All,
So, we all learn, in the opening, get our pieces out, get developed and once
the pieces are out and active, we can begin to formulate a middle-game strategy.
When, if ever, should this policy not apply?
As with recent games, we find ourselves another excellent example of black
attempting to generate counter-play on the queen-side, in a valiant attempt to
create weaknesses. In the meantime though, white is empowered to build up a
king-side attack.
This encounter is interesting, as white does not develop his queen-side until
move 24. The dark-squared bishop has no better square than from its home-base.
There is absolutely no purpose in developing it, as it exerts just the same
amount of pressure from its home-base from as from standing on the c1-h6
diagonal.
Even the queen’s rook is not employed until move 37. Note how the long-ranging
pieces (bishops, queen, king’s rook) are all poised to spring into action and
lurch into the king-side attack at a moment’s notice, whereas the short-ranging
pieces (the knights) are positioned directly on top of the black king’s hideout.
Here, black is a strong ECF 180-grade player. A player, who has indeed, beaten
me in the past. Not a player I have gotten the better of many times over. In
previous encounters, analysis showed that a direct attack has always proven
productive for me against him. Hence, why I chose to go the direct route on
this occasion.
This “attacking” type of chess is becoming rather appealing. Maybe a review on
my style of chess is required...
Enjoy!
[Event "Northamptonshire League Matches 2016-201"]
[Site "Rushden, ENG"]
[Date "2016.11.15"]
[Round "5.1"]
[White "Ross, Chris"]
[Black "Jaszkiwskyj, Peter"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "A46"]
[PlyCount "81"]
[EventDate "2016.11.15"]
[WhiteTeam "Chess Mates A"]
[BlackTeam "Kettering A"]
1. e4 e6
2. e5
{2. E5 is still getting a lot of success this season!}
2... d5
3. exd6 cxd6
4. d4 Nf6
5. Nf3 Be7
6. Bd3 O-O
7. O-O Nc6
8. Re1 Qc7
9. c3 a6
10. Nbd2 Bd7
{Black needs to take defensive measures with Re8, Bf8, g7-g6 and Bg7 as soon as
possible.}
11. Nf1 Na5
{Just too slow. Black has no time to begin operations on the queen-side.
He needs to secure up his king before any ambitions on the queen-side can be
realised.}
12. Ng3
{With Nf5 ideas in the air, black finally realises that his king-side is in
danger. He begins to take precautionary measures, but this abandons his
queen-side aspirations.}
12... Rfe8
13. Ng5
{Bringing all the white pieces to the king-side. The king-side attack is now
looming. The e4-square can be utilised as a springboard. Black decides to shut
this square out, but releases tension in the centre by doing so.}
13... d5
14. Nh5
{All of the white pieces are contributing. Even the undeveloped dark-squared
bishop is exerting pressure down onto the king-side. There is no sense in
developing this piece, as it is doing all of its work from where it currently
is. No purpose is served by developing it to a square where it may prove
potentially “loose”.}
14... g6
{A weakness has been provoked from black. The king-side pawn structure could
not sustain its status. Now a weakness has been created, it is time to exploit
the dark-squares around the black king.}
15. Nxf6+ Bxf6
16. Qf3 Qd8
{A miserable retreat, but there are too many loose points in the black camp. F7
is particularly weak. 16... Kg7 17. Nxh7 is just yet another tactic available
to white.
It is now time for white to reroute his pieces to the most effective squares.}
17. Qg3 Kg7
{Stopping any Qh4 ideas as h7-h6 will pin the knight on g5. This knight has
done its work on g5 and is now brought back around to pressurise the king from
the centre and open up the c1-h6 diagonal.}
18. Nf3 Nc6
{Bring the offside knight back into the game. Black expressed the wish to play
Ne7 and then Ng8, but he does not have the luxury of the time needed for this
defensive manoeuvre.}
19. Ne5 Qe7
{Played with the idea of defending the f7-pawn. Taking on e5 would only allow
white to clamp down further on the dark-squares around the black king.}
20. Qf4
{Wriggling the queen in. This prevents black from exchanging with Bg5 ideas and
creates tactics on f6, as Nxd7 tricks have to be kept in mind.}
20... Rh8
{Black fears tactics along the H-file. White might be able to “air-lift” the
king’s rook into the game via the third rank.
White also has the option of pushing his H-pawn, as Bxh4 is not possible for
black due to the aforementioned Nxd7 tactic, exploiting the overloaded nature
of the black queen. With h4-h5 coming, the knight and light-squared bishop and
a Qh6+ idea, g6 will soon become fatally weak.}
21. Ng4 Rae8?
{Black’s losing move.
21... h5 has to be played, but this weakens the g6-square. 22. Ne5 is the most
accurate response then and white can continue building up the pressure.
As it is, white has a tactical flourish here. The rest is simple technique.}
22. Qh6+ Kg8
23. Nxf6+ Qxf6
24. Bg5
{The queen-side is finally developed. But developed only with the mere purpose
of winning the exchange!}
24... Qg7
25. Qh4 h5
{There is nothing else for black. It is a lost position now and simple end-game
technique will convert. White must not get embroiled with tactics though, such
as snatching d5 loose pawns and is content to exchange down into a winning
end-game.}
26. Bf6 Qh6
27. Bxh8 Kxh8
28. Qf6+
{Black must not be allowed to play g6-g5 and harass the white queen, as she is
short of squares. She needs to retreat for defensive purposes. Exchanges are
all welcomed by white.}
28... Kg8
29. Re3
{The most accurate. Qd2 penetration ideas are stopped and the rook can swing
along the 3rd rank if necessary. Pawn advances on the king-side for black are
thus prevented.}
29... e5
{Attempting to create tactics, but white can avoid these easily enough. Keeping
calm in such situations will always ensure a smooth path to victory.}
30. dxe5 Re6
31. Qf3 Nxe5
32. Qe2
{32. Qxd5 Bc6 gives black counter play. Giving black no hope at all is the
easiest way to demoralise an opponent and is assured to convert an advantage in
the most rapid manner possible.}
32... Nxd3
33. Qxd3 Bb5
34. Qd4 Qg5
35. Rxe6 fxe6
36. h4 Qf5
37. Re1
{The queen’s rook is finally developed! The finish is simple enough. There are
too many weaknesses in the black position to save them all.}
37... Kf7
38. Re3 Qb1+
39. Kh2 Qxa2
40. Rf3+ Ke7
41. Qc5+ 1-0
Chris Ross
November 2016
