Skype coaching session, 21 October 2018.
The game discussed (32 moves) is 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.
* * *
White: F. Caruana, 2823.
Black: H. Nakamura, 2779.
Event: London Chess Classic 2016.
Result: 1-0 in 32 moves.
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation, B96.
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 a6
6. Bg5 e6
7. f4 h6
| An interesting twist on the mainline of the Poisoned Pawn, black flicks in an
apparently innocuous, pawn h6, to give the white g5 bishop a nudge.
This system has been explored several times in previous coaching sessions.
For more detailed comments on this, pawn h6, variation please consult previous
postings or archived recordings.
Suffice it to say, such pawn moves must be considered carefully, while claiming
a little space, they also offer a target for opposing advancing pawns - Win
Something, Lose Something.
On balance, if you have done your homework on how the early middlegame should
be handled by black, then one should not be caught out.
As the phrase goes: "Fail To Prepare - Prepare To Fail." ||
8. Bh4
| Some players here prefer, 8. Bxf6 gxf6, with pawn formation imbalance
offering opportunities for creative middlegame play to both sides. ||
8. ... Qb6
| Indicating a, "Must-Win", approach to this game, a risky path is being trod.
Quieter choices here for black include, 8. Be7, Nbd7, Bd7, Qc7, no single move
standing out as being more successful to the others, there is much flexibility
in the move order, transpositions abound in this black set-up.
White to play must make an important decision on middlegame-path selection. ||
9. a3
| A neat side-step.
Black wants the cut-and-thrust imbalance arising after a potential, Qxb2, so
many sharp tactical variations to be in the minds of both players.
A war of database-knowledge combined with Fritz and friends suggestions for
undiscovered, "Theoretical-Novelty Mines", to be scattered in the unmarked
minefield of the middlegame.
In essence, new moves are being churned out in incredibly sharp games where
calculating the consequences at the board place the opponent under great
pressure.
White is in no mood for a battle of preparation and steers the game into
relatively calmer waters.
Instead, 9. Rb1, is similarly avoiding all complications but hardly displays
expertise on how to handle this variation.
A little trickier is, 9. Nb3 Qe3+ 10. Be2 Qxf4, when a well-prepared white
should get good play for the pawn, black is strongly addvised not to snatch
this pawn without previous home study. ||
9. ... Be7
| Clearly, 9. ... Qxb2, will be deservedly punished by, 10. Na4, and the black
queen has no safe flight squares, the only way out is the sad, 10. ... Qxa1 11.
Qxa1, when white has won the black queen for a rook and pawn. ||
10. Bf2
| A doubler.
Firstly, this apparently de-activating retreat sets up an x-ray attack on the
black queen forcing her to take up a less aggressive location.
Secondly, on h4 this bishop was unprotected and a potential victim to a tactic,
careless play such as, 10. Be2, allows, 10. ... Nxe4, when if white plays, 11.
Nxe4, black has, 11. ... Bxh4+, winning a pawn in the sequence.
Instead after, 10. Be2 Nxe4 11. Bxe7 Nxc3 12. bxc3 Kxe7, black has won a pawn
at the cost of losing castling rights.
Of course, black is not forced to play in this way, if white leaves the bishop
on h4 then developing moves such as, Nbd7, Nc6, or, Bd7, on the queenside can
be considered. ||
10. ... Qc7
11. Qf3 Nbd7
| Black is fighting for control of the e5 square, white must not be allowed the
luxury of, pawn e5, at any point. ||
12. O-O-O b5
| So black has an opposite-wing target in mind, but what can white do as the
black king has not yet committed itself to the g8 square? ||
13. g4
| White does not really have much choice.
Playing on the queenside only assists the black attack.
The central pawn breaks of, pawn e5, or, pawn f5, offer little prospects here,
so white just continues with the kingside expansion.
White needs a little care over the a8 - h1 long diagonal, if black ever plays,
Bb7, there could be some tactics on the white e4 pawn in the air, nothing
concrete yet, just an idea of which to be aware.
Speaking of murky tactics, white resists the temptation of, 13. e5, apparently
attacking the black f6 knight and a8 rook, surely winning something?
No, black avoids defeat with, 13. ... Bb7, when 14. Qg3 Nh5, black has nothing
hanging.
Black is to play and find an antidote to the forthcoming white plan of, pawn
h4, and then, pawn g5, push which will cause development disruption in the
black camp.
Clue: When a unit moves it vacates a square for someone else, fine, but is
there a reversal of this concept available to black? ||
13. ... g5
| Based on the reasoning if an opposing unit whishes to occupy a square then
why not occupy it yourself first?
That is a simplistic explanation of the strategy behind, 13. ... g5, there were
of course tactical consequences to be calculated as well before this apparently
bold thrust can be played.
For those frightened by this sort of kingside pawn-play by black, there is
always, 13. ... Bb7, available.
White in the game must have a reply ready, but what?
Clue: "Initiative Over Material." ||
14. h4
| In case you are wondering, the game is still in theory.
White must keep pressuring the black kingside, even if on the surface white
seems to be about to lose a pawn. ||
14. ... gxf4
| There it goes.
White dare not recapture with, Qxf4, while black has the possible reply of,
pawn e5, forking the queen and d4 knight. ||
15. Be2
| White anticipates the g4 pawn will soon be in need of an extra defence and
lines it up before the attack arrives. ||
15. ... b4
| Limited database reports this is a new move here.
Depending on how white responds there will either be a target pawn on b4, or a
fully-open b-file.
Instead, 15. ... Rg8, or, 15. ... Ne5, give black some play.
Black should resist the greedy, 15. ... e5, which does indeed cement the f4
pawn but after, 16. Nf5, this knight is well-placed, there are options of play
either on the kingside or perhaps simply doubling rooks up the d-file. ||
16. axb4
| By capturing on b4 white now forces black to make the effort to regain the
pawn in order to enjoy the semi-open lines on the queenside. ||
16. ... Ne5
| Aha, black is doubly-attacking a doubly-defended white g4 pawn, so there
cannot be any tricks happening here, right? ||
17. Qxf4
| Black is virtually forcing white to capture the black f4 pawn, there had
better be a good reason for this.
Clue: The white formation of central pieces has just been significantly altered
for the worse. ||
17. ... Nexg4
| On the surface it appears black is in the process of losing a piece.
Are we really witnessing a regular competitor in the Candidates dropping a
piece in a two-move sequence?
Unlikely, so what is black planning?
Clue: When a unit moves it vacates a square for someone else. ||
18. Bxg4 e5
| A doubler.
Firstly, the black e5 pawn forks the white d4 knight and f4 queen.
Secondly, the just-released black c8 bishop and the f6 knight now combine to
doubly-attack the singly-defended white g4 bishop, black appears to be
regaining the piece while having snaffled the white g4 pawn into the bargain.
It seems Grand Masters know a few tricks, right?
White in the game to play and show some remarkable creativity. ||
19. Qxf6
| It is true, Grand Masters do indeed know a few tricks.
Welcome to the concept of, "The Positional Queen Sacrifice".
When confronted with puzzles showing one player having a winning combination
available, the early candidate moves to investigate are those violent
defence-destroying queen give-aways.
Excellent fun to analyse and even more fun to execute.
But here we have white calmly removing a black piece performing no serious
defensive duties whatsoever.
Furthermore, there is absolutely no hope of a follow-up mating attack, all very
strange, right?
Not to Grand Masters it isn't.
Black was already a piece down when the c8 bishop x-ray attack, supposed to
regain the piece, was released.
Add that to the black f6 knight and white is getting 2 pieces for the queen.
But surely a queen is supposed to be worth more than 2 pieces?
Yes, as generalisations go, one would expect 3 pieces in return for a queen.
Perhaps there is a subtle tactic in the pipeline where white nets some more
goodies as the combination continues?
Only one way to find out... ||
19. ... Bxf6
| Forced, black was 2 pieces down with the unprotected h8 rook also under
attack.
Now the focus shifts back onto white, who has the slight problem of the d4
knight being attacked from e5 and the g4 bishop under attack from c8. ||
20. Nd5
| Aha, a white knight forks the c7 queen and the f6 bishop, so white is getting
closer to having full value for the queen, right? ||
20. ... Qd8
| Looks like black has saved the queen while protecting the f6 bishop, and
again hands back to white the problem of saving those attacked d4 and g4
pieces.
Instead resorting to tactics fails, 20. ... Bxg4 21. Nxc7+ Ke7 22. Nxa8 Bxd1
23. Kxd1, white is still 2 pieces up and black cannot take both of the attacked
white knights, white will emerge a piece to the good. ||
21. Nf5
| Neat.
White moves the endangered knight to block the attack on the g4 bishop.
In positions with various pieces hanging there has to be a certain amount of
sifting to find the good lines, some of the rejected lines run:
(A). Trading down with, 21. Bxc8 Rxc8, should be rejected, white has spent a
move exchanging a developed bishop for the undeveloped c8 bishop, furthermore
the black rook recapture develops a unit, meaning the, "Comparitive Development
Count", still favours white but it will be much better without this trade.
(B). Attempting to win the black queen with, 21. Nc6, permits black to use
tactics with, 21. ... Bxg4, when, 22. Nxd8 Bxd8, and material equality is
re-established.
(C). Similarly, 21. Nc6 Bxg4 22. Nxd8 Bxd1 23. Nxf6+ Kxd8 24. Rxd1, white has 2
pieces for a rook, but if a black rook is ever allowed to invade up the g-file
there will be activity in need of neutralisation.
(D). Or if, 21. Nc6 Bxg4 22. Nxd8 Bxd1 23. Nxf6+ Ke7 24. Nd5+ Kxd8 25. Kxd1,
white has that unpredictable 2 pieces for a black rook again.
(E). Or if, 21. Nc6 Bxg4 22. Nxd8 Bxd1 23. Nxf6+ Ke7 24. Nxf7 Rhf8 25. Nxh6
Rxf6 26. Nf5+ Ke6 27. Rxd1, white now has snatched a couple of pawns along with
the 2 pieces for a rook trade, but black can improve on this.
(F). Or if, 21. Nc6 Bxg4 22. Nxd8 Bxd1 23. Nxf6+ Ke7 24. Nxf7 Kxf7, and white
now is an exchange down with the f6 knight hanging, black is actually winning
this one.
Summary of, 21. Nc6, this looks tempting but it seems to force black into
letting the queen go for a couple of minor pieces leading with best play back
to material equality.
So, here we have white a queen down for a couple of minor pieces, refusing to
accept a line leading to material equality.
Why? Simply because the Grand Master scans the entire board, reckoning the lead
in development and subsequent activity should give sufficient, "Short-Term
Compensation", for the sacrificed queen.
Note the important phrase there is, "Short-Term Compensation".
White must keep pushing hard at black, posing a sequence of awkward questions
in need of answering correctly.
If white just sits back trying to maintain a squeeze, then it is almost
inevitable that black will break out once development combines to produce
coordination. ||
21. ... Rb8
| It seems the first awkward question posed by white has been answered, but is
the answer from black correct?
The black rook shuffle to b8 is clearly aimed at beginning a fight on the
queenside.
Fine, but there was a little tactic in the centre to be anticipated first,
black should have tried, 21. ... Bxf5, removing a very useful white knight from
the game, and whichever way white recaptures, then retreat with, Be7, giving
the vulnerable d6 pawn vital support. ||
22. Nxf6+ Qxf6
23. Rxd6
| This rook capturing-lift is supported by that very useful white f5 knight,
perhaps black is now realising it should have been immediately eliminated with,
Bxf5, back on move 21. ||
23. ... Be6
| Forced, note how the black queen had no safe flight squares.
Instead black dare not try to reduce the white activity with, 23. ... Qxd6, as,
24. Nxd6+ Ke7 25. Nxc8+ Rbxc8 26. Bxc8 Rxc8, leaves white a piece and pawn up.
||
24. Rhd1
| And here is the compensation for the white queen to be found in the phrase:
"Every White Piece Is Better Than Every Black Piece!"
Of course, black is bound to achieve development sooner or later, a
particularly annoying plan which white must prevent is black challenging the
d-file with a rook, trading one pair off, and then re-challenging with the
other rook.
If it ever gets down to a couple of white minor pieces against the lone black
queen, my money is on the black queen out-shuffling the white forces, slowly
but surely winning the odd pawn here or there.
In such an ending the black king should become an attacking unit, aiming to
close in on the white king trying to find a mating net, this is unlikely, but
what it might do is deflect the white minor pieces from defending pawns in
order to save their king. ||
24. ... O-O
| Tricky to assess this move.
Is the black king castling out of danger, or castling into danger?
Either way, this is the only move to attempt to break out and so for better or
worse, it had to be played.
Instead the mis-timed queenside line-opening of, 24. ... Rxb4, gets squashed
with the power-sequence, 25. Rxe6+ fxe6 26. Bh5+ Kf8 27. Bc5+ Kg8 28. Be7,
trapping the black queen, which can only regain 1 piece in exchange for
herself, white would then have 2 active minor pieces for a black rook.
There is the even worse, 24. ... Rxb4 25. Rxe6+ Qxe6 26. Ng7+ Ke7 27. Nxe6 fxe6
28. Bc5+ Kf6 29. Bxb4 exf5 30. exf5 Kxf5, when white is a piece up.
White in the game is to play and find a move to get the kingside campaign
rolling. ||
25. h5
| A doubler.
Firstly, the vacated h4 square is now available to the f2 bishop.
Secondly, the black queen is now denied access to the g6 square.
Fine, but hasn't white forgotten when the h-pawn advanced to take control of
g6, it automatically gave up the fight for control of the g5 square? ||
25. ... Qg5+
| Aha, the black queen gives a check while attacking the loose white g4 bishop,
clever right?
Not really, careful examination should reveal the white g4 bishop is toxic.
The real purpose of the black queen check is to draw the white f2 bishop onto
the c1 - h6 diagonal, meaning it can no longer play, Bh4, which would force
black into the humiliating retreat of, Qh8. ||
26. Be3 Qf6
| Instead, 26. ... Qxg4 27. Nxh6+ Kh8 28. Nxg4 Bxg4 29. Rh6+ Kg7 30. Rg1 f5 31.
exf5 Rxf5 32. Rxg4+, white is a piece and pawn up.
Unfortunately the black queen shuffle to drag the white dark square bishop onto
the c1 - h6 diagonal has some drawbacks. ||
27. Nxh6+
| This is not just a grab of a pawn for the sake of it, this knight has further
destructive ambitions regarding the black defences.
A further plus for white in the position is the creation of a passed h-pawn.
Of course it is not going anywhere just yet, however it is now a constant
annoyance to black, whatever black forces remain as the endgame begins will be
continually tied down to preventing white h-pawn promotion. ||
27. ... Kh8
28. Bf5
| The white breakthrough is imminent, this bishop move keeps everything under
control while also opening up the g-file for a possible, Rg1. ||
28. ... Qe7
| A doubler, yes, even in this lousy-looking position it is possible to find
something to give one a chance.
Firstly, the black queen escapes the pin through the e6 bishop.
Secondly, in anticipation of some white kingside activity, the black queen is
eyeing up the loose white b4 pawn.
Black had to resist the temptation to liquidate with, 28. ... Rfd8, when, 29.
Rxd8+ Rxd8 30. Rxd8+ Qxd8 31. Bxe6, and black must accept both the loss of the
e6 bishop and the subsequent loss of the f7 pawn as, 31. ... fxe6 32. Nf7+,
picks off the black d8 queen. ||
29. b5
| Possibly a little over-cautious?
White has a kingside breakthrough available here, but in the interests of
drama, it is hoped your patience can stretch to move 30 to have it revealed. ||
29. ... Qe8
| Setting up, Qxb5, with some threats against the white b2 pawn.
As white closes in for a kingside kill it will be necessary to calculate on
each move the possibility of the black queen finding a perpetual check.
Instead, 29. ... axb5, simply closes the b-file, black can forget any immediate
threats against the white king.
Or if, 29. ... Rxb5, white will continue with the game sequence which will be
revealed next move.
White in the game to play and undermine the fragile black defences. ||
30. Nxf7+
| A tripler, with apologies for describing such a crusher in this rather humble
manner.
Firstly, the doubly-attacked black e6 bishop is now undermined.
Secondly, the h6 square has been vacated for someone else, perhaps a little
home analysis might work out who has plans on that location?
Thirdly, thinking in terms of a forthcoming ending, the white h5 pawn is now
truly passed and ready to roll when safe so to do.
If the game move came as a surprise to you, then perhaps invest some time
working out the short-term consequences of the 3 ways in which black can
capture on f7. ||
30. ... Rxf7
| Acceptance is virtually forced.
The rejected choices run:
(A). If, 30. ... Bxf7 31. Rh6+ Kg8 32. Rg1+ Bg6 33. Rgxg6+ Kf7 34. Rh7+ mate.
(B). Or if, 30. ... Kg8 31. Rxe6 Qxf7 32. Rg1+ Kh8 32. Rh6+ Qh7 33. Rxh7+ mate.
(C). Or if, 30. ... Kg8 31. Rxe6 Qxf7 32. Rg1+ Qg7 33. Rxg7+ Kxg7 34. h6+ Kh8
35. h7, when white plans, Bg5 - Bf6+, costing black the f8 rook, white would be
a piece and passed h7 pawn to the good.
(D). Or if, 30. ... Qxf7 31. Rxe6 Qb7 32. Rh6+ Kg8 33. Rg1+ Kf7 34. Rh7+ Ke8
35. Rxb7 Rxb7 36. h6, and the passed white h-pawn with careful play must surely
cost black a whole rook.
Why is it that white, still with only 2 pieces for a queen, can manage to
create these powerful threats?
Perhaps having all the black units sitting on their back rank speaks volumes
while every white unit is active bar the d1 rook, but that one has options of
joining in the fight from the back rank, unlike all the black heavy pieces.
Fischerism yet again proves itself: "Tactics flow from a positionally superior
game." ||
31. Rxe6 Qxb5
| At last the black queen escapes the white cage of pieces which have had her
snared since move 19.
The only question now is whether the white attack has sufficient speed and
strength to overwhelm black before she can make her presence felt. ||
32. Rh6+
Black resigns, 1-0
| Somewhat of an anti-climax, but who would like to take over as black here to
choose any of the following lines:
Note: The only possible black unit to offer any defensive cover is the f7 rook,
please pay attention as to how the white pieces simply dance around it in order
to chase down the black king.
(A). If, 32. ... Kg8 33. Rg1+ Kf8 34. Rh8+ Ke7 35. Rxb8 Qxb8 (Note: Black can
decline this capture but white has a material advantage if black moves the
queen away) 36. Bc5+ Kf6 37. Rg6+ mate.
(B). Or if, 32. ... Kg8 33. Rg1+ Kf8 34. Rh8+ Ke7 35. Rxb8 Qxb8 36. Bc5+ Kd8
37. Rg8+ Kc7 38. Bd6+ Kxd6 39. Rxb8, white is a piece up with the passed h-pawn
ready to run.
Now black uses the f8 rook to assist the defence rather than get in the way of
the fleeing king.
(A). If, 32. ... Kg8 33. Rg1+ Rg7 34. Be6+ Kf8 35. Rh8+ Ke7 36. Rxg7+ Kxe6 37.
Rh6+ mate.
(B). Or if, 32. ... Kg8 33. Rg1+ Rg7 34. Be6+ Kf8 35. Rh8+ Ke7 36. Rxg7+ Kd6
37. Rxb8 Qxb8 38. Bf5 Qb4 39. Bd2 Qa4 40. Kb1, how is black to gain a perpetual
when any 8th rank check is blocked with, Bc1, and how is black to prevent the
white h-pawn promotion?
(C). Or if, 32. ... Kg8 33. Rg1+ Rg7 34. Be6+ Kf8 35. Rh8+ Rg8 36. Rhxg8+ Ke7
37. Rxb8 Qxb8 38. Bf5, when all the advanced white units are protected and
ready to force the passed h-pawn through. ||
* * *
White: F. Caruana, 2823.
Black: H. Nakamura, 2779.
Event: London Chess Classic 2016.
Result: 1-0 in 32 moves.
Opening: Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation, B96.
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 a6
6. Bg5 e6
7. f4 h6
8. Bh4 Qb6
9. a3 Be7
10. Bf2 Qc7
11. Qf3 Nbd7
12. O-O-O b5
13. g4 g5
14. h4 gxf4
15. Be2 b4
16. axb4 Ne5
17. Qxf4 Nexg4
18. Bxg4 e5
19. Qxf6 Bxf6
20. Nd5 Qd8
21. Nf5 Rb8
22. Nxf6+ Qxf6
23. Rxd6 Be6
24. Rhd1 O-O
25. h5 Qg5+
26. Be3 Qf6
27. Nxh6+ Kh8
28. Bf5 Qe7
29. b5 Qe8
30. Nxf7+ Rxf7
31. Rxe6 Qxb5
32. Rh6+
Black resigns, 1-0
* * *
