There’s a lot of stuff in here. Thanks for sending it up.
This is something I do need to learn more about, so I am looking forward to
studying this one.
Evan
From: Chris Ross
Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2019 12:14 PM
To: usbca_chess@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [usbca_chess] Tanked!
All,
This neat number demonstrates the importance of our integral pawn structure,
not only in the opening, but for the horizon of the end-game. Having an
objective consideration of how the pawn structure will have an impact for the
future is something that cannot be easily learnt or sometimes, appreciated. In
this encounter, white perceives that black has entombed his own dark-squared
bishop with his own pawns, thereby making it ineffectual in an end-game.
Conversely, this misperception only emphasises the vulnerability of his own
pawn structure, which ultimately is targeted for its weaknesses. In short,
white focuses for the present and not for the long term goals.
White is a strong young English player, rated 181 ECF, so is no easy opponent
to take down. Maybe it is only with experience that one learns to plan for the
future...
Enjoy!
[Event "Sheffield League Matches 2019-2020"]
[Site "Sheffield, ENG"]
[Date "2019.11.18"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Leah, Tom"]
[Black "Ross, Chris"]
[Result "0-1"]
[ECO "A33"]
[Annotator "Chris Ross"]
[PlyCount "76"]
[EventDate "2019.11.18"]
[WhiteTeam "Hillsborough"]
[BlackTeam "Darnall and Hansworth"]
{A33: Symmetrical English}
1. Nf3 c5
{Pre-match preparation had shown that white has had some considerable success
with the Sicilian defence, my favoured opening against 1. E4. So, immediately,
I offer him the opportunity to switch back in an opening, with which he’s had a
lot of success. Suspecting extensive preparation by myself, he shies away from
that option.}
2. c4 Nc6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 e6
{Deliberately avoiding a transposition into the Sicilian Dragon variation, with
which I have little experience. The text move glimpses an attempt to switch the
structure into a standard Hedgehog formation, were white to push on with e2-e4,
a natural response to an 1. E4 player.
White has to make a decision now, to return to familiar waters with e4 or
choose an alternative route to develop.}
6. g3
{White chooses to try and maintain the English-type structure. Possibly
inexperience in this line gave him pause for thought over the next few moves.
Although not a critical inaccuracy, it may be best to state that
psychologically, white should have played 6. E4 and steered the game into
territory already trodden.}
6... a6
{A slow but essential move. The b5-square must be guarded, as black intends to
develop the queen on c7, targeting the c4-pawn and securing up the c6-square.
Black is enabled to develop slowly, as white will need to take time to find
good operating squares for his pieces.}
7. Bg2 Qc7
{Enabling either the black b7 or d7 pawn to advance, as c6 is suitably
defended. After the game, white commented that he became very worried here
about the loose c4 pawn and potential tricks that black has down the C-file,
especially so with the loose knight on c3 were white to play b2-b3. Moves like
Ne5 for black are possible. His worry was evident by the time he took to make
his next decision.}
8. Nxc6?!
{In my experience, this capture rarely finds success. I have a lot of
experience in dealing with such positions with the vast amount of games I have
in the Taimanov. By the text-move, he eliminates problems with the loose nature
of his c4-pawn and avoids any tactical tricks down the C-file.
However, there is a very important consequence to the capture and this is the
re-balancing of the black pawn structure, since black is obliged to recapture
with a pawn. The question then, is to which pawn and then, how should the black
pawn formation be constructed, not only for current opening proceedings, but
essentially, for the end-game? That is a very deep and critical decision to
make, for the future depends on it. Not something that white evidently thought
about when making the capture, presumably consumed by his worry of the c4-pawn.}
8... bxc6
{Recapturing with the D-pawn is certainly possible, but leads to a wholly
different complexion to the game. After dxc6, black would eventually play e6-e5
to free up the light-squared bishop and the symmetrical pawn islands would lead
to an equal setting for the middle-game.
By recapturing with the B-pawn, black introduces a significant imbalance to the
pawn structure, leaving himself an isolated pawn on a6, a loose and targetable
asset, one would imagine. Indeed, it is this sole pawn that will forge a path
to create a fatal weakness in the white formation in the end-game. The
text-move also strengthens the black centre, adding an extra pawn there for
additional reinforcement. The B-file has been switched from the half-open
C-file, which is very important. With white having played c2-c4, this makes the
white b2-pawn not supported by a neighbouring C-pawn. The attributes are
essential to appreciate as it will determine on how black is to form his
central pawns.}
9. O-O d6
{The correct start to the pawn central formation. Playing d7-d5 is not
desirable, as this allows white to re-open the C-file with c4xd5 and a white
rook will be landing on c1 very quickly. White would be able to prise open the
d5-pawn with a timely e2-e4 and black will be left with an isolated, very weak
pawn, either on c6 or d5.
As it is, the text-move leaves black with a weak pawn on c6, which can only be
targeted further with Qa4, not an ideal square for the queen. Black does have
something in mind though to resolve that issue, but not for the moment.}
10. b3
{White seeks the best square to develop his dark-squared bishop. Developing
along the c1-h6 diagonal will only allow black to challenge it with either h6
or e5. White realises too that the b2-pawn is a target, so financhettos the
bishop to solve both aspects, not appreciating that the b3-pawn, has become the
target for the end-game. Once the base of the pawn formation, a2, has been
eliminated, b3 is the next in line. Once b3 falls, c4 ensues. All very
theoretical, but it gives black a plan. All plans lead somewhere and at least,
black has a long-term objective.}
10... Be7
11. Bb2 O-O
{Both sides develop putting no future mind to the pawn structure for now. After
all, king safety is critical.}
12. Qc2
{A curious and not unreasonable square for the queen, as she’s completely out
of danger. White may have been eying up any Nd5 tricks, but black can easily
avoid them, as any exchanges on d5 would only enable black to exchange queens.
12. Qd3 has to be a better development for the queen, as she keeps an option to
pressurise the D6-pawn, but putting the queen on the third rank like this is
somewhat artificially looking for many players.}
12... e5
{Black gains space in the centre and facilitates the development of his
light-squared bishop. Another purpose of the move is to blunt the b2-bishop’s
effects along the long diagonal. A future f7-f5 by black may even gain some
further space and offer a possible king-side attack.}
13. Rac1 Be6
14. Rfd1 Rad8
{Development by both sides has now been completed. White has chosen an easy,
but somewhat ineffectual plan. White would have done better to play e2-e4 and
somehow force in f2-f4 to break things open. Black, naturally, has lots of time
to react to this and may even try to get f7-f5 in to counteract white’s
endeavours. As it were, white’s opted for a very solid and unassuming
development plan. Now, a path forwards for him is required.}
15. Ne4
{It would be majorly harsh to criticise this move for the future pain that
white suffers, but it certainly does not give white any glory by having played
it.
White is seeking to play c4-c5 breaking up the black centre and hopefully,
creating open files with which to target the black pieces. All very noble if
achieved, but if this is not accomplished, then all is for naught. What white
has unwittingly done though, is to have left the protection of the a4-square,
an all-important aspect of the knight’s task on c3. If that had remained,
black’s end-game plans would have been much more difficult to accomplish.}
15... Nxe4
{This capture actually aids black in his aspirations. The exchange reaches out
further for the end-game and eliminates an important defender for white. The
black F-pawn is made available for advancement, setting up dangerous options
for an aggressive approach on the king-side, with the king’s rook having
slipped away to d1.}
16. Qxe4
{Recapturing with tempo and not allowing black to play f7-f5 for free – which
would have been possible if 16. Bxe4 had been played. White is hoping that
black is distracted enough to deal with his C-pawn enough to allow him to force
through c4-c5, weakening the pawn-chain base to loosen up the spear, e5.}
16... c5!
{A surprising alteration in the black pawn structure, but one planned from the
very outset when 8... bxc6 was played. By recapturing in that fashion, black
has given himself the “minority attack” facility, so a clamping down on the
white “majority” by the advance c6-c5 was intended. The idea then was to target
the b2-pawn, eventually forcing it to advance to b3 and then switching the
attention to the a2-pawn. In the meantime, white has unwittingly enabled black
to forgo a lot of effort already by playing b3 himself. With the knight’s
departure from c3, the advance a6-a5-a4 has only become furthered. With the
text-move, black prevents white from pushing past with b3-b4, thus ensuring
that white is going to be saddled with a backward queen-side pawn.
This is all perfect for any end-game, but the middle-game and tactics have to
be all accounted for in the meantime. White perceives the black pawns to be on
weak squares, as the dark-squared bishop on e7 is completely shut in. Although
this is true, it has no baring on the position. Nor is the d5-outpost of
importance, since black controls this by his light-squared bishop. The only way
to remove that protection, is to exchange the light-squared bishops. If those
are exchanged, the black queen can offer some protection. If both queens and
light-squared bishops are exchanged, then white would have full control of d5.
Thus, white is reasoning.}
17. Qb7
{All which black wants. An inferior way to force the exchange of queens is 17.
Qc6 Qxc6 18. Bxc6 f5}
17... Qxb7
18. Bxb7 Rb8
{Not only chasing the annoying light-squared bishop away, but immediately
targeting the b3-pawn, that all-important end-game target. The backward d6-pawn
is perfectly defended by the dark-squared bishop, so it is left to the rooks to
reap the damage to the weakened white pawn structure.}
19. Bd5
{Believing that this further exchange will only make the black position a lot
worse. On the contrary, this only makes black’s job a huge lot easier, for the
exchange will allow black to occupy the a8 square without any hassle.
19. Bxa6 Ra8 20. Bb5 Rxa2
Would only allow black to carry out his plan a lot quicker.}
19... Bxd5
20. Rxd5 Rb7
{The plan begins to create shape. The black rook lifts to permit his
counterpart to reach a8, supporting the push of the A-pawn, whilst maintaining
pressure on the b3-pawn.}
21. f4 f6
{Although this is a seemingly passive way to defend the pawn chain, it is only
of a temporary nature. All tactics are removed and the white pieces reduced to
scrambling around to defend his weak b3-pawn. Although all on dark-squares, the
black pawn structure cannot be harmed. The dark-squared bishop will emerge at a
future date, once the creation of the weakness has been accomplished. The flip
side of the coin is that whilst the black pawns stand on dark-squares and
hindered by his own bishop, the white pawns stand on light-squares and cannot
be defended by his bishop. A hugely essential aspect that white has not
realised when exchanging queens and the light-squared bishops. It is only now
that white is beginning to appreciate the very subtle nuance.}
22. Rd3
{White now appreciates that his plan has been completely foiled. Better was
22. Kf2 a5 23. Rc2 a4 24. bxa4 Ra8
With the idea of trying to cling on with a2-a3 and hold the second rank with
his rooks. The a3-pawn would become a permanent weakness for black to target
and once the black king has ran around to a4, there should be some penetration
possibilities. A very long, long plan, but one that white can do nothing about.
As it is, white makes things all very easy for black.}
22... a5
23. e4 Ra8
24. a4
{White makes the very radical decision to prevent black from further breaking
things open with a5-a4. This only makes the b3-pawn that much more of a target,
which can only be defended in one further way.
24. Rc2 with the aforementioned plan should be white’s effort to cling on.
Black’s plan is long and the clock may become a factor, although at this stage,
black had over 15 minutes advantage there too.}
24... Rab8
25. Rcc3
{An impasse has been reached, seemingly. Black has targeted the b3-pawn and
white has defended it. No further progress can be made. White now plans to play
Rf3, Rcd3 and eventually, Bc1/Bd2 to target the a5-pawn. Black needs to have
had another plan in the offing to allow all of this to work. The important
feature to realise is that white can only shuffle the rooks along the third
rank. Moving vertically would only allow the b3-pawn to fall.}
25... f5!
{The second feature to the plan. Whilst white is paralysed with having to
defend his weakness, tension is created elsewhere. White cannot deal with two
opposite flank attacks. White has played e2-e4, so this pawn needs to be
distracted away, to enable black to play e4 himself.
The dark-squared bishop on e7 is now threatening to spring out of entombment to
cause intolerable devastation down the a1-h8 diagonal, after exf4 and Bf6.
White is desperately clinging on now and scrambles to prevent things from
collapsing.}
26. fxe5 fxe4
27. Re3 dxe5
{Taking the calm approach.
27... Bg5 28. Re2
Preventing Bd2 is playable, but not as satisfying as the slow squeeze.}
28. h4
{Played to prevent black wheeling the dark-squared bishop around via g5. This
isn’t necessary though and it is only left for the king to join in the fun.}
28... Kf7
29. Kf2 h5
{Black has to be aware of tactics here. First, a closure of all white
possibilities is necessary. Stepping onto e6 too quickly would permit a
possible Rxe5+ tactic, as can soon be seen.
29... Bf6 was certainly possible, but with white now dangerously low on the
clock, creating more complications for him appeared to be more desirable.}
30. Rxe4
{White tries to force matters, as he sees that black is going to secure
everything up with either Bf6/Bd6 and then march the king via the light squares
to f5, then maybe g4 etc. White is stuck with the defence of the b3 pawn and
can do nothing to stop the black king’s penetration. He decides to go for
simplification.}
30... Rxb3
31. Rxb3 Rxb3
32. Bxe5
{Here it can be seen why stepping onto the e6-square by the king had to be held
back, as 32. Rxe5+ would have been possible.
Pawns are equal, but the white bishop cannot support or defend his own pawns. A
very sad, but decisive fact.}
32... Rb4
33. Bxg7 Rxa4
{Black need not get involved in any of the tactics. The creation of the outside
passed pawn is the distraction that he needs to win the c4-pawn. As long as the
black king stays on a light-square, all will be fine.}
34. Bh8
{There is something always very amusing when a bishop lands in the corner of
the board. Preserving this bishop does not help white. Indeed, an exchange of
bishops would make black’s task a bit more challenging. For example
34. Ke2 Kxg7 35. Rxe7+ Kf6
And black has work to do. The outside passed pawn and the black king
penetration should convert the advantage.}
34... Bd6
{Simply targeting the g3-pawn, as a sheer distraction for white. Ra3 is
definitely on the cards for black and the exchange of bishops on e5 (were white
to play Be5) would only drop the c4 pawn and give him 2 racing queen-side
pawns.}
35. Re3
{White collapses in the face of having suffered some much during the game. With
Ra3 such a big threat, he fails to appreciate that
35. g4 would give him an out. Black has a lot of work to do then to prove that
the A-pawn is a winner.}
35... Rxc4
36. Ra3 a4
37. Kf3
{There is very little left for white to do now. It only remains for the black
king to march himself across to support the pawns on the queen-side.}
37... Rg4
38. Kf2 Ke6
{With nothing stopping the black king and dark-squared bishop penetrating into
the queen-side and supporting the pawns home, white decided that enough was
enough.
A wonderful demonstration that appreciating the pawn structure from the very
outset and where your opponent’s potential weaknesses are can guide your path
during a game!}
39. 0-1
Opening references
A.
8... dxc6 9. O-O Be7 9... e5 10. Qc2 Be6 11. b3 Be7 12. Bb2 O-O 13. Rad1 Rad8
14. Ne4 Nd7 15. f4 f6 16. f5 Bf7 17. g4 Nc5 18. Nf2 a5 19. h4 Qb6 20. g5 Bh5
21. Bc3 Na6 22. Bf3 Bxf3 23. exf3 Qe3 24. Kg2
Jedynak,R (2500)-Lubczynski,R (2414)/Karpacz POL 2008/1/2-1/2 (46)
B.
8... dxc6 9. O-O Be7 10. Be3 O-O 11. Na4 c5 12. Qb3 Nd7 13. Rfd1 Rb8 14. Bf4 e5
15. Be3 b6 16. Nc3 Nf6 17.
Bg5 Be6 18. Bxf6 Bxf6 19. Bd5 Bf5 20. Qa4 e4 21. Bxe4 Bxc3 22. Bxf5 Bf6 23. Rd2
Panno,O (2570)-Pilnik,H (2400)/Villa Gesell 1971/EXT 1999/1/2-1/2 (75)
C.
9... Be7 10. Bf4 10. Qc2 Rb8 11. b3 O-O 12. Bb2 Bb7 13. Rad1 Rfd8
14. h3 d5 15. e3 c5 16. cxd5 exd5 17. Ne2 Bc6 18. Nf4 Qb7 {
1/2-1/2 Verduyn,F (2305)-Hautot,S (2322)/Belgium BEL 2004
D.
9... Be7 10. Bf4 10... e5 11. Bg5 h6 12. Bd2 Rb8 13. Qc2 O-O 14. Rab1 Nh5 15.
e4 Bc5 16. Ne2 d6 17. Bf3 Nf6 18. Bg2 Bg4 19. Bc3 Nh7 20. Kh1 Bxe2 21. Qxe2 Ng5
22. f4 Ne6 23. fxe5 dxe5 24. Bh3
Rack,M (1800)-Hagenauer,J (2099)/Bad Zwesten 2000/EXT 2001/1-0 (35)
Chris Ross
November 2019
