All,
The "morning after" is always an interesting time to reflect on one's games.
This encounter gave me more opportunity to review the effectiveness of
following principals of structures in direct comparison with the search for
the absolute "best move". This principled approach to a game, not only
enables you to acquire a sizable advantage on the clock, but gives your play
a certain direction and objectivity. Could it be argued that adopting such
an attitude on a frequent basis will ultimately prove dividend in a player's
accomplishments? I would like to think so and hope that this provides a
demonstration in how one can tackle this endeavour.
Enjoy!
[Event "L&DC League Matches 2015-2016"]
[Site "Daventry, ENG"]
[Date "2016.01.20"]
[Round "8.1"]
[White "Blake, Morgan"]
[Black "Ross, Chris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "B07"]
[Annotator "Chris Ross"]
[PlyCount "108"]
[EventDate "2016.01.20"]
[WhiteTeam "Leamington A"]
[BlackTeam "Daventry A"]
{B48: Sicilian: Taimanov variation}
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 e6
3. Nc3
{A perfectly acceptable move-order, although I consider this purpose of
developing this knight first, before expanding in the centre, is to permit
sub-variations of the Rossomino with 4. Bb5. If this is not the point to the
move-order, I see little worth in playing this before advancing the D-pawn.}
3... Nc6
{If black wishes to avoid the Bb5 lines, 3... a6 is the way to play the
position. This move will have to occur at some point, so playing it on move
3 is not detrimental to black's setup.}
4. d4 cxd4
5. Nxd4 Qc7
6. Be3
{Indicating that white is wishing to castle queen-side and the fight can
commence. Naturally, black does not have to play into white's hands and can
refuse to embark on a pawn-storming chase. Black has other options. Some
theoretical knowledge is required though to play these lines, for if treated
inaccurately, things can collapse very quickly for black.}
6... a6
7. Qd2 Nf6
8. f3 Bb4
{Other moves are available to black here.
8... Be7 can enter into the opposite-castled structures which take
calculation nerve and an aptitude to cope with unbalanced positions. Such
are not within my liking, so I tend to steer things in a quieter fashion.
White can chase the dark-squared bishop away, but by doing so, he would
create an anchor on a3, which can be rapidly targeted with b7-b5-b4.}
9. O-O-O
{Acquiescing to black's intension of treating the middle-game in a
positional style. Black can still bail out and castle king's, although the
absence of the dark-squared bishop for defensive duties will soon be felt.
Again, black has to contemplate his strategy quite carefully here. Some
basic principles of the Sicilian defence are still valid, even in this
sub-variation of the defence.
Two concepts are very relevant here. Black has a half-open C-file to conduct
operations down, towards the white king. Secondly, black can potentially
attain equality by the break d7-d5. With the black E-pawn on e6, this makes
the break even more possible. With the white queen's knight currently pinned
on c3, there are further possibilities of accomplishing d7-d5.
Other relevant factors in this structure is the solidity of the black king.
With the triangular formation of pawns (f7, e6, d7) he is actually in a
rather secure position. If he does not flee to the king-side, then white's
king-side attack has no point of focus. Indeed, if white pursues king-side
advancement, he may be leaving behind weaknesses, that black could well
exploit.
Furthermore, how is black to continue his aim of targeting the white king
down the queen-side. The natural avenue is to play b7-b5. This is perfectly
OK, but this move has to be carefully calculated. In this structure, after a
b7-b5 thrust, white would have options. Namely, there may be tactics on b5
with Bxb5 or if the white king can avoid any checks on d2, a double knight
arrival on b5 could give black severe difficulties.
Also, black has to contend with the capture, Nxc6, which will exchange a
piece, but give black complications on how to re-capture.
Dxc6 will close up the half-open C-file and give him a slightly cockeyed
pawn structure, where dark-square weaknesses are particularly apparent,
especially c5 and d6.
Re-capturing on c6 with the queen may allow a e4-e5 thrust, dislodging the
black king's knight, opening up the e4 square for the white pieces and
clamping down on the d7-pawn.
All of this is very complex and needs considered forethought before entering
into such variations.
Here, I adopt a variation that I have essayed for a number of years.}
9... Ne5
{Black removes the difficulty of captures on c6. The knight on c3 is further
challenged and some lines have been opened up on the queen-side.}
10. Kb1?
{It may appear to be rather harsh to criticise such a move, but
statistically, this move has not fared well. There has to be a reason for
that, of course, and it reverts back to the strategy outlined above, which
black is attempting to construct.
Much theory has been written about this position. Again, it is essential to
stress that knowing some theoretical knowledge is helpful in your opening
repertoire, but you must comprehend the full objectives of that setup.
I give below, in the opening references, my last encounter with this
variation, played in the 4NCL, where my very strong opponent prepped for me
specifically, having seen that I had played this variation before. There, he
tried a new line recently published 2 weeks prior to the actual match. In
that game, I did not know that new theory and failed to continue with the
opening principals. I was duly, and without too much fuss, completely and
utterly outplayed by my opponent, who displayed an excellent and profound
understanding of the structure. I would encourage you to review this very
instructive game.
Finally, the only move really recognised for white here is 10. Nb3. Why that
is, will soon become apparent.}
10... Bxc3
{Now that the white king has stepped away from any Bxd2 checks, white may be
threatening cheeky tactics with Ncb5 at some point and especially so, if
black plays b7-b5. It is important to begin this structural damage
immediately, especially so with the omission of the inaccurate white 10th
move.}
11. Qxc3 Qxc3
12. Bxc3 d5
{This is the reason why white's 10th move is inaccurate. Black achieves the
d7-d5 break without any consequences, thereby equalising immediately and
giving himself some very useful targets to aim at.
The point is, that if white had played 10. Nb3 instead of 10. Kb1, white
would have the move 13. Bd4 at his disposal, which would give black very
difficult problems.
If 13. Bd4 were to be possible, the knight on e5 would be attacked. The
loose nature of the knight will mean its departure, to g6 or c6. ON c6, this
will encourage white to capture on f6 and then d5, ruining the black pawn
structure fatally.
If say, 13... Ned7, white can push on with 14. E5 dislodging the knight on
f6 and blocking in the light-squared bishop on c8. White would have a free
reign then to launch with f3-f4-f5 and black is very much under the cosh.
That simple inaccuracy in the move-order has cost white dearly. White cannot
even kick the knight on e5 with f3-f4, as this leaves the g4 square weak for
occupation. If a black knight lands on g4, it not only hits the loose bishop
on e3, but may have Nf2 fork possibilities. The loose nature of the
dark-squared bishop on e3 will drop the e4-pawn.}
13. exd5 Nxd5
14. Bd2
{A rather miserable retreat, but the d4 square is not accessible to the
bishop.
Black has very tangible targets now to focus upon. The half-open C-file is
of particular interest. The knights in the middle of the board dominate a
lot of space.
The question then, is to how secure they actually are? The knight on e5 is
very much precarious and cementing that with f7-f6 is somewhat unnatural, as
this will leave the pawn on e6 a potential target. In reality, this knight,
although strong, can be dislodged by a future f3-f4, if white prepares this
well, preventing Ng4 invasions.
In comparison, the knight on d5 is outposted proudly, restricting the
mobility of the white dark-squared bishop. Already, there is an indication
of a good-knight vs. bad-bishop ending. If black can achieve this, his
end-game will be so much easier to carry out.}
14... b5
{Securing the outposted knight on the d5 square. White cannot be allowed to
expand to open up diagonals for his bishops. Other outposts have been
created, namely on c4 and interestingly, on a4, where a black knight can sit
and pressurise the c3-pawn. In other words then, if black could pick up the
knight on e5 and put it anywhere on the board, he would like to play Na4.
Now comes the question then, how to accomplish that manoeuvre?
The obvious route is Nd7, N7b6 and Na4. Logical enough, but if the black
knight steps away from the e5-square, this will allow white to play c3-c4,
un-doubling his pawns. An interesting conundrum.}
15. Nb3
{White attempts to target the weak dark-squares around the black queen-side.
Indeed, penetration possibilities for the white knight via a5 and c5 are
particularly irritating.
This is the first stage of the game where black had to consume any time to
figure out how to continue. To this point, on move 15, I had consumed about
4 minutes on the clock, whereas white had used nearly 30. A demonstrative
display of the basic understanding of an opening and its objectives.}
15... Bd7
{A curious way how to continue the black plan. The text-move has a few
intensions.
First, and most importantly, the C-file is vacated to allow a black rook to
swing across quickly to pressurise the c3-pawn.
Secondly, the text-move prevents white from ever playing a2-a4, sacrificing
the A-pawn to allow him to play c3-c4, liberating his bishops. Although this
may involve a pawn sacrifice, it will be difficult for white to recover it.
Also, the light-squared bishop cannot be developed on b7, its natural
square. This will only allow 16. Na5 and the bishop has nowhere to go. The
subtle point is that if now 16. Nc5 to hit the bishop. 16... Bc6 is an
option acquiring the long-diagonal, making f3-f4 a dangerous move for white
with the opening up of the long diagonal.
Now comes the obvious encumbrance to the move. The d7 square is occupied,
thus preventing the aforementioned switch by the e5-knight to the outpost on
a4.
The answer to that is simple enough. The knight on e5 is not destined for
a4. Having two knights on the board often makes knight outposting much
easier. For what a lot of people forget is that, one knight can switch with
his fellow if the original outposted knight is required elsewhere.
So, in brief, the knight on e5 is headed for d5 and the d5-knight is headed
for a4. A neat switch!}
16. Na5
{Played to hold up the black pieces, although what they say "a knight on the
rim is dim" may hold some water here. Agreed, the knight may open up
possibilities of white achieving c3-c4, which should not be permitted. The
move f3-f4 is still not so easy to get in, as Ng4 will threaten a fork on
f2.}
16... Rc8
17. Kb2
{Not ideal, but probably forced. Black could simply steal the pawn on c3 and
then run away with the black rook. The other interesting thing is that the
black king is successfully defending the bishop on d7, which means, it is
not a loose piece. Apart from the knight on e5, black does not have any real
loose pieces and the knight on e5 has a destination in mind. Loose pieces
are always, at all times, a tactical vulnerability.
With the white king on b2, a knight landing on a4 is even more attractive.}
17... O-O
{The best square for the black king. The king's rook is brought into the
game and white no longer has tricks with Nb7/Nd6+. The black king belongs on
a light-square, so e7 is not an option really. White could annoy the king on
e7 with a check at some stage and f7-f6 is not in his pawn-structure makeup.
This does though, create loose possibilities for the bishop on d7, so a plan
for that piece has to be kept in mind.}
18. Be2
{Developing and threatening, at final last, to play f3-f4 dislodging the
knight on e5.
Black now has to begin putting into place the aforementioned destinations
for his minor pieces.}
18...Nc6!
{The commencement of a re-shuffle of the black minor pieces. The loose
knight on a5 is hit, thereby gaining vital tempo in the doing.}
19. Nb7
{The loose knight had to move. Retreating to b3 simply allows black to carry
out his intended plan.
19. Nxc6 allows both re-captures.
19... Bxc6 puts the bishop on the long diagonal with Nb6/Na4 a real
possibility. The light-squared bishop can then sit on d5 with complete
immunity.
However, 19... Rxc6 is a distinct possibility with Rfc8 in the offing
putting serious pressure on the c3-pawn.
White avoids this and may have Nd6/Ne4 in mind. Is that an effective plan?
Naturally, 20. Nc5 is an immediate threat.}
19... Nce7
{Covering the c5 square and coming around to replace his colleague on d5.
The wheeling around of the black steeds is very instructive.}
20. f4
{White desperately strikes out, in a futile attempt to find some counter
play. This pawn push opens up the long-diagonal and limits the scope of the
dark-squared bishop on d2. The good-knight vs. bad-bishop is even more
looming now with the white pawns beginning to stand on dark-squares.
20. Nd6 Rc7 21. Rhe1 did not appear to achieve anything for white.}
20... Nb6
{The re-positioning of the black knights continue. The knight is preparing
itself to jump into a4.}
21. Na5 Ned5
22. Bf3
{Black has just about completed his main intension of outposting his
knights. They currently stand very solidly and are impossible to dislodge.
The fruit of black's endeavours are not quite ready to pluck though. Black
still has some issues to resolve before he can capitalise.}
22... Bc6!
{Another slightly surprising necessity. The light-squared bishop on d7 is
loose, preventing the knight on d5 from moving, or capturing on c3. The
bishop is secured and moves onto the long-diagonal.
If black is permitted, he will simply retreat this bishop to a8, continuing
its defence and moving it away from tactical tricks. Once this final minor
piece is resolved, black can cash in on his positional gains. It is very
instructive how black has managed to defend all of his minor pieces and
coordinate them in such an effective manner.}
23. Nxc6
{Gaining the bishop pair, but that has no significance in the position, as
it is blockaded and the black knights have tremendous outposts. As stated,
if allowed, black would retreat the light-squared bishop and begin to exert
more pressure on that c3 pawn.}
23... Rxc6
24. Bxd5
{An entirely ugly move to have to play. White was clearly floundering in a
desperate position. Black's plan of unpinning the rook on c6, doubling on
the C-file and then playing Na4+ and capturing on c3, probably creating a
flight-square for his king, is all too simple to go wrong. Black's plans are
concise, easily achievable and unstoppable.
The text-move voluntarily enters into that good-knight vs. bad-bishop
end-game, which black has yearned for. Technique alone now will convert the
victory. Yet alone, the massive advantage on the clock. White has consumed
all of his time, whereas black has near half of his left. Solid, compact
moves by black will pressurise white on the board and on the clock, which
will lead to an inevitable loss.}
24... Nxd5
25. Rhe1 Rfc8
26. Re4 Rc4
{Black is in no hurry at all to snatch the pawn on c3, for it is going
absolutely nowhere. Capitalising on material gain is not always the most
prudent. Black can play this in the simplest of fashions. The occupation of
the light-squares is essential. White cannot be permitted to open things up
with, say, a2-a4. The loose nature of the rook on e4 is questioned and the
positional domination of the black pieces is assured.
Black could capture on c3, interestingly, both with the knight and the rook.
Liquidation of pieces will only ease the pressure on white, who may go a
pawn down, but will have compensation for that. Mobility restriction is
always more challenging for a player to control, both on the board and on
the clock, where easy captures can be played without too much thought or
time.}
27. Rd4 f5
{Cementing the knight on d5. The black king is given a flight square and a
means to enter into the game. The white rook on d4 has limited scope now due
to the loose nature of the f4-pawn.}
28. Rxc4 Rxc4
29. g3
{Another pawn on a dark-square! The end-game becomes more and more
attractive for black. Again, there is no hurry and all of the pieces should
be activated. The e6 pawn is loose too, which is not to be forgotten.}
29...Kf7
30. Be1 Re4
{Again, white cannot be permitted to find easy moves. 31. Rd4 is a
possibility, where white will make every attempt to clog up the position.
The text-move allows the black rook to penetrate to the seventh rank. Very
little calculation is required now as white has so little time on the clock
that he has no time to find the best variations. Giving him options though
only supports in the anxiety of playing the position and frustrate in the
endeavour to salvage the position.}
31. Bf2 Re2
32. Bg1 h6
{The black pieces are well placed. The knight, king and rook are standing
solidly. A pawn break is now needed. The natural one is obviously g7-g5,
targeting the f4-pawn. This will probably provide black with a passed
E-pawn.}
33. Rf1 Rg2
{Preventing white from trying to exchange rooks with 34. Rf2. The g3-pawn is
also hit to stop white from advancing the H-pawn to hold up g7-g5.}
34. Kb3
{White had less than 10 seconds to reach move 35. A horrific position to try
and hold. He naturally tries to find the easiest and less strenuous
continuation.
34. a4 g5 was an interesting way to continue.}
34... g5
35. fxg5 hxg5
{The first time-control has been reached and white took some time to
recover. However, he only had 15 minutes to complete the game whereas black
has over 35.
The rest of this game has no intrinsic value. It simply displays how black
can play quickly initially to make white find resourceful moves. Once the
clock has ticked down to 5 minutes for white, black introduces tactics and
forces white to make certain decisions. With decisions to be chosen, white
cannot find the most accurate way to finish the game. IN the remaining
section of the game, black offers white the opportunity to go wrong many
times, to even equalise in the end-game, but the clock will not allow him to
achieve this. Variations are given to demonstrate how white can play better,
but in such a time-control, playing in such a fashion with a massive
time-disadvantage is a no-goer.}
36. a3 Kf6
37. Re1 e5
38. c4 bxc4+
39. Kxc4 Ke6
40. Kb3
{White aims to push his own C-pawn. This should give black difficulties to
defend. However, an appealing alternative is
40. Bd4 e4 41. C3 when the bishop is secured in the centre. Black will have
work to proceed.}
40... e4
41. c4 Ne7
42. Be3 Nc6
{The introduction of the tactics. With the white clock ticking down, this
little tactic only increases the pressure on white. This gives him cause to
pause.
42... Rxh2 43. Bxg5 Ng6 is too easy for white to find quickly, thereby
saving time on the clock.}
43. Kc3
{Avoiding the tactics, but at the expense of more time.
43. Rh1 g4 is the best way to proceed, but how miserable is it to play 43.
Rh1?
Black threatened 43... Nd4+ followed by Nf3. Hence, why the bishop cannot
capture on g5 with 43. Bxg5 as the black knight would fork rook and bishop
once it lands on f3.}
43... Ne5
{Deliberately finding complicated lines.
43... Rxh2 44. Bxg5 Ra2 45. Bc1
Are easy moves for white to find.}
44. Rb1
{White cannot steal on g5.
44. Bxg5 Nf3 45. Rc1 Nxg5}
44... Nf3
45. Rb6+ Kd7
{Not best, but with 2 minutes on the clock, white had no way to figure out
the best plan. This actually allows white to equalise. The text-move gives
white the option of taking on a6 or attempting to round up the king-side
pawns.
45... Ke5 is best here.}
46. Rf6 Re2
47. Bc5 Rxh2
{The next few moves by both players were played in a blur with white down to
a minute to complete the game. 46. Rf6 took too long, despite it being the
most accurate move in the position.}
48. Rxf5 Ne1
{There is no value in this move apart from scaremongering.
48... Rg2 is the correct idea.}
49. Rd5+ Kc6
50. Rd1 Rc2+
{50... Kxc5 51. Rxe1 Ra2}
51. Kb3
{White can be even here with
51. Kd4 Nf3+ 52. Kxe4 Kxc5 53. Kxf3 Rc3+ 54. Kg4 Rxa3}
51... Re2
{Again, not finding the best move, but it was irrelevant now. White's time
was up.
51... Kxc5 52. Rxe1 Rxc4
Is the most accurate.}
52. Be7 Re3+
53. Ka4 Nd3
Another little tactic to consume some precious seconds.}
54. Rb1
{54. Ka5 is rather good for white.}
54... Rxg3
{And white's time gave out.}
55. 0-1
Opening references
A.
17... Nb6 18. f4 Na4+ 19. Kc1 Ng4 20. Re1 Nxc3 21. Kb2 Na4+ 22. Kb1
O-O 23. c4 bxc4 24. Bxc4 Bb5 25. Bxb5 axb5 26. h3 Nf6 27. Re5 Rfd8 28. Rc1
Rxc1+ 29. Kxc1 Nd5 30. f5 Nc5 31. Kc2 f6 32. Re1
Katkov,S (2187)-Maletin,P (2422)/Tomsk 2003/CBM 095 ext/0-1 (33)
B.
[Event "4NCL Division 2a"]
[Site "Birmingham, ENG ENG"]
[Date "2015.11.15"]
[Round "2.241"]
[White "Snuverink, Jochem"]
[Black "Ross, Chris N"]
[Result "1-0"]
[WhiteElo "2390"]
[BlackElo "2222"]
[PlyCount "69"]
[EventDate "2015.11.15"]
[WhiteTeam "Kings Head"]
[BlackTeam "MK Phoenix 1"]
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 Qc7 6. Be3 a6 7. Qd2 Nf6 8.
O-O-O Bb4 9. f3 Ne5 10. Bf4 d6 11. Nb3 b5 12. a3 Bxc3 13. Qxc3 Qxc3 14. bxc3
Ke7 15. Na5 Bd7 16. Nb7 Ne8 17. Nxd6 Nxd6 18. Bxe5 Nc4 19. Bxg7 Rhg8 20. Bd4
Rac8 21. Bxc4 Rxc4 22. g4 f5 23. exf5 exf5 24. h3 Kf7 25. Rhe1 Rcc8 26. Be5
Be6
27. Rd6 fxg4 28. hxg4 Rg6 29. Rxa6 Bd5 30. Ra7+ Kg8 31. Rd1 Bxf3 32. Rdd7
Bxg4
33. Rxh7 Kf8 34. Rh8+ Rg8 35. Bd6+ 1-0
Chris Ross
January 2016
