Every

Move Explained

Written by Aleksandar Trailovic

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Table of contents

Introduction

Chess Notation

Paul Morphy – A. Morphy

Carlsen – Vallejo Pons

Alekhine – Tartakower

Botvinnik – Portisch

Kamsky – Nakamura

Steinitz – Blackburne
Korchnoi – Byvshev

Sclechter – Perlis

Shulman – Khalifman

Thompson – Morphy

Karpov – Kamsky

Chigorin – Steinitz

Fleissig – Sclechter

Introduction

This book attempts to explain the moves played in chosen master games by
using a simple

language accessible to readers of all playing levels. You will not find a lot of
long variations here explaining al the possibilities, but rather words that describe
the ideas behind the chess moves.

It is often the case that lower rated players are struggling with why a certain
move is played

and the best method to overcome that problem is by familiarizing with the chess
heritage from

the master games. In many books the problem is that not all of the moves are
explained

because those books are geared towards experienced players. So actually that is
not a

problem for those players who already have the ability to deduct the conclusions
themselves

about those moves that are given without comments. But when a player rated bel
ow 2000
reads those books he or she often struggles with those strings of moves that are
given

without any explanation.

That is where this books comes in. It is written for players who want to know
ideas behind

every chess move. Also this book will not overwhelm the reader with long
variations but rather

just essential moves and when needed some forced lines or examples of what
would happen

if some other move was played.

All the games are analyzed by author and in complex positions an engine was
used to secure

the accuracy of the analysis. It might be possible that somewhere a stronger

move is possible

than proposed but the goal of this book was not to give the best move for each
position in the

games chosen, but to provide the explanations of moves played and suggest
logical moves

and plans so the reader can increase his/hers chess knowledge.

It was assumed that the reader is familiar with chess notation, but if you are not,
don't worry.

There is a brief chapter on chess notation and anyone can learn it in a matter of
minutes.

The first several moves of each games are given until the end of the page and
then each next

page of that game starts with a diagram with a current position fol owed by next
few moves. In

this manner we secured that even an inexperienced reader can read the book
without the

chess board. This is also a great tool for practicing calculation and imagination.
Of course, if the reader prefers to move the pieces on the real board that is OK
too. The chosen layout just

gives an extra option to the reader.

Chess Notation

In this book we used algebraic notation and English symbols for pieces. This is
pretty simple

and we will explain it here. The board has coordinates, horizontal y letters a-h
and vertical y

numbers 1-8. In this manner each square has a name for example the square on
which there

is a white king in a starting position of any chess game is cal ed “e1”, because
it's coordinates are e, 1.

These are the symbols:

K – King x – capture

Q – Queen + - check

R – Rook # - Checkmate

B- Bishop 0-0 – short castle

N – Knight 0-0-0 – long castle

We will describe this by showing some examples of how it is done. There is long
notation and

short notation. Long notation was used for moves actually played in the game
and short one

was used in comments.

In the long notation we mark the piece , its starting square and landing square:

1. Kh1-g2 it means that the king goes form the h1 square to the g2 square. In
short

notation we would just write the symbol for the piece and the landing square, so
the same

move would be written like this: 1. Kg2

If there is a capture we use the “x” symbol

1. Nc3xd5 or in short notation 1.Nxd5

When pawn moves are being written the symbol for pawn is omitted, so 1. a2-a4
means that

pawn goes form a2 to a4, or in short 1.a4

If the pawn is capturing then we write it like this 1.e4xd5 or in short 1.exd5
(meaning that the pawn form e file is taking on d5)

If two of the same pieces can go to a certain square we note which piece we are
talking about

in this manner 1. Nge2, meaning that the knight from the g file is going to e2.
This of course

doesn't influence the long notation since there the starting square is always
written.

If you see something like this 1... Rc8 it means that it is black's who plays that
move (the 3

dots after the number indicate that)

1... 0-0-0 means that black castles long for example

Paul Morphy – A. Morphy

New Orleans 1848

1. e2-e4

Control ing the d5 square and establishing the presence in the center.

1. … e7-e5

Control ing the d4 square and saying to white - “I am here as well!”

2. Ng1-f3

Developing the knight and attacking the e5 pawn at the same time.

2. … Nb8-c6

Developing the knight and defending the e5 pawn at the same time.

3. Bf1-c4
Developing the bishop and eying the f7 square.

3. … Bf8-c5

Black says, you didn't attack anything in my camp, so I will use this opportunity
to develop

freely and bring another piece into action.

4. b2-b4

This is what we call “The Evans Gambit”. White is giving up a pawn, but don't
worry he didn't

go crazy. He has something in mind. That is, for the pawn that he is giving he is
hoping to

gain some lead in development and maybe a strong center.

4. … Bc5xb4

It only makes sense to take this pawn, since it is offered already. Taking with the
knight is

strange since knight has a function of protecting the e5 black decided to do it

with the bishop.

5. c2-c3

White is thinking - “Now I will make this move with a tempo, since black will
have to move his

bishop, so I am gaining time.”

5. … Bb4-c5

Black had several options here : 5...Ba5, 5...Bc5, 5...Be7 or even 5... Bd6. But he
probably

thought, that since his original idea was to go to c5 he might as well go back. It
looks like a good square anyway. If nothing else, white has developed his bishop
in a similar style.

6. d2-d4

White is proceeding with his plan, gaining more time by attacking the black
bishop again and

establishing a strong center.

6. … e5xd4

Black could also just retreat again, either to b6 or d6, but in those days this was
the only logical reply and also this is the best reply. Why leave the e5 pawn
hanging when you can get rid of it by exchanging on d4.

7. c3xd4

Just look at this beautiful center formed by d4 and e4 pawns. They control so
many central squares and restrict black's play and therefore compensate for the
material minus.

7. … Bc5-b6
Black decides to go to this safe square and keep the pressure in white's center
from there. He

could also go 7...Bb4+ where white has two pleasant choices. To block with the
bishop or to

go 8.Kf1!? and if black would make a natural move like 8...d6? He would be al
of the sudden

lost because of 9.d5! And if the knight moves away white goes Qa4+ picking up
the bishop on

b4. Black could try 9...Qf6, but after 10.Qc2!, Qxa1 11.Bb2 black's queen is
trapped. That is

why black cannot play 8...d6, but he has to continue in some other manner and
the game is

still on.

8. 0-0

Placing the king into the safety and bringing the rook closer to the action.
8. … Nc6-a5

Black doesn't like the fact that the c4 bishop is targeting the f7 square so he
wants to chase him away form the a2-g8 diagonal.

9. Bc4-d3

Looking further ahead, white places his bishop on potentially good diagonal. At
one point black might castle king side and then this bishop is going to be
targeting h7 square.

9.Bxf7+, Kxf7 10.Ne5+, Kf8 11. Qh5, Qf6 12. Bg5, Qe6 would be a bad idea

9. … Ng8-e7

Develops the knight and getting one step closer to castling. It would not be such
a great idea

to develop this knight to “normal” f6 square, because it could be attacked there

by 10.e5 and then it would have to go back to his original square.

10. Nb1-c3

Normal developing move. In the end we want to play with all of our pieces if
possible. This

square is much better than d2 because it puts more control over d5 square and
doesn't block the c1 bishop.
10. … 0-0

Putting the King to a more safe position and finishing his king side development.

11. Bc1-a3

Pinning the knight on e7 against the rook, so it cannot move freely. This might
come in handy in the future, when white starts pressuring the black's king side,
so black should remove this

pin. Instead 11.d5, d6 12.Ne2, Ng6 13.Bb2 leads to a more standard Evans
Gambit position

where white has a good attacking chances on the king side thanks to his central
control and

open a1-h8 diagonal and slight lead in development, but he is a pawn down so it
would be kind of balanced position.

11. … d7-d6

Removing the pin on the a3-f8 diagonal and opening the path for his light
squared bishop 12. e4-e5
Opening the diagonal for d3 bishop and freeing the e4 square for the c3 knight,
so he can join the attack.

12. … Bc8-f5

Immediately neutralizing the opponents bishop. This was not necessary but it
looks like that is

black's style of play - to stop every plan of white immediately. Note, that white
was not

threatening the “Greek gift” sac on h7 because at the end black could always go
to f5 with his bishop and defend. For example, 12...Nc6 13.Bxh7?, Kxh7
14.Ng5+, Kg8 15.Qh5, Bf5!

Defending the h7 square

13. e5xd6

Creating a weakness on d6 and setting a trap, if black would be naive enough to

take on d3, there would come an in between move 14.d6xe7 winning
13. … c7xd6

Of course not 13...Bxd3?? 14. dxe7 winning the house

14. Nc3-e4

This is a multipurpose move. It prevents the exchange of light squared bishops,

it brings the

knight into the attack, attacks the d6 pawn and sets up a little trap if black plays
…

14. … d7-d5

Fal ing right into the trap. It was better to exchange the dangerous knight with
14...Bxe4

15.Bxe4, Rc8

15. Ne4-f6+!

This small combination will wreck the black's king cover.

15. … g7xf6

The knight had to be taken, if 15...Kh8 16.Bxf5, Nxf5 17.Bxf8 Now we see why
white

developed his bishop on a3 on move 11. This bishop will have a role in the game
continuation

also, a small role but still a role.

16. Ba3xe7

That is the role, to be able to exchange itself at the right time. The exchange
serves the

purpose of removing the defender of f5 bishop. After this white will dominate
the light squares around black king.

16. … Qd8xe7

There was not much choice here, this had to be recaptured

17. Bd3xf5

Take a look at the bishop on f5. It is not so easy to oppose him now when his
colleague is gone form the board. Imagine if white could put his queen on h5.
How would then black

prevent a disaster on h7? That is why black should now play 17... Rfe8 to free
the f8 square for the queen so she can go via f8 to g7 to protect the h7.
17. … Na5-c4?

Wel , black didn't realize how fast white attack can be. He was thinking logical y
though. He is trying to get with his knight to d6 and to try to exchange the f5
bishop, but that is to slow.

Fortunately, white didn't realize how fast his attack can be either...

18. Rf1-e1?

It looks good because the rook is joining the attack with a tempo, but it is not
good because

we don't need a rook for this attack, we just need to put the queen on h5 and
deliver the mate on h7 if possible. Therefore 18.Nh4! opening the way for our
queen towards h5 was the way to go. 18...Nd6 19.Qh5, Nxf5 20.Qg4+!, Ng7
21.Nf5 and mate on g7 on the next move. If

black would go 20...Kh8 then 21.Nxf5, threatening mate on g7, so black has to
cover with

21...Rg8, but then 22.Qxg8+, Rxg8 23.Nxe7 and white is up a whole rook.
18. … Qe7-d6

trying to transfer the queen to the king side via f4 square.

19. Nf3-e5?

Right idea but wrong execution. White was thinking along the lines of blocking
the path for the

queen to get to f4, but in the process of doing so he sacrificed a piece, so it was
to high a price. Instead he could go 19.Nd2!, Qf4 (If 19...Nxd2 20.Qh5 with
mate) 20.Qh5, h6 21.Nxc4,

dxc4 22.Re4 bringing more forces to the attack 22...Qd2 (she has to stay on c1-
h6 diagonal to protect h6 and if 22...Qg5 23.Rg4 wins the queen) 23.Rg4+, Kh8
24.Rg6!, fxg6 25.Qxg6 with checkmate soon

19. … f6xe5

This has to be taken since whites attack is too strong with this knight on the
board.

20. Qd1-g4+
If immediately 20.Qh5? Than black can make the escape though f8 via 20...Rfe8
making the route clear for his king, therefore white gives this check to force the
black king into the corner first.

20. … Kg8-h8

There is no alternative since 20...Qg6?? is just giving the queen away

21. Qg4-h5

Threatening checkmate

21. … Kh8-g7

Trying to escape via f6

22. Qh5-g5+

Preventing black form escaping via f6. 22.Qxh7 would be bad, because it would
al ow black king to escape as planned

22. … Kg7-h8

What else?
23. Qg5-h5

Renewing the mate threat and hoping that black will repeat position three times

23. … h7-h6

Declining the repetition and removing the threat of checkmate. Black had an
even better

move 23...Qg6!! 24.Bxg6, fxg6 25.Qh4, Bxd4 attacking both the a1 and f2
where even without the queen, black stands better.

24. Re1xe5??

This move should cost white the game. It was much better to take on e5 with the
pawn and black cannot recapture 24.dxe5! , Nxe5? 25.Rxe5 and if Qxe5? Then
26.Qxh6+ and mate

next move.

24. … Nc4xe5

Trying to take all the material that he can for free. In those days when the game
was played

most people accepted almost every sacrifice, like there was a rule stating that
you have to

accept a sac. Even though this is winning also, it was much simpler to go
24...Qf6 and keep

everything under control. Now the queen will not have access to f6 square.

25. d4xe5

Getting some material back and taking control of f6 square

25. … Qd6-c6

Black has to keep an eye on h6 pawn with his queen, so 25...Qxe5?? 26.Qxh6+,
Kg8

27.Qh7#

26. e5-e6
Cutting the defense along the 6th rank, so now the h6 pawn is undefended.

26. … Kh8-g7

Protecting the h6 pawn. Black cannot take 26...fxe6, because of 27.Qxh6

winning

27. g2-g4

Rushing forward with the g pawn trying to open black's position with g4-g5
thrust 27. … Qc6-c3

Since the queen cannot defend along the 6th rank anymore it is trying to get to
defense on f6

square via c3. It also attacks the rook on a1. There was an easier approach
though, 27...Rae8 intending to give some material back with Rxe6 and
completely stop white's attack.

For example 28.g5, Rxe6! 29.Bxe6, Qxe6 and h6 is well protected and white has
run out of

attacking pieces
28. g4-g5

Act of desperation in trying to pry open black king's position. But white doesn't
have any

alternative, if the rook moves than 28...Qf6 and the attack is over

28. … Qc3xa1

It is a free rook after al

29. Kg1-g2

The only move

29. … Qa1-f6?

Probably black didn't notice that he can go back with his king and free the g7
square for his king, 29...Kg8! 30.Qxh6, Qg7 and everything is covered. Since he
didn't see this he probably

thought that it is time for extreme measures, so he sacrificed a queen

30. g5xf6+

White probably got tired of giving the material so started to take some instead.
All joking

aside, there was no alternative

30. … Kg7xf6

If king goes back to g8 or h8 he would die there in two moves

31. e6xf7

With a threat of 32.Bg6 securing the dangerous pawn or 32.Qg6+

31. … Rf8xf7

If he doesn't take this pawn now, he will never take it after 32.Bg6

32. Qh5-g6+

Sending the king on a short journey at the end of which it will position himself
in some danger

and disrupt the coordination of black's rooks

32. … Kf6-e7

If 32...Ke5 then 33.Qxf7 thank you for the free rook

33. Qg6-e6+

Continues to force the black king on the mentioned journey

33. … Ke7-f8

has to go there, if 33...Kd8 34. Qxf7, thank you, again for the free rook

34. Qe6xh6+

Picking up the pawn with check, so that white h pawn can soon start marching
down the

board unopposed. This will decide the game in the end as we will see later.
Passed pawns

are meant to be pushed.

34. … Rf7-g7+

It looks tempting to block the check with a check, but this time it was not the
best move. It was better to go back with the king to e7 where white would still
be much better , but at least the king would be safer there and black rook would
not be stuck as it will be here

35. Bf5-g6?
Blocking the check and preparing to help the h pawn advance, when the bishop
and the pawn will support each other. All this is logical, but actually 35.Kf3 was
much better when the bishop would be free to move and create more threats, e.g.
35...Re8 36.Be6! With a threat of

37.Qf6+ winning

35. … Kf8-g8!

Preventing the queen form coming down on h8 which would be devastating

against a normal move like 35...Rd8? 36.Qh8+, Rg8 37.Qf6#. The move played
also frees the f8 square for the rook so it can join the defense and attack whites f-
pawn

36. h2-h4

Going to support the bishop on g6 and dreaming of going down the board all the
way to cause havoc in blacks camp. You will soon see how this small pawn is
going to decide the game

(with some help by black's inaccurate play)

36. … d5-d4?

It looks logical to push the passed pawn, but the rook was needed in defense of
black's king

and in attack on whites f-pawn. So 36...Rf8! Was the way to go

37. h4-h5

White just carries his own plans mentioned in the comment to his previous move

37. … d4-d3?

This was the last chance to bring the other rook to defense/attack by 37...Rf8, but
black

probably thought that he can make a queen soon. Wel , he might do so, but if in
the meantime

he gets mated, it is not going to do him much good

38. Qh6-g5

Now that the white pawn has reached h5 square, queen is removing herself so he
can go

even further

38. … Ra8-d8

Giving support to the d pawn, but to late

39. h5-h6

All according to the plan from move 36.

39. … d3-d2

Going for the queen, but alternatives are not that great, 39...Rxg6 40.Qxg6+, Kf8
41.Qg7+,

Ke8 42.h7, d1Q 43.h8Q#

If the g7 rook moves along the 7th rank than white can go 40.Bxd3+ if nothing
else

40. Qg5-f6

This wins, but white had also 40.Bh7+!, Kxh7 41.Qxg7# if 40...Kf7 41.Qxg7,
Ke6 42.Bg8, Kf5

43.h7, d1Q 44. h8Q and black doesn't have a good check with his queen so he is
lost.

But 40.Qf6 is also good, now there is a threat of 41.Qxg7#

40. … Rg7-d7

Removing the mate in 1 threat. If black would try Rdd7 then 41.hxg7, Rxg7
42.Qe6+, Kh8 43.

Qh3+, Kg8 44. Qc8+ with checkmate

41. Bg6-f5!

The idea of this move is not to take the rook on d7, but to switch the bishop to e6
and construct a mating net. For this white will also need a help of his h pawn,
but he is already there just waiting for the final order form his general

41. … d2-d1Q

If 41...Rf8 42. Be6+, Rf7 43. Qg7# or 42...Kh7 43. Qxf8, d1Q 44. Bf5#

42. h6-h7+!

It is important to give this check in order to take the h7 square form the black
king. It would lead to nowhere if instead 42.Be6+, because of 42...Kh7

42. … Rd7xh7

The only legal move. Now black's replies are forced so there is no need for
commenting
43. Bf5-e6+ Rh7-f7

44. Be6xf7+ Kg8-h7

If 44...Kf8 then 45.Be6+, Ke8 46. Qf7#

45. Qf6-g6+ Kh7-h8

46. Qg6-h6#

Carlsen – Vallejo Pons

Bilbao 2012

1. e2-e4

Carlsen's favorite move at least until now (2015)

1. … , e7-e6

Going for French defense even though he is form Spain

2. d2-d4

Taking the center and opening the dark squared bishop.

2. … , d7-d5

Attacking the e4 pawn and giving white a choice between pushing, protecting or
exchanging

3. Nb1-c3

White chose to protect his e pawn

3. … , Bf8-b4

Pinning the c3 knight against the king. This is the so called Winawer variation

4. e4xd5
The more standard move is 4.e5, but the world champion prefers slightly
“boring” positions so

he enters this variation which is considered not to be a big threat to black.

Certainly not a bad move and even if it results in an equal position there is still
some play there and the better

player might look for an advantage after the opening is over.

4. … , e6xd5

This is preferred over 4... Qxd5, because now black's light squared bishop has an
exit to the

king side

5. Bf1-d3

Developing the bishop and looking at the h7 square which might be the target in
the future if

black castles short

5. … , Ng8-f6

Normal developing move, al owing castling on the next move. The alternative
was 5... Ne7

with the idea of neutralizing white's bishop on d3 with Bf5 in the future

6. Ng1-e2

White developed this knight here rather than on f3 in order to avoid the pin 6...
Bg4. Now if

black plays that move, white has the option of playing 7.f2-f3 breaking the pin
and winning the

tempo. Pawn to f3 is useful to white for another reason as well – it covers the e4
square.
6. … , Bc8-g4

Black went that way regardless. Maybe he estimated that f3 will weaken white's
position a

little and also he might have a maneuver Bc8-g4-h5-g6 in mind in order to

neutralize white's

light squared bishop

7. 0-0

White decided to postpone f2-f3 for one move, since it doesn't really make a
difference

7. … , 0-0

You can't play with the king in the center when the e-file is open, so castling is
very logical

8. f2-f3

This is now pretty obvious after the explanation to move six

8. … , Bg4-h5

Continuing the maneuver towards g6 square

9. Ne2-f4!

This move will make the difference when black bishop goes to g6. It will allow
white to take on

g6 with the knight instead of with the bishop, which will give him the bishop
pair advantage.

9. … , Bh5-g6

Hoping for Bd3xg6

10. Nf4xg6

After this exchange white will have the pair of bishops against black's bishop
and knight (plus

one knight each). In the hands of a great positional player that is a dangerous
weapon.
10. … , h7xg6

Usual y it is better to capture towards the center (that means with the h pawn
instead of with

the f pawn). It is the case here as well, since there is no clear benefit of opening
the f file for black.

11. Nc3-e2

Swinging the knight to the king side and leaving the black's bishop stare at the
empty point

11. … , Rf8-e8

Placing a rook on the open file is a good idea most of the time

12. Bc1-g5

Developing the bishop on a nice square form which it pins the black knight

12. … , Bb4-e7

Since bishop is doing nothing on b4 after the white knight left black decides to
use it to break the pin on h4-d8 diagonal
13. Ne2-g3

From this square the knight can support the advance of the f pawn towards f5

13. … , Nb8-d7

From here the knight can go to f8 and aid in defense of the king. Had it been
developed on

c6, that would not be possible

14. f3-f4

White has a simple plan. Push the f pawn to f5, open the f file for his rook, get
the f5 square

for his knight and extend the diagonal for his d3 bishop. This is very dangerous,
so black has

to do something about it immediately.

14. … , Nf6-h7
This move works only while there is a pawn on f4, because g5 bishop cannot
retreat via c1-h6

diagonal

15. Qd1-f3

15. f5 is not possible because then the g5 bishop drops. If white tries to exchange
it first then we have 15. Bxe7, Qxe7 16. f5?! , Qe3+ and g6-g5 on the next move
and white attack has

been stopped

With 15. Qf3 white has attacked the d5 pawn

15. … , c7-c6

Black had the option of going 15... Bxg5 16 fxg5, Nxg5 where white is slightly
better due to

having a bishop against a knight in an open position, but he wanted to keep

things closed
16. h2-h4

Now black can take on g5 only once and after that the pawn will appear there
and it will

cramp black

16. … , Nd7-f8

16... f6 trapping the bishop is not so great as it looks 17. Bxg6, fxg5 18. fxg5,
Rf8 19. Qh5 and black is in trouble

17. Ra1-e1

Bringing the rook into play. Now all of white's pieces are aimed at the black's
king side

17...f6 is not good here as well 18.h5!, fxg5 19. hxg6, Nf6 20. fxg5

17. … , Qd8-c7

Black decides to wait. This move also connects the rooks

18. Bg5xe7

In order to al ow himself the Re5 move next

18. … , Re8xe7

Taking that bishop with the queen would be sil y

19. Re1-e5

This rook looks so mighty here, if black ever takes it a pawn will appear on e5
which would

look no less mighty

19. … , f7-f6?

This move weakens the king side and blocks the f6 square which is sometimes
needed for

the h7 knight. Instead black should just wait with 19...Rae8

20. Re5xe7

There was no value in going back to e1 since black would force this exchange
with 20... Rae8

with an extra tempo in his pocket

20. … , Qc7xe7

Forced, obviously
21. h4-h5

How do you pry open the king's position? Usually with the pawns. It is the case
here as well.

The purpose of this move is to extend the diagonal for light squared bishop

21. … , g6xh5

If black tries to avoid opening of the position with 21... g5 white will be
persistent 22. h6, g6

23. f5! and the diagonal will eventually open

22. Qf3xh5

White is now threatening Kf2 and Rh1 with disaster on the h file

22. … , Qe7-f7

Trying to exchange queens … if only white would comply

23. Qh5-g4
Of course , white would lose his advantage by exchanging queens, since he is the
one having

the attack, so he avoids it

23. … , g7-g6

Again trying to close the diagonal and cover some squares (f5 and h5), but are
they really

covered?

24. Ng3-f5

Thanks to the pin on g file this move is possible. There is a threat of 25. Nh6+
forking the king and queen

24. … , Kg8-h8

Sidestepping the fork

25. Nf5-h4
Threatening to take on g6

25. … , f6-f5

Defending against the mentioned threat, but weakening the g5 and e5 squares
and staying

with the almost permanent weakness on g6

26. Qg4-h3

The queen was attacked so it had to move. h3 is a great square because it is

opposite to the

black's king, so the h7 knight can't move, it also allows the rook lift Rf1-f3-h3 if
needed

26. … , Qf7-e6

Black is hoping for Re8 and Qe3+ exchanging the queens

27. Kg1-f2
27. Rf3 was possible but white decided to bring that rook behind the queen
hence this move

making space for the rook to move to h1

27. … , Ra8-e8

Now that the e3 squared is covered by the king this move has less poison, but it
is still useful in case white allows black to penetrate down the e file

28. Nh4-f3

Rerouting the knight to g5 or e5 depending on the development of the game

28. … , Re8-e7

28...Qe3+ would be a waste of time because after 29. Kg3 there is a threat of
trapping the

black queen with 30. Re1 , so she would need to go back form where she came
from

29. Nf3-e5

What a mighty knight! Blocking the e file and stopping all black's counter-play
there and at the same time attacking g6 pawn

29. … , Nf8-d7

This knight would like to get to e4 via f6 , but it is not possible, because when it
steps on f6 it will break the defense of g6 pawn along the sixth rank. So the best
it can do is to exchange

itself for a mighty knight on e5

30. Rf1-e1

Increasing the pressure on the h file

30. … , Nd7xe5

At least black got rid of that mighty knight

31. d4xe5

What a mighty pawn! White had a rook than a knight and final y a pawn on that
spot and they

all looked so mighty

31. … , c6-c5

Black is final y getting a chance to generate counter play

32. b2-b3

Even though the material is reduced white stil has a great position. Here he had
other
options, the crazy 32. g4 and the solid 33. c3 .Both are in his favor but let's see
his idea in

action

32. … , c5-c4

Trying to open the position in the center and remove white's bishop form the b1-
h7 diagonal

33. b3xc4

White wanted to create a weakness in black's camp for a possible ending, but
maybe it was

better to play 33. Be2 opening as few lines as possible

33. … , d5xc4

Now black succeeded in removing that bishop from that diagonal

34. Bd3-e2
Where else?

34. … , g6-g5!

Black is real y kicking. We have too give him credit for that. With this move he
is trying to

open the position even more because white king is in the center. If white now
plays 35. fxg5??

then after 35... Qxe5 we lost our “mighty pawn” and the queen is threatening on
e2 , f4 , and

d4 and it is hard to deal with all that

35. g2-g3

Securing the e5 pawn by securing the f4 pawn... but blocking the third rank and
preventing

the queen from joining the defense

35. … , Qe6-b6+

taking advantage of the opened diagonals

36. Ke2-g2

Since the queen cannot block anymore, the king had to move

36. … , Qb6-e3

Taking advantage of the move 35.g3 , because the e3 square is now unguarded.
Black could

have tried 36... Qc6+ and if 37. Bf3 then Qxf3+! 38. Kxf3 , g4+ 39. Qxg4, fxg4
40. Kxg4 with

escape for black, but white has 37. Kf1 keeping the advantage

37. Kg2-f1

Guarding the e2 bishop

37. … , Re7-f7?

Black probably had an idea to meet 38. g5 with 38... f4 39. g6, fxg3+ 40. gxf7,
Qf2#
but he overlooked white's next move.

Had he tried 37... gxf4 then 38. Qxf5 would follow with a threat of 39. Qf8#

His best was probably 37... Qe4 with a lost but “less lost position”

38. Qh3-h5

Attacking the rook and providing support for fxg5 with g5-g6 to follow

For example if the rook goes back 38... Rf7 39, fxg5 with g5-g6 coming and
winning

38. … , Qe3xg3

This just gives a rook, hoping for a perpetual check, but... there is none …

39. Qh5xf7

Taking the rook. The rest of the game is just black trying to give perpetual check,
but that is

very simply avoided so we will give moves without comments

39. … , Qg3xf4+

40. Kf1-g2 , Qf4-e4+

41. Be2-f3 , Qe4xc2+

42. Kg2-g3 , f5-f4+

43. Kg3-g4 1-0

There are no more checks so black resigned since aside from being material
down he has

hard time stopping Qf8#

Alekhine – Tartakower

Kecskemet 1927

1. e2-e4

Opening the lines for the queen and bishop and taking some control over the
center

1. ... c7-c6

Black is taking different approach. He doesn't put a pawn in the center

immediately, but is

instead letting the white has his fun there... but only temporary.

2. d2-d4

White takes the opportunity immediately. What is better than one pawn in the
center? Two

pawns in the center!

2. ... d7-d5

This was black's plan al along. To let white take the center and than try to attack
it.

3. Nb1-c3

The pawn on e4 was hanging, so something had to be done about it. Other good
options

were 3.e5 and 3.exd5

3. ... d5xe4

Continuing with the plan. It looks like black would prefer no center for anyone

4. Nc3xe4

Apart form regaining the pawn, this move places the knight into an excellent
place. From e4 it looks at so many squares at once.

4. ... Ng8-f6

Black appreciates the power of e4 knight and wants to deal with it at once. It is
slightly better to prepare this move with 4...Nd7 or to go against monster knight
with the bishop 4...Bf5.

5. Ne4-g3

It is established that best move here is 5.Nxf6. I am not sure what was the
fashion at the time, but this looks more like a psychological decision. Alekhine
being the incredible player and

calculating machine, maybe wanted to have more pieces on the board to al ow

more complex

positions to arise and increase the chances of his opponents going wrong
somewhere. This is

just a speculation, maybe indeed he believed in this move.

5. ... e7-e5

It looks like black is attacking everything that white puts in the center of the
board. He is

hoping white will take this pawn

6. Ng1-f3

It would be real y bad to play 6.dxe5?, Qxd1+, 7.Kxd1, Ng4 and both f2 and e5
pawns are hanging, black regains material and disrupts harmony in white's camp

6. ... e5xd4

After the white's last move there was a threat 7.Nxe5, so black gets rid of the
threatened

pawn. How should white retake?

7. Nf3xd4

This is much better than 7.Qxd4, Qxd4 8.Nxd4 because it keeps more pieces on
the board

and therefore the game more complex. If white exchanges the queens with the
pawns so
symmetrically placed, it would be very hard to find advantage for white

7. ... Bf8-c5

Black develops his bishop and attacks white's knight. Still, 7...Be7 looks more
solid, because

it doesn't allow the next move to come with the check

8. Qd1-e2+

The d4 knight was attacked and had he moved a disaster would follow 8.Nb3??,
Bxf2+! 9.Ke2

(9.Kxf2, Qxd1), Bg4+ winning the queen. Ok , it would be better to go 8.Nf3?

but even then

after 8...Bxf2+ white is losing at least a pawn. So the d4 knight can't move right
now. Should we support him?

Let's see 8.c3? , Bxd4 9.cxd4, 0-0 and we are stuck with an isolated pawn and
behind in
development. How about 8.Be3, that looks good, if black tries to disturb us with
a typical strike 8...Ng4? We have 9.Nxc6! and if 9...Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1, Nxe3
11.Rd8# out of a blue sky! In all

other variations black loses a pawn at least after 9.Nxc6!, so 8.Be3 is good?

The problem is that black has 8...Nd5 and white is in trouble, because his dark
squared

bishop doesn't have a good square and if he stays where he is, black knight will
just take it

very soon, leaving black with a bishop pair advantage, since the position is open

8. ... Bc5-e7

That check had to be blocked and only sane alternative was 8...Qe7 9.Qxe7+,
Bxe7 10.Ngf5

and white has small advantage, but it will probably be permanent since black
will have to give

up his bishop pair very soon or play a terrible looking move 10...Bf8
9. Bc1-e3

Now this move is possible since the d4 knight is attacked only once. Also this
move prepares long castle

9. ... c6-c5?

Black is hoping that after the white knight moves form the d-file, white will have
hard time

castling queen side, because d1 square will be under control of black queen. In
truth, he is just pushing this knight where he wants to go anyway and also
creates a target on c5 which will help undeveloped white pieces to develop with
tempi. It was much better to just castle

9...0-0 10.0-0-0, Qa5 etc

10. Nd4-f5

This knight was attacked so it moved away... more correctly, moved forward

10. ... 0-0

Eventual y black had to remove his king from the center. With this move he also
defends the

g7 pawn

11. Qe2-c4

When white gave a check on move 8, he blocked his light squared bishop, now
he is making

room for it to get out. But it is important that he chose this moment and attacked
the c5 pawn at the same time, so black will lose some time on defense if he
wants to keep that pawn.
11. ... Rf8-e8

Black defends his c5 pawn tactically by putting his rook on the same line with
the white's king.

If 12.Bxc5??, then 12...Bxc5 with a check

12. Bf1-d3

Bringing the last minor piece into the game, al white needs now is a rook or two
in the game

and he is fully developed. What had black done in the meantime? It is not that
clear but his

queen side is steel sleeping

12. ... b7-b6?

Black maybe heard the comment in the paragraph above and started thinking
about his

queen side. Probably he wanted to secure his c5 pawn and with this move he
opened up

some possibilities for his light squared bishop. Had he knew what is coming he
would

probably go 12...Bf8 13.0-0-0, Qc7 and he can still play on

13. 0-0-0

The white king is now safe, the rook is in play and he doesn't even need the h1
rook maybe 13. ... Bc8-a6?

Black thought that with this move he will exchange at least the d3 bishop and
lower the number of attackers in his opponent's army. But white had it all
calculated already. Imagine if

you could give a check with the light squared bishop now, wouldn't that be a
discovered

attack on the black's queen by white's rook? But how can we arrange that to
happen? Knight

on f5 is in the way and also white's queen is hanging. We need to combine al this
info and find the winning combination. By the way, black's best was to go
13...Bxf5 14.Bxf5, Qc7
14. Nf5-h6+!

Clearing the diagonal for the d3 bishop and shattering black's fortress. This is the
begging of a long combination in which the hardest move to find is the last one
and the hardest part is to

find it before you engage into this combination.

14. ... g7xh6

Black doesn't have a choice. If he doesn't take the knight he will get checkmated.
14...Kf8

15.Qxf7# and if 14...Kh8 15.Nxf7+, Kg8 16.Nh6++, Kh8 17.Qg8+, Rxg8 (or
Nxg8) 18.Nf7#

15. Bxh7+!

Discovered attack on the queen by a rook and at the same time a check to the
black king

15. ... Nxh7

If 15...Kh8 then 16.Qxf7 followed by 17.Nf5 and it is hard to find a defense for
black

16. Qc4-g4+

Before white captures black's queen he has to remove his own lady from the
danger, since

she was being under attack from the a6 bishop

16. ... Kg8-h8

What else? If 16...Kf8?? 17.Bxh6

17. Rd1xd8

Finally, we take the queen

17. ... Re8xd8

Trying to get as much material as possible for the queen

If we count the material now we can come to a conclusion that black got a rook a
bishop and

a knight for a queen and a pawn, which is quite a lot, but ...

18. Qg4-e4

This is the point of the whole combination! White is getting some of the
sacrificed material

back because of the weakness of the h1-a8 diagonal. If black wants to save the
rook he has to give one of his light pieces and white will emerge material ahead.
The mastery is in seeing

this move when you play 13.0-0-0, or about five moves ago

18. ... Nb8-c6

Black chose to give the knight and save his bishop combo, although that will not
help him

either

19. Qe4xc6

Finally materially ahead

19. ... Be7-f8

Covering the h6 pawn and setting a trap

20. Ng3-f5

Avoiding the trap 20.Bxh6?, Rac8! and queen has to move but doesn't have a
square from

which it can protect the h6 bishop and al of the sudden white would be lost!

20. ... Ba6-c4

Bringing the bishop into play, but this will not help much, it will just look nice
on d5

21. Be3xh6

Now white can take this pawn, because besides queen, the knight is guarding the
bishop too

In the next few moves black attacks white queen and she dodges the attacks

21. ... Bc4-d5

22. Qc6-c7 , Ra8-c8

23. Qc7-f4 , Rc8-c6

Now white's bishop is attacked but the coordination of blacks pieces is gone and
game is over

24. Bh6xf8

Going for the kill

24. ... , Rd8xf8

If Nxf8 then 25. Qh4+ wins the rook on d8

25. Qf4-e5+

Now the bishop on d5 is in danger

25. ... , Nh7-f6

Protecting d5

26.Nf5-d6
1-0

With his last move white cuts the rook from defending the f6 knight and if king
comes to aid then 26...Kg7 27.Qg5+ winning the knight instead of the bishop

Botvinnik – Portisch

Monte Carlo 1968

1. c2-c4

Taking control over d5 square and keeping a lot of flexibility. This is the English
opening,

although if white plays d4 in the future it might transpose to some other opening.

1. … , e7-e5

Now it will most probably stay in the waters of English opening. This is the
principle reply

against 1.c4. Black is accepting the chal enge and taking some central control
with his pawn

2. Nb1-c3

Developing the knight and taking even more control over d5, white wants to play
g2-g3 and

Bg2 on his next moves and influence the center In that manner

2. … , Ng8-f6

Black is fighting for the d5 square as well. He is planning to push d7-d5 and play
a Sicilian

defense with colors reversed (Sicilian defense is 1.e4, c5)

3. g2-g3

Preparing to place the bishop on g2

3. … , d7-d5

Black uses the opportunity to play this move. Had he waited one more move,
white will play 4.

Bg2 and it will be harder to push the d pawn two squares up (although it is still
possible but

with some preparatory moves included)

4. c4xd5

White is reasoning in the following manner : “1.e4, c5 2. Nf3, Nc6 3.d4, cxd4 4.
Nxd4, g6 is a

line that can be played by black and here in the game we have the same position
with colors

reversed and an extra move for white”

4. … , Nf6xd5

Black is reasoning: “ OK, I am a tempo down here compered to the Sicilian with
colors

reversed and if I play some aggressive line, that tempo might count and I can get
in trouble.

But I will play modest and everything will be fine and that tempo won't come
into play.”

5. Bf1-g2

This is a great spot for this bishop, particularly because there are no pawns on d5
or e4

5. … , Bc8-e6

Black is protecting the knight on d5 and developing his light squared bishop on a
nice square
6. Ng1-f3

Developing and attacking at the same time. Black has to do something about e5
pawn now

6. … , Nb8-c6

Protecting the e5 pawn

7. 0-0

Finishing his king side development

7. … , Nd5-b6

White was ready to play 8.d4 and 7...Nb6 is intended against that. Now that the
knight is no

longer on d5, the queen is exerting pressure on d4 and preventing white from
playing the

pawn there.
8. d2-d3

White can't play d2-d4 so he goes d2-d3. This move has many benefits. It
controls c4 and e4

squares and it opens the window for the c1 bishop (most natural square for that
bishop in this

position is e3). Also the rook belongs on c1 and if white could place a knight on
c5 he would

be very happy

8. … , Bf8-e7

Black is getting ready to castle

9. a2-a3

White is preparing b2-b4-b5

9. … , a7-a5
Black is making sure that white doesn't advance his b pawn to far. Few decades
later it was

determined that it is OK to allow the b pawn to advance and that 9...0-0 is the
best move.

10. Bc1-e3

Continuing towards achieving the optimal setup

10. … , 0-0

Finishing the king side development

11. Nc3-a4

Offering the exchange of knights which would improve the white's queen
position. At the same

time making space on the c file

11. … , Nb6xa4

Black can't let white take on b6 and damage his pawns and if he removes the
knight let's say

on d5 then white can continue with 12. Bc5 with some advantage, but as it turns
out that was

better than the game continuation

12. Qd1xa4

After this the white rooks are connected and he is ready to double on the c file
and put

pressure on c6 and c7
12. … , Be6-d5

Black is trying to bargain. If white decides to reposition his f3 knight the price
will be the

exchange of light squared bishops. And ever since the beginning of the game
white had high

hopes for his light squared bishop

13. Rf1-c1

Taking the half open file. Since white intends to play on the queen side he places
the f1 rook

there, This was an easy decision since there are no threats against f2 pawn so he
doesn't

need extra cover there. Also if white doubles on c file he will have to move this
rook anyway

13. … , Rf8-e8
Black would like to remove his knight from c6 and put the pawn there in order to
blunt the

white rook on c1, but that knight is protecting the e5 pawn and can't move at the
moment, so

maybe black is planning to place a bishop on f8 and then the rook will guard the
pawn so the

c6 knight can move

14. Rc1-c2

Going for the doubling, now we realize that on the previous move either rook
could go to c1

14. … , Be7-f8

Now the e5 pawn has extra protection and the knight is ready to move away

15. Ra1-c1

Finishing the doubling

15. … , Nc6-b8

All according to the plan. Since it looks bad to take on c7 because of 16...Bc6
trapping the

rook, black is going to play c7-c6 on his next move. Or is he going to get that
chance at all?

16. Rc2xc7!

As it turns out this is not bad at al , on the contrary it is a start of a beautiful

combination 16. … , Bd5-c6

The white queen is attacked and the rook on c7 is hanging, black succeeded or so
he thought

17. Rc1xc6!

The light squared bishop was an important defender of black's position so with
this move

white destroys it. It will become clear after the next move

17. … , b7xc6

If 17... Nxc6 then after 18. Rxb7 white has excellent position, he has two pawns
for the

exchange, a rook on the seventh rank and monster bishops raking across the
board
18. Rc7xf7!

Inviting the king for a walk

18. … , h7-h6

If black takes the rook then white has a lot of fun: 18...Kxf7 20. Qc4+ and now
both Re6 and

Qd5 are met with 21. Ng5+ with a disaster to follow. If the king moves then on
20...Kf6 21.

Bg5+ the black queen is lost and after 20... Kg6 21. Qg4+, Kf7 22. Ng5+, Kg8
23. Qc4+, Kh8

24. Nf7+, Kh8 25. Nh6++, Kh8 26. Qg8# is one possible way to finish the game.

19. Rf7-b7

Now that the h6 pawn is protecting the g5 square, this rook was hanging
(because in a lot of

lines when black takes the rook on f7 white needs the g5 square), hence it moved
away

19. … , Qd8-c8

The rook on the seventh rank is a real nuisance, so black is trying to force him
out of there

20. Qa4-c4+

After the previous moves, black's king's position is weakened and white takes
advantage of

that

20. … , Kg8-h8

Black didn't want to lose another pawn with 20...Qe6 21. Nxe5 nor did he want
to invite

white's bishop into the game with 20...Kh7 21. Be4+, so he played Kh8, but...

21. Nf3-h4
White doesn't care for his rook on b7, because he calculated the finishing attack

21. … , Qc8xb7

If black doesn't take here, white will have al the benefits like in the game, plus a
rook on b7

22. Nh4-g6+

Luring the king to h7

22. … , Kg8-h7

The only legal move

23. Bg2-e4

White is threatening 24. Ne7+ and 25. Qg8#

23. … , Bf8-d6

Opening the 8th rank for the e8 rook to defend against mentioned threat
24. Ng6xe5+

Now that the 24. Ne7 is defended against white switches to other option

24. … , g7-g6

24...Kh8 25. Nf7+, Kg8 26. Nxd6+ picking up the queen at least

25. Be4xg6+

Destroying the black's king cover

25. … , Kg8-g7

25... Kh8 26. Nf7+, Kg7 27. Nxd6 with a winning position

26. Be3xh6+ 1-0

If black takes 26...Kxh6 then 27. Qh4+, Kg7 28. Qh7+, Kf6 29. Qxb7 and if the
king goes to

f6 there is a forced checkmate which we will leave to the reader to find as an

exercise

Kamsky – Nakamura

Thessaloniki 2013

1. e2-e4

Opens up the diagonals for queen and bishop and takes control over d5 square.

1. ... e7-e6

This move defines the french defense (well almost)

2. d2-d4

Taking the center completely. Most of the time it is a good idea to take the center

2. ... d7-d5
Now we are completely sure that this is a French defense (because have black
played 2...c5

it could be a Sicilian)

3. Nb1-d2

This is called the Tarrasch variation. The idea is to sidestep a pin which is
possible in 3.Nc3, Bb4 the Winawer variation. Both systems are good but they
lead to different types of positions

3. ... Bf8-e7

Tricky move. Black is avoiding the classical 3...c5 4. exd5, exd5 5. Nf3, Nc6 6.
dxc5, Bxc5 7.

Bb5 where he usual y plays with an isolated pawn on d5. With 3... Be7 he is not
opening his

cards yet and is waiting for white to see what he does.

4. c2-c3

Strengthening the center which will soon be attacked

4. ... c7-c5

Attacking the white's center

5. e4-e5

Somewhat blocking the center and taking some space as well as f6 square from
the g8

knight.

5. ... Nb8-c6

Normal developing move. Knight stands much better on this square than on d7,
because from
here it attacks d4 as well. It is looking on b4 square at the same time so in some
scenarios it

might become an important attacker on the queen side

6. Bf1-d3

White wants his g1 knight to be developed on e2 because he would like his other
knight to go

to f3. For those reasons he first develops the bishop so it doesn't get stuck on f1
(after the

Ng1-e2 move)

6. ... c5xd4

Looks like a free pawn?

7. c3xd4

Let's set a little trap

7. ... Ng8-h6

It looks like it was not a free pawn at all! Had black captured on d4, Qg4 would
follow with

double attack on d4 and g7. That was white's trap

8. Nd2-f3

White continues with his plan mentioned after his sixth move

8. ... f7-f6

Entering the dangerous waters, because it allows white to cause damage to

black's pawns

structure. More standard is 8...Nf5 9. 0-0, Bd7 10. Bxf5, exf5 11.Nf4, Be6 with
the idea of

castling long and then starting pushing the pawns on the king side

9. Bc1xh6
White goes after black's pawn structure with this move

9. ... g7xh6

A piece had to be recaptured

10. Ng1-e2

White finishes with his plan of development

10. ... Qd8-b6

Attacking the b2 pawn and preparing long castle if necessary

11. 0-0

Usual y castling puts the king to safety, but here it goes on the semi open g- file
so we cannot really say that the white king is safe there.

11. ... Bc8-d7

It would be very risky to take the pawn(s) 11... Qxb2 12. Rb1, Qxa2 13. Qc1
white will get one

pawn back and black doesn't have a future for his king. It looks like a good deal
for white
12. b2-b4!

Instead of preparing this move with 12.a3 white saves time by pushing it
immediately. The

problem is that the b4 square is attacked three times. But can black capture?

12. ... a7-a6

Played against b4-b5, but let's see why black didn't capture on b4.

12... Qxb4 13. Rb1 and 14. Rxb7 with excel ent position

12... Bxb4 13.e5xf6

12... Nxb4 13. Rb1 (threatening 14. a3) Qa5 14. Qd2

13. Qd1-d2

Attacking the h6 pawn and connecting the rooks. White is not scared of black
taking on d4

because of similar reasons to those on previous move

13. ... f6xe5

Black was probably tired of constantly having to think about his f6 pawn so he
exchanges it

14. d4xe5

Recapturing the pawn and clearing the d4 square for the knight. If knight could
establish itself on d4 in the future it would be an excel ent position

14. ... Qb6xb4

This is essential y a pawn exchange – h6 for b4. It looks good for black, he gave
one of his

doubled pawns for a nice pawn on b4. The things are not that easy to estimate,
with his next

move white queen gets closer to the black's king

15. Qd2xh6

Regaining the pawn and entering the black's territory

15. ... Qb4-a3?

Black had to cover the g6 square (we will soon see why) with the move 15...
Qg4 and after

16.h3, Qg8 he could soon castle bring his other rook to the king side and it
would be

anybody's game. With 15... Qa3? He is just giving white a free hand

16. Bd3-g6+

With this move white makes sure that black king will forever stay in the center

16. ... Ke8-d8

The only legal move

17. Bg6-f7

Attacking the e6 pawn. If that pawn fal s then all of the sudden black king is not
anymore
covered so well, because e6 pawn bolsters d5 pawn and keeps black king safe
from white

rooks

17. ... Rh8-f8

Black realizes he is in trouble, so he takes counter measures

18. Bf7xe6

Principled reply. White calculated everything and realizes that he can take this
pawn and

survive blacks attack

18. ... Rf8xf3

It is the only way to try to survive. If black just sits there white will checkmate
him soon since the holder of the black's safety (the e6 pawn) is gone.

19. g2xf3

White had no choice

19. ... Qa3xf3

Getting some material back and bringing the queen closer to the white's king
20. Ne2-g3

The knight was hanging so white removes it. At the same time the knight is
placed on g3

square to cover the holes in white's king position

20. ... Nc6xe5

Getting some more material back and placing a knight on a beautiful square

21. Ra1-e1

Bringing the last piece into the action

21. ... Qf3-f6

Black is aware that white's attack will be to strong soon, so he is offering an

endgame, even

though he is material down. We could say that he is choosing the lesser evil,
because both
with queens on the board and without them black is lost, only now white will
have harder time

converting

22. Qh6xf6

White takes the offer of an endgame

22. ... Be7xf6

Usual y you can't play a queen down, so black retook

23. Be6xd5

With taking this pawn white also defends against 23...Nf3+ forking the king and
rook, but

allows

23. ... Bd7-b5

Is black winning the exchange back?

24. Re1- d1

No, he is not. Thanks to this move the rook on f1 is untouchable 24... Bxf1 25.
Bxb7+

24. ... Kd8-c7

Getting out of the discoveries along the d file

25. Rd1-c1+

Making room for another rook, but with a tempo

25. ... Kc7-b6

Getting out of check

26. Rf1-d1

Denying black the option to gain material back

26. ... Ne5-c6

Black is hoping to make some kind of fortress

27. Bd5-e4

Making room for the rook to enter through the d file if needed

27. ... h7-h6

That guy was hanging

28. Rd1-d7

Uses the room made by his previous move

28. ... Ra8-b8

Giving some extra cover to the b7 pawn, so the knight can move if needed

29. Re1-b1

Pins the b5 bishop and threatens a2-a4 winning the bishop

29. ... Kb6-a5

Removing the threat by getting out of the pin

30. Kg1-g2

A prophylactic move covering the f3 square and getting out of g1-a7 diagonal in
case white

starts pushing the f pawn

30. ... Bf6-h8

Waiting move with not much sense. Better was 30... Ka4 going to attack the a2
pawn

31. Rd7-h7

Going after the h pawn

31. ... Nc6-b4

Going after the a2 pawn

32. a2-a3

The pawn escapes

32. ... Nb4-a2

In a lost position black is trying to complicate. He is hoping to go to c3 with this

knight but

even when he gets there what will he do after that? Or maybe he wants to use
this knight as a

shield on the a file once black king goes for a pawn?

33. Rh7xb7

This guy is more important then the h guy. Even though white had intentions of
picking the h6

pawn, suddenly the opportunity for another capture opened, so he rightfully

judged that the h6

guy is a goner anyway and this b7 pawn can be taken now but maybe not in a
few moves

33. ... Rb8xb7

That rook was a menace so it had to be exchanged, otherwise it would just go

back to the h

file and pick up the h pawn

34. Be4xb7

Taking back the rook

34. ... Ka5-a4

Going after the a pawn

35. Ng3-e4

Bringing the knight into the center since white's king doesn't need any cover
anymore

35. ... Ka4xa3

Finishing the operation "a pawn", but is that going to help?

36. Ne4-c5

White's pieces are now real y surrounding black's king. It "smells" on checkmate

36. ... Na2-c3

There was a threat of Rb3# so this move frees the a2 square for the king

37. Rb1-b3+

saving the rook with a check

37. ... Ka3-a2

38. Bb5xa6

Black's move was forced. Now black cannot play 38... Bxa6 because of 39.
Rb8!, Be6 40.

Ra8 with a completely winning position

Since that bishop cannot be taken white is just an exchange and a pawn ahead
and he forced

the resignation in the next ten moves or so.

Steinitz – Blackburne

London 1876

1. e2-e4

At the time this was the most popular move by far

1. … , e7-e5

And this was the most popular reply

2. Ng1-f3

Wel , maybe 2.f4 was more popular, but people started to realize how good a
move is 2. Nf3

2. … , Nb8-c6

Defending the e5 pawn in the most sound way

3. Bf1-b5

Entering the Ryu Lopez game. White is putting more pressure on e5 pawn by
pressuring its

defender

3. … , a7-a6
This move was popularized by Morphy some twenty years before this game

4. Bb5-a4

Saving the bishop and keeping the pressure on. The alternative is 4. Bxc6, dxc6
the so cal ed

exchange variation which was thought of being harmless until Fischer revitalized
it.

4. … , Ng8-f6

Good developing move which at the same time attacks e4 pawn

5. d2-d3

This modest move is actually popular again after around 140 years! The idea is
to keep the

position closed and make sure that the e4 pawn survives. This will be the basis
around which

white will try to organize eventual king side attack. The main move here is 5.0-0,
but this can

lead to totally different types of positions without e4 pawn if black decides to

take it

5. … , d7-d6

Black decides to fortify his e5 pawn, in order to stop 6.Bxc6 fol owed by
7.Nxe5. He could also

play 5...b5 instead

6. c2-c3

Making space for the a4 bishop (c2 square). Sooner or later black will play b7-
b5 and white

wants to be ready to position the attacked bishop straight to c2 (instead of first

moving it to b3

and then subsequently placing it on c2)

6. … , Bf8-e7

This is the only available square for this bishop now that the pawn is on d6. Stil
there is

another way to develop it by playing g7-g6 and then Bg7. Both choices are
perfectly sound

7. h2-h3

Not only to prevent Bg4, but also to support g2-g4 advance as a preparation for
king side
attack. This was a favorite maneuver of Steinitz

7. … , 0-0

In vast majority of games played in the Ryu Lopez defense black castles on the
king side.

Since in the beginning of the game he often moves a7-a6, white would have easy
time

organizing pawn storm on that side. Also many times black has to play b7-b5 in
this opening

and then long castle is out of question

8. Qd1-e2

Giving even more support to e4 pawn. This move also reveals that white is
maybe thinking

about placing a rook on d1 or even castling long.

8. … , Nf6-e8
Given the structure of black's central pawns it is logical to make a pawn break
with f7-f5. The

f6 knight was hindering the f pawn, hence he removed it form there

9. g2-g4

Stopping f7-f5 and completely revealing white's plan (king side attack). Now it
is clear that he will probably stay with the king in the center or castle long, since
he wants to open the

position on the king side and king would not be so safe there

9. … , b7-b5

Black realizes that f7-f5 is no longer possible, since the only way to achieve it
would be by

playing g7-g6 first, but since white has a pawn on g4, that would be suicidal
(because the

position would open in front of black's king whereas white can stil quickly
escape with his king to the safety of the queen side)

In the light of this analysis he decides that he no longer needs his bishop on c8-
h3 diagonal

and decides to place it on b7, hence this move

10. Ba4-c2

Now we see the point of 6.c3. The bishop immediately goes to this favorable
square. This is a

long term move. Sometime in the far future the position might open and this
bishop will be

excellently placed for assistance in king side attack. Placing this bishop on b3 is
bad because

the f7 square is really well covered and also on b3 bishop will be a target for
black in the

future

10. … , Bc8-b7

Developing the bishop as explained after the previous black's move

11. Nb1-d2

This knight is headed towards f5. The route is Nb1-d2-f1-e3-f5. Sometimes it

might change

the final destination and instead of f5 land itself on d5

11. … , Qd8-d7

The knight on c6 is not doing much, because of the c3 pawn and white's decision
not to push

his d pawn all the way to d4, so black wants to reposition it to e6. From there it
will aid black's defense and also will be looking at the f4 square. In order to get
there he needs the d8 square

so the queen gets out of the way

12. Nd2-f1

Continuing his journey towards f5

12. … , Nc6-d8

Starting his journey towards e6

13. Nf1-e3

Almost there

13. … , Nd8-e6

Already there, although his journey has less mileage then white knight's one

14. Ne3-f5

Finally there

14. … , g7-g6

You can't live with the opponents knight on f5, so black banishes it. In the
process of doing so he makes slight weakening of his king side position and
parts with his dark squared bishop at

the same time. He recuperates for those deficits by having the ability to place
one of his

knights on g7 and cover some holes.

Black had the option of trading some time for his king safety by playing
14...Bd8 (avoiding

exchange of this bishop) and then 15...g6 fol owed by Bd8-f6-g7. This would
provide more

cover for his king and f6-g7-h6-h8 complex of squares, because he would stil
have the dark

squared bishop
15. Nf5xe7+

Getting rid of the dark squared bishop which would be of lot of help in the
defense of those

dark squares in front of black's king

15. … , Qd7xe7

Forced

16. Bc1-e3

Getting ready to castle queen side. White realizes that the bishop is better placed
on e3 (from

where it can support the d3-d4 thrust if needed) than on h6. Even though h6
looks tempting,

black can just put the knight on g7 and that bishop is doing nothing there

16. … , Ne8-g7
Black had to cover those holes in front of his king. Now he is ready to meet
17.h4 with 17...h5

slowing down white's attack enough that he can start operating on the queen side

17. 0-0-0

Connecting the rooks and getting ready for some operations in the center

17. … , c7-c5

Since the white king is now on the queen side it is time to push the pawns there
in order to

open up that part of the board

18. d3-d4

With this move white is pressuring the e5 pawn and if he is given a chance he
wants to play

d4-d5 in order to hinder b7 bishop and the transfer of black's queen to the queen
side.
18. … , e5xd4

Getting rid of the weakness on e5

19. c3xd4

Recapturing and getting ready to play d4-d5 as planned

19. … , c5-c4?!

This is a dubious move in a strategical sense. Black should have two general
goals in mind,

to open the queen side and prevent white form playing d4-d5. This move is
making it harder

to achieve the first goal and is directly al owing d4-d5.

It was much better to play 19...d5 where at the same time white is stopped form
playing the

move he wants and at the same time the queen side will inevitably open.

20. d4-d5

Achieving the aim

20. … , Ne6-c7

c5 square looks nice but after 20...Nc5 21. Bxc5, dxc5 22. Qe3 white is ready to
push his h

pawn and thanks to his central control it is hard for his opponent to swing his
pieces to the

queen side.
21. Qe2-d2

White wants to play Bd4, but playing that move now would be a mistake – 21.
Bd4?, Nxd5

taking advantage of the pin along the e file, so 21.Qd2 removes that possibility
and al ows the

bishop to go to d4 on the next move

21. … , a6-a5

It is obvious that white's attack on the king side is going to develop stronger and
stronger so

black is trying what he can on the other side of the board

22. Be3-d4

This is a mighty diagonal for this bishop when his counterpart is off the board
(15. Nxe7)

22. … , f7-f6
Closing the long diagonal. White was threatening Qh6 followed by Ng5

23. Qd2-h6

Getting closer to the black's king. White wants to push g4-g5 to reopen the a1-h8
diagonal

and possible make the g5 available for his knight. At the same time he will open
the g file

23. … , b5-b4

Logical, but with that white pawn on d5 it is so much harder to organize attack
on the white

king because it interferes with the reposition of black's pieces

24. g4-g5

This break is a natural way to fol ow up the previous play. It is faster than
pushing the h pawn and it has multiple purposes: opening the long diagonal,
gaining the g5 square for the f3
knight, and opening the g file

24. … , f7-f5?

Black had to play 24...Nge8 to cover the f6 square. With the move played he is
giving white

the f6 square for his bishop and also making alive the c2 bishop in some lines

25. Bd4-f6

Cutting the defense of the f5 pawn (Rook was one of its defenders)

25. … , Qe7-f7

Giving up the exchange doesn't help 25...Rxf6 26. gxf6, Qxf6 27. Ng5 and h7 is
defenseless

26. e4xf5

Now that the f5 pawn is defended only by the knight and the pawn, white can
breakthrough

26. … , g6xf5

If 26...Nxf5 27. Bxf5, gxf5 28. g6!, hxg6 29. Qh8# or 28...Qxf6 29. Qxh7# and
the best

black can do is give up the queen by 28...Qxg6 29.Rhg1

27. g5-g6!

The final break! Black is dead lost

27. … , Qf7xg6

What else? 27...Qxf6 28. Qxh7# and 27...hxg6 28. Ng5 attacks both the queen
and threatens

mate on h7

28. Bf6xg7

Winning the piece

28. … , Qg6xh6+

Black can't play 28...Qxg7 in view of 29. Rhg1 winning the queen

29. Bg7xh6

White is a piece up and is completely winning

29. … , Rf8-f6

Trying to gain a tempo to win the d5 pawn

30. Rh1-g1+

This move wins even more material

30. … , Rf6-g6

The alternatives are sad 30...Kf7 31. Rg7+ or even worse 30...Kh8 31. Bg7+

31. Bc2xf5

This wins more than a pawn

31. … , Kg8-f7

If black were to play the normal 31...Rxg1 then after 32. Rxg1+, Kf7 33. Rg7+,
Kf6 34. Rxc7,

Kxf5 35. Rxb7 he is two pieces down. In the game continuation he ends up a
rook down. It is
hard to say which is worse

32. Bf5xg6+

Black could resign here with clear conscience, but they played these moves first
32...h7xg6

33.Ng5+, Kg8 34. Rge1 1-0

Korchnoi – Byvshev

Kiev 1954

1. c2-c4

Flexible approach, white is control ing the d5 square with this move, but he is
not committing

his e or d pawn yet.

1. … , Ng8-f6

Black is also taking the flexible approach, with this move we don't know yet is
he going for the setup with the pawn on d5 or some King's Indian defense or
maybe even Grunfeld type of

position

2. g2-g3

Obviously, white is planning to fiancheto his light squared bishop on g2

2. … , c7-c6

Now we are getting some clues about black's plans. Most probably he will play
d7-d5 and he

wants to maintain a pawn there in case white exchanges with c4xd5, therefore he
is placing a

pawn on c6 to be ready to recapture on d5 with it

3. b2-b3

Unusual move. More logical was to finish the development of f1 bishop by

placing it on g2, but

white judges that he has time to prepare development of c1 bishop to b2 square,

since black

can't take advantage of that. He could also play normal 3. Bg2 and play 4.b3,the
order was

not of great importance

3. … , d7-d5

The fol ow up of the previous move. Now it will be really hard for white to
remove black's

pawn from d5

4. Bc1-b2

If you play b2-b3 then the most optimal square for dark squared bishop becomes
the b2

square, at least most of the time

4. … , Qd8-b6

This move is not so poison-less as it looks. If white would play a simple move
like 5.Nc3?

Then after 5...dxc4 white can't retake because the b2 bishop is loose and if 6.
Na4, Qb4 and it

is not so clear how will white win the pawn back

5. c4xd5

Dealing with the threat that black made on the previous move, but decreasing the
tension in

the center.

5. … , Nf6-e4

All of the sudden there is a threat of checkmate in one! Black wasn't expecting
that white will

miss this, but he had played this move to provoke e2-e3 and usually g3 and e3
don't go well

together, because then the complex of light squares is somewhat weakened

(g2,f3,e2,d3).

6.e2-e3

There were only to sensible ways to stop 6...Qxf2#, this and 6.d4, but placing the
d pawn on
d4 doesn't make much sense, since white already developed a bishop on b2 and
that move

would make that bishop look silly

6. … , c6xd5

Regaining the pawn

7. Nb1-c3

That is a very powerful knight on e4 and white decided to challenge it

immediately

7. … , Ne4xc3

Going back with the knight would lose a lot of time and you can't really defend it
with 7...Bf5, because the d5 pawn is hanging and tactics there favor white:
8.Nxd5, Qc6 and if the d5

knight moves then black can make a discovered attack by removing his e4
knight, but 9.Bb5!,
Qxb5 10. Nc7+ wins the queen

8. d2xc3

By capturing in this unusual manner white is transferring his d pawn to the c file
and enabling

the use of that pawn as a sapping tool later against d5 pawn. If he would
recapture with

8.Bxc3 that undermining operation against d5 pawn would not be possible

8. … , e7-e6

Securing the d5 pawn and opening the way for the f8 bishop. At the same time
blocking the

c8 bishop, but black judged that that bishop is more useful on the queen side

9. Bf1-g2

Finishing the job that was started on move two, but postponed a little

9. … , Nb8-d7

It is more logical to develop this knight on c6, but maybe black wanted the
knight to be able to come to c5 form where it could be looking at d3 square in
conjunction with Qa6 move
10. Ng1-f3

Developing the knight and controlling some central squares

10. … , Qb6-a6

This prevents white from castling

11. Qd1-d4

And this prevents black form developing the f8 bishop since then the g7 pawn
would hang

11. … , Qa6-b6

It is not clear how can black continue his development while the white queen is
on d4, so he

offers this exchange. The f8 bishop was tied to defense of g7 and if 11...Nf6 12.
Ne5 white

knight is pretty dominant there

12. Qd4-d2

White estimates that he will benefit from keeping the queens on the board. It is
hard to say

what is better here, since even letting black exchange queens would leave some
advantage

for white thanks to the difference between light squared bishops and the
possibility of c3-c4

for white

12. … , Nd7-f6

Since the placement of this knight on d3 is not possible, black gives him another
task – to

defend d5 and control e4 and to give some cover for the king

13. 0-0

Finishing king side development and preparing the c3-c4 thrust

13. … , Bf8-e7

Preparing the short castle

14. c3-c4

Opening the b2 bishop and undermining the d5 pawn

14. … , 0-0

Black could take 14...dxc4, but after something like 15. Bd4, Qb5 16. Ne5
white's pieces are

dominating the board. Even simple 15.bxc4 would lead to a similar result
without sacrificing

the pawn. Black's problem is that he is having hard time developing the c8
bishop In many

lines when the b file and h1-a8 diagonal are open

15. Qd2-c2

From here the queen looks at the h7 square. At the moment that square is safely
guarded, but

in the future it might become a target

15. … , d5xc4

Black realizes that white's pieces are more dominant so he is at least trying to
create some

weaknesses in white's camp (by making the c4 pawn isolated)

16. b3xc4

Now that the b file is open, white has more possibilities. If we can imagine a
rook on b1, the

pressure on b7 would be very high

16. … , Bc8-d7

Black is trying to finish his development. Maybe it was better to preempt 17.
Ng5 with ugly

looking move 16...Nd7, but then the c8 bishop will wait for quite some time
before he could

enter the game

17. Nf3-g5

Now it is clear why the queen was placed on c2 few moves ago. White is
threatening 18. Bxf6

and 19. Qxh7#

17. … , Bd7-a4

Deflection of the queen. Black could go 17...g6 but after 18.Rab1, Qa5 19. Bxf6,
Bxf6 20.

Ne4, Be5 21. Rxb7 white wins the pawn. In a game that same pawn is also lost,
but maybe in

this line after 17...g6 at least black would have two bishops and white would
have to play very

precise in order to convert that extra pawn

18. Qc2xa4

This forces the fall of the b7 pawn

18. … , Qb6xb2

Black staved off the king side attack, but now his queen position allows white to
place a rook

on b1 with a tempo
19. Ra1-b1

Going after the b7 pawn

19. … , Qb2-e5

Black doesn't have many options with his queen, so he attacks the knight hoping
that it will

move, when he can save the loss of material 20. Nf3?, Qc7

20. Rb1xb7

The point is that the e7 bishop is hanging

20. … , Be7-c5

If 20...Qxg5 then 21. Rxe7

21. Ng5-f3

Saving the knight

21. … , Qe5-h5

If 21...Qf5 then 22. Nd4 comes with the tempo and 21...Qd6 is even worse,
because 22.Rd1

embarrasses the black queen

22. Rb7-b5

Pinning the c5 bishop. In some lines this piece can be lost. On top of that the
rook on a8 is

targeted by g2 bishop and the f3 knight can jump into the action with a
discovered attack

22. … , Ra8-b8

Evading the sniper on g2 and chal enging the b5 rook which annoys black
because of the pin

it makes

23. Nf3-d4

Releasing the g2 bishop. There is a threat of 24. Bf3 winning material

23. … , Rb8xb5

In order not to lose material black has to get rid of the b5 rook, any other move
would not

accomplish that

24. Qa4xb5

The queen takes rook's place and is making a different pin. If black moves his
bishop

anytime, the exchange of queens will occur and that endgame would be easily
won by white
thanks to his extra pawn and central control

24. … , Qh5-e5

There was a threat of forcing the exchange of queens by means of 25. Nb3
because black

can't play Rc8 26. Bb7, Rc7 27. Bc6 with double threat : To take on c5 or to play
Qb8+

winning a rook. Now in that line the rook will be defended, but...

25. Nd4-b3

Regardless, soon something worse than queen exchange will happen

25. … , Rf8-c8

Protecting the bishop

26. Bg2-b7

Forcing the rook up the board to weaken the 8th rank

26. … , Rc8-c7

The only square form which the c5 bishop remains guarded

27. Bb7-c6

Cutting the c file and therefore increasing pressure on c5 bishop, now it has no
choice but to

move

27. … , Bc5-d6

Black can't play Qd6 with the idea of 28. Qxc5, Qxc6 (where he is also lost, but
saves the

piece at least) because of 28. Qb8+ winning instantly

28. Qb5-b8+

This is even better than entering a won endgame

28. … , Bd6-f8

Any other move just loses material on the spot, although the material will be lost
here as well, the only difference being the number of moves needed
29. Rf1-d1

Intending 30. Rd8

29. … , g7-g6

Making escape square for the king

30. Rd1-d8

The f8 bishop is dead now

30. … , Kg8-g7

One move to late

31. Rd8xf8

Black's problem is that his rook is pinned against his queen, so he can't take the
c6 bishop

31. … , Qe5-d6
Now the c6 bishop hangs

32. Bc6-f3

Right on time! White is a clear piece ahead, so black stopped the resistance and
resigned

1-0

Sclechter – Perlis

Carlsbad 1911

1. d2-d4

Taking some space in the center and controlling e5 square

1. … , d7-d5

Played for similar reasons as white's first move, only here black controls the e4
square

2. c2-c4

Chal enging black's d5 pawn

2. … , c7-c6

Entering the Slav defense. Black wants to give support to his d pawn. In doing
so with his c

pawn he leaves the path open for his c8 bishop, which often has developing
problems in lines

with e7-e6. Both moves are good, it is just a different approach

3. Ng1-f3

Good developing move. It gives some support to the d4 pawn and controls the e5
square
even more

3. … , Ng8-f6

Develops the knight and gives more protection to the d5 pawn. Of course,
controls the e4

square as well

4. e2-e3

White wants to give as much support to d4 pawn as possible. In doing so he is

even ready to

block his c1 bishop (that bishop likes to be on f4 or g5, but is OK if he stays

behind also)

4. … , Bc8-f5

Black can play this move because there is no knight on c3. Let's imagine that
white played 4.

Nc3 (instead of 4.e3) then 4...Bf5 would be met by 5.cxd5, cxd5 6. Qb3 and
6...Qb6 would

lose a pawn after 7.Nxd5, Qxb3 8. Nxf6+ and 9.axb3

Therefore black would be in trouble because both b7 is attacked and there is no

good way of

defending it, for example 6...Qd7 7. Ne5, so he would probably have to go back
6...Bc8

5. Qd1-b3

Attacking the b7 pawn

5. … , Qd8-b6

Defending and offering queen trade. If white plays 6. Qxb6, axb6 7.cd5, Nxd5
even though

black has doubled pawns they form a compact mass (b7,b6,c6) which controls a
lot of

squares and it is hard to break. On the other hand black's a8 rook would activate
without even

making a move.

6. c4xd5

White doesn't want to take on b6 for the reasons in the previous comment

6. … , Qb6xb3

Black is attracted by the idea of doubling white's pawns and this makes more
sense here

because there is no pawn on c3 to make a compact mass.

7. a2xb3

Now white's rook is suddenly activated along the a file

7. … , Bf5xb1?

Black wanted to eliminate this knight while it is still on b1, maybe he didn't like
the idea of that knight joining the action after 7...cxd5 8. Nc3 with the idea of
9.Nb5, but in reality that was not so dangerous for him

8. d5xc6!

White makes this in between move that should win him a pawn in some line like
this 8...Nxc6

9. Rxb1

8. … , Bb1-e4?

Black didn't want to lose a pawn so he played here, saving the bishop and
defending against

9.cxb7 and if white plays 9.c7 instead then after 9...Nc6 the rook is stopping the
c pawn from

queening, but...

9. Ra1xa7!

Deflecting the rook form the 8th rank, so the c pawn can run to become a queen

9. … , Ra8xa7

Black saved the rook, but as we said no one is protecting the 8th rank now

10, c6-c7 1-0

White is threatening to promote to a queen in two ways 11. cxb8Q and 11. c8Q,
since black

can't stop both of these threats he resigned

Shulman – Khalifman

FIDE World Cup 2005

1. d2-d4

Taking some space in the center and controlling the e5 square

1. … , Ng8-f6

Developing the knight and controlling d5 and e4. With this move black keeps his
cards closed

as he can enter many openings in this manner

2. c2-c4

Making a nice pawn duo in the center which controls many squares

2. … , c7-c5

Instantly challenging white's pawn duo (c4 and d4)

3. d4-d5

This space gaining move is principal way to play for an advantage (although it
doesn't

guarantee getting it )

3. … , b7-b5

Entering the Benko gambit. Black is ready to give up a pawn in order to get open
lines and

active piece play on the queen side

4. c4xb5

Taking the pawn is considered to be the best move here

4. … , a7-a6

With this move black wants to develop his bishop on a6 (after the exchange of
pawns)

5. b5xa6

In this manner white secures an extra pawn.

5. … , g7-g6

Black waits for white to develop his knight on c3. Essentially he is trying to
avoid a line in

which white's c1 bishop ends up on a1-h8 diagonal.

6. Nb1-c3

Now white is ready to play e2-e4, so

6. … , Bc8xa6

Getting ready to answer 7. e4 by capturing on f1, which will in turn hinder

white's

development as he will have to spend some moves on tucking his king away

7. e2-e4

Supporting the d5 pawn and threatening e4-e5

7. … , Ba6xf1

Explained in the comment to previous black's move

8. Ke1xf1

White has lost the right to castle now, but he is a pawn ahead

8. … , d7-d6

In general it is not good to al ow e4-e5 in these positions, here in particular

8...Bg7? 9.e5 and the knight has to go back to g8 since 9...Nh5 10. g4 drops a
piece

9. Ng1-e2
the alternative was 9.Nf3. With the move played white wants to give extra
support to the c3

knight , because in the future the g7 bishop will be targeting it

9. … , Bf8-g7

The bishop comes to the natural square when g7-g6 is played. It is one of the
best black's

pieces in many lines of Benko Gambit

10. h2-h3

Making a square on h2 for the king. White will now march with the king through
the route f1-

g1-h2. The other way to castle “by hand” was 10.g3 and 11. Kg2, but King is
safer on h2, so

White is ready to lose some time in order to get there

10. … , 0-0

Finishing the king side development

11. Kf1-g1

Going towards h2 as explained above

11. … , Nb8-d7

From d7 this knight can chose either b6 or e5 as his next destination

12. Kg1-h2

Finishing the castling “by hand”

12. … , Qd8-a5

In Benko gambit queen usually gets developed here or on b6, black preferred
this move in

order to leave the b6 square available for the knight probably. Now the f8 rook
can join the

battle on the queen side when needed

13. Qd1-c2
This is often a good square for the white queen in this and similar positions,
because form c2

the queen supports the b2 pawn and the c3 knight

13. … , Nd7-b6

Black wants to exchange one pair of knights, since the e2-c3 knight combo is
blocking the g7

bishop very effectively

14. Ra1-b1

White is dreaming of going a2-a3 and b2-b4, but that is hard to achieve with al
the pressure

that black has

14. … , Nb6-a4

Going with his plan of exchanging the knights

15. Bc1-d2

From here the bishop should give good support to the c3 knight

15. … , Na4xc3

Finishing the operation called “exchange one knight”

16. Ne2xc3

Taking with the bishop just gives back the pawn and doesn't lessen the pressure
that black

has 16. Bxc3?, Qxa2

16. … , Rf8-b8

Now al the heavy pieces of black's are exerting great pressure on the queen side,
but white

is still a pawn up so the position is balanced

17. Rh1-e1
White gives some support to the e4 pawn and maybe prepares e4-e5, but here
defense was

more important, so 17. b3 should be preferred

17. … , Nf6-d7

Stopping e4-e5

18. Bd2-g5

Attacking the e7 pawn

18. … , Kg8-f8

The best way to defend this pawn by far. Going back with the rook to e8 or
playing f7-f6 would

both benefit white immensely

19. Qc2-d2

This gives back the pawn. White could keep it for now with 20. Re2, but for
some reason he

decided not to.

19. … , Bg7xc3

Beginning the series of exchanges at the end of which black will regain the
pawn. For this he

will have to give his powerful bishop for the knight, but you can't have
everything

20. b2xc3

White has to keep the queens on the board and try to generate some activity
against black

king, because most endgames in this structure are so good for black
20. … , Rb8xb1

Continuing with the operation

21. Re1xb1

Forced

21. … , Qa4xa2

Now the material is equal but black has some initiative because of better heavy
piece

placement and better pawn structure

22. Rb1-b2

Avoiding the exchange of queens

22. … , Qa2-c4

A great square for the queen, form here she attacks both c3 and e4 pawns
23. Rb2-b7

A rook on the 7th rank is usually a good asset to have

23. … , Kf8-e8

Defending the knight on d7 since it couldn't move because of the e7 pawn

24. Qd2-f4

This is a good move and it should lead to a draw. We will soon see how

24. … , Qc4xc3

It is a free pawn after all, or is it?

25. Qf4-h4?

White could force a draw here by playing 25. Bxe7, Kxe7 26. Rxd7+, Kxd7 27.
Qxf7+, Kc8 28.

Qe8+, Kb7 29. Qc6+ with a perpetual check, but with the move played he enters
a bad
position

25. … , h7-h5

Saving the h7 pawn and with it the invasion of the white queen through h file

26. Bg5-e3

It looks natural for white to try to open the h file with 26. g4, but after 26...Qe5+
it would be his king who would be in trouble

26. … , Qc3-e5+

This will pin the g pawn and help win the e4 pawn

27. g2-g3

If the king goes to the 1st rank, then 28. Ra1+ is deadly

27. … , Ra8-a4

After this the e4 pawn can't be protected for long

28. Rb7-c7

Going for tricks

28. … , Ke8-d8

Defending against checkmate in one (29. Rc8# was the threat)

29. Rc7-c6

saving the rook and preparing one last trick

29. … , Ra4xe4

White is now lost but he tries one last trick

30. Be3-d2

There is another mate threat, can you spot it

30. … , f7-f6

Had black played 30... Rxh4?? after 31. Ba5+, Ke8 32. Rc8# he would be mated

Now black is lost and after these moves he resigned 31. Bf4, Qxd5 32. Ra6, Re1
0-1 With unstoppable checkmate on h1 in few moves

Thompson – Morphy

New Orleans 1857

1. e2-e4

Opening the diagonals for the queen and bishop and controlling d5 square

1. … , e7-e5

With similar ideas as white's

2. Ng1-f3
The practice has determined that this is the best move in this position

2. … , Nb8-c6

Defending the e5 pawn

3. Bf1-c4

Developing the bishop and pressuring f7 pawn, the weakest pawn in the starting
position for

black (because it's only defender is a king)

3. … , Bf8-c5

Good developing move, with similar ideas in mind that white had when playing
his 3rd move

4. d2-d3

This variation is called “Giuoco Pianissimo”. White is defending the e4 pawn

and postponing

the d4 thrust for later (if allowed)

4. … , Ng8-f6

Develops another piece and puts some pressure on e4 and gains some control
over d5

square

5. Nb1-c3

This is not coherent with white's previous move. It made more sense to play c2-
c3 and

prepare d3-d4 later

5. … , h7-h6
Now that white knight is on c3, the Bc1-g5 move would gain strength because of
possibility to

go Nc3-d5 on the next move, so black preempts all of that

6. Nc3-e2

Start of a dubious plan. Obviously white wants to play c2-c3 and d3-d4, but then
the e4 pawn

will be hanging, so he will probably have to waste another tempo to defend that
pawn first.

This is all very time consuming. It was better just to castle and then decide what
to do with

this knight

6. … , d7-d6

Strengthening the e5 pawn. The other approach would be 6...d5 7.exd5, Nxd5 8.
Bb5, Bd6

with a good position for black

7. c2-c3

Control ing the d4 square and dreaming of playing d3-d4

7. … , 0-0

Black finishes his king side development and now 8. d4 is not good for white,
because of

8...exd4 9. cxd4, Bb4+ and e4 drops on the next move.

8. h2-h3

White wants to control the g4 square, since it looks attractive for c8 bishop

8. … , Kg8-h8

Given the pawn structure in the center black should break with either d6-d5 or
f7-f5. With his

last move he reveals that he will use the f pawn for the break, since he is
removing his king
form the pin along the a2-g8 diagonal

9. Ne2-g3

White is increasing control over f5 square with this move in anticipation of

black's plan

9. … , Nf6-h7

Removing the obstacle in front of the f7 pawn ( the obstacle was of course the f6
knight)

10. Qd1-c2

Giving some extra support to the e4 pawn, which he doesn't real y need. It was
more logical

to castle

10. … , f7-f5

Finally the pawn break. Black wants to deflect the e4 pawn form controlling the
d5 square and
to open the f file, since white was hesitant to castle and his king is a bit
vulnerable

11. e4xf5

Now it was not possible to castle 11. 0-0?, f5xe4 12. Nxe4, Bxh3 13. gxh3, Rxf3
and on top

of being a pawn down, white has to worry about the safety of his king as long as
queens are

on the board and it is not apparent how will white exchange queens

11. … , d6-d5

There is no more pawn on the e4 square, hence this move is possible, now black
has a

mighty center

12. Bc4-b3

It made more sense to play 12. Bb5 (with the idea of 13.Bxc6 and 14. Nxe5) but
after 12...Qf6

black has a really nice position

12. … , e5-e4

This was move made on good logic, but it is not correct. The logic is that the
white king is still in the center so black wants to open the position, but the
problem is that white can block the e file thanks to his pawn on f5. Better was
simple 12...Bxf5 13. Nxf5, Rxf5 with a good position

for black

13. d3xe4

If white just moves the f3 knight then black's plan works just fine. Foe example
13. Nd2,

e4xd3 14. Qxd3, Re8+ and white can't block on e6 because the d5 pawn is
preventing the b3

bishop from getting there

13. … , d5xe4

Fol ow up of the previous move

14. Nf3-g1?

This is a mistake. White should have played 14. Qxe4, Re8 15. Be6! Blocking
the e file, after

15...Nf8 16. 0-0 white king finds shelter and even though black can only regain
one pawn,

black's bishop pair and better piece placement will somewhat compensate for the
material

deficit, but compare that to the game

14. … , Nc6-e5

The knight wants to land on d3 and take on f2 subsequently

15. Bc1-e3

Defending f2 pawn

15. … , Ne5-d3+
Now the white king is stuck in the center forever

16. Ke1-e2

After 16. Kf1, Bxe3 17. fxe3, Qg5 the game is almost over since overwhelming
forces are

going to join the game through the f file

16. … , Bc5xe3

This exchange weakens the f2 square

17. f2xe3

It doesn't help to send the king for a walk 17. Kxe3, Bxf5 18. Nxf5, Qg5+ 19.
Ke2, Rxf5 20. f3,

Qxg2+

17. … , Qd8-h4

Queen joins the attack

18. Ng3xe4

This had to be played , because if 18. Nf1 then Qf2 is checkmate

18. … , Qh4xe4

Even though this doesn't win the knight (because black will lose his knight on
d3) from here

the queen is ready to gobble the g2 pawn and finish black off soon

19. Qc2xd3

White regained his piece, but …

19. … , Qe4xg2+

This forces white king on the first rank. All black needs to do now is to place a
rook on f1 or

take the h1 rook, whichever he likes more

20. Ke2-d1

There is not much difference between this move or 20. Ke1

20. … , Bc8xf5

Morphy was always trying to make al his pieces play therefore he chose this
move. He could

have also simply take the rook on h1

21. Bb3-d5

Attacking the g2 queen and defending the h1 rook at the same time. Did white
get away?

21. … , Bf5-g4+ 0-1

Black resigned, since he will at least lose a queen after 22. hxg4, Rf1+ or get
checkmated in

case of 22. Ke1, Qf2#

Karpov – Kamsky

Alekhine memorial 1992

1. d2-d4

Control ing the e5 square and opening the c1 bishop

1. … , Ng8-f6

Developing the knight and taking control over e4 square

2. c2-c4

Taking some control over d5 square and lining up with the d4 pawn. These two
pawns look

pretty nice together

2. … , g7-g6

Preparing to put a bishop on g7

3. Ng1-f3

Developing the knight and taking firm control over e5 square. This moves also
protects the d4

pawn which is not needed now but it is in general a good idea to have your
central pawns

protected

3. … , Bf8-g7

Completing the operation started on previous move

4. g2-g3

White wants to place his light squared bishop on the long diagonal, similar to
blacks idea

4. … , c7-c6

Black want to blunt the bishop which is coming to g2 by placing a pawn on d5

and wants to be

able to recapture on d5 with the pawn instead of with the knight, hence this
move. 4...d5 5.

cxd5, Nxd5 leads to different type of position

5. Bf1-g2

White continues with what he started on previous move

5. … , d7-d5

Now the h1-a8 diagonal is shortened for the time being , so black is hoping that
the g2 bishop

won't have much fun

6. c4xd5

White is avoiding complex positions that involve pawn sacrifice. For example 6.
Nc3, dxc4 is

perfectly playable, but maybe not in Karpov's style

6. … , c6xd5

Fol owing up with the plan form the previous move. Now g2 bishop is somewhat
hindered by

d5 pawn
7. Nb1-c3

Developing the knight and exerting some pressure over d5 pawn and e4 squares.
That is the

main difference between developing the knight on d2 and c3 squares. From both
squares the

knight controls e4, but only from c3 square it controls d5.

7. … , 0-0

Finishing his king side development and putting the king to safety. That is real y
a nice fortress in front of black king

8. Nf3-e5

Preventing normal developing move 8... Nc6 when black would have some weak
pawns on

the queen side after 9. Nxc6, bxc6

8. … , e7-e6
Black wants to play Nfd7 to trade knights, but at the moment that is not so great
since it would leave the d5 pawn hanging, so he protects it to al ow the
mentioned move

The downside of this move is that it closes the path for the c8 bishop and makes
it harder for

black to do anything active with that piece

9. 0-0

The king has to be placed into safety and we might need the h1 rook in the game
soon, so

castling is pretty logical here

9. … , Nf6-d7

Continuing with his plan from the previous move, now black threatens to take
twice on e5

10. f2-f4
Protecting e5 and making 10... Nxe5 look silly because after 11. fxe5 black
position would be

cramped by e5 pawn which at the same time provides great outpost on d6 for
white's knight

(which he can't occupy right now, but it might very soon)

10. … , Nb8-c6

This move makes much more sense now than on 8th move because after 11.
Nxc6, bxc6

black is ready to push c6-c5 on the next move (thanks to the knight on d7) and
get rid of the

weakness on c6

11. Bc1-e3

White intends to get with this bishop to f2 (or g1), so he develops it on e3 in

order to get there.

Once it comes to it's destination it will be a good support to d4 pawn if white

manages to push

e2-e4

11. … , Nd7-b6

Looking at c4 square and freeing the d7 square for the bishop

12. Be3-f2

Continuing with the plan mentioned in the comment to previous move

12. … , Bc8-d7

It is sad for black that this is as far as this bishop can go, but he does what he
can. At least with this move he is letting the rook come to an open c file

13. e2-e4

White would like to open the position since his bishops are better placed than his
opponent's

ones. Also he is simply threatening to win a pawn on d5

13. … , Nc6-e7

Black defends d5. Taking on e4 is not a good idea because after 14. Nxe4 white's
knight

would be much more dominant than black's and black can basically never take
on e5,

because d pawn would come there then, again providing the outpost on d6 and
blunting the
g7 bishop.

14. Ne5xd7

A counter intuitive move at first sight. White is giving a great knight for a not so
great bishop, but in the end he will get the bishop pair advantage and he will be
able to gain space with e4-e5.

14. … , Qd8xd7

This is more logical than 14... Nb6xd7 because the knight has no prospects on d7
(after

15.e5) and by recapturing with the queen black connects his rooks

15. e4-e5

Taking on d5 would be a mistake in view of 15.exd5, Nbxd5 and all of the

sudden black has a

wonderful outpost on d5

15. … , Ra8-c8
Placing the rook on an open file

16. Ra1-c1

You can't leave opponents rook unopposed

16. … , a7-a6

Taking extra control over b5 square, just in case.

17. b2-b3

Taking some squares from the knight on b6. In general, whenever there is a
knight on b6 it is

good to place a pawn om b3 if possible, because it restricts that knight so much

17. … , Rc8-c7

Black wants to double up on the c-file

18. Qd1-d2

The c3 knight will need extra protection once black doubles on the c file

18. … , Rf8-c8

Fol owing up on his previous move

19. g3-g4

Now that he secured the queen side white is ready for active measures on the
king side since

he has space advantage there

19. … , Bg7-f8

Black wants to get with this bishop to b4 or a3 and cause some disharmony in
white's camp.

This plan is possible due to b pawn being moved form his original square

20. Qd2-e3

White for sees that the bishop might get to b4 and doesn't want his knight to be
pinned to the

queen if that happens. Also from e3 the queen might move fast along the 3rd
rank if needed

for the attack on the black king

20. … , Ne7-c6

Opening the f8-a3 diagonal for the bishop and looking at b4 square

21. f4-f5

This type of break is typical for structures with white pawn on e5 and black
pawn on e6

21. … , Bf8-a3

Going after the c file. 21... exf5 22. gxf5. Qxf5 would lose the exchange after 23.
Bh3

22. Rc1-d1

The c file had to be conceded, because 22. Rc2 would run into 22... Nb4 winning
for black

22. … , Nc6-b4

Releasing the powerful rooks on the c file. White's knight is attacked and if it
moves black can just win the a pawn or invade along the c- file
23. Qe3-h6

Preventing 23... Rxc3 because if that is played then after 24. f6 black can't stop
the

checkmate on g7

23. … , Qd7-e8

In order to be ready to meet 24. f6 with 24... Qf8 and completely stop white's
attack

24. Nc3-b1

f5-f6 would be a mistake now that the black queen is ready to defend g7, so
something had to

be done with the c3 knight. Placing it on b1 has the merit of forcing the black
bishop to b2

form where it will be kind of stranded

24. … , Ba3-b2

The only square. If 24... Nc2 25. Nxa3, Nxa3 26. Be1, Nc2 27. Ba5 and black is
in big trouble,

because he will eventually lose the c2 knight

25. Qh6-d2

Attacking both the b2 bishop and the b4 knight, which forces …

25. … , Nb4-c2

The only way to save a piece, but now the knight is blocking the entry square for
the black

rooks

26. Kg1-h1

Freeing the g1 square for the bishop, because that bishop is in the way of the
rook on f1

influencing the f file. The bishop has to go to g1 exactly, because moving it

along the e1-h4

diagonal would leave the d4 hanging

26. … , Qe8-e7
Looking at the b4 square

27. Bf2-g1

Proceeding with the plan of activating the rook on the f file

27. … , Nb6-d7

Knight was doing nothing on b6, so black improves it a little

28. Rf1-f3

Getting ready to switch along the 3rd rank to help generate the attack on the
black king

28. … , Qe7-b4

Offering the queen trade, which would be immensely beneficial for black (it
would turn the

tables actual y

29. Qd2-h6
Of course white mustn't al ow trade of queens

29. … , Qb4-f8

White was threatening 30. Rh3 so black had to parry that

30. Qh6-g5

Avoiding the trade of queens again, of course

30. … , Qf8-g7

The black queen cannot stay on f8 because of 31.fxe6 taking advantage of that,
so black

avoids that

31. Qg5-d2

Pinning the c2 knight and taking advantage of the fact that black queen can't get
back to the

game via f8 because of fxe6, so at the moment white has extra queen on the
queen side. This

move also protects d4 pawn, so the d1 rook can go to f1 (if it would go there
before Qd2 , the

d4 pawn would drop)

31. … , b7-b6

Supporting a6-a5 push

32. Rd1-f1

Now white has doubled on the f file at the end of which is proximity of black
king. On the other side black is dominant on the c-file, but can't use it because of
knight on c2 blocking his own

heavy pieces

32. … , a6-a5

Control ing the b4 square to allow the trick on the next move

33. h2-h4

White might need to open the h file in the future with h4-h5, so he prepares for
that

33. … , Nc2-b4
This is the mentioned trick. If white takes 34. Qxb2? Then after 34... Rc2 the
queen is trapped

on the next move (35. Qa3, Rxa2 or 35. Qa1, Rxa2). At the same time black has
finally freed

the c2 square for his rook

34. a2-a3

Trying to lure the knight back to c2 square

34. … , Rc7-c2

Before retreating the knight, black finally infiltrates on c2

35. Qd2-f4

Removing the queen form danger

35. … , Nb4-c6

Removing the knight from danger

36. Bg2-h3

Looking at e6 pawn through the glasses made of g4 and f5 pawns

36. … , Nc6-d8

Giving some extra protection to the e6 pawn

37. Bg1-e3

White's attack on the king side is temporarily stopped by black's activity on the
other side of

the board, so white is taking measures to neutralize that activity. With this move
he controls

the c1 square

37. … , b6-b5

Black is hoping that b5-b4 would help him gain more control on the queen side,
but will it be

enough?

38. Rf3-f2

If white would manage to exchange all the rooks and play Qd2 then, all of the
sudden the b2

bishop would be trapped.

38. … , b5-b4

Going with his plan

39. a3xb4

You can't allow b4xa3

39. … , a5xb4

Now black has secured a3 and c3 squares for his bishop, but can he ever exit
somewhere

else?

40. Rf2xc2

Fol owing up with the mentioned plan of exchanging the rooks

40. … , Rc8xc2

Regaining the rook

41. Rf1-f2

Another follow up on the “exchanging rooks” plan

41. … , Rc2xf2

Forced because the rook is attacked and if it moves the b2 bishop drops

42. Qf4xf2

Completing the plan

42. … , Bb2-a3

If 42... Bc3 43. Nxc3, bxc3 44. Qc2 winning

43. Qf2-c2

White didn't win the bishop, but managed to lock it and he is now playing
essentially with a

piece up. Also he turned the tables on the queen side by exchanging all the
rooks. His king
side attack was repelled, but at a dear cost

43. … , Nd7xe5

White was threatening to win a knight by 44. Qc7 and even thought that could be
prevented

he still has an extra bishop practically so black decides to mud the waters

44. d4xe5

The sacrifice had to be accepted, otherwise black would untangle for free

44. … , Qg7xe5

Black threatens the e3 bishop now and is hoping to generate play with some
checks, but …

45. Qc2-c8

White calculates that he can stop black counter play and goes for the d8 knight

45. … , Qe5-e4+
Choosing to take the b1 knight instead of e3 bishop

46. Bh3- g2

Covering from check

46. … , Qe4xb1+

Regaining a piece

47. Kh1-h2

Now even though it is black's move he can't save the d8 knight

47. … , Ba3-b2

Covering the f6 square. As you can see, black managed to get his dark squared
bishop back

into the game but in the process lost another piece

48. Qc8xd8+

This is the piece we were talking about

48. … , Kg8-g7

Only legal move

49. f5-f6+

Starting the execution. With this move white will force black king into a mating
net

49. … , Bb2xf6

If 49... Kh6 then 50. Qf8#

50. Be3-h6+

The point! Now black king will be stuck at the edge of the board and soon he
will meet his fate

there.

50. … , Kg7xh6

Only legal move

51. Qd8xf6

White is closing in. the threat is 52. g5+, Kh5 53. Bf3+, Kxh4 54. Qf4#
51. … , Qb1-c2

Pinning the g2 bishop so it can't go to f3 to in the mentioned variation

52. g4-g5+

Anyway

52. … , Kh6-h5

Only legal move

53. Kh2-g3

Unpinning and getting ready to play Bf3#. It would be a mistake to go to 53.

Kh3 because the

queen can come to f5 with the check 53... Qf5+ 54. Qxf5, gxf5 with a probable
draw

53. … , Qc2-c7+

Any check on the 3rd rank would be met by 54. Bf3+

54. Kg3-h3 0-1

There is no defense to 55. Bf3+ , therefore black resigned

Chigorin – Steinitz

Moves sent by telegraph 1890/1891

1. e2-e4

Control ing some central squares and opening diagonals for queen and bishop

1. … , e7-e5

Black is doing the same thing as white

2. Ng1-f3

Developing and attacking the e5 pawn

2. … , Nb8-c6

Protecting the e5 pawn and exerting some control over d4 square

3. Bf1-c4

Developing and looking at the f7 square, also gaining some control over d5
square

3. … , Bf8-c5

Black is again guided by same principles as white

4. b2-b4

The Evans gambit, for a pawn white intends to gain a lead in development and
take over the

central squares

4. … , Bc5xb4
Black is playing the principled way. Steinitz thought that Evans gambit was not
correct and he

willingly entered it whenever he had a chance

5. c2-c3

Attacking the bishop and preparing d2-d4 at the same time

5. … , Bb4-a5

The alternatives were 5... Bc5 or 5...Be7, all three moves can be played (not at
the same time

though)

6. 0-0

Before playing d2-d4, white tucks his king away to safety

6. … , Qd8-f6

Black wants to give extra protection to the e5 pawn with his queen, still 6... Nf6
is better,

because this queen will soon become object of an attack and help white develop
his pieces

faster
7.d2-d4

Now white center looks pretty hefty and with this move he opens the window for
his c1 bishop

towards the king side

7. … , Ng8-h6

Black had praised publicly this move and white had criticized it, so this match
was organized

so they can determine who is more right...

8. Bc1-g5

Developing the bishop and asking the queen about her intentions

8. … , Qf6-d6

This is the only square for a queen to retreat and protect the e5 pawn as well.

9. d4-d5
It looks counter intuitive to close the position when attacking, but there is an
explanation. The position will not be completely closed after this move and the
benefit is much greater,

because this pawn will cramp black's position so much that he will hardly have
where to move

his pieces

9. … , Nc6-d8

Going back to b8 didn't look appealing to black, so he chose to go to d8, but that
looks like a

bad long term square since it is not real y clear where will this knight go form
there. If black ever pushes f6 then white can take on h6 and make a great outpost
on f5 for his knight.

9...Ne7 seems a better choice, although even then white is better

10. Qd1-a4

White is forcing the black bishop to go to b6 and once it goes there it will hinder
black's queen side development, because it will block the b pawn, so black will
not be able to free the b7

square for a while

10. … , Ba5-b6

Had black played b7-b6 he would free his king side but he would leave his black
squared

bishop in some sort of a prison

11. Nb1-a3

Now that the black bishop is no longer attacking the c3 pawn this knight can
develop. It wants

to go to c4 (once the bishop releases that square).

11. … , c7-c6

Black realizes white's knight's intentions and is preparing to kick him out from
c4 once it gets there. He wants to play his bishop to c7 and make it possible for
the b pawn to go to b5.

12. Bc4-e2

Freeing the c4 square for the knight as planned

12. … , Bb6-c7

Black is proceeding with his plan , this also gives some extra cover to the e5
pawn
13. Na3-c4

The knight gets there. Now black queen has to go somewhere

13. … , Qd6-f8

If 13... Qc5 14. d6, b5?? 15. dxc7, bxa4 16. cxd8Q# 14... Bb8 15. Be3, Qb5 16.
Qc2 and

black queen feels very uncomfortable in view of the threats 17. Ncxe5 or 17.
Rb1

If she tries 13... Qg6 then the simple 14. Bxd8, Bxd8 15. Nfxe5, Qf6 16. Qa3
and if black tries

to block the diagonal to enable castling 16... Be7? 17. d6! cramps black totally

14. d5-d6!

White is giving another pawn for a decisive break, the idea is to deflect the
bishop form

guarding the b6 square

14. … , Bc7xd6

Black had to take here, if instead 14... Bb8 15. Be7 embarrasses black queen. Or
14... b5 15.

dxc7, Nb7 16. Qd1, bxc4 17. Bxh6, gxh6 18. Nxe5 completely winning

15. Nc4-b6

Now that the b6 square is unguarded, the knight can hop in to cause disharmony
in black's

camp

15. … , Ra8-b8

Of course, 15... axb6 is not possible because of the prosaic 16. Qxa8

16. Qa4xa7

Now the black rook is sort of trapped. It can't be won yet but it can't go
anywhere either. The
only thing that saves this rook for now is bishop on d6 and this bishop has only
one more

square from which it can protect the rook – c7 square. If he ever goes there
though he will be

attacked by Nb6-a8

16. … , Nd8-e6

Suddenly this knight has gotten an exit square (thanks to the operation white
undertook with

the d pawn), but this exit won't bring him much joy. The only thing white needs
to take care is

not to al ow this knight to exchange itself for a bishop on g5, hence

17. Bg5-c1!

Saving the bishop and preparing to go 18. Ba3 in order to try to win the rook on
b8
17. … , Nh6-g8

Black has in plan playing c6-c5 to block the a3-f8 diagonal and when he makes
that move the

c6 square will be free so he is dreaming of rerouting his knight there Nh6-g8-e7-

c6... but that

is a long route...

18. Bc1-a3

Threatening 19. Qxb8, Bxb8 20. Bxf8

18. … , c6-c5

There was no other meaningful way to prevent 19. Qxb8

19. Ra1-d1

Preventing 19...Ne7 with the idea of 20. Rxd6, Nc6 and even though white's
rook and queen

are attacked black is lost because of 21. Rxc6 followed by 22. Qxb8

19. … , Ng8-f6

Since he can't go to e7 with this knight as planned he places it on f6 in order to

cover the d5

square at least

20. Be2-c4

White is just improving his position while black can't do much. Now this bishop
controls the d5

square and if needed it can be exchanged for the e6 knight as a tactical operation.
For

example 20... Qe7 21. Bxe6, fxe6 22. Nc4, Bc7 23. Bxc5 with a disaster for
black

20. … , Bd6-c7

If 20... Nxe4 21. Nxc8, Rxc8 22. Qxb7 (attacking both a rook and a knight), Rc6
23. Nxe5 and

if 23...Nxe5 then 24. Qxd7#

21. Nb6-d5

We mentioned earlier that if black bishop ever goes to c7 white will play Nb6-
a8, but now the

d5 square is available (since black moved his pawn from c6) so white takes
advantage of that

21. … , Bc7-d6

If 21... Nf6xd5 then 22. exd5, Nf4 23. d6!, Bxd6 24. Bxc5, Bxc5 25. Qxb8

22. Nf3-h4
Going to the f5 square to finally destroy the bishop on d6 (the defender of the b8
rook)

White could also play 22. Nxf6, gxf6 and then either 23. Nh4 or 23. Bxe6, fxe6
24. Bxc5, Bxc5

25. Qxb8

22. … , Nf6xd5

Black would like to get rid of most of whites pieces, but since this the only one
he can

exchange he goes for it... alas, to no avail

23. Nh4-f5

Soon there will be no bishop on d6. This is not a sacrifice since black extra
knight on d5 is

pinned

23. … , g7-g6
If d5 knight moved then 24. Nxd6+ would end the game

24. Nf5xd6

Finally.

24. … , Qf8xd6

Now the queen has become the guardian of the b8 rook, but it is a task she can't
handle for

long

25. Bc4xd5

With this move white is threatening 26. Bxd5 opening the d file and attacking
the queen,

where she wouldn't be able to recapture on e6 because the rook would drop

25. … , Qd6-c7

Escaping from the d file, because of the mentioned threat

26. Bd5xe6

Simple exchange with the intention to eliminate the defense of c5 pawn

26. … , f7xe6

Black takes with the f pawn in hopes of making his central pawn mass some
kind of an

obstacle in the future for white's rooks. It won't help though

27. Ba3xc5

Time to cash in. 28. Bd6 is a real kil er so …

27. … , Rb8-a8

The only way not to lose the whole rook. With this move black makes it possible
to at least

capture the c5 bishop

28. Qa7xa8

Picking up the fruits of his labor

28. … , Qc7xc5

Getting at least something for the exchange

29. Qa8-a4

From here the queen will support the rook infiltration along the b file and also
controls the c2

square which will be understandable after the white's next move

29. … , Ke8-d8

29... Qxc3 is not possible because of 30. Rc1 winning the c8 bishop, so black
protects it with

the king

30. Rd1-d2

Now we see why white covered the c2 square, he want to be able to place the
rook there if

the black queen takes the c3 pawn

30. … , Kd8-c7
If 30... Qxc3 then 31. Rc2, Qd4 32. Rxc8+, Kxc8 33. Qa8+ and Qxh8

31. Rf1-b1

Preparing to go to b5 and infiltrate

31. … , Rh8-d8

Again 31... Qc3 is not good because of simple 31. Rc2 winning the queen

32. Rb1-b5

Infiltrating the black's position

32. … , Qc5-c6

If 32... Qe7 33. Qa7 with the threat of 34. Rc5+ followed by 35. Qb6#, so black
would have to

go 33... d6 34. Qb6+, Kd7 35. Rc5 and white gets with his rook to the seventh
rank

33. Qa4-b4
taking control of the c5 square, and intending 34. Rc5 winning the queen

33. … , d7-d6

Protecting against the aforementioned threat

34. a2-a4

This prevents b7-b6 for example 34... b6 35.a5, bxa5 36. Qxa5+, Kd7 37. Rb6,
Qc7 38.

Rxd6+, Qxd6 39. Rxd6+, Kxd6 40. Qxd8+

34. … , Qc6-e8

If black would try to develop his bishop with 34... Bd7 then 35. Rxd6, Qxd6 36.
Rxb7+ winning

the queen

35. Rb5-b6

Increasing the pressure. Now the d6 pawn is attacked three times and defended
only twice

35. … , Qe8-f8

Defending the d6 pawn for the third time

36. Qb4-a5

Intending discovery with 36. Rb6xd6+

36. … , d6-d5

Preventing 36. Rd6+ which would now be a blunder due to 36... Kxd6

37. e4xd5

Black parried the last threat with d6-d5, but opened up new possibilities for
white with that

move

37. … , Kc7-b8

37... Rxd5 38. Rxd5 , exd5 39. Rf6+ winning the queen. 37... exd5 was not
possible either

due to similar reasons

38. d5-d6 1-0

It is interesting that white started his attack with the move 15. d5-d6 and then
finished the

game with 38. d5-d6, quite a curiosity.

Fleissig – Schlechter

Vienna 1893

1. b2-b4
The Sokolsky opening. It doesn't have a great reputation. The idea is to place the
bishop on

b2 while at the same time having b pawn advanced for some queen side
operations, but the b

pawn often becomes a target. The better version is 1.b3 where the b pawn is
completely safe

1. … , e7-e6

Attacking the b4 pawn with the f8 bishop

2. Bc1-b2

Indirectly defending the b4 pawn. If 2...Bxb4?? 3. Bxg7 wins

2. … , Ng8-f6

Good developing move which at the same time attacks b4 (because the g7 pawn
is not

threatened any more)

3. a2-a3

Defending the b4 pawn

3. … , c7-c5

Putting more pressure on b4. Black is reasoning that if white takes on c5 he will
help black

develop (4...Bxc5) and if he pushes his b pawn instead, then the c5 pawn will
stay there and

control the center with possible d7-d5 in the future. So whatever white does it
should benefit

black in some manner

4. b4-b5

White decided not to help black develop by taking on c5 and to gain some space
on the

queens side by keeping his b pawn alive

4. … , d7-d5

taking advantage of the last white's move and forming a nice central pawn duo

5. d2-d4?

This weakens the e1-a5 diagonal and let black take over the initiative. It was
much better to

keep that pawn on d2 until the king side is fully developed. So 5.e3 with the idea
of Nf3, Be2,

0-0 and then thinking about whether to push d or c pawn

5. … , Qd8-a5+

Immediately taking advantage of the weakened diagonal. Now since the b5 pawn
is hanging,

white has to block with the knight

6. Nb1-c3

Any other move would let black play 6...Qxb5 with an extra pawn

6. … , Nf6-e4

This is possible thanks to the pin on e1-h5 diagonal. There is a simple threat of
taking on c3

7. Qd1-d3?

At first glance this is the only way to save the knight , but that is not true. White
should have played 7.e3 and if 7...Nxc3? 8.Qd2 regaining the piece. Black of
course can play differently 7.

e3, Nd7 with advantage

7. … , c5xd4

Luring the white queen to d4 where she will be exposed to further attacks and
help black

bring the decisive forces into the action

8. Qd3xd4

Otherwise, the c3 knight drops

8. … , Bf8-c5!

This move is the logical follow up of the previous move, now this bishop will
destroy f2 point

and cause disharmony in white's camp

9. Qd4xg7

White realized that he is going to lose the f2 pawn so he is trying to do what he

can to cause

some damage to his opponent and slow him down a little bit

9. … , Bc5xf2+

Denying white the right to castle and securing that he will probably stay in the
middle of the
board praying to survive the onslaught of black pieces

10. Ke1-d1

Only legal move

10. … , d5-d4

Start of the beautiful combination (that is actually incorrect). The idea is to

prevent the queen form defending the c3 spot.

According to the engine, better was a simple move 10...Rf8 where black has all
the benefits of

the attack, but is not heavy material down. But the move played in the game is
first of all

immensely beautiful and secondly it gives white such a hard task. Even though
objectively he

should be able to fend off the attack, practical y It is almost impossible

11. Qg7xh8+
There is nothing wrong with taking a whole rook and on top of that giving a
check. It was not

possible to play 11. Nxe4 due to Qe1#

11. … , Ke8-e7

King needs to go exactly here to allow for later blockade of the 7th rank with
Nd7 (when white

queen ends up on b7) and in some lines the rook might join the attack through d8
and black

doesn't want to have his king block the d file

12. Qh8xc8?

White got greedy, but who can blame him, it looks safe to take more material
and threaten a

check on b7. Instead, he should play 12. Nf3, Nxc3+ 13. Bxc3, Qxc3 and the
only move that

saves the game is 14. Rb1, but this would be hard to find even for the strongest
players in the

world today

12. … , d4xc3

Opening the d file and attacking the b2 bishop. If white allows that bishop to be
taken then al

off the sudden black queen would threaten two checkmates – one on d2 and the
other one on

e1

13. Bb2-c1

If 13. Qxb7+, Kf6 14. Qxe4, cxb2 15. Qf4+, Ke7 16. Qg5+, Kf8 white has no
defense against

both of black threats – the checkmate on e1 and taking a rook with promotion to
a queen

13. … , Nb8-d7

The idea of this move is to lure the black queen away for the battlefield and then
take

advantage of that fact . It is al very logical, but it fails because white doesn't need
to take the rook. He can instead play 14. Qxb7!, defending the b5 pawn and by
doing so preventing the

black queen from easily transferring to the d file and pinning the d7 knight so it
can't join the attack

That is why black was suppose to play 13...Qxb5 with a deadly check on d5 to
follow

14. Qc8xa8?

White just likes material I guess, whatever you offer him he will take. Instead he
could save

the game with 14. Qxb7 as explained in the previous comment

14. … , Qa5xb5

This has nothing to do with taking the pawn, it just looks like that. The point of
this move is to gain access to d5 square and give a deadly check form there

15. Bc1-f4

making some room for the king (the c1 square)

15. … , Qb5-d5+

The deadly check advertised earlier

16. Kd1-c1

Of course 16. Bd2, Qxd2#

16. … , Bf2-e3+!
Black wants to deflect the f4 bishop form the c1-h6 diagonal so he can enter on
d2 with the

queen. The move played in the game is forcing that deflection

17. Bf4xe3

17. Kb1, Qd1+ 18. Ka2, Qxc2#

17. … , Ne4-f2!

Finishing the deflection

17. Be3xf2

There was a mate threat on d1 and if 17. Kb1 (trying to escape) then 17...Qb5+
and Qb2#

17. … , Qd5-d2+ 0-1

There is nothing white can do to prevent checkmate 18. Kb1, Qd1+ 19. Ka2,
Qxc2#
Document Outline
Table of contents
Introduction
Chess Notation
Paul Morphy – A. Morphy
Carlsen – Vallejo Pons
Alekhine – Tartakower
Botvinnik – Portisch
Kamsky – Nakamura
Steinitz – Blackburne
Korchnoi – Byvshev
Sclechter – Perlis
Shulman – Khalifman
Thompson – Morphy
Karpov – Kamsky
Chigorin – Steinitz
Fleissig – Sclechter
Introduction
Chess Notation
Paul Morphy – A. Morphy
Carlsen – Vallejo Pons
Alekhine – Tartakower
Botvinnik – Portisch
Kamsky – Nakamura
Steinitz – Blackburne
Korchnoi – Byvshev
Sclechter – Perlis
Shulman – Khalifman
Thompson – Morphy
Karpov – Kamsky
Chigorin – Steinitz
Fleissig – Schlechter