-------- Original Message ----------
From: Chris Ross <c.ross@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: tyson.mordue@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: 28 October 2016 at 15:49
Subject: Pooh!
All,
Here is a game of some rarity. I conclude this game with a mating king-side
attack, which is a direct consequence of some creative positional structuring.
The game principals follow many of the themes that I discussed in my annotated
game “Philidor’s delight”, penned back in October 2010, which I attach here once
again for referencing. In those notes, I discuss the objectives that white is
striving for and comment on the difficulties of the light-squared bishop for
white. In this particular encounter, I improve on the original system and get a
more comfortable game. Many of the theoretical and positional objectives in the
original annotations need not be repeated and as a result, I will not expand
extensively on these aspects.
This game was played in the London League, for Drunken Knights and my opponent
is a very strong FIDE Master. My only other encounter with him was in the
British Rapid Play, where we had an in-depth conversation about the setups he
adopts as black. The philosophy of the opening is to crouch, seemingly
impassively and then strike out at the centre once the minor pieces are suitably
positioned from the side to exert there maximum pressure. As can be seen though,
I choose a slightly unusual approach to tackling the Philidor, which gives black
pause for thought. Once the immediate positional difficulties are resolved,
white is given full reign to build and eventually, execute a decisive king-side
attack.
Enjoy!
[Event "London League 2016-2017"]
[Site "London, ENG"]
[Date "2016.10.24"]
[Round "2.3"]
[White "Ross, Chris"]
[Black "Poobalasingam, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C41"]
[PlyCount "57"]
[EventDate "2016.10.10"]
[WhiteTeam "Drunken Knights 2"]
[BlackTeam "Richmond"]
{C41: Philidor Defence}
1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 e5
4. Nf3
{White can take on e5 and exchange queens, but the queenless middle game offers
him little for an advantage. Although it is difficult to win such games, white
does have to be wary of falling into subtle tricks that black has at his
disposal. The text-move pretty much forces black into a Philidor structure.}
4... Nbd7
5. g3
{As discussed in the original notes to this structure, the white light-squared
bishop has a tough time in this opening. Finding a safe square for it is not
easy. In my original annotations, I comment on how I developed it to e2 and
eventually back to f1, once castling had been achieved. In this approach, the
light-squared bishop is employed immediately onto the long diagonal. Seemingly
passive and not destined for great things, the bishop is preserved for a more
long-distance task. On g2 it is out of the way and keeps the white king more
than sufficiently protected from any flash attacks by black.}
5... Be7
6. Bg2 O-O
7. O-O c6
{Black begins his quiet approach to slowly advancing his queen-side pawns. His
intension is to slowly creep forwards in an attempt to undermine the queen-side
and then eventually, the centre.
The major disadvantage of the text-move is the apparent weakening of the
d6-square. Although not an obvious target, the text-move does mean that the
d6-square can never be protected by a pawn again.
As discussed in the original notes, white has resolved the issue of his
light-squared bishop, but now has the difficulty of finding a good square for
his dark-squared counterpart. E3 would block the protection of the E-pawn by a
rook on e1 and would be hassled by Ng4 ideas. G5 is possible but exchanges on f6
may have to occur if it is harassed by h7-h6. Giving up the bishop pair for no
good reason is not beneficial for white.
Therefore, the bishop is found a new home and targets the d6-square at the same
time.}
8. a4
{The black queen-side is restrained. Black will have to make more slow pawn
moves before any advancement is possible. White’s grip on the position increases
that bit more.}
8... b6
{A typical Modern/Pirc approach. The black pawns on the queen-side slowly
advance, but hold up white from clamping even further with a4-a5. Black will
develop behind the pawns and then hope to strike outwards.}
9. b3 Bb7
10. Ba3
{Finding the optimal development square for the dark-squared bishop. It is not
only very safe, but pressurises the weakness on d6 with much effect. White would
like to exchange the dark-squared bishops if possible and this increases the
tension on the e5-pawn. Black must always be wary of exchanges on e5 now and the
d6-pawn could be pinned against a potentially loose bishop on e7, thus limiting
black’s natural Qc7 developing move.
Black has to resolve the immediate issue of the d6 pawn. Qc7 to defend the pawn
allows exchanges on e5 and then e7, as mentioned. How is black to defend his
pawn then.}
11... c5
{Radically changing the complexion of the position. By this move, black has
given up a lot of potential central tension and the break d6-d5 is highly likely
not going to occur now.
Although this opens lines towards the vulnerable white e4-pawn, white has too
much control to necessarily be concerned about this. More importantly is that
the black counter play on the queen-side has been seriously disrupted and
forcing opening lines on that side is going to be impossible for him to do in a
rapid manner.}
11. d5
{Although this blockades the position, the text-move halts any ambitions black
had on the queen-side, thereby leaving the king-side available for operations
for the white forces. With the clamp on the queen-side and centre, white is now
preparing a launch on the king-side to open up lines.
The natural pawn-breaks for white and black are with the F-pawns. Which is the
most effective can be evidenced by which one has the more support.
When black plays f7-f5, currently, he only has his rook to defend the
pawn-break. At the moment, white has a rook and significantly, a pawn on g3 to
support that particular F-pawn thrust. An important feature which cannot be
ignored.}
11... Ne8
{Black frees up the path for his pawn-break. The knight is rerouted to support
in a queen-side break too, but this takes up valuable time. Critically though,
is that the natural king-side defender is diverted away from the monarch’s
protection to a relatively unimportant break on the opposite side of the board.
Despite it being an automatic and profitable project for the steed to partake
in, black simply does not have the time to indulge in such luxuries.
Black should be engineering g7-g6 and then Nh5/Ng7 and then eventually f7-f5 in
a similar vein that can be seen in the King’s Indian Defences structures. In the
meantime though, white is doing such concepts, but he has the supporting g2-g3
move in already.}
12. Nd2
{As discussed in the original notes, c4 is a very useful outpost for white to
occupy, though in this game, the b6-square is not an overt target. Nevertheless,
the knight has options to hop into c4 and then potentially back to e3,
controlling f5 and preparing itself for a king-side attack. Critically though,
is the F-pawn is now free to make its own thrust.}
12... a6
{Black prepares his queen-side break of b6-b5, a very productive plan, as this
will give him considerable space on that side of the board. Indeed, if he can
get b5-b4 in, the knight on e8 can travel to c7, b5 and then into the weak d4
square. Also, the f1-a6 diagonal will become open, an excellent diagonal for the
black light-squared bishop to operate on, disturbing the rook on f1, which is
needed for an F-pawn advancement.}
13. Bb2
{The bishop retreats from any difficulties it may incur on the a3-square.
Advances by black with b6-b5, will menace b5-b4 forks. The relocation of the
bishop exerts pressure on the e5-pawn, coupled with an advancing f2-f4, will put
a question to the black centre.}
13... Nc7
{Black is now poised for his breaks. B6-b5 cannot be prevented and this
queen-side expansion will create some excellent opportunities for him in the
middle-game.
An important moment has arrived for white, for he must play this accurately to
continue with his superior positional structure.
14. Nc4 is the natural and most logical continuation. As planned, this knight
would control some important squares and head back to the e3-square. The
immediate disadvantage is that 14... b5 is still playable and after 15. Ne3 b4
and black is well en route in carrying out his expansion on the queen-side.
A final point of significant importance too. When black achieves his thrust of
f7-f5, he not only opens up lines, but fatally weakens the white spearhead on
d5, for at the moment, the bishop on b7 and the knight on c7 are attacking it.}
14. Ne2!
{A challenging move to see, but in its essence, it accomplishes everything that
white is trying to accomplish. The knight is relocated towards the king-side for
the attack and opens up the dark-squared bishop in the process. It also frees up
the C-pawn to advance to offer vital support to the d5-spearhead and
intriguingly offers white a better option to capture on f4. The white pieces are
now so well coordinated that black must react, otherwise, he will soon be
overwhelmed by the sheer pressure of the white position.}
14... f5
{Black breaks, in the hope that the white centre will collapse. White can, of
course, further the blockade with 15. F3 and black will advance to f4 and a
position will arise where very little can happen. A drawish and uninspiring
variation.
Black is simply going to take on e4 and collapse the pawn-chain base or advance
to f4 and get a potential dangerous king-side attack. White is committed now, so
there is no going back.}
15. f4
{White meets black’s thrust with one of his own. Since the white pieces are so
well coordinated, there should b no danger in opening up the position. Black
cannot be permitted to advance with f5-f4 and there are very serious weaknesses
now appearing for black. For instance, black has to be very wary of exchanges
happening on e5 and if the white d5-pawn is freed up with a black dxe5 move,
d5-d6 may win a piece for white.}
15... fxe4
{Black desperately attempts to open up the centre and weaken the spearhead on
d5. Although tactically valid, the text-move only allows white to bring his
minor pieces into the centre with tempo. Black’s position is so cramped that it
is tough to suggest a viable continuation for him here. Maybe retreating with
Nce8 and grovelling for a while is his best option, although this is no fun at
all.}
16. c4
{White solidifies the d5-square for ever and thus limiting the black minor
pieces considerably. The recapture on e4 can wait, as the black doubled E-pawn
is going absolutely nowhere.
After the text-move, black has a very challenging position to survive and white
is now able to begin aggressive operations on the king-side.}
16... e3
{In the grand scheme of things, this achieves nothing at all for black and only
drives the white pieces to where they ultimately want to go in any case. The
tempo lost may have been better invested in drawing defensive resources back
towards the black king-side.}
17. Ne4 exf4
{An exchange forced if black is to release the pressure on the e5-pawn as
described before. This exchange only brings more forces into the centre for
white though.}
18. Nxf4 Nf6
{Black is now scrambling to bring the defences back and to offer exchanges, in
the desperate hope that the pressure will be eased. There may be vague hopes of
playing Ng4 to cling onto the advanced E-pawn, but this is highly unlikely, as
the knight cannot be supported on g4 for any amount of time. Of course, if Nf2
could be made available, then the white queen may have some difficulties finding
a good square. As it is, she has an easy first task to achieve.}
19. Qd3
{The queen steps up to snaffle back the wayward E-pawn. Importantly though, she
exerts pressure down the b1-h7 diagonal, as h7 is suddenly becoming very
sensitive. Exchanges on e4 will now pose the immediate problem of defending the
h7-square.}
19... Bc8
{Continuing with his fruitless attempt to bring defensive pieces back around to
the king-side. The light-squared bishop has no prospects on the long diagonal
any more, so it is rerouted.
19... Ng4 20. h3 Nh6 21. Nh5
seems very bleak for black.}
20. Qxe3
{An economy move, saving time on the clock and making things that bit more
clear. There are tactical ways to try to manifest a material advantage, but with
such time-controls (1 HR + 40 Minutes for 30 moves), sometimes easy finds are
best played.
20. Ng5 e2 21. Qxe2 Bf5 would be playable for white, but the annoying deflection
by the advancing E-pawn could be a distraction that white will not want in the
future.}
20... b5
{Black makes his queen-side break, although the time for such exercises are well
passed.
20... Ng4 achieves nothing as 21. Qe2 maintains the advantage for white.}
21. Bc3
{Removing the bishop as a tactical liability once the B-file becomes open. White
has the time to be cautious before any immediate tactics are initiated in the
final attack. Black needs to find moves and a plan, so, waiting moves like this
cannot harm white.}
21... bxc4
22. bxc4 Rb8
23. Rae1
{Developing the queen’s rook and instigating tactical complications. The bishop
on e7 is loose and vulnerable to tactics once the knight on e4 has stepped
aside. Nxc5 tactics may be in the offing, although Ng5 is the more likely
route.}
23... Nxe4
{Seeking exchanges to ease the pressure. Unfortunately for black, this only aids
white in his final approaches. A defender is removed, but the attacking piece,
which was exchanged, is simply replaced for another, and potentially, more
dangerous one.}
24. Bxe4
{Also possible is
24. Qxe4 Bf6 25. Ne6 Bxe6 26. dxe6 Qe7 27. Bxf6 Rxf6
although the lines of attack are not so obvious. A direct king-side attack is
the name of the game now, so blockading on e6 with a passed pawn does not finish
black off quickly enough.
Bxh7+ tactics are now on the cards with the loose bishop on e7 a hanging piece.}
}
24... Bf6?
{Black’s losing move. Not only positionally, but tactically too.
24... Bg5 was the only way to continue. White would then play similar moves to
the actual game continuation, but at least black may be able to enforce some
more exchanges.
As it is, white has an immediate forcing approach, to which, there is no answer
for black, as every variation loses significant material.}
25. Qd3!
{Simple, but extremely effective. In all lines, something will fall.
The pressure on the king-side cannot be averted. Black does not have a single
move here to avoid significant loss.}
25... Bxc3
{It would be unfair to criticise this move, since there is no other move that is
better.
For example, 25... g6 only allows 26. Bxg6 and the same mating net occurs.
Have fun figuring out all the nice mating features of some of the lines,
including moves like 25... Bd4+ and 25... Bf5 etc.
A touching finish to a well constructed plan and an exploitation of a setup
previously trialled, reflected upon, developed and re-shaped.
My only concern here now was whether to announce “mate in 4” or not!}
26. Bxh7+ Kh8
27. Ng6+ Kxh7
28. Nxf8+ Kg8
29. Qh7# 1-0
Opening references
A.
9... Qc7 10. Ba3 Re8 11. Qd2 Bb7 12. Rfe1 a6 13. Rad1 b5 14. dxe5 dxe5 15. Bxe7
Rxe7 16. Nh4 Nc5 17. Bh3 b4 18. Qe3 Ne6
19. Bxe6 Rxe6 20. Nb1 c5 21. f3 g6 22. c3 a5 23. cxb4 cxb4 24. Rc1
Viana da Costa,F (2277)-Liascovich,L (2400)/Sao Paulo BRA 2013/0-1})
B.
10... a6 11. dxe5 dxe5 12. Bd6 Bxd6 13. Qxd6 Re8 14. Rfd1 Qb8
15. Nh4 Qxd6 16. Rxd6 b5 17. Nf5 g6 18. Ne3 Kg7 19. Bh3 Nf8 20. f3 Red8 21. Rad1
Rxd6 22. Rxd6 Ne8 23. Rd1 f6 24. Na2 Kf7 25. Nb4 Ke7
Kravtsiv,M (2595)-Khairullin,I (2657)/Legnica POL 2013/1-0 (49)})
C.
10... a6 11. Re1 Re8
1/2-1/2 Andersson,U (2625)-Hickl,J (2570)/Polanica Zdroj 1993/CBM 037})
D.
10... Re8 11. a5 Bf8 12. Re1 bxa5 13. dxe5 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Rxe5 15. Bb2 Re8 16.
Qd4 Re5 17. h3 Nd7 18. Kh2 h5 19. f4 Re6 20. Qd2 h4 21. g4 Nf6 22. g5 Nh5 23.
Ne2 d5 24. e5 Bb4 25. c3
Andreasson,I (2326)-Malmstig,E (2250)/Gothenburg 2004/CBM 101 ext/1-0 (44)
Chris Ross
October 2016
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Philidor’s Delight
All,
An interesting line in the Philidor Defence, which I have been finding a bit
annoying as of late.
FIDE Master Tyson Mordue has suggested this side-line to the white setup and
I have attempted it several times now, but with varied success.
This lovely game is probably one of the few times that it has worked very
Successfully for me, and in doing so, I clean out yet another very strong
player, graded ECF 206 (ELO 2271).
There are some very neat positional touches in the early middle-game and the
game finishes off with a picturesque sacrifice and a king-side mating attack!
Enjoy.
[Event "CCCA League Matches 2010-2011"]
[Site "Peterborough, ENG"]
[Date "2010.10.14"]
[Round "1.1"]
[White "Ross, Chris"]
[Black "Timoshenko, Andrei"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[WhiteElo "2223"]
[BlackElo "2271"]
[Annotator "Chris Ross"]
[PlyCount "73"]
[EventDate "2010.10.14"]
[WhiteTeam "New England A"]
[BlackTeam "Peterborough A"]
{C41: Philidor Defence}
1. e4 d6
2. d4 e5
3. Nf3 Nd7
4. Nc3 c6
5. a4 a5
{Already a very interesting positional question arises.
White has played a2-a4 to restrain the black queen-side from expanding and to
take some control of the light-squares.
Black is worried about white playing a4-a5 and gaining an even firmer clamp on
the queen-side.
To prevent this, black attempts to claim the b4 square as an outpost.
However, intriguingly enough, playing a7-a5 leaves yet another central square
that bit more vulnerable. I have contemplated this in depth previously and am
starting to grasp the idea, which I have utelised in other similar openings,
such as the King's Indian defence and Bennoni Defence.
Well, it's the c4 square. The c4 square has been weakened more by the a7-a5
thrust, as my own a2-a4 move will provide support for an outpost on c4.
IN that regard, which piece belongs on c4?
Lots of debates now. Should the bishop on f1 go there (see the opening
references below).
If so, is the bishop open to tactics by black with Nxe4 and a future d6-d5?
Probably is.
Playing it to c4 and then back to b3/a2 to stop those tactics makes the a2-a4
thrust pointless, as then the b7-b5 counter-break will not be held up so much
and black may well achieve the break.
Yes, there are lines where that happens, but then the A-file can become a bit of
a problem.
So, what other piece can dominate from c4? Well, here experience in Bennoni
setups help. I intend for the king's knight to land on there. But then what
about the bishops? Where do the white bishop pair belong?
Answers coming up.}
6. Be2
{So, the light-squared bishop is kept in a more passive role, with the intent of
bringing it around via f3 or even back to f1 and then eventually fianchettoing
it. However, for the meantime, it must remain on the f1-a6 diagonal to restrain
the b7-b5 counter-break. A more passive position for the piece, but perfectly
acceptable, since on c4, exd4 for black and Nc5 ideas attacking e4 and the
aforementioned Nxe4 tactics prove life a bit awkward for the light-squared
controller.
See below for references.}
6... Ngf6
{Logical enough, but there are options. See below for references.}
7. O-O Be7
8. b3
{The next stage in the plan. White has to find a suitable square for the queen's
bishop.
Our focus now turns to the weak point in the black camp. Where is there a
structural weakness, or focus-point for white to attack?
D6 seems to be a juicy pawn to target. Since it is effectively backward, it will
require some considerable support. And the pawn can be almost pinned to the
bishop on e7 in many ways.
Bringing the white dark-squared bishop out to e3 or g5 is possible, but it tends
not to have much life out there and can do little to influence the game. In many
ways, this game is about light-squares and the control of that half of the
board. Indeed then, swapping these bishops may not be such an advantage for
white, as black's dark-squared bishop is pretty rubbish!}
8. O-O
9. Ba3
{And thus, the d6 pawn is targeted. An unusual development square for the piece,
but yet again, another very good reason for 5. A4 was played, to ensure that Ba3
is not such an awkward move to make.}
9... Re8
{The bishop on e7 needs protection. Black has to be very aware of dxe5 timely
captures as the d6 pawn will be left pinned to the bishop if black were to play
a premature Qc7 move. Black intends to recapture back on e5 with the pawn,
naturally, when he would be controlling the centre very well.}
10. Re1 Qc7
11. Qd2 Nf8
12. Rad1 Ng6
{OK, critical moment.
White has now developed and got his pieces just about set on their ideal
squares. The bishop on e2 needs relocating and the knight on f3 needs to find a
secure outpost, but we have plans for that, right?
Black has attacking intensions though on the king-side. The queen's knight has
swung around to position itself menacingly on the king-side with ideas of Nf4
and flash king-side attacks.
Are we scared though?
Decisions, decisions. How does white achieve his positional objectives; namely
attacking the d6 pawn and restraining black from counter-breaking with b7-b5?}
13. d5!
{Both positionally sound and psychologically damaging. White had to be very
aware of dxe5 and after d6xe5, black would have ideas of Bg4/Bxf3 and then
Nf8/Ne6/Nd4 and the outpost on d4 becomes a bit of a nightmare for white, as the
knight on c3 is in fact poorly positioned.
White has to avoid a bad-bishop VS good-knight ending at all costs. Similar
lines in the exchange variation of the KI Defence can be seen here.
So, white opts not to offer that chance to black. The e6 square is controlled
and white simply threatens to take on c6 and make the d6 pawn a huge target. If
black then attempts to break with a future d6-d5, white could be left with a
potential outside passed queen-side pawn.
Taking on d5 allows the exchange of the poorly-placed knight on c3 and gives
white the chance then to play c2-c4 and have a huge clamp on the queen-side,
with the B-pawn and d6 pawn's very backward and vulnerable to attack. So, black
wants to attack but can't if white is going to be annoying and blockade. Can
black afford the time to allow white to take on c6 and leave that poor d6 pawn
as a huge target?}
13... c5?!
{Black decides not to!
But at a huge cost. The bishop on a3 has certainly been shut out, but that's
fine, since the bishop on e7 has little prospects at the current moment.
But we come back to the very first few moves. That all-important a2-a4 and a7-a5
counter-thrust. Now, remember what I said about the c4 square becoming an
outpost?
Well, check it out now and all of a sudden, b5 has become an attractive square
for the white knights. White has now suddenly been presented with two very tasty
outposts on the queen-side.
However, can white waste time occupying them and if he does, do they actually do
anything? Maybe not, if he's going to be mated on the king-side!
13... Rd8 14. h3 certainly keeps the tension but black has more than enough
to be worried about.
OK, strategy is now required. Black has made the decision to blockade. How do we
now rearrange our pieces?
Squares and positions are the name of the day now. Tactics have to be taken into
consideration, but if we could simply reshuffle our pieces and put them on their
optimal squares, where would they all stand?
Big point in the game now is how you actually re-position the pieces.
Positions and squares matter and consider how to actually ultimately get there,
however many moves it takes, since if you can stop black from mating you, tempi
matters little in many respects.
Which ranks are important, which coloured squares matters and how do we shift
currently-occupied pieces out of the way to facilitate other pieces
coordination?}
14. g3!
{OK, let's take this piece by piece.
Queen: The white queen in these setups always has a difficult job to find a
suitable position. It's rarely comfortable on any given square, but now with the
outposts that have been created on the queen-side, she has holes to exploit.
However, black has king-side attacking intensions. In that regard, the white
queen is probably needed for defensive duties. The queen then needs to be able
to switch to the king-side very rapidly. At the current moment, she is standing
on a rather annoying square, as the d2 square is needed for another piece. So,
the quickest way to get to the king-side is actually via the 3rd rank.
14. Qd3 just allows Nf4 and the queen has an annoying question to be answered.
So, the queen is now headed for d3, without having to be worried about Nf4 ideas
and is actually headed for the light-squares around the king-side, namely, the
g2 square!
From G2, white is directly attacking the black king and wishes to set up a
mating net on g7. White intends to break through the centre and it is the G-file
that is going to become open. So, the queen is repositioned onto the king-side
and on the potentially open G-file.
Knight on f3: This knight has been targeted at the c4 square since move 5.
In that regard, it has to be able to drop back to d2 and then c4, which means
the white queen has to vacate the d2 square.
Dark-squared bishop: The dark-squared bishop on a3 has been shut-out and needs
to find a life again. In that way, c1 is the only diagonal where it can actually
do anything and to do that, the queen has to move.
Light-squared bishop: The bishop is destined for f1 and probably g2 and/or
h3, depending on where the black light-squared counterpart places itself. If the
light-squared bishop for white lands on f1, then the white queen is needed to
hold up any attacks on f3 and the white king-side.
White e4 pawn: This can be left weak if the knight on c3 wanders away to b5 and
Nxe4 tactics for black are on. Qd3 has to be played to protect the pawn.
C4 square: Black cannot be permitted to play c5-c4 and gain time to break-open
the position.
Pawn-breaks: White wishes to play f2-f4 and blast through the centre. If black
is to take this pawn on f4, white wants to recapture on f4 with the g3 pawn,
thereby opening up the G-file for attack and facilitating a future e4-e5 thrust,
smashing a way through the centre, similar to Bennoni defence setups. Not taking
on f4 will allow a f4-f5 and king-side pawn storm.
With all of these considerations and the white king-side under threat, the
text-move allows everything to be maneuvered slowly into place. It takes a few
moves and black's attempts to form any attacking play is soon thwarted and it's
white who suddenly becomes very aggressive.
Now explained and all figured out, on with the plan!}
14... h6
{The next few moves are rather strange by black. Obviously, he is cramped up and
searching for a decent plan and he soon becomes aggressive again. I am surmising
that black intended Nh7 and Bg5 ideas to gain some control of the dark-squares
and rid himself of a bad bishop. Why then he changes his mind I am unsure.}
15. Qd3 b6
16. Nd2 h5?
{Black suddenly becomes impatient. He can clearly see my intensions and my
targeted outposts. He obviously feels that positionally, he is already in a very
difficult position. Aggression may be his only course.
I believe he should be breaking out with a f7-f5 thrust though. Having played
h7-h6, this leaves him even weaker, but to get anything out of the game, he
should be playing it like a King's Indian Defence setup.
Are we scared of the advancing H-pawn?
16... Ba6 17. Qf3 achieves nothing for black.}
17. Bc1
{No, we are not scared of the H-pawn!
We simply get on with the re-positioning of the pieces.
In fact, the opening up of the H-file could be to black's disadvantage, since
white has the easiest king-lift to knight-2 and then a rook swing to the H-file.
Unless there are nasty tricks on h3, h5-h4 and hxg3 does not help black in the
slightest. It was so, so tempting to play 17. h4, but then black may have
annoying tactics with sacrifices on h4 winning two pawns for an awkward attack.
That would give him counter-play, which I simply don't' want. Ignore him then,
get on with the plan.}
17... h4
18. Nc4 Ba6
{And we ask ourselves what the light-squared bishop is doing on a6 instead of
the king-side, where the white light-squares are a lot weaker?
Surely, black does not intend to give up the bishop pair so easily and allow
white to build-up a slow, but powerful king-side attack with the bishop pair?
He may be able to chop one of the outposted knights, on c4 or a future b5, but
not both? Decisions for black, and neither are good.
18... Qd8 19. gxh4 Ng4 20. Bg5 didn't seem attractive for black either.}
19. Qf3
{I thought this the simplest, although instinct was crying out for 19. gxh4 Nxh4
20. Qg3 Nh7 but I was so reluctant to grab on h4 and leave the f4 square so
unprotected. In any case, I wanted to get on with my plan of putting the queen
on g2 and playing f2-f4.}
19... Nh7
{Black is attempting to re-gather his pieces for a defence. Very admirable and
the black knight is headed for g5 maybe and possible annoying tactics.
But there is more to the light-squares than first appearances.}
20. Ne3!
{After which, black is in deep trouble. His position was worse, but now it is
becoming very critical.
With the black light-squared bishop wandering across to a6, he has forgotten
that f5 has actually been left weakened. So, the outposted knight on c4 keeps an
eye out on that square, but threatens to suddenly spring into a deadly king-side
attack.
All of the light-squares are now tremendously under pressure.
Black needs to find a good saving plan now and some way to find counter-play.}
20... Bxe2?
{Black's losing positional move.
His game is positionally tenable if he retreats to c8 and prays and tactics may
help him to survive, but this exchange of his best bishop is simply suicidal.
20. Ng5 21. Qg4 Bc8 22. Nf5 doesn't help him in the slightest.}
21. Qxe2 Bf8
{Black is digging in now and hoping more than anything. He's in a very poor
position and tactics are the only thing that can save him now, or white
over-extending.
21... Bg5 22. Nf5 Bxc1 23. Nb5 looked grim for him.}
22. Nb5 Qb8
{I cannot explain why he chose b8 and not d8. I am guessing that he wanted the
d8 square for his rook, so that the queen could come to c8 as in the game. But
the retreat to d8 has to be preferred.
22... Qd8 23. Qg4 increases the pressure even more.}
23. Nf5 Rd8
{As is his plan. However, it was not too late for 23... Qd8 24. Qg4 which looks
pretty powerful.}
24. gxh4
{Snatching the pawn!
White has won a pawn, but more importantly, the G-file is opened for the final
attack. White has gained tremendous positional domination and is now ready to
finish black off tactically. All the outposts, ranks and files favour white. A
successful king-side attack has now to be the order of play.
The G-file is opened and the pawn on h4 is used as a battering ram.}
24. Ne7
25. Ng3
{Of course I am not interested in exchanges. I want to attack and mate. The
knight is poorly placed on e7 and exchanges only help black to defend. Now, keep
pieces on and pressurize the black king.}
25... Qc8
{As is his plan. Black wishes to try and wriggle his queen into the white
king-side to provoke complications.
Also, if black is permitted to play Qh3, the H-pawn on h4 may be dropping off
and black might be able to find some defences on f4 and the king-side.
No, can't allow that to happen.
How to stop that then and maintain the attack?
Effective usage of your pieces comes in here.}
26. Rd3
{Directly discouraging Qh3 as Nf5 discoveries on the queen will be awkward to
meet!
Also, the rook is air-lifted into the attack. Always use as many pieces in the
attack as possible. I am obviously going to use the other rook on the G-file, so
this rook is lifted to the 3rd rank to swing across to the king-side to help in
the final battering.
Another tactical justification is that now 26... c4 is prevented, which would
have given black some counter-play as 27. Rc3 simply wins the pawn!}
26... g6
27. c4
{OK, here I was getting very short on time, in my last 5 minutes to reach move
36.
I simply wanted to prevent black from having any counter-play down the C-file
with annoying distracting moves of c5-c4. After all, the c4 outpost has no
longer become important as the knight is needed on the king-side to attack
black. The knight on b5 is more than doing it's job's worth there, hitting d6
and preventing the black major pieces from moving.
27. f4 was another tempting move, but with time being so short, I did not want
to run into complicated tactics before the time control.}
27... Bg7
28. Kh1 Bf6
29. h5 Bg5?
{Black was positionally bust, but now, he's tactically down!
It took a few seconds to figure out the absolute correct variations, but I saw
the general principals fairly quickly.
Black is naturally striving to exchange his poor bishop and hope to cling onto
his fragile king-side. He under-estimates the G-file though and the control of
the vital squares around the F-file and H-files.
The tactical finish is something rather neat. You may wish to spend some time on
figuring out the combinations.}
30. hxg6 fxg6
{Recapturing on g6 with the knight allows Nf5 tactics and the white queen will
worm its way in via g4 or h5 and mates with sacks on g6 can't be prevented.
Combination-time!}
31. Bxg5 Nxg5
{Wow, has black managed to save himself? Black has annoying Nh3 and Nf4 tactics.
32. Rg1 was my immediate choice, but try as I could, the tactics simply did not
work after 32... Nh3.
So, refinement, refinement. I had seen the possibilities and all that matters is
the loose nature of the G-file and the black major pieces...}
32. Nf5 !
{Bang!
A beautifully aesthetic way to put black to bed.
Tactics are now abundant and more importantly, black is prevented from playing
Nh3 and getting into f4. The rook on d3 has now come into its own.
That poor knight on e7 though. Nxe7+ tactics are too strong now winning the
black queen. Note how the black major pieces on the queen-side are left
side-lined whilst the black king is relentlessly mowed down!}
32... Nxf5
{Black had no choice.
32... gxf5 33. Rg1 or 33. Rg3 is soon curtains. The loose nature of the
G-file is a constant but very relevant feature of the position.}
33. Rg1!
{Cool finishing. I am especially proud of this under tremendous time-pressure,
having less than 2 minutes to reach 36 moves.
33. exf5 Qxf5 34. Rg1 Rd7 does not break through, but still looks strong.
33. Qg4 was so, so tempting, but I could not see a finish after 33... Nh7
34. Qxg6+ Ng7 and despite how many rooks I put on the G file, black can defend
with Rd7 and Qb7 and although there are Nxd6 tactics, nothing was concrete
enough for me.
I take the simple and logical route, where both knights are en prise.}
33... Nxe4
34. Qxe4 Kf7
35. Rf3
{Introducing the final tactics. The knight on f5 is pinned, which allows
Nxd6 tactics. All of the white pieces are helping in the attack whilst the black
queen's rook is doing nothing at all. Black realised this and now attempted to
rectify that slight impairment...but only allows a neat beautiful finish!}
35... Rb8
36. Qg4
{And with black utterly tied up, the g6 pawn can not be defended due to
Nxd6+ forks, the game is now over. Note how that quiet little knight over on
b5 has sat there, so quietly, but so, so, effective!}
36... Ke7
{Now my dear audience, find the finish!
That little old knight on b5. What has he actually done?
He can now be used to give the coup de grace!}
37. Na7!
{A very neat, dominating performance, cutting a very good player down in the
simplest of terms.}
37... 1-0
Opening references:
A.
5... Qc7 6. Bc4 h6 7. O-O Be7 8. Re1 Nf8 9. b3 Be6 10. d5 Bd7 11. Ba3 c5 12.
Nb5 Qb8 13. Bxc5 a6 14. Nxe5 axb5 15. Nxd7 Nxd7 16. Bxb5 Ngf6 17. e5 O-O 18.
exf6 Bxf6 19. Bd4 Bxd4 20. Qxd4
Carraminana Lopez,L (1929)-Buil Rello,J (1967)/Spain 2006/EXT 2007/1-0})
B.
6. Bc4 Be7 7. O-O Ngf6 8. Re1 h6 9. Ba2 Qc7 10. Nh4 g6 11. f4 exf4 12. Bxf4
Nh5 13. Bg3 Nxg3 14. hxg3 Nf8 15. Qd3 Ne6 16. Rf1 Rf8 17. Kh1 Bd7 18. d5 Ng5
19. Rad1 O-O-O 20. dxc6 bxc6
Pedersen,D (2324)-Abbasifar,H (2375)/Golden Sands 2000/CBM 077 ext/1-0 (49)
C.
6... Be7 7. O-O h6 8. b3 Ngf6 9. Bb2 O-O 10. Re1 Qc7 11. Bf1
Rd8 12. Qd2 Nh7 13. Rad1 Ng5 14. Nxg5 Bxg5 15. Qd3 exd4 16. Qxd4 Ne5 17. Rb1
Bg4 18. Be2 Bf6 19. Qe3 Bxe2 20. Rxe2 d5 21. exd5 Ng4 22. Qh3 cxd5
23. Nb5 Qf4 24. Bc1 Qf5 25. f3 Ne3 26. Bxe3 Qxh3 27. gxh3 d4 28. Bf2 d3 29.
cxd3 Rxd3 30. Kg2 Ra6 31. Re3 Rd2 32. Kf1 Bg5 33. Rc3 Rg6 34. Nd4 Bf6 35.
Rc2 Kh7 36. Ne2
Galakhov,V (2405)-Daryev,S (2087)/Odessa UKR 2005/1-0 (63)}
Chris Ross
October 2010
