Advanced Chess Tacticspdf PDF Free

Advanced Chess Tactics
By
Lev Psakhis
Quality Chess
www. quali tychess.co. uk
First edition 2011 by Quality Chess UK Ltd
Copyright © 2011 Lev Psakhis
ADVANCED CHESS TACTICS

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Printed in Estonia by Tallinna Raamatutriikikoja LLC
Contents
Key to Symbols used 4
Preface 5
1 Attacking in the Benoni 7

2 Attacking with Hanging Pawns 47
3 IQP Positions: Attacking the King with Pieces 69
4 IQP Positions: Attacking with the h-pawn 105
5 IQP Positions: Versus the c-pawn 131
6 Attack in the Sicilian Labyrinths 153
7 Attack in the Catacombs of the Caro-Kann 215
8 Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard Openings 279
9 57 Exercises 321
Solutions 332
Game Index 361

Player Index 362
Key to symbols used
;!; White is slightly better
; Black is slightly better
± White is better
+ Black is better
+- White has a decisive advantage
-+ Black has a decisive advantage
equality
co unclear
i!iii with compensation
+! with counterplay
--+ with attack
t with initiative
? a weak move
?? a blunder
a good move
!! an excellent move
!? a move worth considering
?! a move of doubtful value
D only move
# mate
Preface
Throughout most of my life I have been a chess professional. Spending six to eight months a year
at tournaments, I fully satisfied my chess hunger. Later, somewhat to my surprise, I realized that
I was playing the game less and less, and teaching it more and more. Then in 2006, I finally took
my leave of the game as a player. I wiped away the odd few manly tears, "hung my skates on the
wall" and started leading the far from easy life of a chess coach. This gave me the chance to look
at the game from the other side of the fence.
I endeavoured to work only with talented players, and was quite astonished to find how even
the very strong ones were lacking in classical chess education. There is a kind of blind faith in
openings. A typical view is, ''I'm going to learn a new line in the Najdorf, or maybe two, maybe
five, and I'll beat everybody." This goes with an obvious neglect of other equally important aspects
of the game. True, for grandmasters rated over 2650, good opening knowledge is essential- but
then they aren't reading these lines, are they?
What do you need for good results in tournaments? A sensible knowledge of the openings,
making use of a fair dose of common sense; an understanding of basic strategic laws (how to
handle positions with various pawn structures, how to play against weaknesses, and so forth -
the study of games by Petrosian, Karpov and many others is a great help here!); improvement of
your tactical skill, with good precise calculation of variations two to four moves long; a flair for
the attack (in this department, games by Kasparov, Tal, Alekhine and Judit Polgar will not only
give you great pleasure but afford invaluable help); and of course, good play in the endgame.
Material on the level of Mark Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual is in my view fully adequate for the
vast majority of grandmasters, while players in a somewhat lower category can be quite content
with less.
The object of analysis in this book is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of chess- that sovereign
entity, the attack! We may take any amount of pleasure in playing against a weak pawn or, say,
against a poorly placed knight in the enemy camp; but it's only when we conduct an attack on
the opponent's king that the blood's adrenalin content soars and our heart tries to leap out of
our chest. Such a splendid feeling! Not that I have any wish whatever to isolate the business of
attack as some kind of separate component of chess. I even devised this motto: Attack is the
continuation of strategy by other means. I only hope General Carl von Clausewitz won't take me
to court for plagiarism!
A few words about the structure of the book: attack in chess has many facets, and several systems
can be devised for classifying the examples. For instance a scheme would be possible with
such headings as attacking with the two bishops, giving mate with your last remaining pawn,
sacrificing a rook, and so forth. I decided to try a somewhat different scheme: attacking in various
specific openings, and attacking in positions with certain typical pawn structures. How far I have
succeeded in this, you must judge. As they say, you cannot get a quart into a pint pot. Naturally
I am not hoping to teach you how to checkmate all your opponents in (let us say) the Sicilian
Defence, within the confines of a single book. That would of course be impossible! I have simply
tried to convey my views on positions that contain attacking chances- and to share my experience
6 Preface
of playing them, using typical or sometimes not so typical devices. Many splendid openings had
to be left out, and this is not down to my opinion of them but merely to the shortage of space.
Now, about the games: selecting them was not a simple task, considering that so many works
on tactics and aggression were on the chess book market and that I was categorically opposed
to repeating other people's analyses. It is for this latter reason, and not at all out of unbridled
narcissism, that I have included many games of my own. But that is not all. For several years
now, inspired by Garry Kasparov's immensely interesting work My Great Predecessors, I have been
diligently studying the games of the great former generation that included Mikhail Tal, Boris
Spassky, Leonid Stein, Viktor Korchnoi, Tigran Petrosian and many another illustrious names.
It frankly amazed me to ascertain how many games from that era, which is not so very distant,
had remained practically uninvestigated. It seemed to me quite a senseless idea to analyse the
brilliant victories of Kasparov, Anand or Topalov for the thousandth time; in a country like
India, for instance, where I have spent a fair amount of time coaching with delight and gratitude,
these games are known in every nursery school! It therefore seemed entirely reasonable to focus
primarily on games played by the giants of that earlier generation. Many of the games, naturally,
are wins by Mikhail Tal, and this of course is not surprising. Few players have conducted as
many brilliant attacks as the Hussar from Riga. Some games will strike you as familiar -this was
impossible to avoid- but all of them are supplied with somefundamentally new analysis, allowing
you to look at them from an entirely new angle.
Who is this book intended for? I think (hope) that chess players ranging from 2000 to 2600
will find something useful and interesting in it. While writing it, I visualized a typical reader
as a young International Master who doesn't want to rest content with what he has already
achieved. But of course, players in a considerably weaker class can also benefit from the book.
There is just one proviso. I have tried to write in a lively, individual manner, but the study of the
material demands quite serious work. And to this end, it is highly desirable to use that antiquated
device, a chessboard. Don't forget that improvement (and not just in chess) can result only from
independent work. The best coach in the world can only help you with useful advice and a
selection of important material - it is still up to you to assimilate it!
A few practical hints:

(1) Don't go out of your way to calculate long variations. A capacity for precise calculation to a
depth of 2-4 moves is usually quite enough.
(2) An attack may be prepared over quite a long stretch of time, but when carrying it out, do
so at top speed without letting your opponent get his bearings.
(3) Don't relax too soon, even if it seems to you that the goal is already attained-your opponent
may take a completely different view.
(4) Most importantly: constant time-scrambles are the worst sign of a poor chess education!
In conclusion I would like to say that writing this book was hard work for me, but very interesting
too. I hope you will enjoy it.
Lev Psakhis
Rishon le Zion, Israel
October 2011
Chapter I
Attacking in the Benoni
Tel Aviv 1990

M_y last game against the great Mikhail Tal
Diagram Preview
On this page you will find 8
8 8
diagrams with critical moments
7 7
from the coming chapter. I
6 6
recommend that you take up to
5 5
15 minutes to think about each
4 4
of them (though less in some
3 3
cases). The solutions are found
2 2
on the following pages in the
annotations to the games. .6.1
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
What fantastic attacking idea How to defend?

did White miss? (see page 38)
(see page 30)
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
A complicated decision How does Black hold the What is Black's tactical resource?
(see page 12) draw? (see page 41)
(see page 32)
8 T 8 T 8
7 7 7
. .
6 6 . '
6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
How to react? This never happened, but The grand finale!

(see page 17) what if it did? (see page 46)
(see page 36)
Chapter 1 - Attacking in the Benoni 9
The Benoni is an opening for people with 9.0-0

excellent tactical vision and nerves of steel. Interestingly, 9.h3!? at this point would give
You almost always feel distinctly anxious about a standard position from the 1990s. After the
Black's position: White has an advantage in move played, Black could have equalized with
space, and often in development too. Why, no particular trouble.
then, have so many strong and enterprising
players included this opening in their 9... tt:la6
repertoire? It is sufficient to recall the names According to the present state of theory,
ofTal, Fischer, Stein,Topalov, Gashimov and 9...a6!? 10.a4 �g4 is stronger. Then after, for
Ljubojevic; indeed your obedient servant instance, 11.h3 �xf3 12.�xf3 tt:lbd700 Black
himself belonged to this exclusive club for can face the future with optimism.
decades. The reason is simple; unlike many

IO.ti:ld2 ti:lb4
other openings that are a good deal safer, the
A strange move, but let us not for get that Tal
Benoni enables Black to fight for the initiative
was just sixteen at the time. In our day, players
(and often obtain it!) literally from the very
of that age are already seasoned veterans, but
first moves. Of course it means accepting a
in 1953 it was quite a different matter!
certain risk, but who said that that was such a
bad thing? It's hard to find any other opening
II.i.e2 E:e8 12.a3 ttla6 13.E:el ttlc7 I4.'1Wc2
in which we have so many opportunities to
show our tactical and aggressive skills. Who
worries about the fact that our opponent has
plenty similar chances of his own? There will
be a fight, and may the stronger player win.
It should therefore come as no surprise at all
that I have chosen the Benoni as material for
my opening chapter.
Isaak Birbrager- Mikhail Tal
USSR 1953
a b c d e f g h
14...E:b8
A standard plan; Tal prepares to activate his
queenside pawns with ...b5. Black can hardly
count on adequate counterplay otherwise.
15.a4
Likewise a standard reply - perhaps too
standard. White had at least two other plans
at his disposal.
In the first place he could have played 15.E:b1!?

and answered 15...b5 with 16.b4!;!;.
a b c d e f g h
23...1Wf8! would want to continue with 22.lLla5 �d4t

The outwardly active 23...1We5?! meets with 23.'it>f11Wh4-+) 22...�d4, Black is threatening
the powerful retort 24.\Wcl!, and seeing that to play ...f5 at a suitable moment, and it isn't
Black cannot be happy with either 24...�b7 entirely clear how White is going to guard the
25.Ela3 �b4 26.Ele3 or 24...�f2 25.�f6 dark squares on the kingside.
1Wh5 26.b3!? - defending the bishop on e2
and winning easily - there only remains 20 f5t 21..id3 f4!
.•.
24...�b4 25.�f6 1Wh5 26.b3!?, and if

26...Elxe4 27.fxe4 �g4 then 28.�xa6t with
a large plus for White.
24.Elal
Approximate equality results from both
24.\Wcl Elxe4!? 25.fxe4 �f2 26.�f6 �d4
27.�xd4 cxd4 and 24.lLlf6t 'it>h8 25.lLlxe8
'.Wxe8.
24...Elxe4!? 25.6ce4 �b4 26.�f6 �b7
27.\Wcl!?t±
a b c d e f g h
22.g4!
Birbrager has to keep on finding what are
virtually only moves. Thus, the natural22.'it>hl
would lose quickly to 22...1Wh4 23.Ele2 (or
23.�d2 �d4-+) 23...�d4, when White lacks
a suitable defence against the simple threat of
a b c d e f g h
24...etJg3t!?.
White of course has excellent compensation

22 �d4t 23.\t>hl
•..
for the pawn, but does he have a genuine

This time, if White wishes to lose the game
advantage? At any rate, in all these variations
in short order, he can continue 23.'it>g2?. Then
Black may be risking more than his opponent.
after the forced moves 23...1Wh4 24.1We2 �xg4!
Tal was certainly right, then, to choose the
25.fxg4 f3t 26.1Wxf3 Elf8-+ he can simply stop
move he did. (Still, it would be interesting to
the clock!
know which variations he worked out, and
in which ones he was rather following his
23 JWh4 24J'�e2
.•
renowned intuition.)
On 24.1We2, Black has 24...�f2!.
20.lLlfl
There is no salvation in 24.gxh5 either. After
White already has to walk on a knife edge.
24... \Wxel 25.�xf4 1Wh4 26.�xd6 1Wf6!
His knight can't stray too far from the king,
27.�xb8 1Wxf3t 28.1Wg2 1Wxd3 29.Ela3 1Wxe4-+
since after 20.lLlc4 b5 2l.axb5 axb5 22.CLle3 (I
Black's two mighty bishops will bring him the
don't think you could find many players who
long-awaited point.
12 Advanced Chess Tactics
8 is his undoing: 27.i.e3 ixe3 28 .ll:xf3 Wffxg4

2 9 .�xe3 cxd3 30. W1xd3 lLl f4 3 1 . W1 d2 �xe4-+
7 and White's defensive possibilities are
6 exhausted.
5
26 . . . fxe2! ? 27.Wffxe2 c4!
Once again exploiting the same motif; this is
4 stronger than 27 . . . �f8 28 .ie3.
3 28.ixc4
2
White simply has no other move; given his
overall development problems, he would
1
lose at once after 28 .ic2 �f8-+ .
b d f g h
28 . . ll:xe4
. 29.ie3
a c e 29.Wig2 �g4 30.lLlg3 ll:f8-+ leaves White
24 YNh3?!
...
with no hope of salvation either.
Tal's first error in the game. At this point 29 . . . ixe3 30.lLlxe3 Wif4 3 1 .�a3ll:be8-+
Black had a pleasant choice. Black wins the knight, and with it also the
game.
For one thing, he could play 24 . . . lLl g3t!?
25.lLlxg3 fxg3 26Jl:g2 gxh2 27.Wie2 ll:f8t, 25J�!:g2
though in this line White would retain decent
defensive possibilities.
Secondly, Black had the very strong:

24 . . .i.xg4! 25.fxg4 f3!
For a while I was fascinated by the variation
25 . . . Wih3! 26.ll:d2 f3 27.gxh5 ll:xe4! 28.ll:f2
ll:e2! 29.i.e3 �xc2 30.i.xc2 i.xe3 3 1 .lLlxe3
�e8, when Black has a plus - but is it
sufficient for victory?
The positional 25 . . . lLlf6!? was not at all bad;

h
with . . . g5 coming next, Black would have a
a b c d e f g
clear initiative.
26.gxh5
Or 26.ll:f2 c4!, hitting White in the most But the strongest line was the tactical solution:
awkward place. The weakness of his e-pawn 25 . . . ixg4!
26 ...%Ye3
Avoiding the draw isn't so simple; after
26 . . . Wh3 27.gxh5 %Vxh5 28 .!e2± White's
chances are already preferable.
a b c d e f g h
26.:B:xg4
26.fxg4 meets with a precise refutation:
26 .. .f3 27.:B:f2 c4! 28.j,xc4 :B:xe4 29.gxh5
:B:e2! 30.j,xe2 j,xf2 3 1 .tLle3 j,xe3 32.j,d3 f2
33.'\We2 :B:f8 34.%Vfl %Vxh5 35 .he3 %Vxd5t
36.%Vg2 %Vxd3-+ This long but completely
forced variation has left White in an
b d f g h
absolutely hopeless position.
26 . . . Wxf3t 27.:B:g2 Wh3! 28.:B:a3!? 8 29.:B:f2
a c e
:B:e5! 30.j,xa6 :B:f8+ 27 . .%Yf3

.
Black has a large plus. Incidentally, try not It seems to me that at this moment Mikhail
to forget the methods of attack ( . . . c4! and Tal might easily have been a prey to his
. . . :B:e2) which crop up in several variations - emotions. It's obvious that a drawn result
perhaps you will manage to carry out didn't suit him at all. I can understand this very
something similar in your own games. well - I have been in similar situations plenty
of times myself- but why he didn't choose the
26.lLld2 comparatively "normal" 27 . . . We l ! is unclear to
White is not to be envied after 26.gxh5?, me. The best reply would probably be 28.!d2!?
when Black is offered a wonderful choice. He (28 .gxh5 ih3 29.ixf4 c4! is unpleasant for
can play 26 . . . :B:xe4! 27.j,e2 :B:xe2 28.%Vxe2 %Vxe2 White after either 30.Wd2 !xg2t 3 1 .<.!fxg2
29.:B:xe2 j,b7, successfully targeting both the %Vxd2t 32.lLlxd2 cxd3+ or 30.ixc4 :B:f8!
king and the misplaced rook on a2. Or he may 3 1 .Wd2 !xg2t 32.<.!fxg2 %Vxe4t-+) , when the
prefer 26 . . . !h3! 27.:B:a3!? :B:xe4 28.!xa6 !e3, struggle could continue with:
and White obviously has to pay a high price to
avoid immediate loss. Beautiful variations!
Now, however, the white knight intends to

persecute the black queen perpetually, and the
position appears to have taken on a drawish
character. In such situations we have to decide
how much risk we are prepared to take in order
to pay for the right of playing on; but beware
sometimes the price becomes excessive!
a b c d e f g h
1-± Advanced Chess Tactics
28 . . . 1Wh4 29.gxh5 .ih3 30 . .ic3 .ixg2t 30.h4!?

3 l .'!Wxg2 .ixc3 32.bxc3 '!Wxh5 33 .ha6 '!We5 It's hard for me to criticize this move; White
giving approximate equality, but White would takes control of g5 and gives his king a square.
have a couple of reefs to negotiate. Let's look at two further possibilities that he
had available:
28.ttld2
Practically forcing a draw, and indeed 99% Black should not have any real problems after
of opponents would now have settled for the 30.b3!?, which brings the a2-rook into play
half point - but on this day Birbrager was up but has its defects:
against an exception to the general rule!
Incidentally, 28.l:'!a3 ttl f6 29.tLld2 was weaker

in view of 29 . . . 1Wh3 30 . .ib5 1Wxg2t! 3 l .�xg2
axb5, when Black holds the initiative despite
parting with his queen.
28 ...J.xg4?! 29.ttlxf3 J.xf3

It is time to catch our breath a little. The
fact is that Tal has made an outright sacrifice of
h
queen for rook - or more precisely, we might
a b c d e f g
say, for a minor piece; for who would want to
part with the light-squared bishop, the pride 30 . . . �xe4! 3 l ..ixe4 �e8 32.1Wc4 �xe4 33.h4
of Black's position, by taking on g2 without .ie5! 34.1Wxa6 �el t 35.�h2 �xcl and it's
dire necessity? Black does of course have quite impossible to predict how this will all
some compensation for the queen, but it is end!
psychological more than anything else. White
was simply dumbstruck by such a rapid change Interesting complications also arise from:
in the situation, and most likely he was in time 30 ..id2 �e5
trouble - which immediately left its mark on How easy it would now be to miss the threat
the course of the game. of 3 1 . . .tLl g3t!.
3 1 .h4D �f8 32.�h2!
Or 32 ..ic3 .ixg2t 33 .1Wxg2 f3 34.1Wh3! ? f2
35 . .ixd4 cxd4 36.l':l:al l2J f4 37.1Wg3 l2Jh5
38 .1Wg4 lLl f4::!: and White still has to prove
his advantage.
32 . . . .ixg2 33.'it>xg2 Bt 34.'it?h2 ttl f6!
And now in the event of:
3 5 . .if4 lLlxe4 36 . .ixe5 .ixe5t 37.�h3 f2
38.�g2 �f4
The real fun is only just starting!
As we can see, playing a position like this for

White is not at all a simple matter, so it's no
a b c d e f g h surprise that his nerves are the first to crack.
30 :Sf8
•.• White completely lost control of the events on
the board - and retribution was swift!
8 -��----�� -�� 1----�
��·� � � 3 I . liJg3t 32.@h2 hg2 33.@xg2ltJxe2-+
.•
7
By now Black has both a material plus and
6 i if� ��F
��F �if�� • ��
�----%
�� ••
�£ � ----%
an attack. The affair quickly heads towards its
�r
5 ��0 ��r� ��
logical conclusion.
4
8-�� 8 ,,_,_%� r�
"'"�� r� ""'%
��
1- � �
��
�£-- -%�:� ��,,
��
a b c d e f g h
3 1 ..ie2??
The decisive mistake, in what was probably a
won position! White had a wide choice of lines
that should have led to victory after a certain
b d f g h
amount of nervous tension - for example
3 l .b3!? or 3 1 .E:al !? or 3 1 .E:a3!? b5 32.axb5 a c e
axb5 33,i>h2, 34.�xe2

Bowing to the inevitable! The game could
And finally, the following vanatton was
have ended prettily after:
possible: 3 l .i>h2!? .L:g2 32:1Wxg2 f3 33 ,'Wh3! ?
34.E:a3D f3t 35 J:hf3 !!xf3 36.�xf3 E:f8t!
37.i>g4
8
White has no chance of salvation in the
7 endgame after 37.i>xe2 :Sf2t 38 .i>d3 E:xc2
6 39.i>xc2 i>£7-+.
5 37 . . . h5t 38.i>g5
4
38 .i>h3 !!f2 would end the game even more
quickly.
3
38 . . . �g7! 39.'Wxe2
I 2 Or 39.e5 E:f6! 40.Wfe4 .ixe5 4 l ..ie3 ltJg3
42.'Wd3 E:f5 t 43.'1Wxf5 ltJxf5 44 . .id2 ltJh6!
a b c d e f g h and the white king will be mated from the
33 . . ,c4! 34,.ifl .ie5t 3 5 ,i>gl ! (better than f7-square!
3 5 .i>h l ? ltJg3t) 35 . . . .id4t 36.�h l ltJf4 39 . . . i>h7 40.'1Wxa6 E:£7! 4 1 .'1We2 .ig7-+
37 . .ixf4 E:xf4 38.'We6t i>g7 But to be fair I And White can only defend against mate
would add that the position is not at all simple next move by sacrificing his queen!
to assess correctly.
34 f3t 35.�xf3 :Sxf3 36.@xf3 :Sf8t
•.•
I think ifl had to explain what happened in this 37.@g3 .test

game in one word, I would say "bewilderment" . A good alternative would have been 37 . . . c4!?.
38. <tt>g2 i.£4 lO.ClJd2 ClJ a6

And White called a halt to his pointless
resistance.
0-1 s,im .i. �.i � ·m
7 - {-n--�/-ml•t
Well, what can be said or written about this?
The black pieces were played by one of the rare
6
5
� � �- ��"i�m
� �.8"� " •
::•;-:-:-
geniuses in all of chess history, a fearless and
irreproachable warrior. Although objectively
Tal had still to reach his true strength, his
famous style is already plain to see. Black �" ��-z:; ��-�
-d"'"";%'��//-
2
%""ri' " ''"m. -%"\illi'5 �"� ''''
obtained a fine position out of the opening ��
1 �� '§'�.§?.�
and increased his pressure, but at a certain
b d f g h
j uncture he committed two errors running
and ought to have settled for a draw. No doubt a c e
this prospect frightened the young player more l l .:Bel

than the risk of defeat, and what ensued was A rare move - which of course is not to say
a simply stunning queen sacrifice - which, a bad one. The line seen much more often
though incorrect, gave chances of continuing is l l .f3!? ctJ c7 1 2.a4, and with precise play
the fight. Birbrager failed to withstand this White can count on a small plus.
pressure and was crushed!
Bukhuti Gurgenidze - Mikhail Tal

l l . .. ClJ c7 12.a4 b6 13.�c2
1 3 .il.f3 is well met by 1 3 . . . il.a6!?, while
1 3.f3 guarantees White no advantage after the
USSR Championship 1 957 standard 1 3 . . . ctJh5!?.
l .d4 ClJf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6 4.ClJ c3 exd5 5.cxd5 It seems to me that the most natural and
d6 6.lLlf3 g6 strongest continuation is 13 .h3!?. Then
The Benoni remained an important weapon after, for example, 1 3 . . . il.a6?! 1 4.il.xa6 lLlxa6
in Tal's opening repertoire throughout his 1 5 .tLlc4t White has an easy and pleasant game.
chess career. He employed it regularly, and
nearly always with success; clearly the sharp, 13 ... lLlg4!?
unclear positions that arise in this opening A strange move with a single idea - to
were absolutely in keeping with the great sacrifice the knight on f2, given the chance.
champion's style. The aim is quite simple, and in the former
USSR it was only likely to come off in a schools
7.e4 i.g7 8.i.e2 0-0 9.0-0 :Be8 tournament! That it worked just as well in such
I too used to play the Benoni frequently, a strong event as the national championship is
but at this point my preference diverged from
Tal's. My favourite variation was 9 . . . a6 1 0.a4
amazing.
il.g4, hoping for an advantageous exchange of In this position Black usually plays:
this bishop at the appropriate moment. I also 1 3 . . . Elb8! ?
played lines with . . . lLla6 from time to time, but We have transposed to the position after
my inclination lay elsewhere. Black's 1 5th move in Birbrager - Tal.
14.h3?
The fish willingly snaps at the hook! It would
be interesting to know what the Georgian
grandmaster (then just a master) was counting
on. Did he think that Black - Tal - would
move the knight back to f6? It is absolutely
impossible even to imagine it!
Of course in 1 957 Mikhail Tal was young,
but that only added to his boldness - which
h
it was unwise to provoke anyway - and meant
a b c d e f g that he was free from the burden of negative
14.lt:lc4!? experience that inevitably comes with the
White's most popular continuation, years.
although there is something to be said for
1 4J::1b l , preparing b2-b4. A much stronger line was the simple 14.ixg4
14 . . . ia6 1 5 .if4 ixg4 1 5 .lt:lc4 �f6 16.ie3 id7 1 7 .�d2!± as
Black is set fewer problems by 1 5 .1:'!:b l ixc4 in Hort - Pribyl, Luhacovice 1 97 1 . So my not
1 6.ixc4 a6 1 7.b4 b5 1 8 .axb5 axb5 19.ie2 very high opinion of 1 3 . . lt:lg4
. is one that I am
c4= Hort - Ermenkov, Slncev Brjag 1 974. fully entitled to!
However, 15 .ig5 !? is worth considering,
with chances of an initiative. 14 �xf2!
...
1 5 . . .ixc4 16.ixc4 a6 17.�d3 lt:l g4

It would also be interesting to try 17 . . . ltlh5 8
1 8.id2 id4, though I tend to prefer White's
position. 7
18 .�g3 6
1 8 .ixa6 id4 1 9.ig3 h5 promises Black
5
4
serious compensation for the pawn.
1 8 . . . lt:le5 1 9.ifl b5 20.axb5 axb5
With a complex position and chances for 3
2
both sides, Paragua - Shabalov, Ledyard 2008 .
a b c d e f g h
From Tal, no other move could possibly
have been expected! The sacrifice, of course, is
of a typical kind (though in 1 957 it might have
aroused more admiration than now) , and far
from complicated - but in any event, playing
a move like this is most gratifying! The poor
white king is now subjected to blows from all
sides, and the chances of a successful defence
b d f g h
are virtually nil.
a c e
15.�xf2 A clearly weaker choice was 1 8 . . . 'Wh l t!?

White gets no relief from 1 5 .!m lt:lxh3t 1 9.'kt>e2 �a6t 20.lt:lc4 �h4 2 I .lt:lde3D f5
1 6.gxh3 �xh3+ either. 22.'kt>d l fxe4 23.�e2 !!:ad8t, when Black's win
would still be a difficult and long drawn-out
1 5 ...Wfh4t 1 6.�fl affair.
After 1 6.g3? �d4t 1 7.'kt>f3 'Wh5t, mate
follows in a few moves! Nor are things all that clear in the case of
1 8 . . . �a6t 1 9.lt:lc4 'Wh4 20 .�e3 f5 . Black
I 6 ....id4 17.� diD retains a very powerful attack of course, but I
White has succeeded in resisting the first wouldn't go so far as to say that he had a won
onslaught, but the second wave of the attack position.
now follows.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
19.�e3
17 ...Wfxh3! The king has to be rescued in some way, but
Probably the best move in the position, and how? White could consider:
very pretty as well - no wonder, then, that the 1 9 .lt:lf2
young Tal couldn't resist the temptation to
play it.
He did have an alternative in 17 . . . �xh3!. Then

1 8 .:1'!:a3 �f5!? is very promising for Black, while
1 8 .�f3 is answered by 1 8 . . . �c8!+, though
admittedly in this case Black would be a tempo
down on the actual game.
18 ..if3
h
It was only in Black's dreams that 1 8 .gxh3??
a b c d e f g
�xh3# could occur.
But Black has the strong reply:
1 8 ...Wfh2! 1 9 . . . lt:lxd5 !
The accurate move! It's worth noting that White is also set
exceedingly difficult problems by 1 9 . . .f5 ! ? 20 . . . ixe3

20.t2lc4 ia6 2 l .l"i:a3 l2lxd5! 22.i.d2 'Mfh4!, 20 . . . ia6t?! 2 1 .md1 ixe3 22.l"i:xe3 t2lxd5
and I don't think any result other than a 23.'Mfb3 is less convincing.
crushing defeat for White is on the horizon. 2 I .mxe3 l2lxd5t 22.mf2
20.exd5 There isn't much choice: 22.<j;Je2 i.a6t
White loses at once with either 20.t2lb3 23.mdl ttJ b4 24.1Mfb3t ds!-+
i.a6t 2 l .ie2 ixf2 22.mxf2 'Mfh4t 23.mfl 22 . . . 1Mfh4t 23.g3 'Mfh2t 24.ig2 l2lf6 25.l"i:e2
l"i:xe4 or 20.t2lc4 l2lb4 2 l .'Mfb3 d5 !-+. l2lg4t 26.mfl i.a6!
20 . . . l"i:xe l t 2 1 .mxe l 'Mfgl t 22.l2lfl ia6-+ White is bound hand and foot.
And White's position looks downright
ludicrous. 20 ... fxe4
A more experienced chess player would
have opted for 20 . . . i.a6!?, when White would
have had to defend against numerous threats,
including imaginary ones - as in the work
by Goya: "When reason sleeps, monsters are
born!" But in itself, the move in the game is
not at all inferior.
2 I .i.xe4 i.a6-+
A continuation in Tal's style was 2 l . . .l"i:xe4!
22.1Mfxe4 i.a6 23 .1Mfg4 (or 23.me2 ixc4t)
23 . . . l"i:e8 with a rapid and well-deserved
victory, but this time he decided to play a little
more stolidly!
1 9 ... £5?!
Tal considers that for the attack to conclude 22.i.f3 E:eS!?
successfully, it is essential for the f-pawn After 22 . . . 1Mfh4!-+, eyeing the knight on c4,
to join in. The move he plays doesn't spoil the game would similarly proceed to its logical
anything, but there was a considerably simpler conclusion - Black's threats could only be
win with: 1 9 . . . i.a6t! 20.mf2 (or 20.l2ldc4 f5!) fended off by some kind of magic.
20 . . .f5 Now is the time for the pawn to join the
attack! 2 1 .l2ldfl i.xfl 22.mxfl fXe4 23.i.xe4
'Mff4 t 24.if3 ixe3-+ The two extra pawns are
more than enough for victory.
20.ctJ dc4?
A crucial mistake, but perhaps Gurgenidze
just couldn't bear to look at his position. He
had to try:
2o.me2!?
I'm not saying that this would have saved the
game, but at least it would have made Black
play with a certain degree of accuracy.
23.�a3 26.lLl 5 c400• He would have played 24 . . . E!:f5 !

Bukhuti Gurgenidze desperately tries to 25 .�e2 E!:xf3! 26.�xf3 lLlxd5 , when only a
keep all his pieces on the board. miracle can save White!
23 ... �ae8 24 ... lLlxd5!

Tal faced a choice that wasn't trivial: on which Here it is truly amazing how many paths lead
square would the rook be most dangerous to victory for Black. For example, 24 . . . '\Wh4!?
to the white king? The move played is too was worth considering.
strong to be criticized. But perhaps 23 . . J!f8!
is even stronger, for instance: 24.�e2 E!:xf3!
8
7
25.�xf3 'IWhSt 26.g4 (26.<.tf2 '1Wh4t 27.�e2
ixe3 28 .i.xe3 lLlxd5-+ is equally hopeless)
26 . . . '1Wh3t 27.�e2 ixe3 28.i.xe3 '1Wxg4t 6
5
29.�d2 i.xc4-+
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
25.i.xd5t
It's difficult to comment on the final part
of the game. If earlier White retained some
practical chances of a successful defence, it
b d f g h
has become obvious by now that the real
a c e
struggle is over, the time has already come to
24.i.d2?! stop the clock and accept the inevitable - but
This loses, but then so do all other moves. Gurgenidze decides to play on for a couple
more moves.
After 24.�e2 Black's simplest continuation
is: 24 . . .i.xe3 (I have nothing against 24 . . . '1Wf4 In reply to 25.'\Wc l , I like the cold-blooded
either; after 25.�dl ixc4 26.'1Wxc4 i.xe3-+ 25 . . . lLl f4!-+ with the irresistible threat of
Black won't even need good technique to . . . d5, although of course Black also has other
exploit his two extra pawns) 25.E!:xe3 (25 .ixe3 winning lines available.
'1Wh4) 25 . . . E!:xe3t 26.i.xe3 '1Wf4 27.�d2 '1Wxc4
28 .'1Wxc4 ixc4 29.if4 E!:xe l 30.�xe l lZ:le8-+ On 25 .E!:d3, the simplest way to win is
Black is sure to win, though in this case it will 25 ...tt::l xe3t 26.i.xe3 E!:xe3 27.E!:dxe3 i.xe3
take some time. 28.E!:xe3 E!:xe3-+ .
In the event of 24.E!:d3!?, I think that even the 25 ... �xd5

young Tal would have avoided any dubious Threatening to check on f5 , and on 26.E!:e2
tactics such as 24 . . . lZ:lxd5 ? 25.lLlxe5 lZ:lf4 Black has the lethal 26 . . . '1Wh l t 27.�f2 E!:g5 ! .
26.�e2 .ixe3 27.E!.xe3 .ixc4t fascinating vananons. A remarkable fact is

0-1 that my opponent was a mere First Category
White resigned here, which comes as no player (!) , yet he played parts of this game like
surprise at all. Black has various ways of a strong and experienced grandmaster! Off we
winning; if he wants to have a little fun, he can go . . .
go in for 28.\t>dl Elxe3 29.Elxe3 Wgl t 30.E!.e l
Wf2 3 1 .'kt>c l ib3 32.Wc3 Wxe l t 33 .ixe l l .d4lt:lf6 2.ltlf3 c5 3.d5 e6 4.c4 exd5 5.cxd5
Eld l #. g6 6.ltlc3 d6
The Benoni of course! In those years, already
Not Mikhail Tal's most difficult game. It was so distant, it was hard to find any other
obvious that after 1 3 . . . l2lg4!? Black had not opening with so many sharp variations that
the slightest intention of going back again, were not that well analysed.
and I am hard put to explain how such a
strong player as Gurgenidze could ignore 7.e4 .ig7 8 ..ie2 0-0 9.0-0 a6 10.a4
the possible (and obligatory!) sacrifice on fl.
Admittedly there might have been something
8 ��.t� ��-�
revolutionary about such a sacrifice in 1 9 57,
although today it appears to be standard. Be ••-;� - -""m-,Y-•t
7 �� ?%-'� �,_;-n/d""'��
6 .t. m ¥� • .t. �
� �.8%·/----,;-�
that as it may, after 14 . . . ctJxf2! the white king
came under attack from every one of Black's
: !�� /""�� !�� · �

pieces, and suffered a fitting punishment! �
Sotgo Narngilov - Lev Psakhis

3- .
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C 'i
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1 977 2 %----�¥� �-----"�-[j::rif�

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USSR
·--·"
In 1 977 I made enormous progress m my 1 f� �"ifmMm
chess development. Admittedly I hadn't yet a b c d e f g h
managed to gain a master title, but in the 10 ....ig4
mid- 1 970s that was practically impossible to Curiously enough, in my youth I was
achieve for a young man from Siberia whose already regularly playing this move, although it
talent was so modest by present-day standards. wasn't all that popular at the time; I preferred
There were only a few masters and not a single it to either 9 . . . ctJ a6 or 1 0 . . . 8:e8 . Black aims
grandmaster living in all the Siberian vastness! to exchange bishop for knight, seize control
I had managed second place in the semi-final of the e5-square, and then, depending on
of the Russian Men's Championship at the circumstances, either initiate play on the
beginning of the year, and was looking forward kingside or gradually prepare the stock move
to the final which was due to start the month . . . b 5 . Incidentally I was extremely attached to
after the present game. By way of training, I my queen's bishop, but the chronic problem
decided to take part in the Russian Under- I S of space imposed severe restrictions on Black's
Championship. I n the first round I gained a counterplay, so by exchanging this bishop I
relatively easy win, and then in this second was simply choosing the least of the evils - at
round I played one of the most interesting any rate, that was how I judged the matter in
games of my entire chess career, replete with those years.
ll.� d2 understood the defects of my position and was

A sensible move; White offers an exchange prepared for difficulties.
of light-squared bishops and intends to find
a more advantageous use for his knight. For Hardly anything would be altered by 1 3 . . . '1We7
instance it will be excellently placed on c4, 1 4.i.f4!?, for example 1 4 . . . tt:lxe4 ( 1 4 . . . �d8
controlling the opponent's queenside. meets with the elementary refutation 1 5 .i.xd6
�xd6 1 6.tt:lxd6 'Wxd6 1 7.e5) 1 5 .�ae l ! ? hc3
ll....L:e2 12.Y«xe2 1 6.bxc3 and White has a very powerful
position, Donner - Hug, Berlin 1 97 1 .
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a b c d e f g h
12 .. J�e8?
b d f g h
Astonishingly, this natural move is actually
a c e
a serious error! Black would easily secure
equal chances with 1 2 . . . tt:lbd7D 1 3 .tt:lc4 tt:lb6 1 5.a5!
14.tt:le3 'We?! 1 5 .a5 tt:lbd7 1 6.tt:lc4 tt:le5=, A simple move and a most unpleasant
when after 1 7.tt:lb6 �ae8 1 8 .f4? tt:led7 the e4- one for Black to face. The prospect of f2-f4
pawn would be a constant source of problems followed by e4-e5 will be a headache for Black,
for White. What is still more astonishing whose possibilities are extremely limited.
is that I knew this line extremely well - but
moving at a quick pace and not bothering to Continuing merrily with 1 5 .f4 would give
concentrate, I played a patently weak move. Black the breathing space he so much needs:
1 5 . . . b5! 1 6.axb5 axb5 1 7.tt:lxb5 �xal 1 8 .�xal
13.�c4 'Wb8 1 9.i.xf6 'Wxb5 20.�a5 'Wb7 2 1 .i.c3 fS!f±
Simply completing your development is Moehring - Honfi, Kecskemet 1 975.
sometimes so difficult! The weakness of the d6-
pawn means that Black can't bring his knight 1 5 ...Y«c7
out to d7 - which would have been so easy The advance 1 5 . . . b5 is simply ruled out,
last move! while Black would also lose material after
1 5 . . . tt:le5 ? 1 6.tt:lb6 �b8 1 7.i.xf6 'Wxf6 1 8 .f4,
13 ...�£8 when White is winning easily.
My optimism quickly gave way to deep
depression! This move shows that I well 16-l:�ael �g7 17.£4±
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Black's mistake on the 1 2th move has cost 1 9 .. � g7
.
him dearly. White has managed to deploy his Depending on the situation, Black
pieces in what are virtually the ideal positions, subsequently hopes either to play .. .f6 or even
and it isn't at all clear how Black can prevent to give battle in the centre with . . . f5!?. But it
the stereotyped but nonetheless powerful was only in my most optimistic dreams that
central break with e4-e5 . my f-pawn was going so far!
17 ... � h5 The other retreat is no better:

1 7 . . . b5 was objectively strongest, but after 1 9 . . . ttJhf6 20.Wff3!
1 8 .axb5 ttJxb6 1 9 .e5 the initiative is wholly With this extremely awkward retort, White
with White, although of course Black's threatens a murderous e4-e5.
resources are not yet exhausted. Such "rational" 20. WI g2!? is another excellent way to threaten
variations struck me as rather a bore, and I the advance of the e-pawn.
decided to draw fire upon myself, hoping not Playing 20.e5 ! ? immediately is not bad
to be consumed in the coming conflagration. either, although Black retains some defensive
chances after 20 . . . ixc3 2 l .bxc3 dxe5
18. g4 22.fxe5 ttJxd5 23 .Wff3 Wfc6.
Another line that looks excellent is 1 8 .f5!? However one move that White should avoid
tLl e5 (or 18 ... id4t 1 9.�hl f6 20.g4t) 1 9.g4, is 20.f5?, when 20 . . . ixc3 2 l .bxc3 tLlxe4
but in those years the idea of playing f4-f5 turns the tables.
straight off (rather than a preparatory e4- 20 . . . h5
e5 dxe5, and only then f4-f5) was none too Black has to make a square available for the
familiar to the wider circles of the chess public, f6-knight.
and enjoyed no great popularity. 2 l .gxh5 ttJxh5 22.e5 dxe5 23.f5
White has a very strong attack.
1 8 ...i.d4t 1 9.�hl
That Black has managed to give a check can 20.£5!
be acknowledged as quite an achievement! He I had seriously underestimated this natural
now has to answer a question that is far from move; I was hoping for 20.e5 f6!? with chances
simple: where is his knight to go? In an attempt of counterplay.
to set up a local "Maginot Line" I played:
serious mistakes, Black's defeat will only be a

matter of time. At this point, the interesting
question for White is to find the most effective
way to continue the attack.
a b c d e f g h
20 ... £6?!
Going over to passive defence. However,
even the more active 20 . . . b5!? does not solve
b d f g h
Black's problems: 2 l .axb6 tLlxb6 22.tLlxb6 (on
a c e
22.f6 tLlxc4 23.Wxc4 Black has 23 . . . Wd8!)
22 . . .Wxb6 23.£6 Ei:e5 24 . .!f4 tLl e8 25 .g5± 25.�8
It's hard to call this move a mistake, and
Also, after 20 ... gxf5 2 1 .gxf5 f6 22.i.f4 (22.i.h6 furthermore it looks the most natural; the
'it>h8) 22 . . . tLl e5 23.Ei:f3, good advice for Black rook steals towards the black monarch, and
is hard to come by. White's very first check may prove fatal to his
opponent. Yet to be honest I would prefer a
2I.i.f4 tLle5 22.i.xe5 �xe5!? different solution. 25.e5! is in full accordance
The natural 22 . . . .!xe5 is quite possibly with the scientific principles of warfare,
stronger than the move played, although striking a blow in the most heavily defended
23.tLlxe5 Ei:xe5 24.fxg6 hxg6 2 5 .Ei:xf6+- is of place. The e4-square is freed for a knight, and
course unpleasant for Black. Rather naively successful defence for Black becomes more
I was hoping to stop White's attack with the than problematic. The continuation could be
help of material offerings. 25 . . . .!xe5 (or 25 . . . fxe5 26.tt::Je4) 26.Wd3t �g8
27.tLlxe5 Ei:xe5 28.Ei:xe5 fxe5 29.tLle4 (29 .Wg6
23.fxg6 Ei:f8 30.Ei:xf8t 'it>xf8 3 1 .tLle4 is also winning)
You could not seriously expect 23.tLlxe5 29 . . . tLl e8 30.tLlg5, with numerous threats
.!xe5 24.Ei:al ± from a seventeen-year-old against which Black is unable to defend. The
player! variations I have given can hardly be called
over-complicated, but White was simply
23 ... �e7 24.gxh7t @xh7 dazzled by the abundance of possibilities!
The first part of the game has turned out
most unfavourably for Black; he has lost a 25 .. J�ae8 26.g5!?
pawn, his king position is weak, and he hasn't An excellent move, but by no means the
(yet!) succeeded in creating any substantial only one! White has a very strong attack after,
counterplay. His future is definitely in his for instance, 26.Wd2!? followed by bringing
opponent's hands; if White doesn't make any the queen to h6.
Something more or less similar would result Black couldn't save himself with 27 . . . l"i:xe5
from 26.l"i:h3t �g8 27.'Wf3 'Wd7 28 .l"i:h6. either: 28.tt:lxe5 l"i:xe5 29 .'Wd3t �g8 30.l"i:efl
'We7 3 1 .'Wg6+-
And finally there was one other interesting
idea at White's disposal: 26.e5 !? �xeS 27.tt:le4 28.tLle4
�d4 28 .'Wd3 �g8, and now 29.b4!+- leaves It is not easy to find a more natural
Black at a loss about how to react to the threat continuation, but 28 .'Wd3t �g8 29.l"i:h3
of 30.bxc5 . .if4 30.'Wh7t �£7 3 1 .tt:le4 was by no means
inferior - the concerted actions of White's
� ��- �
26 ... fxg5 pieces would be highly effective.
Or 26 . . . �xc3 27.bxc3 Ei:xe4 28 .'Wc2 f5
29.l"i:xe4 fx:e4 30.l"i:f6, and the difference in
8
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strength between the knights is clearly visible.
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2 a b c d e f g h
1 It has become fairly obvious that Black

b d f g h
simply must move his bishop away from e5;
a c e
after all, where is he to look for counterplay
27.e5!? if not along the open e-file? But where would
My fairly inexperienced opponent is simply you put the bishop right now?
conducting the game at grandmaster level!
Namgilov has finally hit on the right idea: 28 ...i.d4
the e4-square is freed for his knight, his Let us first agree on one thing: Black has
queen threatens to penetrate along the b l -h7 a bad position. His hopes rest purely on his
diagonal with decisive effect, and Black (to put own ingenuity, his opponent's mistakes (what
it mildly!) does not have an easy time ahead would he do without them?) , and luck.
of him.
A sober appraisal of the position can enable you
White's advantage is also obvious after to save many a game that may look hopeless.
27.'Wg2!? i>g8 28 .'Wxg5 .ixc3 29.bxc3 l"i:xe4 It seems to me (in 20 1 0) that perhaps more
30.l"i:xe4 l"i:xe4 3 1 .'Wf6+-, but he preferred to chances would have given by:
start an all-out drive for mate, not settling for 28 . . . .if4!? 29.'Wd3!
a "mess of pottage"! The sly 29.'Wg2!? would be less convincing
after 29 . . . l"i:xe4! 30.l"i:xe4 l"i:xe4 3 1 .l"i:h3t �g8
27 ...i.xe5D 32.'Wxe4 '\W£7, when Black has managed
to set up quite a robust position at only a

8
7
minimal cost in material.
29 . . . <j;Jg8
Black loses at once with 29 . . . <j;Jh8 30Jl:h3t 6
5
�g8 3 l .CLlf6t �£7 32J�fl !, and if 32 . . . <j;Jxf6
then 33.:B:h6t <j;Jf7 34.tt::lxd6t +-.
30.tt::lf6t <j;Jf7 3 1 .:B:gl 4
Black's position cannot be defended against
3
2
White's overwhelming attack.
a b c d e f g h
Now the interesting question is - what
would you play for White? His choice of moves
is simply huge - but of course this would not
help him if there was only one move to decide
the fate of the game. Fortunately for him,
however, he has more than one winning line
at his disposal.
b d f g h
He certainly needs to reject the flashy 30.1Mfxd4?
a c e
which has dismal consequences after 30 . . . cxd4
29.'\&d3 3 l .CLlf6t �£7.
Without any doubt the strongest move. The
queen sets up an ambush, reminding the black A move suggested by the Indian grandmaster
king of the transitoriness of life on earth. Gopal is interesting: 30 b4!?
�;<"·�-. �zA�.�
�
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-----"� /�
z
White also has strong threats after 29.1M!'g2
'"""-�I.% / .
S
�g8 30.:B:ffl .
7 i"�
� ·� ;
6
��l'�" .%� ��-�
.... ,
sj��---
�� f'J� ��
On the other hand, one line that looks tempting "''1):
4
at first sight is inferior: 29.tt::lxg5t? <j;Jg8 '" -- -�
�� l
30.CLle6 CLlxe6 3 l .dxe6 :B:xe6! ? (or 3 l . . .i.g7!?)
32.1Mfxe6t :B:xe6 33.:B:xe6 1Mfc6! (an extremely ��. . %•va
3 .. � � .
� � �
2
awkward pin!) 34.<j;Jg2 1Mfd5 35 .:B:g6t <j;Jh7
�
� - �c-� ��1·-
l- � �m ��
36.:B:g4 i.e500 and Black's chances are not at
h
all worse.
a b c d e f g
29...� g8!? We have come across a similar idea already,

What else can you suggest for Black? but in this specific position it simply never
With 29 . . . �h8 ? he would lose at once to entered my head, either during the game or
30.:B:efl ! :B:xe4 3 l .:B:f8t <j;Jh7 32.:B:xe8 CLlxe8 in later analysis. 30 . . . 1Mfd7 (Nor is Black to be
33 .1Mfxe4t. envied after 30 ... CLlh5 3 l .:B:f5 tt::lf4 32.:B:xg5t
lifh8 33.Wf3+-.) 3 l .bxc5 dxc5 I give this move the two exclamation marks
for its beauty and its striking effect, and the
question mark for its actual strength! We were
approaching a mutual time-scramble - there
was just no time left for lengthy deliberation. It
was necessary not only to find the sole correct
move at each turn, but to do this at top speed.
30 tlJh5!
•.•
At this point it was easy to reject 30 ... l"!xe5?

3 1 .lL'lf6t liff7 32.lL'lxe8t lifxe8 33 .Wg6t.
a b c d e f g h
Nor does 30 ... .ixe5? help Black: 3 1 .lL'lxg5
32.lL'le5 ! .ixe5 33.lL'lxg5 lL'lf5!? 34.:1l:xf5 c4 lL'lf5 (3 1 . . .l"!f7 has similar consequences after
35 .Wf3+- 32.Wh7t �f8 33.l"!xe5! dxe5 34.d6! and
White has an extremely strong attack. mate next move) 32.Wxf5 l"!g7 33.l"!xe5! dxe5
34.tL'le6 and White's attack is irresistible.
The best move objectively is 30.:t:1:ff l ! when
Black is in a sorry plight! The rook on e 1 is now But how else is Black to defend against the
guarded, White threatens to take the pawn on lethal check on f6? By dint of trial and error,
g5 , and against such a simple little threat Black I arrived at the move played. To be honest I
has no adequate defence. His most stubborn just didn't know whether I was winning or
line is probably 30 . . J:'!:xe4 (if 30 . . . l"!f8 then losing here, or what the realistic verdict on the
3 1 .lL'lcxd6 l"!xfl t 32.l"!xfl +-) 3 l .l"!xe4 Wd8 position should be. And I wasn't too interested
32.l"!xe8t We8 33.lL'lxd6, with a material and in such questions - I played the only move.
positional plus for White. If the worst came to the worst, I would still
be prolonging my resistance for a while, and
In the game, Namgilov played an astonishingly only the future would show whether my
beautiful move that really took me by surprise! stubbornness would bring me any dividends.
The position has become exceptionally sharp;
30.tlJe5!!? not expecting such a turn of events, my
opponent frankly looked nonplussed.
8
7 8
6 7
6
45
3 45
2 3
1 2
a b c d e f g h 1
a b c d e f g h
3I.lLlg6!? 35 .lDe7t E1g6 36.'\M/xg6t '\M/xg6 37.lDxg6+

It was worth considering the capture of the is just not worth analysing at length.
g-pawn, but by this time we were taking all 32 . . . i.xe5 is little better: 33 .E1f7 lDf4
decisions (even such serious ones) on a purely 34.E1 lxf4 i.xf4 35.E1xc7 E1el t 36.�g2 E1xc7
intuitive level; we had practically no time left 37.lDe6! E1g7t 38.lDxg7 @xg7 39.'\M/c3t E1e5
for calculating variations, or even for assessing 40.b4! and White will soon get at those tasty
the position. Whether White chose the black pawns on the queenside!
strongest continuation is a question I cannot 33.lDe6 '\M/d6 34.lDxg7 lDxg7D
answer for sure even today, but I offer the
following analysis:
3 1 .lLlxg5 !? E1g7
Of course not 3 l . . .E1xe5 32.'\M/g6t '\M/g7
33.'\M/xeSt.
a b c d e f g h
35 .'\M/e4! '\M/d7!? 36.E1f6
White has a powerful initiative.
a b c d e f g h
32.E1efl !
A very difficult move! White unpins the
knight and hopes to advance on the black
king via the f-file. There are a couple of
alternatives.
32.lDe6? is refuted by the simple 32 . . . E1xe6
33 .dxe6 dxe5 34.'\M/f5 lDf4-+ .
32.lDgf7? i s more interesting: 32 . . . i.xe5
33.lDh6t @h8 34.E1f5! (34.'\M/f5 ? can be met
b d f g h
by 34 . . . lDf6! 35.'\M/h3 '\M/xa5! 36.lDf7t @g8
37.lDh6t �f8 38.'\M/fl E1g6 39.E1xe5 E1xe5 a c e
40.E1xf6t E1xf6 4 1 .'\M/xf6t @e8 and Black 3 I . E1f7!

••
wins easily) 34 . . . '\M/xa5! ? 35 .E1exe5!? dxe5 Black has plenty of moves at his disposal, but
36.lDf7t @gS 37.lDh6t and a draw will be good ones are clearly harder to come by. Thus, a
the just reward for White's sangfroid and famous statement by Mikhail Gorbachev - "with
ingenuity. all the wealth of choice, there is no alternative"
32 . . . dxe5 (Don't even try to understand the meaning!)
It's hard to suggest anything more tenacious. - applies to this specific case. After 3 l . . .E1h7?
32 . . . '\M/e?? 33.lDg6! '\M/xg5 34.E1f8t @h? White has at least two routes to victory.
For one thing, 32.Eiefl looks convincing A much stronger line is:
enough: 32 . . . g4 33.Eif8t (the irresolute 33.Eif5 32.Eiefl !
lets Black seize the initiative with 33 . . . Eixe4! We came across this idea before, in the note
34.Eixh5 Elxh5 35 .Wxe4 Elxh2t 36.<;t>xh2 to White's 3 1 st move.
iMfh7t 37.gjg3 iMfh3t 3S.gjf4 iMfxfl t) 33 . . . Eixf8
34.Eixf8t <;t>g7 35 .Ct:lg5 ! gjh6 36.tt:Je6! iMfxaS
And now the simplest way to win is 37.iMfb l !
- White's king is securely defended and the
threat is 38.tt:lh4, which means that Black's
defensive resources will suffice for at most a
few more moves.
Secondly, 32.iMffl ! looks more convincing still.

For example 32 . . .gjg7 (or 32 . . . i1Jfd8 33.tt:lxg5
Elxe l 34.iMfxe l +-) 33.tt:lxg5 Elxe l 34.Wxe l
gjxg6 3 5 . tt:l e6 We7, and now the white queen
slowly and deliberately creeps towards the 33 . . .CtJf4!
black monarch with an odd sort of dancing After 32 . . .l'hf3?! 33.iMfxf3, the game will be
gait: 36.iMfb l t! gjh6 37.i1Jrc l t gjg6 38 .Wc2t over in a few moves, for instance:
<;t>h6 39.i1Jrd2t gjg6 40.tt:lf8t! iMfxfS (4o . . . gjg7 a) 33 . . . i1Jfg7 34.iMff5! tt:Jf4 35.tt:lxd6!+-
4 1 .iMfg2t! is no improvement) 4 1 .Eixf8+- with b) 33 . . . <±>g7? 34.iMfxh5 Elxe4 35.iMfxg5 <;t>h7
an easy win. 36.tt:Jfst gjhs 37.iMfh5t <±>gs 38 .Wg6t mhs
39.iMfxe4+-
32J�h3? c) 33 . . . iMfh7 34.iMff5! .ixb2 35.iMfxg5 .ic l ! ?
Gone is the time when White was in total 36.Eixc l Elxe4 37.iMfd8t <±>g7 38 .iMff8t <±>xg6
control of the situation on the board and could 39.Eigl t+-
prepare the decisive assault at his leisure! The 33.tt:lxf4 gxf4 34.tt:l g5 Elg7 35.iMff5
play is now extremely sharp and Black also
holds some trumps; already it's quite hard to
say who is actually doing the attacking. This
last move does more than hand the initiative
to Black - it brings White to the very brink
of defeat. Nor is this surprising; his pieces are
losing their co-ordination, and I manage to
exploit this circumstance at once. But then,
what should White have played instead?
It is difficult to recommend 32.i1Jffl ?, as

after the uncomplicated 32 . . . Eixf3 33.iMfxf3
iMfh7! 34.tt:lf6t .ixf6 35.Eixe8t <;t>g7 (but not
3S . .. <;t>f7?? 36.Eie7t) 36.Eih8 Wxg6 37.Eixh5
iMfb l t+ Black has an obvious plus in the
ending.
White has a slight material plus, but practical viewpoint, it would be better to
Black's strong and excellently supported play:
bishop promises wholly reasonable chances 33 ... Eih7!
of a successful defence. At any rate, White's At any rate, the black king would not then
position cannot possibly be assessed as won! be faced with any immediate threats.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2 a b c d e f g h
1
34.�e2
a b c d e f g h In the event of 34.lt:\c3 Elxe l t 3 5 .�xe llt:lf6,
32 ...�xa5! White is material down with no perpetual
Not only picking up an important pawn - it check.
all comes in handy! - but also attacking the White is no better off after 34.E\fl Elxe4
white rook. To be honest, at this moment I was 35.Eixh5 E\£7! either.
practically convinced that I was going to win Finally, 34.E\xh5 fails to save White after
quickly. 34 . . . E\xh5 35.lt:l f6t .ixf6 36.Eixe8t lff£7
37.�xh5 'kt>xe8 38.lt:lf4t lffd7 39.�f7t
33.�dl .ie7-+ and the black king easily escapes
As an alternative, the interesting 33.b4!? from persecution.
could be suggested. It virtually compels Black 34 ... �b5! 3 5 .�g2lt:lf6! 36.Eixh7lt:lxh7+
to go in for 33 . . . �xb4 34J!:b l .ib2! 3 5 .Eixh5
�xe4t 36.�xe4 Elxe4 37.Eixb2 Elf6! 38.Eixg5 8
'kt>h7 39.Eixb7t 'kt>h6, when he has the better
7
6
ending but White's drawing chances are still
not at all bad.
5
4
33 ... �b5?!
At this point I had something like two or
three minutes left on my clock, and the lion's 3
share of this time was spent on working out
a long variation which seemed to me to be 2
forced, but which of course turned out to have 1
b d f g h
a hole in it! In itself the move is by no means
a c e
bad, but was it worth calculating complicated
variations when so short of time? From a 34.�xh5?
White would obtain more chances after the left for any checking of the analysis. However,
somewhat crazy 34.l'Llh8! .ixh8 35 .'1&xh5 .ig7 what should be played in this position is an
8
intriguing question. Black has at least two
remarkable continuations at his disposal.
7
6 In the first place, 35 ... '1&fl ! is very strong.
5
Interestingly, I had actually seen this move, but
4
couldn't quite figure out what to play against
3
36.1:l:hg3!? (but not 36.l'Lle7t rj;Jf8 37.l'Llg6t
rj;Je8-+) . However, the elegant 36 ... g4! wins
2 very simply.
h
Secondly, Black can also carry out the same
a b c d e f g
sort of idea in a slightly different version:
36.'1&h7t rj;Jfg 37.l'l:he3, with plenty of tactical 35 . . . g4! 36.'1&g5
possibilities. However, to discover and evaluate
a move like 34.l'Llh8! you would need at least 8
half an hour, not half a minute - which was 7
6
roughly the time remaining on Namgilov's
5
clock.
4
3
34 ... gxe4!
Not falling for 34...gfl ??t 35.�g2, when
White unexpectedly wins.
2
8 a b c d e f g h
7 36 ....ig7!
6 36 . . . '1&fl ? 37.l'Lle5t!+- is wholly bad for Black.
45
But the play following 36 ....if6!? is a good
deal more interesting. Neither 37.'1&f5 ? 'l&e8!
38.l'Llf4 !l:e l-+ nor 37.l'Lle7t!? rj;Jf8 3 8 .l'Llf5 !!
3 'l&e2! 39.'1&h6t rj;Je8 40.l'Llxd6t �e7 holds
2
out rosy prospects for White, but of course
in the latter variation Black could easily lose
1 his way!
b d f g h
37.1:l:hg3 'l&e2!
a c e 37 . . . 1:l:fl ? is answered very simply by
35.ggl ! gel? 38.l'Lle7t, when it is advisable for Black to
I had completely gone to pieces in the time settle for 38...1:l:xe7! 39.'1&xe7 !l:xgl t 40.1:l:xg l
scramble and lost control of the situation on the 'l&d3 with a quick draw
board. To be fair, I should mention that I had 37 . . . '1&xb2 deserves consideration, with
set great store by this move at the point when the possible continuation: 38.'1&d8t �h7
I played 33 . . . '1&b5 , but there was just no time 39.'1&h4t .ih6 40.1:l:xg4 !l:xg4 4 l .'l&xg4 'l&f6-+
38 .E:3g2 Wc4 Similar variations also result from 40 . . . 1Mfcl t

There appears to be no way for White to 4 1 .<j,lf5 ! Wb l t 42.<j,le6 gxh3, and again it
obtain any compensation at all for the lost all ends with the black monarch attractively
material. mated: 43.ltJe7t @g7 44.4Jf5 t <j,lg8
45.1Mff7t <j,lhs 46.Wf8t @h7 47.1Mfh6t <j,lgs
36.E:xel E:flt 37.� g2 Wfxb2t 38.E:e2 48.ltJe7#
4 1 .@g3D
Following 4 1 . <j,lg5 ?? the king's hyperactivity
is punished without delay: 4 l . . .J.f6t
42.@h6 Wxe2-+
4 1 . ..E:g l t
With perpetual check. Unfortunately, with
my idiotic 38 . . . E:f2t?? I wasn't even leaving my
opponent with any scope for error!
39.� g3! Wfb3t 40.� g4

1-0
a b c d e f g h A sorry end to such an interesting struggle!

What, then, was going on in this game? Moving
38 ... E:flt?? at a furious speed, I brashly committed a very
There! This is the very move I had been grave opening error ( 1 2 . . . E:e8?) , while knowing
counting on - in vain, as it turns out! Black perfectly well that this move was at best second
still had a perfectly decent chance to stop at the rate! Subsequently faced with great difficulties,
edge of the abyss, and give a slightly different I was brought down to earth. I made a long,
check: hard effort to create some kind of counterplay
38 . . . E:gl t! 39.�f3 g4t 40.�f4 while my opponent was handling the game with
Of course, 40.1Mfxg4?? Wxe2t 4 1 .�xe2 supreme correctness, even at high grandmaster
E:xg4-+ could not be to White's liking. level. All my efforts remained unrewarded, at
Black now j ust needs to make one more least up until 30.ltJe5 !!?, an extraordinarily
accurate move: pretty, impressive, but alas inferior move. One
40 . . . E:fl t! more mistake by White, 32.E:h3?, brought him
By choosing a different check, Black would to the verge of defeat. In horrendous mutual
lose amusingly: 40 . . . J.e5t? 4 1 . <j,lf5 ! E:fl t time trouble (which must not on any account
42.<j,le6 E:f6t 43.<j,ld7! Wb5t 44.<j,ld8! be used as a possible excuse - if I hadn't gone
Wb6t 45.@c8+- The white king has found wrong in the opening, there might have been no
sanctuary right inside the opponent's den! time trouble at all!) , I completely lost my head.
In this line, incidentally, nothing would be I missed a win on move 35 and a draw on move
altered by 4 1 . . .1Mfb l t 42.<j,le6 gxh3 43.ltJe7t 38. Not that I am complaining about the result.
<j,lg7 44.4Jf5 t <j,lgs 45 .Wf7t <j,lhs 46.Wf8t Looking back on it, the game was exceedingly
<j,lh7 47.Wh6t <j,lg8 48.ltJe7#. It's funny that interesting - a fearless all-out contest.
in the successful attack on the black king,
such an important role is played by its white I drew some important conclusions from the
counterpart! game:
( 1 ) Try to avoid any unforced errors in the 9 ... a6

opening. Black can equally well develop his knight to
(2) Virtually any position can be saved in the a6-square, followed by bringing it to c7
practical play. and preparing the standard advance . . . b5.
(3) Passive defence never brings success.
Search for counterplay at any cost. Whether IO.a4 l2Jbd7 I I .l2Jd2 ge8 12.l2Jc4 l2Je5
you lose in three moves or in ten moves isn't 13.ctJxe5 gxe5 14.e4
that important; fishing in troubled waters may
well yield a positive result.
s i.B .i. S �- �
(4) Time scrambles are a sign of a bad chess
education. If (for a variety of reasons) you can't 7��r-n-
�w� - %•T•t
�%"'/�"-��
eradicate them totally, then at least try to keep 6 - �.8%��
·- ¥� �·�
L--;-
5
�� ""'%� - - Y� %�
their number to a minimum.
4
� ��:-/%� �� Jr�
Gennadi Portnjagin - Lev Psakhis
3 m ;�t:l • w� ��it�
Krasnoyarsk 1 977
�o-�- - ;.
2 ?/��:----%w �-�%�----%
I .d4 l2Jf6 2.c4 e6 3. g3 c5!?
1 f� �'§'�§�
b d f g h
The Benoni is one of the sharpest of
openings, and it served me truly and faithfully a c e
for more than thirty years! As a child I read 14 ... gh5!?

a brief monograph on it by that remarkable Quite frankly this is rather an odd move;
player and theoretician Isaak Boleslavsky, could I really have thought the white king was
and I was utterly fascinated by this splendid so vulnerable? I have given the move a question
opening, which instead of giving Black the mark for its actual quality and an exclamation
mere prospect of a boring struggle to equalize, mark for its boldness. I am not even convinced
offers excellent chances of seizing the initiative that the move is truly bad, but - if I may put
at an early stage in the game. it mildly - the rook on h5 does look rather too
precarious. And today I don't quite understand
4.d5 exd5 5.cxd5 d6 6.l2Jc3 g6 7.i.g2 i.g7 what the eighteen-year-old Psakhis could have
8.l2Jf3 0-0 9.0-0 had in mind in the event of 1 5 .�f3!?.
Funnily enough, after the "normal" 1 4 . . .:1'!:e8

1 5 .l"lb l b5 1 6.axb5 axb5 1 7.b4 c4 1 8 .h3
�d7 1 9.�c2 �c8 20.'it?h2, Black reverted to
this idea - to great effect, it must be said! -
by continuing 20 . . . l"le5 21 .g4 �xg4 22.hxg4
�xg4f± in Karpov - Adianto, Jakarta (4)
1 997.
15.h4
Undoubtedly the most radical response,
heralding the start of a "big game hunt" for
the rook. As to the move's defects, we may note 1 7. gxh4 '!Wxh4

the chronic weakening of the g4-square.
Another line to have been played is 1 5 .:1l:e l

�b8 1 6.if3 �e5 17.if4 tt'ld7!? 1 8 .ixe5 tt'lxe5
1 9 .ie2 g5 20.'1Wd2 g4, and Black had splendid
compensation for the exchange in Reefschlager
- Hubner, Nijmegen 1 982. I suspect, though,
that White's play can be improved at more
than one stage.
h
1 5 ... c!L!g4!?
a b c d e f g
Continuing to play with fire! It was worth
considering 1 5 . . . �e5 ! ? 1 6.if4 �e8 1 7.a5 tt'l g4, The white monarch has reason to start
with a solid game. worrying: there are too many black pieces
in his immediate vicinity! There may
follow:
1 8 .if4
White too has little choice. The thoughtless
1 8 .ixg4? brings him dose to defeat: 1 8 . . . ie5
1 9.f4D '!Wg3t 20.\t>h l ixg4 2 1 .'1Wxg4 (the
careless 2 1 .'1Wc2? loses at once to 2 1 . . .'1Wh3t!
with a quick mate) 2 1 . . .'1Wxg4 22.fxe5 '!Wh3t
23.\t>gl '!Wg3t 24.\t>h l dxe5 Black is in full
possession of the initiative, while he has a
guaranteed draw available at practically any
time.
1 8 . . . ie5!
a b c d e f g h 18 . . . tt'lxf2? looks unconvmcmg: 1 9.�xf2
1 6.i.f4 id4 20.'1Wd2 ixf2t 2 1 .'1Wxf2 '!Wxf4 22.ig2
It's only too obvious that the superficial and Black's three pawns are no compensation
1 6.ig5 ? �xg5 1 7.hxg5 '!Wxg5 favours Black, for the strong knight on c3 .
whose compensation for the exchange is 1 9.ixe5 tt'lxe5 20.'1We2 ih3 2 1 .'1We3
excellent: a pawn, a mighty dark-squared It's hard to suggest anything better than this
bishop and a strong attack. for White; both 2 1 .�fe l '!Wg5 t 22.'it>h2 '!Wh4
and 2 1 .ih l '!Wg5t 22.1t>h2 '!Wh4 would lead
The play develops much more interestingly in to an immediate draw
the event of: 2 l . . .f5
1 6.if3 �xh4 Black has full compensation for the sacrificed
This rook sacrifice is practically forced - material.
the mundane 1 6 . . .f5 1 7.exf5 gxf5 1 8 .tt'le2!
compels Black to think more about 16 . YNf6
. .
defending his many weaknesses than about With the unambiguous threat of
active play. 1 7 . . . �xh4!.
Chapter 1 - Attacking in the B enoni 35
Black has to keep his balance on the very edge

of the precipice. He can't be at all satisfied
with the outwardly attractive 1 8 . . . �d4t
1 9.�xd4 j,xd4t 20.\t>h l and now:
a) 20 . . . etJe5 2 1 .etJe2 j,xb2 22.�a2 gives
White the initiative.
b) 20 . . . tLle3 2 I .j,xd6 tLlxfl 22.j,xfl and
White has splendid compensation for the
exchange.
1 9 .�e2!?
After 1 9.g4? lt:lc4 20.�c l �xh4! 2 I .j,g3
�e7! Black's attack is very powerful.
a b c d e f g h 1 9 . . . j,d7 20.j,e3!? g5
17.i.f3 The rook on h5 may look rather like
White had better ways to defend: something in a pantomime, but White will
still need to play with considerable precision!
1 7.�d2 h6!? 1 8.f3
After 1 8 .j,£3 ?! g5 1 9 .�e2! you can't help Alternatively, if White is really keen on
envying the options Black has as his disposal: sidestepping the complications - some of
a) For one thing, he can choose the calm which are exceedingly unclear - then the
1 9 . . . �g6! 20.hxg5 hxg5 2 I .j,xg4 j,xg4 cool 1 7 .�b3!? can be recommended. After
22.�xg4 gxf4 23 .�xg6 fxg6 24.gxf4 �h4 1 7 . . . �xh4 1 8 .�b6 it isn't entirely clear how
with a superb game, thanks to the activity of Black is to defend his d-pawn, seeing that the
his dark-squared bishop. natural 1 8 . . . j,f8 comes up against the highly
b) Then again, if he wants to have a go at unpleasant 1 9 .e5!.
playing Tal-style, the following merry line
is of no small interest: 1 9 . . . �xh4 20.e5 !? 17... �xh4!
�g6 2 I .j,d2 tLlxe5 22.gxh4 g4 23 .j,g2 Just as strong as it is obvious.
lLl£3t 24.\t>h l �h5 and White will need
considerable mastery in defence - his king is 1 8.e5!?
j ust too exposed! The alternatives leave White in a bad way:
1 8 .gxh4? �xf4 1 9.j,xg4 j,e5 ! 20.�el j,xg4-+
1 8 .�el tLl h2! A beautiful move - both white

bishops are under fire. 1 9 .e5 ( 1 9.gxh4 �xf4
20.j,h l �xh4+) 1 9 . . . dxe5 20.lt:le4 �f5
2 I .j,g2 (2 1 .gxh4?! �xf4 22.j,g2 tLl g4 does not
promise White a long and happy life) 2 1 . . . �xf4
22.gxf4 �xf4 23.d6 (after 23.f3? f5 24.tLlxc5
e4 25.fxe4 tLlg4 Black has a winning attack)
23 . . .j,f5 24.�d5 lt:lg4 and Black's threats are
a b c d e f g h extremely unpleasant.
1 8 . . . tLl e5
problems by tactical means. However, Black

has 2 1 . . .'\WhS ! 22.j,xg4 :B:h l t 23.�g2 '\Wh2t
24.�f3 :B:xfl 25 .'\Wxfl exf4 with a decisive
plus.
2 I .j,xh l '\Wh5 22.�g2
22.'\Wxg4 j,xg4-+
22 . . . '\Wh2t 23.�f3 exf4
Black's victory is only a matter of time.
1 9.i.e4!
An excellent move, effectively forcing Black
to carry out his basic plan without delay.
a b c d e f g h During the game I was briefly afraid of 1 9 .e6!?,
1 8 ...YMf5? but I quite quickly managed to find a fitting
I had calculated a long line that seemed retort: 1 9 . . . j,e5 ! 20.j,e4 '\Wh5 2 1 .'1Wf3 hf4
to turn out well for me; I quickly persuaded 22.gxh4 (White loses at once after 22.gxf4
myself of its correctness - and unfortunately :B:h3) 22 . . . j,h2t 23.�g2 fxe6 Black has very
missed the fairly easy refutation. Such a pity! good play; he has succeeded in ridding himself
Objectively Black's position is already highly of his over-zealous rook, and while maintaining
promising, and it was worth working out the approximate material equality he undoubtedly
variations a little better, a little more carefully! holds the initiative.
Black has very good winning chances after:
1 8 . . . dxe5! 1 9. lt:l e4 19 ... :B:hlt!
1 9.j,c i loses to 1 9 . . . lt:lh2! 20.j,g2 :B:d4. The move Black has been dreaming of! It is
1 9 . . . '\WfS 20.lt:lxc5 as pretty as it is forced. The only alternative
On 20.lt:ld6, a simple combination decides would be to stop the clock forthwith.
the game: 20 . . . :B:hl t! 2 I .j,xh l '\Wh5 22.�g2
exf4 and White is in dire straits.
a b c d e f g h
20 . . . :B:h l t!
As a fair alternative I might suggest the
cunning 20 . . . :B:h3 . Then White is practically
forced to reply 2 1 .lt:le6!?, hoping to solve his
becomes virtually irresistible. 20 . . . 'W'h5 2 l .lt>g2 27 . . . !xe4t 28.lLlxe4 'W'd4t

and now Black has excellent alternatives to White is lost.
choose from:
a3) 22.!e3
a) 2 l . . .dxe5! Though somewhat anti-aesthetic, The most stubborn continuation, but still
this does lead to complications favouring not enough to rescue White.
Black. In this dangerous position, White has
the choice of three continuations:
a l ) He loses at once with 22.!d2 'W'h2t

23.�f3 lLlxf2! 24.fi:xf2 !g4t!.
a2) 22.!c l
This is more tenacious. White hopes that
his bishop will avoid hindering the king's
attempt to cross over to the less dangerous
queenside. But not all hopes are destined
to be fulfilled! The response is not too
complicated: 22 . . . e4!
�� .�
Cutting off the white king's escape route
8
��..t.-
�.i � �� -�� and, equally importantly, inviting Black's
�� - �,�
: !��l%
dark-squared bishop to join in the attack.
�
23.fi:gl
s �
�--r�- - %��
(@
fj r�� •'iW
- -%%�� This doesn't look too impressive, but it is
4 definitely White's only chance to organize
;�
- -
3 � �%"/m% • � �%� -� resistance.

23.lLlxe4 loses in short order to 23 . . . 'W'h2t
2 �d- - · '- �� 24.@f3 lLl e5t, and the all too optimistic, but
,d""%�1-t•r practically forced 25.\t>f4 allows mate in five
a b c d e f g h moves: 25 . . . 'W'h6t 26 .lLlg5 'W'xg5t! 27.\t>xg5
h6t 28.\t>f4 g5 t 29.@e4 f5#!
22 . . . 'W'h2t 23.\t>f3 lLlxf2! 24.1"lxf2 e4t!
23 . . . 'W'h2t 24.�fl lLlxe3t 25.fxe3 'W'xb2
24 ... !g4 t doesn't do the trick - after 25.1t>e3
The ubiquitous queen has sorely frayed
!h6t 26.\t>d3 'W'xf2 27.'W'xg4 'W'fl t 28.\t>c2
White's nerves on the kingside and now
'W'xh l 29 .!xh6! ? Black has a hard and
swings across to hunt for spoils on the other
thankless defensive task ahead of him. By
wing.
combining threats against the king with the
26.1"lcl !xc3
advance of his passed pawn, White should,
White retains some practical chances of
to all appearances, easily succeed.
salvation, in spite of Black's obvious plus.
25.�xe4
Nothing is altered by 25 .1t>e3 'W'xg3t 26.1"lf3
b) I must now frankly admit that the beautiful
!h6t! 27.1t>e2 'W'h2t-+ .
variations I have been showing you have
25 . ..'W'xf2 26.\t>d3 !f5 t 27.!e4
no practical significance; I wanted to give
27.\t>c4 b5t! would be equally hopeless for
you some amusement and demonstrate the
White.
typical methods of attack. However, Black is: 23 .ic l f5 24.'1Wb3! (24.ic2?! is elegantly
has: 2 1 . . .'1Mfh2t! Ham-fisted, crude, but very refuted by 24 .. .f4! 25.gxf4 lt'lxf2! 26.Eixf2
strong! 22.mf:3 lt'lxe5 t 23.ixe5 ig4t! and '\Wh3t 27.me2 ig4t and White is crushed)
now 24.mxg4 '\Wh5t 25.mf4 ih6t 26.me4 24 . . . fxe4t 25.lt'lxe4 mh8! 26.d6 id7
'1Mff5# results in a cute mate in the middle of and there are still quite a few unpleasant
the board! moments in store for the white monarch.
Wild complications result from 23.'\We l
zo ... 'IWhst 2 1 .m g2 'IWhzt zz.ma lilxf2! 24.Eixf2 ig4t 25 .me3 exf4t 26.Eixf4
(26.gxf4 .id4t) 26 . . . h5 27.d6 Ele8 .
s i_ �j_- - · 23 . . . '1Mfh5 24.ie7 ih6!
��-�� Threatening . . . lt'l e3t.
:5 ,��-��-,,�W�'%�,�
�� 8
4� 8 �� -
8 8"" �-t��-
6
5
3 �w-�,,.;
� �m��-�n
�w·ft""%�· " ··
�-;
2 w� • w� �%
1 �m ,, %� ;•:•-,,
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
22 ... lE!xe5t?!
How long can you persist in the error of 25.me2
your ways? Major changes to the position White is not saved by 25.mg2? '\Wh2t
have come about in the course of the last few 26.mxf3 lilxf2!.
moves: Black's provocative rook has departed 25 ... lt'le3t 26.if:3 '1Mfxf3t! 27.mxf3 ig4t
from the arena, and the white king has very 28.me4 if5t 29.mxe5
good chances of hiding away in the safety of The cautious 29.mf3 leads to a draw.
the queenside. All this might well have served 29 . . . lt'l c4t! 30.mf6 lt'l b6!
to make me pause for thought and assess Pretty - Black threatens 3 l . . . lt'l d7#.
the situation anew. Instead of this rational 3 1 .me5!
approach, however, I continued more or 3 l .ixc5 ?? lt'ld7t 32.me7 if8# is too
less at lightning speed, and played a series of beautiful to occur in a real game!
moves that should have led to defeat - a most 3 l . . . lt'l c4t
undeserved defeat, as it seemed to me at that With perpetual check.
time! 23.i.xe5!
Much better than 23.me3 ? lt'l c4t 24.me2
And yet, Black would retain excellent chances (24.mf3 ig4t) 24 . . . ig4t 25 .me l ixd l
after the somewhat less forcing: 26.Eih l '\Wxh l t 27.ixh l ic2, with an easy
22 . . . dxe5!? 23 .ig5 !? win for Black.
23.ie3? loses immediately to 23 . . . lilxf2!
24.ixf2 ig4t 25.me3 ih6t 26.md3 ixd l . 23 ....ig4t!
Another line that doesn't look too convincing The last reserves enter the fray!
that was so full of fight headed quickly towards

a drawn result.
25 .. .'1Mfxhl 26.ixhl ixe5
24 ixdl
..•
Nor is 24 . . . ih6t any help: 25.if4 ixf4t

26.gxf4! ixd l 27.2::i: h l !+-
8� .im�� -� �.
7 -£-�?� P-J
��-�
m£
6 �i -�� -W.l - - %�7�U �
i- 27 b5! 28.axb5 axb5 29.ctJxb5
-% i.i�
. -..% lS � -�
.•.
5
Another option is:
4 lS��w�� 1£��?J� � v
� 29.f4!? id4t
29 . . . ixc3!? 30.bxc3 2::i: a3 is also possible, and
3 ��/�:m 0 . . .. %
v
� ------ �'§'%
""'% �0%
White would still need to apply quite good
�.
�...s. . . - - %� rw�•
technique.
2
m, �
30.cj;Jd3
1
� � .. %
In this ending White has a variety of
b d f g h
n
/
promising continuations. For example,
a c e at this point it is worth considering the
25.2::i: h l ! exchange sacrifice 30.2::i:xd4!? cxd4t 3 1 .'tt> xd4
This obvious resource i s precisely what I b4 32.ctJb5, with very good winning chances.
had missed when playing my 1 8th move! The 30 . . . 2::i: a5
queen is trapped, the poetry is at an end, and Black for his part has much less choice.
the bleak prose of life takes over! The ending a As a possible alternative I can only suggest
piece down - albeit for two pawns - promises 30 . . . b4, but 3 1 .ctJb5 ixb2 32.ctJxd6 can
no great saving chances. But my opponent hardly be to Black's liking.
must have been so exhausted from working 3 1 .2::i: e l cj;lfs 32.LLle4 :!::1 a 6±
through the jungle of variations that he didn't White has a plus, though Black can still
set me any serious problems; and this game continue his resistance.
29 .. J3b8 30.£4 J.xf4tD 3 1 .c.!?xf4 gxb5 It happened that in the foregoing games the
32.gd2 f5 33.ge2 attacking side was generally Black. Such things
33.c.!?g5 can be met by 33 . . . mg7. do of course occur, but by no means always! In
33 c,!;>£7 34.i.f3
the final game of this chapter I want to show
•.• that plenty of attacking possibilities can arise
Unnecessary complications result from for White too.
34.me3 gb3t 3 5 . mf2 mf6 36.ge6t �g5
37.gxd6 gxb2t 38 .�e3 mg4. For example: Lev Psakhis - Boris Chatalbashev
39 .gd7 gh2 40.i.f3t mxg3 4 1 .�f7 �b200
Benasque 1 996
34 gb3! 35.i.g2 h6
•.•
l .d4 tiJ£6 2.tiJf3 c5 3.d5 g6 4.c4 i.g7 5.tiJc3

0-0 6.e4 d6 7.h3 e6 8.i.d3 tiJ a6
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
At this point, rather unexpectedly, Portnjagin
a c e
offered a draw, which of course I was happy
to accept. To be fair, winning this position for It would be simpler to play 8 . . . exd5
White would be far from simple, if possible at 9.cxd5, transposing to a standard Benoni
all. For instance, 36.�e6 �b4t 37.�e3 �b3t position. However, that particular variation
38.Wf4=; or 36.i.h l h5 37.i.g2 (37.�e6 was considered to favour White in those
�b4t 38.mg5 �g4t 39.mh6 h4! is no better) already distant times. Moreover, in the present
37 . . . �b4t 3 8 . me3 mf6 39.mf2 mg5 and it is situation White could also of course take on
not clear how White can make progress. d5 with the e-pawn. Grandmaster Smirin, who
1/2-¥2 was probably the greatest specialist in playing
such positions for the black side, liked to keep
From analysing this game, we can perhaps his pawn structure uncommitted, and would
draw two conclusions. First, never trust long only capture on d5 when it was essential.
variations, even ifthey seem to you to be forced; Chatalbashev too endeavours to follow that
somewhere in your calculations a mistake is strategy in his games, but his patience tends to
virtually sure to have crept in. And secondly, give out before long!
never shirk re-checking your calculations after
every move you make; the position may well 9 .ig5 tiJ c7
•
reveal itself to you from some new angle. The preliminary 9 . . . h6 is also played quite
frequently (once the white queen has appeared guaranteed an excellent game by either 1 1 .dxe6
on d2, Black can often only dream about this 0,xe6 1 2 . .lh4;!; or even the simple 1 1 .0-0!?.
move) . Bareev - Damljanovic, Novi Sad (ol)
1 990, continued 1 0 . .le3 0,c7 1 1 .'1Wd2 exd5 l l .cxd5 b5 12.0-0!
1 2.cxd5 <;t>h7 1 3.a4 b6 1 4.0-0 .la6 Stronger than 1 2.0,xb5?! 0,xb5 1 3 . .lxb5
Khenkin - Chatalbashev, Cappelle la Grande
1 992. In that game Black simply failed to
consider the none-too-complicated tactical
line:
a b c d e f g h
1 5 . .lf4! with a clear plus for White. Indeed my
general impression is that this kind of position
h
is easier for White to play.
a b c d e f g
8 .i ��"'-.iJ'' · ---- v.�iP �

� ��-�
1 3 . . . 0,xe4! 1 4 . .lxd8 0,xd2 1 5 .ie7 0,xf3t
7 �� · - � · � ·
�r:%: . ./? -- - - ;:�
: 1 6.gxf3 :B:b8 17.a4 .lxb2 1 8.1'l:b 1 ic3t
6 ---- - "-� �Y- - ----�-% r--

1 9 .<;t>d1 :B:b7 In the resulting endgame Black
�r�- 8- -- - � y"""�,·� �- is the only one who can venture to play for a
win - his opponent's pawn structure is just too
s � m � weak.
�� ·lr� 8� -- - Y-�
: J��&mf��ll- - - !'!,
12 ... b4
8��r!J� � ��-��r!J ----;:: 8 �

� Or 1 2 . . . c4 1 3 .ic2 b4 14.0,e2, when Black's
2
�w � - - ; �w % � �
�
queenside pawn advance has brought him no
;::
%"" ----
l Q; q"if� � :t
appreciable gain - his pawns are weak, and the
important d4-square is firmly in White's hands.
a b c d e f g h
White's advantage is also obvious in the case
10.�d2 of 1 2 . . . 1'l:b8 1 3 .1'l:fe 1 b4 1 4.0,e2 \Wd7 1 5 .0, g3
I made this move without much thought, 0, fe8 1 6.:B:ad 1 f6 1 7 . .lf4, with strong pressure
as it forms an integral part of White's plan. in the centre, Ki. Georgiev - Cabrilo, Niksic
However, another line that has been seen is (rapid) 2008.
1 0.a4!? '1We7 1 1 .0-0 h6 1 2 . .lh4, and White
had a very pleasant position in Epishin - 13.�e2 �d7 14.� g3
Gheorghiu, Geneva 1 993. This manoeuvre is also perfectly familiar
from the Ruy Lopez. The white knight has no
10 ... exd5 better square than g3; from here it not only
In the event of the sharp 1 0 . . . b5!?, White is serves as an excellent guard for the important
e4-pawn, it is also ready at any moment 1 5.i.h6!

to take the most direct part in an attack. It The only way, of course! "Carthage must
seems to me that White has come out of the be destroyed," and the bishop, the chief
opening with a splendid game. Black's pawn defender of the throne, must be exchanged!
activity on the queenside has brought him no The problems facing Black are becoming more
dividends (and incidentally don't forget about complex with literally every move.
the c4-square, which a white knight might be
fortunate enough to reach) . Meanwhile on the
kingside, even a slight error could be of crucial
.
1 5 . .'1We7
Let us look at the alternatives:
significance - there are many white pieces
casting predatory glances at the black monarch! 1 5 . . . :B:e8? is refuted fairly simply by 1 6.i.xg7
c;t>xg7 1 7.ttJf5t gxf5 1 8 .'1Mrg5t c;t>h? 1 9.1Mfxf6
'1Mre7 20.tLlg5t c;t>gs 2 1 .'1Mrh6 f6, and now the
crowning combination follows: 22.exf5! and
if 22 . . . fxg5 then 23.f6 1Mfd7 24.i.f5!+- with a
quick mate.
The play is a good deal more interesting after

1 5 . . . i.xh6 1 6.1Mfxh6 1Mfe7, when White can
choose between (at least!) two plans:
.i �%'-'// �Z/''"/'""��
� .i.� � &� �
�
8
7 �� ?�
·�
�� %
.. ..
b d f g h
6 . t
%'·�
% %�1 ;... .%.
'!AI·
. �e'� • �
.. r�
� �-��--- - �. ,.- - '��. �,
a c e
5
... .% : �
4
14 ... h5?!
�-
An interesting and by no means simple 3
%
��-%� � � rtf�
2 ... . %� •
�. .":f£!1: %�.:f£!1:--��-;;;"-
�
question is how Black should try to improve � ��-� - - - ·'�
his position. Thus 14 . . . :B:e8? encounters the
..
J� � -. .: l�
h
extremely unpleasant 1 5 .1Mff4 1Mfe7 1 6.:B:ae l a5
1 7.tLld2, when the knight and rook are ready a b c d e f g
to head for c4 and f3 respectively. a) 1 7.tLlg5!?
Threatening 1 8 .f4!? followed by e4-e5 , so
Perhaps 1 4 . . . lLl fe8!? 1 5 .:B:fe l is the best that Black simply has no choice.
Black can come up with, but how passive his 1 7 . . . 1Mfe50 1 8 .f4!? 1Mfd4t 1 9.<j;Jhl
position is! The following long and almost forced
variation similarly produces complications
I also have objections to the move he actually that are entertaining and favourable to
played. In itself, the move is wholly typical - White: 1 9 .:B:f2 1Mfxd3 20.e5! tLlcxd5 2 l .exf6
Black frees h7 for his knight and hopes to be tLlxf6 22.f5! 1Mfxg3 23.fxg6 i.xh3 24.:B:afl
able to create at least some counterplay. The 1Mfh2t!? 25.c;t>xh2 tLl g4t 26.c;t>xh3 tLlxh6
problem is just that the black king's residence 27.gxf7t with a decisive plus for White.
serves as a splendid target for White's active 1 9.c;t>hl 1Mfxd3 20.f5! 1Mfxg3 2 l .fxg6+
pieces. And mate will not be long coming.
b) 1 7.�c4!? Even so, I honestly wouldn't wish this position

By defending the d5-pawn, White calmly on my worst enemy! White simply continues:
prepares the decisive breakthrough in the
centre. 8 %�-%
�
!-�.. �· �-�'!�J•
1 7 . . J''l d 8
7 . . %� aY:. . . .�
% . . .%.,% ···
Black loses prettily after 17 . . .�a6 1 8 .e5

�
,
6
�xc4 1 9.etJf5!+-.
5
�.
�� . . .i
-�"f ,t·•.- - �
% . .%.
4
. . �'%:% �%'"'"'
1 8 .e5 ltlh7 1 9.ltle4! ltl e8
%
� %
Black has to balance on the edge of the
3 B �.t�tt:J� £3J
�0�;
•
precipice.
2 ��-
--{ . %� �. . . %�-};{�
�
1 9 . . . dxe5? 20.d6 Elxd6 2 l .etJ fg5 ltlxg5
-� g e .: ��
22.ctJxg5 +- can scarcely suit him.
1
a b c d e f g h
I s .ltl h4 mfs I 9.f4 ltl d7!
It's hard to suggest any other move! After
1 9 . . . ltl fxd5 20.exd5 1Mie3t 2 l .�h2 1Mixd3
22.Elad l 1Mic2 23.f5! the poor black monarch
has to defend himself alone against nearly
all the white pieces. I don't think he will be
living happily ever after!
20.e5 !
h
The last reserves go into battle.
a b c d e f g
20 . . . 1Mfxg5
20.e6! etJ f8 2 1 .1Mig5 f6 The situation isn't altered much by 20 . . . ctJxd5
2 1 . . .1Mixg5 merely helps White to reach his 2 l .�xg6! either.
goal: 22.ltlfxg5 fxe6 23.dxe6 d5 24.e7+- 2 l .fxg5 �g7 22.e6! ltl e5 23.Elxf7t! ltlx£7
22.1Mixh6 �xe6 23.dxe6 d5 24.l2J h4 24.exf7 �x£7 25.etJxg6 l"lg8 26.Elfl t �e8
White shouldn't have much trouble 27.l"lel t �d8 28.etJ e7
exploiting his large plus. The game is in effect already over; Black has
nothing to oppose his opponent's material
1 6.hg7 g;,xg7 17.1Mig5! plus.
White threatens 1 8.ltlxh5t, and also
1 8 .ltl h4.
17 .. J�e8?!
Chatalbashev guards his queen, thereby
forestalling 1 8.ltlxh5t, but this only solves
a small part of his problems. His position is
difficult and complicated to handle; successful
defence is already practically impossible.
1 7 . . . Elh8
This would have been rather more tenacious.
18.e5!+- This is neither better nor worse than the

A typical, yet very attractive move. White other lines that Black might have looked at:
not only opens a diagonal for active operations
with his light-squared bishop, he also acquires 1 9 . . . '1Mfd8 is met by 20.i.xg6 fxg6 2 1 .'1Wxg6t
the e4-square for his knight almost as a bonus. @h8 22.'1Wh6t @g8 23.ttJxh5+-.
Other tactical motifs figure in his plans
too. Nor is Black helped by 1 9 .. .'j[h8 20.'1Wh6t
@g8 2 1 .d6! '1Wxd6 22.ttJxg6 fxg6 23 .'1Wxg6t
18 dxe5
•.• @f8 24.tt:lxh5+-
You get the impression that Black's actions
have all been more or less forced, ever since 1 9 . . . @h7 20.ttJxg6 fxg6 2 1 .i.xg6t @h8 22.d6!
about move 1 0 . It is still the case now, and he '1Wxd6 23.ttJe4 ttJ h7 24.'\Wxh5 '1We7 25.ttJg5!+
can't save himself with: 1 8 . . . tt:l fxd5 1 9.ttJ xh5t also results in a quick end to the game.
@g8 20.ttJf6t! (20.'1Wxe7 E:xe7 2 1 .exd6 E:d7
22.dxc7 gxh5 23 .i.e4 i.b7 24.E:ad l E:e8 I would point out that all these variations are
25 .E:fe l !+- is also adequate for a win on quite simple and easily found.
points, but by this time I was only interested in
winning with a knockout!) 20 . . . ttJxf6 2 1 .exf6 20.d6!?
'1Wf8 22.ixg6! ttJ e6 23 .'\WhS fxg6 24.'1Wxg6t White continues to play very energetically.
@h8 25.E:fe l White threatens to bring his A weaker choice would have been: 20.ttJ hf5
rook to e4 with deadly effect, while 25 . . . i.b7 is i.xf5 2 1 .ttJxf5 '1Wd8 22.ttJh6t @g7 23.ttJxf7!
met by 26.f7 +-. @xf7 24.hg6t White keeps a plus, but his
long-awaited victory would still be far away.
19.&2:J h4!
20 ...VNxd6?
8 \ ��!�;�� .� Finally the Bulgarian player succumbs to the
7 ""•�'%� �• ""'%·
�- - t- � � ·�
pressure and commits a decisive error.
·�
6
� �v�F �8 �·v��"--.;��-·'"' - �1. The strongest move was:
��-----%B""·%·-
20 . . . tt:l e6!
s - ·--%m I am certainly not convinced that this would
4 - %� � have saved the game, but Black simply had
3 --- r � ��rs· to play it. The knight takes an active part in
!��- �8-
the defence.
2
""
1 �d � �-��
a b c d e f g h
You can smell burning! Obviously one or
other piece will be sacrificed on g6 within a
move or two, not to mention that White is
threatening 20.tt:lgf5 t.
19 ... <.!.> g8
a b c d e f g h
2 l .Wi'xe5 2 1 . fxg6 22.Wfxg6t @ffi

••
Stronger than 2 l .Wi'xg6t fXg6 22.dxe7 ttJf4! After 22 . . . \t>h8 23.ttJxh5 Black would have
and Black can fight on. to give up his queen for no compensation.
23.�gf5 Lf5 24.tLlxf5 Wfd7 2S.Wixf6t Wifl

2 1 . ..ttJd7
In the event of 2 1 . . .Wfd8? 22.ttJxg6! fXg6
23 .j,xg6 Eif8 24.ttJf5!+- the black pieces are 25 . . . \t>g8 26.Eiad l ! is no improvement for
merely the objects of attack, and are playing Black.
hardly any defensive role.
22.tLlxg6! ? 26.Wfhst Wigs 27.Wfh6t! @f7
White also has a large plus after either
22.Wfe4!? Wfxd6 23.tLlxg6 or 22.Wfxh5!? gxh5
8
7
23.dxe7 Eixe7 24.ttJhf5!
22 . . . fXg6.
After 22 . . . ttJxe5 23.tLlxe7t mf8 24.j,e4, 6
5
further material losses are unavoidable for
Black.
23.Wfe4 Wi'f7! 4
23 . . . Wff6? 24.Wxa8 lLlf4 25.Eiae l Eif8
3
2
26.j,c4t lt>h8 27.Wfc6+-
24.Wxa8 j,a6 25 .Wfxe8t Wfxe8 26.j,xa6+-
1
White has great winning chances. All the
b d f g h
same, Black had no other choice - he was
simply obliged to test his opponent's technique a c e
in this variation. 28.Wfc6!
The c7-knight is attacked and White
8 threatens 29.ttJh6t, so it isn't at all surprising
7 that Black resigned.
1-0
6
5 Black's opening play was unsure, yet one
4
question bothers me. Where, specifically,
did he make the serious mistake for which
3 he was so harshly punished? Was it 14 . . . h5
2 that provoked this reaction? But this is a very

popular move that has been played many a
1 time in similar positions.
b d f g h
To me, all this was and is a riddle, and I
a c e
dare say there is no need even to look for the
2I..ixg6!+- right answer to it. At the end of the day, chess
Now the game will be over in a few more ought to remain - even if only partially - a
moves. mysterious game!
Chapter 2
Attacking with Hanging Pawns
Arm e n ia 1 9 79
Yu s u p ov, Kas p a rov, F sakh is, Azma i p a rashvili
& Ka s p a rov's moth e r Kla ra
Diagram Preview
8
7
6
5
4
1 5 minutes to think about each
3
2
cases). The solutions are found
annotations to the games. 1
How can White defend The direct win is?

himself? (see page 67)
(see page 56)
8 T 8 T 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
A positional decision Many tempting options. How to conclude the attack?

(see page 5 1 ) Which one is strongest? (see page 67)
(see page 62)
8 8 T 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
How to crash through? How can Black get more The winning move
(see page 5 5) than a small plus? (see page 68)
(see page 65)
Chapter 2 - Attacking with Hanging Pawns 49
First, let us be clear about the term "hanging 5 ... 0-0 6.�e2 e6
pawns" . This is the standard way of referring A rare move; Black aims to fianchetto his
to two connected pawns (most commonly light-squared bishop. He doesn't want to allow
c- and d-pawns), on the same rank (usually), the simplification in the centre that would
with no other pawns to defend them. This type quite possibly occur after the perfectly good
of structure naturally has its plus and minus move 6 . . . c5.
points. There have been quite a few players who
have loved playing with hanging pawns. The 7.0-0 b6
names of Yusupov and Yudasin immediately
spring to mind, and indeed your humble
servant too played plenty of games with this
pawn structure. Among its adversaries, we may
certainly single out Anatoly Karpov.
To release (or enhance) their attacking
potential, the owner of the hanging pawns will
usually try to open the position in the centre
by a breakthrough with d4-d5 (for the sake
of simplicity and clarity, I am treating these
pawns as belonging to one side only, namely
White) . A plan involving the advance c4-c5 is
b d f g h
seen a good deal more rarely. Finally, a white
knight on eS will be excellently supported and a c e
active, and will gladly take part in an attack. 8.cxd5

Botvinnik didn't like this move, but it isn't
Let us examine a pair of games in which the entirely clear how White can fight for a more
player with the hanging pawns exploited their or less tangible plus in any other lines either.
potential one hundred per cent.
Black hardly has cause to be afraid of 8.b3
Alexey Sokolsky - Mikhail Botvinnik �b7 9 .�a3 (or 9 .t.b2 lLlbd7 1 0 .:t' k 1 Wff e7
1 938
1 l .Wff c2 �fc8 1 2 .�fd 1 cS 1 3.t.a3 lLl e4= Franco
USSR Championship - Korchnoi, Pamplona 1 994) 9 . . . �e8 1 0.�cl
lLl e4 1 l .cxd5 exdS 1 2.lLlxe4 dxe4 1 3 .lLle5
l .c4 &l:) f6 2.&l:) c3 d5 3.d4 g6 4.&l:)f3 �g7 t.dS with comfortable equality in Mititelu -
The Gri.infeld Defence was part of the first Smyslov, Leipzig (ol) 1 960.
Soviet World Champion's repertoire for a
long period of years. His handling of it was 8 ... exd5 9.b3
outstanding and he scored many memorable ''A mistake, after which Black's queenside
wins with it. position becomes unassailable." - Botvinnik.
5.e3 However, Botvinnik's suggested improvement

A quiet move, perhaps even too quiet. In does not trouble Black either:
playing it, White is practically renouncing 9 .Wib3 ib7 1 0 .t.d2
the struggle for an advantage and contenting Black shouldn't be in the least frightened of
himself with a solid and safe position. 1 0.�d 1 lLl bd7 1 l .a4 cS 1 2.a5 Wff c7 1 3.t.d2
.ic6 14.lt'lb5 �b8 Gereben - Smyslov,

Budapest 1 949.
1 0.lt'le5 �e7 1 I .f4 c5 1 2 . .if3 lt'l c6! also gives
Black a fully satisfactory position.
10 ... lt'l bd7 1 U!fd 1 �e7
Black has completed his development
without hindrance, and if he wants he can
easily carry out the freeing move . . . c5 .
9 ... i.b7 lO ..ib2 CLJ bd7
8
b d f g h
7 a c e
6 14.V*fb l
5
I liked Botvinnik's comment on this position:
"White's pieces cannot get beyond the fourth
4 rank." Yet why not? To me it seems that the
3
active 1 4.lt'le5! at this point is not at all bad.
Black cannot capture the knight in view of
2 the weakness of his own d-pawn, while White
1
aims to post his light-squared bishop on the
long diagonal and slowly but surely increase
a b c d e f g h the pressure on his opponent's position.
Unfortunately for Black, the sharp 14 . . . c5 holds
l l .V*fc2
out no rosy prospects for him either; after the
Mikhail Botvinnik openly disapproved of
natural 1 5 .lt'lxd7 lt'lxd7 1 6.dxc5 �xc5 1 7 . .if3,
the somewhat vague nature of White's strategy,
the initiative is undoubtedly with White.
and criticized practically all his opponent's
moves. Here he recommended 1 l .lt'le5, which
14 J:Uds 15.i.fl ?!
would lead to approximate equality after
.•
Continuing with the same passive strategy,

1 1 . . .lt'lxe5 1 2.dxe5 lt'l e4oo.
for reasons I can't comprehend. This was
The typical move 1 I .b4!? also deserved probably White's last chance to place his
attention, not only gaining space on the knight on e5 to good effect. He would then
queenside, but also freeing the important b3- retain at least equal chances, for example:
square for the queen. 1 5 .lt'l e5!? lt'lxe5 (better than 1 5 . . . c5 1 6.lt'lxd7
lt'lxd7 1 7.dxc5 lt'lxc5 1 8 .lt'la4! and White is the
l l . .. a6 12Jlacl only one who can lay claim to a small plus)
In the event of 1 2.lt'le5 c5 1 3.f4 1'!c800 the 1 6.dxe5 lt'l e4 1 7.f4 lt'lxc3 1 8 ..ixc3 c5 1 9 .�b2
chances are equal. Black intends to play ...b5 and White has a comfortable game.
shortly. Whether the knight on e5 is the pride
of White's position or a source of worry to 1 5 c5 1 6.dxc5?!
..•
him, only the future will show. I don't think too much of this move, and nor
did the patriarch of Soviet chess; Black's game
12 1'!c8 13J:Udl VNe7
•.. becomes just too easy to play!
It was worth maintaining the tension in the natural 1 7.V¥d3! ? ii.h6 (or 1 7 . . . E'i:e8 1 8 .E'i:e l
centre with 1 6.h3. Then if, say, 1 6 . . . ii.h6, the V¥e6 1 9.tLla4=) 1 8 .E'i:e l ! V¥d6 1 9 .E'i:cd l , White
reply 1 7.V¥a l ! ? doesn't look bad; White will can look to the future with some optimism;
meet 1 7 . . . c4 with 1 8 .a4!?, and it isn't clear how the game has yet to step outside the bounds of
Black can strengthen his position. approximate equality.
1 6 ... bxc5 17 ...!h6!

At this point we arrive at the theme of An excellent move, which to us looks
the present chapter. Black has deployed all absolutely natural, though I suspect that
his pieces splendidly and is preparing an in 1 938 it may have come as a real shock to
unpleasant break in the centre with . . . d5-d4. White. The bishop is abandoning the very
His position has only one defect: for the time important long diagonal (thereby giving extra
being he is, after all, forced to think about the scope to the white bishop on b2) ; but on the
defence of his hanging pawns. other hand Black increases the pressure against
the vulnerable e3 and f2 points, casts a glance
8 towards the white rook on c l , and is ready to
7 � -��:lf/-�'<��:l�
start an attack on the enemy king's residence.
•i•aiti,l��
White now needs to show considerable mastery
6
£ ��p �� /lt i � in defence.
s�� >;,��_ , , %�' m

� m
�
� 8 �. �� · � ·-
4
� / � -
7� ��
3� �:� /� �-%��-
m 8 ,�1 ��% tt:J� 6
� -l � '�
%m ""�% lu
%' "/� l'0"
0/
--"
2 8 �-- - -- 'a- - � IS�% iR � - �'m
1 •v�� •if=%.. -- 5
��"-.- - %�rlJ!J
lJlJ �� • �J
�� ,,
4
a b c d e f g h
3� ��-%��
m 8 m r� tt:J m
2 8 � 0mltJ·�� 8 ·D
17.� e2?!
1 BV�� rBJ£= -- -- %
Mistakes, like illnesses, rarely come singly!
White's idea is fully understandable: he wants
b d f g h
to bring this knight closer to his monarch
a c e
and create some advantageous pressure along
the a l -h8 diagonal. On the other hand, this 1 8.!a3?!
move does nothing to help him solve the really Showing a clear disbelief in his opponent's
serious problems of defending the weak points attacking possibilities! White throws all his
f2 and e3. It will be harder and harder for him forces into the fight against the "minor" threat
to stop . . . d5-d4, the central breakthrough that - the standard central breakthrough with . . . d4!
forms a crucial link in Black's plan. - but forgets about his chief duty, which is to
ensure the safety of his king.
Sokolsky should have been thinking about
how to bring his queen into the game without White had to play the cautious 1 8 .E'i:c2. Then
delay; this piece has simply been in cold storage 1 8 .. .li:l g4 1 9 .tLlg3 gives a position with good
on the queenside. It seems to me that after the defensive chances.
Advanced Chess Tactics
If instead Black goes for 1 8 ... d4!? 1 9.exd4 Black could also sacrifice a piece at once:
i.e4 20.ttJg3 ixc2 2 1 .'1Wxc2, then we can only 1 8 ... ixe3! ? 1 9.fxe3 'I:Wxe3t 20.Wh l lt:le4
speak of a slight plus for Black; the white pieces 2 l .h3 ltl f2t (or 2 1 ...ltle5 22.lt:lxe5 lLl f2t
are excellently placed, and the a6-pawn is 23.�h2 'I:Wxe5t 24.�gl ttJxd l 25.E:xd l 'I:We3t
weak. 26.�h2+, though in this case White's chances
of successful defence are fairly high) 22.Wh2
lt:lxd l 23.E:xd l d4 (23 ... ttJe5!?) 24.ic 1
'I:We7+
19.�d3?
Truly, good defensive skills were not counted
among a chess player's indispensable virtues
in the early and middle years of the 20th
Century! Once genuine difficulties arise,
White immediately reacts in a most inept
manner.
b d f g h
His options were extremely limited - the
a c e squares and pawns on the kingside had to be
1 8 . .lt� g4!
.
defended somehow, but 1 9 .E:c3? merely helps
Here Black had a rich (perhaps too rich!) his opponent's attack after 1 9 ... lt:l df6!.
choice of lines that deserved attention, and
Botvinnik chose the strongest of them. Nothing else remains for White except cold
bloodedly playing:
The alternative 1 8 ... d4!? doesn't look at all bad: 1 9.l"ld3!
1 9 .exd4! ( 1 9.ttJfxd4? loses outright to 1 9 ... l"le8!

1 9 . . . lt:l g4; 1 9.lt:lexd4 lt:le4! 20.E:e l 'I:Wf6 2 1 .ltle2 I recommend maintaining the tension on
lt:l e5 22.lt:lxe5 'I:Wxf2t 23.';;t> h l lt:ld2! 24.l2Jg4 the board, and stepping up the pressure
lt:lxb l 25.lLlxf2 ttJxa3 leads to an ending that against the e3-pawn.
is highly unpleasant for White) 1 9 ... ixc l White would also have no simple task
20.@'xc l ixf3 2 l .gxf3 ltld5 with an obvious organizing serious resistance after the
initiative for Black. obvious 1 9 . . . ttJ de5 20.lt:lxe5 'I:Wxe5 2 l .ttJg3!
8
1Wf6, and with the black queen relocating
'""''/'/////,
to h4, the white king may well not live to a
7
happy old age. V///,//z ::;;;::;;
6
20.1Wb2 l2Jxf2 2 l .'tt> xf2 �xe3t 22Jhe3 1Wxe3t
23.�g3 5
23. 'tt> e l d4 is worse. 4

23 .. Jle5 24.h3 l"lf5 3
With a virtually irresistible attack.
2
a b c d e f g h
20 . . . l2Jxe3! 2 l .fxe3 �xe3t 22.�h2
White is no better off after 22.'tt> h l d4
23.l2Jg3 1Wc7.
22 . . . d4-+
This pawn cuts White's position into two
unconnected halves, and his monarch will be
powerless to elude the fate in store for him.
However, the strongest move in this position
b d f g h
is:
a c e 1 9 . . . 1Wf6!
19 ... l[) de5 Threatening 20 . . . d4. What is White to do?
My hand doesn't reach out to put a question The most stubborn defence is probably
mark after this move, but Black did have some offered by:
stronger continuations available! 20.1Wc3!?
White can scarcely be happy with 20.h3
1 9 . . . l"i:e8! ? merits attention. l2Jxf2! 2 l .�xf2 l2J e5 22.1Wc2 d4 23.e4 �e3t
24.�g3 (24.�e l ? Wxf3!) 24 ... 1Wd6-+.
Black's attack is also overwhelming after the Similar variations arise from 20.l2Jg3 l[)xf2!
powerful: 2 l .'tt> xf2 l2J e5 22.1Wb l l2Jg4t 23.'tt> e l l"i:e8
1 9 . . . l2J df6! and Black's attack is crushing.
This has the wholly transparent threat 20 . . . d4 2 1 .exd4 cxd4 22.1Wxd4 �xc l 23.1Wxf6
of placing this rampant knight on e4. l2J dxf6 24.l"i:xd8t l"lxd8 25 .�xcl l"ld l-+
According to my conviction, the more Black has an easily won ending; the pin
natural and simple the threat, the harder it on the first rank will exact a high price from
is to defend against it. White.
20.h3
20.l2Jf4 d4 does not help White. 20.l[)xe5D Wxe5 2 1 . l[) g3
20.l"lxc5 l"lxc5 2 1 .1Wd4 l"i:dc8 22.l"i:cl l2J e4 is Surprisingly enough, the best place now for
winning for Black, since White has no way of this knight is the modest square h l . For one
exploiting the pin that seems so unpleasant thing it won't be in the way of the other white
at first sight. pieces, and secondly the f2-pawn will be safely
defended at last!
The more active 2 1 .f4?! �xe3t 22.�xe3 ltlxe3 22 ... d4

23.E:d3 ltlxfl 24.E:xc5 E:xc5 25 .i.xc5 aS! Botvinnik didn't make a single bad move in
26.ctfxfl i.a6-+ loses fairly quickly. At least the whole course of the game, but some of his
I don't see how White can parry the many moves were not the strongest and permitted
threats without serious material losses. White to hope for a happy outcome. At this
point, the natural move he plays allows Sokolsky
8 to obtain some quite good saving chances.
7 It was worth considering the quiet 22 . . . E:e8!?

6 23.E:e l (or 23.h3 ltlxe3 24.fxe3 i.xe3t 25.�h2
5
d4 with an irresistible attack) , and only now
23 . . . d4.
4
3 The best move, as I see it, was 22 . . . �e5 !, with
2
the possible continuation 23.ltlg3 d4 24.exd4
E:xd4 25 .�e2 i.xc l 26.:B:xc l �xe2 27.i.xe2
1
ltle5 28 .i.xc5 (or 28.E:xc5 E:xc5 29.i.xc5 E:d2)
b d f g h
28 . . . ltl d3-+ . In this ending Black shouldn't
a c e encounter many problems in converting his
2 1 . ..�£6!? huge advantage into a full point!
The temptation to drive the knight to h i
proves too strong, and the future World 23.�e2! ttl e5
Champion cannot resist it.
A line that was at least as good was 2 1 . . .d4! 8
22.exd4 E:xd4 23 .�e2 i.xc l 24.:B:xc l �d6,
7
6
with a healthy extra exchange.
5
22.ttl hl!
The only move! White loses immediately
after both 22.�e2 �h4 23 .h3 ltlxe3 and 4
22.E:c2 d4! 23.exd4! E:xd4 24.�xe2 �h4
3
2
25 .h3 ltlxf2! .
8 1
7 a b c d e f g h
6 24.exd4?!
5 Almost imperceptibly we have arrived at
4 the critical moment! White should of course

have rejected this move, but what he ought to
3 have done instead is a much more complicated
2 question. He has quite a wide choice:
1 a) The refutation of 24.i.b2?! requires no great

a b c d e f g h
effort: 2 4 . . . 1Mfe6!? (Black could also very well c) 24.:gxc5 ! ?

choose the simple 24 . . . dxe3 25.fxe3 '<Mlg5+ This also leads t o interesting complications.
with a powerful attack) 25.h3 .if3! (a beautiful
blow, clearly stronger than 25 . . . d3? 26.'<Mld2)
26.gxf3 d3 and Black has a big advantage.
b) 24 . .ixc5 ?
4 a b c d e f g h
3 24 . . . :gxc5
2 In practical play it would be very difficult
to make the right choice between this move
1
h
and the very tempting 24 . . . dxe3, but the
a b c d e f g
latter brings Black no special dividends:
24 . . . .if3! 25 .h3! lt:lf3t 26.gxf3 :gxc5 27 . .ixc5 :gxd l
Which piece to throw in on f3 is a constant 28 .1Mfxdl '<Mlg5 t 29.ctJg3 '<Mlxc5 30.'it>g2 exf2
dilemma for Black in these positions; here he 3 l .'<Mld7+ White has quite good chances of
must decide in favour of the bishop. repelling the opponent's onslaught.
The tempting 24 . . . ct:l f3t? meets with a 25 . .ixc5 d3!
curious refutation. If Black answers 25.gxf3 Better than 25 . . . lt:lf3t? 26.gxf3 and now it is
with 25 . . . .ixf3?, he loses outright to 26 . .ie7! most unfortunate that 26 . . . .ixf3??, as given
- the sort of move you can easily miss! by Botvinnik, fails to the tactical stroke
If instead 25 . . . 1Mlg5t, then 26.lt:lg3 8:xc5 that we have already seen: 27.Ae7!! and it
27.f4;!;. is White who wins! Instead 26 . . . 1Mlg5 t!?
25 .1Mlxa6D 27.ctJ g3 '<Mlxc5 28 .1Mlc4 would be unclear.
25.gxf3 loses to 25 . . . d3! . 26.'<Mld2 :gd5!
25 . . . 8:c6! Black brings the rook across to the kingside.
This demands precise calculation, but it 27.'<Mlb4
is much stronger the line indicated by At least this doesn't lose at once, as does
Botvinnik: 25 . . . 1Mfxa6 26 . .ixa6 .ixd l 27.b4?? ctJf3t 28.gxf3 :gg5t 29.ctJg3 '<Mlxf3-+.
27 . .ixc8 :gxc8 28.:gxd l :gxc5 29.exd4 :gd5+ 27 . . . 1Mlc6!
26.'<Mla3 .ixd l 27 . .ie7 More convincing than 27 . . lt:lf3t . 28.gxf3
After 27.:gxd l :gxc5 28 .1Mfxc5, Black has the '<Mlxf3 29.e4D :gxc5 30.:gxd3 '<Mfxe4 3 1 .'<Mlxe4
decisive 28 . . . 1Mlg5!-+, and the knight check .ixe4 32.:gd7+.
on f3 will cost White his queen. 28 . .ie7 :gd7 29.lt:lg3 a5 30.1Mlc5 '<Mle6 3 Lih4
27 . . . 1Mle6! 28 . .ixd8 dxe3 29.:gxd l '<Mlg4 30 . .ie2 f6!
1M!xe2 3 l .:gf1 1M!g4 And there appears to be no way for White to
White's position is pitiful - mate will save his bishop. This variation may not be all
inevitably follow soon. forced, but it is instructive enough.
d) 24.f4! d2) 24 . . . lt:J c6 25.lt:Jf2!?

If White wants to avoid the complications,
8 ��
��. ��
- - - - -Y-� ��
�· he can choose the relatively simple 25 . .ixc5 !?
dxe3 26 . .ixe3 .ixf4 27 . .ixf4 Wxf4 28.l"i:c4oo,
7 �� tA.i �� but for the purposes of analysis I won't allow
6
iiW}. ��f%
i11
- �f"/.- - /-}-·'�
ii£ •��
him to do so!
5
4 �� - · "· ;
..%
� 25 . . . dxe3 26.lt:Jg4 Wxf4 27.g3
3 �!-�- � - - %� .
�
� 8 � -�0�. �� ..... v.� �.
�· �
�%''!it ' "
�
2
� ' �
7 �� -� -� -�
z�Y- �f" i;�� va �
�
w
�� ..t�� 6
· �!��
h
: �-� ��
a b c d e f g
3 .�
. . "� - ��-%" ·- ·"�r�
b -0� �---� - � �----·"f§r�
['!};
Botvinnik took a sceptical view of this move,
0 ·0
but it seems to me that it practically rids White
Y-�
2 b %"' " � %'' j�%
of his problems - or at least it can lead to
utterly wild complications with unpredictable �
� �m � u..t��
h
consequences. And that undoubtedly benefits
a b c d e f g
the weaker side - fishing in troubled waters,
you can always hope to land a catch! Black has 27 . . . Wxg4!?
to withdraw his knight from the centre, and Brilliant, and the only chance to fight for a
there are two ways to do this: 24 . . . lt:J d7 or plus! By sacrificing his queen Black hopes to
24 . . . lt:J c6. Let us look at how the game might launch a second wave of the attack, which
then continue. may turn into a veritable tsunami!
The pusillanimous 27 . . . Wg5 leads to a
d l ) 24 . . . lt:Jd7 drawish endgame after the forced 28.l"i:xc5
Botvinnik's own choice. l"i:xd l 29.Wxd l l"i:d8! 30.l"i:xg5 l"i:xd l
25.lt:Jf2! 3 l .lt:Jxh6t �g7 32.lt:Jf5tD �f6 33.lt:Jxe3
An excellent tactical chance. l"i:xfl t 34.�xfl �xg5 =.
On 25.exd4? .ixf4 26.dxc5 lt:J e5, Black's 28 .Wxg4 lt:J e5
attack is irresistible.
25 . . . dxe3
Or 25 . . . Wb6 26.Wd2!? dxe3 27.Wxe3 .ig7
28 . .ic4 .id4 29.l"i:xd4! cxd4 30.We7f± and
it's hard to believe that the white pieces were
so passive just a few moves ago!
26.lt:Jg4 Wxf4D 27.l"i:c4
27.lt:Jxh6t!? Wxh6 28 .l"i:c3f± is not bad
either.
27 . . . Wg5D 28.lt:Jxh6t Wxh6 29 . .ic l
b d f g h
White has very good compensation for the a c e
pawn. At any rate, the most that Black can
Now the poor white king could easily suffer
fight for is a nominal plus.
a heart attack! A rook, two bishops, a knight
and the e3-pawn are all playing their part
in Black's attacking force, and their actions 35 .E!:al il.c6t 36.�fl lLl f3 37.il.b2 c4!
are splendidly coordinated. Around the king A pretty concluding stroke - now the bishop
there are several weaknesses; the f3-square on e3 can get at the white queen.
alone is worth a great deal. There are clearly 38.bxc4
going to be plenty of checks, and it will be 38 .\Wxa6 tlJxh2t 39.�e2 il.f3# is a variation
no surprise at all if one of them administers only to be dreamt about! Incidentally, it
mate! But above all White must keep calm involves the c4-pawn taking a direct part in
and not panic! He can now choose between the attack!
the following continuations: 38 . . . ltJxh2t 39.�e2 il.b6t 40.\We5 E!:xe5t
4 1 .il.xe5 il.a5
d2 1 ) 29.E!:xd8t? E!:xd8 30.E!:d l E!:d2! 3 1 .E!:xd2 There is no defence against a check on f3,
exd2 32.'!&e2 d l ='IW! 33.\Wxe5 (being mated which means the game is at an end.
by 33 .\Wxd l ?? il.e3# would be a real pain!)
33 . . . \Wd5! ? 34.\Wxd5 il.e3t 35.i>g2 il.xd5t d23) 29.\Wxc8! t2Jf3t 30.i>g2 E!:xc8
36.i>h3 a5 and Black has reasonable winning
chances.
d22) 29 .\Wa4? E!:d2!? 30.E!:xd2D exd2 3 1 .il.h3

In the event of 3 1 .il.g2? il.e3t 32.�h l
dxcl ='IWt 33.il.xcl il.xg2t 34.\t>xg2 il.xcl
35 .\Wxa6 E!:d8-+ Black has too many pieces
for the queen.
3 1 . . .il.c6! 32.\Wa5
The same verdict can be passed on 32.'1Wxa6?
h
E!:a8 33.\Wb6 dxc l ='IWt 34.il.xc l il.xc l
a b c d e f g
35 .\Wxc5 i.b2 36.il.g2 E!:d8-+, when the
white king has little chance of emerging 3 1 .ie2!
onto dry land. The move to save the game!
32 . . . ie3t 33.\t>fl il.b5t 34.\t>g2 E!:e8!! Not 3 1 .E!:xc5 ? lLl d2t! 32.i>h3 E!:xc5 33 .il.xc5
White has no counterplay, so Black doesn't if3 34.E!:e l tlJxfl 3 5 .E!:xfl e2 36.E!:b l
need to hurry - the king now has no il.d2 37.if2 f5 , when White faces a tough
chance of getting across to the relatively safe struggle for the draw.
queenside. 3 I . . .ltJd2t 32.�gl
Naturally Black can draw, but his winning
attempt has clearly come to a dead end. I find
these variations astoundingly interesting and
beautiful! Of course, at move 25 it would be
simpler for White to play 25.il.xc5 !?, when
he wouldn't have to steer between Scylla and
Charybdis in order to achieve equality.
24 ... cxd4
As experienced players say, a pawn that has
crossed the equator of the chessboard is no
a b c d e f g h longer isolated, but passed!
25Jhc8 i.xc8 3 1 . ttJ g3 if4

"The last difficult move in the game. After The ending is probably won, but Black's
25 . . . l':!xc8 26 . .ib2 White could still have victory will not be a trivial matter.
held on. The rook definitely needs to be left
on d8, where it supports the passed pawn, 26 d3!-+ 27.Wfdl
•.•
and in addition Black gains a vital tempo, Mter 27.WI'xe5 Wl'xe5 28.l':!xe5 d2-+ there is
since 26 . . .ig4 is threatened." That is what no stopping the pawn.
Botvinnik wrote, and I fully agree with the
great Champion's view! I would just like to 27 i.g4 28.Wfal
.••
observe that the path to victory is still not as In the event of 28.f3 ixf3 29.gxf3 lLlxf3t
simple as all that. 3Q.'j{ g2 lLlxe l t 3 l .WI'xe l d2 32.WI'd l Wl'c6t-+
White's position is only to be pitied.
28 d2 29.l':!xe5 dl =Wf
.••
There was a quicker win with 29 . . . ig7!

30 . .ib2 d l =WI' 3 l .l':!e8t l':!xe8 32.ixf6 WI'xa l-+.
30.l':!e8t l':!xe8 3 I .Wfxf6 i.e2

The consequences of 3 1 . . .l':!el 32.lLlg3 .ie2
33.h3 ig7!-+ are similar.
32.tl'l g3 i.g7!
Accuracy to the end.
a b c d e f g h
26.l':!el??
This is the move that surely amounts to the
decisive error. For better or worse, White had
to continue:
26.h3!
Depriving the enemy bishop of the g4-
square.
26 . . . ib7
26 . . . d3 27.'1MI'e4 d2 28.ttJg3!00 doesn't look
too dangerous for White.
27.ib2 l':!e8!
27 . . .ig7 28.l':!xd4 ttJf3t 29.gxf3 l':!xd4
30.lLlg3!? is less convincing.
28 . .ixd4
After 28 .WI'c2 Black's attack is irresistible:
28 . . . ltJf3t! 29.gxf3 Wl'xf3 30.lLlg3 .ie3!
3 l .fXe3 Wl'xg3t 32 . .ig2 dxe3 33.l':!d7 .ic6! 37.a4 i.d3 38.£4 l':!bl 39.<.!?fl i.xf1 40.tl'lxfl
with an easy win. l':!xb3
28 ... if3! 29.ixe5 he2 30.hf6 .ixd l 0-1
An excellent win by the future World At that time I was very fond of posting my
Champion. Of course Black's play was by bishops on b7 and g7, and would try to do this
no means perfect, but at any rate the game at the very first opportunity.
appears splendidly modern. Black attacked
the weak spots e3 and f2 an attack in which
- 3 ..ib2 J.h7 4.e3 �f6 5.d4 g6
he wouldn't have shrunk from any necessary
sacrifices - and successfully combined this
s K . �-� ��
7 -I-�
� -,%--,�--,Y-
with the advance of his d-pawn.
Mark Taimanov - Lev Psakhis

6 ,. . ,,.!.
Moscow 1 98 1 5
4
_ _ _ j��-�
�� ,. �� - - - ;��
Right at the start of 1 98 1 , an extremely
3� �
�� " ??!%�
��fl� � �
� [j
�� r[j �r�r�
interesting event took place in Moscow. It was
2 � �-
a match-tournament between four teams: the
1 ��e;-;L·11£.f
national first and second teams, a veterans'
team and a youth team. The first team, headed
by World Champion Karpov, was incredibly a b c d e f g h
strong, and of course it was quite impossible
This move may not be so bad, but today my
for the others to contend with it. I was playing
hand would simply refuse to reach out and
for the youth team (what a long time ago
make it! I don't much like the position arising
this all was!), which had Kasparov on top
after 6.dxc5 !? bxc5 7 . .ixf6! exf6 8.c4 .ig7
board and Artur Yusupov on second. I was
9.ctJc3 f5 1 0 Jk 1 , when Black has a number
down on board three. Only a month before,
of weaknesses on the d-file. He can probably
I had gained the title of USSR Champion
manage to defend, but how he could play for
for the first time in my career; I was young,
a win I just cannot imagine. However, I well
absolutely sure of myself, and eager for battle!
remember playing 5 . . . g6 almost instantly, so
My opponent was the illustrious and very
I would obviously have had some ideas and
experienced grandmaster Mark Evgenyevich
plans prepared.
Taimanov, whose best achievements were
already behind him, but who was nonetheless
6.i.e2 i.g7 7.0-0 0-0 8.c4 e6
a danger to any opponent, even the strongest.
At this point it dawned on me what opening
I suspect he was very keen to put this young
we were playing - a Reti with colours reversed.
upstart in his place, so it isn't surprising that
I don't know whether this realization gave me
the game turned out so interestingly.
extra strength and energy, but in principle the
l.�f3 game became simpler to handle!
In those years, as I now understand him,
Mark Taimanov was steering clear of theoretical If Black is intent on levelling the chances, he
disputes. He endeavoured to reach positions can choose the rather boring - but strong -
that were little known (to his opponents) , continuation: 8 . . . cxd4 9.tt:lxd4 (or 9.exd4
where he felt he was in his element. d5 1 0J!:e 1 tt:l c6 1 l . ctJ a3 e6 1 2 . .ifl El:c8 with
equality, Yermolinsky - Gorelov, Volgodonsk
l. .. c5 2.b3 b6 1 9 8 1 ) 9 . . . d5!? 1 0.ctJc3 tt:l c6 1 l .ctJxd5 tt:\xd5
1 2.cxd5 tt:lxd4 1 3 ..txd4 .txd4 1 4.'%Vxd4 '%Vxd5 l l ..J�d8 1 2J�fdl d5!

1 5 .'%Vxd5 .txd5= and a draw was soon agreed in The position of the queen on d2 is positively
Makarichev - Kasparov, USSR Championship provoking me to go into action! At the same
1 979. The very young Kasparov, up against an time, the modest 1 2 . . . d6 would be quite
experienced Grandmaster, had no objection at sufficient for comfortable equality.
all to a draw.
1 3.cxd5 exd5 14-!l:acl?!
9.dxc5 The provocations continue! The
Black similarly has no cause for worry after configuration of the white queen and the
9.tt:lc3 '%Ve7 1 0.Ek1 l:'l:d8 1 1 .'%Vc2 tt:l c6 1 2.l:'l:fd 1 rook on c 1 would induce even the most
d6 1 3 .'%Vb 1 l:'l:ac8= Hodgson - Psakhis, Yerevan boring "technician" to consider searching for
1 986. a combination, and I certainly didn't need to
be asked twice! In White's place I would have
9 ... bxc5 considered 14.'%Vc2!?, thereby admitting that
-�- - - - - -" Y-
not all my actions had been ideal.
m ��
8 �. � s ��-
� �
----- -
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5
� "-" � � �
3 ��
4 � ��j})%��
2
�� -�r�
� � -�¥
1 /�lS� �� :� f % � � ¥�
i
b d f g h
- - ' "
a c e
The opening stage of the game is over, and

you can hardly say that White has managed to
obtain any advantage whatsoever. Black's pieces
are excellently placed, and he can choose what 14 ....ah6!
type of position he wants to play. In the first My study of the Sokolsky - Botvinnik game
place, a game involving the central advance has borne fruit! The bishop leaves the long
. . . d5 is possible, and secondly the restrained diagonal in order to prepare for a breakthrough
. . . d6 doesn't look at all bad either. in the centre with . . . d4.
10.&Llc3 '%Ve7 l l .'?Nd2?! Black could play 1 4 . . . lt k6 with the same end
I am not at all keen on this move; it seems to in view, but after 1 5 .tt:\ a4 tt:l e4 1 6.'%Ve l ! ? I
me that on d2 the queen is a good deal more didn't succeed in finding anything concrete -
vulnerable than it would be after the standard the pawn on f2 is securely defended, and the
1 1 .'%Vc2. But then I know what happened in white pieces are not at all badly placed.
the rest of the game, so I willingly concede that
my view is a little biased!
Not falling for the simple little trap: 1 6 .. .t2] d7

1 5 . . .ltJ bd7? 1 6 .tZ:lxc5 ! tZ:lxc5 1 7.ixf6 'Wxf6 The premature 1 6 . . . tZ:lxf2?! 1 7.1't>xf2 ixe3t
1 8 Jhc5± leaves Black a pawn down for no 1 8 .\'t>fl tZ:l d7 1 9 .:B:b l;!; rather favours White; at
compensation. any rate I couldn't find any direct continuation
of the attack.
1 6.'Wc2
The modest and safe 1 6 .'\We l ! ? was worth 17.b4!?
thinking about. On 1 7.:B:e l !? I intended to continue simply
with 1 7 . . . :B:ac8 !? preparing . . . tZ:l b6. On the
1 6 .'Wa5 other hand 1 7 . . . tZ:lxf2 1 8 .�xf2 ixe3t 1 9 .�fl
This optimistic move leads to wholly unclear ixc l 20.ixc l 00 brings Black no particular
complications. dividends. It seems that for now, the threat of
1 6 . . . tZ:l c6 . .. tZ:lxf2 must remain a beautiful dream - an
1 6 . . . tZ:l d7 looks natural, but meets with the excellent illustration of the maxim that the
rather unpleasant 17.'Wc7!. threat is stronger than the execution!
1 7.'Wb5 a6 1 8 .'1Wb6
Sensing danger, Taimanov starts a fight to
8 control the key square d4, and is prepared to
7 pay a small material price to attain this end.
6
a b c d e f g h
1 8 . . . :B:d6!
The rook sets up an ambush - the time for
sacrifices has not yet arrived. This cool move
is much stronger than the extremely alluring
1 8 . . . tZ:lxf2? 1 9 .�xf2 ixe3t 20.�fl c4, when a b c d e f g h
Black's hopes are unfortunately dashed by 17 ... d4!?
the relatively straightforward 2 I .ia3! 'We8 One thing I knew for certain was that
22.tLlc5±. But how easy this would be to 1 7 . . . c4? was out! After 1 8 .id4;!; White would
miss! have a pleasant and comfortable position.
1 9.:B:xc5 !
Undoubtedly preferable to 1 9 .tZ:lxc5 tZ:lxf2 Things are more complicated after the
20.'Wxb7 tZ:lxd 1 2 I .:B:xd 1 'Wxe3t 22.�fl :B:e8 greedy: 1 7 . . . cxb4! ? (but who said that greed
and Black has a strong initiative. in moderate doses was such a bad quality?)
1 9 . . . :B:e8! 20.id3 tZ:l d4t 1 8 .'Wd3 (an interesting possibility is 1 8 .'Wc7?!,
It isn't at all simple for White to parry his though after 18 ... tZ:lxf2! 1 9 .1't>xf2 ixe3t
opponent's threats successfully. 20.�fl :B:ab8! Black's threats seem to me to
be quite dangerous) 1 8 . . . lt:l df6 Black keeps 20.c6 exf2t 2 l .@f1 i.xcl
an extra pawn; however, White has definite White would face fewer problems after
compensation. 2 1 . . .i.xc6? 22.Wfxc6 i.xc l 23 .Wfxcl .
22.cxb7 Eixd l t 23.Wfxd l Eie8 24.b8=Wf
18.bxc5?! 24.i.xcl ? loses at once to 24 . . . lt:l c3 25 .Wld3
White had a very difficult choice to make: lt:lxe2 26.i.e3 lt:lf4!-+ .
should he take on c5 with the pawn or the 24.Wfxc l lt:l g3t 25 .cJ;>xf2 lt:lxe2 26.W/c4
knight? I honestly haven't the faintest idea W/xb7+ doesn't leave White with much hope
how many variations Mark Taimanov worked either.
out. Personally I would rely entirely on 24 . . . Ei:xb8 25 .Wfxc l
my intuition. Incidentally I am absolutely
convinced that calculating all (or even most) of
the variations in a fairly complex position is an
impossible task. Either there isn't enough time,
or, most often, the engine of the brain starts
"pinking" (of course I speak only for myself]) .
S o try t o put faith i n your intuition - i n the
last analysis it won't let you down!
1 8 lt:l
. xc5 lt:l dxc5
h
Clearly better than 1 8 . . . lt:lexc5 ?! 1 9.bxc5
a b c d e f g
i.e4 20.W/c4 dxe3 2 l .Wlc3 with excellent
play for White. 25 . . . W/b4!+
1 9.bxc5 dxe3 White's prospects are fairly dismal!
Black can try sacrificing a piece in a different
way, with 1 9 . . lt:lxf2
. 20.cJ;>xf2 i.xe3t 2 1 .cJ;>f1
8
7
Ei:ac8!?.
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
An interesting question is what Black should
But this doesn't work. The cool-headed do now.
22.Ei:xd4! i.xf3 23.Eixd8t Eixd8 24.i.xf3
Ei:d2 25 .W/e4 compels Black to forget about 18 ... dxe3?!
his Napoleonic designs and begin a tough At this moment I would have done well
struggle for the draw. to recall Kotov's procedure, which is popular
especially in the West - the method of looking On 24.lLlc5, a pretty little combination
for "candidate moves" . Perhaps in that case sweeps nearly all the white pieces from the
I wouldn't have settled for the game move, board:
which frankly was the only move I considered.
The stronger alternative was:

1 8 . . . tt:lxf2!
White is faced with a difficult choice:
a b c d e f g h
24 . . . Wfxc5! 25 .Wfxc5 ixd3t 26.me l ixc l t
27.<.!lf2 ixb2 28.c7 l::!: ac8 29.ib7 if5-+
24 . . . Wfh4 25 .g3
25 .h3 Wff4-+
a b c d e f g h 25 . . . Wfh3t 26.Wfg2 Wff5-+
1 9.<.!lxf2 Black has an easy win.
This is the most tenacious, though Black
remains in charge. The other variations are Why didn't I play that way? I was pleased,
not too complicated. even too pleased, with 1 8 . . . dxe3 ?!, and thought
1 9.exd4 lLlxd l (simplest, though Black there was no need to waste time and energy
can also win easily by 1 9 . . . tt:l g4!? 20-l:l:fl D looking for alternative continuations. This
lLl e3 2 l .Wfd2 lLl f5 22.Wfc2 ixc l 23.l::!: xc l mistaken decision could have had far-reaching
Wfe3t 24.<.!lhl l::!: ab8!?-+ with a material and consequences.
positional plus) 20.l::!:xd l tt:l f6-+
Black wins j ust as easily after 1 9 .c6!? tt:lg4! 19.c6 exflt 20.@fl
20.<.!lh l l::!: ac8 2 l .ib5 ixe3 22.l::!: fl tt:l de5-+ . The best defence; now at least the bishop on
1 9.l::!: fl doesn't save White either: 1 9 . . . ie4! e2 will be safely guarded.
20.Wfc4 ixf3 2 l .ixf3 lLl e5 22.Wfe2 lLlxf3t
After 20.<.!lh l Black's path to victory is not at
23.Wfxf3 tt:l d3-+ and the game will hardly
all difficult: 20 . . . l::!: ac8 !? 2 l .c7 (after 2 l .cxb7
last longer than a few more moves.
l::!:xc2 22.l::!:xc2 l::!: b 8 23.l::!: c 8t if8-+ the pawn
1 9 . . . ixe3t 20.mfl lLl e5! 2 l .c6
on b7 is much less dangerous than it looks at
2 l .ixd4 tt:l g4! 22.c6 ixd4 23.l::!: d3 ia6 is
first sight) 2 1 . . .hc l 22.cxd8 =Wft (22.Wfxc l
just as hopeless for White.
l::!: e 8-+) 22 . . . Wfxd8 23.Wfb3 Wfc7! and Black
2 1 . . .tt:lxf3 22.ixf3 ia6t 23.l::!: d 3 l::!: e 8!
wins easily.
The most precise move. The rook thwarts
all the white monarch's hopes of getting out
20 . ..L:c6!?
of the danger zone, while the queen can be
.
I was afraid to play the natural move

used for other purposes
20 . . . l::!: ac8 ? in view of 2 l .cxb7! l::!:xc2 22.l::!:xc2.
24.l::!: cd l
Here an amusing point is that the following
very interesting line leads to a draw virtually 23.� c3!?

by force: 22 .. J'!e8 (22 . . . .!\f4 23.:i::k 8 ?) 23.Ek8! Probably the most accurate move; the knight
ll'l g3t 24.�xf2 'We3t 25.�g3 i.f4t 26.�h4 had nothing to do on the edge of the board.
I am not so keen on 23.ll'lc5, which can be

countered by simple means: 23 . . . E!xd l t
24 . .!\xd l ll'lxc5 25 . .!\xf6 'Wxf6 26.'Wxc5 'Wa6t
27 . .!\e2 'Wxa2 28 . .!\c4 'Wb l t 29.�xf2 'Wb6 and
Black has good winning chances.
On the other hand, after 23.ixf6 ll'lxf6

24.E!xd8t E!xd8 25 .'Wc5 'We6, Black's advantage
isn't all that great.
a b c d e f g h
A truly fearless and irreproachable warrior!
23 .. J;xdlt
After his serious error on move 1 8, Black
26 . . . 'We7t 27.�h3 'We6t 28 .�h4= The white has encountered major problems in his fight
king looks just too vulnerable, yet amazingly for a plus. All the weak squares around the
Black has no decisive continuation of the white king are safely defended, and the two
attack! sides' chances can probably be rated as roughly
equal.
21 .'?Nxc6 hci 22.'?Nxcl
For example, 23 . . . ll'lg4 24.E!xd8t E!xd8
25.ll'lxe4 'Wxe4 26.h3! promises Black no gains.
23 . . . E!ac8 leads to a similar result: 24.ll'lxe4!

E!xc l 25.ll'lxf6t 'Wxf6 26 . .!\xf6 E!dxd l t
27 . .!\xd l E!dxd l t 28.�xf2 E!cl 29.a3 with a
level ending.
a b c d e f g h 5
22 ... � df6! 4
3
The splendid team of knight on e4 and pawn
2
on f2 is giving the white king plenty to worry
about, but mate cannot be achieved by just the
two of them - so Black brings up his reserves. 1
It was also worth considering 22 . . . E!ac8! ? with a b c d e f g h

a small advantage. 24.�xdl?
Now it is White's turn to go wrong. The And Black wins quickly. This variation is
Leningrad Grandmaster has suffered a good quite long but not too complicated; Black was
deal because of the weakness of e3, and at the only required to make one or two accurate
first opportunity he tries to take the square moves.
under control. Yet it was more important for
him to keep his old enemy - the e4-knight - in However, 24.ixd l ! would have levelled the
his sigbts! chances, for instance 24 . . . Wfb7 (24 . . . ttld6
25 .ib3 �e8+!) 25.ttlxe4 tt:lxe4 25 .ib3 �c8
Capturing with the queen doesn't solve his with approximate equality.
problems either:
24.Wfxd l tt:lg4!? 25.ttld5 24 Ji:)g4!
.•
White loses entertainingly after 25 .Wld4? Somehow, imperceptibly, Black has managed
ttl e3t! 26.Wfxe3 ttlg3t, when neither to create a number of extremely awkward
27.�xf2? ttl h l t! nor 27.hxg3 Wfxe3 28.ttld5 threats. If he succeeds in eliminating j ust one
Wfh6 29.ttlf6t \tJf8-+ leaves any room for white knight, then one of the black knights
doubt about the result of the game. might deliver a humiliating mate. White is
unable to make any use of the strength of his
8 dark-squared bishop. So what is he to do now?
7 Taimanov chooses what is undoubtedly the
6
most natural continuation, bringing his queen
5
to the defence of his poor king, who can hardly
4
feel any better than a patient in a straitjacket!
3 25.'i'f4
2 In order to get at the knight on e4 somehow
or other, White could try:
h
25 .id3
a b c d e f g
But Black has a very powerful retort available.
25 . . . Wlb4!
A very pretty move, which would be so easy
25 . . . Wd6! 26.Wfc2
26.ixe4 Wa6t! puts the white monarch out
to overlook! of his misery!
Black's gains are not so great in the event
of 25 . . . Wc5 26.Wfd4D Wfxd4 27.ixd4 �d8
28 .ic4 mf8, with only a small plus.
26.ic1 Wa5! 27.if4
After 27.ic4 �d8 28 .g3D Wfc5 29.ib3 the
easiest way to win is 29 . . . �d7!-+, depriving
White of his last chance based on a check on
f6, and setting up the unanswerable threat
of 30 . . . ttl c3.
27 . . .�d8 28.ttle7t \tlg7 29.Wfc 1 Wfc3! 30.g3
h
Wfxcl t 3 1 .ixcl �f8 ! 32.ltlc6 �c8 33.ttlfd4
a b c d e f g
ttl xh2t 34.�g2 fl =Wft 35 .ixfl ttlxfl 36.�xfl
ttlxg3t 26 . . . Wfxh2!
It's hard to refrain from such a pretty move, the variation 26.lt:\d4 '1Wh4! 27.i.xg4 lt:ld2t!
even though 26 ...1"1d8!-+ wins j ust as quickly. 28.'1Wxd2 1"\el t wasn't at all complicated; and
27.tLlxfL. tLl g3t 28.lt>el 1"1e8t 29.@d l the same goes for 26.i.e5 lt:lef6!-+ with a
After 29.i.e4 '1Wxg2 the pin along the e-file decisive pin on the e-file.
is decisive.
29 ...'1Wxg2 30.'1Wc3 lt:lxfL.t Capturing the knight with 26.'1Wxg4 was
And Black quickly wins. undoubtedly the most thematic continuation.
In reply, Black gives a couple of checks:
White might also try defending with: 26...lt:lg3t 27.@xfL. lt:lh l t! 28.@g l '1Wxe2
25.g3 '1We6!? 29.'1Wd4! (immediate resignation would be
This move, preparing 26...1"1c8 and at the better than 29.\t>xh l '!Wxd l t 30.tLl gl '1Wxg4)
same time eyeing the h3-square, is very
strong, though Black has other lines that
look no less convincing:
25 ...'\Wd6!? 26.'\Wf4 '1Wxf4 27.gxf4 1"1d8-+
6
25 ...lt:\xh2t 26.tLl xh2 tLlxg3t 27.@xfL. lt:\xe2
5
28.'1Wh6 f5 and Black's three passed pawns
should ensure victory without trouble. 4
26.\t>g2 1"1c8 27.'1Wf4 lt:lxg3! 28.i.d3 3

28.'1Wd4 f6 brings White no relief either.
28 ...fl ='IWt 29.i.xfl lt:lxfl 30.@xfl '1Wd5-+
h
By attacking both white knights at once,
a b c d e f g
Black assures himself of an easy win.
White now threatens mate on the long
s ��r·L·��- diagonal, the knight on h 1 is en prise, and
.6 �. �
. . %� B
7 1.1�
% �� ii1
.....%�
� � ·�
i B�
i
Black appears to have no threats of his own!
Was Black's entire conception incorrect, then?
� �
On reaching this point in my analysis I was
� �
5 �� {""; �
somewhat nonplussed, but then suddenly I
� �
saw the brilliant idea of 29 ...'\We l t!! 30.lt:lxe l
: ��-�0� � !a�
1"\xe l #. To be honest, this mating pattern with
a
� � -�� r�
�� P
a knight on hi and a rook (or queen) on the
first rank was something I had never come
2 � ��
... ...%-�-�-- - -
across before!
1
26 .. .'�£6!
a b c d e f g h A simple little combination on the deflection
25 ... 1"\eS! theme. White has no defence, and the rest of
This move demanded a fair amount of effort the game is mere agony.
and thinking time. On discovering it, I simply
couldn't believe my eyes for quite a while! 27. g3D
The variation 27.'1Wxg4 lt:l d2# and its
26.ttle5 mirror image 27.'1Wxe4 tLlxh2# require no
How else was White to continue? Finding commentary!
27 ... t2hh2 t 2s.i> g2 Y«xf4 29.gxf4 gds!-+ Briefly summarizing what happened in this
game, I would draw attention to the following
points:
1) In the opening, try to be focused. I can
hardly call 1 1 .WI'd2?! a serious error, but I
have no doubt that the problems that later
faced White originated from this very move.
As a matter of fact, Taimanov's games - like
mine, incidentally - were always characterized
by a certain artistic negligence, a factor which
prevented us from exploiting our potential to
the full.
2) I made an important mistake on move
b d f g h
1 8 . Being very satisfied with my position, I
a c e shirked the task of looking for continuations
other than the one I had already prepared -
1 8 . . . dxe3?!. As a result, the state of the position
The final accurate move. The threat is
30 .. J!xd 1 , and White's defensive set-up
collapses. For me, the moment that all chess immediately changed: a virtually won game
players love so dearly has arrived - the time for became an equal one.
gathering in the harvest as the reward for work 3) With 24.tt:lxd 1 ? Mark Taimanov made
well done. a mistake of a similar type. Intuitively (and
Taimanov was undoubtedly an intuitive player)
30.�xf2 he sensed the full importance of guarding the
Variations such as 30.�d3 fl =Wi't 3 l .ixfl e3-square, but he underestimated other factors
tt:lxfl-+ and 30.i>xh2 gxd 1 3 1 .Wg2 gd2 that were no less significant. In consequence,
32.id3 fl =Wi't! 33.Wxfl tt:l g3t 34.We1 :!:l:xb2 punishment was swift and merciless!
can usually be calculated in a couple of minutes
at most.
30 ... gd2! 3 1 .�xe4 gxe2t 32.�fl gxb2

33.� ed3 gxa2 34.i>xh2 aS 35.i> g3 a4
0-1
I am very fond of this game. The reasons
might seem hard to grasp, because in the
many years since then I have played games
that were more complex and interesting. And
yet, that unusual mating pattern, added to the
combinations that were attractive though not
too difficult, always made me regard this game
with a special kind of love. At the end of the
day, the heart cannot be given orders!
Chapter 3
lOP Positions:
Attacking the King with Pieces
G raz 1 9 8 1 - Soviet U n ion U 2 6 World Cha m p io n s h i p .

Vis ible a re: Dolm atov, f sakh is, Koch iev & Ka s p a rov
Diagram Preview
On this page you will find 8 8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
cases) . The solutions are found
6. 1
annotations to the games.
White to play. How to How to refute the attack?

continue the attack? (see page 93)
(see page 80)
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
A classical combination How can Black hold the What is Black's tactical resource?
(see page 74) position together? (see page 99)
(see page 8 1 )
.... 8
7
6
5
4
3
2
23 . . f6 or 23 h5 -
. . . . Black is under attack. How The simple refutation?
which is best? should he react? (see page 1 04)
(see page 76) (see page 9 1 )
Chapter 3 - IQP Positions: Attacking the King with Pieces 71
Having examined some positions with hanging that the very expressions we have been using
c- and d-pawns, the time has now come to - hanging pawns and isolated pawn - carry
look more closely at a pawn structure that is a sort of negative connotation. In Russian,
considerably more common - one that features "isolated" has the meaning of solitary and
an isolated pawn. For some reasons which (I no use to anyone. But I would rather use the
confess) are utterly incomprehensible to me, word in the sense of strong and fully capable of
an isolated pawn is more often encountered on standing up for oneself! And I believe that the
the d-file than anywhere else. Whether this has games we are going to examine can very well
to do with contemporary opening repertoires be relied on to bear this out!
or with some other possibly mystical causes,
the fact is that all other isolated pawns put I shall not supply any special diagrams just to
together are surpassed in "popularity'' by the show what an isolated pawn is. I am writing
d-pawn! this book for a fairly advanced readership, and
I have no great wish to answer questions such
In a modest way I have tried to establish a as how to define an isolated pawn, or why the
classification of strong chess players according sky is blue!
to their attitude to an isolated pawn on d4.
The first group, a fairly numerous one, In principle, there are a number of highly
comprises players who never willingly play popular forms of attack with the isolated pawn.
positions with the isolated pawn. In this book I shall examine three of them; a
The second group, again quite a large one, detailed study of all of them would most likely
consists of those who love attacking; they require several weighty tomes! In the majority
delight in exploiting the aggressive potential of isolated pawn positions, a white pawn on
with which this pawn is imbued and for which d4 is facing a black one on e6 (for convenience
they are even prepared to pay a certain price. I am assuming that White is the owner of
The third group is perhaps the least the pawn that interests us!). But I also aim to
numerous in our own day - these enterprising give at least a modest amount of attention to
people treat the isolated pawn like any normal positions where the d4-pawn faces a c6-pawn,
factor in the game; they are prepared to attack and accordingly the e-file is open. This will be
with it, to defend against it, or to play an the theme of Chapter 5 .
ending. This group includes many supporters
of the French Defence (with 3 .tt::l d2 cS) , the
Tarrasch Defence, and various other openings.
I was very interested to ascertain that in the
golden age of the Soviet chess school it was
hard to find a single distinguished player who
would have shunned the IQP. A brief list of the
adherents of this structure is truly impressive:
Botvinnik (undoubtedly the founding father
of the modern approach to the isolated pawn) ,
Keres, Petrosian, Spassky, Korchnoi, Tal, even
Karpov and many, many more.
Incidentally, it has only just occurred to me a b c d e f g h

In Chapter 4, I shall draw your attention to Leonid Stein - Andrea Petersons

attacking the opponent's pawn structure by an
advance of the h-pawn; in this way the black USSR Championship 1 964
king's position can be very seriously weakened.
l.c4 c5 2.tLlf3 tLlc6 3.tLlc3 tLl£6 4.e3 e6 5.d4 d5
With a slight transposition of moves, the
game has steered towards variations of the
Semi-Tarrasch Defence that were popular in
those years (and still are) . The opponents now
have to decide who will play with the isolated
pawn and who will fight against it.
6.a3 cxd4 7.exd4

Frankly I have no idea how this type of
position was evaluated in the mid- 1 960s, but
if I were playing Black then I would prefer to
b d f g h
steer clear of it.
a c e
Additionally, we shall examine some 7 i.e7 s.i.d3 dxc4 9.i.xc4 0-0 1 0.0-0 b6
.•.
interesting games in which White conducts l U�el

the attack by exploiting the strength of his Of course Leonid Stein is not satisfied with
pieces - and, where possible, the weakness of l l .d5 tLla5 1 2 . .ia2 exd5 1 3 .tLlxd5 tLlxd5
the black kingside. This in fact is the theme of 14 ..ixd5 .ib7, giving lifeless equality.
the present chapter.
l l ...i.b7 12.i.a2
More precise than 1 2.Wfd3 tLla5 1 3 . .ia2
.ixf3, when Black has no trace of any problems.
6
5
a b c d e f g h 2
a b c d e f g h
12 J::i: c8
.•
Stein didn't like this move. As a panacea for

all troubles, he recommended:
Chapter 3 - I QP Positions: Attacking the King with Pieces 73
8
1 2 . . . Wfd6 1 3 .ie3
7
After 1 3.d5 tLlxd5 1 4.tLlxd5 exd5 1 5 .Wfxd5
6
Wfxd5 1 6.ixd5 if6oo the chances are roughly
5
equal.
1 3 . . Jl:ac8 1 4.Wfe2 tLl a5
The prophylactic 1 4 . . . E:fe8 isn't at all bad 4
either. 3
�·='-.... -../'" ' "
2
On the other hand, after the sharp 14 . . . tLl g4?!
White is promised a large plus either by1 5 . �.��?.'=��...... ..
h
d5! exd5 1 6.tLlxd5 tLlxe3 1 7.Wfxe3t or
by 1 5 .l:l:ad l ! tLlxe3 1 6.Wfxe3 Wfb8 1 7.d5 a b c d e f g
ic5 ?! 1 8 .Wfd3! exd5 1 9.tLlxd5+- Langeweg 1 5 .tLlxf7

-Sosonko, Wijk aan Zee 1 975. 1 5 .tLlxe6 fxe6 1 6.ixe6t h8 1 7.b4 tLl c6
1 5 .tLl e5 tLl c6! 1 8 .d5 comes up against the cool-headed
Better than 1 5 ... tLld5? 1 6.tLlb5! and Black 1 8 . . . id6!, after which the black knight
drops a pawn. has the important squares e5 and e7 at its
1 6.tLlb5 Wfb8 1 7.if4 tLlxe5 1 8 .ixe5 Wfa8 disposal.
Black has succeeded, though not without 1 5 . . . E:xf7 1 6.ixe6 E:c6! 1 7.ixf7t
some effort, in obtaining approximately equal Nothing is altered by 1 7.ia2 E:d6, taking
chances. control of the d5-square.
1 7 . . . xf7 1 8 .d5 tLl b3!?
13.WI'd3 With chances for both sides.
A standard arrangement of the pieces:
the queen goes to d3, the bishop to g5 , and 14.ig5
a rook to d 1 . And after that, something is A simple, natural and strong move.
likely to happen - the white pieces will be so Instead 1 4.b4?! meets with the awkward
actively deployed, while Black's possibilities for rejoinder 1 4 . . . tLlxd4! 1 5 .tLlxd4 l:l:d7 1 6. tLl ce2
counterplay are severely limited. e5 and Black has everything in order.
A weaker continuation is 1 3.ie3 tLla5 A more interesting try is: 1 4.if4!? l:l:d7
1 4.tLle5, when Black can choose between the 1 5 .E:ad l id6 1 6.ig5 ! h6 1 7.ih4!? (the less
normal l 4 . . . tLl d5oo and the somewhat startling risky 1 7.ixf6 Wfxf6 1 8 .ib l g6 1 9.Wfe3 also
1 4 . . . ixa3! with excellent play. gives White a slight initiative) 17 . . . g5 This
move is of course obligatory. 1 8 .ig3 ixg3
13 ... l:l:c7 1 9 .hxg3 g4 20.tLle5 E:xd4 2 I .Wfe3 and White
Petersons is making all the "normal" moves, has splendid compensation for the pawn.
but his strategy is j ust too passive.
It was worth considering the sharp: 14 ... l:l:d7
1 3 . . . tLla5!? 14.tLlg5 h6 I would undoubtedly have preferred
If Black wants to avoid the complications, 1 4 . . . h6!? to make the white bishop commit
he can play 14 . . . h8!?, removing his king itsel£ After 1 5 .if4 (or 1 5 .ih4 tLlh5) 1 5 . . . l:l:d7,
from the sphere of influence of the powerful Black has a solid and safe position.
bishop on a2. Then 1 5 .if4 id6 doesn't
promise White any advantage. 1 5.l:l:adl
8 -� � J � -- 1 6.d5!
7 �r��--
. . %w ;� ,�wr . . . %_
This is clearly strongest.
% -,�. However, White also obtains excellent play
6
5 - "� �
� ,- - � with the sharp 1 6.:B:xe6 fxe6 1 7.1xe6t :B:f7
�.�0 �� '--'"�
1 8.1xf7t <.t>xf7 1 9.'�f5 g6 20.'\fMh3 .
4
And 1 6.1b l g6 1 7 .1a2! is quite good for
� %'"/2"" %� ��
3 �� mv•tZJ•
-�
White too.
1 6 . . . :B:fd8
. . .. . ;- �� r�
What else can you suggest for Black?
2 ��
... %� ! gl""%=....
Not 1 6 . . . exd5, which loses immediately to
1 � 1 7.1b l g6 1 8 .:B:xe7 lt:lxe7 1 9.1xf6.
b d f g h
Nor is 16 ... lt:lxd5 much better. After
a c e 1 7.1xd5 exd5 1 8.lt:lxd5 White's advantage
To my astonishment, this position has is of decisive proportions, and 1 8 . . . 1c5
occurred several times in tournament practice. 1 9 .'�5 :B:xd5 20.:B:xd5 lt:l e7 2 1 .1xe7 doesn't
As Black, I would have gone to considerable help Black at all.
lengths to avoid it! Black's main problem is 1 7.hf6 1xf6 1 8.\Wc2 exd5 1 9 .lLlxd5
that he lacks any reasonable plan. White can White has a won position.
gradually strengthen his position, while Black's
task is less appealing: he must watch carefully It's rather surprising how many problems
while his opponent develops his initiative, and Petersons is faced with, when he hardly seems
can only hope that an opportunity crops up. to have made a single mistake! In fact, for the
..
15 �c8
The standard 1 5 . . . lLld5 fails to equalize:
moment, Black's affairs are not in so very bad
shape; it's just that his game is incomparably
more difficult to play than his opponent's.
1 6.1xd5 exd5 (or 1 6 . . . 1xg5 1 7.1e4t and
at any moment White may carry out the
8
7
central break d4-d5 !) 1 7.1xe7 :B:xe7 1 8 .1xe7
lLlxe7 1 9.:B:e l and White's advantage, though
perhaps not very big, is absolutely secure. The 6
5
difference in strength berween the c3-knight
4
and the b7-bishop is plain to see!
Black is in a very bad way after:
1 5 . . .'�a8 ?
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
1 6.1bl
Leonid Stein - incidentally one of those
players for whom I have a special, reverential
feeling - was a brilliant attacker, but he
possessed one major fault: he was lazy about
a b c d e f g h
the calculation of variations, relying basically

on his remarkable intuition.
At this point Stein had available the sharp:

1 6.d5!?
a b c d e f g h
17 .ia2! :!'l:e8 18.Wfe3!
•
An excellent move in this position, and one

a b c d e f g h in Leonid Stein's style. White appears to be
threatening to take on e6, and gives a hint that
1 6 . . . exd5
a central breakthrough with d4-d5 is also part
1 6 . . Jl:fd8? practically loses to 1 7.i.xf6 i.xf6
of his plan. He makes his opponent defend not
1 8. lLl e4!, and if 1 8 . . . i.xb2? then 1 9.lLleg5 g6
only against real threats, but against spurious
20.'Wb3+-.
ones too - and as is well known, a fight with
A more acceptable alternative is 1 6 . . . lLlxd5 ! ?
phantoms demands special efforts!
1 7.lLlxd5 exd5 1 8 .i.xd5 lLlb8 1 9.'Wf5 i.xd5
20Jl:xd5 �xd5 2 l .'Wxd5 i.xg5 22.lLlxg5 and 18 E!:dd8 19.h3!
•.•
White has only a small advantage. Stein recommended 1 9.'Wf4!?, and indeed
1 7.i.xf6 1 9 . . . lLlh5 20.'Wg4 looks quite tempting for
It would also be worth considering: White. But the move played is certainly no
1 7.lLlxd5 lLlxd5 1 8.i.xd5 lLlb8 1 9.i.xb7 worse and fully meets the requirements of
�xd3 ( 1 9 . . . 'Wxb7? is decisively refuted by White's chosen strategy in this game.
20.'Wxd7! lLlxd7 2 l .:!'l:xe7 �d8 22.lLle5+-;
Black has quite a few traps to avoid before
achieving a reasonable game!) 20.i.xc8 �xd l
2 l .�xd l i.xg5 22.lLlxg5 �xc8 23.g3±
17 . . . i.xf6 1 8 .lLlxd5 \t>h8 1 9.'We4
White has troublesome pressure.
As it happens, I think that in this specific case

Stein was right. The move he plays retains all
his threats and leaves Black with all his rights
to err - and it is difficult to avoid exercising
these rights in such an unpleasant position.
b d f g h
16 g6
a c e
•..
Black can play 1 6 . . .i.a6, but it does nothing

to help him: 1 7.'Wc2 g6 1 8 .i.a2-+ 19 c!Ll d5
••.
Petersons is unable (or unwilling) to

continue simply awaiting his fate. By slightly
altering the pawn structure Black will at least
be spared worrying about the d4-d5 break,
and White's supposedly weak isolated pawn
was not under the slightest pressure anyway!
However, the type of position that now arises
is highly unpleasant for Black and promises
him nothing but difficulties.
20.i.xd5! exd5
a b c d e f g h
23.VNh4
Stein recommended a possible improvement
here:
23.'!Wf6!?
And it's hard for me to disagree with him!
Black faces a difficult choice.
23 . . . tD a5
Gufeld and Lazarev suggested 23 . . . �c8?, but
24.tDxf7! does the trick at once!
Black also faces a hard struggle for the draw
in the event of 23 . . . h6 24.tDf3 l'!e6 25.l'!xe6
'!Wxe6 26.'!Wxe6 fxe6 27.l'!e l .
The knight on c3 is clearly stronger than 24.tDb5!? h6 25.tDf3
the opponent's passive light-squared bishop,
and Black has a number of weaknesses on the
kingside. Still, White will have to do a fair
amount of work to win the game.
2I .VNf4
White also has an excellent game after
2 1 .�xe7! tDxe7 (2 1 . . .l'!xe7 22.'!Wg5t) 22.'!Wf4
0, [5 23.l'!c l . Here too, Black has passive defence
ahead of him and can only dream of activity.
a b c d e f g h
2 I . i.xg5 22.cllhg5
••
An important moment in the game. 22.'!Wxg5 ! 25 . . . tD c4!?

was stronger, attacking the opponent's central A curious point is that 25 . . . '!Wxb5 loses at
pawn with the queen, and keeping the knight once to 26.tDe5!, when both 26 . . . l'!f8 and
splendidly placed on f3 . 26 . . . l'!d7 are answered by 27.tDxg6!
26.tDxa7 �a8 27.b3! '!Wxa7 28.bxc4 dxc4
22 VNd7
..• 29.tDe5 c3 30.l'!e3!
White has numerous threats. Of course, 26 !:1c8

•..
working out such variations is far from easy. Black's torments continue. Neither 26 . . . ia6
27.Wg3 nor 26 . . . Wd6 27.Wd2 can entirely
23 h5?!
•••
solve his problems - either way his bishop is
This time I must take issue with Leonid taking no active part in the game.
Stein's commentary. He wrote: "Not
23 .. .f6! [my exclamation mark] 24.!:1xe8t !:1xe8
25.�xd5 ! ? fxg5 ? 26.� f6t mh8 27.Wg3 We7
28.�xe8 Wxe8 29.d5, with a won position." I
have no reason to dispute that final assessment,
but Black could have played more strongly
with: 25 . . . Wxd5 ! 26.Wxh7t \tlf8 27.Wh8t
\tle7 28.!:1el t � e5 ! A picturesque position!
a b c d e f g h
27.CLlb5
Taking a closer look at the d6-square.
It would also be interesting to try the aggressive

a b c d e f g h 27.�h4!, placing Black in a difficult dilemma:
29.Wg7t �d8 30.Wxf6t �d7 3 1 .!:1e4! The
only move! 3 1 . . . � f7! (better than 3 1 . . .�c4 On the one hand, he might choose the
32.Wg7tt) 32.Wxg6 !:1xe4 33.�xe4 Wxe4 purely tactical 27 . . . �xd4!? with the possible
34.Wxf7t �d6oo and White's advantage has continuation 28.!:1xe8 Wxe8 29.Wxd4 !:1c4
yet to be demonstrated! 30.Wd l !:1xh4 3 1 .�xd5 ixd5 32.Wxd5t. It
wouldn't surprise me if Black ought to be able
24.Wf4;!; to draw this position, but only after strenuous
White keeps applying the same tactics: work - and would he have had enough time
attack, provoke a weakness, go back where and energy left for it?
you came from. He could most likely have
played more aggressively at some point, but his On the other hand, the natural 27 . . . g5
method proved effective enough all the same: is possible, but it doesn't much alter the
under constant, gruelling pressure, Petersons assessment of the position: 28 .Wd6! Wxd6
obviously slipped into time trouble and began 29.�f5t �g6 30.�xd6 !:1xe l t 3 1 .!:1xe l
committing errors. !:1b8 32.�xd5 �xd4 33.�e7t �g7 34.h4!?
and with his superb endgame technique,
24 @g7 25.CtJ f3 f6 26J�kl
•••
Leonid Stein would undoubtedly have set his
By way of a possible alternative, we could opponent plenty of problems.
suggest 26.!:1xe8!? !:1xe8 27.Wg3 ic8 (or
27. J'iJ e7 28.�h4t) 28.!:1c l . 27.. J�xelt
Black has to be constantly alert. 27 .. J�ed8 have just examined. I'm not sure whether Max
28 .'1Wg3 a6? is refuted at once by 29.ttJh4!+-. liked it or not, but literally a couple of weeks
later, playing a strong Armenian opponent, he
28.�xe1 tD d8? showed that this study of classic chess material
Only 28 ... ia6 29.ttJc3± would preserve had been time very usefully spent!
chances of decent resistance.
Maxim Rodshtein - Tigran Kotanjian
29.tDd6 tD e6 30.'1Wg3 1::1 c6
Moscow 2008
I .d4 d5 2.tD f3 tDf6 3.c4 dxc4 4.e3 e6 5 .ixc4

•
c5 6.0-0 a6 7.ib3 tDc6 8.tD c3 cxd4 9.exd4
8 A m.tB•m /nu�% ,,�--�� ,Y-

7 � �·� � � �C/f- - - ��
6
- % • /�
• alj)a /- - -t- � �
� � � �
: . . � �
a b c d e f g h rrm�,��:%%��0��
3 � ®if
31.tDh4!+- 2 y�j[!J�//� -� Wffl�y{:j: �
0bviously the end of the game won't keep us
1 �� VB :a: �
b d f g h
waiting long now.
a c e
3 I ...tDf8 9 ....ie7 10 ..ig5

The outcome is not altered by 3 l . . .ttJg5 These days, White quite often plays l O.Ei:el
32.tt'lxb7 '1Wxb7 33.f4+- and the white queen 0-0 l l .if4 tt'l a5 1 2.ic2 b5 1 3.d5 exd5
gets to the g6-pawn. 14.'1Wd3 ttJ c6 1 5 .ic7 '1Wd7 1 6.tt'le5 tt'lxe5
1 7.ixe5 with excellent compensation for the
32.�e7t! pawn, as in Ponomariov - Galkin, Moscow
1-0 200 5 .
For several years I gave Maxim Rodshtein 1 0. . .0-0 1 1 .�e1 b 5 12.�d3

some fairly intensive coaching. We weren't just On 1 2.a3 ib7 1 3 .'1Wd3 b4, the queenside
concerned with opening theory, which is so pawns come into contact, which helps Black
popular among young talents; we also studied to create counterplay.
standard positions and devoted a good deal of
time to the endgame. On one occasion, before 12 tD b4 1 3.�d2
•••
a regular strong tournament in Moscow (but White can withdraw his queen to a different
are there any weak ones there?) , I showed Max square, but it doesn't alter the assessment of
about fifteen games with an isolated d-pawn, the position as roughly equal. 1 3 .'1We2 ib7
including the one by Leonid Stein that we 1 4 .Ei:ad 1 transposes into the game Illescas
Cordoba - Anand, Leon (4) 1 997, which punished by 1 7.:gxd2 lLld5 1 8 .he7 lLlxe7
continued 1 4 . . . lLl bd5 1 5 .lLle5 lLlxc3 1 6.bxc3 1 9.:gd7 +-) 1 7.lLle4!?;!;
lLldS 1 7.i.xe7 Wfxe7=. 1 6.i.xf6 i.xf6 1 7.lLle4 i.xe5 1 8 .dxe5 Wfxd2
1 9.:gxd2 lLla5=
13 ...i.b7 14.�e5
15.'Wd3 gcs 16,gacl 'Wd6
It is quite conceivable that this is objectively
not a bad move, but was it worth Black's while
to take such big risks?
It was surely more sensible to opt for the

cool and calm: 1 6 . . . lLlxc3!? 17.bxc3 lLl d7!?
(17 ... lLld5 1 8 .i.d2 i.g5 = isn't at all bad for
Black either) 1 8 .i.f4 (in the event of 1 8 .i.xe7
Wfxe7 1 9 .lLlxf7 :gxf7 20.i.xe6 �h800 I would
prefer to be playing the black side) 1 8 . . . lLlxe5
1 9 .i.xe5 i.d5 with approximately equal
b d f g h
chances in a quiet position.
a c e
14 ... � bd5 17.'Wh3

Usually such moves are played without much Unobtrusively, the white pieces are sneaking
thought, but I am immediately reminded up closer to the black monarch. Possibly White
of a well-known utterance by Bent Larsen: wants to sacrifice his knight on f7 (it's only a
Why blockade the isolated pawn when you possibility!). He doesn't seem to have any direct
have a chance of capturing it? It was worth threats, but Black must somehow be starting
considering the knight retreat: to feel uncomfortable. In such situations we
1 4 . . . lLl c6!? often begin to fight against shadows, and only
After this move, I haven't managed to find harm our chances of a successful defence.
any realistic chances for White to gain a plus.
1 5 .:gad l
1 5 .Wi'e3! ? is interesting, and now:
a) The capture of the d-pawn is more than
convenient for White: 1 5 . . . lLlxd4 1 6.:gad l
i.c5 1 7.Wff4t
b) But after 1 5 . . . lLld5, what is White to do?
1 6.i.xe7 lLl cxe7 1 7.Wfd2 lLlxc3 1 8 .bxc3 i.dS
leads to equality.
1 5 . . . b4!?
White's chances are preferable after 1 5 . . . lLl b4
1 6.i.xf6 i.xf6 1 7 .lLlxf7! :gxf7 1 8 .i.xe6 lLl d5
b d f g h
1 9 .lLle4;!;.
a c e
Black also fails to equalize with: 1 5 . . . lLlxe5
1 6.dxe5 lLld5 (the attempt to reach an 17.. ,gfe8
ending with 16 . . . Wfxd2? is immediately Kotanjian is uneasy about the potential
weakness of the e6-square (the square, not the 20.l:!e4!

pawn) , and as a preventive measure he gives it And he does so at once!
extra protection. This is more convincing than: 20.�c2 f5
2 I .Q\e4! A different white piece lands on
An interesting question is whether Black could the magic square, regardless of material
play 17 . . . h6 here, forcing his opponent's dark losses. 2 l . . .fxe4 22.�xe4 Q\ df6! (22 . . . Q\hf6?
squared bishop to reveal its intentions. Should 23.l:!xc8 �xc8 24.'\Wg5t i>h8 25.Q\g6t �g7
White take the h-pawn or "chicken out" ? 26.Q\f4t! i>h8 27.'1Wh6t �g8 28 .'1Wg6t
Working out the variations in full is anything \t>h8 29.Q\h5 !+- and Black is swiftly mated)
but simple, and the sovereign intuition must 23 .'1Wg6t �h8 24.�xb7 l:!xc l 2 5 Jhc 1
be called on for assistance! I will just give you '!Wxd4 26.Q\f7t l:!xf7 27.'\Wx£7 �c5 28.l:!fl
one piece of practical advice: if you didn't risk It seems that White has achieved a small
sacrificing the bishop, you would be regretting advantage - but I think he was dreaming of
it all through the game if not longer, and this more!
would be bound to affect the quality of your 20 . . . �g5
play. So if in doubt whether to sacrifice or On 20 . . . f5 , the rook takes advantage of the
not, there can only be one right answer: Yes! slight change to the position and finds some
Let us now try to back up this opinion with other squares on which to break through:
some concrete analysis. After 1 8.�xh6! gxh6 2 1 .l:!e3! �g5 22.l:!g3 l:!f6 23Jhg5t Q\xg5
1 9.'1Wxh6, Black can choose between the 24.'1Wxg5 t i>h7 25.l:!e l +- and the white
following continuations: pieces will quickly get to the enemy king
2 1 .l:!g4 f6 22.h4 fxe5 23.hxg5 '!We7 24.l:!e l !+
8 White's attack is assured of a successful
7 conclusion.
6
c) 1 9 . . . b4
5
4
The squares on the e-file are all under
control, and White's knight is en prise. Can
3 his idea really be refuted so simply?
2
8
7
a b c d e f g h
6
a) 1 9 . . Jk7 20J::k d l ! An excellent move
5
that ends the game in short order. 20 . . . Q\h7
4
2 1 .l:!d3 and White could deliver mate with his
eyes shut! 3
2
b) 1 9 . . . Q\ h7
h
This move looks entirely logical; the
a b c d e f g
audacious knight is ready to shield the king
with his own body! There is only one snag: 20.l:!cd l !!
White can now use the e4-square for his own A single strong move, and at once it becomes
ends. clear that White's attack is irresistible.
8
20 . . . lt:\f4
The alternatives 20 . . . lt:\h7 2 l .ttJe4 Wl'd8
7
22.l'!d3+- and 20 . . . lt:\xc3 2 l .l'!d3!+- have
6
similar outcomes.
2 l .Wl'g5t 'it>h8 22.Wl'xf4 bxc3 23.l'!d3!+ 5
Mate will arrive shortly. 4
3
18.�c2
2
8 a b c d e f g h
7 23 . . . Aa3!!
6 This beautiful move is precisely what the
5 participants in this interesting game had
missed.
4 Instead 23 . . . l'!ed8? loses at once to 24.Axe6.
3 With 23 . . . ia3 Black not only attacks the
2
rook, but also frees the e7-square for his king
to escape from the numerous dangers.
1 24.Axe8
b d f g h
Neither 24.l'!c2 l'!e7 nor 24.Wl'g6 Wl'xg2t!
a c e 25 .Wl'xg2 ixg2 26.Axe8 Axel 27.l'!xcl id5
18 ... g6?! would set Black serious problems.
A critical moment in the game! This last move 24 . . . Axc l 25.l'!xcl ttJxe8 26.Wl'f4t 'it>e7 27.f3
is played almost automatically in such cases, ttJf6 28.ttJg6t \:t>£7 29.ttJe5t
but can hardly be recommended here. Black Or 29.Wl'xh6 l'!g8oo.
is in quite a dangerous position (there are too 29 . . . \:t>e?
many white pieces casting predatory glances For the moment at least, White has a draw
towards his king) , so increased circumspection for the asking - but I don't quite see how he
is required. is to play for the win. Of course a move like
23 . . . ia3! is easy to overlook!
1 8 . . . h6!?
This looks very dangerous and immediately And finally, however strange it may seem,
provokes White into sacrificing a piece: 1 8 . . . h5!? 1 9.ttJe4 Wl'b4 leads to interesting and
1 9.ixh6 gxh6 20.Wl'g3t! unclear play.
Of course not 20.Wl'xh6? if8 .
20 . . . \:t>fBD 2 l .ig6! 19.�b3!
For a strong grandmaster, finding this kind It evidently was not for nothing that we
of move isn't such a difficult task. carefully studied that game by Stein! In the
2 l . . .ttJxc3 words of Friedrich Schiller: "The Moor has
Avoiding the fairly simple 2 I . . .b4? 22.Axf7 done his work, the Moor can go." Maxim
bxc3 23.Wl'g6+-. has provoked a weakening of his opponent's
22.bxc3 Wl'd5 23 .Axf7 kingside, whereupon his bishop goes back
again and awaits further events with interest!
1 9 .tLlxd5 ?! To rid himself of the mounting pressure,

This hasty exchange is significantly weaker. Black will almost certainly have to part with
1 9 . . . '\Mrxd5!? another pawn and conduct a long and difficult
Similarly White's gains are not too great defence - with little chance of success.
after 1 9 . . . �xd5 ! ? 20.'\Mrh4, provided Black
plays 20 . . . Wg7!;!; and doesn't fall into the The most stubborn defence seems to me to
trap 20 . . . tLlh5 2 l .�xg6! hxg6 22.Ei:xc8 Ei:xc8 be: 19 . . . tLlh5!? 20.�xd5 !? (or 20.he7 '1Mrxe7
23 .�xe7±. 2 l .�xd5 tLl f4! 22.'1Mrf3 tLlxd5 23.tLle4 24.Ei:xc l
20.�b3 Ei:xc l 2 l .Ei:xc l '1Mrd6!= Ei:d8 2 5 . tLl c5;!; with a minimal - I would even
Black wouldn't lose with 2 1 . . .'\Mrxd4 either, say nominal - plus) 20 . . . exd5 2 l .�xe7 Ei:xe7
but after 22.tLlxf7! �d5 23.Ei:d l '1Mrb6 24.tLle5 22.tLld3 tLl f4! 23 .'1Mrg3 Ei:xc3! 24.bxc3 tLle2t
the initiative is with White. 25.Ei:xe2 '1Mrxg3 26.hxg3 Ei:xe2 27.Ei:e l;!; and the
endgame is somewhat drawish.
19 b4...
Kotanjian attempts to shake off his Summing this game up, we may say that in
opponent's pressure with the aid of exchanges. spite of his risky play, Black maintained
The desire is perfectly understandable, but it practically equal chances almost until the end.
comes up against a merciless tactical refutation. Don't forget, though, that playing the White
side was easier and pleasanter, while Black had
Black also has a difficult game after: to balance on the edge of a precipice. For a
1 9 . . . tLlxc3 long time Kotanjian managed to do so, but it
only took one small error to bring down severe
8 and immediate punishment!
7
6 8
5 7
4
3
6
2
5
4
a b c d e f g h 3
20.tLlxf7! 2
1
A thematic sacrifice, but the "simple"
20.bxc3 looks almost as strong: 20 . . . �d5
2 l .�xd5 exd5 22.'1Mrf3 �d8 23.Ei:e3 and a b c d e f g h
White has a powerful initiative. 20.tthf7 !
20 . . . 'it>xf7 A brilliant decision; the knight has finally
More tenacious than 20 . . . tLl e2t? 2 l .Ei:xe2 penetrated to the f7 -pawn, but at the moment
Ei:xc l t 22.�xc l '1Mrxd4 23.tLlg5 �d5 it isn't entirely obvious how White intends to
24.tLlxe6+- and Black is crushed. follow up. In the diagram position his main
2 1 .'1Mrxe6t '1Mrxe6 22.�xe6t c;iJ g7 23 .�xc8 �xc8 problem was that a number of interesting
24.Ei:xc3 c;iJ £7 25 .Ei:c7 �e6 26.Ei:c6 lines were available - and choosing between
the good and the best is anything but a simple 26.\Wh4!

matter! 26 . .ic2? is nowhere near as convmcmg;
after 26 . . . lLl e7! 27.E!:xe6t Wxe6 28.lLlxe6
20 . .ixf6? lLlxf6! (not 20 . . . .ixf6 2 1 .lLle4i') .ixe6 White has yet to prove that he has any
2 1 .lLlxf7 looks tempting, but encounters an advantage!
interesting refutation: 2 1 . . . �xf7 22.E!:xe6 26 . . . E!:h8
�g7!! 23.Ei:xd6 .ixd6 and Black has seized the 26 . . .1Mfc6 is no better - though to be fair, it
initiative. is no worse either! After the quiet 27.g3! it
isn't at all clear how Black is to defend. For
There is more danger to Black in: 20.lLlxd5! instance, in the event of 27 . . . �e7 28.lLlxe6t
.ixd5 (the game won't last too long after c;t>d? 29.lLlc5t Wxc5 30.dxc5 E!:xe l t
20 . . . lLlxd5 ? 2 1 .lLlxf7!; nor does Black equalize 3 l .�g2+- the resulting position doesn't
with 20 . . . exd5 2 I ..ia4 E!:ed8 22.E!:c5±) 2 l ..ia4 leave him with many hopes of salvation.
E!:xc l 22.Ei:xc l E!:a8 23.1Mfh4 Wd8 24.\Wf4 E!:c8 27.\Wg4 E!:h5 28 .E!:e5+-
25 .E!:xc8 Wxc8 26.h4!± Playing the black side lt is simply painful to look at the poor black
of this kind of position is extremely unpleasant! king!
20 ... i>xf7 21.lLle4! �b6 22.i.x£6!

Black's choices are very limited. The pawn
on e6 has to be defended, so he must play
either the move in the game or else:
2 1 . . .\Wd? 22 . .ixf6!
White must on no account slacken the pace
of the attack - there are just too many enemy
pieces participating directly in the defence of
their king.
22 . . . .ixf6 23 .\Wxh?t .ig7 24.E!:xc8 .ixc8D
24 . . . E!:xc8? loses entertainingly to 25.lLlg5 t
cj;>f6 2 6 . .ia4! We? 27.1Mfh4 E!:c4 28.lLlxe6t!?
cj;>f7 29.lLlg5t c;t>f8, and White's king hastens
b d f g h
to the aid of his pieces: 30.c;t>fl !+-
25.lLlg5 t cj;>f6 a c e
22 .. .ixf6?
8
.
Probably the decisive mistake! I suspect

7 Kotanjian was in severe time trouble and
6 missed his last chance! For better or worse he
5
had to play:
4 22 . . . lLlxf6D 23.lLlg5t
23 . .ixe6t? �g7 24.lLlxf6 .ixf6 hands the
3
initiative over to Black.
2 23 . . . c;t>g7 24.lLlxe6t c;t>hs 25 .1Mfh6 lLlh5D
Absolutely the only move.
a b c d e f g h Not 25 . . . E!:g8 26.lLlg5! E!:gf8 27.E!:xc8 E!:xc8
28.lLlf7t �g8 29.lLld6t .id5 30.E!:xe7+-.
26.g4 :!::1 xc l 27.:!::1xc l With 23 . . . :!::1xc8 Black loses in the most

banal fashion: 24.Wfxh7t Wf8 25 .ixd5 exd5
26.llJxf6 Wfxf6 27.Wfxb7 +- and the game ends.
24.hd5 exd5?
Short of time, the Armenian player has lost
his will to resist! A considerably more tenacious
(or obstinate!) line was 24 . . . h5!, when White
would at least be required to find an amusing
trick:
h
8
f g
7
27 . . JWb5!
6
Again Black has no choice - he has to control
5
g5 , and would lose at once with 27 . . . Wfd6
28.gxh5 :!::1 g8 29.llJg5. 4
28.gxh5 3
It might be worthwhile choosing 28 .ic4 2
Wfc6 29.d5 Wfd6 30.gxh5 E1g8, but even
h
then, not everything is clear.
a b c d e f g
28 . . . :!::1 g 8! 29.llJc7 ig5 !
There - the g5-square comes in useful! 25 .ic6! :!::1 f8 (Black loses after both 25 . . . Wxc6
30.llJxb5 ixh6 3 1 .:!::1 c7 E1g7 32.:!::1xg7 26.Wi'f3+- and 25 . . . :!::1 d 8 26.llJxf6 <i;>xf6
An interesting try is 32.if7!? gxh5 t 33.Wfl 27.d5!+-) 26.llJxf6 <i;>xf6 27.Wff3t <i;>g7
ig2t 34.<i;>e2 :!::1 xf7 3 5 .:!::1 xf7 axb5 36.f3 28.Wfe4±. At least White isn't winning by
b3!? 37.axb3 h4±, and the d5-pawn is very force, which is some good news for Black! Of
dangerous - but Black too has his trumps. course the extra pawn, the activity of the white
32 . . . <i;>xg7 33.llJd6 pieces and the weakness of the black monarch
White has kept a material plus, but Black's should guarantee White the win, but at any
two mighty bishops leave him with fully rate it would take some time! But now the
realistic drawing chances. game is over in literally a few more moves.
It's amazing how difficult it can be to win a 25.� g5t hg5

game; you attack, you sacrifice, you trick your The variation 25 . . . Wf8 26.Wfh6t i.g7
opponent, who actually goes wrong more than 27.:!::1xe8t <i;>xe8 28.Wfxg7+- will hardly find
once - and still you don't succeed in winning! many supporters!
What the explanation is, I honestly don't
know. Perhaps the stars are simply not on your 26.'?Nxh7t <j;>f6
side on that particular day, as Vasily Smyslov Or 26 . . . Wf8 27.Wfh8t.
was fond of saying - and I have no wish to
argue with that great Champion. 27.:!:l:xe8
1-0
23.:!::1xc8 hc8 A splendid victory for the young Israeli
Grandmaster, who not only displayed a good At first sight Black is not threatened with any
understanding of the methods of play with immediate danger. His king is safely defended
an isolated pawn, but also showed that his and it looks as if he can be confident about the
energy supplies are fully in order! Rodshtein future. But White has no reason to hurry! The
succeeded in exerting strong pressure on his kingside weaknesses will not go away, and in
opponent's position; with literally every move addition Black has to keep a careful watch for
he either improved his own position or created a break in the centre with d4-d5 .
concrete tactical threats. After Black missed his
chances to defend, White was accurate all the 15.gfel gcs
way to the end!
s u. � _;� �-·�
� �s �
7 - � -- - �iF'� �
� �
Thomas Luther - Florin Gheorghiu
Jc�� l �A
Lenk 1 9 9 9 6
- - -%� �� - - - �
t�� - · - · � "'"
5 �� -% ��
B if� B
l .e4 c5 2.t2Jf3 e6 3.c3 d5 4.exd5 1Wxd5 5.d4
4
3 �� m�-�-�
t2Jf6 6.�d3 cxd4 7.cxd4
�
2 _ jni�� nr�
f
, . "�'· "�
a b c d e f g h
1 6.�b3
There's nothing new under the sun! This
manoeuvre is also frequently seen; the bishop's
transfer to the a2-g8 diagonal gives a boost to
White's initiative. Now Black has to be on the
lookout on literally every move for a possible
sacrifice on e6, quite apart from the d4-d5
break, which could bring about a quick end
to the game.
16 ... t2J a5 17.�a2 t2J d5

7 ... t2J c6 8.0-0 �e7 9.t2Jc3 1/Nds 10.a3 0-0 Black can hardly be happy with 1 7 . . i.d5.
l l .�c2 1 8.ttJxd5 ttJxd5 1 9.ttJe5, when White has a

Undoubtedly the most popular and natural pleasant game.
plan. The mechanism that White sets up with
bishop on c2 and queen on d3 practically 1 8.t2Je5
forces his opponent into a weakening of the White posts his knight in the centre of the
kingside, thereby furthering White's initiative. board, and what objection could there be to
this move?
l l ...b6 12.1Wd3 g6 13.i.h6 ges 14.gadl
�b7 However, 1 8.ttJe4 doesn't look at all bad either;
White has no desire to allow exchanges. There 19 l"lxf8

•.•
could follow:
8
� :i� ��·-
7 � J.-m
��- m��• mi -�•
" - - - - %�P0
: �� -�t�- - ; -��
4 »-----:�m w� m �
:% -- - �
3 w�
2 �--�w�
%mwm m
m �� o ��
- - /:%_J:'----- ;� �:%'0 �r:!M
----%
1 u -n � = �
a b c d e f g h
20 .:!Ll e4
•
It was only at this point that a novelty

was introduced - such is modern chess! The
b) 1 8 . . . :1k7 Christiansen - Gheorghiu, game Gober - Gerber, Swiss Championship
dismal variations: 1 9 . Lt:lfg 5 !N WE d7 20. b4 ctJ c6
Torremolinos 1 977, leads to similar, fairly 1 98 8 , had gone 20.Wfg3 'Llxc3 2 l .bxc3 i.d5 ,
whereupon 22.i.xd5 exd5 23.h4 'Ll c4 24.h5
2 l .i.xd5 exd5 (nor does Black save himself promises White a small plus.
with 2 1 . . .Wfxd5 22.Wfh3 'Llxd4 23.l"lxd4 Wfxd4
24.'Llxe6!+-) 22.Wff3 'Ll d8 (22 . . .f5 ? 23.'Llf6t 20 'ii> g7
•••
i.xf6 24.Wfxd5t+-) 23. 'Ll f6t i.xf6 24.Wfxf6 An interesting question is whether Black can
'Llxe6 25 .l"ld3 The position looks quite forlorn play 20 . . .f6 here. The answer is undoubtedly
for Black. negative, and the reason is not too complicated:
8
-(- .� �
-----% ��·-
c) Perhaps Black's best course is to use his
- --Y-
��f%�
%
7
r
li�� '
knight to keep pestering the white one:
� ��
18 . . . 'Ll f6 1 9 .ctJc3!? 'Ll d5 and White must after
all resort to 20.ctJe5, as in our main game. 6
5
p-
-- �- %
?'� · · ?'� · �
- � ;m-�- - ·u�
1 8 ...i.f8 4 "--- -�� 02ZJ' � � �
3 � �
�if� � �
On 1 8 . . .i.f6 1 9.'Ll e4 i.g7 Fossan - Elseth,
Norwegian Championship 1 987, the simplest
continuation is 20.i.xg7 �xg7 2 l .Wfg3! with a ... � � �
2 ��
1 ! --
%.��- - %=
h
strong attack.
a b c d e f g
1 9.i.:xf8!? 2 l .ctJxg6! hxg6 22.ctJc5! �f7 (What else can
Why? It was definitely not worth abandoning be suggested? After 22 . . . 'Ll f4 23.'Llxe6 'Llxd3
the crucial h6-square without extreme 24.'Llxd8t 'Ll c4 25.'Llxb7 'Ll dxb2 26.l"lcl �h8
necessity. The simple 1 9 .Wfh3! would preserve 27.l"le7!? Black isn't left with much chance of
all White's assets. a successful defence.) 23.'Llxe6 Wfd6 24.'Llxf8
:B:xf8 25 .Wh3 'it>g7 26.:B:e6 Wd7 27.:B:de l Black has immense trouble in store for him on
White has an irresistible attack. the a l -h8 diagonal) 24.li:J c3;!;
2 1 .Wfd2 22 t2J c6?!

•..
Perhaps 2 l .W'g3!? is even stronger. I think Black ought to have taken a difficult
decision here. If he had been able to judge
And also tempting is: 2 l .b4! ? lt:J c6 22.Wg3 the full consequences of 22 . . . li:J c6 correctly,
We? 23 .ixd5 exd5 24.lt:Jg5! (more convincing he might - and should - have resolved on
than 24 :B:cl dxe4! 25.b5 Wd6 26.lt:Jxc6 Wd5 22 ... f5!?, although of course your very hand
27.We5t Wxe5 28.dxe5 ixc6 29.bxc6 :B:fe8=) would shrink from carrying out such a
24 . . . lt:Jxe5 25.dxe5 The knight is clearly move!
stronger than the passive bishop, the black
king's position is weak, and the dark squares
are positively gaping.
2 1 . h6
••
With 2 l . . .f6!? Black solves his problems

only temporarily - after 22.lt:Jg4 c;t>h8 23 .Wh6
White's pressure is quite troublesome.
8
7
6
5
2 One such alternative is the standard exchange:

1 23 .ixd5!? exd5 (23 . . . Wxd5 ? 24.lt:Jg4! :B:h8
b d f g h
25 .Wff4 transposes into lines examined in the
a c e
note to Black's 24th move) 24.lt:J c3t and Black
22.h3 is far from equalizing.
Copying Black and keeping him "in
suspense" . 23 ... :B:h8 24.hd5! exd5
Finally Black is obliged to take on d5 with
White can obtain a very good game with his pawn. He would lose with:
the more forthright: 22.b4!? lt:J c6 23 .ixd5 ! ? 24 . . . Wxd5 25.Wf4
(Black would have a n easier time after either 25.lt:J gf6 Wf5 26.d5t also leads to the same
23.b5 lt:J ce7 or 23. li:J c4 :B:c7) 23 . . . exd5 Black is result.
forced to shut in his bishop and relieve White 25 . . .f5
of his sole weakness. (23 . . . Wxd5? loses quickly 25 . . . Wf5 26.Wg3+-
to 24.lt:Jg4 g5 25.lt:J ef6 Wf5 26.Wb2! when 26.lt:J ef6
25 .. .'1Wd6 26.ctJb5 \Wb8 27.Ctl e5! :SeeS

White wins attractively in the event of
27 . . . :B:hd8 28.Vff f4!. After the most natural
reply 28 .. .f6, the refutation is pretty though
not complicated:
a b c d e f g h
26 . . . g5
After 26 . . . Vff c4 27.ctJe5 Vff b 3 28.d5! Black's
position collapses like a house of cards!
27.Vff g3 f4
In the event of27 . . . Vffa2 the poor black queen a b c d e f g h
is heading into voluntary but permanent
exile, giving White the opportunity for a 29.ctJxg6! <;t>xg6 30.Vff g4t <;t>f7 3 l .:B:d3! :B:e8
series of checks: 28.tLlh5t <;t>g6 29.tLlf4t <;t>f7 32.Vffh 5t <;t>fs 33.Vffx h6t <;t>f7 34.Vffh 7t <;t>fs
30.ctJxh6t! :B:xh6 3 l .Vffxg5 :B:ch8 32.d5+ 35.:B:xe8t :B:xe8 36.:B:g3 and White's attack
and mate will not be long coming! concludes successfully. Given the weakness
28.Vff c3 Vff a 5 29.b4!? ctJxb4 30.Vff b 3! tLld5 of Black's king position and the fact that his
3 l .:B:xe6+- queen was far away on the edge of the board,
The time has come to put the chessmen it is no wonder that the attack unfolded so
away in their box - there are just too many quickly!
white ones eyeing the black king.
a b c d e f g h
28.:Scl! :Se6 29.ctJxe6 :Sxe6 30.:Se7 :SheS?
b d f g h
Gheorghiu finally succumbs to the pressure
a c e and loses a position that may still have been
We have reached the same type of position defensible.
that we studied in the Stein - Petersons game.
After 30 .. J!e8 3 1 .l:!ce l ± Black's position is not exploited all the open files in the position and
to be envied, but it would still cost White a fair took a serious look at the black queenside
amount of energy to achieve success. pawns. Such tactics proved highly effective and
Black's position simply fell apart.
3 1 .gxc6 gxc6
3 1 . . .ixc6 loses instantly to 32.lLlxa7, in Rafael Vaganian - David Bronstein
view of 32 . . . Eic7 33.Wlf4!.
USSR Championship (First Leag ue) 1 973
. .
8 -�LJ � z - - - - - ��-�
;
�
7 ��..t� �� I. �
I . tiJ f3 tlJ £6 2.c4 c5 3.tiJc3 tlJ c6 4.e3 e6 5.d4
6 - - -Z- r� - - -Y.� •� d5
f� . . .
Again the opponents have to choose between
�
54 ·tiS�
playing with the isolated pawn or against it -
� � � �
� � � ��
which to be sure is a simple matter of taste.
3� �
�
�
% � � %�8 6.a3 dxc4 7.i.xc4 a6 8.i.d3!?
�� - '; �W.'0 � ��
it�. .��·i0%
2 .... §ffl��0
A ��
;:;@'0 �
In the event of 8.0-0 b5 9 .id3 ib7
iOz �
_
z-- - - - z
z
___ _
1 0.tt:le4!?, it seems to me that White's position

% ----% ,
1
0
is slightly pleasanter to play.
b d f g h
a c e
8 .I U..t�e� ��
32.Y«e3?!
Well, what can we say? Even the sun has
6 i
r� ,_ _ �
7 �� - ,,•nY/----X
z
�--�,
�
B AAl • i �
�� , ,;�
sunspots! Luther misses his chance to finish
the game prettily: 32.lLlc7! Eixc7 33 .Wlf4
5 � �a � �
____
l:!xe7 34.W/xb8 ia6 35 .b3+- with W/d6 to

4 � %� � �
� � - -- �
3 �%'"/��- %W'- -- -0-" �
t� �..tf�tZJ�
follow, and Black has no chance whatever of
'0
constructing an impregnable fortress.
-----" -----:
� 8�
32 i.a6? 2 f"" %�
z
1 /�
"" �;�
- - - - - X·----
� if� • .:.
.••
32 . . .<it>f8 was slightly better than this, but I

don't see any other merit in it.
a b c d e f g h
33.lLlc7! 8 ... cxd4
Better late than never, The bishop is The great Bronstein makes his strategic
attacked, and White threatens to check on e6 decision. He hopes to show his young
or e5. Black has no chance at all of defending opponent that the isolated pawn is above all a
successfully and he therefore acknowledged source of worry, rather than a key helper in the
defeat. mounting of an attack. How far he succeeds in
1-0 this, the further course of the game will show.
Not a difficult game, but an attractive one.
Luther succeeded in blending attack with 9.exd4 i.e7 10.0-0 0-0 I I .i.c2
purely positional play. Black could probably We encountered a similar manoeuvre in the
have resisted the attack, bur in the event White previous game.
l l . .. b6
Black always has to face the dilemma of
whether to advance his b-pawn one square or
two:
1 1 . . .b5!?
3 a b c d e f g h
V.="'-·mm/''•'7"•,
2 12 ... E:a7!?
1 An original idea, but then originality
��-2��
a b c d e f g h was a quality that accompanied Bronstein
throughout his illustrious career.
This has only one slight defect - the
weakening of the c5-square.
Black's problem is that the standard line
1 2.'1Wd3 i.b7
12 . . . i.b7 1 3 .'1Wd3 g6 1 4.i.h6 E:e8 1 5 .E:ad 1
1 2 . . . g6 1 3 .i.h6 E:e8 1 4 .E:fd 1 i.b7 leads to
E:c8 1 6 .i.b3 lt:l a5 1 7.i.a2, Emms - K. Muller,
unclear play.
Bundesliga 200 1 , fails to secure fully equal
1 2 . . . b4 1 3.lt:le4 is also quite interesting,
chances.
although it isn't clear that Black should
encourage the knight towards c5, while at
13.'%Yd3 E:d7
the same time allowing the white bishop to
At this point 1 3 . . . i.b7? would leave the rook
jump to a4 in some lines.
looking completely silly on a7. Furthermore,
1 3 .i.g5 g6 14.E:fe 1 E:c8 1 5 .E:ad1 lt:ld5
it meets with an immediate and ruthless
1 5 . . . b4!?
refutation:
1 6.i.h6 E:e8
Chances were about equal in Fedorowicz -
Yermolinsky, USA (ch) 1 999. My view would
be that 1 1 . . .b5!? is stronger than the move in
the game, or at any rate more active.
1 2J�el
This was a novelty at the time.
A similar type of position also arises from

1 2 .i.g5 i.b7 1 3.'1Wd3 g6 1 4.E:ad 1 E:c8 1 5 .i.b3
b5 1 6.i.a2, with a minimal plus for White, I. a b c d e f g h
Sokolov - P. Nikolic, Burgas 1 993. Observe 1 4.d5! exd5 1 5 .i.g5 g6 1 6.E:xe7! '1Wxe7
that Black eventually pushed his pawn from 1 7.lt:lxd5+- This, by the way, is a tactic that we
b6 to b5 in this game. may encounter in plenty of other games.
1 4..ie3 i.h7 1 5J�adl g6 The crucial moment in the game! David

On . 1 5 . . . '1Wc7, White continues not with Bronstein misses, or fails to work out, a long
1 6.d5 g6!00, but with 1 6.h3!?, keeping up the and interesting combination - and the flow of
pressure. the game changes direction at once. Perhaps he
didn't judge this moment to be critical, or then
16.�e2 '1Wc7 17 .ih l h5
• again he may not have wanted to use up energy
in calculating complex variations - we chess
8 ��
�;c/.'./.' .• ��- �
��J.FjL-�� players are human like everyone else, and of
course have human frailties. A la gu erre comme
·��,,%-·�
' -��
7 -j.Jij i. � i - i a la guerre! But from now on, right to the end
6
� � �,, of the game, the initiative will be entirely in
5 �� W!%��
White's hands.
4
3t
�p�%'"/Jll�,0 -� - The former pretender to the chess throne
� � � �-
ought to have resolved on:
.... %�- - - :-if� �H

20 . . . lt:l g4!
2 %
, a:r-.1• ';-•r ,
a b c d e f g h
ISJ�cl Ek8 19 ..ia2 '!Wbs 20 .ig5?!
•
A critical juncture. Vaganian rather carelessly

selects an active bishop move. He should have
opted for the prophylactic 20.h3!;!;, restricting
the black knight's activity. It was essential to
take the g4-square under control, but Rafael
simply relaxes and overlooks his opponent's a b c d e f g h
tactical chance.
This introduces the terrible threat of
8
2 1 . . .lt:lxd4.
2 1 .g3D
7 White would very much like to avoid this
6 move which weakens the long diagonal, but

he has little choice in view of Black's threat.
5
4
2 1 . . .lt:lxd4
Black plays this move anyway, but it is no
3
longer immediately fatal to his opponent.
22.lt:lxd4 .!xg5 23.'1Wxg4
2
Black's game is very easy to play after
1
23.1''k d l lt:le5 24.'\WxeS! '1Wxe5 25 JJ:xe5 .!f6!.
His two mighty bishops, acting in harmony
a b c d e f g h on the key diagonals, along with the pin on
the d-file, offer him a decisive plus.
20 ...�d6? 23 . . . .!xc l 24.Eixc l
Black now has at least three continuations 25 . . . a5 !

that guarantee him the better chances: The plan now becomes clear: once the white
pieces have been forced away from their active
posts in the middle of the board, Black will
be victorious by attacking alternately against
the king and the weakened queenside.
26.l"!e l
26.tLlxa5 l"!xc3 27.bxc3 1Mfxa3+
26 . . . a4! 27. tLl a5 l"!xc3! 28.bxc3 Wd2 29.l"!fl
Wxa2 30.tLlxb7 l"!xb7 3 1 .1Mfb4 Wd5 32.l"!b l
l"!c7+
White retains chances of a successful defence
h
in the endgame, but there are definitely some
a b c d e f g
unpleasant hours in store for him!
a) 24 . . . 1Mfe5 25.tLlxe6! (the only chance to
save the game - 25.tLlf3 1Mff6! wins for Black) c) 24 . . . .ia8!? 25.tLlxe6
25 . . . l"!e8! 26.1Mff4 l"!xe6 27 . .ixe6 1Mfxf4 28.gxf4 White could also take on e6 with a different
fxe6 29.l"!dl l"!xd l t 30.t2Jxd l 'it>f7 3 1 .tLle3 'tt> f6 piece, but after 25 . .ixe6 Wb7 26.f3 fxe6
32.'it>fl .if3 Next Black will carry out . . . e5 and 27.1Mfxe6t l"!f7-+ Black would need no more
obtain an advantage in the endgame, though than minimum accuracy to win the game.
it's unclear to me whether he can win it.
b) 24 . . . 1Mfd6! 8 1 .£. �);;;:1�

7
An interesting move, but its idea isn't entirely
comprehensible at first sight. 6
25.tLlb3 5
What else can be suggested for White? 4
With 25 .l"!dl he loses very quickly indeed:
25 . . . l"!cd8 26.tLlf3 Wxd l t 27.tLlxd l l"!xd l t
3
r-'="··m�n/''•"='·
28.'it>g2 l"!8d3-+ 2 1 �· �\-,,!�.

After 25.tLl de2 a5! there is salvation neither
in 26.l"!fl 1Mfc6 27.f3 l"!d2-+, nor in 26 . .ib3 a b c d e f g h
b4 27.axb4 axb4 28.l"!d l 1Mfc6, when it's 25 . . . 1Mfb7 26.f3 Wb6t 27.'it>fl l"!d2 28.t2Jd4
rather hard to see how White can defend l"!c7 29.l"!d l l"!xd l t 30.tLlxdl h5! 3 1 .1Mfg5
against the many threats. 3 L1Mff4 l"!d7-+
3 1 . . .1Mfxd4 32.1Mfxg6t 'it>f8 33.1Mfh6t 'it>e8
Again Black is victorious.
I can't say that all these variations are very easy

to find. However, what is obvious is that in
practice White would face a tough, thankless
and almost unremitting defensive task.
Before returning to the game, I would just like
a b c d e f g h
to mention that 20 . . . lt:lh5? fails to the wholly 26.:gxcl

uncomplicated 2 I .ixe6!+-. 26.lt:ld6? is frankly weak. White would be
left with few real chances of salvation after
2 1 .gedl either 26 . . . '\Mfc?! ? 27.lt:lxc8 Wfxc8! 28.lt:lxb5
This is not quite as strong as 2 1 .:gcd l !?t, lt:lf4! 29.gxf4 axb5t or the even stronger
bearing in mind that the rook on the e-file 26 . . . lt:l f6! 27.lt:lxb7 Wfc7! 28.lt:la5 Wfxa5
was very active. White still keeps the initiative 29.lt:lc6 Wfc7 30.lt:lxe7t Wfxe7t+.
though. 26 . . . :gxc l t 27.'kt>g2 f5
Black uses of all his tactical possibilities, but
2 1 . .. � d5 22.�e4!± Y!lc7 23.i.xe7 gxe7 his opponent's material advantage will tell.
24.g3!? 27 . . . lt:l f6 28.f3 lt:l fxe4 29.fxe4 :gee? 30 . .i\b3±
A splendid decision! Vaganian takes control is no help either.
of the important f4-square.
The alternative 24.Wfd2! also looks excellent.
On the other hand, 24.ixd5 ? exd5 25.lt:lf6t

'kt>g7 26.Wfd2 doesn't live up to expectations:
26 . . . 'kt>xf6! 27.Wfh6 :geeS (quite probably
27 . . . '\Mfd? isn't bad either, but would your
hand dare to carry out that move?) 28.lt:lg5
Wff4 29.lt:lxh7t 'kt>f5 30.Wfh3t Wfg4 Black has
parried the mating threats successfully, and can
very well lay claim to a plus. a b c d e f g h
B K • -� - �
28.lt:lxe6!
s
7 �.t� ·�·�
Here is the refutation! At the end of the day,
·��''i)� .�,Y-��· ;
'-' ·��----- - not only the black bishop but also the white
6
� �� one can go in for active play!
0.
�
5 ��
28 . . . :gxe6
4 B � tLJa a
With 28 . . . :gal Black attacks his chief enemy
if� ��- - �-lt)�

- the bishop on a2 - but comes up against a
3 �
pretty and unexpected idea: 29.lt:l 6c5 :gxa2
'1� �-·�-- - ��
30.lt:lxb7 fxe4 (after 30 . . . :gxe4 3 I .Wfd3+
2
there is no way to rescue the straying rook
1 a- - -%�� ra-- -%=- - - % on a2) 3 1 .'\Mfd l :gd7 32.Wfg4+- and now that
the white queen is active, the game won't last
a b c d e f g h much longer.
29.Wfd2 :gc4!
24... �g7
Self-sacrifice of a rare kind! The murderous
Black could have tried fishing in troubled
bishop has to be shut out, even if one of
waters with:
Black's units must perish as the price!
24 . . . lt:lxd4 25.lt:lxd4 Wfxcl !
30.i.xc4 bxc4 3 I .lt:lc5 c3!
Black hopes to exploit the long diagonal, but
Black's last chance - he can't allow the
I suspect that his idea would have met with
white queen into his camp. His defeat
a refutation!
would be inevitable after 3 1 . . .1:l:e2 32.Wa5 ! 26 .. J'!:ec7 27.h5 tLlf6

.ic6 33.�h3+-, when the king escapes If 27 . . . �g8, then 28 . .ixd5 exd5 29.ttJc5±
persecution and the game quickly ends. promises nothing good for Black.
32.bxc3 :t::l e2 33.Wc l ttJe3t
a b c d e f g h
A curious position! The white king still has a b c d e f g h
some troubles to face, but after a few precise 28.tLleg5?!
moves the mirage is dispelled and the game An error; White had at least two better
proceeds to its logical conclusion. options.
34.�gl .if3!?
In the case of 34 . . . tLl c2 3 5 . ttJ d3! .ie4, White Driving the black king to the back rank with
wins by 36.Wg5 . the more or less standard device of 28 .h6t! ?
35.c4!+- h8 secures White a clear plus.
The knight will head for d3, Black's threats
are parried, and the game will be over in just a White also had a strong continuation in:
few more moves. 28.ttJc5! Wd6 (28 . . . ttJxh5? is met by 29 . .ixe6!)
29.h6t �g8 30.d5!? ttJxd5 (30 . . . exd5 ? loses
These variations are beautiful, and difficult. to 3 l .ttJxb7 :t::lx b7 33.Wic3!) 3 l ..ixd5 exd5
Working them out completely at the board 32.ttJxb7 :t::l xb7 33 .Wxd5 Wxd5 34.1:l:xd5±
is not of course possible, but with the help of Black's situation is unenviable - his weak king
intuition we can at least head along the right position and the extremely unpleasant pin
track. on the c-file leave him with little chance of
salvation.
25.Wfd2 Wfd8 26.h4±
A typical idea; the pawn is going to h5, to 28 ... tLlxh5?
weaken the black monarch's residence. Practically the decisive mistake; Bronstein
Quite a good alternative is 26.b4!?, taking has failed to stand up to the pressure. On
the c5-square under permanent control! With the other hand, the correct decision for
such an abundance of possibilities, White can Black is extremely hard to find. He had to
only be envied. He has good prospects for a play:
kingside attack, and the possibility of playing 28 . . . h60
ttJ c5 at any moment gives him excellent This move looks so risky that it isn't at all
queenside chances too. surprising that Bronstein rejected it.
3 1 .Eixc8 lLlxc8 32.d5 Elc7 33.hxg6 lLl d6

The situation remains unclear. White's
advantage looks only nominal, and Black
retains very good prospects for a successful
defence.
29.he6!
a b c d e f g h
29.lLlxf7
Evidently at this point White just can't
do without sacrifices! The alternative
involves leaving the g5-knight en prise, and
sacrificing another piece into the bargain:
29 . .ixe6! ? hxg5 30 . .ixc8 Elxc8 3 l .d5
(3 1 .'1Mfxg5 lLlxhS 32.d5 lLl a5 would only help
Black) 3 l . . .Wfxd5 32.'1Mfxd5 lLlxd5 33.lLlxg5
(better than 33.:1:\xdS ? lLleS! 34.Eixc8 lLlxf3t
3 5 .cj;>g2 .ixd5-+) 33 . . . lLl ce7 34.Eixc8 .ixc8
35 .h6t cj;>xh6 36.lLlxf7t cj{g7 37.lLld6= and 29 ...Y*ff6?
Black achieves equal chances without any The second mistake running! Black was
real trouble. obliged to play 29 . . . lLlxd4D 30 . .ixc8 lLlxf3t
29 . . . Eixf7 30 . .ixe6 3 1 .tt.:\xf3 '1Mfxc8 32.Eixc7 Wfxc7 33.:1:\cl '1Mfe7
30.hxg6 Ele7! hands the initiative over to 34.'1Mfd4t lLlf6 3 5 . lLl e5 ± . White would then
Black. have a clear plus, but the road to victory would
still be a long one.
30.hc8 :1:\xcS 3 1 .d5+-

Now the conclusion is not far off. The a l
h 8 diagonal i s opened, and Black just doesn't
have the resources left to carry on the struggle.
Apart from anything else, the d-pawn can
hardly be stopped.
3 1 . .. tLl e7
h
What else would you suggest? After 3 1 . . . Eid8
a b c d e f g
32.dxc6 Elxd2 33.cxb7, there is no stopping
30 . . . lLle7 the pawn!
30 . . . Eid7!? looks rather dangerous for Black
after 3 l ..ixd7 Wfxd7 32.d5 lLl e7!? 33.Eixc8 32.d6
Wfxc8 34.:1:\e l lLl fxdS 35.lLld4 lLl f5 36.lLle6t, The pawn's advance symbolizes the beginning
and White has a troublesome initiative. of the end of the game!
White would win just as easily with 32.:B:xc8! ? White also wins in elementary fashion with
tt:lxc8 33.ttlh2!+-. 37.:B:c7t, seeing that 37 . . .'i�?f8 loses at once to
38.ttlf7 :B:d7 39.ttlc5.
32 ttl d5
•.•
Neither 32 . . . :B:xc l 33.:B:xcl tt'lc6 34.d7 nor 37 fxe5 38.t!Lle6t c;i;>f6 39.t!i:lxd8 exd4
•••
32 . . .ii.xf3 33.:B:xc8 ! il.d l 34.d7 permits Black 40.t!Llxb7 t!Llg7 41.�c5

to organize proper resistance. 1-0
A curious game. Vaganian didn't manage
33.¥Md4 to acquire any advantage in the opening, and
There was a quicker win with 33.:B:xc8! il.xc8 in the middlegame his gains were small. He
34.¥Mxd5 . committed a serious error, but it remained
unpunished, and the game immediately
33 :B:d8
.••
changed course! White succeeded in working
8
up a strong and ultimately victorious attack.
Black couldn't find any antidote and was
7 simply crushed.
6 Semko Semkov - Lev Psakhis

5
1 98 8
4
Yerevan
3 l .d4 t!i:lf6 2.c4 e6 3.ttlc3 i.b4
2
I always liked playing the Nimzo-Indian, as
it leads to a complex positional game in which
1 Black can well expect to have his full share of
b d f g h
the chances.
a c e
34.�e4 ¥Mxd4 35.:B:xd4 4.e3 c5 s.J.d3 � c6 6)i::J ge2 cxd4 7.exd4 d5

The game could have finished beautifully 8.cxd5 t!Llxd5
after 3 5 .ttlxd4 t!Ll e3 36.tLlc5! tt:lxd l 37.tt:lxb7
:B:d7 38.tLle6t! fxe6 39.:B:c7 tLl f6 40.ttlc5+-.
35 t!Ll b6
•••
Bronstein had to play 35 . . . tLlhf6, although

of course 36.tLlc5 i.c8 37.tLlg5 would leave
him without any saving chances. For instance,
37 . . . :B:xd6 38.tLlce4! tDxe4 39.tDxe4 :B:d8
40.:B:c5 il.e6 4 1 .ttl c3+- and the pin on the
d-file is decisive.
36.ttl e5 f6
b d f g h
Or 36 . . . i.xe4 37.:B:xe4 :B:xd6 38.:B:c7 :B:f6
39.tLlg4+-. a c e
The difference between this game and

37.� c5 all the others we have been analysing lies in
the placing of the white king's knight. On 1 6.i.a4!? :B:c8 1 7.l::!: fd l

e2 this piece is undoubtedly deployed more In our game, incidentally, White could have
harmoniously, but there are definite snags: the transposed to this position at move 1 7.
e5-square for example is not accessible to it, 1 7 . . . a6!?
and generally speaking it isn't entirely clear Black has no trace of any problems after
where the knight will go next. The f4-square 1 7 . . . i.f8 1 8 .�h3 �e7 1 9 .tlJf4 i.xh6
is probably the only place where it will fit in. 20.�xh6 l0xf4 2 l .�xf4 :B:ed8, Alvarez -
However, there are some points in White's Charbonneau, Bermuda 2002.
favour, for example from f4 the knight will be 1 8 .i.xc6
constantly threatening Black with potential Or 1 8 .b4 ttJ f6 1 9 .f3 l0xe4 20.fxe4 i.g5
sacrifices. 2 I .i.xg5 �xg5= Alvarez - Christiansen,
To me personally, it's wholly unclear where Bermuda 2002.
the knight is best placed; this is simply a 18 . . . :B:xc6 1 9.:B:xc6 i.xc6 20.�xa6 �a8
different type of position with entirely different 2 l .�xa8 :B:xa8 22.l0 2c3 :B:c8
ideas! And Black equalized easily in Gelfand -
Anand, Shenyang (2. 5) 2000.
9.a3 .id6!?
There are similar variations after 9 . . . .ie7. 16 l::!: c8
•..
8
lO)tJe4 .ie7 1 1 .0-0 0-0 12.ic2 b6 13.'1Wd3
7
8 i.- ..i.� J ��- � 6
7 -rw-
,,, % ; - -�--
, Y, ,Y.•
,.,,% t 5
6
'-"� �
�� ,� �� 4
4
5 �� 3� �� 3
-� �� , %� � �� 2
3 �1:4%�-�-0�0"' 1
2
Jtl!a!j)Jtl�JrJ a b c d e f g h
1 �� - : �
_ ____
b d f g h
17.'1Wg3!? ClJf6! 1 8.ClJg5!?
a c e
The queen is splendidly placed, heading to
13 g6• . • h4 - and the king's knight, as I predicted, will
Avoiding the elementary trap 1 3 . . . i.b7?? feel fine on the f4-square. There are plenty of
1 4.tlJd6+-. All these tactics are very well sacrificial possibilities arising for White, and
known to a wide circle of chess enthusiasts, the black king is going to feel unsafe. I will now
and have occurred hundreds if not thousands have to find literally the only move at several
of times in practice. turns, or punishment will be swift and harsh!
Still, circumspection at this point is required
14 .ih6 l::!: e8 15.l::!: acl .ih7 16.l::!: fdl
• from Semkov too. For example, the careless
Another line which has been seen more 1 8 .l0xf6t i.xf6 1 9.i.e4 would practically
recently is: lose:
Chapter 3 - IQP Positions: Attackin g the Kin g with Pieces 99
get to grips with the latter, and my next move

fits in with this perfectly understandable wish.
20 E:c4!?
••.
The temptation of course was very strong!

The other two moves that merit serious
attention are the positional 20 . . . lt:ld5!? and
the most logical continuation, 20 . . . lt:l c4!?. In
the latter case Black not only attacks a pawn
(which in itself is quite important) bur also
a b c d e f g h takes control of important central squares not
1 9 . . . lt:lxd4! 20.E:xd4 (20.\Wd3 E:xc l t 2 1 .lt:lcl so far from his king. Let's look more closely at
\Wc7! doesn't save White either) 2 1 . . .l::i: xc l t these possibilities:
2 l .ixc l ixd4 Now on 22.ixb7 the pretty
a) 20 . . . lt:ld5!? 2 1 .lt:ld3 E:c4!
refutation is 22 . . . ixb2!, and White can't avoid
Only now does the rook advance, revealing
loss of material.
the obvious desire to double rooks on the
c-file.
1 s ...VNd6 19.YMh4 c!Lla5!?
This knight becomes quite active, and may
land on c4. Of course the consequences of
this risky move are impossible to evaluate,
but if you don't take risks you won't drink the
champagne! I wanted to play aggressively in the
centre, which is why I didn't choose 1 9 . . . if8!?.
a b c d e f g h
22.ib l
22.b3? E:c3
22 . . . E:ec8
22 . . . lt:l f6 is also playable. After the most
reasonable reply, 23.lt:lxf7!? @xf7 24.E:xc4
lt:lxc4 25.b300, the chances are not at all
simple to assess.
23.E:xc4 lt:lxc4+
To me Black's position seems preferable.
b) As I have hinted already, 20 . . . lt:l c4!? leads

to complex play. White now has four moves at
his disposal (probably! - in such complicated
positions nothing can be said for certain) , and
I offer the following analysis:
1 00 Advanced Chess Tactics
attack. For instance: 22.'1Mrg3 (after 22.tLlxf7

�xf7 23 .tLlxe6 tZ:lde4, it will take a lot of
effort for White to save himsel£1) 22 ... tLlde4!?
23 .tLlxe4 tLlxe4 24.he4 �xcl 25 .�xc l .ixe4
and White will have to struggle against two
powerful bishops.
b4) 2 l .tZ:lxf7!?
The most dangerous move - from Black's
b d f g h
viewpoint. White launches a strong attack,
a c e
which incidentally would have been quite
b l ) 2L.tb3 allows Black to solve virtually all possible to overlook!
his problems with 2 l . . .b 5 . 2 l . . .'it>xf7 22 . .ig5!
The tempting 22.tLlxg6? is refuted at once by
b2) 2 1 .'1Mrg3!? .if8 and now a long and 22 . . . �g8!-+ .
practically forced variation ensues: 22.tLlxh7 22 . . . �h8 23.�el .id5 24.�e2!
tLlxh7 23.hg6! .ixh6 24.hf7t 'it>xf7 A typical grandmaster move - the rooks
25 .'1Mrg6t 'it>e7 26.'1Mfxh7t 'it>d8 27.'1Mfxh6 simply double on the e-file, setting the
tZ:lxb2 opponent plenty of difficult problems.
24.\Mrh6 �cg8! would be less convincing.
8 24 . . . tZ:lxb2 25 .�ce l ! .ic4 26.�e5
7�,<i....:Oio.
6
2
v.="'· '
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
28.d5!? (It's only at this point in the variation
a c e
that White has an interesting alternative. After
2 8 .:1:\ e l ! ?f± I find it hard to give a j ust verdict An intriguing position! Black is a piece up,
on the position.) 28 . . . tZ:lxd l 29.Wh4t 'it>d7 All but his e6-pawn is very weak, the white
that is clear is that nothing is clear at all! An queen may increase the pressure from h3,
attempt to analyse such complex and obscure and Black's defence is anything but easy. A
variations between the covers of one book possible continuation, for instance, is:
would be downright impossible! 26 . . . tLld7 27.1:1:5e3 .ixf6 28 .tZ:lxe6 .ixe6
29.1:l:xe6 �xe6 30.�xe6 '1Mfc2
b3) 2 l .�e l tLld2! A brilliant move! The White undoubtedly has good play, but
sprightly black knight takes virtually all the whether he can achieve anything concrete, I
key central squares under control, and casts simply don't know! Such amazingly interesting
doubt on White's chances of a successful variations!
The consequences of 22 . . . tLlxh7 23.'\Wg4

e5! 24.ixg6 c;t>h8 25 .ixe8 '\Wxh6 26.l'!xc4
lt:lxc4+ are not simple to assess either.
23.ig5 We?! 24.'\Wh6 ixg5 25 .tLlxg5
Or 25 .'\Wxg6t '1Wg7 26.'\Wxe8t cj;;lxh7
27.ixe4t ixe4 28.l'!xc4 lt:lxc4 29.'\Wxe6
lt:ld6!, and in this rather strange position
Black's advantage is obvious. Ultimately the
three pieces will prove much stronger than
the lone rook, and of course 30.'\Wxd6? if4!
is hopeless for White.
25 . . . tLlxg5 26.'\Wxg5 '1Wg7+
a b c d e f g h
2 I .tiJxf7! 2 1 .'\Wg3
A completely unexpected move, and an White now threatens to capture on either f7
extremely dangerous one for Black to meet or h7 - Black must be very careful!
- his king now feels most uncomfortable, 2 1 . . .'\Wc6!
and may end up totally exposed to the many An excellent move! In many variations
threats! Black acquires the splendid possibility of
taking on g2 as a noteworthy antidote to his
Instead 2 1 .ib l is refuted quite opponent's attack
straightforwardly by 2 1 . . .'\Wxd4!. Of White's 22.tLlxf7
other possibilities, the following deserve Things are also far from simple in the other
attention: important line: 22.tLlxg6 hxg6 23 .tLlxf7
'1Wxg2t 24.'\Wxg2 ixg2 25 .tLle5 l'!xc2 26.l'!xc2
2 1 .tLlxg6!? fxg6!? ie4+ with a minimal plus for Black.
Capturing this way is probably somewhat 22 . . . l'!xc2! 23.tLlxg6!
preferable to: 2 1 . . .hxg6 22.ttJxf7 '\Wd5!
23.'1Wg3 '\Wxg2tD 24.'\Wxg2 ixg2 2 5 .tLle5!
l'!xc2 26.l'!xc2 ie4+
22.ttJxh7!
a b c d e f g h
23 . . . '\Wxg2t 24.'\Wxg2 ixg2 25.l'!xc2 ie4

26.l'!c7 hxg6 27.tLle5 ttJd5 28.l'!xa7 tLl b3+
I like Black's position better, as White can't
a b c d e f g h activate his d l -rook. All the same, his counter
22 . . . lt:l e4! chances shouldn't be underrated.
2 1 . .. <ifixf'7
8 Wl"-��-J·� �
76 i��-��t\il/f&'A
- -- � -----%� '------� "'"
-%
5 � � �m�-�� • oo
� �lj-'/,'0 �%'"/,< ��-

0-----;�
4
3 �- :::-0: � -----%� _ _ ;�
'l!i' �/% ?�
��:
;
�
'<
'
�%
_ 0_ �% '0
a�� /,
b d f g h
� �-
--- --
%----%�,0 �
2 r�.,tB r� t!J � � a c e
1 .-- -%��r·-- -%;_1_ _

White has three attacking lines that deserve
attention:
a b c d e f g h a) 23.l'!e l i.d5 24.i.xf6 i.xf6 25 .�xh7t �g7

22.'�xg6? 26.i.xg6t cj;; e 7 27.�h6? Black will need to
The tension in the game has been so great be extremely careful, but at least he is very well
that Semkov j ust couldn't endure it. Finally one prepared to face the attack, and the position is
of us had to crack, and the Bulgarian turned hard to evaluate objectively.
out to be less lucky! To be quite honest I had
no clear idea of what White was up to, and b) 23.i.xf6
plainly underestimated the possible threats. Probably not the most dangerous option.
On my last move I had simply no choice. In 23 . . . i.xf6 24.�xh7t �g7 25 .�h6
reply, White's only playable continuation was White doesn't rush to take on g6, which
the cold-blooded: could lead to some interesting complications:
22.i.g5 ! 25 .ixg6t? 1le7 26.�h6 �xc l 27.�xc l li'lb3!
The consequences of this might well have 28.lt'lh5 lt'lxd4! 29.i.e4 (29.lt'lxf6 is neatly
displeased me. It's amazing: Black has an refuted by 29 . . . lt'lf3t!) 29 . . . lt'le2t 30.1ifl
extra piece, everything is defended, White hb2 3 1 .1ixe2 ixe4 32.lt'lxg7 i.d3t 33.1if3
has no direct threats - yet Black's game is �e5! with an obvious plus for Black.
anything but simple to play! For one thing, 25 ... 1ig8
he can have problems with the e6-pawn.
Secondly - and much more importantly! -
there is a threat to capture on f6, and it isn't
wholly clear how Black is to deal with it. It
quite often happens that the simpler and
more natural the threats, the harder it is to
combat them!
22 . . . l'!g8
What else can you suggest?
If 22 . . . l'!xc2 23 .1'�lxc2, then 23 . . . h5!?? is
b d f g h
not unfavourable to White, while 23 . . . i.e4
a c e
24.l'!e2-+ is even better for him.
26.lt'lxg6
Nor does the other capture on g6 gives b5 Now the d4-pawn will be left without its
White full equality: 26 . .W.xg6 '®e7!? 27.Ei:xc4 chief defender, but to be fair we should note
(or 27.lt:l h 5 ? Ei:xc l 28 .Ei:xc l .W.g5) 27 . . ..W.g5 ! that the position remains unclear. 26.Ei:c5
28 . .W.h7t Ei:xh7 29.'®xe6t '®xe6 30.lt:lxe6 tt:'lxd4 27.tt:'ld3! tt'l f5 28 .'®h3?
tt:'lxc4 3 1 .tt:'lxg5 Ei:e7+ The piece is clearly 24.1Wh3! .W.c8
stronger than the pawns in this ending. Black would like the e6-pawn to be better
26 . . . tt:'lc6!? 27.d5 .Ei:xc2 28.Ei:xc2 tt:'ld4 protected!
Black has the initiative. You may say this
isn't much of an achievement for him, but the 8
attack has been repulsed and the results should 7
6
suit him perfectly well!
c) 23 .b4!? 5
4
v�-=--,�n,n/'nm,,N�
The most interesting move. The knight
is driven further away from c4, and the 3
2
black rook is left undefended - a factor of
considerable importance in the ensuing
b d f g h
complications!
a c e
2 5 . tt'l d3!
White tries to carry on playing for the win.
The more circumspect option, ifwe can speak
of circumspection in this type of position,
was 25 . .W.xf6 .W.xf6 26.'®xh7t Ei:g7 27 . .W.xg6t
me7 28 .'®h6 Ei:xc l 29 .tt'ld5t! exd5 30J'!xc l
tt:'lc6, though even then the consequences are
wholly unclear.
25 . . . e5
Or 25 . . . Ei:xc2 26.Ei:xc2 '®xc2 27.tt'le5t
mes 28.Ei:cl '®xc l t 29 . .W.xc l tt:'lb7 30 . .W.g5
23 . . .'®c7
tt:'ld6 3 1 .'®c3± and although White has
23 .. J'!xc2 may well be the safest line from
no advantage in material, Black faces a
Black's point of view, although it allows
thankless defensive task - his pieces lack any
White to level the chances: 24.Ei:xc2 l2l c6
coordination.
25 .Ei:dcl Fighting for the only open file
26.'®e3!
on the board. (The solid 2 5 .Ei:cd2 is also
Taking the crucial e5-square under control.
perfectly possible, for example: 25 . . . tt'ld5!?
I am not sure what I would play if I had this
26.tt:'lxd5 '®xd5 27 . .W.xe7 tt:'lxe7 28 .'®xh7t
position as White in a tournament game,
Ei:g7 29.'®h3 tt'l f5 30.Ei:e l !?+) 25 . . . tt:'lxd4
but in analysis there is nothing wrong with
26 . .W.xf6 tt:'lxc2 27 . .W.xe7 '®xe7 28 .'®xe7t
fishing in troubled waters.
mxe7 29.Ei:xc2 Ei:d8=
Instead 26.tt:'lxe5t '®xe5 27.dxe5 .W.xh3
23 . . . tt:'lc6 24 . .W.xg6t (24.d5 ! ? looks more
28.exf6 .W.xf6 29 . .W.xf6 \t>xf6 30.bxa5 .W.g4!?
dangerous than it really is; Black replies
3 1 ..W.b3 .W.xd 1 32 . .W.xc4 Ei:c8 33.axb6 axb6
24 . . . Ei:xc2 2 5 .Ei:xc2 tt:'lxd5 26.tt:'lxd5 exd5
34.Ei:xd l Ei:xc4± gives a position where Black
27.'®xh7t Ei:g7 28 .'�h4=) 24 . . . hxg6 25 .Ei:xc4
has fair drawing chances. A nice variation, 23 .. J:�g4

but it would be a pity to play that way in The black pieces feel quite at home in the
such an interesting position! enemy camp!
26 . . .:1hc2
Neither 26 . . . exd4? 27.tLixe5t nor 26 . . .tLig4 24.'?Nh3 E:xf4 25.i.xf4 '?Nxf4 26.b4
27.tLixe5t tLixe5 28.dxe5 .ixg5 29.VNxg5
E:e8 30 . .id3! promises anything good for
Black.
27.tLixe5t 'it>f8 28.bxa5
White has the better chances, though Black
does retain hopes of a successful defence.
Drawing conclusions from the lines we have

examined, I would say that at move 20, in all
probability, the quiet 20 . . . tLid5 was better than
what I played. But how could all this have been
foreseen? The variations were so complicated
and unpredictable! Fortunately, Semkov was
the first to go wrong!
8
7
6
5 27.g3 '?Nc7
4
0-1
The pin on the c-file is decisive.
3
2
White's attack was truly powerful and a danger
to his opponent. The placing of the kni gh t
1 on e2 introduced some fresh nuances into
c e
the position, and at some stages I had to find
a b d f g h
literally the only move to defend - though
22 J;g8!
.• the game still remained within the bounds
The simple refutation of White's last move. of approximate equality. Semkov played very
Now the game is quickly over. well, but at a certain moment the tension grew
simply unbearable, and his two successive
23.ttlf4?! errors completely transformed the situation on
The best move is probably 23 . .if4, but after the board. I should add that I only returned
23 . . . VNd5 24.tLie5t 'it>e8 25.f3 E:xd4-+ White to this game in 20 1 1 , when I discovered many
is unable to organize serious resistance. new and interesting things in my analysis of it.
An equally hopeless try is: 23 .tLie5t VNxe5!

24.dxe5 E:xg2t 25.'it>fl E:xh4-+
Chapter4
IQP Positions:
Attacking with the h-pawn
Match against Kasp a rov in Mu rcia 1 9 90

Anal�sis ot game tive- The match en ded with a
"na rrow" victor� tor the Wo rld Champio n
Diagram Preview
On this page you will find 8 8
7
6
5
4
cases) . The solutions are found 3
on the following pages in the 2
annotations to the games. 1
Please find both wins Our cover position. What is

(see page 1 1 6) Black's only move?
(see page 1 22)
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
How to strengthen the What is the accurate How does White win?
attack? attacking move? (see page 1 26)
(see page 1 1 0) (see page 1 1 9)
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
What had Geller planned What is Black's magical What is the right defensive
against 2 5 <it>f8 ?
... defence? move?
(see page Ill) (see page 1 2 1 ) (see page 1 27)
Chapter 4 - IQP Positions: Attacking with the h-pawn 1 07
In the previous chapter we looked at some 12.'1Mfc2

games in which White (who for some reason The great master of attack Efim Geller sets
has the honour of playing this way much more about provoking weaknesses in his opponent's
often than Black) organized an attack utilizing camp. His tactics were quite novel if we recall
the mobility of his excellently developed pieces. that this game was played in that far-off year of
I would now like to draw to your attention to 1 95 8 - a very special one from my own point
a somewhat different aspect of his strategy. of view, since it was the year when I was born!
This time, by way of enhancing his attacking
possibilities, White uses his h-pawn as a At a later date, my close friend Grandmaster
battering ram to weaken the pawn structure Razuvaev was to adopt the idea of attacking
in the immediate vicinity of the enemy king. with the h-pawn without losing time on this
Only then does he launch the assault. queen move - a splendid concept, but it was
introduced into practice only at the very end of
Efim Geller- Abram Davidovich Zamikhovsk:y the 1 970s. White can, then, very well consider
1 2.h4, with a possible lt:l g5 to follow - but we
Ukrainian Championship 1958 shall come back to that position later in this
chapter.
l .d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.tik3 tl:J£6 4.cxd5 tl:Jxd5
5.e3 c5 6.id3 tl:Jc6 7.tl:Jf3 cxd4 8.exd4 ie7 12 g6
•..
9.0-0 0-0 IOJ�el tl:Jxc3?! On 1 2 . . . h6 there follows the typical

It was only when I undertook a serious manoeuvre 1 3 .'1Mfe2! with the possible
analysis of isolated pawn positions that I continuation: 1 3 . . . '1Mfc7 1 4.id2 :B:d8 1 5 .:B:ac l
grasped how many shortcomings this natural if6? 1 6.'1Mfe4+- and the queen and light
move has. The most important of them is squared bishop acting together constitute a
the fact that White's crucial d4-pawn will be most formidable attacking unit.
securely defended for many moves to come.
This is a valuable asset for which White usually
8
7
has to fight quite hard, whereas now he receives
it as a more or less unearned prize!
6
5
l l .bxc3 b6
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
13.h4!?
I have referred to this remarkable idea
already. Geller is preparing lt:lg5 to induce his
opponent to create new weaknesses. At the
same time, the h-pawn has no objection to
taking part in a strong attack with an eventual 1 5 . . . �f6 (Black is in a very bad way after
h4-h5. This, of course, is not White's only idea 1 5 . . . E:e8? 1 6.�b5!) 1 6.dxe6 �xe6 1 7.�xf8
in the position - he may choose to delay h2-h4 'it>xf8 1 8 .E:ad l with a material plus for White.
or do without it altogether:
Another perfectly good move is 1 4.�h6, with
1 3 .�h6 E:e8 1 4.h4 ( 1 4.'\Wd2 is not at all bad) the none too difficult idea of meeting 14 . . . E:e8?
14 . . . �f8 1 5 .�g5 �e7 1 6.�f4 �b7 1 7.h5 <;t>g7 with 1 5 .�b5 �b7 1 6.'\We4+ -.
1 8 .'\Wd2 and the young Kamsky failed to create
adequate counterplay in Winants - Kamsky, Incidentally I don't so much like 1 4.�b5 �b7
T ilburg 1 992. 1 5 .'\We4 CDxd4D! 1 6.'\Wxd4 �xf3 1 7.gxf3 �f6
1 8 .'\We3±, when White's pawn structure is too
Another promising line is 1 3 .'1Wd2 �b7 1 4 .'\Wf4 weak and his win is by no means guaranteed!
�f6 1 5 .�a3 E:e8 1 6.E:ad l with attacking
chances. In all these lines White wins material, yet he
doesn't always succeed in gaining a decisive
As we can easily observe, in all these variations plus. Accuracy is required right to the end!
White is attacking on the dark squares - and by
no means unsuccessfully! Black's main problem 14.h5 Wfc7
is his almost total lack of counterplay - there To carry on his resistance Black needs a
are simply no weaknesses in his opponent's phenomenal nervous system, and it's far from
position! clear whether that will help him anyway - the
black king j ust has too many problems!
Thus, after either 14 . . . '\Wd7 1 5 .�h6 �g7

1 6.'\Wd2-+ or 14 . . . �g7 1 5 .�e4 '1Wc7 1 6.hxg6
hxg6 1 7.tt'lg5± Black's position looks
downright atrocious.
Nor is there any help in 1 4 . . . �b7 1 5 .hxg6

hxg6
a b c d e f g h
For instance, 1 4.d5 ! ? tt'la5 (on 14 . . . exd5? the
surprising 1 5 .'\Wa4! wins a piece) 1 5 .�h6 (a 1 6.�xg6! fxg6 1 7.'\Wxg6t <;t>hs 1 8 .E:xe6, when
good alternative is 1 5 .tt'lxh4 '\Wxh4 1 6.�a3-+) Black will scarcely manage to last more than a
handful of moves! It's amazing how White has In the first place, he can gain a clear plus with
succeeded in working up such an impressive 1 7.!xg7 Wxg7 1 8 .c4!.
attack after such a small number of moves.
Truly, "Something is rotten in the state of
Denmark!"
15.!h6t
Simpler and stronger than 1 5 .C2Jg5 ltJ e7
1 6.ltJe4 !hS 1 7.!h6, though that too leaves
the initiative with White.
15 ... .tg7 1 6.�d2! !h7

a b c d e f g h
An attack on the king is threatened, and a
push in the centre with either c4-c5 or d4-d5
in the near future is an extremely troublesome
prospect for Black.
Secondly, 1 7.CiJh2! gives Black some complex

problems to solve, and it's by no means clear
that he will succeed!
17 ... hxg6 18.!£4 �d7 19.l:!ad1

This move is understandable - on dl the
c e
a b d f g h
rook is potentially deterring . . . e5 - but it does
look like a loss of time.
17.hxg6
Geller chooses the most natural continuation. The more energetic 1 9 .'@1'e3 (with the obvious
aim of bringing the queen over to h3 at the first
The preparatory 1 7.!f4!? may come to the opportunity ) would give Black more worries.
same thing, for instance: 1 7 . . . '@1'd7 (or 1 7 . . . '@1'd8
1 8 .hxg6 hxg6 1 9 .CiJg5 ltJ e7 20.'@1'e3, and 1 9 .. J�ac8 20.�e3
White goes for an advantage by combining an
attack on the h-file with possible strikes against
the weakened e6-point) 1 8 .!h6 ( 1 8 .hxg6
hxg6 returns to the game) 1 8 . . . ltJ e7 (Black
can also go back with 1 8 . . . '@1'c7) 1 9.CiJe5 '@1'd8
20.!xg7 Wxg7 2 1 .'@1'f4 White has the better
chances, though to be fair it must be said that
Black's possibilities for resistance are far from
exhausted.
However, White has two other standard ideas

that he may implement.
20 . J�Ue8?
. Now the simplest option for White is
Black is in a most awkward position; White probably 27.f4! g4 2 8 .:!::\ fl ! . This gives him
can easily set up a formation with tLlg5, ie5 the pleasant choice of starting to gather the
and '1Mfh3 - Black appears to have no way of material harvest, or else carrying out f4-f5 !
hindering it. Once this happens, White is still with threats o f a quick mate, against which
not likely to have an immediate mate available, Black has no defence.
but handling the black pieces will be j ust too
ghastly an experience! White's attack will
continue, while the slightest inaccuracy on
Black's part will terminate the game at once.
All the same, in the absence of any alternative,

20 . . . tLl e7! 2 1 .tLlg5 tLl d5 22.'1Mfh3 tLlf6 23 .ie5
Elfd8± was the least of the evils.
2 1 .tLig5 e5
At first sight Black would seem to have
emerged from his awkward situation with
honour. He takes the h3-square under control
and opens up the game in the centre - not that a b c d e f g h
he had any alternative to speak of! 22.dxe5 tL!xe5
An optimistic player might try:
2 l .. .f6 loses at once to 22.ttJe4!. 22 . . . '1Mlg4
Quietly hoping for mate!
Nor is 2 l . . .'i>f8 22.'1Mfh3 Ele7 23 .'1Mfh7+ - any 23.f3! Wh4
better, when among White's other threats it is 23 . . . '1Mfh5 24.ic4!+ - is no better.
worth noting the lethal transfer of the dark 24.ic4!
squared bishop via c l to the a3-f8 diagonal. Preparing to strike against f7, the most
vulnerable point in the black camp - and
Another hardly satisfactory line is: 2 1 . . .tLl e7 there is simply no answer to the threat.
22.'1Mfh3 ttJd5 23.ie5 f6 24.'1Mfh7t ffi 2 5 . c4!
fXg5 (or 25 . . . fXe5 26 cxd5) 26.cxd5 ixd5
a b c d e f g h
b d f g
24 . . . :!::\x e5
a c e h
The attempt to defend with 24 . . . Eie7 comes
Chapter 4 - IQP Positions: Attacking with the h-pawn 111
up against a n immediate refutation i n the Black's position doesn't look all that bad,
shape of 25 .ixf7t E:xf7 26.etJxf7 'iflxf7 but the mating threats count for more than
27 .ig5+- and Black's poor king remains in any thing else!
"splendid isolation" !
Nor i s there any relief for him i n 2 4 . . . lt:l d8
25.E:xd8 ! E:exd8 26.ixf7t 'iflh8 27.ixg6+
with threats of etJf7t and g2-g3, which
means that the end of the game is not far off!
25 .ixf7t �h8 26.ixe5 ixe5 27.tlJh3+
Black has nothing whatever to compensate
him for White's material plus.
8 �� ?j �
-�-.�-.� � --
�
--% � � i �
---l�..tRifR
6 ?;!,W,�� -,�m
-
�%'"//- �%"' /� c e
5 �� --• -----;li� ."'';�

a b d f g h
•
_ _
25 ... YNc7
1!,10" !!,�., "''!!,� IWil

4 Black can't drag out his resistance with
3 25 . . . f6. White finishes him off in j ust a few
2 !ll.l8,t-�o!w
�� r--�---- ��-�
�
1 � �nr�
moves: 26.ixe5 fxg5 27.E:d7+-
!<
A much stronger line from a practical point of
�
c e
view was: 25 'iflf8 26.ixe5 E:xe5 (of course
a b d f g h
. . .
not 26 . . . ixe5 27.E:xe5) 27.E:xe5 ixe5

23 . .ie4!
A superb move that makes nonsense ofBlack's
expectations! Zamikhovsky has defended
against an immediate mate, but what is he
to do now? The strength of White's plan lies
in its simplicity ! He is going to exchange the
bishops and bring his queen to h3, ending the
game. Black is clearly incapable of defending
his king, the f7-pawn and the d7 -square at the
same time!
b d f g
Black's reply to 23 .ixg6? would of course
a c e h
be 23 .. .'1Wg4! with complex play, but not
23 . . . etJf3t? 24.gxf3 E:xe3 25 . fxe3!+-. At least Geller would have been required to
find 28.etJxf7! E:xc3 29.Vff e 6+-. Strong play is
23 ... YNc7 required of us virtually until the very end!
On 23 . . . Vff e 7 White's simplest continuation
is 24.ixb7! ?, transposing to the game. 26.E:xe5 E:xe5 27.he5 be5 28.E:d7 .ih2t
29.s!ihl
24.hb7 YNxb7 25.YNh3+- 1 -0
It is natural to ask why White managed to bring answers 1 2 . . . ib7 with 1 3.tt::l g 5;!; (see Baburin
off a relatively easy victory. To me it seems that - Fokin on page 1 23) .
this was facilitated, first and foremost, by the
presence of his powerful dark-squared bishop, 13.ttlg5
which took the most direct part in the attack The c l -bishop is in effect already developed
- and by the extreme passivity of this bishop's - a notion familiar from the Ruy Lopez - so
opposite number on the light squares. The White can find something more interesting to
black bishop didn't look at all badly placed do than bring this piece out!
on b7, but it failed to accomplish anything
useful. He would also have an excellent game in the
event of 1 3.Wc2! ?, when 1 3 . . . g6 transposes
Bogdan Lalic - Antoaneta Stefanova to Geller - Zamikhovsky above, while after
1 3 . . . h6? 1 4.We2 Wd5 1 5 .�b l !, the rook will
Dos Hermanas 2002 switch to the kingside to assist White's other
pieces in organizing an attack.
l .c4 c6 2.e4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.d4 c!Ll£6 s.ttlc3
e6 6.c!Llf3 �e7 7.cxd5 ttlxd5 s ..id3 ttlc6 9.0-0
0-0 IOJ3el ttlxc3?! l l .bxc3 b6
8
7
8 1. •A a ��--� 6
7 r�----1---,Y--r
6 �'� -�� 5
4
� � ��
-----% -----%
' � 3
: �� 0 ��
� 2
3 ��
� J
1� � � 1
2 !u*
'"" ��-0 � z
�� ..
----,l----1-W:.iJ----1-
1 >F?i§ @'�\WI��i§ ' '
! �
a b
13 ... g6 14.Wf3
c d e f g h
/� �'§�� --�
c e
Not a bad move, but by no means the only
a b d f g h
one. There are likewise many uneasy minutes
1 2.h4!? ahead for Black after either 1 4. W g4! e5 1 5 . Wg3
The most fashionable idea, although similar exd4 1 6.h5! or 1 4 .ie4 ib7 1 5 .Wg4t.
variations also arose in Geller - Zamikhovsky.
The white knight aims to carry out a sortie to 14 ....id7?!
g5, and the simplicity of this idea in no way A perfectly understandable move - Stefanova
helps the charming Bulgarian lady to impede is thinking about the e6-square - but it is very
it. It isn't clear who employed the idea first, passive!
but it became widely known after the game
Razuvaev - Farago, Dubna 1 979. However, the more natural continuation does
not solve all Black's problems either: 1 4 . . . ib7
1 2 ....if6 1 5 .Wg3 tt::l e7! ( 1 5 . . . �c8 1 6.h5 tt::l e7 1 7.hxg6
It is more than obvious that White also tt::l xg6 occurred in Belkhodja - Bouah, Lusaka
200 5 , now White could practically win with a) The preliminary 1 7.a4! prepares to attack
1 8.l::�xe6!, for example 1 8 .. .l'hc3 1 9.lt:lxh7! the queen from the a3-square. Then after
rJ:/xh7 20.i.xg6t, or 1 8 . . . fxe6 1 9.lt:lxh7+-) 1 7 .. .f5 1 8 .lt:lg5 Black's resistance will already
1 6.h5 lt:l f5 1 7.\Mfg4t White's attack is anything be no more than symbolic - she simply can't
but simple to repel. defend the numerous weaknesses in her camp!
8 b) Black also has a hard time after the
7
straightforward 1 7.h6!? i.h8 1 8 .i.a3! '1Wh4
1 9 .i.xf8 �xf8 20.'1Wg3±, aiming to meet
6 20 . . . '\Wxh6 with the decisive penetration of the
5
white queen: 2 1 .'1Wc7 i.e8 22.i.b5+-
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
15.�e4
A different, more positional approach was
also interesting: 1 5 .'1Wg3!? lt:l e7D 1 6. lt:l e4
lt:\[5 ( 1 6 . . .i.g7 allows the queen to take up an
c e
active post without loss of time by 1 7.h5 lt:l f5
a b d f g h
1 8 .'1Wh3±) 1 7.lt:lxf6t '1Wxf6 1 8 .i.g5 !± White
will have an obvious plus in the subsequent 17.h6!?
ending. How remarkable to arrive at such a fantastic
situation so early! Lalic already holds the
1 5 i.g7
•.. initiative in the centre and on both wings, but
Black's position was already so uncomfortable the participation of his dark-squared bishop
that she ought probably to have settled for a will lend his game the dynamism that is so
small loss of material with: 1 5 . . . i.xh4! ? 1 6.i.h6 indispensable. The move he plays is excellent,
i.e7 (after 1 6 . . . �e8 ?! 1 7.lt:ld6, White can weakening the black king's position with no
meet 1 7 . . . �e7? with 1 8.g3+-, while 1 7 . . . '1Wf6 right of appeal. However, the alternatives were
1 8.i.f4! also greatly increases Black's problems) not at all bad either:
1 7.i.xf8 rJ:/xf8 1 8 .�ad l White has a large but
not yet decisive plus. The simple 1 7.i.a3! ? gives White an
indisputable initiative.
1 6.h5± bl)e7!?
Black can hardly manage without stationing A particularly interesting line is: 1 7 .i.g5! ?
this knight on f5! After all, the king could do f5D 1 8 .lt:ld6 h 6 1 9.i.f4 g 5 20.i.h2 lt:ld5 (or
with a formidable defender! If instead 1 6 . . 'IW e7
. 20 .. .f4 2 1 .i.c4) 2 1 .�acl t and by advancing
(for example) , White has more than one good the c-pawn White will breach the defensive
answer: rampart on the queenside.
17 ...i.hs I S.i.gs The opening phase is over, and the time

The mind could start to boggle at the wealth has come to take stock. White's pieces are
of possibilities! In no way worse than the very active, and from the point of view of the
move in the game was 1 8 .a4! with the idea of pawn structure his advantage is plain to see.
1 9.�a3!, or even 1 8 .�a3! at once. The pawn on h6 is especially strongly placed,
feeling no doubt like a spy within the enemy
camp.
I can scarcely fault the move played by the

Croatian grandmaster, yet it was worth giving
serious attention to:
2 l .�c4!?
a b c d e f g h
18 ... £5
The cunning 1 8 . . . f6! probably offered more
in the way of practical chances. For instance
b d f g h
after 1 9.li:lxf6t!? �xf6 20.�xf6 '®e8 2 l .c4, a c e
Stefanova could simply have continued:
2 l . . .li:lf5 (I don't so much like 2 l . . .'®f7 2 l . . .'®f8
22.�xe7 '®xe7 23 .'®e3) 22.�xf5 l"i:xf6 On 2 l . . .�c6 the knight triumphantly
23 .�xe6t! l"i:xe6 24.2"1xe6 �xe6 25 .2"1e l l"i:c8 returns, and in this case the effect is decisive:
26.'®f6!? '®f7 27.2"1xe6 '®xf6 28.2"1xf6 2"1xc4 22.li:le4! \t>h8 23.d5! li:lxd5 24.li:lxf6 '®xf6
29.d5 and Black may hope to hold this difficult 25 .2"1ad l !? b5, and now White can win either
ending. Of course, such an ending cannot have by the pretty 26.'®g3! bxc4 27.'®d6!+- or by
been what the young Bulgarian was dreaming the uncomplicated 26.�b3!? g5 27.2"1xe6!?
of when she played the opening moves of '®xe6 28 .�xd5 �xd5 29.'®xd5 '®xd5
the game, but right now it's impossible to 30.2"1xd5 a6 3 1 .2"1xf5 +- with a quick victory
conceive of any other realistic chance for in the endgame.
Black! 22.'®b7 '®d8
22 . . . �c6 23.2"1xe6! �xb7 24.2"1xf6t �d5
On the other hand, I wouldn't have been 25 .2"1xf8t \t>xf8 26�b3±
too surprised if in answer to 1 8 . . . f6! Lalic 23.�b5 �xb5 24.li:lxb5 a6 25 .li:la7!
had chosen the simple 1 9.�c l !?±, preserving White will emerge a pawn up.
his advantage and avoiding the need for any
long variations that would have been hard to 2L.J3f8 22.tZJgs li:lds
calculate and assess correctly. The e6-pawn cannot be defended - in the
event of 22 . . . '®c8 23 .'®e2 Black loses without
1 9.lLld6 i.f6 20.i.:xf6 l"i::xf6 21.t2:le4± much resistance.
Also after 22 . . . 1':k8 23.ia6 :!':i:c7 A player with a more modest approach might
have preferred the prophy lactic 25 .1':i:c l ! . Then,
for example, 25 . . . lt:lxc3 ? would lose outright to
26.1':i:c6!.
25 ... CLJxc3!? 26.1':i:ael
a b c d e f g h
24.1':i:xe6! White wins quickly.
23.CLJxe6 i.xe6 24J�xe6
a b c d e f g h
26 ... 1':i:c7?
This places no obstacles in the opponent's
path to victory! Black's king is in peril, and it
was worth thinking about ways to evacuate it
from the danger zone.
Hence 26 . . . �h8 ! ? deserved attention. Then at

any rate White would need to find 27.ia6!,
drawing the black rook onto a dark square.
a b c d e f g h There could follow: 27 . . . 1':i:c7 28 .W'f4 :!':i:cf7
24... gc8 (28 . . . g5 29.W'f3 Wf6 30.1':i:e8!) 29.ic4 Ei:f6
White has won a pawn, but the game is still 30.1':i:e6+ - and there is no rescuing the knight.
far from over. Contenting himself with a small
It would also be interesting to try 26 . . . Wh4!?.
gain, Lalic has left his opponent with some
However, White replies 27.W'e3! .
chances of continuing the struggle. The white
bishop, however, may be expected to occupy a
strong post on the a2-g8 diagonal before long.
Incidentally 24 . . . lt:l f6 was weaker than the
move played, as it would be well answered by
25 .W'b7!? or by the even stronger 25.'1Wg3 ! .
25J3e5
White maintains and even increases the
pressure on his opponent's position.
a b c d e f g h
Now 27 . . . f4 28 .Wff3 Wfxh6 doesn't work 29.Wfxc3 gxf5 30.d5+- the passed pawn sets
in view of 29.:B:e7, and if 29 . . . :!::!: £7 ? then off on its victory march) 29.:B:e7 tLld5 30.Wfe5 t
30.:B:xf7 c;t>xf7 3 l .Wi'b7t +-. Black is also left ttJf6 3 l .id7! and Black is sure to be mated!
with few chances after 27 . . . ttJe4 28 .ixe4 fxe4
29.:B:xe4+- when the many weaknesses around 27 i>h8?
.••
her monarch merely add to the problems of From a objective viewpoint, the best option
the material deficit. was probably 27 . . .tLle4, but after 28.ixe4 fxe4
29.:B: l xe4+- Black's position remains hopeless.
8
7 The play could develop more interestingly
6 in the case of: 27 . . .f4 28 .Wfg4 c;t>hs 29.Wfe6!

:B:c£7 (29 .. .f3 30.gxf3! doesn't help Black; while
45
on 29 . . .Wfxd4 White finishes prettily with
30.Wff6t! c;t>g8 3 l .ixg6 and a quick mate)
30.ic4 :B:f6 3 l .Wi'e7 Wfxe7 32.:B:xe7 g5 33 .:B:c l
3 b5 34.id3 b4 35 .:B:xh7t c;t>gs 36.:B:e l +- and
2
White has an easy win.
1 8
c e 7
6
a b d f g h
27.Wi'g3!?
45
I suspect White j ust didn't feel like working
out variations in a won position, and played
a normal move that is perfectly good. If he
had wanted, though, he could have resolved
3
on 27.ixf5 ! which is not all that complicated.
2
1
The bishop's participation in the attack decides
the game quickly:
c e
8
a b d f g h
7 28.:B:e8!
6
Simple and neat! After 28 . . . :B:xe8 29.:B:xe8t
5
Wfxe8 30.Wfxc7 Black is losing her knight and
getting mated.
3 The amusing 28 .:B:xf5 ! was also playable. Then

2 after 28 . . . :B:cf7 29.Wfe5t 'i!?g8 30.ic4 Black
has no defence against the mate on g7.
b d f g
1-0
a c e h
27 . . . @h8D (27 . . . gxf5 leads quickly to mate Black played the opening rather weakly;
after 28 .Wi'g3t c;t>hs 29.:B:xf5 ! :B:xf5 30.Wfxc7! Stefanova evidently hadn't spent much time
Wff8 3 l .:B:e8+-) 28 .Wfg3 :B:c6 (on 28 . . . :B:b7 analysing the situations that arose. Her
1 0 . . . ttJxc3 ?! can already b e called an error, and here, as he can vary his plans according to
soon the passive 1 4 . . . id7?! followed - after Black's defensive tactics. Meanwhile Black
which Black's cause was practically hopeless. In is rather cramped; as long as the board is
our day, losing the game is easier than ever - so so crowded, his pieces have insufficient
much experience of handling these positions room.
has accumulated!
17 ... tLl d5
Jan Banas- Laszlo Navarovszky Black puts a stop to the break in the centre
by the most radical and natural means.
Trencianske Teplice 197 4 Ultimately it would be hard for his knight
to find any better square than d5, especially
l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 cxd5 4.c4 ttJf6 5.tlJc3 considering that the incautious 1 7 . . . gc7?!
e6 6.tLlf3 .ib4!? 7.cxd5 c!Llxd5 8 ..id2 0-0 1 8 .ib3! E!:d7 1 9.d5 ! ttJa5 loses outright (this is
9 .id3 tLl c6 10.0-0 tLlf6 I I ..ig5 .ie7 12J�el
• no exaggeration!) to:
White can also play on the queenside with
1 2 .l'k l b6 1 3.ixf6!? ixf6 1 4.ttJe4 ib7
1 5 .ttJxf6t Wxf6 1 6.ie4. His chances of a
realistic advantage might not be great, but the
situation would be one of complete safety. But
here, in keeping with the theme of this book,
I am focusing on a more aggressive approach.
12 ... b6 13.a3! .ih7 14 .ic2 gc8 15.Wd3 g6

•
a b c d e f g h
20.dxe6! E!:xd3 2 1 .exf7t \t>h8 22.gxd3 Wxd3
23.fxe8=Wt ttJxe8 24.gxe7 +- For gross
carelessness Black has to pay a high price - in
this variation at least.
18.h4!?
With the black knight gone from the
kingside, this thrust seems logical; at the
moment the battery of queen on d3 and
bishop on c2 is "biting on granite" (g6) , so
a b c d e f g h the h-pawn is needed to soften up the enemy
position. This does indeed lead to interesting
16 .ih6 ge8 17 gadl
•
play, but it doesn't guarantee White the better

White deploys all his pieces in the centre and
chances.
makes preparations either for a breakthrough
with d4-d5 ! or for an advance of his h-pawn so
White might have given more consideration
as to induce weaknesses in the black camp. Or
to piece play, for instance with 1 8.ia4!? or
of course it might well be possible to combine
1 8.ttJe4.
both plans! White has a significant advantage
2 1 .�xe8 '1Wxe8
Black has interesting compensation for
the exchange sacrifice. White won't be able
to create any concrete threats for some time;
nearly all his resources will have to be devoted
to defending his ruined queenside.
1 9.h5 tLlxc3?
As happens quite often, one error brings at
least one more in its wake. If you are able to
stop at the first one, this testifies to an excellent
nervous system and a high class of play.
It was worth considering 1 9 . . . �f6!?. Then

20.tt:le4 runs into 20 . . . tt:l cb4!, while 20.�b3
tt:l ce7 2 1 .hxg6 hxg6 22. tt:l e4 tt:\f5 23.tt:lxf6t
Wxf6 24.�g5 '1Wg7 leads to a position that is
Of course, 1 8 . . . �xh4? is refuted without much perfectly defensible, despite the exchange of
trouble: 1 9 .tt:lxd5 Wxd5 20.tt:lxh4 '1Wh5 2 1 .d5! Black's important dark-squared bishop.
with powerful play.
8
But nothing is preventing Black from opting
7
6
for the natural:
1 8 . . . tt:lxc3 1 9 .bxc3 tt:la5 20.�a4
Black now has a choice. 5
4
20 . . . �d5 !?
I would recommend this strict positional
approach, in the style of Petrosian. 3
2
The continuation in Roiz - Doettling, Tel
Aviv 200 1, was not bad either: 20 . . . �c6
2 1 .�xc6 l'!xc6 22.tt:le5 l'!c7 23.h5 �g5 1
c e
24.hxg6 hxg6 with chances for both sides.
a b d f g h
20.hxg6! hxg6 2 1 .�xe6!
A resounding zwischenzug which Black had
obviously missed, expecting only 2 1 .bxc3.
Here is the first consequence ofWhite's sensible
plan (h4-h5) and his opponent's sluggish
response. After this move, you might suppose
that the basic part ofWhite's work was already
done, that he would j ust need to be reasonably
careful, and his victory would not be long
b d f g
coming. A dangerous delusion! Navarovszky
a c e h
now gives the impression of rousing himself
at last from a lengthy slumber and starting to which to oppose White's light-squared bishop.
play with formidable power! But avarice is such an understandable human
trait, and how difficult it is to sacrifice material
when you can win a couple of pawns instead!
22 ... ie4!
What you would play now?
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
23Jhg6t?
However, to be fair (especially considering I showed this position to some of my pupils
that Black still has real difficulties, almost of a fairly high standard, and all of them,
until the end of the game) it must be said with one sole exception, chose the move that
that the outcome would be similar after occurred in the game. How indeed could you
the much more normal 2 l . . .if6 22.1'%xe8t reject it? A beautiful rook sacrifice, Black's
W/xe8 23.bxc3 lLla5±. Here I would estimate weak king position, the chance to give plenty
White's chances of winning as being roughly of checks . . . the temptation proved too strong!
equal to his opponent's chances of gaining a
draw, provided of course that Black defends White should have played:
accurately and enjoys a modicum of luck! 23 .Wid2!
This modest move is significantly stronger
22.t2he5!? than the aggressive one he chose.
In playing this, White may have
underestimated his opponent's startling reply.
22.1'%xe5! seems stronger to me: 22 . . . ie4

(22 . . . lLlxd l ? loses at once to 23 .ib3 1'%c6
24.ixf7t! �xf7 25 .W/b3t �f6 26.lLlg5 with
a mating attack) 23 .1'%xe4 lLlxe4 24.1'%e l !±
White's threats are probably irresistible. Pay
no attention to the fact that Black is the
exchange up; he simply has nothing with
a b c d e f g h
23 . . . tDe2t! The moment of truth has arrived, and by this

After 23 . . . ttJxd l 24.�f4 i.f5 25 .i.xf5 time White too is quite unable to feel secure!
White's attack is irresistible.
23 . . . ixc2 24.�xc2 also gives White a
decisive attack.
23 . . . .!f8! ? 24.:B:xe8 �xe8 25.:B:e l ! is dismal for
Black too. In this last variation, incidentally,
White could also choose 24.i.g5 !+-.
The abundance of winning lines is enough to
make one's head swim!
24.�xe2 i.xc2
a b c d e f g h
25 ...i.h4??
Such a pity! The game has no sooner become
really interesting than Black succumbs to
the pressure (it was perhaps j ust his turn to
go wrong!) and loses almost instantly. What,
b d f g h
a c e
then, should he have done?
2 5 .�f3 .!f5 26.ttJc6 �d7 27.tDxe7t :B:xe7

First of all, apart from the move in the game,
28.:B:xb6± we can forget about 25 . . . i.d5 ? 26.i.xd5
As the result of the long and practically
tDe2t 27.rJ;;> f1 �xd5 28.i.e3t!? rJ;;> g 8 29.�g4
forced variation, White has won a second
i.f8 30.�xg6t i.g7 3 1 .�xe2± when Black's
pawn - though in view of the opposite bishops
drawing chances are minimal.
he will still need some good technique to
achieve victory. Black ought to have checked on e2 (an
excellent tactic, by the way - if you can't see a
23 ... fxg6D move to play, give a check!) . After 25 . . . tDe2t!
Absolutely the only move. Black loses
White has a difficult choice to make, and there
quickly with 23 . . . i.xg6? 24.lDxg6+-, and he is
is no guarantee against error!
likewise crushed after 23 . . . �h7? 24.�h3! fXg6
25 .i.xe4 tDxe4 26.i.g5t �g8 27.�e6t �h8
28.ttJf7t �g7 29 .tDxd8+-.
24.i.b3t! h7
Again Black had no choice - 24 . . . �h8
2 5 . lD f7t rJ;;> h7 26.�h3 i.f5 27.g4! finishes the
game in a few moves.
25.�h3
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 4 - I QP Positions: Attacking with the h-pawn 12 1
All three king moves must be analysed:
a) 26.'it>h l ?
The one thing of which I am totally convinced
is that this is downright weak!
26 . . . .th4!
Black simply continues by shielding his king
from the discovered check.
27li:Jf7
b d f g
Against 27 . .td2? the simplest way to win
is 27 . . . 1'!h8 28.tLlf7 ct?g7 29.tLlxh8 'Wxh8-+ a c e h
and Black's large material plus guarantees 28 . . . .txg2t
him victory. 28 . . . 'Wxf2! 29.'Wxh4t 'Wxh4t 30.ixh4
ct?g7-+ is also sufficient to win.
29.'Wxg2 ixg5 30.tLlxg5t ct?g7-+
The extra exchange together with an attack
should secure Black the win without difficulty.
b) 26.ct?h2 ih4 27.tLlf7

Almost the same position as we had in line
'a, but the slightly different placement of the
white king has a significant effect on Black's
choice of move here:
a b c d e f g h
27 . . . 'Wf6!
Accuracy to the end!
The careless 27 . . . .tf5 ? 28 .'Wh2 'We7 allows
White to maintain the balance by 29.tLlg5 t!
'it>xh6 30.'Wxh4t ct?g7 3 1 .'Wh7t ct?f6
32.'Wh4=, and to avoid anything worse,
both sides have to settle for repeating the
position. Incidentally in this line White
b d f g
avoided a fairly simple trap - after 29 . .tg5 ?
tLl g3t 30.fxg3 'We i t 3 1 .1'!xe 1 1'!xe l t 32.'Wgl a c e h
1'!xgl t 33 .ct?xgl ixg5+ he would soon have 27 . . . if5!!
to acknowledge defeat. A magical solution to the problem - at this
28.ig5 moment it's even quite a task to count how
Slightly more tenacious than 28.tLlg5 t many units on each side are under attack!
ct?xh6! 29.'Wxh4t 'it>g7 30.'Wh7t ct?f8 3 1 .f3 Of the alternatives, 27 . . . 'Wf6 28 .ig5!t is
ic2-+, and for the missing rook White has clearly weaker.
no compensation at all - apart, if you like, Black has more j oy with 27 . . . ixg2!, after
from the chance to give a few checks that which 28.ct?xg2 transposes to line 'c' below.
will frighten no one. 28.g4D 'Wc7t
Mter 28 . . . �xg4 29.Wfxg4 Wff6 30.f3!? I very 27 . . . �xg2t!!

slightly prefer White's position. Pretty, and practically forced!
29.tLle5 Black is in a bad way after 27 . . . Wff6 28.tLlg5 t
Of course not 29.�h l ? �c2-+. �xh6 29.Wfxh4t �g7 30.Wfh7t � f8
3 1 .Wfh6t �e7 32.tLlxe4+- with a fearsome
attack.
The complications also go against him
following: 27 . . . �f5 28.g4!? (the simple
28 .Wfh2!+- looks even stronger) 28 . . . Wfd7!?
29.Wfxh4 �xg4 30.tLle5 tLl g3t!? 3 1 .fxg3
Wfb5t 32.�gl �h5 33 .�a2 �xh6 34.Wff4t
�g7 3 5 .E:fl+- White's knight is heading
for f7 and his attack can scarcely be resisted
without great material losses.
b d f g
28.�xg2
a c e h
This shows true fighting spirit!
29 . . . �c2! The cautious 28 .Wfxg2!? leads to approximate
The tactics continue! equality: 28 . . . Wfd7 29.tLle5 tLl g3t!? 30.fxg3
In the event of 29 .. J:i:xe5 30.Wfxh4! Black is
Wfb5t 3 l .�el E:xe5t 32.dxe5 Wfxe5t
not to be envied. 33.�fl Wfb5t 34.Wfe2 Wfxb3 3 5 .�f4 :i:l:fB=
30.Wfxh4 �xb3 3 l .�g5 t �g8 32.�f6 E:xe5 and Black succeeds in holding.
32 . . . Wfh7 33.Wfxh7t �xh7 34.E:d3 E:xe5 28 . . . Wff6! 29 .tLlg5t
35 .�xe5 is just a transposition. In the event of 29.Wff3 lLlxd4 30.Wfxf6 �xf6
33.�xe5 Wfh7 34.Wfxh7t �xh7 35 .E:d3 �e6
3 l .�g5! ? tLlxb3 32.�xf6 �g8 33.tLld6= the
36.E:h3t �g8 37.d5! game remains balanced despite the activity
And as frequently happens, the wild
of the white pieces.
complications culminate in a prosaic draw.
29 . . . �xh6 30.Wfxh4t �g7 3 1 .Wfh7t �f8
37 . . . hg4 38 .E:h8t
White delivers perpetual check.
c) 26.�fl !?
Undoubtedly the most promising move.
26 . . . �h4! 27.tLlf7!
The position isn't simple to evaluate after
27.�xe2! ? �c2 28.�f4 �g7? either.
a b c d e f g h
32.tLle4
Chances are about equal after 32.tLlf3
E:cd8?.
On the other hand, the ineffective 32.Wfh6t
�e7 33.tLle6?! �d6! places the overall
initiative in Black's hands.
a b c d e f g h
32 . . . :Sxe4 33 .\MfgSt cJle7 34.1Mfxc8 1Mfg5 t 12 ...i.h7 13.ll:\g5

35 .cJlf3D 1Mff4t 36.cJlg2
Once again it all ends in perpetual check,
which might well be considered an equal
disappointment for both sides.
Returning to the game, after 25 . . . i.h4?? the

finish is much simpler and more mundane.
26.bxc3+- :Sc7 27.ll:\f'7 :Sxf'7 28.i.xf'7 i.f5

29.'1Mfh2 :Se2 30.i.e3 mg7 3 I .i.c4 :Sc2
32.'1Mff4!
1 -0
A sorry end to such an interesting game.
After White had gained a large plus out of the
opening, there was a certain point where he
gave his opponent a breathing space, and the
game entered a phase of totally unfathomable
complications. But as is well known, the
winner is the player who makes the last mistake
but one, so White's victory in this game was
fully merited! 14.i.xg5 'IMf d5
Black doesn't get very far with: 1 4 . . . 1Mfd7
Alexander Baburin - Sergey Fokin 1 5 .1Mfh5 f5 ? ( 1 5 . . . g6± is an improvement)
Gorky 1989
l .d4 ll:\£6 2.c4 e6 3.ll:\c3 d5 4.cxd5 ll:\xd5

s.ll:\f3 c5 6.e3 ll:\c6 7.i.d3 i.e? 8.0-0 cxd4
9.exd4 ll:\xc3?! IO.bxc3 0-0 l l .:Sel b6
12.h4!?
We have already seen this and a number of
similar positions. Quite often, as in Geller -
Zamikhovsky at the start of this chapter, White
b d f g h
carries out the same idea after a preliminary
1 2.1Mfc2 ( 1 2 . . . g6 1 3.h4) , which has its plus a c e
and minus points. One of the main ideas of 1 6.i.c4 :Sfe8 1 7 .1Mfe2 c:JJ£7 1 8 .1Mfh5t Toying
playing 1 2.h4 at once is that after the expected with Black before going in for rhe kill. 1 8 . . . cJlg8
knight sortie to g5 the white queen will reach 1 9.1Mfe2 c:JJ£7 20.1Mfd3!+- Kalinitschew -
the kingside without delay. But then again, Antonov, Berlin 1 986.
White will have to pay a certain price for that
possibility; too many pieces will be forced to 15.'1Mfg4
leave the chessboard for any really dangerous After 1 5 .i.e4 1Mfd7, it may be worth White
threats to be created. continuing with 1 6.i.c200, rather than: 1 6.:Se3
liJe7 1 7.i.xe7 (the position is likewise equal The h-pawn goes forward like a battering
after 1 7.i.c2 liJf5 1 8.i.xf5 exf5 1 9.c4 :B:fe8=) ram and is ready to provoke a weakening of the
1 7 . . . '1Wxe7 1 8 .hb7 '1Wxb7 1 9.'1Wg4 :B:ad8= black pawn structure, even at a slight cost in
material. But a good question has arises: Does
1 5 ... £5 Black snatch the pawn on the other wing, or
So the opening stage of the game is over, and does he let it live for now?
White undoubtedly holds the initiative (he has
the two bishops, and Black constantly needs to 1 9 � c4!
...
think about the weakness of the dark squares in Without any doubt, the correct decision!
his camp) . However, it is also easy to see how Against the truly suicidal 1 9 . . . ha2?, White
much the position offers by way of defensive would have at least three interesting ideas:
resources for Black, who has managed to
exchange off both White's galloping knights.
a b c d e f g h
a) 20.c4!?
A move that is standard in this type of
c e
position, cutting the black bishop off from
a b d f g h
the kingside.
1 6.'1Wg3 � a5 20 . . .'\Wxd4
The alternative 1 6 . . . <j;lh8! ? 1 7.h5 h6 1 7 .i.f4 If you want to try defending the black king
makes no fundamental difference to the after 20 . . . :B:ae8 2 l .d5, or after 20 . . . i.xc4
character of the position. 2 l .i.xc4 liJxc4 22.:B:xe6 '1Wxd4 23 .'1Wf3! -
then go ahead, but personally I wouldn't
17J�e5 '1Wd7 1 8,gael �d5 1 9.h5 waste too much time on it.
2l.h6
b d f g h
c e
a c e
a b d f g h
2 l . . .�xc4 24.Wff4!
In the event of 2 l . . .Wfg4 22.Wfxg4 fxg4 Simplest; White takes the precaution of
23.l' he6, White's attack in no way suffers blockading the black f-pawn, while his
from the queen exchange. own d-pawn threatens a victorious forward
22.hxg7 1'!fc8 23.�xc4 'Dxc4 24.1'!xe6 Wfg4 march.
2 5 .Wfxg4 fxg4 26.�h6 24 . . . 'Db2 2 5 . hxg7 1'!xg7 26.1'!e7+-
It isn't exactly clear how Black can defend There obviously won't be long to wait before
against White's simple threat: to bring a rook the game ends!
to the f-file, and then - at the right moment -
to check on f8 . c) 20.�xf5!
Probably the most convincing of all.
b) 20.h6!? 1'!£7
On 20 . . . g6 White gains a clear advantage
with the none too complicated 2 l .�xf5!.
2 l .c4!
Reverting to the theme of our previous
variation, only in a slightly improved form.
2 l . . .�xc4
After 2 l . . .CDxc4, the full force of White's
attack is splendidly illustrated by the variation
22.1'!5e2! �b3 23.1'!xe6 Wfxd4 24.1'!e8t
b d f g
1'!f8 25 .1'!xa8 1'!xa8 26.�xf5 - and the poor
a c e h
black king is forced to defend almost single
handed against the opposing hordes! There 20 . . . 1'!xf5
were quite a few other lines that Black could Black could of course leave the bishop where
have chosen, but none of them promise him it is, but how is he then to defend?
anything good; the actions of White's pieces 2 1 .1'!xf5 exf5 22.1'!e7 Wfa4
in the crucial theatre of war are too effective A defence in a lost position is about as easy
and well coordinated! to find as a black cat in a dark room! What
22.hc4 'Dxc4 23.1'!xe6 1'!af8 else can be suggested for Black?
23 . . . g6 24.d5! doesn't help Black either; the The insertion of 22 . . .f4 23.Wfxf4 would do
bishop will go to e7 and the pawn to d6, absolutely nothing to alter the verdict.
after which the game is sure to end with a The same goes for 22 . . . Wfc6 23.1'!c7! Wfe4
strike against g6 and a quick mate. 24.�f6! with mate soon to follow.
23.f3 1'!e8 24 h6! 1'!xe7 25 .�xe7 �£7 26.Wfxg7t
8 �e6 27.�g5
7
By combining threats to the black king with
6
the advance of his h-pawn, White easily wins.
5
20J�5e2;1; � d6
4 A critical j uncture! White's game is to be
3 preferred, but an interesting question is how
2 he would improve his position after 20 . . . 1'!£7!
2 1 .h6 g6, with an almost total blockade.
a b c d e f g h
2 1 .h6 gf7 White can take pleasure in combining

Here too Fokin could have played 2 1 . . .g6!?, preparations for a central breakthrough with
although after 22.if4 lLl e4 23.ixe4 fxe4!? the a banal attack on the e6-pawn.
opposite bishops would promise White the 24.ie5
initiative. 24.c4!? 1'%c8 25 .ie5 g6 26.'1Wb3± looks quite
good too.
Black could well consider defending actively 24 . . . g6 25.c4 \Wc6 26.'1Wb3!
with: 2 1 . . .b5!? 22.hxg7 (perhaps White should
think about an exchange sacrifice; after 22.if4
lLl c4 23 .1he6! ixe6 24J':he6 he has a strong
initiative) 22 .. J�f7 23 .ih6 1'%f6 24.'�h4
1'%g6 25.g3 1'%c8 The correct evaluation of the
position is somewhere between a slight plus for
White and equality.
22.if4
a b c d e f g h
26 . . . ixg2
Unfortunately for Black this fails, but
everything else leaves him passive and dearly
worse.
27.ig7! ih l
There is no relief in 27 . . . 1'%xg7 28 .1'%xe6 '1Wd7
29.hxg7 ie4 30.d5+-.
Nor does 27 . . .ie4 28.f3! help Black.
a b c d e f g h
22 ... � e4?!
I would prefer 22 . . . t0c4, but Black didn't
want to admit the loss of two tempos!
23.he4 fxe4
In an ending, the presence of opposite
bishops will merely play into Black's hands
but he still has to survive until the ending is a b c d e f g h
reached, and this phase of the game will dearly
28.d5! exd5 29 .1'%e6 dxc4 30.'1Wh3 '1Wd7
not be easy for him!
3 1 .'1Wxh 1 1'%c8 32.ic3+-
White has an irresistible attack.
Black also faces difficulties after the other
recapture:
24.i.e5
23 . . . ixe4
Alex Baburin is trying to extract the Complex play results from:

maximum from the position. Otherwise he 26 . . . l"i:c8!? 27.l"i:g4 i.d5 28 .l"i:e3!
would have continued 24.hxg7 l"i:xg7 25 ."\Wh4 All White's pieces are preparing to take part
l"i:g6 26.i.e5 l"i:f8 27.l"i:e3 with some initiative. in hunting down the black monarch!
24 ... g6
8
7
6
5
4
3 a b c d e f g h
2 28 . . . �f8!
1 28 ... b5? loses to 29.l"i:xg6t hxg6 30.iWxg6t
�f8 3 l .l"i:g3 .
a b c d e f g h 29.l"i:c3!?
25.c4! Just now, no sacrifices work: 29.l"i:xg6? hxg6
White's chief idea hinges on this very move 30."1Wxg6 l"i:h7
being possible. Everything could have turned 29 . . . l"i:xc3 30."1Wxc3 "'>Wc6 3 l .iWd2
out quite differently if Black had had a pawn The show is set to continue: White possesses
on b5! the initiative as before, but Black retains quite
good defensive chances.
25 ...i.xc4
It's hard to say whether this move or 25 . . . i.b7 27.l"i:g4
preserves more possibilities of defence. In the Now how do you think Black should
latter case White would double rooks on the continue?
c-file and carry out a break in the centre with
d4-d5 or c4-c5 . 8
7
6
26.l"i:xe4
The rook is heading for g4 with the obvious
intention of sacrificing itself on g6 at the 5
4
appropriate moment.
26 ...i.xa2 3
The temptation for Black to treat himself to
an important pawn is difficult to resist, and 2
this move can't actually be called an error - but 1
c e
excessive greed is so often punished!
a b d f g h
27 i.d5?
... 1M'f5 , after which White could only lay claim
No! From this moment on, Black's hopes of to a slight plus.
a happy end to the game start melting before On the other hand, 30 . . . Eih7? loses outright
your very eyes! For better or worse, he just had to 3 l .i.d6t @f7 32.1M'f4t mg8 33 .Eie3! Elf7
to play: 34.Eig3t @h7 3 5 .1M'e4t Elf5 36.Eig7t 1M'xg7
27 . . .l"k8! 37.hxg7t.
Activating his rook and taking control of the 3 l .i.g7t
c-file. Unruly complications follow from: 3 l .i.d6t
2 8 .Eixg6t @e8 32.1M'g8t @d7 33.1M'xf7t @xd6
This bold move is probably White's strongest. 34.1M'xa7 i.d5 35 .h7 1M'c7 36.1M'a3t @d7
After 28.mh2 i.d5 29.Eie3 @f8 30.i.d6t 37.1M'e3 Elh8 38.1M'h6?
me8 3 1 .1M'e5 1M'b7, the situation is far from 3 1 .Eie3? actually loses to 3 1 . . .1M'cl t 32.@h2
simple. @e7 33 .1M'h4t @d7 34.h7 i.b l .
The same also goes for the more energetic 3 l . . .@e8 32.h7 @d7 33.h8=1M' Elxh8 34.i.xh8
line 28.d5!? i.xd5 29.i.b2 @f8! 30.1M'e5 mes 1Mfc2!?00
3 l .i.a3 @d8! 32.Eid4 Elc2? . Incidentally White still has his work cut out to acquire
in this variation White might try to break even a minimal plus.
his opponent's resistance by 30.i.a3t mg8
3 1 .Eixg6t, but here again, after 3 l . . .hxg6 Up to here, then, Fokin has managed to cope
32.1M'xg6t Elg7 33.hxg7 1M'xg7 34.Eixe6! with the problems of the defence, but from
1M'xg6 3 5 .Eixg6t @f7 36.Eih6 i.e4=, it all now on he is forced to fight for a lost cause!
ends in mutual satisfaction!
28 . . . hxg6 29.1M'xg6t @f8 28Jkl!
One more piece j oins in the attack on the
8 king.
7
6
28 i.c60
...
5
It's hard to suggest a better continuation, as
4
28 . . . Eic8 ? does nothing to help Black's defence:
29.Eixg6t! hxg6 30.1M'xg6t @f8 3 l .i.d6t!
3 1M'xd6 32.Eixc8t @e7 33.1M'g5 t Elf6 34.h7+-
2
a b c d e f g h
At first sight White's attack seems to have
reached its natural conclusion, but he still
has quite a few unused resources available:
30 .1M'g3!
Threatening highly unpleasant checks on d6
or a3.
30 . . . 1M'c6!?
Black could also consider 30 ... 1M'b5 3 l .i.g7t
@e8 32.h7 @d7 33 .h8=1M' Elxh8 34.i.xh8
a b c d e f g h
29.d5!? 30.i.b2
A natural and strong move - on b2 White's Similar possibilities arise from: 30.�d4
bishop will undoubtedly be the main driving Wfxg2t! (30 . . . Wfb5 loses more quickly to
force of his attack. But in j ustice I would point 3 1 .i.b8! i.d7 32.�c8t i.xc8 33.�d8t �f8
out that White had an even stronger option: 34.Wfc3) 3 1 .Wfxg2 i.xg2 32.Wxg2 a5 33.�dc4
29.i.d6! and White should win.
Stopping the black king from escaping the
danger zone. 30 ... �c8?
29 .. .l:: k 8 Black's will to resist is obviously exhausted!
N o better is: 2 9 . . .l:'!:f6 30.l:'!:f4! �xf4 (or I don't think he can save the game by
30 . . . �f5 3 1 .�xf5 exf5 32.�xc6! Wfxc6 30 . . . Wfxg2tD 3 1 .Wfxg2 i.xg2 32.�xg2 a5
33 .Wfb3t +-) 3 1 .Wfxf4 :!"!:e8 32.Wfe5 �c8 33.�gc4, but why give up without a struggle?
33.d5! and White has a winning attack.
30.d5! 3 1 .�xg6t+-
The time for this move has now come! The persistent Baburin has managed to get
30 . . . i.b7 through to the black king after all!
30 . . . exd5 3 1 .�xg6t hxg6 32."1Wxg6t �g7
33.hxg7+-
8
7
3 1 .�xc8t i.xc8 32.�xg6t hxg6 33.Wfxg6t �g7
34.hxg7 Wffl 3 5 .Wfg5+-
6
5
29 ...�xd5
The only move. White wins too easily
after 29 . . . hd5 30.�c7 Wfe8 3 1 .�xg6t+- or 4
29 . . . exd5 30.�xg6t hxg6 3 1 .Wfxg6t Wf8
32.i.d6t+-.
3
2
8 1
7 a b c d e f g h
6 3 1 . .. hxg6 32.�xg6t mf8 33.i.a3t mes
5 34.�g8t md7 35.�xf7t mds 36.�e7#
4
1-0
A beautiful finish to a bright game! Alex
3 Baburin mated his opponent in the finest style.
2
When he got the chance he was quick to bring
his rook into its attacking position. And try
1 not to forget the move 29.d5 !? . In any event,
c e
this game may serve as a splendid illustration
a b d f g h of how to conduct the attack in such positions.
New York 1 9 9 2 - A ga me aga inst a futu re p u pil
Chapter S
lOP Positions:
Versus the c-pawn
Aru b a 1 9 9 2 - I solating two Qu eens

j u d it a n d Susa n f' olga r
Diagram Preview
O n this page you will find 8 8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
cases) . The solutions are found 3 3
on the following pages in the 2 2
b c d f g h
a e a b c d e f g h
A neat combination How to conclude the attack?

(see page 1 36) (see page 1 43)
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
Look for the win in a A positional decision What refutation had I prepared?
subnote. What is it? (see page 1 37) (see page 1 50)
(see page 1 34)
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
White has a winning attack, A nice combination A clever trick

but how to execute it? (see page 1 3 8 (see page 1 52)
(see page 1 35)
Chapter 5 - IQP Positions: Versus the c-pawn 1 33
Rafael Vaganian Robert Hubner

- ttJ bd5 1 5 .Wi'd2 Wl'a5 1 6J:hc 1 ttJh5 1 7.h3 �e6,
and the game was eventually drawn.
Tilburg 1983
8
7
l .d4 d5 2.c4 dxc4 3.�c3 e5 4.e3 exd4 5.exd4
�f6 6.Lc4
6
5
4
3 [///�///-,;;;;;:;://,.,
2
1
a b c d e f g h
l l ...i.g4
Doctor Hiibner takes the first opportunity to
develop his bishop, but the initiative remains
in his opponent's hands.
We have arrived once again at a position with
an isolated queen's pawn, albeit in a somewhat Much more common is 1 1 . . . ttJ bd5!?, but in
different version from usual. Instead of the e6- that case too Black fails to secure complete
pawn to which we are accustomed, we shall equality. For example: 1 2.ttJe5!? (White also
have to deal with a pawn on the c6-square, has an excellent game after 1 2.ttJxd5 cxd5
which of course radically alters the nature of 1 3 .ttJe5! �e6 1 4 . ttJ d3! lb e4 1 5 .�xe7 Wl'xe7
the position. The chief difference lies in the 1 6.f3 ttJ f6 1 7 . ttJ c5 Browne - T. Petrosian, Las
greater degree of freedom acquired by both Palmas 1 982) 1 2 . . . �e6 1 3 .�cl �e8 1 4.h3 �c8
light-squared bishops. The white one, not 1 5 .�c2! ttJ d7 1his was Ki. Georgiev - Hiibner,
confronted by a pawn on e6, undoubtedly Batumi 1 999, and now I think it was worth
poses a greater danger to Black; but on the considering 1 6.ttJxd7 �xg5 1 7. ttJ c5 ttJxc3
other hand, Black has no problems with 1 8 .bxc3 �xb3 1 9.�xe8t Wl'xe8 20.axb3;i; with
the quick development of his c8-bishop. a small but lasting plus.
So which player benefits more from this
transformation? I rather feel that White does; 12.Wi'd3 La?!
his bishop will be able to play a most direct I definitely dislike this move but am unable
part in an attack. to suggest anything substantially better.
Perhaps it is j ust the case that White's position
6 ...i.e7 7.�f3 0-0 8.0-0 � bd7 9.�el � b6 is more promising? For example, after 12 . . . �h5
IO.i.b3 c6 l l .i.g5 1 3.ttJe5 ttJ bd5 1 4.h3, Black's pieces are very
Another line is 1 l .Wi'e2 �b4. In Adams - restricted in their actions.
Granda Zuniga, Merida 2008, (which reached
this position from a Petroff Defence!) there 13.�xf3 �fd5
followed 1 2.�g5 h6 1 3 .�h4 �xc3 1 4 . bxc3 Black blockades the isolated pawn - what
could be more natural? Yet in the present 1 9 . . . c5 20.d6

specific case this action involves a distinct risk. By avoiding the awkward blockading line
20.!'1xc5 1Wd6 2 1 .!'1a5 !'1e5 , White has managed
Black could also try a different standard move: to keep a small plus.
1 3 . . . '1Wd7!?
1 4 .!'1ad l a b c d e f g h
White could also consider 1 4.!'1e5 h6
14.i.xe7
1 5 .!'1ae l �d8 1 6.�c l !? '1Wxd4 1 7.!'1f5 , with An extremely interesting moment in
excellent compensation for the pawn.
the game! The move played is obvious and
1 4 . . . !'1ae8 1 5 .h3 t/J fd5 strong, and yet one question arises - about
1 5 . . . h6 1 6.�f4± the possibility of taking on e7 with the rook.
1 6.�xe7 t/Jxe7 How do we assess the resulting position?
It's hard for Black to escape completely from Rafael Vaganian regarded that move as weak
his opponent's pressure. Mter 16 . . . !'1xe7 and probably losing, but I am now going to
1 7.t/Jxd5 t/Jxd5 1 8 .�xd5 !'1xe l t 1 9.!'1xe l raise some objections (in collaboration with
cxd5 20.!'1e5± White can be optimistic about my silicon assistant, of course!) . Vaganian's
the future. intuitive j udgement (and we cannot do without
1 7.!'1e5 t/Jg6 1 8.!'1a5 a6 intuition when working out large numbers
of variations) was only partially at fault; the
upshot of the following analysis is that Black
(or indeed White!) should not lose. And yet
in practice, I doubt whether the player on the
black side would have succeeded in treading
the narrow path to the draw! Well, then:
1 4.!'1xe7 t/Jxe7 1 5 .l'! e l t/J bc8 1 6 .'1We2 l"i:e8!
Black starts to have difficulties. As Vaganian
points out, 1 6 . . . '1Wd7? 1 7.�xe7 !'1e8? loses to
1 8 .�xf7t! mxf7 1 9.1Wc4t mg6 20.l"i:e6t+-.
1 7. t/J e4!
White brings up another piece for the attack
1 9 .d5!
- a move underestimated by the illustrious
1 9.!'1h5 !?;!:
Armenian grandmaster! He considered
1 7.i.xf7t? @xf7 1 8 .Wfe6t @f8 1 9 .:!:%e3 ll::l d6! and there won't be long to wait before Black
20.1':lf3t lLl ef5! 2 1 .1':lxf5t lLlxf5 22.Wfxf5 t is mated!
'kt>g8 23 .i.e3 Wfxd4-+ . Incidentally, in this
variation it makes a crucial difference which b) 1 7 . . . Wfa5 1 8 .lLlc5 @h8 This move looks a
knight Black places on f5 . After the mistaken little strange, but White was threatening to
20 . . . ll::l df5 ? 2 l .g3! the situation is nowhere take on f7, even if it meant a sacrifice. 1 9.i.xf7
near so simple! 1':lf8 20.i.c4!? lLl f5
a b c d e a b c d e f g h
Black now has an extremely difficult choice 2 l .i.d2 Wfb6 22. lLl d7 Wfxd4 23.lLlxf8 ll::l cd6!
to make. White has numerous threats, the f7- Now either 24.ll::l xh7!? Wfxc4 25 .Wfh5 or
square can easily be attacked, and the pin on 24.i.b3 1':lxf8 25 .i.c3 promises White a
the g5-d8 diagonal is most unpleasant. There virtually won position. In the latter case his
are plenty of moves available to Black, but the two bishops are controlling the whole board!
question is how many of them lose!
c) 1 7 . . . Wfd7 1 8 .lLlc5 Wff5
a) 1 7 . . . Wfxd4? We start with one of the There may be an improvement in 1 8 . . . Wfd6
weakest choices, which meets with an instant 1 9.lLlxb7 Wfg6 20.i.f4±, but even so, Black's
refutation: 1 8 .Wfh5! 1':lf8 1 9.1':ld l position is j ust too forlorn!
1 9 . . . Wfb6 (the poor queen now has to depart 1 9.h4! h6 20.i.c2!
from the centre into utterly ignominious exile, The trouble for White is that he can only
seeing that 19 . . . Wfxe4 20.Wfxf7t! doesn't take make one move at once! He would also
much analysing) 20. lLl f6t! gxf6 2 l .i.xf6+- have a splendid position after 20.g4 Wfg6
2 1 .h5! Wxg5 22 . .ixf7t �h8 23 ..ixe8 lt:l d6 The result is the same after 1 9 . . .Wxd4 20.lt:le5
24. lt:l e6±. Wc5 2 1 .:B:c l ! , and now if, for example,
20 ... Wd5 2 1 .'1Wd3 �f8 22.ib3 Black plays 2 1 . . .Wb5 and White wants to
White totally dominates the board! avoid a host of unnecessary variations, he
22 . . . Wd6 23.'1Wh7! hxg5 simply plays 22.ic4 Wa5 23.:B:dl +- with an
irresistible attack.
20.ixe7 lt:l xe7 2 1 .'1Wxe7 a4 22.ic2 Wxd4
23 .:B:e4 Wd5 24.a3
White has a fairly obvious plus, though it
would be a long and tedious job to exploit it.
e) 1 7 . . . lt:l b6!
Without any doubt the strongest move, but
by no means a simple one to find!
1 8 .if6!?
b d f g h
A curious idea.
a c e
White can also consider: 1 8 . lt:l c5 lt:l bd5
24.:B:e6! 1 9.ixd5 Wxd5 (better than 1 9 . . . cxd5
A neat combination. 20.ixe7 '1Wc7 2 1 .g3 b6 22.lt:ld3 '1Wd7
24 . . . fxe6 25.lt:lxe6t Wxe6 26 . .ixe6+ 23.lt:lf4±) 20 . .ixe7 Wxd4 2 1 .lt:lxb7!? :B:ab8
And Black is crushed. 22. lt:l d6 :B:xb2 23 .'\Wfl :B:eb8 24.lt:lf5 '1Wc300
with chances for both sides.
d) 1 7 . . . :B:f8 1 8. lt:l c5 1 8 . . . lt:l bd5
This is strong enough, although in Black's
place I would also have serious worries about
1 8.lt:l g3, aiming to bring the knight to h 5 .
1 8 . . . b 6 1 9. lt:l d3!
a b c d e f g h
1 9.'1Wg4
In analysis I failed to extract an advantage
b d f g h
a c e
from 1 9.ixe7 :B:xe7 20.ixd5 cxd5 2 1 .lt:l f6t
'it>f8 22.lt:lxh7t 'it>e8 23.'1Wb5t Wd7
1 9 . . . a5!
24.:B:xe7t �xe7 25 .'1Wb4t �d8 26.Wf8t
The only move that enables Black to prolong
WeB 27.'1Wd6t. Black can then choose
his resistance.
between the drawing line 27 . . . Wd7! ? and the
Black loses with 1 9 . . . :B:e8? 20.ixf7t �xf7
combative 27 . . . �c8!?.
2 1 .'1We6t �f8 22.lt:le5 lt:ld6 23.lt:ld7t Wxd7
19 ... g6 20.'&8 Wa5 2 1 .:B:da
24.Wxd7+-.
Chapter 5 - IQP Positions: Versus the c-pawn 137
White retains good compensation for the 1 8.:Se3 :Sad8

exchange. Black fails to equalize with 1 8 . . . 'Ll f6; replying
1 9 .d5 gives White an unpleasant initiative.
Given that this last variation is the only line in
which Black achieves approximate equality, and 19.CLle4! �c7
considering how many hazards he encountered
along the way, I am convinced that 14.:1he7
would have been an excellent practical chance.
But Vaganian, though anything but a chess
coward, took a more prosaic option! He
evidently liked the position, and there was
no obvious reason for calculating all these
variations - some of which are very difficult
- and weighing up the nuances. Why should
he go after two birds in the bush when he had
such a splendid one in the hand?
14 ... CLJxe7
20.h4!
An excellent move. Vaganian has no intention
of wasting time on the prophylactic 20.g3!?.
Another interesting possibility involved the

idea of 20.'1Mfh5 ! 'Ll f4 2 1 .'1Mff5 , when Black's
position remains very passive.
20 ... h6
Probably best!
c e
Playing the black side would be difficult after
a b d f g h
20 . . . 'Ll b6 2 l .h5 'Llf4 22.h6 'Ll bd5 23.hxg7
1 5.:Se5! 'it>xg7 24.Ei:ee l ± .
White also has a minimal edge after the
simple 1 5 .Ei:ad l ! ?t. 2 0 . . . 'Ll f4 2 1 .'1Mfg3!? lands Black i n an annoying
pin.
1 5 ... CLlg6 1 6.l:l:e4 CLJ d7 17.l:l:dl;!; �aS
Interestingly, it is only this move that breaks As for 20 . . . 'Llxh4?, it loses outright: 2 1 .'1Mfh5
fresh ground - speaking from the present-day 'Ll g6 22.Ei:h3 Ei:fe8 (22 . . . h6? 23 .'1Mfxg6+-)
standpoint. In Stella - R. Martinez, Bologna di 23 .'1Mfxh7t mfs 24.Ei:f3+-
Pasqua 2009, the continuation was: 1 7 . . . 'Ll f6!?
1 8 .Ei:e3 '<Mfd7 1 9 . 'Ll e4 (White would also have 2l .�g4
a small plus after 1 9 .d5!) 'Llxe4 20.Ei:xe4 Ei:fe8 White's pressure keeps mounting. Now he
2 l .Ei:de l l:l:xe4 22.Ei:xe4 Ei:d8 23.h4± is simply threatening to capture on g6 - and
perhaps it is thanks to the very simplicity of 22.h5

the threat that finding an antidote is so very White could win a pawn with 22.ixf7
far from simple! l"i:xf7 23.'11Nxg6 tLl f8 , but frankly this would
not guarantee victory, in view of the genuine
However, I would point out that as well as this weakness of the d4-pawn!
move he had at least one very good alternative
in 2 l .l"i:de l !, taking the whole of the centre A move more deserving of attention was
under control. Then, for example: 2 l . . .tLl b6 22.l"i:g3!?± with good chances of reaching the
22.h5 tt:l f4 desired goal.
22 .. .'!i�f4!
Quite definitely the strongest move. After
an opening that was not the most successful,
Doctor Hubner has been conducting a
stubborn defence, constantly setting his
opponent new problems. Unfortunately this
phase of the game was not to last much longer.
Black's position would be unenviable after
22 . . . '11N f4? 23.'11Nxf4 tt:lxf4 24.tt:ld6!± or 22 . . .f5
b d f g
23.'11Nxg6 fxe4 24.'11Nxe4 tt:l f6 2 5 .'11N g6± .
a c e h
23.tLlf6t! gxf6 24.'11N g4t h8 2 5 .'11N f5 tt:l bd5 23J�g3 g5
26.ic2+-
8 �� -� f� ��f��
"� Ill�
6 �,�i%BAi� Ill.
.,Y,� ,
2 1 . .. hs
'i
After 2 1 . . . tt:l f4 White does best to play: 1 . . ..
22.l"i:f3! tLl d5 23.l"i:g3 g6 24.h5 tLl7b6 (24 . . . '11Nf4

25.hxg6 '11Nxg4 26.gxf7t xf7 27.l"i:xg4±) � IIlii! IIlii! IIJ!!Jj d!
2 5 . tt:l f6t!? (25 .l"i:f3!?, severely restricting Black's
5
4 �� -0 �%'"/1�.
• ��tt:J�V�
-�
�.�- - - ;��
choice of plans, may well be even stronger)
25 . . . <±>g7 26.tLlxd5 tLlxd5 27.hxg6 f5 2 8 .'11N f3 ±
3 �r � � -
®-� � ®'%'" "Y,W3m3.
2�8 tt§ �• �t£§ 8�
.. �
t w
-£----��
� r.-----�=�
�
c e
�- ,%
a b d f g
..
h
24.hxg6 fxg6 25J�el !±
An excellent move! White makes use of
the superior mobility and coordination of
his pieces, and challenges his opponent to a
fight for the e-file. For this, however, Black's
resources are simply insufficient.
25 .. J�de8
White's initiative is quite impossible to resist structure. All White's pieces - collectively
in the event of 25 . . .'�a5 26J:!ee3 iWfS 27.\Wh4 as well as individually - were patently more
iWhS 28 .\WxhS gxhS 29.tL'l d6+-. active than those of his opponent, and his
bishop was able to oversee the entire board.
On the other hand, 25 . . . lt'l f6! 26.tL'lxf6 :E!:xf6 Throughout the game only two results were
27.�h4 \Wg7 28.:!l:ge3 :!l:xd4 29.:!l:e8t :E!:f8 ever possible, and it is no surprise that Doctor
30.�g3 would leave Black with chances of an Hubner finally succumbed to the strain.
acceptable outcome, although White certainly
keeps a strong initiative. Antonio Torrecllias Martinez - Lev Psakhis
26J!ge3 Andorra 200 1
8 l .e4 c5 2.c3 e6 3.d4 d5 4.exd5 exd5 5.�f3
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
26 ... � b6?
The decisive mistake. Black didn't have much
choice; it was simply imperative to continue s ... a6
26 .. .'�g7! 27.il.c2±. He had to fight for control Quite a rare move, and rather a risky one.
of the cS-square right to the end! Black had a wide choice of continuations such
as S . . . tt:l c6 and 5 . . . ttl f6, and incidentally I also
27.� c5 \Wc8? like the simple capture on d4. Of course, in
Black's will to resist has been sapped, all these lines Black has difficulty playing for
but unfortunately for him, the natural a win - there isn't a single weakness in White's
continuation 27 . . . :!l:xe3 28.fxe3 \We7 29 .\Wg3 camp, and his pieces are harmoniously placed.
tL'l fd5 30.\Wxg6+- similarly allows White to It just can't be helped - when playing to win
win material while retaining all the assets of with Black, a certain amount of risk has to be
his position. shouldered!
28.\Wxf4! 6.dxc5 hc5 7.i.e2

1-0 A line that looks more natural is 7.tL'l bd2
tL'l c6 8 . lL'l b3 il.a7 9 .il.g5 tL'l ge7 1 0.\Wd2, with a
In this game Vaganian succeeded in slight advantage for White, Sermek - Jankovic,
demonstrating the defects of Black's pawn Pula 1 999. The development of the light-
squared bishop can wait a while. On the other l l . . . gxe2!?

hand, the move in the game cannot in any way Black takes up an active position with his
be considered a mistake. rook before finishing the development of his
other pieces, but there is nothing else for it.
7 ttlf6 8.0-0 0-0 9.i.g5 ges
•.. Both l l . . .i.b6 1 2 .i.d3 tt:l c6 1 3 .tt:lbd2 and
This was a novelty; it involves a pawn l l . . .i.a7 1 2.i.d3 tt:l c6 1 3 .tt:lbd2 i.e6 1 4.V!le4
sacrifice with completely unclear consequences. g6 would promise White a stable advantage.
Whether it's worth playing this way is a matter 1 2.Vflxc5 tt:l d7
of taste. 1 2 . . . i.g4 is most simply met by 1 3 . tt:l bd2,
A safer alternative was 9 . . . i.e6 1 0. ttl bd2 though White could also consider 1 3 .Vflc4!?
ttl bd7. There could follow, for example, Vfle6 1 4.Vflxe6 fxe6 1 5 . tt:l bd2 with a minimal
l l .tt:lb3 i.a7 1 2. tt:l fd4 tt:l e4 1 3 .i.e3 Vflc7, with edge.
a perfectly reasonable game. 1 3 .Vfla3
1 3 .Vflb4!? deserves attention.
1 3 . . . tt:\e5 1 4. tt:\ d4
After 1 4. tt:\ bd2 tt:l d3 Black's pieces are very
active.
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
IO.ttl bd2?! a c e
Cowardice is probably the chief fault to which
chess players (and not only chess players) are 1 4 . . . i.h3!?
prone! Had I been playing White myself, I could Pretty and surprising! But then, ifwe consider
hardly have resisted a continuation such as: the situation of the white queen, pining away
1 0.i.xf6!? Vflxf6 l l .Vflxd5 on the other edge of the board for a period of
several moves, the possibility of Black's attack
isn't as astonishing as all that!
1 5 . gxh3
In the case of 1 5 .tt:\ xe2 tt:l f3t 1 6.cj;>h l tt:\h4,
Black is guaranteed at least a draw.
After 1 5 .Vflb3 hg2 1 6.cj;>xg2 Vflg6t 1 7.ct?h l
Vfle4t 1 8 .f3 gxh2t 1 9.ct?xh2 Vflh4t 20.ct?g2
Vflg5t, it ends in perpetual check, because
2 1 . cj{f2 �e8! stops the king escaping.
1 5 . . . V!Jg6t 1 6.ct?hl �d8f!
The position is most unclear.
I would be misleading you if I claimed to knight on e4 is absolutely worth the minimal

have worked out all these variations at the weakening of the kingside pawn structure.
time; even now I am not sure they are entirely
correct. I did feel, however, that Black would 14.i.g3 � e4 15.�fd2
obtain some kind of compensation for the I am not very keen on this move, although
pawn. Black's position is already somewhat preferable.
White's game would not be easy to play after

1 5 .id3 f5 1 6.c4 ie6 1 7.cxd5 ixd5, when the
black pieces are clearly more active.
Instead it was worth playing 1 5 . lLl fd4!?,

attempting to reduce the pressure from the
bishop on a?, but Black still has a pleasant
position after either 1 5 . . . Wff6 or 1 5 . . . lLlxg3
1 6.hxg3 Wfd6 1 7.Wfd2 id?.
1 5 ... �xg3 1 6.hxg3
c e
a b d f g h
8
10 ... h6 l l .J.h4 � c6 12.�b3 J.a7
In a game a few years later, I varied with
7
1 2 . . . ib6!? and obtained an attractive position 6
after 1 3 .Wfd3 g5 1 4 .ig3 lLl e4 1 5 .lLlfd4 Wff6
5
4
1 6.:gad l id7 Perunovic - Psakhis, Internet
(rapid) 2006.
3
2
13J�el
a b c d e f g h
1 6 ... g4!
I like this move. That doesn't sound entirely
modest, but I want to be honest! White's pawn
on f2 becomes weak and can easily be attacked
by Black's mobile pieces. Nor should the threat
of . . . h5-h4 be underestimated. It's obvious at
any rate that supreme mastery of defence will
be required ofWhite.
a b c d e f g h It would also be interesting to try 1 6 . . . Wfb6

13 ... g5! l ?.:gfl Wfc?, attacking the white pawns at
A typical move in such positions. A powerful once.
17 .id3 l:helt l S.'Wxel

• 22 h4!
..•
On 22 . . . Ei:h8 White should probably

8 continue simply with 23.'Wd2+, seeing that
7
23.tt:lxd5?! �xd5 24.Ei:xd5 meets with the
unpleasant retort 24 . . . Ei:e8 25 .Wd2 'Wxf2t
6 26.'Wxf2 Ei:el t 27.�h2 �xf2-+, and White's
5
chances of survival in the ensuing endgame are
minimal.
4
3 23.gxh4 'Wxh4
2
1
a b c d e f g h
18 h5
••.
1 8 . . . �d7!? is quite good too, but I saw no

reason to postpone the plan of advancing the
h-pawn.
19)tlfl
1 9 .Ei:dl �e6 is liable to just transpose to the
game, as White seems to have nothing better
than 20.tt:lfl .
1 9....ie6 20.Ei:dl 'Wf6
8
7
6 Mter 24.g3 Black gladly utilizes the weakness
5 of the f3-square: 24 . . . Wh5 2 5 . tt:l g2 tt:l e5

26.tt:ld2 Ei:h8! (26 . . . tt:\ f3 t 27.tt:\xf3 gxf3
4 28.tt:lf4! 'Wg5 29.Ei:d4! �xd4 30.cxd4+ allows
3 jr/#,'�-- -��f'. \-,-,-,1%
White to prolong his resistance) 27.tt:l h4
2
Ei:h6 28 .�f5 (White would lose at once with
28.tt:\f5t? �xf5 29.'Wxe5t �f8-+) 28 . . . tt:l c6
1 �L_��
29.tt:lfl �xf5 30.Ei:xd5 Ei:f6 and possessing an
c e
extra piece, Black wins without any trouble.
a b d f g h
21.CLle3 @g7 22 ..ih l 24 CLlxd4 25.cxd4 Ei:hS 26.@£1 'Wf6!
••.
Black's advantage is only too obvious, and 27.'Wd2

White's defence becomes more and more White needs to think about two things -
difficult. defending his weak d4-pawn and rescuing his
king - and he can't cope with both tasks at freedom. This is much more convincing than:
once! 28 . . . Ei:h l t? 29.'kt>e2 Ei:xd l 30.'kt>xd l
Thus for example on 27.WI'b4 Black has: 8

27 . . . g3! 28.f3 7
a b c d e f g h
30 . . . ixd4 3 l .ltJf5t ixfS 32.ixf5
b d f g h
8
a c e
7
28 . . . id7! (incomparably stronger than
28 . . . Ei:h l t 29.'kt>e2 Ei:xd l 30.<J;> xd l ixd4
6
.----- ---·--- =
3 l .ltJf5t! ixf5 32.ixf5 aS 33.WI'd2 ixb2
5
34.WI'xd5 Wl'b6, when Black has very good
winning chances, but White's possibilities of
resistance shouldn't be underrated either) , and 4
now 29.WI'xb7 fails to 29 . . . ib5 t 30.id3 ixd4
3 l .ixb5 ixe3-+ and it becomes obvious 3
2
Y""·"''///�nF'""'·ww.,F'��,
that the game is heading towards its natural

conclusion.
1
c e
8 a b d f g h
7 29.<i!.>e2
29.ltJc2 id7!-+
6
5 29 i.xd4 30.WI'd3 Ei:e4!
•.•
4
The concluding blow; White's position falls
apart like a house of cards.
3
2
3 I .<ii> fl
Only slightly better than 3 l .fxe4 Wl'f2#.
1
c e
3 I . i.xe3
a b d f g
•.
h 0-1
27 g3! 28.£3 Ei:h4!
••.
White cannot now defend the d4-pawn, In this game White succeeded in maintaining
and the a7-bishop breaks out to long-awaited the balance only up to move ten, and shortly
later with 1 3 . . . g5 ! I firmly seized the initiative. of the opening. White's pieces are deployed
Like Vaganian's light-squared bishop in the passively - thanks to the misplaced bishop on
previous game, my bishop on a7 was just too e2 - and control of d4 is perhaps his sole asset.
strong. Gradually White's problems multiplied,
and the position of his king became more and I O.J.g5
more perilous. In Prasad - Psakhis, Calcutta 1 98 8 , White
played 1 0.c3, which is equally harmless. The
Aidyn Guseinov- Lev Psakhis continuation was: 1 0 . . . :ge8 1 L.tf4 tt:l c6
1 2. tt:l bd4 tt:l e4 1 3 .:ge l .tg4 1 4.h3 .th5 1 5 . .te3
USSR Championship (First League) 1988 .tc7!+
l .d4 e6 2.e4 d5 3.ttJd2 a6 IO ... h6 l l ..ih4 ttJ c6

So it's the good old French Defence. This last
move has never enjoyed very much popularity,
8
7
but it is played with the aim (or more exactly,
the hope) of avoiding extensively studied
variations. 6
4.ttJ gf3 c5 5.exd5 exd5 6.dxc5 hc5 5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
12.:gcl
This move mystified me back in 1 98 8 ,
and I can honestly say that my feeling of
bewilderment has not departed with the years!
If White wants to advance the c-pawn he can
c e
do so without special preparation, while if it
a b d f g h
remains on c2 the pawn has no need to be
7 ..ie2?! overprotected. Either 1 2.c3 or 1 2.c4 would
It would be hard to think up another move seem much more natural, though the position
as boring as this. The bishop should of course of the knight on b3 might raise one or two
go to d3, and White also has some other awkward questions.
possibilities that aren't at all bad - for instance
7.tt:lb3 .tb6 8 . .tg5 , hoping for an eventual 12 ... g5! 13 ..ig3 ttJ e4t
advantageous exchange of the opponent's The pawn's advance to g5 in no way weakens
strong dark-squared bishop. Black's king position, while the knight on e4
and bishop on b6 are splendidly coordinating
8 ... ttJf6 8.0-0 0-0 9.ttJb3 .th6 their efforts. It isn't simple for White to defend
Black can be fully satisfied with the results against the advance of the black f-pawn.
14.CtJfd4 Black's total control of the crucial e-file,

combined with the inevitable advance . . . h5-
8 h4, would soon enable him to create threats
7
that would be hard to parry.
6 1 5 bxc6 16.i.e5 'l&e7

••.
5
4 8
7
3
2 6
1
5
a b c d e f g h
4
3
2
14 ... £5
I couldn't refrain from playing such a strong
and natural move, even though I wasn't totally 1
c e
certain that I wanted to!
a b d f g h
It was also worth considering 1 4 . . . '\&f6!? 1 5 .c3 17.i.c3!?
�d7, with excellent piece play. A decision that rather surprised me - White
is settling for a serious weakening of his
15.C2Jxc6! queenside pawn structure.
White was faced with a difficult choice. The
move he plays appears to be necessary, but it In the event of 1 7.�d4 c5 1 8 .�c3 �e6, Black
relieves Black of the need to defend his isolated has a small but stable plus.
pawn (not that it was currently under attack) .
17 i.d7?!
..•
There would be some complex problems to An inaccuracy with far-reaching conse

solve in the event of 1 5 .f3 lLlxg3 1 6.hxg3 Wf6 quences. I understood that after an exchange
1 7.c3 !l:e8 1 8 .f4!? g4 1 9 .1ii h 2 �d7. on c3 I wouldn't be able to stop c3-c4, after
which I didn't see any realistic possibilities for
8 continuing to play for a win. The thoughtless
7 move I made alters the course of the game
6
radically, and more or less compels Black
5
to seek salvation in some totally obscure
4
variations.
3 I ought to have exchanged on c3 regardless:

2 1 7 . . . tLlxc3 1 8.bxc3 'l&e5 1 9.c4 (or 1 9 .'1&d3
!l:a7! 20.!l:fe l !l:e7 2 1 .c4 !l:fe8t) 1 9 . . . �c7 20.g3
b d f g
f4 and Black has the initiative.
a c e h
It was also worth considering the move The a7-bishop is cooperating excellently
1 7 . . . a5 !?, which would deny White access to with the knight on e4, which incidentally
the aS-square. is anything but easy to evict from such an
important central square. But unfortunately
18.�a5! you can't usually give mate with rwo pieces -
Of course! additional resources are required. The pawn on
g4 and, especially, the queen will take pleasure
1 8 ...i.a7!? in joining the attack, but at a certain cost in
After 1 8 . . .i.xa5 1 9.tt:lxa5 :B:ab8 20.\Wd4oo material. It's obvious that the only way White
the chances are about equal, and White is can cast doubt on Black's plan is by capturing
threatened with no immediate dangers. on dS, but the resulting variations are too
complicated and, I feel, practically impossible
1 9.c4! to assess precisely and correctly over the board.
But Guseinov made a timid move.
20.i.c7?!
Hoping - in vain! - to hold up the further
advance of the f-pawn. The idea was to prove
faulty, and it was easy for me to work up
an overwhelming attack against the white
monarch.
I should add that 20.c5 was j ust as inoffensive;

after 20 . . . i.b8 Black has excellent play.
The most thematic move, 20.cxd5!, was of

a b c d e f g h course stronger. Black would then have the
In the space of j ust a couple of moves there choice berween rwo continuations - 20 . . . \Wh4
has been a radical change in the evaluation and 20 . . . g3! ? - which at first sight appear to be
of the position. White's pieces have occupied of roughly equal worth. Let us see.
excellent posts with good coordination; the
rook on c l , incidentally, now looks quite well a) 20 . . . \Wh4 and now:
placed. So what is Black to do?
In the event of 1 9 . . . \WeS , I didn't like 20.cxd5

cxdS 2 1 .i.c3 tt:lxc3 2 1 .bxc3!?. There would
then be a number of weaknesses in the
black camp, the white knight would soon be
occupying the central square d4, and Black
would simply have to forget about playing
for a win. Instead, I succeeded in finding an
interesting, albeit very risky idea.
a b c d e f g h
1 9 ... g4!?
a l ) 2 1 .dxc6!? g3 leads by transposition to 23.i.c4D �h7 24.1'l:fe l '\Wxe l t 25 .l::!: xe l i.xd4

variation 'b' . 26.lt:\xd4 lt:\h3t 27.@fl f!
I think chances are roughly equal, though of
a2) 2 1 .g3 lt:\xf2 course plenty of play still lies ahead.
Black has no easy defence ahead of him
after: 2 1 . . .lt:\xg3 22.dxc6 lt:\xe2t (Black a3) 2 1 .lt:\d4!? is a cool-headed and powerful
is in a bad way after 22 . . . i.e6 23.lt:\c5!) move that practically refutes Black's idea. The
23.'\Wxe2 g3 24.'\Wc4t '\Wxc4 25 .l::!:xc4 gxf2t activity of the a7 -bishop is abruptly curtailed,
26.l::!:x f2 and the mighty pawn on c6 more Black's attack comes to an end, and White is
than compensates White for the small loss left to enjoy his positional gains. 2 1 . . .cxd5
of material. (the optimistic 2 1 . . .g3 22.hxg3 lt:\xg3 merely
leaves Black with even greater problems after
the cold-blooded 23.fXg3! i.xd4t 24.1'l:f2
i.xf2t 25 .@xf2±) 22.'\Wb3 i.e6 23.g3 White's
advantage, though not perhaps very big, is
secure.
b) 20 . . . g3! ?
This i s more interesting and, I would say,
more fun.
a b c d e f g h
22.'\Wd4!? '
A remarkable move. White sacrifices his

queen, rejecting the capture on h4 which
would give approximately equal chances:
22.gxh4 lt:\ xd l t 23.@h l lt:\ e3 24.dxc6 i.e6oo
22 . . . '\We?
22 . . . lt:\ h3t is less convincing: 23.�g2 i.xd4
b d f g
24.gxh4 i.xb2 25.dxc6 i.e6 26.i.c4! and a c e h
the c6-pawn is difficult to stop, especially
2 1 .dxc6
considering the absence of prospects for the
Black has everything in order after 2 1 .hxg3
lonely knight on h3.
lt:\xg3 22.i.c4 '\Wh4 23.dxc6t i.e6! - we shall
come across this fine idea more than once.
2 1 . . .'\Wh4!
Bringing the queen up closer to the enemy
king, Black creates numerous threats,
although quite frankly, he has little choice.
Black gets nowhere with 2 1 . . .lt:\xf2?!
22.1'l:xf2! i.xf2t 23.�h l ±.
After 2 1 . . .i.xf2t 22.@h l gxh2 23 .i.c7!
White's problems are at an end, while Black's
are only j ust beginning!
a b c d e f g h
By the way, the outwardly attractive 2 1 . . . .ie6 25 . . . mxg6 26.1Wd6t <j;Jh5 27.\Wxg3! 1Wxg3
22.hxg3 f4 also fails, in view of 23.1Wd3 .if5 28 .E!:c3 1Wd6 29.cxd7 \Wxd7 30.E!:h3t @g6
24.\Wc4t cj;Jh7 25 . .ib4!+-. 3 l . .id2
22 . .ic4t I would prefer to play the white side of this
Black now faces a choice: position.
b3) 22 . . . .ie6!
a b c d e f g h
b d f g
b l ) 22 . . . <j;Jh8 ?? loses at once to 23.hxg3 ttlxg3
a c e h
24 . .ic3t.
Pretty and strong.
b2) 22 . . . E!:f7 23 . .ixf7t <j;Jh7 24.hxg3 ttlxg3 23 . .ixe6t @h7 24.\Wd7t
Black's threats seem irresistible, but this is 24.h3?? would be suicide: 24 . . . gxf2t 25.<j;Jhl
merely an illusion! White has the possibility ttl g3t 26.<j;Jh2 1Wf4! and mate quickly
of repelling them, though only by sacrificing follows.
his queen, which he can do in either of two 24 . . . <j{g6
ways.
a b c d e f g h
25 . .ixf5t! E!:xf5 26.\We6t!
The absence of a wide choice is a great help
in looking for the best move!
White is not to be envied after 26.hxg3 ttlxg3
27.1Wd6t E:f6 2s .1Wd3t <j{g7 29.1Wd7t mgs
30.1Wh3 1Wxh3 3 1 .gxh3 ttlxfl , when both
32.E!:xfl E!:xc6 and 32.c7 .ixf2t 33.<j;Jh l
tLl g3t would be equally hopeless for him. Seeing that 32 . . . cJlh8?? would lose to
26 .. J�f6 33 .�c3t tLlxc3 34."®xa7!, Black has to settle
A final attempt at playing for the win! for a draw.
On 26 . . . cJlg7, there are two possibilities -
27.hxg3 tLlxg3 28 .�c3t leads to perpetual At the present time it's hard for me to say how
check, whereas 27.�c3t tLl xc3 28.hxg3D many of these beautiful variations I worked
"®e4 29.!ke l "®xe6 30.1'he6+± results in out over the board, and how many are the
wholly unclear play. Unfortunately it is fruits of post-mortem analysis. The game was
White who chooses between the two! played too long ago! I well remember seeing
27."®h3 l:!xf2 28 .l:!xf2 "®f4D the idea of . . . �e6! in reply to the check on
c4, and feeling that 20 . . . g3 should secure
me adequate counter-chances. Above all, I
understood very well that in the resulting
complications, taking the right decisions would
be every bit as difficult for my opponent as for
me!
After the move in the game, Black's task is

much simpler.
b d f g h 8
7
a c e
29."®e6t!
Avoiding the uncomplicated variation:
6
5
29.l:!cc2?? �xf2t 30.cJlhi �e3! 3 l ."®e6t
�h7 32."®e7t cJlh8-+
29 . . . �h5 30."®d5t cJlg6 4
The crazy 30 . . . cJlh4?? 3 l .hxg3t cJlxg3 is
simply refuted by 32.�c7+-, for if32 . . . "®xc7 3
then 33 ."®d3t. 2
3 l ."®e6t cJlh7
1
8 a b c d e f g h
7 20 ... £4! 21 .c5
6 Vainly hoping to limit the scope of Black's
5 all-powerful bishop. This is certainly White's
4
most stubborn move, but that is its sole merit!
2
A line that looks utterly dismal is 2 1 .�xg4
tLlxf2 22.l:!xf2 �xf2t 23.cJlxf2 "®h4t 24.cJlgl
i.xg4-+ and Black emerges with an extra
a b c d e f g h exchange. This might possibly have been the
least of the evils, but it fails to give realistic
32."®d7t
saving chances.
A more interesting try is: 22.ha6

2 1 .cxd5 g3! With this move White practically admits
2 1 . . .tt::l x f2! is also good enough. Mter that he is capitulating.
22.�xf2 ixf2t 23.�xf2 We3t 24.� e l f3
25 .�c3 fxe2! 26.�xe3 exd l =Wt 27.�xd l For good or ill, White simply had to take
cxd5 Black has a won endgame. the much more important pawn on f3 . The
22.dxc6D continuation could be: 22.gxf3 gxf3 23.ixf3
ih3 Attacking a number of things at once,
though it is still possible for White to resist.
24.ig3 ixfl 2 5 .�xfl �ae8+ Now the
natural 26.ih5 meets with the uncomplicated
refutation:
5
a b c d e f g h 4
22 . . . Wh4! 3
Simplest, although the calm 22 . . . ie6! also 2
looks quite good: 23 .ic4 lLlxf2 24.ixe6t
b d f g
Wxe6 25 .Wf3 tt::l g4t 2 5 . tLl c5 tt::l xh2-+
23 .ic4t �h8 24.ie5t �f6 25.h3 ixh3! a c e h
And Black will soon deliver mate. White is 26 . . . ib8! 27.Wg4t �h8 28 .he8 ixg3
indeed paying a high price for his mistake on 29.hxg3 lLlxf2!? 30.Wd4t �h7 3 1 .ih5 Wg5,
move 20! and Black has an irresistible attack.
2 1 . .. £3! 22 ... fxg2 23. @xg2 �h4

This move is too natural and strong for me The alternative 23 . . . ib8! 24.ixb8 �fxb8
to want to reject it, even for a minute! Still, 25 .id3 �xa2-+ was in no way weaker, but all
2 1 . . .g3! ? was not bad either. my thoughts were focused on one target only:
the white king!
24J�k2
The f2-pawn has to be guarded somehow,
but the natural 24.ig3 solves the problem
only temporarily: 24 . . . Wh3t 25.�gl lLlgS!?
(25 ... ib8!? also looks quite tempting!)
26.tLld4 (or 26.ie2 lLl f3 t 27.�h l tt::l x h2!
28.ixh2 ib8 29.f4 g3-+) 26 . . . tt::l f3t 27.�h l
tt::l xh2! 28 .ixh2 ib8 29.f4 ixf4! 30.�xf4
�xf4 3 1 .ifl Wh4-+ and White cannot defend
against the many threats.
24 ...ib8!
White's dark-squared bishop - perhaps his
king's most important defender - is exchanged.
25.ixb8 E:axb8 26.tl:)d4
8 •--��-A� /�
�� -----�Y-�
·- �
7 �� *'*
6
� �A �� · •
� b d f g h
�� %l �r/ ��"'"'

45 �
a c e
��/��-
/, - ---;� � · �
28.:!'!e2D (28.hxg3 loses to 28 . . . 1Mfxg3t 29.<;t>h 1
- '"" l2l xf2t 30.:!'!xf2 1Mfxf2) 28 . . . 1Mfxh2t 29.<;t>f3
3 ��r� �� r� �
��r�
1Mfh3! with extremely interesting tactical
2 � w� ll • w��w
possibilities. Fortunately I stopped in time,
� and asked myself the simple question whether I
1 -- - - "-l•t•""" had any need of all these attractive, interesting,
c e
but excessively complicated lines. Black's large
a b d f g h plus is obvious, and in all probability he can
Black has a wonderful position - all his bring his attack to a successful conclusion
pieces are participating directly in the attack on without applying such drastic measures. My
the king, and it's clear that White will scarcely next few moves are directed against the knight
manage to defend for long. In this situation on d4, which can claim to be the key defensive
Black's main problem is without doubt the piece in the white camp.
immensely wide choice of highly tempting
continuations - he could quite easily lose his 26 ... :8:f4!?
head over the abundance of possibilities. And Roughly the same ends would be served by
in fact I nearly did! I spent some minutes 26 . . . !!b4!, attacking the knight from the other
working out the complex and double-edged flank. In that case too, White would hard put
variations starting with 26 . . . !!xf2t. There to find an adequate defence. For example:
could follow: 27.:!'!cxf2 (or 27.:!'!fx:f2 g3 28.:8:fl 27.a3 (or 27.<;t>g1 l2l g5!) 27 . . . :!'!xd4! 28.1Mfxd4
1Mfxh2t 29.<;t>f3 l2l g5 t 30.<;t>e3 g2 with a strong l2l g5 29.'.Wd3 if5 30.'.Wg3 ie4t 3 l .f3 gxf3t
attack) 27 . . . g3 32.<;t>f2 Wxg3t 33.hxg3 ixc2-+
27.YMd3 in for the none-too-complicated: 29 . . . :gxd4!

Black would have quite a pretty win after 30.:gxd4 (similar results follow from 30.Wi'xd4
27.�gl lLl g5 28.f3 gxf3 29.lLlx8 :gx£3 30.:gxf3 WFh3t 3 Lmhi WFst 32.mgl lLl h3t 33.mn
Wi'd4t!-+ . Of course, this would not be his :ge8!-+) 30 ... lLl f3 3 I .mfl Wi'xh2 with a quick
only possible solution. mate.
8 30.YMel
7
The more active 30.Wi'e5 is refuted by the
straightforward 30 . . . :gxf2t 3 l .:gxf2 Wi'xf2t
6 32.mh l if5 ! . 1hen 33.lLlxf5 loses immediately
5
to 33 . . . Wi'f3t 34.mgi lLl h3#.
4 30 ... :gh3 3 1 .YMgl g3!

3 Another perfectly good method is 3 1 . . . :gxf2t!
2
32.:gxf2 :gg3t 33.mf1 :gxgl t-+.
1 32. �fl :gxh2

0-1
a b c d e f g h
27 ... :gbf8-+ 28.YMe3 �g5 29.:gdl What, then, happened in this game? White
Black wins just as easily in the event of played the opening in an extremely boring
29 .Wi'g3 Wi'h3t! 30.Wi'xh3 gxh3t 3 I .mhi manner and was saddled with the worse position
:gxd4-+, and also after 29 .:gc3 :gxd4! 30.Wi'xd4 (which he fully deserved) . Unfortunately my
lLl f3-+ . own play was not faultless either, and my
inaccuracy on move 17 abruptly altered the
course of the game; the ensuing complications
were well-nigh impossible to deal with
correctly over the board. The move 1 9 . . . g4! ?
turned out t o b e very strong (especially from
a practical viewpoint) . The attack on the dark
squares was far from easy to repel, and White's
very next move - 20.ic7?! - proved to be the
decisive mistake! It was of course essential for
him to capture on d5 , and he would have had
little to lose by doing so; after the move in the
game, the position he was forced to defend -
without even the slightest counterplay - was
just too hideous. In such positions every move
carries an exceedingly high price, which means
that the punishment White suffered was only
seemingly out of proportion to the magnitude
of his errors.
Chapter 6
Attacking in the Sicilian Labyrinth
Rostov 1 9 9 7
fsa khis - 5m_yslov
Diagram Preview
7
6
5
4
a b c d f g h
e a b c d e f g h
How to defend against the A tough one. White's best

threat of 'Wxb8? move?
8 8 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
bw"''.Z.'='Xz:<:W'P'·""
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
Why oh why did Black open Black is in a tight spot. White wins
the position? What is the most practical (see page 207)
(see page 1 5 8) decision?
(see page 1 74)
8 8 ... 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
1 1
How to refute Tal's What golden opportunity Cakulate till the win, please
combination? did Cvitan miss? (see page 2 1 1 )
Chapter 6 - Attack in the Sicilian Labyrinths 155
Th e labyrinths o f the Sicilian Defence . . . the their opening repertoire. On a personal note,
phrase sounds very much like a cliche, yet I well remember how in 1 977 the young Lev
it brings out the essence of the matter very Psakhis was shown into a room with the great,
accurately. These days, · when playing the awesome and terrible Mikhail Tal, to play
Sicilian (particularly the immensely popular a blitz match with him. On that occasion I
Najdorf Variation) , you find yourself, so to tried to hold the line for Black with the aid of
speak, in a vast and difficult maze, with at best precisely this sharp variation.
only a single exit - which you have a tough
job to discover. The Najdorf has probably been 7.i.c4 '?Na5 8.'?Nd2 e6
investigated more thoroughly than any other
variation in the history of chess. Thousands
of players have become its ardent supporters
(for example, 99o/o of Indians employ it as
their principal opening) , while thousands of
computers - Rybka, Fritz, Junior, et al. - are
at work on it.
The games I wish to present are taken from past

times - though in some of the cases it was not
too distant a past - when a premium was also
placed on the ability to solve problems over
the board, to discover the sole defence and to
withstand the pressures of practical play!
9.0-0
A writer on the subject of attacking in the
In the past thirty or forty years this move
Sicilian could fill just as many volumes as Leo
has gone completely out of fashion; White
Tolstoy. My own scope is restricted by the
has been employing the much more aggressive
dimensions of this moderately sized book, so I
plan based on castling long. Why this should
have selected only two variations: the Najdorf
be so is a curious question. Are players just
and the Scheveningen. I have always loved
bowing to the trend, or are they influenced
to play them with either colour, and I will
by the famous 1 9th game of the 1 969 World
try to give you a share of the experience that
Championship match in Moscow between
accumulated naturally during my active chess
Spassky and Petrosian? I am unable to say;
career of thirty years and more.
both explanations are plausible.
Mikhail Tal - Lev Polugaevsk.y
9 ... i.e7 IO.:Sadl
USSR Championship 1 959 The cautious 1 0 .a3, a1mmg to avoid an
exchange of the light-squared bishop, has been
I .e4 c5 2.�f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.�xd4 �f6 seen a few times, but usually Black experiences
5.�c3 a6 6.i.g5 � bd7 no great difficulties. For instance: 1 O . . h6 .
This move is far less popular than l l .�e3 lt:le5 1 2 .�a2 We? 1 3.'?Ne2 b5 1 4.f4
6 . . . e6, but in the last couple of years it has lt:l eg4 1 5 .h3 lt:lxe3 1 6.Wxe3 0-0 1 ?.l:he 1 e5
undergone a veritable renaissance, and quite 1 8 .lt:lf5 �xf5 1 9.exf5 d5 with excellent play for
a few grandmasters are incorporating it into Black in Spassky - Lombardy, Leningrad 1 960.
8 1 5 .lLl4f5t +-.
�
�£ �- ��-)�
� i -4a)� i W� i In Unzicker - Tal, Leipzig (ol) 1 960, Black
·� �--·Y-· -- - %-
1 reverted to the old plan of 1 1 . . . lLl c5 1 2.1:'!:fe l
6 �
.id7, and now with 1 3 . lLl f5! - a standard
5 iillll. . I{
resource, to say the least - White could
�- ---%-�� 8�-"'"�-
, ,, have punished him immediately for his
4
�
3 � �- - - :� -
� � carelessness and his disinclination to occupy
himself seriously with opening theory!
��-�""' ;:b'' '<' . ��-� ��-�

2 8 W� 8 � w� 8 Wt!J
1 2 . .ie2
1 - -- -- -%--i·i�""
Black is quite all right after 1 2 . .ib3 g5
1 3 ..ig3 lLlh5 1 4 . .ia4t b5 1 5 . .ixe5 dxe5
1 6. lLl c6 Wc7 1 7.lLlxe7 rtlxe7 1 8 . .ib3 lLl f6
a b c d e f g h Tal - Korchnoi, USSR (ch) 1 95 9 . The king
in the centre feels fine; at any rate, even such
IO .ltJ c5?!
••
a master of the attack as Tal failed to set

I emphatically dislike this move, as I don't
Black any problems
think c5 is the most effective square for this
1 2 . . . g5 1 3 . .ig3 .id7 1 4.f4 gxf4
piece, For one thing, the knight is obstructing
8
the c-file (the Nile, Ganges and Volga of the
7
Sicilian Defence!) , Secondly, it can easily come
6
under attack. And finally, in general terms,
it isn't entirely clear what the knight is doing
here, The pawn on e4 is easy for White to 5
defend, and any other work for the knight is 4
3
hard to find!
2
A line that has occurred much more often is:
1 0 . . . h6!? l l ..ih4
l l ..ie3!? lLl c5 1 2. lLl b3! gave White an edge
in Ivanchuk - Ehlvest, Elista ( 1 .2) 1 99 8 . a b c d e f g h
1 5 .1:'!:xf4
The position is not easy to evaluate in the
event of 1 5 . .ixf4 1:'!:c8 1 6.rtlh 1 Wb4 1 7 ."\Wcl
lLl c4 1 8 . .ixc4 1:'!:xc4 1 9.e5 1:'!:xd4 20.exf6
1:'!:xd 1 2 1 ."1Wxd 1 .if8oo Gipslis - Tal, USSR
(ch) 1 96 1 .
1 5 . . . lLl g6 1 6.1:'!:f2 Wg5 1 7. lLl b3 Wxd2 1 8 .lLlxd2
This was Lepeshkin - Bangiev, Gelendzhik
1 975, and now Black could try:
1 8 . . . b5!?
a b c d e f g h
As we see, all these variations are complex and
1 1 . . .lLle5 often lead to unclear play. All well and good,
Black can't be at all pleased with either but the time has come to end this fascinating
1 1 . . .0-0 1 2. lLl d5 ! or 1 1 . . .lLlxe4? 1 2.lLlxe4 excursion into the j ungle of theory and return
Wxd2 1 3.1'hd2 .ixh4 1 4.lLlxd6t We7 to the game.
Chapter 6 - Attack in the Sicilian Labyrinths 1 57
UJ:Uel 1 3.lt:lf5! 0-0 ( 1 3 . . . exf5 ? 1 4.exf5t �e6 1 5 Jxe6+-)

14.lt:lxd6 �e5 ( 1 4 . .J::!: d8 1 5 .e5!) 1 5 J4 �xd6
8 i: �, -. 1 6.WI'xd6 �d7 1 7.a3 White has the initiative,
�� J� - i though I wouldn't have been too surprised if
�·- � i W�
6 iu �--,�- - - - %m
1 Lev Polugaevsky had succeeded in defending.
ttz� �?• - - %� ,, ;w�

5 �� -� It� �
There are likewise hard times ahead for Black
I �
�-: - �
_____
after 1 L . lt:l a4 1 2.lt:lxa4 Wl'xa4 1 3 .�b3 Wl'd7

4 "%
, __
� F'i' �� r&
----- %
1 4 .WI'c3 .
3
�� ;- �?1' 1 �- - · -- � �/0: �W'0 Conceivably 1 L . lt:l cd7 was his best chance,
2 8 W� 8 � W� 8 W� though my own hand would have refused
1
� - - -- - Z·i�l"""%=""h
to reach out and make this move against the
c e
young Mikhail Tal.
a b d f g
l l . . . .id7? Clearly, then, 1 1 . . .�d7 was not played in
Unbelievable! It is utterly impossible to comfortable circumstances! But in White's
imagine such a situation in present-day place, what would you do now?
chess: a great master of the Sicilian Defence
commits a decisive error as early as move
1 1 , And as we shall see, his opponent, who
will be World Champion the following year,
misses the winning continuation! How I
would have loved to play chess in those times
myselfl
As a consequence of his unfortunate 1 Oth

move, Black already faced definite problems for
Black, and finding a satisfactory continuation
here is far from simple,
a b c d e f g h
After 1 L .h6 1 2,�xf6 �xf6, Tal would have
started an immediate attack: 12.a3?!
Tal was a practical player of genius, but as
I understand it, when annotating games he
never distinguished himself as a master of
analysis. In practical play he was capable of
finding the sole correct move and accurately
calculating long and complex variations, yet
his published analyses need to be checked very
carefully! This move is a case in point. Tal liked
it, but Kasparov, say, would have needed no
more than two or three minutes for a sober
b d f g
appraisal of its quality.
a c e h
Incidentally 1 2 . tt'l b3 tt'lxb3 1 3.ixb3 Eld8 ( 1 3 . . . b5?! is well met by 1 4 . b4, in view of
1 4 .if4 ic8 1 5 .a4;!:; was a reasonable alternative. 14 . . . bxc4? 1 5 .bxc5 Wfxc5 1 6.e5+-) 1 4.ixf6
( 1 4.e5 dxe5 1 5 .tt'lxe5 E\fd8=) 1 4 . . . ixf6
However, 1 2.tt'lf5 ! was immeasurably stronger. 1 5 .Wfxd6 Wfxd6 1 6.E\xd6 ixc3 1 7. bxc3 E\fd8
Black's position then simply collapses: Black will bring his king to e7, making his
position absolutely secure.
8
7 Once again, White could have played 1 3 . tt'l f5 ,

6
but this time - i n contrast t o the line in
5
the previous note - a genuine sacrifice is
4
involved, with consequences that are hard to
evaluate after 1 3 . . . exf5 14.exf5 ic6 1 5 .ixf6
3 gxf6 1 6.Wfe3+±. White definitely has some
2 compensation for the piece, but is it enough?
1
b d f g
13 .. JLl a4
a c e h
Polugaevsky played the only move, as we can
1 2 . . . tt'l cxe4 (or 1 2 . . . exf5 1 3 .exf5 tt'l ce4 see from the following:
1 4 .tt'lxe4 Wfxd2 1 5 .Eixd2+-) 1 3 .tt'lxg7t 'kt>f8
1 4 .tt'lxe4 Wfxd2 1 5 .tt'lxe6t!? fxe6 1 6.ixd2 1 3 . . . tt'l cxe4? is easily refuted: 1 4.tt'lxe4 Wfxc4
tt'lxe4 17.Eixe4 d5, and now, for example, (Black's fate is even worse after 14 . . . tt'lxe4
1 8 .ic3! ? leaves White with an extra pawn 1 5 J'he4 ixg5 1 6.Wfxg5 Wfxc4 1 7. tt'l f5!+-)
and a won ending. If we ask how Tal came
to overlook 1 2.tt'lf5!, I can find no rational
explanation.
12 ...Wfc7
a b c d e f g h
1 5 .ixf6 gxf6 1 6. tt'l f5 !+-
1 3 . . . E\c8? is no better: 1 4.bxc5 Wfxc5 1 5 .e5!

( 1 5 . tt'l f5 ! exf5 1 6.e5 tt'l e4 1 7.tt'lxe4 fxe4
1 8 .ixe7 Wfxc4 1 9.Wfg5+- is also sufficient to
win) 1 5 . . . Wfxc4 1 6.exf6 Wfxc3 (or 1 6 . . . gxf6
a b c d e f g h 1 7. tt'l e4 fxg5 1 8 . tt'l f5 !+-) 1 7.fxe7 Wfxd2
13.b4! 1 8 .ixd2+- and the large material plus,
A direct attack on the d6-pawn brings together with the weakness of the d6-pawn,
White no great dividends: 1 3. tt'l f3 0-0 guarantees White a comfortable victory.
1 3 . . . b5? Tal isn't seeking any easy paths! Having

This allows White a wealth of possibilities. missed a straightforward win already, he now
1 4.bxc5 ! goes in for obscure complications.
1 4.ltJdxb5 ! ? axb5 1 5 .ltJxb5 .txb5 1 6 . .txb5 t
ltJ fd7 1 7.e5! i s excellent for White too. 15 fxe6 I 6.cltJxe6 Wfxc2D 17.'1Wd4
•.•
Also, after 1 4 . ltJ f5 ! ? exf5 1 5 .bxc5 Wl'xc5 We can already draw some provisional
1 6.e5! White's attack is irresistible. conclusions from the piece sacrifice. The
1 4 . . . WI'xc5 knight on e6, controlling the entire centre and
1 4 . . . dxc5 1 5 .ltJf5 ! is hopeless for Black. attacking against the king, is of course ample
14 . . . bxc4 also loses at once to 1 5 .ltJf5 exf5 compensation for White's minimal loss of
1 6.exf5!+-. material.
a c e f g h
17 �f7
...
Without any doubt, the only move.

1 7 . . . l'!g8 ? is punished immediately: 1 8 .l'!c l !
I4.c\2ha4 .ixa4 Wl'a2 1 9.e5! dxe5
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
b d f g
1 a c e h
c e
20.l'!xe5! ? (20.WI'xe5 allows Black to get the
a b d f g h queens off with 20 . . . Wxf2tD 2 1 .mxf2 ltJ g4t
1 5 .L:e6!
. 22.\t>gl ltJ xe5 23.l'!xe5 , although even here
White has a winning attack) 20 . . . ib5 (no 22.e5!

better is 20 . . . id7 2 1 .tt:lxg7t 1'hg7 22.ixf6 Adding fuel to the fire.
E:f7 23 .WI'd6+-) 2 1 . tt:l c7t � f7 22.E:xe7t �xe7 22 . . . WI'e6 23 .WI'd3t � h6
23.ixf6t gxf6 24.tt::l d5t+- Black fails to organize decent resistance with
23 . . . WI'f5 24.E:e4 E:ag8 2 5 .exf6 id7; after
18.E:cl YMa2 26.g4 the discovered check will be decisive.
24.WI'd2t igS
8 24 . . . � g6 looks truly suicidal: 2 5 .exf6 Wl'xf6
7
26.WI'd3t <Jih6 27.WI'h3t � gS 28.f4t Wl'xf4
29.E:g7t and mate will soon follow!
6 25.f4 ih4 26.f5t igS 27.WI'd3 Wl'e8 28 .E:e3!+-
5
This wasn't the only path to victory, but it
was certainly the most attractive and simplest.
4 The black king's remaining life span is limited
3 to j ust a few moves.
2 Beautiful, striking vananons but

1 unfortunately at the last minute it occurred
to me that 1 9. tt::l xg7 can be answered by
a b c d e f g h 1 9 . . . E:hc8! 20.tt::l f5 Wl'e6, and the position
1 9.e5!? promises White nothing to speak of. So at least
I spent a long time trying to discover the from the practical standpoint, the move in the
truth about the alternative line: game was stronger.
1 9 .tt:lxg7 � xg7 20.ixf6t!
This promises White more than: 20.e5 dxeS 1 9 ... dxe5
2 1 .E:xe5 Wl'f7 22.ih6t!? � xh6 23 .YMe3t At this point Lev Polugaevsky had a very
� g7 24.E:xe7 E:hc8:t difficult choice to make. After 1 9 . . . WI'xe6
Mter 20.E:c7 Wl'f7! 2 1 .e5 Black is on the brink 20.exf6 ixf6 2 1 .ixf6, he would have had to
of the abyss, and yet 2 1 . . .dxe5 22.ixf6t decide whether to remove his opponent's last
Wl'xf6 23.E:xe5 <Jif8 24.E:cxe7 Wl'xe7 25.E:xe7 surviving minor piece or leave it alone for now.
<Jixe7 26.WI'e4t �d6 27.WI'xb7!?f± allows Let us examine both possibilities:
him to maintain approximate equality in a
position that remains fluid.
20 . . . ixf6 2 1 .E:c7t �g6
a b c d e f g h
a) 2 1 . . .WI'xf6 22.WI'd5 t � f8 23.E:e6!
a b c d e f g h
The greedy 23.iMfxb7? l"i:e8 24.iMfxa6 was 25.l"i:xc8t iMfxc8 26.j,e7 iMfe8=, when White's
suggested by Tal, but is it worth wasting so extra pawn will constitute a purely symbolic
much time over useless pawns? plus.
23 . . . iMff7 22 . . . Ei:xc l 23 .l"i:xc l l"i:c8 24.l"i:al
On 23 . . . iMff4, White has the splendid But not 24.Ei:fl ? j,b5 25 .Ei:al Ei:c4 26.iMfb2
choice between 24.l"i:e3! j,c6 25.Ei:xc6 bxc6 Ei:g4-+ and it all ends in tears!
26.iMfxc6+- and the simple 24.Ei:c4!. 24 . . . Ei:c4 25 .iMfb2 Ei:c2=
24.iMfxd6t �g8 25 .l"i:c7 iMff5 D 26.h3! And the rook can pursue the queen until the
It never pays to forget about a bolt-hole - cows come home!
even kings need fresh air!
26 . . . h5 But let us not be hard on Polugaevsky for
After 26 . . . j,e8 27.Ei:ee7 iMff6 28 .iMfd5 t � f8 missing this draw; he will have further first
29.l"i:e6! iMff4 30.Ei:e5 j,g6 3 l .g4! White's rate chances to attain that worthy result!
hunt is finally crowned with success.
27.l"i:e5 20.iMfxe5
White also wins neatly after 27.iMfd4 l"i:h7
28 .iMfc4! � f8 29.l"i:e5! iMff6 30.l"i:c8t Ei:xc8
8
7
3 1 .iMfxc8t �f7 32.Ei:f5 +-. He hasn't managed
to mate the king, but the win of the queen
entirely makes up for it! 6
5
27 . . . iMfb l t 28. � h2 Ei:h6D 29.l"i:xg7t � xg7
30.Ei:e7t � f8 3 l .Ei:e6t � g8 32.Ei:xh6+-
The time has come to put the pieces away 4
in the box! So it would seem that the white
3
2
bishop was taboo.
b) 2 1 . . .Ei:hc8!
As often happens, developing the pieces is 1
more important than material gains. a b c d e f g h
8
20 . . .'11Mxf2 t?
7
The critical moment of the game has arrived,
6
but unfortunately there is no CNN newsflash
to announce it, and Lev Polugaevsky misses
5
r/;;;;;;;Jm-•//.,
a fortunate chance. The choice he makes is
4
Y"'C'''-·/m•d
perfectly understandable - he has been under
3
'------/-�""
constant pressure for the last ten moves, there
2
was at least one moment when he could have
lost the game, and his king in the centre has
been feeling extremely uncomfortable. He
a b c d e f g h therefore takes the very first opportunity to
22.j,xg7 exchange queens, hoping to secure equal
A last attempt at playing for the win. chances in the ending. In so doing, however, he
The game immediately ends in a draw after comes up against one unpleasant fact: without
22.j,h4 l"i:xc l 23 .l"i:xcl l"i:c8! 24.iMff4t � g8 queens, White's attack is only strengthened!
Let us examine the position more closely to see Wf7 27.tt:\xg7+-) 22.ixf6 l:!xc l 23 .l:!xc l
what Black ought to have done. He has plenty l:!e8 24.1Mfh5t Wg8 (24 . . . Wxf6? 25.tt:\d5t +-)
of continuations available, but by no means all 2 5 . axb4 gxf6 26.'!Mfg4t White has some
of them are effective: initiative, though Black's chances of a successful
defence are good.
Black loses with: 20 . . J�he8 ?
20 . . . ic6!? 2 1 .tt:lxg7
b d f g h
b d f g h
a c e
a c e
2 l .ixf6! ixf6 (if 2 l . . .gxf6? then 22."1Mi'h5 t
c.tt g 8 23.'1Mfg4t c,f;f7 24.1Mfg7#) 22.Ek7t l:!e7 2 1 . . .'\MfxfL.t!?
(22 . . . c.tt g 8? is simply refuted by 23.l:!xg7t!+-) At just the right time!
23.l:!xe7t c.tt xe7 24.1Mfc7t id7 2 5 . tt:l g5 t Wf8 2 l . . .id8 22. tt:l e6 1Mfd5! ? 23 .tt:lxd8t
26.tt:\xh7t Wg8 27.tt:lxf6t gxf6 28 .'!Mfxd7+- '!Mfxd8 24.'!Mfe6t! Wg6 25 .l:!ed l ! (of course
0ne failed attempt! not 25 .l:!cd l ? l:!e8!) 25 . . . l:!e8 26.l:!xd8
l:!xe6 27.ixf6 l:!xd8 28.ixd8 and to all
Another weak choice is: 20 . . . l:!hc8? 2 l .l:!c7!± appearances the ending is won for White.
22.Wxf2 tt:l g4t 23.Wgl tt:lxe5 24.l:!xe5 id6
The play is much more interesting in the event 2 5 .l:!fl t ct?xg7 26.if6t mh6
of: 20 . . . l:!ac8! ? 2 1 .tt:l f4!
b d f g h
b d f g
a c e
a c e h 27.ixh8
2 l . . .ixb4 (2 1 . . .l:!ce8? 22.l:!c7+.- needs no The outcome is not altered by 27.l:!e6 l:!hg8
comment; White also has a decisive plus 28 .ie5t Wh5 29.l:!f5t c,!;g4 30.l:!f4t Wh5=
after 2 l . . .'!Mfxf2t? 22.Wh l ! l:!he8 23 .1Mfe6t and there appears to be no way of exploiting
Wf8 24.l:!xc8 '!Mfxe l t 25 .'\Mfxe l l:!xc8 26.tt:l e6t the king's exposed position.
27 . . . ii.xe5 28.ii.xe5±
I find it hard to believe that White's extra
pawn can be converted into a full point; the
drawing factors in the opposite-coloured
bishop ending are j ust too strong.
20 . . . '1Mrd5!
Probably the strongest move.
a b c d e f g h
And finally, 23 . . . ii.d6 also fails to save him:
2 1 .ii.xf6
24.Elfl t � g6 25 .Eld5 ii.bS 26.ii.e7! h6
Black is all right after 2 1 .'1Mrxd5 ctJxd5
(26 . . . Si.a7t 27.ii.c5 ii.xc5t 28.bxc5 Elae8
22.ii.xe7 ctJxe700•
29.Eld6+-) 27.ctJf8t and Black suffers a heavy
Tal recommended 2 1 .'1Mrg3 "with a strong
material loss.
attack" , but 2 1 . . .:1 hc8! easily refutes White's
idea. On 22. ctJ c7, Black has 22 . . . '1Mrd7. Nor
24.ctJxg5t �g6!
is there any relief for White in 22.ii.d2 ctJh5
Polugaevsky continues to find the only move
23.'1Wg4 Elxc l 24.ii.xc l g6 25 .ii.b2 Elb8-+;
to defend. He would lose with:
he may use his active pieces to try to scare
24 . . . � f6? 25 .Elcc5 ! ii.d7
his opponent a little, but that is all.
On 25 . . . Elhe8, White wins the exchange by
2 1 . . .'1Wxe5 22.ii.xe5 � xe6 23.Si.xg7t �d7
force: 26.t2Je4t � g6 27.Elg5 t �h6 28 .Elh5 t
24.ii.xh8 Elxh8? � g6 29.Elcg5 t �f7 30.ctJd6t
With chances for both sides in a complex
26.ctJe4t �g6 27.Elg5t �h6
ending.
2 1 .�xfl lLl g4t 22.�gl

Incidentally avoiding an elementary trap:
22.�g3 ? ctJ xe5 23.Elc7 (23.Elxe5? ii.d6)
23 . . . ctJ d7-+
22 ... ctJxe5 23Jhe5

Plenty of pieces have disappeared from the
board, but White's attack continues with new
strength!
a b c d e f g h
28.ttld6! :gaf8 It is probably only 25 .:gc7!? ii.c6!? (or 2 5 ... :ghe8

In the event of 28 . . . :ghf8 29.:gh5t mg6 26.ttl8! :gxe5 27.ttlxe5t mf6 28.ttlg4t±)
30.:gcg5t mf6 3 1 .ttle4t m£7 32.:gxh7, Tal 26.ttl8 (or 26.ttl h3) ii.x8 27.gx8 b5 28.:gee7
would have won a pawn while preserving all that guarantees White a significant advantage.
the advantages of his position.
The same can be said of 28 ... ii.e6 29.:gge5
ii.a2 30.:gc2 ii.g8 3 1 .ttlxb7, after which
Black's chances of salvation are minimal.
29.h4 g6 30.:gc7 ii.e6 3 1 .:ge5 :gf6 32.g4!+
Black can't avoid loss of material, and there
is also a hard life ahead for his king.
25.tt)e6t
With accurate defence, Black should not
lose after 2 5 . ttl f3 :ghc8 26.:gfl mf7!;t;.
Another try that fails is:

25 .:ge6t?! mxg5 26.:gc5 t mf4 a b c d e f g h
25 ... :ghe8
Playing such a position (especially in time
trouble, as was presumably the case) is most
irksome. You keep getting the impression that
the draw is somewhere near, and that if you
play a good move you can expect an immediate
reward for it. But in reality it all turns out to
be much more complicated - you have to
struggle for the draw by putting all your skill
and energy into every move. Lev Polugaevsky
b d f g h
a c e
has been defending splendidly, but he still has
work to do.
27.:gee5!
27.mf2? works perfectly after 27 ... g5 ?
At this point he could have played 25 . . . :ghc8! ? ,
28 .h3!+- or 27 . . . :gad8 ?? 28 .g3t <Jig4 but 26.:gfl ii.b5 27.:gfe l would still have left
29.:ge4t mh3 30.:gh4#.
some initiative in his opponent's hands.
But things turn out very differently in the
case of 27 . . . ic6!? 28 .h3 ii.xg2! 29.mxg2
Nor would Black equalize fully after: 25 . . . :gac8
:ghe8 30.:gxe8 :gxe8 3 1 .:gc7
26.ttlf4t mf6 27.:gce l :geeS (a curious line is
= .
And Black can d o even better with 2 7 . . . :gae8!

27 . . . :ghe8? 28.ttld5t m£7 29.ttle7+-, and by
28.g3t mg4 29.mg2 ii.c6tD 30.:gexc6 :ge2t
threatening mate White wins the exchange)
3 1 .<Jifl :gxh2+.
28.ttld5t mg6 29.ttle7t mh6 30.:ge6t g6
27 . . . :gac8 28.g3t me
3 1 . ttl f5 t ! mg5 32.ttld6 and again White keeps
28 ... mg4?? 29.mg2! can only occur in
a small plus.
White's dreams!
29.:gf5t me4 30.:gfe5t=
26.:ge3!
In the ability to maintain the tension on

the board, there was simply no one to equal
Mikhail Tal in those years. The rook threatens
to check on g3, with li:J c7 to follow.
26 .. J�ac8
The difficulties confronting Black are well
illustrated by the following variation:
26 . . . i>f7 27.l:k7t @f6 28.g4!?
Without queens on the board, all your forces
have to participate in the attack!
a b c d e f g h
27 ...�b5?
A serious mistake! He could have preserved
much more in the way of drawing chances with
27 . . . id7!. Then after 28.�g3t @h6 29.li:Jxg7
�f8D 30.�d l �c6!? 3 l .h3 �f7 32.�e l ! Black
will probably manage to reach a drawish rook
endgame. The move he played makes his task a
good deal more complicated.
a b c d e f g h
28.l3g3t @h6 29.c!Llxg7!
28 . . . h6!
Tactics right up until the end!
Avoiding both 28 .. Jhe6? 29.g5t @f5
30.:!':k5t +- and 28 . . . g5? 29.�xh7 +-.
29 ... l3f8
29.h4 g5 30.�h7
Polugaevsky could have tried fighting for the
On 30.hxg5 t hxg5 3 1 .�h7 id l ! ?;!; Black's
draw in a different way: 29 . . . Axfl 30.li:Jxe8
drawing chances are increased.
Ab5 (after 30 . . .l3xe8 3 l .i>xfl Black would
30 . . . 'kt>g6
have to play a rook endgame with his king
After 30 . . . �h8 ? 3 l .�xb7! gxh4 32.li:Jc5,
stuck on the edge of the board) 3 l .li:Jd6 !k i t
the attack flares up with new vehemence:
32.@f2 �fl t 33.@e3 Ac6 34.h3 �f6 3 5 . li:J e4
32 . . . ic2 (or 32 . . . ib5 33.�e6t @g5 34.a4!
�e6 36.�g4 a5 37.'kt>d4 and Black will need to
ie8 3 5 .�g7t @f4 36.@f2 and mate is
play with great care and accuracy if he doesn't
unavoidable) 33 .�e6t @g5 34.�g7t @f4
want to suffer defeat.
3 5 .�f7t @xg4 36.�e2!+-
3 l .�xb7 gxh4 32.�e4! ?
30.l3el l3f6
As well as threatening 33.li:Jf4t @g5
Or 30 . . . id7, whereupon White would have
34.�g7t @f6 3 5 . li:J h5#, White is planning to
to choose between 3 1 .tt:le6 E:fe8 32.�h3t 'kt>g6
bring the king to the centre, and in some lines
33.tt:lf4t 'kt>g5 34.�xe8 ixe8 35.tt:le2 and
�b6 may be awkward to meet - Black is in
3 1 .h3!? �f6! (3 l . ..�f7?? 32.E:e4+-) 32.�e7 1'!cl t
trouble.
33.i>h2, with winning chances in both cases.
27J3fl!
3 1 .h3
Tal always liked such moves, which are An interesting and difficult game. After the
insignificant at first sight, but leave the aberration in the opening - Tal would usually
opponent alone with his problems. see moves like 1 2 . tLl f5 ! even in blitz chess -
White succeeded in seizing the initiative, and
Another interesting possibility is 3 1 . tLl e6 .!c4 in order to sustain it he didn't shrink from
32.tLld4, which is best answered by 32 . . J�e8!±. a piece sacrifice. Although it is of course
astonishing that two such great players should
have overlooked 1 2.tLlf5 ! , there is perhaps the
defence that in those years this kind of move
wasn't as hackneyed as it is today. Endeavouring
to reduce the pressure on his king, Lev
Polugaevsky managed to exchange queens and
almost equalized the chances - almost, but not
quite! He may have imagined that the draw
was not far off, but with ingenious play Tal
was constantly able to maintain the tension,
and for this he was rewarded. Under fatigue,
Polugaevsky made a couple of small mistakes
and was swiftly annihilated.
a b c d e f g h
3 1 ..J�c2?? Aleksander Nikitin Mikhail Tal
-
It's difficult for me to say whether Black

USSR Championship 1959
retained any real drawing chances, but after
this move it is all over! However, it would be
a hard and thankless task to defend Black's l .e4 c5 2.�f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.�xd4 � f6
position after either 3 1 . . . i.d7!? 32.:i:%e7 s.�c3 a6 6.i.g5 &L! bd7
(32.c;t>h2!?) 32 . . . :!:%cl t 33.<;t>h2 l:%d1 34.:!:%e5t
or 3 1 . . .:!:%cf8!? 32.c;t>h2± .
32.:!:%e4!?
The alternative 32.:!:%e5! :i:%cl t (32 . . .ie2
33.:!:%e4) 33.c;t>h2 :!:%g6 34.tLl f5t <;t>hs
3 5 . tLl e7t+- was perfectly good too, but Tal has
other intentions.
32 .. .l3c4 33.E:e5 E:cl t

There is no longer any difficulty in
evaluating the position. After either 33 . . . :!:%g6
34.tLl f5t c;t>h5 3 5 . tLl e7t or 33 . . . :!:%h4 34. tLl f5t
l:%xf5 3 5 .:!:%xf5 +- Black's game is completely
hopeless, and the move he plays is no better. From all the evidence, this variation was
very popular in 1 959! The Tal - Polugaevsky
34.i>h2 game that we have j ust examined was played in
1-0 the third round of the USSR Championship.
We are now looking at a game from Round 1 7 1 2.ixe6! This results in a flurry of
of the same event, and this time i t is Tal who is complications. ( 1 2.E1ad 1 GLJ e5 1 3 .ie2 GLlxg3
endeavouring to defend the black side. 1 4.hxg3 g4 1 5 .f4 gxf3 1 6.gxf3 id7 1 7.f4 GLJ c6
1 8 . GLJ b3 Wib6t was roughly equal in Gufeld
7.i.c4 YMa5 8.YMd2 e6 9.0-0 Petrosian, Moscow 1 959) 1 2 . . . fXe6 1 3 .GLJxe6
Within a fairly short time, 9.0-0-0!? was to GLJxg3 1 4.fXg3 GLJ e5 1 5 .E1xf8t E1xf8 1 6.Wixd6
become a good deal more popular. E1f6 1 7. GLJ c7t �f7 1 8 .E1fl E1xf1 t 1 9 .c,t>xfl
GLJ c4 20.Wixh6 Wic5 2 l .GLJxa8 GLJ d2t 22.�e2
9 ... h6 1 0.i.h4 ig4t 23.c,t>d3 Wic4t 24.�e3 WieSt Yz-Yz Tal
·� �� ,�-��
- Petrosian, Yugoslavia 1 959.
8 �.�. �-*-�•m --�

- -
l l .E1ael
7
6 u
5
'� ••
�
�� -----/:� , ;� w�
w�'? • �-% · �--
% �--%
In the event of 1 I .ig3 GLJh5 1 2.E1ad 1 GLJxg3
1 3 .hxg3 GLJ e5 1 4 .ie2 id7, the elimination of
B
_ _ _ _ _ ----%
his opponent's important dark-squared bishop
�
f
�� ! �
considerably simplifies Black's tasks.
4 >�-'. m • �
8 1 �%-*- ��$ ��-JI. �
" " '%
3
:;: " " %
�§ffl� %li_fl-�� W,�

<"<'. �£0�
- - - - - -
2 i.%l-O�%-�-----;��
A
&�Wff
A A '0 7
�� -,J�%!1��-�
1 ��----- - �= 65 s
0 0 0 r.O.,
A a� r-� - -" i � '· - - ; r·lf
--
- B�u
' " · --- - - - - - - '·
a b c d e f g h
� - - -� �V/-�
4 '"""Bf�8m -----
��%l-�m -
-- -- -\nkJ!·- - �%l-� �%l-0
10 i.e7
.•.
Not long afterwards, 1 0 . . . GLJ e5 began 3
2 � r� � �j;§� r� � r�
to be played here much more often. One
1 -----"B'----/:�m!tm-- - -
continuation was 1 I .ib3 g5 1 2.ig3 g5
1 2.ig3 ie7 1 3 .�h1 id7 1 4.f4 gxf4 1 5 .ixf4
c e
E1c8 1 6.E1ad 1 Wic7 with complex play in Van
a b d f g h
den Berg - F. Olafsson, Beverwijk 1 9 59.
l l GLJe5 12.�b3
..•
Similar variations arise from Tigran Petrosian's White isn't promised any gains by 1 2 .id3 g5
favourite line: 1 0 . . . g5 1 I .ig3 lLlh5 1 3 .ig3 lLlh5 1 4.lLlb3 Wic7 1 5 .ixe5 dxe5 1 6.g3
id7= Kholmov - Bogdanovic, Pees 1 964.
Again the absence of his dark-squared bishop
deprives White of any chances of an advantage.
12 ... g5 13.ig3 i.d7 14.£4!? gxf4 15.Lf4

YMc7
The play becomes sharper before your very
eyes. White has opened the f-file for himself,
but simultaneously opened the g-file for his
opponent. And if you opened a file for Tal, you
b d f g
could always expect trouble!
a c e h
Tal could have tried fishing in troubled

waters with 1 9 . . . lLl eg4! ? 20.igl d5, but it isn't
clear why he should be in a hurry - he has a
good position as it is.
20.�e2 �dg8 2 1 .Wfa7

It's a curious question - who is actually
doing the attacking? Nikitin could have
tried exchanging queens with 2 1 .lLlxe5 dxe5
22.'1Wb6, but after 22 . . . Wxb6 23 .ixb6 ib4!
the ending is clearly better for Black.
However, in Black's place, what do we do now?

Do we take on e4, or should we postpone this
capture for the moment?
8
However, 1 6.lLla4!?, hoping to exchange
7
6
queens on c3, deserved attention.
1 6 ... 0-0-0 17.i>hl �hg8 1 8 ..ie3 5

4
It's interesting to ask whether you could have
found many players willing to win a pawn by
1 8 .ixh6 when facing Tal. The fact is that Black 3
has nothing concrete to show for it. Still, two
open files leading towards the white king . . . 2
You would at any rate need an iron nervous 1
c e
system! And would that even be sufficient?
a b d f g h
2 1 ... lLlxe4??
Whenever I have come across this move
in chess magazines and books, it has been
accompanied by a pair of exclamation marks,
but personally I have very serious doubts on
that score! Moves that deserved consideration
were 2 1 . . . lLl fg4! ? and, especially, 2 1 . . .'1Wb8!?.
22 ..ib6??
The future trainer of Garry Kasparov takes
for granted that his fearsome opponent's idea is
sound. But he shouldn't have! We have a well
a b c d e f g h known saying - Take nothing on trust, don't
1 8 ....ic6 19.Wfd4 �g6 be afraid, don't ask favours. And no one yet has
declared it invalid!
It is perfectly easy to reject: 8
7
22.lLlxe5 ?? dxe5 23.lLlxe4
6
After 23.l':!:xf7 lLlxc3 24.bxc3, Black doesn't
5
fall for the simple little trap 24 . . . hg2t??
25.�xg2 Wl'c6 26.WI'a8t �d7 27 . .ia4!+-, but
j ust plays 24 . . . WI'd6!-+ with an easy win. 4
23 ... .ixe4 24.�xf7 Wl'd6!-+ 3
2
But not 24 . . . �xg2?? 25 . .ixe6t+-.
However, the interesting question is why the

annotators didn't find the following wholly a b c d e f g h
uncomplicated continuation (for which I don't 25 .WI'xg8! �xg8
think they should even have needed Rybka) : 25 . . . WI'xb6 26.WI'xf7 �f6 27.WI'g7 .ixf3
22.lLlxe4! .ixe4 23 . .ib6 28.�xf3 Wl'd4 29.WI'g3+- can scarcely be
8
recommended to Black.
7
26 ..ixc7 .ixf3 27.�xf3!? lt::J d4 28 ..ib6 lt::J xe2
29.�f2 lt::J cl 30 . .ia4t �c8 3 l .�xf7
6
""n"'"" '"/'·'�"'•'"""
White has a big advantage in the ending.
5
a b c d e f g h
23 . . . lLl c6
Other moves are worse:
a) If Black has a strong desire to end the game
quickly, he can continue 23 . . . WI'c6 24.�xe4!
Wl'xe4 25 .WI'a8t 'it>d7 26 . .ia4t! Wl'xa4
c e
27.WI'xb7t �e8 28 .WI'c8t .id8 29.WI'xd8#.
a b d f g h
b) Nor does he manage to organize proper
resistance after 23 . . . .ixf3 24 . .ixc7 and now: 22 'bxc3!!
.•.
b l ) 24 . . . .ic6 loses to 25 .ia4!. As we can see, All Tal's pieces are directed against the crucial
this idea keeps on cropping up! squares f3 and g2, and the impression is that
b2) 24 . . . he2? is very simply punished by mate will be a matter of a few more moves. But
25 .WI'b8t �d7 26.WI'xb7. events are going to take rather an unexpected
b3) 24 ... �xg2 25 .�xf3 �gl t 26.WI'xgl �xgl t turn.
27.�xg l lLlxf3t 28.'it>f2 lt::J d4 29 . .ib6! lLlxe2
30.�xe2+- Like the rest of the analysis, this 23.i.xc7
is anything but difficult to find. What else can be suggested for White (other
24.WI'a8t �d7 than acknowledgement of defeat) ?
24 . . . WI'b8 25 .WI'xb8t �xb8 26.�xe4+- costs
Black a piece. He loses at once with 23.bxc3 Wl'b8-+ .
No better is: 23J'!xe5 Wl'b8! (but not 23 . . . ixf3?? 26 . . . !'\xg2! 27.WI'xb8t 'it>d7 28 .WI'xg8 (or
24.l::\ xf3+-) 24.WI'xb8t Wxb8-+ 28 .ia4 b5) 28 . . .!'\xgS-+ This line would have
been a logical conclusion to the game, but
Nor is anything altered by 23.ctJxe5 dxe5 Tal probably j ust missed his opponent's next
24.Wi'a8t Wi'b8-+ . move. Even the sun has sunspots!
23 ... lL\xe2 24.�b6 25.�a4!!
w'";• • � - - .� -
Not too complicated a move, but a beautiful
8 one. White simply has to get rid of the bishop
;7 � �• �� m�
m •�
/,
�
on c6!
��.r�- -- � ��f�
/,
'-----%�f0 -- �
:4 �,-� �--
�� ;� ��
3� f � �� ! ��r�
/,_ _ _ _ _
2 ��n� ��
8 W� 8 �� 8 W�
1 --- - %� -�-�-�-
a b c d e f g h
24 .. J:hg2?!
c e
I fancy that at this moment Tal was not
a b d f g h
so much thinking about his move as feeling
amazed that White was continuing resistance. 25 .. J�gltD
That is the only way I can explain why the The heedless 25 . . . ctJxf3 ? ? loses instantly to
great master of combination played this move. 26.Wi'a8t Wd7 27.WI'xb7t.
Much stronger is the less obvious: 24 . . .lZ) d7! 26.�xgl l;xgl t

25 .Wi'a8t (in the event of25.g3 ctJxb6 26.WI'xb6 26 . . . ixf3t 27.Eixf3 l'\xgl t 28 .WI'xgl is
ctJxg3t 27.hxg3 l'1xg3 28.Wh2 ixf3-+ the merely a transposition.
white king is left completely isolated) 25 . . . ctJb8
26.ia7 27.'Wxgl
After 27.!'\xg l ? ixf3t 28.!'1g2 lt:J f4-+
6
v--�--·-·------·r
5
L=,////,,_,
/'-'
4
V"""'-uuu/"
a b c d e f g h
the board simply goes dark from the mass of altered by 34.a4!? f4 3 5 .E!:h3 (or 35 .E!:c3 f3
black pieces. 36.axb5 axb5 37.@f2 ie7) 3 5 . . . @e7.
27 �xf3t
••. 34 @e7 35.a4 f4 36.E!:h3 ttl c4
•..
Of course not 27 . . .ltlxf3 ? ? 28 .Wfg8t rJJ c7 36 . . . lLl g4!? looks equally good.
29.ixc6+-.
8
7
28J3xf3 ttlxgl 29J3c3t @ds 30.@xgl d5+
8 6
7 5
6 4
5 3
4 2
3 1
2 a b c d e f g h
1 37.axb5
c e
Taking the knight does not solve White's
a b d f g h problems:
We can now take stock of the situation. 37.ixc4 dxc4!?
Black has two pawns for the exchange, and an 37 ... bxc4 38 .a5 cj;Jd6 39.rJJ f2 cj;Jc6 40.E!:h5
excellent pawn structure. A no less important only confuses the issue unnecessarily; White
point is that the bishops of opposite colours continues with h2-h4, and the play suddenly
undoubtedly enhance his winning chances. becomes sharper.
Nikitin might possibly have succeeded in 38.axb5 axb5 39.E!:f3
holding the position with accurate play, but it 39 .E!:h5 rJJ f6 40.rJJ f2 e5 4 l .cj;lf3 rJJ f5-+
is very difficult. 39 . . . rJJ d6-+
Centralizing the king is more important
3 1 .l3g3 �g5 32.b4 than pushing the pawns without adequate
Tal has succeeded in provoking a first support; 39 . . . e5 40.E!:f2 e4?! 4 l .E!:e2 is less
weakness in the white pawn structure. It clear.
would have been very hard for White to avoid 40.E!:f2 if6
this. For example, 32.c3 ttl c4 33.b4 rJJ e7 leads And Black should gradually exploit his
to much the same result. advantage.
32 b5 33.�b3 f5
.•• 37 axb5 38.@£2 @d6!?
•.•
The pawns have been set in motion - a sign After 38 . . . lLl e3 Black would constantly
that by now the end of the game is not far off. have to reckon with a counter-sacrifice of the
exchange.
34.c3
Nothing in the position is fundamentally 39.@e2?
It might have been interesting to try 39.ixc4 soon be the happy possessor of four passed
bxc4 40.b5 (after 40J!h5 i.f6 4 1 .!:1h3 h5!? pawns in the middle of the board. A rare
White has done nothing at all to improve his occurrence!
position) 40 . . . c;t>cs 4 1 .Eih5 c;t>xb5 42.h4 i.f6
43.!:1xh6 i.xc3 44.!:1xe6 d4. It turns out there 43 ....tf4 44JU5
is no stopping the connected passed pawns,
but there was scope for Black to go astray
somewhere in these variations.
It could also be worth considering 39.i.d l ! ? ,

with the aim of stationing the bishop o n e 2 and
the rook on h5 . Then Black's win (assuming
it is possible) would be anything but a simple
matter!
39 ... e5-+
The black pawns have now advanced too far
for White to have any serious hope of stopping
them. a b c d e f g h
And in view of 44 . . . i.e5 4S .c;t>c2 c;t>e6 46.Eif8
i.d6! 47.Eie8t c;t>d7, after which the f-pawn is
unstoppable, White resigned.
0-1
An intriguing game. Black emerged from the

opening with a comfortable and interesting
position, the open g-file guaranteeing him
plenty of tactical chances, although White too
had his possibilities of counterplay. And then
Tal indulged in his favourite activity of those
years - he started bluffing. I am not insisting
c e
that he was p recisely aware of the refutation of
a b d f g h
2 1 . . .lt::l xe4??, but I wouldn't be at all surprised
40.i.xc4 bxc4 4I .gh5 if he suspected it! Once his striking victory was
An attempt to defend passively cannot be achieved, all the annotators admired his idea as
successful: 4 1 .!:1f3 e4 42.!:1fl f3t 43 .'it>dl (or that of a genius (let me state frankly that I like
43.c;t>f2 d4!? 44.cxd4 c3-+) 43 . . . d4 44.cxd4 it too!) . The fact that it has turned out to be
c;t>dS 45.b5 c;t>xd4 46.b6 'it>d3 A picturesque unsound is not of practical significance.
position! 47.b7 c3 48.!:1f2 i.f4-+ Black's bishop But Tal was spurred on by his own
finds time not only to support his own passed reputation as a great master of combination
pawns, but also to stop White's last hope. - and his opponent fell prey to it. I imagine
that if Nikitin had been facing any ordinary
41. .. e4 42.h4 Bt 43.i>dl opponent, he would have found the refutation
In the event of 43.'it>f2 i.d2, Black would without much trouble. But at that time ( 1 9 59)
it was regarded as an axiom that Tal never made Following the 1 972 Fischer - Spassky match,
a mistake in his combinations. That is why, 1 O.i.d3 became a good deal more popular at
instead of any attempt at refutation, Nikitin grandmaster level.
started looking for a way to save himself - and
didn't find one! The basic lesson of this game IO ... b5 l l .i.xf6 tLlxf6
is that everything is subject to verification. At this point the "normal continuation" is
Don't take anything on trust - no matter who 1 2.g5 tt:l d7, and then either the sharp 1 3 .f5
is facing you across the board - and you will or else 1 3 .a3. Instead, with some effort (and
have much joy in your chess! of course very hazily) I recalled a game from
1 974, and chose a move that had wholly gone
Lev Psakhis - Ognjen Cvitan out of fashion:
Hartberg 199 1 I2.a3 gbs 13.£5

A crafty move order. White threatens 1 4.g5,
Let us look at one more Najdorf Sicilian and in view of the unprotected state of the e6-
game. My opponent, an excellent player who pawn the knight will not be able to retreat to
unfortunately didn't make one hundred per d7. I was dying to know how Cvitan would
cent use of his chess abilities, was an expert in cope with his difficult opening problems over
handling the Scheveningen Variation. In the the board. His next move took 50 minutes and
hope of avoiding the Keres Attack, however, a great deal of effort, but I entirely approve of
he would employ an exceedingly rare move his choice!
order. I was uneasy about complying with
his strategy, so I selected 6.i.g5 , which I had
played and analysed in my already distant
school years.
l .e4 c5 2.c\tl f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.lLlxd4 lLlf6

s.lLlc3 a6 6.i.g5 e6 7.£4 i.e7 s.'Wff3 'Wfc7
9.0-0-0 lLl bd7
a b c d e f g h
1 3 b4!
..•
Playing the white pieces is easy and pleasant

after 1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4.g5 tt:l e8 1 5 J�g1 b4 1 6.axb4
�xb4 1 7.�g3 Wc5 1 8 . tt:l b3 We5;!; Shamkovich
- Grigorian, USSR (ch) 1 97 1 .
Black has also tried 1 3 . . . e5 . There may follow:

1 4.tt:lde2 b4! (Nunn - B. Lalic, London 1 996,
IO.g4 saw the weaker 14 . . .i.b7 1 5 .g5 tt:lxe4 1 6.tt:lxe4
d5 1 7.lLl4c3 d4 1 8 .lLl e4 ixg5t 1 9.�b l 0-0 1 6 ...h£6 17.tilb3 id7

20.lLl 2g3±) 1 5 .axb4 E!:xb4 1 6.g5 lLlxe4!? An interesting alternative is 1 7 . . . a5 !?, starting
1 7.lLlxe4 ib7 1 8 .lLl2c3 hg5t 1 9.cj;lb l and the attack at once. G. Walter - Mraz, corr.
now 1 9 . . . Wfb6 would lead to fairly unclear play. 1 992, continued 1 8 . lLl b 5 Wfb8 1 9. lLl 3d4 id7
20.c3 !'i:xb5 2 1 .ixb5 ixb5 22.lLlxb5 Wfxb5
14.axb4 l:hb4 1 5.g5 23 .Wfd3, and now Black could have gone for
23 . . . Wfb3!?+± with good play.
IS.Ei:gl !?
I was frankly none too keen to spend time
on variations such as 1 8 .ixa6! ? ia4 1 9 .lLlxa4
E!:xa4 20.Wfd3 E!:b8.
...... - B �� ••
-•�-t.a·
s
�� y;Wii£ %�
7
6� , %
•Y,•r ..
• •%� �oooooh� oooooY.� �
a a .
.
�•w
. .- - .
a b c d e f g h
5
4 � �lS �- ��-
��"'��" �-
3 •�m �� Wia
1 5 ... 0-0!?
A brilliant resource that I hadn't at all
foreseen! Black had never played this way
2 �£�;!�;'.��.��
� .. �r, %
%�,0/, .... J....
1- � � q j,��
. .
previously, and I can only admire my

opponent's boldness. Black is sacrificing a b c d e f g h
a piece for only one pawn, but in return he
18 a5!
acquires a mighty dark-squared bishop and
..•
One of the chief merits of the black position

attacking chances.
is that it is much simpler to handle! A piece
has been sacrificed, and now the a-pawn goes
Tomczak - Jakubowski, Biala Podlaska 2000,
forward like a battering ram. For my own
went 15 . . . lLl d7 1 6.fxe6 ixg5t (or 16 . . . lLl e5
part, I was overcome by doubts about how
1 7.exf7t �fB 1 8.Wfg3 Wfc5 1 9. lLl b3 ixg5t
to continue. Should I j ust try to exploit my
20.�b l Wfe3 2 1 .Wfxe3 ixe3 22.lLld5+-)
material plus (if only that were so easy!) , or
1 7.�b l lLl e5 1 8 .lLl d5 Wfc5 and now it was
should I start a counter-attack? Eventually I
worth considering 1 9.exf7t lLlxf7 ( 1 9 . . . �fB
decided on the latter course.
20 .Wfg3! E!:xd4 2 1 .Ei:xd4 Wfxd4 22.Wfxg5 +-)
20.lLlb3 with a clear advantage for White. 19.Wfg3
There is no promise for White in 1 9.e5 ?!
1 6.gxf6 ixe5 20.f6 g6.
On 1 6.E!:g 1 , Black can opt for the relatively
solid 1 6 . . . lLl e8 1 7.f6 id8, but he might well The alternative 1 9.E!:g4 ie5 (not falling into
prefer the sharper 1 6 . . . Wfb6 1 7 .gxf6 ixf6 the trap 1 9 . . . a4 20.e5! E!:xg4 2 1 .exf6, and
1 8 . lLl de2 ( 1 8.e5? E!:xd4) 1 8 . . . 1"i:xb2, with good White has an obvious plus) 20 .Wfg2 g6 2 1 .Ei:d3
compensation for the sacrificed material. a4 results in wild complications!
in every posmon, but unfortunately things

don't happen like that, either in life or in chess!
Let us look at Black's other possibilities:
20 . . . a4?
Not the most successful try, even though
the move looks natural. Its defect is that
Black is completely forgetting about his own
defence - and the punishment will be swift
and merciless.
2 1 .f6 g6 22.!'id3!
2
20.VIh4
The tension has reached its height. White is
threatening to transfer his rook from d l to h3,
and Black naturally has to oppose this! a b c d e f g h
8
22 . . . ixf6
In the event of22 . . . d5 23 .!'ih3 h6 24.!'ig4!+
7
" - - - - - --'''""''-- - - - - - /'"
White takes control of f4 and his attack is
irresistible.
6 Also after 22 . . . !'ifb8 23 .!'ih3 h5 24JWxh5
5 ixf6 25.!'ixg6t fxg6 26.'Wxg6t ig7
27.'Wh7t Black is quickly mated.
4 23 .'Wxf6 axb3 24.!'if3!
3 With the terrible threat of taking on g6 and
2
then playing !'ih3 .
24 . . . !'ibb8 25 .Wh4!
1 In addition to his material plus, White has a
c e
winning attack.
a b d f g h
20 ...Yib6 20 . . . 'Wa7
Cvitan had a wide choice here, which of An interesting suggestion of the Serbian
course didn't help him in his search for the player Tomislav Paunovic. Black not only
best move. We chess players are eternally attacks the rook on g l , but also hopes to
dissatisfied: we don't like it if we have no bring about a speedy advance of the a-pawn.
choice, but if we have too much choice we 2 l .!'ig3!
dislike it just the same. It would suit us very 2 1 .id3 could turn out to be a simple loss
well if we had one single strong move available of time: 2 l . . . a4 22.f6 g6 23.!'igfl 'We3t
24.ltld2 a3 2 5 . bxa3 ?! ixc3 26.axb4 E:a8 and have required Black to calculate any long
Black wins outright. variations and use up a large amount of time!
2 1 . . . a4
Black's dark-squared bishop is every bit as
important a piece as the white rook, so this
is better than the greedy 2 I . . .ixg3?. After
22.WI'xg3 Black's prospects are far from rosy,
whether he continues 22 . . . exf5 23.ltld5 fxe4
24.ltlf6t �h8 2 5 .WI'xd6± or 22 . . . a4? 23.f6
g6 24.WI'f4 �h8 2 5 .WI'xd6+-.
22.f6 g6
8
b d f g h
7
a c e
6
2 1 .f6
5
2 1 .cxb3 ixc3 22.ic4 ie5 promises White
nothing to speak of.
4 Similarly 2 1 .1'!d3 E:xc3 22.bxc3 E:b8 23 .1'!h3
3 �f8 does not offer White anything.
2
2 l . ..g6 22.cxb3 ixc3 23.ic4 ie5 24.1'!d3
1
Wl'c5 25.E:g2 h5?-
a b c d e f g h
23 .WI'h6
It may look as if White is bound to
checkmate his opponent after 23 .1'!h3?, but
in fact things turn out quite differently and
White is the one who gets mated! Thus,
23 . . . h5 24.ie2 axb3 25 .ixh5 bxc2 26.ie2
cxd l =Wi't 27.ltlxd l ixb2t 28.�d2 E:d4t
29.id3 E:xd3t 30.E:xd3 WaS t 3 1 .�e3 icl t
b d f g
32. �f3 ib5-+ and the life span of the white
a c e h
king is cut short through circumstances
beyond his control. Black's chances are in no way worse.
23 . . . ixf6 24.1'!h3 E:fb8 25.WI'xh7t �f8 26.E:f3
I keep using phrases like "simpler to handle",
�e7 27.1'!xf6 �xf6 28 .1'!d3 �e7?-
"from the practical point of view" and so
The chances are very hard to assess with
forth. Say what you will, we have not yet
certainty.
become robots - we are subject to emotions,
weaknesses and finally fatigue. And that is
From the practical point of view, I am
precisely why I would advocate 20 . . . 1'!xb3!?, as
convinced that Black's best choice would have
it leads to fairly simple positions and doesn't
been:
demand an inordinate expenditure of energy.
20 . . . 1'!xb3! ?
Cvitan played differently - he managed to
This has the advantage that it wouldn't even
achieve a won position, but very soon landed
in time trouble and lost the game, whereas after my exasperation with Cvitan's dark-squared
20 . . . l:'!xb3 the result would much more likely bishop! Unfortunately this try doesn't work;
have been positive. So think for yourself and after 23 . . . exd5 24.tt:lxd5 'Wd8 2 5 . tt:l d2 (or
decide what you are capable of doing today, in 2 5 . tt:l e7t \t>h8 26.l:'!xg6 fxg6 27.tt:lxg6t \t>g8
this particular game. There are no ready-made 28.tt:le7t 'Wxe7 29.fxe7 l:'!xfl t 30.Wd2 axb3-+)
recipes here! 25 . . . i.xb2t 26.'�dl a3+ White already has to
think only about saving himsel£
21.l3g3D
Here too I offer an exchange sacrifice, fully The play could proceed much more
convinced that the Croatian grandmaster will interestingly in the event of the sharp 23 J:l:h3!
not go in for such an unprofitable transaction. h5 24.i.e2! (but not 24.l3d2? l3a8!-+) . My
The alternative 2 l .i.e2 a4 was definitely not plan is simple; to take on h5 and see what will
to my liking! come of it all. A more complicated question is
what Black can do in reply:
2l ... a4 22.£6 g6
8
7
6
5
4
3
b d f g
2 a c e h
1 a) 24 . . . l:'!xb3? A futile try. 25 .i.xh5! (stronger

than 25.cxb3 'Wxb3) 25 . . . l:'!xb2 26.i.xg6
a b c d e f g h l:'!xc2t 27.\t>xc2 'Wb3t Black gives quite a
23.tLl d2 lot of checks, but the white monarch easily
In such positions every move has an escapes from the persecution. 28.Wcl 'Wa3t
inordinately high price. What is White to do? 29.\t>d2 'Wb2t 30.Wel 'Wxc3t 3 l .l:'!xc3 i.xc3t
Should he play this prophylactic move, or 32.\t>e2 fxg6 33 .'Wg3+- and White wins easily.
should he go in for 23Jl:h3, the consequences
of which are quite impossible to assess over the b) 24 . . . axb3 25 .hh5 l:'!a8 ! ?
board, especially with 1 5-20 minutes left on Correctly j udging that Black can only
the clock? Getting into time trouble in such achieve anything if he brings this rook into
positions is of course a serious failing, but I the attack.
fear it simply cannot be helped - there are just Black would lose with 25 . . . hc3 26.i.xg6!
too many extremely complicated lines that i.xb2t 27.\t>d2! 'Wd4t 28.\t>e2 i.b5 t
have to be calculated. 29.l:'!dd3! i.xd3t 30.cxd3, whereupon the
checks come to an end and there is no
Incidentally, I even used up a few minutes defence against mate!
on the strange move 23.l:'!d5 - so great was Nor can Black be happy with 25 . . . bxc2
26.�e2 cxd l =Wft 27.�xd l after which he 28.tt:\xd l l'!d4t

gets no further. His pawn realized its dream 28 . . . Wfd4t is simply met by 29.�c l , and
of becoming a queen, but only for the Black can only delay mate by giving away
briefest of moments! all his pieces.
29.�e2 Wfb5t 30.'it>f3 Wffl t 3 1 .lLl f2+-
8 At last the weary white king has found a safe
7 refuge.
6
5
c) 24 . . . a3 2 5 .�xh5 axb2t 26.�d2
1
a b c d e f g h
26.�xg6!
Keep going forward!
The seemingly more cautious 26.�e2? loses
b d f g h
to 26 . . . 1'!al t 27.�d2 Wfd4t 28.1'!d3 l'!xd l t
29.�xd l �xf6!-+ . a c e
26 . . . 1'!al t 27.�d2 26 . . . 1'!d4t

After 26 . . . �xc3t 27.1'!xc3 e5 28.�e2 d5
29.1'!f3! White has a won position.
27.tt:\xd4
Obviously, after 27.�e2?? �b5 t 28.tt:\xb5
l'!xdl it is White who loses.
27 . . .Wxd4t 28.�e2 �b5t 29.tt:\xb5 Wxd l t
30.'it>xd l b l =Wft 3 1 .�d2 Wxb5 32.�8! Wb4t
33.'kt>e2 Wc4t 34.'kt>f2 Wxc2t 35 .�e2 �d4t
36.�f3 Wfc3t 37.�g2
The king has finally managed to shake off
b d f g h
the tiresome checks.
a c e
27 . . . 1'!xd l t d) 24 . . . �xc3! Simplest and best! 25.bxc3 axb3

For some seemingly mystical reason, Black 26.cxb4 bxc2 27.1'!fl Wxb4 28.e5 ! ? Wa5� In
has no way of creating substantial threats to spite of White's extra rook, his exposed king
the white king. means that the position can be assessed as
He only manages to give a few useless checks unclear.
in the event of 27 . . . �xc3t 28.�e2 �b5 t
29.�8+-, or 2 7 . . . Wfd4t 28.�e2 �b5 t To all appearances, 23 .1'!h3! was the strongest
29.�8. move in the position and would have set
Nor is there any improvement in 27 ... �f4t Black definite problems - it is only in this
28.�e2! �b5 t 29.tt:\xb5 Wfxb5t 30.�8+-. last line that he has a fully viable game.
However, I simply didn't succeed in correctly For better or worse, I just had to play:
calculating and then evaluating such a 24.�h6 ixf6 25 .E:h3
large number of complicated variations; to I would have had to await Black's reaction,
be honest, I don't think this would have been not that the wait would have been too long
humanly possible. It was necessary to put more we each had 5 or 6 minutes left on the clock,
trust in intuition, but that is quite another and of course no one was going to give us
story. any "increments"!
23 ... :Bc8! 24.:Bf3?

The impression is that Black is gradually
taking over the initiative, and by this time
absolutely faultless play was required of me.
This move already brings White to the verge of
defeat. What else was there?
24.E:h3
This fails to a sequence of logical moves:
b d f g
8
a c e h
7
25 . . . E:xb2
6
The most natural move in the position,
5
although not necessarily the best; several
4
other moves deserve attention.
The prophylactic 25 . . . ie8! ? is worth
3 considering.
2 Another interesting line is: 25 . . . a3!? 26.bxa3
E:d4 (or 26 . . . E:xc3 27.axb4 �xb4 28.lt:\c4!oo)
b d f g
27.�xh7t <j;.fg 28 .E:f3 �c5?
a c e h Possibly the strongest continuation was a
24 . . . h5 25 .�g5 move I didn't notice during the game, the
White has no choice. 25 .�e2? is wholly bad cunning 25 . . . �a5 . For example 26.�xh7t
in view of 25 . . . E:xb2 26.lt:\c4 �b4 27.lt'lxb2 <j;.f8 27 .ic4 a3! with an extremely unpleasant
i.xc3-+ and the game is over. attack.
25 . . . E:xb2 26. lt:\ c4 E:xc4
More convincing than 25 . . . a3 ? 26.E:xh5 26 . . . �b4? is refuted without much trouble:
axb2t 27.'�b l ixf6D 28.�xf6 gxh5 27.e5! ixe5 28 .�xh7t <;t.fB 29.lt:\xe5 dxe5
29.lt:\b3?. 30.E:xd7+-
26.lt:\c4 27.ixc4 ixc3
If White is in a real hurry to lose, he can Unclear complications arise from 27 . . . a3
continue 26.E:xh5 ? E:xc2t 275tlxc2 E:xc3#. 2 8 .E:fl ia4! 29.lt:\xa4 E:b l t 30.\tld2 �a5 t
26 . . . E:xc4 27.ixc4 a3! 28.E:fl ixc3 29.E:xc3 3 1 .\tle2 �xa4 32.�xh7t <j;.fs 33.E:xb l
E:b l t 30.<;t.d2 E:xfl 3 1 .ixfl a2-+ �xc2t 34.\tlf3 �xb l 3 5 .�h6t <;t.eB 36.�d2
The pawn will .reach its queening square d5!?.
after all! 28 .�xh7t <j;.fs 29.E:xc3 E:b l t 3Q.<;t.d2 �d4t
3 1 .E:d3 '1Wf2t 32.�c3 '\Wf6t 33 .�d2= 26 . . . '\Wa7!

It seems that Black is obliged to give A clever move, although the simple 26 . . . E:xf3
perpetual check. 27.tt:lxf3 '1We3t 28.E:d2 '1Wa3t 29.�dl '1Wxf3t
30 . .ie2 '\Wh l t 3 1 .'\We l Wxe4-+ also wins the
8
game with no particular problems.
7
27.E:xc3 '\Wal t 28.tt:l b l .ixc3 29.E:xd6 Wb2t
30.�dl Wxb l t 3 1 .�e2 .ib5 t 32.�e3 Wel t
6 33.�f3
5 8
4 7
3 6
5
2
1
a b c d e f g h
24 ... E:xb2!
b d f g
A splendid, powerful, winning move - I'm
a c e h
not sure what other epithets I ought to muster,
but they would all be j ustified! 33 . . . .ixf6!-+
The concluding stroke that dots all the i's
And yet perhaps I even prefer: and crosses the t's! White loses material and
24 . . . a3! is deprived of all chances to organize any
Very strong, though it also requires the resistance at all.
ability to calculate variations accurately in
conditions of time shortage. 25.tl:k4
2 5 . bxa3 The only move. At this moment I took a
White's chances of a successful defence are highly pessimistic view of how events might
also minimal after 25 .'\Wh6 axb2t 26.�b l develop .
.ixf6 27.tt:l a2 '\Wa5 28.tt:lc4 E:bxc4 29 . .ixc4
.ia4!-+ when there is no fending off all
Black's threats - the white king's position is
too weak!
25 . . . E:xc3 26.axb4
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
25 .. J'hc4'
The first error committed by my opponent in
this game, which up to now he had conducted
quite brilliantly, and which he deserved to win!
Cvitan needed to make j ust one final effort for
victory. All he had to do was play:
25 . . . \Wb4! 26.lL:lxb2 Elxc3!
The most precise, although another line that
doesn't look bad is: 26 . . . a3 27.li:Jc4 j,xc3
28.Elxc3 '1Wxc3 29.'1Wg3 \Wal t 30.d2 \Wd4t
3 I .el \Wxe4t-+
a b c d e f g h
26 ...\Wb4'
Misfortunes never come singly! Black's first
mistake deprived him of victory, his second
takes away his last chances of a draw. It was
imperative to play:
26 . . . a3!
White then has little choice.
27.j,b3 Elxb3
Both 27 . . . \Wc5 and 27 . . . \Wa5 are adequately
met by 28.\We l ! .
27.\Wh6
28 .\Wh6
Few people would be pleased with 27.li:Jd3
28.cxb3 also leads to a draw: 28 . . . \Wxb3
'1Wb3-+ either.
29.Eld2! j,xc3 30.\Wh6 j,b2t 3 1 .Elxb2 axb2t
27 . . . j,xf6!
32.mb l \Wd l t 33.mxb2 \We2t= and the
To scotch White's last hope, the bishop can
white king can't escape persecution.
be sacrificed for good measure!
28 . . . j,xf6
2 8 .Elxf6
28.e5 j,xe5 29.li:Jd3 Elxc2t! 30.xc2 '1Wc3t
3 I .b l a3! is also hopeless for White.
After 2S.li:Jd3 '1Wb3 29.li:J e l '1Wa3t 30.d2
Elxf3 3 l .li:Jxf3 \Wxf3 Black has a material
plus as well as an attack.
28 . . . a3 29.Elxf7
Nor is there any salvation in 29.li:Jd3 Elxc2t
30.xc2 j,a4t 3 I .cl iWc3t 32.b l j,c2t
33.a2 j,b3t 34.xa3 j,d5 t 3 5 .a4 j,c6#.
29 . . . \Wxb2t 30.d2 Elxc2t 3 I .el xf7
32.\Wxh?t f8-+ a b c d e f g h
White has no more than a handful of checks.
29.cxb3!
Should White wish to lose the game,
26.ixc4 29.Elxf6? Elxc3-+ works splendidly!
29 .. .'1Wxb3 30.:gxd6D .ixc3 27.:Sdd3!+-

The ability to stop in time is an excellent White threatens 28.'Wh6. He has an extra
quality in a chess player; 30 . . . .ia4?? looks rook, and all his opponent's threats have
tempting at first sight, but loses to 3 l .:gd2!. evaporated into thin air.
All Black's threats then vanish, while White's
huge material advantage remains. 27 h5
••.
3 l .:gxd7 'Wb2t 32.'�dl 'Wb i t 33.c;;t> e 2 'We i t This move is no better or worse than any
34.d3 other. Black loses j ust about as quickly with
27 . . . '\Wxc4 28 .'\Wh6, or 27 . . . .ixc3 28.:gxc3, or
8 27 . . . a3 28 .'\Wh6 .ixf6 29.:gxf6 .ia4 30.:gf2D
7 'Wxc4 3 I .:gh3+-.
6
5
28.�g5! :Sbl t
4
White was again threatening 29.'Wh6, and
the result of the game would not be altered
3 by 28 . . . h7 29.:gh3 <±>g8 3 0.:gxh5 :gb l t
2 3 I . d2+-.
b d f g
29.tlJxb l �b2t 30.d2 �xbl 3 1 .�h6
a c e h
�b4t
34 . . . .ia5 ! 3 I . . . .ixf6 32.l'hf6 'Wb4 t 33.:gc3+- comes to
To see such a complicated move at a distance the same thing.
is a tall order!
8 � u �- �
3 5 .:gdxf7
7 �� ! �� ! �� -�· -
Nothing is altered by 35 .:gfxf7 '\Wd i t 36.c;;t> c4
�
'Wa4t=, as White clearly can't continue
��• �w..... � �• �
6 �� i�w��
37.c5 ?? 'Wb4t 3 8 .c;;t> c6 'Wb6#.
35 . . . 'Wc3t 36.c;;t> e 2 'We i t= % - - - -% .. .-%
s lill.r �; �Iii��Iii��!i-�ll
- -
With perpetual check - a frequent outcome

from even the wildest complications!
:� - .
2 �� •� m � ��-
t J��i
� ��%
�
1 � �-- - --%- .---- .
a b c d e f g h
32.:Sc3!
Simplest! Black will have to give up his
dark-squared bishop for the f-pawn anyway -
and that bishop is bound up with all his best
memories in this game. Therefore:
1-0
This game took a couple of years off my life!

Not wanting to defend passively, Cvitan in this game against Rodolfo Cardoso, a player
completely altered the course of the play of striking tactical ability.
by means of a piece sacrifice. It doesn't even
matter whether this sacrifice was completely 6.g4
correct, or only fifty per cent; White was
forced to give up his thoughts of attack and
face the awkward reality. Black's initiative was
very strong, and after committing a couple of
inaccuracies I landed in a difficult situation.
Eventually, not without a certain amount of
luck, I succeeded in winning, but Black's play
effectively demonstrated for the thousandth
time that only active defence can bring p ositive
results! Never set store by defending passively,
which can only be of help from the point of
view of dragging out your resistance; it will
never help you to solve all your problems.
We have now looked at three games with 6 ... a6

the Najdorf Variation, and satisfied ourselves In our day Black plays 6 . . . h6 without giving
that playing this system is a very difficult it a thought, and that move is probably best,
undertaking. Is playing the Scheveningen forestalling the further advance of White's
Variation much simpler? Let me disappoint g-pawn. But how many interesting games we
you straight away - I don't think it is any must all have been deprived of, j ust because
simpler than the Najdor£ But it does have one moves like 6 . . . a6 or 6 . . . lt::l c6 are virtually
small point in its favour: it has not been so well extinct!
investigated.
7.g5 CLJ fd7 8.h4!? h5 9.i.g2
Rodolfo Cardoso - Tigran Petrosian Not the most popular move. Other lines to
have been seen in practice are:
Las Palmas 1 975
9 .h5 b4?! (9 . . . �b7! ?) 1 0 .lt::l ce2 �b7 1 l .�g2
l .e4 c5 2.CLJf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.CLJxd4 CLJ£6 ltl c5 1 2. ltl g3 ltl bd7 1 3 .f4± Lj ubojevic - Tal,
5.ClJc3 d6 Las Palmas 1 975.
The Sicilian Defence was never one ofTigran
Vartanovich Petrosian's favourite openings. He 9.�e3!? b4 1 o.lt::l ce2 �b7 1 1 .�g2 ltl c5 1 2.ltlg3
gave preference to half-open systems in which ltlbd7 1 3 . 0-0 g6 1 4.a3!± Beliavsky - Solo,
Black has a sturdy and solid pawn structure and Slovenia 1 996.
there are a minimum of intensively analysed
variations. Nonetheless he understood very 9.a3 �b7 1 0.h5 ltl c6 1 1 .�h3 �c8 1 2.g6 hxg6
well that you cannot do without the Sicilian 1 3.hxg6 �xh3 1 4.gxf7t 'it>xf7 1 5 .lt:Jxe6 Wh4oo
in modern chess, and he did employ it from Nataf - Graf, Ourense 2007.
time to time throughout his celebrated chess
career. It's interesting that he should choose it 9 ...i.h7
and generally castled at the very last moment. I

believe Petrosian simply tended to think that it
was always possible to find moves which were
more important than the banal act of castling!
12.E:h3
Though by no means bad in themselves,
White's moves are not too well coordinated.
For instance, if Cardoso intended E:h3, why
did he place his bishop on g2?
1 2 ... tLlxd4 13.¥Nxd4 �k4 14.¥Ne3 J.e7

a b c d e f g h Petrosian has played the opening strongly
1 0.h5 and achieved an excellent game. White's
White's intentions are perfectly kingside pawns are soon going to come under
understandable: he wants to carry out an fire, and he cannot even dream of launching
eventual g5-g6, though it must be said that the an attack.
best way of implementing this plan is with the
bishop on fl and rook on h3 .
After the all too quiet (un-Sicilian!) move

1 0.il.e3, Black can obtain excellent play with
no difficulty: 1 0 . . . tt::l b6 1 l .'ltNg4 tt::l c4 1 2.il.cl
tt::l d7 1 3 .f4 'ltNb6 1 4.tt::l ce2 e5 1 5 .tt::l f5 g6+
Tsesarsky - Psakhis, Tel Aviv (rapid) 1 990.
10 ... tZ:! c6
The correct move; White's centralized knight
may become too dangerous and needs to be
kept under constant observation.
1 1 .a3
After 1 1 .g6 hxg6 1 2.hxg6 E:xh l t 1 3 .il.xh 1
'ltNh4, Black is already the only one who can
claim any advantage.
u .. Jks
Typical Petrosian tactics. For one thing, he 1 6.£5 h6! 17 .g6
wants to get as far away as possible from theory Or 1 7.gxh6 gxh6!? and the black bishop
and compel his opponent to use his own brain heads for g5 .
- not everyone is ready for that in the opening.
Secondly, one inveterate penchant of the great 17 ... fxg6
Armenian grandmaster shows itself here: he was A good alternative could have been 1 7 . . . 0-0,
very fond of playing with his king in the centre, maintaining the tension.
1 8.hxg6 20 ... tlJxe4+ 2 1 .i.xe4 i.xe4 22.h3
' ��- �·w�JI

� � �- %""%
�
s
6 r- �-- ----�--zr�
7 � • w �•�
� ·� %- 8-
: � r�:r� ·�
----- " " '
32 �!m �� -J::�:
%----%- �zri1--- - -%-�-
1 Wd&
Wda �t� - -
�w�-f ----%� �� %
1 8 etJ f6
•.• Up until this moment the game has
Such a natural move cannot b e bad, but I proceeded on a familiar pattern: a great player,
feel that a player with a sharper style might facing an opponent he clearly surpasses in
have preferred 1 8 . . . d5! 1 9 .exd5 (after 1 9.lt::l xd5 skill, outplays him and fairly easily reaches
�h4t 20.<.;t>di �xd5 2 1 .exd5 Eld4t 22.'j;l e2 a won position. And if Petrosian had now
Wf c8 the white king begins to have every reason continued in his characteristic style with
for worry) 1 9 . . . �h4t 20.<.;t>e2 0-0+, and the 22 . . . Eixc3! 23 .Wfxc3 �xf5 !-+, the game would
white monarch may not survive until the hardly have aroused any great interest in
endgame! me. But perhaps being convinced he could
win the game without any sacrifices, or for
19.i.d2?! some other reason, Tigran selected a different
This nondescript move allows Black to take a line which, though not bad, is much more
firm hold of the initiative. complicated and stirs up a storm on the
chessboard.
White would do better with 1 9 .Wie2!?, keeping
the black rook in his sights -which is significant 22 Eid4!? 23.£6!
.•.
in the variation 1 9 . . . Wia8 20.a4!?. A stronger Cardoso senses that he is in his element.
reply would probably be 1 9 . . . 0-0 20.b3 Eld4 Instead of a long and tough defence in a
2 1 .�e3 Elxe4 22.lt::l xe4 �xe4 23.�xe4 lt::l xe4 difficult position, he aims to break free with
with wholly unclear play. his queen. Great complications, albeit not
unfavourable to Black, are now unleashed.
1 9 Wa8! 20.0-0-0
..•
What else is White to do? His pawn on e4 23 � 24.Eiel d5 25.etJxe4 Elxe4

•..
is indefensible, and there is no help for him in: After 25 . . . dxe4 26.�c3+ it would be
20.b3 Eld4 2 1 .0-0-0 (2 1 .lt::l e2 Eixe4+) 2 1 . . .lt::l xe4 difficult, if possible at all, to exploit Black's
22.lt::l xe4 �xe4 23.he4 Wxe4 24.Wfxe4 Elxe4 small advantage.
25 .�b4 Elf8! 26.�xd6 �g5t+ White would
hardly succeed in holding such a difficult 26.Wfc5! Elxel t
ending, especially when playing Petrosian. Or 26 . . . <.;t>d7 27.Eixe4 dxe4:
29 . . . .ixd2t 30.@xd2 0-0 3 l .'Wxe5 'Wc6+

The weakness of the g6-pawn, coupled with
the hyperactive position of the white king (the
position cannot yet be called an endgame!) ,
guarantees Black a large plus.
2S .ib4 Wfc6 29.Wfa7t e6?

.
This mistake is far more serious than all

the inaccuracies Black committed earlier; it
could have changed the course of the game
a b c d e f g h completely. From this point on, it becomes
28.'Wg l ! ? looks very good, offering White clear that the players have failed to withstand
substantial counterplay. the tension of the struggle. Alongside
interesting schemes, they begin to produce
27.hel garbage more and more frequently.
8 if'�� -· %- �---�Sf- -� Black simply had to play 29 . . . 'Wc70 30.'Wxa6
76 -
�
�� -� - - �1�--.1- �- %
Elb8 (30 . . . 'Wc6? 3 l .'Wa7t=) , whereupon
-·
, •�•� · �
- - -
3 l .Eif3!+, targeting the f6-bishop, is the only
5 � . . , % , . . % - - �-
� 8
move to keep White properly in the game.
4 � . � � ��
It would be interesting to know how you
3z �,� ��
would continue if you had White here.
"'•' � �� 8 �
- �� r�----�If�
� ��%� � �; � � �
� � -�txr��
76 ��i -if-·�
� -� -�-J�
lq � � - 8 1�r�
.
c e
-
5 ��;r-� �r-- - - �� .
�
4 � �- - �� . . %�
a b d f g h
,
3z �-tr� �� i
27 ... d7
. . . ·
Tigran Petrosian begins a king march into
" '�� ,��

the centre of the board, which is one of his
trademarks (you may recall his famous game
against Fischer in the 1 95 9 Candidates
Tournament) ; but in this case there was no I �� Y"%<
� � � �% "-'
c e
need at all for such radical measures. Black
a b d f g h
could have continued:
27 . . . .ie7! 28 .'Wc7 .ig5t! 30.�g3?
Better than 28 ... .ixa3t? 29.'it>b l 0-0 An uninspired move! Cardoso correctly
30 .'Wd7! 'Wd8 3 l .'We6t mh8 32.b4 'Wf6 appreciates the full importance of his g6-
33 .'Wg4f± with unclear complications. pawn, but he had no business wasting time on
29 . .id2 overprotecting it! Time, no less than material,
After 29.'it>b2 0-0 30 . .ib4 'WeB+ White's is a crucial factor in chess - all this has been
drawing chances are very slight. well known ever since Morphy's day!
White could try playing for mate with: 30 . . . Wfe8D

30J:�f3? 30 . . . �g5 t 3 1 .:9:xg5+-
Taking control of the f5-square. But Black 3 1 .Wfxa6t 'it>d7 32.Wfd6t @c8 33 .Wfxd5 Wfxg6
can repulse the threats, albeit with some It's hard to find anything else for Black to
difficulty: do, but he will now find himself mated by
30 . . . e4 3 1 .:9:xf6t force:
3 1 .:!:'!c3 transposes to the note to White's 34.Wfe6t 'it>b7 35 .Wfd7t 'it>a8 36.Wfc6t 'it>a7
3 1 st move below. 37.�c5 t 'it>b8 38 .�d6t 'it>a7 39.Wfc7t 'it>a8
3 1 . . .gxf6 39 . . . @a6 40 .�c5 also leads to mate.
Better than 3 1 . . . <thf6? 32. WIf7t 'it>g5 40 .Wfa5 t @b7 4 1 .Wfxb5t 'it>c8 42.Wfc6t 'it>d8
33.�d2t 'it>g4 34.Wff4t 'it>h3 3 5 .Wff5 t @g2! 43.Wfc7t 'it>e8 44.:9:xe5t! �xe5 45 .Wfe7#
36.Wfg4t and it all ends in perpetual check. It would be marvellous to beat a World
32.Wff7t 'it>e5 33.�f8 Champion like this, but Cardoso didn't make
33.g7? :!:'!c8 34.c3 Wfe6 35 .Wfh5t f5-+ doesn't use of his lucky chance!
help White either.
30 ... e4?!
It would be sounder to keep all the central
squares under control with 30 . . . d4! . Then in
answer to 3 1 .Wff7t 'it>f5 32.�f8, Black has
32 . . . :9:xf8! 33.Wfxf8 e4-+ with an easy win -
the bishop is at least equal to the white rook in
strength, and Black is threatening the deadly
34 . . . d3.
a b c d e f g h
33 . . . Wfe6! 34.g7 :!:'!g8 3 5 .Wfh5t f5 36.Wfh2t
'it>f6 37.Wfxh6t 'it>f7
Black is winning.
But now let us slightly reroute the white rook:

30.:9:h5!
This radically alters the situation. The
continuation is virtually forced:
a b c d e f g h
3 I .Wff7t?
Too compliant! To take advantage of the
opportunities presented to him by Black's
inaccurate last move, White should have
played 3 1 .:9:c3!? and now:
a) 3 1 . . .�xc3? only leads to a draw: 32.Wff7t
a b c d e f g h
�e5 33.ixc3t d4 34.�xg7t �f5 35 .�xh8 32.E!:c3

�xc3 36.g7 d3 37.�f8t �e5 38 .�f2 d2t There could have been a curious finish to the
39.rJidl e3 40.�g3t �f5 40.�f3t= with game after 32.if8 E!:xf8! 33.�xf8 rJif4 34.E!:g2
perpetual check. Incidentally 40 . . . �f6 is �f3 3 5 .E!:h2 �c7 36.E!:h3t �g2-+.
not good because 4 1 .g8=tt'lt! gives White
possibilities to play for a win.
b) 3 1 . . .�d7 32.:1:k7 �e8 33 .ic3!?f! is also

unclear.
c) 3 1 . . .�e8!
The strongest reply.
a b c d e f g h
The rook is trapped in its own camp, since
37.E!:h5 �f4t is mate in a few moves.
32 ...YMe6
By their combined efforts the players have
created a highly picturesque position. The
b d f g
a c e h
black king has pressed forward into the middle
of the board, where it feels fairly comfortable
32.l�k7! for the time being - at least it isn't now exposed
White's best try. to any direct attacks.
After 32.�xa6t �f5 33 .!k5 rJixg6 34.E!:xd5
e3 Black has a large plus.
32.E!:g3 �d7 33 .�xa6t �f5-+ leaves White
without a good way to continue.
32.E!:c5 rJif5 33 .�f7 �xf7 34.gxf7 g5!?
results in a big endgame advantage for Black.
32 . . . rJif5
White needn't be afraid of32 . . . �g6 33.E!:c6t
�f5 34.�f2t and the black king cannot
escape the checks.
33.E!:xg7 e3!
33 . . . ixg7 34.�xg7f!
34.!'i f7 rJixg6 3 5 .E!:xf6t �xf6 36.ic3t �f5
Black retains some chances of victory.
3 I . .. 'it>e5
Moving the king to a different square would
have been more precise: 3 1 . . .�f5! 32.E!:c3 �e6
33.E!:c7 �e5-+
It was worth considering 33 . . . e3! ? 34.1:'ld7 d4 Instead White could have played 36.1:'lxf6t!
3 5 .ic5 E'le8 36.ixd4t Wf5 37.ixf6 '1Mfxf6!. gxf6 37.g7, presenting his opponent with a very
Thanks to the powerful pawn on e3, the difficult choice. Black has three continuations
initiative is firmly in Black's hands. that call for attention:
Black incidentally had another interesting line

at his disposal: 33 . . . E'le8 34.1:'ld7 h5 35 .E'ld6
'1Mfxf7 36.gxf7 E'lf8! 37.1:'lxf6 Wxf6 3 8 .ixf8
Wxf7 39 .ic5 h4 and I don't quite see how
the white bishop is going to cope with Black's
passed pawns.
A very important point, by the way, is that

in both these variations Black would be
b d f g
guaranteed complete security!
a c e h
34.1:'ld7 E!:eSD 35.E!:d6 iMfcSD a) 37 . . . '1Mfe6?!
A situation has somehow come about in This is easiest to refute:
which nearly all the black pieces have had to 3 8 .'1Mfh5t � f4 39.if8
abandon the centre of the board, and their poor 39 .id6t!? We3 40.'1Mfh2 also wins.
monarch is forced to defend himself almost in 39 . . . e3
proud isolation. Cardoso may well have come What else is Black to do? 39 . . .f5 40.id6t
to think that the position was won for him, and 39 . . . d4 40.'1Mfg6 are equally hopeless.
and that he could checkmate the ex-World
Champion within a few moves. It's interesting
- what do you think of this position?
a b c d e f g h
4o .id6t! e4 4 LiMfg6t f5 42.'1Mfg2t d4
43.c3t! Wxc3 44.ic5 !
The winning move.
44 . . . e2 45 .'1Mfg3t+-
a b c d e f g h 1he game is near its end.
36.E!:xd5t
b) 37 . . . e3
In itself this move isn't bad, but it creates the
This move seems so natural, but it turns out
conditions for future errors - which are bound
that there is now no salvation for Black.
to occur.
38 .i.f8 e2
Which pawn will queen first?
39 .�h5t! �f4 40.i.d6t <j{e3
Black has no choice - after 40 . . . E!:e5
4 l .i.xe5t fxe5 42.�xe2+- there is no
stopping the g-pawn.
4 l .�h4!
A superb move! White threatens mate on f4.
4 l . . .�f5
4 l . . .E!:e4 42.�g3t �d4 43.�d3# is by no
means a complicated line to calculate. a b c d e f g h
42.�g3t <j{d4 38.i.f8!

42 . . . �f3 43.�gl t �e4 44.�g6t �d4 38 .�xd5t? is weaker - after 38 . . . �g6 Black
45 .�xe8+- can start playing for a win again.
38 . . . �e6 39.�h5t �f4 40 .i.d6t!? �e3D
4 l .�xh6t �f3 42.�f4t �e2
If Black has a strong desire to lose, he can
still do so with 42 . . . �g2?, which is punished
at once by 43 .�g3t �fl 44.i.c5 with mate
to follow.
43 .�d2t �f3=
And it all ends in perpetual check.
It remains an interesting question - in answer

to 36.E!:xf6t! gxf6 37.g7, what would Black
have chosen?
43.�b2!
8
The last reserves go into battle, and the
statement "all White's pieces are taking part
in the attack'' becomes quite literally true. 7
43 . . . e l =�
6
5
43 . . . E!:c8 doesn't help, as White has 44.i.c7!,
maintaining all the threats.
44.c3t �e4 4
3
44 . . . �xc3t 45 .�xc3t �e4 46.�c2t+-
45 .�xe l t �d3 46.�b l t!
With a beautiful finish to the brilliant 2
1
combination. Of course, it would be quite
impossible for White (or Black, for that matter)
to calculate all these complex variations, but a b c d e f g h
his intuition may guide him along the way.
36 �g4
...
Petrosian knows no fear! The white queen is

(c) 37 . . . E!:g8!
shut out of play, and this permits Black to go
The only move!
in for such risky manoeuvres.
It was worth considering the slightly more The other king advance looks less natural:
normal: 36 . . . 'it>f4 37.E:d6!
36 .. Jl:e5!? 37.E:dl E:e6 38.E:fl t 'it>g3 transposes to the
position after 40 . . . 'it>g3 in the first part of
this note.
37 . . . e3
a b c d e f g h
37.E:dl
b d f g
37.E:d6 is weaker: 37 . . . E:e6 38.E:dl e3
39.E:fl t 'it>g4 and Black's passed pawn is a c e h
already dangerously advanced. 38.E:xf6t gxf6 39.g7 e2 40.'it>b2!
37 . . . E:e6!? The most precise move.
Overprotecting the pride of his position - 4o . . . Wds 4 1 .'\Whs
the bishop on f6. With unclear play.
A less convincing line is 37 . . . e3 38.E:fl t
'it>g4 39.E:xf6! gxf6 40.g7 E:g5 4 1 .'1Wxf6
WeB 42 . .ic3 e2 43 .'1Wf2? with obscure
complications.
38.E:fl t �g5 39.E:gl t 'it>f4 40.E:fl t 'it>g3
a b c d e f g h
4 l ..ie l t 'it>g2 42.E:f2t 'it>gl 43 .'\Wa? .ig5t
But not 43 . . . e3 44.E:xf6! gxf6 45 .'\Wd4 and
White has good counterplay.
44.'it>b l e3!
The initiative belongs to Black.
White had the stronger:
37.1'!d6! a5 !?
37 ... e3 3 8 .!!xf6 gxf6 probably also leads
to a draw, but White is the only one who
can play for a win. For example 39.g7 e2
40.\Wg6t �f3 4 1 .'1Wxf6t �g2 42.�b2! with
advantage.
Black would lose at once with 37 . . . h5?
38.!%xf6 gxf6 39.g7.
a b c d e f g h
39.%\'a7?
Still hoping to bring the queen to the
kingside and mate the aggressive black
monarch, but this attempt was not to be
crowned with success.
What ought White to have done, then? Let us at

3 8 .!!xf6! gxf6
once reject 39 .WI'c7? \We5-+, and 39.�d2? l'!d8t
But not 38 . . . axb4? 39.!%fl +-.
40.�e2 Wl'f5-+, and 39.l'!fl ? e3. In all these
39.ie7 e3 40.g7 e2 4 1 .'1Wg6t �f3 42.\Wxf6t
variations Black wins without any problems.
�e4 43.\Wh4t �f3 44.\Wf6t=
As we have had occasion to observe more
So by dint of trial and error we arrive at
than once already, White only succeeds in
39.ic3! (here again, note that in his search
for salvation White must attack the f6-bishop) .
obtaining counterplay when he takes action
against the bishop on f6 - as long as that piece
There are several continuations for Black to try
remains on the board, White can't even dream
in his quest for the win:
of creating real threats.
37 \We6 38.l'!gl t
.••
White doesn't have much choice; he would

lose with either 38 .ic3 \Wx£7 39.gxf7 !!f8
40.ixf6 gxf6 or 38 .'1Wc7 l'!c8 39.l'!gl t �f5
40.'1Wg3 ig5t.
38 ... <it>h3
I like 38 . . . �f3! better; one important detail
is that 39 .ic3 �£2! is good for Black.
a b c d e f g h
The last critical moment of the game has now a) 39 . . . WI'xf7?
arrived. The least effective move, with awkward
consequences for Black.
40.gxf7 E:f8 4l . .ixf6 gxf6 42.E:g7 f5 49.bxc4 g4 50.c5 g3 5 l .id6 g2 52 . .ih2

White's aim is to create another passed pawn, h3 53.c6 g l ='IWt 54.ixgl Wxgl 5 5 . c7 h2
on the queenside. With 42 . . . a5 Black can try 56.c8='1W h l ='IW 57.\Wc l t <J/h2 5 8 .\Wxh l t
to hinder this standard plan, but he won't be <J/xh l 5 9 .<J/xe4 �g2 60.Wd5 Wf3 6 l .<Jic6
very successful! Thus, 43 .c4 a4 44.cxb5 axb3 We4 62.<Jib6 <Jid5= It is of course possible
45 .b6 e3 46.b7 e2 47.E:gl f5 48.<Jid2+- and that I have made a mistake somewhere in this
with logical steps White achieves the win. analysis, but the line does seem to me to be
largely forced.
c) 39 . . . E:e7!? 40.'1Wf8 '1Wb6 is very interesting.

It looks risky for Black to keep the queens on,
but this may be his best winning attempt.
d) 39 . . . .ig5t!? 40.Wb2 '1Wxf7 4 Lgxf7 E:f8

42.ixg7 E:xf7
a b c d e f g h
43.c4!
Successfully evading the sly trap - 43.<Jid2
a5 ! ? 44.c4? a4 4 5 . cxb5 axb3 46.b6 b2 47.E:gl
E:xf7 with an unclear outcome. Though I
should add that with 44.c3 h5 45 .<J/e3 in
this line, White would still win.
b d f g h
43 . . . bxc4 44.bxc4 f4 45 .<Jid2 a c e
White will soon be victorious.
43.ixh6!
White is fortunate to have this stroke
b) 39 . . . <Jih2 40.E:fl Wg2 4 l ..ixf6 Wxfl
available - otherwise it would be time to
stop the clock.
43 . . . .ixh6 44.E:h l t Wg2
Nothing is altered by 44 . . .'j{g4 45 .E:xh6 e3
46.E:xa6.
45.E:xh6 e3
a b c d e f g h
42.ie7t! (better than 42 . .ixg7t We2 43 . .ixh6

e3) 42 . . . \Wxf7 43.gxf7 E:c8 44.Wd2 h5 45 .We3
h4 46.f8='1Wt E:xf8 47 . .ixf8 g5 48.c4 bxc4
a b c d e f g h
46.:!::1xa6 e2
On 46 . . . :!::1 e7 47.:!::1 g 6t, the white rook will
find a way to reach the first rank.
47.:!::1 e 6 <j{f2 48.<j{c3 :!::1 f4
Trying to hold up the advance of the white
pawns.
Mter 48 . . . e l =Wft, I didn't succeed in finding
a win for Black: 49.:!::1 xe l lifxe l 50.Ii>b4 <j{d2
5 1 .a4 bxa4 52.bxa4 <j{xc2 53 .a5 <j{d3 54.a6=
49.<j{d2!
On 49.a4? e l =Wi't 5 0 .:!::1xe l , Black's winning
process is: 50 . . . b4t 5 l .<j{d3 <j{xe l 52.a5 <j{ d l
53.a6 :!::1 f6 54.a7 :!::1 a6 5 5 .c3 bxc3 56.<j{xc3 a b c d e f g h
:!::1xa7 57.b4 :!::1 b 7! 5 8 .<j{c4 <j{c2 59.b5 :!::1 b 8 40.'Wb7
60.<j{c5 <j{b3 6 1 .b6 <j{a4-+ Nor can White save himself with:
49 . . . :!::1 d4 t 50. <j{c3 :!::1 d 6!? 5 1 .:!::1 e4 e 1 =Wit 40.Wfc7 WfeS!
52.:!::1 xe l lifxe l 5 3.\t>b4 <j{d2 But not 40 ... �e5 ?? 4 1 .WI'b7+-.
4 1 .Wi'd7t :!::1 e 6 42.�c3 Wfd6
The simplest route to victory.
42 . . . Wfe4 43.�xf6 <j{h2! should also win, but
it's more complicated.
However, 42 . . . Wfxc3? just throws away
the win: 43.Wfxe6t <j{h2 44.:!::1 h l t! <j{xh l
45 .Wi'h3t <j{gl 46.Wi'g3t mfl 47.Wi'f3t <j{ e l
48 .Wi'g3t=
43 .Wi'b7 Wfc6 44.Wfb8 �h4!
And with that, White's attack comes to a halt.
a b c d e f g h
54.a4! 40 'We4-+ 4I .'Wd7t

•..
Avoiding a final trap: 54.<j{xb 5 ? <j{xc2 5 5 . a4 On 4 1 .Wfc7, Black wins with either 4 1 . . .:!::1 e 5
<j{xb3 56.a5 :!::1 d 5t 57.1ifb6 <j{b4 5 8. a6 :!::1 d 6t or 4 1 . .. �e5 ! ? 42.Wi'd7t <j{h2.
59.<j{b7 <j{bs 60.a7 :!::1 d 7t 6 1 .<j{bs <j{b6
62.a8=lLl t <j{c6-+ and White loses this well 41 ...:!::1 e6 42.'Wdl e2 43.'Wel
known theoretical position within a few In the event of 43.:!::1 h l t <j{g4 44.WI'g l t <j{f5,
moves. the king easily escapes pursuit.
54 . . . bxa4 5 5 . bxa4 <j{xc2 56.a5 <j{d3 57.<j{b5
And finally White achieves the draw. Perhaps 43 'We5 44.:!::1 h l t @g4
.•.
all this talk about chess suffering a "death of The king has coped with the tasks that fell to
draws" isn't so far from the truth? him, and returns in triumph.
39 ... e3! The exotic 44 . . . <j{g2? loses to 45 .Wi'gl t <j{f3

The advance of the e-pawn signals the 46.:!::1 h 3t <j{e4 47.WI'g2t <j{fs 48.:!::1 f3t+-, but
beginning of the end; White's attacking I shouldn't think Petrosian spent so much as a
possibilities are reduced with every move. minute on this variation!
45.�g1 t � f5 46.�f2t �xg6 Lev Psakhis - Craig Pritchett

The vengeful monarch in person has destroyed
the g6-pawn that gave him so many problems Troon 1984
during the previous twenty or so moves.
l .e4
This game was played in the last round of
a tournament to mark the centenary of the
Scottish Chess Association. I was in the lead,
one point ahead of Jim Plaskett. His game
finished fairly quickly, and it was only with
an effort that I resisted the temptation to get
the tournament over in a hurry. However, I
resolved to give my opponent a genuine battle.
And I must say that this wish met with his full
understanding!
l ...c5 2.ctJf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ClJxd4 ctJ f6

5.ClJc3 e 6 6.f4 ClJ c6 7.i.e3 i.e? 8.�f3 e5
9.ClJxc6 bxc6 IO.f5
8 i.'� � '��:;(��
� -*-�·- "'"y,
7
w � � · �� ·
�
% '" ""'%
iW'"'
6 "'"""'� " �-"""'
s ��a
�� "ii
�""%�,�i �; m �
49.�d2 i.g5t 50.�d3 �d5t
0-1
��
A curious game. Petrosian obtained a big 4 � -%"//, -�-� �
""' ;� miff
3 -�'{� ""'y,� -%� ,�
advantage out of the opening, but in the next
� �l�� .fii
phase of the game the precise and faultless
calculation of variations was not his strong
point. He made some gross mistakes and could
� �
c e
/o o Y "' " "%
have been punished for them at more than one
a b d f g h
stage, but this proved to be beyond the Filipino
grandmaster's powers. One piece of practical A sharp variation, leading to wholly
advice: we are not computers, and we cannot unclear play. I had taken a look at it before
concern ourselves purely with the analysis of the tournament - I liked the positions arising
variations. Pick out the chief enemy in your from it, but I could hardly be called an expert
opponent's camp - in this case it was clear that on it. If my memory doesn't deceive me, my
all Black's hopes and aspirations were linked to first game with this line proved also to be my
the secure position of his dark-squared bishop last.
- and direct all your firepower against it. If
Cardoso had been thinking on those lines, the IO ...�a5 1 1 .0-0-0 gbs 12.i.c4 h5!?
result of the game would quite probably have This idea is popular in many variations in
been different. our own day, but at that time it was still in the
nature of a novelty and was not in widespread cxd5 1 7.ixb8 Wxb8 1 8 .hd5 0-0 Li
use. At any rate, I personally had merely heard Chao - Hou Yifan, Danzhou 20 1 0, and
about it; it was only at the board that I set here White's simplest continuation was
about solving all the complex problems. Black 1 9 .�he l !? ± .
holds up White's dangerous g2-g4 for the time
being, and hopes to create counterplay on the
queenside. The move has only one defect, but
a substantial one: Black probably has to forget
about kingside castling. Incidentally, 1 2 . . . h5!?
had first been played a year before this game,
by Lev Polugaevsky - a fact which itself speaks
of the move's quality.
There is complex play in the event of:
b d f g h
1 2 . . . 0-0 1 3 . .ib3 tt:J d7
a c e
After 1 3 . . . �xb3 1 4.cxb3 d5, two lines
promise White the better chances: 1 4.d6!
This seems to be stronger than 1 4.<;t>xb2
i'Ba3t 1 5 .<;t>b 1 Wxc3 1 6.ib3 cxd5 1 7 .ig5
Balashov - Andersson, Munich 1 979, and
now 1 7 . . . Wb4;!; limits White's edge.
1 4 . . . �b4
1 4 . . . Wa3 ? 1 5 .tLl b 1 +-
1 5 .iWxc6t .id7 1 6.Wa6
White has an obvious advantage.
a b c d e f g h
a) 1 5 . .id2 dxe4 1 6.tt:Jxe4 i'Bxa2 1 7 . .ig5 ! gave

White a plus in Lopez Martinez - Lacasa
Diaz, Barcelona 2006.
b) 1 5 .exd5 cxd5 1 6.�xd5 tt:Jxd5 1 7.tLlxd5
.id6 1 8 .�d1 i'Bxa2 1 9 .tLlf6t �h8 20.�xd6
led to a win for White in Tseshkovsky -
Pavlovic, Vrnjacka Banja 200 5 .
1 4.g4 tLl c 5 1 5 .g5 lLl xb3t 1 6.axb3!? d5 1 7.f6
White holds the initiative.
Advancing the d-pawn immediately is only

superficially dangerous for White:
1 2 . . . d5 1 3 .exd5 �xb2
1 3 . . . ia3 leads to a virtually forced line:
1 4.bxa3 i'Bxc3 1 5 . .ixa7 Wb2t 1 6.<;t>d2
can be met with with 1 5 . . . i.xf6, in view 1 8 .cxb3!? is also quite good.
of the variation: 1 6.Ei:xd6? i.g5t! 1 7.md1 On the other hand, 1 8 .gxf6?! is met by:
(not 1 7.mb 1 ? 'Wa3!-+) 17 ... i.e7 with a clear 1 8 . . . Ei:xb2! 1 9.mxb2 ( 1 9 .if2 'Wa3 20.fXe7
advantage for Black, thanks to the awkward Ei:h6!+) 1 9 . . . 'Wb4t 20.mc1 'Wxc3 2 1 .fXe7
position of the white king. Ei:h6! and Black has excellent attacking
chances.
1 3 ....ta6 14.h3!? 1 8 . . . lD d7 1 9 .g6
For a long time I couldn't decide whether or White is doing well on the kingside.
not it was worth spending a tempo moving the
king to b 1 , but I came to the conclusion that 1 6.'1Wxg3 Ei:h7
the king was safer actually on the cl -square.
This is confirmed by the Polugaevsky game
already mentioned, which went 1 4.@b 1 c5!
1 5 .icl c4 1 6.i.a4t mf8 1 7.i.c6 Wc5 1 8 .i.d5
i.d8 1 9 .h3 h4 20.g4 hxg3 2 1 .'Wxg3 i.a5 , and
Black's attack should not be underestimated,
Lukovnikov - Polugaevsky, USSR 1 983.
14 ...h4 1 5.g4 hxg3

Of course Black would like to maintain
a blockade on the kingside and avoid the
opening of lines, but how is he to do this?
He does not succeed with: a b c d e f g h

1 5 . . . lD h7 1 6.f6! 17.h4!?
I opted for the most typical plan: the pawn
is heading for h6, and "the attack will play
itself" .
Another possibility was slightly more cunning:

1 7.Ei:hg 1 ! ? c5 1 8 .ig5
a b c d e f g h
1 6 . . . lDxf6!
On 1 6 . . . gxf6 White has the highly
unpleasant 1 7.'W£2!, attacking the h4-pawn,
and if 17 . . . lD f8 then 1 8 .Ei:xd6! .
Black i s also very badly o ff after 1 6 . . . i.xf6
1 7.Ei:xd6±. a b c d e f g h
1 7 .g5 Ei:xb3D 1 8 .axb3! This has the point that 1 8 . . . c4? would fail to
1 9.Jla4t <Jif8 20.!'1xd6, in view of 20 . . . i.xd6

2 l .Jlxf6 gx:f6 22. tLl d5 +-!
17 . . . c5
It was worth considering 1 7 . . . !=1b4!?, taking
control of the a4-square and envisaging an
exchange sacrifice on e4.
8 � -J-�--��-·
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7 r� --m
6
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/-/." ';
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3 �i,m � �
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2 �d!� �-��
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1- �M- � M
_
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c e
b) 1 8 . . . c4 1 9 .Jla4t
a b d f g h
1 8 ..!g5?!
At this juncture, the strategic choice I made 8
7
��·
J--zifJ� -·��
�" � � • r� .i
�- A B
A' � ZZW�i""'"?�( --"�

6
.lL �-�
� ,!".A],
was wrong! I wanted to combine my attack
with positional themes (utilization of the 5 ��%� ·� � � · - -·" --
'"""� �� "'""%. �%.

�-?�/-
�it�;-- ·-�
d5-square and play against my opponent's
4
bad dark-squared bishop) . This may indeed
be quite a good idea, and yet the direct and 3 � ,kJ, �- ij
unsophisticated 1 8 .h5 ! was clearly stronger! 2 fj ft�--
;:@ w � ---- "�
�� %.'"""�
�
1 �M� �M
"""" 0/,
I spent a long time analysing the possible ·
��
b d f g h
complications, and in principle I saw all the
a c e
important lines - yet I talked myself into
playing 1 8 .Jlg5 , particularly since the position 1 9 . . . <Jid8!
appealed to me and I didn't see the point of Going the other way is worse: 19 ... <Jif8?!
taking on any excessive commitments. I fancy 20.h6! Wib4 2 1 .hxg7t <JigS 22.Jlb5! This
that this kind of mental sloth is in some way beautiful move interferes with the black
familiar to virtually all chess players - apart, of pieces acting along the b-file, a theme which
course, from those who have done plenty of is familiar in chess problems. (At the last
work to master it, and force themselves to seek moment I spotted that White must definitely
the best move! avoid 22.!'1xh7?? Wixb2t 23.<Jid2 Wixc3t!!
24.<Jie2 lLlxh7-+ .) 22 . . . !'1xb5 (22 . . . i.xb5
Let us see how the game could continue after 23.tLld5 ! lLl xd5 24.!'1xh7 +-) 23.tLlxb5 lLl xe4
1 8 .h5 ! . Black has these choices: 24.Wif3+-
20.h6 Wib4 2 l .b3!±
Black's threats have been successfully parried 2 5 .'\We l !

and his king in the centre is leading a miserable Not 25.2:l:b l ? '�Wxb l 26.cxd3 '1Wb2t-+ .
life; so the position can definitely be j udged However, the cold-blooded 2 5 .ctJ d l ! ? '1Wxa2
favourable to White. 26.ctJe3! is adequate for victory.
25 . . . 2:l:xc3
1 8 ... c4 1 9.�a4t 'it>f8 20.�xf6 �xf6 2 I .:§:xd6 25 . . . '1Wxc3 26.'1Wxc3 l:l:xc3 27.:§:b l +-
With the last couple of moves, some major 26.'1Wb l ! '�Wxb l 27.:§:xb l g5D 28.fxg6! ? fxg6
changes to the position have come about; in 29.2:l:fl l:l:f7 30.2:l:axf6
particular I have managed to win a pawn. White is winning easily. I remember feeling
However, I had underestimated the activity very proud when I found all these variations
of Black's pieces, which are now cooperating over the board.
excellently with each other on all parts of the
board. 22.:§:dS?!
Not the best move.
White could have made the game end in an
elegant draw by 22.:§:hd l ixd6 23.2:l:xd6 l:l:d8 ! ?
24.'1Wxe5! '1Wxe5 25.:§:xd8t We7 26.2:l:d7t! Wf8
27.2:l:d8t=.
But the strongest continuation was undoubt

edly 22.2:l:d7! '1Wb4 23.b3±, preserving the extra
pawn for which Black appears to have no di
rect compensation.
22 ...'1Wb4
23.b3
The one thing I couldn't understand was
who was actually attacking whom!
On 23.�xe5, Black continues with: 23 . . . ixh4!?

(more convincing than either 23 ... 2:l:xh4
24.�xh4 Wfxb2t 2 5 .'it>d2 .Lh4 26.Wff4± or 25 ....th7!

23 . . . Wfxb2t 24.'it>d2 W!'b6 2 5 . ctfe2! ;!;) 24.�xh4 A splendid move!
Wfxb2t 2 5 .'it>d2 �xh4 26 .ib5 ! �a8 ! 27.ixa6
�h l 2 8. tLle2 Wfb4t (28 . . . Wfb l !?) 29. tLlc3 Black loses with 25 . . . Wfa3t 26.'it>b l ib4?
Wfb2= All attempts made by Pritchett and me 27.f6! (27.�hd l ! isn't bad either: 27 . . . ixc3
to escape the confines of a balanced position 28 .�d8t �xd8 29.�xd8t 'it>e7 30.�e8t
have so far been unsuccessful! 'it>d6 3 l .Wfxc3+-) 27 ... 'it> g8 (he has to spend
precious time movin g his kin g; 27 . . . ixc3
It would also be interestin g to try: 23 .ib5 ! ? 28.Wfxc3 +- and 27 . . . gxf6 28.� gl are equally
ixb5 (or 2 3 . . . �xb5 24.tt::l xb5 ixb5 2 5 . a3 Wfa4 hopeless for Black) 28 .�hd l +-.
26.Wfxe5 ie8f±) 24.a3 W!'a5 25 .Wfxe5 (25 . a4
ib4t) 25 . . . �e8 26.f6! ixf6 27.Wff5 ixc3 However, Black could also have considered
28 .�xb5f! 25 .. .1'l:xh4!? 26. E:hd l �h6 27.id7 �a8
28 .�a a.
Perhaps it was worth admittin g my error on
the previous move and playin g the surprisin g 26J�b5
23.�d7! ? . Then after 23 . . . Wfxb2t 24. ctfd2 ib4 With 26.�d3 ixe4! ? White would be
25 .Wfxe5 White can lay claim to an advanta ge handin g the initiative to his opponent.
in spite of the loss of tempo - but frankly ,
makin g such a move is practically impossible!
23 cxb3 24.axb3 �c8!

.•.
a b c d e f g h
26. Wfa3t
..
26 . . . Wfd4? allows White to win with either

27.�d l �xc3 28.�xd4 �x g3 29.�d7+- or
a b c d e f g h
27.�xb7 �xc3 28.Wfxc3 ia3t 29.'it>xa3 Wfxc3
25.'it>b2 30.�dl +-.
I should mention that I played this natural
move without thinkin g, but White also had 27.@bl .ic6!
another interestin g continuation available: My opponent is conductin g the game
25 .�h3!? ifl 26.id7 ixh3 27.ixc8 i g2!? superbly, not fallin g for any of the numerous
28.f6! (more precise than 28 .�b5 ixh4 traps.
29.�xb4 ix g3 30.�b8 ctfe7 3 l .ia6 if2+±)
28 . . . ixf6 29.if5 g6 30.'it>b2;!; White can cope with the adventurous:
27 . . . �b4 There was a stron g temptation for Blac k to play :

28 . . . �b4 29. gxa7 �e8
8 Defendin g the f7 -pawn.
7 Durin g the game I was quite concerned
6
about this line, especially with time startin g
to run short, but I had spotted the correct
5
response:
4
a b c d e f g h
28 J!xe5 !
I simply wouldn't have been keen on
sacrificin g the exchan ge on b4.
And neither 2 8. ll:la2? gxc2! nor 2 8 . ll:ld 5?
�xd5 29. gxd5 �c3 30. gd8t gxd8 3 1 .'1Wxc3
a b c d e f g h
gxh4!-+ can satisfy White.
28 . . . �d6 0 30 .�d7!
After 28 . . . �xc3 29.'1Wxc3 f6 30 .'1Wxc8t �xc8 White should certainly avoid: 30. gxf7t?
3 1 . ge8t c;f;f7 32. gxc8 +- White emer ges c;f;xf7! (30 ... �xf7? 3 1 . ll:lb 5) 3 1 .'1W g6t �f8
with too much material for the queen 32.he8 gxe8 33. ll:lb 5 '1Wa5!+
29. gd l �xe5 3 0.'1Wxe5 Black is also set no problems by 30. ll:ld 5
White has more than enou gh compensation gxc2! 3 1 .�xc2 '�Wa lt 32.�c l 0 '�Wa l t with
for the exchan ge. perpetual check.
The intrepid 30. ll:ld l is more deservin g of
28J�a5 attention: 30 . . . �d2 3 1 .'1Wxe5 ha4 32.bxa4
'1Wb4t 33 .'1Wb2 '1Wxe4 34.'1Wb3 '\Wxf5 3 5 . ll:lb 2 ;!;
and althou gh White's small plus will be
far from easy to exploit, it would be worth
tryin g!
30 . . . '1Wxa7
30 . . . gxc3 ? loses to 3 1 .'1Wxe5 gxb3t 32.cxb3
'1Wxb3t 33 .'1Wb2 '1Wd3t 34.'1Wc2.
3 1 .�xc8 '\Wd4 32. ll:ld5!
But not 32.�b2, when Black suddenly
decides the game with 32 . . . gh6!-+, brin gin g
his rook into the attack.
32 . . . �a3 33 .'1Wc3 '1Wxe4 34. gd l
White has a clear plus, even thou gh Black 's
a b c d e f g h attackin g possibilities are not exhausted.
28 ...VMb4!
Yet another excellent move. 29.'iMxe5!?
I confess it was incredibly difficult for me to W!'xc3 34. f6! , a 1m mg to answer 34 . . . gxf6
choose between taking this pawn and taking with 3 5 . W!'h8t i>f7 36. W!'h7t =, is another
the a -pawn. Nearly all through the game I had drawing line.
been seriously overestimating my position (the 30 . . . W!'xe4 3 1 .�c l
downside of excessive self-confidence!) , and in With a roughly balanced position.
my calculations I recoiled from all lines that
might lead to a drawn result. 29 .L:a4!
...
How long can he keep playing faultlessly?

It would be Black's turn to face a difficult
choice after: It was easy enough to spot 29 . . . if6 3 0. W!'c5 t +-.
29 . l' ha7! ?
However, I had been secretly hoping for
29 . . . id6 and preparing to answer it with:
30.tt:ld5! (to be honest, 30.tt:la2!? W!'b8
3 1 . W!'d4 also promises White a plus) 30 . . . ixe5
(30 . . . ixd5 3 1 .W!'xd5 �xh4 32.�d l ! can hardly
be recommended for Black) 3 1 .tt:lxb4 ixe4
32.�e l ixc2t 33.tt:lxc2 .ic3 34.�c5 ! and
White wins.
30.tt:lxa4
a b c d e f g h
29 . . . .ixe4! ?
It turns out that Black has more than one
way to maintains equal chances.
Black may also play 29 . . . W!'c5! ? 30.�xe7
W!'xe7 3 1 ..ixc6 �xc6 32.tt:ld5 W!'c5 3 3 . c4 00•
Another possibility is: 29 . . . .ic5 ! ? 30.�xf7t!
i>xf7 3 1 .W!'g6t i>f8 32. W!'xh7 W!'xc3 33.f6!
gxf6 34.�fl ha4 3 5 .W/h8t (the assessment
of the position isn't altered by 3 5 .�xf6t i>e8
36. W!'g8 t i>d7 37. W!'d5t c;t>e8=) 35 . . . i>e7
36.W!'xc8 .id7 37. W!'h8!?f± The position
remains unclear, but I believe Black is a b c d e f g h
outside the danger zone.
30. i.f6?
..
30.tt:lxe4!
At this point we each had less than three
Simplest.
minutes left on the clock, and the moment for
Black's attack becomes too strong after
mistakes - on both sides, unfortunately - has
30.�e l ? .ixc2t 3 1 . c;t>xc2 .ixh4 32. W!'xe5
arrived .
.ixe l 33.�c7 �d8 34. W!'xe l �h2t 3 5 . c;t> b l
Wid6 FF.
A stronger continuation for Black was
On the other hand, 30.�xe7!? .ixh l
30 . . . �xh4! 3 1 .�xh4 W!'e l t and now the logical
3 1 .�xf7t i>xf7 32 .W!'g6t i>f8 D 33.W!'xh7
conclusion is:
32J�cl
This move is not bad in itself, but it isn't the
strongest in the position!
There is also little promise for White in:

32.:B:dl :B:d8
a b c d e f g h
32.�a2 :B:xc2t 33 . .!0b2 :B:xb2t! 34. 'kt>xb2
'1Wd2t= with perpetual check.
Instead 32.@b2 would be very risky,
without bringing White real prospects of any
dividends: 32 . . . '1Wxh4 33 .'1Mfd5 '1Wf6t 34.�b l
b d f g
:B:d8 3 5 .'1We5 :B:dl t 36.@a2 '1Wxe5 37.:B:xe5 �f6
a c e h
3 8 . .!0b2! :B:d4 39 .:B:a5 :B:xe4 40.:B:xa7 :B:e5 � and
(by some miracle!) White has avoided losing. 33.'1Wxd8 t
Of course not 33 .'1Wc5 t?? '1Wxc5 34.:B:xd8t
31.'1Wd5 �e7! and Black wins
33 . . . �xd8 34.:B:xd8t @e? 3 5 .:B:dd5
• � �-0.i m
8 �-�� -%-��
3 5 .:B:ad5 :B:xe4oo
3 5 . . . '1Wa3 36.f6t
��.... %_� ��----%-
�-��.-�.
7 36.:B:d7t!? leads to unclear chances after
6 %
36 . . . @f6 37.e5t @xf5 38.:B: xf7t �g6 39.:B:fl
�� 8�� 'We?�.
�%!i�-�
5
_.,Y.�"\t�% ��
/,:CLJ%m� •�[3J �
36 . . . gxf6 37.:B:xa7t @f8 38 .:B:a8t �g7 39.:B:dl
•�
3 ·� � ��
4 :B:h5 ! ?
� �L,% Black's position i s not worse.
��
�j �� - ��
2 Events proceed much more interestingly after:
��
32.e5!
1 �
� a b c d e f g h
3I..J�:xh4!
A little late, Black reverts to the correct idea.
Better late than never, but the best thing of all
is to do everything in good time! Feeling my
own time to be seriously short, I wasn't able to
size up the situation quickly and accurately -
the normal punishment for chess players who
keep getting into time trouble!
a b c d e f g h
Not such a difficult move, but of course the enemy pos lt lon. For example, Black loses
basic problem lay not so much in finding it with 39 . . . '\We4 40 .'1Wh3 '1Wh7 4 1 .'1Wd7 '1We4
(a fairly easy task!), but rather in correctly 42. l2Jc3 '1We6 43.'1Wb5 +- as the square d5 is
evaluating the virtually forced continuation; positively beckoning the white knight!
that is what I failed to cope with! 3 8 .'1Wh2 '1Wh7 39 .'1We2!? '1Wf5
32 . . . E\xh l t 39 . . . '\Wh6 40. l2Jc3 ! '1Wxf6 40. l2Jd5 +-
Neither 32 . . . �xe5 33.Eid l ! nor 32 . . . E\d8 40. CtJc3 '1Wh3 4 I . l2Jb 5 !
33. E\xh4 '1Wxh4 34.'\Wc5 t �e7 3 5 .'1Wc7 ± Black i s facing insurmountable problems.
would suit Black.
33.'\Wxh l '1Wxa5 34.exf6 Working out such variations completely might
More convincing than 34.'\WhSt r:JJe7 not have been possible, but choosing this line
3 5 . exf6t r:JJd7 36.'\Wxg7 '1Wd5!00• would have presented Black with the problem
34 . . . r:JJg8 D 3 5 .'1Wg2! of having to find the only move at every turn,
3 5 .'\Wg l is weaker; after 35 . . . g6 36.fxg6 '1Wf5 ! within seconds!
the pawn o n c2 i s unprotected, and 37.gxf7t
g;,xf7 3 8 .'1Wg7t r:JJe6 39 .'1We7t r:JJd 5 40 .'1We2 32 '1Wxe4
•..
'1Wxf6= promises White little. I don't think White could count on any
35 . . . g6 36.fxg6 advantage after the more precise 32 . . . Eixe4!
33.Eixa7 Ele7+± . His king position makes a
poor impression, and this should guarantee
Black easy equality!
33.'1Wxe4 :gxe4 34J'1:xa7 :geeS

I have succeeded in maintaining my extra
pawn, but what do I do next? Amazingly, with
my flag "dangling" , I found the right idea!
8
b d f g h
a c e
7
36 . . . '\Wf5 !
6
The only move!
A gratuitous check could cost Black dearly - 5
36 . . . '\We l t? 37. r:JJa2! '1We6 and now there are 4
two lines for White to consider:
a) 38 . Ctk3! ? Elxc3 39.gxf7t r:JJxf7 40 .'1Wg7t 3
r:JJe8 4 I .f7t '1Wxf7 42.'1Wxc3 with an extremely 2
difficult endgame for Black.
b) The crafty 3 8 . g7! '1Wxf6 39 .'1Wh3 ! Elxc2t
1
40. r:JJb 1 wins for White. a b c d e f g h
37.g7 '1Wg6
35.c4!±
37 . . . E\e8 ! ? doesn't help either. After 3 8 .'\Wh l
Passed pawns should be pushed, not stay
'1Wh7 39.'1Wf3 and White s' queen and knight
where they are! This is all the more true since
will strive persistently to penetrate the
the slight additional weakening of the white
Chapter 6 - Attack in the Sici lian Labyrinths 20 5
king's position cannot be exploited, and the He is probably going to win a piece, but he
attempt to activate the knight with 3 5 . ltk5 will be left without any pawns.
comes up against 3 5 . . . id4. 39 . . . g5 ! ?
Nor i s everything totally clear after the
35 ....ig5 "normal " 39 . . . ixb6 40.Ei:ah2 g5 4 1 .Ei:h8t
After either 35 . . J''!f4 36.c5! or 35 . . . Ei:h4 �g7 42.Ei: l h7t Wf6 43 .Ei:xb8 ixc5 44.Ei:c8
36.c5 Ei:b8 37.�a2, the c-pawn would give ib4 45 .Ei:c6t ±, when Black too has a passed
Black difficult problems to solve. pawn that shouldn't be underrated.
40.fxg6!
36.Ei:hl c;!;gs 37.c5 Ei:bs After 40.Ei: ah2 Ei:h4 4 1 .Ei:xh4 gxh4 42.Wc2
Or 37 . . . Ei:b4 3 8 . �c2 Ei:f4 3 9 . tLl b . 6 Ei:xf5 ixb6 43.cxb6 Wg7 44.Ei:xh4 �f6, I don't see
40.b4, and White's two passed pawns are not how White can improve his position.
to be stopped without great material losses. 40 . . . ixb6
I don't like 40 . . . fxg6 4 1 .Ei: ah2 if6 42.�c2!,
3S.c!t)b6 when the position remains dangerous for
White should probably prefer: 3 8 . c6 Ei:e3 Black.
(38 . . . Ei:xb3t is weaker, since after 39.�c2 4 1 .gxf7t Wxf7 42.Ei:f2t �e7 43.Ei:h7t �e6
the rook comes under attack from White's 44.cxb6 Ei:b4
pieces, while the passed c-pawn presses on I find it hard to imagine that White could
unhindered) 3 9 . c7 Ei:c8 40.Ei:d l Ei:xb3 4 1 .Wa2, entertain serious hopes of victory.
retaining winning chances.
39.c;!;c2
8
White could preserve excellent winning
chances with 39.Wa2! Ei:d3 40.Ei:h2+-.
7
6 39...i.f6?
For good or ill, Black had to take aim at the
5 knight on b6 with:
4 39 . . . id8 ! ?
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
38...Ei:e3?!
There are no chess players alive who would
never go wrong in time trouble - an excellent
reason for avoiding getting into it!
a b c d e f g h
Black would be very close to drawing after:
40.Ei:a6!
38 . . . id8! 3 9 .Ei:a2
White is left too short of pawns after 40.b4
White gains nothing substantial from
ixb6 4 1 . cxb6 Ei:e5 42.�b3 Ei:b5 43.b7,
3 9 . tLl d5 Ei:xb3t 40.�c2 Ei:b8 4 1 . �d3 Ei:e5 .
although even then he would keep some Lev Psakhis -Jon Arnason
practical winning chances.
Similar variations arise from 40. 1::1a8 1::1xa8 Yurmala 1 987
4 l .ttJxa8 1::1e2t 42. 'it?d3 1::1a2 43.ttJb6 i.xb6
44.cxb6 1::1a6 4 5 .\t>c4 1::1xb6 46.b4 g5!, and a l.e4 c5 2.tLlf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.ttlxd4 tLlf6
draw is the likely result. 5.tLlc3 e6 6.fi.e2 fi.e7 7.0-0 a6 8.f4 Vf!c7
40 . . . 1::1[3 4 1 . 1::1d l 1::1xf5 42.ttJd7 1::1c8
42 . . . 1::1£1t doesn't help : 43. 1::1d2 E1xd2t
44. \t>xd2 1::1xb3 4 5 . 1::1a8+-
43 .b4
The white pawns are advancing, and the
outlook for Black is grim.
40.CtJd5?
At this point my nerves snapped! I could
have continued with: 40.b4! E1c3t (or 40 . . . 1::1[3
4 1 . ttJd7) 4 1 . 'it?d2 1::1g3 (4 1 . . . 1::1b3 42 .ttJd5 1::1d8
43 . 'it?c2 1::1b2t 44. 'it?c l +- makes no difference)
42. ttJd7+-
But even after the move I played, the game This variation was popular in those years
could have carried on with 40 . . . 1::1exb3 (I more than once tried this kind of set-up
4 1 .ttJxf6t gxf6 42. 1::1a4!, keeping a minimal for Black myself) . Black intends to postpone
plus. However, I simply lost control of myself the development of his queen's knight for a
and the position for a second, and after while and to station his light-squared bishop
making my 40th move I o ffered a draw, which on b7, from where it will exert pressure on
of course was accepted. the white pawn centre. As a way of fighting
1/:z-lf:z against this interesting system, a quick
mobilization of White's f- and g-pawns can be
An exceedingly interesting game. We played recommended.
the first thirty moves at a very high level
and virtually without errors. After that, time The method I employed myself is quite good
trouble took power into its autocratic hands too. A few words about this line: it was shown
and the quality of play abruptly dropped, but to me one day in 1 98 0 by Sergey Dolmatov,
the tension persisted from the first move to the and I can't even say that he took that much
last. Years have gone by, my disappointment at time over it! In the odd hour or so he explained
the result has passed, and pleasant memories the basic ideas for White, and I spent perhaps
of the game remain. It was an interesting one another hour committing relevant positions
for me to play and to analyse afterwards, and to memory and doing some light analysis
I hope you too have taken some pleasure in on them; and I may say that these labours
looking at it. proved fully adequate to win seven or eight
games against grandmasters! A mong today's
elite players, that kind of analysis may merely
provoke a condescending smile. Well, times
and manners have changed a good deal over exd5 26.exd5 l'Lld7 27.Eld3 �b6 28 .i.g5 Elxe2
the past thirty years! 29 .l'Llxe2 �b5 30 .Ele3 i.xd5 3 1 .i.h6 �c6
9.i.f3 0-0 IO.i.e3 etlc6 ll.etlxc6 bxc6 8

12.etla4 etld7 13.c4 7
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32.i.g7t Wg8 33 .�xh7t 1 -0 Ps akhis -
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�----�� ]. Hj artarson, Madrid (rapid) 1 98 8 .
1 ,Q � �%=-�--
-if-�� 14.etlc3 i.b7 15.'1Wc2 Elad8 16.Eladl etlb8
a b c d e f g h A typical manoeuvre: the knight heads for
c6, and from there, given the opportunity, it
This is the key to White's plan, which rests on
may j ump to the magical d4 -square. At any
a sound positional basis. To begin with, I have
rate, Black's whole strategy is directed towards
succeeded in transforming Black's queenside
taking control of that very square .
pawn structure. The c -file is now closed; and
if we recall the general view that in the Sicilian
Defence this very file is Black's main transport
8 ?-
�-:
��
:7�
��i§�
f�ti �
�
artery, its closure can already count as quite
mi-�ar---Y---,Y-�,-
!�""•t�0��
7
an achievement for White. On the other
6
� �-- - �
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hand, Black's position also has its good points:
�
� 8·�!� �
the easy development of his pieces and the
5
weakness of d4 can give him definite hopes. �
3 �%'"/% ��-�- ---��

4
� � ��-
�
Summing up, I would say that Amason and I
8�1i� _:___�� :W!J

were both satisfied with our positions and were
looking to the future with optimism.
2
13...c5 �··�t�IM"
a c
Curiously, many players - even strong ones
b d e f g h
- have spent time on 1 3 . . . Elb8 here; permit me
the pleasure of showing you a game of mine 17.'1Wf2 etlc6 18.'it>hl Elfe8
against another Icelandic player. Spotting five Black's chief problem is the difficulty of
differences between that one and my game with transferring his dark-squared bishop to the
Amason is not at all easy: 1 3 . . . Elb8 1 4.�c2 a 1 -h8 diagonal, given that 1 8 . . .i.f6 comes
c5 1 5 .l'Llc3 i.b7 1 6.Elad 1 Elbd8 1 7.� £2 l'Llb8 up against 1 9 .e5! dxe5 20.i.xc5 . Amason
1 8 .Wh1 l'Llc6 1 9 .b3 Elfe8 20 .i.h5 g6 2 1 .f5 l'Lle5 hopes to bring the bishop to g7, and should
22 . f6 i.f8 23 .i.e2 Wh8 24.�h4 d5 2 5 . cxd5 his plans succeed, the entire set -up that
White has constructed would lose all its And finally, 1 9 . . . � d4!? i s also perfectly
point. playable: 20 . .ixd4 (not 20.Vfig3 , as the initiative
is firmly in Blac k's hands after 20 . . . .if6
Incidentally 1 8 . . . g6 cannot be recommended, 2 1 . !%d2 Vf!e7 22 . .if3 g6 23 .Vfie l ig7+ Riff
as White easily seizes the initiative: 1 9 . f5 ! Mainka, France 2004) 20 . . . cxd4 2 1 .Vfixd4 if6
.if6 20 . .ih6 Vf!e7 2 1 .e5! �xe5 22.ixf8 22 .Vfid3 .ixc3 23. Vf!xc3 .ixe4 with absolute
!%xf8 23 . .ixb7 Vf!xb7 24.fxe6 fxe6 2 5 . Vf!e2 equality.
and White went on to win in Psakhis - Kr.
Georgiev, Palma de Mallorca 1 9 89. So if White wants to fight for an advantage, it
will pay him to think up something new.
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a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
19.i.h5!?
Amazingly, this pos mon occurred in my 20.f5!
games more than once, and if I remember An attractive move, but quite a simple
rightly it was Dolmatov who had told me of one! For the sacrificed piece White obtains a
this possibility. You see how useful it can be powerful attack, and my main problem was
to spend one hour working diligently with a rather of a psychological nature. Though
good trainer! unable to scrutinize a ll the variations, I was
firmly convinced that my compensation for
19...g6?! the piece would be more than adequate - yet I
White's idea is interesting of course, but the was sorry to lose the bishop all the same. And
accepted thing in our computerized age is to then it struck me that if I didn't play 20.f5 !
cast doubt on all old assessments! For instance, I would lose all respect for myself, s o I didn't
long ago I used to think that 1 9 . . . .if6 20.e5!± waste any more time analysing. Self-esteem is
led to a clear advantage for White, but actually an important factor!
in this line everything is far from clear - Black
continues 20 . . . dxe5 2 1 . � e4 � d4 22.�xf6t 20... �e5
gxf6 23. !%fe l e4 24.ixd4 (24.b4! ?00) 24 . . . cxd4 Amason didn't think for long before deciding
2 5 . !%xd4 Vf!a5 with a good game. not to take the bishop. To be honest I heaved a
sigh of relief at that moment! But let us look at
Moreover, I always wondered what I would what would happen in the event of 20 . . . gxh 5 ? !
play in answer to the cynical 1 9 . . . !%f8 ! ? . 2 1 .f6 (2 1 .ih6? <.t>h8) 2 1 . . .if8 .
29 .E:dd3 Wfd6 30 .Wfg4+- with a quick mate .

The pawn on f6 splits the position into
two parts, and on the kingside White has
the initiative all to himself. As a matter of
survival, Black needs to open up the game
in the centre .
24 ..tf4
Not 24 .exd5? exd5 25 .E:f5 lLl e 5 ! , and by
bringing his knight to g6, Black gains a
decisive plus .
a b c d e f g h 24 ...Wfc8 25 .1Mfxh5 e5 26 ..tg5 dxe4
Now should White check on g3 or not? On White probably does best to answer
a purely instinctive basis, what would you do? 26 ...dxc4 by coolly playing 27 .E:de l ,
maintaining his attack .
a) 22 .Wfg3t 27 .1Mfxf7 E:xd l 28 .lLlxd l !
Running ahead, I may say that this is not the Th e position is far from simple for Black to
best move. defend, even though W hite wouldn't appear
22 ...\f?hS 23 .Wfh4 to have any direct threats. Bent Larsen once
I am not going to bother you with long wrote, "Never trust long variations ." I entirely
variations but will merely give the main agree with him, but my analysis may serve as a
line following White's other natural move: form of guideline .
23J�f3 lLl e5 24 .Wfg5 lLl xf3 25 .gx8 .th6 D
b) 22 .Wfh4!
26.Wfxh6 E:g8 27 .1Mfxh5 E:g6 28 . .th6 Wfb6
This is much stronger and leaves Black with
29 .b3 Wfa5 30 .E:cl E:xf6 3 1 .Wfh4 E:g6
no saving chances .
32 .lLl e2!+± with unclear complications . This
22 ...d5
variation alone is sufficient to bring home
22 ...lLl e5 23 .1Mfxh5 leaves Black defenceless .
to us how difficult it is to rely solely on the
Nor is anything altered by 22 ...lLl d4 23 .E:8! .
art of calculation in such positions; we j ust
cannot do without intuition!
8
a b c d e f g h
b d f g
a c e h 23 .cxd5!
Capturing on d5 is essential; the clearly
23 ...d5 !
weaker 23 ..txc5? lfth8 24 ..txf8 E:xf8 25 .cxd5
23 ...lLle5 loses t o 24 .Wfxh5 lLl xc4 2 5 .E:f3!
lLl e5 26 .Wfxh5 E:g8 was fine for Black in Qin
lLlxe3 26 .E:xe3 d5 27 .E:h3 h6 28 .1Mfg5 lffh7
Kanying - Ar akhamia, Novi Sad (ol) 1 990 .
23 . . . exd5 24..!g5!
23 . . . lLle5 is answered by 24.Wfg3t ct/h8 White sets about constructing an effective
2 5 . d6!+-. attacking formation: his queen is going to
And 23 . . . l2:ld4 24 J:l:d3! also fails to save h3, and then his rook will head for h4 via f4.
Black. After that, it isn't clear how Black can resist the
24.i.xc5! ct/h8 2 5 .i.xf8 Eixf8 26.Eif5+- attack.
Using the f5-square as a springboard, the
rook reaches h5 and a quick mate is inevitable. The move played is more convincing than
24.Wfh3 Wfb7 25 .Eif4 g5 D .
24 V9b7!
..•
Not wanting simply to await his fate, Arnason

prepares active operations in the centre of the
board. Let me give you an example of how
White's attack can develop if his opponent
doesn't take drastic measures: 24 . . . Eid7 25 .Eif4
Eib8 26. Wih3 ct?g8 27.Eih4 h5
6
a b c d e f g h 5
21.£6 J.£8 22..!e2 .!c6 23.V9h4 4
3
Now the threat of 24.i.h6 leaves Black with
2
no choice.
23...�h8
The refutation of 23 . . . h5 is very simple: a b c d e f g h
24.i.xh5 gxh5 2 5 . Wixh5 +- and Black has no 28 .i.xh5 (of course White needn't hurry if he
defence against Eif3 . doesn t' want to; 28.b3!? is good enough, and
28.i.c l ! ? is better still) 28 . . . gxh5 29 .Eixh5 l2:lg6
30. Wif3! l2:le5 3 l . Wie2 Black appears to have no
way to prevent White's regrouping manoeuvre:
the rook withdraws to h3, the queen occupies
the vacated h5-square with pleasure, and the
game ends at once.
25J:H4!
I quickly worked out the variation: 25 .b3
d5 ! ? 26.cxd5 exd5 27.exd5 i.xd5 2 8 . l2:lxd5
Eixd5 29 .Wfe4 (29.i.h6!?) 29 . . . Eid7 (29 . . . Eied8?
30 .Wfxe5!+-) 30 .Wfxb7 Eixb7 3 l .i.xa6 Eia7
32.i.b5 Eib8 33.a4+- I liked the end position,
but it somehow went against the grain to be
C hapter 6 - Attack in t he Sicilian Labyrint hs 211
satisfied with a mere extra pawn instead of 30. \Wxh7t! 'tt> xh7 3 1 . 1%h3 t ci>g6 32.ih5t
giving mate. Such arrogance! Actually, I t hink 'tt> h6 33 .ixf7#
that a fter 26.ih6! in this line, Black wouldn't This variation would have been a worthy
get off so easily! But I was convinced that conclusion to the game!
checkmate was a matter of a few more moves,
and I didn't want to deviate from my basic plan. 26... �g8
The only move. 26 . . . h5 27.ixh5 is
25 '%Vxb2 26.'11Nh3
.•.
something White can only dream about.
The normal move and not a bad one, but it
would have been worth spending a few extra
27,gh4
Here 27.ih6!? looks natural and strong, but
minutes on the more exact solution:
I didn't fancy 27 . . . \Wxc3 ! 2 8 . \Wxc3 ixh6± with
2 6.ih6!
quite decent saving c hances.
8
27...h5
7
a b c d e f g h
26 . . . tt:l d7
Black has to get rid of the f6-pawn somehow,
even if it means sacrificing. He loses even
more quic kly with 2 6. . . \Wxc3 27.ixf8 1%xf8
28. \Wh 6 1%g8 29. \Wxh7t ci>xh7 30. 1%h4#.
27.ixf8 1%xf8 2 8 . 1%d3 !
28 .\Wh6? tt:l xf6! entirely transforms the
situation on the board - it would then
be White who had to think about saving
himself. 27...gxh5 29.gxh5 tLlg6 30.gfl!?
28 . . . g5 29 .\W h6 1%g8 Depriving the black queen of the f2-square.
The significance of t his is seen clearly in
8
the variation: 30 .ih 6 \Wf2! (unfortunately
7
for Black, 30 . . . ixe4 loses to 3 1 . 1%g 1 ! ifS
32. \We3+-) 3 l .ixf8 \Wxf6 (not 3 1 . . . 1%xf8 ?
6
32. 1%h8t tt:lxh8 33 .\Wh6 and mates) 32.ih6
5 White's advantage is plain to see, but the end
of the game is still a long way off.
In answer to 30. 1%h 6?! Black has only one

move, but an adequate one: 30 . . . 1%d7!
a b c d e f g h
However, he has no antidote at all a gainst: and Black has no satisfactory defence a gainst
30. l:�h7! the threat to capture on g6. Incidentally
32 . .ixf8 is also perfectly good: 32 . . . '1Wxc3
8 33 .:gh8t! lt:lxh8 34.'1Wh 6 with unavoidable
7 mate.
6
30 . . . '1Wb4!?
5 An interestin g move; Black wants to take on
4 c4 in order to harass the white rook that is
3 doin g such a splendid job of guardin g the
2
first rank.
8
b d f g h
7
a c e
30 . . . l:�d7 (or 30 . . . '\Wxc3 3 1 .'1Mfxc3 'it>xh7 6
5
32.'1Mfh3t � g8 33 . .ih 6+-) 3 1 . .ih 6! �xh7
32 . .ixf8t � g8 33 .'1Wh 6+- I'm a little ashamed
4
of missin g this simple path to victory. The
fact that both players were gettin g into time 3
trouble can in no way serve as an excuse! 2
��.�.�- �
8
� · -
� � � � --
� - V- -----� a b c d e f g h
7
i�
� ��-� � i A� ?:�
'
3 1 .:gh 6
8..t.¥� w� �w� �
Black's defence is also very difficult in the
6
m�-----7.
� �- -----7-�
.:.-A M
event of 3 1 . .ih 6 '1Mfxc4 32. :gd l ! ? .ia4 33.:gcl
5
� �� ----� � '1Wd4 34 . .ixf8 '1Mfxf6 3 5 . .ih 6 .ic 6 3 6. .ig5
: llll�ll�lllll
'1Wf2 37. :gh7 :gd7 3 8 . '1Wh 6+-.
3 l . . .:gd7
lllio lllllii&WI"'
White was threatenin g to take on g6, when
2
�}'----�� wfj R � M-�
the d8-rook could become a victim of the
enemy dark-s quared bishop. For example,
1m 3 1 . . .'\Wb ? 32.:gx g6t fx g6 33.f7t '1Mfxf7
a b c d e f g h 34.:gxf7 'it>x £7 35 .'1Mff3t 'it> g8 3 6. .ixd8 :gxd8
37.'1Wf6+-.
30 'Wc2?
32.'1Mfh5 '1Mfxc3
•••
A critical moment! It is now Amason's

On 32 . . . '\Wb ?, the simplest way to win is
turn to go wron g. But then, when you have a
33. :gf4! :gb8 34.h3+-.
wide choice of continuations (I'm not sayin g
33 .:gx g6t fx g6 34.'1Wx g6t .ig7 (34 . . . :g g7
a pleasant choice!) and 3-4 minutes on your
3 5 .f7t) 35 .'1Wxe8t �h7 3 6.'1Wxe 6
clock, mistakes come all too easily. Let us see
White wins easily.
where the alternatives mi ght have led:
30 . . . :gb8!
30 . . . d5 ? 3 1 . .ih 6 (the less refined 3 1 . :gh 6! ? also To be honest, I clean overlooked this perfectly
wins) 3 l . . .d4 (or 3 l . . . .id 6 32 . .ig7) 32.:gg5 ! natural move, or at least I seriously underrated
it. The rook occupies the open file and

removes itself from the white bishop's sphere
of influence, so the move deserved much
more attention than I gave it. White now has
to fight to obtain any advantage at all.
5
b d f g h
4
V/m/h•m.•/o a c e
3 3 .Wf3!
3
L,.,. ,/////'//o_, 77;-;.,
A most surprising move - W hite consents to

2 a queen exchange, but does he have anything
better?
b d f g
In answer to 3 3 . tt:l g3 Wd3 34.i.g7 i.xg7
a c e h
3 5 . fxg7, Black has 3 5 . . . f5 D 36.E!:g1 E!:b 1
3 1 .i.h6!?
37. 1'l:h 8t 'it>f7 38 .E!:xe8 E!:xg 1 t 39. 'ii?xg 1
3 1 . 1'l:h 6 Wb7 32. 1'l:xg6t appears to achieve
Wd4t = with perpetual check.
little. After 32 . . . fxg6 33.f7t Wxf7 34. 1'l:xf7
33 . . . Wxf3
'ii?xf7 3 5 .Wh7t i.g7 Black successfully
33 . . . 1'l:b2 makes little difference after 34.i.xf8
defends.
!'l:xf8 3 5 . ttl g5 Wxf3 3 6.gxf3 E!: fb 8 37.E!:h7
If White tries 3 1 .Wf3 Wc2 32. l'�h3,
!'l:b 1 38 .E!:g7t Wf8 39. 1'l:g 1 , and White a big
threatening Wh5 , Black has a strong
advantage in the ending - his pieces are j ust
rejoinder: 32 . . . i.xe4! 33.tt:lxe4 :B:b 1 34.tt:lg3
too active, and furthermore the pawn on f6
!'l:xf1 t 3 5 .tt:lxfl Wxc4 36.'it>g1 Wd4t 36.'it>h 1
has clearly not yet said its last word!
Wc4 = and it all ends in repetition. A dismal
34.gxf3 d5
result for White!
34 . . . 1'l:ed8 3 5 .i.xf8 'it>xf8 3 6.E!:g 1 ±
3 l . . .i.xe4 D 32. tt:lxe4 We2
3 5 .i.xf8 dxe4 36.i.xc5 exf3 37.i.d 6
37. l'l:g5 l'l:ed8 3 8 . l'l:xf3 also offers White even consider 33.lt:lxe4? l'l:b l with mutual
some advanta ge. chances.
37 .. J::!:b2 3 8 . l'l:xf3 e5 39.l'l: g5 \tlh7 40.l'l:fg3
White has both a material and a positional
8
plus. If Black now goes for the f6-pawn, he
meets with an unexpected refutation: 7
40 ... l'l:f2 4 1 . \tlgl l'l:xf6? 42. l'l:h 5t � g8 6
43 .�xe5!+-
5
3 I.i.h6!+- 4
Black has lost a vital tempo, and White's
3
attack is now irresistible!
2
1
a b c d e f g h
33...i.xg2t 34.Y:Vxg2 Y:Vxg2t
Greed is punishable - on 34 . . . Wxc3 White
mates by force: 3 5 .l'l:h8t! lt:lxh8 36.�xh8t
�xh8 37.W g7#
35.'it>xg2 gb2t 36.'ii?gl gc2 37,gf3!

It's all over! White's second rook heads for
the h-file, and Black's resources are clearly
inade quate to create counterplay.
37... gbs
Or 37 . . . gcl t 3 8 . \tlf2 l'l:c2t 3 9 . ltl e2.
38.gfh3 gel t 39.'iilf2 gb2t 40.�e2

1-0
Another interestin g game. Black's openin g
play was unsure, allowin g the white pawn to
penetrate to f6 . After that, the black kin g was
le ft practically on its own a gainst a whole army
of a ggressive white pieces. I then committed
32.Lfs i.xe4 a couple of inaccuracies, which I now suspect
If 32 . . . l'l:xf8, then 33 .l'l:h8t lt:l xh8 34.Wh6 were due to insufficient concentration (White's
concludes the attack by the simplest of means. attack was so stron g that it was too easy to
relax) . This gave Amason a chance - just one
33.i.g7!+- to try to create substantial counterplay. Once
Now Black can save himself from mate only he had missed this chance, it was no lon ger
at a serious cost in material. Of course I didn't possible to halt White's attack!
Chapter?
Attack in the Catacombs of the Caro-Kann
W�dra Memorial) Haita 2000

GeltandJ Anand) I)areevJ fsakhisJ Oratovsk�J
AvrukhJ Huzman & 5vidler
Diagram Preview
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
cases) . The solutions are found 3 3
on the following pages in the 2 2
How to energize the attack? White can flex his tactical

(see page 225) muscles
(see page 258)
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
A lot of calculation A nice little tactic A wholly "uncomplicated"

(see page 2 1 9) (see page 229) combination
(see page 2 5 9)
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
A clever combination with What was wrong with What had I planned after
many details. Concentrate! 1 6 . .!Db4?
. . 1 9 . . . e6?
(see page 222) (see page 249) (see page 275 /6)
Chapter 7 - Attack in the Catacombs of the Caro-Kann 217
As i f deliberately playing with contrasts, I Mikhail Tal- Bukhuti Gurgenidze

decided to devote my next chapter to aggression
in the Caro-Kann. Writing this chapter was not USSR Championship 1 969
at all a simple matter, especially coming after
the one devoted to the Sicilian. I don't know I.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.ctJ c3 b5?!
about you, but to me the Sicilian Defence (and A rare move and not a very effective one,
"defence" is perhaps not quite the right word especially against such a master of the attack as
here!) is linked to the idea of an honourable, Mikhail Tal. It isn't entirely clear what Black is
manly fight. The associations it conj ures up hoping to achieve in return for weakening his
include a bright sun, a blue sky, and the odour queenside. But what's done cannot be undone,
of a freshly baked pizza. Utterly different and this pleasing game has taken its place in
feelings and images arise at the mention of the chess history.
Caro-Kann - catacombs, dungeons, a knife
in the back, smog and endless rain. I realize 4.a3!? dxe4 s.tt:lxe4 .if5
I may well be wrong, but I cannot alter my The Georgian Grandmaster never liked
feelings with regard to this defence. From following official theo ry, and I should think
the very first moves, Black is thinking not this position entirely suited him.
about an open game but about restricting his
opponent's scope. The fortifications he erects
are such that . . . to undermine them is almost
impossible.
True, the Caro-Kann Defence was a major
opening of the young Kasparov; and a
statement by Tal comes to mind, to the effect
that when it was essential to play for a win,
this very opening was his choice. I simply
don't know what to say; those are people I am
not too keen to argue with. Perhaps there is
something I j ust don't understand about this
creation of two little-known masters. Be that
as it may, whenever I see a game in which a a b c d e f g h
Caro-Kannite (what else are we to call such 6..id3
players?) is crushed, it gives me a feeling of White has played 6 . ctJ g3!? much more often,
total chess satisfaction. with the possible continuation: 6 . . . .ig6 7 . ctJ f3
(Black succeeded in equalizing after 7.h4 h6
Mikhail Tal went through quite an ordeal 8 . ttJ h3 ttJ f6 9.c4 a6 1 0 . ttJ f4 ih7 1 l ..ie3 e6
against the Caro-Kann in his second match 1 2. ctJ fh5 ttJ bd7 in Nedev - Zelcic, Dresden
with Botvinnik. Afte rwards, by way of taking 1 998) 7 . . . ctJ d7 8 . .id3 ctJ gf6 9 Yi!fe2 e6 1 0. 0-0
a certain amount of belated revenge for his .ie7 1 1 . ctJ e4 0-0 1 2.c3 a6 1 3 .ctJxf6t .ixf6
sufferings, he played especially strongly against 1 4 . .if4 and White has a slight advantage,
adherents of this defence. Thus it is that games Rasic - Zelcic, Pula 2000.
by the combinative wizard of Riga are in an
absolute majority in the present chapter. The move in the game involves a pawn sacrifice,
but when did such things ever stop Tal?
6....he4
6. . . \Wxd4 is too dangerous: 7.lt:lf3 '1Wd8
(or 7 . . . Wd5 8 .We2 ;!;) 8 .We2 �xe4 9 .�xe4
Stenroos - Holmgren, corr. 1 98 8 , and White's
compensation for the pawn is plain to see -
Black is clearly too far behind in development.
7.he4 ti.Jf6 s..id3

Here 8 .if3 ! ? , keeping up t he pressure against
Black's queenside, was in no way inferior to the
move played, but Tal always preferred to look
in the direction of the enemy king, not at some
paltry pawns. a b c d e f g h
15.ti'g4
8...e6?! White has an excellent game with good
At this point it was wort h thinking about attacking c hances - except that, for the coming
8 . . . \Wxd4. At least Black would then have a onslaught to succeed, he could well do with
pawn to show for his troubles - although after having a knight on the board.
9 . ttJ f3 Wd5 1 0 .We2, White's position is clearly
preferable. 15...a5?!
Gurgenidze displays a fatalistic attitude to
9.ti.Jf3 .ie7 IO.ti'e2 the outcome of the game. The prophylactic
Quite a good alternative was 1 0 .a4!? b4 move 1 5 . . . g 6! ? was worth considering. Then in
l l .ttJ e5 0-0 1 2 . 0-0 and White has the the event of 1 6.h4 ixh4 1 7.g3 ie7 1 8 .'�g2
initiative. h5, Black's defensive chances are not at all bad.
16.h4!
Tal naturally has no intention of wasting
time on t he cautious g2-g3, and he places
Black in rather a difficult dilemma - whether
to allow the further advance ofWhite's h-pawn
or to open the h-file by his own means, with
loss of tempo too. Speaking for myself, I
would probably not have risked snapping up
the pawn, but Gurgenidze takes a different
view.
16....ixh4 17.g3 .ie7 ts.c;!tg2

It's obvious that White has full compensation
for the pawn. Two powerful bishops, an open
file, an active queen. . . all these factors are
working in his favour. Nonetheless Black's
position is robust, and a pawn is a pawn - so
13.li.Je5 li.Jxe5 14.dxe5 li.Jd5 the struggle is only j ust beginning!
sA,� �Ag*m 2 0 . . . fxg 6? i s weaker: 2 l .�xe 6t c;ilg7 22.i.h 6t
• �- �.:wt�t - -�
c;ilhs 23 .�f7 Elgs 24.i.fs liJf4t 2 5 .gxf4 i.h4
7
�� ·� � , ��%
�%% �� %%-- �
2 6.i.h 6 �e7 27. e 6! and there is no adequate
6 defence against the threat of i.g5 .
�
5
L�� i �
if� �F
� ��
�---
�if�
-��
�
2 l .�h3 i.h4 22.�xh4 �xh4 23.Elxh4
White has an advantage in the ending. Note
4
if� %%
�%% �if� ��
that the threat of an attack against the black
��
� JL� king still persists.
�� 8� �wtiti�
3
2�---- �
c--1----��f� �----}----�%% �
It seems to me that Gurgenidze ought to have
1�� -
played 1 8 . . . �c7!, keeping White's centre pawn
under observation. Then 1 9 .i.xh7t c;ilxh7
a b c d e f g h 20. Elh l t c;ilgs 2 I . VJlh5 f5 ! leads once again to
18 g6?!
...
a draw, while 1 9 . Elh l VJlxe5 promises White
What could be more natural than this move, nothing tangible.
firmly denying White's light-squared bishop
the possibility of t aking part in the attack? So it looks as if Black's acceptance of the
However that may be, the move doesn't strike pawn sacrifice was entirely legitimate! Note
me as best. But before anything else, let us see how many mistakes are needed to lose a
what White is actually threatening - what his game - sometimes even two or three are not
plan of action would be if Black tried to play enough. But with his last move, Gurgenidze
on the queenside: has j ust overstepped that imperceptible line
1 8 . . . b4? 1 9 . Elh l ! that divides a complex and dangerous position
1 9 .i.xh7t c;ilxh7 20.�h5t c;ilgS 2 1 .Elh l was from a downright bad one.
given as winning by Suetin, but the simple
2 1 . . . f6! ?= refutes it, leaving White with no 19Jl:hl
more than perpetual check. Now there will be the possibility of a rook
1 9. . .g 6 sacrifice on h7, and a high degree of precision
is required from Black.
19 .if8
...
The most natural and strongest move!

Black doesn't solve his problems with:
1 9 . . . Ela7?
20. l"�xh7! �xh7 2 1 .1Wh5 t @g8 22. itxg 6 fxg 6 33.@f3! 1Wg5 34.�e3!
23.1Wxg 6t �h8 Having performed a swift forced march into
23 . . . �f8 ? ? 24. ith 6# the middle of the board, the white monarch
24.1Wh 6t �g8 25 .1Wxe 6t �g7 2 6.1Wh 6t takes personal command at the head of his
2 6. ith 6t ? doesn't work: 2 6. . . �h8 27. l"i:h l forces! I find it hard to believe that an adequate
ith4!, and the a7-rook j oins i n the defence. defence can be found for Black.
2 6. . . @g8 27.1Wg 6t @h8
20.i.g5!±
The most clear-cut and accurate solution.
There is no great promise for White in 20.1Wh3

h5 2 1 .g4 h4 22.g5 ig7 23.f4 f2.
Nor is the rook sacrifice totally convincing:

20. l"i:xh 7? �xh7 2 1 .ig5
a b c d e f g h
2 8 . itg5! lLl f4t!

A brilliant defensive resource; the only
alternative would be instant resignation.
29. itxf4 ih4 30. l"i:h l l"i:f8 !
More tenacious than 30 . . . l"i:h7 3 1 . l"i:xh4!
l"i:xh4 32 .ig5 l"i:e 6 33 .ixd8 l"i:xg 6 34. itxh4,
after which White's three passed pawns
b d f g h
would enable him to gain an easy victory. a c e
3 1 .1Wxc 6 l"i:g7 2 L.Wd7!

After 3 l . . . l"i:h7 32. l"i:xh4 l"i:xh4 33.gxh4 1Wxh4 Probably the best move in the position.
34.ig3 , White has a clear plus, though some 2 1 . . .lLl e7? is thoroughly bad in view of
quite precise play would be needed to exploit 22.1Wh4t �g8 23 .i.f6 ig7 24. l"i:h l ixf6
it successfully. 2 5 .Wxf6 @f8 2 6. l"i:h 7 with a quick mate.
32.We4 l"i:g4 Tal's own recommendation deserves a good
deal of attention too: 2 1 . . .lLle3t!? 22.fxe3
Wd5 t 23 .ie4 Wxe5 24.Wh4t �g8 2 5 . l"i:h l
(not 25 .if6 Wh5 2 6.Wxh5 gxh5 27.ixc 6
ig7!?=) 25 . . . ig7 2 6.ixg 6! fxg 6 27.1Wh7t
�f7 28. l"i:fl t Wf5 29 .ih 6 l"i:g 8 30.g4 Wxfl t
3 1 . �xfl and White has no more than a
minimal edge.
22. l"i:h l t �g8 23 .Wh4 ig7 24.1Wh7t
24.if6? is weak: 24 . . . lLl xf6 2 5 . exf6 1Wd5 t
2 6.ie4 Wh5 27.fxg7 Wxh4 28. l"i:xh4
l"i:ab8+
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 7 - Attack in the Catacombs of the Caro-Kann 22 1
24 . . . <kt>f8 25 .�h6 f5 26.1Mfh8t �e7 27.1Mfxg7t 26.�fl �xf6 27. exf6 E!: ed8 28 . Wih8t lt:Jg8
�d8 28 .�g5 t Wc7 29.1Mfxd7t �xd7 30.E!:h7t 29.Ei:h7+-
� c8 3 l .E!:g7 ""
With chances for both sides. 20 . . . Wid7
This mak es it slightly mor e di fficulty for
White to achieve success.
b d f g
a c
b d e f g h a c e h
2 1 .Wih4!
20 .'&c7
..
We have a rare instance where the rook

The most stubborn reply, but it would have
sacrifice fails: 2 l .E!:xh7 �xh7 22.E!:h l t �g8
been better to play it a couple of moves earlier!
23 .1Mfh4 �g7 24.Wih7t �f8 25 .�h6 f5 ! ?
Other tries are :
26.1Mfh8t �e7 27. Wixg7t W d 8 28 .�g5 t
�c7 29. Wixd7t �xd7 30.E!:h7t ctJ e700 and as
20 . . . �e7? is no good: 2 l .E!:xh7! (2 l . j,xg6! �xg5
a result of the long forced variation, a strange
22.�xf7t �g7 23 .�xe8+- is equally effective)
and unclear ending has arisen.
2 l . . .�xg5 22.E!:ah l �f8 (or 22 . . . lt:lf6 23 .Ei:h8t
2 1 . 0 .h5 22.g4 �g7
Wg7 24.exf6t �xf6 2 5. E!:xe8 1Mfxe8 26.f4+-)
22 . . . �e7 doesn't look too convincing:
23 .�xg6! E!:a7 24.E!:h8t �g7 25.E!:xe8 1Mfxe8
23.gxh5 �xg5 24. Wixg5 Wie7 25 .1Mfh6 Wif8
26.1Mfxg5 fxg6 27.1Mfh6t Wf7 28 .1Mfh7t +- with
26.hxg6+-
decisive material gains.
23.E!:ae l !
This seems m ost accurate, alth ough White
20 . . . lt:Je7 can also hardly be recommended:
also has everything in order after 23.gxh5
2 l .�xg6! hxg6 (2 l . . . fxg6 allows a quick mate
�xe5 24.hxg6 f5 2 5 . c3 1Mfg7 26.E!:ae l .
by 22.1Mfxe6t Wh8 23 .�f6t �g7 24.E!:xh7t
�xh7 2 5 .E!:h l t �h6 26. \Mr£7#) 22.1Mfh4 �g7
23 . Wih7t �f8 24.�f6 Wid5 t 2 5 . f3 1Mfd2t
23 . . . Wfc7 prettily in the event of 24 . . . W/e5 2 5 . il.xg6

23 . . . @f8 24.gxh5 gxh5 25 .W/xh5 isn't worth W/xf6 26.i.h7t! @h8 27.W/g8#) 2 5 . @g l ! W/e5
analysing seriously. Within a few moves 26. il.xg6+-
Black's position will fall apart.
The same result follows from 23 . . . hxg4 Nor does Black benefit much from : 2 1. . . il.g7
24.:ge4!, taking control off4 and threatening 22. il.f6 il.xf6 (or 22 . . . tt'lxf6 23.exf6 il.xf6
il.f6 . After 24 . . . @f8 2 5 . il.h6 it is time for 24. il.xg6! il.g7 25 . :gah l W/e5 26. :gl h5 Wfxb2
Black to stop the clock. 27. il.e4 �f8, and now the simplest way to win
23 . . . tt'le7 is met by 24.gxh5 , and then is 28. il.xc6!?) 23.exf6 tt'lxf6 24.W/xg6t! fxg6
both 24 . . . tt'lf5 2 5 . il.xf5 exf5 26.h6 W/d5t 2 5 . :gxc7 :gac8 26. :gxc8 :gxc8 27. il.xg6+- with
27.�gl il.xe5 28.:gxe5 ! Wfxe5 29 .i.f6 Wfe l t an easily won endgame.
30.�g2+- and 24 . . . W/d5t 25.@gl @f8
26.h6 i.h8 27 .h7+- are e qually hopeless for 22,:gxf7!
Black. In which century was this game played?
24.gxh5 gxh5
24 . . . il.xe5 doesn't help either : 2 5 .hxg6 il.xb2
si,- -i.�· �
26.W/h7t @f8 27. il.h6t @e7 28.gxf7 :gfg Y- �� ""' 1W
� jill f�!i!�
29. il.f5+- �
� � ��--- -/.-%- ��-

� �0
25 .W/xh5 @f8 26.:gh3+-
s r�.. % i·4a)�
At least Black's torments will not last for very
�F
-- � -�
long!
� �
r� ��
�r� � • ��-
• JL � r��
%--
� !- ��-
3
%----�
%d'"'�� ----��
2
1
?j_ �
a b
� - �
c d e f g h
22... <it>xf7?
Black has clearly lost the will to resist. He
had to play: 22 . . . il.h6 23. il.xh6 (White is also
close to victory after 23. il.f6 W/h5 24.W/xg6t
Wfxg6 2 5 . il.xg6 tt'lxf6 26.:gxf6 il.g5 27 .:gf7±)
23 . . . �xf7 24. il.xg6t @e7 2 5 . il.xe8 :gxe8
a b c d e f g h
26.c3± Black's position is highly unpleasant,
21.:gxh7! but with a certain amount of luck he could at
Tal must have foreseen this rook sacrifice least have dreamt about half a point.
several moves earlier; otherwise White's entire
strategy would have made no sense. 23.ixg6t+-
The slaughter has commenced!
21. Wfxe5
••
The gift could not be accepted: 2 1 . . . �xh7 23...<it>g8

22.:gh l t @g8 23. il.f6! tt:\ xf6 (23 . . . il.g7 There is no need to comment on 23 . . . @xg6
24.W/h4!+-) 24. e xf6 Wid? (Black is mated 24. il.f4t+-.
Chapter 7 - Attack in the Catac ombs of the Car o-Kann 223
24.i.xe8 i.g7 25.i.d7 3I...Wfh7 32.i.e4 Wfh6

25 . .txc6 wins j ust as quickly. Or 32 . . . 1Mfh8 33 . .te7! 1'!xd8 34 . .txd8 and
White wins a piece.
25 �c7
.•.
It might have been w orth giving check with 33.i.g5 Wfh8 34.gd7
25 . . . l[)e3t, alth ough White can deal with it 1-0
fairly c omfortably: 26 . .txe3 (26.fxe3 Wfd5t
27.e4 1Mfxd7 28 J%d l +- is als o g ood) 26 ... 1Mfd5t In the opening Black offended against all the
27.1Mff3 1Mfxd7 28.1'!d l Wfc7 29 .Wfe4+- and principles of chess: he created we aknesses
White easily wins. in his own camp and fell badly behind in
devel opment. But in spite of this, if he
N or d oes 2 5 . . \t>f7 make any difference:
. had found 1 8 . . . 1Mfc7! then he w ould have
26 . .txc6 1'!c8 27 . .td7 (after 27 . .txb5 l[)f6 retained excellent chances of a successful
28 . .txf6 Wfd5t 29 .1Mff3 .txf6 30 .Wfxd5 exd5 defence. Gurgenidze missed this m ove, and
3 1 . c3 d4 Black is of c ourse l osing, but s ome his permissible qu ota of mistakes had already
minimal chances are emerging for him) been used up in the early stage of the game.
27 . . . 1'!h8 28.1'!d l +- As a result, Black was r outed in a style that
recalled the best paradigms of 1 9th-century
26.i.xc6 !HB 27.gdl Wfc5 28.i.f3 play!
P ossessing extra material while retaining all
his other advantages, White is guaranteed a Mikhail Tal - Vladimir Simagin
speedy vict ory.
USSR Championship 1 956
8
I.e4 c6 2.d4 d6 3.�c3 �f6 4.f4 Wfb6
7 I c onfess I d on't even kn ow what t o call this
opening; an odd kind of hybrid has arisen.
6
H oweve r, s ome Car o-Kann criteria have been
5 fulfilled - the game did begin l .e4 c6 - and
4 there w ould be s omething rather inhuman
ab out simply labelling it "B OT'! Black gives
3 his opp onent the opp ortunity t o arrange his
2 pawns c omfortably in the centre, but will
attempt t o exert pressure on them. These are
1
familiar tactics, but very danger ous! By the
a b c d e f g h way, 4 . . . 1Mfa5 5 . .td2 Wfb6 6. l[)f3 is a line m ore
frequently seen.
28...Wfxc2 29.1'!d7
White wins j ust as easily with 29.1'!c l ! or
29 . .tf4!?, but Mikhail Tal wants t o finish off
5.l[)f3 i.g4 6.i.e2 �bd7
This m ove l ooks the m ost natural.
the game with an attack.
It's hard t o rec ommend 6 . . . e5 ?! 7.fxe5 dxe5

29 !H7 30J3dst gfB 3I.i.f6!
•.•
8 . l[)xe5 he2 9. l[)xe2 l[)xe4 1 0 . 0-0 ± Kisl ov

A nice m ove.
Fedul ov, Briansk 1 99 5 .
6 . . . d5 7.e5 lt:l e4 8 . lt:l xe4 dxe4 9 . lt:l g5 .!xe2 deter even the most hot-headed opponents
1 0 . '1Wxe2 �xd4 occurred in Zozulia - from taking risky decisions. Moreover Simagin
Mikhaletz, Swidnica 2000, and now 1 I ..!e3! ? himself was fonder of attacking and sacrificing
�xb2 1 2. 0-0 would have set Black some than of conducting a tedious and unpromising
barely soluble problems. defence.
And finally, Black fails to secure full e qua lity IO.ttlg5!

with 6 . . . .!xf3 7 . .!xf3 e5 8 . lt:l e2 ! ? lt:l bd7 9 . c3 A strong move and a most dangerous one
.!e7 1 0. 0-0 ;!; in De la Villa - Rivas Pastor , for Black, who has to work extremely hard to
Pa rnplona 1 99 5 . avoid losing in the very opening.
IO. .Le2 ll.'lMxe2 h6

8
.
It's hard to think of an ything better than this.

7 White was threatening a breakthrough in the
centre with f4-f5, and 1 1 . . . g6? does nothing at
6
all to prevent it; A. Pereira - Ribeiro, Lisbon
5 1 99 5 , continued 1 2. f5 ! gxf5 1 3 .�h5 lt:lxe5
4 1 4.lt:lxe6 lt:l g6 1 5 .lt:lxf8 lt:lxf8 1 6.E:e 1 t+-.
2
1
a b c d e f g h
7.e5! ttld5 8.0-0!?
In more recent years 8 . lt:l e4 has been played;
there can follow 8 . . . .!xf3 9 . .!xf3 dxe5 1 0 .fxe5
e6 1 1 .a3 c5 1 2. c4 lt:l c7 1 3 .b4! � Z. Almasi
Schaefer, Budapest 1 99 1 . However, I like the
young Tal's move j ust as much.
a b c d e f g h
8... �xc3 9.bxc3
I no longer recall who spoke those famous It's interesting to ask what you would play
words about Tal: "If Misha has an open file, now, especially since there is an answer that the
he'll give mate." The b-file is now open - the romantic young Tal simply couldn't resist.
rest is a trifling matter!
12. ttlxf'7!?
9...e6 I should think many of you would have
Quite possibly Black could have taken the continued this way too! The move is indeed a
pawn, although after 9 . . . .!xf3 1 0.E:xf3 dxe5 good one, but less romantic mortals could ve ry
1 1 . fxe5 lt:l xe5 1 2.E:f2 lt:l d7 1 3 . .!c4!? White's well have chosen :
initiative compensates for the sacrificed 1 2.�h5 ! ?
material. However, I dare say that in those This also secures White a n advantage.
years Tal's reputation was already enough to 1 2 . . . g6 1 3 .�h3 �a5 !
Black can hardly expect to survive 1 3 . . . d5 di fficult choice - between the bad, the very
1 4 . ltJxe6 fXe6 1 5 .Wfxe6t �d8 1 6.Wfxg6. bad, and the appalling! Keeping your sang
Nor can he be pleased with : 1 3 . . . Ae7 1 4.exd6 froid, with your king in the centre and with
J\f6 1 5 . lLl e4 J\g7 (after 1 5 . . . J\xd4t? 1 6. cxd4 all those open files and diagonals, is an almost
Wfxd4t 1 7.Wfe3 Wfxa l 1 8 . lLl c3 +- the black impossible task! The move Black plays is bad,
queen ends up in a trap from which it can't and he ought to have lost fairly quick ly. The
escape) 1 6.Wfd3 0-0 1 7.Ae3± really di fficult question to answer is a famous
1 4 . J\d2 Russian one - "What Is to Be Done?" Let
1 4.�b l ! ? also looks promising for White. us look closely at how the game might have
1 4 . . . Wfd5 1 5 .�ae l proceeded if Black had taken a different path
White has a strong initiative. at this point.
However, trying to persuade Tal not to sacrifice 1 3 . . . '�g8 !?

his knight in such a situation would be about For a long time I thought this move was
as easy as telling fish to fly, not swim! best, but I was eventually forced to change
my mind.
12...i>xf7 13.£5! 1 4. exd6!
This is the obvious move in the position, White's superiority is less obvious after the
and I am sure it was played without any great natural 1 4 . £Xe6 lUxeS 1 5 . J\e3 Wfa5 1 6.dxe5
doubts. Black's poor monarch comes under Wfxe5 1 7.�ae l Wfxe6 1 8 .'1Wh5 �h7 1 9 . J\c l
the crossfire of the white pawns and pieces, Wfg6 20.Wfxg6t �xg6 2 1 .�e6t 'it>h7 22. m7.
and all the life left in him has to be devoted to He has the initiative in the ending - but in
the business of survival. Fran kly speaking, the my view, reaching this position is not such a
game ought not to have lasted much longer, great achievement.
but at that time Tal was still a mere talented 1 4 . . . e5 1 5 .'1Wc4t 'it>h7
child who more than once did his best to help
his opponent.
7
6
3 a b c d e f g h
2 1 6. J\xh6!
A complete surprise - you could so easily
1
miss this move in your calculations . White
a b c d e f g h methodically destroys the black king 's pawn
cover, and soon eve ryone will be able to see,
13 ... dxe5�!
even without spectacles, that the king is
In this critical situation Vladimir Simagin
naked !
was not to be envied! He had to make a very
1 6 . . . Wd8 on weight - he has to keep moving all the

1 6 . . . �xh6? loses to 1 7.Wf7. time, and this will mean heading into the
16 . . . exd4 also loses, although this time thick of the fight.
White needs to show some imagination 14 . . . \t>e7 is strongly met by: 1 5 .Ei:b l ! For
and boldness: 1 7.We6 lD f6 1 8 . .ig5 dxc3t quite some time, the open b-file has been
( 1 8 .. J�e8 1 9 .Wff7+-) 1 9.\t>h l ! lD g4 20 .We4 a major source of headache for Black!
lDf2t 2 1 .Eixf2 Wxf2 22.f6t \t>g8 (22 . . . g6 1 5 . . . Wxb l ( 1 5 . . . Wa6 1 6.Wh5! \t>ds 1 7.Wf7
23 .We6+-) 23 .Wc4t! 'it?h7 24.Wd3t! 'it?g8 ie7 1 8 .Wxg7 Ei:f8 1 9 .exd7+- is no help
25 .Eifl +- either) 1 6 . .ig5 t hxg5 1 7.exd7t 'it?xd7
1 7.We6 Wf6 1 8 .Ei:xb l Ei:b8 1 9 .d5!+- Black's position falls
1 7 . . . We8 1 8 . .ig5 +- apart like a house of cards. Note, by the way,
1 8 .Wxd7 that he never succeeded in completing his
development.
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
1 8 . . . Ei:d8 a c e
Black is still walking on a minefield; a single 1 5 .Wh5 !

careless move is enough to lose the game at This is even stronger than: 1 5 .exd7 Wd8
once. 1 6.Wh5 g6 (if Black wants to commit
If 1 8 . . . Wxh6, then 1 9 .f6! is very strong. suicide, he can play 16 . . .Wxd7 1 7.ig5t
1 8 . . . �xh6 also fails to rescue Black: 1 9 .Eif3 ! 'it?e6? 1 8 .Ei:ae l t \t>d5, and now he is mated
.ixd6 20.Eih3t 'it?g5 2 1 .Ei:g3t \t>h5 22.Ei:g6 in three moves by 1 9.Wf3t \t>c4 20.Wd3t
Wfe7 23.Ei:xd6+- 'it?d5 2 1 . c4#) 17 . .ig5 t hxg5 1 8 .Wxh8t
1 9 .Wxb7 .ixd6 .ig7 1 9 .Wfh3 and White has a sizable
1 9 . . . Wxh6 20.Eif3 +- advantage.
20 . .ie3 exd4 2 1 .cxd4 Ei:he8 1 5 . . . \t>xe6
After 2 1 . . .Wh4 22.h3 Wg3 23.Eif3+- Black On 1 5 . . . g6, White wins in beautiful style:
can give one check, but that is the extent of 1 6.Ei:xf5t! \t>xe6 1 7.Wxg6t �e7 1 8 .ig5 t
his achievements! hxg5 1 9 .Wxg5t \t>e8 20.Eie l t lD e 5
22.Wib3 2 1 .EifXe5t dxe5 22.Wfxe5t \t> d 7 23 .We6t
White's large material plus guarantees him 'it?c7 24.Wf7t 'it?c8 25 .Ei:e8t Wd8 26.Ei:xd8t
an easy win. 'it?xd8 27.Wf6t+- The variation is long but
forced, and Tal wouldn't have had much
13 ... exf5 1 4 . e6t �f6 trouble finding it.
At least the black monarch won't be putting
1 5 .Wh5 t ! ? is also promising: 1 5 . . . Wg8

1 6 .l':'!:ab l Wc4 1 7.l':'!:xb7 Wxc3 1 8 .l':'!:b3 WaS
1 9 .fxe6 g6 20 .Wh4 g5 2 I .Wh5 and White
has a large plus.
1 5 ... st?g6
The alternative 1 5 . . . Wxe6 1 6.Wh5 +- is not
worthy of serious analysis.
A more interesting option is 1 5 . . . st?g8 ! ?
1 6.Wxb5 cxb5 1 7.dxe5 dxe5 1 8 .l':'!:f5 l':'!:e8
1 9 .l':'!:xe5 a6± and Black retains some slim
a b c d e f g h chances of a successful defence.
1 6.hh6! 1 6."1&£1
A superb move! The black king must be getting nervous
1 6 . . J:'!:xh6 about the white queen coming too close.
1 6 . . . lt:l f6 1 7J'!ae l t st?d7 1 8 .Wlf7t Wc8 What can be suggested for Black?
1 9 . .!g5 +-
1 7.1:'!:ae l t lt:le5D 1 8 .Wxf5 t st?d5 1 9 .We4t We6
1 9 . . . st?c4 20J:'!:b l ! puts Black out of his
misery.
20.l':'!:b l ! l':'!:f6 2 l .l':'!:xb6 axb6 22.dxe5 l':'!:xfl t
23.st?xfl dxe5 24.Wg4t Wd6 2 5 . a4+-
White should win without any problems,
seeing that he can always create a passed pawn
on the kingside.
b d f g
1 3 . . . tLlxe5
a c e h
I 6 . . . Wh7
16 . . . lt:l c4 loses quickly to 1 7.l':'!:ab l ! Wd5
1 8 .Wf7t Wh7 1 9 . .!xh6! st?xh6 20.l':'!:f5 +-. As
we have seen, White's chief attacking ideas
are associated with l':'!:b 1 and .!xh6; these
moves crop up with startling regularity!
After 1 6 . . . lt:l g4 Black will again face
problems that are scarcely soluble : 1 7."1Wf3
tLl f6 1 8 .l':'!:ab l ! Wh5 (or 1 8 . . . Wd5 1 9 ."1Wg3t
Wh7 20.l':'!:xf6! +-) 1 9 .Wg3 t Wh7 20.l':'!:xf6!
a b c d e f g h b6 2 1 .l':'!:f7 l':'!:e8 22.l':'!:bfl and White has a
1 4 . .!e3 ! won position.
We have observed more than once already 1 7.l':'!:ab l ! lt:l g4
that beautiful sacrifices can very well The most stubborn. With 1 7 . . . Wd5 Black
go together with quiet moves that seem loses very quic kly to 1 8 .dxe5 Wxe5 1 9 .l':'!:xb7
insignificant at first sight. Wxe6 20 . .!d4.
1 4 . . . Wb5 1 5 .fxe6t 1 8 .Wh4 We2 1 9 .l':'!:be l Wxc2 20.Wxg4 Wg6
228 Advanc ed Ch ess Tactics
2 l .WI'xg6t mxg6 22.Eif7 El e8 23.Eixb7± This is good enough, but 1 5 .Eib l ! ? may
Whit e should probably win, although a b e ev en strong er : 1 5 . . . lLl f6! 1 6.WI'g6 Wl'c7
c ertain amount of endgam e t echniqu e will b e 1 7. fx e6 b6 (Black's position cannot b e h eld
r equir ed of him. aft er eith er 1 7 . . . b5 1 8 .dx e5 Wl'x e5 1 9 . .ia3 t
ct?d8 20.Eib e1 +- or 1 7 . . . mxe6 1 8 . dx e5 !
Wl'x e5 1 9 . .if4+-) 1 8 . .ia3t ill d 8 1 9 .Eixf6 and
Whit e wins.
1 5 . . . ct?x e6 1 6 . .i e3 ! Wl'a5
16 . . . ttJ f6 is r efut ed instantly by 1 7.d5t!+-.
Black is also crush ed aft er 1 6 . . . m e7 17 .Eiflt
md8 1 8 .WI'h3 Wl'c7 1 9 .dx e5 +-.
1 7. dx e5
Th er e is lik ewis e no salvation for Black aft er
1 7.Eiab l !? , for instanc e: 1 7 . . . ct? e7 1 8 .Eixb7
Wl'xa2 1 9 .dx e5 Elb8 20.Eixa7 Wf e6 2 1 .Eif7t
Wfxfl 22.Eixd7t mxd7 23.WI'xf7t .i e7
24 . .ic5 Elb 1 t (or 24 . . . Eib e8 25 . e6t md8
a b c d e f g h 26 ..id6 and Black is in zugzwang) 25.ct?f2
14.fxe6t? Elf8 26. e6t ill c7 27 . .ix e7 Elxf7t 28 . exf7 +
It's amazing that such a natural mov e as this and th e gam e is ov er.
should giv e away som e of Whit e's advantag e. 1 7 . . . ttJ x e5 1 8 .WI'f5 t ill e7
1 s . . . md6 1 9 .Af4+-
Black d efends succ essfully aft er 1 4.WI'c4? ct? e8 1 9 .Ad4
1 5 . fx e6 ttJ f6 1 6.WI'd3 e4f! or 1 4 . .i e3 ? exf5 Th e lon ely black king will soon b e mat ed.
1 5 .WI'c4t ct? e7 1 6.Eixf5 El e8 1 7.Eid1 md8-+ .
Only Tal's youth (and no doubt th e hastin ess
How ev er, h e is fac ed with quit e a differ ent that go es with youth) can explain why h e
l ev el of probl ems following : miss ed such a simpl e win. But th en again, to
1 4.WI'h5t ! m e7 err is human - and w e ar e all m er ely human,
1 4 . . . mg8 los es quic kly : 1 5 . fx e6 exd4 1 6 . exd7 ev en g enius es lik e Tal.
dxc3t 1 7. m h 1 Wfds 1 8 .Eif7+-
14...ct?xe6
8
7 8
6
7
5
6
4
5
3
4
2
1 3
a b c d e f g h 2
1 5 . fx e6 1
a b c d e f g h
15J�bl! For instance : 1 9 .:B:xb7 �xa2 20 .�e5 �d5

A splendid idea - White's last reserves join 2 1 .�xf6 gxf6 22.c4! �xd4t 23.'it>h l h5
in the battle! Having missed an easy win on 24.�f7t rJ/g5 25 .:B:b3 h4 26.:B:bf3+- I have
the previous move, Mikhail Tal starts on a new only given the main line, but from this alone
line of attack against the black king. we can clearly see the type and quantity of
the dangers awaiting Black - the position of
As is only natural in a position like this, his king is j ust too vulnerable!
White also had other ways of developing his 1 9 .�d6 :B:he8D 20.:B:bel rJ/g8 2 1 .:B:xe7 :B:xe7
initiative. Two variations that we can reject at 22.�xe7 tt:\d5 23 .�e5 �xa2
once as unsound are 1 5 .�g4t? rJ/d6 1 6.:B:b l 23 . . . tt:\xe7 24.�xe7 �xa2 25 .�xb7+-
�xb l 1 7.�a3t rJ/c7 1 8 .:B:xb l �xa3+ and
1 5 .�c4t? rJ/d6 1 6.�e3 �b5 1 7. dxe5 t rJ/c7
1 8 .�f7 �c5-+ .
Instead, let us take a closer look at the far more

interesting 1 5 .�f4!?, to which Black has much
more di fficulty finding a response :
a b c d e f g h
24.�f8!
The decisive stroke!
24 . . . :B:xf8 25 .�e6t rJ/h7 26.:B:xf8 �b l t 27.:B:fl
�xc2 28 .h3
White should eventually achieve the win.
a b c d e f g h
e) 1 5 ... @f7!?
a) 1 5 . . . �a5 ? loses in short order: 1 6. dxe5 This appears to me to be the best move.
�eS t 1 7. rJ/h l rJ/e7 1 8 .:B:ad l tt:\ f8 1 9.e6! tt:\xe6 Instead of waiting while the enemy
20.:B:fe l +- completes the regrouping of his pieces to
strike the decisive blow, the black king
b) 1 5 . . . �d6? loses immediately to 1 6.�g4t. begins an urgent evacuation.
c) The same fate awaits Black after 15 ... :B:e8 ?

1 6.:B:ab l �a6 1 7.�g4t rJ/e7 1 8 . dxe5 +-.
d) 1 5 . . . tt:\ f6
This requires White to show a good deal
more imagination and persistence.
1 6.:B:ab l �a6 1 7.�xe5t 'it>f7 1 8 .�c7t �e7!
The only attempt at a defence.
On 1 8 . . . rJ/g6, White will get at the black
king without needing to hurry unduly.
a b c d e f g h
1 6 .ig3 t This all ows White t o c ontinue the attack

Better than 1 6.ixe5t Wg8 1 7.VMc4t Wh7 by the simplest of means, endeav ouring t o
1 8 .VMd3t 'it>g8 I 9 .VMc4t=. expl oit the p ositi on of the black queen on
16 ... lt:l f6 1 7.!!ab l VMa6 1 8 .VMh5 t the very edge of the b oard.
This is m ore ambiti ous than g oing int o an 1 6 .'1Wg4t 'it>e7
ending with a minimal plus: 1 8 .VMxa6 bxa6 16 .. .'Jid6 1 7.dxe5 t rJic7 1 8 .if4+-
1 9 .dxe5 icS t 20.'it>h a 1 7. dxe5 c5
1 8 . . . 'it>g8 1 9 .VMg6 ie7 20.dxe5 lt:l d5 2 I .!!f7 This d oesn't save Black, but n or do the
!!h7 22.e6 alternatives :
White's p owerful attack still g oes on. 1 7 . . . !!e8 1 8 .if4, with !!fd l +- t o foll ow.
1 7 . . . b5 1 8 .ie3 VMa4 1 9 .1'l: b4 VMxa2 20.!!d4
Playing p ositi ons where y ou have n o ch oice VMe6 2 l .!!xd7t VMxd7 22.!!f7t rJixf7
at all is difficult and unpleasant, but n o 23 .VMxd7t+-
fewer pr oblems arise when the ch oice is t oo 1 8 .VMh4t 'it>e8
wide!
8
7
6
3
b d f g h
2
a c e
1 9 .e6!
1
The situati on of the black king literally gets
a b c d e f g h w orse with every m ove.
1 9 . . . VMxe6
15 '?Mxbl
...
1 9 . . . lt:l f6 is equally h opeless : 20.!!xf6 gxf6

"To take or n ot t o take - that is the questi on."
2 l .VMxf6 !!h7 22 .ixh6! ixh6 23 .VMg6t rJifs
Such w ould be the classical literary view of
24.VMxh7+-
this situati on! I d on't actually kn ow what t o
20.!!el lt:le5 2 l .VMg3 rJifl
rec ommend t o Black, except that h e sh ould
2 l . ..id6 22.if4 d oesn't offer Black any
av oid getting int o such appalling p ositi ons in
h ope either.
the first place. Still, seeing that the past cann ot
22.!!xe5 VMc6 23 .VMf4t rJig8 24.VMc4t Wh7
be altered, we sh ould try t o set our opp onent
25 .!!e6 VMd7 26.!!xh6t!?
as many pr oblems as p ossible in the present.
The simplest way t o win.
Despite the fact that the game m ove l oses by
26 . . . gxh6 27.VMe4t 'it>g8 28.!!xb7 VMd l t
force, I c onsider it t o be the best decisi on fr om
29.Wf2 ig7 30 .VMe6t rJih7 3 I .VMxh6t+-
the practical p oint of view. Let us take a careful
It w ould seem that by tucking his queen
l ook at the alternatives.
away on a6, Black was forfeiting his last
chances of defence.
1 5 . . . VMa6
1 5 . . . 'Wc7 where it will attack the crucial squares d6 and

A more normal square for the queen, but g6; his opponent has nothing with which to
commanding Black's army is still a di fficult oppose even such a simple plan as this.
affair.
1 6 . .if4!? It should be evident that if you have a strong
1 6. dxe5 is clearly inferior: 16 ... .ic5 t 1 7.�hl attack and your opponent has no possibility of
lLlxe5 18 . .if4 l:l:af8 and Black successfully creating counterplay, the result of the game is
defends himself. as good as settled.
However, 1 6 .'Wh5 leads to interesting play:
1 6 . . . tt::l f6 ( 1 6 . . . �e7 1 7 . .ig5 t! hxg5 1 8 .l:l:f7t I6JWc4t st>d6
�e8 1 9 .l:l:xf8t! �xf8 20 .'Wxh8t �e7 The other king move was, I suspect, a little
2 I .'Wxa8+-) 1 7.'Wf5 t �f7 1 8 .dxe5 .ic5 t better, although after 1 6 . . . �e7 17 . .ia3 t �d8
1 9 .�hl .ie7 20 . .ie3 ± 1 8 .l:l:xb l .ixa3 1 9 .l:l:xb7±, Black would still be
1 6 . . . b5 1 7.l:l:be l facing an uneasy future.
17.i.a3t st>c7 ISJ:!:xbl La3 19.V9h3!

This is the whole point of White's
combination. From the material point of
view, Black has no reason to complain of his
lot - a rook and two minor pieces are more
than enough compensation for the absence
of his queen - but White has no intention of
breaking off the attack!
a b c d e f g h
1 7 . . . �e7
White has completed the mobilization of all
his pieces with alarming ease, and the black
king can't find even a moderately safe place
on the board.
Instead, 17 . . . l:l:e8 would lose to 1 8 .'Wh5 .id6
1 9 .dxe5 .ic5 t 20.�h l l:l:hf8 2 I .'Wg6t �e7
22. e6+-.
1 8 . dxe5 'Wc8
Organizing a defence is quite impossible
with Black's king in the centre and his rooks
still on their starting squares.
After 1 8 . . . 'Wb6t 1 9 . .ie3 c5, White gives his
opponent no chance: 20.e6 tt::l f6 2 1 .l:l:xf6!
gxf6 22.'Wh5 'Wc6 23 .'Wf7t �d8 24 . .if4+
and mate is bound to follow shortly!
1 9 .e6 lLl f6 20 . .ie5 +-
Nothing, except perhaps a miracle, can help
Black! White will place his queen on d3, from
21...�xe5 22J�dl t c.i?e6 23.VNb3t c.i?f5

24.�£1 t c.ile4
One thing the black king cannot be accused
of is a lack of boldness! I should think Simagin
had no doubt at this stage that he was going
to be mated, but at least he was trying to
confuse his youthful opponent! The amazing
thing is that such risky tactics very nearly paid
off.
By the way, 24 . . . \t>g6 fails to save the piece:

25 .�e6t .tf6 26.�f5 t �f7 27.�xe5 +-
a b c d e f g h
2 1.dxe5t?! 8
For the second time within a short period,
7
Tal lets the win slip (or at least makes it much
more complicated) . Victory could be achieved 6
in quite a simple manner by:
5
2 1 .�d l ! e4
2 1 . . .�hd8 22.dxe5 t \t>xe5 23 ."1Wxc6 tD f6 4
24.�el t \t>f5 25 .�f3t \t>g6 26.�xe7+- 3
22.d5!
2
a b c d e f g h
25.�elt?!
It's hard to call this natural move a mistake ,
but White did have more convincing
continuations available.
In the first place it was worth considering the

sharp 25 .g4!?, cutting off the black king's line
a b c d e f g h
of retreat. There could follow: 25 . . . .id6 (after
22 . . . tlJe5 25 . . . .ic5 t 26.\t>g2 �ae8 27.�e l t \t>f4 28.�a4t
22 ... tD c5 loses even more quickly to \t>g5 29.h4t White's threats are irresistible)
23 .�xc6t \t>e5 24.d6!. 26.�d l �f3 Keep moving forward! 27.c4t
23.dxc6t \t>e6 24.�b3t \t>f6 25.�fl t lD B t \t>xg4 28 .�g3t \t>f5 29.�xd6+- and the time
25 . . . �g6 26 .�d5 .if6 27.�xe4t \t> f7 has come for Black to stop the clock.
28 .�xe5+- doesn't even allow Black t o drag
out his resistance. The fate of the game would also be decided by
26.gxf3 e3 27.�c4 25 .�e6!?, for instance: 25 . . . .ic5 t (or 25 . . . .if6
White has a decisive material advantage. 26.g3 ! i.g5 27.�f5 +-) 26.\t>h l �he8 27.�e l t
.ie3 28 .�h3 tlJ c4 29 .�d7!? �ad8 30 .�xc6t
mes 3 1 .�xc4+- White has a large material But a stronger option was : 32.'it>fl ! ? �e3
plus, quite apart from the fact that there are (32 . . . �ad8 is met by 33 .�d7!) 33 .�g6 �ae8
still plenty of adventures in store for the black 34.�f5 .icS ! A cute move, but White wins all
king. the same. 3 5 . �xc5 �e l t (3 5 . . . �8e6 36.�d3 !+
comes to the same thing) 36.'it>g2 � l e2t
25...�£5 26.g4t! �f6 37.mf3 �2e3t 38.mf4 �8e6
26 . . . mf4 27.�a4t! leads to a quick mate.
27J�fl t �g6 28.�e6t �h7

At last the king has found a safe refuge.
Incidentally after 28 . . . .if6 29.�f5 t mf7

30.�xe5 White wins the knight all the same
- although in that case too, winning the game
would still be far from simple.
29.�xe5 :ghe8 30.:gf7

a b c d e f g h
I suspect that a better option was 30 .�e4t ! ?
m h 8 3 l .�xc6 �ac8 32.�g6, but having And now the fine move 39 .�d3! settles
started his attack about twenty moves earlier, matters; the rook endgame is completely
Tal simply cannot stop. hopeless for Black. However, these variations
are all quite complicated, and it would be hard
30....if8 31.�f5t �g8 to work them out correctly after conducting a
long, tense and difficult struggle.
32....ic5t 33.mg3 :ge3t 34.h4
a b c d e f g h
34...:gae8!
It's as if the opponents had swapped places :
A more cautious approach was 32.�g6 � e l t not so long ago the black king was preparing
33.�fl . for an untimely demise, while the white one
was already resting on the victor's laurels! With 35 .�xc5 ? 'kt>xf7 White would be handing
Simagin's last move is simple and good - the initiative to his opponent.
his rook on e3 is now securely protected,
which certainly cannot be said of the white Black would have excellent drawing chances
monarch. after 3 5 .l'!c7 ie7t 36.'kt>h5 !!f8 37.flc8 id8
3 8 .�xf8t 'it>xf8 39.l'!xd8 t We7.
However, it was also worth considering :
34 . . . .ie7t!? Tal could have tried:
3 5 .�g6!? ie7t 36.g5
8
7
4
3
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
3 5 .g5! a c e
3 5 .Wh5? leads only to a draw after 3 5 . . .1�d8! 36 . . . if6!

and now : Also after 36 ... hxg5 t, not everything is
a) 36.c4?? would even lose to 36 . . J\h3t simple : 37.'kt>h5 .if8 38 .flxa7 !!8e7 39 .�f7t
37.'it>g6 !!d6t. 'it>h7 40 .�xf8 !!h3t 4 L'it>g4 !!g4t 42.'kt>f3
b) Neither side has any advantage in the !!f4t 43.�xf4 gxf4 44.'it>xf4 !!e2 with
event of 36.g5 !!d5 37.l'!xg7tD 'kt>xg7 chances of a draw.
38 .�g6t 'kt>h8 39 .�xh6t 'kt>g8 40 .�g6t=. In fact, even 36 . . . .ixg5t 37.'kt>h5 l'!h3t
c) 36.!!xg7t Wxg7 37.�g6t 'kt>f8 38 .�xh6t could be considered, transposing to the note
'kt> £7 39 .�g6t = to Black's 34th move.
3 5 . . . ixg5 t 37.'kt>h5 !
A better attempt than 35 . . . hxg5t 36.Wh5 The thoughtless 37.gxf6?? loses to
!!d8 37.�g6 !!h3t 3 8 .'kt>g4 !!h4t 39.'kt>f3 37 . . . E\8e4t.
!!f4t 40.!!xf4 gxf4 4 l .�e4+-. 37 . . . EI3e5 38 .h4 El8e6
36.'kt>h5 !!ae8 37.�g6 l'!h3t 3 8 .'kt>g4 !!h4t I find it very hard to evaluate the position
39 .'kt>g3 fle3t 40.'it>f2 !!f4t 4 l .!!xf4 .ixf4 resulting from 38 . . . E\f8 39 .Eixf8 t Wxf8
42.�xc6 l'!e7 43.h4 .ie3t 44.'kt>f3 .ib6 40.'it>g4 hxg5 4 1 .h5 'kt>e7. Possibly White
Black has succeeded in setting up something should win, but I can't imagine how!
like a fortress, but I wouldn't be at all surprised 39.Eixa7 .ie7 40.Eixe7 Elxe7 4 l .�xc6 El5e600
if a win for White could be found somewhere White will hardly succeed in exploiting his
along the way. very slight advantage.
35J:�xg7t!? 35 'kt>xg7 36.¥Nxc5

•..
Without any doubt the best practical chance.

what he can do after either 4 1 . 'lMf c5 E:e2 or

8
4 1 .'\Wc4 E:e5t 42.'kt>g4 l:!fe7. There are too
7 many weak pawns in the white camp.
39 .h3
6
39 .g5 hxg5 t 40.@xg5 E:g2t=
5 39 . . . E:e3
4 Black has excellent chances of a draw,
especially since White can't play 40.g5 E:e4t
3 4 1 .'kt>h5 hxg5 42.'kt>xg5 ? ? E:fe7-+ .
2
A draw on these lines would have been a
1
fitting conclusion to the game. Instead, for
a b c d e f g h some reason, Simagin gives up a crucial pawn
without a fight, and the game is literally over
36.. J�:�se6?
in a few moves.
The final error in this extremely interesting
game. Tal has been attacking ingeniously
(though with a fair number of mistakes) ;
37.'1Mfxa7t 'kt>g6 38.'1Mfa8+-
1he passed a-pawn will quickly set off for
Simagin has defended splendidly, and by this
the eighth rank, and Black has no possibility
time he has virtually secured equal chances. He
of creating real threats.
ought to have played:
36 .. .:1!8e7 37.'1Mfxc6 E:f7!
The second black rook edges closer to the 8
white king.
7
6
2
1
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
a c e
38 �£6
•••
3 8 .'\WcS! ? Or 38 . . . 'kt>g7 39 .'\Wds .

3 8 . a4 l:!ff3 39 .'1Mfb7t 'kt>g6= leads a t once to
a draw. 39.a4 �e5 40.a5 �d5
3 8 .g5 ? ? even loses to 3 8 . . . l:!f4t 39.'kt>h5 Capturing the c-pawn is no better; after
E:h3#. 40 . . . E:xc3 4 1 .'1Mfh8t E:f6 42. a6 E:xc2 43.h3 E:a2
38 . . . l:!e2!? 44. a7! it is all over.
White also has difficulty j ustifying his claims
to an advantage in the event of 38 . . . E:ff3 4I.YNdst �e4
39.g5 hxg5t 40.@xg5 E:f7! ?, as I fail to see 4 l . . .E:d6 42. c4t 'kt>e5 43 .'1Mfc7 'kt>e6 44.a6+-
42.a6 @f3 43.a7 friends, play your openings with a little more
circumspection and don't lower your level of
concentration in won positions - and you will
be surprised at the dramatic improvement in
your results!
We have j ust looked at a game involving the

Moscow Grandmaster Vladimir Simagin - not
an extremely strong chess player (relatively
speaking!) , but imaginative, interesting and
utterly fearless. Of course he had difficulty
contending with the elite players, but now and
again he would win a tactical fight against the
strongest and most talented. Allow me to show
a b c d e f g h you one such game.
43..J3e2
Mter 43 . . . 'it>g2 44.'\Wd2t E1e2 White is quite Vladimir Simagin - Tigran Petrosian
happy to sacrifice his queen with 45.Wfxe2t, as
Moscow (4) 1 95 6
its reincarnation appears on the board at once:
45 . . . !:1xe2 46.a8=Wf
l .e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.�c3 dxe4 4.�xe4 .if5
44.%Vd3t E16e3 45.'%Vxe3t 5.�g3 .ig6 6..ic4 e6 7.�1e2
Sergei Rublevsky's favourite variation. I was
1-0
so impressed by his successes that I tried using
it myself, but I only managed to equalize in
Simagin played the opening in an incredibly
one game!
risky manner and encountered serious
problems (to put it in formal language!) by
move 1 0 . Tal quickly launched a direct attack
which Black ought not to have survived.
White more than once had the chance to win
within a few moves, but either from lack of
concentration or for some other reason the
brilliant tactician kept missing the decisive
continuations. To me, quite frankly, this is
the most interesting aspect of the game. A
great chess player is distinguished from a
merely strong one by his ability to win all or
nearly all, won positions - but Mikhail Tal
is partly excused by his youth! Subsequently,
by his virtuoso defence, Vladimir Simagin
almost equalized the chances, but extreme
fatigue took its toll - he had been under
constant pressure for 25 moves - and one
final mistake put paid to all his hopes. So, my
succeeded in holding his slightly inferior White hasn't succeeded in gaining a plus, but
position without any particular problems. I suspect that the character of the position
suited Simagin perfectly well; the opponents
9..Jt�e7 have castled on opposite wings, which almost
A typical Petrosian move; he was not too keen inevitably makes for complex play. Petrosian's
on memorizing long theoretical variations, and predilection for simple positions was common
at the first opportunity he would try to force knowledge in those years.
his opponent to do some brain work! The far
more popular move is 9 . . . lt:l gf6. 14.a4!? h5!?
An adequate move for equality was
10Jt�f4 1 4 . . . lt:l f5 ! ? , but Petrosian is beguiled by a
The only idea that presents any danger to different idea!
Black is to station a white knight on f4 and
then play h2-h4 - at any rate, I recall that 15.�xg6
Mikhail Tal successfully employed a similar It looks entirely reasonable to play 1 5 .h4!?,
plan in his first match with Botvinnik. fixing the h5-pawn as a potential weakness in
Black's camp.
10...'iNc7
15 ... �xg6 16..ic2!?
8 !� '-"''"'· �
·"
f�·w--J�
7 � & �
,.� A
____ ____·�
i•%: &Eli� ��-
_,,__
& �
A
Y
�
, - ��
i.%: &
A
I'� �
:� --
�� :-/"'� ��"� -
r
4 - �r�% �m� m
��.i� ��
y. _ . _ . _
3
._._,
r� ��r�-----;
2 8 r� 8 •
r --� ----%�7��-----%� r��-0
r� 8�----
1 �� V• n� -
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
n.VNf3
A standard piece sacrifice is of considerable 16... �£4?!
interest here: l l ..ixe6! fxe6 ( 1 1 . . . .ixf4? To me this move seems mistaken - White
12 . .ixd7t '!Wxd7 13 . .ixf4) 1 2.lt:Jxe6 '!Wc8 now seizes the initiative and keeps it to the
1 3 .lt:lxg7t mf7 1 4. lt:J 7h5 with fully adequate end of the game, notwithstanding his far from
compensation in the shape of three pawns ideal play.
and the initiative. Still, a piece is a piece, and
Black would certainly have realistic counter The game would take a much more interesting
chances. course after:
1 6 . . . h4! ? 1 7. lt:l fl lt:J f4
11. .. �£6 12J�e1 0-0-0 13.c3 bs 1 7 . . . h3 1 8 .g3 e5? fails to 1 9 . .ixg6 fxg6
We may sum up the results of the opening. 20.dxe5 .ixe5 2 1 .1:'!:xe5+-.
ixg3 22.fxg3;:!; and in spite of White's tripled

pawns, Black's defence will not be easy.
17... &i}4d5
Of course Petrosian didn't like: 17 . . . E:dg8 ?
1 8 .c4! (again 1 8 .E:e5 ? fails to 1 8 . . . lLl6d5 1 9 .1J.xf4
lLlxf4 20.'1Wxf4 f6 with advantage) 1 8 . . . lLlg6
(the impatient 1 8 . . . g5 ? loses to 1 9 .hxg5 ltlxg2
20.mxg2 h4 2 l .c5+-) 1 9 .1J.xg6 fxg6 20.E:xe6±
e f g h Black isn't in quite such bad shape after

1 8 . b4 1 7 . . . E:hg8 ! ? 1 8 . c4 ( 1 8 . ltl e4 lLlxe4 1 9 .E:xe4
With 1 8 .1'l: e 5 White could aim to post this ltl d5 20.g3;:!;) 1 8 . . . lLl g6 1 9 .ixg6 fxg6 20.c5
rook on g5 and hamper his opponent's ilxg3 2 1 .fxg3 , but he is still the one who has
kingside attack, but Black has a strong to think about defending.
rejoinder in 1 8 . . . ltl 6d 5 !.
Following 1 8 . ltl e3 g5 1 9 .h3 lLl 6d5 20. ltl c4 18.CLJ e4
ile7, the position is not easy to assess.
1 8 . . . g5
Of course not 1 8 . . . h3 1 9 .g3 ltl g2 20.1'l:e2,
after which it's hard to explain what the
over-zealous knight is doing on g2 .
1 9 .h3 lLl 6d5
It would also be interesting to try 19 .. Jidg8
20.lLle3 E:g7.
20.id2 f5
With chances for both sides.
17.h4!?
With this typical move Simagin halts Black's
a b c d e f g h
kingside play, while Black is unable to take
advantage of the position of the h4-pawn. I have 18... CLJxe4
analysed this game a few times and always had With this move Black shows his unwillingness
the feeling that this was not one of Petrosian's to fight only for a draw. I am absolutely
best days. Apart from this move which is not convinced that in the position after 1 8 . . . if4!?
at all bad, White could have acquired a plus 1 9 .ixf4 '1Wxf4 20.'1Wxf4t lLlxf4 2 1 . ltl g5 l::i: d?;:!;
with the more forthright: 1 7.c4!? g5 1 8 .h4! Petrosian would never have lost to Simagin,
ltl g4 (after 18 . . . g4 1 9 .'1We3 ltl g6 20 .ixg6 fxg6 but he probably thought it was j ust boring to
2 1 .'1Wg5 , Black's position calls to mind a poorly play that way!
preserved ancient ruin) 1 9 .hxg5 ltl g6 20.1J.xg6
(more convincing than 20.c5 ixg3 2 1 .'1Wxg3 19.he4 CLJ £6 20.i.c2
'1Wxg3 22.fxg3 E:xd4 23 .1J.xg6 fxg6 24.1J.f4t White's two active bishops guarantee him
e5 25.E:xe5 E:xf4 26.gxf4 lLlxe5 27.fxe5 l:l:e8co a small but distinct and stable advantage. On
with good equalizing chances) 20 . . . fxg6 2 1 .c5 20 .ig5 ie7, Black defends successfully.
20 ... ttlg4 2l .g3 :!':!:he8 and 28 . . . c5 29.:Bd l ! are equally unpleasant for
Petrosian comes up against a dilemma as old Black) 27. cxd4 :Bxe l t 28.:Bxe l :Bxd4 29.f3 !
as the hills. White has two bishops, while Black rll d 6 ( i n the event of 29 . . . llJ h2 30.i>xh2 :Bd2t
has some advantage in development, but if this 3 I .i>h3 :Bxc2 32.:Be7t+- Black has no hope
is to have any significance at all, he has to open whatever in the rook endgame) 30.fxg4 :Bxg4
up the game - and then the white bishops will 3 I .i>f2 :Bxg5 32.a6±
gain in strength.
24.Ad2 exd4?
22.a5! A critical j uncture. Petrosian has had no
trace of counterplay for such a long time that
he fails to summon up the strength to go for a
risky but interesting line at the right moment.
He could have played the sharp 24 . . . g5 !, which
dramatically alters the agenda:
a b c d e f g h
22 ... e5
b d f g h
I would probably have preferred the calm a c e
22 . . . a6, but my guess is that Petros ian was
2 5 . hxg5 (in the event of 25 .ig6 :Bh8 26.ixh5
loth to conduct a long, boring defence with
:Bxh5 27.'1Wxg4 'Wh7 Black has tremendous
no chance of ever really improving the state of
compensation for the pawn) 25 . . . fxg5 26.ixg5
the struggle.
:Bf8 27.'\Wh l exd4 28 .ixd8 'Wxd8 and the play
has become truly lively and unpredictable - all
23.Ag5!
three results are possible.
A standard move, which a strong and
experienced player is likely to make more
or less automatically, without unnecessary
25.cxd4?
An inaccuracy; 25 .:Bxe8! first was stronger.
deliberation. White's position would deserve
After 25 . . . :Bxe8 26.cxd4 (threatening ig6)
preference even after 23 .id2!?;!;:, but why
26 . . . '\Wf7 27.a6± Black's h-pawn would
shouldn't he provoke a weakening of Black's
continue to give him plenty of worry!
kingside pawns?
23 ... £6 25 ... :Bxel t 26J:3xel c5

After either 26 . . . ic5 or 26 . . . ie5 , White
Black hadn't much choice. For example:
takes the bishop and answers 27 . . . :Bxd2 with
23 . . . ie7 24.'1Wxf7! ixg5 25 .'1Wxc7t rll xc7
28 .'1Wc3t.
26.hxg5 exd4 (or 26 . . . :8:f8 27.:Be2 exd4
28.cxd4, and now both 28 . . . :Bxd4 29 .ig6
28 . . . bxa6 (both 28 . . . b6 29.gcl Wffe 7 30 .i.f5

and 28 . . . tt:l e5 29 .Wixh5 bxa6 30.gcl would
be too dangerous for Black) 29 .Wid3 tt:l e5
(29 . . . Wff b 6? 30 . .!g2 merely gives Black extra
problems, seeing that 30 . . . tt:l e3 ? fails to 3 1 .fxe3
dxe3 32 ..!xe3 .!c5 33.Wie4+-) 30."1Wxa6 "1Wb6
3 1 .Wia4 Black's position is highly problematic.
A less convincing choice is 28.gcl tt:le5

29 .Wig2 bxa6! with unclear play.
28 ... b6 29.i.d2 lll e5 30.Wig2 d3

a b c d e f g h Petrosian has managed to keep an extra
27.a6 pawn - a passed pawn, indeed - but I think
White is dazzled by the wealth of possibilities. White has full compensation for it; the black
The move he plays is by no means bad, but two king is too vulnerable.
others were also worth considering:
It was worth considering 30 . . . \Wc8 3 l .f4 tt:l c4
27.Wb3! ? cxd4 (or 27 . . . .!e5 28.dxe5 gxd2 32 . .id3 tt:lxd2 33."1Wxd2 Wc6 with sharp play,
29.exf6 tt:l xf6 30.a6) 28 . .!e4;!; though the move in the game is not bad either.
27 . .!f5 ! ? cxd4 28.gcl Wf7 29.a6 tt:l e5 30 .We4 3l.i.a4

bxa6 (30 . . . g6 3 l ..ie6!) 3 l ..ia5 ge8 32.f4 with Now what would you play?
a splendid game.
27...cxd4 28.i.a5?
Not the first and not the last mistake in
this fascinating game. Simagin wants to make
Black play . . . b6, but it wasn't really worth
wasting two tempos for this - especially since
White had a powerful and natural move at his
disposal: 28 . .!e4!
a b c d e f g h
3l...i.c5?!
A weak move, roughly equal in value to
other unfortunate tries such as 3 1 . . .g5?
32.gcl \Wf7 33 ..ib3 Wffh 7 34.hxg5 or 3 1 . . .gc8
32 . .!b5 ! , and the black pieces are beginning to
be starved of oxygen. Black's chief problem is
b d f g h
his lack of Lebensraum (I use this word without
a c e
any fascist overtones!) ; he simply hasn't enough Black is also quite all right after 33 ... �xa6! ?
space for starting active operations. 34.id l lLl c4 3 5 .ic3 ie5 36.�e4 ixc3
37.bxc3 d2 3 8 .l'!fl lLle5 39 .ixh5 �b?+,
The purpose of solving this problem would when the pawn on d2 may still give White
be excellently served by the fine move quite a few anxious minutes.
3 1 . . . b 5 ! , which allows the black queen to take 34.ixb4 �xb4 35 .l'!al l'!d6!?
possession of the b6-square. There may follow: Similarly after 3 5 ... d2 36 .id l �c7!?+
White will have to think about nothing but
8
defence.
7 36.id l g6 37.l'!a3 �e l t 38 .�fl d2+
6
4
3
a b c d e f g h
a) 32.ia5 ? �c6! 33 .ixd8 (33 .�xc6 lLlxc6

34.ixd8 bxa4!-+) 33 . . . lLl f3 t 34.�h l bxa4+
b d f g h
and White is in dire straits. a c e
39 .l'!e3? lLl d3!-+

b) 32 .ixb5 �b6 33 .ia4 White is practically in zugzwang.
Excessive greed is again punished with the
full force of the law: 33 .ia5 �xb5 34.ixd8 c) 32.l'!c l !? '!Wd7 33.id l (33 .ib3 l'!c800)
d2 3 5 J!dl �b3 36.l'!xd2 (after 36.�b7t 33 . . . lLl c4 (or 33 . . . l'!c8 34.l'!xc8t �xc8 3 5 .�d5
�xb7 37.axb7 ib4+ the bishop on d8 is �xa6 36.�g8 t �b7 37.�xg7t ic7 and again
trapped) 36 . . . lLl f3 t 37.�xf3 �xf3 38.l'!xd6 the position is not at all clear) 34.ixh5 lLlxd2
�f5+ and White is worse, though he does 3 5 .ig4 �e7!? (better than 35 . . . �f7? 36.ie6
retain some drawing chances. �e7 37.�c6 �c7 38 .�xb5t '!Wb6 39 .'1Wxd3,
with advantage to White) 36.'1Wd5
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
33 . . . ib4!? a c e
36 . . . ic5 ! 37.l:hc5 �e l t 3 8 . 'it>h2 �xf2t White to play and win

39.'it>h3 �fl t 40.'it>h2= And to the general
satisfaction, it all ends in perpetual check.
8
32.Ekl �f7 33.b4 .td4 34..tb3 �e7 35 ..tf4 7
6
8 5
7 4
6 3
5 2
4 1
a c
3 b d e f g h
2 36.'1Wc6?
1 An absolutely unnecessary move for White,
although from the strategic viewpoint it
a b c d e f g h
doesn't spoil anything - Simagin still retains
35...b5 his advantage.
By some unobtrusive process, Black has
more or less run out of useful moves and can The correct solution, which wasn't so simple
only wait while White finishes regrouping his to find, was:
pieces for the decisive onslaught. 36.ie6! !
Taking the c8-square under control.
The outwardly attractive 35 . . . d2? loses 36 . . . d2
as follows: 36.ixd2 ixf2t 37.'it>h l ! id4 Passive defence loses quickly: 36 . . . ib6
(37 .. J!xd2? 3 8 .�a8t 'it>xa8 39 Jk8#) 3 8 .if4, 37.�d5 g6 3 8 .'it>g2+-
and after, for example, 38 .. J�f8 3 9 .ie6! l:'i:d8
40.�c6! there is simply no stopping the mate
on c8.
I don't even wish to comment on 3 5 ... g5 ?

36.hxg5 fxg5 37.ixg5.
Perhaps the most tenacious move was 3 5 ... ib2,

but even then, after 36.l:'i:c4 d2 37.id l �d7
38.l:'i:c2 icl 39.�f3!+- Black is not to be
envied. He will lose the h5-pawn and then the
a b c d e f g h
game - although this would at least take a long
time. A beautiful position: it quite unexpectedly
emerges that despite the presence of so many
After the move played, I can't resist setting you pieces on the board, Black is in zugzwang.
this problem: After literally one or two more moves, he
will not only run out of useful ones, he will 38 1'l:e8

•..
have no moves left at all! What else can be suggested? White answers
37.ixd2 lLl d3 both 38 . . . '<l&c7 and 38 . . . '<l&e7 with 39.1'l:c l !,
Black also loses after 37 . . . ixf2t 3 8 .i'h l while 38 . . . '<l&c8 is refuted by 39.:B:xd3 :B:xd3
ixg3 39 .ie3 .!xh4 40.'1Mfd5 !+-. 40 .'<l&xd3, leaving little room for doubt about
3 8 Jk6 ib6 the result of the game.
Other moves make no difference: 38 . . . lLl e5
39 .if4+- or 3 8 . . . ixf2t 39.'1Wxf2! '!Wxe6 39.1'l:xd3 'Wc8 40.if7!+-
40.1'l:xe6 lLlxf2 4 1 .if4t+-. Simplest. White does best to combine the
39 .Wd5 ! ! ixf2t 40.i'g2 lLl e5 4 1 .if4 ib6 attack with material gains.
42 .Wxb5
White has a completely won position. 40 1'l:e7 41.1xh5 'Wc4 42.'Wh7!
•..
White could also win without any problems

These are marvellous variations - a zugzwang by 42.ixe5t fxe5 43.'<l&f3+-.
in the middlegame is something you don't see
every day!
36 ...'Wd7 37.'We4 ih6?

The last chance to defend lay in 37 . . . 1'l:c8 .
White would then have to choose between
3 8 .1'l:dl :B:c7 39 .id5 f5 40 .'1Wg2 and 38.1'l:xc8 t
'i!lxc8 39.id l , with some advantage in either
case.
8
7
3
45.1'l:c2t
2 White has arrived at that most congenial
1 stage of the game when he merely has to finish
his opponent off. At each turn he can choose
a b c d e f g h
between various winning continuations. Here,
38.1'l:dl?! for instance, 45 .ixe5t! was in no way inferior:
Again White neglects the remarkable 45 . . . fxe5 46.:B:xd7t i'xd7 47.ie8t i'c7
idea that we have seen already: 3 8.ie6! d2 48 .'<l&xg7t+-
(38 . . . '1We7 39 .'<l&d5 +-) 39 .ixd2 ixf2t 40.'i!lg2
'<l&e7 4 1 .'<l&d5 ! The bishop will return to f4, and 45 i.c5 46.'Wa8! <J?d6 47J�d2t id4 48.1e3
•.•
Black will once again be left without any useful The hunt for the black king has entered its
moves. final phase.
Mikhail Tal- Leonid Shamkovich

8
7 USSR Championship 1 972
6
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.lDc3 dxe4 4.lD xe4 lDd7
5 5.lD f3 lDgf6 6.lD c3
Until I started analysing this game, I simply
4
didn't know that 6.lt:l c3 was a move. As people
3 rightly say, you learn something every day!
2
6...e6
1 Confronted with an opening surprise,
a b c d e f g h Leonid Shamkovich selects a passive but solid
continuation. To me it seems that 6 . . . tt:lb6!?
48 'i!?e6
and 6 ... g6 were stronger moves, after which
••.
Or 48 . . . 'i!?c5 49 . .ixd4t :1!xd4 50.'.Wxa7t+-.

hardly any problems at all could arise for Black.
49.Wfest 'i!?f5 50.g4t 'i!?e4 5 I.Wfast

7..id3 c5 s.Wfe2 cxd4 9.lDxd4
5 l ..ig6t f3 5 2 . "\WaS t is another way to do
it.
5 1 :1!d5 52.:1!cxd4t
•.•
1-0
A colourful game. Of course this was not

Petrosian's best day - he neglected quite a few
defensive resources. Simagin's play was not
ideal either, but he splendidly exploited the
power of the two bishops and resourcefully
conducted the attack against an opponent
who was to become World Champion seven
a c
years later, and whose every defeat was already
b d e f g h
greeted as a sensation.
9....ic5
It isn't clear why Black placed his bishop
I here; I would reserve c5 for a knight. Black
•• is quite all right after 9 . . . til c5 I O . .ib5t .id7
I
' 1 l ..ig5 .ie7 (better than l l . . ..ixb5 1 2.iWxb5t
!I '.Wd7 1 3 . 0-0-0t) 1 2. 0-0-0 0-0, when he
shouldn't be at all frightened of 1 3 . b4?! tt:l fe4 ! .
After 9 . . . .ib4 1 0 .0-0 0-0 1 1 .:1!dl a 6 1 2 . tt:l e4

.ie7 1 3 . .ig5 , White managed to secure a
minimal edge in Conquest - Sundararajan,
British Championship 1 99 9 .
10.ti.Jb3 .id6 same. Then after 1 7 . . . gxf4 1 8 .c4 ltl e3 1 9 .gxf4

Again Black fails to equalize fully with ixf4 20.:B:de 1 the assessment of the position
I O . . . .ib4 1 1 . 0-0 0-0 1 2. tl.J e4 i.e? 1 3 .:B:d1 is not in any doubt. White's threats are strong
V!lc7 1 4 . .ig5;!; Makepeace - Lunn, Liverpool and of various kinds: he will place his other
2008. rook on g1 and his queen on h5, in addition
to which Black must somehow contend with
ll..ig5 c4-c5 .
Unfortunately for Shamkovich, castling doesn't

8
solve all his problems, even though obj ectively
7 it is the best move.
6
14.tl.Je4 .ie5?!
5 It's hard to believe it, but to all appearances
4 this move is the decisive mistake!
3
Black also loses with 1 4 . . . ltl d 5 ? 1 5 . ltlxd6
2 V!lxd6 1 6. c4+-.
1
And there is nothing good in store for Black
a b c d e f g h after 1 4 . . . lt:lxe4?! 1 5 .V!lxe4 g6 1 6.h4±; in the
l l ...a6 absence of counterplay from his opponent,
It isn't yet time to castle: 1 1 . . . 0-0? 1 2 . .ixh7t White will soon get through to the black king.
c;t>xh7 1 3 .V!ld3 t
Shamkovich was a player with an active style
But Black could consider 1 1 . . .h6! ? 1 2 . .ih4 (in particular, he wrote a good book on the
.ie5 1 3 . 0-0 0-000 with very good equalizing subject of attack) . He didn't like passive
chances. defence, and he therefore failed to submit to
the requirements of this position. He needed
12.0-0-0 Wfc7 13.'kt>bl 0-0 to play 14 . . . .ie7!? and meet 1 5 .h4 with the
In some imperceptible manner, without accurate move 1 5 . . . b6! (not 1 5 . . . b 5 ? 1 6.ltl xf6t
making any big mistakes, Black has landed in lt:lxf6 1 7 ..ixf6 .ixf6 1 8 .V!Je4+-) .
a highly unpleasant situation. His king can't
find a safe refuge, and he is unable to complete 8
his development - but failing that, how is he 7
to resist White's excellently mobilized forces 6
5
successfully?
4
In the event of 1 3 . . . .ie5 1 4 . lt:l e4 ltl d5 1 5 . g3 ±,
3
there is a most awkward threat o f f2-f4.
2
Black can try to forestall that possibility by
playing 1 3 . . . h6!? 1 4 . .ih4 .ie5 1 5 . ltl e4 ltl d5 a b c d e f g h
1 6 .g3! ? g5 , but 1 7 . f4 suggests itself all the
Then nothing decisive is to be seen for

White; the incautious 1 6.lLlxf6t lLl xf6 1 7 . .ixf6
.ixf6 1 8 .1M/e4 g6 1 9 .1Mfxa8 .ib7 would hand
the initiative over to his opponent.
a b c d e f g h
20.i.xh7!
Tal methodically opens up his opponent's
king for the attack. White would also retain
a clear plus after 20.l:l:xf6?! l:l:g8 2 1 .1Mfh5 l:l:g7
a b c d e f g h
22.l:l:h6 f5 23.lLlc5 , but the move he played is
15.f4! much stronger.
Surely Black wasn't expecting any other
move? 20 f5 21.Y4'h4
...
Even simpler was 2 1 .Y4'h 5 ! f6 22 . .ig6t

15 i.xf4
.•• �g8 23.:!::!: 8 Wg7 24.l:l:h3 l:l:a7 25 .Ah7t �hs
Black had nothing better. After 1 5 . . . lLl xe4 26.Axf5 t �g8 27.Ah7t hs 28 . .ig6t ci>g8
1 6 .1Mfxe4 f5 1 7.1Mfe3 ! ( 1 7.1Mfe2 .ixf4 1 8 .1Mfxe6t 29.l:l:h4. With the rook coming to g4, the best
h8 19 . .ixf4 1Mfxf4 20.l:l:hfl ± is not at all bad option for Black would be to stop the clock
either) 17 . . . h6 1 8 .Axh6 gxh6 1 9 .fxe5 ±, his and settle down to the post-mortem analysis.
kingside pawn structure is in shreds! However, the move in the game also leaves him
with no chances of survival.
16)tJxf6t l[jxf6
The suicidal 1 6 . . . gxf6 loses at once to 21. �g7 22.:!::!: £3
••
1 7.1Mfe4. A splendid conclusion to the game could

have been supplied by the simple but attractive:
I7.Axf6 gxf6 ts.Y4'g4t �hs 22.g4! f4 23.g5 l:l:e8
Or 1 8 . . . Ag5 1 9 .h4 1Mff4 20 .1Mfh5 Ah6
8
2 1 .l:l:dfl +- and Black is going to have to part
with his bishop. 7
6
19.l:l:hfl i.e5
This is the first time in quite a while that 5
Black has had any choice at all. He could have 4
played 1 9 . . . e5 here, although after the forced 3
2
sequence 20.1Mfh5 f5 2 l .g3 Ae3 22.Axf5 Axf5
23.1Mfxf5 ± his position inspires no confidence.
a b c d e f g h
24.tt:\ c5 ! Wfxc5 Otherwise the knight will j ump 2 5 . . . exf5

to d3 (or d7!), with an easy win. 25 .Wfh6t 25 . . . l:'!xh7 is no help either: 26.l:'!gl t mhs
<j;Jhs 26 . .tg6t lt>g8 27.Wfh7t mf8 28.Wfxf7# 27.Wfxh7t!+-
26.l:'!e3!
22 ... �e8 Threatening to take on e5 .
Or 22 . . ..tf6 23.l:'!g3t Wfxg3 24.Wfxg3t <j;Jxh7 26 . . . \t>fB
2 5 . tt:\ c5+-, and with such poor development Naturally 26 ... Wff6 also fails to save Black:
Black can hardly offer genuine resistance. 27.l:'!xe5 ! Wfxe5 28 .Wfg5 t lt>xh7 29.l:'!gl with
imminent mate.
23.g4! 27.l:'!d5 f6 28 .Wfh6t \t>f7 29.tt:\c5!
The last reserves enter the fray. It's completely Bringing his last inactive piece into the
obvious that the opening of the g-file will be attack, White now threatens l:!ed3 followed
lethal for Black. by l:'!d7.
29 . . . .te6 30 .Wfg6t mf8 3 l .l:'!dxe5
White wins easily.
8
7
24.g5 mrs
6
5 8
4 7
3 6
2 5
1 4
3
a b c d e f g h
23 ... £4 2
It may look at first sight as if Black could at 1
least postpone his already inevitable defeat by
a b c d e f g h
playing:
23 . . . Wfe7 25.�xf4!
However, White's attack continues unabated. The concluding stroke. The f-file is opened,
24.Wfh5! l:'!h8 2 5 . gxf5 and Black faces a difficult dilemma: taking the
rook is out of the question, and not taking it is
absolutely unthinkable!
25 ... i.xf4
On 25 . . . f5 , White has 26.gxf6 .txf4
27 . .tg6+- with mate in a few moves
After 25 . . . l:!d8 26.Wfh6t .tg7 27.l:'!xd8 t Wfxd8

28 .Wfh5 Wfc7 29.l:'!fl +- Black has no adequate
defence against the threat of .tg6.
a b c d e f g h
26.'1Wh6t �e7 27.'1Wf6t �f8 28.g6 i.h6 6 e6 7.i.d3 c5 8.0-0 cxd4 9.lt:lxd4 i.c5
••.
10.lll f3
In this position l O . lLl b3 has also been
8
played, though to me it doesn't seem all that
7 logical. However that may be, in Tiviakov -
6 Adams, New York ( 1 ) 1 994, White acquired a
minimal plus: 1 0 . . . ie7 l l .E!: e l 0-0 1 2.Wi'f3 a5
5 1 3 .a4 lt:l b6 1 4 . .td2;!;
4
10 0-0
3
••.
a b c d e f g h
29.�fl!
White threatens a simple capture on f7, with
mate to follow. On 29 . . . E!:d8, he wins at once
with 30 .Wi'h8t �e7 3 1 .E!:xf7t.
1-0
Tal selected an extremely rare variation ( 6.lt:l c3) .

Black played the opening a little superficially;
a b c d e f g h
nevertheless, as constantly happens in the
Caro-Kann, his position remained sufficiently 11.�e2 b6 12.i.f4
solid, and after the correct 1 4 . . . .te7!? he would There is no promise for White in 1 2. ttl e4
have had every reason to count on defending .tb7 1 3 .lt:lxc5 lt:lxc5 1 4 . .tc4 Wi'c7 1 5 .tLle5
successfully. After 14 . . . .te5 he no longer had E!:fd8; his two bishops have little scope for
any such chances and was simply crushed. activity in view of the excellent development
of all Black's pieces.
Mikhail Tal - Evgeni Vasiukov
12 i.b7
..•
USSR Championship 1 964 On 1 2 . . . lt:l d 5 ! ? 1 3 . .tg5 Wi'c7, White

continues not with 1 4 . c4 lt:l f4 1 5 . .txf4 Wi'xf4=,
l .e4 c6 2JDc3 d5 3.d4 dxe4 4)2Jxe4 tLld7 but with 1 4 . lt:l h 5 ! , preserving some initiative.
5.lLlf3 lt:lg£6 6.lt:lg3!?
This sharp move enjoys incomparably more 13.�ad1 ltl d5 14.i.g5
popularity than its mirror image, 6 . lt:l c3, More active than 1 4 . .tcl Wi'c7 1 5 .lt:l g5
which we saw in the previous game. Even tLl 5 f6 ( 1 5 . . . lt:l 7f6!?) 1 6.cJih l ! ? E!:ad8 1 7.lt:l 5e4
Garry Kasparov played this way, which is tt:lxe4 1 8 .lt:lxe4 .te7, with fine play for Black
saying a great deal. It's as if White is dropping in Ivanovic - Speelman, Thessaloniki (ol)
his opponent a hint that he aims to join battle 1 9 84.
with him on the kingside, and he is transferring
his pieces there in good time. 14 �c7
..•
There are plenty of dangers in store for Black

8
in the event of:
7 1 5 . . . l:l:ae8 1 6.c4
6
.�. � '!'' ��
8
7
.z.i) · - �. . .�z�
5 itt�
�� -z:; -
- -
6 -*-��··
4
�----%�.0
3 5
�� •
�
- - -"� •�� ltj
- - -"�
: �8 �w-�£!J."" ��
2
1 ,.�.
-!w� 'wM
a b c d e f g h
2
1 �
��-- - % i·�=-- -
§l �� o �b
15.&tlh5!? a b c d e f g h
From Tal, hardly any other move could be
1 6 . . . tt:'l e7!?
expected. Why else did he bring his knight
On 16 ... tl'l 5 f6, White should not follow
across to g3 right at the start of the game?
Tal's recommendation of 1 7.tt:'lxf6t tt:'l xf6
1 8 . tl'l e 5 , in view of 1 8 . . . i.e7, whereupon
All the same, there is a reasonable alternative
1 9 .ixf6 ixf6 20.tt:'ld7 �c6! isn't too
in:
dangerous for Black. Instead, White should
1 5 . c4 tl'l 5f6
continue 17 .i.xf6! tt:'lxf6 1 8 . tLl g5 with a
After 1 5 . . . tl'l f4 1 6.i.xf4 �xf4 1 7.i.xh7t
strong attack.
'it>xh7 1 8 Jl:xd7;\; Black is left a pawn down.
The knight can't move away to b4, as
1 6. tt:'l e4 h6!?
Black is then mated in short order:
16 . . .i.e7 is strongly answered by 1 7.i.h4!.
1 6 . . . tt:'l b4? 1 7.ixh7t! 'it>xh7 1 8 .l:l:xd7! ixf3!
1 7.tt:'lxf6t
( 1 8 . . . �xd7 loses to 1 9 . tl'l e 5 ! �d4 20.tt:'lf6t
Black is quite all right after 1 7. tt:'l xc5 �xc5
gxf6 2 1 .�h5t) 1 9.�xf3 �e5 (or 19 ... �xd7
with even chances.
2 0 . tt:'lf6t!) 20.i.f6! and White wins.
1 7 . . . tt:'l xf6 1 8 .i.xf6 gxf6 1 9 .i.e4 i.xe4 20.�xe4
A beautiful attack!
l:l:fd8=
15...li>h8?!
In his notes to the game Tal gives this
prophylactic move an exclamation mark, but I
don't entirely agree with that j udgement.
To me it seems that a stronger line was:

1 5 . . . h6! ? 1 6.i.h4 (Black defends successfully
after 1 6.i.xh6! ? gxh6 1 7.�d2 f5! 1 8 .�xh6
tt:'l 7f6 1 9 .�g6t 'it>h8 20.tl'lg5 , with unruly
complications) 1 6 . . . i.d6! ? 1 7.c4 tt:'l f4 1 8 .tt:'lxf4 a b c d e f g h
i.xf4 1 9 .ie4 ixe4 20 .�xe4 tl'l c 5 = with equal 1 7.i.xh7t!?

chances. White is also guaranteed a small plus by the
quiet 1 7.i.e4.
1 7 . . . �xh7 1 8 J:!xd7 "Wxd7 17..ih4

This time 1 8 . . . ixf3 ? loses to 1 9 ."Wd3 t . A good move at White's disposal here is
1 9 . lLl e 5 ! "W d 8! 20.lLlf6t gxf6 2 1 .ixf6 lLl g6! 1 7.if4!?, although after 1 7 . . . lLl xf4 1 8 . lLl xf4
22."Wh5t �g8 23 . l2J g4! "Wxf6 24.lLlxf6t �g7 "Wxf4 1 9 .ixb7 :!::!: a d8 20."Wxe6 lLl e 5 he must
2 5 . lLl xe8t :!::!: xe8 26."Wd 1 certainly avoid the variation indicated by Tal:
White's position is undoubtedly better, but 2 1 .:!:l:xd8 :!::!: xd8 22. lLl xe5 ? ? 'Wxf2t !-+ Instead
by how much? The question is not simple. he can simply play 2 1 .a3 ! ?±, and Black faces
a long and tedious defensive task to draw the
16..ie4 game.
White is not guaranteed an advantage by
1 6.c4!? ltJ5 f6! 1 7 .lLlxf6 lLl xf6 (better than 17. ..id6?!
.
1 7 . . . gxf6?! 1 8 .ih4 :!:l:g8 1 9 .ie4 ie7 20 .ig3 Vasiukov is playing with fire. I imagine
"Wc8 2 1 .ib l;!;) 1 8 .lLle5 :!::!: ad8 , with mutual he missed White's coming combination
chances. altogether, or else seriously underestimated it.
However, 1 6.:!::!: fe 1 deserves attention. Then He should have made the active move:
after 1 6 . . . :!::!: ae8 White should not be tempted 1 7 . . . f5 ! ?
by 1 7.ie4 f5 ! 1 8 .ixd5 ixd5 1 9 .:!:l:xd 5 ? exd5
20."Wxe8 :!:l:xe8 2 1 .:!:l:xe8t if8+. Instead,
1 7.ib 5 ! ? maintains the pressure on the black
position.
16...£6?!
At this point 1 6 . . . 5 1 7.ixd5 ixd5 fails to
1 8 . lLl f4, intending to answer 1 8 . . . ic4? with
1 9 .:!::!: xd7 +-.
Black could, however, consider: 1 6 . . . :!::!: ae8 ! ?

a b c d e f g h
1 7. c4 f5 ! 1 8 .ic2 ( 1 8 .ixd5 exd5 1 9 ."Wd2
lLl e 5 ! 20.lLlxe5 "Wxe5 gives wholly unclear 1 8 .ixd5
chances, seeing that 2 1 . cxd5 is met by 2 l . . . f4!) Mter 1 8 .ig3 f4 1 9 .ih4 :!:l:ae8 20.c4, there is
18 . . . ia6! ? with double-edged play. the excellent tactical idea 20 . . . lLl e3 ! 2 1 .ixb7
lLl xd 1 22.:!:l:xd 1 'Wxb7 23 .'Wd2 lLl b8, leading
to an advantage for Black.
1 8 . . . ixd5
I am not so keen on 1 8 . . . exd5 . White's reply
would not be 1 9 . lLl d4 :!::!: a e8 20.lLle6 "Wc6
2 1 . lLlhf4 d4 with sharp play. Much stronger
is 1 9 .:!:l:fe l ! , asserting his rights to the open
e-file. Care and precision would then be
required from Black, for instance 1 9 . . . g6
could be strongly met by 2 0 .lLl g5 ! gxh5
2 1 . lLl xh7! :§:f7 22.lLlg5 ± .
1 9 .c4 ixf3
Of course not 1 9 . . . ixc4? 20.:!:l:xd7!.
Chap ter 7 - Attack in the Catacombs of the Caro-Kann 25 1
20.Wfxf3 19.&Zl xg7!

After either 20 . . . :B:ae8 or the sharp 20 . . .f4!?, Of course Tal cannot resist such attractive
the position is far from simple to assess. tactical possibilities. It was for this style of play
that he was so much loved among chess players
18.c4 .ia6 in all countries of the world.
Some interesting complications arise from:
1 8 . . . f5 1 9 .lt::l d4! Someone with a more placid temperament
might have settled for: 1 9 .�d3 lt::l f4 (both
8 1 9 . . . lt::l b4 20.a3 lt::l xd3 2 1 .Wfxd3± and 1 9 . . . lt::l c5
7 20.cxd5 lt::l xd3 2 1 .:B:xd3 exd5 22.:B:fd 1 ± would
6
favour White) 20. lt::l xf4 �xf4 2 1 .b4 �b7
22.�e4 with a small but stable plus.
5
4 19... �xg7
3 There is big trouble for Black after either
2 1 9 . . .�xc4 20.lt::l xe6 �xe2 2 1 .lt::l xc7± or
1 9 . . . lt::l f4 20 .Wfd2 lt::l c5 2 1 .lt::l xe6!? lt::l xe4
22.lt::l xc7 lt::l xd2 23.lt::l xa6 lt::l xf3t 24.gxf3 �e5
a b c d e f g h
2 5 .�g3 +-.
1 9 . . . :B:ae8
1 9 . . . .txh2t 20.mh 1 :B:ae8 2 I .lt::l b5 is merely
8
a transposition.
20. lt::l b5 �xh2t 2 1 .mh1 Wfb8 22.f4 �xf4 7
Not 22 . . . g6? in view of 23.cxd5 exd5 24.b3!
6
:B:xe4 2 5 .Wfb2t and White wins.
23.cxd5 exd5 5
Of course not 23 . . . fXe4? 24.dxe6 :B:xe6 4
2 5 .:B:xd7+-.
24.lt::l xf4 :B:xe4 2 5 .Wff2 3
In the resulting position, Black's three pawns 2
will hardly be sufficient compensation for the
1
piece.
a b c d e f g h
8 20.&Zld4!
Tal pours oil on the flames! Instead 20.�b 1 ?
7
�xc4 2 1 .Wxe6 lt::l e5 22.lt::l x e5 �xeS 23.:B:xd5
6 �h8! would hand the initiative to his
5 opponent.
4 20 ttlc5
.••
3 Black avoids the most thematic move,

20 . . . lt::l f4!? . It leads to wild complications, and
2
I am convinced that over the board it would be
1 practically impossible to work them out to the
a b c d e f g h
end. Evgeni Vasiukov probably wasn't too keen 23.g3 ! ?

to compete with Mikhail Tal in the calculation Black i s all right in the event of 23.Wfg4t
of variations. White has two replies that merit �f7 24.i.g3 Elg8 .
consideration: 2 1 .Wfh5 and 2 l .Wfg4t. It is 23 . . . tt:lxh5 24.tt:lxe6t �h6!
interesting to ask, which one you would have A little more precise than 24 . . . �g6 2 5 . tLl xc7
chosen? j,xc7 26.E\xd7 j,e5 27.f4 j,c8 28.f5 t �h6
29 .Eie7, when White has the initiative and
threatens to advance the g-pawn.
2 5 . tLl xc7 ixc7 26.Eixd7 ie5 27.b3 ic8
28 .Eid8 tt:l g7?
The ending is unclear; White's chances are of
course no worse, but are they any better?
b) 2 l .Wfg4t! gives Black much more trouble.

We now have:
b l ) 2 1 . . .�£7?
a b c d e f g h
This has unpleasant consequences.
a) 2 l .Wfh5 ! ?
A beautiful move which could quite easily
be clean overlooked. Black now faces quite
a few problems, but he can still count on
having his full share of the play.
2 1 . . .E\h8
Some curious positions arise from the
alternatives:
2 1 . . .tLlxh5 22.tLlxe6t �g8 23.tLlxc7 j,xc7
24.Eixd7 Elac8 25 .b3�
2 1 . . .f5 22.ha8 tLl e 5 ! 23.g3 tLlxh5 24.tt:lxe6t
b d f g h
�h6 2 5 . tLl xc7 j,xc7 26.j,h l j,xc4 27.Eife l;!; a c e
I t seems to m e that i n both lines White's 22.tLlxe6!

chances are slightly preferable, but other White's chances are preferable even after
opinions are of course possible. 22.ig3 Elg8 23 .tLlxe6! Elxg4 24. tt:l xc7 tLl e2t
22.j,xa8 Elxa8 2 5 .�h l ixc7 26.ha8 tt:l xg3t 27.hxg3
tLl cS±, but the immediate knight sacrifice is
significantly stronger.
22 . . . tt:lxe6 23 .Wfh 5t �e7 24.ixa8 Lc4
2 5 .E\fe l ixa2
Taking the h-pawn with check doesn't help:
25 . . . ixh2t 26.�h l ie5 27.b3! and if
27 . . . E\xa8 then 28.Wfxh7t �e8 29.f4!+- and
the attack is quickly victorious.
26.id5 ixh2t 27.�h l ixd5 28.Eixd5 if4
Blocking the e-file does not prove successful:
a b c d e f g h
28 ... ie5 ? 29.E1ed l ! 'Ll dc5 30.E1xe5 !+-

29.E1ed l ! lt'l dc5 30.'1Wxh7t E1f7
a b c d e f g h
3 1 .ixf6t!+-
The hunt for the black king concludes
triumphantly.
b2) 2 L. .<;t>hs! 22.ixa8 ixc4

Or 22 . . . E1xa8 23 .'Llxe6 'Ll xe6 24.'1Wxe6
ixh2t 2 5 . cj;J h l ixc4 26.ixf6t 'Ll xf6
27.'1Wxf6t <;t>gs 28.E1d4+- with a quick mate.
For one thing, he could have continued with
23 .ig3 E1xa8 24.ixf4 :8g8
2 1 . lt'l xe6t lt'l xe6 22.ixd5 lt'l g5 23 .ixa8!
Black isn't to be envied after 24 . . . ixf4
(better than 23.ixg5 fXg5 24.ixa8 :8xa8
2 5 .lt'lxe6.
25 .'1Wg4+±) 23 . . . E1xa8 24.:8fe l , going all out
� � for the attack.
-----��w,J· .J�;p� �?3.1-�i!

� i�d� ��
��
·-- -"� %- - -"� - - -".

1� • • 1� �
5
4
�� -j_�
� '"//- ��
-� ��
��- x ��/.,,_, ��"'""�
-x ��-�
�
�
3
2 [j 1£§ • 1£§ [j 1l§
1
-- - - "al•lf=- - -
a b c d e f g h
2 5 . lt'l xe6 :8xg4 26.lt'lxc7 ixf4 27.E1xd7 ixh2t

28.cj;Jxh2 ixfl 29.g3
The result of the wild complications is a
small endgame advantage for White. A little
disappointing I dare say, but there is still the
chance to make an impression by displaying
meticulous endgame technique!
A second possibility is of great interest: Or 23 . . . ixh2t 24.\'t>h l :B:ae8 (24 . . . lt:l b4??
2 l .b4! ? ixh2t 22.'iflh l Wf4 25 .:B:d7+-) 25 .'\Wxd5, transposing to the game.
Sensibly enough, Black tries to create play
on the kingside. 24.Wfxd5 hh2t 25.C.t>hl
22 . . . lt:l xb4? 23 .ixa8 would be wholly bad
for Black, since 23 . . . :B:xa8 fails to 24. lt:l xe6t
8
-� �
� �
��. ��- -� %_ti
- -� -�I.
7
�
lt:l xe6 25 .Wxe6+-.
��721-J-'"' �� 721- �
__ "
�_}----%� �� L % �
23 .ixd5
An amusing draw results from 23.lt:lxe6t 6 J.. �� • ��
�
s3 g��!l!� �m
lt:l xe6 24.g3 lt:l c3 2 5 .:B:d7t 'iflh8 (not ,
25 . . . 1't>g8 ? ? 26.ixh7t 'iflh8 27.'\Wh5 with

inevitable mate) 26.:B:xh7t 'iflg8 27.:B:h8tD 4
�w-� �� 721W�[j-�.�8 '<t�

�
'iflg7 28 .:B:h7t 'iflg8= and both sides are
obliged to repeat moves.
23 . . . Wxh4 2 8 W[j •�. -�
1 .----�� r•:� �
23 . . . exd5 24.bxc5 :B:ae8 is refuted by 25 .g3 ! .
.l •
a b c d e f g h
25...Wff4?!
It quite often happens that a well-played
game enters a kind of eccentric phase in which
both opponents start to commit errors on
practically every move. I have no explanation
of why this should be so, but it occurred more
than once in my own games, and each time
I was sincerely amazed at how things could
b d f g h
a c e
come to such a pass!
24.Wxe6!
White would be perfectly happy with 25 . . . '\Wxc4
Perhaps Tal simply gave no attention to this
26.:B:fel;!;, let alone with 25 . . . ixc4 26 .Wf5 ± .
brilliant move.
The natural 24. lt:l f3 '\Wh5 25 .ixa8 ic7t
However Black can force a position with equal
26.\'t>gl ih2t! leads to perpetual check.
chances with the accurate:
24 . . . ie5 t
25 . . .f5 !
Mter 24 . . . lt:lxe6 2 5 . lt:l f5 t 'iflh8 26.lt:lxh4
White has a clear plus.
25 .Wfh3 Wfxh3t 26. gxh 3 ixd4 27.:B:xd4
Rightly avoiding 27.ixa8 ? ic3+.
27 . . . :B:ae8 28.bxc5 bxc5 29.:B:g4t 'iflh8 30.:B:fg l
Thanks t o the difference in strength between
the bishops, White's advantage is stable and
obvious.
2l...'�h8 22.c!lhe6 c!lJxe6 23.Wfxe6 :B:ae8
a b c d e f g h
26 . .ixf5 '1Mfxf2 to be equal. However, White can

After 26 . .id3 ? the black bishop is free improve with 3 1 .�g l !;\;, when 3 l . . . .ixc4? fails
to come to the long diagonal with dire to 32.'1Mfh4+-, picking off one of the bishops.
consequences for White: 26 . . . .ib7 27.'1Mfd4t
.ie5 28 .\Mfe3 E!:g8 29.E!:gl '1Mfg7 and this time 28 ...hxg6?
it is Black's attack that cannot be resisted. Luckily for Tal, Black's own quota of mistakes
Incidentally, Black would also have quite was not exhausted until after this move! Black
good play after 26 . .if3 .ixc4. could have drawn at once with 28 . . . E!:xe l t!
26 . . . .ixc4 27.\Mfd7 Wfxd7 28 . .ixd7 E!:e4! 29 . .!'lxe l hxg6 30.�xh2 g5 3 1 ..ig3 .ixc4=.
A precise and strong move which makes the
assessment of the position completely clear. 29.i.x£6t �g8 30. .!'lxe8 .!'!xeS 31.�xh2
29.g3 Lc4 32. .!'ld7!±
Or 29.�xh2 E!:xh4t 30.�g3 E!:h6! = .
29 . . . .ixfl 30.E!:xfl E!:xh4 3 1 .gxh4 .ig3 !=
8
It is time to agree a draw.
7
26.YNh5 YNxe4 27JUel 6
After 27.E!:de l Wfg6 28.'1Mfxg6 hxg6 29 . .ixf6t
�g8 30.E!:xe8 E!:xe8 3 1 .�xh2 .ixc4 32.E!:a l ! ? 5
White remains with an extra pawn, but there 4
is still a long road to travel before the game is
3
won.
2
27 YNg6
1
..•
8 m �� "� 11 -·
a b c d e f g h
� � � In this opposite-coloured bishop endgame
.. %�r��
7
��r� �� Black's prospects are not good for many
6 •
j_�
�--
�. % •
.� � � -----%
��if�
�
reasons, of which I shall j ust mention three .
--
In the first place, there are rooks on the board

5
�� !
� �� m "'"
as well as bishops; secondly, all White's pieces
4
- �� -
8-
� �-��
are more active than their black counterparts;
thirdly and lastly, the black king is passive and
�� -� � �-�
3
� ��
8 �� --- - % �
• ----% 8 �-
can be subjected to a troublesome attack, even
2
- � �- ·�
in the endgame.
1
32 J�e6 33 ..ic3 La2 34 .!'lxa7 .ic4 35. �g3
a b c d e f g h
•• •
J.d5 36.6 �£8 37.i.d4 b5 38.®£4

28.YNxg6?! Black has been unable to stop White from
The time for mistakes is clearly not over yet! activating his king. Incidentally, one other
Tal saw the variation 28 . .ixf6t! '1Mfxf6 (better good idea for White is becoming plausible: to
than 28 . . . �g8 ? 29.'1Mfd5t \Mff7 30.E!:xe8 E!:xe8 advance his kingside pawns and then, at the
3 1 .�xh2±) 29.E!:xe8 .id6D 30.E!:xf8t '1Mfxf8 , appropriate moment, to sacrifice the exchange
and rightly j udged the position after 3 1 .Ei:e l ? on g6.
38...i.c4 39.�g5 �e8 40.l3a8t �f7 41.l3a7t

�e8 42.b4
White has no reason to hurry; slowly but
surely he improves his position.
42...i.d5 43.l3a3! �f7 44.g4 l3e2 45.i.c5

l3e5t 46.�h6 l3e6
If 46 . . . g5 then 47.i.d4+- leads to further
loss of material for Black.
7
6
5
57.i.g5 i.d3 58.£5
4 And in view of 58 . . . :1l:f3 5 9 . f6 or 5 8 . . . :1'!:g3
5 9 . f6 i.c4 60.f7t i.xf7 6 I .:!:'!:d8#, Black
3
resigned.
2 1-0
1
I very much like this game, despite the quantity

a b c d e f g h
of errors. You can only admire Mikhail Tal's
50... �e8 5 1.�g7! i.e4 52.i.b6! imagination and intuition - the knight sacrifice
Having improved the placing of his few on g7, even by itself, is of great merit. As for
pieces to the maximum, Mikhail Tal proceeds the errors . . . who is really interested in how
to the final stage of hunting down the black many of them occurred in such a complicated
king. game? As the age-old wisdom has it, the only
people who don't make mistakes are those
s2....ta who do nothing at all. At any rate, it isn't the
Of course, going into a rook endgame with errors that stick in the memory but the lofty
52 . . Jl:xb6 5 3 . :1'!:xe4t 'it>d7 54.f5 +- would not ideas displayed by the contestants. And so, my
have saved Black. friends, don't be afraid of making mistakes -
if you do make them, you will be in excellent
53.l3d8t �e7 54.l3d3! i.e2 company!
With 54 . . . i.xg4 Black could momentarily
restore the material balance, but after 5 5 .i.d8t
'it>e8 5 6.i.g5 there is no satisfactory defence
against mate.
Mikhail Tal - Tony Miles In Olivier - Dumitrache, St Lorens 1 999, Black

easily secured equal chances after l l .l:!d l l:!e8
Porz 1 98 1 1 2.b3 Wl'c7 1 3 .ib2 c5 1 4.l:!ac l l:!ad8 1 5 .ib l
if8 1 6.l:!d2 g6= .
I.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.�d2 dxe4 4.c!L!xe4 c!L!d7
Tony Miles was a great specialist in various ll ...l:!e8?!
rare systems. He was fond of the Caro-Kann Miles chooses not to open up the game in
and employed it quite regularly, but in my view the centre with l l . . .c5 1 2.dxc5 ixc5, but he
he achieved his best results with a different should have! After 1 3 .l:!ad l White holds the
variation - 4 . . . if5 . initiative, but it isn't clear whether he has
anything concrete; on the other hand, 1 3 .tt::l e5
s.c!L!f3 c!L!gf6 6.c!L!g3 e6 7 .id3 �e7 • Wl'e8! leads to full equality. The waiting policy
Black often plays this move when he has no that Black adopts has serious defects.
intention of getting involved in the theoretical
dispute about the main line, 7 . . . c5 . I have 12,gadl ± c5
never been an expert in such variations and I Tony's boisterous British temperament
find it hard to say whether this one is good or doesn't permit him to sit around in his own
bad, but in the present game Mikhail Tal shows camp for too long, but perhaps he ought
very convincingly that such a slow handling of now to have shown a little more patience. He
the opening does have its minus points. could have considered 1 2 . . . WI'c8 ! ? . Then after
1 3 .tt::l e5 c5 1 4 . dxc5 tt::l x e5 1 5 .ixe5 Wl'c6, Black
s.YNe2 0-0 9.0-0 b6 IO.c4 had a fully acceptable position in Neumann -
Lange, West German Championship 1 982. To
8 be fair though, the move in the game was by
no means the chief cause of Miles's eventual
7 defeat.
6
'-- . . . . ./,'""""' /'· . -;-:-::-;-_ ,
13.dxc5
5
Sounding the drum roll!
4
3 8
2 7
1 6
a b c d e f g h 5
IO....lb7 4
It's worth considering 1 0 . . . . WI'c7! ?, taking the
3
f4-square under control.
2
ll ..i£4;!; 1
Tal takes immediate advantage of his
a b c d e f g h
opponent's slight inaccuracy.
13...bxc5?
After this error, it becomes exceptionally It is also difficult to recommend:

difficult to defend the black position. I think 1 4 . . . h6 1 5 .tt:lxd7
Miles simply panicked. Nothing terrible would Black's game is slightly simpler to play in the
happen to Black after the cool-headed: event of 1 5 . tt:l h5 tt:l xe5 1 6.�xe5 Vflb6.
1 3 . . . hc5 1 4. tt:l e5 Vfle7 However, White has one other excellent idea
Better than 14 . . . Vflc8 ? 1 5 .�xh7t! �xh7 at his disposal - the direct 1 5 .�g6!? £Xg6
1 6.l:!xd7! tt:lxd7 1 7.Vflh5t �g8 1 8 .Vflxf7t 1 6. tt:lxd7 Vflc8 1 7.l:!fe l ± .
�h8 1 9 .�h6! l:!g8 20 .Vflh5 and mate is 1 5 . . . tt:lxd7 1 6. tt:l h 5 ! ?
imminent. 1 6.�e4!? Vflc8 1 7.Vflf3 �xe4 1 8 .tt:lxe4± could
serve as a very good alternative.
8 1 6 . . . �f8
7 In answer to 1 6 . . . �g5 , White is spoilt
6
for choice. He can play 1 7.�e4 �xe4
1 8 .Vflxe4 g6 1 9 .Vflc6 �xf4 20.tt:lxf4 Vflf6
5
2 1 . tt:l h 5 ! ?;l;; or the even stronger 1 7.�e5
4 tt:lxe5 1 8 .Vflxe5, leaving Black to decide
3 between 1 8 .. .f6 1 9 .Vflg3 f5 20.h4 �f6
2 2 l .�e4+- and 1 8 . . . �f6 1 9 .Vflxc5 ± .
8
b d f g h
7
a c e
6
1 5 .tt:lxd7
Tal suggested that 1 5 .�g5 ! ? would give
5
White the advantage, but I am not so sure
about that; after 1 5 . . . tt:lxe5 1 6.Vflxe5 �d6
1 7.Vfle2 hg3 1 8 .£Xg3 Vflc5 t 1 9 .�e3 Vfle5
the position is rather unclear.
1 5 . . . tt:lxd7 1 6.�e4! ?
I'm not convinced that White has realistic
b d f g h
winning chances in the event of 1 6.�xh7t a c e
�xh7 1 7.Vfld3t Wg8 1 8 .Vflxd7 l:!ed8 1 7.�xh6! Vfle7

1 9.Vflxe7 �xe?t. With his two strong 17 . . . gxh6? loses to 1 8 .�h7t Wxh7 1 9 .l:!xd7.
bishops, Black can be reasonably confident Nor does 1 7 . . . Vflh4 save Black: 1 8 .�xg7!
about the future. �xg7 (after 1 8 . . . �xg2 1 9 .�c3! �xfl
1 6 . . . .be4 1 7.tt:lxe4 e5 1 8 .�g5 ! f6 1 9 .�e3 20.�xfl there is no defence to be found
White has a slight though stable plus. Black against White's many threats) 1 9 .�h7t!
would of course retain decent chances of �xh7 20.l:!xd7 with an irresistible attack.
gradually achieving equality. 1 8 .Vflg4
1 8 .�d2± is not at all bad either.
14.�e5 %Vb6? 1 8 . . . f5
Black's final error; from now until the end of Nothing but a miracle can help Black.
the game, he will only play the role of an extra He gets nowhere with 1 8 . . . tt:l e5 1 9 .Vflg3 f6.
on the stage. White answers with the uncomplicated but
pretty 20 .�g5 ! tt:l f3t 2 1 .gxf3 fXg5 22.�g6,
and now 2 2 . . . l"led8 23 .1fNh3+- leads to a However, the move played m the game is
quick mate. much stronger.
1 9 .Wg3 1lNf7 20 .i.e2+-
15 .. lt:lxh7
.
Although Black's position is bad in any case, He loses even more quickly with: 1 5 . . . Wxh7
the most stubborn defence lay in 14 . . . g6, 1 6.l"lxd7 g8 ( 1 6 . . . lt:Jxd7 1 7.Wh5t \tg8
with the possible continuation 1 5 .i.e4 Wc8 1 8 .Wxf7t Wh8 1 9 .lt:lxd7 Wc6 20.f3+- is just
1 6.l2'lxd7 lt:lxd7 1 7.Wf3 i.xe4 1 8 .lt:lxe4± . as hopeless; and so is 1 6 . . . i.c6 1 7.l"ld3, with
the rook heading for the h-file) 1 7. lt:l h 5 !
I can't help thinking that there was a certain lt:l xd7 1 8 .Wg4 and the lonely king will soon
incongruity between the errors Black be mated.
committed and his punishment. Tony Miles
did play the opening inaccurately, he was 16J�xd7 g6
rather hesitant and missed the most tenacious Miles tries to stop his opponent's queen from
defence - all this is true. Yet the fact that Black arriving at h5 - a praiseworthy wish, the more
was practically in a lost position by move 1 4 so since there is nothing more constructive
indicates that o n that day his share o f help available:
from "Lady Luck" was dearly insufficient.
On 16 . . . f6, White has a pleasing and wholly
uncomplicated combination:
a b c d e f g h
15.i.xh7t!
At this point, contrary to Tal's opm10n,
White could also continue with: 1 5 .lt:lxd7
Similarly in the event of 16 . . . lt:l f6, there is a
lt:l xd7 1 6.i.xh7t \txh7 1 7.l"lxd7 Tal gives this
crushing finish: 1 7.lt:lh5! lt:lxd7 1 8 .1lNg4 g5
a question mark, which to all appearances is
1 9 . lt:l xd7 Wxb2 20 .i.e5 1fNc2 2 I .lt:l hf6t+- and
an aberration - particularly since the move
the efforts of the white pieces reap their reward.
is the strongest in the position! (Black would
equalize, albeit with some trouble, after
Finally, the phlegmatic 1 6 . . . l"lad8 also fails to
1 7.Wd3t Wg8 1 8 .1fNxd7 l"lad8 1 9 .Wc7 l"lxd l
save Black: 1 7.1fNh5! g6 1 8 .l"lxd8 Wxd8 (or
20.2::\xd l 1fNxb2co.) 1 7 . . . 1fNc6 (-+ according to
1 8 . . . gxh 5 1 9 .Elxe8t i.f8 20.l"lb8+- and White
Tal) 1 8 .1fNd3t! Wg8 1 9 . f3 White retains an
has an advantage in position as well as material)
extra pawn and quite good winning chances.
1 9 . tLlxg6 fxg6 20.Wfxg6t @h8 One such way is: 17 tt:l e4!? �xe4 (in the event
of 1 7 . . . l'!ad8 1 8 .l'!xb7 Wfxb7 1 9 .Wff3 Wfxb2
20.tLlxf7+-, the game would be over within a
few more moves) 1 8 .Wfxe4 tt:l f6 1 9.Wff3 ! tt:lxd7
20.tt:lxd7 Wfd8 2 1 .l'!dl +- and White's attack
quickly decides the game. The threat is �e5,
and all the weak squares around the black king
will soon be occupied by white pieces.
White wins j ust as easily with: 1 7. tLl h 5 ! l'!ad8

(or 17 . . . �c6 1 8 .tLl xg6! �xd7 1 9 .tLle5 Wfd8
20.l'!dl +-) 1 8 .Wfd3 ! tt:l f6
a b c d e f g h
2 1 .�c7! Wfxc7 22.Wfxe8t tt:l f8 23.l'!e l +- and it

is high time for Black to stop the clock.
White obviously has a won position - his

attack is deadly - but a curious question
remains: How many candidate moves would
you consider here, and what would they be?
a b c d e f g h
1 9 .l'!xe7! tLl xh5 20.l'!xe8 t l'!xe8 2 1 .Wfd7 l'!f8

22.�h6! tt:l g7 23.tLlxg6!? and any further
resistance is senseless.
17....ic8
It looks as if Tony Miles has already started
setting up the pieces for the next game.
Taken the impudent pawn with 17 . . . Wfxb4

a b c d e f g h loses immediately to 1 8 .tt:lxg6.
17.b4!!
Let me be honest: this move would never Black lasts a bit longer with: 1 7 . . . cxb4 1 8 .�e3!
have entered my head - for a couple of reasons. (this is even stronger than Tal's suggestion of
In the first place, it is the move of a genius 1 8 .c5 Wfa6 1 9 .Wfc2!, although that does indeed
(I say this irrespective of its objective quality) , suffice for a large plus after 1 9 .. J:!:ac8 20.tLlxg6
and there is quite a wide gulf between the Wfc6 2 1 .l'!xb7 Wfxb7 22.tLlxe7t Wxe7 23.tt:l e4)
thoughts of a genius and those of ordinary 1 8 . . . Wfa6 1 9 .Wfg4 The black monarch, left in
people! Secondly, I can see no real need for it - forlorn solitude, will be mated quickly and
White could easily win by means of ordinary, efficiently. 1 9 . . . l'!ad8 20.tt:lxg6! l'!xd7 2 1 .tLle5t
routine continuations. tLl g5 22.�xg5 f5 23 .Wfh5 +-
Black is not helped by 1 7 . . . tt:l f8 either: 1 8 .bxc5 23J�c7!

'!Wa6 1 9 .l:hb7! '\Wxb7 20.tt:\e4 and White has a Another perfectly adequate way was
won position. 23 .ie5 ixd7 24.tt:lf7t �g8 2 5 .ixg7 �xg7
26.tt:\e5+-, but why calculate variations when
18.bxc5 YNxc5 19.�e4 YNb6 there is no need?
The alternative 1 9 . . . '\Wb4 is no better: 20 .l:'k7
'!Wb6 2 l .ctJxf7 �xf7 22.tt:ld6t �g8 23 .'\We4+- 23 JU8 24.:!he7!
••
1-0
20.VNf3!
The white queen has long had designs on A very pleasing game. Tony Miles played the
the f7-pawn, and it can now no longer be opening in rather a slipshod manner - this
defended. did happen in his games from time to time
- but I doubt if I ever saw the remarkable
2o VNb2
..• English Grandmaster subjected to such fierce
There is no need to comment on 20 . . . ixd7 punishment! Tal attacked as he did in the
2 I .ie3 +-. best days of his youth, and his opponent
had the appearance of a mere bystander
throughout.
8
7 Mikhail Tal - Miroslav Filip

6
Moscow 1 967
5
4 l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.CLlc3 dxe4 4.�xe4 CLld7

5.�£3 �gf6 6.CLlg3 e6 7.i.d3 i.e? 8.YNe2 c5
3 9.0-0 0-0 lOJ�dl
2
a b c e g
21.�xf7
The concluding stroke. Mikhail Tal has been
attacking with fantastic energy, not giving
Black even the slightest breathing space.
2 t...VNg7
Or 2 I . . .ixd7 22.ie5 +- and the knight
threatens to give mate from h6.
a b c d e f g h
22.�h6t �h8
After 22 . . . '\Wxh6 23 Jhe7 '\Wf8, the simplest 10 cxd4
••.
course is 24.l:he8 '\Wxe8 2 5 . tt:\ d6+-, winning In our day, Black usually postpones the
the rook on a8 . exchange on d4 by one more move, playing:
1 o . . '\Wc7 l l . c4 cxd4
.
Incidentally, against 1 l . . .!!e8 White A careful and cautious player, Filip isn't even
similarly has trouble asserting his claim to an fighting for the initiative. In fairness though,
advantage. For example, Tal - Ciric, Budva 1 3 . . . lt:l c5 fails to equalize: 1 4.i.c4 i.d7 (Black
1 967, went 1 2.dxc5 lt:lxc5 1 3 .i.c2 lt:l cd7 should avoid 1 4 . . . lt:l a4 1 5 .bxa4!? '1Wxb2
1 4 . lt:l e4 b6 1 5 .i.a4 :E!:d8 1 6.lt:lxf6t i.xf6 1 6. lt:l b 5 '1Wb4 1 7. lt:l c7±) 1 5 . lt:l f3 i.c6 1 6.lt:le5
1 7.i.g5 i.b7 with about equal chances. idS 1 7.i.b5 :E!:ed8 1 8 .c4 and White's position
On the other hand, I would not recommend deserves preference.
1 l . . .b6?, as after 1 2.d5 exd5 1 3 .'lWxe7 :E!:e8
White wins with 1 4.i.xh7t !. I4)t]f3!?
1 2 . lt:l xd4 a6 1 4 .i.b2 b6 1 5 .lt:lh5 i.b7 Tal starts preparing to attack; his pieces are
gradually crossing to the kingside.
8
7 1' �(\i- - f-:% �!-,�.----%
�· ;-
· - ''"" ' �
14 i.d7 15.tt)e5 :E!:ad8 16.tlJ e4!?
�
6
� ... �� f� i
. . . %� ��
.•.
An important j uncture. The move played

5 isn't bad, but it's astonishing that Tal rejected
� � �% '"'/- ��
��lS �- - - � •�� -�
the most active continuation - 1 6.lt:l h 5!,
4 � - setting Black problems that are hard to solve:
3
2
�lS �
g- �£
- - %·�--
�
� - 0-%=-
aiirw-�
�lS w-r�- �-% a) 1 6 . . . lt:lxh 5 is easy to reject. Mter 1 7.'lWxh5
1 lt:l g6 1 8 .i.xg6 fxg6D 1 9 .'1Wf3 :E!:f8 20.lt:lxd7
:E!:xd7 2 1 .'lWxf8t i.xf8 22.:E!:xd7, White's
a b c d e f g h
advantage is plain to see.
1 6.lt:lxe6!?
1 6 .lt:lxg7?! ct?xg7 1 7.'lWxe6 doesn't work, b) Tal was afraid of 1 6 . . . i.c8 ?!, but it's evident
in view of 1 7 . . . 'lWxh2t! 1 8 .'it>xh2 fxe6 that his fears had nothing to do with the true
1 9 .lt:lxe6t mf7+. situation on the board. White has various
16 . . . fxe6 1 7.'lWxe6t mf8D 1 8 .i.xh7 lt:l c 5 ! ?oo options:
White eventually succeeded in winning
in Kasparov - Karpov, Amsterdam 1 9 8 8 ,
but Black could be pleased enough with the
outcome of the opening.
ll.tDxd4 :E!:e8
In Arizmendi Martinez - Garcia Roman,
Andorra 2007, White maintained a minimal
plus after 1 1 . . . lt:l c5 1 2.i.c4 i.d7 1 3 .b3 :E!:e8
1 4 .i.b2 'lWc7 1 5 . lt:l f3 i.c6 1 6 . lt:l e 5 .
b d f g h
12.b3 '1Wb6 a c e
I don't quite understand what the queen is b 1 ) 1 7.lt:lxf6t!? i.xf6 1 8 . lt:l c4 'lWcS 1 9 .i.xf6
doing on b6. The most logical continuation gxf6 20.h4 is an uncomplicated way for White
would seem to be 1 2 . . . a6! ? 1 3 .i.b2 'lWc7. to achieve the better position.
13.i.b2 tlJf8 b2) 1 7.lt:lxg7! ?

This promises White a little high-class c) It seems to me that Black's best chance lay
amusement. in 1 6 . . . �c6 1 7.'2lxc6 bxc6 1 8 .'2lxf6t �xf6
1 7 . . . <;1;rxg7 1 8 .g4! 1 9 .�xf6 gxf6 20.:8d2±, allowing White a small
Not, as indicated by Tal, 1 8 . '2l g4? l2l g6. but stable plus.
16...ltlxe4 17.�xe4
Not falling into the trap: 1 7.'2lxd7? iWxf2t
1 8 .iWxf2 '2lxf2 1 9 .�xh7t �xh7 20.'2lxf8t
�xf8 2 1 . <;f;rxf2 f6+ and Black has a minimal
advantage in the ending.
17...�c8
1 8 . . . '2l g6
On 1 8 . . . h6, the continuation could be 1 9 .h4
'2l 8h7 20 .iWf3 iWc7 2 I .iWf4 :8g8! 22.<;f;rf1 ! ?
:8 d 5 23.g5 '2lxg5 24.hxg5 hxg5 2 5 .iWxg5t
<;f;rf8 26.iWf4 �d6 27.�a3 ! ? and Black's
troubles are only j ust starting. Of course this
variation isn't forced, but just have a try at
finding an improvement on Black's play - it
won't be an easy task!
1 9 .g5 iWc5 20.a3 ! ? a5 2 l . c4 <;f;rg8 22.b4! axb4
23.axb4 iWxb4 24.�a3 iWc3 2 5 .�xe7 :8xe7
26.gxf6 :8ee8 27.�xg6 hxg6 28 .iWe3 !±
Thanks to the dominating position of the
knight - particularly in contrast to the enemy
bishop - White's chances are clearly preferable.
Mter 1 8 .iWf3 Black's task would be easier:
I have only given the main line; an analysis 1 8 .. .f6 1 9 . '2l c4 iWc7 20.iWh5 f5 ! 2 l .�d3 l2l g6
of this kind of position could fill several
with a good game.
pages.
18 ... lt:l g6
b3) Finally, 1 7.iWf3! is quite a straightforward
Absolutely the only move!
route to an advantage. Then after either
1 7 . . . iWc7 1 8 .iWf4 or 1 7 . . . iWc5 1 8 .a4 :8d5
Black must avoid:
1 9 .:8e l ! , Black can make no further progress
1 8 . . . g6? 1 9 .'2l g4!
and is forced to look on while his opponent
The best move, although not the only way
improves the placing of all his pieces. In to win.
particular, Black needs to think about how After 1 9.'2l xg6! ? '2l xg6 20.�xg6 fxg6 2 1 .iWe5
to deal with a possible advance of the white
�f6D 22.iWxf6 e5 23 .iWxb6 axb6 24.:8xd8
g-pawn.
:8xd8 25 .�xe5, the endgame is winning for
White, in spite of the opposite-coloured about a situation of controlled chaos: White

bishops. would hardly be losing in any of the lines,
whereas any mistake on Black's part could have
extremely awkward consequences.
Black could defend successfully in the event of

1 9 .ixg6 hxg6 20.'\Wf3 :B:f8oo.
White does not achieve much with: 1 9 .!'!:xd8

!'!:xd8 20.lt'lxf7 !'!:f8! (20 . . . 'kt>xf7!? 2 1 .'1Wxh7 e5
22.'\Wh5 transposes to the game) 2 l .ixg6 hxg6
22.'\Whst 'kt>xf7 23 .'1Wxg7t 'kt>e8 24.id4 '1Wa5
25 .'1Wxg6t :B:f7? This variation was indicated
a b c d e f g h by Tal himsel£
1 9 . . . e5
Black cannot of course capture the queen. I have tried to extract an advantage, however
1 9 . . .f6 is also wholly bad: 20.ixf6! ixf6 slight, from 1 9 .!'!:ab l ! ? defending the bishop
2 l .lt'lxf6t 'kt>f7 22.'1MI'f3 +- (which may be important if Black plays . . . if6) .
20 JMI'xe5 f6 2 l .!'!:xd8 '1Wxd8 22.'1Wf4 ixg4 However, after the accurate reply 1 9 . . . '1Wa5 ,
23 .'1Wxg4+- neither 20.a3 ? ixa3! 2 l .!'!:al '1Wb4 nor 20.ixg6
In addition to possessing two mighty hxg6 2 1 .'1Wf3 :B:f8 22 .!'!:xd8 '1Wxd8 23.!'!:d l '1Wc7
bishops, White has managed to win a pawn promises White any trace of a plus.
- so that the result of the game is a foregone
19...@xf7 20.VlVxh7 e5 2l.�xd8 �xd8
conclusion.
Probably 2 1 . . . ixd8 was the simplest way for
Black to secure his defence.
8
7
1
b d f g h
a c
a c e
b d e f g h
Then seeing that 22.'1Wh5 ! ? \Wf6 23.!'!:e l '1Wg5
19.&2Jxf7! 24.'\Wf3t 'it>g8 would suit Black perfectly well,
An extremely interesting moment! I am White's best option obj ectively would be to
sure Tal must have realized that with precise repeat moves with 22.id5t!? ie6 (22 . . . 'kt>f6
defence Filip could repel White's onslaught, 23 .'\Wh5 !±) 23 .ie4=. However, I suspect
but he didn't see another way to improve his that Tal wouldn't have consented to such an
own position. He therefore decided to bring outcome.
Chapter 7 - Attack in the Catacombs of the Caro-Kan n 265
22.VNh5 and a perfectly good alternative is 23 . . . .ic5 ! ?

2 4 . .ixg6t Wxg6 25 .Wxe5 .ih3-+ .
s U..t�� -� -
7 �1'%.� -'- .... ,Y,��-f
�
-� �-� 7
6 ..
. .. %E
.. . .-%� � --��
�� · - ��i)� 6
s - a �rt� •
�
��v 5
�- ��
4
��-l0 �
4
3 � �� r � �% !ifij,
2 8 �� 8 - f� 8 � .
t �m � -
r---�----- � �w_L----%�-i{' ----
� a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
...
23 . . . Wb6t
Black loses immediately with both 23 . . . .ic5 t ?
22 VNe6
24.'i!l h l 1'! h 8 25 . .ixg6t ctt g8 26.Wg5 and
I can only feel sorry for Filip, who was
23 . . . 1'!h8 ?? 24 . .ixg6t ctt g8 25 .Wxe5 .
under the obligation of choosing correctly
24.'i!l h l exf4 25.1'!e l !
between numerous plausible lines. Apart from
Better than 25 .Wh7 tLl f8 26.Wxg7t ctt e8
22 . . . .ic5 , which merely transposes to the game
27.1'!e l .ie6 28 . .ic3 1'!d7 29 . .if3 Wd6, and
continuation after 23 . 'i!l h l We6 24.h3, there
with the black king securely protected, the
are three alternatives worth examining:
position offers mutual chances.
25 . . . .if8
22 . . . .id7?
25 . . . .ib4 26.Wh7!
Probably the weakest of the three.
26.c4! We6 27 . .ic3±
23 . .ixe5 .ig4
Now that the rook is safely guarded, White
23 . . . .ie8 24 . .ic7!
can improve his position unhindered.
24.Wxg4 tLlxe5 25 .Wh5t lt:l g6 26.1'!e l 1'!d2
27.ctt h 1 1'!d6
22 . . . 1'!d2!?
27 . . . 1'!xf2 is wholly bad: 28 . .ixg6t Wxg6
Tal's suggestion.
29.1'!xe7t ctt xe7 3 0.Wc5t Wd6 3 1 .Wxf2
Wdl t 32.Wg l Wxc2 33 .Wxa7 Wb l t 34.Wgl
Wxa2 3 5 .We3t with very good winning
chances for White.
28 .1'!e3 ctt e s 29.'i!lgl
White has an obvious plus.
22 . . . Wf6 23 . f4!
An essential move.
23.1'!e l Wg5 24 . .ixg6t Wxg6 25 .Wxe5 .ie6
leads to unclear play.
And 23.h4? actually loses - Tal gives a b c d e f g h
the variation 23 . . . 1'!h8! 24 . .ixg6t Wxg6
23.1'!fl We6
25 .Wxh8 .ih3 26.g3 We4 27.Wh5t ctt g 8-+,
Not 23 . . . ic5 ? 24.ixe5! E:xf2 25 .ixg6t the initiative, but Black is perfectly capable
'1Wxg6 26 .'1Wxg6t i>xg6 27.E:xf2 if5 2 8 . c3 of defending.
ixf2t 29.i>xf2 ib l 30.a3 ia2 3 1 .b4;!; and 24 . . . E:b6
I am not at all convinced that Black would Black has problems finding suitable squares
succeed in holding this difficult endgame. for his rook.
24.ic3 White would answer 24 . . . E:d4 with
24.h3 ! ? deserves attention. 25 .hg6t '1Wxg6 26.'1Wxg6t i>xg6 27.ixe7±.
24 . . . E:d6 25 .ib4 E:a6!? 26.ixe7 i>xe7 Black could consider 24 ... E:c6, but even
27.ixg6 '1Wxg6 28 .'1Wxe5t ie600 then 2 5 . E: d l '1Wf6 26.he7 i>xe7 27.ixc6
This doesn't look too dangerous for Black. '1Wxc6 28 .'1Wg5 t rJ:if7 29.c4 leads to a clear
advantage for White.
23.h3!
A remarkable move! White has no decisive
continuations, so Mikhail Tal, the chess world's
serial killer, is happy to make a bolt-hole for
his king and await his opponent's mistakes.
8
7
��-� £��-0 -�Fy�
• • m•w�
---- % � 1W i)
6 � � � �
� �� ?<%�� b d f g h
5
a c e
4 �� ,� �� 25.E:d l ! '1Wf6 26.he7 i>xe7

��
� ®'0 � %�
26 . . . '1Wxe7 27.E:d3!
3 �
� � � �w�%;,
27.ixg6 '1Wxg6 28 .'1Wxe5t ie6 29.'1Wc7t i>f6
��----- - �- - - 0�
� 8
8 � 8 ��
30.E:d3
2
I don't think Black will manage to organize
1 an adequate defence.
a b c d e f g h
However, Black had at his disposal the excellent
23. i.c5?!
..
move 23 . . . id7!?, completing his development
A critical moment in the game. We can only
at last. There could follow: 24.E:e l (or 24.hb7
imagine how much time and energy Black's
ic6 25 .ixc6 '1Wxc6 26.ixe5 Wxc2+) 24 . . . ic6
last few moves must have cost him, and finally
25 .if5 '1Wf6 26.E:xe5 (26.ixe5 '1Wg5 is also fine
he starts to go wrong.
for Black) 26 . . . E:d l t! 27.'1Wxd l tt:lxe5+ and
Black is the only one who can play for a win.
Black would have a difficult time after:
23 . . . E:d6?! 24.ia3 ! 24.i>hl!
In the event of 24.E:e l , Tal's suggestion of It's a delight to observe Tal's sang-froid! White
24 . . .'J1f8 ? is easily refuted by 25 .ixg6 '1Wxg6 is attacking without any undue haste (23 .h3!
26.'1Wh8t @f7 27.'1Wxc8. But a different and 24.i>h l !) , but such tactics splendidly
retreat of the king - 24 . . . i>g8! - is much perform their work on the opponent, especially
stronger. Then after 25 .ia3 ! ? tt:l f4 26.'1Wh7t if he is short of time. He ceases to understand
@f7 27.ixd6 '1Wxd6 28 .if3;!; White holds where the most dangerous threats are coming
Chapter 7 - Attack in the Catacombs of the Caro-Kan n 267
from, he gets nervous, and - very often - he 24 . . . l"l:d2!

will even start doing his best to help you! The play following this active move is more
interesting.
s g.i.��
�� L}� m m
��-�
7
�.&%
-·- -·t�
6
"•m
s �%� �:-t�a·
- - -�� - -;-%� �v
��
3 � ��
"
�
b�
�� r� �
� b m �r -[j
2
�-- - �� _____ ;; [j m
1
� � � <Ji?
% � a b c d e f g h
a c
/
b d e f g h 2 5 . l"l:e l !
2 5 . f4?! exf4 26.l"l:e l i.f2! 27.�h7 (if
24...�d4?
White wants to lose in a hurry, he can try
The first mistake is almost sure to be followed
27.ibxg6t?? �xg6 28 .l"l:e7t <;t>xe7 29.�xg6
by a second - such is the law of the chess
l"l:dl t 30.<;t>h2 i.g3t-+) 27 . . . lt:l e7 28.l"l:fl
j ungle! But then, the problems confronting
(not 28.�xg7t 'tt> e 8 29 .ibg6t 'tt> d 7! 30.l"l:fl
Black were becoming harder to solve with
b6-+) 28 . . . i.e3 and thanks to the active
every move. What else could he have done?
placing of his pieces, Black's chances are at
least no worse.
It is hard to recommend Tal's suggestion here:
2 5 . c4 �f6! cannot be at all to White's liking.
24 . . . :9:d6? 2 5 . f4! ?
25 . . . b6
White brings his f-pawn into the attack at
25 . . . l"l:xf2 26.i.xe5±
once.
26.f4!?
2 5 . l"l:e l ? is inferior: 2 5 . . . 'tt> g 8! (25 . . . i.d4 is
An odd sort of King's Gambit has arisen!
refuted without difficulty by 26.i.a3! l"l:d8 ! ?
Black equalizes easily after 26.ibxg6t �xg6
27.l"l:fl ! ? �a6 28.l"l:d l !, aiming t o meet
27.�xe5 'tt> g SD 28.�e8t 'tt> h7 29.�xc8
28 . . .�xa3 with 29 .ibxg6t 'tt> f6 30.f4! +-)
l"l:xf2f!.
26.f4 i.b4 27.c3 ibc5 2 8 . c4 i.b4 29 .i.d5
26.c4 leads to unclear complications:
l"l:xd5 30.cxd5 �f5 3 l .�xf5 i.xf5 32.l"l:cl
26 . . . l"l:xb2 27.i.d5 l"l:xf2 28 .i.xe6t ibxe6
l2lxf4 with chances for both sides.
29.�d l ! ? lt:J f4 30.l"l:fl l"l:xa2 and seeing that
25 . . . exf4
3 l .g3? loses to 3 l . . .i.f5 ! , White has to be
25 . . . 'tt> g8 26.fxe5 l"l:b6 27.i.d3 !+-
content with 3 1 .�h5t 'tt> f6 32.�h4t and
26.�xc5 �xe4 27.�xd6 ibxh3 28 .�d2 lt:J h4
perpetual check.
29.<;t>h2 �xg2t
26 . . . exf4 27.�h7
29 . . .ibxg2 doesn't help either: 30 .�d7t �e7
Mter 27.i.c3 i.e3 ! 28 .i.xd2 �xe4, the
3 l .�xe7t 'tt> xe7 32.ibxg7+-
activity of Black's pieces will be fully
30 .�xg2 ibxg2 3 l .l"l:gl f3 32.'tt> g3 ttJ f5 t
adequate for equality.
33.<;t>f2 g 5 34.l"l:e l g4 3 5 .i.e5
27 . . . lt:J e7! 28 .i.xg7 'tt> e 8 29 .i.c3 l"l:f2 30.�h8t
White's advantage in the ending is probably
decisive. 'tt> d7 3 l .i.e5
his lot would be unenviable: 26 ..ixd4 �xd4

(26 . . . exd4 27.�d3) 27.�xd4 exd4 28.f4! Wfxf4
29 .Wfxg6t 'i!lf8 30 . .id3 and White's chances
of winning are much greater than Black's of
drawing.
a b c d e f g h
3 l . . .:!:'!d2!
3 1 . . . .id6 is less convincing: 32 . .ixd6
Wfxd6 33 . .id3, and since 33 . . . .ib7? fails to
34.�xe7t 'iflxe7 3 5 .Wfh4t, Black has to settle
for 33 . . . �d2! 34 . .ib5 t 'i!lc7 3 5 .Wfc3t 'i!ld8
36 ..id3 when he is forced to go into a highly
unpleasant ending.
a b c d e f g h
32 . .ixf4 �d4 33 . .ie5 �xe4! 34J"!xe4 .ib7
Which side is actually doing the attacking? 26.i.a3!
3 5 . �g4 Wff5 The concluding stroke, deciding the fate of
With wholly unclear play. the game at once.
Summing up, we may say that against the 26.. J3a6

correct 24 . . . �d2! it would be very difficult, if The rook can't leave the rank; on 26 . . . �d8
possible at all, for White to gain any advantage. White has 27.�d3! +-.
25J3dl!? 27.�xd4!
A perfectly reasonable alternative was 2 5 . c3 . And Filip stopped the clock, in view of the
There could follow: 2 5 . . . .ib6!? (better than wholly uncomplicated variation: 27 . . . exd4
2 5 . . . .ixf2 26.�fl �d2 27 . .ic l ! �xa2 28 . .ib l + (or 27 . . . �xa3 28 .id5) 28 .id5 �xa3 29 .Wff5t
or 25 . . . .ic5 26.�fl ! .id6 27.f4+-) 26.�fl .ic7 'i!le8 (29 ... 'ifle7 30 .ixe6 ixe6 3 1 .Wfc5 t is j ust
27. c4 �d6 Hoping to evacuate his king to a as hopeless) 30 .ixe6 .ixe6 3 1 .Wfxg6t+-
safe place. 2 8 . f4 exf4 29.�e l ! 'it>g8 30.Wfxg6 l-O
Wfxg6 3 1 . .ixg6±
A remarkable game and a genuine "Tal
25...�d6? game" . White acquired a small plus out of the
Filip was hard put to find a move that didn't opening, but on account of the slight lapse on
lose immediately. Neither 25 . . . .ib6 26.�xd8! move 1 6, his opponent practically recovered
.ixd8 27.f4+- nor 25 ... �h8 26 . .ixg6t 'it>g8 to full equality. Tal was soon confronted with
27.Wfg5+- would have met that demand. a dilemma: he could carry on for a few more
moves, settle for half a point, and for a long
As a final attempt to offer resistance, Black time afterwards bemoan the "death of draws"
probably had to play 25 . . . Wff6, but even then that chess faced - or else he could go in for a
nearly correct piece sacrifice. The risk he was I I ..id2!?

taking was not great - it was only at move 23 After 1 l ..if4 a4 1 2 . .ia2 ttl bd5 1 3 .ie5 b5
that Black could have gained a slight advantage 1 4 . c3 1Wa5 1 5 .1Wc2 ttl b6 1 6 . ttl e2, White's
by playing . . . .id7! - and think how many chances are slightly preferable, Lie - Groenn,
dangers Filip had to live through, both before Norwegian Championship 200 1 .
and after that moment! On the very next move,
he could still (to all appearances) have secured ll ...ttlbd5?!
a draw, but when it came to playing 24 .. .l:'�d2! Through the efforts of both opponents, the
his powers failed him. After another relatively game has very quickly stepped outside the
slight error on Black's part, Tal took just three bounds of known theory. I suspect that Jon
more moves to conclude the game victoriously. Speelman - who incidentally was playing with
quite phenomenal strength in those years -
Mikhail Tal- Jonathan Speelman was a little afraid of his legendary opponent;
prepared to play defensively, he was intent on
Subotica 1 9 87 reaching a safe and solid position.
l.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.ttld2 dxe4 4.ttlxe4 ttld7 From the objective standpoint it would have
5 .ic4
• been better to open up the game in the centre
Even the great ones follow the fashion! In the by 1 1 . . . c5 1 2 .dxc5 tt.:l bd7. In Bach - Nisipeanu,
mid- 1 9 80s this move attracted the attention Spain 1 996, the continuation was 1 3 .c6 bxc6
of practical players and analysts alike, and 1 4 . tt.:l d4 ia6 1 5 .tt.:lxe6 fxe6 1 6.1Wxe6, and now
the majority of Caro-Kann games began in Black could have obtained an excellent game
precisely this way. with 1 6 . . . tt.:l c5 ! 1 7.1Wf7t d7 1 8 .0-0-0 �c8+.
5 ... �gf6 6.ttlg5 e6 7.Vffe2 �b6 8..ib3 h6 It was also worth considering 1 1 . . . 0-0
9.tt\5f3 a5 IO.a3 1 2. 0-0-0 c5 ! ? .
12.c4 ttlc7 13..ic2

I would prefer 1 3 .!:1d l ! ? , answering 1 3 . . . b5
with 1 4. tt.:\ e5 or even 1 4.c5 ! ? .
a b c d e f g h 3
IO....ie7 2
At this point 1 0 . . . a4! ? 1 l ..ia2 c5, clearing 1
the ground for future queenside counterplay,
a b c d e f g h
looks quite good.
13...0-0? 1 7.g4! White would still have a formidable

That Jon should have decided to castle in attack, but at least the black queen would not
this situation is nothing short of amazing! All be subject to harassment from the enemy pieces.
White's pieces are aiming at the kingside, and
the position of the pawn on h6 is positively
provoking him into launching a pawn storm.
Black simply had to continue: 1 3 . . . b5 1 4. c5

(on 1 4. lLl e5 , he might well be able to get away
with 1 4 . . . '1Wxd4 1 5 .i.c3 'IMfcS 1 6. lLl gf3 bxc4?)
14 . . . b4 1 5 .axb4 i.a6 1 6.'1Wd 1 axb4 1 7.i.xb4±
Black has fair compensation for the pawn, and
at least his pieces can take a direct part in the
action. As the game goes, they don't succeed
in doing so!
14.�e5!
Many players would prefer to make one 16.�gf3
more prophylactic move - 1 4.1'l:d l . However, A remarkable position arises after: 1 6.1'l:d 1 !
after 1 4 . . . b5 1 5 .ll:\ e5 bxc4 Black's chances of a '!We8 1 7.'1Mfd3 (threatening 1 8 . lLl g4!) 1 7 . . . '\WdS
successful defence would clearly be improving. (or 17 . . . g6 1 8 .'1We3) 1 8 .'1Wg3 '!We8 1 9 . lLl e2 and
With the move played, Tal prevents . . . bS - Black is almost in zugzwang. But Mikhail Tal
and for this he is quite prepared to pay the prefers to play for mate rather than concern
small price of a pawn. For someone who had himself with restricting the activity of his
sacrificed hundreds of pieces in the course of opponent's pieces.
his life, this price does not seem excessive!
16... �ce8 17.g4!
14...Wfxd4 Off we go! Black has nothing with which
Anything but a timid player, Jon Speelman to oppose the attack that is now starting. His
understands that he will have to suffer pieces on the queenside, taking no part in the
anyway, and wants to acquire some material defence of their monarch, make an impression
compensation, however slight. that is just too pitiful.
15..ic3 17...b5
In answer to 1 5 . 0-0-0 Tal was a little afraid By offering material, Speelman tries to divert
of 1 5 . . . i.xa3 , but White's chances would still his opponent from the attack on the king.
be superior: 1 6. bxa3 '!Wa l t 1 7.i.b 1 '!Wxa3 t
1 8 .<Jic2 bS 1 9 .'1Mff3 and Black's attack has After 1 7 . . . '1Wc7 1 8 .h4 hS 1 9 .g5 lLl g4 20.lLlxg4
come to a dead end. hxg4 2 1 . lLl e 5 ± Black's troubles are only j ust
beginning.
15...Wfd8
It might have been better to retreat with And in the event of 1 7 . . . lLl d6 1 8 .h4 hS
1 5 . . . '1Wb6!?, although it makes no huge 1 9 . lLl g5 ! hxg4 (or 1 9 . . . '1Wc7 20.gxh5 lLl fS
difference to the position. After 1 6.lLlgf3 lLl a6 2 1 .1'l:g 1 +-) 20.lLlxg4+-, the opening of the
Chapter 7 - Attack in the Catacombs of the Caro-Kan n 27 1
g-file means that there will not be long to wait 19 ... E1a6
before the end of the game. After 1 9 . . . bxc4!? 20.lt:lxc6 Wff c7 2 1 .lLl xe7t
Wffxe7 22.Wffxc4, the white queen switches to
h4 with decisive effect.
I tried in vain to find a black defence with:

1 9 . . . Wic7 20.E1gl �d6
18.g5
b d f g h
Tal has evidently scented blood and is paying a c e
no attention to his opponent's actions.
2 1 . lLl g4
White may also choose the prosaic 2 1 .cxb5
In fact it was perfectly possible to take the
cxb5 22.lt:lg4 lt:lxg4 23 .�h7t Wh8 24.Wffxg4
pawn - after 1 8 .lt:l xc6 ! ? Wff c? 1 9 .cxb5 ± White
�e5 25 .Wih3 lt:l f6, and now he can replace
has a virtually won position - but Tal has a
anger with mercy and merely pick up the
more interesting target in his sights!
rook on a8 instead of giving mate.
2 1 . . . e5
Personally I would probably have preferred
The long but virtually forced variation
1 8 .h4! . Then after 1 8 . . . bxc4 1 9 .g5 lLl dS
2 l . . .Wff e 7 22.�xf6 lt:lxf6 23.lt:lxf6t Wffxf6
20.gxh6 lt:l xc3 2 1 .bxc3 �f6 22.E1gl +-, the
24. lt:l e4 Wff e 7 2 5 . lt:l xd6 Wffxd6 26.E1xg7t!
black king cannot survive. However, the move
Wxg7 27.Wffg4t ®f6 28 .Wih4t We5 29.f4t
in the game is not in any way worse.
W d4 30.0-0-0t Wc5 3 1 .Wif2t+- could
easily be worked out in a few minutes.
18 ...hxg5 19.lLlxg5
22.lLlxf6t lt:lxf6 23.cxb5 cxb5 24. lt:l e4 lt:lxe4
2 5 .Wixe4 g6 26.�b3 Wg7 27.Wffxa8 �e6
a b c d e f g h
28 .i.xa5 ! :B:xa8 29 .i.xc7 i.xc7 30 .i.xe6 fxe6 23.Cll exf7?!

3 1 .0-0-0 Interestingly, at the scent of imminent
White has an easy win. victory, even the strongest and most
experienced players (let us ignore the rare
20.�£3 exceptions) will start to get excited and miss
the strongest continuations, thus making their
task more complicated. If at this point Tal had
played 23.lLlgxf7! Wfd2t 24.'it>fl 'it>g7 25 .i.c2
:B:g8 26.1'l:d l ! +- or 23 .�7t 'it>g7 24.:B:dl +
the game would have been close to its end.
Now, for the first time in ages, Black may hope
to obtain some realistic defensive chances.
23 �d2t 24.'it>fl :B:xf7

•..
7
a b c d e f g h
6
20 b4
•..
An attempt to reduce White's pressure 5

somehow by 20 . . . i.d6 2 1 .Wfh3 i.xe5 is no 4
help either: 22.i.h7t 'it>h8 23.i.xe5 Wfb6 (or
23 . . . bxc4 24.i.c2t 'it>g8 2 5 .:B:gl +-) 24.i.d3t 3
'it>g8 25 .:B:gl bxc4 (25 . . . g6 26.lLlh7!+- doesn't 2
even allow Black to prolong his resistance)
1
26.i.h7t! �h8 27.i.c2t 'it>g8 2 8 . lLl h7 and
Black will quickly be mated. a b c d e f g h
25.i.xf7t!
21.�h3! g6 22.i.xg6! bxc3
Fortunately Tal manages to recover in time
The game could have ended amusingly after
and limit himself to j ust one mistake!
22 . . . fxg6 23 . lLl xg6 'it>g7, and now 24 Wfh7#!
With 2 5 . lLl xf7? ri>f8 ! (not 25 . . . 'it>g7?? 26.:B:gl

'it>f8 27.Wfh8t lLl g8 28 .i.h7 +-) , the course of
the duel would be radically altered: 26.Wfh8t
lLl g8 27.1Mfxc3 (27.i.h7? simply loses to
27 . . . i.h4!) 27 . . . Wfxc3 28.bxc3 i.f6+ with the
better ending for Black.
25 ...�g7 26J3:gl �xg5?

Desperation! This move practically amounts
to an admission that the game is over and the
time has come to put the pieces back in their
starting positions.
a b c d e f g h
Black would lose just as quickly with 26 . . . cxb2 As clever people say, at first you work for
27. tt.:l f3t tt.:l g4 28 .�xg4t ig5 29J�b l �d3t your reputation, then your reputation works
30. 'it>g2+-. for you! We have looked at several games by
Tal in the Caro-Kann, and time and again we
Instead it was imperative for him to play have witnessed the same scenario: a strong
26 . . . ic5 ! ? , leading to the forced variation: grandmaster shies away from the theoretical
27.tt.:lf3t 'it>xf7 28.tt.:lxd2 cxd2 29.�dl id4 lines that sometimes lead to double-edged,
30J�xd2 c5 complex positions, and prefers to defend
passively. The punishment was usually fierce
and inexorable. So I can give you this good
advice: work to enhance your reputation! I
cannot say that Speelman made many mistakes
in this game; I dare say l l . . . tt.:l bd5?! and,
especially, 1 3 . . . 0-0? were second-rate moves.
Tal's attacking play was on the highest level.
He was happy to sacrifice a pawn in order to
open up extra lines for the onslaught, he threw
all his forces over to the kingside, and the
triumphant march of his g-pawn settled the
a b c d e f g h
outcome of the game. And all this happened
Quite a bizarre distribution of material! in a game that was not against some unknown
White of course has a decisive plus, but at least amateur but against one of the strongest players
he would need to play with a certain precision. in the world at that time. There is nothing
more for me to say, other than the admiring
8 words: Bravo Tal!
7 Lev Psakhis - Amador Rodriguez

6
Sochi 1 98 8
5
4 I.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.ctd2 dxe4 4.ctxe4 ctd7

5.tt.:lg5 tbdf6?!
3
A rare move, and not an especially good one.
2 For some reason unknown to me, the Cuban
Grandmaster considered me an expert on the
1
fashionable variation 5 . . . tt.:l gf6 6.id3 (Could
a c d e f g h he j ust have been confusing me with someone
27J:l�xg5t c;!?xf7 28.bxc3! e5? else?) , and decided to bypass the theoretical
This move must have been made in severe disputes. To be fair, I should add that 5 . . . tt.:l df6
time trouble. Realizing that White would met with Anatoly Karpov's favour and that it
simply reply 29 .�xc8 , Jon Speelman stopped isn't so simple for White to gain an advantage
the clock. against it.
1-0
6.i.c4 ctd5
In HUbner - Karpov, Belfort 1 98 8 , Black 1 2 . . . ltl gf6 1 3 .ltlxf6t ltlxf6 1 4 .Wfb3 0-0
gradually managed to equalize after 6 . . . e6 1 5 .W/xb7 Black can't play 1 5 . . .Wfxd4 on
7.ltl 1 f3 h6 8 . ltl h3 id6 9 .Wfe2 ltl e7 1 0 .id2 account of 1 6.ixf7t!) 1 3 .c3 ig7 (or 1 3 . . . ie5
Wfc7 1 1 . 0-0-0 b 5 . 1 4 . ltl c5 ih2t 1 5 .mxh2 Wfd6t 1 6.'it>g 1 Wfxc5
1 7.ib3, and I am at a loss to understand how
7.tl:nf3 g6 s.o-o J.g7 Black is to complete his development) 1 4.ib3
with splendid compensation for the pawn.
ll ... ltlg£6 12.ltlc5!?

White also has a pleasant position following
1 2.ttJxf6t ixf6 1 3 .h3 ixf3 1 4.Wfxf3t, but I
like the game move better.
a b c d e f g h
9J�el h6
In the case of 9 . . . ltl gf6 1 0 . ltl e 5 0-0 1 1 . c3
h6 1 2 . ltl gf3t White's chances are somewhat
superior, thanks to his unchallenged control of
the e5-square.
10.ttle4 J.g4 ll.c3

The position Black has constructed is
astonishingly passive, without any chances
of counterplay. No wonder White has no
problems in obtaining the better game; in fact
he can do so in various ways. 13...hf3 14.¥Nxf3 0-0 15.J.b3!? b6 16.ti:)d3
Spassky - Karpov, Belfort 1 98 8 , continued

interestingly: 1 1 . a4 ltl gf6 1 2 .ltlxf6t ixf6
1 3 .:ga3 ! ? mf8 1 4.h3 ixf3 1 5 .:gxf3 �g7 1 6. c3
Wfd7 1 7 .Wfd3t
Alternatively 1 1 . ltl c 5 ! ? b6 1 2. ltl d3 , aiming to

bring the knight to e5, doesn't look bad.
The strongest move, however, is 1 1 .h3 ! .

There may follow: 1 l . . .ixf3 1 2.Wfxf3 ixd4
(the pawn sacrifice has to be accepted; after
a b c d e f g h
16...b5 19.ttJxf4 i>h7?

While engaged in analysing this game, I A mistake for which Black receives immediate
discovered to my astonishment that the present punishment. I had spent much more time on
position was reached in Kabanov - Gladkikh, the consequences of the more logical 1 9 . . . e6.
Novosibirsk 1 99 9 . That game continued Incidentally, how would you have replied to
1 6 . . . e6 1 7. c4 ( 1 7.i.d2!?) 17 . . . ttJ e7 1 8 .i.f4 that move?
( 1 8 .i.xh6? i.xh6 1 9 ."Wxf6 i.g7) 1 8 . . . "Wd7
1 9 .i.e5 ttJ e8 20.:gad l , and again Black failed
to equalize. Rodriguez tries not to allow c3-c4,
but in addition to its advantages his move has
some snags, which I succeeded in exploiting.
17.a4 a6
8 1�uf\t&mJf��W�-J-i�
i�
r-··X� . . %--,��. b d f g h
1
.
. :. :. • ....
a c e
6 . .
White obviously has to sacrifice something
�W'0 ��
5
�� x
-
or he won't be able to break down Black's
4
- w� a defences, but what is it to be - rook, bishop
3 ulnlt)�-�- �
or knight?
�� . .. %� ��8� a) White obtains good prospects with 20 .i.xe6.

2
. . �%""J. .. �
�� . �
�W,'0
.
%""'}' ��-0
��
Then 20 . . . fxe6 2 1 .lt:lxe6 "Wb7 22.lt:lxf8 :gxf8
1 . .
�+ � 23.axb5 axb5 24.:ge6 leaves Black very badly
a b c d e f g h off. But even after the strongest reply, 20 . . . g5!
18..if4!±
An interesting conception. I am willing
to play with bishops of opposite colours,
reckoning that my own bishop will be stronger
and more active than my opponent's . A
point of some importance, of course, is that
Black will be exchanging off the pride of his
position - the knight on d5 which has been
a great hindrance to me in implementing my
attacking ideas.
By no means a bad alternative was 1 8 .i.d2!?, a b c d e f g h
but I was afraid that in that case Black would 2 1 . lt:l g6!? fxe6 22.lt:lxf8 :gxf8 23.:gxe6 lt:l d5
manage to strengthen his position further. 24."We4t, White's chances must be preferred.
18...et}xf4 b) Playing the black side is also difficult

The retreat 1 8 . . . "Wc8 doesn't look too following the knight sacrifice: 20.ttJxg6! ? fxg6
attractive for Black after 1 9 .i.e5 ± . 2 1 .:gxe6 Wh8 22.:gxc6 "Wb8t
c) During the game I was intending: 20.axb5

20J�xe6! fxe6 2 1 .i.xe6t! Another move that promises some interesting
2 1 .lt:lxe6 Vfifl 22.Vfixc6 E!:fc800 isn't so possibilities is:
convincing 20 .Wig3 ! ? E!:a7!?
2 l . . .'�h7 On 20 ... E!:ac8, White has the splendid
choice between 2 1 .i.xf7 E!:xf7 22.Wfxg6t
c;t>gs 23.lt:le6 Wid6 24.E!:e3t, and the less
trivial 2 1 .i.e6!? lt:l d7, whereupon the attack
with 22.h4 is highly unpleasant - for Black.
a b c d e f g h
22.lt:lxg6!
White's pieces are positively running wild!
22 . . . E!:fe8 23 .Wif5 E!:xe60
a b c d e f g h
2 1 .i.xf7!? E!:xf7 22.Wfxg6t c;t>g8 23 . lt:l e6 Wid?

24.axb5 cxb5
24 . . . axb5 ? allows the superb reply
2 5 .lt:ld8!!+-.
25 .E!:e3 tt:l e8 26.E!:ae l
White has more than enough compensation
for the sacrificed piece.
20...cxb5
The only move, seeing that 20 . . . axb5 ? loses
a b c d e f g h
to the elementary 2 1 .E!:xa8 E!:xa8 22 .ixf7+-.
24.lt:le5t
Two alternatives are roughly equal in value
to this move.
One is 24. lt:l f4t c;t>hs 2 5 . lt:l xe6 Wid? 26.axb5
cxb5 27.f4!, aiming to support the knight
with f4-f5 at the requisite moment.
The other is 24.lt:l e7t c;t>h8 25.Wfxe6 E!:e8
26.E!:e l bxa4 27.Wff7, with the powerful
threat of E!:e6 ! .
24 . . . c;t>h8 25 .Wfxe6±
With excellent prospects in either the
middlegame or a possible ending.
21.i.xf7! 24.ctJe5 �f£8

A sacrifice my opponent had underestimated.
21...�xf7 22.tl.hg6!
White's entire strategy relies on this fine
move!
Of course, after 22.Wfxa8 ? Wfxf4 Black could
have breathed a sigh of relief at last.
8
7
5 a b c d e f g h
4 25.ctJ c6?!
3 In a game featuring a tense struggle, you
rarely come through without making any
2 mistakes. Up to this point I was completely
1 satisfied with my play, but unfortunately
two inaccuracies could have put my win in
a b c d e f g h
jeopardy.
22...�d8
After the desperate 22 . . . �xg6, White could After 25 Jk6! Wl'a7 (25 . . . Wfb7? 26J':!:xf6) 26.�e6
simply take the rook; indeed 23 .Wfxa8+ ctJ d7 27.Wfg3 ctJ xe5 28J' H xe 5 , the exploitation
would be a highly professional decision! But of White's advantage would not have taken
if he really wanted, he could mate the black much time!
king: 23 .Wfd3t c;t>g5 24.h4t �xh4 2 5 . g3t
�g5 26.f4t �g4 27.Wfg6t c;t>h3 28J�e2 ct:l g4 25...�d5!
29.Wfh5t �xg3 30.�g2t c;t>xf4 3 1 .Wfxg4t �e3 The only move. 25 . . . �d7? loses quickly after
32.Wfe2t c;t>f4 33 .�fl # 26.Wff5 ! ? �e8 27.�e6!, when the white pieces
completely dominate the board.
Black would also face a tough defensive task
in the event of: 22 . . . �a7 23 . ctJ e5 �f8 24. ct:\ c6 26.VNe2 �d6 27.VNxb5?!
�b7 2 5 .Wff5 t (similarly after 25.�xe7 Wfxe7 A second inaccuracy.
26.ctJxe7 �xe7 27.Wff5 t c;t>hs 28.�xa6, serious
responses from the black side are difficult to White would keep some winning chances
find) 25 . . . c;t>hs 26.ctJe5 �g8 27.�xa6+- with 27.ctJxe7t ctJxe7 28.�xd6 Wfxd6 29 .Wfxe7
Wfxe7 30.�xe7 b4!, but I was afraid of multiple
23.�xa6 �g8 exchanges and wanted to keep the queens on
The knight is invulnerable - on 23 . . . �xg6? the board.
White mates in a few moves: 24.Wfe4t! c;t>g5
2 5 J�xf6! c;t>xf6 26.Wfe6t �g5 27.Wl'g4t � f6 27... �c8?
28.�e6# Amador has defended well, but at the critical
moment he misses the strongest line. After He had to continue: 29 . . . .txe5 30 .l:'i:xe5
27 . . . iMfd7! White would have his work cut out (30.dxe5 is also playable, for instance 30 . . . l:l:xa6
to obtain any advantage at all. For example: 3 l .iMfxa6 iMfb6 32.iMfc4 e6 33 .iMfg4t �h7
28.l:'i:a5 (or 28 .iMfc4 'it>h8 29.tt:le5 iMff5 ! and 34.c4 tt:l e7 3 5 .l:'i:dl with a large plus) 30 . . . iMfb7
Black has everything in order) 28 . . . e6 2 9 . tt:l e5 (30 . . . l:l:xb2? 3 1 .iMfe8t �g7 32.l:'i:a8+-)
.txe5 30.iMfxd7 l:'i:xd7 3 l .l:'i:xe5 tt:l f4 32.�h2 3 l .l:'i:xd6 exd6 32.l:'i:e8t �f7 33.l:'i:xb8 iMfxb8
l:'i:g7! 33 .g4!, and despite his opponent's material 34.iMfc4 and White should eventually achieve
plus, Black maintains drawing chances. the win.
28Jt:J e5 30.gxd6
It was worth considering 28.l:'i:e6!? l:l:xe6 An even simpler winning line was 30.iM!e8t
29 .iMfxd5 iMfxc6 30.l:'i:xc6 l:l:cxc6 3 l .b4+-, �h7 3 l .l:'i:a8 +-, but I was following my
after which the white passed pawns cannot be predetermined plan.
stopped; note that the black bishop is taking
virtually no part in the game. However, the 30...�xd6
move I played is not at all inferior. The other recapture is j ust as hopeless:
30 . . . exd6 3 l .iMfe8t 'it>h7 32.iMfg6t �g8
33 .iMfe6t 'it>h7 34.iMff5 t �g8 3 5 . tt:l d7+-
3I.lZlc4
And in view of the elementary 3 1 . . .iM!b8
32.tt:lxb2 iMfxb2 33 .iMfa8t, Rodriguez resigned.
1-0
In this game Black made practically no
mistakes, except j ust one: his passive variation
was the main cause of his defeat. Passivity and
its close relation, cowardice, are in my view the
cardinal chess sins.
a b c d e f g h Concluding this chapter, I would like to

28.. J�b8 29.�a4 gxb2? apologize to lovers of the Caro-Kann. I know
Rodriguez succumbs to the tension and loses very well that there are no bad openings, j ust
the game within a few moves. bad exponents of them. In my own games I
had problems time and again in my efforts to
He would also be in a bad way after 29 . . . l:l:xa6 overcome this defence, but I have been able
30.iMfxa6 tt:l f4 3 l .l:'i:e4 l:'i:f8 32.iMfc4t iMfxc4 to do that now, in this book - my book, in
33.tt:lxc4 tt:l d5 34.g3 ! ? , when Black's drawing which it would be quite impossible to demand
chances in the ending are minimal. complete objectivity from me!
ChapterS
Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard Openings
E:>enidorm 2002
Kar p ov - fsakhis
Diagram Preview
7
6
5
4
How does Black cash in on We are getting towards the

his advantages? end, but how do we get there?
(see page 297) (see page 3 1 3)
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
White to play. How can Calculate the winning lines What is Black's best defence?
he hold? (see page 308) (see page 3 1 8)
(see page 288)
8 .... 8 .... 8
7 7 7
6 6 6
5 5 5
4 4 4
3 3 3
2 2 2
Black is winning. Find the A positional decision A party trick

deep line that proves this. (see page 309) (see page 3 1 8)
(see page 290)
Chapter 8 - Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard Openings 28 1
I thought for quite a long time about which

opening to discuss at the end of this book.
Chapters on the French, King's Indian and
Griinfeld Defences are missing of course, but
the trouble is that a survey of the attacking
possibilities in any of those openings, if done
thoroughly, would require between a third and
one half of the book's total length. Instead,
therefore, I decided to dwell on some relatively
unorthodox lines - although adherents of the
English Opening, of course, may j ustly balk at
this slightly disrespectful designation of their
favourite system.
Naturally the moves l .li:l f3 and l . c4 are
5.c4
oriented primarily towards positional play,
I was astonished at my opponent's last
but ultimately everything depends on us, the move, and treated it pc.rhap� vv i Lh LUU ru uch
players - on our disposition and our wish to deference.
play in an aggressive and creative style - and
I very much hope that the games I am going From a quick examination of the line 5 . d4!?
to present will convince you that an opening e5 6 . dxe5 dxe5 7.Wxd8 t �xd8, it seemed to
in which the kings can feel safe has yet to be me that Black would equalize with no trouble.
devised! However, Black's inadequate development
makes itself felt even with the queens off, and
Lev Psakhis - Alvis Vitolins after (say) 8 . 0-0:
USSR Championship (First League) 1 979
l .�f3
I chose this move, which for me is quite a
rare one, not so much to avoid complications
- in games against Vitolins that would have
been wholly unrealistic - but at least in order
to postpone the start of them until a later
stage in the game. How far my cunning plan
succeeded, you may j udge for yourselves.
a b c d e f g h
I..J[l£6 2.g3 b6 3.�g2 �b7 4.b3 White is doing well. For example:
A more solid move would have been 4.0-0,
but in those years I had a great weakness for Mter 8 . . . i.d6 9 .i.b2 lt:l bd7 White is promised
fianchettoed bishops. Oddly enough, I should a stable advantage in the ending by either
add that in this game the bishop never actually 1 0 .Eid 1 or 1 0 . lt:l a3 ! ? .
goes to b2.
8 . . . lt:l bd7
4 ... d6!? This is even less successful in view of:
9.E:d l ! time on the routine . . . 0-0 but instead strikes

More convmcmg than 9 . tLl xe5? .ixg2 a blow where it hurts White the most! The
1 0.ttJxf7t lt>e8 1 1 .ttJxh8 .ixfl 1 2 .\t>xfl black bishop eyes the white pieces on the a 1 -
.id6, after which the knight is easy prey for h 8 diagonal with undisguised interest, and
the black pieces. some fairly inventive play is now required from
The pin on the d-file is then extremely White.
. .. ..�,. "%-·-·
awkward for Black, for instance:
9 . . . lt>e7
.
.�. - �-·� �� ·Y.
. . %-.... %� �-f·��
8
9 . . . .id6? is immediately refuted by 1 0 . tLl g5 ! 7
.ixg2 1 l .ttJxf7t lt>e7 1 2.ttJxd6 with a 6
', , � �
%
!
decisive plus.
� -� �
�
1 0 . ttJ bd2t
�%,
5
��
With most unpleasant pressure.
"""� �
� ��-� �
.
4
'"/;?
m�m .. • �[!}
s...es 6.COc3 g6
�-. :B �:.. . . .
3
2 r.Y ��fwdiJ�
1
� a b c d e f g h
ll..i£4!?
White's lead in development now becomes
truly menacing! Black has yet to complete the
mobilization of his pieces, and this move rather
transparently threatens a knight sortie to b 5 .
A more cautious choice was:

1 1 ."1Wd3
But after, for example:
1 l . . . c5 ! ?
White does better out o f 1 1 . . .0-0 1 2.E:d 1
c5 1 3 . tLl c2, as the pin on the d-file is fairly
unpleasant for Black.
.
8. exd4 9.COxd4 .ixg2 10.xg2
White's advantage would be obvious if he
could establish a pawn on e4, but right now
it is Black's turn to move, and my ingenious
opponent thwarts my plans with quite a
surprising ploy.
10...d5!
An interesting move! Vitolins doesn't waste
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 8 - Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard Openings 283
1 2. ttl f3 1 4 . ttl xd5 Wxa 1 1 5 .VNd3 With a very strong

It would of course be possible to play attack.
1 2.VNe3 t c;t>f8 preventing Black from
castling, but this brings White no obvious c) Finally, the optimistic (no doubt over
gains - for instance 1 3 . .ta3 c;t>g8 1 4 . ttl c2 d4 optimistic!) 1 1 . . . dxc4 comes up against the
1 5 .VNf3 ttl bd7, and Black can be optimistic extremely troublesome: 1 2.e3! h6 1 3 .VNf3
�if- - - --�- -·- �·-

"··--�-- -
about the future.
1 2 . . . d4 1 3 . ttl e4 8 .i .
Or 1 3 .ttld5 ttlxd5 1 4.VNe4t c;t>fs 1 5 . cxd5
ttl d7 1 6 . .tg5 VNe8, and the weakness of the
7
6 %..... %� �.-.��
%....
d5-pawn is quite palpable.

1 3 . . . 0-0 1 4 . .tg5 ttl bd7
-----l<� ��'� �-----'� -b?----"
White has no trace of an advantage. : �a!m
:w�c/ � --- - -�'9�
r� �-
3 -
Q /�:
• A .if''':�, ��'I.Wiif ��r�
�z i¥i iOz fl�
To all appearances, the most awkward move to 2 t3J ->------- -----"d�� --
meet would have been 1 1 .ig5! .
��-�-:.- - -
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . ttl bd7 (In the case of 1 3 . . . hxg5 1 4.Wxa8

Wc8 1 5 . ttl f3t Black's initiative is only
temporary whereas his material losses are
permanent!) 1 4.ixf6 ixf6 1 5 . ttl c6 Wc8
1 6 .:!'hc 1 Black is not to be envied!
ll tlJh5!
...
Again an interesting but incredibly risky

move! You get the impression that my opponent
b d f g h
a c e
isn't bothered at all about such standard aims
Black is then in dire straits, for example: as the development of his pieces and the safety
of his king.
a) After the most natural reply, 1 l . . .c5,
White has the following long and practically At this point 1 l . . . dxc4 1 2. ttl db5 looks too
forced variation at his disposal: 1 2.ttlxd5 ! dangerous for him.
cxd4 1 3 .VNxd4 ttl bd7 1 4 .l'l:ad 1 0-0 1 5 .VNh4
l'l:e8 1 6.ttlxf6t ixf6 1 7.ixf6 VNxf6 1 8 .l'l:xd7 The least of the evils is probably the most
VNc6t 1 9.l'l:d5 l'l:xe2 20.a4 l'l:b2 2 1 .VNe4± With natural move in the position, 1 1 . . . 0-0 ! ? .
excellent winning chances. There could follow: 1 2.e3! dxc4 (after
1 2 . . . c5 1 3 .ttl db5 a6 1 4 . ttl c7 l'l:a7 1 5 . ttl 7xd5
b) Nor does 1 I . . .h6 1 2.ixf6 VNxf6 hold out ttlxd5 1 6 .ttlxd5 White has more than enough
many rosy prospects for Black: 1 3 . ttl db 5 ! compensation for the exchange) 1 3 .VNf3
( 1 3 . ttlxd5 ! ? also merits attention, but w e shall ttl a6 1 4 .l'l:fd 1 VNe7 1 5 .bxc4 Wc5 1 6. ttl d 5 ! ?;!;
contain ourselves) 1 3 . . . ttl a6D ( 1 3 . . . 0-0 loses Notwithstanding his opponent's fairly obvious
material after 1 4 . ttl xd5 VNxa 1 1 5 .VNxa 1 ixa 1 advantage, Black's defensive resources are not
1 6. ttl dxc7 ie5 1 7.ttlxa8 ttl c6 1 8 . ttl ac7t) yet exhausted.
8
7
�. -
- - - - --·-
'- - -%- ·-�-
·· ·
6
-- - - %- -- . - %� �� , Y-�
, �
��- '�
s ;&- �%� ��
l Wo'/ �
� �
m
4 -8� � -
-�� m-�- - :- - - -��
�-- �-----;- tJ - J- %��
3
�J�rd"-
2
� I) :j -�
b d f g h
l p� -"if- � �
a c e
Now there are at least two interesting

a b c d e f g h continuations at Black's disposal:
12.e3!?
An excellent move. Black wins after a) 1 4 . . . .ixc3 1 5 .lt:lxc3 d4 1 6.:1!el t <i!?f8 1 7.Wf3
1 2 .lt:lxd5? lt:lxf4t 1 3 .gxf4 c6, and he also has lt:l d7 1 8 . lt:\ d5 <i!?g? 1 9 ,l:!e7 The activity of
a large plus in the event of 1 2.cxd5 lt:lxf4t White's pieces more than compensates for the
1 3 .gxf4 c5! 1 4 . dxc6 11Nxd4 1 5 .11Nxd4 .ixd4. slight defects of his pawn structure.
On the other hand, 1 2 .Wd2 !? deserved
consideration. b) White's chances are also preferable in the
In selecting 1 2.e3, I was counting on the event of:
opening of the e-file, and another quite 1 4 . . . a6 1 5 .1!Nxd 5 ! Wxd5t 1 6. lt:lxd5 axb5
important point is that the e2-square becomes 1 7. lt:l c7t \!ld7 1 8 .lt:lxa8 .ixa l
available to a white knight. Also, incidentally, Or 1 8 . . . <i!/c6 1 9 . cxb5t <i!?xb5 20.l:!ad l lt:l a6
in some lines White threatens a queen 2 l .lt:\xb6 <i!?xb6 22.l:!d7, and in this specific
sortie to £3. In short, the move I played has case the rook is significantly stronger than
many points in its favour and only one snag: the two minor pieces.
White's kingside pawn structure ceases to be
ideal.
12 ... lt:lxf4t
Things turn out much worse for Black in
the case of: 1 2 . . . dxc4?! 1 3 .Wf3 lt:lxf4t 1 4 .exf4
( 1 4.gxf4 doesn't look bad either; after 1 4 , . . .ixd4
1 5 .:1!ad l White has the initiative) 1 4 . . . .ixd4
1 5 ,:1!ad l lt:la6 1 6.:1!xd4!? Wxd4 1 7.Wxa8t <i!?d?
1 8 .11Nf3 White's attack is gathering speed.
a b c d e f g h
13.exf4 0-0?!
Perhaps it was worth putting off castling a 1 9 . cxb5 !
little longer with: 1 3 . . . c5 ! ? 1 4 . lt:l db5 ( 1 4.l:!el t Mter 1 9 .l:!xa l <i!?c6 20.cxb5 t <i!?xb 5 ! 2 1 .a4t
<i!?f8 1 5 . lt:l db5 a6 leads to a loss of material for <i!lc6 the knight fails to escape from the
White) trap.
1 9 . . . .id4 20.l:!e l !
The immediate 20.tZ:lxb6t ®c7 2 1 . tLl c4 pawn - which I went to such trouble to acquire
doesn't look bad either. - is converted from a formidable strength into
20 . . J�d8 a weakness, and you may get the impression
I feel that a rook exchange would rather that the initiative is already in Black's hands.
favour White: 20 .. .l3e8 2 l .tZ:lxb6t ®d8 But I completely disagree with that assessment!
22Jhe8 t ®xe8 23 . tZ:l c4 f5 24.a4t
2 l .tZ:lxb6t ®c7 22.tZ:l c4 17,gael
With an endgame initiative. The most practical decision at this point
would be 1 7.Ei:ad l , after which White doubles
Black would probably have to conduct a hard rooks on the d-file and waits to see if Black can
struggle to level the chances, but at least he substantially improve his position; but when
would be preserving the material balance. you are twenty years old it's so difficult to be
Mter the move in the game, White acquires a patient!
small material plus.
The play develops a good deal more
14.cxd5 c5 interestingly after:
After 14 . . . c6 1 5 .Wfd3 cxd5 1 6 .:!'hdl the 1 7.Wff3 ! ?
pawn on d5 will be lost within a few moves. Black has little choice:
17 . . . tZ:l d4 1 8 .tZ:lxd4 cxd4
15.tLlde2 ge8!? Or 1 8 . . . .ixd4 1 9 .Ei:ad l with tLl e2 to follow.
1 9 . tZ:l e4 Wfd7 20.Ei:ac l
1 a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h 20 . . . Ei:ac8
Or 20 . . . Ei:ad8 2 l .Ei:fe l ®f8 22.d6 and
16.Wfd3?
White has managed to improve his position
In these happy circumstances - what with an
considerably, while his central pawn is
extra pawn, a safe and solid position, and no
invulnerable as before.
tactical prospects whatsoever for my opponent
2 l .g4! ®h8
- I simply overlooked Black's fairly obvious
With the nonchalant 2 1 . . .f5 22.gxf5 gxf5
next move. A pity! After, say, the elementary
23.tLlg5 t Black fails to solve all his problems
1 6 .:!'k l , White's advantage is obvious.
but rather creates new ones.
22.d6 f5 23.gxf5 gxf5 24. tLl g3t
16... c!LJc6!
With a pleasant position.
The knight is heading for d4. The passed d5-
Instead of these interesting lines, both of that my combination, once begun, had to be
which deserved consideration, I used up carried out to the end. Indeed White's passed
an immense amount of time working out a pawn, supported by the queen and two knights,
long and complicated combination which does constitute a terrible force, and it isn't so
unfortunately proved to have a fair-sized simple for Black to stop it. Unfortunately,
hole in it. Such, however, is the fate of many however, it is possible!
a creative idea. The game, at any rate, took a
fascinating course. 19 �e8 20.gxel Y*fxel 21.c!i)b5
.•.
Interestingly, after the cautious and cunning

17... tLld4 2 1 . lt:l d l ! , Black's advantage is quite difficult (if
It was worth considering 1 7 . . . a6!? , taking not impossible) to demonstrate. The knight is
control of the important b5-square. going to e3, the pawn threatens to advance,
and the ball is put back in the opponent's
18.c!i)xd4 court. I believe that in practical play, White's
It was not too late to back out and place the chances would not be worse.
rook on dl after all, but by way of an excuse
I would merely repeat what I said about when 21...ge8!
you are 20 years old . . . The pawn cannot be held up by passive
methods, so Black starts an attack on the king,
18..J'hel taking advantage of the fact that the white
knights are far away.
22.d6 i.f6?
A transposition of moves that looks
insignificant at first sight but could have had
the most serious consequences! The accurate
22 . . . :1'!:e2! 23.�f3 i.f6 would lead to the same
position as in the game, but without offering
White additional possibilities!
7
a b c d e f g h
6
19.c!i)c6?!
5
White could still have held back from the
brink by playing: 1 9 .l:'!:xe l ! cxd4 (or 1 9 . . . i.xd4 4
20.:1'!:dl �d7 2 l .�c4 :!:'!:d8 22 . lt:l e4 and the 3
pawn isn't at all easy to attack) 20. lt:l b 5 �xd5t
(20 ... a6 2 1 .lt:lxd4! �xd5t 22.�f3) 2 l .�f3 2
�xf3t 22.'khf3 With a good endgame. 1
Today I would undoubtedly choose this
a b c d e f g h
placid variation, but in 1 979 I was incapable
of "abandoning my principles" ; I honestly felt 23.c!i)c7
Chapter 8 - Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard Openings 2S7
White loses on the spot with: 23.d7? :!:'!:e2 is the one for whom great problems arise
24.�f3 (or 24.d8=�t i.xd8 25 .�xd8t after the incautious 25 . . . �g7? 26.ltlxf6 :!:'!:al
�g7 and there is no defending the f2-pawn) 27.�h3! :!:'!: dl 2S.d7 �xf6 29. dS=�t :!:'!:xdS
24 . . . 1:'!:d2-+ 30. lt:lxdS)
On the other hand, he has at his disposal the 8

interesting possibility of 23 . ltl c3 ! �e6 24. ltl b 5 7
6
�d7 25 .�d5 . This completely transforms
the character of the game, and I will simply
5
not venture to evaluate the resulting position.
However, to be honest, transforming the 4
character of the game was something I had no 3

wish to do! 2
23 Jr�e2 24.'1Wf3
b d f g h
••
a c e
And now there are three options to consider:

8
7 a) 26.f5 �xd6 27.fxg6 �g7 2S.gxf7 �xc6-+ is
unworthy of serious examination.
6
5 b) The play takes a more interesting course in

4 the event of: 26.lt:l ce7t �g7! (The game ends
beautifully after the careless 26 . . . ixe7? 27 .dxe7
3 �g7 2S.�c3t �h6 29.lt:lf6 �c6t 30.cj;Jh3
2 �eSt 3 1 .g4 :!:'!:e2, and now the simplest way
to win is:
1
a b c d e f g h
24 1:'!:d2
•••
So far the game has been proceeding as

planned. Black's last move was stronger
than: 24 . . . �d2 2 5 . lt:l e7t! ixe7 (or 25 . . . 1:'!:xe7
26.�a8t �g7 27.dxe7 ixe7 2S .�xa7, and
now 2S . . . c4? 29.bxc4 ic5 fails on account
of a fortuitous tactical chance: 3 0 . lt:l e6t! And
White wins) 26.dxe7 :!:'!:xe7 27.�aSt �g7
2 S . ltl e8t :!:'!:xeS (White has sufficient play in a b c d e f g h
the event of 2S . . . �h6 29.ltlf6) 29.�xeS With
32.ltlgSt! �xgS 33.g5t �h5 34.�f3#) 27. lt:l c7
good drawing chances.
�d7 2S .�e4 i.d4 29 .�aS The variations that
arise are not so different from those occurring
The greedy 24 . . . 1:'!:xa2? can also scarcely be
in the actual game; the difference is that Black
recommended to Black. There can follow:
has pocketed the a2-pawn along the way, but
2 5 . lt:l d5 (but not 2 5 . d7 :!:'!:a l ) 25 . . . �e6 (Black
frankly its presence or absence does little to Up until this last move, everything had been
affect t'ne result. going according to my calculations at move
1 7, but 25 . . . '1We6!, which is completely obvious
c) 26.tLl xf6t! '1Wxf6 27.'1Wd3! '1Wb2D 28 .'1We3 at the present moment, had fallen outside my
'1Wd2 29 .'1We8t �g7 30.'1We5t f6 3 1 .'1We7t �h6 field of vision eight moves earlier; I had been
too eager to believe in the correctness of my
combination, and self-persuasion is only too
easy a matter. Black's move now descended on
me like a cold shower!
I had been naively hoping for 25 . . . �dl ??
26.tt:\xf6t �g7 27.'1Wxd l '�Wxd l 2 8 . d7 with
an easy win. Now, however, the pawn on d6
- White's chief hope - would seem to be lost.
At first I just wanted to stop the clock, and
it required quite an effort of will to refrain
from doing so! Gradually I convinced myself
a b c d e f g h
that there were still a good many subtleties
32.�h3 ! ! This quiet king move is the finishing concealed in the position, and I played on.
touch (in the case of the hasty 32.'1Wf8 t ?
�h5 33.g4t �xg4-+ the black king easily 26.tLlce7t
evades pursuit) . 32 . . . '1Wd l The only move to After 26.tLlxf6t? the most that White can
avoid defeat. 3 3 .'1Wxf6 '1Wh5t 34.�g2 '1Wd5 t count on is a few checks: 26 . . . '1Wxf6 27.tLl e7t
3 5 . �h3= �g7 28 .'1Wa8 '1Wxd6! 29 .'1Wg8t �f6-+ The king
Of course all these variations are practically easily escapes the persecution.
impossible to calculate over the board, but on
a purely intuitive basis I felt that 24 .. J'!xa2?! 26 <.!?g7 27.tLl c7!
.••
would at least result in unclear play. The vigour of the cavalry is admirable, and
Black has to beware of various forks.
25)tJd5
27 'iNd7
•••
A case in point is that 27 . . . '1Wxd6?? loses to

28.tLle8t.
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 8 - Attackin g in Rare and Non-Standard Openings 289
28.'?Me4! probably also have conducted the game to a

So far White has succeeded in keeping his victorious conclusion with the cold-blooded:
balance on a very thin rope and rescuing his
pawn from imminent doom, but misfortune 3 1 . . -l:!g l t!? 32.�£3 h5!
now strikes from another quarter. Incidentally, For example:
28 .'1Wa8 ? loses to 28 . . . �xe7 29.dxe7 Wfxe7 33 .Wig8t
3 0 . lt'l e8t �h6 3 l . g4 Wfe3 . Exchanging queens with 33 .Wic8 ! ? Wxc8
34.tt::l xc8 would not help White either, as
28....id4! after 34 . . . 1t>f8D 3 5 . tt::l xa7 �f6!+ Black has a
Vitolins doesn't fall into the simple little big advantage.
trap of 28 . . J:!xd6 29.lt'le8t! lt>f8 (after 33 . . . �h6
29 . . . Wixe8 30.tt::l f5 t �f8 3 l .Wfxe8t �xe8
32. tt::l xd6tt White picks up another pawn
and is at least in no danger of losing) 30.tt::l xd6
�xe7 3 1 .tt::l c400• Instead of these boring lines,
he switches his attention from the paltry
pawn to a more worthy target - the white
monarch. I should mention, by the way, that
we each had about 1 0 minutes left on the
clock.
29.'?Ma8!
a b c d e f g h
The last chance! White can't defend his own
king, so he tries playing on the nerves of its 34.f5
black counterpart. Trying to block the black queen's path.
White is mated by force in the event of
34.Wxf7 Wig4t 3 5 .1t>e4 E: e l t 36.�d5 Wif3 t
37.�c4 b5t! 3 8 . �xb5 Wb7t 39.�c4 E:cl t
40.It>d3 W£3t-+ .
34 . . . E:fl tD 3 5 .lt>g2
3 5 . �e2 is also hopeless after 3 5 . . . E:f2t and
36 . . . Wxd6.
3 5 . . . E:f2t 36.�h3 g5 !
Accuracy to the end!
After 36 . . . E:xf5 ? 37.Wie8 ! ! White could still
endeavour to resist.
37.g4 �g7-+
32.�hl
At this point my opponent had a long think.
a b c d e f g h The flag on his clock started to rise, and he still
3l ..J�f2t went on and on thinking - it was clear that
the time left to him was measured in seconds.
In time trouble, naturally enough, Vitolins
I think every chess player will understand my
repeats moves to gain on the clock. He could
agitation at this moment! When Vitolins had according to the laws of roulette - which in
no more than 1 0 seconds remaining, he came this instance take precedence over the laws of
up with a superb move . . . chess!
32...i>h6!! 34...Wf5?
I had reckoned that in the chaos of the time There is the same result after: 34 . . . f5 ?
scramble he would fall for 32 . . . Wfh3 ? which 3 5 .h3! (naturally not 35 .Wfxd4? cxd4 3 6 . lt:\ f6t
meets with a beautiful refutation: 3 3 . lt:l e8t! \th6 37.lt:lxd7 d3 and Black wins) 35 ... 1:'!:fl t
i>h6 34.lt:lg8t! Words fail me to express my 36.g2 :!:'!:f2t=
admiration for the knights that keep pushing
further and further into the enemy camp. The only way to achieve victory was the bold:
34 . . . i>h5 3 5 . tt::l ef6t ixf6 36.lt:l xf6t \th6 34 . . . \t>g4!!
37.Wff8# Mate!
Now, �us.t as. s.exe.tal ti.me.s. be.fme. in this
game, I am brought down to earth from the
clouds.
33.ttlg8t
I instantly discarded 3 3 .Wff8t h5 34.Wfc8
WIg4!-+ with inescapable mate. Furthermore a
quick calculation convinced me that 33 .Wfc8
Wfxc8 (not 33 . . . Wfxd6? ? 34.Wfh3t g7
3 5 . lt:l e8t) 34.lt:lxc8 l'!d2! would not help
a b c d e f g h
White to organize resistance.
3 5 .Wfxd4 (3 5 .Wfg5 t f3 36.Wfd5 t e3-+ is
33...i>h5 34.Wfd5t just as hopeless) 35 . . . cxd4 36.lt:lf6t \th3 With
Now there are three "normal" moves at inevitable mate.
Black's disposal (I don't include 34 . . . g5 ? ? in
that category!) . Two of them lead to a draw, 35.h3!
and only one wins. In other words, the odds This prevents the undesirable rapprochement
can be reckoned as two to one my favour, of the two kings in the most radical manner,
Chapter 8 - Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard Openings 29 1
and leads immediately to a draw. Actually My second mistake was my reluctance to

White would still not lose after the less evaluate the position anew after every move
precise: 3 5 .1Wxf5 t gxf5 36.h3! (only not played. As a result my hopes were dashed, but
36.d7? <;t>g4! 37.d8=1W �fl t 3 8 .<;t>g2 �g 1 #) I didn't lose my composure, and by taking
36 . . . �d2 37.l2l d 5 ! .!g7 3 8 . t2l ge7 .!f8 3 9 . t2l f6t advantage of my opponent's time trouble I was
<;t>h6 40.lt:Jd7 �g7 4 1 .l2lxf5 t <;t>gs (4 L . .<;t>g6 able to avoid defeat after all!
42.lt:Jh4t) 42. lt:J f6t <;t>hs 43 . lt:J e4 �d5 44.g4
b5 45.<;t>g2f± Tigran Petrosian - Evgeni Vasiukov
35 .. JUit 36.�g2 l:U2t 37.�hl gnt Moscow Championship 1 956

3S.�g2 gnt
By some kind of miracle Black's flag had I.tLlf3 tt:\ f6 2.g3 g6 3..ig2 !g7 4.0-0 0-0
not dropped, and this far from peaceful game 5.c4 d6 6.tLl c3 tLl c6 7.d3 tLlh5
had a peaceful end. Of course both sides made A noteworthy move which, for reasons
plenty of mistakes, but I feel that these sins are unknown to me, has practically disappeared
expiated by the interesting and unconventional from contemporary practice. Black aims for a
play we produced. quick advance of his pawn to f4, so as to exert
1/2-1/2 a certain pressure on his white majesty. The
move was quite popular in the 1 9 50s and was
Alvis Vitolins was undoubtedly one of the most by no means unsuccessful. But nothing under
talented and creative players I encountered the sun lasts forever! At this point 7 . . . e5 leads
in the whole of my long chess career. Every to popular variations, but that is quite another
game with him turned into a thriller with story.
a wholly unpredictable outcome. In this
� i w� w�J:!i�
8 w��j}��-
game I anticipated about fifty per cent of his
imi
moves. The rest were surprises - some of them
pleasant ones, others not so pleasant! From the 7
�- - - ��
� i'----
, , - �� -.��
�
��
very first moves of the game, a genuine battle 6
unfolded. Alvis played in an exceedingly risky
� � �
5
4 �� ! � �� a
manner and astounded me with his 1 0 . . . d5.
�,: �, �� 1'0�
Ninety-nine per cent of all chess players try
3 m �tJJ l� � � 1�///, ;:
to complete their development first, and only !%
2 b _n m
then think about opening up the game in the
b w� ��
�-- - - wi{ --
�� "iWR .S.�� - -
centre of the board. Black's idea was interesting
"
but not entirely correct, and I succeeded in 1 " - - - - Z - - - - � -0
acquiring a material plus.
Then unfortunately my turn came to a b c d e f g h
make mistakes. Instead of setting about the s.gbl fS 9.'Wc2
humdrum task of exploiting my extra pawn, I More often the continuation is: 9 . .!d2 f4
worked out a long variation which cost me no 1 O.b4 (in a game Pirc - Boleslavsky, Yugoslavia
end of time and effort. Bent Larsen suggested vs. USSR match 1 9 57, Black gained the
that we should never have faith in long initiative after 1 0 .t2ld5 e5 l l .b4 t2l e7 1 2.e3
variations ("long variation, wrong variation") l2lxd5 1 3 .cxd5 .!g4 1 4.1Wc2 1Wd7) 10 ... e5
- but in youthful years, who listens to the old? I l .'.Wb3 .!g4! 1 2 . lt:J e4 ( 1 2.b5 lt:J d4) 12 . . . <;t>hs
1 3 .b5 lL:l d4 1 4 . lL:l xd4 exd4+± As in Andersson 13.e3

- Tal, Sochi 1 973. In the event of 1 3 . b5 ixf3 1 4 .exf3 lLl d4,
Black has everything in order.
It is also worth considering 9 . lLl g5 mh8 1 0 .f4
e5 1 1 . lLld5 lL:l d4 1 2.e3 lLl e6; the resulting 13 e5 14.b5 tLle7 15.tl:l e4
••.
position is anything but simple to assess. On 1 5 . lLl d 5 , Black simply swaps knights
and fixes the pawn structure: 1 5 . . . lLl xd5
9.. a5
. 1 6. cxd5 b6, with about equal chances. In
The perennial problem for Black in such White's place I would think seriously about
variations is whether to exchange his a-pawn, 1 5 . lLl e2!?, forcing Black into a decision
thereby opening up a file for his opponent's concerning his f-pawn. All the same, posting
active queenside play, or to accept the fact that the knight on a central square is of course very
the pawn on a7 will constantly need defending. tempting.
Evgeny Vasiukov decides to exchange this
pawn off, whereas the other approach was tried 15 ...ti'd7 16.�d2 h6! 17.i.c3 g5
in Har Zvi - M. Tseitlin, Tel Aviv 1 992: 9 .. .f4 Vasiukov consistently increases the pressure
1 O .b4 ig4 1 l . e3 e5 1 2.b5 lLl e7 1 3 . lLl e2 fxg3 on the white king's residence. He could have
1 4 .fxg3 'Wd7 with chances for both sides. continued 1 7 . . . fxe3 1 8 .fxe3 lLl f6 in an attempt
to equalize the chances, but after 1 9. lLl d2;!; I
IO.a3 f4 ll.b4 axb4 12.axb4 .ig4 would prefer to play White.
Both opponents can be satisfied with the
results of the opening. White has carried out his
standard manoeuvres and succeeded in pushing
his pawn to b4, opening up the a-file; Black
has completed the development of his pieces
without difficulty and is fully ready to work
up counterplay on the kingside. An interesting
question, though, is what the white queen is
doing on c2. Petrosian now has to be ready at
any time to face an exchange on f3 followed
by a knight jumping to d4. It would seem that
White's ninth move was not the most precise.
a b c d e f g h
8 18.exf4!
7 Petrosian finds the right moment to release
6 the tension, at least in the centre of the board.
From the psychological viewpoint it is simply
5 impossible for a good player to do nothing
4 and j ust watch while the opponent improves
3 his position.
2 18 gxf4
.••
1 Better than 1 8 . . . exf4 1 9 .ixg7 lLlxg7
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 8 - Attackin g in Rare and Non-Standard Openings 293
20.Wc3 . Mter for instance 20 ... tLlh5 2 l .b6 c6

22.c5±, it would still be Black who would have
to struggle for equality.
a b c d e f g h
20 . . . :B:xa l
Interesting complications, not unfavourable
to White, could arise from 20 . . . d5 2 l .cxd5
lLl xd5 22.tLlg6 :B:xa l 23 .ixa l :B:e8 24.Wc4,
aiming to answer 24 . . . ie6 with 2 5 . tLlxe5!
a b c d e f g h ixe5 26.ixe5 tLl e3 27.Wxc7 Wxc7 28 .ixc7
19J�Ye2? lLlxfl 29.ixfl . Mter which Black would still
A critical j uncture. For incomprehensible have to do a fair amount of work to achieve
reasons Petrosian places his queen in a a draw.
dangerous position, and his pinned knight 2 l .:B:xa l ih3 22.if3
on f3 is going to give him plenty of worry. I White is of course reluctant to exchange
believe this was the last moment in the game such an important bishop, and yet it would
when White could have claimed his full share also be perfectly possible to play 22.'\Wd l ! ?
of the play. tLl f6 23.:B:a7 with unpleasant pressure.
22 . . . ig4 23 .ixg4 Wxg4 24.:B:a7
To that end, he had to resolve on 1 9. tLl h4!?, White shows that he isn't afraid of phantoms,
taking several kingside light squares under particularly since the tempting:
control. Let us look at Black's replies: 24 . . . fxg3 2 5 . hxg3 lLl f4
Meets with the uncomplicated refutation:
a) 1 9 . . .f3 is rather risky - after 20.ih l :B:f7 26.f3 ! ±
2 l .:B:fe l White might gradually set about
winning the pawn. Summing up, I would like t o say that until this
last move White had a perfectly comfortable
b) Similarly 1 9 . . . tLl f6 20 . tLl d2!? can hardly suit position; it is only now that the scales are
Black. White aims to answer 20 . . . ih3 with tipped in his opponent's favour. In 1 990 I
2 l .ixb7 ixfl 22.ixa8 ixd3 23 .Wxd3 :B:xa8 lost a similar game to Kasparov, and I know
24.b6i . how hard it is to play White in such positions.
White's strategy, after all, is fairly abstract,
c) 1 9 . . . :B:f7 20.:B:al :B:af8 2 1 .£3! ie6 22.g4 whereas Black - though often acting rather
tLl f6 23 .We2± Again White has no reason to primitively - has a target that anyone can
complain of his lot. understand: the white king!
d) 1 9 . . . b6 20.:B:al 19 ... tLlg6 20.E:al E:xal

first sight; his king will have to endure many

an unpleasant minute!
21...b6
Again Vasiukov displays an excellent
combative spirit. His level-headed move fixes
the pawn structure on the queenside and secures
Black against possible awkward surprises.
Here too, as a matter of fact, he could have

played 2 1 . . .fxg3 ! ? 22.fxg3 lLl gf4!?, but this
time White has a sound defence: 23.gxf4
a b c d e f g h lLlxf4 24.Wfc2 lLlxg2 2 5 .Wfxg2 .ih3 26.lLlxe5 ! ?
(unruly complications result from 26.Wfg3
21.hal
.ixfl 27.cj;>xfl d5 2 8 . lLl f2 dxc4 29.dxc4 e4
This is forced, as we can see by considering
3 0 . lLl d4D �h8+±) 26 . . . 2"\xfl t 27.'\Mfxfl dxe5
the alternative:
28.Wff3 Wff5 = The position is drawish.
2 1 .2"\xa l ?!
Black goes into action at once, exploiting the
fact that such an important defensive piece
as this rook is absent from the kingside:
2 1 . . .fxg3 22.fxg3 lLl hf4!
Playing a move like this always makes you
feel good!
23.gxf4 lLlxf4 24.'1Mfb2 lLlxg2 2 5 . lLl xe5 he5
a b c d e f g h
26.Wfxg2 22...'�£5 23..id2

Quite possibly White ought to continue It's only too evident that that Tigran
26 ..ixe5 dxe5 27.Wfxe5 Wff7 28 .Wfg3 Wfg7 Petrosian has lost the thread and doesn't know
29.2"\fl .if5 30.�xg2 .ih3 t! 3 1 .�xh3 what to do next - hence such unimpressive
2"\xfl +, but who wants to play an ending like manoeuvres with his bishop! It would be
this one? interesting to know what Black would have
26 . . . .ixc3 27.lLlxc3 cj;>hg done against the desperately bold 23 .Wfa2!?
White's position is worse than it appears at �h8 24.Wfa7.
23 .'iflh8 24.i.cl i.f6

•. j,xf3t 34.1Wxf3 g4 35 .1We2, when White is
Black prepares to bring his knight to still somehow hanging on.
e6, which is not a bad idea at all. However, 33 .1Wxf3 g4 34.We2!
24 . . . � f6!?, to exchange off the opponent's only The only move.
active piece, also deserved consideration. After 34.\Wd l E:h8 35 .h3 Wg5 ! White has no
defence against the threat of taking on h3.
25.i>hl ClJg7 26.i.b2 c\Lle6 27.'1Wc2 '!Wh5 34 . . . E:h8 3 5 .h3
The storm clouds above the white monarch
have thickened; more and more black pieces 8
are appearing in his immediate vicinity. 7
8 - � ��
�� -� � ---- - V- �� 5
7 �� -J��-0 � �� -0 �
4
' " "7.
��-�
6 v-� v-----7.-uu-%� �
��v � 3
2
�r
��
� �� %� �
��·: 'm;% �� 7.� b d f g h
3 � - 8 -��
a c e
3 5 . . . 8!
mu% �-"""W""h
�vq v��v�
2
��-0 �� rv----"�r� At first it seemed to me that Black should
1
� � . n .� 7.
go into a favourable ending with 35 . . . 1Wf5
36 .1We4 i>f6!, but then I found a more clear
a b c d e f g h cut solution.
36.1We3
28.c\Lled2
Or 36.1We4 1Wg5 ! with inescapable mate.
Apart from this move, White might have
36 . . . 1Wf5 37.j,c l � f4!
gone back with:
White can resign.
28 .1We2
Although of course this switching between
e2 and c2 with the queen cannot inspire
much confidence! Black's reply is obvious:
28 . . . �g5!? 29.�exg5 hxg5 30 .1We4
Or 30.i>gl i>g7 and it isn't clear how White
defends against the threat of 3 1 . . .:1!h8.
30 ... \i?g? 3 l .� g l j,dS !
An excellent prophylactic move; Black gives
advance protection to his c7 -pawn and clears
the f-file.
32.j,f3
32-l:!al doesn't solve all White's problems
either: 32 . . . j,f5 33 .1Wb7 j,xd3 34J!a8 fXg3
3 5 . fXg3 1Wg4+
32 . . . j,xf3t
More convincing than 32 . . .:!:!h8 33 .h3
29...hg5?! 34 . . .-ixfl 3 5 .mxfl g4 36.Eixc7t lLl e7-+

A slightly odd decision. In itself the move And the game is over.
is not at all bad, and White's defensive task is As you can see, the variations I have given
extremely complicated as before. However, the are not too complicated, and furthermore
following move looks much more logical: Black is under no obligation whatever to
calculate them to the end. Ultimately there
29 . . . hxg5 ! is such a thing as intuition, which will insist
Black can easily create mating threats on that threats of this kind simply cannot be
the open h-file. Evgeny Vasiukov may have parried.
wanted to use his dark-squared bishop for
the attack, but by this time Black is able to 30.ie4
do without the help of this piece. The game
� -
�� - - - �� -
could continue as follows:
3o.mgl 8
� �?*f% �-- - -
: -t�--
�.-.�.:-.
30 . .ie4 mg7 3 1 .Eial Elh8 32.ltl fl f3-+
can hardly be recommended to White;
- --�- ��if
on 33.Wi'd l , Black's simplest way to win is
33 . . . lLl f4! 34.d4 Wfh3 3 5 .hf3 e4! , and the 5
curtain can be lowered. The lonely king
4 7�- �-:tw:rm
- � "//. �
��-0� ��-8 �- - - - ��
always has difficulty organizing effective
resistance against the entire black army. 3
�?*r� - - - - ��wfJ0
30 . . . f3 3 1 .-ih l mg7 32.Eial :E\h8 3 3 . lLl fl .ih3
2 .�if�
"' "y,___ ___ ;�:� -
w �
1
�
a b c d e f g h
30...i.e2!
An excellent move, preparing the deadly
.. . f4-f3 . However, Black also had another
interesting plan of attack with 30 . . . lLl e7!,
aiming to bring the knight to f5 . So let us look
at it, if only out of curiosity.
a b c d e f g h 8
34.Eia7 7
What other advice can White be given? 6
5
The refutation of 34.Wfd l is simple: 34 . . . g4
3 5 . lLl e3 .ig2 36.h4 .ixh4! 37 . .ixg2 ig5
4
38.lLlxg4 fxg2 And after 3 9 .mxg2 Wfh3 t
40.mf3 lLl h4t Black gets to the white 3
monarch after all. 2

Nor is 34. lLl e3 any help, in view of 34 . . . ll::l f4!
3 5 .gxf4 gxf4 36 . .ixf3 Wfxf3 37.WI'd l Wfxd l t
a b c d e f g h
3 8 .lLlxd l m£7-+ and the attack continues in
spite of the numerous exchanges. White has two reasonable replies:
a) 3 1 .�g l ctJ f5 White now has to reckon

with a knight sacrifice on g3 or e3 in many
variations. 32.Ei:el ctJ e3!
3 5 . f3
And now he has to make such a seemingly
incomprehensible move.
The point is that Black wins easily in the event
of 3 5 . fXg3 e4! 36.h4 e3 37.hxg5 i.g4!-+
with big material gains.
Or 3 5 . hxg3 i.g4 36.f3 El:xf3 37.dxe5 <j{g8!
a l ) 33.fXe3 33 . . . fXe3 34.ctJf3 (or 34.ttJ fl Wff fl 3 8 . exd6 cxd6-+ . In the latter case White
3 5 .<j;lh l e2 3 6.i.g2 'Wff f2-+ and White no has the unpleasant choice between losing
longer has a defence against the many threats) his knight, sacrificing a pawn with 39.c5
34 . . . i.xf3 3 5 .i.xf3 'Wffxf3 36.'Wff e 2 'Wff f2t With a which naturally fails to save him, or simply
decisive plus. stopping the clock.
3 5 . . . e4!
a2) Moving the queen away with 33.'Wff a4 allows The concluding blow, inescapably settling
an amazingly pretty combination: 33 . . . Wh3! the fate of the game.
34.i.h l fXg3 3 5 . hxg3 i.d l !! 36.Ei:xd l ctJ g4
37.ctJf3 (or 37.ctJfl i.e3 ! ! with unavoidable
mate) 37 . . . i.e3! 3 8 . fXe3 Wxg3 t 39.i.g2 'Wff f2t
40.<j;lh l El:xf3 4 I .'Wff a 8t Ei:f8-+ With an easy
win.
b) 3 1 . d4 ctJ f5 32.i.xf5
It is White's misfortune that he has to
exchange such an important piece as this
bishop, seeing that 32.dxe5 fXg3 3 3 . exd6t
i.f6 34.fXg3 ctJxg3t 3 5 .�g l tt:lxfl 36.ctJxfl
WeSt 37.�g2 cxd6-+ leaves him unable to
offer any resistance.
32 . . . i.xf5 3 3 .'Wff d l 'Wffxd l 34.Ei:xd l
Even the queen exchange fails to bring
White the anticipated relief.
34 . . . fXg3
3I.i>gl?!-+ 32 . . . ltJ f4!

After this unfortunate move, Black's win Or 32 ... .!xd2!? 33 .W!'xd2 ltJ f4! which leads
is no longer in any doubt at all. White was to similar results.
obviously panicking - not the ideal state 33 . .!c3 .!g4!
of mind when defending such an awkward Freeing e2 for the knight. Among many other
position! winning continuations, I would mention
33 . . . .!xd3!? , and if 34 . .!xd3 ? then 34 . . . W!'h3 .
It was imperative for Petrosian to play: 34.f3 ltJ e2t 3 5 .mf2 lLlxg3!-+
3 l .g4D White's position collapses like a house of
cards!
32.:B:el
It's obvious that 32.h4 simply fails to
32 . . . .!xh4 followed by ltJ f4!.
a b c d e f g h
Black would at least need to respond with a

certain precision. The only solution is:
3 l . . . W!'h3!
White's chances are no worse in the case
of 3 l . . .W!'xg4? 32.f3! W/h4D 33 . .!xg6 .!xfl
34.tt'lxfl f± .
Nor can Black b e happy about 3 1 . . ..!xg4? a b c d e f g h
32.d4! :B:g8 33.f3 - again with chances for
32 ...hd2
both sides, seeing that White's pieces have
Evgeny Vasiukov avoids any drastic
suddenly become very active.
measures. He could have won at once with
32.:B:g l D ltJ h4 33.d4 ltJ f3 34 . .!xf3 .!xf3t
32 . . . ltJ f4! 33.@h l tt'l h3 34.:B:fl .!xd2-+ .
3 5 .lLlxf3 W!'xf3t 36.:B:g2 e4
With what is probably a won position;
33.gxe2 .!g5
however, the material on the board is still
On the face of it, both players must have
equal and, with some good fortune, anything
been in time trouble. Otherwise I find it hard
is possible!
to explain why Black rej ected the attractive
line 33 . . . fxe2! 34.W!'xd2 ltJ f4! 3 5 . gxf4 W!'g4t
31. .. £3 36.@h l :B:g8 37.W!'e l W!'g l t 38 .W!'xg l :B:xgl t
I would no doubt have been unable to resist:
39.mxg l e l =Wit 40.mg2 W!'d2-+ . White's
dark-squared bishop can't hide from the
3 l . . . fxg3! 32.hxg3
pursuing black queen.
White loses at once with 32.fxg3 .!e3 t, and
now 33.@hl .!xfl -+ or 33.mg2 ltJ h4t!.
34,gel '!Wh3 35.hf3 gxf3
Tigran Petrosian - Yakov Estrin
Moscow Team Championship 1 968
l.c4 e5 2.g3 lL:lc6 3..ig2 d6 4.lZ:lc3 .ie6

Black plays the opening in a slipshod
manner. The development of his light-squared
bishop simply provokes White into carrying
out the most natural plan of b2-b4.
5.d3 g6 6.h4! 'Wd7 7.h5 lLld8

White has already gained a slight advantage;
a b c d e f g h it usually takes him much more of an effort to
get his pawn to b5. The queenside ought now
36.d4
to be a constant headache for Black. The game
There's no doubt that White's position is
takes a different course, however!
quite hopeless, and so 36.'We2 'Wf5 37.d4
�f6-+ does nothing to alter the verdict!
36...lL!f4! 37.gxf4 .ixf4

And faced with mate in a few moves, Tigran
Petrosian resigned.
0-1
Of course such a victory is worth a great deal.

To win a game in this style, against one of the
strongest Grandmasters of his day and a future
World Champion, is always especially pleasant.
It cannot even be said that White played this
a c
game too badly. In essence, he made only
b d e f g h
one mistake - 1 9 .'We2 ? . After that, I dare say
he committed a couple of very insignificant 8.lLlf3!?
inaccuracies. It j ust can't be helped - in such An excellent move, but of course by no
a sharp variation, with a multitude of dangers means the only one. White could simply have
threatening your king, you are not entitled to pushed his a-pawn; the plan is a standard one
make mistakes at all. And without doubt the in the Closed Sicilian, where of course Black
chief responsibility for White's defeat lay with is the one who successfully employs it with
Evgeny Vasiukov, who conducted the whole colours reversed.
game in a superb aggressive style.
Beliavsky - Kupreichik, Odessa 1 974, continued
interestingly: 8.�g5 f6 9.�d2 {jj e7 l Q .{jj fJ �g7
1 1 .0-0 0-0 1 2.'1Mfb3 �f7 1 3 .{jj e 1 {jj e6 14.a4 f5
1 5 .1Wa3 With troublesome pressure.
8....!g7
An improvement is 8 . . . ih3, although worth considering: 1 2.ixf6 ixf6 1 3 . lLl d5

after 9.ixh3 Wfxh3 1 0. d4! ig7 1 l .dxe5 lLl e6 :B:c8 14.Wfa4t
1 2 .lLld5 White's chances are clearly preferable, 1 2 . . . Wfd7 1 3 .:B:b 1 h6 14.i.d2!?
Navara - A. Ledger, Britain (team ch) 2007.
Undoubtedly Black's best move was 9 . . . if5!?,
9.<lt�g5!t preserving his bishop and trying to provoke
Petrosian's wish to exchange Black's bishop - White into e2-e4. After 1 0 . lLl ge4 lLl e6 (better
virtually the sole defender of the light squares than 1 0 . . . lLl e7 1 l .ig5 0-0 1 2 . lLl f6t ixf6
is perfectly understandable. A more interesting 1 3 .ixf6t) 1 1 .l!b 1 lLl e?t Petrosian could only
question is why the experienced master Yakov have laid claim to a small plus.
Estrin agrees to this without demur!
IO .ib2 ex:d3 l l .Wfxd3
•
8 I. � �--411 �1
1 � f-iiD ,__i 8 I.- -·-411 �1/
-----;� ��,-�� -----
6
-- - %� - - -%� r--,�m . .-�
7 �·f . � ��
- --�Z-r
"if-·�· �- �
�� ... %W,0'0 �% '"/� . % - - �"��
5
4
�8-
�
� �%'"�
.. 1� �
�
f//- ��-�-- �-'l .,.. -
�W,0'0 :
:� � !
4 �� !�� -,�
�%'"//- � �W,0'0
3 � �8-
� .. 1[j
3�
2 8 �y. ..:� fd�W�J
%'""�� wd----%-...
- . ... :� �
��-��if- �w- J 1[j -
----�w �
2 8� . •8r��rL3
1 �� ]if� -M
·z:;
1 ��.. - -�-��--
..%·�-
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
9 e4?!
.
•.•
I don't like this move; Black should be l l a6?!

. .
thinking more about developing his kingside At best this move is a waste of precious time.
pieces! Moreover, there may now be quite a Black should still be thinking about getting
few problems in store for him on the a1 -h8 castled, but Estrin is probably emulating his
diagonal. A slight improvement is: great opponent, who indeed was also fond of
keeping his king in the centre. I don't want to
9 . . . t2Jf6 give offence to anyone, but what is permissible
But White still has a pleasant game after: to a World Champion is not permissible to an
1 o.lLlxe6 Wfxe6 1 l .ig5 ! ? average Moscow master.
Th e stock move 1 1 .a4!? i s also perfectly
good. Black's position is already uncomfortable
1 1 . .. 0-0 enough, but he should nonetheless settle for
It would be too risky to play 1 1 . . .h6?! the routine continuation:
1 2.ixf6 i.xf6 1 3 .lLl d5 :B:c80 1 4.h4! ig7 1 1 . . . lLl e7 1 2. 0-0-0
1 5 .ih3 f5 1 6.e4±, as there appears to be no White also has a very good game after
way for Black to save his f5-pawn. 1 2 .Wfd2!? 0-0 1 3 . lLl ce4 f6 1 4.lLlxe6 lLlxe6
1 2.0-0 1 5 .0-0t.
Incidentally the capture on f6 would still be 1 2 . . . 0-0
Chapter 8 - Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard O penings 301
1 2 . . . h6? loses at once to 1 3 .lilce4! .ixb2t 1 4.Wfe4t lile7 1 5 .Wfxc4 fxg5 1 6.bxc7 lildc6
1 4 .mxb2 lilgs 1 5.'1MI'c3!+-. 1 7.0-0
1 3 .lilce4 .ixb2t 1 4.mxb2 f6 1 5 .lilc5! dxc5 With a large plus in either case.
1 6JMfxd7 .ixd7 1 7.Eixd7 fxg5 1 8 .Eixe7 :!::lx£2
1 9 . .if3;!; 12 ... axb5 13.cxb5lLie7 14.YNd2!?
White has an obvious advantage in the As we see, Petrosian was not renouncing
ending. the plan of exchanging bishops but merely
postponing it for a couple of moves.
12.h4
Petrosian was clearly in the mood for
creative play that day! His desire to mate
the black king is praiseworthy, and yet there
was a significantly stronger line: 1 2.b6! cxb6
1 3 .lilge4±, and White's advantage is already
almost decisive.
I also like:
1 2.Wfc2!?
Preparing an exchange of dark-squared
bishops. It's hard to find a move to
recommend in reply. For instance:
1 2 . . . .ixc4
This is met by:
1 3 .b6!
a b c d e f g h
1 3 . . . f6
The brave pawn steps into the breach, trying
to seal the dangerous diagonal!
Nothing good for Black comes of: 1 3 . . . h6
1 4 . lt:l ce4 f5 1 5 . bxc7! hxg5 1 6 . .ixg7 Wfxg7
1 7.lilxd6t mf8 1 8 . cxd8=Wft Elxd8 1 9 .Eid 1 ±
Now White has the very pleasant choice
between 1 4. lt:l ge4! ? and:
1 6 . .ixg7 �xg7 1 7.tLlh7!+- White's victory will Or 24 . . . 'Wc2 2 5 .'Wxf6t �e8 26.tLl h7!+-.
not be long coming. 25 .ixf5 gxf5 26.fxg5+-
In spite of the many exchanges, White's
1 5.h5 gxh5 attack continues; his pawn on g5 is very
Playing a move like this in a game against strong, and I don't think he would encounter
Petrosian is tantamount to a suicide attempt! any problems in converting his advantage into
But then, what should Black have done here? a win.
The question isn't easy!
Black's only suitable reply was the cool-headed:
1 5 . . . d5? 1 5 . . . h6D
This would make White calculate some With the possible continuation:
variations - but by no means difficult ones. 1 6. tLl ce4
The continuation would be: 1 6 .tLlxe6 is also interesting; White then
1 6.hxg6 hxg6 1 7.tLlxd5! .ixd5 of course has the initiative after either
1 7 . . . tLlxd5 makes no difference to the 1 6 . . . fxe6!? or 1 6 . . . 'Wxe6 1 7.a4 c6 1 8 .a5, but
outcome: 1 8 . .ixg7 �xg7 1 9 .'Wd4t f6 there is still plenty to play for.
20.Ei:h7t+- 1 6 . . . 'Wxb5 1 7.ixg7
1 8 . .ixg7 �xg7 1 9 .'Wd4t After 1 7. tLl f6t ixf6 1 8 . .ixf6 hxg5 1 9 . .ixe7
To be truthful, I must point out that Ei:e8 20 ..if6 Black has the pretty 20 . . . Ei:xa2!f±.
1 9 .tLlh7!+- wins more quickly. 1 7 . . . �xg7 1 8 .tLlxe6t tLlxe6 1 9 .hxg6±
1 9 . . . f6 20.Ei:h7t �g8 2 1 .Ei:h8t! �g7 22.Ei:xf8 With a small but stable plus. This was
A colourful position, don't you think? undoubtedly the last moment when Black
could have tried to do something to alter
the course of the duel that was going so
unfavourably for him.
1 6J3xh5 .tf5
Here 16 . . . h6 fails to rescue him from the
powerful attack: 17. tLl d5! .ixd5 1 8 ..ixd5
tLlxd5 1 9 .'Wd3! f5 20 .'Wxd5t+-
a b c d e f g h
22 . . . 'Wf5
22 . . . �xf8 ? loses amusingly - White replies
23.tLlh7t! �f7 24.'Wxf6t �g8 25 .'Wf8t!
�xh7 and now at last he decides to castle:
26. 0-0-0+- With mate in a few moves.
23.f4! �xf8
In the event of 23 . . . c5 24.'Wxc5 �xf8
25 . .ih3! Black loses his queen for no
compensation.
24 . .ih3! fxg5
Chapter 8 - Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard O penings 303
17.i.e4!? On 1 7 . . . f6, White concludes the struggle at

Tigran Petrosian was an intutttve player once with 1 8 . lt:lxh7.
who was sincerely averse to calculating long
variations. At this point he could have put the Nor does 17 . . . h6 bring any relief: 1 8 .lt:ld5!
result beyond doubt with the aggressive: f6 (or 18 ... i.xb2 1 9 . 'Wixb2 lt:lxd5 20.i.xd5+
with a winning attack) 1 9 .lt:lxe7t 'Wixe7
1 7.lt:ld5! i.xb2 20.'Wid5t i.e6 2 1 .lt:lxe6 'Wixe6 22.'Wixe6t lt:l xe6
The bishop exchange goes against Black's 23.i.xb7+- Black can only drag the game out,
wishes, but 1 7 . . .f6 1 8 .lt:lxe7t 'Wixe7 doesn't with no chance of a successful outcome.
save him either; the surprising 1 9 .i.xb7!
lt:lxb7 20 .'Wid5t E:f7 2 l . 'Wixf5 ! settles matters,
since 2 l . . .fxg5 allows an attractive mate:
22.'Wixh7t �f8 23.'Wih8t! i.xh8 24.E:xh8#
1 8 . 'Wixb2 lt:lxd5 1 9 .i.xd5 E:e8
a b c d e f g h
20.0-0-0! ?
Better late than never!
No doubt White can win by 20.lt:lxh7!? i.xh7
2 1 .E:g5t �f8 22.'Wig7t �e7 23.'Wixh7 'Wixb5 On 1 8 . . . i.xe4 1 9. lt:l cxe4 f6, White continues
24.E:b l ! 'WiaS t 2 5 . \t>fl +-, but why hurry? very simply with 20.'Wic2 Wif5 2 l .'Wixc7 +-.
There will be time enough for sacrificing on
h7. If Black plays the immediate:
20 . . . E:e5 2 1 .lt:lxh7! i.xh7 22.E:xe5 dxe5
1 8 . . . f6
23.i.xb7 'Wixd l t 24.�xd l lt:lxb7 2 5 . 'Wixe5 Then the refutation is not a great deal more
lt:l d6 26.£3+- complicated:
Black's pieces are badly co-ordinated, and 1 9 .i.xg6 lt:lxg6 20.'Wid5t E:f7
the white queen dominates the whole board. Or 20 . . . lt:lf7 2 1 .lt:l ce4 lt:l ge5 22.lt:lxf6t i.xf6
A fairly important point here is that 26 . . . E:xa2 23.i.xe5 i.xe5 24. 'Wid3! and Black is quickly
fails to 27.b6! . mated.
2 1 .lt:lxf7 'Wixf7
17 i.g6
•..
Unfortunately for Black, 2 l . .. �xh7 fails to
Black has run out of good ideas and only has 22.lt:Jxd8 E:xd8 23.'Wih5t.
bad ones left! 22.'Wixf7t lt:lxf7 23.E:h5+-
You don't have to be a World Champion to

win this position.
The strongest move in the position was:

1 8 . . . lt:'le6
a b c d e f g h
20 ... �g8
Estrin hopes to bring this knight to h6, so as
a b c d e f g h to extend his monarch's life span, even if only
for a short while. White answers 20 ...d5 with
But even this fails to set White serious
2 l .�h l �d6 22.lt:'lxd5!.
problems:
1 9.�xg6
The same result is achieved by 1 9 .:1 hg7t
'itlxg7 20.lt'ld5t f6 2 1 .hg6 lt:'lxg6 22.lt:'lxe6t
Wxe6 23.lt:'lxc7+-, securing a large material
plus.
1 9 . . . fxg6
On 1 9 . . . lt:'lxg6 White reverts to his favourite
plan of 20.lt:'lce4!, intending to meet
20 ...lt'le5 with the deadly 2 l .�xg7t 'itlxg7
22.�xe5t.
20.lt:'lce4 Wxb5 2 l .lt:'lxe6 �xb2 22.Wh6! �f7 a b c d e f g h
23.�xf7 Wa5t Then Black collapses after 22 ...�xb2t
The queen is forced to leave the danger zone, 23.Wxb2 f6 24.lt:l xe7t Wxe7 25.�c2t 'itlg8
so as not to perish after 23 ...'itlxf7 24.lt:'l4g5t 26.�b3+-, while on 22 ...f6 White wins by the
'itle8 25.lt'lxc7t. same device: 23 .�c2t 'itlg8 24.lt:lxe7t �xe7
24.'itlfl 'itlxf7 2 5 . lt'l4g5t 'itle8 26.�b l �c3 25.�b3+-
27.�b5! Wxa2 28.�xb7+-
This variation may well not be forced, but 2 1 J�hl �h6 22.� d5 f6 23.�e4
it does give a distinct idea of how bad Black's Or 23.lt:'lf4! fxg5 24.�xh6 gxf4 25.�f5t
position is. which is just as convincing.
1 9.hl7t 'itlh8 20.0-0-0! 23 ... �xa2

At this point, with full authority, we can say Black's game, of course, has long been
those hallowed words, "all White's pieces are beyond salvation. On 23 ...\t>xh? White wins
taking part in the attack on the king!" at once by 24.lt:'lexf6t!, while in the event of
23 . . . lt::Jdf7 he makes use of a pleasing idea: not of course very complex, is quite pleasing.
24.lt::Jexf6 Wxb5 25 . lLl e7!, and Black has Black played the opening without any great
to sacrifice his queen to prevent mate on insight, but obtained a position which, though
g6. difficult, remained defensible. Petrosian played
most energetically. Consider his 1 2.h4 move
8 �
� ��-� 1§�t,,rd��
p- �'a'� :W: - it may not have been strongest objectively,
%�'�-----; V- but it compelled his opponent to find the
��..· ��,�-��-J-1%_,!
----- "'" '
7
only moves to defend. Small wonder that
6
� " �
�
�� " '� Estrin couldn't entirely cope with this task
� "� � : '- y_., _ _
and his position started deteriorating move
: �� j� �
· --· ----·
�
by move. The moral from this is extremely
-
�
simple: play more aggressively; the odd dose
3 ��
�\'(txi �w-��
of impudence doesn't do any harm either.
2
��- 0
.i� ��J8W� ----%� �
You will be surprised how quickly your results
"
improve!
1--- - ��-�""'"� - - � t -
Karen Grigorian Lev Psakhis
a b c d e f g h
USSR Championship (First League) 1979
24J�xh6
Petrosian decides to win the game in a
manner which, though not perhaps the most l .c4 c5 2.tZH'3 b6
spectacular, is the simplest. Had he been more
concerned with beautiful effects, he could have
continued: 24.i.f5 ! :gxb2 25 .Wxh6t! i.xh6t
26. :gxh6t �g8 27.lt::Jdxf6t :gxf6 (27 . . . �g7
28.:gh7#) 28.lt::Jxf6t �g7 29.lt::Jxd7 �xh6
30.�xb2+- Leaving White with an extra piece
on a nearly empty chessboard. But why go
in for long variations? White's position is too
good for that!
24 ...i.xh6 25.Wxh6 Wg7 26.Wh4

And in view of the forced variation 26 . . . Wxh7
g h
27.i.xf6t :gxf6 28.Wxf6t Wg7 29 .Wxd8t Wgs
30.Wxg8t �xg8 3 1 . lLl ec3+-, Black resigned.
1-0 My favourite opening in those years! I was
an absolute "hedgehog" fanatic, and one of the
The maJOrity of games examined in this founding fathers who popularized this set-up
book were fairly complicated to analyse and in Russia. This fanaticism exceeded all rational
demanded considerable work to understand bounds, to the extent that on the Black side of
them. Therefore at the end of the book I decided the Sicilian Defence I would often even play
to show you something in a relatively lighter l .e4 c5 2.lt::Jf3 b6. Curiously enough, one day
vein - after all, chess is not played exclusively my enthusiasm evaporated j ust as quickly as
by Grandmasters! The Petrosian game, though it had sprung up in the first place, and the
hedgehog disappeared completely from my l l .. J!*fb8 12.�cl

repertoire. A new move. Bobotsov - Ciocaltea,
Bucharest 1 97 1 , had continued with 1 2.1MI'd2
.
3.d4 c:x:d4 4.l2hd4 �f6 5.�c3 .th7 6.6 d6 a6 1 3 . lt'ld4 �e8 14.�fd 1 i.f8 1 5 .�h1 l'!a7
7.e4 e6 s ..te2 .te7 9 .te3 0-0 10.0-0 �bd7 1 6.1'!ac l i.a8 1 7.i.fl l'!c7 1 8 . b3 1'!cc8 1 9 . lt'lc2
I have not annotated the foregoing moves, as i.b 7, leading to the standard type of play in
the resulting position was very familiar to me this variation.
(and not only me!) at that time, occurring in
no fewer than ten of my games. Ideally Black's 12 ...a6 13.�a3 �e8!
plan involves either a break in the centre with Simple and strong. The rook is looking
. . . d6-d5 or a blow from the flank with . . . b6- in the direction of White's dark-squared
b5. IfWhite succeeds in preventing these pawn bishop, and it becomes obvious that Black's
advances, a period of lengthy manoeuvres will implementation of . . . d6-d5 is just a matter
begin. of time. At this point Karen Grigorian,
excellent positional player as he was, positively
astounded me with his reply.
8
�B
�j ... .�WA -�·
� � .% � *m
��
1 •..t•�� i w�% i
6 a� �W� ..&%?. . ... -
... . %� ..... %� . .... �%
�
a iai% zoai% a ;.!AI:
�.� �. �
�
��
3� �
�
�
%"'//- %� �
� �
�b-
�� % �
�
2 �8.;�.. ... ;� :r� r�
a b c d e f g h
1 �
�� ·0f....
� �....%rf�..�v-.:m %
a b c d e f g h
l l .�db5
In principle White has no need of this move.
He is not in a position to win the d-pawn. The 14.VNb3?
knight's trip to a3 is of course reminiscent of Tell me honestly - would you believe that
the Taimanov Sicilian, but will anyone explain this move was perhaps the decisive mistake
to me what the knight will be doing on that already? However that may be, there is no
square? doubt whatever that the initiative now passes
to Black. As it turns out, the queen on b3 is
Much more often White plays 1 1 .1MI'd2 and cut off from the kingside, which is going to
Black replies 1 l . . .a6 (instead 1 l . . .d5 1 2.exd5 be the arena of the main action. A no less
exd5 1 3 .cxd5 lt'lxd5 1 4. lt'lxd5 i.xd5 1 5 . lt'lf5 important point is that the bishop on e3 is left
i.e6 1 6.lt'lxe7t 1Mfxe7 1 7.i.g5 occurred in unprotected, if only for a short while.
Michalek - Mozny, Czech Republic 2006; this
guarantees White a slight edge, thanks to his Instead it was worth playing 1 4 . 1MI'd2. Black
strong bishop pair) . would then have the choice between 14 . . . i.f8
and 1 4 .. . i.d8! ? . In the latter case, his plan looks
rather simple-minded - the bishop is going to White can hardly be happy with the way
c7, after which . . . d6-d5 becomes a real threat. the game goes following 1 5 .cxd5 exd5 (Black
Anyway, I fancy I can claim the copyright for might also play 1 5 . . . id6!? at once; White
this idea, as I played that way against Sergey would have to continue 1 6.dxe6 ixh2t
Dolmatov as long ago as 1 978. 1 7.\t>h 1 E:xe6 1 8 .ic4 E:e700 with mutual
chances, seeing that the outwardly tempting
On the other hand 1 4. lLl c2 can be answered 1 6.f4? is tactically refuted by 1 6 . . . exd5 1 7.e5
by theforthright 1 4 . . . d5!?. Then after 15 .cxd5 lLlxe5! 1 8 .fxe5 ixe5+ with a strong attack) .
exd5 1 6.exd5 i.d6 1 7.f4
a b c d e f g h
Given that 1 6.\t>h l ! ? b5t is unworthy

of serious analysis, there would be two
continuations for White to choose from:
si,B � �.--- -� -�
�----%
�
a) 1 6 .lLlxd5? ixd5 1 7.exd5 i.xa3! 1 8 .bxa3
1 �
� .i.. B4A)�� - - % I. '1We5 The poor bishop! Defending it becomes
6 r� � I.��
- - -%� �- - - � -
- - %� -r.
harder and harder. 1 9 .�f2 ( 1 9.E:c3 fails to
�
1 9 . . . lLlxd5 20.E:d3 lLl xe3 2 1 .E:xd7 Wif5 !-+,
�
-
winning the exchange)
5
�,�,��
3mlm��.!. �
4
2 ��-;� ; � 1 � r�
�
� -----%r--�
�� -�-----
_____
1� -1:.m
a b c d e f g h
14 ... d5!
I was very pleased with my position after this
move, but I confess that even I didn't suspect
j ust how good it was! Karen became agitated,
and had trouble finding his next move.
a 1 ) 1 9 . . . lt:l c5 ! ? deserves close attention. It
1 5.exd5?! sets White problems that are scarcely soluble:
20.E:xcSD bxcS 2 1 .f4 (2 I .E:d 1 E:ab8 22.�d3 With a quick win. It's astonishing that in
ltJxdS-+ doesn't save him either) 2 l . .. �e7 such a quiet variation as the hedgehog, White
22. i.f3 E:ab8-+ With an easy win. should be faced with problems like these as
early as move 1 S .
a2) 19 . . .ltJxdS 20.E:fd l ! ltJxe3!
Avoiding a simple little trap : 20 . . . �xe3t? b) 1 6. /'kd l ! With the help o f this strong move,
2 l .�xe3 ltJxe3 22.E:xd7 And on 22 ...ltJxg2? White at least prevents his opponent's pieces
White wins, perhaps even to his own from becoming too active. 1 6 . . . bS 1 7. ltJxdS
surprise, by 23 .i.c4+-. ltJxdS 1 8 .exdS ltJf6 1 9 .ltJc2 �c7t White's
On the other hand Black does have a good dS-pawn cannot be held, and I like Black's
alternative in 20 . . .ltJ7f6 2 I .E:d3 ltJxe3 position better. White will nonetheless be able
22.E:xe3 �xh2, emerging with an extra to offer decent resistance.
pawn in addition to his powerful attack.
2 1 .E:xd7 �f4 1 5 ...i.d6
It would have made sense to recapture with
1 S . . . exdS ! ? first, opening up the e-file, but I
was impatient to start the attack.
a b c d e f g h
22.E:c4
Trying to divert Black's attention by a
sacrificial offering. It's hard to think of
anything better.
White loses at once with 22.g3 ltJg4t, or
with 22.h3 ltJf5 ! - after which 23 .�xf7t
1 6.h3
c;t>h8-+ or 23.E:c2 ltJd4 would be equally I suspect Karen was extremely reluctant to
hopeless.
make this move, after which the dark squares
Finally, 22.g1 ltJg4! 23.fxg4 �xc l t 24. i.f1
in White's camp are left completely defenceless,
�eSt 2 S . c;t>h 1 �f2-+ similarly gives him no
but what else could he have done?
chance of survival.
22 . . . �xh2 23.E:e4 �xg2t 24.e1
a) 1 6.f4 loses within a few moves: 1 6 . . . exdS
24.xe3 E:xe4t 2 S .xe4 E:e8t 26.d4
1 7.ltJxdS i.xdS 1 8 .cxdS ltJcS ! 1 9 .i.xcS i.xcSt
�f2t 27.c3 �e3t, with the aim of
20.E:xcS bxcS 2 l .�xb8 E:exb8-+
meeting 28.i.d3 with 28 . . . E:c8t 29.b4
�eSt 30.®a4 �aS#, is the sort of line you
b) 1 6.g3
can only dream about!
The consequences of this move are no less
24 . . . E:xe4 2 S . fxe4 �g1 t 26.c;t>d2 ltJfl t!
depressing for White:
Chapter 8 - Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard Openin gs 309
1 6 . . . exd5 ! ? saving line for White - though possibly you

Black could also play 1 6 . . . i.xg3 , but White may be more successful.) 1 8 .�cd 1 i.h2t
wouldn't take the bishop, seeing that 1 7.hxg3 ? 1 9 . \t>h 1 ctJg3t 20.\t>xh2 ctJxfl t 2 1 . \t>g1 ctJg3
Wfxg3t 1 8 .\t>h 1 exd5 1 9 . i.g 1 Wfh3t 20.i.h2 22.i.d3 Wff4-+ With an extra exchange and
ctJg4! 2 1 .�f2D ctJxf2t 22.\t>g 1 ctJg4-+ leads the better game.
to mate. Instead after 1 7. f4! i.h4+ Black's
chances would be better, but there would Now an interesting question arises: what
still be a full-scale struggle ahead. would you play here if you had Black?
1 7.i.f2
Or 1 7.ctJxd5 i.xd5 1 8 .cxd5 i.xa3! 1 9 .Wfxa3
ctJxd5 and White can't avoid losing material.
1 7 . . . d4! 1 8 . i.xd4 i.xg3
It is high time to bring the curtain down; the
fate of the game is decided.
1 6 ... exd5
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h
5
17... d4!
4 Allow me to boast a little - I am very fond
3 of this move. "What is it for?" you may ask.
2
"Why is Black sacrificing a pawn?" The answer
is fairly simple. In the first place Black is
1 gaining an important tempo for the attack,
a b c d e f g h
and secondly I wanted to keep the c4-pawn
on the board, as it takes away a square from
17.i.f2 the unfortunate knight on a3 and hinders the
White would seem to have a certain choice, white queen from joining in the play. I hope
but not a very pleasant one. you will find my reasons convincing enough.
Apart from the move in the game, he might 1 8.hd40 �h5 19.i.f2
for example play 1 7.ctJxd5 i.xd5 1 8 .cxd5 , but There are no other decent moves in the
after 1 8 . . . ctJc5 1 9 . i.xc5 i.xc5t 20.�xc5 bxc5-+ position. At home afterwards I gave some
Black should win without too much trouble. attention to:
1 9 . l"i:fd 1
White could also play 1 7.id4, to which Black's During the game I had grudged spending
simplest answer is: 1 7 . . . ctJh5 ! (The somewhat any time on moves like that, as it was obvious
surprising 1 7 . . . ic5 ! ? is also playable. Then Black had various methods of sustaining the
for instance after 1 8 . i.xc5 ctJxc5 1 9 .Wfd 1 Wff4 attack. The simplest of these is:
20.cxd5 �ad8 !, I have been unable to find a 1 9 . . . ih2t
.i.�· ; �.i.�.-
board, no one would even notice!
23Jk2 Le4. 24..&e4. ��1
� "�Y•I•fwl(f l1l<t,3.;t; 1.'5-.ci1'f,1L
6 rw��
·- - -% � ��- �-- -%�
26.'1Mff3 B:ad8 27.B:cd2
5
�� . .
Or 27.B:d5 B:xd5 28.cxd5 �d4t-+ .
! � �
'"'/��C''f"'""� � � ��
27 . . . B:xd2 28.B:xd2 ltl xe4 29.B:d3 �h2t
4
� 30 . ..t>h 1 �g3-+
3 �,1W1Z1 Finally the black pieces have penetrated to

- - - � •��
�------�-�
t3J • t3J
� ��-� the white king. Of course the variation I have
z � ��r--�� Jj
1 �" ��g- �
given is not absolutely obligatory for White,
b d f g h
but j ust try finding some real improvement for
a c e him! I couldn't.
20 . ..t>h1D
After 2Q.<j{f2? '1Wg3t 2 1 .mfl ltlf4-+ the 19 ... tllf4
poor white king is pitiful to behold.
The consequences of 20.@fl are similar:
20 . . . ltl g3t 2 l .@f2 '1Wf4!-+ The black queen
triumphantly crosses to h4 for a quick mate.
20 . . . ltlc5 !
To all appearances 20 . . . ltl g3t!? 2 l .@xh2
ltlxe2t 22.@h l ltl xc l 23.B:xc l '1Wf4 24.'\Wd l
B:ad8 is also adequate to win.
2L.txc5
In the event of 2 1 .'1Wxb6 ltl g3t 22.mxh2
ltlxe2t 23.@h l '1Wg3! 24.ltlxe2 B:xe2 25 .�f2
'1Mfxf2 26.'1Mfd8t B:e8 27.'1Mfd2 '1Wh4-+ Black's
a b c d e f g h
extra piece guarantees him victory
2 l . . .bxc5 22.ltle4 �e5
20.B:fel
In response to 20.'\Wd l , Black would apply
roughly the same ideas as in the game: 20 . . . B:e6!
2 1 .ltlc2 '1Mfe8! 22.@h l (22. ltle4 is no help
either: 22 . . . B:xe4 23.fxe4 tt:lxh3t! 24.gxh3 '1We5
And if25 .@g2 then 25 . . . �xe4t.) 22 . . . ltlxh3 !-+
White's defence falls apart. So many black
pieces are participating directly in the attack
that no bookmaker would accept any bets on
the white king's survival.
a b c d e f g h
20 ... :Be6!
A positional struggle now commences, in At this point Black's choices are enough to
which nearly all White's pieces look like mere make him dizzy - each line he looks at is better
extras on the stage - especially the passive than the one before. Thus, one way to win is:
light-squared bishop and the wretched 20 . . . ltlxh3t!? 2 l .gxh3 �c5 ! 22.ltle4D hf2t
knight on a3 . If the latter vanished from the 23.xf2 (nothing is altered by 23.ltlxf2 '1Wg3t
Chapter 8 - Attackin g in Rare and Non-Standard Openin gs 31 1
24.\t>fl Ele6) 23 . . . �h2t 24.\t>fl (24.'it>e3 2 1 . tLl e4

�xe4 25.fxe4 CLlc5 !-+ is no better) 24 . . . CLlc5 ! The variation 2 l .�fl ? ctJxh3t 22.gxh3 Elg6t
2 5 . tt.'lxc5 �c8 ! And mates. 23 .�g2 �xf3-+ would take ten seconds to
work out and about one more minute to check
The consequences of the following move are carefully.
equally dismal for White:
20 . . . �c5! 2 l .�h l
To refute this move Black needs a little more
imagination. He continues:
2 l . . .�c5 !
2 l . . .tt.'lxg2! 22.'it>xg2 Elg6t 23.\t>h l �c5!-+
is also quite adequate to win.
22 .�g3
After 22.�xc5 CLlxc5 23 .�c2 ctJxh3 24.gxh3
� g3 mate is unavoidable.
22 . . . Eig6 23.CLle4
23 .�h2 is no help either: 23 . . . Ei:xg2! 24.�xf4
b d f g h
�xf4 2 5 .'it>xg2 �g5t 26.�h l �g3 With
a c e
mate on the very next move. It's simply
2 l . CLle4D amazing how bad White's position is!
On 2 l .�xc5? CLlxc5 22.�xb6, Black has 23 . . . Ei:xg3!
22 . . . ctJxh3t! 23.'it>h1 �g3 24.�xc5 ctJf4, The only white piece that was doin g anything
and now neither 25 .�g l Ele6! nor 25 .�fl to cover the dark squares on the kingside is
Elxe l 26.Eixe l �xe l can be to White's liking. now destroyed.
2 l . . .�xe4 22.fxe4 �xf2t 23.'it>xf2 CLlxe2 24.tt.'lxg3 tt.'lxh3 2 5 . CLle4 �xe4 26.gxh3 �c6-+
24.'it>xe2 White cannot defend against the many
24.Eixe2? �f4t threats.
24 . . . ctJc5 ! 2 5 .�f3 CLlxe4 26.'it>d3 �d6t
27.'it>c2 �d2t 28.\t>b l �xe l !-+ 2 I ...Ei:g6
The king has braved the enemy crossfire to
reach a safe haven, yet this has not saved White
from defeat.
a b c d e f g h
22.�fl
a b c d e f g h
Black's attack also develops successfully in The white pieces are completely useless in
the event of: defence. Observe how simply and naturally
the attack proceeds; Black has no need at all
22.Wh l :B:xg2!? 23 .i.fl to hurry, he j ust brings his pieces across to the
Exchanging with 23.ttJxd6 '!Wxd6-+ would vicinity of the white king. Such play is only
only be helping Black. made possible by Black's total domination
23 . . . :B:xf2!? of the dark squares and the absence of any
23 ... :B:g6 would also be perfectly adequate counterplay from his opponent.
to win, but the exchange sacrifice is more
instructive. 22 . ..Eihh3 t 23.Whl tL!xflt 24.tLlxf2 :B:h6t
24.lt:lxf2lt:lh5! 25.tLlh3
On 25.Wg l , White is mated prettily by
25 . . . i.h2t 26.Whl i.gl t 27.tj{xg l '!Wh2#!
25 ....ic5
Black's queen wants to get to g3 . This cannot
be stopped, so the fate of the game is settled.
8
7
a b c d e f g h 6
25 .:B:c2 5
After 2 5 . ttJe4 lt:l c5 26.'1Wc2 lt:lxe4 27.fxe4 4
3
ttJg3t 28.Wg2 i.c5 ! Black threatens both
29 . . . '1Wf4 and 29 . . .f5 , and the white monarch
is left to his own devices. 2
1
25 . . . i.c5 26.lt:le4
26.i.g2 '!Wg3 27.:B:fl '1Wf4! is j ust as hopeless;
the queen vacates g3 for the knight as in a a b c d e f g h
well rehearsed dance, and all that remains
26.YNd3
for White is to stop the clock.
In the event of 26.:B:e4 '!Wg3 27.:B:g4, the
26 . . . ttJg3t 27.Wg2 tt'lxe4 28.fxe4 '!We5 !-+
queen continues its journey: 27 . . . '1Wf2! 28 .i.d3
:B:xh3t 29.gxh3 hf3t And mates.
26 .. )Lle5
The most attractive route to victory was
26 . . . 'Wg3 ! 27.'Wxd7 i.c6! 28. '1Wf5 ixf3-+
with mate in a few moves, but with such a
won position you can't help going for the
simplest and most transparent continuation.
It's only natural that I wanted to win without
unnecessary complications.
a b c d e f g h
27.Yhf5D <i1xf3!-+ 28.g:xf3 Yhg3 29.�g2 Lev Psakhis - Venkat Saravanan

�
Andorra 2000
8 � -�-ll·��
�A� It always gives me pleasure to recall my
7
6
��-��£��
it� ••��
tournaments in Andorra. From 1 994 onwards
I played there ten times without suffering
w----�wi�� -----'
� �
a single defeat - although there was no
5
�� ''<' ll�
shortage of lost positions in my games. In fact
4 -ll�ll it was there, in 2002, that I gained my final
%"'//.
3
tournament victory.
•• ..t -ii{ttJ
i-----�w-0 �� % 3�
m
2 ��-- - -�-- - -£- __
l .d4 g6
My Indian friend Venkat Saravanan can
1- �� -� play a multitude of different variations, so I
a b c d e f g h considered it a pure waste of time to do any
preparation for this game. The one thing of
Quite an appealing final position. White is a
which I was convinced was that he would steer
piece up, but if we look at the simply grotesque
clear of theoretical disputes and choose some
placing of his knights, it isn't at all surprising
that at this moment he acknowledged defeat. rare continuation.
0-1
2.c4 �g7 3.e4
What can be said about this game? Karen
Grigorian wasn't a specialist in this type of
position - it wouldn't surprise me to discover 8
that he had hardly ever faced the hedgehog 7
before - and he therefore had no very good 6
5
idea of the dangers White might encounter.
4
At most he made two mistakes - 1 4 .\Wb3? and
1 5 .exd5 ?! - but they were quite sufficient to
lose. I have already spoken (in my notes to Tal 3
2
- Miles) of how the punishment is sometimes
out of proportion to the crime. Why this
should be, I wouldn't know. Perhaps on that 1
a b c d e f g h
day Caissa, the goddess of chess, was just on
my side?
I always liked to seize as much space on the
board as possible, but this policy has some
negative aspects; you certainly aren't always
able to consolidate the space successfully.
3 ... c5 4.d5 d6 s.<i1c3 e6 6.<i1f3 <i1e7

I cannot say that this move surprised me -
Venkat did sometimes play this way - but as
I had no experience of handling this variation 9.cxd5

myself, I decided to deploy my pieces according If White wants a quieter game, he can play
to a scheme that is extremely popular in the 9.exd5 . For example, Prakash - Saravanan,
Benoni. India (ch) 2000, continued 9 . . . lDd7 (9 . . . h6!?)
1 0 .0-0 iDeS 1 1 .lDxe5 ixe5 1 2.ig5 , with
somewhat the better prospects for White.
9 l!Jd7
•••
In Bogdanovski - Efimov, European Club

Cup, lzmir 2004, Black's risky play met with
a powerful refutation: 9 . . . a6 1 O.a4 h6 1 1 . 0-0
lDd7 1 2.if4 Vfic7 1 3 .ih2 g5?! 1 4.e5!
8
7
6
a b c d e f g h
5
7.h3
Not that I was much afraid of . . .ig4 and a 4
subsequent exchange on f3, but for one thing 3
2
I like playing that way for Black myself, and
furthermore the somewhat cramped nature of
Black's game means that exchanging even one 1
a b c d e f g h
piece will have its advantages for him.
7 .. 0-0 s.id3 exd5

. 1 0.0-0
Of course the insertion of 8 . . . a6 9 . a4 Interesting complications can arise from:
introduces no new factors into the position. 1 O.if4!? f5 1 1 .ih2!
Chapter 8 - Attackin g in Rare and Non-Standard Openin gs 31 5
The most exact move. Another option was 1 5 .:B:fel ! ? with the firm
By no means everything is so clear after intention of marshalling all White's forces in
1 l .�xd6 �xc3t 1 2.bxc3 fxe4 1 3 .�xe4 lt:l f6 the centre and carrying out e4-e5 at the most
1 4.�e5! lt:lxe4 1 5 .d6, with chances for both suitable moment. I thought about this plan,
sides. but decided that bringing the f-pawn into play
1 l . . .fxe4 would give extra attacking possibilities.
In this case I don't think it pays Black to
exchange off such an important bishop. 1 5 ...�a5
After 1 l . . .�xc3 t 1 2.bxc3 fxe4 1 3 .�xe4 lt:l f6 A risky move, but not a bad one. Obviously
1 4.�d3 lt:l exd5 1 5 .0-0 his king can't feel too the initiative is firmly in White's hands, and
comfortable; at any rate, White obviously it's only a matter of time before he carries out
has more than enough for the pawn. the break in the centre with e4-e5. Saravanan
1 2.lt:lxe4 lt:lb6 1 3 .0-0 places his queen where it lies in wait; he pins
With some advantage. the knight on c3 at least temporarily, and
prepares the advance . . . b7-b5 which is his only
IO ... ttle5 l l .ttlxe5 he5 1 2 ..th6 chance of counterplay. This move is especially
Another possibility is 1 2 .�g5 . Then for j ustified since other constructive ideas for
example after 1 2 . . . f5 1 3 .exf5 �xf5 1 4.�c4;!; Black are hard to find; with 1 5 . . . f5 1 6.e5 or
there are quite a few weaknesses in Black's 1 5 . . . f6 1 6.e5t he would only be giving himself
position. But how can you rej ect such a natural extra problems.
mo �e as the one I played?
8
8 �-j_� ·
�Y- �
···- - x--��- 7
7
%--- -% � - """ -� 6
6 • �li%{ -·�
� � �;� 5
5 a% �•zr- �-
----- % -�� 4
4 � � �
-----
� � F' /"��
3 m m,-- � • R8 ��
3
2
2 8i}-�'--- -� ��-�---x'fb:'8�
�---- ----%� m�
__
1
1 �� -V-g� a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
16.e5
I2 ...Ag7 This was the only point in the game
Whether to exchange the dark-squared when I spent a good deal of time over a
bishops or leave them on the board was a single move, and indeed I had something to
difficult choice for Black to make. In his place think about! I wanted to go into action and
I probably wouldn't have hurried with the start an attack immediately, so basically I
exchange, although after 1 2 .. J:!e8 1 3 .\Wd2;!; found myself choosing between 1 6.e5 and
White still has the better chances. 1 6. f5. After 1 6. f5 , I wasn't too happy about
1 6 . . . f6! ? or even 16 . . . lt:l g8 , so I diligently set
13.�d2;t .td7 14.hg7 i>xg7 1 5 .f4 about calculating the complex lines stemming
from the e4-e5 break - but I rather underrated 1 8 .'1Mfxd5 i.c6!

Black's defensive possibilities. Black doesn't cling to his pawns but fights
actively for the initiative.
Objectively the strongest continuation may 1 9 .'1Mfxd6 Ei:ad8 20 .'1Mfe7t Ei:f7 2 1 .1M1'h4 Ei:d2
well have been 16.:!:'!:f2!?, defending the queen 22. Ei:f2D
in case of need and preparing to double
rooks on the f-file. After 1 6 .. J:!ae8 ( 1 6 . . . b 5 ?
fails t o 1 7.lLlxb5) l ?. Ei:afl , White maintains
the tension in the centre and postpones the
decision as to which pawn should advance
first.
1 6 dxe5?!
...
Like my opponent I considered this to be the

main line, as 1 6 . . . lLlxd5! looked exceedingly
b d f g h
hazardous. Of course I spent quite some time
a c e
on that move as well, but there were so many
tempting ideas at White's disposal that I was 22 . . . Ei:xb2!
convinced I would be able to gain the upper A splendid idea; Black's light-squared bishop
hand without much trouble. will now play a key role.
23.Ei:xb2 '1Mfxc3 24.'1Mff2
In the event of 24.Ei:ab l i.e4! White will
presently have to give perpetual check; it will
be important for him not to miss the chance!
24 . . . Ei:xf4 2 5 .'1Mfxf4 '1Mfxb2 26.'1Mffl '1Mfxe5?
b) 1 7.exd6!?
I like this variation better than the last one,
but does it guarantee White a plus?
1 7 . . . Ei:ae8 1 8 . f5
a b c d e f g h
In reality things are more complicated.

White does have quite a wide choice of lines
that look promising - let us examine the three
principal ones.
a) 1 7.i.xg6
This can be discarded without much regret.
Black simply replies:
b d f g h
1 7 . . . fxg6
a c e
1 7 . . . lLlxc3 is too risky; after 1 8 .i.c2 i.b5 !
1 8 . . . c4!
1 9 .bxc3 i.xfl 20.Ei:xfl White has excellent
It's only through activity that Black can
compensation for the exchange.
count on a viable game.
Chapter 8 -Attacking in Rare and Non-Standard Openings 317
After 1 8 . . . \1;Vb4 1 9 .f6t li?h8 20 .EH2! he 27 . . . l':!:g6, forcing White into 28 .Wf8t l':!:g8 = .
remains a long way short of full equality. 24.�xe8 WeS t
1 9 .�xc4 lL\ e3 More convincing than 24 . . . Wb6t 25.\ilh2
1 9 . . . Wc5t 20.1':!:f2t is unsatisfactory for Wxd6 26.l':i:dl;!;.
Black. 2 5 . \ilh2 \1;Ve5 ! 26.d7! ll:\ f5t 27.\ilg l ll:\xh6
After 27 . . . Wd4t 28 .\ilh l ll:\xh6 29.l':!:d l
Black can't stop the pawn anyway, and White
emerges with complete control of the d-file.
28.d8=W l':!:xe800
An interesting variation!
c) 1 7.f5
This is what I intended during the game.
1 7 . . . ll:\xc3 !
The only reply!
b d f g h
Capturing with 1 7 . . . dxe5? is unsatisfactory
a c e
for Black in view of 1 8 .f6t!, after which
20 .�e6! neither 1 8 . . . ll:\ xf6 1 9 .l':!:xf6 l':!:ad8 20.Wg5 nor
A beautiful move! White pours oil on 1 8 .. .'�h8 1 9 .Wh6 l':!:g8 20.ll:\e4+- can be at
the flames, and extreme precision is now all to his liking.
required on his opponent's part. Much the same can be said of 1 7 . . . Wb4?, as
20 . . . ll:\xfl 2 1 .f6t after 1 8 . f6t li?h8 1 9 .Wh6 l':!:g8 20.ll:\e4+
Unfortunately 2 1 .Wd4t is no good; after mate is inevitable.
2 l . . .f6! 22.�xd7 l':!:d8 Black already has the
better chances.
2 1 . . .\ilhs 22.Wh6 l':!:g8 23.�xd7
a b c d e f g h
Now we need a further split:
a b c d e f g h
c l ) 1 8 .f6t li?h8 1 9 .Wh6?! ( 1 9.bxc3 c4
23 . . . ll:\ g3!? transposes to variation c2) 1 9 . . . l':!:g8 20.l':!:f4
For the first time in quite a while Black This looks extremely dangerous to Black,
actually has a choice; he can also play but meets with the uncomplicated refutation
23 . . . l':!:d8!? 24.l':!:xfl l':!:xd7 2 5 . ll:\ e4 g5� with 20 . . . ll:\ e2t! 2 1 .�xe2 Wd2+.
an unclear position. After something like
26.h4!? gxh4 27.l':!:f4 he can always resort to c2) 1 8 .bxc3 c4! 1 9.f6t li?h8 20.�xc4!
The tempting 20 .�h6 :B:g8 2 1 .:B:f4 is weaker, 1 8 .ixg6 fxg6 1 9.�xd5 ic6 20.�d6 �d8 !
as Black has a sound defence in 2 1 . . .�c5 t (incidentally 20 . . . �b4!? isn't at all bad either) .
22.'\t>h l �e3!t. Then for example after 2 l .�xc5 �g5 22.tLld5
20 . . . �c5 t 2 1 .<j;Jh2 :B:xfl t 23.:B:xfl :B:e8oo Black can look to the
future with some confidence.
1 8 .. .CtJb6D
Not 1 8 . . . tt:lxc3 which loses at once to
1 9 .�xd7.
a b c d e f g h
2 1 . . .dxe5!
It isn't yet time for Black to relax; stumbling
on level ground is possible even at the last
moment!
After 2 1 . . .�xe5t 22.<\t>h l , let alone after
2 1 . . .�xc4? 22 .�h6 :B:g8 23.:B:f4±, there are
hard times ahead for him. a b c d e f g h
A more interesting try is 2 1 . . .ie6, but after
19.Lf'7!
22.ixe6 �xe5t 23.g3 �xe6 24.:B:ae l �c4
This move constitutes White's main idea.
2 5 .:B:f2! the activity ofWhite's pieces is more
Of course I had to see it when playing 1 6.e5;
than enough compensation for the sacrificed
otherwise it would be hard to explain what
pawn.
I was counting on when I started all these
22.�h6 :B:g8 23 .ixf7 �f8 ! 24.�xf8 :B:gxf8
complications. The black monarch is forced to
25 .ib3
crawl out of his cosy little nest, and in addition
White has preserved a slight initiative,
White acquires a powerful passed e-pawn. Add
although in my view this shouldn't prevent his
to this the position of the black queen which is
opponent from gradually levelling the chances.
in long-term exile, and White's attack becomes
irresistible.
Of course all these vanatwns are highly
complex. Calculating them to the end is
19 J;xf7
..
practically impossible, and in order not to lose

The attempt to decline the poisoned gift
quickly Black needs to find the sole correct
offered no great hopes of salvation either:
move in several situations. Small wonder, then,
that Saravanan went wrong.
1 9 . . . ib5 20.�f4
Or 20.e6!, which 1s JUSt as good - for
17.fxe5 tlJxd5 1 8.i.c4! example 20 . . . ixfl 2 l .:B:xfl �b4 22.:B:f4,
A move my opponent had clearly
and now the following options look equally
underestimated. He was probably hoping for
hopeless: 22 . . . :B:ad8 23 .�e3 ! tt:l c4 24.�g3
Chapter 8 - Attackin g in Rare and Non-Standard Openin gs 319
o r 2 2.. J!:fd8 23.�e3 ! E!:d4 24.�e5t @h6 c4 24.�xg6t c.!fd8 (24 ... E!:f7 25.lt:l e4 is no
2 5 . lt:l e4!. help either) 25.�d6! E!:f5 26.e6 �e5 27.�xe5
20 ...�xfl 2 l .�f6t @h6 22.E!:xfl lt:l d7D E!:xe5 28.exd7+- 1he two passed pawns on the
kingside will easily settle the outcome.
8
7 The refutation of 2 l ...@g8 is j ust as easy:

6
22.lt:l e4 �b4 23.lt:l f6t @f7 24.�xh7t @e6
5
25.E!:d l ! +- And already the curtain can be
4
lowered.
3 Objectively the strongest move of course is:

2 2 l ...@e8
But the result is a foregone conclusion
b d f g h
anyway. White simply takes the pawn:
a c e
22.�xh7 @d8
23 .�d6! Or 22 ...c4 23.�xg6t @d8 24.�f6t c;t>c8
Conducting the attack with quiet moves. 25.�f8t @c7 26 .�d6t @c8 27.E!:fl with
This is more convincing than 23.�f4t, as inevitable mate.
after 23 . . . @g7 24.e6 �b4! the situation on 23.e6 he6
the board is still not definitely clarified. 23 . . . @c7 24. lt:l d5 t @c6 25 .E!:d l �xe6
23...�d8 24.e6 lt:l b6 25 .�xc5 +- 26.�xg6+-
1he e-pawn is not to be stopped. 24.�h8t c;t>e7 2 5 .� g7t c;t>d6 26.E!:d l t @c6
27.�e7+-
20.E!:xf7t @xf7 2I .VNh6! 1he king hunt concludes successfully.
8
22.VNxh7t
4
3
1
a b c d e f g h
a b C d e f g h
2I.. ..if5
This loses straight away, but Black had no
substantial improvements. 22 ... �e8
Black's moves are n o longer o f any
For instance after 2 l . . .E!:f8 , the simplest way significance; White's path to victory is too
for White to win is: 22.�xh7t @e8 23.Ei:d l easy. On 22 ...c;t>f8 , he has the decisive 23 .e6!
j,xe6 24.E:fl t \t>e8 25.E:e l . Nothing is altered Black chose a strategically hazardous variation
by 22 . . . \t>e6 either, in view of 23J'!d l E:e8 that required him to play with extreme
24. 1Mrg7. precision. I had no trouble obtaining a slight
advantage from the opening, bur on move
23.e6 sixteen I was faced with a dilemma: should I
starr active operations at once, or first spend
some more time improving the placing of my
pieces? I have said that the positional 1 6.E:f2
was objectively the strongest continuation, but
from the subjective viewpoint 1 6 .e5 was likely
to be much more dangerous to Black. It was
difficult, almost impossible, for him to find the
narrow path to salvation in a situation where
any inaccuracy could be fatal.
Summing up, I would like to say this: if you
are in quest of that sovereign entity The Truth,
then play 1 6.E:f2. But if you just want to play
an interesting game - with every prospect of
winning it too - then 1 6.e5 is the move for
you!
Chapter9
57 Exercises
Thailand 2009
finaii!:J reunited with m!:J long lost twin brother.
It could be !:JOU. Good luck with the exercises!
Baranov - Psakhis, Krasnoyarsk 1 974 Toth - Matulovic, Budapest 1 972
G)s
7
6
5
3
2
1 !:::,.
Piankov - Psakhis, Irkutsk 1 977 Baranov - Psakhis, Krasnoyarsk 1 97 4 (var)
8 0
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Skembris - Psakhis, Novi Sad (ol) 1 974 Petrosian - Schmid, Zurich 1 96 1
Chapter 9 - 57 Exercises 323
Vladimirov - Psakhis, Riga 1 980 Baburin - Lengyel, Budapest 1 990
4
3
Keene - Miles, Hastings 1 975-6 Stean - Padevsky, Moscow 1 977
0s
7
4
3
a b c d e f g h
Chekhov - Veselovsky, USSR 1 9 80 Novikov - Kourkounakis, Isle of Man 1 996
@
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Hebden - Litdewood, England 1 98 1 Avrukh - Gheorghiu, Biel 1 996
8 @
7
6
5
1
a b c d e f g h
Sturua - Kutirov, Yerevan (ol) 1 996
Chapter 9 - 57 Exercises 325
Vaisser - Anic, Auxerre 1 996 Skripchenko - Dzagnidze, Antakya 20 1 0
a b c d e f g h
Annaberdiev - Bu Xiangzhi, Russia ( ol) 20 1 0
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
Gulko - Kaidanov, Washington 1 994 Pijpers - Swinkels, Meesterklasse 20 1 0
a b c d e f g h
Tukhaev - Radovanovic, Chalkis 20 1 0 Kotronias - Xiu Deshun, Moscow 20 1 1
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
De Ia Riva - Caruana, Dresden (ol) 2008
8 ®
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 b.
a b c d e f g h
Simagin - Stein, Moscow 1 96 1
@s 8 ®
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 b. 1 b.
Chapter 9- 57 Exercises 327
Jacko - Dydyshko, Michalovce 20 1 1 Barbosa - Le Quang Liem, Vietnam 20 1 1
@s
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 � 1
�___j��_J
lvanchuk - Beliavsky, Russia (ol) 20 1 0 Piorun - Stoma, Warsaw 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
Naiditsch - Eljanov, Sibenik 20 1 0
@s
7
6
5
4
3
2
1 ��___j��_J
a b c d e f g h
Stefanova - Dzagnidze, Doha 20 1 1 Zagrebe1ny - Spraggett, France 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
Marie - Petrosian, Vinkovci 1 970
@s ®
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
Flumbort -Serov, Oberwart 20 1 0
@s
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
Magem Badals - Oms Pallisse, Spain 20 1 0 Tissir - Bisby, Daventry 20 1 0
a b c d e f g h
Oleksienko - Gupta, New Delhi 20 1 1
@s 8 @
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
1
a b c d e f g h
Edouard - Tkachiev, Belfort 20 1 0 Vachier-Lagrave - Wang Hao, Wijk aan Zee 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
Ganguly - Filippov, Guangzhou (rapid) 20 1 0
@s
7
6
5
3
2
1 6
='---'=---.e.:=--.==--....1
a b c d e f g h
Petrosian - Sosonko, Tilburg 1 9 82 (var) Sethuraman - Shyam, New Delhi 20 1 0
@s
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
a b c d e f g h
Vitiugov - Khismatullin, Moscow 2009
Solutions
( 1 ) B. Baranov - L. Psakhis 34.E!:e7t ixe7 3 5 . E!:xe7t ctff6 36.E!:f7t c;t>e5
Krasnoyarsk 1 974 37.ia6 E!:e8±) 26 hxg4 27.i.xd6 l3xe1
•.•
28.l3xe1 gxh3t 29.cj;>h1 l3e8 30.ie5!± White

8 went on to win. 1-0
7
6
(2) E. Piankov - L. Psakhis
5
Irkutsk 1 977
4 8
3 7
2 6
5
a b c d e f g h 4
In this complex position my opponent 3

found an excellent continuation. 24)ijg4! 2
Disrupting Black's coordination and preparing
b d f g h
a lovely idea. 24 h5 (24 . . . if5 25 .ie5! dxe5
•..
a c e
26.d6t ct/g7 27.dxc7 ixg4 28.hxg4 'Wxg4
29.ia6 'Wd7 30.c8='W E!:axc8 3 1 .El:d 1 'Wc7 This time there is a one-punch knockout
32.ixc8 'Wxc8 33.E!:d5t) 25.ie5!! White which forced White's immediate resignation.
leaves the knight and puts a second piece en 35 llJe3!! 0-1
•..
prise! 25 i.xg2 (25 . . . hxg4 26.E!:xe4 E!:xe5

•..
27.E!:xe5 dxe5 28.d6t ct?g7 29.dxc7 El:c8 (3) S. Skembris - L. Psakhis

30.ie6 E!:xc7 3 l .ixg4t) Novi Sad (ol) 1 974
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
26.cj;>xg2 (26. 'Wd3!? dxe5 27.llJxe5 E!:xe5 White looks to be - and is! - in serious
28 .E!:xe5 'Wxh3 29.d6t ct/g7 30.'Wxh3 ixh3 trouble, but he can keep himself in the game
3 1 .El:fe 1 if6 32.E!:5e3 if5 33.dxc7 E!:c8 with the help of some remarkable tactics.
Chapter 9 - Solutions 333
3 1 Jie6!! gxe6! The only convincing reply.

32.dxe6 gxd2 33.exd7 V!fe7 34.hd2 ltl c4
a b c d e f g h
44 h4!-+ 45.h3 hxg3 46.i.f3 ( 46. lt>xg3

b d f g h
..•
a c e
'Wg5 t 47.g;,f3 'Wh5t; 46.fxg3 ll'le3 t! 47.i.xe3
'We2t) 46 gxfl47.i>xfl V!ibs 48.i>e2 V!id6
•.•
35.i.e1 (White could have created more 49.i.f2 V!fe6t 0-1

problems with: 3 5 .i.c6!! tt'lxd2 36.E:al g;,g7
37.h4 d3 3 8 .l'l:d l ! [3 8 . E:a8 Wi'e l t 39.g;,h2 (4) B. Toth - M. Matulovic
tt'lfl t 40.g;,h l ll'le3t 4 1 .g;,h2 lt'lg4t 42.1t>h3 Budapest 1 972
lt'lxf2t-+] 38 . . . lt'lb3! [38 . . . lt'lc4 39.E:xd3
W/d8 40.b5 lt'lb6oo] 39.gxd3 lt'ld4 40.E:e3
[40.E:xd4? Wi'e i t 4 1 .g;,h2 Wi'e5t-+] 40 . . . W/d6
4 I .b5 ll'le6+) 35 V!fxd7 36.b5 V!fe6 37.i>fl
..•
d3 (37 . . . lt'la3 ! 38 .gc l lt'lxb5-+) 38.gd1

(38 .i.c3! ?) 38 V!id6
•.•
a b c d e f g h
Presumably White was expecting a mundane

recapture on f5 , but Black found a much more
dynamic way to handle the position. 16 ltl h6! .••
17.fxg6?! (White should have settled for

b d f g h
a c e
1 7 . g;,h l lt'lxf5 1 8 .ll'lxf5 i.xf5 1 9 .i.f3 with
equality.) 17 i.d4!+ 1 8.gxh7t i>hs 19.gf3
•..
39.g3? (39 .i.c3 was necessary. After the text ltlg4 20.V!id3 V!fh4 2 1 .h3 ltlxe3 22.gxe3
move Black is winning, and was able to convert (22.i.xe3 E:xe3! 23.E:xe3 'Wxf4 24.lt'ld l ll'lxd5
his advantage.) 39 ...V!fd4 (39 . . .d2! 40.i.xd2 -+) 22 V!fxf4 23.ltld1 ltlxd5 24.ga3 ltlxe3
.••
Wi'd3t! 4 I .It>g2 ll'lxd2-+) 40.i.d2 V!fb2 4I .i.e3 25.ltlxe3 i.f5-+ 26.V!ib3 i.xh7 27.i>h1 i.e5!
V!fxb5 (4 l . . . lt'le5!? 42.E:d2 'Wxb5-+) 42.i.d4 28.i>g1 V!ih2t 29.i>f2 i.g3t 30.i>f3 i.e4t
i>h7 43.i.e4 (43 .E:xd3 ll'ld2t! 44.\t>e2 3 I .i>g4 ggst o-1
lt'lxf3-+; 43.g;,g2 d2 44.i.c3 'Wd7 intending
. . . 'Wd3 winning) 43 d2 44.i>g2
••.
(5) B. Baranov - L. Psakhis 37.lLlg5 -+) 3 1 .etJg5t cj]f8 32.hd6t cj]g7

Krasnoyarsk 1 974 (variation) 33 . .ie5t cj]f8 34JU6t cj]g7 35J��e6t cj]f8=
8 ( 6) T. Petrosian L. Schmid
7
-
Zurich 1 96 1
6
8
5
7
6
3
5
2
4
3
b d f g h
2
a c e
This is j ust one of many potential offshoots
b d f g h
from the first test position, and contains a lot
a c e
of tactical nuances. 29J!e6! The only way
to survive! (29 .l:he 8 ? !l:xe8 3 0 .�xg2 !l:e3-+ ; In this position Petrosian quickly obtained
2 9 .�xg2?! !l:xe 1 30 .�xe 1 � g7 3 l .�g3 '1Wd2t a huge advantage with some energetic play.
3 2 . � g 1 �xh7 3 3 .'1Wf3 [33.�xd6 !l:e8-+] 2 1 .g4! etJf6 (2 l . . .fxg4 22.fxg4 lt::l g7 leaves the
3 3 . . . '\Wd4t 34.�h 1 � g7-+) 29 ...%Vg3 knight horribly misplaced, and after 23.b4!
(29 . . . lt::l xe6? 3 0 . dxe6t � g8 3 1 . lLl f6t White has the upper hand all over the board;
� f8 32.�xg2 'I.Wg5 t 3 3 . lLl g4±; 29 ... !l:xe6 2 1 . . .lLl g7 22.b4! is similar.) 22.gxf5 gxf5
3 0 . dxe6t � g8 3 l .lLl f6 t � f8 3 2 . lLl d7t �e8! 23.E!gl t cj]hs (23 . . . �f7 24.�f4! [threatening
[32 ... � g8 ? 3 3 .�xg2 'I.We4t 34.�fL. 'I.Wf4t e5] 24 . . . tLlh5 25 .�g5 +- Black is busted and f4
3 5 .�e2 'I.We4t 36.'ii> d 1 +-] 3 3 .�xg2 'I.Wg5 t is coming next.)
34.�f3 d5 3 5 .�b5 'I.Wf5 t 3 6 .�g3 'I.Wg5 t
37.�f3=) 8
7
8
6
7
5
6
4
5
3
2
3
2
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
24.E!g3!? (24.'1Wg2 b5 [24 . . . '\Wd? 25.b4±]
a c e
2 5 . axb5 axb5 26.tLlxb5! tLlxb5 27.�xb5 wins
30 ..ie5! This idea is already familiar from as 27 . . . !l:xb5 is met by 28 .�c3 .) 24 ... E!e7
the first test position. 30 ...'1Wxb3 (30 . . . '\Mfe l t? 25.E!bgl E!g7? (The only chance was:
3 l .�xg2 'i.Wd2t 32.�gl dxe5 33 .'1Wf3t �g7 25 . . . '\Wd?! 26.�xa6 lt::l xa6 27.'Wxa6±)
34.'1Wf6t mg8 3 5 .'\WxgGt �h8 36.'\WfGt �g8
My opponent has built up a powerful

attacking position, and now he broke through
in style. 16.i.xh6! gxh6 17.h5 �ge7 (The
best chance was: 1 7 . . . lt:l gf4!? 1 8 .lt:lxd5 lt:l h3t
1 9.gxh3 exd5 20.ge2±) 1 8.Wxh6 �g7
( 1 8 . . . e5?! 1 9.gg4t lt:l g6 20.hxg6+-; 1 8 . . . lt:l f5
1 9 .l::� g4t lt:l g7 20.lt:lxd5 exd5 2 l .ge l !+-)
19.l3g4 �g6 20.Wg5 �xc3 (20 . . . e5 2 1 .lt:lxd5
�xd5 22.�g3 �f6 23.'1We3 +-) 2l .�xg6!+
�e2t 22.�fl fxg6 23.Wxg6 Wc7 24.h6 1-0
a b c d e f g h
26.e5! (26.gxg7! �xg7 27.e5 dxe5 28 .'\WxeS is (8) R. Keene A Miles

-
.
also crushing.) 26 ... dxe5 (26 . . . gxg3 27.gxg3 Hastings 1 975-6

lt:lhS 28.gg5 lt:l g7 29.e6+-) 27.Wxe5 lt:l ces
(27 . . . Wd8 28.gxg7 �xg7 29 .�f4 gc8 30.d6
lZl ce8 3 1 .�h6!) 28.l3xg7 hg7
a b c d e f g h
In this thematic IQP position Keene found

a nice idea to put pressure on his opponent.
a b c d e f g h 14.l3e3! This move yields promising attacking
29.l3xg7! (29 .�f4 ga8 30.'1We7 '1Wd8 3 1 .Wf7+-) chances, although Black's position remains
29 ... �xg7 30.We7t �g6 (30 . . . <j;>h8 sound. 14 ...g6 ( 1 4 . . . lt:lbd5 ! ? deserved
3 l .�f4+-) 3 l .d6! Black resigned in view of attention: 1 5 .gg3 [ 1 5 .lt:lxd5 Wxd5! - but not
3 1 . . J�� b 7 32.'1We3, or 3 1 . . .f4 32.�d3 t . 1-0 1 5 . . . lt:lxd5 ? 1 6.�xh7t! - 1 6.gg3 g6 1 7.�h6
gfd8 keeps Black solid] 1 5 . . . g6 1 6.�h6 lt:lxc3
(7) E. Vladimirov - L. Psakhis [ 1 6 . . . ge8? 1 7.�xg6 hxg6 1 8 .Wc2+-] 1 7.bxc3
Riga 1 980 ge8 1 8 .�d3 Wc7 [ 1 8 . . . lt:l e4 1 9.Wf3 lt:l d6
20.Wf4--t] 1 9 .Wc2 �f8! Black is okay.) 15.l3g3
8 1 5 ... l3c8? ( 1 S . . . lt:l c6! 1 6.�h6 Wxd4
7
1 7. '1Wxd4 lt:lxd4 1 8 .�xf8 <j;>xf8 gives Black
6
reasonable compensation for the exchange.)
5
1 6.�h6± l3e8 17.a3 ttJc6 ( 1 7 . . . lt:l bd5 1 8 .�xg6
hxg6 1 9 . '1Wb 1 lt:lxc3 20.gxg6t <j;>h7 2 1 .lt:lxf7!
4 lt:l e2t 22.<j;>fl gel t 23 .�xc l [23.'\Wxc l gg8]
3 23 . . . �e4 24.gh6t <j;>g8 25.lt:lxd8 �xb 1
2
w·='z. __ . . .. . Y--·"'""'' -��;
26.�xe2+-)
a b c d e f g h
i.e6 29.'1Wb8+-) 25 ... fxe6D 26.Y!Yxe6t �h8

27.�xd8
a b c d e f g h
1 8.�xg6!+- hxg6 19.Lg6 fxg6 ( 1 9 . . . iid6

b d f g h
20.iixf7t 'it>xf7 2 1 .�g7t liff8 22.'1Wf3+-; a c e
1 9 . . . iif8 20 .iie4t lifh8 2 1 .iixf8 �xf8
[2 l . . .lLlxe4 22.\WhS#] 22.\Wc l lt:l g8 23 .�h3t 27 ...Y!Yxd8? (27 ... '1Wxh2t! 28.1ifxh2 �hst
'it>g7 24.\Wf4+-) 20.Y!Yb 1 ! (20 .Y!Yc2? lLle5! 29.'1Wh3 [29 .'it>g3 i.xe6 30.�xe6 �xd8 3 1 .i.f4
2 1 .�xg6t [2 1 .dxe5 iie4] 2 1 . . .'it>h7!) lLl d5] 29 . . . �xh3 t 30.'it>xh3 �xd8 would
20 ... �e5D 2 1 .dxe5 �e4 (2 l . . .iie4 22.t'Llxe4 have left Black clearly worse, but with some
t'LlhS 23 .t'Lld6 �cl t 24 . .ixc l lLl g7 25 .'1Wxg6+-) chances to survive.) 28.Y!Yf7!+- �h5 29.�e8t
22.�xe4 'it>h7 (22 . . . �cl tD 23 .\Wxc l .ixe4 Y!Yxe8 30.i.xe8 �f5 3 1 .Y!Ye7 �£6 32.g4 �e6
24.\Wf4 .if5 25 . .ig5 +-) 23.�f6t i.x£6 33.Y!Yf8# 1-0
24.Y!Yxg6t �h8 25.i.g7t i.xg7 26.Y!Yxg7#
1-0 ( 1 0) A. Baburin - B. Lengyel
Budapest 1 990
(9) B. Zlotnik - S. Sokolov
Moscow 1 976
f g h
White has a promising position, but how can

a b c d e f g h he increase the pressure? 2 1 .h4! (2 1 .�h3 ! ? is
In the game White played a decent move and possible, but Black can defend with 2 l . . . .ixg5!
went on to win, but he missed a more effective [2 l . . .f6 allows 22.t'Llxh7! 'it>xh7? 23 .i.f8t 'it>g8
route to victory. 25.�del!? (Best was: 25.�e7! 24.\Wh6+-] 22.\WxgS f5 ! intending ... \Wd7.)
�d7! [25 . . ..ixe7 26.\Wxc8 t! .id8 27.'1Wxc7 2 1 ...Y!Yb3 (2 l . . .e5 runs into 22.dxe5 when
.ixc7 28.lLle7t 'it>h8 29.t'Llxd5 +-] 26.�xd7 22 . . . \Wxh4 allows 23.�h3 '1Wg4 24.lLlxh7!;
[26.�e3!?] 26 . . . '1Wxd7 27.t'Ll e7t \Wxe7 28.'1Wxc8 2 1 . . .f6 should be met by:
22 'i'b2?! (22 . . . '1&b5! was a better defence.)

•••
23.gel 'i'xa3? (Black had to admit his

mistake and play 23 . . . '1&b5 . Now he is swiftly
destroyed.) 24.tDxh7!+- �xh7 (24 . . . '1&a5
2 5 .hxg6 fxg6 26.'1&e4 '\&f5 27.'\&xf5 exf5
28.lt:lf6t+-) 25.hxg6t fxg6 26.'i'e5 i.f8
27.'i'f6 1-0
( 1 1 ) M. Stean - N. Padevsky
Moscow 1 977
a b c d e f g h
22.lt:le4! [22.lt:lxe6? i.d6; 22. lt:l f3 'l&c2?]

maintaining a promising position. The
justification for White's play is revealed after:
22 . . . lt:l f7?! 23.h5! g5 [23 . . . lt:l h8 24.'\&f4] 24.f4!
[24.'\&f3 lt:l xh6 25.lt:lxf6t <it>h8 26.lt:lxe8 gxe8
27.'1&xb7 is clearly better for White, but Black
can fight on for a while.] 24 . . . lt:l xh6 2 5 . fxg5
a b c d e f g h
1 8.i.xh6! The first move is obvious, but the

real challenge is to follow it up correctly.
1 8 gxh6 19.ge3! ( 1 9 .'1&xh6 i.f8 !oo; 1 9 .'1&g3t
•••
st>f8 20.lt:lxf7 [20 . .ig6 .id6] 20 . . . st>xf7

2 l .'l&g6t <it>f8=) 19 h5! Black defends
•.•
resiliently. ( 1 9 . . . i.f8 20.gg3t+-)
a b c d e f g h
25 . . . fxg5 [25 . . . lt:l f5 ? ! 26.gxf6t <it>h8 27.lt:lg5!

gf8 28 .'1Wxe6 gxc3 29.fxe7 'l&xd4t 30.'1&e3!+-]
26.!!xg5t i.xg5 [26 . . . st>h8 27.'1&f4 i.xg5
28 .'1&e5t!] 27.'1&xg5t <it>h8 28.'1&f6t <it>g8
29.'1&xh6+-) 22.h5
7
b d f g h
6
a c e
5
20.'i'h4? Throwing away the win. (Best was
4
20.gg3t ! [20.i.g6!? should also be good
3
enough] 20 . . . <it>f8 2 l ..ig6! when Black
W.n%�\'lf;:��'="�[tl
has no good defence.) 20 i.d6! (There is
2
''=·'•"''"''/·"":�'··
•..
also 20 . . . st>f8!? 2 l .'l&g5 .id6 transposing.)
a b c d e f g h
2 1 .'Wg5t �fS 22.cll� g6t! fxg6 23.'Wh6t

�g8 (23 . . . cJ;{e7?? 24.Wffg7#) 24.'Wxg6t �fS
25.'Wh6t �g8 26.'Wg6t lfz-1/:z
( 1 2) L. Christiansen - F. Gheorghiu
Torremolinos 1 977
a b c d e f g h
29.'Wxe6 (29 . tt'l g6t? :B:xg6 30.:B:xh5 does not

work on account of 30 . . . Wig8 3 1 .:B:h8 :B:xg2t!
32.Wh 1 :B:e7! when Black is okay.) 29 fxe6 •••
30.ttlg6t �g7 3 1 .ttlxh8t �xh8 32.gxh5t

�g7 33.h4± Despite his stubborn defence,
b d f g h
a c e
Black is still in trouble and from here he fails
to offer much resistance in the endgame.
This game started as a traditional IQP 33 ttlc6 34.gxe6 ttlxd4 35.gg5t �h7
••.
position, before the structure was altered by 36.gd6 gf7 37.f3 ttlf5? 38.gxf5!+- gxf5
an exchange on the d5-square. White clearly 39.gd7t �g6 40.gxb7 g£4 4 1 .gxa7 1-0
has the initiative, but how can he capitalize?
25.ttlxh5t! gxh5 26.gd3! After ripping ( 1 3) V. Chekhov - S. Veselovsky
open the kingside, White immediately brings USSR 1 980
another piece into the attack.
8 �'��-- --w.-x �-�

1 �---·"�
E..t� -�� -� i -"�i
l��
""'
6 �
s M� ��
4 '0 ��- ,}----��
�
��
�� !�
..
� ��«
�£----"� · ��--- - · ��-i[ ··--
1 � �- � �
b d f g h
b d f g h
a c e
a c e
23.gxe6! The first move is obvious, but the
26 'Wh8!
.•• The best defensive attempt. question is how to evaluate the resulting
(26 . . . Wid6 27.Wxh5 is hopeless for Black.) position. Before looking any further, try to
27.gg3t �fS 28.gg5! (28 .Wf5 ? tt'l c4! work it out for yoursel£ (Note that 23 . .id6?
29.tt'lg6t cJ;{e8 leaves White without a tt'l b 5 !-+ was not a good solution.) 23 ... ge8??
convincing follow-up.) 28 ... ge6 (28 . . . h4 A most unfortunate novelty, allowing White
29.gg4 :B:e6 30.:B:xh4 Wif6 3l .f4! is too much to make an instant kill. (23 . . . tt'l b 5 ? 24.Wif2!±;
for the defence to handle.) 23 ... tt'l d5?! occurred in a previous game:
24 . .!xd5 .!xd5 25 .'\Wxd5 l"'e8 26.'\We5? [White 22 . . . 'tt> h 8 would have forced White to make
should have preferred 26.'We4! fxe6 27.'Wxe6t an important choice:
'kt>g7 28.'Wf6t with equality.] 26 . . . 'Wd7 27.2"1d6 a) The tempting 23.2"1c3 ? allows 23 . . . tt:lxc3
'Wxe7 28.'Wxe7 l"'xe7 29.�£2 h5+ Black when 24.2"1e3? tt:l e2t! leads to a dramatic
went on to win in B. Kurajica R. Kutirov,
- reversal of fortunes: 2 5 .'tt> h 1 (25 .'kt>fl tt:l g3t!
Strumica 1 995; However, the best move of all 26.hxg3 [26.l"'xg3 .!b5t!] 26 ... 2"\fS!-+)
is: 23 . . . tt:l e4! 25 . . . .!xg2t! 26.'tt> xg2 'Wd5 t 27.�fl tt:l g3t!
28.2"1xg3 (28.hxg3 l"'f8-+) 28 ... 'Wh 1 t 29.'kt>e2
'We4t 30.2"1e3 'Wc2t 3 1 .'tt> fl l"'f8-+
b) White can do better with 23.2"1xc6! bxc6
24.'Wxe8t! l"'xe8 25 .tt:lf7t �g7 26.tt:lxd6 l"'b8
27.b3 with a clear advantage, although the
game goes on.
a b c d e f g h
24.2"1e5 [24.2"\xe4 Axe4 25.'Wxe4 l"'e8-+]

24 . . . 2"1e8 [24 . . . 2"\c8 25 .h3] 25.2"\xe4 l"'xe7+
[but not 25 . . . .!xe4? 26.Axf7t! �xf7 27. 'Wf6t
'tt> g8 28.'We6t=] when Black emerges with
b d f g h
the advantage!) 24Jlxg6t! (24.'Wh8t! 'kt>xh8
25 . .!f6t 'tt> g8 26.2"\xe8# was an alternative a c e
solution.) 24 ...hxg6 25.i.xf7t 1-0 23.etJg4t Black resigned as he will soon

be mated after 23 . . . 'tt> h 5 24. 'Wxh7t 'kt>xg4
( 1 4) M. Hebden - J. Littlewood 2 5 . 'Wxg6t 'tt> h4 26.'Wh6t �g4 27.f3t, or
England 1 98 1 23 . . . \t;g5 24. 'Wf6t 'tt> xg4 (24 . . . 'tt> h 5 25 .l"'e3!)
8
25 .l"'e4t. 1-0
7 ( 1 5) M. Rivas Pastor - L. Psakhis

6 Minsk 1 982
5
a b c d e f g h
2 1 .� d6! White's diamond-shaped piece

configuration on the dark squares makes
a nice geometric impression. 21 ...�xd6
22.�xf7t 'tt> h6? Losing with no resistance.
Black has yet to castle and White is ahead Wi'h4.) 25.:B:h3 YNm (25 . . . <Ji g8 26 ..ixg7 r;f;xg7
in development, but how can he capitalize? 27.Wi'h6t <Ji f6 28 ..ixg6 [28 .:B:g3!?] 28 . . . fxg6
1 5 .txf6! ttlxf6? (Black had to play 1 5 . . . gxf6,
• 29.Wi'f4t r;f;g7 30.Wi'e5t Wff6 3 1 .:B:h7t <Ji xh7
although after 1 6 . .ia6!? Wi'xa6 1 7 .:B:xc6± he still 32.Wi'xf6+-)
has real problems.) 1 6J�xc6! Yl¥xc6 17.�e5
Yl¥c8 ( 1 7 . . . Wi'd5 1 8 .Wi'a4t <Ji f8 1 9 . ttl g5 +-)
1 8 .th5t <Jfm 19.ttlg5 a6 20 . .ta4+- :B:g8
•
a b c d e f g h
26.�g5t (Even more convincing was:
b d f g h
26.ixg6t! <Jig8 [26 . . . fxg6 27.ixg7t <Ji xg7
a c e
28 .Wi'e5t Wff6 29.:B:h7t <Ji xh7 30.Wi'xf6+-]
2 1 .'iNf3 (2 1 .ttl xh7t! ttlxh7 22.ttl d7t would 27.ih7t <Ji h8 [27 . . . r;f;xh7 28.ixg7t <Ji g8
have been the quickest route to victory.) 29.:B:h8t] 28 .ixg7t Wi'xg7 29 .id3t r;f;g8
2 1 ...g6 (2 l . . .b5!?) 22 ..td7! ¥Nbs 23 ..txe6 30.:B:g3+-) 26 ... <Jlg8 27.Yl¥h4
:B:g7 (23 . . . fxe6 24.ttlxe6t <Ji e8 25 .Wi'c6t+-)
24 ..ixf/ :B:xf7 25.ttlgxf7 <Jig7 26.ttlg5 Yl¥c8
27.:B:el h6 28.ttl e6t <Jlh7 29.ttl f4 1-0
( 1 6) I. Novikov - I. Kourkounakis
Isle of Man 1996
a b c d e f g h
27 . £5 (27 . . f6 28 .ixg6 Wi'e7 29 .Wi'h7t rJ/f8

.. .
30 .ih6+-) 28.Yl¥h7t <J/f7 29.:B:h6 Yl¥g8

30.Yl¥xg6t �m 3 1 .:B:h7 YNfi 32.:B:xg7 Yl¥xg6
33.:B:xg6 J.d5 34.:B:e3 h5 35.:B:g3 �f'7
b d f g h
36.E!:f6t �g7 37.i.h4t �h7 38.:B:f'7t <Jfh6
a c e
39.:B:fg7 1-0
How can White make progress on the
kingside? 24.ttlxh7!+- (Strongest, although
24.:B:h3!? was also promising.) 24 ... <Jlxh7
(Or 24 . . .f5 25 . .ixg7 Wi'xg7 26.:B:h3 intending
Chapter 9 - Solutions 34 1
( 1 7) B . Avrukh - F. Gheorghiu
Biel 1 996
a b c d e f g h
30.ltJc6! (The most accurate, although 30.ixd5

b d f g h
is also good enough.) 30 . . . E!:xc6 (30 . . . ixa2
a c e
3 1 .ltJ xe7t �h7 [3 l . . .�f7? 32.ltl g5#] 32.E!:xf6
White's pieces are tremendously active, E!:xe7 33 .if8! E!:xf8 34.E!:xf8+-) 3 1 .Ei:xc6
but how should he proceed? In the game he ixa2 32.E!:xd3+- 27 ... � d5 The only move.
chose a decent move, but not the best one (27 . . . id6 is refuted by 28.ltJxf7!.)
available. 27.Wfe3?! Instead he could have
smashed through with 27.E!:xe6!, with the
following possibilities: (a) 27 . . . ltJ f8 28.E!:xg6t!
ltJ 8xg6 (28 ... ltJ4xg6 29 .Wf5 if6 30 .ixf7t
�h8 3 1 .he8+-) 29.Wf5 ! id5 30.ltJxf7 E!:f8
3 1 .ixf8 Wxf8 32.ixd5 ltJxd5 33 .Wxg6t
Wg7 34.ltJh6t �h8 3 5 .We6+-; (b) 27 . . . if6
28.ltJxf7!
7 l%1!!1!1'x """'- •
b d f g h
6
a c e
5
28.Wfe4 Despite the previous inaccuracy White
4
still has a large advantage. (Once again there
3
was an immediate tactical solution: 28.ltJxf7!
ltJxe3 [28 . . . �xf7 29.Wxe6#] 29.ltJxd8 ltJxd l
2
V.=''-·m�wj
30.ixe6t �h7 3 1 .ltJxb7 ixa3 [3 l . . .Ei:c7
32.if4 E!:xb7 33 .if7 id6 34.ixe8 ixf4
b d f g h
3 5 .E!:xd l +-] 32.bxa3 �xh6 33.ltld6 E!:xe6
a c e
34.E!:xe6+-) 28 ... ltl7f6 (28 . . . if6 29 .Wg4 is
28 . . . ltJxd3 (28 . . . E!:xe6 29.ltJxd8 ltJxd3 also difficult for Black, for instance 29 . . . ig7
30 .ixe6t �h7 3 1 .ltJxb7 ltJxb2 32.Ei:c l +-) 30.ltJxf7! �xf7 3 1 . ltJ g5 t �f8 32.E!:xe6
29.ltJxd8 E!:exd8 30.ltJg5 ! ? ixg5 3 1 .ixg5 [32.Wh4!?-t] 32 . . . ltJ 7f6 33 .Wl'h3 with a raging
ltJxb2 32.E!:xb6t �h7 33.E!:xb2+-; (c) 27 . . . ltJ f6 attack.) 29.Wfbl ! Threatening a sacrifice on
28.ltJxf7! ltJxd3 29.ltJxd8 id5 f7. 29 ... �g4?! (Black had to play 29 . . . Wc7!
30.ltJxf7 Wc2 3 1 . ltJ 7e5± when he keeps some
chances to survive.)
30.E:xe6!+- E:c6 3 1 .ltlxf7! E:xe6 32.ltlxd8 ending with an extra pawn, but plenty of
.ixd8 33 .ig5 .ic7 34.ltl e5 1-0
• work remains.) 25.VMe6t r1lg7 26.hd5
g5 (26 . . . if8 27."Wg8#; 26 . . . lt:l a5 27."Wf7t
( 1 8) Z. Sturua - R. Kutirov @h8 28.lt:lg5! fxg5 29.ie5t) 27.YMf7t Black
Yerevan (ol) 1 996 resigned in view of 27 . . . �h8 28 .ie4. 1-0
( 1 9) A. Vaisser - D. Anic
Auxerre 1 996
a b c d e f g h
In the game White demolished his opponent
b d f g h
with a spectacular combination. Can you find
a c e
it? 22.E:xe6!! YMxe6 23.E:e1! The only good
follow-up. (23 .lt:lg5t? looks tempting, but after How should White respond to the attack on
23 . . . fxg5 24."Wf3t "Wf5 24.ixd5t cj;>f6 Black his queen? 1 8.ltlxe6! By ignoring it of course!
escapes with a decisive material advantage.) 18 ... fxe6? Taking the material but going
23 ... YMd6 (23 . . . "Wxg4? 24.ixd5 t "We6 down quickly. ( 1 8 . . . lt:lxg3 1 9 .lt:lxd8 l'l:axd8
25 .ixe6#; 23 . . . f5 24J:l:xe6 fxg4 [24 . . . @xe6 20 .ixg3±; The best chance was 1 8 . . . ixh4! ?
25 ."Wg3+-] 25 .ixd5 �ed80 26.�xc6t �xd5 1 9 .lt:lxd8 ixg3 20.ixg3 [20.ig5 !? may b e even
27.�xc8 gxf3 28.gxf3 �xd4 29.�c7+-) better] 20 . . . l'l:fxd8 2 l .ixf5 gxf5 22.l'l:e5! �d5
23 .l'l:e7 ia6 although White has good winning
chances here too.) 19.YMxg6t i.g7 ( 1 9 . . . lt:l g7
20.l'l:xe6 "Wd5 2 1 ."Wh7t @f7 22.l'l:xf6t!+-)
a b c d e f g h
24.i.f4!! YMd8? Losing quickly. (24 . . .f5?! is
b d f g h
refuted by 25 ."Wh3! "Wxf4 26."Wxh7t @f6
a c e
27.ixd5 lt:l d8 28.lt:le5+-; The best chance
was 24 . . . h5 ! 25 ."Wxc8! l'l:xc8 26 .ixd6 ixd6 20.E:xe6!+- (20."Wxe6t?! @h8 2 l .ixf5 ic8 !
27.ixd5t when White should win the 22."Wg6 ixf5 23 ."Wxh5t is clearly better for
White, but less convincing overall.) 20 V!Vxh4

•.• (34 . . . gxb2 3 5 J:'k7 �h7 36.h4!+-; 34 . . . E:xc3
2 1 .Lf5 V!Vxf4 (2 1 . . J:!xf5 22.V!Vxf5 E:f8 35.bxc3 wins for White, with h4 coming
23 .i.g3 !+-) 22.fNh7t �f7 23.E:ael l-O next.) 35.gc7+- gxd4 (35 . . . �h7 36.h4!
gxh4t 37.�xh4+-) 36.gxf7 h4t 37.�f2 1-0
(20) 0. Cvitan - N. Zhukova
Valle d'Aosta 2002 (2 1 ) B. Gulko - G. Kaidanov
Washington 1 994
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
How can White make something of his
dark-squared domination? 25.g4! (25 .E:cl White smashed through the defences with:
Wig? 26.Wif4 would have kept an edge, but the 22.hxg6 hxg6 23.ClJxe6! A nice sacrifice,
text move is even more convincing.) 25 V!Vg7 ••• though it was not too difficult to find. 23 fxe6••.
26.g5 V!Vxf6 27.gxf6 The doubled pawns are 24.gxe6 i.f7 (24 . . .'�g7 gives White a choice
in no way weak; quite the opposite in fact! berween 25 .Wie4 and 25 .i.xd5 !? E:xd5 26.Wie4,
27 E:c2 28J�cl gdc8 29.gxc2 gxc2
••• with a crushing position in both cases.)
25.gxg6t �f8 (25 . . . i.xg6 26.Wxg6t �h8
27.Wih5t+-) 26.gh6 �e8 27.gel l-O
(22) A Skripchenko - N. Dzagnidze

Antakya 20 1 0
a b c d e f g h
30.ge3! (Intending to put the rook on c3,

bearing in mind that the minor piece endgame
would be hopeless for Black.) 30 gcl t •.•
b d f g h
(30 . . . E:xb2? 3 1 . E:c3+-) 3 1 .�h2 g5 32.f3 (But
a c e
not 32.E:c3 ?? E:h l t 33.�g3 E:g l t 34.'�h2
E:g2t when Black picks up both f-pawns and Black's king is extremely exposed, but
wins.) 32 gc2t 33.�g3 h5 34.gc3! gd2
.•• how can White take advantage? 22.i.xh6!!
(22.l"'e3? ie4 23.ixe4 dxe4 24.�xe4 g5 ! (23) M. Annaberdiev - Bu Xiangzhi

defends; 22.if5 is possible, but after 22 . . . lt:J e7! Khanty-Mansiysk (ol) 20 1 0
23.l"'e6t �f7 24.ixh6 lt:Jxf5 25 .�xf5t �g8
26.�g6 8
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
In this complex position Black found an
a c e
excellent way to combine attack and defence.
the spectacular 26 . . . ih2t!! keeps Black in 2 I . .. lt:Jxe4!! 22.YMe3 (22.fxe4 �xe4t 23.�al
the game: 27.�xh2 �h4t 28.�gl �xh6 allows Black to force mate: 23 ... l"'xa2t 24.�xa2
29 .�xh6 gxh6 30.gxf3 l"'xf3 3 1 .l"'b6t) b3t! 25.lt:Jxb3 l"'a8t 26. lt:J a5 l"'xa5t 27.�b3
22 J:�g8 (In the event of 22 . . . gxh6 23.if5!
•• ia4t 28.�c3 l"'c5t 29 .�d2 l"'c2#) 22 gxf5? .••
Black will soon be mated: A serious mistake! (Instead 22 . . . ixf5 ! 23 .lt:Jxf5

[23.gxf5 lLl c3t] 23 . . . l"'xa2! 24.�xa2 �e6t!
wins quickly, for example:
2
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
a) 23 . . . lt:J e7 24.l"'xe7!+-; b) 23 . . . ih5 24.l"'e6t
a c e
�g5 25 .l"'g6t! �xf5 26.l"'xd6t �f4 27.l"'xd8
l"'axd8 28 .�xh6t �f5 29 .�xh5t+- c) 25.�b l [25 .b3 lLl c3t] 25 . . . lt:J c3t 26.bxc3
23 . . . ih2t! ? 24.�h l ! [24.�xh2? �d6tt] �b3t 27.�cl bxc3 28.lt:Jxe7t c.!if8 29.l"'xd6
24 . . . l"'g8 2 5 .l"'e6t �g5 26.l"'g6t l"'xg6 [26 . . . �f4 [29 .l"'g2 l"'a8] 29 . . . �b2t 30.�dl c2t-+)
27.ih3+-] 27.�xg6t �f4 28 .ih3+-) 23.i.f5 23.gxf5t �g3 24.�xg3t c.!ihs 25.Vg5
lt:J e7 24J�xe7 (There is also 24.l"'e6t �f7 �a5 26.Vd2? (White had to play 26.l"'g4!+)
2 5 . gxf3+-) 24 gxh6 25J�e6t c.!/g5 26J�g6t
.•• 26 i.xfst 27.c.!/a1 �xa2t 28.c.!ixa2 Vd5t
•••
c.!/£4 27.g3t @xf5 28.�xg8t 1-0 0-1

(24) A. Pij p ers - R. Swinkels ensuing posmon. (Note that White cannot
Meesterklasse 20 1 0 play 2 1 .l:!xe5 ? Wff6!-+ or 2 1 .ha4 exf4
22.l:!xe7 l:!xa4 23.l:!xb7 l:!xa2+.) 21 ... axb3?? It
8 is strange that Black chose this move, which
7 loses immediately. (2 1 . . .exf4? 22.gxe7 is bad
6
for Black, but he should have played 2 1 . . .g6!
5
22.l:!xe5 Wff8 23 .ha4 c5 24.ib3 l:!d4± when
4
he is worse but still has some compensation for
the missing pawn.) 22.:axg7t @f8 (22 . . . 'it>h8
3 23.Wff5 +-)
2
8
7
a b c d e f g h
6
5
The position is wild and several pieces are
hanging, but White had calculated more
accurately. 22.:axd5! 0-0 (Objectively 4
22 . . . Wfxd5 may have held out for longer, 3
2
but 23 .Wfxd5 exd5 24J'k8t i>d7 25 J'!xh8
lt:l d4 26.id2 id6 27.ic3 lt:l e6 28.l:!a8 lt:l c7
b d f g h
29.l:!b8+- leads to an easy endgame for White.)
a c e
23.:ad8!! The key point of White's play, and
an easy move to miss! 23 ...Y1fxe4 (23 . . . l:!xd8 23.:axh7! f6 (23 . . . exf4: 24.l:!h8#; 23 . . . Wfe6
24.Wfxb7+-) 24.:axf8t @x£8 25.:acs mate! 24.Wfg5 +-; 23 . . . Wfd7 24.l:!h8t ®e7
1-0 25 .gxe5t+-) 24.:axe7 @xe7 (24 . . . exf4
25.h7+-) 25.Wfb4t 1-0
(25) A. Tukhaev - J. Radovanovic
Chalkis 20 1 0 (26) 0. De la Riva - F. Caruana
Dresden (ol) 2008
8
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
What should White do about the attack
on the bishop? 2 1 .:ahg1 ! Ignore it of course! White cannot stop the queen from coming
Actually this move is not so difficult to find, to b2, so it is clear that he must move his rook.
but the main problem is how to evaluate the The question is where. 23.:ad5!! The only move!
(In the game De la Riva chose 23.:1'!d4? a4 24.E!xf8t �h7 2 5 . tLl g5t hxg5 26.i.xd7 +-)
and had to resign immediately in view of 22.c�� d5! exd5 23.hd7 :E'!c7 24.i.e6t �h7
24.E!b4 Wfa3t! 2 5 .'it d 1 :E'!d8 when Black wins (24 . . . �h8 25 .Wff5 ! +-) 25.Wfe2 (25 .i.f5t!? g6
the queen.) 23 Wfb2t The only move to
••• 26.tt:l e6+-) 25 Wfg5 26 .if5t �g8 27.� e6
••• •
keep Black in the game. (23 . . . a4 24.i.c5 +-; Wfh6 28.�xc7 �xc7 29.e6 � c6 30.e7 � e5
23 . . . exd5 24.i.c5 tt:l d3t 2 5 . cxd3 Wfb2t 3 I .i.d7 h4 32.gxh4 1-0
26.�d1 c2t 27.�e2 c l =Wft 28.cJifl +-)
24.�dl Wfb l t 25.�cl Wfb7 (28) V. Kotronias - Xiu Deshun
Moscow 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
26.:1'!xe5! fxe5 (26 . . . :1'!d8 27.Wfxd8t �xd8
28.:1'!xa5 +-) 27.Wfxe5 :E'!gS 28.�e2t White's White's attack is in full flow, but he needs
two pieces are stronger than Black's rook. to find the right way through. 1 6.:1'!xb7t! The
computer helpfully points out that it is now
(27) M. Brooks - J. Becerra mate in 1 1 ! ( 1 6.tt:lxd6t? ? cJig8-+ is no good.)
Saint Louis 20 1 1 1 6 �g8 ( 1 6 . . . tt:l xb7 1 7. tt:l h6t gxh6 1 8 .fxe5t
.•.
�g7 1 9.Wfxe6+-; 16 ... �g6 1 7. tt:l h4t cJih5

forces White to find another accurate move:
2
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
There is a potential mate on the f8-square,
a c e
bur how can White exploit this? 2I ..ig4!!
Targeting e6, and Black has no satisfactory 1 8 .g4t! [but not 1 8 .Wfd 1 t?? i.g4 1 9 .Wfxg4t
defence. 2 1 . h5 (2 I . . .dxe5 22.tt:ld5! exd5
•. �xg4 20.h3t Wfxh3! 2 l .gxh3t �h5!-+]
[22 . . . Wfd6 23 .Wff7t] 23.i.xd7 tt:l f6 24.i.xc8 1 8 . . . i.xg4 [ 1 8 . . . �xg4 1 9 .Wfd 1 t �h3 20.:1'!f3t
+-; 2 I . . .h6 22.tt:lxe6 dxe5 23.Wff8t Wfxf8 �g4 2 l .:E'!e3#] 1 9.Wff7t g6 20.Wfxh7t+-)
17J�xg7t! hg7 1 8.t'il e7t i>f7 19.fxe5t i.f6 (30) V. Simagin - L. Stein
20Jhf6t <!>xe7 2 1 .�xd6t Black resigned in Moscow 1 96 1
view of 2 l . . .�e8 22.�f8t �xf8 23 .Vfie7#. 1-0
8
(29) R. Rob so n I. C. Chirila
-
7
6
Dallas 20 1 1
5
8
4
7
3
6
2
5
4
b d f g h
3
a c e
2
How should White continue, and how do
you evaluate the position? 32.�h8! gxh8?
b d f g h
(Black had to play 32 . . . lLl g6! 33.�xf8t
a c e
[33.Wfxf6t 'i!;>c7 34.�xf8 lLlxf8 transposes;
Black seems to be covering all the important 33 .�h7 lLle5 leaves White with nothing
squares, but White's next move shattered better than 34.�h8 repeating.] 33 . . . lLlxf8
that illusion. 25.tLl d2! The last piece joins 34.Wfxf6t �c7 3 5 .Vfixf8 when there are two
the attack. 25 tLl d7 (25 . . . bxc3 26.lLl c4+-)
••• options:
26J�xd7! i>xd7 (26 . . . 'Wxd7 27. ttJ e4 Vfic7
28.ttJd6t �f8 29.tLlxc8 +-) 27.tLl c4t i>c6
2S.'Wf3t i>bs (28 . . . �c5 29.�d6+-) 29.CLl d6t
3
b d f g h
2
a c e
1
a) 3 5 . . . i.c5 36.Vfif4 [36.tLl e8t �b6] 36 . . . i.xd6
b d f g h
37.�xd6 e5!? 38.�xd7t �xd7 39.'Wf5t
a c e
�c7 40 .'Wf7t 'i!;>b6 4 1 .Vfif6t �a5 [4 l . . .�c5
29 <!>a4
••• (29 . . . 'i!;>b6 also loses quickly: 42.Vfixe5t] 42.Vfid8t �b4 43 .Vfid6t=; b)
30.Vfif2t 'i!;>a5 [30 . . . �c6 3 1 .�d4!+-; 30 . . . Vfic5 3 5 . . . i.d4!? 36.lLlxb5t [36.�xd4 �xe2 37.Vfifl
3 1 .�d4!] 3 1 .cxb4t �xb4 32.c4!+-) 30.�d3! Wle3 3 8 .�d1 �xa2+!; 36.i.fl Vfixd6 37.1Mfxd6t
�c6 3 1 .cxb4 i>xb4 32.�b3t 1-0 'i!;>xd6 38.�xd4t �e7 39.�g1 e500] 36 . . . axb5
37.1Mfxa3 �xa3 38.�xd4 �xa200) 33.WI'xf6t
i>c7 34.�xe5! <!>c6
(3 1 ) V. Jacko - V. Dydyshko
Michalovce 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
35.ttlxb5! �c5 36.E:d6t 'i!i>b7 37.E:xd7t 'i!i>c8

b d f g h
38.E:c7t! �xc7 39.ttlxc7 E:xh2t (39 . . . E!:xe2 a c e
40.Wxh8t; 39 . . . E!:d8 40.ixa6t �d7 4 1 .ib5t
�c8 42.Wxe6t +-) In this razor-sharp position White has
already given up an exchange. How can he
increase his initiative? 2I .i.b5t!! A beautiful
move. (In the game White made a mistake but
got away with it: 2 1 .Wf6?! ib7?? A terrible
move! [Instead after 2 1 . . .Wb6!oo the position is
unclear.] 22.ib5t! 1 -0 Better late than never!)
21 ....id7 (2 l . . .axb5 22.lLldxb5 +-)
a b c d e f g h
40.�xh2 (40.�xh2?? ixc7-+) 40 ... E:xe2

41 .�h8t i>xc7 42.�c3t 'i!i>b7 43.�c4
(43.g4! was a bit more accurate.) 43 ... E:el t
44.i>h2 J.c7t (44 . . . E!:e3! was more resilient
although White is still winning: 45 .\Wxe6
b d f g h
ic7t 46.�g1 ig3 47.Wd5t �b8 48 .'1Wg8t a c e
�b7 49 .'1Wg7t �a8 50 .Wf8t �b7 5 1 .\Wb4t
�c6 52.�fl +-) 45.�h3 E:hl t 46.'i!i>g4 E:h2 22.ttlxe6!! �xe6 (22 . . . fxe6 23.E!:fl +-)
47.i>f3 E:h6 48.�b4t i>c6 49.�c3t 'i!i>b7 23.hd7t (White can also consider 23 .ltld5!?
50.�b2t i>c8 5 1 .�g7 E:h5 52.�g8t 'i!i>b7 E!:xb5 [23 ... \Wa5 24.ixd7t �xd7 25.Wxf7t
53.�xe6 E:a5 54.g4 1-0 +-] 24.lt:lxc7t lt:l xc7 25.\Wf6 ltl e6 26.E!:xd6±)
23 ...�xd7 24.ttl d5 �a4! The only chance.
(24 . . . \Wc8 25.lt:lxb4 E!:xg7 26.ltld5+-; 24 . . . \Wd8
25.ltlxb4 WaS [25 . . . E!:xg7 26.e5 +-] 26.ltld5
E!:xg7 27.�b 1 +-) 25.ttlf6t <i!i>ds 26.E:xd6t
'i!i>c7 27.E:d7t± The game goes on, but White
should be winning with accurate play.
(32) V. lvanchuk A. Beliavsky

- (34) 0. Barbosa - Le Quang Liem
Khanty-Mansiysk (ol) 20 1 0 Ho Chi Minh City 20 1 1
White already has a positional advantage, In this wild-looking position both sides are
and he found a clever way to wrap up the attacking fiercely, but it is Black who can strike
game in style: 22.i.xb7! gxcl 23.gxcl Y;Yxb7 first. 2 1 . gxb2!! (The tempting 2 l . . . .ib4 only
.•
24.Y;Yf4t 'it>a8 25.gc7 Black resigned. It is leads to a draw: 22.l"'xg4 .ixc3 23.l"'xg7t
easy to understand why, as 25 .. JWd5 26.l"\xe7
and 25 . . . '1Mrb4 26.'1Mre3! .ic5 27.'1Mrxc5 are both
utterly hopeless for Black. 1-0
(33) A. Naiditsch - P. Eljanov

Sibenik 20 1 0
a b c d e f g h
23 . . . 'it>h8 [nothing is changed by 23 . . . �f8

24.l"'xf7t! lff xf7 2 5 . tLl g5t �e8 26.'1Mrxe6t
�d8 27.'1Mrd6t=l 24.l"'h7t!! As pointed out
by Baburin. 24 . . . �xh7 2 5 . tLl g5 t �xh6D
26.tLlxf7t �g7 27.'1Mre5t �xf7 28 .'\Mrc?t=)
a b c d e f g h
White has sacrificed a piece for a dangerous

looking initiative. What would you suggest for
Black? 1 8 Jl::J d4!! (In the game Black faltered
•.
with 1 8 . . . .ig5 ?? and lost quickly: 1 9.l"\cd l

'1Mrf6 20.d6 g6 2 1 .tLlxg5 l"\cd8 22.tLlxe6t 1 -0)
1 9.tlJxd4 J.xflt 20.'it>xfl Y;Yh4t 2 I .'it>fl
Y;Yxd4-+ White's attack is over and Black is
winning.
a b c d e f g h
22.h7t Losing quickly, but what else could In this position White missed a beautiful way
White do? (22 . .ixb2 c3 23.1Mfc2 [23 J'hg4 to make a draw. 34.�g7t!! (The game ended as
cxb2t 24.1Mfxb2 .ia3 2 5 .:B:xg7t 'kt>f8-+] follows: 34.:B:7d4? ttJ e2 3 5 .1Mfxf3 lt:l xd4 36.1Mfe3
23 . . . cxb2t 24.'kt>d2 .ib4t 25 .'kt>d3 [25 .'kt>e2 ttJ f3t 0- 1 .) 34 ... �g8 (34 . . . 'kt>xg7 35.:B:xf7t
b 1 =1Mf wins easily] 25 . . . b 1 =1Mf!? [Even stronger 'kt>xf7 36.1Mfxh7t :B:g7 37.:B:d7t 'kt>e8 38.:B:xg7
than 25 . . . 1Mfa6t 26.lt>e4 f5t 27.'kt>f4 .id6t 1Mff2t=) 35.�xg6!! hxg6 (It is not impossible
28. 'kt>g5 when White struggles on although he for Black to end up worse: 35 . . . fxg6? 36 . .ih6
is losing here too.] 26 . . . Wa6t 27.'kt>e4 .id6 The ttJ d5 37.:B:g7t lt>h8 38.:B:f7 1Mfc5 39.:B:f8t 1Mfxf8
poor white king will soon be mated.) 22 ... �h8 40 . .ixf8±) 36.�£6 g5 37J�d8t �h7 38.:B:h8t
23.1Mfxb2 �a3 24.h6 li)xh6 25.d5 f6 0-1 �g6 39.:B:g8t 'kt>f5 40.:B:xg5t �e4 41 .:B:g4t=
(35) K. Piorun - P. Stoma

Warsaw 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
Black had better settle for a draw, as

b d f g h
4 l . . .'kt>e3 ? ? is punished most severely by
a c e
42 . .ig5#.
All the white pieces are taking part in the
attack and after the next accurate move it
(37) A. Stefanova - N. Dzagnidze
transpires that the black king cannot be
Doha 20 1 1
protected. 29.ctlf3! ctlxf2 30.1Mfgl! ctl g4
(30 . . .l'�g8 3 1 .ttJe5 does not change anything.)
3 1 . ctl e5! Black resigned in view of the simple
3 1 . . .lt:lxe5 32.:B:h7t 'kt>xh7 33 .1Mfg7#. 1-0
(36) T. Rendle - D. Howell

Hastings 20 1 0
a b c d e f g h
It looks like Black is losing material. What

can she do? 17 ... :B:xd5! A nice idea. 1 8.hd4?
For some reason Stefanova does not even try
a b c d e f g h
Chapter 9 - S olutions 35 1
to organize any resistance. She had to play is irrelevant as his king is too vulnerable.
1 8 .cxd5 �xd5 1 9.�g4 lt:lxg2 20.i>xg2 fie? 4 1 . hxg3t 42.fxg3 l:!a7 (42 . . . l:!c8 43 ./J.h3+-;
••
2 1 ./J.xg? l:!h5 22.f4 (22.h4 IJ.xg5) 22 . . . exf3t 42 . . . l:!c4 43./J.e5t+-) 43.�e5t 'i!?f8 44.l:!b8t
23 .�xf3 l:!xg5t 24.i>h1 �d?+ 1-0
(39) A. Flumbort - M. Serov
Oberwart 20 1 0
a b c d e f g h
when Black is much better, but still there are

b d f g h
some chances to defend. 1 8 J�� xg5! Despite
•.
a c e
being a queen for a piece up, White had to
resign as mate is inevitable. 0-1 White already has a promising position, but
how best to exploit it? 24.l:!a1!! A most original
(38) E. Miroshnichenko - K. Kulaots solution! (24.�d4 f6 25 .Eia1 lt:lg5± gives Black
some chances to defend his unfavourable
Reykjavik 20 1 0
position.) 24 exd5? Failing to offer any
8
.•.
resistance. (24 . . . �d8 is refuted by 25 .�h6 �f8
7
26./J.xe6! fxe6 27.:gxa7 e5 28.c5+-; 24 . . . l:!b6!?
6
was the best chance: after 25 .c5 dxc5 26.bxc5
�xc5 27./J.d4 White has a clear advantage, but
5 victory is still a long way off.)
4
a b c d e f g h
Black's kingside looks a little loose, but how

can White capitalize? 40.h4!! Now the dark
squared bishop will join the action with great
force. 40 gxh4? Losing at once. (Kulaots had
b d f g h
•.•
to play 40 . . . l:!a7! although here too White a c e

gets a big advantage after: 4 1 .hxg5 ! [stronger
than 4 1 ./J.xg5 IJ.xg5 42.hxg5 h4] 4 1 . . .!J.e6 25.�d4! Now the game is over! 25 £6 .•.
[4 1 . . .h4 42.g4! �xg4 43 ./J.h3 �f3 44./J.f4+-]

26.l:!xa7 �xc4 (26 . . . �d8 27.�xd5 t i>h7
42./J.f4 /J.d8±) 4 1 .�f4!+- Black's extra pawn 28.i>xh3 +-) 27.l:!xg7t! 'i!?hs 28.�a7 c!Ll g5
29.hf6 1-0
(40) S. Zagrebelny - K. Spraggett

Cappelle la Grande 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
2 1 .a5! Threatening a bishop invasion on b6.

b d f g h
a c e
2 1 . W£8? Black fails to offer any real resistance.
.•
(2 1 . . . tLl f8 ? 22.ib6 1'l:cd7 23 .id8!+-; 2 1 . .. tLl e8

How can Black exploit his opponent's 22 .ib6 tLlxb6 23.axb6 tLl xd6 24.bxc7 tLl c8
awkwardly placed king? 60 .!g1 ! Threatening
.••
25.tLlxf7! Wh7 [25 . . .l::1 xc7 26.tLlg5t] 26.tLlg5t
mate in one. 6I .c!2Jf6t �h6! (6 I . . .';t> g7? @h6 27.tLle6 c5 28 .id5 +-; 2 1 . . .ih6!?
throws away the victory, as after 62.'\MfgSt 22.i.b6! tLlxb6
Wxf6 63.'\Mfffit We6 64.'1Mfe8t White forces
perpetual check.) 62.c!2Jg8t �g7 63.V!Vc7t
63 �h8! The checks have run out, so White
.••
resigned. 0-1
(4 1 ) R. Marie - T. Petrosian
Vinkovci 1 970
a b c d e f g h
23.tLlxf7!! [23 .axb6 i.xg5] 23 . . . tLl c8 24.1'l:xf6

Wg7 25.tLlxh6 @xf6 26. tLl g8t+-; 2 1 . . . c5 ! ?
22.tLld5 tLlxd5 23 .ixd5 ic8 !? [23 . . . ixd5
24J! 1 xd5 l'l:a7 25.b4+-] 24.c4!? [24.ic6
ih6] 24 . . . b4 25.1'l:xg6!? [25 .Wg2t] 25 . . . tLl f6
b d f g h
a c e
26.Wh2 tLlxd5 27.1'l:xg7t @xg7 28.exd5
f6 [28 .. . f5 ? 29.d6] 29.tLle4 f5 30J!g1 t Wh8
White's advantage is clear, but what is the 3 1 .d6± White has excellent winning chances.)
best way forward? 18.g4! gcs ( 1 8 . . . g5 1 9 .h4!±; 22 .txf'7! gxf7 23.tl:!e6t �g8 24.c!2Jxc7 J.£8
•
18 ... tLl f8 1 9 .g5 hxg5 20.tLlxg5 b4 2 1 .tLla2 aS 25.c\lJ e8! �h7 26.gxd7! 1-0
22J!d8±; 1 8 . . . b4 1 9 . tLl e2 gcs 20.g5 hxg5
2 1 .tLlxg5 1'l:c7 22.tLlg3±) 19.g5 hxg5 20.c!LJ:xg5
gc7
(42) A. Ahmed - C. McNab the superior 1 9 . . . We7 White's attack is too

Khanty-Mansiysk (ol) 20 1 0 strong: 20.liJ f6t! ct?h8
White is a pawn down, but it turns out 2 1 .�e5 ! ! A brilliant move, not only attacking
that this is the least of his worries. 22 J�xc3! .• the rook but also stopping . . . e5 forever.
23J3hfl ?! (23 .E:dfl E:xc2! 24.E:xf3 E:xb2t 2 1 . . .E:d8 [2 1 . . .h6 22. lt:lh5+-; 2 1 . . .E:a8
25.\t>cl E:c8t 26.'kt>d1 E: b 1 t 27.'kt>d2 �h6t 22.We4 gxf6 23.Wh4+-] 22.Wh5 h6
28 .'kt>d3 E:xh 1 29.'1Wxf7t @h8+ was the lesser [22 . . . gxf6 23 .%'g5 !] 23 .lt:ld5! %'g5 24.%'xg5
evil, although I doubt that White can protect hxg5 2 5 . lt:l b6!+- White wins a piece.) 20.liJf6t
his king here either.) 23 J�xc2!! 24.@xc2
.• @hs 2 t .YNe4 1-0
YNe2t 25.YNd2 YNxe4t 26.@b3? Losing at
once. (The last chance was: 26.'1Wd3 Wb4 ( 44) P. Haba - P. Ponkratov
27.'1Wb3 E:c8t 28.ct?b 1 We4t 29.�a1 We7+) Plovdiv 20 1 0
26 b5 27.E:f4 YNe6t 0-1
.••
(43) J. Magem Badals - J. Oms Pallisse

Barcelona 20 1 0
a b c d e f g h
White's queenside pieces are on their

original squares, yet still he can win by force.
b d f g h
28.E:xd4! YNxd4 29 .ib2 t!Jf3t! 30.ct?g2!! The
•
a c e
only move! (30.@fl gives Black additional
White succeeds in whipping up an attack time for 30 . . . %'d5 !! 3 1 .�xh8 lt:l h2t forcing a
out of nowhere. 17.E:xd6!! Unexpected and perpetual.) 30 ... tbh4t (Mter 30 . . . lt:l e 1 t allows
extremely strong! 17 Wxd6 1 8.c!b ce4 tbxe4
••. White can choose between 3 1 .@h3 Wd7t
19.tbxe4 YNc7?! (Losing at once, but even after 32.ct?h2 and 3 1 .Wxe 1 Wxb2 32.lt:lc3!, both
of which win easily.) 3 1 .�fl '!Wd5 32.'1Wg4t! 22.lt:l e7t c;t>hs 23.lt:lxf5 lt:lxb3 24.axb3 exf3
c!LJ£5 33.ixh8 h5 34.c!LJc3 1-0 2 5 J :hf3 �e1 t 26.c;t>f2 �eS ± when Black retains
some defensive chances.) 2 1 . ..'1Wxd5 (2 l . . .'Wg6
(45) M. Oleksienko - A. Gupta 22.'Wb3 c;t>hs 23 .'Wh3t rJ';g8 24.'Wxd7+-)
New Delhi 20 1 1 22.'1Wh5 c!LJf6 (22 . . . lt:lf8 23.�xf8t rJ';xf8
24.lt:l h7t+-) 23.:gxf6 J.xf6 24.'1Wg6t i.g7
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
White is close to victory, but he must
be precise. 28,:gh7t! A natural move, but 25.i.d2? A bad move which might have thrown
as we will see, the real key is the follow-up. away the win. (2S . .if4! was correct: 25 . . . e3
(28 .'1Wg7t ? would throw away the victory: 26.'Wh7t cj;>fg 27 . .id6t This is the difference
28 .. .<±>d6! 29J�d 1 lt:lxg3t 30.c;t>g1 lt:l e2t=) between the two bishop moves! 27 . . . 'Wxd6
28 ... �e6 (28 . . . c;t>d6 29 .'Wf6t .ie6 30 .'We7 is 28.�fl t c;t>e7 29.'Wxg7t c;t>ds 30.lt:lf7t +-)
mate.) 29.i.f5t!! Without this move White
would be losing, but now he is mating by
force, and so Black resigned. 1-0
(46) M. Tissir - D. Bisby

Daventry 20 1 0
a b c d e f g h
25 .. ,:ge7? Losing at once! (Black should

have gone for one of the following two
ideas: 25 . . . �e5! 26.\Wh?t cj;>fg 27.�fl t c;t>es
28 .'Wxg7 :ge7 29 .'Wg6t c;t>d7 30.�fSoo; or
b d f g h
25 . . . e3! ? 26.�fl [26.\Wh?t cj;>fg 27.�fl t c;t>e7
a c e
28.'Wxg7t c;t>d8f!] 26 . . . \WxgS 27.\WxgS exd2
With both knights en prise, White must take 28.\WdSt rJ';hs 29 .'Wh5t=) 26JU1 1-0
immediate action. 2I.c!lJg5! (The tempting
2 l .iWb3 is weaker in view of 2 1 . . . lt:l ac5!
(47) P. Motwani - J. Rowson 26.1%g3 �xg3 27.hxg3 b4 28.�g6t �h8

Dundee, 1 995 29.�h5t �g8 30.�g6t �h8 3 1 .hf'7 1-0
(48) F. Vallejo Pons - A. Onischuk

Reggio Emilia 20 1 1
a b c d e f g h
White is obviously better; all his pieces are
b d f g h
active and he has full control over the d-file.
a c e
But how can he win the game? 16J:!:d6!
( 1 6 . ll:\ d6 .ixd6 1 7.1%xd6 ll:\ fd7± gives Black White has a powerful attacking position,
chances to resist; however, 1 6.'1Wg3 ! was a and he found a nice way to seal the victory.
strong alternative. Black is unable to offer much 26.�£6! IJ.e7 What else? 27.tlJxh7!! A simple
resistance, for example: 1 6 . . . ll:\ fxe4 1 7.ll:\xe4 but nonetheless pleasing move. 27 ... �g4
ll:\xe4 1 8 .'1Wxe5 i.f6 1 9 .i.xf6 ll:\xf6 [ 1 9 . . . gxf6 (27 . . . i.xf6 28.ll:\xf6t lt>g7 29.1%h7#) 28.�xe7!
20.'1Wf4+-] 20.'1Wg3 ll:\h5 2 1 .'1Wh4 f6 22.1%e l +-) 1-0
16 )tJ g8 ( 1 6 . . . i.xd6 1 7.ll:\xg7+-; 1 6 . . . ll:\ cd7
(49) R. Edouard - V. Tkachiev
.•
1 7.ll:\xe7 '1Wxe7 1 8 .1%xd7 '1Wxd7 1 9 .i.xf6

gxf6 20.'1Wxf6t c;t>gs 2 1 .1%dl +-) 17.L:e7 Belfort 20 1 0
tlJxe7 1 8.tlJxg7!! The decisive blow! 1 8 ... c;t>xg7
1 9.�f6t �gs 20.�g5t tlJg6 (2o . . . c;t>hs
2 1 .'1Wxe5t c;t>gs 22.'1Wxc5 +-) 2 1 .1%xg6t hxg6
22.�xg6t �h8 23.�h6t �g8
a b c d e f g h
White is already committed to the sacrificial

path, and the only solution is to throw more
b d f g h
wood on the fire. 12.e5!! Not the most difficult
a c e move to find, but all the same it must have
24.1%el! Motwani has enough time to bring the been a great feeling to play it on the board!
rook to the kingside. 24 ...�d7 25.1%e3 �g4 12 ... dxe5?! ( 1 2 . . . fxg5 would have been a bit
more resilient, although 1 3 .exd6t f7 1 4.dxc7 (50) V. Anand - M. Carlsen

Wf6 [ 1 4 . . . Wxc7 1 5 .lt:lxg5t f6 1 6. lt:l e4t e7 London 20 1 0
1 7.axb3+-] 1 5 .axb3 'it>g7 1 6. lt:l c3 still wins as
Black's king is too exposed.) 8
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
In this position Anand chose 33 .ia3 (?)
a c e
and after 33 . . . 1Mfg8 34.Wxa6± he eventually
13.c!the5! ttlxe5D 14J��xe5t i.e7 IS.Y!Yh5t succeeded in wearing his opponent down.
d7 ( 1 5 . . . 'it>f8 1 6.ih6t 'it>g8 1 7J:�e3 if5 However, he missed an even stronger
1 8 J!:g3t ig6 1 9 .l:'!:xg6t f7 20.�g7t e6 continuation which would have decided the
2 l .axb3+-) game immediately: 33.�f7! (But not 33.�e7?
�xb2 34.�e8 �b8 when Black holds easily.)
33 ...Y!Yc8 (33 . . . Wg8 34.ixf6+-; 33 . . . Wb8
34.�e7 �c8 3 5 .�xg7 Wxb2 36.Wf7 Wb l t
37.h2 Wf5 3 8 .�g3+-)
4
b d f g h
3
a c e
2
1 6.i.xf6! ttlxal (Here is a funny line: 1 6 . . . �e8
1 7.�e3! ixf6? 1 8 .Wd5 mate!) 17.i.xe7 Y!Yxe7
b d f g h
1 8.�xe7t i>xe7 19.Y!Yc5t i>f7 20.Y!Yxc7t
a c e
Here Black resigned instead of suffer the
further continuation 20 . . . ci>g8 2 1 .1Mfd8t g7 34.Y!Ye7! �xb2 35.�xg7 Y!Ycl t (3 5 . . . Wf5
22.Wd4t ci>g8 23 .1Mfd5t+-. 1-0 36 .1Mff8#) 36.i>h2 Y!Yf4t 37.�g3!+- Anand
subsequently confessed that he had missed the
last move in his calculations.
(5 1 ) A. Kharitonov - R. Hasangatin 46.a5! gxh4 (There is also 46 . . . i.xa5 47.:!:l:xf8t

Cappelle la Grande 20 1 1 @xf8 48.hxg5 and nobody can stop five passed
pawns!) 47.a6 h3 4S.@fl :SgS 49.a7 h2
8 50.a8=YN h l =YN 5 1 .Y1!fd5t @g7 Black is almost
7 surviving, but with the help of a few simple
6
tactics White simplifies to a winning queen
5
ending:
5
a b c d e f g h 4
How would you evaluate the position - is 3

White winning, losing or drawing? 41.:Sxd8 2
bd8 42.:Sc8 :Sf8 The first two moves
b d f g h
were straightforward, but now there is an
a c e
important decision to be made. 43.b4! (In
the game White erred with 43.l:!a8?! and soon 52.Y1lfxg8t! <it;?xg8 53.:Sxd8t @g7 54.:Sg8t!
agreed to a draw after 43 . . . 'it>f7 44.b4 axb4 @xgs ss.ds=YNt+-
45 .a5 b3 46.a6 b2 47.!!b8 i.c7 48.!!xf8t
Y2-Y2. (52) M. Vachier-Lagrave - Wang Hao
Wijk aan Zee 20 1 1
8
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h
The final decision was a strange one, as
after the forced 48.!!xb2 @e6 49.!!c2 @xd7 Wang Hao is a pawn up, but he seems to
50.e6t @c8 5 l .!!b2 i.b8 52.!!b7 l:!e8 53.!!d7 be in real trouble due to the deadly threat of
!!xe6 54.a7 i.xa7 5 5 .!!xa7± White still has lt:lg5. How can Black prevent it? 32 �d3!! .••
good winning chances.) 43 @f7 (Mter ••• A simple but elegant move. 33.:Sxb5! White
43 . . . axb4? 44.a5 b3 [44 . . . ha5 45.e6+-l 45.a6 understands that he needs to bail out for a draw.
b2 46.:!:l:b8 i.e7 47.a7 White wins easily.) (33.!!xd3 ?? g5 !! 34.lt:lxg5 '!Wxd3-+) 33 ... �f4t
44.bxa5 baS 45.h4! .idS Otherwise the 34.<it;?g3 � e2t 35.<it;?h3 �f4t 36.<it;?g3 �e2t
f-pawn joins the action with decisive effect. 37.<it;?g2 �f4t 112-lfz
(53) S. Ganguly - A. Filippov (54) Y. Vovk - K. Sasikiran

Guangzhou (rapid) 20 1 0 Cappelle la Grande 20 1 1
How can White fulfil his attacking White has a strong position and he
potential? 24.f5! �xf5? Going down quickly. capitalized on it convincingly. 2 1 . c!Ll e6!!
(Also bad is 24 . . . <Jih8 ? 25.fxg6 fxg6 26.:!::!: e3 ! Black's king is in serious danger. 2 1 . hc3 •.
VNc5 27.VNf3 +- when Black cannot protect (2 l . . .fxe6 22.dxe6 VNc6 23.exd7 l':!:d8 24.il.xe7
his king; 24 . . . tt:l d4! would have given some l':!:dxd7 25 .i.xb4+-; 2 1 . . .1':!:cc8 22. tt:lxg7 xg7
chances though: 25 .i.xd4 exd4 26.VNd2! <Jih8 23.e5 VNc7 24.i.xe7+-) 22.e5 �b6 23.hgG!
[26 . . . g5 27.VNd 1 ! VNe2 28.VNxd4 VNe5 The most stylish, although White already
29.VNg4+-J 27.VNh6 f6 28.VNxg6 1':!:f8 29 .VNg4±) had a choice of wins. (23 .f5!?+-; 23 .VNh6
25J�xf5! Obviously. 25 gxf5 26.�h5 �f6
.•. fxe6 24.il.xg6 tt:lf8 25 .il.xe8 +-) 23 fx:g6 .••
27.�xh7t @fS (23 . . . hxg6 24.Wh6+-) 24.�h6 �xe6 25.dxe6

c!L!fS 26.f5 �e4! Black is doing the best he can
8 to cause problems.
7
a b c d e f g h
b d f g h
28.:Sh6! �g7 29.�xf5 Threatening l':!:h7.
a c e
29 :Se7 30.:Sh7 �g8 (30 . . .VNg6 3 1 .VNxg6
•.•
fxg6 32.1':!:h8t+-) 3 1 .�h5 1-0 27.£6 (White could have won even more easily
with: 27.fxg6! il.xg6D 28.1':!:f7 tt:lxe6 29.1':!:xh7!
i.xh7 30.VNxe6t h8 3 l .i.f6t exf6 32.VNxe8t
g7 33.e6+-) 27 exf6 28.exf6 (28.1':!:xf6
••.
il.xe5 29.1':!:xf8t l':!:xf8 30.e7 l':!:e8 3 1 .1':!:d8 +-)

28 lihe6 29.f7t :Sxf7 30.:Sxf7 c!Llxg5
.••
Chapter 9 - S olutions 359
3 UUd7+- Black struggled on until move 59 (56) N. Vitiugov - D. Khismatullin

but there was no miracle. 1-0 Moscow 2009
(55) T. Petrosian - G. Sosonko

Tilburg 1 982 (variation)
a b c d e f g h
White has a few tempting ideas available;
b d f g h
which would you choose? 19.�b6!? Vitiugov
a c e
strikes from an unexpected angle in order
White has the advantage, but he must to exchange the enemy knight. The idea is
choose the right path. 25.Wfe4! (It is interesting, but not objectively strongest.
important to avoid the following trap: 2 5 . c7? (Best was 1 9.ixd3! mhs [ 1 9 . . . exd3 ? 20.hxg6
ixc7! 26J!xe8t !!xeS 27.l'!xc7 Wfd8 ! 28.!!xa7 fxg6 2 1 .l'!de l +-] 20.f4! with a strong
l'!el t 29.'it>g2 1Wd5 t 30.f3 1Wc4 and White attack.) 19 Wfe6?? A terrible mistake which
••.
is in considerable danger.) 25 J::l: e6 26.l'!e3!

.• loses immediately. ( 1 9 . . . l'!a7? was also bad:
hg3 20.ltlxd7 ltlxd7 2 1 .hxg6 fxg6 22.ltl e7t mg7
23.!!xh7t+-; However, the cold-blooded
1 9 . . . mh8! was good enough for equality, for
example:
3
b d f g h
2
a c e
27.Wff3!± Black may have won a pawn, but
b d f g h
he faces an unpleasant defence due to White's
a c e
passed pawn and active rooks, not to mention
the bishop which is poised to join the action as 20.f4 [20 .hxg6 fxg6 2 1 .ltlxa8 gxf5 favours
soon as White gets time for c3-c4. Black] 20 . . .'�c5 ! 2 1 .hxg6 fxg6 22.1Wxg6 !!g8
23 .1Wf7 1Wxb6! [It is not too late to err with
23 . . . Wf2? 24 . .ixd3 when both 24 . . . exd3
25 .!!d2 and 24 . . . Wxf4t 25 .mb l Wg5 26 . .ixe4
tt:l xb6 27.tt:l e7! are winning for White.] Now (57) S. P. Sethuraman - S. Shyam
White has nothing better than forcing a draw: New Delhi 20 1 0
24.g5 [24.ixd3 '1Mfd8! 25 .ixe4 Wff8 26.'1Mfxf8 Black already has the advantage and he found
tt:l xf8 27.ixc6 ixf5 28 .ixa8 l'hg4�] 24 . . . '1Wf2 a convincing way to increase it. 22 ...i.h6!!
25 .l'l:d2 'lWe i t 26.l'l:d l Wff2=) An excellent move which sets up a cute
tactical trick. 23.tt:lxh3?! (White could have
prolonged the game with 2 3 . tt:l e4, although
7 after 23 . . . l'l:f4!? 24.tt:l d2 if5 his position is
6
terrible and Black should win eventually.)
a b c d e f g h
20.'1Wh6! (20 .tt:lxa8 ? ? '1Mfxc4t 2 1 .�d2 Wfc2t

22.�el exf3-+; 20.ixd3 !? is not bad,
b d f g h
but the text move is simplest.) 20 ... gxf5
a c e
(20 . . . d2t 2 1 .l'l:xd2+-) 2 1 .gxf5 Wfxf5 22J3g1 t
1-0 White's last few moves were pretty simple, 23 ... tt:lb4!! A great move! 24.�d2 (24.id3
so it is hard to imagine what Khismatullin ixe3t 25.�b l tt:l xd3-+; 24.'1Wxb4 ixe3t
missed when contemplating his 1 9th move. 25 .l'l:d2 '1Wg3!-+) 24 ... tt:l c2! (Stronger than
24 . . . '1Mfc2t 2 5 . � e l Wff5 26.'1Wxb4 ixe3
27.tt:l f2 when White is still alive, even if only
temporarily.) 25 ..td3 tt:lxa3 26.ixg6 tt:lxc4t
0-1
Game Index
Th e Game Index contains all the main games of the book in the order they appear.
1953 9
1957 16
Birbrager - Tal, USS R
1 977 21
Gurgenidze - Tal, USSR Championship
1 977 33
Namgilov - Psakhis, USSR
1 996 40
Portnjagin - Psakhis, Krasnoyarsk
1 938 49
Psakhis - Chatalbashev, Benasque
59
Sokolsky - Botvinnik, USSR Championship
198 1
1 964 72
Taimanov - Psakhis, Moscow
Rodshtein - Kotanjian, Moscow 2008 78

Stein - Petersons, USSR Championship
1 999 85
1 973 89
Luther - Gheorghiu, Lenk
1988 97
Vaganian - Bronstein, USSR Championship, First League
1958 107
Semkov - Psakhis, Yerevan
2002 1 12
Geller - Zamikhovsky, Ukrainian Championship
1974 1 17
Lalic - Stefanova, Dos Hermanas
1 23
Banas - Navarovszky, Trencianske Teplice
1 989
Vaganian - Hubner, Tilburg 1983 1 33
Baburin - Fokin, Gorky
200 1 1 39
1988 1 44
Torrecillas Martinez - Psakhis, Andorra
1 9 59 1 55
Guseinov - Psakhis, USSR Championship, First League
1 9 59 1 66
Tal - Polugaevsky, USSR Championship
1 99 1 1 73
Nikitin - Tal, USSR Championship
1 975 1 83
Psakhis - Cvitan, Hartberg
1984 195
Cardoso - Petrosian, Las Palmas
Psakhis - Arnason, Yurmala 1987 206

Psakhis - Pritchett, Troon
1 969 217
1956 223
Tal - Gurgenidze, USSR Championship
Simagin - Petrosian, Moscow (4) 1 9 56 236

Tal - Simagin, USSR Championship
Tal - Shamkovich, USSR Championship 1972 244

Tal - Vasiukov, USSR Championship 1 964 248
Tal - Miles, Porz 1 9 8 1 257
Tal - Filip, Moscow 1 967 26 1
Tal - Speelman, Subotica 1 987 269
Psakhis - Amador Rodriguez, Sochi 1 9 8 8 273
1979 28 1
1956 29 1
Psakhis - Vitolins, USSR Championship, First League
Petrosian - Estrin, Moscow Team Championship 1 968 299

Petrosian - Vasiukov, Moscow Championship
1 979 305
2000 313
Grigorian - Psakhis, USSR Championship, First League
Psakhis - Saravanan, Andorra
Player Index
Th e Player Index contains all the names of players mentioned in main games ' game
references and exercises .
326, 346
1 33
A Brooks
248
Bu Xiangzhi 325, 344
Browne
33, 236
Adams
Ahmed 328 , 3 5 3 c
Adianto
Almasi 224
41
Alvarez 98
183
Cabrilo
Anand 79, 98, 330, 356

Carlsen 330, 356
Cardoso
Andersson 1 96, 292

Caruana 326, 345
Anic 325 , 342
Charbonneau 98
Annaberdiev 325 , 344
Chatalbashev 40, 4 1
Antonov 1 23
Chekhov 324, 338
Arakhamia 209
Chirila 326, 347
Arizmendi Martinez 262
Christiansen 86, 98, 323, 338
Arnason 206
Ciocaltea 306
Avrukh 324, 34 1
Ciric 262
Conquest 244
Cvitan 1 73, 325 , 343
B
123, 323, 336

269 D
Baburin
Balashov 1 96
Bach
41
Banas 1 1 7
326, 345
Damljanovic
Bangiev 1 56
De Ia Villa 224
D e Ia Riva
Baranov 322, 332, 334

Donner 22
Barbosa 327, 349
Dumitrache 257
Bareev 4 1
Dydyshko 327, 348
Becerra 326, 346
Dzagnidze 325 , 328, 343, 350
Beliavsky 183, 299, 327, 349
Belkhodj a 1 1 2
Birbrager 9
E
Bisby 329 , 354 330, 3 5 5

1 56
Edouard
Bobotsov 306
Eljanov 327, 349
Ehlvest
Bogdanovic 1 67
Boleslavsky 29 1 Emms 90
Botvinnik 49 Epishin 4 1
Bouah 1 1 2 Ermenkov 1 7
Bronstein 89 Estrin 299
Player Index 363
F 34, 1 33, 274

22
Hubner
1 12
Hug
90 I
Farago
223
Fedorowicz
78
Filip 26 1
Fedulov
1 56, 327, 349

Illescas Cordoba
Filippov 330 , 358

Ivanovic 248
Ivanchuk
Flumbort 328 , 35 1
Fokin 123
J
Franco 49
327, 348
1 74
Jacko
G
Jankovic 1 39
Jakubowski
78
330 , 358
Galkin
Garcia Roman 262

Ganguly K
Gelfand 98 275
325 , 343
Kabanov
Geller 1 07
Kalinitschew 1 23
Kaidanov
Georgiev 4 1 , 1 33, 208
Gerber 86 Karpov 33, 262, 274
Gereben 50 Kasparov 60, 262
Gheorghiu 4 1 , 8 5 , 86, 323, 324, 338 , 34 1 Keene 323, 335
Gipslis 1 56 Kharitonov 330, 357
Gladkik 275 Khenkin 4 1
Gobet 86 Khismatullin 33 1 , 359
Gorelov 59 Kholmov 1 67
Graf 183 Kislov 223
Grigorian 1 73, 305 Korchnoi 49, 1 56
Groenn 269 Kotanj ian 78
Gufeld 1 67 Kotronias 326, 346
Gulko 325 , 343 Kourkounakis 324, 340
Gupta 329, 354 Kulaots 328, 35 1
Gurgenidze 16, 2 1 7 Kupreichik 299
Guseinov 1 44 Kutirov 324, 342
H L
329, 353 1 96
1 1 2, 1 73
Lacasa Diaz
292
Haba
Lange 257
Lalic
Hasangatin 330, 357
H a r Zvi
Hebden 324, 339 Langeweg 73

Hj artarson 207 Ledger 300
Hodgson 60 Lengyel 323, 336
Holmgren 2 1 8 Lepeshkin 1 56
Honfi 22 Le Quang Liem 327, 349
Hort 1 7 Li Chao 1 96
1 96 Lie 269
327, 350 Littlewood 324, 339
Hou Yifan
Howell
183 257
329, 353
Olivier
155
Lj ubojevic
329, 3 5 5
Oms Pallisse
1 96
Lombardy
Onischuk
Lukovnikov 197
Lopez Martinez
p
Lunn 245
Luther 85 323, 337
17
Padevsky
Pavlovic 1 96
Paragua
M
329, 3 5 3 Perunovic 1 4 1
208 Petersons 72
Magem Badals
60 Petrosian 1 33, 1 67, 1 8 3 , 236, 29 1 , 299, 322,

Mainka
245 328, 33 1 , 334, 3 52, 3 59

Makarichev
Marie 328 , 352 Piankov 322, 332

Makepeace
Martinez 1 3 7 Pijpers 325, 345

Matulovic 322, 333 Piorun 327, 350
McNab 328, 353 Pirc 29 1
Melnikov 1 96 Polgar 236
Michalek 306 Polugaevsky 1 5 5 , 197
Mikhaletz 224 Ponkratov 329, 3 5 3
Miles 257, 323, 335 Ponomariov 78
Miroshnichenko 328 , 3 5 1 Portnjagin 33
Mititelu 49 Prakash 3 1 4
Moehring 22 Prasad 1 44
Movwani 329 , 3 5 5 Pribyl 1 7
Mozny 306 Pritchett 1 9 5
Mraz 1 74 Psakhis 2 1 , 3 3 , 40, 5 9 , 60, 9 7 , 1 39, 1 4 1 , 1 44,
Miiller 90 1 73, 1 84 , 1 9 5 , 206, 207, 208 , 273, 28 1 ,
30 5 , 3 1 3, 322, 323, 324, 332, 334, 335,
N
339
327, 349
21
Naiditsch
Q
183 209
Namgilov
300
Nataf Qin Kanying
1 17
Navara
R
217
Navarovszky
326, 345
257
Nedev
217
Radovanovic
Nikitin 1 66
Neumann
1 12
Rasic
Nisipeanu 269 34
Razuvaev
Novikov 324, 340 Rendle 327, 3 50

Reefschlager
Nunn 1 73 Riff 208

Rivas Pastor 224, 324, 339
0
Robson 326, 347
1 67 Rodriguez 273
329, 354 Rodshtein 78
Olafsson
Rowson 329, 3 5 5
Oleksienko
Player Index 365
s 184
1 96
Tsesarsky
3 1 3, 3 1 4
Tukhaev 326, 345
Tseshkovsky
330, 358
Saravanan
S chaefer 224 u
Sasikiran
S chmid 322, 334

1 56
Semkov 97
Unzicker
Sermek 1 39 v
Serov 328 , 35 1
Sethuraman 33 1 , 360 330, 357
89, 1 33
Vachier-Lagrave
Shabalov 1 7
Vaisser 325 , 342
Vaganian
Shamkovich 1 73, 244
Shyam 33 1 , 360 Vallejo Pons 329, 3 5 5
Simagin 223, 236, 326, 347 Van den Berg 1 67
Skembris 322, 332 Vasiukov 248, 29 1
Skripchenko 325 , 343 Veselovsky 324, 338
Smyslov 49, 50 Vitiugov 33 1 , 359
Sokolov 323, 336 Vitolins 28 1
Sokolsky 49 Vladimirov 323, 335
Soln 183 Vovk 330, 358
Sosonko 73, 33 1 , 359
w
Spassky 274
Speelman 248 , 269 1 74
Spraggett 328, 352 330, 357
Walter
Stean 323, 337

Wang Hao
X
Stefanova 1 12, 328, 350
Stein 72, 326, 347 326, 346
Stella 1 37
Xiu Deshun
Stenroos 2 1 8 y
Stoma 327, 350

1 96
Sturua 324, 342
59, 90
Yakovich
Sundararajan 244
Yermolinsky
Swinkels 325 , 345 z
328, 352
1 07
T Zagrebelny
59
217
Zamikhovsky
9, 16, 1 5 5 , 1 56, 1 66, 1 67, 1 83, 2 1 7, 223,

Taimanov
325 , 343
Zelek
244, 248, 257, 261 , 262, 269, 292

Tal
Zlotnik 323, 336

Zhukova
Tissir 329, 354

Zozulia 224
Tiviakov 248
Tkachiev 330, 355
Tomczak 1 74
Torrecillas Martinez 1 39
Toth 322, 333
Tseitlin 292
I M I DDLEGAM E BOOKS I
C:HE55
l-E55CN 5
I OPEN I NG BOOKS
I
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Advanced Chess Tactics

Copyright © 2011 Lev Psakhis

ADVANCED CHESS TACTICS

Paperback ISBN 978-1-907982-04-0

All sales or enquiries should be directed to Quality Chess UK Ltd,

Distributed in US and Canada by SCB Distributors, Gardena, California, US

Distributed in Rest of the World by Quality Chess UK Ltd through

Typeset by Jacob Aagaard

1 Attacking in the Benoni 7

Game Index 361

A few practical hints:

Tel Aviv 1990

What fantastic attacking idea How to defend?

How to react? This never happened, but The grand finale!

The Benoni is an opening for people with 9.0-0

decades. The reason is simple; unlike many

Isaak Birbrager- Mikhail Tal

In the first place he could have played 15.E:b1!?

23...1Wf8! would want to continue with 22.lLla5 �d4t

24...�b4 25.�f6 1Wh5 26.b3!?, and if

White of course has excellent compensation

for the pawn, but does he have a genuine

8 is his undoing: 27.i.e3 ixe3 28 .ll:xf3 Wffxg4

Secondly, Black had the very strong:

The positional 25 . . . lLlf6!? was not at all bad;

:B:e5! 30.j,xa6 :B:f8+ 27 . .%Yf3

Now, however, the white knight intends to

28 . . . 1Wh4 29.gxh5 .ih3 30 . .ic3 .ixg2t 30.h4!?

Incidentally, 28.l:'!a3 ttl f6 29.tLld2 was weaker

28 ...J.xg4?! 29.ttlxf3 J.xf3

As we can see, playing a position like this for

axb5 33,i>h2, 34.�xe2

I think ifl had to explain what happened in this 37.@g3 .test

38. <tt>g2 i.£4 lO.ClJd2 ClJ a6

this prospect frightened the young player more l l .:Bel

Bukhuti Gurgenidze - Mikhail Tal

1 5 . . .ixc4 16.ixc4 a6 17.�d3 lt:l g4

15.�xf2 A clearly weaker choice was 1 8 . . . 'Wh l t!?

He did have an alternative in 17 . . . �xh3!. Then

exceedingly difficult problems by 1 9 . . .f5 ! ? 20 . . . ixe3

23.�a3 26.lLl 5 c400• He would have played 24 . . . E!:f5 !

23 ... �ae8 24 ... lLlxd5!

In the event of 24.E!:d3!?, I think that even the 25 ... �xd5

26.�e2 .ixe3 27.E!.xe3 .ixc4t fascinating vananons. A remarkable fact is

: !�� /""�� !�� · �

Sotgo Narngilov - Lev Psakhis

1 977 2 %----�¥� �-----"�-[j::rif�

ll.� d2 understood the defects of my position and was

17 ... � h5 The other retreat is no better:

serious mistakes, Black's defeat will only be a

1 It has become fairly obvious that Black

to set up quite a robust position at only a

29...� g8!? We have come across a similar idea already,

At this point it was easy to reject 30 ... l"!xe5?

3I.lLlg6!? 35 .lDe7t E1g6 36.'\M/xg6t '\M/xg6 37.lDxg6+­

40.E1xf6t E1xf6 4 1 .'\M/xf6t @e8 and Black 3 I . E1f7!

Secondly, 32.iMffl ! looks more convincing still.

It is difficult to recommend 32.i1Jffl ?, as

3 'l&e2! 39.'1&h6t rj;Je8 40.l'Llxd6t �e7 holds

38 .E:3g2 Wc4 Similar variations also result from 40 . . . 1Mfcl t

39.� g3! Wfb3t 40.� g4

a b c d e f g h A sorry end to such an interesting struggle!

( 1 ) Try to avoid any unforced errors in the 9 ... a6

3I.lLlg6!? 35 .lDe7t E1g6 36.'\M/xg6t '\M/xg6 37.lDxg6+

s i_ �j_- - · 23 . . . '1Mfh5 24.ie7 ih6!

��-�� Threatening . . . lt'l e3t.

8��r!J� � ��-��r!J ----;:: 8 �

8 \ ��!�;�� .� Finally the Bulgarian player succumbs to the

s�� >;,��_ , , %�' m

s ��r·L·��- diagonal, the knight on h 1 is en prise, and