Skype coaching session, 14 May 2017.
Please note: 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
The following game was examined, the games 44 moves is given with annotations
and then again without annotations.
Paul Benson.
* * *
Annotated game.
White: E. L'ami, 2608.
Black: A. Bezemer, 2312.
Event: Unive Open, Hoogeveen, 2013.
Result: 1-0 in 44 moves.
Opening: Gruenfeld Defence, Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack, D85.
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 d5
4. Nf3
| Introducing the Three Knights Variation, leaving black guessing if the
mainline Exchange Variation system which starts with, cxd5, is planned or a
sideline is on the agenda. ||
4. ... Bg7
5. cxd5 Nxd5
6. Na4
| The dance of repertoires continues. White adopts the Nadanian Attack, placing
the knight on a4 means when white pushes with, pawn e4, black is denied the
option of trading with, Nxc3, to be followed by pressure from the g7 bishop up
the h8 - a1 diagonal. ||
6. ... Nb6
| Black gets a retreat in before it is necessary. To my knowledge, no one so
far has ventured into, 7. Nc3 Nd5 8. Na4 Nb6 9. Nc3 Nd5, as a means of agreeing
to an early draw. ||
7. e4 Bg4
| Instead, 7. ... O-O, is less committal, leaving white guessing whether black
is planning lashing out with, pawn f5, at some point. ||
8. Be3
| Necessary to protect the d4 pawn which was under a double attack, Q-d8 and
B-g7, and only singly defended, Q-d1, since the pinned f3 knight is not
contributing. ||
8. ... Bxf3
| Consistent. Imbalances abound. White is given the bishop pair in trade for
doubled f-pawns. Who will be better? Come back in about 30 moves when the
middlegame has had a chance to test each player. ||
9. gxf3 e5
| Fighting chess. Instead, 9. ... O-O, seems sensible. With this central pawn
challenge there is a little tactic to be anticipated. ||
10. dxe5
| Surely this is a blunder? Isn't black just going to undermine by trading
queens and then pick up a piece with, Nxa4, winning? ||
10. ... Qe7
| Players with Elo ratings above 2300 can play a bit. Instead, 10. ... Qxd1+
11. Rxd1 Nxa4 12. Bb5+, white has a skewering check which regains the
apparently blundered piece. Then after, 12. ... c6 13. Bxa4 Bxe5 14. Rd2, or,
14, Bd4, there is still sufficient imbalance available for the game to still be
a fight. However, 10. ... Qxd1+ 11. Rxd1 Bxe5, was also worth consideration. ||
11. f4
| White isn't actually winning a pawn here. Black is employing a little trick
designed to create significant pawn imbalances. ||
11. ... Qb4+
| Quadruple attack! A check, a double attack on the white a4 knight, an attack
on the e4 pawn and an attack on the b2 pawn. White has only one satisfactory
reply to avoid disaster. ||
12. Nc3
| Removing the knight from danger and protecting the e4 pawn, but the b2 pawn
is a goner. ||
12. ... Qxb2
| Regaining the pawn leaving white with a 5 - 3 centre / kingside pawn
majority, in return for a black 3 - 1 queenside pawn majority. Which side is
going to be better? Whoever can get their majority rolling first to create
threats will win a lasting initiative. ||
13. Qc1
| White wishes to use the centre / kingside pawn majority to create a passed
pawn, or if possible, two passed pawns. A queenless middlegame will assist in
getting this short-term plan moving as quickly as possible. ||
13. ... Qxc1+
14. Rxc1 c6
| A double purpose move. Firstly, this advance restricts the activity of the
white c3 knight. Secondly, while it blunts the potential activity of the white
c1 rook, it does not assist in setting the black queenside pawns into motion.
As the game proceeds, please take careful note of how the white pawn majority
gets moving while the black pawn majority remains inactive. ||
15. h4
| A nice probing pawn push which gives black a tricky test. If black sits
still, white can advance with, pawn h5, and trade, reducing the centre /
kingside to a 4 - 2 majority. The more pawns that can be exchanged will
increase the importance of those pawns remaining in that region. ||
15. ... h5
| A case of win something, lose something. While black prevents the, pawn h5,
advance, this in turn creates a weakness which will now become the focus of
white's attention. ||
16. Rg1
| Black has given up the light square bishop, so white can settles down to some
light square action without any serious challenges. ||
16. ... N8d7
17. Bh3
| While this bishop clearly has no future on either d3 or e2, the h3 - c8
diagonal is a different story. Note how the probing push of, pawn h4, has
dragged the black h-pawn forward. This means the black g6 pawn lacks a vital
defender for the forthcoming centre / kingside activity. It is well known that
hindsight is a wonderful gift. So we shall not dwell too long on the black
advance of the h-pawn, other than to suggest it might have been better to keep
it on h7, which permits white to advance with pawn h5, and trade h-pawns
instead of trying for a kingside blockade as in game. ||
17. ... Bf8
| A double purpose move. Firstly, the bishop escapes the x-ray attack from the
white g1 rook. Secondly, the bishop on f8 supports either, Nc5, or a
challenging, Bc5. White in the game has prepared sufficiently and the time for
action is now here. ||
18. e6
| A pawn fork which forces a pawn trade in some way. The reduction of the white
centre / kingside pawn majority has begun. The black queenside pawn majority
remains static. White is taking control of the game, it is going to be a
defensive chore for black now. ||
18. ... Nc5
| Instead, 18. ... fxe6 19. Rxg6, and the black e6 pawn will be captured next
move. ||
19. exf7+ Kxf7
| One set of white double pawns eliminates itself, and it seems likely that the
other set is about to do the same. This tells us that if doubled pawns have
mobility they can think of exchanging themselves out of play. Black on the
other hand has no positive plan and must respond to whatever white is planning.
||
20. Ke2 Re8
| Drifting. This only forces white to play a move which was planned anyway.
Perhaps, 20. ... Rd8, asking white if this rook can remain unchallenged on the
d-file was worth a try. ||
21. e5 Ne6
| Black has prepared, Bc5, to exchange dark square bishops which should assist
in mobilisation of the queenside pawn majority. It is however white to move,
and passive spectatorship is not an option. ||
22. f5 gxf5
| the white majority reduces to 3 - 1, leaving white with connected passed
pawns ready to roll. That formation of doubled pawns on adjacent files has
taken only 11 moves to unravel. With a little inspiration alleged weaknesses
can be converted into strengths. ||
23. Bxf5 Rd8
| There is no time for, 23. ... Bc5, because of the undermining, 24. Bxe6+ Kxe6
25. Bxc5, costing black a piece. ||
24. Rcd1
| White has a big plus in the centre / kingside which is about to get bigger.
However one should not be blinkered to counterplay for the opponent. A rook
trade will suit white, the closer the game gets to an endgame, the greater will
be the opportunities arising from the white passed pawns. Again, where is that
black queenside counter-activity? ||
24. ... Rxd1
25. Rxd1 Be7
| Targetting the unprotected white h4 pawn and preparing the centralising, Rd8,
it seems black fancies an endgame as well. It is white to play and find the
best move of the entire game.
Clue: Such comments usually hint at tactics. Not so this time, this is a
strategic excellence in need of discovery. ||
26. Bc2
| White is quite happy to let the h4 pawn go, the passed black h5 pawn will not
get far. The light square bishop is making a very important re-grouping to
become the strongest piece on the board. Combine this with the speedy advance
of the f2 pawn and black is going to be put under severe pressure. ||
26. ... Rd8
27. Rxd8 Bxd8
28. Bb3
| Claiming a very powerful diagonal aiming into the heart of the black
position. It is positions like this and what is about to emerge which should
get players asking themselves to think carefully about casually giving up a
bishop for a knight in the opening. Black has had virtually no method of
challenging on the light squares since playing, 8. ... Bxf3. This pin on the
black e6 knight makes the advance of, pawn f4, and, pawn f5, into a threat
which cannot be ignored. Then there is the further advances of, pawn f6, and,
pawn f7, to be confronted. Not bad for a little fellow who was condemned to
being the backward sibling in the Brethren of Doubled Pawns almost 20 moves
ago. And the black queenside 3 - 1 pawn majority, established on move 12, has
yet to get out of the starting blocks. ||
28. ... Bxh4
| Might as well have the pawn, there is little else of use for black. ||
29. f4 Ke7
30. f5 Nd8
| Black chooses to defend the light squares of e6 and f7. Instead, 30. ... Ng5,
or, Nf8, intending to place this knight on h7 was another attempted defence.
The idea is to seek an opportunity to give up this knight for both of the white
passed pawns if white permits this trade. Such a resulting ending of three
white pieces plus the a2 pawn against two black pieces plus 4 pawns would be an
interesting battle, much better than what happens in the game. ||
31. f6+
| Surely white is handing black the chance to remove both passed pawns at the
cost of the h4 bishop? ||
31. ... Ke8
| Black avoids the tempting, 31. ... Bxf6, because of the zwischenzug, 32.
Bc5+, when the black king cannot stay in contact with his f6 bishop. A pair of
bishops on adjacent diagonals exert powerful influences, ignore this type of
formation at your peril. After, 32. ... Ke8 33. exf6, white has a decisive
advantage.
White in the game must discover an important defensive idea for black which
must not be allowed. ||
32. Bxb6
| What? smartly-dressed prelate voluntarily trades itself in for this
flea-ridden horse?
This type of decision can only be explained by some retro-thinking.
Grand Rabbit will try to work through the thinking processes needed to make
this move.
The least active piece for white is the c3 knight.
Imagine a good attacking square for it and then plan how to get it there.
Since we are planning a pawn promotion and the f8 square is a logical location,
then g6 is ideal for the white knight.
How about playing, Kf3, to be followed with, Ne2 - Nf4 - Ng6, and then think
again.
Simple, as far as it goes.
Unfortunately this is somewhat careless as it overlooks an important concept.
When a piece moves it gains influence over new squares, but it also gives up
influence over squares previously fought for, you win some, you lose some.
If the c3 knight moves away, the d5 square has been reduced to having been
under complete control to a status of only being challenged.
If the white knight goes walkabout into the kingside, then black will have,
Nd5, blocking that all-important light square a2 - g8 diagonal, and the monster
lurking on b3 will be reduced to status of spectator.
So, eliminate the black b6 knight and that diagonal should always remain open
for the b3 bishop, irrespective of where the white knight wanders.
Easy when you know how. ||
32. ... axb6
33. Kf3
| White has a plan of improving the position of the king, perhaps the f5 square
beckons, which combined with the transfer of the c3 knight to g6,
satisfactorily sets up the pawns for the final push. Black can sit and wait,
almost certainly a defeat just waiting to happen. Instead, black finds an
active plan and goes for it. ||
33. ... Kd7
| Heading into the queenside hoping to find something with an active king plus
a few pawns. ||
34. Ke4 Be1
| This is not an attack simply for the sake of it. The black bishop intends to
fight for control of the e7 and f8 squares from the a3 - f8 diagonal. ||
35. Ne2 h4
| Should white be worried about this h-pawn? Not really, it can be rounded up
if thought to be absolutely necessary. As it happens, it is about to become
constrained by a necessary concession forced upon black. The white passed pawns
are the key feature in the position, focus should be on preparing their
advances to achieve maximum material gain. ||
36. Nf4 b5
37. e6+ Nxe6
| Instead, 37. ... Ke8 38. f7+ Kf8 39. Ng6+ Kg7 40. f8=Q+, is easily winning
for white. Varying with, 37. ... Ke8 38. f7+ Nxf7 39. exf7+ Kf8 40. Ng6+, is
similarly hopeless for black. ||
38. Bxe6+
| As well as winning a piece, this bishop capture guards the h3 square, that
passed black h-pawn is going nowhere. It should be clear from previous analysis
that the black king cannot stop the passed white f-pawn now. It is instead up
to the black bishop to find a means to give itself up for that pawn. This would
leave white with bishop, knight, and a2 pawn against the four black pawns. This
should be relatively easy for a Grand Master, but club players could mishandle
the position and find themselves confronted with having to round up several
black pawns and then checkmate with bishop and knight. Hard work at best and
hard luck at worst. Is there a strategic means to resolve the game without
facing a lengthy test of endgame technique? ||
38. ... Kc7
| Black is not really trying to find something on the queenside, there is
nothing useful to be found over there. Moves are simply being played to let
white show the relatively quick win. ||
39. f7 Bb4
| White can win this bishop at the cost of the f-pawn, but is there a better
plan available? ||
40. Ng6 Kb6
| At the risk of annoyance, surely white is not going to promote which allows
black to give up the bishop on the newly-promoted queen with all the previously
explained hard work to follow? If not, then why is the knight being posted on
the g6 square?
Clue: It is not only the f8 square which the knight is controlling. Oh, and
while, Nxh4, removes the black h-pawn, there is really no need for this. ||
41. Ke5
| The white king is planning the ultimate insult to an opposing monarch. ||
41. ... Ka5
42. Kf6
| The idea is to block the a3 - f8 diagonal with, 43. Ne7, allowing the f-pawn
to promote without losing the new queen. ||
42. ... Bc3+
43. Ke7
| Just passing through. ||
43. ... Ka4
| Instead, 43. ... Bg7 44. Nxh4 Ka4 45. Nf5, forcing the black bishop back
with, 45. Bc3, but then, 46. f8=Q Bb4+ 47. Nd6, white keeps the new queen and
wins. ||
44. Ke8
Black resigns, 1-0
| Claiming the a3 - f8 diagonal with, 44. ... Bb4, fails as white now blocks
the path to the f8 promotion square with, 45. Ne7, revealing why the white king
needed to sprint up the board and sit on the black monarch's throne. ||
* * *
## Unannotated game.
White: E. L'ami, 2608.
Black: A. Bezemer, 2312.
Event: Unive Open, Hoogeveen, 2013.
Result: 1-0 in 44 moves.
Opening: Gruenfeld Defence, Exchange Variation, Nadanian Attack, D85.
1. d4 Nf6
2. c4 g6
3. Nc3 d5
4. Nf3 Bg7
5. cxd5 Nxd5
6. Na4 Nb6
7. e4 Bg4
8. Be3 Bxf3
9. gxf3 e5
10. dxe5 Qe7
11. f4 Qb4+
12. Nc3 Qxb2
13. Qc1 Qxc1+
14. Rxc1 c6
15. h4 h5
16. Rg1 N8d7
17. Bh3 Bf8
18. e6 Nc5
19. exf7+ Kxf7
20. Ke2 Re8
21. e5 Ne6
22. f5 gxf5
23. Bxf5 Rd8
24. Rcd1 Rxd1
25. Rxd1 Be7
26. Bc2 Rd8
27. Rxd8 Bxd8
28. Bb3 Bxh4
29. f4 Ke7
30. f5 Nd8
31. f6+ Ke8
32. Bxb6 axb6
33. Kf3 Kd7
34. Ke4 Be1
35. Ne2 h4
36. Nf4 b5
37. e6+ Nxe6
38. Bxe6+ Kc7
39. f7 Bb4
40. Ng6 Kb6
41. Ke5 Ka5
42. Kf6 Bc3+
43. Ke7 Ka4
44. Ke8
Black resigns, 1-0
* * *
