Skype coaching session, 08 July 2018.
The two games discussed (22 and 23 moves) are given below with annotations and
without annotations.
Re-structuring of the sessions now offers the option for guests to bring their
own games for group discussion.
Recordings of some previous coaching sessions can be found at:
http://www.open-aurec.com/Skype/PaulBenson/PaulBenson.htm
Paul Benson.
* * *
Annotated game 1.
White: P. Benson, 1951.
Black: P. Krupenko, 1716.
Event: Colwyn Bay FIDE Open 2018.
Result: 1-0 in 22 moves.
Opening: Alekhine's Defence, Scandinavian Variation, B02.
1. e4 Nf6
2. Nc3
| The most popular choice here is, 2. e5, when white tends to construct a pawn
centre with, pawn d4, pawn c4, and might even include, pawn f4.
The game choice of, 2. Nc3, is an attempt to shuffle for something other than
the mainline in the hope of setting black a few tricky tests once the game has
been steered into virtually unexplored territory. ||
2. ... d5
| This pawn advance by black is the Scandinavian Variation, due to the
similarity with the Scandinavian Defence (Known also as the Centre Counter),
achieved with the move order, 1. e4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6.
Instead black had a few transposition options available to take the game in a
different direction:
(A). If, 2. ... e5, white could play for a Vienna, a Four Knights, or a Guioco
Piano.
(B). Or if, 2. ... d6, it is a Pirc Defence.
(C). Or if, 2. ... e6, it will become a French Defence when black hits out
with, 3. ... d5. ||
3. e5
| Clearing the centre with, 3. ... exd5, does not create enough awkward
questions for black to answer. ||
3. ... d4
| The other main choices are either, 3. ... Nfd7, likely to transpose into a
French Defence, or, 3. ... Ne4, when white most commonly chooses, 4. Nce2. ||
4. exf6
| Again white can retreat with, 4. Nce2. ||
4. ... dxc3
5. bxc3
| White resists the unnecessary greed of, 5. fxg7 Bxg7 6. bxc3, a line for
which every black player of the Alekhine's Defence must be prepared. ||
5. ... exf6
| Bingo!
Imbalance in the pawn structure is what white was seeking when rejecting
mainlining with, 2. e5.
Both players must now rely on general chess intuition rather than trawling the
memory-cells for previous experiences, whether uploaded by play or study. ||
6. Bc4 Bd6
7. Ne2
| There is a specific plan in mind when playing this knight to e2, nothing
forcing, but perhaps some interesting options could arise if black
underestimates the possibilities available to white. ||
7. ... O-O
8. O-O b6
| Black makes a critical decision over the c8 bishop, it will be an attacker.
Instead playing it as a defender with, 8. ... Re8, with the idea, 9. ... Be6,
neutralising the white light square c4 bishop was worthy of consideration. ||
9. Ng3
| A double purpose move.
Firstly, the potential activity of the black d6 bishop against the white h2
pawn is blunted.
Secondly, Depending on how black handles the position, there might be ideas of
jumping into either the f5 or the h5 square with thoughts of some kingside
aggro. ||
9. ... Bb7
10. d4 Qd7
| Black doesn't have a piece past the 3rd rank and yet a murky tactic has just
emerged.
White must take time to find a defence against the threat of, 11. ... Qc6,
forking the undefended white c4 bishop and the threat of mate on the g2 square.
||
11. Be2
| One oft repeated Fischerism: "In chess it is important to know when to punch
and when to duck."
This white bishop is being re-grouped to neutralise the power of the black b7
bishop. ||
11. ... c5
12. Bf3 Qc7
| Perhaps beginning to drift, the Fischerism regarding, "Punching and Ducking",
could have been applied here.
Thinking of strengthening the kingside with, 12. ... Re8, and then, 13. ...
Bf8, would have removed all the fun white is about to find. ||
13. Nf5
| Hang on there, surely this knight was immobilised due to the black queen and
bishop battery on the b8 - h2 diagonal?
Black is being put to the test.
Now bear in mind the 230+ Elo rating points difference in favour of white and
it is not only a test of tactical ability being set here, there is an important
psychological aspect as well.
Will the lower rated player simply accept the stronger player knows what is
happening and that a trap is being laid, or will there arise thoughts that the
higher rated player has made the sort of blunder they sadly too often witness
from their own side of the board?
Question: Is it safe for black to play, 13. ... Bxh2+, winning a pawn with
check? ||
13. ... Nc6
| Black reckons not, white agrees.
The pieces of the jigsaw which make the tactic work are:
1. The black queen is overloaded, she must keep a defence on both of the black
bishops, and as such is vulnerable to a deflection.
2. If black trades bishops with, Bxf3, then after white plays, Qxf3, the black
a8 rook is immediately endangered.
3. On h2 the black bishop can be trapped with the advance, pawn g3.
Now for some sample lines:
(A). If, 13. ... Bxh2+ 14. Kh1 Bd6 15. Bxb7 Qxb7 (deflection) 16. Nxd6 Qd5 17.
Qf3 Qxd6 18. Qxa8 Nc6 19. Qb7 Rb8 20. Qa6, the queen escapes and white has won
a rook.
(B). Or if, 13. ... Bxh2+ 14. Kh1 Bxf3 15. Qxf3 Nc6 16. g3, the trap has closed
on the black h2 bishop.
(C). Or if, 13. ... Bxh2+ 14. Kh1 g6 15. Nh6+ Kg7 16. g3, the wandering black
bishop is trapped again.
One would have thought that snaffling with check would have permitted time for
the black bishop to extract itself, as Bobby Fischer never found the time to
tell us: "Dubious Therefore Obvious!"
So having determined that white, 13. Nf5, does not lose the h-pawn, could there
be another aspect of this move in need of discovery? ||
14. Bh6
| Ouch!
When white played, Nf5, the offering of the h2 pawn was not the only test of
tactical vision.
It is too easy to find one reason for a move and believe that is the only
reason.
It is this white minor piece arrangement which should have had black earlier
re-grouping with, Re8, and, Bf8, ducking instead of trying to keep a punch
ready. ||
14. ... gxh6
| Black accepts the material.
Instead offering some goodies with, 14. ... g6, when, 15. Bxf8 Bxf8, should
stop the immediate white kingside assault, though the long-term prospects of
victory are strongly with white.
In the game it is white to play, that black shattered kingside pawn structure
must be exploited, but how? ||
15. Bxc6
| The reason for this capture has nothing to do with the black c6 knight.
No, the white bishop was committing the ultimate tactical crime of, "Standing
Where Someone Else Wishes To Walk!", so it had to vacate the f3 square, and as
quickly as possible.
Black in the game to play finds a method to try to take advantage of the lack
of a white dark square bishop.
The test of tactical vision is now slowly unravelling as punches are traded. ||
15. ... Bxh2+
| Since the white reply is forced black has time to snatch this morsel and then
switchback to reveal the defensive plan. ||
16. Kh1 Bf4
| And there it is.
This bishop has a couple of tasks to perform.
Firstly, to block any g-file check from an invading white queen on her attempt
to deliver mate on g7.
Secondly, to hang onto as many kingside pawns for the ending.
Note: Pawn structure has hardly been mentioned while the tactics are tumbling.
Any endgame, providing it is not an opposite colour bishops, will be favourable
to white.
Black has a kingside pawn majority, the pair of doubled pawns are not immobile
but will have to be worked correctly to achieve a much-needed passed pawn, in
essence, decisions for white will be fairly easy, black is going to have to
work hard. ||
17. Bxb7
| Care needs to be taken on every move.
It might be tempting to storm into the kingside with,17. Qg4+, and ignore
matters on the queenside on the grounds this is an attempt for mate or to gain
a decisive material advantage from the attack.
Such a view can lead to missing clean-up duties on the opposite side of the
board as a potential kill is being scented. ||
17. ... Qxb7
18. Qg4+ Bg5
| Clearly, 18. ... Kh8 19. Qg7+ mate, is not going to happen.
The black defence to the white minor piece coordination initiated with, 14.
Bh6, is revealed.
To avoid being mated the game line had to be calculated up to here when black
captured with, 14. ... gxh6.
But in actuality, both players needed to calculate further than here when black
took the white dark square bishop.
Tactical vision is a very important part of what makes one a chess player.
The further one can calculate with precision the stronger one will be, this is
not a guarantee of victory, but more a statistical process shown in the rating
calculation at the end of the season.
Can one improve the depth of tactical vision?
Yes, quite easily, providing one is willing to make the effort, and here is how
it can be done.
Consult a chess source of your choosing which has a line of analysis about 4
moves long, there must be several in this text.
Repeatedly play over the line moving the pieces on the board until it is
committed to memory.
Then slowly play over the line in your mind without moving the pieces.
Now comes the hard work, and how long you keep at it is your choice.
Go over the line again in your mind trying to run through the analysis in a
shorter time than previous.
If you can cut the time taken by a half then your run through speed must have
doubled.
The next logical step is to select a line of analysis of 6 moves, then 8 moves,
and possibly find an enjoyable king-hunt line 10 moves long.
Again repeat the line in your mind until the run through speed is halved.
Once you have mastered that, the study shifts from length of time to width of
variations.
Find some analysis of about 4 lines, each about 4 moves long, commit them all
to memory, and then repeat, repeat, repeat, until the speed of run through is
halved.
So, what might happen to your ability to calculate if you devote say, 15
minutes a day to this process over a 6 month period?
Only one way to find out.
What gains can be made from this mind-exercise with regard to creating analysis
during a game?
If you can calculate a line 3 times quicker than previous then 2 options become
available, or possibly a compromise of the extremes.
Firstly, you can cut down the time spent making a move to a third of previous,
reaching the time-control with oceans of time on the clock, which means you can
have more time in the bar and much sooner than usual.
Or secondly, one can triple the amount of calculations one makes during a game
and arrive at the bar at your usual time.
Common sense dictates you should aim to increase the depth of lines and also
increase the number of lines considered.
In this way some of those less-obvious game-changing shock moves might be found
and explored.
This real-time increase in analytical powers should be given over to both
attack and defence, so not only should one find ways of gaining stronger
positions for the attack, one should also make fewer unforced errors as well as
spotting dangerous ideas for the opponent.
In essence, you should become a stronger player, and all down to those,
"Sacrificed", 15 minutes per day over 6 months. ||
19. f4
| Crunch!
Black might have prevented the mate but is losing a piece.
Just how far did white analyse when the complications began?
When playing, 13. ... Nf5, analysis proving the immediate capture, 13. ...
Bxh2+, would lose a piece for black had been calculated.
When playing, 14. Bh6, the game line to arrive here and a few sidelines to
prove white would have an excellent position had been calculated.
Did white go much further than this position way back on move 14?
No, once the black bishop was perceived to be pinned and effectively lost the
calculating stopped.
A quick assessment concerning any potential black counter-activity was made and
felt to be insufficient for the lost material.
In essence white believed this position was winning, the finer details of how
to convert could be worked out should the position actually arise. ||
19. ... Kh8
| Black is desperately trying to create some counterplay up the g-file.
Instead, 19. ... Qe4, pinning the white f4 pawn and thus preventing the
planned, 20. fxg5, fails as, 20. Rae1, kicks the black queen off the e4 square.
||
20. fxg5 Rg8
| The rook pins the white g5 pawn to the queen, black intends to double rooks
up the g-file with a massive threat against the white g2 pawn.
White has sufficient defensive resources to prevent a disaster, but this will
tie white down for a while, the doubled black rooks would need challenging and
removing, it all takes time,and this would give the black queen the opportunity
to get in amongst the white queenside pawns.
Instead the defensively-minded, 20. ... fxg5 21. Nxh6 f6, would considerably
lengthen the game.
White in the game now has to use that tactical vision to stop the black
counterplay before it begins. ||
21. Nxh6
| Well, a one-mover snatch of a pawn isn't showing much tactical vision, now is
it?
There is of course the gain that providing the white knight remains fixed on h6
then doubling of the black rooks on the g-file is prevented.
Perhaps black concludes that, Nxh6, is not to be feared? ||
21. ... Rxg5
| Even the most short-sighted tactical vision should recognise the attacked
white queen must move to save herself, but where is she to go?
To avoid a complete embarrassment she must protect the g2 pawn against the
black threat of, 22. ... Qxg2+ mate.
Fine, so we can try, 22. Qf3, when black cannot really try, 22. ... Qxf3, as
the correct recapture of, 23. Rxf3, thwarts the attempted regain of material
with, 23. ... Rh5+, as this is neutralised by, 24. Rh3, saving the endangered
white h6 knight.
Instead after, 22. Qf3 Qc8 23. Qxf6+ Rg7 24. Nf5, black is about to lose an
exchange along with a forced trade of queens into the bargain, white would be a
whole rook up and easily winning.
Looks like white has a long-term win on the horizon no matter what black tries.
So, white to play and show some tactical vision... ||
22. Nxf7+
Black resigns, 1-0
| The final crusher.
This knight forks the black king and rook, so that, 22. ... Kg7 23. Nxg5, will
leave black a whole rook down.
But what about the obvious, 22. ... Qxf7, establishing material equality?
Hopefully you all spotted the white tactic, 23. Qxg5, and white would be a
whole rook up as, 23. ... fxg5 24. Rxf7, white would be easily winning. ||
* * *
## Unannotated game 1.
White: P. Benson, 1951.
Black: P. Krupenko, 1716.
Event: Colwyn Bay FIDE Open 2018.
Result: 1-0 in 22 moves.
Opening: Alekhine's Defence, Scandinavian Variation, B02.
1. e4 Nf6
2. Nc3 d5
3. e5 d4
4. exf6 dxc3
5. bxc3 exf6
6. Bc4 Bd6
7. Ne2 O-O
8. O-O b6
9. Ng3 Bb7
10. d4 Qd7
11. Be2 c5
12. Bf3 Qc7
13. Nf5 Nc6
14. Bh6 gxh6
15. Bxc6 Bxh2+
16. Kh1 Bf4
17. Bxb7 Qxb7
18. Qg4+ Bg5
19. f4 Kh8
20. fxg5 Rg8
21. Nxh6 Rxg5
22. Nxf7+
Black resigns, 1-0
* * *
## Annotated game 2.
White: R. Makkar, 1835.
Black: P. Benson, 1951.
Event: Colwyn Bay FIDE Open 2018.
Result: 1-0 in 23 moves.
Opening: Dutch Defence, Raphael Variation, A80.
| Some statistics about my opponent, discovered retrospectively.
Born 2007.
Gained the title of Candidate Master in 2015!
ECF rating for this event played in June 2018 is 181.
FIDE rating June was 1835 but rating published November is 2173, quite an
increase over just 5 months.
Trying to think back just what I was doing at 11 years old.
Aha, I remember now, 1. e4 e5 2. Qf3!, and very successful it was too.
How times have changed. ||
1. d4 f5
2. Nc3
| White is planning to hit in the centre with, pawn e4 and then continue to
play on the light squares until something happens. ||
2. ... Nf6
3. Bg5
| Part of the plan of levering-in, pawn e4. ||
3. ... e6
| Instead any of, 3. ... g6, or, 3. ... d6, or, 3. ... d5, or, 3. ... c5, can
all be answered with, 4. Bxf6, and where choice permits black almost certainly
has to recapture with, 4. ... exf6, after which both players have an imbalance
claim to justify.
White must show that the black kingside pawn formation is one big weakness just
waiting to be exploited, not as easy as appearances might suggest.
Black can sit back with the bishop pair in the knowledge that if white tries to
blast the game open then the bishops should have good prospects as the
middlegame proceeds.
In the actual game matters are about to enter a sequence where both sides feel
they dare not vary from the game moves. ||
4. e4 fxe4
5. Nxe4 Be7
6. Bxf6
| All part of the light square strategy.
The black knight on f6 was both fighting for control of central squares and
defending the h7 pawn.
White is now ready to start pointing pieces into the black kingside, put a
bishop on d3, the queen on c2, have both knights ready to land on g5, and force
black to commit in some way over the future of the h7 pawn. ||
6. ... Bxf6
7. Nf3 O-O
8. Bd3 Nc6
| Black is thinking of trying to liberate the c8 bishop with the central break
of, pawn e5.
A completely different plan of, 8. ... b6, intending to fight for those
important central light squares with, 9. ... Bb7, was worth a try. ||
9. c3 d5
10. Nxf6+ gxf6
| Again all part of the plan of trying to break in the centre with, pawn e5.
Instead the far less risky. 10. ... Qxf6, putting an x-ray battery onto the
white f2 pawn was a much simpler way to handle the position. ||
11. Qc2 Rf7
| Black rejects, 11. ... Qe7, as the black queen is destined to assist the
central push of, pawn e5, from a different square.
The white threat to the h7 pawn has a strong hint of tactricks about it, but
for whom?
If, 11. ... Kh8, pretending to have missed it so that, 12. Bxh7 f5, cuts off
both the retreat and the defensive support of the white queen, when, 13. Bg6
Qf6 14. Bh5 Qh6+ 15. Kb1 Qxh5, and black has snaffled a piece. ||
12. O-O-O Rb8
| Somewhat puzzling.
Having set up the plan of, pawn e5, black now switches the focus of attention
over to the queenside.
The general idea is to push with, pawn b5, and, pawn b4, with perhaps even,
pawn b3, to force white to either capture with, axb3, or permit black to
capture with, bxa2, in both cases targets will emerge in the white queenside.
All a little too vague, having set out with one plan there is no need for
another, so simply, 12. ... Qd6, intending, pawn e5, releasing the c8 bishop
was preferable. ||
13. Rhe1
| This move took quite a while to be played.
Either white was taking the black threats arising from, pawn b5-b4, and so on
very seriously, or something else is being hatched. ||
13. ... b5
| The centralisation of the white h1 rook hasn't altered anything regarding the
queenside, so to all intents black has gained a tempo in the opposite-wing
race, right? ||
14. Re3
| Ouch!
The light goes on.
This rook centralisation and lift to the 3rd rank gives white the initiative in
the opposite wing attack.
Relevant Fischerism: "In chess it is important to know when to punch and when
to duck."
Black should start thinking in terms of neutralising the white activity in some
way, and if that cannot be arranged, then strengthen the defences by shuffling
pieces over to the kingside. ||
14. ... Qd6
| Black has been trying to have 2 plans running in parallel, seeking the
central push of, pawn e5, and the queenside line-opening push of, pawn b4.
The problem with this type of play is that one might never actually achieve
either, or when one of them arrives it loses impact due to tempi spent on the
other plan.
White on the other hand has had just one plan since black turned a Queen's Pawn
opening into a Dutch Defence - Attack on the kingside and this attitude is not
changing. ||
15. Nh4
| White now has 4 active units lining themselves up for kingside action, black
has only 1 defender, mathematics never was my strong point. ||
15. ... e5
| At last, one of the plans is executed.
Unfortunately black is failing to keep in mind the, "Punch and Duck",
Fischerism.
Despite white only having one piece across the 3rd rank, there are some threats
which should be neutralised.
Either, 15. ... Rg7, giving the black king protection on the semi-open g-file,
or possibly even better was, 15. ... Qf4, annoyingly pinning the white e3 rook
while hitting the undefended white h4 knight when, 16. g3 Qh6 strengthening the
defence, were more accurate.
The latter suggestion also denies the white e3 rook easy access to either the
g3 or h3 squares, and thinking retrospectively, why did black not adopt a plan
of, Qf8, with, Qh6, instead of fiddling around with, 14. ... Qd6?
Has anyone else ever noticed that some days the pieces seem to behave as if
they had minds of their own? ||
16. Rg3+ Kh8
| White in the game is to play and give black a bit of a shock. ||
17. Bxh7
| Another Fischerism to keep in mind at all times: "Tactics flow from a
positionally superior game."
A quick exercise in compare and contrast of the two armies should leave one in
no doubt who stood better at move 16.
White has complete development combined with pieces working towards a common
goal - Attack the black king.
Black has no coordination worthy of comment, the queenside trio of b8 rook, c8
bishop, c6 knight, contribute nothing to the game.
Another thought to bear in mind is the concept of, "Pawn Moves Count".
the imbalance of pawn moves of of, White 3, Black 7, suggests that white has
played 4 more moves spent on developing pieces.
This can be somewhat simplistic and is in need of careful dissection.
If a piece has spent 5 or 6 tempi only to voluntarily trade itself off then
there might actually be a development lag for the player with the lesser, "Pawn
Moves Count".
Such an exception does not apply here and consequently white has reckoned the
position is superior and decides it is time for tactics.
Warning #1: Just because one has a superior position do not take it for granted
there will always be tactics available,the Fischerism is only to prod one into
searching for them, there will always be exceptions.
Warning #2: Bobby Fischer was perfectly correct, tactics do indeed flow from a
positionally superior game.
He did not however tell us that all tactics will prove to be sound, but only
that one should search and sift before either executing as they seem favourable
or rejecting them as they appear unsound.
So, with, 17. Bxh7, white has finally justified the strategy of playing on the
light squares initiated when playing, 2. Nc3.
Any of 3 attacking white pieces other than the h7 bishop now have access to the
g6 square.
And since the only potential defender to assist the black king is the f7 rook,
we should be thinking this game is not going to last long, right? ||
17. ... e4
| A triple purpose move which happens to be known in the trade as an,
"Interference".
Firstly, the support of the white h7 bishop from the c2 queen is blocked, the
h7 bishop is now doubly-attacked and only singly-defended.
Secondly, the h7 bishop is now denied a possible retreat of, Bd3, not that it
was considering such a withdrawal.
Thirdly, the white queen cannot now enter the kingside using the b1 - h7
diagonal, though she is not bothered at all about that.
So much for the strategy, but what about the tactics, can black capture the
invading white bishop?
Theoretically yes, but at a price, the continuations of unwise acceptance run:
(A). If, 17. ... Rxh7 18. Ng6+ Kg7 19. Ne7+ (a double check) Kh8 20. Rg8+ mate.
(B). Or if, 17. ... Rxh7 18. Ng6+ Kg8 19. Ne7+ Kf8 20. Qxh7 Qxe7 21. Rg8+ mate.
(C). Or if, 17. ... Rxh7 18. Ng6+ Kg8 19. Ne7+ Kf8 20. Qxh7 Nxe7 21. Qh8+ Kf7
22. Rg7+ mate.
(D). Or if, 17. ... Rxh7 18. Ng6+ Kg7 19. Ne7+ Kh6 20. Ng8+ Kh5 21. Qxh7+ mate.
White in the game has the h7 bishop en prise, any ideas how to continue? ||
18. Ng6+
| That's right, "Tactics flow..."
Just one little question though, does white have a, "Positionally superior
game"?
Instead simply either, 18. Bg6, or, 18. Bf5, do no harm, white has snatched a
pawn and black is without compensation for it. ||
18. ... Kxh7
| Black without much analysis to the contrary decides to take the bait.
A few lines of non-acceptance run:
(A). If, 18. ... Kg7 19. Ne5+ Kh8 20. Nxf7+ Kxh7 21. Nxd6, black loses queen
and rook for white bishop and knight.
(B). Or if, 18. ... Kg7 19. Ne5+ Kxh7 20. Nxe7 Qf4+ 21. Kb1, white is an
exchange and pawn up but cannot extract the stranded f7 knight.
But this does not mean black is doing well, white has a tricky, pawn f3,
threat taking advantage of the pinned black e4 pawn and the paralysed black h7
king.
(C). Or if, 18. ... Kg7 19. Ne5+ Kxh7 20. Nxf7 Qe7 21. Ng5+ fxg5, when white
has ideas such as, Rh1, with, pawn h4, on the way. ||
19. Qe2
| The white light square strategy started way back on move 2 continues.
Once the white queen gets into the black kingside chess-sense strongly suggests
there should be either a mate or decisive regaining of material.
Of course, the key-word in the previous sentence is, "Once", it is black to
play and try to foil this plan. ||
19. ... Rg7
| Ever had one of those days where the pieces play as if they had minds of
their own?
Black has just missed a vital resource which costs heavily.
Instead, 19. ... Kh6, prevents the planned white, Qh5, invasion.
White does not have an immediate means to increase the pressure and black has
defensive strengtheners such as, Ne7, or, Rg7, on the way.
As the white dynamic flow seems to have been plugged, it seems white must
accept that, 19. Kh6 20. Qe3+ Kh7 21. Qe2 Kh6 22. Qe3+, and hostilities will
cease either mutually or with a 3-fold repetition claim.
Yes, black has effectively just missed forcing white into playing for a draw,
but who is thinking in terms of having a draw when a piece up for a pawn?
If white was however stuck in, "Attack-Mode", there was the gamble, 19. ... Kh6
20. Nh4 Rg7 21. Rxg7 Kxg7 22. Qh5, to be tried, but surely, 22. ... Qf4+ 23.
Kb1 Qg4, skewering the white h5 queen and d1 rook, queens must trade, black a
piece for pawn ahead must be winning. ||
20. Qh5+ Kg8
21. Qh8+ Kf7
| All forced, now white is to play and prove once and for all, "Tactics flow
from a positionally superior game." ||
22. Ne5+
| The x-ray attack of the white g3 rook is revealed with painful consequences.
||
22. ... fxe5
| The black pieces really are having a bad day at the office, the other options
ran:
(A). If, 22. ... Ke6 23. Qxg7 fxe5 24. Rg6+ Kf5 25. Qf7+ Qf6 26. Qxf6+ mate,
but black can drag matters out.
(B). Or if, 22. ... Ke6 23. Qxg7 Nxe5 24. dxe5 Qxe5, would at least keep black
fighting on for a while, but with good technique the extra white exchange
should ultimately win.
(C). Or if, 22. ... Nxe5 23. Rxg7+ Ke6 24. Qe8+ Kf5 25. dxe5 Qxe5 26. Qxe5+
Kxe5 27. Rxc7, white is an exchange and pawn up.
(D). Or if, 22. ... Nxe5 23. Rxg7+ Ke6 24. Qe8+ Kf5 25. dxe5 fxe5 26. Qh5+ Kf4
27. g3+ mate.
(E). Or if, 22. ... Nxe5 23. Rxg7+ Ke6 24. Qe8+ Kf5 25. dxe5 fxe5 26. Qh5+
Kf6/Ke6 27. Qf7+ mate. ||
23. Rxg7+
Black resigns, 1-0
| The conclusion would be, 23. ... Kf6/Ke6 24. Qh6+ Kf5 25. g4+ mate. ||
* * *
## Unannotated game 2.
White: R. Makkar, 1835.
Black: P. Benson, 1951.
Event: Colwyn Bay FIDE Open 2018.
Result: 1-0 in 23 moves.
Opening: Dutch Defence, Raphael Variation, A80.
1. d4 f5
2. Nc3 Nf6
3. Bg5 e6
4. e4 fxe4
5. Nxe4 Be7
6. Bxf6 Bxf6
7. Nf3 O-O
8. Bd3 Nc6
9. c3 d5
10. Nxf6+ gxf6
11. Qc2 Rf7
12. O-O-O Rb8
13. Rhe1 b5
14. Re3 Qd6
15. Nh4 e5
16. Rg3+ Kh8
17. Bxh7 e4
18. Ng6+ Kxh7
19. Qe2 Rg7
20. Qh5+ Kg8
21. Qh8+ Kf7
22. Ne5+ fxe5
23. Rxg7+
Black resigns, 1-0
* * *
