Think Ahead

In Chess
1. A. Horownz
Fred Heinleld
a typical chess player-more than a beg;nner but
expert-you have a problem. You know enough to develoP!
pieces in the opening. and you do so, more or less by
last you are ready for real action. Then something happeru�:J
Stymied.
You are faced with a maze of complications, and you
ner>tl
what to do next. Attack? Defend? Wait for your oppo1
bhJncier·? Swap pieces? You have no plan, no grand ..tr.�t·•I7VI
no tactical thrusts. A vast gulf of confusion stretches
correct opening position to the smashing combination
winning end game that you dream of.
This book can lead you out of that dilemma. It actually
you HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS, how to
entire Aame from the very frr:st move. It will enable you
the game into cbann�ls of your own choosing. whether
playing White or Black. It shows you a revolutionary
of the openings. Then, with this funda.mental knowledge
command, you are shown how to think ahead, step by
r 1urh the pitfalls of the Middle Game, into the safe barbor of
ltho
Jsucce,ss f,ul End Game.
Not only will you win more games; you will enjoy each game
fullest.

conr design bY lsadore senzer

O-b71-2:U3�-2 $8.95 1085895

B 0 0 KS BY I. A. H 0R 0 W I T Z

Chess for Beginners

World Chessmasters in Battle Royal

( WITH HANS KMOCH )

BOOKS BY FRED REIN FELD

The Treasury of Chess Lore

The Immortal Games of Capablanca

Winning Chess
The Fireside Book of Chess
( WITH IRVING CHERNEV )
HOW TO THINK AHEAD
IN CHESS� The Methods
and Techniques of Planning Your
Entire Game

BY I. A. HOROWITZ

AND FRED REINFELD

A FIRESIDE BOOK
Published by Simon & Schuster
New York London Toronto Sydney Tokyo Singapore
 COPYRIGHT 1951 BY I. A. HOROWllZ AND FRED REINFELD

COPYRIGHT RENEWED 1979 BY ELAINE VEDER, HARRIET ZUCKERBROT,

JUDITH REINFELD AND DON REINFELD

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

INCLUDING lHE RIGHT OF REPRODUcnON

IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN ANY FORM

A FIRESIDE BOOK

PUBLISHED BY SIMON & SCHUSTER, INC.

SIMON & SCHUSTER BUU.DING

ROCKEFELLER CENTER

1230 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS

NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10020

FIRESIDE AND COLOPHON ARE REGISTERED TRADEMARKS OF
SIMON & SCHUSTER, INC.

ISBN 0-671-21138-2
MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

27 29 30 28 26
For Lee and Jack
 CONTENTS

Introduction xi

PAR T ONE

Playing With the White Pieces:

Stonewall Pattern

1 What Opening Shall I Play? 3

2 Stonewall Attack I 6
Demolition Sacrifice at KR7

3 Stonewall Attack 11 28
Normal Position for White

4 Stonewall Attack m 32
Swooping Down on the Open King Bishop
File

5 Queen's Gambit Declined 45

Black Evades the Stonewall Attack

PAR T T WO

Playing With the Black Pieces

Against 1 P-K4

6 What Defense Shall I Play Against

1 P-K4 ? 51

7 Dragon Variation I 62
White Cannot Afford Indifferent Play

8 Dragon Variation 11 72
Normal Position for Black
vii
Vlll CONTENTS

9 Dragon Variation m 77
Black Concludes With a Stunning Queen
Sacrifice

10 Dragon Variation IV 87
Vigorous Counterattack

11 Dragon Variation v 103

White's Queen-side Castling Proves a Fiasco

12 Dragon Variation VI 1 19
Relentless Positional Pressure by Black

PART THREE

Playing With the Black Pieces

Against 1 P-Q4

13 What Defense Shall I Play Against

1 P-Q4 ? 139

14 Lasker's Defense I 143

Simplification Leads to Freedom

15 Lasker's Defense 11 158

Normal Position for Black

16 Lasker's Defense m 163

A Fatal Dilemma for White

17 Lasker's Defense IV 173

Battleground of Conflicting Theories

18 Lasker's Defense v 180

White's Last Attempt at Refutation
 CONTENTS lX

PA R T FOUR

How to Exploit Inferior Play

by Your Opponent

19 What If My Opponent Doesn't Follow the

Book? 197

20 The Importance of Controlling the Center 199

21 How Superior Mobility Leads to a Stormy

Breakthrough 216

22 How Line-opening Leads to Attacking Possi-

bilities 234

23 How Superior Mobility Leads to Line-opening 247

 INTRODU CTION

Many years ago, the mighty Capablanca engaged in a rough

and tumble chess game with a New York expert. Momentarily
forgetting that he was invincible, Capa losti
At this unexpected turn of events, the spectators were
amazed. How could the grand master lose to one who was,
comparatively, a second-rater?
"How far ahead do you think over the chessboard?" one
of them asked the Champion. And, as befitted the titleholder,
the impressive reply came back: "Ten movest•
"How far do you think ahead?" the winner of this particular
contest was asked. And he replied, "Only one move.D
Now here was a confusing state of affairs! How could a
chess player who thinks only one move ahead, defeat another
who thinks ten moves ahead? The victor then explained: "I
think one move ahead-but it is always the best movel"
It is really no great secret that the right move in each posi­
tion is the sure path to victory. To find the right move invari­
ably, however, is beyond the power of ordinary mortals. What
is within his grasp, is the right way to think ahead. Not far
ahead. Accurate appraisal is more important than deep calcula­
tion.
The purpose of this book is to teach the right way to think
ahead.
It is a common failing of all chess learners to want to become
xi
xii INTRODUCI'ION

generals before they have no more than an inkling of strategy

and tactics. Naturally, when put to the test, they wind up in a
welter of confusion. Attack? Defend? Where?
When? How? All these are perplexing ques-
tions. And they will remain so, until the learner familiarizes
himself with guiding principles and patterns.
The ready answers to these questions shape the presentation
of this book. It is with these in mind that we urge the learner
to familiarize himself with three basic patterns, which will
carry him through all the openings that he may encounter in
his games. With this fundamental knowledge at his command,
the learner is shown how to think ahead by examples from
actual play, step-by-step, to the end of the game.
In our zeal to emphasize the strong points of our recom­
mendations, we may leave the impression that White has a
forced win and that Black has a forced draw. Definitely, this
is not so. Only the astute play of a master, however, can chal­
lenge some of the minor conjectures. And this book is not
intended for masters!
After you become thoroughly familiar with the patterns of
play recommended in this book, you can, if you wish, branch
out into other openings. The principles involved in these pat­
terns obtain in all patterns of play.
In the course of reading the book, you will notice references
to detailed treatment of the pin, the fork and other tactical
techniques. Such detailed treatment does not come within the
scope of this book, in which tactical techniques are subordi­
nated to the general problem of over-all planning of your
game. But readers who are interested in studying tactical
methods will find it useful to consult Winning Chess. 0
• WINNING CHESs by lrving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld. Simon and
Schustef', New York, 1948.
 6 PART ONE •

Playing With the White Pieces:

Stonewall Pattern
 CHAPTER 1

What Opening Shall I Play?

THIS book has been written to show you what to do after

the opening stage has been passed. But in order to have a good
position for the middle game, you must play the opening well.
Hence the question: "What opening shall I play?"
Our answer to this question is a very unusual one. Our
solution of the problem will doubtless surprise you, but before
you have read very far in this book you will, we hope, be
delighted with the solution and apply it advantageously in
your own games.
The solution is:
With the White pieces, play one standard opening (the Stone­
wall Variation, discussed in Part I) .
With the Black pieces, play one standard defense against
1 P-K4 (the Dragon Variation, discussed in Part ll).
Likewise with the Black pieces, play one standard defense
against 1 P-Q4 (Lasker's Defense, discussed in Part ill).

This is the first book in which such a revolutionary treatment

of the chess openings has been advocated for average players.
We believe, therefore, that we owe you a brief analysis of the
conditions which make it necessary for you to limit your open­
ing repertoire in this drastic manner.
The standard manuals on opening play contain thousands of
opening variations, thousands of alternative variations, thou­
sands of annotations!
To try to master this material is obviously a hopeless under­
taking. Every year new variations are introduced, old varia­
tions are refurbished, popular lines are demolished, while
3
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS
4
hitherto discredited variations are rehabilitated. Despite their
presumably superior knowledge, the masters are by no means
united in their opinions as to the best opening variations.
What, then, are you to conclude? I To assimilate this vast
body of knowledge is physically impossible. To ignore it is
perilous. Obviously, what is needed is some golden, practicable
mean between over-specialization and blithe ignorance.
The sensible middle way is provided by the careful selection
of a limited number of satisfactory opening lines. In each case,
the recommended line meets the three basic needs of all good
opening play:
( 1 ) effective and rapid development
(2) adequate control of the center
( 3) permanent validity regardleBB of fluctuations in theory
In the pages that follow, you will become familiar with these
recommended openings. You will study carefully selected
games which emphasize the kind of play that results from
these openings. By means of photographs and diagrams, you
will have impressed on your mind's eye the kind of visual,
repetitive patterns that characteristically evolve from these
openings. You will learn, in unexampled detail, just where each
piece and Pawn plays in the opening, and what these forces
may be expected to achieve in the ensuing middle game.
Thus you will acquire a knowledge of these openings which
will be of inestimable value to you in your own games. In
these games of your own, you will be able to direct the play
into familiar channels, secure in the realization that you know
what to play for, know how to plan, know how to get the most
out of a well-played opening. Above all, you will be armored
in the confidence that comes from playing a good opening,
freed from the handicaps of self-doubt and discouragement.
It will be possible for you to play these openings and de­
fenses at will against almost any opposition: you need not be
concerned about the handful of masters who, like as not, select
esoteric lines to confuse their less sophisticated opponents. You
 STONEWALL PATTERN
5
don't play against these masters; hence you need not worry
about their incredibly subtle opening repertoire.
And so, by limiting your study to a mere three openings and
defenses, you will be able to concentrate on the really impor­
tant details. You will not befuddle your brain with extraneous
theoretical knowledge, much of which you would never have
an opportunity to use in any event.

To come to specific openings: we recommend that when

playing with the White pieces you begin 1 P-Q4 with a view
to adopting the Stonewall Attack. (Chapters 2, 3, 4 and 5 are
devoted to this line of play.)
By playing 1 P-Q4 you eliminate from consideration all the
openings which start with 1 P-K4 or 1 P-QB4 or (for the
most part) 1 N-KB3. Thus the area of required study is cut
down enormously from the very start.
1 P-Q4 is also irreproachable on theoretical grounds: the
Pawn at Q4 commands the all-important center square K5, and
in addition lines of development are opened for White's Queen
and Queen Bishop.
In the vast majority of cases, Black will answer 1 P-Q4 with
1 P-Q4. The merits of Black's reply are the same as
those of White's first move: Black is enabled to control the
important center square K5 and he opens lines for his Queen
and Queen Bishop.
Come what may after these opening moves, each player has
the consolation of knowing that he has adequate control of the
center and cannot be smothered abjectly in the way the losers
succumb in Part IV.
We are now ready to study the Stonewall pattern, which
gives White an aggressive development with splendid attack­
ing possibilities. White almost always has a marked initiative,
and in the vast majority of cases obtains a long-lasting initia­
tive. Instances in which White finds himself on the defensive
are very hard to come byl
 CHAPTER 2

S TONEWALL ATTA CK

Demolition Sacrifice at KR7

IN THIS notable example of the Stonewall Attack, White sets up

the desired pattern in impeccable form. Without depending upon
any serious blunders on Black's part, the game develops into a
smashing attack against Black's castled King.
Note how White's most important offensive pieces play their
characteristic roles: his King Bishop at Q3 points menacingly at
..Black's King-side; his King Knight is established formidably at K5,
monopolizing the center; his Queen aims at KR5, striking at vul­
nerable points in Black's castled position; finally, the �ing Rook
(after castling) executes the typical attacking maneuver R­
KB3-KR3.
The terms in which White's play is described, speak for them­
selves: smashing, attack, menacingly, formidably, monopolizing,
striking, attacking. All this is enough to give Black's King a perse­
cution complex!

S TONEWALL A T TACK
NEW YORK, 19 50
WHITE BLACK
E. Horowitz Amateur
1 P-Q4 P-Q4
For an evaluation of these moves, see page 5 in the pre­
vious chapter.
2 P-K3
6
 STONEWALL PATTERN
7
Strictly speaking, White makes the text move because he is
trying to steer the play into the Pawn pattern which he has
observed, and with which you will become familiar. The ad­
vantages of this Pawn pattern will be discussed as the game
progresses.
There are, of course, other good moves for White at this
point. Until, however, you are ready to meet other defenses,
with all their implied ramifications, you will find it useful to
master one specific pattern.

DIAGRAM 1
(after 2 P-K.3)
White intends to develop his
King Bishop to Q3.

From a theoretical point of view, White's last move has cer­

tain advantages and certain disadvantages. But, as you will
see, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
Thus, White is now able to develop his King Bishop. This
is a factor of the greatest importance, as the Bishop will play a
big role in White's coming attacking plans.
True, 2 P-K3 blocks the development of White's Queen
Bishop; but this piece is destined to have only minor scope in
any event. Hence this disadvantage is of minor significance.
Incidentally, in reaching the desired Pawn pattern, it is
essential for White to play his moves in the proper sequence,
as indicated in this game.
8 HOW TO TiflNK AHEAD IN CHESS

(We return now to the position of Diagram 1.)

2 N-KB3

This is an excellent developing move which has the merit of

controlling K5 and also preparing for castling.
For the alternative developing move 2 B-B4, which
also controls K5 but leads to a totally different pattern, see
page 45.
3 B-Q3

This is one of the key moves in White's development. The

Bishop move prepares for castling, sets the Bishop up on a
strong attacking diagonal aiming at Black's prospective castled
position, and disputes control of K4. As we shall see after
White's next move, it is of the utmost importance for him to
have the square K4 in his power.
3 P-K3

Black follows suit, preparing for the development of his

King Bishop.
4 N-Q2!

White intends to play P-KB4, one of the characteristic

moves of his Pawn pattern. Once he has played that move,
Black can bring his Knight to K5 without incurring any danger
of having it driven away by P-KB3. (See Diagram 2.)
Hence, before playing P-KB4, White first plays out his
Queen Knight to prevent N-K5.
4 P-B4

A good move theoretically, as it engages White's Queen

Pawn and thus minimizes somewhat White's pressure on K5.
Of course White would not dream of replying 5 PxP ? as that
would relax his grip on the valuable square K5. Control of the
center is of paramount importance.
 STONEWALL PATIERN
9

DIAGRAM 2
(after 4 N--Q21)
White has prevented
N-K5 for good.

After the text there is a threat of P-B5, driving

White's Bishop off the powerful attacking diagonal.
5 P-QB3

Another characteristic move in the Stonewall pattern. White

supports the Queen Pawn and also creates a retreat for the
Bishop along the powerful attacking diagonal in the event that
it is menaced by P-B5.
5 N-B3

Another useful developing move. Black threatens, if per­

rnitted, to play P-K4 with complete freedom and the
initiative to boot.
In this game we encounter a sharp tempo in the struggle for
control of the center. Where Black develops systematically,
there is a tense fight for control of the center from the very
beginning.
It is too early as yet for White to develop his basic plan of
the game, yet his play is by no means planless. The fight for
control of the center must necessarily absorb his thoughts. One
negligent move can yield the initiative to Black, as we see.
In the event of 5 . . . P-B5, trying to drive White's Bishop
10 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

off the aggressive diagonal, White does not oblige by reacting

passively with6 B-K2, when the Bishop is left without attack­
ing prospects. Instead, White plays 6 B-B2! so that his
Bishop exerts precisely the same aggressive effect as from Q3.

DIAGRAM 3
(after 5 N-B3)
Black threatens to seize the
initiative by P-K4.

6 P-KB4 !

This move completes the Stonewall Pawn pattern. .

P-K4 is permanently prevented, and White prepares to an­
chor his King Knight at the powerful outpost K5. Here the
Knight will exert commanding influence on the enemy's ter­
rain.

6 B-K2

Black continues his development and prepares for castling.

6 B-Q3 is pointless from the aspect of giving Black
any attacking chances. With White's King Bishop Pawn at
KB4, Black's "attacking" diagonal is blocked and the chances
of attack are consequently nil.
Now we begin to see how the Stonewall pattern got its
name!

7 KN-B3
 STONEWALL PATTERN 11

This Knight is headed for the formidable outpost K5.

7 Castles

Black gets his King into safety-so he hopes-and looks

forward to completing his development.

8 N-K5

DIAGRAM 4
(after 8 N-K5)
White has established a
Knight very powerfully at K5.

White has now achieved his opening objectives: he has set

up the Stonewall Pawn pattern, which gives him a firm grip on
the center; he has posted his King Bishop at Q3 with strong
attacking prospects; he has brought his King Knight to K5,
emphasizing his grip on the center and his aggressive inten­
tions towards Black's King.
8 Q-B2

Black intends to "fianchetto" his Queen Bishop { . P­

QN3 followed by B-N2). Before he can do this, how­
ever, he must give his Queen Knight additional protection;
hence Q-B2.
Once Black's Queen Bishop is developed, he can start think­
ing of finding the most favorable squares for the placement of
his Rooks.
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Fi�ure 1

White has established his Knight firmly at K5-the key to his og­
gressive intentions in the STONEWALL ATTACK.

We can now ask ourselves: What is White's plan for the

middle game? This requires a careful appraisal of the position.
Material is even. In development, Black seems to have a
slight advantage; he has castled, moved his Queen and is on
the point of developing his Queen Bishop. White lags in all the
corresponding details, but they can easily be made up in short
order.
Appraisal of the position shows that White has appreciably
better prospects. Why?
Whereas Black has not posted one man beyond his fowth
rank, White's King Knight is formidably placed at K5, well
supported by two Pawns. This factor alone is enough to out­
weigh any item which is momentarily in Black's favor.
 STONEWALL PATTERN 13

DIAGRAM 5
(after 8 Q-B2 )
White has aggressive inten­
tions.

But there is another point: White's Bishop at Q3 aims

directly at Black's castled position. Nor can Black block the
attacking diagonal by N-K5.
White's basic plan, then, is to aim for attack.
(We return now to the position of Diagram 5.)
9 Castles

While automatically removing his King to safety, White en­

hances the force of the coming attack by bringing his King
Rook into action. (The possibility of R-B3--R3 has now been
created.)
White has shown good sense in adding the King Rook to his
attacking forces before embarking on an offensive. With his
Queen Bishop lacking possibilities of development for some
time, his Queen Rook is bound to be out of the game as well.
Hence White does well to make use of every attacking unit
available; a premature attack might well be disastrous.
Here we see the value of planning. Were he playing without
plan, failing to take every germane factor into consideration,
White might easily miss the significance of adding the King
Rook to his attacking forces. But since White is planning the
future with foresighted realization of what the attack requires,
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 6
( after 9 Castles)
White's attacking prospects
have been reinforced by the
possibility R-B3--R3.

his plan guides him toward the necessary steps for strengthen­
ing his attack.
(We return now to the position of Diagram 6.)
9 P-QN3

Black has several alternatives, none of them satisfactory.

Thus, he might play 9 PxP, answered by 10 KPxP
opening the diagonal for White's Queen Bishop, which can
then move as soon as the Queen Knight clears the diagonal.
Another point in White's favor is the opening of the King file
for his Rooks. As 9 PxP offers Black no compensating ad­
vantage, the move must be dismissed.
Secondly, Black might try 9 P-B5. As has been
pointed out, this does not drive the White Bishop off the
attacking diagonal, as he has 10 B-B2 in reserve. Aside from
this, 9 P-B5 is bad on theoretical grounds. When one
player (here White) has a powerful grip on the center, he
welcomes situations in which Pawn captures in the center have
become impossible; for in that case enemy diversions in the
center are ruled out. Contrariwise, the player whose control of
the center is weaker (here Black ) , should try to preserve the
 STONEWALL PATTERN

tension in the center in the hope of creating a diversion at

some point. Hence 9 PxP and 9 P-B5 are theoreti­
cally unsatisfactory for Black.
Finally, there is the question of whether it pays Black to
exchange Knights by 9 NxN. At first sight this looks
attractive, as it rids Black of a piece which is bound to be a
thorn in his side. But the answer is still in the negative.
After 9 NxN White recaptures 10 BPxN, with the re -

sult that the King Bishop file is opened for White. The power
of White's Rook on KBI is enhanced a millionfold; and we
shall see in the games Alekhine-Prat and Morphy-Lewis (Part
IV) how menacing a weapon the open King Bishop file can be.
An equally convincing argument against 9 NxN is that
after 10 BPxN Black's valuable protective Knight is driven
away from KB3. The result is that the attack of White's King
Bishop against KR7 (Black's KR2) becomes more virulent
than ever, and it can be reinforced by such moves as Q-R5
and R-B3-R3. (The following game--Kujoth-Crittenden­
gives you a good idea of the consequences of NxN and
White's recapture with his King Bishop Pawn.)
10 P-KN4

DIAGRAM 7
(after 10 P-KN4)
White will drive away Black's
valuable defensive Knight
now at KB3.
16 HOW TO TiflNK AHEAD IN CHESS

White's violent thrust of the King Knight !:'awn is made

with several objectives in mind.
His basic idea is of course to drive away Black's King
Knight from its present key defensive post, thereby intensify­
ing the attack against KR7 by making available such moves as
Q-R5.
Another point to P-KN4 is that after the Pawn advances to
KN5, there are often opportunities to exchange it. Pawn ex­
changes result in open lines. In this case, the exchange of the
Pawn would give White a new line for attack: the open King
Knight file.
(We return now to the position of Diagram 7.)
10 B-N2

DIAGRAM 8
(after 10 . . B-N2)
Black "threatens" NxN.
Why?

Now Black actually threatens to play 11 NxN. But

isn't this odd? A moment ago we said that 9 NxN was
bad. Now the claim is made that 11 NxN would be good.
What has happened to change the picture?
The point is this: After 11 NxN; 12 BPxN Black would
be able (after 10 B-N2) to play 12 N-K5! estab­
lishing and maintaining an outpost of his own. White's attack-
 STONEWALL PATTERN

ing plans would be permanently disrupted, as the attacking

diagonal of his Bishop at Q3 would be neutralized.
It is interesting to dwell on this possibility. Note that Black's
hope of killing the attack is contingent on getting the upper
hand in the center ( 12 N-K5); and this in turn is the
result of 10 B-N2, a move which exerts pressure on the
center. And so, in the last analysis, it is the struggle for control
of the center which determines the success or failure of the
attack!
(We return now to the position of Diagram 8.)
11 Q-B3/

DIAGRAM 9
(after 11 Q-B3 /)
White has foiled Black's plan.
How?

Now Black's threat of NxN fades into oblivion, as

White's Queen move has reestablished his control of the cen­
ter and has consequently assured the continued progress of his
attack.
Thus, if 11 NxN; 12 BPxN, N-K5 ?; 13 NxN, PxN;
14 BxP and Black has lost a valuable Pawn without compensa­
tion.
(We return now to the position of Diagram 9. )
11 • • • • P-QR3
18 HOW T O TlllNK AHE AD I N CHESS

A strange-looking move; how does it enhance Black's pros­

pects? Is Black marking time? Is he waiting to see how White's
plan unfolds?

DIAGRAM 10
(after 11 . P-QR3)
White attacks the King; Black
attacks what?

Here is the reasoning behind Black's last move: The King­

side is about as well-defended as it can be, and a regrouping
of his forces would not improve his defensive prospects. Black
therefore plans a Queen-side demonstration. He will advance
his Queen-side Pawns in the hope of opening a file in that
sector and in that way diverting White's attention from the
King-side..
From a purely theoretical view, by the way, this plan is not
very promising, For on the King-side White attacks the King;
on the Queen-side Black pursues a purely positional ob;ective,
which cannot harm White's King. In fact, White's attentions
now become so pressing that Black never gets any farther with
his intended demonstration.
(We return now to the position of Diagram 10.)
12 P-N5
Driving off the Knight.
12 . . . N-Kl
 STONEWALL PATTERN

After 12 N-Q2 the game would take a similar course.

DIAGRAM 11
(after 12 N-Kl)
White decides to unleash a
violent attack.

White can now continue with 13 Q-R5 or 13 Q-R3 threat­

ening mate and thereby provoking a weakening Pawn advance
in front of the Black King. In the long run, this would prob­
ably result in a winning position for White. But, as it happens,
White has a forceful way of penetrating immediately and
smashing up the position of Black's King.

13 BxP eh I

This sacrifice is the logical outcome of the Bishop's menacing

position on the diagonal. Black's castled position now becomes
so vulnerable that his King is exposed to a mating attack. (See
Diagram 12.)

13 KxB

13 K-R1 is even worse, because of 14 Q-R5 threat.

ening 15 B-N6 dis eh and 15 Q-R7 mate.

14 Q-R5ch K-Nl
15 R-B3
20 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 12
( after V3 BxP eh!)
White begins the demolition
of Black's castled position.

DIAGRAM 13
(after 15 R-B3)
White's King Rook swings
into action.
Note how White's forces are taking up the posts envisaged
inhis original attacking plan. Now his idea is 16 R-R3 threat­
ening 17 Q-R7 mate or 17 Q-RB mate.
(We return now to the position of Diagram 13.)
15 P-N3

This still offers some fight, whereas after 15 . . . P-B3;

16 P-N6! mate follows at once.
16 Q-R6
 STONEWALL PATTERN 21

Still threatening R-R3 followed by Q-R7 mate or Q-R8

mate.
16 N-N2

Valiantly trying to shield his King.

17 R-R3 N-KR4

DIAGRAM 14
(after 17 . N-KR4)
Black has barricaded the King
Rook file.

Now Black's plan has become clear. His Knight blocks the
all-important King Rook file, preventing the execution of
White's mating threat. White is a piece behind-he cannot
afford to let up now. Another sacrifice is called fori
(We return now to the position of Diagram 14.)

18 NxNP I

Breaking Black's position wide open. The availability of the

Knight for this sacrifice is a tribute to the power of this piece
on the dominating square K5. (See Diagram 15.)
The threat is 19 Q-RB mate. Black is left no choice.

18 PxN
19 QxP eh
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 15
(after 18 NxNP I)
White smashes the barricade!
Unhinging the support of Black's Knight at KR4. Black must
interpose, for if 19 K-R1?; 20 RxN mate.
19 N-N2

Now White is two pieces down. How is he to continue the

attack?

DIAGRAM 16
(after 19 N-N2)
White can now win by a
beautiful sacrifice!
20 R-R7?!
Overlooking 20 R-R8 eh!!, KxR; 21 Q-R6 eh, K-N1; 22
P-N6 I when mate is unavoidable!
 STONEWALL PATTERN 23

20 B-Q3

This permits the Black Queen to guard the mate along the
second rank. If instead 20 R-B2; 21 Q-R6 is decisive
because of the unanswerable threat of 22 R-RB mate.

21 Q-R6

DIAGRAM 17
(after 21 Q-R6)
White has a nasty threat.

With Black's King-side position perforated, White has no

trouble thinking up new ways of keeping Black's King misera­
ble. White intends 22 P-N6 followed by 23 R-RB mate.
Of course, Black cannot escape by means of 21 K-B2
for then 22 RxN eh wins his Queen. But he manages to find a
desperate resource.
(We return now to the position of Diagram 17.)

21 BxP

Pinning 0 White's King Knight PaWn. and thus preventing

P-N6-at least for the moment. (The reply 22 P-N6???
allows 22 BxQ.)

22 PxB?
° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Now the threat of P-N6 has to be met again. 22 R-R8 eh,

K-B2; 23 Q-B6 eh is faster.
22 RxP
23 P-N6

DIAGRAM 18
(after 23 P-N6)
White threatens mate on the
move!
Black cannot escape unscathed by 23 K-Bl. There
would follow: 24 R-R8 eh, K-K2; 25 QxN eh, K-Q3; 26
N-B4 eh I •, PxN; 27 BxR eh and it is all over.
(We return now to the position of Diagram 18.)
23 R-N5ch
24 K-RI

24 K-Bl P is a mistake for then 24 Q-B5 eh forces

the exchange of Queens with a resulting easing of the tension
for Black. As he is still a piece ahead, the exchange of Queens
would win for him. (See Diagram 19.)
24 RxNP

Black returns the rest of his booty-reluctantly, but what

choice has he? If 24 K-Bl (to guard against the mate) ;
25 N-B3 with threats of B-N5 or N-N5---not to mention
• Double attack. See .Winning Chess, p. 50.
 STONEWALL PATTERN

R-R8 eh followed by QxN eh, which White is holding in re­

serve.

DIAGRAM 19
(after 24 K-Rl)
Black is still confronted with
a mating threat.

You must bear in mind that in actual practice it is extremely

depressing to have the kind of position with which Black is
burdened here: he is constantly on the defensive, his King has
no secure refuge, new threats turn up at every move. For most
players, the defensive is a thankless role indeed.
25 QxR

White is now the exchange ahead and his pressure remains

unabated. In one sense, it is even stronger than before, now
that White's Bishop is ready to take a hand in the proceedings.
25 R-KBI

To prevent 26 N-B3. If instead 25 Q-B2 P; 26 R-

R8 eh! 0 (See Diagram 20.)
26 N-B3!

There are other winning methods, but this is certainly the

most pleasing.
• The overworked piece. See Winning Chess, p. 89.
:z.6 HOW TO TinNK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 20
(after 25 . R-KBl)
.

White has still another sacri-

6.ce up his sleeve!

26 RxN
27 B-R6

Setting up a murderous pin. 0 He threatens mate beginning

with 28 RxN eh.
27 R-B2

The only defense. But now White strengthens the pin.

28 R-KNI Resigns

DIAGRAM 21
(after 28 R-KNl)
Why does Black resign?
° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
 STONEWALL PATTERN

Black's capitulation is in order.

White's threat is 29 BxN followed by a discovered check •
with the Bishop which leads to mate.
If Black tries 28 K-B1 White winds up convincingly
with 29 BxN eh, K-K2; 30 B-B6 eh or 29 K-K1; 30
R-R8 eh, K-K2; 31 B-B8 eh I, K-K1 (if 31 RxB; 32
R-R7 eh, K-Ql; 33 RxQ, KxR; 34 Q-N7 eh winning the
Rook in addition to the Queen); 32 B-Q6 dis eh winning the
Queen.
To summarize: White followed out his plan of attack consist­
ently. He set up his pieces with a view to direct attack against
Black's King, particularly KR7. First driving away Black's guardian
King Knight, he concentrated his forces against the Black King,
sacrificing brilliantly in justifiable reliance on his ultimate success.
An interesting feature of the unfolding of White's attack is the
way his bottled-up Queen Bishop at last came to life and hammered
out the final decision against Black's harried King.

• For discovered check, see Winning Chess, p. 80.

 CHAPTER 3

S TONEWALL ATTACK

11

Normal Position for White

You HAVE had an impressive demonstration of the power which

can be unleashed by White in the Stonewall Attack.
The roles enacted by White's Pawns and pieces in Chapter 2 are
fairly typical, and can therefore be reduced to formula. Hence you
can familiarize yourself with the typical, characteristic functions of
White's forces in the Stonewall Attack.
Of course, these functions are not purely mechanical. There is
room for variety, as you will see in Chapter 4; there the Stonewall
triumphs just as emphatically, but along somewhat different lines.
Remember also, that you must be the judge of timing. You are
shown why this or that move is good; but you must be the judge of
when it is good; when it is in order; when it can be played with
maximum effect.

The White Pawns

The KING ROOK PAWN remains at KR2.0
The KING KNIGHT PAWN either remains at KN2 or else ad­
vances to KN4 and KN5 with the object of dislodging Black's
useful defensive Knight from its post at KB3. This advance
should not be undertaken until White has made considerable
progress with his development.
0 'When we say that a Pawn remains at its original square, we mean

merely that the over-all battle plan does not require a move by this
Pawn. Later on in the game, there may be concrete and pressing reasons
for moving the Pawn.
 STONEWALL PATTERN

The KING BISHOP PAWN plays to KB4 where it assists White's

Pawn at Q4 in keeping a strong grip on the center (K5) pre­
venting P-K4, and in many cases supporting a White
Knight located on the magnificent outpost K5. Should Black
capture White's powerful Knight at K5, the King Bishop Pawn
recaptures at K5, opening the King Bishop file for White.
The KING PAWN plays to K3 early in the opening. In the
event that Black plays QBPxQP? White can recapture
with his King Pawn, opening the King file for his Rooks and a
diagonal for his Queen Bishop.
The QUEEN PAWN plays to Q4 on the first move, intending
monopolistic control of K5 so that Black can never free himself
by P-K4. The Queen Pawn shares with the King Bishop
Pawn the important function of supporting the powerful
Knight outpost at K5.
The QUEEN BISHOP PAWN goes to QB3 where (like the King
Pawn at K3) it supports the Queen Pawn as part of the typical
Stonewall formation. Also, with this Pawn at QB3, the King
Bishop at Q3 (if attacked by P-QB5) can retreat to
QB2 thus remaining on its powerful attacking diagonal.
The QUEEN KNIGHT PAWN remains at QN2.
The QUEEN ROOK PAWN remains at QR2.

The White Pieces

The KING KNIGHT goes to KB3 and later on occupies the
powerful post K5. Here the Knight has a dominating post in
the center and is also usefully placed in the event that White
mounts a King-side attack.
The QUEEN KNIGHT goes to Q2 rather early in the opening in
order to help prevent N-K5, which wotlld set up a
counter-Stonewall formation on Black's part and block the
magnificent attacking diagonal of White's King Bishop at Q3.
The KING BISHOP goes to Q3 on the third move (after 1
P-Q4 and 2 P-K3). Thereby the Bishop takes up his b�st
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

square and acquires a splendid attacking line which sweeps all

the way to KR7 (Black's KR2). Once Black has castled, his
King becomes the direct target of an attack in which the King
Bishop is the chief element.
The QUEEN BISHOP is developed rather late in the game. It is
blocked by the White Pawns on K3 and KB4. The development
of this Bishop is also impeded by the Queen Knight at Q2.
However, this need not be a cause for worry, as Black is even
more handicapped in his development. White's formation is so
powerful that the delayed development of this Bishop is a
relatively minor matter in this opening.
The KING ROOK reaches KBl via castling. As the King Bishop
Pawn will have gone to KB4, the Rook can often be played to
KB3 and then to KR3 with a terrific King-side attack. (The
Rook at KR3 cooperates with White's Bishop at Q3 in a con­
centrated attack against KR7.) In some cases, the King Rook
gets an open King Bishop file when the King Bishop Pawn
captures on K5 in the event of an exchange on that square.
The QUEEN ROOK generally does not play much of a role in
the attack. This becomes clear when you recall that it takes
quite a while before White's Queen Bishop moves from QBl.
If the Bishop cannot move, then the Queen Rook in turn
cannot be developed. This drawback is not fatal. But you must
keep in mind that at some point where there is perhaps a lull
in your attacking activities, you can pause for a breathing spell
and bring out the Queen Bishop and Queen Rook. In any
event, you must not allow yourself to be discouraged by the
thought of this late development; Black's development is also
hampered in much the same way.
The QUEEN has a number of possibilities, as one would ex­
pect from an opening like this one in which White has several
attacking lines at his disposal. The Queen can play to K2 or
(in cases where Black's King Knight has been driven away
from KB3) to KN4 or KR5, with brutally candid threats
against the Black King. Or the Queen can play to KB3 (when
 STONEWALL PATTERN 31

this is necessary to prevent N-K5), followed perhaps by

P-KN4 or in some cases by Q-N3.

Review: Salient objectives for White

( 1) "Stonewall" Pawn pattern prevents Black from freeing himself
by . P-K4.
(2) White's Bishop at Q3 takes up magrti&cent atta:eking diagonal
directed at Black's KR2.
( 3) White's Queen Knight at Q2 helps Bishop at Q3 to secure
complete White control of K4.
(4) White's King Knight generally ocCUpies'paweiful outpost at
K5.
(5) After castling, White's aHack can be augmented �y R-KB3-
KR3.
 CHAP TER 4

S TONEWALL ATTA CK

Ill

Swooping Down on the Open King Bishop File

IN CHAPTER 2 White scored a magnificent victory by means of

direct attack on Black's castled position. Qne of the impod.of
rfactors in that smashing attack was the powerfully posted White
Knight at K5.
The strength of this Knight at K5, and the uneasiness which its
presence inspires in the Black camp, are typical: the Knight at K5
is a harbinger of attack. In the following game, then, Black reasons,
let us dispose of the troublesome Knight, making the defense rel­
atively simple.
Black's reasoning sounds plausible, but he omits an important
point. Pawn captu1'es open up lines. Specifically, White's King
Bishop Pawn recaptures on K5 and opens up the King Bishop file
with devastating effect.

STONEWALL ATTAC K
MILWAUKEE, 1949
WHITE BLACK
R. Ku;oth R. Crittenden
1 P-Q4 P-Q4
2 P-K3 N-KB3
3 B-Q3 P-K3
4 P-KB4

White has already established his mastery of K5, and has

32
 STONEWALL PATTERN 33
played three of the four Pawn moves needed to establish the
Stonewall pattern.

DIAGRAM 22
(after 4 P-KB4)
Why is 4 P-KB4 premature?

White's play has not been quite faultless. He has neglected

to establish complete mastery of his K4. This could have been
achieved by 4 N-Q2 (instead of 4 P-KB4). Attaining the
pattern is not enough; hair-sharp timing is also important.
To exploit White's error, Black should play 4 N-K5!
setting up a "counter-Stonewall" pattern.
(We return now to the position of Diagram 22.)
4 QN-Q2?
This is wrong because Black misses his big opportunity (4
N-K5!).
Another drawback to the move is that it is unnecessarily
conservative. The Knight should go to QB3 (after P­
QB4) where it exerts pressure on White's Queen Pawn. And
it is obviously more aggressive to play a Knight to the third
rank, where it has a better chance to come in contact with the
enemy. When played to the second rank, the Knight has less
chance to come in contact with the enemy, and Black's position
takes on an excessively conservative, constricted appearance.
5 N-Q2
34 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Now White guards his K4 twice, so that N-K5 is no

longer feasible.
5 P-B4
6 P-B3

DIAGRAM 23
(after 6 P-B3)
White has set up the char­
acteristic Stonewall pattern.

White has completed the Stonewall Pawn pattern. He has

thorough control of K5 for setting up an outpost there (even­
tual N-K5); and he also has adequate control of K4 for pre­
venting Black from setting up an outpost on that square.
6 PxPP

This is a serious inaccuracy. The pressure on White's center

is eliminated. White's already formidable center becomes even
more stable, and cannot be upset by any future diversion on
Black's part.
At this early stage, Black has made two wrong moves (4
QN-Q2? and 6 PxP?) which have made things a
lot easier for White. He now knows that Black's position will
have a passive character, so that White is justified in evolving a
policy of forthright aggression.
7 KPxP
 STONEWALL PATI'ERN 35
To retake with the Bishop Pawn would be faulty. The text
opens up the diagonal for White's Queen Bishop, which is now
certain of entering the fray at a much earlier stage than is
customary in the Stonewall Attack. This consideration is an-
other argument against 6 PxP?

DIAGRAM 24
(after 7 KPxP)
The exchange of center
Pawns has favored White.
The Stonewall formation always leads to a forceful initiative
for White, even when the participation of his Queen Bishop is
delayed. Now that White's Queen Bishop can become active
more rapidly than usual, the indications are that White will
build up an overwhelming position in short order.
7 B-K2

7 B-Q3 creates more problems for White, but they

are problems that can be solved.
The question would be, how should White protect his King
Bishop Pawn?
The most obvious method is 8 P-KN3, but this has the
possible flaw that a later R-B3--R3 (after White castles) will
have to be deferred until P-KN4 is played.
The other method of guarding the King Bishop Pawn is
8 QN-B3, intending N-K5 and enabling the Queen Bishop
to protect the menaced Pawn.
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Less good is 8 P-B5 ? ( relaxing his grip on K5 ) because of

8 P-K4 ! and Black immediately frees himself. Thus we
see how a silent but vital struggle for control of the center is
continually in progress.
8 KN-B3

Heading for K5, as per plan.

8 P-QN3
In order to develop his Queen Bishop.
9 N-K5

DIAGRAM 25
( after 9 N-K5 )
White monopolizes the center.

White has attained his opening goal : the Stonewall Pawn

pattern gives him a stranglehold on the center, and his Knight
is firmly entrenched on the key square K5.
9 NxN ?

As Black's position is lacking in promising alternatives, this

move can hardly be called a mistake. Nevertheless, this capture
is bound to lead to grave difficulties for Black because of the
resulting opening of the King Bishop file. White requires very
little time to work up a menacing attack.
1 0 BPxN !
 STO�EWALL PATTERN 37

F ig u re 2

Whenever White's Knight at K5 is captured, it is vital to recapture

with the King Bishop Pau)n. This greatly enha nces '\Vhite's initiative
in the S TONEWALL ATTACK, as th e opened King B ishop file be­
comes a powerful offensive weapon .
10 N-Q2

The open King Bishop file is a powerful medium of attack.

This is generally the case where Pawn captures have opened
up avenues of attack.
Note that the Pawn capture on K5 has also opened up a line
of offense-a diagonal-for White's Queen Bishop. This piece
will soon display formidable qualities.
A final consequence is that Black's valuable King Knight has
been driven away from KB3, so that the Black King is deprived
of the services of his best protective unit-services that are
generally available as a matter of routine.
38 HOW TO TillNK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 26
( after 10 . N-Q2 )
. .

White's open King Bishop file

is an avenue of attack.

11 Castles

By castling ( automatically getting his King into safety, by

the way ) White immediately makes use of the open King
Bishop file : his King Rook immediately strikes along the whole
length of the open file.

DIAGRAM 27
( after 11 Castles )
White's King Rook is posted
for action on the open King
Bishop file.

White can now formulate his general plan of the game.

 STONEWALL PATTERN 39
White's situation is ideal: his Bishop on Q3 points menac­
ingly at Black's King-side; White's King Rook is poised for
action on the King Bishop file; White's Queen has such power­
ful thrusts as Q-B3 or Q-N4 or Q-R5 in reserve.
Black's King-side is denuded of protection and the dispro­
portion of attacking and defensive forces is even heightened
by the fact that a single move by White's Knight will bring his
Queen Bishop into action.
All indications are that White's tactical superiority will as­
sure him quick victory.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 27. )
11 . • • . P-QR4

Black is afraid to castle right into the crossfire of White's

attacking forces. It is therefore Black's hope that he can re­
move one of White's most formidable attacking units by ex­
change : Black intends 12 . B-R3. Black is operating on
. .

the familiar theory that the defender should always try to ease
his difficulties by simplifying. Whether White will permit this
simplification is something else again.
12 Q-N4

DIAGRAM 28
( after 12 Q-N4 )
How should Black parry the
attack on his King Knight
Pawn?
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

By threatening the deadly QxNP White leaves his opponent

no time to carry out his simplifying idea. White, you observe,
is developing his Queen without loss of time, as Black must
spend a move to guard the menaced King Knight Pawn.
12 P-N3

Ordinarily, castling is the simplest and most effective way to

guard the Pawn-but not here, where the castled position lacks
adequate defense. Thus after 12 Castles White plays 13
Q-R5 threatening mate. ( Note how effectively White's Queen
and his King Bishop cooperate in making this threat possible. )
Now Black can parry the threat only by weakening his castled
position in some decisive manner. Here are the alternatives :
I. 13 P-R3; 14 N-B3 threatening the crushing break-
through sacrifice 15 BxP etc.
II. 13 P-NS; 14 Q-R6 and Black is helpless against
a wealth of threats, such as R-B3-R3 or N-B3-N5.
Ill. 13 P-B4; 14 PxP e.p., NxP; 15 RxN !, RxR; 16
QxP eh, K-B1; 17 N-B3, RxN; 18 PxR and White retains his
attack with a Pawn to the good.

13 B-B2 !

Naturallytwhite has no intention of indulging Black's eager-

ness to simplify by B-RS.
13 B-N4

Black is desperate, realizing that if he castles, White simply

plays 14 N-BS with a field day against the enfeebled black
squares ( 15 B-R6 etc. ) . ( See Diagram 29. )
14 N-B4 !

A clever discovered attack 0 which increases Black's diffi�

culties.
° For discovered attack, see Winning Chess, p. 67.
 STONEWALL PATTERN

DIAGRAM 29
( after 13 B-N4 )
White has a remarkable reply
at his disposal.

Thus, if 14 BxB; 15 N-Q6 eh, K-B1; 16 RxP eh ( note

the power of the Rook along the open file! ) , K-N1; 17 BxP !
and Black can resign. ( If 17 P-KR4; 18 B-R7 mate! )
14 PxN

Black does not care to retreat 14 B-K2; an instance of

the reluctance of all chessplayers-masters as well as amateurs!
-to admit their mistakes.
It is true that after 14 B-K2 \Vhite can play 15
N-Q6 eh, BxN; 16 PxB with an easy victory because of his
complete mastery of the black squares.
15 BxB

Now \Vhite still monopolizes the black squares and in addi­

tion he has a devastating attack.
15 Q-B2
16 RxP ! !

\Vhite's Rook sacrifice is brilliant indeed, but what is more

important for the student is the realization that the brilliant
sacrifice is made possible by White's crushing grip on the open
file, and that this in turn was made possible by a Pawn capture.
42 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 30
( after 16 RxP ! ! )
White has sacrificed a Rook­
inspiration or perspiration?

16 KxR
17 R-Bl eh

DIAGRAM 31
( after 17 R-B1 eh )
White cashes in on the open
King Bishop file.

17 K-N2

There is no satisfactory defense. Obviously 17 . K-Kl

will not do because of 18 QxP mate.
Nor is 17 • .K-N1 any better: 18 QxP eh, K-N2; 19
Q-B7 mate.
 STONEWALL PA'ITERN 43
17 N-B3 requires greater exertion on White's part,
but the result is the same: 18 RxN eh, K-N2; 19 B-R6 eh ! I,
KxB; 20 RxP eh /, PxR; 21 QxNP mate.
Or 17 N-B3; 18 RxN eh, K-K1; 19 B-R4 eh ( a
·smite" from the other direction! ) , B-Q2; 20 QxP eh etc.
( Black's Bishop is pinned. 0 )

18 B-R6 eh l l

Another beautiful sacrifice which enmeshes Black's King

in a mating net from which he cannot escape.

18 KXB

Of course, if 18 K-N1; 19 QxKP mate.

19 R-B7

1breatens 20 Q-R4 mate.

19 Q-Q l

To defend the threat. But there is another threat!

DIAGRAM 32
( after 19 . Q-Q l )
White concludes with another
brilliant sacrifice!
20 RxP eh I I KxR
21 QxNP mate

• For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.

44 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Black is two Rooks and a Knight ahead, but he bites the dust
just the same! Brilliant as this conclusion is, we must repeat
that White's consistent execution of his attacking plan is even
more impressive.
This attacking plan was based on the concentration of White's
forces on the King-side, and the lack of defensive power in the
same sector. It was Black's faulty exchange on move 9, followed
by the opening of the King Bishop file, that allowed White to carry
out his plan so rapidly and so impressively.
 CHAPTER 5

QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED

Black Evades the Stonewall Attack

IN T H F. previous two games we have had an unforgettable im­

P'c:�sion of the power of White's attack when he adopts the Stone­

wall formation.
It is quite natural, under the circumstances, for Black to cast
about for other lines of play. If the Stonewall pattern gives him so
much trouble, why not choose some other pattern? Why not draw
the sting from White's attack?
Reasoning along these lines, Black strives for a different pattern.
But his life is not a happy one.

Q U E E N ' S G A M B I T D E C L I N ED
BUDAPEST, 1 926

WHITE BLACK
H. Kmoch G. Nagy
1 P-Q4 P-Q4
2 P-K3 B-B4

With this saucy Bishop move, Black definitely announces

that he has no intention of submitting to the kind of cramped
position with which he is burdened in the Stonewall formation.
White can immediately forget about proceeding along
Stonewall lines : it would be pointless to play B-Q3, as Black
could simply play BxB or P-K3 with a comfortable
game. All thoughts of attack on KR7 are out of the question.
White must therefore seek a different approach.
45
46 HOW TO TIDNK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 33
( after 2 . . B-B4 )
The Stonewall formation is no
longer possible.
8 P-QB4 !

This is the new approach. White opens up a diagonal for his

Queen ( intention : Q-N3 ) in the hope of exploiting the ab­
sence of Black's Queen Bishop from the Queen-side.
As we shall see, the task of defending Black's Queen Knight
Pawn is far from easy.

8 P-QBS

DIAGRAM 34
( after 3. • P-QB3 )
.

Black's last move is an impor­

tant part of his strategic plan.
 STONEWALL PATTERN 47
Black has seen the danger and prepared for it. He means to
answer Q-N3 with Q-N3. Hence White bides his time,
and continues his development. He foresees that Q-N3 will
yet be effective.

4 N-KB3 N-B3
5 PxP

DIAGRAM 35
( after 5 PxP )
Black has a problem : how
shall he recapture?

Now Black has a problem which often turns up in this book :

how should he recapture in order to retain control of the cen­
ter? If he retakes with a piece, then sooner or later White will
be able to advance P-K4 with monopoly of the center.
Thus Black concludes that the only sound method of recap­
ture is with the Pawn. ( This, by the way, is one of the reasons
for 3 P-QB3. )

5 PxP

Now that Black retains his firm foothold in the center, he

need not fear any central expansion on White's part by way of
P-K4.

6 N-B3 P-K3
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

The normal developing move 6 N-B3 is strongly an-

swered by 7 Q-N3 ! attacking the Queen Knight Pawn. If
then 7 Q-N3; 8 B-N5 and Bhck encounters the same
kind of difficulties as in the text continuation.
7 N-K5 !

DIAGRAM 36
( after 7 N-K5 I )
Again White has a powerful
Knight at K51

As in the Stonewall Variation proper, the posting of White's

King Knight on the valuable central square K5 is very strong.
Now that Black has played P-K3 ( necessary for the
development of his King Bishop ) , his Queen Bishop can no
longer return to QBl. White has two moves in reserve which
will be troublesome to meet: B-N5 eh and/or Q-N3. He also
has other threats.
7 B-Q3

Mter the plausible developing move 7 QN-Q2 ?

Black finds himself in serious trouble. White plays 8 P-KN4 !
proving to Black that the confident development B-KB4
has its thorny aspects.
Mter 7 QN-Q2 ?; 8 P-KN4 ! Black must not play 8
• . NxN ? because of 9 PxN winning at least a piece. Thus, if
.
 STONEWALL PATIERN 49

Figure 8

Whenever Black develops his Bishop to KB4 in the QUEEN'S

GAMBIT DECLINED, he mu# always reckon with a possible re­
sulting weakness of his Queen Knight Pawn. This is best exploited
by White's Q-N3. (This position arises after 8 Q-N8.)

9 BxP; 10 Q-R4 eh, N-Q2; 11 QxB. Or if 9 NxP;

10 Q-R4 eh, K-K2 (if 10 Q-Q2; 11 B-N5 winning
the Queen • ) ; 11 Q-N4 eh, and wins: on 11 K-K1; 12
B-N5 eh wins the Queen, and on 11 K-Q2; 12 QxP eh
wins the Queen Rook, as 12 . . . K-K1; 13 B-N5 eh leads to
mate.
On the other hand, if 7 QN-Q2 ?; 8 P-KN4 !, B-N3;
9 P-KR4 ! ( threatening to win the Bishop with P-R5), P­
KR3; 10 NxB, PxN; 11 B-Q3, K-B2; 12 Q-B2 and 'White
has an easy win because of Black's smashed-up King's position.
• The pin. See Winning Chess, p. 7.
50 HOW TO TmNK AHEAD IN CHESS

This is our first indication that 2 B-B4 can involve

Black in serious trouble.
8 Q-N3 /

Taking advantage of the fact that Black's Bishop at KB4 can­

not retreat to QB1 to guard the Queen Knight Pawn.
8 Q-N3
9 B-N5 eh

DIAGRAM 37
( after 9 B-N5 eh )
White increases the pressure
without any loss of time.

9 KN-Q2

Mter 9 N-B3 ? Black loses a Pawn by 10 BxN eh,

PxB; 11 QxQ, PxQ; 12 NxQBP.
However, after his last move Black threatens to slip out
deftly by 10 BxN; 11 PxB, Castles. Hence White must
find some way of maintaining the pressure.

10 NxN I NxN

Black's position is very difficult, one of the chief reasons for

this being that his Bishop at KB4 plays no role in the proceed­
ings.
 STONEWALL PATTERN

( after 10 NxN )
Who will gain control of the
open Queen Bishop file?

11 B-Q2 !

The right way to maintain the pressure is to clear the open

Queen Bishop file for occupation by White's Queen Rook.
Black cannot play 11 Castles ( K ) , losing his Knight.
Nor can he play 11 Castles ( Q ) , because of 12 QR-B1
( threatens to win the Queen ) , K-N1 ( getting out of the dis­
covered check ) ; 13 N-R4 and wins.
Trying to get rid of the pin is also fatal: 11 P-QR3 ? ;
12 BxN eh winning the Queen! 0
What other possibility remains? If Black tries 11 R-Q1
( in order to guard the pinned Knight and make castling possi­
ble ) , then White gets a tremendous game with 12 N-R4, Q­
B2; 13 QR-B1, Q-N1; 14 N-B5 etc. Here again Black's
Bishop at KB4 remains idle.
11 QR-Bl

Black tries to neutralize the pressure on the open file. The

loss of castling after 12 BxN eh, KxB does not bother him, as
his King would be reasonably safe and most of the uncomfort­
able pressure would be dissipated.
0 Discovered attack. See Winning Chess, p. 67.
52 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

12 Castles ( K ) B-Nl

Planning a cumbersome method of accomplishing castling.

His intention is 12 Castles; 13 BxN, Q-Q3 threatening
checkmate and thereby winning White's exposed Bishop and
teestablishing material equality. 0

DIAGRAM 39
( after 12 . B-Nl )
. .

Why is P-B4 indicated as

White's next move?

13 P-B4

Blocking the mate threat and thereby preventing Black from

castling.
13 Q-Q3

He protects his Knight in order to be able to castle. Note

that even now 13 P-QR3 ? would lose the Queen ( 14
BxN eh etc. ) .

14 QR-B l ! Castles
15 N-R4 !

With the murderous threat of 16 B-N4. And Black's Bishop

at KB4 is still an innocent bystander!
• Double attacks. See Winning Chess, p. 50.
 STONEWALL PATTERN 53

DIAGRAM 40
( after 15 N-R4 I )
Black's Queen is in serious
danger.
15 Q-K2

This is about the only move at Black's disposal; but now he

loses a Pawn by force.
16 B-N4 B-Q3
17 BxB QxB
18 BxN QxB
19 N-B5 Q-B3
20 QxNP QxQ
21 NxQ

DIAGRAM 4 1
( after 21 NxQ )
Black's game is hopeless.
 54 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

\Vhite is a Pawn ahead and has an easily won game. In his

concern about the positional threat of N-Q6, which would
weaken his Pawn structure, Black blunders badly:
21 KR-Ql ?
22 NxR Resigns

The important lesson this game teaches is that Black's avoidance

of the Stonewall pattern by 2 B-B4 is not an unmixed bless­
ing. True, he prevents White from establishing the desired attack­
ing formation; yet the posting of the Queen Bishop at KB4 exposes
this piece to attack and leaves Black's Queen-side in a vulnerable
state.

At this point we conclude our study of the Stonewall Attack

as the recommended opening for you to adopt when playing
the White pieces.
We turn now to the problems of playing the Black pieces
and finding satisfactory replies to 1 P-K4 and 1 P-Q4.
From the three previous games we have seen how \Vhite
conducts the middle game that evolves from the Stonewall pat­
tern.
 <if PART TWO W

Playing With the Black Pieces

Against 1 P-K4
 CHAPTER 6

What D e f e n s e S h all I P l a y
A g ain s t 1 P - K 4 ?

I F, AS we have seen, it is difficult to choose an opening line

with White, the difficulty seems enhanced when you have the
Black pieces. For when your opponent has the first move, you
are dependent on him for the initial decision : will he advance
the King Pawn or the Queen Pawn?
In this section, we assume that your opponent begins with
1 P-K4. Then, if you reply 1 P-K4, you are again con­
fronted with the nightmare of thousands of possible variations.
Will he choose the Ruy Lopez, or the Giuoco Piano, or the
Four Knights' Game, or the Evans Gambit, or the Danish Gam­
bit, or the innumerable variants of the King's Gambit?
Your anxiety about these Unknowns is enough to put you in
a frame of mind which is far from conducive to playing the
best chess of which you are capable. Worse yet, when you can­
not foresee what opening will be played, you cannot plan the
game along lines which are familiar and favorable to you.
Let us see if we can apply some sharp and conclusive think­
ing to this problem. If you reply 1 P-K4, you are ex­
posed, as we have seen, to a terrifyingly large number of pos­
sible openings. The logical decision, then, is to play one of the
so-called "irregular" defenses. By ruling out 1 P-K4, we
also rule out all the variations which result from that move.
This drastic elimination has two valuable features : ( 1 ) it
rules out a huge number of variations, which need no longer be
studied-or feared; ( 2 ) it enables you to play on familiar ter­
rain-to get the kind of middle game you want, to make use of
57
 HO"V TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

leading ideas and basic concepts which you will have studied
and digested previously.
The defense which we recommend for this purpose has the
three qualities previously listed as indispensable for an open­
ing which yields good middle game prospects : ( 1 ) it assures
Black a logical and systematic development which will give
his pieces ample scope in the middle game; ( 2 ) it begins a
stern fight for control of the center from the very first move;
( 3 ) It is immune to changes in style, theory etc. because
Black's characteristic pattern is based on sound strategical con­
cepts.
The recommended line is called the Sicilian Defense: 1
P-QB4. Before considering this defense, we need to correct
a widespread misapprehension about the psychology of play­
ing the Black pieces.
Most players feel at home with White, because they control,
so they think, the choice of opening. Actually, they control only
the choice of the first move. On the other hand, most players
feel uncomfortable with the Black pieces, for reasons that are
obvious. Yet once the first move has been made, Black has a
very valuable choice-one which is often. a veto.
When White plays 1 P-K4, he is generally expecting to play
a specific opening that evolves after the "normal" reply 1
P-K4. But here Black's veto comes into action : by playing a
defense of his choice, he dictates the opening, and conse­
quently the kind of subsequent play, that will result from his
first move.
Here, then, we have one great merit of the Sicilian Defense :
by playing 1 P-QB4, Black announces his terms for the
coming struggle, steers the game into the kind of channels he
wants it to follow. And here another advantage of the Sicilian
Defense soon becomes apparent : since White's second move
( 2 N-KB3 ) is more or less standard, Black can actually select
the particular variation he wants to play.
The form of the Sicilian which he wants is k"'llown as the
 DRAGON VARIATION 59

Figure 4

This is the characteristic Pau;n formation of the DRAGON VARIA­

TION. Note the powerful long diagonal for Black's King Bishop,
and also Black's open Queen Bishop file.

Dragon Variation, possibly from the shape of Black's Pawn

formation ( see Figure 4, shown above). Here are the opening
moves:

1 P-K4 P-QB4
2 N-KB3 N-QB3
3 P-Q4 PxP
4 NxP N-B3

Black develops with a threat ( . NxP ) . Note that he has

brought out two pieces in four moves-a very satisfactory rate
of development.

5 N-QB3
6o HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

White defends with a developing move. You will observe

that he does not have the kind of broad center that we see in
the last four games of this book : his Queen Pawn was removed
as soon as it reached Q4. Consequently Black is in no danger
of being overrun by an overwhelming White Pawn center; a
keen struggle for control of the center is already in progress,
and will continue to rage unabated.

5 P-Q3

This prepares in due course for the development of Black's

Queen Bishop. Once this Bishop moves, Black will be able to
play his Queen Rook to QBl, where it will be functioning on a
half-open file, with White's Queen Bishop Pawn as a potential
target.
Even at this early stage you can see that the Sicilian is a
fighting defense: Black develops rapidly, he fights for the cen­
ter, he creates possibilities for the aggressive functioning of his
forces later on. If White had any ideas about bang-bang attack,
he has had to relinquish them.
6 B-K2 P-KN3 !

DIAGRAM 42
( after 6 P-KN3 ! )
Black prepares to post his
King Bishop on the long diag­
onal.
 DRAGON VARIATION

This and the following Bishop development are the char­

acteristic moves of the Dragon Variation.
7 Castles B-N2

We have gone far enough to get acquainted with the basic

ideas of the Dragon Variation.
The "fianchettoed" Bishop strikes along the diagonal to fight
for control of the center, particularly the square Q5 ( White's
Q4 ) . Black develops favorably and quickly. He cannot be
driven back in the center. Later on he will operate on the half­
open Queen Bishop file. As he has two center Pawns to White's
one, he will often advance in the center to open up the position
for more effective action by his pieces.
Altogether a very cheerful picture for the player of the Black
pieces, and one which is borne out in actual practice. Black has
good fighting chances and an opportunity to plan consbuc­
tively. The basic strategic ideas, as revealed in the illustrative
games, are easy to grasp and :-harply defined. So let us turn to
these games to see how the Dra�'"ln Variation fares against
worthy opponents.
 CHAPTER 7

DRAGON VARIATION

White Cannot Afford Indifferent Play

ONE O F the most attractive features of the Dragon Variation is

that White cannot get by with merely indifferent play. Planless

moves on White's part merely result in a correspondingly promising
middle game for Black.
The game which follows is a good instance. White plays care­
lessly; his center Pawns disappear; his development is slow; Black's
"Dragon" Bishop holds sway over the long diagonal; an advan­
tageous exchange gives Black two long-range Bishops.
All this adds up to a strong initiative for Black. The players
change roles, and the defender ( Black ) becomes the attacker.

SICILIAN DEFENSE
POSTAL GAME, 1 949

WHITE BLACK
A. Giusti M. Nutrizio
i P-K4 P-QB4

As we have seen, Black, by playing this move, avoids all the

innumerable possibilities which stem from 1 P-K4.
In that sense, the Sicilian may be said to be an aggressive de­
fense on Black's part.
It is also aggressive in the sense that Black has certain ideas
of his own which he wants to carry out : he is not merely wait­
ing passively to see what White will do.
62
 DRAGON VARIATION

Before going on to our study of the Dragon Variation

proper, we should note that the most popular reply to 1
P-QB4 is 2 N-KB3, as in the sequence of moves which leads
to the Dragon Variation.
The only alternative second move for White which is en­
countered fairly frequently is 2 N-QB3. This leads almost in­
variably to a complex maneuvering game along these lines : 2
N-QBS; 3 P-KNS, P-KNS; 4 B-N2, B-N2; 5 P-Q3
and now Black has various methods, one of the best being 5
P-KS; 6 B-KS, Q-R4; 7 N-K2, N-Q5; 8 Castles,
N-K2.
As Black has quite a comfortable game with an easy devel­
opment, this line is a favorite, for the most part, with masters
who have made a thorough study of it-and is therefore rarely
encountered in the games of amateurs.
2 N-KB3 N-QB3
3 P-Q4

The advance of this Pawn is desirable and logical, as it

opens up lines of development for White's forces.

DIAGRAM 43
( after 3 P-Q4 )
What is Black's only good re­
ply?

3 . . . • PxP
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

This is the only move worth considering: White must not be

allowed to continue P-Q5 driving back Black's Knight and
getting one of those overwhelming central Pawn structures
which, as we shall see in Part IV (Alekhine-Prat) stifle the op­
ponent's later attempts to get a foothold in the center.
4 NxP N--B3
5 N--QB3 P--Q3
6 B--K2 P--KN3
7 Castles B--N2
The setup achieved here by Black can be considered the
basic formation of the Dragon Variation. The chief character­
istics are these:

Figure 5
This is "the normal position" of the DRAGON VARIATION. Even
at this early stage, the power of the "Dragon» Bishop is felt on th(l

long diagonal.
 DRAGON VARIATION

( 1 ) the King Bishop is fianchettoed to strike along the long

diagonal which has been opened up as a result of the Pawn
exchange on move 3.
( 2 ) Black's Queen Pawn goes to Q3 to give him a Pawn foot­
hold in the center.
Note that Black's fianchettoed King Bishop hits at White's
Q4 just as in the game Scheltinga-Grau ( page 182 ) Black's
fianchettoed Queen Bishop hits at White's K4. Any attempt to
upset Black by P-K5 is well neutralized; and since Black is
perfectly secure in the center, we may forecast a satisfactory
development for him.

DIAGRAM 44
( after 7 . B-N2 )
Black's fianchettoed "Dragon"
Bishop strikes along the long
diagonal.

At this very moment Black is threatening to win a Pawn by

8 NxP ! If then 9 N ( B3 ) xN, Black captures the Knight on
White's Q4. Or if 9 N ( Q4 ) xN, Black replies 9 NxN and
retains the Pawn advantage in the ensuing complications. This
gives us some idea of the power of the fianchettoed Bishop.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 44. )
8 N-N3
By withdrawing the menaced Knight from Q4, White parries
the threat just described. Another way to meet the threat was
66 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

8 B-K3, protecting the threatened Knight with a developing

move.
8 Castles
9 P-B4
White proceeds aggressively in the center, but it would be
more accurate to play the developing move 9 B-K3.

DIAGRAM 45
( after 9 P-B4 )
Black has a surprising
counter.

9 P-QN4 ! ?

A strange-looking move which has points. For White to

answer 10 NxP allowing 10 NxP is hardly desirable-why
give up a valuable center Pawn for a relatively unimportant
wing Pawn?
10 BxP
But this too is a feeble move, as it leads to the transaction
just described.
Best was 10 B-B3 ( guarding the King Pawn ) , P-N5; 11
N-Q5, NxN; 12 PxN, N-R4 leading to a game with equal
chances.
10 NxP !
11 BxN
 DRAGON VARIATION

Or 11 NxN, Q-N3 eh ( double attack 0 ) winning the Bishop

and reestablishing material equality.

DIAGRAM 46
( after 1 1 BxN )
Has Black blundered? I

White has won a piece and seems about to win a second one
with the double attack on Knight and Rook. But Black has a
way out:

11 Q-N3 ch
12 K-Rl QxB

DIAGRAM 47
( after 12 . . QxB )
Black has the advantage.
° For double attack, see Winning Chess, p. 50.
68 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

To formulate a strategical plan in this situation is very easy

for Black. He has two center Pawns, White has none-hence
Black will lord it over his opponent in the center. Black has
two Bishops, both with fine scope; White's minor pieces are in­
effectual ( particularly his Knight on QN3 ) and he has trouble
completing his development. Black has the open Queen Knight
and Queen Bishop files for his Rooks. Of course the ''Dragon"
Bishop strikes powerfully along his diagonal. All these factors
make it a simple matter for Black to find good moves.
If now 13 NxN, QxN; 14 R-K1, Q-N2; 15 P-B3, B-K3
with a perfect "Dragon" position for Black. Hence White tries
another way.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 47. )
13 N-Q5

Threatening to win the Queen by 14 NxP eh-an instance of

double attack.
13 R-Kl

Guarding against White's threat. Note, by the way, that

\Vhite is unable to develop his Bishop because he has to guard
the Queen Knight Pawn, which is attacked by Black's fianchet­
toed Bishop. This is a good example of the "Dragon" Bishop's
powers.
14 P-B3 B-N2

Now the other Bishop is developed effectively ( threat:

QxN ) . Black's Bishops have tremendous sway-and White's
Bishop is not even developed!
Worse yet, as far as White is concerned, is that his Knight
must retreat from Q5. But where?
If 15 N-N4 ? ? there follows 15 N-N6 eh ! ( discov-
ered attack 0 ) followed by 16 QxP mate! This gives us
an idea of the power of Black's Bishop at QN2.
° For discovered attack, see Winning Chess, p. 67.
 DRAGON VARIATION

DIAGRAM 48
( after 14 B-N2 )
Black's Bishops are function­
ing admirably.

15 N-K3

This stops the potential mate at White's KN2, at the cost of

postponing the development of his Bishop.
If given time, White hopes to play N-R5, getting rid of one
of the troublesome Bishops.
15 P-QR4 !

Prevents N-R5. Black consistently cuts down the mobility

of the White Knights.
16 N-Q4 Q-Q2
17 P-B5

Trying desperately for some counterplay.

17 P-K4
18 N-K2 B-KR3 ! ?

Up to this point Black's play has been logical and strong, and
he should now continue P-Q4 with a view to P­
Q5. Black's position would then become overwhelming in short
order.
70 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 49
( after 18 B-KR3 I? )
Black has missed the most
precise line.

19 N-N4 B-N2
20 PxP RPxP
21 N-R6 ch ?
Falling into a diabolical trap.
21 BxN
22 BxB
White's position looks good for the first time, as the black
squares on Black's King-side have been weakened. But White
is hopelessly lost!

DIAGRAM 50
( after 22 BxB )
Black has a brilliant win!
 DRAGON VARIATION 71
22 Q-R6 ! ! I
23 PxQ

If White moves the menaced Bishop, then 23 N-

N6 eh leads to mate next move!

23 N-B7 dbl ch
24 K-Nl NxP mate I

In this game we see how Black can get a strong initiative against
inexact play by White. White's Knights made too many moves; his
Queen Bishop did not get out in time; he surrendered control of the
center. Black on the other hand developed his pieces favorably and
consistently and controlled the center, whereupon opportunities for
attack readily became available.
Black won the game with a clever trap, but his victory was not
accidental : his superior development made the win possible.
 CHAPTER 8

DRAGON VARIATION

11

N ormal P o s ition for B l ack

IN C H A P T E R 7 you saw how powerful Black's position i n the

Dragon Variation can become against inferior play. We purposely
began with a weakly played game by White in order to approach
the problems of this variation in the simplest manner.
That is to say, you had an opportunity to see how Black's pieces
and Pawns are placed in the first ten moves or so. In the later
games, beginning with Chapter 9, you will see how Black's forces
perform against stronger play on White's part.
If you study the characteristic development and function of the
Black pieces, as described in this chapter, you will be amply pre­
pared to meet the stronger lines at White's disposal.
Again we stress the precautionary advice of Chapter 3 : remem­
ber that you must be the judge of timing. You are shown why this
or that move is good; but you must be the judge of when it is
good; when it is in order; when it can be played with maximum
effect.

The Black Pawns

The KING ROOK PAWN remains at KR2.
The KING KNIGHT PAWN plays to KN3 early in the opening to
permit the fianchetto of the "Dragon" Bishop at KN2, the char­
acteristic move of the whole variation.
The KING BISHOP PAWN remains at KB2.
72
 DRAGON VARIATION 73
The KING PAWN generally remains at K2, but on occasion it
advances to K4. As this advance leaves the Queen Pawn back­
ward on an open file, there will generally be good reason for
P-K4. As a rule, the move is tied up with a subsequent
P-Q4. Or, sometimes ( as in Skold-Lundin ) P-K4
makes it possible for Black to gain the square K4 for his pieces.
In most cases, P-K3 is to be avoided in this variation, as
it results in Pawn weaknesses without compensating advan­
tages.
The QUEEN PAWN plays to Q3 early in the opening. When
a favorable opportunity arises, this Pawn advances to Q4 with
a perceptible freeing of Black's game.
The QUEEN BISHOP PAWN disappears very early in the open­
ing through the exchange QBPxQP. Nevertheless, the ex­
pendable Queen Bishop Pawn renders a valuable service, for
this exchange of Pawns makes it impossible for White to ex­
pand into a mighty Pawn center, and also creates a half-open
Queen Bishop file for Black which can be very useful for his
Queen Rook.
The QUEEN KNIGHT PAWN generally remains at QN2. In some
lines ( see Giusti-Nutrizio ) it plays to QN4, even without the
preliminary protective move P-QR3.
The QUEEN ROOK PAWN has varied possibilities. Sometimes it
remains on QR2; in other games it advances to QR3, occasion­
ally to prepare for P-QN4; and sometimes P­
QR4 is played, chiefly with a view to P-R5 harrying a
White Knight at QN3.

The Black Pieces

The KING KNIGHT plays to KBS where it attacks White's King
Pawn and keeps it under observation. Whenever White plays
N-Q5, Black exchanges Knights ( . KNxQN ) opening up
the diagonal for the "Dragon" Bishop. When attacked by P­
K5, the King Knight generally retreats to Kl-though there are
74 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

cases, when Black's position is generally aggressive, calling for

N-K5. Sometimes, after White has loosened up his posi­
tion with P-KB4, Black can venture N-KN5, uncover­
ing his "Dragon" Bishop's powerful diagonal. However, this
discovered attack involves tactical refinements which have to
be studied very carefully by Black.
The QUEEN KNIGHT plays to QB3, where it cooperates with
the "Dragon" Bishop in exerting pressure against Q5 ( White's
Q4 ) . This Knight often plays to the powerful outpost QB5, ar­
riving there via QR4 or K4. At QB5 the Knight is aggressively
posted and often serves as the spearhead of Black's pressure
along the half-open Queen Bishop file. When White finds the
pressure too annoying, he may drive the intruding Knight
away with P-QN3; but in that case his position on the Queen
Bishop file and on the long diagonal has been rendered some­
what insecure.
The KING BISHOP ( the "Dragon" Bishop ) is "fianchettoed" to
KN2 after the preliminary P-KN3. From this square
the Bishop strikes along the diagonal with a masked menace
against White's Knight at Q4, his other Knight at QB3 and his
Pawn at QN2. The Bishop often plays an aggressive role, and
this is especially true when White castles Queen-side and the
Bishop consequently has direct threats against White's King.
In the event that Black is subjected to direct King-side attack,
the "Dragon" Bishop is a useful bulwark of defense.
The QUEEN BISHOP has a more varied role than his colleague.
His most favorable spot is doubtless at K3, where he supports
the contemplated freeing thrust P-Q4 and also supports
the Queen Knight at the outpost QB5. In fact, there are times
when the Queen Bishop acts as outpost at QB5. The develop­
ment B-Q2 is also feasible, but it has a conservative cast
which is not in keeping with Black's aggressive mood when
playing the Dragon Variation.
The KING ROOK comes to KBl via castling. The role of this
 DRAGON VARIATION 75
piece is not too well defined. Generally it will play to Ql in the
event that the Queen £le is opened by means of P-Q4;
or else it may play to Kl to avoid the exchange of the valuable
•'Dragon" Bishop where White has played B-K3 and Q-Q2
with a view to B-KR6, forcing the exchange of Bishops ( see
Clareus-Lynn for an example of this theme ) . Aside from these
possibilities, the King Rook generally remains at KBl during
the middle game.
The QUEEN ROOK, on the other hand, is destined for impor­
tant action. As a rule it plays to QBl ( except on those occasions
when the square QBl is preempted by the Queen, as in Skold­
Lundin ) . Here it exerts pressure along the half-open Queen
Bishop £le, often supporting a Knight at the formidable out­
post QB5. From QBl the Rook also menaces-indirectly, it is
true-White's Pawn at QB2. Indirect though this pressure may
be, it often persists into the endgame, and it has the effect of
inhibiting White's Queen Knight from straying from QB3. This
pressure also has the psychological effect of tying down
White's Queen to the protection of the Pawn at QB2 ( Black's
QB7 ) . Black may well be complacent when he achieves this
effect, since his own Queen is not similarly hampered.
The QUEEN is employed mostly on the Queen-side. She is
posted frequently at QB2, cooperating in the pressure on the
half-open Queen Bishop £le. Sometimes Q-Bl is played,
restraining White from advancing P-KB5 or P-KN4. Some­
times the Queen goes to QR4, after Black's Queen Knight plays
to QR4 and is captured by a White Knight at QN3. The recap­
ture QxN brings the Black Queen to QR4. Sometimes
( and this is particularly true of situations in which White has
played P-KB4 and weakened his position on the diagonal
which leads from Black's QR2 to his KN8 ) Black can bring his
Queen to QN3 with considerable effect. Thus we see that the
Black Queen has many aggressive possibilities, in keeping with
the generally aggressive character of the Dragon Variation.
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Review: Salient objectives for Black

( 1 ) "Dragon" Bishop functions powerfully on the long diagonal.
( 2 ) Black's Queen Knight generally occupies powerful outpost at
QB5 ( after N-QR4 or N-K4 ) .
( 3 ) Black's Queen Rook strikes along the half-open Queen Bishop
file.
{ 4) Freedom achieved by • P-Q4 whenever possible.
.

{5) Whenever White Knight leaves Q4, Black plays • •B-K3.

•

Ensuing P-KB4 ( intending P-B5 ) best met by Q-Bl.

 CHAPTER 9

DRAGON VARIATION

Ill

Black Concludes With a Stunning Queen

Sacrifice

THE D R AG O N V A R I A T I O N calls for sharp play on the part of

Black. But the same obligation falls on White as well.
In the following game White stumbles at move 10. His misdeed
seems a very slight one, yet he soon finds that he has forfeited the
initiative. Black operates on the half-open Queen Bishop file; he
gets his outpost at QB5; the "Dragon" Bishop takes a hand in the
proceedings; White's development lags.
"Suddenly" a stunning Queen sacrifice cuts short any thought of
further resistance on White's part. Study of the game shows that
Black's sacrifice, for all its brilliant quality, is merely a part of the
evolution of a "Dragon"-planned middle game!

S ICILIAN DEFENSE
BUDAPEST, 1933
WHITE BLACK
G. Meszaros I. Wessel
1 P-K4 P-QB4
2 N-KB3 N-QB3
8 P-Q4 PxP
4 NxP N-B3
5 N-QB3 P-Q3
6 B-K2 P-KN3
This and Black's following move are thematic to the Dragon
Variation.
77
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

7 Castles B-N2
8 B-K3 Castles

DIAGRAM 51
( after 8 . Castles )
Black's "Dragon" Bishop ex­
erts pressure on the long diag­
onal.

9 N-N3

White removes his Queen Knight from the jurisdiction of the

"Dragon" Bishop and also restrains Black from playing the
freeing move P-Q4.
The text has a possible drawback : as a rule, Knights are not
too well placed at QN3 as they do not command too much of
the vital center area. The Knight, being a short-stepping piece,
must be near the center to function effectively.
The further course of the game illustrates this point very
impressively.

9 P-QR3

Black has the ambitious idea of P-QN4 followed

by B-N2, in which case Black would have both fian-
chettoed Bishops trained powerfully on White,s center.
An alternative method, and by far the most popular in recent
years, is 9. . B-K3; 10 P-B4, Q-Bl ( see Skold-Lundin ) .
.
 DRAGO� VAR IATIOK
79

Figure 6

One of the most common maneut.:ers in the DRAGON VARIA TION

is the retreat of White's Queen Knight from Q4 to QN3 (generally,
with a view to preventing P-Q4). However, experience
shows that White accomplishes '!Jery little with this decentralizing
of his Knight.

1 0 P-QR4

An instinctive reaction : he prevents P-QN4. But since

Black has other ways of developing, the text offers nothing
positive and amounts in the end to loss of time.
White does better to think of the moves that have to be
played in any event-the moves that fit into the opening pat­
tern . In this case one of the indicated moves is B-BS, in order
to guard the King Pawn as a preparation for the aggressive oc­
cupation of the centcr by N-Q5.
So HOW TO TiflNK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 52
( after 10 P-QR4 )
White is reluctant to allow the
contemplated P-QN4.

But the immediate B-B3 is lifeless because Black can coun-•

ter strongly with N-K4. He can then continue with

NxB eh ( obtaining the positional advantage of two Bishops
against Bishop and Knight ) , or with N-B5 ( establish­
ing a powerful outpost in the open Queen Bishop file, as in the
game Scheltinga-Landau, p. 119 ) .
From this we conclude that if White wants to play B-B3,
he must precede it with P-B4. This is an important move, giv­
ing White control of the valuable square K5. N-K4 is
rendered impossible, and at the same time P-K5 ( expansion
in the center ) becomes potentially feasible.
Thus, when White avoids P-B4 and neglects control of the
center, Black has noticeable freedom of action ( . N-K4 ) ;
when White controls the center ( P-B4 ) , Black's freedom of
action diminishes perceptibly ( . N-K4 is not possible ) .
To sum up, after 10 P-B4, P-QN4; 1 1 B-B3, B-N2
White has a powerful game. ( See Diagram 58. )

In this position White might try a forceful expansion in the

center by way of 12 P-K5 I ?, PxP; 13 N-B5 / creating serious
tactical difficulties for Black.
We return now to the actual game after 10 P-QR4.
 DRAGON VARIATION 81

( Diagram for Variation )

DIAGRAM 53
White has an aggressive for­
mation.
10 B-K3

Black simply continues his development.

DIAGRAM 54
( after 10 . . B-K3 )
White's initiative is spent.

Now it is not easy to find a promising continuation for

White.
If 11 P-R5 ? ( to prevent N-QR4 ) there follows 11
BxN; 12 PxB, NxRP and Black has won a Pawn.
11 N-Q5 ? also loses a Pawn ( 11 . . NxP ) .
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

11 P-B4 prevents N-K4 but allows 11 N-QR4

( threatening N-B5 ) ; 12 NxN, QxN leading to a per­
fectly satisfactory game for Black, similar to that of the actual
continuation.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 54. )
11 N-Q4

A grievous loss of time, completely negating the effects of

9 N-N3. This loss of two tempi by the Knight will leave Black
ahead in development!
11 NxN
12 BxN Q-R4

DIAGRAM 55
( after 12 . Q-R4 )
.

White is condemned to pas­

sivity.

What will be Black�s plan in this position? He is ahead in

development, and is ready to deploy his Rooks. Where? On the
half-open Queen Bishop file, of course. The pressure on this
file will create an uncomfortable situation for White, as
White's Pawn at QB2 is a potential target for attack.
It is impossible to say just what this pressure will lead to,
but this much is clear : whatever initiative there is in this posi­
tion is in Black's hands. We may therefore reasonably conclude
 DRAGON VARIATION

that the defense has been quite satisfactory and that Black can
face the future with confidence.
13 P-B4 QR-Bl

Played according to plan.

The only halfway aggressive idea at White's disposal is 14
P-K5. But after 14 P-K5, PxP; 15 BxKP, KR-Q1 Black has
increased his advantage in development and has another open
£le for his Rooks. And after 14 P-K5, PxP; 15 PxP, N-Q2
White's isolated King Pawn is condemned to death.
14 B-B3

Possibly with some notion of playing P-K5 or N-Q5. But

now Black sets up his outpost at QB5 with good effect.
14 R-B5 !

DIAGRAM 56
( after 14.. R-B5 ! )
There are combinations i n the
air!

Interestingly enough, no sooner does Black set up the the­

matic outpost at QB5 than the "Dragon" Bishop suddenly takes
a hand in the proceedings.
If, for example, White wants to drive away the intrusive
Rook, we get this variation : 15 B-K2, RxB I; 16 QxR, N-N5 /
 HOW TO TillN K AHEAD IN CHESS

( discovering an attack on White's Queen by the "Dragon''

Bishop ) and Black's all-powerful Bishops assure him a winning
advantage :
I. 17 Q-Q3, Q-B4 eh; 18 K-R1, N-B7 eh; 19 RxN,0
QxR and Black has much the better game because of his two
Bishops powerfully trained on White's Queen-side.
II. 17 P-K5, PxP; 18 Q-K4 ( if 18 PxP, BxP; 19 Q-K4,
BxP eh; 20 K-R1, Q-R4; 21 BxN, BxB and the discovered
check will kill White ) , Q-N3 eh; 19 K-R1, QxP and White
is helpless against the triple threat of N-B7 eh or
QxR or QxN.
What is more important than the analytical details of these
variations is the way in which Black's Bishops bear down ir­
resistibly on White's vulnerable Queen-side.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 56. )
15 R-Kl N-N5 !

Again the "Dragon" Bishop announces his presence!

With White's King Rook on K1 instead of on KBI, the situa­

tion is much more critical for White. If 16 BxB ?, Q-B4 eh; 17
0 White must avoid smothered mate: 19 K-N1, N-R6 eh; 20 K-R1,
Q-NB eh ! !; 21 RxQ, N-B7 mate!
 DRAGON VARIATION

K-B1, Q-B7 mate; or 17 K-R1, N-B7 eh; 18 K-N1,

N-R6 eh; 19 K-R1, Q-N8 eh!!; or 17 B-Q4, RxB and no
matter what White plays, his Queen must go lost by discovered
check. 0
( We return now t o the position of Diagram 57. )
16 N-K2 ?

"'Relatively" better was 16 BxN, BxB eh; 17 K-R1, BxB; 18

QxB, BxN; 19 PxB, QxBP with an easy win for Black.
16 RxB ! I

Black, as we shall see, is thoroughly justified in relying on

the power of the "Dragon" Bishop.
1 7 NxR

17 QxR ch J J

This stunning Queen sacrifice is the real explanation o£

Black's previous move. It is all done for the greater glory of
the "Dragon" Bishop.
18 QxQ BxN ch
° For discovered check, see Winning Chess, p. 80.
86 HOW TO TIDNK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 59
( after 18 . BxN eh )
. .

The "Dragon" Bishop winds

up the combination.

White has a Queen for two minor pieces, and yet he is help­
less against the ..Dragon" Bishop!
If now 19 K-Bl, B-B5 eh; 20 B-K2, NxP mate! Or 19
K-Bl, B-B5 eh; 20 Q-K2, BxQ eh and Black comes out a
piece to the good.
19 K-Rl N-B7 eh
Resigns

For after 20 K-Nl the discovered check 20 N-Q6 eh

wins White's Queen and leaves Black a piece ahead.
This sprightly little game has a number of important morals. It
shows, in the first place, that White must develop purposefully in
the Dragon Variation and cannot afford the luxury of second-rate
moves. The game also proves that Black's outpost at QB5 plays a
vital tactical as well as strategical role. And finally, the game rein­
forces in a vivid way the impression that the "Dragon" Bishop,
though masked, is always lurking in the background, waiting for a
suitable opportunity to play a decisive part in Black's counterplay.
 CHAPTER 10

DRAGON V A RIATION

IV

Vigorous Counterattack

THERE are games in which the approach of the crisis must be

watched with the greatest care. Overlook the crisis, or underesti­
mate it, and you may find your game hopeless.
In this game the criss
i comes on the tenth move. If Iacklillows
his position to be encircled by the threatened P-BS, he will be
eft with a difficult and perhaps hopeless game.
Luckily Black does realize the critical nature of the situation. He
Ll'eacts vigorously, and thus assures himself a promising middle
game in which he gradually assumes the initiative.
We see here the intimate connection between opening and mid­
dlegame. failure of nerve in the opening stage may render the en-
• g middle game hopeless. An incisive, courageous acceptance of
the challenge of the opening will, contrariwise, lead to good pros­
pects in the middle game. The Dragon Variation is particularly rich
in such critical decisions.

SICILIAN DEFENSE
STOCKHOLM, 1947
WHITE BLACK
K . Skiild E. Lundin
1 P-K4 P-QB4
2 N-KB3 N-QB3
3 P-Q4 PxP
4 NxP N-B3
87
88 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

5 N-QB3 P-Q3
6 B-K2 P-KN3
7 Castles B-N2

DIAGRAM 60
( after 7 . B-N2 )
Black's "Dragon" Bishop is
ready for action.

This setting for the Dragon Variation has now become fa­
miliar to us. Black's "Dragon" Bishop on KN2 strikes power­
fully along the great diagonal, and particularly at \Vhite's Q4.
Hence White's retreat on the following move :
8 N-N3

Getting out of the jurisdiction of the ..Dragon" Bishop and

also avoiding any awkwardness resulting from a pin by
Q-NS after White plays P-B4.
8 Castles
9 B-K3 B-K3
10 P-B4

It is not easy for Black to find a suitable continuation here.

In earlier times, the standard continuation was 10 N-
QR4, playing for the establishment of the customary outpost
at QB5. However, it was found that after 11 P-B5, B-B5;
12 NxN, BxB; 13 QxB, QxN; 14 P-KN4 / Black's game is
 DnAGON VARIATION

extremely uncomfortable. The Pawn-storming attack leaves

Black with no really satisfactory counterplay, and he is thus
burdened with a dreary position in which passive defense is
his only course.

Eventually the masters were forced to conclude, on the basis

of disheartening experience, that 10 N-QR4 would have
to be discarded.

Figu�e 7

Black is confronted u;ith one of the gravest problems in the

DRAGON VARIATION: how to maintain the centralized position
of his Bishop at K3.
10 Q-B l /

The possibilities are now too complex for Black to formulate

a detailed plan. But be can see this far ahead: White's P-B5
90 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 61
( after 10 P-B4 )
White's contemplated ad­
vance of the King Bishop
Pawn threatens to be annoy­
ing.

is to he restrained, and . . . P-Q4 is to be forced sooner or

later. Where . • P-Q4 turns out to be impossible, Black will
.

concentrate on enhancing the scope of the "Dragon" Bishop.

DIAGRAM 62
( after 10
. .Q-Bl !)
.

Black has prevented the trou­

blesome advance of the King
Bishop Pawn.
Black's Queen move has two important functions : it pre­
vents P-B5 and it also prevents P-N4. Thus Black obtains a
breathing spell for developing his game and organizing some
 DRAGON VARIATION 91
counterthreats before he is annoyed by either P-B5 or P-N4.
- Whi
te's plan, of course, should center about trying to force
either or both of these Pawn thrusts. But -he is hampered by
the fact that his off-side Knight at QN3 has nothing to contrib­
ute to any vital action along these lines.
11 P-KR3

This move threatens, or seems to threaten, P-N4.

11 • • • • R-Ql /

DIAGRAM 63
( after 1 1 . R--Ql / )
. .

Black plans action in the cen­

ter.

Black's last move, made possible by 10 Q-B1 /, i9

. . .

based on a very important idea ; a wing thrust can be parried

effectively by a center thrust1
The specific application of this important principle in the
present situation is that if White ventures 12 P-N4, Black
counters with 12 . . . P-Q4 /
In that case, 13 PxP can be answered by 13 NxQP and • • .

Black has opened up the game very favorably.

Or if 13 P-K5, N-K5 !; 14 NxN, PxN; 15 Q-K1, P-KN4 /
undermining White's King Pawn and remaining with a strong
initiative.
92 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

( We return now to the position of Diagram 63. )

12 B-B3

Displeased with the above variations, White concentrates on

preventing . . . P-Q4.

12 • • • • B-B5 !

DIAGRAM 64
( after 12 . . . B-B5 ! )
Black has an important ad­
vance in mind.

13 R-B2 P-K4 !

Instead of waiting passively for White to carry out his plari

of playing P-N4 and P-B5, Black advances strongly in the
center.
The advance of Black's King Pawn makes an unpleasant im­
pression at first glance, because it closes the diagonal of the
"Dragon" Bishop and creates a backward Queen Pawn.
Yet these drawbacks are more apparent than real. In the first
place, the possibility that Black's Queen Pawn can advance to
Q4 is by no means ruled out. In the second place, the "Dragon"
Bishop's diagonal can only be closed permanently in the eve!'t
that White exchanges Pawns in the center; but in that case
Black takes over the open Queen file and also gets a powerful
 DRAGON VARIATION 93

DIAGRAM 65
( after 13 . . P-K4 ! )
.

A crucial question : i s Black's

advance of the King Pawn
strong or weak?

outpost at Q5 for his Knight-not to mention the fact that his

backward Queen Pawn has been liquidated!
And of course one of the great virtues of 13 . . . P-K4 ! is
that it forces some kind of crucial decision regarding the Pawn
center: whether White captures now, or allows Black to cap­
ture, the possibility of White's playing P-B5 is permanently
ruled out. Thus Black is relieved of further worry about the
one serious menace which has been hanging over his head ever
since the middle game planning began.
14 R-Q2

He realizes that 14 P-B5 can be answered powerfully by

14 . . . P-Q4 !; hence he concentrates on the backward
Queen Pawn-sane, sensible, logical procedure. But Black
knows how to take suitable countermeasures.
14 PxP
15 BxBP N-K4 !

Calmly leaving the seemingly weak Queen Pawn in the

lurch. Actually Black is resourcefully aware of his counter­
chances. How these counterchances arise is interesting: by
94 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

playing 14 . . PxP Black created a valuable square at K4 for

.

his Queen Knight. This is one of the most important center

squares, and the Knight's possession of it is all the more domi­
nating b e cau se of the fact that he cannot be driven away by a
White Pawn.

DIAGRAM 66
( after 15 . . N-K4 ! )
.

A puzzling position for \Vhite.

Just how White is to handle this position is quite puzzling.

There does not seem to be any way to proceed advantageously!
The proof:
I. 16 RxP ? ( the most obvious ) , RxR; 17 QxR, NxB eh; 18
PxN, QxP and Black has a winning game because of White's
broken-up King-side. Thus we see that pouncing on the appar­
ently weak Queen Pawn confers no blessings. Suppose, then,
White tries other ways.
Il. 16 N-Q5 ? ( to occupy an apparently strong outpost ) ,
NxB eh; 17 QxN, NxN; 18 PxN, BxNP winning a Pawn with no
compensation for Black.
Ill. 16 B-K2, BxB and Black obtains strong pressure : 17
RxB, N-B5; 18 B-Bl. Here Black's powerful outpost at QB5
functions with ideal power. Worse yet for White ( after 17
. . . N-B5 ) is 18 R-N1, NxNP ! again winning a Pawn.
IV. 16 BxN, PxB; 17 RxR eh, QxR; 18 QxQ eh, RxQ; 19
N-R5, B-QR3; 20 R-Q1, RxR eh; 21 BxR, B-B1 ( the
 DRAGON VARIATION 95
"Dragon" Bishop takes a new diagonal ) . Despite the simplifi­
cations, Black has the better of it: his backward Queen Pawn
has disappeared and his Bishops have long diagonals.
White still has equality, but the position is psychologically
discouraging : the much-vaunted initiative conferred by the
first move has completely disappeared. In such positions a
player can easily become rattled because he finds it difficult to
reconcile himself to the fading away of the prospects to which
he considers himself entitled.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 66. )
1 6 K-Rl
This noncommittal move is clear indication that \Vhite is at a
loss for a meaningful continuation and waits for Black to give
him his cue.
16 • • • • N-Kl

He gives the backward Queen Pawn additional protection

and opens the "Dragon" Bishop's diagonal.
17 N-Q4 Q-QB4
18 B-K3 Q-R4
19 N-N3 Q-B2

DIAGRAM 67
( after 19 . . . Q-B2 )
Black has improved the posi­
tion of his Queen.
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Black's Queen moves have not been as meaningless as they

seemed. White's King Knight is back on its useless post at
QN3, his Bishop at K3 no longer bears down indirectly on the
backward Queen Pawn.
The position of Black's Queen ( on QB2 instead of on QBI )
has been improved for reasons that will soon become clear.
At first sight it seems that White has a good move in 20
N-Q5 occupying a strong outpost. But this impression is de­
ceptive : after 20 N-Q5, BxN; 21 RxB, NxB; 22 PxN, BxP
Black has won a Pawn.
( ·we return now to the position of Diagram 67. )

20 R-B2 P-N3
21 B-Q4 QR-B l
22 B-K2 P-Q4 !

Black rids himself of the backward Queen Pawn and at the

same time opens up the Queen file for his King Rook. The text
signifies complete liberation for Black.

DIAGRAM 68
( after 22 . . . P-Q4 ! )
Black has achieved emancipa­
tion!

23 PxP BxP
24 NxB RxN
 DRAGON VARIATION 97

DIAGRAM 69
( after 24 . . RxN )
.

White is definitely on the de­

fensive.

Now that Black's Rook is functioning effectively on the

newly-opened Queen file, White may expect some uncomfort­
able moments from the pin ° on his Bishop at Q4.
To render his position secure, White should now support the
pinned Bishop with 25 P-B3. Instead, in his haste to extricate
himself from the pin, he runs headlong into a vicious attack.

25 Q-KBl ? N-Q3 /

A powerful move which White has overlooked or under­

estimated. The immediate threat is . . . N-K5 or . . . N-B4
with the ugly possibility of forking 0 0 White's King and Queen
by . . . N-N6 eh.
White's position is much more difficult than it appears to be
at first sight.
Suppose he tries 26 B-KB3, attacking Black's Rook on the
Queen file. Then we get 26 . . . RxB !; 27 NxR, NxB; 28 NxN,
N-K5 ! The double threat of 29 . . . N-N6 eh and 29 . . .
NxR eh regains the exchange for Black, and in addition the
"Dragon" Bishop swings into action as Black winds up with 30
° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
00
For the fork, see Winning Chess, p. 29.
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 70
( after 25 . . N-Q3 ! )
.

White is at a loss for a good

move.

. . . BxP, winning a Pawn and leaving White's Queen-side

Pawns in a split, hopelessly compromised state. This variation
is enormously interesting to students of the Dragon system; for
all the tactical curlicues amount to nothing more than a prepa­
ration for 30 . . . BxP. The ''Dragon" Bishop has the last
word!
Or if 26 BxN, BxB; 27 B-B3 ( there is no time for 27 P-B3,
as 27 . . . N-K5 ! wins the exchange ) , N-B4 !; 28 Q-Bl,
R/Q4-Ql. Black has a winning position, as all his pieces are
admirably posted for aggression, while White's pieces are mis­
erably placed. One possibility is 29 P-B3, B-N6; 30 R-B2,
B-B5; 31 Q-Kl, N-N6 eh; 32 K-Nl, R-Kl and White is
lost, for example 33 Q-Ql, B-K6 eh; 34 K-R2, N-B8
dbl eh and mate next move.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 70. )
26 B-R6

Foreseeing the loss of the exchange, White plays to win the

exchange himself. The sequel works out as anticipated-up to
a point!
26 • • • • N-K5 !
 DRAGON VARIATION 99
Threatening the gruesome fork . . . N-N6 eh.
27 K-Nl NxR
28 BxR

If he captures the Knight on KB2, Black moves away his at­

tacked Rook and remains the exchange ahead.
Or if 28 BxN/K5, NxP eh; 29 PxN, RxB; 30 BxR, QxB and
White is lost because of the hopelessly exposed position of his
King.

DIAGRAM 7 1
( after 2 8 BxR )
Stealthy but powerful inter­
vention by the "Dragon'"
Bishop.

28 • • • • N-K5

For reasons that will at once become clear, this involves

threats which in the long run cannot be parried.
White no longer has any satisfactory defense : thus if 29 B­
N4, NxB ( threatening mate ) wins a piece for Black.
Or if 29 BxN, BxB keeping White's Bishop under attack
while threatening the brutal 30 . B-R7 eh; 31 K-Rl,
. .

N-N6 eh winning the Queen. ( Again the "'Dragon" Bishop

has the last word! )
29 B-R6
100 HOW T O THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Now comes a brusquely decisive attack.

DIAGRAM 72
( after 29 B-R6 )
Black is ready for the final
onslaught.

29 . • • • RxB !
30 NxR N-N5 !

The crushing point of Black's sacrifice of the exchange.

DIAGRAM 73
( after 30 . . N-N5 ! )
.

Black threatens mate on the

move!

This is an instance of double attack : 0 Black threatens 31

. . . Q-R7 mate and also 31 . . BxN eh; 32 K-Rl, N-N6
.

° For double attack, see Winning Chess, p. 50.

 DRAGON VARIATION 101

mate. Again we see that Black's combination derives from the

power of the "Dragon" Bishop on the diagonal.
Now as to White's defenses : if he tries 31 PxN, then 31 . . .
BxN eh; 32 K-R1, N-N6 eh wins the Queen.
If 31 N-B3 ( preventing mate and saving the Knight ) , then
Black wins by utilizing the device of the "overworked
piece" : 0 31 . . . B-Q5 eh!! In that case, 32 NxB is an-
swered by 32 . . . Q-R7 mate and 32 K-R1 is met by 32
. N-N6 mate.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 73. )
31 Q-Q3

Now Black wins the Queen by force!

DIAGRAJ\1 74
( after 31 Q-QS )
White's Queen is lost!

31 Q-R7 eh
32 K-Bl Q-R8 ch
33 K-K2 QxP eh !
Resigns

White has the choice between :

I. 34 K-K1, Q-B7 eh; 35 K-Q1, N-K6 eh; 36 K-B1,
Q-K8 eh and mate next move.
° For the overworked piece, see Winning Chess, p. 89.
102 HOW TO TinNK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 75
( after 33 . . QxP eh ! )
.

Checkmate or win of White's

Queen!

II. 34 K-Ql, Q-N8 eh ( 34 . . . N-B7 eh winning the

Queen, is of course good enough ) ; 35 Q-Bl ( if 35 K-K2,
Q-B7 eh forces the previous variation ) , N-K6 eh winning
the Queen.
This game illustrates the enormous power of the "Dragon"
Bishop when the Black forces are skillfully managed-note the
large number of variations in which the scope of this Bishop is con­
vincingly evidenced.
In addition, 10 . . . Q-B1 ! is shown to be an immensely val­
uable move in neutralizing White's contemplated Pawn-storming
attack ( P-B5 followed by P-N4 ) .
1 1 . . . R-Q1 ! is also important because of the resulting pos­
sibility of advancing Black's King Pawn or Queen Pawn according
to circumstances. By keeping the center fluid Black underlines the
power of the "Dragon" Bishop.
 CHAPTE R 11

DRAGON VARIATION

White's Queen-side Castling Proves a Fiasco

No S Y S T E M of chess teaching can provide for every contin·

gency. Yet there are two vital factors which can guide you when
confronted with unexpected moves. One is the co�fidence you have
from knowing that the line you have chosen-Dragon Variation­
is essentially sound against all possible lines and has stood the test
of time for decades. The other important factor is this : when a sur­
prise move turns up, you must be prepared to look for the weakness
which lurks behind the flashy appearance of the unexpected move.
In the following game, it is White's Queen-side castling which
furnishes the surprise. But, as we shall see, the sturdy Dragon Vari­
ation is not to be bowled over by this brash line of play. What is
even more interesting is that Black quickly puts his finger on the
essential weakness of White's Queen-side castling : the vulnerable
position of White's King.
Far from being taken aback, the player of the Black pieces im­
mediately adjusts himself to the situation and unleashes an irresist­
ible attack. The result is a crashing victory for the Dragon Varia­
tion, and a game which is extremely valuable for the student.

S ICILIAN DEFE NSE

POSTAL GAME, 1 945
WHITE BLACK
B. Clareus A. G. Lynn
1 P-K4 P-QB4
103
104 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

2 N-KB3 P-Q3
3 P-Q4 PxP
4 NxP N-KB3
5 N-QB3 P-KN3
6 B-KN5

DIAGRAM 76
( after 6 B-KN5 )
White plans Queen-side cas­
tling!

White's last move is one that we have not encountered pre­

viously. That is because he is following a different plan this
time: he intends to castle on the Queen-side. He therefore mo­
bilizes his Queen-side forces more rapidly than he would ordi­
narily, when contemplating King-side castling.
6 B-N2
7 Q-Q2 N-B3
8 Castles Castles

We have now reached a point where we can fruitfully in­

quire into the logic behind White's Queen-side castling.
As we have seen earlier, the possibility of Pawn captures
and recaptures is a very important factor in planning the
course of a game. These captures and recaptures result in line­
opening. And this line-opening in turn creates highways for
the movements of our forces in aggressive mood.
 DRACON VARIATION 105

Figure 8

White's castling Queen-side in any line of the DRAGON VARIA­

TION is a warning that he contemplates an all-out attack. The en­
suing play will eaU for llair-sharp timing on both sides.

In this case, White's basic tactical idea is to play P-KR4

and P-KR5 followed by PxP, taking advantage of the fact
that Black's King Knight Pawn is at KN3. Once White has
played to KR5, he is certain of opening the King Rook file, and
having the Black King's address (at White's KNB) he will
muster his heavy artillery on the newly-opened King Rook file
to operate against Black's King.
To carry out this idea, White needs tc play P-KN4 as well
(to support the King Rook Pawn on KRS ). This advance in
turn requires the protective advance P-KB3. White's policy,
then, is a Pawn-storming attack on the King-side. Given this
policy, it would be foolish for White to castle King-side: his
1 06 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

King would only be in the way of his pieces, and in fact might
even be exposed to dangerous counterattack after the advance
of White's Pawns. According to this line of reasoning, White's
King is much safer at QBl-hence Queen-side castling.

DIAGRAM 77
( after 8 . . Castles )
.

What is White's attacking

plan?

9 N-N3
This is the usual move made by White to avoid any tactical
tricks due to the fact that White's Knight at Q4 was directly
attacked by Black's Knight at QBS and indirectly attacked by
the ··nragon" Bishop at KN2.
So far we have studied the situation only from White's point
of view. He means to execute a Pawn-storming attack against
Black's King. What does Black intend to do about this threat?
What are Black's resources?
The answers to these questions will give us the complete de­
tails of Black's plan for the rest of the game.
In the first place, from the narrow aspect of passive defense,
Black's ··nragon" Bishop is a tower of strength. Thus, if White
opens the King Rook file and posts his Queen at KR2, he does
not threaten Q-R8 mate because the "Dragon" Bishop at KN2
guards the square KRl ( KRl in Black's camp, KR8 in
White's ) .
 DRAGON VARIATION

DIAGRAM 78
( after 9 N-N3 )
What resources does Black
have for counterattack?

Of course, this "threat" is not very menacing at the moment,

for to execute it White requires no less than seven moves. But
it would be foolish for Black to be lulled into a sense of secu­
rity because of the remoteness of the threat. The sensible re­
action is : "White needs seven II? oves to carry out his threat.
What can I do in the meantime?"
Black's first concrete conclusion is that he must be careful to
guard his precious "Dragon" Bishop from removal by ex­
change.
Black's second conclusion is that he must utilize the pre­
cious seven moves' grace to initiate a counterattack. With
what?
His counterattacking resources are considerable. In the first
place, as we have seen in earlier games, the "Dragon" Bishop
points directly at White's QN2. Generally this threat is of a
strategic nature-but not here. For after White's castling
Queen-side, his King is the target. His King is not so safe at
QBl after all.
Secondly, as we know from earlier games, Black has an im­
portant weapon in the half-open Queen Bishop file. Once he
places a Rook at QBl, he exerts pressure on White's Knight at
QB3 ( already menaced by the "Dragon" Bishop ) and thence
I 08 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

on White's Pawn at QB2. But here again this generally strate­

gic threat has tactical significance : it is aimed at White's King.
Third, Black can occupy the outpost at QB5, say by . . .
N-K4 and . . . N-B5 ( after due preparation ) . This threat,
likewise generally of a strategic character, also becomes tacti­
cal because of the presence of White's King.
Fourth, when Black plays . . . B-K3, he has a potential
menace against White's Queen Rook Pawn. As a rule, this
Pawn is guarded by White's Queen Rook. Here this protection
is lacking because the Rook is now at Q 1.
Fifth, Black has the possibility of advancing his Queen Rook
Pawn to QR6. When the Pawn gets to QR5, it will drive away
the White Knight now at QN3 which helps to guard White's
King. When the Queen Rook Pawn get.:; to QR6, it will force
the removal of White's Queen Knight Pawn from QN2. But
this will weaken the position of White's Queen Knight at QB3,
already menaced on the long diagonal by the "Dragon"
Bishop and on the half-open Queen Bishop file by Black's
Queen Rook on QBL
So we see that Black really has considerable resources for
punishing White's King. With White concentrating on smok­
ing out Black's King at KN8 and Black concentrating on smok­
ing out White's King at QB8, we have a very exciting game in
prospect. What matters now is the timing. One inexact move
may spell the difference between victory and defeat.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 78. )
9 • • • • B-K3

And here is such an inexact move. Black should first play

9 . R-K1 ! so that he can answer 10 B-KR6 with 10 . . .
. .

B-R1 / retaining the "Dragon" Bishop. ( See Diagram 79. )

10 K-Nl
But White is inexact too. Exploiting Black's last move, he
should play 10 B-KR6 ! forcing the removal of Black's valu-
 DRAGON VARIATION 1 09

DIAGRAM 79
( after 9 . . B-K3 )
.

White can dispose of the

"Dragon" Bishop.

able "Dragon" Bishop ( obviously 10 . . . B-R1 ? is answered

by 11 BxR winning the exchange ) .
The text has its points. By playing the King to QN1, White
gives his vulnerable Queen Rook Pawn additional protection.
But he loses an important tempo for attack.
10 • • • • R-Bl

Again Black is inexact. Intent on prosecuting his counter­

attack, he neglects to preserve his "Dragon" Bishop by playing
10 • • R-K1 / ( See Diagram 80. )
•

11 P-B3

Preparing to begin the Pawn-storming attack with P-N4

followed by P-KR4 and P-R5. But again White has neg­
lected to remove the "Dragon" Bishop by B-KR6.
11 o • o o R-Kl !

Now Black is certain of being able to retain the "Dragon"

Bishop as 12 B-KR6 can be answered by 12 o B-R1 !
• •

With this vital point established once for all, Black's counter­
attack can flourish. ( See Diagram 81 . )
1 10 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 80
( after 10 . . . R-B 1 )
Again Black permits the re­
moval of the "Dragon..
Bishop.

DIAGRAM 81
( after 1 1 . . . R-Kl I )
Now the "Dragon.. Bishop is
safe from exchange.

( We return now to the position of Diagram 81. )

1 2 P-N4 N-K4 !

Preparing for the powerful infiltration . N-B5; as we

. .

know, occupying this aggressive outpost is one of the key fea­

tures of Black's policy.
13 B-K2
 DRAGON VARIATION 111

DIAGRAM 82
( after 13 B-K2 )
Black is building up menacing
pressure on the Queen-side.

It has already become clear that Black's threats are maturing

much more rapidly than White's. White has not even begun to
force open the King Rook file, while Black is concentrating his
pieces against the White King in a really menacing manner.
Note also that White's Knights are useless as far as participat­
ing in the attack is concerned.
Black can now play 13 . . . N-B5, but instead he hits on a
much more effective move.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 82. )

13 • • • • N/B3-Q2 !

His idea is to play . . . N-N3, after which he is certain of

keeping a Knight on QB5 no matter how White proceeds. This
is bound to be disastrous for White.
Another useful point about the text is that it unmasks the
"Dragon" Bishop for action against White's King.
14 B-KR6

Too late! ( See Diagram 83. )

14 • . . . B-Ri t
 1 12 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 83
( after 14 B-KR6 )
Black naturally avoids the ex­
change of the "Dragon"
Bishop.

Now that Black's King Rook is at K1, he can simply avoid

the exchange of Bishops.
15 P-KR4

And this is another case of cctoo little and too late." Black
simply continues with his own attack. ( We no longer call it a
"counterattack," as it is obvious that it is Black who is the real
aggressor. )
15 • • • • N-N3

Going ahead with his plan of stationing a Knight on QB5.

16 P-R5 N/K4-B5
17 BxN NxB
18 Q-R2
White seems almost on the point of achieving his objective.
His Queen and King Rook are on the King Rook file, which he
is about to open with 19 PxP. But meanwhile Black has placed
his forces in menacing positions and even at this stage he can
shatter his opponent's castled position with 18 . . . NxP.
Instead, he stops for a clever interpolation.
 DRAGON VARIATION 113

DIAGRAM 84
( after 18 Q-R2 )
White's position on the King
Rook file seems to promise a
winning attack.

( We return now to the position of Diagram 84. )

18 P-KN4 ! I

Beautiful play.

DIAGRAM 85
( after 18 . . . P-KN4 ! ! )
Black has prevented the open­
ing of the King Rook file.

Black has paused in his attacking maneuvers to sacrifice a

Pawn in order to avoid the opening of the King Rook file.
As is often p ointed out in this book, Pawn captures result in
1 14 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

line-opening. By playing . . . P-KN4 ! ! Black prevents the

opening of the King Rook file and thereby paralyzes the fur­
ther unfolding of White's attack. The loss of the Pawn is a
trifling matter in comparison with the breaking of White's
attack.
19 BxP
If 19 R-Q3 ( to give the Knight at QB3 additional protec,
tion ) then 19 . B-K4 ! followed by 20 . P-B3 puts
. . . .

White's Bishop out of play permanently.

19 • NxP !
• • •

Smashing up White's castled position. The carefully pre­

pared attack now bursts over White's King with murderous
force.

DIAGRAM 86
( after 19 . NxP / ) . .

White's castled position is

toppling.

20 KxN RxN !
Even stronger than 20 . . BxN eh-for by threatening the
.

fearsome double check 21 RxN eh � Black gains time for

. . .

increasing the pressure on the Queen Bishop file.

21 K-Nl Q-B2 !
� For double check, see Winning Chess, p. 85.
 DRAGON VARIATION 115

Black does not bother with the gain of a Pawn ( 21 • . ,

RxKBP ) as he wants to win in the quickest manner.
22 B-Bl P-R4 !

White's protective Knight at N3 must be removed.

DIAGRAM 87
( after 22• . P-R4 1 )
•

White•s protective Knight

must be removed.

28 Q-Q2

23 B-N2 does not help, as Black imperturbably strengthens

his grip on the position with 23 . . . R-QBl / and if 24 BxR,
QxB threatening mate. Then, after 25 N-Q4, R-B5 White
would have to cry "uncle."

28 P-R5
24 N-Q4

White thinks he has closed the terrible long diagonal, but he

is immediately undeceived. The powerful Black Bishops are
too much for him. ( See Diagram 88. )
24 BxP ch ! l
25 KxB Q - B5 ch
26 K-Rl
1 16 HOW TO TIDNK AHEAD IN CHESS

( after 24 N-Q4 )
Black's powerful Bishops are
admirably posted for attack.

After 26 K-Nl Black works out pretty much the same kind
of finish with 26 P-R6 intending 27
. • • P-R7 eh. • • .

26 K-N2 simply loses time ( 26 P-R6 eh ) . . . •

DIAGRAM 89
( after 26 K-R l )
The 'Vhite King and the
"Dragon" Bishop are on the
same diagonal!

26 • • • • RxQBP
Taking advantage of the fact that White's Knight is pinned. •
° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
 DRAGON VARIATION 1 17
27 Q-N5 ch K-Bl
28 B-N2 RxB /
29 KxR R-Bl !

DIAGRAM 90
( after 29 . . . R-Bl ! )
The ..Dragon" Bishop's pin
proves decisive.

Black's chief threat is now 30 Q-N6 eh; 31 K-R1,

• . .

R-B7. Note that White's Knight, being pinned by the

"Dragon" Bishop, cannot capture the Queen or Rook He is .

therefore helpless against the mate threat.

30 Q-K3
Or 30 Q-Q2, Q-N6 eh; 31 K-R1, R-B7 winning the
Queen!
30 • • • • Q-N5 ch
Resigns

If 31 K-R2, R-B7 eh !; 32 NxR, Q-N7 mate ( the

"Dragon" Bishop is still cooperating! ) .
If 31 K-R1, R-B7 ( thanks to the "Dragon" Bishop! ) ; 32
R-QN1, BxN eh ( the "Dragon" Bishop delivers the final
blow! ) and mate follows.

From this splendid game we learn that White's attempt to play

for attack by castling Queen-side recoils on him becau.se Black's
118 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 91
( after 30 . . Q-N5 eh )
.

White's King has no refuge.

"Dragon" Bishop acquires fearful attacking powers. The Bishop is

ably seconded by Black's play in the half-open Queen Bishop file,
supplemented by the posting of a Black Knight at QB5.
Bear in mind that in this type of game, with both players striv­
ing for sharp attack, accurate timing is of the essence. Any move
that does not conform to the thematic ideas of the variation may
lead to defeat. However, study of this game demonstrates that
Black has every reason for confidence in the resources at his dis­
posal.
 CHAPTER 12

DRAGON VARIATION

VI
Relentless Positional Pressure by Black

DESPITE its rather sedate course, this game is perhaps our most
dynamic example of the Dragon Variation. There is drama in this
game, but the tension is well concealed.
On the surface, White seems to have a perfectly satisfactory and
even aggressive position. Yet, bit by bit, he is driven back until he
finds himself quite helpless in the grip of Black's well-posted pieces.
The dramatic nature of this game becomes apparent only on
analysis. Careful examination shows that it is the elements of the
Dragon formation that bring about White's downfall. One by one,
these elements appear and gain cumulative power, until White''
downfall becomes obvious and imminent.

SICILIAN DEFENSE
MATCH, 19 3 9
WHITE B LACK
T. D. van Scheltinga S. Landau
1 P-K4 P-QB4
2 N-KB3 P-Q3
3 P-Q4 PxP
4 NxP N-KB3
5 N-QB3 P-KN3
6 B-K2 B-N2
7 Castles N-B3
8 B-K3
1 10
1 20 HOW TO TlllNK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 92
( after 8 B-K3 )
White has given his Knight at
Q4 added protection.

White's last move guards his Knight on Q4 from attack by

• •NxP. ( This threat was explained in Giusti-Nutrizio, page
•

62, where White played 8 N-N3 to parry the threat. )

Not only is 8 B-K3 a useful protective move; it also has the
virtue of developing a new piece.
8 Castles
9 P-B4

DIAGRAM 93
( after 9 P-B4 )
The advance of White's King
Bishop Pawn has pros and
cons.
 DRAGON VARIATION 121

Figul'e 9

White'sP-KB4 is a favorite attacking method in tile DRAGON

VARIATION. But the advance of the King Bi.shop Pawn also has its
drawbacks if White does not observe due care in neutralizing the
power of the "Dragon" Bishop.
This stops Black from freeing himself by . . . P-Q4. How­
ever, 9 N-N3 is the approved method of stopping . . . P-Q4
-at least for some time to come.
The advance of White's King Bishop Pawn does not really
"prevent" . . . P-Q4; but it effectually discourages Black all
the same, for if now 9 . . . P-Q4; 10 P-K5 leaves Black with
a very uncomfortable position.
Thus we see that 9 P-B4 is an aggressive move. (It can also
have the aggressive point of being combined in a Pawn storm:
P-B5 and P-KN4, with the demolition of Black's King-side
as the goal of White's advance. )
1 22 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

To a player of moderate strength, the forceful aspect of 9

P-B4 is quite obvious. What is less obvious to such a player­
or reader-is that 9 P-B4 weakens White on the diagonal
leading to his King ( from Black's QR2 to White's KN1 ) by
opening up the diagonal and by removing the Pawn protection
previously extended to the Bishop on KS by the White Pawn
on KB2. With the general loosening of White's security on this
important diagonal, there is a new shakiness in the position of
his Knight on Q4. The Knight is now slightly, but subtly, more
vulnerable to threats from Black's ..Dragon" Bishop.
It seems logical, therefore, for Black to play 9 . . . Q-N3.
The combined action of the Black Queen ( on the diagonal
QR2-KN8 ) and the Black King Bishop ( on the diagonal
KR1-QR8 ) seems an ideal example of action by the ..Dragon»
Bishop. Yet, attractive as this combined pressure may seem, it
creates problems for Black rather than for White!
9 .. Q-N3 threatens . . . QxP as well as . . . NxP un­
.

masking the power of Black's "Dragon" Bishop. If White pro­

ceeds passively against 9 . • Q-N3, he soon finds himself
•

in trouble, for example 10 Q-Q3, N-KN5 / ( the ccthreat» of

10 . . . NxP P is now inoperative because of the surprising re­
ply 11 N-Q5 I attacking the Queen and winning a piece ) ; 11
N-Q5, BxN I !; 12 NxQ, BxB eh; 13 K-R1, BxN and with
three minor pieces for the Queen, Black is ahead in material.
So far, so good-for Black. But White has a much more en­
terprising way of meeting 9 .Q-N3. In the complicated
. .

variation just shown, Black's "Dragon" Bishop plays a great

role. Hence White needs a line of play in which the power of
the c'Dragon" Bishop is minimized or completely wiped out.
This is how it is done ( after 9 . . Q-N3 ) : 10 P-K5 I, PxP;
.

11 PxP, NxP; 12 N-B5 / ( attacking the Queen ) , QxP; 13

NxP eh, K-R1; 14 B-Q4, N-N1; 15 N-N5, Q-N5; 16
N-Q5. White has a terrific initiative at the nominal cost of a
Pawn; Black's game is disorganized and his Queen out of play.
It is therefore understandable that Black prefers to by-pass
 DRAGON VARIATION 123

these dubious complications b y playing 'possum and choosing

a noncommittal continuation.
9 • • • • B-Q2

Quietly continuing his development and awaiting future de­

velopments.

DIAGRAM 94
( after 9 . . . B-Q2 )
Black is prepared to begin op­
erations on the half-open
Queen Bishop file.

10 K-Rl

White wants to render himself less vulnerable by moving his

King off the dangerous diagonal. But he should be thinking
hereabouts,� about playing N-N3, for reasons that will soon
become clear.
10 • • • • R-Bl
Black opened the Queen Bishop file for himself when he
played 3 . . . PxP in the opening. Now he develops the Queen
Rook to this half-open file, where it exerts pressure against
White's Queen Bishop Pawn. For the time being this pressure
is masked, but the game can easily take a turn after which the
pressure will become direct.
11 B-B3 ?
1 24 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

White wants to post his Queen Knight aggressively at Q5

and in order to do this he must first guard his King Pawn. But
this plan, laudable as it is, has not been adequately prepared.
The right move was 11 N-N3 and if 11 . . . N-QR4; 12
NxN, QxN; 13 B-B3 with fighting chances for both players.
11 • . . . N-QR4 !

DIAGRAM 95
( after 1 1 . . . N-QR4 ! )
Black's Queen Knight is
headed for the powerful out­
post QB5.

Black's last move indicates that he has formed his plan of the
future play by combining thematic elements of the Dragon
Variation. Thus, Black has increased his power in the half­
open Queen Bishop file by playing to post his Qu�en Knight
at QB5. Here the Knight is really menacing, for he attacks the
White Bishop at K3 and also White's Pawn at QN2. Even after
these threats are neutralized, the invading Knight is still an un­
friendly neighbor, as will be seen.
In addition, Black's Queen Rook will exert powerful pres­
sure on the Queen Bishop file, with White's Queen Bishop
Pawn as a welcome target.
Finally, Black will shapti the game in such a way that
White's Knight on Q4 and his Bishop on KB3 have little scope.
This calls for an eventual . . . P-K4 !
 DRAGON VARIATION 12 5

( We return now to the position of Diagram 95. )

12 B-Nl
Eliminating one of White's liabilities. Note that 12 P­
QN3 ? ( to prevent . . . N-B5 ) is out of the question because
of 12 . . . RxN. This is a portent of greater difficulties to
come, in consequence of the Black Rook's power on the half­
open Queen Bishop file.
12 . • . . N-B5
The Knight is strongly posted in enemy territory, and 13
. . . NxNP is threatened.
13 P-QN3
He reacts instinctively to the Knight's annoying presence;
but now the Knight becomes even more annoying!
13 . • • • N-R6
Exposing White's Knight on QB3 to attack by the Black
Queen Rook. At the same time White's Pawn at QB2, which is
"fixed" on its square, is stamped as a vulnerable target for
attack.

DIAGRAM 96
( after 13 . . . N-R6 )
Black has developed strong
pressure along the Queen
Bishop file.
1 26 HOW TO TffiNK AHEAD IN CHESS

It is not so easy for White to neutralize the hostile pressure

on the Queen Bishop file. Thus if 14 NjB3-K2 ? Black wins a
piece by 14 . . . P-K4 /
Or if 14 N/Q4-K2, Q-R4; 15 Q-Q3, N-N5 ( now the
"Dragon" Bishop gets into the act ) and Black's pressure on the
Queen Bishop file has been powerfully augmented by diagonal
pressure as well.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 96. )

14 N-Nl

To retreat the Knight to its original square makes a bad im­

pression. On the other hand, getting rid of Black's obstreperous
Knight is a distinct achievement for White.
14 NxN
15 RxN P-K4 /

At first sight this move comes as a surprise because it closes

the diagonal of the "Dragon" Bishop. But Black knows what he

DIAGRAM 97
( after 15
• .P-K4 ! )
.

The scope of White's Knight

will now be sadly limited.

is about: he foresees that there are ways in which this Bishop

can come to life again; and his immediate objective is to de-
 DRAGON VARIATION 127

prive White's Knight of any sq uares on which he can function

usefully.
16 N-K2 B-B3

Whereas the mobility of White's Knight has been reduced to

a minimum, Black's Queen Bishop has become more active.
White's King Pawn requires additional protection.
Note, by the way, that if White now plays 17 BxP ? be loses
a piece : 17 . . . P-N3 ! cuts off the Bishop's retreat, and 18
Q-B2 wins the Bishop.
17 PxP

'The alternative 17 Q-Q3 is answered by 17 . . . P-Q4 !

with a dynamic upsurge of energy in Black's position. 'The sud­
denly liquid position of the Pawn center, with its coming ex­
changes of Pawns, portends new opening of lines; and in par­
ticular, the "Dragon" Bishop comes to life again. If 18 KPxP,
NxP and Black's pieces are beautifully posted.
White therefore discards 17 Q-Q3 and plays to exchange
Queens. This is a sound procedure, because the generally ag­
gressive character of Black's game signifies favorable poten­
tialities for his Queen-whereas the generally lifeless character
of White's game signifies a dearth',1, of possibilities for White's
Queen. However, Black's positional advantage is so marked
that the exchange of Queens does not offer White too much
relief.
17 PxP
18 QxQ KRxQ
19 N-N3

White's simplifying strategy has not brought him any relief.

His Rooks are useless, while Black's Rooks are active. Black's
Queen Bishop attacks the King Pawn, and his colleague ( the
•'Dragon" Bishop ) can be usefully deployed at KBl keeping an
eye on two good diagonals.
128 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 98
( after 19 N-NS )
White's Knight is still unfor­
tunately posted.

White's Knight is in a bad way, having no scope to speak of

and being limited to defensive work. The outlook for White
is very poor.
19 • • • • P-KR4 !
Threatening . . . P-R5 which would win the King Pawn
through the forced removal of the protective Knight. The text
is also part of a long-range policy dedicated to harrying
White's Knight into immobility.
If White now tries 20 BxQRP, Black achieves a very favor­
able position with 20 . . . R-Rl; 21 B-N6, R-Q7 etc.
20 KR-Kl R-Q7
21 BxQRP RxBP
Black's initiative persists.
22 P-QR4 B-Bl !
Now the ··nragon" Bishop is off his original diagonal, but
there are menacing possibilities all the same. Thus Black
threatens 23 . . . B-N5; 24 R-KS ( on other Rook moves,
the King Pawn goes lost after . . . P-R5 ) , N-Q2 ! cutting
off the retreat of White's Queen Bishop and having in view the
dreadful threat of 25 . . R-i U winning the Bishop!
.
 DRAGON VARIATION 1 29

DIAGRAM 99
( after 22 B-Bl ! )
. . .

White will gradually succumb

to the relentless pressure.

From this point on, Black's Rook on the seventh rank plays
an important role in the gradual increase of the pressure on
White's game.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 99. )
23 B-Ql

23 B-Nl leaves White's pieces in a jumbled mes1 ; while if

23 B-K3 White must lose a Pawn by retreating his Knight
after 23 . . . P-R5; for if 24 B-N5 ?, N-R2 !; 25 BxP, P­
KN4 winning a piece!
23 . . • • R-R7

The unwelcome intruder remains on the seventh rank. Black

· is still threatening to win the King Pawn by . P-R5. . .

24 QR-Bl

Pinning 0 Black's Queen Bishop so that White's King Pawn

is immune from capture.
24 • • • • P-R5 !
25 N-Bl
° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
1 30 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 100
( after 25 N-B l )·

Black's Rook on the seventh

rank plays a decisive role.

Obviously Black cannot play 25 . . . NxP ? because of 26

RxN etc. But Black has a stronger line :
25 . . . . P-R6 !

For if 26 PxP ( or 26 P-KNS ) Black wins the exchange with

26 . . . BxP eh! (t
On 26 B-B3 Black plays 26 . . . PxP eh; 27 BxP, R-Ql
with. unrelenting pressure. White's position is. bound to� in,
as his pieces are tied down and his King Pawn is vulnerable.
Black's grip on the position will be strengthened by . . . R­
Q6 and ultimately Black should be able to double Rooks on
the seventh rank with devastating effect.
What makes all the difference in the world between the'
prospects of both players is that Black's superior opening deJ
velopment left his pieces in aggressive positions; White's infe­
rior opening development left his pieces in passive, ineffectual
positions. i['his is particularly noticeable if one compares the
respective positions of the Rooks.
26 N-N3 RxNP !
° For discovered attack, see Winning Chess, p. 67.
 DRAGON VARIATION

Now the threat is 27 . . . NxP !; 28 NxN, BxN; 29 RxR,

R-K7 eh with a debacle for White. Or 27 NxP !; 28 . . o

RxN, BxR; 29 RxR, RxN eh and mate next move.0

27 R-B4
White gives the King Pawn the needed extra protection by
putting his Queen Rook on a square where it enjoys protection
by another White unit.
To maintain the initiative, Black seizes a new open line :
27 . • • • R-Ql /

DIAGRAM 101
( after 27 . . R-Q 1 ! ) .

White's pieces are tied down

to purely defensive tasks.

Black's last move has unpinned his Bishop on QB3. In addi-

tion he has threats of . . . R-Q6 or R/Ql-Q7. o o •

28 B-K3
In order to prevent . o o R/Ql-Q7.
28 . . . . R-Q6 !
The pressure has reached a point where White hardly has a
move to his name, for example 29 B-Nl, B-R3 followed by
0 Discovered check. See Winning Chess, p. 80.
1 32 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 102
( after 28 . . . R-Q6 ! )
Black's pressure will soon
yield results .
. . . B-B5 ( menacing White's King Pawn ) and White can­
not last very long.
Or 29 B-N5, RxB; 30 RxR, N-N5 ( threatens mate as well
as 31 . . . RxP eh; 32 K-N1, R-N7 eh and 33 . . . RxN ) ;
3 1 R-Q2, N-B7 eh; 32 RxN, RxR and the threats of . . R­
•

QN7 and . . . P-B4 will be decisive.

( We return now to the position of Diagram 102. )
29 B-QB2 R/Q6xB !
30 RxR N-N5

DIAGRAM 103
( after 30 . . N-N5 )
.

Black threatens mate on the

move in two different ways!
 DRAGON VARIATION 133

81 R-KB3 B-R3

The c'Dragon" Bishop enters upon the scene. Black is now

ready to recover the exchange without any diminution of the
pressure.

DIAGRAM 104
( after 31 . . . B-R3 )
The "Dragon" Bishop aug­
ments Black's pressure.

82 N-Bl N-B7 eh
83 RxN RxR

Black threatens ( a ) 34 . . . RxN mate; ( b ) 34 . . . P-B4;

( c ) 34 . . . B-Q2 followed by . . . B-N5 and . . . B­
B6 eh. And there is still another threat!
( See Diagram 105. )

84 K-Nl

There is no way out for White. If 34 N-N3, P-B4; 35 K­

Nl, R-N7 eh; 36 K-Rl, P-B5 winning a piece as in tht?
game.
1 34 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 105
( after 33 . . . RxR )
Black has four threats!

84 R-N7 eh
85 K-Rl RxB /

DIAGRAM 106
( after 35• •RxB ! )
•

Black's sacrifice of the ex­

change wins a piece.

White resigns, for after 36 RxR, BxP eh he is a piece down

with a hopeless game.

This encounter has taken an extremely instructive course. Black

carried out one of the most important thematic ideas of the Dragon
Variation by playing his Queen Knight to the valuable outpost
 DRAGON VARIATION 135

QB5. In his efforts to dislodge the intruder, White lost time and
weakened his position. Having a clear initiative, Black steadily im·
proved his game by posting a Rook strongly on the seventh rank
and concentrating on White's weak King Pawn.
Appraising the effect of these policies on White's position, we
---
observed that throughout the game his Knights had no scope, his
Bishops did not function aggressively, his Rooks were tied down to
defensive tasks.
Black's initiative, and White's inability to fight back effectively,
may both be �ace,d back to White's inexact play in the opening.
He weakened his position on a vital diagonal, he allowed the out·
post to be established at his QB4, he did not follow up his develop·
ment systematically. These seemingly minor faults added up to a
catastrophe.
 \\fg PART THREE *

Playing With the Black Pieces

Ag·ainst 1 P-Q4
 CH AP TE R 1 3

Wh at D e f e n s e S h all I Play
Agai ns t 1 P-Q4 . . . ?

IN 1 92 7 , when Frank Marshall was preparing to sail for

London to play in an international master tournament, he ap­
proached friends with the half-comic, half-plaintive query:
··what defense shall I play against 1 P-Q4 . . . ?" If one of
the greatest players in the history of the game felt this way
after thirty years, what are lesser mortals to say?
The fact is that finding a defense against 1 P-Q4 is no
laughing matter! Most of us have been brought up on 1 P-K4,
and we find something uncongenial in the lines of play which
evolve from 1 P-Q4. There is not the slightest doubt that 1
P-Q4 leads to just as many-if not more-brilliant possibili­
ties; yet many of us cannot repress a feeling of being at home
in the King Pawn openings, and a related feeling of strange­
ness as regards the Queen Pawn openings. ( One of the reasons
for recommending the Stonewall Attack for White is the recog­
nition of the prejudice many players have against the Queen
Pawn openings! )
Yet this attitude, irrational as it may seem, is grounded in
solid fact. The Queen Pawn openings require considerable ma­
neuvering skill, abounding as they do in positional finesses. It
is fatally easy for Black to commit some obscure positional mis­
take early in the game, leaving himself with the bleakest of
middle game prospects. Worse yet, there are any number of
variations in which he is condemned from the start to a seri­
ously constricted position. And constricted positions, as the
1 39
1 40 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

great Tarrasch so truly observed, have in themselves the germs

of coming defeat.
The worst defect of many Black formations in the Queen's
Gambit Declined is the Pawn position. With most of Black's
Pawns frequently placed on white squares, the activity of
Black's Queen Bishop is so circumscribed that the Bishop is
virtually degraded to the status of a Pawn. Here is a case in
point:

DIAGRAM 107
Black's Queen Bishop has no
scope to speak of.

The mobility of Black's Queen Bishop, hemmed in by its

own Pawns, has been so severely reduced that it is hardly an
exaggeration to say that Black is practically a piece down for
the middle game and the ending. At all events, Black is suffer­
ing from an affiiction which has not been visited on his oppo­
nent. Decades ago the masters became expert at exploiting
this type of advantage, and the ability to utilize it has seeped
down into the ranks of lesser players.
Should Black, in order to avoid these difficulties, resort to the
so-called "irregular defenses"? Should he consult an opening
manual to study the Nimzoindian, Queen's Indian, King's In­
dian, or Gruenfeld Defenses? Excellent as these lines of play
are, they have the grave drawback, from our point of vi�w,
that their proper handling requires a minute knowledge of the
 LASKERS DEFENSE

fine points of position play, not to mention thorough familiarity

with a great number of variations.
We come back, then, to the idea of declining the Queen's
avoiding the constricted type of mid­
Gambit and, if possible,
dle game position which it generally involves for Black. Is
there a defense which avoids this difficulty? There is such a
defense, and it is known as Lasker's Defense.
The object of this defense is simplificaion.
t From the very
start Black has in view the exchange of several pieces. These
exchanges free his game by ridding him of pieces that past ex­
perience tells us will have little mobility. And these Black

Figure 10

Note the magnificent development of Black's "problem" Bishop to

KN.5, which is characteristic of LASKER'S DEFENSE. Compare
this with the miserable situation of the same Bishop in Diagram 107.
 HOW TO TinNK AHEAD IN CHESS

pieces are to be exchanged against White pieces which, as we

likewise know from experience, will have considerably more
mobility than their Black opposite numbers.
In each example of Lasker's Defense, then, Black's strategi­
cal plan is based on simplificatioll:.:. Black proceeds on the the­
ory that once he has carried out several exchanges, his devel­
opment can then proceed comfortabl and he will no longer
be in danger of finding himself in a "s ueeze' which gradually
becomes more and more unbearable. At the same time, as
Black successfully avoids a constricted position, he also solves
satisfactorily the puzzling riddle of developing his "problem·
child" Queen Bish�E !��aj:is[a�tory :qlg!!!!_�._ ____ -- --------
- --

--l In each of the following games, therefore, the criteria of

_Black's success are that he frees h!�-���ion by sir_n_R�f.Yi!!&..
..
and that his Queen Bishop is satisfactorily mobilized. When
Black achieves these objectives, he has solved his opening
problem conclusively and can look forward to the middle game
with complete confidence in his prospects.
 CHAPTER 14

LASKER'S DEFENSE

A NYONE who has had trouble defending against the Queen's

Gambit-and who hasn't? -will marvel at the ease with which
Black obtains an excellent game.
As we have emphasized, the keynote of Lasker's Defense is sim­
plification. Each exchange makes Black's position less burdensome?
the exchange of center Pawns permits the effective development of
his "problem" Bishop; before long, Black has real threats and works
up a devastating initiative.

QUEEN'S GAMBIT DE CLINED

ARGENTINE CHAMPIONSHIP, 1 948
WHITE B L A C K

Martinez C. Guimard
1 P-Q4 P-Q4
2 P-QB4 P-K3
Black plays 2 . . P-K3 because he must fight for control
.

of the center, by supporting his Queen Pawn. The Alekhine­

Piat game ( page 199 ) forcibly illustrates the consequences of
omitting this move, 2 P-K3. Black's pieces areJ>anish¥'1,
. . .

from the center because he lacks a center Pawn to assure him

a foothold in that vital area.
Mter 2 . .P-K3, as played here, Black is assured of that
.

foothold which is so valuable to him; should White at any time

play PxP, Black replies . . . PxP and in this way retains con-
1 43
1 44 HOW TO TIDNK HESS r .
AHEAD � IN

trol of his K5. Thus White's expansion in th center by P-K4

is restrained and there is no likelihood that Black can be
smashed by a concerted advance of the White Pawns.
3 N-QB3 N-KB3
Each of these Knight moves has a bearin&_ as you see, on the
control of the vital center square known as K4 from White's
side of the board, and K5 from Black's side of the board.
4 B-N5

DIAGRAM 108
( after 4 B-NS )
The fight for control of the
center is in full swing.
White develops another piece, and this move too has a bear­
ing on control of the vital center square K4 ( Black's K5 ) . For
Black's Knight on KB3 is now pinned, 0 and hence it does not
play a role any longer in the struggle for control of the center.
4 . . . . B-K2
A useful move. It develops another Black piece, and it pre­
pares for castling. Even more important is the fact that it re­
leases the pin on the King Knight, so that this piece is again
able to take part in the struggle for control of the center.
5 N-B3 Castles

° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.

 '
LASKER S DEFENSE 145

Note that the move 5 . . . PxP ? , always attractive t o inex­

perienced players, would not win a Pawn. Worse yet, the cap­
ture would be quite bad . .
In reply to 5 . . PxP White simply plays 6 P-K4, monop­
.

olizing the center and immediately regaining the Pawn with

the developing move 7 BxP. So we see that for the time being
at least, Black is well advised to stick to his basic plan of main­
taining a Pawn at Q4.
6 P-K3

DIAGRAM 1 09

( after 6 P-K3 )
White's formation leads to ag­
gressiveness-Black's, to pas­
sivity.
White's position in the center is more modest than in the
Alekliine-Prat game ( page 199 ) , but he can nevertheless be
well satisfied with his position.
The situation now arrived at is seen very frequently in mod­
ern play. It leads generally to a type of game which is exceed­
ingly difficult for Black because of his cramped position. His
worst problem is that of developing the Queen Bishop, which
is hemmed in by the Black King Pawn. ( White's Queen
Bishop, on the other hand, is aggressively posted at KN5. )
There are other troublesome aspects to Black's game. His
Queen has no good squares. ( \Vhite's Queen can play to QB2
or QNS or-after B-QS-to K2. )
1 46 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Black's King Bishop fulfills a purely defensive function on

K2, breaking the force of the original pin on the Knight at
KB3. ( White's King Bishop, on the other hand, will have a fine
post at Q3, trained on the castled position of Black's King. )
Even Black's Queen Knight is a problem. If played to QB3,
it blocks Black's chances of . . . P-B4-a move that is needed
to create capturing possibilities with resulting open files for the
Rooks,W The dilemma here is that . . . N-QB3 looks natural
but closes important files to the Black Rooks; while . . . QN­
Q2 leaves the possibility of . . . P-B4 open but leads to a
cramped position.
What Black needs, then, is a defense which banishes all or
most of these difficulties, and also neutralizes some of the fa­
vorable factors at White's disposal.
We need a defense which results in the exchange of some
pieces, so that Black can get � � for his remaining
forces, while at the same time White's initiative loses some of
its sting.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 109. )
6 • . • • P-KR3
Feeling out White's intentions. Thus if 7 BxN, BxB and
Black's position has become somewhat freer and his possession
of two Bishops against a Bishop and Knight gives him good
prospects for the la'ter play.
The move . . . P-KR3, moreover, has potential uses : it cre­
ates an escape square for the Black Monarch which may be­
come necessary during the future course of the game; it may
also serve as a prop for a later King-side attack, with . . . P­
KN4. As . . . P-KR3 can be played here without loss of time
( White must move a developed piece for the second time ) ,
Black gets i t in at no cost to himself.
7 B-R4
Mter 7 B-B4 Black continues 7 . P-B4 with a satis-
. .

factory position ( he will proceed with . . . N-B3 and then

 LASKER'S DEFENSE 147

. . . P-QN3 and . B-N2, solving the problem of the

Queen Bishop ).

7 . . • . N-K5 !

. This is the key move of Lasker's Defense, the line of play

which we recommend for Black. It has the virtue of eliminat­
ing a great number of inordinately difficult alternative varia­
tions, and narrowing the play down to a very small number of
lines in all of which White must allow at least one exchange
with consequent easing of Black's constricted position.

Figure 11

The key to LASKER'S DEFENSE lies in the early . N-KS !

. •

which gives Black a chance to simplify and thus obtain a freedom

which is beyond his grasp in most variations of the QUEEN'S GAM­
BIT DECLINED.
1 48 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Whether he likes it or not, White must now agree to some

simplifying exchange. Here are some of the possibilities :
I. 8 B-N3, NxN; 9 PxN, P-QB4 and Black develops com­
fortably with . . . N-B3 and . . . P-QN3 and . . . B-N2.
11. 8 NxN, PxN; 9 BxB, QxB; 10 N-Q2, P-K4 ! This line of
play will be discussed in more detail later on.

DIAGRAM l lO
( after 7
. . N-K5 ! )
.

Black seeks freedom through

simplifying.
8 BxB QxB

Black's position has visibly improved. His King Knight has

an aggressive position at K5. His Queen is well situated at K2.
White has had to part with a well-posted Bishop for Black's
rather passive King Bishop.
Black is even a bit ahead in development! Both players have
developed two pieces, but Black is castled, while White's King
is still in the center. True, Black still has to solve the problem
of his Queen Bishop:
White has several possible systems of development at his dis­
posal, but Black can look forward to any of them with quiet
confidence.
Thus, if 9 B-Q3, NxN; 10 PxN, PxP !; 1 1 BxP, P-QN3 !
followed by . . . B-N2 giving the Black Bishop a beautiful
long diagonal. Rarely is Black lucky enough to find such a
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE 1 49

DIAGRAM 1 1 1
( after 8 . . QxB )
.

Black's position has become

more comfortable.
happy solution for his "problem child" in this opening! Giving
up Pawn control of the center is unobjectionable when it is
superseded by Bishop control of the center.
If 9 Q-B2, NxN; 10 QxN, P-QB3 and eventually Black
will develop his. Bishop satisfactorily.
If 9 NxN, PxN; 10 N-Q2 and now Black momentarily ig­
nores his attacked Pawn, playing 10 . . . P-K4 ! ( It would
be a mistake for White to reply 11 NxP because of 11 . . .
PxP; 12 QxP ? ?, R-Q1 ! and White's Knight is lost. ) To re­
capitulate : after 9 NxN, PxN; 10 N-Q2, P-K4 ! the continu­
ation might be 11 P-Q5, B-B4 ( beautiful development for
the Bishop! ) ; 12 Q-B2, N-Q2 !; o 13 B-K2, B-N3; 14
0-0, P-KB4. Black can follow up with . . . N-B4, giving
him a splendid game. All of his opening difficulties have been
solved.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 111 . )
9 PxP
Obviously this cannot be answered by 9 . . . PxP ? for then
10NxP wins a Pawn.
0 Black does not mind offering a Pawn, as after 13 NxP, BxN; 14 QxB,
Q-N5 eh he regains the Pawn most advantageously. Double attack. See
Winning Chess, p. 50.
1 50 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 1 12
( after 9 PxP )
More simplification!

9 NxN
This saves the Pawn-and of course Black is glad to simplify
some more.
10 PxN PxP

DIAGRAM 1 13
( after 10 . .PxP )
.

Note the open line for Black's

Bishop!

"Suddenly" the problem of Black's Queen Bishop is solved!

The Bishop's diagonal is opened, and such moves as . . . B­
K3 or . . . B-B4 or . . . B-N5 have now become possible.
Note that this favorable turn of events has come about be-
 LASKER'·s DEFENSE

cause of the previous exchange of Pawns. Another conse­

quence of this Pawn exchange is that Black has a half-open
King file, so that he can exert pressure on the important square
K5 with his Queen, or in some cases, with a Rook. Always
study Pawn captures for their effects in opening files and diag­
onals and thus enhancing the mobility of your pieces.
Black's basic strategic idea of simplification has yielded him
a satisfying measure of freedom. Now his aim is to bring out
his pieces rapidly, fighting for the initiative.
11 Q-N3
White attacks the Queen Pawn and at the same time keeps
the Queen Knight Pawn under observation, impeding the de­
velopment of Black's Bishop.
11 • • • • R-Ql
11 . . P-QB3 is inferior, as it takes away the square QB3
.

from Black's Knight ( see Black's 13th move ) .

11 . . . Q-Q3 is the usual move nowadays, the idea being
to reserve the square Ql for the Queen Rook.
12 P-B4 PxP
At last Black gives up his Pawn control of K5, but he intends
to take counter-measures against the possibility of White's cen­
ter Pawns becoming too powerful.
13 BxP N-B3

This takes the sting out of a possible N-K5 by White.

Black's last move ( 13 . . . N-B3 ) seems at first sight a
contradiction of what was said in the note to 6 P-K3 ( page
145 ) about the need for not blocking the Queen Bishop Pawn.
The general theory is that the Queen Bishop Pawn must be
played to QB4 before the Knight is developed at QB3. If the
Knight is played out first, the opportunity for Pawn exchanges
is lost and the Rooks will have no open files on which to oper­
ate. ( See the game Alekhine-Prat-page 199-on this point. )
1 5.2. HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 1 14
( after 13 . N-B3 )
. .

The Knight is developed with

gain of time.
In the present case, however, Black's Rooks can be placed
usefully on the King file and Queen file. Hence Black has no
great interest in opening the Queen Bishop file for his Rooks.
But 13 . . N-B3 has many valuable aspects. As we have
.

observed, it takes the sting out of White's contemplated N­

K5. It also threatens 14 . . . N-R4, with the possible sequel
15 Q-B3, NxB; 16 QxN, B-K3 ( splendid development of the
Bishop with gain of time ) ; 17 Q-B3, B-Q4 and Black has a
highly effective Bishop against a mediocre Knight. Most play­
ers would give their eye-teeth for as good a position as · this
against the Queen's Gambit!
Still another virtue of 13 . . . N-B3 is that it induces
White to relax his pressure against the Queen Knight Pawn, so
that Black can at last develop his Bishop.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 114. )
14 Q-B3
Forestalling a possible . . . N-R4. But now Black's Bishop
can come out.
14 . . . • B-N5 !
This is quite in order now, as his Queen Knight Pawn is no
longer under attack.
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE 1 53

DIAGRAM 1 15
( after 14 . . . B-N5 / )
Black's "problem" Bishop is
developed!

The initiative has slipped from White's hands; he is afraid . to

castle, for after 15 Castles ( K ) , BxN; 16 PxB the rampart of
protective Pawns in front of the castled King is broken up and
Black has good attacking chances with . . . R-Q3 in con­
junction with . . . Q-N4 eh or . . . Q-R5. Such exposed sit­
uations are particularly dangerous for inexperienced players.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 115. )
1 5 B-K2

White thinks he is playing safe, but he cannot avoid com­

plications.
15 BxN !
16 PxB

He dismisses 16 BxB because of 16 . . . NxP I ( the King

Pawn is pinned ) ; 17 BxP, QR-N1; 18 B-R6, Q-B3 ( threat­
ening a catastrophe for White by 19 . . . N-B6 eh or 19
. . N-B7 eh 0 ) ; 19 PxN, QxB and the exposed position of
.

White's King is bound to be fatal.

16 . . . . R- Q3
1 7 KR-Nl
0 Double attack, See Winning Chess, p. 50.
1 54 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

White wants to attack on the open King Knight file. His

threat is 18 P-Q5 ( attacking the Knight and menacing QxP
mate ) , N-K4; 19 P-B4 and the pinned Knight is lost, for if
19 N-N3; 20 P-B5, N-K4; 21 P-B4. 0
17 . • • • NxP / /
A retort as beautiful as it is unexpected.

DIAGRAM 1 1 6
( after 17 . N xF !! )
. .

Sacrifice or investment?!

18 R-Ql

If 18 PxN, R-K1; 19 Q-K3, R-K3 winning the pinned

Bishop!
18 • • • • N-K3

The Knight retreats unharmed and guards against the

threatened mate at Black's KN2.
19 P-B4

This time his threat is 20 P-B5, N-N4 ( the only Knight

move which prevents the mate ) ; 21 P-KR4 again winning the
fatally pinned Knight.
° For this pinning motif ( which recurs in the notes to White's 18th
and 19th moves ) , see 'Winning Chess, p. 7.
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE I55

19 RxR ch
20 BxR R-Ql /

It would seem that he overlooks White's threat.

21 P-B5

White looks forward to 21 . . . N-N4; 22 P-KR4 winning

a piece because of the mating threat against Black's KN2.
21 • • • • Q-Q3 !

Nicely played. White has no time for 22 PxN ? ? because of

the reply 22 . . . QxB mate!
White cannot play 22 Q-Rl ( guarding the Bishop and still
maintaining his threat against Black's KN2 ) because of 22 . . .
Q-Q7 eh winning a piece with easy victory in sight.
22 Q-B2 guards the Bishop but renounces the mating
threat.
22 B-B3 allows 22 . . . N-N4 ! as a valid reply because
of the threatened 23 . . . NxB eh followed by . . . NxR.
22 B-B2 or 22 B-N3 allows 22 . . . N-N4 when 23 P­
KR4 ? can be answered by 23 . . . N-B6 eh forking King and
Rook.
1 56 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

22 B-N4 is meaningless because it blocks the open King

Knight file, putting an end to the mate threat.
On 22 B-K2 Black can play 22 . . . QxP attacking the
White Rook. Play might continue 23 R-N4 ( keeping the mate
threat alive ) , N-N4; 24 P-B4, Q-R8 eh; 25 B-Bl, 0 N­
B6 eh; 26 K-B2, R-Q7 eh; 27 K-N3, Q-NB eh; 28 KxN,
QxB eh; 29 K-K4, Q-RB eh and mate follows.
22 B-R5 QxP

DIAGRAM 1 18
( after 22 . . . QxP )
White's attack is more bark -
than bite.

23 BxP eh

Desperation. He hopes for 23 . . . KxB, giving him time tc

play 24 PxN eh with threats against Black's King.
23 • • • • K-Rl !
Now White still doesn't have time to capture the Knight:
24 PxN ? ?, QxR eh; 25 K-K2, Q-QB mate!

24 R-Bl N-N4
If now 25 B-B4, N-B6 eh; 26 K-K2, Q-R4 ! and White
is helpless against the terrible double check 27 . . . N­
o 25 K-B2 ? ? allows the fork 25 . . . N-K5 eh winning the Queen.
See Winning Chess, p.29.
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE 1 57

NB eh. If for example 27 B-B7, N-N8 dbl eh; 28 K-Kl and

Black can mate in t..luee different ways! If 27 B-Q3 then 27
. . . N-K4 dis eh wins a piece.
25 Q-B4

DIAGRAM 1 19
( after 25 Q-B4 )
Black· s next move is crushing.

25 Q-Q3 !
Resigns

The threat of 26 . . . Q-QB mate or 26 . . . Q-Q7 mate

is too much for him.
If White moves the Queen to stop mate, the Bishop is lost.
In this game we have seen how Black solves his major problems:
how to develop his pieces; how to simplify in order to free his con­
stricted position·; how to develop his "problem child" the Queen
Bishop; how to get his Rooks into active play. The overall effect of
these measures has been very satisfactory for Black.
 CHAP T E R 1 5

LASKER'S DEFENSE

11

Normal Position for Black

FRo M the ease with which Black equalized and soon obtained the

initiative in Chapter 14, you can readily understand why authori­

ties on opening play consider Lasker's Defense the greatest menace
to White's hope of acquiring a lasting initiative with 1 P-Q4.
The key to Black's success, we must emphasize again and again,
lies in purposeful reliance on simplification through early ex­
changes, with resulting freedom for his "problem" Bishop. Study
the functions of the King Bishop, King Knight, Queen Pawn and
King Pawn in this chapter to perfect your exchanging technique.
In this way you will be able to achieve freedom at a remarkably
early stage when defending against the Queen's Gambit.
Bear in mind that obtaining freedom so quickly is a great success
in itself. It is not a guarantee of victory, and should not breed over­
confidence. But that freedom, once atttained, is a great aid to mid­
dle game planning; your hands are not tied by the kind of perva­
sive positional pressure which White exercises so frequently in the
Queen's Gambit Declined.

The Black Pawns

The KING ROOK PAWN plays to KR3 in the opening, compel­
ling White to make up his mind about the attacked Queen
Bishop at KN5 ( the usual reaction is B-KR4 ) and also creat­
ing a loophole for Black's King at KR2 after Black castles.
The KING KNIGHT PAWN remains at KN2.
I 58
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE 1 59

The KING BISHOP PAWN remains at KB2, except that in those

cases where White exchanges Knights on his K4 ( after . . .
N-K5 ) and Black replies . . . PxN, he will generally support
the advanced King Pawn with . . . P-KB4. ( See Martinez­
Guimard, note to Black's eighth move. )
The KING PAWN plays to K3 in the opening. Later on in the
game White usually exchanges Pawns in the center ( BPxQP ) ,
whereupon Black recaptures with his King Pawn ( . . .
KPxQP ) opening up the diagonal for his Queen Bishop. Where
White exchanges Knights on his K4 ( see above ) , Black gener­
ally frees himself by playing . . . P-K4 later on. In the varia­
tions where Black plays . . . QPxBP ( Scheltinga-Grau ) to
open the fianchetto diagonal for his Queen Bishop, he will
often play . . . P-K4 in the early middle game. Wherever
. . . P-K4 is feasible, it has a marked emancipating effect on
Black's position.
The QUEEN PAWN is removed by exchange early in the game.
Either White plays BPxQP ( as in Martinez-Guimard ) ; or
Black plays . . . QPxBP ( as in Scheltinga-Grau ) to open the
fianchetto diagonal for his Queen Bishop; or else, where the
Knights are exchanged on White's K4 ( this has been described
previously ) , Black's Queen Pawn reaches K5 by means of
. . . QPxN.
The QUEEN BISHOP PAWN remains on QB2 in most variations.
There are two cases in which it advances to QB4 : ( a ) after
. . . N-QB3-K2 ( Eliskases-Gruenfeld ) ; ( b ) after . . .
QPxBP and the fianchetto of Black's Queen Bishop ( Schel­
tinga-Grau ) . The purpose of this advance of the Queen Bishop
Pawn is of course to give a Black Rook maneuvering scope on
the Queen Bishop file.
The QUEEN KNIGHT PAWN stays on QN2, except in the varia­
tion in which Black fianchettoes his Queen Bishop ( Scheltinga­
Grau ) , when . . . P-QN3 is played to prepare for the Bish­
op's development.
The QUEEN ROOK PAWN generally remains on QR2.
1 60 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

The Black Pieces

The KING KNIGHT goes to KB3 and then to K5-this is the
thematic simplifying move which characterizes the whole de­
fense.
The QUEEN KNIGHT goes to QB3 in most variations, this being
one of the few instances in which a satisfactory development
may be achieved in a Queen Pawn opening with the Knight
blocking the Queen Bishop Pawn. Later on it often plays to
K2 and Q4, where it is effectively posted in the center. The
Queen Knight goes to Q2, however, in those variations in
which the Queen Bishop is fianchettoed ( this is illustrated in
Scheltinga-Grau ) .
The KING BISHOP plays to K2 and is soon exchanged for
White's Queen Bishop by means of the thematic simplifying
maneuver . . . N-K5. A short history but a very satisfying
one for Black.
The QUEEN BISHOP, generally a severe problem for Black in
the Queen's Gambit Declined, offers no trouble here. In the
variations in which White exchanges Pawns i� the center
( BPxQP ) Black recaptures with the King Pawn, and is then in
a position to develop the Queen Bishop handsomely ( . . .
B-KN5 ) . Once the Bishop goes to KN5, it is generally ex­
changed for White's King Knight on White's KB3. This is a
useful feature of Black's simplifying strategy, and has a weak­
ening effect on White's Pawn structure. The open King Knight
file which White obtains from this exchange is of little use to
him. In the variations in which Black exchanges Pawns in the
center (. • QPxQBP ) , he thereby opens up the fianchetto
.

diagonal for his Queen Bishop, whereupon . . . P-QN3 and

. . . B-N2 is in order. In this case, too, the Bishop has a fine
diagonal, bearing down very strongly on the center squares.
The KING ROOK goes to KBl when Black castles. Later on the
Rook may play to Kl when the King file is opened as a result
of Pawn exchanges in the center ( BPxQP as in Martinezw
Guimard ) . When Black exchanges Pawns in the center ( . . .
 LASKER'S DEFENSE 161

Figure 12
The typical Pawn formation in the main line of LASKER'S DE­
FENSE. The exchange of Pawns has made it possible for Black to
develop his Queen Bishop effectively.

QPxBP as in Scheltinga-Grau ) the King Rook may be usefully

deployed a t Ql or even at QBL
The QUEEN RooK's development is likewise determined by
the nature of Black's Pawn position. Thus after . . . QPxBP
(Scheltinga-Grau ) Black's Queen Rook stays at QRl to guard
the Queen Rook Pawn. In Martinez-Guimard a Black Rook
goes to Ql to operate on the half-open Queen file. The same
development is seen in Bonham-Isles and Eliskases-Gruenfeld.
So that the placement of one Black Rook at Ql and the other at
Kl may be taken as fairly standard in this variation, each Rook
being stationed on a half-open file.
1 62 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

The QUEEN plays to K2 as a result of the early exchange of

Bishops at Black's K2. This is an ideal position for the Queen,
supporting action in the center ( eventual . . . P-K4 or pres­
sure on K5 ) ; threatening . . . Q-N5 eh in some cases; play­
ing to KB3 with attack on White's doubled King Bishop Pawn.
Another useful consequence of the Black Queen's position at
K2 is that Black's Rooks are given an early opportunity to
occupy the center files. This effective functioning of Black's
Queen is in contrast to many variations of the Queen's Gambit
Declined in which this piece has very little scope.

Review: Salient objectives for Black

( 1 ) Exchanges of King Bishop, King Knight and Queen Pawn
basic to Black's plan.
( 2 ) Open diagonal must be created for "problem" Queen Bishop.
( 3) Queen has effective pivot square at K2-can go to KB3 or Q3.
( 4) Queen Knight often goes to QB3-contrary to general rule.
( 5) Rooks occupy half-open files-either at Kl and Ql, or Ql and
QBl.
 CHAPTER 16

LASKER'S DEFENSE

Ill

A Fatal Dilemma for White

PLAYING along the same lines as in Chapter 14, Black solves the
difficulties of the opening very quickly. He has good possibilities of
development for all his pieces, including the "problem" Bishop.
And so, as in Chapter 14, he . enters the middle game with ex­
cellent prospects and no worries.
But White has a serious psychological difficulty: should he rec­
oncile himself to the fact that Black has perfect equality and merely
play to maintain the status quo? Should he refuse to content him­
self with this puny result, and insist on White's birthright-the ini·
tiative?
Black, on the other hand, dispenses with all soul-searching. He
has equality, which to Black is always a distinct qualitative success.
In effect he tells White : "Theory holds that you are supposed to
have an opening advantage. I see no evidence for it in this game,
but if you want to prove your theory, go ahead. I'm all set to take
whatever punishment you can hand out, and I'm satisfied that I
can hit back harder." We submit that Black has a good case!

QUEEN'S GAMBIT DECLINED

BRITISH CHAMPIONSHIP, 1 9 50
WHITE B L A C K

R . W. Bonham E. A. Isles
1 P-Q4 P-Q4
2 P-QB4 P-K3
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

3 N-QB3 N-KB3
4 B-N5 B-K2
5 P-K3 Castles
6 N-B3 P-KR3
7 B-R4 N-K5
8 BxB QxB
9 PxP NxN
10 PxN PxP
11 Q-N3 R-Ql
12 P-B4 PxP
13 BxP N-B3
14 Q-B 3 B-N5

DIAGRAM 120
( after 14 . B-N5 )
. .

Again Black has an exception­

ally satisfactory development.

Thus far the play has been identical with that of the pre..
vious game. Black has simplified the position, obtained good
lines of development for his pieces, and again White is faced
with the problem of allowing BxN or evading the ex­
. o o

change by N-Q2.
15 Castles ( K ) BxN
1 6 PxB Q-B3
White has allowed 0 0BxN, and the problems which now
•

confront both players are extremely interesting.

 '
LASKER S DEFENSE

DIAGRAM 121
( after 16 . . . Q-B3 )
Black has a very promising
position for the middle game.
The open King Knight file beckons to White as a source of
attacking possibilities. He intends to tuck his King away in the
corner and then double his Rooks on the King Knight file.
Black is not particularly worried about this, as he will simply
reply . . . P-KN3 at the proper moment and be quite safe.
Another point is that if White concentrates his Rooks on the
King Knight file, he will be neglecting the center and Queen­
side.
At first sight White's Pawn cluster in the center looks power­
ful, but actually these Pawns are awkward to manipulate. If,
for example, White now answers the threat of . . . QxBP
with 17 P-B4, we find that his King Bishop Pawn, King Pawn
and Queen Pawn are immobilized for quite a while to come.
Nor can White play 17 P-K4, for then his Queen Pawn
would be lost. But even when P-K4 is possible, it would be
of dubious value, for it would allow some such move as . . .
Q-B5 or ( later on ) . . . N-KB5. The point involved here is
that White's KB4 is a black square and therefore cannot be
guarded by his Bishop. Consequently this square can be occu­
pied very effectively by Black's pieces in the event that White's
King Pawn relaxes its watch over this square. This is exactly
what happens later on.
1 66 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Again we have the same picture as in the previous game.

Black, being content with equality, solves his problem rather
easily and has little to worry about. White, having the tradi­
tional "advantage of the first move," feels obligated to strive
for a win. Since the position now arrived at, does not justify
this ambition, White is in a frustrated mood which may easily
lead him to try for more than the position justifies.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 121. )
1 7 B-K2

As White does not want to commit himself with P-B4, he

must degrade the Bishop to this purely defensive function.

DIAGRAM 122
( after 17 B-K2 )
White must fight desperately
for the initiative.

17 . • • • R-Q2
Black wants to be able to move his Knight. Before he can do
so, he must guard the Queen Bishop Pawn; hence the Rook
move.
18 K-Rl
He prepares to place his Rooks on the King Knight file.
There was still time to discard this illogical plan, substituting
Queen-side play ( 18 OR-Nl ) .
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE

18 N-K2
19 R-KNI N-Q4
Now the Knight is more aggressively posted in the center.
An eventual P-K4 can be countered effectively by . . . N­
B5.
20 Q-N3 Q-QN3

DIAGRAM 123
( after 20 . . . Q-QN3 )
Black confronts his opponent
with a difficult decision.

White should now exchange Queens, with a draw as the

likely outcome-although White's Pawn position would be in­
ferior. This would be a very satisfactory windup as far as the
student is concerned, our objective being to find a defense that
eliminates the "ills that flesh is heir to" on the Black side of the
Queen's Gambit Declined.
But White wants to get more and ends up in defeat.
21 Q-B2 Q-K3
22 B-B4 Q-KB3
Here again White can simplify with 23 BxN, RxB. But this
time Black would have an unmistakable edge : White's attack
is gone, his King Bishop Pawn and Queen Rook Pawn require
attention; his King must not be deserted, as the broken-up
state of his King-side Pawns may prove dangerous for him;
168 HOW T O THINK AHEAD I N CHESS

DIAGRAM 124
( after 22
• •Q-KB3 )
.

Again White must make a dif­

ficult decision.

Black's Queen-side majority of three Pawns to two can be

transformed into a passed Pawn after due preparation, tying
White's forces down to defensive work.
Again it must be emphasized that White is burdened with
decisions which are extremely troubling from a psychological
point of view : nothing is more harassing in chess than trying
to attain a goal with clearly inadequate means. Black, on the
other hand, has an easy time of it: he wants at least equality,
and retains it effortlessly and without risk.
23 Q-K4 P-B3
24 R-N3 P-KN3
25 QR-KNl

Threatening to win the Queen and some Pawns, in return

for two Rooks, by 26 RxP eh, PxR; 27 RxP eh etc. But Black's
obvious reply parries the threat ( see Diagram 125 ) :
25 K-N2
26 Q-N4 R ( Q2 ) -Ql
27 P-K4 ?
As forecast in the note to Black's 16th move, White finally
weakens his position with this impulsive advance.
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE

DIAGRAM 125
( after 25 QR-KN 1 )
Black is threatened with the
loss of his Queen.

27 P-B4 was the right move. The text allows Black to

decide the game with a smart finish.
27 . . • . P-KR4 /

DIAGRAM 126
( after 27 . . . P-KR4 ! )
The turning point : Black has
a winning attack.

If White declines the unexpected offer of a Pawn, his posi­

tion is hopeless just the same : for example 28 Q-N5, N-N3
and Black simultaneously attacks the Bishop and the Queen
1 70 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Pawn; or 28 Q-R3, N-B5; 29 Q-Bl, RxP and Black wins

easily.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 1 26. )
28 QxRP
The Pawn win is made possible by the fact that Black's King
Knight Pawn is pinned. But White's happiness is of short dura­
tion.
28 • • • • N-B5
Now the White Queen is really attacked and must move.

DIAGRAM 127
( after 28 . . . N-B5 )
An important gain of time for
Black.

White has no good continuation. If 29 Q-KN5, QxQ; 30

RxQ, N-R6 winning the exchange. 0 If 29 Q-K5, RxP; 30
QxQ eh, KxQ and Black has an easily won game : open files,
three Pawns to one on the Queen-side, a dominating post for
his Knight.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 127. )
29 Q-QB 5 R-Rl
With the brutal threat of 30 . . . RxP eh !, 31 KxR, Q­
R5 eh and mate next move.
0 Double attack. See Winning Chess, p. 50.
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE

This fearsome menace highlights the dangers created for

White by the breakup of the Pawn position resulting from 15
. . . BxN.
Note that if 30 Q-K5 or 30 Q-KN5, Black forces mate
with 30 . . . RxP eh !; 31 KxR, R-R1 eh etc.
30 P-KR3 leads to the same finish as actually occurs in the
game.
30 B-Bl R-R4
Gaining time to double the Rooks.

DIAGRAM 128
( after 30 . . R-R4 )
.

Black will triumph on the

King Rook file.

If now 31 R-N5, QR-R1 threatening mate on the move.

White is then lost. Thus if 32 RxR, RxR attacking the Queen
and also threatening 33 . . . RxP eh !; 34 KxR, Q-R5 eh and
mate next move.
Or if 31 R-N5, QR-R1; 32 P-KR3, RxP eh I; 33 BxR,
RxB mate!
( We return now to the position of Diagram 128. )
31 Q-B3 QR-Rl
Threatening mate on the move.
32 P-KR3 Q-R5 / I
1 72 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

83 P-Q5 dis eh K-Bl

Resigns

DIAGRAM 129
( after 33 .K-B l )
. .

White is helpless against

Black·s coming Queen sacri­
fice!

White is helpless, as he must give up his Queen for a Rook

to prevent mate.
Thus if 34 K-R2, QxP eh I I; 35 BxQ, RxB eh; 36 RxR, RxR
mate! If 34 R ( Nl ) -N2, QxP eh I I; 35 RxQ, RxR eh; 36 R-R2,
RxR eh; 37 K-Nl, R-R8 mate!

As in the Martinez-Guimard game, p. 143, Black quickly freed

his position, developed his pieces favorably and obtained a deci­
sive attack.
But even more important, as we have emphasized, is the psycho­
logical difficulty in which White finds himself because of the un­
canny rapidity with which Black obtains a promising position for
the middle game.
 CHAP TER 1 7

LASKER' S DEFENSE

IV

Battleground of Conflicting Theories

IF Y O U have studied the last three chapters attentively, you have

realized that Lasker's Defense is a crucial attempt to refute the
theory that the first move gives White an advantage.
Opening authorities have therefore busied themselves with this
defense, striving with might and main to refute it. One such at­
tempt is seen in White's 15 N-Q2, essayed by Eliskases in the
following game.
As the course of the play indicates, Black has no trouble at all in
maintaining equality, and, in fact, as we show in our notes, he
missed at least one good winning chance.
However, the ease with which Black obtains a draw is in itself
a qualitative success. The onus of winning is on White! Black's

problem is to find a defense which allows him to enter the middle

game without disadvantage, and this is the problem which Lasker's
Defense solves to perfection.

Q U E E N 'S G A M B I T D E C L I N E D
UJPEST, 19 3 4
WHITE B L A C K

E. Eliskases E. Gruenfeld
1 P-Q4 N-KB3
2 P-QB4 P-K3
8 N-QB3 P-Q4
4 B-N5 B-K2
1 73
1 74 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

5 P-K3 Castles
6 N-B3 P-KR3
7 B-R4 N-K5
8 BxB QxB
9 PxP NxN
10 PxN PxP
11 Q-N3

DIAGRAM 130
( after 11 Q-N3 )
Black chooses a different
method of guarding his Queen
Pawn.

So far the game has proceeded along the same lines as in

Chapters 14 and 16.
Black can consider himself fairly out of the opening diffi­
culties. His position is no longer constricted, his Bishop has a
clear path for development, his Rooks can be usefully posted
at Q1 and K1 in due course.

11 • • • • Q-Q3

Cuimard, you will recall, protected the Queen Pawn by 11

• • R-Ql. The kind of position reached is much the same.
•

12 P-B4 PxP
13 BxP N-B3
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE 1 75

DIAGRAM 131
( after 13 . . . N-B3 )
White is reluctant to allow
the simplifying . . . N-R4.

You know from Chapters 14 and 16, that this move is gen­
erally considered "unscientific" in Queen Pawn games when it
blocks the Queen Bishop Pawn and consequently leaves little
scope for the Rooks. But, as we saw in that game, Black has
ample play for his Rooks on the King £le and Queen flle.

14 Q-B3

White wastes a move in order to banish the annoying pos­

sibility of . . . N-R4, whereby Black would bring about fur­
ther simplification of the position. But the Queen move permits
the immediate development of Black's Bishop.
14 B-N5
15 N-Q2

Here we definitely part company with the two previous

games. White retreats his Knight to avoid . . . BxN, breaking
up his Pawn position on the King-side. 15 N-Q2 is certainly
the safe course, but it is interesting to pause to reflect on the
general trend of the game. 13 . . . N-B3 was a developing
move which involved a threat requiring a non-developing re­
ply by White. 14 . . . B-N5, again, was a developing move
1 76 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

which involved a threat and induced White to make a non­

developing reply.

DIAGRAM 132
( after 15 N-Q2 )
White has avoided the possi­
bility of . . . BxN.

One can safely conclude that Black's situation is very satis­

factory, and that he has nothing to fear.
15 QR-Ql
16 QR-Bl

Another way is 16 Castles ( K ) , N-K2; 17 KR-B1, P­

QN3; 18 N-K4, Q-Q2 with even chances.
16 . . . . N-K2
1 7 Castles
Now Black can play a move which makes his position quite
comfortable. ( See Diagram 133. )
17 . . . . - P-QB4
If now 18 PxP ? Black wins a piece with 18 . . . QxN­
and not 18 . . . QxBP ? ? allowing 19 BxP eh winning the
Queen.0
18 N-K4
• Discovered attack. See Winning Chess, p. 67.
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE 1 77

DIAGRAM 133
( after 17 Castles )
Black takes advantage of the
fact that the Queen Pawn is
pinned.

At first sight this seems to win a Pawn because of the attack

on Black's Queen and the double attack on his Queen Bishop
Pawn.

DIAGRAM 134
( after 18 N-K4 )
What is Black's strongest con­
tinuation?

18 o o o , PxP

Avoiding a loss of material because of the counterattack on

White's Queen.
1 78 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

A more aggressive alternative is 18 . . . Q-KN3 attacking

the Knight. In that case 19 NxP ? is bad because of 19 . . .
B-R6 ° threatening mate. After the compulsory reply 20
P-N3 Black wins the exchange by 20 . . . BxR, and with the
material advantage of Rook for Bishop and Pawn, should win
the game.
19 NxQ PxQ
20 NxNP R-Q2

DIAGRAM 135
( after 20 . . . R-Q2 )
Where should the Knight re­
treat?

21 N-R5

If instead 21 N-B5, R-B2; 22 RxP ! ( the only way to pre­

vent loss of a piece ) , RxN !; 23 BxP eh ! 0 ° KxB; 24 RxR and
,

White has Rook and two Pawns against Bishop and Knight.
As this is a rough material equivalent, the outcome should be a
draw.
21 . • • • R-B2
22 P-B3

White plays safe. If 22 RxP ?, KR-B1; 23 KR-Bl ( threat­

ening the discovered attack 24 BxP eh ) , B-K3 I reinforcing
0 The pin. See Winning Chess, p. 7.
00 Discovered attack. See Winning Chess, p. 67.
 •
LASKER S DEFENSE 1 79

the pin ° and preparing to win material by 24 R-B4 /

Once the protective Knight is forced away from QR5, White
will suffer a decisive loss of material.
Realizing this, White wisely refuses to subject himseH to the
dangerous pin.
22 B-K3
23 BxB PxB

The game was abandoned as a draw a few moves later. At

no time was Black in difficulties, and it may well be that he
missed good winning chances by not playing the enterprising
18 . .Q-KN3.
.

The important aspect of this game, as pointed out in the intro·

duction, is that Black enters the middle game with excellent pros­
pects. This represents a defeat for White's attempt to question the
adequacy of the defense.
° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
 CHAP TE R 1 8

LASKER' S DEFENSE

White's Last Attempt at Refutation

IN T H I S chapter we deal with White's last attempt to refute the

Lasker Defense. The idea is at first sight convincing: in the games

so far studied, White exchanges Pawns in the center at a fairly
early stage. The consequence of this exchange ( see, for example,
Diagram 120 ) is that Black's "problem" Bishop obtains a beautiful
diagonal for development. Thus Black's greatest middle game diffi­
culty is at once disposed of.
Hence White reasons : if the exchange of center Pawns emanci­
pates Black's "problem" Bishop, let's not exchange Pawns! Then
Black should have the characteristic Queen's Gambit Declined
trouble in developing the "problem" Bishop effectively.
True, Black can create a different diagonal for the "problem"
Bishop ( see Diagram 137 ) . But to do it, he must give up his Pawn
control of the center. This exposes him, theoretically, at least, to
the danger of being completely overrun in the center. � But, with
careful play-we see this admirably managed in the following
game-Black maintains control of the center even after surrender­
ing it! And the beauty of the whole process is that this control is
established by none other than the problem Bishop!

The situation shown in Diagram 136 is already familiar to us

from the earlier games. Black's policy, as we know, is to bring
° For an impressive object lesson on the conse quences of surrendering
the center, see Alekhine-Prat ( Chapter 20 ) .
180
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE 1 81

about several exchanges so that White's somewhat greater free­

dom can be neutralized.

QUEEN'S GAMBIT DE CLINED

BUENOS AIRES, 1939
WHITE BLACK
T. van Scheltinga R. Grau
1 P-Q4 P-Q4
2 P-QB4 P-K3
8 N-QB3 N-KB3
4 B-N5 B-K2
5 P-K3 Castles
6 N-B3 P-KR3
7 B-R4 N-K5
8 BxB QxB

DIAGRAM 136
( after 8 . . . QxB )
White tries a new tack.

Above all, Black must concentrate on the problem of de­

veloping his remaining Bishop.
9 Q-B2
White tries a new tack. We know from the earlier games
that Black has nothing to fear from 9 PxP, NxN; 10 PxN, PxP­
or 9 NxN, PxN; 10 N-Q2, P-K4 !
1 82 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

9 NxN
10 QxN PxP !

Giving up control of the center, but the situation here is

quite different from the one that prevails in the Alekhine-Prat
game ( Chapter 20 ) , in which Black surrenders the center with
catastrophic results.
Black intends to develop his Bishop in fianchetto ( at N2 ) ,
when it will strike powerfully along the long diagonal.

DIAGRAM 137
( after 10 . . . PxP ! )
Black opens up a diagonal for
his "problem" Bishop.

11 BxP

Quite natural : he develops a new piece and prepares for

castling.
If 11 QxP ( intending to exert pressure on the open Queen
Bishop file ) , Black follows up consistently with 11 . . . P­
QN3 ! preparing to develop his Bishop on a good diagonal.
There might follow 12 R-B1 ( strengthening the pressure on
the open file ) , P-QB4 ! ( temporarily sacrificing a Pawn ) ; 13
PxP, B-R3 /
Black must always recover his Pawn advantageously, for
example:
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE

( Diagram for Variation )

DIAGRAM 138
White cannot hold the extra
Pawn.

I. 14 Q-QR4, BxB; 15 KxB, R-B1; 16 P-B6, Q-Kl re­

gaining the Pawn with favorable prospects.
11. 14 Q-QR4, BxB; 15 KxB, R-B1; 16 P-QN4, P-QR4 /
smashing up White's Queen-side Pawns and regaining the lost
Pawn with ease.
Ill. 14 Q-B3, BxB; 15 KxB, R-B1; 16 P-QN4, P-QR4 !;
17 P-QR3, RPxP; 18 RPxP, PxP; 19 PxP, N-R3; 20 P-B6,
N-N5 and the double threat of 21 . . . N-R7 ( winning the
exchange ) or 21 . . . RxP gives White a very precarious
game.
IV. 14 Q-Q4, BxB; 15 KxB, R-B1; 16 P-QN4, p.:_QR4 /
and again Black regains his Pawn on very favorable terms.
It is no wonder that these variations turn out poorly for
White: he neglects his development, loses the opportunity to
castle-and does not succeed in his materialistic aim of win­
ning the Pawnl
Incidentally, these variations are simpler than they seem at
first sight. Their details are less important than the logic be­
hind them : Black has to recover the Pawn favorably because
of his considerable lead in development.
1 84 HOW TO TmNK AHEAD IN CHESS

Mter this lengthy but vital digression, we return to the

course of the actual game after 11 BxP from the following
position :

DIAGRAM 139
( after 11 BxP )
Black has surmounted the
first crisis.

11 P-QN3 !

Black will play . . . B-N2, solving the problem of how to

develop his "problem child."
12 Castles ( K ) B-N2
1 3 B-K2

Else a possible . . . BxN might lead to a nasty weakening

of the White King's position.
White is prepared to answer 13 . . . BxN ? with 14 BxB
with a positionally won game because of the powerful position
of the White Bishop on the long diagonal.
But of course Black has no intention of parting with his
precious Bishop on these unfavorable terms.
Black now requires two moves to complete his development
in a logical manner : . . . N-Q2 and . . . P-QB4.
However, he cannot play 13 . . . N-Q2 ? because of the
reply 14 QxP.
 LASKER'S DEFENSE

The argument against 13 . . . P-QB4 is less immediately

obvious but equally weighty. After 13 . . . P-QB4 ?; 14 PxP,
PxP; 15 QR-B1 Black's isolated Queen Bishop Pawn is a
permanent object of attack because it has no neighboring
Pawns to protect it and must therefore be guarded by pieces.
Black finds the right move to brush aside these difficulties:
(See Diagram 140. )
13 . . . . R-81!

Black's troubles are almost over. Now that his Queen Bishop
Pawn is protected, . . . N-Q2 has become feasible.

Figure 13

ln this variation of LASKER'S DEFENSE, Black completes the

freeing process u-'ith . . . P-QB4. The advance of this Pawn
gives Black pressure on White's center and aLso frees his position
on the Queen Bishop file.
1 86 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 140
( after 13 B-K2 )
Black must strive for . . . P­
QB4.
. . . P-QB4 is also practicable, as White's PxP can be an­
swered by . . . Rx:P, avoiding any Pawn weakness and getting
Black's Rook into good play on the open file.

DIAGRAM 141
( after 13 . . . R-B 1 ! )
Black has made the necessary
preparations for the all-im­
portant . . . P--QB4.

14 KR-Ql P-QB4 !
1 5 Q-R3

White tries to preserve some initiative by pinning 0 Black s

'

° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.

 '
LASKER S DEFENSE

DIAGRAM 142
( after 15 Q-R3 )
White relies on a pin for tem­
porary pressure.
Queen Bishop Pawn. ( Black naturally cannot play . . . PxP ? ?
because of the reply QxQ. )
15 . . . . N-Q2 !
Black is doing famously. He has completed his development
and his Bishop is posted magnificently.
16 R-Q2 P-K4

DIAGRAM 143
( after 16 P-K4)
. • •

Complete emancipation!

Black does not fear the possible reply 17 P-Q5, as he can

blockade the passed Queen Pawn with . . . Q-Q3 and main-
1 88 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

tain a perfectly acceptable position. The Pawn structure would

then become locked, with few open lines available to either
side. As compensation for White's passed Pawn, Black would
have three Pawns to two on the Queen-side; that is to say, he

( Diagram for Variation )

DIAGRAM 144
..Black would have three
�aW?,s to two on the Queen­
side.

would have a potential passed Pawn himself, based on the

advance of his Queen-side Pawns and resulting Pawn ex­
changes.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 143. )
17 PxBP NxP
18 QR-QI R-B2
Black's position is perfectly satisfactory. His pieces are effec­
tively posted; White has no points of invasion; Black is pre­
pared to double Rooks on the Queen Bishop file, as he need
not fear White's QxP in answer to . . . QR-QBl because
of the discovered attack 0 •BxN and wins.
• •

( See Diagram 145. )

1 9 Q-N4
• FO!' discovered attack, see Winning Chess, p. 67.
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE

DIAGRAM 145
( after 18 . R-B2 ) . .

Black prepares to double

Rooks on the Queen Bishop
file.

Having nothing better available, White tries to get his

Queen into more effective play.
19 . . • . QR-QBI
20 P-KR3 P-N3

Both sides are more or less marking time. Black's position is

somewhat more comfortable, but chances are even.

DIAGRAM 1 46
( after 20 . . P-N3 )
.

Black has achieved perfect

equality.
1 90 HOW TO TIDNK AHEAD IN CHESS

21 Q-N4 K-N2
22 N-R4

( after 22 N-R4 )
A temporary flurry : White
threatens to win the Queen!
White now threatens 23 N-B5 eh winning the Queen.
But Black has an easy defense.
22 Q-N4
23 QxQ PxQ
24 N-B3 P-B3

DIAGRAM 148
( after 24 . . . P-B3 )
Sequel to a perfect defense :
ho-huml
• For fork and pin, see Winning Chess, p. 43.
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE

The rest of the play is of no interest. It is given only because

its very lack of interest clearly indicates that Black has a
perfectly safe game. In other words, his defense has been
thoroughly satisfactory.
25 N-R2
Prudently avoiding 25 P-QN4, N-K5; 26 R-Q7 eh, K­
Bl and the threat of . . . N-B6 is troublesome for White.
25 K-Bl
26 N-N4 K-K2
27 P-B3 R-Q2
28 RxR ch NxR
29 B-N5 N-Bl
30 R-Q2 R-B4
31 B-K2 B-Q4

DIAGRAM 149
( after 31 . . B-Q4 )
.

Whatever initiative still re­

mains, is in Black's hands.

Black's pieces are posted more aggressively. White,s posi�

tion, though tenab le, is uncomfortable.
32 P-R3 B-N6
33 N-B2 N-K3
34 B-QI BxB
1 92 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

85 NxB R-B8
86 K-B2 N-B4
87 N-B3 N-N6
88 R-K2 P-B4

DIAGRAM 150
( after 38
. . P-B4 )
.

The draw approaches.

The previous comment still applies.
89 N-Q5 eh K-K3
40 P-K4 P-B5
41 N-N4 N-R4
Drawn

With this game we conclude our study of Lasker's Defense to the

Queen's Gambit Declined.
In the first three games with this defense ( Martinez-Guimard,
Bonham-Isles and Eliskases-Gruenfeld ) we saw Black's Queen
Bishop developed along its original diagonal to KN5 after White
initiated an exchange of Pawns opening up that diagonal.
In the remaining game with this defense ( Scheltinga-Grau ) we
saw Black's Queen Bishop developed on the long diagonal after
Black exchanged Pawns in the center opening up the long diagonal.
Either method of developing the Bishop was satisfactory. Thus
Black solved his great problem in this opening: how to develop the
 '
LASKER S DEFENSE 1 93

Queen Bishop satisfactorily. And, as this defense involves prelimi­

nary simplification by Black which frees his remaining pieces for
action and also affords him adequate control of the center, we are
justified in concluding that Lasker's Defense can be strongly rec­
ommended as a defense that solves the second player's problems in
this opening.
 6 PART FOUR 6

How to Exploit Inferior Play by

Your Opponent
 CHAPTER 19

What If M y Opponent D o e s n't

Follow the B o o k ?

W E H A V E now concluded our study of three recommended

openings. Each of these openings conforms to the requirements
for a good opening which we posited in Chapter 1 :
( 1 ) effective and rapid development
( 2) adequate control of the center
( 3 ) permanent validity regardless of fluctuations in theory

But our task is not completed. We must still consider the

question: "What if my opponent doesn't follow the book?"
This leads to such questions as : what is inferior play? How
do you recognize it as such? What do you do about it?
Broadly speaking, we justifiably assume that whatever is
wrong with your opponent's opening play will create a lasting
weakness in his armor-a weakness that can be exploited
mercilessly in the middle game. The more flagrant your oppo­
nent's mistakes, the easier it is for you to plan the middle
game.
The most important hint you need for future policy is that
your opponent's opening mistakes will involve violations of
one or more of the principles previously set forth. In other
words, your opponent will get a bad development; he will
neglect control of the center; he will adopt opening lines
which have been known to be bad for decades. The games in
the next four chapters will illustrate such mistakes and dem­
onstrate how they are exploited.
Thus, your opponent may neglect to occupy the center with
Pawns. In that case, you monopolize the center, getting a
splendid development which your opponent cannot emulate.
You need not concern yourself with the problem of how the
197
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

play will proceed twenty or thirty moves later. You can con­
fidently assume that if you monopolize Pawn control of the
center, and if you have much the better development, you
must inevitably enjoy the opportunity to make use of your
advantages. This is not an empty claim : this type of exploita­
tion has been applied in thousands upon thousands of games.
It is exemplified in the games given in the following chapters.
Another instance: suppose your opponent makes a move that
gives him a cramped game. Then you conclude that your
course will be to constrict your opponent's game more and
more. Again, you can be confident that the opportunity will
be forthcoming to exploit the constricted state of your oppo­
nent's game.
Another possibility is that your opponent will develop his
pieces to unfavorable squares. In that case, you systematically
bring out your pieces quickly and effectively, so that when you
are ready to attack at a given point, you can muster more force
for attack than your opponent can assemble for defense.
Just how, you may ask, is superior force, or superior mobil­
ity, employed to force victory? This is the key question which
will arise in each of the next four examples, and in each case
it will be answered for you in clear-cut, unforgettable fashion.
 CHAPTER 20

Th e Import a nc e o f Controllin g
the Center

THE F O L L O W I N G game is very instructive because i t shows the

clash of ideas between a master and an amateur. The master, play­

ing twenty games in a simultaneous exhibition, has to rely pretty
much on general principles, cursory impressions, alert observations
and quick conclusions. His opponent is obviously no student of the
game, and despite the extra time at his disposal, is truly helpless.
The master has applied general principles so often that they are
part of his instantaneous reaction to any given position. His oppo­
nent here has no guiding idea and simply flounders. In this game,
then, we see:
( 1 ) how the master applies general principles
( 2 ) how his opponent violates general principles
( 3 ) how the master punishes his opponent's violations of general
principles

Such games as this one are very instructive. The opening mis­
takes are so flagrant and their middle game exploitation so striking
that you can readily see the links between the opening and the
middle game.

Q UE E N' S G A M B I T D E C L I N E D
PARIS, 1 9 1 3
WHITE B L A C K

A. Alekhine M. Prat
1 P-Q4 P-Q4
2 N-KB3 N-QB3
199
.200 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

This move is frowned upon by theory because in Queen

Pawn openings it is important for either player to be in a
position to play his Queen Bishop Pawn two squares. This
creates the possibility of Pawn captures with resulting open
files for the Rooks.
As White plays, he is able to make Pawn captures that open
lines for his Rooks.
As Black plays, he is unable to make Pawn captures that
open lines for his Rooks.
3 P-B4

DIAGRAM 151
( after 3 P-B4 )
The struggle for control of
the center begins.

A very important position of a type that is seen repeatedly

in modern play. On both sides the Queen Pawn has been ad­
vanced to the fourth rank. Both players would like to advance
their respective King Pawn likewise to the fourth rank. With
both center Pawns in this dominating situation , the opponent's
forces could be kept away ( or kicked away ) from the vital
central zone. ( How this is accomplishe d will be seen from the
further course of this game. )
So, granting that the advance of the King Pawn is desirable,
we note regretfully that this advance is impossible because of
the hostile Pawn at Q4. Thus, instead of his last move, White
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 201

could not have played 3 P-K4 ? as Black would simply have

played 3 . . . PxP. Hence White had to prepare for P-K4.
And there you have the basic idea of the Queen's Gambit:
Black's Queen Pawn at Q4 is an obstacle to the execution of
White's plan calling for a powerful, broad center ( White
Pawns on K4 and Q4 ) . White must remove the obstacle ( Black
Pawn at Q4 ) . And the way to remove that obstacle is to play
P-QB4. Why?
Well, if Black captures ( . . . QPxQBP ) the obstacle to
White's P-K4 has been removed. Or, if Black allows the
Queen Pawn to be captured by White, the obstacle likewise
disappears, and White is ready for P-K4.
In practice, Black maintains the obstacle to White's advance
P-K4 by supporting his Queen Pawn with a Pawn. In that
event, BPxQP can always be answered by . . . PxP ( on the
assumption that White's P-B4 has been answered by .
P-K3 or . . . P-QB3 ) .
( We return now to the position of Diagram 151. )
3 • • • . P-K3 ?

Black is playing according to theory, but having violated

theory on the second move, he cannot expect theory to stand
still and benefit him on the third move!
2 .. N-QB3 is wrong from the point of view of blocking
.

Black's Queen Bishop Pawn and thus preventing Pavvn ex­

changes by Black, but the move does have another purpose­
a constructive purpose-and this purpose is ignored by Black.
The right sequel to 2 . N-QB3 is 3 . . . B-N5, in-
. .

tending . . . BxN and then . . . P-K4. The logic of this is

immediately apparent: vVhite's Queen Pawn on Q4 and Knight
on KB3 are obstacles to Black's desired . . . P-K4. By play­
ing . . . B-N5 Black threatens to remove the main obstacle
to his advancing . . . P-K4.
There is another reason why Black should strive for . . .
P-K4 instead of resigning himself to . . . P-K3. The latter
202 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

move blocks the action of his Queen Bishop. In fact, one of the
chief problems of modern opening play is the question of de­
veloping this Bishop effectively after it is hemmed in during
the opening by . . . P-K3. It is this crucial problem which is
solved so neatly by Lasker's Defense ( Part Ill ) .
To sum up the significance of 2 . . . N-QB3 :
The move has the drawback of blocking Black's . . . P­
QB4. It has the potential advantage of making . . . P-K4
( freedom! ) possible. By playing . . . P-K3, as he has just
done, Black accentuates the difficulties resulting from the
blocking of his Queen Bishop Pawn, and deprives himself of
getting some benefit from . . . N-QB3 by freeing himself
with . . . P-K4.

DIAGRAM 152
( after 3 . . P-K3 ? )
.

Black has made a serious mis­

take.

During his first three moves, Black has already condemned

both Rooks and his Queen Bishop to lasting inactivity. But he
does not know that! This is the typical experience of the player
who lacks theoretical knowledge : His difficulties In the middle
game bafHe him and leave him disheartened, all the more so
since he does not realize that these difficulties are the result
of his violation of general principles in the opening.
4 N-B3 PxP ?
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 203

Black seems bent on committing almost every opening mis­

take conceivable. Having blocked his Queen Bishop with 3
. .P-KS in order to set up a permanent obstacle to White's
.

P-K4, he suddenly negates the beneficial effect of 3 . . . P­

K3 by capturing White's Queen Bishop Pawn and thus allow­
ing White to obtain a powerful, broad center.

DIAGRAM 153
( after 4 .
. PxP ? )
.

Black has surrendered control

of the center.

Black's opening play has a sadly ironic quality: having

played 2 . . N-QB3, he is saddled with its drawbacks and
.

derives none of its benefits; having played 3 . . . P-K3, he is

again saddled with its drawbacks and derives none of its
benefits!
5 P-K3

Here the master makes an inexact move, not to be wondered

at since he is playing so many games. The right way is 5 P-K4
( winning the Queen Bishop Pawn just as he does after the
text ) and also preventing Black from getting a foothold in the
center.
This last point is very important: after 5 P-K4 White has a
powerful, broad center, so that if 5 . . N-B3; 6 BxP Black
.

cannot play 6 . . B-QS ( with a view to . . . P-K4 ) , for

.
204 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

then the crushing 7 P-K5 wins a piece! Compare this with the
note to White's sixth move.
5 N-B3
6 BxP

DIAGRAM 154
( after 6 BxP )
Black can still fight for a fair
share of the center.

And now Black, despite his previous blunders, can still make
a fight of it with 6 . . . B-Q3 ! intending 7 . . . P-K4 ! If
Black can advance the King Pawn his pieces will have a firm
foothold in the center, his Queen Bishop can be developed
effectually, his King Rook will have a useful half-open file on
the King file.
In reply to 6 . . . B-Q3 ! White is virtually forced to play
7 B-N5 ( despite the loss of a move involved ) in order to pin
Black's Queen Knight 0 and thus prevent . . . P-K4. But
then Black unpins with 7 . Castles and again threatens to
. .

play . . . P-K4 even at the cost of sacrificing a Pawn in some

variations.
It comes down to this : if Black can get a Pawn in the center
( at Q4 and/or K4 ) his game has backbone, his pieces have
security and mobility. If the center is not occupied or com-
o For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 20 5

manded by him, he is doomed to be the victim of a fatal

squeeze which is just what happens in this game.
-

( We return now to the position of Diagram 154. )

6 • . . • B-N5
7 Castles BxN
As Black's game is already very bad, there is no point in
criticizing his moves on the ground that he might have had
better ones-he no longer has good moves at his disposal! That
is really the meaning of a bad position: it does not offer scope
for good moves, good plans, good ideas, good attack, good de­
fense. Only good opening play leaves us the possibility of
playing well later on.
About Black's last move, then, we merely note that it leaves
White with two Bishops against Bishop and Knight. The effect
of this will be appraised following the next diagram.
8 PxB

DIAGRAM 155
( after 8 PxB )
White's Bishops will have tre­
mendous scope.

The exchange of pieces has strengthened White's center : his

Queen Bishop Pawn supports the Queen Pawn.
More important, however, is the fact that White has ac­
quired a new diagonal for his Queen Bishop. This piece can
206 HOW TO THINK AHEAU IN CHESS

play to QR3, sweeping down the diagonal QR3-KB8 with

terrific power. Thus White's possession of two Bishops against
Bishop and Knight gives him a really significant advantage.
With both Bishops trained powerfully against Black's center
and King-side, White will soon be seeking new avenues of
attack.
8 Castles
9 Q-B2

Preparing to advance the King Pawn : P-K4, then P-K5

driving off Black's King Knight from its most useful square.
9 • • • . N-K2

And this other Knight has no good square, no good pros­

pects.
10 B-R3

In contrast to Black's miserable Knights, White's Bishops

have magnificent scope.

DIAGRAM 156
( after 10 B-R3 )
White is ready to plan for the
middle game.

White is already in a position to formulate his general plan

of the game.
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 207

By advancing P-K4 and ( after removing his Knight ) P­

KB4 White will establish a formidable Pawn center which will
stifle all counterplay on Black's part.
White will then post all his pieces on favorable squares-a
procedure that Black cannot possibly imitate!-and will then
be ready for the final onslaught. How that concluding phase
will come about is for the moment unclear to us; yet the plan
has been formed, and will be executed, in the staunch faith
that the twofold advantage of overwhelming center and over­
whelmingly superior development must lead to a crushing
victory for White.
10 P-B3

The natural move in such situations is . . . P-B4, which

would have the merits of putting some counterpressure on
White's center; breaking the diagonal of White's Queen
Bishop; giving Black's Queen Rook a half-open file at QB1
and in general giving Black's pieces more maneuvering space.
But this natural and highly desirable advance of the Queen
Bishop Pawn to QB4 is quite out of the question, in conse­
quence of a number of faulty Black moves, of which the first
was 2 . N-QB3.
. .

If White's coming success is to be credited to good and

consistent planning, then Black's coming failure can be
charged to faulty planning, or none at all.
11 P-K4 P-KR3

Pawn advances in front of the castled King make it easy for

the opponent to attack with assurance of success. However,
Black has little choice, for such a weakness can always be
forced by White; for example, by White's threat of playing 12
P-K5 ( driving away Black's Knight from KB3 ) and then 13
N-N5 or 13 B-Q3.
( In the :Morphy-Lewis game-Chapter 22-, by the way,
we have a similar example of how the existence of a Pawn
208 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

weakness in the castled King's position facilitates the enemy's

attack. ).
Thus we again see the consequences of bad opening play:
the early mistakes weaken the power of resistance to where
the player under attack has to create weaknesses, even if he
knows enough to want to avoid them.
12 QR-Ql
The Rook is brought into contact with the rest of White's
forces. At this very moment White does not know just how the
Rook is going to be used; but, as a master of long experience,
he can see that a violent attack is building up, and that the
Rook is bound to play a useful role in this attack.
12 . . . . B-Q2

DIAGRAM 157
{ after 12 . . . B-Q2 )
Black's pieces cannot function
effectively.

Contrast the wretched position of Black's Queen Bishop

with the splendid posts available to White's Bishops. This
comparison should make clear the effects of Black's bad open­
ing moves on the fate of his Queen Bishop. As a result of
Black's mistakes in the openin g, his Bishop is condemned to
uselessness throughout the game.
13 N-K5
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 209

Now the Knight acquires a beautifully aggressive outpost

position! Note how White has good squares for his pieces, and
gets even better squares for them, without trying. The good
moves seem to come of themselves. Why? The answer is that
fust as bad opening play makes subsequent good moves almost
impossible, so good opening play creates a very favorable basis
for good moves later on.
18 • . . . R-Kl

Black wants to move his Queen, which was previously im­

possible because the Knight at K2 had to be protected. Hence
the Rook move, which frees the Queen for "action" that is very
sadly limited.

DIAGRAM 158
( after 13 . . R-Kl )
.

How can White open new

lines?

White has achieved an impeccable development, and his

position has more or less reached the height of its power.
Here is the moment of decision : having this powerful posi­
tion, how does White proceed? How does he attack? How does
he turn all his superior development to account? What use
does he make of his control of the center?
What is needed is more line-opening. This is the character­
istic solution in most positions of this kind. Black is skulking
210 HOW TO 1HINK AHEAD IN CHESS

on three ranks, his pieces huddled together miserably, accom­

plishing little. Yet there he is. The only way to smoke him out,
to document his helplessness, to exploit the enormous charge
of explosive potential that White has built up, is to open up
new lines. Hence we look for Pawn captures. None are avail­
able. What now?
The answer to all of White's questions is the advance of his
King Bishop Pawn By playing P-B4 and then P-BS White
.

will prepare for a decisive augmentation of his attack: pressure

on the King Bishop file, pressure on the diagonal from QR2-

Figure 14

White has overwhelming control of the center, and his pieces are
magnificently posted. The way to make conclusive use of these ad­
vantages is to open an attacking line. Hence the advance of White's
King Bishop Pawn is ndicated.
i
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 211

KNB--the diagonal on which his King Bishop is placed. Note

that the attacking potential of White's Rook on KBI, of his
Bishop on Q B4 and of his Knight on K5 will all converge on a
common target: the square KB7, on which Black's King Bishop
Pawn is placed.
14 P-B4 I Q-B2
Black is merely marking time. There is nothing he can do of
any significance to counteract the execution of White's plan.
15 P-B5 ! QR-Ql

DIAGRAM 159
{ after 15 . . . QR-01 )
White is ready to break
through.

White has many ways to win in this position. Alekhine

chooses the most spectacular, a method so brilliant that an
ordinary player would never dream of it. But precisely be­
cause this finish is so flamboyant, it underlines the vast supe­
riority of White's game.
1 6 NxKBP I
This sacrifice disposes drastically of the problem of how to
exploit Black's Achilles heel ( his KB2 ) .
16 KxN
1 7 P-K5
212 HOW TO TlllNK AHEAD IN CHESS

With this crushing central advance, White exacts the final

penalty for Black's surrender of the center ( 4 . . . PxP ? ) .
Should Black move his attacked Knight, the following would
be a plausible conclusion : 17 . . . N /B3-Q4; 18 PxP dbl eh,
KxP; 19 BxNjK2, KxB ( if 19 . . . RxB; 20 Q-B5 mate ) ; 20
Q-N6 and Black is quite helpless against the threats of 21
Q-B7 mate; or 21 R-B7 mate; or 21 QxP eh followed by 22
Q-B7 mate or 22 Q-B6 mate or 22 R-B6 mate! ( Note that
in these variations, Black's Knight at Q4 is pinned most of the
time and therefore useless. 0 )
( We return now to the position of Diagram 160. )
17 . . .
• NjK2-Nl
Black repentantly offers back the extra piece, but White is
out for blood.
18 B-Q6 Q-Bl
19 Q-K2 !
Of course Black must not move the menaced Knight, for
then 20 Q-R5 eh forces mate. ( See Diagram 161 . )
19 . . . P-QN4
•

20 B-N3 P-QR4
° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY .1 1 3

DIAGRAM 161
( after 19 Q-K2 1 )
Black i s helpless!

Black tries feverishly to drive away the Bishop, but it is too

late.
21 QR-Kl ! !
Planning an announced ten-move mate!
21 . . . . P-R5

D IAGRAM 162
( after 21 . . P-R5 )
.

Now Black succumbs to a

masterly Queen sacrifice.

White now announced mate in ten moves. Here is the pro­

cedure:
214 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

22 Q-R5 eh 1 1 NxQ
23 PxP dbl eh ° K-N3

Forced.

24 B-B2 eh K-N4
25 R-B5 eh K-N3

If 25 • . . K-N5; 26 P-R3 eh leads to a quick mate; like­

wise if 25 . . .K-R5; 26 R-K4 eh.
26 R-B6 dbl eh K-N4
27 R-N6 eh K-R5
28 R�K4 eh N-B5
29 RxN eh K-R4
30 P-N3 !

DIAGRAM 163
( after 30 P-N3 1 )
With a whole Queen ahead,
Black cannot prevent mate
next move!

And now, no matter what Black plays, there follows 31 R­

R4 mate! Black's helplessness, even with a whole Queen ahead,
gives us some idea of the fury of the storm unleashed by
Black's faulty opening play ( neglected control of the center ) .

• For double check, see Winning Chess, p. 85.

 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 21 5

This game is a graphic sermon on the importance of controlling

the center. It must be controlled by Pawns in most cases, occasion­
ally by pieces. For the average player, Pawn control is the more
reliable method by far.
Black's neglect of the center made it impossible for his pieces to
occupy effective posts in or near the center. His forces had little
scope. They were steadily driven back by White's step-by-step en­
croachments. When the decisive turn arrived at move 14, White
resorted to a dynamic Pawn advance which ensured a quick open­
ing up of vital lines of attack. Two moves later the stage was set for
a crushing sacrificial attack.
It is no exaggeration to say that at move 21 White's center Pawns
are worth more than the Black Queen! The moral, then, for the
chapters that follow, is :
Play for control of the center/ With center control you are as­
sured of quick, easy, effective development. Neglecting center con­
trol, you will find that your development is slow, tortuous, in·
effectual.
 CHAP TE R �1

How Superior Mobility Leads

to a Stormy Breakthrough

ALL C RE S S P L A Y E R S love to see beautiful games which abound

in dazzling sacrifices. The following game is particularly enjoyable,
as it is one of the most brilliant games ever played. Such games de·
light us with their refreshing, colorful qualities, so far removed
from the ordinary run of games.
But our aim is learning and not mere enjoyment. We must real­
ize, therefore, that all chess brilliancy embodies a profound lesson:
sound combinations always spring from defects in the opponent's
play. Beautiful as White's sacrifices are, they originate in the accu·
mulated effects of Black's previous mistakes: his cramped position;
his faulty development; his weakened black squares; his inability
to shield his King adequately; the impossibility of his rallying and
regrouping his forces as White piles sacrifice upon sacrifice.
Remove these flaws in Black's play, and you make White's sacri·
Gees impossible! That is the vital lesson to be learned from this
lovely game. In chess, the highest flights of artistry are conditioned
by the opponent's previous blunders!

KING FIANCHETTO DEFENSE

::MERAN, 1926
WHITE B LACK
D. Przepiorka ]. von Patay
1 P-Q4 P-KN3
As in the next two games, Black opens irregularly; he in­
tends to "'fianchetto" his King Bishop-play it to KN2. This is
216
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 217

satisfactory procedure only if he combines it with Pawn occu­

pation of the center. Failure to occupy the center will leave
this vital area at the mercy of White's forces.
2 P-K4

By setting up his center Pawns on the fourth rank, White

opens lines for the quick, easy development of his pieces and
at the same time automatically prevents Black from posting
pieces on the important center squares.
2 • • • • P-QS

Black, on the other hand, is holding back. Even at this early

stage we can forecast that White's pieces will be free and
active; Black's, cramped and passive.

DIAGRAM 164
( after 2 . . P-Q3 )
.

Black has voluntarily con­

demned himself to a cramped
game!

3 N-KB3

White develops the Knight to its best square and at the

same time prepares for castling.
3 B-N2
4 B-Q3
218 HOW TO THINK AHEAD I N CHESS

Many players would �refer B-QB4 here, in order to post

this Bishop on the fine diagonal leading to Black's KB2.
The text development is perhaps a shade inferior, although,
as it happens, the development of the Bishop to Q3 turns out
to he wonderfully effective in this game.
In any event, the development of the Bishop is the necessary
prelude to early castling, assuring the safety of White's King.

DIAGRAM 165
{ after 4 B-Q3 )
Black must fight for control
of the center.

4 • • • • P-K3 ?

Here Black is at fault. Unless he establishes a foothold in

the center, he will be inexorably ground down by White's su­
perior development.
The proper course was therefore 4 .P-K4. If then 5
. .

PxP, PxP or 5 P-B3, N-QB3 or 5 P-Q5, N-KB3 and Black

is by no means badly off. ( As soon as Black gets a solid posi­
tion in the center, his prospects for satisfactory development
brighten perceptibly! )
5 Castles N-K2

If Black plays the Knight to its natural square KB3, he will

always have to fear P-K5, driving the Knight into oblivion.
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 219

Had he played the proper fourth move ( 4 . . . P-K4 ) he

would not have to worry about finding the best placement for
his King Knight.
Thus the consequence of his taking a passive position in the
center ( . . . P-K3 instead of . . . P-K4 ) is that he must
resign himself to an inferior position for his King Knight (
. . •

N-K2 instead of . . . N-KB3 ) .

6 B-K3
A sound developing move. White contemplates Q-Q2 fol­
lowed by B-KR6 with a view to removing Black's King
Bishop. If the protective Bishop disappears, the weak black
squares on the King-side will form welcome targets for White's
attack.
6 Castles
7 Q-Q2

DIAGRAM 166
( after 7 Q-Q2 )
Black does not relish the pos­
sibility of B-KR6.

White is intent on playing B-KR6, forcing the exchange of

Bishops, so that he can get to work on Black's weakened black
squares.
7 R-Kl
8 B-KR6 B-Rl
220 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS
•

Black has avoided the exchange of Bishops, but his position

presents a miserable appearance. Not one of his pieces func­
tions effectively, and he is apparently doomed to maneuver
rather helplessly on the back ranks.

DIAGRAM 167
( after 8 B-Rl )
. . .

Black's development is slow

and cramped.

9 N-B3
White, on the other hand, continues to develop effortlessly.
9 • • • • QN-B3
Black's first aggressive developing move! White's Queen
Pawn is doubly attacked.
10 N-K2 P-Q4 ?
The wrong center Pawn. Even now he should still try . • •

P-K4, opening up the diagonal of his Queen Bishop.

11 P-K5 /
After the advance of White's King Pawn, we can consider
that the course of the comin g middle game has been deter­
mined once for all. Hence it is possible, after inspection of this
position, to forecast the correct strategy for White. What are
the factors that will enter into this appraisal?
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY .22 1

' DIAGRAM 168

( after 11 P-K5 / )
Note the vulnerable black
squares on Black's King-side.

( 1 ) Black's development is wretched, and there is no way

in which this defect can be remedied. The Knights have no
prospects; the Queen Bishop has no proper diagonal; the King
Bishop guards the miserably weak black squares on the King­
side, but aside from that has little more than the mobility of a
Pawn; Black's Rooks have no files on which to operate; his
Queen can barely move oH the first rank and certainly has no
opportunity for aggressive deployment.
( 2 ) As has been indicated, the black squares on Black's
King-side are seriously weak and offer fine nesting-places for
the White forces. Thus White can effectively occupy KN5 or
KB6 without any danger of being driven away by a hostile
Pawn.
( 3 ) White, it goes without saying, has no weaknesses what­
ever in his Pawn structure.
( 4 ) White has a magnificent development. His Pawns at K5
and Q4 choke oH any possibility of rational development fOJ
Black, and at the same time they form a barrier behind which
White can maneuver his pieces for attacking purposes.
( 5 ) White's Queen, Knights and Bishops are all aggressively
posted, and there are several ways to bring his Rooks into the
,2 2 2 HOW TO THINK AHE AD I N CHESS

game. One way would be by means of QR-Kl and then R­

K3 and eventually R-R3. Another way would be P-KB4
( after due preparation ) followed by P-KN4 with a view to an
ultimate P-B5. As in the previous game, the line-opening by
means of Pawn exchanges ( in this case, the opening of the
King Bishop file after P-KB5 ) should prove decisive.
( 6 ) Another attacking method at White's disposal is P-B3
( to prevent a subsequent . . . N-N5 ) followed by P-KN4
( to prevent a subsequent . . . N-B4 ) and Q-B4 with N­
N5 as the clincher.
With these attacking ideas in the air, White has his future
course tidily mapped out for him. All this is clear enough to
Black, who consequently t;ries to fight back while he still has
some fight left in his wretched position.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 168. )
11 • • • • N-B4
12 B-KB4
He does not permit the exchange . . . NxB etc. as Black's
Knight will soon be driven away from B4. Besides, the Bishop
will be useful from the point of view of attacking the weak
black squares in Black's camp.

DIAGRAM 169
( after 12 B-KB4)
White avoids simplification.
12 • . . . P-B3
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 22 3

As the present is dark and the future darker, he decides to

anticipate White's coming offensive by a desperate attempt at
counterplay.
Even though this attempt is doomed to fail, Black is right in
taking this stand. He must try to break White's grip on the
center before his Knight is driven from B4 and he is subse­
quently strangled. If Black's attempt fails, that merely means
that everything he tries, must necessarily fail. A bad opening
results in a bad middle game.

DIAGRAM 170
( after 12 . . . P-B3 )
Black sets a trap.

Black has an interesting positional trap in view. He hopes

for 13 P-KN4, which he will meet in this surprising fashion :
13 . . . NjB4xP !; 14 N/K2xN, NxN; 15 NxN, PxP forking two
pieces and regaining his temporarily sacrificed piece with a
much improved position. 0
Thus we see how one incautious move on White's part
dissipates much of his advantage. And what, incidentally, is
the nature of this "incautious move"? It is simply this : White's
advantage is based on his monopoly of the center. If this
monopoly is smashed, much of his advantage disappears as
well.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 170. )
° For double attacks with the Pawn push, see Winning Chess, p. 61.
224 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

13 P-B3 !

White takes good care to maintain the center in all its

formidable solidity.

DIAGRAM 171
( after 13 P-B3 ! )
White has seen through
Black's plan.

The effect of White's last move is that the sturdiness of his

center setup is maintained; no Putsch is possible in the center;
his Knight at K2 is relieved of its defensive duties; and Black
is still badly tied up.
18 . • • • P-KN4 ? ?

Black�s naivete is appalling. He expects the attacked Bishop

to retreat, after which he will play . . . P-N5, driving off
White's King Knight and winning the King Pawn.
This is the crisis for White. Is he to allow Black to win the
Pawn and-what is more important-allow the breakup of
White,s proud center?
Or is White to stick to his plan, which was to play for King­
side attack, to press on the weak black squares, to keep Black
constricted as in a vise?
Naturally White wants to play according to plan; but this
requires a sacrifice. So here we come to a most instructive
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 22 5

Figure 15
The game has reached the crucial stage. White seems compelled to
retreat his attacked Bishop; but retreat will result in the dissolution
of his powerful center. Hence Whi
t e's coming combination is reaUy
the cont-inuation of his previous strategical planning.

point: to the novice, the sacrifice which follows seems to be

sheer inspiration. Actually the sacrifice is more prosaic than
that: it is evoked by White's previously formulated plan of the
game!
Of course, we are not interested here in the clash between
the nspired
i and the prosaic. What is more important to us is
the realization that a bad plan leads to drift and self-doubt; a
good plan brings good moves in its train.

14 NxP I PxN
15 BxP
226 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 172
( after IS
. P-KN4 ? ? )
. .

White must make a crucial

decision.

DIAGRAM 173
( after 15 BxP )
What has White accom­
plished with his sacrifice?

White has only two Pawns for the piece-generally inade­

quate compensation.
But other factors have to be taken into account: Black's
King is no longer shielded by a rampart of protective Pawns;
Black's pieces are still ineffectual, and this factor alone is
enough to nullify Black's academic material superiority; White
can get a "Pawn-roller" moving-P-KN4 followed by P-KB4
and P-B5--with the result that Black's pieces will be kicked
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 227

around and a rational development will become impossible for

him.
15 0 0 0 0 Q-Q2
This protects the second rank-at least for the time being­
but has the drawback of postponing to an even later stage the
development of Black's Queen Bishop. However, Black has no
move which is wholly satisfactory.
If 15 . . . NjB4-K2; 16 Q-B2 enables White to pick off a
third Pawn, completing the denuding of Black's King.
Or if 15 . . . N/B3-K2; 16 P-KN4, N-N2; 17 Q-B2
with the same result as in the previous variation.
Note that the natural move 15 . . . B-B3 is impossible be­
cause of White's unshakable grip on the important square KB6.
16 P-KN4 !
Very disagreeable for Black.

DIAGRAM 174
( after 16 P-KN4 ! )
How is Black to answer the
attack on his Knight?

If now 16 . . . N-N2 or 16 . . . NjB4-K2; 17 Q-B2

wins another Pawn while the attack rages undiminished.
Still another way-and perhaps even more effective-is 17
P-KB4 followed by 18 P-B5 with a crushing "Pawn-roller"
attack.
 HOW TO TlllNK AHEAD IN CHESS

Not caring for either of these possibilities, Black tries an­

other way.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 174. )
16 P-KR3
1 7 PxN !

White is not interested in a Pawn more or less. Mter 17 BxP,

NxB; 18 QxN, Q-N2; 19 Q-R5, B-Q2; 20 P-KB4 ( still the
"Pawn-roller"! ) White is bound to win; but he wants to find an
even faster way to victory.
17 • . . • PxB

With a faint hope of 18 QxP eh, Q-N2 and Black forces the
exchange of Queens putting an end to White's attack.
18 P-B6 !

DIAGRAM 175
( after 18 P-B6 I )
Black's pieces are clumsily
situated for defensive pur­
poses.

The forward thrust of the King Bishop Pawn is the logical

continuation of the attack.
Black's pieces are still cramped for maneuvering space and
find it more difficult than ever to come to the aid of the en-
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 229

dangered Black King. The immediate threat is 19 QxP eh fol­

lowed by 20 N-B4.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 175. )
18 • • • • K-B2

Setting a little trap : if 19 QxP ? ?, R-KN1 pins 0 and wins

White's Queen. In any case, Black hopes to gain time for .
R-KN1 with a semblance of defense.

DIAGRAM 176
( after 18 . . . K-B2 )
White continues with an as­
tounding sacrifice.

Black's position suddenly seems quite solid. Shall we there­

fore conclude that White's basic plan was wrong, or that his
execution of the plan was faulty?
Before we observe very shortly that Black's "security" is
nothing but a pitiful sham, let us quickly review what White
has been trying to accomplish. He is combining a severe con­
striction policy with a raking King-side attack, relying for suc­
cess on the exposed position of Black's King and the congested
development of Black's pieces.
At move 17 he had a fairly clear and easy win, which he
turned down in favor of a much quicker, more sensational
method. Both procedures are correct and decisive; so we con­
• For the pin see Winning Chess, p. 7.
2 30 HOW TO TIIINK AHEAD IN CHESS

elude that White's plan was right, his execution of the plan ap­
propriate and pointed.
19 B-N6 eh I l l • • • •

The first of a series of stunning surprises. Instead of relying

on a "Pawn-roller" attack, he intends to force open the King
Knight file all the way, with grievous consequences for Black's
King.

DIAGRAM 177
( after 19 B-N6 eh I l l )
A nasty shock for Black!

White's first object in sacrificing the Bishop so spectacularly

is to gain time : a check must always be respected, and thus
Black is left no time for playing . . . R-KNl.
19 • • • • KxB

After 19 . . . K-Bl; 20 QxP White has an easy win by sim­

ply piling up more force for attack than Black can assemble for
defense.
20 Q-Q3 ch !
The peremptory checks continue, and at the same time
White prepares the switch of his all-powerful Queen to the
King-side.
20 . . . . K-R3
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 231

2 0 . . . K-R4 leads to the same position.

If instead 20 . . . K-B2; 21 Q-R7 eh, K-Bl; 22 QxB eh,
K-B2; 23 Q-N7 mate.
21 Q-R3 eh K-N3
And now 22 N-N3 looks strong, but 22 . . . Q-R2 1 is a
more than satisfactory reply. Something more inspired is called
for!

DIAGRAM 178
( after 21 . . . K-N3 )
Another brilliant sacrifice is
in order!

22 N -B4 eh I ! I
A strikingly brilliant way of opening the King Knight B.le.
Black must take, for 22 . . . K-B2 allows a quick mate ( 23
Q-R7 eh etc. ) .
22 PxN
23 K-Rl / !

This "quiet" move prepares for a devastating Rook check on

the newly-opened B.le. ( See Diagram 179. )
Black is helpless. Thus if 23 . . . Q-R2; 24 R-Nl eh and
mate in two more moves.
23 • . . • BxP
2. 3 2 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHES&

DIAGRAM 179
( after 23 K-R1 / / )
The quiet King move presages
disaster for Black.

Desperately hoping to be able to escape after 24 PxB, KxP

etc. But White has better.
24 R-Nl eh ! B-N4
Or 24 . . . K-B2; 25 Q-R7 eh and mate next move.

_ _.l_ _ _ -
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+] t W��
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-- - •
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-
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. � � ��
-��F �%�-�'%�:< ��r/-----*�:< . -!
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,

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DIAGRAM 180
( after 24 . . . B-N4 )
Now comes the final sacrificer
25 RxB eh ! !
The fourth sacrifice!
25 KxR
26 R-Nl mate
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 233

Black i s three pieces ahead, but they are of little importance,

posted inactively as they are.
White's basic plan ( constriction plus violent breakthrough )
has carried the day. As in the previous game, we see that
adequate control of the center is the first requirement for
satisfactory development and reasonably certain protection
against quick defeat.

In both games, Black's failure to get an adequate share of the

center resulted in the posting of his pieces on squares where they
functioned very poorly. This in turn led to a constricted situation in
which the pieces got in each other's way.
With Black's forces in both instances operating far below their
optimum strength, Black was helpless against the Hood of sacrifices
which set in as soon as White had completed his development. The
faulty placement of the Black pieces cut off effective communica·
tion with the King-side, and a virtually naked Black King was ex..
posed to the raging fury of an attack conducted with the full co­
operation of White's splendidly posted pieces.
Such is the indicated conclusion of a middle game which results
from a very poorly played opening.
 CHAP T E R 22

H ow L i n e - o p e n i n g L e a d s to
Att ackin g P o s s ibiliti e s

WE HAvE already had occasion to note in quite a few games

that Pawn captures result in open lines. In the following game such
line-opening ( along the King Bishop file ) is particularly impressive.
What Morphy accomplishes with the open file is a miracle of at­
tacking technique. The file is used as a supply highway to convey
White pieces to the King-side. As the White pieces utilize this high­
way, the attack is automatically intensified.
As in Chapters 20 and 21, we note that Black's shabby develop­
ment and early surrender of the center leave him with no oppor­
tunity to deploy his pieces in the same forceful manner.
A word about the opening: you are asked to think of it as begin­
ning in the following manner: 1 P-Q4, P-QN3; 2 P-K4. That
is, White begins with 1 P-Q4 and when his opponent fails to dis­
pute the center, White continues 2 P-K4. ( Of course, the great
Morphy had no use for 1 P-Q4, and this attitude is so well publi­
cized that we would not dare to reverse the order of the opening
moves! )

QUEEN FIANCHETTO DEFENSE

PHITLADELPHIA, 1 8 59
WHITE BLACK
P. Morphy S. Lewis
1 P-K4 P-QN3

Black repeats the mistake we saw in the earlier games : he

allows White to monopolize the center with his Pawns, so that
234
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 235

Black's pieces will be unable to find a foothold in the center

later on.

2 P-Q4 B-N2
3 B-Q3

White saves time : he defends the menaced King Pawn with

a developing move.
Although we generally recommend developing Knights be­
fore Bishops, the text is satisfactory because we know that Q3
is the Bishop's best square in this opening. Once Black has
castled King-side, the Bishop on Q3 can join in a powerful at­
tacking formation. ( See the Diagram after 5 P-K5. )

3 P-K3
4 N-KR3 /

Black's neglect of the center ( 1 . . P-QN3 ) does him a

.

lot of harm. White's neglect of the center ( 4 N-KR3 ) does

him no harm at alii Why?
By playing N-KRS, White leaves a path open for the ad­
vance of his King Bishop Pawn. ( Note how the subsequent
P-KB4 and P-B5 opens up the King Bishop file for White's
attacking forces later on. )
4 P-Q4
5 P-K5

Black has made a belated bid for a share of the center, and
the results will be unsatisfactory for him.
Black's opening play is so radically wrong that even at this
early stage, White can already devise his basic plan for the
ensuing middle game. Here are the factors on which that plan
is based :
Black's Bishop at N2 is blocked by his own Pawn at Q4.
With all its effectiveness choked off by the obstructing Queen
Pawn, the Bishop has very little value.
2 36 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 181
( after 5 P-K5 )
White's last move determines
the course of the middle
game!

On the other hand, White's Bishop at Q3 has a magnificent

diagonal headed toward the castled position which will even­
tually be occupied by Black's King.
One of the best defenses for a castled King is to post a
Knight at KB3. In this position, . . . N-KB3 has been pre­
vented by White's P-K5. This enables us to foresee that
White will have good attacking chances.
How about White's Knight at KR3? Generally a Knight is
badly placed at the side of the board, but here the Knight has
good squares at his disposal ( N-B4 or N-N5 ) .
Above all, White can open a powerful attacking line with
P-KB4 and P-B5. This advance is the key to the coming at­
tack.
5 . . . . N-K2

The Knight is pretty ineffectual here. But, having neglected

to establish a foothold in the center, Black is already beginning
to pay the penalty in the form of constricted and inadequate
development.
6 Castles N-N3
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 2 37

Black has taken two moves to develop this Knight, and it

cannot be said that he has achieved a great deal thereby. How­
ever, the Knight moves in order to make way for the develop­
ment of the King Bishop, which, by the way, will not be very
impressive when it comes to pass. Black's neglect of the center
is brought home to him move after move.
7 P-KB4 !

White intends to use the King Bishop file for attacking pur­
poses. This is accomplished by advancing the Pawn twice to
KB5, leading to the opening of the file.
7 B-K2
8 P-B5 !

DIAGRAM 182
( after 8 P-B5 I )
White forces the opening of
the King Bishop file.

In the above diagram, you observe that an exchange of

Pawns is about to take place. Pawn captures are the most im­
portant and most frequent cause of line-opening in chess.
The play that follows, will show you how to build up the at­
tack on an open file. Looking back for a moment to the early
opening play, we see how accurately Morphy appraised the
chances of opening the King Bishop file after 4 N-KR3.
2.38 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Figure 16
One of the many instances in this book in which we see the effects of
line-opening through Pawn capture. The advance 8 P-BSI opeM
the King B ishop file for White, a·nd this gives him the basis for a
lasting and decisive attack.

8 PxP
9 BxP B-QBl
10 BxB QxB
11 N-B3

He develops with gain of time by attacking the Queen Pawn.

Note how White develops with free-and-easy moves which
come of themselves and are most effective. Black, on the other
hand, has to resort to tortuous maneuvers which accomplish
little. This significant difference arises from the fact that White
monopolizes the center, while Black has no strong point there.
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 2.3 9

DIAGRAM 183
( after 1 1 N-B3 )
Black must neglect his devel­
opment to stop to protect the
Queen Pawn.

In the higher sense, Black is already lost: he will never make

good his losses in development.

11 P-QB3
12 B-N5 Castles
13 BxB NxB
14 Q-R5 /

DIAGRAM 184
( after 14 Q-R5 !)
White's attack is going full
blast!
2 40 HOW TO TIDNK AHEAD IN CHESS

White plays the Queen to its most aggressive post, with a di­
rect menace to Black's castled position. ( Note that Black's
Queen has no analogous attacking possibility, and is in fact far
from the scene of action. )
The more you study this situation, the more threatening
White's formation appears. He has 15 N-KN5 in view, men­
acing mate on the move. Mter 15 . . . P-KR3 ( to stop the
mate ) , 16 NxBP wins a Pawn for White.
This last possibility highlights another important attacking
method at White's disposal : the open King Bishop file. And
this file is open because White did not block his King Bishop
Pawn ( 4 N-KR3 instead of 4 N-KB3 ) and because he delib­
erately played for the opening of the file ( 7 P-KB4 followed
by 8 P-B5 ) .
( We return now to the position of Diagram 184. )
14 • • • • P-KR3

Black plays to prevent 15 N-KN5. ( See Diagram 185. )

He does not have much choice; if, for example, 14 . . . P­
N3 15 Q-R6, N-B4; 16 RxN I, QxR; 17 N-KN5, R-K1; 18
QxRP eh, K-B1; 19 R-KB1 / making triumphant use of the
open King Bishop file. If now 19 . . . QxN; 20 QxP mate or
20 RxP mate, or if 19 . . . QxR eh; 20 KxQ with an easy win.
If 14 . . . Q-K3 White strengthens his attack decisively by
doubling Rooks on the open King file. Here is a sample : 14
. . . Q-K3; 15 R-B3 /, N-Q2; 16 QR-KB1, P-B3; 17 N­
B4 /, Q-B4; 18 QxQ, NxQ; 19 N-K6 attacking Rook and
Knight and winning the exchange. Or 17 . . . Q-B2; 18
QxQ eh followed by P-K6 winning a piece.
15 R-B3 /
He prepares to strengthen the pressure on the open King
Bishop file by doubling Rooks on that line.
Also, he has in mind the possibility of playing R-N3 with
the threat of QxRP. ( This is an interesting example of how
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 241

DIAGRAM 185
( after 14 . . P-KR3 ).

It is time for White to begin

utilizing the King Bishop file.
Pawn advances in front of the castled King can weaken the,
whole castled position. )
15 . • • • N-N3

DIAGRAM 186
( after 15 . . N-N3 )
.

Black hopes to block a frontal

attack on his Ki�g.
Black's last move takes some pressure off his King Bishop
Pawn by blocking the attack of the White Queen on that
Pawn; it also removes the threat of QxRP after White's R-N3,
as Black's King Knight Pawn would no longer be pinned.
16 QR-KBI / Q-K3
242 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 187
( after 16 .
. . Q-K3 )
Black masses his defensive
forces as best he can.

Both sides have assembled in force on the King-side. White

has a distinct advantage because both of his Rooks are in the
attack, whereas Black has the services of only one Rook for
defensive purposes. However, Black is safe for the moment. In
other words, White's attack needs new power. How is it to get
that new power?
Most players with the White pieces would now play N-B4.
But Morphy's method is much finer : to carry out this exchange,
he transfers his currently inactive Knight from QB3 to the
King-side! Remarkably logical play!
1 7 N-K2 I N-Q2
Black develops a new piece, but it is cursed with the same
fatal drawback that affiicts all of Black's developing moves : his
failure to control any part of the center dooms the newly de­
veloped Knight to uselessness.
18 N/K2-B4 I NxN
19 NxN Q-K2
Now we see the effect of Morphy's cleverly executed ex­
change maneuver. White's preponderance of force on the
King-side has been increased, Black's protective Knight has
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 2.4 3

DIAGRAM 188
( after 19 . . . Q-K2 )
White's attack is gaining mo­
mentum.

disappeared and his King's position is stripped bare against the

following powerful attack.
20 R-KN3
With Black's protective Knight gone, this threatens QxRP.
20 K-R2
Parries the threat.
21 R/Bl-B3 !
Superior mobility has this insidious quality, that one infiltra­
tion leads to another. . . .

White's threat is 22 RxP eh !, KxR; 23 R-N3 eh, K-R2;

24 R-KR3 and wins, for if 24 . Q-N4; 25 QxQ and the
. .

Pawn is pinned. 0
Another aspect of the threat is 22 RxP eh !, KxR; 23 R­
N3 eh, Q-N4; 24 RxQ eh, PxR; 25 QxNP eh, K moves; 26 Q­
R4 eh or Q-R5 eh, K moves; 27 Q-N4 eh winning the Knight
by double attack. 0 0
( See Diagram 189. )
21 • • • • R-KNI
° For the pin; see Winning Chess, p. 7.
0° For double attack, see Winning Chess, p. 50.
244 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 189
( after 21 R/B1-B3 ! )
White has made good use of
the King Bishop file.

He tries to avoid the weakening of the King's position that

results from 21 . . P-N3. For in that case White wins by
.

22 NxNP, PxN; 23 RxP etc.

22 N-R3 !

White's threat is now 23 N-N5 eh, K-Rl; 24 NxP eh, K­

R2; 25 Q-N6 mate!
22 P-N3
23 N-N5 eh !

DIAGRAM 190
( after 23 N-N5 eh ! )
The final onslaught!
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 24 5

Now the Pawn weaknesses of the castled position take their

toll. If 23 . . . K-N2; 24 RxP eh, QxR; 25 NxQ winning eas­
ily, as White's Queen is immune from capture because of the
pin . •
( We return now to the position of Diagram 190. )
23 QxN
24 RxP eh

DIAGRAM 192
( after 24 . . K-Rl )
.

A neat finesse ends it all.

• For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Or 24 . . R-N2; 25 RxR eh, KxR; 26 RxQ, PxR; 27

.

QxPjN5 and White has an easy win.

25 QxQ Resigns

If 25 . . . PxQ; 26 R-R3 mate!

This game is a wonderful object lesson in the exploitation of the

difficulties arising from neglect of the center.
Morphy's utilization of the King Bishop file is striking in its sim­
plicity; but even more impressive to the student is the fact that the
whole attack, powerful as it is, stems from the basic stratagem of
opening a line of attack by means of a Pawn exchange.
 CHAPTER 23

How Superior Mobility L e a d s to

L in e - op e ning

ALEXANDER ALEKHINE was the most brilliant player in the

history of chess, but in the following game we observe his masterly
skill at encirclement strategy.
The setting is much the same as in the last three chapters : Black
neglects the center, gets a poor development and a cramped game.
But instead of striving for a brilliant refutation, Alekhine methodi·
cally drives back the enemy forces until no halfway playable course
is left to Black.
Once that Black has been reduced to virtual immobility, Alekhine
casts about for a method of opening new lines. As in Chapter 22,
this is accomplished by Pawn moves. The difference is that Morphy
opened the King Bishop file and obtained a King-side attack, while
Alekhine opens the Queen Bishop file and utilizes that line for infil.
tration on the Queen-side.
You are invited to admire Alekhine's remarkable 7 P-QR4 /­
a far-sighted prelude to his intended encirclement strategy. Such
moves are unthinkable in the games of an amateur; but the master
has years of experience in similar situations to guide him along the
lines he must pursue to give the game its appropriate conclusion.

KING F I A N C HE T T O D E FE N S E
FOLKESTONE, 1933
WHITE BLACE
Dr. A. Alekhine V. Mikenas
1 P-Q4 P-KN3
247
248 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

This move immediately gives us a clue to the coming pro­

ceedings. Black does not seem to care about getting a foothold
in the center.
By playing 1 . . . P-Q4 or 1 . . . N-KB3, Black would
prevent his opponent from setting up a broad center by 2 P­
K4. White seizes the proffered opportunity with :
2 P-K4 B-N2

DIAGRAM 193
( after 2 . . . B-N2 )
Black is destined to have a
cramped position.

True, Black's Bishop strikes along the long diagonal ( KR1-

QR8 ) ; but Black's pieces cannot function in the center, which
has been preempted by White. Just what this means will be­
come clear to you as the game continues.
Compare the position of the Black Bishop in this diagram by
the way with the position of the same Bishop in the Dragon
Variation ( see page 64, for example ) . Here the Bishop stares
uselessly at an amply protected Pawn; in the Dragon Variation
the fianchettoed Bishop is powerful because Black has taken
steps to minimize the power of White's Pawn center by quickly
removing White,s Queen Pawn!
8 N-QB3 P-Q3
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 2 49

Black is afraid to play the natural developing move . . .

N-KB3 as the Knight can simply be kicked back by 4 P-K5.
He therefore resorts to the text as a timid preparation for
trying to gain a foothold in the center by . . . P-K4. That is
to say, he has to strive laboriously for what White has achieved
effortlessly-getting Pawns on the fourth rank! Again and
again we see how the future course of the game will shape up:
White's position is free and his pieces come out effortlessly;
Black's position is cramped and his development is slow,
strained, unwieldy, ineffective.
4 N-B3 N-Q2
5 B-QB4

The Bishop is developed to a very effective square, from

which it aims at Black's weak point KB2.
Black must now decide whether he wants to play the move
at which all his strategy has been directed thus far: 5 . . . P­
K4. The drawback to the move is that it does nothing to break
White's pressure on the weak point KB2 which is exercised by
his Bishop at QB4.

DIAGRAM 194
( after 5 B-QB4 )
White's King Bishop has a.
powerful diagonal.

5 . . . • P-K3
2 50 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Obviously deciding to break the diagonal of White's Bishop

on QB4.
The tactical considerations are interesting, for if 5 . P-o •

K4 ?; 6 BxP eh !, KxB; 7 N-N5 eh. If now 7 . . . K-B3 ?;

8 N-Q5 mate! ! If 7 . . . K-B1 ?; 8 N-K6 eh wins the
Queen!
There remains only 7 . . . K-K1 ( 7 . . . K-K2; 8 N­
Q5 eh is worse for Black ) ; 8 N-K6, Q-K2; 9 N-Q5, Q­
B2 ° ; 10 NjQ5xP eh ( 10 NjK6xP eh is also good ) and Black's
game is in a hopeless state.
6 Castles
White's lead in development, quantitatively and qualita­
tively, becomes ever more noticeable. White has brought out
three pieces and castled, putting his King in perfect safety and
creating the possibility of posting his King Rook effectively in
due course.
Black, on the other hand, has a cramped, slow development
with no prospects of improvement-where is his Queen Bishop
to move? ?-and his King has just had a narrow escape.
6 0 0 0 0 N-K2
The natural move is 6 . . . KN-B3, but then there is al­
ways the danger that P-K5 will drive the Knight away.
Hence Black must again content himself with a second-rate
developing move : . . . N-K2 instead of . . . KN-B3.
Because Black has already committed himself to a definite
type of position, White can forecast his future strategy for the
remainder of the game.
Black has developed his forces on the second and third ranks
and is condemned to a permanently cramped position. His
Queen Bishop, one may confidently anticipate, will never have
a good square. The same thought applies to his Queen and to
his Rooks.
0 If 9. • QxN; 10 NxP eh wins the Queen. For similar examples of
.

the fork see Winning Chess, p. 29.

 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 2 51

DIAGRAM 195
( after 6 .
. N-K2 )
•

Black is already intimidated!

Our key thought, then, is that Black will remain constricted

throughout the coming play. White's first objective is to reduce
his opponent to utter helplessness; his second thought, to ex­
ploit Black's inability to fight back when the decisive point is
reached.
7 P-QR4 /

Apparently very puzzling, but not really so if you know

White's plan. This is the way he reasons : White's preponder­
ance in development and in space on the King-side and in the
center is such that if Black is to free himself, it can only be on
the Queen-side. Such an attempt might come in the form of
. . . P-QB3 and . . . P-QN4, gaining space on the Queen­
side for developing the Queen Bishop ( . . . B-N2 ) , the
Queen ( . . . Q-B2 ) , freeing himself a bit ( . . . N-N3 ) , ad­
vancing in the center ( . . . P-Q4 ) and initiating a general
Pawn advance ( . . . P-QR4 and . . . P-N5 ) which might
open a file on the Queen-side and thus put Black's Rooks in
business in a big way.
Of course this might not get Black very far; it might be noth­
ing more, ultimately, then a demonstration rather than real
counterplay. Yet it would lead to a real game, a real struggle.
2 52 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

However, by playing P-QR4 White stifles all these chances

of counterplay from the very start. This illustrates the impor­
tance of following a logical plan.
7 Castles
8 B-K3 P-KR3

Black views with distaste the possibility of White's playing

9 Q-Q2 followed by 10 B-KR6 removing the valuable fian­
chettoed Bishop who is the chief guardian of the otherwise
weak black squares on the King-side.
9 Q-Q2 K-R2

DIAGRAM 196
( after 9 . . K-R2 )
.

White continues his encircle­

ment strategy.

10 P-R3 !

This by no means obvious move is the kind of continuation

that one cannot find unless one is actually following a plan.
As part of his "encirclement" strategy, White intends to an­
swer . . . N-KB3 with P-K5, driving the Knight away. But
without White's last move, Black could answer . . . N-N5,
attacking White's King Pawn and also threatening . . . NxB.
( This last is a threat in the sense that any attempt by Black to
free himself must be considered a threat. )
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 253

To sum up, after 10 P-R3 / it is pointless for Black to try

to post his Queen Knight more aggressively, 10 . . . N-KB3
being answered by the aggressive and constricting 11 P-KS.
10 . • . . P-QB3
This is Black's only hope of obtaining some Lebensraum. But
its effect at best can only be slight, due to the timely interpola­
tion of White's 7 P-QR4.
11 B-B4 !
Moving the same piece twice, but with a purpose : he wants
to force a new weakness in Black's Pawn position, now that
Black's Queen Pawn is no longer guarded by a Pawn.

DIAGRAM 197
( after 11 B-B4 ! )
White's pressure i s beginning
to be noticeable.

Note, by the way, that \Vhite's second move with the Queen
Bishop, while a formal violation of the rules of good develop­
ment, is actually no great crime. White has such an enormous
lead in development that he can indulge in some waste, espe­
cially when he monopolizes the center as well. ( Observe that
Black's Knights cannot move to any square on the fourth
rank. )
11 • • • • P-Q4
2 54 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

At last, after a great deal of twisting and arduous prepara·

tion, Black finally gets a foothold in the center-which, how•
ever, he could have had without any suffering on the very first
move! !

DIAGRAM 198
( after 11 . . P-Q4 )
.

Black makes the advance

which would have given him
a good game on the first
move!

Thus we see that Black has finally managed to get a foothold

in the center with . . . P-Q4, but only after afflicting himself
with an inferior development which leaves him with a worth­
less game. Compare Black's position, here, for example, with
his situation in Diagram 142, which has come about after reso­
lute simplifying and determined development of his pieces on
good squares-all this after firmly establishing himself in the
center on the very first move.
12 B-Q3 P-R3
Mter this White's Queen Bishop gets a powerful post at Q6.
The alternative 12 . . . N-B3; 13 P-K5, N-K1 prevents
B-Q6, but leaves Black with a hopelessly bottled-up position.
Slightly better was 12 . . . PxP; 13 NxP, N-Q4 when
Black's game is less constricted than after the text.
13 B-Q6
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 255

If now 13 . . . N-B3; 1 4 P-K5, N-K1; 1 5 B-R3 and

Black is tied hand and foot. Again and again this theme is re­
peated : when you play according to plan, you cannot afford to
forget the dominant theme for even one move.
13 . . . . P-KB4

DIAGRAM 199
( after 13 . . P-KB4 )
.

Black forces the issue-to his

sorrow.

Black's last move has behind it a certain kind of twisted

logic. He wants to force White's hand. If White plays PxP,
Black has a certain amount of additional maneuvering space.
If, on the other hand, White plays P-K5, Black is more tied
up than ever. However, by playing P-K5, White closes up
lines and thus diminishes his prospects of coming to grips with
Black.
And so White must choose between 14 PxP and 14 P-K5.
What will his decision be?
14 P-K5 !
White decided on the Pawn advance for a number of rea­
sons :
( 1 ) The fact that Black is well barricaded for the moment
does not mean that he can remain strongly entrenched forever.
2 56 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

White has faith in his ability to find some way of exploiting the
superior position of his forces.

DIAGRAM 200
( after 14 P-K5 / )
The blockade of Black's game
is becoming serious.

( 2 ) Not only do White's pieces have superior mobility; he

has ways of increasing their mobility, while the same is not
true of Black's pieces.
( 3 ) The advance P-K5 assures White of the permanent
posting of his mighty Queen Bishop on Q6. The dominating
position of the Bishop here has a crippling effect on Black's
efforts to free himself.
14 . . . . KR-Nl

Unpinning his Knight at K2. Black chafes under the restraint

imposed on him.
15 P-R4
More restraint: Black is prevented from acquiring more ter�
rain at some time or other by . . . P-KN4.
15 • • • • P-N3

Black is playing for the logical advance . . . P-QB4, which

will give him more playing space on the Queen-side. Black nat-
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 2 57

urally strives, insofar as it is in his power, to resist White's

constricting policy.
16 N-K2

DIAGRAM 201
( after 16 N-K2 )
Can Black attain a modicum
of freedom by advancing his
Queen Bishop Pawn?

16 • • • • N-Bl

The indicated move was 16 . . P-B4, cracking down on

White's center. Yet Black avoids this obvious move. Why?
The point is that 16 . . . P-B4 is refuted by 17 N-B4 at­
tacking the King Pawn. If then 17 . . . N-B1 or 17 . . . N­
N1 then 18 PxP wins a Pawn. Or if 17 . . . P-B5; 18 NxKP,
Q-K1; 19 N-B7 forking Queen and Queen Rook. 0
1 7 P-QR5 !

A very fine move. While Black is temporarily unable to play

. . P-B4, White gets lasting control of the black squares on
the Queen-side by forcing the disappearance of Black's Queen
Knight Pawn from QN3. Whether Black moves his Queen
Knight Pawn or leaves it at QN3, he cannot avoid losing Pawn
control of the vital square QB4.
° For the fork, see Winning Chess, p. 29.
2 58 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Once this Pawn control is lost, Black will never be able to

free himself with . . . P-B4; and in addition White will b��
occupying this important square himself.
17 . . • . P-QN4
As has been pointed out, neither capturing . . . PxP nor al�
lowing White to play PxP would make any essential diHerence
as regards the further course of the game.

DIAGRAM 202
( after 17 . . . P-QN4 )
Black no longer has any po­
tential freeing moves.

White has made considerable progress with his encirclement

strategy. Now that the freeing advance . . . P-B4 has been
ruled out, there remains only one rather slight hope for Black:
a possible . . . P-N4 later on.
Even though this advance cannot possibly be managed now,
White nevertheless takes steps to prevent it for all time. Once
these permanent preventive measures have been taken, White
can forget about the King-side for good and turn all his atten­
tion to the Queen -side.
18 P-KN3 R-Rl
19 K-N2 K-Nl
20 R-Rl K-B2
21 N-B4 KR-Nl
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY .2 )9

DIAGRAM 203
( after 21 . . . KR-Nl )
How is White to make further
progress?

This is the most important stage of the whole game. White

determined on a plan many moves ago : to constrict Black's
position. Following up his plan consistently, White blockaded
his opponent on both wings. The consequence of this planning
procedure is that Black is helpless.
Well, what then? What does White do about it? What he
now does is the most important feature of this highly instruc­
tive game. He opens up a line on which he can penetrate into

DIAGRAM 204
( after 22 P-N3 I )
White plans t o open the
Queen Bishop file.
260 HOW TO THINK AHEAD L"' CHESS

Figure 17
White has advanced the Queen Knight Pau;n in order to open a
file and thus be in a position to penetrate into Black's cramped
formation. Here again we see the importance of line-opening
through Pawn capture, in this case prepared by the preliminary
Pau;n advances 22 P-NS ! and 2·3 P-84 !

his opponent's position. Black's lack of mobility makes it impos­

sible for him to meet force with force. White musters superior
force, and he deploys it u;ith superior mobility.

22 P-N3!

After the explanation of White's strategy, the meaning of his

advance of the Queen Knight Pawn becomes crystal-clear. The
key-move here is P-B4, which will result in due course in the
opening of the Queen Bishop file. This is the line on which
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY .2 61
White will muster superior force for his successful invasion of
Black's position. ( See Diagram 204. )
22 . • • • N-R2

As far as the Queen-side is concerned, Black has nothing bet­

ter than marking time. On the other wing, he still toys with the
possibility of . . . P-N4.
23 P-B4 !

DIAGRAM 205
( after 23 P-B4 ! )
White is ready to utilize the
Queen Bishop file.

Now the line-opening is inevitable. Its technical aspect is of

the greatest importance to those who want to improve their
game. Line-opening comes about through Pawn captures.
Therefore, when you want to open lines of attack, you create
opportunities for Pawn captures.
23 B-Q2
24 QR-QBI

White can double Rooks on the Queen Bishop file if he

wants to, or has to; Black cannot imitate this maneuver.
White can bring a Knight to the magnificent outpost square
QB5. Black cannot imitate this maneuver. '-
2. 62. HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

Thus we see that White has all the solid, favorable, promis­
ing possibilities that are contained in the position. All this
comes about from Black's poor opening and White's well­
planned exploitation of it.
24 B-KBI
25 B-K2 /

A very fine move. Its most obvious point is that it prepares

for the powerful maneuver N-Q3--B5.

DIAGRAM 206
( after 25 B-K2 / )
White makes room for N-Q3.

Suppose that Black makes a desperate attempt to get some

air by ( finally ) playing 25 . . . P-N4. Then there comes 26
RPxP, NxP; 27 NxN eh, PxN; 28 B-R5 eh, K-N2; 29 NxP eh !,
BxN; 30 QxP eh followed by mate. Or if 27 . . . RxN; 28 N­
R3, KR-Nl; 29 B-R5 eh, K-N2; 30 N-B4 and Black's game
is desperate indeed.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 206. )
25 N-Bl
26 BPxQP !

Opening the all-important Queen Bishop file.

26 • • • • BPxP
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 26 3

DIAGRAM 207
( after 26 BPxP )
At last-the opening of the
Queen Bishop file!
It will not do to play 26 . . . NxB or 26 . . . BxB, for then
27 PxP eh, BxP; 28 NxB, KxN; 29 RxP results in a disastrous
pin ° for Black.
27 BxB NxB
28 R-B5
White proceeds systematically to monopolize the open file.
28 • . .
• N-QR2
29 N-Q3
The Knight will land on QB5 in due course. ( See Diagram
208. )
White's strategy is clearly mapped out for him. He will set
up a stranglehold on the Queen Bishop file; he will occupy the
weak black squares which Black cannot guard adequately; he
will reduce Black's mobility more and more; he will bring pres­
sure to bear on Black's weak King Pawn and Queen Rook
Pawn.
29 • . K-N2
• •

29 . . . P-N4 would merely permit White to seize another

open file: 30 PxP etc.
° For the pin, see Winning Chess, p. 7.
2.64 HOW TO TillNK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 208
( after 29 N-Q3 )
The Knight heads for QB5.

80 KR-QBI

Having in view some such continuation as R-B7 followed

by Q-N4 and Q-Q6. Black tries to dispute the open file.
30 • . • • R-Bl
31 RXR BxR

If 31 . . . NxR; 32 N-B5 wins the Queen Rook Pawn!

32 Q-B3 !

DIAGRAM 209
( after 32 Q-B3 ! )
Now the Queen uses the
Queen Bishop file as a high­
way.
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 265
The exchange of Rooks has not relieved Black's congestion
appreciably. White retains his stranglehold on the Queen
Bishop file and is now ready to increase the pressure until
Black reaches the breaking point.
82 K-R2
83 Q-B5 ! R-N2
84 Q-N6 !

DIAGRAM 210
( after 34 Q-N6 !)
The encirclement makes rapid
progress now.

The noose gets tighter and tighter around Black's neck. If

now 34 . . . QxQ ?; 35 PxQ wins a piece!
34 Q-K2
35 N-B5

Note the repeated occupation of this important square.

Black's Queen Rook Pawn must now be lost, which is enough
to decide the fate of the game.
Black therefore resorts to a desperate demonstration on the
other wing. He has nothing more to lose, come what may.
35 P-N4
36 PxP PxP
87 N-Kl ! . . . .
266 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

DIAGRAM 211
( after 37 N-K1 ! )
Black's . .attack" i s stymied.

How is Black to continue his "attack"? If 37 . . . P-N5; 38

N/Kl-Q3 followed by 39 N-B4 with enhanced pressure on
Black's weak Pawn. If 37 . . . P-B5; 38 B-N4 again with
enhanced pressure on the weak King Pawn.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 211 . )
37 N-N3
38 N/Kl-Q3 P-B5
39 R-Rl eh K-Nl
40 B-N4 ! PxP
41 PxP

DIAGRAM 212
( after 41 PxP )
The encirclement is complete!
 HOW TO EXPLOIT INFERIOR PLAY 267
White has completed a masterpiece of encirclement. If now
41 . . . N-B1; 42 R-R6 and White makes sure of picking up
the weak King Pawn before he confiscates the Rook Pawn as
well.
There is something very satisfying in seeing how consistently
and thoughtfully White has held to his original plan of the
game, which might be summed up in the following phases :
( 1 ) Black condemns himseU to a cramped position.
( 2 ) White hits on the strategical plan of steadily constrict­
ing Black's game.
( 3 ) White follows through systematically to execute this
plan.
( 4) Having achieved his strategical objective, White casts
about for a way of opening new lines by means of Pawn cap­
tures.
( 5 ) First he plays P-QN3 and P-QB4, leading to the
cpening of the Queen Bishop file.
( 6 ) Then White masses his forces on this open line, utilizing
it as a springboard for invading Black's position.
( 7 ) By means of another capture ( PxP in reply to . . . P­
KN4 ) he obtains control of the King Rook file as soon as it is
opened. In this way he enhances his threats against Black's
vulnerable weaknesses.
( We return now to the position of Diagram 212. )
41 • • • • N-R5 eh
This sacrifice is quite hopeless, and therefore incomprehen­
sible to the uninitiated.
But as we know that the secret of White's success lies in the
occupation of newly-opened lines, we know that the "logical"
or "reasonable" 41 . . . N-B1 is smashed by 42 R-R6 ( play
on the open file ) . Realizing that he is lost, Black gives a spite
check which has no more significance than an impotent flare of
temper.
42 PxN PxP
 HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS

43 N-B2 R-B2
44 NxKP K-R2
45 Q-Q6 Resigns
Black is a piece down without the slightest compensation.
White's relentless execution of a brilliant plan makes this game a
thing of enchantment to anyone who studies it in detail. Such
games are even more beautiful than the most sparkling sacrifices!
 About the Authors

I. A. HOROWITZ, editor and publisher of Chess Review

since 1933, has been one of America's outstanding chess­
masters for more than twenty years. He has won the
United States Open Championship three times, and he
played on the winning American teams in the Interna­
tional Team Tournaments at Prague, 1931; Warsaw, 1935;
and Stockholm, 1937.

FRED REINFELD is credited with being the world's

most prolific chess writer. He has also defeated many of
America's leading masters in international competition.
After annexing the Intercollegiate Championship in his
undergraduate days, he won the New York State Cham­
pionship twice and subsequently became the titleholder
of both the Marshall and Manhattan Chess Clubs.
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Think Ahead
In Chess
1. A. Horownz
Fred Heinleld
a typical chess player-more than a beg;nner but
expert-you have a problem. You know enough to develoP!
pieces in the opening. and you do so, more or less by
last you are ready for real action. Then something happeru�:J
Stymied.
You are faced with a maze of complications, and you
ner>tl
what to do next. Attack? Defend? Wait for your oppo1
bhJncier·? Swap pieces? You have no plan, no grand ..tr.�t·•I7VI
no tactical thrusts. A vast gulf of confusion stretches
correct opening position to the smashing combination
winning end game that you dream of.
This book can lead you out of that dilemma. It actually
you HOW TO THINK AHEAD IN CHESS, how to
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Jsucce,ss f,ul End Game.
Not only will you win more games; you will enjoy each game
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