Skype coaching session, 28 February 2016.
Recordings of some previous coaching sessions can be found at:
http://www.open-aurec.com/Skype/PaulBenson/PaulBenson.htm
The following games were examined, the games 35 moves) and 31 moves are given
with annotations and then again without annotations.
Paul Benson.
* * *
Annotated game 1.
White: B. Grachev, 2583.
Black: A. Grigoryan, 2404.
Event: World Junior Championship, Yerevan 2006.
Result: 0-1 in 35 moves.
Opening: King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation, E61.
| While the opening moves are different from the game discussed in the coaching
session of 21 February, the position at move 13 with black to play is the same
as last week. ||
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 Bg7
4. Nf3 O-O
5. g3 c5
6. d5 d6
7. Bg2 e6
8. dxe6 Bxe6
9. Ng5 Bxc4
10. Bxb7 Nbd7
11. Bxa8 Qxa8
12. O-O d5
13. Qc2 h6
| Black wishes to push the active g5 knight back to a square where it could
become a target. The battle lines are effectively the same as last week, black
has offered an exchange to remove the white light square bishop from the
defence of the white king. It will be middlegame ingenuity on both sides which
will determine who will win. ||
14. Nf3 Re8
| The rook takes up an active post on the semi-open e-file. The e2 pawn is
doubly defended by the queen on c2 and knight on c3, but if either of these can
be deflected from their defensive duties then black will win material with,
Bxe2. ||
15. Re1
| White must place an extra defence on the targetted e2 pawn, in anticipation
of a, pawn d4, push which will deflect the white c3 knight. Black to play now
has all pieces developed and all except the g7 bishop are working to influence
the position. A well-chosen move here by black might be all that is needed to
convert a static advantage into a dynamic one. ||
15. ... d4
| Straight to the point. In the game of the previous session black delayed this
advance until move nineteen. This allowed white time to have played, pawn a4,
which offers support to the c3 knight to safely move to the b5 square, from
where it blocked the action of the black light square bishop which had
retreated to the a6 square. The white e2 pawn is going to be the focus of
attention now. ||
16. Ne4 Ba6
| Black must avoid any move sequences involving the loss of the light square
bishop. This piece is necessary for pressure on the light squares. White to
play has a double attack on the black c5 pawn. Should white be thinking of
winning it with, 17. Nxc5? ||
17. Nxf6+
| No. The black c5 pawn is poisoned. Believe it or not, there is a neat
potential mating attack here for black if white should stray from the narrow
path. If, 17. Nxc5 Nxc5 18. Qxc5, black unleashes, 18. ... Qxf3. So far in this
analysis black has won a piece in this capture sequence and will be happy if
white leaves the queen on f3 alone. Accepting the material offer leads to doom
with, 19. exf3 Rxe1+ 20. Kg2 Bf1+ 21. Kg1 Bh3+ discovered mate. Told you those
light squares might be problematic for white once the g2 fianchetto bishop is
sacrificed for an opposing unmoved black a8 rook. ||
17. ... Nxf6
18. Bf4
| White is now ready to centralise the a1 rook and set about challenging the
black central pawns. Once the position begins to open up for the white rooks
then black will have lost the initiative. White will begin to seek piece
exchanges. If pieces are traded then the exchange advantage for white will
increase in value. If black avoids piece challenges with retreats, then white
will simply improve his position further. Isn't it horrible being an exchange
down? Black to play, think carefully here, the window of opportunity is open...
||
18. ... Rxe2
| What on Earth is this? Black is already an exchange down but does at least
have a dynamic position in compensation. Ah, I've got it. Giving up an exchange
on move eleven was following the philosophy of: Initiative over material. So,
perhaps giving up another exchange might double the initiative? Just what is
black going to receive in return for this re-investment? White has been trying
to limit the play black can generate on the light squares, in particular up the
a8 - h1 diagonal. Black has rather quickly set about destroying the attempted
light square blockade, but such destruction is not enough. It is only the
beginning of the ultimate light square strategy. Clearly the g2 square is to be
the focal point of a mating attack, but quite how to successfully line up a
queen and bishop on the a8 - h1 diagonal is not immediately obvious. Remember,
white is now a double exchange ahead and will clearly be happy to give one back
to eliminate the black light square bishop and all the dangers associated with
it. Some assistance from a couple of other tactical tools is needed to tie
white up while the necessary manoeuvring can come to pass. ||
19. Rxe2 Qxf3
20. Re7
| So that if, 20. ... Bb7 21. Rxb7 Qxb7, and the dangers to white on the light
squares are significantly reduced. Black to play must restrict any attempts by
white to force the black queen back. ||
20. ... Ng4
| A very important move. The white queen on c2 is now tied down to preventing
the potential mate of, Qxf2+, followed by, Qxh2+ mate. Take some time to work
out why black needs the white queen to be immobilised in this way. Clue: The
answer is in the black long term strategic aim. ||
21. h3
| White decides to kick the black knight back in order to regain mobility again
for the queen. Black to move must play accurately here. Big clue: The white
queen is still immobilised due to that black queen and knight mate threat. So
combine this restriction with the black long term strategic aim of play on the
light squares, in particular the potential threats up the long diagonal. We are
searching for a surprising piece re-location which must have been a pleasure
for black to play. ||
21. ... Bc4
| Wonderful! Black is a double exchange down, has a knight attacked by the
white h3 pawn, so he puts another piece en prise. Sounds like some of my
skittles games as closing time approaches. Clearly the bishop is quite safe on
the c4 square as, 22. Qxc4 Qxf2+ 23. Kh1 Qh2+ mate ends matters. The black c4
bishop now has now found a route onto the long diagonal. White is about to
start relinquishing some of the ill-gotten goodies. ||
22. Rae1
| Instead the greedy, 22. hxg4 Bd5, sets up a mate on the g2 square. However,
white can attempt to run away with, 23. Kf1. Black simply closes the trap with,
23. ... d3, a double purpose move. The d3 pawn now attacks the white queen and
removes the e2 square as a possible flight route for the white king. There are
no sensible moves which prevent black from playing, Qg2+, or, Qh1+, both mate.
||
22. ... Bd5
| White must interfere with the black a8 - h1 queen and bishop battery with a
rook. One exchange is about to be regained. ||
23. R1e4 d3
| Just another one of those quadruple purpose moves we all casually throw in
now and again. The white queen support of the e4 rook is blocked - known in the
trade as an interference. The d3 pawn now controls the important e2 potential
flight square of the white king. It is also preventing the White queen from
supporting the e4 rook again with, Qe2. Lastly, the passed d-pawn is now on the
black 6th rank and must now be regarded as a candidate for promotion once
circumstances permit. Not much for one humble pawn move? ||
24. Qd2 Nf6
| Only a double purpose move this time. Having immobilised the white rook on
e4, black saves the attacked g4 knight while placing another minor piece attack
on the unfortunate centralised white rook. Black might be winning more back
than just an exchange. ||
25. Qe3 Bxe4
| The material regained by black is actually a whole rook. For this price it
might appear as if white is grovelling out into an ending. It is not so simple.
Black still has complete control of the light squares as well as having a
strong passed d-pawn on the 6th rank which is going to be very difficult to
stop. ||
26. Qxf3 Bxf3
27. Rxa7 g5
| Forcing the white bishop back to the c1 square, where an eventual advance of
the black d-pawn will win material. ||
28. Bc1 Ne4
| At last the black g7 bishop joins in the game. White has still a few tricks
to try and fool black, but that is all they are, tricks. ||
29. Ra3
| Pinning the black d3 pawn, attempting to exploit the unprotected state of the
black f3 bishop. ||
29. ... c4
| Calmly played. The black c4 pawn not only protects the d3 pawn, but denies
the white rook access to the d3 square. There is no need to rush matters, a won
game needs winning, and if it takes a dozen or so moves to do so, than that is
precisely what you do. Instead the impatient, 29. ... d2 30. Bxd2 Nxd2, offers
white some vague hopes with, 31. Rd3, regaining a piece. Black could continue
with, 31. ... Bxb2 32. Rxd2 Bd4, which is winning but requires more moves than
necessary. ||
30. Ra8+ Kh7
31. Rd8
| The white rook finally finds a means to get behind the passed black d-pawn.
This is the recommended method of preventing further advancement, but here
black has too much minor piece activity, in particular complete control of the
d1 promotion square. Include the lack of white king influence in the centre and
there should be something to be found here. ||
31. ... Bxb2
| A deflection of the overloaded white c1 bishop. ||
32. Bxb2
| Instead, 32. Be3 Bc3, followed by the advance, pawn d2, costing white the e3
bishop with black, Bxd2. The three black minor pieces and the passed c4 pawn
will cope very comfortably with the white rook and outside passed a2 pawn. ||
32. ... d2
33. a4 d1=Q+
34. Rxd1 Bxd1
| How fitting that it is the light square bishop which has been responsible for
capturing the entire white "regiment of rooks". ||
35. a5 c3
White resigns, 0-1
| After, 36. Bc1 Bf3, the black bishop is covering the potential promotion a8
square. Play might continue with, 37. a6 Nc5 38. a7 Nb3 39. Be3 c2, and
promotion next move will cost white the e3 bishop. A more amusing finish could
have been, 36. a6 cxb2 37. a7 b1=Q 38. a8=Q Bf3+ 39. Kh2 Qh1+ mate. ||
* * *
## Unannotated game 1.
White: B. Grachev, 2583.
Black: A. Grigoryan, 2404.
Event: World Junior Championship, Yerevan 2006.
Result: 0-1 in 35 moves.
Opening: King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation, E61.
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 Bg7
4. Nf3 O-O
5. g3 c5
6. d5 d6
7. Bg2 e6
8. dxe6 Bxe6
9. Ng5 Bxc4
10. Bxb7 Nbd7
11. Bxa8 Qxa8
12. O-O d5
13. Qc2 h6
14. Nf3 Re8
15. Re1 d4
16. Ne4 Ba6
17. Nxf6+ Nxf6
18. Bf4 Rxe2
19. Rxe2 Qxf3
20. Re7 Ng4
21. h3 Bc4
22. Rae1 Bd5
23. R1e4 d3
24. Qd2 Nf6
25. Qe3 Bxe4
26. Qxf3 Bxf3
27. Rxa7 g5
28. Bc1 Ne4
29. Ra3 c4
30. Ra8+ Kh7
31. Rd8 Bxb2
32. Bxb2 d2
33. a4 d1=Q+
34. Rxd1 Bxd1
35. a5 c3
White resigns, 0-1
* * *
## Annotated game 2.
White: J. Donner.
Black: C. Bielicki.
Event: Capablanca Memorial 1964.
Result: 1-0 in 31 moves.
Opening: King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation, E64.
| While the opening moves are different from the game just given, the position
at move 15 with black to play is the same as above. ||
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. g3 Bg7
4. Bg2 O-O
5. Nc3 d6
6. Nf3 c5
7. d5 e5
8. dxe6 Bxe6
9. Ng5 Bxc4
10. Bxb7 Nbd7
11. Bxa8 Qxa8
12. O-O d5
13. Qc2 Re8
14. Re1 h6
15. Nf3 Ba6
| This game was played 42 years before the above game where play continued with
the much more direct, 15. ... d4 16. Ne4 Ba6 17. Nxf6+ Nxf6 18. Bf4 Rxe2 19.
Rxe2 Qxf3, with a very strong initiative for black. ||
16. a4
| Despite appearances, this is actually a double purpose move. Firstly, it
establishes an outpost of the b5 square for the c3 knight in anticipation of a
black, pawn d4, central push. A knight on b5 will block the activity of a black
bishop on the a6 - f1 diagonal. The second gain for white with this pawn
advance will be revealed when the black kingside attack is beginning to flow.
Perhaps a little thought on what the second gain could be might assist in
recognising as early as possible some of the middlegame opportunities just
sitting in a position waiting to be discovered? ||
16. ... Qc6
17. Nb5
| White decides to block off the a6 - f1 diagonal before being forced to do so.
||
17. ... Bb7
| Black is clearly not interested in trading, 17. ... Bxb5 18. axb5 Qxb5 19.
Rxa7, as white has not only rid himself of the potentially dangerous black
light square bishop but gained a 7th rank rook into the process. ||
18. Nxa7
| This might seem to be a little greedy, only time will tell. Black has chosen
to transfer the pressure from the a6 - f1 diagonal to the a8 - h1 diagonal.
White captures an apparently free pawn and while doing so disrupts the
potentially dangerous black queen and bishop long diagonal battery. ||
18. ... Qe6
| Isn't having flexibility within strategy wonderful? The black queen now has
aspirations of invading onto the h3 light square with two ideas in mind.
Firstly, "Plan A": Yet again black will attempt to give checkmate on the
abandoned g2 fianchetto square, providing the long diagonal can be forced open.
It is not particularly clear yet as to how this could be organised. Or
secondly, "Plan B": Place a knight on the g4 square, remove the white f3 knight
defender of the h2 pawn, and follow up with, Qxh2+, and then, Qxf2+ mate.
Simple when you describe it like this. Not so easy when you are called upon to
turn it into reality. ||
19. Nb5
| Is white offering black a possibility of repetition of moves here? The idea
is, 19. ... Qc6 20. Na7 Qe6 21. Nb5 Qc6, 22. Na7 Qe6, with a draw offer hanging
unspoken in the air? Unlikely. This position is too rich in possibilities for
both sides. After, 19. ... Qc6, it is much more likely that white will continue
with, 20. b4, placing pressure on the black pawn centre. Clearly black will not
capture with, 20. ... cxb4, as a queen trade is undesirable when an exchange
down. ||
19. ... d4
| Ah, black is going for, "Plan B", as described in the comment to move 18. ...
Qe6, above. That is, open up the long diagonal, place a knight on g4, exchange
off the defending white f3 knight, and ultimately mating on f2 with the queen
via the h2 square. This might seem rather like a magician's stage trick to some
people, and as such will require a little distraction while the sleight of hand
is attempted. ||
20. Nc7
| And here is the distraction designed to fool white - another passive offer of
an exchange. Initiative over material strikes again? ||
20. ... Qh3
| Well come on white, you know what black is planning. Just how do you intend
to guard against the slow juggernaut about to crush your kingside? Take some
time here before deciding whether or not to swallow that dainty delicate
delicacy being dangled under the nose of the move-hungry horse on the c7
square. ||
21. Nxe8
| The wandering white queenside knight has now consumed six out of twenty-one
game moves, and perhaps still has more in mind? Meanwhile, those counting the
material cost of all this will be pointing out that white now has an advantage
of two rooks plus a pawn for the black light square bishop. In terms of using a
pawn to calculate material advantage, that is 8 points. There had better be
some initiative in return for this imbalance. ||
21. ... Ne5
| Let the tactics begin. Instead, 21. ... Ng4, and white must play, 22. e4, an
attempt to block the long diagonal which protects the f3 knight from a black,
Bxf3, liquidation. If black then tries to open up the long diagonal again with,
22. ... dxe3 23. Rxe3, so as to meet a potential, 23. ... Bxf3, with, 24. Rxf3,
then there is no mating attack anymore. Both the white f3 rook and c2 queen
guard the f2 pawn. The white king has a flight route if black follows up with,
24. ... Qxh2+ 25. Kf1 Qh1+ 26. Ke2.
So after, 21. ... Ng4 22. e4 dxe3 23. Rxe3, black can try to regain some
material with, 23. ... Nxe3 24. fxe3, and now the white queen is guarding the
vulnerable h2 pawn from the c2 square. Black can reduce the material deficit to
an exchange plus a pawn with, 24. ... Bxf3, but white has the outside passed a4
pawn ready to sprint for promotion, supported by the unmoved white a1 rook.
Does white have to be so generous with the e1 rook in the above line? How
about, 21. ... Ng4 22. e4 dxe3 23. fxe3, which allows, 23. ... Bxf3, regaining
a piece, but keeping the material imbalance as two exchanges plus a pawn. White
still has to complete development and find some coordination but black cannot
mount strong pressure against the white kingside anymore. ||
22. Nxf6+ Bxf6
| Black has 3 active minor pieces, a dangerously placed queen on the h3 square,
and an initiative which must be quickly challenged. White has two rooks, two
minor pieces but little coordination as well as being under pressure. There is
an important defensive idea to be found by white here, take some time now. ||
23. Ra3
| The second purpose of the white move, 16. a4, is finally revealed. A rook can
advance up an edge-file to develop and offer sideways defensive support to the
centre. Moves like this do not immediately spring to mind and can easily be
overlooked when under pressure. ||
23. ... Ng4
| It is becoming critical for white, the black initiative on the kingside is
now very strong. The main threat is to eliminate the white f3 knight, capture,
Qxh2+, and finally, Qxf2+ mate. When material ahead there will be opportunities
to return some of it to release pressure. The white king needs a flight plan,
but the white e2 pawn and e1 rook prevent movement across the board to escape.
White has been receiving all the game, it is now time to return some of the
favours. ||
24. e4
| Nothing less than a sextuple purpose move! The e4 pawn temporarily blocks the
long diagonal and so protects the white f3 knight from the start of the
proposed black mating sequence. The advance of the e-pawn has permitted the
white e1 rook to advance up the e-file if needed. The queen on c2 now guards
the f2 pawn and so halts the black attempted mate on the f2 square. The white
queen may now move to the e2 square to offer further protection to the f3
knight. From a posting on the e2 square the white queen can then move to the f1
square to challenge the dangerous black queen. Lastly, the white king now has a
flight route into the queenside using the f1 and e2 squares if necessary. ||
24. ... dxe3
| If black is to make any progress then the position must open up, but in turn
white will receive activity and find opportunities to return material. ||
25. Rexe3 Bd4
| Black cannot further increase the pressure against the white king and can
only threaten to regain small amounts of material. ||
26. Qe2
| Intending, 27. Qf1, repulsing the black queen from the h3 square, ending all
threats. ||
26. ... Nxh2
| The last trick. Black still has a potential mate threat on the g2 square
should the white f3 knight make a move. Here we have a chess concept yet to
find a name. The knight is not pinned in the true sense of the word, as there
is no white material beyond the white f3 knight under a potential attack from
the black b7 bishop. Perhaps instead the white f3 knight is: "Pinned-down"? A
"pinned-down" piece being one which dare not move as it must remain static to
block a threat. Now white brings another piece into play intending to keep
seeking to exchange off active black pieces. ||
27. Rad3 Bd5
| Blackis running out of steam, there are no concrete threats anymore. White
will now start to return material, and with 2 rooks advantage for a minor piece
there are many options available. Initiative over material is a concept most
definitely worthy of inclusion in your thinking, but learning where the limits
lie will be a process of trial and error. ||
28. Rxd4 cxd4
| White now only needs to eliminate threats against the g2 square and the fight
is over. ||
29. Re4 Nxf3+
30. Qxf3
| The material imbalance is now only a rook, and that is pinned to the white
queen. If black can only place another attack on the white e5 rook then
material equality might be established and an opposite colour bishop ending
will ensure a draw. ||
30. ... Qc8
| The last desperate try. White might overlook the attack against the
unprotected c1 bishop. Instead the tempting, 30. ... f5, does not win the white
e5 rook for free. White can reply with, 31. Re8+ Kf7 32. Qxd5+ Kxe8 33. Qxd4,
clearly winning. ||
31. Bd2
Black resigns, 1-0
| White could also have played, 31. Bxh6, and remain a piece up in the ending.
After, 31. Bd2, black might try, 31. ... Qa8, but simply, 32. Re8+ Qxe8 33.
Qxd5 Qe2 33. Qxd4, white is again winning easily. ||
* * *
## Unannotated game 2.
White: J. Donner.
Black: C. Bielicki.
Event: Capablanca Memorial 1964.
Result: 1-0 in 31 moves.
Opening: King's Indian Defence, Fianchetto Variation, E64.
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. g3 Bg7
4. Bg2 O-O
5. Nc3 d6
6. Nf3 c5
7. d5 e5
8. dxe6 Bxe6
9. Ng5 Bxc4
10. Bxb7 Nbd7
11. Bxa8 Qxa8
12. O-O d5
13. Qc2 Re8
14. Re1 h6
15. Nf3 Ba6
16. a4 Qc6
17. Nb5 Bb7
18. Nxa7 Qe6
19. Nb5 d4
20. Nc7 Qh3
21. Nxe8 Ne5
22. Nxf6+ Bxf6
23. Ra3 Ng4
24. e4 dxe3
25. Rexe3 Bd4
26. Qe2 Nxh2
27. Rad3 Bd5
28. Rxd4 cxd4
29. Re4 Nxf3+
30. Qxf3 Qc8
31. Bd2
Black resigns, 1-0
* * *
