ­

ner ; tr y to p la y in che ss
club s and weekend open s
for match experience.
 IN T R O D U C T I O N

MANY che ss player s find that they lack the time or opp ortunity for
frequent over -the-b oard practice, and other s, having in su fficient
incenti ve t o acquire bo ok knowledge, find that their own idea s often let
them d own again st an opponent more thor oughly grounded in general
principle s. There i s a real problem here, in that it is hard to pay full
attention t o bo ok s which do not deal with the type of difficulty which
occur s in one' s own play. I believe the present scheme meets the
difficulty in two way s: fir stly, it provide s a selection of g ames de ali ng
with all the type s of situation s-po sitional play, attacks, sacri ficial
combination s, defence, and end game s- which are most commonl y
encountered ; and secondly, by inviting the read er to participate by
working out the m ove s made by a ma ster an d commenting on hi s
choice, it enable s him to take part in a real battle again st an oppo nent.
The b ook can al so be taken a s a collection of good games, which can
be played through simply for enjoyment, without any need to answer
the que sti on sa bout each move. I have taken care to ch oo se gam eswhich
are, in almo st all ca se s, from tournament s of the la st few ye ars, and
which will be unfamiliar to English reader s.
The m ore entertaining and valuable method of using the book is for
the reader to imagine him self the partner of the ma ster in the g '.lm e, and
t o gue ssthe m ove s which he make s. In thi s ca se, u se a sheet of paper or
card t oc over each page and l ower the paper line by line. The first mo ve s
of the game are given in e very ca se, and from the diagrammed posi tion
each asteri sk signifie s that immediately below is a move of the side the
reader i s partnering, and t he paper should be lower ed a fter thi s move
ha s been wo rked out. A maximum of 50 point s can be obtai ned on each
game. F or a proper a sse ssment of hi s own che ss ski l , the reader i s
recommended to w ork through at lea st one game from each of the eight
secti on s of the book, and to average the re sulting score to a pro­
portion o f 50. Aft er calcu la ting your eig ht -gam e average , s ee how
you rate on the tab le on page x.
 I CEN T RE C O N TROL

Game No . 1
IN this game you have Wh it e. ' B-Kt 5 ch, Kt-B 3 ; 11. Q­
Your consultation partner is K 2 ch, B-K 3 ; 12. 0-0, Q x
Mikhail Botvinnik, ex-champion P ; 1 3. B-Kt 5, which gives White
of the world. Your opponent a splendid game for the sac rificed
is Swiss master H. Grob. The pawn. I point each for the calmer
game was one of eight which alternatives 7. B-Q B 4, 7. B­
Botvinnik played simultaneously K B 4, 7. B-Kt 5, and 7. B­
with clocks, in Zurich, 1956. K 2, but nothing for 7. B-K 3
The first moves are I . K t­ owing to the annoying 7 . . . . Kt­
K B 3, Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-B 4,
P-Q 4; 3. P x P, Kt x P; 4.
P-K 4, Kt-K B 3 ; 5 . Kt­
Kt 5.

*
7.... P-Q R 3

Q B 3, P-K 3; 6. P-Q 4, P­ 8. B-Kt 5

Q B 4. 2 points. This contains the

lI .i �B-�i
� .
power ful threa t of 9. P-K 5, and

i �.0�[�}i·�-
if in reply 8 . . P-R 3 ; 9. B­
· " • • r•,, R 4, P-K Kt 4; 10. B-Kt 3,
I - - - Black's pawn position is ruined.
1B
. -�
•
•
�1 .
B
�4).-
u.u.• ••
..
Nothing for the tempt ing 8. P­
Q 6 (8 . . Q x P ; 9. Q x Q,
B x Q ; 10. P-K 5), because of
• E .4J. the equalizing answer 8. . . . P­
ftA
r� B
• �4).�
u..u.u. K 4; 9. Kt x P, B x P. I poin t
for the tamer 8. B-K B 4 or
���rnA•i§
*
7.
-��

P-Q5 *
..
8. B-K 2.
8. . Q-Kt 3

4 points. Black's second move 9. B x Kt

was a bad one which gave White
the upper hand in the centre. The
sharp 7. P-Q 5 keeps the initia ­
tive, since if now 7. . . . P x P ;
not 8 . P x P, when the isolated
and easily blockaded passed pawn
has little value, but 8. P-K 5,
P-Q 5; 9. P x Kt, P x Kt; 10.
2 poin ts. With the centre half
open and the queen's side pawns
already dislocated, this break-up
of the king's side at once makes
it impossible for Black's king to
find a comfortable haven any-
where.
9 . ... P x B
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS?

* *
10. Q-Q 2 14. Q-B 2
2 points. l point for 10. Q-B 2 l point.
when Black's K B obtains some I 14. • • • B-B 5
scope by 1 0 . . . . B-R 3. { 1 5. P-R 5
10. . . . P-K R 4 1 poin t.
1 5. . . . Q-B 2
*
*
1 1 . B-K 2
1 6. K R-Q 1
1 point.
1 point. White can continue
1 1. ... Kt-Q 2
quietly to improve his posi ti on,
* since Black's pawn weaknesses
12. 0-0 are permanent and therefore do
not require to be attacked in a
3 points. There is no need to
hurry.
fear the open K Kt file, for Black
cannot hope to organize a reason­ 1 6. . . . Kt-K 4
able attack with his heavy pieces *
necessarily split up through the 1 7. Kt X Kt
unfortunate position of his king. 1 point.
1 point for 12. R Q 1, but
-
1 7. . . . B x Kt
deduct 6 points for 12. 0-0-
*
0??, B-R 3.
1 8 . P-R 3
1 2. P -R 5
1 point. This is now at las t
*
necessary.
1 3. P-R 4 1 8 . . .. B Q 2
-

3 points. The further advance *

of this pawn to Q R 5 will arti­
ficially isolate Black's Q B P and
make it an object of attack.
1 point for 1 3 . P-K R 3, although
Black can hardly go in for 1 3 . . . .
P-R 6 ; 14. P- K Kt 3 at present,
since this would deprive his K B
of the square K B 5, from where
Black hopes it will simultaneo usly
put a little pressure on White's K
and also guard the weak Q-side
black squares, and thus enable
Black to castle Q R.
1 3. . .. B-R 3
2
1 9. Kt-R 4
3 points. White's developmen t
is complete, so he can now go
over to the attack. Before playing
this move, however, White needed
to fore see the variation 1 9. . . .
Q x P ; 20. Kt x P, Q-B 2 ; 2 1 .
P x P, B x K P ; 22. Q-R 4 ch,
Q-B 3 ; 23. B-Kt 5 !
1 9. . . . B x Kt
*
20. R x B
2 points. With the nasty threat
of R-B 4, and P-Q Kt 4, this
 CENTRE CONTROL

is st ill stronger than 20. Q x B ch I *

( 1 point). 26. R-B 8 ch
20. . . . R-Q B I 2 points.
* 26. . .. K-K 2
2 1. R-B 4 Or 26 . . . . R-Q 1; 27. Q-B 7,
I point. R x R ; 28. Q-Q 7 ch, followed
by mate.
2 1. . . . Q x P
*
* 27. Q-B 7ch
22. P-Q Kt 4
2 points. 27. R x R ( 1 poi nt )
2 points. can of course be played, bu t this
22 . . . . Q - R6 is more artistic.
* 27 . . . . Kx P
23. R x P *
3 points. 23. Kt P x P (2 28. B-K t4 ch
points) is good, too, but the text 1 point.
begins a decisive break -through. 28 . . . . P-B 4
23. . . . R-Q 1
*
If 23 . . . . R x R ; 24. Q x R 2 9. B x P ch
( threa t25. Q-QB 8 ch), Q-QB 6 ; 1 point.
25. Q x Q, B x Q ; 26. R­
2 9. . . . K-K 4
Q B 1, winning a piece.
*
* 30. Q-B Sch
24. p x p
4 points. 1 point o nly for 30.
2 points. The black king is now R x R or 30. Q-K 7 ch, R­
exposed to the full blast of White's K 3.
hea vy pieces. Nothing for 24. Black resigns.
R-B 8, when Black can hold
on by 24. . .. 0-0. Summary: If you made a bad
24. . . . B-Q 3 score in t his game, i t may s ho w
* one of two things. If your po in ts
25. R x B were lost in the firs t half o f the
game, the implication is that you
5 points. An attractive finish, make over -hasty a ttacks be for e
which leads to a forced win. completing your developmen t. If
2 points each for 25. R-B 8 and you dropped points in the second
25. P x P ch, which win more half, however, it probab ly means
slowl y. that you are not sufficien tly care­
25. . .
. R x R ful in your ca lcu lations.
3
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS?

Game No. 2
In this game you have Black. *
Your consultation partner is ...
7. P-Q 4
Alexander Kotov, for many years 2 points. Other moves allow
one of the leading Russian grand­ White to build up a strong centre
masters. Your opponent is A. by P-Q B 4.
Mangini of Braz il . The game was
8. p x p
played at Mar de ! Plata, 1957.
*
The first moves are I. P-K 4, 8. . . . Kt x P
P-Q B 4; 2. Kt-K B 3, P-Q 3 ;
3. P-Q 4, P x P ; 4. Kt x P, 1 point. Noth ing for 8 . . . . Q x
Kt-K B 3 ; 5. B-Q 3, Kt-B 3 ; P ; 9. 0-0, and Black's queen is
6. P-Q B 3 .
soon driven back by P-Q B 4.
9. 0-0
*
9. . . . B-K 3
1 point for this or 9 . . . . B-Q 3.
9. .. . B-K 2 is unnecessarily
passive here.
IO. Q-B 3
/'
*
IO . . . . B-Q 3
1 point.
1 1 . Kt-K 3
* *
11. ... Kt x Kt
6. ... P-K 4
2 points. This is soundest, since
3 points for this move, by which if Black's attacked knight retreats,
Black refutes his opponent's pas­ White's knight can come to the
sive opening by himself advancing strong square K B 5, while if
both central pawns. Nothing for 1 1 . . . . Kt-B 5 ; 1 2. B-K 4,
6 . . . . Kt x Kt ; 7. P x Kt, which Black's knight cannot maintain its
gives White two central pawns advanced post for long.
abreast ; and nothing for 6 . . . P­
\\ '1' T A
.
12. B x Kt -
Q 4 ; 7. Kt x Kt, P x Kt ; 8. P­
K 5, when Black is driven back. *
1 point for 6 . . P-K 3 ; or 6. .
. . . . 12. . .
. 0-0
P-K Kt 3. 1 point.
7. Kt-B 2 1 3 . Kt-Q 2
4
 CENTRE CONTROL
* *
1 3. P-B 4
3 points. With this move Black
definitely takes the initiative.
Other possibilities are more pas­
sive and allow White to improve
his own position by B-K B 5 or
Kt-K 4.
14. B-Q B 4
* B x B ; 19. P x B, K R-K l ;
14 . . . . Q-K 2
2 points. This is again clearly
better than 14 . . . . B x B ; Black
permits exchanges, but exacts as
his price the constant improve­
ment of the activity of his remain­
ing pieces.
1 5. B x B ch
* 19. P-Kt 3
1 5. . " Q x B
1 point.
1 6. P-Q Kt 4
* has a weak king's position, but his
1 6. . . . P-K 5
3 points. 1 6 . . . . P-B 5 ; is less
good, since after 1 7. B-B 5,
White can occupy his K 4 square
with the knight and Black's attack
then becomes bogged down. A
strong alternative, however, is for
Black to begin an attack by 1 6 . . . .
R-B 3 ; (2 points) intending . . . R
-K Kt 3. 1 6 . . . . Q R-K l is less
clear since, after 1 7. P-Kt 5,
Black has to sacrifice his Q R P.
Pawn sacrifices should be made
only wlien-tnere�Ts-no -niore
certain way of making progress.
17. Q-K 2
s
1 7. . . . Q-K 4
3 points. Not only threatening
mate, but also the Q B P ; this
double attack entices White's
pieces on to worse squares. Many
players would continue 1 7 . . . . P­
B 5 (no credit) ; but the central
pawn mass cannot be turned to
account so quickly ; 1 8 . B-B 5,
20. K R-K l , P-K 6; 2 1 . P x
P, P x P ; 22. Kt-B 1 , and Black's
K P is suddenly weak.
1 8. Q-B 4 ch
*
1 8. . . . K-R l
l point.
*
1 9. . 1 Q R-B I
. \,°''"no,
.
1 2 points. Now White not only
Q B P is also under heavy attack.
The main threat is 20 . . . . Kt x P.
An ingenious possibility here is
19 . . . . P-:- B 5 ; but after 20. B x B P,
R x B-;-il� P x R, Q x K B P ;
22. K R-Q 1 , Q x R P ch; 23.
K-B 1, P-K 6;1 24. Kt-K 4,
-
Black's atfiick does not appear
quite sufficient. When, as here,
your advantage is of an enduring
type (weak enemy pawns and
squares) you can afford to streng­
then your position to the maxi­
mum degree before beginning the
final assault.
20. K R-Q 1
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS?

* most se nsational wi ns ; the op­

20. Q-B 3 pone nt's forces are di verted to the
4 points. White's last move defence of a weakness on one
baited a trap : if 20. . . . Kt x P ; wing, and this enables the attacker
2 1 . P x Kt, R x Q ; 22. Kt x R, to make a decisive thrust on the
followed by Kt X B, and Wh ite other side of the board.
has more than su fficient material 24. B x R
for the queen. Now, however, (If 24. P x K P, P X Kt P wins
Black th reatens . . . Kt-K 4-Q 6. quickly, as does 24. P x B P,
2 1 . Q -Kt 3 Q x P; or 24. Kt x B, P x P ch).
*
*
21. ... B-K 4 24 . . . . P x P ch
3 points. Simply 24. . . . R x B
2 points. Clearer than 2 1. . . . Kt (3 points) is also very good, but
-K 4 (I point), when White not 24 . . . . P x Kt P (no cred it) ;
could still confuse the situation 25. B P x Kt P !
by 22. B-Q 4 or 22. B x P. Now
White's weak Q B P is fixed as a 25. K-Kt 2
target. (Or 25. K x P, P x P db. ch.).
22. Kt-B 4 *
25 . . . . R x B
*
22 . . . . P-B 5 2 points. Deduct 2 points for
25. . . . P x P ; 26. B-B 5, when
4 points. 2 points for 22. . . . B there is no mate in sight, and no
x B P ; which should also win (23. credit for 25 . . . . P-B 6 ch ; 26.
R-Q 6, B x R; 24. R x Q, B x K x P.
R ; 25. Kt-Q 6 , R:-- Q B 2) ::,The
text, however, is m ucfi snarper, 26. R-Q 3
for if 23. B x B P, B x B ; 24. *
P x B, Q x K B P ; followed by 26 . . . . P x P
. . . P-Q Kt 4 and Kt-K 4 ; Black 2 points. If now 27. P x P, P­
clearly has a decisive attack, while B 8(Q) ch.
if 23. Kt x B, P x B.
27. Kt-Q 2
23. B-B 5 /l
;>}; *
* 27 . . . . P x P
23 . . . . P-K 6 I point.
4 points. Again much sharper 28. Kt-B I
than 23 . . . . B x P or 23 . . . . K R
-K I (I point each ). Black's *

strategy follows a pattern which 2 8. . . . Q-Kt 3 ch

Alekh ine employed in some of his 2 points.
6
 CENTRE CONTROL
White resigns, for after 29. R­
Kt 3, B x R ; 30. Kt x B, P­
B 8(Q) ch ; 31. R x Q, R x R ;
32. K x R, Q x Kt ; the game is
over.
Summary: Readers who have
made a bad score in this game will
probably find that they have fallen
into one of two traps : either they
7
over-pressed their attack early in
the game, before Black had enough
p ieces developed to support his
central advance, or else they were
too caut ious later on, under­
estimating the greatly enhanced
value of Black's p ieces after the
pawns were thrust forward and
l ines opened for the attack.
 II SUPERIOR DEV ELOPMEN T

Game No . 3
IN this game you have Black. with my knight, but it is not com ­
Your consultation partner is the pletely secure on that square.
author. Your opponent is the I I . R-Kt 1
noted London player A. Y. Green.
*
The game was played at Bognor,
11. ... B-Q 2
1 956.
The first moves are 1 . P-Q 4, 2 points. Black, of course, does
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P­ not occupy K 4 until White has
K Kt 3 ; 3. P-K Kt 3, B-Kt 2 ; lost a tempo with P-K R 3.
4. B-Kt 2, 0-0; 5 . Kt -.-K B 3, 1 2. P-K R 3
P-Q 3 ; 6. 0-0, Kt-B 3 ; 7. *
P-Q 5, Kt T Q R 4; 8. K Kt­ 12 .
. . . Kt-K 4
Q 2, P-B 3 ; 9. Kt-Q B 3, P x
P ; I O. P x P. I point.
1 3. P-Kt 3
*
1 3. . . . Q-B I
3 points. White's last move was
an oversight of which Black takes
immediate advantage.
1 4 . P-Q Kt 4
*
1 4. . . . K t(R 4 )-B 5
4 points. When in doubt, it is
usually better to choose a line
* ensuring a permanent positional
advantage than one involving
I O. . . . Kt-Kt 5 doubtful complications. Here, for
2 points. White was threatening e xample, 14 . . . . Q x Kt (I point) ;
1 1 . P-Q Kt 4, Kt-Kt 5 ; 1 2. 1 5 . P x Kt would lead to a wild
B-Kt 2, winning a piece, but this game by 1 5 . . . . Q x R P ; 1 6.
could be more economically pre­ R x P threatening 1 7 P-B 4, o r
vented by simply I O. . . . B-Q 2 1 5 . . . . Q R-Kt 1 ; 1 6. B-Kt 2,
Q x R P ; 1 7. P-B 4 .
(3 points ); and if 1 1 . P-Q Kt 4,
R-B 1 . I aimed to occupy K 4 1 5. K-R 2
8
 SUPERIOR DEVELOPMENT

* second attack on the seventh r ank

I S. Kt x Kt by . . . R-B 2 ; . . . Q R-B 1 ; and
2 points. 15. . . . Kt-K 6 (2 . . . R-B 7.
points ); 1 6. P x Kt, Q x Kt ; was 2 1 . Q-K I
also strong, as was the quiet 1 5 . . . .
P-Q Kt 4 (2 points ). By the te xt­ *

move, however, Black envisaged a 21. . . . R-B 2

forced line of play resu lting in 2 points. 2 1 . . . . Kt-B 5 (2
occupation of the seventh rank. points ) was also very strong.
1 6. Q x Kt 22. Kt-Q 2
*
1 6. . . . B-B 4 *
22 . . . . B-B 7
2 points for this, 1 6 . . . . Kt-B 5 ;
or 1 6 . . . . Kt-Kt 5 ch. Black baits a 2 points. White's last move was
trap, for the obvious 1 7. P-K 4 a blunder, of course, but his
now fai ls to 1 7 . . . . B x R P ! position was in any case e xtremely
difficult.
1 7. Kt-K 4
* 23 . Kt-Kt 3
1 7. . . . Q-B S *
3 points. Black simultaneously 23 . . . . B x R
invades along the Q B file and I point.
s huts out White's K B , for if now
1 8. Q-K 3, Black can simp ly 24. Q x B
capture the Q R P. *
1 8 . P-B 3 24 . . . . Q R-Q B 1
* 3 points. Stronger than 24.
1 8. . . . K R-B 1 Q x Kt P (I point ); the th reat is
2 points. In the circumstances, 25 . . . . R x B.
slightly better than 1 8 . . . . Q R­
25. R-Q 2
B 1 ( I point) since Black may wish
to open the Q R file later. *
1 9. R-Q I 25 . . . . Q x Kt P
* I point.
1 9 . . .. Q-B 7 26. P-K R 4
2 points.
*
20. R-Kt 2
*
26 . . . . P-Q R 4
20 . . . . Q-R 5 4 points. Now W hite canno t
3 points. Black t hreatens 2 1. . . .
avoid further m aterial loss.
Kt-B 5 ; and prepares for a 2 7 . P-R 3
9
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS?

* Many games which are los t by

27. Q-Kt 3 tac tical blunders of this kind
2 poin ts. 1 poin t for 27 . . . . Q­would be saved if the player took
Kt 4 ; 28. Kt-Q 4, and Whi te can the precau tion, before making
hold on a li ttle longer. EVERY move, of taking a quick
look round the board for any
28. P-R 4 tac tical possibili ties presen t (a) in
* the position as i t s tands, and ( b) in
28 . . . . R-B 6 the position which will occur af ter
4 poin ts. he has moved. I canno temphasize
too much the value of this advice
2 9. B-K R 3
for any readers who find tha t they
* are liable to be caught by traps
2 9. . . . R (B 1)-B 2 and elemen tary combinations.
2 poin ts. The second poin t to notice
abou t this game is the way in
30. P-B 4 which Black, with a clear and per­
* manen t s tra tegical advan tage,
30 . . . . Q x Kt refused to be diver ted in to scrappy
Winning another piec e ( 1 poin t). posi tions where Whi te migh t ob­
Whi te resigns. tain coun ter -chances (Black's 1 4 th
and 1 5 th). If you chose differen tly
Summary: Whi te's difficul ties on these two moves , i t may
arose from his no t taking sufficien t indicate tha t your games lack a
notice of the dangers arising from guiding plan and that you jump
an unguarded piece (move 1 3). abou t from one idea to ano ther.

IO
 III POSI T I O N AL PL AY
Game No . 4
IN this game you have White.
Your consu ltation partner is
German grandmaster Wolfgang
Unzick er. Your opponent is
Miguel Sanchez of Colombia. The
game was played in the world
championship interzonal tourna­
ment at Saltsjobaden, Sweden,
1 952.
The first moves are 1. P-K 4,
P-K 4; 2. Kt-K B 3, Kt ­
Q B 3 ; 3. B-Kt 5, P-Q R 3 ;
4. B-R 4, Kt-B 3 ; 5. 0-0,
B-K 2 ; 6. R-K l , P-Q Kt 4 ;
7 . B-Kt 3 , P-Q 3 ; 8 . P-B 3,
Kt-Q R 4; 9. B-B 2, P-B 4 ;
10. P-Q 4, Q-B 2 ; 1 1 . P-Q R 4,
P-Kt 5 ; 12. B P x P, P x Kt P ;
1 3. P-R 3 , 0-0 ; 1 4. Q Kt­
Q 2, B-Q 2 ; 1 5. Kt-B 1, K R
-B 1 .
* would disapp ear if Black were
16. Kt-K 3
2 points. More active than 1 6.
B -Q 3 or 16. B-Kt 1 (1 point
11
each) ; in the Ruy Lopez White's
Q Kt usu ally aims to reach Q 5 or
K B 5.
1 6. . .
. Kt-B 3
*
1 7. B-Kt 3
3 points. Black threatened to
win a pawn by 1 7 . . . Kt x Q P
.
(deduct 3 points if you overlooked
this). 1 7 P-Q 5 (no credit) is
rarely good in such positions, since
it abandons the attempt to make
Black capture on White's Q 4 and
also takes away a good square
from the white knights ; while
1 7. P x P (no credit) is also
innocuous. So White mo ves his
bishop back to a good diagonal.
The reply 17 . . . K Kt x P ? fails
.
to 1 8 . Kt-Q 5.
17. . . . Kt-QR 4
*
1 8 . B-Q 5
2 points. This is much stronger
than repeating moves by 1 8. B ­
B 2 ( 1 point) or than 1 8. Kt-Q 5
( 1 point).
1 8. . . . B-B 3
*
19. B x B
2 points. White's ad vantage
allowed to exchange twice on his
Q 4.
19. . . . Kt x B
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS?

* knight can j oin in the Q- side

20. Kt-B 5 offensive ; after Black's la st m ove
3 p oints. N ow the knight i s it can reach Q 5 with gain of time.
happily established on one of it s 24. Q R-B 1
tw o 'ideal' outp osts. *
20. . . . B-B I 25. Kt-Q 5
* I p oint.
2 1 . B -Kt 5
25 . . . . R-Q 2
2 p oints. Devel oping and threat­
ening at the same time, for Black *

cann ot aff ord t o let White per­ 26. B-Q 2

manently secure his knight's 2 p oints. The logical m ove to
p ositi on by 22. B x Kt. increase the pre ssure on the
21. ... Kt-K I Q Kt P .
* 26. P -Kt 3
22. R -Q B 1 *
I p oint. 27. R-B 4
22 . . . . Q-Kt 2 2 p oints . N ow Black can
* scarcely pro tect hi s Q Kt P, for
23. Q-Q 3 after 27 . . .. P-Q R 4 ; foll ows
3 p oints. White has satisfac­ 28. K R-Q 8 l, with a cripp ling
t orily established his advantage in p in on the Q B file.
the centre and on the king' s side, 27. . .
. p x p
and n ow must l ook for a new *
mean s of attack. There is n othing 28. B x P
further t o be d one on the king's
side for the m oment, since the 3 p oints . Much better than 28.
bl ack pawn wall is unbr oken and Kt x Kt P; t he knight at Q 5 i s a
he has tw o min or pieces handy t o t ower of strength and sh ould n ot
defend his ki ng. H owever, Black' s be exchanged. Deduct 4 p oint s for
Q Kt P can be easily attacked and 28. Kt x Q P ?, Kt-K 4.
if it is safeguarded by . . . P-Q R 4 28. . . . B -Kt 2
White will have an other outp ost *
available for occupati on at Q Kt 5. 29. B-Q 2
23. Q-Kt 3 and 23. R-B 4 (same
6 p oints. The idea of thi s fine
i dea) are met by 23 . . . . Kt-R 4.
m ove is that after 29 K R-Q B I
23. .. . R-B 2 (n o credit), Black c ould still save
* himself by 29 . . . . Kt x B ! N ow,
24. Kt-K 3 h owever, 30. K R -Q B 1 is a
3 p oints. N ow that Black's K Kt terrible threat, e.g. 29 . . . . Q x P ;
and K B are passively .p osted, this ! 30. K R-Q B I, Q-Kt 2 ; 3 1 .
12
 POSITIONAL PLAY

R-Kt 1, Q-R 2 ; 32. Kt-Kt 6, *

and wins, or 29 . . . . Kt-K 4 ; 30. 34. Q x R P
Kt x Kt, P x Kt ; 3 1. R x R, 1 point.
Q x R ; 32. Kt-Kt 6. 34. . . . R-Kt 2
29. R-Kt 1 I f 34 . . . . Q x P ; 35. R-B 8,
Q x B ; 36. R x Kt ch, B-B I ;
*
30. K R-Q B 1 37. Kt-B 6 ch.
*
1 point. 35. R-B 8
30. Kt-K 4 6 points. A crushi ng finish, after
which Black resigns. If 35 . . . Q x
*
R ; 36. Kt-K 7 ch.
3 1 . Kt x Kt
1 point. Summary: Note how White 's

3 1. P x Kt persistent initiative was due to his

use of the central squares Q 5 a nd
* K B 5 as jumping-off poi nts for
32. R-Kt 4 his minor pieces (moves 18, 20,
4 points. This wins a pawn and 25). Another factor in White's
immediately. 32. Q-B 2 (3 points) win was his use of the 'alternatio n'
is strong too. principle. Black's minor pieces
were driven into defensive posi­
32 . . . . Q-R 2 tions (moves 20 and 2 1) and then
* White used his superior mobility
33. R x R to transfer the attack to the other
wing, where he was thus able to
2 points. have a decisive superiority o f
33 . . . . Q x R force avai l a ble (moves 24 - 2 7 ).

13
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?
Game No. 5
IN thi s game y ou have Black.
Y our c onsultati on partner is Juli o
B olb ochan, the Argentinian, wh o
has the reputati on of being the
hardest pl ayer in the w orld t o
defeat. Y our opp onent is G.
Idig oras. The game was played at
Mar de ! Plata, 1 956.
The first m oves are 1. P-Q 4,
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P­
K Kt 3 ; 3. P-K Kt 3, B-Kt 2 ;
4. B-Kt 2, 0-0 ; 5. Kt-K B 3,
P-Q 3 ; 6. 0-0, Kt-B 3 ; 7.
P-Kt 3, R-Kt 1 ; 8. B-Kt 2,
P-Q R 3 ; 9. P-Q 5, Kt-Q R 4 ;
1 0. Kt-Q 4, B-Q 2 ; 1 1 . Kt­
Q 2, P-B 4 ; 1 2. P x P e.p.,
P x P ; 1 3 . R-Kt 1 .
*
1 3. . . . P-B 4
2 p oin ts. Bl ack's advantage here
is very slight. He has the maj ority
of pawns in the centre, but they
can scarcely be advanced with out *
creating wea knesses. White has n o
weak p oints, altho ugh Black ma y
be able to obtain press ure later on 17 . . . Kt-Q 5 (1 p oint) since the
by mass in g his heav y pieces on the kn ight is then at once driven from
Q Kt file and advancing his Q R P. its centrali zed po st by 18. P-K 3
14
O n the other hand , i t i s very h ard
for White t o find any c onstructive
plan, for his pr ospects of initiative
on either wing are greatl y dimin­
ished by Black's h old on the
centre, which he strengthens by
1 3 . . . . P-B 4. N othing for 1 3 . . . .
P-K 4 ; 14. Kt (Q 4)-B 3, when
Black 's Q P is a weaknes s.
14. Kt-B 2
*
1 4. . . . Q-B 1
2 p oints. The exchange of
Whi te 's K B is necessary if Black
is t o operate on the Q Kt file.
Reas onable alternatives, alth ough
less thematic, are 1 4 . . . . B-B 3 ;
and 1 4. . . . Kt-B 3.
1 5. Kt-K 3 1 k-!
,, ,,.---------
*
1 5. . . . Kt-B 3
2 p oints. N othing for the im­
mediate 1 5 . . . B-R 6 ; when 1 6.
.
B x Kt, K B x B ; 1 7. Kt-Q 5 !
is rather awkward-hence Black
g uards the K P, simultan eously
re-centralizing t he knight.
1 6. Kt-Q 5
*
16 . . . . Kt x Kt
1 p oint.
1 7. P x Kt -
1 7. . . . Kt-K 4
2 p oints. A little better than
.
 POSITIONAL PLAY

or 1 8 . Kt-B 3. Deduct 6 points the exchanges. This t ype of pawn

for the blunder 17 . . . . B x B ? ; formation often res ults from
1 8 P x Kt, winning a piece. After King's Indian Defence type of
1 7 . . . . Kt-K 4 ; 1 8 . P-B 4, openings where Blac kplays . . . P­
Kt-Kt 5 ; is obviously bad for Q B 4. The wea kness in White's
White. position lies in the fact that the
1 8 . Q-B 2 base of his pawn chain at Q B 4 is
vulnerable to attack, wh ile Black's
*
18. . . . B-R 6 base at K 2 is m uch more easily
defended. Deduct a point for the
1 point. unimaginative 23 . . . . Q-B 2 and
1 9 . Kt-B 4 23 . . Q-Kt 1 ; both answered by
. .

* 24. R-Q Kt 1 .
1 9. . . . B x B 24. Q-B 2
1 point. *

20. K x B 24 . . . . R-Kt l
*
1 point.
20 . . . . Kt x Kt 25. P-K 4
1 point. Another necessary ex­ *
change, since after 20 . . . . Kt-Q 2 25 . . . P-Q R 4
.

(no credit) ; White's knight is too 3 points. This threatens 26 . . . .

well posted, and otherwise White P-R 5 ; 27. Q x P (else 27 . . . .
simply doubles and isolates his P-R 6;), Q x K P ch ; followed
opponent's pawns by 2 1 . K t x Kt. by . . . R-Kt 5 ; winning a pawn.
2 1 . P x Kt 26. P-K R 3
) )
* *

21. ... B x B 26 . . . . Q-R 4

1 point. 3 points. Now the threat is 27.
. . . P-R 5 ; 28. Q x P, Q-K 7.
22. R x B 27. P-B 3
* *
22 . . . . R x R 27. . . . Q-K 4
2 points. Against other moves 2 points. Finally White is forced
the reply is 23 K R-Q Kt 1 , and to exchange rooks, but the queen
White's assured possession of the and pawn ending also has its
Q Kt file is a useful asset. troubles.
23. Q x R 28. R-Q Kt 1
* *
23 . . . . Q-Kt 5 28 . . . . R x R
2 points. Now we can see why 1 point.
Black's adva ntage persists, despite 29. Q x R
15
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS?

• •
29. P-R 5 37 . . . . P-B 4
3 points. Black cannot be pre­
vented from completing his plan , 2 points. Black is intent on
for if 30. P-R 3, Q-B 6 ; 3 1 . obtaining the maximum possible
Q-R 2, Q-Kt 6. positional advantage before trans­
30. Q-B 2 posing into a pawn ending.
• 38. Q-Q B 2
30. . . . P-R 6 •
l point.
38 . . . . K-B 2
3 1 . Q-K 2
• 2 points for this or 38 . . . P­
31. ... P-K t 4 B 5 ch.
5 points for this or 3 1 . . . . P-R 4. 39. Q-Q 3
There is nothing more to be done
•
on the queen's side for the moment
(no credit for 3 1 . . . . Q-Kt 7 ; 39 . . .. P-B 5 ch
32. K-B 2), so Black creates an 1 point. .
entry point on the opposite wing. 40. K-B 2 6 ,· ) .
- -1-
32. K-B 2 *
*
40 . ... Q-Kt 7 ch
32. . .
. P-R 4
l point. 1 point. White resigns , for after
33. Q-Q 2 4 1 . Q-K 2, K-B 3 ; 42. K-B 1 ,
* K-K 4 ; 43. Q-Q 3, Q-R 8 ch ;
33. . . . P-R 5 44. K-K 2, Q x P ch ; followed
2 points. by 45 . . . . Q-Q Kt 7 ; Black wins
34. p x p with ease.
•
34. . . . p x p Summary: Where strong players
1 point. \ are concerned, it is often very
35. K-B 1 difficult to make any impression
* I with the black pieces, but in such
35. . . . K-B l a case the experienced master wil l
2 points. Deduct 6 points for play on and accumulate such
35 . . . . Q-Kt 6?; 36. Q-K Kt 2, positional advantages as he can.
when Black may even lose the
pawn endi ng.
I If you obtained a bad score in this
game, it could mean that you were
36. K-K2 not sufficiently aware that Blac k
• had an advantage at all. If you are
36 . . .. K-K l prone to draw a large number of
2 points. your games, the moral shou ld be
37. K-K 3 clear.
16
 POSITIONAL PLAY

Game No . 6
IN this game you have Black. points for IO. . .. B-K 3 ; which is
Your consultation partner is V. equal ly strong.
Suetin of the U.S.S.R. Your 1 1 . P-B 4
opponent is Monillaux of France.
The game was played in the *
Students' World Team Champion­ 1 1 . ..
. B-K 3
ship in Lyons, 1 955. l point for this, but 3 points for
The first moves are 1. P-K 4, the more accurate 1 1 . . . . P x P ;
P-Q B 4; 2. Kt-K B 3, P-Q 3 ; 1 2. B x P, B-K 3 ; threatening
3 . B-K 2, Kt-K B 3 ; 4. Kt­ both 1 3 . . . . P-Q 4 ; and 1 3 . . . .
B 3, Kt-B 3 ; 5. P-Q 4, P x P ; Kt x B P ! ( 1 4. Q x Kt, Q­
6 . Kt x P, P-K 4 ; 7 . Kt-Kt 3, Kt 3 ch).
B-K 2; 8 . 0-0, 0-0; 9. B­ 12. P-B 5
K 3, P-Q R 4 ; IO. P-Q R 4.
*
12. . . . B-Q 2
2 points. Nothing for 1 2. . . .
B-B 1 or 1 2. . . B x Kt ; the B
.

must support the advance of the

Q P.
1 3. B-B 3
*
1 3. . . . B-B 3
1 point.
14. B-Kt 5
* (Better 14 Q-K 2, followed by
Q R_:_ Q 1 , so as to make Black
IO. . . . Kt-Q Kt 5
submit to a pin on the Q file as
3 points. Boleslavsky's variation the price of carrying through . . .
of the Sicilian is nowad ays one of P-Q 4).
the most popular of all, for exper i­ *
ence has shown that Blac k's back­ 1 4. . . . Q-B 2
ward Q P involves no difficulties.
By inducing White to play P­ 2 points.
Q R 4 on the last mo ve, Black 15. B x Kt
made it possible for himself to
*
post his Q Kt on this strong 15. ... B x B
square where it supports the
coming . . . P -Q 4 ; and ties down 1 point.
the white queen to defence. 3 16. Q-K 2
17
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
1 6. . . . QR-Q l 24 . . . . Rx Reh
2 points for this or 1 6. . . . K R 2 points for this or for 24. . . .

-QI. Q-Q I, Q 2, or Q 3, which are

1 7. Q R-Q 1 also excellent.
25. Q x R
*
1 7. . . . R -Q 2 *
25 . P-R 3
. . .

3 points. This saves a move over

17 • P-Q Kt 3 (1 point).
. . .
2 points. Nothing for the im­
\
•
patient 25. . . . Q-Q 1 ; 26. Q x
1 8. K-R 1 1. •

Q ch, B x Q; 27. Kt -Q 3, P­
.

* B 3 ; 28. Kt-B 5, when the win,

1 8. . . . K R-Q l if possible, is very difficult.
1 point. 26. Kt-K 2
1 9. Kt-B 1 *
26 . . . . P-K S
*
1 9. . . . P -Q 4 3 points. If now 27. P-B 3,
Q-Q B 5 ; followed by . . Q-Q 6,.

3 points. Of course ! No further when White is at a loss for reason­

preparation is needed. able moves.
20. p x p 27. Kt-Kt 3
* *
20 . . . . Kt x Q P 27 . . . . B x P
1 point. 2 points.
2 1 . Kt x Kt 28. Kt x P
* *
21. ... B x Kt 28. . . . Q-K B S
1 point. 3 points. 28. . . Q-Q B 5 (2
.

22. B x B points) is also sufficient.

29. Kt-B S
*
*
22. . . . R x B
29 . .. . B-K 4
1 point.
3 points.
23. R x R
30. P-Kt 3
*
*
23 . . . . R x R 30 . . . . Q- B S
1 point. 3 points for this, and I point for
24. R-Q 1 30 . . Q x B P ; 3 1 . Q-Q 8 ch,
. .

18
 POSITIONAL PLAY

K-R 2 ; 32. Q-Q 3, w hen Black 3 points. I only for 33 . . . . Q x

still has some technical difficulties. P ch.
3 1 . Kt-Q 3 White resigns, for if 34. K-K 2,
Q-Kt 7 ch ; 35. K-K I, B-
* B 6 ch.
31. ... Q-Q 4 ch
2 points. Summary: This game can really
32. K-Kt I be divided into two parts : the first,
up to move 1 9, where Black
* devotes all his energies to realiz­
32 . . . . B-Q 5 ch ing the advance . . . P-Q 4-if you
I point. did badly here it means you should
33. K-B I check up, before playing any
move, to make sure that it has a
Not 33 Kt-B 2, B x Kt ch ;
part in your plan of action. The
which explains why Black pre­
second half of the game, from
ferred . . . Q-Q 4 ch to . . . Q­
move 24 to the end, is a test of a
K 5 ch on move 3 1 .
player's ability to evaluate a
* positional advantage in the most
33 . . . . Q-R 8 ch accurate way.

19
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS'?

G ame No. 7

I
IN this game you ha ve Black . and 1 1 . . . . P-Q B 4 ; which are
Your consultation partner is the quite playable.
Franco-Polish master Stephan 1 2. Q-B 2
Pope !, who is now living in the
U.S.A. Your opponent is one of *
Britain's most promising young 12 . . . · Q Kt-Q 2
players, B. J. Moore. The game 1 point for this or 1 2 . . . . P-
was played in the Premier Re- Q R 4.
ser ves Major tournament at 1 3. P-Q Kt 4
Hastings, 1 955-6.
The first mo ves are 1 . P-Q 4, *
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. Kt-K B 3, P- 1 3. . .. P-Q R 4
K 3 ; 3 . P-B 4, B-Kt 5 ch ; 4. 1 point.
B-Q 2, Q-K 2 ; 5. P-K 3, 14. K R-B I
0-0; 6. B-Q 3, Kt-B 3 ; 7.
P-Q R 3, B x B ch ; 8. Q Kt x *
B, P-Q 3 ; 9. 0-0, P-K 4 ; 1 4. . . . P x P
1 0. P-Q 5, Kt-Kt 1 ; 1 1 . P-K 4. 2 points. Opening the Q R file in
itself has no particular strength ;
but Black has an interesting plan
for fixing his opponent's queen's
side, which reveals itself in the
next few mo ves. 2 points for 14 . . . .
K R-B 1 , another good posi­
tional move which prepares . . . Kt
B 1 -Kt 3-B 5 and also . . . P­
Q B 3.
1 5. p x p
*
* 1 5. . . . P-B 4
11. B-Kt 5 2 points. The reply is forced, for
2 points. In this blocked posi­ 1 6. P x P, Kt x B P ; or, 1 6.
tion the bishops, particularly P-Kt 5, Kt-Kt 3 ; makes White's
White's, ha ve little scope ; Black bishop a very helpless piece
can therefore allow the exchange indeed.
of his own bishop for a knight so 1 6. P x P e.p.
as to increase his own knight's
*
chances of occupying the black
squares Q B 4, Q 5 and K B 5. 1 6. . . . P x P
1 point each for 1 1. . P-Q R 4 ;
. . 1 point .

20
 POSITIONAL PLAY

1 7. Kt-K 1 *
Preferable and more active is 22 . . . . Kt-B 3
1 7. R x R, R x R ; 1 8 . P-B 5. 2 points. Nothing for 22 . . . . P­
* B 4 ; when White's feeble bishop
1 7. . . . P-B 4 is able to obtain some scope b y
2 points. Now Black's man­ 23 P x P, P x P ; 24. Q-Q 2,
reu vre to fix the queen's side is with B-B 3 in the offing.
complete. The outside passed 23. B-B 3
pawn is of no great importance,
*
since it cannot advance for a long
time to come. 23 . . . . R x R
1 8. P-Kt 5 1 point. Exchang es normall y
accentuate the- han dicap whic h a
*
1 8. . . . Kt-Kt 3 pla yer suffers fiom ha ving a
strategicall y useless piece, as
1 point. W hite's bishop is here.
19. Kt-B 1
24. R x R
*
1 9. . . . Q-Kt 2 *
3 points. A multi-purpose mo ve : 24 . . . . R-R l
it _guards against R-R 6, pre­ 1 point.
pares in some e ventualities the 25. R-Q 1
exchange of the rooks on the Q R
*
file and its o ccupation b y the
queen, and keeps an e ye on the 25 . . . . Kt-K l
white K P. 2 points. How should Black
20. Kt-K 3 protect the attacked Q P ? The
queen and rook are clearl y in­
*
tended for an in vasion along the
20 . . . . P-Kt 3
Q R file, while the knight at
2 points. It is more logical to Q Kt 3, besides blockading the
keep the K P fixed rather than Q Kt P, attacks the Q B P, which
permit 20. . . . B-K 3 ( 1 point) ; will be the first target of Black's
2 1 . Kt-B 5, B x Kt ; 22. P x B, invasion.
although in that case, too, Black
would retain some ad vantage. 26. B-K 2
2 1 . Kt x B *
* 26 . . . . R-R 5
21. ... Kt x Kt 2 points. 1 point for 26 . . . . R­
1 point. R 4 ; or 26 . . . . R-R 6
22. B-K 2 27. P-B 3
21
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS?

* *
27. Q-R l 33 . . . . Q x R eh
1 point for this or 27 . . . . Q-R 2. 1 point.
28. R-Q 2 34. K-B 1
* *
28 . . . . Q-R 4 34. . . . Q-Q 8 ch
1 point. Now the knight is tied
2 points. 1 point for 28 . . . . R­
down, for if 35. K-B 2, Q­
R 8.
Q 5 ch.
29. K-B 2 35. Kt-K I
\.·· ..
* *
29 . . . . K-B l 35 . . . . Q-Kt 8
1 point. Black, it seems, cannot 1 point.
impro ve his position for the 36. Q-R 4
moment and so centralizes his king *
in readiness for the ending. 36 . . . . Kt-B 2
30. P-Kt 3 2 points. White resigns. With
* the loss of a second pawn, his
30 . . . . K-K 2 game is hopeless.
1 point.
Summary: The theme of Black's
3 1 . Kt-Kt 2
excellent positional play here is
* the reducing of White's bishop to
31. ... Kt x P helplessness. Black steadily (mo ves
4 points, and 4 points if you 1 1 , 1 3, 1 5, 1 8) consolidates his
chose this on either of the two hold on the black squares and ties
pre vious mo ves, when it was down this bishop to purely passi ve
equall y playable. defence, and only then in vades
32. B x Kt along the Q R file. Many players
are too prone to attack before
*
32 . . . . R x B firml yestablishing what positional
ad vantages are inherent in their
I point. position, and for them this game
33. Q x R should be a valuable correcti ve.

22
 POSITIONAL PLAY

Game No . 8
IN this game you have White. *
Your consultation partner is 1 7. R x B
Czechoslovakia's leading pla yer, 1 point.
Dr. Miroslav Filip. Your oppon­
1 7. . . . K R-K l
ent is Jan Se fc. The game was
pla yed in the international tourna­ *
ment at Marianske Lazne, 1 956. 1 8 . P-Q Kt 4
The first moves are 1. P-Q B 4, 4 points. The minorit y attack is
P-K 3 ; 2. P-K Kt 3, P-Q 4 ; particularl y effective here, since
3 . B-Kt 2, P x P ; 4 . Q-R 4 ch, Black's bishop is a vulnerable
B-Q 2 ; 5. Q x B P, B-B 3 ; target.
6. Kt-K B 3, Kt-Q 2 ; 7. 0-0, 1 8. . . . P-Q R 3
K Kt -B 3 ; 8. Q-B 2, P-K 4 ;
9 . Kt-B 3 , B-Q 3 ; 1 0. P-K 4, *
B-B 4 ; 1 1 . R-Q 1 , Kt-Kt 5 ; 1 9 . B-B 4
12. R-B 1 , 0-0 ; 1 3 . P-K R 3, 3 points for this, 2 for 19. P­
K Kt-B 3 ; 14. R-Q l, Q-K 2. Q R 4, and 4 points if you chose
I 8 B-B 4 last move.
19. . . . Kt-K 4
*
20. Q R-Q I
2 points. This is one of the
positions wher e ver ysimple moves
keep the advantage. Black cannot
now contest the Q file immediatel y
owing to the loss of the knight
on K 4.
20. . . . Kt-Kt 3
* *
1 5. P-Q 4 2 1 . B-K 3
4 points. White's advantage here 2 points. 2 1 . B-Kt 5 ( 1 point),
consists of the centre majorit y of P-K R 3 is also possible, thou gh
pawns and in the awkward posi­ no particular improvement.
tioning of his opponent's bishops. 2 1. . . . K R-Q I
1 5. p x p *
* 22. Q-Q 2
1 6. Kt x P 3 points. Again pla yed in order
I point. to keep contro l of the Q file.
16 . ... Bx Kt 22. . . . Rx R
23
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* simply transferring his qu een and

23. Q x R rook to the Q B file, Black will
I point. obtain counterpla y b y himself
23 . .. . R-K l occup ying the Q file. So White
plans first to tie his opponent's
*
queen to the defence of the weak
24. P-B 3
pawn by P-K Kt 4 and B-Kt 3.
I point. Howe ver, the immediate 30. P­
24 . . . . P-R 3 Kt 4 would be countered by 30 . . . .
* Kt-B 5-hence 30. Kt-K 2.
25. P-Q R 4 30. . .. Kt-B 1
4 points. N ow that the centre is
under control, White can re vert to *
the minority attack. 3 1 . Kt-B 4
25. . . . P-Kt 3 4 points. Now Black threaten ed
* to free his queen from the defence
26. B-B 2 of the pawn by 3 1 . . . . Kt-K 3.
3 points. White could also pla y 31. ... Kt-K 3
26. P-Kt 5 (3 points) immedi­ *
ately, but 1here is no hurry ; 32. Kt x Kt
Black's paw n weaknesses would I point.
be accentua ted if he ad vanced 32 . . . . Q x Kt
. . . P-Q R 4 or . . . P-Q Kt 4.
*
26. . . . B-Kt 2 33. P-Kt 4
* 1 point.
27. K-R 2
33 . . . . Q-K 4 ch
I point for this or 27. P-Kt 5.
*
27. . . . Kt-K 4
34. Q x Q
*
1 point .
28. P-Kt 5
34 . . . . R x Q
I point.
28 . . . . P x P *
35. B-B 1
*
29. p x p 2 points. Deduct 5 points if you
1 point. failed to notice that the Q Kt P
was attacked.
29 . . . . Kt-Kt 3
*
35. . . . R-K 2
30. Kt-K 2 *
6 points. The ob vious target for 36. B-Kt 3
White here is Black's Q B P ; 1 point.
however, if White attacks it by 36 . . . . K-B l
24
 POSITIONAL PLAY
After this Black loses quickl y,
but he has alread y no reasonable
defence to the threatened 37. R­
Q 8 ch, K-R 2 ; 38. R-Q Kt 8,
P-B 4 ; 39. P x P e.p., B x P ;
40. R x P, when although the
pawns are all on the same side of
the board, White's possession of
the two bishops makes the win
theoreticall y sure.
* Q 6 ch, K-B 2 ; 50. B x Kt,
37. R-Q S ch
1 point.
37 . . . . R-K l
A sad decision ; but if 37.
Kt-K 1 ; 38. R-Kt 8, P-B 3 ;
39. B-Q 6.
* how Black was steadil y dri ven
38. B x P
1 point. A sound pawn up, with
the rooks exchanged and two
25
bishops controlling the board,
White has an eas y win. The re­
maining moves were 38 . . . . R x R ;
39. B x R, Kt-Q 2 ; 40. B-B 7,
K-K 2 ; 4 1 . K-Kt 3, P-Kt 4 ;
42. K-B 2, B-R I ; 43. K-K 3,
B-Kt 2; 44. K-Q 4, P-B 3 ;
45. B-Q B 4, K-K 1 ; 46. B­
Q 5, B-B I ; 47. B-B 6, K-K 2 ;
48. K-Q 5, . Kt-K 4 ; 49. B­
Resigns.
Summary: In master pla y, the
two bishops in a reasonabl y open
position form virtuall y a winning
advantage in themselves, other
factors being equal. Note here
back as the bishops, operating on
adjacent diagonals, controlled the
whole board.
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No . 9
IN this game you have Black.
Your consultation partner is
Nicolas Rossolimo, the French
master who is now residing in the
U.S.A. Your opponent is the
author. The game was played at
Hastings, 1 950- 1 .
The first moves are I . P-K 4,
P-Q B 4 ; 2. Kt-K B 3, P-Q 3 ;
3 . P-Q 4, P x P ; 4. Kt x P,
Kt-K B 3 ; 5. Kt-Q B 3, P­
Q R 3 ; 6. P-B 4, P-K 3 ; 7. B
K 2, Q-B 2 ; 8. 0-0, Kt-B 3 ;
9. B-K 3, B-Q 2 ; I O. P-K Kt 4
(premature before Black has
castled).
* Better 14. P-Kt 5.
IO. Kt x Kt
2 points. Black's first concern,
before he attempts anything else,
must be to provide a better retreat
square for his K Kt than K Kt 1 .
The only alternative worth con­
sidering is IO . . . 0-0-0 ( 1
.
point) ; 1 1 . P-Kt 5, Kt-K l ; but
in that case the theoretical w-eaI�
ness of White's having advanced
practice by the enduring initiative
which would result.
1 1 . B x Kt
*
11. . " B-B 3
1 point.
1 2. B-B 3
*
1 2. . " P-K 4
2 points. A well-timed central
attack which must lead to either
the freeing of Black's K B or the
splitting of White's pawns. Noth­
ing for 1 2. . . . P-Q 4 ; which
would be quite good were White
to reply 1 3 . P-K 5, Kt-K 5 ; but
which leads to trouble after 1 3 .
P x P, P x P ; 1 4. R-K 1 ch.
1 3. B-K 3
*
13. " . B-K 2
1 point. 1 3 . . . . P x P ; 14. B x
P, B-K 2 ; is not so convincing in
view of the weakness of the Q P.
1 4. P-B 5
*
14. " . P-R 3 !
For after this excellent reply (3
points) White's attack is com­
pletely halted and he is left with a
bad K B hemmed in by its own
pawns and a number of weak­
nesses on the black squares. If now
1 5. P-Kt 5, P x P ; 1 6. B x P,
Q-Kt 3 ch ; and 1 7 . Q x P ; is
. . .

his pawns on the wing where he is quite safe.

castled would be outweighed in , 1 5. Q-Q 2
26
 POSITIONAL PLAY

*
*
15. P-Q Kt 4 20 . . . . Kt-B 5
2 points. Compare this game 1 point.
with No. 24. This is another of the 2 1 . Kt-Q 5
rare o ccasions when it is good to *
retain the king in the centre and
21. . . . B x Kt
attack on the wings. Clearly 15 . . . . l point.
0-0 ? (deduct 4 points) would ' i "I
22. P >< B
soon make White's attack over­
*
whelming after 1 6. P-K R 4,
22 . . . . B-Kt 4
while 1 5 . . . . 0-0-0 (no credit)
would also give White some 2 points. By this familiar strata­
welcome counterplay after 1 6. gem Black exchanges off his
P-Kt 4. opponent's 'good' bishop and
leaves its anaemic companion
1 6. Q R-Q 1
hemmed in by its own pawns.
* 23. K R-K 1
1 6. . . . R-Q B l *
2 points. Much less accurate is 23. . . . Q-K 2
1 6 . . . . P-Kt 5 (no credit) ; 1 7. 2 points for this, and 1 point for
Kt-Q 5, which is now prevented 23 . . . . B x B.
owing to the loose Q B P. Also
24. B-K 4
playable, however, is 1 6 . . . . Q­
*
Kt 2 ; pinning White down to the
24 . . . . B x B
defence of his K P.
l point.
1 7. P-Q R 3
25. R x B
*
*
1 7. . . . Q-Kt 2 25 . . . . P-K R 4
I point. 3 points. The perfect culmina­
1 8. Q-Q 3 tion of Black's beautiful strategy
* -the attack, smoothly in motion
1 8. . . . Kt-Q 2 on the queen's side, is transferred
3 points. Black is aiming to to the opposite wing as well. 1
create fresh pawn weaknesses as point for 25 . . . . Q-Kt 4.
attacking targets ; the knight 26. Q-K Kt 3
threatens to invade at Q B 4 or *
Q B 5. 26 . . . . P x P
1 9. P-Kt 4 2 points. Decidedly not 26.
* P-R 5 ? (deduct a point). Black
1 9. . . . Kt-Kt 3 can make good use of the open
l point. K R file.
20. B-B l 27. Q x Kt P
27
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
27. Q-B 3 34 . . . . K x R
I point. Black prevents 28. P­ 1 point.
B 6. 35. Q-Kt 8 ch
28. B-Q 3 *
* 35 . . . . K-Kt 2
28 . . . . R-R 5 1 point. Nothing for 35.
I point. K-B 2; 36. Q-Q R 8. If now
29. Q-Kt 3 36. B-K 4 ch, P-Q 4.
* 36. K-R I
29 . . . . Kt-Kt 3 *
2 points. This is played not just 36 . . . . Q-R 3
to attack the Q P, but to bring the 3 points. 37 Q x P ch, K­
knight into the attack on the other Kt 3 ; leaves White with no
wing. 3 points for 29 . . . . Kt x P ; defence to his K R 2, so he is
which is also sufficient (30. R­ forced to play . . .
R I , Kt x P ; 3 1 . Q R-B I , Kt x
37. Q-Kt 1
R ; 32. R x R ch, K-Q 2) .
30. R-K 4 *
37 . . . . Kt x B
*
30 . . . . R-R 4 2 points.
2 points. Nothing for 30 . . . . 38. P x Kt
R x R ; 3 1 . B x R, R-B 5 ; *
32. R-K I . 38 . . . . R x P ch
3 1 . R-Kt 4 3 points.
* White resigns, for the pawn
31. ... Kt x P ending which results is only a
2 points. Clearer than 3 1 . . . . formality.
K-B I ( 1 point) ; 32. B-K 4.
32. R x P Summary: In the long run, the
* disadvantage of pawn weaknesses
32 . . . . Kt-B S is not so much the pawns them­
I point. 1 point also for 32 . . . . selves but the passive positioning
K-K 2. of the pieces which must result in
33. R-Kt 8 ch order to defend them. Here, Black
first reduced the scope of his
* opponent's pieces on the queen's
33 . . . . K-Q 2 side and was then able to obtain
I point. a decisive attack on the other
34. R x R wing.
28
 POSITIONAL PLAY
Game No. 1 0
IN this game you have Black.
Your consultation partner is
Argentine grandmaster Hermann
Pilnik. Your opponent is Hun­
garian grandmaster Laszlo Szabo.
The game was played at Mar del
Plata, Argentina, 1 955.
The first moves are 1. P-Q 4,
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P­
K Kt 3 ; 3. Kt-Q B 3, B-Kt 2 ;
4. P-K 4, P-Q 3 ; 5 . P-B 3 , ·
0-0 ; 6. B-K 3, Q Kt-Q 2 ;
7 . Q-Q 2, P-B 4 ; 8 . K Kt-K 2,
R-K 1 ; 9. P x P, Q Kt x P ;
1 0. Kt-Q 4, Kt-K 3 ; 1 1 . B­
K 2.
* 1 5. P-Q Kt 3
1 1. Kt x Kt
2 points. 'Exchanges usually
ease cramped positions.'
12. B x Kt
* logically aim for counterplay on
1 2. . . . B-K 3
1 point for this or the aggres­
sive 12 . . . . Q-R 4.
1 3. 0-0
* This decentralizing move loses
1 3. . . . Q-R 4
1 point. Nothing for 1 3 . . . . R­
Q B 1 ; when White can take
29
advantage of the undefended
Q R P by 14. Kt-Q 5 !, B x Kt ;
1 5. K P x B, establishing a Q-side
pawn majority and at the same
time compelling Black to weaken
his pawn formation by . . . P­
Q R 3 or . . . P-Q Kt 3 .
14. K R-Q 1 \
*
14. . . . Q R-B 1
2 points. Now if 1 5. Kt-Q 5,
Q x Q ; 1 6. R x Q, Kt x Kt
(the Q R P can now be saved) ;
1 7. K P x Kt, B x B ch ; 1 8 . R x
B, B-Q 2 ; 19. P-Q Kt 4 (to
prevent the blockading 1 9. . . .
P-Q R 4), P-Kt 3 ; 20. P­
Q R 4 ! and Black can draw the
ending, since White is unable to
keep his pawn majority mobile
(the mobility is the decisive factor,
not the majority itself). If 20. P­
Q R 3 instead of 20. P-Q R 4,
then 20. . . . P-Q R 4 ; 2 1 . R­
Kt 1 , R-R 1 ; 22. K-B 2, P x P ;
23. P x P, R-R 7 ; and again
Black has adequate counterplay.
*
1 5. . . . P-Q R 3
I point. This is not strictly
necessary, and Black could more
the black squares by 1 5 . . . . Kt­
Q 2 or 1 5 . . . . Kt-R 4 (2 points
each).
1 6. Q-Kt 2
much of the advantage which
White has retained up to this point
as a result of his 'Maroczy bind'
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

(pawns at Q B 4 and K 4 against 20. . . . Kt-R 4

pawn at Q 3) in the opening. 1 point.
1 6. Q-K 3 was better. 2 1 . Kt-Q 5
* *
1 6. . . . Kt-R 4 21 . . . . B x Kt
2 points. Clearly better than 1 point.
1 6. . . . Kt-Q 2 ; 1 7. B x B, 22. R x B
K x B ; 1 8 . Kt-Q 5 dis. ch, *
followed by 1 9. P-Q Kt 4 (mobil­ 22. . . . Q-B 5
izing the majority !) or than other 2 points. More active than 22.
moves, which allow 1 7 Kt-Q 5. . . . Q-K 3, B 3, or Kt 2 (1 point
1 7. B x B each), 23. R(B 1 )-Q 1 .
* 23. R(B 1 )-Q I
1 7. . . . Kt x B *
1 point. 23. . . . Q-R 3
1 8. Q R-B 1 3 points. This unusual move
* contains a nasty threat of 24. . . .
1 8. . . . R-B 2 Kt-Kt 6 ch ; followed by either
2 points. Black intends . . . K R . . . Kt x B or . . . Q-K 6 mate.
-B 1 and . . . P-Q Kt 4 ; he need 24. K-Kt 1
no longer guard against 1 9. Kt­ Forced.
Q 5, since after 1 9 . . . . B x Kt ; *
20. K P x B (20. R x B is better, 24 . . . . Q-K 6 ch
but harmless), Q-B 4 ch ; follow­ 1 point.
ed by . . . Kt-B 4 ; it is White who 25. K-B I
is in trouble. Other moves are also *
good here, e.g. 1 8 . . . . Kt-R 4 ; 25 . . . . Kt-B 5
1 8 . . . . Q-K 4 ; and 1 8 . . . . Q­ 1 point.
K Kt 4 (all intending the black­ 26. R(Q 5)-Q 2
square counterplay which is now *
suddenly available to Black after 26 . . . . R-B 4
White's weak 1 6th move has 3 points. Now Black has the
weakened the two black diagonals deadly threat of 27 . . . . Kt-R 6 ! ;
converging at White's K 3). 1 28. P x Kt, R-K Kt 4-note
point for each of these moves. that all his last four moves have
1 9. K-R I reiterated that the emphasis of his
* play is on the black squares.
19. . . . Q-K 4 27. Q-Kt 2
l point for this or 1 9 . . . . K R­ *
Q B I. 27 . . . . Kt x P l
20. Q-R 3 ? 4 points, but deduct a point for
Another weak decentralizing 27 . . . . Kt-R 6 ; 28. Q-Q 4 !
move. 20. Q-Q 2 was correct. 28. R-Q 5
30
 POSITIONAL PLAY

If 28. K x Kt, R-Kt 4 ch ; 1 point. Nothing for 34 . . . . Q-

29. K-R 3 (29. K-R 1 , Q-B 7 ; R 6 ch ; 35. K-B 2, Q-Kt 7 ch ;
30. B-Q 3, Q x B P ch ; 3 1 . R- 36. K-K 3, which makes the win
Kt 2, Q x R(Q 8) ch) Q-B 7 ; difficult.
30. P-B 4, Q-Kt 7 ch ; 3 1 . K- 35. K-K l
R 4, Q x P ch ; 32. K x R, Q- *
Kt 6 ch ; 33. B-Kt 4, P-R 3 ch ; 35 . . . . Q x BP
34. K x P, Q-R S ch ; and mate l point.
next move. 36. Q-Q 4
* *
28. ·: · R x R 36 . .. . P-K R 4
l pomt.
3 points. Forwards ! This pawn
29. R x R can run straight through.
* '
37. R x Kt P
29 . . . . P-K 3
*
3 points for this ingenious move, 37 . . . . P-R S
which forces the win considerably
more quickly than 29 . . . . Kt-B S
l point.
(2 points) or 29 . . . . Kt-R S ( l 38. Q-K S
point). *
38. . . . R-Q l
30. R x P
* S points for this sudden finish
30 . . . . Q-B S (only l point for 38 . . . . P-R 6) ;
l point. White resigns, for if 39. R-Kt 8
(else 39 . . . . R-Q 8 mate), Kt­
3 1 . R-Q 7
Kt 7 mate.
*
31. ... Q x RP
l point. Summary : This game is an
object-lesson in the ' Maroczy
32. Q--B 6
bind' position which arises when
*
White has pawns at Q B 4 and K 4
32 . . . . R-K B l
and Black a pawn at Q 3. White's
l point. space advantage was achieved at
33. P-B S the cost of black-square weak­
* nesses and it was his failure to
33 . . . . Kt-B S protect these sufficiently which was
2 points. Neither 33. . . . Q­ the direct cause of his defeat. If
R 8 ch ; 34. K-B 2, not 33 . . . . Kt you had a bad score on this game,
-K 6 ch ; 34. K-K l , lead to look back and see whether this
anything clear-cut. was due to your underestimating
34. B-B 4 the extent to which Black's attack
* operated against these black
34 . . . . Q-Kt 7 ch square weaknesses.
31
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?
Game No. 1 1
IN this game you have Black.
Your consultation partner is
Carvalho, of Brazil. Your oppon­
ent is Primavera, of Italy. The
game was played in the Inter­
national Team Tournament at
Helsinki, 1 952.
The first moves are 1 . P-Q 4,
P-Q 4 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P-K 3 ;
3 . Kt-Q B 3, P-Q B 4 ; 4. B P
x P, K P x P ; 5. Kt-B 3, Kt­
Q B 3 ; 6. P-K Kt 3, P-:-B 5 ;
7. B-Kt 2, B-Q Kt 5 ; 8. 0-0,
K Kt-K 2 ; 9. B-B 4, 0-0 ;
1 0. Kt-K 1 .
* 1 2. . . .
1 0. B-Kt 5
3 points. The outstanding char­
acteristic of this position is Black's
mobile majority of pawns on the
queen's side. The player with a
queen's side majority should al­
most always aim at transposing
into an end-game, where a
majority of wing pawns can result
in a passed pawn with the enemy
king still on the other side of the
32
board. However, as compensation
for Black's queen's side majority,
White has a maj ority in the centre,
and if he can force the advance
P-K 4, Black's Q B P will be­
come isolated and an easy object
of attack. Black could prevent
P-K 4 directly by 1 0 . . . . P-B 4
( 1 point) ; but his Q P would then
be subject to attack by White's
minor pieces, e.g. 1 1 . Kt-B 2,
B-R 4 ; 12. Kt-K 3 , B-K 3 ;
1 3 . B-Kt 5. Black therefore holds
back P-K 4 by indirect means,
based on the fact that if White
advances without due prepara­
tion, his Q P will become very
weak.
1 1 . Kt-B 2
*
1 1. ... B-Q R 4
1 point. Deduct a point for
1 1 . . . . B-Q 3 ; 1 2. Kt x P,
Kt x Kt ; 1 3 . B x Kt, B x B ;
14. B x Kt.
1 2. P-K R 3
*
B-K 3
2 points. 1 2 . . . . B-B 4 ( 1 point)
seems more elastic, but, then
comes 1 3 . P-K 4 !, B x Kt ( 1 3 .
. . . P x P ; 1 4 . Kt-K 3) ; 1 4. K t P
x B, B x K P ; 1 5. B x B, P x B ;
1 6. Q-K 2, regaining the pawn
with an excellent game for White.
1 3 . K-R 2
( 1 3 . P-K 4 was better, although
after 1 3 . . . . P-B 4 ! ; Black keeps
the position blocked.)
 POSITIONAL PLAY

* self-pins 1 8 . . . . Q Kt-K 2 ? and

1 3. Q-Q 2 1 8 . . . . K Kt-K 2 ?
2 points. This not only prepares 1 9. P-K 3
to complete his development, but, *
by strengthening his position on 1 9. . . . P-Kt 4
the Q file, acts as a further 1 point. Owing to the pin, the
deterrent to P-K 4. 1 point for mobilizing of his pawn majority
the direct . . . P-B 4 ; when a later requires no further preparation.
B-K Kt 5 x Kt would still ease
20. P-R 3
White's position somewhat.
*
14. P-B 3 20 . . . . P-Q R 3
* I point. An advantage of
1 4. . . . Q R-Q l Q R-Kt I two moves ago would
2 points. I point for 1 4 . . . . P­ have been that this preparation for
B 4. a further advance of the Q Kt P

1 5. Q-Q 2 would not now be necessary ;

instead he could have played
*
20. . . . B-Q B 2 ; followed by
1 5. . . . Kt-Kt 3
P-Q R 4.
2 points. This is to permit
2 1 . Q R-K 1
P-B 4 ; without a resulting pin of
the K Kt. *
21. ... P-R 3
1 6. B-Kt 5
I point (and 1 point if you chose
* it last move). Black acquires the
1 6. . . . P-B 3 two bishops before proceeding
1 point. This is, of course, the further.
only consistent continuation. 22. B-B 4
1 7. B-K 3 *
* 22 . . . . Kt x B
1 7. . . . P-B 4 1 point.
1 point. 23. K P x Kt ?
1 8 . B-Kt 5 This helps Black a lot. 23. Kt P
* x Kt was much better.
1 8. . . . Q R-K l *

2 points. Here the rook con­ 23. . . . B-K B 2

tinues to discourage any advance
of White's K P ; but 1 8 . . . . R-Kt I
(2 points), intending . . . P-Q Kt 4
as quickly as possible, is also
playable. Deduct 2 points for the
33
3 points. A distant pawn
majority almost always becomes
more important as pieces are
exchanged and the ending ap­
proaches. So Black forces the
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

exchange of all the heavy pieces capturing with the K P on move

on the only open file, which White 23 .
can scarcely avoid, as otherwise 29. Kt-K 2
Black could double or triple his
*
queen and rooks on the K file and P-Q R 4
29 . . . .
eventually penetrate into his
I point.
opponent's position. 23. .. . B­
Kt 3 (2 points), tying White down 30. K-B 2
to the defence of the Q P, is also *
strong here. Deduct a point for 30. . . . P-Kt 5
23 . . . P-Kt 5 ? ; since it is most
. l point.
important for Black to keep his 31. p x p
pawns united in order to facilitate
*
the eventual creation of a passed
31. ... P x P
pawn.
l point.
24. R x R
32. K-K 3
*
*
24 . . . . R x R
32 . . . . K-B 2
I point. l point.
25. R-K 1 33. P-Kt 4
* *
25 . . . . R x R 33 . . . . P-Kt 3
I point for this, 25 . . . . R-K 2 ; I point. Naturally Black does
or 2 5. . . R. -K 3. not obligingly undouble the pawns
26. Q x R by 33. . . . P x P ? (deduct 3
points).
*
26 . . . . Q-K 3 34. P-R 4

l point. *
34. . .. P-R 4
27. Q x Q
*
3 points. This finally fixes the
pawns, and prevents White's last
27. . . . B x Q
hope of a swindle by B-R 3 and
l point. P-R 5.
28. K-Kt l 35. P-Kt 5
* *
28 . . . . B-Kt 3 35 . . . . B-B l !
2 points. The weakness of the 3 points. To bring the remaining
Q P facilitates the further advance minor piece into play is much
of Black's pawn majority, and more convincing than 35. . . . B­
underlines White's mistake in R 4 (1 point) ; or 35 . . P-Kt 6
. .

34
 POSITIONAL PLAY

(deduct 1 point, since after 36. Kt *

-R 3 !, B-R 4 ; 37. Kt-Q Kt 1 , 41. . . . B x Kt
Black has n o easy job to break 1 point.
through).
42. K x B
36. B-B 1
*
*
36 . . . . B-R 3 42 . . . . P-Kt 6

1 point. 2 points. Even stronger than

capturing the pawn at once (1
37. K-Q 2
point).
*
43. K-Q 2
37. . . . K-K 3
1 point. *
43 . . . . B x P
38. K-K 3
1 point.
*
38 . . . . B-Kt 4 White resigns.
1 point, and 1 point if you chose
this last move. Summary: Basically, the lesson
39. B-R 3 to be drawn from this game is
simple. When you have a queen's
* side pawn majority, assuming that
39 . . . . B-R S it is mobile and not under attack
1 point. from your opponent's pieces, you
40. Kt-R 1 can play for the ending and
exchange pieces with confidence.
*
If you failed to obtain a good
40 . . . . B-Q 8
score on this game, it means that
2 points. A pawn must fall. you have not been fully aware of
41 . B-Kt 2 this rule.

35
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No. 1 2
I N this game you have White. must try to tie his opponent down
Your consultation partner is to the defence of his front Q B P
David Bronstein, world champion­ by such moves as . . . Kt-Q R 4 ;
ship candidate and one of the . . . B-R 3 ; . . . P-B 4 ; and . . . R­
most likeable and friendly of all B 1 . Hence, there is no credit for
the grandmasters. Your opponent passive moves like 1 2. Kt-B 2.
is former British champion Harry I point for 12. Q-B 2, 12. Q­
Golombek. The game was played K 2, or 12. B-R 3 .
in the Alekhine Memorial tourna­ 1 2. . . . p x p
ment, Moscow, 1 956. *
The first moves are 1. P-Q 4, 1 3. p x p
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P-K 3 ; I point.
3. Kt-Q B 3, B-Kt 5 ; 4. Kt­ 1 3. . . . P-K 4
B 3, P-Q Kt 3 ; 5. P-K 3, B­ *
Kt 2 ; 6. B-Q 3, Kt-K 5 ; 7. 1 4. B-Kt 5 ,
0-0, B x Kt ; 8. P x B, 0-0 ; 3 points.
9. Kt-K I , P-K B 4 ; 1 0. P­
14. P-Q 5 (1 point), Kt­
B 3, Kt-K B 3 ; 1 1 . P-Q R 4,
Q R 4 ; would block the position
Kt-B 3 .
(to the disadvantage of White's
•''�•
..t �C'i. . ...
bishops) and also drive the black

t-
l1'.ii Q Kt where it wants to go, while
ii! � - � - -t 14. P x P (no credit) would give
� ·�. •• t r�
. - . • Black's knights too much scope.
• • •t• 14. Kt-B 3 and 14. B-K 3 (2
ft a ft H m m
points each) are quite playable but
less aggressive than the text.
� •
� � ft •
n�uJJJ,J 0
u�u 14. . . . Q-K 2
Not 1 4 . . . . P x P ; 1 5 . P x P,
Kt x Q P ? ; 1 6. P-K 5.
* *
12. P-K 4 1 5 . Kt-B 2
2 points. The type of position in 1 point.
the diagram frequently results Safeguarding the attacked Q P.
from the Nimzo-Indian Defence, 15. . . . Q -Q 3
and is critical for both sides. Both *
players must hasten forward with 1 6. B-R 4
their respective plans. White's 4 points. Black was now threat­
theme is the opening of the centre ening to win the Q P, but this fine
for his two bishops and, eventu­ move prevents it. If now 16. . . .
ally, a king's side attack. Black P x P ; 1 7. B-Kt 3 , Q-B 4 ;
36
 PoSITIONAL PLAY
1 8. P x P, Kt x Q P ? ; 1 9 . B-
B 2. 1 point only for 1 6. P-Q 5
and no credit for 1 6. P x P.
1 6. . . . Q R-K 1
* *
1 7. B-Kt 3
2 points. Again clearly best ; the
pin on the K P forces Black to
retract his 1 5th move.
1 7. . . . Q-K 2
*
1 8. Kt-K 3
3 points. Once again White
avoids the fixing of his central
pawns by neat tactics : 1 8 . . . . P x
P ; 1 9 . Kt-B 5. Still no credit for
1 8 . P-Q 5 or 1 8 . P x P.
1 8. . . . P-Q 3
* 24. Q-R 3
1 9. B-R 4
4 points. The shuttling to and
fro of the bishop seems curious,
but is quite logical in the light of
White's plans to obtain the pair of
bishops. 2 points for 1 9. Kt-B 5,
19. Kt-Q 5, and 19. R-R 2
(preparing to double rooks) which
are all reasonable moves without
having the same force as the text.
1 9. . . . Kt-Q 1
*
20. Kt-Q 5
1 point.
20. . . . B x Kt
* ported passed pawn for White,
21. B P x B
2 points. This is much better
than 2 1 . K P x B (no credit) ;
White threatens 22. B-Q Kt 5.
Having obtained the pair of
37
bishops, White's next problem is
to open up the game so that they
will be fully effective.
21. . . . P-B 3
22. Q-Kt 3
3 points. 22. P x B P (2 points)
is good and logical, but White can
take his time and strengthen the
position still further before making
the move, since 22. . . . B P x P ;
still fails to 23. B-Q Kt 5.
22. . . . K-R 1
*
23. Q R-K 1
2 points. l point for 23. P x
B P, 23. R-B 2, or 23. R-R 2.
23. . . . P-K R 3
*
5 points. Perhaps the most
difficult move of the game, which
sets up a concealed threat to the
black queen which prevents Black
easing his game by . . . P-K Kt 4
and . . . Kt-R 4, e.g. 24. . . . P­
K Kt 4 ; 25. B-Kt 3, Kt-R 4 ;
26. P x K P, P x K P (26. . . .
Kt x B ; 27. P x Q P) ; 27. B x
P ch. The immediate 24. B-Kt 3
( 1 point) does not transpose
because of 24. . . . Kt-R 4. 2
points, again, for 24. P x B P.
It is worth noting that 24. P x
K P, Q P x P ; 25. P-B 4, P­
B 4 ; although it secures a sup­
would ease Black's game con­
siderably since the pawn can be
blockaded by a black knight
at Q 3.
24. . . . P-K Kt 4
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
25. B-Kt 3 32. p x p
I point. I point.
25 . . . . Kt-Q 2
32 . . . . Kt x K P
*
26. P x B P *
2 points. At last this move is 33. P-Q 7
necessary, since Black could other­ 3 points. 3 points for 33. B­
wise play 26 . . . . B P x P. K 5 ch, which also wins speedily.
26. . . . Kt x P 33. . . . Kt-B 4
* If 33 . . . . Q x Q ; 34. P-Q 8 (Q)
27. B-Kt 5 ch wins.
2 points. *
27. R x R eh 34. B-K 5 ch
* I point.
28. R x R
34 . . . . K-R 2
I point.
28 . . . . Kt(B 3)-Kt I *

*
35. B-Q 3 ch
29. B-Q B 4 2 points. Black resigns, for if
1
2 points. White threatens 30. 35 . . . . K-Kt 1 ; 36. Q-R 2 ch.
R-B 7, and his bishops now
begin to come into their own . Summary: This game illustrates
29. . . . R-K B I how strategical ends (in this case
* the acquiring of the two bishops
30. R x R eh and the opening of the position in
I point. their favour) can be achieved by
30 . . . . tactical means. This type of
Q x R
situation is one of the most
* difficult for the amateur player to
31. p x p handle, since it involves simul­
I point. This wins a pawn, since taneously making general judg­
3 1 . . . . Kt x P ; loses a piece. ments and working out particular
31. ... Kt-B 4 variations.

38
 POSITIONAL PLAY
Game No. 1 3
IN this game you have Black.
Your consultation partner is
Samuel Reshevsky, the best player
in the world outside Russia. Your
opponent is Abe Turner. The
game was played in the Rosenwald
tournament in New York in 1 956.
The first moves are 1. P-Q 4,
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P-K 3 ;
3. Kt-Q B 3, B-Kt 5 ; 4. Q­
B 2, P-B 4 ; 5. P x P, 0-0;
6. B-B 4, B x P ; 7. P-K 3,
Kt-R 4 ; 8. B-Kt 3, Kt-Q B 3 ;
9 . B-K 2, Kt x B ; IO . R P x Kt.
* 14. Q-Kt I
10. P-K R 3
2 points. It is always a problem
how to defend against a mate
threatened in this way. In this case
10 . . . . P-K Kt 3 would place too
many of Black's pawns on white
squares, thus handicapping his
Q B, and would not eliminate the
danger of White's queen eventu­
ally penetrating to K R 6. 10 . . .
P-B 4 ; would be an outright
mistake here because of the reply
1 1 . P-K Kt 4, dissolving the
39
doubled pawns and opening the
king's side still further.
1 1 . R-Q 1
*
1 1. P-Q Kt 3
2 points. Black does not need to
bother greatly about his oppon­
ent's open K R file for the time
being, since White's minor pieces
cannot easily join in the attack.
This move is a more active method
of developing the Q B than . . . P­
Q 3 and . . . B-Q 2.
1 2 . Kt-B 3
*
1 2. . . . B-Kt 2
1 point.
1 3 . P-K Kt 4
*
1 3. . . . B-K 2
I point. Now P-Kt 5 was a
threat, and Black wished to avoid
a further loosening of his pawn
formation.
*
14 . . .
. R-B l
2 points. Black pursues the well­
known strategy, common to many
of the Indian defences, of bringing
about weaknesses in the enemy
pawn formation by the action of
his pieces before committing his
own pawns to a particular forma­
tion. 14 . . . . P-Q 3 (1 point) ; is
playable, but if 1 4 . . . . Q-B 2 ; 1 5.
Kt-Q Kt 5, and if the Q retires
to Q Kt 1 , the Q R is blocked,
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

while otherwise White can post *

his knight on the strong outpost 1 9. . . . B-B 3
Q 6. 1 point.
1 5. 0-0 20. Kt-K 4
Admitting that his attack has no *
future. 20 . . . . Q-K 2
* 2 points. Now if 2 1 . Kt x B ch,
1 5. . . . P-Q 3 Q x Kt ; Black's queen is aggres­
1 point. 1 5 . . . . Q-B 2 ( 1 point) sively posted. If, on the other
is also playable now ; if 1 6. Kt­ hand 20 . . . . B-K 2 ; White gains
Q Kt 5, Q-Kt 1 . some advantage by 2 1 . P-B 5.
1 6. R-B 1 2 1 . Kt-B 3
* *
1 6. . .
. Q-B 2 21. . . . Kt-R 4
1 point for this ; but 2 points for 2 points. Having completed his
Q-Q 2, which avoids White's development, Black now begins
next move. the systematic weakening of his
opponent's pawn formation.
1 7. Kt-Q 5
22. Kt-Q Kt 5
*
1 7. . . . Q-Q 2 *
22 . . . . P-R 3
2 points. Nothing for 1 7.
P x Kt ; 1 8 . P x P when, after 1 point. If 23. Kt-R 7 ?, R­
White recovers his piece, his R I.
K B 5 will eventually become 23. Q Kt -Q 4
available as an outpost for his *
knight. 23 . . . . P-Kt 3
1 8 . Kt-B 3 1 point. With a sound position,
Inconsistent. White should Black awaits further develop­
follow up his last move with 1 8 . ments. This move is no longer
K t x B ch, with equality ; but weakening, since White has long
White has hopes that his opponent since abandoned any pretensions
will now tamely acquiesce in a to a king's side attack. Also good
draw by repetition of moves with are 23 . . . . R-B 2 and 23 . . . . Kt­
1 8 . . . . Q-B 2 ; 19. Kt-Q 5, etc. B 3 (1 porrit each).
* 24. P-Kt 4
1 8. . . . K R-Q t *
2 points for this or 1 8. . . . B­ 24 . . . . Kt-B 3
B 3. 1 point.
19. K R-Q 1 25. P-R 3
40
 POSITIONAL PLAY

* *
25. K-Kt 2 31. ... B-B 3
1 point for this, Kt x Kt or 3 points. Black intends . . . B­
R-B 2. R 5 ; or if 32. P-Q Kt 5, P x P ;
33. P x P, B-Q 4 ; and i n either
26. B-Q 3
case the bishops, working in their
* ideal situation of parallel or criss­
26 . . . . Kt x Kt cross diagonals, become very
1 point for this or R-B 2. active.
32. R-K l
27. Kt x Kt
*
* 32 . . . . B-R 5
27 . . . . R-B 2 1 point.
1 point. 33. B-Q 1
28. B-K 2 A blunder ; 33. Q-R 2 offered
a longer resistance.
*
28 . . . . K R-Q B 1 *
33. . . . B x B
1 point. Although Black cannot
expect to win the Q B P for some 1 point.
time to come, the pressure on it 34. R(B 1) x B
ties up White's pieces. *
29. Kt-Kt 3 34 . . . . R x P
1 point.
*
29 . . . . B-K 4 35. P-B 3
3 points. This is made with the *
object of inducing a further 35 . . . . P-Q 4
weakening of the pawns ; if 30. 1 point for this or for 35.
P-B 4, B-K B 3 ; Black will aim R-B 7.
eventually at establishing his K B 36. R-Q 3
or queen on K Kt 6. However,
*
this was better than the line White 36 . . . . R-B 7
actually chooses.
1 point.
30. Kt-Q 2
37. R(K 1)-Q 1
* *
30. . . . Q-B 3 37 . . . . R-Kt 7
3 points. Now . . . B-Kt 7 ' is 2 points. White's queen is now
constantly in the air. lost.
3 1 . Kt-B l 38. Q-R 1
41
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
38. R x P ch 43 . . . . Q x RP
1 point.
1 point.
39. K x R
* White resigns.
39 . . . . B x Q
1 point.
40. Kt-Kt 3 Summary: This game particu­
* larly shows the technique to be
40 . . . . R-B 7 ch adopted when the opponent makes
1 point for this, Q-Kt 7 ch, no effort to seize the initiative but
or R-B 6. waits for you to 'come and get
him'. In these circumstances you
4 1 . R(l )--Q 2 have time to regroup your pieces
* on to their most aggressive and
41. Q-Kt 7 mutually supporting squares be­
1 point for th is or R x R ch. fore undertaking an all-out attack.
Note particularly the quiet way in
42. Kt-B 1
which Reshevsky strengthens his
* position slightly but definitely on
42 . . . . R x R eh moves 23, 25, 29, 30, and 3 1 -
I point. these moves are of the essence of
43. R x R great positional play.

42
 POSITIONAL PLAY

Game No. 1 4
I N this game you have White. Kt ch ; 10. Q x B ?, Kt x P ! ; the
Your consultation partner is Boris text move is logical.
Spassky, World Junior Champion 9. . . . Kt-B 1
and already recognized as a great
master. Your opponent is Paul *
Keres. The game was played in the 10. P-Q R 3
U.S.S.R. Championship, 1 957. 1 point.
10. . . . B x Kt ch.
*
1 1 . Kt x B
1 point.
11. ... Kt-Kt 3
*
12. B-Kt 3
1 point. 12. B x Kt ? would, of
course, be quite inconsistent.
12. . . . Kt-R 4
*
1 3. B-Q 3
1 point. This ensures that if
Black now exchanges one of the
bishops, he will have some posi­
tional difficulties after 1 3 . . . . Kt x
B ; 14. R P x Kt, Kt-K 2 ( 14 .
. . . Q-B 3 ; 1 5. Kt-Kt 5) ; 1 5.
* P-B 4, P-B 3 ; 1 6. B-Kt 6 ch.
9. Kt-K 2 Nothing for other moves, which
2 points. In this opening the allow Black to play . . . Kt x B in
position tends to be blocked· and complete safety.
favours knights rather t han bish­ 1 3. . . . Kt-K 2
ops ; consequently Black aims at *
keeping the game closed, while 14. P-B 4
White, having forced the exchange
of his opponent's K B, will try to 1 point. White is still ready to
open up diagonals so that his pair transpose into the variation given
of bishops begin to count. Natur­ in the last note. 14. B-R 4 would
ally he wishes to avoid doubled be a mistake because of 14 . . . . P­
pawns in the process, and since K Kt 4 ; 1 5. B-Kt 3, P-B 4 ;
9. P-Q R 3 (no credit) would be threatening . . . P-B 5.
a mistake because of 9 . . . . B X I 14. . . . p x p
43
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
1 5. p x p 20. R (B 1)-K 1
1 point. It is difficult to say 1 point.
whether the doubled K Kt Ps 20 . . . . Kt-Kt 1
which result from this are more or
less weak than those which arise *
after 1 5. B x P (1 point), P­ 2 1 . Kt-Q 1
K Kt 4 ; 1 6. B-Kt 3, Kt x B. 1 point.
1 5. . . . P-B 4 21. . " Q-B 3
This pawn becomes a target for *
attack as well as restricting the 22. Q-B 3
scope of Black's bishop ; 1 5 . . . .
0-0 ; i s preferable. 4 points. An instructive decision
-positionalweaknesses like vulner­
* able pawns and 'bad' bishops are
1 6. 0-0 best exploited in the ending, since
2 points. 1 6. 0-0-0 ( 1 point) . as pieces become exchanged, the
is rather too risky here ; Black is weaknesses become more apparent
well placed to begin a quick and easier to attack. Here 22. Kt
counter-attack by . . . P-Q R 3 -K 3 (1 point), Q R-K 1 ; makes
and . . . P-Q Kt 4. it difficult for White to make
progress, since Q-B 3 would now
1 6. . . . Kt x B
result in White himself having his
* pawn formation dislocated.
1 7. P x Kt
22 . . . . P-R 3
1 point.
Better 22 . . . . Q-B 2 ; although
1 7. . " 0-0
after 23. Kt-K 3, the natural
* 23 . . . . Q R-K l leads to a further
1 8. Q R-K 1 loosening of the pawns by 24.
Q-R 5.
1 point for this or 1 8. K R-K I ,
and 1 point fo r 1 8 . Kt-Q 1 , *
aiming to put pressure o n the 23. Q x Q
weak K B P by Kt-K 3.
1 point.
1 8. ... B -
Q2
23 . . . . Kt x Q
*
1 9. R-K 2 *
24. Kt-K 3
I poi nt for this, 1 9. Kt-Q 1
or 1 9 . R-B 2 . 1 point.
1 9. . . . K-R l 24 . . . . Kt-Kt I
44
 POSITIONAL PLAY

* to simplify into a drawn position

25. P-Q Kt 4 by 29. . . . R-B 6, which would
2 points. Another example of now be answered by 30. R-Kt 3.
the 'alternation' strategy char­ 29. . . . R-K 1
acteristic of much present-day *
master play. Having pinned Black 30. B x B P
down to the defence of a weakness 3 points. 30. K-B 2 (1 point)
on one wing. White now transfers would also win in time, but 30.
his attention to the other. The Kt x P (deduct 2 points) is a
preparatory move 25. R-Kt 1 ( 1 blunder because of 30 . . . . R x P.
point) i s not so good since after If now 30 . . . . B x B ; 3 1 . Kt x B,
25 . . . . P-Q R 4 ; 26. P-Q Kt 4, R x P; 32. R x P, R x R; 33.
R P x P ; Black has the open Q R R x R, and White's Q R P decides
file for counter-attack. A non­ the issue.
committal move like 25. K-B 2 30. . . . R x Kt
(1 point) would also allow Black *
to defend his queen's wing in the 31. B x B
same way.
1 point.
25. . . . Q R-B 1 31. ... R x Kt P
* *
26. R-Kt 1 32. R x P
1 point. White threatens P x P, 1 point. If 32 . . . . R x R ; 33. R x
which is also good at once ( 1 R, R x P ; 34. R-Kt 8, K-R 2 ;
point). 35. B-B 5 ch, P-Kt 3 ; 36. B x
26. . . . P-Q Kt 4 _I_> ch, , ' K x B ; 37. R x Kt ch�
Strategically outplayed, Black K-B 2 ; 38. R-Q 8, K-K 2 ;
tries to 'mix it' tactically. 39. R-K R 8 , R-Q 6 ; 40. R x
P, R x P ; and the ending of rook
* and two united pawns against
27. B P x P rook and pawn is won for White.
1 point for this or 27. Kt P x P. 32. . . . R-B 7 I<- 't!J
27. . . . RP x P * J ;'
�

* 33. B-R 3
28. p x p 2 points.
1 point. Now Black is left with a 33 . . . . R x RP
second weak pawn on Q Kt 4. *
28. . . . R x P 34. R-Kt 8
* I point.
29. R(K 2)-Kt 2 34. . . . R x B
2 points. Not only good, but Despair, but if 34 . . . . R(R 6)-
necessary, since Black threatened R 7 ; 35. R-Q 8 is sufficient.
----------

45
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* obtaining counterplay by . . . K-­

35. P x R Kt 3-R 4-R 5.
I point. 39. . . . Kt-K 6
35. R-Q 7 *
40. P-Q 6
*
36. R-Q 8 2 points.
1 point. The most decisive, 40. Kt-B 4
because most aggressive. White *
again threatens to win the knight. 4 1 . K-B 1
36. I point. 1 point also for 4 1 . R­
K-R 2
Q 8.
*
41. Kt-Q 5
37. R x P
*
1 point. 42. R-R 7
37. Kt-K 2 1 point for this, 42. R-K 7,
* 42. R-Q 8, 42. R-Q B 7, or
38. R-Q 7 42. (R Q 7)-Kt 7.
3 points for this. The point of 42. . . . Kt-K3
Black's exchange sacrifice was that *
this ending can easily be drawn if 43. P-B 5
White permits himself a moment I point.
of carelessness, e.g. 38. R-Kt 7 ?, 43 . . . . Kt-B 4
R x P ! ; 39. R x R, Kt x R : with *
a draw. White can also win by 44. P-B 6
38. R-Kt 5 (2 points), but the I point.
text is prettier. The idea is that if
Black resigns.
38 . . . . Kt x P ; 39. P-B 5 ! (but
not 39. R-Kt 5, R-Q 8 ch ; 40. Summary : White's win here is a
K-B 2, Kt-K 6 ; or 39. R(l)­ triumph of logic ; once Black
Kt 7, K-Kt 3 ; 40. R x P ch, creates a positional weakness, his
K-B 4 ; and in either case Black pieces are first tied down to its
has good chances of saving the defence, and then White makes a
game), Kt-B 6 ; 40. R x R, Kt winning break-through on the
x R ; 4 1 . R-Q 3 !, when Black's opposite wing. Conversely, if you
knight is without a move and can had a poor score on this game it
be simply captured by White's indicates that you tend to make
king. moves which are irrelevant to the
38. . . . Kt-B 4 main theme of your strategy ; you
* I can avoid this by testing each
39. R-Kt 6 , move before you actually make it,
2 poliits .� Again much the most according to its relation to your
exact move, since it prevents Black plan .
46
 IV ATTACKING PL A Y

G ame N o . 1 5
IN this game you have White. 1 1 . Q R-Q I (2 points each).
Your consultation partner is Nothing, however, for 1 1 P x P ;
former world champion Dr. Max experience has taught that the
Euwe. Your opponent is the straightforward central exchange
Italian master V. Nestler. The in such positions, which usually
game was played in the Lenzer­ arise from the King's Indian and
heide (Switzerland) team tourna­ Old Indian Defences, leads to
ment, 1 956. speedy equality.
The first moves are 1. P-Q 4, II. .. . Kt-Kt 3
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P-Q 3 ; If l l . . . . Q P x P ; l 2. P x K P,
3. P-K K t 3, Q Kt-Q 2 ; 4. B­ Kt(B 3)-Q 2 ; 1 3. Kt-K 4, Kt­
Kt 2, P-K 4 ; 5. Kt-K B 3, K Kt 3 ; 14. Q-B 3, B-B 1 ; 1 5.
P-B 3 ; 6. 0-0, B-K 2; 7. Kt-Q 6 !, while if l l . . . . K P x P ;
Kt-B 3, 0-0 ; 8. Q-B 2, Q­ Dr. Euwe had prepared 12. P x P,
B 2; 9. P-Kt 3, R-K I ; 1 0. B­ Q x P ; 1 3 . Q R-Q 1 , P-B 4 ;
Kt 2, Kt-B 1 . 14. P-K 3 , regaining the pawn
advantageously.
*
12. P x QP
I point.
1 2. . .
. B x P
*
1 3. Q R-B 1
2 points. Much the strongest,
since it threatens to obtain the two
bishops and simultaneously open
the game by the neat combination
1 4. Kt-Q- Kt 5 !-an idea well
* worth remembering.
1 1 . P-B 5 1 3. . . . Q-K 2
5 points. This surpnsmg ad­ *
vance leads in a few moves to a 14. p x p
clarification of the central position 1 point. Otherwise Black has
in White's favour. Quieter moves serious counterplay by 1 4 . . . P­ .

which are reasonable here are K 5.

1 1 . P- K 4, 1 1 . K R-Q 1 , and i 1 4. Kt x P
. . .

47
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
1 5. Kt x Kt 1 9. K-R 2
1 point. 2 points ; slightly better than
1 5. . .
. B x Kt 1 9. K-R 1 (1 point) because it
* gives an extra guard to the K Kt P
1 6. P-K 4 and K R P.
3 points. Black cannot now win 1 9. . . . B-Kt 3
a pawn by 1 6 . . . . B x Kt ; 1 7. *
Q x B, because of the mate 20. P-K 5
threat. The interest of this position 1 point.
lies in the values of the respective
20 . . . . Kt-R 2
pawn majorities. Black has 3 to 2
*
on the queen's side, and experience
2 1 . Q R-K 1
teaches us that, other things befog
equal, the player with the queen's 2 points. This is the natural way
side majority has the better game. of preparing for a further advance
Two factors outweigh this judg­ of the pawn majority by P-B 5.
· -- -
ml!nt in the preseiit position. 21 . Q R-Q 1 ( 1 point) is less
Firstly, it is exceptionally difficult forcing.
for Black to mobilize his majority 21. ... B-R 4
owing to White's command of the *
half-open Q B file and the long 22. P-B 5
white diagonal. Secondly, White's 1 point.
own majority is a serious threat 22 . . . . B-B 2
since P-K B 4 and P-K 5 can
' *
follow with gain of tempo, while 23. Kt-R 4
the majority is backed by a well­
situated bishop on Q Kt 2. Dr. 3 points. 23. P-B 6 (1 point),
Euwe considers, in fact, that this P x P ; 24. P x P, Q-Q 3 would
position is strategically won for allow Black some counterplay, as
White. his bishops are rather dangerously
1 6. . . . B-Q 2 directed towards White's king.
However, White does not need to
* hurry with P-B 6 (Black can
1 7. P-K R 3 never prevent it by . . . P-B 3 ;
2 points. Deduct 2 points for the because of P-K 6), and so first
over-hasty 1 7. P-B 4, B-Q 5 ch ; regroups his pieces on to better
1 8. K-R 1 , Kt-Kt 5. squares. 23. Kt-Kt 5 and 23.
17. . . . P-K R 3 Kt-Q 5 ( 1 point each) are play­
* able, but White's advantage is
1 8. P-B 4 much reduced after 23. . . . P x
1 point. Kt ; 24. Q x B, B-B 3 .
1 8. . . . B-Q 5 ch 23. . . . Q R-Q 1
48
 AITACKING PLAY

* *
24. Kt-B 5 29. Kt-B 4
2 points. 2 points.
24 . . . . B-B l 29 . . . . B-B 4
* *
25. Kt-Q 3 30. Q-B 4 ch
1 point. Now the knight is ready 2 points. This wins a pawn, for
to join in the action against the if 30 . . . . Q-B 2 ; 3 1 . P-K 6,
king's side. B x P ; 32. Q-B 3, and wins, or
if 30 . . . . K-Kt 2 ; 3 1 . P-K 6 dis.
25 . . . . Q-Q 2
ch, Kt-B 3 ; 32. Kt-R 5 ch !,
* P x Kt ; 3 3 . R x B !, R-K B 1 ;
26. R-Q 1 34. R(Q 1)-K B I . Or 30 . . . . K­
Kt 2 ; 3 1 . P-K 6 dis. ch. , K­
2 points. Not 26. B-K 4 (no
Kt 1 ; 32. R-Q 7 !, R x R ; 33.
credit), Kt-Kt 4 ; but now White
P x R dis. ch.
threatens 27. Kt-B 4, Q x P ? ;
28. B-K 4. 30. . . . B-K 3
26. . . . Q-K 2 *
3 1 . Kt x P
*
27. P-K R 4 4 points. Now if 3 1 . . . . B x Q ;
32. Kt x Q ch, R x Kt ; 33. R x
2 points. White still doesn't R ch, B x R ; 34. P x B, and
hurry with P-B 6 (1 point) ; first White wins the ending.
he takes away all the possible
sting from Black's counterplay 31. ... Q-Kt 2
once the position is opened. This *
move deprives Black's knight of 32. R x R
K Kt 4.
4 points. 3 points for 32. Q­
27. . . . P-K Kt 3 B 2. The text contains another
This hastens the end, but other­ trap, for if 32. . . . B x Q ; 33.
wise White would continue 28. R x R ch, etc.
Q-B 1 , strengthening P-B 6 32 . . . . B x R
owing to the queen's aimlrig a:t
the K R P. *
33. Q-B 2
* 1 point.
28. p x p
33 . . . . B-Q B 2
2 points. Not 28. P-K 6
(deduct 2 points), Q x P ch ! *

28. . . . p x p 34. Kt- -B 4

49
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?
2 points. Now the threats in­
clude Kt x B and Kt-R 5.
34. B x KP
* chose a more obvious and forcing
35. B x B
I point.
Black resigns.
His last move was a blunder,
costing at least a rook after 35 . . . .
Q x B ; 36. Q-Kt 6 ch .
Summary: The great lesson to
be learnt from this game is that an
attack must be nursed carefully if
50
the opponent has pieces, like
Black's two bishops in this game,
which may benefit from the sudden
opening of the position. If you
move at White's 1 7th, 23rd, 24th ,
27th, or 28th, it probably means you
tend to rush your attacks and do
not pay sufficient indication to the
preliminary preparation. If you
went wrong on White's 30th, 3 1 st,
or 32nd moves, then you should
make a greater effort to calculate
all the consequences if there are
tactical opportunities and forced
series of moves present in the
position.
 ATTACKING PLAY
Game No . 1 6
IN this game you have Black.
Your consultation partner is G.
Durasevic, rising young Yugoslav
star. Your opponent is Victor
Korchnoi, joint winner of the
Hastings 1 955-6 tournament. The
game was played in the U.S.S.R.
v. Yugoslavia match, Belgrade,
1 956.
The first moves are 1 . P-Q 4,
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P-K 3 ;
3. Kt-Q B 3, B-Kt 5 ; 4. B­
Kt 5, P-B 4 ; 5. P-Q 5, P­
K R 3 ; 6. B-R 4, P-Q Kt 4 ;
7 . P-K 4, P-Q 3 ; 8 . Q-B 2,
0-0 ; 9. Q P x P, Kt-Q B 3 ;
1 0. Kt-B 3, B x P ; 1 1 . P x P.
*
11. Kt-Q 5
2 points for this typical gambit
play. Black's pawn sacrifice on
move 6 was based on White's
exposed K and pinned Q Kt, plus
Black's considerable advantage in
development.
1 2. Kt x Kt
* as a resource), or 1 5 . . . . B x P
1 2. . . . P x Kt
1 point.
1 3. P-Q R 3
51
*
1 3. . . . B-R 4
4 points. 1 3. . . . Q-R 4 ( I
point) looks still better, but after
1 4. B x Kt (exchanging a black
minor piece which is very useful
as the game goes), P x B ; 1 5.
R-B 1 , P x Kt ; 1 6. P x B,
Black's attack has suddenly dis­
appeared.
1 4. P-Q Kt 4
*
1 4. . . . P-Kt 4
5 points. With a pawn down,
Black must make every move
count. If 14 . . . . B x P (2 points),
White just escapes by 1 5. P x B,
P x Kt ; 1 6. Q x P, R-B 1 ;
1 7. B x Kt !, P x B ; 1 8. Q­
Kt 3 ch, K-R l ; 1 9. B-K 2. If
14 . . . . P x Kt (3 points) ; 1 5. P x
B, Q x P ; 1 6. B x Kt, P x B ;
1 7. B-Q 3, and, although the
passed Q B P is powerful, White
still has counter-chances owing to
the break-up of Black's king's side.
1 5. B-Kt 3
*
1 5. . . . R-B l
5 points. 6 points if you chose
this on the last move, where it was
equally playable. Other alterna­
tives are not so clear, e.g. 1 5 . . . .
P x Kt (2 points) ; 1 6. P x B,
Q x P; 1 7. B x P (with B-Kt 4
( 1 point) ; 1 6. P x B, P x Kt ;
1 7. Q x P, Kt x P ; 1 8. Q-Q 4.
1 6. P x B
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
1 6. R x Kt 23 . . . . R-B I ch
2 points. 3 point s.
/'
1 7. Q-Q 2
24. K--Kt 2
*
1 7. Kt x P *
2 points. 24 . . . . R-B 7 ch
1 8. Q x p 2 points.
*
1 8. . . . Q x p 25. K--R 3
4 points. If now 19. Q x Kt, *
R-B 8 db. ch . 25 . . . . R-Q 7 :
1 9. Q-Kt 4 6 points. This quiet move forces
* White's immediate resignation.
1 9. . . . Q x Q
2 points.
20. p x Q Summary: This game demon­
* strates very clearly the need to
20 . . . . R-K l make every move count when a
5 points. The concealed threat sacrificial attack is in progress. If
on the K file now makes it im­ you went wrong on moves 1 3, 14,
possible for White to complete his or 1 5, it shows that you need to be
development, e.g. 2 1 . B-K 2, more careful and thorough when
B-B 5 ! ; 22. B x B, Kt x B dis. working out the possible varia­
ch ; 23. K Q 2, Kt-K 5 ch ;
-
tions in a position. Another
followed by . . . R x B. principle exemplified in this game
is that an attack can still be
21. P-B 3
successful when the queens are
*
exchanged, always provided that
21. ... R-K 6 ch
the remaining attacking pieces can
4 points. Nothing for the un­ be well co-ordinated. Finally,
clear 2 1 . . . . Kt x B ; 22. P x Kt, White's difficulties arose from his
B-B 5 dis. ch. ; 23. K-B 2. failure to castle in the early open­
22. K-Q 1 ing ; if a king is in the centre and
* the central files can be opened, all
22. . . . B-Kt 6 ch sorts of sacrificial combinations
3 points. become possible (compare with
23. K-B I game No. 27).

52
 ATIACKING PLAY

Game No. 1 7
IN this game you have White.
Your consultation partner is the
veteran Czech player J. Rejfir.
Your opponent is the Austrian
international Josef Lokvenc. The
game was played in the match
Czechoslovakia v. Austria, 1 956.
The first moves are 1. P-Q B 4,
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. Kt-Q B 3, P­
K Kt 3 ; 3. P-K 4, P-Q 3 ; 4.
P-Q 4, B-Kt 2 ; 5. P-B 3, 0-
0; 6. B-K 3, P-K 4 ; 7. P-Q 5,
K1=�_4; 8. Q-Q 2, P-K B 4 ;
9. P x P, P x P ; 1 0. 0-0-0,
Kt-Q 2 ; 1 1 . Kt-R 3, Kt(Q 2)­
B 3 ; 1 2. B-Kt 5, Q-K 1 ; 1 3 .
B-Q 3, Q-B 2.
• •J.• •••
•t�
• • �
-�!?
�t
v�
.
. �
- -
- .
.
an attack on the exposed black
knight, and partly because if Black
as in this game, counters with
. . . P-B 5 ; White will have the
central square K 4 available for
occupation. 2 points for 14 Kt­
B 2 or 14. Q R-� with the
.
same intention as-tlie text.
1 4. . . . P-B 3
*
1 5. Q R-B 1
3 points. Now P-K Kt 4 is
already threatened, owing to the
concealed pin on the K B file.
Deduct a point for the positional
blunder 1 5 . P x P ?, P x P ; when
Black has excellent chances owing
to the open Q Kt file, the mobile
centre pawn majority, and the
object of attack in White's Q B P .
Of course, if now 1 5 . . . . P x P ;

m m ft m t D�
1 6. P x P, Kt x P ? ? ; 1 7. B-Q B 4.
1 5. . . . P-B 5
� � .• . • *
ft .4:) 1 6 . Kt-B 2
.a. �
.!.!.. �� � •
� B
B1 ft u 1 point. Deduct 4 points for

•L_r;; � ._._a_
1 6. P-K Kt 4 ?, P x P e.p.
1 6. . . . p x p
* *
14. K R-Kt 1 1 7. p x p
1 point.
2 points. In this variation of the
1 7. . . . Q-B 2
King's Indian Defence White
*
castles Q R and aims at breaking
1 8. P-K Kt 4
open lines for attack on the king's
side. Here two methods of carry­ 2 points.
ing out this plan seem to be avail­ 18. . . . P x P e.p.
able : the advance P-K B 4 and *
the advance P-K Kt 4. The 1 9. p x p
preference for P-K Kt 4 is justi­ 1 point.
fied partly because it will include 1 9. . . . B-Q 2
53
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

If 1 9 . . . Kt x Q P ; 20. B x P *
ch, K x B ; 2 1 . Q x Kt (threaten­ 24. R-Kt 2
ing R-R 1 ) with a winning 3 points. Now stronger than
attack. 24. B x B (1 point) since he hopes
* to embarrass the black knight on
20. K-Kt 1 K R 4.
3 points. White must be careful, 24. . . . Kt-K 1
for the impatient 20. P-K Kt 4 ? *
(deduct a point), Kt-B 5 ; 2 1 . 25. R-R 2
B x Kt(B 4), P x B ; 22. Q x P ?, 3 points. The advantage of this
Kt X Q P ; makes Black's attack over 25. R-R 1 (2 points) is that
overwhelming ! If 20. P-B 4 (no it baits a trap : 25 . . . . Kt x P ;
credit) Black could also take over 26. B x P ch !, K x B ; 27. B x B
control of the game by the sacrifice dis. ch, K x B ; 28. Q-Kt 5 ch,
20. . . . P-K 5 ! ; 2 1 . Kt x P, K-B 1 ; 29. R-R 8 mate.
Kt x Kt ; 22. B x Kt, Q R-B 1 . 25. . . . Kt(R 4)-B 3
Generally speaking in this varia­ *
tion, White must . take great care 26. P-K Kt 4
l
not to allow the bl ack: c-B-1.-tree
-- 2 points. White resumes his
diagona!._ - - ------- - -- ---

full-scale king's side attack. There

20. . . . P-Kt 4 is still no hurry for 26. B x B (1
* point), since 26 . . . . B x B ; 27.
2 1 . R-B I Q x B only strengthens White's
1 point. White is held up for the chances, while Black can still less
moment on the king's side, so permit 26. B-R 1 ; 27. Q­
turns his attention to the other Kt 5 ch.
wing in the hope of making use of 26. . . . Kt-B 2
the open Q B file. However, 2 1 . *
B-R 6 ( 3 points) was the more 27. P-Kt 5
consistent way of making pro­ 3 points. Nothing if you pro­
gress. tected the Q P, since Black cannot
21. . . . Q-Kt 3 now reply 27 . . . . Kt(B 3) x P ;
* 28. Kt x Kt, Kt x Kt ; 29. B­
22. B-K 3 K 4, B-K 3 ; 30. R-Q 1 . 2 points
for 27. R-Kt 1 .
2 poin ts for this or 22. B-R 6.
27. . . . Kt-K 1
22. . . . Q-Kt 2
*
* 28. P-Kt 6
23. B-R 6 4 points. Opening another file
1 point. -Black's position is now critical.
23 . . . . R-B 2 1 point only for 28 R-Kt 1 , after
54
 ATIACKING PLAY

which Black can put up a better R 7 ch, K-B 3 ; 37. Kt-K 4

resistance by 28 . . . . B--B 4. mate.
28. . . . p x p 33 . . . . K x R
* *
29. B x K Kt P 34. Q-R 6 ch
1 point. I point.
29 . . . . B-B 4 ch 34 . . . . K-B 2
* *
30. B x B 35. Q-R 7 ch
1 point. I point.
30 . . . . R x B 35 . . . . K-K l
* If 35 . . . . K-B 3 ; 36. Kt-K 4
3 1 . R-Kt I mate.
2 points. *
31. ... R-Q l 36. Q x R
*
1 point.
32. B x B Black resigns.
2 points. 2 points also for
32. R(R 2)-Kt 2. Summary: The theme of this
32. . . . Kt x B game is the technique of a king's
*
side attack which involves the
opening of files into the enemy
33. R x Kt ch position. If you did badly on this
4 points for this, but 7 points game, it probably indicates that
for the forced mating finish 33. you did not sufficiently concen­
R-R 8 ch !, K-B 2 (33 . . . . K x trate on carrying through White's
R ; 34. Q-R 6 ch, and mate next main plan, but became diverted
move) ; 34. R x Kt ch !, K x R ; into looking for opportunities in
35. Q-R 6 ch, K-B 2 ; 36. Q- other parts of the board.

SS
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No . 1 8
IN this game you have White. *
Your consultation partner is 9. 0-0-0
Raaphi Persitz, the young Israeli
student who did very well in 2 points. J]1� 4_eci_gg n as to
__

English tournaments during his which side to castle is one which

three years at Oxford University. gives some players great difficult)':
Your opponent is Galula, of White's choice is an . illdfoaffon
France. The game was played in that his subsequent attacking plans
the World Students' Team Cham­ will allow for operations either on
pionship at Uppsala, 1 956. the K side, if Black castles on that
wing, or in the centre, if the black
The first moves are 1. P-K 4, king is left there. The possibility
P-Q B 4; 2. Kt-K B 3, Kt­ of Black castling Q R can be dis­
Q B 3 ; 3. P-Q 4, P x P ; 4. Kt x counted in view of the absence of
P, P-K Kt 3 ; 5. Kt-Q B 3 ; a Q B P in the castled king's
B-Kt 2 ; 6. B-K 3, P-Q 3 ; 7. position.
Q-Q 2, P-K R 4.
9. . . . B-Q 2
*
1 0. B-K 2
1 point. Solid, but 1 0. B-Q B 4
(3 points) is more aggressive.
Nothing for 1 0. Kt x Kt, B x
Kt ; since exchanges free Black's
position.
1 0. . . . P-R 3
*
1 1 . Kt-Q 5
*
2 points. White exploits the new
8. P-B 3 weakness created by Black's last
2 points for this or 8. 0-0-0. move. The threat is 1 2. K Kt x
White safeguards his Q B from Kt, followed by B-Kt 6 and
exchange by an eventual . . . Kt­ Kt-B 7 ch.
K Kt 5. Nothing for 8. P-B 4, 11. ... K Kt x Kt
Kt-B 3 ; 9. P-K R 3 (else 9 . . . .
Kt-K Kt 5), P-R 5 ! ; and Black *
can aim for the occupation of the 12. P x Kt
square K Kt 6. 1 point.
8. . . . Kt-B 3 1 2. . . . Kt-K 4
56
 ATTACKING PLAY

• If 1 7 . . . . P x P ; 1 8 . R x R eh,
1 3 . P-K R 3
2 points. Black's centralized
knight is his only well-placed
piece so White prepares to dis­
lodge it immediately. Nothing for
1 3. P-K B 4, Kt-Kt 5 ; 1 4. B­
Kt 1 , since the knight can retreat
to a useful square at K B 3.
13. ... Q-B 1
* only one file on which to attack,
14. P-Q Kt 3
1 point. The same motif as on
the previous move.
14. P-B 4
*
1 5. P-K B 4
1 point. Now that Black's knight
is driven back to a square whence
followed by R-R 1, is very
strong.
*
1 8. P-Kt 5
2 points. 1 8 P x P ? (no credit),
Kt x P ; would allow Black's
pieces the use of an important
central square. It might be argued
that the text-move leaves White
but in this case not only is there a
sure entry-point at K R 7, but
White can reasonably expect the
K file to be opened up also.
1 8. Kt-B 2
*
19. R x R ch
2 points. There js no w__ay of __

it has little scope, this move is in prepl!ring to double - rooks . on tiie-

--- - -- -

order. 1C:R file.

1 5. . . . Kt-B 2 19. B x R
* *

16. P-K Kt 4 20. R-R 1

I point.
4 points. This break-through is
the logical culmination of White's 20. B-Kt 2
previous strategy. Black's rooks *
are not connected, his queen is 2 1 . R-R 7
badly placed, and his K 3 is weak. 1 point.
White, on the other hand, has a
21. K-B 1
strong grip on the centre, and the
opening of the position can only *
favour his well-placed minor 22. Kt-K 6 ch
pieces. 7 points. This pawn sacrifice
1 6. . . . RP x P allows White's queen and bishops
to join in the attack with decisive
*
effect. For readers who feel hesi­
1 7. p x p
tant at sacrificing material unless
1 point. they see a clear and immediate
1 7. . . . Kt-R 3 win, it should be pointed o u t that
57
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

no other move helps the attack. *

Both 22. B-B 4 and 22. P-B 4 26. p x p
are answered by 22 . . . . P-Q Kt 4, 1 point.
while 22. Q-K 1 , followed by 26 . . . . P x P
�R l , does not enable White to
*
extend his break-through on the
27. B x K P
K R file. A master would not
normally work out all the conse­ 5 points. If now 27 . . . . Kt x B ;
quences of Kt-K 6 ch ; it would 28. Q-Q 6 ch, and wins.
be enough for him to foresee that 27. B x B
both his bishops could be directed *
to diagonals bearing on the black 28. R x Kt ch
king.
1 point.
22. . . . B x Kt
*
28 . . . . K-K l
23. P x B *
1 point. 29. �Kt 4
23 . . . . Q x P 3 points.
* Black resigns.
24. B-B 4
2 points.
Summary : Sometimes you find
24 . . . . Q-B l
your opponent eschewing active
* counterplay and setting up a
25. B-Q 4 purely defensive position in which,
5 points. Less good is 25. B x in effect, he challenges you to
Kt (no credit), K x B ; 26. B­ 'come and get him'. In such
Q 4 (26. Q-Q 5 ch, P-K 3), positions, many players attack
P-K 4 ; 27. P x P, K-Kt 1 ! ; without sufficient preparation,
28. R x B ch, K x R ; 29. P-K 6 others do not make use of their
dis. ch, K-B 1 ! ; 30. �R 2, K­ opponents' lack of counterplay.
K 2 ! ; and Black escapes. 2 points This game and game No. 3 1
for25. Q-Q 5, P-K 3 ; 26. Q x K P, (Flohr-Frydman) are models of
when White should win the ending, the treatment of this type of
although Black can resist for much situation, and if you did badly on
longer than after the text. these two games you should study
25. . . . P-K 4 them carefully.

SS
 ATIACKINO PLAY
Game No . 1 9
IN this game you have Black.
Your consultation partner is
Iceland's young star Fridrijk Olaf­
sson. Your opponent is Bert
Larsen, Danish champion. The
game was played in the match for
the Scandinavian Championship,
1 956.
The first moves are 1. Kt­
K B 3, P-K B 4 ; 2. P-K Kt 3,
Kt-K B 3 ; 3. B-Kt 2, P-K 3 ;
4. 0-0, B-K 2 ; 5. P-B 4,
.
0-0 ; 6. P-Q 4, P-Q 3 ; 7. Kt
-B 3, Q-K 1 ; 8. P-Kt 3, P­
Q R 4 ; 9. B-Kt 2, Kt-R 3 ;
1 0. P-Q R 3, B-Q 2 ; 1 1 . Kt­
K 1.
* 8 points. This is the kind of
11. P-B 3
2 points. In the Dutch Defence
with . . . P-Q 3 ; Black normally
aims at an early central advance
with . . . P-K 4 ; and the present
move shields his Q 4 from any
subsequent occupation by White's
pieces. Deduct a point for 1 1 . . . .
B-B 3 ? ; 1 2. P-Q 5, P x P ;
1 3 . Kt X P, with much the better
game for White, and take no
59
credit for the passive 1 1 . . . . R
Kt 1 .
12. Kt-Q 3
*
1 2. . . . B-Q l
2 points. Still preparing for
. . . P-K 4 and at the same time
allowing the bishop to be trans­
ferred to a more aggressive diag­
onal at Q B 2 or Q Kt 3.
1 3. P-K 4
*
13. . . . P-K 4
3 points. It must be now or
never, for if 1 3 . . . . P x P (no
credit) ; 14. Kt x P, White's Q B
acts an extra deterrent to . . . P­
K 4.
14. Q p x p
*
1 4. . . . QP X P
1 point.
1 5. Q-K 2
*
1 5. . . . P-B 5
move which always seems to be
logically compelling when played
by a master, yet if we are con­
fronted with the possibility in our
own games we shrink from it
because the consequences seem so
indefinite. So let us analyse Black's
motives for this move.
1 . White threatens to win a good
pawn by simply 1 6. P X P and
1 7. Q x P or 1 7. Kt x P.
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

2. Black sees that if he avoids *

losing a pawn by the obvious
manreuvre 1 5. . . . P X P ; 1 6.
Q Kt x P (threatening 1 7. Kt­
Q 6), B-B 2 ; then 1 7. Kt(Q 3)­
B 5 ! , Kt(B 3) x Kt ; 1 8 . Kt X
Kt(K 4), and with an unassailable
outpost at K 4, White can already
look forward to occupying the Q
file and invading at Q 6.
3 . Again, if simply 15 . . . . B­
B 2 ; then 1 6. P x P, B x P ;
1 7 . Kt-K 4, and again White has
the annoying central strongpoint
with its favourable outlooks on
Q B 5 and Q 6.
4. So Black looks round for
some way of denying White this
valuable square at K 4. He prob­
ably did not consider . . . P-B 5
till this stage, but now would note
the following advantages :
A. White's K 4 remains blocked
by a pawn .
B. Black's own K 4 square can
become a manreuvring-point for
his pieces.
1 6. . . . P x P
1 point.
1 7. Kt x P
*
1 7. . . . Kt-B 4
2 points for this, which brings
the Q Kt into action. 1 7 . . . . Kt­
K Kt 5 (no credit) looks promis­
ing, but does not lead to anything
definite after 1 8 . Kt-Q 3 ( 1 8 . . . .
Q-R 4 ? ; 1 9. P-R 3). Or if
1 7 . . . . B-B 2 ; 1 8. Kt-Q 3.
1 8. Q R-Q 1 ' I
*
1 8. . . . B-B 2
4 points. Deduct 2 points for
the greedy 1 8 . . . . Kt X Kt P ;
when White obtains excellent
counterplay with 1 9. P-K 5 ! ,
Kt-Kt 5 ; 20. P-K 6 !, R x Kt ;
2 1 . P x B. That the passed pawn
is now guarded by the rook at Q 1
explains White's 1 8th move.
1 9. P-Kt 4
(If 1 9. Kt-Q 3, Kt x Kt P ;
20. F-K 5 , Kt Kt 5 ; favours
-

C. Both Black's bishops will

Black, as 2 1 . P-K 6 is no longer
obtain excellent diagonals and can possible.)
be directed against White's king.
*
D. The white king will lose one
1 9. . . . p x p
of its protecting barrier of pawns.
All in all, then, 15 . . . . P-B 5 2 points. There is certainly no
begins to appear the most logical I harm in opening another file.
move ; and, generally speaking, 20. p x p
most masters prefer to be a pawn *
behind with active counterplay 20. B x Kt
rather than be tied down to com­ 3 points. This is much stronger
pletely passive defence which, in than retreating the knight (deduct
the long run, is the more certain 1 point), since White then safe­
cause of defeat. guards himself with 2 1 . Kt-Q 3.
16 p x p 2 1 . P x Kt
60
 ATIACKING PLAY

* Summary: White's slow man­

21. B-Kt 5 reuvring (particularly the time­
4 points. Still better than 2 I . . . . consuming regrouping of the
Kt-Kt 5 (2 points). knight on moves I I and I 2)
22. P-B 3 I-
enabled Black to prepare a king's
* side attack, the theme of which
22 . . . . Q-R 4 was the weakness of White's K R 2
(no longer protected by the
8 points. A well-calculated final
knight !). The move I 5 . . . . P-B 5,
combination. If 23. P x B, Q x
which was much the most difficult
R P ch ; 24. K-B 2, Q-R 5 ch ;
in the game, must have been dis­
25. K-Kt 1 , B-R 7 ch ; 26. K­
covered partly by consideration of
R I, B-Kt 6 ch ; and wins.
this factor and partly by Black's
23. B-K R I realization that any other continu­
* ation would tie him permanently
23 . . . . Q x B P ch to the defence of a weak K P.
4 points. Masters do not reject cramped
24. K-Kt 2 positions as such ; but generally
* speaking, an active game a pawn
24 . .
. . B-R 6 ch down is much preferable to a
6 points. White resigns, for if position with level material where
25. K x B, Q-R 4 ch ; 26. K­ you are bound to the defence of a
Kt 2, Q x P mate. positional weakness.

61
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No . 20
IN this game you have White. while in some circumstances the
Your consultation partner is the white K Kt may find a good square
Russian grandmaster Alexander at Q B 4. Nothing for the routine
Kotov. Your opponent is G. 1 1 . B-K B 4 or 1 1 . 0-0, and
Bastrikov. The game was played deduct 2 points for 1 1 . Kt­
in the semi-final of the Russian K R 4 ?, B x P !
Championship at Erevan, 1 954. 11. ... K Kt-Q 2
The first moves are 1 . P-Q 4, *
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P-K 3 ; 1 2 . P-B 4
3 . Kt-Q B 3, P-B 4 ; 4. P-Q 5,
1 point.
P x P; 5. P x P, P-Q 3 ; 6. P­
K 4, B-K 2 ; 7. B-Q 3, 0-0 ; 1 2. . . . P-B 3
8 . Kt-B 3, B-Kt 5 ; 9. P-K R 3, *
B-R 4. 1 3 . 0-0
l point. 1 3 . P-B 5 ? (deduct 1
point) would be a positional error
because Black could reply 1 3 . . . .
Kt-K 4 ! and maintain a knight
on this central outpost, but 1 3 . Kt
-B 3 or 1 3 . Kt-B 4 (1 point
each) are adequate alternatives.
13. . . . R-K I
*
1 4. P-Kt 3
1 point for this, Kt-B 4 or
* Kt-B 3 .
I O. P-K Kt 4 1 4. . . . Kt-R 3
2 points. With a good share of *
the centre, White can confidently 1 5. B-Kt 2
make this advance to emphasize 1 point for this, Kt-B 4 or
Black's error in avoiding . . . B x Kt-B 3.
Kt last move. 1 point for 1 0. 0-0
1 5. .. . Kt-B 2
or 1 0. B-K B 4.
*
1 0. . . . B-Kt 3 1 6. Q-B 3
* 3 points. This brings the queen
1 1 . Kt-Q 2 into the attack, and is more
2 points. Again the sharpest imaginative than Kt-B 4, Kt­
continuation ; the unfortunate B 3, P-Q R 4, or P-K R 4 ( 1
bishop is to be further harassed point each) .
by the advance of the K B P, 1 6. . . . Q-Kt 1
62
 ATIACKING PLAY

*
1 7. P-Q R 4 I * 22. P-B 5
2 points for this ; nothing for 1 point and 1 point for 22. R­
other moves, since Black threatens Kt 2, 22. Q R-K B 1 , and 22.
counterplay with . . P-Kt 4.
.
Kt-K B 3.
1 7. . .. P-Q R 3
22. . . . B-B 2
*
1 8. P-R 4 *
1 point. 1 point for 1 8 . P-R 5 23. Kt-K B 3
which can also be played, although I point for this, 23. Q R-K B 1 ,
after the text 1 8 . . . . P-Q Kt 4 I 23. R-Kt 2, and 23. Kt-K B 4.
costs a pawn. 23. . . . Kt-R 2
18. . . . P-R 3 *
* 24. Kt-B 4
1 9. Q-R 3
1 point for this or 24. R-Kt 2.
3 points for this, which threatens
the immediate 20. P-Kt 5, break­ 24. ... P-Q Kt 4
ing through and at the same time *
attacking the knight. 25. P-Q R 5
1 9. . .
. Kt-B 1 3 points. With all his pieces con­
* centrated on the king's side,
20. R-B 2 White naturally prefers to keep
2 points. Again there is plenty the other wing completely closed.
of reasonable choice in this posi­ 25. . . . Q-Kt 2
tion, indicating that the difficulty i
in this type of situation is not to * I ,
find good moves but to decide 26. B-B 2 .
upon the best formation which 1 point for this, 26. K-R l ,
will enable the eventual break­ 26. R-Kt 2 , o r 26. Q R-K B 1 .
through to take place with maxi­ 26. . . . K R-Q B 1
mum effect. 2 points for 20. K­
R 1 , 20. Kt-B 3, 20. P-B 5, *
27. R-Kt 2
20. Kt-K 2, or 20. Q R-K I .
1 point for this or 27. K-R 1 .
20. . . . P-Kt 3
* 27. ... Kt-K 1
2 1 . Kt-K 2 *
2 points, and 2 points for 2 1 . 28. P-Kt 5
R-Kt 2, 2 1 . Q R-K B 1 , 2 1 . 6 points. Note how White took
R-K 1 , 2 1 . P-B 5, and 2 1 . Kt­ every precaution before finally
B 3. embarking on this break-through,
21. . . . Q-B 1 . even to withdrawing his bishop
63
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

from Q 3 so as to deprive the *

counter-attack . . . P-B 5 of any 34. Q-K 6 ch
significance. 3 points. Deduct 1 point for
28. . . . BP x P 34. B x Kt ?, P x B ; 35. Q­
K 6 ch, K-Kt 2 ; when White has
* good losing chances. Now if
29. p x p 34 . . . K-R 1 ; 35. K-Kt 2.
.

1 point. K-B 1
34. . . .
29 . . . . Kt x P
*
* 35. B x Kt
30. Kt x Kt 1 point.
1 point. 35. P x B
30 . . . . B x Kt *
*
36. R-K B 1
31. R x B 3 points.
3 points. This sacrifice is an Black resigns.
essential part of the break-through The finish might be 36 . . . . K­
combination. Kt 2 ; 37. Q x P ch, K-Kt 1 ;
31. ... P x R 38. Q-K 6 ch, K-R 1 ; 39. R­
B 2.
*
32. Kt-Kt 6
Summary : Compare this game
2 points. with Nos. 1 8 and 3 1 as regards its
32. . . . B x Kt illustration of how to attack a
cramped position. White does not
*
make his final break-through
33. P x B
until all his pieces are on the best
1 point. possible squares for taking advan­
33. . . . Kt-B 3 tage of it.

64
 ATIACKING PLAY
Game No . 2 1
IN this game you have White.
Your consultation partner is
Peter Clarke, the 23-year-old
Essex player who was one of the
heroes of the British team in the
International team tournament at
Moscow, 1 956, where he was un­
beaten. Your opponent is Roman
Toran, Spain's strongest master.
The game was played in the
Hastings tournament, 1 956-7.
The first moves are 1 . P-K 4,
P-Q B 4 ; 2. Kt-K B 3, P-Q 3 ;
3 . P-Q 4, P x P ; 4. Kt x P,
Kt-K B 3 ; 5. Kt-Q B 3, P­
Q R 3 ; 6. P-B 4, P-K 4 ; 7.
Kt-B 3, Q Kt-Q 2.
* by 1 0 . . . . Kt-B 4 ; 1 1 . Q-K 2,
8. B-B 4
2 points. 2 points also for 8. B­
Q 3, but only 1 for 8. B-K 2
(after which 8. . . . P-Q Kt 4,
followed by . . . B-Kt 2 ; puts
White's K P under attack), and
none for 8. P x P, P x P ; when
Black's K B can occupy a fine
diagonal at Q B 4.
8. . . . B-K 2
65
Black should contest the con­
trol of his Q 4 square by 8 . . . . Q­
B 2 ; 9. Q-K 2, P-Q Kt 4 ; 1 0.
B-Q 5, B-Kt 2.
*
9. P-Q R 4
3 points. Part of White's plan is
to prevent Black from obtaining a
queen's side initiative by . . . P­
Q Kt 4. 1 point for 9. 0-0 or
9. Q-K 2, but nothing for 9. B­
K 3, when Black causes trouble by
9 . . . . Kt-Kt 5 ; 1 0. B-Q 2,
Q-Kt 3.
9. . . . 0-0
1 0. Q-K 2
3 points. Here 1 0. 0-0 ( 1
point) would b e less convincing as
there is no clear compensation for
the pawn after 10 . . . . P x P ;
1 1 . B x B P, Q-Kt 3 ch ; 1 2.
K-R 1 , Q x P. 1 0. P x P ( 1
point) still releases the tension in
the centre at an unduly early stage,
while 10. P-B 5 (no credit), with
the strategical object of strength­
ening the grip on the white
squares, would be tactically upset
Q Kt x K P ; 1 2. Kt x Kt, P­
Q 4.
1 0. . . . P-Q Kt 3
A second passive and bad move.
He should strive for counterplay
by 10 . . . . P x P ; 1 1 . B x B P,
Kt-B 4 ; 12. 0-0, B-K 3.
*
1 1 . 0-0
2 points.
1 1. ... B-Kt 2
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?
* while if 14 . . . . B x B ; 1 5. Kt x B,
12. 1> x p
a points. No credit for 12. Kt­
Q 5, Kt x Kt ; 1 3 . B x Kt, B x
B ; 14. P x B, since the square
Q 5 is useful to White only as a
focal point for piece mana:uvres,
and must not be blocked by a
pawn. 1 2. P-B 5 ( 1 point) is
playable, but White considers that,
in view of the strongly posted
bishop at Q B 4, he can do still
better by opening the K B file and
attacking Black's K B 2. 1 2. B­
K 3 (no credit) permits Black to
fr ee his game by 12 . . . . Kt-Kt 5 ;
1 3. B-Q 2, P x P ; 1 4. B x B P,
Kt(Kt 5)-K 4.
1 2. . . . P x P
*
1 3 . B-K Kt 5
3 points. White is still thinking
in terms of controlling his Q 5, and
so this move is preferable to 1 3 .
B-K 3 ( 1 point), when Black can
make the freeing exchange 1 3 . . . .
B-B 4. Other moves like 1 3.
K-R 1 (no credit) give Black too
much time to improve his game.
13. . . . Kt-R 4
* *
14. Q R-Q 1
5 points. A finely calculated
move which takes advantage of
the insecurity of Black's piece
formation. If now 1 4 . . . B x B ;
.
1 5. Kt x B, Kt-B 5 ; 1 6. K R x
Kt, P x R ; 1 7. Q-R 5, Kt-B 3 ;
1 8. B x P ch, K-R 1 ; 1 9. R x Q,
Kt x Q ; 20. R x R ch, R x R ;
2 1 . B x Kt, winning a piece,
66
Kt (R 4)-B 3 ; 1 6. K R x Kt,
P x R ; 1 7. Kt x R P, K x Kt ;
1 8 . Q-R 5 ch, K-Kt 2 ; 19. Q­
Kt 4 ch, followed by R-Q 3 and
wins.
Only 1 point for 14. B x B,
Q x B; threatening . . . Kt-B 5 ;
and nothing for 1 4. B-K 3,
B-B 4 (again threatening . . . Kt­
B 5). Deduct 2 points for the
blunder 1 4. P-R 4, Kt-Kt 6.
14. .
. . B-B 4 ch
*
1 5. K-R I
2 points. Nothing for 1 5. B­
K 3, Kt-B S.
1 5. . . . Q-B 2
*
1 6. R x Kt
9 points. This well-calculated
sacrifice wins by force. 4 points for
1 6. Kt-Q 5, which is good
enough for a clear positional
advantage, as is 1 6. B-Q 5 (3
points). Against other moves,
Black can ease his position by
blocking the K B file with 1 6 . . . .
Kt-B 5.
1 6. . . . Q x R
1 7 . Kt x P
2 points.
1 7. . . . Q-B 2
*
1 8. Kt x P
2 points. Less convincing is
1 8 . Q x Kt, Q x Kt ; 1 9. R x P,
R x R ; 20. B x R ch, K-R 1 ;
2 1 . B-Kt 6, P-R 3.
 ATTACKING PLAY
1 8. " . P-Kt 3
The only move to avoid im­
mediate loss, for if 1 8 . . . . Kt­
B 3 ; 1 9 . B x Kt, P x B ; 20.
Q-Kt 4 mate.
* 22. R x R
1 9 . Kt-Q 5
6 points. While the immediate
discovered checks by the knight
lead to nothing decisive, this move
leaves Black without resource.
Besides his actual reply, Black can
only try 1 9 . . . . Q-Kt 1 ; where
20. Kt-B 6 ch, Kt x Kt ; 2 1 .
B x Kt ; leaves hi m helpless
against the threatened 22. Kt­
R 6 mate, e.g. 2 1 . . . . R x Kt ;
22. B x R ch, K x B ; 23. B­
K 5 dis. ch. or 2 1 . . . . P-K R 4 ;
22 . Kt-Kt 5 dis. ch.
19. . . . B x Kt
* did not pay sufficient attention to
20. B x B
2 points.
20 . . . . R-R 2
67
*
2 1 . Kt-Q 6 dis. ch.
3 points.
21. K-Kt 2
*
3 points. Black resigns, for if
22 . . . . K x R ; 23. Q-B 3 ch,
K-Kt 2 ; 24. Kt-K 8 ch, win­
ning the queen.
Summary: White's control of
important files (the Q and K B
files) and an equally important
diagonal (from Q R 2 to K Kt 8)
enabled him to launch a powerful
attack, and the combinations
which followed were also based
on his possession of these open
lines. In other words, play well
positionally and the tactical fruits
will come. If you did play badly on
this game it may mean that you
White's basic plan, or alternatively
that you did not properly calculate
the effects of the sacrificial con­
cepts in the later stages.
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?
Game No . 22
IN this game you have White.
Your consultation partner is
Alexander Tolush, one of the
most brilliant combinative players
of today. Your opponent is V.
Antoshin. The game was played
in the 1 957 Russian Champion­
ship.
The first moves are 1 . P-K 4,
P-K 3 ; 2. P-Q 4, P-Q 4 ; 3. Kt
-Q B 3, B-Kt 5 ; 4. P-K 5,
Q-Q 2 ; 5. P-Q R 3, B x Kt ch ;
6. P x B, P-Q Kt 3 ; 7. Q-Kt 4,
P-K B 4 ; 8. Q-Kt 3, B-R 3 ;
9 . B x B , Kt x B.
*
10. Kt-K 2
2 points for this or for 10. Kt­
R 3. White's knight heads for its
natural outpost at K B 4, whence
it is directed against the base of
Black's pawn chain. 1 point only
for the routine move 10. Kt-B 3.
Nothing for the positional blunder
10. P-K B 4, which takes away
the best square from the knight
and hems in White's own bishop.
Nothing for moves of the bishop
or 10. P-Q R 4, since it is not yet
68
clear on which side of the board
the bishop will have more scope.
10. . . . Kt-Kt 1
*
1 1 . Kt-B 4
1 point.
1 1. ... Q-B 2
*
12. P-Q B 4
2 points for this ingenious idea,
which aims at securing a tremen­
dous attack at the price of two
pawns after 12 . . . . P x P ; 1 3 .
P-Q 5, P x P ; 1 4. B-Kt 2 , but
4 points for 1 2. Kt x K P !, after
which the main variation runs
12 . . . . Q x Kt ; 1 3. Q x P, Q­
Kt 3 ; 1 4. Q x R, Kt-Q 2 ; 1 5.
P-K R 4 !, 0-0-0 ; 1 6. P­
R 5, Q-B 2 ; 1 7. P-R 6, Kt x
R P ; 1 8. Q x R eh, K x Q ; 19.
R x Kt, and White should win.
12. . . . Kt-K 2
*
13. p x p
1 point. White's plan has at any
rate eliminated the doubled pawn
so characteristic of this variation.
1 3. . . . Kt x P
*
1 4. Kt-K 2
3 points. Although White's
bishop would have the run of the
black squares after 14. Kt x Kt
(1 point), P x Kt ; White's pawns
would remain immobile and it
would not be at all easy for him to
break through. After the move
 ATTACKING PLAY

actually played, White threatens *

P-Q B 4 and an eventual P­ 20. p x p
Q 5, so that Black is virtually 1 point.
obliged to weaken his pawns. 20 . . . . 0-0
1 4. . . . P-Q Kt 4
*
* 2 1 . B-R 3
1 5. Q-Kt 3
3 points for this, but nothing for
2 points for this or 1 5. R­
2 1 . P x P, which only develops
Q Kt 1 . White at once seizes on
Black after 2 1 . . . . Kt x P (22.
the weakness. 1 point for 1 5. P­
Q x Kt ?, Q R-Kt 1).
Q R 4, which is also strong.
Nothing for 1 5. 0-0; as will be 21. ... R-Q 1
seen, White's immediate action on *
the Q Kt file has a combinational 22 . B-B 5
point.
3 points. Although White is a
1 5. . . . Q-Q 2 good pawn up, further progress
* would become difficult if Black
1 6. R-Q Kt 1 could establish his knight on Q 4.
1 point. Thus, no credit for 22. Kt-B 4,
1 6. . . . P-B 3 Kt-Q 4 ; 23. Kt x Kt, Q x Kt ;
* (threatening Q x Q and P x P) ;
1 7. P-Q R 4 24. Q x Q, R x Q ; regaining the
3 points. This is very strong here pawn ; and nothing for 22. B-Q 6
since Black cannot answer 1 7 . . . . (P x P ; 23. Q x P ? ?, Q x Q ; 24.
P-Kt 5 ; 1 8. P-Q B 4, P x P R x Q, R-R 8 ch). Now, how­
e.p. ; because of 1 9 . Q x Kt ch, ever, White can reply to 22 . . . .
winning a piece. Equally strong Kt-Q 4 by 23. P-Kt 6, with
here is 1 7. P-Q B 4 (3 points). an overwhelmingly strong passed
pawn, and to 22. . . . P x P ; by
1 7. . . . P-Q R 3
23. B x Kt.
*
1 8. P-Q B 4 22. . . . Kt-R 5
1 point. *
1 8. . . . Kt-Kt 3 23. B-Q 6
1 point.
*
19. R P x P 23 . . . . R-R 4
1 point for this or 19. B P x P. *
The win of a pawn is of no great 24. 0-0
significance in itself; what counts 3 points. A great attacking
is that White's bishop now obtains player like Tolush often prefers to
a fine diagonal. have a lasting initiative rather than
19. . . . RP x P an extra pawn which is hard to
69
 HOW GoOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

evaluate, and this is why this move K-R 1 ; 3 1 . P-K 6, Q x B (3 1 .

is preferred to 24. P X P (3 . . . P-Q 5 ; 32. B-K 5 !) ; 32. R­
points). Nothing for 24. Kt­ K 7 dis. ch., P-Q 5 ; 33. R x
B 4 ?, R x P ; or for 24. P-Kt 6, R ch, K-Kt 2 ; 34. Q-Kt 3 ch,
R-Kt 4 ; 25. Q-B 2, Kt x P. forcing mate.
24. . . . p x p 30. . . . K x R
* *
25. Kt-B 4 3 1 . P-K 6 dis. ch.
2 points. First Black's rook is 1 point.
tied to passive defence . . . 31. ... K-R 3
25. . . . R-K 1 *
* 32. Q-R 3 ch
26. P-Q 5 1 point.
3 points. White opens yet 32. . . . K-Kt 2
another line of attack. 3 points
also for 26. K R-.:.B 1 . *
33. B-K 5 ch
26. . . . p x p
2 points.
*
27. K R-B 1 Black resigns, for he is mated
after 33. . . . K-Kt 1 ; 34. Q­
2 points for this or 27. Q x P ch.
Kt 3 ch, K-B 1 ; 35. Q-Kt 7, or
27. Kt x P, Q-K B 2 ; allows a
33. . . . K-B 1 ; 34. Q-R 6 ch,
stiffer resistance.
K-K 2 ; 35. Q-B 6 mate.
27 . . . . Kt-Kt 3
* Summary: The theme of this
28. R-B 7 game is the dynamic activity of
1 point. White's pieces, which far out­
28 . . . . Q-Q l weighs the static quality of the
* pawns he sacrifices. If you did
29. Q-Q B 3 badly, it probably indicates that,
if you win material, you tend to
3 points. 29. Q-Kt 3 (3 points),
play too passively in your efforts
Kt(l)-Q 2 ; 30. P-K 6 also wins
to retain this advantage, and do
quickly, but the text is prettier.
not look hard enough for oppor­
29. . . . R-R 5 tunities of returning the material
(If 29. . . . Kt-B 5 ; 30. Q­ in order to obtain a winning
K Kt 3, Kt-Q 2 ; 3 1 . Kt-R 5, attack or a decisive endgame plus.
P-Kt 3 ; 32. R x Kt (Q 7) !). As a remedy, make a habit of
* looking out specially for such
30. R x P ch opportunities whenever you are
5 points for this brilliant con­ materially ahead but feel you are
cluding combination. If now 30 . . . . gradually losing the initiative.
70
 V THE ART OF DEFENCE

Game No . 23
IN this game you have White. *
Your consultation partner is 1 3 . P-K Kt 4
Lothar Schmid, one of Germany's 2 points for this ; only 1 for
best players. Your opponent is 1 3. Kt-B 1. White can win the
A. Barth. The game was played in pawn, although it takes masterly
Dresden, 1 947. defence to prove it.
The first moves are 1 . P-K 4,
P-K 4 ; 2. Kt-K B 3, Kt­ 13. . . . B-Kt 3
Q B 3 ; 3. B-Kt 5, P-Q R 3 ; *
4. B-R 4, Kt-B 3 ; 5. 0-0, 14. Kt x P
B-K 2 ; 6. R-K l , P-Q Kt 4 ; 1 point.
7 . B-Kt 3, P-Q 3 ; 8 . P-B 3, 1 4. . . . Kt x Kt
B-Kt 5 ; 9. P-Q 3, 0-0 ; 1 0.
*
Q Kt-Q 2, P-Q 4 ; 1 1 . P­
1 5. R x Kt
K R 3, B-R 4.
1 point.
1 5. . . . Kt-B 5
*
1 6. Kt-K 4
5 points. Nothing for 1 6. Q­
B 3, trying to hold everything,
when a game Barth-Schmid, 1 944
(the same players with colours
reversed !) contin ued 1 6 . . . . Kt x
P ; 1 7. R-Q 5, B-Q 3 ! ; 1 8. Kt­
B 1 , P-Q B 3 ; 1 9. R-Q 4,
* P-Q B 4 ; 20. R-Q 5, P­
1 2. p x p B 5 ; 2 1 . B-Q 1 , Q-K 2 ; 22.
Kt-Kt 3, B x Kt ; 23. P x B,
2 points for this or 1 2. P­
Q-K 8 ch ; Resigns.
K Kt 4. Nothing for 1 2. Kt-B 1 ?,
P x P ; 1 3. P x P, Q x Q ; 14. 1 6. . . . Kt x P ch
R x Q, B x Kt ; when White has *
mediocre prospects owing to his 1 7. K-Kt 2
wrecked pawns. 3 points. Deduct 2 points for
12. . . . Kt x P 1 7. K-R 2, B x Kt ; and deduct
71
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

4 points for 1 7. K-R 1 ? ?, B x *

Kt ch. 22. Q-B 3
1 7. . . . B x Kt ch 6 points. Not 22. B-Q 2 ? (no
credit), Q-Kt 6 ch ; 23. Q-B 3,
* R x P ch ! ; 24. K x R, R­
18. P x B K 1 ch ; nor 22. K-Q 3 ? (no
2 points. Not 1 8. R x B ? credit), Q-Kt 6 ch ; 23. B-K 3,
(deduct 1 point), Kt-Kt 4 ; when B-B 5 ; 24. Q-K 2, R x P !
the knight escapes. 22. . . . Q-K 8 ch
18. . . . B-Q 3 *
*
23. K-Q 3
1 9. R-Q 5 3 points. Not 23. Q-K 2 ?
3 points. Sharper than 19. R­ (deduct 3 points), R x P ch.
K B 5 (2 points), P-Kt 3 ; 20. 23. . . . R-K2
R x P, R x R ; 2 1 . B x R ch, Admitting that his attack is
K x B ; 22. K x Kt, although inadequate.
this should also win in the long
*
run. Deduct 3 points for 19. R­
24. R x B
R 5 ?, Kt-B 5 ch ; when again the
knight escapes and Black has 4 points. White wins more
much the superior game. material.
19. . . . Kt x P 24 . . . . P x R
An ingenious resource ; if in­ *
stead 1 9 . . . . Q-R 5 ; 20. Q-B 3, 25. B-Kt 5
Kt x P ? ; 2 1 . R-R 5. 2 points.
* 25. . . . Q x R
20. K x Kt *
3 points. This is sufficient to 26. B x R
win, but from the practical point I point.
of view, 20. Q-B 3 (6 points) is
simpler, since the errant knight 26. . . . R-B 1
then has no escape. *
20. . . . Q-R 5 ch 27. Q x P ch
1 point.
*
21.K-K 3 27. . . . K-R 1
5 points. White must run to the *
queen's side to escape perpetual 28. B-B 8
check. 3 points.
21. ... Q R-K 1 Black resigns.
72
 THE ART OF DEFENCE
Summary: White's acceptance
of the proffered material was based
on his confidence in his own
superior development, but this
would have been useless had not
White calculated accurately all the
possibilities when his king was
drawn into the centre and made
73
sure that he could find safety on
the queen's side. If you went
wrong on moves 1 6, 1 7, 1 8, 1 9, 20,
or 22, it indicates that you need to
rely less on general judgments in
complicated positions and should
make greater efforts to work out
the exact consequences of each
move.
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No . 24
IN this game you have Black.
Your consultation partner is Salo
Flohr, who throughout his career
has been one of the hardest
players in the world to defeat.
Your opponent is Ladislav Alster
of Czechoslovakia. The game was
played in the Marianske Lazne
tournament, 1 956.
The first moves are 1. P-K 4,
P-Q B 4; 2. Kt-K B 3, P­
Q R 3 ; 3. P-Q B 4, Kt-Q B 3 ;
4. P-Q 4, P x P ; 5. Kt x P,
Q-B 2 ; 6. Kt-Q B 3, P-K 3 ;
7. B-K 3, Kt-B 3 ; 8. P-Q R 3,
P-Q Kt 3 ; 9. R-B l, Kt x Kt ;
10. B x Kt, B-Kt 2 ; 1 1 . P-B 3,
P-Q 3 ; 1 2. B-K 2, B-K 2 ;
1 3 . 0-0, 0-0 ; 14. Q-Q2.
• ••
�;� � �1m
� � ·:� 1
� �
moves like 14 . . . . Q R-B l , or
14 . . . . K R-Q 1 (2 points each)
would allow White the choice
between a strong attack ( 1 5. P­
K Kt 4) or queen's side pressure
( 1 5 . Q-K 3).
15. K R-Q 1
*
1 5. . . . Q R-B l
2 points for this or 1 5 . . . . K R­
Q I . Deduct 5 points if you didn't
notice that the immediate 1 5. . . .
B-K B 3 ? now loses the Q P for
nothing.
1 6. P-Q Kt 4
*
1 6. .
" Q-Kt l
3 points for this, 2 points for
1 6 . . . . K R-Q I . White's queen's

'• �I
'Y. side advance involves the risk that
7-

•
• �

t �. -�.• �. �" t • his pawns may become fixed and

• •" weak, and the queen move fore­
• 11 � � ft · •11 shadows the 'stabilizing operation'
. . . P-Q Kt 4.
a
u "-
LI; B• ft �
B 1 7. P-B 4
pu � �
iEa�- ft q
- u
B rn
1• � -
md ��a
*
1 7. .
" B-Q B 3
* 2 points. The same motif.
1 4. Kt-Q 2 point for 1 7 . . . . K R-Q 1 .
4 points. This is another ' Maro­ 1 8. Q-Q 3
czy bind' position (see game 1 0)
Preventing 1 8 . . . . P-Q Kt 4, so
with the difference that Black's
Black reverts to his original plan.
K B is at K 2 instead of being
fianchettoed. His counterplay, *
however, still lies on the black 1 8. " . K R-Q I
squares, which explains why he
prepares to exchange the black­ 2 points.
squared bishops. More routine 19. Q-R 3
74
 THE ART OF DEFENCE

* clearly the strongest, as is clear

19. B-B 3 from an examination of the altern­
2 points. atives : (I) 24. . . . K P x P ; 25.
B x P, R-B 2; 26. K P x P, R x
20. B x B
P ; 27. P·-B 5, and White's 'weak'
* queen side pawns are suddenly
20 . . . . Kt x B very powerful. (2) 24 . . . . Q P x P ;
1 point. 25. P x K P !, B P x P ; 26. R x
21 . B-Q 3 Kt ch ! , K x R ; 27. R-B 1 ch
(not 27. Q x K P, R x B ; 28.
*
R-B 1 ch, B-B 6), K-K 1 (27.
21. .. . Kt-Q 2
. . . K-K 2 ; 28. Q-R 4 ch, K­
3 points. Many a player would K 1 ; 29. Q-R 5 ch transposes) ;
panic at White's coming attack 28. Q-R 5 ch, P-Kt 3 ; 29. B x
and play some such move as 2 1 . . . . P ch, P x B ; 30. Q x P ch, K­
P-K R 3 (no credit) when P­ Q 2 ; 3 1 . Q-B 7 ch, K-Q 3 ;
K Kt 4-5 is tremendously strong, 32. P-B 5 mate. .
/
. .

or 21 . . . . P-Kt 3 (no credit) when

25. P x K P
the attack could be successfully
continued with 22. P-K Kt 4, If 25. B x P, Q-Kt 3 ch ! ; 26.
followed by Q-R 4 and R­ K-R 1, Q-Q 5 ! ; 27. B-Q 3,
K 1 -K 3-R 3. Q P x P; and the attack is re­
pulsed.
22. R-B 1
*
*
25 . . . . P x B
22 . . . . P-Q Kt 4 !
1 point.
5 points. Note how Black im­
mediately seizes the opportunity 26. R x P
of obtaining a point of counter­ *
attack. If 23. P x P, P x P ; 26 . . . . R-K l
Black's rooks at once transfer their 3 points. Deduct 2 points for
attentions to the sick Q R P. 26 . . . . B-K 1 ? ; 27. R x Kt ch !.
23. P-K 5 K x R ; 28. R-B 1 ch, K-Kt 1
* (28 . . . . K-K 2 ; 29. Kt-Q 5
23 . . . . Kt-B 1 . mate) ; 29. P-K 7.
3 points. Again Black avoids 27. R(B 1)-B I
weakening his pawn front. *
24. P-K B 5 27. . . . Kt x P
* 2 points. Not 27 . . . . R x P ?
24 . . . . Kt P x P (deduct 4 points) ; 28. R X Kt ch.
5 points. Among a bewildering 28. R(B 1)-B 6
choice of pawn captures this is Despair.
75
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
28. Q-Kt 3 ch 34 . . . . Kt x R
3 points. I point. But deduct 6 points for
29. K-R I 34. . . . K x R ; by which Black
could still lose-35. R-B 7 ch.
*
29. . . . p x p 35. Q-B 7 ch
2 points. Now if 30. R x Kt, *
R x R ; 3 1 . Q x R, B x P ch. 35. . . . K-R I
No credit for the only legal
30. Q-Kt 4 move ! White was in desperate
* time trouble in the last few moves,
30 . . . . Q-Q 5 which explains his delay in resign­
3 points. But not 30 . . . . B-R I ing. However, after 36. R-B 2,
(deduct 2 points) ; 3 1 . R x Kt ! Q-R 4; 37. Q-B 6, Q-Kt 3 ; he
did so.
3 1 . Q-R 5
*
Summary: The art of defence is
31. .. . Q x Kt one of the most difficult in chess,
I point. The rewards for Black's not only because of the intrinsic
patient defence are indeed numer­ care and avoidance of error
ous. required in defensive positions,
32. P-R 3 but also because, psychologically,
the inexperienced defender is
*
liable to panic, lose heart or
32 . . . . Q-K 8 ch become impatient. For those who
I point. scored badly in this game, I
33. K-R 2 recommend a study of the games
of Dr. Lasker, who was probably
*
33 . . . . Q-K 7
the greatest defensive player of all
time. A good edition of his games
I point. by J. Gilchrist is available in
34. R x P ch English.

76
 VI C O M B I N AT I O N S

Game No. 25
IN this game you have White. *
Your consultation partner is 9. Kt-R 2
German master Kurt Richter, who 2 points. Deduct 5 points for
in his prime was one of the most 9. 0-0-0 ?, Kt x P. Instead
dangerous attacking players in the White exchanges off the annoying
world. Your opponent is A. Vogel. knight outpost.
The game was played in the Berlin
championship, 1 952. 9. . . . Q Kt-B 3
The first moves are 1 . P-K 4, *
P-Q 3 ; 2. P-Q 4, Kt-K B 3 ; 1 0. Kt X Kt
3. Kt-Q B 3, P-K Kt 3 ; 4. P- 2 points. There is no need, of
K R 4, B-Kt 2 ; 5. B-K 2, P- course, to exchange the useful B
K R 4 ; 6. B-Kt 5, Q Kt-Q 2 ; at K 2.
7. Kt-B 3, P-B 3. 1 0. . . . Kt x Kt
*
1 1 . P-B 3
1 point.
1 1. ... Kt-B 3
*
12. 0-0-0
2 points. In this position every­
thing favours Q-side castling-an
advantage in development, con­
trol of the centre, and Black's
weakened K-side.
*
12. . . . Q-R 4
8. Q-Q 3
*
3 points. In sharp attacking 1 3 . P-K 5
variations one should if possible 3 points. White can already
operate constantly with threats. break through, since Black cannot
Here White intends, if allowed, capture twice on K 5 owing to
P-K 5-6. Simply 8. Q-Q 2 (2 mate, while if 1 3 . . . . P x P ; 14.
points) was also good. P x P, Kt-Q 2 ; 1 5. P-K 6.
8. . . . Kt-Kt 5 13. . .
. Kt-Q 4
77
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

• 19. B-Kt 5 ch, B-Q 2 ( 1 9 . . . .

1 4. Kt x Kt K-B 1 ; 20. R-Q 8 mate) ; 20.
1 point. White continues ener­ B x B ch, winning a piece.
getically without allowing the 18. . . . Q-B 2
break-up of his own queen's wing *
by . . . Kt x Kt ch. 1 9. B-Kt 5 ch
1 4. . .
. Q x Kt 4 points for this and 3 points for
* the pretty 1 9. R-Q 7 ( 1 9 . . . . B x
1 5 . Q-R 3 ' R ; 20. Q x P mate, or 1 9 . . . .

6 points. The most difficult Q x R ; 20. B-Kt 5, Q x B ? ;

move of the game-the queen 2 1 . Q x P mate), which would
aims at Q 6, K 7, and Q R 7, and win the queen but prolong the
so keeps the black king in the game somewhat.
centre. 1 5 . P-Q B 4 and 1 5. P x P 1 9. . . . K-B 1
(2 points each) maintain the advan­ *
tage though much less clearly, but 20. Q-B 5
deduct 2 points for 1 5. K-Kt l,
P X P ; 1 6. Q-R 3, P-B 3 ; when 4 points. This is crushing ; if
Black escapes. 20 . . . Q x Q ; 2 1 . R-Q 8 mate.
.

1 5. . . . Q-K 3 20. . . . Q-R 4

* *
1 6. P-Q 5
6 points. Another beautiful
move ; White intends the fine
variation 1 6 . . . Q x K P ; 1 7.
.
P-K B 4, Q x B(K 7) ; 1 8. K R
-K l , Q x P ; 1 9. B x K P, and
wins. 2 points only for 1 6. P x P,
1 6. P-K B 4, and 1 6. K R-K 1 ,
which are not nearly so clear.
1 6. . . . p x Qp
2 1 . B-R 4
5 points. Again better than 2 1 .
B-Q 3 (2 points) when Black just
avoids mate by 2 1 . . . . P-Kt 4 ;
22. Q x P, Q x Q ; 23. R­
Q 8 ch, Q-K I . Now, however,
this variation wQuld end up
24. R x Q mate. \
21. . . . B x P ch
*

* 22. K x B
1 7. p x p 1 point.
2 points. 22 . . . . Q x B
1 7. . . . Q x P *
23. R-Q S ch
*
1 8. R x P I point.
6 points. For if 1 8 . . . Q x R ;
. *
1 9. Q x P mate, or 1 8 . . . . Q x Q ; 23 . . . . K-Kt 2
78
 COMBINATIONS

* tactical imagination needs shar­

24. Q-K 5 ch
I point.
Black resigns.
It is mate next move.
Summary: A plus in develop­
ment as great as White's in this
game normally makes all kinds of
combinative opportunities pos­
sible. If you missed some of these
chances (White's 1 3th, 1 6th, 1 8th,
1 9th and 20th) it means your
pening up. Practise, if you can, by
looking at the positions in one of
the several excellent books on
combinations, such as du Mont's
'The Basis of Combination in
Chess', or Reinfeld's ' 1 00 1 Chess
Combinations', If you have few
opportunities for reading, try in
your own games to practise look­
ing briefly round the board each
move for combination chances
based upon your opponent's
king's position or any unguarded
pieces he may have.

79
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No . 26
IN this game you have Black. *
Your partner is Stojan Puc, of 1 3. . . . Q-K 2
Yugoslavia. Your opponent is 2 points. This was the intention
Wolfgang Uhlmann of East Ger­ of his previous move ; but 1 3 . . . .
many. The game was played in Kt-B 1 (2 points) is also well
the international tournament in playable.
Krynica, Poland, 1 956.
The first moves are 1 . P-Q 4, 14. R-K 2
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P-K 3 ; *
3 . Kt-Q B 3, B-Kt 5 ; 4. P-K 3, 1 4. . . . P-K R 4
P-B 3 ; 5 . B-Q 3, P-Q 3 ; 6. 2 points. The centre is virtually
Kt-K 2, P-K 4 ; 7. 0-0, 0-0 ; blocked and so it is quite reason­
8. P-Q R 3, B-R 4 ; 9. Q-B 2, able to begin an action in the
R-K 1 ; 10. P-Q Kt 4, B-B 2 ; wing. 1 point for 1 4 . . . . Kt-B 1 ;
1 1 . B-Kt 2, Q Kt-Q 2 ; 1 2 . which is still quite good, even if
Kt-Kt 3. not so imaginative as the text.
1 5. P-B 3
*
15 ... . Kt-B 1
1 point.
1 6. P-Q 5
White finally tries to make pro­
gress in the centre ; but now
Black's remaining minor pieces
can obtain good play.
*
* 1 6. . . . p x p
12. P-K Kt 3 2 points for this, but nothing for
1 point. Black's previous moves 1 6. . . . B-Q 2 ; when White can
have already foreshadowed a control the central outpost at his
strategy of slow manceuvring in Q 5 by 1 7. K Kt-K 4, Kt x Kt ;
which Black aims to have his 1 8 . P x Kt !, followed by P­
pieces actively played however Kt 5.
White chooses to open up the 1 7. p x p
position. 1 2 . . . . Kt-B 1 ( 1 point)
*
could also be played here since
1 7. . . . B-Q 2
1 3 . Kt-B 5, P-K Kt 3 ; 1 4. Kt
--R 6 ch, K-Kt 2 ; is not yet a 1 point. Nothing for 1 7 . . . . B­
threat. Kt 3 ; 1 8. Kt-R 4.
1 3. Q R-K 1 1 8 . Q-Kt 3
80
 COMBINATIONS

* *
1 8. B-Kt 3 23 . . . . Q-Kt 4
1 point for this or 1 8 . . . . Q R- 2 points for this or 23 . . . . P-
B 1. I B 4.
19. R-B 1 24. R-B 4
* *
1 9. . . . P-R 5 24 . . . . P-B 4
1 point.
2 points. This was rather dubi­
ous while the white rook was at 25. Q-B 2
K B 1 ( . . . Kt x Kt ; P x Kt, and *
White controls the K B file). Now, 25 . . . . R x R
however, if 20. K Kt-K 4, Kt x 2 points. Black correctly delayed
Kt ; 2 1 . P x Kt, P-B 4 ; threaten- this exchange until White really
ing 22 . . . . P-B 5. (1 point for the threatened something on the Q B
sound 1 9 . . . . Q R-B 1). file.
20. Kt-B 1 26. Q x R
* *
20 . . . . Kt-R 4 26 . . . . P-B 5
1 point for this move, which,
2 points. The threat is 2 1 .
though seemingly powerful, con­
Kt-B 5.
tains a hidden flaw. 3 points for
21. K-R 1 26 . . . . R-K 2 ; after which White
* is hard put to find a decent defence
21. . . . Q R-B l to the threat of . . . R-R 2 ; . . . P­
B 5 ; and a combinative finish
1 point for this or 2 1 . . . . P-B 4 ;
beginning with . . . Kt-Kt 6 ch.
which i s equally well playable.
27. p x p
22. Kt-R 4 *
* 27. . . . Kt x P
22 . . . . B x Kt 1 point. Not 27 . . . . Q x P ?
2 points. This is better than (deduct 1 point) ; 28. R-K 4.
22. . . . B-Q 1 (22. . . . B-B 2 ; 28. B-B 1
23. R(K 2)-Q B 2) ; 23. R x R, *
B x R ; 24. P-Kt 5, with some 28 . . . . P-R 6
counterplay. Deduct 2 points for Deduct 2 points if you chose
22 . . . . P-B 4 ; 23. Kt x B, P x this move, which loses a piece and
Kt ; 24. R(K 2)-Q B 2, when should lose the game. 2 points for
White can penetrate on the Q B 28. . . . R-K 2 ; unpinning the
file. K P ; which is still best.
23. Q x B 29. P-Kt 3
81
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
29. Q-R 4 36. . . . Q-Kt 4
1 point. 3 points. Another calm coup de
repos. 37 . . . . Q x K Kt P is again
30. P-Kt 4
the threat.
* 37. P-R 4
30 . . . . Q-R 5
Or 37. Q-K 7, B-K 6.
I point for this or 30. . . . Q­
*
Kt 4.
37 . . .
. Q x K Kt P
3 1 . B x Kt I point.
* 38. Kt-K 3
31. ... Q-B 3
*
1 point. 38 . . . . B x Kt
32. P-K Kt 5 1 point.
After the correct 32. Kt-Q 2, 39. Q-Kt 1
White should win comfortably *
with his extra piece. 39 . . . . P-Q 4
*
2 points. With a material advan­
32 . . . . Q-B 2 tage, Black can decide matters by
the simplest means.
2 points. This unpins the K P.
40. Q-K B I
33. Q-K 4
*
* 40 . . . . P-Q 5
33 . . . . P x B
1 point.
4 points. Black begins a brilliant 41 . R-K 1 .
combination which makes up for
*
his previous mishandling of the
41 . . . . Q-Kt 7 ch
attack.
I point.
34. Q x R
42. Q x Q
*
*
34 . . . . Q x P
42 . . . . P x Q ch
1 point. White cannot simul­
I point.
taneously defend all the attacked
43. K x P
targets as K Kt 5, K B 3, and Q 3 .
*
35. B-B 4
43 . . . . P-Q 6
*
I point.
35. . . . Q x B
White resigns, for he is helpless
I point. against . . P-Q 7, followed by
.

36. Q-K 4 the knight's arrival at Q B 6.

82
 COMBINATIONS
Summary: The closed centre
which occurred in the early middle
game enabled Black to carry out
long-winded manreuvres, includ­
ing a complicated king's side
attack (moves 1 9 and 20) which
would have been impossible had
White been able to hit back in the
centre. The later stages of the
game, with the mistakes on both
sides, illustrate two points where
the ordinary club player all too
frequently errs ; first, Black's
blunder on move 28 would surely
not have been made had he taken
a minute or two to look round the
board for tactical drawbacks to
83
his move ; second, the violent
swing-over on moves 32 and 33
shows once more that a game is
never lost until it is won. Bad
positions can still contain counter­
chances which the player, just
because he is downhearted at
being in difficulties, never looks
for properly and so does not
notice. Black's final combination
seems complicated, but if you
failed to collect many marks in
this phase of the game, play over
these last few moves and see how
easy the idea is once you visualize
the possible mates on the long
white diagonal and at K Kt 8 !
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No . 27
IN this game you have Black. *
Your partner is M. Tai of Riga, 9. . .
. P-Q 4
one of the best young attacking 6 points. This pawn sacrifice is
players in the world. Your oppon­ well justified by the exposure of
ent is Szukszta of Poland. The White's Q B on the open K file.
game was played at Uppsala, Again, 9 . . . R-K 1 ; and 9 . . . .
.

Sweden, in 1 956. Q Kt-Q 2 ( 1 point each) would

The first moves are 1. P-Q 4, be answered by 1 0. 0-0-0.
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P-K Kt 3 ;
3 . Kt-Q B 3 , B-Kt 2 ; 4. P­ 1 0. B P x P
K 4, P-Q 3 ; 5. P-B 3, 0-0 ; *
6. B-K 3, P-K 4 ; 7. K Kt-K 2, 1 0. . . . P x P
P-B 3 ; 8. Q-Kt 3 . 1 point.
11. p x p
*
1 I. ... Kt-B 3
3 points. Black begins an
imaginative and brilliant sacri­
ficial combination. However, an
inversion of moves with 1 1 . . . . R­
K I (7 points) leads to the same
position on move 14 by a better
method. If White now replies
12. Kt x Kt, P x Kt ; 1 3 . P x P,
* R-K 1 ; 1 4. K-B 2, R x B ! ;
8. P x P 1 5. K x R, B-R 3 ch ! ; 1 6. P­
5 points. Black must try to B 4, Q-K 2 ch ; 1 7 . K-B 2 ( 1 7.
break open the centre before K-Q 3, B-B4 ch with an over­
White has an opportunity to whelming attack), Kt-Kt 5 ch ;
castle. If instead 8
. . . Q Kt-Q 2 and wins.
( 1 point) ; 9. 0-0-0, P x P ; 1 2. P x Kt
1 0. Kt x P, Kt-B 4 ; 1 1 . Q­
*
R 3, White has serious pressure on R-K l
1 2. . . .
the Q file. Deduct 2 points for
8 . . . . Q-Kt 3 ? ; 9. Q x Q, P x 2 points.
Q ; 1 0. P x P, winning a pawn. If 1 3. K-B 2
8 . . . R-K 1 ( 1 point) ; 9. 0-0-
.
Falling into the trap. White
0 again gives White opportunities could have refuted his opponent's
on the Q file. incorrect order of moves by 1 3 .
9. Kt x P 0-0-0 !
84
 COMBINATIONS

• *
13. R x B 1 8. . . . B x P ch
4 points. Now everything clicks. 2 points.
Here, if 1 4. K x R, B-R 3 ch ; 19. K-K I
1 5 . P-B 4, Kt-Kt 5 ch ; 1 6. K­ *
K 4, Kt-B 7 ch ; 1 7. K-K 3, 1 9. . . . R-K I ch
B x P ch ; 18. K x B, Q x Kt
3 points.
ch ; 19. K-B 3, B-Kt 5 ch ;
20. K-Kt 3, Q-K 6 ch ; 2 1 . K­ 20. B-K 2
R 4, P-Kt 4 mate. *
1 4. R-Q 1 20 . . . . R x B ch
5 points.
Seemingly refuting the whole
attack, since both 1 5. K x R and White resigns.
1 5. P x P are threatened. This little masterpiece illus­
trates above all the value of open
*
files and diagonals. The cross
14. . . . Kt-Kt 5 ch attacks from Black's bishops and
6 points. major pieces more than out­
weighed his material deficit. This
1 5. P x Kt
game is made the more astonish­
* ing by the fact that it was played
1 5. . . . B x Kt as a lightning encounter with
clocks, each player having five
1 point. minutes for all his moves. Black
1 6. R x B actually made every move prac­
tically instantaneously !
*
1 6. . . . Q x R Summary: Black's series of
I point. brilliant combinations is based
on two factors : the uncastled
1 7. Q-Q 5
state of White's king and the
* insecure situation of his minor
1 7. . . . R-K 7 db. ch. pieces in the centre. If you missed
some of the combinative moves,
7 points. Black must have go back over the game and, as you
visualized this beautiful finish reach each critical position, try to
before embarking on his whole visualize in advance the mating
combination. and material winning variations
1 8. K x R which occur.

85
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

G ame No . 28
IN this game you have Black. pawns in the centre and the hedge­
Your consultation partner is the hog protection which they give in
Hungarian player Kapu. Your the surrounds of Black's king. It
opponent is Enej . The game was is clear that even at this stage
played in Budapest, 1 953. Black's pawn advances on either
The first moves are I . P-K 4, wing make it impossible for him to
P-Q B 4; 2. Kt-K B 3, Kt­ castle on either side, so aggression
Q B 3 ; 3. P-Q 4, P x P ; 4. Kt must be the keynote of his play.
x P, Q-B 2 ; 5. Kt-Q B 3, White must be kept so fully
P-K 3 ; 6. P-K Kt 3, P-Q R 3 ; occupied that he cannot prepare
7. B-Kt 2, Kt-B 3 ; 8 . Kt(Q 4)­ an attack himself.
K 2, B-K 2 ; 9. 0-0, P-K R 4 ! ; 14. Kt-Kt 3
10. B-Kt 5, P-Kt 4 ; l l . P-Q R4, *
P-Kt 5 ; 1 2. Kt-Kt l, P-R 4 ; 14 . . . . P-R 5
1 3 . Kt-Q 2. 3 points. Well calculated, for if
1 5. B x P, R x B l ; 1 6. P x R,
• •J.••• ' Kt-Kt 5 ; 1 7. P-K B 4, Kt­
• t i>�q:i: i �� ·'�z
a �-
� .
• K 6 ; regaining the exchange,

� -�- i
- - -
while if 1 5. P x P, Kt-Kt 5 ; 1 6.
B-B4, B x Kt ; 17. B x Q, B x
�. ·;i� �• � • Q ; 1 8. K R x B, R x P ; with
ft . . ft . good counter-chances .
• • • 1 5. B-B 4
*
ll ft E�D
A a..M.a � � 1 5. . . . Kt-K 4
�---- -- · � �
@' 2 points. This is clearly superior
* to 1 5 . . . . Q-Kt 2 ; 1 6. B-Q 6, or
1 3. . . . B-R 3 15 . . . . P-K 4 ; 1 6. B-Kt 5, and
2 points. The type of attack White can aim his knights at Q 5
which Black is undertaking here­ and K B 5, or 1 5 . . . . P-Q 3 ;
an attack on both wings while 1 6. P-K 5.
keeping the king in the centre, is 1 6. R-K 1
comparatively rare and normally *
hazardous. Its justification in this 1 6. . . . P x P
position lies in two factors : firstly, 1 point.
the passive position of the white 1 7. R P x P
minor pieces (particularly the *
knights) and the absence of central 1 7. . . . Kt-R 4
strongpoints for White to occupy ; I point. This at once eliminates
this is partly the result of the the pin and continues the attack.
second factor, Black's majority of 1 8. B-Q B I
86
 COMBINATIONS

* assault. 1 point each fo r 23 . . . .

18. Kt-Kt 5 P-Kt 5 and for 23 . . . . B-B 4 ;
2 points. Black is already look­ 24. Kt-Kt 5 , which are less clear.
ing to K B 7, K Kt 6, and K R 7, 24. B-K 3
the natural focal points for com­ *
binations against White's king. 24 . . . . K-B 2
1 8 . . . . P-Kt 4 (2 points) is also
1 point.
a good attacking move.
19. Kt-B 4 25. R-Q B 1
*
*
25 . . . . R-R 2
1 9. . . . Kt x Kt
2 points. 1 point for 25 . . . . R­
1 point. Deduct 3 points for
R 3.
moves which leave the knight at
K Kt 5 en prise. 26. Kt-Kt 5.
20. B x Kt At last this move is possible, but
* it is too late to be effective.
20. . . . Kt-K 4 *
1 point. 26 . . . . Q-Kt 1
2 1 . Kt-Q 4 2 points. Nothing for retreating
* the queen to other squares, since
21. ... P-Kt 4 White could then follow with
3 points. An amusing 'echo' of Kt-Q 6 ch.
the 1 7th move. Again the pin is 27. Q-K 2.
relieved and the attack simultane­ *
ously strengthened. 27 . . .
. R(B 1)-R 1
22. B-Q B 1 1 point.
*
22. . . . R-Q B 1 28. K R-Q 1
2 points. It is not every player *
who would realize the need for 28 . . . . B-Kt 2
such an exact move in the middle 2 points. Trouble is fo re­
of the attack. White is prevented shadowed for White on the long
from carrying out his plan of diagonal. This is more certain than
Kt-Kt 5, followed by P-K B 4 28. . . . P-Kt 5 ; intending to
and P-K 5. sacrifice a pawn with . . . Kt­
23. P-Kt 3 B 6 ch, since White has the reply
* 29. B-B 4, and in any case
23 . . . . P-B 3 moving the black knight leaves the
3 points. Black gets ready to Q P loose.
unite his rooks for the decisive 29. B-R 7
87
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
29. Q-R I 36. . . . P-Kt 5
3 points. 29. . . . Q-K B I ( I I point. Despite the reduced
point), e n route fo r K R 3, is good, material, the mating attack con­
too. tinues.
30. B-Q 4 37. R-K R 1
* *
30 . . . . R-R 8 ch 37. . .
. Q-Q B l
5 points for this brilliant com­ 2 points for this or 37 . . . . Q­
bination, which decides the game Q Kt I . Black wins at least a piece,
by force. for if 38. B-Kt 6, Q-Kt 2 ;
31. B x R 39. B x P, Kt-R 5 db. ch ; or
38. Kt-Kt 5, Q-Kt 2 ; 39. K­
* B I , Kt x B.
31. ... R x B ch
38. R-R 7 ch
I point.
*
32. K x R 38 . . . . K-Kt 3
* 1 point.
32 . . . . B x P ch 39. R(B 1)-K R I
I point. *
33. K-Kt I 39 . . . . Q x Kt
* I point.
33 . . . . B-B 6 40. R{l)-R 6 ch
3 points. This is decisive. *
34. Kt-B 7 40 . . . . K-B 4
1 point.
*
White resigns.
34. . . . Q-R I
I point. Summary: Black's whole play
35. Q x B revolved round his plan of break­
ing through on the K R file. If you
*
obtained a bad score on this game,
35. . . . Kt x Q ch
check your play for the con­
I point. sistency with which you carried
36. K-Kt 2 out this idea.

88
 COMBINATIONS

Game No . 29
IN this game you have White. *
Your consultation partner is the 1 0. Kt x B
author of this book. Your oppon­ 1 point.
ent is M. E. Wise. The game was
1 0. . . . R x Kt
played at Twickenham, 1 956.
The first moves are I . Kt­ *
K B 3, Kt-Q B 3 ; 2. P-K 4, 1 1 . B-Kt 5
Kt-B 3 ; 3 . P-K 5, Kt-Q 4 ; 3 points. White's immediate
4 . P-Q B 4, Kt-Kt 3 ; 5 . P-Q 4, target is obviously the weak
P-Q 3 ; 6. P-K 6 !, P x P (6 . . . . K Kt P ; so he aims to play
B x P ; 7. P-Q 5) ; 7. B-Q 3, P-K Kt 4 without permitting the
P-K Kt 3 . powerful reply . . . Kt-R 5. 1 1 .
P-K R 4 ( I point) with the same
idea, is possible, but in a gambit
opening White must develop
rapidly.
11. .. . B-Q 2
*
1 2. P-K Kt 4
l point.
1 2. . . . B-B 3
*
1 3. R-Kt l
*
l point for this or the equally
8 . Kt-Kt 5
good 1 3 . R-B 1 .
3 points. White's 6. P-K 6
13. . . . Kt-Kt 2
indicated his readiness to play a
wild gambit. An attempt to return *
to quiet positional warfare with 14. B x P ch
8. B-K 3 (no credit) would give l point.
Black excellent central counterplay 14 . . . . K-Q 2
with 8 . . B-Kt 2 ; 9. 0- 0,
.

*
P-K 4.
1 5. Kt-Q 2
8. Kt x Q P
2 points. Again clearly best,
* since the Q B P must be held and
9. Kt x R P ! neither 1 5. Q-Q 4, P-K 4 ; nor
3 points. If 9 . . . . R x Kt ; 1 5. P-B 5, Kt-Q 4 ; are con­
1 0. B x P ch. vincing.
9. . . . Kt-B 4 1 5. . . . R-K Kt I
89
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* 21.... R-R 4
1 6. P-K R 4 Preventing the combination and
3 points. This safeguards the threatening counter-combinations
bishops in their curiously strong based on the vis-a-vis of White's
position on the K Kt file and at king and queen.
the same time frees White's Q for *
action at K 2 or Q B 2, according 22. K-Kt 1
to choice. Positively, the advanced
1 point.
K R P can soon become a real
menace to Black. 22 . . . . R-Q B 4
1 6. . . . Kt-K 1 *
23. B-R 4
*
5 points for this, which refutes
1 7. Q-B 2 Black's last move, although he
1 point. As indicated above, 17. does not realize it and continues
P-R 5 (3 points) is more elastic, gaily with
since it would already threaten 23. . . . B-Q 4
1 8. Q-K 2 and 19. B-B 7. *
1 7. . . . Kt-B 3 24. B-B 2
*
I point.
1 8. 0-0-0 24. . . . Kt x B P
2 points. For if 24 . . . . R-B 3 ; 25. B x
1 8. . . . Q-K B l Kt, P x B ; 26. Q x P.
*
*
19. P-B 4 25. B x R
1 point.
2 points for this, 1 9. Q R-K 1 ,
or 19. P-R 5. 25 . . . . Kt x Kt ch
*
19. . . . P-R 4
26. Q x Kt
* 1 point.
20. Q R-K 1
26 . . . . P x B
2 points for this or 20. P-R 5.
*
Now Black's K P is a target.
27. P-Kt 5
20. . . . P-R 5 2 points.
* 27 . . . . Kt-K l
2 1 . P-R 5 *
3 points. This threatens 22. R x 28. P-B 5
P !, K x R ; 23. Q-B 5 mate. 2 points. A complete break­
Deduct 2 points for the immediate through.
2 1 . R x P, R x B ! 28. . . . Kt-Q 3
90
 COMBINATIONS

* P-R 6 ; 33. P-Kt 3 , P-B 5 ;

29. R(Kt 1)-B 1 34. R-K 5, B-K 5 ch ; 35. R x
2 points. Black still cannot B, Kt x R ; 36. Q-Q 7 ch, K­
capture the K B P. Kt 3 ; 37. Q-Q 4 ch, P-B 4 ;
38. Q x Kt, P x P ; 39. R-B 3,
29. . . . Q-R l
P x P ch ; 40. K x P, R-Q 1 ;
* 41 . R-Kt 3 ch, K-B 2 ; 42. Q x
30. B-B 7 P ch, Q x Q ; 43. R x Q ch, K x
3 points. Black must shed R ; 44. P--Kt 7, Resigns.
further material.
30. . .. R-K B 1 Summary: This game contains a
* series of small tactical points, and
3 1 . P x P ch if you did not obtain a good score,
1 point for this or 3 1 . B x P ch. it means that you should be more
31. ... K-B 3 on the look-out for snap combina­
tions in your own games. It is also
*
useful practice to work out posi­
32. P-Kt 6 tions where there is a sacrificial
1 point. This game is now finish-I give two of these each
quickly turning into a massacre. week in my daily column in the
The remaining moves were 32. . . . Evening Standard.

91
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No . 3 0
IN this game you have Black. *
Your consultation partner is 12 . . . . P-Kt 3
Mikhail Tai, winner of the 1 957 2 points. This or 1 2 . . . . R-Kt I
Russian Championship, in which (2 points) are a necessary prepara­
he played the present game against tion for . . . P-Q R 3 and . . . P­
V. Gurgenidse. Q Kt 4 ; since the immediate 1 2 . . . .
The first moves are I . P-Q 4, P-Q R 3 (no credit) is strongly
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. P-Q B 4, P-B 4 ; answered by 1 3 . P-R 5, followed
3 . P-Q 5 , P-K 3 ; 4 . Kt-Q B 3, in some variations by Kt-R 4-
P x P; 5. P x P, P-Q 3 ; 6. Kt 6.
Kt-B 3, P· -K Kt 3 ; 7. P-K 4,
1 3 . Q-B 2
B-Kt 2 ; 8. B-K 2, 0-0 ; 9.
0-0, R-K I ; 10. Kt-Q 2. *
1 3. . . . Kt-Kt 5
E� � �-E-m
,g) £)= •(§m •
• 4 points. Another characteristic
.,
�� t • �
. • '. t � '� i
- of the aggressive opening which
•• m, �"" z.tj, t P •
�
• Black has adopted is that he can
often attack on both wings.
!. • 11 • • Objectively, the move is no
• • 11 • stronger than 13 . . . . P-Q R 3 or
. �� " · - •
f -'q f�-� �D
1 3 . . . . R-Kt 1 (3 points each) ;
a U
-, "
�� �J�U
_

.!!. �
;,
but it contains a profound and
ltr���i-� -"� ,:���� - ��;,�
�--_g �L -
beautiful trap, into which White
__ __
falls.
*
14. P-R 3
1 0. . . . Kt-R 3
*
2 points. Black plans to combine
1 4. . . . Kt x B P
the action of his K B on the long
black diagonal with an advance of 6 points. Black begins a brilliant
his queen's side pawns. For this combinative sequence with this
purpose the Q Kt is best placed on fine move.
Q B 2. Less good is 10 . . . . Q Kt­ 1 5. K x Kt
Q 2 (I point), since the knight can *
always be driven away from the 1 5. .. . Q-R 5 ch
strongpoint at K 4 by White's 2 points for this or B-Q 5 ch.
P-K B 4.
! 1 6 . K-B I
1 1 . R-K I
* *
11. .-- Kt-B 2 1 6. . . . B-Q 5
1 point. I point.
1 2 . P-Q R 4 17. Kt-Q I
92
 COMBINATIONS

* *
1 7. Q x RP 23 . . . . Q R-K l
6 points. This was the real idea 1 point.
of the combination. Of course, if 24. B-Q 2
1 8. P x Q, B x P mate ; and now *
White's king can never find a safe 24 . . . . Kt x P
haven. Deduct 2 points for 17. . . .
B X R P ? ; which would actually 5 points. Another variation on
lose after 1 8. Kt-K B 3. the mating theme already intro­
duced on move 1 8. If 25. B x
18. B-B 3 Kt ch, R x B ; 26. Kt x R ?, Q­
* Kt 8 mate.
1 8. . . . Q-R 7
25. B x Kt ch
3 points. Now the threat is *
19. . . . Kt x P; 20. P x Kt ?,
25 . . . . R x B
Q-Kt 8 mate.
1 point.
19. Kt-K 3
* 26. K-K 2
19 . . . . P-B 4 *
26 . . . . B x Kt(K 6)
4 points. This is clearer than
19 . . . . B-R 3 ch ; 20. Kt(Q 2)­ 4 points. This is decisive, for if
B 4, P-B 4 ; 2 1 . P x P. Black 27. B x B, Q x P is mate.
opens up all the lines for his 27. R x B
attack. *
20. Kt(Q 2)-B 4 27 . . . . B x Kt ch
* 2 points. -'. \::t I

20 . . . . P x P White resigns, for if 28. Q x B,

1 point. Q x P ch ; and mate next move.
21. B x P
* Summary: The beautiful 'flow­
21. ... B-R 3 ing' impression produced by this
2 points. Now this move results attack can really be analysed into
in the strangulation of all White's Black's awareness of a series
pieces. of short tactical combinations.
22. B-B 3 Whether or not you found the
initial knight sacrifice is mainly a
*
test of your combinative intuition ;
22 . . . . R-K 4
but if you did badly on the rest
3 points. This simultaneously of the game it shows that you are
puts pressure on the Q P and pre­ most likely missing numerous
pares to double rooks. tactical chances in your own
23. R-R 3 games .
93
 VII C O N S T R ICTI O N TECHNIQUE

Game No. 31
IN this game you have White. will enable the stronger party to
Your consultation partner is Salo break through, even at the cost of
Flohr. Your opponent is P. Fryd­ considerable sacrifices. Here
man. The game was played at White's obvious first objective is
Ujpest, 1 934. to build a strong position on the
The first moves are 1 . P-Q 4, K B file.
Kt-K B 3 ; 2. Kt-K B 3, P­ Q R-B 1
1 4. . . .
K 3 ; 3 . P-K 3, P-Q Kt 3 ; 4.
B-Q 3, B-Kt 2 ; 5. Q Kt-Q 2, *
P-B 4 ; 6. 0-0, B-K 2 ; 7. P­ 1 5. Kt-Kt 2
B 4, 0-0 ; 8 . P-Q Kt 3, P­ 1 point for this or 1 5. P-B 4.
Q 3 ; 9. B-Kt 2, Q Kt-Q 2 ; 1 0.
Q-K 2, Q-B 2 ; 1 1 . P-K 4, 1 5. . . . P-B 3
P-K 4 ; 12. P-Q 5, Kt-R 4 ; *
1 3. P-Kt 3 , P-Kt 3 . 1 6. Q R-K 1
1 point for this or P-B 4.
•• •
Ml � 4J � .. ·�. t �
..a.�= • 1 6. . . . R-B 2
fM! � '''11
�� � � . t
• *
- WJi '� � f;li,'X •• 1 7. P-B 4
• 1/;I � .!..!.. � . .....
· .ft · .ft · • I point .
1 7. " .
• .ft •A•4J� ·� Kt-Kt 2
� "
n.M.o!!:i! :-� a
�: @ � �
.!..!.. � b *

�� . • ' ; �
�-• ·�� a· "
1 8 . P-B 5

*
2 points. White could also try
14. Kt-K 1 the effect of tripling his heavy
pieces on the K B file with R-B 3
2 points. In completely blocked
(2 points), Q R-K B 1 , R(B 1)­
positions such as this, the correct
B 2, and Q-B 1 , but Black's last
technique for the player posses­
three moves have shown that he is
sing the greater share of the board
ready to meet this by . . . Q R­
is to increase this space advantage
K B 1 ; . . . Q-Q 1 ; and . . . Q­
as much as possible in the hope
that, sooner or later, the oppon­
K 1 ; when everything is held.
ent's lack of manreuvring room 18. . . . R-Q 1
94
 CONSTRICTION TECHNIQUE

* enable him to contest it with his

1 9 . B-B 1 own heavy pieces.
1 point for this, 1 9. P-K R 4, 23. R-R 2
19. R-B 3, or 1 9. R-B 2. White *
concentrates everything on the K 24. R-R 2
side and prepares for a long and 1 point.
patient siege. There is no need to 24. . . . B-Kt 2
look for meaning in Black's moves, *
however, as he can do absolutely 25. Q-Q 1
nothing until it is clear exactly 4 points. Obscure ? To explain
what plan White is going to adopt. the reason for this would also give
19. . . . Kt-K 1 away the next few moves as well !
25. . . . Kt-B 1
*
*
20. R-B 2
26. B-K 2
1 point for this, 20. R-B 3, or
2 points.
20. P-K R 4.
26. . . . B-B 1
20 . . . . B-K B 1 *
* 27. Kt-Q 2
2 1 . Kt-B 1 1 point.
1 point for this or 2 1 . P-K R 4. 27. Q-K 2
21. ... P-K Kt 4 *
28. K-Kt 2
*
1 point.
22. P-K R 4
28. . . . Kt-B 2
1 point. *
22. P-K R 3 29. B-R 5
* 2 points. This explains White's
23. Kt(Kt 2)-K 3 25th and 26th moves. By establish­
3 points. The second stage of the ing the B at K Kt 6 he makes it
game is reached. It is now clear impossible for Black to put up any
that White's break through will proper opposition to the invasion
come, if anywhere, on the K R on the K R file except by exchang­
file, and White accordingly pre­ ing his own white-squared, useful,
pares to triple his heavy pieces on bishop for it. White's 27th and
this file before opening it. Note 28th moves were part of the
that this is invariably the strategy general preparation for occupying
in such positions ; to exchange the K R file. They could equally
pawns now (deduct 2 points) or at have come earlier, so take full
any time before White has tripled cred it if you chose either of these
would give Black access to extra moves on White's 25th and 26th.
squares on the K R file and thus 29. . . . B-Q 2
95
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* opened the K R file in the most

30. B-Kt 6 favourable circumstances possible,
I point. but has also placed his minor
pieces on the squares where they
30. R-K R l have the maximum opportunity
-
*
for joining the attack. Deduct 3
3 1 . R(K 1)-R 1 points if you chose 37. Kt­
2 points. Kt 4 ? ?, last move, for Black
31. ... B-K l simply replies 37 . . . . P-K R 4 ;
* and . . . P-Kt 5.
32. B x B 38. . . . R x R
I point.
*
32 . . . . Kt x B 39. R x R
* I point.
33. Kt-B 3 39. Kt-R 2
1 point.
*
33 . . . . R-R 2 40. R-R 6
* 1 point. The logical consequence
34. R-R 3 of the undisputed possession of
3 points, and I point if you the open fi le is this penetration of
chose this on the previous move. Black's defences.
34. . . . R-Q 2 40. . . . P-R 3
* *
35 R( l)-R 2 4 1 . Q-R 5
1 point. 2 points.
35 . . . . Q-Q l 41. . . . P-Kt 4
*
*
36. Q-R 1 42. B x P
l point. 4 points. A typical sacrifice in
36 . . . . B-R l such positions-the crammed
* position of Black's minor pieces
37. p x p prevents him from organizing a
reasonable resistance.
2 points.
42. P x B
37. RP x P
*
*
3 8 . Kt-Kt 4 43. Kt x Kt P
1 point. Note how White's 1 point.
impeccable strategy has not on ly 43 . . .
. K t- Kt 2
96
 CONSTRICTION TECHN IQUE

* Summary: Like game No. 1 8

44. R-Kt 6 (Persitz-Galula) this game illus­

trates the treatment of closed
2 points. positions where the opponent is
44. Kt x Kt permanently cramped. If you
chose moves which opened up the
game too quickly, take note of
* how methodically Flohr makes his
45. R x Kt(Kt 5) preparations, and does not begin
his final sacrificial attack until his
l point.
pieces are close to the scene of
Black resigns, for he has no action and Black's king's position
defence against the threat of 46. is already weakened by the ex­
P-B 6 and 47. P-B 7 ch (47 . . . . change of the white-squared
R x P ; 4 8. Kt-R 6 ch). bishops.

97
 VIII THE ENDING

Game No . 3 2
IN this ending you have Black. Kt-K 4; 36. Kt x Kt, R x Kt ;
Your consultation partner is 37. Q-B 4, Q-K 2 ; 38. P­
world championship candidate K Kt 4, P-K R 4 ; 39. P-B 4,
Paul Keres. Your opponent is the Q-R 5 ; 40. R-K 3, P x P ;
veteran British master E. G. 4 1 . Q x P, R-K R I ; 42. R(3)­
Sergeant. The game was played at K B 3, R-K 2 ; 43. K-Kt 2,
Margate, 1 939. R-R 4 ; 44. Q x Q, R x Q ; 45.
The first part of the game went R-B 4, R x R; 46. R x R.
as follows : 1 . P-K 4, P-K 4 ;
2 . Kt-K B 3 , Kt-Q B 3 ; 3 . B­
Kt 5, P-Q R 3 ; 4. B-R 4, Kt­
B 3 ; 5. 0-0, P-Q 3 ; 6. R-K 1 ,
B-Q 2 ; 7 . P-B 3, B-K 2 ; 8.
P-Q 4, 0-0 ; 9. Q Kt--Q 2,
R-K 1 ; 10. P-K R 3 (passive ;
better is 1 0. B-Kt 3), B-K B 1 ;
1 1 . B-B 2, P-K Kt 3 ; 12 . Kt­
B I , B-Kt 2 ; 1 3 . Kt-Kt 3, Q­
K 2 ; 14. B-K 3, Q R-Q l ;
1 5 . P-Q 5, Kt-Kt 1 ; 1 6. Q-
R B
g.= ?;B � _!_il �: � l;
l8. t 2
1 9. R-K B 1 , B-Kt 4 ; 20. B-
* 46 . . . . P-K Kt 4
3 points. This endgame is
Q 3, B x B ; 2 1 . Q x B, Kt- favourable to Black because
Kt 1 ; 22. P-K B 4 ? (allowing White has several weaknesses­
Black to use his K 4 as a focal his K 5 square, his K P, and his
point for manreuvring), P x P ; K R P. However, the ending pre-
23. B x P, Kt-Q 2 ; 24. Kt- sents many technical difficulties
B 3, P-R 3 ; 25. Q R-K I , Q- since Black's king and rook are
K 2 ; 26. B-K 3, Kt-K 4 ; 27. bound to look after his own
Kt x Kt, B x Kt ; 28. B-Q 4, K B P, and the natural way to
R-B I ; 29. Q-B 3, Q R-K I ; win, by penetrating with the black
30. Kt-K 2, K-Kt 2 ; 3 1 . B x king through the black squares, is
B ch, Q x B ; 32. Kt-B 4, Kt- not available here ; the black king
B 3 ; 33. Kt-Q 3 , Q-Kt 4 ; 34. cannot reach the. square K 4
K-R 2, Kt-Q 2 ; 35. P-K Kt 3, owing to the white ro� k's position.
98
 THE ENDING

So as a first step to strengthening *

his position Black aims to man­ 51. ... R-B 5
reuvre his rook to a square where 2 points. The next stage begins ;
it attacks both the weak white Black penetrates with his rook.
pawns.
52. P-Kt 4
47. R-Kt 4
*
* 52 . . . . R-B 8
47 . . . . K-Kt 3 ! 1 point.
3 points. Clearly calculated, for 53. R-Q B 2
White cannot eliminate his weak
K R P by 48. P-K R 4, K-R 4 ; *
49. R x P ch (49 K-Kt 3 , R­ 53 . . . . R-Kt 8
K 4 !, or 49. K-R 3, P x P ; 50. 2 points. Naturally he does not
R x P ch, K-Kt 4 ; followed by . . . allow the counterplay beginning
K-B 3-K 4), K x P ; 50. R­ 54. P-B 5.
Kt 7, R x P ; 5 1 . R x P, R x P. 54. P-Kt 5
48. K-B 3 *
* 54 . . . . P-R 4
48 . . . . P-K B 3 1 point. Black is only too glad
2 points. Now White can to see the pawn position definitely
eliminate the K R P, but only at fixed. Static weaknesses are the
the cost of allowing Black's rook easiest to attack, and here not one
to penetrate : 49. P-K R 4, K­ of White's chain of pawns has a
R 4 ; 50. P x P, P x P (threat hope of becoming mobile. Deduct
50 . . . . R-B 2 ch) ; 5 1 . R-Kt 2, 3 points for the blunder 54. . . .
R-B 2 ch ; 52. K-K 2, R-B 5 ; P x P ; 55. P x P, R x P ; 56.
53. K-K 3, R-B 8 . Nothing for R x P, when White draws easily.
48 . . . . K-R 4 ; when Black can­ 55. K-Kt 4
not make further progress, since
*
his rook is tied to the K B P.
55 . . . . P-Kt 3
49. R-Kt 2
1 point. Now the pawn chain is
* completely immobile.
49 . . . . R-R 2
56. K-Kt 3
2 points.
*
50. K-Kt 3
56 . . . . R-Q 8
*
2 points. It is a characteristic of
50 . . . . R-R 5
positions where one side has an
2 points. Thus the plan is active against a passive rook that
completed. the former can continually make
5 1 . R-K 2 threats, in this case 5 7 . . . . R-
99
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Q 6 ch ; followed by . . . R-K 6 or *
. . . R x R P, winning a pawn. 62. . . . R-R 6 ch
57. R-B 3 1 point.
63. K-Q 4
*
57. . . . R-Q 7 *

2 points. 63. . . . R x R
58. P-R 3 1 point.
64. K x R
*
58 . . . . P-R 5 *
64 . . . . K-Kt 5
3 points. Another threat ; this
time it is . . . R-Q Kt 7-Kt 6. 2 points. But not 64 . . . . K-B 5
(deduct 3 points) ; 65. K-Q 4,
59. P-R 4
keeping the opposition, and
* draws !
59 . . . . R-K 7 65. K-Q 4
4 points. Here 59 . . . . R-Kt 7
*
(2 points) should win, although
65 . . . . K-B 5
White has some faint chances by
60. K-Kt 4, R-Kt 6 ; 6 1 . P­ 1 point.
R 5 ch, K-R 3 ; 62. R-B 2, 66. K-Q 3
R x R P ; 63. R-B 2, K-Kt 2 ; *
64. P-R 6 ch. The text is much 66 . . . . K-B 6
clearer.
1 point.
60. p x p
67. K-Q 4
*
*
60 . . . . K x P
67 . . . . K-K 7
2 points. Nothing for 60. . . .
2 points.
P x P ; when there might follow
6 1 . K-B 3, R-K R 7; 62 . K­ 68. K-B 3
Kt 4, R-Q Kt 7 ; 63. P-K 5 !, *
P x P ; 64. P-B 5 ! , R x P ? ; 68 . . . . K-K 6
65. P-Q 6, B P x P ; 66. P-B 6.
1 point.
6 1 . K-B 3
69. K-Kt 4
* *
61. ... R-K R 7 69 . . . . K x P
2 points. 1 point. The weak pawn (created
62. K-K3 on move 22 !) falls at last.
Or 62. K-Kt 3, R-Q Kt 7. 70. K x P
1 00
 THE ENDING

• Summary: In rook and pawn

70. P-K B 4 endings the most important prin­
ciple of all is to keep your rook
1 point. active. Note how in this game
7 1 . K-Kt 3 Keres utilizes his opponent's need
to defend his weakened pawns by
•
penetrating with his rook and thus
71. ... K-Q 6 making White's rook entirely a
4 points. Now White's king defensive piece. If you went wrong
cannot approach the pawn. at Black's 46th, 50th, 52nd, or
54th moves, you are not fully
72. P-R 4 conversant with the principle.
•
There is a good section on rook
and pawn endings in Reinfeld's
72 . . .
. P-B 5
'Practical Endgame Play', and
I point. White resigns. If 73. most anthologies of games include
P-R 5, P-B 6; 74. P-R 6, one or more of the great rook and
P-B 7; 75. P-R 7, P-B 8(Q) ; pawn endings of Rubinstein.
76. P-R 8(Q), Q-Kt 8 ch ; 77. Study also Game No. 33 (Wade­
K-R 3, Q-R 8 ch. Czerniak) in this book.

101
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No. 33
IN this ending you have White.
Your consultation partner is
former British champion Bob
Wade. Your opponent is Israel
champion Miguel Czerniak. The
game was played in the 1 950
Venice tournament.
The first part of the game went
as follows : 1 . P-K 4, P-K Kt 3 ;
2. P-Q 4, B-Kt 2 ; 3 . P-K Kt 3,
P-Q 3 ; 4. B-Kt 2, Kt-K B 3 ;
5. Kt-K 2, 0-0 ; 6. 0-0,
P-K 4 ; 7. P-Q B 3, Kt-B 3 ;
8 . Kt-Q 2, Kt-K R 4 ; 9 . Kt­
Q B 4, P-B 4 ? ; 1 0. K P x P,
K t P x P ; 1 1 . P x P, P x P ;
1 2. Q x Q , Kt x Q (Black's
opening involves lasting pawn
weaknesses). , . , \· ·
· the centre.
*
1 3 . B-B 3
2 points. This was the idea of the
exchange of queens. Now if 1 3 . . . .
Kt-K B 3 ; simply 1 4. Kt x P.
1 3. . . . B-K 3
* of campaign can be tried later on ;
14. Kt x P
3 points. The well-known 'des­
perado' combination is here much
1 02
better than 1 4. B x Kt, B x Kt ;
or 1 4. Kt-K 3, Kt-K B 3 ; (no
credit for either of these) after
which Black's minor pieces are, if
anything, the better placed.
1 4. . . . Kt x P
*
1 5. R P x Kt
1 point. Again this is the only
reasonable move, for White can­
not continue the 'desperado'
sequence owing to the threat to
his rook. 1 5 . Kt x Kt would un­
necessarily separate the pawns,
and there is no reason for disobey­
ing the general rule that pawn
captures should be made towards
1 5. . . . B x Kt
*
1 6. Kt-B 4
2 points. Other moves also quite
playable here are 1 6. B-R 6 and
1 6. B-B 4 (2 points each). The
last-mentioned might even seem
the most thematic, since the weak­
ness of Black's Q Kt P and the
placing of both his K-side pawns
on white squares makes Black's
Q B potentially a ' bad ' bishop
with little attacking scope com­
pared with its white counterpart
operating on white squares. How­
ever, White judges that this plan
first he explores the possibility of
obtaining the two bishops.
1 6. . . . B-B 2
 THE ENDING

* later ending he may be able to

1 7. R-K 1 attack the weak K B P by occupy­
2 points. One of the hallmarks ing the square in front of it with
which distinguish a master from his king.
a strong amateur is the consistency 21 . B-B 3
with which the former simplifies *
the position when his opponent 22. Kt-Q 5
has lasting positional weaknesses.
1 point. Obtaining the advan­
This forced further simplification
tage of bishop against knight in an
is the only advantage which the
open position, for if 22 . . . R-B 1
.

text-move has over 1 7. R-Q 1 ( 1

(to defend the Q B P) ; 23. Kt­
point), since i f now 1 7 . . . . B-Q 3 ;
K 7 ch.
1 8. Kt-R 5, Kt-K 3 ; 1 9. B­
R 6, and Black's difficulties in- 22. B x Kt
crease. *
23. B x B ch
1 7. R-K l
1 point.
*
1 8 . Kt-Q 3 23. K-B 1
1 point. *
24. R-Q 1
1 8. B-Q 3
3 points. Much stronger than
*
24. K-Kt 2 or 24. R-K 1 (no
1 9. R x R ch credit), since Black's knight is now
1 point. confined to the back rank for
1 9. B x R some time to come (24. . . . Kt­
B 2 ; 25. B x Kt and 26. R­
*
Q 7 ch). This illustrates a general
20. B-B 4 principle governing the play of the
2 points. To return to the side with the bishop in B v. Kt
previous plan with 20. Kt-B 4 ( I endings ; in an open position, the
point) would allow Black near­ bishop can be utilized to restrict
equality by 20 . . B-B 3 ; 2 1 . Kt
. . the knight's activity.
-Q 5, K-B 2. So White deprives 24. P-Q R 4
the Q B P of its defender and at
*
the same time exchanges Black's
most active remaining piece. 25. R-Q 4
20. B x B 4 points. Another very con­
structive move. It is generally
* known that the i<:Je�l s_i tuation to
2 1 . Kt x B aim for in rook and pawn endings
2 points. Not 2 1 . P x B , since is to penetrate with the rook to the
White must visualize that in the seventh rank, among the enemy
1 03
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

pawns, but there is less aware­ *

ness of the strength of combining 3 1 . K-K 2
vertical and horizontal rook man­ 1 point.
ceuvres. Now White wins the
31. ... P-R 3
K B P by force, e.g. 25 . . . . R-R 3 ;
26. R-K B 4, R-K B 3 ; 27. B­ *
K 4, or 25 . . . . K-K 2 ; 26. R­ 32. B-K 4
K B 4, K-B 3 ; 27. B-K 4. 2 points. A further phase of
25. . . . P-B 3 consolidation ; Black is again
*
forced back to passive defence (32.
26. B-Kt 3 . . . P-B 4 ; 33. B-B 6).
2 points. The B naturally stays 32. . . . R-Q 3
on the diagonal where it restricts *
the Kt, and 26. B-B 4 ?, P­ 33. P-K B 4
Q Kt 4 ; would cost an important
2 points. This not only begins
tempo.
the advance of the passed pawn,
26. . . . P-Q Kt 4 but deprives the knight of the
* square K Kt 4.
27. R-K B 4 33. . . . P-Kt 5
1 point. *
27. . . . P-R 5 34. P-R 3
* 5 points. By fixing the queen's
28. R x P ch side White deprives his opponent
1 point. of the least counter-chance. De­
28. . . . K-Kt 2 duct 7 points for 34. P x P ? ?,
Kt-Q S ch.
*
34. . . . P x RP
29. B-B 2
*
1 point.
35. p x p
29 . . . . Kt-K 3 v'

1 point.
*
35 . . . . Kt-B 2
30. K-B 1
2 points. White is a pawn up and *
he must consolidate it against a 36. R-B 5
possible counter-attack. Bringing 4 points. Now another pawn is
the king to the centre is the ripe for execution. Nothing for
obvious and only way to meet the 36. R-Q R 5, Kt-Kt 4 ; 37. R x
threat of . . . R-Q 1 -Q 7. P ? ?, Kt x P ch.
30. . . . R-Q 1 36. . . . Kt-Kt 4
1 04
 THE ENDING

* Q 2, Kt-Kt 4 ; 44. R-Q Kt 7,

37. B x P
3 points. Deduct 2 points for
37. R x P ?, R x R ; 38. B x R,
Kt x P ch ; 39. K-Q 3, Kt-Kt 8
when Black most likely draws.
37. . . . Kt x R P
*
38. B x P
1 point.
With two pawns up, White's win
is now easy. The remaining moves
were 38 . . . . R-K 3 ch ; 39. K­
Q 2, R-K Kt 3 ; 40. K-B 1 ,
R-Kt 3 ; 4 1 . R-B 7 ch, K-B 1 ;
42. B-Q 1 , R-Kt 8 ch ; 43. K-
Kt x P ; 45. R x R, Kt x R eh ;
46. K-Q 3 , K-Kt 2 (if 46. . . .
Kt-R 6 ; 47. B-R 4, and the
knight remains trapped) ; 47. B­
K 2, Kt-R 6 ; 48. K-B 3, P-R 4 ;
49. K-Kt 2 , P-R 5 ; 50. P x P,
Resigns.
Summary: Another instance of
the value of playing to a plan.
White's whole conduct of the
ending was based on the fact that,
if he could retain his initiative and
development advantage, Black's
weak pawns must eventually begin
to tumble.

1 05
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

Game No . 34
IN this game you have White. still meaningless ; but the conse­
Your consultation partner is the quence of so many black pawns
author. Your opponent is former being on white squares is that it
British champion R. J. Broadbent. is quite easy for white's king and
The game was played in London, knight to obtain good posts on
1 956. black squares, particularly on the
The first part of the game went : central point Q 4. White's advan­
I . P-K 4, P-K 3 ; 2. P-Q 4, tage is limited here by the fact that
P-Q 4 ; 3. Kt-Q B 3, Kt­ Black has a minor piece which can
K B 3 ; 4. P-K 5, K Kt-Q 2 ; also operate on black squares ;
5 . P-B 4, P-Q B 4 ; 6 . P x P, consequently White will try to
B x P ; 7. Kt-B 3, Kt-Q B 3 ; exchange his opponent's knight
8. B-Q 3, P-Q R 3 ; 9. P-Q R 3, against his own relatively inactive
Q-B 2; I O. Q-K 2, Kt-Q 5 ; bishop ; Black, conversely, will try
1 1 . Kt x Kt, B x Kt ; 1 2 . Kt­ to exchange off his own bishop
Q I , Kt-B 4 ; 1 3 . B-K 3, B x for either of White's minor pieces.
B ; 14. Q x B, B-Q 2 ; 1 5 . 0-0, White has a second advantage
R-Q B I ; 1 6. Kt-B 3, P­ in his somewhat greater command
K Kt 3 ; 1 7. Q R-B I , Q-Kt 3 ; of space (centre pawn on the fifth) ;
1 8. R-Kt I , Kt-R 5 ; 1 9 . Q x he will strive to exploit his result­
Q, Kt x Q. ing superior mobility by preparing
- a breakthrough, the most natural
••• --
�-! areas for which are on the K B
i rJ.Am t B i l and K R files.
•
Ml! B i mii
- & t •! ·1 20. . . . Kt-R 5
i
m �� • *
. .
- • � �f. � . 2 1 . Kt-Q 4
a
u " �
��- D a
• I point for this or 2 1 . K-B 2.
�
u ft �- � • ft � �' 21. ... K-K 2
• i§
a i§ ma
_,,.
_ __
*
* 22. K-B 2
20. Kt-K 2 1 point.
I point for this or 20. K-B 2. 22 . . . . R-B 2
White's advantage here is that his
opponent has a bishop hemmed in *
by its own pawns, a frequent 23. K-K 3
occurrence in the French Defence 1 point. 2 points, however, if
and Queen's Gambit Declined. you chose P-K Kt 4 here or on
Thus baldly stated, the position is the previous two moves. P-
106
 THE ENDING

K Kt 4 would soon prepare P­ 1 point, but 2 points for 28. P x

B 5, which Black now delays. Kt, which is much better since it
23. . . . P-K R 4 gives White two open files instead
of one ; generally, the side with the
* greater mobility should strive for
24. P-K Kt 3 open lines.
1 point. White envisaged P­
28. B-Kt 4 ch
K R 3 and P-K Kt 4. A good
alternative was 24. P-B 3 ( 1 *
point), preparing t o drive away 29. K-K 3
the enemy knight by B-B 2 (as
1 point. Deduct 2 points for the
outlined above, Black should not
positional blunder 29. Kt x B ?.
allow his knight to be exchanged).
Deduct a point for the positional 29. . . . B - R5
blunder 24. P-K R 3 ?, P-R 5 ;
*
when White can never mobilize 30. P-B 3
his K side (25 . K-B 3, R(B 2)­
B 1 ; 26. K�Kt 4, R-R 2 ; 27. I point.
Kt-B 3, R(B 1)-K R 1). 30 . . . . R(B 2)-B 1
24. . . . R(R 1 )-Q B 1 Correct was 30. . . . B-Q 2 ;
when it would still be very difficult
*
for White to make progress.
25. P-R 3
1 point for this or 25. P-B 3. *
25. . . . Kt-B 4 3 1 . P-B 5
2 points. This is the only way to
*
win.
26. R-K R l
31. ... KP x P
1 point. A final preparation for
27. P-K Kt 4, which could also *
be played immediately (l point). 32. P x B P
26. . . . R-K R 1 1 point.
* 32 . . . . B-Q 2
27. P-K Kt 4 *
1 point. 33. P-B 6 ch
27 . . . . Kt x B 1 point. Nothing for 33. P x P,
A positional mistake in time P x P ; when although White has
trouble. As outlined in the note to more open lines to work on, he
move 20, Black should have can scarcely win owing to the
avoided this move above all. weakness of his K P.
28. K x Kt 33 . . . . K-Q l
1 07
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

* *
34. Q R-Q I 39. R-R I
2 points. White prepares a re­ I point.
grouping manreuvre in which he 39 . . . . K R-B I
will attack both the Q P and the
*
K B P, the latter by Kt-B3-
Kt 5. I point only for 34. Kt-B 3 40. P x P ch.
at once, which is less clear (34 . . . . 1 point.
B-B 4 ; 35. Q R-Q I , B-K 5). 40 . . . . P x P
34. . . . K-B 2 *
* 4 1 . R-Q Kt 4
35. Kt-B 3 1 point.
I point.
41. . . . K-Kt 3
35 . . . . B-K 3
Black can just avoid losing a
*
pawn for the moment.
36. P-K R 4
*
2 points. This systematic
strengthening of the black squares 42. Kt-··Q 4
is safer than 36. Kt-Kt 5 ( 1 1 point.
point), P-R 5 ! ; followed by 42 . . . . B-Q 2
R-R 4. *
36. . . . K-Q 2 43 . R-Kt 3
* 2 points. There is nothing more
37. R-Q 4 to be done by direct attack on the
2 points. 37. Kt-Kt 5 ( I point), Q Kt P (since Black has . . . R­
R-B 5 ! ; 38. K R-K I , K R­ B 4 ; available), and so White
Q B 1 ; might still make it hard for takes possession of the only open
White to obtain a winning posi­ file.
tion. Now if 37 . . . . R-B 5 ; 38. 43. . . . R-Q R 1
R x R, P x R; 39. R-Q I ch,
*
K-B 3 ; 40. Kt-Kt 5, followed
by Kt-K 4-Q 6, and Black's 44. R(3)-R 3
totally passive position must crack 1 point. 44. R x R (I point) is
up. equally good, for if 44 . . . . R x R ;
45. R-R 3, R x R ; 46. P x R,
37. . . . P-Q Kt 4 K-B 4 ? ; 47. P-K 6 !
*
44. . . . R x R
3 8 . P-R 4
*
2 points. Black's last move left
45. R x R
open a welcome new entry route
on the Q R file. I point.
38. . . . K-B 3 45 . . . . R-B l
1 08
 THE ENDING

* *
46. K-B 4 5 1 . R-R 7
2 points. Now White can invade 5 points. The main variation
on the opposite wing-note how which White had to work out
White's hegemony of the black continues 5 1 . . . . K x R ; 52. Kt­
squares gives him easy entry B 6 ch, K-Kt 3 ; 53. Kt x R,
routes. B-K 3 ; 54. K-Kt 7, K-B 2
(54. . . . P-Kt 4 ; 55. P x P,
46 . . . . R-K l
P-R 5 ; 56. Kt-B 3, followed by
* P-Kt 6) ; 55. Kt x B P, B x
47. Kt-B 3 Kt ; 56. K x B, P-Kt 4 ; 57. K­
2 points. The threat is 48. K­ Kt 7 and wins.
Kt 5, or if 47 . . . . B-Kt 5 ; 48. 51. ... R-K 5 ?
Kt-Kt 5. This loses immediately.
47. . . . R-Q B 1 *
52. R x P
*
48 . K-Kt 5 1 point.
I point. 52. B-Q 8
48 . . . . R-K l *
53. R-K 7
* 1 point.
49. K-R 6
Black resigns.
3 points ; this logical move needs
accurate calculation. Summary: If you obtained a bad
49 . . . . B-Kt 5 score on this ending, it was prob­
ably because you did not suffi­
*
ciently appreciate the importance
50. Kt-Q 4
of keeping Black's 'bad' bishop
2 points ; nothing for 50. Kt­ restricted. Study some examples of
Kt 5, R x P ; 5 1 . Kt x P, R­ this type of ending in Fine's
B 4! 'Basic Chess Endings', or Rein­
50. R x P feld's 'Practical Endgame Play'.

1 09
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?
Game No . 3 5
I N this ending you have Black.
Your consultation partner is the
young Yugoslav Andrija Fuderer,
who is equally as brilliant at
chemistry and piano-playing as at
the chessboard. Your opponent is
Dr. Heinz Lehmann of West
Germany, a frequent competitor
in English tournaments. The game
was played at Munich, 1 954.
The first part of the game went
as follows : 1 . P-K 4, P-Q B 4 ;
2 . Kt-K B 3 , P-Q 3 ; 3 . P-B 3,
Kt-K B 3 ; 4. B-Q 3, Kt-B 3 ;
5 . B-B 2, B-Kt 5 ; 6. P-K R 3 ,
B x Kt ; 7 . Q x B, P-K Kt 3 ;
8. P-Q 3, B-Kt 2 ; 9. 0-0,
0-0 ; 1 0. �!-Q 2, P-Q Kt 4 ;
1 1 . Q-K 2 , Kt-Q 2 ; 1 2. Kt­
B 3, R-B 1 ; 1 3 . B-K 3, P­
Kt 5 ; 1 4 . P x P, Kt x P ; 1 5 .
B-Kt 3, Q-Kt 3 ; 1 6: Q R.� Q 1 ,
Kt-Q B 3 ; 1 7. Q-Q 2, R-Kt 1 ;
1 8 . B-R 6, Kt(Q 2)-K 4 ; 1 9 .
K t x Kt, B x B ; 20. Q x B,
P x Kt ; , 2 1 . B-Q 5 , Kt-Q 5 ;
22. R...:::...Q 2, Q-R 4 ; 23. P-B 3 ,
R-Kt 3 ; 2 4 . R(Q 2)-K B 2, R­
K B 3 ; 25. Q-Kt 5, Q-B 2 ;
26. Q-Q 2, R-B 1 ; 27. K-R 1 ,
1 10
K-Kt 2 ; 2 8 . R-B 1 , R-Kt 3 ;
29. Q-R 5 , P-Kt 4 ; 30. P­
Q R 3, P-K 3 ; 3 1 . ·B-R 2, K­
B 3 ; 32. P-Q Kt 4, R-B 3 ; 3 3 .
Q x Q , R(B 1 ) x Q ; 3 4 . B-B 4,
P x P ; 3 5 . P x P, R-Kt 3 ; 36.
R-Kt 2, R(B 2)-Kt 2; 37. R­
R 1 , R x P ; 3 8 . R x R, R x R ;
39. R x P.
i '
*
39 . . . . R-Kt 8 ch
4 points. Black's positional ad­
vantage in this ending is a typical
instance of a knight's superiority
over a bishop hemmed in by its
own pawns. All White's pawns are
on white squares, and his bishop's
only hope of activity is to j oin with
the rook in an operation against
Black's K B P. In terms of actual
moves, Black can aim at an
obvious winning situation. If he
can transfer his knight to K B 5,
and his rook to the seventh, White
will be obliged (since his bishop
cannot get back inside his pawn­
chain) to defend his K Kt P with
his rook. Then the black king
simply walks round to K Kt 6.
Black therefore begins by tying
down his opponent's king to the
K Kt P. This is still more effective
if a pin operates as well, so only
2 points for the immediate 39 . . . .
R-Kt 7.
40. K-R 2
*
40 . . . . R-Kt 7
2 points .
4 1 . K -R 1
 THE ENDING

* K B 5 before launching the final

41. P-R 4 attack on the Q P.
3 points. l point for 4 1 . . . . Kt­ 46. K-Kt 1 ?
K 7 ; but by advancing the R P to
*
R 5, White is deprived of any faint
chances with P-K R 4. 46 . . . . K-K 2
42. R-R 2 3 points. Now everything runs
smoothly again.
Otherwise Black simply carries
out his plan outlined in the note 47. B-Kt 5
to move 39. *
* 47 . . . . K-Q 3
42 . . . . R x R l point.
3 points. 42. . . . R-Kt 8 ch 48. B-K 8
(take no credit) would probably
not lead to a win, since White's *
K Kt 2 can then be adequately 48 . . . . P-B 3
defended. 2 points. 1 point for 48 . . . . P­
43. B x R B 4 ; which is no longer essential .
* 49. B-Kt 5
43 . . . . Kt-K 7
*
6 points. Again the only correct 49 . . . . K-B 4
move, for upon 43 . . . . K-K 2 or
43 . . . . P-R 5 (no credit) ; 44. K­ 1 point.
Kt 1 enables White's king to join 50. B-B 4
in the game.
*
44. B-B 4 50 . . . . K-Q 5
* l point.
44 . . . . P-R 5
5 1 . K-B 1
3 points.
*
45. K-R 2
51. ... K-B 6
*
6 points for this, but nothing for
45 . . .
. Kt-B 5
5 1 . . . . Kt x Q P ; 52. B x P,
No credit for this move, after when White draws, nor for 5 1 . . . .
which White could have obtained K-K 6 ; 52. K-Kt 1 , K-Q 7 ;
good drawing chances by the 53. K-B 1 ! and Black is not
obvious 46. P-Kt 3, but 4 points making progress.
for 45 . . . . K-K 2, intending to
bring the king to K 6, and, if 52. K-Kt 1
necessary, advance the K B P to . If K-B 2, Kt X Q P is check.
111
 HOW GOOD IS YOUR CHESS ?

• •
5 2. K-B 7 55 . . . . K-K 6
4 points. No credit for anything 2 points.
else. 56. p x p
53. K-R 2 If 5 6. K-Kt 2, Kt-K 8 ch ; or
56. B-Kt 4, Kt-K 8 ; and in
Virtually resignation, but if 53. either case Black wins.
K-B 2, Kt x Q P ch ; or 53. K­ •
B I , K-Q 7 ! ; 54. K-Kt I , K­ 56. . . . P x P
K 8 ! ; 55. K-R 2, K-B 7.
1 point.
• White resigns.
53 . . . . K-Q 7
4 points. Summary: Like Game No. 34,
54. P-Kt 3 this ending illustrates the tech­
nique to be employed when you
• have a knight against a 'bad'
54 . . . . Kt x Q P bishop. Note, above all, how in
each game the superior side uses
2 points. But again not 54. . . .
his better mobility to infiltrate
P x P ch ; 55. K x P, and draws.
with his king into the heart of his
55. B x p I opponent's position.

1 12
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 Leonard Barden

HOW GOOD IS
YOUR CHESS?
How good is your chess? F i n d o u t with t h i s collection of 35 m aster
games arranged and scored for sel f-quizzing. You can score a m a x i ­
m u m o f 50 poi n ts i n a n y one g a m e and by averagi ng your scores
over a n u m ber o f ga m e s , you can rate your sk i l l o n a scale from
beginner to m a s t e r .

H o w d o e s the b o o k w o r k ? You make your choice o f move f o r one

p layer only, a s i n d i ca ted a t t h e begi n n i n g o f t h e ga m e , and re­
ceive a desi gnated n u m ber o f poi n t s for each move that m a tches
the m aster's actual move. Over t h e course o f the book you w i l l
be playing i n t h e shoes o f s u c h o u t s t a n d i n g m a s ters as Bo t v i n n i k ,
Kotov , Bronstei n , Euwe, Reshe v sk y , Spassk y , O l a fsso n , Tolush ,
Flohr, T a i , and Keres .

The games h ave been admirably selected by au thor Leon ard

Barde n , and thty are models o f stra tegy and tactics. To e m p h asize
their most i m p o r ta n t l i nes of play, all the games are arranged
in eigh t categories : posi tional play (I I ga m e s) , a ttack i n g play
(8 gam e s) , com b i n a t ions (6 ga m e s) , the e n d i n g (4 gam es) , and
center co n t ro l , superior developm e n t , defense, and co nstruction
technique.

Leonard Barden i s chess corresponde n t for The Guardian, J;,on don

Even ing Stan da rd, and other p u b l i c a t i o n s , a n d a fo rmer Bri t i s h
chess cham pion . W i th h i s gre a t knowled ge o f c h e s s li ter a t u re and
the theory a n d practice of modern chess, h e h a s wri t te n w h a t i s
undou btedly the b e s t o f t h e chess q u i z t y p e o f book . I t w i l l enable
every player to assess h i s playing strength a n d h e l p every p l a yer
to measurably i ncrease i t .

Unabri dged repu b l i ca t i o n of the origi n a l ( 1 95 7 ) edition . 35

diagra m s . xi + I 1 2p p . 5 % x 80z. Paperbou n d .

ISBN 0 - 486 - 2329 4 - 8

90000

$4 . 95 IN USA 9 780486 232942