All,
The objective of this annotated game is to illustrate the importance of
pawn-pushing. Within the rules of chess, pawns are unable to move backwards and
retreat from attack. When then is a phalanx of pawns strong and when not? Is it
the support that they get from behind by the minor and major pieces, or does it
lie deeper? In that sense then, is the opposing pawn-structure of importance,
for if this is rigid and has a certain amount of flexibility, a formidable pawn
centre is vulnerable from the flanks. Similar threads run through the Alekhine
Defence, although I’m not advocating this defence, since white has multiple
options to render that particular opening unstable.
Here, black is a very strong English player and he seemingly gathers a lot of
space and potentiality through the centre. In the meantime though, white can
slink around the imposing pawn formation and launch a sneaky king-side attack.
Having snatched a pawn, white simply needs to exchange everything down and the
end-game is easily converted. Interestingly, the black forces become looser and
looser as exchanges occur and their lack of discoordination enables white to
wrap up a rapid full point.
Enjoy!
[Event "London League 2016-2017"]
[Site "London, ENG"]
[Date "2017.03.27"]
[Round "11.4"]
[White "Ross, Chris"]
[Black "Bates, Caspar"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "B07"]
[PlyCount "109"]
[EventDate "2017.03.27"]
[WhiteTeam "Drunken Knights 1"]
[BlackTeam "Richmond and Twickenham"]
{C77: Ruy Lopez}
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. d3
{The slower approach to the Ruy Lopez. White refrains from gaining space in the
centre and trotting out a fountain of theory, which has been hammered about for
many decades now.
With this quieter system, white poses a challenge to black to either sit
passively himself and allow a slow, methodical build-up by white, or to attempt
to react actively, in the hope of exploiting white’s ponderous approach. That
is a very difficult balancing act and requires a certain degree of patience,
control and skill to accomplish effective manoeuvrability.}
5... b5
{This move cannot be criticised in itself. It is a common enough move in the
Spanish opening, driving the light-squared bishop away, thus securing the
defender of the e5-pawn (the knight on c6).
However, since the focus of this annotated game is pawn advances, it is worthy
to note that this is black’s first voluntary pawn push.}
6. Bb3 Be7
7. c3
{White provides a flight square for the light-squared bishop. Although it is
seemingly “buried” on c2, the piece has a future potential that can be utilised
at a later date.
With this pawn move too, white prepares a future d3-d4, once he is fully
developed and the e4-pawn has been provided adequate protection. Again, a slow,
innocuous approach, but difficult to exploit.}
7... d6
{This pawn move is significant, since it is essential to appreciate how black
is to construct his setup. With the black dark-squared bishop on e7, there is
little activity for black to deal with through the centre. If this dark-squared
bishop was on c5, then black’s D-pawn could well advance to d5, with potential
d5-d4 ideas, since the bishop would over-protect that square, possibly giving
white a backward d3-pawn in the distant future.
The other important positional aspect is that with the bishop on c5, Re8 can be
played to protect the “loose” e5-pawn, especially so, if the knight on c6 is
required for other duties.
With the text-move then, black’s structure ought to be with Re8, Bf8, and then
a decision to how to react to white’s d3-d4 or Nf1/Ng3/Nf5 ideas. Black needs
to remain flexible and not commit to any concrete structure. Fluidity and
non-committal manoeuvring is essential, to wait for white to show his hand.}
8. Nbd2 O-O
9. Nf1
{There is no hurry in the position. The Steinitz method of developing this
knight either onto g3 or e3 before castling is perfectly acceptable. Due to the
blocked nature of the position, there is little danger for the white monarch.
As with the systems, both players are gathering slowly and finding best squares
for their pieces, to meet with the other’s shuffling.}
9... d5?!
{Black’s first major positional inaccuracy.
The D-pawn advances twice in the first 9 moves, before development is
completed. The attempt to exploit white’s slow development is ineffectual.
This second pawn push has very serious ramifications. It loosens up the pawn on
e5 and ensures that the c7-pawn will have no protection were it to advance.
Also of importance, is captures on d5 have to be calculated since both the
black queen and f6-knight are now tied down to that square.}
10. Qe2
{The standard reply to black’s challenge in the centre. White is more than
content to exchange on e4, since this would open up the D-file down towards the
black queen, which does not have a natural security square. If the black
dark-squared bishop was on c5, then, she may have the e7-square, but this is
not possible in this structure. To enable that, the dark-squared bishop would
have to move a second time, thus giving white two full tempi in the opening.
The text-move avoids the queen exchange and boosters the e4-pawn, which is
controlling some important light squares. Naturally, the e5-pawn has an x-ray
attack, although snatching this with the white queen usually ends up poorly for
the lady.}
10... Bb7
{Played with the aspiration of pressurising the e4-pawn. This is an unlikely
target, since white will have a bishop on c2, knight on g3, queen on e2 for
security purposes.}
11. Ng3
{Defending the e4-pawn and eyeing up the f5-square, from where, a king-side
attack can be launched. Flank attacks can be an obvious consequence of central
controlling activity.}
11... Na5
12. Bc2 Re8
{Offering the e5-pawn some protection. All of which, could have been done had
the dark-squared bishop had been played to c5 immediately. Some theory and
appreciation of that structure is required though if black is to adopt it.}
13. O-O
{White has no immediate interest in the e5-pawn. This can be snatched once
development is accomplished. The e5-pawn will always need security since black
has advanced d6-d5.}
13... Bf8
{A typical manoeuvre for black in the Ruy Lopez, but here, black has lost two
important tempi in a position that has central tension. This type of
manoeuvring is perfectly acceptable, if the centre is solidified and no pawn
exchanges are possible.}
14. Rd1
{Maintaining the tension in the centre. The D-file becomes awkward for black,
since the black queen does not have a natural escape square to cement herself
on. Hiding on c8/b8 does not offer her any prospects. As a result, c7/b6 become
appealing, but to access them a further pawn move would be required.}
14... c5
{Black establishes a formidable pawn centre. A phalanx of 4 pawns, ranging from
b5-e5.
This impressive looking spread of pawns control a lot of squares and would
appear to be rather intimidating.
The more critical point is to how vulnerable these pawns are. Since they sit
alongside one another, they are unable to support their counterparts. They must
be reliant on the support provided from behind them, which could be
relinquished at any moment.
A comparison of the pawn structure shows that white has flexibility and the
potential to create more tension by means of d3-d4 or b2-b4. Even c3-c4 is a
possibility if proven to be necessary. The telling point is that white has
options to re-address the pawn structure and impact on the tension through the
centre. The phalanx of pawns does not have that flexibility as any advance
would release the potency that is stored in their formation. Due to this
flexibility of white’s setup, it is not surprising that tactical possibilities
favour him.}
15. h3
{By means of a PR3 move, white demonstrates that he has complete control of the
position. This subtle waiting move demands black to demonstrate that he is able
to coordinate his pieces effectively. All of the white pieces are defending one
another and are combining to work as a force, despite the cramped condition
they are constrained in. The text-move opens up the h2-square for a knight to
jump into g4 and provides the white king a flight square in the end-game. Since
the black light-squared bishop has been deployed on the a8-h1 diagonal, this
pawn does not become a target.
In the meantime, black needs to decide to where his pieces belong and if he
wishes to try and force issues. As his pawn centre is static and his minor
pieces are required to support these, further manoeuvring by black is
challenging.}
15... Nc6
{Black decides to bring the knight back towards the centre. Although
understandable, this retreat blocks off the defence to the d5-square. A feature
that white can exploit with a gain of tempo.}
16. Bg5
{Completing development and putting a major question to the black centre. White
is simply threatening to take on f6 and then d5. The extra pawn can be
supported with c3-c4.
The pin is also annoying, for to break it with Be7, would only allow Nf5 and
the dark-squared bishop is targeted.}
16... d4
{Due to the tactical difficulties, black feels obliged to release the tension
in the centre, thus reducing the vast majority of the potentiality of the pawn
phalanx. With the blockade of the pawn centre, the pawns become more
vulnerable, rather than a source of power. Similarities can be seen in Bennoni
and 4-pawn Attack structures in the King’s Indian.}
17. cxd4 exd4
{The exchange of knights would achieve nothing for black. The pawn centre is
now blockaded and white can operate safely by skirting around it. The c5-pawn
has also become a particular focus of weakness. Naturally, the break c5-c4 has
to be carefully monitored. Black cannot be afford the luxury of pushing this
pawn with immunity. As it is, the push will leave the d4-pawn weak and there
are not enough defenders of the black pawn body to secure their safety.}
18. Rac1
{Developing and pressurising the c5-pawn. C5-c4 is discouraged and the future
development of the black dark-squared bishop to g7 is prevented.}
18... Rc8
19. Bb1
{Opening up the rook on c1 and ensuring that c5-c4 is not possible. The
light-squared bishop is secured and Nb4 ideas will never gain any tempo on it.
All of the white pieces are now defending one another and there is no loose
pieces to be exploited tactically.}
19... h6?!
{Black breaks the pin, but at the crucial cost of creating an anchor on the
king-side. The black queen is unable to break the pin by Qd6, as Nf5 will
always gain valuable tempo.
This Pr3-move seems innocent enough, but is black’s eventual downfall.}
20. Bd2
{20. Bf4 only allows 20... Nd5 and the dark-squared bishop has to fall back to
d2 in any case. Although the h2-b8 diagonal is appealing, it is more important
to keep a wary eye on the a5-square, preventing Na5 and a supportive c5-c4
thrust.}
20... Ne7
{Black scuttles to bring defenders to the king-side. This knight manoeuvre
proves to be fruitless since Ng6 and the protection of the f5-square is not
possible. Indeed, this knight only interrupts the black king-side forces from
coordinating with each other.}
21. Nh4
{Preventing black from occupying the g6-square and beginning a rather menacing
king-side attack. The f5-square is an obvious point of entry. With the knight
on e7, the black queen does not have tactics on the loose knight on h4. With
h7-h6 having been played, g7-g6 preventative moves would only leave more
weaknesses for white to exploit. Indeed, f2-f4-f5 would be an appealing way for
white to proceed with the attack.}
21... Qd7
{Placing the queen on a tactically vulnerable weak square.
21... Nc6 admitting to an error in judgment is black’s best, although the vast
majority of players do not have the humility to admit to such things.}
22. Qf3
{White begins to wriggle the forces into the king-side attack. The h6-pawn is
becoming a particular focus of attention.
The e4-pawn is no longer pinned down the E-file, so Ned5 tricks are prevented.
22. Bxh6 is a direct tactical threat, which black needs to resolve.}
22... Nc6
{The knight returns to secure the e5-square. The king-side forces are opened up
once again and the c5-pawn is once again defended by the dark-squared bishop on
f8. This may be important as white could snatch this at an opportune moment.}
23. Ngf5
{The white pieces now loom dangerously around the black king. Tactics are
becoming abundant for the white forces. Critically though, the g3-square has
become available for the white queen to continue menacing the black king. The
anchor on h6 is becoming fatally weak now.}
23... Nh7?
{Black’s losing move. Both tactically and positionally. The knight retreat
removes the immediate tactics, but permits a common king-side attack motif.
23... Qd8 re-establishing the protection of the f6-knight was the only way in
which black could continue the game without immediate devastating consequences.}
24. Qg4
{Simply winning material.
The loose nature of the black queen on d7 ensures at least the win of a pawn.
Whether black defends the black queen or removes the black king from the pinned
g7-pawn, the h6-pawn is doomed.
24... g6 25. Nxh6+ picks up the loose queen on d7.}
24... Kh8
25. Nxh6
{Winning a pawn and effectively, the game. There is little hope for black now.
All white has to do is simply exchange down into the end-game. The pawns in the
centre are still vulnerable and it is only a matter of time and technique.}
25... Qxg4
26. Nxg4 g6
27. a3
{Once again, a PR3-move is played to facilitate the second rank square for a
minor piece. Nb4 annoyances are prevented and the a2-square becomes available
for the light-squared bishop. On a2, the bishop is more secure rather than
Bc2/Bb3. The thrust c5-c4 is further impeded with this re-employment of the
bishop.}
27... Ne5
28. Nxe5 Rxe5
29. Nf3 Ree8
30. Bf4
{Simply placing the bishop on a more dominating square. White has won a pawn
and the conversion will take care of itself once exchanges are achieved. There
is no sense of urgency in the position and this opening up of the D-file
ensures that the c5-c4 push is hindered, due to the loose nature of the
d4-pawn.}
30... f6
31. Ba2 g5
{Once again, black seeks active counterplay, although this only weakens the
black pawn formation even more. Bf7 was an issue that black had to deal with,
but this reactive approach by black only makes the job easier for white.}
32. Bg3
{Maintaining the pressure along the h2-b8 diagonal. Black is prevented from
playing Bd6, Nf8/Ng6 with ideas of exploiting the f4-square.}
32... Kg7
33. h4
{Striking out at the black pawn structure. This will only lead to further
weakening of the pawns for black. White is in no hurry to resolve the central
tension as complications does not favour him at the moment. It is black, who is
seeking compensation for his pawn deficit.}
33... Kg6
34. hxg5 fxg5
35. Ne5+
{Bringing the knight into the loose squares within the black camp. B6 is a
particular point of entry. If the knight can reroute itself into d5, then the
light-squared bishop on b7 will be rendered useless.}
35... Kg7
36. Nd7 c4
{A last desperate effort to create some randomness. The d3-pawn is undermined
to collapse the e4-pawn. The loss of this pawn matters little since the black
queen-side pawn formation is broken down in return. D4 cannot be retained and
the opening up of lines only aids white in liquidating material.}
37. dxc4 Rxe4
38. Be5+
{Strictly not necessary, but it made black pause for thought. Naturally, if the
black king wanders onto a light square, there is either a discovery check or a
pin with Bb1.}
38... Kh6
39. Bxd4
{Keeping it simple. All of the pawns will soon be traded in white’s advantage.
The sequence in which they are removed is not important.}
39... Bg7
{This bishop had no good squares to flee too. Black is in danger of entombing
his own king, so this exchange is played to offer him some breathing room.
Unfortunately for black, this opens up tactics along the 7th rank, due to the
fact that the light-squared bishop on b7 is unprotected.}
40. Bxg7+ Kxg7
41. Nb6 Rc7
{Played to secure up the 7th rank. Further exchanges are now guaranteed.}
42. cxb5 Ree7
43. bxa6 Bxa6
44. Nd5 Rxc1
45. Rxc1 Rb7
{Black is three pawns down and has no hope at all of salvaging anything from
the position. The text-move permits the exchange of rooks and no further play
is needed. The rest requires no comments.}
46. Rc7+ Rxc7
47. Nxc7 Bd3
48. a4 Nf8
49. Ne6+ Nxe6
50. Bxe6 Kf6
51. Bc8 Ke5
52. a5 Kd6
53. a6 Kc7
54. Bb7 Kb6
55. Kh2 1-0
Opening references
A.
10... a5 11. Bg5 Be6 12. Bxf6 Bxf6 13. exd5 Bxd5 14. Bxd5 Qxd5 15. Qe4 Qd7 16.
Ne3 Rfe8 17. O-O g6 18. Qd5 Red8 19. Qxd7 Rxd7 20. Rfd1 Rad8 21. e1 Bg5 22.
Kf1 f5 23. Ke2 Rb8 24. Rab1 Bf6 25. N3c2
Lee,F-Lasker,E/New York 1893/HCL/0-1 (46)
B.
10... d4 11. cxd4 Nxd4 12. Nxd4 Qxd4 13. Be3 Bb4+ 14. Nd2 Qxb2 15. O-O Bg4 16.
f3 Be6 17. Rab1 Qa3 18. f4 Bc5
19. fxe5 Bxe3+ 20. Qxe3 Ng4 21. Qd4 c5 22. Qd6 Rad8 23. Qe7 Rfe8
0-1 Grabczewski,R (2370)-Pfleger,H (2515)/Polanica Zdroj 1971/MCL
C.
10... dxe4 11. dxe4 Na5 11. Bc5 12. 12. Bg5 Rb8 13. Rd1 Qe7 14. Ne3 Bxe3 15.
Qxe3
Na5 16. O-O c5 17. Nxe5 c4 18. Bc2 Be6 19. Nf3 Qb7 20. Bxf6 gxf6 21. e5 Qe7 22.
Qh6 f5 23. g4 Kh8 24. Ng5 f6 25. Nxe6 Qxe6 26. Bxf5 Qg8
Tattersall,C-Bellingham,G/Hastings 1904/EXT 2005/1-0 (31)
D.
10... dxe4 11. dxe4 Na5 11. Bc5 12. Ng3 Qe7 13. O-O
Na5 14. Bc2 Nc4 15. a4 Rb8 16. axb5 axb5 17. b3 Nd6 18. Bg5 h6 19. Be3 Bb6 20.
Bxb6 Rxb6 21. Qe3 Rc6 22. h3 Nb7 23. Rfc1 Re8 24. Bd3 Nd6 25. Ra5 Ra6 26. Rca1
Tarrasch,S-Teichmann,R/Hastings 1895/HCL/0-1 (42)
E.
10... dxe4 11. dxe4 Na5 12. Bc2 Bb7 13. Ng3 Nd7 14. O-O g6 15. Bh6 Re8 16. Rad1
Bf6 17. b4 Nc4 18. Nd2 Nxd2 19. Rxd2 Qe7 20.
Qg4 Nb6 21. Bb3 Nc4 22. Rd7 Bc8 23. Rxe7 Bxg4 24. Rxc7 Bd8 25. Rc5
Bronstein,L-Grinberg,R/Caseros 1974/EXT 1998/0-1 (57)})
Chris Ross
March 2017
