Contents Winning Chess Strategies:

Exploiting a Space
Title Page 1 Advantage
About the Author 3
Introduction 6
Cyrus Lakdawala
1) Death by Asphyxiation 7
2) Overextension 83
3) Space Leads to an Attack 116
4) Space Leads to Concessions 155
5) Space on Opposite Wings 181
6) Space Saves the Day 240
Copyright © 2025 Cyrus Lakdawala
Epilogue 244
Index of Games and Studies 246
Winning Chess Strategies: Exploiting
a Space Advantage

All rights reserved. No part of this

publication may be reproduced, stored in
a retrieval system or transmitted in any
form or by any means, electronic,
electrostatic, magnetic tape,
photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without prior permission of the
publisher.

ISBN (hardback) 978-1-83684-042-8

ISBN (paperback) 978-1-83684-043-5
ISBN (ebook) 978-1-83684-044-2

All sales or enquiries should be directed

to
Popular Chess
Suite 442 About the Author
Baltic Chambers
50 Wellington Street, Cyrus Lakdawala is an International
Glasgow G2 6HJ Master, a former National Open and
United Kingdom American Open Champion, and a six-
time State Champion. He has been
e-mail: info@[Link] teaching chess for over 40 years, and
website: [Link] coaches some of the top junior players
in the US.
Distributed in North America by
National Book Network
Also by the Author:
Distributed in Rest of the World by the 1...b6: Move by Move
New In Chess Group through Sunrise
1...d6: Move by Move
Handicrafts, ul. Szarugi 61, 21-002
A Ferocious Opening Repertoire
Marysin, Poland
Anti-Sicilians: Move by Move
Bird’s Opening: Move by Move
Popular Chess Series Carlsen: Move by Move
Caruana: Move by Move
Commissioning editor: Byron Jacobs
Fischer: Move by Move
Book production by First Rank
Korchnoi: Move by Move
Publishing, Brighton
Cover by Kallia Kleisarchaki Kramnik: Move by Move
Opening Repertoire: ...c6
Printed in Estonia by Tallinna Opening Repertoire: Modern Defence
Raamatutrükikoja LLC Opening Repertoire: The Slav
Opening Repertoire: The Sveshnikov
Petroff Defence: Move by Move
Play the London System
The Alekhine Defence: Move by Move
The Caro-Kann: Move by Move
The Classical French: Move by Move
The Colle: Move by Move
The Modern Defence: Move by Move
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack: Move by Introduction
Move
The Scandinavian: Move by Move
The Thing was a movie about an alien
The Slav: Move by Move that absorbed its victims and became the
perfect imitation, turning itself into a
copy of the person it killed. Gaining
space in chess operates on a similar
principle. We don’t always need to
threaten overt violence to endanger the
opponent. Our opponent’s
precariousness can arise from the slow
creep of our annexation of territory past
our fourth rank into the opponent’s turf.
At club level chess, as in politics and
religion, the human tendency is to
entrench our minds in alignment with
our existing biases. Club-level players
fear the opponent’s attacks and tactical
threats while often underestimating the
steady encroachment of their opponent’s
growing space. This book aims to shift
this mindset, teaching us how to hold
our ground, claim space, and maintain it
when possible.
What Exactly Is Space in Chess?
Space signifies entry past our fourth
rank demarcation zone into enemy
territory. The vast majority of the time,
this means pawn entry into the
opponent’s zone, although sometimes it
can be achieved with pieces alone, as
demonstrated in the Kling and Horowitz
study at the end of the first chapter.
This book is a manual on how to seize
space, nurture and maintain it, then
convert it into victory. Conversely, the
book also teaches how to combat the
opponent’s attempts to grab space.
When they do so, we must be masters at
making them overextend.
Chapter One
Death by Asphyxiation
Cyrus Lakdawala,
San Diego, If our body is deprived of oxygen, it
June 2025 inevitably leads first to unconsciousness,
then to suffocation. We can lose chess
games the same way if we allow the
opponent a free hand in gaining space
and making inroads into our territory.
This chapter examines just such
situations.
In the following game, Kasparov
squeezed concessions from his opponent
by securing a massive space advantage.
Subsequently, he overcame Black’s
attempts at a dark-square blockade by
entering a favorable endgame with
opposite-colored bishops.
Game 1
Garry Kasparov – Rustam
Kasimdzhanov
Batumi (rapid) 2001

1.e4

Chess players fall into two distinct

biological castes: (1) natural tacticians,
who seek out geometric anomalies, and
(2) natural strategists, who
incrementally improve their positions.
Kasparov began his career in the first
category, but world-class players must
eventually transcend these biological
boundaries. His endless world chess
championship matches against Karpov that thrives on restraint, favoring long-
may have also taught him a thing or two term positional pressure over immediate
on the subject. tactical skirmishes. It seeks to live off
the grid, away from the hustle and bustle
1...c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 of sharp, engine-driven play. Modern
5.c4 openings, like hyper-aggressive lines,
reflect the era of living online – feeding
White goes for a Maroczy Bind
our data addiction with constant, fast-
formation, aiming to grab early space
paced decisions. In stark contrast,
and suffocate Black’s counterplay.
Maroczy structures slow the game
5.Nc3 leads to sharper Accelerated down, forcing players into a patient,
Dragon lines. strategic battle with fewer tactical
complications. Both sides can take
8
t+vWlVmT comfort in knowing they won’t get
7
Oo+oOo+o blindsided by some devastating, engine-
6
*+m+*+o+ prepared novelty. Everything slows
down – progress is incremental rather
5
+*+*+*+* than instant.
4 *+pNp+*+
3 +*+*+*+* 5...Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.f3
2 pP*+*PpP This way, e4 is reinforced, and White
1 RnBqKb+r can play Bc1-e3 without the fear of
a b c d e f g h ...Nf6-g4.

7...Nxd4

Black to move Principle: The cramped side benefits

from exchanges. The time Black loses
“I would never hurt you!” your college will be regained when White’s queen is
crush lies – 30 seconds before dumping forced to move from the vulnerable d4-
you. Be careful. Space is insidious and square.
slow, yet it’s one of the most common
ways for the squeezed side to lose a 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 0-0
chess game. With his last move,
By defending the g7-bishop, Black
Kasparov seizes space with the intent to
introduces the strategic threat of ...Nf6-
hold it.
g4 and ...Nxe3, robbing White of both
The Maroczy Bind is a pawn structure
the bishop pair and control of the dark solidifying the structure with 12.b3.
squares. The d3-square seems like a strange
choice for the bishop, as Black can gain
10.Qd2 Be6 time with ...Nd7 and ...Ne5, targeting
White’s light-squared bishop. The subtle
This is Black’s main line.
idea is to leave e2 open for White’s
Nevertheless, 10...a5 is a respectable
knight, for reasons which will become
alternative.
clear in a few moves.
11.Rc1
12...Rfc8!
Kasparov understands that he will
Strange as it may seem, this is the
soon need to play b2-b3, reinforcing the
correct rook, as the theatre of action is
pawn on c4. This may lead to tactics
on the queenside. The other rook on a8
involving the knight on c3, especially if
may later support ideas like ...a7-a5 and
Black plays ...Qa5 . As a result, White’s
...a5-a4, or find activity on the a-file
rook is transferred to c1 to support the
after a pawn break with ...a7-a6 and
knight.
...b7-b5.
8
t+*W*Tl+ 13.b3 a6
7
Oo+*OoVo
6
*+*OvMo+ 8
t+t+*+l+
5
+*+*+*+* 7
+o+*OoVo
4 *+p+p+*+ 6
o+*OvMo+
3 +*N*Bp+* 5
W*+*+*+*
2 pP*Q*+pP 4 *+p+p+*+
1 +*R*Kb+r 3 +pNbBp+*
a b c d e f g h 2 p+*Q*+pP
1 +*R*K*+r
a b c d e f g h
Black to move

11...Qa5 12.Bd3!?
White to move
Veering from the main line, which
typically involves pre-emptively Black’s position takes on the form of a
coiled snake. White must watch out for a over d4.
sudden pawn break with ...b5.
17...a5
14.Ne2!?
17...Bd7?? is a huge blunder, since it
This was almost a novelty at the time, allows 18.Nd5 with a double attack on
but it has since become the main line of b6 and e7. If Black tries 18...Re8 to
the Bd3 system. You may be wondering cover e7 and walk away from the fork
why the knight retreated rather than on b6, then 19.Nc7 forks the black rooks
moving forward to d5. There are two anyway.
reasons:
1) By moving to d5, Black would 8
t+t+*+l+
swap queens and then play ...Nxd5 and 7
+o+*OoVo
*+*Ov+o+
...Bd7. This extra exchange of knights 6
benefits Black, the more cramped side.
2) By moving the knight to e2,
5
O*M*+*+*
Kasparov plans to later shift it to f4. 4 *+p+pN*+
This forces Black to either lose a tempo 3 +p+*Bp+*
with ...Bd7, or allow White to capture
the bishop and gain the advantage of the
2 p+*Kb+pP
bishop pair in a semi-fluid position.
1 +*R*+*+r
a b c d e f g h
14...Qxd2+ 15.Kxd2

Principle: Activate your king in the

endgame, rather than hiding him away. White to move

15...Nd7!? 18.h4!

Kasimdzhanov is willing to give up Kasparov begins the annexation of

the bishop pair rather than retreat the territory on the kingside.
bishop to d7.
18...Na6?!
16.Nf4 Nc5 17.Be2
This adventurous retreat allows the
There is no rush to exchange on e6. balance to swing in White’s favor.
17.Nxe6 is met with 17...Nxe6! which Black was better off trying 18...h5,
gives Black compensation for the loss of taking back some space.; Another viable
the bishop pair, thanks to his control plan is to play 18...Bb2, intending ...Ba3
and ...Bc5, looking forward to swapping pair. The exchange strengthens Black’s
off White’s good bishop. control over the dark squares, but at the
same time, it initiates White’s operation
19.Rb1 to dominate the light squares.
The idea is to respond to ...a5-a4 with 21...fxe6 22.f4!
b3-b4. Kasparov focuses on neutralizing
the opponent’s counterplay. Gaining space by placing more pawns
19.Nd5 was an excellent alternative. on dark squares. Moreover, ...e6-e5 can
now be met with f4-f5.
19...Nb4 20.a3 Nc6
22...Kf7
20...Na2? intending to invade c3 is a
misguided idea. After 21.Ra1! Nc3 Black was better off eliminating
22.Bd3 White threatens to shift the a1- White’s bishop pair with 22...Bd4!, yet
rook back to c1, winning two pieces for even this move fails to fully equalize. It
a rook. The knight is trapped deep in brings to mind Tartakower’s declaration
enemy territory, and there is nothing that the worst bishop is still better than
Black can do about it. the best knight! To illustrate: 23.Bg4
Bxe3+ 24.Kxe3 Kf7 25.h5 and White is
8
t+t+*+l+ still the one pressing.
7
+o+*OoVo 23.h5!?
6
*+mOv+o+
O*+*+*+*
5 23.Kd3 was also worth considering,
discouraging Black’s ...Bd4 and ...Nd4
4 *+p+pN*P options by preventing entry on d4 with
3 Pp+*Bp+* either of his minor pieces.
2 *+*Kb+p+ 23...Nd4 24.Bd3
1 +r+*+*+r
a b c d e f g h Of course, White wants to retain the
bishop pair, if possible.

24...e5
White to move

21.Nxe6

At last, Kasparov gains the bishop

 who believes they are already lost is the
8
t+t+*+*+ most dangerous, as they have nothing to
7
+o+*OlVo lose.
6
*+*O*+o+ 26.h6!
5
O*+*O*+p
*+pMpP*+
4 Kasparov seeks territory, not material.
Declining the offer is correct.
3 Pp+bB*+* Against 26.Bxg5 Black will play
2 *+*K*+p+ 26...Bf6 followed by ...Rg8, with tons of
1 +r+*+*+r counterplay down the g-file in exchange
for the pawn investment.
a b c d e f g h
26...Bf6 27.g4

White to move
8
t+t+*+*+
Kasimdzhanov aims to build a 7
+o+*Ol+o
kingside dark square blockade.
However, this approach is controversial,
6
*+*O*V*P
as it allows White to gain even more
5
O*+*OpO*
space on the kingside. 4 *+pMp+p+
25.f5?!
3 Pp+bB*+*
2 *+*K*+*+
One advantage of owning the bishop
pair is that it’s often easy to exchange it
1 +r+*+*+r
a b c d e f g h
for a larger advantage. After 25.Bxd4!
exd4 26.g4 e6 27.g5 Black’s position is
worse than the one he received in the
game continuation. Black to move

25...g5! The g5-pawn is artificially isolated,

since Black can’t support it with ...h7-
Principle: Even in barren, depopulated h6, and is a fixed target, potentially
positions, hidden counterplay can still vulnerable to a future Rh5.
emerge from the geometry, if we listen
to the position’s silence. This is a clever 27...Nf3+ 28.Ke2 Nd4+ 29.Kf2
strategic pawn sacrifice. An opponent
 Of course, Kasparov isn’t interested in outweighs Black’s on the dark squares.
retreating to d2 and settling for a draw. Additionally, White’s advanced passed
h-pawn will tie Black down, while
29...e6? White could even create a passed pawn
on the queenside.
8
t+t+*+*+ 30...Rc7!
7
+o+*+l+o
*+*OoV*P
6 The idea is to indirectly defend g7.
Incorrect is 30...Rg8?, since it allows
5
O*+*OpO* White a second chance at the correct
4 *+pMp+p+ plan with 31.Bxd4! exd4 32.fxe6+ Kxe6
3 Pp+bB*+* 33.e5!.
2 *+*+*K*+ 31.a4
1 +r+*+*+r Rigidity in the structure typically
a b c d e f g h
benefits Black, but Kasparov must have
been concerned about ...b7-b5 or ...a5-
a4, potentially chipping away at White’s
White to move queenside.
Kasparov again correctly avoids the
This desperate-for-counterplay move
temptation to go pawn grabbing with
is an error, giving White a winning
31.Bxg5?, since 31...Bxg5 32.Rxg5 Kf6
endgame with opposite-colored bishops.
33.Rh5 Rg8 offers Black excellent
The correct approach was to place a
chances to establish a dark-squared
pawn on b6 and then hold steady.
blockade on the kingside.
30.Rh5?!

Kasparov misses an opportunity:

30.Bxd4! exd4 31.fxe6+ Kxe6 32.e5!
(clearance; suddenly, White’s formerly
bad bishop transforms into a monster)
32...dxe5 33.Bxh7 is a winning position
for White. Black’s passed pawns are
firmly blockaded, rendering Black’s
bishop less powerful than White’s.
White’s dominance on the light squares
 8
t+*+*+*+ 8
t+*+*+*+
7
+oT*+l+o 7
+o+*+l+o
6
*+*OoV*P 6
*T*OoV*P
5
O*+*OpOr 5
O*+*+pO*
4 p+pMp+p+ 4 p+pOp+p+
3 +p+bB*+* 3 +p+b+*+*
2 *+*+*K*+ 2 *+*+*K*+
1 +r+*+*+* 1 +r+r+*+*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move White to move

A maneuvering phase follows. 37.e5!

31...Rg8 32.Rhh1 Re8 33.Rhd1 Ra8 This is White’s only practical move,
34.Bd2 Rc6 35.Bc3 Rb6 activating the bishop.

This move pretty much induces 37...Bxe5?

Kasparov’s next move. I prefer 35...Rc7
which continues to maintain coverage of The black bishop’s newfound freedom
the all-important h7-pawn. proves to be nothing more than an
empty status symbol.
36.Bxd4!? Black should have preferred 37...dxe5!
in order to create a faster return path for
In any case, it was difficult to find a the rook on b6.
way to make progress without including
the swap on d4. 38.fxe6+ Ke7

36...exd4 38...Kxe6 39.Bxh7 Rh8 40.Bf5+ Kf7

41.Rh1 is also lost for Black.
 41.Bf5
8
t+*+*+*+
+o+*L*+o
7 The e6-pawn chokes Black’s position.

6
*T*Op+*P 41...Rh8
5
O*+*V*O* The rook is forced into servile defense.
4 p+pO*+p+
3 +p+b+*+* 42.Kd3 Be5 43.Be4
2 *+*+*K*+ White’s rook threatens to infiltrate f7.
1 +r+r+*+* 43...Bf4
a b c d e f g h
If Black’s king takes the e6-pawn,
then White infiltrates with a bishop
White to move check on d5, followed by a rook check
on f7.
39.Ke2!
44.Bf5 Be5
The border dispute is resolved in
White’s favor, as the king moves out of
the way, allowing the rook on to the 8
*+*+*+*T
newly opened f-file. 7
+o+*L*+o
After the hasty 39.Bxh7? Rh8 40.Bf5
Rxh6 41.Rh1 Rh4! Black likely holds the
6
*T*Op+*P
draw.
5
O*+*VbO*
4 p+pO*+p+
39...Rf8 3 +p+k+*+*
39...Rh8 is met with 40.Bf5, holding
2 *+*+*+*+
on to the e6-pawn. 1 +r+*+r+*
a b c d e f g h
40.Rf1 Bf4

The idea was to meet 40...Rxf1 with

41.Kxf1, when the b3-pawn remains White to move
secure and White can take on h7 on the
next move. 45.Kc2
 The b1-rook is freed from the Black’s h-pawn is doomed, with no
defensive duty of protecting the b3- defense against White’s plan of Rh1,
pawn. Be4, and Rxh7.
Even stronger is the immediate
breakthrough: 45.b4! Rxb4 46.Rxb4 50.Rg7
axb4 47.Rb1.
50.Rb1! is counterintuitive yet the
45...Bf4 46.Rbd1 Be3 47.Be4! strongest. White’s king then infiltrates
Black’s position via the light squares.
One of White’s rooks is entering.
50...Bf4
47...Kxe6
Desperation.
Also decisive is 47...Bf4 48.Rxd4
Kxe6 49.Rd5 Ra6 50.Rf5, intending 51.Rxd4 Be5
Bd5+ followed by rook infiltration to f7.
There is a small chance that Black
48.Bd5+ Kd7 49.Rf7+ Kc8 miscalculated when leaving the d4-pawn
en prise, believing it was a double
threat. In reality, however, the rook on
8
*+l+*+*T g7 was never truly hanging.
7
+o+*+r+o 52.Rd3 Rf8 53.Rxh7
6
*T*O*+*P
5
O*+b+*O* White’s newly passed h-pawn is
decisive.
4 p+pO*+p+
3 +p+*V*+* 53...Rf2+ 54.Rd2
2 *+k+*+*+ 54.Kd1 is also winning, keeping the
1 +*+r+*+* b3-pawn alive for the time being.
a b c d e f g h
54...Rxd2+ 55.Kxd2 Rxb3

At last, Black’s rook is free.

White to move Unfortunately, this won’t save him, as
the passed h-pawn will ultimately cost
Black’s position is a disaster. Both him his bishop.
rooks are completely passive, effectively
reduced to mere spectators. Meanwhile, 56.Re7 Rh3
 8
*+l+*+*+ 8
*+*L*+*+
7
+o+*R*+* 7
+r+*+*+p
6
*+*O*+*P 6
*O*O*+*+
5
O*+bV*O* 5
O*+*+*Ob
4 p+p+*+p+ 4 p+pV*+p+
3 +*+*+*+t 3 T*+*+*+*
2 *+*K*+*+ 2 *+*K*+*+
1 +*+*+*+* 1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White to move White to move

57.h7! Just when you think, “It can’t get any

worse”, it does. Kasparov employs a
The game move is far more accurate clever tactic on his next move, which is
than 57.Bxb7+? Kd8 58.Rh7 Rg3 as even more accurate than immediately
White’s win is gravely complicated. winning a piece by promoting the h-
pawn.
57...b6 58.Be4 Kd8 59.Rb7 Bd4 60.Bf5
65.Rxb6!
Threatening Rd7+ and Rxd6.
Overloading the defender: Black’s
60...Ke8 61.Rd7 Be5 62.Rb7 Bd4
bishop must keep watch over the h8-
63.Bg6+ Kd8 64.Bh5!
promotion square. There is no need to
Suddenly, Black’s rook is cut off from rush to win a piece – White’s advantage
defending the promotion square on h8, continues to grow. Wealth and power
and White threatens to win a piece. concentrate in White’s hands, while the
rook seems to be everywhere and
64...Ra3 nowhere at once.

65...Kc7

The d6-pawn must be defended.

66.Rb5 Rxa4 67.Rxg5 Rb4

Taking the c4-pawn is met with Rxa5.

8
*T*Wt+mL
7
+*+v+oOo
68.Kd3 Bb2 69.Rxa5 Kd7 6
*O*O*+m+
69...Rb8 is better, but 70.Bf7 still leads
5
O*OpO*+*
to an easy win for White.
4 p+p+p+*+
3 +*P*Bp+*
*+bQn+pP
70.Ra8 1-0 2
Black conceded space early on and 1 R*+*+r+k
never managed to reclaim it. Kasparov a b c d e f g h
gradually increased his spatial advantage
and could have secured a decisive edge
by capturing on d4 on move 25. Instead,
the kingside structure became locked, White to move
leading to a maneuvering phase, but
Such formations are common in the
White’s permanent space advantage
Nimzo-Indian, where Black gives up the
remained. Once Kasparov established a
bishop pair to double White’s c-pawns.
supported passed pawn on e6, Black’s
In this case, we sense that Radjabov got
position collapsed: his two rooks were
the better of the deal for the following
paralyzed, and the e6- and h6-pawns
reasons:
exerted a choking effect, which
1) White controls a considerable space
ultimately decided the game.
advantage both on the queenside and in
Let’s move on to our next example.
the center. Moreover, the possibility of
Game 2 expanding on the kingside is available,
Teimour Radjabov – Nick de when White will own more space in all
Firmian three sectors of the board: queenside,
Malmo 2001 center and kingside.
2) White’s position, despite
appearances, is virtually weakness-free,
since the a4- and c4-pawns are easy to
defend. Conversely, Black can easily
defend the backward b-pawn which
means that queenside pawn targets are
unlikely to play a major role in the
game’s outcome. this game, the 13-year-old Radjabov,
3) Black’s position is devoid of who was the lower-rated player at the
freeing pawn breaks, since White time (!), remains unintimidated by the
controls both b5 and f5. Hence, Black veteran grandmaster and plays for mate.
has no counterplay and can only await
White’s expansion or attack. 23...Rb7!
This all points to the fact that White Black sees the attack coming and
has the upper hand and suggests, as a anticipates the rook’s defensive role as it
following course of action, a gradual prepares to slide laterally to the kingside
kingside expansion, in the hope that it via the seventh rank.
leads to an attack against the black king.
However, Black’s position is not 24.Ng3 Bc8 25.Nf5!?
without pluses. The relative rigidity of
the structure is clearly beneficial for This has to be played sooner or later,
Black, who owns the knights. If the but I would have held off on it and
kingside becomes too dangerous for preferred to bring the a1-rook to the
Black’s king, there is always the option kingside before making any committal
to walk him over to the queenside. On decisions.
the other hand, the latter is obviously
25...N6e7
easier said than done due to the number
of moves it would involve. In The idea might have been to introduce
conclusion, White undoubtedly holds the option of playing ...g7-g6, which
the advantage, yet converting it into ejects White’s knight from f5.
something concrete is no easy task. Nevertheless, such a move also severely
weakens the dark squares around the
23.g4!
black king.
While this move does theoretically This was a moment that called for a
create holes for White on f4 and h4, the vigorous counterattack. Black should
importance of expansion takes have played: 25...Bxf5! 26.gxf5 Nf4!.
precedence. Also, Black’s potential for a The idea of this pawn sacrifice is to
successful ...f7-f5 freeing break is shut leave White with a bad bishop. After
down, pretty much for good. At the 27.Bxf4 exf4 28.Qxf4 g5! 29.Qg4 f6 the
same time, White is the only one in engine still prefers White’s chances with
possession of a dark-squared bishop, an extra pawn and the potential to
making it difficult for Black to exploit attack. For a human, White’s awful
any weaknesses on the dark squares. In bishop and Black’s potential on the dark
squares look like enough for De Firmian White’s only chance is to open lines
to save the game. and go after Black’s king. If Black were
allowed to play ...Ne7-g6, then a capture
26.Rg1 f6 27.Raf1?! on f5 followed by ...Ng6-f4 would have
ensured equality.
This is somewhat purposeless and
gives Black a tempo to improve his 28...Nxf5
defensive posture.
27.h4! should have been preferred. The f5-intruder will not be tolerated
forever. 28...h6 can be met with the
8
*+vWt+mL enterprising 29.Nxh6!?, yielding White
a strong attack for the sacrificed piece.
7
+t+*M*Oo
6
*O*O*O*+ 29.exf5
5
O*OpOn+* Opening the g-file would prove
4 p+p+p+p+ ineffective, so White opts to increase the
3 +*P*Bp+* scope of the light-squared bishop.
2 *+bQ*+*P 29...h6
1 +*+*+rRk
a b c d e f g h Hoping to erect an impenetrable
fortress.

30.Kg2 Kg7 31.Rh1

Black to move

27...g5!?

Principle: Rigid positions favor the

side without the bishop pair.
An even more accurate execution was
27...g6!, aiming to meet 28.Ng3 with
28...g5!, winning a crucial tempo before
blocking the kingside with ...Ne7-g6 up
next, it looks like Black has equalized
completely.

28.h4!
 8
*+vWt+m+ 8
*+*Wt+mR
7
+t+*+*L* 7
+*+v+lT*
6
*O*O*O*O 6
*O*O*O*+
5
O*OpOpO* 5
O*OpOpO*
4 p+p+*+pP 4 p+p+b+p+
3 +*P*Bp+* 3 +*P*Bp+*
2 *+bQ*+k+ 2 *+q+*+k+
1 +*+*+r+r 1 +*+*+*+r
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move Black to move

Preparing to infiltrate with the major De Firmian has defended well up to

pieces down the h-file. this point, and Black should hold the
game with accurate play.
31...Kf8 32.hxg5 hxg5 33.Be4
36...Ne7?
I’m not sure Black was ever going to
threaten ...e5-e4, but at least this way, The knight was well placed where it
White doesn’t have to calculate it on stood. I don’t see a way for White to
every move. Strong players often favor make progress if Black played 36...Ke7,
practical approaches to limiting their continuing the trip towards safety on the
opponents’ resources. queenside.

33...Rg7 34.Rh8 Bd7 35.Qc2 Kf7 37.R8h6!

36.Rfh1
Keeping as many pieces as possible on
the board while targeting the pawn on f6
and the outpost on g6, as well as X-
raying the pawn on d6. At the same
time, this retreat underlines White’s
domination of the only open file.

37...Nc8
 After 37...Ng8 38.Rg6! Ne7 39.Bxg5! 43.Re6 White has a winning attack.
Black is busted. If 39...fxg5 40.Rxd6
White is completely winning. 39...Bxa4?

38.Kg1 There is no fate but that which we set

for ourselves... Oh wait, I think that’s a
Clearing the second rank to facilitate line from one of the Terminator movies.
the transfer of the queen to the kingside. This is not the time to go pawn-hunting.
Albeit seriously unpleasant, Black’s
38...Reg8 position would be objectively holdable
after once again starting the journey

*+mW*+t+
8 toward the queenside with 39...Ke7.
After 40.Rg6 Qf8! it is impossible to
7
+*+v+lT* break Black’s solid construction.
6
*O*O*O*R
O*OpOpO*
5 40.Rg6! Qf8
4 p+p+b+p+ Dark clouds linger and there is no
3 +*P*Bp+* question of the coming storm. The only

*+q+*+*+
2 question is: when? The answer is: right
now.
1 +*+*+*Kr Against 40...Ne7 White needs to find
a b c d e f g h a surprising winning move:

8
*+*W*+t+
White to move 7
+*+*MlT*
39.Qh2?
6
*O*O*Or+
5
O*OpOpO*
This is too early.
The correct sequence is 39.R1h5! Kf8
4 v+p+b+p+
40.Qh2, setting up the major pieces as
3 +*P*Bp+*
Alekhine suggested we should, and
2 *+*+*+*Q
preparing to increase the pressure with 1 +*+*+*Kr
Rh6-g6. If 40...Bxa4, then apart from the a b c d e f g h
normal 41.Rg6 White also has 41.Bxg5!,
annihilating Black’s defensive barrier at
once. After 41...Rxg5 42.Rxg5 fxg5
 White to move 42.fxg6+ Ke8 43.Bh6 Qe7 44.Qa2 Bd7
45.Be3
41.Qa2!! creates an amazing double
threat: apart from the a4-bishop, White
is also threatening the pawn on f6. To 8
*+m+l+t+
illustrate: 41...Be8 42.Rxf6+!! Kxf6
43.Rh6+ Kf7 44.Qh2! a4 45.Re6 a3
7
+*+vW*+*
46.f6 when White has a winning attack.
6
*O*O*Op+
5
O*OpO*+*
8
*+m+*Wt+ 4 *+p+b+p+
7
+*+*+lT* 3 +*P*Bp+*
6
*O*O*Or+ 2 q+*+*+*+
5
O*OpOpO* 1 +*+*+*Kr
4 v+p+b+p+ a b c d e f g h
3 +*P*Bp+*
2 *+*+*+*Q
1 +*+*+*Kr Black to move
a b c d e f g h Other ways existed, but this somewhat
quiet approach by White is plenty good
enough. An invasion with the rook to h7
White to move is coming.

41.Bxg5! 45...f5!?

Black’s dreamy reflections are This is a desperate attempt to lash out

interrupted by violence and the illusion in search of non-existent counterplay.
of a defensive wall is dispelled. With 45...Kd8 is better, but prolonging the
this powerful sacrifice, White inevitable isn’t really a big cause for
annihilates the defensive barrier and celebration. After 46.Rh7 Qe8 47.Qb1
generates a winning attack. a4 48.Bc1 Black can barely move.

41...Rxg6 46.gxf5 Qf6 47.Rh5!

If 41...fxg5, then 42.Re6! leaves Black White’s kingside passed pawns tower
defenseless against the coming queen over their Lilliputian queenside
check on h5. counterparts. Black’s king cannot escape
to the queenside, as moving to d8 allows mate in 8.
Bg5, pinning the queen. Temptation is a powerful force, which
lures us into trouble. In this game I got
47...Ne7 48.Bg5 Qf8 49.Qb1 Bxf5 the feeling that Black would have saved
himself, had he not become ambitious
Defending the b6-pawn with 49...Nc8
and grabbed the bait on a4. Instead, De
is met with 50.f6.
Firmian may have pulled off the save
had he run his king to e7, seeking the
8
*+*+lWt+ safety of the queenside.
7
+*+*M*+* White’s space advantage in the initial
6
*O*O*+p+ diagram first transformed into a kingside
5
O*OpOvBr attack, then into control over the only
4 *+p+b+*+ open file, and finally into another attack.
Black, on the other hand, could have
3 +*P*+p+* prevented all of this, if instead of
2 *+*+*+*+ adopting a passive stance he had opted
1 +q+*+*K* for a pawn sacrifice with 25...Bxf5!
26.gxf5 Nf4!. In that case, at the cost of
a b c d e f g h
only one pawn, he would have both
exchanged a minor piece and left White
with a terrible light-squared bishop.
White to move Our next game is an excellent
positional victory by Yasser Seirawan. I
50.Qb5+!
first met Yasser at the 1977 Canadian
Black’s position has been reduced to Open in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
the status of an eternal apology, forever We were both rising 16-year-old
fearful of giving offense. prodigies – he with a rating of 2450, and
I only a touch behind at 1795! Yasser’s
50...Bd7 51.Qxb6 a4 1-0 style is a blend of Nimzowitsch and
Capablanca. Watching him play blitz, I
Black resigned without waiting for felt as if his pieces moved effortlessly,
White’s reply. Anything wins. For each moment unfolding as a series of
example, 51...a4 52.Rh7 is decisive. agreeable events. In this game, you
Black’s knight can’t move to c8, since should pay attention to how effectively
that blunders checkmate on d8. If Black White suppressed any glimmer of
tries to block with 52...Rg7 then after counterplay.
53.Qxd6 the engine calls it a forced
 Game 3
Yasser Seirawan – Igor Ivanov 8
tMvWmTl+
Seattle 2002 7
Oo+*Vo+o
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e5
6
*+*O*+o+
5
+*OpO*+*
We all have our guilty pleasures. Igor 4 *+p+p+p+
+*Nb+n+p
had a fondness for the Czech Benoni, 3
although he didn’t do well with it. I beat
Igor’s Czech Benoni at the National
2 pP*+*P*+
Open in Las Vegas sometime in the late 1 R*BqK*+r
1980s. Unfortunately, I lost that a b c d e f g h
scoresheet, so let’s use this game
instead!

4.Nc3 d6 5.e4 Be7 6.Bd3 0-0 7.h3 Black to move

The idea is twofold: first, to prevent It won’t be so easy for Black to

...Bg4, and second, to later expand with engineer a break on f5, as this would
g2-g4. open the g-file and expose Black’s king.
In the meantime, White controls space
7...Ne8 right across the board. If Black opts to
wait passively, White would quietly
Black would love to exchange the bad
prepare a kingside attack.
dark-squared bishop by trading it on g5,
but White can easily prevent this. The 9...Ng7 10.Qe2
real point of the knight retreat is to
prepare a King’s Indian-style break with In my game with Igor, I kept e2 open
...g7-g6 and ...f7-f5. In practice though, for the c3-knight, transferred it to g3,
Black has a hard time making this work, and later launched a speculative piece
as Yasser’s 9th move aptly illustrates. sacrifice with Ng3-f5!?. It ate up Igor’s
clock until he was ultimately unable to
8.Nf3 defend his king.

Preventing ...Bg5. 10...Kh8 11.Bd2

8...g6 9.g4! The h6-square looks like a better spot

for the bishop, but Yasser was probably
wary of Black’s typical maneuver
involving ...Nb8-d7-f6-g8, when the g8-
knight would win a tempo against the 8
t+vW*T*L
bishop. On the other hand, g8 is not a 7
Oo+mVoMo
*+*O*+o+
great square for the knight, so it may 6
come down to White winning a tempo
by first forcing ...Nf6-g8, then retreating
5
+*OpO*+*
from h6 to d2. Anyway, White’s 4 *+p+p+p+
advantage is largely based on permanent
positional factors, so one tempo more or
3 +*Nb+n+p
less does not make any significant
2 pP*BqP*+
difference. 1 +*Kr+*+r
a b c d e f g h
11...Nd7

Principle: Not every thematic pawn

break should be played. 11...f5?! Black to move
overstates Black’s claim to the initiative.
In this case, fearless self-assertion White’s king is safer than Black’s,
morphs into its evil twin: mainly due to the significant space
overconfidence. After 12.gxf5 gxf5 disparity, which directly determines the
13.exf5 Nxf5 14.0-0-0 White has a speed at which pieces can be transferred
dangerous attack in the making. After from one side of the board to the other.
the rook moves to the g-file and the f3-
12...Nf6
knight lands on g5, with the threat of
Nxh7, Black’s position will quickly This means Igor is abandoning his
collapse. early ...f7-f5 plan and will simply
solidify his position.
12.0-0-0
13.Rdg1

White continues to mass pieces on the

kingside in preparation for the assault.

13...a6 14.Ng5!
 Igor swaps off his bad bishop.
8
t+vW*T*L
+o+*VoMo
7 17.Be3!

6
o+*O*Mo+ A small and innocuous, yet lovely
5
+*OpO*N* positional move. In doing so, White

*+p+p+p+
4 retains control over the f4-square.

3 +*Nb+*+p 17...Bxe3+?!
2 pP*BqP*+ Keeping the tension would have been
1 +*K*+*Rr a better approach.
a b c d e f g h
18.fxe3

Black to move 8
t+vW*+*L
The engine doesn’t approve of this
7
+o+*+tMo
move, but I do! White protects the g4- 6
o+*O*+o+
pawn while advancing, preparing h3-h4 5
+*OpO*+*
or even f2-f4. 4 *+p+*+p+
14...Nxd5 3 +*NbP*+p
It’s this, or Black risks being slowly
2 pP*+q+*+
strangled. Black’s combination doesn’t
1 +*K*+*Rr
win a pawn, because White also has an a b c d e f g h
intermediate check on f7.
After a quiet move like 14...Rb8, then
15.h4! already threatens h4-h5. White to move

15.Nxf7+! Rxf7 16.exd5! Let’s assess:

1) White retains a space advantage in
This is the only good capture, opening
the center and on the kingside, with
the b1-h7 diagonal for the bishop and
Black’s pieces severely restricted,
the e4-square for the knight.
mainly due to the presence of the g4-
16...Bg5 pawn, which denies access to the f5- and
h5-squares.
 2) White has an outpost on the e4- Yasser makes chess look so simple;
square. the infiltration on the seventh rank is
3) Black lags in development, which decisive.
means that White has the power to seize
control of the newly opened f-file, a file 22...Qxf7 23.Rxf7 Rd8 24.Ne4
that Black should have kept shut for as
Black is tied down to defending both
long as possible.
d6 and f6, while Ng5 is also in the air.
4) This swap of Black’s bad bishop
isn’t much of a cause for celebration. 24...Kg8 25.Re7!
Why? Because the d6- and f6-squares
are thereby weakened. Black’s king can’t keep chasing the
5) Black has no attacking chances to rook since ...Kf8 is met with Rxh7.
speak of, even if he tosses in ...b7-b5.
25...b5
Conclusion: From this point on, Igor’s
position is nothing but woe. Black had to try 25...Bc8, but after
26.Ng5 Nf6 27.Rc7 Rf8 28.Ne6! Re8
18...Bd7 19.Rf1! 29.Rg7+ Kh8 30.Rf7 Black’s position is
wretched anyway.
White wrests control over the open f-
file. 26.cxb5! axb5
19...Rxf1+ 20.Rxf1 Qe7 26...Bxb5 27.Bxb5 axb5 28.g5 leaves
Black paralyzed.
20...b5 would just get ignored with
21.Qf3, seizing control of the open file
and planning to invade on f7.
8
*+*Tm+l+
7
+*+vR*+o
*+*O*+o+
21.Qf3 Ne8 6
After 21...Kg8 22.Ne4 Black is unable 5
+oOpO*+*
to play ...Rf8, since then White simply 4 *+*+n+p+
+*+bP*+p
swaps away all the major pieces and 3
picks off the d6-pawn If 22...b5, then
23.Nf6+ Kh8 24.Nxd7! wins a piece
2 pP*+*+*+
since 24...Qxd7 is met with a not-so- 1 +*K*+*+*
spectacular queen sacrifice 25.Qf8+!. a b c d e f g h

22.Qf7!
 White to move example being the King’s Indian, all the
way through to some variations of the
Exercise: Black’s position is a body Ruy Lopez.
of mismatched parts, imperfectly
aligned. Technically, Black’s last The following is an example I like,
move was an error, but not really, partly for its clarity. The difference in
since everything would lose at this space between the two sides in this
point. Do you see White’s winning game came down to a single factor:
combination? White had access to a pawn break on b4,
while Black had none.
Answer: Step 1: Sacrifice the Game 4
exchange on d7. Alexander Goldin – Ye Jiangchuan
Shanghai 2002
27.Rxd7! Rxd7

Step 2: Chop the b5-pawn, attacking

the black rook and the knight behind it.
8
*T*+*T*+
28.Bxb5 1-0
7
+*Mw+oVl
6
o+*O*Mv+
Black resigned in view of 28...Rd8 5
+*OpO*O*
29.Bxe8!. The fleshless, skeletal black
position doesn’t have long to live. If
4 *+p+p+*+
Black recaptures, then White forks on
3 +pN*+*+*
f6, with an easily won king and pawn 2 r+*NbPpB
ending; if Black declines to capture, 1 +*+q+rK*
then White’s two minor pieces, in a b c d e f g h
conjunction with the passed a-pawn,
also win without effort.
If Black never achieves the ...f7-f5
break in such structures, the inevitable White to move
result is slow death from lack of space.
22.g4!
Thus, a restrictive approach involving
g2-g4 can often be a great strategy White locks the kingside, shifting the
against all openings of this type. That battle to the queenside. White stands
might sound niche, but it is not. You can better, as he can eventually engineer a
encounter such positions in a variety of break on b4, while Black can only wait
openings, ranging from the most typical without a viable counterplay.
 A quiet move like 22.Re1 would have
been answered by 22...g4!, unbalancing 8
*T*+*MlT
the situation on the kingside and 7
+*Mw+oVv
o+*O*+*+
planning to create some counterplay 6
with ...Bg7-h6.
5
+*OpO*O*
22...Rh8 4 *+p+p+p+
If you seek to be king (or queen), you
3 +p+n+p+*
must ask yourself: ‘King of what?’ 2 r+*Nb+*B
Likewise, a rook on an open file is not
always well-placed – here, the battle
1 +*+q+rK*
a b c d e f g h
will take place on the other side of the
board.

23.f3 White to move

This way, White’s dark-squared 27.b4!
bishop can wriggle its way to relevance
on the queenside via g3 and e1. Principle: Create confrontation on the
wing where your army is stronger. Black
23...Kg8 24.Na4 may not have expected the pawn break
to come as a sacrifice.
The idea is to transfer the knight to d3
via b2, preparing for the b3-b4 break. 27...cxb4 28.Qa4! Qxa4

24...Nh7 Black has no choice but to accept the

trade.
Black’s knight dreams of reaching f4
through f8 and g6. 29.Rxa4

25.Nb2 Nf8 26.Nd3 Bh7?! Black can’t hold on to the extra b-

pawn, as his pieces are cramped on the
This is too slow.
kingside, where nothing is really
Black should prepare for White’s happening.
queenside break by activating the dark-
squared bishop with 26...Bf6!, intending 29...Ng6 30.Rb1 Nf4
..Bf6-d8. Even then, White stands
clearly better.
 8
*T*+*+lT 8
*+*+*+*T
7
+*M*+oVv 7
+*M*+oLv
6
o+*O*+*+ 6
o+nO*V*+
5
+*+pO*O* 5
+*+pO*O*
4 rOp+pMp+ 4 *+p+pMp+
3 +*+n+p+* 3 +*+*+p+*
2 *+*Nb+*B 2 *+*N*+*B
1 +r+*+*K* 1 +r+*+bK*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White to move Black to move

31.Bf1! 34...a5!?

Of course, White has no reason to Principle: Going bankrupt is not as

exchange on f4, as it would allow bad as being dead. Such a move
Black’s dark-squared bishop to be highlights Black’s growing desperation.
activated after ...exf4. He is willing to sacrifice a pawn to
activate the useless c7-knight.
31...Bf6 32.Raxb4 Rxb4 33.Nxb4! Passive defense is hopeless: 34...Rc8
35.Rb6 Bg6 36.Nb3. The walls are
White’s knight will be an imposing
closing in on Black, who will lose
figure on c6.
without a fight. The b3-knight will move
33...Kg7 34.Nc6 to a5, and the dark-squared bishop will
be transferred to b4 via g3 and e1.

35.Ra1 Na6 36.Rxa5 Nc5

The black knights are excellent on c5

and f4. The black bishops on the other
hand...

37.Bg3
 The sleeping bishop is about to be Nxd3 41.Ra3 Nxf2 42.Kxf2 when the
activated. Notice how much easier it is useless black bishop combined with the
for White to activate this bishop extra pawn ensure White of a decisive
compared to Black’s on h7. The advantage.
connection between a space advantage
and piece mobility across the board is 40.Bxc5 dxc5 41.Rb5!
clearly demonstrated.
This block is an important detail.
37...Bd8 41.Rxc5?? is a somewhat obvious
blunder: 41...Rb2. What a fairytale,
living life in hell and ending it in
8
*+*V*+*T heaven! White’s knight has nowhere to
7
+*+*+oLv go and is lost. Amazingly, even here the
6
*+nO*+*+ evaluation is even, which only goes to
show just how busted Black is in the
5
R*MpO*O* game continuation.
4 *+p+pMp+
3 +*+*+pB* 41...Ra8 42.Nb3! Kf6 43.Nxc5 Ra1
2 *+*N*+*+ Black is searching for counterplay, but
1 +*+*+bK* it simply isn’t there, as his bishop
languishes on h7, completely locked out
a b c d e f g h
of play.

44.Kf2 Ra2+ 45.Ke3 Ra1 46.Bd3 Ra2

White to move

38.Nxd8!

Black’s bad bishop would become an

excellent piece if allowed to reach a new
diagonal on b6.

38...Rxd8 39.Bf2 Rb8

Even more desperate measures. Black

gives up a second pawn to remain
active.
Equally hopeless is 39...Nfd3 40.Bxd3
 Ascension to paradise? A priest’s
8
*+*+*+*+ prayer may seem like mumbo-jumbo to
7
+*+*+o+v the atheist’s mind. This bishop prays for

*+*+*L*+
6 a life of freedom that will never be
granted.
5
+rNpO*O*
4 *+p+pMp+ 50.Kd4 Kh6
3 +*+bKp+*
2 t+*+*+*+ 8
*+*+*+*+
1 +*+*+*+* 7
+r+*+o+*
a b c d e f g h 6
*+*+*+vL
5
+*+pN*O*
4 *+pKpMp+
White to move 3 T*+b+p+*
It is quite amazing how, despite all our
2 *+*+*+*+
previous disparaging remarks about their 1 +*+*+*+*
abilities, the rook and knight have a b c d e f g h
managed to create a threat of checkmate
in one.

47.Nd7+! White to move

Another black pawn bites the dust. 51.Bc2!

47...Kg7 48.Nxe5 Ra3 A fine technical solution. Black’s

strongest piece will be challenged with
48...f6 is also ineffective: 49.Rb7+ Nd3 next.
Kh8 50.Nd7 Ra3 51.Nc5 and White
consolidates. 51...f6 52.Nd3 Ne2+ 53.Ke3 1-0

49.Rb7 Not all holes are created equal. Notice

how Black’s knight took advantage of
Pinning the f-pawn, which prevents the monster hole on f4, yet it proved
...f7-f6. virtually worthless. The reason is that
Black lacked pawn breaks, while White
49...Bg6
had one with b3-b4. Black’s knight on
f4 turned out to be ornamental rather
than effective. Furthermore, White’s 8
tMv+lV*T
extra space ensured that every piece 7
Oo+oOoOo
*W*+*M*+
would eventually get activated, while 6
Black’s bishop finished the game on g6
– the same square where we first
5
+*Op+*B*
encountered him in the starting diagram, 4 *+*+*+*+
back on move 22. 3 +*N*+*+*
pPp+pPpP
Next up is another game that examines 2
the same issue. Black lacked effective
pawn breaks and slowly felt the weight
1 R*+qKbNr
of White’s extra space pressing down on a b c d e f g h
his position.
Game 5
Cyrus Lakdawala – John Black to move
Funderburg
San Diego (rapid) 2007 There is nothing sadder than a dandy
who tries to act tough. Normally, my
1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 relationship with most gambits is not
much different from that of a person
My old student, three-time San Diego who goes to Las Vegas for the weekend,
Chess Club Champion and National gets drunk, and ends up marrying a
Master John Funderburg, is typically woman 30 years his senior, with whom
well-prepared in the opening, especially he shares no common traits other than
when he knows his opponent in their shared drunkenness. This gambit,
advance. This is why I opted for the however, is the exception. It is
Trompowsky Attack, a line suited for completely sound, and my score with it
those in the Independent Party, outside is a joyful 6½/7, including wins against
the two main political parties. an IM and a GM, so I wasn’t too
terrified to invest a pawn.
2...c5 3.d5 Qb6!?
4...e5!?
The suspect is considered armed and
dangerous. Such provocation only The thing a wishy-washy person
deepens the position’s polarization, loathes most is a decision. I find it odd
leading to the Vaganian Gambit. when players move the queen to b6 and
then refuse to take the b2-pawn. GM
4.Nc3
Timur Gareyev played this way against
me in a blitz game, but I can’t claim to 8
tMv+l+*T
understand the motivation for declining. 7
Oo+*VoOo
That being said, I absolutely love
White’s position after the gambit is
6
*W*O*M*+
accepted with 4...Qxb2. The message
5
+*OpO*B*
behind this somewhat reckless pawn 4 *+*+p+*+
grab is: “I don’t need no stinking rules, 3 +*N*+*+*
pPp+*PpP
which I consider suggestions rather than 2
actual commands!” The next few moves
are almost forced: 5.Bd2 Qb6 6.e4 d6
1 +r+qKbNr
7.f4. For Black, this line is as a b c d e f g h
untrustworthy as Judas. In exchange for
the pawn, White gets a huge
development lead, a big center with a
White to move
ready-made break on e5, an open b-file,
and attacking chances. 7.Nf3

5.Rb1 I’m not afraid of ...Bg4, since that is

Black’s good bishop.
The hippies’ motto: Make love, not
war. He had his chance to take the pawn, 7...Nbd7
so I’m not going to make the offer of the
b2-pawn open-ended. Black’s queen Against 7...Bg4 I intended 8.Be2
isn’t well placed on b6, as it hinders followed by Nf3-d2. This way, Black
expansion ideas like ...a7-a6 and ...b7- either swaps off his good bishop or loses
b5. time retreating it to d7 or c8.
Nevertheless, sharper moves such as
8.Nd2 a6 9.Be3!
5.Nf3 and 5.e4 were also more than
plausible. Principle: The side with space should
avoid piece trades.
5...Be7 6.e4
I worried that developing normally
6.d6! was an interesting tactical with 9.Be2 would be met with 9...Qd8!,
alternative. intending ...b7-b5. White is facing a
small problem. If I were to toss in 10.a4,
6...d6 preventing Black’s queenside expansion
with a2-a4, then Black would have a
typical tactic with 10...Nxd5, which I The g6-knight is restricted from
didn’t want to allow. entering either f4 or h4.

9...Qc7 13...h6 14.Qe2

This move extinguishes Black’s ideas

8
t+v+l+*T of both pawn pushes to ...c4 and ...b5,
7
+oWmVoOo while reminding Black that the a6-pawn

o+*O*M*+
6 requires protection. This is important, as
Black is then denied the natural d7-
5
+*OpO*+* square for his bishop.
4 *+*+p+*+
+*N*B*+*
3 14...Nh7

2 pPpN*PpP
1 +r+qKb+r
8
t+v+l+*T
a b c d e f g h
7
+*W*VoOm
6
oO*O*+mO
5
+*OpO*+*
White to move 4 p+*+p+*+
10.a4
3 +*NbBpP*
2 *PpNq+*P
Preventing ...b7-b5 while picking up
more space.
1 +r+*K*+r
a b c d e f g h
10...b6 11.Bd3 Nf8!?

I must watch out for ...Ng4, which

White to move
would allow Black to remove my good
bishop from the board. The idea is to exchange the bad dark-
squared bishop via g5.
12.f3
15.h4!
Black’s strategic threat of ...Ng4 is
neutralized. Principle: The side with more space
should avoid exchanges, as they free the
12...Ng6 13.g3
cramped side’s position. After this,
Black’s potential pawn breaks on b5, c4, reshuffles, intending ...Ne7, ...g7-g6,
and f5 have all been smothered. ...Bf8-g7, and then, perhaps far into the
Moreover, Black is cramped, and there future, ...f7-f5.
is no pathway for a relieving exchange
of pieces. 19.Kf1

15...Nf6 16.Bf2 h5 17.Nc4 Nd7 Why walk the king over to g2 rather
than castle? Because White’s rook is
If Black played 17...Bd7, I planned best placed on its home square, h1, as
18.Ne3!, aiming to force Black into this discourages Black from a future
returning with the bishop to c8. Sadly pawn break on g5.
for him, the natural 18...Qb7, trying to
protect a6 while supporting ...b6-b5 an 19...Ne7
extra time, runs into 19.b4, underlining a
The knight was dysfunctional on g6.
serious defect of placing the black queen
on the b-file. 20.Kg2 g6
18.Ne3
8
t+v+lV*T
8
t+v+l+*T 7
+*WmMo+*
7
+*WmVoO* 6
oO*O*+o+
6
oO*O*+m+ 5
+*OpO*+o
5
+*OpO*+o 4 p+*+p+*P
4 p+*+p+*P 3 +*NbNpP*
3 +*NbNpP* 2 *Pp+qBk+
2 *Pp+qB*+ 1 +r+*+*+r
1 +r+*K*+r a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

Black to move
Black to move At this point, White requires a
concrete plan. I reasoned that White can
18...Bf8!
play for three different pawn breaks:
Steinitz would approve. John a) b2-b4 didn’t appeal to me, since
after an exchange with ...c5xb4, the c5-
square opens for Black’s knight. 8
t+v+*L*T
b) g3-g4, which expands further on the 7
+*W*Mo+*
kingside 6
oO*O*MoV
+*OpO*+o
c) f3-f4, which felt the most promising 5
to me at the time. If Black exchanges on
f4, then after recapturing with the g3-
4 p+*+p+*P
pawn, White’s central influence grows 3 +pNbNpP*
considerably, and Black must be on
constant alert for a break on e5 or f5. If
2 *+pBq+k+
Black refuses to swap on f4, White can
1 +*+*+r+r
either open the f-file with an exchange a b c d e f g h
of pawns on e5, or annex even more
territory by pushing forward with f4-f5.
White to move
21.Rbf1!?
This is essentially a mirror of my
Plan ‘c’ it is. In reality, all three plans
earlier non-castling idea. Black’s king is
were promising. For example, after
actually safer with the rook posted on
21.Nc4 Bg7 22.b4 Black’s queenside is
h8.
under extreme pressure, and if 22...cxb4
23.Rxb4 when Black would be sooner or 25.Rf2 Kg7 26.Rhf1 Qd7!
later forced to surrender the b-pawn.
All right, all right, I will go back to h1,
21...Bg7 to cover against Black’s threat to
infiltrate on h3 with the queen.
If he placed the bishop on h6, I would
have considered switching to plan ‘b’ 27.Rh1 Ne8 28.Nb1
with g3-g4.
The new set-up will be: Na3, c2-c4,
22.b3 Nf6 23.Be1! Bc3 and then an auspiciously timed f2-
f4.
The bishop is transferred to c3, adding
The more straightforward 28.Nc4
greater force to the eventual break on f4.
Bxd2 29.Qxd2 Qd8 30.f4 would have
23...Bh6 24.Bd2 Kf8 been an excellent try as well.
 The b7-bishop, however, is a sorry sight.
8
t+v+m+*T
+*+wMoL*
7 31.Bc3

6
oO*O*+oV Preparing f3-f4.
5
+*OpO*+o 31...f6
4 p+*+p+*P
3 +p+bNpP* This way some of the sting is removed

*+pBqRk+
2 from White’s coming break on f4.

1 +n+*+*+r 8
*T*+*+*T
+vMwM*L*
a b c d e f g h 7
6
oO*O*OoV
Black to move
5
+*OpO*+o
4 p+p+p+*P
28...Nc7 3 NpBbNpP*
John dreams of a break on b5.
2 *+*+qRk+
29.Na3
1 +*+*+*+r
a b c d e f g h
I wasn’t about to allow ...b6-b5.

29...Rb8
White to move
A break with ...f7-f5 weakens e5: for 32.f4
example, 29...f5? 30.Nac4 Rb8 31.Bc3!,
intending Nxe5, Nxd6, or f3-f4. Black At long last.
won’t survive.
32...Rbf8
30.c4
32...exf4? 33.gxf4 allows White to
Clamping down on the ...b5 break. attack down the newly opened g-file.

30...Bb7 33.Nac2 Bc8 34.f5

The idea is to swing the b8-rook over The idea is to weaken the f5-square
to the kingside to assist Black’s king. and the h5-pawn.
 I strongly considered a version where the h5-pawn.
the battlefront shifts to the queenside Principle: The defender should reduce
with 34.a5! b5 35.b4!, yet felt the push the fight to the fewest possible fronts, as
to f5 is more in keeping with the past this allows them to focus on one specific
build-up of white attackers. task, dramatically increasing the chances
of a successful defense. Hence, much
34...Qe8 better for Black would have been
stabilizing 35...a5!, stopping b3-b4 and

*+v+wT*T
8 a4-a5 once and for all, and planning to
meet 36.fxg6 with 36...Bxe3! 37.Nxe3
7
+*M*M*L* Qxg6, with excellent chances of holding
6
oO*O*OoV the position together.
5
+*OpOp+o 36.Rh1
4 p+p+p+*P
3 +pBbN*P* Targeting the newly created weakness

*+n+qRk+
2 on h5.
36.a5 was once again a good
1 +*+*+*+r alternative.
a b c d e f g h
36...Rfg8

If Black were to block the kingside

White to move with 36...g4, then I would strike on the
other side with 37.a5!.
35.Rhf1?
37.hxg5
I should have exchanged on g6,
followed by Ne3-f5+, or widened the Opening the h-file targets Black’s h-
battlefield with 35.b4!. pawn.
35...g5? 37...Bxg5 38.Kf1!
Stabilizing the f5-pawn essentially Threatening to double rooks on the h-
means that the c8-bishop is dead, while file, adding more pressure to the h5-
the tension between the h4- and g5- pawn.
pawns gives White access to the h-file.
This is crucial, as it provides White with 38...Rh6
a way to increase the pressure against
 On 38...h4 I planned 39.gxh4 Rxh4 extremely hard time protecting both
40.Rxh4 Bxh4 41.Rg2+ Bg5 42.a5! b5 pawns on g5 and h5. Pushing either of
43.b4!. Black is unprepared for the these pawns would only create more
prying open of the queenside. weaknesses.
Also terrible for Black is 40...h4
39.Rfh2 Rgh8 40.Ne1 41.Ng4 Rh5 42.gxh4 Rxh4 43.Rxh4
Rxh4 44.Rxh4 Bxh4 45.Nf3 Qh5
The knight heads for f3, targeting the
46.Qg2! when his position collapses.
dark-squared bishop. I preferred this
White is threatening both Qh3 to pick
over the also favorable a4-a5, as the
up the bishop and all sorts of discovered
kingside already seemed wide enough
checks. 46...Bg5 runs into 47.Nxg5
for my initiative to succeed.
Qxg5 48.Bd2 and Black can resign.
8
*+v+w+*T 41.Qxe3 b5
7
+*M*M*L*
oO*O*O*T
6 The break comes far too late. At this
point in the game, it would be absurd for
5
+*OpOpVo Black to hope for any counterplay on the
4 p+p+p+*+ queenside. On the other hand, offering
3 +pBbN*P* Black any advice has already become an
impossible task.
2 *+*+q+*R
1 +*+*Nk+r 42.axb5 axb5 43.Nf3
a b c d e f g h
I was also thinking of 43.g4, which
turns out to be a touch more accurate.

Black to move 43...Bd7

40...Bxe3 Black should have retreated his h6-

rook.
Black’s dark squares are weakened by
this swap, but there was no way for
Black to avoid it in the long run.
After something like 40...a5 41.Nf3
Qf7 42.Nxg5 fxg5 43.Bd2! White
threatens to move the knight from e3, at
which point Black will have an
 8
*+*+w+*T 8
*+*+wL*T
7
+*MvM*L* 7
+*MvM*+*
6
*+*O*O*T 6
*+*+*+*T
5
+oOpOp+o 5
+*OpNpQo
4 *+p+p+*+ 4 *+p+p+*+
3 +pBbQnP* 3 +*+b+*+*
2 *+*+*+*R 2 *+*+*+*R
1 +*+*+k+r 1 +*+*+k+r
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White to move White to move

44.g4! 50.Rxh5! Rxh5 51.Qf6+ Kg8 52.Rg1+

and checkmate is imminent. You may be
The h-pawn is pinned, and White wondering why I didn’t play it. The
intends the undermining break g4-g5. reason is that my clock was running low
in this rapid game, and I wasn’t certain
44...bxc4 45.bxc4
my analysis was correct. The path I
Black’s pieces are denied use of the chose is a slower one, but is also much
b5-square. more certain.

45...Qf7 46.Bd2!? 46...Kf8 47.g5

I saw the line: 46.g5! fxg5 47.Bxe5+! Taking the rook on h6 is also winning.
dxe5 48.Nxe5 Qe8 49.Qxg5+ Kf8
47...fxg5 48.Qxg5

Also tempting is to capture with the

knight, intending to sink it into e6.

48...Qf6

48...Ng8 is met with 49.Qg1!, after

which black loses the exchange, since
49...R6h7 allows 50.Ng5. Black has no hope of a fortress since the
base of his pawn chain falls after
8
*+*+*L*T 55.Rh6+ Ng6 56.Nh4 Be8 57.Nf5!. The
7
+*MvM*+* position remains deaf to Black’s pleas,
and the d6-pawn falls.
6
*+*O*W*T Do you see the recurring pattern of
5
+*OpOpQo why the side with less space loses in this
4 *+p+p+*+ chapter? It’s mainly due to a lack of
3 +*+b+n+* counterplay from freeing pawn breaks.
In this game, Black never managed to
2 *+*B*+*R break with ...f5, while the attempt on b5
1 +*+*+k+r turned out to be ineffectively slow.
a b c d e f g h The analysis of this game highlights
another key aspect of positions with a
space disparity: the defender, especially
when relegated to a passive stance, is
White to move
best advised to narrow the battlefield as
49.Qxf6+ much as possible. Hence, locking down
one side of the board might be a good
This is completely winning. option (35...a5!). In contrast, the attacker
However, it is interesting to note that I should be wary of such defensive
missed the somewhat counterintuitive resources and try to prevent them
49.Qh4!, winning the exchange. If Black (35.b4!, or 34.a5!).
swaps queens, I have the zwischenzug The game that follows is a true gem of
50.Bxh6+, followed by the recapture on modern strategy. Very rarely can
h4. abstract ideas be demonstrated so
concretely and in such clear fashion.
49...Rxf6 50.Rxh5 Rxh5 51.Rxh5 Kg7
Game 6
52.Bg5 1-0
Artyom Timofeev – Denis
The strategic pressure is about to Khismatullin
foreclose on Black’s property, and he Moscow 2009
resigned. If he were to continue, the
game might have finished: 52...Rf7
53.f6+ Rxf6 (it’s a lot more difficult to
be generous when you lack the funds to
be generous with) 54.Bxf6+ Kxf6.
 Solitary confinement is a prison within
8
t+*+*+*+ a prison – just look at Black’s b6-rook!
7
+oM*Ol+* Amazingly, Black still doesn’t stand

*T*O*O*+
6 worse, but he needs to find the correct
plan.
5
Or+*+nO*
4 p+p+p+*O 41...Ke8?
3 +pK*+p+p A decisive mistake.
2 *+*+*+p+ The narrow path to freedom was:
1 +*+r+*+* 41...Rc8! (threatening ...Rxb5) 42.Nd4
e6 43.b4 d5! 44.exd5 exd5 45.c5 Rd6!
a b c d e f g h
(just in time – a Houdini-like escape by
the b6-rook) 46.Ra1 axb4+ 47.Kxb4
Rd7. White retains full compensation for
Black to move the sacrificed exchange, yet Black
should not lose.
On the last move, White shifted his

t+*+l+*+
rook from d5 to b5. Are you turning to 8
me for guidance? That’s what I was
afraid of. The aftermath of such an
7
+o+*O*+*
intuitive sacrifice is difficult to 6
*T*O*O*+
accurately predict. 5
Op+*+nO*
40...Nxb5+!?
4 *+p+p+*O
3 +pK*+p+p
*+*+*+p+
Black may have lost this game due to 2
excessive ambition.
He would have had excellent chances
1 +*+r+*+*
of holding a fortress draw by simply a b c d e f g h
declining the sacrifice and exchanging
rooks on b5 with 40...Rxb5. Then Black
can try to set up a fortress draw with the
White to move
plan ...Ne6, ...b6, and ...Nc5. The
problem with accepting is that Black’s 42.Ra1?
rook on b6 becomes paralyzed.
White would have gained a winning
41.axb5 position with 42.Kb2!, planning Kb2-
a3-a4. In this case, the d6-pawn is 45.c5!
hanging, so Black cannot oust the knight
from f5 with ...e7-e6, and 42...a4 can This way White forces a monster
still be met with 43.Ra1! when Black queenside pawn majority.
can resign.
45...Rdd8
42...e6 43.Ne3 d5!?
45...Rxd5 46.Nxd5 exd5 47.Kd4
Black feels the urgency to free the b6- leaves Black in a hopelessly lost rook
rook from its prison, even if it costs a endgame.
pawn.
46.Kd4
44.exd5 Rd6?
46.Kc4! would have allowed Black
The players shift from one mirage to less counterplay.
another. After this mistake, Black’s
46...Rac8
position dies without ever having had a
chance to live. After 46...exd5 47.Nxd5 Kf7 48.Kc4
After 44...Kf7!, followed by taking on White is threatening c5-c6 and Black is
d5, the game would be dynamically lost.
balanced.
47.Rxa5!
8
t+*+l+*+ A bold decision. The strong Russian
7
+o+*+*+* grandmaster must have already been
6
*+*ToO*+ overwhelmed by the beauty of the
5
Op+p+*O* position he visualized in his mind.

*+p+*+*O
4 Other, simpler moves also win (for
example, 47.b6), but when confronted
3 +pK*Np+p with history, a human might feel there is
2 *+*+*+p+ no choice but to follow fate.
1 R*+*+*+* 47...e5+
a b c d e f g h
47...exd5 48.Ra7 Rd7 49.b6 is a
winning position for White.
White to move 48.Kc4 b6
 holding in your hands. No analysis is
8
*+tTl+*+ required. Our eyes tell the full story:
7
+*+*+*+* Black will not survive the avalanche of

*O*+*O*+
6 surging passed pawns.

5
RpPpO*O* 8
*+tTl+*+
4 *+k+*+*O 7
+*+*+*+*
3 +p+*Np+p 6
*+*+*O*+
2 *+*+*+p+ 5
PpPpO*O*
1 +*+*+*+* 4 *+k+*+*O
a b c d e f g h 3 +*+*Np+p
2 *+*+*+p+
White to move
1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h
What has White walked himself into?

49.b4!!
Black to move
Radical stuff. White gives up a full
50...Ra8 51.a6 e4
rook for only a pawn to blanket the
queenside with passed pawns. Black’s Restraint is an unusual commodity for
rooks are curiously, but predictably, the desperate. This is a frantic attempt to
ineffective in halting the armada. open lines and gain entry into White’s
position.
49...bxa5
52.fxe4 Kd7 53.Nf5 Re8 54.c6+ Kd8
Declining the gift is also totally
hopeless for Black, who doesn’t have a As expected, 54...Kc7 55.Kc5! Rxe4
prayer of halting all the passed pawns. 56.b6+ Kd8 57.b7 also wins.
White will simply move his rook to a6,
and Black can resign. 55.Nd6

50.bxa5

You might recognize this position

from the cover of the book you’re
 8
t+*Lt+*+ 8
t+*+*+*+
7
+*+*+*+* 7
+n+pL*+*
6
p+pN*O*+ 6
p+p+*+*+
5
+p+p+*O* 5
+pK*+pO*
4 *+k+p+*O 4 *+*+*+*O
3 +*+*+*+p 3 +*+*+*+p
2 *+*+*+p+ 2 *+*+*+t+
1 +*+*+*+* 1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move White to move

55...Re7 56.Kc5 61.f6+!

White’s pawns are too deeply White must have been enjoying
entrenched, and Black’s rooks are as out himself at this point, as Black’s king is
of place defensively as a pair of seagulls decoyed away.
in a Kansas wheat field.
61...Kxf6
56...f5 57.exf5 Re2 58.Nb7+ Ke8
61...Ke6 allows 62.d8=Q.
Moving the king to either c7 or e7
allows White to gain a tempo with a 62.c7 1-0
pawn push to d6.
Black resigned. After 49.b3-b4!!
59.d6 Rxg2 60.d7+ Ke7 Black’s rooks were reduced to the status
of bystanders, as White’s armada of
queenside passed pawns surged towards
their respective promotion squares. This
game can largely be interpreted as an
illustration of the tremendous power of
connected passers in an endgame.
However, there is another way of
looking at it: far-advanced pawns
determine a space advantage, and such center and on the kingside.
enormous amounts of space might even 2) White has semi-control over a hole
be worth a rook. on b5, though this is somewhat wobbly,
My secret to beating titled players is to since Black may be able to toss in ...b7-
play them when they are kids and then b5 anyway, as White’s knight needs to
retire when they earn a title! My protect the e4-pawn.
opponent in the next game is an IM 3) White’s king isn’t as safe as it
today. At the time, he was a rapidly appears, since Black has dirty tactical
rising young master. tricks like ...Nh5! in the air.
Game 7 4) White’s advantage solidifies if
Cyrus Lakdawala – Kyron Griffith queens can be removed from the board,
San Diego (rapid) 2011 via e1.
5. White has a tempting option to
move the queen to d2, threatening Bg5.
8
*+t+*Tl+ Conclusion: White has a highly
7
+o+v+*Vo promising position, but victory is never
6
*+*+*Mo+ guaranteed – it must be earned.
5
O*OpO*+* Exercise: Should White play
20.Qd2, threatening Be3-g5, or
4 *+*+p+pW should he play 20.Qe1, forcing an
3 +*N*B*+p ending?
2 pP*+b+k+
1 R*+q+r+* Answer: The Qd2 plan is a mirage.
a b c d e f g h Black is in deep trouble if queens are
removed from the board, since this
negates the single form of leverage he
had at his disposal: the potential for an
White to move attack against the white king.

From my experience, the fact that one 20.Qe1!

side is stuck with a bad minor piece is
often not enough for the defender to Now White is guaranteed the better
lose. Add a lack of space to the ending.
equation, and this factor can swing a 20.Qd2?! falls for Black’s strategic
draw into a win. In this case: trap: 20...Nh5!. Black threatens ...Qh4-
1) White controls more space in the g3+, and there is no time to take the
knight, since then Black’s bishop enters
h3, forcing checkmate. After 21.Qe1 8
*+t+mTl+
Qxe1 22.Rxf8+ Kxf8 23.Rxe1 Nf4+ 7
+o+*+*Vo
*+*+*+o+
Black gets a version of the same ending 6
that appeared in the game, but the
knight, previously sad on f6, has
5
OnOpO*+*
magically managed to jump to f4. White 4 *+*+p+p+
might still be holding a tiny advantage,
but the method of comparison tells us
3 +*+*B*+p
this is a clearly inferior version, and we
2 pP*+*+k+
should stay away from it. 1 +*+*Rr+*
a b c d e f g h
20...Qxe1 21.Raxe1

As mentioned above, the knight looks

miserable on f6. Black to move

21...Ne8 Let’s take stock:

1) White enjoys a territorial advantage
Kyron wants to transfer the knight to both in the center and on the kingside.
d6 to blockade the passed d-pawn.
2) White owns a good bishop against
21...b5? fails miserably to 22.g5!, Black’s hemmed-in dud on g7.
booting away Black’s knight. When the
3) White has a strong knight
knight moves, White wins the b5-pawn.
occupying the outpost on b5.
On the other hand, bad does not mean
4) White owns a protected and passed
hopeless, and we should always put on
d-pawn.
our best impression of a tenacious
5) Black’s queenside light squares on
fighter. Black’s best try would have
a4, b5, and c4 are all potential
been 21...c4!, stopping what’s about to
weaknesses. This could be especially
come and preparing ...b7-b5.
significant if all the rooks are removed
22.Bb5! from the board, as White’s king then has
chances to infiltrate via these weakened
A swap of the light-squared bishops light squares.
ensures that Black will be left with the Conclusion: Black’s only viable hope
dark-squared clunker on g7. is to try to set up an impregnable
fortress, particularly to bar White’s king
22...Bxb5 23.Nxb5
from entering Black’s territory.
23...b6 24.a4 The also tempting 25...Nf6? would
once again run into 26.Bg5!, when
More black pawns are fixed on the White swaps off the pinned knight and
same – and therefore wrong – color as ends up in a dreamy good-knight-
the remaining bishop on g7. versus-bad-bishop endgame.

24...Rd8 25.h4!? 26.g5!

Gaining territory on the kingside while More territory is gained, and Black is
preparing a few traps. denied access to the f6-square for his
minor pieces.
8
*+*TmTl+
7
+*+*+*Vo 26...Rxf1 27.Rxf1
6
*O*+*+o+ While rooks usually belong on open
5
OnOpO*+* files, it was still a bit more accurate to
4 p+*+p+pP centralize my king with 27.Kxf1!,
gaining time for the plan of invading
3 +*+*B*+* with the king through the queenside
2 *P*+*+k+ light squares.
1 +*+*Rr+* 27...Bf8 28.b3
a b c d e f g h
Again, rushing towards the queenside
with the king would have been a more
purposeful course of action.
Black to move

25...Rd7!

Kyron stays away from my tricks.

The logical 25...Nd6?? fails to
26.Bg5! Rd7 27.Nxd6 Rxf1 28.Rxf1
Rxd6 29.Be7 Rd7 30.d6!. Black has no
way to prevent the plan of lifting the
rook to f3, followed by moving the king
all the way to c6 and winning the poor
rook on d7. The king’s route will pass
through all the weakened light squares.
 32.Kd3 Nd6
8
*+*+mVl+
7
+*+t+*+o 8
*+*+*V*+
6
*O*+*+o+ 7
+*+l+*+o
5
OnOpO*P* 6
*O*M*+o+
4 p+*+p+*P 5
OnOpO*P*
3 +p+*B*+* 4 p+*+p+*P
2 *+*+*+k+ 3 +p+kB*+*
1 +*+*+r+* 2 *+*+*+*+
a b c d e f g h
1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h

Black to move

28...Rf7! White to move

This exchange is necessary since 33.Na7?

White’s rook was cutting off Black’s
king. Conversely, after 28...Nd6? This strategic blunder offers Black
29.Nxd6 Bxd6 30.Rf6! Black is left excellent chances to erect a fortress. My
paralyzed. If he were to recapture with idea is to increase pressure on his e5-
the rook on d6, White’s king would pawn by transferring the knight to c6,
comfortably invade via f3, e2, d3, c4 followed by shifting my bishop to the
and b5. a1-h8 diagonal. However, this plan is
ineffective, as Black can defend e5
29.Rxf7 Kxf7 30.Kf3 Ke7 31.Ke2 Kd7 while keeping my king out.
Swapping knights with 33.Nxd6? is an
I planned to meet 31...Nd6 by even bigger blunder, since Black
retreating my knight to c3. Black will achieves a fortress draw and this time
hold a fortress draw if the knights are it’s even quite simple. After 33...Bxd6
removed from the board, but only if the 34.Kc4 Kc7 he is ready to meet 35.Kb5
bishop can reach the d6-square. In this with 35...Kb7 and that’s pretty much all
case, it would, so it would be a draw. there is to it. There is no way to break
More on that below, in the notes to my this fortress, as the bishop has plenty of
33rd move. waiting moves between b8, c7, and d6,
protecting the e5-pawn. Instead, correct was: 33...Kc7! 34.Nc6
33.Na3! is the correct plan, keeping Nf7! 35.Bc1 Kb7! (controlling the a7-
the option of transferring the knight to square so that the c6-knight is deprived
c4, a square that threatens both weak of a return path) 36.Bb2 Bd6 with an
black pawns on e5 and b6, while also impenetrable fortress. It is hard to even
challenging Black’s control over the d6- imagine a try for White to break Black’s
square. For example: 33...Be7 34.Bd2 construction.
Bf8 35.Bc3 Bg7.
34.Nc6?
8
*+*+*+*+ “Doctor, can you tell the jury, in your
7
+*+l+*Vo professional opinion, if the defendant
6
*O*M*+o+ knew the difference between right and

O*OpO*P*
5 wrong when the crime was
perpetrated?” Ugh! I chose the wrong
4 p+*+p+*P plan again, and suddenly my happiness
3 NpBk+*+* feels flimsily constructed. I could reach
2 *+*+*+*+ the same winning plan pointed out in the
notes above by admitting my mistake
1 +*+*+*+* and moving my knight back to b5, then
a b c d e f g h to a3.

8
*+*+mV*+
White to move 7
+*+l+*+o
With the bishop committed to g7,
6
*On+*+o+
suddenly 36.Nc4! is correct. Black 5
O*OpO*P*
cannot build a fortress, unless the bishop 4 p+*+p+*P
reaches d6. To illustrate: 36...Nxc4
37.Kxc4 Kc7 38.Kb5 Kb7 39.d6 and
3 +p+kB*+*
the black position collapses. Without the
2 *+*+*+*+
help of the bishop, the black king is 1 +*+*+*+*
unable to both prevent his counterpart a b c d e f g h
from invading and stop the advance of
the d-pawn.

33...Ne8? Black to move

34...Kd6? winning plan?

Just because you are hurting doesn’t

Answer: We can use a simple tactic to
mean that opportunity isn’t there. This
break through Black’s defensive barrier.
move undermines the legitimacy of his
position, since d6 needed to be kept 36.Nxa5!
open for Black’s knight.
34...Bg7! would lead to a fortress draw The castle has fallen.
after Black transfers his knight to f7 and
his king to b7. With the knight 36...Bg7
committed to c6, it doesn’t make a big
Clearly, the point was that 36...bxa5
difference whether the bishop is on g7
allows 37.Bxc5+ and the black bishop
or d6.
perishes on f8.
35.Kc4 Nc7
37.Nc6 Bf8 38.Bd2!
35...Bg7 is dismantled with 36.b4!
The c3-square is the optimal post for
axb4 37.a5! and Black collapses.
the bishop.
8
*+*+*V*+ 38...Bg7 39.Bc3 Bh8 40.Nd8 Ke7
7
+*M*+*+o 41.d6+! 1-0
6
*OnL*+o+ The game’s outcome is no longer in
5
O*OpO*P* suspense. White achieves king entry for
4 p+k+p+*P the bargain price of only a pawn, so

+p+*B*+*
3 Black resigned. After 41...Kxd8
42.dxc7+ Kxc7 the white king enters on
2 *+*+*+*+ d5, and Black has to lay down his arms.
1 +*+*+*+* White’s advantage in space, combined
a b c d e f g h with the large disparity in the activity of
the pieces and the light-squared
domination, proved to be more than
enough to gain the full point. In that
White to move regard, a transition to an endgame –
where all these factors could shine
Exercise: At this point, my face lit
through – was the first instructive
up, resembling an evil Halloween
moment in this example.
pumpkin. Can you spot White’s
 Sometimes the defender suffering 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6
from a lack of space attempts to create a 5.Bg5 Nbd7 6.e3 Qa5
fortress to hold a draw. In general, the
player pressing should be happy to see
that. Playing against passive defense is a
8
t+v+lV*T
pleasant task, but one where schematic 7
Oo+m+oOo
thinking and patience are of paramount
importance. In this game, after my
6
*+o+oM*+
mistake on move 33, Black missed his
5
W*+o+*B*
chance and likely would have held a
4 *+pP*+*+
fortress draw had he found 33...Kc7!. 3 +*N*Pn+*
However, handling a passive position is
hard and tends to lead to mistakes.
2 pP*+*PpP
It’s not good to be sloppy, as I was
1 R*+qKb+r
here. Indeed, you should always try to a b c d e f g h
be as accurate as you can manage, but
also you must always keep in mind the
practical difficulties involved in White to move
defending passively and avoid such an
approach as often as you can. In that This is the Cambridge Springs
regard, 21...c4! was an important variation of the Queen’s Gambit, where
resource missed by my opponent. After Black aims for plans such as ...Ne4 and
21...Ne8, which was met with 22.Bb5!, ...Bb4, targeting White’s knight on c3.
Black’s position was already beyond
salvation, partly due to the total absence 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Rc1
of possible counterplay.
8.Qd2 is White’s main line. Instead,
Magnus is happy to give away a pawn in
In the following game, Carlsen
exchange for time.
masterfully exploits his opponent’s out-
of-play piece while continuing his 8...Nxc3
kingside expansion, culminating in a
winning attack. 8...Bb4 can be met with a promising
Game 8 pawn sacrifice: 9.a3! Bxc3+ 10.bxc3,
Magnus Carlsen – Shakhriyar sacrificing the a3-pawn while gaining
Mamedyarov good compensation – the bishop pair, a
Shamkir 2014 strong center, and a lead in
development.
9.bxc3 Ba3!
8
t+*+*Tl+
O*+m+oOo
Development is more important than a 7
pawn.
9...Qxa2 looks dubious. There’s no
6
*Oo+o+*+
need to mention a specific continuation 5
W*+*+*B*
– our eyes can assure us that White has 4 *+*P*+*+
more than enough compensation. 3 V*P*Pn+*
10.Rc2 b6! 2 p+r+qPpP
Mamedyarov wants to swap his
1 +*+*+rK*
a b c d e f g h
sleeping light-squared bishop via a6 for
White’s good bishop.

11.Be2! White to move

Small subtleties define great players. Let’s assess:
The d3-square looks like a more natural
1) White has the potential to gain
place for the bishop. However, if we
space in the center with either e3-e4 or
look deeper, we note that Black will still
c3-c4.
play ...Ba6 and ...Bxd3. White’s queen
2) Consequently, Black’s play will be
is uncomfortably misplaced on d3, since
based on chipping away at White’s
Black’s rook will, at some point, slide to
center with either a break on c5 or e5,
d8. Instead, after Carlsen’s last move,
hoping to turn White’s central pawns
his queen will be transferred to the more
into a liability rather than a strength.
favorable e2-square when the trade
occurs. 3) The fact that White can expand with
e3-e4 and e4-e5 translates to chances to
11...Ba6 12.0-0 Bxe2 13.Qxe2 0-0 go after Black’s king. Yet, this attack
shouldn’t intimidate Black, since he has
already managed to swap off two pairs
of pieces, including White’s normally
formidable light-squared bishop.
Conclusion: Black is OK, despite
White’s potential to gain space.

14.e4 Rac8
 A new move at the time, and maybe
not a great one, since the rook actually 8
*+t+*Tl+
doesn’t belong on the c-file. Why? 7
O*+m+oOo
*O*+o+*+
Because when Black plays ...c6-c5, 6
White simply bypasses the c-pawn with
d4-d5, after which the c-file is closed
5
W*O*P*B*
and the rook on c8 remains jobless on a 4 *+*P*+*+
closed file. 3 V*P*+n+*
p+r+qPpP
The more flexible 14...Rfe8 is 2
deservedly Black’s main line.
1 +*+*+rK*
15.e5 a b c d e f g h

Magnus seizes more central space,

which also clears e4 for his queen,
allowing her to transfer to an attacking White to move
position on the kingside.
16.d5! brings about a large advantage
15...Qa4 for White. The pawn is poisoned, as
after 16...exd5? there follows a rapid
The idea behind this odd-looking denouement: 17.e6 fxe6 18.Qxe6+ Rf7
move is to prevent White from 19.Ne5! and Black can resign.
executing the plan Nf3-d2, intending
Ne4, as that would leave the rook on c2 16.c4 Rfe8
hanging.
It was slightly more accurate to toss in
15...c5?! looks tempting yet is strongly
...h7-h6 first.
met with:
17.Rd1
 rank. If 22...h6 then 23.d6! hxg5 24.d7
8
*+t+t+l+ Rf8 25.Qd6! Rd8 26.Qe7! when Black
7
O*+m+oOo must hand over the rook by taking on

*Oo+o+*+
6 d7.

5
+*+*P*B* 19...Nf8 20.h4!
4 w+pP*+*+ White’s chances to attack begin to
3 V*+*+n+* grow.
2 p+r+qPpP
+*+r+*K*
1 20...h6 21.Be3

a b c d e f g h 21.Bxh6!? looks scary for Black and

almost impossible for a human to
accurately evaluate after 21...gxh6
22.Rc3. The engine calls this mess even.
Black to move
21...Ng6?!
17...c5?!
This doesn’t look like a great idea
This may help White, but if not, what
since the knight loses time when White
should Black do except wait?
pushes the h-pawn forward.
The engine suggests 17...h6 followed
21...Rcd8 looks more logical.
by ...Bf8 and then just sitting sight.
However, this understandably does not
appeal to we humans, who hate to wait.
8
*+t+t+l+
7
O*+*+oO*
*O*+*+mO
18.d5 6
The white pawns start rolling, and the 5
+*OrP*+*
black bishop on a3 looks desperately out 4 w+p+*+*P
V*+*Bn+*
of play. 3
18...exd5 19.Rxd5?! 2 p+r+qPp+
19.cxd5! is playable and stronger.
1 +*+*+*K*
Carlsen undoubtedly feared: 19...Nxe5
a b c d e f g h
20.Nxe5 Rxe5 21.Qxe5 Qxc2. Yet here,
White holds a big advantage after
22.Re1, intending mate on Black’s back White to move
22.Qd3! increasing the pressure on the e7-knight.
After 29...Qa6 30.Rd1 (planning to
Magnus removes his queen from the transfer the rook to the f-file via the
vulnerable e-file and also prevents third rank) 30...Qxc4 31.Rd3! White has
Black’s knight from moving to f5, via a winning attack. Up next is the barbaric
e7. Bxh6.

22...Re6 28.a3!

Mamedyarov was actually better off Driving the bishop to an even more
retreating his knight back to f8, awkward square.
admitting that the transfer to g6 was
inaccurate. 28...Ba5 29.Rd1

23.h5 Ne7 24.Rd6 Bb4 25.Rc1!

8
*+*+t+l+
O*+*M*O*
Aiming to transfer the rook to the open 7
file.
6
*Ow+o+*O
25...Re8 5
V*O*P*+p
Black doesn’t have time for
4 *+p+*+*N
25...Qxa2?, as it is met with 26.Rd8+ 3 P*+qB*+*
Rxd8 27.Qxd8+ Kh7 28.Qf8!, with a 2 *+*+*Pp+
+*+r+*K*
winning attack for White. 1
26.Rxe6 fxe6 27.Nh4! a b c d e f g h

Seizing control of f5 and g6, as

White’s advanced e- and h-pawns create
a devastating cramping effect on Black’s Black to move
kingside. At the same time, the black
White assumes complete control over
bishop still looks completely stuck
the d-file.
somewhere in the void of the irrelevant
queenside. 29...Qc7!

27...Qc6 Top players are always going to fight.

The more natural 29...a6?, intending
27...Qxa2? loses to: 28.Qd7 Kf7
counterplay with ...b7-b5, is too slow
29.Ng6, threatening Ng6-f4 while
due to 30.Bxh6!!, with a crushing attack
on the kingside. The main line of our 8
*+*+t+l+
calculation goes: 30...gxh6 31.Qg3+
Kh7 32.Qf4 (threatening a deadly check
7
O*+*+wO*
on f7) 32...Rg8 33.Rd6 Qc8 34.Qf6 Rg7
6
*O*+o+qO
35.Rxe6. Black’s position is in ruins.
5
V*O*P*+p
30.Ng6! Nxg6 31.Qxg6 Qf7 32.Rd3!
4 *+p+*+*+
3 P*+rB*+*
Black’s ability to retaliate is 2 *+*+*Pp+
continually reduced. With his last move,
Magnus cleverly prevents ...Bc3, which
1 +*+*+*K*
a b c d e f g h
in turn means that Black’s bishop
languishes in the quagmire on a5, totally
out of play. Moreover, White controls
the only open file and has greater space Black to move
on the kingside due to pawns on e5 and
h5. In the meantime, Black’s queenside 32...a6 33.a4
majority is almost impossible to
Discouraging ...b6-b5. Principle:
activate, while White’s remains mobile.
When holding a permanent advantage,
Moreover, White’s bind would grow if
the first order of business is to suppress
Black were to swap queens, since the
the opponent’s counterplay.
pawn that would appear on g6 would
leave Black weak on the back rank. 33...Rf8 34.g4!
Hence, he would be unable to defend the
seventh rank with ...Re7. This bold push takes the f5-square
away from Black’s pieces, while gaining
more space on the kingside and freeing
the g2-square for the white king.

34...Qe8

After 34...Re8 35.Rd6! Black is almost

in zugzwang. If 35...Kf8 then 36.Qh7!
gains even more territory.

35.Rd6 Qxa4 36.Qxe6+ Kh8

 elite level, players possess the analytical
8
*+*+*T*L firepower to accurately calculate a path
7
+*+*+*O* to escaping the perpetual check attempt.
6
oO*Rq+*O 39.Kxf2 Qe1+ 40.Kg2 Qe4+ 41.Kh3
5
V*O*P*+p Qh1+ 42.Kg3 Qe1+
4 w+p+*+p+ After 42...Be1+ 43.Kf4 Qh2+ 44.Kg5
3 +*+*B*+* Bh4+ 45.Kg6 Qc2+ 46.Qf5 the checks
2 *+*+*P*+ run out.
1 +*+*+*K* 43.Kf4 Bd2+
a b c d e f g h

8
*+*+*+*L
White to move
7
+*+*+*O*
37.Bxh6!
6
oO*Rq+*B
5
+*O*P*+p
Stockfish announces mate in 19. While 4 *+p+*Kp+
this move may seem like a no-brainer,
it’s actually quite tricky, as Carlsen had
3 +*+*+*+*
to accurately calculate that Black’s
2 *+*V*+*+
impending rook sacrifice on f2 doesn’t 1 +*+*W*+*
allow the opponent a perpetual check. a b c d e f g h

37...Qa1+ 38.Kg2 Rxf2+

We are reminded of Neil Young’s White to move

lyrics: “Out of the blue and into the
black.” Military expenditures begin to 44.Rxd2! Qxd2+ 45.Kf5 gxh6 46.Qe8+
rise dramatically. Desperation emerges Kg7 47.Qe7+ 1-0
when we reach a state where we have
Black’s loss in this game resulted from
little to lose and much to gain. At club
the following factors:
level, such moves have more emotional
than practical impact on the opponent’s 1) White’s kingside majority was
psyche. Is Black flourishing within the mobile and continually threatened to
wreckage? Actually, no. At world-class, morph into a direct attack against the
black king.
 2) Black’s queenside majority, by counterplay, to create new weaknesses
contrast, sat sluggishly frozen, unable to instead. In this game, pay special
move forward. attention to how White’s continued
3) White’s bishop took direct aim at expansion on the kingside prompted
the h6-pawn and was active. Black to weaken his own kingside
4) Black’s unemployed bishop loitered pawns in a desperate search for
about, wasting its life on a5. counterplay.
Digging a little deeper, the disparity in Game 9
space was largely responsible for all of Cyrus Lakdawala – Isaac Wang
these factors. The far-advanced pawns in Internet (rapid) 2021
the center and on the kingside created
threats and ensured White of attacking 1.d4 c6
chances on the queenside, which in turn
Our opening choices are mirrors of our
rendered Black’s queenside majority
personalities. As a Caro-Kann player
immobile and kept the bishop irrelevant
myself, I came to the realization that
on a3. To be fair, the bishop had many
external meekness can be the perfect
chances to return to f8; it was
camouflage for evil intent. Isaac began
Mamedyarov’s choice to lock it out with
with the Caro-Kann, but it didn’t suit his
17...c5?!.
more aggressive style, so today he plays
Nevertheless, in my mind, this only
the much more appropriate Sicilian
goes to show how tough it was to play
Najdorf.
the black side of this position. If
Mamedyarov made this mistake, then 2.e4 d5 3.Nc3 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Bf5 5.Ng3
well... Bg6 6.h4 h6 7.Nf3 Nd7 8.h5 Bh7
My former student Isaac Wang learned 9.Bd3 Bxd3 10.Qxd3 e6 11.Bd2 Ngf6
chess relatively late by modern top-class 12.0-0-0 Be7 13.Ne4 Nxe4 14.Qxe4
standards, at age nine. By age twelve, he Nf6 15.Qe2 Qd5 16.c4 Qe4! 17.Qxe4
had broken the 2200 barrier and won the Nxe4 18.Be3 0-0
US Nationals in the Kindergarten
through 6th Grade Division. Today, at
the age of fifteen, he is already an IM,
and I fully expect him to reach GM.
The following is a training game from
one of our lessons. Sometimes, an
enduring space advantage can force the
defender, in the process of trying to gain
 8
t+*+*Tl+ 8
t+*+*Tl+
7
Oo+*VoO* 7
O*+*VoO*
6
*+o+o+*O 6
*+o+o+*O
5
+*+*+*+p 5
+oP*+*+p
4 *+pPm+*+ 4 *+*Pm+*+
3 +*+*Bn+* 3 +*+*Bn+*
2 pP*+*Pp+ 2 pPk+*Pp+
1 +*Kr+*+r 1 +*+r+*+r
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White to move Black to move

We reach a theoretical position where So strategically morally upright is

White hopes to make something of the your writer that laws are never
extra space in the ensuing endgame. transgressed, even in dreams. This move
may be an exception. It is obviously a
19.Kc2 b5!? committal decision. I went for it partly
for practical reasons – if I kept the
Black must chip away at White’s
position fluid with b2-b3, I would be
center, or risk getting squeezed.
forced to calculate ...bxc4 on every turn.
19...f5! is the most accurate way to After the structure is clarified with c4-
create counterplay, threatening ...f5-f4 c5, the following points should be
and artificially isolating the h5-pawn. considered:
However, it seems deeply antipositional,
1) White handed Black control over a
and without prior knowledge, it is
huge hole on d5, which can be occupied
almost a red flag for a young player to
by either a black knight or a rook.
venture into such unfamiliar territory.
2) With the last move, I voluntarily
20.c5! accepted a bad bishop, since both the
d4- and c5-pawns are fixed on the same
color. Furthermore, both sides lose some
of their structural flexibility.
3) With the push to c5, I gained space,
while Black’s c6-pawn is fixed as a protect it; there might have been another
possible target for a knight on e5. way, such as not placing any of the
4) In contrast, White’s d4-pawn is now rooks on c8.
backward and on an open file, yet I For example, after 20...a5! 21.Ne5
didn’t consider it a target since it can Black can play 21...Bf6!, as 22.Nxc6
easily be protected as many times as it is runs into 22...Rfc8 with equality.
attacked.
21.a4!
5) Besides occupying d5, Black lacks
an active plan, while White can expand
Black is unprepared for the opening of
on the kingside. the queenside since his rook is no longer
6) White has the option to toss in a2- on a8.
a4, after which one of two futures can
occur. If Black bolsters b5 with ...a7-a6, 21...b4 22.Kb3
White can double rooks on the a-file and
play axb5, seizing control of the newly The idea is to induce ...a7-a5.
opened file. Alternatively, if Black
22...a5
bypasses the break with ...b5-b4, which
is more likely, White’s plan is to transfer
the f3-knight to c4. On c4, the knight
eyes e5, d6, b6, and a5, which will likely
8
*+t+*Tl+
be occupied by Black’s a-pawn. In that
7
+*+*VoO*
case, a black piece will be eternally 6
*+o+o+*O
required to protect the a5-pawn. 5
O*P*+*+p
The engines agree and give a slight 4 pO*Pm+*+
+k+*Bn+*
plus for White. 3
20...Rac8? 2 *P*+*Pp+
Black’s a8-rook should stay on its
1 +*+r+*+r
home square for now to protect a5, after a b c d e f g h
a future push with ...a7-a5. Isaac would
have been better off retreating his knight
to f6 or pushing the a-pawn, rather than White to move
giving up any space on the queenside
without a fight. Moreover, the c6-pawn 23.Ne5
was not yet under attack, so there was
no reason to adopt a passive stance to Now it’s time for the knight to shift to
its optimal square on c4.

23...Nf6 24.Nc4 Ra8

8
t+*+*+l+
7
+t+*VoO*
This is an admission that two precious 6
*+o+o+*O
tempi were squandered. 5
O*PmB*+p
25.Bf4!
4 pOnP*+*+
3 +k+*+p+*
*P*+*+p+
I want the bishop to occupy an active 2
diagonal before Black’s knight comes to
d5 and prevents it.
1 +*+rR*+*
a b c d e f g h
25...Nd5 26.Be5

I would be happy to swap my bishop

for Black’s good one if he plays ...Bf6. White to move
The last move is intended to probe for
weaknesses by provoking ...f7-f6. Exercise: Isaac’s last move
essentially says, I will just shuffle.
26...Rfd8 27.f3! How will you make progress?” Can
you find a concrete plan for White
This way, I can move my h1-rook, to continue improving their
since now ...Nf6, attacking h5, will be position?
met with g2-g4. I want to place this rook
on e1.
Answer: Aim for an eventual pawn
27...Rd7 28.Rhe1 Rb7 break on g5, with f2-f4, g2-g4 and g4-
g5.

29.f4! Rd7

29...f6 only weakens Black’s e-pawn

as it can be easily met with 30.Bd6.

30.g3

Supporting the f4-pawn. My

advantages are permanent in nature, so
there’s no reason to rush. However, it
was still possible to stick to the plan. 31...Be7 32.Bd6
Despite Black trying to threaten ...f6 by
moving his rook away from b7, 30.g4 f6 Creating the threat of Ne5, which
runs into 31.Bd6 Bxd6 32.cxd6 and doubles the attack on the d7-rook and
32...Nxf4 is still unavailable due to the c6-pawn.
33.Nb6.
32...Bf6
30...Bf8?
Black plans to chop the knight if I play
Black should get his rooks out of Ne5.
forking range by shifting the d7-rook to
33.g4!
d8.
The goal is to engineer a break on g5,
8
t+*+*Vl+ pushing Black even further back in the
7
+*+t+oO* process.
6
*+o+o+*O 33...Ra6 34.Re4!
5
O*PmB*+p
4 pOnP*P*+ Some moves are played not because
they are objectively strong, but strictly
3 +k+*+*P* due to their practical value. This rook
2 *P*+*+*+ lift might seem a touch paranoid, but it’s
1 +*+rR*+* not – I didn’t want to calculate ...Rxd6
a b c d e f g h and ...Nxf4 on every move. The more
experienced readers among you might
know what I’m talking about. Large
numbers of near-misses are possibly the
White to move only way to convince someone that
staying vigilant is always important.
31.Re2?
Eventually, it becomes so customary
This Charlie Brownish move is that it becomes the standard of play,
somewhat wishy-washy. even in a training game.
The engine points out a more direct 34...Kh7 35.Rg1 g5!?
win with the alert 31.Nb6!. White either
wins a full exchange, or creates a Wow, what a hothead! I suppose a
decisive passed pawn. religious zealot reacts violently when a
core belief is contradicted. Isaac, a
naturally aggressive player, reasons that which any natural attacker would have
inaction is more suicidal than risky spotted instantly. This is no swing at
action. I would generally tend to agree empty air, and I underestimated the
with this, but in this particular case, danger to Black’s king in the line:
Black should find little solace in either 37...exf5 38.gxf5+ Kh7 (taking on f5 is
scenario. suicidal, as after the rook retreats from
e4, the black king has no moves and
36.hxg6+ Kxg6 there is no turning back; White only
needs to deliver a lethal check) 39.Ne5
Black’s king isn’t so safe anymore.
Rb7 40.Ng4 Bg5 41.Rh1!. Taking on h6
How should we go after him?
with the knight is already a threat...
8
*+*+*+*+ 37...Be7 38.Re2 f6 39.Bd6 Bxd6
7
+*+t+o+* 40.f5+!
6
t+oBoVlO Hooray! I finally see the line-opening
5
O*Pm+*+* idea.
4 pOnPrPp+ 40...exf5 41.gxf5+
3 +k+*+*+*
2 *P*+*+*+
1 +*+*+*R*
8
*+*+*+*+
a b c d e f g h
7
+*+t+*+*
6
t+oV*OlO
5
O*Pm+p+*
White to move 4 pOnP*+*+
37.Be5?!
3 +k+*+*+*
2 *P*+r+*+
Charlie Brown approved! I shouldn’t
be maneuvering when I have a strong,
1 +*+*+*R*
a b c d e f g h
forcing continuation at my disposal.
Unfortunately for Isaac, my
indecisiveness isn’t enough to save him
– Black’s position is beyond salvation. Black to move
I didn’t (yet) see the idea 37.f5+!,
I channeled my inner Clint Eastwood
opening lines against the black king,
and taunted Isaac to take the f5-pawn
with “Do you feel lucky, punk?”,
although he was too young to 8
*+*+*+*+
understand the reference. 7
+*+t+*+*
41...Kxf5!?
6
t+o+*O*O
5
O*Pm+n+*
pO*P*+*+
Black’s king strikes us as the homeless 4
person who enters a 5-star hotel’s
restaurant and orders an expensive meal.
3 +k+*+*+l
As you sow, so shall you reap! Black’s 2 *P*+*+r+
king, who places his destiny to the test
in the vast ‘out there’, can’t possibly
1 +*+*+r+*
a b c d e f g h
survive, even with the reduction of
material on the board.
Moving to h7 wouldn’t have saved
Black either. After 41...Kh7 I would White to move
reply 42.cxd6, and Black is hopelessly
lost there as well. A forced mate feels tantalizingly
accessible. I blush with shame to
42.Nxd6+ Kf4 confess that your tactics-challenged
writer missed a mate in two. Can you
This allows mate in seven, but taking spot it?
on d6 would not give Black any saving
chances either. 46.Rg6

43.Rf1+ Kg3 44.Nf5+ Sigh. Look, I was born during the

Eisenhower administration, so I plead
Giddy up, cowboy! Another attacker is senility. This isn’t an impressive
brought into the mix. demonstration of my tactical/attacking
credentials.
44...Kg4
Dang it, I missed the not-so-tough-to-
44...Kh3 allows White to mate with spot 46.Nh4! Kxh4 47.Rh1 mate.
45.Rg1 followed by Rg3 mate.
46...Kh2 47.Nh4! 1-0
45.Rg2+ Kh3
Now I see the mating idea. I’m
threatening two different checkmates in
two: one starting with Rg2+, and another
one starting with Nf3+. Black resigned.
 Damned if you do, and damned if you
don’t. With hindsight of the result, one 8
*T*L*+*+
could point to 35...g6-g5!? and claim 7
R*+p+*+*
o+*K*+*+
that this was the point where Black lost 6
the game. This would be untrue. Black
would have gotten squeezed with a
5
O*+*+*+*
coming push to g5, had he not played 4 p+*+*+*+
the move and gone passive. In fact,
Black lost the game much earlier.
3 +*+*+*+*
The resourceful engines would try to
2 *+*+*+*+
tell you otherwise, but I personally
1 +*+*+*+*
believe it was already extremely hard to a b c d e f g h
come back after 20...Rac8?. Black
should have tried for some counterplay,
either with the crazy-looking 19...f5! or
White to move
with the more natural 20...a5!. In the
game, Black had no counterplay for a Black is unable to wriggle out from
long time, and giving away a space under the pressure of White’s choking,
advantage for free is a dangerous advanced passed d-pawn. Material is
business. even; the position isn’t. Our deeply
passed d-pawn compresses Black’s
Let’s end the chapter with a series of pieces. Still, we must be vigilant. Note
ancient yet instructive composed that if Black’s rook were removed from
endgame studies that demonstrate how the board, Black would be stalemated,
space can be converted into a win even so we must be on high alert for
in the most simplified positions. stalemate traps. There are three other
Game 10 items of discussion on our agenda:
Josef Kling & Bernhard Horwitz 1) We must drive Black’s rook into
The Chess Player, 1853 complete passivity.
2) We must place Black in zugzwang.
3) We must find a way to promote our
advanced d-pawn.

1.Rc7!

Our failure to see our opponent’s trap

doesn’t negate its existence. While
Black has no overt threats, we must
sense the approach of those hidden 8
t+*L*+*+
underground. 1.Rxa6? walks straight 7
+*+p+*+*
o+r+k+*+
into 1...Rb6+! 2.Rxb6 with stalemate. 6
1...Rb6+ 5
O*+*+*+*
1...Ra8 is met with 2.Rb7! when Black
4 p+*+*+*+
is in zugzwang. If 2...Ra7 we don’t fall
3 +*+*+*+*
for Black’s sucker trap by capturing the 2 *+*+*+*+
rook and allowing stalemate. Instead, we
deliver mate on the back rank with
1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h
3.Rb8 mate.

2.Rc6 Rb8
White to move
Of course, 2...Rxc6+ 3.Kxc6 allows
White to promote the d-pawn. 4.Rb6!

3.Ke6! The next step is to seize the b-file, as

Black can never challenge the c-file due
Forcing Black’s rook into passivity on
to the d7-pawn controlling the c8-
a8.
square.
Ambition is often seen as a virtue, but
push it too far, and it morphs into its evil 4...Kc7 5.Rb2
twin – greed. 3.Rxa6? is just as big a
blunder as it was the first time: 3...Rb6+! Any old place will do to park the rook.
4.Rxb6 is stalemate. The b1- and b3-squares also result in a
win for White.
3...Ra8
5...Rh8
Most of us have at least a
subconscious need to demonstrate to the Black hopes to harass White’s king
world that our existence matters. with lateral checks along the h-file.
However, the rook has no choice but to Alternatively, 5...Rd8 loses to 6.Rc2+
slink into the corner, as moving off the Kb6 7.Ke7, while after 5...Kd8 6.Kd6
back rank – say, to b4 – allows White to Black is in zugzwang.
deliver checkmate on c8.
6.Rc2+! Kb7
 8...Ra8 9.Ke7 Kc7 10.Rc2+
8
*+*+*+*T
+l+p+*+*
7 We complete the dismantling of
Black’s infrastructure by chasing the
6
o+*+k+*+ defending king away from coverage of
5
O*+*+*+* d8.
4 p+*+*+*+ 10...Kb7 11.d8=Q
3 +*+*+*+*
2 *+r+*+*+ Food stores are low, and a harsh

+*+*+*+*
1 winter approaches, promising painful
deprivation for Black. We finally
a b c d e f g h promote, capturing Black’s rook. Notice
how White was able to drive Black’s
king and rook into passive, non-
White to move functional positions, all through the
radiating power of the advanced passed
Exercise: Can you spot White’s d-pawn.
winning idea?
Game 11
Answer: Challenge the h-file, as Josef Kling & Bernhard Horwitz
Black’s rook is overloaded and tied The Chess Player, 1852
down to defending the promotion square
on d8.
8
*+*+l+*+
M*+*+*+*
7.Rh2! 7
A dangerous predator is sighted in the 6
*O*+*K*+
area. 5
Op+*+*+*
7...Rg8
4 p+*+n+*+
3 +*+*+*+*
*+*+*+*+
7...Rxh2 8.d8=Q wins. 2
8.Kf7! 1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h
Black’s rook is running short of
available squares.
 White to move 2.Nd6!

We see another example by these two We cut off Black’s ...Nc8 options, as
great composers. Even a single we will win any resulting king and pawn
weakness – in this case, the b6-pawn – ending.
can be decisive if the aggressor controls 2.Kd6 is another way to win, but it
more space and the weak pawn becomes allows Black’s knight to escape. Let’s
a fixed target. White is winning due to not let this small detail undermine the
the following factors: value of the instructive solution below.
1) White controls a massive quantity
of space on the queenside, while Black’s 2...Kc7
pieces wallow in squalid living quarters.
This is partly due to the more advanced
pawns, but mostly due to the far more
8
*+*+*+*+
active placement of the white king. 7
M*L*+*+*
2) Black’s knight is unable to get out 6
*O*Nk+*+
easily and threaten White’s a-pawn. 5
Op+*+*+*
3) In contrast, Black’s b-pawn is an
easily accessible weakness.
4 p+*+*+*+
4) Black will always lose the resulting
3 +*+*+*+*
king and pawn ending if knights are
2 *+*+*+*+
exchanged, due to White’s strong king 1 +*+*+*+*
position. a b c d e f g h
Despite these factors, it feels
intuitively that Black should hold the
draw, since there is only the single
weakness of b6. But this is an illusion White to move
since Black’s cringing pieces just don’t
3.Ne8+!
have enough room to maneuver.
In the present day, information and
1.Ke6 Kd8
data are released faster than our limited
1...Nc8? makes it easy for White. brains can absorb. In the prehistoric,
After 2.Nd6+! White wins the king and pre-engine days, the composers
pawn ending since the b-pawn mistakenly gave 3.Ke7? which allows
eventually falls. Black to escape with a draw. The engine
points out the clever 3...Nc6+!, when
White’s raiding party is repelled: 4.bxc6
(otherwise Black’s knight escapes its
prison) 4...Kxc6 5.Ke6 Kc5 with a Answer: Step 1: Transfer the knight to
draw. f5 via e3. Then Black’s mobility is
restricted even further due to the
3...Kd8 4.Nf6 Nc8 possible check on d6.

4...Kc7 is met with: 5.Nd5+ Kb7 6.Ne3! Kd8

6.Kd7 Nc8 7.Ne7 Na7 8.Nf5! (now
...Nc8 is met with winning After 6...Ne7 7.Nc4 Nc8 8.Nd6+!
simplification after a check on d6) White wins the king and pawn ending.
8...Kb8 9.Nd6 Ka8 10.Kc7 and Black
loses the knight. 7.Nf5! Kc7 8.Ne7!

5.Nd5! Step 2: Offer to swap knights on e7.

Black’s knight has to back off to a7, as
We pin Black’s knight down to moving it to d6 loses a piece to a knight
defense of b6. check on d5.

5...Ke8 8...Na7

Since we’ve mentioned the pawn

8
*+m+l+*+ endgame so many times, let’s finally
7
+*+*+*+* check it out: 8...Nxe7 is totally hopeless
for Black after 9.Kxe7 Kc8 10.Kd6
6
*O*+k+*+ Kb7 11.Kd7 Kb8 12.Kc6 Ka7 13.Kc7
5
Op+n+*+* when both black pawns will fall.
4 p+*+*+*+ 9.Nd5+!
3 +*+*+*+*
2 *+*+*+*+ Step 3: Check on d5, allowing our
1 +*+*+*+* king to infiltrate d7.
a b c d e f g h 9...Kb7

This king’s civil rights continue to be

violated.
White to move
10.Kd7 Nc8 11.Ne3!
Exercise: Come up with a clear
plan for White to make progress: Step 4: Threaten to transfer the knight
to d6, via c4. 13.Nxb6 Kb7 14.Nc4
11.Ne7 and transferring the knight to
d6 via f5 is another idea. The a5-pawn falls as well.
Despite the low level of material and
11...Kb8 so few pawns on the board, Black was
unable to hold from the starting position,
due to the following factors:
8
*Lm+*+*+ 1) White had a massive space
7
+*+k+*+* advantage.
6
*O*+*+*+ 2) White had the better king position.
5
Op+*+*+* 3) The pawn on b6 was an eternal,
4 p+*+*+*+ fixed target.
4) Black couldn’t afford to swap
3 +*+*N*+* knights. This factor allowed White to
2 *+*+*+*+ drive Black’s knight into total passivity,
1 +*+*+*+* to a7.
a b c d e f g h As hinted in the introduction to this
study, factors one and two are closely
intertwined, to the point of being
possible to confuse as one and the same.
White to move Principle: Space, even if usually
associated only with pawn structures, is
So ugly are the black king and knight
also connected to piece placement. For
that they would be well advised to avoid
example, having the more active king in
gazing into mirrors, as the reflected
a pawn endgame usually feels like
image would only scare them.
having a space advantage.
12.Nc4
The next study is sort of a mirror
Zugzwang. Black must either accept image of the last one, with the only
the lost king and pawn ending or hang difference being that it is a contest of
the b6-pawn. bishop versus bad knight, rather than
good knight versus bad knight, as we
12...Na7 saw in the previous example.
12...Kb7 13.Nd6+ is an easy win for Game 12
White. Josef Kling & Bernhard Horwitz
The Chess Player, 1853
 1...Kf7 2.Ba3!
8
*+*+*L*+
+*+k+*+m
7 Any waiting move on this diagonal is
fine. Black is in zugzwang.
6
*+*+*O*+
5
+*+*+pO* 2...Kg7
4 *+*+*+p+ 2...Nf8+ also loses without a fight:
3 +*+*+*+* 3.Bxf8 Kxf8 4.Ke6 Kg7 5.Ke7.
2 *+*B*+*+ Zugzwang. Black’s pawns fall.
1 +*+*+*+* 3.Ke6 Kg8
a b c d e f g h

8
*+*+*+l+
White to move
7
+*+*+*+m
6
*+*+kO*+
The bare house cries out for
furnishing. Black’s position is well past
5
+*+*+pO*
repair, for the following reasons:
4 *+*+*+p+
1) White owns a huge space advantage
3 B*+*+*+*
on the kingside, partly because of the far 2 *+*+*+*+
superior placement of the king. 1 +*+*+*+*
2) Black’s pawns are fixed on the a b c d e f g h
same color as White’s bishop, which in
turn means they are potential targets.
3) White’s bishop is clearly the
superior minor piece. White to move
4) Black can’t afford to swap down 4.Ke7
into a king and pawn ending, since it
will always be winning for White. The most accurate by the slightest of
margins.
1.Bb4+
4.Bb4 was given by the composers. It
It makes sense for us to cover f8, since makes no big difference.
Black’s knight is completely out of
4...Kg7 5.Bb2
moves now.
 Zugzwang. Chess is a world without
charity or a social safety net. An old-age 8
*+*+*Tl+
pension or Social Security doesn’t exist 7
+*O*+*+*
o+n+*+k+
on the chessboard. Either you have 6
money in old age, or you live on the
street and starve. Both of Black’s pawns
5
P*+*+*+*
eventually fall. 4 *+*+*+*+
This is not a study by the usual 3 +*+*+*+b
*+*+*+*+
modern definition – there were many 2
paths for White toward victory.
However, it was no less instructive. The
1 +*+*+*+*
f6-pawn was unable to survive due to a b c d e f g h
White’s superior king position, better
minor piece and extra space.
Playing on the same theme, but in White to move
even more extreme circumstances, the
next study is a rare example of a space Exercise: Can White squeeze
advantage accomplished without the use anything out of the superior piece
of pawns in the slightest. The space is placement?
gained using only our pieces.
Game 13 Answer: Some types of pain don’t
Josef Kling & Bernhard Horwitz show on the outside, which looks to be
The Chess Player, 1853 fine. At first glance, we suspect that
Black should be OK. However, upon
deeper examination, we uncover that the
truth is the exact opposite:
1) White is up a touch of material,
with two pieces for a rook and pawn.
2) There is a massive disparity
regarding the quality of king placement.
3) White can shut Black’s rook out of
play with the maneuver of 1.Be6+
followed by 2.Bf7! when Black’s rook is
relegated to the eighth rank, with no
hope of escape.
4) As we shall soon realize, Black’s
king is in danger, despite the greatly envision the knight jumping from c6 to
simplified landscape. White’s potential g6 and delivering checkmate.
attack simultaneously is/isn’t hovering
in that twilight zone of 3...Rf8 4.Ne5!
dangerous/benign. It is our job to make
The custody battle for g6 is over, and
it work out.
it is clear that White won the case. The
1.Be6+ Kh8 2.Bf7! threat of Ng6 mate forces Black to hand
over the exchange.
The black rook’s much-anticipated
rise in status has been put on hold. Do 4...Rxf7 5.Nxf7+ Kg8 6.Kg6 c5 7.Nd6
you see how White dominates with
This way we halt the c-pawn while
space, even without pawns? Only f8, c8,
denying the black king access to e8.
and a8 remain as safe squares for
Black’s shuffling rook. 7...Kf8 8.Kf6
2...Rc8 Black soon loses both pawns. In this
domination study, White’s space

*+t+*+*L
8 advantage was magically produced with
pieces alone, controlling territory
7
+*O*+b+* without the help of a single pawn in the
6
o+n+*+k+ center or kingside.
5
P*+*+*+*
4 *+*+*+*+ Conclusion
3 +*+*+*+* The critical element needed to convert
our space advantage into a full point is
2 *+*+*+*+ board control. In other words, we should
1 +*+*+*+* extinguish the opponent’s counterplay,
a b c d e f g h allowing the permanent features of our
position to shine through. We must
clamp down on the opponent’s ability to
spread chaos or find ways to disrupt. If
White to move we were to allow such counterplay, our
position could start feeling overextended
3.Kh6!
instead of more spacious.
White goes public with his intent to
play for mate. Suddenly, it’s easy to
 where the opponent is invited to grab
central space. Of course, Black’s goal is
then to chip away at it.
Chapter Two
Overextension 2.d4 d5 3.e5!?

When we play a new opening with

If Chapter 1 was the matter, then this which we are unfamiliar, we tend to play
one is its inverse – anti-matter – where it politely, as if we were a guest in our
the invader becomes the invaded. own house. The Advance line was a big
Normally, when mentioning that one surprise, since Bruce nearly always met
side owns “space”, the annotator follows the French with the Tarrasch variation,
with the almost obligatory word where White’s knight moves to d2,
“advantage”. In this chapter, we will protecting the e4-pawn and maintaining
look at situations where the side with the the tension for the time being.
extra space fails to win due to
overextension. In other words, we will 3...c5 4.c3 Bd7!? 5.Nf3 Qb6
examine examples where once-imposing
territorial gains are chipped away, and
space becomes a burden rather than a 8
tM*+lVmT
benefit. 7
Oo+v+oOo
The first game became a battle 6
*W*+o+*+
+*OoP*+*
between White’s kingside space and 5
Black’s superior piece activity. A single
out-of-play piece (White’s knight, stuck
4 *+*P*+*+
on a3) was the difference between White 3 +*P*+n+*
achieving a squeeze and getting
overextended.
2 pP*+*PpP
Game 14
1 RnBqKb+r
a b c d e f g h
Bruce Baker – Cyrus Lakdawala
San Diego (rapid) 2011

1.e4 e6 White to move

When shopping for openings, the Developing the knight to c6 is more

question we should ask ourselves is: “Is natural. The idea of this line is for Black
it me?” For some reason, I have always to exchange the bad bishop on b5.
been drawn to openings like the French, However, this comes at a cost, as Black
loses time in the process.
8
*+t+lV*T
Oo+vMoOo
6.Na3!? 7
A rare move, seeking to prevent the 6
*Wm+o+*+
swap on b5. 5
+*+oP*+*
6...cxd4 7.cxd4 Ne7
4 *+*P*+*+
3 Np+*+n+*
p+*+bPpP
Grabbing the knight with 7...Bxa3?! 2
would be a good deal for White, whose
enhancement on the dark squares is
1 R*Bq+rK*
worth more than the minimal structural a b c d e f g h
damage inflicted. On the other hand,
normally 7...Nc6 is played here. I hate
the fact that individualism and personal
Black to move
autonomy are beginning to collapse in
the opening stage of chess, since Big The move is inaccurate, since after my
Brother Theory always knows what is next move, the a3-knight is shut out of
best for us. That’s why I’m trying to mix play, at least for a while.
things up a bit with the move order, just
in case Bruce sticks to his pre-game 10...Nb4!
preparation.
After this, the knight on a3 languishes,
8.Be2 Nbc6 9.0-0 Rc8 10.b3?! offside and unable to centralize via c2.

10.Nc2 is better. 11.Bb2 Ng6

I was nervous about playing the most

natural 11...Nf5, since it provokes
12.g4?!. But after simply returning with
12...Ne7, the pawn on g4 is a terrible
weakness, and the knight is coming to
g6 with much greater effect.

12.g3

White wants to expand on the kingside

with h2-h4, getting some play against
my slightly misplaced knight on g6. f2-pawn.
3) After ...f7-f6, the f7-square is
12...Be7 13.h4 0-0 14.h5 Nh8 conveniently opened for the wayward
h8-knight. From f7, the knight increases

*+t+*TlM
8 the pressure on e5 while keeping watch
over g5 as well.
7
Oo+vVoOo 4) White’s knight remains out of play
6
*W*+o+*+ on a3, unable to move to c2. This, in
5
+*+oP*+p turn, means that White is unable to eject
4 *M*P*+*+ Black’s well-placed knight on b4 with
a2-a3, since White’s knight is in the
3 Np+*+nP* way.
2 pB*+bP*+ 5) White’s a1-rook can’t move without
1 R*+q+rK* hanging a2.
a b c d e f g h 6) White is unable to play Nb1,
intending to eject the b4-knight with a2-
a3, since then Black plays ...Nc2,
trapping the a1-rook and winning the
White to move
exchange.
This is not a good look for the knight. Conclusion: I was happy with Black’s
Black’s position may seem awful, but is position and felt that Black stood a
it really? What data can we glean from shade better.
this odd congregation?
15.Qd2 f6!
1) White owns a load of space, but
what is he planning to do with it? If he Principle: The opponent’s space must
tries h5-h6, it will be met with ...g7-g6. eventually be challenged, otherwise the
I’m not worried about the potential more cramped side risks asphyxiation.
weakening of the kingside dark squares,
since White’s dark-squared bishop is out 16.Rfe1
of play, fianchettoed on b2.
This was a natural move, but at the
2) Black plans to chip away at White’s
same time, it was seriously inaccurate.
imposing center with ...f7-f6. When this
White underestimates the pressure
happens, the f-file is certain to open, and
exerted on f2; the rook was needed on
we see the embryo of a plan: a potential
f1. However, it was already tough to
confluence of Black’s queen and rooks
find a good way for White to play.
on the open file, applying pressure to the
16...Nf7 17.Bd1 Bc5. Not only does Black win the
queen, but ...Nb4-d3 is comes, and
This unnatural contortion is an attempt White will lose even more material.
to bring the wayward a3-knight back
into the game via c2. The problem is 19...Bd6 20.Re3
that it disrupts communication along the
first rank. 20.Re2 is even worse by comparison,
The engine wants 17.Rf1, but we all as it blocks the d1-bishop, thus allowing
know that’s not happening. the rook on f8 access to the f3-square.

8
*+t+*Tl+
8
*+t+*Tl+
7
Oo+vVmOo
7
Oo+v+*Oo
6
*W*+oO*+
6
*W*Vo+*+
5
+*+oP*+p
5
+*+o+*+p
4 *M*P*+*+
4 *M*P*+*+
3 Np+*+nP*
3 Np+*R*P*
2 pB*Q*P*+
2 pB*Q*P*+
1 R*+bR*K*
1 R*+b+*K*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move
Black to move
20...e5!
17...fxe5!

The f-file is opened. The initiative and piece activity take

precedence over mere dollars, euros, and
18.Nxe5 cents. I’m prepared to give away a pawn
to allow the dark-squared bishop access
18.dxe5 is strongly met with to the c5-square.
18...Ng5!.
21.dxe5
18...Nxe5 19.Rxe5
Understandably, Bruce didn’t want my
Taking with the rook was forced, as e-pawn reaching e4. Of course, the
19.dxe5?? allows 19...Rxf2 20.Qxf2 problem with accepting the sacrifice is
that Black’s pieces become even more the correct engine line presented below.
active. Even better was the amazing
22...Bg4!, insisting on attacking down
21...Bc5 22.Rf3 the f-file by challenging the rook on f3.
The engine comes up with two
White evades a trap and finds the best
extraordinary moves, one for each side.
available chance.
First, 23.Rf6!!, threatening the queen on
22.Re2?? would run into 22...Rxf2!
b6 and trying to momentarily blunt the
23.Rxf2 Rf8 and it’s time for White to
f-file, finding time to take the bishop on
resign.
g4. At the same time, if Black were to
take on f6, the b2-bishop would
8
*+t+*Tl+ immediately increase in strength.
7
Oo+v+*Oo Then 23...Be6!! is an amazing, cool-
6
*W*+*+*+ headed response. After luring the rook
5
+*VoP*+p to f6, the bishop retreats, away from
harm’s way, blocking the sixth rank and
4 *M*+*+*+ protecting the d5-pawn. Now the rook
3 Np+*+rP* on f6 is hanging, and retreating to f3
2 pB*Q*P*+ with 24.Rf3 loses to 24...Rxf3 25.Bxf3
1 R*+b+*K* Rf8. The bishop has magically moved
from d7 to e6, compared to the line
a b c d e f g h
above, which is obviously a better
square, protecting the d5-pawn and
blocking the passed pawns on e5. Black
Black to move wins comfortably after 26.Qe2 d4!
27.Rf1 d3 28.Qd1 Bh3.
22...Bf5?
23.h6?
I wanted to sink the knight into d3 or
plant my bishop on e4. Yet, this plan Now all that was once solid turns to
isn’t vigorous enough, and nearly all of dust.
Black’s advantage is squandered. White should have played 23.Rc1!
A more straightforward and better way (Black’s dark-squared bishop must be
to play would have been 22...Rxf3!? eliminated at any cost) 23...Nd3
23.Bxf3 Rf8 when Black is objectively 24.Rxc5! (Black will deeply miss this
winning at the end of the complications. bishop) 24...Nxc5 25.Nc2! when he has
However, I cannot resist mentioning too full strategic compensation for the
sacrificed exchange. 27.Bg4 Rce8 28.Rc1 Nxc1

23...Be4 The only reason Bruce plays on is my

time pressure.
Black’s pieces control the board once
again, and f2 can no longer be defended. 29.Bxc1 Rxe5 30.Rxf8+ Bxf8 0-1

24.Qg5 White’s down-and-out position won’t

survive an ending, a full exchange
Desperation. Forcing the queens off behind. As our mothers advised us, we
the board isn’t going to save White. shouldn’t judge people (or knights) by
their outer appearance. As it turned out,
24...Qxh6
White’s knight on a3 became a big
White’s mate threat is covered. problem, while Black’s knight on h8
hopped back into play after Black began
25.Qxh6 gxh6 26.Rf6 the counterattack with 15...f7-f6.
Game 15
Trading on f8 is also hopeless since f2
Braulio Cuarta – Cyrus
can no longer be defended.
Lakdawala
San Diego (rapid) 2015
8
*+t+*Tl+
7
Oo+*+*+o
6
*+*+*R*O 8
tM*+t+l+
5
+*VoP*+* 7
OoW*VoOo
4 *M*+v+*+ 6
*+*+o+*+
3 Np+*+*P* 5
+*+oP*+v
2 pB*+*P*+ 4 p+*P*+*+
1 R*+b+*K* 3 +*+b+n+p
a b c d e f g h 2 *P*+qPp+
1 R*Br+*K*
a b c d e f g h
Black to move

26...Nd3
White to move
White’s position collapses.
 The lesson from this game would be path: 18.Bxh7+ Kxh7 19.Ng5+ Bxg5
that the opponent’s space shouldn’t 20.Qxh5+ Bh6.
intimidate us if, in turn, we can achieve
a few trades. In the best-case scenario, 8
tM*+t+*+
these trades might also leave holes in the
overextended side’s position. Here:
7
OoW*+oOl
1) White controls more space all
6
*+*+o+*V
across the board.
5
+*+oP*+q
2) The queenside space comes at a 4 p+*P*+*+
cost for White: a hole on b4. 3 +*+*+*+p
3) White’s knight is awkwardly
pinned. I calculated that the Bxh7+ and
2 *P*+*Pp+
Ng5+ sequence is at least even for
1 R*Br+*K*
Black; if White plays g2-g4, not only a b c d e f g h
does he risk future overextension, but he
also pretty much ensures a swap of
light-squared bishops, leaving White White to move
with a bad remaining bishop.
4) If the light-squared bishops are We humans suffer from biological
swapped, then, by default, White constraints, the worst of which is aging
becomes weak on the light squares. past our prime. In my geezerhood, I
Conclusion: The engine slightly calculated: 21.g4? (apparently, 21.Ra3!
prefers White, due to the space, while I was correct, with a complete mess)
was happy with Black’s position, 21...Rh8! 22.g5 g6! when White’s big
confident that White’s chances of problem is that if the queen takes the
overextending were greater than his bishop, she is trapped after ...Kg8. If the
chances of delivering mate to my king. queen moves to h4, Black responds with
...Qe7. In both cases, White is in deep
18.g4!? trouble.

When we are sick, most of us rely on 18...Bg6

our doctor, rather than our witch doctor.
This is a committal push. I feel that As mentioned above, I’m happy to
White risks overextension more than swap off White’s powerful attacking
Black risks getting mated. To be fair bishop.
though, the engine likes it.
19.Bd2
I expected the even more aggressive
 Having said ‘A’, it was better for 21...a6
White to say ‘B’, with 19.h4!.
I did not want a light-squared puncture
19...Nc6 20.Rdc1 in my queenside structure with a coming
a5-a6. Furthermore, I envisioned a
Against 20.h4 I was planning 20...Rf8, future with the c6-knight on b5 and,
the point being 21.h5 Bxd3 22.Qxd3 f6!, because light-squared bishops are
with good counterplay. Principle: Meet a inevitably going to be exchanged, I felt
flank attack by striking back in the it was good practice to fix my
center. opponent’s pawns on dark squares.

8
t+*+t+l+ 22.b4!?
7
OoW*VoOo The Cuban Master’s lust for space is
6
*+m+o+v+ bottomless.
5
+*+oP*+* 22...Qd7
4 p+*P*+p+
3 +*+b+n+p It’s a good idea to unpin the knight,
2 *P*BqP*+ which can be transferred to the b5 hole
via a7.
1 R*R*+*K*
a b c d e f g h 23.Rab1?

This is just too slow, since White

won’t get a chance to play b4-b5. White
Black to move had to take the plunge and try: 23.b5!
Bxd3 24.Qxd3 axb5 25.Qxb5.
20...Rec8?!

In hindsight, this is the wrong rook, as

it belongs on f8 to follow the plan
mentioned in the note above.

21.a5!?

Alternatively, 21.b4 Bxd3 22.Qxd3

Qd8 looks OK for Black, who has just
enough space to accommodate all his
pieces.
 8
t+t+*+l+ 8
t+t+*+l+
7
+o+wVoOo 7
Mo+wVoOo
6
*+m+o+*+ 6
o+*+o+v+
5
Pq+oP*+* 5
P*+oP*+*
4 *+*P*+p+ 4 *P*P*+pP
3 +*+*+n+p 3 +*+b+n+*
2 *+*B*P*+ 2 *+*BqP*+
1 R*R*+*K* 1 +rR*+*K*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move Black to move

Now best is to shift Black’s bishop to The disciplinarian approaches the

d8. However, I had planned 25...Nxe5?! unruly child. Rage has a way of
26.Rxc8+ Rxc8 27.Qxd7 Nxd7, not rearranging logic into emotion. I knew
noticing that after 28.Rb1 White stands this was coming, sooner or later, but it
better in the endgame, since the b7- should have come sooner. After all these
pawn cannot be held. moves on the queenside, there is no
realistic kingside attack to speak of. If
23...Na7! White had at any point played Bxg6, I
planned to recapture with the f7-pawn,
The knight soon occupies the hole on
based on the following Principle:
b5, and White’s queenside light squares
Capture away from the center when your
begin to leak.
king is under attack.
24.h4?!
24...Rxc1+

If White is playing for mate on the

kingside, then trades benefit the
defending side.

25.Rxc1 Rc8 26.Rb1 Bxd3 27.Qxd3

Qb5
 Black would be delighted to enter an allows the black pieces tremendous
ending where White is somewhat activity. This makes a successful
overextended on the queenside light kingside attack highly unlikely.
squares.
28...Rc4 29.Qf4 Rc2
28.Qe3!?
Slightly stronger is 29...Qa4, clearing
28.Qxb5 Nxb5 29.Kf1 Rc2 doesn’t b5 for the knight and contemplating
look like much fun for White either. invading with the queen on c2 instead of
the rook.
8
*+t+*+l+ 30.Ng5
7
Mo+*VoOo
6
o+*+o+*+ 30.h5 is also not at all scary due to the
5
Pw+oP*+* powerful 30...Qd3! when it looks like
Black is the only one attacking.
4 *P*P*+pP
3 +*+*Qn+* 30...Bxg5
2 *+*B*P*+ I was happy to eliminate a potential
1 +r+*+*K* white attacker.
a b c d e f g h
31.Qxg5

White to move 8
*+*+*+l+
Attacking addict Braulio is in dire
7
Mo+*+oOo
need of rehab. Creativity can be a form
6
o+*+o+*+
of escapism from our mundane lives. 5
Pw+oP*Q*
But what if the position demands the 4 *P*P*+pP
+*+*+*+*
mundane? Braulio plays the human 3
move, dodging a queen swap, since an
ending would be unpleasant to defend
2 *+tB*P*+
due to White’s bad bishop, the holes on 1 +r+*+*K*
b5 and c4, and the weak pawns on b4 a b c d e f g h
and d4. The problem with backing off
from the queen trade is that White cedes
even more queenside light squares and
 Black to move

31...Nc6
8
*+*+*+l+
7
+o+*+oO*
Oh no, you don’t! White is 6
o+m+o+*O
overextended, and his problem
pluralizes into ‘problems’:
5
P*+oP*+p
1) White’s attempt at back rank mate
4 *P*P*Qp+
is covered, as is a queen infiltration to
3 +*+wB*+*
e7. 2 *+t+*P*+
2) White is stuck with a bad bishop, 1 +r+*+*K*
with pawns fixed on the same color, a b c d e f g h
versus Black’s good knight.
3) The terminally weak light squares
are a source of heartache for White.
Black to move
4) White’s attack is non-existent, since
a lone queen and a couple of pawns are 34...Rxf2
not enough to seriously endanger the
black king. A simple discovered attack on the b1-
rook. I can’t truthfully claim this is the
32.h5 h6 deepest tactical shot of all time. Black
wins.
Oh, no, you don’t, part two! Of course,
Black can’t allow White’s h-pawn to the 35.Bxf2 Qxb1+ 36.Kh2 Nxb4
sixth rank, since that would create fatal
dark-squared weaknesses around the Delicious.
black king.
37.Bh4 Qc2+ 38.Kh3 Qd3+ 39.Kh2
33.Qf4 Qd3 34.Be3 Qe4 0-1

White must either swap queens or lose

more pawns.
This game was an example of how to
meet an attacking opponent, who throws
their pawns forward with ferocious
abandon to get to your king. You should
keep in mind the following:
1) Keep looking for swaps, since the
side that recklessly pushes pawns feel comfortable in the positions that
forward will often reach a losing ending arise. Admittedly, that is not the most
if too many pieces are swapped. In fact, convincing argument.
you can even bully the opponent with
swaps, since they will need to back 2.exd5 Qxd5 3.Nc3 Qd6 4.d4 Nf6
down, out of fear of an inferior ending.

tMv+lV*T
2) It was Tigran Petrosian who warned 8
us: be careful about pushing your
pawns, since when you do so, they can
7
OoO*OoOo
never reverse themselves. When an 6
*+*W*M*+
opponent pushes forward aggressively, 5
+*+*+*+*
*+*P*+*+
they often leave holes (in the case of this 4
game, on b5 and c4) or weak color
complexes in their wake. Try to seize
3 +*N*+*+*
control of such squares or exploit those 2 pPp+*PpP
weakened color complexes. 1 R*BqKbNr
3) Always keep in mind to meet the a b c d e f g h
opponent’s wing attack with a central
counter.
In the next game, White overestimated
his own king’s safety after pushing his White to move
kingside pawns early on.
5.Nb5
Game 16
Dionisio Aldama – Cyrus White seeks to gain queenside space
Lakdawala with c2-c4.
San Diego (rapid) 2017
5...Qd8 6.c4 c6 7.Nc3 g6
1.e4 d5
I prefer this plan to developing the
Welcome to my tribe. I have an bishop to f5, followed by ...e7-e6,
awkward time explaining the choice of especially now that the white c-pawn is
the Scandinavian, since in the 2...Qxd5 on c4, so the d4-pawn will always be
lines, Black immediately violates somewhat tender.
classical wisdom. Principle: Don’t bring
your queen out early, as she may get 8.h3!
trapped and will certainly get chased
Principle: The side with more space
around, leading to a loss of time. Yet, I
should avoid exchanges. one, yet it’s Stockfish’s top choice, over
8.Nf3 would offer Black a chance at a calmer options like 12.Qb3 or 12.Nxe4.
healing swap with 8...Bg4 and later
...Bxf3. 12...Nxc3 13.bxc3

8...Bg7 9.Nf3 0-0 10.Be2 Bf5 White isn’t too concerned about the
doubling of the c-pawns, since his last
I’m following GM Tiviakov’s plan, move strengthens the center and opens
which is to free Black’s game with the b-file.
...Ne4.
13...Bc8
11.0-0 Ne4
Steinitz approved. The b7-pawn
Principle (symmetrical to the one requires protection, and the bishop
above): The cramped side benefits from would, anyway, be in the way of our
exchanges. other pieces if I had chosen a different
square. Not many crave the grey,
8
tM*W*Tl+ tasteless mush known as gruel, yet
Oliver Twist dreamed of a second
7
Oo+*OoVo serving. The engine loves White’s
6
*+o+*+o+ position, but I hate intolerant bigots who
5
+*+*+v+* tell me that the Scandinavian sucks!
4 *+pPm+*+ Personally, I am fine with playing
Black, since if White’s development
3 +*N*+n+p lead and space don’t lead to anything
2 pP*+bPp+ concrete, there looms the specter of
1 R*Bq+rK* overextension.
a b c d e f g h
14.Bg5

White to move

12.g4!?

It’s human nature to take great risks in

times of crisis. Yet how many of us are
willing to take great risks when all is
well? This is a novelty and a hot-headed
 with a future ...b7-b6.
8
tMvW*Tl+
Oo+*OoVo
7 16...Nf8

6
*+o+*+o+ This way, I prepare to challenge any
5
+*+*+*B* pressure down the a2-g8 diagonal by

*+pP*+p+
4 blocking it with either ...Be6 or ...Ne6.

3 +*P*+n+p 17.Rb1
2 p+*+bP*+ White discourages ...Be6, since then
1 R*+q+rK* the b7-pawn hangs.
a b c d e f g h
8
t+vWtMl+
7
Oo+*OoVo
Black to move 6
*+o+*+o+
I was happy to see this move, since,
5
+*P*+*B*
against a later counterattack with either 4 *+*P*+p+
...f7-f5 or ...h7-h5, White no longer has 3 +*P*+n+p
p+*+bP*+
the option to bypass with g4-g5. 2
14...Nd7 1 +r+qR*K*
a b c d e f g h
I also considered 14...f5!, which is the
engine’s top choice. The main reason I
rejected it was that the move is in
violation of the Principle: Don’t create Black to move
confrontation when lagging in
development. 17...b6

15.Re1 Re8 16.c5 Principle: Don’t allow your

opponent’s space to go unchallenged for
The engine frowns upon this ambitious too long.
move, which plans an assault on f7 with
Bc4 and Qb3, preferring the calmer 18.cxb6 axb6 19.a4
retreat of the bishop to f1. The problem
Preventing ...b6-b5. 19.Bc4 is met
with White’s last move is that it allows
with 19...b5 20.Bb3 Be6 and Black is
Black to chip away at White’s center
even. A move made with the thought: when
it comes to material, the have-nots often
19...Be6 defeat the haves. Aldama, whose natural
instinct is to always set the position
I wanted to loosen his center by
ablaze, sacrifices a pawn to break up my
provoking c3-c4, which also prevents
queenside pawn chain.
White’s bishop from posting on the
square. 23...bxa5 24.Qa3?!

20.c4 24.Nd2 was a more accurate choice.

8
t+*WtMl+
8
*+*WtMl+
7
+*+*OoVo
7
+*+vOoVo
6
*Oo+v+o+
6
t+*+*+o+
5
+*+*+*B*
5
O*Op+*B*
4 p+pP*+p+
4 *+p+*+p+
3 +*+*+n+p
3 Q*+*+n+p
2 *+*+bP*+
2 *+*+bP*+
1 +r+qR*K*
1 +r+*R*K*
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

Black to move
Black to move
It isn’t easy to accurately assess this
20...c5
position. The engine slightly prefers
I stake out a modest claim in the Black. My usual problem was that I was
center. a troubling 14 minutes behind on the
clock in this rapid game, played under
21.d5 Bd7 22.Qb3 the time control of 40 minutes for the
whole game.
IM Aldama counterattacks b6, rather
than defend a4. 24...f5

22...Ra6 23.a5!? Right idea, wrong pawn.

 The engine slightly prefers the plan White to move
24...h5! 25.gxh5 Qc8!, giving Black an
edge. White’s position certainly has a 27.Nd4?
sense of overextension, especially due to
The knight is vulnerable on d4.
the exposed king.
Retreating the queen with 27.Qe3
25.Qxc5 fxg4 places Black’s position under strong
pressure, since e7 is under attack and
I should have tossed in 25...h6!, using cannot be defended.
the fact that 26.Bh4 is currently
unavailable due to 26...g5, forcing the 27...Bxe2 28.Nxe2
bishop away from the h4-d8 diagonal,
Dang it, Aldama dodged my small
relieving the pressure exerted against the
trap.
e7-pawn.
After the game, Aldama told me he
26.hxg4 Bxg4? planned the mega-blunder 28.Rxe2??
then at the last moment, he realized it
Such chaotic positions are hard to hung a piece to 28...Nd7!, disconnecting
handle accurately, especially at quicker White’s queen from the hanging knight
time controls. on d4.
Correct was 26...a4! with the obvious
but quite effective plan of ...a4-a3-a2- 28...Nd7 29.Qb5 Rb6! 30.Qa4
a1=Q.
Taking the a5-pawn hangs an entire
rook after the simple capture on b1.
8
*+*WtMl+
7
+*+*O*Vo
6
t+*+*+o+
5
O*Qp+*B*
4 *+p+*+v+
3 +*+*+n+*
2 *+*+bP*+
1 +r+*R*K*
a b c d e f g h
 8
*+*Wt+l+ 8
*+w+*Tl+
7
+*+mO*Vo 7
+*+mO*Vo
6
*T*+*+o+ 6
*+*+*+o+
5
O*+p+*B* 5
O*+p+*+*
4 q+p+*+*+ 4 q+p+*+*+
3 +*+*+*+* 3 +*+*+*B*
2 *+*+nP*+ 2 *+*+nP*+
1 +r+*R*K* 1 +r+*+*K*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move Black to move

30...Qc8! 33...Ne5!

I begin to take aim at White’s weak Black has a winning attack. The
kingside light squares. absence of the g- and h-pawns in front
of the white king is what ultimately
31.Bf4? comes back to haunt him.

This ambitious move is a sign that 34.c5

White underestimated Black’s attacking
potential. He should be doing everything Desperation.
possible to remove queens from the 34.Rc1 is too slow: 34...Qg4! 35.Qc2
board. Thus, he was better off entering Nf3+ 36.Kg2 Nh4+ 37.Kg1.
an inferior ending with 31.Kg2 Rxb1
32.Rxb1 Nc5 33.Qc6! Qxc6 34.dxc6
Ne6.

31...Rf8! 32.Bg3 Rxb1 33.Rxb1

 36.Qxc4 Nxc4
8
*+*+*Tl+
+*+*O*Vo
7 Thank God. The queens have been
removed from the board, and the
6
*+*+*+o+ position is simplified enough to be
5
O*+p+*+* confident of winning by relying on the
4 *+p+*+wM five-second delay per move.
3 +*+*+*B* 37.Rb7 Bf6 38.Ra7 Rd8 39.Rc7
2 *+q+nP*+
+*R*+*K*
1 39.Nf4 is met with 39...g5!, shooing
away the defender of the d5-pawn.
a b c d e f g h
39...Nb6 40.d6 exd6 41.Rc6 Nd5
42.Bxd6
Black to move

Now 37...Rxf2!! annihilates the

8
*+*T*+l+
defensive barrier: 38.Kxf2 Qf3+ 39.Ke1
7
+*+*+*+o
(forced, since moving to g1 allows 6
*+rB*Vo+
Black to mate on g2) 39...Ng2+ 40.Kd2
(moving to d1 allows Black a fatal fork
5
O*+m+*+*
on e3) 40...Bh6+. White’s king is unable
4 *+*+*+*+
to move to d1 due to the fork on e3, and 3 +*+*+*+*
blocking with a piece on f4 is hopeless 2 *+*+nP*+
as well. 1 +*+*+*K*
34...Qxc5!? a b c d e f g h

This was a practical decision. I knew

in my heart that Black had a winning
Black to move
attack by transferring the queen to f5,
but I was desperately low on time and 42...Ra8
eager to simplify.
Principle: Place your rooks behind
35.Qe4 Qc4!? your passed pawns. The rest was
relatively easy, since Black has the no-
Another choice made under the duress
brainer plan of simply pushing the a-
of the ticking clock.
pawn down the board. chance of winning the tournament.
However, his only hope for first place,
43.Ba3 Be7! the natural birthright of a world
champion, was to defeat MVL with the
The blockader is removed.
black pieces.
44.Nc3 Bxa3 45.Nxd5 Bf8 46.Rc2 Game 17
Maxime Vachier-Lagrave –
46.Rc7, threatening a cheapo mate Magnus Carlsen
with Nf6+ and Rxh7 mate, is easily St. Louis 2019
foiled with either 46...Ra6 or 46...Bg7,
covering the f6-square. 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5

46...a4 47.Ra2 a3 0-1 When I was a kid in the 1970s,

everyone played Open Sicilians. Today,
White is down two pawns and Anti-Sicilians are just as common.
hopelessly tied down by the passed a-
pawn. 3...g6 4.Bxc6 bxc6!?
Our opponents can become reckless
when pursuing what they believe to be This capture toward the center was
an attack on our king. If we manage to probably surprising, as Magnus had
keep our cool, we can exploit that typically recaptured with the d-pawn –
recklessness. Note how White’s early, except in one game against Anand.
aggressive kingside pawn pushes later
resulted in his own king becoming 8
t+vWlVmT
compromised. 7
O*+oOo+o
In the next game, White, a world-class 6
*+o+*+o+
+*O*+*+*
super grandmaster, lashed out with 5
weakening pawn moves in search of
virtually nonexistent attacking chances.
4 *+*+p+*+
Carlsen’s subsequent brilliant play was 3 +*+*+n+*
instructive in how to punish such 2 pPpP*PpP
RnBqK*+r
overextension. He had begun that year’s 1
Sinquefield Cup with nine frustrating
draws in a row. After winning his 10th- a b c d e f g h
round game against Wesley So, he
surprisingly entered this game – played
in the 11th and final round – with a real White to move
5.d4!?
8
t+vWlVmT
O*+*O*+o
Castling is the more flexible main line. 7
MVL’s move reflects conflicting
principles: open the position when
6
*+*O*Oo+
leading in development, but avoid 5
+*O*+*+*
opening it when the opponent has the 4 *+p+p+*+
+*+q+n+*
bishop pair. 3
5...cxd4 2 pP*+*PpP
A little change. Magnus ended up in
1 RnB*+rK*
an inferior position in his game against a b c d e f g h
Anand after choosing 5...Bg7.

6.Qxd4 f6
Black to move
This odd-looking pawn push is
Even world-class players can arrive at
considered superior to 6...Nf6, after
different conclusions despite analyzing
which White gains time with 7.e5.
the same data. White has gained space
7.0-0 d6 8.c4 c5 and holds a development lead, while
Black possesses the bishop pair and a
Black establishes a rigid structure to flexible pawn structure. The position
secure some much-needed safety, given remains roughly balanced.
his lag in development.
9...Bg7 10.b3!?
9.Qd3
This provocation is a novelty.

10...Nh6

Carlsen refuses to be drawn into his

opponent’s pre-game opening
preparation, opting to develop.
10...f5 would be met with 11.e5,
which the engines judge as dead even.

11.Nc3 Rb8
 A necessary precaution. f5, challenging White’s center, while
11...0-0?? would be a huge blunder. opening the game for the bishops.
White chops Black’s knight with 3) Note also that White’s development
12.Bxh6 and then after 12...Bxh6 plays lead isn’t so impressive anymore.
the double-attack 13.Qd5+, hitting 4) Black’s plan of ...f6-f5 is clear,
Black’s loose rook on a8. while I don’t see a useful plan for
White.
12.Bd2
Conclusion: I don’t believe the
Placing the bishop on b2 isn’t so engine’s ‘0.00’ dead-even assessment
effective if Black refuses to play ...f6-f5. and prefer Black’s position, especially in
a practical setting.
12...0-0 13.Rae1 Nf7
14.h4!?

8
*TvW*Tl+ White wants to attack, yet Black’s
king is well fortified.
7
O*+*OmVo 14.Nh4!?, intending f2-f4, can be met
6
*+*O*Oo+ with 14...Ne5 15.Qg3 Nc6 16.f4 f5
5
+*O*+*+* when I once again prefer Black’s
4 *+p+p+*+ position.
3 +pNq+n+* 14...Rb7!
2 p+*B*PpP
+*+*RrK*
1 As far as I know, Reti frowned upon
fianchettoed rooks! The idea is to shift
a b c d e f g h the rook to the kingside later on, which,
in hindsight, proves to be a farsighted
decision.
White to move
15.h5!?
Stockfish calls it even, but I prefer
Black, due to the following reasons: This is awfully committal, yet White
has no other plan but to shuffle, which
1) White’s f3-knight appears
wouldn’t appeal to a player as
misplaced since it blocks the natural
aggressive as MVL.
push f2-f4.
2) White’s space doesn’t mean much
since Black will at some point play ...f6-
 8
*+vW*Tl+ 8
*+vW*T*L
7
Ot+*OmVo 7
Ot+*O*Vo
6
*+*O*Oo+ 6
*+*O*O*+
5
+*O*+*+p 5
+*O*M*Op
4 *+p+p+*+ 4 *+p+pP*+
3 +pNq+n+* 3 +pN*+*Q*
2 p+*B*Pp+ 2 p+*B*+pN
1 +*+*RrK* 1 +*+*RrK*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move Black to move

15...g5! He dares! This move is strategically

awful – but if not this, then what? Black
This is a strong move for two reasons: was threatening ...Qe8, after which it
1) White’s forward h-pawn may later would be impossible to hang on to the
prove to be a target for Black’s pieces. h5-pawn. In attempting to defend
In fact, Black already threatens the against that, MVL is willing to create
immediate ...Bg4. structural weaknesses in his camp for
2) Black can move his knight to e5, an vague attacking chances. But the
artificial hole, since f2-f4 no longer question remains: whose attack?
ejects the knight due to the g5-pawn.
18...gxf4 19.Bxf4 Rg8 20.Re3 Nc6
16.Nh2
Not only seizing control of the d4-
White also has the option of playing square, but also preparing to open the
16.Ne2, intending Ng3. center with a timely ...f6-f5.
The engine prefers 20...Qf8, seizing
16...Ne5 17.Qg3 Kh8! control over h6.
This way, White faces a future ...g5xf4 21.Qf2 f5
and ...Rg8 if he ever dares to play f2-f4.
Principles followed:
18.f4!?
 1) Open the position for your bishop We observe Carlsen’s disorienting
pair. insights with a kind of hypnotic wonder.
2) If your opponent owns more space, The mind of a world champion is not
chip away at it from the wings. For the confused by strategic anomalies that
hypermodern, the wings serve as the befuddle the rest of us. Normally,
surrogate center. handing over such a powerful bishop –
Once again the engine prefers the the steward of Black’s kingside dark
quieter 21...Qf8. Instead, Magnus’ last squares – is considered strategic
move opens the game for his bishop blasphemy. Not here, though, for two
while chipping away at White’s central reasons:
control. 1) With the exchange on c3, Black
clears the g-file for a coming attack.
22.Nf3? 2) Black also clears the path for ...e7-
e5! followed by ...f5-f4, leading to a
The decisive mistake.
strategically won game due to the
The engine still thinks White is OK monstrous pressure down the g-file.
after 22.exf5. MVL confessed after the
game that he didn’t like his position and 23.Rxc3 e5! 24.Rd3!
already felt desperate.
The trigger is pulled, and the bullet
8
*+vW*+tL exits the gun’s muzzle. The engine says

Ot+*O*Vo
7 this move is empirically unsound, but
what the engine doesn’t know is that not
6
*+mO*+*+ all criminals get caught and punished!
5
+*O*+o+p MVL realizes that backing his bishop to
4 *+p+pB*+ either d2 or h2 would allow ...f5-f4,

+pN*Rn+*
3 giving Black a crushing strategic bind.
He chooses to unleash World War III
2 p+*+*Qp+ through sacrifice, hoping that, in the
1 +*+*+rK* ensuing chaos, the social order will
a b c d e f g h collapse and he will emerge intact from
the anarchy.

24...exf4
Black to move
Magnus correctly accepts.
22...Bxc3!
25.Qb2+
 8
*+vW*+tL 8
*+vW*+*L
7
Ot+*+*+o 7
O*+*+*To
6
*+mO*+*+ 6
*+mO*+*+
5
+*O*+o+p 5
+*O*+*+*
4 *+p+pO*+ 4 *+p+*O*+
3 +p+r+n+* 3 +p+*+r+*
2 pQ*+*+p+ 2 pQ*R*+p+
1 +*+*+rK* 1 +*+*+*K*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move Black to move

25...Rbg7! 29...Qg5!

And we all raised eyebrows when the Black has two pieces for a rook and a
rook was fianchettoed earlier in the winning initiative.
game!
30.Rdf2
26.h6 fxe4 27.Rd2
Or 30.Rxd6 Nd4, and if 31.Rf2 Bb7
Alternatively, 27.hxg7+ Rxg7 28.Ne5 when the coming ... f4-f3 will crush
Nxe5 29.Qxe5 exd3 is hopeless for White.
White, who is down a piece.
30...Nd4 31.Rxf4 Bf5
27...exf3 28.hxg7+ Rxg7 29.Rxf3
Blocking the f-file.

32.b4!

MVL is desperate to open lines that

would allow his queen to join the fight.

32...Be6?!

More accurate was to toss in ...h7-h6,

offering the black king luft. 41...Ne2+!

33.Rf8+ Bg8 34.bxc5 dxc5 35.Qb8 Qe3 With this check, Black places a lily
36.Qd6! upon his enemy’s grave.

42.Kh1
8
*+*+*RvL
O*+*+*To
7 Moving to h2 allows Black a deadly
queen check on e5, leading to a similar
6
*+*Q*+*+ finish.
5
+*O*+*+* 42...Qc1+ 43.Rf1 Ng3+ 44.Kg1
4 *+pM*+*+
3 +*+*W*+* If 44.Qxg3, then 44...Qxf1+! 45.Rxf1
2 p+*+*Rp+ Rxg3 remaining up a piece.
1 +*+*+*K* 44...Qe3+ 0-1
a b c d e f g h
Court adjourned. White’s king must
move to h2, allowing Black to capture
the f1-rook with check, after which
Black to move Black’s position reaches a new level of
affluence. If instead 45.R1f2?, White is
The dark squares are the only source
mated with 45...Qe1+ 46.Rf1 Ne2+
of Black’s distress. The threat is a
47.Kh2 Qxh4 mate.
perpetual check, starting with Rxg8+!.
A particularly instructive moment in
36...Qc1+ 37.Kh2 Qg5! this game was Magnus’ radical decision
to sacrifice his powerful dark-squared
This way, c5 is covered, and White’s fianchettoed bishop in exchange for
threat of a perpetual check with Rxg8+ White’s knight, which enabled Black to
and Qf6+ is foiled, as Black’s queen seize central space. White’s
now controls both e5 and f6. overextension officially began with
18.f2-f4.
38.Qd5 Qh4+ 39.Kg1 Qe7 40.Qh5
White’s Advance Caro-Kann structure
Qe3! 41.Qh4
can be a formidable weapon, especially
Of course, the c5-pawn was immune with queens on the board and White on
due to a discovered knight check on e2. the attack. However, as the next game
demonstrates, White’s space and
structure can quickly became a liability
once the game transitions into the 8
tM*WlVmT
endgame. 7
Oo+*OoO*
Game 18
Leinier Dominguez Perez –
6
*+o+*+*+
Fabiano Caruana
5
+*+oP*+o
Internet (rapid) 2020
4 *+*P*+*P
3 +*+q+*+*
pPp+*Pp+
1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5 Bf5 4.h4 h5 2
4...e6?? is a well-known trap which 1 RnB*K*Nr
could sometimes catch a beginner: 5.g4 a b c d e f g h
Be4 6.f3 Bg6 7.h5. The unfortunate
bishop is trapped.

5.Bd3 Black to move

The c2-c4 lines are played just as 6...Qa5+!

often. I don’t quite understand why
White would want to trade off the good Caruana borrows an idea from Atkins-
bishop. Moreover, exchanges tend to Capablanca, London 1922, where
benefit the more cramped side, Black. Capablanca shifted his queen to a6,
Yet, the line still scores a respectable swapped queens, and went on to win a
55.1% for White in the database. brilliant endgame by exploiting White’s
somewhat bad remaining bishop. In this
5...Bxd3 6.Qxd3 version, h2-h4 and ...h7-h5 have been
added.

7.Nd2!

White’s idea is to meet ...Qa6 with c2-

c4!.

7...e6 8.Ngf3 Nh6

I’m old and therefore allowed to

repeat myself: 8...Qa6 or 8...Qb5 can be
met with 9.c4, retaining queens on the
board.
9.0-0 Nf5 10.Nb3 13...Qb5 14.dxc5 Bxc5 15.Re1

Dominguez also tried 10.a4 against Black isn’t worried about Nxc5, as
Fabi that same year and lost as well. White would have expended three
moves with the knight to exchange it for
10...Qb5 the bishop.
Now this move can be played since 15...a6!
White lacks the c2-c4 option.
This move fixes the a5-pawn as a
11.Qd1 potential target,

A theoretical novelty at the time, and a 16.Nbd4?!

logical one, since White’s only chance
for an edge is to keep the queens on the The engine deems this move
board and rely on his extra central space. acceptable, but your human writer sees
it as a strategic misjudgment. White’s
11...c5! remaining bishop appears inferior to
Black’s knight, and, what’s more, White
Keep in mind that principles are not
loses a tempo with the queen while
Caissa’s divine commandments, to be
helping Black’s b8-knight develop.
followed with blind obedience. It
In any case, if White wanted to trade
requires excellent judgment to assess
off the c5-bishop, he should have done
that White will not benefit from the
so via 16.Nxc5, which is far superior to
slight opening of the position, as
the game continuation considering the
Caruana’s last move violates the
time White spends to achieve this
Principle: Don’t open the position or
exchange.
create confrontation when lagging in
development. Furthermore, Caruana 16...Nxd4 17.Nxd4 Bxd4! 18.Qxd4
correctly shows no fear in swapping off Nc6
his remaining bishop to free his position.
That’s what I meant. Black develops
12.a4 Qb6 13.a5!? the remaining minor piece with a gain of
tempo and has surely equalized the
Dominguez gains more space with
position by now.
tempo, but the cost is the creation of a
potential target in the form of his a- 19.Qf4
pawn.
This allows Black to trade queens.
However, retreating to d1 is no better superior minor piece.
due to its passivity. 4) White’s position feels vulnerable on
the light squares.
8
t+*+l+*T
+o+*+oO*
7 20.c3!?

6
o+m+o+*+ This furthers weakens the queenside
5
Pw+oP*+o light squares, but trying to keep the

*+*+*Q*P
4 queens on with 20.Qe3 runs into all
sorts of trouble, the most obvious being
3 +*+*+*+* 20...Qxh4 when Black has an extra
2 *Pp+*Pp+ pawn in addition to his positional
1 R*B*R*K* trumps.
a b c d e f g h 20...Qxf4 21.Bxf4

Black to move
8
t+*+l+*T
7
+o+*+oO*
19...Qb4! 6
o+m+o+*+
White’s position is like the onset of a
5
P*+oP*+o
migraine headache – where the pain 4 *+*+*B*P
isn’t intense yet, but future agony is
inevitable. Caruana forces an endgame
3 +*P*+*+*
where he holds a lasting edge, due to the
2 *P*+*Pp+
following factors: 1 R*+*R*K*
1) White’s extra space becomes a a b c d e f g h
liability with queens off the board and
the a5-pawn, in particular, may turn into
a target.
Black to move
2) Black’s rooks may eventually
control the c-file. 21...0-0-0!
3) The quality of White’s remaining
bishop is concerning, with pawns on a5 We can foresee futures where Black’s
and e5, both on the same color as the king may walk up the board.
bishop. The knight will become the
22.Be3?! d4!
 This move highlights the looseness of 2) The d4- and a5-pawns are clear
White’s structure. targets for Black’s rooks and knight.
Black can also deliberately fall into 3) Black’s king may later march up the
White’s trap with: 22...Nxe5!? 23.Bb6 board and start capturing White’s pawns
Nd3 24.Red1? (it’s actually better not to on the queenside.
win the exchange and just protect b2
with 24.Re2) 24...Nxb2 25.Rdb1 Nc4 24.Rec1 Kb8 25.Rc5
26.Bxd8 Rxd8 when Black has excellent
After this, Black seizes control over
chances to win the endgame, as the a5-
the newly opened d-file.
and c3-pawns are stationary targets, and
Black has a clear plan to push forward in The engine suggests that White can
the center. Meanwhile, Black’s position still save himself by offering a pawn
is devoid of weaknesses, and with no with 25.b4. This might be true in the
open lines, White’s extra exchange fails engine world, but a human would still
to make an impact. likely lose this position for White.

23.cxd4?! 25...Rxc5 26.dxc5 Rd8 27.Ra4 Kc8

White is better off entering an inferior Of course, Black doesn’t fall for
rook ending by dumping his bishop with 27...Nxe5? 28.Bf4. On the other hand,
23.Bxd4. nudging the white king a little further
away from the center with 27...Rd1+!
23...Rd5! would have been a smart inclusion.

Dominguez likely believed Caruana 28.Re4 Rd5 29.g4!?

would capture the d4-pawn with the
knight. The poor are quick to impose
high taxes on the rich; Black may be
down a pawn, but this is clearly a
temporary state. There is no way White
can hold on to all of his weak pawns.
White’s position suffers for the
following reasons:
1) The good knight versus bad bishop
dynamic is evident, with nearly all of
White’s pawns on the same (wrong)
color as the remaining bishop.
 8
*+l+*+*+ 8
*R*+*+*+
7
+o+*+oO* 7
+o+*Lo+*
6
o+m+o+*+ 6
o+*+o+*+
5
P*PtP*+o 5
M*PtP*+o
4 *+*+r+pP 4 *+*+*P*+
3 +*+*B*+* 3 +*+*B*+*
2 *P*+*P*+ 2 *P*+*+*+
1 +*+*+*K* 1 +*+*+*K*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move Black to move

This is a desperate attempt to generate Exercise: White’s last move was a

play on the kingside. mistake in a situation where, likely,
everything leads to a loss. Find a
29...hxg4 30.Rxg4 g6 31.f4 plan that forces Black to resign.
It happened: every white pawn on the
board is on the wrong color. Answer: Simplification. White’s
position goes from hopeless to even
31...Kd7 more hopeless with the rooks off the
board.
There is no rush to chop the a5-pawn.
Caruana begins to activate another asset, 35...Rd8! 36.Rxd8 Kxd8 0-1
his king.
In case you think White resigned
32.h5 prematurely, the Stockfish assessment
stands at a substantial ‘-6.41’. Here’s a
This is a cry for help. possible continuation that illustrates
Black’s winning technique: 36...Kxd8
32...gxh5 33.Rg8?! Nxa5 34.Rf8 Ke7
37.Kg2 Nc6 38.Kg3 Ne7! (Black’s h-
35.Rb8
pawn is tactically protected due to a fork
threat on f5) 39.Bd2 Nf5+ 40.Kf3 Kd7
41.Be1 Kc6 42.b4 Kb5 43.Ke4 Kc4
44.Bd2 h4! (the h-pawn is soon given
away to distract White’s king from the
center) 45.Be1 h3 46.Kf3 Nd4+ 47.Kg3
Nc6 and Black wins the b4-pawn, after
Chapter Three
which it’s impossible to stop the a- Space Leads to an Attack
pawn’s march to promotion.
Although the engine disagrees, I One benefit of having a space
believe White’s troubles started with advantage is that our most advanced
16.Nbd4?!, which allowed Black to: pawn often serves as a guide for our
1) Swap two pairs of minor pieces, coming attack on the enemy king. An
benefiting the side with less space as advanced pawn creates available squares
White’s attacking chances began to fade behind it, and having more available
due to the mass exchanges. squares can quickly translate into
2) Create a good knight versus bringing more pieces into the attack than
mediocre bishop imbalance. the opponent can muster for defense. If
this seems unclear, don’t worry – I
believe the examples in this chapter will
Conclusion
clarify things.
At club level, the side with more space
In this epic game, Kasparov’s attack
often overextends or overreaches.
arrived in multiple waves. It was the
Supply lines must remain open to
space he seized on the kingside that
support our space, and the enemy must
enabled him to launch the attack in the
not be allowed to slip through our front
first place. Remarkably, this was not a
lines, or else our position will resemble
one-on-one game, but a simultaneous
a sieve, with the enemy seeping through
exhibition against the Czech national
and infiltrating.
team. The former world champion won
the match with a score of 2½-1½.
Game 19
Garry Kasparov – Sergei
Movsesian
Prague (simul) 2001

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 a6

5.Nc3 Qc7 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.Nxc6 bxc6

It’s slightly more popular to recapture

with the d7-pawn.
8.0-0 Nf6 9.Qe2 Bd6!? and c4-c5.

Too much talent? I don’t believe 12...0-0?!

Black can equalize after this artificial
move. A decision Black will immediately
9...d5 is a better try for equality. come to regret.
He should have once again captured
8
t+v+l+*T on f4, accepting the inferior ending after
12...exf4 13.e5 Bxe5 14.Bxf4 d6
7
+*Wo+oOo 15.Bxe5 dxe5 16.Rae1 Be6 17.Qxe5
6
o+oVoM*+ Qxe5 18.Rxe5.
5
+*+*+*+*
4 *+*+p+*+
8
t+v+*Tl+
3 +*Nb+*+*
7
+*Wo+oO*
2 pPp+qPpP
6
o+oV*M*O
1 R*B*+rK*
5
+*+*O*+*
a b c d e f g h 4 *+*+pP*+
3 +*Nb+*+*
2 pPpBq+pP
White to move 1 R*+*+r+k
a b c d e f g h
10.f4 e5 11.Kh1 h6?!

Black doesn’t have the luxury to make

such a move when already behind in White to move
development.
Even though it looks scary, having 13.f5!
said ‘A’, Black should have said ‘B’ and
played 11...exf4. Let’s assess the effects of this
intimidating push, which seizes a
12.Bd2 significant amount of kingside space.
White has access to two dangerous
This is not White’s most forceful plans:
continuation, as recapturing on f4 will 1) A pawn storm with g2-g4, intending
cost a tempo. to continue with g4-g5 and overrun
Better was 12.Na4!, intending c2-c4 Black on the kingside.
 2) An attack with the pieces by lifting
a rook to f3, planning to shift to g3 or h3 8
t+v+t+l+
later on. 7
+*Wo+oO*
Meanwhile, Black struggles to
engineer a central break with ...d5, as
6
*+oV*M*O
the d6-bishop obstructs the move. On
5
O*+*Op+*
that topic, White can also play Bc4, 4 *+b+p+*+
discouraging the break while targeting 3 +*N*+r+*
pPpBq+pP
f7. 2
13...Re8?! 1 R*+*+*+k
a b c d e f g h
This meek move could have already
been the decisive mistake. Black should
have played 13...Be7!, unblocking the d-
pawn while preparing ...Nf6-h7 to fight Black to move
against the upcoming pawn storm.
15...Bb4?
14.Bc4?!
Black likely aimed to reinforce ...d7-
White would have obtained a decisive d5 by pressuring the c3-knight, but
attack by going for the immediate moving the bishop to c5 was crucial.
14.g4!.
16.Rg3
14...a5?
Threatening Bxh6.
This is way too leisurely. Black
underestimates the force of White’s 16...Kf8 17.Qe3!
coming attack.
This deceptively powerful move
It was once again crucial to go for highlights why Black’s bishop should be
14...Be7. on c5. White threatens a devastating
rook sacrifice on g7, followed by
15.Rf3
Qxh6+. The accuracy of this move is
Kasparov’s instinct is to opt for the crucial, as Black was prepared to break
piece-play attack. This is strong, but a with ...d7-d5, either with or without
pawn storm would have been even capturing on c3 first.
better.
17...Ng8
 There was no other way to prevent the what is to come.
capture on g7. Movsesian desperately
reinforces h6, though at this stage, 18...gxf6
nothing can stop the attack.
A sad necessity.
Note that 17...Qa7 also fails, since
18...Nxf6 allows the crushing
White can sacrifice the rook with
19.Rxg7. We should also examine:
18.Rxg7!. If Black exchanges queens on
18...g6? (the devil revels when his
e3, White has the deadly intermediate
victim refuses to believe in him; this
capture on f7 with check.
attempt to close the lines is swept aside
with a spectacular sacrificial sequence)
8
t+v+tLm+ 19.Rxg6! fxg6 20.Qxh6+!. The
7
+*Wo+oO* assassin’s motto: If you’re sent on a hit,
6
*+o+*+*O be sure to eliminate all witnesses. It’s
5
O*+*Op+* checkmate next move.
4 *Vb+p+*+ 19.Rf1
3 +*N*Q*R* Another instructive moment: Kasparov
2 pPpB*+pP uses every piece in the attack before
1 R*+*+*+k delivering the final blow. Immediately
a b c d e f g h sacrificing the exchange on g8 would
have also been devastating.

19...Bxc3
White to move

Exercise: The shareholders are

unlikely to be pleased with this new
business model for Black. How
should White continue the attack?

Answer: Overload the black knight,

creating chaos around the black king.

18.f6!

Annihilating the defensive barrier.

This move is an ominous prelude to
 8
t+v+tLm+ 8
t+v+t+*+
7
+*Wo+o+* 7
+*W*Lo+*
6
*+o+*O*O 6
*+o+*R*B
5
O*+*O*+* 5
O*+oO*+*
4 *+b+p+*+ 4 *+b+p+*+
3 +*V*Q*R* 3 +*V*+*Q*
2 pPpB*+pP 2 pPp+*+pP
1 +*+*+r+k 1 +*+*+*+k
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White to move White to move

20.Rxg8+! 24.Rxf7+!

A critical defender is eliminated, The barrage of sacrifices continues.

creating the impression of a Stone Age
tribe being attacked by a modern army. 24...Kd6

20...Kxg8 21.Qg3+! Kf8 22.Rxf6! 24...Kxf7 is met with 25.Qg7+

followed by Qxc7.
Threatening mate on f7.
25.Qg6+! Be6
22...d5
Forced, since a block with 25...Re6 is
22...Re7 clogs the e7 escape square for met with 26.Bf8+.
the black king and allows 23.Bxh6+
Ke8 24.Qg8 mate. 26.Rxc7 Kxc7 27.exd5 cxd5 28.Bb5!
Reb8
23.Bxh6+

This forces the win of Black’s queen.

23...Ke7
 using either the bishop or, as a last
8
tT*+*+*+ resort, the queen.
7
+*L*+*+* 32...a4 33.Bg7 d4
6
*+*+v+qB
5
Ob+oO*+* Movsesian desperately tries to cover

*+*+*+*+
4 e5.
33...a3 is also hopeless, as after
3 +*V*+*+* 34.Bxe5+ Kb7 35.Qd6! Black cannot
2 pPp+*+pP push the a-pawn further: 35...a2
1 +*+*+*+k 36.Qc7+ Ka6 37.Qc6+ Ka7 38.Bd4+.
The b5-rook is falling with check and
a b c d e f g h
Black will be checkmated in a few
moves.

White to move 34.Qf7+ Kb6 35.Qe6+ Kb7 36.Bxe5

Rxe5
29.a4!
Black’s precious passed a-pawn won’t
The black bishops hang be enough to save him.
simultaneously, and White wins. What
is even more astounding is that 37.Qxe5 a3
Kasparov must have foreseen this
position on move 17, when he initiated
the forcing sequence.
8
t+*+*+*+
7
+l+*+*+*
29...Bd7 30.bxc3 Bxb5 31.axb5 Rxb5
32.h4
6
*+*+*+*+
5
+*+*Q*+*
With his last move, White creates luft 4 *+*O*+*P
for his king while racing the h-pawn
closer to its promotion square on h8.
3 O*P*+*+*
White’s win is complicated by one
2 *+p+*+p+
factor: Black’s passed a-pawn, which is 1 +*+*+*+k
about to storm down the board. a b c d e f g h
Therefore, White must try to combine
threats against Black’s exposed king
with an attempt to blockade the a-pawn,
White to move
38.Qd5+ Kb8 39.cxd4! 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.Ngf3 Nf6
5.e5 Nfd7 6.c3 Nc6 7.Bd3 Qb6 8.0-0
Kasparov is in no rush to blockade the
a-pawn. Instead, he calmly recaptures on
d4, accurately calculating that the queen 8
t+v+lV*T
has time to reach a1. 7
Oo+m+oOo
39...a2 40.Qb3+ Kc7 41.Qc3+ Kd7
6
*Wm+o+*+
42.Qa1 5
+*OoP*+*
The a-pawn won’t move any further.
4 *+*P*+*+
3 +*Pb+n+*
42...Kd6 43.c4! 1-0 2 pP*N*PpP
There are several winning plans for
1 R*Bq+rK*
White, the simplest of which is to walk a b c d e f g h
the king over to b2 and then simply
capture the a2-pawn.
As we saw, 13.f4-f5! grabbed kingside
Black to move
territory and assured White of a strong
attack. The presence of the pawn on f5 Do you have a friend with an
guaranteed that White would be able to addiction, who swears they are not
bring more forces to bear on the area of addicted and can quit any time they
the board from the f-file to the h-file, choose? “What nonsense! I’m not
and that is exactly what Kasparov used addicted to nicotine. I smoke three packs
to ensure the success of his attack. a day because I interpret making smoke
Black’s cause wasn’t helped by the rings as a creative outlet!” Anyway, I
bishop on d6, which obstructed the have a bunch of young students who are
central counter. As we know from the addicted to shady gambits. But not all
previous chapter, that is the only gambits are unsound, like this one,
antidote to a flank attack. where, if accepted, White gets full
compensation.
In the next game, just a single
advanced pawn on e5 was all Kasparov 8...g6
needed to build up his winning attack.
The critical test is when Black accepts
Game 20 with 8...cxd4 9.cxd4 Nxd4 10.Nxd4
Garry Kasparov – Evgeny Bareev Qxd4 11.Nf3. If this is what I get with
Cannes (rapid) 2001
White in the gambit, then sign me up. longer protect the pawn on e5.
Opening theory deems White’s pawn
sacrifice completely sound. 10...Nxd3 11.Qxd3 Bg7 12.Bf4 0-0
13.Qd2!
9.dxc5 Nxc5
Kasparov prevents ...h7-h6, while
9...Qc7 10.Nb3 is another line. White preparing Bh6.
offers the e5-pawn, banking on a
development lead and the tactical 13...Bd7 14.Rfe1
possibilities offered by clearing the e-
file. 8
t+*+*Tl+
8
t+v+lV*T
7
Oo+v+oVo
7
Oo+*+o+o
6
*Wm+o+o+
6
*Wm+o+o+
5
+*+oP*+*
5
+*MoP*+*
4 *+*+*B*+
4 *+*+*+*+
3 +nP*+n+*
3 +*Pb+n+*
2 pP*Q*PpP
2 pP*N*PpP
1 R*+*R*K*
1 R*Bq+rK* a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

Black to move

White to move The position is Nimzowitsch’s dream,

with an iron blockade of the d4-square.
10.Nb3!
Life won’t be easy for Black:
A necessary move, but an excellent 1) White’s e5-pawn cramps Black’s
one at the same time. Black’s bishop position.
pair will be of less value than White’s 2) Black is potentially weak on the
control over d4 and the dark squares in kingside dark squares.
general. 3) Number 2 on the list means Black’s
Trying to preserve the bishop pair king is in some danger.
would be a large mistake, since after 4) Black’s bishop pair is worthless in
10.Bc2? Bg7 11.Re1 Nd7! White can no the rigid position.
 5) If White plays Bh6 and exchanges 19...Nxb2?? is misguided. A possible
bishops, Black’s remaining bishop will refutation is: 20.Qf6+ Kg8 21.Nf5!
be a bad one, with so many central gxf5 22.Ng5. White threatens Qh6 and
pawns fixed on its color. Black can resign.
6) If Black attempts a bid at freedom
with ...f7-f6, then it becomes a case of 8
t+*W*T*+
swapping one problem for another. 7
+o+v+oLo
*+*+o+o+
White exchanges on f6 and then controls 6
the hole on e5. Moreover, Black’s e6-
pawn becomes backward on an open file
5
+*+oP*+*
and therefore a serious target. 4 o+mN*Q*+
14...a5
3 +*P*+n+*
2 pP*+*PpP
Bareev seeks a distraction on the
queenside.
1 +r+*R*K*
a b c d e f g h
15.Bh6

Removing the defender of the kingside

White to move
dark squares and depriving Black of his
bishop pair. 20.h4!

15...a4 16.Bxg7 Grabbing more space, hinting at h4-

h5-h6, and vacating the h2-square to
It was also possible to retain the
facilitate a future Nf3-h2-g4.
tension between the bishops with
16.Nbd4. 20...h6

16...Kxg7 17.Nbd4 Na5 This way h4-h5 can be bypassed with

...g6-g5.
A knight swap on d4 leaves Black
with a classic bad bishop against 21.Qg3!
White’s good knight.
Kasparov’s idea is to clear the f4-
18.Rab1 Nc4 19.Qf4 Qd8 square to transfer the well-placed d4
knight to f4, where it moves closer to
Bareev wisely covers the weakened
Black’s king, who is short of reliable
kingside dark squares.
defenders.
21...Qe7 22.Ne2 Kh7 23.Nf4 Rg8 Most of us consider the mugger’s
24.Re2 Raf8 25.Rbe1 knife at our throat a greater danger than
global climate change, for a single
Black’s problems grow as he faces a reason: the mugger’s blade is the more
doomsday scenario: immediate peril. Such a self-inflicted
1) White is ready to invade the strategic wound is a sign of desperation.
kingside dark squares with Nh2! and 26...h5 leads to a slow death via the
Ng4. effects of global climate change: 27.Nf3
2) There is no way for Black to escape Kh8 28.Ng5 a3 29.b3 Nb2 30.Rd2.
with ...f7-f6, with so many of White’s Black is strategically lost. White’s next
forces trained on e6 and d5. moves could include Re3, Rd4, Qf3,
3) Point 2 automatically means that Nfh3, Qf6 and so on.
Black is unable to apply the principle of
meeting the opponent’s wing attack with 27.Nh5
a central counter.
Kasparov gladly accepts the invitation
to slip his knight into f6.
8
*+*+*Tt+
7
+o+vWo+l 27...gxh4 28.Qh3 Rg5 29.Nf6+ Kg7
6
*+*+o+oO 30.f4 Rg6 31.Nhg4
5
+*+oP*+*
4 o+m+*N*P 8
*+t+*+*+
3 +*P*+nQ* 7
+o+vWoL*
2 pP*+rPp+ 6
*+*+oNtO
1 +*+*R*K* 5
+*+oP*+*
a b c d e f g h 4 o+m+*PnO
3 +*P*+*+q
2 pP*+r+p+
Black to move 1 +*+*R*K*
25...Rc8
a b c d e f g h

The counterplay arising from ...a4-a3

is too slow, yet Black has nothing better.
Black to move
26.Nh2! g5!? Black leaks dark squares on the
kingside as White’s attackers ooze their to be eliminated.
way in.
38...dxc3 39.Rxg6! fxg6
31...Rh8 32.Nh5+ Kf8 33.Ngf6 Bc6

Bareev dreams of counterplay on g2. 8

*+*+*L*T
34.Qxh4 a3 35.b3 Nb2 36.Kh2 Qc5
7
+o+*+*+*
37.Re3!
6
*+v+oNoO
5
+*W*P*+n
*+*+*P*Q
Again, 37.f5 is also good and pretty 4
straightforward.
3 OpO*+*+*
37...d4! 2 pM*+*+pK
1 +*+*R*+*
8
*+*+*L*T a b c d e f g h
7
+o+*+o+*
6
*+v+oNtO
5
+*W*P*+n White to move
4 *+*O*P*Q Exercise: The defense slumps like a
3 OpP*R*+* bar patron who has had one too
2 pM*+*+pK many drinks. Work out Kasparov’s

+*+*R*+*
1 forced win:

a b c d e f g h
Answer: White’s queen needs to be
given access to f6 and d8.

White to move 40.Nd7+! Bxd7

Appearances suggest that Black has This allows mate, but moving the king
generated a serious counterattack, but to e8 and hanging the queen isn’t much
Kasparov has everything under control. of an improvement.

38.Rg3 41.Qf6+ 1-0

The g2-pawn is protected, while Black resigned a move before

Black’s only reliable defender is about checkmate.
 Kasparov’s progression was
instructive: 8
tMvW*Tl+
1) The e5-pawn assured White of the 7
O*+o+oOo
potential for a kingside attack. 6
*O*+o+*+
+*V*+*+m
2) White swapped away the dark- 5
squared bishops, which in turn created
punctures around the black king.
4 *+p+*B*+
3) Kasparov’s knights began to seep 3 P*N*+n+*
into the hole on f6, via h2 and g4. 2 *Pq+pPpP
In the following game, the majority of
1 R*+*Kb+r
a b c d e f g h
Kasparov’s central space was chipped
away at by Black, but not without
making serious concessions, which led
to a winning attack for White. White to move
Game 21
Garry Kasparov – Vladimir Hey, don’t you know the rhyme about
Chuchelov the knight on the rim being dim or grim?
Rethymnon 2003 This offside adventure seems unwise.

9.Bg5 Be7 10.h4!

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 c5
5.dxc5 0-0 6.a3 Bxc5 7.Nf3 b6 8.Bf4 Kasparov indicates that he isn’t
Nh5!? planning to play a sedate game by
castling kingside.

10...Bb7 11.0-0-0!

That which we are unable to clearly

see scares us. After such a high-risk
move, there is no way to be aware of
every potential eventuality. You may be
thinking that impulse control might not
be Kasparov’s strong suit, but keep in
mind that norms in one culture may be
reviled in another. This is obviously a
path fraught with risk, as the c-file is
opened for Black’s rook. Yet, here,
opposite-wing castling feels right, since an attack.
Black’s lack of space makes a successful 3) White threatens ideas like Nb5 and
future attack on the white king seem Nd6.
unlikely. 4) Maybe I’m prejudiced by the
outcome of this game, but Black’s king
11...Nc6
feels more vulnerable than White’s.
11...f5 would also be strongly met
12...Nf6
with 12.e4!.
The problem with this move, as
12.e4!
Kasparov pointed out after the game, is
that Black reaches a book position
8
t+*W*Tl+ where White gets the useful h2-h4 in for
free.
7
Ov+oVoOo 12...h6 looks like a wiser option,
6
*Om+o+*+ although I’m not crazy about Black’s
5
+*+*+*Bm position here either. After 13.Bxe7
4 *+p+p+*P Qxe7 14.g4 Nf4 15.g5 h5 16.Qd2 White

P*N*+n+*
3 wins a pawn due to the double attack on
f4 and d7.
2 *Pq+*Pp+
1 +*Kr+b+r 13.e5!
a b c d e f g h Kasparov gains more space, setting the
stage for his ferocious kingside assault.

13...Ng4 14.Bf4!
Black to move
A strong move with dual purposes:
Kasparov’s last move was a novelty at
reinforcing the e5-pawn and clearing g5
the time and an improvement over the
for White’s knight.
previously played g2-g4 push. Black’s
position is uncomfortable for the
14...Rc8 15.Kb1!
following reasons:
1) White’s space advantage in the This cautious king move, sidestepping
center has a cramping effect. the c-file, is almost a knee-jerk reaction
2) Black’s d-pawn is awkwardly for players of such caliber. You cannot
placed on the open file and vulnerable to perform your best with a gun to your
head, just as you cannot be expected to
constantly prevent counterplay when a promising kingside attack.
rook threatens both your king and
queen. 17.Ng5!

15...f5 Threatening Nxe6.

Understandably, Black seeks to create 17...Qe8 18.Nb5

central counterplay.
Kasparov lamented after the game that
15...Na5? fails miserably to 16.Ng5
he should have chosen the stronger
g6 17.f3! Nh6 18.Nxe6. Black loses a
18.Bd3!. The idea is that 18...g6 is met
pawn, while White’s attack only
with 19.Nxh7, while 18...Qh5 19.f3 is
increases in strength.
also a big problem for Black, since g2-
16.exf6 Nxf6 g4 is coming.

Recapturing on f6 with the bishop 18...e5 19.Bd3!

would meet a similar refutation.
There is no need to retreat the bishop
to e3, because Black can’t accept the
8
*+tW*Tl+ offered piece.
7
Ov+oV*Oo
*Om+oM*+
6 19...e4!?
5
+*+*+*+* If 19...exf4 then 20.Bxh7+ Kh8
4 *+p+*B*P 21.Bg6 Qd8 22.Rhe1! leaves White in a

P*N*+n+*
3 completely winning position, as Black is
totally paralyzed. Instead, the hasty
2 *Pq+*Pp+ 22.Ne6?? would give up way too many
1 +k+r+b+r attackers and hand over the advantage to
a b c d e f g h Black, who will gladly take the two
pieces and a rook for his previously
useless queen.

White to move

Black succeeded in dismantling

White’s once-imposing pawns in the
center. However, it didn’t come for free,
as in doing so, Black allowed White a
 8
*+t+wTl+ 8
*+t+wTl+
7
Ov+oV*Oo 7
Ov+o+*Om
6
*Om+*M*+ 6
*OmB*+*+
5
+n+*+*N* 5
+*+*+*P*
4 *+p+oB*P 4 *+p+o+*+
3 P*+b+*+* 3 P*+*+*+*
2 *Pq+*Pp+ 2 *Pq+bPp+
1 +k+r+*+r 1 +k+r+*+r
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White to move White to move

20.Be2! ‘The worst is over!’ we foolishly

believe, just before a new crisis arises.
Kasparov correctly keeps his light-
squared bishop. 24.Rxh7!

20...h6 21.Nd6! Bxd6 22.Bxd6 hxg5 Kasparov eliminates a key defender

around the black king.
Black could have put up greater
resistance with: 22...Na5 23.b4! Nc6 24...Kxh7 25.Bxf8 Qxf8 26.Qxe4+
24.Bxf8 Kxf8 25.f3! hxg5 26.hxg5 Ng8 Kg8 27.Qd5+! 1-0
27.Qd2 e3 28.Qxd7. Nevertheless, even
here Black won’t survive. Black resigned, and quite rightly so,
since White will regain the lost piece
23.hxg5 Nh7 with interest: 27...Qf7 (27...Kh7 would
allow checkmate after 28.Rh1+)
28.Qxf7+ Kxf7 29.Rxd7+ Kg6 30.Rxb7
and White gains three pawns in the
endgame.
This game is a reminder of the
Principle: In opposing wing attacks, the
side with more central space is often
quicker to reach the other’s king. Even
though Black managed to dissolve
White’s center, the concessions made in 8
tMvWlVmT
doing so cost Black the game. 7
Oo+*OoOo
A simultaneous exhibition is one of
the few settings in chess where the little
6
*+o+*+*+
fish has a chance to eat the big fish. Not
5
+*+*+*+*
in the following game though. Black’s 4 *+oP*+*+
extra pawn in the opening wasn’t worth 3 +*+*+n+*
pP*+pPpP
White’s dominant central space and, in 2
the end, the extra pawn proved to be
only temporary.
1 RnBqKb+r
Game 22
a b c d e f g h
Garry Kasparov – Harald Bredl
Zurich (simul) 2009
White to move
1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 dxc4
4.e3 Be6?!
In today’s social media-driven world,
where people obsessively chase ‘likes’, I can safely say this opening position
the most popular openings are often seen is not the policy debate of our era, and
as the best. Kasparov was always a Mr. Bredl may find himself alone in
feared force in the opening stage, and believing in its playability. The orthodox
Black may have been trying to push him mind tends to resist the unconventional
out of his theoretical comfort zone. This – and in this case, it may be right to
capture, however, is considered a bit scorn such an unnatural move. Black is
premature. putting in a lot of effort for a pawn that
likely won’t be retained, as any ...b7-b5
push will be met with the undermining
a2-a4. On top of that, the bishop
obstructs both ...e7-e6 and a potential
break with ...e7-e5.

5.a4 Nf6 6.Nc3 g6 7.e4 h6?!

It would have been better to continue

developing.
 Conclusion: Black’s temporary extra
8
tM*WlV*T pawn carries little value, while White’s
7
Oo+*Oo+* central control is a significant

*+o+vMoO
6 advantage.

5
+*+*+*+* 8.Be2!
4 p+oPp+*+ Kasparov is in no hurry to regain the
3 +*N*+n+* pawn.
2 *P*+*PpP
R*BqKb+r
1 8...Bg7 9.0-0 0-0 10.Be3!

a b c d e f g h White isn’t concerned about ...Ng4, as

the bishop simply retreats to f4. White
then regains the tempo lost by kicking
the knight with h2-h3.
White to move
10...Nbd7!?
Black is far from lost, but he’s
working on it! Let’s assess: I would be more inclined to develop
1) White sacrificed a pawn. the knight to a6, thus going for 10...a5,
2) Black’s last move aimed to prevent followed by ...Na6 and ...Nb4. This
Ng5, but came at the cost of falling way, Black would at least exploit one of
further behind in development. the few weaknesses in White’s camp –
3) White has complete control of the the b4-square.
center.
11.Nd2
4) Black’s e6-bishop is awkwardly
placed, blocking the e-pawn and Not only preventing ...Ng4, but
hampering development. ensuring that he regains the sacrificed
5) Black has no viable central pawn pawn.
breaks.
6) Black’s extra pawn is likely a 11...a5
meaningless asset, as White can easily
This way, Black stakes a claim on the
regain it with Ne5 and Nxc4. If Black
b4-square. But which piece will take up
tries to prevent this with ...Nbd7, White
can play d4-d5, pushing Black’s light- residence there?
squared bishop around and reclaiming 11...Nb6? would be a waste of time,
the c4-pawn anyway. since White just chases the knight away
with 12.a5. with 14.f4!?, building up an attack, was
another strong way to play.
12.Nxc4 Bxc4
14...Qe7 15.Qd2 Kh7
The bishop was a liability on e6, as
Black must constantly watch out for d4-
d5 tactics. 8
t+*+*T*+
13.Bxc4
7
+o+mWoVl
6
*+o+oMoO
5
O*+*+*+*
8
t+*W*Tl+ 4 p+*Pp+*+
7
+o+mOoV* 3 +*N*B*+*
6
*+o+*MoO 2 *P*QbPpP
5
O*+*+*+* 1 R*+*+rK*
4 p+bPp+*+ a b c d e f g h
3 +*N*B*+*
2 *P*+*PpP
1 R*+q+rK* White to move
a b c d e f g h
16.e5!

Just as Black was preparing to strike

Black to move with ...e6-e5, Kasparov eliminates that
possibility. At the same time, the d4-
There is no question as to who holds and e5-pawn duo severely restricts the
the advantage. Kasparov regained the mobility of both the d7-knight and the
sacrificed pawn, gained the bishop pair, g7-bishop. The only flaw in White’s last
and maintained control of the center. move is that it creates an outpost on d5
The hole on b4 is irrelevant, as Black for Black’s pieces. But, much like the
has no piece capable of occupying it. hole on b4, which piece will occupy this
outpost?
13...e6 14.Be2
16...Nd5?!
Kasparov wants to play Qd2, without
allowing Black ...Ng4. Retreating with 16...Ne8 isn’t all that
Gaining more space on the kingside tempting an option, though it’s still
better than the move played. Black can to mislead Kasparov, inviting him to
aim for ...Ne8-c7 and ...Nd7-b6, setting push forward with f4-f5, which would
up a knight to occupy d5. In the fall into a trap.
meantime, Kasparov would use the
space gained on the kingside to launch 19.Bd3!
one of his characteristic, vicious attacks.
The greatest attacker of all time is
17.Nxd5 exd5?! pretty good at avoiding traps.
The tempting 19.f5? is premature and
Better was 17...cxd5, but after 18.Rfc1 gives Black hope with 19...Nxe5! when
Black can’t contest the c-file with rooks, the black pieces suddenly awaken from
as White would simply swap and their former dissociative trance. Now if
capture the a5-pawn. 20.dxe5 Qxe5, the problem becomes
clear: 21.Rf3 is met with 21...d4!,
18.f4! regaining the sacrificed piece. This
forces White to play the awkward

t+*+*T*+
8 21.Kf2, which offers Black full
compensation for the piece.
7
+o+mWoVl
6
*+o+*+oO 19...f5
5
O*+oP*+* Alternatively, 19...c5 20.f5! cxd4
4 p+*P*P*+ 21.fxg6+ fxg6 22.Bxg6+! is decisive,
3 +*+*B*+* since acceptance of the bishop leads to a

*P*Qb+pP
2 quick checkmate.
1 R*+*+rK*
a b c d e f g h

Black to move

The threat of the looming f4-f5 puts

Black at risk of strangulation.

18...Rfe8!

Black cleverly creates a false narrative

 21.gxf5 gxf5 22.Rf3!
8
t+*+t+*+
+o+mW*Vl
7 Rooks will soon be doubled on the
open g-file, and White’s attack is
6
*+o+*+oO positionally destined to succeed.
5
O*+oPo+* 22...Re7 23.Kh1 Rf7 24.Rg1 Nb6 25.b3
4 p+*P*P*+ Nc8!
3 +*+bB*+*
2 *P*Q*+pP While the knight languished in its

R*+*+rK*
1 irrelevance on b6, the idea is to reroute
it to e7, where it can provide much-
a b c d e f g h needed reinforcement to the f5-pawn.

26.Rfg3 Ne7 27.Qg2 Rg8

White to move

Black does his best to slow down the

8
*+*+*+t+
upcoming onslaught by preventing f4-
7
+o+*MtVl
f5, but leaving the e5-pawn 6
*+o+w+*O
unchallenged means that all of Black’s
pieces – the d7-knight, g7-bishop, e7-
5
O*+oPo+*
queen, and e8-rook – are practically
4 p+*P*P*+
useless, staring at a brick wall on e5. At 3 +p+bB*R*
the same time, preventing f4-f5 doesn’t 2 *+*+*+qP
stop White from continuing the attack
on the light squares...
1 +*+*+*Rk
a b c d e f g h
20.g4!

...as now Black’s hold over f5 is

White to move
destabilized and White’s attack begins
in earnest. 28.Bc1!
20...Qe6 Principle: Activate all non-functional
pieces, ensuring they participate. The
20...fxg4 21.Qc2 Nf8 22.f5 is also lost
dark-squared bishop enters the game via
for Black.
a3, targeting the knight, a key defender
of the vulnerable f5-pawn. the center and on the kingside that
provided all these attacking chances
28...Kh8 29.Ba3 Kh7 30.Qh3! against the black king.
The following game is an example
Unbearable pressure is applied and it’s
where central space enabled a gain of
just a matter of time before the f5-pawn
space on the wing. Note how Carlsen
falls.
effortlessly transformed his central
30...Rgf8 31.Qh5 advantage into both kingside space and a
direct attack on his opponent’s king.
Black must also watch out for ideas Game 23
involving Bxe7, followed by Rg6. Magnus Carlsen – Radoslaw
Wojtaszek
31...Kh8 32.Bc5 Kh7 33.Bxe7! Rxe7
Tromso (Olympiad) 2014
34.Rg6 Qc8 35.e6 1-0

Black is effectively lost; it’s just a 1.e4 c5 2.Nc3

matter of when. Sure, this move wins,
Wojtaszek is one of the world’s
but it’s not White’s best. Dare we accuse
leading experts in the Najdorf, a
Kasparov of a failure of imagination?
variation that is unforgiving to those
We must remember that this was a simul
who approach it casually. Magnus,
game, where the higher-rated player is
perhaps wisely, avoids his opponent’s
mentally and physically exhausted from
specialty and chooses an anti-Sicilian
facing multiple opponents. Given this,
instead.
it’s easy to see how he overlooked the
optimal path. 2...d6
Best was: 35.Rxh6+! (please meet the
avenging angel) 35...Bxh6 36.Rg6! (this This way, Black avoids being tricked
is the only somewhat difficult-to-find out of the Najdorf, in case White tries
move in the combination) 36...Kh8 the old switcheroo. Black will respond
37.Rxh6+ Kg8 38.Rh8+ Kg7 (there is to 3.Nf3, intending d2-d4, with 3...a6
no place to hide) 39.Qh7 mate. returning directly to the Najdorf.
I like how Kasparov ruthlessly
3.g3
pressured the f5-pawn, first with 20.g2-
g4! then with 28.Bc1!, planning Ba3 to The Closed Sicilian.
target the e7-knight, Black’s key
defender of the f5-pawn. Once again, it 3...Nc6 4.Bg2 g6 5.d3 Bg7
was White’s stable space advantage in
 8
t+vWl+mT 8
t+vWl+mT
7
Oo+*OoVo 7
Oo+*+oVo
6
*+mO*+o+ 6
*+mO*+o+
5
+*O*+*+* 5
+*O*O*+*
4 *+*+p+*+ 4 *+*+p+*+
3 +*Np+*P* 3 +*NpB*Pn
2 pPp+*PbP 2 pPp+*PbP
1 R*BqK*Nr 1 R*+qK*+r
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White to move Black to move

6.Be3 Developing the queen to d2 is the

main line. Carlsen, however, borrows
Spassky, perhaps the greatest from Spassky, who favored placing the
practitioner of the white side of the knight on h3. This position doesn’t
Closed Sicilian, was known for his hinder a future f2-f4 break, and if Black
fondness for an early f2-f4. By playing plays ...e5xf4, as often happens in this
Be3, Magnus keeps options for Qd2 and line, White has the option of recapturing
a future Bh6 open. with the knight, which strengthens
White’s control over d5.
6...e5
7...Nge7 8.f4 Nd4
To club-level players, it may come as
a surprise that Black voluntarily creates The piece is well-placed on d4, but
a hole on d5. In fact, a reversed White will eventually challenge for
Botvinnik English system is one of control of the d4-square with c2-c3.
Black’s most reliable lines. As
compensation for the hole on d5, Black 9.0-0 0-0 10.Qd2 Bd7
gains central control and also restricts
White’s d4-square. The function of the bishop on d7 is
questionable.
7.Nh3!?
11.Nd1!
 Magnus prepares to evict the intruder 13...b6! reinforces c5, which in turn
on d4 with c2-c3. allows Black to recapture on e5 with the
d6-pawn. This was also stronger than
11...Qc8 the immediate retreat with the knight a
move earlier.
This was a novelty at the time.
14.fxe5!
12.Ndf2
This way Black is forced to recapture
Magnus builds up on the kingside
with a piece, rather than the d6-pawn.
while also conveniently defending the
h3-knight. 14...Nxe5 15.Bh6 N7c6 16.Bxg7 Kxg7
17.Nf4
12...Ndc6 13.c3

8
t+w+*Tl+
8
t+w+*T*+
7
Oo+vMoVo
7
O*+v+oLo
6
*+mO*+o+
6
*+mO*+o+
5
+*O*O*+*
5
+oO*M*+*
4 *+*+pP*+
4 *+*+pN*+
3 +*PpB*Pn
3 +*Pp+*P*
2 pP*Q*NbP
2 pP*Q*NbP
1 R*+*+rK*
1 R*+*+rK*
a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

Black to move
Black to move
17...Qd8
13...b5?!
It was Batman who conjectured that
Sometimes it’s tempting to believe
the criminal always returns to the scene
that what our position lacks in resources
of the crime. Similarly, returning the
can be compensated by embracing
queen to her starting square signals that
pseudo-activity, when in reality, we
the opening has gone wrong for Black,
should be defending.
as two tempi were wasted. Wojtaszek
likely worried about his kingside dark It’s difficult to find a decent
squares, perhaps fearful of future Nh5+ alternative though, since a move like
tricks. 19...Ne7 feels awfully passive.

18.Rad1 20.d4 cxd4 21.cxd4 Ng4 22.h3 Nxf2

23.Qxf2 Ne7
White will soon expand in the center
with d2-d4.
8
*+tW*T*+
O*+vMoL*
18...Rc8 19.Qe2! 7
Magnus seizes control of g4 while 6
*+*O*+o+
simultaneously clearing the way for 5
+o+*+*+o
*+*PpN*+
...Nc4 not to gain a tempo after the d3- 4
pawn is pushed.
3 +*+*+*Pp
19...h5!? 2 pP*+*Qb+
1 +*+r+rK*
8
*+tW*T*+ a b c d e f g h
7
O*+v+oL*
6
*+mO*+o+
5
+oO*M*+o White to move
4 *+*+pN*+ This is a bad sign. The knight becomes
3 +*Pp+*P* passive, fearing White’s ideas of Nd5.
2 pP*+qNbP 24.Rd3!
1 +*+r+rK*
a b c d e f g h The plan is to shift over to the f-file.
Black’s king is in serious trouble.

24...b4
White to move
Threatening a skewer with ...Bb5,
While this move may seem like a which White can easily evade. Black
natural attempt to give the e5-knight a would have been better off retreating his
hook on g4, it also weakens Black’s knight to g8, though such a move
kingside pawn structure. doesn’t inspire confidence in his
position. finds a brilliant way to continue his
kingside space gains, while
25.Rf3 simultaneously strengthening his attack.
Black cannot survive the opening of
Threatening a crushing attack with
lines if he accepts the pawn.
Nxh5+ followed by Rxf7+.
26...hxg4 27.hxg4 Bb5
25...Qe8
After 27...Bxg4? Black is unable to
Nothing saves Black. As mentioned
survive the opening of the g-file
above, 25...Bb5 will be met with
following 28.Rg3 Qd7 29.Bh3!.
26.Nxh5+. Somewhat similarly, 25...f6
Acceptance of the piece is met with
is strongly met with: 26.e5! dxe5
Nh5+ and Nf6, which is fatal for
27.dxe5 fxe5 (27...f5 28.Rd1 is even
Black’s king. And if 29...f5 then 30.d5!,
worse) 28.Nxh5+! gxh5 29.Rf7+ Kg8
clearing the way for a queen check on
30.Qf6 Qb6+ 31.Qxb6 axb6 32.Rxe7
d4 and creating the threat of Ne6+, is
and White wins.
crushing.
26.g4!
28.Re1 Qd8

This queen hasn’t been a fortunate

8
*+t+wT*+ piece in this game, moving aimlessly all
7
O*+vMoL* over the board before returning to her
6
*+*O*+o+ home square for a third time.
5
+*+*+*+o
4 *O*PpNp+
8
*+tW*T*+
3 +*+*+r+p
7
O*+*MoL*
2 pP*+*Qb+
6
*+*O*+o+
1 +*+*+rK*
5
+v+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h
4 *O*PpNp+
3 +*+*+r+*
2 pP*+*Qb+
Black to move 1 +*+*R*K*
a b c d e f g h
The attack is a potent force that enters
the position’s bloodstream. Carlsen
 White to move White to move

29.g5! 32.Nd5

Staking out more kingside dark Even more crushing was 32.Rh3!,
squares. threatening Nh5+ followed by Qf6+.

29...Qb6 32...Nxd5 33.Bxd5 1-0

Also hopeless is 29...a5 30.Bh3 Rc7 Even in a seemingly normal position,

31.d5! Nc8 32.Qd4+ Kg8 33.Ne6! fxe6 Black decided he’d had enough. You
34.Bxe6+ Rff7 35.Rf6!. Black has no might be wondering why Black
prayer of survival. resigned. Sure, White threatens Rh3
followed by Qf6+, but Black can meet
30.Bh3! Rcd8 31.Be6! this with ...Rg8, which eliminates any
immediate threats, so why did Black
What a shock for Black – another
resign?
piece joins the attack. The bishop can’t
Black has no way out of a crushing
be touched due to a devastating fork on
bind: for example, 33.Bxd5 Rd7 34.Rh3
e6. Meanwhile, White threatens Nh5+,
Rg8 35.Qf6+ Kf8 36.Rh7 Qd8 37.Rc1
followed by a crushing Rxf7+.
(the fact that White isn’t threatening
31...Be8 anything concrete fails to assuage
Wojtaszek’s fears, as his position is
paralyzed and almost in zugzwang)
8
*+*TvT*+ 37...a6.
7
O*+*MoL*
6
*W*Ob+o+
5
+*+*+*P*
4 *O*PpN*+
3 +*+*+r+*
2 pP*+*Q*+
1 +*+*R*K*
a b c d e f g h
 came from the mundane rather than the
8
*+*WvLt+ dramatic.
7
+*+t+o+r White slowly built a space advantage
6
o+*O*Qo+ on the kingside and in the center, while
Black failed to gain even a shred of
5
+*+b+*P* counterplay. The small space Black tried
4 *O*Pp+*+ to grab on the queenside turned out to be
3 +*+*+*+* completely irrelevant. White’s vastly

pP*+*+*+
2 superior central control made all of
Black’s counterplay attempts hit a brick
1 +*R*+*K* wall and allowed White to advance on
a b c d e f g h the kingside unopposed.
The next game is a classic example of
a successful kingside pawn storm, where
White to move the defense failed to launch a timely
central counterattack to avoid calamity.
After 38.Kf2! White can simply Game 24
shuffle his king until Black runs out of Viswanathan Anand – Maxime
queenside pawn moves. Despite the Vachier-Lagrave
large number of pieces on the board, Stavanger 2015
Black is in zugzwang. Following 38...a5
39.Ke3 a4 40.Kf3 moving Black’s 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4
queen to e7 allows Rc8, while after Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
40...Qxf6+ 41.gxf6 g5 42.Rc8 there is
no defense to the coming Bc6. Some of my eager but inexperienced
Carlsen completed his strategic young students choose to play
masterpiece without spilling a drop of horrifically complex lines (like the
his opponent’s blood, relying neither on Najdorf!) after watching a single video
violence nor tactics. For the first time in on it, claiming to be “experts. I respond
history, humans die more from mundane by telling them that I’m an “expert” on
causes than from famine, war, or the Civil War era because I watched
terrorist attacks. At least for the Gone with the Wind. They never get the
fortunate among us, death is more likely joke since they haven’t seen the movie.
to come from the side effects of The wiser among us understand that
diabetes, heart disease, or cancer, rather such sharp lines require hundreds of
than something dramatic. In the same hours of study and testing in online blitz
way, Black’s downfall in this game games before we should actually play
them in tournament games. be fine though, as MVL’s pawns are
flexible, offering good counterattacking
6.h3 chances. With the black king uncastled
and uncommitted, White is left guessing
All that is old is new again. This move
where it will end up.
was a favorite of Fischer’s, and the idea
is to expand on the kingside with g2-g4. 10...Nd7!
6...e6 7.g4 Seizing control of g5 while forcing
White to worry about a bishop check on
h4.
8
tMvWlV*T
7
+o+*+oOo 11.0-0
6
o+*OoM*+
5
+*+*+*+* 8
t+vWl+*T
4 *+*Np+p+ 7
+o+mVoO*
3 +*N*+*+p 6
o+mOo+*O
2 pPp+*P*+ 5
+*+*+*+*
1 R*BqKb+r 4 *+*NpPp+
a b c d e f g h 3 +*N*B*+p
2 pPp+*+b+
Black to move
1 R*+q+rK*
a b c d e f g h
We have the Keres Attack of the
Scheveningen Sicilian (5...e6 instead of
5...a6), but with the moves h2-h3 and Black to move
...a7-a6 included. This is a beneficial
inclusion for Black, but there’s a reason 11...Nxd4!
people have largely abandoned the
Scheveningen in recent years... Exchanges will generally favor Black
due to the lack of space in the center.
7...h6 8.Bg2 Nc6 9.Be3 Be7 10.f4
12.Qxd4 0-0 13.Qd2 Rb8
Highly committal. Anand continues to
claim more kingside space. Black should The game move seems to be more
accurate than 13...b5, which allows sacrifices on h6, which would make me
White to go for 14.e5!. awfully nervous if I were Black.
Thankfully, it’s MVL, but even he
14.Ne2 couldn’t keep everything together.
Anand’s pieces creep closer to the 16...Nf6!?
black king. MVL must generate central
or queenside play to counter White’s White would meet 16...Ne5?! with
slow build-up. 17.b3, after which Black must watch out
for bishop sacrifices on h6 and potential
14...b5 15.Rad1 Qc7 f5-f6 disruptions.; Perhaps the most
thematic approach is to fall back on the
I’m no Najdorf expert, but we live in
principle that teaches us to meet a wing
an era where everyone posts loud,
attack with a central counter and go for
unqualified opinions, so I’ll toss mine
16...exf5, which opens up the center as
in: 15...e5!?. An unplayed idea. Black
much as possible and turns out to be the
can meet 16.f5 with 16...Nf6, intending
engine’s top choice.
a dark-square blockade with ...Nh7 next.
17.Ng3
8
*Tv+*Tl+
7
+*WmVoO* Anand further reinforces e4 in
anticipation of Black’s bishop coming to
6
o+*Oo+*O b7. At the same time, Bxh6 becomes
5
+o+*+*+* increasingly dangerous for Black with
4 *+*+pPp+ every passing move.
3 +*+*B*+p The immediate 17.Bxh6 isn’t so
effective. After 17...gxh6 18.Qxh6 Nh7
2 pPpQn+b+ 19.f6 Bxf6 20.Rxf6 Nxf6 White would
1 +*+r+rK* need to take the draw with 21.Qg5+
a b c d e f g h Kh7 22.Qh4+, etc.

17...Bb7 18.Kh1

White to move It’s a good idea to remove White’s

king from the g1-a7 dark-square square.
16.f5!? Again, 18.Bxh6 is tempting, but leads
to no more than a draw after: 18...gxh6
Anand cedes control of e5 to gain
more kingside space and eye bishop 19.Qxh6 d5! 20.g5 Qxg3 21.Rd3 Bc5+
22.Kh1.
8
*+*T*Tl+
8
*T*+*Tl+ 7
+vW*VoO*
7
+v+*+o+* 6
o+*OoM*O
6
o+*+oM*Q 5
+o+*+p+*
5
+oVo+pP* 4 *+*+p+p+
4 *+*+p+*+ 3 +*+*B*Np
3 +*+r+*Wp 2 pPpQ*+b+
2 pPp+*+b+ 1 +*+r+r+k
1 +*+*+r+k a b c d e f g h
a b c d e f g h

White to move
Black to move
19.Bxh6!
The clever defensive resource
22...Be3! may have prompted Anand to Have you ever walked into a job
move his king to h1, as this prevents interview for which you’re utterly
Black’s ...Bc5 from arriving with check. unqualified and stared into the hostile
A possible continuation could be: eyes of the interviewer? You realise
23.Rxe3! Qxe3 24.fxe6 Nxe4 25.exf7+ you’re wasting your time, knowing your
Rxf7 26.Qg6+ Rg7 27.Qe6+ with chances of landing the job are zero.
perpetual check. That’s probably how MVL must have
felt at this moment about his king’s
18...Rbd8? safety.

Black’s plan to generate central play 19...gxh6

with a coming ...d6-d5 is too slow.
An important alternative was: 19...d5
A much better way to play was
20.Qg5! Ne8 21.f6! Bxf6 22.Rxf6 Qxg3
18...Kh7, preventing the sacrifice on h6.
23.e5!. The threat is Rf3, and Black’s
Black looks OK in this position, at least
queen has no safe squares.
to this Najdorf non-expert.
20.Qxh6 d5 21.g5!

The pawn storm overwhelms the

defense of the black king. When launching such a committal
pawn storm, we must accurately gauge
21...Qxg3 its speed against the opponent’s
inevitable central counterattack. I
21...Nh7 loses in many ways, the
suspect Black’s problems in this game
simplest probably being 22.Nh5,
stemmed from the unfortunate
threatening mate on g7. After 22...Qe5
combination of the weakening ...h7-h6
23.f6 Qxg5 24.Qxg5+ Nxg5 25.fxe7
with kingside castling. The h6-pawn
Black will be down a rook in the
soon became a sacrificial target for
variation’s aftermath.
White’s attack.
22.Rd3! Game 25
Magnus Carlsen – Daniel
A vital tactical detail, as 22.gxf6?? Naroditsky
would lose to 22...Bd6. Internet (rapid) 2021

22...Nh5 Sometimes, all it takes for a winning

attack is one innocent-looking advanced
Retreating with 22...Qe5? would be pawn pushed into enemy territory. That
simply refuted by 23.gxf6 Bxf6 was the case in this game.
(23...Bd6 is now met with 24.Qg7 mate)
24.Rf4! Bg7 25.Rg3 and Black is getting 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.e5
mated.
Watch how this advanced e-pawn
23.g6! fxg6 24.fxg6 Rxf1+ 25.Bxf1 Nf6 chokes Black’s king later on.

This is a painful move to be forced 3...c5 4.dxc5 e6 5.Qg4!?

into as it sacrifices a full queen, but the
5.Be3 and 5.a3 are more common.
threat of White’s Qh7+ and Qf7 mate
had to be addressed.

26.Rxg3 dxe4 27.Be2 e3+ 28.Kg1 Bc5

29.Kf1 1-0

Two pieces are not enough to

compensate for White’s extra queen. By
now, Black’s position is little more than
an empty coffin, awaiting the corpse to
give it meaning.
 6.Nf3 Nxc5 7.Be2 Ne7 8.0-0 Nf5?!
8
tMvWlVmT
Oo+*+oOo
7 Black looks OK after 8...Bd7.

6
*+*+o+*+ 8
t+vWlV*T
5
+*PoP*+* 7
Oo+*+oOo
4 *+*+*+q+ 6
*+*+o+*+
3 +*+*+*+* 5
+*MoPm+*
2 pPp+*PpP 4 *+*+*+q+
1 RnB*KbNr 3 +*+*+n+*
pPp+bPpP
a b c d e f g h 2
1 RnB*+rK*
a b c d e f g h
Black to move

Magnus channels his inner lawbreaker.

Do you model your chess after one great White to move
player or many? If your answer is
“many”, it applies to those who model 9.c4!
their chess after Magnus Carlsen, as he
has no single style. One game he Principle: Open the game and create
reminds us of Capablanca, the next of confrontation when you are ahead in
Lasker, and the next of Tal. This game development.
resembles Tal at his devious best. While
9...dxc4?!
it’s obviously risky to bring the queen
out this early, it is well-placed on g4, as Black has much better chances of
it hampers the development of Black’s survival after more prudent approaches
dark-squared bishop. like 9...Be7.

5...Nd7 10.Rd1 Bd7 11.Bxc4?!

The idea is to recapture on c5 with the This throws away most of White’s
knight to discourage a Bd3-setup for advantage.
White, since then Black can play The engine line is instructive: 11.Nc3!
...Nxd3+, removing White’s powerful (continuing development while keeping
attacking bishop from the board. all options open) 11...Rc8 12.Qxc4!
(using the queen to take the pawn, as she This is logical, but it allows the white
was about to get hit with ...h7-h5 queen to stay on a better circuit.
anyway and in any case, the knight on f5 The accurate 12...h5! 13.Qf4 Be7 is
keeps g7 protected, making the queen on equal, or close to it.
g4 quite useless) 12...h5 (White was
threatening to push Black even further 13.Nd4!
back with g2-g4) 13.Qf4 (placing the
queen on a safe but active square) Threatening Nxf5 and Qxg7.
13...Be7. Additionally, since Black’s knight on f5
was a strong piece, exchanging it makes

*+tWl+*T
8 sense from a positional perspective too.
7
Oo+vVoO* 13...h5! 14.Qe2! Nxd4 15.Rxd4 Bc6
6
*+*+o+*+ The attempted discovered attack with
5
+*M*Pm+o 15...Nb3?? fails miserably to: 16.Rxd7
4 *+*+*Q*+ Nxa1 17.Be3! (Black’s queen is horribly
3 +*N*+n+* low on safe squares, since moving it to

pP*+bPpP
2 c6 allows Bb5) 17...Qb4 18.a3 Qa5
19.Bb5!. Black is completely lost, since
1 R*Br+*K* 19...Kf8 allows White 20.Rxe7!
a b c d e f g h followed by a bishop check on c5, after
which Black is mated.

White to move
8
t+*+l+*T
7
Oo+*VoO*
*Wv+o+*+
Now 14.b4! (removing the defender of 6
the d7-bishop) 14...Na6 15.Bb5!
(increasing the pressure on the pinned
5
+*M*P*+o
piece) 15...Nb8 16.Ne4 heads towards 4 *+bR*+*+
greener pastures on either g5 or d6. 3 +*N*+*+*
11...Qb6!
2 pP*+qPpP
Black manages to discourage b2-b4
1 R*B*+*K*
a b c d e f g h
while getting his queen off the d-file.

12.Nc3 Be7?!
 White to move

16.Be3!
8
*+*Tl+*T
7
+o+*+o+*
Black’s queen suddenly finds itself 6
*WvRo+o+
awkwardly placed on b6. The extra
space created by the e5-pawn allows
5
O*M*P*+o
White’s pieces to assume strong, active
4 *+b+*+*+
positions. 3 +*N*B*+*
16...a5?
2 pP*+qPpP
1 +*+*+*K*
An impulsive decision, likely a b c d e f g h
influenced by the time control.
Naroditsky attempts to stabilize the
knight on c5, but Black should not have
White to move
weakened the b5-square.
16...a6! was absolutely essential, And now comes 20.Rxc6!. Other
followed by relocating the queen from moves are possible, but this is both the
the g1-a7 diagonal, having prevented the cleanest and, in my view, the most
key white ideas of Nc3-b5 and Bc4-b5. instructive. White exploits the awkward
coordination of Black’s queenside
17.Rad1!
pieces. Recapturing with the queen
It is always satisfying to watch simple (20...Qxc6) allows 21.Bb5, and
moves getting the job done. 20...bxc6 21.Ne4 is also decisive. White
will easily win an exchange in addition
17...0-0 to the knight on c5, leaving the two
minor pieces to completely dominate
This is an act of complete desperation, Black’s remaining rook.
as it sacrifices the h-pawn and invites a
devastating attack against the black 18.Qxh5
king.
White has a winning attack. Thanks to
On the other hand, 17...g6 is
the e5-pawn, the white pieces – most
powerfully met with 18.Rd6! Bxd6
importantly the rook on d4 – can quickly
19.Rxd6 Rd8.
swing over to the kingside.

18...Qxb2 19.Rg4! g6
 After 19...Qxc3?? 20.Bh6 it’s easy to The threat is Qh6+ followed by taking
see that Black is mated. on e6 with check with either the bishop
or the queen: for example, 22...Bxc5
8
t+*+*Tl+ 23.Qh6+ Kg8 24.Qxe6+ Kg7 25.Qg4+
7
+o+*Vo+* Kh6 26.Qh4+ Kg6 (or 26...Kg7
27.Qg5+) 27.Bd3+ and it’s forced
6
*+v+o+o+ checkmate in six at this point.
5
O*M*P*+q
4 *+b+*+r+ 20...Be8
3 +*N*B*+* The idea is to reinforce g6 to prevent
2 pW*+*PpP sacrifices on that square.
1 +*+r+*K* 20...Kh7 loses to 21.Qh3 Kg8
22.Rh4! (a pretty solution; the main
a b c d e f g h
threat is Bg5) 22...Bxh4 23.Qxh4. Black
has no chance of survival due to the
weak dark squares around his king.
White to move
21.Nd5!!
Exercise: A rook sacrifice on g6
screams to be played. Does it lead To hell with science – Magnus seeks
to a win, or does White only get a the answers to life’s questions through
draw? Calculate the aftermath of the magic!
sacrifice.
21...exd5

Answer: The rook sacrifice forces The knight has to be taken. The extra
checkmate. attacker on d5 would otherwise be
decisive.
20.Bh6
22.Bxd5
One should not postpone our carpe
diem to another diem. This is a rare Threatening mate in two by capturing
moment, as we don’t often see Magnus on g6.
shying away from such prosaic (at least
for him) calculation tasks. 22...Kh7 23.Qh3 Rh8
The checkmating line goes: 20.Rxg6+!
This hastens Black’s defeat, but there
fxg6 21.Qxg6+ Kh8 22.Bxc5!,
was no hope.
removing the defender of the e6-pawn.
 26.Qxh8 mate 1-0
8
t+*+v+*T
+o+*Vo+l
7 Black fell fatally behind in
development after a pair of early
6
*+*+*+oB inaccuracies (8...Nf5?! and 9...dxc4?!),
5
O*MbP*+* and was unable to recover. Take careful
4 *+*+*+r+ note of how the e5-pawn became the

+*+*+*+q
3 fulcrum for White’s impending attack.

2 pW*+*PpP Conclusion
1 +*+r+*K* Attacks don’t arise without a preceding
a b c d e f g h cause. We must try to gain a slight
spatial foothold in enemy territory. It
doesn’t even need to be much. Take a
close look at the examples of Kasparov-
White to move
Bareev and Carlsen-Naroditsky. All the
Even a gallon of chamomile tea isn’t two world champions needed to whip up
potent enough to soothe the black king’s a winning attack was a single pawn on
frayed nerves. White forces checkmate e5, just one square into Black’s territory.
in three. If this point is stable and we have time
to build up, the abstract disparity in
24.Bf8+! space can turn into a very concrete
winning attack.
Mate is more satisfying than the also
winning bishop check on c1.

24...Kg8 25.Rxg6+

Taking advantage of the pinned f7-

pawn.

25...Kxf8

Daniel is a good sport, so rather than

resigning, he allows Magnus to deliver
mate on the board, just to give the
spectators a show.
 8
t+v+lV*T
Chapter Four
7
Oo+*+oOo
Space Leads to Concessions
6
*Wm+o+*+
5
+*+oPm+*
As our territorial gains increase, the
4 *P*P*+*+
cramping effect often forces the 3 P*+*+n+*
opponent into either strategic or material
concessions. We will examine such
2 *+*+*PpP
cases in this chapter. In the following
1 RnBqKb+r
game, White’s extra space and Black’s a b c d e f g h
bishop pair were evenly matched for a
good portion of the game, until Black
went astray under time pressure. White to move
Game 26
Alexander Morozevich – Gilberto 9.Be3
Milos
Developing the bishop to b2 is played
New Delhi 2000
twice as often as developing it to e3,
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.c3 e6 4.d4 d5 5.e5 since, after the game move, Black can
capture the bishop pair. Nevertheless,
From a c3 Sicilian move order, we’ve this comes at a cost, as White then gets
landed headfirst in an Advance French. to open the f-file and stabilize the center
even further.
5...Qb6 6.a3 Nh6
9...g6
Black opts to develop.
Also popular is the double-edged The idea is to exchange on e3 and then
6...c4, which releases the pressure on play ...Bh6, eyeing the e3-pawn.
White’s center, but discourages White’s
10.Bd3 Nxe3 11.fxe3 Bh6 12.Qd2
space-gaining b2-b4.
My preference would have been e2 for
7.b4 cxd4 8.cxd4 Nf5
White’s queen, keeping it off the dark-
squared bishop’s diagonal.

12...Bd7 13.Nc3 Ne7?!

 which may make it more difficult for
8
t+*+l+*T him to achieve his only pawn break,
7
Oo+vMo+o ...f7-f6.
6
*W*+o+oV 5) If a pawn break does not take place,
Black’s bishop pair would be useless
5
+*+oP*+* due to the locked, static nature of the
4 *P*P*+*+ central structure.
3 P*NbPn+* Conclusion: I strongly prefer White’s
2 *+*Q*+pP chances. However, it would be easy to
visualize White overextending in the
1 R*+*K*+r future, so pressing the advantage must
a b c d e f g h be done with caution.

14...Bg7 15.0-0?!
White to move I question this decision since White’s
rook may have been better off where it
Maybe Black toys with the idea of
stood, on h1.
...Nf5, but the knight relinquishes some
Trying to stop ...f7-f6 once and for all
of the pressure exerted on the center,
by going 15.g5? comes at the cost of
and White’s next move proves the
allowing the e7-knight to be activated on
knight retreat to be a loss of time. Black
f5. Hence, from a positional standpoint,
is better off castling kingside and trying
it would be an interesting (albeit
to break with ...f7-f6 as quickly as
probably dubious), double-edged
possible.
decision. Moreover, at this particular
14.g4! moment, it also runs into 15...h6 when
the g5-pawn cannot be maintained.
Let’s take stock: White’s best chance was 15.h4!
1) Black owns the bishop pair. threatening h4-h5-h6, which would
2) Number 1 on the list means that increase White’s space advantage, stop
Black has the potential to control the ...f7-f6, and keep the pawn on g4
dark squares, since White’s dark- controlling the f5-square – all at the
squared bishop is missing. same time. Black is practically obliged
3) However, White controls a to go for 15...f6, but after 16.exf6 Bxf6
territorial advantage on the queenside, 17.h5! his kingside comes under serious
center, and kingside. pressure.
4) Black has already played ...g7-g6,
15...Rc8 An interesting positional decision and
the logical follow-up to White’s
It was high time Black challenged previous move. Morozevich is trying to
White’s center. Better was 15...f6!. exploit Black’s passive knight on e7.
However, once again 17.b5! would
8
*+t+l+*T have been even better, as Black is not
7
Oo+vMoVo allowed to get rid of the d7-bishop.
6
*W*+o+o+ 17...Bxb5
5
+*+oP*+*
4 *P*P*+p+
3 P*NbPn+*
8
*+t+*Tl+
2 *+*Q*+*P
7
Oo+*MoVo
1 R*+*+rK*
6
*W*+o+o+
a b c d e f g h
5
+v+oP*+*
4 pP*P*+p+
3 +*+bPn+*
White to move
2 *+*Q*+*P
16.a4!?
1 R*+*+rK*
a b c d e f g h
Gaining more space on the queenside
while setting a small trap. Have you
heard of the phrase “killing two birds White to move
with one stone”? More to the point
would have been 16.b5!, killing two 18.axb5!
pieces with a single pawn. The d7-
bishop and e7-knight are left in a sorry Now ...Nc6 options are eliminated,
state. and Black must worry about the a7-
pawn, as it sits on an open file.
16...0-0
18...f6
16...Qxb4?? walks into White’s trap:
17.Nb5! Qxd2 18.Nd6+ and White At last.
wins.
19.exf6 Rxf6 20.Kg2!
17.Nb5!?
 This removes the king from the black White’s despotic thoughts focus on a
queen’s diagonal while reinforcing the ruthless direction. Morozevich invests
knight on f3. ultimate authority in his initiative and
attack, above petty concerns like
20...Rcf8 21.Qc2 Nc8! structural integrity or avoiding a
material deficit. Black should, however,
The offside knight will finally get to
objectively be OK.
greener pastures after being rerouted to
The quieter 23.Qc5 Rc8 24.Qxb6 axb6
d6.
25.Rac1 Rff8 leads to an even ending.
22.h4!
23...Rc8
The idea is to push to h5, hammering
Disrupting the white bishop and queen
away at the g6-pawn and exploiting our
battery.
slight superiority in force on the
kingside, thanks to the placement of the 24.Qe2 Qd8?
black queen on b6.
Fearful of White’s potential kingside
22...Nd6 attack, Milos unnecessarily abandons
the a-pawn.
8
*+*+*Tl+ Correct was 24...gxh5! 25.g5 Rg6!,
which offers Black full compensation if
7
Oo+*+*Vo White chooses to grab the exchange.
6
*W*MoTo+
5
+p+o+*+* 25.hxg6 hxg6
4 *P*P*+pP
3 +*+bPn+*
2 *+q+*+k+
1 R*+*+r+*
a b c d e f g h

White to move

23.h5!
 8
*+tW*+l+ 8
*+t+*+l+
7
Oo+*+*V* 7
Ro+*W*+*
6
*+*MoTo+ 6
*+*Mo+o+
5
+p+o+*+* 5
+p+oP*+*
4 *P*P*+p+ 4 *P*+*+p+
3 +*+bPn+* 3 +*+bP*+*
2 *+*+q+k+ 2 *+*+*+k+
1 R*+*+r+* 1 +*+*+q+*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White to move Black to move

26.Rxa7! White’s structure is in ruins. We are

looking at five isolated pawns, two of
I prefer the text move to 26.g5 Rf8 them doubled!
27.Bxg6, since after 27...Ne4! Black
starts to develop annoying counterplay. 29...Ne4?

26...Qe7 27.Ne5? Black yanks the cord, unmooring his

position from reality.
This is an act of structural vandalism. The saving line was: 29...Nc4! 30.Qf6
White would stand better after Qxf6 31.exf6 Ne5! (Black must have
something calmer like 27.Raa1 or only considered taking on e3, after
27.Rfa1. which the endgame is losing) 32.Be2
Rb8 and Black should comfortably hold
27...Rxf1! 28.Qxf1 Bxe5! 29.dxe5
the ending since White’s extra pawn
looks to be meaningless. The same line
was possible even after starting with
29...Nf7, but going to c4 is a more
forcing way of getting there.

30.Bxe4 dxe4 31.Qf6!

We spot the first fissure in what was

once Black’s solid position. Milos is Black to move
completely lost, whether he swaps
queens or not. 33...Kf7 34.Kg3

31...Qxf6 Intending Kf4.

Black won’t hold the position even if 34...e5 35.b6! Rd7 36.Kg4! Ke6
he keeps the queens on the board:
Black is almost in zugzwang.
31...Qd7 32.Qxg6+ Kh8 33.Qh6+ Kg8
34.Ra1!. The rook enters the attack with 37.Ra8! Kd6
decisive force.
Alternatively, 37...Kf7 38.Rb8 Ke6
32.exf6 Rc7 33.g5 39.Rg8 Kf7 40.Rg7+ Ke6 41.Rxd7
Kxd7 42.Kg3 is a hopelessly lost king
One look tells us this is a miserable
and pawn ending for Black, since the
rook ending for Black. He is down a
white king enters via c4 and d5.
pawn, with his rook tied to the passive
defense of b7. White will soon activate 38.Rg8 1-0
his king, while the same cannot be said
for Black’s monarch. Meanwhile, if The loss of the g6-pawn will give
Black loses the g6-pawn, immediate White two deeply entrenched passed
capitulation follows. His demise appears pawns, winning easily.
as inevitable as the sun rising in the east. Black missed chances to save the
game in two places. Firstly, 24...hxg5!
8
*+*+*+l+ 25.g5 Rg6!, after which the exchange
7
RoT*+*+* sacrifice for the light squares leaves the

*+*+oPo+
6 position dynamically balanced.
Secondly, 29...Nc4! would also likely
5
+p+*+*P* have saved Black.
4 *P*+o+*+ Despite the inaccuracies by both
3 +*+*P*+* players, this game was a perfect
2 *+*+*+k+ illustration of a space advantage forcing
concessions out of an opponent. First
1 +*+*+*+* off, Black captured the bishop on e3,
a b c d e f g h which stabilized White’s center and
opened the f-file. That could not have
been avoided though, as minor pieces
needed to be exchanged in order for
Black to avoid suffocation. Kramnik’s favorite line against Black’s
Later, Black was forced to take the Queen’s Indian set-up.
knight on b5 on move 17. Not doing so
would have allowed the white knight 7...Ne4
into d6 with devastating consequences.
7...d6 is Black’s main line.
However, by taking on b5, Black gave
up the bishop pair, allowed White to
open the a-file, and invited a pawn to b5,
8
tM*Wl+*T
taking away another square from the
7
Ov+oVoOo
knight on e7. 6
*O*+o+*+
Eventually ...f7-f6 had to be played to 5
+*O*+*+*
activate the black pieces and fight
against White’s spatial superiority, but
4 *+p+m+*+
that weakened Black on the light squares
3 +*N*+nP*
and allowed White’s eventual attack 2 pP*PpPbP
with h4-h5. Last but not least, Black had
to acquiesce to the queen trade on f6, as
1 R*BqR*K*
a b c d e f g h
otherwise White’s extra space on the
kingside would have led to checkmate.
This might not be obvious at first, but it
was White’s space advantage that White to move
allowed the rook to travel so quickly
from a7 to a1 and then on to f1 or h1, 8.d4!?
delivering checkmate.
Topalov attempts an act of theoretical
In the following game, Topalov was defiance, challenging established
willing to take on some structural opening theory. The idea is to seize
damage in exchange for more space. central space, even at the cost of
The idea worked, but Black looked OK structural integrity. While the line lacks
early on. strong theoretical backing, I would place
Game 27 it in the risky-but-playable category.
Veselin Topalov – Michael Adams Having been a lawman my entire life,
San Luis 2005 I always meet Black’s last move with
the theoretically upright 8.Nxe4 Bxe4
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 c5 4.g3 b6 9.d3 Bb7 10.e4 with a slight and safe
5.Bg2 Bb7 6.0-0 Be7 7.Re1 edge for White.
Topalov follows his great rival
8...Nxc3 9.bxc3 Be4 This is better than choosing h3, as
with the bishop on f1, the weak c4-pawn
Adams takes the safe and sound route, is given the promise of support, if
with this common maneuver in Queen’s needed.
Indian structures. The idea is to prevent
e2-e4. If White moves his knight, Black 10...d6!
can achieve a favorable swap on g2. If
White advances with d4-d5, the bishop Adams’ move was a novelty at the
remains active, outside the pawn chain, time and seems like an improvement
rather than passive on b7. White over exchanging on f3, which would
typically responds with a somewhat give White a definite edge.
awkward plan: retreating the bishop
11.h4!?
from g2 to f1 (or h3), followed by Nf3-
d2, and only then playing e2-e4. Topalov considers Ng5 ideas, while
Another, much riskier plan Black can gaining more space, this time on the
try is to target White’s weak c4-pawn kingside.
with 9...Nc6 followed by ...Na5 and More normal would have been 11.Nd2
later ...Ba6. This often leads to White Bb7 12.e4, with a tense, double-edged
sacrificing the c4-pawn in exchange for situation.
kingside attacking chances.
11...Nd7 12.d5!?
8
tM*Wl+*T Another committal decision, gaining
7
O*+oVoOo more central space. At the same time, it
6
*O*+o+*+ removes the black bishop’s access to b7.
5
+*O*+*+* However, this comes at the cost of
4 *+pPv+*+ losing some structural flexibility and
conceding a few squares. It was not too
3 +*P*+nP* late to fall back on 12.Nd2 and e2-e4.
2 p+*+pPbP
1 R*BqR*K* 12...0-0 13.a4!?
a b c d e f g h Topalov tries to prevent any ideas of
taking on d5, followed by ...b6-b5, gains
space, and gives his rook some
White to move breathing room.
13.dxe6!? fxe6 14.Bh3 was an
10.Bf1! interesting alternative.
13...h6 bishops, leaving Black with a bad
bishop and weakened light squares on
Adams has had enough of calculating the kingside, while giving White the e4
Nf3-g5 on every turn. outpost. If Black remains passive and
refrains from ...f7-f5, White can slowly
8
t+*W*Tl+ build up a kingside attack due to his
7
O*+mVoO* extra space.
6
*O*Oo+*O 15.cxd5 Bf6
5
+*Op+*+*
4 p+p+v+*P 8
t+*W*Tl+
3 +*P*+nP* 7
O*+m+oO*
2 *+*+pP*+ 6
*O*O*V*O
1 R*BqRbK* 5
+*Op+*+*
a b c d e f g h
4 p+*+v+*P
3 +*P*+nPb
White to move
2 *+*+pP*+
14.Bh3!?
1 R*BqR*K*
a b c d e f g h
Most players would have exchanged
on e6 before playing this.
White to move
14...exd5!
We can now see why a2-a4 was an
Paradoxically, only by undoubling important inclusion.
White’s pawns can Black attempt to
overextend his opponent’s position. 16.Ra3! b5!?
The logical 14...e5?! might backfire
after 15.Nd2 Bh7 16.e4, as this seems to This radical, Benko Gambit-style
give White a slight yet nagging edge. In reaction is a temporary pawn sacrifice
this version, the c4-pawn isn’t weak at aimed at preventing White’s c3-c4.
all. Where is Black’s counterplay? If he After the game Adams suggested the
attempts to go on the attack with ...f7-f5, improvement 16...Ne5! 17.Nxe5 Bxe5
White can exchange light-squared when Black seems to be in good shape.
White’s attacking chances pretty much
evaporate after a swap of knights. Bd4 22.Be3 Bxe3 23.Rxe3 Re8 when
Black stands no worse.
17.axb5 Nb6
19.Rxf3!
The point behind Black’s previous
move. Capturing with the rook on f3 retains
the integrity of the white structure and
8
t+*W*Tl+ denies the black bishop a strong outpost
7
O*+*+oO* on d4.
6
*M*O*V*O 19...Nxc4 20.Qa4! Ne5
5
+pOp+*+* 20...Nb6 is met with 21.Qg4.
4 *+*+v+*P
3 R*P*+nPb 21.Ra3 Re8?!
2 *+*+pP*+ It was Black’s last chance to prevent
1 +*BqR*K* Topalov’s next move.
a b c d e f g h
8
t+*Wt+l+
7
O*+*+oO*
White to move 6
*+*O*V*O
18.c4!
5
+pOpM*+*
4 q+*+*+*P
Topalov realizes that the advanced d-
pawn is more important than the c-
3 R*+*+*Pb
pawn, as it continues to cramp Black’s
2 *+*+pP*+
position. 1 +*B*R*K*
a b c d e f g h
18...Bxf3?!

This is a case of the right idea, but the

wrong move order. White to move
Black gets a superior version of the
same thing by starting with 18...Nxc4! 22.h5!
and only after 19.Ra4! going 19...Bxf3!.
Advantageously fixing the kingside
White will now have to take on f3 with a
structure, grabbing space, and ensuring
pawn: for example, 20.exf3 Nb6 21.Ra6
that Black can’t get rid of the There was no reason to give up the b5-
weaknesses on the light squares. This pawn.
secures a significant edge for White, Stronger was the patient 25.Rb1,
whose position remains alert, as if in covering the b5-pawn.
feigned sleep:
1) White controls greater space on the 25...Qd7?
queenside, center, and kingside.
Declining the pawn leads to a further
2) White owns the bishop pair in a
deterioration of Black’s position.
semi-open position.
Black had an opportunity to escape
3) White controls the light squares.
with the cold-blooded: 25...Rxb5!
4) Number 3 on the list means that 26.Qe4 g6 27.hxg6 fxg6. Black’s
Black must worry about a queen/bishop position looks like it’s hanging by a
battery against his king on the b1-h7 thread, but it turns out to be quite a
diagonal, which can be set up with ideas strong thread. Nothing falls. A key
like Bf5, Bb1, and then Qc2. resource that gets Black out of trouble in
Conclusion: Black is almost busted many lines is hitting the white queen
already. with ...Rb5-b4, sending her to a passive
square like g2. That’s also how Black
22...Re7 23.Bf4!
would escape the possible pin with Bc2-
Black must watch out for Bxe5 ideas. a4.
Why? Because of the Principle: Bishops
26.Qe4
of opposite colors favor the attacking
side. Remember White is planning to Even stronger was 26.Bxe5! Bxe5
create a dangerous queen and bishop 27.Rb1, with a huge advantage for
battery against the black king on the b1- White due to the light-square
h7 diagonal. dominance.

23...Rb8 26...Ng6 27.Qd3

24.Bf5!

Operation Queen/Bishop Battery

begins!

24...Qe8 25.Bc2?!

This is too radical a course of action.

 The queen covers both the d5- and h5-
8
*T*+*+l+ pawns, while intending to shift over to
7
O*+wToO* d3 to fulfil the prophecy of the battery.
6
*+*O*VmO 30...Qh3
5
+pOp+*+p
*+*+*B*+
4 This futile attempt to attack the white
king is doomed to failure.
3 R*+q+*P* Also losing for Black is 30...Qxb5?
2 *+b+pP*+ 31.Rb1 Qe8 32.Qd3!, and the invasion
1 +*+*R*K* on h7 is unstoppable.
a b c d e f g h
31.Rxa7 Rxh5

Black to move
8
*T*+*+l+
7
R*+*+oO*
27...c4?! 6
*+*O*V*O
Adams, fearful of the potential of 5
+p+p+*+t
Topalov’s attack, is willing to sacrifice a 4 *+*+*+*+
pawn to deflect White’s intent. The
alternative was to try 27...Nf8 28.Qf5!
3 +*+*+qPw
Rxb5 29.Qxd7 Rxd7 30.Bf5 Rd8
2 *+b+pP*+
31.Rxa7 c4 32.Rd1. Black still struggles 1 +*+*R*K*
due to White’s bishop pair, yet he a b c d e f g h
appears better off than in the game
continuation.

28.Qxc4 Nxf4 White to move

Of course, this allows White 32.e3!

dangerous attacking chances due to the
bishops of opposite colors. Wisely cutting off ...Bd4 tricks, while
providing White’s king with a potential
However, 28...Ne5 would be strongly
exit route via f1 and e2.
met with Qe4, while 28...Nf8 leaves the
knight passively placed. 32...Qh2+
29.Qxf4 Re5 30.Qf3
 Black would love to capture the b5- the b5-pawn is untouchable due to the
pawn. Unfortunately, this leads to back- threat of back-rank mate.
rank mate after a rook check on a8. 2) Despite the white king’s harried
appearance, he is perfectly safe, while
33.Kf1 Qh3+? the same can’t be said for the black
king, who will be doomed if White sets
Adams had to simplify into a pawn-
up a queen and bishop battery along the
down ending with: 33...Qh1+ 34.Qxh1
b1-h7 diagonal.
(34.Ke2!! is even better, but giving up
the pawn on d5 is highly 3) White’s position radiates power on
counterintuitive) 34...Rxh1+ 35.Ke2 the light squares, while Black’s
Rxe1+ 36.Kxe1. It would still require influence on the dark squares is
work to secure the full point for White, negligible due to White’s secure
since Black can blockade the b6-square structure.
with the plan ...Bc3+, ...Bb4, and ...Bc5. 4) The black rook on h5 and the queen
on h3 have managed to eliminate the h5-
34.Ke2 pawn, but both are left seriously
misplaced. Any hopes of counterplay
against the white king turned out to be a
8
*T*+*+l+ mirage.
7
R*+*+oO*
*+*O*V*O
6 34...Re5 35.Rc7
5
+p+p+*+t Controlling c8 and thus threatening to
4 *+*+*+*+ trap Black’s queen with Rh1.
3 +*+*PqPw 35...Rc8?
2 *+b+kP*+
+*+*R*+*
1 Black had to settle for 35...Qh5 and a
lost technical ending.
a b c d e f g h

Black to move

This is closer to a ransom note than a

chess position. Black is lost for the
following reasons:
1) Black is down a clean pawn, since
 Black’s pawn sacrifice on the 27th
8
*+t+*+l+ move was likely an overreaction. He
7
+*R*+oO* was unable to survive being down a

*+*O*V*O
6 pawn, with an inferior opposite-colored
bishop situation. However, it was the
5
+p+pT*+* pawn sacrifice on the 16th move that
4 *+*+*+*+ started all the trouble. That sacrifice was
3 +*+*PqPw clearly induced by Black’s fear of
playing against White’s extra space,
2 *+b+kP*+ which would have been a permanent
1 +*+*R*+* feature if White had been allowed to
a b c d e f g h play c3-c4.

In the following game, one might

believe the position is headed for an
White to move
inevitable draw and that White would
not dream of winning – even in a month
Exercise: Prove why Black’s last
of Sundays.
move was a blunder:
Game 28
Answer: Deflection/interference. Radoslaw Wojtaszek – Pavel
Eljanov
36.Bf5! Biel 2015

The bishop begins the Hajj to his own

personal Mecca. This move short- 8
*+*TmTl+
O*+*+oOo
circuits the black queen’s connection to 7
the c8-rook.
6
*Or+*V*+
36...Rxf5 5
+*+*+*+*
36...Qxf5 37.Qxf5 Rxc7 38.Qb1 is
4 *P*+nP*+
dead lost for Black as well. 3 +*+*+*+b
37.Rxc8+ Kh7 38.Rh1! 1-0
2 p+*+*P*P
1 +*+r+*K*
Topalov’s last move forces the queens a b c d e f g h
off the board, putting an end to any
further resistance.
 White to move important Principle: The side with more
space should avoid exchanges.
Let’s make a few observations: Additionally, much of White’s space
1) The presence of bishops of opposite advantage stems from having the more
colors suggests a draw is likely, and the active pieces. Even so, Black should be
fact that White eventually won feels able to hold a draw.
almost like a deliberate violation of an
international treaty. 25...Be7
2) White’s kingside structure is
Intending ...Nf6, with healing swaps
broken, but that doesn’t seem like a
to follow.
major issue since the weakness is
unexploitable. On the other hand, 26.b5!
Black’s structure is as solid as one could
hope for. This way a7 is fixed as a permanent
3) Turning to factors in White’s favor, target.
he controls more space on both wings.
4) Black’s weakness on the light 26...g6!?
squares appears more significant than
Black is still OK, yet this feels
his counterplay on the dark squares.
unnecessary.
5) Black’s position is cramped and his
Better was 26...Nf6! 27.Nxf6+ Bxf6
knight, in particular, suffers the
28.Rc7.
consequences. The knight obstructs the
development of the f8-rook, yet remains
stuck on the passive e8-square, where it
8
*+*T*Tl+
must guard against White’s rook 7
O*Rb+oOo
invasion on c7. 6
*O*+*V*+
Conclusion: Objectively, the position 5
+p+*+*+*
*+*+*P*+
should be drawn, and the engine 4
evaluates it as close to even. However,
from a human perspective, Black must
3 +*+*+*+*
play accurately to hold the game, as 2 p+*+*P*P
White’s spatial advantage could force
concessions if inaccuracies arise.
1 +*+r+*K*
a b c d e f g h
25.Bd7!

This restrictive move follows an

Black to move
 It is at this critical moment that Black to make progress.
must spot an instructive trick: 28...Rfe8!,
activating the rook on f8. After 29.Bxe8 29.Nxf6 Bxf6 30.Rc7
Rxd1+ 30.Kg2 Kf8 31.Bxf7 Rd4
Black’s a-pawn falls, but an even
32.Bb3 Rxf4 33.Rf7+ Ke8 34.Rxa7
bigger problem is that White maintains a
White is up a pawn, but the advantage is
bind due to his more active rooks and
largely symbolic. Converting it into a
superior bishop.
win seems difficult, as Black can
generate counterplay on the kingside. 30...Be5
Even if White succeeds in creating a
passed pawn on the queenside, Black The human reaction is to give away
can establish a blockade on b6 with his the a7-pawn. The engine, which has no
rook and bishop. pride, is willing to grovel with
Returning to 26...g6!?: 30...Ra8!? 31.fxg6 hxg6 32.Be6 (32.Bc6
is met with 32...Be5) 32...Rae8 33.Bb3
8
*+*TmTl+ Re5 34.Rdd7 Kh6 35.Rxf7 Rxf7 36.Rxf7

O*+bVo+o
7 Bd8 37.Rxa7 Rxb5. Black will hold the
draw, despite White’s extra pawn.
6
*Or+*+o+
5
+p+*+*+* 31.Rxa7 Ra8
4 *+*+nP*+
3 +*+*+*+* 8
t+*+*T*+
2 p+*+*P*P 7
R*+b+oLo
1 +*+r+*K* 6
*O*+*+o+
a b c d e f g h 5
+p+*Vp+*
4 *+*+*+*+
3 +*+*+*+*
White to move 2 p+*+*PkP
27.Kg2 Kg7 28.f5 Nf6!? 1 +*+r+*+*
a b c d e f g h
Eljanov is understandably anxious for
swaps.
A clearer path to the draw is 28...gxf5!
29.Ng3 Rg8! 30.Nxf5+ Kf8+ followed White to move
by ...Rg8-g6. I don’t see a way for White
 Black holds an easy draw if White
exchanges rooks. 8
t+*T*+*+
32.Ra6!
7
+*+b+*Lo
6
rO*+*Oo+
With this annoying move, White keeps 5
+p+*Vp+*
*+*+*+*+
the rooks on the board and, suddenly, 4
Black’s path to a draw is no longer
clear, despite the engine’s equal
3 +*+r+*+*
assessment. 2 p+*+*PkP
32...Rfd8 33.Rd5! f6?!
1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h
While it’s difficult to label this move
an inaccuracy, it’s not the clearest way
to the draw.
Black to move
Black can draw with the more
accurate: 33...Bf6! 34.Rxb6 Rxa2 34...gxf5?
35.Rb7 Bh4 36.Be6 Rxd5 37.Rxf7+ Kh6
38.Bxd5 Rb2 (38...Rxf2+ 39.Kh3 Rd2 This is already the decisive mistake. In
also works) 39.fxg6 Kxg6 40.Bc4 contrast, if Black simply sits and waits,
Rxb5!. White won’t be able to convert it’s unclear how White can make
the extra pawn. progress.

34.Rd3 35.Rda3! Rab8

Taking on b6 allows the black rook on Sadly for Black, 35...Rxa6? fails to
a8 to get active with ...Rxa2. 36.bxa6 Bd6 37.Ra4 Ra8 38.Bc6 Ra7
39.Bb7. Black won’t survive with his
rook eternally imprisoned on a7.

36.Bxf5

White has won a pawn while keeping

both rooks on the board, significantly
increasing his winning chances.
Meanwhile, Black faces serious
difficulties defending along the seventh
rank.
36...Rg8 White threatens Bd5, followed by
Rh8+.
36...Rb7 is met with 37.Be4, chasing
the rook away either from the seventh 43...Rg7 44.Rh8+ Rg8 45.Rh6!
rank or from the defense of the b6-pawn.
Black is unable to cover the f6-pawn.
37.Ra7+ Kf8+ 38.Kf1 Rg5
45...Re7
38...Rg7 is met with 39.Rxg7 Kxg7
40.Ra7+ when White picks up a second 45...Be5 46.Rhh7 Rg5 47.Bd5 is game
pawn. over for Black, since there is no viable
way to protect against checkmate.
39.Bxh7 Bxh2

39...Rg7 40.h4 is also lost for Black.

8
*+*+*Lt+
7
R*+*T*+*
8
*T*+*L*+
6
*O*V*O*R
7
R*+*+*+b
5
+p+*+*+*
6
*O*+*O*+
4 *+*+b+*+
5
+p+*+*T*
3 +*+*+k+*
4 *+*+*+*+ 2 p+*+*P*+
3 R*+*+*+* 1 +*+*+*+*
2 p+*+*P*V a b c d e f g h
1 +*+*+k+*
a b c d e f g h
White to move

46.Rxf6+ Kg7 47.Rg6+ Kh8 48.Rh6+

White to move Kg7 49.Rxe7+ Bxe7

40.Rh3! 49...Kxh6 would hang the bishop to

50.Re6+.
Suddenly, visions of a future mate on
h8 arise. 50.Rg6+

40...Rg1+ 41.Ke2 Re8+ 42.Kf3 Bd6 The b6-pawn falls as well.

43.Be4
50...Kh8!? by Rh2, keeping the f2-pawn.

Despite directing his king the wrong 53.Kxf2 Bc5+ 54.Kf3 Bxb6 55.Kf4
way, this allows Eljanov to regain a
pawn. White wins quite comfortably since
After 50...Kf7 51.Rxb6 White remains Black’s king is a million miles away
up three pawns. from the theatre of action.

51.Rxb6 Rf8+ 52.Ke2 55...Kg7 56.Ke5 Kf7 57.Kd6 Ke8

58.Kc6 1-0

8
*+*+*T*L After 58...Be3 59.a4 Kd8 60.Bf5
Black’s position reaches a critical point,
7
+*+*V*+* as the white bishop cuts off the black
6
*R*+*+*+ king from entering the corner.
5
+p+*+*+* This game serves as a reminder of how
4 *+*+b+*+ little space is needed to induce errors

+*+*+*+*
3 from the opponent. Despite White’s
valiant effort with 25.Bd7! and 26.b5,
2 p+*+kP*+ the game should have ended in a draw.
1 +*+*+*+* However, Black’s moves became
a b c d e f g h increasingly difficult to find, leading to
concessions and eventually White’s win.
Game 29
Magnus Carlsen – Alexander
Black to move
Grischuk
52...Rxf2+! Stavanger 2015

Morlocks emerge from their secret

subterranean caverns. Tonight’s feature
on Shock Theatre: Black Wins a Pawn
Back, But Still Loses! Unfortunately for
Eljanov, winning the pawn does little to
improve his position, as his king is too
far away to help create a dark-square
blockade against White’s passed pawns.
52...Bc5 is met with 53.Rh6+ followed
 more mobile pawn majority.
8
*+*+*+l+
+w+v+oO*
7 26...Bxc5 27.Bxc5 dxc5 28.d6!

6
tV*O*+*O For the rest of the game, White’s d-
5
+*+pO*+* pawn exerts a cramping effect on

*+p+*+*P
4 Black’s position.

3 +*+*B*P* 28...Qb6!?
2 *+*+*Pb+ Grischuk may be overestimating his
1 R*+q+*K* chances.
a b c d e f g h He could force a drawish position by
returning the extra pawn with 28...Rxa1!
29.Qxa1 e4 30.Qe5 Qb1+ 31.Kh2 e3!
White to move 32.Qxe3 Qf5. Black has something
resembling a fortress, and the game
Here we can see that exchanging dark- should likely end in a draw.
squared bishops would leave White with
a bad remaining bishop. If I were 29.Rxa6 Qxa6
playing White, I would likely be

*+*+*+l+
searching for ways to draw. Not Magnus 8
though, who finds a way to complicate
things enough to win from what most of
7
+*+v+oO*
us would consider a slightly inferior 6
w+*P*+*O
position. It’s all the more impressive 5
+*O*O*+*
*+*+*+*P
that he manages to do so against one of 4
the best players in the world.
3 +*+*+*P*
26.c5! 2 *+*+*Pb+
White’s best practical chance. It
1 +*+q+*K*
doesn’t matter whether you’re feeling a b c d e f g h
ambitious or not, this is the best option,
even from a defensive perspective.
After 26.Rxa6?! Qxa6 27.Bxb6 Qxb6 White to move
28.Bf3 Black is better in practical terms,
as he owns the superior bishop and the 30.Bd5!
 What did Magnus get in return for his White to break Black’s blockade of d7.
pawn sacrifice?
1) The powerful passed d6-pawn, 32.Qc3!
which is tactically safe due to the Bxf7+
Magnus wins back the sacrificed
trick and cramps Black’s position.
pawn, as Black cannot protect e5
2) Black’s f7-pawn is weak and needs without exposing c5.
defending.
3) White threatens Qh5! with a double 32...c4!? 33.Bxc4! Bd7
attack on f7 and e5.
33...Bb5?? allows 34.Bxf7+.
30...Qc8
34.Qb3 Qe8 35.Qf3
It’s difficult to believe that a passive
retreat could be Black’s optimal move. White could also consider grabbing
more space with 35.h5.
I believe it would be preferable to go
for 30...e4!, taking the sting out of 35...Kf8
White’s Qh5 threat, which will now be
met with ...Qa1+ and ...Qf6. After The solution was once again
31.Bxe4 c4 Black should hold a draw connected to a pawn sacrifice: 35...e4!
without too much effort, as the 36.Qf4 Kf8 37.Bd5 e3! 38.fxe3 f6
counterplay provided by the c-pawn 39.Kh2 Qe5! and Black should
balances the strength of White’s d-pawn. comfortably hold the draw, a pawn
down. However, this is likely the most
31.Qb3! difficult of the solutions we’ve offered
so far. In short, Black’s position has
The pressure on f7 mounts.
become harder to play with every
31...Be8!? passing move.

This is awkward. 36.h5?!

31...Be6?? is a terrible blunder since
Magnus should have clamped down on
Black loses control over the blockading
Black’s pawn push to e4, by first going
square on d7 after 32.Bxe6 fxe6
36.Bd5.
33.Qb6!. Next is Qc7 and Black can
resign. 36...Kg8?!
Black may have been better off
playing the immediate 31...Qe8 and then Neither side realizes that Black’s e-
just shuffling. It would be difficult for pawn is better off on e4 than on e5.
However, it’s natural to be hesitant to White has a clear winning plan. Do
move your pawns in such cases. Once you see it?
you do, there’s no going back.
Black should be able to hold a draw Answer: Step 1: Transfer White’s
with 36...e4! 37.Qf4 f6! 38.g4 Qe5!. queen to c7. Step 2: Move White’s king
to c5. Step 3: Play Bc6!, smashing
37.Qe4! Black’s blockade on d7, after which
White’s advanced d-pawn will push
Magnus is in control again, as he stops
forward and win.
counterplay with ...e5-e4. The d6-pawn
continues to cramp Black’s defenders 40.f4?
and limit defensive options.
Magnus must have been low on the
37...Bc6 38.Bd5 Bd7 clock, since he gets lost in the details,
unable to organize the winning plan. His
Black is dead lost in the queen ending
move, while setting a trap, objectively
if he exchanges bishops.
allows Black to hold a draw.
39.Kg2 Kh8 Correct was: 40.Qc4! Kg8 41.Kf3!
Kf8 42.Qc7 Kg8 43.Ke3 Kf8 44.Kd3
Kg8 45.Kc4 Kf8 46.Kc5 Kg8 47.Bc6!.
8
*+*+w+*L The blockade of d7 has been broken and
7
+*+v+oO* White wins.
6
*+*P*+*O 40...exf4??
5
+*+bO*+p
4 *+*+q+*+ I don’t know about you, but when I
lose to my opponent’s trap or cheapo, I
3 +*+*+*P* suddenly become pro-capital
2 *+*+*Pk+ punishment for swindlers! There is
1 +*+*+*+* nothing more painful than blundering on
a b c d e f g h the final move of the time control with
your clock running low.
40...f6! should hold the draw after
41.fxe5 fxe5! when White is unable to
White to move make progress. It is impossible to reach
c5 with the center so wide open. The
Exercise: Black simply intends to pawn hanging on h5 is also a concern.
shuffle his king back and forth.
41.Qxe8+! Bxe8
8
*+*+*+*L
8
*+*+v+*L
7
+*+v+*O*
7
+*+*+oO*
6
*+*P*+bO
6
*+*P*+*O
5
+*+*+*+p
5
+*+b+*+p
4 *+*+*+*+
4 *+*+*O*+
3 +*+*+*K*
3 +*+*+*P*
2 *+*+*+*+
2 *+*+*+k+
1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h
1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h

Black to move

White to move Why resign you may ask?

1) Black’s king is shut out of play
Exercise: (Combination alert): Do after White’s last move. Not only that,
you see White’s shot? but Black lacks ...g7-g6 options now,
since his kingside pawns are frozen
Answer: Overloading the defender. forever.
The f7-pawn falls, since White’s bishop 2) White’s king will move up the
is tactically protected. board and break the blockade of d7.
3) Black will be forced to give up his
42.Bxf7!
bishop for White’s d-pawn.
I wish the rules allowed the swindled 4) White will create zugzwang,
side to utter a shrill, piercing scream. forcing Black to push the g-pawn
But, no, they force us to keep our forward, losing it and turning White’s h-
mouths shut and take the pain in silence. pawn into a winning g-pawn.
At this point, Grischuk must have been Conclusion: Black is dead lost. Here is
tempted to glare at the audience and ask, the winning technique: 45...Kg8 46.Kf4
“Are you not entertained?” Kf8 47.Ke5 Ba4 48.Ke6 Bb3+ 49.Kd7
Ba4+ 50.Kc7 Bb5 51.d7! (there is no
42...Bc6+ 43.Kf2 fxg3+ 44.Kxg3 Bd7 fortress draw available for Black)
45.Bg6! 1-0 51...Bxd7 52.Kxd7 Kg8 53.Ke7 Kh8
54.Ke8! Kg8 55.Bf7+ Kh8 56.Kf8 Kh7
57.Bg8+! Kh8 58.Kf7! (zugzwang;
Black must move the g-pawn) 58...g5
59.hxg6 (stalemate? actually not, since
Chapter Five
Black still owns the h-pawn which can Space on Opposite Wings
move forward) 59...h5 60.g7 mate.
Black was under pressure once There are some openings, like the
Magnus equalized the number of pawns. Classical variation of the King’s Indian,
The advanced passed d-pawn proved to where the position divides into two
be more difficult to handle than Black’s distinct hostile camps, and where peace
kingside pawn majority. or compromise is out of the question. In
this chapter, we look at situations where
Conclusion the players control territory on opposing
The stable annexation of territory wings. In the following game, Korchnoi
automatically means a reduction of was overly confident about his king
options for the opponent. The one thing safety and failed to take the necessary
the side with extra space should be precautions.
vigilant for is a desperate lunge from the Game 30
squeezed side. Keep in mind that the Viktor Korchnoi – Garry
restricted side at some point will be Kasparov
desperate and/or inventive, so be ready Amsterdam 1991
for it when it comes.
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6
5.d4 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7
9.Ne1 Nd7 10.Be3 f5 11.f3 f4

Black’s previous move is where the

counter-offer is met with: ‘I’ll see you in
court!’ The Classical line of the King’s
Indian is an institution devoted to
enhancing human misery, since the
theory is endless – sometimes past move
30. Both sides’ intent is clear:
1) Black pawn storms on the kingside,
with the goal of delivering mate to
White’s king.
2) White expands on the queenside,
hoping to overwhelm the defense there,
while keeping his king alive. 8
t+vW*Tl+
7
OoO*+*V*
8
t+vW*Tl+ 6
*+*O*Mm+
7
OoOmM*Vo 5
+*PpO*Oo
6
*+*O*+o+ 4 p+*+pO*+
5
+*+pO*+* 3 +*Nn+p+*
4 *+p+pO*+ 2 *P*+bBpP
3 +*N*Bp+* 1 R*+q+rK*
2 pP*+b+pP a b c d e f g h
1 R*+qNrK*
a b c d e f g h
White to move

16.h3?!
White to move

12.Bf2 g5 13.a4 Originality doesn’t always equate to

superiority. This was a theoretical
There are many other ways for White novelty at the time, and one I view with
to proceed. Fortunately for me, this isn’t suspicion. White invests a crucial tempo
a book on the King’s Indian! in moving a pawn on the side where he
is attacked. This is the definition of
13...Ng6 14.Nd3 Nf6 going against the principles.
16.a5 is White’s main line.
Kasparov abandons control over c5,
utilizing all his pieces in the coming 16...Rf7!
kingside attack.
This is a standard maneuver in such
15.c5 h5 structures. Black covers against a
potential invasion on c7, while
simultaneously transferring the rook to
g7, where it supports a pawn break on
g4 and participates in the attack against
the white king.

17.c6?!
 This is not the best move, but White’s 18.cxb7 Bxb7 19.b4?!
position is already somewhat difficult,
no matter what. Inaccuracies build up like toxic
White’s best move, according to the deposits in the body, caused by unclean
engine, is the desperate 17.cxd6 cxd6 air and water.
18.Kh2!?, intending Rh1, followed by Korchnoi had a stronger defensive
Kg1, trapping his own rook in the resource. He should play 19.Be1!,
corner... followed by Nf2!, which stalls Black’s
break on g4.
8
t+vW*+l+ 19...Bc8!
7
OoO*+tV*
6
*+pO*Mm+ The break on g4 can no longer be
stopped.
5
+*+pO*Oo
4 p+*+pO*+ 20.bxa5 Bh6 21.Nb4!?
3 +*Nn+p+p
2 *P*+bBp+ 8
t+vW*+l+
1 R*+q+rK* 7
+*O*+t+*
a b c d e f g h 6
*+*O*MmV
5
P*+pO*Oo
4 pN*+pO*+
Black to move 3 +*N*+p+p
17...a5?! 2 *+*+bBp+
This is a waste of time, as Black’s
1 R*+q+rK*
bishop must move twice, only to return
a b c d e f g h
to its home square on c8. So awestruck
was the chess world by this game that
Kasparov’s inferior response was rarely Black to move
noted as such.
17...bxc6! is an improvement, as it The knight moves away from its king,
stalls the prying open of Black’s and its entry to c6 doesn’t bother Black
queenside. After 18.dxc6 Be6 Black’s much. That said, I don’t see a better
kingside attack is faster than White’s on move.
the queenside.
21...g4!
8
t+v+*Wl+
+*O*+t+*
Black’s thematic kingside break is 7
achieved at the bargain price of just one
pawn.
6
*+nO*MmV
22.Nc6 Qf8 23.fxg4?
5
P*+pO*+*
4 p+*+pOp+
23.a6!! is the only way to challenge 3 +*N*+*+*
Kasparov’s despotic regime. The move 2 *+*+bBp+
R*+q+rK*
objectively saves White. Black should 1
simply shift his rook to g7, with
excellent practical chances in any case. a b c d e f g h
The temptation to avoid would be going
pawn hunting with 23...gxh3? 24.gxh3
Bxh3 25.a7! Qg7 26.Kh2! Bxf1 Black to move
27.Qxf1 Ng4+ 28.Kh1! when Black is
in deep trouble, since Rb1 and Rb8 are Sometimes I end up on that
coming. White’s king is paradoxically unfortunate treadmill at the gym, which
safe due to the presence of Black’s h- is parked in front of the TV with the
pawn, which shields the white king from game show. Have you ever seen the
harm along the h-file. contestants when they win a matching
washer and dryer? They jump up and
23...hxg4 24.hxg4 down, weeping with joy. Are the newly
won appliances going to alter their lives
in some transformative way? Here
White may be mentally jumping up and
down, and weeping with joy from the
fact that he is up two pawns. However,
the harsh reality is that Black’s attack is
worth much more.

24...Bg5!

The prognosis for the white king is

dire, since Kasparov’s attack down the
open h-file will be decisive. The
immediate threat is ...Qh6, ...Rh7 and
mate on h2 or h1. White the dark squares.
Kasparov’s idea becomes clear in the
25.Bf3 Qh6 26.Re1 line: 27.Kf1 Nxf3 28.gxf3 Nxg4!.
White is unable to withstand the force of
Korchnoi’s king intends to escape to
Black’s assault.
the queenside with Kf1 and Ke2.
After 26.Be1 Nh4 27.Rf2 Nxf3+ 27...Bxh4 28.g5
28.gxf3 Nxg4! 29.fxg4 Rh7 Black has a
winning attack, since 30.Qf3 is met with Trying to buy some time for White’s
30...Bxg4! 31.Qg2 f3, winning. king.
28.Kf1 is answered with 28...Nxg4!,
8
t+v+*+l+ and if 29.Bxg4 Bxe1! 30.Kxe1 f3! when
7
+*O*+t+* Black has a winning attack.
6
*+nO*MmW 28...Qxg5 29.Re2 Ng4 30.Rb1
5
P*+pO*V*
4 p+*+pOp+ 8
t+v+*+l+
3 +*N*+b+* 7
+*O*+t+*
2 *+*+*Bp+ 6
*+nO*+*+
1 R*+qR*K* 5
P*+pO*W*
a b c d e f g h 4 p+*+pOmV
3 +*N*+b+*
Black to move
2 *+*+r+p+
1 +r+q+*K*
26...Nh4! a b c d e f g h
Kasparov is a player in total
communion with chaos.
Black to move
27.Bxh4
30...Bg3!
Korchnoi watches the degeneration of
his position with deepening unease as The path is cleared for Black’s queen
attackers and conspirators cluster around to enter White’s position through the h-
the white king. This monster concession file.
to eliminate a powerful attacker costs
31.Qd3 Qh4 0-1
8
t+vW*Tl+
OoO*MoVo
Miss State-the-obvious is clear about 7
her intention to deliver mate. White
resigned, as after 32.Reb2 Ne3! the f1
6
*+*O*Mo+
escape square is cut off, and White must 5
+*+pO*+*
hand over his queen to evade immediate 4 *+p+p+*+
+*N*+*+*
mate. 3
In my opinion, 16.h3?! is a move that
shouldn’t be repeated. The reason is that
2 pP*NbPpP
when Black does achieve the ...g5-g4 1 R*Bq+rK*
break, it comes with greater force than if a b c d e f g h
White’s h-pawn remained on its original
square. Moving pawns on the side
you’re weaker is a dangerous habit, to
say the least. Black to move
Let’s again look at the same structure Unlike in the last game, where the
as in the last game, but this time we’ll knight transferred to d3 via e1, this time
examine a situation where White’s White posts the knight on d2, aiming to
queenside attack is more potent than land it on the more active c4-square.
Black’s kingside attack. From there, the knight can contribute
Game 31 more constructively to the queenside
Alexander Beliavsky – Dragan fight than from d3, as it exerts pressure
Solak against d6. At this moment, d6 might
St. Vincent 2000 seem stable, but it will become the base
of Black’s pawn chain after an eventual
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 c4-c5, followed by capturing on d6. This
5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be2 e5 7.0-0 Nc6 8.d5 Ne7 line is a touch more absolutist than the
9.Nd2 9.Ne1 path, where the knight could
serve a defensive function on f2. By
transferring the knight to c4, White
commits fully to the queenside attack.

9...Ne8 10.b4

Supporting c4-c5 followed by Nc4.

10...f5 We can see where this is going –
Black’s queenside is on the verge of
10...a5 can also be tried, yet it feels collapse. White already threatens the d6-
like Black is losing time after 11.bxa5 pawn and can continue with pawn
Rxa5 12.Nb3 and too many moves are breaks like a4-a5 and b5-b6, or play b5-
getting played on the queenside. b6 immediately.

11.c5 Nf6 12.f3 f4 13.Nc4 g5 14.a4 16...Ne8?

Ng6 15.Ba3 Rf7
I’m not a fan of retreating a piece that
could attack the white king. After this,
8
t+vW*+l+ Black will struggle to execute the
7
OoO*+tVo thematic pawn break with g4.
6
*+*O*Mm+ Black was better off playing 16...dxc5!

+*PpO*O*
5 17.Bxc5 Bf8!, which significantly slows
down White’s queenside expansion
4 pPn+pO*+ while also offering a trade of Black’s
3 B*N*+p+* worst-placed piece for one of White’s
2 *+*+b+pP best.
1 R*+q+rK* If Black wanted to avoid capturing on
c5 and instead protect the d6-pawn, then
a b c d e f g h
16...Bf8 would be a more logical option
than the game continuation. The bishop
on g7 wasn’t contributing to the attack,
White to move and the rook needs the g7-square. Still,
White has 17.b6! with a strong initiative
It’s abundantly clear which sides of on the queenside.
the board the opponents’ ambitions lie
on. Will Black deliver mate before 17.a5 Bf8
collapsing on the queenside? I don’t
know – the game’s outcome is not
predetermined at this point. The engine
slightly prefers White, but we humans
often find ourselves getting mated when
playing White in such positions.

16.b5
 second pawn but clearing the d5-square,
8
t+vWmVl+ is a viable option.
7
OoO*+t+o 18...h5 19.b6 Bd7?
6
*+*O*+m+
5
PpPpO*O* This is too slow. Black cannot survive

*+n+pO*+
4 by making moves on the queenside.
Ruthlessly attacking on the kingside is
3 B*N*+p+* the only way forward.
2 *+*+b+pP The chances remain dynamically
1 R*+q+rK* balanced after the more principled
19...g4! 20.fxg4 Qg5! 21.gxh5 Nh4.
a b c d e f g h
That’s what I’m talking about! Three
moves, all of them going forwards with
ferocious intent. After 22.Bf3 Nxf3+
White to move 23.Rxf3! Bg4 it’s anybody’s game.

t+*WmVl+
18.Na4?! 8
White tries to maintain the pawn 7
OoOv+t+*
tension, but the knight is slightly 6
*P*O*+m+
P*PpO*Oo
misplaced on a4. 5
The engine prefers 18.c6, assessing
White’s attack as more potent than
4 n+n+pO*+
Black’s, although engines are sometimes 3 B*+*+p+*
wrong in their evaluation of such 2 *+*+b+pP
R*+q+rK*
positions due to the horizon effect. 1
A collaboration between human and
a b c d e f g h
engine might come up with 18.b6!?,
which is a promising pawn sacrifice,
trying to keep the queenside initiative
alive while also having easy moves as a White to move
follow-up. After 18...dxc5 19.Qb3! it
becomes quite clear that Black’s attack 20.bxc7
on the kingside has been delayed for too
Black’s queen is forced to move away
long. The missing pawn on the
from the white king.
queenside will be easy for White to
regain, while even d5-d6, sacrificing a Blasting everything open with 20.c6!?
was an excellent alternative.
8
t+v+mVl+
O*W*+*T*
20...Qxc7 21.a6! 7
Breaking through. This is White’s 6
o+pO*+m+
third pawn break on the queenside. In 5
+*+pO*Oo
*+n+pO*+
contrast, Black’s attack on the kingside 4
has yet to make its first.
3 B*+n+p+*
21...bxa6 2 *+*+b+pP
Equally unappealing is to allow White
1 R*+q+rK*
to capture on b7. a b c d e f g h

22.c6

So dire is Black’s situation on the Black to move

queenside that Beliavsky issues the
ultimatum: deliver mate or lose the 24...Nh8
game on the queenside.
The position’s light fades into a
22...Bc8 23.Nab2!? threatening darkness. The engine
doesn’t approve of the knight’s
The knight wasn’t doing much on a4, rerouting retreat, but if not this, how else
and White intends to transfer it to f2 to can Black force the break on g4?
prevent Black’s natural break on g4.
25.Nf2 Nf7 26.h3
23...Rg7 24.Nd3
Beliavsky has added five(!) defenders
on the g4-square.
Even stronger is 26.g4!. If Black does
not take on g3, then there is no attack to
speak of, but if 26...fxg3 27.hxg3 when
it is not clear anymore who has the
ability to transfer more pieces towards
the kingside. White’s next moves might
be Kg2 and Rh1.

26...Nh6 27.Rb1 Qd8 28.Bb4 Nf6

29.Rb3?!
 This is a wasted tempo since White 30.Bxa5 Qe8 31.c7!
later plans to move the rook to b8.
29.Ba5 is the consistent path, but
Beliavsky probably wanted to keep the
8
t+v+wVl+
pressure against d6 alive for another 7
O*P*+*T*
move. 6
*+*O*M*M
5
B*+pO*Oo
8
t+vW*Vl+ 4 *+n+pO*+
7
O*+*+*T* 3 +r+*+p+p
6
o+pO*M*M 2 *+*+bNp+
5
+*+pO*Oo 1 +*+q+rK*
4 *Bn+pO*+ a b c d e f g h
3 +r+*+p+p
2 *+*+bNp+
1 +*+q+rK* Black to move
a b c d e f g h
Threatening Rb8.

31...Qg6?!
Black to move
It is the nature of optimism to court
29...a5? death. Such irrationally complex
positions are accidents just waiting to
Just after getting a chance to strike happen. Apparently, an innate instinct to
back, Black falters. This move was defend our property is not embedded in
probably played with the intention of everyone’s DNA. Black has had enough
diverting White’s bishop from the attack of defending and chooses the nuclear
on the d6-pawn, allowing the black option: totally ignoring White’s threat of
queen to move from d8 to e8 and then to Rb8.
g6. However, as we’ll see in the game, Black’s chances would have been
this is far too slow. much better after 31...Bd7 32.Qb1 Rc8
It cannot be prepared further, so for 33.Rb8 g4 when the engine claims
good or bad, 29...g4! had to be played. White is winning, but it does not look
After something like 30.fxg4 hxg4 clear to a human.
31.Ba5 Qe8 32.hxg4 Nhxg4 33.Nxg4
Nxg4 it’s anybody’s game once again. 32.Rb8 g4
 That was the whole point of ignoring Volume 2 where she awakens with a
Rb8. gasp, inside her own coffin? Actually,
no. As dangerous as Black’s attack
33.hxg4! appears, White’s monster surplus of
material outweighs it, and there is no
There is no need for White to increase
mate to be delivered.
the level of complications by allowing
33.Rxa8 gxh3 when the engine now 37.Nh3 Nf7
claims that 34.Ng4 wins, but I would
still be terrified. The idea is this: White’s knight is not
welded to h3. Black intends to break the
33...hxg4 34.Rxa8 blockade with ...Ng5. Unfortunately for
GM Solak, it’s just too slow.
Who among us doesn’t enjoy an all-
you-can-eat buffet? 38.Bb4! Ng5 39.Bxd6 Qh5 40.Bxf8!

34...Bd7 35.c8=Q Bxc8 36.Rxc8 g3 Beliavsky continues capturing Black’s

pieces one after another.
8
*+r+*Vl+ 40...Nxh3+ 41.gxh3 Qxh3 42.Bxg7+
7
O*+*+*T* Kxg7
6
*+*O*MwM
5
B*+pO*+* 8
*+r+*+*+
4 *+n+pO*+ 7
O*+*+*L*
3 +*+*+pO* 6
*+*+*M*+
2 *+*+bNp+ 5
+*+pO*+*
1 +*+q+rK* 4 *+n+pO*+
a b c d e f g h 3 +*+*+pOw
2 *+*+b+*+
White to move
1 +*+q+rK*
a b c d e f g h
Man, talk about attempting to crash
through the pain barrier! Is the white
king’s situation the same as Uma White to move
Thurman’s from the scene in Kill Bill,
 Yikes, Black is down two rooks and a the one who comes out on top.
minor piece! However, what will be Moving away from these King’s
done about the threat on h2? Indian structures, let’s check out another
example where the two sides control
43.Rc7+ space on opposite wings, and how
Kasparov expertly handles the situation.
Moving the rook away from capture
on the h3-c8 diagonal. Game 32
Rustam Kasimdzhanov – Garry
43...Kg8 44.Rf2! Kasparov
Batumi (rapid) 2001
Forced moves can still be strong ones.
With millions in the bank, anyone can
become a philanthropist. White returns a
full rook to parry the threats, but he’s up
8
t+*+t+l+
a whole army.
7
O*+v+oO*
6
*M*W*M*O
44...gxf2+ 45.Kxf2 Qh4+ 46.Kg2 1-0 5
+oOp+*+*
After 46...Qg3+ 47.Kf1 there is no 4 *+*+*N*P
perpetual check, since White’s king can 3 P*+*+*P*
slip away through e1 and d2.
Where did Black lose the plot in the
2 *+*NpPb+
complications? Sure, 9...Ne8 is not the
1 R*+q+rK*
best line theoretically, but that wasn’t a b c d e f g h
what decided this game. It was the
passive 16...Ne8?, the indecisive
19...Bd7? and, finally, 29...a5? that cost Black to move
Black the game.
When dealing with extreme situations Let’s assess:
involving both sides controlling space 1) We have opposing wing super
on opposite wings, time is of the majorities, with Black’s 3-1 on the
essence. In general, we should not waste queenside against White’s 5-3 in the
time defending on the side we’re center and kingside.
destined to be overrun. On the contrary, 2) Note that White’s d5-pawn is not
we should focus on developing our own hanging, since White exchanges knights,
initiative, doing our best to strike first. followed by the discovered attack Nc4!.
The one who draws first blood is usually 3) Black’s pawn majority looks fast
since we can easily envision ...c5-c4, followed by the capture of the pawn on
...a7-a5, and ...b5-b4. d5.
4) White’s, on the other hand, is
awkwardly blocked by the klutzy white 8
t+*+t+l+
knight on f4, which prevents White’s f2- 7
O*+v+o+*
*M*W*M*+
f4 break. Why is the f2-f4 break needed? 6
Because, otherwise, White will never
gain control over the e5-square, and
5
+oOp+*O*
White’s goal of enforcing e2-e4 and e4- 4 *+*+*+*+
e5 feels like a distant, hazy dream. 3 P*+*+*Pn
5) Black has access to the ...g7-g5
option, undermining a key defender of
2 *+*NpPb+
the d5-pawn, meaning that White’s d5-
1 R*+q+rK*
pawn is indeed in grave danger. a b c d e f g h
Conclusion: This is not a case of
evenly matched pawn majorities –
White is completely losing. Black to move
16...g5! 18...Bxh3! 19.Bxh3 Nbxd5
Unlike lower-level players who Black won an important central pawn,
embrace comforting myths, Kasparov is while maintaining the initiative.
not held back by taboos of avoiding
weakening pawn pushes in front of the 20.Rc1 Rad8 21.Bg2 c4
king. White needs the initiative, which
he doesn’t have, to exploit Black’s pawn The queenside majority rolls forward.
push. This move wins a pawn, while
22.a4 a6
undermining the opponent’s harmony.
Of course, Kasparov avoids the trap 22...Nb6 was an excellent alternative.
mentioned above: 16...Nbxd5??
17.Nxd5 Nxd5 18.Nc4! bxc4 19.Bxd5. 23.axb5 axb5 24.Nf3?
White threatens both to take the rook on
a8 and Bxf7+, winning Black’s queen.

17.hxg5 hxg5 18.Nh3

18.Nd3 is best met with 18...c4!,

 suicide for White, as his position will be
8
*+*Tt+l+ overwhelmed by Black’s two passed
7
+*+*+o+* queenside pawns.
6
*+*W*M*+ 26.Qc2 would have been met with
26...Qd3.
5
+o+m+*O*
4 *+o+*+*+ 26...Qd3!
3 +*+*+nP* Threatening a fork on e2.
2 *+*+pPb+
1 +*Rq+rK* 27.Nd4

a b c d e f g h
8
*+*Tt+l+
7
+*+*+o+*
Black to move 6
*+*+*+*+
Exercise: White has just blundered.
5
+o+*+*O*
Do you see the shot Kasparov
4 *+oNm+*+
missed? 3 +*MwP*P*
2 *+*+*Pb+
24...Ne4
1 +*R*QrK*
a b c d e f g h
Answer: Kasparov missed an even
more powerful detonation with:
24...Nc3!. White’s rook on c1 is
Black to move
overloaded, unable to capture the knight,
since it is needed to protect the queen. 27...Rxd4!
After 25.Qxd6 Nxe2+ 26.Kh2 Rxd6
Black wins a second pawn. Renovations continue. Kasparov
removes White’s only active piece.
25.e3 Ndc3 26.Qe1
28.exd4 Ne2+ 29.Kh2
White’s flustered queen reminds us of
the Bride of Frankenstein character When life goes wrong, it has a way of
when she meets her homely husband-to- going wronger and wronger! White’s
be. Of course, allowing a queen swap is king is uneasy on the open h-file.
29...Nd2! 0-1 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.f3!?

There is a great deal of suffering

involved when you’re out on a movie 8
tMvWlVmT
date and your wife or husband hogs all 7
Oo+*OoOo
*+o+*+*+
the popcorn, just as Kasparov is doing 6
here. His pieces control the entire board.
As Kasimdzhanov sifts through the
5
+*+o+*+*
wreckage, he realizes that not only are 4 *+*Pp+*+
his rooks hanging simultaneously, but
the white king is also in terrible danger
3 +*+*+p+*
from ideas like ...Qh7+, followed by
2 pPp+*+pP
...g5-g4. It’s more than understandable 1 RnBqKbNr
that he decided to resign. a b c d e f g h
White was doomed from the starting
position after Kasparov’s undermining
shot, 16...g5!. Once the d5-pawn fell,
Black to move
White was overwhelmed by Black’s
queenside supermajority. Despite the When one of my students announces
concrete nature of this example, I think that they want to play the Fantasy
it’s instructive to observe how mobile variation against the Caro-Kann, I’m
Black’s majority was compared to reminded of that friend we all have who
White’s immobile clump of pawns, has been through three marriages,
which would have been unable to march excitedly announcing that he’s going for
forward even if the d5-pawn had been number four. “She’s the one!” he
magically kept alive. exclaims. Then, you congratulate him,
wondering: ‘Divorce, or annulment?’
In cases of opposing wing castling, as This is the path of someone who refuses
in the following game, the side that to follow trifling rituals in the opening
reaches the opponent’s king first is phase. Is Morozevich embracing a
heavily favored to win. What does that debunked model from the era of the
have to do with space, you might ask? Great Romantics? Actually, no – the line
You’ll see: is considered fully playable for White.
Game 33
Alexander Morozevich – Viktor 3...e6
Bologan
I also play this way with Black, as the
Sochi 2004
white Fantasy Caro-Kann players tend to morph into opposite wing pawn
to dislike being bogged down in closed, storms, with a race to reach the other
French Defense-like positions. side’s king.
3...dxe4 4.fxe4 e5 is playable, yet
gives White a King’s Gambit-like 9...c5
position, which the Fantasy player
Black begins to strike back in the
usually craves.
center while daring White to open up the
4.Nc3 Bb4 queenside.

This way, e7 is cleared for Black’s 10.a3

knight without impeding the dark-
This is logical, as it gives White the
squared bishop’s function.
advantage of the bishop pair. However,
5.Bf4 Ne7 6.Qd3 b6 White spends a tempo on the queenside
and moves one of the pawns in front of
White must now watch out for ...Ba6 his king. At some point, Black may
ideas. exploit that by achieving a pawn break
on b4.
7.Nge2 Ba6 8.Qe3 0-0 9.0-0-0
10...Bxc3 11.Qxc3

8
tM*W*Tl+
7
O*+*MoOo
8
tM*W*Tl+
6
vOo+o+*+
7
O*+*MoOo
5
+*+o+*+*
6
vO*+o+*+
4 *V*PpB*+
5
+*Oo+*+*
3 +*N*Qp+*
4 *+*PpB*+
2 pPp+n+pP
3 P*Q*+p+*
1 +*Kr+b+r
2 *Pp+n+pP
a b c d e f g h
1 +*Kr+b+r
a b c d e f g h

Black to move
Black to move
Here we go... The game is clearly set
11...Bxe2!? Black to move

This is the prelude to Black’s next White starts advancing on the

move. 11...Nd7 is also tempting, kingside. Let’s take stock:
keeping the tension and aiming to attack 1) At the moment, it isn’t obvious
down the c-file with ...cxd4 followed by which side is faster. White intends to
...Rc8. push the g- and h-pawns up the board,
hoping to open Black’s king; Black, in
12.Bxe2 c4! turn, plays for a break on b4 preceded
by ...b6-b5, ...a7-a5, and ...Nbc6.
That’s why the bishop had to be given
up on e2. Black relinquishes the 2) White tossed in a2-a3, which adds
pressure on White’s centre, but, in force to Black’s break on b4, since lines
exchange, grabs a huge amount of space may open rapidly. In contrast, Black’s
on the queenside. Furthermore, this kingside structure remains intact, and
structure invites the obvious plan of a most pawn breaks can be answered
queenside pawn roller with ...Nbc6, without opening lines.
...b6-b5, ...a7-a5, and ...b5-b4. Although 3) White owns the bishop pair against
this might be happening on the other Black’s two knights. For now, this factor
side of the board, it is strongly doesn’t really constitute an advantage
reminiscent of a King’s Indian. for the bishops’ side, since the position
is closed, which benefits the knights.
13.h4 What is more, the bishops – especially
the one on e2 – are unable to
purposefully target the black kingside.
8
tM*W*Tl+ Of course, if the position opens later, the
7
O*+*MoOo advantage may swing in White’s favor.
6
*O*+o+*+ Conclusion: The position is difficult to

+*+o+*+*
5 assess. The engine says even, while I
slightly prefer Black’s chances. To me,
4 *+oPpB*P Black’s play seems more
3 P*Q*+p+* straightforward and easier to execute.
2 *Pp+b+p+ 13...b5
1 +*Kr+*+r
a b c d e f g h Slightly more accurate is to develop
with ...Nbc6 first.

14.Qe1!?
 The queen directs herself towards the situations, having the extra space on the
kingside in pursuit of an attack, while wing might be useless if you cannot
moving away from ...b5-b4. A more achieve a pawn break.
cautious player may have tried to force
queens off the board with 14.Qb4!? a6 16.g4?!
15.Qd6 Nbc6 16.Qxd8 Raxd8. Even
Returning the favor.
here, I’m not really sure that White’s
bishops constitute any kind of Weakening the dark squares around
advantage, since the game remains the black king with 16.h6 would have
closed. been a more purposeful approach, but
after 16...g6 we once again have a
14...Nbc6 15.h5 situation where it is difficult to imagine
White opening a file to gain access to
15.Qg3 was preferable. the black king.
Best was 16.Qg3!, which comes with
8
t+*W*Tl+ the actual threat of Bh6. If Black were to
7
O*+*MoOo react with 16...Kh8 then 17.h6! g6
6
*+m+o+*+ 18.Bd6! would suddenly give White
good piece play. The active bishop is
5
+o+o+*+p exerting annoying pressure on the black
4 *+oPpB*+ pieces while also defending against
3 P*+*+p+* some of Black’s ideas on the queenside.
2 *Pp+b+p+ It could also find a cozy home on c5 on
the next move.
1 +*KrQ*+r
a b c d e f g h 16...f6!

After this, all of White’s pawn breaks

are, at least for the moment, easily dealt
Black to move with. I’m beginning to prefer Black’s
chances once more.
15...Qd7?!
17.Bf1
Best was 15...h6!, and if 16.g4 f6!
when White is left in an awkward spot. This is a sign that White’s attack is
It will take many moves to engineer a slow. The idea is to place the bishop on
pawn break on g5, while Black’s break h3 and go after the e6-pawn.
on b4 is faster. In such double-edged
 8
t+*+*Tl+ 8
*+*T*Tl+
7
O*+wM*Oo 7
O*+wM*Oo
6
*+m+oO*+ 6
*+m+oO*+
5
+o+o+*+p 5
+o+*+*+p
4 *+oPpBp+ 4 *+oPoBp+
3 P*+*+p+* 3 P*+*+p+b
2 *Pp+*+*+ 2 *Pp+*+*+
1 +*KrQb+r 1 +*KrQ*+r
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

Black to move White to move

17...Rad8?! Consistency is no virtue if we are on

the wrong path to begin with. This move
This is the start of the wrong plan. violates the Principle: Don’t open the
Bologan believes he threatens ...d5xe4, position if your opponent has bishops
with an attack on White’s d4-pawn, but against your knights.
that turns out to be a mirage. As far as
principles go, opening the center should 19.fxe4!
have been one of the last things on
Black’s agenda. White has two bishops Morozevich correctly sacrifices his d-
against Black’s two knights – an open pawn. His last move prevents ...Nd5.
position would be completely one-sided. Perhaps Bologan expected 19.Qxe4?
It was high time Black started the Nd5 20.Bd2 f5! when Black seizes the
pawn storm with 17...a5! when White’s initiative.
position would start becoming seriously
19...Nxd4
unpleasant.
There is no going back.
18.Bh3!
20.g5!
Morozevich correctly ignores Black’s
threat. White’s bishops come alive. With the
center wide open, Black’s previously
18...dxe4?
strong space advantage on the queenside 26.Be5, with a double attack on g7 and
has become absolutely inconsequential. the loose d4-rook) 26.Rf1!. Black is
bound to lose a whole rook, leaving
20...f5 White with an extra piece.
The best move might have been

*+*T*Tl+
8 22...g6, but Black remains objectively
lost anyway.
7
O*+wM*Oo
6
*+*+o+*+ 23.Qc3?
5
+o+*+oPp White’s queen eyes the mating square
4 *+oMpB*+ on g7, but this is the wrong approach.
3 P*+*+*+b 23.Be5! gives White a winning attack
2 *Pp+*+*+ after 23...Ndf5 24.hxg7.
1 +*KrQ*+r 23...e3?
a b c d e f g h
Opportunity sails over the horizon.
Black attempts to protect the d4-knight
tactically by attacking the h1-rook.
White to move Also bad is 23...Rxf4? 24.Rxd4 Rxd4
25.Qxd4 and Black won’t survive.
21.Kb1!?
However, Black looks OK after:
Winning the d4-knight with c2-c3 23...Ndf5! 24.Bxf5 Nxf5 25.hxg7
becomes a real threat since Black lacks Rxd1+ 26.Rxd1 Nxg7 and it’s anyone’s
the ...Nb3+ option. game!

21...Qc6 22.h6!

The dark squares around the black

king are seriously weakened.

22...fxe4?!

This loses by force.

22...Qxe4? also loses decisively:
23.Qxe4 fxe4 24.Rxd4! Rxd4 25.Bxe6+
Rf7 (25...Kh8 is met with the lethal
 8
*+*T*Tl+ 8
*+*R*Tl+
7
O*+*M*Oo 7
O*+*M*+o
6
*+w+o+*P 6
*+*+o+*P
5
+o+*+*P* 5
+o+*+*+*
4 *+oM*B*+ 4 *+o+*Bw+
3 P*Q*O*+b 3 P*Q*O*+*
2 *Pp+*+*+ 2 kPp+*+*+
1 +k+r+*+r 1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h

White to move White to move

24.Rxd4!! Exercise: A hammer’s goal in life

is to seek out the nail. Do you see
Morozevich allows his h1-rook to White’s spectacular forced mate?
hang with check, realizing that his attack
outweighs Black’s extra material. After
Answer: Sacrifice.
this move, joy in Black’s position is as
rare as an undertaker’s smile. 28.Qh8+! 1-0
24...Qxh1+ 25.Ka2 Qxh3 Black’s scrawny king has no chance
against White’s queen, who resembles a
After 25...Rxd4? 26.Bxe6+ Kh8
sumo wrestler. After 28...Kxh8
27.Qxd4 Black is mated.
29.Rxf8+ Ng8 30.Be5+ Black is mated
26.Rxd8 next move.
My intuition was that Black’s attack
White regains most of the sacrificed was the slightly faster one when the
material due to the mate threat on g7. structure was locked. However, all it
took was a few inaccuracies by Black to
26...gxh6 27.gxh6 Qg4
turn the position into a winning attack
for White. What was the common theme
of all those inaccuracies? Not doing
anything concrete with the extra space
on the queenside. The pawns should rook, through a challenge on the g-file
have rolled! It is ironic to think that with ...Rg8.
when Bologan resigned on move 28, 2) Reroute the dark-squared bishop to
they were as far down the board as when f8, where it hinders White’s pawn break
the race started, on move 13. on c5.
3) Target White’s weak spot, the f2-
Game 34 pawn, with ...Bf8-e7-h4.
Peter Graves – Cyrus Lakdawala The execution is fairly
San Diego (rapid) 2011 straightforward.

16...Rg8 17.Kd2!?
8
t+*+*+*+ Radical stuff. White removes his king
7
OoOw+lVt from the danger zone, castling manually.
6
*+*O*M*+ The cost, of course, is time.
5
+*+pO*+* After 17.Qd3 Black can target White’s
4 *+p+pO*+ f-pawn. For example: 17...Bf8 18.Rxg8
Kxg8 19.Bd2 Ng4. White cannot castle
3 +*N*+*+v kingside due to the threat against the f2-
2 pP*+bP*+ pawn. Capturing on g4 does not resolve
1 R*BqK*R* this issue, and if 20.f3 then 20...Bg2! is
decisive, threatening a devastating check
a b c d e f g h
on h1. White still cannot castle due to
...Nf2, and 21.Bf1 runs into 21...Qe7!,
when the game-ending check on h4
Black to move cannot be avoided.

Here Black’s kingside space feels 17...Bf8 18.Rxg8 Kxg8 19.Bf3

more potent than White’s queenside
space. On top of that, White is
dangerously behind in development,
with two queenside pieces still on their
home squares and e3 unavailable for the
dark-squared bishop. Black’s plan
should be:
1) Create a crisis on the kingside by
eliminating White’s best piece, the g1-
 21...Qxg4! 22.Qxg4+ Nxg4 23.Nd1
8
*+*+*Vl+ Be7 24.Ke2 f3+ 25.Kd3 Rh1 and won’t
7
OoOw+*+t survive the loss of the f2-pawn.
6
*+*O*M*+ 22.Qg1
5
+*+pO*+*
4 *+p+pO*+ 8
*+*+*Vl+
3 +*N*+b+v 7
OoOw+*+*
2 pP*K*P*+ 6
*+*O*+*+
1 R*Bq+*+* 5
+*+pO*+*
a b c d e f g h 4 *+p+pOm+
3 +pN*+*+t
Black to move
2 p+*K*P*+
1 R*B*+*Q*
19...Bg4! a b c d e f g h
Principle: Sometimes principles must
be deliberately violated! This is why:
1) My last move offers a swap of my Black to move
good bishop for White’s bad bishop, yet
the plan is justified because White’s 22...Be7
‘bad’ bishop is actually a valuable
Intending ...Bh4. It is interesting to
defensive piece, covering the key
note that while we are traditionally
squares g2 and g4.
taught to consider the c1-bishop good
2) By moving the bishop to g4, Black and the e7-bishop bad, in this specific
simultaneously clears the way for future position, the exact opposite is true.
infiltration ideas like ...Rh2 and ...Qh3.
23.Bb2 f3
20.b3 Rh3!
My clock (as usual) was low. 23...Bh4
I insist on the swap. was more accurate.
21.Bxg4 Nxg4 24.Rf1 a6?!
This is unnecessarily complex. White Time pressure turns us into a terrified
is paralyzed in the ending after
bank teller who sees only the bank low on time. Seized by a paralysis of the
robber’s pistol, shoved into our spirit, I’m committing a record-breaking
quivering face. Stronger was 24...Bg5+ number of ‘?!’ and outright ‘?’ moves,
followed by ...Rh2. bungling it with familiar ease.
I should have played 26...Nh2! 27.Re1
25.Kc2 Kf7?! Qg4, keeping a good advantage.
Better was 25...Bg5! 26.Bc1 Bf4!. 27.Nd1 Rh2
26.Bc1

The bishop comes back to life, grateful

8
*+*+*+*+
that I opened the c1-h6 diagonal by 7
+oOw+l+*
pushing my pawn to f3 a few moves 6
o+*O*+*+
earlier. 5
+*+pO*+*
8
*+*+*+*+
4 *+p+p+mV
7
+oOwVl+*
3 +p+*+o+*
6
o+*O*+*+
2 p+k+*P*T
5
+*+pO*+*
1 +*Bn+rQ*
a b c d e f g h
4 *+p+p+m+
3 +pN*+o+t
2 p+k+*P*+ White to move
1 +*B*+rQ*
a b c d e f g h 28.Kb1?

Now I’m winning again! This allows

me to keep an extra piece on the board:
Black to move the knight.
White could have held with 28.Ne3!
26...Bh4?
Nxe3+ 29.Bxe3 Qh3 30.Kd3, when
The image of a circus monkey riding a neither side can really make progress.
unicycle naturally comes to mind. It’s 28...Rg2 29.Qh1 Nh2! 30.Ne3 Qh3!
tough on the nerves when your opponent
is leading the tournament in the final- Of course, Black’s rook can’t be
round game and, on top of that, you’re taken.
31.Rg1 Rxf2 32.Nf5 Bf6 37.Rg6, there follows 37...Qd3+ 38.Ka1
Qc3+ 39.Kb1 Qc2+ 40.Ka1 Qxa2 mate.
Cleaner was the immediate 32...Rg2.
37.Ng3!
33.Nh6+ Ke7 34.Ng4 Rg2 35.Ne3 Re2
36.Nf1 I missed this. White threatens the e2-
rook and also a fork on f5. I was lucky
that the position is still winning for
8
*+*+*+*+ Black.
7
+oO*L*+* 37...Kd7 38.Nxe2 Qxe4+
6
o+*O*V*+
5
+*+pO*+* Who among us isn’t attracted by a two
4 *+p+p+*+ for one sale?
3 +p+*+o+w 39.Ka1 Qxe2
2 p+*+t+*M
+kB*+nRq
1 Now there is no good defense to ...f3-
f2.
a b c d e f g h
40.Bb2 f2 0-1

Black will emerge up a piece and

Black to move pawn when the f-pawn promotes, so
White resigned.
Exercise: Do you see Black’s
White was in trouble from the starting
forced win?
position, due to the following factors:
1) White’s queenside space wasn’t as
Answer: Pushing the f-pawn clears the
potent as Black’s on the kingside.
path for a black queen check on d3,
2) White lagged in development.
leading to a mating attack against the
white king. 3) Black had a clear target in White’s
weak f2-pawn.
36...Qh4?! Why wasn’t White’s queenside space
as potent? There was no initiative, no
Fortunately, this does not give away targets to attack, and no pieces to
the win. facilitate activity on that flank. We come
The simple 36...f2! wins on the spot, back to the same thing: controlling space
as if the rook moves, let’s say with on opposite sides usually creates double-
edged situations, and the speed with the Principle: Once queens are removed
which we can exploit our space is the from the board, queenside space tends to
key factor. be more potent than the opponent’s
To illustrate, if instead of the starting kingside space, as the attacking factor is
position with Black to play, we had the removed from the equation.
same one but with the bishop already on Game 35
d2 and White to play, then things might Radoslaw Wojtaszek – Maxime
have been totally different: Vachier-Lagrave
Biel 2015

8
t+*+*+*+ 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Bf4!?
7
OoOw+lVt Wojtaszek dusts off a museum piece.
6
*+*O*M*+ While this line isn’t considered all that
5
+*+pO*+* dangerous for Black, it’s not such a bad
4 *+p+pO*+ choice against a Grünfeld expert like

+*N*+*+v
3 MVL. The trouble with ‘theoretically
best’ lines is that what we ‘know’
2 pP*BbP*+ quickly evolves into the much larger
1 R*+qK*R* category of what we don’t know, since
a b c d e f g h opening theory exists in an eternal state
of change.

4...Bg7 5.e3 0-0 6.Rc1

White to move
I have done well with the theoretically
White would be able to play 1.c5! and harmless line: 6.cxd5 Nxd5 7.Nxd5
answer 1...Rg8 with 2.Qb3!, preparing Qxd5 8.Bxc7 Na6 9.Bxa6 Qxg2 10.Qf3
to castle queenside, with a strong Qxf3 11.Nxf3 bxa6 12.Rc1. It’s a
initiative. If the bishop were instead on position that is virtually impossible to
d2 rather than c1, but it was Black to lose for White and at club level,
play, the position would be equal. That’s opponents often bungle the black
the balance: one or two tempi. The position with ease.
original position is winning for Black,
one extra tempo and it’s equal, two extra
tempi and it’s White who is better.

The next game is a good reminder of

 8.Bd3 Bg4
8
tMvW*Tl+
OoO*OoVo
7 Black needs counterplay with ...e7-e5,
so this move, clearing the path, is
6
*+*+*Mo+ logical. The idea is to either provoke
5
+*+o+*+* White into playing f2-f3 or allow Black
4 *+pP*B*+ to exchange the bishop for a piece on

+*N*P*+*
3 either e2 or f3, if White chooses to block
with the knight.
2 pP*+*PpP
1 +*RqKbNr 9.Nge2
a b c d e f g h Wojtaszek wants the bishop pair.
9.f3 would have been met with
9...Bc8, when Black could pretty much
Black to move close his eyes and play ...Nbd7 followed
by ...e7-e5.
6...Be6!?
9...Re8
The idea behind this odd-looking
move is for Black to force a resolution 9...Bxe2 is logical, exchanging the
of the central pawn tension. useless bishop for a potential protector
of the dark squares before trying to
7.c5 engineer the break on e5.

tM*Wt+l+
Grabbing queenside space is White’s 8
only attempt to gain an edge.
7.Qb3 is tempting yet ineffective.
7
Oo+*OoVo
Black meets White at the top with 7...c5! 6
*+o+*Mo+
when after 8.Qxb7 Qb6 9.Qxb6 axb6 5
+*Po+*+*
Black’s hefty development lead easily
fulfils the requirements of full
4 *+*P*Bv+
compensation for the sacrificed pawn.
3 +*NbP*+*
2 pP*+nPpP
+*RqK*+r
7...c6 1
The structure now resembles a a b c d e f g h
Schlechter Slav more than a Grünfeld.
 White to move Black directs the knight toward e6,
from where it will put pressure on d4,
10.f3! while simultaneously clearing the
diagonal for the c8-bishop.
As often happens in top-level chess,
the devil is in the detail. With the moves Another possible direction would be
of the knight on e2 and the rook on e8 13...exd4 14.exd4 b6.
included, Black is a tiny bit slower in
carrying out the break on e5. Anyway,
8
t+vWtMl+
that’s not a big deal. The difference 7
Oo+*+oVo
between this and the immediate 9.f3 is
minuscule, if it even exists in the first
6
*+o+*Mo+
place.
5
+*PoO*B*
4 *P*P*+*+
10...Bc8 11.0-0 3 +*NbPp+*
Wojtaszek said he considered the line 2 p+*+n+pP
11.e4!? dxe4 12.fxe4 e5! 13.Bxe5 Rxe5! 1 +*Rq+rK*
14.dxe5 Ng4 and felt that Black a b c d e f g h
received full compensation for the
exchange through dark-square power
and control over e5. The engine agrees,
and for a human, this position feels White to move
easier to play for Black.
14.Bh4!
11...Nbd7
A strong prophylactic move, walking
The break on e5 is imminent. away from the tempo-gaining ...Nf8-e6.

12.Bg5 e5 14...Bh6!?

At last, Black achieves his desired Black might have been better off
central break. exchanging on d4 and pressurizing the
d4-pawn.
13.b4
15.f4 e4?!
White expands further on his strong
wing. While the engine says this is not
terrible, to this writer’s human eyes,
13...Nf8 clogging the center feels wrong. We
don’t see enough play for Black on the This may be the point where Black’s
kingside, while White’s queenside play game sours. Retreating the bishop to g7
arrives quickly with a break on b5. means losing two tempi.
Black should enter chaos mode with Black had to go for complications with
15...g5!. Keep in mind that an unjust 16...g5!.
war can be just as deadly as a just cause.
The thought behind such a move is: “I 17.b5!
am perfectly justified in my lie if it
There is no question over whose wing-
serves the higher purpose of sowing
initiative is faster.
disorientation within the opponent’s
mind.” Here 16.fxg5 Ng4 leads to wild 17...Bd7 18.Ba4 Qc8
complications, slightly favoring White
after 17.Rf6! according to the engine. Black wants to unpin the f6-knight.

8
t+vWtMl+ 19.h3!
7
Oo+*+o+o I like this confident move, daring
6
*+o+*MoV Black to sacrifice (unsoundly!) on h3,
5
+*Po+*+* while also preventing any counterplay
connected with ...Nf6-g4.
4 *P*PoP*B
3 +*NbP*+* 19...Nh5
2 p+*+n+pP 19...Bxh3? is clearly unsound:
1 +*Rq+rK* 20.gxh3 Qxh3 21.Bxf6 Bxf6 22.bxc6
a b c d e f g h Qxe3+ 23.Kh2. Black is down a piece,
with the queenside collapsing and no
attack to speak of.

White to move

16.Bc2!

This way, the b-file is kept open for

White’s rook, and the bishop can later
transfer to a4, after a break on b5,
applying pressure to c6.

16...Bg7?
 23...Bxc6 allows White access to the
8
t+w+tMl+ b5-square and is thus strongly met with
7
Oo+v+oVo 24.Nb5.
6
*+o+*+o+ 24.Qb7 Ne6
5
+pPo+*+m
4 b+*PoP*B 8
t+w+t+l+
3 +*N*P*+p 7
Oq+v+*+o
2 p+*+n+p+ 6
*+o+mMo+
1 +*Rq+rK* 5
+*Po+o+*
a b c d e f g h 4 b+*PoP*+
3 +*N*P*+p
White to move
2 p+*+n+p+
1 +r+*+rK*
20.Rb1 f5 a b c d e f g h
Once again, after 20...Bxh3? 21.gxh3
Qxh3 22.Qe1 Black’s attack fizzles out.
White to move
21.Qb3
25.Nc1!
Intending to infiltrate b7.
Principle: Every piece should have its
21...Bf6 purpose and should be put to work. With
this move, White activates the idle e2-
It’s not a good sign when your best
knight, intending to transfer it to a5,
move is to offer a trade of your good
where it applies pressure to the base
bishop for the opponent’s bad one.
pawn on c6.
However, similar to the previous game,
White’s ‘bad’ bishop – controlling 25...Rb8!?
squares inside the enemy camp – was
already a better piece than Black’s This is a clever, practical attempt to
‘good’ bishop, which bites on granite on complicate matters from an inferior
the long diagonal. position. Black dares White to capture
the pawn on a7.
22.Bxf6 Nxf6 23.bxc6 bxc6
26.Qxc8 29...Kf7 30.Rb3! Ne8 31.Rfb1 Nec7,
but once again, this might have been the
A queen swap ensures a superior objectively superior try.
ending. The engine suggests that taking
on a7 is also good, but from a human 30.Rxb8 Rxb8 31.Bxc6 Bxc6 32.Nxc6
perspective, it is better to keep matters Rb2
under control when given the option.
Black’s rook has managed to fulfill its
26...Rexc8 27.Nb3 Nc7!? life’s goal, and for the first time in the
game, it is Black with the more active
A move made with the belief that pieces. Against a lesser player, this
soundness has its limitations and that an might have been an excellent try, but
apathetic response is an unwise one in Wojtaszek remains unfazed.
the midst of an emergency situation. It
was Joseph Goebbels who declared that 33.Nc3 Rc2
a lie, repeated with false sincerity,
morphs into the truth if it is believed. The only try.
This is a bluff that MVL’s opponent After 33...Kf7 34.Rf2 White
believes. consolidates and wins.
Passive defense with 27...Nd8 was
34.Ne7+
unlikely to save Black, even though it
remains the objectively superior option. The materialist believes that the
accumulation of wealth makes us
28.Na5 Nb5 29.Ne2?!
happier and happier. Without this
Wojtaszek believes his opponent’s lie. resource, winning the d5-pawn, Black
This retreat was unnecessary. would indeed be generating counterplay.
White should play 29.Bxb5! cxb5
34...Kf7 35.Ncxd5
30.Rb2!, intending Rfb1, followed by
a2-a4, after which the defense soon
crumples.

29...Na3!?

Desperation. MVL gives away the c6-

pawn in the hope of finding counterplay
on the b-file.
Black rejects passive defense with
 I like this move from a practical
8
*+*+*+*+ perspective, since it simplifies, and
7
O*+*Nl+o Black’s chances drop to zero once the

*+*+*Mo+
6 rooks are removed from the board.

5
+*Pn+o+* 38...Nxb1 39.Nxc2 Ke6 40.Nc7+ Kd7
4 *+*PoP*+ 41.Nd5 Ke6 42.Ndb4 Nf6
3 M*+*P*+p
2 p+t+*+p+ 8
*+*+*+*+
1 +*+*+rK* 7
O*+*+*+o
a b c d e f g h 6
*+*+lMo+
5
+*P*+o+*
4 *N*PoP*+
Black to move 3 +*+*P*+p
Do you remember the childhood
2 p+n+*+p+
rhyme: ‘Finders, keepers; losers, 1 +m+*+*K*
weepers’? a b c d e f g h
35...Nc4

35...Rxa2 is met with: 36.Rc1!. White to move

Principle: Place your rooks behind your
passed pawn. White’s c-pawn races 43.d5+!
toward its promotion square.
With this clever shot, White breaks
36.Rb1! Nh5 Black’s intended blockade of d5.

This is a desperate effort to fling 43...Kd7

pieces in the direction of the white king.
43...Nxd5?? hangs a piece to
37.Nc6 Nd2 44.Nd4+, disconnecting Black’s king
from the d5-knight.
Black’s counterplay is just too slow.
44.d6 Nc3 45.Nd4 Nfd5 46.Na6! 1-0
38.Ncb4
What does White want? The answer is,
A knight check on e5 was also strong.
everything! This move convinced Black
of the unreality of continued resistance. 8
*+*+*+*L
After 46...Nxe3 47.Nb8+ one of 7
+*+*+*+o
*O*+*To+
White’s passed pawns will reach the 6
promotion square.
While the engine said it was OK, your
5
P*+oO*+*
human writer felt that Black’s real 4 *M*W*+*+
troubles began when he clogged the 3 +*+p+b+*
*+*+*+pP
center with 15...e4?!. After that point, 2
White’s queenside attack was faster.
Then after 16...Bg7? Black was already
1 R*+*Q*+k
close to lost. The attack on the a b c d e f g h
queenside started immediately with
17.b5, while a break on the kingside
never came to be. Hence, Black’s extra
White to move
space on the kingside turned out to be
totally useless. In that regard, the Our heads fill with confusing
resources involving 15...g5! and 16...g5! suppositions:
are especially instructive. 1) White’s space is on the queenside,
Let’s follow this up with an exercise: while Black’s is in the center.
Game 36 2) White can try 35.a6, after which the
Dmitry Jakovenko – Kirill newly passed a-pawn is only two
Alekseenko squares from promotion on a8.
Izhevsk 2019 3) White’s pawn push to a6 will be
met with ...Nxd3. Now White’s trouble
is that a knight check on f2 could come
with devastating consequences for the
white king.
4) White can also play it safe with
35.Qg1, which induces Black to swap
queens and then trade on a5. Black will
be up a pawn in that ending. Is it enough
for Black to win? It comes down to a
choice between risky and safe.
Exercise: Should White go for the
high-risk venture of 35.a6, or
 should he take the defensive path and is an easy win for Black.
with 35.Qg1?
36...Nf2+ 37.Kg1
Answer: The defensive choice should Jakovenko, a distinguished
draw, while the aggressive path loses for grandmaster and one of the top
White. calculators in the world, must have been
hoping to get away with this extravagant
35.a6?
resource. White allows the discovered
Sometimes we replace a problem with check, praying that nothing bad happens
a bigger problem. The words ‘I have a to the brave monarch standing on g1,
say in the matter’ are a delusional facing off against an entire army.
thought in forcing positions. This is a
misjudgment where White incorrectly 8
*+*+*+*L
gambles on the power of the a-pawn, 7
+*+*+*+o
underestimating his opponent’s attack.
Instead, 35.axb6? is met by 35...Nxd3
6
pO*+*To+
with a winning position for Black, but
5
+*+oO*+*
35.Qg1! neutralizes Black’s attacking
4 *+*W*+*+
potential and offers White excellent 3 +*+*+b+*
chances to hold the draw after
35...Qxg1+ 36.Kxg1 bxa5 37.Rxa5 Rd6
2 *+*+*MpP
38.Rb5 Nxd3 39.Rxd5 Rxd5 40.Bxd5.
1 Rq+*+*K*
Black’s extra pawn should be a b c d e f g h
impossible to convert.

35...Nxd3! 36.Qb1
Black to move
36.a7 isn’t possible: 36...Nf2+ 37.Kg1
37...g5!!
(neither can White’s queen chop the
knight, since then Black’s queen takes This brilliant idea wins for Black
the rook on a1 with check, followed by instantly. Suddenly, Black threatens the
...Qxa7) 37...Nd1+! (interference; sequence 38.-- 38...Ne4+! 39.Kh1
suddenly, White’s rook is unprotected, Ng3+! 40.hxg3 Rh6+. White then only
as communication with the queen on e1 has a bishop block on h5, after which
is cut off) 38.Kh1 Qxa1 39.Bxd1 Qxa7, taking with the rook is checkmate.
and if 40.Qxe5 Qe7!. This shot exploits
However, 37...Nh3+ 38.Kh1 Qg1+??
the loose nature of White’s back rank
would be a horrible hallucination. black pieces would mean elimination
39.Qxg1 and, nop, 39...Nf2+ isn’t from the tournament, and his opponent
smothered mate since White has a queen was none other than Magnus Carlsen – I
on g1 – rather than a rook – which can don’t think it gets much harder than that.
simply take the loose knight. Despite such colossal obstacles, Levon
37...Rf8?! 38.a7 Ra8 also wins, but managed to outplay the world champion
isn’t nearly as clean as the game and obtained a promising position. Then
solution. Magnus did his best to create chaos.
Let’s see what happened:
38.Qa2 Ng4+ Game 37
Magnus Carlsen – Levon Aronian
A clean human solution.
Internet (rapid) 2021
The engine suggests that 38...Ne4+
39.Kf1 Nd2+ 40.Ke2 e4! is even more 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4
winning – if there is such a thing. No Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Be2
one can argue with Alekseenko’s move,
which ended the game in fewer moves Magnus needs only a draw to win the
than the length of this variation. match, so he sensibly chooses a safe,
strategic line.
39.Kh1 Qf4! 0-1
6...e5 7.Nf3
Threatening mate on h2, while taking
on g4 is unplayable due to the threat of This is White’s second choice.
back-rank mate on f1, so White 7.Nb3 is approximately ten times
resigned. Among the many winning more popular.
lines, the simplest way to refute 40.Kg1
might be 40...Qe3+ 41.Kh1 Nf2+ 7...Be7
42.Kg1 Ne4+ and the white king has
run out of options.
37...g5!!, opening a line for Black’s
rook to h6 as a precursor to a mating
attack, is a difficult idea to find. I can
easily imagine Black, at club level,
missing the shot and deciding to settle
for perpetual check at that point.

The following game features Aronian

in a desperate situation. A draw with the
 even a slight advantage.
8
tMvWl+*T 10...Ng4 11.Bc1 Ngf6 12.Be3
7
+o+*VoOo
6
o+*O*M*+ Clever. Magnus uses the threat of a
5
+*+*O*+* repetition draw as a weapon, knowing

*+*+p+*+
4 his opponent can’t accept it due to
Levon’s desperate match situation. He
3 +*N*+n+* could have also tried to play on, of
2 pPp+bPpP course, but that would have been the
1 R*BqK*+r plan in a different match situation.
a b c d e f g h 12...Ng4 13.Bc1 b6

Objectively best is to repeat, which as

mentioned, was not an option for
White to move
Aronian.
8.Bg5
14.Nd2
Perhaps Magnus is considering a
Gaining a tempo on the g4-knight,
Sveshnikov-style plan based on
while preparing Nc4.
occupying the d5-square after a future
Bxf6. 14...Ngf6 15.Nc4 Nc5
8...Nbd7

Aronian tries to take back on f6 with a

8
t+vWl+*T
knight.
7
+*+*VoO*
9.a4 h6 10.Be3!
6
oO*O*M*O
5
+*M*O*+*
The bishop’s venture to g5 was not in 4 p+n+p+*+
vain; it induced a slightly premature
...Nbd7, which blocks the development
3 +*N*+*+*
of the c8-bishop.
2 *Pp+bPpP
After 10.Bxf6 Nxf6 the black pieces
1 R*BqK*+r
are drawn to squares they wanted to a b c d e f g h
occupy anyway. Up next is ...Be6, with
a comfortable game for Black, perhaps
 White to move d5 22.Ba3 and advantage White, since
the a6-pawn is hanging, White’s
16.b4! queenside majority is more dangerous
than Black’s kingside/central majority,
We can observe:
and Black will need to spend some time
1) White’s e-pawn isn’t hanging, due
castling by hand.
to tactical reasons explained in the notes
below. 17.Be3 Rb8
2) Black’s knight is kicked away from
c5, gaining tempi. Covering b6.
3) With the push to b4, White gains
18.0-0 0-0 19.Qd2 b5!?
further queenside space.
4) The question arises: does White Risky, since Black’s b-pawn turns into
slack in fulfilling strategic obligations? a target and liability, and the move also
The pawn push to b4 leaves White creates a hole on a5 for White’s knight
vulnerable on the queenside, and now he to occupy.
must watch out for Black’s ...d6-d5,
followed by ...Bxb4 tricks. 20.axb5 axb5
Conclusion: White’s last move
increased the level of complications.
Moving the bishop back to e3 would
8
*TvW*Tl+
have been a safer alternative, yet even in
7
+*+*VoO*
situations where a draw is perfectly fine, 6
*+*OmM*O
Magnus still refuses to play it safe and
feels perfectly at home in the unknown.
5
+o+*O*+*
Such is the confidence of a world
4 *Pn+p+*+
champion. 3 +*N*B*+*
16...Ne6
2 *+pQbPpP
1 R*+*+rK*
16...Ncxe4? doesn’t lose material, yet a b c d e f g h
is strategically suspicious for Black:
17.Nxe4 Nxe4 18.Qd5 (a double attack)
18...Be6! 19.Qc6+ Kf8 20.Nxb6!
White to move
(capturing Black’s loose knight on e4
would be met with ...d6-d5, immediately
Exercise: A two-part question: 1)
regaining the lost piece) 20...Rb8 21.a5
Was Black’s push to b5 a blunder?
 If so, demonstrate why. 2) If it 23.Bxb5 can be met with 23...Nxe4!,
wasn’t a blunder, what is White’s overloading the knight on c3.
best post for the c4-knight?
23...Nxe4
Answer: Black’s pawn push was not a
blunder, and White’s knight should not
go after the b5-pawn by decentralizing
8
*TvW*Tl+
to a3. Instead, the knight should slip
7
+*+*VoO*
further into Black’s territory and move 6
*+*O*+*O
into the hole on a5. 5
+n+*O*+*
21.Na3?!
4 *P*+m+*+
3 +*+*B*+*
21.Na5! Bd7 22.Rfd1 keeps White’s
advantage and light-square bind intact.
2 *+pQbPpP
1 R*+*+rK*
21...Nc7! a b c d e f g h

Apparently, b5 is tactically protected.

Here the camera began to pan in on
Magnus as he shook his head. White to move
Realization dawned that he had thrown
So, this will be the imbalance: White
away his strategic edge.
has a majority on the queenside, with the
22.Naxb5!? b-pawn already passed, while Black has
a majority in the center.
Magnus raises the level of the
complications, even though he only 24.Qd3 Bf5
needed a draw to win the match!
Threatening a discovered attack with
A quiet move like 22.Rfd1 would have
...Ng3.
been considerably safer. On the other
hand, the great player that he is, Carlsen 25.Ba7!?
realizes that playing the entire game
with a sidelined knight on a3 would not If Magnus really wanted a draw he
be ideal, so he takes the last chance could have entered the line: 25.Rfd1
available to capture on b5. Ng3 26.Qd2 Nxe2+ 27.Qxe2 Bxc2!,
which overloads the white queen.
22...Nxb5 23.Nxb5 White’s queen can’t protect the knight
and take Black’s loose bishop. It’s one, pawns by 29...dxc4 (29...d4 is met with
or the other. After 28.Rd2 Bg6 29.Rad1 30.f4). In the endgame after 30.Qxd7
Qc8 30.Nxd6 Bxd6 31.Rxd6 Rxb4 Bxd7 31.Nd6 Bxd6 32.Rxd6 Be6
White should hold the draw. All the White’s bishop pair doesn’t fully
remaining pawns are on the same side, compensate for Black’s extra pawn, and
which favors the defender, and the Carlsen would be groveling for a draw.
bishops are of opposite colors. However, As mentioned earlier, world champions
Carlsen is not the type to grovel for 50 tend to get a wee bit annoyed in
moves to earn a half point. He will only situations where they must play the role
do such things when he absolutely needs of a beggar for a half-point.
to. Anything he does on the chessboard,
he prefers to do from a position of 29...d4
strength.

25...Rc8 26.c4!
8
*+t+*Tl+
7
B*+wVoO*
*+*+*M*O
Carlsen isn’t afraid of ghosts and sees 6
that Black’s knight has no useful
discovery on his queen.
5
+nP*Ov+*
4 *P*O*+*+
+*+*+*+*
26...Qd7 3
26...d5!? was also possible. 2 *+*QbPpP
27.Qd5?!
1 R*+*+rK*
a b c d e f g h
Even for Carlsen, in a rapid game, it is
impossible to keep the tension between
the queen on d3 and the bishop on f5 for
White to move
long without blinking. However, this is a
waste of time, and Black seizes the Let’s try to assess this mess:
initiative. 1) White owns two connected
27.f4 keeps the game balanced. queenside passers.
2) Black owns a 5-3 central/kingside
27...Nf6 28.Qd2 d5! 29.c5!?
pawn majority.
It’s all or nothing from this point on. 3) White would stand better if this was
Safer would have been 29.Rfd1, an ending. However, with queens and
inducing Black to disconnect the central loads of pieces on the board, Black’s
central majority is the more dangerous
one, mainly because Black can try to 8
*+t+*Tl+
whip up an attack against White’s 7
B*+wVoO*
*+*+*+*O
underdefended king. 6
Watching this live, I assessed the
position to be clearly in Black’s favor.
5
+nP*O*+*
Incidentally, when watching games 4 *PqO*M*+
online, I always turn off the evaluation 3 +*+*+*+*
*+*+*PpP
bar, since my declining, flabby brain 2
needs a regular workout. Avoiding the
engine is the equivalent of going to the
1 R*+*R*K*
gym for our brain. a b c d e f g h

30.Bc4

The bishop gets out of the way of White to move

Black’s ...d4-d3 interference trick.
Black seizes a dangerous initiative on
30...Be6! the kingside. White should avoid
34.Rxe5?! due to the following forced
Even though exchanges are not in line: 34...Qg4 35.Qf1 Bf6 36.f3 Qd7
Black’s best interest, Aronian feels the 37.Re4 d3!. The pawn push creates a
need to challenge his opponent’s well- double attack on the a1-rook and the
placed bishop. hanging knight on b5. White loses
material, as moving the rook to a5 is
31.Qe2 Rfd8?! unplayable due to the power of the
passed d-pawn.
This is a waste of time, as White can
chase the rook with Bb6. 32.Bb6! d3 33.Qa2 Rf8 34.Nc3!
Better was 31...Bxc4! 32.Qxc4 Nd5
33.Rfe1 Nf4!. Played instantly. This innocuous-
looking centralizing move is an example
of Carlsen’s uncanny strategic
judgment. The knight looked good on
b5, yet Magnus realized it was merely
decorative on the wing and would work
more efficiently in the center.
34...Ra8 miss,” was a line by the character Omar
Little (played by Michael K. Williams)
in the series The Wire. Carlsen later
8
t+*+*Tl+ taunted Nepo with this line in a tweet
7
+*+wVoO* when Nepo became his official
6
*B*+vM*O challenger. This is a tempting yet
misguided exchange sacrifice.
5
+*P*O*+* Because of engines and other
4 *Pb+*+*+ technology, the very meaning of what it
3 +*No+*+* is to be a chess player is rapidly
2 q+*+*PpP changing, as they instantly see what we

R*+*+rK*
1 humans miss. Here 35...Rxa8! would
leave White in a lost position after
a b c d e f g h 36.Rxa8+ Kh7 37.Ra7.
Carlsen said he counted on this move
and thought he was winning. He
White to move admitted that he completely overlooked
the possibility of Black’s queen moving
Exercise: Black just offered to to d4. After 37...Qd4! 38.Bxe6 fxe6
exchange two rooks for White’s 39.Rxe7 Qxc3 40.Rxe6 Nd5 41.Ba5 d2
queen. Should White accept the 42.Rd6 Qd3! the threat is ...Qxf1+ and
offer, or decline? ...d1=Q mate and it’s time for White to
resign.
Answer: The offer should be declined.
36.Qf3 Qd4
Black’s queen becomes too vulnerable
after the exchange.

35.Qxa8?

After the game Carlsen admitted that

this was a huge misassessment.
He should have gone for 35.Ba5, after
which chances are close to even.

35...Bxc4?

“You come at the king, you best not

 40...Bd6
8
*+*+*Tl+
+*+*VoO*
7 Threatening to invade h2 and then
deliver mate on h1.
6
*B*+*M*O
5
+*P*O*+* 41.g3
4 *PvW*+*+
3 +*No+q+* 8
*+*+t+l+
2 *+*+*PpP 7
+*+*+oO*
1 R*+*+rK* 6
*BpV*M*O
a b c d e f g h 5
+*+*W*+*
4 *Pv+o+*+
3 +*NoQ*Pp
White to move 2 *+*+*P*+
37.Rfc1?! 1 R*R*+*K*
a b c d e f g h
It isn’t easy to navigate the maze.
The position would be in White’s
favor after 37.Ra3.
Black to move
37...e4?
Exercise: It isn’t easy to reconcile
Black’s chance was 37...d2! 38.Rd1 two powerful and opposing
Bd3!, interfering along the third rank. emotions, as they pull us in
White’s knight is now hanging. After different directions. Black faces a
39.Ra3 Qxb4 Black stands no worse. difficult decision. He can play
safely with 41...Bxb4 and win back
38.Qe3! Qe5 39.h3?! a pawn for his sacrificed exchange,
or he can go all out for an attack
Unnecessary. White should play more
with 41...Qf5. How do we make
vigorously with 39.c6.
sense of this incoherent jumble, and
39...Re8 40.c6 which path should Black choose?

The engine suggests the more radical Answer: This is not the time for half-
40.f4. measures, and Black should go all-out
for the attack with ...Qf5!. assassin isn’t likely to take a break
during the kill to watch a funny cat
41...Bxb4? video on Facebook. This passed pawn
chokes Black’s counterplay, though it
41...Qf5! keeps Black at least even,
isn’t easy to see this yet.
since moving the king to g2 gives Black
a winning attack after ...Be6. Hence, 44...Bc5
White is forced to go for 42.Bd4!, trying
to eliminate the knight which would kill After 44...Qxh3 45.Nxe4 Black is
him on the kingside after ...Qxh3 and ... busted due to deadly dual threats on c4
Ng4. The game could continue and f6.
42...Nh5! 43.Nd1 Be6 with a complete
mess. 45.Qf4!

42.Bd4! Qf5 43.Bxf6! gxf6 Magnus realizes that his c7-pawn is

too strong for Black to survive if the
43...Qxf6 44.Nxe4 is also lost for queens are removed from the board.
Black. With the swap, Black’s attack fizzles
out.
8
*+*+t+l+ 45...Qxf4 46.gxf4 d2
7
+*+*+o+*
6
*+p+*O*O
5
+*+*+w+*
8
*+*+t+l+
4 *Vv+o+*+
7
+*P*+o+*
3 +*NoQ*Pp
6
*+*+*O*O
2 *+*+*P*+
5
+*V*+*+*
1 R*R*+*K*
4 *+v+oP*+
a b c d e f g h
3 +*N*+*+p
2 *+*O*P*+
1 R*R*+*K*
White to move a b c d e f g h

44.c7!

Magnus refuses to be distracted by the White to move

irrelevant, just as an intensely focused
 Exercise: What is White’s clearest winning plan:
conversion plan?
Answer: Step 1: Transfer the knight to
Answer: Simplification. c3.

47.Nxe4! 50.Nc3! Kf8

Once again, played instantly. Magnus Step 2: Move the knight to d5,
temporarily sacrifices a full rook, but threatening Nb6.
simplifies into an easily won endgame.
51.Nd5! 1-0
47...dxc1=Q+ 48.Rxc1
Black resigned. On 51...Bd6 there
White is threatening Nxf6+, Rxc4, and would have followed Step 3: Transfer
Nxc5, along with a few tricks involving the rook to c6, i.e. 52.Rc6, after which
the promotion of the c7-pawn. Black must hand over his bishop, or else
Nb6 is next, winning a full rook.
48...Be7 49.Rxc4 Rc8 Black had a clear advantage with his
central majority after 29...d4, but
mishandled his promising attack,
8
*+t+*+l+ allowing White’s queenside majority to
7
+*P*Vo+* become decisive. How should Black
6
*+*+*O*O have proceeded?
5
+*+*+*+* Instead of trying to force the central d-

*+r+nP*+
4 pawn forward with 31...Rfd8?!, he
should have attacked the white king with
3 +*+*+*+p 31...Bxc4! 32.Qxc4 Nd5!, planning
2 *+*+*P*+ ...Qg4. Interestingly, this approach
1 +*+*+*K* could have been more effective in
pushing the d-pawn forward, despite not
a b c d e f g h
supporting its advance by placing a rook
behind it. This is not a rare occurrence.
To best exploit a central pawn majority,
White to move it is a common theme to combine its
power with an attack on the enemy king.
Exercise: Black is hopelessly tied This stretches the opponent’s defense,
down by White’s deeply passed c- and the pawn might be pushed forward,
pawn. Determine White’s clearest
even as a distraction.
8
tMvW*Tl+
Our next encounter was a training 7
+oO*+oVo
*+*O*Mo+
game against my student Peter. Is there 6
such a thing as a ‘lesser’ opponent?
Perhaps not, as a determined underdog
5
O*+pO*+*
can sometimes take you down just as 4 *+p+p+p+
effectively as a higher-rated one. That’s 3 +*N*B*+p
pP*+*P*+
almost what happened in this game. It 2
was one of those games that felt very
close, yet when I later reviewed it with
1 R*+qKbNr
the engine, it favored White’s position a b c d e f g h
virtually throughout the game.
Game 38
Cyrus Lakdawala – Peter Bisgaard Black to move
Internet (rapid) 2022
The entire idea of the Makogonov is to
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 squeeze the King’s Indian by preventing
5.h3 Black from breaking with ...f7-f5 under
favorable circumstances.
The Makogonov is one of White’s
highest-scoring variations against the 8...Na6 9.Nge2
King’s Indian. The ambitious idea
behind White’s last move is to gain The knight will be transferred to g3 to
kingside space with a future g2-g4. reinforce e4, while further suppressing
Black’s pawn break on f5.
5...0-0 6.Be3 e5 7.d5 a5 8.g4
9...Nd7

Peter opts for a typical set-up with the

knights on a6 and c5, which works
better in other lines of the Makogonov,
where the white knight is on f3 instead
of e2. My next move demonstrates why.

10.Ng3

The break with ...f7-f5 will never be

possible, or at least not without Black 15.Qg4 followed by 0-0-0, with a large
suffering the terrible concession of advantage for White.
parting with the light-squared bishop.
12.Be2 Bd7 13.h5
8
t+vW*Tl+
7
+oOm+oVo 8
t+*W*Tl+
6
m+*O*+o+ 7
+o+v+oVo
5
O*+pO*+* 6
m+oO*+o+
4 *+p+p+p+ 5
O*MpO*+p
3 +*N*B*Np 4 *+p+p+p+
2 pP*+*P*+ 3 +*N*B*N*
1 R*+qKb+r 2 pP*+bP*+
a b c d e f g h 1 R*+qK*+r
a b c d e f g h

Black to move

10...Ndc5 Black to move

Trying to play it smart on the dark With the pawn reaching h5, Black will
squares with 10...Bf6, intending either first have to stop considering any
...Bg5 or ...Bh4, is well met with 11.h4! counterplay connected to ...f7-f5.
Bxh4 12.Qd2. White has promising Moreover, White can begin thinking
compensation for the sacrificed pawn. about launching an attack of his own.

11.h4 13...cxd5 14.cxd5

The pawn storm begins. Recapturing with the c-pawn is the

human move, while the engine prefers
11...c6 recapturing with the knight or even the
queen.
11...f5 doesn’t work out well if it After 14.Nxd5 I was afraid Black
involves the exchange of Black’s would generate dark-square counterplay
powerful light-squared bishop, as would with 14...Ne6, eyeing both the d4- and
be the case here. For example, 12.gxf5 f4-squares. However, the heartless
gxf5 13.exf5 Bxf5 14.Nxf5 Rxf5 machine points out 15.h6! Bh8 16.Nf5!
and White wins. It is the humongous
amount of extra space on the wing that 8
t+*+*Tl+
facilitates the piece sacrifice. 7
+o+v+oVo
14...a4
6
m+*O*+o+
5
W*MpO*+p
o+*+p+p+
Peter sees that a pawn break on f5 4
would severely weaken his light squares,
so he looks to play on the queenside, his
3 +*N*B*N*
area of space. This is rare in the King’s 2 pP*QbP*+
Indian, or at least the opposite of the
situations we examined in the King’s
1 R*+*K*+r
a b c d e f g h
Indian main line with the games
Korchnoi-Kasparov and Beliavsky-
Solak. However, here White has become
so focused on grabbing kingside space White to move
that Black has found the time and
resources to turn the queenside into his Black has a tough task anyway, but
own playground. If not for that, White more to the point is 15...Nc7!, aiming
would have dominated across the entire for the same plan as in the game, with
board, and the advantage would have ...b7-b5-b4, but doing so while also
easily been decisive. redirecting the knight to better squares
(...Nc7-b5-d4 becomes a possibility),
15.Qd2 Qa5?! and keeping the queen on d8. In the
game, Her Majesty had to return to d8
just a few moves later.

16.Kf1

This was an unintentional novelty. The

idea is to walk the king over to g2, as
the h1-rook is optimally placed on its
home square.
I also considered the more natural
16.Bh6, but I was worried Black would
try a positional exchange sacrifice for
control over the dark squares with
16...Bf6!. After the game, I was
surprised to see that the engine agreed I offer the reader wise advice: don’t
with me and did not go for the material, live your life based on what memes tell
refusing to capture the f8-rook. you to do that day! The day I played this
game, I had seen a Facebook meme
16...b5 which encouraged decisive action. I
interpreted that as a favorable omen
Peter launches his own territorial
from the universe, which commanded:
campaign on the queenside. However,
“Cyrus, play for mate!” Despite that, the
when the attack finally arrives, it might
move itself is quite good.
find nothing but empty space, in contrast
to my attack on the kingside, where the 19...Bh8 20.Ne3
black king serves as a clear target.
I dreamed of dazzlingly brilliant
17.Kg2 b4 18.Nd1 knight sacrifices on f5, leading to mate.
That might be a problem when you win
Intending to unravel with f2-f3 and
most of your games on move 99, by one
Nf2.
tempo in a drawn ending.
18...Rfc8
20...Qd8 21.Rh2

The simple plan was to double rooks

8
t+t+*+l+ on the h-file and then look for piece
7
+*+v+oVo sacrifices on f5.
6
m+*O*+o+ 21...a3 22.b3 Rab8 23.Rah1 Nc7
5
W*MpO*+p
4 oO*+p+p+
3 +*+*B*N*
2 pP*QbPk+
1 R*+n+*+r
a b c d e f g h

White to move

19.Bh6!
 the spot.
8
*TtW*+lV
7
+*Mv+o+o 8
*TtW*+lV
6
*+*O*+oB 7
+*+v+*+o
5
+*MpO*+p 6
*+*O*+oB
4 *O*+p+p+ 5
+mMpO*+*
3 Op+*N*N* 4 *On+p+p+
2 p+*QbPkR 3 Op+*+*N*
1 +*+*+*+r 2 p+*QbPkR
a b c d e f g h 1 +*+*+*+r
a b c d e f g h

White to move
White to move
Black got the maximum possible space
on the queenside, but the queenside is an Exercise: White has a simple tactic
empty wasteland. White, on the other which wins a key pawn:
hand, is crushing it on the kingside, and
the king on g8 should rightly be
Answer: Double attack on Black’s
terrified.
queen and h7-pawn.
24.Nc4?!
26.Bg5!
Ugh! This wimpy response is wrong.
I thought this would be an easy win
The engine points out that I missed a for White, but as it turned out, I
win with: 24.hxg6! fxg6 25.Nef5!, and underestimated my opponent’s practical
if Black accepts with 25...gxf5 26.Bg5! chances.
Qe8 27.Rxh7 then the black kingside
collapses. After 27...Bg7 everything 26...Qf8 27.Rxh7 Bg7 28.f4!
wins, with most accurate being
28.Rxg7+! and the black king is not long A good human move, opening even
for this world. more lines to attack the black king and
involving the f-pawn in the fight.
24...Nb5 25.hxg6 fxg6
28...Nc3
25...hxg6? allows 26.Bf8!, winning on
 Black wasn’t tempted by 28...exf4, Peter launches a crazy yet brilliant
since then after Bxf4, the d6-pawn is sacrifice of a full rook to generate deep,
under pressure. connected passed pawns, on the cusp of
promotion. He achieved the goal of
29.fxe5 confusing the living daylights out of me!

I wanted to clog the dark-squared 31.axb3 a2

bishop’s diagonal.
Black can also reverse the move order
29...dxe5 by sacrificing the exchange on c4 first.

32.R7h2?!
8
*Tt+*Wl+
7
+*+v+*Vr Another somewhat passive move on

*+*+*+o+
6 my part.
Once again, I missed the engine’s
5
+*MpO*B* brilliant shot: 32.Bh6!! Kxh7 33.Bxg7+
4 *On+p+p+ Kxg7 34.Qh6+ Kf7 35.Nxe5+ Ke8
3 OpM*+*N* 36.Qxg6+ Kd8 37.Nxd7. The knight

p+*Qb+k+
2 can’t be taken due to a fatal rook check
on h7, and Black can resign.
1 +*+*+*+r
a b c d e f g h 32...Rxc4!?

This way, Black creates two deadly

passed pawns on the queenside, which
White to move will be nearly impossible to stop.

30.Bf3 33.bxc4 b3

The engine points out the tricky line: Well, this is intimidating. I was utterly
30.Bh6!! N5xe4 (30...Kxh7 also wins confused about the position’s true
for White after 31.Bxg7+ Kxg7 assessment. Suddenly, I’m facing the
32.Qh6+ Kf7 33.Rf1+) 31.Rxg7+ Qxg7 prospect of two new black queens after
32.Nxe4 Nxe4 33.Qe3! Qf6 34.Qxe4 the black a- and b-pawns promote.
and Black can resign. Obviously, the time for action has come,
and I must try to deliver mate to Black’s
30...Nxb3! king before his pawns overwhelm me on
the other side of the board.
 34...a1=Q
8
*T*+*Wl+ Alternatively, if 34...b2 35.Bxg7 Qxg7
7
+*+v+*V* 36.Rh8+ Kf7! 37.R8h7 b1=Q 38.Rxg7+
6
*+*+*+o+ Kxg7 39.Qh6+ Kf6 40.Qh4+ when the
5
+*+pO*B* engine announces mate in seven.
4 *+p+p+p+ 35.Rxa1 b2 36.Rah1 b1=Q 37.Rxb1
3 +oM*+bN* Nxb1
2 o+*Q*+kR
1 +*+*+*+r 8
*T*+*Wl+
a b c d e f g h 7
+*+v+*V*
6
*+*+*+oB
White to move
5
+*+pO*+*
4 *+p+p+p+
The all-knowing engine, with the
analytical power to see through the
3 +*+*+bN*
complications, has White up ‘+5.70’!
2 *+*Q*+kR
Unfortunately, the flawed Lakdawala 1 +m+*+*+*
brain was utterly confused and assessed a b c d e f g h
the position as ‘unclear’. That strikes me
as no different than a doctor diagnosing
a patient’s symptoms with: “Beats me! I
White to move
have no idea what is wrong with you.”
I survived the storm and remain up
34.Bh6!
two pawns. Both kings are somewhat
It’s crucial to remove the defender of exposed, so Black can still fight on.
the dark squares.
38.Qc1?!
Passive defense with 34.Qb2?? fails
miserably after 34...Na4 35.Qa1 Qa3. I had a feeling that this move was
The engine gives a long line where inferior, but it was a practical decision to
White draws by a miracle. Of course, I try to reduce the level of confusion.
would never have found it and would 38.Qg5 was stronger, but required
lose from here. more calculation due to the possible
rook infiltration on b2.
38...Rb3! 39.Be2 Nc3 40.Bxg7 Qxg7 44...Rb2 45.Kg1
41.Qg5!
White’s bishop is covered.
White’s threat of Qd8+ pushes Black
on the defensive. 45...g5 46.Qh3

41...Be8 42.Qd8 Qf7 Admittedly awkward, but there is no

choice since I would hang my bishop if I
Threatening to infiltrate with ...Nxe2 moved the queen to h6.
followed by a queen check on f3.
46...Bg6 47.Bd3
43.Qh4
I’m desperate for swaps, and from d3,
Threatening mate on h8, which in turn the bishop prevents ...Rb1+.
forces Black’s queen into a passive
stance, removing her from the open f- 47...Rb4 48.Nf5
file.
White’s e4-pawn isn’t important since
43...Qg7 the two queenside passed pawns are fast.

48...Bxf5 49.gxf5 Nxe4 50.Bxe4 Rxe4

8
*+*+v+l+
7
+*+*+*W* 8
*+*+*+l+
6
*+*+*+o+ 7
+*+*+*W*
5
+*+pO*+* 6
*+*+*+*+
4 *+p+p+pQ 5
+*PpOpO*
3 +tM*+*N* 4 *+*+t+*+
2 *+*+b+kR 3 +*+*+*+q
1 +*+*+*+* 2 *+*+*+*R
a b c d e f g h 1 +*+*+*K*
a b c d e f g h

White to move

44.c5! White to move

I want new queens as well! Exercise: White is only one pawn

 up, with both kings exposed. Prove
why White’s initiative is the more 8
*+*+*+l+
dangerous of the two. 7
+*+*+*W*
Answer: Open lines.
6
*+*+*P*+
5
+*PpO*+*
51.f6! 4 *+*+*+*+
Suddenly, Black is forced to cover
3 +*+q+*O*
checks on c8 and e6, as well as checks
2 *+*+*K*R
on the h-file if the queen moves. 1 +*+*T*+*
a b c d e f g h
51...g4!

Peter finds his only prayer.

51...Qxf6?? hangs the e4-rook to White to move
52.Qh7+, while 51...Qg6?? allows
52.Qc8+ Kf7 53.Qe6+ Kf8 54.Rh8+ 54.Kxe1
with checkmate to follow.
Dodging Peter’s trap.
52.Qd3 54.Qxg3?? allows 54...Re2+! 55.Kf3
Re3+! and it’s time for White to resign.
Double attack.
52.Qh5! was even cleaner. 54...gxh2 55.fxg7 h1=Q+ 56.Kd2 Kxg7
57.d6 1-0
52...Re1+!?
Black will not be able to deliver
Oh no, I had missed this trick. perpetual check, since my king soon
I had only looked at 52...Qg6 when hides behind the passed d- and c-pawns,
53.Re2 wins the pinned black rook. so he resigned.
This game demonstrates that it is
53.Kf2 g3+ sometimes easier to push queenside
space than it is to navigate a kingside
attack on the opponent’s king. Why?
Because the queenside side instinctively
pushes forward and the moves are easier
to find. The side with the kingside attack
must usually find a knockout
combination (which I didn’t!). On the
other hand, and probably more
importantly, my attack always had a
target – the king on g8 – while Black’s
Chapter Six
attack for a long time took place in a Space Saves the Day
wide empty space on the queenside. In
general, when annexation of space In this final, single-position chapter,
occurs on the flank where the we look at an example of how
opponent’s king is situated, it tends to be ownership of space can save an
much more powerful. otherwise lost position. The example
below isn’t from a real game, yet the
Conclusion ideas are very real. Vasily Smyslov,
When it comes to space on opposite besides being world champion, had a
sides of the board, our goal is simple: side gig as an endgame study composer,
our punch must arrive first. In such where he created many masterpieces,
opposite wing or wing/central races, it’s like this one.
often difficult to see in advance who Game 39
will be first in the race. Just remember Vasily Smyslov
there is no silver medal for second New in Chess, 2002
place; it’s first place, or death.

8
*+*+*+*+
7
+*+oL*+*
6
*+*+o+vB
5
+*+*Po+*
4 o+*+*Po+
3 +*+*+*P*
2 *+*P*K*P
1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h

White to move
 Perception doesn’t always match up to promotes and wins. Black’s ability to
reality. Are you ready to enter the Age free the bishop with a future ...d7-d6 is
of Magic and Miracles? White can draw decisive.
from this position. Let’s establish the
facts: 1...Ke8
1) Black’s a-pawn threatens inevitable
1...Kf7? makes it easy for White to
transformation to a new queen.
draw since it allows our bishop into the
2) White’s king, outside of the square game: 2.Bd8! (free at last!) 2...a3 3.Ba5
of Black’s passed a-pawn, is far too far a2 4.Bc3 with a draw.
away.
3) White’s bishop has no way to 2.d4!
control the a1-promotion square of
Black’s passed pawn. Step 2: The d-pawn’s role is to act as a
clogging mechanism when it reaches d6.
4) Black’s bishop is trapped behind its
own pawns, but so what? Black will 2...a3 3.d5! a2
make a new queen, so a single hemmed-
in piece shouldn’t alter the natural 3...exd5 is answered with 4.e6! when,
result, right? suddenly, our bishop gains access to f6,
So deep is the solution that even seizing control of the a1-square, i.e.
Stockfish grossly misevaluates, falsely 4...dxe6 5.Bf6.
declaring White’s cause to be hopeless.
Exercise: So how does White
8
*+*+l+*+
draw? 7
+*+*+*+*
6
*+*+oBv+
Answer: White can draw by erecting a
fortress, exploiting the space advantage
5
+*+o+o+*
in the center while highlighting the
4 *+*+*Po+
drawing tendencies of opposite-colored 3 O*+*+*P*
bishops. 2 *+*+*K*P
Step 1: Start with a bishop check on
g5, which disallows the black king entry
1 +*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h
to the queenside through d8.

1.Bg5+!
Black to move
If White begins with 1.d4, then 1...Kf7
 White is down three pawns, but can Black to move
draw quite simply due to the blockade
on the dark squares: for example, I have a friend who preaches, “God
5...Kd7 6.Ke3 Kc6 7.Kd3 Kb5 8.Kc3 loves patzers, since He made so many of
Ka4 9.Bd4 Be8 10.Be5 Bb5 11.Bd4 them!” When I show this position to
Bc4 12.Be5 Kb5 13.Bd4 a2 14.Kb2 students, not one of them believes that
Kb4 15.Kc2 Bb3+ 16.Kd3!. White can draw from here, since Black
Amazingly, Black’s three extra pawns is up a full queen for only one pawn.
are useless for winning purposes Don’t believe your lying eyes!
because the black king is eternally shut This is a drawn position due to
out of the white camp and unable to White’s massive space. Our king can
assist any of the pawns toward never be placed in zugzwang and driven
promotion. away from the g-file, as our bishop can
move endlessly on its diagonal. At the
4.d6! same time, control over the d8-square
prevents Black’s king from entering
Clogged plumbing comes to mind. through the queenside. Astonishingly,
Incredibly, Black’s extra queen proves Black’s extra queen alone is not enough
useless against the power of White’s to win.
space.
Let’s play this scenario out:
4...a1=Q 5.Kg2
5...Qa8+

After something like 5...Qe1 6.Bh4

8
*+*+l+*+ Qe2+ 7.Kg1 Black is unable to make
7
+*+o+*+* progress, since White’s king will
6
*+*Po+v+ endlessly shuffle from g2 to g1 in
5
+*+*PoB* response to checks, while all attempts to
put White in zugzwang are foiled by the
4 *+*+*Po+ fact that White’s bishop will never run
3 +*+*+*P* out of moves on the h4-d8 diagonal.
2 *+*+*+kP 6.Kg1 Qd8!?
1 W*+*+*+*
a b c d e f g h A clever try. This way, by handing
back the queen, Black’s king is at least
able to enter White’s position.
Another possibility would be to try
and hunt down the bishop on the White can shuffle all day long.
kingside: 6...Kf7 7.Bf6 Qg8 8.Bh4 Qh8
(threatening ...Qxh4) 9.Bg5 Qh5 (now 14...Bh5 15.Kg1 Ke2 16.Kg2
threatening ...Qxg5) 10.Bf6! (oh, no you
With a draw.
don’t!) 10...Ke8 11.Kg2 Qh7 12.Kg1
Qf7 13.Bh4 and Black is unable to make Extra space can sometimes be our
progress. The bishop will always evade unexpected savior. In this study, Neo
capture. bravely chose the red pill, the one that
revealed the ugly reality (White draws!),
7.Bxd8 Kxd8 while if he had ingested the blue pill, he
would have remained comfortably living
Black has a full extra piece – shouldn’t in a false, fantasy world (“Black is
that be enough for a win? Well, if the winning!”). The red pill, however, tells
piece was outside the pawn chain, it us the truth: Black can’t make the
most definitely should be. However, slightest progress, and the position is
with that glorified pawn standing on g6, dead drawn.
on the other hand... What was the redeeming quality of the
white position? The huge advantage in
8.Kf2 Kc8 9.Kg1 Kb7 10.Kf2 Kc6
space. So important was that advantage
11.Kg1 Kd5 12.Kf2 Ke4 13.Kg1 Kf3
that it managed to balance out Black’s
14.Kf1
full extra queen. Quite remarkable, don’t
you think?
8
*+*+*+*+
7
+*+o+*+*
6
*+*Po+v+
5
+*+*Po+*
4 *+*+*Po+
3 +*+*+lP*
2 *+*+*+*P
1 +*+*+k+*
a b c d e f g h

Black to move
 Epilogue economic capabilities, where supply
lines are cut off, and then the economy
and social order begin to collapse.
This book discusses the benefits and
A clear example of this happening in
dangers of space in chess. Let’s review a
human history is the Roman Empire,
few of the concepts we covered.
which was robust in the 1st to 3rd
If we allow the opponent a free hand
centuries CE, but began to overextend
to grab space within our half of the
and lose territory to the Huns, Saxons,
board, we risk death by asphyxiation.
and other “barbarian” clans by the 4th
Why can space be a benefit? Because
and 5th centuries. Later, the Napoleonic
the side with greater space automatically
Empire and the Axis powers during
enjoys greater piece mobility and more
World War II repeated the same error.
options, while the world of the cramped
The lesson we must learn from history is
side continues to shrink into oblivion.
this: annex space only if you are
Space advantages result from two
reasonably assured that you can hold on
factors: superior development and
to it, without later receding.
greater control over the center. More
Even a single one of our pawns
space offers us greater options to shift
entrenched past our fourth rank into
our pieces to optimal squares, while the
enemy territory can act as a hook for our
cramped side suffers from a
coming attack, on either side of the
claustrophobic lack of posts. A
board. An advanced queen’s pawn
battlefield is not an ideal spot for a
generally signals a queenside attack,
picnic lunch. We must vigorously
and, correspondingly, a single king’s
challenge the opponent’s space by
pawn on the fifth rank (on e5) can lead
chipping away at it from the sides, or
else our position dies a slow death from to a direct kingside assault on the enemy
king, who is castled kingside. In such
oxygen deprivation.
situations, another useful thing to
If we currently don’t have a problem,
remember is that in opposing wing
our ambition is more than happy to
attacks, the side with more central space
invent one for us. Don’t be overly
is often faster to reach the other’s king.
zealous or ambitious about grabbing
Secured space tends to lead to
space. Only seize space if you are
concessions from the opponent, due to
certain the territory gained can later be
their lack of options and
held. Think of overextension as a once-
maneuverability. These possible
great empire that becomes too ambitious
concessions, induced by our opponent
in its greed to annex more territory. It
desperately trying to break free, might
extends itself beyond its military and
be exactly what we need in order to
increase our advantage. Index of Games and Studies
There is a single point to remember
when we reach a situation of opposing
wing space: get to the enemy first, since Games
such positions tend to come down to Aldama.D-Lakdawala.C, San Diego
races. If you have a queenside attack, (rapid) 2017
the goal is to destroy resistance on that Anand.V-Vachier-Lagrave.M,
wing while keeping your king safe from Stavanger 2015
the threat of mate. The opposite is true Baker.B-Lakdawala.C, San Diego
in the inverse form, where we must (rapid) 2011
deliver mate or gain a giant concession Beliavsky.A-Solak.D, St. Vincent 2000
of material, or we will collapse on our Carlsen.M-Aronian.L, Internet (rapid)
weak wing, the queenside. 2021
As a final note, just a bit of extra space Carlsen.M-Grischuk.A, Stavanger
can sometimes save us, since we have 2015
more room to maneuver defensively. My Carlsen.M-Mamedyarov.S, Shamkir
hope is that this short but specialized 2014
book will help and guide you in your
Carlsen.M-Naroditsky.D, Internet
attempts to exploit a space advantage or
(rapid) 2021
punish your opponent for overextending.
Carlsen.M-Wojtaszek.R, Tromso
Delving into the basics might sometimes
(Olympiad) 2014
sound dull, but in a game as difficult and
rich as chess, it might turn out to be a Cuarta.B-Lakdawala.C, San Diego
Winning Strategy. (rapid) 2015
Dominguez Perez.L-Caruana.F,
Internet (rapid) 2020
Goldin.A-Ye Jiangchuan, Shanghai
2002
Graves.P-Lakdawala.C, San Diego
(rapid) 2011
Jakovenko.D-Alekseenko.K, Izhevsk
2019
Kasimdzhanov.R-Kasparov.G, Batumi
(rapid) 2001
Kasparov.G-Bareev.E, Cannes (rapid)
2001
Kasparov.G-Bredl.H, Zurich (simul) 1853
2009 Kling & Horwitz, The Chess Player
Kasparov.G-Chuchelov.V, Rethymnon 1852
2003 Kling & Horwitz, The Chess Player
Kasparov.G-Kasimdzhanov.R, Batumi 1853
(rapid) 2001 Kling & Horwitz, The Chess Player
Kasparov.G-Movsesian.S, Prague 1853
(simul) 2001 Smyslov New in Chess, 2002
Korchnoi.V-Kasparov.G, Amsterdam
1991
Lakdawala.C-Bisgaard.P, Internet
(rapid) 2022
Lakdawala.C-Funderburg.J, San
Diego (rapid) 2007
Lakdawala.C-Griffith.K, San Diego
(rapid) 2011
Lakdawala.C-Wang.I, Internet (rapid)
2021
Morozevich.A-Bologan.V, Sochi 2004
Morozevich.A-Milos.G, New Delhi
2000
Radjabov.T-de Firmian.N, Malmo
2001
Seirawan.Y-Ivanov.I, Seattle 2002
Timofeev.A-Khismatullin.D, Moscow
2009
Topalov.V-Adams.M, San Luis 2005
Vachier-Lagrave.M-Carlsen.M, St.
Louis 2019
Wojtaszek.R-Eljanov.P, Biel 2015
Wojtaszek.R-Vachier-Lagrave.M,
Biel 2015

Studies
Kling & Horwitz, The Chess Player